, - 6$ 1   " - 3     - 3   3     &()"& *+,-. /)/)! ./%+01 /203 %"    4.95 ! ! .78!2!$.! .9$5.!! 1 2 57.40 24 25.!0 .25 2.1:2 $244!$ 1$4$$.1252 !:$4.4;<* 1215. 2911B901   $%*=&&' *>? @ !%    " /    01/2+34  +-                            Q  R   .01 23$2 formation campaign” being led of executive power and a lead- by senior BJP functionaries as ing example of the corruption ongress president Rahul well as the Government that of the BJP Government led by CGandhi on Monday the December 14 last year Prime Minister Modi, which expressed regret in the judgment gave a “clean chit” to deserves to be investigated Supreme Court over his the Modi Government on the thoroughly by a Joint remarks attributing certain Rafale deal. Parliamentary Committee and comments against Prime He also referred to a media proceeded against thereafter”. Minister Narendra Modi on the interview by Prime Minister Away from the SC pro- basis of a recent order of the top Narendra Modi in which he ceedings, Rahul once again court in the Rafale deal case, had said that the apex court raked up his often-repeated but wasted no time in repeat- had given a clean chit to the poll theme of alleged corrup- ing his “Chowkidar chor” jibe Government in the Rafale deal. tion in the Rafale deal and and against the PM in Amethi. He maintained that there exhorted people to ask the Rahul expressed “regret” was no “slightest intention” to Prime Minister what he got in in the Supreme Court for “insinuate” anything regarding return for benefiting Anil claiming SC had justified his the Supreme Court proceed- Ambani with 30,000 crore in “Chokidar chor hai” allega- ings in any manner as he holds the fighter jet deal.          !  P    # #     # #    #        tion in its order. He said the the top court in the highest Mocking at the PM’s “Main     %     comment was made in the esteem. bhi chowkidar” campaign, “heat of political campaigning”. Clarifying further, Rahul Rahul said, “When his (Modi’s) The apex court on April 15 said he had made the statement theft was caught in the Rafale had given a categorical clarifi- after filing his nomination deal he says “hum sab chowki-      cation that in its Rafale verdict paper on April 10 without dar hain.” there was no occasion for it to “having seen or read the order” Addressing an election make a mention of the con- of the apex court passed on that rally in his parliamentary con- temptuous observation that day relating to the admissibil- stituency here, Rahul said, “chowkidar Narendra Modi ity of certain documents relat- “When the PM comes and      chor hain” as has been attrib- ed to the Rafale case in the makes false claims, just ask him uted to it by Rahul. The court review petition. why he gave 30,000 crores to had directed Rahul to give his However, on the issue of Ambani and what Ambani did    the blasts that also killed eight Police spokesman Ruwan explanation on April 22 on a                    slogan “Chowkidar chor hai”, for him in return... Soon after Indian nationals. Gunasekera said that 24 arrest- petition filed by BJP MP               Rahul in his affidavit re- the Congress comes to power      Police said that 9 out of the ed suspects have been trans- Meenakshi Lekhi seeking crim- affirmed his stand and belief after the elections, 24 arrested for involvement in ferred into the custody of the inal contempt action against Tuesday. court’s order, said his statement and that of his party that Rafale an enquiry would be institut-   !  the blasts were ordered to be Criminal Investigations him for his remarks. It is sched- Rahul, who filed an affi- was “purely political” and was deal is a “tainted transaction” ed in the Rafale deal and the remanded by the Colombo Department for further inves- uled to hear Lekhi’s petition on davit in response to the apex made to counter the “misin- and a “gross and brazen abuse truth will be before everyone.” magistrate’s court till May 6. tigations.    Government’s spokesman President Sirisena has Rajitha Senaratne said NTJ is appointed a three-member     suspected of plotting the blasts committee to conduct investi-      !" that struck three churches gations. The committee will #   4 44 when the Easter Sunday mass submit its report to him with- were in progress and three in two weeks. he Sri Lankan Government five-star hotels. Health Minister Senaratne       #$ % Ton Monday accused a pre- “All suicide bombers said the Chief of National viously little-known Islamist involved in the blasts are Intelligence had warned the outfit called the National believed to be Sri Lankan Inspector General of Police   .01 2 show in the 2017 assembly Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) of nationals,” said Senaratne, who (IGP) regarding the probable polls. Congress hopes to cash having carried out the Easter is also the Health Minister. attacks before April 11. ll 26 constituencies of in on the resentment of the Sunday attacks, and said an Speaking at a press con- “On April 4, international AGujarat and 20 of Kerala patidars and rural-urban divide international terror group ference here, Senaratne said the intelligence agencies had will go to polls on Tuesday in to win at least five to six seats might have been behind the Government was investigat- warned of these attacks. The the third phase of Lok Sabha in the State. atrocities, the worst in the ing whether the group had IGP was informed on April 9,” polls for 116 seats spread over On the other hand, Prime country’s history. “international support”. “There he said. 14 States. Minister Narendra Modi and However, neither the NTJ, may be international links to He demanded resignation BJP president Amit Shah, Amit Shah have made repeat- nor any other group, has admit- them,” he added. of police chief Pujith Congress chief Rahul Gandhi ed pleas to the voters to make ted carrying out the wave of The “conditional state of Jayasundera in view of the and Samajwadi party patri- sure than the Congress didn’t bombings which tore through emergency” in force since major security lapse. arch Mulayam Singh Yadav as open its account from the state. the island nation, killing 290 Monday midnight would target Prime Minister Ranil well as several Union Ministers While Shah, who replaced people and injuring nearly 500 terrorism and would not limit Wickremesinghe said that an and senior Opposition leaders LK Advani as the party nomi- others. freedom of expression, said a investigation must be launched are contesting the Tuesday poll. nee from Gandhinagar, Union Seven suicide bombers of statement from the President’s as to why intelligence reports of The polling in Tripura East Minister of State for Tribal the NTJ carried out a series of media unit. “These will be the attack was not taken seri- constituency, which was earli- Affairs Jaswantsinh Bhabhor, is devastating blasts, authorities limited to counter terrorism ously. Rauff Hakeem, a er scheduled for April 18, will the BJP nominee from Dahod said on Monday. As many as 87 regulations. This is being done Government minister and the be held in this phase, as also in seat. bomb detonators were found to allow the police and the leader of the main Muslim a part of the Anantnag About 18.56 crore voters on Monday at a bus station in three forces to ensure public party — Sri Lanka Muslim Lok Sabha seat in are eligible for voting in this Colombo, police said. security.” Congress — said that it was Jammu and Kashmir, where phase and the Election Police have so far arrested The Government has also lamentable that no preventive election is being held in three Commission has set up 2.10 & '(   )         * ) + * )   +  ,         24 people — mostly members declared Tuesday as a nation- action had been taken despite phases. lakh polling booths/stations   %# #          # -  . &  %    - &    of NTJ — in connection with al day of mourning. the inputs. This phase is seen crucial and has made elaborate secu- ) &     for the NDA, which won 66 of rity arrangements. "#   the 116 seats in 2014 and BJP In the first two phases, has been fielded from New posted a series of tweets on Sheila has been Chief as well as at the Centre,” Dikshit  made a clean sweep of winning election was held to 91 and 96 Delhi seat, Delhi Congress Monday to express his concern Minister for three terms said after her name was all the 26 seats of Gujarat. seats on April 11 and April 18 % &  ' working president Rajesh as the BJP has not declared his between 1998 and 2013. The declared as a candidate from      The Congress and its respectively. Elections are being Lilothia from North west seat, candidature. eighty-one-year-old leader, North East Delhi. She also   alliance partners won 27, and held in seven phases and with & (&  Mahabal Mishra from West Udit held a Press confer- who took over from Maken as said her party was prepared to      the rest went to other opposi- the completion of third Delhi, five-term Lok Sabha ence later in the evening to air the Delhi Pradesh Congress face the challenge of a trian-         tion parties and Independents. phase, the election process will ) +  MP JP Agarwal from Chandni his grievance and asked the Committee (DPCC) president gular contest in Delhi.       Besides all seats of Gujarat be completed in southern Chowk and former Delhi party leadership to come clean earlier this year, was last a Interestingly, senior  !"     (26) and Kerala, four seats in states.    Minister Arvinder Singh on his nomination from the Member of Parliament from Congress leader Kapil Sibal  !  ! Assam, five of Bihar, seven of The Congress also hopes to .01 2 Lovely will test waters from the North West Lok Sabha seat. He 1984-89 from Kannauj. Dikshit has not been named from the $ %       Chhattisgarh, 14 each of imp0rove its tally in Kerala, East Delhi constituency. took the names of senior party had unsuccessfully contested Chandni Chowk seat from  L % M     Karnataka and Maharashtra, where the cadre is galvanised ith the Congress Meanwhile, the BJP has leaders including BJP president from East Delhi constituency in which he has been fighting      "  ) six of Odisha, 10 of Uttar by Rahul Gandhi’s decision to Wannouncing its list of six decided to field sitting MP Amit Shah and Home Minister 1998. Again in 2013 Assembly since 2004.  *++,- Pradesh, five of contest from Wayanad besides candidates for the general elec- Meenakshi Lekhi from the New Rajnath Singh and claimed polls, she lost to Delhi Chief After two terms, Sibal had West Bengal, both seats of his traditional Amethi. tions on Monday, the North- Delhi seat and former Indian that he was promised re-nom- Minister Arvind Kejriwal from lost to Union Minister Dr     Goa, and one each of Dadra While the fight is between East Delhi seat appears to be set cricketer Gautam Gambhir ination. Gole Market assembly seat. Harsh Vardhan in 2014. In fact     and Nagar Haveli, Daman and the traditional rivals UDF and for a humdinger of contest from the East Delhi seat. Sources said BJP may field Since then she has not con- he came third with journalist   " $    Diu and Tripura will go to polls LDF, the BJP has also aggres- between Delhi Congress pres- The party did not declare popular Punjabi singer Hans tested any election. turned politician Ashutosh        on Tuesday. sively campaigned in the hope ident and three-term Chief the name of its candidate for Raj Hans from the North west Sheila will take on BJP’s sit- being second.   %     .)  While the Congress is hop- of opening its account in the Minister Sheila Dikshit and the North West constituency. seat and announcement to this ting MP Manoj Tiwari and This time, Congress party !! %     ing to make dent in the BJP southern state by capitalising Delhi BJP president and the sit- Sitting MP Udit Raj has raised regard is likely to be made by Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) has fielded Agarwal, who had       tally in Gujarat after the grand on the Sabarimala shrine ting Member for Parliament the banner of revolt as he feels Tuesday morning as both the Dilip Pandey. “We will begin also won from North East seat %  %   old party put up an impressive women entry issue. (MP) Manoj Tiwari. that the party has not been fair party president and the Prime campaigning soon by high- in 2009 and will take on           Apart from Sheila, former to him. Former Indian Revenue Minister were not in the lighting achievements of Vardhan of the BJP and Pankaj   "   Union Minister Ajay Maken Service (IRS) officer Udit Raj national Capital. Congress governments in Delhi Gupta of the AAP.  /, % - &%       

  5 dynasts in the Lok Sabha poll fray in the State. ore than half a dozen In Tuesday’s polls, there are Mprominent dynasts — at least six prominent dynasts including Maratha warrior in the fray. Chhatrapati Shivaji’s direct Being the third generation descendent Udayanraje Bhosale dynasts contesting the polls, and NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s Parth Pawar and Dr Sujay daughter Supriya Sule — are Vikhe-Patil lead the pack. slugging it out to retain their While Parth Pawar is the grand hold over their respective bas- nephew of NCP chief Sharad tions, as Maharashtra witness- Pawar and son of Maharashtra’s es fierce contests in a majority former deputy Chief Minister of the 14 constituencies that go Ajit Pawar, Sujay is the son of to polls in the third phase of the the leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha polls on Tuesday. the Maharashtra Assembly The BJP, NCP and Shiv seats respectively. Incidentally, The 14 constituencies that Satara, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, but dynasty is a watchword for Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil of Sena have a lot a stake in the NCP had in 2014 picked up are going to polls in the third Kolhapur and Hathkanangale. all political parties - including the Congress and grandson of Tuesday’s polling as they strug- all its four seats in Western phase of polling are: Jalgaon, The BJP may have been the Amit Shah-led party - in late Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil, who gle to retain and if possible Maharashtra — of which polls Raver, Jalna, Aurangabad, using Gandhi-Nehru dynasty Maharashtra. It may come as a was a Minister in the improve their respective 2014 are scheduled in eight con- Raigad, Pune, Baramati, as a stick to beat up the surprise to many, but fact Atal Bihari Vajpayee tallies of six, four and three stituencies on Monday. Ahmednagar, Madha, Sangli, Congress with for years on end, remains that there are at 35 Government.    !"#!$%& 

4%&     $     0,   42$7 Rohtak. ton of Lotus on May 12 to any sector, Manohar Lal said. terrorists and worked for the Sharma will emerge victorious 5*"67)"5       C?% Manohar Lal cautioned ensure the return of Narendra The Chief Minister said isolation of those giving shel- from the Rohtak Lok Sabha      %   ,? : %2 B aryana Chief Minister the people against the policies Modi as the Prime Minister for that the BJP has one regret that ter to terrorists and separatists seat.      5  B  . %"   % - HManohar Lal on Monday of the Congress which would the second term so that the the saffron party could not win elements. He said that the ongoing 5  2   % 1   1 !% .% $ %    said that the BJP is in favor of only weaken the country. BJP government could further the Rohtak seat, which is polit- He said that the BJP gov- Lok Sabha election will decide  %   % %D1 E   B 1 7! removal of Article 370 and During its long rule, the accelerate the pace of devel- ical capital of the state, during ernment had ended the role of the future of the country. The  !4 !   1    !  % %-%)" protection of rights of the Congress has been repeatedly opment for the welfare of all the 2014 elections. But this middlemen in various deals people have to decide whether :    5$    B!   2 :   defence forces personnel given the slogan of Garibi sections of the society, includ- time all party men have to and ensured corruption free they want a strong government ! .   "       - besides taking steps to safe- Hatao in every election since ing poor and downtrodden, ensure that the BJP wins administration. like that of the BJP which is for guard the security and integri- the regime of Prime Minister women, farmers and unem- Rohtak and other 9 seats in the The country is capable of strengthening the nation and          0 /   0 ty of the country. Jawaharlal Nehru without ployed youth. state, he added. teaching those countries a les- ensuring all round develop- 5*"67            On the other hand, the doing anything concrete for He said that nobody sees Party Incharge for Lok son which were aiding the ter- ment or of the opposition       %    5$<     opposition Congress wanted the eradication of the poverty Congress chief Rahul Gandhi Sabha poll in , Kalraj rorist elements. No one else parties which talk of weaken- " ! "  5$ % 1   1 %" to retain Article 370 and repeal in the country, he said. as a serious contender for the Mishra said that with the than Modi can protect the ing the country, he added. ! !  =><  -  ;>,  %  sedition laws, he said while The Chief Minister urged Prime Ministership. He is not Modi wave in the country he integrity and security of the Earlier, BJP nominee         %          -$ addressing a gathering at the electorate to press the but- aware of the ground realities in is certain that BJP’s nominee country, he added. Arvind Sharma filed his nom-  %       !  7 5$ Arvind Sharma will get elect- Finance Minister Capt ination papers for the Rohtak  % !    ! !1    1   ed from Rohtak. Abhimanyu said that he had Lok Sabha constituency for %  !$  %" )!  "      Mishra said that Modi has no doubt that on May 23 – the May 12 elections to the 10    5$1     % - successfully challenged the day of counting – Arvind seats in Haryana. +100 5*"672        *;        "%"        !     -!     /=*=>       -  !            ""     . .  %  %"     G/?>>-     "      ,*=>   -     " ! " #$"#     :   !          *=,>>-

  2.1:2 the city. As per the current government home science     0      assessment, only 212 polling College, Sector-10 and 5*"670;+        !"  he nomination process for booths have been found to be Government College, Sector-               TLok Sabha polls in in sensitive category. The 42.  %          %   Chandigarh parliamentary counting Centre has been setup Further to facilitate the       %   %     constituency has begun on in Chandigarh College of engi- permission process, a single     %   9  H .   1 Monday. neering and Technology, window permission cell has :%   !    % 2  !% :     As per the schedule, the Sector-26 here. been setup in the DC Office. 1 B 7%     %4          last date of filing nominations To conduct free and fair Additional Deputy !%     !% ! 2  %-1 :%    is April 29 and the scrutiny of elections in the Chandigarh Commissioner, UT,                 nominations will be done on parliamentary constituency 19 Chandigarh is in charge of the ,>*/   %   %       %+ "  April 30. ARO’s, and 60 sector officers permission cell. 5!1",>,>- The withdrawal of candi- have been appointed. Besides A district control room is dature can be done by May 2. above, in each sub-division already operational 24x7 from   0  80 The polling in Chandigarh four FST’s (Flying Squad Teams the date of announcement of 5*"67 "7 D7E %   1 < %  parliamentary constituency will Total – 12) and four SST’s elections. Any citizen can make  %   :  -7  % 2 "   take place on May 19 and (Static Surveillance Team, Total a call to register complaint or :  %      72 "  B  counting is scheduled on May - 12) are already operational, request information on election 2 " " 7  1%. :  ."% I 23, a spokesman of UT Election since the announcement of matters, the spokesman added. B : % ""  I1 < <:%1  -B   < Department said. election. Moreover, four VST’s Notably, Congress has  %   %)"       "%  There are a total of 6,37,990 (Video Surveillance Team) and fielded four-time MP Pawan    C

  !2  Shiv Lal Thakur (64), affil- nomination papers in The scrutiny of the nomi- Nomination papers are to iated with the Bhartiya Shakti Himachal Pradesh started nations will be done on April be filed with RO cum DC hree candidates filed their Chetna Party, and independent Monday with the issuance of 30 and the last date of with- Kangra for the Kangra Tnomination papers for two candidate Guman Singh (59) notification for the seventh drawal of candidature will be Parliamentary constituency, of total four Lok Sabha seats in have filed their nominations for and last phase of the Lok Sabha May 2. RO cum DC Mandi for Mandi, Himachal Pradesh on Monday, the Mandi Lok Sabha seat, he elections. The last date for fil- The nominations will be RO cum DC Hamirpur for a state election official said. added. ing nominations is April 29. filed in the office of respective Hamirpur and RO cum DC Independent candidate Nomination papers cannot Returning Officers-cum- Shimla for the Shimla (SC) seat, Ravi (39) has filed his nomi- be presented to Returning Deputy Commissioners (ROs the official added. nation from the Shimla seat. Officers (ROs) concerned on cum DCs) from 11 am to 3 pm The polling on all the four The process of filing of Saturday and Sunday. from April 22 to 29. seats will be held on May 19.      

Approximately three lakh      MT of arrival of wheat has been reported in the mandis so far,    #   which is significantly lower than arrivals in the past. #  Although the arrival of wheat is likely to increase in the   2.1:2 coming days, it has been reported by the field officers n view of the crop losses suf- that the quality of wheat arriv- Ifered by the state farmers due ing in the mandis of the State to unseasonal rains, Punjab does not fall into FAQ (Fair Chief Minister Capt Amarinder suitable revised specifications had caused damage to the Average Quality) specifica- Singh on Monday written to can be laid down. standing crop and also affect- tions. Therefore, prescribed the Prime Minister Narendra He has urged the Prime ed the quality of the wheat uniform specifications of wheat Modi seeking relaxation in the Minister to order appropriate grains because of water logging, with regard to damaged, slight- specifications for wheat for relaxation in specifications leading to loss of lustre or ly damaged, shrivelled and procurement in the current without any value cut, which blackened grains. broken grains, lustre and mois- season. would compound the problems He mentioned that the fre- ture content would require The Chief Minister has of the farmers who had already quent rains and slightly lower relaxation by the Government also asked the Prime Minister suffered significant crop loss- temperatures in the State in the of , he said. to direct the Union Ministry of es due to the rains and winds month of March had already The Chief Minister urged Consumer Affairs, Food and that lashed the state from April delayed the process of har- Modi to immediately resolve Public Distribution to depute a 16 to 18. vesting, because of which the the issue to ensure hassle-free team of experts to visit Punjab Capt Amarinder pointed arrival of wheat in mandis was procurement of wheat in the to assess the loss in quality of out that such rains, at the time delayed and commenced only larger interest of the farming wheat due to the rains so that of maturation of wheat crop, from April 11. community. 2       !    00 .1 and also Himachal which was the stronghold of BJP. Mandi had imachal Chief Minister Jai got a chief minister for the first HRam Thakur on Monday time and he cherished that our advised Anil Sharma, who had people of the district should join been in his government and later hands in the development of the resigned, to keep his mouth state without wasting time. shut in his own interest failing He said another shock to which his "problems would mul- Sukh Ram was that his son-in tiply" and could land in trouble. law and prominent Congress "If he opened his mouth leader of Kulu, J.N. Gaud has also many secrets could surface and joined BJP in the wake of Modi land him and his family in trou- wave sweeping hill state. ble," the chief minister said in Hamirpur MP Anurag Mandi. Thakur said Congress was at pre- Thakur said Modi wave was sent a sinking ship and people sweeping across the country were shifting to BJP.

