Follow us on: @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneer RNI No. TELENG/2018/76469 Established 1864 ANALYSIS 7 MONEY 8 SPORTS 12 Published From LUCKNOW DECODING DENIALISM OF ‘DOUBLING OF FARM INCOME WON'T BE ALL'S WELL BHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH TERROR IN PAKISTAN ACHIEVED WITHOUT... THAT ENDS WELL BHUBANESWAR RANCHI DEHRADUN VIJAYAWADA *LATE CITY VOL. 3 ISSUE 156 HYDERABAD, MONDAY MARCH 29, 2021; PAGES 12 `3 *Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO THEIR OPINION: ILEANA { Page 11 } www.dailypioneer.com

MAN UPSET WITH AIRLINE MAKES NO CROWDS AT HOLY WEEK PANDEMIC FORCED US TO BORROW MONEY MYANMAR FORCES KILL OVER 100 HOAX BOMB CALL, ARRESTED CEREMONIES AMID PANDEMIC TO PAY STAFF, PLAYERS: RICKY SKERRITT IN DEADLIEST DAY SINCE COUP Nashik-Hyderabad flight of the Alliance ope Francis is celebrating solemn Holy ricket West Indies President Ricky s Myanmar's military celebrated the Air was delayed due to a bomb threat Week ceremonies for a second straight Skerritt, who is aiming to be re-elected annual Armed Forces Day holiday Acall received shortly before its take- Pyear without the usual throngs of Cafter a two-year term, has revealed Awith a parade Saturday in the off, which later turned out to be a hoax, pilgrims and tourists, kept away by that the COVID-19 pandemic forced them country's capital, soldiers and police police said on Sunday. The incident took pandemic safety concerns and travel to borrow money to pay players and staff elsewhere reportedly killed dozens place on Saturday evening and the police restrictions. Francis traditionally leads a wages but the board's debt has reduced of people as they suppressed later arrested the caller, who allegedly Palm Sunday procession through St. to a third in his tenure. Skeritt will be protests in the deadliest bloodletting made the call after failing to get a seat in Peter's Square and then celebrates an fighting for reelection against Guyana since last month's coup. The online the flight, they said. The flight was outdoor Mass for tens of thousands of Cricket Board secretary Anand Sanasie. news site Myanmar Now reported late scheduled to take-off at 8.25 pm on Saturday faithful. But Francis led a Palm Sunday Talking about the state of CWI finances, Saturday that the death toll had reached from the airport here in Maharashtra. About 20 service this year inside St Peter's Basilica just as Skerritt said they have improved significantly 114. A count issued by an independent minutes before the scheduled take-off, the Nashik rural police he did last spring. That was just weeks after the COVID-19 since he took over. "The biggest problem we were facing is that researcher in Yangon who has been compiling near-real time control room received a call that a bomb was planted in the outbreak erupted in Italy, which was the first country in the all of our future cash was spoken for before we even got it. We death tolls put the total at 107, spread over more than two plane, an official from Dindori police station said. West to be hit by the pandemic. were living on borrowed future income,” he said. dozen cities and towns. CEO directs collector OVER 8-MONTH WAIT… Chaos at HCA meet, to file criminal case against civic chief No Sr Resident Doctor on Covid Azhar skewered The Pioneer PNS n HYDERABAD wishes its PNS n HYDERABAD readers, advertisers, duty got incentives in The general body meeting of the suppliers and agents a The State Election Commission scams-hit Hyderabad Cricket has directed the Vikarabad district ANUSHA PUPPALA Education, Association held on Sunday at colourful Holi As our collector and returning officer to file n HYDERABAD Government of Health care workers Uppal Cricket Stadium ended in offices will remain a criminal case against Tandur Telangana, dur- total chaos, with HCA Club sec- closed today Municipal Chairperson Thadikonda Aerial floral showers to ostensibly ing the allot- not getting promised retaries not giving Mohd Swapna. It may be recalled that it was honour frontline staff is one thing ments of the Azharuddin a word in edgeways. (29-03-2021), there found in the Election Commission's and giving senior doctors the Senior pay hike, incentive The Apex Council failed to will be no issue of the inquiry that Thadikonda Swapna incentives promised to them is Resident control unruly elements at the paper tomorrow cast fake vote though she did not quite another. Doctors ealth care worker (HCWs) in the Annual General Meeting, which have a vote in the Graduates MLC Not even a single Senior reads, Hstate are still not getting the 10 was attended by secretaries of 186 (30-03-2021). elections held on March 14. Resident Doctor has received even "During per cent additional pay for COVID- clubs. All the assembled members 19-related duties that the — RESIDENT EDITOR State Chief Electoral Officer the promised incentives in the last your questioned the HCA president arguing that corruption would (CEO) Shashank Goel has issued eight months in Telangana State. Senior Resident Telangana government promised in and secretary on allegations on increase in the HCA if persons directions in this regard, while This is the main grouse of Senior tenure of one July 2020. The Telangana Doctors corruption, improper team selec- supporting Azhar are appointed. addressing a letter to Vikarabad col- Resident Doctors in Telangana year, you will Association pointed out that the tions and neglect of cricket devel- The AGM decided to conduct lector and returning officer to file a State. Senior Residents were prom- receive a remu- Telangana government had opment in the districts. another meeting on April 11. criminal case against Thadikonda ised additional financial incentive neration of Rs announced 10 per cent additional Congress senior leader V It is learnt that V Hanumantha not Swapna. It may be recalled that the "on par with regular professionals 70,000 per month and an pay to all government personnel at Hanumantha Rao left the HCA Rao (VHR) pulled up Congress MLC candidate Dr G of the Department of Medical additional financial the frontline in the fight against meeting in a huff, after berating Azharuddin, asking him to spell Chinna Reddy and Tandur Education" during their allotment incentive on par with Covid-19. Telangana Chief Minister Azharuddin. out what he had achieved after Municipal Congress floor leader in the year 2020. However, none of regular professionals of K Chandrashekar Rao approved a Earlier, a section of the mem- meeting TRS working president y lodged a complaint with the them has been paid anything yet, the Department of proposal to give additional pay to bers supporting Azhar pushed for KT Ramarao upon his election as Vikarabad District Collector Senior Residents said. Medical Education. government doctors, the appointment of Deepak HCA president. Pausumi Basu, The allotment orders issued by 2 Verma as an ombudsman. 2 the Directorate of Medical 2 However, opposing factions are 2 ‘Ignoring rules? Prepare for lockdown’ Judicial probe against 40, including PNS n since people were not following students, test rules, the administration was forced Central agencies Ex-HC judge will Amid a massive surge in coronavirus to move towards a lockdown. positive for Covid cases in Maharashtra, Chief Minister At present, of the 3.75 lakh isola- investigate Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday asked tion beds, 1.07 lakh are occupied in ‘unfortunate’: Rajnath allegations: Anil officials to prepare a plan to impose the state and the rest were filling up at IIM Ahmedabad a lockdown, saying people were not rapidly, Principal Secretary (Health) PNS n THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PNS n AHMEDABAD Deshmukh following safety rules. Dr Pradeep Vyaas said. The decision was taken at a meet- Of the 60,349 oxygen beds, 12,701 Union Defence Minister Rajnath As many as 40 people including ing attended by Thackeray, Health had already been occupied, he said, Singh on Sunday said the Kerala students and a professor tested Minister Rajesh Tope, Chief adding, 1,881 ventilators of the government's decision to recom- positive for coronavirus at the 5 Secretary Sitaram Kunte, doctors of available 9,030 have patients of mend a judicial inquiry against cen- Indian Institute of Management, the COVID-19 task force and other coronavirus. There might be a short- tral probe agencies, including the Ahmedabad. officials, an official statement said. fall in the health care infrastructure Enforcement Directorate (ED) Twenty-five students at the At the meeting, officials and might also face a healthcare crisis in the state, Dr Vyaas warned given probing the gold and dollar smug- Indian Institute of Technology, members of the task force expressed and see a shortage of infrastructure the sharp surge in the state. gling cases, was "unfortunate" and Gandhinagar were found to be concerns over the rising number of for treating COVID-19 patients. Night curfew will be enforced amounts to challenging the federal COVID-19 positive. cases. The upward trend of cases Officials have been instructed to starting today as the state struggles structure of the Constitution. "As many as 40 people includ- might also lead to a rise in Covid- stop the general public from visiting with its biggest surge in coronavirus Singh, who is in Kerala to cam- ing students and a professor -- related deaths in the state, the offi- government offices and the state infections since the beginning of the paignfor the BJP-NDA candidates in were found positive in tests con- cials of the task force said. Secretariat: Mantralaya. pandemic. Shopping malls will the April 6 Assembly polls, also said ducted at the institute and they The Chief Minister said the state Health Minister Rajesh Tope said remain shut from 8 pm to 7 am. the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will were isolated," said Mehul be implemented only after taking all Acharya, deputy health officer, the communities into confidence. Ahmedabad Municipal The UCC is there in the BJP man- On the rising fuel prices, he said Corporation. Sharad Pawar-Amit Shah ifesto. "We will take all the commu- the Centre had requested all the When talking about IIT, an Congress seeks support nities into confidence and go for- states to reduce the state duty on IIMA official said that current- ‘meet’, Sena barbs fuel ward. We are firm on that decision", petrol. 2 ly there are 25 Covid-19 positive Maharashtra alliance fire of Left parties to ensure Singh told reportershere. students on campus. Majority wants govt PNS n to suspend flights MUMBAI from UK, Africa A stinging editorial in Shiv Sena Jana Reddy's victory TRS conducts ‘Athmeeya sammelans’ in mouthpiece Saamna on PNS n HYDERABAD addressed letters to the CPI Sunday targeted and the CPI(M) separate- Maharashtra home In spite of the distance ly. TPCC chief N Uttam Nagarjuna Sagar to reach out to voters minister Anil between the Left par- Kumar Reddy and CLP PNS n HYDERABAD going round in their allotted man- The in-charge MLAs are not leav- 8 Deshmukh, indi- ties, both CPI(M) and leader Mallu Bhatti dals and municipalities ing any option and are work- cating that the CPI, and the Vikramarka have The ruling Telangana Rashtra meeting members of ing hard to attract all sec- relation Congress party, espe- addressed these letters Samiti party is yet to announce its various organisations, tions of people. They are TODAY between the cially after the last to CPI State Secretary candidate for the Nagarjuna Sagar including caste conducting 'Athmeeya ruling allies of Assembly elections, the Chada Venkat Reddy and by-elections. Still, its MLAs in organisations, every sammelans' with caste ALMANAC Maharashtra is grand old party has CPI(M) State Secretary charge of various mandals have day. organisations and vari- Month & Paksham: fast turning sour. approached the Left parties Thammineni Veerabhadram. been campaigning extensively in The MLAs are asking ous other organisations Magha & Shukla Paksha Though the Sena for their support in the upcoming The Congress leaders have also the constituency. The in-charge people to cast their like - Private School Panchangam had initially wanted Nagarjuna Sagar by-polls. The spoken to the leaders of the Left TRS MLAs-Balka Suman, Koneru vote to the car symbol Managements' Tithi : Purnima: 12:17 am (Next Day) Deshmukh out after Congress wants CPI(M) and CPI to parties in this regard. However, Konappa, Korukanti Chander, seeing the face of Chief Association, Private the controversy over former help its candidate K Jana Reddy win leaders of the Left parties are yet Ravindra Naik, Bhaskar Rao, Minister K Chandrasekhar Teachers' Association, Nakshatram: Uttara Phalguni: 05:35 pm Mumbai police chief Param Bir the by-polls scheduled for April 17. to take a call. Kancherla Bhopal Reddy, Shankar Rao, regardless of who is going to Time to Avoid: (Bad time to start Singh's corruption allega- Telangana Congress has 2 Naik - and other TRS leaders are be declared as the TRS candidate. 2 any important work) tions, it changed Rahukalam: 04:54 pm – 06:25 pm stance after Yamagandam: 12:21 pm – 01:52 pm Nationalist Congress Party NS BY-POLL Varjyam: 01:05 am – 02:31 am chief Sharad Modi hails Mithali, says her story an inspiration Gulika: 03:23 pm - 04:54 pm Pawar's firm Vijayashanthi, Babu n Good Time: (to start any important work) stance against PNS NEW DELHI In his monthly the world's largest vaccination pro- Amritakalam: 11:04 am – 12:31 pm his removal. gramme being carried out in Mohan among TS BJP The editorial India's 'Nari Shakti' is excelling in the Mann Ki Baat radio against the COVID-19 and stressed Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:56 am – 12:45 pm comes a day sports field and lauded the recent address, Modi said on "dawai bhi, kadai bhi" (medicines ‘star campaigners’ after Sharad sporting feats of cricketer Mithali Raj as well as strict preventive measures). Pawar and his as she recently became the first modernisation in He hailed the 'taali-thaali' cam- PNS n HYDERABAD party colleague Praful Indian woman to complete 10,000 the agriculture paign and lighting of diyas last year, HYDERABAD Patel reportedly met Union runs across formats, Prime Minister saying it had touched the hearts of The Telangana BJP, which is yet WEATHER Minister Amit Shah at a farm- Narendra Modi said on Sunday. He sector is the need 'corona warriors'. to name its candidate for the Forecast: Partly cloudy house in Ahmedabad. Shah has said her story is an inspiration. The of the hour as "That is the very reason they res- Nagarjuna Sagar by-election, Temp: 34/18 not confirmed the meeting, but Prime Minister also mentioned already a lot of olutely held on the whole year, however, announced its 30-mem- Humidity: 29% issued a cryptic comment that about shuttler P V Sindhu who fin- without tiring, without halting. ber 'star campaigners' list on Sunrise: 06:13 am "Everything need not be made ished runners-up at the Swiss Open time has been lost Steadfastly, they endured to save the Sunday. The saffron party's star Sunset: 06:28 pm public". The NCP has denied earlier this month. The prime min- life of each and every citizen of the campaigners include Telangana Current Weather Conditions any such meeting. ister also spoke about the success of Federation (ISSF) World Cup. sation in the agriculture sector is the country," Modi said. BJP Chief Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Updated march 28, 2021 5:00 PM the Indian shooters in the In his monthly Mann Ki Baat need of the hour as already a lot of 2 International Shooting Sport radio address, Modi said moderni- time has been lost. Modi also hailed 2 2 HYDERABAD | MONDAY | MARCH 29, 2021 hyderabad 02 CEO directs Monday Mirchi BJP: TRS trying to win Assembly collector to file criminal... More than what meets the eye to power, the contractor in question returned elections with help of Sharmila Continued from Page 1 Rs 36 crore to the government. He offered The Boss can never go wrong 99% of the to pay the balance if the government paid PNS n HYDERABAD which was already there. He mation", he said. Sharmila ner that they would ensure the Alleging that Thadikonda times; as for the other one per cent, subor- him its outstanding dues totaling more than alleged that the Congress lead- spoke on turmeric board issue, victory of Jana Reddy. Finding Swapna cast a fake vote in the dinates, present or former, failed to see prop- Rs 100 crore. Neither the previous govern- Telangana BJP vice-president ers had raised the turmeric thanking Kavitha for extend- fault with Jana Reddy, Graduates MLC elections. erly. No wonder, the controversy following the ment nor the present government went NVSS Prabhakar has alleged board issue in Parliament to ing help in getting permission Prabhakar pointed out that They also adduced proof. promotion of senior IAS officer Srilakshmi against the official. This inaction has that TRS MLC K Kavitha please TRS MLC K Kavitha. to conduct a public meeting at Jana Reddy never criticised the The officials concerned as Special Chief Secretary is refusing to die prompted a debate among some circles over made the police give permis- Alleging that Sharmila had . Speaking to the TRS government when he found, after an enquiry, that down. After 1985 batch IAS officer and Union whether she is really honest, considering that sion to Sharmila's proposed faulty agreement with TRS, media at the state BJP office on worked as a CLP leader. Thadikonda Swpna did cast a secretary of social justice R Subramayam even the findings of the vigilance enquiry public meeting in Khammam Congress and MIM, Prabhakar Sunday, Prabhakar alleged that Prabhakar alleged that the fake vote. On the other hand, raised an objection to her ad hoc promotion have not been made public. Some believe the on April 9. asked these parties to tell the Congress made Dr G TRS won the graduate MLC the Congress and Left parties during a meeting of the promotion commit- 'honest' badge saved her, but others aver the Prabhakar stated that he "Why the then Chief Minister Chinna Reddy and Sabhavath elections handholding former are demanding that the tee, top bosses of the Andhra government are label is just a cover for such officials to have will speak to the Centre on the late YS Rajashekara Reddy Ramulu Naik scapegoats to Prime Minister late PV Municipal chairperson should learnt to have moved a proposal to bring him their way, come what may. turmeric board in Nizamabad. didn't respond on turmeric ensure the victory of K Jana Narasimha Rao's daughter and tender her resignation or else back to , cutting short his TS employees highest He said that the turmeric board even after D Srinivas Reddy in Nagarjuna Sagar by- are trying to win the next the district collector should deputation to the Centre. Although the paid, but … farmers were getting good tried to convince YSR. I think polls. He alleged that the TRS Assembly elections with the dismiss her using discre- Chief Secretary of the state is said to be prices with the Spices Board, Sharmila didn't have this infor- leaders' efforts were in a man- help of Sharmila. tionary powers. unaware of this, powers that be in Andhra Normally state government employees pushed the proposal and even 'informed' envy the salaries drawn by central govern- Subramanyam about the consequences of not ment employees, aside from perks. However, falling in line with the AP govt. This dope may after the recent pay revision for the employ- No Sr Resident Doctor on... Congress seeks support of Left or may not have been the trigger, but what ees of Telangana Government, even Indian we heard last was that Subramanyam has Administrative Officers prefer to be on the Continued from Page 1 parties to ensure Jana Reddy... modified his 'dissent' note to insist on 'reg- pay rolls of State Government! This was dis- Health care workers not getting... ular' promotion, thus yielding in time to pow- closed by none other than Chief Minister This is currently 10 per cent of Continued from Page 1 elections. The CPI too had ers that be and sounding generous to K.Chandrasekhar Rao in the Assembly the their gross monthly remuner- Continued from Page 1 distanced itself from the Srilakshmi garu. Babus in the Andhra gov- other day. At least Chief Secretary Somesh ation". Dr Jahangir, Senior They have said that they Congress party after the 2018 Paramedical staff, and everyone working in the Health Department, ernment are slowly realizing who the Boss is. Kumar and Finance Department Principal Resident Doctor, said, "We including contractual employees and those roped in from private agen- would inform the Congress Assembly elections alleging Secretary K.Ramakrishna Rao are apparent- have not received any single about their decision within that the Maha Kutami lost Khaki vs saffron cies, policemen, and sanitation workers in municipalities and panchay- ly among those who have also aired this view. incentive since last eight ats. According to Telangana Doctors' Associations, the 10 percent two days after discussing the elections due to the Congress Attire bespeaks the power, glory and lim- Over three lakh government employees months. We were promised an incentive scheme has not been implemented properly by the state gov- same within their parties. For party's mismanagement as its of those wearing them. The moment peo- and teachers have been given 30 per cent fit- additional financial incentive ernment. Hence, only a few doctors had been paid incentive for two the record, the Telangana the head of the Maha Kutami ple wearing them cross limits, they can be ment, over and above the 7.5 per cent rec- on par with regular Medical months and later the government stopped paying incentives altogether. CPI(M) has already distanced (aka Praja Kutami). The defrocked, physically or psychologically. ommended by the 11th Pay Revision Professionals of Department of itself from the Congress party. Congress leaders mentioned Several complaints have reached the BJP Commission. In fact, KCR created record of Medical Education during our they took whole batch of 110+ for such long hours since the It has also made it clear to its in their letter that the leaders headquarters about two IPS officers: one from sorts by giving 43 per cent fitment over the allotments. We were posted Senior Residents and forced us pandemic started, we were fellow Communist party CPI of the Left parties knew very Telangana and the other from Andhra. last PRC recommendation. Thus, in just only for COVID duties. Every to do only Covid duties and not paid any incentives even that it would not join hands well about the corrupt and While Praveen Kumar from Telangana is fac- seven years, TS government employees year they used to give senior gave notices to those who once. We demand government with the CPI if the latter undemocratic rule of the TRS ing flak for his alleged tendentious remarks have seen their pay go up by 73 per cent - resident posts only for few but were not joining or abscond- to release the inventives as joined hands with the party and about BJP's com- at a function, PV Sunil Kumar from Andhra something which even the Central govern- last year when we passed out ing duties. But despite working early as possible" (sic). Congress in the Assembly munal politics. has been named by RSS and VHP for his ment could not do for its employees. active involvement in Ambedkar India Telangana State employees are drawing the Mission. YSRCP MP Raghurama Krishnam highest pay scales in the country. Although Raju even met President of India to complain they no longer envy central government staff, Sharad Pawar-Amit Shah ‘Meet’... Continued from Page 1 Vijayashanthi, Babu Mohan... about these officers. RSS and VHP are par- they do look longingly at the pay scales of Valse-Patil refused it. No person ticularly upset with the 'anti-Hindu propagan- the Electricity Department which are signif- sitting on the post of Home Continued from Page 1 incharge Ponguleti Sudhakar Venkateshwar Rao, Endela da' under various platforms. The saffron icantly better than theirs. In fact Finance Titled "Doubting Maharashtra's Minister of the state can work Reddy, BJLP leader T Raja Laxminarayana, former brigade is hell bent upon stopping the same. Secretary Ramakrishna Rao, given a choice, character, the botched damage by being surrounded by dubi- BJP national vice-president Singh, BJLP deputy leader M Ministers---Mothkupalli They have already targeted these officers on would prefer those scales, according to the control" - the editorial this ous characters". "If a junior DK Aruna, Union Minister G Raghunandan Rao, former Narsimhulu, E Peddi Reddy, their respective social media platforms. In Chief Minister. morning said Mr Deshmukh officer like Sachin Waze was Kishan Reddy, OB Morcha MPs-AP Jithender Reddy, Babu Mohan, Chandrasekhar, retaliation, the Ambedkar India Mission Captain Jagan mulling "forgot about the sharpness running a (money) collection national president Dr K Garikapati Mohan Rao, Dr BJP state general secretary (AIM) has launched #wesupportPVSK cam- team rejig required as home minister". racket, why was the home min- Laxman, BJP National execu- Vivek, Vijayashanthi, Chada Manthri Srinivas, former paign. VHP leaders have brought out some Calling him an "accidental ister not aware of it? tive special invitee N Indrasena Suresh Reddy, D Ravindra Legislative Council chairman of the comments brazenly supporting There are indications that AP Chief home minister", the editorial Government's character has Reddy. Madhya Pradesh state Naik, former Minister Dr Swamy Goud, zonal in-charge Christianity and condemning Hindu gods to Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy is getting said, "Sharad Pawar had hand- been questioned many times incharge P Muralidhar Rao, Vijayaramarao, BJP state vice- M Dharma Rao, former MLA submit them to Union Home Minister Amit ready to rejig the entire state administration. ed over this post to Deshmukh due to what happened in past Nizamabad MP Dharmapuri presidents-- Chinthala Vijayapal Reddy, and former Shah. They, along with RSS activists, are press- Coming after two years, it appears that Jagan after Jayant Patil and Dilip few months," the editorial read. Arvind, state co- Ramchandra Reddy, Sankineni MLA Kuna Srisailam Goud. ing the Union government to act against offi- would pick up from where he left recently cials who are involved in activities that go while drawing a parallel between a T 20 beyond policing. cricket match and his team. He then praised Cover or badge teamwork and said that his team had played excellent innings in the opening overs. He Prices of common vegetables rise further in range of 18 to 37 per cent Honesty is a dicey concept, if we consid- cautioned them against relaxing, saying mid- er it in the context of the maxim 'Every man dle overs were as important as the opening ith the US dollar Copper MCX closed at Rs.380 and closed at According to the said report mon pulses such as tuar dal, (or woman) has a price'. Naturally, armed ones. Captain alone cannot win the match, gaining strength Rs.671 (per kg). Sensex Rs.45,710 (per 10 gms). during the financial year masoor dal, moong dal and with 'honest' label, sometimes officials peo- he famously said. Wvis-à-vis other lead- and Nifty 50 closed at Ornamental gold too, fol- 2020, Indians purchased gold urad dal and commodities ple do things that are not acceptable and yet If landslide victories in panchayat and ing currencies and treasury 69,008.50 and lowed suit and was quot- and silver ornaments worth like chillies and garlic record- come out unscathed, while those not hav- civic polls were the thriller of Jagan's T-20, bills fetching higher returns, 14,507.30 points ed in the range of Rs. 43,130 crore as against Rs. ed a marginal appreciation, ing such label would have to go through hell the captain now has the delicate task of iden- investors have shifted gears in respectively. Rs.41,800 - Rs 41,900 42,760 crore in the previous while staple food grains and for similar mistakes. A senior lady IAS offi- tifying individual performance with the ball, favour of stocks and treasury On Saturday, on the closing day. year. On the other hand, common edible oils remained cer, presently working in a key department bat and on field. So, one can witness major bills. Consequently, New York leading foreign Silver (0.999) also investment in shares and unchanged. in Andhra Pradesh and known for her hon- changes in the departments headed by gold declined and closed at curren- declined by debentures for the same peri- Common vegetables such esty and sincerity, has been in the dock for some senior and middle-level bureaucrats as US $ 1,733.30 (per ounce), cies' Rs.2,500 and ods declined from Rs. 78,970 as cabbage, cauliflower, allegedly awarding a Rs 54-crore contract also in the districts. All that the bureaucrats while silver followed the suit exchange WEEKLY MARKET REVIEW closed at crore to Rs.77,420 crore. ribbed gourd, snake gourd, improperly during the previous TDP gov- know for now is that the captain wants his and closed at $ 25.03 (per rates were, US $: Rs.72.45, Rs.69,300 (per kg). lady's finger, cucumber, pota- ernment. The lady, who has won an award recast team to take forward his work as the ounce). Platinum and palla- British Pound: Rs.99.91, Considering the evolving COMMODITIES toes, onions, tomatoes, from the central government for her hon- coming months are going to be crucial for dium closed at $ 1,182 (per Euro: Rs.85.67, Singapore $: atmosphere of bonhomie The sentiment in principal French beans and leafy veg- esty, faced vigilance enquiry under the him. . ounce) and $ 2,598 (per Rs.53.83, Swiss Franc: among leading economies wholesale commodity mar- etables flared up still further TDP government. After YSR Congress came Yours truly ounce) respectively. Rs.77.13, Australian $: including the USA, global kets in the twin cities in the range of 18 per cent to Other economic parame- Rs.55.29, Saudi Riyal: market sentiment is expect- remained moderate. Rythu 37 per cent due to higher ters remained stable. Rs.19.32, New Zealand ed to remain fairly strong in Bazaars and the various com- demand on account of However, Brent closed at the Dollar: Rs.50.80, Kuwaiti the coming few weeks. modity markets located in Covid-19 situation. lower level of US $64.57 (per Dinar: Rs.240.03, Omani However, according to the , Kishangunj, The NECC wholesale price Judicial probe against Central... barrel) so also Crude MCX Rial: Rs.188.40 and UAE National Accounts Statistics Mukthyargunj, Risala of egg in Hyderabad declined Continued from Page 1 and then a judicial commission ment is challenging the feder- which was quoted at Rs.4,466 Dirham: Rs.19.72, Japanese for the year 2021, once again Abdullah, Mir Alam Mandi, by Rs.2 and closed at Rs.352 has been appointed against al structure of the (per barrel). While Gold Yen: Rs.0.66 and Hong Kong gold and silver have become , , (per 100). The highest price On the smuggling cases, he the central agency. It's very Constitution. MCX stood at Rs.44,650 (per Dollar: Rs.9.32. the hot favorites of domestic , General Bazaar of Rs.435 was recorded at said: "I came to know that the unfortunate. This is 100 per cent against 10 gms), MCX Silver closed In local markets, standard investors in India due to the recorded moderate trading. Kolkata, while Hospet case is being probed by the ED This means the state govern- the constitution." at Rs.64,648 (per kg) and gold (24 carats) declined by lower risk element. During the week, com- recorded the lowest of Rs.345. A decent burial to Jagan's tirade; SC leaves people guessing! Chaos at HCA TRS conducts... meet, Azhar HC UPADHYAY n HYDERABAD and other concerned people, ment by the apex court that the apex court has not only ter was squarely governed by Continued from Page 1 meetings with the local lead- now comes the news that in the complaint made by the sacrificed transparency and Section 46 of the Companies ers of the opposition parties, skewered Finally, the curtains rung reply to the Law Minister's AP Chief Minister, Y fair play, but has also proba- Act, 2013. NREGS Field Assistants' particularly the Congress and down on the much-debated letter dated 19th March Jaganmohan Reddy is con- bly provided the motive TS-HC accedes to Association, and RMP the BJP, and convincing them Continued from Page 1 letter of complaint addressed seeking his recommen- signed to the dust bin power to the rumour-mill. woman judges' Doctors' Association among to join TRS and the MLAs are to the Chief Justice of India dation for appointment after a group of the apex demand others. It is learnt that the reportedly succeeding in their He also questioned by Chief Minister of Andhra of the next CJI, the court's confidential delib- Calcutta HC on the mandal in-charge MLAs are efforts. It is learnt that the Azharuddin as to what Pradesh, Y. Jaganmohan retiring Chief Justice erations on its con- offence of cheating The High Court for the assuring the associations that efforts of the MLAS are yield- changes he had brought in the Reddy on October 6 last year of India, S.A Bobde tents. A single-judge bench of the State of Telangana, following the TRS would address their ing good results. HCA after becoming the pres- and made 'public' subse- has recommend- Now, if we Calcutta High Court has a representation of the grievances in the Athmeeya On the other hand, the in- ident of HCA. quently. In the said letter, ed the name of put one and two ruled that non-issuance of President, Telangana Judges' Sammelans. The MLAs are charge MLAs are customizing VHR took Azharuddin to Reddy had named sitting Justice N V acts of the Supreme duplicate share certificate to Association seeking parity personally meeting those orga- strategies for each village. task for failing to ask ensure senior Judge of the apex Ramana to the Court, the obvious the share-holder does not with the State government nizations' heads and assuring They are assigning tasks to vil- KTR's help in setting up crick- court, NV Ramana. The said Law Ministry for conclusion we reach is attract the provision of employees and Jharkhand them of all help. The MLAs lage-level leaders to implement et stadiums in districts on the letter, termed as 'the letter- the appointment that the highest court of Section 420 IPC as to consti- State Judiciary, has acceded to have also been conducting their strategies successfully. lines of the ones in Andhra bomb' by legal observers, as his successor LEGAL the land having given due tute an offence of cheating the demand for five special Pradesh. had all the trappings of a to the august post. consideration to the said there must be an element of casual leaves to woman- He also opposed the pro- melodrama with punch. The Justice Bobde will ROUNDUP letter-bomb, has found cheating right from the judges working in the High posal to make Deepak Varma letter, inter alia, contained retire from ser- nothing explosive in it and beginning. In the instant Court and Subordinate the ombudsman, it is learnt. serious allegations against vice on coming therefore, given a clean case, the company had Courts in the State in addi- Modi hails Mithali... Proposing Meera Kumari's the Judge, such as his involve- April 23 and if the govern- chit to Justice N V Ramana already issued the original tion to regular 15 casual name for the ombudsman ment in land scam at the new ment accepts the recommen- which is evident from the fact share certificates, the court leaves. The Registrar General Continued from Page 1 The country has witnessed position, VHR commented capital of AP at Amaravati, dation, Justice Ramana will that the outgoing CJI himself observed. of the High Court issued a this during the white revolution that HCA had to conduct undue interference and take over as the next CJI on has chosen to recommend Justice Surva Ghosh in circular to this effect on Asserting that adopting modern and bee farming is also emerg- elections even for the appoint- favoritism in judicial work April 24 and will retire on him as his successor. If so, the Avion Builders Pvt.Ltd & March 26." practices in the agriculture sec- ing as one such alternative, he ment of ombudsman. etc. August 26, 2022. question that remains unan- Ors Vs. State of West Bengal Madras High Court's tor is imperative, he said in every said. The prime minister's call for He asked Azharuddin to The entire legal fraternity There is nothing new in swered is: Why no action & Ors where the de facto aspect of life, newness and mod- embracing modern practices in tell why HCA had not been and concerned denizens at the recommendation process. against the author of the let- petitioner had complained concern for safety ernisation are essential. agriculture comes at a time giving Rs. 3 to 4 lakh to each home, besides netizens all It is as per Memorandum of ter, Chief Minister Y. against the company and oth- In a first-of-its-kind move, "In India's agriculture sector, when hundreds of farmers have club every year for develop- over, were waiting for some Procedure agreed to between Jaganmohan Reddy has been ers under Sections 406, 420 the Madras HC on March 22 modernisation is the need of the been camping at Delhi's border ment of cricket. 'strong' reaction either from the government and the apex taken or proposed to be and 120-B of IPC, observed: expressed its concern over hour. It has been delayed and we points at Ghazipur, Singhu and All along, Azharuddin's the Supreme Court of India, court. Except in the years taken? "No prima facie case of rising cases of Covid-19 in have already lost a lot of time," Tikri since November last year opponent faction headed by Attorney General of India or 1973 and 1977 when senior- The majesty of law and entrustment with or domin- recent days and requested the prime minister said in his demanding that the Centre former BCCI president Shivlal Parliament on this rare inci- ity was overlooked, during all respect for the Judges and the ion over property or dishon- all political parties and can- 75th episode of Mann Ki Baat. repeal the three contentious Yadav has been alleging that dent. But much to the relief these years since courts are quintessential ele- est misappropriation of prop- didates, who hold meetings "To create new employment farm laws. The government has there has been no change in of the author of the letter, Y Independence, the next ments of the reliable and erty or even ingredient of and go campaigning all over opportunities in agriculture, to maintained that these reform the HCA activities even after Jaganmohan Reddy as also senior-most Judge of the apex unbiased justice delivery sys- cheating has found place Tamil Nadu, to ensure that at increase farmers' income, it is laws will boost farmers' income Azharuddin became its pres- the targeted Judge, N V court steps into the shoes of tem. By sweeping the within the four corners of the every gathering masks are equally important to adopt new by bringing investment, modern ident. Ramana and much as a sur- the retiring CJI. Jaganmohan Reddy's com- complaint." worn by all and that social alternatives and innovations practices and allow them to sell The HCA's image had taken prise and disappointment to However, what baffles the plaint against the probable The Opposite Party had distancing norms are main- along with traditional agricultur- their produce anywhere across a beating after Azharuddin the 'waiting' legal fraternity observers is the announce- next CJI, under the carpet, taken the plea that the mat- tained without exception. al practices," he said. the country at the best prices. became its president, they say.

