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6 US virus toll crosses 100,000 as D

L pandemic rages in Latin America R O China’s parl overwhelmingly approves W controversial Hong Kong security bill 7 India’s COVID-19 tally crosses 1.6 N

O lakh; Death toll surpasses 4,600 I T A Entire country heard cries of N migrants but not govt: Sonia www.thehillstimes.in Voice of the hills people Vol .No. XXI Issue No. 132 Regd. NGG-709 RNI-ASSENG/2000/1286T2 DIPHHU, KARE BI ANGLHONG, FRI DIAY, LMAY 2L9, 20S 20 PAGTES 8 I PRIMCE ` 5 ES Chirang SDO arrested on graft charge HT Correspondent KOKRAJHAR, May 28: Sleuths of Vigilance and Anti- NNEWo DE LfHaI, Mraye 28 ( PtTIo): N o bweher ec theyh area strarndged. ed from migrants, states toco npcernredo andv thieyd shaell b e fprro - eSeolici tofr oGenoerald and: inS noC case Corruption Bureau arrested Chi - train or bus fare will be charged The court also issued notices to vided the transport to the destina - any fare should be asked or rang Sadar sub-divisional officer from migrant labourers, the the Centre and others on a separate tion and all facilities including charged from any migrant workers Jayanta Sarkar while he was tak - Supreme Court said on Thursday plea of Narmada Bachao Andolan food and water be provided to by the states and the Railways," the ing bribe of ` 20,000 from a gov - while directing states and union (NBA) leader Medha Patkar on the those found walking on the road." bench said in its 11-page order. ernment fair price shop owner on territories, where these workers are plight of migrant workers and The bench, also comprising jus - It said that migrant workers, Thursday. The SDO had demanded stranded due to the coronavirus tagged that with the suo-motu case. tices S K Kaul and M R Shah, said who are stranded at different places ` 1 lakh as bribe from the FPS lockdown, to provide them "food The top court, which had on that after the migrant workers in the country, shall be provided owner Dhananjay Barman. He was free of cost" till they board trains May 26 on its own taken cogni - reach their native places, the re - food free of cost by the states and supposed (Contd. on pg-2) and buses. While passing a slew of sance of the miseries of migrant ceiving state shall provide trans - union territories concerned at "dif - interim directions "looking into the workers, said that states shall try to port, health screening and other ferent places which shall be publi - difficulties and miseries of migrant endeavour that after registration, facilities free of cost. cised and notified to them during Freedom for workers", the apex court directed the workers should be asked to "No fare either by train or by bus the period they are waiting for their COVID-19 positive that the states shall simplify and board the train or bus at the earliest shall be charged from any migrant turn to board the train or bus". HT Bureau speed up the process of registration and complete information should A bench headed by Justice found walking on the highways or workers. The railway fare shall be "Initially, as stated by the Solic - DIPHU, May 28: A COVID-19 of migrant workers and set up help be publicised to all concerned re - Ashok Bhushan directed that roads shall be immediately taken shared by the states as per their itor General, the originating state positive patient was discharged desks for registration at the places garding the mode of transport. "those migrant workers who are care by the state/union territories arrangement as submitted by the shall provide (Contd. on pg-2) from MMCH on Wednesday. Sonu Verma (25) was discharged after he tested negative in subsequent three tests on May 22, 23 and 26. Flood situation improving in West KA He was admitted in MMCH on May 20 and has a travel history to st West Bengal from where he re - No community transmission turned on May 17. His first sample 2.94 lakh affected in 1 was taken on May 17. In view of the COVID-19 patients being ad - mitted in Diphu Medical College & Hospital (Old Block), the dis - wave of deluge, 2 dead in Assam yet: Government HT Bureau day, West Karbi Anglong deputy trict administration has declared GUWAHATI/ DIPHU, May 28: commissioner Sayed Isfakur Rah - the areas as containment zone pro - State’s COVID-19 tally touches 856 The first wave of floods claimed man told The Hills Times over hibiting entry and exist of all peo - HT Bureau two more lives in the state as the phone from Hamren. ple and vehicles from outside. GUWAHATI, May 28: With re - situation took a grim turn on No relief camp has so far been port of 82 fresh cases, the state’s POSITIVE DISCHARGED ACTIVE DEATHS MIGRATED Thursday. opened for the affected people, Teenager drowns tally of COVID-19 positive cases Nearly 2.94 lakh people of 300 Rahman said. has gone up to 856 on Thursday villages under 15 revenue circles The flood-affected three MAC at Howraghat evening even as the government of nine districts have been affected constituencies are Bithung HT Correspondent claimed that the community trans - in the flood, ac - Rengthama and HOWRAGHAT, May 28: A mission is yet to take place in the cording to a report Rongkhang. 16-year-old boy who was on a state. of Assam State Many villages visit to his uncle’s house, “Alert- 25 new cases of Disaster Manage - under Dongka - drowned in Howraghat Dighal - #COVID19+ 13 Kamrup Metro, 4 ment Authority mukam Revenue pani River on Thursday morning. Cachar, 3 Dhemaji, 3 Barpeta, 2 (ASDMA) here. Circle are still under He visited his uncle in Hatipura Kokrajhar,” health minister Hi - dently say that community trans - for the migrant labourers. In Darrang district, after two Two persons water. The flood village under Howraghat police manta Biswa Sarma said in a tweet miss8ion ha5s not st6 arted in Ass1am,” 0T3 ill 2.50 pm7 of 4Thursd6 ay, the p0ersons4 tested pos0itive, t3he district drowned in flood water submerged station before the nationwide on Thursday evening. the minister said. total number of positive cases administration declared Arimari waters at Lakhipur Deramukh, Khana - lockdown due to COVID-19 “Though the number of COVID- The minister urged everyone to stands at 831. “Alert ~ 33 new and its neighbouring villages as and Balijana in jan, Menmeji, pandemic. The boy Abhinav 19 cases is rising, community strictly observe social distancing at cases of #COVID19+ 10 Nagaon, containment zone. Goalpara district Tumpreng, Muga - Deka Raja along with four of his transmission has not yet taken the quarantine centres. 8 Kamrup-M, 7 Cachar, 1 each A COVID-19 positive patient on Thursday tak - song, Taradubi and friends went for a swim in place in the state,” minister of State He also stated that besides test - Hojai/Dima Hasao, 2 each Karim - who hails from Sipajhar in Darrang ing the death toll in Nam Taradubi. Dighalpani River but drowned. for health Pijush Hazarika said. ing the people in quarantine, tests ganj/Hailakandi, 2 to be ascer - district was arrested on Thursday. the first wave to 3. Thousands of acres Abhinav was from Taradubi in Hazarika asserted that most of are being done through the surveil - tained,” the health minister tweeted The patient identified as Nizamud - Altogether 6,323 people in 19 of crop land was also affected by West Karbi Anglong. He was the the cases have been reported from lance programme across the State. at 2.50 pm. The state’s figure of pos - din Ahmed (20) returned from villages of West Karbi Anglong the flood. only child of his parents. He was the quarantine centres. There has been a steep rise of itive cases was 774 on Wednesday. Mumbai and kept in Sarusajai district have been affected due to Many people were forced to the assistant general secretary of “Maximum cases have been re - positive patients in the state after “Alert ~ 9 new cases of quarantine facility. After six-day of the first wave of floods caused by leave home on the night of May All Tiwa Students Union ported from the hotels, guest the people who have been stranded #COVID19+ reported. 5 Hojai, 1 quarantine, he fled from the centre. release of excess water from Kopili 26. They are sheltered in elevated (ATSU) in Bithung. Search oper - houses and quarantine centres in various parts of the country Nagaon, 1 Morigaon, 1 Kamrup Two persons from Hailakandi Hydro Electric Power Project. places and stretches of PWD road ations continued to recover the where we have kept the incoming started reaching here as the Union Metro, 1 Jorhat,” Sarma tweeted district turned out to be COVID-19 However, the water level of the along with their livestock in tem - body of the boy. people. Therefore, I can confi - government relaxed travel norms on late Wednesday night. positive on (Contd. on pg-2) Kopili River is receding on Thurs - porary tents. (Contd. on pg-2) Patowary interacts with member Cargo service will facilitate capturing Close shave for trio HT Correspondent companies of US-India Business Council of world market by state’s farmers: CM DONKAMUKAM, May 28: Four sured of customised support with a hours after they were about to dedicated team of officers for each Sonowal flags off drown in strong current of the company. cargo flight carrying river, the police rescued three Patowary underlined the proac - teenagers on Wednesday. tive steps taken not only in the vegetables to Dubai The teenagers have been identi - health sector to control COVID-19 fied as Edwin Marak (16), Man pandemic, but also in putting the HT Bureau Sangma (19) and Sonju Marak economy back on track by allow - GUWAHATI, May 28: Assam (17). They are from Wakanta vil - ing all its industries to resume chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal lage under Bithung Rengthama work albeit with social distancing on Thursday flagged off the cargo MAC constituency in West Karbi and other precautions. flight carrying pumpkins produced Anglong district. Highlighting the advantages of by state’s farmers to Dubai at the The incident took place at 4 pm Assam, Patowary said, “The strate - Cargo Terminal of LGBI Airport in of Wednesday, when the trio was gic geographic location backed by the city. heading towards safer places in a a strong connectivity network He also took stock of the arrange - local made banana boat, but lost makes Assam the ideal staging ments for registration and screening through different modes of travel ments etc in close coordination with control over the boat due to strong HT Bureau (USIBC) and assisted by Invest point for doing business with BBN of inbound and outbound passen - and 3421 people had arrived in Airports Authority of India and water current near Kulai RCC GUWAHATI, May 28: State in - India. The companies included rep - and ASEAN bloc countries. This gers at the airport which has re - Assam through the landing of 38 CISF for facilitating smooth move - bridge. dustries and commerce minister resentatives from General Electric opens up $ 800 million market for cently resumed operations after flights so far against 1190 people ment of people. He also praised the Luckily, they jumped and caught Chandra Mohan Patowary inter - (GE), Hydrocarbon Dynamic the industrialists who want to man - relaxation in COVID-19 lockdown who had flown out. service rendered by drivers and hold of a tree and shouted for help. acted with top global companies (HCD), Pfizer, P&G, John Deere, ufacture in Assam for export to the norms. Saying that the state government staffs of ASTC buses and thanked The police was informed who operating across United States and Mastercard, eBay and Walmart. rest of the global market through Later talking to the newsmen was taking all measures to ensure the people of the state for staying brought a boat from a village 3 km India through a webinar at Janata The minister called upon the in - the ports of Myanmar and there, the chief minister said that the that the travellers do not have to united in this fight against COVID- off the spot by a Tata mobile. Bhawan here on Thursday. dustries to invest in the Assam and Bangladesh. Initiatives like Act state government was taking steps face any difficulties, Sonowal ap - 19. The chief minister stated that the Finally, the police rescued the The webinar was facilitated by instructed the officials to fast track East Policy Affairs Department to bring back state’s people stranded preciated the roles played by health, state’s farmers’ produce had been teenagers around 8:30 pm of US-India Business Council all investment proposals and as - and Assam (Contd. on pg-2) in various parts of the country transport, police, tax, excise depart - exported to (Contd. on pg-2) Wednesday. Seven Karbi youth stranded in Thirivallur arrive KA COVID-19 tally in Nagaland reaches 18 ABITA-UNICEF helping to end HT Correspondent DIMAPUR, May 28: The number Back home after working for 16 of COVID-19 positive cases in Na - period stigma during COVID-19 galand doubled from earlier nine to HT Correspondent the “Periods in Pandemic” ABITA- 18 on Thursday. Six of the nine DIBRUGARH, May 28: Men - UNICEF celebrated Menstrual Hy - who tested positive on Thursday strual Hygiene Day or MHD is a giene Day in various tea gardens days only in pvt company are from Dimapur and three from globally recognized annual aware - (ABITA) with the sole objective of HT Bureau “Universal Engineering at Thiri - Tuensang district. ness day highlighting the manage - creating awareness among the tea DIPHU, May 28: Seven youths vallur for three months prior the All the 18 positive cases are re - ment of good menstrual hygiene. garden community on “Menstrual who got stranded at Thirivallur in lockdown. They could work for turnees who arrived here from The main idea behind making this Hygiene Management”. The objec - Tamil Nadu due to nationwide only 16 days in the company, when Chennai on May 22. day is to end social stigma and bust tive of this campaign was to spread lockdown against COVID-19 ar - the lockdown began.” They are undergoing treatment the myths and taboos around the knowledge and information on mak - rived here on Thursday. “We were in Thirivallur three at government Covid hospitals in menstruation ing cloth pads maintenance, safe The youths who hail from West months prior the lockdown. We got Dimapur, Kohima and Tuensang. The Menstrual Hygiene Day is an use, proper disposal of menstrual Karbi Anglong cycled all the way work in the company but could Nine more tested positive for annual event which was initiated in products and proper hygiene man - from Thirivallur to West Bengal work only for 16 days. During the COVID-19, said health and family the year 2014 by the German based agement providing the correct from where they boarded a truck to lockdown there was no work and welfare minister S. Pangnyu Phom NGO WASH United which aims to knowledge about menstruation and reach Assam. the company asked us to leave. The in his official Twitter handle. benefit women and girl worldwide how to maintain personal hygiene. They started their journey on company stopped providing us “All returnees from Chennai. 6 through their awareness program. Messaging targeted at girls, May 17. It took 11 days for them food and lodging. We have no op - from Dimapur and 3 from Tuen - May 28th was selected as the day to woman, men, front line workers and to reach Diphu. After medical tion but to come back home,” sang. With this, Nagaland as on acknowledge that 28 days is the av - other TG level community stake - screening at Diphu Medical Col - Hanse said. 28/05/2020 stand with 18 +ve erage length of the menstrual cycle. holders on ensuring woman have lege & Hospital (DMCH) here “On May 17 we started our jour - cases,” Phom tweeted. Four re - The theme for this year’s MHD gain access to private and hygienic they were taken to Donkamukam ney in Thirivallur. We have little turnees from Chennai tested posi - was- Periods in pandemics. The sole WASH facilities in critical times. for 14-day institutional quarantine. langso; Bikram Bey (Barpathar vil - (both from Kuthepi village, cash in our pockets and decided to tive on May 26, five on Wednesday objective is to highlight how the A week long programme was They have been identified as: lage), Vothalangso; Rohit Bey Dongkamukam). journey on bicycles. During our and nine on Thursday. All the sam - challenges faced by woman during conducted by ABITA-UNICEF Dhorom Hanse (Satgaon), Rengsi- (Borpathar village, Vothatlangso), Dhorom Hanse said they have journey we received whatever was ples were tested in the newly set up menstruation have worsened due to under the tagline “red dot challenge” im Teron (Maisam village), Votha - Semson Engti and Samason Terang been working in a private company given to us (Contd. on pg-2) BSL-3 laboratory in Kohima. the pandemic. Owing to its theme, where people (Contd. on pg-2) Page 2 MAY 29_Normal Pages 28/05/2020 11:28 PM Page 1

2 THE HILLS TIMES BUSINESS FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020 Rupee slips further by 5 paise to 75.76 against dollar on US-China tensions FM chairs FSDC meeting, takes MUMBAI, May 28 (PTI): The The local unit moved in a range of Sugandha Sachdeva VP-Metals, rupee on Thursday declined by 5 75.69 to 75.90 in day trade. It had Energy & Currency Research, Re - paise to settle at 75.76 against the settled at 75.71 against the US dol - ligare Broking, said. Market partic - US currency as escalating tension lar on Wednesday. ipants were also cautious ahead of between the US and China boosted Foreign institutional investors the release of key macro data on stock of economy amid COVID-19 the demand for the dollar. Forex were net sellers in the capital mar - Friday, dealers said. The dollar traders said the rupee traded in a ket, as they sold equity shares worth index, which gauges the green - Fitch and Crisil drastically cut India’s economic growth forecast for the current fiscal year narrow range as a flare-up in the ` 334.74 crore on Wednesday, ac - back's strength against a basket of NEW DELHI, May 28 (PTI): Fi - tion in 2020-21, a sharp decline US-China tensions and losses in cording to provisional exchange six currencies, rose by 0.02 per cent nance Minister Nirmala Sithara - from 0.8 per cent growth projected Asian currencies weighed on the data. "Souring relations between to 99.07. The US and China clashed man on Thursday reviewed the by the global rating agency in late local unit despite gains in equities the two economic powerhouses the over Hong Kong at the UN Security state of the economy at the meeting April. Crisil also predicted the market. At the interbank forex mar - US and China due to the trade-re - Council, with Washington calling a of the Financial Stability and De - economy to shrink by 5 per cent in ket, the rupee opened weak at 75.90 lated issues, coronavirus origin and meeting over the controversial na - velopment Council (FSDC), in the current fiscal. Earlier, it pro - but pared most of the initial losses now because of China's crackdown tional security law introduced by view of disruptions caused by the jected a growth of 1.8 per cent. to settle at 75.76 against the US dol - on Hong Kong are leading to safe- Beijing to tighten its control on the COVID-19 pandemic. This was Earlier this month, the govern - lar, down 5 paise over its last close. haven flows towards the dollar," former British colony. the first meeting of the FSDC, ment announced about ` 21 lakh which comprises RBI Governor crore stimulus package to help the and other financial sector regula - nation tide over the economic cri - Contd. from Page 1... tors, since the coronavirus out - sis induced by the coronavirus and break. the lockdown to curb its spread. The 22nd meeting of the FSDC, The mega economic package in - No fare to be charged from migrants, which was held via video confer - cludes the Reserve Bank's ` 8.01 water and meal and during the journey, the railways shall provide meal and water to the migrant workers and encing, assumes a greater signifi - lakh crore worth of liquidity meas - same facilities shall be extended when the migrant workers are transported by bus. The state shall take care of cance considering that the ures. Sitharaman had announced providing necessities - water and meal during the period of transportation either in the bus or in the camps on economy is expected to contract by governor, SEBI chief Ajay Tyagi, turned for the second term in May this economic package in five the way," it said. The court noted that certain interim directions were required to be issued to be followed by the 5 per cent by some estimates amid IRDAI chairman Subhash Chandra last year. The RBI last week said tranches, which included a ` 3.70 states, union territories as well as the Centre to "redeem the immediate difficulties" of the migrant workers. The the virus crisis. Khuntia, Insolvency and Bank - the impact of COVID-19 is more lakh crore support for MSMEs, ` bench, which heard the matter through video-conferencing for around two-and-a-half hours, has posted the matter Various measures to maintain fi - ruptcy Board of India (IBBI) chair - severe than anticipated and the 75,000 crore for NBFCs and ` for hearing on June 5 and asked the Centre and the states to file their affidavits on the issue within a week. "We nancial stability in the context of man M S Sahoo and PFRDAI GDP growth during the current fi - 90,000 crore for power distribution are of the view that in the responses which are to be filed by the Central government and the state governments, COVID-19 have been reviewed, an chairman Supratim Bandyopad - nancial year is likely to remain in companies. all necessary details regarding the number of migrant workers, the plan to transport them to their destination, official said after the meeting. The hyay were present in the meeting. the negative territory. It projected Besides, free foodgrains to mi - the mechanism of registration and other details should be brought on the record," the bench said. The bench, meeting also took note of the activ - Economic Affairs Secretary some pick-up in growth impulses grant workers, increased allocation while noting down the submissions advanced by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and other advocates appearing ities undertaken by the FSDC Sub- Tarun Bajaj, Revenue Secretary from the second half (October- for Mahatma Gandhi National in the matter, said that at present the apex court is concerned with the miseries and difficulties of migrant workers Committee chaired by RBI Ajay Bhushan Pandey, Financial March) of 2020-21 onwards. Rural Employment Guarantee in going to their native place. "Although there is no doubt that the concerned state governments/Union Territories Governor Shaktikanta Das and the Services Secretary Debasish Panda On Tuesday, rating agencies Scheme (MGNREGS), tax relief to are taking steps to do the needful but there are several difficulties and lapses which are being noticed in the process of initiatives taken by the various reg - and other top officials of the fi - Fitch and Crisil drastically cut certain sections and ` 15,000 crore registration, transportation and in providing water, food, shelter to these migrant workers," the bench said. ulators in the financial sector. nance ministry also attended the India's economic growth forecast allocation to the healthcare sector The FSDC is the apex body of meeting. This was be the third for the current fiscal year due to a to deal with