Indian Horizon National English Daily [email protected] www.indianhorizon.org RNI NO:DELENG/2013/51507 In memory of Dr Asima Kemal and Prof. Dr. Salim W Kemal [email protected]

Volume Issue No: 342 Published from Hyderabad & New Delhi New Delhi, Thursday, December 17, 2020 Pages 12 + 4 pull out (P16) No:7 Price: 3.00

FARMERS’ PROTEST: BIDEN SAYS ELECTION VICTORY SMITH’S STIFF BACK DOESN’T SUNNY DEOL GETS ‘CLEARESTDEMONSTRATION OF MEAN WECHANGE BOWLING ENHANCED SECURITY PEOPLE’S WILL’ PLANS: KOHLI COVER P-5 P-8 P-11 NAMAZ TIMING Owaisi visits UP after Bihar success, teams FAJAR 05.22 AM 12 killed in bus-gas ZOHAR 12.12 PM ASAR 03.22 PM up with BJP’s ex-ally SBSP for 2022 polls MAGHRIB 05.45 PM Asaduddin Owaisi meets Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party chief O.P. Rajbhar, tanker collision in UP ISHA 07.02 PM joins Bhagidari Sankalp Morcha a proposed anti-BJP alliance in UP. Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh), GOLD & SILVER RATE Dec 16 (IANS) Twelve per- 24K Lucknow Dec 16 (IANS): of different smaller parties sons were killed on Wednes- Buoyed by its success in Bihar, with the same ideology.” day when a roadways bus 51,280 the Asaduddin Owaisi-led All Owaisi himself did not rammed into a gas tanker India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Mus- divulge too much when in Sambhal district. Chief KG limeen (AIMIM) has set its he met the media after the Minister Yogi Adityanath 668,900 sights on Uttar Pradesh. meeting. “The two of us are expressed grief over the in- In his first visit to UP sitting before you. We stand cident and has directed the since his party won a cred- together and we will work district officials to supervise WEATHER REPORT itable five seats in the under his (Rajbhar) leader- the rescue and relief opera- October-November Bihar ship,” he said. Responding tions. According to sources, Wednesday morning due to duced visibility on the roads. assembly elections, Owai- to West Bengal CM Mamata the accident took place on intense fog which had re- Further details are awaited. si, the MP from Hyder- Banerjee’s charge that the 27 15 abad, met former BJP ally AIMIM was “colluding” Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj of the Bhagidari Sankalp pected to be held in Febru- with the BJP, Owaisi said: UK Minister Dominic INDIAN RUPEE Party’s chief Om Prakash Morcha, the Rajbhar-led al- ary.AIMIM’s Uttar Pradesh “Never was a man born who EXCHANGE RATES Rajbhar at a Lucknow hotel liance of smaller parties for unit president Shaukat Ali can buy Asaduddin Owaisi Wednesday. The meeting the 2022 assembly polls. told ThePrint: “This meet- with money. Her allegation Indian ` inv. 1.00 INR Raab calls on PM Modi lasted an hour and a half, Owaisi and Rajbhar also ing was about joining the is baseless; she is restless. US Dollar 73.640221 and the leaders announced discussed the upcoming Bhagidari Sankalp Morcha She should worry about her Euro 89.758951 that AIMIM will be part panchayat polls in UP, ex- and form a grand alliance own home. British Pound 99.730868 Australian $ 55.720683 India records Kuwaiti Dinar 241.324732 Cabinet approves next 26,382 fresh nCoV Saudi Riyal 19.637392 Qatari Riyal 20.230830 infections , recovery Chinese Yuan 11.273717 round spectrum auction rate now 95.21 pc UAE dirham 20.051796 New Delhi, Dec 16 (UNI) The Union Cabinet on Wednesday New Delhi, Dec 16 (UNI) With CHICKEN RATE approved a proposal of the De- reduction witnessed in the spike partment of Telecommunica- of daily new cases of COVID for Farm Rate - 88 tions to conduct the next round the past several days , India on Retail Live -110 of spectrum auction for commer- Wednesday clocked 26,382 fresh WithSkin -160 cial mobile services. Addressing infections in the past 24 hours, Skinless -182 mediapersons here, Minister of Union Health Ministry update New Delhi, Dec 16 (UNI) UK security, migration and mo- ues and interests and the po- Communications Ravi Shankar said. Country’s active COVID Secretary of State for For- bility, education, energy, cli- tential to address common NECC SUGGESTED EGG PRICE Prasad said the auction will be the entire bid amount in one go (up- case load has further reduced eign, Commonwealth and mate change and health, in global challenges together. for spectrum in 700, 800, 900, front) or may exercise an option to by 7,818 since Tuesday , and at Development Affairs Domi- order to tap the full potential Foreign Secretary Raab took Egg Whole Sale Rate 1800, 2100, 2300 and 2500 MHz pay a certain amount and remaining present there are 3,32,002 such nic Raab called on Prime of the bilateral relationship, the opportunity to hand over Egg Retail Price frequency bands. Spectrum will in 16 equated annual installments, cases across the nation , the Minister Narendra Modi on an official statement said a letter from Prime Minister Super Market be offered for assignment for a after a moratorium of two years. In government data added. Talk- Wednesday. Recalling his here. Foreign Secretary Raab Boris Johnson, inviting Mr Rs 4.74 validity period of 20 years. addition to the bid amount, success- ing of recoveries , there were recent telephone conversa- conveyed greetings of Prime Modi to the G7 meeting to be A total of 2251.25 MHz is being ful bidders will also have to pay 3 per 33,813 patients who defeated tion with Prime Minister Minister Boris Johnson to Mr chaired by UK in 2021. Cold wave grips offered with a total valuation of Rs cent of the Adjusted Gross Revenue COVID during the past 24 hours Boris Johnson, Mr Modi Modi and thanked him for The Prime Minister northwest India; likely to 3,92,332.70 crore (at reserve price). (AGR) as spectrum usage charges. , and now the total cured cases stressed the importance of participating in the recently thanked him and accepted continue for 4 days By winning the right to use spectrum Sufficient spectrum availability in- in India have reached 94,56,449. the India-UK partnership in held Climate Ambition Sum- the invitation. He conveyed through the auction, incumbent tele- creases the quality of telecom services Meanwhile, 387 more lives were the post-COVID world. He mit co-hosted by UK. He also his keenness to receive Prime New Delhi/Chandigarh, Decem- com service providers will be able for the consumers. ‘It is relevant that claimed by the virus spread called for an ambitious and stressed the priority that the Minister Boris Johnson in ber 16 (IANS): Cold wave and to augment their network capacity the telecom sector today is a key in- since Tuesday, pushing the outcome-oriented 360-de- UK Government’s attaches New Delhi next month, on dense fog swept the plains of whereas new players can start their frastructure provider with strong link- country’s pandemic death toll gree roadmap covering trade to elevating relations with the occasion of India’s 72nd northwest India as temperatures services.Successful bidders can pay ages with economic growth. to 1,44,096 till date. and investment, defence and India, based on shared val- Republic Day celebrations. continue to drop over the region with many parts of Delhi, Hary- ana and Punjab recording the Modi govt could send notices to It was time when neighbours Rs 57L looted season’s lowest temperatures so from Agra bank far. At 2 degree Celsius, Amrit- 3 IPS officers and Bengal govt over feared violating borders: sar was the coldest followed by Agra, Dec 16 (IANS) Four Ganganagar (2.4) and Narnaul deputation tug-of-war Rahul on 1971 war armed bandits have disappeared (3.4). Tuesday was the coldest with Rs 57 lakh from a branch of in several cities, including Delhi, New Delhi Dec 16 (IANS): The New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) For- the Indian Overseas Bank in Agra where several parts recorded three IPS officers from West mer Congress chief Rahul Gandhi after holding the bank staff hos- minimum temperature as low as Bengal, who were summoned on Wednesday paid tributes to the tage. They have vanished with- 4.8 degree Celsius. The IMD data by the Centre, as well as the fallen soldiers on the 50th anni- out a trace, police said. The loot on minimum temperature shows state government could soon versary of the 1971 India-Pakistan took place in the IOB branch near Delhi, Hisar, Narnaul, Jaisalmer, receive show cause notices War highlighting the role of then Rohta on Gwalior Road on Tues- Ganganagar and Bareilly leading from the Ministry of Home Prime Minister Indira Gandhi day evening. A police investiga- the pack with maximum devia- Affairs (MHA) for not coming saying there was a time when the tion is underway, looking for the tions from the normal minimum on deputation despite orders. neighbouring countries accepted unidentified masked intruders temperatures at this time of the According to sources in the the mattle of the Indian Prime Army, which led to creation of a who carried out the daring rob- year. Meanwhile, the IMD says Department of Personnel and Minister and were afraid of violat- Nation -- Bangladesh -- and also bery at the bank minutes before cold wave conditions are very Training (DoPT), the Centre ing the border of the nation. resulted in the largest military it was about to close for the day. likely to continue in isolated has been considering what ac- central deputation. A day later, has to be run through the Cen- In a tweet, Rahul Gandhi said, Surrender after World War-II. On Wednesday, senior police pockets over Punjab, Haryana, tion can be taken. It is possible the Mamata Banerjee govern- tre. In that sense, the Centre is “On the anniversary of India’s From December 16, the na- officials accepted that there Chandigarh and Delhi, West Ut- that the three officers from the ment said it “cannot spare” the final decision-making body, historic win over Pakistan in tion will be celebrating 50 years were still no clue of the un- tar Pradesh and north Rajasthan police service and the West them. In its response, the Centre so notices could be issued,” a 1971 greetings to the people of of Indo-Pak War, also called identified bandits. ADG zone during the next four days. It has Bengal government will have is expected to emphasise that senior government official said. the country and the tributes to ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’. During Ajay Anand said five teams had also predicted severe cold wave to explain why the officers were the MHA is the cadre-controlling When reached for a comment, the valor of the armed forces. the 1971 war Indira Gandhi was been put on the job to crack conditions in isolated pockets not relieved for deputation de- authority of all Indian Police the MHA spokesperson Nitin This was a time when the neigh- India’s Prime Minister. Congress the case at the earliest. Bank of the region on December 18 spite the Centre’s orders. Service officers and, to that ex- Wakankar told ThePrint, “As bouring countries accepted the General Priyanka Gandhi also branch Manager Anita Meena and 19. “Due to the absence of The MHA Saturday sum- tent, is the final decision-making per my information, nothing mettle of Indian Prime Minister took to Twitter and wrote, “India was with her three colleagues any active Western Disturbance, moned three officers from West authority with regard to issues has been sent so far.” The DoPT and were afraid of violating the gave a befitting reply in 1971 to at the bank when the bandits below normal rain and snow is Bengal — who were in-charge of postings and deputation. spokesperson did not respond to borders of the country.” In De- those giving threats of the “sev- entered the premises and held likely over Western Himalayan of BJP national president J.P. “Even the state governments’ calls and message requests for a cember 1971, the Indian Armed enth fleet” by its victory over all of them hostage before de- Region,” states the forecast. Nadda’s security when his con- decisions to extend the tenure comment by till the time of pub- Forces secured a decisive and Pakistan and planted the flag of camping with the booty. voy was attacked last week — for of officers beyond retirement lishing this report. historic Victory over the Pakistan India’s power and sovereignty. Indian Horizon 2 city Thursday, December 17, 2020 Form panel to resolve farmers’ blockade, include 8 unions: SC New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) A bench, headed by Chief ers unions from the country, Singh Burjgill), BKU-Doaba tions may fail, therefore, it is The Supreme Court on Justice S.A. Bobde and com- the Chief Justice said: “This (Manjit Singh Rai) and Kul necessary to have some farm- Wednesday observed that if prising Justices A.S. Bopanna will soon become a national Hind Kisan Federation (Prem er unions appear before the urgent measures are not taken and V. Ramasubramanian, issue.it seems government Singh Bhangu) - in the PILs court to explain the matter. now, then the ongoing farm- proposed forming a commit- may not able to work it out.” seeking removal of farmers Mehta informed the top ers’ protest may spiral out of tee, including the representa- The top court in its order from Delhi borders. court that the government the government’s hand to be- tives of both the Centre, farm- gave permission to implead During the hearing, the will not do anything against come a national issue. Against er unions and other relevant the farmer unions -- Bharatiya bench observed the situation the interest of the farmers this backdrop, it ordered eight stakeholders, to arrive at some Kisan Union (BKU-Rakesh Ti- warrants an urgent resolution and it is willing to address the farmer unions be made party acceptable solution. kait), BKU-Sidhupur (Jagjeet measures through negotia- ongoing impasse by having to the PIL seeking removal of The Chief Justice told So- S. Dallewal), BKU-Rajewal tions, as the agitating farmers discussion on clauses in the farmers from various Delhi licitor General Tushar Mehta, (Balbeer Singh Rajewal), BKU- at the Delhi borders not ap- laws. He, however, insisted borders, and a joint hearing representing the Centre, that Lakhowal (Harinder Singh pearing to be in a mood to there should an open-minded of the Centre and the farmers’ the government’s negotia- negotiate and we should have names of the farmer unions. Lakhowal), Jamhoori Kisan talk. discussion, and the farmers unions on Thursday in a bid to tions may not work. a farmers’ union before us,” Emphasising on forming a Sabha (Kulwant Singh Sand- The Chief Justice told Mehta union should not insist on re- end the impasse. “You should be willing to said the Chief Justice, seeking committee comprising farm- hu), BKU-Dakaunda (Buta that the government negotia- pealing the farm laws. Protesting farmer shoots himself India to host Global Film Summit in 2021: Javadekar New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) also announced that the another place. dead at Singhu border India will host a Global government is forming a Khare also said that the Media and Film Summit Centre of Excellence in co- media and entertainment next year and it will also operation with IIT-Bombay industry has grown and we set up a special pavilion where courses in AVGC will must facilitate the industry. at Cannes in 2022 on the be provided. This pandemic, he said, occasion of Cannes Film Moreover, he said, the has opened new avenues Festival’s 75 years celebra- Centre will undertake ini- like educational technolo- tions, Union Information tiatives to promote entre- gies and Indian gaming and Broadcasting Minister preneurship and encourage which also have an export Prakash Javadekar said on start-ups in the sector. potential. Wednesday. ogy is phenomenal and end support to top film- Speaking on the occa- With the year 2022 being Javadekar made the an- this presents a tremendous makers of the world”. sion, Secretary, Ministry of the 75th year of India’s in- nouncement while ad- scope for entertainment He added that it was time I&B, Amit Khare referred dependence, celebrations dressing the CII Big Picture and media industry”. that these professionals to amendment in alloca- of which will take place Summit through video The minister remarked started doing more of this tion of business rules in within the country and out- conferencing in which he “Animation, Visual Effects, for our own films so that November saying the idea side, the secretary invited mentioned that “we are a Gaming and Comic (AVGC) the use of animation and behind the change was to the industry to help project country where growth of is a sunrise sector and our graphics in Indian films bring content at one place India’s soft power through communication technol- experts are providing back- grows manifold. Javadekar while keeping platforms at media and entertainment. Cong questions govt over foreign donations to PM CARES Fund New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) case of ‘foreign donations’, the two companies in Qa- Secretary in another tweet table trust? Why this special The Congress on Wednes- including from China, Paki- tar donating to the Fund said, “Why were the 27 In- treatment?” he said. day again attacked the Na- stan and Qatar to PM Cares and how many crores were dian Embassies advertising “Why is the Fund then rendra Modi government. Fund! Questions to Prime received?” How many thou- the fund through ‘Closed not a ‘Public Authority’? Its spokesperson Randeep Minister -- Why did Indian sand crores were received Channels, not in public Why is Fund not audited New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) As the village in Nissing area of Haryana’s Singh Surjewala fired sever- Embassies publicise and re- in Fund from 27 foreign domain’, when fund is not by CAG or GOI and report farmers’ agitation against the new Karnal district. al salvos at the government ceive donation to PM Cares countries and was there a a ‘public authority’ within made public as substantial agricultural laws entered its 21st The farmer left a suicide note over the PM CARES Fund, Fund? Why was the fund quid pro quo with NISSEI RTI?” foreign donations were re- day, a 65-year-old farmer commit- which states that he couldn’t see the including the receipt of do- advertised on banned Chi- ASB between donation and “Why has the fund been ceived?” he questioned. ted suicide at the Singhu border ordeal of farmers who are sitting on nations to the fund through nese apps?” restarting their factory?” he exempted from the preview The PM CARES Fund or protest site on Wednesday. the outskirts of the national capi- Indian embassies. “How much money was asked. of FCRA by the govern- Prime Minister’s Citizen As- The deceased has been identi- tal protesting against the recently- In a series of tweets, Sur- received from Pakistan and Questioning the govern- ment? Isn’t it the only ex- sistance and Relief in Emer- fied as Baba Ram Singh of Singhra passed farm laws. jewala said, “The intriguing who donated? Which are ment, the Congress General ception in India for a chari- gency Situations Fund . Congress slams govt over hike in LPG prices New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) “In the last 15 days, the prices ing on the districts where they “The picture is very, very raised prices of petrol and die- has increased excise duty al- lockdown. “Please, bring some The Congress on Wednesday of LPG have gone up by Rs 100 are residing.” stark, in 2014, subsidised cyl- sel. There is huge taxation. We most a dozen times and has respite for the common man. slammed the Modi govern- per cylinder. This has not just Citing the example of Uttar inders were being sold for Rs were taxing petrol at Rs 9.20 earned about Rs 22 lakh crore. The common man is extreme- ment over the hike in prices upset the monthly budget of Pradesh’s Gorakhpur, Shri- 412, they are now being sold per litre, diesel at Rs 3.50 per She urged the government ly puzzled,” she said. of LPG cylinders saying that families but has brought about nate said that the liquified for Rs 595, up by Rs 183,” she litre. Today the taxation on to give some relief to the She said that when there is it has brought pain for middle huge pain for the middle class, petroleum gas (LPG) cylin- said. She further said that the petrol is over Rs 32.98 per liter, common people as they are scope to earn profit the govern- class families. for the poor, for the lower mid- ders are being sold for Rs 757 non-subsidised cylinders were and on diesel it is over Rs 31.83 reeling under economic slow- ment alone will earn all the prof- Addressing a press confer- dle class who find it extremely and one can compare it to the sold for Rs 574, while today per liter,” she said, adding that down, joblessness, wage cuts its. But when there is scope to ence here, Congress spokes- untenable to buy gas cylinders subsidised and the non-subsi- they are being sold for Rs 694. the BJP government across its and mismanagement of the share the burden the common person Supriya Shrinate said, at Rs 694 and Rs 640 depend- dised cylinders in 2014. “This government has first and second tenure so far Indian economy during the man has to share the burden. Criminal points pistol at Delhi Police CBI raids in Imphal in graft case, Rs 5 lakh cash recovered SHO, injured in return fire New Delhi, Dec 16 The CBI team undertook and the other accused Mohd team members immediately pistol towards police team. (IANS) The Central Bureau the searches at Naorem Ansari, 24, were apprehended. started chasing them. Then seeing no option and in of Investigation (CBI) on Budhichandra Singh’s Jha was shifted to Aruna Asaf Thereafter, one of the accused self defence, SHO Rituraj fired Wednesday carried out residence in connection with Ali Hospital for treatment. pointed the pistol towards the one round at the right leg of searches at the residential its probe into the allegations The police team spotted Kotwali police station SHO accused,” the officer added. and official premises of a of possession of assets During the searches, two suspicious individuals on Rituraj, and the other took out According to