follow us: monday, december 21, 2020 Delhi City Edition thehindu.com 16 pages ț ₹10.00 facebook.com/thehindu twitter.com/the_hindu

Vajpayee, Sharif spoke Britain says new strain Biden introduces his Injured Shami ruled four or five times amid of novel coronavirus climate team, says no out of Test series the Kargil War: book is ‘out of control’ time to waste against Australia page 10 page 11 page 11 page 13

Printed at . Chennai . Coimbatore . Bengaluru . Hyderabad . Madurai . Noida . Visakhapatnam . Thiruvananthapuram . Kochi . Vijayawada . Mangaluru . Tiruchirapalli . Kolkata . Hubballi . Mohali . Malappuram . Mumbai . Tirupati . lucknow . cuttack . patna

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC NEARBY Nepal set to face fresh election Gurdwara call Prime Minister Oli gets Parliament dissolved after weeks of tension within govt.

Kallol Bhattacherjee chanda’, who has been de­ New Delhi manding that Mr. Oli change Capital reports 1,091 In an emergency Cabinet his style of governance. new cases, 26 deaths meeting held on Sunday NEW DELHI morning, Prime Minister Protests break out Delhi recorded 1,091 new K.P. Sharma Oli recommend­ Immediately, after the an­ COVID-19 cases in the past 24 ed the dissolution of Parlia­ nouncement, seven Minis­ hours, along with 26 deaths ment of Nepal and called for ters close to Mr. Prachanda and 1,275 recoveries, said a general election. announced their resignation health bulletin released by The decision was ratified at a press conference. the Delhi government on Sunday. There are 10,148 by President Bidhya Devi Mr. Oli’s announcement active cases in the city. Bhandari in an official an­ was followed by deployment CITY Ī PAGE 3 nouncement hours later. of quick action forces across DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD “Prime Minister Oli had capital Kathmandu and oth­ the mandate to govern Nepal er major Nepal cities and but there were lingering pro­ towns where protests broke blems among the higher out spontaneously. ranks of the ruling party as Nepal held election in No­ senior leaders were unable ed to seek fresh mandate,” for a two­phase election to vember­December 2017 and to go with the PM. There is a Rajan Bhattarai, Foreign Af­ be held on April 30 and May the elected 275­member Pra­ tradition in democracy to fairs Adviser to Prime Minis­ 10 next year. The dramatic tinidhi Sabha is expected to deal with such situations by ter Oli, told The Hindu from move came after weeks of serve a full five­year term. Paying tribute: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting Gurdwara Rakabganj Sahib in New Delhi

going back to the people and Kathmandu. tension with challenger on the occasion of the 400th Prakash Parv of Guru Teg Bahadur on Sunday. * PTI EDUCATIONPLUS Ī PAGE 5 Prime Minister Oli has decid­ The President has called Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Pra­ CONTINUED ON Ī PAGE 8 CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC At 3.4°C, Delhi Farmers to step up protest, records coldest ‘BJP’s Bengal CM will be a son of the soil’ day of season Shah counters Trinamool’s ‘outsider’ tag, wraps up visit with roadshow in Bolpur reach out to NDA members Special Correspondent Shiv Sahay Singh to address the allegation of in Congress, did she call In­ NEW DELHI Kolkata the Trinamool Congress that dira Gandhi an outsider? Did Samyukt Kisan Morcha announces relay hunger strikes The mercury continued to On the second day of his the BJP is an “outsider par­ she use the term for Prime dip in the Capital with Sun­ campaign visit to West Ben­ ty”. Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao? Ashok Kumar day recording the coldest gal, Union Home Minister “To defeat you, Mamataji, Is she trying to create a coun­ NEW DELHI Govt. invites farmers for talks minimum temperature — Amit Shah on Sunday said we do not need anyone to try where people of one The leaders of the Samyukt 3.4 degrees Celsius — for the the State was yearning for come from Delhi. A son of State are not allowed in oth­ Kisan Morcha (SKM), a joint Press Trust of those previously invited season. This was five de­ change, and added that the the soil will stand before you er States?” he said. front of farmer unions, on New Delhi protesting union leaders to grees colder than the nor­ BJP Chief Minister of the and defeat you in the polls. Mr. Shah, who visited Vis­ Sunday announced a further The government on Sunday provide details of their mal for this time of the year. State would be a dhartiputra In the coming election, we Amit Shah va Bharati University in San­ intensification of their agita­ invited the farmer unions remaining concerns and The maximum tempera­ (son of the soil). will give West Bengal a Chief tiniketan, held a roadshow tion against the three farm for the next round of talks doubts and suggest a date ture on Sunday was 22.4 de­ Mr. Shah’s remarks not Minister who is a son of the raked up by the Trinamool in Bolpur to wrap up his laws, including relay hunger and asked them to choose a as per convenience for next grees Celsius, which was only give some clarity about soil,” Mr. Shah said. was aimed at creating confu­ two­day visit. strikes at protest sites and convenient date. round of talks.” normal for the season. the party’s chief ministerial The Home Minister said sion. “Mamata ji is having reaching out to constituents In a letter to the union He said the Centre was DETAILS ON Ī PAGE 2 candidate but are also aimed the insider­outsider debate memory loss. When she was CONTINUED ON Ī PAGE 8 of the ruling National Demo­ leaders, Vivek Aggarwal, making all efforts to find cratic Alliance. Joint Secretary, Agriculture appropriate solution to At a press conference at Ministry, said: “ I request resolve their issues. Singhu, a protest site at the DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD Delhi­Haryana border, SKM shared with the people,” hunger strikes from Monday. 34 arrested under new U.P. ordinance so far leaders said they would ap­ Bharatiya Kisan Union presi­ “Eleven leaders would ob­ proach the NDA leaders on dent Rakesh Tikait said. serve fast for 24 hours every In less than a month since its promulgation, 11 FIRs have been filed under the anti­conversion law December 26 and 27, appeal­ The SKM leaders added day. We appeal to those ing to them to compel the that the NDA constituents holding sit­ins in other parts Omar Rashid police have lodged cases un­ Through a photo of the wed­ ter a man alleged that his blackmailed her. Recently, he BJP to withdraw the laws. would also be opposed if of the country as well to ob­ LUCKNOW der the new ordinance in ding posted by the accused daughter was married started threatening her to “We will go to the resi­ they did not support the serve hunger strike,” Mr. Ya­ With fresh cases in Shahja­ Gautam Buddha Nagar, Mau, on Facebook, they got to through deceit using a fake marry him by forcibly trying dences of NDA leaders over farmers. dav said. hanpur and Kannauj, the Bijnor, Hardoi, Sitapur, Mu­ know that the man was a name. A group of BJP leaders to convert her, the police the weekend and seek their Swaraj India president Yo­ number of FIRs lodged under zaffarnagar, Moradabad, Ba­ Muslim, alleged Ajay, claim­ had accompanied the com­ said. The man was also boo­ support for the agitation. gendra Yadav said the farm­ CONTINUED ON Ī PAGE 8 the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition reilly and Etah. ing that even his sister did not plainant to the police. ked for rape and extortion. And their replies would be er leaders would hold relay AGENTS PROTEST Ī PAGE 9 of Unlawful Conversion of Re­ In Kannauj, a case was know of his religion. Addi­ In Shahjahanpur, a Muslim In Sitapur, 13 persons have ligion Ordinance, 2020, has lodged under Sections 3 and tional Superintendent of Pol­ youth, identified as Moham­ been arrested after a Hindu reached 11. 5 of the ordinance in Gurusa­ ice Vinod Kumar said the ac­ mad Saeed, was arrested on student allegedly eloped with The ordinance was pro­ haiganj against a Muslim man cused was arrested on charges of allegedly sexually a Muslim van driver of the mulgated on November 27 in his thirties for marrying a Saturday. “The man and the exploiting a woman after con­ same village, Makhu Behar in and since then, it has been in­ Hindu woman, aged 26, alleg­ woman had married as per cealing his religion, said San­ Tambaur, said Deputy Supe­ voked roughly once in 48 ho­ edly through a fraudulent Hindu rituals,” he said. jay Kumar, Superintendent of rintendent of Police, Lahar­ urs. At least 34 persons have Hindu identity. Police, Shahjahanpur City. pur, Yadvendra Yadav. The been arrested so far, the pol­ Ajay Verma, the brother of BJP leaders in tow The police said the accused girl’s father alleged that the ice in various districts said. the woman, said the man Superintendent of Police, raped the woman five years boy induced his daughter to Along with those in Shah­ named Taufeeq was going by Kannauj, Prabhat Verma said ago. He also clicked intimate flee from home with the in­ jahanpur and Kannauj, the a fake name of Rahul Verma. a complaint was registered af­ pictures of the woman and tention of conversion. Delhi HC orders police protection for old couple Duo claims assault by daughter, husband

Staff Reporter and old­age ailments, said New Delhi that on October 12 he was The Delhi High Court has or­ beaten up by his daughter. dered the city police to en­ He had called the police and sure sufficient protection for some officers had visited the a senior citizen couple who premises. However, they did claimed that they were be­ not take any action and ing “tormented and physi­ asked the couple to submit a cally beaten” by their written complaint. He al­ daughter and son­in­law liv­ leged that their statements ing with them. were also not recorded. The­ Justice Vibhu Bakhru said reafter, on December 13, his the couple can also ap­ daughter and son­in­law proach their area District once again assaulted them, Magistrate under Rule 22 of claimed the complainant. Delhi Maintenance and Wel­ The Delhi government’s fare of Parents and Senior Additional Standing Counsel Citizens Rules (DMWPSCR) submitted that the com­ for their protection. plaints received from the old Rule 22 of DMWPSCR lays couple do not reflect any down guidelines for protec­ cognisable offence and are tion of life and property of largely regarding petty senior citizens. It says that squabbles between the fami­ complaints of senior citizens ly members. The counsel, shall be promptly attended however, assured the court to by the local police. that the concerned beat staff will visit the complainants’ ‘Police inaction’ residence on a daily basis The High Court’s order and ensure that they are not came while hearing the plea brought to any harm. of a 67­year­old man and his Justice Bakhru said the wife who said the police Delhi government is “bound have not taken any effective down to the said statement steps to protect them des­ and the SHO concerned (PS pite several complaints. Palam) shall ensure that suf­ The man, who claimed to ficient protection is afforded be suffering from paralysis to the petitioners”. CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

DELHI THE HINDU 2 CITY MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Juvenile, three At 3.4°C, city records coldest day Medical camp set up at protest site others held for raping minor Air quality in the Capital in ‘very poor’ category on Sunday to treat eye issues due to pollution Special Correspondent between 22 and six degrees Air Quality of Delhi-NCR STAFF REPORTER NEW DELHI Celsius. The extended fore­ Delhi 321 Gurugram 262 New Delhi The mercury continued to cast shows that there will be Ghaziabad 346 Faridabad 294 Team of nine doctors from Punjab to attend to farmers at Singhu border for 2 days Three men were arrested dip on Sunday with the Cap­ Noida 333 Greater Noida 346 mainly clear skies with cold and a juvenile was appre­ ital recording its coldest mi­ ■ Good ■ Satisfactory ■ Moderate wave­like conditions till De­ SAURABH TRIVEDI During our last hended on Sunday for al­ nimum temperature — 3.4 0-50 51-100 101-200 cember 25. Moderate fog in <> ...... NEW DELHI visit, many people legedly raping a 14­year­old degree Celsius — for the sea­ ■ Poor ■ Very Poor ■ Severe the morning is forecast for came up to us with 201-300 301-400 >400 A team of nine doctors from girl in south Delhi’s Greater son. This was five degrees ...... December 22 while dense eye-related Air Quality Index at 4 p.m. yesterday Punjab’s Garhshankar on Kailash, the police said. colder than the normal for (Average of past 24 hours) | Source: CPCB fog in the morning is fore­ Sunday set up a two­day problems. So we The accused have been this time of the year. cast for December 23 and medical camp at the Singhu decided to set up identified as Shivam (20), On Saturday, the city re­ 24.” border to treat protesting an exclusive eye- Hari Shankar (30), both re­ corded 3.9 degrees Celsius. the coldest area in the Capi­ The air quality in the farmers suffering from eye­ checkup camp at sidents of Fatehpur district The maximum temperature tal with a minimum temper­ Capital was in the “very related issues due to the the Singhu border in Uttar Pradesh, and Man­ on Sunday was 22.4 degree ature of 3.3 degrees Celsius. poor”category on Sunday pollution. gesh (18), a resident of Celsius, which was normal The coldest area during the with an average AQI of 321 Rajdeep Singh Ophthalmologist Maharashtra. for the season. day was Palam where the based on the readings from Volunteers give socks The police said that on The Meteorological de­ maximum touched 20.5 de­ 34 monitoring stations Meanwhile, another group farmer, Mehrunisa said: “I Sunday, a PCR call was re­ partment said cold wave grees Celsius. across the city. of volunteers were found am not a farmer but we get ceived at Greater Kailash­1 conditions have persisted The forecast for Decem­ Ghaziabad, Greater Noi­ treating elderly protesters our food because of our police station regarding here as icy cold winds conti­ ber 21 reads: “Partly cloudy da and Noida were also in suffering from knee pain by farmer brothers. If we do gangrape of a girl. nued to blow towards the sky with mist/shallow fog in the “very poor” category applying ointments and pro­ not stand with them today, The victim, a resident of plains from the Himalayas. the morning. The maxi­ while Gurugram and Farida­ viding them with woollen Volunteers attend to an elderly farmer at the Singhu border we should be ashamed of Madanpur Khadar said that The weather station at Lod­ mum and minimum tem­ bad were in the “poor cate­ socks. on Sunday. * SAURABH TRIVEDI ourselves.” she had been working in hi Road showed that it was peratures are likely to settle gory”. The doctors included A physiotherapist, Aman­ the area for the last four ophthalmologists, physioth­ said a volunteer. tations in the eye. So, we deep Singh, said: “We are months, a senior police of­ erapists and general physi­ Twenty­year­old ophthal­ realised that no such facility here only to serve the farm­ ficer said. She had be­ 42 arrested as cians. They had earlier visit­ mologist Rajdeep Singh said: was available and decided to ers. It is our duty. All medi­ friended the accused juve­ Three men nabbed for ed the spot three times. “This is our fourth visit here. set up an exclusive eye­ cines are free of cost. Our nile, who was also working Due to the excessive cold, Earlier, we had set up gener­ checkup camp here,” he ad­ only intention is to give there but quit his job a fake call centre dust and pollution, many al medical camps on wee­ ded while attending to 50­ them our best medical facili­ month ago, a senior officer killing nursing attendant racket busted farmers complained of sev­ kends.” He said during their year­old Mehrunisa, who ties.” said. eral eye­related issues, said third visit to Singhu border, have been complaining of There was a group of vo­ She said that on Satur­ They robbed him of his phone, purse STAFF REPORTER doctors. “We have come they had realised that there pain and weakness in her lunteers, who helped the el­ day, he called her at his NEW DELHI with medicines and eye­ex­ was a need for a separate eyes for the past few days. derly farmers clip their friend’s place of work in STAFF REPORTER visiting a patient in IP Exten­ amination devices. These eye camp at the protest site. She was advised to take nails. “My friends and I have Greater Kailash where NEW DELHI sion. During the probe, the The cybercrime unit of Del­ medicines could give tem­ “During our last visit, ma­ anti­allergic eye drops twice come here to help the farm­ three more persons were Three persons have been ar­ police scanned around 50 hi Police on Sunday busted porary relief to farmers but ny people came up to us a day. Hailing from Delhi’s ers. I come from a family of also present, a senior pol­ rested for allegedly murder­ CCTV cameras and ques­ an illegal call centre and ar­ if the situation remains the with eye­related problems. Wazirabad, Mehrunisa has farmers and I understand ice officer said. The juve­ ing a 17­year­old nursing at­ tioned 200 autorickshaw rested 42 persons from same, many of them would While some complained of been camping at the Singhu their pain,” said a volunteer, nile allegedly raped her tendant in Patparganj here, drivers, who operate bet­ Peera Garhi here. need to be hospitalised as dry eyes, others said they border for one week now. who did not wish to be with the help of his accom­ the police said on Sunday. ween Anand Vihar Bus Ter­ The accused posed as weather is extreme cold,” felt burning sensation or irri­ When asked if she was a named. plices, the police said. On December 15, the pol­ minal and IP Extension. personnel from various ice received a PCR call at A team then got a tip­off law enforcement agencies 10.30 p.m. about an unat­ that the murder was commit­ to cheat and extort money tended body lying near Pat­ ted by three men, one of from unsuspecting foreign Man who jumped red light gets bail, asked not to leave city parganj industrial area. A whom was from Mandawali nationals, said a police of­ team reached the spot and and the other two from Mad­ ficer. They induced them Staff Reporter chim Vihar (West) police sta­ that he saw a car approach­ cle for about 100 metres, saw that the victim had sus­ hu Vihar. Next, raids were to transfer money through New Delhi tion and ensure that he is ing from the wrong side and with him clinging on to the tained stab injuries. He was conducted and the accused — Bitcoins and gift cards. He The Delhi High Court has reachable at all times. The jumping the red light. He sig­ bonnet, and then stopped to declared dead at LBS Hospi­ Piyush, Sumit and Rahul — added that the accused granted bail to a man who judge also directed Malhotra nalled the driver to stop. provide him an opportunity tal, an officer said, adding were nabbed. The accused used an elaborate written was arrested for jumping the not to leave the Capital. However, the driver, who to get down. When Virender that a murder case was said they committed crime to script to dupe more than red light and fleeing from was identified as Malhotra, tried to apprehend Malho­ registered. earn quick money. They said 3,500 persons of around the scene with a police con­ Constable’s complaint did not stop the vehicle and tra, he fled from the spot. DCP (East) Jasmeet Singh when they spotted the victim ₹70 crore. stable clinging on to his car’s The case against Malhotra instead accelerated the vehi­ The constable sustained mi­ said no identity card or mo­ walking on a deserted stretch A team was formed and bonnet for about 100 was registered at the com­ cle. Constable Virender stat­ nor injuries. bile phone was found with at night, two of them tried to a raid was conducted. For­ metres. plaint of constable Virender, ed that since he was in front Subsequently, Malhotra the victim. After rigorous ef­ nab him while the third ty two, including 26 men Justice Vibhu Bakhru not­ who stated that on Septem­ of the car he came on to the was apprehended. forts, a family recognised the stabbed him. They then left and 16 women were arrest­ ed that the accused Vaibhav complete. ber 11, 2020, at 8 p.m., he bonnet of the car but that al­ In his bail application, victim as their son — Ronit him on the road and fled with ed. Most of the accused are Malhotra has admitted to the The High Court, however, was on duty near a red light so did not deter Malhotra Malhotra admitted that he Aashish from New Seemapu­ his mobile phone and purse. graduates from various col­ charges made by the prose­ ordered Malhotra to provide in Paschim Vihar and was from stopping the vehicle. was learning how to drive ri area. The police said at the “We have recovered the leges across the country. cution and also that the in­ a contact number to the Sta­ regulating the traffic. Constable Virender said and had mistakenly jumped time of the incident, the vic­ mobile phone from their pos­ They had come to Delhi in vestigation in the case is now tion House Officer of Pas­ Constable Virender stated Mr. Malhotra drove the vehi­ the red light. tim was returning home after session,” Mr. Singh added. search of jobs.

CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

THE HINDU DELHI MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 CITY 3 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Delhi reports 1,091 new virus cases Will hold padayatras over ₹2,500 cr. scam tomorrow: AAP Party to turn demand for CBI inquiry into alleged scam into ‘mass movement’ Total COVID­19 cases stand at 6,17,005 with 10,277 deaths and 5,96,580 recoveries Special Correspondent the demand for a CBI inquiry that there has been no scam into the alleged scam. NEW DELHI into the alleged scam into a at all. He added that the “AAP will turn this case of Special Correspondent the total tests conducted, pandemic, 78,000,367 tests The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) mass movement and expose amount of ₹2,500 crore be­ ₹2,500 crore misappropria­ NEW DELHI 46,001 were RT­PCR tests have been conducted. on Sunday announced that it the way in which the party longed to the people of Delhi tion into a mass movement. The Capital recorded 1,091 while 37,288 were RAT On Saturday, Chief Minis­ will be conducting ‘padaya­ has been running the civic and is a loss to the public ex­ On December 22, AAP will new COVID­19 cases in the bulletin released by the Del­ tests. ter Arvind Kejriwal had said tras’ in all the 272 wards in bodies. chequer. He added that the take out ‘padayatra’ and visit past 24­hours on Sunday hi government, 83,289 tests Total number of CO­ that the the third wave of Delhi on Tuesday to inform Senior AAP leader and scam came to light when the all the 272 wards in Delhi. along with 26 deaths and were conducted in a day VID­19 cases in the Capital COVID­19 in Delhi was un­ people about the alleged municipal corporation in­ North, South, and East civic Our volunteers will meet and 1,275 recoveries. There are and the positivity rate was now stands at 6,17,005, der control as the positivity ₹2,500 crore scam in the charge Durgesh Pathak ques­ bodies released their bud­ communicate with the peo­ 10,148 active cases in the 1.31%. The death rate based with a total of 10,277 deaths rate, which was as high as BJP­ruled civic bodies of Del­ tioned as to why the BJP was gets. Last week, the Delhi As­ ple in those wards and will city. on the data from the past and 5,96,580 recoveries. 15% in November, was now hi. scared of a CBI investigation sembly also passed a resolu­ enlighten them about this According to the health ten days was at 2.54%. Of Since the outbreak of the constantly below 2%. The party hopes to turn into the “scam”, if they know tion demanding a CBI probe scam,” Mr. Pathak said.

Timings DELHI MONDAY, DEC. 21 RISE 07:10 SET 17:30 RISE 12:17 SET 00:00 TUESDAY, DEC. 22 RISE 07:11 SET 17:30 RISE 12:47 SET 00:06 WEDNESDAY, DEC. 23 RISE 07:11 SET 17:31 RISE 13:17 SET 00:59

0 DISCLAIMER: Readers are requested to verify and make appropriate enquiries to satisfy themselves about the veracity of an advertisement before responding to any published in this newspaper. THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD., the Publisher & Owner of this newspaper, does not vouch for the authenticity of any advertisement or advertiser or for any of the advertiser’s products and/or services. In no event can the Owner, Publisher, Printer, Editor, Dir- ector/s, Employees of this newspaper/ company be held responsible/liable in any manner whatsoever for any claims and/or damages for advertisements in this newspaper.