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  included the outgoing MP and et and will take on Dushyant mer Chief Minister Om Ajay Chautala, grandsons of Deepender has made a hat- 2.1:2 JJP nominee . Prakash Chautala. Chaudhary Devi Lal. The JJP, trick of victory in Rohtak,      Chautala and political green- Bhavya, a young third- Brijendra’s father Birender a splinter group of INLD was known as Hooda’s bastion. 8   0  lood is thicker than water”- horns-BJP nominee, IAS generation politician in Singh is the grandson of Sir formed by Ajay Chautala and In this election, Deepender P ::2   Bthe influential political fam- Brijendra Singh and Congress Haryana and grandson of Chhotu Ram, one of the tallest his two sons- Dushyant and is facing ruling BJP’s Arvind $  ilies in Jatland-Haryana are candidate Bhavya Bishnoi. three-time former Chief Jat and farmer leaders of pre- Digvijay. Sharma, a Brahmin candidate $        swearing by this dictum in the Dushyant Chautala, a Jat, Minister , holds a Partition era. His mother, Prem The bitter feud in the in Jat dominated Rohtak Lok  DE    ongoing Lok Sabha polls. comes from Haryana’s politi- bachelor’s degree in ‘Economics Lata is a sitting MLA from INLD was the biggest political Sabha seat.        Cutting across political cally influential Chautala clan and Government’ from Uchana Kalan, which falls in spectacle of Haryana in 2018. In -Mahendragarh    "   GG>"  spectrum, the family lines and represents the fourth gen- London School of Economics Hisar Lok Sabha constituency. Both, OP Chautala and his constituency, Congress has    !  O  remain a dominant factor in eration of former Deputy and Political Science and The IAS officer has volun- elder son Ajay are serving a 10- fielded another dynast—former   :% %. 1 - Haryana this election. The Prime Minister Chaudhary Master of Science from tarily retired from the Haryana year jail term in connection MP Shruti Choudhry, grand- %)"   4 1 young generation of three Devi Lal. He is the grandson of University of Oxford. Government to carry on the with the teachers’ recruitment daughter of former Chief !7 %)%   %)" famed Lals of Haryana—Devi former Chief Minister and His father, political legacy of his great scam. Minister , who is also :     %         Lal, Bhajan Lal and Bansi Lal— INLD’s supremo Om Prakash is MLA from Adampur assem- grandfather and peasant leader Amid the Chautala clan known as the ‘architect of              %     who served as Chief Minister Chautala. bly segment while mother, Sir Chhotu Ram. feud, another member of the Haryana.’   " %    GG>"     "    of Haryana, are slugging it out His father Ajay Chautala is Renuka is MLA from Hansi Interesting, the general family has also thrown his hat A third-generation politi- :% %. 1 -L%)":      %    in the general elections to pre- a former MP and mother constituency, both assembly elections are witnessing three into the poll ring. JJP has field- cian, Shruti Choudhry has the                 serve their political legacy. Naina Chautala is a sitting segments falls in Hisar Lok youth candidates from ed Dushyant’s younger broth- responsibility of carrying for-          %  ,*  )  M   - In Haryana, five of the 10 MLA in Haryana Assembly. Sabha seat. Chautala clan, divided in two er Digvijay from Sonipat Lok ward a legacy passed down $ 4         ")       Lok Sabha constituencies have Dushyant’s uncle, Abhay Bhavya’s grandfather, for- parties—JJP and INLD. Sabha constituency. from her grandfather Bansi       %     %")   at least one member of a polit- Chautala is also a sitting MLA mer Chief Minister Bhajan Lal, After the split in Chautala Digvijay, 27, who had ear- Lal to her father late Surender     %"  % "       ical family contesting in the and is spearheading the INLD. was a prominent non-Jat family last year, the election has lier this year made his political Singh and down to her. Her "  "  - polls. And, be it BJP, Congress, Dushyant, while repre- leader, who had managed to paved way for the launch of debut in Jind bypoll and fin- mother Kiran Choudhry is or senting the Indian National become a potential non-Jat Arjun Chautala, younger son of ished at second spot, will now CLP leader and an MLA from     0      0  Jannayak Janta Party, all major Lok Dal in 2014 polls had option for the voters and led INLD secretary-general Abhay face a tough poll battle against Tosham assembly segment. $        DE     political players have given defeated the BJP-HJC candi- the Congress for years, bring- Chautala, in the electoral politics. former Chief Minister and Shruti made a successful         %    <      ticket to a slew of dynasts to date Kuldeep Bishnoi to ing together non-Jats like Arjun, 26, is a national Congress nominee Bhupinder debut in politics in 2009 gen-   -%)"   4 D4E1 !7 %)% take on their rivals in the elec- become the youngest ever Dalits, Yadavs and other Hindu chief of party’s students’ wing Singh Hooda and BJP’s Ramesh eral election but had lost the  %)":     %       tion. elected MP to the Lok Sabha. castes in Haryana. ISO (INLD students’ organi- Chander Kaushik (outgoing 2014 Lok Sabha polls. She will    %        %         In fact, political dynasties Dushyant, who is now Another ‘son’ who has zation) and will contest from MP) in Sonipat constituency. face the outgoing MP and BJP’s           <       in Haryana are not a new phe- leading the JJP, a splinter group bagged a ticket is IAS Brijendra Kurukshetra Lok Sabha con- Congress veteran and a nominee in the  -2      %")        ")   nomenon and this time also, of INLD, vows to take forward Singh, son of Union Minister stituency. He is pitted against prominent Jat leader, poll battle.           %")   sons of three political heavy- the legacy of Chaudhary Devi and Rajya Sabha MP Birender BJP’s nominee Nayab Saini, Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s son Haryana goes to polling in     %"  % "       weights have been handed out Lal and is seeking his re-elec- Singh. Minister of State for Labour Deepender is also in the fray a single phase on May 12 and "  "  - tickets to make poll debut. tion from Hisar. A Haryana cadre IAS offi- and Congress candidate former from the Rohtak constituency it remains to be seen how Hisar is one unique Lok To take revenge of his cer of 1998 batch, Brijendra, 46, Minister Nirmal Singh. for the fourth time. Chaudhary these young generation politi- $   0       Sabha constituency, which is father’s defeat in 2014 polls in will contest his maiden election Notably, the INLD had Ranbir Singh, father of cians influence the psyche of              - witnessing the “mother of all Hisar, Kuldeep Bishnoi’s son on a BJP ticket from Hisar con- split last November following a Bhupinder Hooda, had won the voters using their last name and )       -    7%  poll battles” with three politi- Bhavya, 26, will make his elec- stituency, which his father had power struggle between two Rohtak seat twice, Hooda had whether they will emerge vic-   %            2  cal dynasts in the fray. These toral debut on a Congress tick- won in 1984 by defeating for- brothers Abhay Chautala and won it four times while torious or not.     -2      $         -     M! M -)    "   % -    %     %:  ,>*+ "        2   !" -2  %  % P   O    %P   %            %     O  -!   O %          2    M7 %M      "         ployment rate was at an all- in the line of duty, and yet the he pointed out, was continu-   "          2       Q  R time high, Capt Amarinder Prime Minister has the audac- ously working for the better-                ridiculed Modi’s promise of ity to take credit for their ment of the people and work-        2       %   %)"N!% " ‘achche din’, saying that “acche actions, he added. ing for upliftment of all sec-  %        %         2.1:2  (R  din us din aayenge jis din The Chief Minister came tions of the society.    - enna da bhog payega” (good down heavily on the BJP for He cited the examples of AD president Sukhbir    .12 Administrative Complex, the days will come only when giving a ticket to Sadhvi farm loan waiver for 10.25        SBadal on Monday said that Chief Minister told media their rule is brought to an Pragya, who has been open- lakh marginal and small    !"   % ;>>>    "  the 2019 Lok Sabha elections ambasting Prime Minister persons that the Prime end). ly going around making divi- farmers, as well as landless            -0 would be the “last election not LNarendra Modi for his Minister’s threat to trigger a People are sick and tired sive and hate speeches, and labourers, and the facilitation                %  only for the present Chief “highly irresponsible state- nuclear war, clearly as a tool of their ‘jumlas’ and lies, said insulting the men in uni- of youth to get employ-        %        3  Minister Capt Amarinder ment” on India’s nuclear arse- to be re-elected, was highly the Chief Minister, adding form. “Such people are delib- ment/self-employment as part      %  %:   2  !  Singh, but also for his party”. nal, Punjab Chief Minister responsible. that people want jobs, indus- erately being given tickets by of his government’s flagship    !  <*> 4  %      "  “Like SS Ray in West Capt Amarinder Singh on “This is a jung (war) for try etc. The people of India BJP in order to divide the ‘Ghar Ghar Rozgar aur    - Bengal, Capt Amarinder’s Monday appealed to the peo- the future of the nation. We will overthrow the Modi gov- people of India,” he said, Karobar’ scheme. ineptitude for and total dis- ple to support the Congress are fighting a party that made ernment, which has spent the asserting that the people Unfortunately, the gov- $       interest in working for the party’s ‘jung’ for protecting tall promises but failed to last five years misleading and would not allow the ruling ernment cannot give jobs to   )     people and his arrogance and the future of the nation, deliver on even a single one of lying to them, he said. party to destroy the nation’s everyone and was trying, !2  penchant for leisure and plea- which the BJP-led govern- them,” the Chief Minister Flaying the Prime peaceful fabric to therefore, to get more and   !  sure culture have already dri- ment at the Centre had said while addressing a pub- Minister for his blatant and promote their petty political more industry and private   % ven the last nail in the plunged into a state of ruin lic meeting in Chaudhary’s shameful politicization of the interests. enterprise into the state for   $  %) Congress coffin here. SAD and devastation. favour at the PUDA grounds armed forces, the Chief The government’s job is to the creation of employment !) D!E and the people of Punjab are Kick-starting the process after filing the nominations. Minister said that the Army ensure the welfare of the peo- opportunities, the Chief     merely going to perform the of filing of nominations by the Capt Amarinder lashed and the forces are not Modi’s ple, not divide them, said Minister said.     last rites for the dead body Congress candidates in the out at the BJP for ruining the personal property and any Capt Amarinder, adding that He indicated the estab-    -    called INC,” said Sukhbir State from Jalandhar, where nation with its anti-people government of the day would the government must under- lishment of an industrial cir-  "    %          adding that the SAD-BJP he accompanied Punjab policies, such as demonetiza- have done what he did in the stand and work towards mit- cle in Jalandhar to bring in           -$      alliance is poised to sweep all Congress candidate Santokh tion, Goods and Services Tax wake of the Pulwama attack. igating the problem of the new industries and promote    %  : " %  %  14 seats in Punjab and Singh Chaudhary to file nom- (GST) etc. Every day, army and para- people. further industrial    8   8      "   % Chandigarh. ination papers at the District Pointing out that unem- military personnel are dying The Congress in Punjab, development.    )- Sukhbir, while addressing the party workers in ward- wise meetings in Sangrur from where former Finance (& &"  #$ !  ,'       #   Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa is the alliance can- didate, said that the Congress      12345  in Punjab was haunted by !"" & " !   divine wrath because of the false oath taken by the Chief   2.1:2 ing with each other to stay relevant Minister Capt Amarinder in   4 the Press’ programme organized by are getting the officers removed nothing to his credit that he could in power, Mann said that under the the name of the sacred charan the Ropar Press Club, said that the from the investigations and getting claim he had done during the last AP’s Punjab unit president and well-planned design, the of Sri Guru Gobind Singh ji. ongress candidate from Sri Akalis were misinforming the these derailed,” he asked. five years as an MP, he is trying to ASangrur MP Bhagwant Mann on Badals had pitched weak candidate “This and the total and CAnandpur Sahib Manish Election Commission of India by Questioning the locus standi of divert the issue,” he said. Monday said that the candidates from Patiala constituency to seal the humiliating neglect of devel- Tewari on Monday alleged that the complaining against the officers the Akali candidate Prem Singh At the same time, Tewari chal- fielded by both the Congress and deal with Captain. opment and welfare priorities Akali Dal leaders were playing involved in investigation. Chandumajra in describing him as lenged Chandumajra to debate as SAD in Bathinda and Ferozepur “These were not allegations lev- of the State as well as the into the hands of Pakistan and its “The Bargadi sacrilege was the an “outsider”, Tewari said: “Let Mr whose contribution towards Punjab Lok Sabha constituencies “after elled by AAP but one could find it Chief Minister’s complete notorious intelligence agency, ISI,, handiwork of those who wanted to Chandumajra explain whether he was greater. “I am a third genera- much hair-splitting has brought written on the wall. These allegations indifference to the tion Punjabi who has been involved forth the bonhomie between both of were ratified by the candidates of problems and suf- with politics starting from my them”. SAD and Congress, including SAD ferings of the peo- grandfather Sardar Tirath Singh Mann alleged that Badals and nominee for the Lok Sabha elections, ple has left the Guram, who was a Minister, my Capt Amarinder fielded their can- Sher Singh Ghubaiya and other Congress cadre father Prof Vishwanath Tewari who didates in Patiala, Lambi and leaders,” he said. completely frus- was an eminent Punjabi scholar and Jalalabad constituencies to ensure Mann said that the Congress, trated, disheart- writer and an MP and now myself,” each others’ win by defeating AAP under dubious arrangement, fielded ened and disillu- he said, while asking Chandumajra candidates there. “This time, both a young, non-serious and motor- sioned with their to tell Punjabis what was his role in have repeated the same formula to mouthed candidate from Bathinda own party and its Punjab when his father (Prof stay in power,” said Mann while constituency, Raja Warring, and government,” he Tewari) was fighting to save alleging that had Captain not con- Sher Singh Ghubaiya, who recently said, adding that Punjabiyat and in the process,, tested election from Lambi and joined the party fold from Ferozepur the average laid down his life. fielded Ravneet Singh Bittu from amid raging opposition from the Congress worker has now by trying to sabotage the ongoing hurt the religious feelings of the himself belongs to Sri Anandpur On the occasion, the Aam Jalalabad, both the Badals would not local party leaders, thereby clearing sensed that the poll in the probe into the incidents of sacrilege Punjabis and sabotage the hard- Sahib parliamentary constituen- Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson have been able to make it to the the deck for the Badal family to reg- state is a ‘no contest’. that took place during their tenure. earned peace...I wonder what the cy”. Satbir Singh Ahluwalia also joined Assembly. ister a comfortable win in the elec- Sukhbir also addressed Tewari, speaking at the ‘Meet Akali leaders are scared of that they “Since Akali candidate has the Congress. Accusing them both of conniv- tion, he said. members of the Sangrur Bar Council where he appealed to the intellectual fraternity in the state to see through the   !#$ $& $$ ' ($ )  & ) Congress government’s tactics of distracting people's atten- tion from the real issues being   announced three more candi- in candidates of Congress and With two Jats including islator from Garhi Sampla Kiloi Development, from Gurugram, faced by the common man in 2.1:2 dates for the general elections. Sonipat. INLD, he is seen as JJP’s safe bet Bhupinder Singh Hooda and in Rohtak district. Sonipat par- and former Zila Parishad mem- the state. The candidates included Digvijay’s elder brother, for Sonipat parliamentary seat. Digvijay Chautala and a liamentary constituency lies ber Jai Bhagwan Sharma alias “The Congress govt is day after Congress sprang Digvijay Chautala from Dushyant is seeking re-election The polling arithmetic in Jind Brahmin candidate in the fray, adjacent to the Rohtak Lok DD Sharma from Kurukshetra. deliberately prolonging Aa surprise announcing can- Sonipat, Jai Bhagwan Sharma from Hisar constituency in the bypolls had suggested that Jat Sonipat will be witnessing a Sabha seat, where Bhupinder The lone Muslim candidate inquiries into emotional didature of former Chief from Kurukshetra and polls. Both are the great grand- voters favoured Digvijay more fierce three-cornered electoral Singh Hooda’s son Deepender from Gurugram, Mehmood issues because they don’t want Minister Bhupinder Singh Mehmood Khan from son of former Deputy Prime over Congress’ heavyweight battle this time. is seeking the mandate for the Khan is pitted against the BJP’s people to question them on Hooda from Sonipat parlia- Gurugram. Minister Chaudhary Devi Lal. Jat candidate Randeep The Jat community has fourth time. nominee and Union Minister their government’s non-per- mentary constituency, Founded by Ajay Chautala, Sonipat parliamentary con- Surjewala and INLD’s Umed more than 5 lakh voters in Notably, Hooda who was and formance and absolute Jannayak Janta Party has field- father of Digvijay Chautala, the stituency is a Jat dominated seat Singh Redhu. Sonipat and there are more hopeful of retaining Jat domi- Congress’ Captain Ajay Yadav. absence of good gover- ed Digvijay Chautala, a fourth JJP is contesting on seven seats and had seen Devi Lal making Jind assembly segment falls than 1.5 lakh Brahmins as nated Sonipat and Rohtak seats A day before, the AAP-JJP nance...The Congress gov- generation politician from the while the AAP is contesting on his Lok Sabha debut in the year under the Sonipat parliamen- well. The main Khaps includ- in 2014 had lost Sonipat due to had announced the candida- ernment has gone back on Chautala clan from the con- three seats in the state. 1980. tary seat. ing Malik, Dahiyas, Rathis etc anti-incumbency factor cou- ture of AAP state chief Naveen each and every promise which stituency. Digvijay, 27, will be taking After JJP’s good perfor- In 2014 polls, BJP’s Ramesh in the area also play a key role pled with the Modi wave. Jaihind from Faridabad. Jaihind Amarinder had made to the The fledgling JJP, which is on Congress veteran Bhupinder mance in Jind assembly bypoll Chander Kaushik, a Brahmin in deciding the fate of candi- Meanwhile, the JJP has is considered a confidant of people under a sacred oath. contesting the Lok Sabha polls Singh Hooda, who is more than earlier this year, when party candidate, had defeated Jagbir dates in the fray. fielded Mehmood Khan, who AAP national chief and Delhi Now, they are using alibis like in an alliance with Aam Aadmi double his age and the outgo- candidate Digvijay had secured Singh Malik, another Jat can- Two-time former Chief retired as global leader of Chief Minister Arvind lack of funds,” he said. Party in Haryana, on Monday, ing MP and BJP’s nominee second spot leaving behind didate of Congress in Sonipat. Minister Hooda is a sitting leg- Unilever Innovation Process Kejriwal.    !"#!$%& $  *

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  2.1:2 Congress nominee Kumari Selja Congress, Kishan Lal of BSP and Mahendergarh Parliamentary from Ambala constituency, BJP Dharamvir Fauji of INLD filed Constituency, Ramesh Kumar of n the seventh day of filing nominee Arvind Sharma from their nomination. Loktantar Suraksha Party, Satbir Onomination papers for the Rohtak, Congress three-time He said that from Ambala of Aapki Apni Party (People’s) general elections 2019 in MP Deepender from Rohtak, parliamentary constituency, and Swati Yadav of JJP filed their Haryana, 86 nomination papers Congress nominee Bhavya Rajender Kumar of Bhartiya nomination papers. were filed by 64 candidates from Bishnoi from Hisar and INLD’s Shakti Chetna Party, Suraj of Independent candidates all ten Lok Sabha constituencies. from Bahujan Mukti Party, Kumari namely Bijender Kumar, Sant With this, the number of Sirsa constituency. Selja of Dharambir Chotiwala, Sudhir candidates filing nominations Giving details, Inderjeet said (INC), Rampal of INLD, Nidhi Kumar, Ramesh Khatri and Dr has risen to 142, said Haryana that from Rohtak parliamentary Sindhu of BJP, Sandeep Singh of Jagbir Singh filed their nomina- joint chief electoral officer, Inder constituency, Arvind Sharma Aapki Apni Party (People’s) and tions for Sonipat seat. Apart from Jeet on Monday. and Rita Sharma of BJP, independent candidate this, Ramesh Kaushik of BJP Prominent among those Deepender Hooda and Mamchand filed their nomina- again filed his nomination, he filed nominations included Hemsweta Mirdha Hooda of tion papers. From Bhiwani- added.     5(

  panied Santokh Singh along Chief Minister said, adding 2.1:23 .12 with Capt Amarinder and that the pace would be other leaders for filing of the enhanced with two nomina- he Congress party on nomination papers from the tions being filed per day begin- TMonday managed to mol- reserve seat, assured to sup- ning April 23. lify the dissidence in Jalandhar port Chaudhary’s candidature Chief Minister had already Lok Sabha constituency and campaigning wholeheart- announced to accompany all against the party nominee edly for the party. party candidates for filling Chaudhary Santokh Singh. Jalandhar’s former MP their nomination papers. Taking the charge, the Chief Kaypee had earlier expressed Notably, there has been resent- Minister Capt Amarinder resentment over denial of tick- ment among some Congress Singh himself reached out to et from the seat, and even leaders and workers over the former MP Mohinder Singh threatened to contest as inde- allotment of tickets for Kaypee, who has been sulking pendent candidate. He had Sangrur, Hoshiarpur and Sri over denial of party ticket even floated the idea of a Anandpur Sahib seats too. from the Jalandhar Lok Sabha Congress Taksali Front with On Sangrur seat, seat. other disgruntled Dalit lead- Jaswinder Dhiman, son of Kaypee, who later accom- ers. Punjab Congress’ former Amargarh MLA Surjit Singh president had also visited Dhiman, was upset over the Delhi twice to hold meetings denial of ticket. The Congress with the party high command. has given ticket to Capt Kaypee said that many Amarinder’s close aide Kewal senior leaders, including Singh Dhillon from Sangrur. Minister Sukhjinder Former Union Minister Randhawa and MLA Raj Santosh Chaudhary was also Kumar Verka, had played a key upset over denial of ticket role in bringing him back to from Hoshiarpur from where the party fold. “I have also the Congress has nominated assured to work for the party Chabbewal MLA Dr Raj in all 13 Lok Sabha seats with- Kumar Chabbewal. out any pre-conditions,” he The Congress's represen- said. tatives of other backward “Accompanied @sschaud- classes (OBCs) were also harymp (Chaudhary) today against the ticket given to for filing of his nomination Manish Tewari from Sri papers as INCPunjab candi- Anandpur Sahib seat and had date from Jalandhar parlia- been demanding ticket to mentary seat. Happy to see the OBC candidate. great response from the On the occasion, Advocate crowds here in support of Gulshan Sharma, who had INCIndia (sic),” tweeted the contested on AAP ticket from Chief Minister while also shar- Jalandhar North in the 2017 ing pictures of his visit to assembly polls, joined the Kaypee’s house, hugging the Congress. former MP and filling nomi- Capt Amarinder wel- nation papers of Chaudhary. comed him into the party “He (Kaypee) is a senior with the confidence that he leader, an old Congressman would help further strengthen who will be campaigning the Congress in Jalandhar. wholeheartedly for the party,” said " Capt Amarinder while     rejecting any anger on the 0  + part of the ex-MP. Chandigarh: The poll Cabinet minister Sunder process for parliamentary elec- Sham Arora and ex-minister tions in Punjab started on Rana Gurjeet Singh also Monday with the issuance of accompanied the Chief the notification regarding Minister, along with party nominations. On the first day, workers and supporters. only nine nominations had With Monday's nomina- been filed in the State, includ- tion papers being filed, the ing the one by the Congress’ Congress had given a further sitting MP from Jalandhar impetus to its Mission13, the Chaudhary Santokh Singh.    !"#!$%& $  -  6        %&