police, Jha is senior accounts officer in the disproportionate to his the team also recovered New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) a motorcycle during picket a knife. They threatened the previously involved in nine office of Manipur’s Principal known sources of income to documents on properties A criminal was hit in his right checking at about 4.15 p.m. staff with dire consequences cases of robbery, snatching Accountant General here the tune of Rs 54 lakh during or agricultural lands, leg in retaliatory fire by police near the Iron Bridge and and opened fire upon the and under the Arms Act. and recovered Rs 5 lakh the period January 1, 2010 to investments in LIC, after he pointed a pistol on the signalled them to stop for SHO,” said a senior police Ansari is involved in a cash, gold ornaments worth October 31, 2020 in his name banks and other financial SHO of Kotwali police station checking. The duo, however, officer. cheating case of Timarpur. Rs 15 lakh and incriminating and in the name of his family institutions etc, a CBI of north Delhi on Tuesday, abandoned the vehicle and The SHO and constable Anil One sophisticated pistol documents. members. official said. police said. tried to escape. first fired a round in the air, with four live cartridges and The injured accused, later “Both the suspects jumped warning them to surrender. a blank case were recovered identified as Kanhaiya Jha, 28, towards Yamuna Khadar. All “But, one again pointed the from their possession. Airline crew testing positive for Covid Father wants OTT platforms involved in fight for women’s safety not to be retested for 3 months New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) the collective mindset changes. New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) However, crew members been issued to all the airlines. Eight years after the brutal “Men must stop being The Civil Aviation Ministry with comorbidities may In an earlier letter, the gang rape and murder of mute spectators while women has clarified that any airline be retested before three pilots had asked the Director Nirbhaya, her father has face abuse online and on the crew member who has tested months in case they become General of Civil Aviation written to OTT platforms like ground, therefore, I invite every positive for Covid-19 once symptomatic. (DGCA) to keep in abeyance Netflix, Hotstar and Amazon boy and man to become an should not be retested for It has also been clarified the order on mandatory Prime asking them through ally, an active supporter in the at least a period of three that all asymptomatic crew breath alcohol testing for a petition to do their bit for fight for women’s safety. If you months. members who have tested 100 per cent crew members spreading awareness by see a woman being trolled and In a circular, the Ministry positive once should be operating international creating shows that celebrate threatened with rape on social of Civil Aviation said that the observed for 10 days. If flights. bystanders taking action when media, speak up and report it. matter of RT-PCR testing of they remain asymptomatic, In a letter to the DGCA, they see injustice happening. If you notice this happening in airline crew was taken up with they can be called back to the pilots had said that “8 years ago when my case would change us as a “I believe that justice is like a your surroundings, stand up the Indian Council of Medical work after 10 days’ isolation the operative part of the daughter was snatched away country for good. But when car that is stuck. It moves only with her,” he said. The national Research (ICMR). The ICMR, without a repeat test. subject order on 100 per cent from us in the most brutal I turn on the news, there is a when lots of people get behind capital has witnessed as many based on the opinion of The airlines have been testing of crew operating way, crowds led by women new case of another daughter it and push hard,” he added. as 1,429 cases of rape till experts, has clarified that any asked to take appropriate international flights be came out on the streets. They being brutally assaulted every He feels that while laws and October this year. In the same crew member who has tested action on the new guidelines placed in abeyance till a made my family’s fight their day. Nothing has changed,” systems help but a permanent period last year, Delhi had positive once need not be for RT-PCR test of crew failsafe disinfection protocol fight for justice. I thought this Nirbhaya’s father said. change will come only when reported 1,884 cases of rape. retested for three months. members. The circular has is put in place. Indian Horizon Thursday, December 17, 2020 city 3 Rescued child labourer’s father moves Delhi HC for son’s wages Not fit to challenge A’bad New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) years, hailing from a socio- riod of one and a half years at The Delhi High Court on economically backward com- the hands of the aforemen- HC’s conversion order Wednesday sought the Cen- munity from Bihar and facing tioned trafficker/employer tral and Delhi governments’ dire poverty, came to Delhi in who inhumanely compelled by PIL route: SC response over a Public Inter- 2012 in search of livelihood the child to work for around New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) partner. In the order passed on est Litigation (PIL) seeking options. 12 hours a day and for wages The Supreme Court on September 23, the High Court recovery of wages which were “He (petitioner’s son) was less than the prescribed mini- Wednesday declined to enter- had declined police protection due to the rescued child and offered employment at the mum wages,” the petitioner tain a plea seeking to challenge to a married couple in a case other bonded labourers. premises situated at Sadar said. the Allahabad High Court, where a Muslim girl had con- A division bench of Chief Bazar, by the accused owner/ The court has now asked which held “conversion just verted to Hinduism and mar- Justice D.N. Patel and Justice employer. the authorities to file a de- for the purpose of marriage is ried a Hindu boy. Prateek Jalan issued notice tious recovery of the long “The petitioner herein, However, during the course tailed status report in the unacceptable”. Rein insisted that the apex over a petition filed by a fa- pending back wages of the is the father of a survivor of of his employment, the peti- matter and has now posted A bench of Chief Justice S.A. court should say that the decla- ther whose child was recently child and 115 other victims of child labour. The child la- tioner’s child was subjected the case for further hearing Bobde and Justices A.S. Bopan- ration made by the High Court rescued, seeking an expedi- bonded labour in the state. bourer at a tender age of 8 to severe abuse for over a pe- on January 22 next year. na and V. Ramasubramanian, was not correct, and cited that at the outset, said the petition- several inter-faith couples er should approach the High are facing problems in Uttar Fake call centre busted in Delhi, 3 held Court on the issue, as the peti- Pradesh. He also emphasised New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) the victims and lured them tion filed under Article 32 of the this order triggered the Uttar Delhi Police have busted a through offers that if they reg- Constitution is not an appro- Pradesh government to pass an fake call centre and arrested ister themselves on their web- priate remedy to set aside the ordinance against inter-faith three accused for duping site by paying a processing fee High Court order. The bench marriages. people on the pretext of giving of Rs 10, they will get 20-30 per also noted that the division The bench told Rein that it discount on their credit card cent discount on shopping. bench of the High Court had al- would not be a fruitful exercise purchase after registering on “When the victims enter ready set aside the High Court to further emphasise on the is- their website. Fifteen mobile their information, i.e. credit order cited by the petitioner. sue before the top court, and phones, 2 ATM cards and two card number, expiry date, The top court emphasised instead he could move the High spare SIM cards were recov- CCV number and OTP on that it does not see any reason Court concerned, and if there ered from their possession. their website, the details can to interfere at this stage, after was no relief from there, then In October, a complaint was shopping. Gandhi Nagar police station. finally succeeded to arrest the also be seen by them on their the petitioner admitted that a he could certainly move back received at the Gandhi Nagar The complainant went to The Cyber Cell of Shah- three accused, including one admin portal and they up- division bench of the Allahabad to the top court. The bench re- police station wherein the the site given by the caller dara obtained all the relevant woman, who have been iden- loaded the same information High Court has subsequently iterated that a petition under complainant had stated that and registered himself and details of the caller’s mobile tified as Rajan Kumar Bairwa, to their merchant for crediting set aside the order dated Sep- Article 32 is not the route to ad- he received a call where the filled the details of his card. number, cheated amount as Rajesh and Babita. amount in their account. In tember 23. dress the High Court order. caller claimed to be the ex- After registration, despite well as the website but the ex- The accused disclosed that this process, the complainant The plea filed by advocate Concluding the hearing in ecutive of a credit card depart- deduction of Rs 10(process- act location of the beneficiary when they used to call their need not share his OTP to any- Aldanish Rein said the High the matter, the top court told ment. The caller offered him ing charge), an amount of Rs could not be ascertained. The target number by using the one on phone. After uploading Court order has laid a wrong Rein: “After the division bench to register on their website, 10,000 was deducted from his Cyber Cell then activated its data of the credit card holder the amount, they routed all precedent that inter-religious has held this declaration to be i.e. rewardpointcard.in, with account without sharing any informers near the location of and tell the necessary in- the amount to different ac- marriages cannot be solem- bad, then why do you want the a nominal payment of Rs 10 to OTP. A case under section 420 the calling point and the ATM formation to the target per- counts,” said Sanjay Kumar nised at the instance of conver- Supreme Court to declare the get 20-30 per cent discount on of the IPC was registered at the transaction areas. The team son, they gained the trust of Sain, DCP, Shahdara. sion of religion by either of the same”. Want to buy US dollars at cheap prices? Get ready to be duped New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) the crime were recovered. on Ring Road near the ITO per cuttings in the shape of US As per their modus ope- Exploiting the greed of people A complaint was received by flyover as per the instructions dollars while one $20 note was randi, they prepared bunches to make easy money by buy- the Special Staff of Central Dis- of the tricksters where they fixed on the top of the pack,” of newspaper cuttings in the ing US dollars at cheap prices, trict wherein the complainant showed him a parcel of US said Sanjay Bhatia, DCP Cen- shape of US dollars and when a gang of cheats duped them said that he is a taxi driver at- dollars wrapped in cloth. tral Delhi. any gullible person got con- by passing off newspaper cut- tached to Spice Jet Airlines and “As the complainant hand- During sustained interro- vinced by them, they called tings as dollars and then get- used to ferry crew members of ed over Rs 5 lakh to the al- gation, the accused persons him to a convenient place ting the victim raided by fake the airline. A few days ago, 3-4 leged conmen, another 2-3 disclosed that they along with where some of their accom- Crime Branch officers so that persons came in contact with men came there and started their accomplices were liv- plices had stationed them- the genuineness of the cur- him and offered him dollars at threatening the complainant ing in a rented accommoda- selves beforehand. At the time rency was not verified. Two very cheap rates. Initially, they by posing as Crime Branch tion in Taimoor Nagar Ext., of the delivery of the consign- accused persons identified sold a $20 note to the com- officials. On the advice of the Khizrabad, Delhi. They used ment and handing over of as Mohd. Yunush and Imran plainant for only Rs 500 and alleged fraudsters, the com- to procure SIM cards in bulk the cash, these accomplices Khan, both residents of West also took his mobile number. plainant took the parcel of US from their source by using threatened the victim by pos- Bengal, were arrested and Rs The complainant then went contacted him again and dollar notes. dollars and left the spot. After fake IDs from West Bengal. ing as Crime Branch officials 1.70 lakh in cash, one bundle to a money changer and ex- convinced him to buy more The complainant somehow some time, he checked the They used these SIM cards on so that the victim could not of newspapers with 20 US dol- changed the note for Rs 1300. dollars at similar prices. They arranged Rs 5 lakh and on De- parcel and found that the con- different mobile phones pur- check the genuineness of the lars and one scooty used in Thereafter, the same persons offered him a total of 1,146 cember 1 reached a bus stand tents were a pack of newspa- chased at very cheap prices. US dollars there. AIKSCC calls SC proposal to form committee ‘moral victory’ for farmers IRCTC to start ‘Divine Maharashtra’ New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) be fruitful only after the prove the opposite,” it said. tourist train from Jan 8 The All India Kisan Sangharsh laws are withdrawn and The AIKSCC said that New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) “The Divine Maharashtra Coordination Committee the representatives of all on Tuesday, the Prime The Indian Railway Catering tour will cover the prominent (AIKSCC) on Wednesday national and regional farmers Minister made a wrong and Tourism Corporation religious and heritage tourist said that the Supreme organisations are represented claim that milk production (IRCTC) is all set to start the destinations in central India. Court proposal asking in a decisive manner and has been promoted by non- “Divine Maharashtra” tourist This tour will showcase the government to form should therefore be done only government private sector, train operations from January two important Jyotirlingas a committee and include after repeal of the Acts. while it is the government- 8 to cover the prominent i.e. Trimbakeshwar Shiva representatives of both It further criticised Prime aided cooperative sector religious and heritage tourist Temple in Maharashtra’s the Centre and the farmer Minister Narendra Modi which has helped milk destinations in central India. Nasik and Ghrishneshwar in unions, is a “moral victory” for claiming that farmers farmers and later entry of IRCTC spokesperson Aurangabad, Shirdi Sai and for the agitating farmers, were being fooled by the private sector stressed the Siddharth Singh in a Shani temples and UNESCO adding that the agitation will opposition while it is “he who milk sector. statement said, “IRCTC, World heritage site Ellora continue till the three farm is fooling them”. The AIKSCC said that its a Railway Ministry PSU, caves in four nights and five laws are repealed. and proposed to form a victory for farmers. Farmers “He is repeating his earlier working group has called for will start the state of art AC days tour,” Singh said. The reaction from the committee while including have always been ready to put explanation that farmers observing December 20 as Deluxe Tourist Train “Divine He said this new deluxe AIKSCC came after the top the representatives of both forward their views, but the would not lose land, that ‘Shraddhanjali Diwas’ from Maharashtra” tour from tourist train has a host of court on Wednesday ordered the Centre and the farmer agitation in Delhi will continue minimum suppot price 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in each and Delhi Safdarjung Railway features including two fine a joint hearing of the Centre unions to arrive at some until the three Acts and EB (MSP) and government every village in memory of Station on January 8.” dining restaurants, a modern and the farmers’ unions in acceptable solution. 2020 are withdrawn, even if a procurement will continue, the 30 farmers from Punjab He said the five-day kitchen, shower cubicles a bid to end the impasse In a statement, the AIKSCC committee is formed.” that the laws create and Haryana, who have died journey will commence on in coaches, sensor based amid the ongoing agitation said, “Supreme Court advice The AIKSCC said that the opportunities for farmers, during this indefinite protest January 8 from Delhi and end washroom functions, foot at various Delhi borders to the government is a moral committee formation will etc. even though his actions from November 26. on January 12. massager. Call Centre that cheated foreign nationals of Rs 100 cr busted, 54 held New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) along with a server have been premises were being used the call is ‘closed’) namely assets are being frozen as would be seized and only Bitcoins or Google Gift Cards The Delhi Police’s Cyber seized. to run an illegal call centre Gurmil Singh, Raunak, Jyotika their details have been found later on, could the victim worth all the money in their Crime Unit has busted a According to police, the from where accused persons and Yashpal. at a crime scene and there fight it out in the court. The accounts. If the victim agrees call centre in the city where accused used an elaborate were calling up people in “On interrogation, the are bank accounts running in second option was to go for an to buy Bitcoins, the accused employees impersonated written script to dupe more the US and other countries accused persons disclosed their names using which illegal Alternate Dispute Resolution induce them to convert all various law enforcement than 4,500 persons of around impersonating various law that they contact foreign transactions have been made (ADR) which would be faster the money in their accounts agencies to cheat and extort Rs 90-100 crore. enforcement agencies and nationals based in the to drug cartels in Mexico and and simpler. into Bitcoins and transfer money from unsuspecting Based on information that inducing them to transfer US and other countries Colombia. They also threaten When the victim chooses the same to the wallets people abroad, police said on a huge illegal call centre large amount of money after impersonating various law the victims with immediate to go for ADR, they ask them operated by the accused Wednesday. was being operated from threatening them with legal enforcement agencies and arrest,” DCP, Cyber Crime, to share all the details of persons, saying that it is a Foreign nationals from Moti Nagar to target foreign action. other government agencies Anyesh Roy said. their assets, including bank safe government wallet. US and other countries were nationals and illegally The arrested - 45 men and 9 such as the Social Security Once the victim becomes accounts and the amount If the victim agrees to buy threatened with legal action inducing them to transfer women - included four team Administration, the Drug apprehensive, the accused of money in those accounts. Gift Cards, they induce them and made to transfer money money through Bitcoins and leaders and ‘closers’ (persons Enforcement Administration used to give them two options. In the next step, the victim to share the number of the via Bitcoins and Google gift gift cards, a team was formed responsible for ensuring (DEA), the US Marshals One is to go for a legal action is told that there is only one cards stating that it will be cards. A total of 54 people and a raid was conducted. that the victim ends up Service, and tell them that in which first the victim would way to safeguard their assets; linked to their new bank were arrested and 89 desktops It was found that the transferring money and thus, their bank accounts and other be arrested and their assets they would have to either buy accounts and thus, be safe. Indian Horizon 4 SOUTH Thursday, December 17, 2020 Not a single rupee from Centre MVA jolted as Bombay HC stays land for Mithi River clean-up: RTI transfer, metro carshed work After the flooding owing to the choking of the Mithi Mumbai, Dec 16 (IANS) and Centre over the own- had scrapped the plans for one crore citizens,” said River - which was flanked by In a jolt to the Maha Vi- ership of the land where the carshed to come up Aditya Thackeray. large-scale illegal encroach- kas Aghadi government, the carshed is proposed to in the eco-sensitive Aarey “The state BJP is creating ments and effluents dis- the Bombay High Court come up, even as the state Colony and shifted it to obstacles in state’s develop- charge - the then Prime Min- on Wednesday granted an may consider challenging Kanjurmarg, as the Opposi- ment plans. In June, Union ister Manmohan Singh had interim stay on the Collec- the stay in the Supreme tion Bharatiya Janata Party Minister Piyush Goyal had announced a financial pack- tor’s order transferring 102 Court. slammed the move by the recommended that the Kan- Mumbai, Dec 16 (IANS) Seeking details of the age for the widening and de- acres of saltpan lands at The Centre had chal- Shiv Sena-Nationalist Con- jurmarg land must be hand- The Centre government has same, Mumbai RTI activist velopment of the river. Kanjurmarg for construct- lenged the October 1, 2020 gress Party-Congress gov- ed over to the state govern- not sanctioned any funds Anil