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#!+ #,3!%   R           P *   +6 67     esides the failure of demon-     Betisation to check the ram- pant use of black money in the !   just-concluded Assembly elec-          tions in the five States, the        alarming haul of drugs and     +6 67 work involved in the illicit   
       narcotics has been the most business. The gold was smug-      
 worrying factor. From heroin anja and gold kept India’s gled from the India-Bhutan 
      to brown sugar to anti-depres- Ganti-smuggling units on border.          
   sants, the 17-crore haul indi- toes last fiscal. If the Directorate In 2017-18 fiscal, the         Q   cated how deep the problem is. of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) agency even busted four major      
  As for the cash recoveries by seized 10,000 kg ganja more in factories involved in manu- 
 !
M     the Election Commission (EC), 2017-18 than the fiscal pre- facturing of synthetic drugs in   M

   barring Chhattisgarh, the ceding it, the seizure of gold Tamil Nadu, Telangana and       
    seizures — besides gold and sil- more than doubled during the Maharashtra leading to major #     
 ver — almost doubled since the same period. seizures of Ketamine,  Q 

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 last Assembly polls in the other The DRI seized a whop- Mephedrone, Ephedrine and  
  (    four States this time. ping 26,785 kg ganja in 2017- Alprazolam. Syndicates    
   )  &   Of the seizures of over 18 in comparison to 16,197 kg involved in manufacture, pack- )    
#    300 crore, 170 crore was in 2016-17. Incidentally, the aging, transport and possible 
(      cash, with Telangana leading seizures of psychotropic sub- export of psychotropic sub- $%&
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 $  the way accounting for 115 stances, mostly made in South stances and synthetic drugs  *     
 
crore. The Assembly polls in India, accounted for 50 per were neutralised. “Synthetic   +       Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, for 25.39 crore. methamphetamine, heroin, Former Chief Election cent of the haul. drugs pose an emerging threat
  *     ( ( Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Booze flowed freely in the tablets of antidepressants Commissioner OP Rawat has As for gold, 3,223 kg of the to South-Asia in general and )  
   
  Mizoram was thus one heady States as the recoveries were Alprazolam and Tramadol. All pointed out that demonetisa- yellow metal worth 974 crore India in particular,” the agency     $%&  

  mix of cash, jewellery, liquor whopping 17.29 lakh litres this worth 16.85 crore. tion didn’t reduce the use of was seized in comparison to warned in its latest report. 
 and drugs/narcotics. worth 53.51 crore. The value In Telangana, the EC’s misuse of black money in elec- 1,422 kg worth 472 crore in The report, published by        +  + Interestingly, Chhattisgarh of other items, including vehi- seizure stood at 137 crore tions. Apart from cash, over 10 2016-17. Majority of gold DRI, revealed that in case of , -- 

    is the only State where overall cles and illegal arms, stood at which included 115.16 crore lakh litres of liquor worth 15 seizures was from the four illicit drugs, the number of .      seizure of cash, jewellery, drugs 31.35 crore. in cash and 689 gram diamond, crore was seized across metros which are high con- seizures in the last fiscal    
  '  ) and liquor is lower this year as But then, besides liquor, 147 gram platinum, 18 kg Telangana over the last one sumption centres. increased to 78, up from 64 in         compared to the last Assembly the new and the most disturb- gold,106 kg silver worth 6.70 month. In fact, the agency carried 2016-17. Ganja is mostly trans-
   polls in 2013. ing trend that was observed this crore. As much as 3,754 kg The amount of money out a major operation on ported through commercial         
 As per the EC’s data, apart Assembly election was the use drugs (ganja, denatonium ben- seized this year is nearly 50 Thursday and Friday in vehicles by concealments in
      
 from the recovery of unac- of drugs and narcotics in the zoate, cocaine, brown sugar, crore more than the amount Lucknow and Siliguri (West false partitions, secret cavities
 
 $%&M     counted 300 crore cash from five States during polls. The opium, afeem doodh) were seized during the 2014 Bengal) and seized 66 kg gold and undercover cargo to avoid          *    the five States during the elec- haul included brown sugar, seized since the announce- Assembly elections held for the worth 21 crore and arrested detection by law enforcement      tion campaign, jewellery, gold, smack, opium, ganja, cocaine, ment of election schedule in the combined Andhra Pradesh. four persons who are being agencies.  M   silver and platinum accounted denatonium benzoate, first week of October. Turn to Page 4 questioned on the larger net- Turn to Page 4 (    
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          Kolkata: Stepping up efforts to   +6 67 linked to Robert Vadra on   !-#9-3##6#    (  (     1  Special Task Force for further make sure that the Bengal Friday.   3*1+89/553 investigation,” said police. Government does not pose he Congress on Saturday “The people in power espe- rmoured vehicles rolled    1 
   UP Principal Secretary any more hurdles for its “rath Tjumped into the defence of cially PM is thinking that the Athrough central Paris on 01-3   he Uttar Pradesh (Home) Arvind Kumar on yatras” on December 12, the its leader Sonia Gandhi’s son- exit polls are right and are Saturday as riot police clashed +  5  !
   TGovernment on Saturday Saturday said that the West Bengal unit of the BJP in-law Robert Vadra whose scared. People in Opposition are with and arrested “yellow vest” 
    transferred Bulandshahr Senior Bulandshahr SSP will be filed caveat in the Supreme associates were raided by the being targeted by sending IT, protesters, who set fire to bar- !  #    / Superintendent of Police (SSP) replaced by Sitapur SP Court and the Calcutta High Enforcement Directorate (ED) ED. I want to ask Modi rather ricades and hurled rocks in the (   Krishna Bahadur Singh to the Prabhakar Chaudhary. Court on Saturday. saying that people in power, blame him why such things are latest demonstrations against !      
  DGP office in Lucknow, five Additional Director The Bengal Government especially Prime Minister happening in his rule,” Sibal President Emmanuel Macron.
 
 days after two people, includ- General (ADG) Intelligence will now have to give notice to Narendra Modi, is scared questioned at a Press conference Shouts of “Macron, resign”  $ (    * 
4   ing police inspector, were killed SB Shiradkar had on Friday the BJP if they move an appli- “thinking that the exit polls are in the evening after Singhvi had mingled with tear gas on the &)   in violence in Syana police submitted a report on the cation to the apex court against right” and worried about defeat already lashed out at the Modi Champs-Elysees avenue, which          ( station area in Bulandshahr Bulandshahr violence. The the HC Bench order of Friday. in Assembly elections. Government earlier in the day was the scene of the worst riot-  (          
 over the alleged cow slaughter. transfers are understood to be Coming down heavily on A battery of top Congress claiming that the raids were a ing in Paris in decades last    On Friday night, the UP in line with the findings of the the State Government for fail- leaders, including Kapil Sibal, reflection of “the highest degree week. Thick plumes of black *        Government had transferred report on police handling of the ing to respond to letters of the Ahmed Patel and Abhishek of panic” of the ruling dispen- smoke from fires could be * 

 the Circle Officer of Syana, situation. BJP seeking permission for its Manu Singhvi, attacked the sation, “awaiting” poll defeats in seen rising high into the sky 2  "         5  Satya Prakash Sharma, and On December 3, Inspector “rath yatras”, a Division Bench Government for the searches the Assembly polls. over the city. ' )  &   Chingravati police outpost in- Subodh Kumar Singh and a of the Calcutta HC had on by the ED against three persons Detailed report on P5 Meanwhile, around 70         6 &    charge Suresh Kumar. local youth, Sumit, were killed Friday directed Bengal Chief people were arrested on  
 Meanwhile, Armyman in violence over the alleged cow Secretary, Home Secretary and Saturday in the Belgian capital  ( (      Jitendra Malik, known as Jitu slaughter incident in Director General of Police to Brussels during copycat “yellow     
 Fauji, who is alleged to be Bulandshahr. The inspector sort out the yatra imbroglio by vest” demonstrations rocking (   behind the killing of inspector and his team had gone to the December 12 and inform the neighbouring France, Belgian       
 
 Subodh Kumar Singh, was village to tackle the violence appellant (the BJP) about their police said. 6
       * 
4   
 arrested by the Army’s 22 when they came under attack. decisions. The decision should The area housing       Rashtriya Rifles (RR) from The UP Police has arrest- be reasonable and not arbitrary, European institutions including   
( north Kashmir’s Sopore, where ed nine accused in the the Judges said. the offices of the European    
    Q   he is posted, on Saturday. Malik Bulandshahr case but the main The court’s direction was Commission and the European     
    has been shifted to Srinagar. conspirator, Yogesh Raj, the dis- described as a “big win for Parliament was sealed off as a       / /    “The accused soldier will trict convener of the Bajrang democracy” by BJP president precautionary measure.    be handed over to UP Police’s Dal, is on the run. Amit Shah. Agencies     "   #! %   "& Related reports on P7        (  
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                +6 67 dead body of a man aged around 27 with 1 
   
     +6 67 Vaishya community will believe this Kejriwal tweeted in reply to Goel. stab wounds. that the BJP is singling them out Many other AAP leaders n unidentified man in his late 20s was The body of the deceased was lying he Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and getting their votes deleted, including party MP Sanjay Singh Aallegedly stabbed to death by an in a pool of blood on Chhawla Bijwasan Tand the Bharatiya Janata Party while reality is that two Vaishya and spokesperson Saurabh unknown person at Chhawla area of road with stab injuries. (BJP) locked horns over alleged leaders from Delhi are Ministers in Bhardwaj also attacked Goel over national Capital on Saturday. Police have Police team is looking for CCTV   
0 mass deletion of Bania vote in the Central Government," Goel his tweet. found multiple stab wounds on the body cameras to identify the criminals. Delhi, with Chief Minister Arvind tweeted. "Sirji 2 prominent Ministers out of the deceased. Forensic team has been called," said the Kejriwal saying the traders com- Replying to this, Kejriwal of 7 from AAP Cabinet are baniyas, According to a senior police official, senior police official. munity would not vote for ruling alleged that the BJP got deleted four speaker of Delhi Vidhan Sabha is a a Police Control Room (PCR) received a "A case of murder has been registered -  +<  party at the Centre. lakh out of eight-lakh Bania votes baniya. BJP's 80% donation comes call on Saturday from a passerby that a at Chhawla police station and investiga- With the AAP alleging deletion in Delhi. from baniyas yet only two out of 73 dead body was lying in the bushes of tion is on. All efforts are being made to of four lakh Bania votes in Delhi, "The wrong policies of the BJP Ministers in Modi Govt are baniyas. Chhawla side area. Then, a police team identify the deceased," the senior police      +6 67 A Waqf Board official said Union Minister Vijay Goel tweet- like notebandi and GST devastat- What a joke?", Singh tweeted. reached the spot and found an unknown official added. that according to Section 54 of ed, saying AAP was fooling them. ed business of traders. Banias he Delhi Waqf Board has the Waqf Act, the chief execu- "The Banias in Delhi are angry are not voting for the BJP. So, Tgiven an ultimatum to shop- tive officer of the panel can that Arvind Kejriwal and his party you will get their votes delet- keepers on the Fatehpuri direct area SDM to evict occu- considers them as fools. If the ed. Will you win like this?" mosque complex, warning them pants of its property. of eviction if they do not accept Shops in Chandani new rentals by December 20. Chowk are currently paying Delhi Waqf Board chairman rents as low as 200-600 #!
 Amanatullah Khan said around per month whereas the exist- 120 shops have been paying ing rate in the area is meagre rents for years. around 2-3 lakh, the official They are required to pay claimed.   revised rents as per the new If the new lease rules are lease rules, but they have failed implemented, the shopkeepers to do so, he said. "I met the will have to pay revised rents — shopkeepers on Friday and around 12,000 to 25,000 per tried to convince them. If they month, he said. do not agree to new rent The Waqf Board plans to agreement, they will be evict- renovate the shops and auction ed after December 20," Khan them through open bidding, he said. added. &         % $    "       +6 67 /7+,-!3- + elhi's air quality remained +67-3 +,- D‘very poor’ on Saturday -6*8-6 #6<6-6      +6 67 will go to Old Delhi Railway even as authorities warned of Station," said the Joint CP. a spike in pollution level from - L3%M 76 ollowing the congregation "Ring Road from Sarai Kale the next week when dense fog & -6# -6*8-6 Fplanned by the Vishva Khan to Chandgi Ram Akhara, is expected to engulf the Hindu Parishad (VHP) at Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Asaf national Capital. <6-M !88- - Ramlila Maidan on December Ali Road, Netaji Subash Marg, Jahangirpuri and Nehru L3%M 9, Delhi Traffic Police on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Nagar recorded severe air qual- Saturday issued traffic adviso- Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, ity while 26 areas recorded very ry for residents of Delhi to Minto Road, Ranjeet Singh poor air quality and two areas The Supreme Court- ensure smooth functioning of Flyover, DeshBandhu Gupta poor air quality, according to appointed Environment traffic in national Capital. Road, Shraddhanand Marg, Central Pollution Control Pollution Control Authority Board (CPCB). The overall on Friday said they are seri- PM2.5level was recorded at ously considering banning 193 and the PM10 level at 353, industrial, construction and it said. demolition activities at major In national Capital Region pollution hotspots in Delhi- (NCR), Faridabad and Noida NCR when air quality levels recorded 'very poor' air quali- reach 'severe' category. ty, the CPCB data showed. The Central Pollution The Centre-run System of Air Control Board-led task force on Quality and Weather November 22 recommended to Forecasting (SAFAR) said the the EPCA that industrial, con- overall air quality of Delhi struction and demolition activ-    +  continues to remain in the ities should be banned in major 'very poor' range. hotspot areas when air quality According to Alok Kumar, Ajmeri Gate Side of New Delhi "Meteorological conditions levels reach 'severe' category. Joint Commissioner of Police, Railway Station and ITO can have slightly improved causing The taskforce has identified Delhi Traffic Police, to avoid witness jam," said the Joint CP. dispersion of pollutants but the 15 pollution hotspots in Delhi. congestion and traffic jams, no "Motorists are advised to air quality might deteriorate They are Anand Vihar, Bawana, traffic will be allowed on follow the directions issued by from Sunday with dense fog CRRI Mathura Road, DTU, Dr Ranjeet Singh flyover from the traffic personnel to ensure engulfing the Capital which Karni Singh Shooting Range, Guru Nanak Chowk to smooth movement to min- may degrade the air quality," Dwarka-Sector 8, Jahangirpuri, Barakhamba Road, imise traffic congestion and the SAFAR said. Mundka, NSIT Dwarka, Vivekanand Marg, JLN Marg, disruption. They are also According to the Indian Narela, Okhla Phase-2, R K Kamla Market to Guru Nanak advised to follow the Delhi traf- Institute of Tropical Puram, Rohini, Shadipur, Chowk, ChamanLal Marg near fic police Twitter handle to fol- Meteorology, the maximum Wazirpur. VIP Gate and Ramlila Maidan. low traffic updates," The Joint ventilation index was likely to In NCR areas outside "Buses coming from CP added be around 4,000 sqm/second Delhi, six hotspots have been Sikandra Road and Tilak Marg The right-wing group VHP on Saturday. identified. They are — Sector- and bound for Red Fort to is organising a "dharam A ventilation index lower 16A in Faridabad, Vikas Sadan Railway Station through Delhi sansad"on Sunday, demanding than 6,000 sqm/second with in Gurgaon, Vasundhara in Gate will be diverted on Ring the early construction of a Ram average wind speed of less Ghaziabad, Knowledge Park- Road via Vikas Marg and will temple in Ayodhya. The rally than 10 kmph is unfavourable III in Greater Noida, Sector-125 take Salimgarh bypass up to comes just days before the win- for dispersion of pollutants, it in Noida and RIICO Industrial Hanuman Setu and from there ter session of Parliament begins. said. Area-III in Bhiwadi. !$     & ' (      +6 67

ercury is expected to Mplummet by two to three degree Celsius. Delhities may feel chill in coming week as on Saturday. Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast light rain on December 11. With this, the temperature in the night is likely to fall and chilly winters are expected to set in two - three days. Meanwhile, on Saturday, the maximum temperature was recorded at 23 degree Celsius and 9 degree Celsius as min- imum temperature with patchy clouds. The humidity in air was oscillating between 80 per cent and 83 per cent. According to private broadcasting agency Skymet weather, "Fresh snowfall over hills will cool down these northerly winds. Day and night temperatures of Delhi-NCR may dip from December 12, further leading to winter chill. Minimum temperature will continue to fall, although the fall will be gradual, by December 15 or 16, we can expect win- ters to set in fully over Delhi and adjoining areas." According to IMD, a Western Disturbance is approach- ing the western range of Himalayas and will start with its effect by tomorrow. Later, these winds over the Capital would also change their direction in the next two days and rela- tively humid east and southeasterly winds are expected to blow over the region. According to the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the overall air quality index of Delhi docked at 355 in the morning which falls under the very poor category. At Dhirpur, the AQI was 314 at in Mathura Road area it dipped to hazardous cate- gory with at 44.    (  ) *+ ,-./  %

