Follow us on: @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/dailypioneer Established 1864 RNI No. TELENG/2018/76469 Published From *LATE CITY VOL. 3 ISSUE 75 NATION 7 MONEY 8 HYDERABAD DELHI LUCKNOW *Air Surcharge Extra if Applicable GARMENT SECTOR HOPEFUL OF BHOPAL RAIPUR CHANDIGARH VARDHAN: WON'T COMPROMISE ON ‘BADDIE’ ACHIEVING GROWTH IN 2021 BHUBANESWAR PROTOCOL BEFORE APPROVING VAX RANCHI DEHRADUN WITH A VIJAYAWADA VISAKHAPATNAM GOLDEN VIJAYAWADA, SUNDAY JANUARY 3, 2021; PAGES 12+16 `5 HEART 12

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SOURAV GANGULY IN ICU IN KOLKATA; THREE CRORE ON FRONTLINE TO GET FREE MUMBAI ATTACK MASTERMIND ARRESTED IF SOMEONE IS HINDU, HE HAS TO BE UNDERGOES PRIMARY ANGIOPLASTY VACCINE IN 1ST PHASE: HEALTH MINISTER IN PAKISTAN OVER TERROR FINANCING PATRIOTIC: RSS CHIEF MOHAN BHAGWAT he Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ree coronavirus vaccines will be given in the aki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the Mumbai attack f someone is a Hindu, he will be patriotic and Tpresident Sourav Ganguly has been Ffirst phase to three crore people who have Zmastermind and Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, Ithat will be his basic character and nature, RSS hospitalised in Kolkata and is undergoing primary been on the frontline in the fight against the was arrested on Saturday in Pakistan over chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Friday while citing angioplasty after suffering "chest discomfort highly contagious disease, Health Minister terror financing charges, an official said. Mahatama Gandhi's remarks that his patriotism while doing tread mill at his home gym". The Harsh Vardhan said today. The government Lakhvi, who was on bail since 2015 in the originates from his dharma. Mr Bhagwat was former India captain reached the Woodlands will give priority to 1 crore healthcare workers Mumbai attack case, was arrested by the speaking at an event to release the book titled hospital in Kolkata at 1pm on Saturday. The and 2 crore frontline workers when India Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of "Making of a Hindu Patriot: Background of hospital said that an ECG was conducted, which begins the rollout of Covid vaccine. "In 1st Pakistan. However, the CTD did not reveal the Gandhiji's Hind Swaraj", authored by JK Bajaj showed "hyper acute ST segment elevation in phase of #COVID19Vaccination free #vaccine place of his arrest. "Following an intelligence- and MD Srinivas. Releasing the book, Mr inferior leads and lateral leads". "Mr Sourav shall be provided across the nation to most based operation conducted by the CTD Punjab Bhagwat said there is no need for speculation Ganguly, 48 years old, President BCCI, former prioritised beneficiaries that incl 1 crore (Pakistan), proscribed organisation LeT leader that the Sangh "is trying to appropriate Gandhiji, Captain of Indian Cricket team and eminent healthcare & 2 crore frontline workers. Details Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi was arrested on that is not the case, no one can appropriate great personality suffered from chest discomfort while doing tread mill at his home of how further 27 cr priority beneficiaries are to be vaccinated until July charges of terrorism financing," it said. It further said that Lakhvi, 61, was personalities like him." Describing the book as an authentic scholarly gym. He had family history of IHD Ischemic heart disease. are being finalised (sic)," Dr Harsh Vardhan tweeted this afternoon. arrested in a case of terrorism financing registered in a police station. research document on Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagwat said. In clear signal to SEC, Politics turn tiny Ramatheertham Govt extends special village into battlefield for parties officers rule in State SUMIT KUMAR ONKA PNS n VIJAYAWADA parishads would be formed n VISAKHAPATNAM Idol desecrated and ready to start functioning The AP state government has in the first week of July. The tiny Ramatheertham vil- just a day after issued an order extending the It may be recalled that elec- lage in Nellimarla mandal of rule of special officers in man- tions to local bodies should Vizianagaram district on decision to instal dal parishad and zilla have been held in early 2019 Saturday resembled a politi- parishads by another six itself during the regime of the cal battlefield with YSRCP, CCTV was taken months, signalling that it is in TDP. However, the Exports dip 0.8 pc TDP and BJP cadres resorting no mood to hold elections for Chandrababu Naidu govern- in Dec, trade deficit to protests and counter Visakhapatnam: Power the local bodies in the near ment put off the elections, protests over desecration of an supply to the 400-year-old future, at least till such time probably to avoid any negative widens to $15.71 bn idol of Lord Rams atop Kodandarama temple at State Election Commissioner verdict impacting its chances Bodikonda hill. Ramatheertham village was Nimmagadda Ramesh Kumar on the Assembly elections. The intense protest was restored recently and on continues in office. Since then, special officers fuelled by the desecration of December 28, the author- As per the order, the special have been ruling the local a Lord Ram idol in ities had decided to instal officer rule will continue in bodies. Though the YSRCP 8 Vizianagaram and two idols CCTV, a day before the mandal parishads till July 3 government commenced the that were found damaged on Lord Ram idol was van- and Zilla Parishads till July 4, exercise of conducting elec- Friday. dalised. 2021. tions to local bodies in March In the first instance, an idol The idol in the ancient The YS Jaganmohan Reddy 2020, the SEC stalled the of Lord Subrahmanya in Sri hillock shrine was van- government has been taking process on the pretext of Vigneshwara temple in dalised on December 29. immense pains to ensure that Coronavirus epidemic. Rajahmundry was found to Since then, the Opposition the local body polls are not Since then, the state govern- be desecrated. In the other parties have been accusing held under the watch of retired ment and the SEC had been reported incident, the Sri the ruling YSRCP govern- IAS officer Ramesh Kumar. indulging in a virtual war. Komalamma Paadaalu temple Jagan is a betrayer of Hindus, charges Naidu ment of failing to prevent In all probability, the local Though Ramesh Kumar has on Paderu Ghat road in attacks on Hindu temples polls will be held after April proposed to conduct the elec- Visakhapatnam agency area Visakhapatnam: Hitting out the 127 attacks on temples, not spare Jagan considering for the past 19 months. when Ramesh Kumar vacates tions in February, the state was found to have been dam- at Chief Minister YS Jagan- idols and priests in the past his utter disregard for the Vizianagaram SP B his post after completion of his government has been stalling aged. mohan Reddy over the des- 19 months. Jagan may be a sentiments of other religions Rajakumari on Saturday term. The elections could be the same on the pretext of Tension escalated when ecration of temples in the Christian, but his thinking and their traditions. "One told the media that police held in May or June, so that Coronavirus vaccination. supporters of the three parties State, TDP supremo N Chan- that he could use power to should not show such reli- formed five teams to nab the newly-elected bodies in came close to a clash. They drababu Naidu on Saturday convert Hindus is wrong. If gious intolerance," the former the culprits. mandal parishads and zilla 2 pushed and jostled each other said the YSRCP chief was a people in power resort to reli- chief minister said. A police officer said they and in the melee, BJP's district threat to the assets and idols gious conversions, it amounts "Slogans of 'Jai Shriram' is detained five suspects and unit president Reddy Pavani of the temples with utter to betrayal," said Naidu. currently resounding in have been questioning fell unconscious. disrespect for the sentiments Visiting Ramatheertham Ayodhya Rama temple. them. While TDP chief Chandra- of the Hindu devotees. in Vizianagaram, he enquired Similarly, Ramatheertham “There was a plan to Farmers threaten babu Naidu had scheduled a Naidu was speaking before from the local leaders and the Rama Temple has always instal CCTV cameras in tour to the Vizianagaram, the proceeding for Vizianagaram priests about the beheading been held in high esteem in the temple when this inci- KCR turning over a north Andhra in-charge for after a rousing reception by of the 400-year old statue of North Andhra. In such a dent occurred,” said the new leaf in 2021 YSRC party V. Vijayasai the party cadres at Vizag Lord Rama at Kodandarama temple, miscreants beheaded top cop in Vizianagaram. ‘tractor parade' on Reddy also paid a visit to the airport. temple in the village. Later, the Rama idol but the The temple is considered temple before the arrival of "Chief Minister has turned addressing a well-attended Government is not taking the second Bhadradri and the former. out to be a betrayer of public meeting, Naidu said any steps to nab the guilty," devotees from AP and R-Day in Delhi 2 Hindus as not a single that he would usually stick to Naidu said. neighbouring Odisha visit accused was arrested so far in secular statements but could 2 it. PNS n NEW DELHI 'Kisan Parade', farmer leader 2 Darshan Pal Singh said it will Issuing an "ultimatum" to the be held after the Republic government ahead of the next Day parade. TODAY round of talks, protesting Govt blames Ashok Gajapathi for idol desecration farmer unions on Saturday The next round of talks ALMANAC said they will march into Delhi between the government and Month & Paksham: with a "tractor parade" on the protesting farmer unions Margashirsha & Krishna Paksha Ex-royal removed as chairman of 3 more temples on charges of ‘failing to do his duty' Republic Day if their demands is scheduled to be held on are not met. January 4. On Friday, the Panchangam Visakhapatnam: Alleging the post of chairman of three and replaced with his niece, stated that former Union Addressing a press confer- unions had announced that Tithi : Chaturthi: 08:21 am that TDP leader Ashok temples in the state. Sanchaita. Minister Ashok Gajapathi has ence, the union leaders said they would have to take firm Nakshatram: Magha: 07:56 pm Gajapathi Raju failed to dis- Earlier, Ashok Gajapathi 3He was also removed from "failed in discharging his legit- the time has come for "deci- steps if the meeting fails to Time to Avoid: (Bad time to start