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FITNESS FREAK APOLOGIES FROM WISTRON MILLIONS ENTER LOCKDOWN Actor Shama Sikander has taken to Nearly a week after violence erupted at Wistron’s A surge in the infection rate caused by a new variant pole dancing during her vacation Karnataka factory, the firm apologised and of nCoV has led to millions entering stringent lockdown in the UK in Dubai to stay fit LEISURE | P2 removed its top executive TWO STATES | P7 INTERNATIONAL | P10

VOLUME 10, ISSUE 259 | www.orissapost.com BHUBANESWAR | MONDAY, DECEMBER 21 | 2020 12 PAGES | `4.00

IRREGULAR by MANJUL MARITAL DISPUTE BJD-BJP ‘understanding’ ends Police register case FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS, BJP LEADERS against Anubhav RAISED THEIR VOICE AGAINST THE CENTRE’S NEGLECT TOWARDS THE STATE

POST NEWS NETWORK

Cuttack, Dec 20: The Purighat police Sunday registered a case against Odia film actor and MP Anubhav Mohanty and two of his aides on a fresh complaint filed by Mohanty’s actress wife Varsha Priyadarshini. Nepal Parliament dissolved, I love our PM. The police also quizzed Mohanty and his two He has got a wonderful aides in connection with the complaint filed by wardrobe. Varsha, sources said. general elections next year In her complaint, Varsha Saturday claimed that Mohanty and his two aides had locked her room. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA mid-term election will be SHORT TAKES (Left) CM Naveen Patnaik addresses the BJD executive body meeting through videoconferencing, Sunday. Leaders of As a result, she had to wait outside for some time. held April 30 and May 10 the regional party at the meet in Bhubaneswar OP PHOTOS Varsha had also lodged a complaint with po- Kathmandu, Dec 20: for the second phase, ac- lice Friday and claimed that a conspiracy is being Nepal’s embattled Prime cording to a notice issued by Pari murder case: POST NEWS NETWORK are dumb, as they have been sidelin- glecting the implementation of the made to tarnish her image. In a related develop- Minister KP Sharma Oli the Rashtrapati Bhawan. ing the interests of the state. Their Swaminathan Committee report, ment, Mohanty Sunday wrote to Director General Sunday sprang a surprise on The 275-member House One arrested Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: Nineteen only aim is to keep the central lead- special category state status and spe- of Police (DGP), Abhay, and sought protection for his rivals and got the of Representatives, which is months after the 2019 general ers in good humour so as to grab cial package,” the Puri MP alleged. him and his family. In his letter to the DGP, President to dissolve the lower house of Bhubaneswar: The Special elections, Chief Minister Naveen ministries and positions, he said, BJD leader Pramila Mallick said Mohanty alleged that some people are conspir- Parliament, a controversial Parliament, was elected in Investigation Team (SIT) Patnaik and senior leaders Biju adding, they have failed in raising that Odisha Chief Minister is num- ing against him and his family. He reportedly men- move amidst a prolonged 2017 for a five-year term. investigating the Pari murder Janata Dal (BJD) seem to have de- their voice in the state’ interests. ber one in the Covid management. tioned the names of the conspirators, sources said. tussle for power between The upper house is the case in Nayagarh arrested one cided raise their voice against the Such change in the Chief “When people of Odisha were left Mohanty also urged police to examine the him and former premier National Assembly. person in connection with crime, Sunday. The accused Modi government at the Centre for Minister’s stand against the Centre jobless in other states due to lock- authenticity of an audio clip of Varsha’s con- Pushpa Kamal Dahal The move comes as the will be produced before the the first time. signaled that the party will go to the down and were stranded, the Chief versation with her two sisters. The audio clip went “Prachanda”. intra-party feud reached cli- POCSO Court tomorrow. This was apparent when all BJD people against the Centre. Minister made arrangements to viral on social media a few days ago. President Bidya Devi max in the ruling NCP According to official sources, leaders openly criticised the Centre Speaking at the executive com- bring them back,” she added. It is worth mentioning here that Mohanty Bhandari dissolved which has been witnessing the accused is a resident of at the party’s executive body meet- mittee meeting, senior BJD leader She said that the grassroots work- and Varsha have been engaged in a marital dis- Parliament’s House of months long tussle between Jadupur village under ing here Sunday. Prasanna Acharya said that some ers should work to apprise people pute for last several months. Varsha had filed a Representatives at Oli’s rec- two factions, one led by Nayagarh Sadar police limits. A Earlier, the BJD had been cribbing parties have pointed their fingers about the Central neglect towards case in the Cuttack SDJM court seeking main- ommendation and announced 68-year-old Oli and Party’s case has been registered under about the financial neglect of the at the BJD’s relevance at the pres- the state. Opposition parties will not tenance from Mohanty. mid-term general election in chairman and another Sections 364, 302, 376 (AB), 376 Centre towards the state, but since ent time. “Many have raised ques- be allowed to win a single seat in April-May, a decision criti- led by 66-year-old (A) and 201 of IPC read with the last elections, the party had com- tions about the future of the BJD, civic body polls, she added. cised by the Opposition as “Prachanda”, also the ex- Section 6 of POCSO Act. pletely fallen silent against the Modi but the party will gain confidence Senior BJD leader Kishore unconstitutional. ecutive chair of the party However, the investigation government. People perceived such of the people in future too and will Mohanty said that the treasury of Earlier, an emergency and former premier. team did not provide the cryptic silence of the BJD against form the government,” he asserted. Odisha was empty when the re- meeting of the Cabinet Spokesperson of the rul- details of the person arrested the Centre was fallout of a secret un- Puri MP Pinaki Mishra pointed gional party came to power for the chaired by Oli decided to ing NCP Narayankaji in connection with the minor derstanding between the two parties. out that a big survey agency has first time in 2000. But, the state had recommend the President Shrestha has termed Oli's girl murder case. Official Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik placed Odisha at the fifth slot for a surplus Budget under the BJD rule for the dissolution of move as “undemocratic, sources said lie detection test first broke his silence at the exec- Covid-19 management, while Utttar in 2008, he added. Parliament, a senior anti-constitutional and au- of the concerned person had utive body meeting of the Biju Yuba Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh Speaking at the meet, Kalikesh Standing Committee mem- tocratic”. been carried out. Janata Dal recently. have failed to fare well in pandemic Singh Deo said that a political party ber of the ruling Nepal He said that the ruling Lancnhing a scathing attack on management. is collecting members through Communist Party (NCP) party will hold its Standing Cold wave to sweep the BJP, Patnaik said that the lead- “People know which party is rul- missed calls but BJD does not fol- told PTI. Committee meeting to dis- several districts ers of the national party in the state ing these states. The Centre is ne- low that method. The couple in happier times. The first phase of the cuss the matter.

Bhubaneswar: Severe cold wave condition is likely to prevail at one or two places ‘Progeny, termination; DESIRES Mahanadi port over the districts of Mayurbhanj, Angul, Jharsuguda, Bargarh and Sundargarh during next 24 fundamental rights’ project gains steam hours. Weather office sources said cold wave condition is also POST NEWS NETWORK termination of pregnancy more likely to prevail at one or two than 20 weeks old is not permitted. PNN & AGENCIES (PPP) mode with a capacity of 54 places over the districts of Cuttack, Dec 20: While allowing However, a Division Bench of MTPA at an investment of `4,000 Koraput, Kandhamal, Balasore, a rape victim to terminate her preg- Justices SK Mishra and Savitri Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: Ahead of crore. In the first phase, the port will Cuttack, Keonjhar, Boudh, nancy after 20 weeks of concep- Ratho mentioned about the Medical signing of the MoU with the Centre have the capacity to handle 22 Sonepur, Kalahandi, Nuapada, tion, the Orissa High Court recently Termination of Pregnancy for setting up of `4,000 crore river- MTPA cargos at an investment of Dhenkanal, Deogarh during ruled that right to progeny and ter- (Amendment) Bill, 2020, currently ine port project in Mahanadi, a `2,562 core, an official said. next 24 hours. Under its impact, mination are pending before high-level delegation Sunday vis- While the Paradip Port Trust an increased likelihood of both fundamen- Orissa HC recently ruled the Rajya Sabha, ited the proposed site in Kendrapara will develop supporting project in- various illnesses like tal rights en- which permits district, officials said. frastructures like rail and road running/stuffy nose or shrined under that right to progeny termination of The delegation connectivity and nosebleed, which usually set in Article 21 of the and termination are pregnancies up comprising Chief The riverine port dredging require- or get aggravated due to Constitution of to 24 weeks. Secretary AK ments of the facility, prolonged exposure to cold. India. both fundamental rights While the Tripathy, 5T Secretary will be set up at a the state government Livestock may be affected due The high Bench recog- VK Pandian, Paradip cost of `4,000cr has already identi- to prolong exposure to cold. enshrined under Article Court cited the nised that the Port Trust (PPT) fied 300 hectares of Experts advised people to stay 21 of the Constitution and provide indoors during night and avoid instance of Bill is yet to be chairman Rinkesh land for the project. movement in night. P3 Meera Santosh passed and can- Roy and others trav- employment to The state govern- Pal v. Union of India, (2017) 3 SCC not be considered as a law, it pro- elled to the proposed more than ment will also pro- 462, wherein the Supreme Court ceeded to observe, site on a vessel. vide the necessary WEATHER had held that women’s right to “It is reflected that due to passage Local MLA of 4,000 people support to PPT in re- make reproductive choice is also an of time and advancement of med- Mahakalapada Atanu spect of any addi- BHUB CTK aspect of personal liberty as un- ical technology for safe abortion S Nayak was present at the pro- tional land required for the project, MAX 27.8° 27.5° derstood under Article 21 of the there is a scope for increasing the posed port site. He had a discussion the official said, adding that Odisha Constitution. outer limit for terminating preg- with officials about the project in 2018 had decided to go ahead TEMP MIN 13.9° 11.6° Forecast In this case, the victim was 21 nancy especially for vulnerable while Kendrapara district collector with Mahanadi Riverine Port. Humidity 58% 69% weeks pregnant and according to the women and pregnancy with sub- Samarth Verma appraised the del- However, the project couldn't Dry weather existing Medical Termination of Two girls belonging to a nomad group admiring soft toys put on display by egation about the importance of Rainfall Nil Nil likely stantial fetal abnormalities de- progress due to lack of interest by Pregnancy Act (MTP Act), medical tected late in pregnancy.” a vendor in Nayapalli, Sunday PHOTO: BIKASH NAYAK the identified site. potential bidders. Paradip Port The Ministry of Port, Shipping Trust then evinced interest in the and Waterways has already agreed project and consequently, the MoU to the Odisha government’s pro- is proposed to be signed with the posal for the riverine port to be de- state government. veloped by Paradip Port Trust at On commissioning of the proj- NPA: NDA’s score thrice worse than UPA an investment of `4,000 crore. The ect, the port will provide direct project is estimated to generate em- and indirect employment oppor- INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE banks writing off `1,51,989 crore ployment for 6,000 people. The pro- tunities to more than 4,000 persons BANK LOAN and the foreign banks shared the re- posed port will come up at Akhadasali in the first phase and about an- WRITE-OFF Mumbai, Dec 20: In a dubious dis- maining 17,995 crore, (Total – `7,94,354 village under Mahakalapada block other 1,700 in the 2nd phase. tinction of sorts, the Bharatiya crore), besides an additional write- in Kendrapara district, 13 km from The riverine port, along with uring the UPA’s 10-year Janata Party-led NDA rule achieved off by Scheduled Banks totalling the river mouth at Paradip. the state-aided Haridaspur Paradip ` the highest loans write-off between `1,295 crore (Total – `7,95,649 crore). This all-weather and multi-user Railway line, will go a long way in Drule, around 2,20,328 2015 and 2019, which is more than “The official data is not only re- port on river Mahanadi will be set boosting the economy of the crore was written off by three times compared to the fig- vealing but very distressing. During up in public-private-partnership Kendrapara district, he said. various banks, and this ures of bad loans written off dur- the 10 years of UPA government figure shot up to `7,94,354cr ing the previous Congress-led UPA (2004-2014), the total loans written during the NDA regime regime from 2004-2014, as per an off was `2,20,330 crore, but during RTI revelation. affairs of not only public sector Congress’ decade (2004-2014), the less than five years of the NDA from 2015-2019 During the UPA’s 10-year rule, banks, but also those in the private PSBs accounted for approximately (2015-2019), the figures zoomed up everal global giants like around `2,20,328 crore was written sector and foreign banks. `1,58,994 crore, while the amounts by almost 350 per cent to `7,94,354 off by various banks, and this fig- The RTI reply figures around written off by the private banks crore,” Sarda told this news agency. y SHSBC, Barclays, ure shot up to `7,94,354 crore dur- two-dozen public sector banks, some was `41,391 crore and for foreign The surprising aspect is the huge

CitiBank and Standard ing the NDA regime from 2015-2019, three-dozen in private sector, nine banks it was `19,945 crore, with no increase in the write-offs by foreign

k y m c Chartered Bank apparently resulting in a corresponding re- Scheduled Commercial Banks, and write-offs by Scheduled Banks. banks – from 2004-2014, it was `19,945 gained due to the write-offs, duction in the banks’ NPAs. a whopping four-dozen foreign Later, in the NDA regime (2015- crore in the UPA’s 10-year tenure ( ` among many others, in the The data was provided under an banks, and includes several in each 2019), the figures provided show a 1,995 crore each year on an average), RTI query by Pune-based busi- category which have not written phenomenal increase with the PSBs but shot up to `17,995 in the NDA’s four past 15 years of the nessman Prafful Sarda, giving some off any loans. accounting for a stupendous `6,24,370 years between 2015-2019 ( `4,499 crore UPA-NDA govts shocking insights into the state of Of the loan write-offs in the crore loan write-off, with the private annual average). Officials inspecting the proposed rivering port project site, Sunday P2 AS IF SURVIVING COVID WHY WINKLER STARTED MONDAY | DECEMBER 21 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR WASN’T ENOUGH: PINK WRITING BOOKS FOR KIDS Singer Pink survived Covid earlier this year, and Actor Henry Winkler says he started writing children’s now she has injured her ankle. “As if surviving books about learning challenges because he also has Covid wasn’t enough for this poop sandwich of a the same problem. “Once I started writing, it was easy

year!” she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo for me to remember what it felt like to be eight and y

leisure that showed her while getting a medical treatment. fail all the time,” he explained.

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FORTUNE FORECAST Shama learns Deepa’s Flexibility is the key film rejected to stability: Rakul ARIES Mumbai: Actress Rakul Preet doing yoga on Instagram. In Today, you will meet pole dance to for Oscar Singh has shared a throw- the image, she is seen bal- with success, and you do it on your own merit, back picture from her ancing on one leg and tilting without any divine intervention. You nomination Maldivian holiday, with her while she has her hands above may be a student of science or arts, but mantra for stability on so- her head in a namaste pos- you will excel due to your deep knowl- cial media. ture. edge of the subject. stay fit Rakul Preet posted the “Flexibility is the key to picture of stability.A #yogaeverywhere her #balance,” she captioned it. TAURUS Dubai: Actress Shama Sikander About her work, the ac- has opted for a fun way to remain tress has started working on You are hard working by in shape. Mayday. She is all set to star nature but get highly She has taken to pole dancing alongside Amitabh Bachchan frustrated when things do not end the way you had imagined, during her vacation here. She and Ajay Devgn in the thriller feels Ganesha. This may lead to anger gave a glimpse of it on Instagram drama, directed and produced against the system or the order in which where she posted a video of her- by Ajay. things work. self doing pole dance. Toronto: Indo-Canadian Academy of Motion Picture The actress will be seen in While some fans found it ‘hot’, filmmaker Deepa Mehta’s Arts and Sciences, Mehta’s the role of a pilot. This is others called it awesome. Funny Boy has been re- one hour and 49 minutes her second film with GEMINI “I am a big fan of dancing jected for Oscar nomina- long film has only 12 min- Ajay after De De and fitness. Anything that com- tion in the best International utes and 27 seconds of Pyaar De. Though you are always bines these two, has to be a tick Feature Film category at the Tamil or Sinhala dialogue. Rakul open to advice, you need to take your own, inde- on my list. Pole dancing was on 93rd Academy Awards. In reaction, Mehta said: will pendent decision today. You may spend my mind for some time and I The filmmaker has co-writ- “Every step of the way of next the afternoon putting things in order. In the needed a good coach and team ten and co-directed the film the Funny Boy journey, be evening, you will possibly have a romantic to learn it from,” she said. that tells the story a gay Tamil has been an important one seen dinner with your sweetheart and may “Dubai has got some amazing boy growing up in Sri Lanka for myself and the Funny in a ro- event want to propose marriage. coaches and I couldn’t let go of during the ethnic conflict of Boy team. The message of mantic that opportunity. I am a begin- the 1970s and 1980s. the book has always been comedy di- ner, but I am willing to do it like To be a contender for Oscar one of resilience and courage. rected by CANCER a pro. It’s beautiful,” she added. in the International Feature It seems as if the afterlife of Kaashvie Nair. The Both your physical and She feels the mind needs to be Film category, the film must the film follows a similar arc. film also stars John mental health will one with the body to make it be produced outside the US, Each time we reached an im- Abraham, Arjun remain stable today, happen and when one is per- with more than 50 per cent passe, we pushed on leading us Kapoor, and Aditi Rao predicts Ganesha. In the afternoon, you may meet one of your dialogue in a foreign language. to something even better than Hydari. IANS clients for lunch. It is an auspicious day But according to the we could have imagined.” IANS to propose and finalise wedding dates, hopes Ganesha. Unpaused: Hampered by uneven storytelling LEO way to carry the story forward - Making new friends is The film starts off on a - in the time of the Wuhan-origin like having cookies: one virus, it is ironic that the banned is never enough. high note, hits a slump Ganesha sees that you immediately after that, Chinese app should play havoc in take this idea quite seriously, and will CAST: Gulshan Devaiah, Sayyami make all the efforts to swell your circle and somehow manages Kher, Sumeet Vyas, Richa Chadha, of friends today. It is a good thing, since your new friends may prove to be useful to recover in the stories Lillete Dubey, Ratna Pathak Shah to you in times of need. that follow DIRECTION: Raj and DK, Nikkhil Advani, Tannishtha Chatterjee, VIRGO hen you have multiple di- Avinash Arun and Nitya Mehra wrectors calling the shots Today, you shall be in in the past now, and science is reason why this story should a receptive frame of on multiple sets of actors in struggling to fathom Covid-30 have been set during lockdown. the lives of the protagonists. mind, open to all standalone stories, it is hard in the narrative, as a lonely and Tannishtha Chatterjee directs Nitya Mehra directs the final ideas; yet the stub- forming on the pole, it’s to find cohesion of quality. nervous ‘hypo’ (Gulshan Devaiah) Rat-a-Tat, about a young girl story, Chand Mubarak, which born will rule when decision-making like uniting with the Unpaused, with five stories goes on a virtual date with a (Rinku Rajguru) and her grumpy traces an unlikely bond between matters, predicts Ganesha. Organise and sort out things at work today. But inner self. that attempt to define the spirited Covid warrior (Sayyami elderly neighbour (Lillete Dubey). a posh aging loner named Uma in the evening, enjoy a fine meal and “It’s a lot like mood of urban India during Kher). The urge of companion- Unfolding at a languid pace, the (Ratna Pathak Shah) and an au- then, may be, summon the courage to meditation,” she lockdown, suffers ship draws him to the film captures the essence of torickshaw driver Rafique pop the question, says Ganesha. said. IANS from that problem. girl, and he would per- human relationship making in- (Shardul Bharadwaj), in whom The film starts off sonally love to meet teresting use of music. she sees her late brother. The on a high note, hits her. But there is al- Avinash Arun Dhaware’s idea lacks originality but Mehra LIBRA a slump, and some- ways the fear of infection. Vishaanu casts Abhishek makes up for that drawback by how manages to recover. The second story, Nikkhil Banerjee and Geetika Vidya getting the emotional core of the The mind is a pool of infinite thoughts; this is Raj and DK’s Glitch is qui- Advani’s The Apartment, is about Ohlyan as a migrant couple in tale right.Unpaused thrives on more true for you today etly scary in the way it imag- a couple (Richa Chadha and Mumbai who, along with their some fine acting -- Ratna Pathak than any other day. ines an India in the future Sumeet Vyas), whose lives are ir- boy, find luxurious haven in a Shah, Shardul Bharadwaj, Ganesha says you will explore the depths of that has lost its battle to coro- reparably damaged when he is sample flat of half-constructed Abhishek Banerjee, Lillete Dubey your thoughts. At work, you may share navirus. Covid-19 is a first charged with multiple MeToo high-rise amid lockdown. The and Gulshan Devaiah are par- some precious moments with peers of the opposite sex. generation menace that is allegations. There is no specific film uses TikTok in a quirky ticularly outstanding. AGENCIES

SCORPIO The flamboyance with SUDOKU which you do your work post To solve the Sudoku puzzle, each row, leaves people awestruck. PEANUTS At work, your dedication CROSSWORD column and box must contain the numbers will win rich favour from your bosses. After 0 to 9 and the letters A to E. dusk, let your hair down and have a great time, says Ganesha.