  .01 2 which claimed nearly 290 lives. may try to engineer terror Sri Lanka President attacks in India, sources said. n the backdrop of the serial Maithripala Srisena declared a Keeping this in view, secu- (  "- Iblasts in Sri Lanka on nationwide emergency on rity was ramped up around all Sunday, the Indian Coast Monday. defence and other vital instal- Guard has intensified patrolling The preventive measure in lations including naval bases in to prevent terrorists responsi- India was also taken to avoid a coastal region, they said.       ble for the dastardly act from repeat of 26/11 Mumbai terror Moreover, all the stake holders escaping from there and sneak- attacks in 2008 when Pakistani in coastal security including the ing into India through the sea terrorists managed to reach the local police increased patrolling    .01 2 "56( "5'(&@( Sri Lanka of ISIS. route. The precautionary step metropolis through sea and at all landing points in the "> 5*"56( 777&(7"A / Estimates here suggest was taken on Sunday itself launch a series of attacks in coastal region especially in ver two weeks before the ( 05A5"= * Hashim has a follower base of after the enormity of the situ- which 166 people were killed. Tamil Nadu and deployed Odeadly suicide bombings &"&&' *5 7((( nearly 400 radicals and the ation became clear and more There were concerns that ter- security pickets to prevent infil- in Sri Lanka, India had alert- @@ =()'(='*5(&& && attack on the churches could fast patrol boats besides sur- rorists escaping from Sri Lanka tration. ed Colombo of possible terror ( >65"('* @( be a tactical ploy to deflect veillance planes and helicopters hits at churches and prelimi- 7) >((&"5( attention of the aggrieved were deployed. nary findings suggest the slain >A"56 Buddhists against the Muslims Maintaining high alert, the suicide bomber and chief of who are lesser in number in Coast Guard has mounted '    -   5      the National Tauheed Jamath has put in place a tight secu- the island nation than the for- round the clock vigil all along Whavan Hashim alias Zahran rity cordon and sophisticated mer, sources said. the Indian maritime boundary  00  Jamath is a name which caus- Of the scenes were not services) is coming in the way Hashim had attempted to access control paraphernalia. Pakistan’s covert agency with Sri Lanka to thwart any 2.. es fear and terror in the minds deleted, the organisations, led of tracking the real activities of carry out blast at the Indian Following the inputs of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) attempt by the terrorists to of the people was made known by Thowheed Jamath had Thowheed Jama’ath which are embassy and at the US impending terror strike, the Sri in Colombo might have pro- avoid the security dragnet in Sri he repercussions of by the then Chief Minister of threatened to stage demon- shrouded in mysteries, accord- embassy earlier this month. Lankan police had also issued vided facilitation for logistics Lanka and infiltrate into India TSunday’s serial blasts in Tamil Nadu J Jayalalithaa her- strations in front of the 524 the- ing to insiders in these depart- However, given the tight an alert to the effect but could supplies to Hashim through its through sea, officials said here Colombo that claimed more self while speaking to reporters atres where the movie was to be ments. security at these two installa- not assess the magnitude of the terror proxies like the Lashkar- on Monday. than 200 lives could have a in January 2013. released. “We need 56, 440 Since then the strength of tions, the bomber decided to problem that was in the mak- e-Tayyaba and its humanitar- They also said all ships major effect in Tamil Nadu, “There are more than 7.5 policemen to ensure security Thowheed Jama’ath has hit three luxury hotels and two ing. Initial assessments here ian assistance arm Jamat-ud- from Coast Guard stations at according to intelligence and lakh active Thowheed Jamath and law and order in these the- increased manifold in Tamil major churches taking a toll of suggest the serial suicide Dawah that has been presence Tuticorin, Mandapam and security experts in the State. activists in Tamil Nadu,” atres on a round-the–clock Nadu. Though the organisation over 200 and injuring about bombings in and around in Sri Lanka since the 2005 Karaikal were pressed into ser- Thowheed Jamath, an Islamic Jayalalithaa had told a Press basis and hence we decided to is not visibly active in the 500 others. Colombo were essentially an tsunami. The JuD had pur- vice for heightened patrolling terrorist organisation, the name meet specially convened by effect the ban in the movie State, it is very much present in The National Tauheed outcome of Islamist versus chased a number of orphans along the sensitive sea lanes. of which is linked to the serial her to explain the reasons under Section 144 of the IPC,” areas of conflict between caste Jamat is a breakaway faction of Buddhist conflict. for the purpose of radicaliza- Medium range maritime sur- blasts in Sri Lanka, has a strong behind banning Viswaroopam, Jayalalithaa had told during the Hindus and Dalits. The Sri Lanka Tauheed Jamat, Hashim is said to have tion from Sri Lanka and other veillance aircraft were provid- presence in Tamil Nadu. The a Tamil movie produced by press briefing. Thowheed Jama’ath is actively branch of Tamil Nadu Tauheed undergone treatment earlier countries hit by tsunami. ing aerial support to the ships open sea between Tamil Nadu Kamal Haasan. About 24 She said she was very much propagating Islam among the Jamat under the scanner of the for mental illness and wanted The terror targets which in an effort to detect any hos- and Sri Lanka offers immense Islamic organisations had worried about the law and Dalits by distributing the Holy Intelligence agencies at least to become a social worker in include three luxury hotels- tile movement and alert the scope to the volunteers of this expressed their opposition to order situation at that time as books and religions literature. since 2016. 2011. However, Hashim joined Shangri La, Kingsbury and patrol boats for interception. organisation to shift from one the release of the movie there were many instances of A status report prepared by Sources in the security religious groups like the Sri Cinnamon Grand-and St Vigil was increased soon place to another. It is an open because they alleged that the throwing of petrol bombs and a Chennai based intelligence agencies said the Indian Lanka Tauheed Jamat and sub- Anthony Church Zion Church after Sri Lanka said a local secret in Tamil Nadu that all film contained anti-Islam ref- vandalising film theatres. But think tank for the union home embassy in Sri Lanka is heav- sequently got in touch with the and St Sebastian church were extremist group National anti-national and extremist erences and they wanted such the frequent shuffling and ministry has this to tell about ily fortified and armed with ISIS especially those based in identified after the failed bids Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) may organisations work in unison. scenes to be deleted from the transfer of intelligence offi- the state of affairs in Tamil anti-aircraft batteries of a the UAE and went on to at the Indian and American be responsible for the blasts The fact that Thowheed film. cials (both in State and Central Nadu. Central paramilitary force and become the chief of Khorasan missions in Colombo. +, )* % +Q    R  0  0 8         ( : 0;  0     " $  % O      ,    < %   ((  "%    7(18  <  %%   $      .01 2  .01 2 top court that the poll panel has had said that the entire movie 1 -$     taken the decision after watch- was not available and a decision New Delhi: Prime Minister :     s the BJP demanded an he Election Commission ing the promo, and not the to ban the release Narendra Modi will file his  "   %   Aapology from Rahul Ton Monday submitted its entire movie. was taken after watching the nomination from Varanasi on "      Gandhi and called him “liar of detailed report to the Supreme EC’s counsel Amit Sharma trailer. April 26 and will be accompa-     the first order” in public opin- Court on the biopic of Prime nied by the party’s top brass, ion after the Congress president Minister Narendra Modi. including BJP national presi-       expressed regret in the A bench headed by Chief ) ( %(    dent Amit Shah. 0  00  Supreme Court on Monday Justice Ranjan Gogoi took the Chief Ministers of NDA-   " $ !%   %  over his remarks in connection EC’s report on Modi’s biopic New Delhi: The EC on Monday issued the notification for the ruled states and BJP allies are    %     with the Rafale judgment, the and asked the poll panel to sup- seventh and last phase of the Lok Sabha elections in which 59 expected to attend the event,      main opposition party ply a copy of the report to the constituencies spread across eight states and union territories will party sources said.  " " "    described the saffron inter- producer of the movie. go for polls. While the first phase of election was held on April Modi will file the nomina-     !"   pretation as “blasphemous” The bench, which also 11, the last phase will be held on May 19. So far, two phases have tion papers from Varanasi in $. %-   " amounting to criminal con- comprised justices Deepak taken place, while the third phase of polling is on Tuesday. All Uttar Pradesh on April 26,  %  ):    tempt of court proceedings guilty in the “court of public The Congress, however, Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna, has the 13 seats of Punjab, four in Himachal Pradesh and one in they said, adding a road show        even as it insisted “ek hi chowki- opinion”, Rao added that all said it did not agree with BJP’s now fixed the plea of produc- Chandigarh will go for polls in a single phase on May 19. PNS will be held there on April 25.          dar chor hain”. Congress cadres across the interpretation of Rahul’s regret ers challenging the EC’s Various leaders of the       - Addressing a press confer- country hang their heads in as submitted with the apex ban on the movie for hearing National Democratic Alliance ence here, BJP spokesperson shame that there leader has court. on Friday 26. (NDA), including Bihar Chief    0  GVL Narsimha Rao said, been blatantly lying on the “Issue is sub-judice, stop The apex court had on .$   $ Minister Nitish Kumar, are 8 0  “Today, by filing an affidavit in Rafale jet dea. passing verdict today! We reit- April 15 directed the Election slated to attend the road show,   " .:442 the honourable SC, Rahul While senior BJP leader erate -- ek hi chowkidar chor Commission to re-examine its  &!  %  the sources said.  %    "  0  Gandhi accepted that he had and union defence minister hai (only one watchman is a earlier order and take an “Honourable Prime  1"   lied on his allegations against Nirmala Sitaraman said the thief)!” , said Congress’ chief informed decision on banning   .01 2 polling in the Tripura (East) Minister Narendra Modi will      PM Modi on the Rafale deal.” Congress leader’s lie has given spokesperson Randeep pan-India the release of the Lok Sabha seat to the third be filing his nomination later        “This was an attempt by a big hit to his credibility in the Surjewala. biopic on Prime Minister ormer deputy election com- phase on April 23 (Tuesday) this week and given his track        Rahul Gandhi to manufacture public eye, BJP MP Meenakshi Surjewala hit out at the BJP Narendra Modi after watching Fmissioner Vinod Zutshi was from April 18, saying the pre- record as a Member of ! -. :%   a lie and create a controversy in Lekhi said Rahul expressing saying, “Fakery has no bound- the full movie. on Monday appointed as spe- vailing law and order situation Parliament and Prime Minister, 42 %    L0  the Rafale deal... He should “regret” over his remarks on aries. Lies no limitations, dis- Senior advocate Mukul cial observer for Tripura where there is not conducive for hold- Varanasi will be looking for-  1    apologise to the people of this Rafale verdict was an “admis- information no confines! BJP’s Rohatgi, appearing for film the Lok Sabha polls to one of ing free and fair polls. EC ward to welcoming him,” BJP        country,” he said adding “In sion of his guilt” and “wrong- blasphemous misrepresenta- producers who have challenged the seats was postponed in view sources said, the Commission spokesperson Nalin Kohli said.  "       public opinion, Rahul Gandhi doing” by him. It was Lekhi tion of Rahul ji’s reply to the SC the EC’s ban on the biopic’s of the law and order situation. has issued orders appointing Modi represents Varanasi        is a liar of the first order”. who had filed the criminal is itself a criminal contempt of release till the current general On Tuesday last, the Election Zutshi as special observer for in the Parliament. The city of % "- Stating that Rahul stands contempt petition against him. court proceedings.” elections are over, had told the Commission had postponed Tripura. temples votes on May 19.PTI P   8        R &      '( ='7(   " $            "          1 P %  #    > &8 @7     D*++C<"  4 !  E   %       &&="("5=> &        # (P    #   .   O     Q &    '("5 P&&'7( 4  O !"%            !: New Delhi: The Congress on  .01 2  .01 2 “The Supreme Court     "  " Monday attacked the Prime 2&2&(  Employees Welfare Association  7  - Minister Narendra Modi over he Supreme Court on wo lawyers’ bodies of the on behalf of all the employees his remarks on nuclear arsenal, TMonday issued notice to  .01 2 TSupreme Court on Monday strongly condemns the false,    0  $ saying his “boastful claims” of Union Minister Smriti Irani disapproved of the manner in fabricated and baseless allega-        being “ready for an atomic that pertains to two cross he Supreme Court on which Chief Justice Ranjan tions against Chief Justice of   "$ !%   %  missile attack” on Pakistan are defamation complaints filed TMonday directed the Gogoi dealt with the sexual India Ranjan Gogoi,” it said.    %   uncalled for and not in the by Congress leader Sanjay Madras High Court to decide harassment allegations against The SCAORA, which is a      %I interest of national security. Nirupam and the BJP leader on April 24 a plea of TikTok him, calling it “procedural body of lawyers comprising 7      Slamming Modi for his against each other. app seeking vacating of its ban impropriety” and “violation” of advocates empowered by the H%    remarks, the party said PM’s In one case, the Delhi High order. procedures. apex court to file pleadings on       election speeches and irrespon- Court had quashed the sum- A Bench headed by Chief As the apex court reassem- behalf of parties in the top      sible statements point to the mons issued to Irani in a Justice Ranjan Gogoi said if the bled after the weekend recess in court, sought immediate D.2E   5 %  growing desperation in the BJP. defamation complaint filed Madras High Court fails to the backdrop of the stunning appointment of a committee  %      Modi, at an election rally in against her by Nirupam. decide on the plea of TikTok allegations by a former court headed by full court of the apex %   - Rajasthan’s Barmer on Sunday The High Court had how- app then its ban order will staffer, the Supreme Court Bar court to impartially investigate said India is no more afraid of ever dismissed a similar plea of stand vacated. Association (SCBA) and the and inquire into the allegations nuclear threats of Pakistan. Nirupam seeking to set aside The apex court had earli- Supreme Court Advocates on and give an independent find- ( “Otherwise, Pakistan used to the summons issued against er refused to stay the Madras Record Association (SCAO- ing.       give nuclear threats. What do him in a cross defamation High Court order that direct- RA) urged the Full Court to “Supreme Court Advocates we have? Have we kept it for complaint filed by Irani. ed the Centre to ban the take all such necessary steps as On Record Association ;<6-<  ‘Diwali’,” the PM had said. The High Court, on “Tiktok” app over concerns may be required in law to deal expresses its deep reservation Anand Sharma said the December 19 last year, had said about access to pornographic with the charges. against procedural impropriety New Delhi: After Arun Jaitley Congress would like to remind the case against Nirupam will content through it. The allegations cropped shown by Justice Ranjan Gogoi criticised him for his recent Modi that these elections are continue. Senior advocate Abhishek up against Justice Gogoi on in the suo motu proceedings remarks on Pakistan, senior about unemployment, farm On Monday, a Bench head- Manu Singhvi, appearing for Saturday prompting him to held on April 20 in the issue Congress leader P distress and the betrayal of the ed by Chief Justice Ranjan the Chinese company convene an urgent extraordi- regard to the allegations from body, said in a resolution that relating to allegations of sexu- Chidambaram Monday hit voters on electoral promises. Gogoi issued the notice to ByteDance, had told the top nary hearing by a three-mem- electronic, print, social media the allegations against the CJI al harassment against Justice back saying that the Union Every Indian is proud of the Irani on two appeals filed by court earlier that there were ber bench headed by him dur- and other available sources for have to be dealt with as per the Ranjan Gogoi, by an ex- minister must explain why valour of our forces and our Nirupam. over billion downloads of the ing which he asserted that the consideration at its next meet- established procedure of law Supreme Court employee,” the infiltration, the number of nuclear capabilities, but the The Congress leader had mobile app and ex-parte orders charges against him were ing. and law must be applied in each SCAORA resolution said. infiltrators and casualties last government cannot hide challenged a magisterial court’s were passed by the Madurai “unbelievable”. “The executive committee and every case uniformly. “It is therefore resolved year were highest under the behind this, he said. March 11, 2013 order sum- Bench of the Madras High The allegations by the has resolved that procedure The Supreme Court that the SCAORA strongly dis- BJP government. Sharma targeting the PM moning him in Irani’s defama- Court. woman, who had worked at adopted for conducting the Employees Welfare Association approves the manner in which Slamming former Union for his “boastful remarks” was tion complaint against him. He He had said the court did Justice Gogoi’s home office in court proceedings on April 20 on its part came out in support the complaint was dealt with minister P Chidambaram’s also in reference to Modi’s had also sought quashing of the not even issue notice in the Delhi, dates back to October in the matter of allegations of Justice Gogoi, claiming that and seeks enquiry and action in statement that comments in Gujarat’s Patan in January 1, 2013 complaint filed matter and an order was passed last year, days after he was made by ex-employee of the the allegations were “false and the above matter...” it added. India must “change its which he stated that after by Irani. without hearing them. appointed the CJI. Supreme Court against the fabricated”. Justice Gogoi said during behaviour” towards Pakistan, Indian Air Force pilot In her plea, Irani had The High Court had on After an emergent meeting Chief Justice of India is in vio- The association, in a reso- the Saturday hearing that the Jaitley said, “Why Mr P Abhinandan Varthaman was sought quashing of the sum- April 3 directed the Centre to of its executive committee, the lation of procedure established lution, said it strongly con- allegations were part of a con- Chidambaram is siding with held by Pakistan, a senior mons issued to her by a trial ban mobile application SCBA said in a statement that by law as well as principles of demned the “false, fabricated spiracy by some “bigger force” Pakistan by asking India to American official on the sec- court on June 6, 2014. “TikTok” as it voiced concern without prejudice to any natural justice,” SCBA Secretary and baseless allegations” to “deactivate” the CJI’s office. change its behaviour? Should ond day said that “Modi has She had also sought quash- over “pornographic and inap- enquiry which may be initiat- Vikrant Yadav said. against the CJI which is aimed The CJI also said he would we remain victim of terrorism kept 12 missiles ready and ing of the complaint filed by propriate content” being made ed the full court should collate In a resolution, the SCAO- at maligning the institution of not stoop too low even to deny & not do anything?” PTI might attack . PNS Nirupam. available through such apps. all the materials and facts with RA, the top court lawyers’ judiciary. them.    !"#!$%& .

                0     8 0          0 8      % %  !  9 .    )%7   %:  %!9 !& %)7%& Vadodara: A small hamlet )51& & :     & 5    &     !!  ")%  )  bound by Narmada river and "%$            $%  B    & 7%   Arabian Sea in Gujarat’s  1  !% !% .&    $ Bharuch, where villagers previ-      ! &!%  1 7%7%   & ously used boats to reach their    7% 7! 0   polling booth to cast votes, will !  9  1 ! 2  & $   7 % %  this time be provided buses, a D1 E& &        ! $  :   0 & 7 senior poll official said. Aliabet, %9    1D!E   & !! & B %: & 2  )   %   part of Bharuch Lok Sabha seat,     & 7% !%$   B ! &% .  has 206 voters whose polling 1   D   )   . $ booth is almost 65 kilometres 9 1D5E   9   &1   1  C away in Vagra tehsil in the dis-  " "% & !!9      trict, around 80 kilometres from    1&:%  % !)   2%%7" & here. This year, the water level in        &    "%2   & !" & !   .  the Narmada river is low and B) &     &    %& ""%$ 7 using a boat would not have been   &   1  9 ! $      2  . possible, the official said. PTI

 .%-                       Q   Lucknow: The third members who are won by his another family " #  # phase of polling for ten seeking re-elec- member Tej Pratap Singh in the Ahmedabad: With unemployment and   )* Lok Sabha seats in Uttar tion respective- subsequent bye-election. memories of the 2017 adverse impacts of     Pradesh will decide the ly from The electoral fortunes of Assembly polls fresh in twin blows of electoral fate of four Mainpuri, senior SP leader Azam Khan mind, the Saurashtra demonetisation    "   $  Narendra Modi being the members of the SP Badaun and will also be decided in this region, which has seven Lok and Goods and .: 55 mascot of the party has patron Mulayam Singh Firozabad in phase from Rampur which Sabha seats, will be the real test Services Tax (GST) Rampur: “Am I a nachne wali, campaigned many times Yadav’s clan besides those of this phase are witnessed a new low in cam- for the ruling BJP when ballot- on the small scale and medium am I an amrapali,” BJP candi- he second phase of in the name of senior party leader Azam Samajwadi Party paigning this time. ing is held in Gujarat tomorrow. scale industry as well as the date Jaya Prada asked at a rally, Telections is a crucial Rashtravad. He also Khan and film actor and BJP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav Known for his controver- The region, which used to trading class. her question referencing SP test for the BJP in raked up the dynasty pol- candidate Jaya Prada. and his two nephews, sial statements, Azam Khan be a BJP bastion since 1995, The Congress kept harping leader’s Azam Khan’s derogato- Karnataka. Mumbai itics and politics of “gath- The polling for the third Dharmendra Yadav and made an “indecent” remark, gave jitters to the ruling party on these issues which are still ry remark about her as a danc- Karnataka, Central Karnataka bandhan” Amit Shah, SM phase is to be held on April 23 Akshay Yadav. targeting his BJP opponent in the Assembly polls held just very much alive. ing girl and testimony to how and Hyderabad Karnataka will Krishna, Devegowda, Kumara- for ten Lok Sabha seats in the Pitted against Akshay Jaya Prada in Rampur by over 17 months back, as it lost Besides this, firebrand the electoral contest here has go to the polls in the second swamy, Siddaramaiah DK Rohilkhand region of the state Yadav, son of Mulayam Singh allegedly speculating on the 14 of the 35 seats it had won youth leader Hardik Patel’s become more about personal phase on April 23. Riding on a Shivakumar and host of other along with 105 other seats Yadav’s cousin Ram Gopal colour of her underwear and from among the total 54 seats massive agitation for reserva- insults than anything else. Modi wave the BJP bets big on leaders are camping there as last across 13 other States. Yadav, is another brother of the attracting the saffron party in the region in the 2012 tions to his Patidar (or Patel) The crowd at the public 14 seats in these areas, a space leg of elections which are crucial The BJP, which had won party patriarch, Shivpal Yadav, wrath, besides that of the Assembly elections. community made a huge meeting in Mat Khera village the saffron party thinks it can for both BJP and Congress. seven out of the ten seats in this who has fallen out with SP National Commission for In those polls, the Congress impact in Saurashtra which has responded to her posers with a do well. They are in a process The back to back campaign region in 2014, has a huge stake president Aklhilesh Yadav, and Women. had doubled its tally to 32 seats sizeable population of the loud “no” and the actor-turned- of consolidating votes against by Modi and Rahul shows the in this phase in Uttar Pradesh fighting from Fiorozabad after The other political heavy- from 16 it had won in the pre- Patidar community. And now politician went on to narrate the united might of the importance of these constituen- as the area is considered a SP floating a new political outfit, weights, whose fate are in the vious elections. Because of the Hardik Patel is in the Congress. the harassment she faced from Congress and the JDs. cies. The parties also think that stronghold as three of the total Pragateesheel Samajwadi Party poll balance in the third phase reverses in this region in the Clearly cognizant of this, the Samajwadi Party candidate. For the first time the BJP is the add-up number will play a five members of the Yadav (Lohia). of elections here, include Union December 2017 Assembly polls, the BJP pulled out all stops in The contest between the facing the challenge of two crucial role in national politics family had won from this In 2014, Mulayam Singh minister Santosh Kumar the ruling BJP had come close Saurashtra this time, with Prime one time buddies and now forces, one is a vokkaliga and government formation. region despite a Modi wave in had won both the Mainpuri Gangwar, who is fighting from to losing power in the state for Minister Narendra Modi him- arch rivals was always expect- (Gowda) party and second one While BJP hopes for “agali baar the last elections. and Azamgarh seats, but had Bareilly and BJP’s Varun the first time in three decades. self holding as many as seven ed to be fierce but the saga of is the ‘secular Congress’. It means Modi sarkar “ and Congress with The three Yadav family vacated the first one, which was Gandhi from Pilibhit. PTI In the 182-member rallies in this region only. acrimony took an ugly turn Congress leader Siddaramaiah “mahagathbandhan” pitching Assembly, the party won 99 Electoral performance of with the SP veteran’s ‘khaki and Kumaraswamy are betting for “Make Rahul the next prime seats, just 7 more than the sim- the BJP in Gujarat is a person- underwear” jibe. big to lure minorities (politics of minister”. With Devegowda’s ple majority and 16 less than al prestige issue for Modi who Rampur, which goes to the AHINDA) and other commu- acumen in politics Karnataka the previous time. was the CM of the State for polls on Tuesday, was pro- nities in the name of secularism became a platform for opposition The key reasons for this three consecutive terms before pelled into the national to take on and break the BJP’s unity. With political permuta- reversal were farm distress, he became the PM. IANS spotlight with the furore that vote bank, the Lingayats. tions and combinations Gowda followed and the political dis- Congress hopes to with the hopes to play a major role in the course has since centred united force and Rahul Gandhi next Government formation. on just that. and Devegowda, break the The BJP is contesting all 14 While Jaya Prada has been supremacy of the “communal seats, while the Congress in 11 reminding the public about it party BJP”, in the northern dis- and JD(S) in 3. In 2014 general in every meeting, Khan has tricts of the State. elections, BJP had won 11 seats played the victim card after the The 14 parliamentary con- and Congress remaining 3, with Election Commission’s 72-hour stituencies which are going to none going to JD(S). Congress campaign ban was imposed on polls are Chikkodi, Belgaum, is contesting in Chikkodi, him. Bagalkot, Bijapur (SC), Gulbarga Belgaum, Bagalkot, Gulbarga As Jaya Prada turned this (SC), Raichur (ST), Bidar, (SC), Raichur (ST), Bidar, election into a fight for women’s Koppal, Bellary (ST), Haveri, Koppal, Bellary (ST), Haveri, dignity, Khan gave it a religious Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Dharwad and Davanagere. The .  ##        colour with speeches seeming- Davanagere and Shivamogga JD-S is contesting from Bijapur   %      ly intended to appeal to where BJP is hopeful of main- (SC), Shivamogga and Uttara     +  6)  7          #      %     Muslims. PTI taining the lead. The PM Kannada.    # +     .%      #  %+ 8  91: %  

Wayanad: All eyes are on the Bharat Dharma Jana Sena Two Assembly segments in Wayanad, a bastion of Gandhi as people feel that they policies of both the Congress Wayanad parliamentary con- (BDJS) from the constituency the constituency — Sulthan Congress-led UDF, is a safe seat suffer due to the anti-farmer and the BJP governments at the  ;   # ' stituency on the slopes of the comprising seven assembly seg- Bathery and Mananthavady — for Gandhi. According to them, Centre. “There is no Congress Western Ghats in Kerala, cho- ments in Wayanad, Malappuram are reserved for tribals who the one thing that matters is the wave in Wayanad. The sen by Congress chief Rahul and Kozhikode districts. constitute around 18 per cent winning margin. Congress or its leader Rahul    74 7$ ple of years with both the Gandhi to seek people’s man- The Wayanad seat, which of the Wayanad’s population. Senior Congress leader and Gandhi have no specific plans TMC and the BJP having come date, besides his family bastion was created in 2009, shares its Vandoor in Malappuram dis- INTUC state president R for addressing their problems. s an uneasy lull prevailed a up in a big way replacing the Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. borders with the Nilgiris of trict is reserved for Scheduled Chandrasekharan, who cam- Farmers are on the verge of sui- Aday ahead of the third two traditional outfits. He is facing CPI’s PP Suneer Tamil Nadu and the Mysuru Caste. Female voters are more paigned for his party chief in cide due to the wrong policies phase of polling for five Lok About 80,23,000 electorate fielded by Kerala’s ruling LDF in region of Karnataka. It is pre- in number compared to male Wayanad, said Gandhi’s candi- of the Governments led by the Sabha constituencies in Bengal will decide the fate of the 61 the April 23 election on the soil dominantly rural and of its voters in the Lok Sabha seat dature has given a new dimen- Congress and the BJP,” Prasad, the Election Commission made candidates. About 324 of legendary king Pazhassi Raja seven assembly segments, three which has a total of 13,57,819 sion to the constituency. His a former MLA, told PTI. a massive bandobast covering companies of CAPF will be who fought a guerilla war against are in Wayanad district, three electors. There are 6,84,807 vision is upliftment of people What Rahul is seeking is a more than 92 per cent of booths deployed for the five con- British colonialists. The NDA has in Malappuram and one in females, there are 6,73,011 dependent on farm, labour lifelong relationship with the by Central Armed Police Forces stituencies, Additional CEO fielded Thushar Vellappally of Kozhikode district. male voters. While the differ- and rural sectors. people of Wayanad, leaving the remaining about 8 Sanjay Basu said. ence is 11,796, there is only one “People have faith in Chandrasekharan said, refer- percent to be manned by State As of now Balurghat has third gender elector in the Gandhi. Many of them are ring to the Congress president’s armed police. the sitting TMC MP in Arpita constituency. small and marginal farmers, speech at an election rally at The lathi-wielding police- Ghosh while former Congress Out of the 13,57,819 vot- who grow mostly hill produce Sulthan Bathery Assembly men have been asked to remain MP and now a TMC candidate ers, 2,951 are overseas electors. and coffee, in Wayanad. segment on April 17. at least 200 metre away from Mausam Benazir Noor is con- Senior Congress leader MI Gandhi understands their “I just don’t want to have a the booths, sources said. testing from North Malda. Shanavas, who died last year, problems due to the fall in relationship of just few months. The fate of 61 candidates Her uncle and outgoing had been winning the seat prices of agriculture produce I want a lifelong relationship would be decided on Monday MP AH Khan Chowdhury is ever since the constituency and crop loss caused by natur- with you. I want the sisters of as five constituencies of contesting against TMC’s was carved out in 2009. al disasters and extreme weath- Wayanad to say that I am like Balurghat, North Malda, South Muazzam Hussein and BJP’s He had trounced CPI’s M er events,” Chandrasekharan their brother, the fathers and Malda, Jangipur, Murshidabad Srirupa Chowdhury. Rahmatullah by over 1.5 lakh told PTI. mothers to say that I am their go for polls. Noor is pitted against her votes in 2009 and defeated CPI(M) leader P Krishna son,” Rahul had said. Traditionally a Congress own cousin and Congress can- CPI leader Sathyan Mokeri by Prasad, who is campaigning for Wayanad has significant belt with the Left place in the didate Isha Khan Chowdhury a margin of 20,000 votes in Left’s candidate Suneer, said it Muslim and Christian second slot things tended to and BJP’s Khagen Murmu, a 2014. Political analysts say is not going to be easy for populations. have changed in the past cou- vocal former CPI(M) MLA.    !"#!$%& / +/ *     !"  