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Bhopal: The BJP will win 140 It was a prelude to New Delhi: Terming any grand to 165 seats in Madhya Pradesh Chouhan's interaction, sched- New Delhi: An Indian Navy alliance between various and form the Government for uled for Sunday, with the BJP's ship, deployed on anti- piracy Opposition parties as a 'sham,' a fourth straight time under the 230 candidates, party func- operation in the Gulf of Aden, #"" BJP chief Amit Shah Saturday leadership of Chief Minister tionaries said. has seized arms and ammunition said in the next parliamentary Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the They said he would talk off the coast of Somalia in a quick    elections people will have to party's state vice president about counting day precautions operation, officials said Saturday. decide whether they want Sudershan Gupta said on with the candidates. The ship INS Sunayna car- 'strong' or the 'helpless' Saturday. On Thursday, state ried out the operation on Friday  $ Government. Voting for the 230-member Congress chief Kamal Nath in which four high caliber AK- Shah said the proposed Madhya Pradesh assembly was had met his party's 229 candi- 47 rifles and one Light Machine grand alliance may not have any held on November 28. dates and told them to take Gun, along with ammunition for New Delhi: In the wake of impact in various states barring the grand alliance between SP sarkar (strong Government or Counting will take place on extra caution during counting these weapons were seized from reports that an Army jawan was Uttar Pradesh where it could and BSP could pose some chal- helpless Government)," he said. December 11 for the state and to stay put at the centres a vessel, Navy officials said. allegedly involved in the case pose some challenge for the lenge for the party. The BJP had Confident of party's better along with four others taking until the exercise gets over. INS Sunayna carried out a related to killing of a police party, but he is hopeful for fur- got more than 40 per cent vote performance in Lok Sabha elec- part in this round of assembly Four exit polls predicted similar operation off the coast of inspector in Bulandshahr mob violence. ther improving its performance share in the state and will fight tions next year, Shah said BJP elections. different scenarios. Somalia last month as well. The violence, Army chief Gen Bipin A team of Uttar Pradesh and is aiming for more than 51 for more than 51 per cent vote got more than 17 crore votes in "We have received feedback The Republic TV-Jan Ki ship detected a suspicious fish- Rawat on Saturday said, full police had left for Jammu on per cent vote in the state. share in the next general elec- 2014 general elections and in the that the BJP will win between Baat poll gave 108-128 seats to ing vessel, approximately 25 cooperation will be extended in Friday to arrest an Army jawan Most of the regional parties tions," he said. last four years of its 140 and 165 seats and form the the BJP and 95-115 to the nautical mile off the coast of investigation of the incident. allegedly involved in Kumar's are unlikely to have any impact Describing Prime Minister Government, it has provided government under the leader- Congress. Somalia, in the vicinity of The violence broke out ear- killing. on the electoral outcomes out- Narendra Modi as strong and benefits to more than 22 crore ship of Chouhan for the fourth The India Today-Axis pre- Socotra island, following which lier this week in the Uttar "We will fully cooperate side their respective States, Shah decisive leader, Shah said the people through its various wel- straight time," Gupta told dicted a photo-finish with the operation was launched, Pradesh town after cow carcass- with the police (in the investi- said while asserting that politics next elections will be about fare schemes. reporters here after a party 102-120 seats for the saffron they said. "The vessel was thor- es were found strewn around, gation)," he told reporters on is also about chemistry. either strong Government led Replying a question on the meeting here. party and 104-122 for the oughly searched and allowed to claiming the lives of Inspector the sidelines of an event, when "Politics is not physics by Modi or helpless issue of Ram temple, Shah said The meeting, which Congress. proceed, after confiscation of the Subodh Kumar and 20-year- asked about the possible where two plus two becomes Government of grand alliance. the party has always main- reviewed the BJP's poll The Times Now-CNX exit arms and ammunition, to pre- old local youth Sumit Kumar. involvement of a jawan in the four, it is chemistry. The grand "Now people have to decide tained that the grand Lord Ram prospects, was attended by poll predicted a majority for the vent their illegal use later by the Nine people have been killing of the officer in alliance is nothing but a sham. in 2019, that whether they want temple should be built at the Chouhan and the party's top BJP with 126 seats and gave 89 crew for piracy-related activities," arrested in connection with the Bulandshahr. PTI Perhaps only in Uttar Pradesh mazboot sarkar aur mazboor earliest in Ayodhaya. PTI brass. to the Congress. said a Navy official. PTI )(    $    +  (P +  4     *     " &  5 + '+6 $    Kolkata: Bangladesh will hon- the honours are being pre- "We have been working Bhubaneswar: Union Women (NCPCR) to get all the homes conversions" at the shelter our Indian Armed Forces per- sented to the families of mar- together for the greater good of and Child Development in Odisha inspected immedi- homes run by the NGO. sonnel who were martyred in tyrs of Indian forces who the region," he said. Minister Maneka Gandhi has ately." Most of its shelter homes Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh M  
 , that country's Liberation War fought in the 1971 war against He said that the Army will ordered an inspection of all An NGO-run shelter home have been functioning without on Saturday got its first inno-  -    on December 16, the day Pakistan in the eastern frontier. celebrate Vijay Diwas on shelter homes in Odisha, a in Beltikiri village of Dhenkanal registration since the last two vation hub and space education . /  Pakistan surrendered and the Sheikh Hasina had done the December 16 with usual fer- fortnight after an alleged sex- — 106 km from Bhubaneswar years, she pointed out. centre here, aimed at boosting 0    . country was born, its top diplo- honours in 2017 in Delhi for vour. ual abuse of minor girls in such — was sealed last Sunday and The Minister alleged that the science and technology   1  2  mat posted in the city said on the first time, he said. "A Bangladeshi delegation an accommodation in two people, including its man- the State Government had sector in the State. 0. .   Saturday. "All the martyrs of the of 72 members, including 30 Dhenkanal district came to aging director, had been arrest- failed in providing security to Developed at an estimated . 2N Seventeen to 25 martyrs Indian Armed forces in the Muktijoddhas (freedom fight- light. ed following allegations of sex- women and children. cost of 4 crore at Indira will be honoured on the day eastern theatre in the 1971 ers) and six serving officers of In a letter to Chief Minister ual harassment. Earlier in the day, Union Gandhi Park here, the plane- and their names are being war will be honoured gradual- Bangladesh Armed Forces will Naveen Patnaik, Gandhi said, "It is a matter of regret that Minister Dharmendra Pradhan tarium and innovation hub has been set up by the National finalised, Taufiq Hasan, ly," Hasan said. participate in the celebrations," "I strongly believe that the the district administration has has sought the Centre's inter- was inaugurated on Saturday Council of Science Museum, Bangladesh Deputy High Major General General Maj Gen Prasad said. authorities concerned must no knowledge about how it vention in the matter. by Land Management, Kolkata in association with Commissioner here said. Staff (MGGS), HQ, Eastern An Army helicopter show, assume moral responsibility functions, despite the fact that "I sincerely urge you to take Environment and Forest the Arunachal Pradesh State "A silver plaque, certificate, Command, Major General N D free fall by para troopers, for this incident. I have asked it is only 10 km away from the stringent action against the Minister Nabam Rebia. Council for Science and speech by Bangladesh Prime Prasad said that India and motorcycle display, horse and Secretary, Ministry of WCD to district headquarters," Gandhi perpetrators of this heinous "In the next few years, we Technology. Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bangladesh share a special dog show will be held apart get an inquiry conducted in said, adding that the licence of crime in order to stop the ille- will have some brilliant ideas, The innovation hub would two books by Bangabandhu relationship and the bond is from Military Band concert this. the shelter home in question gal functioning of the shelter innovations and start-ups from help the youth and children of Mujibar Rahman will be pre- strengthened by military to during the celebrations at "I have also asked (the) had expired in October. home," Pradhan wrote in a let- the state to talk about," the the state to enhance their sented to the family of each military exchanges through Royal Calcutta Turf Club National Commission for The Minister said there ter to Union Home Minister minister said. knowledge in science and tech- martyr," he said. joint exercises and other activ- ground on December 14 and Protection of Child Rights were also reports of "religious Rajnath Singh. PTI The 45-seater planetarium nology, Rebia added. PTI This is the second time that ities. 15, he said. PTI     O +  1 ,       ++   3% #  $&    "- !  New Delhi: BJP chief Amit only and they only have the right Intruders are also threaten the Shah said on Saturday that to the resources of this country. security of the country," he said New Delhi: The Congress on ment was trying to influence the Indians have the right to the "This country is not a while replying to a question on Saturday slammed Uttar probe. country's resources, and it is not dharamshala (charitable shelter NRC. Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi "The whole objective of this a 'dharmshala' where illegal home) that anyone can come Assam, which faced an Adityanath for terming the is to derail an independent, immigrants can come to settle and settle down here," Shah said influx of people from killing of a police inspector in impartial investigation into the down. while speaking at the Jagran Bangladesh since the early 20th Bulandshahr mob violence an case. With a wink and a nod, a Describing illegal immigra- Forum organised by the Dainik century, is the only state having "accident" and said it was an message (is) being sent — 'we tion as threat to the country, Jagran media group. a National Register of Citizens attempt to "derail" probe into the want you to know that this is the Shah said National Register of Taking on opposition over (NRC), first prepared in 1951. It case. direction and the momentum of Citizens (NRC) is a way to the issue, the BJP chief alleged is being updated under the "There has been no incident the investigation' — and that is solve the basic problems of the that the intruders have been monitoring of the Supreme of mob lynching in Uttar what is happening," he said. country and should not be con- used as a vote bank for 70 years Court. Pradesh. The Bulandshahr inci- There was no immediate nected to the BJP. and they are a threat to the coun- The complete draft of the dent was an accident and the reaction from the Uttar Pradesh "NRC should not be seen by try, whereas BJP believes in NRC was published on July 30 law is taking its course. No Government. connecting it with the BJP only. taking tough decisions which are and included the names of 2.9 guilty will be spared," The violence broke out ear- It is a way to solve the country's in the interest of the country. crore people out of the total Adityanath said Friday at an lier this week in Bulandshahr basic problems. How is it pos- "They (intruders) should applications of 3.29 crore. Those event in the national Capital. after cow carcasses were found sible that anyone can come and be identified. Delete their names omitted have been given an At a press conference here, strewn around, claiming the settle down here? The country from the electoral roll. The BJP opportunity to submit docu- Congress spokesperson lives of Inspector Subodh cannot run like this. Those who clearly believes that they should ments afresh to prove their res- Abhishek Manu Singhvi alleged Kumar and 20-year-old local 6       +    +O(  %   ,-.71 8 %   "& are its citizens should stay here be identified and deported. idency. PTI that the Uttar Pradesh govern- youth Sumit Kumar. PTI . / .
   4 +    $ $000       +  From Page 1 According to the Commission, it has made ,*  seizures worth 72.29 crore unaccounted money 
  #  in MP during polls. This included 30.93 crore in cash; 5.98 lakh litre of liquor worth 14.27 crore From Page 1 and 341 kg of drug worth 5.80 crore. Apart from DRI’s intelligence and interception of New Delhi: Vice President M tutional morality". that, 27 kg gold jewellery, 1,024 kg silver jewellery goods violating Intellectual Property Rights Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday expressed "Public representatives should and 153 moti worth 10.47 crore apparently meant (IPR) indicate that majority of these products grave concern over a large number of have character, caliber, conduct, and for luring voters has been seized during MP polls originate from China. The counterfeit goods criminal cases pending against politi- capacity. It is unfortunate that the campaign this year. then make their way into the country either cians and said these should be fast- quality of public discourse has been During the last year, the total seized money in through containerised cargo by sea or air tracked. steadily declining over the last few cash was 257.61crore here. As per data, 652 route or through porous and off-routes At the launch of two volumes of years. This must not be allowed to per- actions were taken by Income Tax Department through the land borders with Nepal, Bhutan select speeches of President Ram sist. We should all remember that we which led to surrender of 50 crore in the State. and Myanmar. Counterfeit commodities Nath Kovind here, Naidu also said are all in public life... We are rivals and In Rajasthan, the Commission made seizures most prone to smuggling in India are cos- there has been a "steady decline" in the not enemies," he said. of nearly 86. 46 crore which included 15.04 crore metics, shoes, watches, sunglasses, auto parts quality of public discourse over the last "Political parties must evolve a in cash; 6.04 lakh litre of liquor worth 39.49 crore; like spark plugs, hand bags and mobile phone few years and appealed to political par- consensus on the code of conduct for 38,572 kg drugs/narcotics including 5 lakh tablets accessories, the report said. ties to evolve a consensus on the code their members, both inside the legis- of anti-depressants Alprazolam and Tramadol, 668 The DRI also seized 42.6 million smug- of conduct for their members. lature and outside it. Otherwise, peo- kg ganja, 21 kg opium, 23413 kg doda posth, 200 gled cigarette sticks valued at 34.29 crore. "We must ensure that cases against ple might soon lose faith in our polit- gram brown sugar and 8 kg smack. Apart from that The agency also detected 940 cases of com- politicians should be fast-tracked. It is ical processes and institutions," he said. 18 kg gold ornaments, 700 kg silver worth 7 crore mercial frauds involving a duty amount of indeed a matter of grave concern that Naidu also emphasised the need to was also seized in Rajasthan. There is rise of 40 per 3,064 crore. there are nearly 4,000 cases pending have more persons in leadership posi- cent of seizure money and valuables since 2013 DRI’s analysis indicates that a large part against politicians. Special courts tions who are mindful of not only of polls. of the domestic gold market is being served should be constituted and the process "constitutional morality but also of Interestingly, as per data, number of total by illicit smuggling of gold. Large quantities should be expedited," he said. institutional dignity and individual amount of money seized in Chhattisgarh is lower of smuggled gold reaches Kolkata from Corrective action is required to integrity". this year as compared to last Assembly polls in India’s land border with Myanmar and make our system even better than He said that the anti-defection law 2013. Nearly 14.28 crore was seized in the State Bhutan and is then transited to other met- what it is today - that is essential for needed to be implemented in letter including 5.38 crore in cash besides 1.37 lakh litre ropolitan cities. In terms of the State-wise strengthening democracy, he added. and spirit and with sincerity. of liquor worth 2 crore; 22.16 kg ganja; 37 kg sil- seizures in 2017-18, the maximum number The Supreme Court was on "If a member desires to change the ver and 500 gram fold items and other items worth of seizures was made in Northeastern States Tuesday informed that there were party, he must do so by resigning from 6.64 crore. During the last Assembly polls, followed by Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka 4,122 criminal cases pending, some for the membership of the House. The seizures worth 16.8 crore including cash, liquor and Maharashtra. over three decades, against present and anti-defection law should be imple- and drugs was seized in Chhattisgarh. Commercial frauds detected during the former members of Parliament and mented within three months. I know As far as Mizoram is concerned, seizures worth period include mis-declaration, mis-invoic- legislative assemblies. that this is absolutely feasible since I 5.50 crore were made which include 43 lakh in ing, misuse of preferential /free trade agree- The vice president also stressed the could dispose of the petitions that I cash; 20 kg drugs/narcotics including 998 gram ments and misuse of export incentive need to have a clean polity with an received within this timeframe," Naidu '  "     "+ 8          8% + heroine and 10.08 kg of methamphetamine. schemes by the involved entities. "unwavering commitment to consti- said. PTI " "    
& ++  # + %   "&    (  ) *+ ,-./  4

   
7 %      (!()(!P    3'+P !      
  0 $ # ++     Q 22R   +6 67 8+ %76 #56 ##36   <*= The of Military Operations   +6 67 into the office," Sibal said. nothing but a ploy to divert the *8+,-6## 66- ! 2016 surgical strikes were a (DGMO), who had announced The senior Congress attention of the people from day after former Northern *75-5 # % # successful tactical operation the operation at a press con- he Congress on Saturday leader, who is also a top lawyer, the real issues and the BJP's ACommand chief Lt General 76-%6++, %7% !6-#8+# which conveyed a clear mes- ference, refused to comment Tjumped into the defence of wondered at what he called failures," he said. (retired) DS Hooda said con- 78 6-6 + 16M !8#%# + sage to Pakistan to stop any on the politicisation of surgi- its leader Sonia Gandhi's son- "hooliganism" by the law The results of the Madhya stant hype around the surgical %76 ,8<6-+56+% 6-6 misadventure along the Line cal strikes. in-law Robert Vadra whose enforcement agencies and Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, strikes in Pakistan Occupied of Control (LoC), Army's Singh said all actions carried associates were raided by the sought to know as to who Rajasthan, Telangana and Kashmir (POK) in 2016 was N#76+, %76- 6- + Northern Command Chief Lt out by the Army along the LoC Enforcement Directorate (ED) would rein in them if they were Mizoram Assembly polls will unwarranted, Congress presi- -61+, #6+*6O 8+ Gen Ranbir Singh said on were carried out in an extreme- saying that people in power, to be backed by the be announced on December dent Rahul Gandhi on Saturday 5!8-%+% !8*6# Saturday. ly professional manner to meet especially Prime Minister Government itself. 11, on a day when the one- attacked Prime Minister + 6*#8+# His comments came a day the national aspirations and Narendra Modi, is scared "What kind of Government month-long winter session of Narendra Modi over the issue after Lt Gen (retd) D S Hooda, achieve the military objectives. "thinking that the exit polls are is it? If law enforcement agen- the Parliament would also and charged that the Prime shedding their fear and break- who was associated with the He said there are many right" and worried about defeat cies start hooliganism then commence. The poll-results Minister used the military Congress leader P ing their silence". operation, said it was natural to other options to check infil- in assembly elections. who will question them? If are expected to set the tone for action for “political capital”. Chidambaram said it was Congress' chief spokesper- have initial euphoria over the tration of terrorists from across A battery of top Congress they're supported by the PM, not only the Parliament session Responding to a question heartening that persons who son Randeep Surjewala success but the constant hype the border. leaders, including Kapil Sibal, then who'll question it? Where , the last of the 16th Lok Sabha, during the Military Literature were in key posts in the thanked Hooda for "exposing around the surgical strikes was Surgical strike is only one Ahmed Patel and Abhishek is the law and order in the but also that of the 2019- Festival in Chandigarh on Government were “shedding the petty politicisation by PM unwarranted. of the options through which Manu Singhvi, stepped out to country," he sought to argue General Elections, only few Friday, Hooda, who was the their fear and breaking Modi". "No one can use the val- In hindsight, it would have we stop infiltration. The attack the Government over while defending Vadra. months away. Barring commander when the surgical silence” on important policies our & sacrifice of our brave sol- been better had we had kept it armed forces have a range of the searches by the Earlier, Singhvi, who also Rajasthan where exit-polls have strikes were carried out, had and decisions. diers to score cheap political a secret, he had said on Friday options and they are being Enforcement Directorate addressed a press conference uniformly given Congress an said in hindsight, it would In a series of tweets, points Modiji is squarely guilty at an event in Chandigarh. analysed at all times and the against three persons linked to here at the party headquarters, edge over the BJP, opinions are have been better had “we done Chidambaram said it was for- of compromising National On September 29, 2016, best course of action is put Robert Vadra on Friday. alleged that there was never dived on Madhaya Pradesh, it (surgical strikes) secretly”. mer Chief Economic Advisor Security & Strategic Interests by Indian Army commandos had into effect, he said. "The people in power espe- such a "terror raj" in the "con- Chattisgarh, Telangana and He had also said it was natur- (CEA) Arvind Subramanian, unwarranted chest thumping!" carried out surgical strikes Responding to a question cially PM is thinking that the stitutional rule" of India. Mizoram. al to have initial euphoria who first broke his silence by he wrote on Twitter. against terror launch pads about possible attempts to exit polls are right and are "We fought the British Raj The ED had carried out about the success but the con- terming demonetisation a Last month, Subramanian across the LoC in Pakistan- revive militancy in Punjab, scared. People in opposition and the BJP would do well to searches against the three per- stant maintenance of hype "massive monetary shock". had raised concerns related to occupied Kashmir. Singh said Pakistan was trying are being targeted by sending know that the day of judgement sons in connection with its around the military operation The former Finance note ban. Six months after "From military point of to extend the "arc of terrorism" IT, ED. I want to ask Modi will come for it," he said adding probe into alleged "commis- was unwarranted. Minister said that after resigning as CEA, he described view, these were successful tac- beyond Kashmir and the Army rather blame him why such "They are afraid of the sions received by some suspects Taking to Twitter, Rahul Subramanian, the recently- demonetisation as a "massive, tical operations, which con- was taking all measures to things are happening in his Congress and its values, so they in defence deals" and illegal said: “Spoken like a true soldier retired Chief Election draconian, monetary shock". veyed a very strategic message arrest the spread. rule," Sibal questioned at a are threatening people and assets stashed abroad, officials General. India is so proud of Commissioner O P Rawat said Two days after his retire- and the Indian Army was able The armed forces in press conference in the evening using high-handed tactics had said Friday. you. Mr 36 has absolutely no demonetisation had no impact ment, Rawat had said the note to convey a very clear message Jammu and Kashmir are fully after Singhvi had already against those who are relatives Singhvi claimed that the shame in using our military as on the use of black money in ban didn't reduce the misuse of to Pakistan that should they not capable of carrying out any lashed out at the Modi of our leaders or are associat- searches were carried out in a personal asset. “He used the elections. black money in elections but in stop any kind of misadventure task, he said. This, he said, is Government earlier in the day ed with them". violation of laws, adding, "We surgical strikes for political Now, it is Hooda, who has fact in some states more along the LoC, they shall be the reason that the situation in claiming that the raids were a "This is called character have nothing against any par- capital and the Rafale deal to "decried the hype over the so- seizures were reported com- given befitting reply," Singh the state is completely stable. reflection of "the highest assassination by innuendos ticular person, but we are talk- increase Anil Ambani's real called 'surgical strike' and its pared to previous years. The told reporters here on the side- If any untoward incident degree of panic" of the ruling and insinuations. When they ing about principles.... No capital by 30,000 Cr. politicisation by Government", government had banned old lines of his visit to Sainik takes place, the armed forces dispensation, "awaiting" poll do not have facts, this is what Enforcement Case Information #SurgicalStrike (sic).” Chidambaram said, adding, 1,000 and 500 notes on School, his alma mater. act quickly to restore peace and defeats in the assembly polls. they will do," he said. Report (ECIR) of the FIR On the same issue, "Glad to see important persons November 8, 2016. The then Director General stability, he added. PTI Sibal further scaled up the The Congress spokesman has been shared, no search degree of attack saying the ED claimed that the BJP was in a warrant issued, no access to barged into the offices of Vadra "state of panic of the highest lawyers, and detained per- associates without any warrant. degree", sensing rejection sons were also physically    (      "There was no FIR, ECIR from the people in the just- roughed up." against Vadra and people of ED concluded Assembly polls in "All of this is happening reached his offices without any five States. because the BJP feels the cer- warrant. They don't say their "The word 'panic' would tainty of the rejection by the      names and when asked to wait be an understatement and all people and is desperate to # $ by the people in the office to get these raids and searches divert people's attention from keys to the office, they broke against various people are the real issues," he said.    +6 67    1      xternal Affairs Minister New Delhi: Union Minister / )  ESushma Swaraj on Saturday Kiren Rijiju on Saturday asked 2   held wide-ranging talks with the youths of Indian diaspora her counterpart from Iceland to be part of the country’s Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson growth story and become  46 
 

on ways to deepen bilateral ties ambassadors to spread the in areas of trade, investment message of development here. 6   >4 and energy. Interacting with a group of Thordarson arrived here 40 Indian-origin youths from 
 Jammu: Several political Friday on board the inaugural eight countries, Rijiju said they activists from Kishtwar, includ- flight between New Delhi and should participate in India's   +6 67 housing projects like Jawaharlal ing a Congress leader, on Reykjavik, the capital of growth and development story   0 /  Nehru National Urban Saturday joined the BJP here Iceland. and share it with the diaspora 56   6 n a major relief to flat buy- Renewal Mission, Rajiv Awas and pledged to work for At the meeting, Swaraj in their respective countries. Iers, the Ministry of Finance Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas strengthening the party at said Iceland is a world leader "I urge you to give feed- 7 6  6 made it clear that Goods and Yojana or any other housing gross-roots level, a party in geothermal energy and back to the Government  '   06 Service Tax ( GST) will not be scheme of State Governments spokesperson said. cooperation in this sector through voluntarily sparing  / . 6  levied on buyers of real estate attracts 8 per cent GST, which Congress leader Pardeep could benefit India's transition time by sharing your thoughts,  1      properties for which comple- can be adjusted by the builders Singh Parihar, former trade to greener energy mix and help experience, knowledge, and tion certificate is issued at the against its accumulated input union leader Suresh Sharma it in achieving ambitious technology and to suggest , 2 time of sale. tax credit (ITC). and eight NC and PDP activists, renewable energy targets, what steps the government of However, Goods and For such (affordable hous- including former sarpanches according to MEA spokesper- India should take to improve sense of connect with their Services Tax (GST) is applica- ing) projects, after offsetting Noor Hussain and Joginder son Raveesh Kumar. the environment and help motherland and to be motivat- ble on sale of under-construc- ITC, the builder or developer Dhar, were welcomed into the "EAM @SushmaSwaraj play a role in building a new ed and inspired by transforma- tion property or ready to move in most cases will not be party fold by senior leaders. and Iceland Foreign Minister India," he said. tion taking place in India. in flats where completion cer- required to pay GST in cash as "Today every nationalist person @GudlaugurThor discussed The youths are touring The youths are from Fiji, tificate is not issued at the time the builder would have enough is joining the BJP influenced by enhancing cooperation in trade India to feel a sense of connect Suriname, Guyana, Myanmar, of sale. ITC in his books of account to the strong policies of Prime & investment, renewable ener- with their motherland and get the Netherlands, South Africa, The ministry also asked the pay the output GST," the Minister Narendra Modi-led gy, specially geothermal ener- exposure to its art, heritage and Sri Lanka and Trinidad and builders to reduce the prices of Ministry said. It said cost of Central Government," said gy, blue economy with a focus culture, an official at the Home Tobago. properties by passing on the housing projects or complex- Union Minister Jitendra Singh. on fisheries, tourism and cul- Ministry said. The participants will visit benefit of lower GST rate. es or flats, other than those in 6*85+, %76 +6 ture at the delegation-level The tour has been organ- places like Parliament "It is brought to the notice affordable segment, would not 6+%-+%# +%8 %76 !-%M talks," he tweeted. ised under the 'Know India Museum Library, President's of buyers of constructed prop- have gone up due to imple- 8 /553 0 1#75- India's ties with Iceland 9  '    %+ %        Programmes (KIP)' which is a House, Red Fort, Raj Ghat and erty that there is no GST on mentation of GST. have witnessed steady progress    2 &&    +  #!  key initiative of the central gov- will meet senior functionaries sale of complex/ building and Presently, residential con- /! !-6#6+% -<+6- in the last few years. %   "& ernment. in the central and State ready to move in flats where struction services, will invite -+ # %76 !-%MN# Iceland was the first The initiative has been Governments in order to have sale takes place after issue of GST at the rate of 12 per cent, !8*M 8 O#1 #%7 Nordic country to publicly taken with an aim to engage and the first hand experience of completion certificate by the which will apply to developers #1 <1#O # extend support to India's can- Security Council. tion at the UN to declare make students and young pro- the contemporary develop- competent authority," the selling residential units before didature for permanent mem- It was one of the countries June 21 as the "International fessionals of Indian diaspora in ment in India. They will also ministry said in a statement. completion of construction to %%-*%+, !-85+6+% bership of the United Nations co-sponsoring India's resolu- Day of Yoga". the age group of 18 to 30 feel a be going to Agra. PTI It further said affordable the home buyers. !6-#8+# -85 <-83# !8%* !-%6#  ''(() He said the Centre is work- = - :
 > -  2 
 

8$(81 ing on every loophole that has been "left in the system   *   +6 67 "In many societies, PwDs since Independence" and all often end up disconnected, 9+
   "  efforts are being made to uplift ndia's Mahatma Gandhi living in isolation and facing the status of neglected and INational Rural Employment discrimination," he said, high- rejected sections of society. Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) - lighting that more than one bil- *   +6 67 "During transportation it the men were not employees of "Under the strong leader- the world's largest wage-based lion people in the world live was fell down on the way, was Reliance Jio, but technicians of a ship of Modi, India has wit- social protection programme- with some form of disability. aking note of a viral video reported to Returning Officer local vendor who had gone to the nessed phenomenal increase in has been cited, in a first-ever The report demonstrates Tpurportedly showing an Kishanganj. He examined the site to carry out regular mainte- its graph on global platform," UN report on Disability and how disability-based discrim- electronic voting machine lay- matter and found guiltythe nance work after an outage was he said. Development, as one of the ination has severe effects on ing unattended at the house of officials accompanying during reported with one of their mobile Welcoming the new growing number of good prac- transport, cultural life, and a BJP candidate, the Election transportation. Abdul tower located at the Mahila entrants into the party fold, tices being implemented by access to public places and Commission (EC) has ordered Rasheeq and Patwari Naval Polytechnic College Jagdalpur. Jammu & Kashmir BJP presi- the countries that can create a services, and thus, the report the removal of returning offi- Singh were suspended with In Madhya Pradesh, a set of dent Ravinder Raina said the more inclusive society in which leads with a push to change cer of Pali Assembly seat in immediate effect on Friday voting machines reached the party's policy of "Sabka Saath, people with disabilities (PwDs) workplace, so that workers with have, it adds. urban environments to make Rajasthan after the unit was near a high- strong room in Sagar, 48 hours Sabka Vikaas" was attracting can live independently. disabilities are not looked down Overall, the UN's flagship them more accessible. The EC ordered removal of way found in constituency's after voting ended. According prominent persons from vari- "One example of a public upon or face any form of dis- report in disability and devel- The above challenges often Pali returning officer Mahaveer, Shahabad area in Baran dis- to reports the EVMs were kept ous political parties. employment program with crimination. In 2015-16, about opment, paints a gloomy picture go unseen as a result of insuf- who has been transferred, and trict", an EC order said. at a police station in Khurai city "The people from every measures to effectively include half of the 130,420 persons with on the state of the affairs of the ficient questions relevant to dis- Rakesh from Jodhpur has been It is not just in Rajasthan, in the district, where state section have a strong belief persons with disabilities is pro- disabilities registered under this PwDs, noting that the sector is ability, and consequently, an asked to take the charge, the but in other state like Madhya home minister Bhupendra that as a worker of the BJP, vided by India," says the report programme engaged in work at a disadvantage as far as the underestimation of the number commission said. The EC said Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Singh, the sitting MLA was they will be in better position which was launched on the under the scheme," says the realization of the Sustainable of persons living with disabil- that a section officer carrying which also went to the polls the seeking re-election. The EC in to serve society and the International Day of Persons report. Countries that have start- Development Goals (SDGs) is ities and affected by discrimi- a reserve machine had gone to conduct of some election offi- its report said that the EVMs in nation with a clean and clear with Disabilities last week. ed to explicitly take disability into considered across the countries. nation, and other barriers. the BJP candidate's house fol- cials have caused the opposi- question were not used for vot- mind," he said. It further noted that account in their public employ- The SDGs are a collection Javier Vasquez, who helps lowing which the officer was tion crying foul play. A num- ing, were kept on standby. In a Meanwhile, Raina chaired "through this programme, ment services include India, of 17 global goals set by the UN head up the health division at removed and the EVM taken ber of incidents, mostly relat- similar incident, an EVM a meeting of the party leaders which guarantees 100 days of Ivory Coast, Mexico, Peru, in 2015, which include ending Special Olympics International out of election system. ed to Electronic Voting strong room in Bhopal suffered in connection with the wage employment in a finan- Philippines and Vietnam, said global poverty and hunger, in his role as Vice President, Adding to the headache of Machines took place this year a blackout for nearly one and upcoming Lok Sabha and cial year to every household, the report. implementing sustainable envi- echoed the issue of gaps in the EC a ballot unit ( BBAUD in five assembly polls. a half hours on Friday. It is also assembly polls and asked the state governments in India However, the report at the ronmental practices and more. inclusion and representation. 41390) was found lying on the Earlier, in Chhattisgarh reported that the CCTV cam- party leaders to frame con- have to make efforts to ensure same time also points out that, UN Secretary-General António On average, PwDs die 16 years road in Rajasthan's Kishanganj three men with laptops were eras at the strong room were stituency-wise teams to reach that PwDs are provided work in India as also in Cameroon, Guterres emphasized that the sooner than those living without constituency, hours after vot- detained by police from near a switched off. Even in this case, out to the people. opportunities close to their awareness of health services 2030 Agenda represents a disabilities, however: "A lot of ing ended for the high-stake strong room in Bastar under the EC admitted that that "Involve senior leaders in place of residence, as well as among PwDs is extremely low. commitment to reduce people think people with intel- elections in the State. The suspicious circumstances. CCTV cameras in the strong the teams which will work in paid wages equal to PwDs. In India, only 49 per cent have inequality and promote the lectual disabilities die earlier incident prompted Election The men had claimed that room did not work for over an unison with ground level "This public employment even heard of any general social, economic and political because of their disabilities, and Commission to suspend two they were employees of Reliance hour but there was no dis- workers to secure a win for the programme also seeks to ensure health services, whereas in inclusion of all, including those this is not true," he said accord- poll officials on grounds of Jio. The company, however, crepancy in EVMs found as it party in the upcoming elec- a stigma-free environment at the Cameroon only 73 per cent with disabilities. ing to reports. negligence . refuted the claims and said that was reserved voting machines. tions," he said. PTI    (  ) *+ ,-./  9