SAGITTARIUS In your case, the progress will grow two folds today. You will accomplish all the tasks that you take up. Also, you will acknowl- edge all the people you have contributed in your success story. Keep a watch when splurging on your near and dear ones, says Ganesha.

CAPRICORN CALVIN AND HOBBES You will do a commend- able job solving compli- cated problems at work, says Ganesha. In keeping with the circumstances, you will be spontaneous in coming up with solu- tions to pressing issues; and so accurate SOLUTIONS you may be in your assumptions about a likely situation that in future, your peers and subordinates will blindly accept whatever proposal you table.

AQUARIUS It's time to have a riot with friends! You don't always have to be goody two-shoes. Do something BREVITY you've never done before and break a few CROSSWORD of those self-made rules.

PISCES y Today, you are likely to

sign new agreements and

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robust, planning as you are for future exi- CHECK FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PUZZLES TOMORROW SUDOKU gencies, says Ganesha. COVID-19 TRACKER P3 FELICITATION CEREMONY MONDAY | DECEMBER 21 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR INFECTED RECOVERED DEAD Justice Bira Kishore Mishra(L) World 7,67,71,744 5,38,87,513 16,94,670 felicitates litterateur Nityananda Swain with Basudev Kar Smaraki India 1,00,04,825 95,49,923 1,45,171 Samman at Sarala Sahitya downtown Odisha 3,26,233 3,21,647 1,836

Sanshad in Cuttack, Sunday

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Intense cold likely for 3 days: IMD POLITICKLE by MANJUL ORANGE WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR FIVE DISTRICTS CAUTIONING SEVERE COLD WAVE

POST NEWS NETWORK CHILLING WINTER Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: The India old to severe cold wave Meteorological Department (IMD) Cconditions are likely to prevail has now predicted cold to severe over Mayurbhanj, Angul, cold wave conditions in different Jharsuguda, Sundargarh and parts of the state and issued warn- Bargarh districts Monday ings accordingly. The IMD has predicted colder he office of the SRC has issued days Monday, Tuesday and Twarning to the Collectors and Wednesday. The department said Municipal Corporations to remain that cold to severe cold wave con- alert and take steps accordingly ditions are likely to prevail over Mayurbhanj, Angul, Jharsuguda, RC said movement during night Sundargarh and Bargarh districts Sespecially in two-wheelers or Monday. Orange warning (be pre- in open cars must be avoided pared) has been issued by the de- partment for these five districts. As night temperature goes down, people enjoy bonfire alongside Janpath in On the other hand, isolated cold prolonged exposure to cold. Livestock Bhubaneswar, Sunday OP PHOTO waves are likely to prevail in districts may also be affected due to prolong like Koraput, Kandhamal, Balasore, The office of the Special Relief used as night shelters and number exposure to cold. People in the districts Keonjhar, Boudh, Sonepur, Commissioner (SRC) has issued of people sheltered therein be sent under orange/yellow warning and Kalahandi, Nuapada, Dhenkanal, warning to the Collectors and to the office of SRC on daily basis also in other areas where intense Cuttack and Deogarh. Municipal Corporations to remain till the cold wave situation is over,” cold is felt, are advised to stay in- Govt to decide on teachers’ demands in 3 months The IMD said Mayurbhanj, alert and take steps accordingly. the letter from SRC office to doors during night and avoid expo- Angul, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh “All the Collectors are required Collectors said. sure to cold,” the office of SRC said. POST NEWS NETWORK Dash to press for their six-point ernment’s plan to amend grant-in- and Bargarh districts are likely to to ensure that immediate arrange- It also asked the officials to un- “Movement during night espe- charter of demands. Their demands aid policy. Union leader Golak see cold to severe cold waves while ment is made for opening of school dertake awareness campaigns on the cially in two-wheelers or in open cars Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: Members include full grants and salaries at Nayak said both the ministers as- some other districts may see isolated buildings, community buildings issue and inform the people and must be avoided. Necessary safety of Odisha School College Teachers' par with Seventh Pay Commission, sured them that the department cold waves, Tuesday. The weather- and other available buildings for use ask them to take preventive steps. measures are to be taken while Union Sunday met Higher increment, raising retirement age will think over their demands and man also claimed that the cold as shelter during night by homeless “There is increased likelihood of using electrical and gas heating Education Minister Arun Kumar from 60 to 62 and filling up vacant take decision in next three months waves are likely to continue till and needy people. A report indi- cold related illnesses among people, devices or using fire for the said pur- Sahoo and School and Mass posts in school and colleges. by conducting another round of Wednesday. cating the number of such buildings which may get aggravated due to pose,” the letter from SRC said. Education Minister Samir Ranjan They also opposed the state gov- meeting with them. GHODALAGI RITUAL Dismal show by govt in Swindlers hack woman’s Srimandir deities savings bank account

scholarship schemes: AG POST NEWS NETWORK been done by ‘Times of Money wear warm clothes Limited’ and ‘INB Coda Payments The Higher Education Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: Cyber India Priva’ using her bank ac- MISSING TARGETS crooks have reportedly withdrawn count between November 28 and 30, department has failed to over `1.5 lakh from the savings ac- 2020. Interestingly, all these 39 trans- achieve the target set for he Kalinga Sikhya count of a housewife here by hack- actions have been done at mid- e-Medhabruti scheme for TSathi Yojana was ing her bank account. The victim night. launched with an aim to has lodged a complaint with Recently, Commissioner of Police the last financial year provide education loans Nayapalli police in this regard. Sudhanshu Sarangi had said dur- at 1 per cent rate of According to sources, the woman ing a presser that the cyber crim- POST NEWS NETWORK interest to students for has a savings account with the inals usually commit the crime pursuing higher studies SBI’s branch at Priyadarshini during night. Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: The Kalinga Market under Nayapalli police The victim also claimed that she Sikhya Sathi Yojana and e- tudents of here. The victim was shocked to find had not received any OTP mes- Medhabruti schemes, aimed at pro- Sunderprivileged that around `1, 52,190 has been sages, mails or SMSes regarding the viding financial assistance to mer- sections are being withdrawn from her account with- withdrawals. itorious students of underprivileged provided `20,000 out her notice. Upon checking, she Police have started investiga- sections for pursuing higher edu- annually for pursuing came to know that as many as 39 tions into the matter after regis- cation, have failed to achieve the tar- both graduate and internet banking transactions have tering a case in this regard. File photo of a Darjee servitor stitching winter clothes for Srimandir deities gets set for 2019-20. This was re- post-graduate courses vealed in an audit report of the POST NEWS NETWORK Traditionally, tailor servitors of Accountant General (AG). HOWEVER, THE BENEFITS OF THE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME REACHED ONLY the shrine make new shawls for The Kalinga Sikhya Sathi Yojana 29 STUDENTS AGAINST THE TARGET OF 500 STUDENTS FOR THE YEAR DDCE sr asst held in DA case Puri, Dec 20: Lord Jagannath and the deities every year. Tailors use was launched to provide education 2019-20, A DISMAL 5.8 PER CENT ACHIEVEMENT OF THE SET TARGET his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Geetagovind Pata and other silk loans at 1 per cent rate of interest POST NEWS NETWORK Devi Subhadra were draped in win- fabrics to stitch up shawls for the to students for pursuing higher Mishra possessed assets ter clothes as part of Ghodalagi deities. The tailors prepare shawls studies. Students of underprivi- target set for e-Medhabruti scheme “The achievement of physical Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: Vigilance worth `1, 33, 81,977 ritual at Srimandir here Sunday. and other winter clothes for the leged sections are being provided for the last financial year. E- and financial target under tech- officials Sunday arrested senior disproportionate to his Darjee (tailor) servitors of presiding deities and subsidiary `20,000 annually for pursuing both Medhabruti is provided to students nical and professional category assistant of Directorate of Distance Srimandir had earlier handed over deities like Madanmohan, Garuda, graduate and post-graduate courses. whose parental income doesn’t ex- was dismal and the shortfall was and Continuing Education (DDCE), known sources of income newly-stitched traditional shawls Patitapaban, Nrusingha and Surya, The audit by AG found that the ceed `6 lakh per annum. The schol- 82.17 per cent defeating the very Ashok Kumar Mishra, in dispro- (colloquially known as Ghoda Srimandir sources said. government has failed to meet the arship is provided to Plus III (senior purpose of the scheme thereby de- portionate assets case. of senior assistant of DDCE, Vani Bastra) for the deities to the Shree The deities are draped in seven target set for the scheme for 2019- merit), PG merit and technical/pro- priving the meritorious students The anti-corruption sleuths Vihar, Ashok Kumar Mishra. Jagannath Temple Administration shawls of different colours in a 20. According to the report, the fessional courses at the rate of to meet a part of their educa- Sunday claimed that Mishra pos- The raids were conducted on (SJTA), sources said. week. Traditionally, the servitors government was able to provide `5,000, `10,000 and `10,000 respec- tion expenses while pursuing sessed assets worth `1, 33, 81,977 dis- charges of accumulating assets Srimandir sources said the deities drape the deities in red colour benefits of the scholarship scheme tively. According to sources, the their higher studies,” the audi- proportionate to his known sources disproportionate to his known were draped in the winter clothes shawls Sunday, white-black mixed to 29 students only against the tar- government had set a target of cov- tor noted. of income. sources of income. at 11.15 am after the completion of shawls Monday and multicolour get of 500 students for the year 2019- ering 10,000 technical and profes- It has asked the Higher Education The Special Vigilance court here Vigilance sleuths conducted the some routine rituals. winter clothes Tuesday. The deties 20, a dismal 5.8 per cent achievement sional students under e-Medhabruti department to remove the bottle- sent Mishra to judicial custody till raids on the strength of search As per Srimandir tradition, the are draped in blue, yellow, white and of the set target. scheme on merit basis. However, the necks and deficiencies in achieving January 2, 2021 Earlier, Vigilance warrants issued by the Honourable deities are draped in traditional black shawls from Wednesday to Similarly, the Higher Education achievement was only 1,783, a short- the target for the larger benefit of officials Saturday carried out si- Special Judge Vigilance, shawls to save them from the cold. Saturday. department has failed to achieve the fall of 82.17 per cent of the target. the needy students. multaneous raids on the properties Bhubaneswar. Akash to be in jail again ODISHA ENVIRONMENT CONGRESS-2020 Environmentalist slams abuse of forest rights as remand period ends POST NEWS NETWORK should be involved in preserving nat- ural heritage of Indian forests. Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: Eminent en- He also said, “We must not cut the POST NEWS NETWORK vironmentalist and founder of wild food plants and trees in the Center for Ecological Sciences, sanctuaries as they are widely used Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: Tainted Dhananjaya Gadgil, Sunday, said by local tribes and animals. These IFS officer Abhay Kant Pathak’s that the authorities are abusing plnts and trees play a crucial role son Akash Pathak, who was ar- people’s rights on forests to pro- in providing food security.” rested in Rs 65-lakh cheating case, mote commercial entities that profit On the occasion, Orissa would return to jail as his four-day from the destruction of biodiversity. Environment Congress secretary remand ended Sunday. The SDJM Gadgil was addressing the 11th Sudarshan Das said, “Biodiversity court here allowed the edition of three-day Odisha can be defined as the variety Commissionerate Police to take Environment Congress-2020 that Those and variability of life Akash on remand for further probe began here Sunday. The main theme in power should on earth. Starting into the case. of this year’s session is now realise the from pristine for- Notably, a city-based travel agency, ‘Environment and Biodiversity’. critical role the est covers to the December 2, filed a complaint with FILE PHOTO On the inaugural day of the event, Dignitaries at the Odisha Environment Congress-2020 stunning coral environment plays in the Kharavela Nagar police here against chief guest Gadgil spoke about sev- reefs of deep well-being of the masses Akash accusing him of booking pri- Several investigating has been fulfilled. eral important environmental issues. Ecology Expert Panel were never reasonable practice,” oceans, from the vate charter plane tickets and rooms Several investigating agencies Gadgil was the former member taken seriously and were labelled Gadgil said. DHANANJAYA GADGIL | FOUNDER mangrove domi- in star hotels by impersonating the agencies including, Vig including, Vigilance and Crime of Scientific Advisory Council to the as favourable to environment and “Those in power OF CENTER FOR ECOLOGICAL nated marshlands SCIENCES Managing Director of TATA mo- and CB have been Branch have been investigating Prime Minister of India and the environmentalists and not to de- should now realise the crit- to the glittery tors. Akash also allegedly refused to the unlawful activities by the fa- Head of Western Ghats Ecology velopment. ical role the environment plays sand dunes of pay Rs 65 lakh out of the total bill of investigating the ther-son duo. The Crime Branch Expert Panel (WGEEP) of 2010, “The authorities are abusing in the well-being of the masses. If the desert, each environment acts Rs 2.78 crore due to the agency. unlawful activities by had earlier taken Akash on remand popularly known as the Gadgil people’s rights to promote com- the path of environment develop- as a host to the numerous indige-

Bhubaneswar Deputy to question him in connection with Commission. mercial entities that profit from ment chosen by us is not to lead nous species of flora and fauna

k y m c Commissioner of Police, the father-son duo the job fraud scam. The expert said that corruption the destruction of biodiversity. further and further into the im- that live there.” Umashankar Dash, later told the Akash along with Goplapur MLA at bureaucratic level over envi- Such attitude is dissuading people poverishment of the masses of our “A healthy environment ensures media that Akash has revealed Pradeep Panigrahi has allegedly ronment issues is very big and that from conserving biodiversity. In population, we must be careful of the sustainability of different ecosys- many important facts related to 65 lakh owed to the travel agency. duped several job seekers of crores includes state of Odisha too. He Odisha, the Niyamgiri hills, with its the way we treat the resources of our tems. A degrading environment is the case. He also reportedly con- DCP revealed that the purpose of rupees on the pretext of pro- said that his reports and suggestions forests and springs sacred to Kondhs, environment,” he added. responsible for the loss of biodi- fessed to the non-payment of Rs of bringing Akash on remand viding jobs in TATA motors. as chairman of The Western Ghats is a striking example of such un- He said that village committees versity,” he added. P4 MONDAY | DECEMBER 21 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR downtown

BJP’s padayatra for Pari

k y m Another 4 succumb to Covid c Three districts—Bhadrak, Kandhamal and Subarnapur— had not reported any new case since Saturday THE MARCH BEGAN FROM LINGARAJ PNN & AGENCIES TEMPLE IN Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: State’s BHUBANESWAR AND Covid-19 caseload Sunday mounted to 3,26,233 after 372 more people WILL CULMINATE AT tested positive for the infection, JADUPUR, THE NATIVE while four fresh deaths raised the Numbers vis-à-vis national data toll to 1,836, a senior Health and VILLAGE OF THE GIRL, Family Welfare (H&FW) depart- IN NUMBERS ment official said. ngul dist recorded the highest DECEMBER 24 Of the 372 cases, 214 were re- Anumber of new cases at 50, ported from various quarantine followed by Sundargarh at 47 and AGENCIES It was an unfortunate The National Commission for centres, and the rest detected dur- Khurda at 38 incident. But, the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) ing contact tracing, the official said. Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: The state our fresh fatalities were recorded Opposition shouldn’t has already indicated that the Angul district recorded the high- unit of BJP Sunday launched a Fin Khurda, Mayurbhanj, politicise it. state’s investigation into the est number of new cases at 50, fol- Sambalpur and Sundargarh five-day-long ‘padayatra’ or foot Everyone knows how case wasn’t proper. We are lowed by Sundargarh at 47 and march to demand justice for a five- their party-led sticking to our demand for a Khurda at 38. Three districts— he positivity rate in Odisha year-old girl found murdered in government in Uttar CBI inquiry. We will continue our Bhadrak, Kandhamal and Tstands at 4.94 per cent Nayagarh district in July this year. Pradesh handled the agitation till our demands aren’t Subarnapur— did not report any ver 66 lakh samples have been The march began from Lingaraj Hathras crime. They met new case since Saturday. temple in Bhubaneswar and will cul- Oexamined so far including should introspect VANATHI SRINIVASAN | NATIONAL PRESIDENT, Four fresh fatalities were recorded 34,334 Saturday minate at Jadupur, the native vil- PINAKI MISHRA | PURI MP BJP MAHILA MORCHA in Khurda, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur FILE PHOTO lage of the girl, December 24. and Sundargarh districts. The BJP is demanding a Central As many as 53 Covid-19 patients 21 from Cuttack, 20 from Balasore centres and the rest 23 cases are virus, taking the total number of fa- Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe BJP Mahila Morcha. cise it. Everyone knows how their have died due to comorbidities. The and 18 each from Angul and local contacts. talities to 1,45,447. Thirty-three into the case and the resignation of Party’s national spokesperson party-led government in Uttar positivity rate in the coastal state Mayurbhanj, the department Meanwhile, India added 26,624 states and union territories have less Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo on Sambit Patra said that the NCPCR Pradesh handled the Hathras crime. stands at 4.94 per cent. Over 66 lakh pointed out. The Bhubaneswar coronavirus infections in 24 hours, than 20,000 active cases, according charge of shielding the accused. had recommended a central agency They should introspect,” said BJD samples have been examined so far Municipal Corporation (BMC) taking its tally to 1,00,31,223, ac- to the government. Kerala and “The National Commission for probe into the murder as it allegedly MP Pinaki Mishra. including 34,334 Saturday. Sunday said that 30 more people cording to the Health Ministry data. Maharashtra together account for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) found that the police probe was se- The minor girl’s death snow- Meanwhile, another 338 Covid from the Capital city have been in- The number of fresh infections is 40 per cent of total COVID-19 active has already indicated that the state’s verely flawed. balled into a major political con- patients recovered in Odisha, tak- fected with the coronavirus, while 5.8 per cent higher than Saturday, cases," the Health Ministry tweeted. investigation into the case was not Reacting to the march, the ruling troversy after her parents attempted ing the total recoveries in the coastal 31 others have been cured from when the country registered 25,152 India is in the number one posi- proper. We are sticking to our de- Biju Janata Dal (BJD) said that the self-immolation in front of the state to 3,21,647, the H&FW de- viral infection in the last 24 hours. cases to take the total infections to tion in terms of the number of re- mand for a CBI inquiry. We will opposition party was unnecessar- Assembly during its Winter Session. partment tweeted. The recovered The people who have tested pos- over one crore mark. covered coronavirus cases, followed continue our agitation till our de- ily politicising the issue. They alleged that Sahoo was shield- cases include 49 from Khurda, 36 itive for the deadly virus include In the 24-hour period, India, re- by Brazil, according to the Johns mands are not met,” said Vanathi “It was an unfortunate incident. ing those responsible for their from Sundargarh, 21 from Bhadrak, seven from different quarantine ported 341 deaths linked to the Hopkins University. Srinivasan, national President of the But, the opposition should not politi- daughter’s death. Digital Mega Science HOMAGE DAY MAN HELD FOR DUPING JOB Festival from Dec 23 SEEKER IN CITY

Online sessions will be conducted on Astronomy, POST NEWS NETWORK Mathematics, Space Science, Chemistry, Computational Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: Thinking, Sci-Art, Origami and Vedas Commissionerate Police Sunday arrested a person for allegedly POST NEWS NETWORK form. With digital system we are duping a man of Rs 45,000 on the connected to student’s community pretext of providing him a job in Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: Due to of pan India and same time sci- Food Safety and Standards spread of novel coronavirus, learn- ence popularisation organizations Authority of India. The accused ing in formal or non-formal for- like Regional Science Centre and has been identified as Bikash mat has shifted to digital platform. Odisha Bigyan Academy are join- Swain alias Bubun, 35, of Sahid Even with all odds due to outbreak ing hands together to bring world Nagar area. of pandemic, an opportunity ap- class scientific fraternity to stu- According to sources, the ac- pears to bring world community in dents, teachers, hobbyists of Odisha cused used to befriend random a single platform. to disseminate hands on knowl- persons through various social For bringing students closer to edge of science, technology, inno- media platforms. Subsequently, science, Regional Science Centre vation and creativity.” People under the banner of ‘All India Kisan Sangharsha Coordination Committee’ observe ‘Homage Day’ at Master Canteen Square in Bhubaneswar, Sunday, he would develop relationship (RSC) and Odisha Bigyan Academy During the festival, online ses- in response to a call from Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a joint front of farmer unions, to pay tributes to the farmers who had died during the agitation since November with young victims posing as gov- is bringing scientists sions will be 26 this year OP PHOTO ernment official. He also assured and science commu- conducted on the victims high profile jobs in nicators together on Astronomy, various Central and state gov- an eight-day Digital Mathematics, ernment departments. He even Mega Science festival Space Science, Affordable stay for devotees visiting Srimandir planned duped many by promising them from December 23. Chemistry, IAS and IPS posts. The accused Soumen Ghosh, proj- Representative pic Computational AGENCIES Kumar Saturday after a high level cheap accommodation to the visi- Bubun had allegedly received ect coordinator of RSC, Thinking, Sci- A FACILITY WILL COME UP OVER official delegation visited the holy tors, Kumar said, adding that a bed around Rs 45,000 from the com- said that the year 2020 has been Art, Origami and Vedas, this apart Puri, Dec 20: The state govern- NINE TO 10 ACRES OF LAND NEAR town to review the ambitious would cost about Rs 100 to 150. plainant, Prasanjyoti Malla of unprecedented to all due to spread Practical Electronics session will ment was in the process of estab- BASELI SAHI POLICE STATION Augmentation of Basic Amenities Development Commissioner SC Acharya Vihar to get him a job in of novel coronavirus. “Learning in be organised by the scientists from lishing a huge facility for providing and Development of Heritage and Mohapatra, 5T Secretary VK FSSAI. He later avoided Malla after formal or non-formal already shifted abroad and India. affordable accommodation to pil- A BED WOULD COST ABOUT Architecture (ABADHA) pro- Pandian and other senior officials collecting the money from him. to digital platform. Even with all Earlier, Institute of Life Science grims visiting Shree Jagannath `100 TO 150 gramme. visited Puri Saturday to review Sahid Nagar police arrested odds due to outbreak of pandemic, organised a two-day Virtual Open Temple here, a senior official said. A huge facility will come up over various developmental projects Bubun after registering a case an opportunity appears to bring Day and Science Festival This was stated by Works secre- Shree Jagannath Temple nine to 10 acres of land near Baseli ahead of reopening of Srimandir based on the complaint lodged world community in a single plat- December 4-5. tary-cum- chief administrator of Administration (SJTA) Krishan Sahi police station for providing for general public January 3. by Malla.