Galgali sought details Accordingly, the state ing the Mumbai metro order of Mumbai Suburban ernment. ment. Suddenly, the Salt whatsoever for the cleaning from MMRDA on the prog- government set up the am- carshed. District Collector - allotting Sena Ministers Aditya Department stake a claim and development of Mum- ress of the river project and bitious Mithi River Devel- A division bench of Chief the land for the construc- Thackeray and Anil Parab over the land under the in- bai’s sole flowing waterthe funding received from opment and Conservation Justice Dipankar Datta and tion of the Mumbai metro said that they would first fluence of the state BJP,” body, the Mithi River, as per the Centre till date. Authority to implement the Justice G.S. Kulkarni also carshed - claiming the land study the detailed court said Congress spokesperson an RTI reply. “Shockingly, the RTI reply project but in the absence of ordered the Mumbai Met- belong to the Centre’s Salt order before commenting, Sachin Sawant. Mithi River had created said that the Centre has not the central funds, it contin- ropolitan Region Develop- Department. while NCP President and Leader of Opposition a huge havoc during the given a single penny to the ues to languish, and barely ment Authority (MMRDA) “We cannot allow the Minister Jayant Patil said Devendra Fadnavis asked great floods of July 26, 2005, MMRDA though its 15 years 35 percent has been imple- to maintain status quo on Collector’s order. The order that this is not the final ver- Thackeray to let go of their when it submerged even the since the 26/7 deluge and mented, said Galgali. the land till the Centre and has to go. We are admitting dict of the court. ego and allow the carshed Mumbai international air- the subsequent floods that Mithi River originates from other parties claiming title the petition and granting “This land is crucial for work to come up at Aar- port and other areas in its paralysed Mumbai for more the lakes in the lush green hills rights on the disputed land reliefs as sought by the pe- the Mumbai Metro Lines 3, ey Colony as originally path. than three days,” he said. of Sanjay Gandhi National are heard. titioner (Centre),” the court 4, 6, and 14, plus it will save planned, while senior lead- Thereafter, the Mum- As per the RTI replies, Park, passes adjacent to the The next hearing will be ruled. almost Rs 5,500 crore of the er Kirit Somaiya demanded bai Metropolitan Region the MMRDA had sought Rs Mumbai airport and after held in February on the In October, Chief Min- state government, and be- the CM must apologise in Development Authority 417.51 crore for the devel- flowing 18 km, empties into tussle involving the state ister Uddhav Thackeray come a nodal point for the the matter. (MMRDA) had sought cen- opment works it had carried the Arabian Sea near Mahim. tral assistance of Rs 1,657.11 out, besides the Brihan- It also has tributaries in the crore to clean, and develop Mumbai Municipal Corpo- north-western suburbs that Goa’s liberation anniversary may be by the Indian armed forces on Decem- it, as well as for sewerage ration which demanded Rs flow in Borivali, Kandivali ber 19, 1961. Mauzo’s letter states that the management and other as- 1,239.60 crore for the work and Goregaon, which also delay in liberating Goa by the Nehru-led pects. carried out in its jurisdiction. empty into the Arabian Sea. used to tarnish Nehru, Kovind told government was to avoid bloodshed and Panaji, Dec 16 (IANS) The upcoming to Kovind. The President is scheduled to in- violence, which a hurried military action 60th anniversary of Goa’s liberation from augurate a cultural programme on Decem- could have resulted in. Calling veteran Cong leaders as Portuguese rule may be used to once again ber 19 in Goa to mark the beginning of the “Goan freedom fighters and other Na- tarnish the image of former Prime Minister year-long celebrations being planned by a tionalists who knew how ruthless and for- ‘grandfathers’ is wrong: Ex-Goa CM late Jawaharlal Nehru, the Goa unit of the committee headed by the Chief Minister. bidding the Salazar (Portuguese dictator Dakshinayan Abhiyaan said in a letter to “Dakshinayan Abhiyan Goa, with a heavy Antonio de Oliviera Salazar) regime was, Panaji, Dec 16 (IANS) Congress MP Fran- The outburst comes days after the party was President Ram Nath Kovind. heart, would like to bring to your notice could very well understand and appreciate cisco Sardinha on Wednesday took objection routed by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in Damodar Mauzo, president of the state the spiteful and foul misinformation being the peaceful, non-violent and diplomatic to the party’s young leaders for calling veteran the recently conducted zilla panchayat polls. chapter of the Abhiyaan, an all India organ- spread indiscreetly and injudiciously that means adopted by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru politicians as “grandfathers”. Out of the 49 seats which went to poll on Sat- isation which aims to promote freedom of the liberation of Goa was delayed because to tackle the all powerful western bloc.” Addressing a press conference here, urday (December 12), the Congress managed expression and rationalism, accused Chief of the then Prime Minister late JawaharLal “The Portuguese had left no stone Sardinha, the Lok Sabha MP from South Goa, to win only four seats, while the BJP romped Minister Pramod Sawant and other BJP Nehru. Earlier, the Union Minister, Prakash unturned to retain its supremacy over also said that decisions taken by a politically home with 33 seats. In the run up to the polls, leaders like Union Minister for Informa- Javadekar and the CM of MP, Shivraj Singh Goa which they termed as the Overseas “novice” state leadership had led to the party’s a junior Congress leader Sandeep Naik had re- tion and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar Chouhan have gone on record and lately Province of Portugal. The nasty role then rout in the recently conducted zilla panchayat ferred to veterans in the party as “grandfathers” and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj we heard the Chief Minister of Goa repeat- played by NATO cannot be overlooked,” (ZP) polls. asking them to step aside from active politics. Singh Chouhan of participating in a mis- ing the same imprudently,” the letter by the letter said. “Some of them (young leaders) called se- “These senior leaders have become grand- information campaign about Nehru’s role Mauzo, a Sahitya Akademi award winning “The young independent India that be- niors who have been elected as grandfathers. fathers now and it’s time for them to play with in the liberation of the former Portuguese writer, said. lieved in Gandhian approach played its To run any organisation you need a combina- their grandchildren and not in politics,” Naik colony on December 19, 1961. Sawant in several speeches has blamed cards very wisely and resultantly, through tion of seniors and juniors. had said. “Goans will be deeply hurt if the year- Nehru for the 14-year delay in the liberation Operation Vijay, Goa was liberated. The Seniors who have been elected many times Sardinha in his press conference also long celebrations are marked by such unfair of Goa from Portuguese colonial yoke. peace-loving people of Goa are ever grate- and juniors who want to dream. We also want blamed the party’s state leadership for taking and twisted political statements that can While India obtained independence ful to then prime minister late Jawaharlal them to dream. We want their dreams to come erroneous decisions which he said, had led to damage the image of our beloved Pandit from British rule in 1947, Goa was liber- Nehru whose cautious efforts led to liberate true,” said Sardinha, a former Chief Minister. the Congress’ rout. Jawaharlal Nehru,” Mauzo said in his letter ated from 451 years of Portuguese rule Goa without bloodshed,” the letter said.

Land Reforms Amend. Act will attract Boost for Vijayan as Left more investments: K’taka CM ahead in Kerala local polls Bengaluru, Dec 16 (IANS) Kar- receiving a positive response “Under our new industrial nataka Chief Minister B.S. Yedi- from industries ever since the policy, any industry can imme- yurappa on Wednesday said that government decided to bring in diately set up shop here. This is the Land Reforms (Amendment) land reforms. another change which is attract- Act-2020 and proposed Labour “The state is able to receive 42 ing new investors to our state,” Reforms Bill will further bolster per cent of total Foreign Direct he said. the efforts to attract more in- Investment due to such bold The CM also asserted that the vestments to the state. steps taken to reform in crucial state government was more than Inaugurating the 103rd Gen- sectors like land as well as la- committed to bring in reforms eral Body meeting of the Fed- bour,” he said. in the labour sector as well. eration of Karnataka Chambers Yediyurappa said that the new “We have proposed some re- Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 16 In the three-tier local body of Commerce and Industry Land Reforms Act has eased the forms in this sector as well, we (IANS) Despite facing a host of structure, trends indicate that in (FKCCI) here, the Chief Minister buying of land for those who will soon take steps for the pas- controversies ahead of the civic the six corporations in the state, claimed that the state has been want to invest in the state. sage of a Bill too,” he said. body polls, Kerala’s ruling CPI- the LDF has romped home in M-led Left Democratic Front was Kollam, Kozhikode and Thiru- ahead of its rivals as counting of vananthapuram while the UDF Odisha CM writes to PM for PMAY votes reached its final stages on appears to have done well in 60th liberation Wednesday, and Chief Minister Thrissur and Kannur and at Ko- houses for Fani-hit families Pinarayi Vijayan appears to be chi which it ruled for the past 10 anniversary to inspire on a high. years, it was a cliff hanger. Bhubaneswar, Dec 16 “This will not only provide The opposition Congress-led In the municipalities, the UDF (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister relief to the Fani affected United Democratic Front, which is leading in 45, the LDF is 35 Naveen Patnaik on Wednes- families, but also ensure safe hope in post-Covid initially was seen putting up a while the BJP is ahead in four. day requested Prime Minister housing to rural families to Panaji, Dec 16 (IANS) Amid accusa- one event would be held in every state and better show in the first round of Out of the 14 districts, the Left Narendra Modi to sanction withstand natural calamities tions of wastage of public monies by a Union Territory of India to mark the anni- counting that began at 8 a.m., is leading in 10 and the UDF in houses to the cyclone Fani af- in the cyclone-prone areas,” cash-strapped government, Goa Chief versary celebrations, which will stretch for appears to have failed to make four. In the Block Panchayats, fected families in the state un- he informed. Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday a year till December 19, 2021. Coinciden- effective use of the numerous al- the LDF is ahead in 108, the UDF der the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Notably, cyclone Fani had defended his government’s decision to tally, elections to the state Assembly are leged scams of the Vijayan gov- in 44 and the BJP at the moment Yojana- Gramin (PMAY-G). wreaked havoc in Odisha in conduct year-long celebrations of the scheduled to be held in early 2022. ernment. has drawn a blank. In the Gram In a letter to the Prime Min- May last year. 60th anniversary of Goa’s liberation, The Goa government has also sought A greater setback was evident Panchayats, the LDF is ahead in ister, the Chief Minister said The Chief Minister further saying the events were meant to inspire Rs 100 crore from the central govern- for the BJP, which was seen 514 and the UDF in 377 while the the state government has informed that the state has pride and hope after the ravages of the ment to fund the year-long celebrations. promising that they will ride BJP in 22. The final results are identified around 7.87 lakh identified 6.07 lakh eligible Covid-19 pandemic. “The 60th anniversary celebration is high, but failed to do so to the expected later in the night. houses in 14 Fani affected dis- households who had been “Post pandemic, these events offer not only about celebratory events, but desired levels of their expecta- Compared with the 2015 polls, tricts. left-out from the permanent new hope. The Goa government is host- about celebrating development too, es- tions. at the moment, the UDF has Those houses have also wait list of PMAY(G) in 16 ing these events and not Pramod Sawant pecially in Goa’s rural areas,” the Chief The shocker came at the Ko- overall managed to get more, been geo-tagged and Aadhaar non-FANI affected districts. (as an individual),” the Chief Minister Minister said. Opposition leaders across chi corporation, where the Con- while in fact the Left has got mar- seeded, he added. He requested that the Union said. President Ram Nath Kovind is political parties have however demand- gress’ mayoral candidate N. ginally less than what they got in The beneficiaries may be Rural Development Ministry scheduled to declare the celebrations of ed that the Rs 100 crore central package Venugopal lost by just one vote 2015. Likewise the BJP overall in brought into permanent wait may be advised to open win- 60th years of Goa’s liberation from Por- be spent instead on reviving the state’s to his BJP rival, and for the Left, the three tier structure have fared list of PMAY-G and consid- dow of Aawaas+ mobile app tuguese rule on December 19, by inau- economy which has been severely ham- there was one in the Thiruvana- slightly better, but fell far below ered for sanction of PMAY-G to geo-tag these houses to gurating a cultural programme in Panaji. pered on account of the Covid-19 pan- nthapuram corporation, when their expectations, where they special houses, said the Chief ensure the objective of “Safe Sawant also said that all freedom fighters demic instead of conducting lavish fes- incumbent Mayor K. Sreekumar were expecting to rule the Thiru- Minister. housing for all”. would be felicitated on the occasion and tivities. had to bite the dust. vananthapuram corporation. Indian Horizon Thursday, December 17, 2020 Nation 5 Congress launches Fog & smog make people breathe ‘Dhanyawaad Jawan’ campaign in Uttarakhand heavy in Uttar Pradesh Dehradun, Dec 16 (IANS) On the 50th anniversary of the reported a surge in patients with against exposure. Those with asthma history. Such people 1971 India-Pakistan war, the Uttarkhand Congress on Wednes- respiratory problems. “Though asthma should also refrain should confine themselves to day launched a ‘Dhanyawaad Jawaan’ campaign to express the the cold wave has not yet set in from moving out. Delhi has their homes as far as possible,” party’s gratitude towards the armed forces personnel of the state. -- in the true sense of the term, been very cold and it will take he said. The dense fog that has Uttarakhand Congress chief Pritam Singh launched the ‘Dh- and minimum temperatures two to three days before cen- been reported from western anyawaad Jawaan’ campaign and he is also scheduled to visit the have hovered around 9 degrees tral Uttar Pradesh starts begin part of the state since the past families of serving and retired soldiers across all the districts of Celsius; it is the smog that hangs to feel the chill,” he explained. three days, has already led to a the state over the next two months. heavy in the air and is causing S.S. Mathur, a private prac- number of road accidents due “I salute the valour and courage of our armed forces personnel problems for those with respira- titioner in Agra, said that dip to poor visibility. There have and assure them that I will take care of their families, kids and tory issues,” said P.K. Tripathi, a in temperatures would cause been several accidents on the parents like a brother,” Singh said. pulmonary disease expert. more problems amid the Covid expressway and pile-ups too. He added that he will make sure that he visits every soldier’s He said that this could en- outbreak. “The number of pa- Chief Minister Yogi Aditya- house in the next two months and take appropriate steps to solve Lucknow, Dec 16 (IANS) a major cause of trouble for hance the problems of those tients with breathing problems nath has already directed all the issues and problems being faced by them. The mercury has started drop- the people who are prone to who are in the Covid and post- has almost doubled in my clin- district officials to make ar- The Congress leader further said that he has also launched a ping all over Uttar Pradesh but respiratory problems. Covid stage. “The patients in ic during the past one week. rangements for night shelters WhatsApp number - 7669643999 - to reach out to the families more than the cold it is the fog Hospitals in Lucknow, Kanpur, these categories are extremely This weather is all the more for the homeless and set up and know about their grievances. and smog that is proving to be Prayagraj and Agra have already susceptible and should guard dangerous for those having an bonfires across the districts. “The families of the soldiers can share their issues and sugges- tions with us through WhatsApp,” Singh said, while insisting that he is aggressively using social media and modern techniques to reach out to every soldier’s family in Uttarakhand. Northeast observes 50th The Congress leader also felicitated 30 families of the armed forces personnel. Singh said that Uttarakhand has played a vital role in strength- ening India’s security as 1,343 soldiers from the state have been anniversary of Vijay Diwas awarded gallantry medals, including 1 Paramvir Chakra, 6 Asho- ArrayGuwahati/Agartala, tended the event and paid gurated the park and memo- ka Chakra, 13 Mahavir Chakra and 32 Kirti Chakra. Dec 16 (IANS) Vijay Diwas, rich tributes to the martyrs rial in 2017, which was built In December 1971, the Indian armed forces secured a decisive which marks the Indian mili- of the “Bangladesh Lib- on 20.20 hectares of land and historic victory over the Pakistan Army, which led to the cre- tary’s victory over Pakistan in eration War - 1971” besides over an eight-year period at ation of Bangladesh and also resulted in the largest military sur- the 1971 Indo-Pak war and the highlighting the significance a cost of Rs 7 crore. render since World War II. creation of Bangladesh, was of Vijay Diwas. Vijay Diwas was also ob- observed across the north- War veterans were felici- served with traditional mili- eastern states on Wednesday. tated at the function, where tary decorum and fanfare at Jharkhand Maoist killed in gun- To mark the 50th anni- hundreds of school children the Trishakti Corps at Sukna versary of the Bangladesh sang patriotic songs. The Military Station in Siliguri, battle with security forces Liberation War victory, the songs were also played by West Bengal. Defence spokes- Border Security Force (BSF) the BSF brass band and a man Lt. Col P. Khongsai said military action. This year it Agriculture and Transport Ranchi, Dec 16 (IANS) A Maoist guerrilla was killed in a gun- organised a wreath laying short movie on the role of that the 1971 India-Pakistan is also being celebrated to Minister Pranajit Singha Roy battle with police in Jharkhand’s Latehar district on Wednesday. ceremony at the Liberation the ‘Mukti Vahini in 1971 War resulted in a landmark begin Golden Jubilee year paid tributes to the valiant According to the police, the gunbattle took place at Serke Nindra War Memorial at the Bharat- War’ was screened. victory for the nation, as well “Swarnim Vijay Varsh” cel- personnel of the Armed Forc- forest situated under Chandwa Police Station of Latehar district. Bangladesh Maitri Uddyan The Tripura government as its Armed Forces. ebrations,” he said. es at the war memorial in the The slain Maoist belonged to Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC). Park, Chottakhola, in south has developed a big memo- “The historic military vic- Lieutenant General Ajai heart of Agartala city. The body of the Maoist has been recovered. Police said that Tripura. rial and park at the border tory resulted in Pakistan Kumar Singh, General-Offi- The Bangladesh Assis- there was information of the gathering of TPC ultras inside the BSF’s Tripura frontier In- village of Chottakhola -- 132 ceding control of then East cer-Commanding of Trishak- tant High Commissions in forest after which a police team was sent to the spot. The guerril- spector General Susanta km south of Agartala -- in Pakistan, thus paving the ti Corps, paid homage to the Guwahati and Agartala also las started firing on policemen who also retaliated. Kumar Nath, Bangladesh memory of the Indian sol- way for the birth of the sov- fallen soldiers by laying a organised discussions, cul- The gun battle between the police and Maoists lasted for Assistant High Commission diers and Bangladeshi free- ereign nation of Bangladesh. wreath at the War Memorial. tural programmes and a get- over an hour. However, the Maoists later managed to flee from official S. M. Asaduzzaman, dom fighters who sacrificed Vijay Diwas is a historical The day was also celebrated together on the occasion. the spot. After the gunbattle, a search operation was conducted south Tripura District Mag- their lives during the war. event and a shining example in Meghalaya, Nagaland, The day-long celebrations in which the body of the Maoist and one AK-47 was recovered. istrate Debapriya Bardhan Former Tripura Chief of people’s aspirations being Manipur and other parts of are taking place in both the Maoists are active in 18 of the 24 districts of the state. and other dignitaries at- Minister Manik Sarkar inau- ably supported by decisive northeast India. In Tripura, mission complexes.