the pandemic, were sectoral regulators, headed by the meeting of the FSDC after the prolonged lockdown. also announced as part of the eco - finance minister. Besides the RBI Narendra Modi government re - Fitch forecast 5 per cent contrac - nomic package. No community transmission in Assam Thursday. The two persons from the district who tested positive are under institutional quarantine in Silchar. Abdul Rahman, 30, came from Chagolia bordering West Bengal while Shakir Ahmed Mazumder, 22, from Ma - FM launches instant harashtra. With these two latest cases, the number of infected persons has gone up to 16. One person succumbed to the disease. Health authorities here revealed that all the COVID-19 infected persons are presently undergoing Maruti Suzuki, HDFC Bank forge allotment of e-PAN treatment in Silchar and Guwahati. A 19-year-old youth who came from Hyderabad on May 20 and was quar - antined at Monacherra JNV quarantine centre here and tested positive was shifted to Silchar Medical College based on Aadhaar and Hospital (SMC&H) on May 22. Meanwhile, the health minister said in a local news channel, “The chal - alliance for flexible finance schemes NEW DELHI, May 28 (PTI): Fi - lenges of third phase of COVID-19 infection will be difficult. We have to prevent it at its second stage.” HT Bureau are confident that our collaboration with HDFC Bank for nance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman GUWAHATI, May 28: Maruti Suzuki India Limited has providing retail financing solutions will benefit our cus - Sarma said that COVID-19 infection can be prevented from entering the third stage with the help of com - on Thursday launched a facility for munity in quarantining the incoming people. “So far 1-1.5 lakh people have entered Assam. I think by June 15, joined hands with HDFC Bank Limited to offer flexible tomers. This is an advantage to buyers who may face re - instant allotment of online PAN on finance schemes for new car buyers. Under the special tie source crunch amidst the COVID-19 lockdown. New car the number of returning people will come down,” the minister said. furnishing of Aadhaar details. The He asserted for a strict quarantine system till June 15 for preventing the third stage of COVID-19. up, Maruti Suzuki customers can avail a variety of retail buyers can select from a host of schemes that will offer Budget 2020-21 had proposed to finance schemes from HDFC Bank including step up EMI low down payment options and low EMIs. This would launch a system under which Per - st plus balloon scheme with a very low initial EMI of Rs particularly help customers in the entry level segments. In manent Account Number shall be 1111 per lakh for loan tenure of 84 months. The loans will addition, digital disbursement makes it more convenient instantly allotted online on the basis 2.94 lakh affected in 1 wave be sanctioned as per applicable policy of HDFC Bank. In for customers in current times.” Elaborating on the tie up of Aadhaar without filling up the The link road between West Karbi Anglong and Hojai district is under water at Bhelapara and Kumrakata addition, in view of the current social distancing norms with Maruti Suzuki, Arvind Kapil, Country Head for Re - detailed application form as it disrupting communication between the two districts. Meanwhile, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) and the need to reduce physical documentation, HDFC Bank tail Lending, HDFC Bank said, “We are happy to partner sought to further ease the process of chief executive member (CEM) Tuliram Ronghang and executive member (EM) Amar Sing Tisso visited would also be offering Maruti Suzuki customers the option with MSIL in the endeavour to provide customized offer - PAN allotment. Bithung Rengthama constituency and interacted with the affected people. The CEM also distributed essentials, of a post approval digital disbursement. This is an industry ings to our customers particularly during the ongoing In a statement, the Central Board including rice, masur dal, mustard oil, salt, tarpaulin and cash to the affected during his visit. Bithung first solution through its Zip Drive and Digital end-to-end pro - COVID 19 pandemic. These are challenging times for the of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said Fi - Rengthama, the home constituency of the CEM, is worst affected by flood. The CEM was accompanied by gramme for non HDFC Bank customers as well. country and we believe it's the collective responsibility of nance Minister Nirmala EM Amarsing Tisso, MAC Chandra Br Chetri, Veterinary Dev Board chairman Ditolal Hasnu, Donkamukam Speaking on the partnership, Shashank Srivastava, Ex - all stakeholders to provide flexible offerings to cus - Sitharaman on Thursday for - Municipal Board chairman Telishram Ronghang, executive engineer of water resource Miji Kro, Donka ARO ecutive Director (M&S), Maruti Suzuki India said, “We tomers.” mally launched the facility for in - Nilutpaul Ronghang and other senior officials. Over 2.01 lakh people have affected alone in Goalpara district stant allotment of PAN (on near to while 36,000 people in Hojai, 27,000 people in Nagaon and 10,000 people affected in Nalbari district. real time basis). Nearly 16,000 flood-affected people have taken shelter at 91 relief camps set up by the district administration. "This facility is now available for Following incessant rains in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in past couple of days, the Brahmaputra and its ITC’s B Natural, Amway India those PAN applicants who possess tributaries are flowing above danger level in many parts of the state. The flood waters submerged new areas in a valid Aadhaar number and have a Dhemaji, Nagaon, Hojai, Darrang, Nalbari, Goalpara, West Karbi Anglong, Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts. mobile number registered with Aad - The water level of Brahmaputra is flowing above danger level marks in Neamatighat in Jorhat district while collaborate to launch fruit beverages haar. The allotment process is pa - Kopili is flowing above the danger level at Kampur in Nagaon district. The flood waters have submerged over could contribute to supporting im - perless and an electronic PAN 21,570 hectares crop lands in the flood hit districts. The SDRF teams have rescued 492 people from the flood munity with a clinically proven in - (e-PAN) is issued to the applicants affected areas of Goalpara and West Karbi Anglong district. gredient. It gives me immense free of cost," the CBDT said. pleasure to announce our partnership The 'beta version' for instant al - with Amway India. This collabora - lotment of PAN on trial basis was Chirang SDO arrested on graft charge tion is a reflection of our synergies started on February 12, 2020 on the to receive the bribe amount at Tungkubari near Sidli on Thursday. The VAC team caught Sarkar red handed when and our teams will be working e-filing website of the Income Tax he was receiving ` 20 thousand as first instalment of the bribe amount from the shop owner. The VAC team has closely on various programs in the Department. Since then, 6,77,680 been conducting search operation at his residence in Kajalgaon at the time of filing this report. area of health and wellness. We are instant PANs have been allotted confident that this partnership will with a turnaround time of about 10 enable us to make a meaningful con - minutes, till May 25, 2020. tribution in serving our consumers As on May 25, 2020, a total of Patowary interacts with member and society even better.” 50.52 crore PANs had been allotted Skill Development Mission have helped to develop better commercial linkages with the South East Asian Talking about the collaboration, to taxpayers, out of which around countries.” Interacting with Pfizer, Patowary invited the company to set up a plant in Assam as it already has Anshu Budhraja, CEO, Amway 49.39 crore were allotted to individ - a strong pharmaceutical base for companies like Sun Pharma, Ajanta Pharma, Hetero Healthcare, with export HT Bureau space of health and immunity, India Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. said uals and more than 32.17 crore potentialities to Myanmar, Bangladesh and Bhutan. The minister asked John Deere – manufacturing company GUWAHATI, May 28: In a unique Amway India is expected to further “Amway is a brand of choice among linked with Aadhaar. The last date in agriculture sector – to explore in agri-entrepreneurship and agri-mechanization for employment in the rural partnership, ITC’s B Natural and accelerate reach to the consumers. health enthusiasts with Nutrilite for the PAN-Aadhaar linkage is areas. He also asked companies like Mastercard, Walmart and e-bay to come forward and support the MSMEs, Amway India came together to Subsequently, the new range will being the world's No. 1 selling vita - June 30, 2020. particularly the rural artisans, handloom and textile entrepreneurs and training in digital payments etc. He asked launch the first of its kind B Natu - also be available nationally across mins and dietary supplements brand, For generation of instant PAN, Hydrocarbon Dynamic (HCD) and GE to work with the State Government in sector like hydrocarbon and ral+ range for the Indian consumer. modern trade format, general trade and enjoys a strong legacy of more the applicant is required to access power respectively. Dr. KK Dwivedi, commissioner and secretary, industries and commerce department, pre - Notably, ITC’s team of scientists at stores and e-commerce websites, than 80 years of pioneering and per - the e-filing website of the Income sented Assam’s advantages in terms of robust connectivity, natural resources, skilled workforce, favourable LSTC have been working on various through ITC’s PAN-India distribu - fecting the plant-based approach to Tax Department, provide her/his policies like NEIDS and the state’s own Industrial and Investment Policy, ease of business, industrial corridor health and nutrition areas for nearly tion network. supplementation. Backed by the best valid Aadhaar number and then sub - etc. Ambika Sharma, managing director, India, USIBC said, ‘Assam is the fulcrum of India’s Act East Policy a decade. This Clinically proven in - Commenting on this unique part - of nature and the best of science, the mit the OTP received on the Aad - and gateway to South East Asia, making it crucial for global companies as they re-work business models, strate - gredient has been tested in a random - nership, Hemant Malik, Divisional Nutrilite All Plant Protein is known haar registered mobile number. gies and diversify supply chains. We thank the state leadership and look forward to working with them as strate - ized, double-blind placebo Chief Executive − Foods Division, to be a foundational ingredient for On successful completion of the gic partners to promote business, investment and strengthening the policy environment.’ controlled clinical study conducted ITC Ltd. “At ITC, we are committed immunity building. Currently given process, a 15-digit acknowledgment Commissioner, Oinam Sharan Kumar Singh; secretary Manjula Saikia Bhuyan, and other senior officials over a period of 3 months keeping in to developing world class Indian the heightened awareness around number is generated. If required, the were present in the webinar. Invest India also assisted in organising the webinar. mind all the guidelines by ICMR and products that address the needs of immunity, we believe that the Nu - applicant can check the status of the the study is registered in CTRI. To the Indian consumer. Given the cur - trilite All Plant Protein, known for its request anytime by providing ensure that the B Natural + range rent health crisis, Immunity of the immunity properties combined with her/his valid Aadhaar number and reaches consumers through a credi - entire family has emerged as a key B Natural’s + range, is going to offer on successful allotment, can down - Cargo service will facilitate capturing ble and expert partner and to get consumer priority and B Natural a delicious option for strengthening load the e-PAN. The e-PAN is also markets of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London, Hong Kong, Singapore etc from the Cargo Terminal of LGBI Airport quick consumer feedback, this range proactively spearheaded the endeav - immunity, and will be a compelling sent to the applicant on her/his e- and the cargo flight service had facilitated the objective of capturing world market by the agricultural products of is being launched with Amway our of providing an effective fruit value proposition for the con - mail ID, if it is registered with Aad - Assam’s farmers. Informing that the present state government had completed construction of Cargo Terminal India. As a strategic partner in the beverage range this summer that sumers.” haar, the CBDT said. building in the LGBI Airport with the help of the central government and the cargo warehouse would be able to store 50 MT agriculture products which would play a pivotal role in exporting state’s farmers’ products. The chief minister also informed that steps were being taken to export state’s agricultural products by steamers from Pandu port in the city to Bay of Bengal through the Brahmaputra at the initiative of industries department. He expressed optimism that all these measures would help in achieving the target of doubling farmers’ income Sensex extends gains, reclaims by 2022 set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi while providing access to a wider market to state’s farmers. Till now, 182 MT of vegetables and fruits grown by state’s farmers have been exported to different countries from the LGBI Airport and in future too, Assam’s farmers would keep strengthening the state’s economy, he said. 32,000-mark on F&O expiry State industries and commerce minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, agriculture minister Atul Bora along with MUMBAI, May 28 (PTI): Vinod Nair, Head of Research at top officials of various departments were present on the occasion. Benchmark indices defied gravity Geojit Financial Services. All sec - for the second straight session on toral indices ended on a positive Thursday as expiry of May series note, with BSE capital goods index derivatives contracts triggered surging 5.11 per cent, followed by Back home after working for 16 across-the-board buying amid firm by friendly people. Food, water and money were extended to us by kind hearted persons. During the night auto, industrials, finance, realty, ` global cues. bankex and metal. we slept under trees or on open fields,” Hanse said. Hanse said his group of seven received 10,000 from The 30-share BSE Sensex ral - Broader BSE mid-cap and Chief Executive Member (CEM) Relief Fund while in Thirivallur. On reaching a place called Kaliani in West lied 595.37 points or 1.88 per cent Bengal on May 26, former minister Holiram Terang informed about the youth to CEM Tuliram Ronghang. And small-cap indices rallied up to 1.42 ` ` to finish at 32,200.59. Similarly, from CEM Relief Fund 50,000 was sent to the group. From West Bengal, the group hired a truck with per cent. Global equities remained ` the broader NSE Nifty climbed buoyant on economic recovery 40,000. The truck reached Diphu on Thursday morning and another 20,000/- was paid to the truck driver. 175.15 points or 1.88 per cent to hopes, with US' Dow Jones closing Even as the seven showed no sign of COVID-19, they were sent to Donkamukam for institutional quarantine. 9,490.10. L&T was the top gainer above the 25,000-level for the first in the Sensex pack, spurting 6.17 time since March. per cent, followed by Hero Moto - pired at the end of the session, an - sues. Indian markets are banking Benchmarks in Shanghai and ABITA-UNICEF helping to end Corp, IndusInd Bank, HDFC alysts said. on continued resumption of eco - Tokyo ended with gains, while from every nook and corner participated expressing their opinions and experiences and posting a photograph Bank, Maruti, HDFC, Tata Steel Further, domestic investors took nomic activities, inspite of still Hong Kong and Seoul settled in with a red dot on their palm. Awareness on the various taboo around menstruation, knowledge and information that and ICICI Bank. positive cues from most global high number of new infections. the red. Stock exchanges in Europe menstruation is understood and can be managed safely with confidence and dignity, misguided beliefs and age old ITC, SBI and Bharti Airtel were markets amid optimism over the "Further stimulus measures are rose up to 1 per cent in opening cultural practices, contributing to gender inequity undermining the basic rights were also shared through conducting the only laggards, slipping up to reopening of major economies also expected to boost demand in trade. International oil benchmark various activities such as door to door visit, drawing, slogan writing, Poster making, Bracelet making, apron making 0.83 per cent. Benchmarks wit - across the world. the economy and help the most im - Brent crude futures rose 0.92 per activity ,creation of menstrual wheel , preparation of re-useable cloth pad and WASH awareness. nessed a broad-based rally on ac - "A huge EU stimulus plan pro - pacted sectors to recover. Market cent to USD 34.92 per barrel. On Apart from this, the team collaborated with the District administration, Dibrugarh in organising an online ZOOM count of short-covering by market vided a boost to European shares is rising on the back of expecta - the currency front, the rupee set - training for the Adolescent Girls and the Community Mobilizers, Teachers on product analysis and preparation of participants as May series futures while Asian shares were affected tions while there has been little tled 5 paise down at 75.76 against reusable cloth pad at home. A total of 4500 people were covered in the campaign that was carried out by the con - and options (F&O) contracts ex - by the US-China diplomatic is - change in ground realities," said the US dollar. cerned team during the menstrual hygiene management week in the entire zones. Page 3, May 28_Normal Pages 5/28/2020 11:19 PM Page 1

FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020 REGION THE HILLS TIMES 3 Assam CS reviews flood Transport Make BTC admin pro-people: services hit situation in Hojai district in Tripura HT Correspondent and medicines etc at the relief HOJAI, May 28: Chief Secretary camp. Notably, 55 villages under Guv to Council functionaries Kumar Sanjay Krishna in his visit 3 revenue circles have been af - to Hojai district on Thursday, took fected in the district so far. Later, Assam Governor makes his maiden tour to stock of the flood affected areas the Chief Secretary chaired a re - and relief measures undertaken by view meeting where Deputy Com - Udalguri after taking over administration of BTC the District Administration in the missioner, Dr Sadnek Singh HT Bureau placent and keep working to keep wake of the recent flash floods in apprised the Chief Secretary about GUWAHATI, May 28: Assam the safety measures for COVID 19 the district. the prevailing flood and COVID- Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi on while continuing the economic ac - The Chief Secretary reviewed 19 situation and measures taken to Wednesday underscored the need to tivities of the district in an organized the prevalent situation caused by address these issues. HT Correspondent bring Udalguri up to the national av - manner”. the rising water level of river Ankur Jain, SP, Hojai also in - AGARTALA, May 28: Transport erage and asked the administration Laying adequate emphasis on de - Kopili and assessed the damages formed the Chief Secretary about services have been paralyzed to work on a time bound manner to veloping the socio-economic-educa - during the on-site visit. He also various steps and measures taken throughout Tripura after heavy rain - press for timely implementation for tional indicators of Udalguri at par visited a relief camp situated at by the district police. On his re - storm ravaged the region recently. Aspirational District Programme. with the national average, the Gov - Singari Basti Lower Primary turn, the Chief Secretary also vis - On Thursday morning, Baramura Chairing a meeting with the Admin - ernor asked the Administrator to run school and interacted with the ited Nagaon and took stock of the road and Atharomura and the nearby istrator of Bodoland Territorial the administration assiduously fo - camp inmates about relief meas - current situation from the Deputy areas were blocked due to fallen Council (BTC), IGP, BTAD, deputy cusing on the welfare schemes of the ures. Commissioner. The Chief Secre - trees owing to incessant rains. Au - commissioner, Superintendent of Prime Minister’s flagship pro - The Chief Secretary directed the tary was accompanied by Moloy thorities began working to clear the Police and other Heads of Depart - grammes to ensure social security of Deputy Commissioner to keep an Bora, Divisional Commissioner, debris in order to resume the traffic. ments and other security agencies at the people. He also appealed to all eye on uninterrupted supply of es - Central Assam, during the day Various electric poles were also the Conference Hall of DC office, the citizens to plant at least 5 sential items, such as food, water long tour. damaged during the heavy rains, Prof Mukhi stressed on pro-active saplings during this rainy season in thereby disrupting power services in governance and timely implementa - and around their vicinity to make the various locations. According to state tion of all the government schemes organize Public Grievance Redres - trict and asked the district adminis - environment clean and green. weather department, the incoming to make the BTC administration sal Day on every Tuesday and tration to adhere to the advisories of During the meeting the Governor Shramik trains have also been halted people friendly. Thursday at 11 am at BTC Secre - the Health and Family Welfare De - maintained that there will be zero- CCSU demands for due to landslides. Notably, 2 other The Governor making his first tariat, 4 DC offices and six SDO of - partment and concentrate more on tolerance to corruption and asked Northeastern states including tour to Udalguri after taking over the fices. Senior officers will be saving human lives. He said, “We the administrative machinery to Meghalaya and Assam have already administration of BTC, has asked entrusted to hear the grievances in are concerned about the health of work resolutely to weed out corrup - issued red alert from May 26-28 as the functionaries to make the BTC person and take necessary action in our people and every one should be tion from all levels. BSL-3 lab in Tuensang per the reports of deteriorating administration pro-people. He also a time bound manner. He added that conscious in adhering to social dis - On the other hand, in view of the weather conditions by the India Me - asked Administrator to set public he would undertake visit to BTAD tancing protocols as well as other possibility of seasonal floods loom - teorological Department (IMD) on grievance boxes with lock and key areas frequently to take cognizance safety measures like wearing mask, ing large on the BTAD areas, he Tuesday. The incessant rains re - facility in BTC Secretariat, all DC of the implementation