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Printed and published by B Krishna Prasad for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd., Phone: 040-23322341, Hyderabad Office: F-502, Diamond Block, Lumbini Rockdale, , Hyderabad - 500 082. Telangana. Printed at Sree Seshasai Enterprises, Plot No.19, IDA Balanagar , Hyderbad-500037, - District, Telangana. Chief Editor: Chandan Mitra. Resident Editor: B Krishna Prasad, AIR SURCHARGE of Rs 2.00. HYDERABAD | MONDAY | MARCH 29, 2021 hyderabad 03 MMTS network to don new look People prefer online mode of PNS n HYDERABAD platforms, foot-over bridges, a wide circulating area, parking payment to pay property tax With the trial run in 13.98 kilo- arena etc. will be provided in metre rail route, where both every station on this route. One electrification and double lin- road under bridge and sig- Digital payments increased to Rs 573.65 crore ing works have been complet- nalling interlocking will be ed, the long awaited second arranged in this new lane. PNS n HYDERABAD phase of the city’s Multi-Modal Other than this work some Transport System (MMTS) has other works are under process People prefer to make their crossed another milestone. The in the second phase of MMTS. payments, including property trial run has been done in the One of those, electrification tax, online afraid to step out for southern part of Greater Hyd- work of 19-km stretch between fear of contracting the virus. erabad, between Falaknuma and Bollaram is The value of property tax and Umdanagar stations in underway. through digital payments, the international airport area. The double lining between which was limited to Rs 80 Hyderabad MMTS is very Secunderabad-Bollaram- crore earlier, has increased to crucial to maintaining the city Medchal, 28 km north of the Rs 573.65 crore. traffic. Availability of this route city, is nearing completion with In fact, 55 per cent of the would facilitate the operation electrification work being done. total tax payers paid the prop- of all types of trains, thereby Construction of a four-lane erty tax through digital route. benefiting millions of passen- railway line between - Till Friday, 11,68,939 tax 90 per cent on property tax penalised. Those who fail to gers and on the other hand Moulali with electrification and payers remitted Rs 1493.22 dues up to 2019-20 under pay the tax will be penalised 24 with this new line being oper- The trial run has been completed in the Multi-Modal Transport System second automatic signaling is underway crore by way of property tax. one-time settlement scheme. per cent of whatever amount ational, maintenance of pas- southern part of Greater Hyderabad, phase work is going on for the past four to replace the existing double The Citizen Service Centres In 2019-20, the civic body they have to pay before the senger and express trains may between Falaknuma and Umdanagar years. This project was taken up by Rail line to avoid congestion and run remitted Rs 185 crore, while has generated Rs 1,472 crore deadline," a senior official said. become easy to the railway stations in the Rajiv Gandhi International Vikas Nigam Limited for 84 kilometres of more trains on the route. bill collectors collected Rs and this year's collection till The rise in property tax authority. Airport area. rail works. The ten-kilometer double 734.02 crore. March 25 happens to be high- payment is attributed to the In the first phase of MMTS, lining and electrification work The GHMC has set a target er by Rs 31 crore. One Time Settlement (OTS) services are being provided in between Moulali-Malkajgiri- of Rs 1,900 crore this financial Officials said there are scheme implemented across all 42 kilometres with double- years. This project was taken - Umdanagar saw completion Andhra Pradesh and is in the final year and with time left till the around 16 lakh property tax- Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) lined tracks, and nearly 1.20 up by Rail Vikas Nigam of the electrification works, Karnataka will go through this stages. Construction of five month-end, hopes to increase payers in the GHMC limits of under which the State govern- lakh passengers are using this Limited (RVNL) for 84 kilo- doubling of lines and infra- route only. And this line is also new stations to connect the the collection further. which 11.73 lakh have paid the ment allows a waiver of 90 per service. With the increase of metres of rail works. Till now structure design. This line is useful for transport of goods. East-West across Secunderabad Compared to the last year, the tax. Those who fail to remit the cent of accumulated interest demand in the MMTS, officials they have completed nine- very crucial in the merging of RVNL is planning to con- station, along with 21- km payment of property tax tax before March 31 will be arrears on property tax upon are now concentrating on the kilometre Patan Cheru- Kurnool town, Guntakal, struct new stations at electrification and double lin- through cheques has come levied penalties from April 1. clearing the entire arrears in second phase of the services. route and it is being Banglore, Secunderabad, and Falaknuma, Sivarampalli, ing work between Moulali- down this year. The |GHMC "We are going door-to-door one go. The officials said that MMTS second phase work is used now. Recently, the second stations. Bhudwel, and Undanagar. Sanath Nagar are also under- officials said that the civic reminding people to pay the the deadline for the scheme going on for the past four phase line between Falaknuma Almost all trains towards Along with these high-level way. body had waived interest up to tax on time and avoid being would expire soon. CITY LIGHTS 535 new Covid cases, TS Governor Tamilisai, CM KCR convey Holi greetings 3 deaths in Telangana PNS n HYDERABAD hief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao Telangana reported 535 new Cconveyed greetings to people of Telangana State Covid cases and three deaths on the occasion of Holi. He during the last 24 hours, health urged the people to officials said on Sunday. celebrate Holi observing The fresh cases pushed the the Covid-19 guidelines. state's cumulative tally to He advised them not 3,06,339 while the death toll A Hyderbad-based NGO - Earthlings hads remodeled a park in gather in public places and mounted to 1,688. CHILD-FRIENDLY Methodist Colony at . This has now become a children instead, celebrate the According to the daily friendly park covered with child-friendly images. festival at their respective homes. Assembly Speaker Pocharam media bulletin released by the Srinivas Reddy, Council Chairman Gutha Sukhender Reddy, Director of Public Health and Admissions in both gov- Ministers Errabelli Dayakar Rao, Satyavathi Rathod, Vemula Family Welfare, the fatality rate ernment and private hospitals Reddy and others also extended their greetings to the stands at 0.55 per cent but is treating Covid continued to be people of Telangana State. "The festive spirit of Holi transcends still lower than the national on rise. Bed status in 62 gov- across all social barriers and strengthens the social fabric and average of 1.4 per cent. ernment hospitals shows that symbolises the power of truth and good triumphing over evil," the The spike in cases continued 714 out of 8,419 beds were Governor said. They urged people to celebrate Holi in a low key across the state. During the last occupied. Similarly, in 215 affair and avoid mass gatherings in the wake of rising Covid-19 24 hours that ended 8 p.m. private hospitals, 1,802 out of cases. Saturday, Greater Hyderabad 7,718 beds were occupied. reported 154 new cases. A total of 278 people recov- Medchal Malkajgiri and ered from the pandemic dur- Rangareddy districts bordering ing the last 24 hours, taking Govt nod for up-gradation of the state capital reported 49 and the cumulative recoveries to 39 cases, respectively. 3,00,156. The recovery rate has Language Pandits, PET posts Nizamabad reported 32 cases come down to below 98 per followed by Sangareddy (22), cent, to 97.98 per cent but is he state government has accorded permission for the up- Mahabubnagar (21), Yadadri still above the national average gradation of posts of Language Pandits as the School Assistant Bhongir (19), Khammam (16), of 94.6 per cent. Authorities T(Languages) and Physical Education Teachers (PET) as School Karimnagar (15), and Jagtiyal conducted 57,942 tests during Assistant (Physical Education). With this approval, 8,630 posts of (15). The total number of active the last 24 hours. Of them, Language Pandit will be upgraded as SA (Languages) and 1,849 cases rose further to 4,495, 49,766 samples were tested in PETs as SA (Physical Education) in the Government including 1,979 who are in government laboratories and Schools/Mandal Parishad Upper Primary Schools/Zilla Praja home/institutional isolation. remaining 8,176 in private. Parishad Schools across the State. "…The government after careful examination hereby accords permission to the Director of School Education, Hyderabad, to issue instructions to all the District Educational Officers for the up-gradation of 8,630 posts of LP as SA ASI injured after (Languages) and 1,849 posts of PET as SA (Physical Education)," No plans to float political Navami celebrations to read an order issued by the School Education Department. The department will soon issue a schedule for promoting all eligible drunk driver hits teachers. The State government has also tweaked the eligibility for the up-gradation to SA (Languages). Earlier, secondary grade him during drunk party: Teenmar Mallanna be low-key affair this year too teachers (Telugu only) were promoted as the SA (Languages). The PNS n HYDERABAD he will set up Teenmar PNS n HYDERABAD temple pundits in the temple government, which amended necessary rules, has now given and drive check Mallanna teams at state, dis- premises only, the Minister eligibility only to LP for the SA (Languages) post. Likewise, only PNS n HYDERABAD Television show presenter trict and constituency level. Telangana Endowments appealed to the devotees not to PETs were given eligibility for SA (Physical Education). Teenmar Mallanna, who gave He, however, said he will not Minister A Indrakaran Reddy visit the temple keeping in view An assistant sub-inspector a tough fight to the ruling form a political party. on Sunday said that Sri of Covid pandemic. sustained injuries after being Telangana Rashtra Samithi In the recent elections to the Sitarama Kalyanam (Celestial The Minister said that the IIT-Hyderabad researchers on hit by man driving car under (TRS) in the recent Legislative Nalgonda-Warangal- Wedding) will be held at the Srirama Navami celebrations the influence of alcohol. Council elections, on Sunday Khammam graduates con- historic Sri Sitaramachandra will be telecasted live by the the hunt for Einstein's waves The incident took place on said he has no plans to float a stituency of the Legislative Swamy Shrine in television channels. The devo- Saturday night under political party. Council, Teenmar Mallanna in a simple tees who booked tickets on esearchers from the Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad Kukatpally police station lim- Mallanna, whose real name gave jitters to the TRS by manner due to the recent surge online for these celebrations (IIT-H) have now joined the global hunt for gravitational waves, its. The injured ASI was shift- is C Naveen Kumar, also clar- contesting as an independent. of Covid cases. will be returned, he said. Ralso popular as Einstein's waves (named after Albert Einstein), ed to KIMS in for ified that he will not be con- He gave tough fight to TRS The celestial wedding will be The Minister also reviewed from monster black holes. Indian Pulsar Timing Array (InPTA) of treatment. According to the testing next month's by-elec- candidate Palla Rajeshwar held on the occasion of Sri the arrangements with which IIT-H is a participant, joined the IPTA (International Pulsar police, they were conducting tion to Nagarjuna Sagar Reddy and finished runners Rama Navami on April 21. Transport Minister Puvvada Timing Array) as a full member, as part of international efforts to drunk and drive checking Assembly seat. His clarifica- up with 1.49 lakh first and sec- The Minister said that the Ajay Kumar, Endowments search for nanoHz gravitational waves. The InPTA consortium is a near Kolanu Raghavareddy tion came amid reports that ond preference votes. state has imposed restrictions April 30. So that the govern- Commissioner and District collaboration of about 25 research scientists and students from 15 gardens on road BJP approached him to contest While Teenmar Mallanna on public gatherings, congre- ment has taken a decision to Collectors through the phone. institutions in India and abroad, has been using the upgraded Giant around 11 pm. The car dri- on its ticket. has no plans to form a politi- gations, rallies and proces- conduct the celestial wedding Keeping in view of the Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) Observatory at National ver, Aslam who was driving Addressing a meeting of cal party or to contest sions during the upcoming with limited people like last recent surge of Covid cases, the Centre for Radio Astrophysics of Tata Institute of Fundamental in inebriated state was scared his supporters in Medchal Nagarjuna Sagar bypoll, he religious events like Shab e- year. Minister asked the temple Research (NCRI-TIFR), to measure about 6 to 20-millisecond radio of the punishment and tried district, he announced that he said he will be working to Barat, Holi, Ugadi, Rama Stating that the Srirama authorities in the state to main- pulsars since 2015. Along with IITH, NCRA-TIFR, many other to escape from police injur- will undertake a 6,000 km long queer the pitch for the ruling Navami, Mahavir Jayanthi, Navami celebrations will be tain Covid guidelines strictly organisations like Raman Research Institute (RRI) are involved in ing the ASI Mahipal Reddy. padyatra. He also stated that party. Good Friday and Ramzan till held as Agana Sastra by the during the darshan of Lord. the consortium which will now join the international efforts to discover and study very-low-frequency gravitational waves from monster black holes going around each other in orbit, a release from IIT Hyderabad said. Over 4 lakh winged visitors flocked Telangana this season Temperatures in TS cross PNS n HYDERABAD to conduct a census on the lake, Pakala lake in Warangal winged visitors to find out district, Farhabad region in Migratory birds to the state how many bird species visit- Nallamala forest, the Nizam dreaded 40 degree C mark from distant lands have set out ed the state. Sagar, Nargajunasagar pro- ith the Sun beating down for their places as the season The enumerators found out jects and Himayat Sagar. The relentlessly, as the draws to a close. that the migratory birds made lake also was visit- Wsummer peaks, Development of tanks in Mission Kakatiya tanks as ed by rare bird species. temperatures in several places Telangana provided the per- their home this year. Besides, The species that mostly across the State have already fect setting for the winged vis- the Manjira river, Singur dam, visit the state include species crossed the dreaded 40 degree itors from home and abroad. Anna Sagar, Pocharam, like flemingoes, painted Celsius mark. While the capital These visitors travelling thou- Gandipet tanks and the tanks starks, spotbill duck, night city saw the mercury scorching sands of miles, crossing vari- developed under Mission heron, Brahminy Duck, says past 39 degree Celsius on ous continents, visited the Kakatiya became hotspots Deccan Birds Society repre- Sunday, the situation across the State is already turning hot, with state. with the migratory birds. The sentative Srikant. districts like Adilabad, Mancherial and Kumaram Bheem Asifabad According to a conservative migratory birds also zeroed in Bar-headed goose species recording nearly 42 degrees, while Peddapalli, Jagitial and estimate by the Bird Watchers' on the tank on the premises visit the state from Mangolia, Nizamabad have recorded 41 degree Celsius. This could be just the Society, the number of winged of Hyderabad International he said. beginning of a severe summer, officials say, also hinting that April visitors to the state crossed Convention Centre, Another representative of and May could be worse with a possibility of heatwaves in parts of four lakh as against two to Ammenpur lake and Osman the society Kalyan said that a the State. According to India Meteorological Department officials, three and half lakhs earlier. Sagar. species called Shelduck which the maximum temperatures, which hovered between 35 degree During the 2020 winter, the The Deccan Birds' Society is native to the Himalayan Celsius and 37 degree Celsius in early March, are likely to cross 40 number of migratory birds lakh. However, during 2021 15 per cent. along with other organisations says that it spotted rare birds region was spotted in Hussain degrees in Hyderabad in a few days. visiting the state was put at 4 winter, their number is up by The Bird Watchers' Society have embarked on an exercise at lake, Yedulabad Sagar lake. HYDERABAD | MONDAY | MARCH 29, 2021 hyderabad 04 Kaleshwaram to be hub of tourism TADURU KARUNAKAR n Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao earlier announced that n KARIMNAGAR the irrigation project would be developed on the lines of the Dal Lake in Srinagar and the Brindavan Gardens in Mysore The prestigious Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, which is n Arrangements would also be made for the tourist packages being touted as a marvel of engi- to include several prominent temples surrounding these neering, is all set to put another projects like Kaleshwaram, Basara, Dharmapuri, Gudemgutta, feather in its cap as a major tourist , Parnasala and Bhadrachalam. attraction in the State. With the allocation of Rs 726 crore in the would be set up to turn the pro- budget for 2021 as compared to ject into one of the best tourist the allocation of Rs 385.2 crore in attractions in the country. the 2020 budget, the project will During the recent budget ses- become a hub of tourist attrac- sion, Minister for Finance T tions. Harish Rao announced that the According to the Detailed Kaleshwaram tourism circuit Project Report (DPR) submitted would be inaugurated in 2021. to the government six months Projects that are part of the Minister for Agriculture S Niranjan Reddy and Minister for Finance T Harish Rao holding a palm oil packet. ago, the construction of tourist Kaleshwarm tourism circuit Minister for Finance T Harish Rao lighting the Minister for Agriculture attractions like theme parks and include the Laxmi Barrage at traditional lamp to inaugurate a seminar on ‘oil S Niranjan Reddy is all smiles water games at all the barrages Medigadda, the Saraswathi palm cultivation’ in Siddipet on Sunday and pump houses along the pump house in Kaleshwaram, Kaleshwaram project from the Annaram Barrage and Medigadda to Konda theme-based resorts and restau- Chief Minister K Chandrase pump house, Mallannasagar, Pochammasagar, at an estimated rants among other tourist khar Rao earlier announced Kondapochammasagar, the Raise oil palm to get stable cost of Rs 600 crore, has been attractions and amenities. The that the irrigation project would Sammakkasagar at Tupakul planned. entire project, to the extent of be developed on the lines of the agudem and . The DPR also proposed 680.44 acres, including all the Dal Lake in Srinagar and the Arrangements would also like Kaleshwaram, Basara, boating facilities in the backwa- locations, would be divided and Brindavan Gardens in Mysore. be made for tourist packages to Dharmapuri, Gudemgutta, income, Minister tells ryots ters, setting up of parks, Smriti developed into nine separate He also said entertainment fea- include several prominent tem- Kotilingala, Parnasala and Vanams, children play areas, tourist sites. tures like musical fountains ples surrounding these projects Bhadrachalam. PNS n SIDDIPET boars, pests, monkey menace n Stating that all types of and soon. soils are suitable for oil Minister for Agriculture S Cultivation of other crops in palm cultivation, he Niranjan Reddy has advised the oil palm field helps farm- explained the gathering farmers to cultivate oil palm ers to get an additional that both the Centre and ‘Defeat a stepping for bright future and get recur- income. The country occupies TRS government HMDA demolishes illegal ring and stable income for the the fourth position in the encouraging oil palm next 30 years on low invest- world in the production of edi- ment. ble oils, he said adding that cultivation. stone for success’ He was the chief guest at an Telangana ranks number two ventures in awareness programme on oil in the country in oil palm cul- tutes 60 per cent. PNS n There are many talented palm cultivation held here on tivation. Oil palm processing unit players in rural areas, who PNS n MEDCHAL- Sunday. The seminar was After four years, a farmer can will be set up at Narmetta in Patancheru MLA G can shine at the national MALKAJGIRI held under the joint aegis of earn Rs 1.20 lakh per acre, Nangunuru in Siddipet district, Mahipal Reddy has said level, he said assuring them the Horticulture department while the farmer can get a sub- he said. that defeat is the stepping of his full support. He The Hyderabad Metropolitan and the Oil Fed. sidy of Rs 30,000 per acre. The Minister for Finance Harish stone for success and main- appreciated arranging sports Development Authority Raising oil palm garden is Nabard extends credit facility to Rao said that all crops, except tained that a win or defeat competitions in villages to (HMDA) is cracking down akin to having the divine farmers and the Horticulture paddy and sugar cane, can be is the most common in channelise youth energy on illegal ventures. The wish-fulfilling tree Department provides drip irri- grown in oil palm field as sports. He maintained that constructively. Later, he pre- HMDA Planning and (Kalpavruksham) at hand, he gation. intercrops. He appealed to oil defeat should become a sented cash prize and tro- Enforcement wing, in collab- said. Edible oil companies will give palm farmers to come forward source of inspiration for phies to winners. oration with the Shamshabad Stating that all types of soils bank guarantee to the farmers. to cultivate oil palm in the dis- success. Pati village sarpanch Municipal officials, took are suitable for oil palm culti- There would be no middlemen trict. He wanted them to set an He was the chief guest in Munnur Lakshmaiah, gram action at the field level by vation, he explained the gath- in the trade. On average, the example for farmers in other the prize distribution func- panchayat governing body demolishing the illegal layout ering that both the Centre and yield per acre would be at least districts to emulate. Farmers tion at the valedictory of the members, public represen- at Kishan Guda village in TRS government encouraging 12 tonnes. The palmolein oil from all parts of the district 15-day Pati Cricket Trophy tatives, former MPP Shamshabad mandal. HMDA officials demolishing roads in an illegal layout at Kishan Guda village oil palm cultivation. The companies will directly buy the turned out in large numbers at event concluded at Pati vil- Yadagiri Yadav, TRS party The HMDA officials in Shamshabad mandal on Sunday Central government gave its crop from farmers, helping them the seminar. lage on Sunday. senior leaders Venkat demolished roads, electricity nod to raise the crop in eight earn regular monthly income. MP of Medak K He has been striving to Reddy, Swami Goud, village poles and footpaths at Nos. 64 / AA and 64/AA/4. Shamshabad Town Planning lakh acres in four years. If the Moreover, the use of palm oil is Prabhakar Reddy, Husnabad develop sports in the dignitaries and sportsper- Ootpalli Grama Panchayat in HMDA staff, Enforcement officers coordinated and took target is reached, the Centre very high as it is cheaper than all MLA Satish Kumar, MLCs Patancheru constituency in sons were present. Kishan Guda village in Survey wing SI, ASI, 15 constables, part in the demolition. will accord permission to raise edible oils in the market. Raghottam Reddy, Sharukh a planned way. the crop in another 10 lakh The supply of palm oil in the Hussain and others were acres, he said. country is only seven million present at the seminar. The water required to cul- tonnes as against the demand Earlier, Niranjan Reddy, tivate paddy in one acre would of 21 million tonnes. The along with T Harish Rao, suffice to raise oil palm in country imports edible oil lighted the traditional lamp DEO fiat on needs of schools three acres, he compared. spending Rs 75,000 crore per to mark the inauguration of Moreover, the crop would annum. Of all edible oil a seminar on oil palm culti- PNS n NAGAR KURNOOL cipals and mandal educational All 824 schools should fur- have no threats from wild imports, palmolein oil consti- vation. officers to furnish a list of the nish their details for sending it District Educational Officer requirements to the DEO office to the government on or before Govindarajulu has asked all before the deadline. March 31. Relevant proforma government schools, including Requirement of additional would be given to the mandal Religious KGBVs, in the district to furnish toilets, water supply, compound educational officers and head- Wild animals bear their requirements of basic walls, undertaking repairs to masters online. congregations amenities to his office by March classrooms, computers, sports For further details, sectoral 30. equipment, playground, other officer Ahmed should be con- Principals of primary schools, furniture should be submitted to tacted. In case of contribution brunt of heatwave prohibited upper primary schools, high the mandal education officers, or from donors in the form of com- SUNKARI SAMPATH RAO PNS n JAYASHANKER n MULUGU BHUPALAPALLY Winners of the Pati Cricket Tourney hold the trophy at Pati village on Sunday. schools, Kasturba Gandhi Balika the school complex headmasters puters and otherwise should be Patancheru MLA G Mahipal Reddy and others are also seen Vidyalayas, model schools prin- within the stipulated time. indicated, the DEO said. Wild animals have to bear the District Collector Krishna brunt of summer as they have Aditya called upon the peo- to wander in the forests to ple to cooperate in eradicat- quench their thirst. Though ing the Covid in the district. Massive translocation the Forest Department dug up Addressing a press meet here Government urged to reconsider pits to store water, but many on Sunday, he said festivals more have to be constructed. and rallies were banned as saves 10k trees on ORR With the felling of trees and Tigers cooling themselves in a pit at per the government order as decision on schools closure the dwindling of forests, ani- Eturunagaram Wildlife Sanctuary the virus was spreading fast. mals feeling the heat especial- (file photo) Holding religious cere- PNS n ZAHEERABAD PNS n MEDCHAL- ly monkeys venture out of monies, rallies and proces- MALKAJGIRI forests and invade villages for animals and birds. The sions are prohibited till April Telangana Recognised Schools’ where people have to shoo Forest Department officials 30. Therefore, the people of Management Association The HPCL as has successfully them away. have already set up saucer the district are not allowed to (TRSMA) State working pres- translocated 10,000 trees from its It may be recalled that the pits. But, if there is a delay gather in public places during ident K Dashrath Reddy urged pipeline laying stretch with the Forest Department has set up in digging up more pits, they religious festivals like Holi, the government to reconsider support of the HMDA Urban a wildlife sanctuary in have to expedite the process Ugadi, Mahavir Jayanti, Sri its decision to close down Forestry and Tree Protection Eturunagaram in 1952. The as the animals are already Ramanavami, Shab-e-Rath schools as the closure will Committee. sanctuary is a home for tigers, feeling the heat. and Ramzan. affect not only the manage- This massive environment leopards, wolves, wild dogs, In the past five decades, ment of private schools, but preservation exercise was as a tion. The team is working golden fox, bear bunty, dark many wild animals were also the private teachers. Members of Telangana Recognised Schools’ Management Association (TRSMA) prelude to lay an LPG pipeline towards reviving and saving the deer, large deer, spotted deer, hunted by poachers and Addressing a meeting of seen at a meeting convened in Zaheerabad on Sunday along the Outer Ring Road other trees too. rare deer and wild boars. some of them were declared private schools managements from Chinnagolkonda to Tree Protection Committee Apart from these, some as endangered species. at Venkateshwara School here He said that not a single case of private teachers worsened Ghatkesar, to facilitate the sup- inspected the site at ORR recent- other rare species roam in the During summers, they were on Sunday, he said that the of Covid-19 was detected in with the closure of schools for ply of LPG gas to the districts in ly and were pleased with the sanctuary. Water was seep- poached as they come out for schools adopted all precaution- private schools, but the govern- well over a year. the State. The exercise was a work, seeing the fresh twigs on ing into the gutters and food and water. Therefore, ary measures prescribed by the ment ordering closure of He said that with the closure smashing success with 98% of the trees, which were translocat- canals in the forest due to the officials have to provide water government to run the schools schools was a surprise to the of educational institutions, the the trees and plants surviving ed 35 days ago, said B blazing sun. Hence, there is wherever it is necessary to according to the guidelines. private schools. The condition private teachers were left in the within the 30 days of transloca- Seshachary, DGM, HPCL. a shortage of drinking water save wild animals. Collector Krishna Aditya Ramesh to take charge as addl Ward members eyeing deputy-sarpanch posts A CHANDRASEKHAR RAO n It seems the majority of ing the no-confidence; later, collector of Medak n SANGAREDDY the ward members are the date will be announced in already vying for the post that regard. PNS n MEDAK With the allocation of more of deputy-sarpanch. It seems the majority of the funds for grama panchayats and There is a huge demand ward members are already vying G Ramesh has been appoint- chance to wield power, many for the post as the joint for the post of deputy-sarpanch. ed as the additional collector ward members are eyeing the cheque power has been There is a huge demand for the of Medak district. He will deputy sarpanch post. The new post as the joint cheque power assume the Panchayat Raj Act has become given to the former and has been given to the former and charge on handy for the aspirants, who sarpanch. In some cases, sarpanch. In some cases, there Tuesday. wanted to grab the deputy- there are instances where are instances where deputy- Earlier, he sarpanch post, as per new Act, deputy-sarpanches wield sarpanches wield power on par worked as ward members can move a no- power on par with with sarpanches. the addi- CMRF a boon for the poor: Harish confidence motion against sarpanches. The consent of the deputy- tional com- deputy sarpanches every two sarpanches is essential to draw missioner of PNS n SIDDIPET proof that the Chief Minister's years. are existing in erstwhile Medak such circumstances, politics in majority of the members in the the funds sanctioned by the gov- Greater Relief Fund is helping the poor. It may be recalled that the first district. There are already differ- the villages are heating up again. panchayat have to decide with ernment. In some cases, the Hyderabad Municipal Minister for Finance Harish Rao Beneficiaries are advised to meeting of the Gram Panchayats ences between sarpanches and Moving the no-confidence their support two ward mem- sarpanches had to bow to the Corporation (GHMC) and said the Chief Minister's Relief deposit the cheques in their was convened on February 2, deputy-sarpanches in many pan- lies in the purview of the RDO. bers have to meet the RDO and demands of the deputy- the joint collector of Fund (CMRF) was a boon for bank account immediately. 2019, and two years have been chayats. Authorities have so far With this, some optimists are sign the papers stating that they sarpanches. It is not possible to Bhuavanagiri-Yadadri district. the poor. He distributed the The programme was attend- completed by February 2, 2021. suspended some sarpanches and wandering around the RDO are moving the no-confidence spend a single rupee from the Ramesh, who is currently CMRF cheques for Rs 22.5 lakh ed by Municipal Chairman With this, ward members are deputy-sarpanches. Ward mem- offices enquiring about the reg- motion against deputy sarpanch. panchayat funds without the waiting for posting, has been to the 70 beneficiaries at his res- Rajanarsu, Suda chairman planning to move no-confi- bers are reportedly planning to ulations. Attempts are being Therefore, notice will be given knowledge of the deputy- posted as the additional col- idence on Sunday. Speaking on Ravinder Reddy, municipal dence motions against deputy- move no-confidence motions made to find out about the no- to the Grama Panchayat con- sarpanch. Under these circum- lector of Medak district by the the occasion, the Minister said Councillors, various constituen- sarpanches. against deputy-sarpanches in confidence motion. cerned within 15 days after stances, many are keen to grab Chief Secretary on May 25. that the Siddipet constituency is cies and others. In all, 1,615 gram panchayats some gram panchayats. Under According to the rules, the receiving the consent for mov- the post. HYDERABAD | MONDAY | MARCH 29, 2021 nation 05