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    R 3 2  "  ;/Hindi television Udani’s driver had earlier er and younger brother in independent, the BJP expelled Iments, the Mumbai police on serial Saath Nibhaana Saathiya, informed the police that his Mumbai. After being noticed him from the party. From then Saturday detained prominent was questioned by the police all employer had asked him to during the auditioning for onwards, I ceased to have rela- model-cum-television actress through the day. The investi- drop him near the Pant Nagar dance reality show “Dance tions with Pawar. I have not Devoleena Bhattacharjee for gators were not ruling out the market, where he got into India Dance 2”, Devoleena met him nor had an indirect questioning and arrested a possibility of her being arrest- another car that arrived there made her debut in NDTV’s contact with him for the past local BJP worker Sachin Pawar ed for her alleged role in soon afterwards. Imagine’s Sawaare Sabke Sapne nine years," Mehta said. for interrogation in connection Udani’s murder. The investigations have Preeto” as Bani. "Hence, it is wrong for the with the mysterious murder of Fifty-seven-year-old Udani revealed that Udani, who used Later she shot to fame people to link me to Pawar. diamantaire Rajeshwar Udani. had gone missing from his to enjoy night of Mumbai, when she was cast as female The Mumbai police are an Three days after Udani’s office from November 28. His would frequent bars every lead Gopi Modi in Star Plus’ efficient police machinery. I body was recovered by the family members had lodged a evening and spent a lot of television serial Saath Nibhaana am confident that the investi- Panvel police from a jungle in complaint with the Pant Nagar time. Said to have a glad eye for Saathiya after Giaa Manek, gators will deal with the the adjoining Raigad district, police about Udani’s disap- women, Udani would befriend who previously played the accused in the Udani murder the police detained both pearance, following which a women by the dozen. Pawar female role, was ousted from case in a stern manner," the Devoleena and Pawar at the search had been launched for would introduce women from the serial. minister added. Mumbai airport on their arrival the missing diamond mer- various walks of life, particu- Devoleena had earlier Incidentally, Pawar from Gawahati where they chant. The investigators had larly glamour world to Udani. made headlines in the enter- returned to the BJP in 2017 were away together. tracked Udani’s mobile to The investigators believe tainment news world after she after his wife Sakshi Pawar was Pawar, who was earlier the Rabale in Navi Mumbai before that Pawar, who had known accused actress Utkarsha Naik, given party ticket to contest the personal secretary of the signal went off. Devoleena well, had intro- who played the role of Pramila BMC polls. Pawar, however, Maharashtra Housing Minister Subsequently, the local duced the actress to Udani. in the same show of kidnapping does not hold any party post at Prakash Mehta of the BJP, was police recovered a highly They have also a reason to sus- her dog 'Jugnu' from the sets. the moment. %   >" ? ?--@ 
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     #-+,- bodies of slain terrorists are yet Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh mal power plant and achieve its son in 2019. However, there is to be retrieved. They said there Government will seek private target of 10,700 MW solar yawning gap between generation wo unidentified terrorists was input about presence of investments worth 5,500 crore energy generation by 2022. and projected demand. Twere killed in an ecounter two to three terrorists in the for the proposed Bundelkhand Pathak said the State would While the Government is in Mujgund area of Srinagar area. green energy corridor that is provide 100 per cent exemption trying to ramp up solar power outskirts on Srinagar Local reports said that a expected to generate 4,000 in electricity duty to the private generation through on-grid and Bandipora road on Saturday house where terrorists were megawatt (MW) solar power. companies for 10 years. The off-grid solar power plants, evening. hiding was damaged during the Uttar Pradesh’s Non-con- companies will be free to sell including rooftop solar power Three security personnel operation. A couple of other ventional Energy Resources power to third party as well and installations, the grid transmis- were also wounded in the gun- residential houses were report- Minister Brajesh Pathak said they will get 50 per cent and sion capacity is also being forti- fight who have been shifted to ed to have been damaged dur- the state would foot the bill for 100 per cent exemption in fied to handle higher load to pre- military hospital. ing the counter terrorist oper- evacuating power from solar transmission charges. On vent tripping. Meanwhile, what The gunfight broke out ation. energy projects of 5 MW and account of rising power demand can be seen as a validation of UP soon after a joint team of Meanwhile, reports of above on to the grid in due to incremental growth, cou- government’s optimism regard- security forces launched a intense clashes were received Bundelkhand and Purvanchal pled with the government’s tar- ing setting a competitive upper cordon-and-search-operation near the gunfight site after regions. The state will promote get to provide metered electric- tariff of Rs 3.10/kWh for its 550 (CASO) in Mujgund area locals staged protests to disrupt solar power parks, both in pri- ity to all households by next year, MW solar tender, its entire ten- after inputs about the pres- the anti-terrorist operation. vate and public-private part- the state has projected total der bucket has been oversub- ence of terrorists. Youths resorted to stone pelt- nership sector, to reduce its power supply to touch 22,500 scribed well within the bench- Security sources said that ing in the area. dependence on coal fired ther- megawatt by peak summer sea- mark set by it. PNS 1

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on people arriving at train sta- erance” towards those aiming weekend in the run-up to increasingly radicalised, are tions and at protest hotspots to wreak further destruction. Christmas. holding out for more. Many are 56     such as the Champs-Elysees Prime Minister Edouard Foreign governments are calling on Macron to resign. and Bastille monument. Philippe on Friday evening watching developments close- The protesters began A source close to the oper- met a delegation of self- ly in one of the world's most blocking roads, fuel depots ation told AFP that at least 34 described “moderate” yellow visited cities. and shopping centres around  $  people were arrested for car- vests who have urged people The US embassy issued a France on November 17 over rying masks, hammers, sling- not to join the protests. warning to Americans in Paris soaring petrol prices that have   -3##6# Keere told AFP. shots and rocks that could be After the meeting a to “keep a low profile and hit people in the provinces who According to Belga news used to attack police. spokesman from the move- avoid crowds”, while Belgium, get around by car. round 70 people were agency, young protesters Shops, museums, the Eiffel ment, Christophe Chalencon, Portugal and the Czech Aarrested on Saturday in blocked a highway linking Tower and many metro stations said Philippe had “listened to Republic advised citizens plan- the Belgian capital Brussels Brussels to the town of were closed as much of the city- us and promised to take our ning to visit Paris over the %2 :2 during copycat “yellow vest” Rekkem in Flanders, located centre went on effective lock- demands to the president”. weekend to postpone their demonstrations rocking near the French border. down. “Now we await Mr visit.   neighbouring France, police They also put up a barri- Top-flight football match- Macron. I hope he will speak to In a warning of impending said. cade near the Franco-Belgian es and concerts were cancelled. the people of France as a father, violence, an MP for Macron's  Q  The area housing border close to Adinkerque, "     M
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   San Francisco: A divided US   (   , 1 ( ment. And in fact, they impose appeals court late on Friday !  ( ,     ran's President Hassan sanctions on everyone.   %67-+    #7+,%8+ refused to immediately allow "       IRouhani said US sanctions “We are here to say that we the Trump administration to #$ %   F 
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     ( He was speaking at a con- attending the conference. working on a payment system, tions, many will not be safe,” he reveal a previously unreported In his filings before a US A spokesman for the US        ference on terrorism and “When they put pressure known as the “special purpose said. “Those who do not contact from a Russian to federal court in Washington Department of Justice, Steven   $ L%    regional cooperation attended on China's trade, we are all vehicle”, to keep money flowing believe us, it is good to look at Trump's inner circle during the DC, Muller said that Paul Stafford, did not have comment. 2      ?F by parliament speakers from harmed... By punishing Turkey, into Iran, but has struggled to the map.” campaign, according to a Manafort, the former Trump But he referred to an earlier
 $$$%  *6*      Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, we are all punished. Any time find a host since many coun- Iran lies on a major drug report in the Washington Post. campaign manager lied to pros- statement that called the asylum      Russia and Turkey. they threaten Russia, we too tries fear repercussions from route between Afghanistan and The Court papers directly ecutors about his contacts with system broken and said the     (   “We are facing an all-out consider our security to be the Trump administration. Europe and the Persian Gulf implicated Trump in plans to the White House and an asso- department looked forward to   (
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Q2:   7R ( * Washington: US President Donald Trump “I think he grew tired of me being the New York: US prosecutors asked on Friday lambasted his former secretary of guy everyday that told him, 'You can't do a New York court Friday to hand Washington: Former FBI state Rex Tillerson, describing him as that, and let's talk about what we can do,'” down a “substantial” prison sen- director James Comey, sacked “dumb as a rock” and “lazy as hell”, after the Tillerson said in his interview. tence to President Donald by President Donald Trump in ex-diplomat alleged the president regular- “He acts on his instincts, in some Trump's former personal lawyer 2017, testified Friday before US ly pushed him to take decisions that were respects it looks like impulsiveness… But… Michael Cohen, rejecting lawmakers for the first time in “illegal”. On the same day, Trump praised it's not his intent to act on impulse. I think Cohen's request for leniency over a year, but this time out of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for doing he really is trying to act on his instincts,” he based on his cooperation with the camera glare. a great job. “Mike Pompeo is doing a great said. law enforcement officials. The hours-long Capitol job, I am very proud of him. His predeces- “It's challenging for me coming from the “Cohen, an attorney and Hill grilling comes amid tur- sor, Rex Tillerson, didn't have the mental disciplined, highly process-oriented businessman, committed four bulence at the White House, capacity needed,” Trump said in a tweet. ExxonMobil Corporation… to go to work distinct federal crimes over a and mounting intrigue over “He (Tillerson) was dumb as a rock and for a man who is pretty undisciplined, does- period of several years. He Special Counsel Robert I couldn't get rid of him fast enough. He was n't like to read, doesn't read briefing was motivated to do so by per- Mueller's investigation into lazy as hell. Now it is a whole new ballgame, reports, doesn't like to get into the details sonal greed, and repeatedly Russian interference in the great spirit at state!” he said. of a lot of things. used his power and influence 2016 election and possible con- Trump's angry tweet on Tillerson came “But rather just kind of says, 'Look, this for deceptive ends,” New York's tacts between Trump's presi- after the former secretary of state, in an is what I believe and you can try to convince US Attorney Robert Khuzami dential campaign and Moscow. interview to CBS News, was critical of the me otherwise,' but most of the time you're said in a court submission.AFP AFP president. not going to do that,” Tillerson said. PTI 11@ 3
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Kuala Lumpur: Thousands of ix people, including five teenagers, died and 120 were banner-waving Muslims Sinjured in a stampede when panic broke out during dressed in white rallied in the a rap concert at a packed Italian nightclub early on Malaysian capital on Saturday Saturday. The suspected use of a pepper spray-like sub- demanding protection of their stance is thought to have sparked the chaos at the venue rights, at a time of growing in the town of Corinaldo, near Ancona in central Italy, racial tensions in the multi-eth- the fire service said in a statement on Twitter. nic country. But carabinieri police spokesman Cristian Carrozza Big crowds gathered in later said they were still “trying to ascertain what had downtown Kuala Lumpur, caused the youths to rush out”, adding: “There are three chanting “God is great” and exits and one of these was used.” The victims include three waving banners that read girls and two boys aged between 14 and 16 and a 39-year- “Long live the Malays”, an AFP old woman who accompanied her daughter to the con- reporter said. Large numbers of cert. Some 10 people are in a critical condition, doctors police were on the streets and said, with at least 120 injured in total. major roads were closed. “Around 1,400 tickets were sold for the concert and Race and religion are sen- the place could only accomodate 870 people,” said Monica sitive in Malaysia, which is Garulli from the prosecutor's office in Ancona. home to sizeable ethnic Chinese The exit used led to a small bridge and the car park. and Indian communities, and The force of the fleeing crowd made a railing collapse the Muslim Malay majority and dozens of people fell, crushing those at the bottom appears to be feeling increas- of the pile, according to a preliminary investigation. ingly insecure under a new gov- Grainy mobile phone footage appeared to show part ernment that is more repre- of a walkway collapsing, sending dozens of people tum- sentative of minorities. AFP bling down.  ?    (  ) *+ ,-./

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New Delhi: Taking positive Tuesday and Friday, gold prices  
  ?& leads from the global market moved northwards through New Delhi: The National Bank efforts of developing countries amid firm demand from local the week to end at 32,350 and for Agriculture and Rural to respond to the challenge of jewellers, gold prices surged 32,200 per 10 grams respec- Development (Nabard) climate change, the bank said New Delhi: The Finance been struggling to collate the 890 to 32,350 per 10 grams tively, climbing 890 each. Saturday signed an agreement in a statement. Ministry has extended the last information required to be at the bullion market during Sovereign ended at 25,000 with Green Climate Fund The agreement with GCF date for filing annual GST disclosed in GSTR-9 and the week. per piece of 8 grams, showing (GCF) to infuse $100 million was signed at an event held on return forms by three months GSTR-9C. Similarly, silver climbed a rise of 100. into the project designed to the sidelines of ongoing until March 31, 2019. PwC Partner and Leader 1,940 to 38,500 per kg on In line with the overall unlock private sector initiatives COP24 in Katowice, Poland, it The annual returns form in (Indirect Tax) Pratik Jain said, higher demand from industri- trend, silver ready traded in the for creation of rooftop solar said. which businesses registered "Industry, as well as consul- al units and coin makers. green zone and ended at power capacity across India. Notably, India, which hosts under the GST have to provide tants, were struggling with Traders said a positive demand from jewellers and 38,500 per kg with an increase The $250 million project, International Solar Alliance, consolidated details of sales, December 31 deadline, given trend in the overseas market retailers at the domestic spot of 1,940. Weekly-based deliv- to be executed by Tata has an ambitious vision of cre- purchases and input tax cred- the volume of work involved lifted gold prices here. market added to the momen- ery gained 3,153 to close at Cleantech Capital Ltd, will ating 100 gw solar power it (ITC) benefits accrued to including preparing a virtual Globally, gold ended the tum, they said. 38,500 per kg during the week. receive the GCF support capacity it said, adding Nabard them during 2017-18 fiscal P&L at a State level". PTI week at $1,247.46 per ounce In the national Capital, Silver coins also gained through Nabard, which is the has been financing solar power was notified in September. The and silver at $14.62 an ounce in gold of 99.9 per cent and 99.5 1,000 to end at 74,000 for National Implementing Entity projects and installations in last date for filing was set at New York. per cent purity started the buying and 75,000 for selling (NIE) for the UNFCC-pro- various other programmes as December 31, 2018. . :%    $$ A considerable increase in week on a positive note. Except of 100 pieces for the week. moted Fund that supports the well. In a statement, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and  $  Customs (CBIC) said, "the competent authority has decid- New Delhi: The Finance of buyers of constructed prop- O      +  C7-P ed to extend the due date for fil- Ministry on Saturday said GST erty that there is no GST on ing Form GSTR-9, GSTR-9A will not be levied on buyers of sale of complex/ building and and GSTR-9C till March 31, real estate properties for which ready to move in flats where Washington: India will retain and Development Brief. $132 billion in 2018, a stronger per cent in 2018, respectively, 2019. completion certificate is issued sale takes place after issue of its position as the world's top The Bank estimates that pace than the 5.7 per cent the Bank said. The requisite Forms shall at the time of sale. completion certificate by the recipient of remittances this officially-recorded remittances growth seen in 2017. For 2019, it is projected be made available on the GST However, Goods and competent authority," the year with its diaspora sending to developing countries will The upsurge is driven by that remittances growth for common portal shortly”. Services Tax (GST) is applica- Ministry said in a statement. a whopping 80 billion back increase by 10.8 per cent to stronger economic conditions the region will slow to 4.3 per GSTR-9 is the annual ble on sale of under-construc- It further said affordable home, the World Bank said in reach $528 billion in 2018. in advanced economies, par- cent due to a moderation of return form for normal tax- tion property or ready to move housing projects like Jawaharlal a report on Saturday. This new record level follows a ticularly the US, and the growth in advanced economies, payers, GSTR-9A is composi- in flats where completion cer- Nehru National Urban India is followed by China robust growth of 7.8 per cent in increase in oil prices having a lower migration to the GCC tion taxpayers, while GSTR-9C tificate is not issued at the time Renewal Mission, Rajiv Awas ($67 billion), Mexico and the 2017. cant flow of remittances from positive impact on outflows and the benefits from the oil is a reconciliation statement of sale, it said. Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Philippines ($34 billion each) Global remittances, which $62.7 billion in 2016 to $65.3 from some GCC countries price spurt dissipating. Trade and industry players The Ministry also asked Yojana or any other housing and Egypt ($26 billion), accord- include flows to high-income billion 2017. In 2017, remit- such as the UAE which report- The Gulf Cooperation have been seeking an extension the builders to reduce the scheme of State Governments ing to the global lender. countries, are projected to grow tances constituted 2.7 per cent ed a 13 per cent growth in out- Council (GCC) is a regional of the deadline for filing the prices of properties by passing attracts 8 per cent GST, which With this, India has retained by 10.3 per cent to $689 billion, of India's GDP, it said. flows for the first half of 2018. inter-governmental political annual returns. on the benefit of lower GST can be adjusted by the builders its top spot on remittances, it said. The Bank said remittances Bangladesh and Pakistan and economic bloc of Bahrain, EY Tax Partner Abhishek rate. against its accumulated input according to the latest edition of Over the last three years, to South Asia are projected to both experienced strong Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Jain said industry players have "It is brought to the notice tax credit (ITC). PTI the World Bank's Migration India has registered a signifi- increase by 13.5 per cent to upticks of 17.9 per cent and 6.2 Arabia and the UAE. PTI ' (   ( > 