of develop - avoiding public spitting. Though asked administration to be fully pre - sulted in floods that wreaked havoc offices, SP offices, SDO offices, ment activities. Udalguri district has performed well pared with its relief and rescue in the neighbouring state of Assam Circle offices and all BDO offices. The Governor also took stock of to contain the deadly virus from measures and reach out to the people wherein 2 lakh people have been af - The Governor further directed to the COVID-19 situation in the dis - spreading, we should not be com - whenever required. fected so far. OBITUARY Jiribam Railway station to be connected Timber HsT eCoirrzespeond ent HT Correspondent District Task Force at Tuensang KOKRAJHAR, May 28: A huge with Delhi, WB: Union Railway Minister DIMAPUR, May 28: Unhappy deputy commissioner’s conference quantity of illegal Sal timber and 2 HT Correspondent Wednesday night. Dr RK Ranjan, and helpless travellers of Ma - with the Nagaland government’s hall where representatives of East - vehicles were seized at Sapkata area IMPHAL, May 28: Union Minis - in a release issued here on Thurs - nipur.” decision to set up a BSL-2 labora - ern Nagaland People’s Organisa - in Kokrajhar district on Thursday. ter of Railways Piyush Goyal as - day stated that the Union Minis - Notably, Jiribam railway station tory in Tuensang district headquar - tion, other civil societies, church As per information, upon receiving sured that Jiribam Railway ter’s assurance was given when he falls under Lumding railway divi - ters, the Confederation of Chang associations and Red Cross Soci - inputs, a joint team of Forest staff, Station, Manipur would be con - sent a message urging the union sion of North East Frontier Rail - Students Union (CCSU) on Thurs - ety attended. During the meeting, anti-corruption and crime investiga - structed as per the national stan - minister for all round development way and is the first railway station day staged demonstration in Tuen - the serious lapses in sending buses tion front, Bodoland environmental dards and there would be of the Jiribam Railway station and in the state of Manipur which sang town. ferrying returnees from Chennai protection society and Pathgaon po - converted to a railhead, a point on to take actions against those who started its operation in May, 1990. GUWAHATI: Banani Bordoloi, The union, along with civil soci - before their COVID-19 test results lice carried out a search operation a railway from which roads and attacked the train ferrying stranded It is 221 km from Imphal. But a resident of Lakhimi Path, Junali ety organisations, demanded set - were pointed out which resulted in along Sapkata under eastern Athi - other transport routes begin. The Manipuri natives near the Patna Dimapur railway station, Naga - passed away on Wednesday night ting up of a BSL-3 laboratory in colossal damages to the preventive abari range in Kachugaon forest di - Minister further assured that it railway station recently while they land is the nearest rail-head from at the age of 62 years. She was Tuensang instead of a BSL-2 lab - measures taken by the district vision and successfully recovered 2 would be connected with Sampark were coming back to Manipur. Imphal. Union Minister Piyush undergoing treatment for kidney oratory after 4 persons of the dis - functionaries. The civil society vehicles carrying Sal timber. The Kranti Express and Kanchan - Stating that Sampark Kranti Ex - Goyal, on March 18, 2020 had related ailments at the Apollo trict who returned from Chennai members also demanded construc - drivers and timber mafia members jungha Express through Silchar press, the super-fast trains oper - stated that the Imphal-Tupul- Hospitals here for the past couple on May 22 tested positive for tion of a BSL-3 laboratory in fled the spot. The value of the seized (Assam) in a week, Manipur. ated by the Indian Railways Jiribam railway project would be ` of weeks. Born on April 4, 1958, COVID-19. The union members Tuensang and raised the issue of timber is estimated to be 2 lakhs However, the minister did not give providing quick connectivity to finished within the deadline and at Mazgaon, Tezpur, the sexage - held placards some and tried to shortage of man power to run the and the vehicles and seized timber any specific date for the up grada - the national capital, New Delhi there is an overall physical narian is survived by her husband, block the passage of health and district COVID-19 hospital. Phom were handed over to Athiabari forest tion of the Jiribam railway station. and the Kanchenjunga Express - a progress of 80 percent. “The 111 son, daughter, daughter-in-law, family welfare minister S Pangnyu noted their grievances and urged office. “We are conducting strict op - The Union Minister’s assurance mail/express train of Indian Rail - km long Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal son-in-law, grandson and a host Phom to Tuensang to press in their all to come together to fight for the erations against timber smuggling was given to the Lok Sabha MP ways linking the states of West new broad gauge line project in of other relatives at the time of demand. safety of the public. “This is the and deforestation in Kachugaon and from the Inner Manipur Parlia - Bengal with Assam which runs tri- Manipur is now under progress,” death. She was trained in the tra - Meanwhile, Phom along with time for all the stakeholders to Haltugaon forest division in Kokra - mentary Constituency Dr RK Ran - weekly from Silchar, Dr Ranjan NFR Senior Public Relations Of - ditional Sattriya dance form and his team members held an emer - come together for the common jhar district.,” said a forest protec - jan in telephonic information on said, “It will be a boon for the poor ficer SK Ojah informed. actively participated in several gency meeting with the Tuensang cause,” he added. tion member in Kokrajhar. programmes and events during her student days. Meanwhile, a pall of gloom has descended in Stale fish the area following the news of her Concern over change in Three endangered wildlife demise. The bereaved family prayed for the eternal peace of the seized in departed soul. colour of Kolong River species recovered in Chirang HT Correspondent Hailakandi HT Correspondent RAHA, May 28: Kolong river HT Correspondent KOKRAJHAR, May 28: Three which is considered as the life-line HAILAKANDI, May 28: The endangered species of wildlife in - Sanitization of Nagaon people has since Tues - Fisheries department seized around cluding a golden langur, owl and day changed its colour to a blue- 480 kg of stale fish in Hailakandi on turtle were recovered from three drive at green hue at its Raha stretch Wednesday after a truck carrying different places in Chirang district raising concern among bystanders. fish varieties from Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday. 3 persons were also Similarly, the rising water levels was on its way to Tripura. Fisheries apprehended by the forest depart - Palashbari of the river have also become un - Development Officer, Ajoy Chutia ment for violations of forest act usually stable nearly 7 km area informed that the truck from Andhra and poaching. According to Chi - environment," said Kabita Devi, Pradesh carrying 9200 kg of fish in rang divisional forest officer, Brah - from Dighaldari, Raha to Deobali, Ahmed and his wife took special poaching of an rare species of owl another 55 year old woman of the 230 cartons stopped in Hailakandi mananda Patgiri, a rare species of near Phulaguri. care and provided medical treat - in the area, a police team carried area. and unloaded 12 cartons for a local Turtle was recovered from the res - Speaking with HT correspon - ment to the golden langur at their out an operation along the Shyam - On the other hand, a few locals fish trader Rajkumar Bhowmik. On idence of Swapan Barman at Bijni. dent upon the development, Lam - residence at Bengtal and also in - taibari area and recovered the owl. living on the river bank suspect getting the information from local In another case, the in-charge of budar Nath, a retired school formed the forest officials. On the The police have also apprehended that the construction of a dam or residents that a truck from Andhra Bengtal police outpost, Haider Ali teacher of the area said, “I am 75 other hand, officer in-charge of 3 persons in connection with the some accident in Kopili River has Pradesh arrived here, officials of the Ahmed recovered the golden lan - years old now and have never seen Sidli police station, Ritu Jyoti Nath poaching of the owl. They have resulted in these abnormal devia - fisheries department and district ad - gur at Auzarguri. The golden lan - anything like it before. What recovered an owl from Shyam - been identified as Shom Mardi, tions in Kolong river. Meanwhile, ministration arrived at the spot with gur which is around one-month old HT Correspondent makes me concerned is the still - taibari on Wednesday. Upon re - Mangal Hembrom and Lakhan ness of the river apart from its following directions from Nagaon a police team and grilled the truck had been separated from its mother MIRZA, May 28: As the state is owing to recent heavy rains. ceiving information about Hasda of Haldibari village. seeing a spike in COVID-19 pos - colour change. Now, we are in Deputy Commissioner Jadav driver and the local fish trader. itive cases, NGOs, administration early rainy season, the flow of Saikia, Raha circle officer Chutia informed that upon prelimi - and conscious citizens are coming water should not be like this.” "The Priyangka Bania visited the river to nary examination of some cartons it Kolong has gradually lost its abun - take stock of the situation on was found that some fish had rotten forward to aid in the fight against Menstrual HygHTi Ceorrnespeond eDnt ay celebrated the virus. dance. People who depend on the Thursday. Accordingly, the State while some were in a stale condi - river have sensed it since many Water Resources Department, Na - tion. It is still not determined that if KOKRAJHAR, May 28: Menstrual Hygiene Day was celebrated amidst maintaining strict social distancing at On Thursday, under the leader - Destination Girls Home, Chandrapara in Kokrajhar on Thursday. The day was organised by Nedan Foundation, ship of Himangshu Shekhar years ago. We cannot figure out gaon also collected the samples of the fish were laced with any chemi - how we can live with this degraded the river water for examination. cal preservatives so far. Kokrajhar where nearly 50 adolescent girls participated. The Foundation reached out 5000 plus rural adolescents Baishya, the state secretary of and provided Dignity and Hygiene kit which includes sanitary pads, soap and detergent powder. Notably, there are Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, HT Correspondent more than 15000 adolescent girls associated with the organization who volunteered in distributing the dignity kits many areas under Palashbari was among peers in their respective villages. sanitized including the premises TEZPUR, May 28: As the lockdown continues, rise in the trade of illicit liquor of Jharobari Chayani Bardua Illicit is being witnessed in various districts of the state. On Thursday, the excise depart - block development office, San - ment raided the outskirts of Sonitpur district at Itakhola, Chariduar, Koronai areas milita Jharobari Anchalik Club liquor and recovered large quantities of hooch and IMFL meant for sale in Arunachal and Palashbari Police Station Pradesh only. However, the culprits involved in the illegal trade managed to escape among others. seized and the investigation is going on. Local youth displays Dibrugarh DC launches incredible creative skills Swagatam app HT Correspondent HT Correspondent Dibrugarh district (www. dibru - MIRZA, May 28: Rupjyoti Rabha, DIBRUGARH, May 28: In an ef - garh.gov.in) for Online Appointment a youth from Mahmarang village, fort to bring the Dibrugarh district System-Swagatam and register him - Loharghat bordering Assam and administration a step closer to the self/herself with his/her mobile num - Meghalaya recently has been making common people and to enable the ber. headlines with his talent of carving citizens to easily take an appoint - On the occasion, the Deputy Com - portraits of famous individuals on ment to meet the Dibrugarh Deputy missioner said that the appointment- leaves. Commissioner, “Swagatam- Gate - seeking software has been built for He, till now, has carved the por - way to visit Government”, an appli - the convenience of the general pub - traits of many great personalities in - cation software was launched in lic who come to meet the DC but cluding Srimanta Sankardeva, Dibrugarh by DC Pallav Gopal Jha have to wait for hours due to the Kalaguru Bishnuprasad Rabha, Sud - on Thursday. The first-of-its-kind, DC’s prior engagements. He added hakantha Dr Bhupen Hazarika, Jyoti Swagatam is a cloud-based applica - that the main target of the application Prasad Agarwala, popular singer Notably, an internet sensation now, tion software and has been devel - is to cover people of rural places and Zubeen Garg among others. With his Rabha did not get any professional oped by NIC, Government of India emphasized on creating wide aware - dedication and perseverance, during training in the said form of art. Many in collaboration with NIC Team Di - ness among them about the facility the lockdown period, Rabha has re - youngsters from the area also praised brugarh. For fixing an appointment which can also be availed through ceived accolades from various quar - Rabha and encouraged him for his using Swagatam, one has to visit the the CSCs by persons who do not ters for his creative art pieces. remarkable work. link given in the official website of own a smartphone. Page 4 MAY 29_Normal Pages 28/05/2020 10:12 PM Page 1

4 THE HILLS TIMES VOL. XXI, ISSUE 132, DIPHU, FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020 QUOTE OF THE DAY Textile sector ensuring inclusive My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.- John F. Kennedy orth Eastern gRegionr of Iondia isw the tot safehguardin go these pfrod ucNts of priode and rtSilk h East InIn d2015, Jiutea-ICARE (Improved Culti - true example of unity in diversity. national importance. Ministry of Textiles The North-Eastern region of India has vation and Advanced Retting Exercise) was Cinema and With more than 225 tribes, around has launched several key interventions and been practicing sericulture over a long pe - launched to popularize/introduce some of 2N20 languages and dialects, biodiversity in - schemes to aid the weavers and enhance the riod of time with the origins of oak tasar these better agronomic practices and re - cluding hilly terrains, streams, plain land, productivity of this sector. The success of culture dating back some decades. The re - cently developed microbial consortium as - small screen rivers, and cloud kissed hills, this land is many such interventions has led to more gion holds a unique position in India’s ser - sisted retting among farmers intensively in ll areas of life have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic unique in many senses. Although this part than 10% increase in the number of house - iculture landscape as it produces all major Assam and West Bengal. In subsequent and each of them is trying to cope with the situation in differ - of India occupies approximately only 8% holds engaged in handloom activities over varieties of silk i.e. mulberry, tasar, eri, and years, Meghalaya was also included under ent ways. Economies are in a downfall, social life has been of India’s geographical area and 4% of the past decade. Several flagship schemes muga. The raw silk production in these the purview of the scheme. Over its imple - hAit and most activities have slowed down or are at a standstill. Those India’s population, it holds utmost strategic include National Handloom Development states constitutes more than 21% of India’s mentation period, the scheme has had pos - in areas like education, sports and entertainment are trying to find importance as it shares 5,300kmof interna - Programme (NHDP), Handloom Weavers raw silk production. It has grown at a itive outcomes that include increase of new ways of doing things. Sports events are staged in empty stadia, tional borders with countries such as China, Comprehensive Welfare Scheme, Yarn CAGR of 11% between 2015-16 and 2018- yield by 10-15%, reduction of retting time and education is going online. Entertainment has an especially im - Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Supply Scheme, Weaver MUDRA Scheme, 19 outpacing India’s total production from an average 22 days to 13 days, im - portant role in a locked down society and so it has to change and re - It is also the doorway for South East Asia Hathkharga Samvardhan Sahayata, and Ca - growth (i.e. 7%) during the same time pe - provement in Jute grade by at least 1.5 fashion itself. Cinema, the biggest entertainment medium, has been and development work is underway follow - pacity Building under SAMARTH, Com - riod. Assam and Meghalaya are the key raw grades. Based on the successful outcome of particularly affected because halls and multiplexes are closed and ing Government’s ‘Act East’ policy. prehensive Handloom Cluster silk producing states with a majority 82% this scheme, it was decided to replicate the could remain so for many more weeks. Over the top (OTT) media The rich flora and fauna of the region is Development Scheme and North East Re - share amongst the 8 states. Silk sarees, programme for the improvement of jute services have boomed as a result, and film producers are looking for a major economic driver for the local pop - gion Textiles Promotion Scheme mekhela chaddar (traditional outfits) are farming in the coming years covering more alternative ways to reach their spectators. Covid-19’s first impact ulation. Traditionally, sectors such as tea, (NERTPS). amongst the key products manufactured in areas, benefitting more jute farmers and fi - came when Reliance Entertainment on March 12 indefinitely post - handicrafts, sericulture, fisheries, livestock, Under the umbrella scheme of NERTPS, this region using silk. nally to all the jute growing areas covering poned Rohit Shetty’s film Sooryavanshi. The film starring Akshay and poultry have been the major contributor 195 Cluster Development Projects (CDP) Given its geographical advantage, this all jute farmers. Better seed and cultivation Kumar and Katrina Kaif was scheduled to release on March 24. This in the economy of the state. Women play development projects with a financial out - region holds great potential for further de - methods will also be made available to was quickly followed by Sir, Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, Haathi Mere pivotal and important role in the North East lay of Rs. 98.08 crore are under implemen - velopment of the sericulture industry. Fur - farmers. Sathi and 83 getting postponed too. Baaghi 3 saw fewer takers in its culture and economy. tation in the states. The main objective is to ther, the livelihood and business Other Jute related schemes being imple - second week, and Irrfan Khan’s Angrezi Medium had to be pulled Over the last decade, the region has wit - develop the handloom sector in NER by opportunities that can be generated through mented in North East include ‘Promotion out of theatres. It eventually released on OTT platform Disney+Hot - nessed a surge in the industrial and service providing the required government support this sector will help the development of the of Jute Geo textiles/Agro textiles’, ISAPM star. Similarly a lot of big ticket releases in regional languages have sectors. Between, 2012 and 2018, Mizoram to increase in employment and value of entire North-East economy. Hence, the (Incentive Scheme for Acquisition of Plant also been delayed. and Tripura were amongst the fastest-grow - handloom products. The support is pro - Government of India has given special em - &Machinery), JIDS (Jute Integrated Devel - A section of film producers have decided to release their films on ing state economies in the country with Mi - vided for construction of work sheds, de - phasis on the development of sericulture in opment Scheme), JRMB (Jute Raw Mate - digital platforms and this has become controversial. Theatre-owners zoram topping the chart. sign interventions, product diversification, this region. Under Ministry of Textiles’ rial Bank Scheme), etc. and distributors have opposed it, and in some places talks are going Ministry of Textiles has taken many sig - and marketing. Under CDP, 1542 individ - NERTPS (North East Region Textile Pro - The North East has taken significant ini - between the two sides. Seven films which are set to be released online nificant initiatives to strengthen Handloom, ual work sheds have been constructed in motion) scheme, Government has approved tiatives to use Jute Geotextiles for civil en - include two major Bollywood movies — the Amitabh Bachchan-star - Handicrafts, Silk, and Jute sectors for the Meghalaya and 1268 in Mizoram, which 38 Sericulture projects in all North Eastern gineering applications. Till now, rer Gulabo Sitabo and the biopic on mathematician Shakuntala Devi, North East Region which will not only sup - has helped weavers increase their produc - States in the identified potential districts approximately 4 million sq. mtr. of jute ge - with Vidya Balan in the lead role — and five films from the South. port in social inclusiveness but will con - under three broad categories viz., Inte - otextiles has been utilized in these states, The exhibitors want these and other films to be released after the cin - tribute to Prime Minister’s vision of grated Sericulture Development Project mainly for slope stabilization purposes. It ema halls are ready. But the producers have invested big money in making the economy USD 5 Trillion by DEGREE OF THOUGHT (ISDP), Intensive Bivoltine Sericulture is observed that Jute Geotextiles have been the films and cannot wait indefinitely for the halls to be ready. When 2024-25. By: Sherry Lalthangzo Development Project (IBSDP) and Aspi - highly effective in the construction of rural they reopen, a number of films may have to be released together and Handloom rational Districts. roads, railway tracks in hilly areas, stabi - that will affect the box-office revenues of all or some of them. Some pro - The handloom sector of India exhibits tivity and income from handloom products. The key focus of these projects is to cre - lization of earthen and hill slopes and ducers fear that they may suffer losses. Both sides have valid positions the rich and diverse heritage of our country A total of 306 group work sheds have been ate necessary infrastructure and impart growth of seedling/saplings, land-slide pre - and it is difficult to say whether there will be any meeting point. along with the skills and artistry of constructed in 51 clusters in Manipur, hous - skills to the locals for silkworm rearing and vention, etc. In terms of the uptake of other Exhibitors might feel digital viewing of films would permanently weavers. The sector holds cultural signifi - ing 7 looms/work shed, which has enabled allied activities in the value chain. The aim schemes, it is still in nascent stage in the damage the established business model, and thus their interests. If on - cance due to its inextricable connection weavers to work for more days in a year, of these projects is to increase the raw silk North Eastern Region with huge potential. line viewing becomes popular now, it will not completely go away with the age-old traditions which have been thereby increasing their production. The en - production by 2,650 MT and generating Covid-19 pandemic has brought about even after the coronavirus threat goes away. But it should be noted inherited by the weavers over generations, gagement of designers and use of the Com - employment of more than 3 lakh people untold hardships and with most rating that only a section of the film-going public may be able to watch the with the earliest evidence tracing back to puter Aided Textile Design (CATD) has and also to fulfill the “Make in India” ini - houses forecasting a gloomy economic sce - films online now, and the thrill and excitement of watching a movie the Indus Valley civilization. The unique - benefitted the weavers in Manipur and tiative taken by Prime Minister of India. To nario, people engaged in the Textiles sector in the hall will not end. That is because movie-watching has a social ness of designs, intricacies and, complexi - Sikkim by improvement in design capabil - strengthen the sericulture infrastructure in are also bound to face the brunt of eco - dimension to it because of the very nature of the art. But the world ties of weaves, the flexibility of production ity, diversification of product lines, value the region, the government had approved nomic slowdown and the aftermath. The has to be ready for disruption of habits and businesses as other cata - are some of the unique characteristics of addition in products and increasing sales. 