FIRST PHASE POLLING BJP will win 26 of 30 seats in WB Modernisation need of the Thirty seven of 47 seats in Assam that went to polls on Saturday hour in farm sector, says PM PNS n NEW DELHI since November last year PNS n NEW DELHI demanding that the Centre West Bengal records 84.13 Modernisation in the agricul- repeal the three contentious Union Home Minister and ture sector is the need of the farm laws. senior BJP leader Amit Shah on per cent polling in first phase hour as already a lot of time The government has main- Sunday said according to the has been lost, Prime Minister tained that these reform laws feedback received from the PNS n KOLKATA: We are working on it and the Narendra Modi said on will boost farmers' income by ground, the saffron party will Voting percentage in 30 final figure will be released Sunday. bringing investment, modern win 26 of the 30 seats that went assembly seats that went to soon," the official told PTI. In his monthly Mann Ki practices and allow them to to polls in the first phase of the polls during the first phase of Till 5 pm on Saturday, 79.79 per Baat programme, Modi also sell their produce anywhere West Bengal Assembly election. West Bengal elections was cent polling was recorded. hailed the world's largest vac- across the country at best Similarly, he said the party has 84.13, according to an updated Voting had begun at 7 am and cination programme being prices. got clear-cut indications that it report of the Election concluded at 6.30 pm, with the carried out in India against During his radio broad- will win 37 of the 47 Assembly Commission. timing extended by an hour and COVID-19, and stressed on cast, Modi also recalled that in seats in Assam that went to Polling was "mostly peaceful", thirty minutes to ensure that "dawai bhi, kadai bhi" (med- the agriculture sector, to March last year the nation first polls in the first phase on barring a few sporadic incidents COVID protocols are followed. icines as well as strict preven- increase farmers' income, it is heard about the Janata curfew. Saturday. of violence, an EC official said on Sporadic incidents of violence tive measures). equally important to adopt The Janata curfew was Addressing a press confer- Sunday. were reported from Asserting that adopting new alternatives, innovations imposed on March 22 last year ence at his residence here, Shah Of the 30 seats that went to the various places that went to the modern practices in the agri- along with traditional agricul- on the prime minister's said the peaceful polling and Janata Party (BJP) will win 26 people of Nandigram, from polls on Saturday, nine were in polls during the first phase of culture sector is imperative, he tural practices," he said. appeal. "From very early on, the high voter turnouts are pos- of the 30 seats in West Bengal where West Bengal Chief Purulia, four each in Bankura the state assembly elections, the said in every aspect of life new- The country has witnessed the people of India have put itive signs for the two states and and 37 of the 47 seats in Assam Minister and Trinamool and Jhargram, six in Paschim EC official said.Voting was held ness, modernisation is essen- this during the white revolu- up a spirited fight against thanked the voters. in the first phase of polling, Congress (TMC) supremo Medinipur, and seven in Purba in 30 seats - several of them part tial. tion and bee farming is also COVID-19," he asserted. He also expressed gratitude Shah said. Mamata Banerjee is contesting Medinipur district. of the once-Naxal-hit "In India's agriculture sec- emerging as one such alterna- Noting that around time towards the Election He exuded confidence that the polls, to vote for change and The highest polling percentage Jangalmahal region -- amid tight tor, modernisation is the need tive, he said. last year, the question was Commission (EC) for con- the saffron party will register a a better future of the state. of 86.32 was recorded in the security and strict adherence to of the hour. It has been The prime minister's call whether there would be a ducting peaceful elections in massive electoral victory in Rejecting the TMC's criticism Purba Medinipur district, COVID-19 guidelines, he said. delayed and we have already for embracing modern prac- vaccine for COVID-19 and by Assam and violence-prone West Bengal by winning more of Prime Minister Narendra followed by Jhargram (84.74 per At least 10 people were arrested lost a lot of time," the prime tices in agriculture comes at a when would it be rolled out, West Bengal. than 200 seats in the 294-mem- Modi's visit to Bangladesh, he cent), Paschim Medinipur (84.71 for allegedly being involved in minister said in his 75th time when hundreds of farm- Modi said it was a matter of According to the feedback ber Assembly and also improve said the visit is to strengthen per cent), Bankura (84.27 per incidents of violence that episode of Mann Ki Baat. ers have been camping at pride that the world's largest received from the party work- its tally in Assam. bilateral ties and has nothing to cent) and Purulia (81.77 per occurred in various places "In order to create new Delhi's border points at vaccination drive is underway ers on the ground, the Bharatiya Shah also appealed to the do with elections. cent). "This is approximate data. during the first phase of polling. employment opportunities in Ghazipur, Singhu and Tikri in India. INDIA CORNER Anil Deshmukh accidental Ex-HC judge will investigate Free vaccination TN CM ‘trapped' as he is allegations: Anil Deshmukh for all, says ‘corrupt,' alleges Rahul Gandhi n Congress Home Minister, says Sanjay Raut PNS NAGPUR ongress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday lashed Maharashtra Home Minister manifesto Cout at AIADMK top leader PNS n MUMBAI gets surrounded by suspicious Anil Deshmukh on Sunday PNS n PUDUCHERRY and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister officers," he said. said a retired judge of high K Palaniswami alleging he is Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut Raut said a home minister court will conduct a probe into Free COVID-19 vaccination trapped due to graft and he Sunday called Anil Deshmukh should always speak less. Facing the allegations of corruption for all; scrapping of NEET bowed in front of Union Home an accidental home minister, the cameras frequently and levelled against him by former and the new education poli- Minister Amit Shah as he had claiming hegot the post after ordering inquiries is not his job, Mumbai police chief Param Bir cy; Rs 1,000as assistance for indulged in corruption. senior NCP leaders like Jayant the Sena MP added. Singh. homemakers; re-opening of Addressing a public meeting Patil andDilip Walse-Patil refused "The (home minister's) job is The truth will come out after a mills; andenhanced pension here for the April 6 Assembly the responsibility. not only for accepting salutes but probe into the matter, Thackeray to initiate an inquiry for martyrs' kin are some of polls, Gandhi said when he saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi In his weekly column for giving a strong leadership. Deshmukh told reporters at the into the allegations made again- the promisesmade by the 'controlling' the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and making him "touch his Rokhthok in the party mouth- How can one forget that strong Nagpur airport. sthim by Param Bir Singh. Congress party in its poll feet silently I am not ready to accept it." A 'leader' in Uttar Pradesh was piece Saamana, Raut also said the leadership requires honesty," On March 20, Singh in a letter "The chief minister and the manifesto. forced to bow in front of Shah as he was corrupt and this person lost his Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress gov- Raut wrote. to Chief Minister Uddhav state government have decided The manifesto was released freedom due to graft and Palaniswami too faced a similar situation, he ernment in Maharashtra did not The MVA government had no Thackeray created a flutter in that a retired judge of high court here on Sunday by former claimed. The former Congress party chief did not specify the name of have damage control machinery in poor light, Raut later tweeted, damage control machinery when Maharashtra's political circles will conduct a probe into the Union Minister and senior the UP leader. "The tragedy is, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu does not as was seen after former Mumbai "Bura na mano Holi hai.." In his Singh dropped his letter bomb, by claiming that Deshmukh allegations against me. Congress leader Veerappa want to bow in front of Amit Shah and no Tamil person will want to do police chief Param Bir Singh column, Raut said, "If a junior Raut said. "No major leader wanted police officers to collect Whatever is the truth will come Moily. that." However, Palaniswami is forced to bow in front of Shah because of claimed that Deshmukh asked officer like Sachin Waze was run- came forward to defend the Rs 100 crore monthly from bars out," he said. The manifesto promised the "corruption he has done," Gandhi alleged. "Ironically, because of the cops to collect Rs 100 crore a ning a (money) collection rack- image of the government, which and hotels. Deshmukh was replying to a free vaccination against money he has stolen from the people of Tamil Nadu, he is now trapped," month. et from the Mumbai police com- led people to believe in Singhs Deshmukh had then trashed query on Shiv Sena MP Sanjay COVID-19 the expenses of the Congress MP alleged. "Deshmukh got the home missioner's office, why was the allegations," he added. the allegations against him. Raut's claim that he was made which would be borne by the minister's post by accident. Jayant home minister not aware of it?" IPS officials Sanjeev Bhat in Under fire over handling of the the state home minister acci- government. Patil and Dilip Walse-Patil "Waze was a mere API in Gujarat and Vaibhav Krishna in bomb scare outside industrial- dentally. In his weekly column A homemaker in every Three Naxals surrender at refused to take responsibility. Mumbai police. Who gave him Uttar Pradesh had raised con- ist Mukesh Ambani's house in Rokhthok in the party mouth- family would get a monthly That is why Sharad Pawar select- so much powers? Whose cerns on various issues through Mumbai, the state government piece 'Saamana', Raut on assistance of Rs 1,000, the Dantewada in Chhattisgarh ed Anil Deshmukh for the post," favourite was he? All this should letters written to their chief min- on March 17 transferred Singh Sunday called Deshmukh an manifesto said. Raut wrote in his weekly column. come out," Raut wrote. isters but these letters were from the post of city police accidental home minister, Steps would be taken to hree Naxals, one of them carrying Perhaps mindful of "Deshmukh unnecessarily thrown in the dust bin and commissioner to the low-key claiming he got the post after scrap NEET mode for med- a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head, the fact that his remarks about a rubbed some police officials the instead action home guard department. senior NCP leaders like Jayant ical admission, and the new Tsurrendered in Chhattisgarh's senior minister of the ruling wrong way. A home minister was taken against those officials, Deshmukh on Sunday said Patil and Dilip Walse-Patil education policy, the mani- Dantewada district on Sunday, police alliance partner may be viewed cannot function properly if he Raut said. he had asked Chief Minister refused the responsibility. festo said. said. Dantewada Superintendent of Police Abhishek Pallava claimed the cadres, who were active in Katekalyan area of the district, were impressed by Kejriwal not the police's 'Lon Varratu' rehabilitation No one should 3 women cynosure of all eyes drive and disappointed with the "hollow" ideology of Maoists. Out of the three rebels who surrendered, to attend Budhram Kawasi (24) was active as a militia commander and actively involved in incidents of damaging public property and putting up Maoist play spoilsport in Holi fete in Kerala Assembly elections pamphlets, posters and banners, he said. He was carrying a reward of PNS n shocked everyone by tonsuring justice for her daughters, who Rs 1 lakh on his head, Pallava said. The two other cadres who laid PNS n NEW DELHI THIRUVANANTHAPURAM her head protesting against were found hanging in their down their arms were identified as Kosa alias Khuta Kawasi (22) and being denied assembly ticket, hut in Palakkad district under Lakhma Ram Kashyap (22), both militia members, he said. coalition govt: Ajit Delhi Chief Minister Arvind As a high voltage campaign is has plunged into poll fray to suspicious circumstances in Kejriwal on Sunday said he on in Kerala for the April 6 protest the male dominance 2017. PNS n MUMBAI the allegations against him. will not attend any public Assembly polls, the fight of and unfair treatment towards Her repeated requests to The Shiv Sena, NCP and Holi programme due to the three women candidates is women in her party, K K take action against police per- Portion of elevated road on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Congress share power in increasing number of coron- drawing attention for reasons Rema, through her candida- sonnel, who had allegedly com- Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday Maharashtra. avirus cases and appealed to beyond politics in the state. ture, wants to keep live her fight mitted lapses in the probe into Dwarka e-way collapses said no one should play spoil- In his weekly column the people to celebrate the Their campaigns may not be against the alleged murderous their death, had prompted the portion of an under- sport in a coalition government, Rokhthok in the Shiv Sena festival with their families and as loud and vocal as others but politics by the ruling CPI(M). woman, an ordinary home- construction elevated road after Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut mouthpiece 'Saamana', Raut on avoid crowds. their candidature itself is spark- Rema, who is now a leader maker so far, to contest elec- Aon the Dwarka Expressway called NCP leader Anil Sunday called Deshmukh an The national capital ing debate and discussion of Revolutionary Marxist Party tions. collapsed here on Sunday Deshmukh an accidental home accidental home minister, recorded 1,558 cases of among the public. (RMP) after Her decision to take on morning, injuring three minister. claiming he got the post after COVID-19 on Saturday, the Three women-former Chandrasekharan's death, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan workers, officials said. The The allotment of cabinet senior NCP leaders like Jayant highest since since December Congress leader and Mahila believes that some of the lead- in Dharmadam constituency Gurgaon Police said the portion berths is the prerogative of Patil and Dilip Walse-Patil 15 when 1,617 people tested Congress chief Lathika ers and workers of the Marxist has brought back to the public collapsed around 7.30 am and head of every ruling party in a refused the responsibility. positive for the virus, accord- Subhash, mother of Walayar party were behind the murder consciousness the horrendous three labourers sustained coalition, Pawar, who is also an Reacting to it, Ajit Pawar said ing to official data. sisters and K K Rema, the of her husband who had suf- memories of the pain and suf- injuries. They are undergoing NCP leader, told reporters in the three parties have formed "Corona cases have widow of slain RMP leader T fered 51 hack injuries on his ferings underwent by the little treatment at a hospital here, Baramati town of Pune. the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) increased in the last few days, P Chandrasekharan- are con- body. Dalit siblings. they said. A team of officials from the National Highways Authority Notably, former Mumbai in Maharashtra. in view of this, I am not testing in the election symbol- While Lathika is seeking Lathitka, who is now busy of India, including the regional officer and the project director, also police chief Param Bir Singh in "The allotment of cabinet attending Holi programs ising three causes. her electoral luck in Ettumanur, campaigning in the constituen- visited the site. When contacted, NHAI Member (Projects) Manoj a letter to Maharashtra Chief berths is the prerogative of being organized in public More than winning elec- her hometownin Kottayam dis- cy, said she is thoroughly con- Kumar said, "On first impression, it seems to be a case of Minister Uddhav Thackeray on head of every political party (in this time. Appeal to all of you tions, their priority seems to be trict as an independent candi- fident about her victory. mechanical failure. It is being investigated". Union Road and March 20 claimed Home the coalition). No one should to just celebrate Holi with projecting their cause- male date, Rema is contesting from "The voters in the con- Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier this month visited the Minister Deshmukh wanted play spoilsport when the three- your family and avoid dominance in political parties, Vadakara constituency in stituency are considering me as expressway to inspect progress of the 30-kilometre project which is police officers to collect Rs 100 party government is function- crowds, follow the rules of murderous politics and speedy Kozhikode with the support of one among them. The overall being built at the cost of Rs 10,000 crore. crore monthly from bars and ing properly," the deputy chief Corona prevention," Kejriwal justice for abused daughters. Congress-led UDF. The moth- response is very positive," she hotels.Deshmukh has dismissed minister said. tweeted in Hindi. If Lathika, who recently er of the Walayar girls wants said. LDF, UDF spar over free rice distribution in Kerala Kashmir to host 6-day Tulip fest to promote tourism s the ruling and opposition fronts continued to spar PNS n SRINAGAR to promote the tourism sector ies across the country partici- case the houseboats at the Aover distribution of in the valley. pated in these activities, the famous Dal Lake and promote subsidised rice during the festival Kashmir will host a six-day A host of activities, including official added. them,” the deputy director said. season ahead of the April 6 ‘Tulip Festival' next month to cultural shows and musical Sound and lighting systems There are other events in the Assembly polls, Kerala Chief celebrate the arrival of spring, evenings, will be held during near the Sher-i-Kashmir pipeline as well in the summer Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on promote tourism, and famil- the festival and national-level International Convention season, he added. Sunday alleged that the iarise visitors with the valley's and local artists would enthrall Centre and other places, includ- Meanwhile, Baseer Ahmad Congress-UDF had "misled" the rich culture and tradition, an the visitors, Saleem said. ing illumination of the Hari Khan, advisor to the LG, Election Commission over the official said on Sunday. Around 25 stalls would be set Parbat Fort, are also being reviewed the arrangements for matter. Theopposition wasplaying "dirty politics" by trying to block The festival, beginning on up to display and promote the undertaken in view of the fes- the celebration of the festival at supply of ration rice and food kits to the people,Vijayan said a day after April 3, will be inaugurated by rich traditions, culture, cuisines tival. a meeting here on Saturday. the EC ordered to stop thedistribution following the opposition's Jammu and Kashmir and crafts of the valley so that Saleem said the tourism The meeting held threadbare complaint. The LDF, which will ride back to power, is committed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj tourists become familiar with department is also planning discussion on the slew of mea- transform Kerala into a hunger-free state where shelter would be made Sinha. them, the deputy director said. another major event -- sures put in place for the suc- a right of every citizen,Vijayan told reporters here. Attacking senior “All arrangements are in Another tourism department Houseboat festival --- after the cessful conduct of the festival. Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala for approaching the Election place for the festival and we are official said the festival would activities would be held during including metro stations, trav- culmination of the Muslim The advisor stressed for Commission against distribution of subsidised rice and food kits looking forward to it,” Deputy present a unique opportunity to the festival, he said. el marts and other public places, fasting month of Ramzan in coordination between the alleging violation of code of conduct, Vijayan said distribution of rice and Director, Tourism and Publicity, display the diverse culture and The official said pan-India he said. May. tourism department, Srinagar essentials was nothing new and was being continued to help the people Ideel Saleem told PTI. cuisine of Jammu and Kashmir. promotional activity has been Saleem said efforts were “Houseboat is an icon of Municipal Corporation (SMC) affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Chennithala had approached the He said the festival is being A live exhibition of handi- taken up and enthusiastic cam- being made to make the festi- tourism and is one of the main and related departments to put Election Commission alleging that the LDF government was playing organised to celebrate the craft and handloom products paigns to lure tourists are being val a grand success. attractions of the visitors to the concerted measures in place for politics with distribution of free rice days before the election. arrival of the spring season and along with a slew of cultural held at prominent places Various tour and travel bod- valley. The festival will show- the success of the festival. HYDERABAD | MONDAY | MARCH 29, 2021 06