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    & Beijing: China's trade surplus the data from China's customs in November, up from $35 with the United States bal- administration showed. billion the previous month, C''''  looned to a record $35.6 billion American farmers have the data showed. Vadodara (Guj): Public sector tier II and III cities as well as New Delhi: Axis Bank on in November, official data been hit particularly hard by But growth of exports oil companies Indian Oil, Bharat rural areas, interior areas and Mumbai: Lending major State Saturday inducted Amitabh showed on Saturday, as exports the trade tensions. Trump and imports slowed from Petroleum and Hindustan remote areas as they lack pres- Bank of India (SBI) on Friday Chaudhry as additional direc- across the Pacific remained tweeted this week that China October, with exports rising Petroleum have an ambitious ence in these geographies. said it has received sharehold- tor on its board, three weeks strong despite a raft of US tar- would begin buying products 5.4 per cent for November on- plan to open nearly 4,500 fuel The Indian Oil will set up ers' approval to raise up to ahead of his taking over as the iffs while imports shrank. from US farmers "immediate- year, short of the 9.4 per cent outlets across Gujarat, an offi- 128 retail outlets, with Bharat 20,000 crore. new managing director and Relations between the ly". forecast by Bloomberg News, cial said on Saturday. Petroleum 50 and Hindustan According to the SBI, the CEO of the private sector world's top two economies Usually Chinese buyers and imports rising 3.0 per Talking to reporters here, Petroleum 49 in Vadodara dis- approval for its proposal to lender. continue to be tense despite a have snapped up American cent on-year, also below the Indian Oil chief regional man- trict of Gujarat. "create, offer, issue and allot He will replace incumbent trade war truce struck between soybeans in the final months of forecast. ager Sunil Vikramsingh said, "All these OMCs are set to such number of equity shares Shikha Sharma whose fourth US President Donald Trump the year as the harvest hits the The sagging export and "To meet the increasing require- expand their fuel retail network of 1 for an amount not term has been curtailed by the and his counterpart President market and beans from com- import growth is another bad ments of customers on high- after a gap of nearly four years, exceeding 20,000 crore ..." was RBI by nearly two-and-half Xi Jinping last week. petitor Brazil dry up. sign for China's economy, ways, agricultural sector prod- which is due to eight per cent given at a general meeting of years. and CEO of HDFC Standard Trump and figures in his But this year, Chinese buy- which grew at its slowest pace ucts and industries, it was annual growth in sale of petrol shareholders held here. In a board meeting held Life Insurance Company, was administration have said China ers have passed on US soybeans for nine years in the third observed necessary to open and four per cent in diesel," The proposal is subject to Saturday, Axis Bank approved in September named the MD would immediately start buy- which face a 25 per cent bor- quarter, expanding 6.5 per such fuel outlets in the state." Vikramsingh said. the condition that the the appointment of Chaudhry and CEO of Axis Bank for a ing US goods in bulk, but der tax upon import, part of the cent on-year for July- "IOCL, BPCL and HPCL The OMCs have formally Government of lndia share- as additional director. The period of three years, with Beijing has refrained from con- $50 billion in US goods Beijing September. have an ambitious plan to open announced their plans and bid- holding in equity share capital board also gave its nod for the effect from January 1, 2019. firming those claims. hit with higher duties this While exports to the US nearly 4,500 fuel outlets in the ding process for inviting tenders of the bank does not fall below reappointment of Samir Barua, Chaudhry, 54 years, will The increasingly lopsided summer in retaliation for US have held up so far this state," he said. has also started, he said, adding 52 per cent at any point of Som Mittal and Rohit Bhagat as take over from Shikha Sharma trade in goods between the two tariffs. autumn, the row has sapped About 3 to 4 fuel outlets will that each fuel outlet will cost time. independent directors. after she demits office on nations threatens to further China's soybean imports confidence. be opened near the Statue of between 60 lakh to 3 crore As per a BSE regulatory "The Board ...Has appoint- December 31, 2018. derail prospects for a trade deal fell 38 per cent on-year, to 5.4 The Shanghai composite Unity, dedicated to Sardar depending on their location. filing by the bank, the amount ed Amitabh Chaudhry as an He started his career in during a 90-day negotiation million tonnes for the month, stock index has fallen by about Vallabhbhai Patel and the "The OMCs for the first can be raised by the way of Additional Director of the corporate banking with the period. the data showed. one-quarter from its January world's tallest statue, at Kevadiya time have come together to public issue or private Bank and to hold office as such Bank of America in 1987, The ballooning trade The trade surplus with the high, while the yuan has in neighbouring Narmada dis- work on such a scale to avoid placement, including till the conclusion of the ensu- where he worked in diverse deficit with China is a partic- US expanded to $293.5 billion slipped about nine per cent trict, he added. duplication and eating into each Qualified Institutions ing Annual General Meeting...," roles. ularly sore point for Trump, for January-November, up against the dollar. More than three lakh visi- other's business," he added. Placement (OIP), Global Axis Bank said in a regulatory In July 2017, the board of who campaigned on turning from $ 251.3 billion during the The trade tensions with tors have already visited the site. Retail outlets opened after Depository Receipt (GDRs), filing. Axis Bank had approved the around the situation. same period last year. Washington come at a tough Therefore, opening of three to 2014 were largely through the American Depository Receipt The appointment is subject reappointment of Sharma, China's exports to the US China's overall trade — time for Beijing, which is battling four fuel outlets will help the revival of old stations or restora- (ADRs) "and or any other to approval of the shareholders, who was to start her fourth rose 9.8 per cent for November what it buys and sells with all to tackle a mountain of debt as tourists, the official said. tion of dealerships that had been mode(s) or a combination(s) it added. term as MD and CEO from on-year, while imports for the countries, including the US — credit tightens and infrastructure The OMCs (oil marketing terminated because of non- thereof, as may be decided by Chaudhry, the former MD June 2018. PTI month fell 25 per cent on-year, logged a $44.7 billion surplus investment falls. AFP companies) plan to expand in performance since 2005. PTI the Board". IANS %   
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  2 New Delhi: The US health regulator has "the agency has informed to classify the recommended a regulatory or adminis- inspection as OAI and that approvals of 
 3)D8& ! Panaji: Union Minister Suresh Prabhu has trative action after the inspection of pending applications or supplements from sought to link the availability of cheap Roorkee manufacturing facility of drug this site maybe withheld," Jubilant Life said. beverages in Goa with "creativity and firm Jubilant Life Sciences, according to a However, this will not have any impact Jammu: The Jammu & Kashmir cases, where inspections have business opportunities", a remark the regulatory filing. on the existing revenues from operations Tax Department Friday night been carried out by the depart- Congress said was projection of the The FDA has classified the inspection from this facility, it added. made it clear that the drive ment, gross violation and tax coastal State as a "liquor destination". of the Roorkee plant as 'Official Action "We believe that this letter has been launched by it for inspecting evasion have been detected. Prabhu, while participating in the Indicated', which means approvals of issued as part of USFDA initiative to businesses and checking e-way “Sustained efforts of the Global Venture Summit in Goa on Friday, pending applications or supplements from respond to the company within 90 days of bills in the state is to prevent department against defaulters said the state government had reduced this site maybe withheld, the company said the inspection, regarding the status," it said. large-scale tax evasion noticed has resulted in a substantial taxes on some beverages that help calm in a BSE filing on Saturday. As per the guidelines, the company can under GST and it will continue. increase in the monthly IGST the mind and lead to creativity, which can According to the FDA, Official Action engage within 40 days to get the agency's The department also settlement of the state. be converted into business opportunities. Indicated means regulatory and/or admin- decision downgraded from classifying as appealed to general public to The state received an IGST "Ideas are there, but to make ideas into istrative actions will be recommended OAI, it added. insist for proper bill against any settlement of 225 crore on an a form that actually be converted into a against a facility after an inspection. The company "is in the process of purchases made by them and be average during the previous business opportunity is some sort of cre- In response to the USFDA inspection sending further update of its corrective aware that while they are pay- months.However, with the ativity. conducted at the Roorkee facility of solid actions and remains hopeful of a positive ing legitimate GST, the same action against the defaulters, the "And creativity comes when your dosage formulations during August 2018, outcome, " it said. PTI should reach the government IGST settlement for the month mind is calm. And when it comes to Goa, accounts. of October has gone up to 265 mind becomes calm. And to make body “While the share of J&K crore,” he said. calm, Goa government has reduced tax- GST to total GST of all the states The spokesperson further ation on some of the beverages, which can 7" >666 =66  is 1.2 per cent, the compliance reiterated that investigation of make your mind soft," the commerce level in the state is only 0.27 per records and checking of e-way minister had said. cent," a spokesperson of the bills would continue till such Prabhu's statement did not go down State Tax Department in a time the trade and businesses well with some of the political parties. $  ." >6+?- !#! statement issued here. start complying the GST law, file Congress' spokesperson Siddhanath "The departmental assess- returns in time, generate prop- Buyao condemned the statement, saying Gurugram: The Central Information second appeal was filed on August 16, ment has revealed around 30 er invoices and deposit the tax it was wrong to link the state's culture and Commission (CIC) has directed authori- 2017. per cent leakage in the process," to the department timely. creativity to the availability of liquor at ties to reveal how many 2,000 and 500 Dhingra said that after a hearing on he said. He said that the Chambers lower rates. notes were printed daily after demoneti- November 30, 2018, Information The spokesman said that of Commerce have wrongly "Goa is known for its scenic beauty zation till November 30, 2016, an RTI Commissioner Sudhir Bhargava on out of the total registered 92,000 misinterpreted toll tax as if it is and warm people. Creativity is in the activist said on Saturday. December 5, 2018 issued an order to pro- dealers in the GSTN, till last levied in contradiction of GST DNA of Goans right from the beginning. Gurugram-based Right To vide the information. month only 52,000 trade and regime. “Toll tax is levied con- May it be in the field of science, art, cul- Information (RTI) activist Harinder "Number of notes printed on daily businesses were filing GST sciously to promote industrial ture, music and even entrepreneurship, Dhingra had sought the information basis from November 9, 2016 to November returns regularly. development in the state as a Goans have contributed immensely to the regarding the number of notes printed 30, 2016 was not so sensitive as to attract "With the increased policy tool,” he said. country," Buyao said. daily from November 9, 2016 to November the exemption provisions under section enforcement activities by the He also said the Chamber He said it is the same calm nature and 30, 2016. 8(1)(a) of the RTI Act, therefore CPIO has department, now 72,000 trade has wrongly accused the State creativity that draws Prabhu to Goa Dhingra applied for the information been directed to provide the information and businesses have filed Tax Department of interfering often. through RTI Act on February 23, 2017. sought," the order read. Orders on banning returns for the month of in cross-LoC trade while it has "Does Prabhu come to Goa to enjoy The Central Public Information the then existing 1,000 and 500 notes October 2018,” he said and not interfered in any manner cheap beverages and then get the creative Officer (CPIO) earlier refused to share the were implemented from the midnight of added that in 70 per cent of the till date. PTI ideas?" Buyao taunted the Minister. PTI information, Dhingra told IANS. The November 8, 2016. PTI    (  ) *+ ,-./ 0- . @ ( 9'8&9(>669 & '" %  %  - 
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ou have to be lucky to spot a tiger at importance of protecting tigers from getting a national park and at Ranthambore killed and organisation to focus on people YTiger Reserve, there are high chances and what they want and not just the tigers,” of you not leaving the forest disappointed. Maheshwari says. Watching the big cat at close quarters Where some feel that it is best to give is an awe-inspiring experience. From its euthanasia once a tiger becomes a man-eater, graceful walk and beautiful thick yellow coat some believe that they are best kept in cap- with dark stripes, to reflecting enormous tivity. But Wildlife warden of Ranthambore power, strength and agility as he jumps and Balendu Singh says that the best solution to roar, the king of the jungle and India’s this is to create a large enclosure to keep the national animal is a delight to be with. Credit man-eater tiger instead of killing them or goes to safari guides who track the tiger keeping them in captivity. movement from their pugmarks and tra- “About three years ago in Ranthambore, jectory. with a heavy heart, we had to send one of From spotted deer, peacock, nilgai, our tigers Ustad into captivity in Udaipur crane to many more species of birds and ani- because he had killed four people. He was mals, Ranthambore buzzes with wildlife. one of the more visible tigers on the main WWF India CEO & Secretary General Ravi road and we were blamed for not looking Singh says that wildlife conservation has after the tiger and why are we encroaching been deeply rooted in our religion, heritage in his territory. There are many people who and history. So much so that families used believe that tiger should not be assisted when to raise deer, nilgai, crane and other wild ani- they live in the wild but we don’t have the mals in their homes. luxury of not assisting our animals in liv- “There is a village in Panna where the ing lovely and we don’t have enough of them wild animals used to come regularly and take left. And if they do become a problem, rather refuge. There was a crane bird raised by a than put them in captivity it is better to end family who used to fly as the child would their life. There are some instances where go and come back from the school. There we had no choice. You have to end their life. was a dhobi family which had two nilgais One can create a large enclosure of one or at pets. We don’t see any of it now. There is two hectares per animal, and let them live no institutionalisation of protection of rare there and even feed them,” Balendu says. species. The main repository and protectors Another major issue is of Buffer zone are the Forest Ministry, the National Tiger which Chundawat believes is a flawed con- Conservation Authority (NTCA) and other cept. According to Wildlife Protection Act groups. India’s voice is heard at CITES 1972, that was amended in 2006, it made it (Convention on International Trade in mandatory to create an attractive buffer Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and (unprotected forest area with human inter- Flora) where a larger framework and poli- vention) around core (protected area) of the cies are agreed upon for endangered species. tiger reserve. Scientifically, by doing this, it The challenge is we don’t have enough peo- created, what we scientifically call, an eco- ple, corridors and conservation approach- logical trap (inherent dangers) for the es,” Singh tells you. tigers which led to increase in mortality rate. For tiger conservation, Ranthambore is “I am completely against buffer when considered one of the best models of India. it comes to tiger conservation. It is a disas- With a thriving population of over 65 tigers, ter and doesn’t solve any problem. By cre- the reserve has become a breeding habitat ating this, we have developed a small core for other neighbouring forests as well and which is the protected area with a high sur- powers the success story for many other vival rate of tigers, and huge buffer outside national parks. it which is absolutely non-protected and it “Every protected forest has to have a is just expanding and encroaching inside the neighbouring population with a good num- core. This is leading to a high mortality rate ber of breeding tigresses as it prevents them of tigers, the risk of getting disease and rise from inbreeding and increases the viabili- in conflict with the humans and poaching ty of the population. By relocating the tigers cases,” Chundawat says. to other forests for breeding, they pass on He opines that the reason for a high their special genes to the next generation mortality rate of the tigress in Panna which prevents a genetic drift. It is impor- &       +&  
 National Park has been poaching. “Over the tant to have a sustainable population. We lost extinction of any species due to poaching, past nine years, we have lost seven tigress- our Sariska tigers because there was no con- harsh climate, development activities, trans- es in Panna which is a serious problem. The nectivity with other neighbouring popula- ferring of tigers to other regions, and many flict between the tigers and humans have from the environment, it can do more harm solution lies in creating hard boundaries and tion but now the population has been others. As per the report, tigers are only lim- always been a topic of debate on who is at as people will become more violent in killing if the animals come out in high mortality revived,” renowned conservation biologist ited to seven per cent of the original range the priority — the tiger or people, when in them. If you want to work with the conflict, zone, they spend less time and move back Dr Raghu Chundawat, says during his talk of habitat. The solution of this is to bring co-existence. But experts opine that removal you need to have tiger in the region. We need to the protected zone,” he tells you. at International Tiger Week held recently in seven per cent to 20 per cent presence. The -85 &'S %8 &'E ?S of the tiger from the unprotected area is not to find a solution from the old traditions and From 2015 to 2017, 415 tigers have died Ranthambore. challenge is we can’t do it within the pro- a solution. The challenge lies in support from look for contemporary ways to for the peace- due to poaching and over 117 leopard and The relocation of the tigers happens in tected area. Thus, we have to go outside the %,6-# 7<6 6 36 the community. ful co-existence,” he adds. 32 tigers were found dead this year. a very well-planned manner. Sometimes it protected area. In India, the big problem is %8 !8*7+, 0 8<6- “Our conservation model is such that At the same time, the safety of villagers “Poaching being the biggest threat to the turns out to be a success and sometimes, a we have only one exclusive conservation it goes outside the protected area and is need to be the topmost priority which can tigers which is operated in a well organised failure. “When we relocate the breeding model which is Protected Area Network E 68!-# 0 .& entirely dependent on volunteering partic- be made viable with the help of technolo- way, there are other factors that contribute tigers, we look at maintaining the ecology (PAN),” Chundawat explains. %,6-# 6-6 83+ ipation of the local communities. More than gy. “We must have radars installed to keep to high mortality like seizure, natural of the habitat of the source and the place they The size of the protected areas is very a volunteer activity, we need to make it an a track of the whereabouts of the tigers and deaths, injuries, habitat fragmentation, are relocated to and how it affects the pop- crucial and there is a lot of scale mismatch 6 %7# M6-$ incentive activity for the villagers and com- create an alarm in the region to make the deforestation, electrocution and others. ulation. There are many factors that go into as the area required to have a viable popu- munity people to value tigers and not kill villagers alert. That is how we can turn Due to conflict with the humans, tigers were consideration. It is difficult for the tigers to lation and the area that is provided is not 6#6# !8*7+, # them. They should be compensated for their around the situation,” he says. shot by the forest department and villagers adjust to a new place. In a recent case, two enough. “Ranthambore is a success story %76 ,,6#% %7-6% %8 cattle loss due to tiger prey and for crop dam- When the conflict happens, a team of or died during rescue operations and treat- tigers were being translocated inter-state for right not but it is not a viable model. We have age as well. When the villagers see that the biologist, veterinarian, scientists and many ment,” Maheshwari says. the first time in India from Sarika Tiger to deal with scale mismatch which can be %,6-# 5+M 8%76- tigers are bringing them money, they will not others come to rescue the tigers from the Every wildlife conservation areas have Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, to Satkosia Tiger dealt with the number of breeding females -6#8+# 16 *8+*% kill the animal, instead become more tol- conflicted zone. “In one of our ongoing tiger different attributes and having Protected Reserve, Odisha. Unfortunately, one of required to sustain the viability of the pop- erant. By working with the community and conservation projects in Sundarbans, which Area Network model might not be enough them — Mahavir died of poaching as spec- ulation. To avoid the scale mismatch, we %7 %76 735+# minimise the killings will help the tigers sur- has a lot of tigers in islands, the fishery com- to conserve the wildlife animals. “Through ulated and the other one Sundari still not need 14-15 breeding females which can be -6#*36 8!6-%8+# vive in the landscape. We have to look at munity ended up being attacked by the PAN, we created an environment which had settle down yet,” Ritika Maheshwari, vet- divided into three to four core places. This conflict as a journey to make much more tigers. The most difficult thing to do dur- no signs of threats and we relocated the tigers erinarian, Wildlife Protection Society of will help to sustain a population of 170 plus + -8+, %-6%56+% comfortable for the tiger and villagers to sur- ing conflict is crowd control. At times, local to other forests and achieve success. Some India, explains. individuals. But do not have that much of -6 #8 +*-6#+, vive and co-exist,” Chundawat explains. representative help to resolve the situation protected areas have done well and some As the number of tigers increases, it rais- territories to protect,” Chundawat points out. To have this good practice going, the locally and police help in controlling protected areas have not done well. The need es the challenge for occupancy in the for- Because of this, the tigers go out of their %76- 58-%%M -%6 tigers have to be present. And taking away crowds. We look for long-term support from of the hour is to have several inclusive con- est. One of the threats to the tiger is range territory and are spotted in the towns and the tigers from the region will make the peo- the community and make people interest- servation models which include community restriction within the given protected habi- villages. This leads to tigers preying on cat- ple from the community anti-tiger and non- ed in conservation. We need of the hour is people and can also generate goodwill to all,” tat. “Range restriction is the first sign of an tle and sometimes humans as well. The con- sensitive. “If you disconnect the tigers to make the community people realise the Chundawat tells you.

 Tell us about the history of Ranthambore? The National Park is not just a Tiger Q&2$" $ $    R Reserve but also holds a significant place in our history. The Ranthambore Fort days back to the 9th century and is attributed   (  ( -  6+3 #+,7 "  #+,66% M<       killing or animal conflict. We have been to the Chauhans and then Akbar. The successful the way the Forest Department Trinetra Ganesha Temple inside the fort of Rajasthan has worked. dates even further; it finds a mention in  ( +    (      