Traffic fines in Gurugram see 55% Farmers’ protest: dip due to Covid-19 Gujarat anti-land grab Act comes into Sunny Deol gets Gurugram, Dec 16 (IANS) Gurugram district has seen a nearly 55 force, district bodies to probe cases per cent dip in traffic fines as compared to the previous year due enhanced security to the Covid-19 impact. The Gurugram Traffic police have issued Gandhinagar, Dec 16 (IANS) The of Police (SP), the Police Commis- Court, the government has also 2,16,199 challans for no-entry, drunken driving, jumping the red Gujarat Land Grabbing Prohibi- sioners of the concerned Commis- designated the courts of the senior light, wrong side parking, lane change, wrong parking and driving tion Act, 2020 came into force from sionerate areas and the Resident most Additional District Judges as cover without helmet till December 14 this year. In view of the Covid-19 Wednesday. Under the Act, which Additional Collectors. Special Courts for the trials of of- infections this year, the Gurugram Traffic police have issued only is aimed at preventing the force- It will be mandatory for the dis- fences under the Act. 447 challans for drunken driving as compared to 4,067 during 2019. ful takeover of land from farmers, trict committees to hold a review The government has designated “The reason behind the heavy drop in traffic fines was due to private landowners, government meeting every fortnight, look into the court of Judge, City Civil Court the lockdown and Covid-19 infections. The government had im- institutions, the government has the complaints received and come for the city of Ahmedabad. The posed a complete lockdown amid coronavirus. We have stopped formed seven- member commit- out with a decision in 21 days in a special courts will have to come the campaign against ‘drinking and driving’ due to the surge in tees at the district level to probe case. The district collectors, on be- out with a decision within six Covid-19 cases in Gurugram. Amid the infection, the Traffic police such cases. half of the committees, have also months. The government will ap- is avoiding the use of alcohol breath analyser machine as it helps in Under this act, which was been empowered to take suo moto point special public prosecutors spreading the infections,” said D.K. Bhardwaj, DCP (Traffic). brought in the monsoon session cognizance of any land grabbing for such land grabbing cases for According to Traffic officials, till December 14 this year, there were of the state assembly this year, the case. speedy trial. nearly 2,303 cases of fines of no entry as compared to 5,337 in 2019. Gujarat government has formed After the committee’s order on a “We have ensured that the cases Likewise, 1,206 fines for red light violations were collected seven-member committees head- genuine case, the police will have reach their logical conclusion at in the current year as compared to 5,932 during 2019. Also ed by the district collectors, which to file the FIR within a week and the earliest and made sure that the 38,000 people were fined for wrong side driving this year. In will probe such cases of land grab- file the chargesheet within thirty entire system is implemented in the previous year the figure was 47,594. Similarly, Traffic po- bing. The other members of the days and produce it in the special a time bound manner. The state lice have issued 1,788 challans for lane change this year while panel are the District Development designated court. Officials, not un- government is committed to con- in 2019 it was 25,721. Wrong parking challans were 35,813 this Officer (DDO) for district Panchay- der the rank of Deputy Superinten- trol the Mafia, whether it be a land year while in the last year they stood at 88,716. Apart from this ats, the Municipal Commissioners dent of Police (DySP), will investi- Mafia or under the Goonda Act, 18,023 people were fined for driving without a helmet this year for municipal corporation areas, gate the cases. and take stringent action against while it was 38,824 in 2019. the CEO of Area Development With the concurrence of the such elements,” said Chief Minis- Authorities, the Superintendent Chief Justice of the Gujarat High ter Vijay Rupani. IIT-Kanpur to start 3 master’s programme in cyber-security ArrayKanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Director IIT Kanpur, said, “In the skills necessary to be successful in Chandigarh, Dec 16 (IANS) Actor and Dec 16 (IANS) The Indian Insti- world of Digital Nomads (especially roles such as VAPT (Vulnerability BJP’s Punjab MP Sunny Deol has been tute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K) after Covid-19) and Gig Economy, Assessment and Penetration Test- given enhanced security cover after his is the first to introduce three new there has been a significant shift to ing) engineers, Security centre comments supporting the Central gov- master’s programmes in cyber- the cloud as almost everyone who analysts, CERT (Computer Emer- ernment over the new farm laws, officials security in addition to a dedicated is involved in a productive activity gency Response Team) engineers, said on Wednesday. centre on the subject. has had to go online and use digi- Cyber security tool developers and The Central government has provided These programs are designed to tal devices. This shift means there other roles that involve protecting Y-category security to Deol of 11 person- address the need by ensuring the are millions of new netizens and systems against the threat of at- nel, comprising two commandos. training of dedicated and highly organizations that are potentially tacks by malicious actors. Deol, the MP from Gurdaspur, posted skilled manpower furthering and vulnerable to sophisticated cyber- The MS by Research program is a statement on Twitter on December accelerating the nations march to- crime. We have timed these Mas- designed to train cyber-security 6, saying that people were trying to stir wards a Digital India. ters programs to ensure that we researchers, Technology develop- trouble and the matter should be kept The Department of Computer The programs would start with a dra Agrawal and Prof. Sandeep K. start producing cyber warriors of ers, cyber-security strategists, and between the farmers and government. Science and Engineering (CSE), limited number of seats with plans Shukla from the Department of the future who can defend not only top-level cyber security policy de- “I know that many people want to take IIT-K will offer the three courses, to gradually scale up in size and Computer Science and Engineer- national boundaries but also make signers. An option for BT-MT dual advantage of the situation and are creat- M Tech, MS by Research, and BT- scope. The initiative for launch- ing. Admissions for the courses will a mark internationally.” degree students is proposed that ing problems. They are not thinking of MT Dual Degree in Cyber-security ing the three courses in cyber-se- commence during the April-May The MTech program in cyber will enable them to specialize in farmers. They may have their own agen- from August 2021. curity was taken by Prof. Manin- 2021 cycle. Prof. Abhay Krandikar, security will equip students with cyber-security. da,” he said. Indian Horizon 6 Edit Thursday, December 17, 2020 Govt expects states, UTs to add 8,000 more cold chain Indian Horizon By Ashish Srivastava to the existing infrastructure. How- 41,000 deep freezers and 300 solar re- minutes after administering the shots The cold storage network in the ever, the figure may go up as well,” he frigerators will be used for the Covid-19 for any adverse event. As many as nine country is likely to reach 37,000 as added. The member also said that the vaccine storage. It also informed that vaccine candidates for COVID-19 are states and Union territories are ex- expected addition of the cold chain all 36 states and UTs have concluded under different stages of clinical trials pected to raise at least 8,000 more cold points would be decked at Primary meetings of State Steering Committees which could be ready for authorisation chain points in the coming months as Health Centres (PHCs). “District hos- and State Task Forces. Meanwhile, 633 in the near future. the country moves ahead with prepa- pitals and community health centres districts have concluded meetings of The vaccines include AstraZeneca rations for the COVID-19 vaccine roll- already have the infrastructure to store the District Task Forces, as directed by and Oxford University-developed and out, a member of the National Expert vaccines. Many high load PHCs also the Centre earlier. Serum Institute of India-manufac- Thursday, December 17, 2020 Group on Vaccine Administration for keep cold storage equipment. We are Furthermore, training modules for tured Covishield, Covaxin by Bharat COVID-19 (NEGVAC) told IANS. aiming to extend the infrastructure medical officers, vaccinator officers, Biotech Limited, ZyCoV-D by Zydus Currently, around 29,000 cold chain further to those PHCs which are not alternative vaccinator officers, cold Cadila, Russian vaccine candidate No winter session points are being drawing up for the under the ambit of storing vaccines for chain handlers, supervisors, data Sputnik-V, NVX-CoV2373 by SII, mega COVID immunisation drive. universal immunisation programme,” managers, ASHA coordinators etc are HGCO19 by Geneva, and two unla- The member told IANS that the gov- he said. also finalised. Their physical training belled vaccines - Recombinant Protein Failure to convene sitting of Par- ernment had asked all states and UTs However, not all the PHCs will as well as training on online platforms Antigen-based vaccine by Biological E about the addition they would make to double up as cold chain points. The have started. Workshops for Training Limited and Inactivated rabies vector liament diminishes democracy the existing network of cold chain stor- decision is left to the respective states of Trainers (ToTs) of states and Centre platform by Bharat Biotech. age units. “They informed us that pro- and territories, the member informed have also been completed. The latest addition to the flock is vision for up to 8,000 cold chain points further. As per the guidelines issued by the Gennova Pharmaceuticals-developed CITING a surge in Covid-19 cases, the would be made by them in the coming The Union Health Ministry had said Centre for the COVID-19 inoculation indegenous mRNA vaccine candidate months,” the member said. on Tuesday that 29,000 cold chain drive, 100-200 people would be ad- (HGCO19). It received approval for hu- Union government has decided not to hold “We are expecting each state and UT points, 240 walk-in coolers, 70 walk-in ministered the vaccine in each session man clinical trials on December 9. to add at least 200 cold storage units freezers, 45,000 ice-lined refrigerators, per day. They will be monitored for 30 IANS the Winter Session of Parliament. A session, even a curtailed one, would have provided Revival of agitational politics the lawmakers a much-needed platform to By D.C. Pathak was necessitated by the potential for liti- should have reflected the willingness of and declaring any purchases below that discuss pressing issues: the contentious The stir led by the agriculturists of Pun- gation that the legislation carried inher- the government to go in for procurement price as illegal- this should cool down the jab against the recently enacted triple ently -- not about the produce itself but on MSP to a necessary extent till the new tempers substantially. The central and farm laws and the prolonged agitation by laws that were intended to reform the around the ‘trade agreement’ entered arrangements proved their viability and state governments should appeal to the rural economy and enhance the income into by the industry partner. The Acts acceptance. If it would have been made industry and businesses to reach out to the farmers who are demanding their re- of farmers, predictably turned early into basically highlight the format of business clear that MSP applied only to govern- the farmers to strike mutually beneficial a political agitation against the Modi gov- around the farm produce with corporate ment procurement and farmers could deals for exports, food processing and peal; the seven-month-old border standoff ernment with the opposition, left liberals entities that the farmers might opt for -- fix their own higher prices for selling pro- retail operations. The FCI should be re- and human rights activists losing no time outside of the traditional ‘Mandis’-- but duce to any other entity, the unfair mo- vamped for better efficiency and man- with China that is nowhere near resolution; in joining the fray and questioning the throw little light on how the government nopoly of the ‘Mandis’ would have been dated to create cold storage facilities- at very intentions of the Centre in proac- would prevent exploitative terms being curtailed and the instinct of businesses least one in each Division. On the other and the action plan for the rollout of the Co- tively promoting access of industry, trade set by the private purchasers for the aver- to maximise profit would have been hand Centre should step up vigilance and commerce to the farm produce. age small growers. checked. against the likelihood of anti-national vid vaccine. The argument for doing away The enactments had in one go pulled A farmer cannot travel distances with Once the farmers tasted the benefit forces jumping on the farmers wagon to down the monopolistic hold of the ‘Man- his produce to get competitive return for of free trade they would take to the new destabilise the internal situation- cred- with the session does not hold water as the dis’ on the average farmer, given freedom his crop at the back of the ‘Mandis’ and reforms on their own and any fear of ible reports are there about the Khalistani to even small farmers to enter into trade in any case, only a small number of them the government that it would have to elements and radicals trying to exploit the daily coronavirus caseload of the country agreements with industry regarding the had the capability to find a buyer on line. invest on procurement out of compul- situation for encouraging terrorist activi- patterning of their crops and created In a situation where the farmers submit- sion would be addressed too. In any ty.It may be recalled that in the beginning in general and Delhi in particular has come mechanism for resolving any contractual ted to the ‘Mandis’ even when the latter case for a big country like India with of the Nineties when the Khalistani terror disputes through local administration. did not honour the MSP, it was unlikely its deep agriculture roots, government in Punjab was successfully controlled, down significantly. It’s not that the gov- The traditional middlemen and rich cul- that the private traders would not be would do well to provide for cold stor- Pak ISI had embarked on fomenting mili- tivators of Punjab having a large say in tempted to convert MSP into MRP when age facility at all headquarters of the dis- tancy in Jammu and Kashmir through ernment has no experience of conducting how the grains produced will be market- dealing with the farmers. The private tricts that were most prominent on the infiltration of Mujahideen into the valley. ed, became the protagonists of the mass trader justifiably would have to take into farm front- it should even be prepared It may now sow seeds of trouble in Pun- parliamentary proceedings during a raging protests that were launched on the famil- account the cost of having to come close to ‘export’ food grain profitably should jab to make up for its declining success iar lines of blocking the main roads com- to the producer on the ground but would its stocks get oversaturated. For this it in Kashmir. Pro- Khalistan activism in pandemic. The Monsoon Session was held ing into Delhi and dislocating civic life. not be above making unfair profit at the could invoke PPP model that benefits US and Canada is showing its head again The break between the Kharif and Rabi cost of the farmer. both sides.In a country where two third while Islamic radicals with Pak links are in September, a devastating month which crops came in handy and funding of the The issues of Mandis and MSP raised of the population is ‘rural’, agriculture already known to be operating on our soil logistics of mass ‘dharna’ posed no prob- by the agitators essentially connected laws have to have wide popular support for some time. These will have to be put alone witnessed over 26 lakh infections na- lem. The large crowds of men and women with the farmers of relatively small hold- for achieving the desired results. Inci- down without hesitation. Farmer’s agita- around the nation’s capital sustaining an ings even though big farmers of Punjab dentally, when the immediate context tion does not mean the Sikhs would feel tionwide, accounting for one-fourth of the infinite agitation were enough to attract had come on the forefront of the stir be- is one of government’s initiative de- alienated- some opposition leaders are national and international headlines and cause of their own vested interest in the signed to reform things for the benefit trying to make out that Sikh ex-service- total cases so far, and more than 33,000 unsurprisingly became a pivot around system that had prevailed so far. While of the farmers, an ordinance prescrib- men as a class were joining hands with which the anti-Modi forces wished to the regime honestly wants enhancement ing ‘criminal prosecution’ of farmers for the agitation. If some are present in the deaths. Amid the challenging conditions, revive agitational politics when nothing of the farmer’s incomes through these stubble burning came as a spoiler. This midst of protestors it is because many else had politically worked for them. ‘reform’ Acts, the transition has- because problem needed a further separate han- families produced both farmers and sol- Covid protocols had been strictly enforced The farmer’s agitation against the ag- of insufficient direct communication dling in a multi -prong strategy of solu- diers and they had to be together for each ricultural laws however, raises several with the farmers in various parts of the tion finding. Even while complying with other’s cause for family reasons. Since and the session was hailed as one of the points for critical examination. On first country prior to the enactment- turned the orders of the High Court, the law the Centre had gone ahead with the Acts reading the bills smack of a complex out to be sudden and steep for them. A should highlight the options available to with the best of intentions it can patiently most productive ever. The government bureaucratic -- sounding language that straight forward commitment of the gov- the farmers and introduce punishment work for redressing any serious misgiv- --more than defining the substance ernment - even if it was financially incon- only for wilful defiance of the same. ings about their implementation. At the needs to explain why similar measures of additional opportunity and facility venient-to buy on MSP the produce that Coming back to the problem created same time stern handling of any disrup- brought to the average farmer -- dilates was not sold in free market should be by the farmer’s agitation the government tive forces and anti- national elements can’t be implemented in December, when laboriously on protecting the implemen- included through an amendment as this should go ahead by making an amend- propping up during the protests must be tors of the government and the business would help a great deal in putting anxiet- ment to provide for announcement of ensured at all cost the overall situation is far better. against legal accountability. This perhaps ies of the average farmer at rest.The bills MSP for major crops before the harvest IANS The irony is not lost on anyone: during the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Labels undermine diversity new Parliament building last week, PM Na- Shyam Saran narrow their own space; those who a group, how do you deny this to an- to what they may be saying. If the At the foundation stone-laying seek uniformity end up in a barren other group? And there are so many protesting farmers are infiltrated by rendra Modi had underlined the importance ceremony for the country’s new aridity that dries up precisely what different groups in India. Is this not ‘Khalistanis’, Maoists and left-wing Parliament building, PM Narendra is sought to be preserved. For history a recipe for a million mutinies? provocateurs, does the government of dialogue and hailed Indian democracy for Modi declared that in a vibrant de- shows that cultures flourish through There is an expectation that a need to listen? If some elements mocracy like India, there was room mutual enrichment, ideas advance broader Hindu unity can be built among our Muslim community are its vibrancy. Holding the House sitting at this for differences, but not disconnect. through debate, and what is more on a Hindu-Muslim binary. But suspected of harbouring pro-Paki- This is a welcome acknowledgement dangerous is not ‘questions to which that ignores the fact that a Hindu stan sympathies, should they be al- time would have affirmed the government’s of the Argumentative Indian who there are no answers, but answers is also deeply attached to his other lowed to speak? If some writers and loves debate, who is curious about which may not be questioned’. identities, for example, as part of a social activists are ‘urban Naxals’, intent to encourage deliberations on thorny the world around him and is open As soon as we attach labels to our language group, a membership of should they not be prevented from to ideas, no matter where they may interlocutors, we are absolved of the a caste group, a particular religious speaking; better still, should