www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ PAPER WITH PASSION CAA doubts in Assam Insouciance There is no room for complacency at this stage in the ongoing fight against COVID. Please look alive not really unfounded PRAFULL GORADIA here are no regular similarities between Coronavirus and tsunami, save that both are devastating by nature and take a toll on humans. However, looking at the sim- Unless one has lived in or frequently travelled to Assam, it is difficult to Tile closely, one would realise that both advance in the same fashion. Tsunami, which is a wave or a ripple, travels alternating between a crest and a trough and COVID-19 also understand what nightmares the Ahomiyas have when they think of infiltration follows a somewhat similar trajectory. At one point, the number of infections reaches its peak, then drops significantly to the ebb, only to rise again and hit a new acme. The moot he Citizenship questions haunting us currently include: Are we heading for another peak? Will the tsuna- (Amendment) Act mi of Coronavirus engulf all of humanity? Is there any way out of it, or are we staring at brings nightmares to the Doomsday? What about our mammoth vaccination programme and other preventive efforts? Assamese people for fear ofT further arrival of Bengali- Will they prove futile? With the scientists and speaking people from Governments across the globe struggling hard with Bangladesh. The immigrants the newly emerging variants and the treacherous abil- may be legal but the dilution of ity of the virus to mutate, there are no easy solutions the local culture and the threat to to these puzzles. However, what is more flabbergast- the political voice of the ing is that why haven’t we learnt our lessons yet? We Assamese would be about the same, regardless of how good the have state-of-the-art warning systems to alert us of newcomers may be. tsunami, and people do pay heed, but all the warn- Before offering the remedy, ings with respect to COVID-19 precautions are liter- two points need to be made. One, ally falling on deaf ears. Why we, as citizens, are fail- the Assamese, whether adivasis or more especially the modernised ing in our duty to take the necessary precautions? Assamese, are dead scared of Despite all the efforts and awareness campaign being outnumbered by the undertaken by the Government for educating people Bengali-speaking people, about the importance of wearing masks and maintaining social distance, our insouciance whether Hindu or Muslim. is not dying. Many people, while using public transport and even otherwise, can be seen Merely assuring people that pro- tecting their culture is as much brazenly flouting the rules, such as “Do gaj ki doori, mask hai zaroori (maintaining the the Centre’s concern as securing distance of two yards and wearing the mask is important)”. Especially in the Metro trains, the culture of the entire country, many people can be seen standing or sitting next to each other without the required spac- would not satisfy them. ing, besides not wearing a mask. Protocols like mask-wearing and social distancing have Unless one has lived in or fre- settlers from “outside” to win ing illegal migrants to settle members took to terrorism quently travelled to Assam, it is a majority vote. down there? Incidentally, until under the name of the United literally been thrown out of the window. While the United Nations has lauded our efforts difficult to appreciate what night- In 1947, MA Jinnah near- 1874, Assam was a part of the Liberation Front of Assam and expressed gratitude to India for its gift of COVID-19 vaccines to the UN peacekeep- mares the Assamese have when ly convinced the British rulers Bengal Presidency. It was then (ULFA). ers, saying that the donation will help the Blue Helmets to continue their life-saving endeav- they think of infiltration, whether that Assam was a Muslim- separated and placed under The solution to a poten- ours, the nation should within be ashamed by how its own people are behaving. There legal or otherwise. They are a majority province and, there- the rule of a Chief tially very serious national are incidences of people engaging in fights with civil volunteers and municipal employ- gentle people with a soft, peace- fore, should go to Pakistan. Commissioner. To make problem would lie in making loving nature. They have their Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in Assam a viable separate the Cachar region a separate ees who have been deployed to keep a check on the violations. We cannot afford to drop own festivals. They were gifted by his book Eastern Pakistan, province, three Bengali-speak- Union Territory having no our guard at this moment when the vaccination drive is on in full swing. Seeing the size nature with plenty of land and stated that the tribals were not ing districts of the Presidency, special political connection of our population, we need to amp it up but we must keep in mind that getting the jab is even more water and rivers. only not Hindus but also unfit namely, Goalpara, Sylhet and with Assam. Cachar has a no panacea in itself. We still need to take full precautions as there is no substitute for it. They do not have to work stupen- for civilised life. The general- BELIEVE IT NOT, Cachar, were merged into the population of nearly 40 lakh Fighting the pandemic is our duty and we have no right to endanger our life or the lives dously hard for survival. The cli- ly vague conclusion of the new province. That is how people, of whom a little over mate is mostly warm and humid; sympathisers for Pakistan was UNTIL TWO Assam began to host Bengalis half are Hindu. Under two per of others. Not everyone can render extraordinary service to the nation but, let’s remem- it does not make itself congenial that Eastern Bengal and Assam DECADES AGO, IT as well as Muslims. The going cent are Christian and the rest ber, small efforts collectively go a long way, too. We all must consider ourselves war- for hard work. They are not com- should be combined into one of Sylhet to East Pakistan in are Muslims. More or less, all riors in that sense. petitive by nature and, under- province. Similar was the case WAS POPULAR 1947 relieved this pressure to speak and write Bengali. Its standably, shudder at the fear of made under the first partition IMPRESSION THAT an extent. economy is viable, especially this ethos being disturbed by the of Bengal by Viceroy Lord Assam, however, can ill with the help of over 100 tea PICTALK outsiders. Curzon in 1905. Fortunately, it THE CONGRESS’ afford to host more immi- gardens which produce five Believe it not, until two was undone by 1911. Lord STRATEGY FOR grants; the Assamese popula- crore kilograms, worth around decades ago, it was popular Pethic Lawrence, the Secretary tion is so small. The recent `800 crore, annually. impression that the Congress’ of State for India in the Richard WINNING Citizenship (Amendment) Act That would separate about strategy for winning elections in Clement Attlee Government of ELECTIONS IN is a major irritant for them, 16 per cent of Assam’s total Assam was “, Coolie and 1945-49, also swallowed this ASSAM WAS ‘ALI, especially since what was dis- population and virtually all of Bengali”. Coolie implied the tea theory about an amalgamation covered in 1979. Some young them are Bengali, whether garden workers and their fami- of the two. COOLIE AND men discovered in the electoral Muslim or Hindu, a great lies. Ali and Bengali are self- The deception was almost BENGALI’. COOLIE rolls of the Mangaldai relief to the Assamese. This is explanatory; they are mostly done when Gopinath Bordolai, Assembly constituency that a surefire way to bring happi- people who had over the years an Assam Congress leader, IMPLIED THE TEA many a voter was an obvious ness to the Assamese people immigrated to Assam. Even the rushed out to persuade those GARDEN WORKERS infiltrator. In order to spread after at least a century. In any tea garden workers were adiva- in the positions of power and the protest and try and stop case, the Cacharis would be sis brought from Jharkhand and influence that the Jinnah con- AND THEIR such distortion of the electoral pleased at being demi-inde- other neighbouring areas to plant tention was untrue. As a result, FAMILIES. ALI AND rolls of the State, the All Assam pendent, with Silchar becom- and pluck the bushes. To this day, Assam was saved for India Students Union (AASU) was ing a mini rajdhani. it is difficult to find an original except for Sylhet district, BENGALI ARE SELF- formed. Some members also (The writer is a well- Assamese who is a plucker in a which had a Muslim majori- EXPLANATORY went on to establish the Assam known columnist and an tea garden. In sum and substance, ty. Any wonder then that the Ganatantra Parishad (AGP), a author. The views expressed are the Congress depended on the Assamese are afraid of allow- major political party. A few personal.)