charge his duties in temple Raju was removed as the chairmanship of 104 temples imate duties" and "address sive" action as their demands resolve the deadlock. any important work) administration, the Andhra chairperson of MANSAS in Godavari districts. security issues" of the temples. for a repeal of the three agri After the press conference, Rahukalam: 04:28 pm – 05:50 pm Pradesh government on Trust and Simhachalam Issuing a GO, the laws and a legal guarantee for farmer leader Abhimanyu Saturday removed him from Devasthanam Trust Board Endowments Department 2 Minimum Support Price Kohar told PTI that farm Yamagandam: 12:20 pm – 01:43 pm (MSP) have not yet been unions are hopeful about the Varjyam: 08:06 am – 09:41 am, addressed by the government. January 4 meeting, but cannot 12:00 am – 05:16 am British Prime Minister Boris trust the government going by Gulika: 03:05 pm - 04:28 pm Johnson is the chief guest at their experience. Good Time: (to start AIMIM joins the Republic Day parade on "We intend to be peaceful any important work) Covaxin gets approval of experts panel January 26 at Rajpath, the and we told the government hands with city's centrepiece boulevard during previous talks that it Amritakalam: 05:34 pm – 07:09 pm PNS n NEW DELHI after the panel cleared the New Delhi, Union minister where the major ceremonial has only two options – either Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:58 am – 12:42 pm Serum Institute of India's Prakash Javadekar said India BTP in Gujarat event is held every year. repeal the three laws or use VIJAYAWADA An expert panel of India's emergency use authorisation was probably the only country "The farmers' movement force to evict us (from Delhi WEATHER central drug authority on application for the Oxford- where four vaccines were in the PNS n BHARUCH delivered an ultimatum to the border points). The time has Forecast: Mostly sunny Saturday recommended grant- AstraZeneca vaccine pipeline. Government of India and come for decisive action here, Temp: 32/18 ing permission for restricted Covishield. Asked about some religious The Bhartiya Tribal Party announced that farmers will and we have chosen January Humidity: 62% use of Bharat Biotech-devel- This paves the way for the figures raising doubts over (BTP) in Gujarat will contest march into Delhi on January 26 as the Republic Day repre- Sunrise: 06:47 am oped indigenous COVID-19 roll-out of at least two vaccines vaccines, Javadekar said "our upcoming local body polls in 26," Sankyukta Kisan Morcha, sents the supremacy of the Sunset: 05:54 pm vaccine Covaxin in emergency in India in the coming days, vaccine is effective" and the rest the state in alliance with the an umbrella body of around 40 people," the union leaders situations, especially in the while two more are in advance of the world was also using it. AIMIM. protesting unions, said in a said. Current Weather Conditions Updated january 3 , 2021 5:00 PM context of infection by mutant ommendation for Bharat stages of development. statement. strains, officials said. The rec- Biotech's vaccine came a day At a press conference in 2 FULL STORY IN PAGE 2 Calling the tractor march as 2 OBTUSE ANGLE GST growth in December sets momentum for New Year PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM relaxations apparently fuelled crore, IGST Rs 57,426 crore Central Government and the the growth. The Sankranti fes- (including Rs 27,050 crore col- State Governments after regu- Setting a positive momentum tival in AP may further boost lected on import of goods) and lar settlement in the month of for the New Year, Andhra the economy. Some experts Cess Rs 8,579 crore (including December 2020 was Rs 44,641 Pradesh recorded 14 percent also attribute this growth to the Rs 971 crore collected on crore for CGST and Rs 45,485 growth in the Goods and heightened vigilance by the import of goods). The total crore for the SGST. Services Tax (GST) revenue revenue department against number of GSTR-3B Returns In line with the recent trend collection in December as evasion. The government has filed for the month of of recovery in the GST rev- compared to last year in the been going after non-filers and November up to December enues, the revenues for the corresponding month. The fake billers with a vengeance 31, 2020 is 87 lakh. month of December 2020 are state collected Rs 2,581 crore as for the past few months. The government has settled 12 percent higher than the GST revenue against the Rs Coming to the countrywide Rs 23,276 crore to CGST and GST revenues in the same 2,265 crore in December 2019. scenario, the gross GST rev- Rs 17,681 crore to SGST from month last year. The festive season, coupled enue collected in the month of IGST as regular settlement. with the pandemic lockdown December 2020 is Rs 1, 15,174 crore of which CGST is Rs 21,365 crore, SGST Rs 27,804 The total revenue earned by 2 VIJAYAWADA | SUNDAY | JANUARY 3, 2021 vijayawada 02

easier access to the Chief Urban governance is in Minister, is delegation of shambles as evidenced by ‘ALL AND greater authority to Ministers the October flooding in KCR TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF IN 2021 and MLAs. Hyderabad, government proposal for floating a Third before moving either forward The freer access to the offices which have regular SUNDRY’ Front, which he revived ahead At the first available opportunity, the or repealing them. fortress-like Pragathi Bhavan interface with people like of the GHMC elections, while Telangana government agreed to dovetail The Chief Minister has -- into which even Home revenue, municipal adminis- fter his fortnight-long the fulminations against the also thrown open the gates of Minister Mahmood Ali tration and health need sen- retreat in his favourite Centre for underfunding its flagship health scheme, Aarogyasri, with his 9-acre official residence, reportedly could not enter sitisation and semblance of Agetaway, the farmhouse Telangana have lost their edge. the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat. After vehem- Pragathi Bhavan, serving as with prior clearance -- will honesty. There must be an at Erravelli, immediately fol- At the first available oppor- ently arguing all along that Aarogyasri, his de facto secretariat for work for the party’s own end to the British-era notion lowing his return from New tunity when the Prime serving 85 lakh families, was far superior to several years, to MLAs and to good. Three decades ago, of ‘mai-baap sarkar’ where Delhi, Chief Minister K Minister addressed Chief hike salaries, retirement age there were special grievance the babus are the rulers and Chandrashekara Rao has made Secretaries of States, the the Centre’s health insurance scheme which and pensions to the govern- cells in the Secretariat meant people mere subjects to be many about-turns in policies Telangana government agreed would cover 26 lakh families, it fell in line. ment employees. Yet, all these for the public, while former lorded over. It is senseless to and climb-downs from posi- to dovetail its flagship health New Year’s Eve reforms are chief minister YS Rajasekhara reduce property tax and turn tions on key issues. Heralding scheme, Aarogyasri, with the cosmetic. These are barely Reddy went a step further by a blind eye to corruption the New Year, these resets are Centre’s Ayushman Bharat. income of Rs 1 crore can be Firstly, the decision to procure S NAGESH KUMAR sufficient to stem the erosion holding daily praja darbars. and collusion of municipal welcome, though they may After vehemently arguing all generated from one acre of paddy, sorghum, maize and Former Resident Editor, in the government’s credibil- The KCR government can officials with land-grabbers. have been forced by the along that Aarogyasri, serving land, had made a U-turn. Just red gram directly from the vil- The Hindu ity for failing to fulfil key rightfully lay claim to credit It is not enough for the Telangana Rashtra Samithi’s 85 lakh families, was far supe- a few weeks ago on December lages at the minimum support promises like creation of for mega-projects like KCR government to turn setbacks in by-election to the rior to the Centre’s health 8, the TRS Ministers and other price (MSP) drained the more jobs and building two- Kaleswaram LI scheme, over a new leaf in select Dubbaka Assembly seat and insurance scheme which leaders had staged sit-ins on exchequer. Secondly, the move controversial farm laws, which bedroom houses it made Mission Bhagiratha, 24X7 areas. There is a notion the GHMC polls. would cover 26 lakh families, highways in solidarity with the to impose regulated farming in sought to provide an opportu- before the 2018 Assembly electricity supply, to name among some influencers that Not a word worth trusting it fell in line post KCR’s Delhi farmers’ call for a nation-wide order to wean them away nity to the farmers to sell elections. They provide no only a few, though a whole ease of doing business is has leaked about KCR’s back- visit. bandh. from paddy evoked anger and their produce anywhere in the rebuttal to the charges of new set of changes are only for businesses, espe- to-back meetings with Prime In a way, the rollback of the He reversed two farm poli- resentment among large sec- country. The government is crony capitalism in real estate required for the TRS to face cially those in glamourous Minister Narendra Modi and much-vaunted farm sector cies that signalled not only lack tions of farmers. toeing the line pushed by and engineering sectors, the Assembly elections in sectors like information tech- Home Minister in Delhi, but reforms at the nascent stage of adequate foresight and plan- The first decision was a Defence Minister Rajnath besides corruption in depart- 2023, possibly even earlier if nology. Reforms must be tied the results on the ground are indicated that KCR, who fan- ning but also an unambiguous realisation that direct pro- Singh that the new farm laws ments helmed by important the Modi government opts to the larger goal of improv- louder than words. He has not cies himself as a progressive admission of the soundness of curement from the villages at should be given time for 1-2 Ministers. for simultaneous Lok Sabha ing people’s lives in every spoken any further on his farmer by claiming that an the Centre’s new farm laws. MSP was in conflict with the years to know their effect What is needed, apart from and Vidhan Sabha polls. sphere of activity. In clear signal Covid vaccination dry run Congress veteran, former Union home to SEC, Govt minister Buta Singh passes away