      "     8 P  0   #   $   O%"! % !"    1                  $2 one...What ex-French President nment jobs. He promised that !!   !       515 “Congress and its (soldiers) or those who Francois Hollande said and recruitment will be initiated for  "    "  %  -  ‘mahamilavati’ (wordplay on demand ‘saboot’,” he asked. ongress president Rahul what is in the French defence 22 lakh vacant posts and 10 !O  1     *;     rime Minister Narendra mahagathbandhan) say Modi The Prime Minister tar- CGandhi on Monday exhort- files will come out...Only two lakh youths will get jobs in  !!          PModi on Monday said his should not talk about national geted the previous UPA ed the people to ask Prime persons’ names will come out, Panchayats.    L"%   % M %       Government had taken strong security and terrorism in elec- Government, saying that it Minister Narendra Modi what first Anil Ambani and second Rahul said after coming to :        -  1 O action against terrorism and tions. Someone else may get pressured the banks to give he received in return for “giv- Narendra Modi.” power, the Congress will see to          - that the Congress does not deceived but not Modi,” he said. loans to “its millionaire friends, ing” Anil Ambani Rs 30,000 Asking if anyone has seen it that all the people who have understand the importance It is okay if issues like nation- but our Government gave loans crore under the Rafale deal. chowkidar in front of a farmer been harassed in the past five /$ $    of the issue because of its “nar- al security are not highlighted to the poor, tribals and youths Addressing or labourer’s house, he said for years are compensated.     .   5    %   row mindset”. in local elections, but in under the MUDRA scheme”. a poll meeting the past some time, every Addressing an election    7         $%  “Modi is taking action Lok Sabha polls it is very “Now, if someone has fled in his par- farmer has been forced to do meeting in Barabanki earlier, he :%)        ,C !" against terrorism. Modi is hit- much an important abroad, either he will have to liamentary con- ‘chowkidari’ of his agriculture said the Congress will take his-  -$           %  ting them in their issue, Modi said. return or he will be extradited stituency here, field. “Modiji had stated that he toric decisions for farmers and    K       :%) K homes,” the prime “They (opposi- just like Michel ‘mama’ of Rahul said, does not want to be made a bring a separate budget for         % -$      minister said, in an elec- tion) have narrow Naamdaars. If any rich does not “When the Prime prime minister but a chowki- them. Campaigning for party    "        "  tion rally here. He said mindset. Even after 60 return money taken as loans Minister comes dar... When his theft has candidate Tanuj Punia, he %         % national security is “very years, they do not from bank, then he will not be and makes false been caught in the Rafale alleged that Modi ran a  :   !"  %   - much” the issue of Lok understand what the able to sleep comfortably,” he claims, ask him one deal, he says ‘hum sab Government which helped just Sabha elections, issues of the coun- said, referring to British- question. Why has chowkidar hain,” he 15 people in the last five years. 0P       $0 but the try are. They are national Christian Michel, he has given Rs claimed. It also took a sudden deci- $   %   D4E       ")   Congress, due roaming around alleged middleman in the 30,000 crore to Rahul also hit out the sion on demonetisation and     %: O      to its “narrow the country AgustaWestland VVIP chopper Ambani and what PM over the Goods and made the entire country stand      %     %      mindset”, with five-six case who was arrested after his has Ambani done Services Tax, saying when in queues, the Congress presi-            % -    does not abusive extradition from Dubai. in return for him.” the ‘Gabbar Singh Tax’ dent alleged. : O  %  % 4      understand words,” Modi He said the NDA Speaking in was imposed, the money “The BJP conducted sur-         !"   - this. said. Government has showed that Tiloi area, he said, was taken from people gical strikes on poor people of Targeting running an honest “Soon after the and it went to thieves the country, while we will con-     00    Congress lead- Government in the country is Congress comes to and overseas. “The duct surgical strikes on pover- ! %  " "  %         ers for asking possible. Modi said the foun- power after the Lok moment money went ty. If the Congress is voted to !"     *=  %    %  "     for evidences of dation which will be laid in the Sabha polls, a probe out of your pockets, power, it will give 22 lakh jobs $% -              surgical strikes, next five years will decide the will be held in the you stopped purchas- to youngsters,” he said address-   DE         DE Modi said the future of the 21st century. Rafale deal and ing and the factories ing an election meeting in         $      ‘saboot gang’ has “The upcoming polls are the truth will be closed down, leading Prashedpur in Rae Bareli.  %  %          put the country very important for those who before every- to unemployment... Rahul also claimed that   - down, but peo- are going to vote for the first In every 24 hours, ‘chowkidaar’ has meted out ple have now time. Those who are born in 27,000 youths lost injustice to the people of  /  0  0   0  given the the 21st century will nurture their jobs... This is Amethi and Rae Bareli.   7 :%   %  .  Opposition dreams and realise them in this the work of Later, the Congress presi-        1         ‘saboot’ (evi- century. A strong foundation chowkidar,” he dent told reporters, “If Prime           %       dence) in the will be laid in the next five claimed. Minister Narendra Modi sits   %I7  -$   1 %  initial phases years,” Modi said. Thefor a face-to-face conversation             L  M %  of polling The PM said the Congress Congress presi- for 15 minutes, everything will      2%    - in the knows very well how to spread dent said after be clear.” country. lies and do manipulations. In 2019, 33 per 0  8    /$00 & 0  “Will the rally, Modi highlighted the cent women              you be achievements of his govern- will be seen  "##  "   %        O  %   trusting ment and sought vote for the BJP. in legislature 77%   %       -$ ‘sapoot’ and Gover-    "   ""   : %   $ %   " %!% O   %     .5   %  O%      "  7  Bengal, it is about establishing +      %    - democracy,” Shah said adding &  $  “It’s high time people stood     8 8      against TMC’s misrule. This Amethi: Dubbing the BJP’s   5         H%1 election is not only the election Amethi candidate Smriti Irani         %" !"  ! for a Government in Delhi but   # as an “outsider”, Congress           %   "  this election is also an election leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra     !            (&)  )*/    "      -L     D for the people of Bengal.” on Monday accused her of On the Citizenship distributing shoes in order to  E"    " "  %    Amendment Bill Shah said if Lucknow: Samajwadi Party insult Rahul Gandhi and said          -  "      5 5 his party came to power for the chief Akhilesh Yadav on the people in the Congress %      %         second time it would invoke Monday said regional parties chief’s Lok Sabha constituency "  % -$  %     M   amata Banerjee and Amit the National Register of will get more seats than the are not beggars.      - MShah engaged in a ruth- Citizens throughout India. “I Congress and the BJP in the Interacting with the voters 0 E   8    less war of words former accus- can assure you that the NRC ongoing Lok Sabha polls. “I in this key parliamentary con- !   %   .  O !   ing the latter of manipulating will be implemented not only think regional parties will get stituency, the Congress gener-         "   ;-G the elections by communally in Bengal, but all over the more seats than the Congress al secretary in-charge of east-      L   M )    %%  )  dividing the electorate and the country if we come to power and the BJP. The next PM will ern Uttar Pradesh said the  "  -L %      latter hitting out saying she was again,” adding however the be from the regional parties,” he people of Amethi and Rae  )  -4         DB  <%"E running a Government of the “refugees will be safe because said at a Press conference here. Bareli have self-respect and  "    %  ,-G        mafias in Bengal devouring they will be given citizenship.” When asked whether he they do not beg from anyone. "%   M   -L4%  *C    whatever democracy that was Coming back hard on the was in the race for the top post, “...If anyone has to beg, it is :           ) "% left by the Left regime. BJP president Banerjee said “in Yadav said, “I am not in the them (BJP), who will beg for    %   N)   O    Addressing rallies at Bengal the BJP has joined race for prime ministership, but your votes,” a visibly agitated    M  -N   O  %     Uluberia in Howrah and '(                   hands with the Congress and will be happy if next PM is Priyanka told the voters in the ' %       " :%) :     %  -  Burdwan Shah said, “Mamata the Left but the people have from UP. I will support those presence of reporters at a        < :%)     %    Didi’s TMC stands for Tolabaji understood their intentions who want to become PM.” “nukkad sabha”.   %      ) K  <   (extortioin) Mafia raj and Chit Banerjee had said “the BJP and they will defeat all of On being asked if the SP- She also slammed “out-       %?;C//      fund scam,” adding if BJP is running a parallel them. The TMC will win all the BSP alliance will support sider” Irani for distributing % - returned to power it would Government in Bengal without 42 out of 42 seats,” Banerjee Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, whose shoes in Amethi. “She (Irani) “send all the perpetrators of the taking the State Government said daring Shah to invoke name is doing rounds as a pos- thinks she can insult Rahul chit fund to jail in 90 days’ time.” into confidence which is an NRC in the State.” sible Congress candidate Gandhi by doing this,” Reminding Banerjee of the attack on the federal structure. They implemented NRC in against Prime Minister Priyanka said, adding that the strong actions taken by the They have some retired IAS offi- Assam, “then they were telling Narendra Modi, Yadav ruled Union minister was in fact Election Commission in 2009 cers to kill democracy here. Let that they will invoke it in out any support to the insulting the people of Amethi. and 2011 that eventually cata- them bring 5 crore personnel Bengal and now they are telling Congress saying, “Our alliance “The people of Amethi are pulted TMC to power Shah said from Delhi. Still we will win.” that they will do it in all over is with the BSP and the RLD. very sensible. You all know who “when the ECI acts against your However, Shah on Monday the country. I will never let that We will declare candidate from was going to open a food park goons you feel hurt but when it retorted saying, “Didi is crying happen because all Indians are the Varanasi seat soon.” in Amethi and the fact that it has took against the goons of the ear- because her goons are not able TMC from power.” Attacking equals and have democratic The SP is contesting the not been opened till now. The lier regime that helped you ride to rig the elections,” adding the TMC for winning the pan- rights protected by the Lok Sabha polls in an alliance food park would have benefit- to power you were happy.” “Bengal is going to see a big chayat elections by rigging Constitution. I will not let with the BSP and the RLD, ted five lakh farmers in Amethi The Chief Minister has change after May 23 the TMC’s which was why “37 per cent of them destroy the constitution. keeping the Congress out of the and Rae Bareli,” she said. strongly reacted to ECI Special citadels will fall one after the the seats during the panchay- “This is why I am telling “gathbandhan”. PTI Union Textiles Minister Observer Ajay Nayak’s state- other.” The BJP had converted at elections were won uncon- that BJP is a dangerous party Irani had lost against Rahul ments that Bengal resembled a Bengal into a lawless State tested,” he said “CRPF has and if they come back to power Gandhi from Amethi in the situation in which Bihar was 15 where only the writ of TMC’s plugged that hole.” they will take away all your 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Five years ago adding the law and goons run, he said adding “this For the rest of India this rights, make the citizens of this years later, she is again hoping '  ( 7 &    #    % '   )  order machinery had com- situation will change soon as election is about taking the country foreigners like they to breach the Gandhi family         #         #   % pletely collapsed in the State. only the BJP can remove the country to new heights but “for have done in Assam.” bastion. PTI  +   +      *+) ##    %    <  

Q$R    !.: surface link. scrutiny on Saturday. behind Hussain. ." R$ Of the 1,56,888 voters But the contest is largely Hussain also has the back- he electoral battle in the (85,763 in Kargil and 71,125 in among the BJP, the Congress ing of Kargil’s powerful reli- Lucknow: BSP president TLadakh Lok Sabha seat of Leh districts), 79,432 are men and the independent Sajjad gious organisation, Islamia Mayawati on Monday asked Jammu & Kashmir has become and 77,456 are women. They Hussain. The regional National School. However, what’s why the Election Commission interesting for poll watchers, will vote on May 6 in the last Conference (NC) and the thrown a spanner into the NC- was not cancelling the nomi- but tough for contestants. phase of the five-phase parlia- Peoples Democratic Party PDP plan is the presence of nation of Pragya Singh Thakur, The constituency, spread mentary elections. (PDP) have not fielded candi- Karbalai, former Congress the over Leh and Kargil districts, is The nomination papers of dates in Hussain’s support. MLA from Kargil, as candidate from Bhopal, despite geographically one of the Jamyang Tsering Namgyal Traditionally, Buddhists and Independent. the “BJP ratna” issuing con- largest and population-wise (BJP), Rigzin Spalbar Muslims vote on different lines. Karbalai deserted the troversial statements. one of the smallest in the coun- (Congress) and four With the Buddhist votes likely Congress after he was denied “Malegoan blast case try. Being one of the remotest Independents — Haji Asgar Ali to be divided between Namgyal ticket. He is being backed by accused and BJP candidate areas of the country, the Karbalai, Sajjad Hussain, Kacho and Spalbar, both Buddhists influential Imam Khomeini from Bhopal Sadhvi Pragya is Ladakh division has its own Muhammad Feroz and Asgar from Leh, the NC and the PDP Memorial Trust. Hectic efforts claiming that she is contesting issues, dissimilar to the Valley Ali — were found valid in plan to consolidate Kargil votes are on to persuade him to a ‘dharm yuddh’. This is the real or the Jammu division. withdraw from the contest on face of BJP/RSS which is being Politically, Ladakh has Monday, the last date for with- exposed continuously. But why always been closer to New Delhi drawal of nomination papers in is the Commission only issuing than to Srinagar or Jammu, the the constituency. notices and not cancelling the two administrative capitals of Ladakh’s long-standing nomination of BJP ratna (gem) J&K. It has faced no separatist demand for grant of division- Pragya?” Mayawati tweeted. movement, even as the Valley al status was fulfilled during the “If the Election continues to remain in the current Presidential rule in the Commission is not able to throes of an unabated violence. state. Because of this Prime work in an impartial manner to For over four months, from Minister Narendra Modi is the satisfaction of people the middle of December to the quite popular among Buddhists despite severe criticism in the end of April, each year, Ladakh and this will weigh in favour of media, it is an issue of grave remains emotionally and eco- Namgyal, also the chief concern for democracy and no nomically cut off from the rest executive of the powerful one else but BJP and PM Modi, of the state as snow in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill who are surrounded by serious Zojilla Pass area snaps it’s only Development Council. electoral allegations.” PTI    !"#!$%& (  0 2$& 2  " - 3    6$ 1     - 3   3 7 .247/) 2    %          %      $ 0   R"    1               %%     " " %%            1     S                       %     -$      %    < <         % ,      (                  7         :  *      (      )   * #                        (              ;<== ,      ;>?@(;>>=     1+     , $  A  1  -,$A1.       lthough the use of muscle                ,S :   power to capture booths and  (         )  B      # intimidate voters belonging                  (   ( to vulnerable social groups has drastically come down in                     S recentA years, the percentage of candidates   8               ( with criminal records still remains a mat-                       ter of concern. But the bigger worry is money power. During a recent tour of 6       )  B  ,    ( some constituencies in Karnataka, this           #          writer heard from political leaders and                  , ) those in the know that in most constituen- cies, candidates have to spend upwards of         )  )(C  7  20 crore to be in the reckoning. There was                   also near unanimity that some candidates        *         #    in the old Mysore area had spent over 100 crore! With top contenders in every Lok   )   9              8 )  BS Sabha seat spending phenomenal sums of   5               money, the democratic process is now out- #  )     #          )  of-bounds for an average citizen. The National Election Watch (NEW) 8  5     # 8      ( and the Association for Democratic          5 $    )    Rights (ADR) have been providing        #  5            detailed analysis of the information pro- vided by candidates in their sworn affi-             7  #    davits while filing their nominations.          ,         # Their analysis of the 521 members of the          ! 7      outgoing Lok Sabha, based on their affi-                   ,  davits, should be a matter of deep concern. The NEW-ADR analysis found that     ,    )  B          174 of the 521 MPs had declared that candidates will be much, much of these cases on a priority and drugs and narcotics worth   #                criminal cases were pending against higher when you look at the basis as recommended by the 1,152 crore. They have also                      them, constituting one-third of the Lok amount of money being spent National Commission to seized gold and precious met- Sabha. Further, among them, 106 MPs (20 in each constituency. Review the Working of the als worth over 500 crore. ,              ,    per cent) were facing serious criminal A comparison of criminal Constitution, which was head- Although this is unprecedent-   ,                  cases like murder, attempt to murder, kid- records of outgoing MPs and 02$14014 ed by former Chief Justice of ed, it is still the tip of the ice-         S        5 napping and communal disharmony candidates in this election 0$2$2$$2$ India, MN Venkatachaliah. berg. among others. Thirty-five per cent of the shows that the new House Five decades ago, there Having travelled in some         )  BS           MPs belonging to the Bharatiya Janata will have its share of such indi- 4.<$21445 would be large scale violence States and heard reports of    #                   ( Party (BJP) and 16 per cent of the viduals. Although statistically ! 2B. during elections in the coun- voter bribing, one can safely           S      Congress and AIADMK MPs in the out- speaking, criminal record of try. States like Bihar and Uttar say that although the Election going Lok Sabha have criminal back- candidates in the present elec- 41!.1,> Pradesh were notorious for Commission has raised the    (  #       #   grounds. However, the Shiv Sena topped tion is lower than that of suc- booth capturing. Prominent permissible expenditure in a the list with 83 per cent of this party’s MPs cessful candidates in 2014, .$4$2 candidates in the fray would Lok Sabha constituency in having criminal records. one must remember that the .:!45! have their own armed gangs to larger States to 70 lakh, the As regards the financial muscle of can- winnability of candidates with disrupt polling in booths spending is upwards of 20 7   didates, the survey showed that of the 521 criminal records is higher than . !!Q which were not favourable to crore per candidate. Thus, if sitting MPs, 430 (83 per cent) were those who come with a clean $2!.1!$4 them. The gangs would open we have two main contenders . $       )(#     crorepatis in 2014 and they had average slate. Therefore, we must await fire, chase away election offi- for each of the 543 elected assets of 14.72 crore. Eighty-seven per the results and see what per- B!1.1$2 cials and electors, capture the seats in the Lok Sabha, the "   ,    02  $ %3 R    cent of the BJP MPs are crorepatis, as centage of the members of the !$09$414$ booths and burn the paper bal- candidates and their parties against 82 per cent in the Congress and new Lok Sabha have criminal lots. This is now a thing of past would have splurged over    )     78 per cent in the AIADMK. The average cases pending against them. !$4 But the other big issue — 20,000 crores, mostly to         ( asset base of BJP MPs was 12 crore, while What do we do with the $24!:.!$ money power — has reached bribe voters in this election. ) that of Congress MPs was 15.47 crore. fact that one-third of our monstrous proportions. With feudal, caste-based      *  + A recent report by NEW-ADR, after MPs have criminal records 024!45! Although muscle power has political families loaded with  , -*+,. ! %     examining the affidavits of candidates in and 20 per cent of them are . 2:! been brought under control, such huge, ill-gotten resources          ( the fray in the first two phases of the cur- facing serious criminal cases spending in elections has gone playing the game, democracy           P# rent Lok Sabha election, is also revealing. like murder, attempt to mur- 2B.1 completely out of control and is becoming a no-entry zone Out of the 2,923 candidates, the NEW- der and kidnapping? This 44.$!$.: the Election Commission for an average citizen. The          ADR analysis of 2,856 affidavits shows needs to be reversed and the appears to be totally helpless Election Commission must )  *           ( that 464 have criminal records, constitut- best way to do it is to bar all  $4.!5.$ despite huge deployment of come face-to-face with this             ing 16 per cent of the total. Of them, 313 those, against whom serious observers and seizure of cash, reality and find ways to stop candidates have serious criminal cases. As criminal charges have been $29R5$$1 gold, liquor and drugs meant the bribing of voters. Failing          Q   1 regards the net worth of candidates, 824 framed in a court of law, for bribing voters. In the first which, democracy will be           of them — 29 per cent — are crorepatis from contesting elections until two phases of this election, the reduced to an absolute farce.             and they have, on an average, assets of over they are acquitted. In order to Election Commission already (The writer is an author spe- 5 crore. But this is the average of 2,856 prevent vindictive prosecu- seized close to 700 crore in cialising in democracy studies.         ,           candidates. The net worth of successful tion, the courts must dispose cash, liquor worth 218 crore Views expressed are personal)      *+,               (                 "                  2     , ,                   0      :  %         %  "  %                             %       "   "      -%                  2 3   "  % -$   -1     -     %  % <   % 8  "   %    %      "  -      %  -9 %                     2 ,  "  %   -     % " - %        -    %  -                     ( 567 && * 7 =(7 "5 & 7 "65"5"&( 7       S      *+,         K "  K 7% K09 KB %:                    (  2 1      45 #            (                                    , ,    ,  ,, +    ,                 P,   Q 1                       songs in this movie were written         as well as composed by Satyajit                   Ray himself. Ray got many awards        S            ( Sir — Priyanka Chaturvedi’s exit is        L     M for the best music direction for                  definitely a loss to the Congress. D ,,E-  !)  D!E this film. One of these songs, However, she could have given $  %)!) D!E %  ‘Kotoi Rongo Dekhi Duniyay’ (the %                 those she had grievances against    !"      %  world is full of wonders), was        "           another chance to express their    % ! 9      sung by Amar Pal. Amar means      *+,          6     ( standpoint. The party leadership     % %      "   immortal in Bengali. Indeed, his could have ensured this. Further,    - %    % voice has immortalised the pow-                   she should have waited to see fur- !9 %   " "     erful words of Ray in this song.                7  ther developments without quitting     % "%   Sujit De                   the party in a huff. The fact that she       -  "      Kolkata    %  %     -                *+,   rushed to join the Shiv Sena soon after leaving the Congress is shock-       %         % " <  -%                        ing. People have lost faith in her % %       !<!    -4        (       "    ,    and will consider the entire episode    %                 - a pre-planned farce. %      !    - % )  8   < Sir — It is regretful that the sanc-                  +  Shalini Gerald  7  !     K %  < "               - tity of the highest court of the   )  *      )  ," *     Chennai  "       1 $   %      %   - land has been under threat since   8      S P,(6 $   Q         D! % E   K      < "5* the last five years. Earlier, it was               "            )    %   an unprecedented January 2018 revolt by four sitting judges of the                Supreme Court and now, the CJI     - *+,    .    - . 6  Sir — This refers to the editori- impending disaster, no preventive fully the terrorists missed the tar-     has been accused of sexual harass-          *+,S           al, “On Easter, violence resurrects measures were taken by the get. The modus operandi of the ment by a former woman staffer. in Lanka” (April 22). A series of authorities to thwart the nefari- perpetrators is very clear. The The incident highlights the fact                 explosions in churches and hotels ous designs of religious funda- Islamist terrorists want to bleed Sir — Amar Pal, the renowned that even the office of the CJI can )                in Sri Lanka during an Easter mentalists. Further, it is distress- not only India but the rest of the folk singer, passed away at the age easily be tarnished. A thorough   (        ,    )  *    Sunday by suicide bombers linked ing that more such attacks will be world. India must take the lead in of 98. He was the first folk musi- investigation is the need of the to a Muslim organisation, Jamaat, planned in the near future at dif- fighting terrorism and urge world cian, whose song was broadcast hour.  S       *     has shaken the conscience of the ferent places across countries. leaders to take decisive action to over the All India Radio in 1951. Ravi      9 S               world. Since it was a well-planned Along with the churches and prevent catastrophes instead of I will always remember him Via email                ,     attack, it is disappointing that the hotels, the Indian High just condemning incidents. for the songs he sang in one of despite the intelligence having Commission in Sri Lanka, too, KR Srinivasan Satyajit Ray’s legendary films,   ## % 5                   alerted the Government about the was on the attack list but thank- Secunderabad Hirak Rajar Deshe. All the 12  (( 7&("5 7F6>"%=>    !"#!$%& $ $  2 2$& 2 ,3 P3 &&5  % '3 ,'3  $       $  I   0 0    &$  0  %8  8$G$8    0         O80IG  00    P   % $         % O L   L    0      " "            -$          4  5  ' 4+ 6 7  +3    ('# %   3             *(67  "   $    $   %                  ( , 7 ) #        @=      0 %         %