Published by N. Ravi 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 THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD., Chennai-600002. Editor: Suresh Nambath (Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act). Regd. DL(ND)-11/6110/2006-07-08 ● RNI No. UPENG/2012/49940 ● ISSN 0971 - 751X ● Vol. 10 ● No. 303

CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

DELHI THE HINDU 4 NORTH & EAST MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

NSCN(IM) takes member Weather Watch Stir against farm laws politically Rainfall, temperature & air quality in select metros yesterday to task over peace march motivated, says Haryana CM He was carrying flags of India, ‘Nagalim’ Special correspondent Mashungmi was one of its ‘MSP will never end, govt. thinking beyond it through the three legislations’ Guwahati members and was brought to The Isak­Muivah faction of its camp, but denied tortur­ Special Correspondent Referring to the farmers the National Socialist Council ing or punishing him. GURUGRAM agitation, Haryana BJP chief of Nagaland or NSCN (IM) has In a statement on Decem­ Haryana Chief Minister Ma­ Om Prakash Dhankar said allegedly punished one of its ber 19, the NSCN (IM) said nohar Lal on Sunday said the those holding “red flags” sid­ members for taking out a Mashungmi went for the “so­ agitation against the three ed with China in 1962 and the peace march carrying the called peace march carrying agriculture sector laws was people should identify them. flags of India and ‘Nagalim’. both the national flags of In­ “politically motivated” and “Once they are identified, The NSCN (IM) calls itself dia and Nagalim without tak­ those behind it were not the you can understand their the National Socialist Council ing the authority into confi­ well­wisher of the farmers. motive behind the agitation,” of Nagalim that covers Naga­ dence”. Mr. Lal added that the peo­ said Mr. Dhankar. inhabited areas in Nagaland ple of Haryana should talk to and beyond. ‘Conduct code violated’ their brethren from Punjab ‘PM with farmers’ Y.S. Mashungmi, a Tangk­ It said the member was being holding demonstration at the He added that Prime Minister hul Naga from Manipur’s Uk­ debriefed for the unauthor­ Temperature Data: IMD, Pollution Data: CPCB, Map: INSAT/IMD (Taken at 18.00 Hrs) Delhi­Haryana border about Narendra Modi understood hrul district, had walked 70 ised “one­man operation Forecast for Monday: Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions the Sutlej­Yamuna Link canal. Chief Minister Manohar Lal. * FILE PHOTO the pain of the poor farmers km from Nagaland’s com­ with sensitive political impli­ at isolated places over Odisha, Bihar, north Rajasthan, Punjab, The Chief Minister was and had directly transferred mercial hub Dimapur to State cation”. The outfit also stated Haryana, west Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Gangetic West speaking at a “Jal Adhikar will continue,” he said. ter supply in the region had ₹6,000 to their bank capital Kohima a few days that his “daring venture, no Bengal; cold day conditions very likely at isolated places over Rally” at Mahendragarh here Mr. Lal said the SYL matter improved over the past few accounts. ago for “spreading the mes­ matter how patriotic it may east Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. had been pending for de­ years. Mr. Dhankar said that SYL sage of peace”. Fellow NSCN appear in the eyes of the be­ city rain max min city rain max min Mr. Lal reiterated that he cades, the BJP government Mr. Lal said that his go­ canal was important for Ha­ (IM) members caught him in holder, amounts to violation Agartala...... —....24.2...... 8.9 Kozhikode...... —....33.4....23.5 Ahmedabad...... —....27.8....13.6 Kurnool ...... —....30.3....18.6 would quit politics if there petitioned before the Su­ vernment had prepared a ryana and it was the right of Kohima and took him to their of disciplinary code of con­ Aizawl...... —....23.0...... — Lucknow...... —....18.6...... 4.0 was any dilution of the Mini­ preme Court for an early ₹2,000 crore project to re­ the people of the State. “It is camp at Hebron, about 35 duct.” Allahabad...... —....23.0...... 6.2 Madurai...... —....29.0....21.8 mum Support Price scheme hearing after coming to pow­ charge groundwater in the re­ the right opportunity to talk km southwest of Dimapur. W. Saya, the NSCN (IM)’s Bengaluru ...... —....25.7....17.0 Mangaluru ...... —....35.2....21.0 Bhopal ...... —....24.5...... 6.8 Mumbai ...... —....31.8....21.8 and added that the govern­ er and a decision was made gion. about our share of water None, including those in deputy publicity minister, Bhubaneswar...... —....27.8....13.9 Mysuru ...... —....30.5....20.2 ment was thinking beyond in Haryana’s favour. The groundwater level had through SYL canal. Those the NSCN (IM), recognised denied reports about Mash­ Chandigarh ...... —....20.6...... 4.2 New Delhi ...... —....22.4...... 3.4 the MSP through the three He said that South Harya­ gone up by 10­15 feet in Rewa­ who don’t talk about SYL him during the peace march ungmi having been pun­ Chennai ...... —....22.0....22.0 Patna ...... —....20.2...... 7.8 Coimbatore ...... —....29.5....19.2 Port Blair...... —....30.7....25.7 farm laws. “The MSP scheme na faced acute water scarcity ri because of the efforts of his now are not well­wisher of as he was wearing a mask. ished. “He is in our camp but Dehradun...... —....21.8...... 4.5 Puducherry ...... —....29.4....21.2 will never cease to exist. It two decades ago, but the wa­ government, he claimed. farmers,” said Mr. Dhankar. The NSCN (IM) admitted not in custody,” he said. Gangtok...... —....13.2...... 5.6 Pune...... —....28.5....14.0 Goa...... —....32.5....22.0 Raipur ...... —....28.0....12.0 Guwahati ...... —....23.4....10.8 Ranchi...... —....22.3...... 7.5 Hubballi...... —....28.0....18.0 Shillong...... —....16.1...... 5.6 Hyderabad ...... —....28.4....15.0 Shimla...... —....18.8...... 0.9 Anti-CAA protest: report documents chilling testimonies of students Imphal ...... —....22.3...... 4.4 Srinagar...... —...... 9.0.... -6.2 Jaipur ...... —....27.6...... 7.6 Thiruvananthapuram...... —....32.6....22.1 Kochi ...... —....32.4....22.2 Tiruchi...... —....30.5....20.9 Kohima ...... —....17.8...... 6.0 Vijayawada ...... —....29.0....20.5 Citizens Against Hate team finds loopholes in NHRC’s probe into violence at Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh Muslim University Kolkata ...... —....22.5....12.5 Visakhapatnam ...... —....28.2....19.0 (Rainfall data in mm; temperature in Celsius) Anuj Kumar iversity and Jamia Millia 56 individuals and 1,200­ fore concluding that due to Pollutants in the air you are breathing Yesterday New Delhi Islamia’ is based on six 1,300 unnamed persons. non­availability of material CITIES SO2 NO2 CO PM2.5 PM10 CODE Ahmedabad..... 21 .64 46 ....74 .110 ....* Students of Jamia Millia Isla­ months of fieldwork by the The report also takes into evidence such as CCTV foot­ Bengaluru ...... 4 .37 22 ..157 .115 ....* In observation made at 4.00 * p.m., Muzaffarpur, Bihar mia and Aligarh Muslim Un­ CAH team comprising hu­ account the immediate and age of the attack on the hos­ Chennai ...... 4 .15 22 ....85 ...91 .... recorded an overall air iversity have recounted chill­ man rights experts, lawyers long­term psychological im­ tel and specific spaces, the Delhi ...... 12 100 68 ..395 .327 ....* quality index (AQI) score of Hyderabad ...... 20 .46 30 ..158 .....— ....* 453 indicating an unhealthy ing testimonies of facing the and researchers. pact on students and family allegations are neither Kolkata...... 14 .58 14 ..323 .152 ....* level of pollution. In * contrast, Aizawl, Mizoram police as they set out to con­ members as it has noted in­ proved nor disproved. Lucknow...... 4 100 46 ..460 .404 .... recorded a healthy AQI score trol protests against the Citi­ Excessive force stances of panic episodes Mumbai ...... 8 .34 .— ..340 .....— ....* of 24 Probe recommended Pune...... — ...— .— ..199 .129 ....* zenship (Amendment) Act The report says the police disrupting sleeping patterns Visakhapatnam 28 ...9 61 ..144 .119 ....* on December 15, 2019. Even and Rapid Action Force offi­ and reducing self­esteem The CAH has recommended Air Quality Code: * Poor * Moderate * Good (Readings indicate average AQI) the female students were not cials made disproportionate among students. immediate constitution of a SO2: Sulphur Dioxide. Short-term exposure can harm the respiratory system, spared. “The male police of­ use of force against students Taking a critical view of commission of inquiry making breathing difficult. It can affect visibility by reacting with other air ficers were pressing our feet – tear­gas shells were thrown NHRC’s findings in these in­ chaired by a retired judge of particles to form haze and stain culturally important objects such as statues and monuments. * FILE PHOTO and hands with their boots,” inside the old reading hall Students with their hands raised outside JMI. cidents, the report says the the Supreme Court to con­ NO2: Nitrogen Dioxide. Aggravates respiratory illness, causes haze to form by says a student, quoted in the and Zakir Hussain Library of human rights body blamed duct a judicial inquiry into reacting with other air particles, causes acid rain, pollutes coastal waters. 124­report compiled by the JMI and students’ devices tear­gas shells, rubber bul­ shells inside, asphyxiating the violence on students the incident and ensure ac­ CO: Carbon monoxide. High concentration in air reduces oxygen supply to critical organs like the heart and brain. At very high levels, it can cause Citizens Against Hate, a Del­ such as laptops were broken. lets, and stun grenades in­ three students. In a semi­ based on “questionable countability of the police as dizziness, confusion, unconsciousness and even death. hi­based collective of indivi­ It says women students in discriminately on protesting conscious state, the students grounds”, providing legiti­ well as reparative action. PM2.5 & PM10: Particulate matter pollution can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath, reduced duals and groups. JMI were beaten by male pol­ students, causing severe in­ were taken to the Bab­e­Syed macy to police action. The Recommending ratifica­ lung function, irregular heartbeat, asthma attacks, heart attacks and premature Released recently, the re­ ice officers on December 15 juries. Some shells blew up gate and beaten, claims the report points out that it is a tion of the Convention death in people with heart or lung disease port also finds substantive and police used communal in the hands of the students report. settled principle of law that against Torture, to which In­ loopholes in the National slurs and targeted the Mus­ while they attempted to Blaming the authorities mere lack of permission dia is a signatory since 1998, Human Rights Commission’s lim identity of students, par­ throw them away. Three stu­ for the delay in legal and doesn’t make a protest un­ it has asked the Central go­ investigation of the incidents ticularly Kashmiris. The offi­ dents were critically injured, medical aid, it goes on to add lawful. vernment to formulate prop­ NGT panel for protection in the two universities. cials paraded the students including one who lost his that the harassment of stu­ The report says the NHRC er guidelines for police and Documenting 209 testi­ with their hands up in the hand. Room 46 of AMU’s dents including arrests and didn’t take into account cir­ other forces regarding the monies, the report, titled air. In AMU, the report Morrison Court Hostel, the criminalisation have conti­ cumstantial evidence — fire conduct of police in dealing of Mahanadi floodplain ‘The Dismantling of Minori­ notes, the police, and RAF report says, caught fire after nued beyond the events of in the room, empty tear­gas with protesting students in­ ty Education: Police Vio­ officials entered the campus the police broke open the December 15 when two sep­ shells, the gatekeeper be­ side educational institu­ Odisha plans to develop reclaimed land lence in Aligarh Muslim Un­ on December 15 and fired gates and threw tear­gas arate FIRs were filed against coming unconscious — be­ tions. Satyasundar Barik ised to add ecological, re­ BHUBANESWAR EDUCATIONAL creational, sporting, The National Green Tribu­ cultural and technological nal has constituted a high­le­ value in the lives of the peo­ vel committee to identify ple of Cuttack. floodplain zones of the Ma­ It was also proposed that hanadi — Odisha’s largest 25 acres of land reclaimed river — in wake of State go­ from the river Mahanadi vernment reclaiming 424 would be used for construc­ EDUCATIONAL acres of land from the river tion of new campus of SCB for development projects. Medical College library and One Dillip Kumar Saman­ playground and the propo­ tray had moved the NGT ac­ sal included setting up of cusing that the Mahanadi ri­ musical fountain, light sys­ verbed was slated to be tem, garden, footpath, cof­ affected by setting up of a fee bar, lavatory, ticket Medical College and other counter and arrangement of permanent constructions in special galleries. SITUATION VACANT the floodplain of the river. The tribunal has directed He had stated that there the committee to consider GENERAL was need to prevent irrever­ the issue and laid down sible damage to the riverine norms so as to ensure that ecology by enforcing the ap­ the proposal of the State for plicable rules, if any. construction of the medical In January this year, Chief college and river front deve­ Minister Naveen Patnaik lopment takes place in ac­ had announced that every cordance with law, without inch of the 424 acres re­ damage to the floodplains of claimed land would be util­ the rivers.

OBITUARY & REMEMBRANCE

DEATH

PERSONAL

SITUATION VACANT MISSING GENERAL

SITUATION VACANT GENERAL Urgently hiring!!! we are looking for Pure Hindi medium UPSC faculties (hindi terminologies must be used) including CSAT. suitable remuneration will be paid. Mail your resume to [email protected] within 24 hours.

CM A ND-NDE YK 0 Delhi • monday • december 21, 2020

www.thehindu.com/education

www.facebook.com/thehinduedge

www.twitter.com/thehinduedge EDUCATIONPGETLUS THE EDGE :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

b Veronika Taranzinskaja cling drives at schools are no longer enough. Sustainability Scholarships The concept of Sustainopre­ has to be made a valuable part ) neurship (entrepreneurship of standard curricula and the and innovation for sustaina­ metrics of good teaching need b IIT­Ropar Dept. of Chemical Engineering Junior bility) emerged from earlier to reflect this inclusion. Ad­ Research Fellowship concepts like social entrepre­ justing from the micro to the neurship, ecopreneurship macro will not only bring peo­ IIT­Ropar invites applications for the SERB­spon­ and sustainability entrepre­ ple’s world into immediate fo­ sored project “Spatial stress correlations in neurship. It means using crea­ cus, but will also spread the strong colloidal gel and its connection to tive business skills to solve understanding that we do not yielding/plasticity”. problems related to sustaina­ exist in a vacuum. In a global Eligibility: Open to candidates with a Master’s de­ bility and create social and en­ society, sustainability is a ma­ gree in Chemical/ Biochemical/ Petroleum/ Pe­ vironmental sustainability as cro­scaled issue that super­ trochemical/ Polymer Engineering or a Master’s a strategic objective and pur­ sedes the boundaries of spec­ degree by research in Chemical/ Biochemical/ pose. At the same time, it also ific study areas. Petroleum/ Petrochemical/ Polymer Engineer­ involves respecting the boun­ Students should be able to ing or Technology with a GATE or CSIR UGC daries set in order to maintain attend insightful sessions, NET­qualified score. Experience in numerical life support systems. In other conferences and workshops simulation/ solid mechanics/ colloidal systems/ words, it is a business with a through which they get a rheology/ soft matter will be an added cause; in which world pro­ chance to understand the va­ advantage. blems are turned into busi­ rious aspects of sustainability Prizes and rewards: ₹31,000 per month ness opportunities by the de­ and exchange ideas for a bet­ Application: Email ployment of sustainability ter future. The curriculum Deadline: December 31 innovations. must have subjects that re­ b4s.in/EDGE/ITJ7 volve around sustainability b The Tata Capital Pankh Scholarship Programme Listen to the youth and address issues like ‘how Today’s youth population is we can live and operate sus­ Tata Capital Limited offers this scholarship to larger than ever, with 1.8 bil­ tainably in the future and support meritorious students from economically lion people between the ages make current global issues weaker sections of society. of 10 and 24, of whom approx­ such as environmental pollu­ Eligibility: Open to Indian nationals studying in imately 90% live in less deve­ tion, discrimination, fair class XI, polytechnic, diploma or undergraduate loped countries. The Sustaina­ working and living conditions courses with at least 60% marks in the qualifying ble Development Agenda the reason for our economic exam. Annual family income must not exceed ₹4 (2030 Agenda) is the United action’. It should also focus on lakhs. Nations’ blueprint to assist breaking down the ingrained Prizes and rewards: Up to 80% of the tuition fees countries in economic deve­ processes of short­lived eco­ Application: Online lopment, community well­be­ nomic activity and bringing Deadline: December 31 ing, and sustainable develop­ about a change in society. b4s.in/EDGE/TCPS4 ment. All the 17 Sustainable To make a change, not only b STFC Meritorious Scholarship Programme Development Goals (SDGs) should sustainability be are important opportunities brought into the school curri­ Shriram Transport Finance Company Limited provides financial assistance to students from to improve the quality of life ISTOCK/GETTYIMAGES culum, but students should al­ and health of mankind. Ho­ Into a world so be given opportunities to underprivileged families of commercial tran­ wever, their long­term effec­ es that young people have a Since the idea of sustaino­ work with experts and sport drivers. tiveness depends on the ef­ strong ability to drive change, preneurship is based on inno­ change­makers. Schools can Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in Diplo­ forts to make the youth aware and more than one­third of vative ideas about how to create partnerships with ma/ITI/Polytechnic courses, or graduation/engi­ of and develop their know­ the SDGs’ targets involve of sustainable create a more sustainable way NGOs and bring the idea of neering (3­4 year) programmes who have scored ledge of environmental well­ youth explicitly or implicitly. of living, it is necessary to lis­ sustainability into all subjects. at least 60% marks in Class 10 and Class 12. Appli­ being. In essence, young peo­ Also, this is often the group ten to what young people and Many schools follow project­ cants must come from the family of a commer­ ple are the pillars of and the most affected by changes entrepreneurs have in mind based learning, where chil­ cial transport driver with an overall family in­ driving force behind the suc­ within their communities. Ho­ INNOVATIONS and the action plan that they dren think about and find so­ come of less than ₹4 lakhs per year. cess of the SDGs. wever, they are rarely offered propose. lutions to real­world challeng­ Prizes and rewards: Selected students will receive The 2030 Agenda recognis­ a seat at the table and, conse­ Sustainopreneurship should be es. Together with NGOs from ₹15,000 per year for ITI/Polytechnic/Diploma quently, left out of the deci­ Building it into different fields, they can con­ studies (maximum three years), and up to : ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: sion­making processes that embedded in the curriculum if our educational structures ceptualise ideas and proto­ ₹35,000 per year (maximum four years) for Sustainability has to be impact their lives. Given that students are to become well­ Currently we cannot rely just types, which can be used and graduation/engineering studies. made a valuable part of young people are the guar­ on NGOs, government agen­ developed further. Application: Online standard curricula and the dians of the planet’s future, it informed decision­makers of cies and other organisations Deadline: December 31 metrics of good teaching is imperative to listen closely tomorrow to take action towards sustain­ The writer is a teaching expert b4s.in/EDGE/STFC1 need to reflect this to their concerns and take ability. Disjointed efforts like and Head of PASCH South Asia, inclusion. heed of what they have to say. small science projects or recy­ Goethe Institut. Courtesy: buddy4study.com

Perspective Dummies will teach them Viewpoint ) about real­life financial save the date) ) issues. Their understanding of the fundamentals of b Ph.D Programme budgeting, savings, investment and earning will Mahindra University, Hyderabad, Bridge influence every phase of announced the second intake for life. admission to its Ph.D. programmes in Practical learning has Engineering, Applied Sciences, always been more Humanities and Social Sciences for the the impactful when compared 2021 Spring session begining on January to theoretical knowledge.

FREEPIK 25, 2021. Students who receive Eligibility: Master’s degree in pocket money should be Engineering/Technology/Science/ divide encouraged to save a Humanities/Social Sciences with a certain amount regularly minimum CGPA of 6.00 on a 10­point Whether it is online and deposit it in a bank scale or 60% marks in aggregate. Full Money matters account. This will help time students who do not have M.Tech. or in physical them work out a budget or equivalent degree and have B.Tech. or classrooms, and manage their costs equivalent degree with a CGPA of 7.00 on Why students need to be taught how to with the balance. All this a 10­point scale or 70% aggregate marks education should will help shape their should have a valid GATE score or UGC/ manage their finances financial habits. Students be made accessible CSIR/DBT/INSPIRE Fellowship A.M. FARUQUI should also be informed Examination for Sciences and and affordable to all b Arpit Arora ongoing process that about the multiple Humanities and Social Sciences. demands years of investment vehicles b Naveen Khajanchi income families. Often, I have Our institutions should look to Deadline: December 24, 2020 With the economy understanding and available, the pros and https://bit.ly/3mCzV8l noticed that children do not support all their students beginning to recover from experience to actually cons of each and how to Most school going children are understand what the teacher equally and not just the toppers. the effects of the make it a habit. Therefore, navigate a financial system. b Sonny Mehta India Scholarship facing many problems in this has taught or are unable to The focus should shift from the pandemic, financial literacy early exposure to money­ The most important The University of East Anglia (UEA) has era of the pandemic. While the express the correct answer if a toppers to those who are not is important. Good related affairs along with purpose of money is its instituted a fully­funded annual Sonny privileged have access to wrong fact is mentioned. What doing so well. This is the area financial habits and a proper guidance is transactional behaviour Mehta India scholarship for its Creative resources like the Internet, can we do to ensure that our that can lead to a revolution in strong mindset are crucial imperative. and, therefore, they should Writing MA programme 2021 worth smartphones and their own children are not left behind? our country, as a majority falls for everyone, including know that savings are £28,500 covering tuition fee, living cost rooms, many others face a lack How can we teach them life in this strata. We should be students. Although there is Practical learning meant for specific or and relocation to the UK for the course. of space, time and money to skills and values? looking to see how we can no specific age to begin, The formal education at emergency requirements continue with their studies. Let me offer an example. A support them. Eligibility: Self­funded applicants with mentors and educators micro and the macro levels and that not all the pocket genuine financial need and outstanding With people having lost their student was being sent away for It is time to develop an should start imparting basic starts during secondary money needs to be saved. creative writing potential. jobs, paying school fees has failing two years in a row. But internship model or a shared knowledge about money as education when students Thus, financial education become a problem. The child what did the school do to services centre where all types Deadline: May 14, 2021 soon as they feel the child are exposed to concepts for students is a necessity, https://bit.ly/389wrFi too is unable to fully ensure that some corrective of talent can be encouraged and is ready. Start with the such as functioning of a as it promotes the habit of comprehend what is taught in action was taken after the child developed. For example, it is basics of making a budget, bank, the workings of saving, teaches awareness b Early Bird Registration Scholarship online classes and the lack of failed the first time? What was possible to maintain physical spending and saving, as money management and and responsibility, helps Technion – Israel Institute of Technology physical activity has led to a the reason for the failure? When distancing in the open areas of every step a person takes why managing personal them keep a check on recently announced scholarships worth certain level of restlessness, we do not make an attempt to rural India where an on­site from graduation to finance is essential. At this spending, and build a $3000 (₹2 lakh) for the early bird anxiety and depression. find out or do some kind of model with an open­air gym for retirement is directly or point, reading books like positive attitude around registrants to its B.Sc. in Mechanical In the case of students from course correction, it is the physical activity, games, indirectly linked with how Robert T Kiyosaki’s Rich money. Engineering programme. less privileged backgrounds, failure of the teacher, the nutritious food, storytelling and well he/she manages the Dad, Poor Dad, Beth given the lack of access to the principal or the board. In this other events can be created to Eligibility: Open to students who have The writer is a passive income money in hand. Financial Kobliner’s Get a Financial completed/about to complete schooling Internet and devices, online case, the parents came from an offer children a mix of learning coach and founder of management cannot be Life or Eric Tyson’s from a recognised school in India with a classes do not seem to have the uneducated background and and fun. AskTheWiseGuy. learned overnight; it is an Personal Finance for 3.0 GPA or an 80% average with a strong same benefit that it does for accepted this exit as the child’s Today, in the era of the background in math and physics and a children from better off fate. Today, efforts to use pandemic, the well­off are recommended band of 6.5 in IELTS. families. Azim Premji teaching aids like the radio and worrying about their children University’s study, Myths of ensuring that teachers go to missing the fun of campus life. Deadline: January 11, 2021 Globhe; Linnéa Kornehed, CMO establish a research lab on cyb­ ETCETERA https://bit.ly/2KikfKx Online Educations, shows that rural schools or homes offer On the other hand, a less ) and co­founder of Einride; Dr er­signalling system for the rail­ there is a lack of emotional some measure of hope. privileged person is concerned Sunita Narain, Director General ways to provide students with b Faculty of Science Scholarships b Women in STEM connect and personal attention. that non­payment of fees may of Centre for Science and Envi­ specialised training and intern­ Scholarships between £3,000 and For those who are intelligent Blended education lead to a break in their child’s As part of the Sweden­India No­ ronment; and Sanskriti Dawle, ships. Prof. K. Sinha and entre­ £5,000 are available to new international and capable of self­study, the Modern education should be a education. Is it not time that bel Memorial Week 2020, the Founder and CEO of Bell Labs, preneur Srinivas Rao Ganapa re­ students joining a Master’s degree at online system of teaching­ blend of values and skills that such divisions are done away Embassy of Sweden in India, in spoke about the importance of presented L2M while Sai Vidhya Faculty of Science in 2021­22 at The learning may work. But can we are not just learnt but also put with and education is made partnership with the Atal Inno­ women in STEM and the chal­ Institute of Technology was re­ University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. rely entirely on a digital into practice. We make a big accessible and affordable to all? vation Mission, organised She lenges they faced individually. presented by Additional Direc­ classroom connect between deal about a few successes, but Disclaimer: The views Eligibility: A new, international fee­ Stem: Women Leading the Way, tor A.M Padmareddy; its trus­ b Research lab established paying, self­funded student holding an teachers and students? I think what about the vast majority expressed in this article are a virtual event to celebrate wo­ tees Prof. Jayasimha, Prof. R. offer of admission. not. who are probably equally personal. men scientists and entrepre­ Sai Vidhya Institute of Technolo­ Shanmukaswamy, and Naraya­ Even in the case of regular bright? What happens to Duration: One year neurs in Sweden and India. In gy, Bengaluru, has signed an na Raju; its Principal Dr H. S. Ra­ physical classes, there is a failures from the top institutes? The writer is is an alumnus of Deadline: July 31, 2021 the panel discussion, Helena MOU with Market Innovations mesh Babu, and Dr. Narayan K., INSEAD and CEO of NKH https://bit.ly/2WtORuR divide between privileged Does anyone support them Samsioe, CEO and founder of Pvt. Ltd., an IISc Start­up Lab to Dean, R&D. students and those from lower­ unless there is a hue and cry? Foundation. CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