People celebrate Holi at Sri Bankey Bihari temple in Vrindavan PTI LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SOUNDBITE MODERNISE THE RAILWAYS The Congress has Sir —The recent incident like the ground- US sees China as archrival gone to the people ing of a huge container ship in the Suez with a vow to fulfil The real sufferers Canal exposes the weaknesses of the mar- its ‘five guarantees' 19 was a ‘China virus', the US unanimously made itime system. High-velocity winds have Beijing the scapegoat and worsened its relations which will be a gamechanger for the COVID-19 may be a universal tormentor but hapless been blamed for the container ship block- with multiple partners like Vietnam, Australia, Japan future of Assam and its people. ing the narrow strait that connects the and even India to an extent. women and kids within the walls are its collateral Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Maritime The US has been vocal about China's alleged Congress leader he second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic is surging in India, thanks to our transport carries over 90 per cent of glob- illegal crackdown in Taiwan and Hong Kong where al merchandise trade, digitalising the sec- — Mallikarjun Kharge utter disregard for the established COVID-19 protocols. The number of cases has protests have been taking place to restore tor would bring wide-ranging economic democracy. Sensing an opportunity when Indo- touched 11,908,910, with 4,52,612 active infections and the number of deaths benefits and contribute to strengthening the T China border conflict took place, the US opened We order the touching 1,61,275. States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, sector. the doors of Quad alliance and involved the major vaccines, also pay Goa and Andhra Pradesh are seeing a major spike in infections. The situation is obvi- In the recent years, the global maritime players in the Indo-Pacific including Australia and for them, but ously quite serious as the new strains are more vir- industry has embarked on an intensive jour- Japan to counter China in its own den. before importation ney of digital transformation. Associated Washington realises that to reclaim its we are told that ulent. Even though at the moment a hard, nationwide the manufacturers with this has been the extensive embrace- superpower hegemony in this post-pandemic lockdown is not being mulled, the Government might are still afraid of the US sanctions. ment of ship automation. Further, there is world order, strategic and diplomatic ties are nec- have to opt for a countrywide shutdown. Already, local the technological developments linked to his refers to the editorial ‘Democracy vs essary to counter the Dragon's advances amid Iranian President lockdowns are being announced in various districts the design and development of unmanned $'(March 27). Washington suffered from a trade war but India needs to be wary in such cir- vessels. Also, there is a need to strengthen — Hassan Rouhani in the States hit by the second wave. However, India Tleadership crisis since the COVID pandemic cumstances and should avoid becoming a collat- the railway network in India, particularly cannot afford another lockdown. For one, the econ- invaded our lives and if a super power is facing eral damage to the US-China power warfare. New the safety standards. Ships carrying cargo Unfortunately, I have omy cannot withstand another such shock. Besides, internal issues, then its contemporaries would take Delhi must set its priorities right and should keep and other items should also be protected over. China has been eyeing to reach the pinna- its interest at the forefront. It should not end serv- tested positive for thousands of women and children across India can- from sea robbers and pirates. All the coun- cle of the hierarchy of global superpower, but even ing the US interest at its cost. On the other hand, COVID-19. All those who have come in not be forced to stay captive inside their homes once tries must reach an agreement and come up the Dragon's misadventures in Ladakh, South it's not easy to alienate China, which has a with a comprehensive solution with respect China sea, Xinjiang province have backfired. By contact with me in the again and be subjected to physical, emotional and significant say in the world trade. last 10 days are to it. setting a narrative across the world that COVID- Nischai Vats | Sultanpur mental abuse by their family members. It is a cruel Similarly, the Indian Railways is the requested to please get fact that the first lockdown witnessed a silent pan- lifeblood of the country’s economy, mov- infections on Friday, the highest one-day may not last very long, which in other themselves tested. demic of domestic violence (DV) as there was a surge ing people and goods at affordable prices Actor rise since the pandemic began, along with words means that those who have been — Paresh Rawal in gender-based violence in homes as family dynamics changed and so did the eco- every day. The Indian Railways employ- 112 deaths. administered the vaccines could still be vul- ees value their jobs. And they are under- The cases have spiked across sever- nerable to COVID-19. Even if the vacci- nomic situation. standably worried about what privatisation Personally, I would Not only did women have to juggle household chores and manage their office work al States in since late February, follow- nation drive is increased manifold, it like to start better. I would entail. The Government must not ing a near-full reopening of the econo- would take years to vaccinate the entire would like to improve and teach fretful children cooped up at home, they had to bear the brunt of the anger privatise it. The Government must try to my and flouting of safety measures. On population . on how I have been and frustration bottled up inside the main bread-earners of the family who had to either modernise the railways without privatising the other hand, Union Health Minister Therefore, vaccines are not foolproof starting, bowling with face a major salary cut, go on a sabbatical or, worse, lose their job. Many men, already it. However, it can choose to work on a Harsh Vardhan has said that night cur- and even a little bit of laxity on the part of the new ball. habitual of beating up their wives, got more time and opportunity to do so. By the sec- Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. few and weekend lockdowns won’t have those vaccinated will render them vulner- P Senthil | Mumbai much effect on Coronavirus transmission able again. So, a second course may be a Cricketer ond month of the lockdown, complaints about domestic abuse doubled and rose from but public health measures, such as the must after every year until 70 per cent of — Prasidh Krishna 116 in the first week of March to 257 in the final week. According to official data, the DON’T DROP THE GUARD AGAINST CORONA vaccination drive, could slow India’s the population is inoculated. For now, the National Commission for Women (NCW) registered an increase of 2.5 times in com- Sir — As the fears of a second wave of second COVID wave. We must under- Government has to accelerate the vaccina- The year was the plaints of domestic violence in April last year. The NCW received 1,477 complaints Coronavirus continue to loom over stand that wearing masks and maintain- tion drive. In places such as Mumbai, the most challenging year Maharashtra, the Government has said that ing social distancing are essential to keep younger generation, which moves about a for Railways. One year between 25 March and 31 May. Not just women, children were also subjected to abuse a night curfew would be imposed across the Coronavirus at bay. lot, should be vaccinated en masse to con- of lockdown. COVID- by family members. The phenomenon was witnessed across the world, but that is no State starting March 28. The situation has Bhagwan Thadani | Mumbai tain the spread. 19 has demonstrated consolation for helpless women and terrified children trapped for days on end with their arisen because the people were careless and Nitesh Mandwariya | Neemuch the resolve of the not following the rule of social distancing, VACCINATION IS NOT SURESHOT REMEDY Railways to fight back and emerge tormentors. At least for the sake of the abused women and children, we need to be stronger. more responsible this time around. So sanitise, mask up and get that jab. Do your bit nor wearing the masks properly. Sir — The efficacy rate of different vaccines Send your feedback to: Maharashtra recorded 36,902 Coronavirus notwithstanding, the immunity conferred [email protected] Railways Minister to help the helpless, India! — Piyush Goyal HYDERABAD | MONDAY | MARCH 29, 2021 07 www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ FIRSTCOLUMN Decoding denialism WISDOM CANNOT BE TAUGHT of terror in Pakistan NADEEM PARACHA Knowing that a tomato is really a fruit is knowledge but realising that you can’t put it in a fruit salad is wisdom Irrational conspiracy theories, fake media experts, selective facts and straw-man arguments are part and parcel of the dangerous moral panic that can destroy societies such as ours n November 12, 2009, The New York Times (TNYT) ran a video report on its Owebsite. In it, the reporter Adam B Ellick VINAYSHIL GAUTAM interviewed some Pakistani pop stars to gauge n life, we are all faced with issues of decision-making. William how lifestyle liberals were being affected by the Shakespeare captured it well through the character of Hamlet who spectre of so-called ‘Talibanisation’ in Pakistan. To his surprise, almost every single pop artiste Iwondered, “To be or not to be, is the question.” However, all issues that he managed to engage, refused to believe of decision-making are not always centred around a fundamental dilem- that there were men willing to blow themselves ma. There are any number of situations which require decision-mak- up in public in the name of faith. It wasn’t an ing on a daily basis. The truth is that except for involuntary actions outright denial, as such, but the interviewed pop like breathing or digestion, everything requires an application of the acts went to great lengths to “prove” that the mind. How much of that is conscious and logical is a matter of knowl- attacks were being carried out at the behest of edge, information and judgement. There are many situations where the US, and that those who were being called “terrorists” were simply fighting for their rights. decision-making is almost a reflex action because there is no time to Ellick’s surprise was understandable. Between reflect upon a situation, gather all the necessary information and then 2007 and 2009, hundreds of people had already come to a calculated decision. Even if that were to happen, there are been killed in Pakistan by suicide bombers. risks. In an era where it is common to talk of risks of COVID-19, there But it wasn’t just these “confused” lifestyle are contradictory views. However, around us life goes on as usual for liberals who chose to look elsewhere for JUST BEFORE a large majority of people. The amount of construction which is going answers when the answer was right in front of THE 2013 them. Unregulated talk shows on TV news chan- on is almost a standing advertisement that nothing has changed for ELECTIONS, nels were constantly providing space to men those who cannot afford a change. THE WEBSITE who would spin the most ludicrous narratives OF AN ENGLISH that presented the terrorists as “misunderstood DAILY RAN brothers.” A POLL ON THE From 2007 till 2014, terrorist attacks and FOREMOST assassinations were a daily occurrence. Security PROBLEMS personnel, politicians, men, women and chil- FACING dren were slaughtered. Within hours, the cacophony of inarticulate noises on the electron- PAKISTAN. ic media would drown out these tragedies. The THE POLL bottom-line of almost every such “debate” was MENTIONED whose rhetoric and actions in this the figures were concocted by for- obscure books of religious tradi- always, “Ye hum mein se nahin (these terrorists UNEMPLOYMENT, context can impact a country’s eign-funded NGOs “to give tions. Within months Malala are not from among us).” In fact, there was also CORRUPTION, political, social and even eco- Pakistan and Islam a bad name.” became the villain, even among a song released with this as its title and “mes- INFLATION AND nomic fortunes. This brings us to “denialism’s” some of the most educated Construction sites have toddlers as usual and men and women STREET CRIMES, are carrying building material as if nothing has changed. In daily life sage.” In the January 2009 issue of second characteristic: The use of Pakistanis. When the nuclear The perpetrators of the attacks were turned BUT THERE the ‘European Journal of Public fake experts. These are individu- physicist and intellectual Dr decision-making on the spur of the moment is the law. Long-range into intangible, invisible entities, like characters WAS NO MENTION Health’, Pascal Diethelm and als who purport to be experts in Pervez Hoodbhoy exhibited his considerations are a matter of luxury, both of time and the ability to of urban myths that belong to a different realm. OF TERRORISM Martin McKee write that the a particular area but whose views disgust over this, he was not only take a long-range view. Along with the decision process there is also The fact was that they were very much among EVEN THOUGH, “denialism” process employs five are entirely inconsistent with accused of being “anti-Islam”, but a concurrent process of conflict that may arise out of opposing posi- us, for all to see, even though most Pakistanis BY 2013, main characteristics. Even though established knowledge. During his credibility as a scientist, too, tions. A conflict may be on substantive reasons or simply a matter of chose not to. Just before the 2013 elections, the THOUSANDS Diethelm and McKee were more the peak years of terrorist activi- was questioned. perception or values. What is not often recognised is that differences website of an English daily ran a poll on the fore- HAD BEEN focused on the emergence of ty in the country, self-appointed The fourth characteristic is may be mutually exclusive or indeed inclusive. The core of conflict most problems facing Pakistan. The poll men- KILLED IN “denialism” in the face of evidence political experts and religious about misrepresenting the oppos- tioned unemployment, corruption, inflation and in scientific fields of research, I will scholars were a common sight on ing argument to make it easier to remains a process of incompatibility. Put in a gross manner a conflict TERRORIST street crimes, but there was no mention of ter- ATTACKS paraphrase four out of the five TV channels. refute. For example, when terror- emerges when two pieces of matter try to concurrently occupy the rorism even though, by 2013, thousands had stated characteristics to explore Their “expert opinions” were ists were wreaking havoc in same space. Mutual accommodation is the only solution. However, been killed in terrorist attacks. “denialism” in the context of heavily tilted towards presenting Pakistan, the arguments of those getting the parties to agree to a resolution through fair and equitable So how does one explain this curious extremist violence in Pakistan the terrorists as either “misunder- seeking to investigate the issue decision-making is the route to a solution. At times inconsequential refusal to acknowledge a terrifying reality that from 2007 till 2017. stood brothers” or people fighting beyond conspiracy theories and matters can cause huge conflict and even beginning to seek a reso- was operating in plain sight? In an August 3, The first characteristic is the to impose a truly Islamic system unabashed apologias, were delib- lution is seen as a win-loss situation. Resolving conflict in many cases 2018 essay for The Guardian, Keith Kahn-Harris identification of conspiracies. in Pakistan. Many such “experts” erately misconstrued as being writes that individual self-deception becomes When the overwhelming body of suddenly vanished from TV criticisms of religious faith. is a matter of preference rather than the hard reality. The moralist very a problem when it turns into “public dogma.” evidence points to a truth, it is screens after the intensification of Today we are seeing all this often sees this as a banter between evil and good. It then becomes what is called “denialism.” argued that this is not the truth the military operation against returning. But this time, “experts” The dialectical materialist sees conflict rooted in needs and mate- The American science journalist and author because those presenting the evi- militants in 2015. Some were are appearing on TV pointing out rial existence. Yet, at another level needs themselves can be beyond Michael Specter, in his book ‘Denialism’, dence have engaged in a complex even booked for hate speech. conspiracies and twisting facts discussion. The farmer needing water to grow his crop is a need beyond explains it to mean an entire segment of soci- conspiracy. The third characteristic is about the COVID-19 pandemic discussion. However there, the quantum and timing of availability of ety, when struggling with trauma, turning The deniers have their own about selectivity, drawing on iso- and vaccines. They are also offer- water can become a huge source of decision-making. This may take away from reality in favour of a more comfort- interpretation of the same evi- lated opinions or highlighting ing their expert opinions on events able lie. Psychologists have often explained dence. In early 2013, when a flaws in the weakest opinions to such as the Aurat march (women’s the form of a conflict. A resolution of these seemingly intractable issues denial as a coping mechanism that humans use study showed that 1,652 people discredit entire facts. In October march) and, in the process, whip- lies in realising that the act of survival itself requires coexistence. Different in times of stress. But they also warn that if had been killed in 2012 alone in 2012, when extremists attempted ping up a dangerous moral panic. points of view at times need not be mutually exclusive. The wise among denial establishes itself as a constant disposition The writer is a journalist, Pakistan because of terrorism, an to assassinate a teenaged school It seems, not much was the species realise that differences between people can be real and in an individual or society, it starts to inhibit the author, cultural critic, “analyst” on a news channel false- girl, Malala Yousafzai, a sympa- learned by society’s collective dis- ability to resolve the source of the stress. satirist and historian. ly claimed that these figures thiser of the extremists on TV jus- position during the peak years of legitimate and need not necessarily verge on attempts at mutual elim- The views expressed ination. The act of living makes it necessary to comes to terms with “Denialism”, as a social condition, is under- are personal. included those killed during street tified the assassination attempt by terrorism and how it delayed a differences and work together. There are yet more aspects to the process- stood by sociologists as an undeclared “ism”, Courtesy: Dawn crimes and revenge murders. mentioning “similar incidents” timely response that might have adhered to by certain segments of a society Another gentleman insisted that that he discovered in some saved hundreds of innocent lives. es of decision-making and conflict. A bigger challenge arises in recog- nising a conflict when it is realised that the desired goal can only go to one person. Clearly there are many shades of conflict and conflict- POINTCOUNTERPOINT resolution and coexistence, too. A tricky situation arises when both parties see the other person’s legitimate claim to the ideal solution but are at loggerheads on the process. Both parents may wish the child THE DISCREPANCIES IN THE VOTER TURNOUT RAISE A THE TRINAMOOL CONGRESS IS LOSING, WHICH to grow up well and yet have differences on which school to send him/her QUESTION ON THE GENUINENESS IS WHY THEY ARE COMING UP to. There is no substitute for maturity and wisdom. Knowing that a toma- OF THE DATA ISSUED BY THE EC. WITH FALSE NARRATIVES. to is a fruit is information but realising that you can’t put tomato in a fruit salad is wisdom. Wisdom comes from within. It cannot be taught. — TMC MP —WEST BENGAL BJP PRESIDENT (The writer is an internationally-acclaimed management DEREK O'BRIEN DILIP GHOSH consultant. The views expressed are personal.) Dragon’s threat real or imagined, but nuclear war will be a folly! After a prolonged absence, the tradition of raising a bogey is back, though now it’s a Chinese threat in the Pacific, not a Russian threat in the Caribbean n the early decades of the in the next six years. “I worry trying to frighten the senators by 40 per cent to 260 war- that’s what he means — is a pened within living memory, Cold War, this was the that they’re accelerating their into giving the Navy more heads. The UK will also profound breach with the and they do not really believe Iseason when the North ambitions to supplant the ships. And he couldn’t hold “reserve the right” to use doctrine of nuclear deter- it still could. Their counter- Atlantic Treaty Organisation US and our leadership role in a candle to General Lord nuclear weapons against rence that has kept great- parts in China and Russia are (NATO) defence chiefs the rules-based internation- Richards, former head of the unspecified “emerging tech- power war at bay for three- less vocal, but almost certain- would announce their spend- al order...by 2050,” said the British armed forces, who nologies” that are not neces- quarters of a century. It ly the same. ing plans for the next year Admiral. “Taiwan is one of went to bat at the weekend to sarily nuclear, including sounds all right to him! Compared to those who and they would almost DYER their ambitions before that, argue against cuts to the “cyber-threats.” By the final stage of the held their jobs on both sides always “discover” some new GWYNNE and I think the threat is British army (down 10,000 Davidson and Richards Cold War the political and at the end of the Cold War, threat from the erstwhile manifest during this decade soldiers to only 72,000). are just reviving a tradition- military establishments on they are little boys at play, but Soviet Union to justify the — in fact, in the next six “I’m thinking Russia and al spring ritual and treating both sides had sobered up it’s the same old game. War money. In the US, for years.” China,” said General the public like fools. We’re and were very careful in between nuclear-armed pow- instance, the Intelligence ser- Then, should we expect a Richards. “I don’t necessari- sliding into a new Cold War, their choice of words. They ers would be insane, but it is vices traditionally found a war with China by the 2027? ly buy that they’re about to and this is what is expected didn’t make idle threats, they not impossible. And they are Soviet armoured brigade hid- Since the US Navy could not start World War-III with us, some 3,500 km away. But of them by the institutions stopped fabricating “spring doing this in the midst of a ing in Cuba every February stop a Chinese amphibious but they still possess large then the British Prime they have devoted their lives surprises”, and they did not global pandemic. or March. invasion of Taiwan by con- numbers. If all we’ve got is Minister Boris Johnson shuts to. The British Prime assume that the other side Moreover, they are talk- After a prolonged ventional weapons alone — high-tech stuff, and they’ve Richard by explaining that Minister is both foolish and would know when they were ing like this in the opening absence, the tradition is back, it’s too far from the US, too got half a million troops that soldiers won’t matter so careless, but he is not plan- just chest-thumping for phase of a huge climate and though now it’s a Chinese close to China and Beijing can come across the border much because the UK is get- ning to drop actual ther- domestic political purposes. environmental crisis that will threat in the Pacific rather has lots of ship-killing mis- at you, then high-tech capa- ting more nuclear weapons. monuclear bombs on sever- That generation, which require a high level of glob- than a Russian threat in the siles — it would necessarily bilities aren’t going to be of Johnson is cancelling al hundred million human eventually managed to turn al cooperation to survive. Caribbean. Last week, be a nuclear war, or else much good.” Britain’s pledge to possess no beings. the monstrous doomsday There is a cycle of learning Admiral Philip Davidson of Gwynne Dyer’s new book America would just have to But what border is that? more than 180 nuclear Johnson just doesn’t machine off, is gone now. In and forgetting again in both the US Navy told the Senate is ‘Growing Pains: The abandon its not-quite-ally. Russia’s western border is weapons (enough for every understand that declaring their place is a generation of military and political affairs Future of Democracy and Armed Services Committee Work’. The views expressed Of course, Admiral almost 2,000 km away and city of over a million people his willingness to use nukes senior politicians and mili- and we are hitting the “for- that the Chinese were getting are personal. Davidson didn’t go into those Britain is an island. The in both Russia and China) first against a non-nuclear tary officers who don’t truly getting” phase at just the ready to invade Taiwan with- awkward details. He was just nearest Chinese territory is and raising its declared limit threat — or sounding like fear major war. It hasn’t hap- wrong time. HYDERABAD | MONDAY | MARCH 29, 2021 Money 08 ‘Doubling of farm income won't be Over 4 cr old vehicles on Indian roads, Karnataka tops list at 70L achieved without new agri laws’ PNS n NEW DELHI PNS n NEW DELHI against their interest," he Over four crore vehicles older argued. than 15 years are plying on Niti Aayog Member Ramesh According to Chand, roads pan-India and fall under Chand on Sunday said the protesting farmers must speak the ambit of green tax, with target of doubling farmers' up and open their minds, oth- Karnataka occupying the top income by 2022 will not be ful- erwise their silence will go slot with more than 70 lakh filled if the three new farm laws against them. such vehicles. are not implemented immedi- "In the society, image is The Ministry of Road ately, adding that the protest- coming that it is becoming Transport and Highways has ing farm unions should consid- political... so they (farmers) digitised the data of such vehi- er the government's offer of must study in detail... they cles throughout the country, discussing the legislations must say 'look this clause is excluding Andhra Pradesh, clause by clause. against us'," he added. Madhya Pradesh, Telangana In an interview to PTI, Replying to a question, and Lakshadweep as their Chand further said the blanket Chand said any kind of reform records were not available. ban on genetically modified is hard in a democracy and in A proposal to levy green tax crops is not the right approach. India, it is more difficult has already been sent to the The government and unions because the country has states. vehicles, of which 24.55 lakh Haryana have these vehicles in representing farmers, who have reached a point in politics More than four crore vehi- are older than 20 years. the range of 17.58 lakh and been camping at Delhi's border where the Opposition, be it cles have been found to be The capital Delhi is at the 12.29 lakh. for four months in protest any party, opposes whatever older than 15 years, including third place in terms of old and The number of such vehicles against the three laws that they the ruling party is doing. over two crore which are more polluting vehicles at 49.93 ranges between 1 lakh and 5.44 say will end state procure- "So that means whatever than 20 years old, as per the lakh, of which 35.11 lakh are lakh for Jharkhand, ment of crops at MSP, have you do, good or bad, the die is data. older than 20 years. Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, held 11 rounds of talks, the last whatever we are demanding, the Niti Aayog member (agri- anced manner. Initial reaction cast, so this casting of the die The digitised vehicle records The digitisation of vehicle Himachal Pradesh, being on January 22. Talks then you will find that there culture) said. could be emotional, initial must change," he opined. are as per the centralised numbers revealed that Kerala Puducherry, Assam, Bihar, broke down after widespread will not be any desirable way Chand pointed out that the reaction could be under some Replying to another ques- Vahan database that excludes has 34.64 lakh such vehicles, Goa, Tripura and the union violence during a tractor rally forward. government is willing to dis- pressure, but now I think tion on whether the govern- "Andhra Pradesh, Madhya followed by 33.43 lakh in territories of Dadra-Nagar by protesting farmers on "The government has given cuss the three farm laws clause everybody has thought coolly. ment is still confident of dou- Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, 25.38 lakh in Haveli and Daman and Diu. January 26. a bold option to the farmer by clause, and farmer leaders "So farmer leaders must bling farm income by 2022, Lakshadweep", the ministry Punjab and 22.69 lakh in West Rest of the states have such "I think the way forward can leaders, the government is will- should consider this offer. come up with their reaction, Chand noted that for achiev- said. Bengal. old and polluting vehicles come only from give and take, ing to put these farm laws on "There was enough time to they must seek change wherev- ing the target, these three farm Uttar Pradesh occupies the Maharashtra, Odisha, below one lakh each, as per the so if we feel we will stick to hold for one-and-a-half years," think coolly, to think in a bal- er they think this is going laws are very important. second spot with 56.54 lakh Gujarat, Rajasthan and central data. Amid surge in Covid cases, RBI Govt unlikely to TRAI writes to key ministries, MONEY MATTERS continue with others on norms for bulk SMS Coal likely to post marginal PNS n NEW DELHI The NIC provides technol- may maintain status quo: Experts zero-coupon ogy support to governance ser- PNS n MUMBAI citing inflationary concerns. TRAI has written to key min- vices. The regulator has writ- production degrowth in ’21 According to experts, the bond route istries, associations like COAI ten to key stakeholders across orld's largest miner Coal Amid uncertainty created by RBI is likely to continue with PNS n NEW DELHI and Nasscom and nodal agen- sectors informing them at India is likely to post surge in coronavirus cases, the accomodative monetary cies like NIC in a massive length about the rules, and Wmarginal contraction of its the Reserve Bank of India policy stance and wait for an The government is unlikely to information outreach as it urging them to advise entities output for the year 2020-21 by 5-6 (RBI) is likely to maintain opportune time to announce take zero-coupon bond route pulls out all stops to ensure and organisations under their million tonne in 2020-21 as its status quo at its next mone- monetary action with a view to further recapitalise public smooth implementation of its jurisdiction to "strictly comply production will below the 600 tary policy review and wait to ensure the best possible sector banks after the Reserve new regulations on bulk mes- with the new regulatory million mark, sources said on for some more time before outcome in terms of pushing Bank expressed some con- sages after March 31. requirement without further Sunday. In 2019-20, the miner taking any action to spur growth without sacrificing cerns in this regard, sources Sources in the Telecom delay". produced 602 million tonne down growth. the main objective of contain- said. Regulatory Authority of India As part of this outreach pro- from 606.9 million in 2018-19 when it registered its highest production. The RBI is slated to ing inflation. The government, they said, (TRAI) said NIC has assured gram, TRAI also sounded out It will be the second year in a row when the miner will register announce its first bi-month- In a report, Dun & would resort back to recapi- the regulator that it is in a state industry associations CII, degrowth. The miner had projected a 660 million tonne production ly monetary policy of the Bradstreet said the recent talisation bonds bearing a of readiness to assist govern- FICCI, Assocham, Nasscom target and by mid-year the company had been expecting to attain 630- 2021-22 fiscal on April 7, surge in the COVID-19 cases coupon rate for capital infu- ment organisations and agen- and COAI, urging them to 640 million tonne of output. Officials attributed Covid-19 disruptions as 2021 after a three-day meet- and the restrictions imposed sion in these banks. cies, and resolve any issues, as inform their member organi- the key factor behind lower demand resulting in a stockpile building up, ing of the Monetary Policy by several states will impose To save interest burden new rules for commercial sations about new regulatory compelling the mining giant to moderate output. "Till March 27, the Committee (MPC) headed last MPC meet, the central further uncertainty and hur- and ease the fiscal pressure, messages come into force. requirements, the sources said. production was 585 million tonne and 11 million tonne is expected to by RBI Governor Shaktikanta bank had kept the key inter- dles to the pace of revival of the government last year be added in the remaining days of the month. So, total production Das. On February 5, after the est rate (repo) unchanged industrial production. decided to issue zero-coupon could be between 596- 597 million tonne," sources said. bonds for meeting the capi- tal needs of the banks. The first test case of the Payworld expects 60 per cent KBL to be debt- new mechanism was a capi- tal infusion of Rs 5,500 crore increase in transaction value KFC: Will continue free, to focus on into Punjab and Sind Bank by issuing zero-coupon bonds of intech firm Payworld profitable growth six different maturities last expects the gross physical expansion year. Ftransaction value carried PNS n NEW DELHI out from its platform to PNS n NEW DELHI increase by over 60 per cent to Leading pump makers around Rs 12,000 crore in the US-based fast food chain KFC Kirloskar Brothers Ltd (KBL) is upcoming financial year. will continue to expand its close to be a debt-free compa- The company expects to close Cairn to file lawsuits to the current financial year with restaurant network in India ny and will continue its growth despite the coronavirus pan- journey into domestic and gross transaction value (GTV) of Rs 7,500 crore by providing demic bringing structural international markets, said a payment interface to sell train tickets, Aadhaar enabled payment changes in the business, top company official. services, mutual funds, insurance, among others. "Payworld's retail pierce corporate veil points have become more than 5 lakh, we conduct almost 2 lakh believing the country to be a After being debt-free, the growth market in the coming company will focus on cash PNS n NEW DELHI transactions every day. Payworld GTV is about Rs 7,500 crore. With years, according to a top com- flow and will not chase topline this current run rate, next financial year Payworld plans to touch Rs pany official. (revenue) numbers at the cost UK's Cairn Energy Plc plans to 11,000-12,000 crore," Payworld CEO Praveen Dhabhai told PTI. KFC India, which opened of profitability, said KBL bring lawsuits in the US and Payworld is looking to double its distributors as well as headcount around 30 new restaurants last Director Alok Kirloskar. other countries to pierce the on the field to widen its payment network. year during the peak of the "As part of that strategy, we corporate veil between the COVID-19-induced disrup- will be a debt-free company. Indian government and its tions, is looking at adding new new restaurants. So we actu- And, if you look at the numbers owned companies such as in outlets this year too as it ally are a bigger business now at the end of this year in oil and gas, shipping, airline Cochin Shipyard's facility in looks to enhance access of the than we were in pre-COVID March, we are almost debt-free and banking sectors, to seize brand to its consumers. in terms of number of restau- as a company," Alok Kirloskar their overseas assets to recov- WB to be operational by June "Our intent is definitely to rants." told PTI. er USD 1.2 billion ordered by ublic sector Cochin keep growing the brand. One Before COVID-19 hit, KFC On a standalone basis, KBL an international arbitration Shipyard is expected to of our biggest strategic pillars India had a restaurant count is close to being debt-free and tribunal. Poperationalise a Rs 170 is what we call as access. We of about 450 and at present it the next objective is to enhance The firm has moved courts crore modern shipbuilding have to ensure that access to has over 480 restaurants in its ROCE (return on capital in the US, UK, Canada, France, facility that it is building in the brand continues to grow more than 130 cities across employed), over 25 per cent Singapore, the Netherlands West Bengal by June 2021. for the consumers, both phys- India. "We believe very and ROE (return on equity) and three other countries to The state-owned company, ical and digital," KFC India strongly in the India story and about 20 per cent, added. "The register the December 2020 tax demand. Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & under the administrative Managing Director Samir we don't really have any doubt next objective is, of course, arbitration tribunal ruling that With the government so far Sullivan, a law firm represent- control of the Ministry of Menon told PTI. that India is definitely going enhancing the profitability and overturned the Indian govern- refusing to honour the arbitra- ing the company, told PTI. Ports, Shipping and Despite the COVID-19 dis- to be a growth market for enhancing our growth after ment's Rs 10,247 crore demand tion award and instead choos- These assets can potential- Waterways, recently emerged as the lowest bidder for a Rs 10,000- ruptions, he said, "We actual- KFC in the coming years. we are established to be debt- in back taxes and ordered ing to challenge it, Cairn is ly be non-diplomatic ones and crore contract by the Indian Navy to build next generation missile ly have more restaurants now Definitely, it was a tough year free because we are not com- New Delhi to return USD 1.2 looking to enforce it by seizing those owned by entities or vessels. Cochin Shipyard Limited, through its wholly-owned than we had in pre-COVID. but it hasn't deterred us from fortable with having large billion in value of shares it had overseas Indian assets, Dennis companies controlled by the subsidiary Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited (HCSL), is currently During the course of the year, that intent," Menon empha- amounts of debt, which was the sold, dividends seized and tax Hranitzky, head of the sover- Indian government in those setting up a modern shipbuilding facility at Nazirgunge, West Bengal our franchisees have opened sised. case in 2010," he added. refunds withheld to recover the eign litigation practice at nine countries. at an estimated project cost of Rs 169.76 crore, as per a document of the Ministry of Shipping. "The facility is expected to be operationalised in the first quarter of the financial year 2021-22," the document said. Majority wants govt to suspend flights from UK, Africa India's coal import drops PNS n MUMBAI operations remain suspended LocalCircles said in the state- In the survey, at that time, 64 since late March last year. ment with survey findings. per cent of citizens wanted As many as two-thirds of the Amid this, special internation- There were also 32 per cent bubble international flights 14 pc in Apr-Feb FY21 people want the government to al flights have been allowed of the citizens who said "sus- shut with countries, particular- ndia's coal import suspend flights from the UK under the Vande Bharat pending flights is not the solu- ly the UK, having cases of the dropped 13.6 per cent to and South Africa amid a near Mission since May last year and tion", while 3 per cent did not new strain. I196.13 million tonne (MT) sharp increase in the number under bilateral "air bubble" have an answer, it said. The same was done. in the April-February period of COVID-19 cases in the arrangements with select coun- According to many citizens, However, the UK flight shut- of the ongoing fiscal year. country in the recent weeks, tries since July. the damage has already been down was resumed from The country had imported according to a survey. Direct lineage of SARS- done and the variants are at dif- January 8 after keeping them 227.23 MT of coal in the At the same time, another 43 COV2 variants, especially the ferent stages in India primari- on hold for about two weeks, year-ago period, according per cent of the people covered UK and South African variants, ly due to all the international LocalCircles said. to a report by mjunction under the survey, conducted by has been detected in different arrivals in the last three With limited capacity to do services. mjunction -- a joint online platform LocalCircles, parts of the country amid an months. However, at least shut- genome testing, some 10,787 venture between Tata Steel and SAIL -- is a B2B e-commerce were in favour of suspending all upward trajectory in the num- ting flights now will not bring samples from 18 Indian states company and also publishes research reports on coal and steel international air services to ber of active COVID-19 cases in new infections and new have shown so far 771 cases verticals. "For April-February 2020-21, total coal and coke imports contain the 'second wave' of the in the country, with over 60,000 strains, LocalCircles said. (736 of UK variant, 34 South stood at 196.13 MT, about 13.69 per cent lower than 227.23 MT pandemic, it said. cases now being reported daily, countries, while South African "Sixty-five per cent of the cit- In fact, the platform had in African variant, and 1 Brazilian imported during April-February 2019-20," it said. During April- The survey findings are LocalCircles said. variant is in more than 30 izens (are) still in favour of sus- late December, based on pub- variant), according to the state- February 2020-21, non-coking coal import was at 128.91 MT, based on the responses This is a five-fold increase in countries, said the statement. In pending arrivals of passengers lic feedback, escalated to the ment. It said Punjab Chief against 157.59 MT during the year-ago period. Coking coal import received from over 8,800 citi- the daily case load in 45 days the wake of this, LocalCircles from the UK and South Africa government the risk of mutant Minister Amrinder Singh has was recorded at 43.98 MT, lower than 45.17 MT imported during the zens from across 244 districts which were about 12,000 on asked citizens if any restrictions to limit coronavirus variants, coronavirus, urging that all announced that 81 per cent of same period a year ago. Coal import in February 2021 stood at in the country, as per a state- February 12 this year, it added. on international flights should (while) 43 per cent (are) in flights from the UK and other the cases found in his state 15.29 MT as against 22.68 MT in the year-ago period. Of the total ment. It is estimated that the UK now be implemented via a favour of suspending all inter- high-risk countries be shut till based on genome testing are of imports in February, non-coking coal was at 9.07 MT, against 16.94 Scheduled international variant has spread to over 70 survey, it added. national arrivals for a month," the end of January. the UK variant type. MT in the same month last year. Follow us on @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/ dailypioneer