extends... Continued from page 1 held to test preparedness PNS n NEW DELHI Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Singh was a member of Lok The issue has gone to the PNS n VIJAYAWADA Prominent Dalit leader of the Sabha for eight terms, held sev- state High Court, which has 238 new Covid Congress and former Union eral positions in varied ideo- recently ordered that the gov- As part of the dry run for home minister Buta Singh, logical dispensations at the ernment send a three-mem- Covid-19 vaccination, con- cases, 3 deaths who served under four Prime Centre and became the ber official team to hold talks ducted at 39 locations in all 13 Ministers in a political career Governor of Bihar in 2004. with the SEC to take a deci- districts of Andhra Pradesh on spanning over five decades, Singh often found himself at sion on the elections. Saturday, health authorities reported in AP died at the AIIMS here on the centre of major controver- Even as the process is on, created some dummy inci- Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Saturday morning. He was 86. sies. He was once excommuni- the state government issued dents to test the preparedness reported three Covid-19 deaths, Singh was in a coma since cated from the socio-religious orders extending the special for adverse events following 238 new cases and 279 October last year when he order of the Sikhs for his officer rule by six months. immunisation (AEFI), a senior recoveries in 24 hours ending was admitted to the All India alleged role in the Operation official said 9 am on Saturday. Institute of Medical Sciences attended the cremation. His Blue Star, but was pardoned a Health Commissioner The total confirmed positives (AIIMS) after he suffered a supporters earlier paid their decade later. Katamaneni Bhaskar said some has now climbed to 8,82,850, brain haemorrhage. He died last respects to the departed President Ram Nath 32 minor and 26 major events recoveries to 8,72,545 and around 7.10 am, his family leader at his Jangpura Kovind, Vice President M were created during the dry deaths to 7,111, a health said. Extension residence and at Venkaiah Naidu, Prime run in all districts. department bulletin said. The He was cremated at the the Sri Nanaksar Gurudwara in Minister Narendra Modi and "These are not real, but we active caseload has now fallen Lodhi Road crematorium in Wazirabad, where his body former Prime Minister created dummy events to test to 3,194, it added. the evening. A large number of was kept. Manmohan Singh condoled the preparedness for AEFI. dummy vaccine. ity of using the Co-WIN appli- Chittoor district reported 59 Congress leaders and workers A staunch loyalist of former his demise. These were immediately "The remaining 21 were not cation in the field and plan- new cases in a day, Krishna addressing and everything given the vaccine because of ning, implementation and and Guntur 32 each while the went as planned. different problems," he said. reporting mechanism. remaining 10 districts added We are now geared up for "The results have been encour- A report on the outcome of less than 25 cases each. West the actual vaccination pro- aging," Bhaskar added. the dry run in all districts Godavari district saw two more Govt blames Covaxin gets approval gramme as and when it starts," On December 28, a similar would be submitted to the Covid-19 deaths and Chittoor Bhaskar said. dry run was conducted at five State Task Force for a review one in 24 hours, the bulletin A total of 954 out of 975 pre- locations in Krishna district as and suggest further action. said. So far, 1.19 crore tests from experts panel... identified beneficiaries from part of a nationwide initiative "We will also send the feedback have been completed in the Ashok Gajapathi... specified groups, chosen for in four select states. The main to the Union Ministry of state that resulted in an overall Continued from page 1 the Indian Council of Medical the dry run at the select loca- objective of the dry run was to Health and Family Welfare," infection positivity rate of 7.40 Continued from page 1 Research (ICMR). tions, were administered a check the operational feasibil- the Commissioner said. per cent. He added that vaccines are The SEC again deliberated "Ashok Gajapathi Raju has introduced after tests and on the emergency use autho- failed to discharge his legiti- those that would be brought in risation application of Bharat mate duties and address the would be safe. Biotech on Saturday after it issues relating to the security Union Health Minister presented the updated data, Politics turn Ramatheertham village... aspects of the temple and Harsh Vardhan appealed to justification and requested for failed to take steps to prevent people on Saturday not to be consideration of their propos- Continued from page 1 BJP leaders, who were on the vandalisation of Lord misguided by "rumours" al in the wake of incidence of hunger strike at downhill, Jagan is a betrayer of Hindus... Rama's idol in Sri Rama regarding the safety and effi- new mutated coronavirus Ahead of the visit of Naidu, raised an objection to the visit Swamy Devasthanam in reason why Ashok Gajapthi cacy of the coronavirus vac- infection. It recommended the TDP cadres were present at by the ruling party leaders to Continued from page 1 A YSRCP MLA flew Vizianagaram district," read Raju, who is known for his cine, and said, "We will not "grant of permission for Ramatheertham village in a the temple. YSRCP leaders, drones over the Tirumala sky the statement. honesty and credibility, was compromise on any protocol restricted use in emergency sit- large number. they argued, had no right to He demanded the CM to where such an activity was The GO continued: “It is removed from the Chairman’s before approving a vaccine." uations in public interest as an The former chief minister visit the temple as the govern- explain why he had not visit- banned. The ruling party brought to the notice of the post. The Union Health Ministry abundant precaution, in clin- who flew to Visakhapatnam ment has failed to protect the ed Ramatheertham to express leaders had brought in the Government that the incident “The Jagan regime was busy on Saturday said the Subject ical trial mode, especially in the from Vijayawada, left for temples. solidarity with the Hindu culture of liquor drinking of vandalising the idol of Lord with the twin tasks of desecrat- Expert Committee (SEC) of context of infection by mutant Ramatheertham by road along When YSRCP MP Vijay Sai devotees whose sentiments and meat eating also atop the Sri Rama of Sri Rama Swamy ing temples and looting their the Central Drugs Standard strains, to Bharat Biotech," the former deputy chief minister Reddy and other leaders of the were hurt. "Jagan has his own Seven Hills, Naidu charged. Devasthanam, assets,” Naidu said. Control Organisation health ministry stated. Chinnarajappa and others. ruling party were returning religious sentiments. He keeps "The Chief Minister him- Ramatheertham (V) took Meanwhile, TDP AP presi- (CDSCO) has recommended According to sources, the Naidu's convoy was stopped from the temple hill, leaders the Bible by his side during self violated the traditions by place on the night of 28th dent K. Atchannaidu asked granting permission to the committee, however, stated on the outskirts of the village and workers of opposition his swearing in. His palatial not bringing his wife during December 2020”. why Chief Minister YS Serum Institute of Institute that the firm shall continue the by lorries parked on the high- parties who had gathered there residence at Lotus Pond has a the presentation of sacred Earlier, TDP supremo N Jaganmohan Reddy broke his (SII) for restricted emergency ongoing phase 3 clinical trial way. Police did not allow the raised slogans. The MP's con- Cross on it. But, it appears clothes to the Lord," he said. Chandrababu Naidu deplored promise of ordering a CBI use of Covishield in India, sub- and submit data emerging vehicles of other leaders to fol- voy was also pelted with stones that he believes that Hindus Naidu said that the Gover- that lands and assets were probe into the Antarvedi tem- ject to multiple regulatory from the trial as and when low the convoy of Naidu lead- and chappals. do not deserve similar senti- nment had no right to take donated to temples for the ple chariot burning. “The conditionalities. available. ing to heated arguments The local cops faced a her- ments. He should realise that away the lands that Hindu sake of protecting the Hindu YSRCP leaders are only inter- "The SEC of CDSCO met The committee noted that between the TDP leaders and culean task to protect the the beheading of Rama idol is devotees donated to temples dharma. The Gajapathi Raju ested in the sale of the TTD on January 1 and 2 and made the vaccine is an inactivated police. Later, the cops allowed YSRCP senior leader and a great disgrace to the land," over centuries. "The police family donated 12,000 acres properties and the precious the recommendations for the whole virion, coronavirus vac- Naidu to visit the temple. maintain peace as TDP and the TDP supremo said. were behaving irresponsibly for Simhachalam temple and lands of the MANSAS Trust. consideration and final deci- cine, having potential to target BJP cadres have been camp- BJP also insisted on going up Stating that all major tem- and they are filing false cases. those lands were worth Rs 5 The Chief Minister is trying to sion of the Drugs Controller mutated coronavirus strains, a ing at the bottom of the tem- Bodikonda hillock after lead- ples in the state have come Once the TDP comes to crore to Rs 10 crore per acre perpetuate his unjust and General of India (DCGI)," source said. The data generat- ple hill calling for 'Chalo ers of ruling YSR Congress under attack, Naidu said that power, all these cases would now. The YSRCP leaders had unfair regime by dividing the the ministry said. ed so far demonstrates a strong Ramatheertham' to protest Party (YSRCP) visited the the ruling party has brought be reopened and stringent set their sights on these lands, people along caste and com- Covaxin has been indige- immune response (both anti- against the repeated vandalisa- temple to see the desecrated disrepute to Tirumala temple punishment would be given Naidu alleged. munal lines,” Atchannaidu nously developed by Bharat body as well as T cell) and in- tion of temples. idol. with illegal activities. to the erring police," he said. He said that this was the alleged.- Biotech in collaboration with vitro viral neutralisation.