16 projects under ISDP with an allocated RBI on Friday indicating India’s GDP clysms have done in the past. this sector. Different parts of India produce Corpus fund has been utilized to set up budget of ` 586.17 crore (GoI share is ` growth to be in negative territory in 2020- distinct styles – muslin of Chanderi, Yarn Depots, where acrylic, cotton, wool, 483.35 crores). These projects were aimed 21 as the outbreak has disrupted economic Varanasi brocades, and tie and die products and polyester yarn has been supplied to towards supporting plantation and supply activities, it’s time to take stock and take of Rajasthan, Patola sarees from Patan, weavers within 1-2 weeks, which is an im - of quality seeds in all NE states, setting up proactive steps to capitalize and innovate himroos of Hyderabad, phulkari and Khes provement from the earlier turnaround time Silk Printing & Processing unit for Tripura, on the given challenge. from Punjab, Daccai and Jamdani from of 3-4 weeks required to procure yarn from Soil to Silk for BTC (Assam) and Post Co - How India became the second largest Bengal and traditional designs like Phenek NHDC. Under Technology Upgradation coon Technology for Nagaland. producer of PPE after China in two month’s and Tongam from Assam and Manipur, Project in Sikkim, looms and accessories GoI had also approved 8 projects under time with zero production facility in Feb - ‘Side effect oBfy :c Rouprako Gn. Dau aaranh d lockdown’ puan from Mizoram. such as Frame Looms and IBSDP with an overall budget of ` 236.78 ruary 2020 to how swab testing kit could This sector has a unique place in the In - Dobby/Jacquard/ Heads, bobbins, shuttles, crores (GoI share is ` 210.41 crores) to be produced in a week’s time, again from t present, Corona virus changes the entire picture of the world econ - dian economy owing to its ability to pro - etc. have been provided to more than 600 produce high quality bivoltine silk which is zero production, producing at a fraction of omy. In most of the countries, it shows its ugly face and takes the vide low cost, green livelihood weavers in the state. currently being imported. The project was the market price are stories that’ll be re - lives of more than four million people. From the mighty king to opportunities to millions of households liv - Handicrafts aimed to enhance the quality of silk pro - peated over and over again in days to come. Afeeble farmer, almost all are under panic and uncertainty only for a invin - ing in rural India. Weaving is an integral part Handicrafts form an integral part of the duced across 4,000 acres of mulberry plan - We are enterprising people, dedicated and cible tiny virus. Even the super power country of the world, United States of the culture throughout the North-Eastern lifestyle of the local people of the North- tations in NE states (except Manipur) and very talented. We can produce designer of America bow down its head in front of corona virus. Now, surprisingly Region (NER) states, with Assam having the East. It is a source of livelihood for a large benefit more than 9,000 women stakehold - masks and supply to the world. E-com - the COVID-19 achieves the super power and rules over the world with its highest number of handloom worker house - number of artisans spread across the region. ers. These activities will go a long way in merce has to be used in a big way for all super spreading capacity. Its panic and havoc increases everywhere elapse holds (12.7 lakhs) in the country. According The 8 NE states have a total of 115 handi - import substitution and can also make NER produce from the North East. Talent throve of time. Most of the countries follow the way of lock down and keep social to the Fourth All India Handloom Census craft clusters (15% share of total clusters in an exporting hub of raw and value added of people who’ve returned home will now distances as preventive measures of corona pandemic. Till today, no any 2019-2020, the total number of households in India) that provide a livelihood to more silk products. have to use their skills in e-market plat - practically proved vaccine has been discovered to tackle with the virus. India engaged in handloom activities (weav - than 35,000 people (17% in total employ - Till March 2019, about 30,652 acres forms. Normal cotton and designer masks For corona pandemic, the economy of the world is deteriorated rapidly. ing and allied activities) is 31.45 lakhs, out of ment in the handicraft sector in India). Cane havebeen brought under host plantation of are being sold in the e-market platform The collection of revenue by the governments is decreased gradually. For which 18.35 lakhs households are from NER and bamboo items, Hand Embroidery, Mulberry, Eri and Muga covering41,026 everywhere and we must grab this oppor - sudden lock down, almost all profitable sectors are under great lose and states. Out of the total 35.23 lakh handloom Stone & wood carving, Metal ware, etc. are beneficiaries and produced 2,614 MT of tunity. Let’s reach the world. unable to pay their regular tax or revenue to the governments. Considering workers, more than 70% are women who the major crafts in the North Eastern region raw silk. Also, 85% of the allocated GoI The 20.06 laksh cr. package announced the present worst economic condition of the world, the Managing Director are getting empowered by this sector of the country. budget has been utilized in these projects by the Prime Minister includes slew of as - cum Chairwoman of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina through financial independence and im - Office of the Development of Commis - until the mentioned date. Realizing the sistance for the MSME sector that’ll help Georgieva said, “A key concern about a long-lasting impact of the sudden proved self-worth both within and outside sioner (Handicrafts) is implementing the growth and future potential, Ministry of the Textiles industries operating in the re - stop of the world economy, is the risk of a wave of bankruptcies and layoffs of their homes. This sector also plays an National Handicrafts Development Pro - Textiles approved 14 new projects in 2018- gion as well including the just approved ` that not only can undermine the recovery, but can erode the fabric of our important socio-cultural role by providing gramme and the Comprehensive Handi - 19 aimed towards establishing silk mills, 3 lakh crore Emergency Working Capital societies.” By keeping aside the global economy in this juncture, we must employment to 11.13 lakh handloom work - crafts Cluster Development Scheme bivoltine sericulture development, women Facility for Businesses, including MSMEs. think first about our State economy. The prolong lock down deteriorates ers from the SC/ST community. Owing to (CHCDS) for providing support on design, empowerment, and development of aspira - This will enable additional funding of up to our state economy too. When super power America fails to deal with to its size, employment potential, and social, technology upgradation, infrastructure de - tional districts. The total allocated budget ` three lakh crore to eligible MSMEs and prevent corona pandemic, then how do we prevent it and what would be economic and cultural significance in the velopment, research and development, for these projects was ` 284.02 crores (GoI interested MUDRA borrowers by way of our strategies to fight against corona ? We do not have any magical power Indian landscape, it is important to preserve market support, etc. to handicrafts clusters share is ` 261.30crores). "Emergency Credit Line Guarantee or hidden weapon that we kill the virus within a short period of time. More and strengthen India’s rich handloom her - in the country. These schemes are aimed at Jute Scheme which will provide 100% guaran - than that, some of our common people are also not much aware or con - itage. Focusing on the welfare of the the integrated and comprehensive develop - In terms of Jute agriculture, Assam is the tee coverage by National Credit Guarantee scious about the awful impact of corona pandemic. During the time of lock weaver community will also help in attain - ment of the entire handicraft sector, with a only state with a significant presence with Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC) for down, people do not like to confine themselves within the four walls of ing inclusive growth and achieving SDG 8: special focus on the North East region. approximately 9% share in India’s raw jute additional funding of up to ` three lakh their residences and thereby fail to maintain social distance. Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG The NERTPS scheme, wherein all the production. The other three states that have crore to eligible MSMEs and interested In Assam, more than 50 percent of the total populace are poor and ma - 10: Reduce Inequalities and SDG 11: Sus - soft and hard intervention of NHDP some presence of jute agriculture in North MUDRA borrowers, in the form of a Guar - jority belongs to farmers, daily wagers or labours. They do hard labour tainable Cities and Communities. schemes are applicable, is currently opera - East are Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Tripura anteed Emergency Credit Line (GECL) fa - from dawn to dusk to earn their livelihood. But for sudden lock down, peo - The Government of India has been ded - tional in two North Eastern States i.e. Na - with a combined share of only 1% in the cility. (The writer is the Economic Adviser, ple started losing their respective sources of earning, leading to their pa - icatedly supporting the sector with a view galand and Manipur, for Handicraft sector. country’s total production. Ministry of Textiles) thetic condition in their day to day lives. Scarcity of food items becomes major problem for millions of people in the State. For them ‘hunger virus’ is more terrible than corona virus. They do not have instant money or bank balance to manage their daily bread. In this critical time and condition, how The tricolor will be hoisted in Gilgit-Baltistan will they survive and look after their family? We must think first about them and their economic condition. We cannot deny their poverty or over - By: Dr. Satyavan Saurabh would be in violation of the 1963 Pak-China border agreement its claim on this part, China wants to avoid any dispute. Pak - look their problems. The government somehow tries to mitigate their prob - whi ch calls for sovereign right to reopen negotiations with China istan wants to provide legitimacy to the region to fulfill its in - lems by offering packages depending on the situation from time to time. he Pak government does not seem serious at all to stop after the settlement of Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and terests by holding general elections there and wants to keep But a huge numbers of real beneficiaries are failed to get incentives or re - the Corona epidemic and save its citizens. Instead, she India and the 1972 Shimla Agreement There is mention that "nei - China happy at all costs. Anyway, this area is very important liefs from the government for a handful of corrupt officials. These officials has been able to form a puppet interim government by ther" side will change the situation unilaterally ". for Pakistan and China in strategic terms. There is pressure on are responsible for such evil acts and they misuse the government incen - Tholding a general election in Gilgit-Baltistan under a recent Pakistani misdeeds-: Pakistan to declare Gilgit Baltistan as its province so that tives or reliefs by depriving the poor people. decision of the Supreme Court; India has strongly opposed Political activists have accused Pakistan of changing the China can handle its work. It is a matter of great concern that needy and hungry people are increas - the decision, with Pakistani human rights activists illegally demography of Gilgit Baltistan and contradicting its commit - India's position and concerns: - ing day by day in the state. Recently, thousands of Assamese young youths contesting the region. Karak has called Islamabad's move to ments to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Islamabad has The Indian move to reclaim the region for India will be op - have returned home, who were engaged in private sectors in other states of consolidate its hold on Gilgit-Baltistan extremely con - gradually weakened its constitution to allow outsiders to grab posed not only by Pakistan but also by China, which is digging the country. They will create another problem in near future because they demnable, urging a boycott of sponsored elections. land and resources of illegally occupied areas. Islamabad abol - into the region to build a cushion amidst the jihadist spoil do not have any source of earning. In other states, they were engaged them - What's the issue? ished the state subject rule in Gilgit Baltistan in 1984, resulting lands of its ally Pakistan Could. Therefore, the Chinese have selves as security guards or salesmen. But in their own state, they do not It extends to China in the north, Afghanistan in the west, in demographic changes in the region. People from different been active in many hydroelectricity and road construction like to do such types of works or busy themselves in the rice fields as farm - Tajikistan in the northwest, and Kashmir in the southeast. It parts of Pakistan are free to buy land there. It has encroached projects, such as the Neelum Valley, the Diyar Bhasha Dam, ers due to their social status. This new category of unemployed young shares a geographical border with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, on the land of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and has the extension of the Karakoram Highway, Coast Dry Port, youths may be turned themselves into a burden of our society. The gov - and India considers it a part of undivided Jammu and Kashmir, illegally pushed China forward here. Currently, Gilgit- Bunji Dam, etc. China announced large-scale investment, now ernment must think about them and find out some ways for their employ - while Pakistan views it as separate from PoK. It has a regional Baltistan is neither a province nor a state. It has semi-provin - called the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, India again ment. Recently, the Prime Minister of India said that we need to increase assembly and an elected chief minister. Gilgit-Baltistan has cial status. Near Islamabad robs local people from resources protested as the corridor passed through Gilgit-Baltistan. The our local products to strengthen our economy. In this tragic situation, only served as a "Provincial Autonomous Region" since 2009. In to exploit resources and cash in the region's geo-strategic ben - corridor will include oil pipelines, roads, and a railway con - the local products can save us. Therefore, it becomes necessary to addition, India has stated that the entire union territory of efits. This deprives them of jobs and services. It has never paid necting Gwadar to Kashgar in Balochistan. strengthen our rural economy by using only local products instead of using Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including Gilgit and royalties on local water resources. All these activities are ille - Road ahead: foreign goods. People must engage themselves in these types of productive Baltistan, are integral to India on the basis of its full legal and gal and not acceptable. The erstwhile princely state of Jammu We need to claim our rights in this area and bring in inter - works and try to be self dependent. This type of works would provide em - irrevocable accession. and Kashmir was divided due to the design of the expansion - national human rights forums. Along with supporting the ex - ployment generation to the millions of rural unemployed youths and India's position:- ists of Pakistan. Since then people have been bearing an end - ploited people in that region, it is important to get both thereby contribute towards boosting our economy. The entire state of Jammu and Kashmir, including the so- less irony under Pakistan's undemocratic rule. Education, political and economic support. We need to give them re - At present, there are various sources of earning available in our state, called 'Gilgit-Baltistan', remains an integral part of India. The health, infrastructure, and society have been destroyed. Nat - served seats for Gilgit Baltistan in the Jammu and Kashmir only we need to choose one of them. But the main problem is that we do Government of Pakistan or the judiciary has no locus stand ural resources have long been plundered. There is no employ - Legislative Assembly. The people of India are also expecting not like to choose some works which are against our social customs or on the areas illegally and forcibly occupied by it. There is no ment for educated youth. The Pakistani military is believed to the Modi government to take concrete steps to free Pakistan- rules. As such, non-indigenous people coming from other states have been legal basis for any action by Pakistan to change the status of have systematically conducted operations to keep the people occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan from Pakistan's occu - taking advantages of the idle Assamese people. But now, corona pandemic these occupied territories. Pakistan declared the strategic of Gilgit Baltistan and PoK underdeveloped and deprived. pation. Proposals in this regard have also been passed in and long term lock down teach us a new lesson that we must be self reliant Gilgit-Baltistan region its fifth province in 2017. Gilgit- Most of the educated people have also been recruited by the Parliament. While removing Article 370 from Jammu and first, otherwise, it will be very hard to survive. Therefore, we need not waste Baltistan is a part of Jammu and Kashmir and any such move Inter-Services Public Relations to campaign in favor of the Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah had pledged to our valuable time in search of government jobs or high ranking occupa - will seriously harm the Kashmir case of Pakistan. Pakistani establishment and this is a very dangerous incident. hoist the tricolor there, describing Pakistan-occupied Kashmir tions. By avoiding baseless social customs and rigid rules, we just start any The two United Nations resolutions of August 13, 1948, The China Factor: - and Gilgit-Baltistan as part of India. India will have to take work which is suitable and beneficial for us. We must always remember and January 5, 1949, clearly established a link between the The question is why Pakistan is holding elections there. Ac - advantage of the changing situation and take the entire terri - that at the time of emergency or trouble, no outsider will come to help us GB and Kashmir issue. Making the region its fifth province tually, he is under pressure from his close friend China. 634 tory of Pakistan occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan from by offering cash or kinds. We must depend ourselves and be ready to over - will thus violate the Karachi Agreement; UN resolutions will km of Gilgit-Baltistan is surrounded by China and passes Pakistan's clutches and join Jammu and Kashmir and fulfill come any problem in our life. damage its position on the Kashmir issue. Any such move through the Pak-China Economic Corridor. As India asserts the dream of a united India. Page 5 MAY 29_Normal Pages 28/05/2020 6:28 PM Page 1

FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020 OP-E D THE HILLS TIMES 5