Monday March 29, 2021 AWARDS DON'T CREATE VALUE: the film-making route? What was the turning moment I made my very first So, it was really powerful, as I point in your career? short film as a student — a was also an actor in the National award-winning two-minute film, I knew that streetplay playing the charac- Unlike many filmmakers, I direction was my calling. I ter of a widow. Working in filmmaker Shonali Bose, who loved having an idea about the camps was equally chal- something that moves me lenging for us! Writing the turns real life events based on and being able to get actors film emerged from my per- to evoke that same feeling sonal experiences, a film her novels into the best among audiences. So techni- script is entirely about the cally, I became a filmmaker craft. screenplay on the 70mm because I went to America to How's writing a novel The pursue my academics. different from directing screen, converses with Probably Sky is Pink in a cer- a movie? tain way, was a turning point Pioneer's SHIKHA because for the first time, I I’m certainly the first didn't have to produce a film. Indian to have written a book DUGGAL about filmmaking, I had everything done for as well as made the movie of me. I worked with such a the book and wrote a novel turning point in her career, wonderful producer, after making the movie! I Siddharth Roy Kapur. It was had finished shooting my like, if you’re in a student debut film Amu and it was in writing a novel vs directing a hostel and suddenly some- edits when I was approached body takes you to the Taj and by Penguin, who were very film, and much more… you’re in this five-star luxury! keen to get a book out. They didn’t grow up thinking I But I’m still waiting for the were insistent on bringing wanted to make films. I was real turning point where I the book out the same day as n one hand there’s films without being irrational an actor through school and can just do whatever I want the film. Can you do it, they commercial cine- is the key takeaway from college and that’s what I and get produced and get to asked. As I would drive to my ma running ahead what she tends to represent. loved. But I thought I would make what I want, whether edit, I had my dictaphone on weeks later without seeing remaining short life. out and necessarily it’s not in the race for And, to touch the plotlines of be a teacher! I went to it’s for OTT or films. There is and I dictated the novel to the film. Nine months later A recipient of a nation- always deserving people that O number game and strong subjects, the filmmak- America to do a PHD at the still a struggle though, myself. On returning home I her mother approached me get it. So it’s not just some- al award, how did that popularity, while er of this era definitely knows Columbia University, but was because I always want to do would be with the kids and to tell her story. I was drawn accolade lift your thing I like to put my head to on the other hand, there is how to drive a sensitive disappointed at their difficult and challenging then at night after they went to the story not of a heroic career up a notch? Are as it’s really disappointing. unconventional cinema that’s endeavour in a real life per- approach towards the subject things and that’s not easy to to sleep, I would type up teenager defying death but awards relevant? I’ve always told people in the making its way to the top sonality's lifestyle to the the- of Political Science. It was get made. what I had recorded. It's the parents who had to deal film industry to start high these days to maneuver a atres nearby. Now, adapting just not grounded enough You had produced a entirely different writing a with it. I too had lost a child I was lucky enough that calibre awards like the niche on its own! novels into screenplays is the and seemed distant from the street play about the novel, a street play ,theater and was ready to explore this my debut film won two Oscars in India that people Remember Sky is Pink new trend art — adapting First world to the Third ‘1984 killings', so how play, a film, these are all very cinematically. Having lost my National awards for Best strive to achieve. But person- starring or novels into screenplays is world. I quit after my Masters was it different from different artistic mediums own son and found peace director and Best film. I ally, I don’t feel they’ve Margarita with a Straw star- Shonali Bose’s drug. With degree. The other passion I writing a usual screen- and they need their own sep- and acceptance with it I was don’t know if this made a helped me! ring Kalki Kochelin? These digital streaming platforms considered was being a social play? arate skills. interested as a filmmaker to difference to my career or What inspires you? films weren’t made for mass encouraging vast amounts of justice lawyer. I worked for a What led to the incep- explore this subject. I was any of if other awards have. I entertainment but to carry a content, turning novels into year as an intern at Yes, I did do a streetplay tion of Sky is Pink? also intrigued and inspired think, the fact that people in I read a lot, I also observe legacy of asthetics in a film screenplays can be good fod- Manhattan Cable TV, as well about the 1984 genocide and What did you aspire to by the Chaudharys’ relation- Bollywood watched, liked the world around me! I am forward. Who was the magi- der for that. While we all love as the National Lawyers that is completely different do with that movie? ship. It is a rare couple who and spoke about it by the blessed with strong personal- cian behind these classics? movies, especially when there Guild as the National from a feature film! The survive the death of their time I was trying to make ities around me. Well, The Pioneer got in is a blend of drama and a Organiser of their chapters. I street play comes out from In January of 2015, 18- child. I also found them my second film which I co- Conversations around poli- touch with Shonali Bose, the happy ending, this filmmaker realised through that experi- workshops that we do. We year-old Aisha Chaudhary inspiring as parents particu- wrote and co-produced with tics and human rights is national award winning film- tends to make movies based ence that I could create more were led by Anuradha watched the trailer of larly Aditi, who was a tigress my ex-husband — that commonplace in my daily maker who turns real life on real life incidents. Let’s impact through the medium Kapoor from National School Margarita with a Straw 30 when it came to her kids and recognition helped us reach diet. All this forms a reposi- events based on her novels dive deep right into the of film or television than law. of Drama, what was unique is times and told her mother, “I even took on the medical well known actors. Writing tory of information that I into the best screenplay on excerpts of this exclusive But I was still unsure about that we went and performed hope I live to see this film.” establishment boldly. I love and directing Margarita with have access to. Eventually, it the 70mm screen! interview with Sky is Pink being a filmmaker at the the street play in the real She said that because she was that she came up with a a Straw helped create some all comes down to human Idea of a ‘Cinèma Pur’ — filmmaker Shonali Bose: time. I was accepted at areas where “the riots hap- coming to the end of the five mental bucket list for her value but I don’t think the stories, where emotions are the way Shonali Bose has a What made you take UCLA’s film school and even pened”, like the areas of years she had been told she daughter and made each awards did. Even our main- triggered, outcomes are fasci- modernist approach to her got a scholarship. The Trilokpuri and Mangolpuri. had to live. She died two moment count of her stream awards are so sold nating. LIGHTS, CAMERA, CONTENT