VIJAYAWADA GST growth in BULLION RATES Farmers threaten... AIMIM joins hands with BTP in Gujarat GOLD Continued from page 1 Kundli Manesar Palwal high- n December... ` 51, 170 (10 gm) way on January 6 will remain PNS BHARUCH upcoming elections to local Constitution. trict Panchayat voted for a Thousands of farmers, unchanged and described it as bodies with the AIMIM," Jaleel said the alliance will BJP nominee for the president's Continued from page 1 ` 210 mostly from Punjab and a "rehearsal" for their "January The Bhartiya Tribal Party Vasava told reporters. emerge a strong challenger for post, which queered the pitch SILVER Haryana, have been camping 26 tractor parade". (BTP) in Gujarat will contest Owaisi heads the the BJP and the Congress, and for the BTP-backed candidate, The GST revenues during ` 72, 000 (1kg) at three Delhi border points – Swaraj India leader Yog- upcoming local body polls in Hyderabad-headquartered All will make impact on the Vasava announced severing of December 2020 have been ` 400 Singhu, Tikri and Ghazipur – endra Yadav said it is a "plain the state in alliance with the India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul- upcoming polls. its alliance with the Congress the highest since the intro- for more than a month, press- lie" that the government had AIMIM, BTP chief Chhotu Muslimeen (AIMIM). "The alliance with the BTP in December. duction of GST and it is the ing for a repeal of the three accepted 50 percent of the Vasava said on Saturday after "Well begun is half done! is a matter of pride for the The BTP had allied with the first time that it has crossed CHICKEN farm laws, a legal guarantee for farmers' demands. "We have AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel met Had a fruitful meeting with AIMIM. There is great enthu- Congress in Rajasthan and Rs 1.15 lakh-crore. RATES `/KG minimum support price for got nothing on paper yet," he him at his residence at Jhagadia BTP chief Chotu bhai Vasava siasm among people over this supported Chief Minister The highest GST collection their crops, besides two other said. in Bharuch district. at his house in Bharuch. The tie-up. People in Gujarat will Ashok Gehlot during the revolt till now was Rs 1,13,866 crore Dressed/With Skin `158 demands. "We were peaceful, are Notably, Vasava had in long wait of the Gujarati peo- choose us as an alternative," he by then deputy chief minister in the month of April 2019. Without Skin `180 Pal said if their demands are peaceful and will be peaceful, December announced severing ple finally gets over as BTP and said. Sachin Pilot earlier last year. The revenues of April nor- Broiler at Farm `109 not met, thousands of farmers but will stay at Delhi borders of ties with the Congress party AIMIM come together to cre- The BTP has two MLAs in Elections to six municipal mally tend to be high since will have no option but to until new farm laws are in two district Panchayats in ate new political power," tweet- the Gujarat Assembly who had corporations, including they pertain to the returns of march towards Delhi with repealed," another farmer Narmada and Bharuch. ed Jaleel, who heads refrained from voting in the Ahmedabad, 55 municipalities, March, which marks the end EGG their tractors, trolleys and leader said. "(Asaduddin) Owaisi is with Maharashtra unit of the Rajya Sabha elections held in 31 district panchayats and 231 of financial year. The national flag on January Farmers' leaders said that in the people who are fighting for AIMIM and represents June last year. The tribal party taluka pachayats were sup- December 2020 revenues are RATES `/100 26.Asked about the route and the last round of talks, the gov- the Indian Constitution. We Aurangabad Lok Sabha seat in had contested the 2017 posed to be held in November, significantly higher than last VIJAYAWADA 516 timing for their planned 'Kisan ernment agreed to two will fight for our rights that are the neighbouring state. Assembly elections in alliance 2019, a month before their five- month's revenues of Rs HYDERABAD 516 Parade', Pal said the unions "minor" demands of the farm- being taken away by the He told reporters that both with the Congress. year terms came to end, but 1,04,963 crore. will announce it later. ers' movement and even these Narendra Modi government the parties shared the same But after the newly-elected were postponed by three This is the highest growth VISAKHAPATNAM 505 The farmer leader said their are yet to be secured in writ- which is doing nothing for the "ideology" that the country members of Congress in months in view of the Covid- in monthly revenues in the RETAIL PRICE `5. 16 (IN HYDERABAD) plan for tractor-march on ing or legal form. poor...We will contest the should run according to Rajasthan's Dungarpur dis- 19 pandemic. last 21 months.

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Printed and published by B Krishna Prasad for and on behalf of CMYK Printech Ltd., Printed at Sree Seshasai Enterprises, D.No. New 3-88, Old 3-22, Chandra Theatre, Gosala, Penamaluru Mandal, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh - 521 151, Resident Editor: B Krishna Prasad, AIR SURCHARGE of Rs 2.00. VIJAYAWADA | SUNDAY | JANUARY 3, 2021 vijayawada 03 Naidu doesn’t respect shrines: Vijayasai PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM

Tension reached a peak after the TDP trying to convoy of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) Parliamentary gain mileage leader and in-charge of the party for North Andhra Pradesh, V from sacrilege, Vijayasai Reddy, was pelted with stones and sandals, allegedly by says Velampalli TDP and BJP supporters. PNS n VIJAYAWADA Vijayasai Reddy was returning after visiting the temple and Endowments Minister Vellampalli interacting with Endowments Srinivas said that strict action has Department officials to take been initiated into the desecration stock of the situation. of Lord Rama's idol at TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu at Lord Kodandarama Temple at Ramateertham "TDP workers threw sandals Ramateertham. Terming the and stones at Vijayasai Reddy incident unfortunate, he said that vehicle, damaging his car. The the opposition leader attack was unprovoked,'' said YSRCP leader and Rajya Sabha MP V Vijayasai Reddy inpsecting the Lord Kodandarama Temple at Ramateertham in Chandrababu Naidu had neither Blocked by cops, Naidu stages Vizianagaram MLA Kolagatla Nellimarla mandal of Vizianagaram district on Saturday. fear nor devotion towards God. Veerabhadra Swamy. Addressing a press conference On his part, Vijayasai Reddy God will punish the wrongdoers. Ramatheertham temple was van- scheme. here on Saturday, the minister alleged that TDP leaders N We will spend any amount of dalised by unidentified miscre- "There is a conspiracy behind said that the role of opposition dharna at Ramatheertham Chandrababu Naidu, Nara money for development of the ants on December 30. the series of incidents of desecra- party behind the incident was Lokesh and Ashok Gajapathi Ramatheertham temple." The head of the idol was cut tion of idols, theft of images to clearly evident as TDP leader PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM Raju were responsible for the des- Earlier, Vijayasai Reddy, along off and thrown in the pond malign the image of the Chief Ashok Gajapati Raju, who was Vijayasai Reddy afraid of ecration of the idol. with local YSRCP activists, (Ramakolanu) nearby from Minister. The YSRCP still serving as the Chairman of TDP supremo N "Chandrababu and conspiracy inspected the temple and the sur- where it was recovered later. The Government is committed to Ramathirtham temple, remained Chandrababu Naidu on accepting challenge: Lokesh are synonymous, like twins," the roundings. He also spoke to the incident took place ahead of save the secular fabric of the State. silent after the barbaric incident. Saturday staged a sponta- MP alleged while speaking to priests about the incident where Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Conspirators cannot hide for "Desecration of Lord Rama's idol neous dharna by squatting on PNS n VIJAYAWADA reporters. the idol of Lord Kodanda Rama Reddy's tour of Vizianagaram for long," the MP had tweeted prior at Ramateertham temple is an the road in protest against the After inspecting the temple, he atop the 400-year old the house-site distribution to his visit. attempt to destabilise the State police blocking the TDP lead- TDP MLC Nara Lokesh on said that Naidu was conspiring to government. the TDP leaders ers from visiting the Saturday asked the YSRCP MP divert the attention of the people conspired to divert public Ramatheertham temple. He Vijayasai Reddy to clarify from the welfare programmes attention in the wake of CM YS lashed out at the police for whether Chief Minister YS being carried out by the YSRCP leaders allege TDP's role in idol desecration Jaganmohan Reddy's distribution parking lorries in the middle Jaganmohan Reddy would take Jaganmohan Reddy of house site pattas in Vizianag- of the road to prevent the visit oath at Simhachalam Appanna Government. Vijayasai Reddy PNS n VIJAYAWADA Addressing the media, Pushpa to provide even electricity to the aram," he said. Recalling Naidu's of the Opposition leaders. Swamy Temple or not. Stating were levelling baseless allega- said that he was ready for the Sreevani said that the TDP was temple during their government statements that only sinners The TDP chief refused to that the Chief Minister was run- tions. Instead of looking after the challenge thrown by Nara Lokesh The leaders of ruling YSRCP behind the beheading of Lord when Ashok Gajapathi Raju was would visit the temples, the call off the protest until the ning away from his challenge to welfare and development of the to take oath of his innocence at alleged that the TDP chief and Rama idol at Ramatheertham and the chairman of the Minister questioned as why he TDP leader's convoy was take oath, Lokesh said that people, the ruling party leaders Simhachalam Temple, whenev- opposition leader N Chandrababu alleged that Naidu visited the Ramatheertham temple trust visited the Ramateertham temple. allowed to proceed to Vijaysai Reddy was talking about are looting the state and resort- er the latter wanted. Naidu had hatched conspiracy to temple to spoil clues and board. Condemning the Naidu has no faith and reverence Ramatheertham. 