           (   Is there corruption? Valmiki’s Ramayan which was translated Trade and wildlife are second only to the in the 4th century. The deity is that of a  Do we have enough funds? drug trade and human trafficking. It is a three-eyed Ganesha with his wives — Forest is managed and maintained by global trade which involves enormous Ridhi and Siddhi and his children Shubh each State. Any area which is declared a amounts of money. The lure of money will and Labh. This temple also has a Post National Park is then funded by the always be there. Corruption is rampant in Office and in Hindu marriage, people from Centre, through the implementation of the our country in almost every section of the all over India send their first wedding invi- policies remains with the States. Six years society. Unfortunately, it is deeply rooted in tation to Trinetra Ganesha Temple and the back, Ranthambore National Park declared our DNA but it is up to us how you limit it. priest dutifully reads it out. Five years back, itself self-funded. The entry fee collected It is wrong to say that everybody is corrupt. the fort was declared as UNESCO World from the tourists, which earlier used to go We have some people who standout on their Heritage Site. to the exchequers, now stays with the park. honesty. We have the best laws for wildlife Moreover, Ranthambore is the best Last year, the collection of Ranthambore conservation but the implementation of it example of dry scrub forest which makes was 28 crores. is a big issue. In some cases, wildlife poach- it best for photography. Around 80 per cent It used to take us three to four months ing and violation of rules have been done of tiger photographs and clippings world- to compensate the villagers whose cattle by influential people or are found to be a rel- wide have been taken here. Because of its were killed by the tigers. But now with the ative of politician or bureaucrats. dry nature of the forest, the visibility is very gate money staying here, their compen-  How is technology helping? good and the natural light is fantastic. sation time has come down to two weeks. We are using modern day technology  How did the forest change for over the  What about the implementation of the like remote sensing cameras, drones and years? policies? camera trap. Every villager has GPS enabled Back then the park, covering 392 sq We have been good at capturing the smartphones through which they capture km was protected by the maharajas and vil- poachers. In the old system, you waited for pug marks, kills and send it to the forest lagers who have been residing in the for- ( %  5      + the poacher to make a kill and then went department. So we know where the animal est for centuries. The park was established &   2  &+    +6         & 5 and caught him. The animal is already is moving and can monitor and protect it. as the Sawai Madhopur Game Sanctuary gone. The success is in preventing him  Why there is zero rate of conviction in in 1955 by the Government and declared  Has the tiger population increased? more than 40 breeding tigers. Government and the NGOs. The public- from poaching and this is where wildlife poaching cases? a Project Tiger reserve in 1973. Since 1950 In 2004-2005, the population of breed-  What led to this success? private partnership is the way to go for- Ranthambore has been good. In the last The culprits are getting captured but go till now, 70 per cent of our landmass cov- ing tigers had come down to almost 11. But Ranthambore’s deputy conservator of ward. It is going to take a while and three years, we have been successful in cap- scot-free because the case that is presented ering forest has shrunk to just under 20 per today we have recorded over 64 breeding forests (DCF) YK Sahu, along with his through educating people, who are equal turing more than 30 people involved in to the court has not been prepared well at cent. It has been an uphill task for us to adults, excluding the cubs and sub-adults. team worked closely with the non-gov- stakeholders in this, about what you are poaching. It is not just tigers, but Sambar, the lowers level. It is important to educate keep these forests connected so that the This is the largest ever counted the pop- ernment organisations. As a wildlife war- paid to do and spreading awareness Nil Gai, Spotted Deer as well. the people to present the case which is non- gene pool of the tigers does not get stag- ulation of Ranthambore. Even when the den, I assisted the Forest Department in amongst villagers on co-existing with the Since 2005, we have had a couple of refutable. If the case is good, a poacher will nant. This is our biggest challenge. maharajas had this forest, we never had what they do and be a bridge between the wildlife will get us there. unnatural deaths attributed to revenge go to jail for a long time.    (  ) *+ ,-./ 0- A #.@# #. @7#AB7R B %         
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he sun took a break but India shone to stay ahead of Australia in the opening Test after Tsporadic rain intrusions, K L Rahul's enter- prise and Cheteshwar Pujara's obduracy culmi- nated in a 166-run lead here on Saturday. Virat Kohli was dismissed late in the final ses- sion as India reached 151 for three at stumps on day three at the Adelaide Oval. The Indian skipper lunged forward to defend    66 "We were trying to figure off Nathan Lyon (1-48) but was caught at short out the lengths that are useful leg for an uncharacteristic knock of 34 (104 balls). athan Lyon has been over here. In South Africa and At close of play, Cheteshwar Pujara was unbeat- Nusing the rough patches England, there was a lot of lat- en on 40 runs, while Ajinkya Rahane was batting effectively during the ongoing eral movement. Here the on 1 not out. India led by 166 runs. Indian second innings which wickets are slightly flatter Post tea, Kohli and Pujara took their third- is an indicator that because you get bounce, but wicket partnership to 71 runs, albeit it was low Ravichandran Ashwin will you have to be consistent. on strike-rate, coming off 197 balls. have a bigger role to play dur- "That's the thing we have Pujara survived early in the last session, cour- ing Australian second innings, read over the years. We were tesy DRS again, as the ball seemed to miss the reckons pacer Jasprit Bumrah. trying to focus on that, that if stumps on account of bounce in the 40th over by "Ashwin will obviously we don't give runs, we are cre- Lyon. play a more crucial now role ating pressure from both ends At the other end, Kohli became the fourth because with the rough, we and then we could get wick- Indian batsman after Sachin Tendulkar, VVS saw Nathan Lyon using the ets," said Bumrah. Laxman and Rahul Dravid to score 1000-plus runs 84           '       . & GH '       #  4 +     8   rough to his advantage. He is Bumrah is confident that in Test cricket against Australia. an experienced bowler and India will take a substantial The hosts though cut off most of his scoring Mitchell Starc (15) was caught behind off Jasprit &   knows what he has to do. So lead on day four. opportunities, and Kohli was happy to play for Bumrah (3-47) as covers came on. Virat Kohli was booed by a small section of he will probably work on it "I think it is slightly in our time as he didn't dominate the bowling for once. Play was held up for 55 minutes thereafter, and the Adelaide Oval crowd when he stepped out to and he will play a crucial role favour because the late wick- Their third-wicket partnership crossed 50 off 149 the number of overs for the day were reduced to bat in the second innings against Australia, an act for sure," Bumrah said at the et (Kohli) was a good thing for balls. 79. On resumption, the remaining one-hour ses- that has been criticised by rival batsman Travis end of the second day's play. them. But we have a good India's lead swelled past 150 shortly thereafter, sion was cut short again after 40 minutes but this Head and former skipper Ricky Ponting. India dismissed Australia lead. First session on Sunday and just when it appeared to be smooth sailing time India made good used of the overs. Travis Head wasn't impressed by the behav- for 235 in their first innings will be a very important. If we for the visitors, Lyon struck to remove Kohli before Both Bumrah and Ishant Sharma (2-47) were iour of the crowd. and it was a collective effort capitalize on that, that will stumps and put the match in balance again. guilty of bowling shorter to the tail-enders, and "He's a pretty good player and probably does- from the bowlers, who shared leave us in a very good place Earlier, K L Rahul scored a quick-fire 44 off it didn't change this morning either. Nathan Lyon n't deserve to be booed but that's how it is. It's the spoils. in this match," the pacer said. 67 balls as India reached 86 for two at tea. Rain (24 not out) made good use of this, hitting two probably not needed but that's the crowd," he said. had further caused delays post lunch and anoth- fours and a six, as he put on 31 runs for the ninth er 23 minutes were lost before play could finally wicket with Travis Head (72). get underway, with 61 overs remaining for the day. Head's immaculate knock came to an end   B 0( C0 . /0 . . 0 As opposed to the first innings, Rahul and Kohli walked out to boos from the Australian when he edged Mohammed Shami (2-58) behind, Murali Vijay (18) were more careful and negoti- fans but made sure there was no further loss until and the very next ball, the pacer finished things    66 Handscomb and Tim during the Wellington ated the Australian pace battery without much dis- tea as India's lead crossed 100. off with Josh Hazlewood out caught similarly for Paine on the second day Test against New comfort. They left well and looked to cut out any Earlier, rain hampered play on day three as a first-ball duck. oung Rishabh Pant before pouching on to Zealand. Pant, who is high-risk shots as India were placed at 19 for no India took a 15-run lead in the first innings after Wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant finished with six Yon Saturday took six edges off Mitchell Starc, playing his sixth Test, loss in 10 overs. Australia were bowled out for 235 in reply to the catches, while Head faced 167 deliveries in all, catches during Australia's Travis Head and Josh was selected in the Indian Vijay was the first to go, out driving again, and visitors' 250. inclusive of six fours. first innings to equal pre- Hazlewood's willow on team following the injury caught at second slip off Mitchell Starc (1-18). It Inclement weather first delayed play by 45 Australia were then happier of the two sides decessor Mahendra Saturday. of Wriddhiman Saha and fizzled out the Indian momentum, even as Rahul minutes in the morning session, and then there having added 44 runs in just 10.4 overs of play. Singh Dhoni's record of He equalled the retirement of Dhoni in continued playing his shots. were two more delays in the first session before In their bid to get the lower order out quickly, India most catches by an record after taking 2014. Pujara survived a scare in the 24th over, using lunch was taken. were guilty of leaking easy runs. Indian wicketkeeper in a Hazlewood's catch off He has so far scored DRS to overturn a caught-behind decision off During the first 20 minutes of play, starting On day one, Pujara's 16th Test century saved Test innings. Mohammed Shami's ball 346 runs with an average Lyon. But two balls later, Australia's desperation from overnight 191 for seven, Australia crossed India the blushes. The Indian bowling attack then The 21-year-old Pant in the first innings here. of 43.25 with the highest for a wicket paid off as Rahul edged behind off 200 in the 91st over but India managed to sneak worked hard to restrict the Australian batsmen had a hand in dismissing In 2009, Dhoni had score of 114 against Josh Hazlewood (1-25). in a breakthrough before rain came again. with Head the only one to cross the 50-mark. Usman Khawaja, Peter achieved his record feat England. 38,(    A      82:R
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     N 5    #       C 77#*7 +2>6   71 "Both teams have good spinners, J(         &F? F> F fast bowlers and batters. It will be a F. FE$ %    "  % N  M F7    +6 67 he West Indies are looking to end very competitive series."   7 FM    J(  $ Ttheir four-year wait for a one-day Bangladesh have been boosted by *     iding on a solid all-round team performance, international series win when they the return of batsman Tamim Iqbal RU Mumba beat Bengal Warriors 31-20 in the take on hosts Bangladesh starting on and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, Jaipur: -2     " *    Inter Zone Challenge Week of Vivo Pro Kabaddi Sunday. who both missed the ODI series  (
F "         Season 6 in Vizag on Saturday. Stand-in skipper Rovman Powell against Zimbabwe in October       ?.F         The defensive trio of Fazel Atrachali, said winning the three-match series because of injury.    6  , *  $ &>FF (F  Surender Singh and Dharmaraj Cherlathan in Bangladesh would give his side the Shakib played in the Tests against *       "   (
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   Warriors held the early advantage as they led 5- U Mumba as he tackled Bengal raiders through- to go. No better opportunity to 5   +  % +G  H "In the practice game, Tamim          . H (       %  2 after five minutes. U Mumba fought back in out the match. With less than 10 minutes to go change it in Bangladesh."            played brilliantly which is a great +    6  , NN  $ 1   1 " the next couple of minutes as Rohit Baliyan U Mumba led 24-13 and were on course to a "It will be good to get the series relief for Tamim as well as for us," : &;  # 2 /  :;       picked up a few raid points. It was all square at comfortable victory. win under our belt" before the World and a 3-1 loss to India in October. added Mashrafe, who is set to become    ( $ %  +      5-5 after 10 minutes of action. Bengal Warriors' raiders couldn't get their Cup, Powell added. Powell, who will be leading the the first Bangladeshi to play 200 ODIs    &S& ( E     (F  ( U Mumba shifted a couple of gears as they footing throughout the match and with The Caribbean side last won an side in the absence of the injured on Sunday.    2  :H&;  5 1 " , scored five points in three minutes to lead 10- Maninder Singh struggling to get points their fate ODI series in 2014 when they beat Jason Holder, said the Test defeats to The second and third matches of :SH;    
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Wallace just outside the circle, who dribbled  O   " ( *   past two Indian defenders to set it up for Floris van Son who didn't make any mis-    7     take to complete a fine goal. Stunned by the equaliser, India went all out and, in the process, scored two quick * SF       J9( goals to take a 3-1 lead. First Chinglensana scored from a    73+6#- rebound and then in the very next minute Lalit slotted the ball in after snatching it just n impressive India thrashed Canada outside the box from Sukhi Panesar. 5-1 to top Pool C and seal a direct Four minutes later, Amit converted Aberth in the quarterfinals of the men's India's fourth penalty corner before Lalit hockey World Cup in front of a capacity scored his second goal of the day, tapping crowd at the Kalinga Stadium here on in Sumit's pass. Saturday. India scored four goals in the fourth O     P quarter through Chinglensana Singh (46th Chief India coach Harendra Singh minute), Lalit Upadhyay (47th, 57th) and said for him the pool matches were a four- Amit Rohidas (51st) after Harmanpreet nation event and the real game begins now Singh gave home team the lead in the 12th after direct entry into the quarterfinal. minute. "Those who have visited my room know Canada's lone goal came from the sticks I have already written who we will play in of Floris van Son in the 39th minute. the quarterfinals and who in the semifinals. By virtue of this win, India finished on For me a four-nation tournament has fin- top of Pool C with seven points ahead of ished and the World Cup starts now," world No 3 Belgium on account of better Harendra said. goal difference. "From quarterfinals you can smell a Belgium, too on seven points, finished medal. The actual tournament starts with second ahead of third placed Canada after the next game." thrashing South Africa 5-1 in the other Pool Harendra said India were guilty of run- C game earlier in the day. South Africa '+    GH    ++               + <             ning too much with the ball in search of crashed out of the tournament. goals in the opening two quarters. While India qualified directly for the utes) scored a brace while Simon Gougnard ninth minute when skipper Manpreet team's second penalty corner in the 12th and then kept away Akashdeep Singh's "We are missing in the final pass, we quarterfinals by being the toppers, Belgium (18th), Loick Luypaert (30th) and Cedric Singh's cross from the left flank was met by minute. attempt after he was set up by Simranjeet were running for goals. We have to wait for and Canada will play in the cross-overs for Charlier (48th) were the other goal-scorer Dilpreet Singh in the near post but the The Indians had another penalty cor- Singh's burst from 25 yards. our moment, can't rush towards the ball. I a place in the last-eight round. for Belgium. Canadian goalkeeper Antoni Kindler posi- ner in the next minute but Amit messed up The script, however, changed a little bit think the first half, we did too much run- Canada too overcame South Africa by South Africa, on the other hand, had tioned himself at the right spot to thwart the the chance. after the change of ends with Canada slow- ning," he said. virtue of a better goal difference. Both the stunned the world No 3 side just 36 seconds danger. The hosts couldn't live up to the tempo ly clawing back into the match with some "We were too much in a hurry. We were teams finished their pool engagements from the start through Nicholas Spooner's In the next minute, India got their first with which they played in the first quarter, impressive counter-attacks. lacking in the final execution. I think we with one point apiece. field strike. penalty corner but Canada defended stout- which meant scoring chances subsided as Canada are considered as a solid defen- have to throw out the childish instinct." India will play their quarterfinal match The match between India and Canada ly. Canada tried to make a comeback. sive unit and they played like one. Whenever He, however, rued the fact that India on December 13. was touted to be a battle between attack and Mandeep Singh was then denied by a Canada goalkeeper Kindler came to his India attacked, a sea of red assembled inside failed to keep a clean slate. Earlier in the day, Olympic Silver defence and it panned out exactly the same good reflex save by the Canada keeper. side's rescue twice in the second quarter to their circle to keep the hosts at bay. "We were running for the ball. I want medallist Belgium outclassed South Africa as the hosts attacked in numbers from the The Canadian defence finally surren- keep the scoreline under check. Canada drew parity against the run of the players to tackle irrespective of their posi- 5-1 in their last pool game. onset to create quite a few scoring chances. dered in front of India's relentless attack First Kindler saved Sumit's reverse play in the 39th minute through a counter- tion. We failed to keep a clean-sheet and I Alexander Hendrickx (14th, 22nd min- India's first scoring chance came in the when Harmanpreet converted the home shot from top of the box in the 22nd minute attack. Gordon Johnston found James feel bad about it," Harendra said. R 
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  83-+6583%7 But defensive errors, combined to react first and fire high into the with a dubious offside decision for net from close range. iverpool delivered a clear sign the opening goal, meant they had lit- Eddie Howe's players pointed Lthey intend to push Manchester tle chance to impose themselves on out that Salah had been in an off- City all the way in the Premier a Liverpool side that never had to side position but their complaints League with an emphatic 4-0 victory find top gear to secure three points. were dismissed, although TV at Bournemouth on Saturday that The opening period suggested replays suggested they had a case. was capped by a hat-trick from Klopp's side would again have to From that point in the game, Mohamed Salah. work hard for victory. Salah and Liverpool tightened their grip, par- This victory, the Reds' fifth Roberto Firmino took time to make ticularly after the restart. consecutive league win, secured an impact, with the Egyptian spurn- It helped the Reds' cause that with the additional help of a Steve ing the first real chance of the game Salah was gifted the chance to add Cook own-goal, extended Jurgen when he sliced wide from close a second three minutes after the     
          +  &  
 Klopp's side's unbeaten start to the range. restart when Steve Cook lost the ball league season. And had David Brooks shown near the halfway line. Firmino It also moved them one point more composure when he was sent released the Egyptian, who ran 40 ) /(  ahead of City at the top of the table, clear on Liverpool's goal in the 24th metres before placing the ball hours before Pep Guardiola's side  +%     (+   '+ (
G  H )  minute, the early momentum would beyond Begovic. take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.           6 +6 
  have been in favour of the home A bad afternoon for Cook got Salah's contribution was central side. worse when he diverted the ball past to Liverpool's success — the standing. blow when Callum Wilson, As it was, Liverpool responded Begovic and into his own goal as he  " & # Egyptian has struggled to match his Overall, Liverpool man- the England international immediately, taking control with attempted to cut out a left-wing outstanding levels of last season but ager Klopp could be satisfied who has scored eight league some help from assistant referee. cross from Andy Robertson. with 10 league goals to his name, he with the manner in which goals this season, was ruled Salah and Firmino combined And Salah produced the best   %3-+ league goals. is now hitting his stride. his side eased their way to out with a hamstring injury. well 25 metres out, before the goal of the game to wrap up the vic- Inter captain Mauro Icardi also He may have benefited from a victory ahead of the mid- The home side certainly Brazilian fired in a shot at keeper tory in the 77th minute after col- ario Mandzukic scored the only failed to muster a single shot on goal, but close offside decision for the 25th- week Champions League felt Wilson's absence during Asmir Begovic. The Bosnia inter- lecting Adam Lallana's through Mgoal as Juventus killed off Inter the visitors did have chances in the first minute opener that gave Liverpool meeting with Napoli. the periods of the game when national should have done better ball. The forward outpaced Cook Milan's challenge to move 8 points clear half with Roberto Gagliardini rattling the a half-time lead, but the finishes for Bournemouth's hopes of halt- they pushed Liverpool onto the back than parry the ball into the middle and rounded Begovic twice to com- in Serie A on Friday. post just before the half-hour mark. his two second-half goals were out- ing Liverpool's progress suffered a foot. of the penalty area, allowing Salah plete his treble. Luciano Spalletti's third-placed Inter "We played well enough but we fall 14 points adrift of the leaders with weren't consistent, there were situations the Derby d'Italia defeat a grave blow to where we didn't interpret or read them their hopes of challenging for a first title property while Juventus did not do any- # 
 &   7" & since 2010. thing wrong," said Spalletti. Unbeaten Juventus have 43 points Argentine Paulo Dybala threatened from 15 games — 8 points ahead early for Juventus, nodding over a   53+*7 of second-placed Napoli who beat Ronaldo cross with Inter goal- #  E+1 Frosinone 4-0 on Saturday — with keeper Samir Handanovic tipping adon Sancho became their only points dropped coming over in the first ten minutes.   5- JBorussia Dortmund's in a home draw against Genoa. Icardi and Matteo Politano set youngest ever goalscorer in World Cup runner-up up Gagliardini but his shot tletico Madrid joined Barcelona at the top of the the Revierderby as Lucien Mandzukic's diving header after bounced off the post just before the ASpanish league with a 3-0 win over Alaves on Favre's men claimed local 66 minutes off a cross from former Inter half-hour mark. Saturday. bragging rights and a fifth player Joao Cancelo was enough to Mandzukic got his head to Rodrigo Nikola Kalinic, Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo consecutive Bundesliga vic- decide the outcome at the Allianz Bentancur's cross although failed to con- each scored a goal each to leave Atletico even with tory by beating Schalke 2-1 Stadium. trol the finish with Marcelo Brozovic Barcelona ahead of its game at Espanyol later Saturday, in Gelsenkirchen. "Mandzukic is one of those players deflecting wide and Handanovic getting when Sevilla, one Thomas Delaney gave who even on an off day can bring his his hand to a searing Giorgio Chiellini point off the lead, Dortmund the lead after just physicality to the game and that header before the break. visits Valencia. seven minutes, scoring the can make the difference," said Inter winger Politano missed a Atletico was derby's fastest goal in 19 Juventus coach Massimiliano chance to break the deadlock just after coming off two con- years, but Schalke hit back Allegri. the break as Leonardo Bonucci pro- secutive draws in when Marco Reus conceded "We knew the champi- duced a vital block. the league. Alaves a second-half penalty that onship wouldn't end today, but A Ronaldo strike from distance flew stayed fourth with Daniel Caligiuri con- ( ! +    &+ !   we still absolutely had to narrowly over the crossbar just the loss, its third in verted. avoid defeat. before the hour mark, before its last five league Sancho settled the Kovac named an keeping from Fabian "I asked the lads Mandzukic's stooping header matches. match with just over unchanged team and Bredlow to head in from to be efficient and gave him his seventh goal this Kalinic opened 15 minutes left on the his faith was repaid Joshua Kimmich's inswing- effective. We were season. the scoring from clock and the result by a dominant dis- ing corner. only half that in the Inter desperately tried to close range after a leaves Schalke sliding play. Bredlow palmed first period, but then salvage a point but were right-side cross by Santiago Arias in the towards the relegation zone Lewandowski's ninth- Ribery's effort onto the we started to hold the closed down by a Juventus 25th minute at Wanda Metropolitano after an erratic run of form minute header opened the frame of the goal before ball with greater defence well-organised by Stadium. Griezmann added to the lead on in which they have lost two floodgates, with the 30-year- Lewandowski sliced over strike wide after patience, were more veteran Chiellini, with a counterattack in the 82nd and Rodrigo and drawn one of their last old doubling his tally after from close-range, but the Lewandowski had turned organised and solid. Lautaro Martinez volleying sealed the victory in the 87th. four league matches, despite Franck Ribery and Leon forward did not miss in the provider with a deft flick. "After that, the wide in a last desperate Atletico defender Lucas Hernandez had also picking up a 5-2 win Goretzka had hit the wood- 27th minute, tapping home Yet Bredlow was to quality of the players attempt for the visitors. to be substituted in the 36th minute with a right knee over Nurnberg. work. after Goretzka's wicked long- blame for Bayern's third inevitably emerges." On Saturday, Napoli injury. He was replaced by Jose Maria Gimenez, who Elsewhere, Robert Ribery's first goal of the range effort had been mag- when he conceded posses- The seven-time secured comfortable 4-0 vic- returned after missing five matches because of injury. Lewandowski's first-half season added further gloss nificently tipped on to the sion from a goal kick. reigning champions tory over promoted Frosinone. Leganes and Getafe drew 1-1 in a derby between double set Bayern Munich before the hour, but Bayern crossbar by Nurnberg's goal- Although he kept out Serge proved yet again they Arkadiusz Milik scored southern Madrid clubs on Friday. on their way to a comfort- - now up to second in the keeper. Gnabry's initial effort, Ribery were a class above their twice, Faouzi Ghoulam pro- Uruguayan defender Leandro Cabrera headed able 3-0 win over Bundesliga table - remain nine points Bredlow came to hammered in the rebound. rivals even with vided two assists in his Getafe in front in the 39th minute and Cameroonian right strugglers Nurnberg. behind leaders Borussia Nurnberg's rescue after the Kimmich almost round- Portuguese star first match in more than back Allan Nyom equalized for the home side from inside Having vowed to reduce Dortmund, who beat restart, which was slightly ed off a superb individual Cristiano Ronaldo not a year, and Piotr the area in the 64th. Leganes had midfielder Ruben Perez his level of squad rotation Schalke. delayed due to sections of display in style late on, but as omnipresent as he has Zielinski and Adam sent off three minutes into injury time. prior to Saturday's encounter Nurnberg's resolve was Bayern's support launching his dipping strike clipped the been in previous games, Ounas also found the The result extended Leganes' unbeaten streak to seven at Allianz Arena, under- short-lived — Lewandowski toilet roll onto the pitch, get- crossbar as Bayern cruised to failing to add to his ten net. matches in all competitions. pressure Bayern coach Niko capitalising on hesitant goal- ting down to tip Kimmich's a routine win.    (  ) *+ ,-./ , .1- .1A P/   Q

 What is keeping you busy these with jingles and singing for ad com- you formed in Delhi? ishing in the 90s. It was a great time days? mercials. Then my first album was Not anymore. It was a great way for singers like me. At that time I Lots of live shows. I am also judg- out when I was in college — Ho Gayi to earn some pocket during my col- never thought of Bollywood. Also, ing a show in Dubai, it is called The Hai Mohabat. I went to Mumbai for lege days. It was great fun and a learn- the voices in the film songs were high One. We have already started shoot- the auditions and I got selected. That ing experience. pitched and too long — almost six to ing for the show. We are looking for song and the album became a hit and  What is the best part of being in seven minutes long. Somehow I did- the most sensational singer from here I am. *8+%6+% # Mumbai and the worst thing about n’t see myself fit into that scenario. UAE. The only criterion is that the  You are an English graduate end 5!8-%+%$  M83 Delhi? But then Bollywood music evolved in person has to be a resident of UAE. up learning classical music? The best part of Mumbai is that 2000s. I did a few songs which were A song from the film Jack And Dil Just because you are a singer #%3M %76 *-66- it is safe for women. It has great a hit and I became a part of the released a couple of weeks back. I doesn’t mean that you have to be illit- 8 #+,6-# 16 amenities. You get whatever you industry which I still can’t fathom sang Bezuban Dil Ki. I also erate! Education is a totally different want in the middle of the night like how it works — how to give your next represented India in the dimension. I am an Indian. My 1#7 176- medicines or even food. The work- hit. Today, indie space has so more New York India Day Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi are fantas- 78+6M #+,7 + energy here is great; people are so to offer and many more platforms. Parade. I performed tic. Your talent gets accentuated if you motivated. This helps you keep up The only problem is people still want at Madison Avenue. can converse well too. Talent and #77 %76M your energy. It is such a cosmopoli- to know what your Bollywood hit is. I released a couple education should go hand in hand. tan city and you meet people from all  Does this mean that a Bollywood of indie songs as  How does live shows help you? 7<6 7 , 7%# walks of life and learn different hit is important for you?  well. It helps me to reach out to my + +6 #!*6$ things. No, not really. Content is impor-  How did your fans and better my craft. It is very The worst thing about Delhi is tant. If you study the career of    musical journey good practise and helps you to keep %76M !-8<6 %7% the pollution in the city during win- singers like Kailash Kher, Honey begin? a pulse of what the audience wants. ,88 *8+%6+% ters, it is a killer. Then there is the rise Singh and Badshah, they have had big The singer who sung for films like Jack and It began I have been performing for over 15 in crime. Third, is the increase in the hits in indie space. They prove that Dil, speaks with Shalini Saksena about when I was still years, so I hope I have mastered the +6<6- # number of cars and the traffic jams good content never fails. Bollywood how doing live shows helps her reach out in school. I did a art of performing live. But there is as a result of it. will call you when your indie songs to her fans and why so many artists jingle for FM when still so much to learn. Connecting  Why are so many artists doing do well. One should not run after are taking advantage of the it launched its ser- with the audience helps me as an indie music today? fame. People from Bollywood call me vices. That’s how I artist. When I started my career, indie today because they want to have my indie space started my career —  Are you still part of the band that music space was rocking and flour- style of singing in their films. +#$3 -1( #/ )#$( 7+++ -M+      ( #   "   #7+ #1#6+   "   ''FF  (         (     