DELHI THE HINDU 6 EDITORIAL MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Laying the foundation for faster growth The decline in 2020-21 caused by the pandemic can be addressed only if the Indian economy grows at 8% in 2021-22 cond half GDP in 2020­21 at the le­ tion of liquidity, one should expect up and presented as part of the vel of the previous year, the full inflation to remain high. In the fi­ coming Budget. year contraction can be limited to nal analysis, inflation is deter­ The right call about 7.7%. mined by overall liquidity or mo­ Growth and investment The A.P. High Court order on inquiry into a Our estimate (by D.K. Srivastava ney supply in the system in Even as we combat the effects of and I) is that if there is an increase conjunction with the availability COVID­19, we must lay the founda­ ‘constitutional breakdown’ was over-reach C. Rangarajan in GDP at least in Q4 if not in Q3, of goods and services. While there tion for faster economic growth. A he Supreme Court on Friday quite rightly stayed the overall contraction in 2020­21 may be sufficient justification for sad fact is that over the past de­ an Andhra Pradesh High Court order that sought can be be limited to the range of an accommodative monetary poli­ cade, the investment rate has been he year that is shortly com­ 6% to 7%. This of course would re­ cy in a difficult year such as 2020, falling. In 2018­19, the rate fell to to convene a judicial inquiry into whether there T ing to an end has been an ex­ quire a substantial pick up in go­ there will be need to exercise 32.2% of GDP from 38.9% in 2011­ is a “constitutional breakdown” in the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Ttraordinary one . In recent vernment expenditure. There are GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO more caution as we move into the 12. Some of the recent measures Reddy­led government in the State. The top court’s i n­ memory this is the first economic many indicators such as collection have met with good response. The next year. including corporate tax rate tervention must be welcomed as it quickly halted an un­ crisis that has been triggered by a of Goods and Services Tax (GST), global environment for trade and changes may help in augmenting tenable adventure by the High Court that might have re­ non­economic factor. It is a pan­ improved output of coal, steel and growth is an uncertain factor. Ma­ Fiscal initiatives investment. A strong effort must quired the imposition of President’s Rule. While demic, a novel coronavirus pan­ cement and positive growth in ma­ ny developed countries are still Government expenditures play a be made to improve the invest­ hearing habeas corpus petitions filed by relatives of per­ demic, which has literally brought nufacturing in October 2020 struggling to find answers to CO­ key role in a situation such as the ment climate. The National Infras­ sons remanded in judicial custody or on bail, on Octob­ the economy to a halt. The actions which point to better performance VID­19. Though vaccines may ulti­ one we are facing. The perfor­ tructure Pipeline is a good initia­ that have to be taken to prevent of the private sector. Of course, mately provide a solution, this mance of the sector “Public Admi­ tive. But the government must er 1, the High Court had suo motu summoned the State the spread of the virus such as the some segments of the economy may take time. The attitude to nistration, Defence, and other ser­ come forward to invest more on its counsel to assist in deciding “whether in circumstances lockdown have impacted the eco­ such as the hospitality sector will trade must also change. Closing vices” which is subject to policy own. We must also remind our­ prevailing in the State of Andhra Pradesh, the court can nomy severely. As the restrictions take time to recover. Thus on the borders may appear to be a good intervention is disappointing. In selves that the climate for invest­ record a finding that there is constitutional breakdown were slowly withdrawn, the eco­ whole, it looks that the setback to short­term policy to promote the second quarter of 2020­21, ment is also influenced by non­ in the State or not”. This was clearly a case of jud icial nomy has also started looking up. the economy can be limited to mi­ growth. But actually it kills growth there was a contraction of this sec­ economic factors of which social over­reach by the A.P. High Court. The question of a This can be seen very clearly from nus 6% to minus 7%. Of course, all around. A strong surge in our tor by 12.2%. The stimulus policies cohesion is most important. “constitutional breakdown” or the failure of constit u­ the performance of the Indian eco­ this is a substantial improvement exports will greatly facilitate involving higher government ex­ Reforms are important in the nomy in Q1 and Q2 of 2020­21. In over the forecasts of some agen­ growth, i.e. 2021­22. However, penditures were expected to ar­ context of rapid development. Re­ tional machinery is dealt with under Article 356 of the Q1, the economy declined by cies such as the International Mo­ much of Indian’s growth must rest rest the contractionary momen­ cent controversies over reforms Constitution, whose invoking comes under the prero­ 23.9%; it declined by 7.5% in Q2, netary Fund which had estimated on domestic factors. Growth must tum. On certain assumptions, we have shown that timing, sequenc­ gative of the executive and not the judiciary. In the S.R. when the relaxations were eased. the economy to decline by 10.3%. not only be consumption driven had earlier projected that the fis­ ing and consensus building are Bommai case, a nine­member Bench of the Supreme At the dawn of the New Year but also investment driven. It is cal deficit of the Centre in 2020­21 equally important. Labour re­ Court construed the scope of Article 356, which also al­ 2021, several questions rise in our What to expect in 2021­22 the latter which in a developing would be 8% of GDP. With the forms, for example, are best intro­ lows the imposition of President’s Rule in the States, mind. How bad was the perfor­ It is important to remember that if economy can sustain growth over slower momentum in government duced when the economy is on the with stringent conditions for the valid exercise of that mance of the Indian e conomy in only if the Indian economy grows a long period. expenditures, perhaps the fiscal upswing. 2020­21? What are the prospects at 8% in 2021­22 will we be com­ deficit of the C entre may be only Many have cherished the idea of power by the President after being presented with a for 2021­22? What should the pensating for the decline in 2020­ Monetary policy 6% of GDP in 2020­21. India reaching the status of a $5 proclamation by the Union Council of Ministers. These stance of monetary policy be in 21. Thus, even with a strong The stance of monetary policy in As indicated earlier, govern­ trillion economy by 2025. But in­ included ascertaining whether objective conditions ex­ the coming months? What should growth of 8%, we will only be back 2020­21 has been extremely ac­ ment expenditures should be creasingly the idea is becoming a ist which render it impossible to carry out governan ce the Budget to be presented by the to where the economy was at the commodative. The circumstances speeded up from now on so that more distant goal. The Indian eco­ in the State where the proclamation has been made and central government in February end of 2019­20. The two years ta­ warranted it. Three major ele­ the contraction in the current fis­ nomy in 2019 was at around $2.7 the process has to be approved by both Houses of Par­ 2021 focus on? Will the global envi­ ken together cancel each other. ments in the policy are: a reduc­ cal year as a whole can be re­ trillion. To achieve the level of $5 liament before consideration for judicial review. But the ronment for trade and investment Thus, it is imperative that the In­ tion in interest rate through chang­ duced. In 2021­22, government re­ trillion, we need to grow continu­ improve and help India? What dian economy grows at a mini­ es in policy rate; providing venues should pick up with the ously at 9% for six years from now. A.P. High Court’s order seemed to have reversed the should be the medium­term focus mum of 8% in 2021­22. This should liquidity through various mea­ rise in GDP. The process of bring­ That is the challenge before the scheme of things by putting the cart before the horse in including the role of reforms be? be possible if by that time restric­ sures, and regulatory changes ing down the fiscal deficit must al­ economy. Jobs and employment asking to ascertain if there is a “constitutional brea k­ tions imposed because of CO­ such as moratorium. There has so start. This will still leave the go­ will come from growth. They are down in the State”. The Chief Justice of Indianoted that Performance in 2020­21 VID­19 are withdrawn and the na­ been a substantial injection of li­ vernment sufficient space for not independent of growth. Will the Court found it to be “disturbing” before staying it. We now know the GDP numbers tion goes back to a normal state. quidity into the system. According maintaining the expenditure at a policymakers eschew other con­ The Supreme Court’s order comes in the wake of in­ for the first half of 2020­21. Reduc­ Some sectors can act as lead sec­ to the recent monetary policy reasonably high level. What is re­ siderations and focus only on cidents pointing to a tussle between the judiciary a nd tions in the first half of GDP at 2011­ tors or engines of growth. This is statement, reserve money in­ quired is a sharp increase in go­ growth? 12 prices in 2020­21 as compared where increased government capi­ creased by 15.3% as of end Novem­ vernment capital expenditures the elected government in Andhra Pradesh. Chief Mi­ to the first half of 2019­20 is tal expenditures become relevant. ber 2020. Money supply however which can act as a stimulus for C. Rangarajan is a former Chairman of nister Jagan Mohan Reddy had, in an unprecedented ₹11,15,879 crore which is 7.66% of The private sector seems to be re­ grew by 12.5% because some of the growth. A detailed investment the Economic Advisory Council to the letter to the CJI, complained about the alleged hostile the 2019­20 GDP. If the Indian eco­ vising its future prospects and ma­ injection of liquidity ended up in plan of the government and public Prime Minister and a former Governor of attitude of the High Court against him and his gover n­ nomy at least maintains the se­ ny new issues in the capital market excess reserve. With a large injec­ sector enterprises must be drawn the Reserve Bank of India ment besides making controversial allegations against a senior Supreme Court judge. This was even as the High Court ordered a CBI probe into what it termed was a so­ cial media campaign against the judges. The onus is Stopping the slide of health care in India now on the Supreme Court to put an end to the un­ Policymakers need to focus on the larger picture with steps being taken to reclaim the space under public care seemly tussle between the judiciary and government in the State. Ordering an internal inquiry into the Chief Mi­ Even with avowedly 12 crore 80:20 rule; 20% of people can af­ ryone, work on the ground does nister’s letter would be a good beginning. A clear nullifi­ card holders under Ayushman ford modern health care, 40% not bear it out. Admittedly, it is the cation of the High Court order will also ensure that such Bharat, only 1.27 crore people cannot afford it at all and the other critical piece of health care but go­ have taken advantage of the 40%, the so­called non­poor, pay vernment funding is disturbingly legal adventures impinging upon the separation of pow­ scheme. Private sector health care with difficulty. Nearly 70 million of skewed against it. Primary h ealth ers in the State are not repeated. is driven by return on capital. the non­poor slide into poverty on care should receive three times Satya Mohanty What makes insurance and private a year­to­year basis. Because of the more allocation in the budget and health care an egregious combina­ problem of access, affordability, doctor and paramedic strength Smouldering unrest tion is that the insurance backup absence of quality manpower and should be doubled merely on the Inequitable labour-capital relations could hit ndia’s health care is a dark echo incentivises hospitals to expand the rent­seeking behaviour of staff, basis of population increase. If ne­ chamber. It is 70% private and the bill but the patients do not get more than 80% of people routine­ cessary, doctors can be given in­ India’s investment destination credo I30% public in a country where attended to in their best interests. GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO ly reach Registered Medical Practi­ centives in terms of extra salary n Saturday, global personal technology major 80% people do not have any pro­ The agents of the government, on supplier­induced demand created tioners who are not trained to and post graduate seat preference, Apple placed all fresh production orders on tection for health and the out­of­ the other hand, have an incentive and provided by doctors and hos­ treat patients. But they routinely but in parallel, given penalties for pocket expense is as high as 62%. for driving down the price of pro­ pitals which have superior know­ prescribe antibiotics and steroids absenteeism for rural posting. hold for its Taiwanese supplier Wistron. This O With public spending at 1.13% of cedures; as a result, hospitals se­ ledge, compared to patients. They for quick relief. The country could embargo may affect all Wistron units, but the trigger GDP and a huge shortage of lectively offer some services and encourage patients to demand be sitting on a dormant volcano of Staff ratio was one of the biggest expressions of industrial unr est health­care workers particularly procedures (while denying some). tests and interventions, though antibiotic and steroid immunity. But the most important thing is in India in recent years — at a new facility set up by the nurses and midwives, policy But the ceiling level of the insu­ the improved quality of care and There are three options here. that States should be incentivis ed firm in Kolar, Karnataka, to manufacture iPhones, moves and plans appear like a rance gets claimed regardless in outcomes are uncertain. Ramp up the number of doctors to carry out the appointments of among other things. Violence broke out at the unit o n sound in emptiness. The novel co­ the interest of the hospital. with counterpart obligation to health workers and doctors. It is December 12 after several workers raised slogans pro t­ ronavirus pandemic has revealed When the g overnment adjudi­ Health economics serve in rural areas. The result is not common knowledge yet that the mismatch between the over­ cates the claim without having the This pervasive demand induce­ uncertain with far greater career India’s public system has a shor­ esting against non­payment of their dues, a protest that whelming presence of the not so capacity to do so under a trust mo­ ment has an impact in terms of in­ options in the private sector (with tage of nurses too. The ratio of 0.6 escalated. In Kolar, Wistron claimed ₹437 crore of dam­ well­to­do and private health care del, the system will unravel sooner creases in health expenditure. its better infrastructure which is nurses per doctor while the World ages from the incident even as the Centre and the State with its revenue modelling that rather than later. Under Obama­ This results in an upward bias in required for job satisfaction). Se­ Health Organization specification government reacted with alacrity, given the impor­ borders more on greed and rent care, in the United States, where insurance premium which in turn cond is to revive the Licentiate is three nurses per doctor. In tance of the project for India to establish its credentials gouging. professionals with expertise in creates a fiscal externality in the Medical Practitioner as we had be­ States such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar as an alternative manufacturing base to China. The health­care cost carried out the long term. In health economics, fore Independence in the rural and other north Indian S tates State said it was disturbed and around 160 peoplewere The system now scrutiny of unnecessary proce­ where competitive equilibrium of­ areas. This requires starting it de where the percentage of nurses is Whenever the market leaves out dures and interventions, problems ten does not exist, the behaviour novo with the attendant resis­ abysmally low, the health outcome arrested. The Centre asked the B.S. Yediyurappa admi­ the majority or has an incentive to were encountered often despite of a private corporate hospital is tance. The third one is to empow­ is understandably the poorest. nistration for an expeditious inquiry to identify the cul­ cream off, the public sector would inherent superiority in the match skewed in favour of profitability. er graduates of BSc (Nursing) to be PHCs should be well­staffed and prits and ensure that investor sentiment is not affected have to step in for the allocation up. Any attempt to cover the non­poor nursing practitioners — as preva­ well­provisioned through a rea­ due to the ‘one­off incident’. and production of health services. Social insurance has solved the and the rich will result in advanta­ lent in many countries. In any sonable fee which will cover at The Prime Minister has been reported to be ‘very The fact is 85% of the population pooling equilibrium problem geous selection for thosebetter­off case, nurses have been able to deal least part of the cost. Once the ser­ worried’ about the development, and all necessary sup­ cannot afford high cost, corporate when the majority has an afforda­ crowding out the poor. with a large number of cases inde­ vices become predictable, people port has been promised so that the firm may restart op­ private health care. Where de­ bility problem. While the issue of In any case, insurance of secon­ pendently in government facilities will return to these health mand is created by the latter by asymmetric information gets dary and tertiary care pushes out in understaffed primary health facilities. erations. That may take a while now given that Apple’s homogenising all submarkets such ironed out, the inefficient beha­ long­term investment by the state centres (PHCs) where the doctor is We lose sight of the wood be­ own probe has found glaring lapses in Wistron’s trea t­ as preventive, general, specialists, viour which is associated with mo­ and people and leads to the conti­ either mostly absent or available cause we have let trees come in ment of its staffers. From playing victim initially, Wis ­ emergency and remedial services ral hazard still remains. The doc­ nued neglect of primary health for a few hours. From the gender the way and we are busy edifying tron has been compelled to change tack — it now claims — where inducement is the norm — tor and patient are not care. Finally, a social insurance perspective too, this is preferable them instead. Can we get real and the damages from the violence were about ₹ 50 crore the exploitation of the unsuspect­ constrained by the ability to pay scheme of such type with our de­ from the angle of maternal and work with the bigger picture of and has fired a top official handling its India operations ing is inevitable . While too little is and while the marginal private mographic profile only prospers at child health health care? for failing to ensure employees got their entire dues in a being done too slowly to have any cost is zero, the social cost can be the cost of neglecting public hospi­ timely manner. Perhaps, if designated officials for hear­ impact, private hospitals gain un­ high. Consumption is high for tals. It is deeply erroneous and The neglect of primary care Dr. Satya Mohanty is a former Secretary, der the social insurance scheme in those health­care services which problematic. While the primacy of p rimary Government of India. The views expressed ing labour grievances had reacted adequately when the interregnum.. are often inefficient because of India’s health problem has a health care is emphasised by eve­ are personal Wistron’s 1,300­odd regular staffers or its 8,000 odd contract workers at Kolar raised a red flag about wages, this may not have come to pass. If anything, enforce­ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials. ment of labour laws for employees’ benefit will make To read more letters India an even more attractive and contrasting altern a­ In a new camp mockery of democracy if itself to be a ‘party with a any right­thinking person At Adelaide online, scan the QR code tive to China where labour exploitation is rife. With glo­ What type of democracy is elected representatives are difference’ is no longer so lose faith and confidence in India’s ignominious defeat at bal firms under pressure to exhibit higher standards in it when an elected not prevented from what as it ‘encourages’ defectors our elected representatives. the Adelaide Test against batting line­up crumbling environmental, social and corporate governance, India representative — be he/she they have done in West from other parties. How do It is not a surprise that the Australia marks a new low in under pressure against a an MLA or an MP from any Bengal (Page 1, “Bengal sees even the ‘tainted’ leaders of BJP is stooping to any level to the annals of our cricketing sustained and disciplined also needs to up its game on enforcing compliance with political party — defects to mass defection to BJP at other parties become grab power. If the BJP wants history (‘Sport’ page, “Indian Australian pace bowling the laws of the land and treating labour­employer di s­ another party during the Amit Shah’s rally”, ‘puritans’ once they join to rule a State, it should batting plumbs new depths attack. putes in an even­handed manner. When a showcase currency of his/her tenure? December 20). the BJP? The need is to contest elections as Aussie pacers wreak The Test Match has also project becomes an exemplary basket case within Is it not a betrayal of us Why does Parliament not enact an effective ‘anti­ democratically. What is the havoc”, December 20). exposed the vulnerability of months, for whatever reasons, the repercussions are voters who elected them enact a law to prevent defection’ law to disqualify mysterious factor causing Needless to say, the shocking our players in confronting deeper and wider. With the country on the cusp of a and of the party on whose elected members from elected members the such large crossovers? Ever and unexpected decimation genuine pace/fast bowling new labour law regime being marketed as a business­ tickets they fought the switching parties before moment they desert their since the BJP took over the leaves Indian cricketing fans attack on fast and bouncy elections? If the elected their tenure is over? And party to join the other one reins of power, defections devastated and heart­broken. pitches. The defeat comes as friendly regimen, misgivings about their provisions or representative is free to why does the Election during the currency of their are on the rise. It is As compared to its emphatic a wake­up call to the unresponsive systems for employees’ grievances can jump on the other wagon, Commission of India or the term. regrettable the anti­defection performances where Team management to eschew the only foment more such unrest. It may be a good time will the electorate, on the Supreme Court of India not A. Jainulabdeen, law lacks bite. Apart from India scored impressive system of choosing a for the government to rekindle a tripartite dialogue me­ same logic, be permitted to ‘advise’ the Centre to enact Chennai this, the voter public also do victories against opponents different playing eleven for chanism with trade unions and employers like the erst­ withdraw the vote he/she a law in this regard? It is a not punish the defectors. on its home turf, the team different formats. while Indian Labour Conference, not held since 2015. cast and call back the shame that the Bharatiya ■ The happenings in West D. Sethuraman, was only a pale shadow of B. Suresh Kumar, elected member? It is a Janata Party which claims Bengal are enough to make Chennai itself, with the much famed Coimbatore

CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

THE HINDU DELHI MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 OPED 7 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Losing the plot on women’s safety FROM THE READERS’ EDITOR Values that govern advertising The Maharashtra government’s Shakti Act takes a myopic view of the problem of sexual violence

gation and trial under the Juvenile While the credo for our editorial and business arms is the Justice Act and the POCSO Act are same, it’s crucial that the two function independently rarely adhered to as neither the pol­ ice nor the courts have the infras­ each of the participating arms in the busi­ VIVEK BENDRE * tructure to comply with these time­ ness of news. It reads, “There is no wall but frames. Further, the Bill does not there is a firm line between the business op­ Veena gowda & Vijay Hiremath state what happens if the investiga­ erations of the company and editorial opera­ tion, trial, or appeal is not completed tions and content. Pursuant to the above­ within the prescribed time. In the mentioned values and objectives, it is neces­ Most governments, when faced with current system, police officers are A.S. Panneerselvan sary to create a professionalism in the the question of improving women’s saddled with a large number of cases editorial functioning independent of share­ safety, inevitably turn to enacting at the same time. There are not holder interference so as to maintain an im­ new laws rather than ensuring a enough prosecutors at trial courts I had promised in my earlier columns, “Qu- partiality, fairness, and objectivity in edito­ more effective legal system. The Ma­ and in high courts; most of them are eries, complaints and allegations” (Novem­ rial and journalistic functioning.” ha Vikas Aghadi government in Mah­ assigned three­four courts at a time ber 2) and “Universal values and partisan in- arashtra seems no different, however and they prosecute hundreds of cas­ terests” (November 16) that I will write about A rational view well­meaning it may be. es simultaneously. Unless these sys­ the advertising policy of this newspaper. A The advertising team is guided by a triad: the The Maharashtra Shakti Criminal temic problems are solved, new laws section of social media carried out a vicious laws governing the sector, the code adopted Law (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, will only be a facade. campaign against this newspaper for the pu­ by the Advertising Standards Council of In­ 2020, and the accompanying Special blication of a full­page advertisement on be­ dia (ASCI), and the in­house code of ‘Living Courts and Machinery for Implemen­ Redundant proposals half of the People’s Republic of China, cele­ our values’. It is important to understand the tation of Maharashtra Shakti Crimi­ sion only points to the patriarchal standards to be “heinous” and there Lastly, the proposed amendments brating its National Day on October 1. context for evaluating the two advertise­ nal Law follow the same cliché of conception that women are manipu­ is no uniform benchmark to identify seem to have been recommended Another section hauled the newspaper over ments that have become contentious. harsher punishment, more authori­ lative liars and unworthy of being what circumstances make an offence without considering similar, already­ the coals for carrying an advertisement on First, let us examine the advertisement re­ ties, and wider definitions. The Bills’ trusted. Even as most laws are in­ “heinous”. Further, the death penal­ existing provisions in the criminal December 13 in the Delhi edition, from a garding the National Day celebrations of the content reflects the absence of a larg­ deed susceptible to misuse by indivi­ ty has been in the statute books for a laws. For instance, the Bill seeks to trust seeking donations for building a temple People’s Republic of China on October 1. It er consultative process and lack of duals and authorities, no other legis­ long time, but there is no evidence introduce Section 354E (Harassment at Ayodhya. Samina Yasmin, an academic was clearly marked as an advertisement. It understanding of existing criminal lation has such a provision. affirming its potency as a deterrent in of Women by any mode of communi­ from Jaipur, felt that the advertisement was from a neighbouring nation­state, with laws. Offences against women often oc­ preventing crimes. It is time legisla­ cation) into the IPC, aiming to punish shook the secular foundations of the coun­ whom India has excellent diplomatic rela­ For any criminal justice system to cur behind closed doors or at deso­ tors realise that death penalty is not intimidation of women through so­ try. She objected to the title of the advertise­ tions. Both countries are represented by full­ be effective, fair and just laws, a ro­ late places, making finding eyewit­ the absolute answer to the issue of cial media and electronic platforms. ment that read, “Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir: fledged ambassadors. There have been a bust investigative mechanism, a dy­ nesses difficult. Investigation and rape — only the certainty that there Similar provisions exist under the Re­establishment of national self­respect”. number of summit­level interactions bet­ namic judiciary and adequate infras­ prosecution are often shabby and ne­ will be effective investigation, trial, IPC and the Information Technology Her question was, “Is it in accordance with ween the heads of the two governments over tructure are indispensable. The gligent. This results in unfair acquit­ and therefore punishment, can act Act, 2000, which comprehensively the editorial policy of The Hindu to carry an the last seven years. Can we use the Galwan criminal law amendments post the tals, and the victims, in turn, may be as an effective deterrent. Contrary to cover all the offences mentioned un­ advertisement which states that building a Valley exchanges, where the Prime Minister Nirbhaya case and the recommenda­ accused of having filed false com­ the State’s understanding, the death der the new section. Similarly, the temple at the site in Ayodhya, where Babri himself is yet to name the aggressor, to deny tions of the Verma Committee plaints. A provision for punishing penalty will only mean that an ac­ provision to punish public servants Masjid stood, will re­establish national advertising space to an embassy to celebrate brought in several progressive false complaints would result in cused may not stop at just rape and for failing to assist in investigation or self­respect?” its foundation day? China accounted for over amendments to curb violence counter cases being filed against vic­ may murder the victim to get rid of perform their assigned duties is also 5% of India’s total exports in financial year against women and children. What is tims, and may thus dissuade many the only witness, as the punishment sufficiently covered under the IPC, in Guiding principles 2019­20 and more than 14% of imports. Ac­ currently lacking is the infrastruc­ victims of sexual assault and acid at­ for both will be the same. Important­ terms of contravention of law or dis­ Though my remit is to address editorial re­ cording to Invest India, an agency under the ture required for effective implemen­ tacks from filing complaints, thereby ly, studies have shown that often, the obedience of orders and duties. fractions if they happen, I decided to ask the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, tation. The Maharashtra government muffling women’s voices. In a coun­ accused in sexual assault crimes are Hence, in effect, these proposed management about this particular issue be­ India’s imports from China jumped 45 times should hence focus on improving in­ try where courts have directed wo­ relatives or persons known to the vic­ amendments are of little signifi­ cause there was an attempt to conflate the since 2000 to reach over $70 billion in 2018­ frastructure, rather than bringing in men to marry their abuser, the possi­ tims. If the punishment for the crime cance. It would be more pragmatic if editorial policy of the newspaper with its bu­ 19. Is it ethical to be oblivious to these fac­ harsher and unreasonable provi­ bility of a counter case would only is death, then not only the family of the government focused on improv­ siness policy. Readers are familiar with the tors? I would have felt violated if the new­ sions in the guise of securing wo­ make it more difficult for a woman to the victim, but the victim herself may ing the implementation of existing editorial policy of the newspaper, ‘Living our spaper had carried an advertisement from men’s safety. Contrary to the govern­ say ‘No’ to such a proposition. choose not to report the crime or laws and infrastructure. values’. But there is a similar value system the apartheid­era South Africa. ment’s stated intention of curbing The other aspect of the Bill is the may turn hostile during the trial. Re­ The Bill was opposed by several that governs the business arm of the new­ In the case of the advertisement for the violence against women, the Bills are introduction of the death penalty for search has also indicated that judges women’s rights organisations and la­ spaper as well. The code of business values is Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra seeking draconian and threaten the lives of rape, acid attacks, and for rape of a are unlikely to convict a person when wyers from Maharashtra, which also titled ‘Living our values’ and it has eight donations for its proposed temple construc­ sexual assault victims. minor. The amendment to the rele­ the punishment is death. seems to have led the State govern­ governing principles: honesty and integrity, tion, we have to keep in mind that this trust vant sections adds that in cases Another provision stipulating that ment to refer it to a joint select com­ respect, humility, excellence, consumer fo­ was created by the Government of India Patriarchal ideas where “the characteristic of the of­ investigation should be completed mittee. This is a welcome move and it cus, transparency and fairness, neither fa­ based on a ruling by the Supreme Court. The The Bill proposes punishment in cas­ fence is heinous in nature and where within 15 days, the trial in 30 days would be in the interest of women, vour nor discrimination, and finally, com­ newspaper’s views on the Babri Masjid­Ram es of false complaints and acts of pro­ adequate conclusive evidence is and the appeal in 45 days, even if and justice itself, if the committee mitment to social good. If journalism is Janmabhoomi controversy as well as its re­ viding false information regarding there and the circumstances warrant well­intentioned, will only result in has a larger consultative process, en­ about maintaining a fair balance between servation about the Supreme Court’s ruling sexual and other offences against wo­ exemplary punishment”, the offence improper investigation and trial. gages with stakeholders and experts what is in public interest and what the public have been well­documented in the editorial men with the intention to humiliate, shall be punishable with death. Ho­ This timeline is glaringly insufficient to understand the existing criminal is interested in, the ethical business practice pages. In its deep commitment to the plural extort and defame. The only other wever, it does not define what cases for gathering all evidence or con­ laws, and reconsiders passing this re­ for a news organisation in its pursuit of a sus­ traditions of India, can a newspaper deny ad­ law which has a similar provision is would qualify as being “heinous in ducting a just trial and would result gressive legislation. tainable revenue model is to refrain from in­ vertising space to a trust that came into be­ the Sexual Harassment of Women at nature”, thus leaving it open to the in hasty functioning and miscarriage terfering with editorial practices. ing because of an apex court ruling? Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition interpretation of courts. To date, of justice. Similar existing mechan­ Veena Gowda and Vijay Hiremath are The code of editorial values has an addi­ and Redressal Act), 2013. The provi­ courts have held cases of varying isms for speedy and effective investi­ lawyers practising in Mumbai tional directive that clarifies the scope for [email protected] Beyond just persuasion CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC FROM THE ARCHIVES The protesting farmers need sincerity and FIFTY YEARS AGO accountability from the Centre, not edification DECEMBER 21, 1970 Lok Sabha Dissolution: Is President Ameya Pratap Singh commitments by key government Bound to Accept P.M.’s Advice? functionaries with high degrees of In light of protests against the new social credibility, to reassure farmers [New Delhi, Dec. 20] Is the President of In­ farm laws, the Centre has attempted of their intent to make policymaking dia bound to accept the advice of the Prime to educate farmers — a form of instru­ an inclusive process. Secondly, sym­ Minister to dissolve Lok Sabha and order mental reasoning based on exchange bolic gestures such as visits by key go­ fresh poll? This question was discussed at a of superior information and data — to vernment functionaries to grassroots seminar here yesterday. convince them of the merits of its re­ areas may help. No consensus could emerge as the partici­ form agenda. Since it is presumed pants — constitutional experts, men in pu­ that complex matters of economic Shared vulnerability blic life and journalists — express divergent policy are beyond the intellectual ca­ The most potent pathway for the go­ views on the subject. pacities of agrarians, policy imple­ vernment to build trust with farmers The seminar was held under the auspices mentation often becomes a teacher­ would be to develop what I call of the Institute of Constitutional and Parlia­ pupil dialogue, where persuasion is ‘shared vulnerability’. To accept mentary Studies. akin to enlightening ‘lesser intellec­ risks associated with agricultural re­ Mr. H.N. Kunzru, President, Indian Coun­ tuals’ to the merits of technocratic forms, farmers would have to trust cil of World Affairs, said that the right of dis­ governance. If people (in this case the government’s competence and solution was the reserve power in the hands farmers) ‘know better’, they would willingness. This can be best of the President and not for party advantage. support the government. achieved if farmers believe that the CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC He also added that before this advice was ac­ However, persuasion is a qualita­ government’s self­interests are also cepted, the President should explore the tively distinct psychological process being directly served through the DATA POINT possibility of forming an alternative Minis­ from mere information­gathering success of these farm laws (this may try. Mr. R.C.S. Sarkar, former UPSC Chair­ and ‘rational’ decision­making. Most seem tautological in a democratic so­ man, said that the President was not bound notably, in circumstances that in­ ciety, but it is not, since politicians’ to accept the advice of the Prime Minister, if volve vulnerability, it always includes promises are frequently left unful­ the Prime Minister had lost majority support an element of trust. But, do the farm­ filled). Simply put, the government of the House. ers of India trust their government? needs to raise the stakes for itself. Mr. Justice S.K. Das, former Supreme This situation is vexed by the precar­ One way to do this would be to treat Court Judge, was of the view that the “discre­ ity of the agricultural sector. In 2019, the promise of doubling farmers’ in­ tionary power” of the President in regard to as many as 10,281 farmer suicides come as the determinant yardstick to dissolution of Lok Sabha should be exer­ were reported. Small and marginal judge the success of the NDA regime cised in “exceptional circumstances”. farmers own only 47% of the total and actively invite electoral costs in crop area. Farmers’ incomes are ex­ case the government fails to deliver. A HUNDRED YEARS AGO DECEMBER 21, 1920 pected to rise “by about 9% to Lastly, if specific quantitative 16,017.96 rupees ($214) this year”, but markers or indicators are put in place Health of Madras there is still a high degree of financial to judge the success of the new farm (From an editorial) precarity in the sector. Considering laws at every stage, monitoring and this, one can sympathise with the an­ feedback loops can become impor­ Maintenance of public health forms the xieties about disruptions in the Man­ tant sources of trust. This would re­ primary duty of Municipal administration di system. Farmers recognise the ex­ quire distinguishing clearly between and the Corporation of Madras has been ploitative nature of the existing deficiencies in implementation that making all endeavours to improve the gener­ supply­chains. But, how will they be lead to tweaks and course correction al sanitary conditions of the City with vary­ persuaded that the alternative is bet­ and a conclusive failure of the reform ing degrees of success. The Annual Report of ter? Certainly not by signalling from agenda requiring a dramatic over­ the Health Officer of the Corporation for the government, that mistakes infor­ haul or potential reversion (opt­out 1919 indicated that the year under review mation as a panacea for trust deficits. clause). Certainly, effects of policy re­ opened with ominous possibilities of sick­ So, what needs to be done? Inter­ form cannot be realised in the short ness and disease and plague and cholera personal dialogue is a good choice term, but neither should farmers be threatened to make their undesirable stay in (something that is already being asked to concede to an indefinite pro­ the City. The early precautions taken by the done). Trust is a ‘psychological atti­ cess of realisation. energetic Health Officer prevented all possi­ tude’ that reflects ‘a positive expecta­ Building trust for the purpose of bilities of plague committing its havoc on the tion of behavior’ and it can be built persuasion is not about providing population of the City and after a short pe­ between individuals more easily than more information and creating ra­ riod of sporadic disturbance in the early part between groups. This also makes tional disciples. It is a process of of the year the dire disease disappeared possible interactive problem­solving. proving one’s sincerity, credibility, from Madras and it was declared free from But, for this to work, farmers would and moral character. plague on 20th May 1919. However, vague have to be convinced of the govern­ fears were entertained by the people of Ma­ ment’s sincerity. Negotiations should Ameya Singh is a DPhil (PhD) student in dras about its unwelcome return in the fol­ not be instruments to pacify protes­ Area Studies (South Asia) at the lowing cold weather and fortunately such ters. This requires, firstly, public University of Oxford apprehensions proved groundless. CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

