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JOURNALISM OF COURAGE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2020, AHMEDABAD, LATE CITY, 18 PAGES SINCE 1932 `4.00, WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

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THE IDEAS PAGE Growth to break THENEWLEAGUE OFNATIONS CHRISTMAS IN THE VALLEY into positive BY SHYAM SARAN PAGE 11 At St Mary’s Church in Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir,onChristmas EveonThursday. Shuaib Masoodi territory in Q3, Daniel Pearl killing: Pak MINISTRY SENDS LETTER TO FARMER UNIONS says RBI study court orders release of Govt:Readyforlogicalresolution In firsthalf of Omar Sheikh, 3others 2021-22, GDP growth likelyto Directssecurity agencies nottokeep ofallissuesraisedbyfarmers be 14.2% What worked them under ‘anysortofdetention’ for growth Three farm laws have no relation to ENSECONOMICBUREAU PRESSTRUSTOFINDIA 11 Opp parties issue joint MUMBAI,DECEMBER24 ABENDINGofthe Covid- KARACHI,DECEMBER24 MSP-basedprocurement:Ministry 19 curveafter the initial Pearlwas statement against govt: WITH THE INDIAN economy surge,and a'method' to IN Asurprise move,aPakistani killedin pulling out of Covid pandemic’s the stimulus impartedto courtonThursdayordered the 2002 HARIKISHANSHARMA BUSINESSASUSUAL “deep abyss”, the real GDP is ex- the economybythe gov- release of British-born al-Qaeda NEWDELHI,DECEMBER24 who is spreading untruths? pected to break out intopositive ernment seems to be leader AhmedOmar Saeed BY UNNY territorywith aslender growth making adifference. A Sheikh and his three aides, who old Sheikh to sevenyears impris- ADAY afterfarmer unions, DMK and the Congress, to issue of 0.1per cent in October- string of liquidity meas- were convicted and sentencedin onment. The courtalso acquit- protesting at Delhi’s borders MANOJCG ajoint statement againstthe BJP December 2020 (Q3) ,and rise ures plus cash/ kind sup- the abduction and murder case tedhis three aides who were againstthe newfarm laws,said NEWDELHI,DECEMBER24 government on the farm laws. marginallyto0.7 per cent in porttothe mostvulnera- of US journalistDaniel Pearl. serving lifeterms in the case al- theyare open to talksifamore The joint statement came on January-March 2021(Q4), ac- ble in the initial months Atwo-judgebenchofthe mosttwo decades afterthey concreteproposal is made, the EVEN AS West Bengal Chief aday the Congress high com- cording to an RBI study on the wasfollowedbycali- Sindh High Court, presidedover were found guilty and jailed. government responded MinisterMamataBanerjee has mand gave itsBengal unit the go- ‘State of the Economy’. brated movestosupport by Justice KKAgha, directed se- However, the Sindh govern- Thursdaysaying it is ready for been coordinating with ahead forentering intoaseat- An updateofthe economic investment and con- curity agencies nottokeep ment refusedtoreleasethem and “logical resolution” of all issues Opposition leaders to hold ajoint sharing deal with the Leftparties activity index(EAI) in RBI’s now- sumption demand, Sheikh and other accusedunder kept them in detention under the raisedbythe farmers. rallyofanti-BJP leaders in forthe forthcoming Assembly casting assessment exercise fur- whichthe RBI study says, "anysortofdetention" and de- Maintenance of Public In aletterto40representa- Kolkata, the CPM on Thursday elections in Bengal. ther shows that in the firsthalf of is slowlyshowing results. clared all notifications of the Order.Their continuous deten- tivesoffarmer unions, Vivek worked behind the scenes to get So far, Banerjee has reached 2021-22, the economywill clock Sindh government related to tion waschallenged in the Sindh CONTINUEDONPAGE2 11 parties, including the NCP, CONTINUEDONPAGE2 agrowth rate of 14.2 per cent on their detention "null and void". High Court, whichordered their topofthe 0.4 per cent growth rate narroweddownto7.5 per cent in The courtobserved that the release. However, it asked to in the second half of 2012-20. the September quarter. fourmen'sdetentionwas"illegal". place their names on the no-fly “Over the month gone by, TheNationalStatisticalOffice’s In April, atwo-judgeSindh listsothat theycould notleave Farm protests: BJP sees aplot, other parties moreevidence has been turned (NSO)end-Novemberreleasede- High Courtbenchcommuted the country. It also directed them in to showthat the Indian econ- liveredapleasant surprise –the the death sentence of 46-year- CONTINUEDONPAGE2 omyisbreaking out amidstwin- pandemic-imposedretrench- lend their weight but are socially distanced ter’s lengthening shadows to- mentof Q1of 2020-21turnedout wardsaplace in the sunlight,” the to be muchshallowerinQ2and FORMER BJP MLA WRITES TO SARPANCHES The agitation is rippling out- wheat), talk to the farmer,ask study said. The economydipped the economyisreflating at apace VANDITAMISHRA FROM THE side the farm sector —joining, for him whyheremains poor even by arecord23.9 per cent in the thatbeatsmostpredictions,itsaid. ‘Oppose the inclusion of CHANDIGARH,AMRITSAR, instance, the theatregroup in though he workssohard. June quarterbut the contraction CONTINUEDONPAGE2 DECEMBER24 PUNJAB Amritsar,tothe trader in the “During performances now, au- FIELDS city’s famedwholesale cloth diences sing along with the cho- 121 villages around SoU FORNOW,the farmers’ protests market.Aplaywritten in the rus, ‘saade khet, saade khet(our WORLD in Punjab againstthe Centre’s early 1950s is seeing arevival to- fields, ours!)’”, says Dhaliwal. under eco-sensitive zone’ three farm laws arebringing to- day, says KewalDhaliwal, who And in the city’s Tahli Sahib gether,despitetheirdifferentand runs ManchRangmanchin Bazaar,cloth merchant AjayKu- BREAKTHROUGH: the Panchayats (Extension to oftenconflictinginterests,sections Amritsar whichhas been per- mar Arorasays:“Ibelong to afa- UK, EU AGREE ON EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE ScheduledAreas) Act, 1996 or of big and small farmers, landless forming at the protestsites. milyofbusinessmen but about BREXIT TRADE DEAL VADODARA,DECEMBER24 PESA, alaw enacted by the agricultural labourers and com- In Joginder Baharla’s “Harian 70 per cent of my customers are Government of India forensur- mission agents. It’s amoment of Saunnian”, Punjab’s twomain from the villages. If theyget TRUMP GIVES FORMER BJP MLAMotilal ing self-governance through tra- unity,too,forPunjab’snotoriously ANEXPRESSSERIESPARTTHREE crops, “Harian" and “Saunnian" good moneyfor the crop, they CLEMENCY TO MORE Vasava has written to the ditional gram sabhas forpeople fragmented farm unions. (personification of rice and CONTINUEDONPAGE2 ALLIES, INCLUDING sarpanches of 121villages living in the ScheduledAreas of MANAFORT PAGE 16 around the Statue of Unity in India as per Schedule Vofthe Narmada district, urging them Constitution. to oppose the inclusion of the In his letter,Vasava has said, areas under eco-sensitivezone “The gram sabhas arecoming up as per a2016notification of the in your respective villages be- Walking home with friend, Muslim Amshipora killings of labourers: MinistryofEnvironment, Forest tween December 28 to February and ClimateChange(MoEFCC). 6... Thegrave issue facing us as of youth booked under love jihad law Major found culpable, to face action Vasava,who also leads the nowisthe inclusion of the vil- BJP party’s tribal cell in the state, lages in the eco-sensitive zone. Iwent of my ownfreewill, says girl; her "I have told this to the magis- Julythis year,The Indian dence that “powers vestedunder hasasked the sarpanches to use Youmustremember that the trate, and Iwill saythis again. NIRUPAMA Express has learnt. the AFSPA1990 were exceeded” the upcoming gram sabhas in government has granted youthe father alleges police dictated complaint Those men had aproblem with SUBRAMANIAN The three, one of them a16- and the “dos and don’tsofChief the villages to pass resolutions rightstoprotect your properties, me walking with my friend. They MUMBAI,DECEMBER24 year-old, had gone to the Valley of ArmyStaff (COAS) as approved againstthe government order. jungles and other possessions as Uttar Pradesh, wasbookedunder made videos of me and arenow from their hometown Rajouri, by the Hon’ble Supreme Court In alettertothe sarpanches indigenous communities under ANANDMOHANJ the month-old anti-conversion calling it love jihad. Idid nothing AN ARMY officer of the rank of looking forwork. Theywere have been contravened”. of 121villages of the “eco-sensi- Schedule Vofthe Constitution BIJNOR,DECEMBER24 lawand slappedwith charges wrong. Iwent of my ownfree Major has been found culpable killedinAmshipora, avillagein The SummaryofEvidence tive zone” in Narmada, Vasava as well as the special PESAAct. under sections of the SC/STAct, will," she told The Indian Express. in the killing of three Rajouri Shopian district, in the early that followedwas completed has remindedthe tribal commu- The stategovernment,bythe DAYS AFTER her friend, with and the Protection of Children Around 10.30 pm on labourers, who security forces hours of July18. lastweek,and it found that the nities of the rightsbestowed wayofthe central government whom she waswalking home af- from Sexual Offences (POCSO) December 14,the girl, aDalit, initiallyclaimedwereterror- In September,aCourtof Major should be triedunder upon them by the Provisions of CONTINUEDONPAGE2 terabirthdayparty in Bijnor in Act, the 16-year-old stands firm. CONTINUEDONPAGE2 ists,inShopian district of J&K in Inquiryfound prima facie evi- CONTINUEDONPAGE2

PAGE1 ANCHOR OutrageasIIM-Atorazeiconic dorms designed by Louis Kahn

over the years, including in the forthe libraryrestoration work. the livesofthe residents". Kahn, who firstcame to India RITUSHARMA 2001 earthquake. The newbuild- Somaya,one of the founders When contacted with ques- in 1962 at the invitation of IIM-A &SHINYVARGHESE ings arealso expected to accom- of SNK, confirmedtoThe Indian tions on the decision, D’Souza founder-director Vikram AHMEDABAD,NEWDELHI, modatemorestudents--inplace Express: “I wasnot awareofthe told The Indian Express, “I have Sarabhai, as consultant forthe DECEMBER24 of the existing dorms, whichcan newbid” written to the alumni yesterday. National InstituteofDesign, gave accommodate500students, the Amid the uproar over IIM-A's The queries youhaveraised are his buildings apoise fewcould ACONTROVERSYhas erupted plan is to build 800student decision, an online meeting answered in that letter.” achieve at the time. over adecision by the Indian rooms in anew hostelcomplex. scheduledonThurdaytoopen Architectureexperts,stu- His work -- be it the Salk InstituteofManagement, The decision wastaken even the newbids wasput off. dentsand faculty are, however, InstituteinCalifornia, the Ahmedabad, to bring down 18 as the Mumbai-basedSomaya Justifying the decision to enraged that Kahn's iconic work Kimbell Museum in Texas, or the student dormitories built by leg- and Kalappa Consultants(SNK) bring down the dorms, IIM-A on the campus should be Phillips Exeter AcademyLibrary endaryAmerican architect Louis wasalready working on restor- Director Prof ErrolD'Souza wrote brought down. and Dining Hall in New Kahn on the old campus -- also ing the existing dorms, along a11-pageletteronWednesday Reveredasone of the world’s Hampshire--allowedpeople to called"heritagecampus" -- and with the Vikram Sarabhai to the institute's alumni, citing finestarchitectsofthe 20th explorequietcorners in the in- replace them with newbuildings. Library, the faculty and adminis- multiple problems in the exist- Adormitorybuilding designedbylegendary Century, Kahn is known to create between spaces. The plan to replace the build- trative blocksand the classroom ing structurethat made it "un- architect Louis Kahn at IIM-Ahmedabad; Kahn is powerfulandevocative composi- William Whitaker,curator ings, built in the 1960s, with new buildings, basedonacompeti- liveable", among them "concrete known to createpowerful and evocative tions of geometryand space. The and collections manager of the ones areonthe ground that they tion it had wonin2014. Lastyear, and slabs falling from the roofs compositions of geometryand space. Nirmal Harindran IIM-Acampus is achoreography Architectural Archives of the have sufferedstructural damage the firm wonaUNESCOaward with damaging consequences for of form,lightandshadowinbrick. CONTINUEDONPAGE2

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Daniel Pearl from villagers since the district boostgrowth by close to 2per "I justwant to see my son administration begansending cent of GDP in 2020-21. In other again. Police have filedafalse to appear before the court notices to the gram panchayats words, it is prudent to look be- case againsthim," said the wheneversummoned. Pearl, the forthe implementation of the Govt responds: Ready for logical resolution yond the volatility inherent in youth's mother,folding her mat 38-year-old South Asia bureau notification, whichinvolvesthe high frequencyindicators, the afterher eveningnamaaz. chief forThe Wall Street Journal, inclusion of the stategovern- Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Government sends the draftof gation, etc. ernment is ready to discuss all RBI said. “Companies aredoing While her eldestson works wasabducted and beheaded ment as aco-owner of the vil- MinistryofAgricultureand suchalegislation (for legally A2+FL includes A2 plus an issues raisedbyyou,” Aggarwal so already –ananalysis of 12- as afarm labourer,another while he wasinPakistaninves- lagelands on revenue records. Farmers’ Welfare, urgedthem guaranteedrealisation of re- imputed value of unpaid fam- said. months ahead forwardearnings worksasatailor in Dehradun. tigating astory in 2002 on the Aletterissuedbytaluka to decide the time and datefor munerative MSP forall agricul- ilylabour. On the unions stand on the reveals improvement in the out- Her youngest, nowinjail, used linksbetween the country's mamlatdars in the district to vil- the next round of talks, and also tural commodities and forall C2 is amorecomprehen- Electricity Amendment Act look foralarge number of com- to work in Jalandhar before powerful spyagency ISI and al- lages in their respective jurisdic- “give details of other issues on farmers), we will give ade- sive costthat factors in rentals and the issue of stubble burn- panies,” it said. shifting to Dehradun, wherehe Qaeda. tions cites the letter of the whichyou want to negotiate”. tailedreplywithout anydelay.” and interestforgone on owned ing, he said the government is Going forward, in the second earnedRs5,000 amonth as a Athree-judgeapexcourt Deputy Conservator of Forests “The Government of India Seeking alegal guarantee land and fixedcapital assets,on ready fortalksonadditional is- half of 2020-21, while the fisc is welder's apprentice. Her hus- benchheadedbyJustice Mushir (DCF), Narmada, dated January again wantstoreiterateits on MSP,the unions arenow topofA2+FL. sues –other than issues identi- likely to benefit from better re- band diedayear agoofheartail- Alam is hearing the appeal by 21,2020, whichhas sought im- commitment that it is ready for linking MSP to the “C2+50% Referring to the MSP-re- fied at the December 3meet- ceipts in line with normalisation ments. The familyclaims the the Sindh government and the plementation of the MoEFCC logical resolution of all issues formula”. lated demand of the unions, ing between the government of economic activity,the push youth, who droppedout after familyofthe slain journalist notification of May5,2016, de- raisedbythe agitating farmer In amemorandum to the Aggarwal wrote, “The three and the unions. giventhrough various expendi- Class 3, is aminor but have no againstthe acquittal of Sheikh. claring an eco-sensitive zone unions,” he said. AgricultureSecretaryon laws related to agricultural re- He said the government is turemeasures by the documentstoprove it. The US has been mounting around Shoolpaneshwar Writing to the Ministrya October 14,union representa- forms have no relation to the ready to discuss the issues, Government, essentiallyon- The mother says that when pressureonPakistan, demand- WildlifeSanctuaryinNarmada. dayearlier,farmer unions had tiveshad listedfivedemands, minimum supportprice-based with good intentions and an budget ones through she fell ill with typhoid, she ing justice forPearl. The lands in the eco-sensi- said that apartfromthe three of whichthree were related to procurement nor do these open heart, to end the agita- AtmaNirbhar 2.0 and 3.0 is likely calledher youngestson in tive zone —including that of the central Acts,“your ‘proposal’ MSP,whichincludedimple- have anyeffect on the system tion. to materialise, the RBI study said. Dehradun and asked him to visit IIM-A dorms forest department, horticulture on Minimum SupportPrices mentation of the of MSP-basedprocurement Aday earlier,reading from Gross fiscal deficit to GDP ra- her.HereachedonDecember 9. University of Pennsylvania's department, foragricultural use, had nothing clear or concrete Swaminathan Commission re- system already therebefore the letter sent by farmer lead- tio is likelytomoderatefrom "On December 14,myson Weitzman School of Design that plots reserved forparks —will whichdeserved aresponse port“to fixMSP with C2+ 50% the enactment of these three ers, Swaraj India president 14.5 per cent of GDP in the first leftinthe evening, saying he was manages Kahn's archives, said, notbeallowedtobetransferred from our side. On Minimum formulae"; and makeMSP and laws.” YogendraYadavtold the press half of 2020-21to10.4 per cent attending abirthdayparty and “The IIM-Arevived aprestigious fornon-agricultural use forcom- SupportPrices, youhad pro- stateprocurement of all crops “This wasmentionedin at Singhu border:“We urge the of GDP in the second half of won't be home fordinner.Now awardfromUNESCOfor the mercial, industrial or residential poseda‘written assurance’ alegal right of farmers. everyround of talks. It wasalso government nottorepeat 2020-21, the RBI said. Taking into theyare accusing him of con- conservation of the Vikram purposes. Anylands that needto with regard to continuing the The Commission for clarifiedthat the government those meaningless amend- account these developments verting agirltoIslam. This is Sarabhai Library. The awardalso be transferredfor non-agricul- current procurement system. Agricultural Costs and Prices is ready to give awritten assur- mentswhichwehavealready and assuming major expendi- completely false," his mother calledout the school’s commit- tural use will be allowedtodoso However, farmers’ organisa- projectsthree kinds of produc- ance regarding the continua- rejected,but to come up with turepush –partlyinQ3and said. ment to itsarchitectural heritage onlyafter amandatoryapproval tions aredemanding alegal tion cost--A2, A2+FL, and C2 - tion of the present system of aconcreteproposal in writing, mostlyinQ4, basedonGDP "Everything is ruinedfor us as amodel forIndia. It is abitter from the stategovernment. guarantee that all agricultural -for everycrop, both at state MSP-basedprocurement,” he so that can be made an agenda growth as projected in the this year.Now we have to collect ironytosee the administration Vasava's letter has the back- commodities will be pur- and all-India averagelevels. said in the letter. and the process of negotiation ReserveBank’s December 2020 moneytofight this case," the turn their backson their ownac- ing of mosttribal leaders on the chasedonlyatMSP or above, A2 covers all paid-out costs “It does notseem logical to can be startedassoon as possi- monetary policy review, the Q3 youth's brother said. complishments. The school and ground across party lines, who that tooatanMSP fixedwith directlyincurredbythe farmer put anynew demand on this ble. We arewaiting forthe gov- and Q4 combinedfiscal deficit the dorms areaunit. Remove have been opposing the imple- C2+50% formula as per the —incash and kind —onseeds, subject, whichisremoved ernment to proceedwith an areprojected at 8.3 and 12.4 per Amshipora case one and the magic dissipates, mentation of the eco-sensitive National Farmers’ Commission fertilisers, pesticides, hired from the newagricultural laws. open mind and clean inten- cent of GDP,respectively,with various sections. nevertoreturn.” zone here. recommendation. When the labour,leased-in land, fuel, irri- But as stated earlier,the gov- tions.” corresponding 50 per cent con- The recommendations of the RabindraVasavada, one of fidence interval estimated at 7.8- SummaryofEvidence have the firstarchitectstojoin Kahn BJP sees aplot 8.8 per cent and 11.6-12.9 per been forwardedtoLtGen YK as assistant in the 1960s, calls the buy more…” cent, it said. Joshi, GOC-in-C, Northern idea of demolishing the dormi- But one setofactors is con- 11 Opp parties issue joint statement against govt Command, sources told The tories an erasureofhistory itself. spicuouslyleftout, and leftbe- Love jihad law Indian Express. The next step in “Kahn wasalways in search hind —Punjab’s political parties. out to NCPchief Sharad Pawar foraccusing the opposition seek reforms to strengthen Delhi’s neighbouring states in and her former classmate, a the process is acourtmartial. of the rootsofinstitutions... In Seen to have awakenedlate and is planning to invitere- parties of lying to farmers Indian agriculture; enhance the midstofasevere cold wave Muslim, were walking back ADefence spokesperson said this case, it wasaninstitution of to the agitation, accusedof gional leaders suchasAAP’s about the newfarm laws. the prosperity of our farmers; in apeaceful manner", the home afterafriend's birthday Thursday: “The process of learning. He sawevery student speaking in manyvoices, they Arvind Kejriwal and DMK’s M These arethe same 11 par- andensurecontinuedfood se- statement calledfor arepeal of party,when theywereallegedly recording the ‘summaryofevi- as adisciple. That value wasen- arebeing turnedawayfromthe KStalin to the Kolkatarally. Her ties that had earlier issueda curity forour people and the the newlaws, along with the chasedbyagroup of men, dence’ has been completed. The shrinedinevery dormitory, protestsites and villages, forced attempt to rallyOpposition statement supporting the country. The present farm laws Electricity (Amendment) Bill beaten with sticks and ques- same is being examinedbythe where10ofthem livedtogether. intothe role of cheerleaders, left leaders ahead of the elections - Bharat Bandh calledbyfarmer undermine these very objec- 2020. "Following this, discus- tioned. When it became appar- concernedauthorities in consul- Out of their classrooms, the dor- to mount parallel protests,like -tosignal that she is leading unions on December 8. As in tives,” the statement said. sions on agrarian reforms must ent that theybelonged to differ- tation with legal advisors for mitories were aspace where the Congress’s Punjab MPs at the battle againstthe BJP -- is the past, the AAP wasnot asig- Slamming the government be held by the Central govern- ent religions, theywere proceeding further. people could gettogether to Jantar Mantar.Orengage, like worrying forthe Congress-Left, natorytoThursday's statement. foraccusing the opposition of ment with the farmers and all allegedly whisked away to alo- Indian Armyiscommitted to shareideas, without anysense Arvind Kejriwal and Amarinder whichistrying hardtoturn the “The Prime Minister’s accu- spreading lies on the MSP,the stakeholders. On the basis of cal police station. ethical conduct of operations. of exclusivity,” says Vasavada. Singh, in Twitter spats. battle intoatriangular fight. sations areacomplete travesty statement read, “The PM these consultations, newen- The FIR, registeredallegedly Further details will be shared in In his letter to the alumni Going ahead, this marginali- The joint statement issued of truth...Manyofushad op- claims implementing the actments maybeconsidered on acomplaint by the girl's fa- amanner so as nottoprejudice group, D'Souza had, however, sation of the political playerhas on Thursday–signedby posedthese Agri Laws when Swaminathan Commission by Parliament, if necessary, by ther,statedthat the accused"in- the proceedings under Army wondered if it was"appropri- implications forthe futureofthe Congress’s Rahul Gandhi, theywerebeing enacted in Reportinthis regard.This convening aspecial or ajoint ducedthe girltoelope with him" law.” ate... to colonise futurepercep- stateand the political party.All Pawar, DMK’s TRBaalu, J&K Parliament without discussions Reporthad recommendedan session,” theysaid. with the "intention to marry and The Amshiporaincident took tions of living spaces". partieswillhavetoaddress the PAGD president Farooq or proper consideration. MPs MSP of C2+50 per cent, while Separately, senior Congress convert her". place in the early hours of July “Wehavegrappledwith disillusion, to win backthe peo- Abdullah, SP chief Akhilesh who sought avoteweresus- this government, at best,im- leader Rahul Gandhi leda The girl's father has, how- 18.AMajor and twosoldiers of questions as to whyweshould ple’s trust. Yadav, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, pended,” the statement said. plementsA2+50 per cent. In party delegation to President ever,deniedhis complaint, alleg- 62 RashtriyaRifles formedthe presume that the pastisnot In the immediateterm, as CPM general secretarySitaram “Amongstthe manyun- fact, this government told the RamNath Kovind, seeking his ing that police dictated the initial encounter party,and were changeable and whyweshould the protests continue, it could Yechury, CPI general secretary substantiated accusations Supreme Courtits inability to intervention forrepeal of the statement. "I trustmydaughter later reinforcedbyteams of the assume that futuregenerations mean that the political party will DRaja, CPI(ML) general secre- made, one of them is that those implement C2+50 per cent three farm laws.Amemoran- completely.What wrong did J&K Police and CRPF. will value things in exactlythe have little or no sayinacrucial tary Dipankar Bhattacharya, who spokeofagrarian reforms MSP.Who is spreading un- dum submitted by the party she do? Whymustshe be made On July19, the Commander same waythat pastgenerations calculation that will decide the ForwardBloc’s Debabrata in election manifestosearlier truths?...” said an "autocratic Modi gov- partofpolitics? Is it unlawful of 12 Sector RR held apress con- have,” D'Souza went on to say, timing and content of the reso- Biswas and RSP’s Manoj but arenow opposing. Yes, we Hailing the “unity,grit and ernment" wasrefusing to hear foraboy and agirltowalk to- ference to announce that three adding, "In today’s world, our ex- lution:Whendothe costsofthe Bhattacharya –slammed arefor reforms, but what sort determination” being shown the "agonyand anguish" of the gether now?" terrorists had been killedinthe perience is that studentshardly mobilisation begin to outweigh Prime MinisterNarendraModi of reforms? Opposition parties by “lakhs of farmers from farmers. The youth, who wassubse- encounter,whichhad taken use these shared spaces as they the investmentsbeing made in quentlybooked under the place following acordon-and- have gravitated to virtual it? month old anti-conversion law search operation in Amshipora modes." As the ruling party at the it to corner both the SADand the partner BJP. and as leader of the Opposition, insinuation of an “AAP- and chargesofabduction and on “specific input” to the 62 RR Ahmedabad basedarchitect Centre, the BJP,ofcourse, is on BJP in one stroke.Then came the “What wasthe needtodo he had takenhis concerns to the Khalistani lobby”: “In the lastas- under sections of the SC/STAct, unit about the presence of ter- Riyaz Tayabji said, "These are the other side of the fence. With SADsomersault”. The BJP,he this (bring the laws),” Cheema CAG. “But youneedtocorrect, semblyelection, too, the and POCSO Act, is nowinajail rorists in the village. buildings of great architectural the Shiromani Akali Dal exiting says,feels “letdown” by the asksand answers his ownques- notdismantle”, he says.The Congress calledusKhalistani in Bijnor. The Armygaveadetailedac- sophistication.Theirsheerfru- the NDAoverthe farm laws,the SAD. tion: “One afteranother,there government’s “promotion of and the BJP calledusUrban While police claim the man count saying the security forces gality in atime of sparse means BJP is on itsown again in astate To this castofcharacters, is encroachment by the Centre corporates” is having an unin- Naxals. The agencies arewith is 18 years old, his familymem- had been firedupon, that there showedusthat great architec- that resistedthe Modi sweep in whichalso includes “Leftist” on statepowers. The federal sys- tendedeffect, he says:“Youhave them, whydon't theyjail us?” bers maintain he is 17. wasexchangeoffire, and dur- tureisnot aluxurybut could be 2014 and again in 2019. kisan union leaders, Jain adds temisbeing undermined, the nowpainted them as big vil- But in this moment, the Arun Kumar,Station House ing the recovery of bodies, they achievedwith the barestofre- But itscurrent isolation in the commission agent or reason is arrogance”. lains”. AAP’s real challengemay lie in Officer,Dhampur,wherethe had found arms, ammunition sources." the stateismade of morethan arhtiya, “who feels mostad- The second term of the NDA If Congress handwringing what he says next:Atthe sites FIR wasfiled, said, "The accused and IED material at the hideout. Afaculty member at IIM-A justthat. In itslongstanding al- verselyaffected by the new has been “verydifferent”, but highlightsthe predicament of of the protests,“we have to sit is in judicial custody.Ifheismi- This version beganunravel- said, “Among the major issues is liance with the SAD, therewas laws”. this “violation of the constitu- the political mainstream in in the back, we can’t even sitin nor,theywill have to produce ling when afamilyinRajouri that the cultural heritageasso- amoreorless tidy division of But the BJP,says Jain, sees in tional spirit” wasvisible earlier Punjab, the sidelining of the the front, theydon’t letus documentstoshowthat. We filedamissing person's com- ciated with the campus will be political labour —the BJP fo- this crisis anew opportunity. too, he says —and cites centrally AamAadmi Partyunderlines speak”. have invokedappropriatesec- plaint in Augustabout three of lost. We can understand that cusedonthe urban Hindu areas, “This will be ultimatelysorted sponsored schemes, centralisa- the taming of the alternative. tions in this case afterquestion- itsfamilymembers –Imtiyaz theyare doing this because of in- while Akalis drew their strength out by the Centre, and the credit tion of powers in GST, imple- Onlythree years ago, in 2017, RBI study ing the girland on the basis of Ahmed, AbrarAhmedand creasing student count but do- primarilyfromthe Sikh peas- will go to the party.” It will give mentation of laws likeUAPA. the AAP had succeededinturn- Twofactors areblessing this her father's complaint." Mohd Ibrar –who had travelled ing away with these will also antry. it an opportunity to expand its These are“Emergency waale ing the two-cornered Punjab turning of the page: one, abend- Blaming the local pradhan to Kashmir to look foremploy- mean losing the social and cul- The split with the SAD base on itsown in Punjab, as it halaat (Emergency-likecircum- contestintoatriangular one on ing of the Covid infection curve, forallegedly politicising the in- ment in July, and were in touch turalaesthetics of the campus.” means, therefore, that the ur- did in Haryana and Himachal, stances)”, it’s the same “Indira an anti-establishment platform, and second, a‘method’ to the cident, the girl's father said, with them over mobile phones ban-centric BJP looksunable to and “a newexperiment will Gandhi policy”. emerging as the second largest stimulus whichstarted with liq- "This is all politics. Theymade until July16. The familyhad Eco-sensitive bridgethe communication gulf start,” says Jain. Likethe others, the party in itsdebut assemblyelec- uidity/ guarantee and cash/ kind videos of my daughter and been unable to contact them with the protesting farmers Senior Akali leader and for- Congress, too, seems to have tion in the state. Nowitstands supporttothe economy, which falselyclaimedthat this wasa thereafter. zone around SoU camping at Delhi’sborders or in mer Punjab education minister been caught off-guard. Yetits alongside the mainstream par- is nowtransiting in acalibrated case of love jihad. Ihavebeen According to the family, they notification to include the area the villages. Daljit Singh Cheema contests bind is aspecial one: It is in ties —onthe outside of the fashion to supportinvestment pradhan before and wasplan- had seen photographs of the under the eco-sensitive zone, is As it searches forconspira- the BJP claim that the SADhad powerinthe state, and yetnot farmers’ protests,looking in. and consumption demand. ning to contestagain. But now bodies from the encounter,and trying to establish itstitle on cies and Others, the BJP also belated second thoughts. His powerful on the issue roiling it Says Leader of the The RBI paper said the fourth theyhaveshamedmydaughter had identifiedthem as their your lands. Itrustthat youwill lookslikeaparty in sullen de- party beganobjecting ever currently—itholds feworno Opposition in the Punjab bi-monthlyresolution of the and polarisedthe village," her three missing members. use the powerthat the PESAAct nial. since the introduction of the or- cards in the face-offbetween AssemblyAAP’s Harpal Singh monetary policy committee father told TheIndianExpress. This ledtoanuproar in the givesyou to pass resolutions in In Chandigarh, former MP dinances, he says —met farm the Centreand the farmers of Cheema: “This startedwith the (MPC) did maintain status quo Denying the father's accusa- Valleyaswell in Rajouri, and in your respective villages by tak- and member of the BJP national unions, conveyedthe feedback Punjab. farm unions, then we spokeup.” on the policy rate and stance, but tions, the pradhan said, "I was the Gujjar community.The ing intoconfidence the villagers executive,SatyaPal Jain, talksof to the Modi government, asked “Procurement in this stateis When Cheema says,“we apowerful messagewas con- with the girl's father when this Armyset up aCourtofInquiry, to oppose this government “a lobby, anti-BJP and anti- foraselect committee. done likeclockwork. If youwent supportedthe kisan jathe- veyed: growth projections were case came to my notice. I while the police carriedout move." Modi”. “Theydid prachar (pub- Now, acornered SAD, which up in achopper,you would see bandiyan (farmer mobilisa- revisedupwards by 200basis helpedthem file the FIR. You their owninvestigation. The Vasava’s letter comes aday licity), liketheydid againstthe postedits poorestevertallyin Punjab fields all yellow, and af- tions), jab unhone kiyatoh pointsfromOctober.Iftheyhold, mustremember,harahua men had been buriedata afterBJP MP from Bharuch, CAA—aapki zameen chali the 2017 assemblyelections, ter10-12days,therewould be hamne kiya” —itisbothafac- the Indian economywill clocka pradhan hai (He is apradhan graveyardinBaramulla, where Mansukh Vasava,also wroteto jaayegi, the corporates will take winning only15seatsout of 117, no grain standing. It is awell- tual description of the sequence growth rate of 14.2 per cent in who lost)". unidentifiedmilitantssus- Prime MinisterNarendraModi away your land… this propa- is falling backonits traditional oiledmachinery”, says Sunil of eventsand an inadvertent ad- the firsthalf of 2021-22 on top Afew kilometers from the pected to have infiltrated from seeking revocation of the notifi- ganda, startedbythe AAP and a anti-Centrepolitical tack and Jakhar,president of the Punjab mission of the AAP’s failureto of 0.4 per cent in the second half girl's house is aone-room brick Pakistan, areinterred. Their cation and “releasing” Narmada hardliner section of Sikhs, went rhetoric —onlythis time it is not Pradesh Congress Committee. seize the moment, or the move- of 2020-21, the study said. house wherethe youth lived bodies were exhumedin district from the eco-sensitive down below. Captain deployedagainstold enemy Thereare corruptions and ment. On the whole, the above- with his family--his four sib- October forDNA tests, which zone. The area has seen protests Amarinder Singh cashedinon Congress but newlydivorced inefficiencies in the FCI, he says, Cheema reactstothe BJP’s the-line fiscal stimulus will likely lings, and his mother. confirmedthe family's claims.