TAKING TO STREETS Plan to accommodate seasonal biz units Interested vendors can apply to book the stalls online from December 20 to January 5, 2021

POST NEWS NETWORK Reducing resource and time is an important Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: The aspect in smart Bhubaneswar Municipal solutions. The BMC is Corporation (BMC) has started fa- promoting transparency cilitating online booking of space where vendors will not be for seasonal businesses in the state worried and there will be no capital through its web portal ambiguity Bhubaneswar.me. PREM CHANDRA CHAUDHARY | The smart solution which is aimed COMMISSIONER, BMC for interested vendors, will help them book business space without Vendors can apply online visiting the civic authority’s office and avail the service on first or any official rigmarole. Keeping come and first serve basis eyes on the upcoming Christmas SRIMANTA MISHRA| and New Year celebrations, the city list of stalls available and prices Zone. And back side of RTO II of- DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, REVENUE administration has enabled the sites for different components are well fice- Patia, in front of Damana Club where interested vendors can apply defined.” Field- Damana, Mini stadium hata mandatory for the businesses, the to book the stalls online from As per the sources, under the in front of Jaydev college rate per sq. feet per day is Rs. 0.60. December 20 to January 5, 2021. online facility, the BMC has chalked Naharakanta, in front of Pahal Meanwhile ground rent per sq. feet Speaking on the services offered, out 778 stalls of 10x10 feet each old Phandi- Pahal, side of Club per day is Rs1.60 and sanitation BMC Commissioner Prem Chandra coming under its three zones. The Town Field , Padmabati vihar charge is Rs 50 per day per stall. Chaudhary said, “Reducing re- places where seasonal business Yagnya Field, stadium near urban Vendors can apply online and avail source and timing is an important spaces are available are behind Primary Health Centre- the service on first come and first aspect in smart solutions. The BMC Nandan Kanan office, Shaheed Chandrasekharpur, near Dhirikuti serve basis,” informed Srimanta is promoting transparency where Nagar and in front of Laxmi Sagar slum Gadakana and near Jagannath Mishra, Deputy Commissioner, vendors will not be worried and police station under South East temple Pandara under North Zone. Revenue. there will be no ambiguity. In the Zone. Gym Centre, Pokhariput , “The tariff for the seasonal stall The BMC has also pondered to Congress activists take out a rally at Master Canteen Square in Bhubaneswar, Sunday, condemning the state present, facility of providing link near ICAR gate Aiginia and Jatra space has been fixed under three dif- provide such facility for vendors for

government’s failure in curbing the rising incidents of violence against women OP PHOTO for booking of seasonal stalls, the Padia - Jagamara under South West ferent components. While license is different seasonal business in future.

k y m c P5 MONDAY | DECEMBER 21 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR state

Andhra lays blacktop Maoists, security forces exchange fire; arms seized

k y m c road in disputed area POST NEWS NETWORK BSF RECOVERS LANDMINE Phulbani, Dec 20: A militiaman was detained while firearms and Malkangiri: In a major success against Maoists in other articles were seized during an Swabhiman area of Malakngiri district, the Border exchange of fire between the Maoists Security Force (BSF) jawans Saturday night recovered and security forces December 17 a powerful landmine hidden near Pipalpadar area in the evening near Bireni village under district. Acting on tip-off, the BSF jawans launched a comb- Gochhapada police limits in ing operation from Pipalpadar to Nakamamudi in Kandhamal district, police said ANTI-INSURGENCY OPERATION Swabhiman area and unearthed the powerful land- Sunday. The arrested militia has been The security forces took cover and mine. Later, a bomb disposal squad reached the spot and The militiaman was detained taken for interrogation to fired in a controlled manner in defused the landmine averting a possible mishap. The during the exchange of fire while examine his involvement in self-defence and asked the ultras to jawans suspected that the Maoists were targeting the se- the ultras taking advantage of the violence and insurgency surrender. However, the ultras curity forces for which they had planted the powerful dense forest managed to escape. activities in the region refused to listen and went on firing landmine. October 20, BSF jawans and the police had seized POST NEWS NETWORK states held talks at a border post to He has been taken for interro- materials include 18 pieces of slurry and emulsion ex- resolve the prolonged issue. gation to examine his involvement that over 10-12 Maoists were pres- Special Operation Group (SOG) plosives, 500 pieces of gelatin, three camera flashes and other materials Jeypore, Dec 20: Even though the A team of Koraput district ad- in violence and insurgency activi- ent at the spot when the encounter and District Voluntary Force (DVF) from this area. They had also seized explosives including tiffin bombs. border dispute between Odisha ministration represented Odisha, ties in the region. took place, said Kandhamal SP was launched in the area follow- and Andhra Pradesh continues at while another team of Two country-made guns, a radio Vinit Agarwal at a press confer- ing a tip-off, December 15. The The security forces took cover The jawans retaliated in equal meas- several places in Koraput, the neigh- Visakhapatnam district adminis- set, medicines, clothes, ration and ence held at the district police head- jawans were scanning the area and fired in a controlled manner ures. As a result, the ultras could not bouring state Saturday afternoon tration represented Andhra Pradesh other articles were seized from the quarters here, Sunday. when the ultras started firing at in self-defence and asked the ultras withstand the onslaught for long laid a blacktop road at Sunabeda vil- in the meeting. place after the ultras escaped. The SP said that a joint combing them near the Bireni village, to surrender. However, the ultras and fled the scene leaving behind lage under Sambai panchayat under GPS mapping of the border is Preliminary inquiries revealed operation comprising the jawans of December 17. refused to listen and went on firing. their firearms and other articles. Pottangi block in the district. being carried out in lines with the This has triggered a fresh con- Madras Presidency map and a joint troversy in the bordering villages. survey for this has also started. On being informed by local vil- The officials of the two states AWARENESS DRIVE lagers about the fresh development, had then agreed not to undertake Minor girl stripped, Pottangi additional tehsildar took any developmental activity until the stock of the road laying work. boundaries are demarcated. The Notably, in a welcome develop- Andhra Pradesh government, how- beaten up over affair ment last December 3, authorities ever, has violated the agreement by from bordering districts of the two laying the road. POST NEWS NETWORK Police have so far Irrigation project lying unused Khallikote, Dec 20: A minor girl arrested 16 women and from Khallikote area in Ganjam sent them to jail POST NEWS NETWORK though 29 outlets. The department district was stripped, beaten up had set up three pump sets to pro- and tied to a tree by several women Saturday. Fearing Kesinga, Dec 20: Like most other vide water through an 8.464 km of the village over an alleged love arrest, 10 male parts of Odisha, agriculture is the long pipeline as well. affair with a youth from the area. primary occupation of residents of But the farmers alleged that While the incident took place members of the village Laitara Gram panchayat in Kesinga given the low-level positioning of late Friday night, the minor girl with have fled block of Kalahandi district. But water outlets, the project barely her grandmother managed to reach this sector has been hit hard as manages to irrigate their farm- the nearest police station only the on to arrest more persons. the already constructed irrigation lands. While during rainy season next morning to register a Sources said the 16-year-old girl project near Ret River is unable to very less amount of water passes complaint. has been staying with her grand- irrigate the farmlands of the through the outlets, it all becomes The police have so far arrested mother at a village under Khallikote panchayat. dry during the Rabi season. 16 women and sent them to jail police limits after her father’s death. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik When contacted, departmental Saturday. Fearing arrest, 10 male The villagers suspected her to be had inaugurated the project SDO Manas Kumar Pradhan said members of the village have fled. in a relationship with a youth from December 15, 2015. The water re- that they have requested the state The accused women were pro- the same village and objected to sources department had spent Rs government to reconstruct the duced in a POCSO court and later, the affair. Following a heated ar- 8.98 crore to construct it. check dams, pipelines and outlets remanded to judicial custody after gument Friday, some of the women The project aimed at irrigating in proper position so that the farm- their bail pleas got rejected, from the village stripped her, tied 500 hectares of farmland in Laitara, ers can draw benefits from Chhatrapur SDPO Goutam Kishan her to a tree and beat her up over Jaloka and Karalabhadi villages the project. A van meant to create awareness about paddy procurement being flagged off in Paralakhemundi OP PHOTO said. Further investigations are the alleged affair. Picnic turns tragic: 1 Fake engine oil Notice served on 3 firms for dead, 2 missing in river Elephant kills one factory busted POST NEWS NETWORK POST NEWS NETWORK next of kin of the deceased will be provided Rs 4 lakh as govern- mineral stock irregularities Rourkela, Dec 20: A youth died Jhumpura/Joda, Dec 20: After ment assistance. POST NEWS NETWORK and two others went missing in a brief hiatus, an elephant sepa- Three elephants have been un- Koel river in Jhirpani here in rated from its herd has been caus- leashing a reign of terror in Berhampur, Dec 20: Acting on POST NEWS NETWORK Sundargarh Sunday. They were ing mayhem in Bamebari section Champua, Keonjhar and Bhuyan tip-off, Town police busted a fake washed away by strong currents under Champua range in Juanga Pidhi ranges. A forest of- engine oil factory at Niladri Vihar Joda, Dec 20: Some mining firms when they were enjoying Keonjhar district. The animal ficial said that as these elephants here and arrested its proprietor, have allegedly committed irregu- their bath. claimed the life of a person have been moving separately, it is Sunday. larities in mineral stocks and tam- Saturday evening. difficult to keep track of them. The accused was identified as pered with grades of iron ore in Some youths had The deceased was identified as In the last few days, elephants Md. Izaz, 31. Around 20 cartons of Joda mining circle in Keonjhar gone to Jhirpani on a Srikant Nayak (40) of Kaijoda vil- have killed three people in the engine oil, raw materials, a ma- district. lage. Srikant was out to answer the area. They have damaged several chine worth Rs 3 lakh and a car The office of the Joda joint di- picnic when the call of nature near a forest when houses and crops in acres of land. were seized during the raid. rector of mining has issued no- mishap occurred the elephant trampled him The animals have taken away The disclosure is indicative of tices to three firms, a report said. to death. the sleep of the farmers with the extent of spread of fake in- According to the report, Kashiv The identities of the deceased On being informed, Bamebari crops in large tracts of farmland dustrial units in the state manu- International Private Limited at and the missing duo are yet to be forester Jatindra Sahu visited being eaten and destroyed every- facturing spurious and adulter- Jaribhal, Tarini Minerals at Deojhar FILE PHOTO ascertained. Sources said some the spot while the body was sent day. Locals alleged that the forest ated products. It comes close on the and Murgabeda iron ore and mines youths had gone to Jhirpani on a to Keonjhar for post-mortem. The officials have failed to drive away heels of similar raids carried out were issued notices Friday. picnic. Three of them had gone to forest department says that the the animals. on adulterated soya chunk, ghee, These three mining companies Due to such illegalities, the state liction of duty. the river, which is near the picnic sauce manufacturing units had tampered with the grades of government has to lose crores of ru- Joint director of mines at the spot, for bathing at about 3pm. in Cuttack. iron ore in official records. The pees as revenue. Bhubaneswar office Umesh They were enjoying their bath A case was registered in this mines department came to know It may be noted here that the Chandra Jena said that notices when one of them accidentally connection and further investi- their irregularities and suspended mines department had examined were issued to three mines as there went into the middle of the river. gations are on. their mining activities for the the stock of minerals on the prem- were irregularities in their stocks. Seeing him being washed away, Police said Izaz used to procure time being. ises of a major mining company He added that the stand of the the other two friends tried to res- plain oil and labels of various Some leaseholders at times trans- in October in Joda. Then, the de- government is very clear so far as cue him. In the process, they also prominent brands like Castrol port high grade minerals instead partment came to know about the tax evasion and illegal mining are got washed away. and Servo from Kolkata to man- of the minerals in their stocks. irregularities. That mine was concerned. Such cases will be dealt Fire personnel with the help of ufacture spurious engine oils in the They usually show low quality served closure notice while two with sternly and stringent action local people carried out a rescue factory . The manufactured oil minerals in records, but sell high mining officers of Joda mining will be taken against the erring operation. They could fish out one was later sold in markets of grade minerals. circle had been suspended for dere- mines if necessary, he added. body. The other two are still missing. Gajapati and Rayagada. Dining at a palace to be a reality soon in Sambalpur

POST NEWS NETWORK gram together. ROYAL TOUCH According to district tourist officer Hemant Sambalpur, Dec 20: Other things being Pradhan, Rani Bakhri has been an attraction equal, your dream to dine with your loved The palace known as Rani for tourists. Since there are Samalei Temple ones at a palace will soon come true. Bakhri was built by fifth and other temples adjacent to it, it gets Jemadei Mahal, popularly known as Rani Chouhan king of Sambalpur tourists all the year-round. The restaurant Bakhri (Queen’s Palace) is being converted Baliyar Singh and had been will be developed in accordance with the into a restaurant and soon it will be readied lying in a neglected state for a taste of these tourists. to welcome guests. This three-storied palace long period “Once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted gloriously displaying marvels of Rajasthani and tourists start visiting tourist spots as they architecture is located close to Pataneswari used to do in pre-pandemic days, work on Temple in Sambalpur. This three-storied palace transforming the palace into palace restau- In order to give a royal feel, special care gloriously displaying marvels rant will start. Now the Sambalpur is being employed. The restaurant will have of Rajasthani architecture is Municipality Corporation is managing the all the signs of a palace, be it in furniture located close to Pataneswari palace. Soon the or decoration. The Odisha Tourism Temple in Sambalpur palace will be Development Corporation (OTDC) has al- handed over to ready started working on it. The menu will have Western the OTDC,” he Once completed, it will offer a wide array Odisha’s signature added. of cuisines to its guests. And to give a feel mouthwatering delicacies in a On the occa- of being in Western Odisha, the menu will royal ambience, to give a feel sion of World have Western Odisha’s signature mouth- of being in Western Odisha Tourism Day watering delicacies in a royal ambience. September 19 Notably, renovation and restoration of this year, Chief the palace started two years ago. This his- white coat, the architectural features and de- there was hardly any sign of paints on walls Minister Naveen toric three-storied building has 15 well- signs have got a contrasting colour. as they had long faded away. Patnaik had in- maintained and well-furnished rooms in Once in ruins, the palace has been re- When it was decided to restore the palace formed that the

total- seven on the ground floor, six on the stored and renovated by the OTDC at a cost to its original condition, experts of INTACH government will

k y m c first floor and two on the second floor. There of Rs 1 crore. were consulted. Under their supervision, a develop tourism is also a balcony. Built by fifth Chouhan king of Sambalpur diagram was drawn out and accordingly in the state and In the space in front of the palace, there Baliyar Singh, the palace had been lying in the restoration work started. Instead of at the same time is a mini open-air auditorium with a gallery a neglected state for a long period. There were using cement, the palace was given a coat of steps will be for visitors to enjoy cultural programmes. cracks on the walls and the surrounding a mixture prepared by mixing lime, gum of taken to attract While the entire palace has been given a was full of wanton growth of bushes. And bel fruit, fenugreek, molasses and black more tourists. P6 MONDAY | DECEMBER 21 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR power post

FOCUS HUMANITY In silence lies the source of

the highest inspirations.