e are all familiar with tive by the Ahom Kings in the 17th He tells you that the satras allowed Bharatnatyam from Tamil Nadu, Century to promote neo-Vaishnavism in woman participation in this dance form WKathak from Uttar Pradesh, the region. As it was a place only for the because they enjoy a lot of importance in Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh and monks the dance was only performed by the society. Odissi from Odisha. But how many of us the men. “When the women started demanding are aware of yet another dance form that “This dance form is dedicated to Lord that they too are taught this ageold art is 600-year-olds and not just surviving but Krishna. The dance can be classified into form, the satras agreed. The result P/     thriving and making waves in India and two styles — Paurashik Bhangi (tandava is that it has brought in the internationally as well? or masculine style) and Stri Bhangi grace and feminity to Welcome to the world of Sattriya (lashya or feminine style). It is an art form the dance. There dance (pronounced Hottriya) from Assam that is part of a prayer during ceremonies are two types    Q and Dr Bhabananda Barbayan an inter- by the monks. It is performed thrice a day of Vaishnav nationally renowned exponent of this — morning, afternoon and evening. But monks in dance who has performed in France, as time passed, this dance is taught as an the satra; the Switzerland, Germany, Portugal and art form. When we perform on stage, the kewalia bhakat or . .@#3 #.:3    Bangladesh. Not only this, but he has also dance is designed into different parts like the celibate monks   A      directed the music for eminent French Guru vandana, Ram vandana, Geet abhi- and then you have filmmaker Emanuel Petit’s documentary naya, Varnan, Shlokas (which doesn’t monks who can marry. 8     (  titled Dans Les Drumes De Majuli, where involve any dance) and the last is Melana, Bhakti is about love for Lord he appeared in a number of sequences. He an elaborate dance form in its purest Krishna. Hence, there is no con-  &  $ 6 is a regular visiting faculty in Paris -VIII form,” Bhabananda explains and tell you flict when it comes to teaching women,” University, Kings College London besides that the influence of Lord Kirhsna spread Bhabananda tells you. $$  3( 7 0 being a Cultural Associate with Jawaharlal due to Sankar Dev who traveled the whole The costumes too are different. Each University Brown University, US and of India. dance number has a different costume.  .:BB% , @ A   $ Drexel University, US. “It was his influence that spread in the The men wear dhoti, chaadar and paguri He has been honoured with several (turban). They wear jewellery too — Mata What is your role in Super 30? awards — La Maison de Ananda Award Moni — around the neck. The women It is a real life story of the founders of Super 30 coaching 2012-13, Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva %76 ,88 !-% # %7% wear ghuri and chaadar. The waist cloth institute which has been helping underprivileged students pre- Puraskar of Sangeet Natak Academy 2012 %7# +*6 8-5 7# which is worn by both men and women pare for IIT JEE. I play Pranav Kumar, Anand Kumar’s (Hrithik and Fellow of Neuron-Somatic Integration is called kanchi or kingkini. Roshan) elder brother who has played an integral role in tak- Programme. 5+M %16-#$ %8 6,+ “Traditionally, the costumes were of ing care of the management of the institute — from the selec- He was just four when he started %7 +8% 5+M 6-6 white or raw silk colour with the use tion of the students to handling its functioning. He is the back- learning the art form from Uttar +%6-6#%6 + 6-++, of red, blue and yellow for specific bone of Super 30. This is what has been shown in the film as Kamalabari Satra under the guidance of dance numbers. Earlier, velvet and well. gurus Paramananda Barbayan and %7# +*6 83%#6 8 satin were mostly used for creating What took you so long to make your Bollywood debut? Tuniram Barbayan (nritya), Cheniram %76 #%-$ 3% +8 % elaborate costumes. But times Just the right project made me wait for a little longer. There Barbayan (khol bayan), Kamal Bargayan 7# 6*856 !8!3- changed and as the dance evolved, so were times when I did get a couple of roles but it was not some- (gayan), and Baluram Bargayan and did the design and material for the thing I would want to do as my debut film. The films that I want- Gupiram Bargayan (oja). He was just 17 costumes. Now, muga is used to make ed to do didn’t work out due to something or the other. But now when he became the youngest Barbayan region. He was a staunch propagator of Lord the costumes,” Bhabananda says. with Super 30, the wait has been worth it. (one of the 12 cultural heads) of the Sattra. Krishna and didn’t consider him as an incar- The good part is that this dance What was the biggest challenge for you? He tells you that the dance was intro- nation of Lord Vishnu but that he is the form has many takers. “To begin My biggest fear was whether I will be able to pull off the Bihari duced in the 15th century by Sankar Dev, supreme Lord,” Bhabananda tells you. with, not many were interested in character. I have never imagined myself playing a person who a Vaishnavnite saint, scholar, playwright, a The dance itself has elements of mas- learning this dance outside of the is not so good looking, speaks Bihari and has a certain body lan- social and religious reformer from Assam. culinity due to strong Lord Krishna influ- satra. But now that the dance has been guage. I expressed my concern to the creative directors. But I “The drama written by him are ence and the fact that it was solely per- recognised as a classical form, the was told that if Hrithik Roshan can pull it off, why can’t I? That known as ankia naat and sattriya dance, formed by men; this included men dress- younger generation is more open to motivated me to overcome my fear. If it was somebody else in at that time, was a part of it. The idea was ing up as women to perform. learning it. Even though this form is place of Hrithik, who didn’t have to transform to come closer to use dance as a medium of instructions “There is a reason why this dance relatively unknown outside of Assam, to Anand Kumar, then it could have been a bigger challenge for that were mixed entertainment with form is a so male-oriented. The satras con- a lot is being done to promote it via me. devotion,” Bhabananda says. sider Lord Krishna as the man. It was dance festivals that are organised How did you get into the skin of the character? The reason why this dance form, (now much later, in 1960s, that women were across the country. It is a beautiful We did workshops where I learnt body language and dialects. recognised as a classical art form by the taught this dance form. Of course, they dance as it comes with a message — I had to lose a lot of weight too. What really helped me was, before Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2000), spread can’t perform inside the satras. They can how to develop bhakti, love for oth- shifting to Mumbai, I spent 16-17 years of my life in a small town was because the State has over 900 satras only perform on stage as an art form,” ers and spirituality,” Bhabananda of Dhaulpur near Agra. I know the nuances of how people from — Vaishnavite monasteries — an initia- Bhabananda says. says. UP and Bihar think, their body language and personality. They are a little loud when it comes to talking and expressing them- selves; they are not so sophisticated as well. They would hold the hand of their friends while walking. All these minute details helped me to pull of this character well. The makers strictly forbade me to take reference from other    $  " roles. Whenever I needed help, I would call up Pranav (the real person) and ask him how he would react. That helped a lot. How was it to share screen space with Hrithik Roshan? Working with him was a great learning experience. As soon #7+ #1#6+    0   5  ! %   
         ( as he walks in to the set and till the time he leaves, he lives the character. He was speaking to everyone in Bihari. Whether it is any of us have seen the either shown shadows or silhouettes Bazar in Indore; this film is an hon- a co-actor, junior artist or assistant directors, he is a friend to Madhya Pradesh Tourism through colours, faces and or toys. est expression of what one will truly everybody. There was no tantrum throwing or airs about him Mads. Not just the latest — But then the client wanted to show- experience in the State,” Haque tells because he is a star. with the staccato pictures of tourists case what the places really looked like. you. Was it difficult for you to make a switch from TV to films? in must-see places in the State but the An idea was born — to shoot real This campaign bagged a Silver Initially, it was. A very common feedback that I have got dur- earlier one as well — with bobble- people at these locations and put Lion for its editing and a Bronze Lion ing in my auditions for films was that that I was acting in TV heads and kids’ toys and the not to them all together. A tall order and the for its addictive music at Cannes style. I had to put a lot of effort in unlearning and relearning to forget ad back in 2010 that revived the execution was tough as well. The team International Festival of Creativity be able to reinvent myself. Even for stage actors, there was a mis- art shadowgraphy. shot 40,000 pictures in one month. this year in the highly competitive conception that they are always loud but they had to be loud to The idea behind the ads, accord- Selecting and stitching together the Film Craft category. Not only, this be able to heard by the audience sitting in the last row. Similarly, ing to the officials at the tourism final 500-600 pictures took close to before the Cannes 2018, but the there are certain things about TV that you have to do which I department, is not to attract tourists three months and creating that catchy tourism’s toy film has also been had to unlearn to be able to fit in films. That unlearning process by showing them picture perfect, audio which matched beautifully internationally awarded a Graphite was more tedious than the learning which took time. spectacular images which the eyes will with the frames took another month,” Pencil at D&AD Awards 2018 in What difference did you find in acting for films? never see in real, but to show tourist Haque says. Shoreditch, England. Acting is the same everywhere, you have to feel the emo- destinations that look exactly how it Every frame in the film gives the Deepika Roy Choudhury, Deputy tion and emote it. would look in reality and “to create viewer an experience of a tourist vis- Director (Publicity, Creatives & But the treatment is different. Everything is a little stretched the world’s most honest tourism iting these destinations. “Be it the Digital) tells you that tourism is in TV because you have to create content on daily basis and it film.” architectural marvels of Gwalior and overwhelmed by the response that is impossible to shoot 12 to 18 scenes in a day for half an hour Talking about the latest ad, Mandu, the picturesque beauty of audio-visual advertisement (TVC) episode. There are deadlines to meet. You have to deliver on the Azazul Haque, Chief Creative Officer, Pachmarhi and Orchha, the sight of has generated. “I congratulate the spot. In films, you get ample of time to think and work on the Ogilvy, South, tells you that in the ear- the majestic tiger in the National State tourism officials associated with character. lier ads, they had never shown the Parks, the breathtaking views of the the ad for their wonderful effort and What are you working on next? destinations in their real form ever in Dhuadhar falls or the bustling, delec- the overall help in producing such a I have started shooting for second film in Lucknow which any of our previous ads. “We have table tastes and sights of the Sarafa marvel,” Choudhury says. is tentatively titled Family of Thakurgunj.
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f someone had forecasted four years ago I still hoped that it all might just work out. like so many people around me, ‘Casio’ always wide array of ideas and practices under the that I would celebrate my PhD submis- There were five other Indians as well whose (and only) denoted a keyboard and nothing selected theme of ‘art, democracy, and toler- sion in English Literature at Cambridge names appeared in the preliminary confer- else, although it essentially referred to a full- ance’, in what has to be the most intimate of all with an extraordinary trip to Pakistan, I ence list, but unlike me, they would all be fledged electronics company. Years later, the conferences I have ever attended. It took some would have laughed at the strangeness of travelling from India to Lahore. Since I association of my neighbouring country with a time to adjust to the fact that the event was Ithe idea. But the idea is now a reality, and the would be flying from and returning to the refined sense of music would only intensify, being held in the beautiful drawing room of trip is done and dusted and firmly imprinted UK, some sympathetic souls imagined that I and there is hardly a day now when I don’t lis- my hosts, Professor Pervaiz Vandal and his on my mind as one of the most beautiful expe- could be especially lucky. And so, luck did ten to one or two numbers from the extraordi- wife Professor Sajida Haider Vandal, for I was riences of my life. In the middle of this year, I dawn, albeit with some additional drama. nary productions of Coke Studio Pakistan (as I used to the rather impersonal settings that typ- was selected to present a paper at a conference On the day I received the visa from one of write this piece, the transcendental composi- ically define academic assemblages. Not so on the theme of ‘Art, Democracy and the private outlets of the Pakistani High tions of Ustad Farid Ayaz and Ustad Abu here. The papers ranged from topics concen- Tolerance’ organised by the Trust for Heritage, Commission in London, I discovered that my Muhammad play in the background for the trating on the beginnings of liberal and secular Art and passport booklet had got loosened from the umpteenth time, whom I first got to know thought in both the West and East, to com- Architecture of spine of the cover, possibly in response to through Coke Studio). mentaries on Sufi saints, Mughal emperors’ Pakistan some unsophisticated handling during its In the early days of television, my parents secular practices, contemporary conservation (THAAP) in the checks and scans. At the moment of receiving would enthusiastically record musical shows strategies in architecture and heritage manage- city of Lahore. I the document, however, I was too elated by aired from Pakistan via PTV, and I still remem- ment, and creative methods of engaging com- was to speak on the fact that I had finally, really ‘won’ a visa ber the countless times they viewed those pro- mon audiences in developing artistic and the politics of aes- after so much paperwork and coordination, grammes in the grainy, pixelated format that democratic consciousness in a variety of con- thetics in Sanjay which seemed nothing short of a challenging was then the order of the day. But if those texts. Throughout the event, I couldn’t help but Leela Bhansali’s victory, given the countless tales that sur- shows, along with Coke Studio productions, think of the irony springing from the imbal- most controversial rounded its procurement and the mounting demonstrated a palpably sophisticated and lib- ance between what we were all collectively film Padmaavat, pressure of the PhD. The receptionists at the erating sensibility of music entrenched in engaged in versus what was happening outside. on which I had collection centre for their part didn’t consider Pakistan’s cultural ethos, then Shoaib Mansoor’s After every two presentations, a sprawling lay- 3--1$% 1-() already articulated the physical deformation of my passport a big exquisitely crafted 2007 Pakistani drama film, out of food and beverages greeted us in the some ideas in this an issue either, when I made them aware of its Khuda Ke Liye (In the Name of God), also leafy backyard of the Vandal home, where I very newspaper way back in April. At the time condition. It was only later that I confirmed showed another facet of the country, where was greeted with a warmth that is hard to of my selection, I found myself in a frenzy of from relevant authorities that the passport had some circles were extremely conservative about define. I learned that I was the only Indian to writing, since my PhD on British fantasy fic- indeed been damaged. Annoyance and irrita- the place of music and musical joy in society. It have got the visa after 2015, even though tion was just a few months away from the tion entered me while another part of myself was this duality of dispositions that eventually THAAP (the organisation) had been selecting October deadline. Nonetheless, the opportu- tried to keep the wildness of my imagination %76-6 6-6 greeted me as I landed in Lahore within the numerous Indians every year. It was then that I nity from the city of Lahore came with a sense at bay as to ‘why’ and ‘how’ had the visa book- *83+%6## 5856+%# wee hours of the beginning of November. truly realised how lucky I was to be present of excitement and wonder, paving way for a let got loosened. After all, I had a doctoral dis- there. But this sense of good fortune increased dramatic turn of events that would keep me sertation to submit within a month’s time, and 76+  *83+O% n hour before taking off from many times over once I mingled with the on my toes and eventually usher in a new that required its own mental energy. Applying L3%6 !+!8+% Heathrow in London, I learned from sundry Pakistanis present at the event (which sense of vitality and being. For as the old for a new ‘tatkaal’ passport further took its 76%76-  # + Athe conference organisers about the was open to the public), from students to lec- Punjabi saying goes: “Jinhan Lahore nahi time and expenses, but despite the persistent historic judgment on the Asia Bibi blasphemy turers and other professionals. Before leaving waikhaya o jammia hi nahi” (“One who advice of well-wishers to altogether drop the !1#%+ 8- + K case, that had thrown the country in turmoil for the conference, I had heard several tales hasn’t seen Lahore has not been born yet”). idea of going, I couldn’t quite settle with their % #  #8 16 and forced the cancellation of the conference almost bordering on the legendary about the The notion and process of acquiring a visa proposition, for this still seemed too precious inauguration on the first day, since the venue love and respect that Lahoris had for Indians, for Pakistan as an Indian citizen has developed an opportunity to lose. The greatest assurance 7856$ 5M <#% 86# lay in a “high risk area”. Meanwhile, my but it was only when I found myself in their an incredulous appeal about itself in popular and decisive factor, however, came from my 66 16  -6-%7 accommodation had also been changed, and presence did I realise the truth of that claim. consciousness. More than one person believed conference organisers themselves, who not mobile networks had been completely shut As Pervaiz sa’ab introduced me to the that, “Indians were not allowed to travel to only apologised for all the unnecessary and 8 #8-%#$ %O# %-36A down for two days. I could sense that the gathering as the sole Indian present (who Pakistan”, a near de-facto utterance that unforeseen trouble I had to undergo, but also    drama that had begun with my passport had had managed to get a ‘visa’, for the word popped up when I told them that I ‘might’ promised to refund me for the new passport in no plans of abating, and so I entered the ‘visa’ was still circulating), a number of peo- soon be travelling to our neighbouring coun- addition to paying for the entirety of the con-   country to find it in a storm of anger and ple from all ages stood up to welcome me try. Other more knowledgeable folks averred: ference travel and accommodation. It is easy  :8+6 78 7#+O% violence. Islamist hardliners raged across dif- individually, shaking hands and hugging me “How would I get the visa”? ‘Visa’ was mostly to let annoyance and irritation transform into ferent parts of Lahore, protesting against the like a long lost friend now returning home. I what I heard when I mentioned ‘Pakistan’ to anger, and to let that anger mutate into para- #66+ 78-6 7# acquittal of the Christian woman over a nine- heard several other visa-related stories too any South Asian around me. Of course, the noia (to be honest, such metamorphosis is +8% 66+ 8-+ M6%; year-old alleged profanity, and with this, I from this side of the border, even as the reason for such reactions was well-known, often subconscious). But here I was, having received a slice of fundamentalism that typi- Pakistanis expressed heartfelt concern and given the history of relations between the two the choice to forgive the drama of damage and cally characterises much popular opinion genuine sympathy for what had transpired countries. But it was still somewhat off-putting control, and accept the incredible generosity of about Pakistan the world over. But after the with regard to my passport. During lunches to experience the negativity inherent in that my hosts, that sowed the seeds of reorienting cancellation of the inauguration, the confer- and teas, some students conveyed their questioning, even though, on the other hand, I my perspective. And in retrospect, I am only ence nonetheless began on the second day, desire to share food from the same plate as knew equally well that this querying was prin- too glad that better sense prevailed and and along with it evolved a completely differ- mine as a mark of respect and love, while cipally an expression of concern and genuine warmth won over worry. ent image of the nation and its citizens, one another, after my presentation, became visi- interest. Just a month before receiving my own I like to believe that the beginnings of my that was rooted in congeniality, kindness, and bly emotional and offered his watch as a gift invitation in July, media across the world was musical sensibilities as an amateur pianist lie a hospitality that simply has no parallel. of brotherhood in addition to apologising for splashed with reports on India banning several in Pakistan. More than 25 years ago, my father As extremists took over the streets outside, not having anything “proper” to give me. Pakistani origin academics from attending a had bought me a small toy keyboard from his not very far from our venue, a motley group of seminar in the country. I, therefore, had rea- first and only trip to Lahore, that I taught speakers predominantly from Pakistan and sons enough to think the same way as my myself to play over the years following the age handful from other countries (Austria, interrogators (“how would I get the visa”), but of five. That was a small ‘Casio’ model, and Australia, Indonesia, and India) discussed a DD C
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hen, owing to the theme of of THAAP, all mostly Muslim, life teaching in a local school my paper, yet another and that friendship again gave me here, for he had fallen in love group of students happily hope and happiness. with Lahore when he first visited Tapproached me to ‘guide’ them :   In the days that followed, it it. Like him, I too had assimilat- on a film assignment, and I had was this practice of friendship ed myself in the people around a rather joyful time holding an that continuously got intensified me, and by the middle of my impromptu session there and This is not to say that there precisely this microcosm of inter- instructive to learn the disturbing with all the people I met. After week-long stay, I was comfort- then. While making such con- weren’t people who disagreed religious aesthetic that I experi-  6@!6-6+*6  stories of discrimination he had the conference, I shifted to anoth- able doing a gesture that oddly nections, every second person with my analysis, but rather to enced when I visited Cooco’s Den, been facing in the new city. He er beautiful location where I was combined Namaste with As- intoned his or her sadness point out that the setting I found one of the most famous restau- 5*-8*8#5 8 told me about the times that he being hosted by my wonderful Salaam-Alaikum (‘Peace be unto regarding the political enmity myself in was as liberal and con- rants of Lahore that is located in +%6-F-6,83# had to hide behind his religion- friends, Sahar and Fazal Khan, you’). As I got ready for my between the two nations, a vis- ducive to my ideas as any other. the city’s famous Food Street, neutral surname to avert discrim- whom I had first met in farewell in the early hours of ceral emotion that also seemed Even though I had read articles which I randomly chanced upon 6#%76%* 76+  ination on the basis of his first, Cambridge three years ago. Like November 8, Sahar and Fazal to erupt as a desire to prove that earlier this year on how a num- with a newly made conference <#%6 *88*8O# Hindu-sounding name. But after the people at the conference, prepared a delicious Diwali din- their country had another side to ber of Pakistanis were deeply friend Adnan, who was extremely speaking poignantly about his Sahar and Fazal’s hospitality too ner, and I happily WhatsApped a it that had nothing to do with offended by the filmmaker’s por- excited to show me around the 6+  583# plight, it was equally moving to moved me to tears as they left no photograph of the Badshahi the largely negative, ‘terrorist’ trayals of Islamic culture, my city and introduce me to other hear him narrate a number of stone unturned to make my stay a Masjid to my friends and family image that still floated so freely. own experiences at the confer- Lahoris. Reaching the restaurant’s -6#%3-+% + other stories as well which shed most comfortable one. It was with in the manner of a festival card. At such moments, I was remind- ence proved otherwise, for with terrace left me speechless for a 78-6 78#6 light on some extraordinary them that I ‘formally’ celebrated After my father had returned ed of many similar testimonies its diversity of people, the event while as I soaked in the grandness moments when his close Muslim my PhD submission dinner, from Lahore a quarter of a century from Pakistani youth whose demonstrated that there simply of the 17th Century Badshahi -*7%6*%3-6 friends and teachers had come to which they grandly organised at ago, he often used to say: “Unhone writings I was privileged to was no ‘one’ Pakistani identity Mosque sitting majestically at a +  *8- !M his defence in order to combat the Lahore Gymkhana, as well as humein palkon par hi bitha kar examine as a final panel jury that informed an opinion, and distance, while the architecture bigotry from other Muslims. One the Diwali meal. When Fazal nahi rakha, unhone palkein jhap- member of the Queen’s that fresh analytical standpoints and décor of the eatery itself paid 785,6 %8 such friend was sitting in our drove me across the lanes of kaai tak nahi”, something which I Commonwealth Essay Writing always held the power to initiate homage to Buddhism, 37#5 midst itself (Adnan), patiently and Lahore in his car, just like Adnan find difficult to translate, but Competition in 2016 and 2017, newer ways of thinking Christianity, and Hinduism. As sympathetically listening to his had driven me on his bike, there which loosely means that “not the world’s largest literary con- (notwithstanding the disagree- we walked through the Food *7-#%+%M friend’s experiences, and his were countless moments when I only did the Lahoris treat us with test for school children (inciden- ments) if provided a safe and Street, the connections with + 7+3#5 demeanour was a living testimony couldn’t quite pinpoint whether I exquisite care, their treatment also tally, this year’s senior winner peaceful environment (like the Saawariya became even more to the idea of tolerance that we was in Pakistan or India: It was never wavered for a bit”. Years from a total of 12,000 young conference itself). apparent as I learned that the area had been debating in the confer- all so like home. Connections later, I can safely say that the say- people across 53 countries hails I had been drawn to historically served as Lahore’s red few hours earlier. In retrospect, it ence. In this short, one-week visit continued to mushroom as my ing holds incredibly true, and from Lahore). With this enor- Bhansali’s cinema for a long time light district where erstwhile feels nothing short of magical that then, I had got the rare opportu- walk outside the Lahore Museum that my visit does feel like a mously profound culture of before Padmaavat, not because of princes and aristocrats would I had come to Pakistan to deliver nity to interact with the minority brought back the introductory rebirth of sorts (Jinhan Lahore warmth and bonhomie that its grandiosity but because of its come to learn tehzeeb (manner- a paper on Padmaavat and would communities of Pakistan as well, pages from Rudyard Kipling’s nahi waikhaya o jammia hi nahi). never ceased to move me, all my eclecticism that I could trace in isms) from courtesans, a point leave it having taken a slice of the which included the conference Kim that I had first read in Class I am privileged to have travelled apprehensions regarding my own every film of his oeuvre. My well illustrated in several early inspirational context for my driver who was ferrying me back V, and the gorgeous murals and to the ‘Land of the Pure’, and in paper also got dispelled, for I favourite was and still remains the Hindi films and then memori- favourite director’s next venture. and forth from the event, who stonework at the Lahore Fort and the hope of peace and friendship, was to argue against the inter- box-office flop Saawariya, and I alised by Bhansali’s venture. It was in the setting of Cooco’s had similarly expressed fear as a Jahangir’s Tomb evoked the fine here’s to Lahore, with love. pretations that rendered continue to get enchanted by its Returning to the hotel, I was fur- Den that I had a long conversa- Christian, particularly in light of craftsmanship of the Mughals & +  "! 9   Bhansali’s Padmaavat and the marvellous juxtaposition of multi- ther thrilled to read the news that tion with Adnan and another the recent judgment’s aftermath. and Sikhs in India. I was also for-    %    +  director himself as Islamophobic faith imagery, with Buddhist stat- the director might be eyeing the friend of his on religious identity. But like the Hindu man’s bonding tunate to meet Ryan, a young  4        and misogynist — a position I ues sitting comfortably in the Heera Mandi area for his next This other friend was a Hindu, with Adnan, this driver too British whom I had known only 4   +  >
   had already chalked out in a presence of Islamic calligraphy film, for that was the other name who had recently shifted to shared a wonderfully convivial cursorily in Cambridge, who had 2+      %   concise form in this newspaper. and Christian architecture. It was of the place I had visited only a Lahore from Sindh, and it was relationship with other members decided to devote two years of his 2     ++,-./
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aushik Basu currently is, by giving advantages to a spe- teaches Economics cific group over another or sev- and International eral others. But predictably, Basu Studies at Cornell is not for allowing free play to it University in the US. with its overtones of apartheid. KHe has had an illustrious career, He writes: “The popular with distinguished stints as chief view is that if you leave it all to economist and senior vice presi- the market, with no dent at the World Bank, and later, Government regulations and in this neck of the woods, Basu intervention, discrimination was chief economic adviser to the will go away, is not valid. Government of India during UPA Discrimination arises from a rule. Basu mostly leans Left in his free market. If you want to stop economic ideas, and is a former discrimination, you may, in fact, student, amongst several others, need regulation and conscious of Nobel Laureate and “Welfare” affirmative action”. economist Amartya Sen — who is Kaushik Basu is certainly also from India and a fellow not for rank Capitalism. He Bengali too. %( $(=,3 writes: “Once we move beyond This latest, extensively #/ (,3(/ payoff-focused critiques to gen- researched book, that quotes eralised ones, many challenges many thinkers to illustrate his 4 7   open up. Human beings are points, has Kaushik Basu explor- 
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 guided not just by their own ing the co-relationship between ;EE payoffs but also by habit, fair- laws and economics. It tries, to an ness, altruism, empathy, envy extent to speak to the ordinary and many other emotional and reader, but is, in fact, quite an much ado, is less than convincing. psychological proclivities... academic tome. Still, some of its However, for a left-leaning Conservative economists , who basic premises are readily gras- thinker, inclusiveness must appear condone selfishness by believing pable. Why are some laws both far more attractive as a basis to Adam Smith’s concept of the obeyed and enforced, he asks, build upon, rather than a top- invisible hand will invariably lead while others stay quite ineffective down approach to economic such a society to optimal results, on the statute books? In India, he order and law-giving. Even if the end up creating failed societies”. points out, there are, in fact, many latter method goes back to the Is Basu right? That depends laws that are rarely used or Hammurabi Code and Moses’ Ten on your own politics and eco- enforced. Basu writes, that in Commandments. nomics. But he certainly puts out order for a law to be properly Basu is an admirer of the an entertaining variation on implemented and used, it must ancient Greek City States, and the Nash’s Game Theory to support intersect at a “focal point” with way they went about their busi- his plumping for the old econom- society and its economic ideas. the republic of beliefs,” writes to influence and alter the collec- fies further: “What the focal for different groups of people”. In ness. He wants to see the princi- ic concept of the Focal Point. In other words it must make Kaushik Basu. He goes on to tive behavior of its people towards approach to law and economics a highly diversified country like ples enunciated then, spread Is such a thing rather theoreti- sense both to the enforcers of the write: “The focal point is a some- preset objectives. In this, he goes does is to take on the full econo- India this becomes doubly rele- across a 21st century global can- cal when it comes to Law and law and the people it is intended what mysterious concept that beyond the more usual objective my game, including the police vant and even more difficult to vas to the extent possible. But this Economics? My view is that it cer- for. Otherwise, both are likely to emerged from modern game the- of an “orderly society” so that and the judge, and then tries to arrive at. Traditional laws, he says, tends to be an impossible seduc- tainly is. And also it is not the job collude in its subversion or leav- ory”. This concept of intersecting economics can do its stuff in explain how and why the law were less inclusive in their tion, as the many self-contradic- of Law so much as Justice to set ing it on the shelf. beliefs however, is the main point peace. He actually wants to influ- works”. In other words, you need approach, and usually were made tory effects in Democracy show. Society on the right track. “The most important ingredi- of this book, and Basu’s sugges- ence the populace via the laws all the ingredients to be in some up based on the consensus of a The idea is pleasant, but it is not Economics marches to its own ents of a republic, including its tions towards a more effective adopted. He writes, “The focal form of tacit agreement on the few, and then, sometimes easy to remain democratic in a drummer. Recent progressive power and might, reside in noth- socio-legal environment essential point approach relies on the premises assumed by both the imposed, when they were vigor- so-called Democracy! Supreme Court judgements on ing more than the beliefs and for orderly progress, are predicat- expressive function or suggestive given law, and the economic con- ously enforced, upon the many. Focal points can be arrived at Homosexuality, Triple Talaq, and expectations of ordinary people ed upon it. power of the law and not on any text it operates in, for it to be He states that is why they often via custom, and tradition, writes women between the ages of 12 and going about their daily lives and Basu believes one of the pur- human irrationality. It is purely a widely adopted and used. did not work, even though his Basu, as in the “tenacious” Indian 50 being allowed to go to a revered quotidian chores. It is in this poses of law, which is an instru- device that uses suggestion to But, quite often, “It is not evi- outright demoting of the tradi- caste system. They can also be temple that kept them out for mil- sense that we are all citizens of ment of the State as a collective, is facilitate coordination”. Basu clari- dent what constitutes a focal point tional approach without very arrived at by discrimination. That lennia, are all cases in point.