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PLAYERS MEET

Members of India’s cricket team of physicallychallenged arrive in an auto rickshawoutside HotelTaj Skyline forBCCI annual general meeting in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. Nirmal Harindran StatetohostIndia’s firstLithiumrefinery

ing plantswhichare being setup AVINASHNAIR Boostfor in Gujarat. So we felt aLithium AHMEDABAD,DECEMBER24 refinerywill help makethe state electriccar ahub forLithium ion batteries,” INDIA’S FIRSTLithium refinery E the stategovernment official ● market whichwill process Lithium ore EXPLAINED added. to produce battery-grade mate- TDS Lithium-Ion Battery rial will be setupinGujarat, state WITH INDIA poisedto Gujarat Private Ltd is India’s first government officials said. become one of the Lithium-ion batterymanufac- Manikaran PowerLimited, largest electric car mar- turing plant in Gujarat whichis one of the country’s largest ket of the world, the being setupjointlybetween powertrading and renewable countryisalso looking to Toshiba Corporation, DENSO energy companywill be invest- access rawmaterials like Corporation and Suzuki Motor ing over Rs 1,000 croretoset up Lithium neededtopro- Corporation to manufactureand this refinery, MK Das, Additional duce batteries. India cur- supply batteries to Suzuki Motor ChiefSecretarytoChief Minister rentlyimports mostof Gujarat plant in Hansalpur.The VijayRupani told The Indian the Lithium needed. foundation stone forthe Rs 1135 Express on Thursday. According to datatabled croreplant waslaid in “Theyare coming to Gujarat in the Parliament in September 2017 when Prime forsure. Theyare currentlyex- February2020, the im- MinisterNarendraModi and his ploring acouple of places in portofLithium-ion bat- Japanese counterpartShinzo Sanand and Dholeratoset up teries quadrupledto712 Abevisited Gujarat. “This this refinery. Lithium is arareel- million batteries in 2018 Lithium ion batterymanufactur- ement notusuallyfound in from 175million in 2016. ing plant is expected to become India. The companywill be im- China, Hong Kong and operational by Januaryor porting Lithium orefrom Vietnam were the lead- February2021,”said Das. Australia and will be processing ing sources of imports. Tata Group has also acquired it here,” Das added. land in DholeraSpecial Lastyear,Manikaran Power Investment Region (DholeraSIR) had collaborated with Australian rawmaterial supplyfor domes- near Ahmedabad to setupaRs firm Neometals to tapthe Mount tic manufacturing of Lithium 4000 croreLithium-ion battery Marion Lithium mine in batteries as it lookstopromote plant. Apartfromthis, the Adani Western Australia. electric vehicles. Group is also planning to setup The proposedproject is ex- “Thereare already afew aLithium batterymanufactur- pected to help Gujarat securethe Lithium ion batterymanufactur- ing complexinthe state. Vadodara man detained over ‘obscene’ tweets about NCW

action againstMishraclaiming accusedfromhis residence in EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE that male stand-up comedians Vadodarafor questioning. He AHMEDABAD, DECEMBER 24 have also usedexpletivesinthe will be arrested soon," pastand NCWhad failedto said Amit Vasava,Deputy THE AHMEDABAD Cyber Crime takencognizance of it. Commissioner of Cell on Thursdaydetaineda "The FIR has been lodged to- Police, Ahmedabad Cyber youth from Vadodarafor al- dayand we have brought in the Crime Cell. legedly posting obscene tweets about the National Commission forWomen (NCW) on Twitter backinJuly afterthe commission took cognizance of one female stand-up comedian getting rape threatsonTwitter and asked Vadodarapolice to arrest the offender. According to police, Akash Jain, aresident of Lakshmidham society in Vadodarawas detainedon Thursdayafter an FIR wasfiled againsthim under section 67 of the Information Technology Act forobscenity at the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Police Station. The FIR happenedafter the NCWwrote to the then Director General of Police Shivanand Jha backonJuly15demanding ac- tion againstthe accusedon Twitter,said the police. As per the FIR, the accused person had tweetedobsceni- ties tagging the NCWTwitter handle and NCWchairperson Rekha Sharma’s Twitter handle. According to police, Jain had takenoffence when NCWtook cognizance of rape threatsis- suedtoafemale stand-up co- median allegedly by another Vadodararesident Shubham Mishraand instructed Gujarat Police to act on it. The VadodaraPolice then on July12arrestedMishrafor the alleged rape threatswhichhe made in avideo on Instagram. Jain in his Tweets had chided the NCWand usedobscenities againstthe officials fortaking

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REPLY TO HC ON SURGE IN COVID CASES AFTER DIWALI Unfavourableenvironmental conditionsledtospike:Govt

(by168 beds) and ESIC vans. As per the statedashboard, 10,000 commercial buildings EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Ahmedabad (by250 beds),” the atotal of 91.85 lakh Covid-19 and offices in the city.This to- AHMEDABAD,DECEMBER24 affidavit stated. testswereconducted.However, tals to nearly 9.07lakh of de- ForAhmedabad city,8,553 it does notprovide the number mography-targeted testing in ATTRIBUTINGTHE spikein bedsare available forCovid-19 of RT-PCRtests and antigen tests. the city,ofthe total 22.90 lakh Covid-19cases afterDiwali to patients in 128government and On December 18,the tests conducted in Ahmedabad “unfavourable environmental private hospitals, whichwas Supreme Court, in asuo motu PIL district till date,whichincludes conditions and increased human 7,340 beds in 87 hospitals in regarding treatment of Covid-19 rural jurisdiction as well. interactions”, the Gujarat gov- November,the affidavitstated. patients, directed to have “more As per the affidavit, Rs 115 ernment has informedthe High However, in alater partofthe af- and moretesting”, while in croreoffine has been collected Courtthat severalsemi-govern- fidavit, it wassubmitted that as Ravi’s affidavit, it appears that from 23.64lakh citizens across ment hospitals were instructed of December 22, Ahmedabad testing has droppedby50per Gujarat fornot wearing masks to increase capacity. city has 7,340 bedsacross 87 cent in Gujarat from 5.18 lakh be- so far. Areplyaffidavit submitted hospitals,ofwhich79per cent tween November 20 and26in by Principal Secretary, Health, wasvacant. the week afterDiwali to 2.73 Contact tracing, Jayanti Ravi, on Wednesdaybe- As per the affidavit, thereare lakh betweenDecember 18 and containment zone fore the HighCourt on measures 55,000 bedsfor Covid patients 22.Atotal of 42 government and takentocheckthe surge in cases across 739facilities. Across the 47 privatelaboratories across the The state government claimed in the stateafter the festivesea- 317dedicatedCovid hospitals in statehavepermission to conduct in the affidavit that as of son, stated that DeputyChief Gujarat, thereare atotal of 3,285 RT-PCR tests. December 22, an averageof MinisterNitin Patel, who also ventilators and4,903 ICU beds. The affidavit adds that AMC nearly 50 contactsare traced holdsthe health portfolio, had As per the health department, has tested over 5.3 lakh incom- per positive case, of whichan visited Ahmedabad Civil only11per cent bedswereoccu- ing passengers on highways, averageofnearly sevenare Hospital on November 16 with piedacross the stateasof over 50,000 passengers to city identifiedashighrisk contacts. senior bureaucratsand had held December 22. from Kalupur railway station The affidavit also states that areviewmeeting. and over 10,000possiblesuper- basedonclustering of cases, “He immediatelygavein- Testing drops spreaders in jewelleryshops, containment zones arebeing structions to increase the bed ca- by 50 per cent dryfruit stores and grocery declared and that at present, HOLY pacity at GMERS Sola (by150 stores in the Diwali week.Ato- thereare 20,000 micro-con- beds), Ahmedabad,Instituteof The affidavit adds that as of talofover2.5 lakh super- tainment zones in the state. As KidneyDisease and Research December 18,18.95 lakh antigen spreaders have been tested by per AMC daily bulletin, as of NIGHT... Ahmedabad, Gujarat Cancer testswereconducted through AMC, it said and another 77,000 Wednesday thecityhas only11 Research Institute, Ahmedabad DhanvantariRathormobileOPD testswereconducted across micro-containment zones. Childrencheckout decorativesatastorein Ahmedabad on Christmas Man ‘not eve; (right) Preparations are Night curfew hasyielded good on forChristmasservices at wearing mask’ St Xavier’sCatholic church in AhmedabadonWednesday. results, should extend tillJan: HC booked for With night curfew in place, the church heldthe mass at ‘assaulting’ cop 6.30 pm with 150registered EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE CASETRACKER attendees,following social AHMEDABAD, DECEMBER 24 distancingnorms. Places Confirmed Deaths New cases Nirmal Harindran THE GUJARATHigh Court, while Ahmedabad 55,0572,226 205 EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE taking up thesuo motu public Amreli 3,794337 VADODARA,DECEMBER24 interestlitigation on Covid-19 Anand 2,1941722 situation in Gujarat AMAN has been booked foral- Aravalli 1,120255 IN SUPPORTOFFARMERS’ AGITATION on Thursday, opinedthat the legedly assaulting aheadconsta- state“should” extend the Banaskantha4,526 37 18 bleattachedtothe Laxmipurapo- night curfew upto January,asit Bharuch 3,778 18 19 licestation in Vadodaraafter he Will march from Gandhi Ashram to has yielded“good results” till Bhavnagar 5,809 70 23 wascaught without wearing a now. Botad1,015 10 2 mask,violating Covid norms. The division benchofChief According to the complaint Chhota Udepur 8754 5 Raj Ghat, hold indefinite fast: Vaghela JusticeVikram Nath and Justice filedbythe head constable, he JB Pardiwala sought to know Dahod 2,8607 28 wasonduty at theVuda Circle from thestate governmenton Dang 144 checkpoint on Thursdaywhen the agitated farmers. Ihad ear- agitationinDelhi. the statusofnight curfew andif Devbhoomi Dwarka9,774 53 the man, identifiedasStavan EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE lier givenanultimatum till “Atleast 400-500farmers it plans to extend the same be- Gandhinagar 7,904103 30 Barot,was drivingacar without GANDHINAGAR,DECEMBER24 December 25 to the union gov- from Gujarat arealready part of yond December 31. wearing mask.One moreperson Gir Somnath2,265 22 5 ernment to payheedtothe de- the ongoing protests in Delhi During hearing, Justice among twoothers in the car was FORMER GUJARATchief minis- mand of the farmers and pull and at leasta1,000 moreare Pardiwala told advocate Jamnagar 10,062 35 16 also notwearing mask. terShankersinh Vaghela on back the three newfarmlaws,” willing to join. But Itold them GeneralKamal Trivedi, repre- Junagadh 4,7973216 When the officersignalledthe Thursdayannouncedthat he Vaghela told The Indian Express. that thereisnoneedfor them on sentingthe stategovernment, Kheda 2,817 16 17 carto pull over to the side andpay will launchamarch from Gandhi “Wewill see whether the December 26 as Iwill march “You alsoneedtobecareful four Kutch3,763 33 31 the fine, the accuseddrove Ashram in Ahmedabad to Raj BJP respectsthe legacy of with only100 people,” said to five days before January 14... “threateningly”close to the po- GhatinNew Delhi on December formerPrime MinisterAtal Vaghela. you’ll have to come out with Mahisagar 1,928 13 10 liceman and appliedbrakesatthe 26, afterwhichhewillhold an Bihari VajpayeeasDecember 25 Vaghela also producedalet- some norms/guidelines with Mehsana 6,512 37 36 lastmoment. The complaint indefinitefastinsupportofthe is his birth anniversary. If the terhehad written to SN respect to January 14 celebra- Morbi 3,001 20 7 states that the accusedthen got farmers’ agitation if the union government fails to come up Shrivastava, police commis- tions (of Uttarayan) also. This Narmada 1,909 13 down from the car,held the head government doesn’trepeal the with adecision, Iwill march sioner, NewDelhi,seeking per- Uttarayan should notspoil the Navsari 1,555 88 constable by his collarand pinned newfarm laws. from GandhiAshramtoRaj mission to holdanindefinite entireshowagain. Your pre- him to the ground, using abusive Speaking at his residencein Ghat with 100volunteers and fast at the Rajghat. Diwali effortsyieldedgood re- Panchmahal 3,9672320 languageand threatening him Gandhinagar,Vaghela said that farmers... We will travel by road “Wewill also take permis- sults. Post-Diwali youlanded up Patan4,111 50 15 with direconsequences. the BharatiyaJanata Party-led Former CM Shankersinh from Ahmedabad to Delhi and sion from Ahmedabad Police in trouble. January 14 is abig Porbandar 1,055 41 Even as the otherofficers Union government has been Vaghela in Gandhinagar on then organiseanindefinite here... The time of dialogue with showinAhmedabad, in fact Rajkot 20,297196 107 from the checkpostintervened, “demonisingfarmers”after they Thursday. Express fast,” he added. the Centre is over and nowthe across Gujarat.” Barotallegedly triedtostrangu- Sabarkantha 2,728 13 10 launchedagitation againstthe Vaghela, who wasrecently ball is in theircourt,” said Chief Justice Vikram Nath latethe head constable, saying farm laws. oustedfromthe Nationalist Vaghelawhen asked about asked theAdvocateGeneral Surat 48,390 956 171 that the policemen were “loot- “BJP ministers and leaders porters or anti-nationals and Congress Party(NCP) Gujarat, whether he willspeak withthe (AG), “Is nightcurfew continu- Surendranagar 3,386 13 19 ing” common people in the garb arebusy calling the farmers ter- therehas been no attempt from said that farmers from Gujarat Union government in Delhi on ing? Is it likelytocontinue till Tapi 1,026 63 of Covid-19 fines. The accused rorists,Naxals, Khalistani sup- theirsidetohaveadialogue with have expressedwish to join the the farmers’ agitation. January?” Vadodara23,685 244125 wasbookedforobstructing pub- The AG informedthe court lic servant from discharging duty, Valsad 1,3488 3 thatthough it is the planin“all assault and violationofnotifica- Constable probability”, an official decision Other states 1483 tion in place. 300 lawyers register as BJP page is yettobetaken, whichwould Further probeisunderway. be confirmedfollowing ameet- Cumulative Total New Cumulative founddeadin ing of thecorecommittee com- discharge: cases: cases: deaths: committeepresidents in Surat prising senior bureaucratsof 2,24,092 2,38,449 958 4,287 When the officer Ahmedabad the stategovernment. The AG added that theywill signalled thecar to pull EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE “see to it thatit(nightcurfew) Justice Pardiwala addedthat pointed but theycan celebrateit over to the side and pay SURAT,DECEMBER24 EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE continues(until January)”. the stategovernment neednot oneyear later”. the fine, the accused AHMEDABAD,DECEMBER24 The benchrespondedthat worry“aboutpeople getting The courtalsoasked the AROUND300lawyersof Suratcity “it should continue...because disappointed (byadecisionof stategovernment to be more drove“threateningly” registeredaspagecommittee A27-YEAR-OLD police constable that’s what is giving good re- an extendednight cautious from December 25, close to the policeman presidentsatamobilisation pro- in Ahmedabadwasfound deadat sults”. curfew)...People mayget disap- 2020 to January 2, 2021. gramme organisedbythe local his residence under mysterious unit of theBJP at itshead office circumstances in Satelliteareaon hereonThursday. This follows an Thursday. eventonDecember19where100 Accordingto police, thevictim 300 bonded doctors move highcourt doctorshad registered as page has been identifiedasVishal committee presidents. Dabhi (27), anativeofDhand- Presiding over the event,BJP hukacity in Ahmedabad rural, against ‘compulsory Covid-19 duty’ statepresident CR Paatil advised who waspostedasaconstable his colleagues “nottowaste time with Vastrapur police station for likeGandhiji”, looking foralost the pasttwo-and-a-half months. Management Act, whichfurther Desai also addedthat the dentsand doctors. pencil. BJP statepresident CR Paatil at the BJP eventinSurat on Police found his body from his EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE lays down the conditions under Covid-19scenariohas changed Gujarat government med- Referring to Surat city presi- Thursday. Hanif Malek rented residence at Shubh Dars- AHMEDABAD, DECEMBER 24 whichsuchanotification can be since the notification is issued, icalcollegerequiretheir stu- dentNiranjan Janjmera’s “metic- han apartmentsnear Prernatirth issuedaswell. with the case numbers nowrel- dentstoserveaspecific period ulousness”, Paatil said, Derasar Thursdaymorning. OVER 300MBBS bondeddoc- Desaialso submitted that atively low. “...scenario has as rural tenureonce theypass “Modisaheb (Prime Minister pencil and has kept everyone and all statecabinetministers, as According to police, Dabhi tors have movedGujarat High this goes againsthow contrac- changed since the notification out, againstabond amount to NarendraModi) says that every waiting.Itisbecauseof thismetic- well as Union ministers Pursho- wasinpolice service since 2013 Courtchallenging the health tual agreementsfunction, stat- wasissuedand nowdeputy whichthey’recontractually MP and politician should keep a ulousness, he residedinpeople’s ttamRupalaandMansukhMand- and he wasunmarried. He used department’s notification call- ing,“Bond can’t be enforcedin chief minister(Nitin Patel) went bounded. PA (personal assistant)... He also hearts.Niranjanbhaiissomewhat aviya, apart from all MPs and to stay with his friends at the ing nearly 900MBBSbonded suchamanner that resultant ef- to pressthe daybeforeyester- The Chief Justice opined, says... thatheshould be like similar.Iwant to tell him notto MLAs. Their active involvement rented apartmentwherein his doctors forcompulsoryCovid- fect of breachofbondisforfei- dayand said 82% of beds are “Weare notgoing to adminis- Mahadevbhai Manibhai Desai, wastetime looking forapiece motivatedthe BJP workers...” body wasfound. 19 duty. tureofamount.” empty. SVPHospital has opened terthe administration of Covid- who wasGandhiji’s PA .Heonce from apencil,likeGandhiji.” The stateBJP president added Police said that prima facie it Takenupfor hearingon He addedthat the MBBS otherdepartments, eight other 19... So whatever handsthey saidthatpeoplehadcometo meet He alsosaid that pagecom- that it is the responsibility of the seems to be asuicide case as no Thursday before adivision graduates will also be appear- hospitalshavebeen delisted,” need, they will take it and no- Gandhiji and Gandhiji wasbusy mittees have increasedthe workers to ensurevictoryfor BJP one waspresent in the house. benchofChief JusticeVikram ing forNEET (PG)which is ex- thus submitting thattocompel body can saytheyare notwill- lookingforsomething,muchtime strength of BJP“multiple times”. candidates in the upcoming elec- “The deceasedpolice constable Nath and Justice JB Pardiwala, pected to take place in 307MBBS doctors (the petition- ing to work.State government waslost, therewas aqueue out- Theexperimentof appointing tions to municipal corporations, wasearlierpostedinAhmedabad the bondeddoctors represented February-endorMarch-begin- ers) to serveonCovid-19duty, has been working dayand night side and it kept growing... People pagecommitteesbroughtvictory district panchayats and taluka rural police and justtwo-and-a- by senior advocateAnshin ning, and suchcompulsoryduty does nothold. forthe lasteight to nine beganwondering what would to the BJP in the recentlycon- panchayats,where around11,000 half months ago, he wasdeputed Desai, arguedthat the health willaffect their preparation for Senior counsel Desai also months. SC has alsosaid that we Gandhiji bedoing? .Hewas look- cludedassemblybypollsoneight candidates will be in fray. to VastrapurPS. The SatellitePSis department had issued theno- the entrance examinations. submitted that “the waythey have to ensureour health work- ingforamissingpiecefromapen- seatsinGujarat, he said, adding, AdvocateMehboob Tailor, probingthecase,”saidRMSarade, tification under the provisions To this, the advocategen- have been served the state’s ers arenot burnedout.” cil...Atthat pointhis PA came out “Whenwe startedthedrive inthe whowasamongthefive Muslims inspector,Vastrapurpolicestation. of the Epidemic Diseases Act eral representing the state orders at night as if they’reac- TheChief Justicealso added and told the people —‘look at state, we did notimaginethat the appointedaspagecommittee Police said no note wasfound but in effect no provision under government contendedthat as cused, their signatures taken that though the Covid-19situ- Gandhiji'smeticulousness,apiece workerswouldtake active partin presidents, said, “Welikethe BJP from the residence of Dabi and an the said Actempowers the state per his knowledge,the exami- at night by force, with some- ationmay have improved now, of apencil is missing and he is it... Union Home MinisterAmit ideology...sowe have becomepa- accidental death reportwas filed. government to compulsorily nations areperhapsexpected one from revenue and collec- “no one knows about tomor- lookingforit’.Hadhenotsaidthat Shahhadalsobecomepagecom- ge committee presidents.Inour To seek help and counselling call them on duty. to be held in April. The two torofficeasking them to im- row.”The court notedthe peti- what would peoplehave mittee president, followedby area, manypeople have submit- on mental health, people can Desai arguedthat if at all such other argumentswerehow- mediatelyreporttoxyz tioners’ submissions and added thought?Thathewas wasting Chief MinisterVijaybhai Rupani, tedtheir documentstothe BJP reachoutto AASRA(9820466726) anotification has to be brought ever notcontendedbythe state hospital,” does notbode well that it will pass orders accord- time looking forapiece from a DeputyChief MinisterNitinPatel, head office.” and Saath India (079 26305544). in, it mustbeunder the Disaster government. forthese “meritorious” stu- ingly later.

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Textile trader in Shweta Bhattto ‘SubstanceinFIR’:Court Surat arrested addressAMU for ‘evading’ tax students virtually deniesbailforChaudhary of Rs 33 crore EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE AHMEDABAD,DECEMBER24 thanRs10crore wasdepositedin priation complaint, the police EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE the bank account of Chaudhary nevertook Chaudhary’s state- SURAT,DECEMBER24 SHWETABHATT,wifeofformer AHMEDABAD,DECEMBER24 andthatstatementsofthosewho ment. IPS officer SanjivBhatt, is going to transferredtheamountwasyet to It wasarguedbyChaudhary’s THE SURATunit of Directorate virtuallyaddress studentsof ASESSIONS courtinAhmedabad be recorded. counsels that he did notuse any Generalof GoodsandServicesTax AligarhMuslimUniversity(AMU) on Thursdayrejected the bail ap- “...keeping in mind the obser- amountofthe dairyregarding (DGGST)onWednesdaynightar- Fridayonthe occasion of the cen- plication of former statehome vationsof Hon’bleApexCourtthat bonusand the amount givento restedatextiletraderforallegedly tenarycelebration of the univer- ministerVipul Chaudhary, who economic offences aregrave of- Chaudbarywas voluntarilygiven evading Input TaxCredit to the sity.Speaking with The Indian wasarrestedbytheGujaratPolice fenceaffectingtheeconomyofthe by other employees and the tune of Rs 33.30 crore. The ac- Express,Shwetasaid, “AMU has Crime Investigation Department country... and in viewofthe fact amountof overRs9crore wasnot cusedwassentto judicialcustody completed100yearsandthestu- (CID) on December 12 forhis al- thatcorruptionisareallyahuman abonusamountof theemployees at Surat Central Jail on Thursday. dentscommunity there wanted leged involvement in abonus rightsviolation,... this Courtisnot as allegedbythe prosecution. Acting on atip off, the intelli- me to addressthem on the occa- scam of Rs 14.80 crore. inclinedtoexercisejudicialdiscre- Chaudharychallenged that gence officer of DGGST, Anil sion.So,Iwillbeaddressingthem Thecourtreliedparticularly on tion in favour of applicant the chargesslapped againsthim Kumar Shukla,with his teams, tomorrow.” the statementsofthe witnesses (Chaudhary),”thecourtadjudged. underthe Prevention of Corrup- nabbed MohammedSufiyan Shwetasaid that her address andbankstatements,andopined Chaudharywho wasrepre- tion Actdid notstand as Dudh- Kapadia, from NanavatShahpore will be through virtualmode. that “prima-facie it appearsthat sentedbysenior advocateShalin sagarDairyisnot takinganygrant area in Surat, on Wednesday ‘LOCAL RESIDENTS FIRST’ On the subject of heraddress, thereissubstance in the FIR”. Mehtaand advocateRJGoswami from the stategovernment and evening.Kapadiarunstextilesand Shwetasaid, “I am yettodecide Thecourtalsofoundthepros- submitted that while the FIR had Chaudharyisnot apublicservant. colour chemical business. Members of the Awareness Group of Bhayali village in Vadodarasubmitted an application that… Iamgoingtoaddress the ecution’sargumentthatChaudh- recordedtheallegedoffencefrom The courtopinedthat this argu- The officials said Kapadiahad to theDistrict CollectoronThursday, seeking cancellation of house allotment to minority students, the youths, the power, ary, former home minister of July2019toOctober 2019,there ment can be determinedduring floated non-existing firms, communities under the scheme forEconomicallyWeaker Sections. Theydemandedfirst and the 100yearsofAMU.That’s Gujarat and former chairman of wasa“deliberatedelay” in lodg- the course of trial and notatthis showedsale and purchase of tex- preference forlocal residents. Express it.” In 2012,Shwetacontestedthe DudhsagarDairy, isanainfluential ing the FIR despiteacomplaint stage. Theprosecutionsubmitted tile goods through fake docu- Assemblyelections from person and is likelyto“hamper filedinMarch 2020,ina“strategic that Chaudhary“hatchedacon- mentsandavailedinputtaxcredit, Maninagarconstituency of the ongoing investigation” if let game playedbythe government spiracywiththeotherco-accused whichhehad carry forwardedto Ahmedabad as aCongress candi- outonbailatthisstage,notinghis withaviewtoseethatChaudhary andcausedalossto thetuneofRs other parties. He wasbooked un- date. The then Chief Ministerof criminal antecedents. maynot contestthe electionof 22.50 croretothe Dudhsagar der various sections of the CGST Retired GLDC officer booked Gujarat,NarendraModi,hadwon The courtofadditional ses- DudhsagarDairy”.Itwasalsosub- Dairy”,followingwhichatribunal Act2017. Kapadia wasproduced the electionfromthe con- sions judgeDivyesh Shah also mitted that while an inquiryhad had directed him to deposit 40% before Surat district courton stituency. consideredtheprosecution’ssub- been going on forthe pastnine amount of Rs 22.50 crore, which Thursdayandwaslatersentto ju- in disproportionateassets case mission thatanamount of more months basedonthe misappro- comes to over Rs 9crore. dicialcustodyatSuratCentralJail. According to ACBofficials, croreofassets while his income Maldharicommunity EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Suresh Kishori, retired Field showedonlyRs1.32 croreasac- RENT AGREEMENT DISPUTE AHMEDABAD,DECEMBER24 Supervisor (Grade 3) of GLDC in countable,” said an official of leaderpassesaway AAP to contestlocal Dharampur of Valsad, was Gujarat ACB. High Court grants bail THE GUJARATAnti-Corruption booked underPrevention of “Wehavealsofoundout that Ahmedabad: Leader of Maldhari Bureau(ACB) on Thursday Corruption Act. the accusedhad namedhis two communityinGujarat,Baldevgiri body polls in Gujarat booked aretired officer of "A complaint of graftwas re- sons as contractors with GLDC Maharaj,passedawayat to builder brothers GujaratLand Development ceivedagainstKishori after in order to transfer theamount TarabhvalinathDhaminVisnagar Gujarat incharge Gulab Singh Corporation (GLDC) under dis- whichwestarted an investiga- to their bank accounts. Acase of Mehsana district, on Thursday. EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Yadavwas also present on the duo wasbooked in at leastfour proportionate assets (DA) case tion. Our probeofthe cash, bank has been booked under PrimeMinisterNarendraModi, AHMEDABAD,DECEMBER24 occasion. EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE cases between Augustand forallegedly possessing cash accounts' balance and assets Prevention of Corruption Act Union Home MinisterAmit Shah Addressing apress confer- AHMEDABAD,DECEMBER24 December and will remain in ju- and assets worthRs3.41crore namedunder Kishori and his againstKishori and further in- andChief MinisterVijay Rupani THE AAM Aadmi Party(AAP)is ence, Italia said thatGujarat unit dicial custody. disproportionate tohis known family members has revealed vestigation is underway,”the of- expressedgrief over the demise going to contestthe upcoming of AAP will fightthe local body THE GUJARATHigh Courton Senior advocateShalin sources of income. that the accusedhas Rs 4.74 ficial added. while paying their homage. ENS localbody polls in Gujarat and pollsraising basic issues of Thursdaygranted bail to Mehta, and advocatesYatin Oza, process forthe selection of can- people likeroad,education, Ahmedabad-basedbuilder Aniq Kadri and Ankit Pandya, didates and designing the cam- health,corruption-less govern- brothers Dashrath Pateland representingthe Patelbrothers, paigning is on, said statepresi- mentoffices, sanitation on Raman Patelinconnection with submitted before the courtof Probeonafter priest‘abducted’ in Ahmedabad dent of the party Gopal Italia, on whichthe party has already an FIR filedinNovember at the Justice GitaGopi that acivil suit Thursday. performedinDelhi. Vastrapur police station over a wasfiledbeforethe jurisdic- cident occurred after5pm near dent who later submitted a lice station in Ahmedabad rural. The local body polls arelikely Italia saidthat theyare in the rent agreement dispute. tional courtand would be adju- EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Kabir Mandir in Ghuma village complaint as eyewitness. “Primafacie, thecaseap- in Februarynextyear. process of selecting candidates In the FIR, the complainant dicated upon at the appropriate AHMEDABAD, DECEMBER 24 under Daskroi Talukawhen "AccordingtoTulsi Patel, pearsasadisputebetween the The party held meeting of its forthe elections on thebasis of said that the brothers did notva- forum. The same wasrelied four unidentifiedpersons inter- four persons abductedthe temple trustand afew local statecommittee and appointed their contribution to the party catealeasedunit in New York upon by thecourtfor releasing POLICE HAVE startedinvestiga- ceptedthe SUV vehicleof60- priestsaying theyare from po- groups howeverwehavenot various office bearers like and to thesociety. TowerinThaltej area despitere- the twoonbail. tion afterfourunidentifiedper- year-oldKrupalsharan lice and then took him forasur- identifiedany accusedyet.An Bhemabhai Chaudharyasvice- Aparty office bearer said peatednotices. The brothers had The public prosecutor,how- sonsimpersonatingaspolice Goswami, the chief priestof veyofvarious plots of land be- FIR has been lodged againstthe president, Jaydeep Pandyaas that ahead of the local body purportedlyclaimedofbeing in ever,submitted that “under the personnel allegedly abducted Kabir temple and abductedhim longing to temple trustin four unidentifiedpersons un- general secretaryand MM polls topAAP leaders like possession of long term lease of garb of agreement, thereisa the chiefpriestofKabirtemple in an SUV.The priestwas later Ghuma villageand threatened der Indian Penal Codesection Shaikh as statetreasurer apart ArvindKejriwal, Raghav the said unit. conspiracy to usurp the property Krupalsharan Goswami in dropped offunhurt. himtolet go offthe land plots. 365for kidnapping and wrong- from organisingsecretaryfor Chadha and Atishi Marlena are Once witnesses in the CBI’s and hence no discretion maybe Daskroi of Ahmedabad rural on Accordingtopolice, The priestwas laterdroppedoff fullyconfining aperson. variouszones. likelytocampaign forthe party investigation on Sohrabuddin exercisedinfavour...” of the Wednesdayevening. Goswami's volunteer Tulsi Patel after8pmbythe accusedun- Further probeisgoing on," the AAP MLAinDelhi and candidates. Sheikh fake encounter case, the brothers. Accordingtopolice,the in- waspresentatthe time of inci- hurt, said an officer at Bopalpo- officer added.