DELHI THE HINDU 8 NEWS MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE FROM PAGE ONE No merger plan, say JD(S), BJP Temple board in Nepal set to face imposes curbs on festivals Leaders of both Ex-CMs urge TDB takes note of rise in virus cases fresh election parties issue govt. to solve denial statements STAFF REPORTER Indicating fast­paced politi­ in the passing of a new polit­ labour issues KOTTAYAM cal changes, the rival faction ical map of Nepal. However, Staff Reporter Taking serious note of the of the ruling Nepal Commu­ bickering began soon after Bengaluru Special Correspondent sharp surge in COVID­19 cas­ nist Party (NCP) led by Mr. Parliament passed the new Amid talk of a possible merg­ Bengaluru es across Kerala, the Travan­ Prachanda and former map on June 13. er of the Janata Dal(S) with Former Karnataka Chief core Devaswom Board Prime Minister Madhav Ku­ It is well known that Mr. the Bharatiya Janata Party Ministers Siddaramaiah (TDB) has imposed restric­ mar Nepal formed a joint Prachanda had been unhap­ (BJP), Karnataka Chief Minis­ and H.D. Kumaraswamyon tions on the conduct of an­ platform to protest against py about the appointment ter B.S. Yediyurappa and of the government or not. ment) Act and the Sunday urged the State go­ nual festivals in the 1,250 Mr. Oli’s move, alongside of key Ambassadors and Ca­ former Chief Minister H.D. We will give our opinion on no­confidence motion vernment to intervene in temples governed by it. the Janata Samajvadi Party binet Ministers without Kumaraswamy — in separate the matter within the party against the Council Chair­ solving the deadlock at the According to the TDB, the of former Prime Minister adequate consultation with statements on Sunday — dis­ forum when it is placed be­ man from the Congress. Toyota Kirloskar plant in festival season in temples Strict measures: Devotees Baburam Bhattarai and the the Standing Committee. missed it as rumours. Ho­ fore us,” he said. However, Mr. Kumaraswa­ Bidadi near here. under the TDB extends to in a queue as they enter the

Nepali Congress. The situation worsened this wever, neither of them de­ “What can we do when my dismissed rumours of a “The management of six months after the Manda­ temple in Sabarimala. * PTI The dissolution of Parlia­ month as Mr. Oli failed to get nied that they were in talks the Congress is hammering merger with the BJP, adding Toyota has declared a lock­ lapuja at the Sabarimala Ay­ ment prompted a meeting ordinances passed through over a possible alliance. us every day? Supporting that the JD(S) “will never dis­ out in one of the plants in yappa temple on December deployed on duty for festiv­ of the pro­Prachanda fac­ the party’s higher organs Senior JD(S) leader Basav­ the BJP has become inevita­ play such stupidity”. Bidadi. The protest by the 26. In view of the rising als, too, will be kept to the tion in the Standing Com­ because of the opposition araj Horatti told press­ ble now,” Mr. Horatti Mr. Yediyurappa also is­ workers has entered its number of cases, the con­ minimum. mittee of the NCP. The from the Prachanda faction. persons on Sunday added. sued a denial. “ Mr. Kuma­ 40th day,” Mr. Siddara­ duct of these events this The respective assistant group decided to take disci­ The move to dissolve Par­ that there had been The statement raswamy has already said maiah said in a letter to time will be confined to the and deputy commissioners plinary action against Mr. liament has drawn strong talks between the two comes in the wake of that they will not support Chief Minister B.S. Yediyu­ performance of key rituals. will be entrusted with the Oli. Both the factions are ex­ criticism both from the Op­ parties. “Our leader, recent indications of the anti­cow slaughter Bill rappa, in which he also ex­ Permission will not be maintenance of COVID­19 pected to meet on Monday. position and the members Mr. Kumaraswamy, the JD(S) moving clos­ and we are bringing an ordi­ pressed concern over the granted for stage shows and protocols during the con­ In the meanwhile, at least of the ruling coalition. has been in talks with er to the BJP, after Mr. nance in this matter. There is situation in Wistron. other public events in con­ duct of rituals at the tem­ three writ petitions were “The decision is uncon­ the BJP. There have Kumaraswamy met no such [merger] situation. In a series of tweets, Mr. nection with the festival. ples. The TDB has already filed in the Supreme Court stitutional as there is no pro­ been discussions about seat­ the Chief Minister and ex­ The Assembly elections are Kumaraswamy said: There will be no distribu­ imposed a set of regulations of Nepal on Sunday. Sources vision in our 2015 Constitu­ sharing with the BJP and also tended support to the Karna­ still more than two­and­a­ “There is a dire need to put tion of meals in the temples. on the entry of devotees in­ in the NCP said the party is tion to dissolve Parliament whether we should be part taka Land Reforms (Amend­ half years away,” he said. an end to the impasse.” The number of officials to be side the temple. expecting more such peti­ that is functioning perfectly tions to be filed on Monday. well. The problem was in­ CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC Mr. Oli’s government, in side the Nepal Communist IN BRIEF recent weeks, was unable to Party and the Prime Minis­ Loan apps: police teams pass politically sensitive de­ ter cannot attack Parliament In solidarity cisions due to the opposi­ for his inability to deal with tion in the Standing Com­ intra­party dissidents,” said sent to Delhi, Bengaluru mittee, where Mr. Rajendra Mahto of the Jana­ Prachanda’s faction is in ma­ ta Samajvadi Party. More teams to be sent to other places jority. He added that Nepal fac­ The tension between the es an uncertain future due Abhinay Deshpande However, the police said Hyderabad two factions has been grow­ to the decision. “The deci­ the breakthrough in the Will not fall for ploy to ing since May, with Mr. Pra­ sion amounts to a coup.” The investigation into the case depended on the infor­ create rift in UDF: IUML chanda repeatedly accusing Former Prime Minister “harassment” by app­based mation shared by Google, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Mr. Oli of not consulting the Baburam Bhattarai said: instant financing platforms PhonePe, Paytm and other Indian Union Muslim League party’s organs for key deci­ “Prime Minister Oli’s recom­ has deepened, with the online wallets. The Cybera­ (IUML) general secretary P.K. sions. Both sides came to­ mendation is extremely un­ Hyderabad cybercrime pol­ bad police also searched the Kunhalikutty on Sunday said gether to claim the Kalapani fortunate and a blot in Ne­ ice sending two teams to offices of certain companies his party would not fall for region of India and helped pal’s politics.” Delhi and Bengaluru to in Hyderabad. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi identify and nab the “It all depends on the Vijayan’s ploy to create a rift masterminds. quickness with which Goo­ in the United Democratic They will also physically gle and others react. We Front. The IUML would not Farmers to step up stir, verify the locations of the of­ have already launched a get drawn into the internal fices­cum­call centres of the comprehensive investiga­ mechanics of the Congress. app companies. The teams tion into this,” another offic­ Maoists call for bandh at reach out to NDA parties were sent to the national er said. Andhra-Odisha border capital and Bengaluru based While the Reserve Bank VISAKHAPATNAM on the call detail record of of India (RBI) has been con­ He also accused the Harya­ Earlier in the day, Prime Joining hands: Members of the Varapuzha archdiocese forming a human chain in Kochi on An alert was sounded in the na government of prevent­ Minster Narendra Modi Sunday, in solidarity with the farmers protesting in Delhi against the farm laws. * THULASI KAKKAT the phone numbers of the sistently alerting on finance Agency areas on the Andhra CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC ing farmers from reaching prayed at the historic Ra­ loan borrowers, who com­ frauds, it is learnt that some Odisha-Border as the banned the protest site on the Ha­ kabganj Sahib gurdwara, plained of harass­ microfinance institu­ CPI (Maoists) gave a call for a ryana­Rajashan border. where the body of Guru Teg ment and humilia­ tions were actively bandh on December 21 in The SKM appealed to pe­ Bahadur was cremated. “I tion over pumping money into protest against the death of ople across the country to felt extremely blessed. I, like repayment, a senior loan apps. two Maoists in an alleged fake give up one meal on Decem­ millions around the world, LDF-UDF nexus to stop officer associated These loans are ex­ encounter on December 12. ber 23, Kisan Divas, as a am deeply inspired by the with the investiga­ tended to prospective The Maoists alleged that the mark of gratitude towards kindnesses of Sri Guru Teg tion told The Hindu. clients in the form of police were making false farmers. The leaders asked Bahadur Ji,” said a tweet personal loans carry­ claims and illegal arrests. people to clang utensils on from his official handle. BJP in Kerala: Surendran ‘Tracking numbers’ ing higher interest rates and December 27 during Prime Meanwhile, the All­India “As of now, there is no con­ are designated as ‘sub­ Polavaram authority Minister Narendra Modi’s Kisan Sangarsh Co­ordina­ crete progress in the case. prime’ loans. team visits project site ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio address tion Committee (AIKSCC) ‘Local body elections saw consolidation of minority votes’ Our teams are on the job. The rate of interest varies VIJAYAWADA as a mark of protest. They said a martyrdom pro­ They are tracking the phone from 18% to 40%, some­ A three-member team of the Polavaram Project Authority also gave a call for demon­ gramme for 40 “martyrs” Staff Reporter the BJP is the single­largest numbers through which the times touching 60% to (PPA), led by its CEO J. strations and rallies by In­ who had laid down their Kozhikode party. The UDF is going to lenders had communicated 150%. This, in addition to Chandrasekhar Iyer, visited Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stake claim to power in all with the recipients and their the processing fees which is dians abroad on December lives during the present the project site in Andhra 26­27, seeking support for struggle in Delhi was ob­ State president K. Surendran these places after getting in­ family members,” he said on paid upfront, when factored Pradesh on Sunday. They will their agitation. served in 22 States across on Sunday alleged that the to a tie­up with the LDF,” the condition of anonymity. in, hiked the interest rates be on inspection till In reply to a question, the country in which nearly Left Democratic Front (LDF) BJP leader alleged. More teams would be further, the police said. December 23 in East and Krantikari Kisan Union pre­ 90,000 programme were and the United Democratic He said a similar under­ sent to other locations The police suspect the in­ West Godavari districts. Mr. sident Darshan Pal said if held, drawing participation Front (UDF) were joining standing had been arrived at across the country, he ad­ volvement of some high net Iyer said the visit was the government targeted pe­ of more than 50 lakh peo­ hands to prevent the BJP Karadkka, Badiyadka, Kum­ ded. So far, the Hyderabad worth individuals, including intended to examine the ople for sending money to ple. It claimed that large from coming to power in badaje, Vorkady, Meenja, police have registered more businessmen and money­ status of various components their family members and protests had started in Ha­ panchayats across Kerala. Kumbala and Paivalike gra­ than nine cases against such lenders. They have identi­ of the project. friends from abroad in sup­ ryana and west U.P. and Addressing presspersons K. Surendran ma panchayats, and Manjes­ companies, of which eight fied more than 60 such loan port of the agitation under more people were moving here, he accused Leader of waram block panchayat in were booked based on the apps on Google Play Store ‘Red list’ of animals, birds the Foreign Contribution to the border protest sites. the Opposition Ramesh wever, it was the UDF which district as well. complaint lodged by wo­ whose operations are to be updated in Kerala (regulation) Act then it was Several batches of protes­ Chennithala of me­ got destroyed in the There were alliances in Path­ men from different age unlawful. KOCHI “condemnable”. He also ters from distant States were diating a nexus bet­ process, Mr. Suren­ anamthitta and Kottayam groups. “All appear to be built Species specialists in Kerala condemned the raids on the planning to join the farmers ween the two fronts to dran said. The elec­ districts too, Mr. Surendran Meanwhile, the Cybera­ upon one software develop­ are hoping to come out with arthiyas (commission in Delhi. Farmers from Pun­ beat the BJP in the lo­ tions saw consolida­ pointed out. bad and the Rachakonda ment kit [SDK], which is sus­ an interim report on the agents) and farmers, and jab and Haryana are sitting cal body polls. tion of minority votes, The BJP leader said peo­ police have stepped up the pected to be provided by a regional-level data on said people in Punjab would patiently and peacefully Mr. Chennithala’s he said. ple would come to know investigation by writing to foreign country, mostly Chi­ mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fishes by hold demonstrations out­ while strength is rising in statement that the BJP “Now, in Mr. Chen­ how their verdict in favour Alphabet Inc., which owns nese,” the officer said. January end. Expert groups side the Income Tax offices both Shahjahpur and Ghazi­ would be decimated nithala’s home district of his party was being sabot­ Google, to provide technical Given the number of have been working on the like the Yadava clan (in the of Alappuzha, in grama pan­ aged by the LDF and the hosting details and online young people falling prey to against this. pur, the AIKSCC said. ‘red list’ prepared by the Mahabharata) was a signal to chayats such as Kodamthu­ UDF. Mr. Surendran claimed payment gateway link­ups the promise of loans online, International Union for his party workers to vote for ruth, Pandanad, Thiruvan­ that the BJP had made big of the app­based loan pro­ the police cautioned them Conservation of Nature for BJP CM in Bengal will be the LDF in the elections. Ho­ vandoor and Chennithala, gains in the elections. viders. to stay away from such apps. mining out the regional data.

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC a son of the soil: Shah CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC Duo accused of Speaking about the crowd that the Trinamool was a fa­ Lasting solution for monkey menace that had gathered during his mily­run party. “Trinamool harassing actor held one­km­long roadshow, Mr. had been reduced to a fami­ Shah said people were ly­run party. Instead of First rehabilitation centre for monkeys in south India opened in Telangana Kerala Bureau were absconding, were ar­ yearning for change as they thinking of the welfare of 10 MALAPPURAM/KOCHI rested from Kalamassery want to get “rid of political crore people of the State, Special Correspondent vehicle as part of the The two youth from Malap­ when they arrived there ac­ violence, corruption, and Mamataji is thinking how to HYDERABAD inauguration. The Minister puram, who allegedly companied by a lawyer, re­ extortion”. Addressing the make her nephew the Chief The first rescue and said the mouse deer park stalked an actor and molest­ portedly to surrender be­ gathering at the end of the Minister,” he alleged. rehabilitation centre for was set up at a cost of ₹8 ed her recently at a mall in fore the police. The identity rally, Mr. Shah said he had Referring to several deve­ monkeys in Telangana was lakh and other development Kochi in Kerala, were arrest­ of the two came to light on attended several roadshows lopment indicators, Mr. inaugurated at Gandi works were undertaken at a ed here late on Sunday. Sunday after their images, “but have never seen one Shah said West Bengal had Ramanna Haritavanam near cost of ₹2.65 crore. The Kalamassery police obtained from CCTVs at the like this”. slipped on all counts — em­ Chincholi village in Nirmal The Minister said the said Mohammed Irshad and mall, were published in the Addressing a press confe­ ployment, agriculture, in­ district on Sunday. It is the rehabilitation centre for the Mohammed Aadhil, who media. rence at Bolpur later in the dustry — except that it was second such facility for the monkeys was also the first day, Mr. Shah raised the is­ “number one in political primates in the country. such facility in south India. sue of political violence and violence and corruption”. To make the The other facility in the said the attack on party pre­ Earlier in the day, as Mr. rehabilitation centre a country was in Himachal sident J.P. Nadda’s convoy in Shah visited Visva Bharati, sustainable habitat for the Simian control: The rehabilitation centre is the second such Pradesh.

Diamond Harbour “was an set up by Rabindranath Ta­ primates, several fruit and facility for the primates in the country. * K. RAJU The Minister said the attack on democracy” and gore in 1921 , the Trinamool flowering plants, a variety of rehabilitation centre had added that such attacks held protests outside Jora­ trees that provide shade, they would be operated on children, including boating been established on the would not deter the BJP sanko Thakurbari in Kolka­ and medicinal plants would for birth control and would and a chain­link, on the advice of Chief Minister K. even an inch from its goal of ta, alleging that the BJP had be grown. Minister for be released into the forests occasion. The Minister said Chandrasekhar Rao, who removing the Trinamool go­ insulted the poet. Senior Forests A. Indrakaran again after the rehabilitation the rehabilitation centre for had been repeatedly vernment in Bengal. Trinamool leader and Minis­ Reddy, who inaugurated the period. the primates was built at an impressing upon improving “Even after the attack the ter Subrata Mukherjee said: centre, said the monkeys The Minister inaugurated estimated cost of ₹2.25 the green cover in the State reaction from Trinamool “They (the BJP) have de­ that venture into human the centre along with a lab, crore. and to take monkeys leaders felt that they were meaned Rabindranath... we habitations would be caught an operation theatre, a Along with the Minister, venturing into human supporting the attack,” he are shocked and therefore, in a phased manner, mouse deer park and play­ District Collector Musharraf habitations back into the said. Mr. Shah reiterated we are wanted to protest.” brought to the centre where cum­recreation facilities for Ali Faruqui drove the safari forests.

CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

THE HINDU DELHI MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 NEWS 9 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Agents to shut Punjab mandis in protest against I-T searches Arhtiya say they BKU(U) says are being targeted for joining stir query raised on donations Special correspondent CHANDIGARH Special Correspondent Following searches by the In­ Chandigarh come Tax Department on Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ek­ several commission agents ta­Ugrahan) said details (arhtiya) in Punjab, they have been sought by the go­ have decided to close the In memoriam: Farmers at the Ghazipur border paying tributes vernment through a bank mandis (markets) in the to those who died during the protests. * R.V. MOORTHY about its foreign donations. State for an indefinite period BKU(U) general secre­ as a mark of protest. We are not just extending the closure of mandis. tary Sukhdev Singh said They allege that the tax support to the farmers “We have decided to go to that it was an attempt by searches were politically alone, the commission the Supreme Court against the government to target motivated as many commis­ agents have their own set of the Income Tax raids,” he protesting farmers. “A bank sion agents have been ex­ concerns in the new farm said. official informed me that tending support to the farm­ laws. We are protesting to Punjab Chief Minister he has received an email ers’ agitation. save our business and inter­ Amarinder Singh said on Sa­ from the Forex department Punjab Arhtiya Associa­ ests. It’s a joint struggle of turday that the tax searches seeking registration details tion president Ravinder farmers and commission were conducted on the pre­ in respect of donations be­ Singh Cheema said on Sun­ agents,” Mr. Cheema said. mises of several big arhtiyas ing received from abroad,” day that the association had “The current scenario of Punjab within four days of said Mr. Sukhdev. decided to shut the mandis seems to be one of imposi­ issuing notices, not waiting “As per RBI guidelines, across the State from Decem­ tion of continuous emergen­ for responses to the notices. permission has to be taken ber 21, as a mark of protest cy. We can’t even protest as Leaders of the Bharatiya if funds are being received against what he termed a per our constitutional right. Kisan Union (Ekta­Ugrahan), as donation from abroad. “revengeful act”. If we protest, steps to sup­ one of the largest farmer un­ At present the account hol­ “These I­T raids are an act press us are being taken.” ions in Punjab, along with der does not have the ne­ of revenge against the parti­ Mr. Cheema said the Pun­ the Kisan Mazdoor Sang­ cessary permission,” said a cipation of arhtiya in the on­ jab Arhtiya Federation had harsh Committee (KMSC) bank official, requesting going agitation of farmers. also extended support for condemned the searches. anonymity.