they matters and look for solutions through con- come from. This is because India is need to listen to what they are say- sect of the Hindu faith, perhaps a not be incarcerated? There are any a truly crossroads culture, its pres- ing. more modern professional group number of labels to choose from to sensus. However, it now seems that the rul- ent determined by a long history of Political democracy has taken and perhaps as part of a vested eco- prevent the speaking and the listen- engagement with other races and root in the Indian soil because nomic or business group — the list ing. Labels preclude connecting. If ing party is shying away from a debate with cultures. This engagement may well the values it seeks to nurture are is endless. There is little likelihood the PM really wishes to celebrate In- have taken place through invasions, aligned with India’s own striving of one-nation one-language being dia as a democracy, then he should the Opposition. Such evasiveness does not migrations, trade or evangelical as an independent nation, a na- achieved in India. Even a hint that stop this labelling exercise forth- missions but these have led to a re- tion that has found its voice after this might be the intent of a gov- with. The Minister of Commerce augur well for a democratic set-up. markably diverse and plural society centuries of whispered yearnings. ernment in power triggers danger- should not see hidden leftist hands blessed with an innate cosmopoli- Nowhere is this more apparent than ous political reactions. To justify behind the farmers’ agitation and The grim portents were visible during the tanism. There is no homogeneity in the genius of the Indian Consti- the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya, thus belittle it. This disconnects among its people, neither of race nor tution. It recognised that unity in a some of its champions argue that if rather than opens the way for un- Monsoon Session, when the government religion, neither of language nor diverse country like India cannot be the Christians can have their Vati- derstanding what is driving their traditions. It is the shared historical achieved through suppression of its can, the Muslims their Mecca, why protests, braving the cold weather had rammed legislations through both experience, a mutual enrichment of myriad identities, but in these be- should the Hindus not have their and police action. cultures and an affinity born out of a ing transcended and celebrated in Ayodhya? Is that not limiting the India is too diverse a country to Houses amid walkouts and boycotts by Op- deep attachment to the idea of India a shared sense of common citizen- very notion of Hinduism as a faith allow a monochromatic frame to be which underlie its nationalism. In its ship. It is only when that citizen- with no boundaries? imposed on it. It is a landscape with position parties. The reluctance to take ev- most positive and dynamic articula- ship deviates from its basis in in- The PM spoke of the Indian tradi- multiple colours and shades in be- tions, this nationalism has been ac- dividual and inalienable rights that tion of speaking and hearing each tween. The way forward is to allow erybody on board is again evident now. And commodative, not exclusionary. It the assertions of narrower caste or other as part of our ability to con- this profusion of colours to become is infused with a sense of common community-based identities begin nect to each other as Indians. But even more varied, and more vibrant. it doesn’t really matter whether Parliament humanity. This is the connect that to be seen as the only way to pre- this assumes a willingness to ap- Every label used to exclude this or hopefully the PM was referring to vent injustice and discrimination. preciate what the other is saying, that colour diminishes the whole. operates from an old building or a new one, because without this awareness of Once this is acquiesced to in one otherwise this would be a dialogue Labels prevent sharing and celebrat- common humanity, how is a connect case, how do you illegitimise it in of the deaf. We hear but we do not ing our diversity. They do not allow or whether it is circular or triangular in shape. possible when we disagree with each another? If one particular caste or listen. And as soon as we begin to us to connect with each other. Let us other, as we must sometimes? Those community insists on a veto over attach labels to our interlocutors, forswear a ‘government by label’ What matters is to create space for a healthy who seek identity through exclusion whatever offends its sensitivities as we are absolved of the need to listen IANS dialogue in the ‘temple of democracy’. Readers Response and contribution Welcome Indian Horizon Thursday, December 17, 2020 OP-ED 7 Ahmad Nawaz: the story of APS tragedy survivor

By Mehr Tarar years later every word of it is dipped in the Today, Ahmad, a handsome young man, That day in December 2014. That attack indelible blood of those who were murdered intelligent, very witty, eloquent, older than on Army Public School, Peshawar. That that day. his age, is focused on his activism, the work December 16 that became the day many, This is the story of the 14-year-old whose he has been doing for years. The memory of many people were killed. That day when arm was so severely damaged the doctors his brother Haris is his strength for his today, a school was turned into a pit of carnage. lamented that amputation was the only his every tomorrow. His mom and two sib- That day when men armed with machine option. In February 2014, he along with his lings, Umar, 13, and Adil, 1, are his strength. guns and grenades entered a school build- family was sent to the UK for his treatment. His dad, Mohammad, is his rock. ing and turned it into an unrecognisable They stayed in the UK, trying to rebuild their On the sixth anniversary of arguably the inferno splattered with blood and human lives with the memory of their slain Haris worst day in the history of Pakistan, Ahmad bodies filled with holes. The real number is deeply touching everything in their lives. But talks about the coronavirus-marked 2020, uncertain. Reportedly, 150 people including humans are resilient. Superhumanly. They his work in the last few years, his future the school principal, teaching and other staff survive the worst, some of them choosing plans. No one tells Ahmad’s story better members were massacred. 141 of the slain to rebuild their tomorrow shaping their pain than Ahmad: were children and teenagers. The number into the strength that becomes their daily “The attack of December 16, 2014. My life varies in different reports. The youngest was hope, a steadfastness that is diurnal inspira- after that. My work as a teenage activist. The six, the oldest was 20. tion for everyone who has lived through soul main focus of the work that I started was on Many children were shot at point-blank breaking tragedy. youth empowerment and tackling extrem- range. There was indiscriminate firing, too. His name is Ahmad Nawaz. On January 3, ism and radicalisation, in general. For youth Even that was methodical. Many of the chil- 2021 he will turn 20. He is a student at Lady empowerment, we started with educating dren were pulled out of their hiding places Margaret Hall, Oxford University, UK. At Ox- young people, equipping them with tools and shot in the head. Some of them were sit- ford, he reads Philosophy and Theology. As that would turn them into change makers the young people of Pakistan who are quite the new circumstances, at the beginning of ting doing things children in school do and he and his family, dealing with his shattered and action takers in their respective societ- under-represented at such platforms. the pandemic, I began an initiative called were shot. One after the other, students of arm and their shattered hearts and minds, ies. As part of my campaign, I provided Dialogues for Change. It’s an online forum APS were singled out and shot and killed. recoded their day-to-day existence, young I spoke at many colleges, universities scholarships to many young people in the on which I invite speakers of different back- Haris Nawaz was 13 years old. He was shot Ahmad too young to even fully understand and conferences. Last year, I was a speaker northwest region of Pakistan, the Khyber grounds specialising in human rights and in the head. the enormity of what had happened that at the World Leaders Conference in Portu- Pakhtunkhwa region. I’ve also built a school youth empowerment with the purpose to His brother, 14, was shot in the arm. He unimaginable day in December 2014, with gal. I spoke at One Young World at the No- in Lebanon for three hundred refugee chil- connect them with my audience. The aim is lived to tell the story of the killing of his the help of his incredibly brave and su- bel Peace Laureate Summit. Most of these dren. The journey of the last few years has for young people to get advice from experts brother, of the massacre of schoolchildren, premely devoted parents Mohammad and summits advocate for the right of young been quite interesting. 2020 in particular has on how they could be part of the change of humanity shrinking into the pitch black Samina Nawaz, focused his mind on things people to speak out and to advocate for all been a very interesting year in the sense that making process and be involved in that de- barbarity that has a few parallels in the re- that were good, that were positive, that were the causes that we all stand for. These con- it limited my work to virtual in the time of spite the pandemic. cent human history, of a tragedy so huge six healing, that were unbroken. ferences are important, in particular, for coronavirus. Adapting to the situation and Gulf News Why Bill Barr quit the Trump administration

that’s pretty stunning, considering and perhaps legally questionable or- Barr could avoid looking like he had how much Barr has already dimin- ders designed to make more perma- gone along with it -- short of resign- ished his reputation and that of the nent some of Trump’s policies. The ing in protest. Justice Department with his shenan- president can issue pardons without In other words, instead of the at- igans. What’s the January surprise the attorney general or the Depart- torney general insulating the presi- Barr wants no part of? One possibil- ment of Justice. The Constitution dent by recommending pardons, the ity is that Barr wants to create bu- gives the pardon power to the chief president would be discrediting the reaucratic distance between himself executive alone. But there is a par- attorney general by issuing pardons and the president so that he can say don office in Justice, and a president without the top lawyer’s consent. he resigned rather than serving out who entirely ignores or sidesteps its The same would be true of any ex- his term. But this seems implausi- recommendations could taint his at- ecutive orders issued by the White ble, even for a canny bureaucrat like torney general. House over the objections of the Of- Barr, given how close he has been Barr knows all about late-term par- fice of Legal Counsel at Justice. Barr to the presidency. And it certainly dons. He made his own reputation would look ineffectual “- which is seems at odds with the fawning tone at the end of George H.W. Bush’s worse, in some quarters, than look- of his resignation letter. administration by recommending ing like the president’s man. An inauguration without Trump pardons for Iran-Contra figures. Whatever Barr’s reasoning, we may Another option is that Barr realises Those pardons effectively ended the not hear the full story of his resigna- that Trump plans to continue chal- investigation into the scandal — and tion for some time -- not unless and lenging the election outcome. Barr didn’t go down well with Bush, who until he decides to share it. has been willing to tolerate Trump’s might have been implicated had the Barr has done some lasting harm arguments thus far, even if he him- investigation continued. to the Department of Justice and the self has refused to say that Justice has Back then, Barr’s recommenda- rule of law. What Trump does next, evidence of meaningful fraud. Yet the tion for the pardon helped insulate however, might give us a hint about US Attorney General’s sudden exit has led to plenty of prospect of increasingly wild claims the president from the criticism that what spooked Barr, someone tried to of conspiracy and an inauguration he was being self-serving. But things scuttle Robert Mueller’s investiga- speculation and conjecture without Trump in attendance might would be different now. tion by appointing a special counsel perhaps be enough for Barr to prefer Weighing up the odds to investigate the investigators of By Noah Feldman Trump’s administration. This seems to be out of town -- and out of the ad- Say Trump issues a blanket pardon Trump-Russia collusion; and spread US Attorney General William Barr to suggest that Barr thinks what hap- ministration -- for the next few weeks. for all ICE agents during his presi- false claims about election fraud be- has resigned with a little more than pens in the next five weeks could ir- The most likely possibility, how- dency. Or for his family members. Or fore the vote. a month left in President Donald retrievably tarnish his legacy. If so, ever, involves presidential pardons, for himself. There would be no way Gulf News How Kamala Harris can make a bigger impact in Biden presidency

By Thomas L. Friedman only on the cities and suburbs, the influential farmer-owned The US Vice President-elect they’re crazy. They will be cooperative headquartered in Kamala Harris is smart and highly vulnerable if the GOP is Minnesota, said to me. But, in energetic. President-elect Joe led by a smarter, less offensive fact, spreading connectivity Biden should broaden the populist than Donald Trump. and technology to rural Amer- scope of her job: make her his Most important, lifting rural ica “is an American issue, an de facto secretary of rural de- America is the right thing to American competitiveness is- velopment, in charge of clos- do for all of America and fulfils sue and an American national ing the opportunity gap, the Biden’s vision of a nation that security issue,” she argued. connectivity gap, the learning “grows together” in every way. Persistent “underinvestment gap, the start-up gap — and That concept remains in the in rural America will leave us the anger and alienation gap DNA of the Democratic Par- less secure and less prosper- — between rural America and ty, which in my home state, ous as a nation” — and less the rest of the country. Minnesota, is still known as competitive with China, which It would provide a vision for the “DFL” — the Democratic- is rapidly connecting its rural American renewal and signal Farmer-Labor Party. The party heartland, Ford said. “Some that Democrats were no longer needs to reconstitute that co- 35% of farmers lack enough going to cede rural America to alition. bandwidth to run the equip- Republicans but were instead “One way to do that is by re- ment on their farms, ensure going to seize it from them. connecting with its populist their kids get a good education And it would make Harris a roots — when it really was a and that Grandma has access super-relevant vice president party focused on the empow- to telemedicine.” from Day 1. erment of workers and farmers What should a Biden-Har- Democrats must not kid and ordinary citizens,” argued ris rural strategy look like? It themselves. Biden won this Harvard’s Michael Sandel, au- would start with showing up election by narrowly winning thor of “The Tyranny of Merit: regularly. “Showing up” and the suburbs and urban cen- What’s Become of the Com- “just listening to people” with broadband — the basic infra- half Hispanic, Somali, Asian rural America and the FIRST ters in key battleground states, mon Good?” “Trump gave respect goes a long way in ru- structure needed for an inclu- and Native American. to appreciate its concerns where just enough people de- populism a bad name. Demo- ral America, Emily Larson, the sive modern economy. In Minnesota, small towns and the FIRST to make sure cided that they wanted to “de- crats should provide an alter- mayor of Duluth, Minnesota, Kamala Harris is a natural like Willmar that can man- its concerns are addressed, Trump” the White House but native to Trump’s xenopho- told me. Actually, nothing for that task. Who better to age inclusion and diversity she and the Democrats could not “defund” the police. bic, plutocratic populism by earns more respect than lis- bridge Silicon Valley and the are the ones now thriving, make themselves competitive Beating from suburban vot- showing how populism can be tening to people respectfully. rural valleys of America? because they can attract new in a lot more rural counties. ers a source of civic activism, en- “Rural areas have their own A natural bridge builder labour and homebuyers when Even if it is just 10 or 15% That is, a lot of suburban gagement and renewal across social networks,” Larson said, She is also a natural bridge so many of the young white more competitive, it might voters rejected Trump person- urban and rural America.” but they’re different from the builder to a more inclusive adults have left for the big cit- be enough to deprive today’s ally but also rejected far-left That should be Harris’ mis- metropolitan ones. “Here, American heartland, because ies. deeply warped Trump-led Democratic ideas that had sion, and it’s one worthy of a people will show up for you According to a report by the Harris will soon be the first GOP from taking back the percolated up in the past few vice president. And it starts in in the middle of the night, but Urban Institute, “1 in 5 Ameri- woman, the first Black and White House or the House years. Democrats won the rural America. they don’t post about it on cans lives in rural communi- the first Indian American vice in the next four years — and presidency but took a beat- Spreading connectivity and Facebook.” ties, and more than one in five president, which certainly maybe force it back to sanity. ing from those same suburban technology On policy specifics, the (22%) rural residents are peo- resonates with a lot of urban Nothing would shock the Re- voters in many statehouse, US. “I fear the word ‘rural’ con- Biden-Harris team should ple of colour.” I wrote last year voters. However, if she could publican party more than los- House and US. Senate races. notes a geography that is not commit that in four years about Willmar, Minnesota, a make herself the person in ing its automatic hold on rural If Democrats go into 2022 my problem,” Beth Ford, every rural community in town that was all white back in the Biden cabinet who always America. — let alone 2024 — appealing president of Land O’Lakes, America will have access to the 1950s and today is nearly shows up FIRST to listen in Gulf News

The views expressed in these columns are the writers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Indian Horizon or its management.-Editor Indian Horizon 8 International Thursday, December 17, 2020