Tender No. GCSC/E&M/2020-21/146 N.W.R.S. &KALPSAR DEPARTMENT TM E-procurement notice No.9 of 2020-21 Gujarat Council of Science City Name of work :- (1) Clearing Silt in From of Slushyand Muddy Science City Road, Ahmedabad-60. Phone: 91-79 29703122 condition from Drainage Suphon at Ch. 149.910 Km On Sujlam Mail: [email protected] •Web : www.scity.gujarat.gov.in Suflam Spreading Canal. Esti. Amount Rs.9.27 Lakhs Last GCSC invitesBid for date/ Time forreceipt of online tender Dt.08/01/2021 Upto 18.00 1. Re-Tender for overhauling and upgradingThrill Ride Hrs., Last date/ Time forSubmisssion of EMD,tender feeand 2. Tender for Repairing of Wind Turbine and Wind Mill in Energy Park other documents Dt.15/01/2021 Upto 16.00 Hrs., Date of open- at Science City,Ahmedabad. All details and conditions of Tender ing of Tender Dt.16/01/2021 at 12-00 Hrs., Office address- documents are provided in the website www.nprocure.com and also ExecutiveEngineer,Sujlam Suflam Spreading Channel Dn. available on https://scity.gujarat.gov.in. No.1, Himatnagar behind Durga Oil Mill, Sinchai Bhavan Dt.25-12-2020 Executive Director Chhaparia Road Himatnagar-383001 T. No.02772- 246671. Further details can be seen at www.nwr.nprocure.com & www.statetender.com INF/HMT/419/2020

ON LINE TENDER NOTICE NO.7 /2020-21 PANCHAYATR&BDIVISION BOTAD Executive Engineer Panchayat Road and Building Division (Ph. 02849-271472) invites On-line Tenders from Registered contractors with Govt. of Gujarat. for Various Roads Under 15% Ayojan (2020-21) 4Work 55.81 48 Vikasshil taluka 2020-21 8work 94.62 2515 BENS (2019-20, 2020-21) 5work 70.00 Total 17 Works 220.43 TenderNotice willbepublished at timeoftender upload on website https://www.nprocure.com. Bidders have to subinit tender On-line on website https:// www.nprocure.com, only.Nophysical submission' will be entertained. Detail tender notice also Available on Information Deptt. web side www.state- tender.com and our office Notice Board. Original tender documents, and detailed tender Notice also can be seen at this office on working days. Time Schedule of E-Tendering as below. Documents downloading and last date, time of Dt.11-01-2021 Tender Submission Up to 18:00 hrs. Tender Opening Date and Time for Work no.1,5,7 Dt.12-01-2021 12:00 hrs. Tender Opening Date and Time for Work no.2,6,8,9, Dt,13-01-2021 12:00 hrs. 10, 11, 12 Submission of Tender fee, EMD and other within seven days from documents. by RPAD opening Tender DDI-BVN-680/20-21

WATER AND LAND MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE (WALMI) ANAND. GUJARAT WATER SUPPLY & On-Line E-TENDERING SEWERAGE BOARD Tender Notice No. 12 of 2020-2021 TENDER NOTICE NO. 18 &19OF2020-2021 (I.D. No. 440604, 440629) Name of Work :Demolition Work of Existing Hostel Buildingand 115 Sqm Quarter at ExecutiveEngineer,Public Health WorksDivision, GWSSB RTCWALMI Campus,Rajkot. Surat (Ph.0261-2782088) invites online tenders through E- Estimated Cost :2.Rs. 5,32,260.00 tendering single bid system from registered contractors in "R &BDepartment/ Irrigation Tender Fee:2. Rs.900.00 Department forthe work with GWSSB under deposit 02 EMD Rs :2.Rs. 5,325.00 (two) work of (1) NAL SE JALProject under falia connectiv- Last Date Down Loading :Dtd. 04/01/2021 On available ity of Gaypagla RWSS with 5years O&M(2) NAL SE JAL &submission of price bid. www.nprocure.com Project under falia connectivity of Vanskui RWSS with 5 Last date of Submission :Dtd. 05/01/2021 To 11/01/2021 years O&M(2) works, Forthe Range of estimated amount- forPhysical document //Up to Office Hrs. ing Rs.13.30 Crore Forfurther details of tender notice, Tender Fee/EMD :ByR.P.A.D.orSpeed Post scope of work tender fee, EMD and specification etc. Please Date of Opening :Dtd. 12/01/2021 visit Websites http://gwssb.nprocure.com,The last Date of Up to 14.00 Hrs.Ifpossible online bid submission is Dt.27/01/2021 up to 18.00 hrs.& Office Name &Address :Office of Chief Engineer &Director Tender Physical Documents submission Hand to hand on Water and Land Management Institute WALMI Campus, date: 28/01/2021 up to 15.00 pm.hrs Dept. reservesthe right Vadod Road, Anand -388 001. to reject anyone or all tenders without assigning anyreason. Phone No.:(02692) 262450 Nowonwards,all the improvementsl correction in the tender shall be done online only. FaxNo. :(02692) 261651 Forany queryregarding water supply problem, please call Detail Tender Notice on : www.statetenders.com on helplinenumber-1916 available (INF/ANAND/481/20-21) No.: INF-Surat/1068/2020

Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM THEINDIANEXPRESS,FRIDAY,DECEMBER25,2020 7

ADVERTORIAL Garvi Gurjari – “Let’s Get the Ball Rolling to support the Backbone of our Heritage”

UJARATSTATEHandloom & Handicrafts Development Cor- poration Ltd.,(GSHHDC),an un- Gdertaking of the Government of Gujarat wasestablished in 1973 with the main objective of identification,re- vival and development of handicrafts and handloomsofGujarat. With the advent of GSHHDC, it has been possible to develop handloom and handicraft products,and a continuous process of providing design in- puts to makethese products have more util- itarian value and makethem suitable for a contemporary lifestyle without altering the traditional values of craftsmanship.Thou- sands of artisans/weavers,who come from rural, urban and even remote areas of Gu- jarat,are covered under its various schemes of training and designsdevelopment. Garvi Gurjari is initiating strategies to take the crafts of our state to agreater level.There have been several positive steps that have been taken to bring about achange in the proactive decision to increase its procure- wayGarvi Gurjari works for acollective ben- ment to the maximum it can, which was efit of our artisans,consumers and the brand thrice of what waspreviously procured that itself.This has been done with the support wasmore than 10 crores for this year.This and guidance of the Managing Director,Shri helped the artisans sell their products favor- Mahesh Singh (IFS). Garvi Gurjari under ing the recovery of the cost of production GSHHDC is involved in the following: and gain income during the carking time. Revival of Languishing Crafts: Gu- New Branding Strategies: Garvi Gur- jarat is home to various kinds of crafts that jari is commencing new branding strategies form the backbone of our rich culture and to improve the overall aesthetic of the brand heritage.Several crafts are veiled in the cor- in terms of marketing,visual merchandising, ners of small towns and villages.Due to the customized packaging for specific products effects of modernization, lack of awareness along with creating exclusive corners in the and agap between the artisans and buyers, emporiums and several other areas to bring these crafts have unfortunately become lan- about apositive change.This is captivating for guishing.Therevival of these precious crafts the existing and prospective clients.Garvi is acutely imperative for Garvi Gurjari. There Gurjari has also introduced CraftTags to give have been numerous measures that have insights about the crafts to the valuable con- been taken to reestablish these crafts. sumers which will help them see the world of Ashawali, Sadeli, Sujani, Agate,Saudagiri art and craft in relation to fashion and and Pithora are some of the languishing lifestyle differently. crafts that needed utmost attention and Concern for the Environment: The through Garvi Gurjari, these artisans have products of Garvi Gurjari are all made out of gained plenty of work.Further,manyTraining natural fibers that are easily decomposable and Design Development Workshops have ing Inputs and Enhancement of products in process simpler and allows the team to un- and are environment friendly.Moreover,the been conducted to create products suited to any possible way. derstand the technical advancement,design waste yardages have been up-cycled to modern taste and these have been made Development of Central Store: The development and other requirements makecloth bags that are used as packaging available to consumers through Garvi Gurjari Central Store has been recently incorporated needed. bags replacing the plastic bags that cause Emporiums and E-store.Every product has to assure acentralized flow of goods to vari- Development of aNew Range for immense harm to the environment. Garvi special craft tags attached that enlighten the ous emporiums.Further,all the products un- Corporate Gifting:Anew initiative is be- Gurjari encourages naturally dyed products consumer with the story and process of that dergo aregular intense quality check to gions in the state have been planned to en- formed to decrease the burden of invest- ingtaken in terms of product diversification and all the other products are made using craft to spread awareness. avoid any defective products reaching the sure revival and development of various ment for the artisans.All the artisans were for B2B products range that can be used for azo-free dyes.Garvi Gurjari is proactively de- Incorporation of Design Cell: Design stores.The central store ensures timely craft clusters. given individual attention during the group Corporate Gifting purpose.This has led to re- termining methods to improve the health of is the pillar of any product development that movement of goods to all the emporiums Manthan: ‘Manthan’ is anew brain- discussion so that the details of their expecta- ceiving ample orders during Diwali and oth- the environment by adopting eco-friendly encompasses asystematic thought process making the supply process simpler and effi- storming workshop initiative taken to have tions,problems and ground reality can be erwise,that is aiding in giving the artisans measures. that begins with the market research and cient. direct communication with the artisans asso- captured and necessary changes can be more work. It also helping them develop Garvi Gurjari is continuously trying to im- trend forecasts followed by various design Training and Design Development ciated with Garvi Gurjari. Twoworkshops made to have efficient working methods new articles catering to the taste of modern prove its services and its relationship with processes.The Design Cell pays close atten- Workshops: Design development and have been conducted so far to understand and ease of the problem-solving process. clients. the artisans and consumers for mutual bene- tion to the upcoming seasons and trends product diversification according to the cur- the needs and problems of the artisans and to Frequent Field Visits: Garvi Gurjari Covid -19 Support: ThePandemic has fits and continuous growth of the society. that enables them to create various color rent market trends are vital in ameliorating understand the necessary changes that need employees from various departments includ- proven to be an afflictive time for people in all Garvi Gurjari under GSHHDC (Gujarat State combinations and designs.Design Develop- the sale of handcrafted products in the era to be taken to bridge the gap between the ing the Managing Director makefrequent the economic strata of society.The cottage Handloom and Handicrafts Corporation Lim- ment Workshops are conducted by the De- of cut-throat competition. Numerous work- brand and the artisans.30to35artisans field visits where the artisans work and re- industry has suffered greatly due to cancella- ited) is promoting the idea of our Hon- sign Cell to give their valuable inputs.New shops related to marketing, product-shoot, were called in each of the workshops from side,tohave aclose interaction with them tion and deferment of orders from their buy- ourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi products are developed without altering the design development and intervention have different regions of the state practicing differ- and to understand their requirements and ers across the country.The investment was which is “Vocal for Local” enabling various traditional techniques,keeping the core intact been conducted to ensure enhancement in ent crafts.The workshops were directed to problems.These visits give important and stuck in the making of these products that strategies that work in that direction. and at the same time catering to the needs of the finishes,quality,raw materials used, address their problems and give effective so- detailed insights into what is actually hap- led to the accumulation of non-moving stock Mahesh Singh, IFS -Managing amodern consumer.The Design Cell is re- product aesthetic and product diversifica- lutions for the same.For example,Raw Mate- pening.This ensures necessary changes that and ablocked investment used in making Director, Garvi Gurjari sponsible for Product Diversification,Brand- tion.Several other workshops in different re- rial Banks in several regions have been can be made,makes the procurement these products.Hence,Garvi Gurjari took a Mousmi Sejpal, Designer, Garvi Gurjari

Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 8 EXPRESS NETWORK THEINDIANEXPRESS,FRIDAY,DECEMBER25,2020 PM to launch DFC section in UP UTTAR GUJARATVIJ COMPANY LIMITED CIN-U40102GJ2003SGC042906 nation the newrail freight corri- afterthe inuguration, will see a will dedicatetothe nation is Regd. &Corporate Office:Visnagar Road, Mehsana-384001 AVISHEKGDASTIDAR doralongwithUttarPradeshChief substantial number of freight built at acostofRs5,750 crore, E&PDept: geb: http://guj-epd.gov.in NEWDELHI,DECEMBER24 MinisterYogi Adityanath next trains and container trafficdi- fundedbythe WorldBank.The week. verted to the freight corridor re- newstations in this section are TENDER NOTICE PRIMEMINISTERNarendraModi Modiwillalsoflagoff,fromre- sulting in notjustfastermove- Bhaupur,Kanchausi, Achalda, Invitation forTender Notice No.1) UGVCL/SP/II/1040/LT will virtuallyinauguratethe mote,long-haul (1.5km) trains ment of goods but also Ekdil, Bhadan, Makhanpur, Shackle Insulator and HT StayInsulator.2)UGVCL/SP/ largest section of the Eastern from Bhaupur and from Khurja. de-congestion of the existing Tundla, Hathras, Daudkan and IV/1054/ 4Cx10mm2 &4CX16mm2 LT PVC Cable 3) UGVCL/ Dedicated Freight Corridor at Alongwiththesection,thePM Indian Railway line carrying traf- Khurja. Some of the important SP/IV/1056/ Earthing Rod &Operating Rod is put up foron middayonDecember 29 to will also unveil the state-of-the- fictoNorth India. industrial areas that straddle line tendering on www.ugvcl.com &www.ugvcl.nprocure.com. launchthe operations of one of artOperation Control Centreof As arun up to the inaugura- this section areAligarh, Khurja, Interested Vendors are requested to locate the same from thelargest railinfrastructureproj- the Eastern Dedicated Freight tion,work wasexpeditedandtrial Firozabad and Agra.Inthis above mentioned WebSite. ectsinIndia. Corridor basedinPrayagraj.The runs were conducted earlier this stretch68level crossings have Note: Be in touch with our website till opening of tender. The 351-kmKhurja-Bhaupur centre, with galleries of multiple month.Thefirstcoal-loadedtrain been eliminated augmenting (V.M Shroff) (Kanpur) section of the Eastern screens,willkeeptrackofalltrain comprising 59 wagons having a speedand safety, the Dedicate Chief Engineer (P) Dedicated Freight Corridor is movement in real time on the tonnageof4893 tonnes ranfor Freight Corridor Corporation "UGVCL Customer Care Center 24x7 Toll Free Number:19121 or 1800 233 155 335" ready and necessarytrials and freightcorridorandenableseam- NabhaPowerHouseinPunjabon says.The section has 19 major testing have already been con- less planning of operations. December 10. bridges, 414minor bridges, cluded. Modi will dedicatetothe The Khurja-Bhaupur section, The 352kmsection Modi sevenrail flyovers. ³f¦fSX d³f¦f¸f, ´fi¹ff¦fSXfªf ÀfSXûªf³fe ³ff¹fOcX ¸ff¦fÊ,dÀfd½f»f »ffBX³Àf ´fi¹ff¦fSXfªf, CXØfSX ´fiQZVfÜ Pak national among two JeM Construction of Ram BÊX-d³fd½fQf Àfc¨f³ff militants killed in J&K gunfight Àfa.OXe.:470/´f¹ffÊ./2020 dQ³ffaIY: 24 dQÀf¸¶fSX,2020 the militantsfired upon a temple: Structural ³f¦fSd³f¦f¸f, ´fi¹ff¦fSfªf ¸fZÔ supply, fixing, installation PRESS TRUST OF INDIA search team of security forces, SRINAGAR, DECEMBER 24 drawing retaliation. piles not up to mark &commissioning of Air Quality monitor Security forces launcheda equipment IZ If¹fÊ WZ°fb ´faªfeIÈ °f NZIZ QfSûÔ IZ ¸ff²¹f¸f ÀfZ TWOJAISH-E-MOHAMMAD cordon-and-search operation Research Institute(CBRI) in (JeM) militants, including a in Wanigam Payeen in the AVANEESHMISHRA Roorkee, and engineers from BÊ-d³fd½fQf Af¸fd³Âf°f Ieªff°fe W`Üd³fd½fQf Of»fZ ªff³fZ Ied°fd±f Pakistani national, were killed Kreeri area of Baramulla district LUCKNOW,DECEMBER24 companies likeLarsen &Toubro Ifd½f½fS¯f d³f¸³f½f°fÐ W`:- on Thursdayinanencounter in north Kashmir Thursday (L&T) and Tata Consulting with security forces in morning following information THE STARTofthe construction of Engineers (TCE) arealready fac- IiaY.Àfa. d³fd½fQf IYf d½f½fSX¯f dQ³ffaIY Àf¸f¹f Baramulla district of Jammu about the presence of aRam temple in Ayodhya has hit ing hurdles in form of loose sand 1. d³fd½fQf C´f»fûO dI ¹fZ ªff³fZ Ied°fd±f 26.11.2020 A´fSf³W 02:00 ¶fªfZ ÀfZ and Kashmir,police said. militantsthere, apolice anotherhiccupaftertests revealed due to waterflowonthe west 2. d³fd½fQf Of»fZ ªff³fZ IeAd³°f¸f d°fd±f 11.01.2021 A´fSf³W 03:00 ¶fªfZ °fI The gunfight ensuedafter spokesman said. that structural piles made to bear side of garbhagrih of the pro- 3. MZd¢³fI »f d¶fO £fû»fZ ªff³fZ Ied°fd±f 11.01.2021 A´fSf³W 04:00 ¶fªfZ theweight of the temple did not posedtemple. give desired results, according to The foundation design, fi- d³fd½fQf If A³¹f d½f½fS¯f BÊ-MZ¯OSIe½fZ¶fÀffBM Gujarat Water Supply &Sewerage Board, Shri RamJanmabhoomi Teerth nalisedand submittedby the L&T, Gandhinagar http://www.etender.up.nic.in ÀfZ OfC³f»fûO/´fif´°f Ie KshetraTrust. comprisedplain cement concrete ªff ÀfI °fe W`Ü Tender Notice No. 35 &36Year 2020-21 The Trust, whichwas formed raftresting on about 1200cement ExecutiveEngineer,Public Health WorksDivision, Bhuj Kutch to facilitatetheconstructionof the concretepiles going 20 to 40 me- WXÀ°ff./- through e-tenderhig system (Tender I.D No.(1) 440085 (2) Ramtemple following the tres deep and around 1metre in (CXØf¸fIbY¸ffSX ½f¸ffÊ) 440086) No.of2WorksEstimated Cost Rs.131.29 Lacs Supreme Court's verdict in the diameter.“The drawing wasof Tender can be downloaded after Dt.19/12/2020. Last Date of RamJanmabhoomi-BabriMasjid 1,200pillars and we did atesting. 1561-PRO/20 ´f¹ffʽfSX¯f Ad·f¹f³°ff on-line Submission is till Dt.04/01/2021 at 12:00 Hours. title suit, is nowtrying to find al- Some of the pillars were put un- 24/12/20 ³f¦fSX d³f¦f¸f, ´fi¹ff¦fSXfªf Further details are available on the Webside ternative ways forit. derground till around 125feet http://www.gssb.nprocure.com The team of technical experts and were tested afteraround 28 Regarding the problem of drinking water in ruralareas it is that include people from several days,whichisthe required time requested to,contact the helpline no.1916/1800200 1400 of renownedinstitutes likethe IITs, as per engineering norms. We put GUJARATTECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY Gujarat Water Supply &Sewerage Board, Gandhinagar. NITs, the Central Building 700tonnes of weight on them (Established Under Gujarat Act No.: 20 of 2007) (DDI-KUTCH-986-2020) along with creating an earth- Chandkheda, Ahmedabad -382 424, Gujarat. quakesituation, but the test E-Tender Notice OFFICE OF THE ENGINEER-IN-CHIEF (CIVIL), piles did notgiveusthe de- The Gujarat Technological University (GTU) invites e-tender forpro- ODISHA Classifieds sired results. The readings on curement of following items. the machine were notwhat E-Tender Name of Item NIRMAN SOUDHA, UNIT-V,BHUBANESWAR B-565 INVITATIONS FOR BIDS (IFB) PERSONAL we wanted... If the pile testing No. resultswerejustalittle differ- 15/ E-Tender forselection of Agency forSupply,Installation, File No-B-IV-H-(H&D)-31/2019 Lr.No. 41221 /Bhubaneswar,the 23rd Dec. 2020 Invitation for Bids ent, we would have givenago- 2020-21 commissioning and warranty supportofvarious services for I PinjaraRahil S/O, Bid Identification No. E.I.C. (B) -07/2020-21 ahead (for the construction Audio /Vedio /Web Conferencing at GTU Ismailbhai Mansuri R/o 1. The Chief Engineer (Buildings) Odisha, Bhubaneswar,onbehalf of work). But theyweremuch 16/ E-Tender forselection of Agency forSupply,Installation, 84/1, Royal Park, Nr. Governor of Odisha, invites percentage rate bids in double cover different from what we ex- 2020-21 commissioning and warranty supportofvarious Equipment Hariyali Society, system in ONLINE MODE only,for Construction of Building works forthe Implementation of Vedio Surveillance System at GTU Juhapura, Ahmedabad- pected,” Raisaid. as detailed below. 380055 have changed About the problems being 17/ E-tender forAccreditation and Learning Management 2. Nature of work : Building works 2020-21 System of GTU my name to Mansuri facedbytheengineers,Raisaid 3. No. of work : 01 no. Rahil for all purposes. withtheSaryuriverflowingon 18/ Expression of Interest forVulnerability Assessment and 4. Bid Cost. : R 10,000/- (each) 2020-21 Penetration Testing 0040558478-1 thewest sideof thegarbhagrih, 5. Class of Contractor : Super 19/ RFP document forLAN and ServerStorage forUniversity. waterandloosesandarepres- 6. Availability of Bid Documents From dt.30.12.2020 to 17.00 2020-21 : ent close to wherethe pillars in the website Hours of dt.27.01.2021. ‘‘ IMPORTANT ’’ 20/ ShortE-Tender forPlastic Printed Sealed Security Envelope. aretostand. “The structure's 7. Date of Opening of Bid : Dt. 29.01.2021 at 11:30 AM. Whilst care is taken prior to acceptance of advertising strengthcannotbeensuredon 2020-21 copy,itisnot possible to verify its contents. The 8. The Bidders have to participate in ONLINE bidding only.Further Prospectivebidders are invited to download e-tender document from: Indian Express (P) Limited cannot be held loosesand.Thatiswhytheex- details can be seen from the website: https://tendersodisha.gov.in. 28/12/2020 04.00 p.m.from the n-procure website: gtu.nprocure.com. responsible for such contents, nor for any loss or perts arehaving discussions Any addendum /corrigendum /cancellation of tender can also be damage incurred as aresult of transactions with Alternatively theycan also download the tender documents from the over howtostopthe water seen in the said website only. companies, associations or individuals advertising in University website: www.gtu.ac.in under Tender option. Prospective its newspapers or Publications. We therefore fromreachingthetemple,how recommend that readers make necessaryinquiries Bidders are requested to remain updated constantly forany corrigen- Sd/- to makeastrong foundation dum/amendment /clarification through above website.Noseparate noti- before sending any monies or entering into any Engineer-in-Chief (Buildings) agreements with advertisers or otherwise acting on on loose sand and howtoin- fication will be issued. Sd/- Odisha, Bhubaneswar an advertisement in any manner whatsoever. crease the concrete's Date :23/12/2020 No.INF/ABD/1131/2020 Registrar OIPR-34117/11/0011/2021 longevity,” he said.

Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Surat, conducts 18th Convocation Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology Surat (SVNIT), an Institute of MoU Signed between HUDCOand MoHUA National importance,Under the MinistryofEducation, Govt of India has conducted its 18th Convocation in virtual mode.Dr.Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' Hon'ble Union Min- HUDCO has signed aMemorandum ofUnderstanding (MoU) with the Ministryof ister of Education MinistryGovernment of India wasthe Chief Guest of the function and Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) forsetting key targets forthe financial year 2020- delivered the Convocation Address.Hecongratulated to all the meritorious 1180 de- 21. The MoU wassigned between Sh. Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, MoHUA gree recipients including 720 students at under graduate BTech level, 262 students at and Sh. Kamran Rizvi, Chairman and Managing Director,HUDCO in the presence of MTech Level, 87 students at Doctoral Level, and 111 students at MScFiveYear In- Sh. M.Nagaraj, Director (Corporate Planning) and Sh.D.Guhan, Director (Finance). tegrated level. He also congratulated 26 gold medallists during his convocation.The Convocation Ceremonywas also graced by the presence ofYo geshchandraSTr ivedi, Charutar Arogya Mandal CAM Advisorytothe Chief ExecutiveOfficer and Managing Director of L&THeavy Engi- Webinar: Institute of Law,Nirma University bags prestigious ABCI award neering.The Director of the institute Prof SRGandhi in his convocation address con- Centre forCorporate LawStudies,Institute of Law, Nirma University,inassociation with gratulated training and placement cell for547 students securing jobs in numerous Charutar ArogyaMandal has bagged the presti- Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Association of Mutual Funds in In- companies and organisations of national and international repute. gious Association of Business Communicators dia (AMFI) organised an investor awareness webinar on "Strategies forManaging of India (ABCI) award forits 2017-18 Annual Re- Personal Finance including Mutual Funds during and after COVID-19". ShriSurya portinthe category-Photography. 1250 entries in Kant Sharma Senior Consultant North India- AMFI, ShriDeb Bhattacharjee Asst. 14th CONVOCATION AT GANPAT UNIVERSITY various categories from 89 companies across the General Manager,SEBI, and ShriAnupAgarwal, Asst.Vice President, NSDL (Mum- Amidst the challenging and tough time of Corona Pandemic and strictly adhering to the nation were received. These awards are an at- bai) were the eminent speakers at the session.The event also markedthe presence of COVID-19 guidelines of the government, afull dayvirtual 14th Convocation ceremony tempt to recognise excellence in print, radio,elec- Prof.DrAnupKSingh, Director General, Nirma University,DrUdai Paliwal, Dean, washeld by Ganpat University,Gujarat, in the august presence of Soroya MKole, tronic and digital media, alongside stalwarts in Institute of Commerce Dr.MMallikarjun, Director,Institute of Management, and Prof. The President of Cal Poly University of America as chief Guest.. On this occasion Indian industry. The award wasannounced at the Dr Purvi Pokhariyal, Director &Dean-Institute of Law, Nirma University.Prof.Amit the president of the Ganpat university Hon. Padmashree Ganpatbhai Patel, the Hon. 59 th ABCI Annual Awards Nite at Mumbai. Due to Kashyap, Assistant Professor delivered the vote of thanks. Pro Chancellor and Director General of Ganpat University Dr.MahendraSharma, the pandemic the Annual Awards Nite wasasub- the MembersofBoard of Governors and Academic Council, the Tr ustees,the Pro dued affair and could not be organised in an elab- Vice Chancellor and ExecutiveRegistrar Dr.Amit Patel, the Pro Vice Chancellor and orate manner as it happened in the past. ExecutiveDean Dr.Rakesh Patel, the Jt. Registrar Dr.Girishbhai Patel, the Executive Deans of various faculties and other dignitaries remained present virtually to motivate and bless the students on this occasion who also joined virtually from the USA.The Minister for Petroleum &Natural Gas and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan event wastelecast liveonYouTube,Facebook and other social media and online plat- dedicates the 8th producing Basin of India -Bengal Basin, to the nation forms. More than 10,000 people from across the globe witnessed it livefrom their ownplaces. Bolstering efforts to meet one of the vital essentials,the energy need forAtmaNirbhar Bharat, ShriDharmendraPradhan, Hon'ble Minister forPetroleum &Natural Gas Bank of Baroda signs MoU with Defence Forces for and Steel dedicated the Bengal Basin, the 8th producing basin of India, to the nation its newly launched 'Baroda Military SalaryPackage' todayon20th December,2020 at Asokenagar,West Bengal. ONGC took amajor step by commencing oil production from the well Asokenagar-1, Bengal Basin in 24 Bank of Baroda, one of India's largest Public Sector Banks,signed aMemorandum of Paragana district. The well Asoknagar-1 wascompleted as an oil producer under Early-Monetization Plan issued by Government of India.This makes ONGC having dis- Understanding (MoU) with Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard and renewedits ex- Fit India Cyclothon organized by Western Railway covered and put to production sevenout of the eight producing basins of India cover- isting MoU with the Indian Army,tooffer specially customized banking services Ahmedabad division through 'Baroda MilitarySalaryPackage'. The MOUs were signed by Vikramaditya ing 83 percent of established oil &gas reserves. ONGC is India's largest oil and gas pro- Singh Khichi, ExecutiveDirector,onbehalf of Bank of Baroda and Lt Gen Ravin ducer contributing 72 percent of the country's hydrocarbon production. The Fit India Cyclothonisbeing organized on the Ahmedabad division of Western Khosla, AVSM, SM, VSM, DG (MP &PS) on behalf of the Indian Army,inthe presence Canara bank's bumper gift to its customers, Indian Bank SuratZone Railway recently under the aegis of MinistryofYouth Affairs and Sports.According to of Lt Gen Harsha Gupta, AVSM,YSM, VSM, Adjutant General; and on behalf of Indian the instructions of Deepak Kumar Jha, Chairman, Divisional Railway Manager and by increasing interest rates on fixed deposits Coast Guard by Deputy Inspector General DSSaini, TM, Principal Director (Admin- Indian Bank Surat Zone has recently arranged aMega OTSCUM Recovery Drive Board Sports Association, Ahmedabad Sports Association organized a4-km cy- istration).The 'Baroda MilitarySalaryPackage' wasalso presented to the Indian Air Canarabank, apremier PSU bank, has increased its interest rates by 0.20 %for gen- across all the Branches of South Gujrat. Zonal Manager Pranesh Kumar ,DZM San- clothon from Sabarmati NewRailway ColonyInstitute Ground to ADSA Cricket Force.The MoU between the Bank and Indian Navy wassigned by Ashwini Kumar, eral public. Benefits can be availed by customer who keeps tenure of fixed deposit for chit &CMPrabhakar Sahoo and other key officials from Zonal Office led the cam- Ground today. More than 50 officers and employees participated in this program. In General Manager (Government Relationships and PSU), on behalf of Bank of Baroda minimum 2years.Customer who keeps tenure of fixed deposits from 2years upto 3 paign at Vapi -Valsad ,Baroda ,Godhara. &Surat centres.During the campaign 35 bor- Gandhidham, more than 70 officers and employees participated in the 6kmcyclothon in the presence of VikramadityaSingh Khichi, ExecutiveDirector of the Bank, and years will get interest rate of 5.40% instead of 5.20 %. Senior citizen can avail 5.90 % roweraccounts were closed under One Time Settlement scheme of the Bank and campaign from the railway ground to the railway station. Jha urged everyone to adopt Cmde Neeraj Malhotra, Cmde (P&A) onbehalf of the Indian Navy,inthe presence of interest rate instead of 5.70%. Fortenure between 3 years upto 5years,interest rate Recovery to the tune of 220 lakhs wasmade .Inthe campaign 41 branches of the zone "Fit India Dose Half Hour Daily" in regular life.The event wasmoderated by the asso- Rear Admiral Girish KGarg, ACOP (AC). forgeneral public will be 5.50 %and forsenior citizen it will be 6.00 %. actively participated. ciation's secretaryAbhishek Kumar Singh and his welfare team.

Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM THEINDIANEXPRESS,FRIDAY,DECEMBER25,2020 9

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Iarriveataconclusion not an assumption. Inform your opinion with detailed analysis.

Christmas is allabout Celebrating brotherhood andbeing merry!

This is afestival that knows no boundaries and is celebrated across the globe with awhole lot of cheerfulness and festivities With the ongoing festive season inching closer to the year-end festiv- ities, two big celebrations are on the cards for many on the occasion of Christmas and New Year.The festival of Christmas rings in the arrival of New Year and merriment. Things are likely to get even more merrier considering that both Christmas and New Year fall on long weekends. Christmas celebratesthe birth of Jesus whom Christians believe is the Son of God. Celebrated across the globe by Christians and non-Christians alike, Christmas is “one of the most important happy while shopping worry-free inside the malls or standalone stores. days of the year Overall, it’s important to understand your responsibilities at atime for Christians, when uncertainty and anxiousness reign high on people’s mind. The along with more careful and responsible you are towards your hygiene and health, Easter when the better it is for you and society.So, follow the precautionary and pre- the death and ventive measures to have aworry-free shopping experience this resurrection of Christmas.

Jesus are observed.” The traditions of celebrating Christmas differ from country to country,but they nearly always include “a feast, giving gifts or cards, and enjoying church or public festivities such as singing Christmas car- ols and songs. Santa Claus is atradition in many coun- triesofthe world.” Since every festival in India is celebrated with great pomp and show,Christmas is no exception. It’s afestival that spreads the message of brotherhood and love and is celebrated across the society with great merriment. On this day,people visit churches and cathedrals that are em- bellishedwith flowers, colourful lights and other decora- tions. Folks send Christmas greetings to their friends and families in faraway places. People decorate their homes to the hilt with Christmas trees, wreathes with bright red decorative bulbs, bells and other small trinkets. People hang beautiful star-shaped paper lamps of various colours and sizes outside their homes. And when it comes to celebrating festivals, one auto- matically turns to shopping. In India, every festival is an op- portunitytoshop your heart out to have acomplete celebra- tion. No celebration is considered complete unless there’s some shopping involved in it, be it for festive essentials, apparels or gift sets etc. During this hugely popular festi- val, shops and bazaars are decked up to do good business by offering mega discounts and offers. Generally,markets are jampacked with huge crowd as people scurry to buy new clothes, gifts (exchanging gifts is an age-old Christmas practice and people choose gifts for their loved ones with great thought and affection), avariety of things to cook, Christmas decorations, among other things. *  However,this time, since the pandemic as created prob- FREE  lems in every sphere of life, celebrating festivals in the ANTACAP  New Normal is different as well. Moreover,with the pan- GET AS demic causing financial distress through job and salary

cuts, Indians have begun to spend less and wisely.  However,festive season is also the time when the likeli- hood of aperson purchasing ahouse, car or any other ve- hicle increases, following which there is asteep rise in the WITHEVERY500g. CAKE requirement of credit facilities. Realising this fact and in an attempt to increase their credit growth, banks are try- ing to cash in on the festive cheer by rolling out special of- 101000%%VVeegg fers on loans to lure people into resuming borrowing and Celebrate Christmamas making big purchases. Safety is another concern that hits the mind as soon as we hit the roads and venture out to celebrate. Even in these With times of distress, the Indian business community is doing every bit possible to ensure safe shopping experience for their customers. Nowadays, malls are offering many ex- citing deals and offers to shoppers. Some of the shopping malls and standalone stores are not just following govern- ment guidelines but also professional guidelines to curb COVID-19 spread. They are taking major precautionary measures to ensure people’s safety inside the malls or their OFFERVALIDFROM stores. Due to these extensive efforts on part of mall own- 21st TO 31st DEC 2020 ers and retail stores, people are feeling comfortable and HELPLINE +91-8282858500

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THEINDIANEXPRESS,FRIDAY,DECEMBER25,2020 WORDLY WISE Thething aboutChristmas is thatitalmost doesn't matter whatmood you'reinorwhatkind of ayear 10 THE EDITORIAL PAGE you've had —it's afresh start. —KELLY CLARKSON Fallacy of central model

§ FOUNDED BY § RAMNATH GOENKA Curricula model at the national-leveldoesn’t do justice to BECAUSE THE TRUTH INVOLVES US ALL stateorlocal-levelproblems, issues

BURYTHE LEGACY Milind Sohoni Government should abide by arbitration panel verdictsin RECENTLY, THE AICTE, an agency of the years, would have allowedthe states to come arywhile bypassing the stateapparatus. Such Vodafone and Cairn case and end retrospective taxation MinistryofHuman Resource Development, up witharotatingpanel of writers, supported bulldozer thinking is alsoevident in the whichregulates engineering education in the by aprofessional team whichworks to aplan. National Education Policy 2020. NITS 2014 election manifesto,the BJP had attackedthe then Congress-ledUPA gov- country,came up withanew scheme to sup- So whydid AICTE notthink of this? The fact is that severalstateshaveproved ernment forunleashing“taxterrorism” and “uncertainty”inthe country, whichnot portthewritingandproductionofengineering The fact is that suchobduracy is routine themselvestobequite capable of delivering only“negatively impactsthe investment climate”, but also “dents the imageofthe textbooksin21regional languages. Thereis forMHRD, and also the Department of welfaretotheir people. Mostdevelopmental I country”. Sixyearslater,the signalsthat emanatesuggestthatratherthan ushering theusualdownloadableapplicationformand Science and Technology (DST). Grantsare innovations suchasthe anganwadi, mid-day in a“non adversarial and conducive taxenvironment”, theNarendraModigovernment is scoring sheettobefilledbyactive or retired made to individual faculty members and meals, watermanagement, consumer and professorsfromAICTE-approved institutions. sometimes, institutions. The statedepart- producercooperatives, have come from the continuingwiththehighlycontentiouspoliciesof theUPAgovernment.OnThursday, itwas The supportoffered is about Rs 2lakh. ments, from education to industries, cannot states. And theyhavedone this through their reportedthat the government has filedanappeal at the Singaporeseat of the permanent But thereare twocatches. The firstisthat convey their priorities or interests.Moreover, ownpolitical,social and cultural institutions, courtof arbitrationchallengingthejudgmentintheVodafoneretrospective taxationcase.The thetextbooksshouldpreferablybeforacourse mostofthe open-endedfunds areavailableat without the big-ticket investmentsinscience government’smove comesaday afteritlostthearbitrationcasetoCairnEnergyovertheret- intheAICTEnationalmodelcurriculum.Now, the Centre. Forexample, theannual funds fromtheCentreorthesupportofitselitehigher rospective levy of taxesand wasasked to paydamagestothe tune of $1.2 billion. Whilethe it is well-known that the model curriculum is withDST exceedRs4,000 crorewhile education institutions. government has said it is studying the award, applying the principle of uniformity of ap- notveryrelevant.Infact,ithasnoplaceatallfor Maharashtraoperates an S&T budget of about It is the elitecentral institutions and sci- anyregional content. Thus, the nuancesofir- Rs 60 crore. Thus, the agenda forhigher edu- entific agencies whichhaveuniformlybe- proachsuggests thatitislikelytoappeal theverdict in theCairncase as well. Thiswouldbe rigationinMaharashtra,forexample,thebasic cationand science is setatthe Centre and has come the centres of mediocrity and decay. amistake,and would send the wrong signal to the investor community.The government planning framework,the schedule of the littletodowithproblemswhichthe states Bolstering them is amoribund bureaucracy should acceptthe orders, and ensureaproper burial to the issue of retrospective taxation. patkaris(canaloperators)andtheworkingsof It is the elite central face or the innovationsneededthere. and anarrowintellectual class incapable of The Cairn issue pertains to taxdemand on capitalgains made by the companyinthe re- the paani wapar sanstha (water user associa- institutions and scientific Moreover, many grantsgotofaculty mem- honestwork. Witness the absence of any organisation of itsbusiness. The Permanent CourtofArbitration (PCA) at The Haguehas tions) areall lost. The samestory repeatsitself agencies whichhave bers in the elitecentrallyfundedinstitutions study of mostpublicaspectsofthe pandemic maintainedthat the issuewas notataxdispute, but atax-relatedinvestment dispute, and inotherareasof engineering.Thisperpetuates uniformly become the who have little understanding of or interestin —fromthe number of hospital bedsrequired, the disconnect between what is taught and the regional problems. As aresult, profes- or the safety of rail travel to countingthe ac- henceitfellunderitsjurisdiction.Thecourtnotedthatthedemandwasinbreachoffairtreat- what is practicedand has ledtothe employa- centres of mediocrityand sionalpractices in moststate departments tual number of deaths. The lackofstudy has ment underthe UK-India bilateralinvestment treaty.Ironically, the tribunal order also took bilitycrisisintheIndianeconomy. Thescheme decay.Bolstering them is a such as irrigation, transport, or public health ledtochronic informality,poor wagesand note of argumentsmadeby BJPleadersonretrospective amendmentsandinternationaldis- couldhave beenanopportunityto addressthis moribund bureaucracy and a have been stagnant fordecades. The peoplein widespread hardship. What has emergedis a putes—former financeministerArun Jaitelyhad likenedthem to taxterrorism. In the case lacunaifitweretorelax the adherence to the narrowintellectual class the states,whichismostofus, continueto regressive politics of centralisation of good model curriculum. Thatwouldallowthe in- suffer. And yetwecontinue with this regime. intentionsand handoutsfor an ever-increas- of Vodafone,theSingaporeseat of thePCA hasheldthatIndia’sretrospective demandof cap- incapable of honest work. ital gains and withholding taxfromthe firm was“in breach of the guaranteeoffairand eq- clusion of regionalcontent, andthat toointhe Perhaps,the seedofthis wassownatthe ing number of projected beneficiaries. The Witnessthe absence of any uitable treatment”. In fact, in the Vodafone case, the Supreme Courtheld in 2012 that local language, the use of localformatsand time of the birth of India as an independent AICTE scheme is merelyanillustration of this documents,and linkages with practitioners nation. It wasthenthat science wascastasa overall decrepitude. Vodafone’s interpretationofthe Income TaxAct, 1961 wascorrect. The thenfinance minis- studyofmost public aspects andlocalagencies.Thiswouldachieve acloser of the pandemic —from the nationalproject and notasthe livingpractice Whatistobedone? We mustacceptthat ter, Pranab Mukherjee, circumvented the ruling proposing an amendment to the Finance connection with the practice of engineering. of acommunity.Itcreated adichotomy —the states were neitherborn equal, nor aretheir Act, giving the taxdepartment the powertoretrospectivelytax suchdeals. The second problem is that higher educa- number of hospital beds centralisedstate,it'sscientists and professors developmental trajectories similar.Next, the Hoping that domestic courts willoverturn the arbitration awardwouldbeunwise, and tion departmentsofthe statesarenowherein required,orthe safetyofrail working in eliteinstitutions on the one side, centralisedsystemofscienceisbroken. It has will betreatedas awarningbyinvestors.Theapproachhas to beoneofcompliance with the thepicture.Thisjeopardisesthesuccessof the travel to counting the actual and the people on the other,asrecipients of been aseveredragonthe development of verdict, rather than finding ways to bypass it. The government mustdistance itself from the scheme, even if good textbooksdocome out. number of deaths. Thelack the benefitsofscience but notasparticipants. manystateswhile providing little systematic Firstly, universities have theirown curricula But therealso wasasocial narrative.Science guidancetotheothers.Theembeddedhierar- issue of retrospective taxation that hascausedmuchdamagetoIndia’sreputation. whichaffiliatedcollegesfollow. Theseareusu- of studyhas led to chronic wasbutonepartofthebroaderprojectof mod- chyissucking out the creativity of our youth allyvettedbypeers within the system. Most informality, poorwages and ernising India whichwas to be guidedbya andcausingstressanddisaffection.We needa universitiesandstatehighereducationdepart- widespread hardship. What well-intentioned, internationally connected more accountableand decentralised system. mentswouldwelcomeasystematic develop- elitesituatedinDelhi. The states were seenas An immediatefirststepwould be to devolve mentof textbooksintheregionallanguagefor has emerged is aregressive swampsof vestedinterests,parochialinthink- muchofthe powers of MHRD and itsinstitu- MY SCHOOLVSYOUR SCHOOL aselected setofbasic courses. The current politics of centralisation of ing and highlyunequal and exploitative in so- tions and the funds available with DSTtothe schemedoesnotensurethatthiswillhappen. good intentions and cialrelations. Theycould notbetrustedwith states. This would actuallybeinlinewith the UP and Delhi ministers sparring over education is politics Thus, abetterstrategy forAICTE would have handouts foranever- the welfareoftheirown people, letalone de- spirit and intentofour original Constitution. morewelcome and inspiring been to requestthe states to makeaproposal, liverthe benefitsofscience. This logic perme- to setthe guidelines and to monitor their increasing number of ates manycentralprogrammesastheyfind The writer afaculty at IIT Bombayis progress. Asum of Rs 1crore per year,for five projected beneficiaries. ways to reachthe so-calledultimatebenefici- currently on deputation to IIT Goa HATDOES THE Indian voter trulywant?Her expectations have ranged, over decades, from the minimumofbijli-paani-sadak and naukri to W the over-arching dream of vikastoany arrangement thatconforms to the calculus of caste and religion. Surprisingly, foracountrywith a large young population, educationhas rarely been consideredthe stuffofexciting politi- cal contests—evenifitmakes asignificant difference to opportunity and income. And so it is both noveland hearteningtosee the educationministers of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh THE LAWMAKERS MUST WORK sparring over the stateofpublic schooling in their respective states.Muchofithas to do with the AamAadmiParty’s decisiontocontestUPassemblypolls in twoyearsfromnow.In Delhi, the AAP’spush to funnel resources intothe publicschool system has notonlyseen Statelegislatureshaveanabysmal recordinterms of number of sittings per year changes in government schools —but also reapedelectoral benefits. The AAP’s pitchtoUP ledtoachallengefromstate education ministerSatish Dwivedi, who invitedDelhi educa- tion ministerManish Sisodia to visit government schools in UP to seetheir credit-worthy Chakshu Roy statefor himself. Sisodia promptly turnedupatLucknow, where he wasstoppedbyUP police from carrying out his surveys. Optics aside,thereisnobettertimethan this pandemic-struckyear to make education a THE KERALAgovernor and the government chief ministerwanted asession of the legis- sitting days of the statelegislatures restswith matterworthfightingover.Severalsurveys aswellasanecdotalreportshaveflaggedanation- of thestate areatloggerheads again. This laturecalledsothat he could provehis major- the government. widecrisisinlearningtriggeredbytheclosureofschools.Thatcrisisislikelytobemoreacute is the second major conflict between the ity on the floor of the house. Legislatures arearenas fordebateand giv- twothis year.The first, at the beginning of The Constitution is clear:The govern- ingvoice to public opinion.Asaccountability inthenorthernstates,which,evenbefore thepandemic,laggedbehindthesouthinthepro- this year,was concerning the governor’s ment has the powertoconvene asession of institutions, theyare responsible forasking visionof publicschooling.Forinstance,theNitiAayog’sSchoolEducationQualityIndex(SEQI) address to the statelegislature. The gover- the legislature. The councilofministers de- tough questionsofthe government and high- 2019 rankedUPrightatthebottomof thelarge states.Ananalysisof ASERreportsfrom2006 nor’saddressiswrittenbythe government. cides the dates and the duration of the ses- lighting uncomfortable truths. So, it is in the to 2014 also shows asharp fall in the already low-reading levels in UP’s government schools. Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, while de- sion. Their decision is communicated to the interestofastategovernment to convene The geographicaldivide in learning is an outcome of historical investmentsmade in public livering the address in the legislative as- governor,who is constitutionallybound to lessersittingsof thelegislatureandbypasstheir schooling in states likeKerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.Southern India’s head-start in ed- sembly, stopped before readingout apara- act on mostmatters on the aid and advice of scrutiny. Lesser number of sitting days also graph of the address.The paragraph related the government. The governor then sum- meansthatstategovernmentsarefreetomake ucation, arguably, is alsothanks to alarger, moreeffective politicsofsocial justice. The Delhi to the Kerala government’s opposition to mons the statelegislaturetomeetfor ases- laws throughordinances.Andwhentheycon- government has done well to walk on thatpath. the Citizenship Amendment Bill. sion. The refusal of agovernor to do so is a vene legislatures, thereislittle time forMLAs Educationis,notsurprisingly,apoliticalhard-sell,giventhedifficultyinquantifyingitsgains Interrupting the address, Governor Khan Legislatures are arenas for matter of concern. Sucheventsrequirecare- to scrutinise laws broughtbeforethem. andgivenhow tangleditisinsocialbottlenecksofcaste andgender.ButforUttarPradeshand said that he wasofthe opinion that the debate and giving voice to ful deliberation to preventthem from snow- Continuous and close scrutinybylegisla- Delhi,anexchangeofreparteebetweentheirministersmightservetobringeducationsome paragraphdid notrelate to policy or pro- public opinion. As balling into aconstitutional crisis. But the tures is central to improvinggovernance in welcome politicalattention. At the least, it willbearefreshingchangefromapolitics so ac- grammes. But he went on to read the para- accountabilityinstitutions, eventsinKerala and Rajasthan areanaberra- the country. Increasingthe number of work- graph to honour the wish of the chief min- tion.Theyshould notdistract us from the dis- ing days forstate legislatures is afirststepin customedtothe fever pitch of identity that it neglectsthe grim material realities holding isterdespitehis disagreement. they are responsible for mal recordofthe sittings of statelegislatures increasing their effectiveness. One waytodo India’saspiring youth back. The current conflict is with regardstothe asking tough questions of in the country. that is by convening legislaturestomeetall summoning of the statelegislature. The the government and In the last20years, stateassemblies around the year.Inmanymaturedemocra- Kerala government made arecommenda- highlighting uncomfortable across the country, on average, metfor less cies,afixed calendar of sittings of legislatures, tion to the governor forsummoning the than 30 days in ayear.But states likeKerala, with breaksinbetween,isannouncedatthe state's legislature foraone-daysession. The truths. So, it is in the interest Odisha, Karnataka areanexception.The beginning of the year.Itallows the govern- DEAR SANTA government wanted to discuss the situation of astate government to Kerala Vidhan Sabha, forexample, has on an ment to plan itscalendar forbringing in new arisingout of thefarmers' protest in the leg- convene lesser sittings of the averagemet for50days everyyear forthe laws.Italso has the advantageofincreasing This year,adultstoo have awishlistfor Christmas —ashotof islativeassembly. Media reportssuggestthat legislature and bypass their last10years. The trend across the countryis the time fordebateand discussion in the leg- Covid vaccine among other things the governor turneddownthe government thatlegislatures meetfor longerbudgetses- islative assembly.And withthe legislature on the grounds that thereisnoemergent sit- scrutiny. Lesser number of sions at the beginningofthe year.Thenfor sitting throughout the year,itgets rid of the HIS MORNING, CHILDREN across the worldheavedasigh of relief. The World uation forwhichthe stateassembly should sitting days also means that the rest of the year,theymeetinfitsand politics surrounding the convening of ses- be calledtomeetatshortnotice. Earlier this spurts andpay lip service to the constitu- sions of alegislature. Health Organisation wasindeedright when it clarifiedonDecember 16 state governments are free to year,the Rajasthan governor had rejected the tional requirement that thereshould notbe that SantaClaus (or Father Christmas in moreanglophile countries), is im- recommendation of Chief MinisterAshok makelawsthrough agap of six months between twosessions of The writer is head of outreach T mune to COVID-19. His immunity clearly extends to the newstrain that is Gehlot's government to callasession. The ordinances. alegislature. The blame forthe decline in the PRS LegislativeResearch emerging out of the United Kingdom. The joyofchildren —brought about by asense of innocence and wonder, no doubt, but also, perhaps, from all the presents—is also bring- ing intosharp relief the needfor SantaClaus to expand his remit. At the end of ayear of isolationand uncertainty,ofeconomic precarityand fear about the future, adultstoo needalittle generosity. DECEMBER 25,1980, FORTY YEARS AGO Between lastChristmas and this one, the worldhas changed.Thereisless shopping this year —job losses and salary cutssaw to that—and instead of hugs, acommunal meal HM’S ASSAM OFFER CentralReservePolice forceand resumption at length on the burning issues of the na- and laughter around thehearth, thereare forced smilesand overcompensated gaiety HOME MINISTER ZAIL Singh announcedhis of talks. tional economic scene —hyper-inflation, over video calls. But despiteannus horribilis,thereare manythings to celebrate—things, invitation “without condition” to leaders of lowrateofeconomic growth, rising volume in fact, that arealways worthcherishing. Those who have avoidedCOVID can breathe a the Assam agitation to discuss the foreign BJP ECONOMIC VISION of unemployment, increase in the percent- nationals issue, whichhas disturbed the state AN ECONOMICSYSTEMwith alarge meas- ageofpopulation belowthe povertyline, sigh of relief. And forthe rest,withouthaving to be superficial at gatherings, grown-ups fortolong. He wanted the other side also not ureofdecentralisation, emphasis on dis- and gross inequalities. nowknowwho their real friends are. to put anyconditions. ‘‘Letthem come and tributive justice and ln-built checks to pre- So, since the most important things arethings moneycan’tbuy,what can Santabring we will talk,” he told the RajyaSabha and vent exploitationand the growth of COLD WAVE adults this year? Could he, perhaps, shimmydownthe chimneywith asalaryincrement welcomed Opposition members’ help in the monopolies has been envisaged In the draft PART OF NORTHERN India wasinthe grip or,for those who lostwork, ajob? If that’s tooambitious, perhaps justasmall party at matter.Zail Singh’s invitation came half an economicpolicy statement of theBharatiya of acoldwaveasheavy snowfall in the hills the NorthPole,whereadults can enjoyalittle revelryawayfromthe rugrats—learning hour afterthe House had heatedly debated a JanataParty forits forthcoming session at and intermittent rain in plains continued calling-attention motion of AKSharma(Ind) Bombay. The drafteconomic policy state- forthe second day. The night-long heavy from home has takenatoll on parentstoo. But thereissomethingthat would be easiest and others fornearly twohours. The critics of ment has been prepared by anine-man snowfall blockedtraffic on the Jammu- of all, and particularly suited to Santa’s unique setofskills —speedy,same-nightdeliv- the government had felt frustrated in their committee appointedbythe party presi- Srinagar highway. Indian Airlines couldop- erybeingkey among them. Could he, please,justleave ashotofvaccine under the attempt to getassurances on severalpoints dent, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, withKanwarlal erateonlyone service to Srinagar because Christmas tree? Includinganend to “repression’’bythe Gupta as convener.The statement has dwelt of bad weather.

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THEINDIANEXPRESS,FRIDAY,DECEMBER25,2020 WHATTHE OTHERSSAY “Rather thanwasteful bailoutloans, Mr Sunakwould be better offtakingpublic equity stakes in strickencompanies, ending austerityinlocal government,and 11 launching anational recoverycouncil of industrialists and trade unions along THE IDEAS PAGE with civil-societygroups.” — THE GUARDIAN Thank you for nothing ALeCarre There’s very little that wasredeeming or cheerful about the last10months. But times likethisare lesson for France preciselywhen we needalistthathelps us be grateful,when all has failed With anew lawtomonitorIslamic separatism, France betrays an ideaofcitizenship and republican values that is deeplyinsular

seekto consolidatepoliticalpowerattheex- penseof therightsofindividualcitizens.This Manjula misrecognition is basedoncreating afalse dichotomy.DuringtheColdWar, thefalseop- Padmanabhan position wasbetween “freedom” and “tyranny” forthe West andbetween “bour- THE VERYBESTpart of this very worstyear is geoise democracy” and equality behind the that it's been terriblefor everyone. Right? Iron Curtain. Now, it is between aform of ni- Even the trillionaires who use champagne in Aakash Joshi hilism that emanates from religion and the their bidets,havelostfriends and family. stateasaprotector againstthis rising tide. Even the mostcruel, powerful and ruthless The firststepintaking away individual leaders have fallen sick. One of them even “Should we be free to burn Korans, mockthe rightsinthisprocessisby robbingcitizensof losthis election (please, Lord, lettherebeno passionately held religions of others? Maybe theirindividuality. Hence,aMuslimcitizen— proofing errorinthat sentence!). we should —but should we also be surprised inIndia,asmuchasinFrance—isdefinedby Still. There's reallynothing redeeming when the believers we have offended respond her Muslimness morethan her Indian-ness or cheerful to sayabout the last10months. in fury? Icouldn't answer that question at the or French-ness. Oncesuchahyphenated Times likethis arewhen we needthis list. timeand,withallgoodwill,Istillcan't.ButIam identityisputinplace,aformof aprioricrim- Progressing from leasttoworst, be grate- alittleproud,inretrospect,thatIspokeagainst inalisationisoftenattachedtoacommunity, fulthat … theeasytrend,reckoningwiththewrathofout- andtherightsofcitizenswhobelongto itare 1: …you no longer need to dress for ragedwesternintellectuals, and suffering it in graduallytrammelled—whetherbylawsto work,because you'reslumming in front of all its righteous glory.” — John Le Carre,2012 “protect liberal values” or prevent “love ji- your computer,athome. No under-wired had”.Incontrast, the European Union’s bras, no high-heeledshoes, no skin-clogging IN 1989, AS the Cold Warwas drawing to a TerrorismSituationandTrendReport,anan- makeup. No ties,noscratchy underwear,no close,thecontoursof anew “clashof civilisa- nualdocument,hasrepeatedly recordedin- stinky socks,nosuffocating suits. No rusty tions”were beingdefined.SalmanRushdie’s cidentsofviolenceby right-wingextremists, razors to cut faces or underarms, no after- The Satanic Verses,publishedayear earlier, as well as propaganda againstrefugees and shave lotion to sting your skin, no deodor- had angered people across the worldfor its minoritiesinFrance and the rest of Europe antstostain the bras younolonger wear.Best seemingly cavalier attackonProphet —yet,itisunlikelythataspeciallawtomon- of all, everyone youknowisinexactlythe Mohammad,andAyatollahKhomeini,Iran’s itor Caucasian citizens will be putinplace. same condition. supreme religious leader,issuedthe infa- Theircitizenship,afterall,isnothyphenated. 2. …your children areathome, so youno mous fatwaagainstthe writer.Manycoun- Itwasadisagreementoverthishypocrisy longer needtodrive them to school,make tries, including India, bannedthe book for thatbecame the source of one of themost packedlunches or do laundrywhen theyre- fear of “hurting religious sentiments”. well-known literaryfeuds. In 1997,anargu- turn, muddiedand crumpled. Rushdie became asymbol of resistance ment unfoldedinthe letters column of The 3. …your children arehome, so youcan againstaperceivedmedievalmindset; are- Guardian.John Le Carre,the greatestexpo- exercise your vocal chords, roaring at them at vanchistreligiositythatpitsitself againstthe nentof theespionagenovelwhodiedearlier topvolumewhen theydrive youmad be- ideaof liberaldemocracyandfreespeech.In thismonth, took exception to what he saw cause they'renot doingtheir schoolwork. some senses, thecleavageswrought by the as thepointlessprovocations of The Satanic And no one will complain or call the police, Satanic Verses controversy have only Verses.Hewas,ofcourse,pilloriedbyRushdie because they'reall doing the same, in their CRSasikumar widened. “Islamism”, “fundamentalism”, andtheliteraryestablishmentof theday. But homes. Including the police. youare foronce in the position to smilecon- getaround to,all these years. Youcan learn “Islamic extremism” arethe great “Other”, Le Carre who, as aspy and anovelist, dealt 4. …you're already divorced or wid- descendingly at all your whining, complain- yoga,orelse adegree in law. The degree will likeSauroninTheLordoftheRings,something withthesubtleentrapmentsofideologyand owed/widowered! Or else, from what your ing extroverted friends, who areforcedto come in useful forfighting your case in court. the “Men of the West”mustfight to main- theimmoralitiesof nationalism,perhapsun- friendstell you, youknowthat if youwere wrap themselvesaround their pets or their Once you'reout of lock-up, you'll have alu- tain the virtues of the world. derstoodbetterthanmostthatthecertainties still married, you'd be plotting to murder giant hot-water bottlesfor comfort. crative professionallifeahead,defending Themostrecentthreat-to-liberal-values of “universalvalues”mustbetemperedwith your partner. 9. …that you'resingle because you'velost others likeyourself. call has come from the Emmanuel Macron avirtue that is all toorare—respect. 5. …you'restill married! And youcan en- everyone in your familytoillness and, there- ANEXPRESS IDEASERIES 12.…that youliveinacountrythat sup- governmentinFranceintheaftermathof the It wasnot Le Carre’s case,nor is it of this joyall the excitement of plotting areallyde- fore,havenoreasontofind other and more ports thedeathpenaltyand have been fast- unconscionablemurderof ateacher,Samuel article, that violence and terror do notde- vious murder. violent means of getting rid of them.Really, trackedtowards thegallows,because—how Paty,inOctober.Since2015, beginningwith serve aresponse. Nordid he supportthe call 6. …you have children, and, therefore, this is suchaverygrim reason forbeing lucky! —you pleadedguilty.Asaresult, you theattackandkillingsintheofficesof Charlie forRushdie’s murder or the book’s ban. The youhavecontinuous reminders about how grateful, that it's trulytasteless of me to even won't have time to catchCOVID-19, thereby Hebdo,over250 people have been killedin questionwas,and continues to be,ofthe muchworse it is to be achild in this erathan mention it. Indeed, youmight consider be- risking anasty,uncomfortable end, in the terroristattacks by religiousextremists.The largerethos by which certaincitizens are it wasfor you. Children everywheretoday ing grateful that we'venever met, because prison hospital. latestmove in this battle againstwhat paintedastheother. Itcannotbethecase,for areforcedtosurvive with parentswho are otherwise youwouldbeforcedtocallup COVID 13.…that you'rebeing executed and will Macron has called“Islamic separatism” is a example,thatagau rakshakoracrazedgun- getting divorced or murderingone another. your local assassin service (www.terminal- thus be relievedofyour miserable lifevery proposedlaw whichwouldallowthe state man in an American school is the productof Or chilling out in the asylum. dispatchers.com) and arrangetocross me off SHADOW, efficiently. Ican't guarantee thatit'll be pain- to monitor Muslims, their religious gather- his upbringing, mental healthand the vari- 7. …you have parentswhose behaviour the directoryofthe living. less but it will be quick, especiallycompared ings andorganisations,allowpolice greater ousfailuresof stateandsocietywhilethebar- ever since the pandemic beganhas become 10.…that you'velostyourjob and your NEWYEAR to COVID-19deaths. Victims of the disease impunity,includingwhileactingagainsthate barityof someonefromaminoritycommu- so vicious and unforgiveablethat youcan home, thus driving your familyawayfrom LIGHT typicallytakearound three days from start speechwhen it emanates from Muslims. nityisbecauseofhis “radicalisation” and hatethem forever. In this way, youwill save you. This means that you'vebeen spared the to finish, whereas youshould be gone in less Forthose who empathise with the religion. yourself the heartbreak youwould otherwise horroroflosing them in other ways (see than five minutes. Even though we have no French, the reaction by theMacrongovern- The values of the FrenchRevolution and feel when leaving home to getmarriedorto above). Being homeless and despisedby confirmedaccountsofexistence (suchasit ment is understandable, both as apolitical the FrenchRepublic have foundechoes go to collegeortowork. Youwill nothaveto everyone youknowmeans that you're finally Be grateful that your might be)inthe afterlife, manyaccountssug- necessity as well as asecurity measure.Yet, around the world, including in our own face the trauma of looking afterthem in their free of all worldlyattachment. Youcan throw gest that,asafriend put it recently, “the grass talk of the “enemy within”(Prime Minister Constitution. Abasic corollaryofliberty, old-age—particularly if, as is the case in away your nowuseless credit cards and children are home,soyou is greener on the other side”. This mayhave Jean Castex) is notmerepolitical rhetoric. It equality and fraternityisthat unlikefunda- some families, theyhavecleverly managedto emptywallets to embrace the highestlevels canexercise your vocal alot to do with the grass on this side having betrays anideaof citizenshipandrepublican mentalists,the states that adheretothese murder one another. of spiritual advancement.You canachieve chords roaring at them at top been burnt away by firesorriots or lackof valuesthatisdeeplyinsularandwhichrelies values do notinlaw (and,ideally, in culture) 8. …that you'resingleand have no chil- maximum fitness by walking at your leisure volume when they drive you water. Seriously? Almostanything on the on what social anthropologistPierre differentiatebetween citizens according to dren to despiseorspouses to murder.After to the Himalayas, while starving alongthe other side would be better than what we Bourdieucalled meconnaissance or mis- theirreligiousorpoliticalbeliefs.Whenthose all, murder is notonlyavery serious crime, way. Once you'rethere, youcan find aplace mad because they're not have endured this year. recognition. principleserode,theresultscanbedevastat- but it takesupagreat deal of time, energy by the side of an icy mountain stream and doing their schoolwork.And 14.…that you'veread this listbecause Simplyput, meconnaissance is aform of ing: Justlook at what has happenedto and, quiteoften, money. Really,thishas been contemplateinfinity. no one will complain or call whatever youread next will be more hegemonybywhichtheinterestsof apartic- Pakistan,particularly afterthereignofZia-ul an excellent year forrecluses. Notonlyare 11.…that you'vebeenthrowninto the police,because they're all cheerful! ularsectionof societyare presentedasauni- Haq, and whatishappening in India today. youentirelycomfortable being alone prison foryour misdeedstowards your fam- versalvalue.Inthecurrentcontext,thatinter- through the silentreaches of thenight —and ily(see above), because youcan finallywrite doing the same,intheir Padmanabhan is an author,playwright estisofthesecurity-state andideologiesthat [email protected] the equallysilent reaches of the day—but that book that you'venever had the time to homes. Including the police. and cartoonist. Savingthe public university LETTER TO THE EDITOR VICTIMS’ REDRESS