order to save a childhood    "      memory — the book is filled ':          ( - "  with priceless narratives. Even though its such a !!)  ((   2    ( short book, Bond has managed to fill selected sections with elements of the gothic. In a !'C(!    
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n December 10, the Universal demands of the rights holders than WIPO. It is believed that a human ODeclaration of Human Rights serving common man on the road. rights perspective of the WIPO (UDHR) of the UN is completing its Far beyond this, much contro- would provide greater accessibility 70th anniversary. At this juncture, versial TPP (minus America) is and participation of society. It is our planet has seen numerous increasingly becoming a grave threat interesting to note that there is noth- instances of horrendous violation of to human rights protection in sev- ing in the WIPO mandate that pre- the basic human rights of the mil- eral fields. Even way back in 2016, vents the organisation from stress- lions. While looking at these an independent UN expert on ing human rights to a greater extent, tragedies, many of us have com- human rights, Dr Alfred de Zayas, the integration of human rights into pletely overlooked how human warned that the TPP is a serious existing IPR policies and pro- rights of the indigenous people, the threat to human rights and no grammes into the future develop- needy and the poor are violated by country should sign it. Further he ment of the WIPO Development giant multinational corporations commented that the Investor State Agenda. This would finally be (MNCs) in the guise of protecting Dispute Settlement (ISDS), a unique advancement in building up a their prized Intellectual Property built-in mechanism in the TPP, arbi- human rights framework for the Rights (IPRs). trations are fundamentally imbal- WIPO. It has happened mainly in the anced and unjust, adding that the With the Doha Declaration of field of traditional knowledge, historic agreement conflicted with 2001, the lingering doubts over the health, food and Geographical guarantees of human rights and jurisprudential grounding or the Indications (GI) in several parts of State sovereignty in the UN Charter. interface between human rights the developing world. This does not He said, “The last 25 years and the IPRs should have been over. bear the fact that human rights and have delivered numerous examples Because this declaration tried to the IPRs are two antagonistic poles of abuse of rights by investors and moderate the TRIPs Agreement to by nature. However, ironically, the unconscionable arbitral awards that be responsive to the development two of them have been put in par- have not only led to violations of imperative that it alleged to have allel lines by many to serve their human rights, but have engendered sidelined or rather ignored. But then vested interests. a ‘regulatory chill’ or even a ‘regu- since 2001, the emergence of The interface between human latory freeze’.” In a nutshell, what has numerous post-TRIPs bilateral and rights and IPRs draw the attention come around and making headlines multilateral treaties has further of the governments, policy makers, in popular perception today is that raised the concern of violation of civil society organisations (CSOs), business treaties, particularly mega human rights. and a number of individual activists. deals like the TRIPS or the TPP, At this point, when the entire The irony is that these actors pose harm to basic freedoms and world is fast moving towards an era advance human rights arguments as rights such as access to water, food, of “intellectual capitalism”, such an counterweights to the massive medicine, education and very seri- advanced system of social relations extension and the enforcement of ously to a clean environment. Above is defined not more by social divi- the global IPR regime from the all, these trade treats make poverty sions of labour but by social divi- World Intellectual Property even worse on this planet. sions of knowledge. Organization (WIPO) through the It is widely argued that the These divisions are widely WTO-TRIPS (Trade Related WIPO, the nodal and specialised reflected in continuous creation of Aspects of Intellectual Property agency of the UN, needs to walk an knowledge pools, clusters and net- Rights) to the Trans-Pacific '      5"1,-.75   "        9  K   > #  2
!+F '" extra mile for turning the existing works both at global and local lev- Partnership (TPP) of our time in the global IPR regime into a more els which have become irresistible fields of health, education, freedom human rights friendly one. Equally today. What holds the key of this of expression, privacy and the rights mostly restricted to the developed rights perspective is of recent origin rights and IPRs go together and Besides, Article 25.1 of the the WTO-TRIPS framework is to marauding expansionist regime is of indigenous people. countries. The harbinger of its than IPRs, though concern and where they come in conflict. UDHR states, “Everyone has the see that the developing and the least the centrality of the intangible form Simultaneously, innovators and modern form came along with two struggle for basic rights is as old as Notwithstanding their long period right to a standard of living adequate developed nations should not lose of property than the age-old tangi- owners of IP are offering human trendsetting multilateral treaties human civilisation. of separation or non-interaction, to the health of himself and his fam- their valued resources in the hands ble properties such as land and rights justification for seeking legal which took place by the end of the From these humble beginnings, there are ample juridical evidences ily, including clothing, housing and of the MNCs of the developed industrial assets. Simply put, it is a protection of their exclusive rights. 19th century: The Paris Convention both human rights and IPRs terrain that they converge both on con- medical care and necessary social world in the name of research, phenomenal change and a paradigm But then it is possible to envi- of Industrial Property (1883) and evolved much faster than one could ceptual and practical grounds. And, services.” While offering clear legal development and creation of more shift. At this hour, a sustained guar- sion the connection between human the Berne Convention of Literary imagine in their geographic scope, it is precisely mentioned in the backing to these provisions of the employment opportunities for antee of the protection of our basic rights and IPRs as kind of massive and Artistic Works (1886). substantive reach and in prescrip- International Bill of Rights. The UDHR, the International Covenant locals. human rights while promoting and expansion of the horizons of both This has literally laid the foun- tive detail. Thus, issues multiplied, Article 27 of the UDHR provides: on Economic, Social and Cultural The WIPO and the WTO pol- exploiting the IPRs is to be ensured domestic and international legal dation stone of the international IPR with the advancement of the infor- A) Everyone has the right freely Rights (ICESCR) of 1966 in its icy-making and implementation by the international watchdogs such instruments over the years. In fact, regime much before the onset of the mation revolution and population, to participate in the cultural life of Article 12.1 says State parties to the are to ensure that the needy and as the WIPO, the WTO and the growth of global institutions and two World Wars which largely accompanied by an array of actors the community, to enjoy the arts and Covenant recognises the “right of poor are away from the clutches of through an overall supervision of awareness about them has sup- affected the conception of the glob- mostly heralded by globalisation to share in scientific advancement everyone to the enjoyment of the the giant corporations while the UN by sticking to the cardinal ported the coming of human rights al human rights framework. Only and technology. It is realised that the and its benefits. highest attainable standard of phys- expanding and promoting the new principles of the UDHR with the and IPRs to a point of conversion. after 65 years of the starting of the form and pattern of the juridical B) Everyone has the right to the ical and mental health”. IPR network. Some researchers assistance of an array of civil rights Needless to say, initially, the Paris Convention, the first UN boundary, as well as a mature inter- protection of the moral and mate- Today, overall impression is have already had their opinions that groups and activists. whole journey of IPRs started with sponsored human rights declaration face between human rights and the rial interests resulting from any sci- that the global IP regime directly there has been a serious lack of discrete bilateral agreements saw its beginning. Thus the incep- IPRs are yet to crystallise. entific, literary or artistic production supervised by the WTO and post- emphasis of basic or human rights (The writer is an expert on between nations of Europe and tion of an international human Now let us see how human of which he is the author. TRIPS WIPO truly caters to the in the works and all treaties of the International affairs)

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here are many reasons to Khalistan movement was seen lynchpin for all ties with that left 19 soldiers dead. Trefuse the resumption of with Imran Khan during the Pakistan. Beijing has prodded The Pakistan Army has dialogue with Pakistan. India inauguration. Pakistan to stabilise its border emerged as the self-designated has been reiterating talks and After coming to power, with India, hoping for greater custodian of Pakistan’s des- terror cannot coexist. This pol- Imran said, “My Government stability as it pursues its region- tiny, unity and ideology. It has icy has been conceived with is not to be blamed for the exis- al economic ambitions. sustained its grip on power and clarity based on realism and tence of terror structures in Harsh American cut-off influence because of the wide- subsequently pursued with Pakistan.” This looks a blatant in military aid and economic spread perceptions and propa- consistency. lie. His ministers share the bailout from the International ganda that India is an existen- Since 2015, India has seen public chair with the master- Monetary Fund (IMF) are the tial threat. an upsurge in cross-border fir- minds of the terror groups. unstated objectives guiding In 2015 when Modi flew to ing, ceasefire violations along Earlier, he wrote a letter to his Pakistan’s eagerness for peace. Lahore and embraced then the Line of Control and inter- counterpart in India, saying, But why should India take Prime Minister Nawaj Sharif, national border in Jammu & “Pakistan and India have the bait? Pakistan continues to there was a sense that relations Kashmir. There are clear signs understandably challenging hurt India. Recently Pakistan will improve. But India was dis- that the Pakistan Army and the relationships. We, however, released 20 special stamps in appointed. The good gestures ISI are doing everything to owe it to our people, especial- solidarity with Kashmiri ter- were rewarded with the Uri destabilise Kashmir. ly the future generation to rorism, which glorify Burhan attack and intensified insur- But in a friendly gesture peacefully resolve all out- Wani, the Hizbul Mujahideen gencies. The current game plan towards India, the Imran Khan standing issues, including the terrorist killed by security of Pakistan is two-fold. First, Government in Pakistan Jammu & Kashmir dispute, to forces in 2016. Army doctrine is to open the opened Kartarpur Sahib bridge differences and achieve The true face of Imran has peace gate through civilian Corridor. However, it is not a mutually beneficial outcome.” been exposed in his first few Government and it will run its enough to resume the stalled Pakistan is not seen to be months in office, said External own game of infiltrations. bilateral talks. Former Prime acting against the perpetrators Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Second, if talks fail, India will Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of terror. It has yet not said Raveesh Kumar, adding that be blamed. Unless the Pakistan had first advocated for the goodbye to terror as foreign (% 6  + + " (     @  + ) ++!+;<(      talks under the circumstances Army abandons the use of ter- corridor when he took the bus policy. 26/11 Mumbai terror         +  4    %   ) ++D8 +  "& were meaningless. Hizbul ror as it security doctrine, trip to Lahore in 1999. Prime masterminds Hafiz Saeed and Mujahideen terrorists are resumption of dialogue is not Minister Narendra Modi Lakhvi roam free in Pakistan pressing local policemen of possible. India is now a decisive approved the corridor. and publicly spew venom Therefore, if Imran is harping kets. India sees Imran’s out- situation in the country. The deep-rooted democratic set-up. J&K to resign, failing which power, and diktats of external Pakistan’s decision to agree to against India. on the resumption of bilateral reach as the desire of the Bajwa Doctrine has linked Pakistan outreach is also they are brutally killed. All powers do not work any longer. the Kartarpur Corridor was It is an open secret that dialogue, in fact it is the Pakistan Army and believes he Pakistani economy to the due to the Chinese pressure. these are happening at behest driven by a desire to emerge Pakistan is run by its military. Pakistan Army’s proxy move. will present General Bajwa’s regional security. In despera- Those who know Chinese pol- of Pakistan. (The author teaches out of its current state of iso- Policies are structured by the A key objective for demands. tion, the Pakistan Army chief icy understand it better that Dialogue between India Political Science and IR at lation and to cash in on the Army. And most likely, Imran Pakistan in reaching out to The Pakistan Army has approached Indian Army Chief Beijing’s interests in Pakistan and Pakistan has been sus- MMH College Ghaziabad. opportunity to radicalise the was supported to become India is to unlock trade barri- realised country’s battered Bipin Rawat, but the overtures are of paramount interest. For pended since 2015 over a series Earlier, he was Head of the pilgrims from India. And Prime Minister so as to act as ers, which would give Pakistan economy as a security threat proved futile. Perhaps, General Beijing, China-Pakistan of attacks, especially the terror Department of Political Science, therefore, a leader of the dead a rubber stamp of the Army. more access to regional mar- that may aggravate insurgency Bajwa forgot that India has a Economic Corridor is the attack on Army camp in Uri Central University of Haryana)
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racial discrimination will end and taken aback. She thought that per- “You will send your wife to jail?” the three pound tax will be haps she had not heard him prop- “Shouldn’t women be part- removed. Mohandas was not erly. “What are you saying?” ners to the men in whatever hap- reassured by the promises given “I was telling you that very pens? Sita took part in Ram’s by the Government to Gokhale. soon you will not be my duly struggles. Taramati took equal He said, “I know the Government married spouse. You will be con- part in Harishchandra’s troubles. here very well. I understand the sidered my mistress.” Kasturba They bore incredible pain for mindset of the Ministers. Have thought he was teasing her. their self respect and to protect they given anything in writing?” “What an inauspicious thing to what was good and true.” Gokhale said with complete say... sometimes the things you “They were divine beings, we assurance, “Whatever I have said say have no head or tail.” are ordinary mortals,” countered will definitely happen. General “I am not saying this,’ said Kasturba. “They are still wor- Botha has promised me.” He gave Mohandas very calmly, shipped today. Would that be so, Mohandas further personal “General Smuts says that our if they hadn’t sacrificed so much assurance, “Brother, you see after marriage is not legal.” “He is for the truth?” Mohandas was one year... you will have seen mad. He does not know what enjoying this discussion, “We are everything go right and you will nonsense he is spouting. the descendants of Ram and Sita. come to India, no excuses then...” Where does he get his weird If we do the same, we will be Mohandas said with polite firm- ideas from?” She was not will- known in the same way.” ness, “Forgive me, but I am not as ing to talk about the General’s “How will I live on jail food?” n 1912, senior Congress hopeful as you are. Before I foolish pronouncements. “Up “That is not a big problem,” said leader and a prominent return, many Indians would have to you,” said Mohandas, “But he in a neutral manner.” Ask for member of the Viceroy gone to jail.” It is hard to know he and the Government are fruits and manage.” “After all that Council, Gopal Krishna whether Gokhale took quite serious about this.” I have heard from you about the Gokhale, was coming to Mohandas’s words amiss or not, A Muslim woman had come officials in jail, how can I believe SouthI Africa for a month. but he held his peace. from India to join her husband. that they will make fruits avail- Mohandas considered him his One day, very politely She was stopped at the port. She able to me when I ask for them?” political guru. Actually, it was on Gokhale ji criticised Mohandas’s had challenged this in court. The “Perhaps not,” said Mohandas his insistence that Gokhale was hard stance and domineering Supreme Court judge, Mr Surley, looking hopeless, “There is only coming to South Africa to see the nature, “You always do things had given a judgment that a mar- one way — hunger strike.” condition of the Indians there. He your own way.” Based on his riage that had not been conduct- “First you will send me to jail should see how the Government experience at Tolstoy Farm, he ed in the Christian tradition and and then you want me to die in a was applying anti-Girmitiya laws warned his disciple and friend if there was no certificate of mar- hunger strike. What sort of hus- and making life very difficult for that his personality, with its inex- riage, it cannot be considered band are you?” “If you die, I will the Indians. Gandhi Bhai would orable discipline and ruthless self legal. In one fell swoop, ten thou- worship you like a Goddess.” update him regularly about what- sacrifice, becomes autocratic for sand Muslims, Hindus, and Parsi “If that is the case, I will go to ever was happening in South everybody else. He said this like a marriages had been declared ille- jail so that you get a chance to Africa, so he knew quite a lot. brother citing his own example. gal and the children illegitimate. worship me.” Both of them Being a distinguished member of But upon his return to India, The children could not be legal laughed like friends do. the Viceroy Council, he was given when he heard that the heirs to the property of their par- Mohandas had mentioned an official red carpet welcome in Government of South Africa had ents. Wives would be banished the possibility of her being called Cape Town. gone back on its word, he saw from the country. Any soldier his mistress in jest, as the final British and Indians, both light in Mohandas’s strong con- can come and sleep with any judgment had not come until were present in the welcome cer- victions and his moral leadership. woman in the household. then. But now it was permeating emony. The way the Government He accepted before the public of Mohandas had written to the environment. There was had publicised his arrival led to a Bombay, that Gandhi had an General Smuts that the marriages wrath among the public. surge of hope among the Indians amazing spiritual energy to make in India, as per their religion, Kasturba was agitated. Mohandas that their demands would be even his ordinary functionary a should be considered legal as had brought up childhood mem- approved. But Kasturba was not sacrificing leader. they have all been conducted ories with the mention of Sita among the optimists. She knew In 1913, Mohandas according to religious customs and Taramati. Even then, she that after Gokhale leaves, Indians announced that he was moving and tradition. South Africa is a used to wonder if girls could be would be victims of official the centre of the Satyagraha colony of the British empire and like these heroic women? An neglect once again. movement from Tolstoy Ashram the British officialdom recognises image of Rani Laxmibai would The Government had put a to Phoenix. This made Kasturba them. Therefore, the court’s judg- come up. She remembered how railway car at his disposal. happier than she had been in ment should be rejected. His her mother used to say that Rani Mohandas and Kallenbach were months. She was not in the least request was not accepted. Laxmibai was a modern heroine on call for him. Gokhale had bothered that it meant moving Kasturba was deeply troubled born a little before our times. She travelled extensively by railway her household again. This was a by this whole episode. “What will had proved that all those who car. Meeting almost all sections return home. we do now?” she asked. “Women loved her were under her protec- of society, he had taken detailed One day, Mohandas said to will have to raise their voices tion. She was as brave as any information and notes personally. Kasturba, “Do you know that very against this humiliation. They man can be. Kasturba had He had two meetings with the soon I will not be your husband or will have to oppose it.” He accepted that the battle that highest officials of the South you, my wife?” This conversation paused, “You should go to jail, Mohandas was fighting was nec- African Government. After the was taking place in the kitchen like the men.” Kasturba thought essary. Her responsibility was meeting, he told Mohandas that and Kasturba was making prepa- he was joking. The idea of equal to her husband’s. all matters had been settled. The rations for dinner and Mohandas women going to jail was laugh- 9  +   Black Law will be abolished, was cutting vegetables. She was able, so she recovered her poise, +#  (  %    R     

exico’s new President has space,” he said. Next, the presi- unveiled a plan to  5  8           (   dential jet is going. And all the Maddress US-bound flotilla of helicopters.” migration, signing an agreement He then listed the multitude with Central American leaders 3#F ( (        "    %   7--6% 6@+6- of ways in which, from now, within hours of donning the public servants will be held to presidential sash. Andres Manuel as a gesture of goodwill, and unlike his predecessors — and account. His entire, extensive, Lopez Obrador was always thanking Mike Pence, the Vice- the sound of traditional music social welfare plan is based on expected to hit the ground run- President, for being there. and orchestras flowed through the simple idea of ending cor- ning — but even so, the speed of He then moved on to thank the sprawling compound. ruption. “A lot of people are ask- the announcement surprised all. King Felipe of Spain and the Mexicans poured in to pose in ing where we are going to get the In a deal that will likely assembled Presidents for their front of the imposing gates, money from,” he said. “We are delight Donald Trump, Lopez presence — then giving a special besides flower signs welcoming going to free up so much funds, Obrador agreed with the mention to Jeremy Corbyn, his the public. Queues snaked because corruption is over. Presidents of Honduras and friend and ally of many years. through the lush gardens to get There will no longer be luxury Guatemala, and the Vice- “Present today is my friend into the house where, until the in Government.” President of El Salvador, to cre- Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the day before, Enrique Pena Nieto Trips abroad will be strictly ate a fund to stem the US-bound Labour Party of Great Britain,” and his family had lived and curtailed, and chauffeurs flow of migrants. Leaders of the Lopez Obrador told the packed worked. “I mean, I know they removed for all but the most four countries have agreed to Chamber of Deputies, as have to live well,” said one senior officials. Bodyguards ask their finance ministries, in Corbyn stood up from his seat woman, entering the atrium will only be provided to those the first quarter of 2019, to behind Ivanka to wave and beneath a huge chandelier. “But working in security; there will come up with a plan which accept the applause. this is ridiculous.” be no more private medical includes “programmes, projects, More controversial to the With more than a passing care, and computer systems and and specific actions, for the sake assembled deputies and digni- resemblance to the Iraqis, who furnishings of offices can not of jobs generation and fighting taries was Nicolas Maduro, the wandered freely through the be updated for at least the first poverty in the region”. Venezuelan President, who was deposed Saddam Hussein’s year. “No public servant can The programmes will be sup- forced to stay away from the cer- palace, Mexicans, jaws agape, have servants paid for by the ported by an “integral develop- emony owing to massive passed through what was Pena state,” he said. “No public ser- ment plan”, aimed at making the protests. When his name was Nieto’s office, poked their head vant can close streets, or park Central American nations a bet- mentioned, politicians yelled into his now unfurnished suite where they want,” he added — ter place to live, and thus reduce “Dictator!” and marched to the of bedrooms, and took selfies in to rapturous applause. the number of those leaving. It front of the podium, unfurling a his kitchen. “This place is so Before beginning his 90- will be backed by CEPAL — the banner which read: “Nicolas huge, if I were hungry I’d faint minute speech, he received a economic commission for Latin Maduro, you are not welcome”. before I reached the kitchen,” a blessing from representatives of America and the Caribbean. The Maduro did, however, attend the little girl told her mother. Mexico’s indigenous communi- deal was Lopez Obrador’s first lunch at the National Palace The new President proudly ties — an unprecedented and official act, and a highly signifi- after the ceremony — arriving mentioned the development in profoundly moving gesture. He cant one, likely to curry favour with a huge entourage, who were Miguel Diaz-Canel, and Evo Mexican spices and plantain, palace, Los Pinos, flung open its his speech, addressing tens of promised Mexicans he would from his northern counterpart. not permitted to enter, and then Morales of Bolivia — who earlier and a selection of Mexican wrought-iron green gates and, thousands in Mexico City’s main not let them down, but he urged And Lopez Obrador continued scuffled with security outside that day held a bilateral meeting desserts. for the first time in 80 years, was plaza, the Zocalo. “From this them to give him time. “Have his conciliatory tone throughout the building. with Corbyn. The VIPs then While the official celebra- opened to the public. morning, we’ve opened the patience, and trust me,” he said. the presidential ceremonies, Inside the National Palace, feasted on huitlacoche soup — a tions were continuing, another Lopez Obrador fulfilled his doors of Los Pinos, which has “Because they are handing me a thanking Trump for sending his Maduro took a happy photo classic Mexican fungus — fol- of Lopez Obrador’s policies was promise to turn it into a cultural ceased being a presidential broken country.” daughter Ivanka to represent him seated beside Cuba’s leader, lowed by ribs with corn, being enacted. The presidential centre — he will not live there, palace, and is now a cultural &! & 
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2   22  l’ Blue Eyes is going on the +       auction block. Personal items Obelonging to singer Frank Sinatra and his wife Barbara went on ( (   (      display in New York, before an auc- tion of Barbara Sinatra’s estate set for "     next month at Sotheby’s. The collec- tion — expected to fetch at least  N    O $ $3.5m — includes the engagement ring Sinatra gave his wife, trinkets from US Presidents he palled around #    8   with, and a Norman Rockwell paint- ing of Sinatra that he commissioned     << ,-8#18! directly from the artist. Barbara Sinatra was his fourth wife, and they were married for 22 years until his death. She died last year, and the items up for sale art collector. You see that he’s a come from the couple’s three romantic husband who likes to gift homes in Palm Springs, Los beautiful things to his wife.” Angeles and Malibu. The priciest piece is the 20-carat “You see many facets of Sinatra diamond engagement ring Frank used you wouldn’t normally see as a fan,” to propose to Barbara, a former said Mari-Claudia Jimenez, a senior showgirl, slipping it into her cham- vice-president at Sotheby’s. “People pagne glass when they were out to 

think of him as a singer or an actor, dinner. Sinatra lavished his wife with but here you learn that he was a expensive jewellery, with many pieces painter. You learn that he was a friend included in the sale. “He would put to every US President from Truman $100,000 necklaces in her pockets to Q
 