Washington, Dec 16 (IANS) BIDEN SAYS ELECTION VICTORY ‘CLEAREST CHINA PREPARES TO Hours after the US Electoral LAUNCH LONG MARCH-8 College offi cially certifi ed his DEMONSTRATION OF PEOPLE’S WILL’ victory in the November 3 presi- Y1 ROCKET dential election, President-elect ary 20.“Respecting the will of The former Vice President also physical violence... It’s simply Joe Biden called his and Vice the people is at the heart of our claimed that he and Harris won unconscionable.”Meanwhile, Wenchang, Dec 16 Wednesday, according to President-elect Kamala Harris’s democracy even when we fi nd more votes than any previous Trump is yet to concede and (IANS) China’s Long the China National Space triumph as the “clearest demon- those results hard to accept,” presidential ticket in history. his re-election campaign was March-8 Y1 rocket was Administration.Next, the stration of the will of the Ameri- The Hill news website quoted Praising election workers making last-ditch efforts to vertically transported to rocket will be filled with can people”. Biden as saying in a speech and state offi cials, Biden said: overturn the election outcome, the launching area of the propellant and readied On Monday, Biden and Har- near his home in Delaware late “They could not and would claiming voter fraud. Wenchang Spacecraft for launch in late De- ris’s victory was sealed in the Monday. not give credence to what they In the latest blow, the US Launch Site in south Chi- cember, the Xinhua news Electoral College after electors “But that’s the obliga- know is not true. Supreme Court on Decem- na’s Hainan Province on agency reported. from every state gathered at Cap- tion of those who have “They knew this election was ber 11 rejected a lawsuit from itols across the country. taken on a sworn duty to overseen, it was honest, it was Texas in a bid to overturn the INDIAN ORIGIN MAN KILLED They voted 306 for Biden and uphold the Constitution. free and it was fair. results in four battleground 232 for President Donald Trump. “In this battle for the They saw it with their own states of Georgia, Michigan, IN CHICAGO AIRPORT Members of Congress are ex- soul of America, democ- eyes, and they wouldn’t be Pennsylvania and Wiscon- pected to certify the Electoral racy prevailed... Faith bullied into saying anything sin.The Supreme Court also ACCIDENT College vote on January 6, 2021, in our institutions held and time to turn the page as we’ve different.“They were subject turned away another appeal lice he was found “un- after which Biden will be sworn the integrity of our elections done throughout our history, to political pressure, verbal from Pennsylvania Republi- responsive” under an in as the 46th President on Janu- remained intact.“And now it’s to unite and to heal,” he added. abuse and even threats of cans on December 9. equipment used to move airplanes on the ground, Islamabad, Dec 16 (IANS) and taken to a hospital. TRUMP ‘ABSOLUTELY A delegation from Taliban’s TALIBAN DELEGATION George died at the hos- Qatar- based political offi ce is pital and a post-mortem OPEN’ TO TAKING COVID-19 reaching Islamabad on Wednes- IN PAKISTAN ON report by the local medical day on a three-day trip for con- examiner ruled the death sultations on ongoing Afghan WEDNESDAY an accident, according to VACCINE: WHITE HOUSE peace process. The delegation led by Tali- in Washington about the break the Sun-Times. In the past week, the US, the worst-hit nation, ban’s deputy chief for politi- was obvious from the envoy’s He worked for Envoy Air has reported an average of more than 215,000 cal affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani social media messages.Amb New York, Dec 16 (IANS) and the publication quoted new infections a day. Barader will meet Prime Min- Khalilzad, after his arrival in Is- An Indian origin man has its spokesperson Minnette ister Imran Khan and For- lamabad, tweeted: “Tragically, been killed in an accident Velez-Contly as saying, Washington, Dec 16 (IANS) eign Minister Shah Mehmood the war continues. The need for involving airport equip- “Currently, the situation is Qureshi during its stay in Islam- a political settlement, reduction US President Donald Trump is ment in Chicago, accord- under investigation by our abad, the Dawn reported. in violence, and a ceasefi re re- “absolutely open” to taking the The visit is taking place on main urgent.” ing to news reports. safety organisation.” coronavirus vaccine but his pri- Pakistan government’s invi- “Given how much is at stake, Jijo George, 35, whose “We are providing sup- ority is frontline workers and tation, a Taliban spokesman at the White House next month, it is imperative that there is no family is from Kerala, was port to the family and our the most vulnerable, the White said.A 20-day break in intra-Af- intensifi ed fi ghting in Afghani- delays in resumption of talks crushed to death by the employees to help them stan and lack of clarity about House has said. ghan negotiations and coming and they must resume on Jan equipment on Sunday in through this loss,” she the next venue for the talks have The US on Friday allowed the transition in the United States 5 as agreed,” he said in another a hangar at the Chicago added. form the backdrop of Taliban’s inserted an element of uncer- tweet.Pakistan this year not only emergency use of COVID-19 O’Hare Airport, where he On behalf of the In- latest visit to Islamabad.Afghan tainty into the process.Taliban helped the US and Taliban sign vaccine developed by American government and Taliban nego- delegation’s visit follows closely their agreement, but also facili- worked as a maintenance dian community, a fun- pharmaceutical giant Pfi zer and tiators have taken the break to on the heels of a trip by US Spe- tated the start of intra-Afghan mechanic, the Chicago draiser has been set up its German partner BioNTech average of more than 215,000 consult their principals on the cial Envoy for Afghan Reconcili- negotiations and more lately the Sun-Times reported on for George’s family on with a critical care nurse in New new infections a day.More negotiations on the agenda of ation Zalmay Khalilzad to Islam- agreement on rules and proce- Tuesday.The publication GoFundMe, an internet abad on Monday.The anxiety York receiving the fi rst jab. than 303,000 people in the US the talks.Meanwhile, the change dures for the dialogue. said that according to po- crowd-funding site. “The President, currently at have died from coronavirus in this moment, has said he is ab- 10 months, according to Johns solutely open to taking the vac- Hopkins University. Germany sees record death toll on first 11 killed in fire at nursing cine. He’s been emphatic about Former presidents Bill Clin- that to me privately and to you ton, George Bush and Barack day of new lockdown home in Russia all publicly. But he did recently Obama along with President- It said 27,728 new coronavirus cases were registered, a figure close to the According to investigators the home was recover from COVID,” White elect Joe Biden have said that daily record of nearly 30,000 infections reported on Friday. registered as a non-profit organisation that House Press Secretary Kayleigh they would publicly take the provided charity for the elderly. McEnany told reporters on vaccine.Top US infectious dis- Frankfurt am Main, Dec with non-essential shops Tuesday when asked if the presi- ease expert Anthony Fauci on 16 (IANS) Germany regis- and schools closed in a bid to Moscow, Dec 16 (IANS) of whom managed to es- dent plans to take the vaccine Tuesday said that even though tered a record number of halt an “exponential growth” Fire erupted in a retire- cape on their own. In the in public to inspire confi dence President Trump has antibodies deaths from Covid-19 on in infections. ment home in central Rus- course of extinguishing the among the people. to the virus, he should receive Wednesday, the first day of The restrictions will ap- sia overnight, killing 11 fi re, the bodies of 11 people “He has the continued protec- the vaccine to be doubly sure. a new partial lockdown to ply until January 10, with people who were trapped were found,” the commit- tive effects of the monoclonal He also advocated giving the try and cope with a surge in companies also urged to al- as the blaze swept through tee said in a statement. antibody cocktail that I men- vaccine to Vice President Mike infections.A total of 952 peo- people were reported to have low employees to work from the small wooden build- The nursing home in the tioned, and he will receive the Pence, President-elect Biden ple died in the previous 24 died as the number of those home or to offer extended ing, investigators said on village of Ishbuldino was a vaccine as soon as his medical and Vice President-elect Ka- hours, according to the Rob- in intensive care in the coun- company holiday.The new Tuesday. one-story wooden building team determines it’s best. But mala Harris, according to me- ert Koch Institute disease try reached alarming levels. measures were agreed by Russia’s Investigative with a small attic, Russia’s his priority is frontline workers, dia reports. control centre. Some 83 percent of inten- Chancellor Angela Merkel Committee, which probes emergencies ministry said. those in long-term care facilities, McEnany said that President It said 27,728 new corona- sive care beds in hospitals with regional leaders of Ger- major crimes, said it had It added that fi refi ghters and he wants to make sure that Trump wants to show that his virus cases were registered, were occupied on Wednes- many’s 16 states on Sunday. opened a criminal inves- were able to put out the the vulnerable get access fi rst,” priority is the Americans who a figure close to the daily day, the Interdisciplinary Europe’s largest economy tigation into possible neg- fl ames by morning. McEnany said. are the most vulnerable.“There record of nearly 30,000 in- Association for Intensive had coped relatively well ligence over the blaze at According to investiga- Trump was hospitalised with will be some senior administra- fections reported on Friday. Care and Emergency Medi- with the first wave in the the home in the Bashkor- tors the home was regis- COVID-19 in October.In the tion offi cials taking it publicly to The previous daily record for cine (DIVI) said.The latest spring but it has struggled to tostan region.“At the time tered as a non-profi t or- past week, the US, the worst- instill that confi dence; it is very fatalities was also reached figures come as a new par- contain a resurgence in re- the fi re started there were ganisation that provided hit nation, has reported an important,” she said. on Friday, when almost 600 tial lockdown was imposed, cent months. 15 people in the room, four charity for the elderly. Coronavirus detected China slaps more taxes on GLOBAL COVID-19 CASES on imported frozen Australian wine amid tension TOP 72.8 MILLION India comes in second place in terms food in China Beijing, Dec 16 (IANS) Chi- China’s foreign ministry has demanded na’s government on Thursday Australia take unspecified steps of cases at 9,884,100, while the country’s death Nanjing, Dec 16 (IANS) slapped more taxes on wine to repair relations. toll soared to 181,835. An imported frozen food from Australia, stepping up sample in the city of pressure in a bitter diplomatic Washington, Dec 16 (IANS) Wuxi, east China's Ji- confl ict over the coronavirus, The overall number of global angsu Province, test- territorial disputes and other coronavirus cases has topped ed positive for the irritants. 72.8 million, while the deaths novel coronavirus, China, Australia’s biggest have surged to more than 1.62 local authorities said export market, already has million, according to the Johns Tuesday. blocked imports of its wine, Hopkins University. The sample was tak- barley, beef and other goods In its latest update on Tuesday, (2,433,859), the UK (1,874,867), en from a batch of frozen since the Australian govern- the University’s Center for Sys- Turkey (1,866,345), Italy sliced pig ears imported from ment expressed support for tems Science and Engineering (1,855,737), Spain (1,751,884), the United States as part of a a probe into the origin of the (CSSE) revealed that the current Argentina (1,503,222), Colombia regular screening before the through imported foods, coronavirus pandemic that global caseload and death toll (1,434,516), Germany (1,357,261), entry of any imported frozen with the Ministry of Trans- began in China last December. stood at 72,818,538 and 1,620,294, Mexico (1,255,974), Poland food into the city's cold stor- port releasing a guideline The Chinese Ministry of respectively. (1,140,572) and Iran (1,115,770), age warehouse, according to in November to prevent Commerce said an investi- The US is the worst-hit country the CSSE fi gures showed. the city's epidemic preven- the transmission of the vi- gation begun in August con- with the world’s highest number Brazil currently accounts for tion and control offi ce. rus through imported cold- cluded Australia improperly of cases and deaths at 16,515,717 the second highest number of None of the goods have chain foods in road and wa- subsidizes wine exports, hurt- try’s trade minister said would Chinese leaders were irked and 300,474, respectively, accord- fatalities at 181,835. been distributed into the lo- ter transportation. ing Chinese producers. The make it unsellable in China. by Australia’s decision to pur- ing to the CSSE. The countries with a death cal market. Local authorities The State Council joint ministry said importers will China’s foreign ministry has sue a mutual defense treaty India comes in second place in toll above 20,000 are Mexico have sealed and disinfected prevention and control be required to pay a deposit demanded Australia take un- with Japan, which Beijing sees terms of cases at 9,884,100, while (114,298), Italy (65,011), the UK the food and quarantined mechanism against Co- of 6.3 per cent to 6.4 percent, specifi ed steps to repair rela- as a strategic rival, and to join the country’s death toll soared to (64,500), France (58,391), Iran those who had contact with vid-19 has also unveiled a effective Friday, pending a tions.Beijing increasingly uses Asian governments and the 181,835. (52,447), Spain (48,013), Rus- the tainted items, the Xin- plan to realise full-chain, fi nal ruling.That is on top of access to its populous market United States in objecting to The other countries with sia (46,846), Argentina (41,041), hua news agency reported. closed-loop, traceable man- taxes of more than 200 per as leverage to extract conces- China’s claims to most of the more than a million confi rmed Colombia (39,195), Peru (36,677), China has stepped up efforts agement of imported cold- cent imposed earlier on Aus- sions from its neighbors and South China Sea, one of the cases are Brazil (6,927,145), South Africa (23,451), Poland to block Covid-19 spread chain foods. tralian wine, which the coun- increase its strategic infl uence. world’s busiest trade routes. Russia (2,656,601), France (22,960) and Germany (22,330). Indian Horizon Thursday, December 17, 2020 Business 9 Greater penetration of financial products with enhanced protection needed: RBI Guv New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) joining the workforce, social block level would be the cor- protection and grievance GDP ratio, access to credit and Reserve Bank Governor Shak- media blurring the urban- nerstone of community led redress through appropri- cost of credit need to be ad- tikanta Das on Wednesday cit- rural divide and technology participatory approaches in ate financial education and dressed by lesser reliance on ed the need for a greater focus shaping the policy interven- our journey towards greater awareness.” “These cast great collateral security and greater on the penetration of sustain- tions.” financial literacy.” responsibility on financial cash-flow based lending,” able credit, investment, insur- “Going forward, harness- In terms of the new technol- education providers.” “Credit bureaus and the ance and pension products by ing the near universal reach ogy, he said, though being a He added that among all proposed Public Credit Reg- addressing the demand side of bank accounts across the great enabler, it can also lead the prerequisites for achieving istry (PCR) framework are ex- constraints with enhanced length and breadth of the to the exclusion of certain seg- demographic dividend and pected to improve the flow of customer protection. In his country, there needs to be ments of society. accelerated growth, quality credit as well as credit culture. keynote address at the webi- greater focus on the penetra- “It is imperative to build of human resources, greater As regards financial inclusion, nar on ‘Investing in Investor tion of sustainable credit, in- trust in formal financial ser- formalisation of economy, a a number of steps have been Education in India: Priori- vestment, insurance and pen- vices among the hitherto ex- higher credit to GDP ratio and taken by the government and ties for Action’ organised by sion products by addressing cluded population. Adequate greater financial inclusion are the RBI. As a result, large and NCAER, he said: “Financial demand side constraints with ernor, the interventions in keeping the different target safeguards need to be rein- the differentiating factors that hitherto excluded, sections inclusion in the country is enhanced customer protec- financial education would audience in mind. forced to address issues of would elevate India’s econo- of the population have been poised to grow exponentially tion.” have to be customised (local “The scaling up of CFL proj- cyber-security, data confiden- my to the desired level. brought into the formal finan- with digital savvy millennials According to the RBI Gov- language and local settings) ect across the country at the tiality, mis-selling, customer “To improve the credit to cial fold.” India’s GDP contraction expected to narrow down: SBI Ecowrap Future Enterprises reports New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) including RTO transactions, lieve that it will take almost India’s GDP contraction due revenue collection at RTO, 7-quarters from Q4 FY21 (and Q2 net loss of Rs 283 cr to the impact of Covid pan- revenue earning of freight 5-quarters from now) to reach demic is expected to narrow traffic, weekly food arrival, the pre-pandemic level in down to (-)7.4 per cent in petrol and diesel consump- nominal terms and there will FY21 from an earlier pro- tion continued in Novem- be a permanent output loss jection of (-)10.9 per cent, ber,” the report said. of around 9 per cent of GDP,” SBI Ecowrap report said on “Even our business activity the report said. “Interest- Wednesday. index which is based on high ingly, even as growth outlook “Our revised GDP estimates frequency indicators show has improved, the decline are based on SBI ‘Nowcasting improving momentum after in Government expenditure Model’ with 41 high frequen- a modest decline in the week has been quite significant to cy indicators associated with frequency indicators from would be around 0.1 per cent of Diwali.” Furthermore, the Rs 3.62 lakh crore in Q2 FY21 industry activity, service ac- Q4 of 2012 to Q4 of 2020 (till (with downward bias). FY22 GDP growth would be at from Rs 4.86 lakh crore in Q1 tivity, and global economy,” November actual data is used Besides, out of the 41 high 11 per cent primarily due to FY21.” the report said. while trend is used for De- frequency leading indicators, base effect. “The revenue and capital Mumbai, Dec 16 (IANS) company said that Covid-19 “We have used the dynamic cember).” 58 per cent are showing ac- However, the report said all expenditure both declined Futures Enterprises Ltd. (FEL) pandemic and the consequent factor model to estimate the Accordingly, the report celeration in Q3. projections are conditional in Q2 compared to Q1, with on Wednesday reported a lockdown throughout the common or representative or said based on this model the “Positive momentum of on the absence of another larger decline witnessed in consolidated net loss of Rs country, has had a significant latent factor of all the 41 high forecasted GDP growth for Q3 various economic indicators wave of infections. “We be- revenue expenditure.” 283.63 crore for the July- adverse impact on the business September quarter. operation and the financial During the same quarter results of the company for the Yogi govt claims over 26 lakh people employed in 8 months of the last financial year, the quarter ended September. Lucknow, Dec 16 (IANS) har’ package has helped peo- der the ‘Aatmanirbhar’ company had reported a “The company will continue Amid the ongoing corona- ple to get employment and package. Apart from this, consolidated net profit of Rs 17 to closely monitor any material virus pandemic, the Yogi has also generated self-em- , the Chief Minister also crore. The company’s revenue changes to future economic Adityanath government has ployment opportunities. started the ‘Employment from operations declined conditions and to take various challenged its critics claiming According to the data re- portal’ through which nearly 86 per cent to Rs 237.88 precautionary measure to that 26,62,960 people have leased by the MSME depart- 5,25,978 people got jobs till crore, from Rs 1,699.84 crore ensure health and safety of been provided employment ment, 6,65,740 new units December 13 this year. reported in the second quarter its customer, employees, in the last eight months. An were started in the state in As soon as the lockdown of FY19-20. stakeholder from Covid-19 action plan was prepared on the last eight months, in was implemented, heavy In a regulatory filing, the pandemic,” it said. the instructions of the Ut- which 26,62,960 people have industries were shut down tar Pradesh Chief Minister. been provided employment. and the workers employed Acting on this action plan, Of these, there are 2,57,348 in these industries started Tech firm NTT appoints Abhijit 26,62,960 people have been migrant workers who have migrating. During the lock- employed in 6,65,740 new During the Covid-induced Small and Medium Enterpris- been provided employment down period, consultations Dubey as Global CEO units under the ‘Aatmanirb- lockdown when lakhs of poor es (MSME) sector. in the units which were al- were held with the owners of London, Dec 16 (IANS) har’ package. migrant workers became The government’s ‘One ready operating in the state. the Small, Medium and Mi- Global technology services Apart from this, 5,25,978 jobless, Chief Minister Yogi District One Product Scheme’ During the corona pan- cro-industries and the gov- company NTT Ltd. on people have been provided Adityanath began efforts to (ODOP) has proved to be quite demic, the Yogi government ernment arranged raw ma- Wednesday said Abhijit Dubey employment through the provide employment to these a game changer in terms of helped employment gen- terials for these industries. will succeed Jason Goodall ‘Employment portal’ created workers. Due to such efforts, providing employment to mi- eration by giving a loan of Arrangements were made for as its Global Chief Executive on the instructions of Yogi lakhs of migrant workers got grant workers. In every district Rs 1,092 crore to 4,24,283 the workers to remain in the Officer. Adityanath. employment in the Micro, of the state, the ‘Aatmanirb- units set up previously un- small-scale industries. Dubey takes the role following over 20 years with global advisory firm McKinsey Walmart to begin deliveries with driverless trucks in 2021 & Company. San Francisco, Dec 16 Walmart last year began The operation will begin Dubey will join NTT in early (IANS) Taking its autonomous an autonomous vehicle early next year on a 20-mile February and formally step vehicle pilot with a startup pilot with Gatik to move route between New Orleans into his new role on April 1, called Gatik to the next level, customer orders on a two- and Metairie, Louisiana, the 2021. He will be based at the advisor for the NTT Venture retail giant Walmart is now mile route between a dark company said. company’s headquarters in Capital business. planning to start deliveries store -- a store that stocks Several other companies London. “NTT is privileged to be a with driverless truck in the US items for fulfillment but isn’t around the world are “We are looking forward to critical technology services state Arkansas starting next open to the public -- and working towards making welcoming Abhijit to the NTT partner for many of the world’s year. a