THIS REFERS TO the editorial, ‘Justice IDEAS Thefirststepisgovernancereform formoreautonomy and accountability as Relief’ (IE, December24). The Indian criminal justice system is notbeen vic- ONLINE Shailendra Raj Mehta tim-oriented.The recent judgment by the Delhi High courtcan go along way ONLYINTHE EXPRESS in ensuring that victims arenot ig- THERE ARE 55 centraluniversities, the crown acrisis of accountability. muchgrandstandingonbothsides,theplanis ganwith the governancereform. nored and their grievances areade- ● PARADISESEENWITH jewels of the Indian academicsystem. They Eachofthe 55 central universities is gov- rubberstamped.After that, throughoutthe Accordingly,the governing councils of quatelyaddressed. The major high- ONEEYE: areendowedwith prime land, extensive ernedby aseparate Act.Whilethereare differ- year,thereisminimaldirectionormonitoring all central universities,IITs, and all other light of this judgement is Victim NAVNEETSHARMA funding from the central government and ences, the broad structureisasfollows.The from the GC, whichmay or maynot meet central institutions, needtoberestructured Impact reports (VIR) fordetermining thereisalong line of studentswaiting to get Visitorof theuniversityisthePresidentof India. again.Thereare typicallynoquarterly updates, by an ActofParliament.The mosteminent the amount of compensation, which ● NONELIKEATALJI: in. Here, facultyhavesecurity of tenure,and On his behalf, the MinistryofEducation rec- andthereislittleoversight.Underthecircum- alumni of these institutions mustbe will be done by the Delhi statelegal PRABHATJHA their job fully protectsfreespeech, so theyare ommendsaneminent citizen as the chancel- stances,thehighnumberof failuresshouldnot brought on their boards. IIT Delhi has just serviceauthority(DLSA). The accused the mostvocal amongacademics. Among lor,whose role is mostlyceremonial.The come as asurprise, since effectively,thereis announcedabillion-dollar endowment willberequired to compensateasper them arethe handful of real universities in Ministryalso constitutes asearch committee minimal governance. campaign. This campaign is being spear- his capacity to be determinedbythe the country—vishwavidyalayasoruniversi- thattypicallyinterviews multiple candidates By contrast, the newIIM Bill verysensibly headedbyits mostsuccessful alumni, over DLSA.However, it would have been www.indianexpress.com tas,thatfocus on all the major branches of and comes up with alistofthree candidates. limits the GC to at most19members. They adozenofwhom have created Unicorns, morefeasible forthe victims if they learning, wherecross-disciplinaryresearch, From this list, the government picksaVC. areexpected to be eminent citizens, with or billion-dollar companies. If these indi- themselvesare allowedtomakeVIR BEDI IS RIGHT so necessarytosolve complexmodern prob- Separately, andthrough adifferent process, a broad social representationand an empha- viduals arecordiallyinvited to join itsGC, before thecourts or at leasthearddi- lems, can genuinelytakeplace. senateorcourtischosen.Technically, thisisthe sis on alumni. This GC chooses the director, notonlywill this moneyberaisedquickly, rectlybeforethe court. THIS REFERS TO the report, ‘Bedi Yet, theyare in turmoil. In recent years, six governingcouncil(GC)of theuniversity,which provides overall strategic direction, raises re- but it will also be spent well. The dy- Sarachana Sisodia wantshis name removedfromKotla vice-chancellors (VCs) of central universities willusuallyhavenomineesfromvariousstake- sources, andcontinuouslymonitors hisorher namism and exposurethat these alumni stand over Jaitleystatue’ (IE, have been sacked. Another five have been holders,includingthegovernment,faculty, stu- performance. Within the guidelines provided will bring to thetable will promptly lead to BJP DEFEATED December 24). That legendaryspin- charge-sheeted. Some of these institutions dents,andcitizens.Theuniversity'swork iscar- by the GC, the director has full autonomy but world-class innovations. ner and former captain Bishan Singh have seentheirglorydays,yet increasingly,the riedoutby theexecutive councilchairedby the alsofull accountability. The warrior-poetRahim, who knewalot THIS REFERS TO the editorial, Bedi is peevedwith the DDCA’s deci- energy is going out of the system. The locus of VC,whoalsoappointstheregistrar.Aseparate This arrangement is basedonthe best about administration, famouslysaid — ek ‘MessagefromJ&K’ (IE, December 24). sion on the Arun Jaitleystatue makes innovationhasswitchedtonew andinnovative finance committee is constituted,headedby global examples,including Harvard. Today, saadhe sab sadhai, sab saadhe pat jaaya, The DDC poll outcome has takenthe perfect sense. Bedi is dead right in his private universities.However, notasinglenew achief finance officer,who is oftenacivil ser- mostpeople do notknowthatHarvardtoo Rahimanmool hi seenchiye,phoolephale windout of the BJP’s sails.Despitethe protest. If this is allowedbythe DDCA, private universityhassofarbeenableto create vant on secondment to the university. This wasasarkari university until 150years ago, aghai.Ifyou accomplish one big thing, every- saffron party’s attemptstodemonise similarrequestsmay pour in from atruebroad-basedviswavidyalaya withthefull arrangementisdesignedtomaintainfinancial that wasdying aslowdeath. It is afascinat- thing gets accomplished, but if youtry and and intimidatethe regional main- other statesports federations too. rangeofhumanities, social and natural sci- checks andbalances. ing storythat Ihavedocumentedelse- fixeverything at once, then nothing gets stream parties’ leaders. The abroga- While the voters areagainstthe statue encesand the professional disciplines. Butthisiswherethe major problems be- where. When itsgovernancewas reformed fixed; as in plants, waterthe roots, and the tion of Article 370has brought oppo- culture, the newproject to install stat- Therefore, to save academia in India, central gin. The GC has no sayinthe selection of the by creating an empoweredboardcompris- whole plant prospers and yields flowers and nentstogether, whichthe BJPdidn't ues of ex-presidentsofsports universitiesmustbesaved. VC.Further, theGCtypicallymeetsonly oncea ing itsmostsuccessful alumni, this small fruits. To allowcentral universities,the IITs count on. The BJP mustrealise that its Federations would tarnish the image It is temptingtoblame the problemsona year.Ifany work gets done in this meeting, it provincial university soon became world- and other public institutions to trulyblos- unilateral and anti-democratic poli- of notonlyour stadiumsbut even our fewbad applesinthe leadership. But if the is amiracle,sincethe GC of Delhi University, class. The reason wassimple: No oneknew som, we needtoreform their Governance. cies in Kashmir arecounterproductive country. Such amoveshould be problemsare so pervasive,then the chal- calledthe Senate, forexample,has 475mem- or cared moreaboutthe university thanits Thereisnotime to waste. and take corrective measures. nippedinthe bud. lengesmustbesystemic. The response of ac- bers,probablyaworldrecord.Intheory, theVC alumni boardmembers. Theybrought dy- Deepak Singhal Noida NViswanathan, Coimbatore ademics who arewitness to this decline is to presentsandgetsapprovalfortheannualplan namism, oversight, and resources.The cre- The writer is president and director of MICA, blame alackofautonomy. But in reality,itis of the university from the GC. In practice, after ationofajourney to world-class status be- Ahmedabad. Viewsare personal

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EXPLAINED YOUR MONEY Investors need not panic over Covid-19 news flows

The market crashedearlier this week amid news about the newvirus variant. But as the2008financial crisis and this pandemic have shown, marketsdorecover

ever:stability returnedquicklyalongside a malcy.So, when news brokeofthe newcoro- maynot work out. them higher and faster than expected. sis waslimited largelytothe finance indus- fund flowbyforeignportfolio investors. navirus variant and countries startedan- Amidall theanxiety,the news of anew tryglobally, the pandemic continuestohave While the fall wasdrivenbyconcerns nouncing travel restrictions to and from So, howshould youtakethe news morepotent virus variant on Monday amuchdeeper impact and has hit everylife around anew,morepotentvariant of the Britain, the firstreaction wasone of fear, around Covid? brought backthe memories of March and in- in some wayorthe other. coronavirus, investors mustkeep in mind whichled to the sharp fall in the markets on In February andMarch 2020, Covid-19 vestorspressed the panicbutton. It is, how- So what do these episodes tell us? During that suchmutations areonlytobeexpected Monday.Atone point, the Sensexwas down wasanew unknown. As research startedde- ever,important to keep in mind that Covid-19 the 2008 crisis, the Sensexlost41% between during the course of the pandemic,and it is by over 2,000 pointsor4.3% over Friday’s tailing the potency of the virusand market or anew strain is no longer an unknown; we September 1and October 27,but then re- important forthem nottopanic.While day closing,inline witha2-3% drop in European participantsand investors startedseeing its have all gone through the drill and learnedto gainedits August2008closing levelof14,500 Sandeep Singh traders needtoreact to suchnews flows and marketsonMonday. impact on human life, their livelihood and live with it over the lastnine months. So there afternine months i.e in May2009. By the end square offtheir positionsorcut down their Even as investors have been riding the the economy—including travel restrictions, is no cause forpressing the panic button. A of December 2009, the Sensexwas up 20% losses, thereisnosuchcompulsion forlong- high tide, thereisafeeling that the markets lockdowns, social distancing, closureofof- retail investor needs to analysethe situation over the indexclosing value in August2008. ASHARP 1,400-pointfall in the stockmarkets term retail investors. Theyneedtojustwait arerunning ahead of the broader economic fices and near halt of industrial activities carefullybeforetaking acall to exit, and even Similarly,although the Sensexlostaround on Monday broughttothe fore the concerns out that marketvolatility. fundamentals and the GDP recovery is still a across countries —the markets startedre- before exiting, he or she mustfigureout the 37%between February 1and March 23,2020, of investors about the virus continuing to ex- work in progress. This has been keeping actingtoitmorevigorously. However, as the optionsfor deploying that fund. itregaineditsprevioushighlevel—over41,000 istaround them and at the same time about Whywas therepanic? manyofthem on the edge,and some are months progressed, the worldfound away to in January2020 —aroundmid-November. the otherwise rising trend in the markets. The sharp 37%fallinthe Sensexand Nifty even going forprofitbooking.Though profit live with the virus, scientists developedat Whyshould younot panic? Currently, the Sensex is trading at 11%higher Although investors have been reapingthe between February1and March 23,2020 is booking is agood idea, investors mustdothat leastfour vaccines (till date), economic ac- When in doubt, investors should simply thanthe highs it had seeninJanuary2020. benefitsofthe rising markets, therehas been still fresh in investors’ memory, andhence onlyiftheywant to go forassetreallocation tivity resumed, and markets bouncedback. refertothe twobiggesteventsthat the mar- Investorsshould always remember these abit of anxiety around abroader sense that therewill be concerns around anyfresh news or want to utilise the moneytomeetcertain The excess liquidity in the global markets kets facedoverthe last12years —the global twoeventsand their impact on the markets. the marketsare running ahead of broader about Covid-19oranew virus strain that can goals suchasbuying acar or ahouse, or kids’ (initiallymeant to supportthe respective financial crisis in 2008 and the pandemic in Shortterm crash eventsdohaveabearing on economic fundamentals. The fall in the mar- impact our livesand hurtthe economy, higher education. Booking profitswith the economies under duress) also found itsway 2020. Both impacted the markets world- daytraders, but forretailinvestors, thereis kets did notextend beyond Monday, how- whichare otherwise slowlyreturning to nor- idea of re-entering when the market is down intostock marketsworldwide and lifted wide. If the impact of the global financial cri- no reason to panic.

SIMPLY PUT QUESTION &ANSWER CORONAVIRUS DASHBOARD Covid-19 isolation impacted Mutatedvirus vs tests, vaccines women more, survey finds Thecoronavirus variant circulating in the UK is definedbymanymutations. Whichonesare of particular ASTUDYinCanada has and 459 women, mean found that women are age25.9 years) between concern? Whyhas WHO advisedthat it mayevade some PCR tests, and can it impact vaccination? suffering morethan men March23and June 7. In a duringthe months of statement on the re- break in Denmark.Inhumans, this deletion Covid-19isolation, with search,the University of KAUNAINSHERIFFM has been associated with another mutation, poorer sleep and more Calgarysaidmorethan NEWDELHI,DECEMBER24 N439K, whichagain occurredthe receptor- anxiety,depression and PAPER 66%ofthe survey partic- binding domain. trauma, while alsofeel- ipantsreportedpoor IN EMERGINGinformation about the new TheWHO has highlighted that this dele- ing moreempathetic CLIP quality of sleep, more variant of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 circu- tion can affect the performance of some RT- than men. Conducted by than 39% reportedin- lating in the UK, one mutation has been of par- PCR teststhat detect the novelcoronavirus. University of Calgaryre- NEWRESEARCH creasedsymptoms of in- ticular concern. The variant, calledVUI searchers with the somnia, and anxiety and 202012/01and reportedasbeing capable of Howcan it affect RT-PCR tests? Hotchkiss Brain Institute, the study distress were increasedinthe whole transmitting faster among people, is defined The WHO has said that the deletion at po- has been publishedinthe journal sample.Sleep, depressionand anxi- by as manyas14mutations and three dele- sitions 69/70has been found to affect the per- Frontiers in Global Women’s Health. etysymptoms were moreprevalent tions in itsgenetic material. Of particular con- formance of some diagnostic PCR assays that The findingsare basedonanon- in women. cern is one mutation, N501Y.While the vari- use an ‘S gene target’(in the ‘S’ or spikepro- line survey of 573Canadians (112 men Source: University of Calgary ant’s potential to impact testing and tein). However, theWHO has also said, “most vaccination resultsare still being studied, PCR assays worldwideuse multiple targets health authorities arelargely optimisticthat and thereforethe impact of the variant on di- INDIAACTIVE CASES 283,849 mosttests and vaccines will still work. agnostics is notanticipated to be significant”. TheCDC,too, has said that mostcommer- What is amutation? cial PCR testshavemultiple targetswherethey 360,000 Amutationmeans an alterationin genetic detect the virus, so that even if amutation im- material.InanRNA virussuchasSARS-CoV-2, Aphial of the Pfizer-BioNTechvaccineatGuy’s Hospital in London. While the pactsone of the targets, the other PCR targets proteins aremade of asequence of amino virushas mutated in someareas, mostvaccines target multiple parts. AP will still work. acids.Such aviruscontainssome30,000‘base In fact, infection triggered by the new pairs’,whichare likebricksplacednextto each strain in the UK, too, wasdetectedby the con- 339,820 other to form astructure. An alteration in this and South Africa. spontaneouslymultiple times. The WHO has ventional RT-PCR test. 310,000 base can be amutation, effectively changing saidthismutationisof “biologicalsignificance”. “Laboratories using in-house PCR assays 283,849 the shape and behaviour of the virus. What about the othermutations? Researchers have earlier shown that this that target theSgene of the virus should also In the UK variant, one mutation has made Mutations arecommon, but the majority mutation can promote entryintorespiratory be awareofthis potentialissue. In order to thevirusmorelikelytobindwithhuman pro- of them cause no alteration in the structureof epithelial cells and transmission in animal limitthe impact on the detection capacitiesin LAST 10 DAYS teins calledreceptors. This is calledN501Y. the proteinstheyencode —these arecalled models. the countries, an approachusing different as- Dec 14 Dec 24 ‘synonymous’ mutations, as theyeventually Recent samples sequencedatthe African says in parallel or multiplexassays targeting 260,000 What is N501Y? translatetothe same amino acids. Another CentreofExcellence forGenomics of different viral genes is also recommendedto Note:The Dec 23 figureinthis graphisbased on thegovernment updateonDec 24 In simple words, the amino acid repre- type is ‘non-synonymous’ mutation, which InfectiousDiseases, Redeemer’sUniversity, allowthe detection of potential arising vari- sentedby the letterN, andpresentatposition could result in an amino acid change. Nigeria has shown theP681H sequencethere. ants,” the WHO had recommended. INDIA TOTAL CASES : 10,123,778 501inthe coronavirus genetic structure, has In the variant circulating in the UK, there However, researcherssaythat at present, they been replacedinthat position with another aresix synonymous alterations and fourteen “do nothaveevidence to indicatethat the Will it impact vaccine development? Source:MinistryofHealth&FamilyWelfare,updatedat11pmonDec24 amino acid, represented by Y. The position non-synonymous mutations. In addition, P681Hvariantiscontributing to increased The CDC has said vaccines approvedby the wherethis alteration has takenplace is in the thereare three ‘deletions’ —amino acids re- transmission of the virus in Nigeria”. US Food and Drug Administration(FDA) are spikeprotein’sreceptor-bindingdomain. (Itis movedfromthe sequence. HV 69/70: This mutation is the result of a “polyclonal”, producing antibodies thattarget the spikeprotein of the virus that binds with According the WorldHealthOrganization deletion of aminoacidsat positions 69and70. severalparts of the spikeprotein. the human receptor.) (WHO), other than N501Y,mutations that These positions areagain in the spikeprotein “The virus would likelyneedtoaccumu- Therefore, the mutation has increasedthe “mayinfluence the transmissibilityofthe virus of the virus. This deletion has been observed latemultiple mutations in the spikeprotein binding affinity of the coronavirus. The mu- in humans” areP681H and HV 69/70. in France andSouth Africa as well. The CDC to evadeimmunity inducedbyvaccinesorby tatedvirus reportedlyaccountsfor 60% of re- has said :“This double deletion has occurred natural infection,” it has said. cent infections in London. And what areP681H and HV 69/70? spontaneouslymanytimes, and likelyleads And the WHO has said: “Laboratorystud- According to the Global Initiative on P681H: Thismutationhasoccurredinthe to achangeinthe shapeof(i.e., aconforma- ies areongoing to determine whether these SharingAvian Influenza Data(GISAID) data- amino acid present at 681—another position tional changein) the spikeprotein”. variant viruses have different biological prop- base,the same mutation in thereceptorbind- in the receptor-binding domain. Herethe Researchers on behalf of COVID-19 erties or alter vaccine efficacy.Thereisnot ingdomainhasbeenindependentlyreported aminoacidPhasbeenreplacedwithH.TheUS Genomics Consortium UK (CoG-UK),which enough information at present to determine in severalcountriesincluding South Africaand CentersforDiseaseControl(CDC)hassaidthis red-flagged thenew variant in the UK, have if this variantis associatedwithanychangein Australia. Sequence analysis has shown that isasite“withhighvariabilityincoronaviruses”, saidin theirpreliminaryreportthat thisdele- severity of clinical disease, antibody response this mutation originatedseparatelyinthe UK and this specific mutation has also emerged tion wasalso seen in amink-associated out- or vaccine efficacy.”

AN EXPERT EXPLAINS NewChinesecommanderonLAC:whatitmeansforstandoff

amalgamating the erstwhileChengdu and Commander of the Central Timing of the change South Xinjiang MilitaryRegion (SXMR) Maj ions. As Theatrecommanders in the PLAre- Lanzhou MilitaryRegions as asequel to the TheatreCommand,whichisre- Gen Zhao hadtaken over Gen Liu Lin, whose troops areinvolvedinthe portdirectlytothe CMC,Gen Zhang would process of ‘theaterisation’, partofthe path- sponsibleforthesecurityof the the WTCin2016, and is be- current incursions, remain the same. have beenassignedaclearmissionandtasks breaking militaryreformsinitiated by capital Beijing. He wasalso the lievedtohavebeen the brain Even with regard to the talksonthe dis- to be achievedoverthe next couple of years. President Xi since 2013. Deputy Commander of the behindthe Doklam standoff in engagement and de-escalation process, no President Xi as the Commander-in-Chief Giventhe ongoing standoffand tense megaceremonialParade held 2017.Although due to retire breakthrough is expectedin the near future, has givenaclarion call to thePLA to be on a situation on the LACinthe Ladakh Sector in 2019 to commemorate the towardsthe middle of this as the PLAcontinues to insistonthe Indian par with the US Armyby2027. In the com- forthe lastseven months, therehas been 70thanniversaryofthefound- year,hewas givenanexten- Army pulling back from the KailashRange ing year,the CPC will be celebrating itscen- speculation on the significance of the ing of thePeople’s Republic of sion in viewofthe situation on first, even while the Chinese remain unwill- tenary, whichwill be followedbythe crucial MajGen (Dr) changeofguard, particularly with respect China (PRC). the LAC. The timingofthe ing to discuss the Depsang Sub-sector where 20th party congress in 2022. As the general GGDwivedi to theprofile of the newincumbent, the Giventhefast-trackpromo- turnoverhas been planned theyhavegainedsignificant advantage. secretaryofthe CPC, Xi will be required to timing of the turnover, impact on the oper- tions during the last fewyears, with due deliberation, as no MajGen Liu Lin, who representsthe showcase his achievements. ational situation, and prospectsofbreak- and the fact that he has as- Gen.Zhang Xudong. major operations areexpected WTCatthe Corps Commander-leveltalks, As the Commander of WTC, Gen Zhang ONDECEMBER18,PresidentXiJinpingasthe through in the deadlocked negotiations. sumedcommandof thestrate- www.mod.gov.cn during winter.Gen Zhang will, had takenoverthe SXMR in 2019 afterserv- will thereforehavehis task cut out, and he Chairmanof China’sCentralMilitaryCommi- gicallyimportant WTCata therefore, getadequatetime ing as itsChief of Staff. He is well versedwith can be expected to spare no effort to prove ssion(CMC)promotedfourofficersto thera- The newincumbent comparatively youngageof58, to settle down in hisnew job. both the operationaldimensions and the himself. The Indian ArmedForces will have nk of General, including General Zhang Xu- While General Zhao, a1979Vietnam Gen Zhang mustbeseen as arising star,and complexities of the disengagement process. to continuouslyenhance their operational dong,thenewCommander,WesternTheatre Warveteran, served mostlyinTibet (includ- well up with the CMC. Whereas Gen Zhao is Impact on LACsituation Therefore, the current stateofimpasse is preparedness, besides working towardsre- Command (WTC). Gen Zhang has replaced ing commandofTibet MilitaryDistrict and amember of the 19th CentralCommittee of As the PLA’s operations in Ladakh arebe- expected to continue. maining fullygeared to effectively respond Gen Zhao Zongqi who retired at age65. Group Army), General Zhang apparently theCommunistPartyof China(CPC),theapex ing overseendirectlybythe CMC, no tangible to anyfuturechallengeand eventuality. The WTCisaveryimportant Theatre has no previous experienceinthe Western bodythatelectsmembersto theall-powerful changeislikelyonthe prevailing situation The big picture strategically, being the largest of thefive Theatre. He commanded79Corps in the Politburo andCMC, Gen Zhang is not. ontheground.Also, allthe othercommand- The command tenures in the PLAgener- Maj Gen (retired) (Dr) GG Dwivedi is aveteran of TheatreCommands. Itsareaofresponsibil- Northern Theatreoppositethe Russian bor- However, it is customary forall senior mili- ers in the WTC, including the Political ally varyfromthreeto fouryearsandevenbe- the1971War;hehas commanded Battalions in ity includesChina’s twosensitive states, der in 2017-18, and is believedtobeamech- taryofficersto bemembersof theCPC,asthe Commissar Gen Wu,Commander Ground yond,whichenablesthecommandersto ma- Siachen-Chushul, and formations on theLOC/LAC; Tibetand Xinjiang, besides the complete anisedwarfareexpert. People’s Liberation Armyisthe armyofthe Forces Lt Gen Xu Qiling, Commander PLAAir ke effectivecontributions in enhancingthe andhas served as Defence AttachéChina border with India. The WTCwas createdby General Zhang also served as Deputy Chinese Communist Party. ForceLtGen Wang Qiang, and Commander combat-readiness of their unitsand format- and NorthKorea

Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

THEINDIANEXPRESS,FRIDAY,DECEMBER25,2020 13 EXPRESS NETWORK Farmlaws:Aspressuremounts, DELHI CONFIDENTIAL Dushyantofferstobemediator

significanceasBJPleaderand for- VARINDERBHATIA& mer Union ministerChaudhary SUKHBIRSIWACH BirenderSingh–withwhosefam- CHANDIGARH,DECEMBER24 ilythe Chautalas have engaged in politicalcontestsoverthepastfew WITH PRESSURE mounting on decades–hasannouncedsupport the BJP-JJP government in to the protesting farmers. In fact, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi metthe President to seek Haryana over the farmers' Singhsat on adharnaatHisar on repeal of the three farm laws,inDelhi. AbhinavSaha protests,Deputy Chief Minister Thursday, whichwas organised Dushyant Chautala on Thursday by his ChaudharyChhotu Ram offeredtoact as amediator be- Vichar Manchinsupportofthe tweenthefarmersandtheCentre farmers. This came aweek after Democracy in India to resolve the standoff. he joinedasimilar dharna in This came on aday agroup of Rohtak district. SETTING RHYTHM villagers usedshovels to damage The families of Chautala and not in reality... PM atemporaryhelipad in his con- Singh,bothofwhomclaimtocham- POET-TURNED-POLITICIAN Kumar Vishwas has found anew stituency Uchana in Jind –one of pion farmers' causes, have fought admirer in the ruling BJP.OnThursday, BJP’s Uttar Pradesh the districtsthat has seen farmers electoralbattlesfromUchanaKalan incompetent: Rahul President SwatantraDev Singh showeredhim with praise for gathering in protestagainstthe assemblyseatandHisarparliamen- his “brilliant poetryrecitation” at aprogramme organisedon threenewfarmlaws –wherethey tary constituency formanyyears. protesting at Delhi’s borders. the eveofthe birth anniversaryofformer Prime Minister, late claimedChautalawastovisitlater Mostrecently, Chautala defeated EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE “BJP and NarendraModi have Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Incidentally, the complimentsfor the for- in the day. Theyalso released Singh’swifePremLatafromUchana NEWDELHI,DECEMBER24 onlyone goal. And the farmers mer AamAadmi Partyleader come days afterthe AAP an- videosof thehelipadbeingdugup. intheOctober2019 Assemblypolls. and labourers have understood nouncedthat it will fight the upcoming UP Assemblyelection However, aleader from Fewmonths before that Birender SENIOR CONGRESS leader Rahul that. NarendraModi is making in 2022. Chautala's JJP deniedany visit Singh’s son and BJP candidate Gandhi on Thursdayled aparty moneyfor two-three-four crony plans.“Therewas no official pro- BrijendraSingh defeated Chautala delegation to President RamNath capitalists who areclose to him,” gramme of the Deputy Chief from Hisar. Kovind, seeking his intervention Rahul said, adding that the Prime OFFERING CONDOLENCES MinistertogotoUchana today. Singh's open supporttothe forrepeal of the three farm laws. Ministerdid notpay heedtohis Instead, he wasaddressing press protesting farmers maybuild Rahul then launchedasharp at- warnings on the threat of coron- BALOCH ACTIVISTKarima Mehrab —popularly known as conference hereinChandigarh. pressureonChautalaasneitherhe tack on Prime MinisterNarendra avirus and his suggestion notto Karima Baloch—avocal critic of PakistanArmy, wasfound dead Then he flewtoDelhi. Several Protesters dig up ahelipad in Uchana, Deputy CM Dushyant nor his legislator mother Naina Modi,calling him“incompetent” handle the pandemic in acen- this week in Toronto, Canada. NewDelhi, whichusuallyrefrains times thereare tentative pro- Chautala’s constituency.Theysaid Chautala wasscheduled Chautala has joinedany such and accusing his government of tralisedway.“He didn’t do it. He from commenting on individual deaths exceptfor worldlead- grammes, likesocial engage- to arrive thereonThursday—aclaim the JJP denied. Express protestuntil now. labelling those who stood up to it causedthousands and thousands ers, on Thursdayexpressedcondolences to her family. While mentsataparty worker's place. Singh, however, is yettoget a as terrorists.“One dayifMohan of people to die because he didn’t the local police in Torontohaveruledout anyfoul play, Baloch’s The Uchana programme could warm response –therewas thin Bhagwat stands up...he also will do it. And afterwards afterIsaid familyhas sought aprobe intothe circumstances of her death. have been one of those...,” he told the betterment of farmers. Ihope Electricity Amendment Bill attendance at Thursday's dharna be calledaterrorist,” Rahul said. it in the press conference he did The Indian Express. talkswill be held in the next few among other demands. If the –largely becausehisMPsonisyet While Rahul, Leader of the it. So the point is youhaveanin- Chautala, meanwhile, told re- days andthatwouldleadto apos- Centregives me responsibility to to showupinfavour.Brijendra Opposition in RajyaSabha competent man who is con- STAR SHOW porters that the protesting farm- itive outcome,” he said. mediate onthosechangesthatare Singh waspartofathree-mem- Ghulam Nabi Azad and Congress trolledbycertain other people...” ers should talk with the govern- In replytoanother question, notbeing included, Iamready to berpanelof BJPMPsformedafew leaderin Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan To aquestion about the deten- THE CONCLUDINGsession of the India International Science ment and reachasolution. “No hesaid,“Changesneedtobemade do the needful.” monthsagototalkto theagitators. Chowdhurymet the President, tion of Congress leaders and Festival tomorrowisset to be astar-studdedevent. Actor solution can be reachedwithout in the agriculturelawsand in this Chautala's statementscame Birender Singh’s supporttothe the police prevented senior whether it wasright in ademoc- Amitabh Bachchan, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and eminent talks,” he said. regard written suggestions have even as farmer unions continued agitation is being seen as an at- Congress leaders –among them racy,hesaid, “Whichdemocracy wildlifeactivistand film director MikePandeyhavebeen “WhentheUniongovernment been made to the Centreand the to buildpressure,raisinganti-gov- tempttopacifytheangryfarmers, MPs and AICC office bearers -- areyou talking about? Areyou ropedinbythe government forthe concluding session. ismakingeffortsinthisregard,the Centrealso agreedtothe same. ernment slogans outside resi- at least, in Hisar constituency from marching towards talking about India? Thereisno Prominent wildlifechannels participated and screenedtheir 40farmerunionswhoareleading The government is ready to in- dencesof seniorBJPandJJPleaders wheresome khap groups have Rashtrapati Bhawanfromthe democracy in India. Democracy films over the pastfew days in the festival. these protests should also come clude the guarantee of MSP in in their respective constituencies. announcedsocial boycottofboth AICC headquarters. The police in India...it maybeinyour imagi- forwardandparticipateintalksfor writing, to makeamendmentsto The offertomediateassumes him and Chautala. took manyofthem, including nation but notinreality.” Congress general secretary Priyanka said it is “sin” to Priyanka Gandhi, intocustody brand farmers anti-nationals. “If Terror financing AHEADOFJHARKHAND and shiftedthem to the Mandir the government is calling them PM at Visva-Bharati: Tagore’s GOVT’S1STANNIVERSARY Margpolice station in buses be- anti-nationals, then the govern- case: Hafiz fore releasing them. ment is asinner.” Cong MLAs Rahul said the Prime Minister FULLREPORTON Saeed sent to jail will have to listentothe farmers www.indianexpress.com for over 15 years vision is essence of Atmanirbhar meet CM Not invited to Soren, air Rahul forever young, PRESSTRUSTOFINDIA LAHORE,DECEMBER24 centenary event, grievances agitated, says BJP, MUMBAI TERROR attackmas- says Mamata termind and bannedJamat-ud- ABHISHEKANGAD Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeedwas RANCHI, DECEMBER 24 dares him to debate on Thursdaysentencedto15and EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE ahalf years in jail by an anti-ter- KOLKATA,DECEMBER24 FROM COLLECTION of electric- rorism courtinPakistaninone ity dues that arebecoming a EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE moreterrorfinancing case. CHIEF MINISTER Mamata burden on the poor to provid- NEWDELHI,DECEMBER24 The Anti-Terrorism Court Banerjee on Thursdaysaid she ing morejobs, and conducting (ATC)ofLahorealso imposeda wasnot invited to Visva-Bharati panchayatelections on time, a THE BJP on Thursdaytargeted Pakistani rupees (PKR) 200,000 University’s centenarycelebra- majority of Congress MLAs met Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Prakash fine on Saeed. Prime MinisterModi delivers avirtual addresses during the centenarycelebrations of tion that wasattendedbyPrime Chief MinisterHemant Soren who ledaparty delegation to Javadekar The 70-year-old radical cleric Visva-Bharati University on Thursday. PTI MinisterNarendraModi virtu- forthe firsttime since the gov- President RamNath Kovind has already been convicted for ally.“Ididn't receive anykind of ernment wasformedin againstthe Centre's farm laws, 21 years imprisonment in four invitation forthe programme so Jharkhand and apprisedhim of calling him “perpetuallyyoung, Union AgricultureMinister terror financing cases of late. Importance by an Actof hasrepeatedly saidshewillnotal- howcan Iattend it?,”she said at a problems theyface as public frustrated and agitated”. While NarendraSinghTomarpointedto “On ThursdayanAnti- EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Parliament in May1951. lowBengalto beturnintoGujarat. press conference. representatives. UnionministerPrakashJavadekar the Congress 2019 election man- Terrorism Court(ATC) of Lahore KOLKATA,DECEMBER24 The Prime Ministersaid the “WhenIspeakaboutGurudev, The BJP wasquicktoproduce The Jharkhand Mukti challengedGandhito adebate,BJP ifesto wherehesaid the Congress sentencedfiveleaders of Jamat- Visva-BharatiUniversity,Banaras Icannothelp but talk about the aletterofinvitation from the Morcha-ledgovernment will national spokesperson had promisedthe end of APMC, ud-Dawa,including itschief NOBEL LAUREATE Rabindranath HinduUniversity,AligarhMuslim connectionbetweenGurudevand university to the Chief Minister, announce itsfirstyear’s Sudhanshu Trivedisaid no gov- ensuringtradewithoutmanditax Hafiz Saeed, in another terror fi- Tagore's vision is the essence of University,DelhiUniversity,Jamia Gujarat.Heusedtofrequentlyvisit and alleged that she was“disre- achievementsonDecember 29. ernmenthaddonemoreforfarm- and promotion of contract farm- nancing case...for 15 and ahalf Aatmanirbhar Bharat, or self-re- Millia Islamia University,Andhra his elder brother Satyendranath specting” Rabindranath Tagore’s Sources in the Congress ers than the BJP. ing. “Now Iwant to ask Rahul years,” acourtofficial told PTI. liant India, Prime Minister University,Annamalai University Tagore whowaspostedthere...He institution. The BJP also claimed Legislative Partysaid the party's The BJP pointed to old Gandhi if he liedin2019orisly- Now, Saeedwill have to un- NarendraModi said on Thursday. and severalother universities stayed in Ahmedabad foralong that Visva-Bharati University Jharkhand in-charge,RPN speeches of Rahul Gandhi, Sonia ing now,”Tomar said. dergo collective imprisonment Addressing afunction to mark cameupinthesameeraandgave time. During suchaperiod, he Vice-Chancellor Bidyut Singh, arranged the meeting. Gandhi and Manmohan Singh Partyspokesperson Trivedi of over 36 years in five terror fi- thecentenarycelebrationsofVisva- momentum to India's thirstfor wrotetwo popular poems. He Chakrabarty sent the letter. An MLAwho waspartofthe wheretheyare seento bearguing calledGandhi “perpetually nancing cases at the Kot Bharati University through video knowledge.“Today, as moreand wroteaportion of Kshudhita Responding to aquestion in meeting said: “One major issue forreforms, and againstmiddle- young, disenchanted,agitated Lakhpat Jail in Lahore. His pun- conferencing, the Prime Minister morepeople aregetting good ed- Pashan in Gujarat,” he said. this regard,Chakrabarty said, wasthe manner of collection of men in agriculture, accusing the and frustrated”. ishment will run concurrently said,“GuidedbyGurudev[Tagore], ucation, we nowhavetoworkto “Not onlythis, Gujarat’s “Even if the invitation, as you electricity dues from the poor. Congress of changing stance. Attacking Gandhi forhis com- in these cases. Thereare reports Visva-Bharati presented astrong build astrong and wise nation – daughter Srimati Hutteesingh suggest, wassent on Wednesday The Covid-19pandemic has al- “I challengethe Congress and mentsthat India wasan“imagi- that he is given'VIP protocol' in imageofIndian nationalistsenti- one that is self-reliant,” he said. wasmarriedtothe Tagore family. night, should that be the deco- ready broken their backs,and RahulGandhiforanopendebate. narydemocracy”, Trivedisaid, “I jail. ment during Independence. Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar When Satyendranath Tagore’s rum? Afterall, she (Mamata) is people in various constituencies Iwill provehow the Congress al- want to bring to his attention that Saeed, aUN-designated ter- Gurudevwantedhumanitytoben- waspresent at the event in wifeJnanadanandini Devi wasin the chief ministerofastate.” arefeeling overburdenedbyno- ways ignored farmers' interests it wasthe anniversaryofthe roristonwhomtheUShasplaced efit from India's spiritual awaken- Santiniketan. Education Minister Gujarat, she sawwomen draping Meanwhile, the CM tweeted: tices served by the electricity de- and howModi empowered country's tallestfarmer leader a$10 millionbounty,wasarrested ing. Atmanirbhar Bharat vision is RameshPokhriyaljoinedthepro- the pallu of saree on their right “VisvaBharati University turns partment on dues. We asked the them,” Javadekar said. and former Prime Minister on July17lastyear in the terror fi- alsoaderivative of thissentiment.” gramme virtually. shoulders,whichshefeltcumber- 100. This temple of learning was CM to go alittle slowonthis.” On Gandhi's demand fora ChoudharyCharan Singh and to- nancing cases. The other four JuD FoundedbyTagorein1921in In his speech, the Prime some and improvisedthe style Rabindranath Tagore’s greatest With pending dues running Parliamentsessionwherethelaws morrowisthe birth anniversary leadersconvictedonThursdayare Santiniketan, Visva-Bharati is the MinisteralsohighlightedTagore's bringing the pallu on the left experiment on creating the ideal intonearly Rs 5,600crore,the should be repealed, the minister of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Did the Hafiz Abdus Salam, Zafar Iqbal, country'soldestcentraluniversity. linkswithhishomestateGujarat, shoulder.Womenempowerment humanbeing. We mustpreserve Damodar ValleyCorporation is said: “When Parliament is in ses- Congress notcharge both of JuDspokespersonYahyaMujahid It wasdeclared acentral univer- perhaps in aretorttoChief organisations can do some more the vision and philosophyofthis carrying out outages in various sion, Congress members obstruct them with sedition? Did they and Muhammad Ashraf. sity and an Institution of National MinisterMamataBanerjee, who research on this,” he said. great visionary.” parts of the state. and do nottakepartinadebate.” both notgotojail?” In stir against Reliance, farmers 43 farmer outfits made Sonal Mansingh seeks breach snap power supply to Jio towers parties in plea to remove of privilege action on Kejriwal

towers. protest from Delhi borders TheBillswere passedviavoice RAAKHIJAGGA In mostofthe villages in EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE voteonSeptember 20 with sev- LUDHIANA,DECEMBER24 Barnala and Bathinda, farmers ernmentsofDelhi, Uttar Pradesh NEWDELHI,DECEMBER24 eraloppositionmembersprotest- lockedthe gatesoftowers after EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE and Haryana and the ingintheWellandothersseeking AFTER STAGINGprotestsoutside snapping the powersupply. NEWDELHI,DECEMBER24 Commissioner of Police, Delhi, BJP RAJYASabha MP Sonal adivision of votes. RajyaSabha petrol pumps and retail outlets Jagmohan Singh Patiala, parties to his petition. When the Mansingh has sought abreachof DeputyChairmanHarivanshcited of Reliance, protesting farmers working group member of All THE PETITIONER who moved matter came up forhearing on privilegenoticeagainstDelhiChief lackoforder causedbythe in Punjab have nowstarted dis- India Kisan Sangharsh the Supreme Courtfor removal December 16 before abench MinisterArvind Kejriwal, taking Mansingh raisedKejriwal’s protests to rule out adivision. connecting powersupplytoJio Coordination Committee, said, of the protesting farmers from headedbyChief Justice SA issue with his speechonthe con- speechinDelhi House Mansinghallegedintheletter, mobile towers disrupting the Powersupplyofmobile “Our teams in the field arecon- borders of Delhi has made as Bobde, the courtsuggestedthat tentious farm laws in the Delhi that Kejriwal, on December 17, telecom giant's services in sev- towerbeing snappedin ducting surveystofind inde- manyas43farmer outfitspar- it would also liketohear farmer Assemblywherehealso tore a “deliveredaspeechtherebycast- eral parts of the state. Kotlallu villageofMansa pendent towers of Jio... our tar- ties to his plea and served copies organisations on the issue. copyofthe Bills. maythen ask the Delhi Assembly ingseriousaspersionsontheover- Farmers owing allegiance to getwill be onlysuch of the petition upon them. Issuing notice on the peti- Mansingh, quoting Kejriwal's to take action againstKejriwal. all working of RajyaSabha and different farmers’ unions have independent towers.” Advocates Om Prakash tions that day, the courtallowed speech, filedacomplaint with Mansingh said in the letter made unwarranted and unsub- shut the powersupplytoseveral towers wascut by farmers sep- Jio Telecommunications re- Parihar and Dushyant Tiwari, impleadment of eight farmer as- Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, that the RajyaSabha, “...in ausual stantiated allegations againstthe Jio towers in Nawanshahr, aratelyunder the banner of BKU fusedtocomment till the time of who represent the petitioner sociations that arepartofthe the Chairman of the RajyaSabha, (sic) showofunity,passedthese Chairman.” Ferozepur,Mansa, Barnala, (Ugrahan) and BKU (Dakaunda). filing of this report. Rishabh Sharma, filedarevised protests. on Wednesday. Chairman Naidu Bills unanimously, taking intoac- Mansingh’s notice also says, Fazilka, Patiala and Mogadis- In Nawanshahr,farmers un- AVenuprasad, CMD, Punjab listofparties in the topcourton Government sources said caninduecoursetake cognizance count the fact that these Bills are “Kejriwalafteruttering...blasphe- trictsinlastthree days. der the banner of Kirti Kisan StatePowerCorporation Limited December 22. this listwas onlyrepresentative of thecomplaint,andforwarditto oriented towardsthe welfareof mous wordsinthe Legislative In Ferozepur,the powersup- Union (KKU) disconnected (PSPCL) did notrespond to re- The petitioner had initially as no one wassurehow many the privilegecommittee of the farmers community in the coun- AssemblyofDelhi,tore thecopies plytothe cellular transmission powersupplyto11Jio mobile questfor comment. made onlythe Centre, the gov- outfitswerepartofthe protests. Upper House. The RajyaSabha try.” of all the three Farm Bills.” Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 14 EXPRESS NETWORK THEINDIANEXPRESS,FRIDAY,DECEMBER25,2020

MEA: 2cargo Arrest of Kerala ships with 39 BengalCongressgetsnodforpactwithLeft journalist, 3 Indians stranded others: Case in China waters portofalarge section of the pop- done... because we have been left united on that account. That is a transferred to MANOJCG ulation who believe in secularism Bengal Cong between the devil and deep sea. different kettle of fish.” NEWDELHI,DECEMBER24 and liberal democracy.Hesaid it chief Adhir We have to carveout our own “Pawarji is asenior leader.He Battlefor addl district and is the media whichisprojecting Ranjan space because the space has thought it prudent that on the is- EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE THE CONGRESS high command the Assemblyelections as afight been snatchedupon by the sue of federalism all the states E Chowdhury ● survival NEWDELHI,DECEMBER24 on Thursdaygavethe green sig- between the TMC and the BJP. MamataBanerjee government. ruledbythe Opposition should EXPLAINED sessions judge nal to itsWestBengal unit to en- “The impression (of astraight And nowshe is facing the music. be united.That is whyhehas ex- INDIA ON Thursdaysaid two terintoaseat-sharing pact with fight between the TMC and the Banerjee both because we have The wayMamatapoachedour tendedhis opinion.... It is acom- FORBOTH theCongress as cargo vessels with atotal of 39 the Leftparties forthe forthcom- BJP) has been gaining because of been subjected to persecution by people and dismantledour or- mon issue. Thereisnothing ex- well as Leftparties, the up- EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Indians on boardhavebeen on ing Assemblyelections to take media hype. Because the media the ruling dispensation in West ganisation... the same ployisbe- traordinaryinthis approach.” coming assemblyelec- LUCKNOW,DECEMBER24 anchorageinChinese waters as on the ruling Trinamool is trying to project that onlytwo Bengal. MamataBanerjee is are- ing employedbythe BJP.They Asked howmanyseatswill tions in West Bengal is a theywerenot allowedtounload Congress and an aggressive BJP. forces arethere. But that is far gional poacher while the BJP is a areidentical in their politics of the Congress contest, battle forsurvival. The THE MATHURA District and their cargo though some other While asection of Congress lead- from the reality and farfromthe national poacher. destruction. Both arethe same Chowdhurysaid, “That stagehas high-octane campaign by Sessions Judgehas directed to ships have managed to do so. ers believe aCongress-Leftal- truth. In West Bengal, the Left Both arewell adeptinpoach- in their attitude. Their political notcome. During the course of the rulingTMC and the transferthecaseof Keralajournal- “Thereisaconsiderable liance could end up helping the and the Congress... theyoccupy ing operations in the opposition DNAisquiteidentical,” he said. discussions, factoring in other BJP sawthe Leftgetting istSiddique Kappanand three amount of stress on the crew BJP,the party's stateunit wasve- the secular space and still enjoy camps. To that extent, theyare Asked about Banerjee’s move considerations likewhereweare squeezedout in the Lok others, arrested and booked for members on account of this un- hementlyopposedtoany pact the supportofalarge section of very muchsimilar in their ap- to rallyopposition leaders like strong and all... we will zeroinon Sabha elections and the sedition and under the UAPA,to precedentedsituation,” Ministry with the TMC and had been in- the population who believe in proaches,” he said. Sharad Pawarand MKStalin in the number and choice of seats. Congress plunging to two thecourtofAdditionalDistrictand of External Affairs spokesperson sisting on atie-up with the Left. secularism and in liberal He said it wasnot the respon- her fight againstthe BJP on the Everything has been lefttothe seats. The parties had Session Judgefromthe courtof Anurag Srivastavasaid. West Bengal Congress presi- democracy.Socertainlywehave sibility of the Congress party to issue of federalism, he said, stateleadership... nothing has fought the elections sep- Chief Judicial Magistrate, which Srivastavasaid bulk cargo ves- dent Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury our ownconstituentsthat will keep the anti-BJP votes together. “Federalism in India is certainly been imposedonus.” arately. Having decided wassofarhearingthecaseandex- sel MV Jag Anand is on anchorage told The Indian Express that the be reflected in the coming elec- “On the one hand, we are in peril. That is whyour Congress “Firstofall we have to dis- on the alliance, the two tending their judicial custody. near Jingtang portinHebei BJP and the TMC have the same tions,” he said. subjected to atrocities and per- chief ministers also extended cuss anddecideamongst our- hope to arrest the declin- Themove cameonthebasisof province of China since June 13 “political DNA” and assertedthat On possible division of anti- secution by MamataBanerjee... supporttoMamataBanerjee. As selvesthat this manyseats ing trend and pose a an application movedbyUP and has 23 Indian sailors. Another the Congress and the Leftparties BJP votes, Chowdhurysaid, “We on the other hand, on the alibi of farasfederalism is concerned, all have to be demanded. challengetoboththe Police’s Special Task Force, which vessel, MV Anastasia with 16 “occupythe secular space” in have to fight againstthe BJP and the BJP... [wehavebeen asked]to the Opposition-ruledstatesare Thereafter, we will propose to TMC and BJP. is investigating the case. District Indian nationals as itscrew,ison Bengal and still enjoyedthe sup- [Chief Minister] Mamata allywith the TMC. This cannotbe in peril. That is whyall have to be the Leftparties,” he said. Government Counsel ShivRam anchoragenear Caofeidian port Singhsaidthecasehasbeentrans- in China since September 20, ferredon apetition of the investi- waiting fordischarge of itscargo, Offline lessons gating officer. he said at amedia briefing. Karnataka withdraws night curfew TRACKING INDIA’S COVID CURVE However, Defence Counsel “Our Embassy in Beijing has for classes 9-12 Shashwat Anand said the state been in constant touchwith CASES: ACTIVECASES:2,83,849 government movedanapplica- provincial and central govern- order in view of ‘public opinion’ to resume from 297 tion as it “admitted their mis- ment authorities in China, re- DAYSSINCE 1,01,23,778 DEATHS:1,46,756 take”. Anand said it wasthe de- Jan 4inBihar PANDEMIC questing that the ships be al- withYediyurappatweetingthatit Some of the decisions should be BEGAN TESTS: 16,53,08,366 | RECOVERIES: 96,93,173 fence whichcited jurisdiction lowedtodockand/or the crew be PRESSTRUSTOFINDIA will be imposedfromDecember takenaftermuchdeliberationbe- while challenging the judicial allowedtobechanged,” he said. BENGALURU,DECEMBER24 24 to January1,2021, between 11 cause it’s agovernment forthe CASES DEATHS RECOVERIES TESTS custody granted by the Chief Srivastavasaid the Chinese pm and 5am(5am, January2). people," he told the media. EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE DEC23 24,712 312 29,791 10,39,645 Judicial Magistrateinahabeas authorities have conveyedthat IN AU-turn, the Karnataka gov- OnThursday, Yediyurappaap- Another senior BJP leader, PATNA,DECEMBER24 corpus plea filedinAllahabad crew changeisnot being per- ernment on Thursdaywithdrew pealedtothe people to exercise VijayapuraMLA Basanagouda High Court. “Citing the jurisdic- mitted from the ports on ac- itsnight curfew order,hours be- self-restraint by wearing face PatilYatnal,alsourgedthegovern- THE BIHAR Education Depart- tion, we raisedthe issue in count of coronavirus-related re- fore itwastocommentintoeffect. masks, hand hygiene and social ment to reconsider itsdecision. ment Thursdaydirected all uni- habeas corpus apartfromseek- strictions imposedbythe local The decision to impose night distancing to prevent the spread Earlier in the day, Karnataka versity Vice-Chancellors, District ing bail forthe accused. The state authorities. curfew fornine days from 11 pm of thecoronavirus.Thedecisionto Health MinisterDrKSudhakar Magistrates and District Educa- government has nowadmitted “Wealso understand, how- to 5amstarting Thursdaywas impose night curfew had drawn defendedthegovernment'smove tion Officers to restartoffline les- their mistake and movedanap- ever,that some other ships, takenonWednesdayinline with flak from the ruling as well as the to impose night curfew saying it sons forstudentsfromClasses 9 plicationseeking transferofthe whicharrived afterIndian ship the Centre’s advice, amid con- opposition parties. wasdoneontheadviceof thetec- to 12 from January4with 50 per STATESWITHRISINGACTIVECASES matter to the courtofAdditional had arrived, have actuallyman- cernsoveranew Covid-19variant Terming the night curfew as a hnical advisorycommittee (TAC) cent capacity in classrooms. ACTIVECASES RISEINLASTWEEK Session Judge. With Tuesday’s or- agedto discharge cargo and leave. spreading in the UK. measureto‘coverup’ wrongdo- forCovid-19. Speaking to re- Allhighereducationalinstitu- Haryana 1,05,230 97,567 der,itisclear that custody of the The reasons forthis arenot clear,” In astatement, Chief Minister ings of the BJP government by di- porters,hesaid,“TheTAChadrec- tions,private coachingcentresand Kerala 62,8674,636 accusedtill December 22 wasil- he said, adding India has taken BSYediyurappa said: “In viewof vertingpublicattention,Congress ommendedimposing night cur- engineering colleges have been Odisha 2,991306 legal,” Anand said. note of the Chinese foreign min- the public opinion that therewas statechief DKShivakumar said, fews from 8pmonwards as a asked to adheretothe directive. Siddique Kappan, Atiq-Ur- istry’s statement on Wednesday no need fornight curfew,the de- “Thisisagovernmentwhichisnot precautionarymeasure.However, Bihar Education Department STATESWHEREACTIVECASESAREDECLINING Rahman, Masood Ahmedand about the provision of necessary cision wasreviewedand after accountable.Ittriesto divertpub- aftermuchdeliberation we de- PrincipalSecretarySanjayKumar, ACTIVECASES DECLINEINLASTWEEK Alam were arrested in Mathura facilitation and assistance. consulting with cabinetcol- lic attention through various cidedtorestrict movement of in- in an order issuedThursday, laid Maharashtra 54,573 6,881 on October 5while on their way leagues and senior officials it has means. Howdoes the night cur- dividuals from 11 pm to 5am.” down standardoperating proce- Delhi 8,003 5,258 to Hathras wherea19-year-old been decidedtowithdraw the fewhelp containing the coron- Reacting to criticism of the duresforrestartinghigherclasses. West Bengal 15,689 4,454 Dalit girlhad been allegedly gan- Ram Mandir is night curfew.” Yediyurappa had avirus,” Shivakumar asked. move,Sudhakar sought to know He said junior classes would also graped, leading to her death in a initiallyannouncedWednesday BJPlegislatorAHVishwanath, what important economic activi- startfunctioning from January18 STATESREPORTINGMAXIMUMCASES Delhi hospital. Rashtra Mandir, that the night curfew will be im- who is aspiring to become amin- ties take place at night. “When all afterareviewofthe situation. ONDEC23 TOTAL UP Police claimedthat the ac- says Adityanath posedfromDecember 23 until ister, also criticisedthe govern- essentialservices,healthcarefacil- The official said that on any Kerala 6,1697,21,511 cusedgathered funds to instigate January2between 10 pm and 6 ment’s decision. “I requestthe itiesandtransportare wellinplace, givenday,onlyhalf of theenrolled Maharashtra3,913 19,06,371 riots on basis of caste “as they Lucknow: Chief MinisterYogi am.Changesinnightcurfew dates government to reconsider itsde- Iwould liketoknowwhom the studentswouldbecalledtoscho- have done on basis of religion in West Bengal 1,628 5,41,624 Adityanath on Thursdayhit out at andtimingwere announcedlater cision to impose night curfew. night curfew is going to affect?” ols. “A student of agovernment protestofCAA”. The UP govern- theLeftistsandsocialists,accusing school will be giventwo masks STATESREPORTINGMAXIMUMDEATHS ment had earlier submitted that them of betraying the country. eachand teachers would also be ONDEC23 TOTAL the four were partofthe Popular Speaking at akavisammelan Suburban local trains may open for giventraining in ways to prevent Maharashtra9650,098 Front of India and former mem- organisedonthe eveofformer Covid infection,” said Kumar.He West Bengal 34 9,473 bers of the StudentsIslamic Prime MinisterAtalBihari saidcoachinginstitutionswillha- Movement of India. Kerala 22 3,000 Vajpayee's birth anniversaryin public in Jan, says Maharashtra minister ve to submit acompliance report The next dateofhearing on Lucknow, the BJP leader said that of SOPs to the respective DMs at DataasonDecember23,releasedbyUnionMinistryofHealthandFamilyWelfare,IndianCouncilofMedical the habeas corpus —filedonbe- Researchandstategovernments.Oftenthenumbersreleasedeverydaycontaindatafrompreviousdays “Ram is the centreofour sanatan trains will be takenatthe earli- regular intervals. aswell.Assuch,trendsbasedondailynumbersareonlyindicativeandnotdefinitive half of Rahman,AhmedandAlam parampara”. EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Ministerfor est. The chief minister’s attempt Forhighereducationalinstitu- —isscheduledfor January5. Calling the RamTemple be- MUMBAI,DECEMBER24 Relief and is to startthe locals forthe gen- tions, medical leave norms have ing built in Ayodhya aRashtra Rehabilitation eral public from the firstweek of to berelaxed,saidthegovernment Mandir,Adityanath said, “Onlyif The Maharashtragovernment Wadettiwar January,”said Wadettiwar. order that also instructed that BHIMA KOREGAON BATTLE ANNIVERSARY the Leftists and socialists would might reopen the suburban lo- Officials, however, said the “norm of incentive or awardfor have triedtounderstand these cal trains forthe general public decision will be takenonlyafter maximum attendance has to be feelings, theyprobablywould from January. Ministerfor Relief resumption of watersports,en- ascertaining the spread in the discouraged”. Collector’s order under Sec 144: No neverhavegot the opportunity and Rehabilitation Vijay tertainment and amusement state, if any, of the newvariant of Biharhasabout6,000govern- to betray and be ungrateful to Wadettiwar said the govern- parks in the state. Covid-19, found in the United ment schools and colleges for outsider allowed at Jaystambh on Jan 1 the country.” ENS ment has recentlyallowedthe “The decision on the local Kingdom. higher classes. to Tulapur,Bakori,WadhuKhurd, tion. It also warnedagainst“hate EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Kesnand, Kolwadi, Dongargaon, messages,sloganeeringorboards PUNE,DECEMBER24 Fulgaon villages (all under the ju- that cause anykind of tension”. Delhi Police search office of lawyer Pracha in riot cases risdiction of Lonikand police sta- Those who violatethe district AFTER AN appeal to local resi- tion) and Koregaon Bhima, collector’sorderswouldfacelegal JudgeVinod Yadav, in an order, Nizamuddin and another at Constitution will win. It is notso dentsandagovernmentnotifica- Dingrajwadi, Sanaswadi, Vadhu action under Section 188ofthe ANANYATIWARI had said “it would be appropri- Yamuna Vihar," he said. weak… We will ensurethat each tion urging people to notvisit the Budruk,PimpleJagtap,Wajewadi, IndianPenalCodeandsectionsof &APURVAVISHWANATH ateifthe matter is investigated Thesearch warrant,issuedon and everyriotvictim gets justice.” JaystambhonJanuary1nextyear, Apti,Wadegaonvillages(intheju- the Epidemic Diseases Act. NEWDELHI,DECEMBER24 by an independent agency like December22underSection93of Lawyers working with Pune District Collector Rajesh risdiction of Shikrapur police sta- On December 22, the state Crime BranchorSpecial Cell”. An Mahmood the CrPC, states, “This is to autho- Pracha filedanapplication with Deshmukh on Thursdayissueda tion) during this period. No book Home department had issueda THE SPECIAL Cell of Delhi Police FIR wasfiledinthe matter. Pracha rise and requireinvestigating of- CMM PankajSharma againstthe prohibitoryorder under Section stalls,foodstalls,banners,boards, notification, stating that the pro- searched the Nizamuddin East According to Pracha’s associ- ficer of this case to search forthe seizureofmaterial. It is expected 144ofthe Criminal Procedure hoardings,publicmeetings,rallies gramatJaystambhwillbeshown office of lawyer Mahmood ate, advocateDigvijaySingh, the said incriminating documents to be heardFriday. Code(CrPC),1973,asperwhichno or marches will be allowednear live on Doordarshan and other Pracha Thursday. lawfirm is handling nearly 150 Courthad observed that this re- and metadataofoutboxofemail Senior advocateIndira outsiderwouldbeallowedtovisit the Jaystambh or these villages. media platforms. The govern- Pracha’s firm Legal Axis is de- riot-related cases, including one quired thorough investigation. ID…wherevertheymay befound Jaising, in aTwitter post, de- thewarmemorialinPernevillage Even those who attend the menturgedpeoplenottovisitthe fending severalpersons accused filedagainststudent activist Pursuant to this, acriminal case whetherincomputerorintheof- scribed the searches as “a direct between 12 pm on December 30 programmeatJaystambhhave to Jaystambh, in viewofthe Covid in different cases related to the Gulfisha Fatima, who is in judi- under appropriatesections of fice/premises…” attackonthe fundamental right to 6pmofJanuary2,2021. followallguidelinesissuedbythe situation, and instead paytheir Delhi riots in Februarythis year – cial custody in aUAPAcase. lawwas registeredand investi- Policemen barredentryto of the right to legal representa- The order mentions that a stategovernmentduetothepan- tributes from home. these cases include those in Additional PRO(Delhi Police) gation wastaken up.” Pracha’s Nizamuddin Eastoffice tion” and said “all lawyers must ‘symbolic’ programme, to mark demic situation,statedthe order, OnJanuary1everyyear,Dalits, whichsections of the stringent Anil Mittal said, "During the “During the course of investi- while the searches were on. In the condemn this attack”. the anniversaryofthe Battle of addingthattheyhavetoleave the mainlyfromAmbedkariteMahar Unlawful Activities (Prevention) course of abail matter pertaining gation, search warrantstolook evening, from the second floor Lawyer Prashant Bhushan Bhima Koregaon, will be held at area immediatelyonce the pro- community,visittheJaystambh,a Act(UAPA)havebeen invoked. to an accusedinthe Northeast forelectronic and other evidence balcony, Pracha said, “My phone said: “The targeting of lawyers the Jaystambh that day. Only gramme gets over. warmemorial erected by the Bri- In August, police told aDelhi Delhi riots,use of aforgednotary from the premises of twomem- has been seized. Iambeing who aredefending those who those with passes issuedbyPune Action will be takenagainst tish in memoryofsoldiers who courtthat Pracha had forged stampand creation of allegedly bers of the Bar were obtained threatened. Ihavetold themthey have been framedisthe next step RuralPolice would be allowedto those found spreading wrong in- foughtagainstPeshwasintheBat- documentsand instigated aman false/manipulated evidence at from the Courtand the same are can take things from my comput- in this conspiracy to frame pro- attend the programme. formation or rumours on social tle of Koregaon Bhima. The 2018 to depose falselyinacase related the hands of certain members of being executed in aprofessional ers, from my office and even my testors, activists and their lawyers Along with Perne, the order media about the programme, event wasmarkedbyclashes, in to the riots.Additional Sessions the Bar wasnoticed. The Special manner at one location in home. At the end of the day, the in the guise of an investigation.” alsorestrictstheentryofoutsiders warnedthe district administra- whichone person waskilled. Allahabad High Court quashes UTTARAKHAND FIR over ‘jungleraj in UP’ tweet State’s 1st ‘child-friendly police station’ ready to open Court'swebsite,theBenchobservedthat EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE The tweetsaid that UP Chief no offence under the appliedsections lastweek,afresh datefor inaugura- feel uncomfortable or anykind of fear LUCKNOW,DECEMBER24 MinisterYogi Adityanath wasmade out againstthe accusedand LALMANIVERMA tion will be decidedafter his recov- while interacting with the police. The quashedconsequential proceedings. DEHRADUN,DECEMBER24 ery, authorities said. police personnel will be in civil dress OBSERVINGTHATexpressingdissenton ‘has transformedthe state “Weafter analysing the above pro- Unlikethe whitewalls of the main and counselling of children fortheir lawand order situation is a“hallmarkof intoajungleraj in whichno visions, quaallegation made in the FIR AVOIDINGANY armedpersonnel in premises, the floorispaintedinbright rehabilitation will also bedone there,” aconstitutional liberal democracy” like lawand order prevails’. do notfind even remotely acommis- khaki wear or scratchy police radios, colours, and printed windowblinds said Usha Negi, Chairperson of the India, the Allahabad high courthas sion of offence under Section 66-D, as children coming to the Dalanwala po- areset to replace solid curtains. Uttarakhand Child Right Protection quashedanFIR againstaperson who said provision relates to cheating by lice station in Dehradun will soon find This ‘baalmitrapolicethana’has Commission. Negi said that child- hadallegedly tweetedthatUttarPradesh been booked under Section 66-D (of- personation,” the High Courtsaid. aseparateentrance lead them to the beendevelopedunderthesupervision friendlypolice station set-up is ready Chief MinisterYogi Adityanath “has fence of cheating by personation by us- Singh's lawyer,DharmendraSingh, firstfloor,whereadesignated room of UttarakhandChildRightProtection foroperation. She confirmedafresh transformedthe stateintoajungleraj in ing computer resource) of the had told the court, “The right to com- with toys,comic booksand wall Commission, and supporthas been datefor the inauguration will be de- whichnolaw and order prevails”. Information Technology Actand ment on the affairs of the Stateiswell paintings of popular cartoon charac- takenfromasocialorganisationingiv- cidedafter the CM recovers. Expressing dissent on the lawand Section 500(defamation) of the IPC. withinhisconstitutionalrightenvisaged ters, from Mowgli to Doraemon, will ingthepremisesachild-friendlylook. ShwetaChaubey,SP(City) and order situation in the stateisa“hall- The FIR againstSingh waslodged at under Article 19 of the Constitution of help them feel comfortable in inter- This ‘baal mitrapolice thana’ Atrainingsessionwillsoonbeheldon nodal officer forthe ‘baal mitrapolice markofaconstitutional liberal democ- Bhognipur Police Station in Kanpur India. Meredissent does notamount to acting with the police and reporting has been developedunder child-friendlypracticesforpoliceper- thana’, said it will function as adedi- racy likeours, constitutionallypro- Dehat district on August2. criminality.The FIR waslodged malafi- anyincident without fear. supervision of the stateChild sonnel so that they can provide coun- cated unit forjuveniles and therewill tected under Article 19 of the In the FIR, police had alleged that delyonlywith aviewtocoerce the peti- Uttarakhand’s firstchild-friendly Right Protection Commission seling to children in need. beaseparateteamof policepersonnel Constitution”, the BenchofJustice Singh had referred to various incidents tioner to stop expressing his dissent police station, whichhas been devel- “On this premises, children forinteractingwithchildrenandtheir PankajNaqvi and Justice VivekAgarwal of abduction, ransom call and murders againstthe Stategovernment....” opedonthe firstfloor of the caught in petty crimes or other mat- counselling. By the time other police observed while quashing the FIR. in his tweet. The additional government advo- Dalanwala police station premises, is Rawatwas to inaugurateiton ters likechild labour will beprovided stations getasimilar set-up of their The courtwas hearing awrit peti- In an order passedonNovember 23 cate, arguing on behalf of the stategov- ready foroperation. Thursdaybut as he is in home isola- counselling. An environment has own, children from other areas will tion filedbyYashwant Singh who had and uploadedrecentlyonthe High ernment, had opposedthe petition. Chief MinisterTrivendraSingh tion aftertesting positive forCovid been created so that achild does not also be takentoDalanwala, she said.