k y m c THE MOTHER INEQUALITIES IN EQUALITY

he West and Islam are at Muslim people of Nigeria are starv- loggerheads with each ing. In Pakistan two million peo- other. This is unfortunate ple are living today as bonded Turban Naxals Tbecause both are funda- labour—this within an Islamic mentally egalitarian ideologies. country. A number of reports tell o roll back or not to roll back! This is the question that could be oc- The French Revolution of 1789 of “slave wives” being “wed” by cupying uppermost mind space of the Union government now. It con- was anchored on the slogan Saudi Royals. So, Islam with an T cerns the three new controversial farming related laws. The Modi gov- “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.” Yet, egalitarian ideology has been trans- ernment needs to address this imbroglio without any further delay. Time the French people enslaved large formed into an internally unequal is running out. Unlike the Supreme Court which can afford to bide time to parts of North Africa in the nine- and exploitative society. It must take a decision, a democratically elected government does not enjoy that teenth century--after the French be noted and honoured though luxury. The farmers’ agitation against the legislations has engulfed the ex- Revolution-- and perpetuated a that Islam has not made military ecutive, the judiciary, the Opposition and the corporate world while getting number of atrocities on those peo- The French Revolution of 1789 was anchored war against other countries like international traction. The big private houses that incurred the wrath of ple. They applied “Liberty, Equality, on the slogan “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.” France or economic wars against the farmers having been perceived to be the main beneficiaries of the new Fraternity” to the French people Yet, the French people enslaved large parts other countries like the US. laws, have become unnerved. One of them has launched a media propaganda and not to the African people. Here again we have exceptions blitzkrieg through advertisements to counter the farmers’ charge against Similarly, Abraham Lincoln abol- of North Africa in the nineteenth century - after to the rule. Iraq made war against it. Another has begun an almost internecine war in the corporate world ac- ished slavery in the United States. the French Revolution - and perpetuated a Kuwait. The Rohingyas are con- cusing its rivals of colluding with the agitating farmers who have given a Yet, the US today has been ag- sidered to have made war against call to boycott its telecom services, as it is also an agriculture market leader. gressively promoting the interests number of atrocities on those people the State of Myanmar. A number This has started to hit the company’s telephony business with over 400 mil- of its multinational corporations of Islamic organizations are openly lion subscribers. The rivals, of course, denied the charge and claimed they leading to wealth for the West and advocating Jehad against other have been in the telecom business for the past 25 years and captured the mar- poverty for the East. It introduced manity? Similarly, Article 21 (2) says The Lord encompasses the Arabic, countries. A difference from France ket through hard work. Bharat the Patents Acts in the World Trade “Everyone has the right of equal American, European, Pagan, and US, however, is that these Nobel Laureate Abhijit Vinayak Banerjee has recently said that the farm- Organization. Previously India access to public service in his Atheists, and all other peoples. wars are being made for religious ers’ agitation has been spurred on not so much for the content of the new Jhunjhunwala was free to copy and make a prod- country.” Question is this: Why The basic tenor of the Quran is objectives, not for economic ex- laws but because of massive lack of trust in the government. He further says uct invented by an American MNC access to services only in “his global. The Quran brings Allah’s ploitation. We have in front of us this time of the pandemic is not good to have a conversation about the farm as long as the Indian copier did country” if we are a common hu- message to the whole humanity; a strange spectacle. Two ideolo- laws and that the government should immediately announce a temporary THE WEST HAS not use the same process to make manity? Why should public serv- not to a section of it. In my read- gies that are both egalitarian as well rollback and discuss the legislations at length in the Parliament later on. Although the product as used by the ices of humanity not be shared ing, Allah does not even tolerate as universal, have both espoused Banerjee’s opinion may be valid, no one will be deceived that Parliamentary ESTABLISHED American inventor. Before the in- across all peoples? In this way, any distinction even between be- inequality in different ways. The debates in India must not have the last say to pave the way for resolution of DEMOCRACY troduction of the Patents Act in the the West has established democracy lievers and non-believers in the West has tried to secure equality such conflicts. Banerjee’s suggestion could sound like a sweet melody to this WTO, an Indian pharma could and equality within its own coun- Prophet. A person may believe in within the countries but exploited government which has become extremely deft at misusing the discuss-de- AND EQUALITY make the Pfizer vaccine for Covid- tries but espoused inequality and Allah and in another Prophet, not other people. Islam, on the other bate-decide mode of Parliament. It is we, the people, the lowest in the eco- 19 as long as it used a different exploitation vis-à-vis the devel- Prophet Muhammad. The Quran hand, has tried to secure equality nomic rung, who have given an overwhelming majority to the BJP in the last WITHIN ITS OWN process than used by Pfizer to oping countries. accepts the Jews and Christians as between countries but exploited its general election. With such a huge number of MPs on its side, any discus- COUNTRIES BUT make the vaccine. To give another Indeed, there are exceptions to people of the book even though own peoples. The way forward is sion on the floor of the House becomes redundant once the matter, at the fi- example, it is reported that the this rule. Winston Churchill had they do not honour Prophet for both the West and Islam to re- nale, goes for voting. If the Bills come up for voting once again, the ‘Ayes Have ESPOUSED cost of production of Windows gone to the US to meet President Muhammad. Unfortunately, Islam form themselves. Only then we It, Ayes Have It’ will ring loud and clear from the Speaker’s Chair. Once that INEQUALITY AND software by Microsoft is only one Roosevelt during the Second World has transformed itself into an ex- will have peace and welfare as de- is done, the farmers would never understand what hit them. Most unedu- US dollar whereas Microsoft is War seeking American assistance. ploitative society despite this uni- clared by the French Revolution cated democrats would then stand aside and feel proud that the test of fire EXPLOITATION selling it at about ten dollars per Roosevelt had put the condition that versalism. and the Quran. was duly undertaken and the law was passed properly. That lie would be a VIS-À-VIS piece. Indian software companies England would have to give free- Furthermore, Prophet As an endnote, we in India must true deception. Apart from the farce being played out on India’s democracy cannot copy the Windows software dom to her colonies as a quid pro Muhammad lived a very simple remind ourselves that we basi- currently, Banerjee does not seem to realize that it is not just ‘massive mis- DEVELOPING due the Patents Act. This kind of quo for American support. That life. The first two Imams--Abu Bakr cally suffer from the same ills as trust in the government’ that is encouraging the farmers to protest but also profiteering is leading to poverty was a great contribution of the and Oman—also lived simple lives. Islam. The caste system still pre- that the three laws are going to be very harmful for India’s agriculture sec- COUNTRIES in developing countries and rich- US to the welfare of the people of However, the third Imam Othman vails in large parts of the country tor in the days to come. Banerjee, in an unspoken fashion, has not opposed ness in Western countries. world. The US had also granted food transformed the situation entirely. although we have expunged it from the laws per se but finds superficial fault because of the timing of implementation. We find the same anomaly in the aid under PL-480 law when India Leslie Hazelton, author of “After our Constitution. Economic in- Till now the government is in no mood to budge from its stand that the Universal Declaration of Human was facing a severe drought in the the Prophet”, says that Othman equality between the rich and the laws will be a “game-changer.” After maintaining silence for some time and Rights adopted by the United sixties. However, these exceptions “built palaces in Medina with en- poor has been increasing at a reg- letting his Cabinet colleagues defend the legislations, Prime Minister Modi Nations in 1948 at the behest of do not obviate the larger ex- closed gardens, marble columns, ular pace since the Independence. has now begun to bat for the farm laws with an appeal to the Opposition to the developed countries. Article 31 ploitative tendency of the West. and imported food and chefs. He It has increased exponentially support the measures and not to “mislead” the farmers. This is usual political says “Everyone has the right to free- The situation gets flipped in began to give away vast private under the present NDA govern- rhetoric and slugfest between the ruling party and the Opposition to upstage dom of movement and residence Islam. Equality between countries state to his relatives some with ment that is ideologically driven by one another to consolidate respective vote-banks. Now, it is for the Opposition within the borders of each state.” is accepted. Ayat 17:60 of the Quran thousands of horses and as many Hindu texts. Thus, like Muslims, to withdraw and not try to usurp this people’s movement for its own bene- Question is this: Why should the says, “And [remember, O slaves.” In this way, the egalitarian Hindus must also reform them- fit. Trying to do so would only help the government. freedom of movement be restricted Muhammad], when we told you, ideology of the Quran was trans- selves to espouse internal equality. Not long ago, the country was witness to a similar turmoil when farmers within “each state” when the rights Indeed, your Lord has encom- formed into a deep social inequality closed ranks and took on state power which, like the Modi government, tried enshrined in the Declaration are passed the people.” This Ayat ap- within the Islamic countries and The writer is a former its best to sell the idea to the farmers that its initiative was in their inter- “universal?” Why the Declaration plies to whole humanity. There is this continues to this day. The Professor of Economics ests only. Nearly a decade ago, the CPM government in Bengal began a does not implement “Equality” no division between the people palaces of Saudi Arabia smack of at IIM Bangalore. major industrialisation overdrive by forcibly taking away farmland. Like the and “Fraternity” between all hu- that have been “encompassed.” unparalleled luxury while even Views are personal. BJP, it was also a regimented party enjoying overwhelming majority in the state Assembly and it tried to steamroll farmers’ agitation spearheaded by the Trinamool Congress. The then Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had boasted with the infamous remark, “we are 235, they are 35,” referring SPECTRUM PANDEMIC to the respective tallies of the Left Front and the Trinamool in the Assembly. A minister of the Modi government parroted a similar argument in a slightly different language bragging that the government has comfortable majority in the Parliament and a “ragtag” farmers’ group doesn’t have the power to stop the government from having its way. It was the arrogance and desperation to placate the corporate lobby that Managing well in the WFH era propelled the Marxist government to try and bulldoze farmers’ protest with the power of brute legislative majority and well-oiled party machinery. any managers are treat- office worker simply wasn’t mentally all the time: Zoom fatigue is sky and a little positive feedback could What happened thereafter is history. The Marxists got voted out by the peo- ing this year’s pandemic- or financially prepared to turn their high, and employees may have to be exactly what someone needed to ple in 2011. Since then they have been suffering the ignominy of being an Minduced shift to work from home into a makeshift WeWork lo- manage quiet space so that all hear on a particularly rough day. also-ran outfit in successive elections that they have contested. home as though it were standard cation while also taking on previ- household members can partici- Capitalize on accessible resources: What the BJP government at the Centre has now embarked upon is being telecommuting. But it’s not, and ously outsourced teaching, child- pate in their respective work calls Managers should look for ways to viewed as far more alarming for the farmers and the country’s food secu- operating under the assumption care, and eldercare duties. Many and video meetings. Women usually create more win-win scenarios while rity. The ruling party first tried to denigrate the agitation by portraying it that it is can ultimately harm em- families do not live in homes that can get the short end of the stick, with leveraging the assets they already as a Khalistani-inspired movement, the work of anti-nationals, turban nax- ployees’ morale. While office work- easily accommodate telecommut- one author dubbing them “reluctant have. At Barnard College we are als and vested interests. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court too has spoken, de- ers are typically faring better than ing, and some employees’ domestic nomads” in the “battle for space.” paying our students to tutor the fending the farmers’ right to protest peacefully while it has also sought the essential workers during the pan- arrangements are not conducive For example, an employee might find children of our faculty and staff. government’s opinion on how, in future, such protests should be held against demic, the abrupt shift to remote to success. Managers can take sev- herself perched on the edge of the Our undergraduates gain part-time the government. The government is still adamant and unwilling to concede work was jarring, and its effects eral steps to ease these burdens for bathtub, precariously balancing a work at a time when internships and to the farmers’ demand to withdraw the legislations completely. That, the should not be overlooked. their employees. computer on her knees, so that her entry-level jobs are scarce, and our BJP leadership feels, could mean a major blow to its standing in the people’s Leadership experts and cognitive Set reasonable expectations: Many partner and children can conduct full-time employees can outsource eye and the interests of its friends in the corporate world. It’s time it learns scientists can attest that resistance employees are bearing new burdens their business or school work from one task among their many re- a lesson from the fate of the Marxist government in Bengal rubbing the farm- Sian Beilock to change is less about the change and facing pressure from multiple the living room, bedroom, and sponsibilities. Managers who are un- ers the wrong way. itself and more about losing con- sources. Managers can avoid over- kitchen. And women tend to face un- clear about where employees need THE OFFICE trol and fear of uncertainty. Humans whelming them by eliminating un- fair criticism and pressure over some help could ask them in an – and other animals, for that mat- necessary reports and redundant their appearance on Zoom. anonymous survey about the biggest WISDOM CORNER WASN’T INVITED ter – respond defensively when the procedures, and by being as trans- Managers should ask whether any challenges they face and allocate power to make decisions about parent as possible about deadlines. meetings could be eliminated, short- resources accordingly. INTO THE HOME. IT their own lives is removed. And For example, if an important client ened, or conducted without video. Adjusting to sudden change re- He who reigns within himself and rules passions, desires, and fears in a recent study on COVID-19 and meeting is postponed, managers Find more opportunities to cele- quires effort on everyone’s part. is more than a king. TURNED UP LIKE JOHN MILTON mental health, researchers found should inform everyone who is brate accomplishments: While it's Managers owe it to their employ- The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every AN UNEXPECTED that adults surveyed in the US and preparing materials for it immedi- always a good idea to strike a balance ees to stop treating work from home saint has a past, and every sinner has a future. GUEST – AND IT five European countries who believe ately, so they can reprioritize the between criticism and praise, em- like a luxury. The office wasn’t in- OSCAR WILDE that other people or random chance day’s tasks. Likewise, managers ployees now face a constant flood of vited into the home. It turned up like Vanity working on a weak head, produces every sort of mischief. SHOWS FEW SIGNS mostly dictates what happens to shouldn’t expect immediate replies terrible news related to the pan- an unexpected guest – and it shows JANE AUSTEN OF LEAVING SOON them also report greater symp- to emails – a constant sense of ur- demic, and are likely starved for few signs of leaving soon. toms of depression. gency contributes to employee wins. Managers should look for WORDSWORTH There’s a big difference between burnout. Sending emails outside of small successes that can be publicly The writer, a cognitive choosing to telecommute and sud- working hours should be avoided, or recognized to boost morale, and scientist, is President denly being forced to work from staff shouldn’t be expected to answer thank employees for their hard work of Barnard College at Wayzgoose home. While eliminating the daily after-hours messages immediately. when they see a job well done. It Columbia University. commute has been nice, the average Don't force employees to be ‘on’ costs nothing to show appreciation, ©PROJECT SYNDICATE he end of summer came early in old-time printing shops. By the third Tweek in August candles were needed to light the final hours of the long working day. To mark this shift to winter working, it was usual for the master printer to give his journeymen a feast around St Bartholomew’s Day (24 State of pandemic Sinking ship August). This was the wayzgoose or way-goose. Its earliest recorded use is this: The Master Printer gives them a Way-goose; that is, he makes them a Sir, Active cases of Covid-19 are total Sir, This is in reference to the report, ‘Didi will be all alone: Shah’, Orissa Post, December 20. In its good Feast, and not only entertains them at his own House, but besides, cases excluding recovered and de- quest to wrest power in West Bengal, the BJP is going all out to weaken the Mamata Banerjee-led gives them Money to spend at the Ale-house or Tavern at Night. ... These etters ceased cases and are a major pa- TMC. TMC’s strong man Suvendu Adhikari, an instrumental figure in the Nandigram movement, Way-gooses, are always kept about Bartholomew-tide. And till the Master- rameter to gauge the current state of and a key personality in bringing the TMC to the power corridors in the state, along with many other Printer have given this Way-goose, the Journey-men do not use to Work by the pandemic. After the peak cases in legislators has joined the saffron party. The party’s astronomical rise on the ruins of the Communist Candle Light (Mechanick Exercises, by Joseph Moxon, 1683). A rather TOL THE EDITOR mid September, there is great fall in parties and the Congress which ruled the state for more than five decades has posed a major chal- splendid ditty the following century retold the story behind the practice in Readers of Orissa POST the last three months. For the whole lenge to the ruling TMC, which is in power for two terms. The BJP has deployed its potent electoral rhyming couplets: The season comes to light the tapers up, To gild the night, are most welcome to contribute letters country the present cases are less machinery with rich resources to catapult the party to power in the state that would be very cru- and drink the festive cup; Now darkness treads upon the heels of day, And (200 words), articles and than 30 per cent of the peak cases cial to enhance its heft in eastern India. On the other hand, internal rumblings in the TMC caused columns (between 750-1250 earlier now dispatches him away. ... We sacrific’d the goose, and mirth words). Contributors are and for Odisha they are less than 10 by a host of reasons ranging from the party’s structure to the party’s functioning, each one of them pursu’d; As that delicious bird about this time, Call’d for the knife, and was in requested to send their per cent. The per day death cases have a common complaint – the increasing influence of political strategist Prashant Kishor. Kishor season prime. ... The masters hence their journeymen invite, To dine abroad, contact numbers and full also have come down to less than was roped in by Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee in an attempt to help the TMC win

or spend the merry night (Lloyd’s Evening Post, 1750, quoted in Notes and postal address/email ID. They may also one-third of the peak period. In per for the third time whilst decimating the saffron party which has been making significant inroads

k y m send in their valuable comments, opinion c Queries, 4 August 1866). The name is baffling. In 1731, lexicographer and suggestions, preferably by email, million cases, Odisha is among the bot- in the state over last few years. The gradual elevation of Abhishek Banerjee to the second position Nathaniel Bailey argued, in the fifth edition of his Universal Etymological to: [email protected] tom five of 36 states/UTs. Efforts of in the party has sent a message to the cadre that he is an obvious successor to Mamata Banerjee. English Dictionary, that it came from wayz, meaning stubble, respelling the the healthcare personnel and the This has led to dissatisfaction among second line leaders with political ambitions. It’s going to be a word wayzgoose to make the derivation clearer. Though it continued to be state government have paid off. herculean task for the TMC to safeguard itself from the onslaught of a strengthening BJP in the spelled as way-goose by almost everybody except Bailey, nineteenth- B-15, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate, Gopal Prasad Mittal, Assembly elections due next mid-summer. century etymologists stuck the “z” in to make it fit Bailey’s story. Bhubaneswar-751010 BHUBANESWAR N Sadhasiva Reddy, BANGALORE MAHARASHTRA P7

KARNATAKA MONDAY | DECEMBER 21 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR

k y m ‘Metro car land not ego issue’ GOVT-PVT SCHOOLS THE CENTRE AND THE SHIV SENA-LED MAHA GOVERNMENT ARE LOCKED IN A TUSSLE OVER OWNERSHIP OF THE LAND EARMARKED BY THE STATE FOR CONSTRUCTING THE CAR SHED DEPOT NEXUS EXISTS: EX-CM PRESS TRUST OF INDIA PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Bengaluru, Dec 20: Former Chief Mumbai, Dec 20: Maharashtra TUSSLE OVER Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray OWNERSHIP accused the BJP government in Sunday said he is open for a reso- Karnataka of being 'hand-in-glove' lution of the Kanjurmarg Metro HE PREVIOUS BJP-LED STATE with private educational institu- car shed land row in Mumbai TGOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED tions which were allegedly over- through dialogue with the Centre TO CONSTRUCT THE CAR SHED charging students. and asserted it is not an “ego issue” FOR METRO LINE 3 (COLABA- In a series of tweets, the Congress BANDRA-SEEPZ) AT AAREY for him. leader slammed Chief Minister B COLONY Addressing people of S Yediyurappa and Primary and Maharashtra through a live web HE PRESENT MVA Secondary Education Minister S cast, Thackeray also said that wear- TGOVERNMENT -- Suresh Kumar for allegedly not ing masks will be mandatory for the COMPRISING THE SHIV SENA, having control over private edu- next six months in the state in view NCP AND CONGRESS -- cation institutions. of COVID-19, and asked people to RECENTLY TOOK A DECISION TO He alleged that schools were forc- be careful during the New Year cel- SHIFT THE CAR SHED TO ing parents to pay full school fees ebrations. KANJURMARG and threatening to stop online ber, had lost his job as a fallout of Speaking on the Kanjurmarg car classes if they did not comply with Schools COVID-19 lockdown and alleged shed land dispute, he lamented that issue can be resolved through dia- It also restrained the authori- Kanjurmarg land would be used it and said the government was the management did not allow her were forcing the central government moved court logue,” Thackeray said. ties from carrying out any con- for the car shed for Metro lines 3, silent on the issue. son to appear for the half-yearly against the state over the issue. He Should the land be allowed to go struction work at the said land. 4 ((WadalaGhatkopar-MulundTeen "Schools are charging even extra parents to pay full exams. also invited the opposition BJP in because of ownership issues and The previous BJP-led state gov- Hath NakaKasarvadavali) and 6 curricular fees on top of teaching school fees and Karnataka government on the state to sit across the table and should it be given to builders? he ernment had decided to construct (Lokhandwala-Jogeshwari- fees. This is an additional burden threatening to stop online Saturday decided to reopen schools resolve issues in public interest. asked. the car shed for Metro line 3 (Colaba- Kanjurmarg). on parents. The @BJP4Karnataka classes and the and Pre-University Colleges in the “Derailing each other's projects Referring to the criticism from Bandra-SEEPZ) at Aarey Colony, It will also be a junction for Metro is hand in gloves with the institu- government is silent on state for class 10 and second year would serve no purpose...The BJP leaders, he said, "The issue on despite opposition from environ- line 14, which will go up to tions," Siddaramaiah, who is Leader the issue PUC (class 12) students from Kanjurmarg car shed land dispute Kanjurmarg land is not about my mentalists and activists to the vast Ambernath and Badlapur (in neigh- of Opposition in the state Assembly SIDDARAMAIAH I FORMER CM, January 1. is not in the interest of citizens. I ego and it shouldn't be about yours tree-cutting for the project. bouring Thane), Thackeray said tweeted. KARNATAKA It also decided to start the am ready to give credit to the op- too." The present MVA government - justifying the choice of land at He sought the intervention of Vidyagama programme, which position for the project...This is not The Bombay High Court on - comprising the Shiv Sena, NCP and Kanjurmarg for the Metro car shed. the Chief Minister and the Primary enables continued schooling for an ego issue for me, as being de- Wednesday stayed the order passed Congress -- recently took a deci- "The Aarey site for Metro Line 3 and Secondary Education Minister students from classes six to nine, scribed,” he said. by Mumbai suburban district col- sion to shift the car shed from the car shed was scrapped as more land to resolve the issue at the earliest. institutions for overcharging. from that date. “We have all documents to prove lector allotting 102 acres of salt pan Aarey Colony to Kanjurmarg. would have been required in fu- Meanwhile, a group of parents The mother of a student at the The decisions were taken at a that the land belongs to the state gov- land in Kanjurmarg area here for Thackeray said Aarey car shed ture at the cost of forest," he said, staged a demonstration here, hold- protest venue, said this month she meeting chaired by Chief Minister ernment. If there is a controversy the construction of an integrated spread over 30 hectares was just adding the Kanjurmarg site will ing placards and banners and raised was not able to pay fees because BS Yediyurappa on reopening over the ownership of land, the metro car shed. for Metro line 3, while the 40-hectare serve for 50 to 100 years. slogans against private educational her husband, the sole earning mem- schools and PU colleges in the state.