neighborhood market in use of autonomous vehicles. family in 2021 to lead the next leading companies and public “This achievement marks a Bentonville, Arkansas. E-commerce giant Amazon in generation of our business,” sector organizations, with new milestone that signifies The pilot has since then September said it is creating Goodall who is the current employees in over 73 countries the first ever driverlessregistered over 70,000 Arkansas,” Ward said. Gatik to a second location to a new team focused on Global CEO for NTT Ltd. said around the world,” Dubey said operation carried out on operational miles in “When we begin test an even longer delivery driverless delivery in the UK. in a statement. on his appointment. “With the supply chain middle autonomous mode with a incorporating driverless Box route and a second use case The new team at the Following a three month many NTT clients accelerating mile for both Gatik and safety driver. Trucks into the Bentonville -- delivering items from a e-commerce giant’s handover period, Goodall their digital transformation Walmart,” Tom Ward, Senior “Now, we’re taking the next operation next year, the pilot supercentre to a Walmart Cambridge development will retire from his executive because of the global Vice President of Customer step forward: Gatik’s multi- will continue as it always pickup point, a designated centre will work on Amazon role on June 30, 2021 and will pandemic, there has never Product, Walmart US, said in temperature Autonomous has,” he added. location where customers Scout, the company’s fully- remain as a Board Director for been a more important time a statement on Tuesday. Box Trucks will operate this Walmart said it is also can conveniently pick up electric autonomous delivery NTT Ltd, and Dimension Data, for the technology industry to The move comes after route driverless in the state of expanding its pilot with their orders. service. as well as act as a strategic deliver for the world.” Govt’s greed for revenue keeps petrol, diesel prices close to all-time high levels New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) 57.77 per cent of the retail to raise revenue every time the component of this tax on ago meaning that the two significant portion of excise price of petrol and diesel Oil companies may have price of diesel in the capital at there is a pressing need for it, retail prices by Rs 32.98 on products are being heavily revenue for states. As the fuel is could add upto 0.5 per cent provided relief to consumers current level of pump prices. the fuel prices in India today petrol and Rs 31.83 per litre on milked for revenue at the cost still out of GST raising duties is to retail inflation that stood at by keeping the pump prices of The taxes component has would have mirrored retail diesel. of consumers who are at the easier for both the Centre and high level of 6.94 per cent in petrol and diesel static for the fallen over the fortnight as prices prevailing decades So the total tax component receiving end of the pandemic states that target the product November. past nine days even on rising global price of petrol and ago (in 2003) and closer to (central and state in Delhi) is bearing higher prices for both to raise revenue whenever After maintaining low levels, global oil prices, but it is the diesel has also risen in past what consumers in oil-rich Rs 52.30 a litre on petrol and food and fuel. there is an emergency. But global oil prices have now risen heavy load of taxes that has few days. Otherwise taxes countries in the Gulf pay. Rs 42.68 on diesel. Compare Together with central high set price of fuel also expecting a demand pick up kept the two auto fuels price were well over 70 per cent of The current state tax (VAT) this with the base price of and state taxes, freight, and adds inflationary pressure on after the news of a successful closer to all-time high levels the retail price of petrol till the rate on petrol and diesel has the two products today and dealers’ commission, petrol the economy that would just coronavirus vaccine broke. now with the pandemic- start of the month. risen to Rs 19.32 and Rs 10.85 the tax load becomes clearly on Wednesday was priced at not be right at this juncture While oil companies had affected revenue stream What the higher level of per litre, respectively, in Delhi. visible. The base price of Rs 83.71 a litre in Delhi while when the country is fighting kept retail prices from falling preventing the government taxes means is that the bulk Similarly, the Centre’s petrol currently is a mere Rs diesel’s current selling price the coronavirus outbreak,” consistently in August, from considering a duty cut. of the retail price a common decision in May to raise excise 27.37 a litre and diesel is just stands at Rs 73.87 a litre. said an oil sector analyst not September and October Taxes and duties now man pays to get fuel is tax and duties on petrol and diesel Rs 28.32 a litre. “Auto fuels comprise 20-30 willing to be named. even though global oil prices account for 62.5 per cent of if the government would not by Rs 10 and Rs 13 per litre, The base price was per cent of revenue of state According to analysts Rs remained soft, they have the retail price of petrol and have targeted petrol and diesel respectively, had taken up much lower till a fortnight governments while it forms a 5 per litre increase in retail regularly raised the retail. Indian Horizon 10 Business Thursday, December 17, 2020 SEBI rejigs minimum public shareholding norms for cos under IBC Mumbai, Dec 16 (IANS) as against no minimum re- plicant under the resolution posed on the company. On January 27, the day it The board of the Securities quirement at present. plan shall not be applicable The company will also have was relisted after its acquisi- and Exchange Board of India Presently, during Corporate to the extent to achieve 10 to lay down the proposed tion by Patanjali Ayurved, Ru- (SEBI) has tweaked the mini- Insolvency Resolution Pro- per cent public shareholding steps to be taken by the in- chi Soya’s shares on the BSE mum public shareholding cess (CIRP) where the public within 12 months. coming investor or acquirer closed at Rs 16.90 and in June, norms for listed companies shareholding falls below 10 In a statement, the capital for achieving the minimum it touched a high of 1,507.30 facing bankruptcy under the per cent, such listed compa- market regulator said that public shareholding (MPS) per share. Insolvency and Bankruptcy nies are required to bring the such companies shall be re- and quarterly disclosure of Market experts raised con- Code (IBC) and get relisted on public shareholding to at least quired to make additional the status of achieving the cerns on the incessant rise in the stock market. 10 per cent within a period of disclosures, such as, specific MPS. prices at a time when the pub- Post the SEBI board’s deci- 18 months and to 25 per cent details of resolution plan SEBI considered the move lic shareholding is very low. sion, such companies will be within 36 months. including details of assets after the massive surge in Ru- BSE data shows that as of mandated to have at least 5 “Further, such companies date such shares of the com- shareholding of 25 per cent post-CIRP, details of securi- chi Soya’s share price, post June, the public sharehold- per cent public shareholding will be provided 12 months pany are admitted to deal- from the said date,” it said. ties continuing to be imposed its relisting, with the public ing stands at 1.03 per cent and at the time of their admission to achieve public sharehold- ings on stock exchange and The lock-in on equity shares on the companies’ assets and shareholding at a meagre 0.97 the promoter shareholding at to dealing on stock exchange, ing of 10 per cent from the 36 months to achieve public allotted to the resolution ap- other material liabilities im- per cent. 98.97 per cent. RLDA seeks nod for 83.5 m high Global cues, FII inflows lift equity indices to new highs; realty stocks rise New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) “Considering current consolidated manner and a building at Dehradun railway station Strong buying support chart structure and deriva- movement can be expected Dehradun, Dec 16 (IANS) The of-the-art amenities such as segre- combined with influx of tives data, we are expecting in the second half following Rail Land Development Authority gation of entry and exit, food and fresh foreign funds lifted continuation in ongoing the European markets.” (RLDA), which is working on the re- beverage outlets, a dedicated under- the key Indian equity indi- up move of Nifty towards “The board members of development of the Dehradun rail- ground parking, among others, for ces to reach record intra- 13750 levels in coming SEBI is set to meet today way station, has sought approval for the convenience of commuters, etc. day highs on Wednesday. week. Thus, traders are and can discuss few key its detailed project report involv- The present traffic problems for Accordingly, the NSE advised to remain posi- issues regarding the relax- ing a high-rise building of 83.5 m entry/exit at the Dehradun station Nifty50 opened with a “gap tive and use intraday dips ation in minimum promot- height, officials said on Wednesday. will be eased out in this plan, and up” and reached all time as buying opportunity. On ers contribution in FPOs.” According to RLDA officials, the the passengers/visitors can enjoy high at 13666.45, following stocks front, one can look “All Sectoral Indices were approval was sought during a meet- a 360 degree bird’s eye view of the the strong market senti- points or 0.78 per cent support for Nifty is inch- for buying opportunity in trading in Green. M&M, Tata ing of RLDA Vice Chairman Ved entire Doon Valley in about an hour ments globally. from the previous close. ing higher to 13450 - 13500 stocks like Ashokley, Apollo Motors, Divislab, ONGC, Prakash Dudeja with Uttarakhand from the revolving restaurant atop In terms of sectors, Real- The Nifty50 was trading at zone; while resistance Tyre and Godrej prop.” Nestle India were the top Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat on the high-rise tower which will be ty, Metal and Auto indices 13,669.10, higher by 101.25 can be seen around 13750 According to Gaurav contributors and TechM, Tuesday when they met to review the first revolving restaurant of its were major gainers. At 1.50 points or 0.75 per cent from zone,” said Jay Purohit, Garg, Head of Research, Eicher Motor, Gail, HCL the status of Dehradun Railway Sta- kind in Uttarakhand. p.m., Sensex was trading at the previous close. Technical & Derivatives CapitalVia Gloabl Research: Tech, Ultratech Cement tion redevelopment project. “The proposed station will cost 46,623.03, higher by 359.86 “At current juncture, Analyst, MOFSL. “Nifty till now traded in a were the top losers on Nifty.” During the meeting, Dudeja ap- Rs 125 crore for the station and Rs prised the Chief Minister on the de- 400 crore for commercial develop- velopment of the project. ment,” an RLDA official said. Petrol, diesel prices remain static Mussoorie Dehradun Devel- He said that the Chief Minister there was no change in re- boil with prices breaching risen almost $10 a barrel opment Authority (MDDA) Vice advised the MDDA to put up the tail price of auto fuels on $50 a barrel mark. Crude, in last one month reaching Chairman Ranvir Singh Chauhan, proposal for cabinet approval in the Wednesday with price of however, has remained over $50 a barrel. But even Housing Secretary Shailesh Bagauli, next cabinet meeting scheduled in petrol remaining at Rs Rs static for late few days re- at this level, it is far less and Dehra Dun District Magistrate the third week of January 2021. 83.71 a litre and diesel Rs ducing any pressure on up- than average crude price Ashish Kumar Srivastava were also Dudeja said: “We have requested 73.87 a litre in Delhi. Across ward revision in fuel prices. of $80.08 a barrel that was present in the meeting. the state government for early ap- the country as well the price Petrol prices was very in October 2018, when pet- The Dehradun Railway Sta- proval to the DPR of the Dehradun of the two petroleum prod- close to breaching the all rol prices reached highs of tion is being developed jointly by Railway Station so that the RFP can ucts remained unchanged. time high level of Rs 84 a Rs84 a litre in the capital. RLDA and MDDA, and an MoU was be floated at the earliest.” OMCs have gone on a litre (reached on October With Wednesday’s pause, signed last year between both in this He said the redevelopment of the New Delhi, Dec 16 continuing with their wait pause mode at a time when 4, 2018) when it touched Rs fuel prices have now in- regard. Dehradun Railway Station will up- (IANS) Oil marketing com- and watch stance that has news of successful corona- 83.71 a litre on Monday last creased on 15 of the past 27 The RLDA officials said that the grade the facilities in line with glob- panies continued to hold kept the prices of the two virus vaccine and expecta- week. But the march has days with petrol prices ris- objective of the redevelopment is al standards and offer a delightful back any change in retail auto fuels static for past tions of big pick up in de- been halted ever since. ing by Rs 2.65 per litre and to upgrade the station with state- experience to commuters. prices of petrol and diesel nine days. Accordingly, mand has kept crude on the Global crude prices have diesel by 3.41 a litre. Govt decision to compulsorily retire officer vindicated, CAT dismisses Bajaj’s appeal New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) commissioner of Income Tax Member (Admn) in its order cordingly dismissed. The MA 56 (J) is very limited and not “the personal life of the appli- voke Rule 56 (j).” The government’s bold step Pramod Kumar Bajaj chal- pronounced through video (Miscellaneous Application) warranted in the instant case, cant was not only extraordi- Fundamental Rule 56 (j) of compulsorily retiring some lenging the government’s de- conferencing dismissed Ba- No.1931/2020 also stands the Principal Bench has come nary but also dented the very provides for conditions under black sheep in the tax admin- cision to compulsorily retire jaj’s application, who was one disposed of. There shall be out very straight on the face reputation of the department. which central service officers istration last year had now got officers of central services. of the 85 officers compulsorily no order as to costs,” the CAT of complainant Bajaj, stating When such is the status, can be retired from service the seal of approval from the In one of the first such retired under Fundamental principal bench said. that the record of the appli- which the applicant has ac- prematurely. Central Administrative Tri- cases, the CAT Principal Rule 56(J). Agreeing with the govern- cant speaks for itself, and it quired for himself, the re- The Principal Bench said in bunal (CAT). The principal Bench headed by Justice L. “We do not find any merit ment’s contention that the was no longer in the interest spondents (the government its order that “we examined bench of CAT has dismissed Narasimha Reddy as Chair- in the OA (Original Appli- scope of interference with the of the department to continue and the CBDT) are left with no the request in all its serious- an application from former man and Aradhana Johri as cation) and the same is ac- order passed by invoking FR the applicant in service, as other alternative except to in- ness. WhatsApp Pay now live with 4 top banks in India Equity indices rise; Sensex, Nifty hit new highs New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) services on WhatsApp in April. WhatsApp users across India,” Mumbai, Dec 16 (IANS) alty, metal and auto stocks. its previous close. WhatsApp Pay on Wednesday Over two million users have Bose said in a statement. The bull run in the Indian Around 10.16 a.m., Sensex Manish Hathiramani, announced it is now live with adopted banking services on SBI now offers UPI services equity indices resumed on was trading at 46,503.27, technical analyst with Deen State Bank of India, HDFC WhatsApp in this short span. through the WhatsApp Wednesday with both the higher by 240.10 points or Dayal Investments said: “The Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Now with WhatsApp Payments, Payments, bringing the benchmark indices hitting 0.52 per cent from the previ- Nifty is edging slowly and Bank for its up to 20 million there is a unique opportunity convenience of easy and fresh all-time highs. ous close of 46,263.17. steadily towards the upper users in India. to scale essential financial instant mobile based The BSE Sensex has hit It opened at 46,573.31 and end of the index range which After two years of waiting, services to people all over payments. a fresh high of 46,599.02 has so far touched an intra- is between 13,400 and 13,700. Facebook-owned WhatsApp the country with ease,” said Parag Rao, Country Head- and the Nifty50 on the Na- day high of 46,599.02 and a A serious move can be ex- payment service received the opportunity to bring the Bijith Bhaskar, Head - Digital Payments Business, Consumer tional Stock Exchange (NSE) low of 46,479.10 points. pected only post 13,700 or if approval from the National benefits of our digital economy Channels & Partnership, ICICI Finance, Digital Banking & touched a new record level The Nifty50 was trading we break 13,400 on a closing Payments Corporation of India and financial inclusion to a Bank. Marketing, HDFC Bank said of 13,666.45 points. Healthy at 13,639.65, higher by 71.80 basis. A good support for this (NPCI) in November to go live large number of users who According to a latest report that the partnership with buying was witnessed in re- points or 0.53 per cent from market lies at 13,400.” on Unified Payment Interface have not had full access to by Bengaluru-based research WhatsApp Pay is yet another (UPI) with over 160 supported them before,” Abhijit Bose, firm RedSeer, digital payments important step toward banks. Head of WhatsApp, India, said in India are expected to reach achieving financial inclusion IBM buys fintech firm Expertus to WhatsApp can expand its during the Facebook ‘Fuel for $94 trillion by the financial and making affordable UPI user base in a graded India’ virtual event. The peer- year 2025. financial services available to expand digital payment solutions manner starting with a to-peer (P2P) payment feature “We’re excited and privileged Indians. New York, Dec 16 as-a-service solution maximum registered user base is available now in 10 Indian to partner with State Bank of “Such partnerships will (IANS) Tech giant IBM expands our hybrid cloud- of 20 million. regional language versions of India, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank further fuel the economic has acquired Montreal- based payments offerings, “UPI is a transformative WhatsApp. and AXIS Bank to bring simple growth and development of based fintech companytransforming payments service and we jointly have “We introduced banking and secure digital payments to the nation,” Rao added. Expertus Technologies for and treasury management an undisclosed sum - a move with AI to give financial that is aimed at strengthening institutions the flexibility to Mumbai Metro: 90% tunnelling for Colaba-SEEPZ Line 3 over IBM’s portfolio as an end- rapidly innovate and stay Mumbai, Dec 16 (IANS) Metro Line 3, a portion of which now 100 per cent complete. S.K. Gupta said that the to-end digital payments competitive as consumer in banking and financial The Mumbai Metro Rail will go underneath the Mithi The tunnelling in Package 4 Herrenknecht-made TBMs, solution provider and further demands evolve,” explained markets over the next few Corporation Ltd on Wednesday River. was particularly challenging as equipped with earth pressure advancing IBM’s hybrid Mark Foster, Senior Vice years. announced that nearly 90 per The latest breakthrough all stations are located in close balance technology, started its cloud and AI strategy. President, IBM Services. “Expertus built an efficient cent of the tunnelling work was achieved at Dadar Metro proximity to developments, main tunnelling drive on July Founded in 2001, Expertus With this acquisition, IBM and trusted financial services on the 33.5 km long fully Station with the completion of active road traffic and important 7 and completed the stretch offers payment-as-a-service said it will gain decades of enterprise, that in many underground Colaba-SEEPZ the 1.12 km long tunnel from religious sites,” said MMRCL using 805 rings, and now the cloud solutions to banks, consulting experience to ways, was ahead of its time,” Mumbai Metro Line 3 has been the Siddhivinayak Temple to Managing Director Ranjit overall progress of Dadar Metro credit unions and enterprise address the most pressing said Jacques Leblanc, CEO completed. Dadar, marking the completion Singh Deol. He said that Dadar, Station is around 42 per cent. players. Over $50 billion payment modernisation and founder of Expertus. Of the 54.50 km dual tunnel of the 10.96 km tunnel under considered the heart of the city, The Package 4 included is processed through the challenges of financial “Together with IBM, we for up and down lines, the the Package 4. will provide connectivity that Siddhivinayak Temple, Dadar, Expertus platform daily. institutions, which are part now can offer businesses MMRCL has till date completed “The tunnelling work, using will ease commuting woes of and Shitladevi stations with 8 The financial terms were of the more than $100 billion worldwide the benefits and 49.50 km tunnelling, for the 3 Tunnel Boring Machines, in the Mumbaikars, on the Line 3. important breakthroughs at not disclosed. consulting and business security of seamless end-to- city’s first fully underground 4 out of the total 7 packages is MMRCL’s Director (Projects), various locations. “Expertus’ payment- process services opportunity end financial transactions.” Sports Indian Horizon 11 Thursday, December 17, 2020 Smith’s stiff back doesn’t mean we Used to sleep with Lin Dan’s poster in my change bowling plans: Kohli childhood: Subhankar Dey plans against the prolific Australia batsman in the first Jaipur, Dec 16 (IANS) celebrate a lot after every win Test beginning Thursday at the Indian badminton player but after defeating Lin Dan, I Adelaide Oval. Subhankar Dey has opened did not celebrate at all. It was The Australian media have up about his victory over Lin quite surprising as everybody been expecting Indians to use Dan in the SaarLorLux Open in India was like, you beat the short ball against Smith Badminton Championship in Lin Dan, so some expression after the Aussie batsman 2018, saying it was a dream should be there. failed against the variety come true moment for him to But I just went and shook against New Zealand last defeat the two-time Olympic hands and left. That was season. gold-medalist. the respect I had for him,” “I don’t think the back The 27-year-old shuttler he added.