'debate' but not accepting the ing to mudslinging on opposi- He went on to accuse Naidu of create unrest in the society evidences to save TDP cadres. Ramateertham incident, Botsa towards Hindu gods and temples, After the police cleared original challenge. Lokesh said tion party leaders," he alleged. destroying the 1,000-foot manda- through attacks on temples. "TDP cadres are behaving like Satyanarayana alleged that Naidu he added. "During TDP regime, the way, the TDP chief that the YSRCP government had The police had failed in prevent- pa in Tirumala and temples in They also condemned the attack rowdies by hurling stones and was playing cheap politics for Naidu had demolished many arrived at the temple premis- failed miserably in preventing ing desecration of temples and Vijayawada. "All tantric pujas and on the convoy of YSRCP MP V chappals at the convoy of MP political mileage. Numerous temples located on the Krishna es along with the party lead- attacks on Hindu dharma and idols. Earlier, the gates of occult rituals were performed by Vijayasai Reddy on Saturday at Vijaysai Reddy," she alleged. temples were demolished by the riverfront in Vijayawada city. He ers. Accompanied by senior Hindu temples in the State, but Naidu's residence were locked Naidu in the temples during his Vizianagaram. Deputy Chief Pushpa Sreevani said that the TDP government and they have even offers prayers and performs party leaders, Naidu went to hatched plot to block using ropes to prevent him from rule," the MP said, adding that Minister Pamula Pushpa government was providing no right to speak about temples, rituals by wearing shoes," he the hilltop temple by taking Chandrababu Naidu's visit to the coming out and protest against apart from weakening the tem- Sreevani and minister for welfare schemes to all people he added. The minister further fumed. The Minister said that the steps. temple. The CM had no courage the atrocities of YSRCP govern- ple system, the TDP supremo was municipal administration Botsa without caste and religion went on to say that no theft Naidu was trying to create rift The TDP has been protest- to swear in the name of God to ment in Palnadu. Now, the also responsible for auctioning Satyanarayana alleged that the discrimination. The TDP is happened in the Ramatheertham between religions and shedding ing against the unfortunate disprove the allegations levelled YSRCP cadres and the police Sadhavarti lands. "It showed that TDP was behind the desecration unable to digest the growing temple and that only God's idol crocodile tears over the incident in which a 400- by the TDP against the YSRCP, were parking lorries in the mid- Naidu had no fear or faith in God. of Lord Rama's idol at popularity of Jaganmohan Reddy was damaged. "It clearly Ramateertham incident. year-old statue of Lord Rama he added. Lokesh renewed his dle of the road to block the TDP Except for votes, he has no place Ramatheertham temple. and launched ugly politics of indicates the motive behind the Criticising Naidu for trying to gain was beheaded at the cen- challenge and offered to take leaders visiting the temple. for values in politics and is only They alleged that TDP had vandalising temples and idols to incident was to create communal political mileage in the name of turies-old Kodandarama oath at Lord Appanna Temple at Lokesh further said that the interested in fleecing public plotted to destabilise the destabilise government, she unrest in the society," he said. religion, he recalled that he had temple at Ramatheertham. Simhachalam that all the allega- YSRCP regime had become money," Vijayasai Reddy alleged. government and that the TDP added. Refuting the allegations of Refuting allegations about demolished thousand-pillar The TDP leaders accused tions being made against him by unpopular because of its anti- The MP continued: "Naidu committed a heinous act of TDP leaders that YSRCP registering police case against mandapam in Tirumala and even YSRCP MP Vijaysai Reddy of the YSRCP leaders were false people policies. The Ministers was the one who cheated on his vandalising idol a day before neglected the development of TDP cadres, the minister said sold the lands of Sadavarti, making an unplanned visit and fake. "It is only at the behest and MLAs were afraid of going own father-in-law, younger Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Ramatheertham temple, Pushpa that the police investigation was besides performing tantric rituals ahead of Naidu's visit only to of Jaganmohan Reddy that into the public to enquire about brother and brothers-in-laws. Reddy's visit to Vizianagaram. Sreevani clarified that TDP failed under progress. in various Hindu temples. create tensions in the area. Vijaysai Reddy and other leaders their problems, he said. Kurnool DIG Seven die, several Shrine desecration: Pawan rubbishes Politics behind hurt in separate steps up attack on government rumours desecration of of damage road accidents PNS n VIJAYAWADA Jana Sena Party president to temple temples in AP Pawan Kalyan on Saturday PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM Three persons died when a alleged that a conspiracy was PNS n VIJAYAWADA MARTI SUBRAHMANYAM driver of a speeding tomato- being hatched to hurt the sen- n VIJAYAWADA Just a day after New Year cel- laden carrier lost balance and timents of Hindus in the state Kurnool Range DIG P ebrations, seven people died in rammed into a two-wheeler by destroying the idols of Lord Venkatarami Reddy on Will desecration of idols in three separate road accidents near Gopalapuram of Rama who according to Saturday said that there was Hindu temples continue till in Andhra Pradesh on Ravulapalem Mandal in the Hindus is an embodiment of no truth in the information the by-poll to the Tirupati Lok Saturday. Overspeeding and East Godavari district. All Dharma. about vandalisation of idols Sabha constituency? drowsiness were the major three persons on the bike died "In yet another barbaric inci- on the walls of Anjaneya During the past 18 months, reasons for the three accidents. on the spot. dent, the idols of Lord Rama Swamy temple in the fields of idols in Hindu temples have Two persons died and seven The deceased have been and Sita placed on the temple Sajjalagudem in Kosigi man- been desecrated - hands of others sustained injuries when identified as Sateesh, 21, dome of Anjaneya Swamy tem- dal of Kurnool district. some idols were cut off, at oth- a speeding lorry rammed into Surender, 21, and Chanti, 20, ple were destroyed at Addressing the media at ers, they were 'beheaded'. an auto-rickshaw near all native of Gopalapuram. Marlabanda in Kurnool district. Religious fanatics are adopting a callous attitude the DIG office at Kurnool, he The police have met with no Latchaiahpeta Sugar Factory in Police have shifted the bodies Everyone must condemn the though the attacks on temples said that the temple priests success in bringing the culprits Bobbili Mandal of to the government hospital for series of attacks on Hindu Gods unleashing terror and burning of chariots are and the police officials visit- to book so far. Barring protests "Fearful of losing its vote bank, Vizianagaram district. Nine post-mortem. and Hindu temples," he said. continuing unabatedly from ed the temple and confirmed by political outfits, registering the YSRCP government has people were travelling in the In another accident, two He said: "The religious fanat- because the govt is Pithapuram, a Sakthipeetham, that no idol was vandalised in of cases and unsuccessful been maintaining stoic auto-rickshaw. According to persons died on the spot and ics are unleashing terror maintaining silence to Ramateertham and to till that village. probes, there is not much silence," an important leader reports, the passerby did not six others suffered injuries because the government is today's Marlabanda incident The DIG said that it was headway so far in the investi- in the RSS alleged. stop by to help the victims. when a four-wheeler hit a maintaining stoic silence over even as attacks on Rajamahendravaram. not right to spread false infor- gation. Leader of the Opposition N The deceased were identi- parked lorry near the increasing attacks on Hindu temples are He demanded that the state mation and create miscon- The question who is behind Chandrababu Naidu, who did fied as V Sai Pradeep, an Mokshagundam in Prakasam Hindu temples in the state for government take stern mea- ceptions among people pro- the attacks remains - political not go to Antarvedi when the engineering student, and the district. The incident took the past one-and-half years." increasing, says Pawan sures to check the attacks on voking unrest in the society forces, religious fanatics or temple chariot was torched, driver of the auto-rickshaw, K place when the four-wheeler Referring to an incident temples. The ruling party and hurting the sentiments of 'lunatics' as claimed by the hogged the limelight with his Ramu. The injured persons vehicle was transporting a that happened in foreign coun- sibility of rebuilding the tem- should act cautiously to ensure people. police? tour of Ramatheertham, have been shifted to the gov- body from Hyderabad. The try, Pawan said that the gov- ple when a Hindu temple was that the incidents don't not get Special Branch - 3 CI One question often heard bringing attention to the forth- ernment hospital and their injured persons were admitted ernment there arrested 45 destroyed. take political colour, added JSP Pawan Kishore, SI Sunil and during discussions among coming by-poll for the condition is said to be critical. in a local hospital. accused and took the respon- The state government is president. others were present. political circles is whether Tirupati LS seat. The BJP try- such abhorrent incidents con- ing to gain political capital tinue till the Tirupati by-polls. from the attacks was expected, large number of small- change in culture were: distri- While the desecration of an after all, the matter is directly scale interventions have bution of pamphlets, use of idol of Lord Subramanya linked to its core voter base. Abeen implemented dur- ‘Swiss cheese model' for pandemic management newspapers, encouraging citi- Swamy idol in the Sri The question nagging many ing the management of Covid- zens to spread the anti-spitting Vigneshwara temple in a TDP leader is that if more 19. Some of these interventions diktat in their neighbourhoods, Rajahmundry was the latest in such attacks were to take place are applicable only in specific One model for preparing poli- The Swiss cheese model is a popular advertisements on public trans- the series, such attacks began in the run-up to the by-elec- places, while others are applic- cies for Covid-19 management framework; it consists of multiple slices port, roping in private civic with the torching of a temple tion, the BJP would surely able across several locations. is the ‘Swiss cheese model of associations and social net- chariot in Antarvedi of East exploit them politically, leav- Policymaking requires com- defence’. of Swiss cheese, stacked side by side works like the National Godavari district months ago. ing the TDP floundering. bining multiple local-level The Swiss cheese model is a Tuberculosis Association, So far, no action has been It was this thought that interventions to produce coher- popular framework used to Australia, has assembled the policy would have to clearly Women’s Health Protective taken against anyone, with prompted Naidu, setting aside ent, universally applicable prin- ensure safety in several indus- current form of the Swiss spell out the role of each Association and Federation of the police dismissing the inci- the TDP's secular obligations, ciples, and one way of accom- tries. It consists of multiple cheese model for managing level.Once implemented in this Women’s Clubs. dents that had occurred prior to rush to Ramateertam, clear- plishing integration is to create slices of Swiss cheese, stacked Covid-19 operations. The glob- way, the 10 slices would min- “Sanitary Squads” consisting to torching of the Antarvedi ly indicating how Hindutva- models. Charlie Munger, side by side. Each slice of al scientific community has imise the risk of a community of groups of health officers were temple chariot as acts of luna- centric developments are dic- Warren Buffet’s confidante, ele- cheese represents a barrier to developed a broad consensus contracting Covid-19. also deployed to conduct ran- cy. tating the political narrative in gantly explains how the model prevent a risk or threat from on 10 interventions most suit- As holes in the slice represent DR. SAMEER SHARMA dom raids in public places to RSS elders rule out the hand the state. works as a unifying scheme: becoming reality. Applied to able for tackling Covid-19. a weakness in the intervention, fine and arrest people spitting. of political outfits behind the Meanwhile, the YSRCP is “Well, the first rule is that you Covid-control, each slice is a These are: social distancing, policymakers have to ensure The experience of the None of the above interven- attacks, refusing to blame any choosing not to respond to the can’t really know anything if Covid-control intervention, masks, hand