Wistron apologises ENGULFED SKYLINE Exchange plastic waste to workers in Karna for food coupons now AGENCIES AGENCIES hancing our processes and re- structuring our teams to ensure Thane, Dec 20: In a bid to en- Bengaluru, Dec 20: Nearly a week these issues cannot happen again." courage citizens towards proper after violence erupted at a "Safety and wellbeing of our disposal of plastic waste, the Kalyan Karnataka factory owned by team members is always our top pri- Dombivli Municipal Corporation Taiwan-based Wistron Pvt Ltd that ority and core value at Wistron. here has introduced a scheme of giv- manufactures Apple iPhones, the Since unfortunate events at our ing food coupons to people on col- firm today removed its top execu- Narasapura facility we've found lection of 5 kg of such waste. tive who oversaw India operations. that some workers were not paid cor- The scheme has been introduced "Safety and wellbeing of our rectly, or on time. We deeply re- as part of KDMC's zero garbage etables) worth `30," he said. team members is always our top pri- gret and apologize to all of our policy, said an official from the The garbage collection centres ority," Wistron said, admitting that workers," news agency ANI quoted waste management department of have been planned at various places "some workers were not paid cor- the firm as saying. the civic body here in Maharashtra. in the KDMC limits, including mar- rectly, or on time". In a statement, "Our top priority is to ensure "Since many years, the town has kets, he said. Apple said the supplier has been put all workers are fully compensated been facing the garbage menace. We The town generates tonnes of on probation and it "will not re- immediately and we’re working have been trying several measures plastic waste every day and civic au- ceive any new business before com- hard to achieve that. We’ve estab- to address the issue," he said. thorities have roped in private pleting corrective actions". lished an employee assistance pro- "As part of the latest initiative, agencies for the waste manage- Last Saturday, several thousand gram for workers at the facility. we have appealed to citizens to col- ment, he said. contract workers at the factory We're working diligently on cor- lect their plastic waste. If they give "Our aim is to make Kalyan- near Bengaluru - angered over al- rective actions to ensure it doesn’t 5 kg of plastic waste at a collec- Dombivli a zero waste city and to leged non-payment of wages - de- happen again," it further said. tion centre, they will in return get make it a model for the entire coun- stroyed property and factory gear; Wistron is one of Apple's top global A young man sits at Dadar beach in the backdrop of city skyline engulfed in smog, in Mumbai, Sunday PTI a coupon for 'poli-bhaji' (chapati-veg- try," he added. the Apple supplier had put the suppliers. damages at $7.12 million. Earlier this In a statement, the tech giant week, the centre asked the state to today said it is placing the firm on look into wage and labour-related probation. "Our preliminary find- disputes, and ensure that investor ings indicate violations of our MASKS MANDATORY FOR NEXT 6 MONTHS sentiment is not affected as a result Supplier Code of Conduct by fail- of the violence. ing to implement proper working PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Hitting out at the BJP though life is slowly limping back Today, the Taiwan firm said in hour management processes. to normalcy in the state, reopen- a statement, "We are removing the This led to payment delays for Mumbai, Dec 20: Maharashtra for calling him egoistic, ing of schools has been a problem. Vice President who oversees our some workers in October and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray Thackeray said he Hitting out at the BJP for calling business in India. We are also en- November," the statement read. Sunday said wearing masks will him egoistic, Thackeray said he be mandatory for the next six “had ego for the "had ego for the welfare of Mumbai months in the state. and Maharashtra". Addressing people of the state welfare of Mumbai "Governments come and go, but on social media, Thackeray said ex- and Maharashtra” development is for people and their perts are in favour of imposing future generations," he said. night curfew or another lockdown, Thackeray also said his govern- but he is not in favour of these steps. should be made a habit for another ment has been utmost transparent The CM appealed to people to be six months at least," Thackeray said. in releasing statistics regarding careful during the New Year cele- Those who don't follow the safety COVID-19 positive cases and deaths brations. protocol should know they are put- due to the disease. The coronavirus situation in the ting lives of others, who are abid- Maharashtra reported 3,940 new state is under control, though not ing by rules, at risk, he said. COVID-19 cases on Saturday, taking completely, he said. Asking people to be careful while the state tally to 18,92,707. It also "Prevention is better than cure. welcoming the New Year, he said the virus in Europe has resulted in there was no other option. reported 74 deaths due to the pan- Wearing of mask at public places discovery of a new strain of the lockdown in several countries as The chief minister said even demic, taking the death toll to 48,648. Anti-cattle slaughter Bill will hit farmers, tanners Minister hints at free vaccine AGENCIES THE BILL WILL HAVE ADVERSE ECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS ON DAIRY FARMERS WHO ARE ALREADY FACING AGRARIAN DISTRESS Bangalore, Dec 20: Karnataka is PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Quraishi, the president of the as- which banned killing of any cow or likely to join the list of a few Indian sociation, is in a meeting with the calf of she-buffalo. It, however, had states that have announced that Bangalore. Dec 20: Earlier this members. The bill, if implemented, certain relaxations — like it allowed the coronavirus vaccine will be month, the BJP government in Quraishi said, will impact the liveli- slaughter of bullock, buffalo-male distributed free of cost in the state. Karnataka passed the controver- hood of more than 40 lakh people or female if it was certified by a Hinting at the same, Health and sial Karnataka Prevention of in the state who are dependent on competent authority to be above Medical Education Minister K Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle beef and related trade. the age of 12 years, incapacitated for Sudhakar said, “Either the many. We have tested over 1.2 crore Bill, 2020. Quraishi believes this is a polit- breeding or deemed sick. Government of India or the people in the state for coronavirus The bill, which replaces the less- ically motivated bill. “The govern- Rushtum Shafiylla, secretary, Government of Karnataka or both free of cost. The government is stringent 1964 cow protection leg- ment says they will protect cows, but Beef Merchants’ Association of together will ensure that the (costs proactive and committed to han- islation that prohibited slaughter see the condition of cow shelters. Karnataka, said, “We follow the of the Covid-19) vaccine to be rolled dling this pandemic,” he said. of cows in the state, bans the slaugh- Cows are suffering and dying there.” 1964 Act and have never indulged out will be taken care of in the in- Meanwhile, the minister also ter of cattle, whose definition it The 2020 Bill is a harsher version in slaughtering cows. Bullocks and terest of the people. Money is not reiterated that people should avoid has expanded to include “cow, calf of a law passed by the BJP in 2010 buffalos aged above 12 years are an issue.” New Year celebrations where they of a cow and bull, bullock and he or with BS Yediyurappa as chief min- slaughtered in the presence of vet- He was responding to queries gather in huge numbers to avoid a she buffalo”. ister. It aimed at banning all forms erinarians deputed by the Animal raised by reporters in Bengaluru further uptick in the rate of new The bill, when implemented, will set to have far-reaching adverse in the city, are worried. The market of cattle slaughter by recommending Husband Department or BBMP citing neighbouring state Kerala’s Covid-19 cases in the state. mean a blanket ban on beef in the economic implications on dairy supplies meat across the city, from stringent penalties for violators. local civic body.” recent promise of free Covid-19 “Thousands congregate in con-

southern state. The anti-cow slaugh- farmers who are already facing smaller hotels to star hotels, be- The bill was shelved in 2013 by the Quraishi also highlighted that vaccination for all in the state. gested places usually for New Year cel-

k y m c ter legislation, which was passed agrarian distress. Industries like sides getting hundreds of customers Siddaramaiah-led Congress gov- beef is consumed by a large num- Sudhakar also claimed that the ebrations, especially in areas of amid loud protests by the Opposition, leather and hotels are also going to who buy fresh meat every day. ernment after it failed to get the ber of people from low-income state government has been taking Bengaluru and other urban areas, does not only have harsh provi- take a huge hit. Behind the beef market is a small Governor’s assent. The Congress groups for its nutritional value, es- proactive measures to ensure the in a claustrophobic atmosphere. This sions — 3-7 years of jail or/and Butchers in Shivajinagar beef lane that leads to the office of Beef had then reverted to the Karnataka pecially protein. “Beef is poor peo- pandemic is handled well. should be avoided and the government steep fines up to `5 lakh, and sweep- market in central Bengaluru, which Merchants’ Association of Prevention of Cow Slaughter and ple’s meat since they cannot afford “Right from Day 1, we have been has taken all measures to discourage ing powers to the police — it is also is one of the largest beef markets Karnataka, where Khasim Aijaz Preservation of Animals Act, 1964, mutton and chicken,” he said. offering free tests and treatment to such events this time,” he said. There is more Muslim PM OFFERS PRAYERS AT P8 population in India than GURUDWARA RAKAB GANJ MONDAY | DECEMBER 21 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR Pakistan, therefore the minority status Prime Minister Narendra Modi of the Muslims should be abolished made a surprise visit to with immediate effect. Muslims Gurudwara Rakab Ganj Sunday should now consider themselves to be and paid tributes to Guru Teg the younger siblings of the Hindus and Bahadur, the ninth Sikh guru, for y national live with them in the country his supreme sacrifice

SAKSHI MAHARAJ | BJP MP FROM UNNAO

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of the day uote UNCERTAINTY OVER BOARD EXAMS Bengal wants to get The opposition parties and some other SCHOOLS CONDUCT PRE-BOARDS ONLINE rid of infiltration: Shah organisations have been misleading the PRESS TRUST OF INDIA spective teachers. However, the farmers. Some school certainly is planning to con- farmer groups, New Delhi, Dec 20: With no clar- duct the second pre-boards physi- instigated by these opposition ity yet on dates of board examina- cally at school in January," she said. parties, have been protesting tions next year, several schools are Rashmi Biswal, principal, DAV against the new farm laws already conducting pre-board exams Public School, Pushpanjali Vihar, in online mode to ensure that stu- said, "Most board exams are of 80 SURESH BHARDWAJ | HIMACHAL PRADESH dents are fully prepared in time. marks so we want to give students URBAN DEVELOPMENT & COOPERATION MINISTER While the Ministry of Education the practice of writing the whole (MoE) is yet to take a call on the dates exam and to make the experience of board exams for class 10 and 12, simpler for them we have decided The festival of it has already clarified that the to divide each paper into two parts, democracy exams will be in pen and paper so students can write and submit ended mode only. and security of staff and students. ducted the first pre-board exami- both parts in one day with an in- yesterday Schools in Delhi are restricting "However, that amount of prac- nation virtually as per the CBSE terval in between, or on two sepa- (Saturday) and I am to online exams while those in tice is not enough for pupils, we guidelines issued according to the rate days." Amit Shah during a roadshow ahead of West Bengal Assembly polls 2021, at hopeful that this will Gurgaon, Ghaziabad and Noida are are exploring adopting offline mode paper pattern. "We have conducted "We were able to successfully Bolpur in Birbhum district PTI PHOTO prove a milestone in also planning exams in blended of conducting exams as per the virtual sessions with students and conduct our first set of pre -board the development of J&K. The mode as per easing of restrictions CBSE guidelines," said Priyanka parents and have ensured a fair exams in online mode around the AGENCIES dices. Shah, while addressing a turnout of electorates (in all eight by respective state governments. Barara, Principal, MRG School, exam. Our system has been de- beginning of December. The up- press conference here, said Banerjee phases of the DDC polls) makes one "The CBSE conducted the NEET Rohini. According to Pallavi signed to keep the exam fair for the coming pre-board exams are planned Bolpur (WB), Dec 20: People of and the ruling TMC were raking up thing clear that everyone and JEE exams in 2020 during the Upadhyaya, Principal, DPS-RNE invigilator and students," she said. in offline mode along with practi- West Bengal are yearning for change the "outsider- insider" issue to di- participated enthusiastically to pandemic in offline mode. This Ghaziabad, the school has con- Upadhyaya said the question pa- cal tests. We will be ensuring full as they want to get rid of political vert public attention from the fail- strengthen the democracy at the strongly indicates that students of ducted online exams for pre-boards violence, corruption, extortion grassroots level for the pers in PDF format are shared on safety guidelines related to dis- ures of the state government. development and taking the Union grade 10 and 12 should prepare but is also planning to hold physi- MS platform and the students are tancing and hygiene, and would and Bangladeshi infiltration, Union "The Centre is well within its Territory to new heights themselves for an offline exami- cal exams in January. given 3.5 hours to attempt the paper. expect the same cooperation from Home Minister Amit Shah said rights to send a letter (summoning nation. We managed to conduct "Amidst the pandemic, we have "After attempting the paper, the students and teachers as well," said Sunday, attacking the Mamata IPS officers for central deputation) MANOJ SINHA | JAMMU AND KASHMIR LT pre-board exams in online mode, been able to complete the academic students are directed to scan and Sangeeta Hajela, Principal, Delhi Banerjee government. to state government...If they have GOVERNOR keeping in consideration safety syllabi for board classes and have con- email the answer sheets to the re- Public School Indirapuram. Addressing people during a road- any doubt they can go through the show in this town associated with rule book," Shah said. The saga of Bengali cultural and literary icon On the "insider-outsider de- India’s BSF NABS PAK Rabindranath Tagore, Shah vowed bate", Shah said a son of the soil freedom BEAUTY AT WORK to restore the state to its old glory will become the chief minister struggle is replete when it was called "sonar Bangla" in West Bengal if BJP is voted to with the heroic tales FISHERMAN (Bengal of gold) if the BJP is voted power. "I think Mamata di has for- of many great and INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERICE to power. gotten a few things. When Mamata ordinary men and "I have attended and organised di was in Congress did she call women and the selfless sacrifices Gandhinagar, Dec 20: The Border several roadshows in my life but Indira Gandhi an outsider? Did she made by them to liberate the Security Force (BSF) has appre- have never seen one like this. This use to term for Prime Minister P country from an oppressive hended a Pakistani fisherman for roadshow is a reflection of people's V Narashima Rao? Is she trying colonial rule intruding into Indian territory anger against the Mamata to create a country where people M VENKAIAH NAIDU | VICE PRESIDENT while taking advantage of rough Banerjee government. This crowd of one state are not allowed in seas and restricted visibility in reflects people's faith in the agenda other states?" he said. Gujarat, the central paramilitary of development of Narendra Modi Shah paid homage to SHORT TAKES force said Sunday. Ji," Shah told the massive gath- Rabindranath Tagore during a visit The fisherman has been iden- ering at the roadshow. He said the to the Vishva-Bharati o Sunday, tified as Khalid Hussain, 35, a res- yearning was not about chang- crediting the Nobel laureate for CRPF jawan injured ident of Shahbandar in Sindh ing a political leader but "getting turning Shantiniketan into a cen- Srinagar: Militants hurled a province of Pakistan. The BSF rid of corruption, political vio- tre for cultural exchanges. He said grenade on a security forces' troops of 108 Battalion caught the lence, extortion and Bangladeshi that as the Vishva-Bharati nears party in Anantnag district of fisherman at 5.50 p.m. on Saturday infiltration". its centenary year, Tagore's teach- Jammu and Kashmir Sunday, while patrolling in general area Sir Shah also slammed the Mamata ings should spread across the world, injuring a jawan, police said. Creek -- a 96-km tidal estuary in the Banerjee government over the re- helping Indian knowledge and cul- The militants hurled the uninhabited marshlands of the cent attack on BJP chief J P Nadda's ture achieve international acclaim grenade on a team of CRPF Indus River Delta on the border be- convoy, and asserted the Centre through his works. "Tagore has personnel at Achabal area in tween India and Pakistan. In a had the right to summon state IPS not only enriched the philosophy and the district around 6.50 pm, a statement, the BSF said its pa- officers responsible for providing literature of India, but also made police official said. A CRPF trolling team observed the him security for central deputa- Shantiniketan a base for connect- jawan was injured in the "Pakistan fishing boat which had tion. He alleged Banerjee had failed ing Indian culture with that of blast, the official said, adding intruded into Indian territory, tak- to control the law and order situ- many other countries," Shah told re- that further details were ing advantage of rough sea state ation in the state, which was rap- awaited. porters at the end of his two-hour- and restricted visibility". A honey bee sucking nectar from a flower at a park in Agartala UNI PHOTO idly falling on all development in- long visit to the central university. Sex racket busted INDIA, VIETNAM Thane: Four women were IMA moves SC over ‘mixopathy’ Man flees after marrying rescued and one person arrested after a sex racket EXPECTED TO was busted in Kalyan area of INDO-ASIA NEWS SERVICE two women in five days Thane district, police said INK PACTS TODAY Sunday. A raid was conducted New Delhi, Dec 20: The Indian PRESS TRUST OF INDIA police officer said. Subsequently, in Kolshewadi on Saturday Medical Association (IMA) has the Khandwa woman's family PRESS TRUST OF INDIA evening after a tip off and moved the Supreme Court against Khandwa, Dec 20: A 26-year- lodged a police complaint here, one Mohan Barman (33) was a Central Council of Indian old software engineer allegedly seeking registration of an FIR New Delhi, Dec 20: India and arrested for forcing the four Medicine (CCIM) order to authorise married two women in five days against the accused. The com- Vietnam are likely to seal a num- women, all in their 20s, into postgraduate practitioners in spec- in Madhya Pradesh and then fled, plaint also stated that the ac- ber of agreements and make cer- the racket, said police PRO ified streams of Ayurveda system police said Sunday. cused, after marrying the woman tain announcements to further Suvarna Adsule. A case has of medicine to be trained to perform Based on a cheating complaint here, took her to his place in expand overall ties including in been registered under IPC general surgical procedures. filed by a woman's family here on Indore. After a few days, he told areas of defence, energy and health- and Immoral Traffic (Prevention) "The petition was filed Saturday Saturday, the police are conducting her that he had to go to Bhopal for care at a virtual summit between Act, the official added. to urge the court to set aside or mal training for such procedures. in small groups to agitate against a probe into the matter, Khandwa's some unavoidable work, but, he Prime Minister Narendra Modi quash the amendment to regula- The training modules for surgical the CCIM's notification. The IMA Kotwali police station inspector went to Mhow to marry another and his Vietnamese counterpart tions to the Postgraduate Ayurveda procedures will be added to the has been openly opposing such pol- B L Mandloi said. woman, the official said. Nguyen Xuan Phuc Monday, offi- Man kills father Surgery by CCIM and declare that curriculum of Ayurvedic studies. icy moves by the Centre, especially The accused, resident of On December 2, the accused cial sources said. the council does not have the pow- The CCIM amended the Indian the plan to mix modern medicine Musakhedi area in Indore, al- had come for the wedding here The evolving situation in the Nagpur: A 22-year-old man ers to include modern medicine in legedly married a woman in Indo-Pacific is expected to figure allegedly killed his father Medicine Central Council with the traditional systems of with his parents, brothers, sis- with an axe in Nagpur's syllabus," IMA President Dr Rajan (Postgraduate Ayurveda Education) Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Khandwa December 2 and an- ter and other relatives, he said. prominently in the talks as both Ramtek area as the latter was Sharma said. Regulations, 2016, to include the Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy other woman at Mhow in Indore When the Khandwa victim's fam- countries have shared interest in an alcoholic who routinely The central government had al- aforementioned regulation to allow (AYUSH) in coming years. Sharma on December 7, the official said ily spoke to the woman with whom a free, open, peaceful, prosperous fought with kin, police said lowed PG students of Ayurveda to the PG students of Ayurveda sys- had earlier said that an integra- quoting the complaint. the accused tied the knot in Indore, and a rules-based regional order, Sunday. Rohit Chinchulkar perform various kinds of general tem to practice general surgery. tive system of medicine would cre- According to the complaint, she told them that her marriage they said. killed his father Ganpat after surgery and medical procedures, Thee move has drawn a lot of ate a "khichdi medical system" and one of the Khandwa victim's rel- was arranged and not a forced In the summit, the two sides the latter came home drunk including orthopaedic, ophthal- criticism from doctors of modern produce hybrid doctors. ative who had gone to a wedding one, as per the complaint. After are also likely to issue a joint vi- on Saturday night, a Ramtek mology, ENT and dental, by noti- medicine, leading to a series of The apex body of private prac- dinner in Mhow tehsil of Indore December 7, the accused did not sion for future development of police station official said. fying an amendment in a gazette protests by IMA members across the titioners of modern medicine had sent photographs to her family return home and switched off 'India-Vietnam Comprehensive notification the CCIM issued in country this month. Lakhs of doc- also condemned the Centre's am- through mobile phone on his mobile phone, Mandloi said. Strategic Partnership' with an November. tors, including those employed in bitious 'one nation one system' pol- December 7 of the accused's sec- Search was underway for the ab- aim to chart a new course of en- 5-yr-old girl raped The latest amendment allows government hospitals, wore black icy in medical education and called ond marriage in five days, the sconding accused, he added. hanced cooperation in a range of PG Ayurveda students to receive for- armbands at work and hit the streets it a cocktail of disaster. areas, they said. Hamirpur (UP): A 16-year-old boy has been detained by police for allegedly raping his five-year-old niece in the that he would merge his Telangana person who had launched a bitter was another body blow to the the event, the question better be prayer meeting continues to baffle Kotwali police station area Rashtriya Samiti if his demand for attack on KCR seeking to make the Opposition who had a following addressed to the Nyas. Eyebrows the political class. of Hamirpur district. the creation of the Telangana state, BJP the main challenger to the cutting across party lines. The were raised in the absence of the Superintendent of Police, by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh, was ruling TRS. Congress has not chosen to appoint President, Ramnath Kovind also. The Sikh factor Narendra Kumar Singh, said, Kuru fulfilled. Just ahead of the 2014 anybody for the role played by Patel. But it was explained by the Lok "On Saturday afternoon, the general elections, the United Yechury new Oppn It was at this juncture that Sitaram Sabha Secretariat that the The BJP is facing a huge problem five-year-old girl was Kolumn Progressive Alliance government Yechury donned the mantle. President had been overlooked by handling the farmers’ agitation playing at the door of her agreed to divide Andhra Pradesh. coordinator the members of the Gandhi family primarily from Punjab initially and house, when her 16-year-old But what he actually did? KCR went on two previous occasions. First now from other states. The BJP’s PM general secretary Sitaram Modi’s solo show when the foundation stone-laying uncle, on the pretext of on to finish off the Congress in handicap is the absence of any Yechury seems to be emerging ceremony Parliament Annexe giving her a biscuit, took her Telangana by refusing to merge. C rime Minister Modi is creating a prominent Sikh leader to talk to as the new coordinator of the building was laid by the then Prime to his house and allegedly Instead, he took the credit of history and wants to leave these farmer groups from Punjab. Opposition parties against the BJP. P Minister Indira Gandhi. The raped her. KCR back to creating a separate state and in the behind a historic mark. After he Navjot Singh Sidhu quit the party in process virtually destroyed the Though certain media reports said President was not present when singularly stole the show at utter disgust and senior Lok Sabha Congress in the state. Now he is Rahul Gandhi was the chief she laid the foundation stone. The old games Ayodhya by laying the foundation MP SS Ahluwalia is being kept at doing the same with the Prime architect of the Opposition leaders President was not present when stone of a massive Ram temple this arm’s length by the Modi Air quality very poor fter a virtual drubbing at the Minister and the BJP. The calling on the President together. It late Rajiv Gandhi laid the year, he went on to build a new establishment for some strange AHyderabad Municipal unexpected performance of the BJP now surfaces that it was not Rahul foundation stone of the Noida (UP): The average air Corporation polls, Telangana Chief Parliament House building reasons. Union Minister Hardeep y Gandhi but Sitaram Yechury who Parliament's library building. While quality deteriorated and was in corporation polls seems to have complex. In Ayodhya, he took the Minister K Chandrashekar Rao is coordinated these efforts and took the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Singh Puri is Modi’s most-trusted

recorded "very poor" in brought KCR on his knees now. He plea that it was the Ram

k y m back at his old games. He is trying the first initiative. Normally, veteran Birla was present and Deputy person. But he was a career c Noida, Greater Noida and came to Delhi last week for a three- to tell the BJP that he was never socialist Sharad Yadav used to Janmabhoomi Nyas which invited chairman of the Rajya Sabha was diplomat before becoming a Ghaziabad, while it was day visit and went about meeting against the party and that his real coordinate such efforts. But he has him to lay the foundation stone. It also witness to the ceremony, they Minister. The Akalis are no more "poor" in Gurgaon and top BJP ministers. He was fight is with the Congress. KCR had been hospitalised for two months was also explained that if L K were not part of the foundation with the BJP. Secondly, the Sikhs Faridabad, according to a 24- photographed presenting a shawl managed to convince the Congress due to Covid and related health Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and stone pooja. Why M Venkaiah can’t be treated the way CAA hour data issued by a to the home minister, Amit Shah. high command way back in 2014 issues. The death of Ahmed Patel other seniors were not invited to Naidu did not show up for the protesters were dealt with. government agency Sunday. Incidentally, Shah is the same INDIA-B’DESH BORDER TALKS P9 In a major relief to MONDAY | DECEMBER 21 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR central government TO BE HELD IN GUWAHATI pensioners amid the COVID-19 The 51st director general-level border pandemic, the date for coordination conference between the submission of life certificate Border Security Force (BSF) and Border has been extended up to Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will be held in

y national February 28 next year Guwahati from December 22 to 26, an

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of the day uote Revamp forest GATKA SKILL Farmers to observe department Why hasn't Modi uttered a single word? in Delhi: NGT Why is our Prime Minister 'maun' PRESS TRUST OF INDIA (silent)? Our hunger strike today 'annadatas' (food New Delhi, Dec 20: The National providers) are sitting on the Delhi Green Tribunal (NGT) has di- borders along with their wives and rected the authorities concerned children in one of the coldest to revamp the forest department winters Delhi has experienced, but in Delhi appropriately for the pro- our Union Home Minister Amit Shah tection of environment and a has no time for them but has time meaningful enforcement of the to go to West Bengal rule of law.