“I feel my turning has got anything to do with dismiss them at the right times first rose to national point was when I came to us changing our plans to him during the Test match,” said prominence when he Mumbai. or any other batter. Our plans Kohli on the eve of the first Test defeated Sai Praneeth in the I started performing well are pretty much sorted and on Wednesday.“We are not quarterfinals of the senior after moving there on India Adelaide, Dec 16 (IANS) ready for all the batsmen we focussed on if their players are badminton nationals held level. Initially there weren’t India captain Virat Kohli has have to come up against. going to start or not. We are only in Nagpur in 2017 and the to sleep next to it. And I used for me. I wanted to see Lin any sponsors but I became said that Steve Smith suffering We have to make sure that we focused on what we can do as a win against Dan in 2018 to think that one day I will Dan, play like him and copy India No.6 and became part from stiffness in his back execute those plans consistently team, go on to the field to be able ensured he grabbed national play against him. I never him when I was in Kolkata,” of Asian Championship during Tuesday’s training and as efficiently as possible to to execute them. So yeah, we are headlines.“When I was small, thought of defeating him said Subhankar during an U-19, that time I got a session does not mean that be able to trouble them and only focused only on what we my sister made a big poster that time since I was very interaction on Sports Tiger’s scholarship from Hindustan the visitors will change their get those breakthroughs and can do as a side,” he added. for me of Lin Dan and I used small. It was always a dream show ‘Building Bridge’.“I petroleum of Rs 12k. Women’s pro golf: Amandeep aims to close year with win at 9th leg Gurugram, Dec 16 (IANS) Kapurthala professional, who won twice in 2020, is grouped Association of India members, Anisha Agarwalla as the third chance to overtake her with a Fresh from her second win of won from start to finish at the with Gursimar Badwal and will seek her first title of the player. win. Vani has won Rs.6,35,900. the season, Amandeep Drall, DLF Golf and Country Club in Hitaashee Bakshi. year, though this will only be Another strong contender Both have played seven events who already leads the Order of the eighth round, is a strong Pranavi won back to back her third start of 2020 on the is Vani Kapoor, who will want each this season. Merit will look to close the year favourite for the Rs.10 lakh titles before the pandemic, first WPG Tour. Tvesa plays her to close the year on a high Tvesa Malik, who has 2020 with another win when event. She has been grouped as an amateur and then as a pro first round with Jahanvi Bakshi as she plays with amateur had the best international the ninth leg of the Women’s with Shagun Narain and Seher on her first start in paid ranks. and Afshan Fatima.Diksha Avani Prashanth and Saaniya season amongst the Pro Golf Tour gets underway Atwal for the first round. Tvesa Malik, who has had the Dagar and Ridhima Dilawari Sharma.Amandeep Drall starts Women’s Golf Association of on Wednesday at the Classic Pranavi Urs, the only player best international season from find themselves together in the the event with winnings of India members, will seek her Golf & Country Club.The other than Amandeep to have amongst the Women’s Golf last group of the first day with Rs.7,04,400 while Vani has a first title of the year. Lionel Messi rescues Tokyo Olympic torch relay Battle lines drawn for second round of Barcelona against Levante to start in 100 days 2W National Championship

Messi’s late goal secured a hard-fought 1-0 home Tokyo, Dec 16 the event.To mark the 100- The 2020 National Championship, hit hard by lockdown and victory over Levante on Sunday to end a two- (IANS) The torch day countdown until the restrictions due to Covid-19 virus spread, was compressed into game losing skid for Barcelona. relay for the start of the relay, a special two weekends instead of five, as also the number of races Tokyo Olympic illumination of the in each of the four categories the 76th minute after Levante Games will Tokyo SkyTree had withstood the hosts with begin on March will take place Chennai, Dec 16 (IANS) tenacious defending.The victory 25, 2021, almost later to see the The iconic MMRT circuit for Barcelona came after last along the same landmark light is all geared up to host round’s upset loss to Cádiz and a route set before up in Sakura and another mega two-wheeler 3-0 home defeat to Juventus in the the Games was gold – the colours racing gala with the second Champions League. postponed due of the Tokyo 2020 and concluding round Barcelona still has a long way to Covid-19 Olympic Torch. of the MRF MMSC fmsci to go to get back in the title race, pandemic. Yukihiko Nunomura, Indian National Motorcycle but it was able to claw back The vice director-general of Racing Championship 2020 some ground after front-runners relay’s start the Tokyo 2020 organising commencing on Friday. Real Sociedad and Atlético point will committee, told a press As in the previous 400cc, Pro-Stock 165cc, consequences, we had Madrid both dropped points this still be the J-Village conference that Covid-19 weekend, 29 races across Novice and Girls – though no option but to reduce Barcelona, Dec 16 (IANS) weekend. National Training countermeasures will be 10 categories have been the entries again topped the number of races for Facing another setback in an Barcelona is in eighth place at Centre in Fukushima, which taken to ensure “everyone’s scheduled and will be held 200.That apart, Idemitsu each category so that the already difficult season, Lionel nine points behind the leaders. was hit hard by an earthquake health is secure”. behind closed doors with Honda India Talent Cup, Championship could be Messi found his finishing Barcelona and Atlético have and tsunami in March 2011, He added that the details of limited entry due to the with two categories (NSF fitted into two weekends. touch to save Barcelona from played two fewer games than reports Xinhua news agency. the countermeasures will be prevailing pandemic. 250R and Novice) is also Having said that, the falling further behind in the Sociedad.Sociedad returned to The flame, lit in Olympia disclosed next February. The 2020 National part of the weekend card MMSC is grateful to title Spanish league. the top of the standings after of Greece in March, will Japan is suffering a third Championship, hit hard by besides TVS One-Make sponsors MRF Tyres, all Messi’s late goal secured a hard- drawing 1-1 at home with Eibar. travel 121 days through 859 wave of Covid-19 pandemic, lockdown and restrictions Championship organised the teams, the competitors, fought 1-0 home victory over The San Sebastian-based club municipalities across all 47 with 1,677 new confirmed due to Covid-19 virus by MMSC which has the bike manufacturers and Levante on Sunday to end a two- pulled level with Atlético on prefectures before it arrives cases reported on Monday, spread, was compressed four classes – Open, the Media, for their positive game losing skid for Barcelona. points and moved into first place at the Olympic Stadium in 305 of which were from into two weekends instead Novice, Girls and Media. response to our efforts to Messi fired a left-footed shot off on total goals scored with the Tokyo on July 23 when the Tokyo, the hardest hit city by of five, as also the number Chairman of the Meet keep the sport going in the far post and into the net to two teams having the same goal Games opens. About 10,000 the virus among Japan’s 47 of races in each of the four Manoj Dalal said: “In view the current challenging get Barcelona’s breakthrough in difference. torchbearers will take part in prefectures. categories Pro-Stock 301- of the pandemic and its scenario.”

Test Championship: India can’t afford slip-ups 10 Indian juniors qualify for World Cadets and India are in third place in the ICC men’s Test team rankings with 114 rating points, Youth Chess championship from Asia whilst Australia top the rankings with 116.46 rating points Chennai, Dec 16 (IANS) With which include matches a rich haul of medals, ten Indian against Australia and junior chess players, across England. different age categories, have “Depending on how qualified for the finals from the India’s series against Asian leg of the FIDE Online Australia goes and New World Cadets and Youth (Under Zealand’s series against 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18) Rapid Chess Pakistan goes, Australia Championships. could build their lead at With the first three players in number one or make way each category qualifying for the for New Zealand at the finals, the Indian contingent has top,” an ICC release. bagged the highest number of India will step into an medals (two gold, six silver and two IANS.While Pranav topped the games.According to him, the unknown territory when bronze) in the championship's U14 category, GM Iniyan topped last round in the U14 saw two they play the four-match Asian leg that was held between the U18 segment.According to Indians crossing swords in the Test series-opener against December 11-13. the coach, FIDE has asked to game of Kings and Queens viz Australia with the pink ball "The players who have confirm the participation of the Pranav and Mittal. Dubai, Dec 16 (IANS) rankings with 114 rating to-back innings victories under lights at the Adelaide qualified for the World Cadet's qualified players to play in the "To qualify for the final, Mittal The Indian cricket team points, whilst Australia top against the West Indies. Oval from Thursday. finals are: Open category - finals by Tuesday. with black pieces had to win. can’t afford too many the rankings with 116.46 If New Zealand overcome However, India will Mrinmoy Rajkhowa (U10), The age categories that Indian And he did that and qualified," slip-ups in the away series rating points. Pakistan 2-0 in the two- be inspired by the fact Pranav V. and Aditya Mittal (U14), team drew blank were U12 and Sundar said.A total of 57 Indian against Australia and the New Zealand follow Test series which starts that some of their best P. Iniyan and Sankalp Gupta U16 in the Open Category and players participated in the home assignment against closely in second with on December 26, they will performances, especially (U18)- Girls Category - Shreya G in the Girls Category G14.Shyam various age groups and was England as the race for the 116.37 rating points. finish on 420 points from in recent times, have come Hipparagi (G10) Mrittika Mallick Sundar said the online games followed by China and Iran had World Test Championship They are very close to five series. That will leave in Adelaide including a (G12), Jyothsna L., Rakshitta Ravi went off smoothly without any 26 participants each.According final is reaching its climax. reaching the ICC World India needing five wins or Test win in the first match (UG16) and Priyanka Nutakki problems like disruptions in to www.chess-results.com, China India are in third place in Test Championship final in four wins and three draws during the last tour in (G18)," team coach Grandmaster power supply or disconnection won five medals (three gold, one the ICC men’s Test team 2021 after securing back- out of their last eight Tests, 2018-19. (GM) M. Shyam Sundar told from the server that hosted the each in silver and bronze). ENTERTAINMENT IIndianndian HHorizonorizon Thursday, December 17, 2020 ̉̊ MANUSHI CHILLAR : BIG B SHARES HILARIOUS Sharma Adah is happy WANT TO HAVE A SUSTAINABLE with the response IDEA PROTECT 2021 she has been getting GARDEN AT HOME for her portrayal of mitabh Bachchan has baaki hai, nazar na lage, ikkis a transgender in the shared a funny post waali tigdi par bhaiya, nimbu anushi Chhillar grow fruits and recently-released web on how to protect the mirchi taang do (There are a few wants to turn vegetables in her A series, Pati Patni Aur upcoming year 2021 from evil. days left before 2020 ends. Mher terrace into home garden. Panga. Amitabh, an avid social media Wishing it stays protected a sustainable garden, "Since I'm "I'm so glad so many user, posted an Instagram from evil, let's hang the lemon because she thinks a vegetarian, people are watching 'Pati image featuring the numeric and chillies)."Big B is known the future of complex, this garden will Patni Aur Panga'! It feels 2021, with lemon and green for his quirky and funny modern society lies in definitely be at great when the audience chillies -- something many captions on social media. "Chehre", and an untitled environmental friendly play for a 'home appreciates your work. believe helps ward off evil. On the work front, the fi lm with Prabhas and living. garden to table' They can watch it in Alongside the image, Amitabh thespian has a line-up ready Deepika Padukone over "I want to have a fully concept of living. Telugu, Tamil Punjabi wrote in Hindi: "Do Hazaar to hit the theatres. He will be the coming months. sustainable garden I want to grow and Bengali as well bees ke ant par, ab kuch hi din seen in "Brahmastra", "Jhund", IANS at my home because several varieties because it is dubbed in I think the future of of fruits and all these lanuages," she complex, modern vegetables in informed. KARAN JOHAR VENTURES INTO TALENT society will be all about the near future The web series directed self-sustenance and and I'm quite by Abir Sengupta also environmental friendly excited to take REPRESENTATION, MANAGEMENT features Naveen Kasturia, living. on this journey Hiten Tejwani, Gurpreet Johar on talent," he added.This new I have started planting of learning more Saini, and Alka Amin Tuesday venture is in partnership different kinds of trees about organic, Karan among others. announced his latest with Cornerstone. at my home and I can't sustainable IANS venture -- a talent The agency aims to unify wait to see it all come living," she said. management agency. dreams and potential of together," she said. Manushi is "Super delighted to each associated talent. "My dream garden all set to break ADAH SHARMA announce our newest In the recent years, is actually at a very into Bollywood venture, a talent Dharma Productions nascent stage currently with the Akshay HAPPY WITH management agency, has launched many new and it will take months Kumar starrer Dharma Cornerstone Agency faces including Alia Bhatt, of work for me to slowly "Prithviraj", RESPONSE TO HER (DCA)," tweeted Karan. Varun Dhawan, Sidharth bring it together," based on the "We at @DharmaMovies as a platform to nurture Malhotra, Ananya Panday Manushi added, giving a life of Prithviraj TRANSGENDER have always thrived for the the best, and become an and Tara Sutaria. sneak peek of her home Chauhan. best and DCA will also serve indomitable powerhouse of IANS garden.Manushi, who IANS ACT IN WEB is a vegetarian, wants to SERIES ALIA BHATT SHARES 'GOOD WORD' ON KARTIK AARYAN WANTS TO START IT'S SATISFYING HAPPINESS, SAYS `GIVE UP EVERYTHING TO BE SO TIRED THAT WEIGHS YOU DOWN`! TREND OF LONG HAIR AGAIN THAT THE MOMENT Bhatt is one of that weighs you down". "Lambe Baalo ka Swag with Co-Producer Amita YOU HIT THE BED, Aliathe most talented Meanwhile, the actress was hi Alag hai. Phir se Trend Madhvani, gives a bird's actors in the Hindi fi lm recently spotted with her shuru karein (Long hair eye view into the working YOU FALL ASLEEP: industry who has surely love interest Ranbir Kapoor has a different swag. Shall of a news channel. grown over the years not on their way to watch the we start the trend again)?" Kartik Aaryan is excited POOJA HEGDE only in the personal sphere match of Ranbir's football Kartik has started to step into the thriller but in the professional team Mumbai City FC. shooting for his next zone with the fi lm, and sphere too. Meanwhile, on the fi lm, Ram Madhvani's team up with Madhvani. And one can assure that work front, Alia Bhatt has "Dhamaka".The fi lm, He plays a journalist who with the frequent posts that bagged some big projects which will be produced by covers the live broadcast of the actress shares on social for the next year which Ronnie Screwvala's RSVP a terror attack in Mumbai. media. Alia has been trying include SS Rajamouli's and Ram Madhvani Films IANS to spread positivity among RRR and Sanjay her fans and friends with Leela Bhansali's her inspiring posts. biographical crime he year 2021 is set to adds rather thankfully, The actress who is fi lm 'Gangubai be Pooja Hegde's year. "it's satisfying to be so currently shooting for Kathiawadi'. Not only TShe has stamped her tired that the moment her upcoming Pan India this, Alia Bhatt will be seen name with 4 movies on their you hit the bed, you fall fi lm RRR, recently took to with Ranbir Kapoor on the Aaryan fl aunts his way in the coming year. asleep.`This is what Pooja Instagram to share some big screen for the fi rst time Kartik locks in a new post Pooja is working on had to say about running words of inspiration with novelist Toni Morrison in Ayan Mukerji's action- on Instagram, saying long hair has projects from different back and forth between her fans. She shared a quote that read," If you want fantasy fi lm 'Brahmastra'. swag.In the image, the actor is seen industries at the same time her projects. by the famous American to fl y, give up everything Courtesy : Santa Banta dressed in a denim jacket paired and is juggling between Lately, the talented with a yellow T-shirt. cities for it. actress has just been busy No, she is not complaining, with shoot schedules one KAREENA if anything, she is happy to after the other. She recently bring to her audience such got done with the fi rst a wide variety of content. schedule of 'Cirkus'. KAPOOR She feels it is good that she Following that, the can reach a larger audience actress welcomes the SHARES segment when working in so New Year working on the many movies from different sets of her Pan-India fi lm industries. 'Radheshyam' starring PIC OF HER On her busy schedule, Prabhas alongside her. the Pan-India actress in a Pooja seems to be on a 'FAVOURITE recent interview shared, Mumbai - Hyderabad loop `The day after I complete lately and she seems to be BOYS' this schedule, I move enjoying every bit of it. to Prabhas's set, also in KAREENA POSTED Hyderabad. I will shoot for Courtesy : Santa Radhe Shyam till December Banta THE PICTURE ON 25, after which I will return INSTAGRAM, WHICH to MEB. Then, it's back to SHOWS SAIF POSING Prabhas's fi lm from January 2,` but the actress is not WITH TAIMUR AND complaining at all as she IBRAHIM. its menu. He also rescued of Celebrity and Public areena Kapoor wife Amrita Singh, while an injured pigeon while Relations Sachin Bangera. Sood and Shraddha Khan has shared a he shares Taimur with playing cricket with his Bangera added: "Fruits SONU SOOD, Kapoor are PETA happy image of her Kareena. Saif and Kareena Sonu son. and vegetables never K India's Hottest Vegetarians for A cookbook shared caused a pandemic, and favourite boys -- husband are currently expecting 2020, it has been announced. and actor Saif Ali Khan their second child. SHRADDHA by the organisation PETA India is honouring along with his sons. Kareena and Saif had inspired Shraddha Sood and Kapoor for Kareena posted the announced on August 12 KAPOOR to quit meat. living by example and picture on Instagram, that they are expecting their The actress encouraging their fans to which shows Saif posing second child. The actress never misses an make eating meat-free their with Taimur and Ibrahim. recently completed her shoot NAMED opportunity to 'new normal.' "Favourite boys! for the upcoming fi lm "Laal speak up for "Past winners of the #FatherAndSons," Kareena Singh Chaddha" co-starring HOTTEST animals. award include Prime captioned it. Aamir Khan in Delhi. "Sonu Minister Narendra Modi, In the picture, Saif, in Saif and Kareena, VEGETARIANS Sood and Amitabh Bachchan, a white kurta, he hugs who are fondly called as Shraddha Manushi Chhillar, Sunil Ibrahim and Taimur in Saifeena by their fans, got Kapoor are Chhetri, Anushka Sharma, helping to Kartik Aaryan, Vidyut the kitchen. The trio can married in 2012. She gave OF 2020 BY Vegetarian" Day, and change the world every Jammwal, Kangana Ranaut, be seen flashing smiles birth to their first born, Sonu has appeared in a pro- supported a social media time they sit down to eat," Shahid Kapoor, Rekha. for the camera.Ibrahim Taimur, in 2016. vegetarian PETA India print campaign, appeal to push McDonald's PETA INDIA says PETA India Director IANS is Saif's son from his first IANS participated in the group's "Hug a to add a McVegan burger to

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