                                    !                 (                                  C    8            (           ) S                     # )  8           <=;D             )                                      # 6 ! 7      8 6 +     P      Q !        (       "     E    very election in Kerala, whether it is to the              ,  ( Lok Sabha or the State Legislature, brings          3          ( Eto mind the famous play Ezhu Rathrikal        ) 6 8 (Seven Nights), directed by Kaladi Gopi in    # )S     ( 1963. Ezhu Raathrikal must have been the first   8      R3  S        ('# play in Malayalam that was based on the lives , S                  of the marginalised and oppressed sections of society. The play is set in a street-side bus shel-   P    Q $          # ter that is home to a group of beggars, road- P   Q  8             side vendors and anti-social elements. The cen-         )        tral character of the play is Pazhanam Varkey,             #      a professional beggar. “Pazhanam” is the               Malayalam word for “poison.” One, therefore, 02$7!$2 #                 need not elaborate about his character. ,>*+ 47!2      7      Varkey’s style of begging is unique and that’s  $4..         8         the reason behind the success of the character. Even 50 years after its first show, the play and 7 5.R5                 # !!!4   8          8        Varkey remain engraved in the minds of theatre buffs in the State. Varkey wears a scapular that 4$!45$                      has two pendants. One is a crucifix and the other $2< 1.1   O     is that of Lord Krishna. When Varkey goes to 4..:$!  !"       ('#   Christian houses, he wears the scapular in such 45.$-$2       8        7    a way that the crucifix is visible to the people. !                   Whenever he goes to the house of Hindus, he dis- :$$4..1     8              plays the locket with Lord Krishna. $2DEO! # )                The Communist Party of India (Marxist) $4.!     #          (CPI-M) is the new Varkey of Kerala because of the twin roles played by it in and outside the State. $:$$.: thus, they could mobilise the Ezhava Whenever there is a remote possi- Congress candidate from Chalakudy.          H ( 8  7 ˆrv Uv€r† 2.15 !4            8      While in Kerala, the CPI (M) considers the community under the communist flag. bility of the BJP winning a seat in the The comrades want to ensure that the Congress to be its main enemy, outside the State, 04!2.1 Over the years, however, the State, the CPI(M) transfers its share of Congress’ candidate is elected with a big   (              it mingles freely with the latter. The CPI(M) is, .!5 $.:$2 CPI(M) has lost its proletarian image votes en masse to the Congress. This has majority though the CPI(M) has field-     +             perhaps, the best defender of the Congress, espe- 29!2B and become a party promoting crony been happening with active connivance ed cine actor, Innocent Vareed   %   7           cially the Nehru-Gandhi clan, when reports of 25$2.15! capitalists. It also ensures that the State of the local media. P Narayanan, octo- Thekkethala, in the constituency.           ,       scams featuring the family members surface in .12! does not progress an inch, economi- genarian journalist, reminiscences how TP Senkumar, former Chief of       %       ( the public domain. !5 $1.$2 cally or socially. The much-hyped Mathrubhumi, a leading Malayalam Kerala police, articulated the Hindu        #         But why is that both parties pretend as if they 4 !$4.4 Kerala model of development has daily, violated all media ethics during angst: “It is time the majority commu-                    are at loggerheads and that, too, for the consump- $245.$9- ended in a disaster. The last six the Assembly election held in 1960. nity, too, gets the same rights and free-          tion of the public? Since the formation of months have seen more than 40 farm- “There was a big speculation that TN dom that is enjoyed by the minorities. Kerala in 1956, by merging the old princely States 4.5!$.4$ ers committing suicide because of the Bharathan, the Jana Sangh candidate Sabarimala is the beginning. The next 5   P3  Q   3  8  S )  !5!1         7  ) P     of Travancore, Kochi and parts of the Madras debt trap they have fallen into follow- from Guruvayur, would romp home in line is Sree Padmanabhaswamy province, the political centrestage has been $20.! ing crop failure. And the Marxist because of the excellent work he had Temple in the State’s capital.” Kerala is                 monopolised by two fronts led by the Congress 4.4$04 Government has done nothing to done to save the Manathala Temple the only State that issues monthly                Q and the communists. Supporting characters !$! revive the fortunes of either the farm- from miscreants. But on the day of pension to widows belonging to minor- #                    differ, depending on the political wind blowing ers or the marginal entrepreneurs. polling, Mathrubhumi came out with a ity communities. Social benefits should )S       ,      across the State. But the two fronts, known in Three small entrepreneurs based in banner headline proclaiming that Jan be all inclusive.         ) S   +   ( modern parlance by the names of the United Kollam, too, committed suicide Sangh supporters would vote for the More than 4,000 people, who took                 ( Democratic Front (UDF), led by the Congress because they could not withstand the Congress. This upset the party work- part in the Sabarimala agitation, are                 and the Left Democratic Front (LDF), led by the harassment of their party bosses. ers. This has been the style of Kerala still in jail under various charges that  S      CPI(M), are the central characters. Though there is a change of guard media since then,” said Narayanan. are non-bailable offences. KP Sasikala, #         8  S ( The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or its pre- in Thiruvananthapuram every five What makes the 2019 Lok Sabha the frail looking leader of the Hindu       R3  S   # %     vious avatar, the Jan Sangh, were never a force years, what generally happens is that election in Kerala unique is a series of United Forum, has 475 criminal cases               P Q to reckon with in this State that has a split reli- the CPI(M) and Congress-led fronts reports about the BJP-led NDA open- slapped against her, including that of gious demography. The State consists of nearly alternate between themselves. The ing its account in this State. The murder, attempt to murder, stone-pelt-  ) S    ,             ( 51 per cent Hindus, 26 per cent Muslims and 23 two parties do not provide space for Sabarimala agitation and the CPI(M)’s ing and other such criminal offences.       *    ;D     per cent Christians. Without active support from a third alternative because they know actions, targetting Hindu places of These things have happened even as            8        the minority communities, no front can win any it well that their relevance will be lost worship and insulting the acharyas, those, who chopped off the right          6 ! election in Kerala. the moment a third party finds space have hurt Hindus and has resulted in hand of Prof Joseph, are out. This !   <=;?      E) %     Interestingly, the CPI(M)’s vote bank is the here. Hence, all elections in the State the polarisation of the community. So Friday saw the Marxists publicly     "         %   powerful Ezhava community, the society which have followed a match-fixing arrange- it is advantage BJP in two or three con- silencing the chanting of God’s name )   3          6 8 gave birth to Sree Narayana Guru, the most rev- ment between the Congress and the stituencies of the State. Congress chief at a temple in the capital city because           8    ;>I; olutionary social reformer of the 20th Century. Marxists. Though the two may act as Rahul Gandhi will definitely win from the Chief Minister does not like it. E          6       It was his teachings and uncompromising stance if they are arch rivals, both have an Wayanad because the LDF has fielded Varkey would beg in Kerala display-            9  that led to the eradication of social evils like unseen umbilical chord between them. a “decoy” candidate against him as part ing one-half of the scapular featuring untouchability and marginalisation of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi of a game of match-fixing between the the crucifix. He can show the other half      1        8    oppressed classes in the State. He could inspire exposed the same while he addressed CPI(M) and the Congress. The with Lord Krishna’s pendant while in             S the people to agitate for the right to walk along a public rally at the State capital Marxists want the Congress to win the New Delhi and the rest of India.           )S       the roads leading to the temples which ultimate- recently. He said, “It is kusti in Kerala 2019 Lok Sabha election and that’s Kerala goes to the polls today to elect Q h†uh‡ Tvtu v† r†rh pu sryy‚ hq Hrtuh Tuh €h v† ly culminated in the Temple Entry Proclamation and dosti in New Delhi. The CPI(M) about it. Card-holding members of the 20 members to the Lok Sabha. r†rh pu v‡r  h‡ ‡ur 8r‡ r s‚ Cˆ€h Svtu‡† T‡ˆqvr† PQ Evqhy of 1936. At one stage, the communists had and the Congress are the two faces of CPI(M) had the audacity to ask this (The writer is Special Correspondent, By‚ihy Vv‰r †v‡’ hijacked the agitation launched by the Guru and, the same coin.” writer to vote for Benny Behanan, the The Pioneer)  "     %                            E          "                   # 

State’s desperate response to climate rock formations, farmers are competing in tressed the discoms. Distribution compa- Look for alternatives: While the pol- which reduces risk of borewell failures, is change? Or will it really help the farmers a game they cannot win. According to fig- nies were already heavily in debt when the icy has been around too short to draw any another alternative that can be explored. in the long run? Similar policies have been ures from the Central Ground Water 24-hour free electricity scheme was intro- definite conclusions, on their own account, In an attempt to discourage over- launched in many other States, including Board, farmers are not likely to hit major duced from December 31, 2017. With farmers must shift their cropping patterns exploitation of groundwater and ensure a Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Maharashtra water-bearing fractures below 100-110 feet. groundwater table declining, electricity use to sowing water-intensive crops such as more robust regulatory mechanism in the since the late 1970s. Groundwater levels had already sunk is bound to increase because of the extra paddy. This is not to say that it is a sus- country, the Government has proposed to Never mind the answer, more power beyond that level in many places due to power needed to pump water from deep- tainable policy or that the farmers’ slap for the first time a Water Conservation does not equal more water in the long extensive well drillings when the 24x7 free er levels. response is viable. High informal debts due Fee (WCF) on extraction by all users of 9 8  6   run. Water being a limited resource, free electricity policy was implemented. Discoms all around the country are to investments in digging borewells was groundwater in the country, barring the   5 electricity for agriculture can lead to over- Besides poor and erratic rains, over- adversely affected by subsidies such as free one of the causes for farm distress. armed forces, farmers and individual extraction, failed investments and worse exploitation of water without sustainable electricity. This is one of the factors that Although free electricity contributes to households. attaiah, a farmer in Shivampet village still, borewell failures rather than making recharge options has led to a decline in contributes to the widening gap between reduced input costs, it does little to There are questions that are hard to of Medak district in Andhra Pradesh, this scarce resource cheaper. Depletion of groundwater levels in villages. The unfor- income and cost of supply, according to the address the risks and losses faced by farm- address for State politicians but should be Sdug another borewell to save his groundwater levels to 1,000 feet and more tunate outcome is the diminishing of the Central Electricity Authority. One can even ers. There is a need to strengthen institu- addressed at the national level. Faced with standing crop from drought as his existing has been reported in some drought-prone common resource base, losses on invest- say that falling groundwater levels lead to tions where farmers can acquire low-risk the consequences of climate change and borewell had dried up in January. Like his areas due to excessive digging of ments, crop failures and possibly, drink- higher levels of debt for electricity com- formal loans and facilitate viable payment disintegration of the rural resource base, previous one, the new alternative, too, failed borewells. The Telangana Government’s ing water shortage. As of today, about 31 panies or levels of expenditure that are hard conditions. how can farmers and the landless rural and he incurred huge losses. Studies con- move to provide 24x7 free electricity to per cent of blocks in India are at a semi- to recover. Farmers need information and educa- population make a living in a sector depen- ducted by the Indian Council of farmers is lopsided and neglects other critical, critical or over-exploited stage in Electricity consumption for agriculture tion on which crops they should opt for dent on monsoon rains, frequent failures Agricultural Research and the World Bank water sources such as farm ponds and vil- terms of groundwater exploitation. in Telangana amounted to 29 per cent of in water-scarce conditions. They should be of rains, prolonged dry spells, lack of water prove that groundwater-irrigated farms lage tanks. Complementary water sources Fiscal costs to the Government: The the total consumption in 2016. The same given incentives to grow suitable variants. and decreasing hopes of livelihood? have twice the crop productivity as com- and recharging systems are left to dry up, central electricity authority, which sector contributed only three per cent to Instead of blindly digging borewells on Should these forces be left to live their own pared to rain-fed farms. However, ground- rather than being maintained. In the cur- announced the details of the progress of revenues for the electricity board. Still, farmers’ fields, they must be given assis- lives? Without any concerted effort, the water must not be over-exploited as it is a rent situation, every farmer must fend for various States in the power sector for the there has been no policy shift to bridge the tance by hydrologists or technical experts. common rural inhabitant will drift like a natural resource with limited availability. himself, in contrast to the traditional sys- year 2017-18, observed that Telangana gap between electricity consumption and Many farmers also hold the opinion that splint in the open seas tossed by the forces In this context, is the Telangana tems which usually required cooperation, secured the first place in the country in revenue generation. There are many other instead of a 24-hour electricity, about five of climate change, market fluctuations and Government’s scheme to provide round- whether voluntary or forced through reg- power consumption and per capita power options that are more viable, environmen- hours of uninterrupted electricity are shifting policy regimes. the-clock power supply to 2.3 million ulation. consumption. The free electricity scheme tally and economically, such as construc- enough to pump water for crops. (A Amarender Reddy is Principal Scientist, farmers for free just another populist pol- Due to the geology of our States such was introduced with an aim to reduce farm tion of farm ponds, reviving village tanks Promoting groundwater recharging struc- Agricultural Economics, ICAR and Jin icy? Or is it a predominantly agricultural as Telangana, which have underlying hard distress but has in turn financially dis- and promoting micro-irrigation systems. tures like farm ponds and village tanks, Kathrine Fosli is with the University of Oslo)    !"#!$%& ' 6   - (      #   (   .01 2 ber of supplier which we can buyers snap back next month exercise to make up for any that will block the US financial        $4794 ndia, the second biggest shortfall from Iran,” the source system for importers. and trials almost always result Ibuyer of Iranian oil, has said. “We can also go to the India, the world’s third- in a conviction — sparking out- lined up alternate sources to spot (or current) market to biggest oil consumer, meets apanese authorities on rage from outside the country. make up for the likely short- source crude.” more than 80 per cent of its oil JMonday hit former Nissan When Ghosn last won bail, fall in supplies after the US “As far as Indian Oil is needs through imports. Iran in $ ( boss Carlos Ghosn with a fresh he walked out of the detention decided not to give waiver concerned, supplies will not be 2017-18 was its third-largest charge of aggravated breach of centre in front of the world’s from its sanctions for buying a problem. We have already supplier after Iraq and Saudi trust, the fourth formal indict- media dressed like a Japanese oil from the Persian Gulf lined up alternate sources,” he Arabia and meets about 10 per ment against the auto sector labourer with a cap and a face nation. said adding the impact of the cent of total needs.   0!2.:$4. global demand is met as tycoon. mask in an apparent attempt to The Trump administra- US decision may reflect on US President Trump in all Iranian oil is removed Public broadcaster NHK give reporters the slip. tion Monday decided not to global oil prices which may May withdrew from the 2015 n a move that could have from the market,” and local news agency Jiji Press Japan’s Supreme Court has renew waiver that let countries temporarily go up. nuclear accord with Iran, re- Iimplications on India’s ener- she said. reported that prosecutors filed already rejected appeals by like India buy Iranian oil with- The six-month waiver imposing economic sanctions gy security, US President In a statement, the new indictment that paves Ghosn’s lawyers against his out facing US sanctions. granted by the US to 8 coun- against the Persian Gulf Donald Trump on Monday Sanders said the Trump the way for his legal team to prolonged detention. “Our crude sources are tries was to expire on May 2. nation. Some sanctions took decided not to grant sanctions Administration and its apply for bail. His wife Carole has also wide. We have alternate IOC has the option to effect from August 6, while exemptions to any oil cus- allies are determined to The 65-year-old strenu- been questioned by prosecutors sources lined up to make up take 0.7 million tonne of crude those affecting the oil and tomers of Iran, further squeez- sustain and expand the ously denies all allegations in Tokyo. for any shortfall,” a top source oil from Mexico on top of its banking sectors were to start ing Tehran’s top export com- maximum economic against him and insists they She has also denied any said. committed purchase of 0.7 from November 5, 2018. A six- modity. pressure campaign have been cooked up in a wrongdoing and been active in US President Donald million tonne during the year. month waiver was granted “President Donald J. against Iran to end the “plot” by Nissan executives the media in recent days, writ- Trump last year withdrew From Saudi Arabia, it has an that was to expire on May 2. Trump has decided not to reis- regime’s destabilising wary of his plans to bring the ing an opinion piece in the from the 2015 nuclear deal optional volume of 2 million Iran was India’s second sue Significant Reduction activity threatening the Japanese car giant closer to its Washington Post calling on between Iran and world pow- tonne on top of a term con- biggest supplier of crude oil Exceptions (SREs) when they United States, its part- French partner Renault. US President Donald Trump to ers and revived a range of tract of 5.6 million tonne. after Saudi Arabia till 2010-11 expire in early May. This deci- ners and allies, and secu- Prosecutors are looking lean on Japanese counterpart sanctions against the Persian Similarly, it has optional but Western sanctions over its sion is intended to bring Iran’s rity in the Middle East. into allegations that Ghosn Shinzo Abe to allow her hus- Gulf nation. It, however, grant- volumes of 1.5 million tonne suspected nuclear programme oil exports to zero, denying the “The President’s funnelled funds from Nissan to band to obtain bail. ed a six-month waiver from from Kuwait and another 1 relegated it to the seventh regime its principal source of 2. Greece, Italy, Japan, South decision to eliminate all SREs a dealership in the Middle Ghosn’s lawyers have sanctions to eight countries - million tonne from the UAE. spot in the subsequent years. revenue,” White House Press Korea and Taiwan have already follows the designation of the East and siphoned off around expression reservations that China, India, Japan, South “We have all the supplies In 2013-14 and 2014-15, India Secretary Sarah Sanders said. heavily reduced their oil Islamic Revolutionary Guard five million dollars for his per- he will receive a fair trial as 99 Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, Italy tied up and I think globally bought 11 million tonne and The US re-imposed sanc- imports from Iran. Corps as a Foreign Terrorist sonal use. per cent of all cases that come and Greece, but with a condi- crude will be readily available 10.95 million tonne, respec- tions on Iran last November, Iran is India’s third-largest Organisation, demonstrating Ghosn has already won to trial end in a conviction. tion that they would reduce but it is difficult to say what tively from it. after President Trump pulled oil supplier behind Iraq and the US’ commitment to dis- bail once before — but under The executive has gone their purchases of Iranian oil. the impact will be on price,” Sourcing from Iran out of the landmark 2015 Iran Saudi Arabia. Iran supplied rupting Iran’s terror network strict conditions such as agree- from a life of luxury and private India, which is the second the source added. increased to 12.7 million nuclear deal. 18.4 million tonnes of crude oil and changing the regime’s ing not to leave the country and jets as he ran three huge car biggest purchaser of Iranian oil The price of Brent crude, tonnes in 2015-16, giving it the The US’ move which is during April 2017 and January malign behaviour. We wel- living under surveillance. companies to a small cell. after China, had agreed to the global oil benchmark, rose sixth spot. In the following seen as an escalation of 2018 (first 10 months of 2017- come the support of our friends The rollercoaster case of Nissan says an internal restrict its monthly purchase as much as 3.3 per cent to USD year, the Iranian supplies President Trump administra- 18 fiscal). and allies for this effort,” the executive, once revered in investigation has uncovered to 1.25 million tonne or 15 74.31 a barrel on Monday, the jumped to 27.2 million tonne tion’s “maximum pressure” on The US, Saudi Arabia, and Sanders said. Japan for saving Nissan from “substantial evidence of bla- million tonne in a year highest intra-day level in to catapult it to the third spot. Iran comes after it last year gave the United Arab Emirates, China and India are cur- the brink of bankruptcy, has tantly unethical conduct” by (300,000 barrels per day), almost six months. Iranian oil is a lucrative temporary 180-days waiver to three of the world’s great ener- rently the largest importers of gripped the business world the former boss. down from 22.6 million tonne When Trump first pulled buy for refiners as the Persian eight countries, including gy producers, along with its Iranian oil. If they don’t go and shone a spotlight on the He has already been (452,000 barrels per day) out of the nuclear deal, oil shot Gulf nation provides 60 days India, China, Turkey and Japan friends and allies, are commit- along with Trump’s demands, Japanese legal system that has stripped of his position on the bought in 2017-18 financial up to over USD 85 a barrel and of credit for purchases, terms among others. ted to ensuring that global oil that could cause tensions in come in for some criticism board at Nissan and resigned year. it fell to near USD 50 after the not available from suppliers of As a result of this decision markets remain adequately both bilateral relationships and especially from abroad. from the head of Renault and “We have optional vol- US administration unexpect- substitute crudes — Saudi all countries including India supplied, Sanders said. spill over into other issues, like Japan’s justice allows the three-way alliance the two umes (over and above the edly granted the waivers. Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Nigeria would have to bring down its “We have agreed to take trade, the Washington Post authorities to keep suspects in companies share with term contracts) from a num- US sanctions on Iran’s oil and the US. import of oil from Iran by May timely action to assure that reported. custody for prolonged periods Mitsubishi Motors. (  %   &           :  " %  +(!$#    343   (     1 #42 .: 55 round      8?39+  3@!1;: A100 staff  5 sation of their bills/receivables,” members of =  said Talwar. the ailing Jet delegation led by PHD It has also requested that at  5 released this January, has Airways  >:  AChamber President Rajeev least one year period should be pegged the traffic volume to 1.1 Monday Talwar met RBI Governor considered for eligibility of omestic air passenger vol- billion by 2040. staged a Shaktikanta Das here on Monday MSMEs’ stressed and NPA Dume grew 14.25 RPT 14.25 Jet Airways, once the sec- demonstra-  .01 2 and discussed concerns related to accounts under the restructur- percent to 171.25 million RPT ond largest airline after no-frills tion here, the growth of MSMEs, NBFCs, ing scheme. 171.25 million in fiscal 2019 IndiGo, lost as much as near- urging the hares of Jet Airways, which affordable housing and the real All such Accounts which over the previous year, even as ly half of the market share at Government Shas shut down operations estate sector. turned into defaulters or March posted the lowest 5.37 percent during March as to intervene temporarily, continued to fall The chamber in its sub- became NPAs after January 1, growth rate in many years with against 10 percent in the same and bail out for the third day in a row mission has also sought further 2018 should be covered under a paltry 0.14 percent, accord- period of last fiscal, according the airline. Monday, closing over 6 per cent cut in the repo rate in the com- the policy of RBI for being eli- ing to the data from the to the data. Jet lower. ing quarters. gible for restructuring, said DGCA. Together with subsidiary Airways had The scrip nosedived 19.34 “PHD Chamber in its sub- Sanjay Agarwal, Vice President, In FY18, the passenger JetLite, consolidated traffic of on April 17 per cent to 132.20 — its 52- mission has urged RBI to PHD Chamber. volume had clipped at a high- the now non-functional carri- announced week low — during the day on increase the limit for classify- The industry body said er 18.3 percent to 146.84 mil- er was 6.71 lakh passengers in temporary BSE. However, at close of trade ing over dues of MSMEs to 180 that infrastructure financing lion RPT 146.84 million. the month, whereas in the suspension it recovered most of its sharp days from the current level of should ideally be carried out by However, the March num- same period last year it had of operations early losses. It closed the day at 90 days as working capital specialist players like bers came as a shocker to the flown 15 lakh passengers. after it failed 154.60, 5.67 per cent lower. cycle of MSMEs keeps pro- Infrastructure Finance airline industry as the traffic Significantly, national car- to receive emergency funds messages in some of the plac- employees are not being At the NSE, shares plunged longing due to delays in reali- Companies (IFCs). though continued to grow in rier Air India, which has a from lenders, leaving about ards. informed. They are in the 6.15 per cent to close at green but almost flat at 0.14 number of aircraft on ground 23,000 employees to face a Milind Paradkar, an engi- dark,” Paradkar said. 154.70. percent to 11.59 million pas- for quite some time now, had bleak future. neer with Jet Airways, urged Other demonstrators said In terms of traded volume, sengers up from 11.58 million the dubious distinction of This evening, the employ- the government to infuse some they had not received salaries 56.19 lakh shares were traded a year ago, largely due to the cancelling the most number ees, dressed in their uniforms, funds to keep Jet Airways for the past three months and on the BSE and over five crore huge capacity reduction fol- of flights at 8.94 percent of its staged the demonstration at afloat. had somehow been managing shares on the NSE during the lowing the troubles at Jet scheduled departures fol- Town Hall in the heart of the “We want the government their family needs. day. Airways in the month, show lowed by JetLite and new city. to infuse some funds instead of Some among them said In three days, the scrip has data released by the DGCA entrant Star Air, as per the Holding aloft placards, our aeroplanes being taken they had previously worked plummeted 40.94 per cent. Monday. data. they raised slogans like ‘Save over by other airlines and being with the now defunct Running into debt of more The cumulative traffic of The national carrier, how- our families, save Jet Airways’, flown over by them,” Paradkar Kingfisher Airlines. than 8,500 crore, Jet Airways domestic carriers stood at ever, managed to get the third ‘Don’t make us cry, give a told PTI. On April 20, the employees has shut down operations tem- 171.25 million for the full year spot after IndiGo and SpiceJet chance to fly’ and ‘Humko He said there were had written to President Ram porarily after lenders decided to March 2019, registering a in passenger volume, carrying Tum Na Dhoka Do, Udne ka ek rumours that somebody has Nath Kovind and Prime against extending emergency growth of 14.25 percent. 15.19 lakh passengers with a Mauka Do’ (Don’t ditch us, give shown willingness to take over Minister Narendra Modi, seek- funds for its survival. Budget carrier IndiGo con- market share of 13.1 percent in a chance to fly). Jet Airways, but the employees ing their intervention to recov- Cash-starved Jet Airways, tinued to be the largest player March. ‘We pay loads of tax, Don’t have no information who that er outstanding dues as well as which has around 23,000 with a market share of 46.9 per- The passenger load factor get us under the Axe’ and ‘We is. to expedite the process of employees, has delayed pay- cent ferrying 54 lakh passen- in the month has shown falling have dependents to feed, please “The Government has to emergency funds for the ment of salaries to the employ- gers during the month, while its trend compared to February don’t let our 9W bleed’ read the be transparent. Presently airline. ees, including pilots. closest rival SpiceJet was a dis- due to the end of the vacation tant second with 13.6 percent period. traffic pie as its ferried 15.81 SpiceJet continues to clock  BS)% lakh passengers in the report- the highest average seat occu- 8              ing month. pancy at 93 percent while The flat growth in traffic is smaller rival GoAir topped the  ;<    a setback for the industry on-time performance chart for #   + %    %   A2 which had been clipping at over the sixth consecutive month in      20 percent for more than four March at 95.2 percent.  .01 2 of the loan agreement and April 10. years in a row. Air India, on the other covenants and conditions met, Guarantees are contingent  % Significantly, betting on hand, was forced to pay the he Finance Ministry has the Finance Ministry said in an liabilities have the potential to the double-digits growth in higest amount of 119.37 lakh Tasked all departments to office memorandum. impact the financial perfor- the past four years, the gov- to 2,508 passengers for denied undertake a review of Besides, the details of mance of the Government.  74 7$ ernment in its vision document boarding. Government guarantees given CPSEs or entities due guaran- In another circular, the by respective ministries to their tee fee paid on time to the gov- ministry said FRBM Rules stip- he India Volatility Index CPSEs or entities. ernment should also be sub- ulates that Government cannot Tshot up to a three-year The review should under- mitted. guarantee more than 0.5 per high of 24.05 on Monday, amid take aspects like the discharge The Finance Ministry has cent of the GDP of the respec- rising uncertainty over the new of repayment obligations or extended date for submission of tive financial year to government formation and interest obligations as per terms these details to April 30 from CPSE/entities. soaring crude oil prices. The India VIX, the fear gauge for domestic equities,      %    $ rose 5.76 per cent to settle at 24.05, after an intra-day high of 00   24.56. # B8      “Crude and election uncer- D   tainties is pushing the India  5 mately 4,800 crore for 100 VIX up,” IIFL co-promoter and percent enterprise value con- 80NMembers of MD R Venkataraman told PTI. ebt-laden Infrastructure templates no hair-cut to the Dignity Foundation, an NGO Besides the ongoing Lok DLeasing & Financial debt of the SPVs, aggregating helping senior citizens live a Sabha elections, market senti- Services (IL&FS) Monday said to nearly 3,700 crore,’ the life of dignity, took a pledge to ment was hit as macroeco- GAIL (India) has emerged as company said in a release. spread the message of Road & nomic worries resurfaced, fol- the highest bidder for its seven These wind power assets Tyre Safety. Senior citizens lowing reports that the US operating wind power plants. have a total generation capac- from Delhi NCR region will end sanctions waiver on The bidding process to ity of 874 MW. assembled at Bipin Chandra Iranian oil imports, analysts these assets having 12 sites The proposal was approved Pal Auditorium holding plac- said. spread across seven states was by the committee of creditors ards on tyre/ road safety and Global benchmark Brent launched in November last of IL&FS Wind Energy enlisting themselves as ambas- crude climbed to a multi- year. (IWEL), majority owner of the sadors of road and tyre safety. month high of $73.81 per bar- “Gail’s offer of approxi- SPVs, it said. PNS rel, a 2.56 per cent rise.   '66    !"#!$%& $ )   (  ) (* +    (-#. /0   (-#  )   (-# ) )     -)-)- 0 0 -) (- -) 1 * 0( * 2   1)  ---3)  -)( * - 24( ) 1 -    4    - -) )  --  2  - *- - 0     1