22-year-old farmer from Improve APMCs, not Punjab dead close them, says AIKMS Press Trust of India Chandigarh A 22­year­old farmer, who Farmers’ group counters govt. claims on agriculture laws had recently returned to his village in Punjab from a Special Correspondent high costs and not regulated protest site near the Delhi NEW DELHI by the government. “Every border, has allegedly com­ The Left­ affiliated All­India year the prices are raised BJP trying to divert attention: Hooda mitted suicide after con­ Kisan Mazdoor Sabha and peasants have to take suming poison, the police (AIKMS) on Sunday released loans to pay for these,” said said on Sunday. a document countering the the document. He slams fast Gurlabh Singh, a resi­ claims of the Modi govern­ “The government is try­ observed in dent of Dayalpura Mirza ment on the three conten­ ing to deny Minimum Sup­ village of Bathinda district, tious farm laws, saying the port Price at C2+50% in the Haryana had returned home on Fri­ government’s arguments for name of keeping food costs day. The police said he con­ not repealing the legislation low for the poor people. Giv­ Special Correspondent sumed some poisonous were “deceptive” and “un­ ing C2+50% as MSP will not Chandigarh substance on Saturday at truthful”. It also accused the The government markets make food costly if input The Congress and the Shiro­ his home. He was taken to government of propagating need better facilities, costs are decreased propor­ mani Akali Dal on Sunday the nearest hospital where “falsehood” to claim that the farmers say. tionally. This will afford sav­ slammed the one­day fast he was declared “brought laws would help farmers. ings for farmers and agricul­ undertaken by BJP leaders dead”. In a 24­page document, companies under the new ture will become in support of the early con­ The reason for the sui­ the central executive com­ laws. On the government’s sustainable. But government struction of the Sutlej­Yamu­ cide is yet to be ascer­ mittee of the AIKMS said the claim that it had decreased wants to allow corporates to na Link canal (SYL), saying it tained, the police said. farmers had demanded im­ the input costs and aimed at sell costly inputs and keep was an attempt to divert at­ Suicide prevention hel- provement in the function­ doubling the income of the the food costs low by depriv­ tention from the protest Water woes: BJP workers in Gurugram demanding the construction of the SYL canal. * PTI pline: Sanjivini, Society for ing of the mandis (markets) farmers till 2022, the docu­ ing peasants of profitable against agriculture reforms. Mental Health, 011-4076 under the Agricultural Pro­ ment argued that the diesel MSP. Thus, at both ends the The SYL project is a focal ryana’s favour and it was speed up the construction of In Narnaul, BJP Haryana 9002, Monday-Saturday, duce Market Committee Act cost had been raised tre­ peasant is squeezed and cor­ point of a water­sharing dis­ now the duty of the State SYL. president O.P. Dhankar said 10 a.m.-7.30 p.m. and not “mukti” (freedom) mendously by the present porate profit is secured,” the pute between Punjab and and the Central govern­ “The BJP is shirking its Punjab should provide Ha­ from them. government, though inter­ document said, adding that Haryana. BJP workers ob­ ments to carry it out. responsibility,” he said. ryana its legitimate share of It countered the govern­ national prices of crude oil monopsony — one buyer served a fast on Saturday in “The BJP leads the go­ The Shiromani Akali Dal water through the early con­ ment’s claim that the re­ had fallen from $110 a barrel and many sellers — cannot Haryana to press for water­ vernment in Haryana as well (SAD) took a shot at the tim­ struction of the SYL canal. Right MSP forms were aimed at increas­ in 2014 to $40­50 a barrel create a condition for pea­ sharing from Punjab. as at the Centre, so who is ing of the “fast” by BJP lead­ “It is the right time. We ing private capital, now. sants to bargain and fix pric­ Bhupinder Singh Hooda, stopping them from taking ers. should not hesitate in asking should be infrastructure and develop­ “Today the total tax on es. Leader of the Opposition in steps to start construction of Former Minister and se­ our fellow farmers from ment to reach villages, say­ diesel and petrol is around Offering counters to 16 the Haryana Assembly, said, the SYL canal,” Mr. Hooda nior SAD leader Daljeet Punjab to share water given: BJD ing the functioning of the go­ ₹50, which is about 65% of claims of the government “The BJP wants to divert at­ asked. Singh Cheema said: “It’s a through the SYL. Once farm­ vernment mandis, supply of the price of the fuel,” the point­by­point, the docu­ tention from the farmers Mr. Hooda said Haryana deep­rooted conspiracy to ers from Punjab accede to Staff Reporter fertilizers, seeds, electricity document said. It added that ment said the solution to the agitation.” government representatives divide farmers of Punjab water sharing, the politics Bhubaneswar and irrigation would not be seeds, insecticides and farm farmers problems was With regard to the SYL, should go to Delhi and ob­ and Haryana, who are joint­ played in Punjab will not af­ The Biju Janata Dal on Sun­ promoted with the govern­ equipment were sold by the “cheap inputs” and “cheap the Supreme Court had al­ serve a fast to urge the BJP ly fighting against the fect Haryana’s share of wa­ day demanded implemen­ ment promoting private private companies at very loans”. ready given a decision in Ha­ government at the Centre to Centre’s farm laws.” ter,” he said. tation of the M.S. Swami­ nathan Committee recommendations for im­ provement of the agricul­ Why can’t Modi visit CPI(M) flays cancellation ture sector. “Our government be­ Young farmers weeding out lieves that the income of farmers, asks Congress of Parliament session farmers will go up only when the right minimum Party urges PM to listen to them ‘misinformation’ on Web Party backs farmers’ protests support price of their farm produce is given,” said the Special Correspondent Special Correspondent Government is New Delhi A 50­strong tech­savvy bunch works behind the scenes New Delhi <> regional party passing a re­ abandoning its solution here. The Congress, while appre­ SAURABH TRIVEDI The CPI(M) Polit Bureau has constitutional NEW DELHI ciating Prime Minister Na­ denounced the cancellation responsibility of rendra Modi’s unscheduled Nearly 50 youth hailing from of the winter session of Par­ being accountable visit to Gurdwara Rakab protesting farmer families liament by the Union go­ FB removed Ganj Sahib here on Sunday, have come together to coun­ vernment quoting the rise in Parliament asked why could not he visit ter “misinformation” and a in number of COVID­19 cas­ page, says the Singhu border to listen “negative campaign” against es in Delhi. struggle has entered the to agitating farmers. the demonstrations in the “The pandemic is not a 25th day. The Polit Bureau Yogendra The Congress pointed out capital round the clock. problem for the BJP to or­ salutes the martyrdom of 31 that 33 protesting farmers Shama Mohamed They take turns to bust ganise its election campaign kisans in this struggle. Des­ SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT had died from extreme cold falsehoods on social media and rallies but it has chosen pite the severe cold wave CHANDIGARH and related ailments. Earlier Vani instead of just posing platforms, take questions Creating a buzz: Live sessions are held on social media to raise to avoid being answerable to sweeping across north In­ Swaraj India national presi­ in the day, former Congress for pictures.” and try to counter any nega­ awareness of the farmers’ demands. * AP Parliament. It is thus aban­ dia, more kisans are pour­ dent Yogendra Yadav has president Rahul Gandhi, in tive perception. doning its constitutional res­ ing in to join and strengthen alleged that the Facebook a tweet, paid tributes to the ‘Where is empathy?’ The youth say that be­ by the government about farmers had been called ter­ ponsibility of being accoun­ the struggle further,” the account ‘Kisan Ekta Mor­ dead. Congress spokesperson Sha­ cause the elders in the fami­ farmers. Apart from people rorists. The leaders of the ag­ table in Parliament,” the party said. The Polit Bureau cha page’ belonging to the Congress general secre­ ma Mohamed said, “It is al­ ly are not tech­savvy and are at the Singhu and Tikri bor­ itation had been targeted Polit Bureau said in a state­ has asked all its units to or­ farmers protesting against tary (communications) Ran­ ways a good thing to go to a often unaware of slander, ders, we are also being and defamed on social ment here after a day­long ganise solidarity actions in the Centre’s farm laws was deep Surjewala, in a tweet gurdwara, go to a mandir. At they have taken it upon helped by college and un­ media. meeting. support of the farmers’ blocked on Sunday during in Hindi, said the sermon the same time farmers are themselves to engage with iversity students in large “To educate farmers and The Modi government, protest. a live broadcast. being heard in the back­ protesting in this bitter cold all those who doubt the mo­ numbers, who are working people on social media the party said, is escaping The Polit Bureau “In the midst of a Face­ ground of the video of the at the border, 33 of them tive of the campaign and feel round the clock and educat­ about our protest, every day answering questions over its slammed the Modi govern­ book Live I was doing from Mr. Modi’s visit said, “A man have died during the agita­ that there is anything ing farmers back in Punjab we hold a live session on so­ all­round failure in tackling ment for the price rise and Kisan Ekta Morcha’s page, can read as many scriptures tion. They say that Pradhan beyond a genuine anguish and Haryana about the flaws cial media from 6 p.m. to 7 the pandemic and econom­ continuing fuel price hike. we get a notification that as he may, but if he doesn’t Mantri is a man who loves against the three proposed in farms Bills,” said Harinder p.m. where we take ques­ ic recession while merciless­ “The miseries imposed due the FB page has been un­ think about the goodness of this country and people. farm laws. Happy, media coordinator tions,” Mr. Happy said. ly attacking the livelihood of to the pre­pandemic eco­ published. There must be humanity, then all of his Where is the empathy from Another reason, says this and a Ph.D. scholar. “The BJP IT cell is target­ the people and destroying nomic slowdown has wor­ something about farmers readings are worthless. the Pradhan Mantri?” bunch, is that the traditional Mr. Happy said they did ing urban middle class peo­ the rights of the working pe­ sened during the course of that this government is Where and how long will he Ms. Mohamed took a dig media has not been fair in not have a big set­up but ple who are not aware of the ople and the peasantry. this year. Prime Minister particularly scared of and run when death comes.” at Union Home Minister reflecting their concerns. they were fighting with wha­ agrarian crisis or issues and The CPI(M) expressed Modi and his government something about this go­ He further said, “I wish Amit Shah, saying he had “So we leverage our edu­ tever resources they had and they have been misled by te­ support to over 500 organi­ seem totally unconcerned vernment that Facebook is the Prime Minister, who is the time to visit West Bengal cation and technical know­ countering a malicious cam­ levision channels,” Mr. Hap­ sations peacefully protest­ about imposing further bur­ particularly scared of,” playing a cruel joke on farm­ to attend a rally, but could how to bust the lies spread paign on social media where py said. ing demanding the repeal of dens and miseries on the tweeted Mr. Yadav. ers, would adopt this Guru not go to the Singhu border. the new farm laws. “The people,” the CPI(M) said.

CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

DELHI THE HINDU 10 NEWS MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

5 States can borrow extra Mamata thanks CMs for support India to bring more nations ₹16,728 crore Shah says transfer of IPS officers within the ambit of the Constitution and law into coastal radar network Press Trust of India Special Correspondent New Delhi Kolkata Facilities to be set up in the Maldives, Myanmar, Bangladesh The Finance Ministry on West Bengal Chief Minister Sunday said five States, in­ Mamata Banerjee on Sunday Dinakar Peri ments have been concluded cluding Tamil Nadu and Te­ expressed gratitude to sever­ NEW DELHI with 22 countries and one langana, had been permit­ al Opposition leaders, in­ As part of efforts to further multilateral construct. Of ted to borrow an additional cluding Chief Ministers of expand the coastal radar these, 17 agreements and the ₹16,728 crore following Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan and chain network meant to ena­ one multilateral construct completion of stipulated Chhattisgarh and the DMK ble real­time monitoring of have been operationalised, reforms to facilitate ease of chief, who have come out in the high seas for threats as the second source stated. doing business. support of her on the issue also expand India’s assis­ Andhra Pradesh, Karna­ of transfer of three IPS tance for capacity building Info fusion centre taka and Madhya Pradesh officers. to Indian Ocean littoral At the Navy’s Information are the other States. However, Union Home Mi­ states, efforts are in ad­ Fusion Centre for the Indian In May, the government nister Amit Shah, who was in vanced stages to set up coas­ Ocean Region (IFC­IOR) decided to link the grant of Bengal on a two­day tour, tal radar stations in the Mal­ <> Sri Lanka, Mauritius which is meant to promote additional borrowing per­ said the Home Ministry’s let­ dives, Myanmar and and the Seychelles Maritime Domain Aware­ mission to States with re­ ter was completely within Bangladesh, according to de­ are integrated into ness, three more Interna­ forms undertaken by them the ambit of Constitution fence sources. country’s coastal tional Liaison Officers (ILO) to facilitate ease of doing and law. “Mauritius, Seychelles radar link are expected to join soon. business. “The letter [on transfer] and Sri Lanka have already The ILOs from France, Japan The reforms include which the Centre has written been integrated into the The Indian Navy’s Infor­ and the U.S. have joined the completion of first assess­ is completely constitutional country’s coastal radar mation Management and centre. “The additional offic­ ment of ‘District Level Bu­ and as per law. The letter is Show of strength: Supporters at Amit Shah’s rally in Birbhum district on Sunday. * PTI chain network. Similar plans Analysis Centre (IMAC) lo­ ers have been delayed due to siness Reform Action Plan’. written under the ambit of are in the pipeline with Mal­ cated in Gurugram, which COVID­19,” an official said. Besides, elimination of re­ federal structure and she were transferred were de­ @ashokgehlot51 @mkstalin Singh and Rajasthan’s Ashok dives and Myanmar and dis­ was set up after the 26/11 Under Phase­I of the coas­ quirements of renewal of [Ms. Banerjee] should refer puted in the security of BJP for showing solidarity to pe­ Gehlot. They have come out cussions are ongoing with Mumbai terror attacks, is the tal radar chain network, 46 registration certificates/ap­ to the rules and speak to the president J.P. Nadda when ople of Bengal & reaffirming in support of Ms. Banerjee Bangladesh and Thailand,” a nodal agency for maritime coastal radar stations have provals/licences obtained Centre and also tell the peo­ his convoy was attacked on their commitment to feder­ and described the Centre’s defence source said. Similar data fusion. been set up across the coun­ by businesses for various ple,” Mr. Shah said. December 10 in Diamond alism. Thank you!,” Ms. Ba­ action as interference in the proposals are being pursued As part of information ex­ try’s coastline. Under Phase­ activities, at least under The Union Home Ministry Harbour. nerjee tweeted. federal structure. The West with some more countries, a change regarding traffic on II of the project, which is certain Acts specified by has transferred three IPS of­ “Centre is brazenly inter­ The Chief Minister Bengal government has not second source said. Two of the high seas, the Navy has currently under way, 38 stat­ the Centre, was also part of ficers of the State to different fering with State Govt func­ thanked DMK chief M.K. Sta­ agreed to the transfer of the the coastal radar stations in been authorised by the go­ ic radar stations and four the reforms. The Centre in positions under Central dep­ tioning by transferring pol­ lin, Delhi Chief Minister Ar­ three IPS officers and there the Maldives were functional vernment to conclude white mobile radar stations are be­ May decided to raise the utation, despite the State go­ ice officers. My gratitude to vind Kejriwal, Chhattisgarh is speculation that the State as of last year and work was shipping agreements with 36 ing set up by the Coast borrowing limit if certain vernment’s reservations. @bhupeshbaghel @Arvind­ counterpart Bhupesh Bagh­ may take the matter to the under way on the third countries and three multilat­ Guard and is in advanced reforms are implemented. The three IPS officers who Kejriwal @capt_amarinder el, Punjab CM Amarinder Supreme Court. station. eral constructs. So far agree­ stage of completion. 10 injured in Uddhav against night curfew Ministry to Skipped Congress meet as attack on AIKS discuss virus ter has said that even if there unit in Tripura Maharashtra CM is a vaccine, masks would alert in U.K. I was unwell, says Surjewala says it will be henceforth be a mandatory SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT feature. Countries in Europe Special Correspondent GUWAHATI compulsory for all NEW DELHI ‘Party will stand united to fight Modi government’ and especially England are At least 10 people were in­ citizens to wear now going under a harsh The Health Ministry has Sandeep Phukan proached the Supreme jured and a dozen vehicles lockdown. They have cited called a meeting of its joint New Delhi Court to break the deadlock. damaged when BJP workers masks for the next the fast­spreading ‘R nought’ monitoring group on CO­ A day after his conspicuous “The solution to the im­ allegedly attacked members six months variant of the virus,” he said, VID­19 on Monday to dis­ absence from Saturday’s passe arising out of enact­ of the Tripura unit of All In­ contrasting the pandemic cuss the emergence of a high­profile meeting bet­ ment of the anti­agriculture dia Kisan Sabha during a Shoumojit Banerjee conditions between the mutant variant of the coro­ PUNE ween the Gandhis and a sec­ black laws does not lie in Homage Day programme at Uddhav Thackeray. State and other European navirus in the U.K., which tion of group of 23 dissenters courts. The problem is that Khairpur near Agartala. While stating that he was not * FILE PHOTO countries. has reportedly led to a (G­23), Congress general se­ the 25 lakh crore agricultural The AIKS had organised in favour of imposing a night He further warned the pu­ surge in infections there. cretary Randeep Surjewala trade is being sought to be “Shraddhanjali Divas” curfew to curb the pandem­ been possible to contain the blic against letting their The group, chaired by explained it by stating that handed over by the Prime across the country to pay ic, Maharashtra Chief Minis­ spread of the virus only due guard down during the on­ the Director General of he was “unwell”. Minister to three­four crony tributes to the 33 farmers it ter Uddhav Thackeray on to the lockdown and a strict going wedding seasons. Health Services, is also Talking about the out­ Randeep Surjewala capitalist friends,” he said. said had died during the on­ Sunday said it would be enforcement of regulations. Hitting out at the Centre likely to speak with WHO’s come of the meeting, the “The farmers wanted a sim­ going farmers’ agitation at compulsory for all citizens “Some experts have for playing politics over the India representative, Ro­ Congress leader — perceived the onslaught of the Modi go­ ple solution and that is im­ Delhi. Among those injured to wear masks for the next called for a ‘night curfew’, Mumbai Metro car shed, the derico H. Ofrin, also a to be close to former party vernment on our polity,” he mediate repeal of the laws.” in the attack was Pabitra six months. some are gunning for a lock­ Chief Minister said he had member of the group. chief Rahul Gandhi — said said in an interview with The Responding to the govern­ Kar, the secretary of the He said Maharashtra was down. We have learnt from even invited the BJP for dis­ “The SARS­CoV­2 virus the Congress was now “unit­ Hindu on Sunday. ment’s charge that the Con­ Tripura unit of AIKS as well yet to rid itself of the scourge bitter experience the results cussions to solve the politi­ has been undergoing con­ ed” to take on the Modi Mr. Surjewala also spoke gress was instigating the as the West Tripura district of COVID­19 but there was a of our actions and that pre­ cal deadlock over the pro­ stant mutation but this var­ government. at length about the ongoing farmers, he said, “The go­ unit of the CPI(M). semblance of control over vention is always better than ject. “It is unfortunate that iant seems to be more viru­ farmers’ agitation over the vernment and the BJP are in­ “A group of BJP workers the pandemic . “Almost all cure. Hence, those who still the Union government had lent. It is crucial to pursue ‘All views heard’ three farm laws and blamed sulting farmers by under­ led by (local leader) Amit businesses and establish­ don’t wear masks are put­ dragged the Maharashtra go­ smart testing and tracing to “The meeting with Congress the Modi government’s “ar­ mining their wisdom, hard Nandi attacked us during ments have opened. People ting their kin at risk of infec­ vernment to court over the track the spread and con­ president ended on a cordial rogance” for the deadlock. work or their capacity to the Shraddhanjali meeting. are also moving about freely. tion,” he said, adding that Kanjurmarg land issue … tain it at its place of origin note. Views of the leaders He said that “solution to a comprehend issues of their They pelted stones and I would only keep urging masks were the most potent This land doesn’t belong to so that it does not reach were heard in a healthy dis­ political issue does not lie in livelihood by attributing it to damaged a house, des­ caution at every step,” said public weapon to ward off the Centre or the State, it’s vulnerable communities,” cussion by the leadership. court”, and claimed that no the instigation of Congress troyed cars and two­wheel­ the Chief Minister. the virus. the people who own it,” said said N.K. Ganguly, former We shall stand united to fight farmers’ union had ap­ or other political parties.” ers,” he said. Mr. Thackeray said it had “The Union Health Minis­ Mr. Thackeray. director general, ICMR.

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC IN BRIEF CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC ‘Vajpayee spoke with Sharif India, U.S. mull over unfinished work four­five times amid Kargil war’ As Trump tenure winds down, deals in trade, sanctions, nuclear energy hang fire Suhasini Haidar officials dismissed the con­ tract would be signed during Dinakar Peri cerns. “There will no issues Mr. Trump’s visit to India in NEW DELHI Former Indian PM knew conflict was Musharraf’s doing: book in interoperability of the U.S. February 2020, the deal is Kashmiris becoming homeless: Mehbooba With exactly a month left in and Russian systems as they yet to go through, indicating Nistula Hebbar informed us that dialling U.S. President Donald will be plugged into the In­ lingering concerns over In­ SRINAGAR New Delhi Peoples Democratic Party Pakistan (+92) from Jammu Trump’s tenure, U.S. Ambas­ dian grid. There are filters dia’s civil liability laws. president Mehbooba Mufti on Former Prime Minister Atal and Kashmir was barred. sador to India Kenneth Jus­ for that,” a defence official Both Indian and U.S. offi­ Sunday visited the families Bihari Vajpayee and former The telecom authorities ter has begun a series of calls told The Hindu. cials point out that the ledg­ allegedly evicted by the Pakistan Prime Minister were told to open the on Defence Minister Rajnath Given that the Democrats er of achievements during forest department in central Nawaz Sharif spoke to each facility for a short while, so Singh, Petroleum and Natu­ had pushed for the CAATSA, the past four years have Kashmir’s Budgam and said other on the phone at least that the two Prime ral Gas Minister Dharmendra the government will have to been considerably longer “Naya Kashmir has rendered four or five times during the Ministers could talk,” the Pradhan and NITI Aayog Four foundational pacts take its chances with Presi­ than the “unfinished busi­ locals homeless”. “At course of the Kargil war, book says. chief Amitabh Kant, as well were signed during dent­elect Joe Biden in office ness”. They say that while Budgam, I met 108-year-old with the former veering to as “farewell discussions” the Trump regime. providing the waiver once New Delhi is now preparing Zooni cruelly evicted by a the view that Mr. Sharif had Phone recordings with the U.S.­India business India takes delivery of the hopefully for the Biden era, callous J&K administration. been bamboozled by the A major factor in the chambers, USIBC and cial said this should be seen S­400 systems in 2021. this period of plain­speak­ where will they go?” she said. Pakistani Army headed by withdrawal of Pakistani USISPF. as a warning to others hop­ Trade negotiations are ing, particularly Mr. Trump’s General Pervez Musharraf troops from the LoC, The calls highlighted the ing to acquire the system. another area where New “blunt” and tough methods First-time voters made into the conflict. according to the book, was achievements of the India­ “We would caution other Delhi hopes the Biden admi­ with India’s two main adver­ DDC polls successful: L-G A new book on the late also because of two U.S. partnership in the past U.S. partners against making nistration will pick up where saries, Pakistan and China, SRINAGAR Vajpayee’s tenure as Prime telephonic recordings that four years. While these in­ major purchases of Russian it believes the Trump admi­ and his flexibility in defence Congratulating first-time Minister, Vajpayee: The Arvind Dave, chief of clude great strides in diplo­ defence equipment in the fu­ nistration failed to deliver, ties with India, would be voters and Independent Years That Changed India, this as an indication that Research and Analysis Wing matic, defence, commercial, ture that would also put missed. candidates for making the by former bureaucrat Shakti Sharif was more a prisoner (RAW), India’s external maiden District Development energy and health areas, them at risk of sanctions,” R. NEWS ANALYSIS In particular, they point to Council (DDC) elections Sinha, who served as of circumstances than intelligence agency, brought talks on waivers for possible Clarke Cooper, U.S. State De­ the intense political engage­ successful, Lieutenant Vajpayee’s private secretary anything else,” the book to Prime Minister Vajpayee. sanctions, trade negotia­ partment Assistant Secre­ ment between Mr. Trump Governor Manoj Sinha on for many years, including in says. “Arvind Dave, the RAW tions, and nuclear deals are tary for Political­Military Af­ particularly its failure to re­ and Mr. Modi, including two Sunday said the elected the Prime Minister’s Office “Vajpayee must have chief, came up with two in the category of “unfin­ fairs, told presspersons in verse the decision to revoke huge, joint rallies in Houston representatives would give during the conflict, goes on spoken to Sharif 4­5 times telephonic recordings ished business” between the Washington, adding that the India’s Generalised System and Ahmedabad held just momentum to the develop- to say that the during the one­and­a­half between the Pakistani Army the two countries. sanctions could be actual­ of Preferences (GSP) since five months apart in 2019 mental schemes in Jammu communication was kept month period from mid­ chief Pervez Musharraf, and ised at any point and there is June 2019 due to differences and 2020. The growing de­ and Kashmir. J&K saw around up after a telling incident May to 4th July when the his Chief of General Staff, No free pass no “blanket waiver” in the areas of medical devic­ fence partnership, enhanced 40% voting in the DDC polls. between Mr. Sharif and R.K. Pakistani PM publicly Lt. Gen. Mohammad Aziz. It In a briefing this week, a U.S. possible. es, dairy and IT products. military exchanges bolstered Mishra, former head of the committed to President was clear that the Pakistan official made it clear that “I know some states have Meanwhile, officials hope­ by the signing of four foun­ Two injured in grenade Observer Research Clinton that Pakistan would Army was involved, with despite hopes being raised in thought or sought that either ful of a commercial contract dational agreements: GSO­ blast in Anantnag Foundation, the man withdraw its forces to its the Mujahideen playing a 2018 by the U.S. Congress’s Congress or the Executive finally being finalised for the MIA, LEMOA, COMCASA and SRINAGAR selected for back­channel side of the LoC,” the book minor role, if any,” the book amendment to the Counter­ Branch would apply a waiver decade­old MoU between BECA, U.S. grant of the STA­1 Two persons, including a talks. further says. says. The tapes were shared ing America’s Adversaries on sanctions, and I just U.S.­based Westinghouse Strategic Trade Authorisa­ Central Reserve Police Force One of these calls with the media later, but Through Sanctions Act would offer that is definitely Electric Company and Nu­ tion to India, capped by in­ (CRPF) jawan and a civilian, Suspected tapping occurred in mid­June from were also smuggled into (CAATSA), that allowed the not the case,” said Mr. Coop­ clear Power Corporation of telligence sharing and quick were injured in a grenade explosion in south Kashmir's “…Sharif’s position was a Srinagar, after Vajpayee Pakistan for Mr. Sharif via U.S. President to waive sanc­ er, who had earlier called In­ India Ltd. (NPCIL) to build procurements during the on­ Anantnag on Sunday. An tenuous one, and in a later paid a visit to Kargil. “On the diplomatic route along tions on India’s purchase of dia’s consideration of the six reactors in Andhra Pra­ going standoff between In­ official said suspected meeting, he indicated to his arrival in Srinagar with diplomat Vivek Katju the S­400 missile systems Russian S­400 and Sukhoi desh — the first since Mr. Mo­ dian and Chinese troops at militants tossed a grenade Mishra that they should Vajpayee asked me to and Mr. Mishra. from Russia, Mr. Trump has S­35 fighter jets as “proble­ di and U.S. President Barack the Line of Actual Control towards a joint party of the take a walk in the garden, connect him to Sharif. My The book spans not made the decision to matic” as they would risk in­ Obama announced “the deal (LAC), is clearly at the top of police and the CRPF in obviously suspecting that small team and I tried but Vajpayee’s premiership and give India a pass. teroperability of India­U.S. is done” in 2015 — have also the list of achievements. Anantnag's Achabal area in his own house was tapped. we just could not get the eventful years from an Speaking about sanctions defence systems. been disappointed with the Added to this is the crys­ the evening. The grenade When Mishra reported this through. Then one of the insider’s perspective and is against Turkey for its pur­ However, asked about the lack of progress. Despite tallisation of the “Quad” exploded on the road. to Vajpayee, the latter took local officers present full of bon mots. chase of the S­400, the offi­ latest U.S. comments, Indian some hopes that the con­ arrangement.

CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

THE HINDU DELHI MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 SHOWCASE 11 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: While 2020 brought us the first­ever COULD IT BE THAT... pandemic in our lifetime, many individuals, communities and organisations expressed their love in ways 2020 changed our to heal the physical and emotional scars health vocabulary

many healthy people because I have asthma, so this year, my en­ deavour has been to understand the reason behind my asthma, its triggers and what makes it worse. I am not permanently on steroidal medication, but my aim is to avoid them altogether in the Sunalini Mathew long run through lifestyle changes. GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK

* This year, health has not been I found that just 20 minutes of just about important­sounding pranayama in the morning sun Soma Basu reminder to people to put an over 1,000 people with jobs, as­ words thrown at us by health­ helped, that yoga (especially the end to acid attacks,” he says. A sisted in obtaining subsidies and care professionals and writers. It Surya Namskar) reduced my This time last year none of us gift item that comes out of strug­ grants for self­employment, of­ has been about using them in rhinitis, that walking briskly was knew about the tiny Coronavi­ gle of a person’s life acquires a fered vocational training, coun­ our daily conversations and better than running, and that rus. Today we are all fighting the purposeful meaning, he adds. selling, medical treatment, fi­ practice. We spoke about build­ spending time noticing my invisible enemy together. The The five nancial aid or food to the 4,000 ing immunity and detoxing our breath as the last thing before health crisis has perhaps taught Acts of service members. Kiran believes luck bodies, wearing face masks that bed helped me get better sleep. us to love a little more and At 34, the life of Kiran Nayak B, and time are never permanent only surgeons wore before, sani­ The rainy weather was bad for shown how human behaviour the recipient of this year’s companions; he is in a hurry to tising our spaces, even our my breathing and so was over­ can help to face the toughest of NCPEDP­Mindtree Helen Keller help as many as he can. hands. eating! I made sure to keep my times. Best known for his con­ Award for role model person If there is one thing 2020 medication with me at all times — cept of the five love languages, languages with disability is nothing short Physical touch taught us, it is that health is not on my bedside table, in my bag American author Gary Chapman of an amazing journey. Before he We all need an occasional hug. to be taken for granted, that our for when I went out, and used it says that everybody expresses, was 18, he had suicidal thoughts But the pandemic has cut us off co­morbidities — asthma, dia­ when I had to. receives and enjoys love through thrice: when he protested his from friends and families even betes, hypertension, for instance Many of us often accept a ‘ver­ one of these ways. We look at sister’s marriage at the age of 12, as we yearn for the comforting — make us more vulnerable to dict’ and believe poor prognosis how they are being used to keep of when he was confused about his and reassuring warmth of a complications and death if we is for life; I did too, for 20 years. the world going. sexual preferences and was touch. The Hug Bubble in Eu­ contract COVID­19. We may continue to smoke, to teased in school, and when he rope and the West allows people I know I am at higher risk than eat junk food daily, to resist exer­ Words of affirmation understood the struggles of be­ to cuddle during COVID­19, es­ cise, or to drink regularly and get Neeta Duggal, English teacher at LOVE ing born in an Adivasi family. pecially the isolated senior citi­ bad sleep. COVID­19 has woken Shiv Nadar School, Gurugram, Kiran, a transman afflicted zens in care homes. They can us up to the fact that we can in­ started taking online classes lege, perceives is the Sheroes Hangout Cafes in Agra with polio, chose to work on sex­ now hold hands and embrace deed take health into our hands. from March 19. Within a month relationship with her students. It and Lucknow, run by acid attack uality and disability among visiting relatives, separated by a That we can keep a diary of the she noticed that the initial level stretches beyond teaching hours survivors, the Chhanv Founda­ transgender people, those from plastic sheet. food we eat, routines we prac­ of euphoria, enthusiasm, and now. “Earlier I never shared my tion, Noida, UP, has suffered a the Dalit community, and those During this festive season, a tise, and the stress we feel. energy of her ninth and tenth phone number, but now I am on setback during the pandemic with disabilities in villages Christmas bubble will allow li­ These will invariably throw up graders was sapping. “I needed WhatsApp texting and chatting months. The revenue from the around Chikkaballapura near mited social mixing in the UK, patterns that may help our doc­ to connect and communicate with them,” she says. Shraddha cafes went towards awareness, Bengaluru. He founded Nisarga Ireland and Scotland for a day . tors, even if we don’t see a better, and consciously changed makes herself available for men­ treatment, rehabilitation and eight years ago and has helped Up to three households will be thread in our own entries. my conversations with them,” toring her students 24X7, most empowerment of many women permitted to form the social The virus has also taught she says. of whom come from back­ from rural interiors who sur­ bubble to celebrate with their us to be cautious, to call out a The first step was to request grounds where they may be the vived acid attacks. loved ones. To take all safety bad practice (spitting), to and not ask the students to do first generation college­goers But not to be bogged down, precautions will be the respon­ stay at home when we have a something, whether it was about and live in one­room tenements. Alok Dixit, who heads the foun­ sibility of each member. cold or cough. Mostly switching on the camera, sub­ “The pandemic lockdown has dation came up with an innova­ Says Jesse Jospeh Tincher, though, it has taught us to mitting assignments or following thrown them into verbal domes­ tive concept called Gift a Story — “My wife and I have been crav­ be thankful for where we screen time etiquette. Her tic abuse situations and in spite an online plat­ ing to be with our kids and live — with the choice of thank­yous also increased to ex­ of screen time fatigue, they look form for selling grand kids. We will be good nutrition and the pri­ press gratitude for every task forward to the interactions,” she goods made by extra cautious before vilege of clean they did. “Many of us are feeling says. There is more openness the acid attack we drive from Devon to surroundings. lonely now and when we appre­ and many students have told her survivors. It was put London to meet them.” Beyond the complex ciate or use more kind words, it how she has taught them more on a trial run during The couple is avoiding words of anti­inflammato­ is valued as a positive feeling to than their mothers could or did. Diwali and did moder­ crowded places, ry and gut microbiome remain motivated,” she says. “The essence of quality time ate business with can­ wearing masks, keep­ (gut health was a subject of with them is to empower them,” dles, handicrafts, and sta­ ing their rooms well great discussion this year), Quality time she adds. tues. ventilated and fre­ we have come to realise that The biggest change Shraddha “It is an alternate venture. quently washing health is about eating fresh Kapoor, who teaches Human De­ Gifting Every woman who creates a hands. “We will continue and according to our needs,

velopment and Childhood Stu­ With the closure of their most product for the market has a to follow the same wherev­ GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK breathing deeply, and resting dies at Delhi’s Lady Irwin Col­ successful business model, the poignant story to share as a er we go,” he says. * our minds and our bodies.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: WHAT IS IT? The year CALENDARS in blocks Make Smthng Project Sneh has a set of FOR A CAUSE planners with No­cook fig and block­printed nut balls As we get closer to New Year, many clothbound Meghna Purandare, a health food covers done by blogger (meghnas.com), suggests organisations have brought out people with a healthy alternative to store date­keepers showcasing the talents special needs in bought sugar­loaded sweets: a Chennai. The box of no­cook fig and nut balls. of people with intellectual and not­for­profit company works to bring “This is a healthy snack. Figs are A visual delight physical disabilities institutions for special needs together and rich in iron, fibre, vitamins and A beautiful house with a tree in full create employment opportunities for them. micro nutrients. Chia seeds bloom on its side marks February in this Susan Joe Philip This year's planner has works from 20 contain protein, almond is gluten­ desktop calendar made using 12 free and rich in omega 3. Ginger people from four institutions: V Excel paintings done by students of helps with digestion,” says Vinitha Through Educational Trust, HLC International Krishnan, consultant nutritionist, Government High School for the Blind, * MEGHNA School,Gowrin School for Special Children SIMS Hospital, Chennai. Olassa, Kottayam. The initiative is led by my eyes PURANDARE and Sri Arunodayam Trust. “Each planner is Ingredients Ananthu Vasudev. “I have been This desktop a labour of three days of work. There is no ࡯ volunteering with friends here from calendar by The 3/4th cup figs, soaked in warm plastic lamination for the cover making it 2012. In 2016, we introduced the Art Sanctuary, hot water for five minutes, biodegradable,” says Anuradha Mahesh, Susan Joe Philip drained children to art. They loved it and we Bengaluru, team lead. Project Sneh now works with a ࡯ decided to come up with our first features 3/4th cup almonds, roughly total of nine institutes facilitating skill A Green Peace initiative to pro­ fundraising calendar last year. We sold photographs ground training for educators. They also produce mote creative alternatives to con­ around 800 copies and it encouraged us clicked by eight ࡯ 1 tbsp chia seeds and help market laptop and tablet sleeves, sumerism and reduce its effect on to bring out this edition too,” he says. photographers folders, professional organisers, chocolate the climate, the guidelines for ࡯ 1 tbsp whey protein or pea The artwork was done by the students with intellectual disabilities. Selected by Delhi­based MAKE SMTHNG campaign are protein powder (optional) hampers, notebooks, coasters and more, early this year. Kids with complete photographer Mohit Ahuja, these are portraits, simple. Share, DIY, upcycle, go made by the adults. ࡯ 1 tsp fresh orange zest blindness use their fingers to draw and landscapes and abstracts. Shalini Gupta, founder­ plastic free, fix old electronics, Cost ₹425. Call 9840076322 buy second hand, grow your food, ࡯ 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder those with partial visibility use brushes. trustee of the NGO,says this is the first such calendar “We help them identify colours and also brought out by them. . “All the photographers attended cook your food and many other ࡯ 1/2 tsp ginger powder ideas. hold their hand if they need it,” he says. a course by Mohit. Last month, Varun Narrain, who has The campaign is now online ࡯ 1 pinch nutmeg powder The team took digital copies of the fragile X chromosome, came up with a calendar with his through their Facebook and Insta­ ࡯ 1 tbsp coconut oil paintings and 12 graphic designers photographs and designed by his mother. This Model citizens gram pages and it shares hun­ Method volunteered to help them design the encouraged me to launch one to showcase the works of Delhi­based dreds of creations by people pages. “Each designed a page making all the students. My daughter helped with the photographer Rishab Soak figs in warm water, drain, around the world. Their website the sheets unique,” he says. designing,” says Shalini. Dahiya and researcher and make a rough paste with the says the idea is, “If you have made Cost ₹550. Call 9947790008. Cost ₹150. Call 9810255297 . Purva Mittal have something, you will buy more coconut oil. Add all other ingredient to a food launched Oddity: Don’t consciously next time, whether it Bend, Don’t blend, a is food, fashion or mobile phones. processor and blitz. Make small balls and garnish with desktop calendar that Your experience of creating an ori­ desiccated coconut and orange ginal will lead you to reflect on Brighten your day features six people zest. Kaumaram Prashanthi Academy, Coimbatore, has with special needs. “I your consumption patterns and Makes 10 balls. you will be more likely to find a AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA brought out their first calendar featuring artworks by have spinal muscular atrophy and I have way to repair, care for and share 60 children with intellectual disabilities across India. been working with many organisations for your goods before throwing them our senses to bring happiness. Be­ “On Gandhi Jayanti we organised a painting people with disabilities for the past 12 out. It is essential that we restore ing creative is therefore not only competition and selected the best 12 that were used to years. It was a dream to come up with a this culture in our communities, good for nature but also great for represent each month. The rest were made into calendar,” says Purva. “We selected six and make spaces where skills and the overall well­being of a person. collages for the front and back pages of the desktop models with disabilities to cover a broad knowledge are shared an essential Now can be the best time to start, calendar,” says Narmadha Vasudevan, the school’s spectrum. Each model is featured with a part of our urban life.” with Christmas right around the executive secretary. The paintings featured are on detailed description of their condition. We This Christmas, let’s try and corner,” says Thenndral S, psycho­ varied themes. “We did not want to give them a subject hope that helps bring more inclusivity,” says create things that are good not on­ logical counsellor and founder of ly for Nature but also for us. “The Eros Psycoun Services, Chennai. and constrain their creativity but raise awareness about Rishab, who completed the photoshoot in process of making something it­ their talent,” she adds. one week. Cost ₹110. Call 9659305550. self is therapeutic. It is also a way In this column, we demystify the Cost ₹500. Call 9999715802. of expressing emotions, of using buzzwords in wellness. CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

DELHI THE HINDU 12 SHOWCASE MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

An unusual friendship K Binu has revived 42 of Interconnected the 46 trees he attended to * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT livelihoods Kerala-based ‘Tree Doctor’ K Binu The newly-launched online discusses the meticulous process portal enables weavers across involved in the preparation of the country to directly sell their medicine for healing wounded creations to a wider consumer trees, and on his work featuring in a French documentary Chitradeepa Anantharam “The pandemic affected the weaving community during lockdown. But nothing changed even after the un­ lock as clothing was not a Weavers initiative The portal priority,” says Anantha has over 1,000 products listed Sayanan (Ananthoo), safe * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT honey, ghee, sesame and bana­ food activist and one of PRIYADERSHINI S na. “There are conditions on the the co­founders of reS­ close to 5,000 weavers type of milk or cow dung or ho­ tore and Organic (which includes spinners, Last week, K Binu stood in front ney to be used. It has to be or­ Farmer’s Market dyers and tailors) stand to of an imposing Rain Tree in Alu­ Conversations ganic. Cow’s milk must be from a (OFM) in Chennai. benefit. The initiative has va, a suburb of Kochi in Kerala, non­hybrid cow,” says Binu. His In 2011, Anan­ resulted in a win­win and shared the news that noted team comprises a few tree lovers thoo founded a situation for the weav­ environmentalist S Sitharaman who go along with him to assess social enter­ ers and the buyers, had passed away. a tree and treat it. prise, Tula, in and products can Seven years ago, the conser­ The process is similar to treat­ Chennai, to be shipped across vationist, along with Sithara­ with a tree ing a wound, he explains. The promote the country,” says man, had used traditional ayur­ damaged portions are washed handspun, organ­ Ananthoo. vedic medicine to revive the Anitha Shanti, co­ordinator of and cleaned after which the ic, sustainable cotton tree, which was dying due to Tree Walk, a citizen’s group, as­ paste is applied. It is then ban­ garments. Tula was en­ Support weaving burning garbage that was sociated with Binu in November daged with cotton cloth. The visaged as a holistic in­ Homespun, handwoven cot­ dumped around it. “I told the 2019 when the Maramulla( also bandage is dabbed, from time­ stitution that took in­ ton or khadi was popular­ tree that Sitharaman was dead. called Tree Jasmine) was “badly to­time, with cows milk and in to consideration the ised by Mahatma Gandhi in He had initiated me into this mutilated by the city corpora­ six months the tree begins to entire cotton value 1905 during the Swadeshi world of Vriksha (tree) Ayurve­ tion for development”. “We rejuvenate. chain from crop to gar­ Movement, which was symbolic da. He was my guru,” says Binu, called Binu, who came with his In March, just before national ment. “During the pandemic, of the end of dependency on fo­ who is now popularly called the team to heal the tree,” says lockdown, Binu was invited to our weavers continued to spin choose from. The website is be­ reign goods during the British ‘Tree Doctor’. Anitha explaining that the pro­ heal four Peepul trees in Tekadi and weave, but we could not sell ing anchored by couple and rule. “Even during his time, kha­ Since the time the 50­year­old cess was elaborate and expen­ Ganesh Temple in Nagpur. “Out much of the products. As a re­ former IT professionbals, Malini di was more expensive than the school teacher from Kottayam sive, but has given results. of the four, two were dead... but sult, the stock kept accumulat­ Kumar and Suresh Lakshmi­ imported textiles that were received this knowledge, Binu Binu’s work was featured in two survived. We used 15 ingre­ ing, leading to a challenging sit­ pathy. Two years ago, they re­ dumped into the market. Hand­ has come a long way — healing the French documentary that dients to make the paste,” says uation,” says Ananthoo. That turned to India after living spinning and weaving are such 42 of the 46 trees that he has at­ aired recently in TV news pro­ Binu. His treatment of a very old was when he toyed with the idea abroad for many years and took labour­intensive tasks, but the tended to so far. During lock­ gramme on France 2 channel tree in Kotagiri did not get de­ of aggressive online sales of up the task of creating the web­ weavers are only paid a pittance. down, people consulted him on under the title ‘Know the Indian sired results because the ingre­ hand­woven products. “We net­ site, product procurement, We are providing better wages the health of their trees, sharing Tree Doctor’. dients were “not pure and natu­ worked with other collectives stock management, and logistics and minimise the involvement of images of damaged branches “Trees hear, breathe, talk, ral”. “Honey should be from the who also had huge stockpiles among others. Says Malini, middlemen as much as possible. and leaves on WhatsApp, and he feel, walk like us. They have all small forest bees,” he says. and after a series of discussions, “Weavers have quickly adapted We are empowering weavers to advised them on the treatment. the expressions and emotions of Binu has been feted by the we finally launched www.india to the new method of selling make the product and sell it di­ On November 15, a French a human being,” says Binu, ex­ Kerala Government for his ex­ handmadecollective.com,” he their products. Our volunteers, rectly to buyers,” claims Anan­ documentary team arrived in plaining that Vriksha Ayurveda, traordinary work and has re­ explains. spread across the country, meet thoo and adds, “By paying a bit Thiruvananthapuram, from has been neglected and oversha­ ceived the Vanamitra(2015) and them and educate them on how more for handmade textiles, New Delhi, to film his rare exper­ dowed by ayurveda for human Prakritimitra(2016) awards. Dur­ Empowering weavers to take orders, shipping and buyers get the satisfaction of pro­ tise. They filmed him with the beings. “Just like the human bo­ ing lockdown, he began a You­ The portal, which was launched tracking them. They are now fa­ viding them with a livelihood jackfruit tree in Pattom, that he dy that is based on the balance towards this aspect,” says Binu. Tube Channel called ‘The Tree on November 21 by film actor Re­ miliar with online orders.” Some and most importantly help them had nurtured back to good between energies (Vata, Pitta Doctor’, where he discusses his vathi on a virtual platform, and of the weavers keep ready stock, sustain the craft. We are also health. They also filmed how he and Kapha), trees and plants too ‘A new lease of life’ practice. Incidentally, Binu says, by actor Karthi on social media, while some weave once they looking forward to working with treated the Indian Cork Tree work on the same principle. Binu prepares the medication the pandemic has helped the has multiple vendors from land an order. young designers who can work (Maramulla), a small tropical This science is in our books, for a damaged tree after assess­ trees. “It gave a new lease of life across the country. As a result, “Right now we have 25 diffe­ with these weavers and develop evergreen, in the heart of Thiru­ written and interpreted by the ing its state. Some of the ingre­ to Nature though it affected the consumers get a wide variety rent collectives and around sustainable and contemporary vananthapuram. sages. My love for trees drew me dients used are cow dung, milk, mankind.” of handwoven products to 1,000 products through which designs.”

Theatre and performing artistes who have to be a part of theatre. Quoting actor Kenkre, Sushant Shelar, Kritika Seth and the A window been struggling against odds due to the Naseeruddin Shah, he says, “There are pros tech team handled by Rajesh Kutty and Eitan pandemic have a little something to cheer and cons of a digital medium. We cannot Koter helping him. about. Nine Rasa, to be launched by actor replicate the thrill of performing in front of a The team put together 100 hours of content Shreyas Talpade in January 2021, provides live audience but as Naseerji said, ‘Online to go live with the launch. Shreyas elaborates: to the them an opportunity to reach out to audiences theatre is an inescapable part of the future’. “This is original content and was exquisitely across the world. So, why not embrace it?” shot and planned over the past few months Having begun his journey with theatre, Humans experience nine emotions or the following all safety measures and social Shreyas considers the digital platform his ‘navarasas’ as defined in Indian aesthetics, distancing rules. Renowned artists and actors FUTURE payback time. The idea stemmed from his hence the name ‘Nine Rasa’. It will be including débutants showcase their talent interactions with friends from the community. launched with Hindi, English, Marathi and here. The shows in multiple genres have a “We got many calls informing us of the tough Gujarati content in the first phase with full­ variety and entertainment value.” Shreyas Talpade hopes his financial situation being faced by the artistes length plays, monologues, skits, stand­up, Besides this new venture, Shreyas’ two­and­ and technicians dependent on theatre. I poetry and story readings. Going forward, the half­year­old daughter, Aadya, kept the actor new digital theatre initiative realised if people cannot go to the theatre, it’s platform will include Tamil, Bengali, Kannada, busy during the past few months. He is will create new opportunities time to bring the theatre to them. Going digital , Kashmiri and Parsi. thankful he could spend that time with her is the future, so why not let the shows go Shreyas admits nothing of this scale can and experience simple pleasures of watching for artistes and technicians online,” he says. happen without help from friends. While it is a her grow. Once the idea was conceptualised, Shreyas’ self­funded venture, he has a team of He also looks forward to the release of his Neeraja Murthy team conducted a survey with over 200 professionals — writer and director Sanjay new projects — Love You Shankar directed by people in the age group of 18­65 across the Upadhyay, ex­programming head at Colours Rajiv S. Ruia, a Marathi film tentatively titled Going the digital way Shreyas Talpade will be country, and almost 65% of the respondents TV channel, award­winning director Ashwini Mrigtrishna with Mahesh Manjrekar, and a next seen in a Marathi film * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT said they either want to watch, know and want Choudhary, renowned theatre director Vijay web series Jo Hukum Mere Aaka.