washing, avoiding that existing holes do not United States in curbing spit- tions or weaknesses is new for party. They however suspect BJP's barbs on the issue, you just remember isolated and multiple slices represent a face touching, avoiding crowds, expand or change location in a ting while handling its tubercu- administrators. What is differ- "the invisible hand of some fuelling the TDP's suspicions facts (or experiences) and try series of barriers to the virus. testing and tracing, ventila- way that allows the virus easy losis crisis in the late 19th cen- ent is the way these multi- pastors" behind the attacks. that the entire episode is to and bring ’em back. If the facts These interventions reduce the tion, clear government messag- passage across the cheese slices tury has useful lessons for pol- pronged interventions were "We don't see any involve- shift attention from the yellow don’t hang together on a lattice- risk of getting infected by the ing and financial support, iso- (barriers). One hole is the ‘info- icymakers to avoid this hole. brought together to form a ment of any political outfits party. The TDP politburo, work of theory, you don’t have virus. The weaknesses in the lation and quarantining and demic’ accompanying the epi- Spitting in America was due to coherent policy applicable behind these unsavoury inci- scheduled to meet on January them in a usable form. You’ve interventions are represented by finally, vaccines. demic. “indifference on the part of the across time and place. The dents. But we strongly suspect 4 and 5, will deliberate the got to have models in your the holes in the slices. The model predicts that People are being inundated citizens of a community, a lack Swiss cheese model rules out a that some pastors have been issue in depth and finalise its head. And you’ve got to array Additionally, these holes vary in while each slice is protective in with so much information that of civic pride, and a failure to single point of failure and encouraging such incidents stand, it is learnt. your experience both vicarious size and position. Interventions its own way, the best protection a feeling of saturation has set in, appreciate the danger from the makes the whole anti-Covid taking advantage of 'their gov- A TDP politburo member, and direct on this latticework of fail when holes in different is obtained by following all 10 and people feel as though they unrestrained practice of this vile response (policy) greater than ernment' in the state," the wishing to remain anony- models. … You’ve got to hang slices momentarily align. In interventions, because the pos- already know everything about habit”. A two-pronged approach a mere sum of individual inter- RSS elders said. mous, said that it's evident that experience on a latticework of these circumstances, coron- sibility of the virus traversing the disease. This is accompa- was followed – anti-spitting leg- ventions. They also suspect that the all this is a political game. "All models in your head.” avirus passes through the lined the 10 slices is highly improb- nied by caution fatigue, in islation plus cultivating a cul- (Author has a PhD from the State Government is hesitant these developments are aimed Simply, models convert place up holes in the slices, leading to able. As these 10 interventions which people have to bestow ture of good hygiene in order USA and a DLitt from Kanchi to prevent such incidents and at bringing the BJP to the fore and time-specific experiences infection. have to be carried out at three their attention 24x7 to pre- to get people to stop spitting. University. The article is based catch the culprits behind the as the primary Opposition to into universal principles, which Ian Mackay, a virologist at levels - individual, community scribed behaviours, thus adher- Some of the interventions on his research and practice attacks for fear of losing the the YSRCP," the senior TDP are required for policymaking. the University of Queensland, and government, therefore, any ence wanes over time. adopted to bring about a and views are personal) votes of one particular section. leader said. nation 04 VIJAYAWADA | SUNDAY | JANUARY 3, 2021 Testing of UK returnees Modi's high approval rating a matter of pride for all Indians: BJP for Covid continues PNS n NEW DELHI According to Morning pandemic has further boosted Consult's survey, German his popularity. PNS n AHMEDABAD Noting that Prime Minister Chancellor Angela Merkel's The prime minister has a Narendra Modi's approval rat- approval rating was 24 per cent vision for the country and for- Four persons who recently ing is the highest among world while it was in the negative for mulates his programmes returned to Gujarat from the leaders in a survey conducted by UK Prime Minister Boris accordingly in which he is suc- United Kingdom (UK) have a US data firm, BJP president J Johnson as more people disap- cessful, he said. tested positive for the new P Nadda on Saturday said this prove of his work than those Javadekar said Modi's strain of coronavirus, a top state is a testimony to his able lead- who approve. approval rating of 55 per cent is health department official said ership and a matter of pride for Javadekar attributed Modi's almost double that of the second on Saturday. all Indians. high approval rating to his fore- most popular leader in the list Results of the 15 samples that While Nadda tweeted to laud sight and able leadership. He of 13 democratic state heads, had tested positive for coron- Modi's leadership, the BJP also said the government's "success- including those of the US, avirus on arrival in Ahmedabad held a press conference where- ful" handling of the COVID-19 France, Australia and Brazil. from the UK are currently in Union minister Prakash pending with the National Javadekar said it is a "rare phe- Institute of Virology (NIV) in nomenon" that the prime min- Pune, the official added. ister's public approval has been Congress's opposition to rename "All the passengers who had rising over the past six years, reached Ahmedabad from the defying the general trend of UK were screened, and the added. Responding to a query, Ravi for coronavirus. fluctuating ratings for most Aurangabad won't affect MVA: Sena samples of those who had test- Ravi further said, said the treatment protocol for Samples of these patients -- leaders. ed positive for coronavirus "Passengers sitting in flights in the patients detected with the 11 of whom tested positive for American firm Morning PNS n MUMBAI was Congress's chief minister were sent to the NIV. We have three rows ahead and three new coronavirus strain and the virus between December 9 Consult, which regularly tracks in the state. The people had received intimation that the UK rows behind of the passengers other positive patients is simi- and 23 -- were sent to the NIV approval ratings of world lead- Two days after Maharashtra also accepted it," it said. strain of coronavirus has been who have tested positive for lar. Pune and Gujarat Biological ers, said over 75 per cent peo- Congress chief Balasaheb "But some people feel that detected in four such cases," coronavirus have been identi- "Contacts of all UK returnees Research Centre in ple approve of Modi while 20 Thorat said his party would the issue of renaming Principal Secretary (Health), fied through contact tracing who have been kept in isolation Gandhinagar for genome map- per cent disapprove, putting his strongly oppose any proposal Aurangabad will create friction Jayanti Ravi told reporters. and are kept under observation are being tested through RT- ping to determine whether net approval rating at 55 per that seeks to rename within the ruling alliance," Ravi said all the four patients and isolated. Health teams are PCR test after a gap of one they were carrying the mutat- cent. Aurangabad as Sambhajinagar, the Sena said in a veiled have been kept in "special iso- following up with screening of week," she said. ed variant, the department had This is higher than any other the Shiv Sena on Saturday said attack on the BJP. "Thorat lators" at the SVP Hospital in these passengers on a regular The state health department said. world leader the firm tracks. its resistance will not affect the announced that if any propos- Ahmedabad as per the Centre's basis". had last week said that 12 out India suspended flights to Referring to the survey, three-party MVA government al for renaming Aurangabad guidelines. She said the infectivity of the of1,720 passengers who arrived and from the UK from Nadda tweeted that Modi has in the state. comes up before the MVA "Results of the 15 samples UK coronavirus mutant is in Gujarat from theUKand December 23 in view of the yet again emerged as the most Shiv Sena leader Sanjay government, his party would tested positive for coronavirus much higher though there is no other European countries rapid spread of the new viral popular head of government for Raut expressed confidence oppose it. It is his claim. After on arrival in Ahmedabad are evidence regarding its viru- between November 25 and strain, that was first detected his efficient handling of various that the issue would be Aurangabad Municipal his statement, BJP leaders pending with the NIV," she lence. December 23, tested positive there in September. issues and management of the resolved when all the Maha Corporation (AMC) in June started demanding that the COVID-19 crisis. Vikas Aghadi 1995, which was challenged by Sena should make its stand "PM @narendramodi ji's (MVA) allies- Sena, NCP a Congress corporator in the clear on the issue. But the Sena It's BJP's vaccine, not taking Covid-19 vaccine will be available popularity not only rises and Congress- sit together high court and later in the has not changed its stance on unabated across all demograph- and talk. Supreme Court. it." the shot: Akhilesh Yadav in UP near Sankranti: Adityanath ic groups & geographic regions On Thursday, Thorat had In its party mouthpiece "Balasaheb Thackeray had of the country and he also gets asserted that the Congress 'Saamana', the Sena said, "The renamed Aurangabad as amajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav Saturday termed the ttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said COVID- a thumbs up globally for his would oppose any proposal to Congress has opposed the Sambhajinagar 30 years ago, SCOVID-19 vaccines to be rolled out in the country as "vaccine of U19 vaccine will be available in the state close to Hindu festival ‘Makar dedication to his country. PM rename Aurangabad, saying proposal of renaming which was accepted by the peo- the BJP" and said he would not take the shot, drawing a sharp retort Sankranti' which will be celebrated on January 14. Speaking at a Modi ranks Number 1 among that changing the names of Aurangabad to Sambhajinagar. ple. And it will soon be changed from the ruling party which accused him of "insulting" the doctors programme here, he said, "We initiated the campaign against Covid-19 in all global leaders in this (these) places was not part of the It has made the BJP happy. But officially as well," it said. and scientists. "How can I trust the vaccine, which will be used for March 2020 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and at the beginning of challenging times," he said. Common Minimum the Congress's opposition to The Uddhav Thackeray-led vaccination by the BJP? We cannot get vaccinated by the BJP's this year we could say firmly that the dry run of the vaccine will be held Ever since the Modi-led gov- Programme (CMP) of the the proposal is not new and party said BJP leader vaccine," he told reporters here. He also said his party will come to on January 5 across the state and the vaccine will be available near ernment came to power, peo- three ruling parties. therefore, linking