By: Shashi Singh pressurise her into withdrawing the com - ingly or unknowingly. We all practice pa - lacies, one cannot ignore the role that Anti-fepmlaint. Besidies, nmost ofi thes womenm are and flawed artrgiarchy inu our damily life. Thise can ben ex - WthatasApp htas pliayedo. You cnan find jus - t would not be completely wrong to financially dependent on their husbands. plicated by citing the fact that we all tification for everything. asseverate that we are living in an era This further aggravates the problem and enjoy humour which is sexist and queer - I stumbled upon one such justification where logical fallacies dominate the forces them into tolerating violence and phobic. In fact, sexism is the pillar on which read, ” Girls are diamond and the dIiscourse, more than the arguments harassment. So, divorce is certainly not which queerphobia is premised. There’s boys are iron, that’s why girls must be which have some substance. Internet has an option for them. And the tabooing of a very popular trend among the millenni - locked securely.” This is very farcical but exacerbated the use of logical fallacies. divorce worsens this even more! als, they love to use ‘Chhakka’ or it must be analysed too. They say that The most dangerous aspect of the use There’s another way in which this ar - ‘Meetha’ for tik-tokers. This happens be - iron is pretty cheap while diamond is ex - of logical fallacies is that, it appears to be gument can be punctured. If we go by cause men are supposed to isolate them - orbitantly expensive. Going by that logic, logical to the people who are not much that logic, then no politician in India is selves from any act which is purportedly can’t one say that if diamond is kept into that thing, and that’s how propagan - corrupt, for the conviction rate is even feminine. Since, dancing and singing has locked, what is the purpose of it being das are furthered. lesser than 15% in case of corruption. But been considered the monopoly of costly? Besides, the use of this metaphor There’s a plethora of things which we do know that this is not the case, it’s women, we use terms like ‘meetha’ and reflects how plagued our way of thinking have been dishonoured and mortified. just that there’s been no conviction be - ‘chakka for a male if he tries to break the is. Women are considered fragile and fri - Feminism just like caste-based reserva - cause the politicians are powerful and fi - stereotypes. We just need to introspect able.( Diamond is the hardest element but tion is the favourite target. In the case of nancially very influential. They use their and we’ll get to understand it. We get here it is not used in that sense) This feminism, it’s even more severe. Women money and muscle power to turn things irked when a woman wears revealing speaks volumes about our cultural dem - are coming forward and clutching, what in their favour. dress or purchases wine. Why so? agoguery. was earlier confiscated from them, and Second Argument: “The feminism pro - tarnishes a woman’s lungs, not her char - swer while men can shrug off their re - The crux of this explanation is that the There are some arguments which I men can’t accept this. This is a general fessed by these snowflakes is not real acter.” sponsibility by saying #Notallmen. And people who believe in patriarchy, signif - have been unable to cite in this piece, but trend pertinent across ideologies, and cer - feminism, it’s all faux and dangerous. It Third argument: “Feminism is about if we are to stress on statistics, here are icantly outnumber those who believe in the most frequently used pseudo-argu - tainly not something which can be exclu - only promotes smoking/drinking.” defaming male gender and hurling fake some mind boggling figures: Wahabi ideology. ments have been approached. Feminism sively attributed to a particular ideology. If we analyse this argument deeply, we allegations.” 1. More than 32,500 cases of rapes This can be made more comprehensive isn’t selective, if anything, it’s lucrative To put women’s movement to shame, will find that there lies this conceived be - As I said earlier, logical fallacies ap - were reported in 2017 only. if we look at the way two things are por - for the male gender as well. men and some women as well, resort to lief that circumstances for everyone are pear to be utterly logical and sensible, but 2. If we do some maths, then it’s 90 trayed. The mainstream media is domi - It expands the range of colours/emo - sophistic whataboutery. The range of same. Clearly, this is not the case. if one digs deeper, he/she can see the hol - rapes per day. nated by males. So, we don’t get to see tions/tastes which patriarchy tends to these whatbouteries is pretty wide but For a girl living in rural area, femi - lowness that lies underneath. 3. More than 127,800 cases were pend - the severity of patriarchy because jour - limit. In other words, feminism is lucra - fathomable. In this piece, I attempt to ap - nism, at its best, would enable her to go Recently, a guy committed suicide be - ing at the end of 2017. nalists can choose to show something as tive for everyone, and we must embrace proach some of these whatbouteries. to school and get good decent treatment cause a girl had alleged him of raping her. One can see how one fake allegation well as overlook it. it. (Courtesy: Youth Ki Awaaz) One technical argument goes like: in her family. The girl could not produce any evidence. turns things topsy-turvy. Women are getting harassed and raped “Only 15% of those implicated under But for a girl living in urban area, this The Internet got rattled and it was pro - There’s an argument which I too had every now and then, but we don’t get to Recently, a guy committed sui - 498A are the real culprits, remaining are is not the case. The problems faced by jected as though it’s general trend. In my fallen prey to. It is premised on the point know much about this. On the contrary, cide because a girl had alleged falsely implicated.” her, are altogether different. The prob - opinion, it’s a fluctuation in the general of generalisation and other implications the case of terrorism gets all hype and This appears to be very sensible argu - lems faced by girls in villages are not per - trend. Women are getting raped everyday, emanating from that. It reads: “Feminists noise beacuse both sides benefit from him of raping her. The girl could ment, but it is flawed to the core. We all tinent here. For example, a girl based in they are committing suicide because of love to generalise men but get offended that, i.e the ones who unleash terror and not produce any evidence. The In - know how legal system works in our Mumbai/ Delhi doesn’t need to fight for harassment and molestation. But, this when someone generalises Muslims” the ones who use terror for their political country. If a woman makes an allegation, going to school. Her brother or her male doesn’t make the noise. The callous in - This argument is put forward in another gains. Terrorists kill about 22k- 25k peo - ternet got rattled and it was pro - there’s barely any chance that she will be friends are allowed to booze and roam difference goes on, but when the opposite parlance, ” #Notallmen argument is ple every year, but this is exaggerated to jected as though it’s general able to provide evidence. Suppose, a whole night. So, she aspires to achieve happens, women are collectively abused puke-inducing but #NotallMuslim argu - an extent that people extrapolate that ter - woman makes an allegation that her hus - the same degree of freedom. Clearly, the and subjected to harshest of obloquy. ment isn’t.” rorism is the biggest threat to humanity. trend. In my opinion, it’s a fluctu - band is very toxic and he beats her regu - purpose of feminism would be different. Why does this happen? Because, when There’s very subtle absurdity and pre - The concept of terrorism is based on the - ation in the general trend. Women larly. Who will bear witness against the So, we can conclude from this that the things get against males, they find that posterousness in this argument. Let’s go atrics. We can see how the plight of husband? What evidence can she come role of feminism is different at different completely radical. They maintain their through this slowly. There are more than women is unable to prick our conscience are getting raped everyday, they up with? The boy’s family will always rungs. indifference to all the rapes and molesta - 1.8 billion practising Muslims in the but the portrayal of terror makes us are committing suicide because of stand with him only. There’s no chance I read a very beautiful line of late tions because it has been normalised now. world, and only 1-2 lakh Muslims be - shiver with fear. that they will testify against him. which summarises the ruction: “Femi - All it takes is one fake allegation for the lieve in Wahabi ideology. So, generalisation of men is not same harassment and molestation. But, Even the girl’s family will be reluctant nism isn’t about promoting smoking, it’s male society to unite. For one fake alle - On the contrary, almost every single as generalisation of Muslims. this doesn’t make the noise. to her filing an complaint and will try to about establishing the fact that smoking gation, all the feminists are made to an - man believes in patriarchy, either know - While talking about use of logical fal - The decaying state of GanByd: Suhdhiri C’hsand ralast march: A parable for today e are surrounded by more of the the nuclear world order By: Pulkit Mohan same. The same ‘time-honoured’ prevarication, mendacity, and half- report published by the US tWruths; the same lies, damned lies and statis - State Department in April tics; and, sure enough, the same post-truth, titled, Adherence to and which is but a new nomenclature for an old Compliance with Arms Control, phenomenon. A Nonproliferation, and Disarma - Wittingly or unwitttingly, happily or sor - ment Agreements and Commit - rowfully, voluntarily or forcibly, we are com - ments, raised concerns around plicit in it, even in the face of an China’s increasing activity at the unprecedented crisis in which everyone’s Lop Nur test site in 2019. Accord - well-being depends on the well-being of ing to the report, China was con - everyone else, and truth is crucial to that well- ducting low-yield nuclear tests being. which violated the “zero yield” We must know what led to the COVID-19 standard moratorium practiced by pandemic, how it spread, what needs to be nuclear weapons states under the done, what the state of our preparedness is, Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Party says, especially when it mise of the INF treaty and the un - what new problems are arising, where we are Treaty (CTBT). It is important to comes to grave matters like nu - certainty around renewal of the failing, and so on. No consideration can – note that both the United States clear testing. Beijing is mod - new START, it is evident that the should – at the moment be so critical as to and China have signed the CTBT ernising its nuclear arsenal while credibility of international treaties override the need for truth about any aspect – he believed that the Congress government Why did you remain alive, I want to ask — but not ratified it. They have the United States handcuffs itself has diminished significantly. not just medical – of this crisis. would not let the carnage in Bihar continue. you. How could you bear to see an old woman however, accepted the “zero yield” with one-sided arms-control re - The global nuclear order is wit - Yet, truth is as scarce as ever. Forget China He walked tirelessly from one village of of 110 being killed before your eyes? Leaving test ban as a result of the negotia - strictions. China has proven it nessing a revival of overt animosi - and the World Health Organisation, against Noakhali to another, bringing home to people, all other things aside, I want to raise just this tions that took place as a part of can’t work with us honestly and ties among key nuclear powers. which accusations of a sinister cover-up are by personal contact, the message of peace and question. I have decided that I will do or die. CTBT. The report states that transparently. We ought to unsign There is a serious gap in global di - mounting, there is not a single government in love. I will not rest nor let others rest. I will wander “China’s possible preparation to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test- alogue between nuclear weapons our own country, including the supreme one He exhorted the Muslims to welcome back on foot. I will ask the skeletons lying about operate its Lop Nur test site year- Ban Treaty.” states, at bilateral and multilateral in Delhi, that we are ready to trust implicitly. their Hindu neighbours, and the Hindus to how it happened. “ round, its use of explosive contain - Following the emergence of the levels. Looking at the aggressive The governments themselves do not trust shed their fear and, trusting in God, return to Gandhi did wander from village to village ment chambers, extensive State Department’s report, a US shift in nuclear policy towards ex - one another, confirming people’s distrust in their homes among their Muslim neighbours. in Bihar but agreed to travel by car, not on excavation activities at Lop Nur, senator called on the Trump ad - pansion and improvement of nu - them. There is an exception — Kerala – which His was not the way of seeing peace and order foot. and lack of transparency on its nu - ministration to withdraw from the clear weapons, technologies, and no other government is ashamed of not emu - enforced by the police and the military. That Seeing how the warring communities were clear testing activities.” Given the CTBT given China’s noncompli - their delivery systems along with lating. Citizens do not look at the daily figures would for a while remove the manifestation blinded by a vicious cycle of action and reac - great power rivalry and its impact ance. the rapid deterioration of relations of new COVID-19 cases, deaths, recoveries, of communal tensions and do nothing to re - tion, he dwelt upon parallels between on the global nuclear order, this in - Both the US and China are sig - between the US and China, the nu - and tests as being completely reliable. Infor - move the tensions. Noakhali and Bihar to show ordinary men and cident further highlights the cracks natories to the CTBT, but are yet to clear order is witnessing a revival mation about volatile issues like the rotten We do not even remember what Gandhi’s women the futility and foolishness of their in the non-proliferation regime and ratify the treaty. The governments of nuclear ambitions and rivalries state of relief to the poor and trapped migrant way was. passions. He said: the crumbling attempts of banning of both countries have maintained similar to those of the Cold War workers across the country, particularly the in - Then came an SOS from Dr Syed Mahmud, “I see here the same thing that I saw in nuclear testing. that they are complying with the era. formation coming from the central and con - a respectable Congress leader from Bihar, Noakhali. Let no one say that if it happens It is important to note that both terms set out in the treaty. The re - The deep mistrust between the cerned state governments, is even more telling Gandhi that he alone could save the there why should we not do it here…. That the United States and China have port and the subsequent rhetoric two countries extends beyond the unreliable. province’s Muslims. Gandhi left for Bihar will mean competition in goondaism.” signed the CTBT — but not rati - emerging from both countries nuclear realm and into issues of It is difficult not to remember Gandhi in the forthwith. He reached Patna on March 5, 1947 Wherever he went he brought home to peo - fied it. brings into question the stability trade and more recently, the time of COVID-19. For one, the pandemic and spent the rest of the month in the ple the similarity between the savagery of the It is important to note that the and the future of the nuclear world COVID-19 crisis as well. It would brings us back to his critique of the modern province. He knew that his coming would em - Muslims of Noakhali and the savagery of the State Department report does not order. In recent times, there have be problematic to look at the ten - industrial civilisation, more particularly his barrass the Congress in general and the Bihar Hindus of Bihar, as also the similarity be - provide conclusive proof of the been debate and discussion around sions between the two in isolation. much-maligned and misunderstood idea of government in particular. tween the foul methods employed by the ag - testing but raises concerns regard - the possibility of a new nuclear It is important stress the need for swadeshi. Efforts were made to persuade Gandhi that gressors to terrorise their victims. And he used ing the aforementioned activities. arms race and shift in power. effective strategic discussions be - There is also something else that comes to the violence in Bihar was carried out to ma - this to ask: “Shall we meet barbarism with China’s foreign ministry China has maintained secrecy tween countries like the US, China haunt us in our present state of callousness to - lign the Congress by elements hostile to its greater barbarism?” spokesperson was quick to reject around its nuclear weapons and de - and Russia. However, the success wards truth and human suffering. For Gandhi, ideology and programme. When he asked Bihar filled Gandhi with forebodings. The allegations made by the US that it livery systems. There has been of discussions between these pow - there was no consideration – not even the why the government had not instituted an en - Muslim League was bound to do whatever it conducted low-yield nuclear tests. concern around China’s nuclear ar - ers is hampered by the complex country’s unity – that could permit compro - quiry, he was told that this would be used to could to precipitate the country’s partition. The response from China has fo - senal being bigger than officially and multifaceted tensions that exist mise with truth and concern for the poor, the embarrass the Congress government and But what sort of freedom would India have if cused on the country’s responsible estimated and its implications on and will likely persist. In the nu - oppressed and the persecuted. party. the Congress did not feel for and protect all approach towards international the stability of the global nuclear clear context, the increasing hostil - That takes us to March 1947 – Gandhi’s last Those who could offer him that argument – Indians equally? agreements and treaties. Experts order. There have been several in - ities between the superpowers March – which he was forced to spend in his own long-time associates in the freedom But the danger was larger than that. Treat - on the subject have also suggested stances reported emphasising extend beyond the existing non - Bihar. Five months prior to that, in October movement – had obviously understood little ing all Indians as one was a responsibility – a that since China possesses suffi - China’s focus on developing and proliferation measures and high - 1946, fierce anti-Hindu violence had broken of him. duty – not limited to the Congress alone. It de - cient data on low-yield nuclear improving its nuclear arsenal. light the likelihood of the demise out in Noakhali, a Muslim-majority district in Not one to be fooled, Gandhi embarked on volved on all those who believed India to be weapons from tests conducted in On the other hand, there has also of the current nuclear order. This is the then East Bengal. The moment he came to his peace mission. He moved from one af - one and were opposed to its partition. Hindus - the 1980s and 1990s as well as in - been a shift in US rhetoric with re - likely to lead to an intense and know about it, Gandhi rushed to Noakhali fected village to another, heard and spoke to tan, Gandhi said, has many communities and formation from computer simula - gard to future compliance with in - costly nuclear weapons competi - with a view to cleansing the hearts of both the the victims as also the perpetrators of the vio - we are responsible equally for all of them. He tions, it does not need to conduct ternational nuclear agreements tion. (Courtesy: ORF) Hindus and the Muslims and bringing them lence, held discussions with the leaders and warned: “If we say that we are not, then our further low-yield nuclear weapon such as the CTBT. The Trump ad - together. workers of not just the Congress but also the saying that Hindustan is ours will be com - testing. The argument put forward ministration has put a renewed The response from China He had barely reached Noakhali, in the first Muslim League and the Hindu Mahasabha. pletely wrong.” by the US and the responses in turn focus on the need to improve and has focused on the country’s week of November, when news started reach - Every evening he held his prayer meeting and Gandhi stood by truth even at the risk of his have highlighted a trend amongst modernise the US’s nuclear ing him of brutal anti-Muslim violence in ended it with a discourse in which he made a testimony being misused by the Muslim key nuclear powers in rejecting the weapons arsenal. Washington is in - responsible approach towards Bihar. clean breast of whatever he had found out. League to bolster its demand for Pakistan. It role of international treaties in the creasingly focused on arguing for international agreements and This placed him in a difficult dilemma. The violence in Bihar, Gandhi found out, would say that even Gandhi had accepted that nuclear order. new nuclear agreements with treaties. Experts on the sub - Bengal was then under a Muslim League gov - had surpassed the violence in Noakhali. He the Muslims were unsafe under the Congress. Given China’s secrecy around China, whilst also focusing on im - ernment while Bihar was under the govern - made a clean breast of that too. But that did not deter him. He knew that false - its nuclear weapons programme proving the US’s overall nuclear ject have also suggested that ment of his own Congress Party. Determined What pained him the most was the complic - hood used for an immediate gain would come and ambitions, the report has pro - capabilities. since China possesses suffi - to portray Gandhi as a partisan leader of the ity of Congressmen even though the Congress back to bite one eventually. vided the US with an opportunity China has maintained secrecy cient data on low-yield nu - Hindus, the Muslim League used the anti- as an organisation had not orchestrated the vi - We inhabit a world the reigning wisdom of to bring attention to the issue of around its nuclear weapons and de - Muslim violence in Bihar to the hilt. No olence. Admonishing a gathering of Congress which is ‘whataboutery,’ the amorality of the compliance amongst key nuclear livery systems. clear weapons from tests sooner had he reached Noakhali than the workers, he said: idea and the infelicity of the term notwith - weapons states with international Furthermore, Washington has conducted in the 1980s and League leaders started taunting him about “Is it or isn’t it a fact that quite a large num - standing. In this world, where wrong is rife agreements. Following the emer - demanded the inclusion of China 1990s as well as information staying on in Noakhali to save its Hindus in - ber of Congressmen took part in the distur - and nailing the wrong impossible, the figure gence of the State Department’s re - in the discussion on arms controls stead of rushing to Bihar to stop the carnage bances?… The Congressmen assembled here of Gandhi is bound to evoke an anguished port, a US senator called on the measures with Russia. The dia - from computer simulations, it of its Muslims. can themselves tell the truth. How many of the ‘alas.’ If only we had in our midst just one like Trump administration to withdraw logue around new nuclear limita - does not need to conduct fur - Gandhi stood his ground, convinced that if 132 members of your committee were in - him! One with similar integrity, detachment, from the CTBT given China’s non - tion agreements has been largely he succeeded in Noakhali, that would have a volved? It would be a great thing if you could compassion, vision, and quixotry. (Courtesy: compliance. The senator said in a absent as Beijing and Moscow ap - ther low-yield nuclear salutary effect on the entire country. Besides, say ‘none.’ But that cannot be said…. The Wire) statement, “It’s foolish to trust any - pear apprehensive and uninterested weapon testing. thing the Chinese Communist in the US’s requests. With the de - Page 6 MAY 29_Normal Pages 28/05/2020 8:33 PM Page 1