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THEINDIANEXPRESS,FRIDAY,DECEMBER25,2020 15 ECONOMY GOLD RUPEE OIL SILVER `49,624 `73.55 $51.29 `66,954

Note:Gold,silverrates at Delhi spotmarket;gold per 10 g, silverper 1kg; Brent crude as of 0000IST SENSEX: 46,973.54 ▲ 529.36 NIFTY: 13,749.25 ▲ 148.15 NIKKEI: 26,668.35 ▲ 143.56 HANGSENG: 26,386.56 ▲ 43.46 FTSE: 6,493.11 ▼ 2.64 DAX: 13,587.23 ▲ 169.12

International market data till 1930 IST RETROSPECTIVETAXATION:APPEAL FILED IN ASINGAPORE COURT New virus strain Vodafonecase:Indiachallengesruling fails to constrain

September 25, when the ver- leged liability through Following the ruling, and was, therefore, liable to pay AASHISHARYAN dict wasdelivered,India had 90 ED Casedates anyother means”. Vodafone Group said that “the Rs 22,100crore including inter- Sensex; Re up 21p NEW DELHI,DECEMBER 24 days or till Thursday, December backto Earlier this year,on tribunalheld that anyattempt estand penalties. 24,tofile the appeal. PLAIN E 2007 September 25, The Permanent by Indiatoenforce the taxde- The companyhad, on the Indexgainsfor ● THE INDIAN government has On Wednesday, India was EX CourtofArbitration at The mand would be aviolation of other hand, said that it would SENSEX 14:48PM challenged the verdict deliv- handedits second defeat in the Hague’s Singaporeseat had India’s international lawobliga- nothavetopay the taxessince thirdday in a 47,052.67 ered in theVodafoneretrospec- retrospective taxation case af- THE VODAFONE Group ruledthat India’s retrospective tions”. “This wasaunanimous India and the Netherlandshad 47,100 tive taxation case by the terthe Netherlands seat of the retrospective taxation demand of Rs 22,100crore as decision,including India’s ap- signedabilateral investment rowto46,973 47,000 46,743.49 Singaporeseat of Permanent Permanent CourtofArbitration case dates backto2007 capital gains and withholding pointed arbitrator Mr Rodrigo treaty (BIT) in 1995, whichex- 46,900 CourtofArbitration of The of The Hague ruledthat the when the UPAgovern- taximposedonthe telco fora Oreamuno,” acompany empted suchinvestmentsfrom 46,800 Hague, sources in the know of Indian government’sretrospec- ment had raisedaninitial 2007 dealwas “in breachofthe spokespersonhad then said. taxation. ENSECONOMICBUREAU 46,700 the development told The tive taxdemand againstthe taxdemand of Rs 7,990 guarantee of fair and equitable The Vodafone Group retro- However, the Income Tax MUMBAI,DECEMBER24 46,600 46,973.54 Indian Express. global oil and gasmajor was croreincapital gains and treatment” thatthe company spective taxation case dates department continuedtosend 46,500 The decision to file the ap- “inconsistent” with the UK- withholding taxagainst wasentitledfor itsinvestments backto2007when the UPAgov- demand and recovery notices THE BULL rallycontinuedfor the 11:32AM46,539.12 46,400 peal in acourt in Singaporewas India bilateral treaty. Vodafone Group when in the country’s mobile tele- ernment had raisedaninitial tax to the company, whichchal- thirdday in arow with the Open Close takenafter “top ranking” offi- Likethe Vodafone judg- the companyhad ac- phone business. demand of Rs 7,990 croreincap- lenged them firstinthe benchmarkSensexsoaringan- cials metwithofficials from the ment, the international tribu- quired 67 per cent of The international arbitra- ital gains and withholdingtax BombayHigh Courtand later in other 529 pointsamid reports Department of Telecomm- nal once again said that India’s stakeinHutchison tion tribunal had then also againstVodafone Group when the Supreme Court. about the government’s plan to unication (DoT) and Ministryof demand of retrospective taxon Whampoa for$11 billion. ruledthat the Indian govern- the companyhad acquired 67 In 2012,the Supreme Court begin vaccinationand hopes of RUPEE Finance,and instructed them Cairn Energy Plc was“in breach ment mustreimburse 4.3 mil- per cent of stakeinHutchison ruledthat the Vodafone the Brexit deal between the UK 73.6675 nottowaitonthe issue, one of of the guarantee of fair and eq- lion pounds to Vodafone Group Whampoa for$11 billion. Group’s interpretation of the and European Union.The bench- 73.5488 the sources said. uitable treatment”. In addition mustnot makeany moreat- forcosts incurredonlegal rep- India had then said that Income TaxAct of 1961 markSensexsoared by 1.14 per The sources, however, did to that, in both the judgments, tempts to recover“thealleged resentation and assistanceas Vodafone Group ought to have wascorrect and that it did not cent to 46,973.54 and theNSE notspecify as to when the chal- the international arbitration taxliability or anyinterestand well as forfees paid by the com- takenintoaccount the capital have to payany taxesfor the Nifty indexgained148points, or lengewas filed. Beginning tribunal has held that India or penalties arising from this al- panytothe arbitration court. gains and withholding taxes stakebuy. 1.09 per cent, to 13,749.25 on sustainedbuying support. TheSensex,whichcrossedthe BRIEFLY 47,000-levelinintra-daytrading Open Close ‘Housing sales: Festiveboostin In Bengaluru, sales fell to Brexit deal fuels again,hasnowrecoupedthelosses Goldbondissue 10,440 units in 2020 from afterthe 1,400-point crashon Dec qtr,but Covid hit to pinch’ 26,453 units last year Monday. Foreign investors in- duced, development on the US at`5,000 Chennai sales declined to sterling, recovery vested Rs 1,225 croreinstockson stimulus and vaccination,” said 6,983 units from 13,967 units Thursday while domestic institu- Vinod Nair,head of research, Mumbai: The issue price for Sales of residential properties areestimated to grow 51 per tionspulledout close to Rs 1,900 Geojit Financial Services. the next series of sovereign cent across sevenmajor cities in October-December,as Delhi-NCR demand dipped to crore. “Sustained foreigninflows Volumes on the NSE were a gold bonds has been fixedat againstthe previous quarter,onfestivedemand, JLL India said 15,743 units from 29,010 hopes propel stocks and the recovery in the economy bit lowerthan recent average. Rs5,000pergramof gold,the In Hyderabad, sales decline to aregood signs forthe markets to Broad market indices like small- ReserveBank of India said in units in housing 9,926 units from 16,025 consolidatefurther,” said veteran and mid-capindices underper- astatementonThursday.The 21,832sales during 51% REUTERS GAINSFACTOREDIN stockbrokerPawanDharnidharka. formed. Sovereign Gold Bond December quarteras Kolkata witnessed sharp fall in improvement in NEWYORK,DECEMBER24 The government’splan to set Climbing forthe second Scheme 2020-21-Series IX against 14,415 units in demandto2,568 units from residential sales, POUND logistics ready to vaccinate straight session,the rupee darted will beopen forsubscription July-September 7,463 units. THE BRITISH pound rose on frontlinehealth workers in the up21 paisetoend at 73.55against with recovery evenly ▲ 1.3547 0.35% from December 28,2020 to spread among all Mumbai saw housing sales of ThursdayasBritain and the EU firstphase boostedthe investor the US dollar on Thursday amid January1,2021. drop in housing clinchedafreetrade deal, while a sentiment. Momentum in sustainedforeign fund inflows seven cities 19,545units in 2020 as DOWJONES 48%sales in 2020 to against 32,138 units last year global gauge of stocks edgedup- European marketsonhopes of and positive domestic equities. 74,451 units from 143,923 ward amid investor optimism to- ▲ 30,199.87 0.23% Brexit dealalso helpedindices At the interbank forexmarket, CentralBank units from previous year as Pune went down to 9,246 ward economic growth. to trade higher.Financials and the rupeeopenedat73.66against As of 01:20pmEDT toexitJV demand slumped in all units from 18,867 units Sterling momentarilyex- pharma sector contributed to the US dollar and witnessedan seven cities Source: JLL India/PTI tendeditsclimbagainstthedollar the rally. “Volatilitynoticedat intra-dayhigh of 73.54and alow NewDelhi: State-owned onthenews,risingasmuchas0.94 well. The STOXXindexrose 0.13 the start of the week vanished of 73.66. The domesticunitfinally Central Bank of India will per cent, but then pared gains. per cent. On Wall Street,the Dow by the end of the week as con- finishedat73.55,registering arise exit housing finance joint Analysts said the pound’s 5per Jonesrose70.04points,or0.23per cern over newstrainofvirus re- of 21 paise over itspreviousclose. venturebyselling itsentire cent rallysince early November cent, to 30,199.87, theS&P 500 stakeofover64per cent to meantthat muchofthe Brexit re- gained13.05 points, or 0.35per CentrumHousing Finance Mrs Bectors Food closes MFs seek lief had already been pricedinto cent, to 3,703.06, and the Nasdaq forRs160 crore. the currency.Still,the pound was added33.62 points, or 0.26 per tax sops lastup0.35per cent at $1.3547. cent, to 12,804.73asof1:20 pm 106% higher on debut The trade deal helped EDT. Trading in US stocks willbe IL&FSgetsnod European equities edge higher as closedonFriday. ENSECONOMICBUREAU tosellChinaasset ENSECONOMICBUREAU The IPO of Mrs Bectors MUMBAI,DECEMBER24 NewDelhi: IL&FS on MUMBAI,DECEMBER24 Food Specialties was Thursdaysaidithasreceived THE MUTUAL fund (MF) industry BREXIT’SLONGSHADOWOVERUKMARKETS approvalfromJustice (retd) SHARES OF Mrs Bectors Food for Rs 540 crore hassoughtparityintaxtreatment DKJain, who is overseeing Specialties made astellar debut and was subscribed of mutual fundsand Unit Linked Theimpact on UK financial markets of the Brexit theresolutionprocessof the on the bourses on Thursday 198.02 times InsurancePlans(ULIPs)andahike vote and yearsofnegotiationshas been profound group, forsale of itsChinese with listing daygains of in threshold limit forwithholding road assetChongqing Yuhe 105.73per cent. tax(TDS) on income distribution STOCKLAGGARDS STERLING’SWILDRIDE Expressway Co (CYEC). ThestockopenedatRs500on Specialties wasfor an amount of (dividend) on mutual fund units. UKdomestic-focused Thepoundhashadseveralbrief the NSE, 73.61per cent higher Rs 540crore and wassubscribed The Association of Mutual companysharesareonlyup foraysbelow$1.20—its than itsissue price of Rs 288 and 198.02 times. Experts believe the Funds in India,inits pre-Budget around6.8%indollar lowestlevelsince1980 SebifinesNDTV hitthe upper circuit atRs 600be- IPO listinggainscanbeattributed memorandum, proposedthat termsfromearly- promoters fore closing the tradingsession at to the all-time highsinthemarket thresholdlimitforwithholdingtax 2016levelswhilethe WEAKERFINANCES Rs 592.5 apiece. This is the third and strong retail participation. onincomedistribution(dividend) FTSE100is4.5% Withalargecurrent NewDelhi:SebionThursday best listing daygain afterBurger Hemang Jani, head-equity strat- on MF unitsshould beraisedfrom lower—that’sagainst accountdeficitanda imposedatotal penaltyof King India and HappiestMinds egy, broking anddistribution, Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000 per annum an80%gainfortheS&P debt-to-GDPbeforeCovid Rs 27 croreonNDTVpro- Technologies, whichsaw gains of Motilal Oswal Financial Services, and acap of 15 per cent on sur- 500andanalmost60% above80%,itisrelianton moters, PrannoyRoy and 125per cent and 123.5 per cent, said the listing gains could be at- charge on income distribution on riseforworldstocks internationalinvestors’ RadhikaRoy,aswell as on respectively. tributed to the euphoria in the unitsfromequity MF schemes in Source: Reuters confidenceintheUKeconomy RRPR Holding forviolating The IPO of Mrs Bectors Food marketand retail frenzy. FE handsof non-corporatetaxpayers. various securities norms by concealing information from shareholders regard- ingcertainloanagreements. US regulator allowsM&M to sell Listingsonmobile new Roxor models in Jeep case

boosterstogo REUTERS ‘NOTRADEDRESSVIOLATION’ Mumbai: With mobile net- DETROIT,DECEMBER24 work boosters becoming a ■ The International Trade majorreasonforpoorservice AUSregulator ruledonWednesdaythat Commission (ITC) said the quality,the Department of Mahindraand MahindraLtd’s newdesign post-2020 Roxormodel did Telecom has asked online forits Roxoroff-road utility vehicle did not notviolatethe “tradedress” sellerstopulldownlistingsof infringethe intellectual property rightsof of FCA’s JeepWranglerSUV. suchequipment, an official Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ Jeep brand, six statement said on Thursday. months afterbarring sale of oldermodels. The International Trade Commission “While FCAisdisappointed with the (ITC) said the post-2020 Roxormodel did commission’s decision regarding the re- Fintechgroup’s notviolatethe “trade dress” of FCA’s Jeep design, we believe we will be successful in codeofconduct Wrangler SUV,accepting an administra- appealingthisdecision,”FCAsaidinastate- tive lawjudge’s October recommendation ment. Trade dress consists of the unique GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Mumbai:Aday afterRBIrap, that design changes made by Mahindra characteristics that make aproduct stand DEPARTMENTOFSPACE agroupingof five fintechson meant an earlier cease-and-desistorder apartandisgenerallyacceptedasidentified Construction &Maintenance Group, Thursdaycame out with a shouldnot apply to newermodels. “The with that product by the public. Forexam- ISROHQ, LPSC Campus,80Ft. Road, code of ethical conduct for ruling validates Mahindra’s redesign of the ple,FCAseestheJeepWrangler’sboxybody HALIIStage,Bengaluru -08 digitallendingwhichwill highlypopular Roxoroff-road vehicle,” shape, front grille and round headlightsas Ph: 080-25037-387/193 safeguard consumer rights Mahindrasaid in astatement. “Mahindra distinct to the brand. In June, the ITCruled BRIEFTENDERNOTICE and interests. PTI is nowpermittedtomanufactureanddis- Mahindrainfringedontheintellectualprop- Name of work Construction of TrainingFacility tributethe redesigned2021Roxor.” ertyrightsofFCA’s2019-modelJeepbrand. at ISITE, Marathahalli, Bengaluru-Civil &PHWorks TenderNoticeNo. CMG/ISRO-HQ/C/C/11/2020-21 China launches antitrust probe Date:24.12.2020 EstimatedCost Rs.1388.00 lakhs PeriodofCompletion 4(Four)Months into Alibaba over ‘monopoly’ in months Period during which From 18.10Hrs on 24.12.2020 booming internetspace,and the thetenderdocument To 23:59 Hrson02.01.2021 REUTERS latest setbackforMa,the56-year- canbedownloaded HONGKONG/BEIJING,DEC24 old former school teacher who Last date andtime Up to 14:30Hrs on 06.01.2021 foundedAlibaba. forreceipt of tenders I CHINAHAS launchedanantitrust In an editorial, the ruling Duedateand time 15:00Hrs on 06.01.2021 investigation intoAlibaba Group CommunistParty’s People’sDaily foropening of tenders and will summon the tech giant’s saidif “monopolyistolerated,and AntGroupaffiliatetomeetincom- companiesare allowedtoexpand Interested tenderersmay please refer www.tenderwizard.com/ ISRO Also detailed noticeinvitingtender (NIT)for eligible ing days,regulatorssaid on inadisorderly andbarbarianman- criteria andother details,which canbedownloadedfrom Thursday, inthelatestblowforJack Alibabafounder Jack Ma. ner,the industrywon’t develop in website www.isro.gov.in Ma’se-commerceandfintechem- ahealthy,and sustainableway”. pire. The probeispart of an accel- Shares in Alibaba fell nearly 9per Sd/- GroupHeadCMG,ISROHQ erating crackdown on anticom- petitive behaviour in China’s cent in Hong Kong. Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

THEINDIANEXPRESS,FRIDAY,DECEMBER25,2020 16 THE WORLD

TOPOFTHE WORLD Breakthrough:UK,EUagreeBrexittradedeal Agreement must be ratifiedbyBritish and European parliaments; keydetails to be worked out later Brexit is finallydone, but