it to the Chandrakant Patil asked that if power in the state after 2022 elections and everybody will get the around Makar Sankranti." The chief minister added that a dry run of the ple's trust in the government It was the Shiv Sena, which MVA government is foolish- Allahabad's name can be vaccine free. His remarks promoted an instant rebuttal from BJP vaccine is being held at some places in the state on Saturday. Adityanath and the faith that the nation is had first made the demand to ness." changed to Prayagraj, Faizabad's leader and Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad was speaking while laying the foundation stone of Advocate's Building at progressing in the right direc- rename Aurangabad as "Even if the name has not to Ayodhya, why cant Maurya who termed the statement an "insult to the doctors and the collectorate campus here on Saturday. On Friday, the Subject Expert tion have risen drastically, he Sambhajinagar over two been changed in the govern- Aurangabad's name be changed scientists of the country". "Akhilesh Yadav does not have trust in the Committee on COVID-19 of the Central Drugs Standard Control added. decades ago. ment records, Shiv Sena supre- to Sambhajinagar. "But we want vaccine, and people of Uttar Pradesh do not have trust in Akhilesh Organisation recommended granting permission for restricted "This rating is testimony of A proposal to that effect had mo late Balasaheb Thackeray to ask why the party did not do Yadav. His raising questions on the vaccine is an insult to doctors emergency use of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine Covishield, being his able leadership and hard been passed in the general had renamed Aurangabad as so when it was in power in and scientists of the country. He should tender an apology," Maurya manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, paving the way for the work and is a thing of pride for body meeting of the Sambhajinagar when there Maharashtra," the Sena added. told reporters. roll-out of the first COVID-19 shot in the country in the next few days. all Indians," Nadda said. Centre should MLA urges SHORT TAKES give free Covid- Besides Covid, AAP government Centre to rescue Indians stranded Nitish condoles death of 19 vaccine to grappled with riots aftermath in 2020 on ships in China senior Cong leader Buta Singh poor: Minister PNS n PALGHAR ihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday condoled the death of PNS n NEW DELHI crore from the Centre to pay Bveteran Congress leader Buta Singh, who was the state's governor PNS n JALNA (MAHA) Days after Arvind salaries to its employees. The Bahujan Vikas Aghadi MLA when he formed his first majority government a decade and a half ago. Arguably the most challenging Kejriwal took oath as revenue collection was down by Kshitij Thakur has written to In his condolence message, Kumar expressed grief over the demise of The Centre should ensure that year for any government due to chief minister of Delhi over 50 per cent in September. the External Affairs Minister, Singh and recalled his long political journey, which included, besides the poor people in Maharashtra COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was for third time on Feb With the financial crisis ham- urging him to help 39 gubernatorial assignment, several stints at the Union cabinet. Singh was get COVID-19 vaccine free of more so for the AAP govern- pering progress various projects Indians, including many from the Bihar Governor for less than two years, until his resignation in cost, state Health Minister ment that took over reins of 16, the northeast and programmes, Kejriwal and Maharashtra, who are strand- January 2006. His tenure is remembered the most for the controversial Rajesh Tope said on Saturday. Delhi for the third time in a row district in the city saw his deputy and Finance Minister ed on two cargo ships in decision to dissolve the assembly within weeks of being constituted in When asked whether the amid growing severity of the a massive communal Manish Sisodia asked the Centre Chinese waters for the last February, 2005, when the elections had thrown up a hung House and a Maharashtra government deadly virus and brewing ten- to compensate GST shortfall. several months. stalemate triggered fears of "horse-trading". Bihar, thereafter, became the would provide free vaccine to sions due to anti-CAA protests conflagration that A special fee of 70 per cent on Some of the stranded crew only state in the country to have gone to polls twice in a year, even as the the poor if the Centre fails to and riots in the city. claimed over 50 lives, sale of liquor, hike in VAT of members of MV Jag Anand governor invited censure from the Supreme Court for the controversial do so, the health minister said, Days after Arvind Kejriwal left scores injured and petrol and diesel were other and MV Anastasia are from move. Singh died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in "We won't leave the poor in the took oath as chief minister of damaged public and moves by the government to Vasai taluka of Palghar dis- New Delhi on Saturday morning. He was 86. lurch". Delhi for third time on February boost revenue. trict, the MLA from "I heard that Union Health 16, the northeast district in the private property worth Batting for lifting of lockdown Nallasopara claimed in the let- Minister Harsh Vardhan has city saw a massive communal crores of rupees. restrictions to revive the ravaged ter to External Affairs Minister declared that the government- conflagration that claimed over city economy, Kejriwal govern- Dr S Jaishankar on Friday. Maoist, wife beaten to would give COVID-19 vaccine 50 lives, left scores injured and ment also undertook steps to Thakur said the stranded free of cost to health workers damaged public and private meals to the needy while the in June, the AAP government help the industries and markets Indian crew members are death in Jharkhand and frontline workers. I would property worth crores of rupees. AAP government also distrib- was staring at another major cri- to resume economic activities. going into depression and Maoist and his wife were beaten to death allegedly by his fellow request him to give the vaccine As the Kejriwal government uted free ration to nearly 71 lakh sis of depleted revenue and The government launched they need immediate help. Avillage folks in Jharkhand's Palamu district on Saturday after he free to poor people too in was grappling with the after- people. With rising number of reviving city's badly-hit econo- 'Rozgar Bazaar' employment "I request you to please shot dead a man over a land dispute, police said. Thirty-six-year-old Maharashtra," Tope said. Tope math of the communal violence infections and deaths through my due to closure of markets, portal, permitted hotels and look into the matter urgent- Pragas Singh, a member of the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit, had was in Jalna, his home district, by extending immediate relief summer months, the Kejriwal industries and service sector restaurants to operate 24 hours, ly and help rescue Indians come to his house in Kundalipur village in Manatu police station to review the ongoing COVID- and rehabilitation work, anoth- government came up with its establishments for months. and relief in fixed charges to stranded on the ships. They area on leave from his squad, Superintendent of Police Sanjeev 19 vaccination dry run. er challenge before it was the 'Delhi Model' emphasising on The Kejriwal government industrial and commercial con- have to be reunited with Kumar said. He shot 40-year-old Vinod Singh dead, also a local The mock drill was con- pandemic that led to a nation- tracing, testing and home isola- started the financial year on an sumers. their families and loved ones," person, over an old land dispute, following which villagers beat the ducted in four districts, includ- wide lockdown in the third tion as well as plasma therapy to ambitious note presenting in In a major policy shift in its he stated in the letter. Maoist and his wife Premni Devi (30) to death with sticks, he said. A ing Jalna, in Maharashtra dur- week of March. The govern- contain the pandemic. March a budget of Rs 65,000 policy, the Kejriwal govern- India on Friday called for police contingent has been sent from Medininagar to the village that ing the day. Earlier in the day, ment handled the mass exodus Enhancing testing capacity, crore for 2020-21 which was ment in November decided to urgent assistance to the lies in dense hilly forests close to the inter-state border with Bihar, Harsh Vardhan sain in Delhi of migrant workers from the city readying more hospital beds for over 8 per cent higher than the allow only hi-tech and service Indian sailors stranded on the the officer added. that free vaccine would be due to the lockdown by setting infected, putting in place logis- budget estimates of Rs 60,000 sectors to set up units in new two cargo ships. provided in the first phase of up shelters and feeding the tics and arranging a huge work- crore in 2019-20. industrial areas to be opened by Citing coronavirus-relat- inoculation to the most pri- needy who were caught force including health workers However, with tax revenue it. It also decided to help and ed restrictions, Chinese oritised beneficiaries, unawares and stared at starva- were some of the tasks the plummeting and economic encourage the manufacturing authorities have not allowed Four of family dead as truck including one crore health- tion due to loss of work. Delhi government was involved activities at a standstill, the gov- units in existing industrial areas MV Jag and MV Anastasia to care and two crore frontline Hundreds of centres opened with during most part of 2020. ernment in May was forced to to switch to hi-tech and service either dock or go for a crew hits scooty in UP's Auraiya workers. across the city provided free As the unlock process began demand a grant of Rs 5,000 sector enterprises. change for months. our members of a family riding a scooty lost their lives here on FSaturday after being hit by a speeding truck coming from the opposite direction, police said. Raj Gautam (23), a resident of Ajitmal, was returning to Bhikhampur along with his sister Priti (20), nephew Vijay (10) and a 12-year-old niece on the scooty when it was hit by Ladakh: Border standoff, demand for constitutional safeguards the truck near a national highway overbridge in Chiruhali, they said. Superintendent of Police, Auraiya, Aparna said all four died on the PNS n LEH officials said. spot. The truck driver was held and the truck seized, she added. The demand for the constitutional The military face-off erupt- A year after getting the status safeguard gained momentum with the ed on May 5 following violent Cong revamps Tamil Nadu of union territory, Ladakh holding of election to the Ladakh clashes between the Indian remained in the news through- Army and the Peoples out 2020 for varied reasons - Autonomous Hill Development Council Liberation Army of China in unit, sets up key poll panels from the over seven-month- (LAHDC), Leh, which incidentally was the Pangong lake area, which he Congress on Saturday announced a major rejig in its Tamil Nadu long India-China border stand- the first democratic exercise in the left 20 Indian soldiers dead in Tunit ahead of the Assembly polls this year and set up key election- off to the growing demand for union territory after being carved out one of such incidents in related panels including senior leaders P Chidambaram and Mani constitutional safeguards to Galwan valley in eastern Shankar Aiyar in them. The party has named 32 vice presidents, 57 preserve the unique culture and of erstwhile state of Jammu and Ladakh in June. general secretaries and 104 secretaries in the