6 THE HILLS TIMES WORLD FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020 China, US will lose from Global cases have surged to nearly 5.7 million, with more than 354,000 deaths China’s parl overwhelmingly approves confrontation, Chinese Premier Li warns Trump controversial Hong Kong security bill BEIJING, May 28 (PTI): China US virus toll crosses 100,000 as and the US should manage their disagreements and respect each other's "core interests", Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday, warn - WpASHaINGnTONd, Maye 28 (AmFP): ic rages in Latin Aaftmer the Woerld Hrealthi Ocrganiza ation ing the Trump administration that The US coronavirus death toll suspended its testing over fears of any attempts to decouple the top passed 100,000 as the pandemic dangerous side effects. two major economies will do nei - tightened its grip on South America, The drug has proved controver - ther side any good and also harm - which is outpacing Europe and the sial and divisive, with some leaders ful to the world. The US is United States in daily infections. and governments still backing it -- currently involved in a tense show - Global cases have surged to including President Trump, who said down with China on the issue of nearly 5.7 million, with more than he had taken a course as a preventa - trade, the origins of the novel coro - 354,000 deaths, and in a grim signal tive measure because he had "heard a navirus pandemic, Beijing's new to other countries hoping to exit lot of good stories" about it. security crackdown in Hong Kong lockdown, South Korea re-imposed Health authorities in Brazil and and the communist giant's aggres - social distancing rules after a spike Senegal, and India's top biomedical BEIJING, May 28 (PTI): China's country two system, under which sive military moves in the disputed in new cases. research body have said they will parliament on Thursday over - people of Hong Kong govern them - South China Sea. Addressing his Deaths in Brazil topped 25,000 continue to use it for COVID-19 pa - whelmingly approved a new contro - selves high degree of autonomy and annual press conference at the end on Wednesday, and its caseload is tients, but the US Food and Drug versial security law for Hong Kong, acted in strict accordance with the of the parliament session on Thurs - second only to the United States, Administration has warned of seri - a move that critics say threatens the constitution and the basic law and day, Li, the No. 2 leader of the rul - where authorities have moved to ous side effects and poisoning. fundamental political freedoms and supported the Chief Executive and ing Communist Party hierarchy ease lockdowns and help the bat - relief as businesses and citizens Worried relatives outside the The urgency of the coronavirus civil liberties in the semi-au - Hong Kong Special Administrative after President Xi Jinping, spoke tered economy, despite experts rec - grow weary and resentful of mass Sabogal Hospital in the capital Lima crisis has prompted some doctors to tonomous territory, also a major Region, (HKSAR) government in guardedly replying to questions ommending they remain on guard confinement. were unable to enter to see loved prescribe the drug despite a lack of global trading hub. China's annual exercising governance according to about the growing confrontational for a resurgence of the disease. Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's far-right ones suffering from COVID-19, research to demonstrate its effec - political season, delayed by the law," Li said. relationship between Washington "Don't start leapfrogging over the president and a Trump ally, has with some begging the guards for tiveness against the new coron - COVID-19 pandemic ended on "The decision adopted at the NPC and Beijing with threats by Presi - recommendations of some of the slammed stay-at-home orders and information. "I want to talk to a doc - avirus. As South America and parts Thursday with its parliament, much session is designed for the steady dent Donald Trump to decouple guidelines because that's really played down the threat of the virus, tor and they don't let me know," said of Africa and Asia scramble to deal on the expected lines endorsed the implementation of the one country the two economies, the world's tempting fate and asking for trou - saying the economic fallout of lock - Liset Villanueva, granddaughter of with their worsening outbreaks, Eu - new security law for Hong Kong, a two systems and Hong Kong long largest and the second largest. "It ble," Anthony Fauci, one of the top downs causes more damage than the a coronavirus patient. "They don't rope has taken tentative steps to re - former British territory. term prosperity and stability , he is true that at the moment China- US health advisers, told CNN. disease itself. say anything, they don't call, they open economies and ease The country's rubber-stamp par - added. US relations have encountered Nearly 1.7 million Americans are But infections in Brazil have don't explain anything... What is he lockdowns as new infections slow. liament, the National People's Con - The pro-Beijing authorities in some new problems and chal - known to have been infected with surged past 411,000, and similar bad suffering from?" While scientists As the continent -- which has lost gress (NPC), nearly unanimously Hong Kong insist the law is essen - lenges," Li said, admitting that the the disease, according to a Johns news continues to emerge from around the world are racing to de - more than 175,000 people to approved the resolution to introduce tial to tackle growing violence and ties between the top two Hopkins University tally. other South American countries. velop a vaccine, parallel trials are COVID-19 -- grappled with the the sweeping security legislation, "terrorism", and that the territory's economies are going through a Lockdowns in some form will re - Peru logged a record 6,154 new under way to test treatments for human tragedy and economic de - which bans secession, subversion of residents have nothing to fear from rocky time. Getting Sino-US rela - main necessary until a vaccine or cases in a 24-hour period, with its COVID-19 symptoms. struction, the European Union un - state power, terrorism, foreign inter - it. Critics fear it could lead to Hong tionship right is in the interest of treatment is available, experts have virus response coordinator Pilar France said Wednesday it was veiled a 750-billion-euro ($825 vention and allows mainland Kongers being prosecuted for criti - people of both the countries and warned, but many governments are Mazzetti warning that "difficult banning the anti-malarial drug hy - billion) recovery plan to get coun - China's state security agencies to op - cising their or the leadership in Bei - the whole world, he said. under immense pressure to provide days, difficult weeks are coming." droxychloroquine as a treatment tries back on their feet. erate in the gleaming city. Only one jing, joining protests or exercising delegate voted against the proposal, their current rights under local laws. while 2,878 voted for and six ab - China's move has already sparked stained, the official media reported. a new wave of anti-mainland protest Hard-line former Tehran mayor The NPC's standing committee in Hong Kong, a former British Israeli cyber chief: Major attack will now draft the law and is ex - colony, which was handed over to pected to become a law by August. Beijing on July 1, 1997. named Speaker of Iran Parliament It will then be implemented upon Clashes broke out again on JERUSAoLEnM, M awy 28 a(APt): eIs - rs crsibesy enosught heow mfast ansd ho w thandw cybear attractks.e Mod st famously, promulgation by the Hong Kong Wednesday, as Hong Kong's parlia - rael's national cyber chief Thursday crazy and hectic things are moving U.S. and Israeli intelligence agen - government. Critics say the law will ment debated a different proposed officially acknowledged the country forward in cyberspace and I think cies are suspected of unleashing a drastically enhance Beijing's grip law, which would make it a crime to had thwarted a major cyber attack we will remember this last month computer worm called Stuxnet over Hong Kong, which last year disrespect the Chinese national an - last month against its water systems, and May 2020 as a changing point years ago in an attempt to disrupt was roiled by anti-government them. The new security law has an assault widely attributed to arch- in the history of modern cyber war - Iran's nuclear program. But Unna protests calling for greater democ - been denounced by the US, the UK enemy Iran, calling it a synchronized fare, he said in a video address to said the attempted hacking into Is - racy and more autonomy from and the EU as a blow to freedom and organized attack aimed at disrupt - CyberechLive Asia, a digital inter - rael's water systems marked the first mainland China.Addressing his an - and liberty of Hong Kongers and af - ing key national infrastructure. national cyber conference. time in modern history that we can nual press conference at the end of fect the city's status as an interna - Yigal Unna did not mention Iran di - If the bad guys had succeeded in see something like this aiming to NPC session, Chinese Premier Li tional business hub. Many Chinese rectly, nor did he comment on the al - their plot we would now be facing, cause damage to real life and not to Keqiang defended the new law, say - and foreign firms use Hong Kong as leged Israeli retaliation two weeks in the middle of the Corona crisis, IT or data. Had Israel's National ing that it was designed to imple - an international or regional base, later said to have shut down a key very big damage to the civilian pop - Cyber Directorate not detected the ment the one country two systems and members of elite families or ex - DUBAI, May 28 (AP): Iran's Parlia - parliament must be approved by a 12- Iranian port, but he said recent devel - ulation and a lack of water and even attack in real time, he said chlorine formula and its stability prosperity. ecutives with ties to the CPC do ment elected a former mayor of member Guardian Council and opments have ushered in a new era of worse than that," he added. Israel or other chemicals could have been The one country two systems is business and own property there. Tehran tied to the Revolutionary Khamenei holds final say on all mat - covert warfare, ominously warning and Iran are bitter foes who have en - mixed into the water source in the China's basic state policy. The cen - Many companies also raise capital Guard as its next Speaker on Thurs - ters of state. The position also puts that cyber winter is coming." gaged in years of covert battles that wrong proportions and resulted in a tral government has all along fully by listing on the Hong Kong Stock day, solidifying hard-line control of Qalibaf onto Iran's Supreme National Rapid is not something that de - have included high-tech hacking "harmful and disastrous outcome. and faithfully implemented the one Exchange. the body as tensions between the US Security Council, the country's high - and the Islamic Republic remain high est level body that handles defense over its collapsed nuclear deal. and nuclear issues. That takes on new UK police say Johnson S Korea virus cases make biggest jump in 50 days Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf's as - importance as the US withdrew SEOUL, May 28 (AP): South Korea laxed social distancing guidelines. It sumption of power comes after a waivers from Iran's nuclear pro - aide made ‘minor’ on Thursday reported its biggest jump remains to be seen whether the recent string of failed presidential bids and gramme late Wednesday and as ten - in coronavirus cases in more than 50 spike in infections force back a 12 years as the leader of Iran's capital sions between the two nations remain lockdown rule breach days, a huge setback that could erase phased reopening of schools, which city, in which he built onto Tehran's high. A trained pilot, Qalibaf served some of its hard-won gains. Health had been a major accomplishment in subway and supported the construc - in the paramilitary Guard during the LONDON, May 28 (AP): British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s adviser likely broke the government’s coronavirus regulations by officials warned that the resurgence is the nation's anti-virus campaign. tion of modern high-rises. country's bloody 1980s war with Iraq. getting harder to track and social dis - The Education Ministry on Many, however, remember Qalibaf After the conflict, he served as the traveling during lockdown, but will not face further action, police said Thursday. tancing and other steps need to be Wednesday said class openings were for his support as a Revolutionary head of the Guard's construction arm, taken. The Korea Centres for Disease delayed at 561 schools nationwide be - Guard general for a violent crack - Khatam al-Anbia, for several years The adviser, Dominic Cummings, has acknowledged driving 250 miles (400 km) to his parents’ house in Durham, northeast Control and Prevention said 67 of the cause of virus concerns. KCDC direc - down on Iranian university students leading efforts to rebuild. 79 new cases reported were from the warehouse operated by local e-com - tor Jeong Eun-kyeong has said the in 1999. He also reportedly ordered Qalibaf then served as the head of England, at the end of March and later taking another drive to a scenic town 30 miles (50 km) away. Seoul metropolitan area, where about merce giant Coupang. Health author - country may need to reimpose social live gunfire be used against Iranian the Guard's air force, when in 1999 he half of South Korea's 51 million peo - ities say the company likely didn't distancing restrictions after easing students in 2003 while serving as the co-signed a letter to reformist Presi - Durham Constabulary said the drive to Durham did not breach the rules but the second trip, to the town of Barnard Castle, might ple live. Health Minister Park Neung- enforce preventive measures such as them in April, saying it's becoming in - country's police chief. dent Mohammad Khatami amid stu - hoo during a virus meeting pleaded masks at the facility in Bucheon, near creasingly difficult for health workers "It is time to thank all representa - dent protests in Tehran over the have been “a minor breach” of lockdown rules “that would have warranted police intervention.” for all residents in the greater capital Seoul, and may have had employees to track transmissions amid increasing tives, all workers at the parliament government closing a reformist news - area to avoid unnecessary gatherings working while they were sick. Hun - public activity. complex, experts, managers, security paper and a subsequent security force The force said that had Cummings been stopped by an officer at the time he would likely have been ordered to turn around, but and urged companies to keep sick em - dreds of other infections have been The number of people or locations forces and services," Qalibaf said, crackdown. The letter warned ployees off work. linked to nightclubs and other enter - we have to trace are increasing geo - promising to give a speech on Sun - Khatami the Guard would take action “there is no intention to take retrospective action.” More than 14,000 people in Britain have been fined by police for violating a At least 69 infections so far have tainment venues, which saw huge metrically, she said during a briefing day. Qalibaf's candidacy received 230 unilaterally unless he agreed to put - been linked to workers at a massive crowds in early May after officials re - Wednesday afternoon. votes from the 264 lawmakers present ting down the demonstrations. ban on all but essential travel that was imposed March 23 to help in the parliament in the first round of Violence around the protests saw slow the spread of the virus. voting, state television reported. Par - several killed, hundreds wounded and Johnson has resisted calls to fire Cummings, his most senior liament has 290 seats. thousands arrested. Qalibaf then aide and the architect of the Conservative Party’s December elec - Germany summons Russian Qalibaf, 58, replaces Ali Larijani, served as the head of Iran's police, tion victory, for apparently flouting restrictions that the govern - who served as the parliament's modernising the force and imple - ment imposed on the rest of the country. ambassador over alleged cyberattack speaker from 2008 until this May. menting the country's 110 emergency Cummings has defended his actions, saying he traveled to en - BERLIN, May 28 (AP): Germany says it is seeking Eu - a new regime established to fight cyberattacks. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali phone number. However, a leaked sure that his 4-year-old son could be looked after if he and his wife, ropean Union sanctions against a Russian man over his It says Baden is accused of involvement in the 2015 Khamenei appointed Larijani as an recording of a later meeting between who both had coronavirus symptoms, became sick. He says he alleged role in the hacking of the German parliament at hacking attack acting jointly with other persons not yet adviser and a member of the country's Qalibaf and members of the Guard's drove to Barnard Castle to test whether his eyesight, which had a time when evidence showed he was working for Russ - identified and allegedly had undertaken an intelligence Expediency Council on Thursday, volunteer Basij force, included him been affected by illness, was good enough for the long trip back ian intelligence. operation against Germany for the intelligence service of state TV reported. As Speaker, Qal - claiming that he ordered gunfire be to London. The Germany Foreign Ministry said it called in Russ - a foreign power. The ministry says there is reliable evi - ibaf leads a body that can debate used against demonstrators in 2003, Johnson has stood by his aide. His office said “the police have ian Ambassador Sergei Nechayev on Thursday to inform dence he was a member of Russia's GRU military intel - Iran's annual budget and push for the as well as praising the violence used made clear they are taking no action against Mr. Cummings over him in person of the move. ligence agency at the time of the attack. impeachment of government minis - in Iran's 2009 Green Movement his self-isolation and that going to Durham did not breach the reg - The ministry says Germany will be pursuing EU sanc - Russia's Foreign Ministry had no immediate comment ters. However, laws passed by the protests. ulations.” tions against Dmitriy Baden, and possibly others, under but has previously denied Russia's involvement. B’desh opts for restricted reopening; Angry US protests for second night COVID-19 tally crosses 40,000-mark DHAKA, May 28 (PTI): and directed that all meetings would Bangladesh on Thursday issued an be held through virtual media, debar - over police killing of black man order allowing restricted reopening ring physical presence of people in MINNEAPOLIS, May 28 (AFP): Thursday) an auto parts store across on the hood of one of the vehicles. of the offices and transport services such conferences unless the situation Demonstrators clashed with police, from the precinct had been set alight One of the protesters was injured from May 31 despite fears of the in - demanded so in extraordinary cases. looted stores and set fires as a man and a nearby Target was being when they fell off the vehicle as it tensified coronavirus onslaughts as The government also allowed "re - was fatally shot during a second looted, according to US media. sped away. the country recorded 2029 new stricted reopening” of public trans - night of protests in the US city of Police continued to hold the Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey COVID-19 cases - the highest num - port services like passenger buses, Minneapolis Wednesday over the crowds back from scaling a fence said he could not understand why the ber of infections in a single day. trains and ferries with “limited num - killing of a black man by a police of - into the precinct's parking lot, where officer who held his knee to Floyd's Bangladesh first declared a na - ber of passengers” who must wear ficer. Police fired tear gas and their cruisers contain guns. neck on a Minneapolis street until tionwide holiday from March 26 to masks while operators were asked to formed a human barricade to keep As the violence escalated, with the 46-year-old restaurant worker April 4 while the country confirmed strictly follow the health directives protesters from climbing a fence sur - more businesses looted, a man was went limp has not been arrested. the first coronavirus death on March against COVID-19. But people's rounding the Third Precinct, where shot near the protests and later died, "Why is the man who killed 18, ten days after the detection of the movement from one district to an - the officers accused of killing police said. A person has been ar - George Floyd not in jail? If you had first three COVID-19 cases. Since its other will be controlled strictly and George Floyd worked before they rested. Protesters remained peaceful done it, or I had done it, we would be enforcement on March 26, coincid - monitored through security check were fired on Tuesday. at two other locations in the city. behind bars right now," Frey said. ing with the Independence Day an - posts at the entrance and exit points They pushed protesters back as At the place where Floyd was first Democratic presidential candidate niversary, the shutdown was of the each of the country's 64 dis - the crowd grew, a day after firing "extremely dangerous situation" in a President Donald Trump in a taken into custody, people chanted Joe Biden said the FBI needs to thor - extended in six phases until May 30. tricts. The private aviation operators, rubber bullets and more tear gas on tweet late Wednesday. tweet called Floyd's death "sad and and carried placards and sent out oughly investigate the case. "All government/semi-govern - however, were allowed to restore thousands of demonstrators angered Outrage has grown across the tragic", and all four officers have bouquets were set out as tributes to "It's a tragic reminder that this was ment, autonomous and private of - flight services under their own man - by the latest death of an African- country at Floyd's death on Monday, been fired, as prosecutors said they Floyd. Calls for justice came from not an isolated incident, but part of fices will remain open in a limited agement maintaining the health American at the hands of US law en - fuelled in part by bystander cell - had called in the FBI to help investi - around the country. an engrained systemic cycle of injus - scale under their own management guidelines. The order came nearly a forcement. phone video which shows him, gate the case. Protesters marched on downtown tice that still exists in this country," (from May 31),” read the Cabinet di - week after Prime Minister Sheikh Minnesota state Governor Tim handcuffed and in the custody of Minneapolis police chief Medaria Los Angeles and briefly blocked the Biden said. vision order. Hasina said the reopening appeared Walz urged people to leave the area four white police officers, on the Arradondo cautioned protestors 101 Freeway. Some demonstrators "We have to ensure that the Floyd But the order exempted "vulnera - inevitable to keep operative around the precinct where several ground while one presses his knee Wednesday to remain peaceful. smashed the windows of two police family receives the justice they are ble people, sick employees and preg - Bangladesh's economic activities de - fires were burning, warning of the into the victim's neck. But by 10:00 pm (0300 GMT highway patrol cruisers, clambering entitled to." nant women" from attending offices spite the pandemic.