eing a digital cre- hone my professional skills ator is one of the too. It wasn’t long ago that a AN EVENING most common performance on Josh trans- b vocations several lated into an opportunity in people on the cinema and I’m always up to internet are foray- sharing experiences like these ing into. Organisation and with other aspiring creators veryone’s excited WITH YOUR apps are more than happy to out there, especially when to enjoy their capitalise on this trend. there’s a platform that so summer holidays Celebrating this was Josh, a smoothly enables this by spending time fast-growing short video app. process.” e with their loved The app recently hosted The venue was set up to ones. It’s exciting FURRY FRIENDS ‘Lights Camera Josh’ — a reflect the dynamism and to go for parks, play- red-carpet evening for energy of the short video grounds, evening walks, everywhere and it surely Speaking on the occasion, environment in a social members of the Josh creator ecosystem, bustling with especially when you get to must’ve seemed like par- Rubin Cherian, General setting. We would like to universe based in Hyderabad. activity areas, photo booths take your pet along. Your adise for the cuties that Manager, Novotel thank our event partners Representing talent across and creator zones. The high- furballs would love to hang showed up! There was a Hyderabad Airport said, Petting Matters and diverse categories, creators light of the evening was a out with you while the special area where puppies “We are happy to see the Wiggles India for hosting were seen raising a toast to masterclass by leading weather is beautiful. In an could run around a little amazing response to the the event. It was a delight the success of the short Hyderabad creators on Josh. attempt to highlight pet well house, followed by a rain first ever The Paw Walk to watch furry family video app. Fan favourites Himaja, Shiva — being and create a section where these fluffy event at Novotel Hyderabad members spend quality One of the content creators Jyothi, Ashu Reddy, Neha friendly environment in a dogs got to live out their Airport. It was an attempt time in the open air in the app, Himaja said, “Not Chowdary, Laxmi Reddy and social setting, Novotel dancing in the rain dreams. to highlight pet well — clubbed with endless love only do I find constant love Gauthamy Chowdary deliv- Hyderabad Airport hosted a Not to forget the paw-par- being and create a friendly and cuddle.” and inspiration from my fans ered impactful sessions shar- Paw Walk on Saturday. ents, there were delicious on Josh, but the opportunity ing tips and tricks with new From the tiniest puppies to refreshments available all to experiment and create on creators, on all things content the big beauties, every dog around the venue to make the platform has helped me and creation. had the time of their life sure visitors could keep up with all the activities with their excited dogs, arranged at the event. The along with delicious picnic spacious grassy lawns gave boxes that had the most the furry friends ample delectable dishes. The pet space to run around and pep talk was a session in play with other dogs as the which pet parents were bright outdoors got them all taught how to better con- excited to make new nect with their fur babies as friends! they were told how to calm The event had many ele- and excite their pet with ments of fun for the furry simple actions. The event friends, including a huge also focused on raising play area full of play spaces awareness about Animal for dogs of all sizes — from Welfare, Adoption & Foster, a pool to a sandpit! Toys Animal Rehabilitation and and balls were lying about several such noble causes. 10

Hyderabad Monday March 29 2021 what’s brewing?

ellbay's flagship store opening at saw many gadget GADGETS C lovers eager to get a peek at the sleekest electronics! Actresses Chandhini Bhagwanani and Prachi Thaker attended the event. AND Cellbay's MD Soma Nagaraju mentioned that they aim to become the most trusted brand in multi-brand mobile retail chain stores, and wished GIZMOS everyone a happy holi!

l Vibha and Abhinay l Saritha and Prasad

l Srinivasa Rao and Nagaraj

l Chandhini Bhagwanani and Prachi Thaker PARTY

l Soni and Srikumar

l Milap and Sushila Bokadia

PAINT THE TOWN RED ohe Rang De, an event by the JCI Hyd Deccan saw a M pre-bash holi celebration where the attendees had a blast in traditional attire at The SV Chary Platinum, . Among great food and lively music, those who showed up were treated to a night of

Photos by great fun.

l Sanjana l Hani l Tejaswini l Sundeep and Komal FUN

ARCHIE CALVIN AND HOBBES

GARFIELD REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD

NANCY

SUDOKU Yesterday’s solution

GINGER MEGGS

Rules l Each row and column can contain each number (1 to 9) exactly once. l The sum of all numbers in any row or column must equal 45. 11

Hyderabad Monday March 29 2021 tollywood MY ACTION SEQUENCES Everyone is entitled to IN WILD DOG WILL THRILL their opinion: Ileana

actress Illeana D’Cruz, who ple think.” made her foray into The actress went on to say that THE AUDIENCE: Tollywood with Devadasu, is she said yes to the film immediately going to be seen on screen because it was unlike anything she was A soon in the upcoming given before. “The minute I heard the Abhishek Bachchan-starrer story I found it unusual, and I have The Big Bull directed by Kookie Gulati. always gravitated towards films and The film follows the activities of characters that are different — some- Harshad Mehta, the stockbroker who thing I haven’t done before. It kind of SAYAMI KHER was the kingpin of the securities scam checked all the boxes for me. Great of 1992, and is set for an OTT release story and unusual so I just said yes on Disney+Hotstar on April 8. straight away.” ctress Saiyami Kher, who made Talking about this much-awaited action- The film’s story was recently pushed Speaking on the digital release, she her Tollywood debut with Rey thriller that tells a story based on true back into the limelight last year in the mentions it is her first movie to have six years ago, is set to enthrall events around the 2007 bomb blasts that wildly popular Scam 1992: The an OTT release, but she feels no disap- the Telugu audiences all over rocked Hyderabad’s Gokul Chat and Harshad Mehta Story, directed by pointment. “There was no disappoint- A again, with her new avatar. Her Lumbini Park, the actress shares, “I really Hansal Mehta. On the subject of being ment. Sometimes it’s better upcoming film, the Nagarjuna liked the way this movie told the story. I able to reach audience expecta- because we can get to a Akkineni-starrer Wild Dog, will release in was excited when my character was narrat- tions, the film’s leading lady has lot more people and I theatres on April 2. The film is directed by ed to me. You seldom see the heroine do a made it known that she is not am a big home bird. I Ahishor Solomon and produced by big action sequence. But this movie has a worried about comparisons. like to sit at home Niranjan Reddy and Anvesh Reddy under lot of action sequences for me. There is “Everyone is entitled to and watch movies. the banner of Matney Entertainment. also a chasing action sequence with Nag their own opinion. So, you So, I am sure that Talking about her role In this movie, she sir. I have a good command of sports. can have a film come out there are so many says, “I played the role of Arya Pandit, a Sports require you to be very fit. That and be like we saw some- more people like RAW agent. An opportunity to play a dif- fitness helped me to do action sequences thing like this 10 years me. I wasn’t feeling ferent role alongside Nagarjuna Akkineni for this movie. In addition, I spent ago. You can’t have disappointed that sir playing an NIA agent came, and I months training in martial arts in everybody turn up and it was going to an couldn’t say no. How and why we work Mumbai for this film.” say we absolutely loved OTT platform. together on an operation in the film will be Talking about the Telugu film industry, it,” said the fame. For me it is extremely interesting to watch.” she tells us, “Some people on the set spoke “Some people are going to unusual because it Talking about working with the King of Telugu during the shoot and that’s how I love it, some probably not, is my first film that Tollywood, Saiyami shares, “I’m a huge fan picked up a lot of Telugu. I like Prabhas, and I am leaning towards the is going to an OTT of Nag sir, I loved him when I first saw and would love to work with fact that it will be a complete- platform. I think it him in Shiva, but his role in Gitanjali is my them. Also, Rajamouli and Mani Ratnam ly different experience. I gen- will be an experi- most favourite. I had never met him are my favorites, among the directors.” uinely think people will like it. ence of its before, our first meet was on the sets “I’ve accepted a web show on Amazon Abhishek looks amazing in the own,” said the where we both interrogate a terrorist and I Prime right now, and another on Hotstar. I film. I think he has done such actress of was nervous to act in front of him at first. am also going to do a Hindi movie soon. I a great job and I am excited fame. But he was fun to shoot with, he ensures will tell you soon about the projects I will to see what peo- everyone around him are at ease. He even be doing in the South too, soon,” she signs got us home-cooked biryani and I loved it.” off.