POOCH CAFE PEANUTS

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE CALVIN AND HOBBES

TIGER PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

THE HINDU DELHI MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 WORLD 13 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Biden introduces his climate New virus strain out of control: U.K. PM orders Christmas lockdown in southeast England; WHO urges stronger action team, says no time to waste Agence France-Presse Scotland and Northern Ire­ London land will enter fresh lock­ He picks a diverse group to lead his agenda on environment and energy British Health Secretary Matt downs on December 26. Hancock said on Sunday that Mr. Hancock told Sky Associated Press working Michigan families the government has im­ News that the situation was WILMINGTON that I have become ob­ posed a strict Christmas “deadly serious.” “It’s going Just as the United States has sessed, obsessed with gain­ lockdown in London and to be very difficult to keep it needed a unified, national ing good­paying jobs in southeast England because a under control until we have response to COVID­19, it America in a global econo­ new strain of the coronavi­ the vaccine rolled out,” he needs one for dealing with my,” Ms. Granholm said. rus was “out of control”. said, adding: “This is what climate change, President­ The World Health Organi­ we face over the next couple elect Joe Biden said on Satur­ Clean industries zation is calling on its mem­ of months.” day as he rolled out key North Carolina official Mi­ bers in Europe to step up The U.K. hopes to reach a members of his environmen­ chael Regan would be the measures against COVID­19. New worries: Protesters gathering for an anti-lockdown figure of half a million vacci­ tal team. first African American man Outside Britain, nine cas­ demonstration in central London on Saturday. * AFP nations over the weekend, “We literally have no time to run the Environmental es of the new strain have he said. to waste,” Mr. Biden told re­ Historic shift: Joe Biden speaks during an event to introduce Protection Agency. Mr. Re­ been reported in Denmark, Scientists first discovered porters as introduced his key Cabinet nominees in Wilmington. * AFP gan, the state environmental as well as one case in the Several flights banned the new variant in a patient choices. head since 2017, has made a Netherlands and another in in September, Susan Hop­ The approach is a shift net than any Cabinet ever, “This moment is pro­ name for himself by pursu­ Australia, according to the Associated Press Germany, the kins of Public Health En­ from Donald Trump’s presi­ more women than ever,” found when we consider the ing cleanups of industrial WHO. “Across Europe, Berlin Netherlands, Belgium, gland said. dency, which has been said the former Vice­Presi­ fact that a former secretary toxins and helping the low­ where transmission is in­ One by one, several Austria and Italy all She said that scientists in marked by efforts to boost dent, who has promised to of the Interior once pro­ income and minority com­ tense and widespread, coun­ European Union nations announced restrictions on November found the new oil and gas production while assemble a group of depart­ claimed his goal, was to qu­ munities significantly affect­ tries need to redouble their banned flights from the U.K. travel. The German strain was behind a cluster of rolling back government ef­ ment leaders who reflect the ote, ‘civilise or exterminate’ ed by pollution. control and prevention ap­ U.K. on Sunday and others government said on Sunday cases in Kent and spreading forts intended to safeguard diversity of America. us,” Ms. Haaland said. “I’m a Mr. Biden’s nominee to proaches,” a spokeswoman were considering similar it's banning flights coming into London and Essex and the environment. The in­ living testament to the fai­ oversee the Council on Envi­ for WHO Europe said. action in a bid to block a from Britain in reaction to informed the government on coming Biden team will try Compelling stories lure of that horrific ideolo­ ronmental Quality is Brenda Mr. Hancock warned that new strain of coronavirus the new coronavirus strain. December 11. to undo or block many of the The nominees Mr. Biden in­ gy.” Mallory. If confirmed, she the strict measures that af­ sweeping across southern Germany, which holds the current administration’s in­ troduced had compelling Ms. Haaland was referring would be the first African fect almost a third of En­ England from establishing a rotating EU presidency, also 70% more potent itiatives. There also will be personal stories that they cit­ to Alexander H.H. Stuart, American to hold the posi­ gland’s population could strong foothold on the called a special crisis Public Health England then an emphasis on looking out ed as guiding them if con­ who said that in 1851. tion since it was created stay in place until the virus continent. meeting on Monday. again notified the govern­ for the low­income, working firmed by the Senate. Former two­term Michi­ more than half a century vaccine is fully rolled out. DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD ment on Friday when mo­ class and minority commun­ New Mexico Rep. Deb gan Governor Jennifer Gran­ ago. “Unfortunately the new delling revealed the full se­ ities hit hardest by fossil fuel Haaland would be the first holm is in line to be Energy Two other members of strain was out of control. We ple entered the strictest “tier action against those who riousness of the new strain, pollution and climate Native American to lead the Secretary. She described ar­ the team introduced on Sa­ have got to get it under con­ four” measures from Sun­ “make reckless decisions she said. change. Interior Department, which riving in the U.S. at age 4 and turday do not need Senate trol,” he said. day, or 31% of the popula­ that risk lives.” She confirmed the figure In his remarks, Mr. Biden has wielded influence over brought from Canada by a fa­ confirmation. They are Gina Prime Minister Boris John­ tion. They are not allowed to Other U.K. regions have given by Mr. Johnson that the stressed the diversity of an the nation’s tribes for gener­ mily “seeking opportunity.” McCarthy, to serve as nation­ son announced on Saturday hold family gatherings for also tightened their anti­vi­ new virus strain could be emerging team that he de­ ations. She said her father found al climate adviser, and Ali that millions must cancel Christmas, while in the rest rus measures in response. 70% more transmissible scribed as “brilliant, quali­ Ms. Haaland said her life work as a bank teller and re­ Zaidi, to serve as her deputy. Christmas plans and stay of the country households Wales introduced a strict while saying this was an in­ fied, tested and they are has not been easy. She strug­ tired as head of the bank. Ms. McCarthy was EPA ad­ home because the new are allowed to mix on Christ­ lockdown from Sunday, itial figure. “I think 70% barrier­busting.” gled with homelessness and “It’s because of my fami­ ministrator from 2013 to strain was spreading far mas Day alone. while Scotland has banned looks like a good number to “Already there are more relied on food stamps at one ly’s journey and my expe­ 2017 during President Ba­ more quickly. London’s Metropolitan travel to and from other U.K. land on at the moment,” she people of color in our Cabi­ point. rience in fighting for hard­ rack Obama’s second term. Around 16.4 million peo­ Police said that it would take regions for Christmas. Both said. ELSEWHERE 9 dead in Kabul attack targeting MP ‘Hack response Differences threaten to will go beyond sink post­Brexit trade deal Mohammad Wardak survived the blast but is among 20 injured, including children just sanctions’ Agence France-Presse cock told Sky News. “I’m Reuters 20­year­longwar. Reuters Brussels sure that a deal can be done, KABUL Separate bombings were Washington Negotiations for a post­Brex­ but obviously it needs move­ Floods in northeastern A car bombing in Kabul tar­ also reported on Sunday in The incoming White House it trade deal teetered on the ment on the EU side.” Philippines kill 8 geting an Afghan lawmaker the provinces of Logar, Nan­ chief of staff said on Sun­ brink of failure on Sunday, But a European diplomat MANILA killed at least nine people, garhar, Helmand and Ba­ day that President­elect Joe overshadowed by the coro­ told AFP that Brussels had Nearly 10,000 people were officials said. dakhshan, in which a num­ Biden’s response to the navirus crisis and dea­ made its best offer and it evacuated from their homes Lawmaker Khan Moham­ ber of civilians and security massive hacking campaign dlocked over the issue of was down to British Prime in the northeastern mad Wardak survived the forces members were killed uncovered last week would fishing rights. Minister Boris Johnson — Philippines as heavy rain blast but is among 20 in­ and injured. go beyond sanctions. “Unfortunately the EU distracted by the worsening across the country left at jured, including women and On Friday, a suspected Ron Klain said Mr. Biden has put in some unreasona­ coronavirus crisis at home — least eight people dead, children, Afghan Interior Mi­ rickshaw bomb blast killed at was mapping out ways to ble demands,” British to decide whether he wants authorities said on Sunday. nister Massoud Andarabi least15 civilians, including 11 push back against the sus­ Health Minister Matt Han­ a deal. The storm — which has said. children, in central Ghazni pected Russian hackers inundated villages and It is unclear whether the province. who have penetrated half a destroyed scores of houses in recent days — is the latest to explosive was planted in a Rising attacks: Damaged vehicles being removed after the The Interior Ministry said dozen U.S. government batter the archipelago. car parked on the lawmak­ bomb attack in Kabul. * AP that theTaliban had killed agencies. “It’s not just Floodwaters reached waist- er’s route or if a vehicle with 487 civilians and injured sanctions. It’s steps and deep in 14 towns in the the bomb was being driven ponsibility for the blast. weeks as the Afghan govern­ 1,049 others bycarrying out things we could do to de­ Cagayan Valley, forcing by a bomber, Mr. Andarabi Afghanistan has seen a ment and Taliban hold talks 35 suicide attacks and 507 grade the capacity of fo­ people to seek shelter in added. sharp rise in violence, partic­ to find an end to the coun­ blasts in across thecountry reign actors to engage in rescue centres. AFP No one has claimed res­ ularly bombings, in recent try’s almost over the past three months. these attacks,” he said. Over 340 students in Nigeria back with parents after ordeal

Abductors threaten to kill the boys if they went back to school

Associated Press Kano Nigeria’s freed schoolboys have reunited with their joy­ ful parents after being held captive for nearly a week by gunmen allied with jihadist rebels in the country’s northwest. Relieved parents hugged their sons tightly on Satur­ day in Kankara, where more than 340 boys were abduct­ ed from the Government Joyful reunion: A man after reuniting with his son, who was

Science Secondary school kidnapped, upon his release in Katsina. * AFP on the night of December 11. Many of the schoolboys hadist rebels claimed res­ more than 80 students hap­ expressed worry about re­ ponsibility for the abduc­ pened on Saturday night in turning to school, saying tions, saying they attacked an area nearby, but the pu­ their captors threatened the school because they be­ pils were quickly rescued by them with death if they went lieve Western education is security forces after a fierce back to classes. un­Islamic. gun battle, police an­ Nigeria’s Boko Haram ji­ Another abduction of nounced on Sunday. 4 charged over attack on Moderna shots Charlie Hebdo offices leave U.S. warehouses Agence France-Presse ing aware of the attacker’s Paris plot and inciting him to car­ Associated Press French authorities have ry it out, according to anoth­ OLIVE BRANCH charged and detained four er judicial source close to Initial shipments of the se­ Pakistanis suspected of links the investigation. cond COVID­19 vaccine to a meat cleaver attack by a Three of them were authorised in the U.S. left a compatriot outside the charged on Friday with tak­ distribution centre on former offices of the Charlie ing part in a terrorist conspi­ Sunday. Hebdo weekly that wound­ racy and placed in pre­trial The trucks left the Mem­ ed two people, the national detention. The fourth had phis­area factory with the counter­terrorism prosecu­ already been charged on vaccine developed by Mo­ tor’s office said Friday. Wednesday. “They share his derna Inc. and the National The four suspects, aged 17 ideology and one of them Institutes of Health. to 21, were in contact with expressed his hatred of The much­needed shots the attacker, said a source. France a few days before the are expected to be given They are suspected of be­ action,” said a source. starting Monday.

CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

DELHI THE HINDU 14 MONEYWISE MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE ASK US The science behind saving for retirement In preparing for the autumn of life, it is important for an K. NITYA KALYANI individual to balance expenses and savings Dealing with rejection Gaurav Mashruwala Q. My father is 61 years old. He suffered a from our earnings. There are should spend under various minor brain stroke in 1999 because of which Retirement planning takes tax benefits for most of them. It heads of expenditure), this will he was paralysed on the left side. However, place in two stages. The first is the second phase that needs be easy. amount is too little, then in case place, it will be easy to gauge If our planning is proper, we he recovered within 6 months and has been stage is characterised by a stra­ careful planning, strategy and From ‘My Budget’, whatever of emergencies, there could be our monthly requirement. will not generate any extra reg­ doing perfectly fine for last 20 years. He tegy to build a corpus which is implementation. monthly expenses are manda­ a crisis. It may result in a rush to ular income and there will be does not have any pre­existing conditions. as large as possible. The larger With ‘My EPS’, we can deve­ tory, 4 to 6 times those expens­ the ATM or frantic calls to A budget is crucial no tax leakage. Simply do not I tried several health insurance companies the corpus, the better it will be lop a three­pronged strategy. es should be set aside for emer­ friends and relatives. In the absence of ‘My Budget,’ withdraw the money from the for availing of health insurance for him but for the retiree. So, we must gencies and contingencies. If the amount is very large, families end up with a strategy investment; this will ensure all of them rejected the same on account of the history of brain stroke. keep an eye on ‘My EPS — My Planning for contingencies They can be called ‘My CEO’ or then funds may not yield re­ which results in generating a that the money grows in a tax­ Please suggest a policy which is affordable Enough Past Savings.’ First and foremost, set aside My Contingency and Emergen­ turns to their fullest potential. regular income which is much efficient manner, in most in­ and covers such pre­existing diseases. The word ‘enough’ is highly funds for emergencies and con­ cy Options.’ Either of the situations is not more than needed. stances. The third step is to en­ ANKIT SAXENA subjective. The reason I call it tingencies. Set aside funds As a practising financial plan­ conducive to sustaining and en­ Be careful of this situation. sure our money grows at a rate subjective is because its quan­ equivalent to 4­6 months’ ex­ ner, my general experience is hancing wealth. Receiving a larger than re­ that is higher than the rate of in­ A. Technically, an insurance company can tum differs from person to per­ penses. If an individual is regu­ because retirees don’t have ‘My The second step is to provide quired amount on a regular ba­ flation. This can happen when issue a health policy for your father specifying that hospitalisation due to stroke son. It is dependent on our lif­ larly preparing ‘My Budget’ Budget’ in place, they end up for a regular income. Once sis leads to wastage. For in­ investments are in equity and and related reason is an exclusion. Having estyle. The simpler the lifestyle, (how much we, as a family, providing either too little for again, it will depend on ‘My stance, most regular income is gold, directly or through mu­ said that, the underwriting decision, whether the lesser will be the need for ‘My CEO’ or too much. If the Budget.’ If ‘My Budget’ is in taxable, be it from annuities tual funds. to issue a policy to a particular proposer or funds. Some individuals can (these are financial instruments The crux of the second part not, is entirely in the hands of the insurance manage their life on a few thou­ which return an assured sum at of our retirement planning is to company in spite of the background you list. sand rupees a month, with regular intervals) and pension focus on ‘My EPS’ and ‘My PE.’ While you can continue your quest for a some needing up to a few lakhs. (regular income from an em­ We all like to discuss the EPS good health policy for your father, his age The second phase of retire­ ployer where an individual has and PE of various companies can anyway make it difficult to buy a new policy. Self­financing his health cost needs ment is actually using the sav­ worked; pension from the go­ but unless ‘My EPS’ and ‘My PE’ would be a plan B for you to work on. ings accumulated over the first vernment is tax free) and re­ are in place, everything else is phase. An important term to be turns from most other kinds of more like party gossip. Back to basics kept in mind while planning for investments. Retirement is the final in­ the second phase of retirement Individuals argue that even if nings of our life. It will decide Q. My father is 58 and has just retired. My is ‘My PE — My Present we receive more than what is the eventual winner. If our mo­ mother, a homemaker, is 51. Both don’t have Expenses.’ needed, we can invest the sur­ ney survives beyond us, we any prior health insurance covers. Often times, the first phase is plus again. This is certainly pos­ win. If we survive beyond that I’m interested in providing them a health insurance cover but am not clear on factors automated. There are mandato­ sible but why should we get into money, we lose. to consider in choosing the best scheme. ry provident fund and other a situation where we first re­ (The author is a financial Also, are Mediclaim and health insurance contributions towards the ac­ ceive an amount, pay tax on it planner and the author of Yogic similar? cumulation, typically deducted and then invest it again? Wealth) VIGNESH A. Mediclaim is the brand name of hospitalisation insurance provided by the THINK INVESTOR BLACKBOARD: REVERSE MORTGAGE four public sector general insurance companies: The New India Assurance Company Limited, United India Insurance Company Limited, The Oriental Insurance Company Limited and National Insurance Why equity is risky, real estate is not Borrow, don’t sell Company Limited. Other general insurance companies and K. Bharat Kumar Assume that value of the loan is standalone health insurance companies too provide hospitalisation insurance under Equity investments need close monitoring even if they aim at a goal 15 years away ₹75 lakh; if the applicant de­ different brand names. What is a reverse mortgage? cides on an annuity payment These policies are indemnity policies which Venkatesh Bangaruswamy gains for the same initial fund’s portfolio unless you re­ fund does not take profit to ■ A reverse mortgage is a loan then the bank pays out a certain reimburse hospitalisation and related change in value. For instance, a deem units in the fund. But, re­ capture unrealised gains in its against property and is the op­ percentage of the loan value ov­ expenses as per the terms and limits of the Real estate is perceived as a 50% increase in investment va­ demption requires you to con­ portfolio because the fund pas­ posite of a regular mortgage. er a specific tenure. Often the policy. The claims are against bills and hence safe investment. This is not be­ lue will require only a 33% de­ tinually monitor your fund’s sively tracks an index. There­ Here, the bank pays a sum lender pays 50% at one go and can be claimed only under one policy even if cause land prices have risen cline to wipe out unrealised performance! That is why fore, buying the dividend op­ against a property asset – be it the rest is disbursed as periodic you have more than one overlapping policy. sharply over the years. The gains. On the other hand, a choosing a dividend option in tion of an index fund will not lump sum, or periodic payouts. payments. Payments received You can have multiple policies covering different tiers of your requirement so that stock market, too, has climbed 50% decline in value will re­ an active fund could help. help you distance yourself by senior citizens are also ex­ higher expenses can also be claimed. These sharply. Yet, most believe (and quire a 100% increase in value The dividend option allows from your investment. Who should consider it? empt from tax. policies are annual in nature and can be rightly so) that equity invest­ to recover unrealised losses. the fund to return cash to you ■ Retired citizens whose net If the market value of the as­ renewed for life, and you can continue to ments are not safe. The reason, You could, therefore, risk when the fund manager con­ Conclusion worth is locked up in a self­ac­ set rises in the interim, the bor­ make claims when they arise. perhaps, has to do with price losing your unrealised gains or siders it appropriate. Note that You may have to review your quired and self­occupied house rower may apply for an in­ There are other health policies that are visibility. You can observe increase your unrealised losses cash flows from the fund to its portfolio annually to align your benefit from a reverse mort­ crease in payout. Lenders called benefit policies. They will pay the sum stock prices and, therefore, if you distance yourself from unitholders may contain both equity investments with your gage, especially if they find typically protect against a dip in insured on diagnosis of the specific health perceive the associated volatili­ your equity investments. But, dividends the fund receives on goal, even if you invest in a divi­ their expenses exceeding their value of the asset by arriving at condition or when a specific major surgery is prescribed, that the policy covers. Once the ty. Real estate could be per­ what if you invest in the divi­ its investments and the fund’s dend option of an active fund. post­retirement income. SBI a ‘forced sale value’ at the be­ claim is paid, the policy ceases to exist. ceived as safe because prices dend option of active funds? realised capital appreciation. Why? Suppose you require offers this option to applicants ginning. If the decline is stark, If an insured is hospitalised for a coronary are invisible. Can you draw Of course, this strategy will 10%compounded annual re­ who are at least 60 years of age. they may negotiate for lower bypass surgery for example, the such comfort from equity in­ Effective distancing? be effective only if you pick an turn on equity investments to The tenure of the loan is about payouts or shorter tenures. hospitalisation policy will pay the expenses vestments by distancing your­ An active fund is expected to active fund that generates de­ achieve your goal. If the fund 10­15 years depending on the Banks generally do not ask and, over and above this, a benefit policy self from the market? Here, we generate higher returns over its cent excess returns over its generates 11% in a year (exclud­ age of the applicant. SBI says on for additional collateral. After covering cardiac conditions will pay the sum show why the return­characte­ benchmark index through ac­ benchmark index and pays di­ ing dividend payments), you its website that the borrower is the demise of the applicant and insured as a lumpsum. Any health policy ristics of equity investments tive portfolio management. vidends at appropriate times. should take profit totalling one not expected to service the loan the spouse, the lender seeks to offered by an Indian life insurance company and the current tax structure The issue is profit from active But, choosing an active fund is percentage point of your fund will be a benefit policy while both types of during her or his lifetime. encash the mortgage, and in policies are available with general insurance could hinder any strategy to management will remain in the not easy. Note that an index investments to protect unreal­ Bajaj Finserv says on its web­ the absence of a legal heir set­ and health insurance companies. make equity prices ‘invisible.’ ised gains in excess of your ex­ site that the lender’s margin is tling the loan, auctions the pro­ Coming to your parents, you should go in Real estate is lumpy and illi­ pected return. 20%. So, if the house is valued perty. Any excess from the pro­ for a basic hospitalisation policy from a quid. Also, it generates supple­ Finally, dividends from equi­ at ₹1 crore, loan eligibility is ₹80 ceeds realised via the sale is company of your choice, and you are likely to mentary cash flows in the form ty mutual funds are taxed at lakh. It adds, “Unlike a mort­ handed over to the legal heir. get only a limited sum insured to begin with of rental income. Forthese rea­ your marginal tax rate whereas gage advance, a reverse mort­ and can enhance it on later renewals. You sons, you can look at the realty capital appreciation (long­term gage loan does not create an im­ Can the applicant claim back also have waiting periods of pre­existing market only when you want to or short­term gain) attracts a mediate liability on borrowers. the asset from the lender? conditions to contend with. If you want more ■ coverage, choose a suitable top­up policy sell property, not otherwise. lower rate. You could consider Lenders thus initiate loan re­ Yes, by repaying the loan in and supplement this combination with a In contrast, you need to the higher taxes on dividends covery only after the borrower full. If the applicant is alive after critical illness policy or a specialised policy closely monitor equity invest­ as a cost for improving your permanently ceases to reside in the tenure ends, he/she can for specific health conditions. ments even if those are meant emotional well being, distanc­ the property or decides to sell continue to reside in the pro­ (The writer is a business journalist to achieve a life goal 10­15 years ing yourself from equity invest­ it, or on his/her demise.” perty but interest continues to specialising in insurance & corporate history) later. This is because of the re­ ments to moderate perceived Ancestral property does not accrue on payouts made. Bajaj turn­characteristic of growth volatility. Whether this strategy qualify for a reverse mortgage. Finserv says, “Interest rates on Readers can send in queries on personal finance and productsdiscussed previously will provide sustained level of reverse mortgage advances are investing to [email protected]. Our experts in this column. emotional well being is moot. How does the applicant benefit? usually marginally higher than who write on personal finance will answer these Your equity investment has (The author offers training ■ The applicant and spouse rates applicable to mortgage ad­ queries. Moneywise will not give specific recommendations for investment in a particular to go up by a larger percentage programmes for individuals to are able to realise the value of vances such as home loans.” mutual fund scheme, share or fixed deposit. to recover losses than it will There is a risk of an equity investor losing unrealised gains or manage their personal invest­ their house while using it as re­ Borrowers can choose between have to decline to wipe out increasing unrealised losses. * GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK ments) sidence during their lifetimes. fixed and floating options.

LOOSE CHANGE PERSONAL LOAN - RATES AND CHARGES NEW CAR LOAN - RATES AND CHARGES Ravikanth EMI (Rs) EMI (Rs) EMI (Rs) Interest rate Loan amount Loan amount Processing fee Loan amount Processing fee Name of Lender Name of Bank Interest rate (%) (%) 5 lakh 1 lakh (% of loan amount) 5 lakh (% of loan amount) Tenure - 5 years Tenure - 5 years Tenure-5 years Punjab & Sind Bank 7.10-7.90 9.924-10,114 Nil State Bank of India* 9.60-13.85 10,525-11,595 2,105-2,319 Upto 1.5% (Maximum Rs 15,000) Bank of Baroda 7.10-10.10 9,924-10,648 0.50% (Rs 2,500-10,000) Citi Bank 9.99-16.49 10,621-12,290 2,124-2,458 Upto 3% Union Bank of India 7.15-7.50 9,936-10,019 Rs 1,000 HDFC Bank 10.75- 21.30 10,809-13,611 2,162-2,722 Rs 2,999-25,000 Canara Bank 7.30-9.90 9,972-10,599 0.25% (Rs 1,000-5,000) Bank of Baroda 10.10-15.45 10,648-12,013 2,130-2,403 Rs 1,000-10,000 UCO Bank 7.45-7.70 10,007-10,067 Up to 1% (Max: Rs 1,500) Axis Bank 12.00-24.00 11,122-14,384 2,224-2,877 1.5%-2% 0.25% (Rs 1,000-Rs 1,500) Punjab National Bank 7.55-7.80* 10,031-10,090 Festive offer: 100% waiver ICICI Bank 11.25-21.00 10,934-13,527 2,187-2,705 Upto 2.25% (Valid till 31.12.2020) Indian Bank 9.05-13.65 10,391-11,544 2,078-2,309 As applicable time to time State Bank of India 7.70-11.20** 10,067-10,921 Up to 0.50% *** Kotak Mahindra Bank 10.75-24.00 10,809-14,384 2,162-2,877 Upto 2.5% ICICI Bank 7.90-9.85 10,114-10,587 Rs 3,500-Rs 8,500

Canara Bank 10.20-13.90 10,673-11,608 2,135-2,322 Upto 1% Dhanlaxmi Bank 8.10-9.20 10,162-10,428 1% South Indian Bank 8.80-9.25 10,331-10,440 1% (Max: Rs 10,000) Punjab National Bank** 8.95-14.00 10,367-11,634 2,073-2,327 Upto 1% Axis Bank 7.99-11.00 10,136-10,871 Rs 3,500-Rs 5,500 Punjab & Sind Bank 11.10 10,896 2,179 1% HDFC Bank 8.80-10.00 10,331-10,624 1%(Rs 5,000-Rs 10,000) South Indian Bank 10.85-14.40 10,834-11,738 2,167-2,348 2% * Floating interest rate of 7.30% offered to Defence/Para Military under Rakshak Plus Scheme. 25 bps concession on card rate to existing home loan borrowers under Pre-approved Insta Vehicle Loan Scheme. *Festive Offer: 50% processing fee waiver through branches till 31.01.2021 under Xpress Credit Scheme & Pension Loan; 100% fee waiver for pre-approved PL through YONO app till 31.01.2021 **Additional concession of 0.25% on application through YONO. Concession of 0.20% more on EV purchase *** Nil processing fee till 31.01.2021 on application via YONO. Same is applicable for car loan sourcing through sbiloansin59minutes.com. “Let’s be patient, sir. Everyone says prices may **0.10% more concession in applicable interest rate to customers who opt for coverage under Credit Life Insurance soon go back from post-COVID-high levels to Rates and charges as on December 16 Source: Paisabazaar.com pre-COVID-steep levels.”

CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

THE HINDU DELHI MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 SPORT 15 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

IN BRIEF Simranjit and Shami out of series with fractured arm Burns cleared for second Test Manisha MELBOURNE The Indian pacer was hit by a short ball from Cummins and retired hurt Australia opener Joe strike gold Burns, hit on the elbow INDIA IN AUS on Shami, he is going for a during the series opener, Press Trust of India scan now. Was in a lot of pain, was on Sunday cleared to New Delhi ANI could not even lift his arm. play the second Test Indian women boxers Sim­ New Delhi We will probably know in the against India, but young ranjit Kaur (60kg) and India pacer Mohammed Sha­ evening what happens,” he Will Pucovski was ruled Manisha (57kg) notched up out as he continues to recover from concussion. Burns suffered a mi has been ruled out of the had said at the post­match gold medals in the Cologne nasty blow on his elbow off a Jasprit Bumrah delivery during the series after suffering a frac­ press conference. World Cup. first Test at Adelaide which Australia won by eight wickets. PTI ture on his arm. He retired Australia pacer Josh Hazle­ Manisha defeated com­ hurt while batting in the se­ wood had said that the visi­ Kohli closes gap with top-ranked Smith patriot Saskhi 3­2, while cond innings at the Adelaide tors would find it hard to have DUBAI Simranjit got the better of Oval on Saturday after he was a replacement for the “class Virat Kohli has fractionally closed the gap with top­ranked Test German Maya Klienhans hit on the right arm by a short bowler” if he was indeed un­ batsman Steve Smith following his 74­run knock in the first 4­1. ball from Pat Cummins. available for the remainder of innings in Adelaide. Kohli gained two points for his half­century India finished the com­ Sources in the know of de­ the series. “It is obviously a to get to 888 while Smith (911) lost 10 points after scoring one petition in second spot velopments said that the ter­ blow, we gonna see how bad and one (not out) in his two innings. R. Ashwin, in the ninth spot, with three gold, two silver rible pain was a result of the it was. He will undergo scans is now India's top­ranked bowler overtaking Jasprit Bumrah. PTI and four bronze medals. fracture he has sustained. to see if there is any fracture On Saturday, Asian Games “Yes, he has a fracture and or bruising. We wanna find Seifert and Southee champion Amit Panghal that is why he could not grip out how much damage is seal series for Kiwis (52kg) had won gold. the bat and lift it at the done,” Hazlewood had said HAMILTON Veteran Satish Kumar Tim Seifert's 84 not out crease. It looked bad and the during the virtual post­match (+91kg) had to settle for a trumped an unbeaten 99 worst fear has come true,” press conference. by Mohammad Hafeez as silver after an injury forced the source said. “He is a class bowler and New Zealand won the him to withdraw from the he showed this in the game. second T20I against finals. Lot of pain So India might have to dig Pakistan by nine wickets Sonia Lather (57kg), India skipper Virat Kohli had deeper in their arsenal to try on Sunday and took a 2­1 Pooja Rani (75kg), Gaurav earlier spoken about how and cover and him but we lead with a game to spare. Tim Southee took 4/21. Solanki (57kg) and Mo­ Shami was in pain and scans probably expect him to play, I The scores: Pakistan 163/6 in 20 overs (Mohd. Hafeez 99 n.o.; hammed Hussamudin were conducted to check the am not sure how bad the inju­ Tim Southee 4/21) lost to New Zealand 164/1 in 19.2 overs (Tim (57kg) returned with extent of the injury. “No news ry is,” he added. Painful blow: Mohammed Shami, right, retires hurt after he was struck on the forearm.* AP Seifert 84 n.o., Kane Williamson 57 n.o.). bronze medals. Gill in roaring form in round two Jagan clinches ninth National title, Mohan the novice crown SPORTS BUREAU Sports Reporter following a technical protest (AS Motorsports) (13:09.147). ITANAGAR CHENNAI which was subsequently TVS One-Make Championship – Gaurav Gill continued his Jagan Kumar swept to the tit­ thrown out. However, there Open (RTR 310, Race-4): 1. Adi­ winning streak, claiming the le in the Pro­Stock 165cc was an appeal against the de­ tya Rao (Bengaluru) (11:46.052); 2. Vishwadev Mu­ Rally of Arunachal, the se­ Open category while Chen­ cision and a final verdict is cond round of the Cham­ raleedharan (Coimbatore) nai youngster Mohan Babu awaited. (11:52.507); 3. V.S. Kishoar pions Yacht Club­FMSCI In­ topped the Novice (Stock The results (provisional, six (Coimbatore) (11:55.485). dian National Rally 165cc) class after the second laps unless mentioned): Novice (RTR 200, Race-3): 1. Championship (INRC) on and final round of the MRF Pro-Stock 301-400cc (Race-3): Sudheer Sudhakar (Delhi) Sunday. Gill won all the six MMSC FMSCI Indian Nation­ 1. Anish Damodar Shetty (Race (13:16.909); 2. Teja TVR (Hyde­ Concepts) (11m 44.035s); 2. Ra­ special stages, including the al Motorcycle Racing Cham­ rabad) (13:17.317); 3. Navaneeth jini Krishnan (RACR Castrol Crowning glory: Ann Jennifer, Jagan Kumar and Mohan Babu, four night ones. pionship (INMRC) at the the 2020 National champions. * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Kumar (Puducherry) The results (provisional): Ov- Power Racing) (11:44.322); 3. (13:18.803). MMRT here on Sunday. K.Y. Ahamed (TVS Racing) erall: 1. Gaurav Gill & Musa With this triumph, the 31­ gan Kumar (TVS Racing) (RACR Castrol Power Racing) Race-4: 1. Navaneeth Kumar Sherif (42:15.000s); 2. Amit­ Unstoppable: Gill and partner Sherif won all the special (11:45.386). (12:11.699); 2. K.Y. Ahamed (10:44.093); 3. K.Y. Ahamed (13:19.991); 2. Sudheer Sudha­ year­old Jagan clinched his trajjit Ghosh & Ashwin Naik stages. * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Race-4: 1. Rajini Krishnan (12:15.860); 3. S. Mathana Ku­ (10:45.776). kar (13:20.028); 3. Alwin Sun­ (43:48.100); 3. Karna Kadur & ninth National crown (125cc (11:49.668); 2. Deepak Raviku­ mar (Eneos Honda Erula Rac­ Novice (Stock 165cc, Race-4): dar (13:20.028). Nikhil Pai (44: 57.300). (47:42.000); 3. Rahul Kantha­ Fabid Ahmer & Eldo Chacko in 2009 and eight in the mar (TVS Racing) (11:50.210); ing) (12:15.937). 1. Navaneeth Kumar (Rulexx Media (5 laps): 1. Zaran Mody INRC2: 1. Dean Mascarenhas & raj & Vivek Bhat (47:45..00). (47:30.800); 3. Maninder Singh 165cc Open class). The re­ 3. Amarnath Menon (SpeedUp Race-4 (5 laps due to delayed Rockers Racing) (13:08.467); 2. (11:26.925); 2. Anis Shaik Shruptha Padival (45:38.600); INRC3: 1. Aditya Thakur & Vi­ Prince & Vinay Padmashali sults in the Pro­Stock 301­ Racing) (11:50.321). start): 1. S. Mathana Kumar P. Mohan Babu (Pvt, Chennai) (11:32.884); 3. Azaman Chothia 2. Sahil Khanna & Vidit Jain render Kashyap (47:21.500); 2. (48:06.400). 400cc section were withheld Pro-Stock 165cc (Race-3): 1. Ja­ (10:39.908); 2. Sarath Kumar (13:08.659); 3. Alwin Sundar (11:33.003). MCFC blanks HFC Leao’s day out as Milan wins Victory Parade wins main event HYDERABAD: Trainer D. Netto’s ROYAL TERN PLATE (Div. II) MING DYNASTY PLATE ISL 2020-21 ward Victory Parade (Akshay Ku­ 3 (1,100m), (Terms), Maiden, 2­ 6 (1,800m), rated 40 to 65 (Cat. EURO LEAGUES mar up) won the Rainbows For y­o only, (Cat. II): INDIE (Akshay II): ARTISTRYY (Gaurav Singh) 1, Sports Bureau Life Plate, the chief event of Kumar) 1, The Prospect (A.A. N R I Heights (Abhay Singh) 2, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Sunday’s (Dec.20) races. Vikrant) 2, Unmatched (Koushik) Ruletheworld (Irvan Singh) 3 and 3 and Hot Seat (Md. Ismail) 4. Not Miss Marvellous (Arshad Alam) 4. MILAN The winner is owned by Mr. umbai City FC main­ V.Krishna Das, Dr. Veeraman­ run: City Of Blessing. Nk, 2­1/4, 1­ 4­1/4, 1, Nk. 1m 53.68s. ₹42 (w), 8, tained its position at AC Milan forward Rafael chaneni Bharat, Mr. Rajat 1/2. 1m 7.95s. ₹12 (w), 5, 6 and 14 14 and 9 (p). SHP: 42, THP: 35, FP: M (p). SHP: 12, THP: 56, FP: 48, Q: the top of the table, with an Leao scored the fastest goal Parthasarathy & Mr. Adhiraj 811, Q: 483, Tanala: 2,330. Favour­ Parthasarathy. 19, Tanala: 523. Favourite: ite: City Of Wisdom. Owners: Mr. emphatic 2­0 victory over in Serie A history on Sunday, Painted Apache. Owners: Mr. P. Sarasam Madhusudan Reddy & Hyderabad FC in an Indian netting after just six seconds Akshay Kumar rode three more Prabhakar Reddy & Mr. Rama Se­ Mr. Syed Nawaz Hussain. Trainer: winners on the day. Trainer Lax­ shu Eyunni. Trainer: Laxman N. Ravinder Singh. Super League encounter at at Sassuolo. man Singh saddled three winners Singh. GALLANT COMMANDER PLATE the Tilak Maidan Stadium, The Portuguese young­ today. RAINBOWS FOR LIFE PLATE 7 (1,400m), 5­y­o & upward, Vasco on Sunday. ster’s goal beat the previous ROYAL TERN PLATE (Div. I) rated 40 to 65: BALIUS (Akshay (1,400m), 3­y­o & upward, Mumbai City’s twin record of eight seconds set 1 (1,100m), (Terms), Maiden, 2­ 4 VICTORY PARADE Kumar) 1, Max (Arshad Alam) 2, y­o only (Cat. II): FALCON EDGE (Cat. I): (Akshay Guiding Force (Kiran Naidu) 3 strikes came in open play by by Piacenza’s Paolo Poggi (Akshay Kumar) 1, Proud (Irvan Kumar) 1, Nayadeep (Irvan Singh) and Dancing Doll (P. Ajeeth Ku­ D. Vignesh and Adam le against Fiorentina in 2001. Singh) 2, City Of Bliss (Suraj 2, Consigliori (P. Ajeeth Kumar) 3 mar) 4. 3­1/4, 1, Sh. 1m 27.76s. ₹9 and Exclusive Blue (Suraj Fondre. Mumbai City now D. Vignesh... on cloud Milan later tweeted that Narredu) 3 and Total Darc (Ar­ (w), 5, 15 and 38 (p). SHP: 22, shad Alam) 4. Nk, 2, 1­1/4. 1m Narredu) 4. 1­1/2, 1­1/2, Hd. 1m THP: 325, FP: 79, Q: 44, Tanala: nine! * ISL/SPORTZPICS has 16 points from seven Leao's goal came after pre­ Lightning strike: Leao, centre, scored for Milan in the 7.76s. ₹10 (w), 5, 12 and 7 (p). SHP: 25.89s. ₹13 (w), 13, 15 and 7 (p). 1,411. Favourite: Balius. Owners: SHP: 78, THP: 19, FP: 299, Q: 202, matches. Hyderabad’s first cisely 6.2 seconds. sixth second of the game, a new Serie A record. * AFP 51, THP: 36, FP: 155, Q: 105, Mr. Y. Damodar & Mr. Ashok Ku­ Tanala: 1,935. Favourite: Exclus­ defeat in six matches means 44th minute. A fine cross by Serie A leader Milan went Tanala: 407. Favourite: City Of mar Gupta. Trainer: Bliss. Owners: Mr. Rama Seshu ive Blue. Owners: Mr. V. Krishna R.H.Sequeira. it remains on nine points Akash Mishra found Moha­ on to win 2­1 to remain one Arsenal was beaten by Ever­ (Pepe 35­pen). Das, Mr. Veeramachaneni Bharat, Eyunni & Mr. P.Prabhakar Reddy. GOLDEN DAGGER PLATE mad Yasir in the right place Serie A: Sunday: Sassuolo 1 Trainer: R.H.Sequeira. Mr. Rajat Parthasarathy & Mr. Ad­ and in sixth place. point ahead of second­place ton 2­1 on Saturday. hiraj Parthasarathy. Trainer: (1,200m), rated 20 to 45 (Cat. to head in, but he messed it (Berardi 89) lost to AC Milan 2 8 What was turning into a Inter Milan. Robert Lewandowski’s FLYING TREASURE PLATE (Div. D.Netto. III): XFINITY (Afroz Khan) 1, Au­ quiet first half exploded up. On Saturday, Cristiano brace, including a dramatic (Leao 1, Saelemaekers 26); In­ I) (1,400m), rated 20 to 45 genstern (Darshan) 2, Blink Of An 2 STUD POKER FLYING TREASURE PLATE Eye (Akshay Kumar) 3 and with a wonderful goal in the Mumbai striker le Fondre Ronaldo scored a double as injury­time winner, saw ter Milan 2 (Hakimi 52, Lukaku (Cat. III): (Suraj (Div. 71­pen) bt Spezia 1 (Piccoli Narredu) 1, Due Diligence (Irvan 5 II) (1,400m), rated 20 to 45 Linewiler (Santosh Raj) 4. Not 38th minute. Ahmed Ja­ made it 2­0 with a firm right­ Juventus thrashed Parma Bayern Munich beat Bayer BISATE run: Aintree and Brilliant View. 3, 90+4); Saturday: Parma 0 lost Singh) 2, Chuckit (P. Sai Kumar) 3 (Cat. III): (Kuldeep Singh) houh’s long ball from mid­ footer on a pass from Rowl­ 4­0. Leverkusen 2­1 on Saturday and Queen Daenerys (Darshan) 4. 1, Maxwell (Akshay Kumar) 2, Red 5, Nose. 1m 14.50s. ₹8 (w), 5, 14 lin Borges on the left. to Juventus 4 (Kulusevski 23, Not run: Mark My Day. 1/2, 3/4, 2. Snaper (Santosh Raj) 3 and Kint and 9 (p). SHP: 25, THP: 20, FP: field saw Bipin Singh volley In the Premier League, to go to the top of the Bun­ Ronaldo 26, 48, Morata 85). 44, Q: 45, Tanala: 102. Favourite: The results: Mumbai City 2 (D. 1m 28.46s. ₹13 (w), 7, 7 and 8 (p). Sugi (Abhay Singh) 4. Not run: to D. Vignesh. The 24­year­ Tottenham's title challenge desliga table. Bundesliga: Saturday: Borussia SHP: 36, THP: 11, FP: 138, Q: 86, Proud Legacy. 1, 4­1/4, 2­3/4. 1m Xfinity. Owners: Mr. Syed Jameel Vignesh 38, Adam le Fondre old advanced a few steps suffered another blow as Important results: Monchengladbach 1 (Stindl 34­ Tanala: 865. Favourite: Stud 27.43s. ₹14 (w), 6, 10 and 16 (p). Moosavi & Mr. Syed Nawaz Hus­ 59) bt Hyderabad FC 0. Poker. Owners: Villoo Poonawalla SHP: 21, THP: 26, FP: 52, Q: 34, sain. Trainer: Anant Vatsalya. Premier League: Sunday: Tot­ pen) lost to Hoffenheim 2 (Kra­ and fired a powerful left­foo­ Kerala Blasters 1 (Jeakson Leicester moved above Jose Racing & Breedings Pvt Ltd, Mr. Tanala: 1,856. Favourite: City Of Jackpot: 70%: ₹3,884 (30 tkts); tenham 0 lost to Leicester 2 maric 75, Sessegnon 86); Bayer ter that found the back of Singh 90+4) drew with East Mourinho's men into second Vijay Kumar Gupta rep. Vijay Ra­ Passion. Owners: Mr. 30%: ₹942 (53 tkts). Treble: (i): (Vardy 45+4, Alderweireld 59­ Leverkusen 1 (Schick 14) Bayern cing & Farms Pvt. Ltd., Mr. K.N.Dhunjibhoy & Mr. Z.K. ₹196 (66 tkts), (ii): ₹378 (28 tkts), the net. Bengal 1 (Bakary Kone 13­og). with an impressive 2­0 away og); Saturday: Everton 2 (Hold­ Munich 2 (Lewandowski 43, Susheel Kumar Gupta & Mr. Dhunjibhoy rep. Five Stars Ship­ (iii): ₹390 (46 tkts). Mini Jackpot: Hyderabad had the best Monday’s match: ATKMB vs win on Sunday. Mikel Arte­ ing 22­og, Mina 45) bt Arsenal 1 90+3). Ahmed Alam Khan. Trainer: Lax­ ping Co. Pvt. Ltd. Trainer: Lax­ (i): ₹2,584 (3 tkts), (ii): ₹1,828 (7 chance to equalise in the Bengaluru FC, 7.30 p.m. ta's woes deepened when man Singh. man Singh. tkts).

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

SCAN TO PLAY Never go off the grid. SUDOKU FAITH + 13124 We are digital now. Come solve online. @ https://qrgo.page.link/jjpTn (set by Gridman) Nature of samsara 14 Monstrous guise ogre adopted (9) In the Gita, Lord Krishna compares samsara to a peepal tree. 16 Child in street with traps essentially and part of helmet (9) In a tree, old leaves fall, and new ones come up. An atma is 19 A small, small photograph of a savoury jelly (5) born in the body of a human being, or animal, or bird or plant etc, and when that birth ends, the atma is born again 21 Six count in an important way (7) as something else. Just as leaves fall, and new leaves appear, 23 Tote rag used as a killing instrument (7) so does one birth end, but a new birth begins. This t ree 24 Russian girl with Ian settled in land of Hope (9) called samsara has branches that grow upward and dow n­ 25 Bread produced in city in the Netherlands (5) ward. In this tree, devas and gandharvas are at a hi gher le­ 26 Diverts a minister’s premier applications (6) vel; humans rank lower. Then come animals, and below them come lower forms of life like worms. This tree is nour­ 27 Tamil leader left in a large town without a word or sound (7) ished by the gunas. The sense objects are the newly ap­ ■ DOWN peared shoots of the tree. These shoots are attractive to look at. In the same way, sense objects also attract us, and keep 1 Disturbed advisors certify not one of things that philatelists seek (5­3,6) us trapped in samsara, said Valayapet Ramachariar, in a dis­ course. 2 Persistency in finding fault (7) A tree depends on its roots for its existence. Karmas are 3 Ungodly display by mischievous boy, one yet reforming (7) the roots of the tree called samsara. The Vedas are the leaves 4 Approaches swan struggling in bleak surroundings (5,4) of this tree. Leaves, through photosynthesis, make the food 5 Stores no model boxes (5) required by plants and trees. This is a scientific fa ct. But if Solution to puzzle 13123 Solution to yesterday’s Sudoku the Vedas are leaves of the tree of samsara, what is their role 6 Intending one to be quiet in being synchronous (7) in keeping samsara alive? The Vedas prescribe all the kar­ 7 U.S. city elegant in the past (7) mas we need to do in this life, and so in this sense they keep ■ ACROSS 8 Government official stuns nerdy creatures (14) samsara alive. But the Vedas also show us how to get rid of 1 Imagined admirer tossed dice (7) 15 Ruling about turning up is distasteful (9) samsara. Those who understand the nature of samsara, 5 Covering over male — an unlikeable person (6) 17 Meanwhile bury one male (7) have taken the first step towards liberation. The main root of the samsara tree is Brahma, which is why the tree is de­ 9 Dress circle — not new — situated above (3,2) 18 Greets a lieutenant taking turn with me at last in ship (7) 10 Coming into office with an item that’s added (9) scribed as an upside down tree, with its roots at the top. Kar­ 19 A sort of exercise — one carried back in a carriage, to begin with (7) 11 Loiters around people who work hard (7) mas are the secondary roots. Those who have not comp re­ 12 Dirty condition of livestock feed (7) 20 Forbearing doctor’s charge (7) hended the nature of samsara can only think in terms of “I 13 Fuming gran runs with extreme fury (5) 22 Americans’ strong pulls (5) am so and so,” or “I am so and so’s son.” Detachment from worldly desires cuts down this tree of samsara.

CM A ND-NDE YK EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

DELHI THE HINDU 16 SPORT MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

IN BRIEF Dhruv Kumar, Ministry’s move to give a fillip to indigenous sports Sarvagnya Includes Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta and Mallakhamba in Khelo India Youth Games 2021 win titles GENERAL Games these four disci­ Thang­Ta, a Manipur mar­ Special Correspondent plines, along with yogasana, ital art has passed into obli­ New Delhi Press Trust of India will get their much deserved vion in the recent decades, Dhruv Kumar and R. Sar­ Kim gets nose in front New Delhi attention among sports en­ but the sport will get national vagnya won the boys’ and MIAMI The Sports Ministry has ap­ thusiasts and youth of the recognition again with the girls’ titles in the AITA World No. 1 Kim Sei-young fired six birdies in a five- proved the inclusion of four country. help of the Khelo India Youth Championship series un­ under 67 on Saturday to take indigenous sports, including “In the coming years we Games. der­16 tennis tournament a one-shot lead over top- Gatka and Kalaripayattu, in will be able to add more indi­ “We are sure that this ef­ at the Mastermind Tennis ranked Ko Jin-young in the the Khelo India Youth Games genous sports at the Khelo fort of Khelo India will cer­ Academy in Rohini. LPGA Tour Championship. (KIYG) 2021, scheduled to Games” he said. tainly help to promote and Dhruv defeated Bhavya Kim is 13-under 203 after take place in Haryana. The four selected games revive a forgotten Indian tra­ Yadav 6­3, 6­3 in the boys’ three rounds. England's The other two games in­ represent different parts of ditional martial art having a final. Georgia Hall shot a four- cluded are Thang­Ta and the country. historical significance,” said Bhavya had made the fi­ under 68 to be third two Mallakhamba. Kalaripayattu has its ori­ National Gatka Association nal with a 9­6 win against behind Ko. AFP gin in Kerala and has practi­ of India president Harjeet Manuraj Singh. A priority tioners all over the world, Singh Gerwal. In the girls’ title clash, R. Alvarez pummels Smith, Speaking about the decision, Bollywood actor Vidyut The Thang­Ta federation Sarvagnya put it past Sa­ claims two titles Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju Jammwal being one. also said that the competi­ maira Malik 6­3, 6­4 to LOS ANGELES said, “India has a rich herit­ Mallakhamba, mean­ tion will vastly popularise emerge the champion. Mexican Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez age of indigenous sports, and while, has been well­known the sport. The results: ended the longest layoff of it is a priority for the sports across India. Madhya Pra­ “Over 400 athletes from Boys: Final: Dhruv Kumar bt his career on Saturday, ministry to preserve, pro­ desh and Maharashtra have different states will partici­ Bhavya Yadav 6-3, 6-3. brutally overpowering the Semifinals: Bhavya Yadav bt previously unbeaten Callum mote and popularise these been the hotspots of this pate in the competition. We games. sport. want to be very successful in Manuraj Singh 9-6; Dhruv Ku- Smith and capturing the mar bt Dikshan Chhikara 9-6. “There is no better plat­ Gatka originates from the the competition and this will vacant WBC title and the WBA Girls: Final: R. Sarvagnya bt version in the super form than the Khelo India state of Punjab and this tradi­ help us get more recognition Samaira Malik 6-3, 6-4. middleweight class in Texas. Games where athletes of tional fighting style of the Ni­ nationally and international­ Semifinals: Samaira Malik bt This was Alvarez's first fight these games can compete. hang Sikh warriors is used ly,” said Thang­Ta Federation Ishi Maheshwari 8-4; Raja since he jumped up to light- Young fighters: Gatka, which originates from Punjab, is used by Nihang Sikh warriors as “I am confident that in the both as self­defence as well of India secretary Vinod Sarvagnya bt Divya Ungrish heavyweight. AFP self-defence as well as a sport. * AFP 2021 Khelo India Youth as a sport. Sharma. 9-6.

CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC\ NEW DELHI CRICKET ROUND-UP \ CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC AIFF elections Raj Kumar to take over as Delhi coach Sanat Sangwan shines Sukhija 55, Kavya Pandey 3/16) in the Airliner Winter Rambabu, Somnath set to be kept Delhi (under­19) opener lost to Sonnet Club 245/6 in tournament. hit half­centuries Dani will be the chairperson of the senior selection committee 39.2 overs (Krish Singhani 95, The scores: in abeyance DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD Sanat Sangwan (83 not out) Blooming Rambabu Mehto and DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD guided Aarush Sports to a Ronit Berry 66, Aditya Bhandari Academy 169 in 37 overs Somanth Mondal scored CRICKET Press Trust of India B Gursharan, who led Punjab six­wicket victory over T.N. 46). (Ronak Modit 34, Mayank half­centuries in Endurance New Delhi RAKESH RAO to its lone Ranji success in Memorial Academy in the Madhu scalps four Mudila 32, Hardik Gupta 5/34) Academy’s 74­run victory NEW DELHI The All India Football Fed­ 1993, will be the Assistant all­India B.R. Sharma Madhu (4/15) struck timely lost to Telefunken Club 170/3 over RCC Academy in the coach eration (AIFF) will hold its Raj Kumar Sharma, coach of memorial tournament. blows to help C.P.S. in 33 overs (Chinmay Vashisht RCC (u­13) tournament. The scores: The scores: Annual General Body Meet­ Virat Kohli, will be the new B Manoj Prabhakar and K.P. T.N. Memorial Academy beat Ravindra 73, Raghav Vashisht 61). Endurance ing in virtual mode on Mon­ chief coach of the Delhi Bhaskar the prominent ones Academy 177/9 in 40 overs Academy by five runs in a Academy 204 in 36.4 overs All­round show by Piyush day, with the elections of its cricket team this season. among those ignored (Siddharth Yadav 67, Alipt low­scoring semifinals of the (Rambabu Mehto 79, Somnath Piyush Kumar (27 and 4/25) office bearers set to be kept Gupta 40, Avinash Thapa 3/30) Backyard RCC tournament. Mandal 53) bt RCC Academy As per the announcement B Manoj, Sachin will be the was the hero of T.N. in abeyance. lost to Aarush Sports 178/4 in The scores: 130 in 32.3 overs (Sachin Yadav made by the Delhi and Dis­ managers 36.4 overs (Sanat Sangwan 83 Memorial Academy’s 52­run 48). The four­year term of the trict Cricket Association DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD C.P.S. Academy 122 in 40 overs n.o., Yash Joon 39, Ankit Bisht win over West Delhi Sarthak shows the way current executive commit­ (DDCA), Gursharan Singh, (Shivam 30, Shubham Saini 35). Academy in the semifinals of Sarthak Ranjan (89) helped tee ends on Monday and un­ who led Punjab to its lone two days of interviews. 4/20, Hanu Rana 4/27) bt Vansh’s century in vain the first Hari Ballabh Rann Star Club beat Nix der normal circumstances, Ranji Trophy success in Manoj Kumar and Sachin Ravindra Academy 117 in 38.1 Vansh Bedi’s 115 went in vain Sharma memorial (under­14) Sports by six wickets on way the elections would have to 1993, will be the Assistant Gupta will be the managers overs (Madhu 4/15). tournament. for Uday Bhan Academy to the semifinals of the be held during the AGM. coach. Raj Kumar Sharma. for the season. Umesh Chika­ The scores: after Krish Singhani’s 95 Hardik, Chinmay and Chaudhary Shyam Singh Praful Patel, who has been A former Test player, Gur­ * FILE PHOTO ra (Trainer) and Gajendra helped Sonnet Club post a Raghav excel T.N. Memorial Academy 152/9 tournament. AIFF president since 2012, sharan coached Uttrakhand Kumar (Physio) will be part four­wicket victory in the Hardik Gupta (5/34) and in 40 overs (Bhavi Sharma 38, The scores: Niz Sports 153 in is ineligible to contest as per last season. committee that consists of of the support staff. semifinals of the Bhola Singh half­centurions Chinmay Adhikansh Bhardwaj 34, Piyush 20 overs (Pradeep Malik 32, the Sports Code. A FIFA Former Delhi opener former selectors Mohan Cha­ Prominent among those memorial (u­17) tournament. Vashisht and Raghav Kumar 27) bt West Delhi Vikas Uchitra 33, Mayank Dagar spokesperson said that it ex­ Ashu Dani, who was a junior turvedi and Chetnya Nanda. ignored were Manoj Prabha­ The scores: Udaybhan Vashisht helped Telefunken Academy 100 in 28.2 overs 4/27) lost to Rann Star Club pects AIFF to fulfil its obliga­ selector till last season, has These names were recom­ kar and K.P. Bhaskar who Academy 244 in 39.5 overs Club beat Blooming (Dewansh Kumar 48, Piyush 159/4 in 15.5 overs (Sarthak tions under Article 14 of the taken over as the chairper­ mended by the Cricket Advi­ had applied to regain their (Vansh Bedi 115, Saksham Academy by seven wickets Kumar 4/25, Tanay Singh 3/16). Ranjan 89). statutes of the world body. son of the senior selection sory Committee following spots as coaches.

CM A ND-NDE YK