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  to Clinton. You see that he’s an avid find,” Jimenez said.   
      

eyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, Naomi Campbell, Pharrell Williams, #:2R BUsher and other international stars gathered in Johannesburg for a charity concert honouring Nelson Mandela a century after he was born. er autobiography Becoming ed source Michelle was “instrumental in black women the world loved or cele- Thousands poured into the South was part of the biggest pub- introducing” the couple and so is keen to brated were usually of a lighter skin African city’s FNB stadium for Global lishing deal in history check up on their status as newlyweds tone. To see a darker skinned woman Citizen Festival: Mandela 100. Singer (worth over $60 million) and parents-to-be. At the moment, the be celebrated made me feel good about Bob Geldof, who organised the Live and sold an eye-watering Clooneys are reportedly on the list of myself. She made the world open their Aid concerts for Africa, was also H1.4 million copies in its first week on potential godparents. Perhaps this visit eyes to see different black women there. Global Citizen, an advocacy sale. Her 10-city book tour of the US has will bump the Obamas up that list, too. could be seen as intelligent, beautiful group, campaigns for an end to been billed as “a once-in-a-lifetime Where Michelle has the most and graceful. Furthermore, she has extreme poverty, and other causes. It opportunity to see and hear the first impact, though, is on those of us who been forthright in championing black says many people won tickets to African American First Lady of the will never meet her — let alone invite her women and women of colour and that Sunday’s concert through charity United States” and features A-list hosts round for ricotta with raspberries has given me confidence.” work and petition-signing. like Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, (favourite pudding of the Clooneys’ As a public speaker, Michelle has World leaders previously gathered Canada PM Justin Trudeau tweeted a and Sarah Jessica Parker and has sold out young twins). I recently witnessed first- also done something that goes way at the stadium in 2013 for a memorial $50m pledge for education for girls stadium-sized venues. Recently, she hit hand the effect that “MO”, as fans call beyond any definable constituency: She after the death of Mandela, the anti- and women around the world. London’s South Bank Centre with tickets her, has on her greatest devotees. As she has shown that anyone can talk with pas- apartheid leader who was also South “This is amazing!” the festival changing hands on the black market for launched the memoir in her hometown sion, insight and warmth without having Africa’s first black president. The fes- host, Trevor Noah, said as Trudeau’s £7,000. So what is it about Michelle of Chicago mid-November, in London an explicit political agenda. tival gave a platform to Government tweet was shown on a big stadium Obama? She’s an exciting, glamorous fig- we had to make do with a tribute event: If you look at public speakers of the leaders, CEOs and others who screen. Noah had earlier highlighted ure with the kind of First Lady mystique Letters to Michelle at Waterstone’s Gower past 50 years, it would be hard to find pledged more funding for healthcare a comment by Mandela that poverty and feelgood factor we haven’t seen since Street, where audience members could #76 7# 6*856 anyone who has her cut-through or uni- and other social programmes. In a could be overcome through deter- Jackie O. Yes, she has been a campaigner read out their accounts of how the for- versal appeal. As a performance coach, I recorded video message, Kenya’s pres- mined action. South Africa is strug- for causes no one could disagree with mer First Lady has changed their lives.  %8%65* ,3-6 am repeatedly asked to help women — ident, Uhuru Kenyatta, promised gling with one of the world’s highest (the “Let’s Move” health campaign, girls’ Around 150 women gathered to cele- 8- 856+  #8-% and men — “be more Michelle”. Her more money in the national budget. rates of income inequality. education globally, all the Mom-in-Chief brate a woman they would never meet, speaking style is defined by natural poise, role model stuff). And, of course, she has and emotions ran high. They sobbed, 8 6M8+*6 8 authenticity and candour. been a champion for American designers wept and were often so moved just In my book How to Own the Room: and secured — eventually — the thinking about MO that they could bare- 3+66*%6 !8%*#G Women and the Art of Brilliant Speaking,     2
 
 2 approval of the fashion world, with the ly speak. That night I realised the weight  ,8 inspired by Michelle Obama’s “When latest cover of US Elle showing her in a of her appeal: She has shown women that they go low, we go high” moment, I black leather Dior corset. they are worth more. The winner of the 5##8- explain how she embodies the quality of But there is something more here best letter was a 10-year-old girl, who “happy high status”. She occupies a than window dressing and the usual First said that two women had made her feel 78 *+ 8 +8 space with charisma and grace, without Lady responsibilities: She has become a that she was capable of anything in life: -8+,$ #  6## ever making anyone feel that you are totemic figure for women, a sort of “My mum and Michelle Obama.” above them or below them. Beyonce of unelected politics; a global Tobi Oredein is the founder of web- *8+%-8<6-# Oprah has described MO as a ambassador who can do no wrong. As a site Black Ballad and a recipient of a “mighty force” whose signature style is less controversial figure than her hus- coveted golden ticket to the Obama ,3-6 %7+ 76- “palpable ease” — and this ease is per- band, she also represents — in the same event. Michelle Obama’s inspiration lies haps the key to her enduring appeal. She way Oprah Winfrey does — the fulfil- in the fact that “she was so unapologetic 73#+ #76 #8 comes across as humble, without being ment of the promise of the American and original in how she approached her -6!-6#6+%# %76 fake, and has been open about the strug- dream. The idea that with hard work, role as First Lady,” she explains. “She gles of life in the spotlight, without this inspiration and dedication, you can do wasn’t afraid to be silly to get kids to eat, 356+% 8 %76 coming across as playing the tiniest vio- anything with your life. It’s an extraordi- or use social media to say that she had lin in the world. The designer Narciso narily powerful and hopeful message, no interest in politics. She endured con- !-85#6 8 %76 Rodriguez has worked closely with her hen a tornado carried res, using references noted in the especially in our divided times. stant ‘misogynoir’ and dealt with it 56-*+ -65 and says: “She is matter of fact about Dorothy off to a land of online movie database IMDb. The Her London visit is principally to gracefully and never let that stop her what she needs and lets you do your Wwitches and talking scare- authors note that the database is promote Becoming, in conversation from being outspoken.” thing.” It strikes me that this is a message crows it was not only Oz that she and biased towards films from the west, with novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Michelle ignited a debate around she has sent to the entire world and her companions ended up taking by with the majority produced in the US. Adichie in front of an audience of 2,900 the term ‘misogynoir’ — a uniquely women in particular have picked up on it storm: new research suggests the The team did not consider short films, (with 300 tickets held back for local unpleasant blend of misogyny and instinctively: “I’m doing what I need to world of movies was never the same adult films and those with no link or charities and schools.) But there’s racism that saw the former First Lady do. Now you go do your thing.” again either. Researchers in Italy have reference to other movies. They used a another item on this week’s UK to-do criticised for her hair, her choice of Perhaps the message is all the stronger declared the Wizard of Oz the most combination of four different mathe- list: Dinner at the Berkshire home of clothes, her “athletic” build and her sup- for the fact that she is clear — including in influential film ever made, outstrip- matical approaches to explore the con- George and Amal Clooney, with Prince posedly “angry” moments. As her stylist her memoir — that she is not standing for ping others in how much it has nections between movies, taking into Harry and the Duchess of Sussex. Michelle Koop has said: “You have to office either as Mayor of Chicago or as inspired and been referenced in the account factors including the number The Obamas were invited to Harry anticipate every avenue of attack and President: “I’ll say it here directly: I have film industry. The research team came of references a film received and and Meghan’s wedding but did not every possible outcome.” no intention of running for office ever.” to their conclusion after analysing whether the films that referred back to attend reportedly because of security Oredein adds: “She has changed Intentions can change, though. more than 47,000 films across 26 gen- it were themselves influential. concerns. According to a widely-report- my life, because before most of the &! &  ((; 

      annual dinner in the community news- went to the church and begging pets. “This dog- 17-year-old boy, ended up locked inside       '(        paper last month. waited their turn for the $20 friendly alternative to the the vault about 1.30 pm.       n Ohio pumpkin artist turned some Klawiter wanted the obit to read as a meal were not members of Whopper sandwich is a “Unfortunately, there were two juve- group of Chicago-area moms Aautumn art festive when she trans- tribute to the seven decades the church Faith Lutheran or even res- bone-shaped treat with niles that were playing around inside an Apulled off a complicated Christmas formed a giant Kanye West pumpkin in east-central Minnesota has idents of Forest Lake. flame-grilled beef taste for abandoned bank and they didn’t know photo when they got 23 total sets of into a Christmas decoration. Jeanette served hundreds of pounds of Planners wondered if a turkey din- the dogs of these generous owners,” that the vault was still active,” twins to pose together with a mall Paras, the artist behind Paras Pumpkins, lutefisk at the annual dinner, ner would be a better option, but decid- Burger King said in a news release. Hollywood police Officer Santa. The moms, members of the shared a video showing her Kanye West dubbed “Holy Tuesday,” the ed a menu change would not make Guests who order a Whopper sandwich Christian Lata told WPLG- Chicago Twin Moms group, said Christmas pumpkin, which is decked Minneapolis Star Tribune things easier for the volunteers. While will receive one dog bone for free. But TV. “[While] playing inside they have long sought to pull out in a Santa hat reading: “Make reported . “There was a no immediate replacement was this isn’t available for pickup or dine-in, the vault, one of them got off the busy Santa photo, but Pumpkins Great Again.” “We wish lot of pride that this announced, the pastor says the focus and only through the DoorDash food trapped inside and, luckily, the closest they came was ‘Ye’ a Merry Christmas,” Paras says made it to 70 years,” said now will be on creating a new tradition. delivery service. DoorDashers deliver the other one was outside gathering 18 sets of twins in the video. The Kanye pumpkin, Klawiter, a self-described And the obit notes that lutefisk lovers food and other items from local mer- and was able to call 911.” to pose with the Easter which was originally decorated for “lutefisk convert”. The still have other options nearby, with chants to customers across the United Police responded with the Bunny earlier this year. fall, weighs in at 315 pounds. dinner would require Scandinavian dinners in other area States and Canada. New delivery cus- Hollywood Fire Department, a The 23 mothers, each  about 190 volunteers. towns listed as “survivors.” tomers can get a no-fee delivery with a Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue tech- with a set of twins and Planners had to find  $10 order at DoorDash through Tuesday. nical rescue team and at least two some with spare children,    I)J ways to fill gaps left by The news release notes the product is private vault technicians to converged on the Woodfield     volunteers who had  P      “not for human consumption.” attempt to free the boy bank heist Mall in Schaumburg this week Minnesota church has ended its died or grown too frail.      7    style, but an attempt to drill into to get the near-perfect photo. A70-year tradition of serving a This fall, the group urger King hopes its new food inno- the wall of the bank to reach the “Pretty chaotic right now,” dinner of lutefisk, a Nordic dish of dried also wondered how the Bvation is a doggone good one. On        boy failed. Lata said the boy was mother Courtney Polite told cod soaked in lye, and the pastor has event could draw more Wednesday, the fast-food chain unveiled    & released from the vault after WLS-TV. “You’re never [going penned a eulogy for the dinner’s end. young families from the a new meal deal that includes a treat for olice in Florida said a 17-year-old more than three hours when a to] get all these kids to not Faith Lutheran Church in Forest Lake, congregation and from dogs called the Dogpper, which “is the Pplaying around in an abandoned Bank of America employee from be crying or all looking at Minnesota, would serve a Forest Lake, a town of first flame grilled bone offered at BK for bank ended up needing to be rescued the branch’s new location was the same time.” Mall offi- Scandinavian dinner featuring the about 20,000 about 40 your best friend,” according to a news from inside the former business’ vault. able to come to the scene and give cials said they were pleased pungent, jellylike fish the first Tuesday km northeast of release. Burger King said the offer is a Hollywood police said two teenagers authorities the combination to to be able to host such an in December. But the Rev John Minneapolis. Most of way for customers to enjoy their order at entered the former Bank of America open the door. unusual photo. Klawiter wrote an obituary for the the 500 people who home without interruption from their branch Wednesday and one of them, a  
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  (  within ourselves and sharing our and service for our fellow beings. In the four stages of ardent love, finding in the UK on internet searches for serious health -        gifts with humanity. When we see the outer world St Richard of Victor describes the conditions commissioned by Perkbox Medical. It has     (  through the eyes of our soul, we see stages of betrothal, marriage, wedlock, been found that the searches on the net for serious      F     the light of God shining even in plants and the fruitfulness of the soul. In the health conditions have risen manifold in the last few 
   7!< $ 7!< Looking inward means that we are in and animals, and we start to live our betrothal stage, the soul thirsts for years. Curiosity is obviously not bad. But what is hap- (       F a state of inner spiritual bliss. We are lives in such a way as to preserve all %76 58-6 %%3+6 God. It has a ruling passion to pening is that access to information is giving a wrong  & '''  ( F conscious of our soul’s connectedness living things. As we grow spiritually, experience higher reality. The soul is sense of empowerment. In searches for medical condi-
     with God and all life. We are we become more receptive to others, 6 -6 %8 %76 #83 touched by the spirit of God and is tions, people get to know the ailments, their etiology &'&       strengthened by the fearlessness that including animals and plants. We %76 ,-6%6- 83- bathed in sweetness. This is the stage and symptoms and their treatment also. The problem is 7 8  $ -  comes with identifying with our soul. become more giving and caring when of the soul’s awakening. In the second that this makes them think that they can substitute the    !   We live in the knowledge that we are we deal with other people and all 8<6 *85!##8+ stage, the soul is burning with desire doctor. Many go for self-medication, many buy anxiety 7!< +     immortal. Just as a computer monitor forms of life. + #6-<*6 8- for God and is taken as the bride of in the process and many turn into hypochondriacs. In    
 is connected to the hard drive and can the Lord. The soul ascends, sees the fact, hypochondriasis is a major problem these days as      receive the data from it, we are    1   83- 68 6+,#$ sun of righteousness, and takes the any one carefully observing outpatient departments in 
   (   plugged into and receive a continuous When we examine the lives of the # 6 ,-8 marriage vows to God. In the third hospital can find out. In India, which is still a develop- $ 7   ((  
F stream from the source all wisdom, saints and mystics, we find that they #!-%3M 6 stage, the soul has union with the ing country where healthcare facilities are still not as      7!< (  unconditional love, and bliss. We devoted their lives to helping others. Lord. The soul is in communion with streamlined, this tendency creates a fertile ground for   K      devote specific time to meditation They were like the swan that lives in 6*856 58-6 God, is fully concentrated on God, quackery. As a result, even sales persons at local phar- 
 ,  H   daily, but even when not in water but flies with dry wings. While -6*6!%<6 %8 and caught up in the divine Light. In macies have the temerity to overrule the doctor’s advice.        F meditation, we are in tune with our all the time they are in tune with the the fourth stage of ardent love, we This is not the case with just medicine. In areas other  ( 7!< "    soul. Throughout the day, as we go Creator, they still live amongst others, 8%76-# +*3+, find the crux of the life of a true than heath, too, such situations have become prevalent. 



   about our work, the bliss pours participating fully in life. +5# + mystic: giving of one’s spiritual wealth Students in teaching institutions have started consider-      through us, the knowledge is available The Christian mystic, John to humanity. The union of the soul ing the internet as substitute for teachers and are not  $ % 
    to us, the fearlessness and strength Ruysbroeck, has said that “the truly !+%#$ 6 6*856 with the Lord is not a childless union. keen to attend classes. In specialised subjects like  
 (    sustains us, and we are empowered to inward man should flow out to all in 58-6 ,<+, + The soul takes on the responsibilities, Psychology where the dividing line between so called   
 K act on the basis of spiritual values. The common.” St Catherine of Genoa, duties, and pains of parenthood to common sense and scientific conclusion is thin, this can    ((     stream sustains us from within at all born in the 15th century, had a *-+, 76+ 6 bring forth children. The children lead to a lot of confusion. With such easy access to    7!< (  $ times, enriching every moment of our mystical experience in which she was 6 %7 8%76-# here are represented by good and information, everyone considers himself/herself to be a life. When we are in love with an transported to a state of pure and noble works in the world that serve psychologist. So it has become a major problem these earthly beloved, the whole world takes purifying love from God. Her humanity. The empowered souls days as street level generalists are replacing experts in a    on the colour of love. We see things as mystical revelation was followed by a become centers of spiritual energy big way and this leads to a lot of misplaced assumptions.     rosy and blissful. Similarly, when in a life of selfless service to others. She and are conscious co-workers of the Francis Bacon opined that knowledge is power, but state of bliss from within, it colours began working to help the sick and divine plan. They live out their lives hardly did he realise that a time will come when infor- the world as bliss. We then see ecstasy the poor. At the age of thirty, she spreading spiritual love to all they mation will become knowledge. More so, he could not wherever we look. founded the first hospital in the city meet, inspiring and uplifting others figure out there will be a social media monster that of Genoa. For the next twenty-two by their example. would change opinions, create opinions and even     years, she lived in a state of continued We, too, can attain this state. By replace scientific knowledge with whims and fancies. While we need to invert to find God, consciousness with the divine spending time daily in meditation, we We have, thus, come to a state where Goebbelsian we need not be introverted when presence of the Lord filling her with can discover the power of our soul, hypotheses is pushing truth to the back seat. It is no dealing with the people around us. joy, love, and bliss. Yet while she enriching our lives with wisdom, longer about repeating a lie often. It is just about posting Looking outward means that we can experienced perpetual ecstasy, she immortality, love, fearlessness, a lie on the net and the rest will follow. also be highly attuned and aware of continued managing the hospital. connectedness, and bliss. "    +  +       + what is happening in our outer She was punctual and efficient in &          <     < +L+ <+

od is omnipresent, omnipotent and      F   F omniscient. These qualities distin- 6(              "  Gguish God from us souls. We can :*@R B!#  D8 #%#B      $ never be present everywhere; we are limit- %     (   F ed to our presence where our physical  F  
     bodies are located. Similarly, we are     (    extremely limited in how much ‘shakti’ or ,               " 7                      power we inherently have. Some people    
 ( like big leaders or kings have lots of power          " ( 7   
   "   /% 135- #7+8        but that is not inherent in them. Such     "$    power, like that of Hitler, is external. Once as well in the virtual sense with the help of God is willing to guide as Lord Krishna has       
F it was gone, Hitler was a defeated man and scientific gadgets like cell phones. These pointed out at several places in the Gita.  (  (       committed suicide. Likewise, we can never days, people hold video conferences with The second way is to be willing to do our        "  be all-knowing. We can know a lot about the participants being present at different duties as guided by God. Here again, God      ( some subject. For instance, Einstein pos- places. Additionally, we can travel to far off has offered to help if we are aligned with         sessed knowledge about physics. But we, places with our minds; we can imagine Him, ie we have become God conscious.   $ L%  human beings, can never see the big pic- ourselves to be somewhere else or at any Rather, God promises to help out in all sit-  
   (   F ture in its totality, ie the past, the present place we choose to be. uations which are challenging to our         and the future. Therefore, we are severely As regards power, God has allowed us resources. Similarly, we can achieve almost (   (     F handicapped when it comes to making the choice of gaining more power than anything like harnessing natural energy for          
F  (      F informed decisions. what is inherent in us with the help of common good by coming together.      F Is the cosmic design, then, defective? other people by becoming their leaders. Yes, we are incomplete without God,    (    Have we been unfairly dealt? No, this is This way, we can pool individual powers but God is ever willing to help. An objec- # 1 M   1F the only way the creation would have been under our control. There is another way. tion may be raised about the requirement " 5      F possible. God could not have created One can do severe austerities, please divine of us surrendering to God. God will never (   # +  clones of Himself. This would have then authorities and gain material siddhis or force us to do that. We will only deprive 3
   # 1$ created parallel power centers. Can we weapons. Persons like Arjuna had obtained ourselves of what is available, ie God’s help, -        imagine what that would have done? As it divine weapons, which were very potent. if we choose not to surrender. Suppose a    
 is, if someone amongst us gets a little Individual power is a sum total of physical, what we can imagine. It is said that the best be able to exist well. Yes, there are many person decides not to use his eyes to see;    (  (       power, then, it is highly likely that he or mental and intellectual powers. of us use a maximum of 10% of our brains’ limitations which have been pointed out can we blame God for that? There is no     (   L   she will be drunk with it. Now coming to knowledge, one can capacities. This is also very rare. God has earlier but they can also be overcome if we doubt that we are incomplete in ourselves,   M     Therefore, the Lord had to limit us gather as much knowledge as time permits. been very generous in this regard. follow the guidelines of our scriptures. The but are we really in the larger sense? 
 
 ( souls. Regarding presence, we are limited But time is the biggest constraint in this. Therefore, we can see that the cosmic first way in to seek guidance from God (            "    $ to one place, but we can be at other places Our brains are created for much more than design is well suited for us human beings to whenever we are confused about anything.      L   <+
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 <   3+ L   <+ <   <+ 3/7;F,7FFF. C  $   E ! 7-% 73#7+ !568 there is choice, it carries equal probabili- continuum in time and space. In this volutionary urge is intrinsic to the Remember, our life is bound by ty of use and misuse. To overcome this scheme of things, doings in the past cul- human spirit. It is this very inher- cause-effect chain. A cause precedes an vulnerability, a human being is also minate in the present moment, which in Eent urge, which has been carrying effect, which in turn, sets the ground armed with the faculty of discriminate turn sets the premise on which the next forward progressive civilisational evolu- over which the next course of action intelligence, which enables them to moment takes off. It implies that the tion down the ages through conscious takes off. This way, we invariably judge the choices in hand, and pick up present moment carries imprints of human efforts. It is again, this very nat- remain trapped in the circuitous web of the right lead. So, all human actions are doings and un-doings in the past in ural impulse in a being, which induces a never ending self-created cause-effect wilful. Evidently, imperative to this seed-form, which serves as the blue being dream of making it big in life. chain. This chain gets carried over even empowerment tool is the call to own print of the future course of action to Dreams are necessary for people to to our successive lives — from one birth responsibility for the choices made. follow. So, the course of life needs to be reach heights they are capable of, as they to the other — as the theory of reincar- Ostensibly, therefore, one becomes due seen in continuity - not simply the offer us with a purpose to work upon nation would imply. for consequences of the choices made. It goings in the present life but also the with all sincerity and determination. The question now is: Why are only is on this ground on which the theory of imprints of those carried over from the Since time immemorial, the Moon has human beings bound by cause-effect Karma stands, and which holds the key past. In fact, human course of life, going fascinated and evoked man’s curiosity. It chain? In this context, it is pertinent to to being beholden to cause-effect chain. through all the twists and turns in the was seen every day, yet it was unknown. note that all living organisms, but for If the above script has a meaning, way, runs through successive cycles of A longing to know and understand it led human beings, have no choice than to would it not be fair to reason out that birth and death. It is something like a scientists to send man on the Moon. strictly follow the pre-laid, nature-driven the privilege of making a choice would water stream emanating from a snow- But not everybody’s dreams get fulfilled, design parameters underlying their exis- also carry the scope to make such bound mountain which carries on its non-realisation of which often bringing tence. They don’t enjoy any scope for choices as could interfere with and run till it meets the ocean. All through in frustrating experiences. Why? Are we making exception. All their actions are modify the imprints of doings and un- the way and also out of the ocean, sur- so helplessly fated? I am often confront- primarily guided by their food and secu- doings in the past? Particularly when a face water evaporates, turns into cloud, ed with this question. It therefore rity concerns, instinctively arising human being is armed with the faculty and then rains, again to recharge the deserves attention. moment by moment. They lack the fac- to dispassionately weigh his options water resources. For the answer, the question needs ulty of discriminate intelligence, and so beforehand. Now, suppose that a cause The issue continues. to be looked at on three grounds: First, are devoid of the capacity of judgment. is conscientiously created purported to &      

    the premise on which the theory of Therefore, their acts are not wilful and modify the imprints of past doings.    <55   + Karma stands. Second, how does Karmic so, there remains no scope for accrual of Would it not change the course of des- [email protected], ((  ##   ##66   carryover from the past, which defines any karmaphal. tiny implications to follow? #!! KK...---,? the course of destiny, come into effect? On the contrary, human beings To make things clear, it needs to be &3//.@...@NN/7N7N;?O/7.7-F;,;F Third, the chemistry of mind, which dri- enjoy the exclusive privilege to guide first understood and underscored that in 9+ 3 K L   <+ ves all actions on the part of a being. their action by choice. But, whenever terms of nature’s design, there remains a 5 3<   <+

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