 CONTROL THE 1$5 !1 SEIZURES    5&(89 0    0   0/   % 80 %      %  

pilepsy is a central nervous system (neurolog- Eical) disorder which brings about abnormal- ity, causing seizures or periods of unusual behav- ior, sensations and sometimes loss of awareness. 275 275 275 It can happen to anybody at any age. Epilepsy affects both males and females. Symptoms: Epilepsy symptoms can vary wide- ly. These can include where an individual with 7%2 )72 7%2 )72 7%2 )72 epilepsy may simply stare blankly for a few sec- onds before having a seizure, while others repeat- edly twitch their arms or legs. At least two unpro- voked seizures are generally required for an epilep- sy diagnosis. Some of the seizure signs and symp- toms may include: Uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs. Loss of consciousness or awareness /"2 /"2 /"2 Temporary confusion A staring spell Psychic symptoms such as fear, anxiety or % . " déjà vu. 5!2!2   175!2 ." %     However, symptoms may vary depending on the type of seizure. At times, a person with epilep-         %   %    sy will tend to have the same type of seizure each time, so the symptoms will be similar from episode # ollution, stress, hectic The early findings have shown the possibility of kidney failure to episode. Doctors basically classify seizures either lifestyle and unhealthy food positive impact on patients with increases, if you have hypotension as focal or generalised based on how the abnor- P— all lead to various diseases kidney failure and hypothyroidism. from a long time then also the mal brain activity begins. arkinson’s is a progressive neurodegenerative condition most in our lives. With various treat- Banerjee says that although chances of chronic kidney failure Focal seizures: Seizures appearing in just one Pcommonly seen among the ageing population. After Alzheimer’s ments for various diseases, one these two diseases are very com- increases. Drug toxicity also leads area of the brain they are called focal or partial disease, it is the second most common age-related neurodegener- often gets confused with which mon but conventional medicine to kidney failure. If someone is seizures. ative disorder. An estimated seven to 10 million people worldwide way to opt for. This is when have no cure for them. using painkillers for a long time Generalised seizures: These appear to involve are victims of Parkinson’s. Globally, neurological disorders are now Homeopathy comes to the rescue. “Hypothyroidism and chronic kid- then kidney damage is a known in all areas of the brain and listed below are six the leading source of disability and ageing is increasing the bur- With so much advancement in ney disease or kidney failure are side-effect. And one of the emerg- types of generalised seizures. den of neurodegenerative disorders. Parkinson’s disease is one such medicine and technology, home- very common diseases and have no ing cause is auto-immune condi- Absence seizures: They often occur in children example. In the year 2016, 6·1 million people had Parkinson’s dis- opathy has also come a long way. resolution in conventional medi- tion in which the immune system are characterised by staring into space or subtle ease globally, compared with 2·5 million in 1990. Total number of With treatments for common cine. But, in our study we have automatically decides to attack body movements such as eye blinking or lip deaths caused by this disease in the year 2016 is 211,296.The preva- cough and cold to severe diseases found that these two diseases can the kidney,” he tells you and adds smacking. lence of the disease varies according to age. It ranges from 41 peo- like cancer, homeopathy promise be cured or atleast prevented from that when the causes of the disease Tonic seizures: These affect muscles in your ple per 1 lakh among people in their forties to more than 1,900 to provide a treatment for all. further progression. In hypothy- differs, the management and the back, arms and legs and which may also cause you people per 1 lakh among those who are eighth decade of life and Dr Kushal Banerjee of Dr .4$.$ roidism study, the data indicates prevention of the disease also dif- to fall to the ground. older. According to several surveys conducted on this disease, men Kalyan Banerjee Clinic says that $2.:$47. that specific homeopathic medi- fers. Atonic seizures: They cause a loss of muscle are 1.5 times more prone to have Parkinson’s than women. though many people don’t go for cines given to patients were able to Banerjee opines that unhealthy control, which may cause you to suddenly collapse Although Parkinson’s disease (PD) is progressive in nature Homeopathy as the first treatment, .1!$4:4$4 improve the functioning of the thy- lifestyle opens door to many dis- or fall down. and worsens over time, it is highly individual and affects peo- it is the best on to take. 1$$2:2$ roid gland, thereby bringing down eases. Clonic seizures: These seizures are repeated or ple differently. Not everyone who has Parkinson’s disease will “Many people are sceptical to the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone “The most common cause for rhythmic, jerking muscle movements. These experience all the symptoms, and symptoms between patients- go for homeopathy as the first and $.1B41 (TSH) readings. This runs contrary majority of diseases is unhealthy usually affect the neck, face and arms. may vary in their severity. The speed of the progression differs foremost treatment for any dis- to the fact that says the progression lifestyle. Leading a healthy lifestyle Myoclonic seizures: They usually appear as sud- from people to people as well. However, physicians have distin- ease. They think that the treatment .:5  of the disease cannot be con- will keep your sugar in place, den brief jerks or twitches of your arms and legs. guished definite stages that describe how the disease progress- is very long and the results are ! .: trolled. The study was done your blood pressure in place and Tonic-clonic seizures: These are the most dra- es. There are five distinctive stages that are usually seen in a per- very slow. But, if one wants to cure between 2011 to 2015 and a case your immune system in place. matic type of epileptic seizure and can cause an son with Parkinson’s disease. their disease and is looking for a $$.- records of 2083 patients were Unnecessary and indiscriminated abrupt loss of consciousness, body stiffening and These five stages are known as permanent treatment instead of .4$2.4<.4 studied and analysed. That is usage of over the counter allopath- shaking and at times loss of bladder control or bit- ,   $! the Hoehn and Yahr Scale used just suppressing it for the time when we came up with the results. ic medicines should be stopped. ing of the tongue. $ ' by physicians throughout the being, then homeopathy is the best !$4!7 !- A total of 35 per cent patients saw Popping painkillers for every small A strict meal plan like opting for a Ketogenic world to classify patients in treatment. For instance if someone 4.4 40! positive results in their treatment thing is a habit that many of us diet can help children especially after working '( ' 7 research studies. has migraines and he wants to by the fourth visit to the clinic,” he have, it is very bad for health and closely with a doctor and a dietician. The diet usu- ' $ ! Stage 1: The first stage cure and control it instead of just $2!$04 tells you. should be stopped immediately,” he ally starts with a fast that lasts 24 to 48 hours. Foods     usually has mild symptoms such managing it for that particular $2.:!$29. The study for chronic renal tells you. that are high in fat and low in carbohydrates are as tremors along one side of the time that is when homeopathy is failure was done for two months Banerjee says that taking small introduced. If the diet is strictly followed, stud- 8 9! body. Slight changes in walking, helpful,” Banerjee explains and 7.9 and the records of 61 patients were significant steps can help to live a ies showed that two-thirds of kids who follow it ) $ !  posture, or facial expressions adds that a large number of 1!!!$9 analysed. healthy lifestyle and eliminate are able to stop their seizures. may be noticed by those around patients suffering from some “Through this study we found many diseases. Recently new surgical techniques have $7 !;( & ; them otherwise often the symp- major diseases like cancer and K175!2 . that serum urea and creatinine “The basic thing which we improved the outcomes. Depending on the type $)$ toms are mild enough not to brain haemorrhage have respond- readings, two of the most impor- advised to our patients is having all of seizure or if the patient has tried several med- interfere with daily life. ed well to the homeopathic treat- tant clinical readings while study- the meals at the right time is a ications without success, doctors may recommend (   '$ Stage 2: In this stage, both ment. ing kidney failure, showed reduc- must. Skipping meals is the worst surgery. 8 )8 sides of the body may be affect- “We have seen a large number tion in them. Even a slight reduc- thing one can do to their body. The Dos: Keep a cool head under pressure and try to

$ &  ed by slightly worsened tremors of patients who were a failure of tion in these readings is a big thing. other important thing is to go to keep the person safe till the seizure stops or rigidity. Everyday activities chemotherapy and they also No currently available treatment is bed at the right time and avoid an Gently try to put the person onto a flat sur- ' may get harder to achieve and responded to the treatment, which able to do this. These readings irregular sleeping pattern. If one face so he does not fall issues with posture and walking is very significant. But, not to for- shows whether a patient should follows these two things, they can Put something soft and flat under the head. may become quite noticeable but get that cancer is not a single dis- undergo dialysis or not and home- keep many diseases at bay. Dont’s: Don’t restrain the person or you could the patients are still more or less independent in this stage to do ease, there are various types of opathic treatment may help Additionally, regular exercise is injure the person or yourself. things for themselves. cancers. So, the treatment can be patients avoid going through dial- also important for a healthy Don’t offer even a sip of water as that could Stage 3: In the third stage of PD, with the motor symp- effective in one and not another,” ysis,” Banerjee tells you. lifestyle. Moderate amount of reg- cause choking toms becoming worse, patients may begin to experience loss of he tells you. Banerjee says that there are ular exercise also helps to eliminate Attempting to put an object in the individ- balance leading to falls and movement can become very slow. In a recent study conducted at various causes and symptoms of various diseases from life. If one ual’s mouth could be dangerous for you and him However, for many patients living independently it is still pos- the Dr Kalyan Banerjee Clinic, it chronic renal failure. keeps in mind these basic point- Don’t attempt artificial respiration unless the sible, but they may have difficulty in everyday activities such as is found that Homeopathy can be “There are many causes of the ers of a healthy lifestyle then, person is not breathing when the seizure has eating or dressing. beneficial in kidney failure and disease. Some of them being — if medicines will work better and dis- stopped. Stage 4: In this later stage, patients experience extremely hypothyroidism too. you are an old patient of diabetes, eases will stay away,” he tells you.     .D+ 7   limiting. With greatly impaired movement, most will need help with everyday activities and will not be able to look after them-     selves. There are exceptions who can still stand without assis- , tance. Stage 5:  At this advanced stage of the disease, most peo- With sun comes tanned skin. eople who wish to ple will require a wheelchair as they experience difficulty in walk- ndia rolled out the National Viral The programme will also focus on live longer must ing and standing. With seriously impaired motor skills, assistance More so if your work keeps you IHepatitis Control Program (NVHCP) screening of pregnant women for hepati- Preduce their sitting will be needed in all areas of daily life. Hallucination is an addi- exposed to the sunlight for long last week with the aim of eliminating viral tis B, in places where institutional deliv- time and replace it with tional nightmare at this stage of the disease. hours. ROSHANI DEVI shares hepatitis. The disease infects and kills ery is less than 80 per cent, to ensure pro- just 30 minutes of physical Parkinson’s disease is like a doom to the ones affected and more than HIV, malaria and tuber- vision of birth dose Hepatitis B vacci- activity, according to findings of a recent their dear ones as well. It affects patients’ quality of life in a hor- simple home remedies that one culosis combined. The National nation and Hepatitis B study published in the American Journal rible way, making social interaction more difficult and worsen- can use to get rid of the tan Action Plan – Viral Hepatitis immunoglobulin, if required. of Epidemiology. The results highlight the ing their financial condition, due to the medical expenses asso- instantly was launched in Mumbai by Acute hepatitis due to any importance of movement - regardless of ciated with the disease. the Union Minister of State virus is usually self-limiting its intensity or amount of time spent mov- for Health and Family and requires a good diet, bed ing - for better health. Studies indicate that   ummer months are fun. Second, mix a tablespoon Welfare. Viral hepatitis is rest and only symptomatic about one in four adults spends more than Kids have vacations, you masoor daal powder, a table- recognised as an impor- treatment. Urgent hospital- eight hours a day sitting. can take a break, go to the spoon tomato juice and a tea- tant public health problem isation may be required in Adults who sat for long stretches at a 8 S   Kachchi kairi, or raw mango, is etched in all of beach and relax or just have fun spoon aloe vera extract. Apply across the world. cases of acute liver failure in time - an hour or more without interrup- our summer memories, as strongly as are the scorching with friends. But the downside it on the tanned area. Leave it According to the WHO, acute viral hepatitis. One may tion - had a greater risk of early death than winds, the uncomfortable heat and the relentless sun. Drinking of staying out in the sun for on for half an hour. viral hepatitis caused 1.34 also need intensive treatment those who were sedentary for the same juice of raw mango during summers is more than a mere too long is tanning. But Wash it off with million deaths globally in 2015, and liver transplant. Chronic total amount of time but got up and moved exercise in palate pleasing. The drink reduces the effects of fret not. There are cold water. a number comparable to deaths due hepatitis B and C can be treated with around more often. Thus, even short bursts intense heat and prevents simple things that If you are to tuberculosis, worldwide. There are antiviral drugs — oral and injectable. of activity - of just a minute or two – can dehydration, by stopping one can do to get rushed for about 4 crore people suffering from Hepatitis C virus is curable now and provide health benefits. excessive loss of sodium chloride rid of it instantly. time, a pack Hepatitis B in India, and another 0.6 to HBV can be controlled with medication. Tips from Heart Care Foundation of and iron from the body. These First, slice the made with 1.2 crore people suffering from Hepatitis The vaccine is available for hepatitis A India: minerals often tend to leach out lemon and rub it half a cup ripe C. virus and HBV only. Take the stairs as often as possible. into your sweat, during on the tanned papaya and a Get off the bus one stop early and summers, making you region. Leave it on tablespoon   walk the rest of the way.  dehydrated. for a few minutes honey works    .  %   -$ %   "  Have “walk-meetings” instead of Raw mango is also consumed before you go for your wonders. Leave it “sit-in” meetings.     % 2         D%   E  for its action against gastrointesti- bath. Do this at least once a on for half an hour. Wash %"K % %        %"   - Walk to the nearby shops instead of nal disorders, which tend to go up during the summers. It is often day. off with cold or lukewarm driving.  %    DEK         "    prescribed to people with morning sickness, constipation, diar- You can also make a pack water. Do this twice a week.         "    %          Stand up and walk while talking on rhoea, chronic dyspepsia and indigestion. and use this once a day. Mix a Four, one can make a pack               - the phone.  Raw mangoes are great for the liver, and are believed to treat tablespoon lemon juice, a table- using a tablespoon plain yogurt   %       - %      Walk down to speak to your col- liver ailments. Having a little bit of raw mango powder cures the spoon cucumber extract and a and a tablespoon tomato juice.      %       H%     league instead of using the afternoon drowsiness that often takes effect after your meals. This tablespoon rose water. Apply apply the paste on the tanned               N  <" O"  intercom/phone.  is because raw mango gives your body an energy boost that wakes this to the tanned areas. Rinse area. Let it dry for 30 minutes.    %       "      % - Walk around your building for a you up and helps you perform well. after 10-12 minutes. Cleanse with water.  %     "   L - break during the work day or during lunch. Buy a pedometer.    !"#!$%&  6 %&R   $$# (  !! $## N014.O$2B here on Monday and said they Anthony’s Shrine said he was “I pray that peace prevails Tigers, who had fought for 26 dont have any anger or ill will “extremely saddened and griev- - not only in this country, but years for an independent home- .9.:O towards anyone of any other ed” by the incidnet. in the whole world,” he said. land for the minority ethnic   :.!$4$2 religion in the Buddhist-major- “Since the (civil) war, peo- Sri Lanka is a country of Tamils. The war is thought to ity nation. The Buddhist monks ple belonging to all religions great religious diversity that have killed between 70,000 and  :4.!N visited the historic Catholic and faiths had been co-existing crosses ethnic lines, and the 80,000 people.   4 44 .7.4.7! church located at Kochchikade, and living together in unity and monks’ presence at the church The nation has seen some a day after a suicide bomber harmony. This is not some- was a sign of this, CNN com- sporadic violence since. In embers of Sri Lanka’s reportedly triggered a huge thing that anyone could have mented. March 2018, a state of emer- MChristian minority have  4 44 blast, killing many worshippers anticipated,” he told the BBC. Sunday’s attacks are the gency was declared after hard- been left afraid to go to church who had gathered for the He said he condemned the deadliest seen in Sri Lanka since line members of the majority after deadly attacks that hit small group of monks in Easter Sunday morning mass. attacks, but “we don’t have any the end of the country’s civil war Buddhist Sinhala community Easter services, killing nearly Asaffron robes visited the Venerable Prof Pitigala anger or ill will towards anyone in 2009. The civil war ended attacked mosques and Muslim- 300 and stoking fears of com- bombed St Anthony’s Church Vijitha Thero was outside St of any other religion”. with the defeat of the Tamil owned properties. munal violence. “Some people might be afraid to go to church now. At this moment I have no idea     %   what to say,” Father Lour Fernando told AFP by St      Sebastian’s in Negombo, one of three churches targeted Sunday.        !  E    # #  #    # “We have to remain strong         +  %  %#          "  % and keep going to church and keep praying. We can’t stop.” the country’s violence, includ- named, said police had told Ranjan Christopher Fernard, a ing recent tensions between churches last week that they   4 44 three luxury hotels have been 55-year-old taxi driver from right-wing Buddhists and should brace for possible “inci- taken to the government Negombo, said he was nervous Muslims. dents” and stay vigilant. ome hid their eyes, some col- morgue and people queued in about attending church after the “We never thought we “We increased security at Slapsed in tears as gruesome the heat to get into the heart- attacks, which killed his friend’s would ever be targeted. We our church last week. We have images of victims from Sri wrenching identification 11-year-old son. never thought we would ever also been checking vehicles Lanka’s Easter massacre were slideshow. Eighteen bodies were “Tonight we (my family) need protection,” said a priest in coming into the church premis- projected on to a screen in released on Monday morning will all go to church to pray for the grounds of St Sebastian. es,” he said. front of distraught relatives at a after relatives recognised a vic- the victims,” he said. But others said there had “Although there was a Colombo morgue on Monday. tim from the gruesome images “Of course I feel afraid... but been warnings, and documents generic warning to stay vigilant, The pictures of some of the shown in a corner of the morgue we have to go to church, we have seen by AFP showed the coun- some churches adopted a lax 290 dead are disturbing, with courtyard. to pray for the injured to get well try’s police chief had issued an attitude because there were no faces battered and bodies miss- Identification is painstaking, soon.” The suicide bomb attacks alert on April 11 that warned a details offered, like a possible ing limbs. A Roman Catholic physically and emotionally. were the worst atrocity in Sri radical Muslim group planned timeline,” he added. priest and a Buddhist counter- Many badly mutilated bodies Lanka since the country’s 37- to hit “prominent churches.” “I feel more deaths could part waited in the corner of the will only be identified with the year conflict with Tamil rebels The government said have been prevented if we were courtyard to intervene when one DNA of relatives, officials said. ended a decade ago. Monday it believed the National more alert.” For some in the of scores of people in the audi- Janaka Shaktivel, 28, father Sri Lanka’s Christians, who Thowheeth Jama’ath was behind shaken Christian community, ence recognised a mother, broth- of an 18-month-old son, sat in make up just seven percent of the attacks. the attacks also raise the spec- er or child. shock outside the building wait- the 21-million population, had A pastor at People’s Church tre of more widespread com- Many of the dead from ing for the body of his wife to be  #  #    # &  %  +   6 +      -   P    been largely spared the worst of in Colombo, who declined to be munal violence. attacks on three churches and handed over.   )       '         %%         #  4     F+         ,,,4  O    ,,,4    00   R  %  P #           0 + 0$ 0 L""M    .:44 country’s small Catholic com- died. Groups of people visited,     4 44 clubs, restaurants, places of “The decision to travel is "%       <  munity. paying their respects. worship, parks, major sporting your choice and you are      % he seaside Sri Lankan On Monday, it was a town On Easter Sunday, a he US and Canada have and cultural events, educa- responsible for your personal     */ Tfishing town of Negombo in mourning. bomb blast ripped through  0!2.:$4. Tissued travel advisories to tional institutions, airports and safety abroad,” the advisory    *G  has long been called Small white flags flew in St. Sebastian’s, one of a their citizens seeking to visit Sri other public areas. said. )% - “Little Rome,” a reference to house after house near St. half-dozen coordinated attacks ecretary of State Lanka, citing threats of terror- The US citizens travelling “We take the safety and its abundance of churches and Sebastian’s Church, a sign that on churches and high-end SMike Pompeo vowed on ism, a day after the calm of to or residing in Sri Lanka were security of Canadians abroad    its place at the center of the someone who lived there had hotels that killed nearly 300 Monday that the United States Easter Sunday was shattered by advised to enrol in the very seriously and provide O P   P people. will keep fighting “radical gruesome bombings targeting Department of State’s Smart credible and timely informa- 8&"56(5  1  At least 110 were killed at Islamic terror” after devastat- the country’s churches and Traveler Enrollment Program tion in our Travel Advice to $ %     St. Sebastian’s, said Cardinal ing attacks in Sri Lanka that hotels that killed at least 290 (STEP) in order to receive the enable you to make well-   LO M Malcolm Ranjith, making it targeted churches and hotels on people. latest security updates, the informed decisions regarding       %  the day’s most deadly bomb- Easter . According to advisories, Sunday Times reported. your travel abroad,” it said.   %     ing. “Radical Islamic travellers should exercise a The situation remains The death toll Monday       Charles Fernando, 32, who terror remains a threat. We high degree of caution in Sri volatile in Sri Lanka after eight sharply rose to 290, including     - was among the neighbour- are continuing to do real Lanka due the current securi- explosions rocked churches six Indians, from the blasts - the hood residents walking work against these evil ty situation. and luxury hotels, killing up to worst terror attack in the coun- 0  00  between houses, pointed to a human beings,” Pompeo told The US Embassy said ter- 290 people, including six try’s history. 0 E/: home where he said nearly reporters. rorists may attack with little or Indians, and with over 500 sus- There was no immediate 5"      everyone had been killed or “This is America’s fight, no warning targeting tourist taining injures. claim of responsibility, but       injured. too,” added Pompeo, who said locations, transportation hubs, The Canadian government police on Monday arrested 24 "%        “We had war for 30 years he had spoken by telephone markets/shopping malls, local also issued a travel advisory to people and declined to give fur-  H%       but there were no bomb blasts with Prime Minister Ranil government facilities, hotels, its nationals. ther details.      - in Negombo,” he said. Wickremesinghe. $ "   " % %   "%                     %    "   "%     %"           !<.     -