SHAMA MOHAMMED | CONGRESS A bench headed by NGT SPOKESPERSON Chairperson Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel took note of a report filed by the Principal Chief Union Conservator of Forests, Agriculture Department of Forests on the Minister issue of filling of posts. According Narendra Singh PRESS TRUST OF INDIA next move by protesting farmers to the report, the sanctioned posts Tomar will likely after their hunger strike, farmer were taken out of the purview of meet farmer unions New Delhi, Dec 20: Intensifying leader Jagjeet Singh Dalewala said the Delhi Subordinate Services agitating at the their agitation against the Centre's farmers will halt toll collection on Selection Board (DSSSB) and the borders of the national capital for new agri laws, farmers Sunday an- Department of Forest and Wildlife, repeal of three farm laws in a day or highways in Haryana from two nounced that they will observe a December 25 to 27. Government of NCT of Delhi un- day-long relay hunger strike on "From December 25 to 27 all toll dertook the process of recruit- AMIT SHAH | HOME MINISTER Monday at all sites of protest here booths in Haryana will not be al- ment of a total of 226 vacant sanc- and halt toll collection on highways lowed by us to collect toll, we will tioned posts of four forest rangers, in Haryana from December 25 to 27. halt them from doing so. On 211 forest guards and 11 wildlife A young Sikh practices gatka during farmers’ sit-in protest against the Centre’s farm reform laws, at Delhi-UP border It is a matter Thousands of farmers, mainly December 27, our prime minister guards. in Ghaziabad PTI PHOTO of pride for from Punjab and Haryana, are will say his 'Mann ki baat' and we Madhya protesting against the laws for the want to appeal to people to beat Pradesh that the last over four weeks at various bor- 'thalis' during his address," the state has emerged der points of Delhi and demanding Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) as a leading state in that the legislations be repealed. leader said at the press conference. India in the field of North India reels under cold wave "Farmers will begin a day-long The 'Mann Ki Baat' is Prime investment promotion relay hunger strike Monday at all Minister Narendra Modi's monthly SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN | CHIEF MINISTER sites of protest against the new radio address to the nation. Farmer PRESS TRUST OF INDIA administrative centre, Keylong, OF MADHYA PRADESH agri laws. It will be started by a leader and senior BKU member continued to be the coldest place in team of 11 members at protests Rakesh Tikait, who was also part New Delhi, Dec 20: Cold wave the state at minus 11 degrees Celsius, sites here, including the Singhu of the press conference, said that conditions continued across north Met centre, Shimla Director SHORT TAKES border," Swaraj India Chief farmers protesting the new agri India on Sunday, with most places Manmohan Singh said. Yogendra Yadav said and added laws will celebrate Kisan Diwas in Jammu and Kashmir and Keylong, Kalpa, Manali and that "we appeal to everyone at all on December 23 and "we request peo- Himachal Pradesh experiencing Mandi shivered at sub-zero tem- TDB makes nCoV protest sites across the nation to par- ple to not cook lunch for a day". sub-zero temperatures and Delhi peratures in the last 24 hours. The ticipate in the same". Earlier in the day, the protesting recording the season's lowest tem- cold wave conditions sweeping test mandatory "Protesters are being threatened agriculturists paid tributes to farm- perature so far. Punjab and Haryana for the last Thiruvananthapuram: by the Haryana government. This ers who died during the agitation The national capital recorded few days continued unabated, with Devotees visiting the hill is against the direction of the and also lit candles in their mem- the coldest morning of the season Adampur recording a minimum shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Supreme Court. I urge them to stop ory.The All India Kisan Sangharsh so far at 3.4 degrees Celsius, the temperature of zero degree Celsius, Sabarimala must carry a harassing farmers from tomorrow," Coordination Committee (AIKSCC) India Meteorological Department mercury dipped to 3.3 degrees valley owing to a cloud cover, but the the IMD said. COVID- 19 negative he said at a press conference at the also wrote to various traders' unions (IMD) said. Celsius at Lodhi Road as icy winds minimum still settled below the While Adampur was the coldest certificate after undergoing Delhi-Haryana Singhu border. requesting their support to the on- On Saturday, the minimum tem- from the snow-laden Western freezing point, they added. Srinagar, place in Punjab, Amritsar too reeled an RT-PCR test, the The Supreme Court on Thursday going farmers' agitation. perature at the Safdarjung Himalayas barrelled through the city, the summer capital of Jammu and under an intense chill, recording a Travancore Devaswom had said that the farmers agita- Farmers are protesting against Observatory, which provides rep- the IMD said. There was some im- Kashmir, recorded a low of minus low of one degree Celsius. In Board (TDB) which manages tion should be allowed to continue the Farmers (Empowerment and resentative data for the city, had provement in the minimum tem- 6.2 degrees Celsius, slightly up from Haryana, Narnaul was the coldest the temple said Sunday. TDB "without impediment" and this Protection) Agreement of Price settled at 3.9 degrees Celsius. "The peratures across Kashmir on Sunday the previous night's minus 6.6 de- place, recording a low of 2.4 de- President N Vasu said the court will not "interfere" with it Assurance and Farm Services Act, observatory recorded a minimum but the valley continued to expe- grees Celsius, the officials said. Icy grees Celsius. RT-PCR test certificate, as the right to protest is a funda- 2020, the Farmers Produce Trade of 3.4 degrees Celsius, five notches rience sub-zero nights, even as the winds swept through the hills of Cold wave conditions prevailed taken not more than 48 mental right. It had also put a sole and Commerce (Promotion and below normal, on Sunday morn- 40-day harshest winter period -- Himachal Pradesh as several places in Rajasthan too, with the state's only hours prior to their visit to caveat that there should not be any Facilitation) Act, 2020, and The ing. The maximum temperature is "Chillai-Kalan" -- starts from Monday, recorded sub-zero temperatures, hill station, Mount Abu, recording the temple, is must for pilgrims from December 26. breach of peace either by farmers Essential Commodities likely to settle around 22 degrees MeT officials said. The night tem- the meteorological department said. a low of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, "COVID-19-negative or police. While announcing the (Amendment) Act, 2020. Celsius," an IMD official said. The perature rose slightly across the The tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti's the IMD said. certificate after a RT-PCR test, taken not more than 48 hours prior to their visit to the temple, is a must for the CBSE board exams' pilgrims to visit the shrine. Nirav’s brother charged in schedule on Dec 22 Govt plans to measure

INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE depth of Himalayan glaciers Constable $2.6mn fraud in New York hangs self New Delhi, Dec 20: The schedule PRESS TRUST OF INDIA of Central Board of Secondary Raigarh: A constable AGENCIES about the case, I told you that." Education exams for Classes 10 New Delhi, Dec 20: As global allegedly hanged himself Nehal Modi is wanted in India in and 12 proposed to be held next year warming affects the Himalayas, from a tree in Uradana area New Delhi/ New York, Dec 20: connection with an alleged Rs 13,500 through the paper-pen mode is the Ministry of Earth Sciences is of Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district Sunday morning, Nehal Modi, the brother of fugitive crore (about $1.9 billion) fraud in- likely to be announced Tuesday, of- planning to measure the depth police said. Dipak Minj, a jewellery merchant Nirav Modi, volving the Punjab National Bank, ficial sources said. of glaciers in the region to assess native of neighbouring has been charged by a New York and at the request of India the Union Education Minister their volume and gauge the water Jashpur district who was prosecutor in an alleged $2.6 million Interpol has issued a Red Notice, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank is available in them, officials said posted in Ajak police station, fraud carried out through a multi- which is a request to law enforce- expected to make the important an- Sunday. was found hanging in the layered scheme to cheat one of the ment worldwide to arrest him pend- nouncement regarding the ex- The project will start next sum- Police Lines, an official said. world's biggest diamond companies. ing extradition. amination dates. As part of the cen- mer, sometime in June-July, said, "He was on leave for the last Announcing the charges against Under the judicial procedure in tral government initiative to M Rajeevan, the ministry's sec- one month. No suicide note Nehal Modi on Friday, the prose- New York, the prosecutors first conduct examinations on time retary. Ravichandran, the Director a major source of water for rivers has been found from the cutor, Cy Vance, said, "While dia- laws is theft involving more than $1 presented the case to a grand jury amid the pandemic, the Minister of the National Centre for Polar originating from there. The spot. We have registered an monds maybe forever, this flawed million and it carries a maximum -- a panel of citizens -- to determine has planned a three-way dialogue and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Himalayan rivers are also a life- accidental death case and scheme was not, and now Mr Modi penalty of 25 years in prison. if there was a prima facie case to with the students, parents and which will execute the project, line for the Indo-Gangetic plains, further probe is underway," will face the clarity of a New York According to the New York Post, proceed with prosecution. The teachers across the country. CBSE said the country's remote and home to several million people. he added. Supreme Court indictment." Modi told the court he was not grand jury indicted him -- a finding officials have clarified that there high-altitude research centre, The NCPOR director said while Modi was charged in the state guilty of the charge and was re- that there were enough grounds is no proposal to hold the board Himansh, is also studying the the area of the glaciers is already supreme court with "grand larceny leased without bail. to charge him. exams online. Himalayan climate. known with the help of satellites, Cop killed in the first degree" for allegedly In a short video on the Post site, The alleged crime goes back to Authorities have been holding The centre was established in what needs to be known is the "fraudulently obtaining over $2.6 mil- Modi is seen walking with a man who 2015 when Nehal Modi asked a com- discussions this year with stu- 2016. "The plan is to first study volume. "The purpose of studying Thane: A 31-year-old lion worth of diamonds from a di- may be his lawyer in what appears pany identified as LLD Diamonds dents, parents and teachers re- seven glaciers in the Chandra the depth of the glaciers is to un- constable was killed in amond wholesale company located to be the corridor of a court build- USA to obtain over $2.6 million garding the board exams even as river basin," he said. derstand the volume. This will Bhiwandi area of Thane in Manhattan," said Vance, who is ing. Asked about the case, he replied, worth of diamonds with "false rep- schools and colleges across the The Chandra river is a major also help us understand the avail- district after a speeding vehicle knocked down his the prosecutor for the city's "There's nothing about the case." resentations", some of which he country are in the process of re- tributary of the Chenab river ability of water and whether the motorcycle, police said on Manhattan district. Asked about the Interpol notice, pawned for loans and sold the rest suming normal classroom teach- which itself is a tributary of the glaciers are increasing or shrink- Sunday. Satish Chavan, The crime of grand larceny in the the man accompanying him, said, as steeply discounted prices, the ings for various classes in Indus. The Himalayan glaciers are ing," Ravichandran added. attached to Bhiwandi taluka first degree under New York State "We are not discussing anything prosecution said in a statement. December 2020 and January 2021. police station, was on his way to his home in Kharigaon at around 11:30 pm on Saturday when the accident happened at 72% of nCoV-related cyberattacks coming via fake emails Mankholi bridge on Mumbai- Nashik highway, sub inspector SB Ganeshkar of HACKERS ARE USING MULTIPLE TACTICS TO DISGUISE MALICIOUS LINKS AND AVOID DETECTION BY URL PROTECTION SOLUTIONS Narpoli police station said. INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE In comparison, 36 per cent of "Hackers using BEC want to es- avoid detection by URL protection overall attacks were found com- tablish trust with their victims solutions. The report took an in- Freedom New Delhi, Dec 20: As cyberattacks ing from scammers. "Nearly 13 per and expect a reply to their email, depth look at new tricks being used grow in magnitude globally in- cent of all spear-phishing attacks and the lack of a URL makes it to successfully execute attacks -- fighter dies cluding in India, cyber criminals come from internally compromised harder to detect the attack". spear phishing, business email Bikaner (Rajasthan): Hariram now prefer to use Covid-19 in scam- accounts, so organisations need According to Murali Urs, Country compromise, pandemic-related Dhaka, a 105-year-old ming attacks that focus on fake to invest in protecting their inter- Manager (India), Barracuda scams, and other types. freedom fighter from Churu cures and donations, compromis- nal email traffic as much as they Networks, cybercriminals adapt "Business email compromise district in Rajasthan, passed ing email accounts in Indian or- do in protecting from external very quickly when they find a new (BEC) makes up 12 per cent of the away and his mortal remains ganisations. senders," according to the report tactic or current event that they can spear-phishing attacks analysed, y were cremated with state In fact, 72 per cent of Covid-19- from cloud-enabled security solu- exploit. an increase from 7 per cent in

honours at his native village related attacks today are scam- tions provider Barracuda Networks. "Their response to the Covid-19 2019," the report said. "The or-

k y m c Sunday. Chief Minister Ashok ming or spear-phishing which is the Business email compromise pandemic proved it too well. The ganisation must invest in tech- Gehlot and his predecessor fraudulent practice of sending (BEC) attacks are increasing as organisations in India today are fac- nology to block attacks and provide Vasundhara Raje expressed emails ostensibly from a known cybercriminals see how lucrative ing increasing threats from highly- training to help people act as a their condolences on Dhaka's or trusted sender in order to induce this type of attack can be. Attackers' quickly they can adapt to current licious URLs, but only 30 per cent targeted phishing attacks," he said. last line of defense and avoid demise. Dhaka died targeted individuals to reveal con- exploitation of fears around the events. "A massive 71 per cent of of BEC attacks included a link," the Hackers are using multiple tactics falling victim to scammers' latest Saturday, his grandson fidential information. COVID-19 pandemic shows how spear-phishing attacks include ma- findings showed. to disguise malicious links and tricks," said Urs. Baldev Dhaka said. I expect that the THIMPHU GOES P10 Foreign Intelligence MONDAY | DECEMBER 21 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR Service will continue to respond INTO LOCKDOWN flexibly to the highly Bhutan’s Thimphu, went into a changeable international complete lockdown Sunday after context, actively participating in a 25-year-old woman, who visited identifying and neutralising a flu clinic at the National Referral potential threats to Russia Hospital in the city, tested international positive for the novel coronavirus