I’m a huge fan of Nag sir, I loved him when I first saw him in Shiva, but his role in Gitanjali is my most favourite. I had never met him before, our first meet was on the sets where we both interrogate a terrorist and I was nervous to act in front of him at first. But he was fun to shoot with, he ensures everyone around him are at ease. He even got us home-cooked biryani.

ARANYA GAVE ME ALLU ARJUN LOVE FROM MORE CELEBRATES 18 YEARS THAN ONE AUDIENCE: IN FILM INDUSTRY ollywood heartthrob Allu Arjun has completed 18 years in the SAMPATH RAM film industry! On the occasion, T the actor took to his social media ranya, Rana known for his villainous roles to thank everyone as he reached Daggubati’s multi- in other languages too. He this milestone. lingual film, has impressed audiences with The actor, lovingly called ‘Bunny’ despite Covid, the his role as a government offi- by family and friends wrote, “It has A actor’s ill-health cer in the film. He, who has been 18 years since my first film and other delays, acted in more than 200 films released. I wanted to thank each n had finally hit theatres last to date, says, “The film everyone who has been a part of Friday. The film has also Aranya gave me love and my 18 year journey. My heart is released in Tamil as Kaadan. recognition from more than filled with gratitude. I am truly The Hindi version of the one audience, again.” blessed for all the love showered film, Haathi Mere Saathi, was Ram played several over the years. Thank you for all also supposed to release on notable, and meaty characters the blessings. Gratitude. AA” the same date, however, the in Telugu films, including Before Gangotri, Allu Arjun’s makers changed the plan Vishnu Manchu’s film debut film as a lead actor, he owing to the surge in Covid- Vishnu, ’s was seen as a child artist in the 19 cases in other states, espe- Athidi, Jr. NTR’s Janata 1985 film Vijetha and as a cially Maharashtra. Garage, and more. He had dancer in the 2001 Telugu film Written and directed by garnered acclaim for his per- Daddy. National Award-winning formance as an aghori in Currently, the actor is working director Prabhu Solomon, the Kanchana 3. on his upcoming film titled film’s supporting cast Ram says that his next Pushpa. The film will see him includes Vishnu Vishal, Zoya films in Telugu include share screen space with Hussain, Shriya Pilgaonkar, -starrer Malayalam film actor Fahadh and Sampath Ram. Narappa, another film with Faasil for the first time. Fahadh Sampath Ram who works Rana, and a few with Regina plays the antagonist in this film primarily in Tamil films, is Cassandra. directed by Sukumar. Martial arts and adventure SPORTS NECESSARY: Pawan Kalyan ctor and politi- organisation, ‘Pawan extending his gratitude to cian Pawan Kalyan Learning Centre the Jalsa actor, said, “I Kalyan had for Excellence’. have achieved 29 World A stressed on the Speaking of Prabhakar records in martial arts need for skills Reddy, Pawan Kalyan and learnt it in China, in martial arts said that he came across Thailand, Malaysia and and adventure sports, him while searching for Srilanka. I got trained in when it comes to the ‘Wing Chun’ trainers in the Shaolin temple in younger lot. “It will help the country. “I am happy China. It will help youth develop mental strength to note that though he immensely if they know along with physical fit- had got trained in various martial arts. There are ness for youth and it is countries in martial arts only a few people learn- necessary to learn them,” and achieved so many ing martial arts in our said the Gabbar Singh records, he was giving country. Pawan Kalyan star. training to youth in his garu has secured knowl- He recently felicitated native place without edge in various forms of Prabhakar Reddy, a train- migrating to big cities. martial arts. Very few er of martial arts from People like him should be people have an interest in Nellore and recipient of encouraged, hence my martial arts. I felt happy several Guinness Book extended financial sup- and humbled when he records. The actor pre- port through our trust,” invited, felicitated and sented him with a Rs 1 he said. Martial artist extended financial assis- lakh cheque through his Prabhakar Reddy, while tance.” HYDERABAD | MONDAY | MARCH 29, 2021 sport 12

Portugal, Belgium All's well that ends well held in WC qualifiers AFP n BELGRADE introduction proved crucial for Sam Curran gutsy 95 not out goes in vain as Natarajan keeps his nerve Serbia as he set up Aleksandar ristiano Ronaldo threw Mitrovic and Filip Kostic to Chis captain’s armband to net in the first 15 minutes of calm in final over to win third game by 7 runs, India seal series 2-1 the ground in anger after the second period. being controversially denied Belgium, the world num- PTI n PUNE with Adil Rashid and then an injury-time winner as ber one-ranked side, sit behind with Mark Wood, nearly Portugal blew a two-goal lead the Czech Republic on goal he Indian cricket team changed the game before against Serbia in World Cup difference in the early Group completed one of its India prevailed. qualifying on Saturday, while E standings. Tbest four-month spells Earlier, Pant’s sparkling Romelu Lukaku’s 59th Lukas Provod put the across formats, pipping knock of 78 off 62 balls was International goal salvaged Czechs ahead shortly after England by a mere 7 runs in well supported by Hardik (64 Belgium a 1-1 draw with the half-time in Prague with a the third and final ODI after off 44 balls) but India lost Czech Republic. magnificent long-range strike, surviving Sam Curran’s deter- their last four wickets for a The Netherlands saw off his first International goal. mined assault in an exciting mere eight runs to finish at Latvia 2-0 after their opening Ten minutes later, Lukaku contest for a well-deserved least 30 short of a competitive Group G defeat by Turkey, collected Kevin De Bruyne’s hat-trick of series victories. total on another belter. who backed up that perfor- pass, turned his marker and For India, near domina- Pant, during his career- mance with an impressive 3- drilled the ball under goal- tion of England in all three best knock plundered, four 0 victory over Norway. keeper Tomas Vaclik for his formats at home comes maximums and five bound- Portugal drew 2-2 in 19th goal in his last 16 games straight after humbling aries, while Hardik had five Belgrade, despite Ronaldo for Belgium. Australia in their own back- fours and four sixes during believing he had scored the Roberto Martinez’s men yard earlier this year during a their 99-run stand for the winner in the third minute of almost took the lead 14 min- gruelling tour. fifth wicket. stoppage time when the ball utes from time, but after The 2-1 triumph against However, Krunal Pandya’s appeared to cross the goalline Lukaku teed up De Bruyne, the reigning world champions (25 off 34 balls) serious limi- before Stefan Mitrovic cleared. the Manchester City midfield- in 50-over cricket will certain- tations while facing express But without technology in er smashed a low shot against ly please Virat Kohli but he pace were exposed by Wood use, the goal was not awarded the post. will not at all be amused by (3/34) as India lost the and a fuming Ronaldo was In the other Group A the fact that India nearly let momentum during the final then booked for his protests. game, Luxembourg pulled off the game slip away with some 10 overs despite a brilliant 103 At the final whistle he a shock 1-0 unimaginative bowling and run opening stand inside 15 stormed from the pitch, win over a poor fielding at the death. overs between Rohit Sharma throwing his captain’s arm- lacklustre Rishabh Pant and Hardik (37; 6x4) and Shikhar Dhawan band to the ground. Republic Pandya hit stroke-filled half- (67 off 56; 10x4). “I always give and will give of Ireland centuries but Indian lower- It was a day when India’s everything for my country, in Dublin. order also caved in meekly to top order was troubled by that will never change,” settle for a below-par 329 on English spinners with Adil Ronaldo later posted on his a great batting track. Rashid’s (2/81 in 10 overs) Instagram page. But Bhuvneshwar Kumar googlies in successive overs “But there are difficult (3/42) and new all-rounder in removing Rohit and Dhawan. times to deal with, especial- making Shardul Thakur (4/67 Skipper Virat Kohli (7) ly when we feel that an and 30 runs) got the break- tried to rock back and play a entire nation is being throughs at just the right cut shot only to be bowled by harmed.” times before Curran (95 not a Moeen Ali off-break. Portugal coach out off 83 balls) almost However, Pant started off Fernando Santos told changed the result single- England captain Eoin Morgan, center, pats teammate Sam Curran as he walks off the field after Englad’s loss in the third ODI against India at MCA stadium in Pune AP from where he had left in the RTP: “We scored a goal handedly. last game and ditto for Hardik that was not given when England finished on 322 pace attack paid off for the after the opener was forced to thigh slap celebration. However, Livingstone had as they took apart Rashid by the ball went in. In a for 9. better part of the game before remain inside the crease when Jos Buttler (15 off 18 balls) a lapse of concentration while reading wrong runs well. match of this level, Yorker specialist Curran launched a swift Pant came up to the stumps. was then trapped leg before by trying to check his shot off an Hardik smashed three that isn’t possible.” Thangarasu Natarajan bowled counter-assault. Ben Stokes (35, 39 balls) Thakur as England stared innocuous full-toss from sixes off Ali which forced the Portugal had a brilliant final over with Bhuvneshwar brought in got a reprieve when he looked down the barrel at 95 for 4 Thakur which ended in the captain to take him out of appeared to be cruis- England needing 14 but his nearly decade long expe- all but out with Pandya drop- when Liam Livingstone (36) simplest of return catches. attack as 200 came in the 30th ing to three points Curran could manage only six rience with a beautiful ping a dolly at mid-off. and Dawid Malan (50) joined With half of the team over. in Belgrade when runs because the Indian inswinger that castled Jason And when it looked that forces for a 60-run stand. gone for 155, the match Once both were dismissed 2-0 up through bowled mostly in the block- Roy (14). Stokes will dispatch Natarajan Livingstone’s on-drive and became a no-contest when in quick succession, it Liverpool striker hole. He then bowled another into the deep square leg a pull off Thakur were classy Thakur had Malan pulling required a 30 off 21 balls Diogo Jota’s first- It was a gettable total on in-cutter which left Jonny stands, he managed to hit the shots and once he was set, he straight to Rohit Sharma at from ‘new all-rounder’ half double. a flat pitch but Kohli’s ploy to Bairstow (1) on the wrong side full toss straight to Shikhar lofted Krunal Pandya for a six short mid-wicket. Thakur for a total in excess of But Nemanja attack with predominantly of the Decision Review System Dhawan, who did his famous over long-on. But then Curran, first 325 on the board. Radonjic’s half-time Conway, Sodhi fire NZ to big win Barty sets up ‘Death bowling shouldn’t be AFP n HAMILTON Azarenka clash n unbeaten 92 from Devon Punjab’s concern anymore’ AConway and a four-wick- AFP n MIAMI et burst from Ish Sodhi ensured PTI n NEW DELHI of his IPL career last year when New Zealand romped to victo- orld No 1 Ashleigh Barty he took 20 wickets at an econ- ry by 66 runs in the opening Wlooked sharp in a straight- aving got injured while bat- omy of 8.57 but did not get T20 against Bangladesh in sets victory over Jelena Hting in Australia, senior much support from the other Hamilton on Sunday. Ostapenko on Saturday at the India pacer Mohammad Shami pacers, who leaked runs in the Conway, whose rollicking Miami Open, where men’s sec- says he is back to full fitness and death overs, eventually costing innings included 11 fours and ond seed Stefanos Tsitsipas looking forward to making the team a play-off berth in a three sixes, shared in a 105-run cruised past lucky loser Damir another signification contribu- mixed campaign. The team has stand with debutant Will Young Dzumhur. tion for Punjab Kings in the IPL, roped in Jhye Richardson, Riley (53), as New Zealand posted an Defending champion Barty beginning April 9. Meredith and Moises Henriques impressive 210 after winning defeated the former French Shami fractured his wrist to plug that gap. the toss and electing to bat. Open champion 6-3, 6-2 to set after being hit by a short ball “We can’t change the past. I Mohammad Naim made up a fourth-round clash with from Australian pacer Pat tried my best last season and also an enterprising start to the Ish Sodhi celebrates with New Zealand teammates after he takes wicket @ICC former world number one Cummins in the first Test in help the fellow pacers whenev- Bangladesh reply with two Victoria Azarenka. Adelaide. er I could. We got good overseas boundaries off the opening Williamson and Trent Boult on the door.” Azarenka beat 24th seed For someone who has not players now. It is a stronger over from Tim Southee. and stand-in captain Tim A disappointed Bangladesh Angelique Kerber 7-5, 6-2 in a slowed down men’s fourth seed had any fitness issues for a long squad so we should do better But once the tourists Southee said it was pleasing to skipper Mahmadullah pointed battle of former world number Andrey Rublev in a 6-1, 6-2 vic- time, the 30-year-old said he this time,” said Shami of the reached 39 in the fifth over the see the new blood perform the finger at a mediocre batting ones. tory over American Tennys could not do much about that team which won five games in innings fell apart as first Lockie with the bat. display from his side and called Tsitsipas — ranked fifth in Sandgren. injury and just focussed on his a row but also lost matches they Ferguson removed Naim for 27 “Devon is just carrying on for a big improvement before the world but seeded second Rublev, up 6-1, 5-2, was recovery at the NCA, from should have won, dashing their and then Sodhi suffocated the what he’s done at this level, game two in Napier on behind world No 2 Daniil unable to convert three match where he got released on March playoff prospects. momentum with his four wick- making it look extremely easy,” Tuesday. Medvedev in the Masters 1000 points before the players had to 20 ahead of the IPL. “Your mind has to be ets in eight deliveries. Southee said with Conway now “We have let ourselves event was untroubled in a 6-1, leave the court for the second of “I am absolutely fine and absolutely clear in the shortest At the end of their 20 having four fifties and a 65.42 down in our batting depart- 6-4 over lucky loser Damir two rain delays, but he wasted no read to go. The injury while bat- format. As a unit we did good overs Bangladesh were 144 for average from 12 T20s. ment,” he said. Dzumhur. time in closing out the match ting was unfortunate as I have tives. The last season was good work but lost close matches we eight and Sodhi had the “It’s great to be able to see “Ish (Sodhi) is an experi- The three-time Grand Slam when play resumed. not had an fitness issues for a for me and hope I can carry that should have won. The support impressive figures of four for guys come in and perform. If enced campaigner, he uses semi-finalist next faces 28th Canadian Denis Shapovalov long time but this was some- form into the IPL. Because of the staff and players were frank 28. you had five or six guys out a conditions really well, the ball seed Kei Nishikori, who outlast- also had to wait out the delay to thing I couldn’t do anything injury, I got more time be ready with each other about that. New Zealand went into few years ago we would be was gripping a little bit here but ed Slovenia’s Aljaz Bedene 7-6 finish off a hard-fought 6-7 about but it is part of the game,” for a big tournament like the “Our death bowling seems the match without six frontline scratching around but there’s a we can’t make the same mis- (8/6), 5-7, 6-4. (5/7), 6-4, 6-4 victory over Ilya Shami said. IPL. better compared to last year, so players including Kane number of guys now knocking takes again and again.” Rain was the only thing that Ivashka. “I always look at the posi- Shami had the best season we should do better.” Krishna-Vishnu pair India end best-ever WC campaign with 2 more Gold PTI n NEW DELHI crumbled. But that boy body’s chief was satisfied with “We have also set an exam- goes down in final (Vijayveer), he is very young the performance of his athletes. ple for rest of the shooting ndia pulled the curtains and he shot very well... In the “Athletes morale is high, community so that they don’t PTI n PARIS Idown on its best-ever ISSF long run you will see a lot of but, as I had said earlier this is shy away from not hosting World Cup campaign with two good things from him,” not a marker for Olympics. But tournaments because of Covid- he Indian pair of more Gold medals here on National Rifle Association of it’s important that we have 19. We are making sure that we TKrishna Prasad Garaga Sunday, somewhat making up India (NRAI) president done well, because it leaves us will have regular internation- and Vishnu Vardhan Goud for missing out on the chance Raninder Singh said after the morally high, these things al engagements that’s why I was let slip a strong start to go to swell its unprecedented tally tournament. matter, psychologically it’s asked to conduct this first,” down to England’s Ben Lane of 15 Olympic quotas. The national shooting important for us. Raninder said. and Sean Vendy in the men’s Dominating the event from doubles finals of the Orleans start to end, hosts India topped Masters badminton tour- the chart with an incredible nament on Sunday. tally of 30 medals, half of them Olympic team selection on April 3 The unheralded being Gold. Indians, the only ones left in The country also bagged PTI n NEW DELHI final team will be picked tak- preparation and it’s already too contention from the coun- nine Silver and six Bronze ing into the account the scores late. Although we will only try on the final day, lost 21- medals in what could be the he head of Indian shooting in all tournaments and trials know the ranking quotas from 19, 14-21, 19-21 in a 56- last major international outing Tbody Raninder Singh on leading up to the Games. the 6th of June, I can’t wait till minute battle with the Hyderabad in 2018. for rifle and pistol shooters Sunday said the team for “I plan to call it on the 3rd then,” he added. fourth seeds. The duo also went on to before this summer’s Tokyo Tokyo Olympics will be or 4th (April) but subject to “NRAI will also announce Krishna and Vishnu had win Thailand Open 500 Olympics. announced on April 3 or 4 and availability of people because two reserves per event when paired for the first time in and reaching the finals of On the last competition India’s shotgun shooters Shreyasi Singh, Rajeshwari Kumari and Manisha Keer it will include two reserves per I would like to do it in person announcing the Olympic team this event and would be French Open 750 event. day, shotgun shooters Prithviraj celebrate after win in women’s trap team final on Sunday event owing to the threat rather than on zoom,” in case some contracts the pleased with the results they Krishna had earlier Tondaiman, Lakshay Sheoran posed by Covid-19 pandemic. Raninder said after the end of virus before Olympics or falls managed. paired with Shlok and Kynan Chenai ended Kumari and Manisha Keer off colour and settled for the Indian shooters have the ISSF World Cup. ill...” Satwiksairaj Rankireddy Ramchandran, while for the India’s campaign with a Gold claimed the Gold medal in the Silver medal in the men’s 25m secured an unprecedented 15 “But if we have to do it on The federation is also try- and Chirag Shetty were the 20-year-old Vishnu, it’s his medal in the men’s trap team women’s trap team final after rapid fire pistol team event. Olympic quota places for the zoom, we will do it on zoom. ing to keep the Olympic squad first Indian pair to win a first International tourna- event. blanking Kazakhstan 6-0. “I had hoped that the country but, as per the feder- I want to close this now so that in bio bubble till the Tokyo super 100 event at ment at the senior level. Before that, the trio of Vijayveer Sidhu, Gurpreet home range would help me get ation’s selection policy, the they can get on with their Games. Shreyasi Singh, Rajeshwari Singh and Adarsh Singh looked my 16th quota... The cookie