  0!2.:$4. take information,” Giuliani said of Romney on CNN’s “State of onald Trump’s top lawyer the Union.” Don Sunday attacked He was referring to “calumny, lies and distortions” Democratic emails that were in the Mueller investigation hacked by Russian operatives report, and said there is “noth- and disseminated by ing wrong” with taking hacked WikiLeaks in 2016 to hurt information from Russia. Trump presidential rival Rudy Giuliani mounted a Hillary Clinton. combative defense of the pres- “Who says it’s even illegal?” ident in Sunday talk show Giuliani added. “Does the appearances that took aim at information turn out to be Special Counsel Robert false, by the way? The infor- Mueller’s investigators, the evi- mation that was gleaned and dence they amassed and the disseminated, every newspaper witnesses they cited. printed it.” The former New York Trump publicly encour- mayor heaped special scorn on aged Russia and WikiLeaks Senator Mitt Romney, a while top campaign officials, former Republican presidential including his son and son-in- candidate who said Friday law, met in Trump Tower with he was “sickened” by the a Russian promising dirt on report’s findings and “appalled” Clinton. that Trump’s election cam- “There is nothing wrong paign “welcomed help from with taking information from Russia.” the Russians. It depends on “What a hypocrite. What a where it came from,” Giuliani hypocrite. Any candidate in the said, adding that as a lawyer he whole world in America would would have advised against it. “This didn’t become an international scandal because of immorality. It became an international scandal because the president was accused of violating the law falsely,” he said. His comments echoed Trump, who mocked Romney on Twitter Sunday, after lash- ing out Friday at the “bullshit” Mueller report. The president was in Palm Beach, Florida where he attended Easter ser- vices. The special counsel’s 22- month-long investigation con- cluded that Trump and his team did not collude with the Russian effort to sway the elec- tions in his favour. But it detailed 10 episodes of potential obstruction by Trump, including his firing of FBI director James Comey and demands that Mueller himself be removed. $) 6    !"#!$%&

wear “smart suits, blacks and whites, but O    change colours to look attractive. They "    O   have a style of their own. Look at how they go to the gym and exercise reli-      giously, their accessories and clothes have matching colours, making them       appear like they do have a fashion sense.”      Giving the example of Bollywood’s $ $ 8 King, Sethi said, “I recently attended an   event, where Gauri Khan, wife of Shah !& $  Rukh Khan, told me that her husband      "     would take two to three hours to get ready for an event. He pays attention to               details like matching right coloured-tie %   5  with his shoes and suits. This sensibil- %     -    ity has come with time in today’s men.”  5O   With changing roles of both men %       and women today, the former’s fashion choices have transformed as well. Men’s     -$ BB fashion has evolved manifold whether      5 it is formal suits, ties and pants or infor-    % mal clothing and tracksuits.     From the fitness industry, “there can     . ?DF  be no one better than Sangram Singh to talk about who a man of substance is?,” ! % said Karan.   !  “Nothing is more fashionable than % *- being fit. No matter what you wear or    buy, the most important thing should be to keep yourself fit and healthy. When  " % < you are fit, your confidence grows by       D8 leaps and bounds,” said Sangram at the  " % - panel. He recalls that there have been    days when he was short on resources.      “I didn’t have good clothes. Today, I have reached this level because I was men-  "$   tally tough. Discipline and moral values "    are important to succeed in life,” said he. ! % !  F'-.I women coming to the fore, the show The panel also saw Rajiv Makhni, .      questioned who after all is a “man of the tech guru, who talked about how       % < substance?” He added, “Even if the man personal looks mattered in today’s hether it is style, fash- is successful in his endeavours, he social media world. “I do make-up. I tell     ion, fitness, travel, tech- N0!24$ !$1 needs to be much more accepting of the my children that they have a father who      nology or personal changing roles and desires of women does indulge in make-up to enhance ! "  < space, men have more .4B9 too. They need to be ‘clean’ enough to looks. So that they can brag about it  - often than not taken a  1 7!24. talk about society as whole. Hence, we rather than hide it. I think it is a great Wlead and in the bargain evolved mani- shortlisted men from every field like thing. For me, a ‘man of substance’ fold. Or so believes Karan Bhardwaj, co- $2.4 4:9 fashion, technology, hospitality, fitness means the one who is unique and solid, O founder of the India Men Show. 24!$ $9 and more, who aren’t controversial or learns through his life and teaches  $ He pointed out that despite that haven’t been charged of any accusations back.” He added that in an age of social >?$ @;$ there hasn’t been a portal or space which $.!!.14 under the #MeToo campaign and media, good looks matter a lot. talks about how men’s lifestyle and per- 024.O$ respect humanity and feminism. Of “Instagram is the proof. There, you $ $) ; sonality has evolved over the years. The course, they have contributed to the would realise people who feature in top A&  show was conceptualised keeping this 4.$4B! 4 society in a great way.” trends are actually the ones who take &  $ 9 aspect about technology, food, travel, 2B.O$. Present at a panel discussion, talk- care of their looks. So in today’s time, +    way of living, fashion, luxury, fitness, ing about the changing trends in men’s it gives you instant attention,” said entertainment and lifestyle in mind. 2:14.9 lifestyle in India, FDCI president Sunil Rajiv. 8 Karan said, “It was to provide some Sethi said that a man shouldn’t try to be Karan added that not just looks or $) P 7 direction to the lifestyle industry and 5!$4.! just successful, rather be of value, quot- personal achievements, “it’s about  9?   ) ' give them a new subject to work on. The 5.1$2U$44 ing Albert Einstein. “If you are a man today’s men, who are aware of their ) ';    show not just looked at how their per- :.-$29 of value and ethics, you’re a man of sub- actions and are making informed choic-  8    sonal choices have changed with time, stance,” he said, adding that “Achievers es towards the society and their evolu- but also defined the ‘man of substance,’ 2B4.$5$1 are not necessarily defined by clothes.” tion. It’s indeed a brilliant shift and the ) & ;   who has evolved by accepting the cur- Talking about how the fashion show celebrated just that. They are not '(      rent scenario and change in the society.” $4$2!4$9. sense in men has evolved, Sethi said that just investing smartly but also creating $79+  ( $   With so many campaigns against :$09O men haven’t been adventurous in the opportunities through multiple start- '$7   )  the harassment and injustice towards past. However, today, they don’t just ups.” )  !$ 7(  &) $   &   9 $

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   "     B.$75 panish classic Don Quixote, which opioid crisis, cyber-spies and the end of    "(       ''  remains the most-translated book the world.  ((O   #$  Sin the world after the Bible, has Calling the book a perfect follow- inspired a new novel by Man Booker on to the success of Rushdie’s 2017   A&'>7%   O   Prize-winning author Salman Rushdie, novel The Golden House, the publish-   < publisher Penguin Random House er’s Senior Commissioning Editor     - fter her victory at the Filmfare India announced. Manasi Subramaniam said that the L0     % and Zee Cine Awards this year for The publisher in a statement author remains the master fabulist.  % Aher notable performance as a spy announced acquisition of the novel “In Quichotte, this rich epic of the in Meghna Gulzar’s directorial Raazi, Quichotte which is expected to hit immigrant experience in modern 7 7---4% Alia Bhatt walked away with the Best Indian stands in August. America, we are delighted to see that #$  Actress Award at the Critics’ Choice Inspired by the classic by the six- Rushdie is back — with his signature  M   - Film Awards ceremony here. teenth century writer Miguel de dazzling prose — to tell the tale of the  Alia, who opted for a denim jump- Cervantes, Rushdie’s Quichotte is the here and now within the realm that all 7    suit for the gala, took to Instagram to story of “an ageing travelling salesman that could’ve been,” she said. share her look for the ceremony that who falls in love with a TV star and sets The book will be published under  "      took place on Sunday. off to drive across America on a quest tragicomic tale is one of a deranged time Penguin’s imprint Hamish Hamilton,       Surekha Sikri, 74, was felicitated to prove himself worthy of her hand”. and deals, along the way, with father-son which has many distinguished titles in  7  ! < with Best Supporting Actress Award for The publisher said that the title’s relationships, sibling quarrels, racism, the literary fiction. L-     L0   her portrayal of a nagging grandmoth- #$    "  - er in Badhaai Ho. While receiving the award, she got a standing ovation from      ,>,>TM the audience. Due to health reasons, she  ) E       B attended the event in a wheel chair. The B !  ''      !%     % presenters got off the stage to hand over  )  E  <$  !H% D$!E the trophy to Surekha, who adorned a     #& green sari.    ) E oya Akhtar’s Gully Boy On the other hand, Zoya Bollywood’s first stuntwoman !      brought the growing Akhtar too reacted to the Reshma Pathan was honoured with the hip-hop culture in success of her last director-  &((  !)  E Z Extraordinary Achievement Award. !% !   ,- India to the fore. While ial Gully Boy by saying that )7; $ 7$ Reshma is popularly known as the Ranveer Singh received while making a film, a film- Sholay girl as she had played   !E glowing praise for his por- maker shouldn't look at the )8 $ $  Hema Malini’s body-double ,    $ trayal of Murad, a slum boy end result and should enjoy        in the cult film.  ' ,$'E who uses rap as an outlet for the process of filmmaking. In the Best Actor (Male) $$  $  his frustration, his mentor Zoya started 2019 on a       category, Vineet Kumar MC Sher played by Siddhant positive note as both her     "        ' 3$$$$'E bagged the golden trophy   . Chaturvedi came in for film and digital project    - for his role in praise for his rapping skills. Made in Heaven received a Mukkabaaz. Sriram  ' 4&#$ $ E Siddhant’s fan-base has good response from the $    "                Raghavan received the grown substantially since audience. Best Director Award  $  $  the release of the film. And Talking about her forth-       for his thriller ) ' $ E now, according to a daily, coming projects, Zoya said, 1       - Andhadhun, which   producer Ritesh Sidhwani “It's been a good start. We $  % " featured actors and Zoya are planning a are working on Made in "   Ayushmann spin-off focused on MC Heaven season 2. We are      Khurrana, Tabu and your love flow,” he added. Sher. also working on another Radhika Apte. Music composer Amit “The film is entirely show. We are working on   %  After the win, Trivedi also bagged the based on Siddhant’s charac- two feature films with two   << Vineet took to trophy for Best Song for ter and traces MC Sher’s other directors and we are 1  "   Instagram to thank fans Halla from Manmarziyaan journey to becoming a hero. working on Reema's (Kagti)   and the entire team of that starred Taapsee Pannu, This will also give the mak- and my next film. It's  - Mukkabaaz. Vicky Kaushal and Abhishek ers a chance to delve deep- action-packed writing hap- “This award means Bachchan. er into hip-hop culture and pening right now." 0 . so much to me and The gala was hosted by you can expect many engag- Talking about the suc-   NL2 everyone who has actress Neha Dhupia but it ing rap battles,” says a cess of Gully Boy, which     % worked hard for was superstar Shah Rukh source. featured Ranveer Singh and  % T   Mukkabaaz. Thank you Khan who turned out as the Gully Boy was inspired Alia Bhatt in lead roles,  -M so much Anurag surprise guest of the evening by Naezy, aka Naved Sheikh, Zoya said, “It feels good Kashyap (sir), Aanand and entertained the attendees who shot to fame with the when it does well at the box   < L Rai (sir), my co- with his humour and wit. song Aafat. office and when you have      actors, all the boxers, In the videos from the On a show, Siddhant certain amount of critical L2    my coaches and the extravaganza that have sur- also opened up about his appreciation. I feel you have %   % -M entire team of faced online, SRK is seen first meeting with Zoya. “It to do something that you Mukkabaaz,” h e speaking about the craft of cin- was at a party. I was danc- believe in and you have to 4    wrote. ema. ing to a Govinda song, do it as honestly and truth-      “A n d l a s t b u t Celebrities like Zoya Tujhko Mirchi Lagi Toh to her and danced with her. Gully Boy, which also fully as you can and then, % #' not least, all my Akhtar, Jackie Shroff, Aditi Main Kya Karoon. I was She was like, 'Hey, who are starred Alia Bhatt, crossed whatever happens, happens  '   " friends and fans Rao Hydari, Rasika Dugal full-on and she saw me. you?' And I said I was an over 100 crore at the box for the best. You can't look !  - who have been and Richa Chadha were also Then the DJ played Gallan actor on Inside Edge. She office in India and received at the end result. You have pouring their present. Goodiyaan from Dil asked me to come and audi- glowing reviews from both to just enjoy the process.” love on me... Let L- Dhadakne Do and I went up tion for Gully Boy,” he said. critics and the audience. LH     # - $)   -6*    !"#!$%& 6. DD7- -*

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ucked away in Hauz meditation that form in our inner Khas village, Art meditative moments. Konsult has a series of Spiral and swirl forms appear abstract works by veter- often — a potent symbol that an artist Shridhar Iyer Shridhar has been using again thatT is a lesson in the leanings and and again to suggest individual learnings of the abstract journey personal spiritual growth, progress, that unravels through time and and evolution that resides within tide. Over the years, Shridhar has and without. projected himself as a pilgrim in We can think of many things. search of the intangible. A silent Of the importance of the individ- vibration of a mantra emanates ual as a being held by the spirit of from his countenance and you godliness within — held by use think of discipline, simplicity and threads of conviction in an invis- devout absorption that transcend ible realm of existence. the frontiers of experience to give These works remind of the nir- us a moving moment. gun poetry of Kabir the mystic. His profile photographs on Among the various collections Facebook clearly unravel a quest of Kabir’s poems, Bijak is consid- for something that is not merely ered the most authoritative by the temporary but something that is at once dulcet, distinct and deeply members of Kabir Panth. The ephemeral and indeed incandes- gravitas filled. These works, in an word, Bijak means a document by cent in its deeply tenured terrain. ordered progression, illustrate the which a hidden treasure can be His paintings are Pollockian can- birth of an inner world that is at located. The compiler of the col- vasses that are indeed not spectac- .11. once elusive as well as elegant in lection probably chose this word as ularly beautiful but they are in- the many meanderings that it a title for verses which were con- depth conversations about the !4. explores in terms of dimensions. sidered to reveal the hidden trea- spiritual leanings that are specifi- Shridhar explores the dichotomies sures of religious knowledge. cally cited within the compart- 4245! 5 — heaven and earth, male and Ultimately, the abstractionist is ments of his interior journey. .99 40 female, positive and negative — one who conveys the spiritual that structure our existence. He, in world through his own paintings,  !"# $"%! .14!!:. a subtle and silent way, also unveils and when these paintings are What meets the eye are lush-laced like curvilinear spirits that con- know immediately that Shridhar is and organically growing together. the symbolic lexicon of the showcased in a space, it speaks like floating tendrils, which float verge in flashing swirls, trans- an artist who delves and delineates Before he takes them out of ten- !212!5$ 9 mantras that we use when we a temple that echoes the many toward and over each other but forming again into streams of his own intuitive journey. sion, they are aligned to certain 5.B !$2 chant Sanskrit prayers and this is mantras and prayers held within always in a swirl of grace, rising energy that rush through a colour- Here are a series of embedded gravitational forces that are unseen what he has continued to develop the folds of the works. This show and falling through fields as if ful, charismatic world at once thoughts that are made of narrow but hold them together in a lock in !94  S4. throughout his career as an is a must for students of the world swirling down against an inky ordered yet uncannily infinite. strips of fragile and pliant strokes embrace that tingles in its minimal abstractionist. You can sense the of art in the capital city because it plane of deeper densities. The ele- that lay stretched in quadruple lay- moorings. 4$2.$! realms and the rhythmic resonance speaks at different levels about the gant tangerine and saffron shades  " $"%$" &'"$( ers of warps and wefts on the dif- $2$05!02. that grows and flows. You can see why and wherefore of abstraction create stunning contrasting islands Shridhar has over the years med- ferent layers of colour that appear %$$% )#$ !" the ever-shifting primordial in a world that has been celebrat- of tonality, even as the looped lines itated upon his own poetically and disappear, bringing up the Whether you look at the colour 02.$ vignettes of experience that evolve ing stray design and strokes of meet at the stark dividing lines that transcendent journeys character- lower levels to the top, sending it tones or the looped linearities or in these works — rendered in colour for abstraction when in separate different realms. ising an inner spirit inspired by his back down the brims of the can- the tiny textural nuances, you !.!7$9! crimson, amorphous blue, canary reality, it belongs to the pedigree In the subsequent paintings, own interactions on an inward vas, bringing it up again in a dif- think of an ordered progression in yellow, and moss green. We can of experience and exploration over that continue this motif, the swirls journey of a higher plane. You can ferent way so that it looks like the which the inner being celebrates think of the unity of colour tones the years instead of the overnight shapeshift. They become ethereal, look at these abstractions and fiber lines are meshing, tangling, primeval, primordial chaos that is as much as we think of zones of bubble.