VLADIMIR PUTIN PRESIDENT, RUSSIA

k y m | c of the day uote COVID IN UK Pak govt cancels fake licences of 50 pilots As end approaches, Trump Without projects such as Emergency MILLIONS ENTER Family Income and gets doses of flattery, finality Assistance for Work and Production, poverty rate would LOCKDOWN AMID AGENCIES In a week when be much higher New York, Dec 20: President ALBERTO FERNANDEZ | PRESIDENT the Electoral , Donald Trump's administration is ARGENTINA PRESS TRUST OF INDIA ending how it began, with over- College made nCoV VARIANT SURGE the-top declarations of praise for the official Islamabad, Dec 20: The Pakistan chief executive. More government has cancelled the li- But now the flattery is mixed President-elect Americans will cences of 50 pilots for flying with with a sense of finality as key peo- die from Covid Joe Biden's fake credentials and authorities ple in the president's orbit are be- than those who died victory, Trump during World War II. will probe how they obtained the ginning to turn the page and ac- And a failed vaccine certificates through unfair means, knowledge his defeat. remained out of program will be the the country's Civil Aviation Trump himself keeps to the Oval sight, staying culmination of 10 months of federal Authority has informed a top Office, still fighting the Election failure in managing the Covid crisis court here. Day results and offering scant ac- late in the The issue of fake licences sur- knowledgement of the death and suf- ANDREW CUOMO | GOVERNOR, NEW YORK Oval Office faced in the wake of the tragic crash fering Americans are bearing in STATE of a Pakistan International Airlines the darkest hours of the COVID-19 plane in Karachi May 22, killing 97 pandemic. after weeks of tension with Trump “Your record is all the more his- people, when Minister of Aviation In a week when the Electoral brought about an early exit from his toric because you accomplished it The political Ghulam Sarwar Khan told the media College made official President- post. in the face of relentless, implaca- crisis in Iraq is that 260 of the country's 860 active pi- elect Joe Biden's victory, Trump Long seen as one of Trump's ble resistance,” Barr wrote in his linked to three PRESS TRUST OF INDIA ing,” said Professor Chris Whitty, lots had either fake licences or had remained out of sight, staying late most supportive Cabinet members, resignation letter. Trump promptly issues: power, the Chief Medical Officer for cheated in their exams. Their names in the Oval Office and working the Barr in recent weeks and months tweeted it out, adding his own words money, and London, Dec 20: A surge in the England. were made public to avoid any neg- phones and television remote in had drawn Trump's wrath for not of praise for the attorney general. corruption. We are infection rate caused by a new “There is no current evidence ative impression about other pilots, his private dining area just steps working to address supporting the president's base- In the six weeks since his defeat the crisis from an economic variant of coronavirus has led to to suggest the new strain causes including those working outside from the Resolute Desk. less claims of election fraud or for by Biden, Trump has been in- standpoint and with a bold decision millions entering a stringent new a higher mortality rate or that it Pakistan. While he made not one public not publicly pursuing an investi- creasingly disengaged from his job. to overcome the obstacles of stay-at-home lockdown in the UK affects vaccines and treatments al- Dawn newspaper reported that appearance, some of those who gation into Biden's son Hunter. The virus has killed more than corruption and money from Sunday, with non-essential though urgent work is underway authorities told the Islamabad high have been his most influential al- But when Barr stepped aside, 300,000 Americans and is now claim- shops and businesses now closed. to confirm this,” he said. court that under the requirements lies and loyal defenders gave up he did so with flowery language ing more than 3,000 lives a day, but MUSTAFA AL-KADHIMI | PRIME MINISTER, IRAQ UK Prime Minister Boris The state-funded National of the International Civil Aviation the fight, letting the president down reminiscent of the compliments the president has offered barely a Johnson announced the new rules Health Service (NHS) is set to Organisation, they have reviewed as gently as possible. that were tossed as verbal bouquets word about the deaths or the de- at a briefing from 10 Downing vaccinate people against the licences of 860 commercial pilots Attorney General William Barr at Trump during early Cabinet velopment of the vaccine that could SHORT TAKES Street Saturday evening, which coronavirus on Christmas Day and cancelled 50 of them. offered his resignation last Monday meetings. bring an end to the pandemic. means a planned five-day as part of a drive to accelerate “Christmas bubble” of relaxed the number of inoculations Netherlands rules has been cancelled in favour nationally, according to ‘The South Korea ban UK flights of a new Tier 4 level to the current Sunday Times'. More than BRAVING THE COLD three-tier lockdown system to try 100,000 Pfizer jabs have been registers highest The Hague: The Netherlands and control the surge in infec- booked at general practitioner is banning flights from the UK tions being caused by the new (GP) surgeries and hospital daily Covid-19 cases for at least the rest of the mutation of the deadly virus. hubs across the country for year in an attempt to make the coming week. sure that a new strain of UK PM Boris Johnson Under the new Tier 4, people AGENCIES coronavirus that is sweeping announced the new would be banned from mixing across southern England with anyone outside of their house- Seoul, Dec 20: South Korea does not reach its shores. rules at a briefing from hold, including on Christmas Day, Sunday reported 1,097 new coro- The ban came into effect 10 Downing Street, and for the other tiers, Christmas navirus cases, the highest-ever Sunday morning and the rules allowing up to three house- single-day spike after staying above government said it was which means a planned holds will now be limited to 1,000 for five straight days, raising reacting to tougher measures Christmas Day of December 25 the overall infection tally to 49,665. imposed in London and five-day “Christmas only, rather than five days. The The daily number of infections surrounding areas Saturday bubble” of relaxed hovered above 100 for 43 days since by British PM Boris Johnson. changes will last for two weeks rules has with the first review now due November 8 due to small cluster December 30. infections in Seoul and its sur- been cancelled The new restrictions – similar rounding Gyeonggi province, as Netanyahu gets to the second national lockdown well as imported cases, reports Covid vaccine "It seems that the spread is now which ended in November – applies Xinhua news agency. being driven by the new variant to all areas in the South East For the past week, the daily av- Tel Aviv: Israeli Prime of the virus,” Johnson said. which were in tier three, covering erage number of infections was 986. Minister Benjamin “We have alerted the World Kent, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, The cluster infections were Netanyahu was vaccinated Health Organisation and are con- Surrey (excluding Waverley), linked to religious facilities, nurs- against the novel tinuing to analyse the available Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, ing homes and workplaces, as well coronavirus on a live data to improve our understand- Rother and Hastings. A pedestrian walks amid snowing in Boston, Massachusetts, USA REUTERS as gatherings among families and television broadcast. acquaintances. Netanyahu and Health Minister Yuli Edelstein received the shot at Sheba Sydney isolated from rest of Medical Center in Tel Aviv China appoints new military Saturday evening, reports Xinhua news agency. Australia as outbreak grows Netanyahu was the first Israeli to receive the vaccine, commander amid Ladakh standoff hours before a major roll-out “If you are not an ACT resident of the vaccinations was to AGENCIES The new appointments at the and have been in greater begin in the country. "This is top of the PLA Western Sydney...our message is simple: do a great day," Netanyahu Beijing, Dec 20: Chinese President Command comes in the midst not travel to the ACT,” the ACT Of the new cases, 470 were Seoul said. Xi Jinping has appointed a new of the standoff between the health department said. The states residents and 244 were people re- General as the Commander of the Chinese and Indian military of Victoria and Queensland, and the siding in Gyeonggi province. People's Liberation Army's Western in eastern Ladakh REUTERS Northern Territory, banned peo- Twenty-five were imported from Pak summons Theatre Command which oversees since May. ple arriving from Sydney as overseas, lifting the combined fig- the China-India border, amidst the Not much is known about Gen. Sydney, Dec 20: Sydney was iso- of Monday. ure to 5,082. Fifteen more deaths Indian diplomat military standoff in eastern Ladakh. Zhang, especially his association lated from the rest of Australia Queensland police will reintro- were confirmed, increasing the President Xi, who heads the with Western Theatre Command, Sunday after all of the country’s duce road checkpoints at the New death toll at 674. The total fatality Islamabad: Pakistan Sunday summoned a senior Indian Central Military Commission Zhang, Commander of the Western as he reportedly served mostly in states and territories imposed travel South Wales state border to help en- rate stood at 1.36%. diplomat to register its (CMC), the overall high-command Theatre Command of the PLA, other theatre commands of restrictions on its residents as a coro- force the new declaration of greater A total of 388 more patients protest over the alleged of the two million-strong People's state-run Xinhua news agency re- the PLA. navirus cluster in the city grew to Sydney as a COVID-19 hotspot. were discharged from quarantine ceasefire violations by the Liberation Army (PLA), appointed ported Friday. He succeeds 65-year-old Gen. around 70. South Australia state imposed after making full recovery, pulling Indian forces along the Line Gen. Zhang Xudong as the The other officers who were pro- Zhao Zongqi who headed the The Australian Capital Territory a 14-day quarantine for Sydney up the combined number to 34,722. of Control (LoC). The Foreign Commander of the Western Theatre moted include Guo Puxiao, Political Western Theatre Command dur- (ACT) sent a stern ‘do not come to arrivals on Sunday and banned The total recovery rate was 69.91 Office alleged that a civilian Command, according to the Commissar of the Logistic Support ing the 2017 Doklam standoff where us’ message to Sydney, the country’s travellers from affected suburbs. per cent. Since January 3, the sustained injuries due to the Chinese media. Department of the CMC; Li Wei, the Indian Army stood up against most populous city of more than five The island state of Tasmania took country has tested more than 3.68 firing in the Rakhchikri Sector Xi has promoted four senior Political Commissar of the PLA the PLA's plan of laying a road million people, warning its resi- similar steps Saturday. Western million people, among whom Saturday. The Indian side Chinese military and armed po- Strategic Support Force and Wang close to the Indian border in an area dents they would be quarantined Australia state imposed a hard 3,493,954 tested negative for the was called upon to respect lice officers. Among them was Gen. Chunning, Commander. claimed by Bhutan. for 14 days if they arrived. border closure. virus and 139,475 are being checked. the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding, investigate this and other such incidents of ceasefire violations and maintain peace along the LoC Pearl murder accused claims he is ‘scapegoat’: Pak lawyer and the Working Boundary. PEARL, THE 38-YEAR-OLD SOUTH ASIA BUREAU CHIEF FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, WAS ABDUCTED AND BEHEADED WHILE HE WAS IN PAKISTAN Bomb blast kills 9 INVESTIGATING A STORY IN 2002 ON THE LINKS BETWEEN THE COUNTRY'S POWERFUL SPY AGENCY ISI AND AL-QAEDA Kabul: A car bomb blast that rocked Afghanistan’s capital PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and he was “a scapegoat” arrested on in prison -- most of which has been Sunday morning killed at his three aides were convicted and the "US pressure” and that the real in illegal solitary confinement. least nine people, according Islamabad, Dec 20: A lawyer rep- sentenced in the abduction and culprit was Rehman. According to the letter, the pres- to the Afghan Interior resenting the parents of slain US murder case of Pearl. In April, they The letter was produced during sure on the Pakistan government Ministry. Interior Minister journalist Daniel Pearl has pro- were exonerated by the Sindh High a hearing of the appeals against at the time (in 2002) by the US was Masoud Andarabi told duced a handwritten letter in Court and an appeal against their the acquittal of the four accused in so intense that Sheikh was used reporters at the site of the Pakistan’s Supreme Court in which acquittal is being heard in the the Pearl murder case. A three- as a "scapegoat" to lessen that attack that the attack the key accused in the case claimed Supreme Court. judge special bench led by Justice pressure. wounded around 20 others, that he was a "scapegoat" arrested According to a Express Tribune Mushir Alam heard the appeals of “Therefore, evidence was fabri- including a member of under "US pressure" and the real report Sunday, Faisal Siddiqui, the Sindh government and Pearl's cated against me to convict me of parliament, Khan Mohammad mastermind was a Karachi-based counsel for Pearl's parents, has pro- parents, Ruth and Judie Pearl, the abduction and murder of Daniel Wardak. Andarabi said the terrorist. duced the handwritten letter in the against the high court ruling. Pearl,” Sheikh claimed. lawmaker was in “good Pearl, the 38-year-old South Asia condition."The interior Supreme Court in which Sheikh Siddiqui contended that the bench “Later, when the person (Rehman

bureau chief for The Wall Street claimed that the real culprit was a must consider it. However, the apex alias Naeem Bukhari) who actu-

k y m minister added that the c casualty toll could rise Journal, was abducted and be- militant, Attaur Rehman, court will decide on it on the next and convicted for the abduction Pakistan's former president Pervez ally abducted Daniel was arrested, further. The attack happened headed while he was in Pakistan in- from Karachi. date of hearing on January 4, the and murder of Pearl. However, it Musharraf in his book. he was not charged with the case while the lawmaker's convey vestigating a story in 2002 on the Siddiqui told the apex court that report said. was on public record that neither Sheikh said his role in this case because to do so would have ex- was passing through an links between the country's powerful the letter was submitted to the Sheikh further said in his letter did he abduct Pearl nor did he mur- was a relatively minor one, which posed the lies and perjured evi- intersection in Kabul's spy agency ISI and al-Qaeda. Sindh High Court July 19, 2019. that he had been in prison under the der him and it had been acknowl- did not warrant the death sentence, dence that the Musharraf govern- Khoshal Khan neighborhood. British-born al-Qaeda leader In the letter, Sheikh claimed that death sentence since 2002, charged edged by the US government and by adding that he had already served ment used to convict me,” he added. P11 GOLD IMPORTS DECLINE MONDAY | DECEMBER 21 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR A positive monsoon, strong rural India's gold imports declined by demand and the availability of 40% to nearly $12.3 billion finance were all indicators of a during the April-November good economic recovery and period as demand weakened buoyant demand, going forward amid the pandemic, as per VEEJAY NAKRA | AUTOMOTIVE DIVISION CEO, M&M

business Commerce Ministry's data

k y m c of the day uote ONGC opens 8th Need multiple bad banks to Our investment plans hydrocarbon It's humbling to see over 10 in India on track: Saudi producing basin lakh small businesses associated with PRESS TRUST OF INDIA AGENCIES Amazon in India. address NPA issue: CII to Govt This year has been New Delhi, Dec 20: Saudi Arabia, New Delhi, Dec 20: State-owned unprecedented and has impacted In its pre-budget memorandum submitted to the government, the industry body has the world's largest oil exporter, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation the way we work and live Sunday said its investment plans (ONGC) Sunday opened India's recommended the government to consider enabling FPIs and AIFs to purchase NPAs in India are on track, noting that eighth hydrocarbon producing AMIT AGARWAL | SENIOR VP AND COUNTRY the Indian economy has the strength basin when it started oil flow from HEAD, AMAZON INDIA AGENCIES to recover from the adverse im- a well in the Bengal basin. pact of the coronavirus crisis. covery of both countries will help Oil production commenced from New Delhi, Dec 20: The In February last year, Saudi elevate other economies in the re- the well Asokenagar-1 in 24 Though 5G is a Confederation of Indian Industry Crown Prince Mohammed bin gion as well. Pargana district, the company driver from a (CII) has urged the government to Salman announced that Saudi "The economic relief package said in a statement. technological consider creation of multiple bad Arabia would invest over $100 bil- provided by India for its most promi- "The well Asokenagar-1 was advancement banks to address the adverse impact lion in India in petro- completed as an oil producer under standpoint, nent sectors is commend- uncertainties on of non-performing assets accu- chemicals, refining, The able. As the fifth-largest early-monetisation plan issued by spectrum mulated by public sector banks in infrastructure, economic relief global economy and the Government of India," it said. availability, clear use cases and the recent past, and which have mining and package provided by India the largest econ- With this ONGC has discovered high prices might restrict its uptake got further accentuated during the manufactur- for its most prominent sectors omy in South and put to production seven out of to few bigger cities initially pandemic. ing, agri- is commendable. As the fifth- Asia, the the eight hydrocarbon producing In its pre-budget memorandum culture and Indian econ- basins of India, covering 83 per cent SACHIN MEHTA | MARKET ANALYST, CLIENT largest global economy, the Indian submitted to the government, the several omy has the of established oil and gas reserves. DEVICES, IDC INDIA economy has the impetus to industry body has recommended the capitalisation by government, a that the net recovery rate of ARCs other sec- recover from the impact of the impetus to re- ONGC is India's largest oil and government to consider enabling bill which the government can ill- is low and may be in the range of tors. ongoing pandemic cover from the gas producer contributing 72 per Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) afford to foot at this point of time, only around 10-12 per cent. The "Our impact of the cent of the country's hydrocar- India sets the and Alternative Investment Funds it said. The government has put in outstanding SRs is `1.46 lakh crore. plans to invest SAUD BIN MOHAMMED AL SATI | SAUDI ongoing pan- bon production. AMBASSADOR TO INDIA benchmark for (AIFs) to purchase NPAs. `80,000 crore in bank re-capitali- This represents the "non-cash" con- in India are on demic," he global fund CII President Uday Kotak said: sation in FY18, `1.08 lakh crore in sideration received by banks against track and we are said. industry on several "In the aftermath of Covid, it is ` in discussion to pri- fronts, including FY19 and 70,000 crore in FY20. In sale of loans, it noted. Without monthly full important to find a resolution mech- September this year, the parlia- The low recovery rates and the oritise investment opportunities commenting on Army Chief Gen ` portfolio anism through a market deter- ment approved another 20,000 sale on the basis of SRs is not a in several sectors in both coun- MM Naravane's visit to Saudi disclosures, which has been further mined price discovery. With huge crore of capital infusion into PSBs. very attractive proposition for tries," Saudi Ambassador Dr Saud Arabia last week, the Ambassador enhanced to fortnightly disclosures liquidity, both globally and do- So far, the NPAs have largely banks. The best way to achieve true bin Mohammed Al Sati said. said the setting up of the Strategic for fixed income funds mestically multiple bad banks can been sold to Asset Reconstruction price discovery and better realiza- Stating that Saudi Arabia values Partnership Council by the two address this issue in a transpar- Companies (ARCs). Due to the lim- tions is to open the buy side and en- India as a strategic partner and a countries opened new avenues of The Bengal basin is spread KAUSTUBH BELAPURKAR | DIRECTOR ent manner and get the credit cycle ited capital that ARCs have, many able a clear path for capital to flow close friend, Al Sati identified on- cooperation in several sectors in- across nearly 1.22 lakh square MANAGER RESEARCH, MORNINGSTAR INDIA back in action." sales are made not on cash basis but for purchase of NPAs, as per the CII. going cooperation in areas of train- cluding defence and security and kilometres, with nearly two-third As per the industry body, a robust on security receipts (SR). SR is an The buy side could be opened ing, knowledge sharing and com- counter-terrorism. of it falling under the waters of the market-based mechanism will en- instrument wherein the payment by allowing FPIs and AIFs to pur- bating terrorism as key elements "The Strategic (Partnership) Bay of Bengal.Till now, ONGC SHORT TAKES courage public sector banks to sell is made only upon recovery which chase NPAs, it said. of the partnership in defence and Council set up by the two coun- has invested `3,361 crore to ex- their bad loans, without fear of means that the sale price is not a The RBI has already contem- security sphere. tries in 2019 has opened new avenues plore hydrocarbon in the Bengal questions being raised later. With 'true sale'. plated this in a consultative paper Al Sati complimented India's on partnership in strategic areas basin, the statement said adding Net enrolments cleaner balance sheets, PSBs should A CII statement on Sunday said wherein, it has proposed that reg- measures to revive its economy in like defence, security counter-ter- `425 crore will be spent on explo- be able to raise capital from the that based on recent RBI data on out- ulated entities may be permitted to view of the impact of the pan- rorism, energy security and re- ration activities in the basin in rises 56%: EPFO market, obviating the need for re- standing SRs, industry estimates purchase NPAs. demic and said the economic re- newable energy," he said. the coming two years. New Delhi: Net new enrolments with retirement fund body EPFO rose by 56% Nayara Energy, Shell to 11.55 lakh in October BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé compared to 7.39 lakh in the 5G connected cars to take 40% Lubricants join hands same month last year, ‘Black Shadow’ edition launched according to its latest payroll POST NEWS NETWORK data, providing a perspective siveness even at low engine speeds. on formal sector employment The two-litre four-cylinder diesel en- of Chinese market by 2025 Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: Nayara amid the coronavirus gine produces an output of 190 hp Energy, a new-age integrated down- pandemic. The net payroll and a maximum torque of 400 Nm AGENCIES nected car market. stream energy company and Shell, additions, however, have at 1,750 - 2,500 rpm. The car accel- With a projected share of 30%, the the global leader in finished lubri- registered a slight dip in erates from 0 -100 km / hr in just New Delhi, Dec 20: 5G connected US will continue to lead the market cants, announced a strategic part- October compared to 14.19 car sales volume in China will reach nership that will provide customers lakh in September this year, 7.5 seconds. while Europe will take the third according to a statement by BMW Safety technologies include 7.1 million units in 2025, account- spot, but with almost the same vol- access to Shell Lubricants’ best-in- the Labour Ministry. six airbags, Attentiveness Assistance, ing for 40% of the country's total con- ume as China. class products, including the pre- POST NEWS NETWORK Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) nected car sales volume, accord- The three state-owned telecom op- mium range of Ultra engine oils at with Brake Assist, ARB technol- ing to latest research. erators in China - China Mobile, Nayara and Essar fuel stations. Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: BMW ogy (actuator contiguous wheel slip The sales volume of 4G con- China Unicom, and China Telecom Nayara Energy operates an ex- Kishore becomes Group India launched the new limitation system), Dynamic Stability nected cars are expected to reach - are expected to invest around $184 tensive network of over 5,900fuel IL&FS exec dir BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé ‘Black Control (DSC) including Dynamic 7.8 million units in 2020 to account "Despite the impact of COVID-19, billion in 5G networks by 2025. stations across the country. Since Shadow’ edition. The new limited Traction Control (DTC) and for 95% of the country's total con- China's connected car sales vol- Luxury brands Mercedes Benz, October 1, 2020, Nayara Energy Mumbai: Infrastructure edition is available in M Sport de- Electronic Differential Lock nected car sales volume, accord- ume are expected to reach 8.2 mil- BMW, and Audi have been offer- is launching new retail outlets Leasing and Financial sign scheme which is priced at Control (EDLC), Cornering Brake ing to Counterpoint Research's lion units in 2020, a slight increase ing 4G connectivity in most cars with Nayara brand and has al- Services (IL&FS) Sunday said `42.30 lakh. The first 24 customers Control (CBC), electric parking Smart Automotive service. of 0.8% Y-o-Y from the 8.1 million since Q1 2019. After Huawei re- ready unveiled over 200 new Nayara the Ministry of Corporate can avail the special ‘Black Shadow’ brake with auto hold, side-impact However, with 5G seeing a fast units shipped in 2019," said Senior leased the world's first 5G telematics fuel stations in the country. Affairs has approved the edition kit at an exclusive price. protection, electronic vehicle im- rollout in China and the automotive Analyst Aman Madhok. module (MH5000) in April 2019, appointment of Nand Kishore The BMW TwinPower Turbo mobilizer and crash sensors, industry expected to grow faster In terms of the global share, Audi quickly deployed it in its pas- as the group's executive diesel engine melds maximum ISOFIX child seat mounting and starting 2021, the share of 5G con- China is expected to grab 26.8 per senger cars and showcased it at director. Till now, Kishore was serving on the IL&FS power with exemplary efficiency integrated emergency spare wheel nected car sales volume will show cent of the sales volume in 2020, be- the Beijing-Chongli Expressway board as non-executive and offers spontaneous respon- under the load floor. rapid growth. coming the second-largest con- demonstration in 2019-end. director, the company said in a release. “Based on the recommendation of the CEO of Nayara Energy B Anand Nomination and With worst behind, FMCG sector optimistic about 2021 said, “The partnership of Nayara Remuneration Committee, Energy and Shell Lubricants will the IL&FS board in its leverage the combined strength meeting held December 19, AGENCIES infectants -- the hero products of COVID-19 WOES level for one and all. As a business channels, diligently managing SKUs of both brands to offer world-class 2020,” the release said. the pandemic -- managing to push and (as a) team, we have come closer, (Stock-Keeping Units), further in- products and services to cater to New Delhi, Dec 20: Crisis brings the industry to post positive growth are more aligned, and continue to vesting in digitisation and driving evolving needs of our customers opportunities. This could not have amid the crisis, in 2021, the FMCG innovate to meet our consumers' execution to meet the ever-evolving across the country, while rein- BoB completes been truer for the FMCG industry industry is looking forward to carry needs while ensuring the well-being consumer demand". forcing Nayara Energy’s com- in 2020 even as the world grappled on with the momentum and sus- of our people and their families," In 2021, companies would con- mitment to excellence across the integration with the impact of the COVID-19 pan- tained revival across categories in PepsiCo India President Ahmed tinue to align their product portfolio value chain.’’ Mumbai: State-run Bank of demic. rural and urban markets of India. ElSheikh told PTI. in line with the 'new normal' and Country Head of Shell Lubricants Baroda (BoB) Sunday said it The sector is learning, innovat- With lessons learnt on how to As potential COVID-19 vaccine work on increasing penetration. India Raman Ojha said, “With this has completed integration of ing and rising from disruptions to navigate through the hurdles and and realigned product portfolio, candidates are expected to hit the Sounding bullish, Parle Products partnership, we will also expand our 3,898 branches of erstwhile put the worst behind and looking for- uncertainties thrown up by the such as ayurvedic preventive health- market soon, he said, "we are cau- Senior Category Head Mayank Shah presence in the lubricants market Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank ward to the new year with opti- once-in-a-lifetime occurence, the care items tailored for the new tiously optimistic that 2021 will wit- said, "the worst is behind for the across India bringing our world- with itself. In a first three-way mism and a new-found confidence. sector is more confident going into normal. ness sustained revival and even- FMCG sector. We are expecting next class technology, products and serv- amalgamation, Vijaya Bank With food, personal care items, 2021, having fast tracked adoption "2020 has been a year of disrup- tually growth. Our focus areas year to be a great one for the entire ice offerings to a much larger num- and Dena Bank were merged especially hand sanitisers and dis- of digital medium for distribution tion and learning at the highest remain on prioritising profitable FMCG industry". ber of consumers.” with Bank of Baroda from April 1, 2019. The bank has completed the integration of 1,770 erstwhile Dena Bank branches in December 2020, and had earlier completed ‘NE can be an ideal tourist destination post-Covid’ the integration of 2,128 erstwhile Vijaya Bank INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE "All northeastern states can be appeal more people. more in the act of flourishing of branches in September 2020, a great tourism destination. Focus Mishra said: "Northeast region tourism," Kalita said the lender said in a release. Guwahati, Dec 20: Due to its close should be on tea tourism where shares borders of different countries North Eastern Council Adviser proximity with five countries, old bungalows can get con- and it is an incredible R. Lalrodingi, in his address in the unique culture and traditions be- verted to boutique ho- All boon. Assam has valedictory session, said that the Oriflame records sides picturesque beauty of its tels. Experiencing northeastern states 'Chicken-Neck' local people must get benefits from 25% growth mountains and lush green land- the life of a tea can be a great tourism with West tourism. Stressing on the creation scapes, northeast India could be planter here can destination. Focus should be on Bengal and of community based tourism, he New Delhi: Direct selling an ideal tourist destination post- be a tourist at- tea tourism where old bungalows five inter- said: "We must think straight and beauty brand Oriflame has Covid, experts and administrators traction. can get converted to boutique national properly organise it. Good mar- witnessed around 25% said on the final day of the North Chopper serv- frontiers keting is essential. hotels. Experiencing the life of a increase in number of sales East Festival (NEF) here Sunday. ice availabil- along the One main factor to be highlighted partners in India during The two-day 8th edition of NEF ity from tea planter here can be a eight is within the northeast area must COVID-impacted 2020, a top concluded after setting the NE Guwahati to tourist attraction northeast- have an operational area for more company official said. The growth agenda as its priority with Kaziranga, SANTANU KALITA | ern states organised and systematic tourism. company recorded higher businessmen, administrators and Majuli etc will also COO (SEA PLANE DEPARTMENT), are best for come high level and leading tours that seaplanes can bring revolu- Let people learn more about their growth in sales in the third experts expressing their strong help the tourism in- SPICEJET tourism. from Mumbai, Telangana, Delhi tion in the tourism sector. own region to speak more about and fourth quarter, and