Page 7 MAY 29_Normal Pages 28/05/2020 10:11 PM Page 1

FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020 NATION THE HILLS TIMES 7 Rajiv Gauba held meeting with municipal commissioners, district magistrates of 13 worst hit cities PM reviews power sector, says state-specific solutions needed India’s COVID-19 tally crosses 1.6 NEW DELHI, May 28 (PTI): In - stead of going for a one-size-fits- all formula, the Power Ministry should put in place state-specific solutions to help states improve NElWa DELkHI, Mhay 2;8 ( PDTI): Tehe ath toll surpassetsracke r.4 India, 6has no0w ov0 ertaken their performance in the sector, nationwide tally of confirmed Turkey as the ninth worst hit coun - Prime Minister Narendra Modi has COVID-19 cases crossed 1.6 lakh try in terms of total number of said. Reviewing the work of Power, on Thursday to make India the cases. India's count of recoveries is and New and Renewable Energy world's ninth worst hit country by the tenth largest now after the US, ministries on Wednesday evening, the deadly virus infection, while the Brazil, Germany, Russia, Spain, Modi pointed out that the problems death toll went past 4,600 to near Italy, Turkey, Iran and China. In in the power sector, especially of China's official count of 4,634 fa - terms of total number of confirmed electricity distribution segment, vary talities. The first case of the deadly cases, the US is the worst hit with across regions and states. virus infection was discovered in over 17 lakh cases, while other "Instead of looking for a one- China last December and since then countries with more cases than size-fits-all solution, the ministry it has spread to virtually all parts of India are Brazil, Russia, UK, Spain, should put in place state-specific istry to ensure that the DISCOMs should have at least one city (either the world infecting more than 57 Italy, France and Germany. While solutions to incentivise each state (distribution companies) publish the capital city or any renowned lakh people globally. More than 3.5 Turkey is now ranked 10th, China to improve its performance," an of - their performance parameters peri - tourist destination) which is fully lakh have died too across the world, is at 14th place and below Iran, ficial statement issued on Thursday odically so that the people know solar powerd using rooftop solar but very few new cases are being Peru and Canada. said. During the review, policy ini - how their provider fares in com - power generation. Emphasis was reported in China for the last few The US also tops the death toll tiatives including revised tariff pol - parison to the peers. He also em - also made on ecosystem develop - days. 1,58,333, registering an increase of showed the number of confirmed with more than 1 lakh fatalities, fol - icy and the Electricity phasised that equipment used in ment for manufacturing of ingots, According to China's official 194 deaths and 6,566 cases in the cases rising by more than 7,000 to lowed by UK, Italy, France, Spain, (Amendment) Bill 2020 to redress power sector be made in India. wafers, cells and modules in India, tally, its total number of confirmed 24 hours since Wednesday 8 AM. 1,60,666 and the death toll increas - Brazil, Belgium, Mexico, Germany the problems afflicting the power Regarding New and Renewable which would also help generate cases stood at nearly 83,000 while It put the number of active ing by 187 to 4,633. It also showed and Iran in the top ten. India is sector were also discussed. Energy, the prime minister empha - employment in addition to various the deadly virus has claimed 4,634 COVID-19 cases at more than more than 70,000 recoveries. ranked 13th now after Canada and The prime minister emphasised sised on the need for a holistic ap - other advantages. Modi also felt lives so far there. 86,000 and recoveries at 67,691, However, an online real-time Netherlands at the 11th and 12th on the need to enhance consumer proach for entire supply chain of that the plan for carbon neutral In its morning 8 AM update, the giving a recovery rate of around map maintained by Johns Hopkins places, respectively. satisfaction, while increasing oper - the agriculture sector, ranging from Ladakh should be expedited. The Union Health Ministry said the 42.75 per cent. University & Medicine, put India's In terms of active case, India's ational efficiency and improving solar water pumps to decentralised prime minister also batted for death toll due to COVID-19 across However, a PTI tally of figures death toll further higher at 4,653, as tally is the fifth biggest in the world financial sustainability of the solar cold storages. He also pitched drinking water supply in coastal India has risen to 4,531 and the announced by different states and of 9.45 PM, and ahead of China's after the US, Russia, Brazil and power sector, the statement said. for innovative model for rooftop areas by harnessing solar and wind number of cases has climbed to union territories, as of 9.30 PM, count of fatalities at 4,638 as per its France. Modi advised the Power Min - solar energy. He said every state energy, the statement said. Vehicle-borne IED blast Entire country heard cries of migrants but not govt: Sonia UP, Bihar destinations for NEW DELHI, May 28 (PTI): The entire our small and medium industry, which is the averted in Pulwama: Police country has heard the cries of migrants "ex - country's backbone and principal source of around 80 pc migrant SRINAGAR, May 28 (PTI): Se - shots and the militant fled from the cept the government", Congress president employment for many, are shutting down curity forces on Thursday averted a spot, taking advantage of darkness, Sonia Gandhi said on Thursday, while her one after the other," Rahul Gandhi said. major tragedy as they foiled a bid to and left the car behind. The forces party's leaders hoped that the Centre will wake He said India does not need credit, it NwEWo rDkEeLHrsI, ,M Caey 2n8t (rPeTI )i: nUftotarr Pmradses Sh aC nd set up a car-borne IED, containing used lights to check the vehicle up from its slumber and help those affected by needs cash. "The poor need cash and that is Bihar are the destinations for around 80 per cent about 45 kgs of explosives, in Pul - from a distance after finding some - the COVID-19-induced lockdown. In a video why the Congress in one voice is making of the migrant workers stranded across India fol - wama district of Jammu and Kash - thing suspicious. We tightened the message posted as part of the Congress' 'Speak four specific demands on the government," lowing the COVID-19 lockdown, the Centre ap - mir, police said. Inspector-General cordon and waited for the first light Up India' campaign, which was launched on the former party chief said. Rahul Gandhi prised the Supreme Court on Thursday even as the of Police Kashmir, Vijay Kumar of the day. "This morning, a bomb Thursday, she also demanded that the govern - reiterated the party's demands of safe return two states listed steps being taken to help these said the militants of Hizbul Mu - disposal squad reached the spot and ment provide ` 7,500 to each needy family for of migrant to their home states, direct cash people. jahideen (HM) and Jaish-e-Moham - saw the vehicle was laden with ex - the next six months and ` 10,000 as immedi - transfer to the poor, increased work days While Bihar informed the apex court that it is mad (JeM) were working together plosives. The IED was diffused in a ate cash to them. under MGNREGA and financial package reimbursing fare to migrants who have paid for to target the security forces in a sim - technical way by the police, Army The Congress launched the campaign on people participated, he said. Maken said for the small industry. Sonia Gandhi their tickets, the counsel appearing for Uttar ilar manner as the February last year and paramilitary CRPF. The Pul - social media to highlight the problems that “at least now the government should lamented that even though the country is Pradesh said the state has taken steps to encourage suicide attack which left more than wama police, with the help of secu - being faced by small businesses, poor, mar - wake up from its slumber". There is no pol - passing through a serious economic crisis quarantine by paying them ` 1,000 cash along 40 CRPF personnel dead. "The po - rity forces, have averted a major ginalised and migrants, and hoped that the itics in this and the only aim is to amplify with loss of livelihood, the central govern - with food and other facilities. Solicitor General lice were receiving inputs since a tragedy and I congratulate all of the government would at least now come out to the voice of the people suffering, he said. ment has not helped those affected. Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, told a week that HM and JeM militants forces," he said. The IGP said the help them. Top Congress leaders, workers On Twitter, Congress leader Rahul "It is for the first time since Independence bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan that were planning to launch a big suici - police had inputs that JeM was and supporters from across the country partic - Gandhi said, "It's time for every Indian to that such a spectre of pain and anguish has Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have been the destina - dal strike against security forces planning to launch such an attack on ipated in the campaign, which the party stand together and speak up in one voice. been witnessed, where lakhs of famished tions for around 80 per cent of migrants. using car bomb. When the input the anniversary of Jang-e-Badr day claimed had reached out to over 10 crore peo - #SpeakUpIndia for our brothers and sisters and thirsty labourers have been forced to Mehta told the bench, also comprising Justices matured on Wednesday, we devel - – the 17th day of Muslim fasting ple on all social media platforms. Over 57 struggling for survival; for those whose walk hundreds of thousands of kilometres S K Kaul and M R Shah, that during the quaran - oped it and nakas were placed in month of Ramadhan -- but could lakh party workers, supporters and leaders voice has been silenced; for those in despair back home barefoot and without any access tine, the Uttar Pradesh government pays for food, Pulwama by the security forces,” not undertake it then because the posted their message on social media asking and are fearful.” to medicines or transport," she said. medicine, water and other facilities and after the Kumar told reporters here. forces had taken pre-emptive meas - the government to help those in need. "We are India. Together we can make a "Everyone across the country except the period is over, migrants are shifted to their respec - He said in the evening, when the ures. "However, the input got devel - Senior Congress spokesperson Ajay difference," he said. In a video message on government heard their cries of pain and tive places through buses. The counsel appearing suspected car, about which the police oped on Wednesday and we suspect Maken said "The ‘SpeakUp India' cam - social media, Rahul Gandhi said the trauma," she said in her video message on for Uttar Pradesh told the bench that extraordinary already had inputs, reached a naka, Adil, who is a HM militant but also paign was the top trend in India and across COVID-19 pandemic had triggered a storm the party's social media handles. Sonia efforts have been made by the state to deal with the security forces fired some warn - works with JeM, and Fauji bhai, a the world, and this shows how people have across India. The worst hit in the process Gandhi said instead of loans, the govern - the situation. He said special trains have been op - ing shots and the militant turned the Pakistani militant and JeM com - participated in it and tried to wake up the have been the poor of the country, he said. ment should provide financial relief to small erated to bring back the migrants and the state has car away and fled. "At another naka, mander in Pulwama are involved in government from its slumber.” "Labourers have had to walk thousands and medium industry so that crores of jobs set up a mechanism for every stage to deal with the forces again fired some warning the planning of the attack,” he said. It was a "virtual rally" in which 10 crore of kilometres without food or water. And are saved and the country progresses. various issues involved. CBI court to record statements of Babri 3-year old boy who BJP’s Sambit Patra admitted to hospital 460 domestic flights fell into borewell after showing COVID-19 symptoms carrying 34,336 mosque demolition accused from June 4 NEW DELHI, May 28 (PTI): BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra LUCKNOW, May 28 (PTI): The cluding it in two years. pulled out dead was admitted to a private hospital in Gurgaon on Thursday after he showed HYDERABAD, May 28 (PTI): special CBI court hearing the Babri Calling the demolition of the dis - symptoms of COVID-19, sources said. A source at Medanta hospital in Gur - passengers operated Tragedy struck the family of NEW DELHI, May 28 (PTI): A mosque demolition case is set to puted structure a crime which shook gaon said Patra was "admitted in the morning and is stable". BJP leaders Sanjay Sai Vardhan on Thursday total of 460 domestic flights carry - record the statements of the ac - the "secular fabric of the Constitu - and many others posted their wishes for a speedy recovery of the articulate when the three year-old boy was ing 34,336 passengers were oper - cused, who include BJP leaders L K tion", it allowed the CBI plea on party spokesperson, who is one of the more widely followed Indian politi - pulled out dead from a newly ated on Wednesday, Civil Aviation Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and restoration of criminal conspiracy cians on Twitter. Patra is also among the most visible BJP faces on news drilled borewell, with a near 10- Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said Uma Bharti, from June 4 onwards. charge against the VIP accused. channels. He posted several tweets, including tributes to Hindutva ideologue hour multi-agency rescue opera - on Thursday. Domestic flight oper - Special judge S K Yadav on Thurs - The court had termed the Alla - Veer Savarkar on his birth anniversary, on Thursday as well. BJP's infor - tion turning futile in Medak ations resumed in India on Monday day asked the defence to start pro - habad High Court's February 12, mation technology wing head Amit Malviya said Patra is in good spirits district of Telangana, in yet an - after a gap of two months. A total ducing the 32 accused from that 2001 verdict dropping conspiracy and is fighting back. "I spoke to my friend @sambitswaraj. He is in good other such grim incident. of 428 and 445 domestic services date. It is not immediately clear if charge against Advani and others as spirits and fighting back," Malviya tweeted. Jyotiraditya Scindia, a BJP MP, The child had accidentally were operated in the country on they have to be present in court or "erroneous". On May 8 this year, wished him a speedy recovery. Sanjay Jha of the Cong tweeted, "Wishing my fallen into the borewell on Monday and Tuesday respectively. can appear through a video confer - the top court set a new deadline for good friend @sambitswaraj a quick, great recovery and lots of happiness and Wednesday and his body, stuck In February this year, when the ence due to restrictions imposed to 24 for recording their statements the special judge, asking him to de - good health always. Take care, bro, you will soon be as fit as a fiddle." at a depth of 25 feet, was re - lockdown was not imposed, around fight the spread of coronavirus. under section 313 of the CrPC. liver the verdict by August 31. trieved at around 4 am on Thurs - 4.12 lakh passengers travelled daily The court will record their state - But the proceedings did not take Before the 2017 verdict of the day, police said. through domestic flights in India, ments under section 313 of the place as the court in Lucknow apex court, there were two sets of "He died before we evacuated Delhi govt issues advisory in according to Directorate General of CrPC, giving them a chance to closed due to the coronavirus crisis. cases relating to the demolition, him, most likely due to the mud Civil Aviation (DGCA) data. Dur - claim innocence. This stage of the When the proceedings resumed going on in Lucknow and Rae - that covered him from the top ing the pre-lockdown period, In - trial is also meant to explain to the on May 18, the defence counsel bareli. The first case involving un - view of possible locust attack sealing off necessary oxygen sup - NEW DELHI, May 28 (PTI): The Delhi government has asked authorities dian airports handled around 3,000 accused the evidence gathered moved an application to summon named "karsevaks" proceeded in a ply," Medak Superintendent of concerned to spray insecticides and pesticides on crops and vegetation to daily domestic flights, said aviation against them by the prosecuting three prosecution witnesses in order Lucknow court and the second set Police Chandana Deepti told PTI. prevent a probable desert locust attack, with city Development Minister industry sources. "India is flying agency, the Central Bureau of In - to cross examine them. This was al - of cases relating to eight VIPs was A pall of gloom descended on Gopal Rai saying an awareness campaign would be run over the issue. Rai, high. Domestic operation figures for vestigation. lowed. The accused include former being heard in a Raebareli. The the locality following the boy's in a tweet on Thursday, said the government has also issued an advisory in - May 27, 2020 (till 23.59 hrs): Depar - The Babri Masjid was demol - Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan cases were then clubbed. death, which brought back mem - forming people about insecticides and pesticides which can be sprayed on tures 460 with 34,336 passengers ished in December 1992 by "karse - Singh, former deputy prime minis - Last year, another bench of the ories of similar unfortunate standing crops, vegetation, gardens and orchards to guard them from locusts. handled. Arrivals 464 with 33,525 vaks" who claimed that the mosque ter L K Advani, Murli Manohar Supreme settled the land dispute events involving children in Joint Director, Agriculture Department, A P Saini in the advisory issued on passengers handled," Puri said on in Ayodhya was built on the site of Joshi, Uma Bharti, Vinay Katiyar, over the site where the mosque Telangana and elsewhere in the Wednesday asked the authorities to organise awareness programmes for Twitter. If a flight takes off before an ancient Ram temple. The prose - Sadhvi Rithambara, Sakshi Ma - stood. The SC allowed the con - country, including that of a public and farmers to prevent the attack of locusts in the national capital. midnight and lands in another airport cution had wrapped up the exami - haraj and Ram Vilas Vedanti. struction of a Ram temple at the site three-year old boy in Tamil "As the swarm of locusts flies in daytime, and rests during the night, it after midnight, its departure and ar - nation of its witnesses by March 6 On April 19, 2017, the Supreme and ordered the allocation of a sep - Nadu last year which grabbed should not be allowed to rest at night," the advisory read. It asked the au - rival are counted on different days, and the court asked some of the ac - Court had ordered the special judge arate plot in Ayodhya for building a national headlines. thorities to carry out spraying of pesticides chlorpyrifos and malathion. leading to a seeming mismatch in the cused to appear before it on March to conduct a day-to-day trial, con - mosque. figures of a particular day. Efforts on to develop vaccine in 1 year, will cost $2-3 billion, says Raghavan India acted as pharmacy of the world