or Odisha’s woman sculptor Nivedita Mishra, carving is noth- Fing short of a meditative process. She is dedicated to carving and it con- *15(4!:41 nects her not just with the density and intensity of the granite blocks that she works upon but also the physicality and materiality of the smaller elements. Carving as sculptural practice has a "  & #$%(" & % deep, ancient, global history and this connection between a vision for mod-   6 : #  &%&  ern sculpture and methods of making has been employed for centuries, mil- %# %:      lennia even, across the globe and that makes her work appeal deeply to the are the finest in finesse and fervour. common man. In yet another pair, You and Me, we espie the grace of the cylindrical Inner spirit column that begins with the magic of “My connection with stone the stone. We can imagine how she involves spirituality and reverence for fills her studio with about many life- the spirit that dwells within,” says times worth of stones still waiting to  "   Nivedita as she puts together her series be carved. It’s the potential of each Odyssey at the Lalit Kala Akademi in piece that brings her great joy. Every a small cameo and goes on to add, “ carving block is filled with a silent     Stone is about people and their jour- beauty calling for attention; every stone neys. It has been on this earth much an invitation for creative expression longer than man and for this reason that echoes the infinitude of man and egendary Bengali folk ing concerts in Tokyo, it becomes our teacher. As a sculptor, woman as individuals, consorts, singer Amar Paul died at Bangladesh and the United I visualise what the stone wants to friends walking their own paths some- La state-run hospital on States in the course of a profes- become and I strive to help it bloom. times crossing sometimes melding. Saturday following a celebral sional career exceeding 50 The granite blocks I use speak to me hemorrhage. Paul, 96, a wid- years. by their textures and grains. I look at Moulding triangular bases ower, breathed his last around Numerous songs sung by the characteristics of the granite and In the cluster of stones with trian- 5.30 pm at the SSKM Hospital. Paul were issued in the form of then start carving.” gular bases we see the earthiness and Born on May 19, 1922 at gramophone records, audio- the balance of vision and vitality. “I’ve Brahmanberia in undivided cassettes and CDs. He also Articulating an emotion always been inspired by the capacity Bengal in an area now in published books on folk music But when you look at her polished of a block of stone,” says Nivedita and Bangladesh, Paul took his first such as Banglar Loksangeet cylindrical series, you know that carv- adds, “I can create one-of-a-kind lessons in folk music from his and Banglaar Nadir Gaan. ing is not simply a method of making groups or single works and I like to mother Durgasundari Debi, A much feted man, he sculpture for her; it is an articulation create my own language when my and later learnt Hindusthani received the Sangeet Natak of a particular vision of the sculptor’s hands touch each sculpture and work classical music from Ustad Akademi Award for his contri- craft: it is also inextricably bound up it from start to finish.” Ayet Ali Khan. After shifting bution to folk music of West with the articulation of an ‘aesthetic Most sculptors in history, created base to Kolkata, he joined All Bengal. He was honoured by creed’ for what she sees as a physical a maquette of a composition in a mal- India Radio as a grade artist the West Bengal State process of carving through simplici- Stones that speak leable material, made any adjust- and began lending his voice to Academy of Dance, Music and ty. Her large work symbolise a cave Her smaller clusters of work       ; ments desired, then either copied it in films. Visual Arts, the Rabindra with apertures that capture the sensa- appear as if the earth has created itself stone themselves or had it done by a His rendition of the song Bharati University, the tions of carving temple portals with into a cathedral of beautiful treasure $ ) craftsperson. Many sculptors in histo- Kotoi Ranga dekhi duniai in Paachim Banga Sangeet chisels, hammers and mallets from stones in uncountable shapes and tex- )7  !  ry who have been credited with carv- Satyajit Ray’s Hirak Rajar Academy. He was also a recip- hard, as well as resistant material. tures, each one stamped with its own  $ $  ing their stone works have never even Deshe brought him instant ient of the Lalan Puraskar for There is a fascination and critical atten- rich familial and cultural history. No picked up a chisel. The final stone ver- fame. His songs in films direct- folk music conferred by the tion to the processes and concept of wonder so many of us pick up stones '    sion of their creations was carved by ed by the likes of Debaki state government. ‘direct carving’. that speak to us and carry them &   '9  a craftsperson, while the artist direct- Kumar Bose and Rituparno Condoling Paul’s death, “I find strength, faith, and dig- home, placing them in special niches $8 &  # &  ed like a symphony conductor. But Ghosh touched the hearts of chief minister Mamata nity through my heritage, yet I and treating them as our own person- here we see a direct reckoning of ele- the music lovers. The foremost Banerjee said it was an also find these same things in al discoveries. Each offers a puzzling '$  $   ments and journeys in the run of time. urban exponent of the Bengali irreparable loss to Bengali folk other cultures — I derive inspira- mystery to explore; each tweaks our ,   ($7 Nivedita’s series is about the odyssey folk song today, Paul has per- music, and recalled his popu- tion and motivation from them as imagination, stimulates our curiosity    ( '; of man that Lord Tennyson speaks of formed extensively all over lar songs like Probhato Somoye well,” says Nivedita as she runs her and raises interesting questions. In the in his poem, The Brook: ‘For men may the state and attended semi- Sachir Angina Majhe and Rai hands over her own carving of a series that echo treasures and boxes   come and men may go/ But I go on nars and workshops on folk Jago Rai Jago. triangular, templed cave. and cavities, the set of four with lids forever.’ music worldwide, while hold- L- ?,+,

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 142

nheralded Gomathi Marimuthu gave India its Ufirst Gold medal in the women's 800m race as the coun- try added four medals on the sec- ond day of the Asian Athletics Championships here on Monday. The 30-year-old Gomathi clocked a personal best time of 2 minute 02.70 seconds in the half mile event to win a surprise Gold for India. Shivpal Singh then added a Silver in men's javelin throw by sending the spear to a distance of 86.23m, his personal best. In the process, the 23-year-old Shivpal also booked a berth for the World Championships to be held at the same venue in September-October as he crossed the qualifying mark of 83m. Jabir Madari Palliyalil and Saritaben Gayakwad bagged a Bronze each in men's and women's 400m hurdles respec- 57.22 seconds to finish third in October. The World winning her semifinal race on tively to swell the Indian medal women's 400m hurdles, behind Championships qualifying mark Monday. She is, however, yet to tally. Vietnam's Quach The Lan is 49.30 seconds. touch the World Championships With the four medals on (56.10) and Bahrain's Aminat Dharun, who set a new qualification mark of 11.24. Monday, India's medal tally Yusuf Jamal (56.39). national record of 48.80 during However in the men's 400m, stood at 1 Gold, 3 Silver and 5 His male counterpart Jabir the Federation Cup last month, India suffered setbacks as Bronze. India had won 2 Silver then added a Bronze by running missed this Asian defending champion and 3 Bronze on the first day on the third fastest men's 400m hur- Championships due to injury. Muhammed Anas and last edi- Sunday. dles by an Indian as he clocked Pre-race favourite tion silver winner Arokia Rajiv Sprinter Dutee Chand also a personal best of 49.13 seconds. Abderrehman Samba of Qatar failed to win a medal. shared some of the limelight as In the process, the 22-year- won Gold with a world leading Rajiv finished fourth with a she smashed her own national old Jabir joined national record time of 47.51 seconds. personal best time of 45.37 sec- record in 100m dash for the sec- holder Dharun Ayyasamy as In the women's 100m dash, onds while Anas, who has been ond time in two days. the second Indian to qualify for Dutee bettered her own nation- struggling after a leg injury in an The first Indian medal of the the World Championships 400m al record of 11.28 seconds set on accident last year, ended at second day came from 24-year- hurdles event to be held at the Sunday during the heats by eighth with a time of 46.10 sec- old Gayakwad who clocked same venue in September- clocking 11.26 seconds while onds. 7       +  %  & 

  .01 2 Sonia too fetched a similarly close vic- tory over Korea's Jo Son Hwa. avinder Singh Bisht (56kg) upstaged Also making the semis was national Kreigning world champion Kairat champion Deepak Singh (49kg), who did Yeraliyev, while Amit Panghal (52kg) not have to step inside the ring to fight for edged past familiar foe and Olympic the spot after Afghanistan's Ramish champion Hasanboy Dusmatov, assuring Rahmani gave him a walkover owing to themselves of medals at the Asian Boxing injury. Championships in Bangkok on Monday. However, world championship In the women's draw, world Silver- Bronze-medallist Lovlina Borgohain medallist Sonia Chahal (57kg) advanced (69kg) bowed out of contention after a to the last-four stage at the continental quarterfinal loss to reigning world cham- showpiece. pion Chen Nien-Chin of Taiwan. Bisht clinched a split verdict over In another women's bout, Seema Yeraliyev, who hails from Kazakhstan, in Poonia (+81kg) lost to China's Yang a high-intensity contest to assure himself Xiaoli 5-0, ending another disappointing of a maiden Asian championship medal. international outing for her. Poonia had got Panghal, who claimed a Bronze in the just a few months ago. a bye into the quarters. 2015 edition of the event, also secured a Before that, the two boxers had also In the last Indian bout of the day, Rohit hard-fought 3-2 triumph over Dusmatov, clashed in the world championship quar- Tokas (64kg) fought hard but could not the former world champion Uzbek he ters where Dusmatov had emerged tri- avert a 2-3 loss to Mongolia's Chinzorig defeated to claim the Asian Games Gold umphant. Baatarsukh in the quarterfinals. 5%"       %

  ! home a consolation for the away side, who remain in trou- eymar joined the Paris ble in 16th place and are only NSaint-Germain title party four points away from the rel- on Sunday when he made his egation play-off spot. first appearance since January On Sunday afternoon Lille as Kylian Mbappe swept aside ended their challenge with a    %    Monaco with a hat-trick in a 3- goalless draw at Toulouse that 1 win for the newly-crowned left them 16 points behind PSG Ligue 1 champions. with only five games to play     % Mbappe took his league and allowed capital club to cel- tally for the season to 30 fol- ebrate the title after missing   ! semi-final. lowing his treble, which came chances to seal it in their pre- Veteran Pauline Parmentier just hours after Paris Saint vious matches. rance set up a Fed Cup final then beat a hobbling Irina- Germain were crowned cham- The Parisians have strug- Fagainst Australia on Sunday Camelia Begu 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 to pions for the sixth time in gled with key injuries in recent when Caroline Garcia and pull France level. seven years when closest chal- weeks and they lost Italian Kristina Mladenovic, who once In a tense deciding rubber, lengers Lille dropped points. international midfielder Marco were barely on speaking terms, Halep, whose doubles ranking Neymar's return at the Verratti with what looks like a teamed-up to crown a 3-2 vic- is in the 400s, committed a dou- start of the second half replac- knock to his left ankle. tory over Romania. ble fault to concede the break in ing Layvin Kurzawa is the PSG took the field wearing Former Roland Garros the ninth game of the final set cherry on the cake for Thomas a shirt with a large image of doubles champions Garcia and before Garcia held her nerve to Tuchel's side, who had been Notre Dame replacing the Mladenovic beat Simona Halep serve out the victory. without the Brazilian superstar usual sponsor's logo."Notre- and Monica Niculescu 5-7, 6-3, "We prepared ourselves as since January 23 with a right Dame" replaced the player 6-4 to secure the winning point best as we could, we had a good foot injury. names on the back of the and a final date against Australia training session at the beginning Edinson Cavani also shirts. The iconic Paris cathe- in November. of the week, and we were ready, returned to action as a second dral was damaged in a spectac- Victory was a diplomatic maybe at the beginning we half substitute, having a late ular blaze last Monday. coup for France coach Julien made some mistakes," said strike correctly ruled out for The club said that they Benneteau who teamed up Garcia. offside, meaning that PSG's would put a limited edition of Garcia and Mladenovic for the "We really made the effort famed front three are back the shirts on sale on line dur- first time in Fed Cup since 2016 from start to finish together, it together following months ing the match for 100 euros after which the pair had a bit- was intense on the court from apart. each. The club said the money ter falling out which led to a self- the first point of the weekend to Mbappe has thrived in the "will be donated to associations imposed Fed Cup exile for the last. But it was a great absence of his strike partners, related to firefighters". Garcia, her country's top play- weekend and we can really be and gave his side a 2-0 first-half The club also posted a er. proud." lead with two neat finishes, the "Hommage to Notre Dame" "Every match was incredi- France, who won the last of first coming in the 15th minute video on their web site in ble," said Benneteau. "I am so their two titles in 2003, will trav- and the second seven minutes which players praised the proud of them. It was always my el to Australia for the final. before the break after a beau- team-work of the Paris fire intention to put them together Six-time champions tiful pass from Dani Alves. brigade and made a gesture — and it was not hard to do." Australia, whose most recent The World Cup winner that imitates the two famous Earlier on Sunday, French title was in 1974, reached a first then put the three points towers that form part of the Open champion Halep won final in 26 years by seeing off beyond doubt when he tapped cathedral's facade. her second singles of the week- Belarus 3-2 in Brisbane in a tie in Alves' low cross nine min- The club said it was also end, seeing off Garcia 6-7 (6/8), also settled by a three-set decid- utes after the break. using Sunday's game to thank 6-3, 6-4 for a 2-1 lead in the ing doubles rubber. Aleksandr Golovin rolled the firefighters. ;<

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lending panache with power, Ajinkya Rahane Broared back to form with (  (* a scintillating century and pro- pelled Rajasthan Royals to 191 for six against Delhi Daredevils '% " in the Indian Premier League here on Monday. Rahane remained not out  .01 2 he added. on 105 off 63 balls, decorating The three stands make up his knock with three sixes and 11 he Indian Premier League for more than 12,000 tickets fours, while Steve Smith con- Tfinal scheduled on May 12 and BCCI would have lost out tributed 50 off 32 deliveries. was on Monday shifted from on a few crores of gate money. Asked to bat after Shreyas Chennai to Hyderabad after The stands have remained Iyer called correctly at the toss, the Tamil Nadu Cricket closed since 2012 save one Rahane spearheaded Rajasthan Association (TNCA) failed to international match between Royals' innings after getting a life get requisite permission from India and Pakistan when an on 16, the culprit being Ishant the government to open the exception was made. Sharma, who dropped a sitter at three closed stands. Asked if all the knock-out sort fine-leg. The drop hurt the While the Chennai Super matches' ticket sales are BCCI's visitors, but Delhi did well to Kings still have a chance to play prerogative, why was Qualifier prevent RR from going past 200. Qualifier 1 at home if they fin- 1 allotted to Chennai, Rai rea- Entering the game with over ish among the top two teams in soned: "CSK, by virtue of being 650 runs against Delhi in the the league but the Eliminator defending champions, were league, Rahane chose his (May 8) and Qualifier 2 (May allotted the Qualifier 1 and favourite opponents to find 10) has been shifted to final. Now if they finish in top form, and when he walked back Visakhapatnam. two, you cannot take away all to the dressing room, he had "We had to shift the match- the games. They deserve to get over 750 to his name. Seeing the flight early, brated it with fist pumps. A flur- match against Mumbai Indians, es from Chennai to Hyderabad at least one of the knock-out To start with, Rahane drove Rahane danced down the crowd ry of boundaries followed as struck medium pacer Sherfane after TNCA intimated us that games." Ishant through a crowded off- to hoist's Axar ball over him and Rahane galloped along to bring Rutherford for three consecutive they have not procured the req- Hyderabad only got the side field for a boundary, a shot into the sightscreen. up his second IPL hundred, the boundaries to score his second uisite permission to open the final and not the Eliminator or that had his characteristic ele- Unfazed by the sight of first coming seven years ago. successive half century of the three stands I, J and K," Qualifier because of the gener- gance written all over it. pacer Kagiso Rabada steaming He raised his bat to season. Committee of Administrators al elections in the Cyber city on Stripped of captaincy last in, he smoked the South acknowledge the applause from And even as Smith and Ben (CoA) chief Vinod Rai said on May 6, 8 and 10. week following a string of poor African's short of a length deliv- the crowd and his dugout that Stokes gout out in quick succes- Monday. The first three-team mini results, the 30-year-old went ery down the ground for anoth- was as relieved as the batsman sion, Rahane was going strong, "Since the gate sales of the women's IPL will be held from into attack mode and smashed er maximum. himself. swiftly hitting Morris for a knock-out matches is BCCI's May 6-10 in Jaipur with a new Axar Patel for a six and a four at He reached his fifty by dis- Meanwhile, Smith, who boundary over mid-off. At the prerogative, we had to take a team Velocity being added to the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, patching Chris Morris over the replaced Rahane as captain other end, Ashton Turner fell for call. We would be having two the existing Trailblazers and which had a dash of pink. mid-wicket for a four and cele- hours before the start of their last a third golden duck. knock-out matches in Vizag," Supernovas. 6  &  &  O6   %    ( " (&$ H+ '  P 8: 6 33  2911   .01 2 3  7;3  avid Warner and Jonny Bairstow have umbai Indians have released all Dbeen primarily guiding Sunrisers Mthe players for four days to Hyderabad to victories in the ongoing IPL and Live on Star Sports 1& 2 HEAD ensure that they relax, spend time captain Kane Williamson says the departure TO with their families and return strong of the two openers will be a huge loss to the HEAD for the business end of the tourna- side.  ++ ment. With the 2019 World Cup With the 5 4 * starting just after the 12th edition of ODI World Cup 6.-- the IPL, India skipper Virat Kohli scheduled to $5!19  ?N>> + had time and again spoken about the start on May 30, need for players to be smart and the two prolific manage their workload well to stay batsmen will be  2.. fresh for the showpiece event. leaving the IPL -    The only team in the competi- mid-way owing he wretched form of tion apart from Chennai to have to national duty. TChennai Super Kings' top three Indian players who will be "Without a three will be primary worry &     headed to the World Cup — Rohit doubt Warner for Mahendra Singh Dhoni as Sharma, Hardik Pandya and Jasprit and Bairstow Chennai Super Kings aims to Bumrah — the MI franchise made will be big loss- arrest the mini-slide when  %5    the move keeping in mind the inter- es, they are they take on Sunrisers est of the players and the need to world class play- Hyderabad in an Indian  .: 55 keep them fresh not just for the sec- ers. We knew at Premier League encounter at ond half of the IPL, but also for the the start of the Chepauk on Tuesday.  &        #  6 % 7  34      arthiv Patel, the man whose direct World Cup. tournament that we will lose them at the back If CSK's problem is the Phit gave Royal Challengers As per the sources, the manage- end of the tournament and new guys will come non-performance of the top- effort to pull off another finish more matches," Dhoni Bangalore an improbable one-run ment decided to release the players in then," Williamson said. order, Sunrisers Hyderabad's miraculous chase has been the said after CSK's one-run loss win over Chennai Super Kings, said after their game against Rajasthan Warner and Bairstow are currently sitting issues are that there are no talking point, it is difficult not to RCB. he was left quite surprised when Royals on April 20 and the players at the first and second spots respectively in the performers in the middle- to shed light on the poor Back at its den after a Mahendra Singh Dhoni missed hitting will reunite in Chennai on April 25 leading run-scorers' list in the IPL, and their order with bulk of the runs show of CSK's top three which schedule of away games, the last ball of the cliffhanger. before the game against CSK. We have the likes of Quinton de formidable partnership at the top of the order being scored by openers is putting the skipper under Dhoni's men will be slight Patel wasn't expecting a maraud- "Players are the priority and the Kock, Lasith Malinga and other has been the biggest reason behind Sunrisers' David Warner (517 runs) and unimaginable pressure. favourites as it will be ing Dhoni to miss Umesh Yadav's only instruction to the boys was that players as well who will be playing five wins this season so far. Jonny Bairstow (445 runs). Last season's hero Shane Bairstow's last game for the slower delivery before his direct throw whatever you do, don't get anywhere the World Cup. The idea is to man- Warner, the top-scorer this season with A win will almost ensure Watson (147 runs), Ambati last year's runners-up as he sealed it for the home team on Sunday. near a bat or ball. They should age their workload in such a man- 517 runs at an average of 73.85 and a stagger- a play-off berth for the Rayudu (192) and Suresh heads back to England for Dhoni scored 24 off the first five unwind, relax, switch off and focus ner that they can give it their best ing strike rate of 148.56 from nine games defending champions, who Raina (207) haven't lived up to World Cup preparations. balls of the final over before missing on enjoying the four-day break," the when they play in the showpiece including six half-centuries and a ton, will lost back-to-back away match- expectations. The pressure The Chepauk pitch has the last ball. A scramble for one run source said. event. While the foreign players depart for Australia by the end of April. es against Sunrisers has been entirely on Dhoni, been sluggish in the games ended in Parthiv's direct throw leav- Asked if the move was aimed at have mostly gone to Chennai direct- Bairstow, who is at second position with Hyderabad and Royal who leads the charts with played so far and coach ing Shardul Thakur short of his keeping the Indian boys fresh for the ly and are enjoying there with their 445 runs, including a century, from the same Challengers Bangalore respec- 314 runs and the batting unit Stephen Fleming attributed it crease. World Cup, the source said: "Not just families, the Indian players have number of matches at a strike rate of 158.36, tively. needs to step up. to being one of the reasons for "We honestly wanted him (Dhoni) the likes of Rohit, Bumrah or Hardik. headed home." will leave for England after Tuesday's match. While Dhoni's Herculean "The top three needs to top-order's poor show. to hit through the off-side on the shorter side of the ground. If he had hit it on the leg-side, there were two runs because I don't think the way he !" .    /  3 4 7   runs, there was any chance of stopping those two," an elated Patel said at the post-match press conference.   4.14. "we have, we will", citing the 7 .  "So we wanted (Umesh) to bowl team's previous glories. slower and outside the off-stump and akistan captain Sarfaraz Along with the Champions surprisingly he missed it. I wasn't PAhmed said on Monday that Trophy two years ago, Pakistan  75 expecting him to miss it but surpris- being underdogs in next month's won the 1992 World Cup and the ingly he missed it," he said. World Cup eases the pressure on 2009 World Twenty20. acer Hamid Hassan Patel said if Dhoni is around then his young team, who leave for the "I think these are exciting Pand former captain 70 to 80 runs in the last five overs is tournament this week. times for Pakistan cricket and for Asghar Afghan were on always gettable at the Chinnaswamy. Pakistan will play three warm- the team," said Mickey Arthur, Monday named in "Playing in Bangalore or Mumbai, up matches before taking on joint- who took over as head coach in Afghanistan's 15-strong you know that 70 runs in the last five hosts England in a five-match one- May 2016. World Cup squad head- overs is gettable. You need at least day series and a Twenty20. "We leave on a journey for lined by IPL stars Rashid have 80-90 runs to get in last five The 1992 World Cup winners which we have worked really Khan and Mohammad overs to defend. So, we wanted to start their campaign against the hard," he said, adding that they Nabi. squeeze him. West Indies in Nottingham on have "a good team, both in talent Gulbadin Naib will "We wanted to bowl as many dot May 31. and attitude". lead the side which also balls to him as possible, and put pres- Sarfraz he would prefer his "The initial thing is to quali- features Mohammad sure on other batsmen because every- side to go into the tournament fy for the last four and take it from Shahzad and spinner body knows how MS is. He wanted under the radar. there, so I think we have the poten- Mujeeb ur Rahman. credit. which starts May 30 in the game to go down to last three-four "Look, when we go as the squad before the competition. who have won all six of their pre- tial to certainly go all the way but Afghan was removed as "We selected the best the United Kingdom. overs and he almost won the game," favourites, then it's a problem, but The high-voltage clash vious World Cup clashes. before that we have to play very captain in all formats squad considering factors "The mission is to said Patel. if we go as underdogs then other between arch-rivals Pakistan and But Pakistan took the well," South African Arthur added. earlier this year. such as experience, fit- play inspirational cricket The wicketkeeper-batsman scored teams feel the danger, so I think India scheduled for Manchester on Champions Trophy against India Pakistan have named two Hassan has been ness, team balance, cur- in the tournament; I his second half-century of the season being underdogs is good for us and June 16 promises to be one of the in 2017 with a stunning 180-run extra players in their squad for the recalled after nearly a rent form & know there are strong and said that coach Gary Kirsten's eases the pressure," Sarfraz told a most tense of the tournament. victory in the final. five-match one-day series against three-year hiatus. conditions,"chief selec- teams but we will do our advice of choosing the correct bowlers press conference in Lahore before But Sarfraz played down the "We have beaten India in a England, with paceman However, his fitness tor, Dawlat Khan level best to achieve our was key to his success. they depart for England on hype, saying all games are impor- bigger event recently so we will Mohammad Amir and batsman remains under scrutiny Ahmadzai said in a state- goals," he said. "Before the game started, I was Tuesday. tant. have that advantage," said Sarfraz. Asif Ali in addition to the 15 for after he had been laid low ment. Ikram Alikhil, Karim talking to Gary and he said 'you don't Sarfraz, 31, was among five "For us all nine matches are the World Cup. by a thigh injury. The 31- Ahmadzai said the Janat and Sayed Shirzad have worry of anything you need to key players rested for the white- important so we will take every O8$/8800I But they have until May 23 to year-old has represented side will aim to play were named the three choose your bowlers' and that is wash ODI series defeat by match as a match against India," He said the theme of finalise their squad for the tourna- Afghanistan in 32 ODIs inspirational cricket dur- designated reserves by exactly what I did," said Patel. Australia last month to freshen up he said of Pakistan's bitter rivals — Pakistan's World Cup mission is ment. with 56 wickets to his ing the tournament the committee.