MARKLANDLER& the world has changed STEPHENCASTLE LONDON,DECEMBER24 since the 2016 referendum BRITAINANDtheEuropeanUnion migrationandcountriesturnedin- Macrontestedpositive struckahard-fought trade agree- MARKLANDLER ward.Itwasbefore thecoronavirus forthe coronavirus on ment on Thursday, settlingabit- LONDON,DECEMBER24 pandemicexposedthevulnerabil- December17 terdivorce that stretchedover ities of far-flung supplychains, fu- morethanfour years and setting IT TOOK 11 grueling months for ellingcallsto bringstrategicindus- the termsfor apost-Brexit future negotiators from Britain and the tries backhome and throwing FRANCE as closeneighbours living apart, European Union to hammer out globalism intoretreat. Elysee:Macron according to Britishofficials. the terms of apost-Brexit trade In the anxious dawn of 2021, The deal, whichmustberat- deal. But in manyrespects, the buccaneers areout of fashion. nolongershows ifiedbythe British and European deal is already four and ahalf The worldisnow dominated by Parliaments, came together in years out of date. three gargantuan economic Covidsymptoms Brussels after11months of BritishPMBoris Johnson (left), as well as European Commission President Ursulavon der Leyenand chiefBrexit negotiator The worldhas changed radi- blocs —the US, China and the Paris: FrenchPresident grinding negotiations, culminat- Michel Barnier announcedthe agreement of the trade deal in press conferencesinLondon and Brussels respectively. Reuters callysinceJune2016,whenanar- European Union. Britain has fi- Emmanuel Macron is ing in alast-minutehaggle over rowmajority of people in Britain nalisedits divorcefromone of showing no moresymp- fishing rightsthat stretchedinto voted to leave the European them, leaving it isolated at atime toms of Covid-19, the Christmas Eve, justaweek be- and ablueprint forhow the two We have taken back It was along and winding regulationsof theEUwhilenego- Union, temptedbyanargument when the path forwardseems Elysee office said on fore ayear-end deadline. sideswill coexistafter severing control of our destiny. road. But we have got a tiatorshashedout newarrange- thatthecountrywouldprosperby moreperilous than it oncedid. Thursday. Macron, 43, Despiterunning to thou- deep tiesbuilt up over a47-year Peoplesaid it was good deal to show for it. It mentstogovern avastcross- throwing offthe bureaucratic While the dealavertstariffs can nowend his quaran- sands of pages, the agreement relationship.Afailuretocometo impossible, but we have is fair, it is abalanced Channeltrade. shackles of Brussels. and quotas on goods crossing the tine afterheself-isolated leavescriticalparts of the rela- terms could have leftBritain and taken back control... We deal, and it is the right Giventhe EU’s muchgreater In thosedays, the vision of an EnglishChannel,itisatheartabout forseven days at the pres- tionship to be worked outlater. the EU in abitterstandoff. will be an independent and responsible thing to size and economic muscle,its independent Britain —freetode- disentangling neighbours who idential retreat of La And it will notprevent some dis- If approved,the agreement negotiators were able to insist velopnext-generation industries had become deeplyintegrated Lanterne, close to the ruption to trade across the would take effect on January 1, coastal state.” do for both sides.” that Britain stay alignedwith the likeartificial intelligence and cut overdecades.Thatestrangement, Palace of Versailles, the English Channel, sinceBritish ex- four-and-a-half years afteranar- BORIS JOHNSON URSULA VON DER LEYEN bloc in some critical respects. itsown tradedeals with the US, analysts say, is bound to weaken office saidinastatement. ports willstill be subjected to rowmajority of Britons voted to Londonwillsubscribeto“level China and others—wasanallur- tiesbetweenthetwo sidesinother BRITISH PRIME MINISTER EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT He had tested positivefor some border checks,adding leave the European Union, playingfield”principles,whichare ing pitch. The Brexit buccaneers areas,likesecurityanddiplomacy. the coronavirus on Dec. costs forcompanies and causing plunging their country intoran- intendedtoprevent Britishcom- vowedtocreatea“GlobalBritain”. Britain has also promoteditself as 17,prompting atrack- potential delays at ports. corous debateand political divi- vowing to “get Brexit done,” the coverstate aidtobusinesses and panies from gaining an unfair ad- That wasbeforethe anti-im- achampion of democratic values and-trace effort across But it is nonethelessaland- sions over howtodoit. deal allows him to fulfill that rightstofish in British waters. vantageovertheirEuropeancom- migrantandanti-globalist-fuelled inplaceslikeHongKong,standing Europe following numer- markinthe long-running Brexit ForPrime MinisterBoris promise.Butto getthere,Johnson Until the end of this year, petitors through stateaid or by rise of US President Trumpand alongsidetheUS.Butinalesshos- ous meetings between drama —the bookend to Britain’s Johnson of Britain, who wona had to makesignificant conces- Britainhad agreedtocontinue enjoying less strict environmen- other populistsleaders who pitableworld,itmaynot findmany the Frenchleader and EU departurefromthe EU in January landslide election victory in 2019 sions, especiallyonrules that abiding by mostofthe rules and talorlabour laws. NYT erected barriers to trade and im- alliesfor that kind of work. NYT heads of government in recent days.Macron suf- feredheadaches, adry cough and tiredness for Trump gives clemency to more severaldays. REUTERS of his allies, includingManafort, TUNISIA 20deadafter Stone and Charles Kushner migrantboatsinks AT LEAST20African mi- MAGGIEHABERMAN& grantsdiedwhen their MICHAELSSCHMIDT boat sank offTunisia on DECEMBER24 Thursday as theytriedto cross the Mediterranean US PRESIDENT Donald Trump to theItalian island of doledout clemency to anew Lampedusa, aTunisian group of loyalists on security official said. The Wednesday, wiping away con- coastguardrescued five victions and sentences as he ag- (Clockwise from left)Charles people and wassearching gressively employedhis power Kushner, father of Trump’s forabout 20 others who to override courts,juries and son-in-lawJared;Paul were still unaccounted prosecutors to applyhis own Manafort, Trump’s 2016 for, theofficial told standardofjustice forhis allies. campaignchairman; and Reuters. The coastline One recipient of apardon was RogerStone, his longtime near the Tunisian port afamilymember,CharlesKushner, adviser and friend. AP city of Sfax has become a the father of his son-in-law, Jared major departurepoint for Kushner.Two others who were people fleeing conflict pardoneddeclinedtocooperate and povertyinAfrica and with prosecutors in connection Pardons mostlyjust for friends the Middle Eastand with the special counsel’s Russia searching forabetterlife investigation: Paul Manafort, his in Europe. REUTERS COVID DAMPENS CHRISTMAS JOY IN BETHLEHEM 2016 campaign chairman, and IT IS notunusual forUS expertquotedbythe New RogerStone,hislongtimeinformal Presidentstouse their York Times,60out of 65 AUSTRALIA APalestinianNational security unit is deployedinManger Square, adjacent to the Church of the Nativity,traditionally adviser and friend. pardoning powertoward people pardonedby believedbyChristians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ, in the West BankcityofBethlehem on Wednesday. Astream of Theywerethe most promi- theend of their term, and TrumpbeforeWednesday FBremoves marching bandsjoyously paradedthrough Bethlehem on Thursday,but fewpeople were theretogreet them as the nent names in abatchof26par- manybeforeTrumphave have had apersonal or po- celebritychef’s coronavirus pandemic and astrict lockdown dampenedChristmasEve celebrationsinthe city.Thousands of foreign dons and three commutations useditnot justincases sug- litical tie to the President. Sucha pilgrims usuallyflocktoBethlehem forthe celebrations. But the closureofIsrael’sinternational airporttoforeign visitors disclosedbythe WhiteHouse. gested by the Justice high percentageofpardons to pageforCovid kept tourists away this year.The PalestinianAuthority lastweek bannedintercity travel in theareas it administers in the Also on the listreleasedon Department, but also forthe alliesisunprecedented and has conspiracies Israeli-occupiedWestBank,keeping even Palestinian visitors away. AP Wednesdaywas Margaret benefit their ownfriends and attractedcriticism even from Hunter, theestranged wifeof allies. However, according to an inside Trump’s party. FACEBOOKSAID former Republican lawmaker Thursdayithas removed Duncan Hunter.Bothofthem the page of Australian had pleaded guilty to chargesof guidelines forconsideration of special counsel Robert Mueller celebrity chef turnedcon- China envoy meets Prachanda amid crisis in Nepal misusing campaign funds for pardons or commutations. They and his team. Neither man ever spiracy theorist Pete personal expenses. includedaformer Blackwater fullycooperatedwithprosecutors Evans forspreading mis- Her meeting with Prachanda leader close to the Prachanda- However, in arecent piece Duncan Hunter waspar- guardsentencedtolifeinprison despiteenteringguiltypleas,leav- information about Covid- YUBARAJGHIMIRE comes twodays afterher meet- faction tweeted. in the wake of thesplit in the donedbyTrumponTuesday, as forhis role in the killing of 17 Iraqi ing investigators to believe that 19,the tech giant’s latest KATHMANDU,DECEMBER24 ing with Nepal President Bidhya Anumber of political party NCP, the paper said that China partofafirstpre-Christmas wave civilians in 2007. private discussionof pardonsand move to police false con- Devi Bhandari. leaders had termedthe Chinese had no preference to anypolit- of grantsofclemency to 20 con- The pardons to Manafortand publicstatementsbyTrumpmay tent about the pandemic. CHINA’S AMBASSADOR to Previously, when Oli was envoy’s series of meetings with ical party,and that it wanted a victs, morethanhalfofwhom did Stoneonthesamedaywillbepar- have compromisedtheirabilityto Evans, aformer judgeon Nepal, Hou Yanqi, on Thursday under pressurefromhis own the ruling party leadersasin- stable government in Nepal. notmeetthe Justice Department ticularly stinging forthe former uncoverthe facts. NYT prime timeAustralian metPushpa Kamal Dahal party members, Hou had per- terference in Nepal’s internal It said China’scooperation to cooking shows with a ‘Prachanda’, who partedways sonallyintervened to ensure political affairs. Nepal should notbeseen as “in- large catalogue of cook- with Prime MinisterKP that the Prime Ministerre- The NCPand the Chinese terference in itsinternal affairs”. US President books, has become one of Sharma Oli following the disso- mainedinpower. CommunistParty had built a Hou repeated nearly the Trumpvetoes defence the country’s mostpromi- lution of Nepal’s Parliament. “Ambassador of the People’s “fraternal relationship”. Global same sentimentsduring her warns Iran of nent spreaders of baseless Hou, sources said, assured RepublicofChina Hou Yanqi met Times,aChinese paper reflecting meeting with Prachanda, who claims questioning Covid- Prachanda that China waswill- Chairman of the Nepal the views of the CPC,had brought is nowthe chairman as well as Bill, raises prospect of retaliation after 19,calling it a“hoax” and ing to work with the Nepal CommunistParty Pushpa Kamal out areportlastmonth that the the leader of the Parliamentary “BS” to his millionof CommunistParty faction ledby Dahal ‘Prachanda’this morning. opposition Nepali Congress was Party, afterhaving removedOli attackson followers. REUTERS him“to further China-Nepalre- Theydiscussedthe issues of bi- involvedin fomentinganti-China from that position. government shutdown lations and Nepal’s prosperity”. lateral concerns,” Bishnu Rijal, a sentimentsinNepal. —WITHPTIINPUTS embassy in Iraq REUTERS WASHINGTON,DECEMBER24 HELENECOOPER WASHINGTON,DECEMBER24 US PRESIDENT Donald Trump Black doctor dies of Covid-19 after her complaints vetoed abipartisandefence pol- US PRESIDENT Trumpwarned icy Bill on Wednesdayand raised Iran on Wednesdaythat he the prospect that the United would hold it accountable “if one of racisttreatment in hospital sparkedoutrage States could face agovernment American is killed” in rocket at- shutdown during apandemic, TrumpisheadedtoFlorida tacksinIraqthat the Trumpad- stirring newturmoil in forChristmas. Reuters ministration and militaryoffi- edge of treatment protocols. She plainedofpoor treatment, said sivir,andrug some doctors use Washington as he headedto cials blamedonTehran. JOHNELIGON knew whatto askforbecauseshe, in astatement that he could not to treatCovid-19. Florida forChristmas. In aTwitter postthat came af- DECEMBER24 too, wasamedicaldoctor. commentonspecific cases be- Anative of Jamaica,Moore Angryathis fellow Bill that would increase direct aid terameetingwithseniorofficials, But thatwas notenough to cause of privacy laws. grew up in Michigan. According Republicans in Congress, Trump payments to $2,000 perperson, TrumpsaidthatIranwas behind IN Ahospital bed,the Blackpa- gether treatment and respect Covid-19 hasbeendevastating to her family, she earnedher soughttorefashiontwo complex aligningwithTrump’swishes,but rocket attacks on the American tient gazedintoher smartphone she said she deserved. forBlackandLatinocommunities. medical degree from the pieces of legislation that passed members of Trump’s ownparty Embassy in Baghdad on Sunday. and complainedofanexperi- She waseventuallysent Black peoplehave diedat3.6times University of Michigan. Congressby wide,bipartisanmar- blockedthateffort,worseningthe “Some friendlyhealth advice to ence all toocommon among home, and on Sunday,justmore the rate of whitepeople, and She wasnostranger to the ginsafter months of negotiation. deadlock. Iran,”Trumptweeted.“If one Blackpeople in America. than twoweeksafter posting the Latinosat2.5 times the rate of challengesof gettingpropermed- Trumpfollowedthrough on a Trumpsaid he vetoed the de- American is killed,Iwill hold Iran Susan Moore, the patient, video, Moore, 52,diedofcompli- whitepeople, according to an icalcare, said Muhammed, her threat to veto the defence Bill and fence policy Bill, whichhas responsible. Thinkitover.” said the whitedoctor at the hos- cations from Covid-19,said her analysis by theBrookings son.Shehadsarcoidosis,adisease demandeddramatic changes to a passedevery year since 1961,be- Hispostwas followedbya pital in Indianapolis whereshe son, HenryMuhammed. Institution. thatattacksthelungs,andwasfre- $2.3trillionpackagethatfundsthe cause he objectedto liabilitypro- statement from US Central wasbeing treated forCovid-19 Moore’s case has generated Mooretestedpositive for quentlytreated at hospitals. federal government and provides tections forsocial media compa- Command, whichcalledthe at- had downplayedher complaints outrageand renewedcalls to Covid-19onNov.29and wasad- “Nearly everytime she went nearly $900billion in coronavirus niesunrelatedto national security tacksthe largest in adecade. “The of pain and suggestedshe would grapple with biasedmedical mitted to the hospital,according to thehospital she had to advo- aid. If Trumpblocks thespending and did notwant to rename mil- Dec. 20, 2020,rocketattackon be discharged. treatmentofBlackpatients. Dr Susan Moorewith her 19- to her Facebook post, whichshe catefor herself, fight forsome- package,large partsof theUSgov- itarybases that arecurrently the green zone in Iraq wasalmost Inherpost,sheshowedacom- Aspokesperson forIndiana year-old son Henry wroteonDec. 4. She wrotethat thing in some way, shape or ernmentcouldstartto shut down namedfor generals who fought certainly conducted by an mandof complicatedmedicalter- UniversityHealth,the hospital Muhammed. NYT she had to begthe physician form, justtoget baseline,proper next week.House Democrats on forthe pro-slavery Confederacy Iranian-backedroguemilitia minologyandanintricateknowl- system whereMoorecom- treating her to give her remde- care,” he said. NYT Thursdaytriedtobringchangesto during the Civil War. group,” the statement said. NYT

Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

THEINDIANEXPRESS,FRIDAY,DECEMBER25,2020 (Myperspective)hasonlyshiftedinthelast12months sincethewholeBlackLivesMatterthingstartedtotake off.Iwasprobablysomeonewhohadmyheadinthesand alittlebit...That'sreallyopenedmyeyestothingsand issuesourIndigenouspeople,blackpeopleandpeopleof 17 SPORT allsortofdifferentculturesgothrough.” TIMPAINE, AUSTRALIACAPTAIN,ONTHEBLMMOVEMENT Samering,unusualBoxingDay MCG will look different,withfar fewerspectators, but India hastask cutout

VISHALMENON DECEMBER24

THE MCG does nothavethe notoriousBay 13 anymore.Itwasdismantledandreplacedbya glitzystate-of-the-art hospitality arenalast year.Besides,thestadiumwillbeonlyupto30 per centfullwhen India take on Australia in thesecondTest onSaturday. However, theim- posing1,00,000-seaterisacolossalamphithe- atreand playing herecomes withits inherent challenges. The intimidating size and over- whelmingpresence can expose even the mi- nutestshortcomings in aplayer. The MCG has rarely been ahappyvisit for tourists.Justtoputthingsinperspective,South Africa in 2008, England in 2010 and India in 2018 arethe onlythree visiting teamstohave defeated Australia at this venuethis century. Afterthe Adelaide hammering, Indiaun- derAjinkyaRahanecaneithergetintimidated and crumble at this imposing venue likesev- eralteamshave inthepast.Ortheycanorches- Though the Melbourne CricketGround will be only up to 30 per cent full when MARY,CHRISTMAS trateastunningturnaround.Theycanseekin- India take on Australia in the second Test on Saturday,playing at the imposing spiration from their spirited all-round 1,00,000-seater amphitheatrecomeswith itsinherent challenges. AP File Six-time worldchampion and Olympic medallist MaryKom celebrates Christmas Evewithfamily. Renuka Puri performancetwoyearsagothatvaultedthem to aresounding series win. In hispre-departurepresser,when Kohli leaving forEnglandonawhite-ball tour.From wasasked about the challenges of playing in theretotheIPLandbackinAustralia,Smithhas MCG standby venue Australia, he quipped: “Playing in hugestadi- travelledfromone bubbletoanother. Tokyo-bound athletes,coaches should be umsandinfrontof suchhugecrowdsisalways Christmas Day, on theeve of theMelbourne for Sydney Test challenging. But if youdowell here,you earn Test,istraditionallyanoccasionwhenfamilies theirrespect,andthatissomethingthat’sreally of Australian players and coachingand sup- Melbourne: Cricket Australia on priority for vaccine: Parliamentpanel satisfying forany cricketer.” port staffget togetherfor lunchafter abrief Thursdaysaid Melbourne has been From Michael AthertontoKLRahul, they training session in the morning.Not this year, placedonstandby to hostthethirdTest Sahasrabuddhe submitted itsreporton pressuresituations theymay find themselves have allbeensubjectedto relentlesstauntsand thankstothe pandemic. betweenIndiaandAustraliaif Sydney's PRESSTRUSTOFINDIA "Preparation forOlympics 2021" to Rajya in during actual Olympics," it said. avolleyofvitriolicabusefromtheMCGcrowd. “It’sthefirsttimein50yearsI’vebeenwith- COVID-19situation rendersit"unten- NEWDELHI,DECEMBER24 SabhaChairpersonMVenkaiahNaiduthrough Thecommitteeobservedthattravellingto Rahul,who made hisTestdebut six yearsago, out my family(forChristmas),” head coach able"despiteeffortsbeingmadeto con- virtual mode. farawaytournamentsisabigchallengeforath- has spoken in detail about hisharrowing ex- Justin Langer said.“There’s anumber of play- tinue withthe original schedule.The APARLIAMENTARYpanelonThursdayrecom- The report said medical staffand other letes. Countries suchasFrance and Germany perience to bcci.tv. ersand the staffwho arewithout families this fate of thethirdTesthasbeenshrouded mendedputtingathletes,coachesandsupport medical equipment suchasX-Ray and MRI thathosttournamentsathome,have produced “The crowdisreallyagainstuswhen we year.It’s one of the sacrifices we have to make in uncertainty sinceearlier this month staffgoing forthe 2021TokyoOlympicsinthe machinesshouldbemadeavailablewithinse- morechampions, it pointed out. playhere.Theylovetheircricket,butmakeour in 2020. It’s notideal but it is what it is.” afteraoutbreak in the northern priority group forthe COVID-19vaccination lect SportsAuthority of India and other train- "Indiashouldhostmoreinternationaltour- livesonthe ground reallyhard. This is why Team India also has alot to ponder.Itar- beachesinSydney, whichisscheduled process. The committee also voicedconcern ingcentres. namentssothat players can reduce travel to cricket inAustraliaissoexciting.WhenIplayed rivesatthe hallowedturf on the backofa to hostthe thirdTestfromJanuary 7. overlarge numberofvacanciesof coaches,say- "This will ensurethat athletesdonot lose collect morepoints and move up the ranking my firstTestinMelbourne, Iwas standing at calamitousbattingimplosion at the Adelaide "CAhasreaffirmeditscommitment ing theyshouldbefilledupinatime-bound anytimefor treatment and recovery.This will ladder.Also, alargernumber of athletescan deepsquare-legboundary,andoneof theguys Oval.Trailing0-1,theywillbewithouttheirtal- to giving it the best chance to play the manner so that Olympic preparations do not also keep them from travellingtohospitals benefit from the same amount that India inthecrowdasked:‘Mate,what’syourname?’ ismanic captainVirat Kohli and senior pacer thirdVodafone Test at the Sydney suffer. wherethe chances of contracting COVID are spends on sending athletesabroad forexpo- Theysaid hello and all, but in 10 seconds,the Mohammed Shami.The dodgy form of their CricketGround and the fourth The TokyoOlympics areslatedtobeheld the highest,"itobserved. sure," the reportobserved. whole section startedchanting, ‘Rahul is a batsmen and visions of 36/9 will add to their Vodafone Test at the Gabba as per the from Julynextyear. The panel pointedout that due to coron- The standing committee also recom- wa&$#r’,” he recollects. plight.But Langer and his troops won’tliketo originalschedule,"CA said."Shouldthe The panel has also recommendedidenti- avirus-triggeredlockdown and travel restric- mendedcreation of "bio-bubbles" in training Atherton, in an interviewtoThe Times, lettheir guarddown. publichealth situation in NSWrender fying training facilities, stadiaand sports cen- tions, there waslossofinternational and na- facilities so that "athletescan be isolated in a London, said:“Younever forget thecrowd.In “Indiahadthebetterof usreallyforthefirst playing in Sydneyuntenable, CA's pre- tresforOlympicqualifiedathleteswhichhave tionalcompetitionexposurewhichhashugely secureenvironmentand train with minimal the1990s,IplayedthreeTestsinfrontof 80,000 twodays of the(Adelaide)game,”Langersaid. ferredcontingencyplanisto work with notopenedyet.Itsaid the closedcentres affected thetraining of the athletes. possibility of beinginfected." peopleandtheatmospherewasincredible.As “Wewereinfor areal arm wrestle of aTest the Victorian Government to playthe shouldbereopened"attheearliest"ortheath- "Thedepartment and National Sports It proposedgiving individualisedpro- aplayer, it wasinspiring. It racksuptension, match. So, it wasamazing howthings turned thirdVodafone Test at the Melbourne letesshould be relocated to alternate centres Federations must ensurethat players getan grammestoathletescapableof reachingfinals putsyou on the edge and makes yousharper around. We knowhow good ateam India is, Cricket Ground followedbythe fourth whichhaveopened. opportunity to playmaximum international ormedalhopefulsandalsoprovidingforsend- and, ideally, better.” we knowwe’vegot to keep improving,”the Vodafone Test at the Gabba." The department-related parliamentary tournamentsbeforethe2021 Olympicgames. ing them abroad as soon as possible in a"bub- Thepandemic-forcedisolationisexpected former opener said. “We’ll have to start well Afinal decision would be made standing committee on Education, Women, "Internationalcompetitions should be ac- ble environment"wheretop scientific infra- to addpressureontheplayers.SteveSmithhas Boxing Daymorning and then be consistent, during the Boxing DayTest. PTI Children, Youth and SportsheadedbyVinayP cordedpriority as theyprepare athletesfor structureisavailable. notmet wifeDaniWillissinceAugust31, before because we know India will fight back.” OVER THE HEDGE by Michael Fry &TLewis CROSSWORD 4311 DAYTODAY BYPETERVIDAL

ARIES (Mar 21 -Apr 20) LIBRA (Sept.24-Oct. 23) Your stars begin to Everything hinges look simultaneously around what friends morerelaxed and feel, sayand do. The morepassionate, fact is, though, that whichmeans that youmay be theymay be saying one thing propelledhead-long intoabout and doing something else! One of sheer pleasure.Creative wayorthe other,your social activities nowrequire stars arelooking moreintense boundless energy and limitless than at anytime sincelastyear. commitment. In fact, there's If there's anychance that you room fordeep satisfaction in can help soothe aloved one's even the dullestofduties. nerves, please do so. TAURUS (Apr. 21 -May 21) SCORPIO(Oct.24-Nov.22) Theprospect of a The professional move of home or dimensioninyour some other major horoscope is looking CALVIN &HOBBES by Bill Watterson domestic upheaval so strong that, if mustnow look moreattractive. you'reunhappyatwork, the At the very least youshould pressuretochangejobs in mid- bring as muchcolour intoyour stream maybeirresistible. It's home and familylifeasyou also nowtime to seek status in possiblycan. That's no more your community.Perhaps you'll ACROSS DOWN than youdeserve. Plus, what's be turning the clock back, 1One would feel put out to be 1Writing directions forexample good foryou could be right completing atask that you treated so (7) (5) foreveryone. beganalong time ago. 5Gather in great numbers fora 2Old priesttaking partinthe service (5) litany(3) GEMINI (May22-June 21) SAGITTARIUS(Nov. 23 -Dec. 22) 8Theyfit out avessel withspars 3Trifles -child’s playreally It's decision time. Or This is one of those (9) (4) is it? The fact is that rare momentswhen 9The whole lot, though it 4Kind of finfound in cod or while youmay be youall tooeasilyget sounds likeless (3) salmon (6) pushedintomaking stuckinsome sortof 10 Goes unsteadilytoturn back 5Estimated value achoice, probablyan dogma about the waypeople the power(4) (8) emotional one, it looksvery should behave.Ifyou gettoo 12 It sounds highlyunnatural (8) 6Dogs give assailant trouble (9) certain that whatever is upsetabout rules and arbitrary 14 It is involvedwith aplan that is 7Nobody in particular (7) agreednow will be altered expectations, you'll miss out on flexible (6) 11 Document, having reached again next month. Mind you, the richness of day-to-day 15 Tell astory concerning the double figures, is fully youwill very soonmake human experience. You'll also dead? (6) described (7,2) MARVIN by Tom Armstrong unexpected gains in apersonal sacrifice apassing opportunity. 17 Changing triangle formation 13 Nothing daunted,Iprinted a area. That's the good news. CAPRICORN (Dec. 23 -Jan.20) (8) differentversion(8) CANCER (June 22 -July23) Theredoes now 18 Likeone with alarge area of 14 Akey player(7) This is certainlya seemtobesome sort land (4) 16 Acapital rank Arabs hold rare moment of of turningpoint in 21 Adrinking place in point (6) passion. If alliscalm your financial affairs, (3) 19 It should include these on the surface, perhaps one which will colour 22 Realistic science exam (9) mountains (5) beware,for underneath your prosperityfor the years to 24 Backafavourite I’d found not 20 Astound without ado you'relikeaseething volcano come. Don't be afraid to turn so hot(5) (4) waiting to erupt. It seemsthat theclock backfor,ifyou laythe 25 Makes one’s ownwings? 23 One who confrontsthose your emotional security past to rest,you will be much (7) engaged in arow (3) is at stake. Youjustneedtofeel better at dealing with that you'reappreciated. the present. That's all. SolutionsCrossword4310:Across:1Racecard,5Otic,9Lenin,10Minimum,11 AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Masterstroke,13Icarus,14Pursue,17Heart-to-heart,20Unfrock,21There,22 LEO (July24-Aug. 23) Youreallymust Palm,23Stiletto.Down:1Roll,2Cantata,3Construction,4Remark,6Tempo,7 There's areal listentoother Competes,8Instrumental,12Highjump,15Serpent,16Pocket,18Awful,19Veto. planetarytraffic jam peopletoday, and in your sign today, even bend over with planets backwards to see their pointsof shuffling here, there and view. This maygoagainst the everywhere. Youmay permit grain, but is agood strategy JUMBLED WORDS DifficultyLevel1s yourself aspell of confusion, because youneedtolet Instructions and by all means wallowin partners getthings offtheir Givenbelowarefourjumbledwords.Solvethejumblestomakeproperwordsandmovethemto TosolveaSudokupuzzle, your emotions. If thereare chest. You'll be able to take the

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Ahmedabad WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 18 SPORT THEINDIANEXPRESS,FRIDAY,DECEMBER25,2020 BRIEFLY If COVID-19 impacts CavanifiresManUtd Politicians, officials, musicians intoLeagueCupsemis schedule, BCCI to London: ManchesterUnitedleftitlateto booktheirplaceintheLeagueCupsemi- ... everyone but cricketers finals with a2-0 win at Everton, while compensate players Tottenham joinedthem in the lastfour afterbeating Stoke3-1 on Wednesday. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side dominated MIHIR VASAVDA forlong periods of their quarter-final at DECEMBER 24 EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Chetan Sharma new GoodisonPark,butittookuntilthe88th KOLKATA,DECEMBER24 minutebeforeEdinsonCavanibrokethe WHILERENOUNCINGhis membership chairman of selectors deadlock. AnthonyMartial bagged with the Delhi and District Cricket THE BCCI has decidedtocompensatecrick- United's second goal in stoppagetime. Association and asking forthe removalof eters if it fails to hold anyother domestic tour- Former India medium pacer Chetan ForTottenham, Wales forwardGareth his name from astand at FerozShah Kotla nament other than the SyedMushtaq Ali T20 Sharma will be the newchief selector Balemadethemostofarare starttoput Stadium, former India captain Bishan Trophydue to the ongoing Covid situation in afterhewas pickedfor the senior se- the team ahead but Alli wasatfault Singh Bedi lamented that India does not India. This wasdecidedatthe Annual General lection panel on Thursday, along with when his flamboyant flickwas inter- honour itssportspersons the same wayas Meeting in Ahmedabad on Thursday. Abey Kuruvilla and Debashish ceptedinthe build-up to Jordan rest of the world. This initiative is expected to benefit more Mohanty (both ex-India seamers), by Thompson's equaliser forStoke.Ben Nearly all great venues in the worldho- than athousand men and women cricketers. theCricket AdvisoryCommittee (CAC) DaviesputTottenhambackinfrontwith nour eminent sportspersons in wayone or The Board, however, hasn’t ruledout the pos- comprising Madan Lal, RudraPratap his firstgoal since 2017 before England another.InIndia, though, cricket stadiums sibility of holding the Ranji Trophyorthe Singh and Sulakshana Naik. captain Harry Kane sealedSpurs' place arenamedafter everyone exceptcricketers VijayHazareTrophyand will take acall dur- The newselectors will join Sunil in the semi-finals. AFP and ahandful arenamedafter heroes from ing or afterthe Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tourna- Joshi and Harvinder Singh in the panel other sports. ment to be playedfromJanuary10-31. and Sharma, who has played23Tests “Weare still very optimistic about hold- and 65 ODIs, will be the chairman by Realwinfiveonthe Politicians ingthe Ranji Trophy. Members agreedthat virtue of the number of Testsplayed. bouncetogojointtop number of stadiums namedafter for- it is very important. But if the Covid situation ENS 9 mer Prime MinisterJawaharlal Nehru. worsens, then the VijayHazareTrophy(50- Madrid: Atowering header from Of them, 8-New Delhi, Chennai, Kochi, over format) could be the easier option rather Casemiroand an added-time strike Indore, Guwahati, Margao, Pune and than holding four-daymatches. But the do- whichcan go up to $124 million, according to from Karim Benzema sawReal Madrid Ghaziabad –havehosteddomestic and in- mestic players will be compensated if there’s the AGMpapers. beat astubborn Granada side 2-0 at ternational cricket matches. no other domestic tournament apartfrom As per the hostagreement, the BCCI is home on Wednesdaytonotch afifth number of arenas namedafter Indira NewDelhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, whichhostedthe 2010 Commonwealth the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy,”Saurashtra “obligated to”deliverthe International consecutive La Ligavictoryand go level 3Gandhi (Guwahati, NewDelhi and Games opening and closing ceremonies, is one of nine venues namedafter the Cricket Association (SCA) president Jaydev Cricket Council (ICC) afull taxexemption for on pointswith leaders Atletico Madrid. Vijayawada) and RajivGandhi (Hyderabad, former Prime Minister. Express file Shah, who attendedthe meeting, told The hosting the WorldCup. Else, the tournament Real have 32 pointsfrom15games Dehradun and Kochi). Indian Express. will move out to the United Arab Emirates, heading intoaseven-daybreak from ■ When India hostedthe 2017 under- As perthe BCCI pressrelease, the general or the ICC will debit moneyfromthe Indian matches,levelwithAtleticowhoaretop 17 football WorldCup, four out of the six number of stadiums that gettheir former general manager of Tata Steel, John body decidedto“form aworking group in board’s revenue share. The game’s global on goal difference and have twogames venues usedwerenamedafter the Nehru- 4names from cricket administrators; Lawrence Keenan. order to compensatethe players, matchof- body has setDecember 31 as the deadline in in hand. Gandhi family–the Nehru stadiums in Chennai’s MA Chidambaram, Bengaluru's ficials and others involvedincricketing ac- this regard. Kochi, Delhi and Margao, along with the Chinnaswamy, Mohali's IS Bindraand Sportspersons tivity if they arenot able to participatedue “Our revenue sharefromthe ICC is $390 IndiraGandhi Stadium in Guwahati, which Mumbai's Wankhede stadiums gettheir number of cricket stadiums that are to cancellation of cricket matches/tourna- million. If we fail to deliverafull taxexemp- Sun'sdopingban is one of the three stadia namedafter the names from the eponymous former pres- 0namedafter acricketer. mentsowing to COVID-19”. The women’s tion, then alittle over $100 million will go referredbacktoCAS former Prime Minister. identsofthe cricket board. ■ Thereare, domestic matches and men’s junior cricket, away from our shareovertwo WorldCups ■ Alife-size portrait of RajivGandhi in however, two it is learnt, would be playedduring the IPL, (2021T20 WorldCup and 2023 50-over ChineseswimmerSunYanghashadhis his cricket gear hangs at the entrance of Other personalities cricket grounds that from Mayonwards. WorldCup). The office-bearers asked the eight-yearbanfordopingviolationsre- the stadium namedafter the former Prime ■ Thereare stadiums whichhavelinks honour hockeyleg- members if we wanted to hostornot.We ferred backtothe CourtofArbitration MinisterinHyderabad. with the British Raj. The iconic Eden ends –Lucknow’s 10 IPL teams from 2022 said we want to host,” the SCApresident told forSport(CAS) afterthe Swiss Federal Gardens derivesits name from the sisters KD Singh ‘Babu’ The AGMalso authorisedthe IPL this paper. Supreme Courtupheld his appeal number of grounds namedafter Atal of the former Governor-General of India Stadium and Governing Council to include up to 10 teams The BCCI is still negotiating with the gov- againstthe ban on the grounds of bias 2Bihari Vajpayee(Nadaun and Lucknow) LordAuckland, Emilyand FannyEden. Captain Roop Singh in the Indian Premier League. “Giventhe lo- ernment fortax exemption. by one of the CASpanel. The decision and Sardar Patel(Valsad and Ahmedabad) Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium, mean- Stadium in Gwalior, gistical challenges and also an increased could potentiallyclear the wayfor Sun each. while, namedafter the then Bombay the venue where number of matches in the middle of apan- Cricket in Olympics to compete atnextyear’sdelayedTokyo ■ The FerozShah Kotla Stadium in New Governor,LordBrabourne. Sachin Tendulkar demic, we arelikelytoexpand the IPL from The BCCI is notaverse to cricket’s inclu- Olympics,dependingonwhenthecase Delhi wasrenamedArun JaitleyStadium number of venues namedafter music became the firstcricketer to scoreadouble 2022. The members agreedinprinciple as sion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but isheard.Sunwasbannedforeightyears lastyear. 2maestros: Guwahati’s Dr Bhupen centuryinODIs. regardstothe IPL’s expansion to cater to and the members want certain clarifications by CASinFebruaryafter it acceptedan ■ Kozhikode's EMS Stadium, whichhas Hazarika Cricket Stadium and Delhi’s createawider talent pool,” said aBCCI offi- from the ICC before taking afinal decision. appeal from the WorldAnti-Doping hosted1987Nehru Cup and is home to I- multi-purpose ThyagarajStadium, which number of hockeystadiums namedaf- cial. TheAGM also decidedtoincrease the re- Agency (WADA) againstadecision by League side Gokulam Kerala, is namedaf- is dedicated to Carnatic composer 2terMajor DhyanChand, in NewDelhi tirement agefor domestic matchofficials and swimminggoverningbodyFINAtoclear tercommunistleader and firstchief min- Tyagaraja. and Lucknow. T20 WorldCup taxmatters scorers from 55 to 60, while raising the in- himof wrongdoingforhisconductdur- isterofKerala, EMS Namboodiripad. number of stadium that gets itsname number of football stadium namedaf- To ensurethat the next ICC T20 World surance coverfor retired First-Class crick- ing a2018test. REUTERS 1from an executive:Jamshedpur’s 1terafootballer,the Bhaichung Cup is playedinIndia in October-November eters to Rs 10 lakh. RajeevShukla has been Administrators Keenan Stadium, whichisnamedafter the Stadium in Namchi, Sikkim. 2021, the BCCI would bear the taxliability, elected BCCI vice-president.

Vol. LIII No. 279 RNI No. 15048/1968. Printed and Published by Hareshkumar K Bhagdev on behalf of The Indian Express Private Limited. Published at : 3rd Floor, Sambhav House, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad 380 015. Phone (Board) : 26872481- 82- 83, Fax No. 26873950. Printed at : Bhaskar Print Planet, Survey No. 148P, Changodar-Bavla Highway, Tal. Sanand, Dist. Ahmedabad. Chairman of the Board : Viveck Goenka, Chief Editor : Raj Kamal Jha, Editor : Unni Rajen Shanker, Editor : (Gujarat) Leena Misra * (*Responsible for selection of News under the PRB Act) Copyright : The Indian Express Private Limited. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner, electronic or otherwise, in whole or in part, without prior written permission is prohibited. The Indian Express® Ahmedabad