confidence on the travel and tourism dustry here," he said. Stress on and other big states. We are blessed "Northeast is a God gifted and their own region to prepare a good

k y m expects to cover up the loss c industry's revival in post Covid sit- of business in the second Assam Tourism Department eco-cultural tourism, flour- with resources, we have to think most beautiful natural land in India. atmosphere for tourists." quarter due to imposition of uation, by showcasing potentials of Director Deba Kumar Mishra said ishing more local commodities, with regional perspective," the We will see and reflect on the fly plan In the concluding session, NEF's lockdown in the country, the region. that focus on local tourism, more local lifestyle and food could boost Director added. scheme, Guwahati to Kaziranga to chief organiser Shyamkanu Oriflame VP and Head of Assam Tourism Secretary Razvee from domestic tourists, creatively the tourism industry." Budget airliner Spicejet's Chief Dima Hasao. We have sufficient Mahanta said: "We need support at South Asia and MD of India Hussain said that Covid-19 can be planned projects for establishments "One more major focus is in Operating Officer (Sea Plane de- eight months to set the fly plan the initial stage in the tourism Frederic Widell said. a blessing in disguise. of good tourism would attract and 'Medical Tourism'. Need to wel- partment) Santanu Kalita claimed scheme which will result in concern sector." P12 MONDAY | DECEMBER 21 | 2020 | BHUBANESWAR sports

SHORT TAKES HUMILIATING EIGHT-WICKET LOSS AGAINST AUSTRALIA IN THE FIRST TEST

y Hazlewood finally gets

Creditable show

k k y y m m c New Delhi: Indian women c boxers Simranjeet Kaur (60kg) rewarded for his ‘Josh’ and Manish (57kg) notched up gold medals with contrasting Drastic changes on cards final wins in the Cologne World Cup in Germany. Manish defeated compatriot Saskhi 3- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA series with a fractured wrist, his looking at matches in India 2, while Simranjeet got the place will be taken by Mohammed where you don’t need batting Kohli closes gap better of German Maya New Delhi, Dec 20: Widespread Siraj. On the other hand, KL Rahul after No.6 most times, you Klienhans 4-1 to finish on top changes are expected in the Indian will come in place of Virat Kohli can have a specialist keeper,” with No.1 Smith in their respective categories. team after their humiliating loss to as Rohit Sharma will not be in Prasad said Sunday. Dubai: India may have suffered an India finished the competition Australia in the first contention till the third “I believe Rishabh has embarrassing defeat in the series- at the second spot overall Test. The Men in Test. worked on his fitness opener against Australia but after claiming three gold, two Blue were bowled out With is- skipper Virat Kohli silver and four bronze medals. for 36 (their lowest score in Test fractionally The event featured boxers cricket) as Aussies won by eight closed the gap from the host country, wickets to go 1-0 up in the series. sues with top- Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Saha’s batting during the past month ranked Test France, Poland and Ukraine. Wriddhiman Saha and opener not giving any confidence and looked in good touch batsman Steve Prithvi Shaw will certainly be to the dressing room, the during the pink ball prac- Smith, following his knock of 74 in benched in the upcoming Boxing team management will tice game. So I would the first innings in Adelaide. Kohli New additions certainly look at Pant. He agree with the team man- gained two points for his half had scored a hundred agement if they give century to get to 888 while Smith New Delhi: The Sports Ministry Down Under during his Rishabh a go for the (911) lost 10 points in the table has approved the inclusion of after scoring one and one in his previous tour, as keeping next three Tests,” DEADLY SPELL: Pacer Josh Hazlewood (left) leads the Australian team off the four indigenous sports, two innings. Ravichandran Ashwin might not be a factor on Prasad added. field after the end of the India innings at the Adelaide Oval, Saturday including ‘Gatka’ and is now India’s top-ranked bowler pitches with firm and The Indian team ‘Kalaripayattu’, in the Khelo after taking four wickets in India Youth Games 2021, even bounce. management could Australia’s first innings. Ashwin, AGENCIES It was just one of scheduled to take place in Former chairman of mull bringing now ranked ninth, overtook pacer those days when Haryana. The other two games selectors MSK Prasad said Hanuma Vihari up pacer Jasprit Bumrah who slipped Sydney, Dec 20: Josh Hazlewood everything went to included are ‘Thang-Ta’ and that during his regime, the order in the ab- to the 10th spot. has sometimes been overshadowed plan, we kept ‘Mallakhamba’. “India has a certain plans were sence of Kohli. by his fellow members of bowling at the right spot and rich heritage of indigenous chalked out on the Saha- Prasad has seen Virat, it would be a great opportu- Australia’s bowling attack. However, the edges kept coming sports, and it is a priority for Pant conundrum. Vihari from close nity for him and KL (Rahul) to at the Adelaide Oval he stepped continuously the Sports Ministry to preserve, “Look, our com- quarters. He feels it stand up and be counted,” Prasad firmly into the limelight Saturday promote and popularise these mittee was clear won’t be a bad idea to pointed out. with a blinding spell that humili- JOSH HAZLEWOOD games. There is no better that Rishabh will play him at No. 5. “I would prefer Vihari batting at ated India in the first Test. He and platform than the Khelo India Shubhman Gill be our first “Vihari has a very No. 4 or 5 in the next few Tests and Pat Cummins were instrumental Games where athletes of these choice keeper sound technique and face the challenge. He is a gutsy in dismissing India for their low- 17th Australian to reach the mile- games can compete,” Sports Day Test. Their places will be taken in places like temperament and he boy and I have confidence that he will est Test score – 36. Hazlewood (5/8) stone.Hazlewood admitted the Minister Kiren Rijiju said. by Rishabh Pant and Shubhman England and can serve this Test do well if given the challenge. KL can bagged the most economical five- Australians had been as surprised Gill. With Mohammed Shami being Australia. Only Rishabh Pant team for a long time. be a good No. 6 in this series,” Prasad wicket haul by an Australian bowler as anyone at the quick turnaround ruled out of the remainder of the when we are In absence of pointed out. in 73 years. of the game. “We were probably a Thuram apologises The big quick from rural New bit more stunned when we came off South Wales bowled three maidens from bowling,” the 29-year-old said. Monchengladbach: Borussia Burns cleared to in his five overs. In the process he “The mood didn’t change too much Mönchengladbach forward CA prepared for all contingencies dismissed Mayank Agarwal, throughout the whole game to be Marcus Thuram has AGENCIES 7. “There were reports that the CA oped a solid track record of deliv- Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman fair,” the pacer added. apologised for spitting at play in MCG Test defender Stefan Posch of was mulling options and ‘swap- ery throughout this most chal- Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin and Hazlewood’s partner-in-crime Adelaide, Dec 20: Cricket Australia ping the third and fourth Tests be- lenging of summers. We will con- Melbourne: Hit on the elbow during the Hanuma Vihari at the cost of just Cummins (4/21) on the other hand Hoffenheim during the pink-ball series opener, Australia’s Joe Bundesliga game played (CA) said Sunday that the Sydney tween Sydney and Brisbane was the tinue to make appropriate and eight runs. said that he would prefer a similar Cricket Ground (SCG) remains its top alternative’. proportionate decisions in con- Burns was Sunday cleared to play the “(We knew we had) something wicket at the MCG when the Boxing Saturday. The forward was second Test against India. However, preferred venue for the third Test However, CA’s interim chief ex- sultation with our bio-security special going, and I just felt like if Day Test starts. sent off and now faces a young Will Pucovski was ruled out as he lengthy ban. Hoffenhiem won against India after reports emerged ecutive officer Nick Hockley said team, governments, state and ter- continues to recover from concussion. we kept bowling in those areas that “I thought the Ashes Test (2017- the game 2-1. “Something that the governing body is con- he is hopeful of staging the third ritory associations, the Australian Burns suffered a nasty blow on his nicks were going to keep coming,” 18) and the Indian Test at the MCG took place that is not in my templating swapping the last two Test between Australia and India Cricketers' Association, our part- elbow off a Jasprit Bumrah delivery. “Joe Hazlewood recalled Sunday. “We a couple of years ago were pretty character and must never games of the four-Test series due at the SCG only ners and venues,” he added. Burns has been cleared of serious dam- just didn’t let up really. It was just flat wickets,” Cummins was quoted happen. I reacted to an to growing COVID-19 cases in “We have made no changes to our With cases growing, Australia age to his arm, while concussed young one of those days when everything as saying by ‘cricket.Com.Au’. opponent in a wrong way and Sydney. schedule and our preference re- opener David Warner and pacer gun Will Pucovski has been ruled out of went to plan, we kept putting it in “As a bowler, last year against New something occurred Australian cricket officials were mains to play the match at the Sean Abbott – both recovering from a Boxing Day Test debut,” a report in on that spot and the nicks (edges) Zealand, it was a really good wicket, accidentally not intentionally,” put on high alert last week after an SCG,” Hockley was quoted as say- injuries – were Saturday flown ‘The West Australian’ said. Meanwhile kept coming. It happened so quickly, a bit of sideways movement and a Thuram wrote on Instagram. “I outbreak of the virus in the north- ing by ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ in from Sydney to Melbourne. The David Warner has also arrived here and it was over before we knew it,” the bit of pace and bounce, so, hopefully, apologise to everyone, to ern beaches in Sydney, which will a statement. second Test begins December 26 at is also racing against time to get fit for tall fast bowler added. much the same (this year). Then it Stefan Posch, to my host the third Test from January “Cricket Australia has devel- Melbourne. the Boxing Day Test. The dismissal of Ashwin gave will be enjoyable to bowl on,” opponents, to my team-mates Hazlewood his 200th Test wicket, the Cummins added. and to my family. Of course, I accept all the consequences of my gesture,” he added. Ronaldo’s brace helps BENGALURU FACE Seifert steals show ATKMB CHALLENGE HFC suffer season’s first defeat Hamilton: Opener Tim Seifert Juventus thrash Parma PRESS TRUST OF INDIA (84 n o, 63b, 8x4, 3x6) batted PRESS TRUST OF INDIA brilliantly as New Zealand Vasco, Dec 20: Vignesh defeated Pakistan by nine ASSOCIATED PRESS Margao, Dec 20: An absorbing Dakshinamurthy pulled off a stun- wickets to go 2-0 up in the contest is on the cards when two ning goal to set up Mumbai City FC’s three-match T20 series here Milan, Dec 20: Cristiano Ronaldo in-form teams ATK Mohun Bagan (MCFC) 2-0 win over Hyderabad Sunday. Seifert and Kane responded to recent criticism with (ATKMB) and Bengaluru FC FC (HFC) in an ISL match here Williamson (57 n o, 42b, 8x4, two goals to help Juventus win at (BFC) face each other in their Sunday. Both sides struggle to cre- 1x6) had an unbroken 129-run Parma 4-0 in a Serie A game played ISL encounter here Monday. While ate clear-cut chances and Vignesh’s partnership to seal the series Saturday. Dejan Kulusevski scored ATKMB boast of a strong at- acrobatic 38th-minute strike stood for the Kiwis. Batting first, Juve’s opener against his old club tacking line-up, they have even bet- out as a genuine quality moment. Pakistan riding on a blistering as the nine-time defending cham- ter defensive statistics. BFC’s fig- Adam Le Fondre put Sergio Lobera’s innings from Mohammed pions moved level with Inter Milan, ures aren’t bad either. They are men further ahead in the 59th Hafeez (99 n o, 57b, 10x4, 5x6) a point behind leader AC Milan. yet to taste a defeat in their ISL minute as Hyderabad tasted their had posted 163 for six in their Both Milan sides play Sunday. campaign so far. first defeat of the season. 20 overs. However, the Kiwis, Juventus has drawn half of their Though aware of the challenge The caginess that marked much thanks to Seifert and 12 Serie A matches. In the last stale- his side face, ATKMB coach of the game was evident from the Williamson easily overhauled the target with four balls to mate midweek against Atalanta, Antonio Habas has his sights set fact that Vignesh’s goal was the spare. They finished on 164 for Ronaldo had an unusually sub-par on nothing less than three points. only shot on target in the first half. FINISHING TOUCH: Adam Le Fondre celebrates after scoring the second goal one in 19.2 overs. Tim Southee performance and a penalty saved. ON THE MONEY: Cristiano Ronaldo “I think it’s impossible to win With Hugo Boumous missing yet for MCFC against Hyderabad FC, Sunday PTI PHOTO (4/21) was the best bowler for “Ronaldo was angry for having is delighted after scoring against every match. The teams are more again, MCFC’s creative struggles the hosts. missed the penalty, but we had a few Parma in the Serie A game Saturday balanced and it’s very difficult for continued Sunday as well. far post, only for the Goan to be Fondre who slottedthe ball past days to think about it. He showed all teams to keep on winning three They had the better of Hyderabad flagged offside. Subrata Paul. how much he cares about scoring three minutes later when Álvaro points,” said Habas. “But then the in all departments of the game. But just when it looked like a In the second game of the day, goals, even better when during Morata floated in a cross from the idea in football is to get three They dominated possession, pep- goal was unlikely, it came in the SC East Bengal (SCEB) drew 1-1 In dad’s footsteps open play,” Juventus coach Andrea right and Ronaldo leapt up high points,” the Spaniard added. pered the opposition box with most spectacular of fashions. A with Kerala Blasters FC at New York: The guy with a Pirlo said. to head it in. Ronaldo had his sec- BFC coach Carles Cuadrat faces crosses and completed many more free-kick from Jahouh was met with Bambolim. The result meant East swoosh on his shirt and a Kulusevski was given a start ond three minutes into the second a huge task to maintain his un- passes. But for a long time, it looked the deftest of touches by Bipin. He Bengal remained winless even after Tiger head cover on his driver against his old club. The 20-year-old half with an angled drive past Luigi beaten start against a ‘physical like a goal would not come. diverted the ball into the path of six games. SCEB went ahead when looked pretty good. So did was quickest to react to a low cross Sepe after being picked out by challenge’ from ATK Mohun Bagan. Bipin Singh was a lively figure the onrushing Vignesh. The young- Bakary Kone scored an own goal. Tiger Woods. Charlie Woods, from Alex Sandro from the left, Aaron Ramsey with a lovely “ATKMB have a team with very in attack for MCFC. The winger, ster volleyed it into the net for one However, there was heartbreak for the 11-year-old son of the 15- knocking it into the far bottom cor- through ball. Morata added the tough players. So we have to take in the 15th minute, whipped in a of the best goals of the season so far. SCEB when in the last minute of time Major champion, made ner in the 23rd minute. fourth when he headed in Federico advantage of counter-attacks and cross that was headed back into Early in the second half, Mumbai added on time, Jeakson Singh scored his national TV debut Satur- Juventus doubled their lead just Bernardeschi’s cross. open spaces,” explained Cuadrat. danger by Rowllin Borges at the increased their lead through Le the equaliser for Kerala Blasters. day in the PNC Championship. And according to his dad, he played just like he does at home. Charlie confidently YEAR’S FIRST GRAND SLAM DELAYED BY THREE WEEKS Comfortable wins for twirled his club before shots, After quitting, Amir quickly picked up the tee on Cuttack ‘A’, ECORSA his drives and even pumped Federer may play in Australian Open his fist on the par-5 third hole with a 3-wood into 3 feet for POST NEWS NETWORK slams Misbah, Waqar eagle. “I don't really care AGENCIES about my game,” Woods said. Bhubaneswar, Dec 20: Cuttack “I’m just making sure that Melbourne, Dec 20: Australian ‘A’ and ECORSA carved out em- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA “They have tried to spoil my Charlie has the time of his life. Open organisers are confident they phatic victories Sunday in Super image and it takes a lot of hard And he’s doing that.” will see a full slate of the world’s top League matches of the OCA Inter- Karachi, Dec 20: Pacer work to build your image. It was a players, including six-time champion District Senior Men’s T-20 League. Mohammad Amir has held the very hard decision for me but I Roger Federer (in pix), at next year’s Cuttack ‘A’ defeated Balasore by Pakistan team management re- think the time has come when one Arsenal lose delayed opening Grand Slam. Tennis seven wickets at the Ravenshaw sponsible for his decision to quit in- shouldn’t keep quiet. I took this Australia and the Victorian state gov- ground, while ECORSA trounced ternational cricket at 28. He decision to raise this Liverpool: Manager Mikel ernment said Sunday the tourna- BBSR ‘A’ by nine wickets at the has slammed coach I have my issue and let people Arteta’s woes deepened as ment has been pushed back three We have been touch KIIT ground here. Misbah-ul-Haq and bowl- self know what is happen- Arsenal were beaten by weeks to start February 8 after with all the top Balasore were bowled out for 73 ing coach Waqar Younis respect ing,” added the pacer. Everton 1-2 here Saturday. drawn-out negotiations over COVID- two surgeries on a knee injury last players. Everyone in 18.3 overs in the match against for ‘spoiling’ his image. and I can’t Amir said that he had This is the second 19 health security measures. year and missed virtually the en- Cuttack ‘A’. Sunil Roul (4/14), Speaking on his official compromise on made himself available successive game the including Roger Federer is “We have a commitment from tire playing season. The 39-year- committed to play the Deepak Behera (2/9) and Saurabh ‘Youtube’ channel, left- that. I believe in for the two white ball Gunners have gone without a every player in the world to be in old Swiss told local media this Kanojia (2/10) kept a tight leash on arm pacer Amir made it formats after retiring win. Everton went ahead Australian Open giving and Australia,” tournament director month that his recovery was behind the Balasore batsmen. Chasing a clear that his problem was from Test cricket since through Rob Holding’s own getting respect Craig Tiley said. “Obviously it being schedule, but Tiley said he had CRAIG TILEY victory target of 74 runs, Cuttack with Misbah and Younis. last year. However, when MOHAMMAD AMIR y goal. However, Arsenal were quick to apologise with the start of the season anything been in touch with the 20-times ‘A’ won the game easily. “These people have been the current management

can happen with that entry list, but Grand Slam champion who had formed. “But a lot will depend on In the other game BBSR ‘A’ were trying to slowly poison took over, they had been

k k y y m m c Nicolas Pepe converting a c penalty. However, Yerry the commitment is there. Every begun his usual pre-season train- how he responds to his surgery in bowled out for 92 in 18.1 overs. people’s minds by saying that I did- ignoring him. Mina’s header on the stroke player, including Roger (Federer), ing in Dubai. the next two to three weeks.” Only Shantanu Mishra (42) of- n’t want to play Test cricket and only “Obviously I was very hurt when of half time sealed victory have committed,” he added. “He (Federer) said to us that The tournament will charter fered some resistance Suryakant wanted to play in T20 leagues to earn they didn’t select me even in 35 for Everton. The winners Federer had cast some doubt as February 8 was a more suitable flights to bring all the main draw Pradhan (4/19) was the wrecker- money. They built a narrative that players for New Zealand. It was were no doubt the better to whether he would be fit enough date for him in terms of preparing players to Australia, with qualify- in-chief. Kaneswar Barik (43 n o) I had let down the team despite all shocking and it prompted me to side. AGENCIES for the tournament after he had for the Australian Open,” Tiley in- ing taking place in Dubai and Doha. then ensured win for ECORSA. the investment in me,” Amir said. retire,” Amir said.

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