NEWin D ErLeHsI,p Moayn 2s8 e(P TtIo): Incdoia rhaos nactaedv aisr thue s"p:h aMrmaEcyA of the N3EW0 D EgLHrI,o Muay p28 s(P TiI)n: India trying to develop coronavirus vaccines: PSA world" and healthcare supplier to all parts of the globe in response to the cine and seeing whether it works the same mission. He also cau - Nearly 30 groups in India, ranging for a 10-year period, and investing tioned that the logistics of making coronavirus pandemic, the external affairs ministry said on Thursday. from big industry players to indi - on that, we have to invest in 100 a vaccine accessible to everyone In a virtual address on 'Enhancing Economic Engagement with Dias - vidual academics, are trying to de - vaccines (development). The world will be a big challenge as the most pora in and post COVID-19 world', Sanjay Bhattacharyya, secretary velop vaccines to fight is investing on more than 100 vac - vulnerable lot will need it the most. (overseas Indian affairs and consular passports visas) in the External Af - coronavirus, Principal Scientific cines at the same time," he said, Designing a new drug, he said, fairs Ministry, said India has the ability to be a bridge between the devel - Adviser K Vijay Raghavan said on adding that the entire process will is a "very very big challenge" and oped and developing world and facilitating a two-way flow of Thursday. now cost USD 2-3 billion. just like a vaccine it takes a very information, products and expertise. Of these 30, 20 are working at a Vijay Raghavan said it is also es - long time. "India has acted as the pharmacy of the world and healthcare supplier good pace, he said. sential to go past the regulatory "Most attempts fail and thus you to all parts of the globe. India has the ability to be a bridge between the "About 30 groups in India, big process without comprising on have to try a lot," he said. developed and developing world and facilitating a two-way flow of in - industry to individual academics quality while finding a vaccine. He said the Council of Scientific formation, products and expertise. There is growing interest in yoga and are trying to develop vaccines to Elaborating the work done by and Industrial Research (CSIR) has ayurveda," he said. fight COVID-19 of which 20 are the Indian companies and institu - been working on using different He said on the diplomatic front, India has been actively engaged keeping a good pace," Vijay tions in vaccine development, he types of drugs for fighting the through the new medium of virtual contacts on phone and video. Raghavan said at a media briefing. said efforts are being made to de - coronavirus. Vijay Raghavan said "Prime Minister and EAM (S Jaishankar) have had discussions with Without naming the entity, he He said vaccine development to find a vaccine for coronavirus in velop it within the country. On the the Council for Scientific and In - their counterparts in various countries not only to share experiences of said some players are at a pre-clin - currently takes nearly 10 years and a year. But this requires a parallel other hand, Indian companies and dustrial Research and the AICTE coronavirus and ways to deal with it but also to develop a positive agenda ical stage and may reach the clini - costs around USD 200-300 mil - processing, he noted. institutions have also partnered have also embarked on a drug dis - for the post COVID-19 period," a statement by the External Affairs Min - cal stage by October. lion, but the aim the world over is "Instead of working on one vac - with entities outside working on covery hackathon. istry quoted him as saying. Page 8 May 29_Normal Pages 5/28/2020 7:47 PM Page 1

8 THE HILLS TIMES SPORTS FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020 List of series Men’s T20 International Series: Batra says as First T20: October 11, the Gabba, Brisbane Second T20: October 14, Manuka Oval, president he can Canberra Third T20: October 17, Adelaide Oval form committees NEW DELHI, May 28 (PTI): The 18.3 of IOA constitution, and hence, Men’s Test Series: war of words between Indian are valid and within the power and First Test: December 3-7, the Gabba, Brisbane Olympic Association's top two offi - authority of the president. Oz announce schedule cials continued with president “It is well established that the au - Second Test: December 11-15, Adelaide Oval Narinder Batra claiming that the thority which has the authority to (day-night) body's constitution gives him the au - appoint also had the authority to re - thority to form a committee or com - move. In the present case the IOA Third Test: December 26-30, MCG mission, subject to approval by the EB on recommendation of IOA with full series vs India Executive Council or the General President on 27th March, 2019 ap - MELBOURNE, May 28 (PTI): Fourth Test: January Ending weeks of speculation, Body. proved for the tenure of the Ethics Cricket Australia on Thursday con - 3-7, SCG On Tuesday, IOA secretary gen - Commission only up to end of firmed that India will make the trip eral Rajeev Mehta had described 2019.” “Hence, from 1st January, Down Under starting October this Batra's May 19 decision to dissolve 2020 it is understood that all the 8 year for a financially critical as - Men’s ODI Series: the Ethics Commission, formed in members plus the Chair are deemed signment comprising four Tests, First ODI: January 12, 2017, as ‘illegal’. as have automatically vacated ODIs as well as T20 Internationals. Mehta had said that the their position held in IOA Cricket Australia announced the Perth Stadium term of the Commis - Ethics Commission much-anticipated resumption of Second ODI: January sion under the Ethics and the letter sent by the game after the COVID-19 pan - Rule, which was President IOA in demic with a six-month home 15, MCG approved at the May 2020 is only summer schedule, which will Third ODI: January 17, General Body a formality.” begin with a tour by Zimbabwe for meeting in 2018 Batra said a three-match ODI series from Au - SCG and signed by “now it is up to gust 9. Batra, was four the EC of IOA to India will tour the country for a Women’s ODI years and the accept/reject by T20 series, which will begin on president cannot majority vote the October 11 at Brisbane followed Series: dissolve it two years names of Chair & by matches on October 14 (Can - prior. But, Batra said Members of the various berra) and October 17 (Adelaide), First ODI: January 22, under the IOA constitution, committees/commission the CA posted on its official web - Manuka Oval,Canberra he has the authority to appoint or re - formed President IOA”. site. This is to be followed by the 7). The series is crucial financial staging the important series against move members of a commission. In his letter to the members of the T20 World Cup, the likelihood of health of CA, which has had to both the men's and women's New Second ODI: January 25, Junction Oval, “I do not find any mention in Rule Ethics Commission, Mehta had which going ahead is slim owing to stand down staff to handle cost of Zealand sides," Kevin Roberts, 18.3 of involvement of Secretary said: “Once President Batraji signed the pandemic. The CA did not even operations in the wake of the pan - Cricket Australia CEO, said in a Melbourne General and/or the President is on the term of current members as mention the event in its official demic. According to reports, CA statement. Third ODI: January 28, Blundstone Arena, bound to take advice from Secretary four years in the Ethics Rules of schedule unveiled on Thursday. stands to earn up to 300 million The India women's team will General to form any 2018, then by no stretch of interpre - After the T20s, Virat Kohli's Australian dollars from the tour by also travel to Australia for an ODI Hobart. Committee/Commission,” Batra tation can the term of members of men will return for a four-Test se - India. series with matches scheduled in 21-25). "...but we'll be doing safety of the public, players and said. “The AGM or the General Ethics Commission come to an end ries, beginning on December 3 at The ODI series is scheduled to Canberra (January 22), St Kilda everything we can to get as much support staff. House has to work within the on May 19, 2020.” Brisbane. India are then scheduled begin with a match on January 12 (January 25) and Hobart (January international cricket in as possible "Australian cricket will survive boundaries drawn by the constitu - Mehta had also claimed that the to play a day/night Test, as com - in Perth and it will be followed by 17). Roberts hinted that if circum - this summer. We will communicate and thrive after the coronavirus tion and is bound by the Constitu - AGM of the IOA held in December mitted by BCCI President Sourav contests on January 15 (Mel - stances dictate, there could be any changes to the schedule if or pandemic dissipates, just as we tion and if any time the AGM or EC 2017 had authorised Batra and him - Ganguly, from December 11 to 15 bourne) and January 17 (Sydney). changes in the schedule which also when they are required," he added. have after world wars, depressions, violates the Constitution then the self to appoint/nominate in Adelaide. "We are working closely with features series against New Cricket Australia also said that it recessions and the many other Constitution shall definitely pre - chairman/convenor/ members of the The second and fourth Tests will the BCCI to deliver the eagerly an - Zealand (both men and women), will continue to act in accordance challenges that have confronted us vail,” he added. Batra said all his de - commission and committees and be held in Melbourne (December ticipated men's and women's tours, West Indies and a one-off Test with public health advice and gov - over the past 140-plus years," he cisions to form the committees and that he has not given any consent to 26-30) and Sydney (January 3 to and we are looking forward to against Afghanistan (November ernment protocols to ensure the added. commissions were taken as per Rule new appointments or removal. Nat’l Games Kumble optimistic Why not try external Bryant’s postponed induction to indefinitely of IPL happening substance if it is uniform NEW DELHI, May 28 (PTI): hall of fame The much-delayed 36th National Games, scheduled for October-No - this year across teams: Arun postponed vember in Goa, was on Thursday can cram in the schedule," Kum - NEW DELHI, May 28 (PTI): The saliva ... as long as we're keeping LONDON, May 28 (AFP): The postponed indefinitely due to the ble was quoted as saying by Star use of saliva to shine the ball is a other options open, whether that's late Kobe Bryant's induction into COVID-19 pandemic. Sports show 'Cricket Connected'. ‘difficult habit’ to get over but sweat or something artificial.” America's basketball hall of fame The Indian Olympic Association "If we are going to have a sta - India's bowling coach Bharath Arun Cummins, currently the world's has been postponed to 2021, US (IOA) recently asked the Goa gov - dium without spectators, then says he won't mind an ‘external no.1 Test bowler, said sweat is a vi - media reported on Wednesday. ernment that it must host the Na - probably have 3 or 4 venues; substance’ at its expense if it is used able option to keep the ball shin - Bryant, who died along with eight tional Games as scheduled from there's still a possibility, we are all across teams. ning. “We have to be able to shine others in a helicopter crash in Janu - October 20 to November 4 this optimistic," said the former spin - In the wake of COVID-19 pan - the ball somehow so I'm glad ary, was schedule to be inducted into year. ner, who is also the chairman of demic, the Anil Kumble-led ICC they've let sweat remain,” he had the Massachusetts-based Naismith However, a spurt in the number ICC's Cricket Committee. Cricket Committee has decided to said. Spin wizard Shane Warne's re - Basketball Hall of Fame on August of novel coronavirus cases has led Former India batsman VVS ban the use of saliva as a part of cent suggestion was to make one 29. Former NBA stars Tim Duncan, to a postponement. Laxman said the stakeholders can health safety protocol. side of the ball heavier to aid swing Kevin Garnett and six others are "The National Games organising NEW DELHI, May 28 (PTI): stage the league in cities which A lot of premier players and ken in favour of the use of an exter - bowling. also slated to be enshrined next year committee has decided to postpone Former India captain and Kings have multiple stadia to reduce coaches now feel that the use of ex - nal substance with saliva being “Why can't the ball be weighted due to the ongoing global coron - National Games due to COVID-19 XI Punjab head coach Anil Kum - travelling by players. ternal substances should be allowed banned. on one side so it always swings? It avirus pandemic. "We're definitely pandemic," Goa's deputy chief ble is hopeful of the IPL happen - "Absolutely (there is chance to to shine the ball in order to maintain “If we remove saliva, we have to would be like a taped tennis ball or canceling," Hall of Fame minister Manohar (Babu) Aj - ing this year and is not averse to hold IPL this year), and also make a balance between the bat and ball. have another option,' the 27-year- like with the lawn bowls,” Warne spokesman Jerry Colangelo told gaonkar, who also holds the sports the idea of conducting the cash- sure that all the stakeholders have “As far as use of external sub - old pacer was quoted as saying by told the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast. ESPN on Wednesday. "It's going to portfolio, said in a statement rich event without spectators due a say," he said. stance is concerned, as long as it is cricket.com.au.” “You wouldn't have to worry have to be the first quarter of next shared by IOA President Narinder to the COVID-19 threat. "...you should identify one same and uniform for all the teams, While the ICC has not banned about anyone tampering with it with year. (The board will) meet in a cou - Batra. It is not official yet but there is venue, which probably has 3 or 4 why not try it,” Arun told PTI dur - sweat which does not spread the bottle tops, sandpaper, or whatever. ple of weeks and look at the options "... Committee to hold meeting speculation that the BCCI wants grounds; if at all you find that ing a recent interaction. novel coronavirus, Cummins wants It would be a good competition be - of how and when and where." in September end and decide on to hold the IPL in the October kind of a venue because travel is “Use of saliva will be a very dif - some more initiative from the tween bat and ball,” Warne had Bryant died January 26 at age 41 fixing dates for National Games. window after the tournament was again going to be quite challeng - ficult habit to get over but we will game's governing body. said, reminding everyone about in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, (Goa) Government to take advice postponed indefinitely earlier this ing," said the former stylish bats - make a conscious effort during our “Sweat is not bad, but I think we how the quality of bats have California that also claimed the life from Union Sports Ministry, need year due to the COVID-19 pan - man. training and practice sessions to get need something more than that, ide - changed over years. of his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, four months advance notice to or - demic. "You don't know who's going to rid of this habit,” he added. ally. Whatever that is, wax or I don't During a recent chat on Star and seven others. Bryant was an 18- ganise games," he added. The pre - "Yes we are hopeful and opti - be where at the airports, so that In fact, the world's premier fast know what.” Sports, Kumble had ruled out the time NBA all-star, five-time NBA vious edition of the Games was mistic that there is still a possibil - I'm sure the franchises and the bowler and IPL's costliest foreign “If that's what that science is possibility of allowing an external champion and three-time NBA fi - held in 2015 in Kerala. ity (to hold IPL this year) if we BCCI will be looking into." recruit Pat Cummins had also spo - telling us, that it's high risk using substance despite the ban on saliva. nals MVP in a two-decade career. ‘Non-contracted, U-19 players received PANDEY DEMANDS EC MEETING mental health lessons in lockdown’ IOA treasurer says Batra’s KOLKATA, May 28 (PTI): Na - Dravid, who went on to be - tional Cricket Academy (NCA) come the 'Wall of Indian cricket', actions violates constitution chief and former India captain holds a graduate degree in com - NEW DELHI, May 28 (PTI): Constitution and financial propri - Rahul Dravid has revealed that merce and was doing MBA when Indian Olympic Association ety,” he said. mental health issues of non-con - he was picked for India and he treasurer Anandeshwar Pandey on Pandey said the IOA will have tracted and Under-19 players had to go through a long phase in Thursday termed the recent ac - ‘to incur all expenditure as per the have been addressed through pro - first-class cricket. tions taken by its president approved budget and all income fessional help amid the ongoing "I think trying to get into the Narinder Batra as ‘violative of the has to be duly accounted for COVID-19 lockdown. Indian team was one of the most IOA Constitution’ and demanded under my signatures’. It is an uncertain period for challenging phases. I made my a meeting of the top sports body's “... while the constitution gives cricketers and capable of affect - first class debut at the age of 17 Executive Council in June. certain powers to both the presi - ing them mentally, Dravid admit - or so... It took me about five years Pandey’s criticism came just a dent and secretary general, pow - ted during a Rajasthan Royals' of first class cricket to play for few days after Indian Olympic ers relating to financial webinar on mental health on India. Association secretary general Ra - responsibility vest with me,” said Wednesday night. "If I look back, the most com - jeev Mehta termed Batra's deci - Pandey who is also the secretary "It's something we tried in this plicated time for me would be be - sion to dissolve the Ethics general of Handball Federation of lockdown (addressing mental fore when I played for India, Commission as ‘illegal’. being taken. I will do only at the India and Uttar Pradesh Olympic health of players through profes - when you had those risky deci - Mehta had said that the Indian EC meeting which should be con - Association. sionals). We identified outside of been an issue in cricket, Dravid his formative years was challeng - sions to take with doubts and in - Olympic Association General vened in June without any further “Actions of appointing new the contract list and with the U-19 said it's heartening to see frequent ing for him and that is one of the securities around," he recalled. Body had approved the appoint - delay,” he said in the letter. committees and commissions will players. We have the given the conversations around it now. reasons why he loves nurturing Dravid said committing to ment of the Ethics Commission In the past few days, Batra had have significant impact on expen - opportunity to connect to profes - "It is a high pressure environ - the young talent. cricket completely was sort of a for the term 2017-2021 and Batra made a slew of appointments to diture of the Indian Olympic As - sionalism," Dravid said. ment. In the past, there was a cer - "It's quite unnerving for a lot of gamble for him at that point. cannot dissolve it two years prior. various committees and commis - sociation. This will first have to "As a former cricketer I truly tain stigma associated to admit it young players which is why I "When you had the choices of In a letter addressed to Batra, sions, but Pandey said they can be approved by the Executive believe that former cricket play - but with a few players coming out love working with the Under-19 going down with a career in Mehta and other members of the come into effect only with the ap - Council.” ers, cricket coaches don't have the definitely there has been some boys or India A who I think are something else and you commit sports body, Pandey said in his 40 proval of the Executive Council. Recently, Batra has reconsti - expertise to deal with the issues better conversation around it," he going through the same amount to cricket and take that risky de - years of association with the In - “I have to inform you that the tuted the committee to monitor that some of the youngsters have said. of insecurities 'whether I make it cision and go through with it. dian Olympic Association, he has various letters of president are Annual Grant and Affiliation Fee these days. The right thing for us Dravid has been working on or not'. "You had to sacrifice your edu - ‘not seen such violation of consti - only proposals to be considered of Indian Olympic Association is to direct them to professionals junior cricketers for a while, ear - "I kind of identify with them, cation in some ways to take a tution and spirit of trust and good - by the EC. Any action of the new members, Northeast Committee, and take it forward," added the lier as India U-19 and India A that is something I had experi - punt, take a gamble on cricket. It will’. committee/commission prior to sponsorship, marketing and former India captain. coach and now as NCA head. enced myself as a young boy," kind of worked out. I never used “I am not going to discuss here the EC meeting will be violative broadcast committee among oth - Stressing that mental health has Dealing with the insecurities in said Dravid. that degree ever luckily," he said. the merits/demerits of the actions of Indian Olympic Association ers.

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