jumbo state unit. Ruby R identity of the region. Kahmir in August 2019. The Chinese side also suf- Manoharan has been appointed the treasurer of the party's state unit, a The demand for the consti- fered casualties but there has statement issued by Congress general secretary in-charge of tutional safeguard gained time and again assured the second planning board meet- related death in June when a avirus-free in the month of been no official word from organisation K C Venugopal said. Congress President Sonia Gandhi has momentum with the holding of people about protection of cul- ing to discuss 'Ladakh vision' veteran Congress leader and May despite evacuation of Beijing. According to an approved the proposal of the appointment of vice presidents, general election to the Ladakh ture, land, environment and here. former union minister P over 500 stranded pilgrims American intelligence report, secretaries, treasurer, secretaries, executive committee, and presidents of Autonomous Hill jobs. He said the concerns of the Namgyal was tested positive from Iran and hundreds of the number of casualties on District Congress Committees, pradesh election committee, election Development Council "The Vision 2050 should people of Ladakh such as hours after his death. others from different parts of the Chinese side was 35. coordination committee, election propaganda/ campaign committee, (LAHDC), Leh, which inciden- reflect the reality of Ladakh, protection of culture, land, However, the region, partic- the country amid strict lock- India and China have held publicity committee, manifesto committee, media coordination tally was the first democratic and strike a balance for the wel- environment and jobs would ularly Leh district, witnessed down, the union territory several rounds of diplomatic committee and election management team of the Tamil Nadu Congress exercise in the union territory fare of people. The Vision 2050 be incorporated as valuable a surge in the positive cases has so far recorded a virus and military talks in the last Committee (TNCC), the party said. The 56-member executive committee after being carved out of erst- should be Ladakh-specific and inputs in Vision 2050. in the later half, ending up caseload of nearly 9,500. few months to resolve the set up by the party is headed by TNCC president K S Alagiri and includes while state of Jammu and in harmony with its unique cul- On the pandemic front, with figures of over 125 However, an encouraging 97 standoff. However, no con- the likes of former Union ministers Chidambaram and Aiyar, and MPs A Kahmir in August 2019. ture and identity," Mathur had sparsely-populated Ladakh deaths. per cent of the total count has crete breakthrough has been Chellakumar, B Manickam Tagore, Karti Chidambaram, S Jothimani, K Lt Governor R K Mathur recently said, speaking at the recorded the first COVID- Twice declared coron- been cured of the infection, achieved so far. Jayakumar, among others. sunday magazine VIJAYAWADA, January 3, 2021

I think it's a mistake when women cover their emotions to look tough. I say let's own who we are and use it as a strength — Gal Gadot FROM THE INSIDE Tips to lead a successful life Rise in 2020 fuel sales shows Mindful decisions and action are the keys signs of economic recovery: IOC to a successful life. We list 10 things to Despite disruptions in commercial 6 give up in order to declutter your mind 8 activities due to the COVID-19 crisis.

NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI, the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, spoke to Agenda on a wide range of issues concerning his ministries and laid out the roadmap for developmental and economic recovery after COVID-19 BACK IN THE FAST LANE n India, over 1,50,000 people died about three per cent of the nation’s gross domes- on the roads in 2019. While the tic product (GDP). And this is no small number. number was less in 2020, owing With help from the World Bank, Tamil largely to the Coronavirus pandem- Nadu’s incumbent Government has done com- ic, what, in your view, are the main mendable work in this area and reduced the Ireasons for such a high number of road number of accidents and casualties by 25 per deaths? Would you say that with the 1 cent. However, one thing stands true: Due to Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, the sit- Covid-19, the on-road traffic was light and, nat- uation has improved of late? Are people A direct and candid urally, the number of accidents has reduced to a driving better? conversation with the large extent. It is indeed a matter of grave con- changemakers and nation Despite the current scenario, sincere cern for the country. It is true that a builders of India attempts have been made in this direction by the lot many people die in India due to Tamil Nadu and other State Governments in road accidents. In my view, there are which the National Highways, state highways, four reasons for such high road district roads and city highways are under the deaths: scanner. We have started working on various The first is poor road engi- projects at different levels to increase awareness. neering — primarily wrong Recently, a road safety council was also set up. designs. We have identified these We are working on this very seriously. as “black spots”. So far, we have We had set our sights on reducing accidents been able to fix nearly 1,200-1,250 and deaths by 50 per cent in the next 30 years. I black spots. There is still a list of made this declaration in Stockholm, asserting about 3,000 black spots on the India’s commitment to make our roads safer and National Highways waiting to be accident-free. We will definitely reduce accidents fixed, and to improve those, we and deaths by 50 per cent before 2024. This is have made two policies/plans. A my belief. We and all other stakeholders are plan of `7,000 crore has been working very seriously and speedily to achieve approved by Asian Development this end. Bank and another `7,000 crore has Also, due to the new Act, the control over been granted by the World Bank. rule violators has increased. The punishments In this, the Indian Government will con- have become more severe, the amount of fines tribute 50 per cent. All of this money would has increased and automobile engineering has be used to fix the black spots or the accident also seen a lot of improvement. I have asked the spots. automobile manufacturers to put in airbags even For the new roads, care has been taken in economy models. Overall, I feel that the to incorporate the best road engineering, results in the forthcoming years will be good one that includes a lot of preventive mea- and we are sensitive towards this issue. sures. Underpasses, bridges and signals One of the best things to have happened is have been designed keeping in account SO FAR, WE HAVE the help given to the Government by the media, multiple cross-sections of roads. We have BEEN ABLE TO FIX both electronic and print, in spreading aware- studied this issue a lot and very carefully NEARLY 1,200-1,250 ness and putting out the importance of this issue and improved upon it. BLACK SPOTS. in the public domain. It has received good Two, after a road accident, immedi- THERE IS STILL A response, too. ate medical help is required. On this LIST OF ABOUT 3,000 front, we have tried to provide medical BLACK SPOTS ON Sir, you just spoke on need for better road vans immediately and saved several THE NATIONAL safely education. Due to the pandemic, shared lives. Now we are trying to build heli- mobility services like Uber and Ola have been pads on roadsides (based on sugges- HIGHWAYS WAITING hit and various new drivers and aggregators tions that this would expedite the TO BE FIXED, AND TO have emerged. How do you plan to educate help extended to the injured), so they IMPROVE THOSE, WE these people? Even in schools, do you think can be shifted quickly to the hospi- HAVE MADE TWO driving training should be given and included tals and more lives can be saved. POLICIES/PLANS. A in the syllabus? How do you get the new dri- Emergency services certainly is the PLAN OF `7,000 vers to follow it? second most important aspect for CRORE HAS BEEN There is a shortage of about 22 lakh drivers us. APPROVED BY ASIAN in our country. The Ministry of Skill The third “issue” (if I may call DEVELOPMENT BANK Development and Entrepreneurship has also it that) is that of education (or AND ANOTHER made some plans and policies, but there still lack of it). It is important that `7,000 CRORE HAS remains a vast shortage of drivers. I have decid- proper education be imparted on BEEN GRANTED BY ed that I will not allow driverless cars to enter the rules of the road. For this, THE WORLD BANK India because our country is poor and driving beginning with the primary classes, provides a source of employment. we are trying to inculcate a sense of dis- While on this issue, let me tell you that our cipline and respect for the rules of the road plans were stayed by the Tamil Nadu High Court in the younger generation. so we couldn’t go ahead. There are about 100- Earlier, such messages were put across to peo- 150 driving schools in our country, whereas we ple by way of inculcating fear of the law rather need about 2,000 driving schools. These driving than respect for it. We have in the recent past schools have to come up primarily not in big roped in Bollywood celebrities such as Shah Rukh cities like Mumbai, Delhi or Pune but in Khan and Akshay Kumar, to share the message of tribal/backward areas where the socially and road safety and importance of following road rules. economically backward people live; places which These campaigns were carried out on big platforms are poor and aspiring districts, where there is no in order to widen their outreach and create more employment... awareness among the masses. I am happy to announce that we now have a The fourth aspect is enforcement. As you might be new plan. In this plan, there is provision for dri- aware, for the first time, we studied the vehicle rules of ving training schools. During my tenure, I aim seven-eight countries across the globe (with the help of to open at least 1,000 driving training schools the World Bank) and came up with a modern Act across the country. We have already prepared a (which has since been ratified by Parliament). Owing to scheme for this. We will not only back every this, rigorous implementation of the laws and rules is such school, we would also help set up new being carried out, and we have incorporated an intelli- institutes, which would also provide the fitness gent traffic system for road safety. For example, if a car and pollution certificates. To achieve that certain crosses a red signal, the camera will immediately capture machines are also being procured. This is being a photo and the fine slip would be sent directly to your done to lower the pollution levels on the one house. hand and to generate new employment even in So while we are consistently working on all four the private sector, on the other. This is the aspects, I must share that much more is being thought of attempt we are making and now the new rules and planned at the Government level to make the roads will hasten the process. safer for our public. We all are very sensitive to this issue. The number of fatalities in the age group of 18-35 is more than 60 per cent. By way of such accidents, we lose >> p2 sunday magazine THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE SENSE OUT OF CHANGE IS TO PLUNGE INTO IT, MOVE WITH IT, AND JOIN THE DANCE miscellany 06 — ALAN WATTS VIJAYAWADA, January 3, 2021

FROM PAGE 1 BACK IN THE FAST LANE he last question about road tance of 250 km would be covered in In our country, insurance econo- safety is that recently there was two hours straight. my, pension economy and share econ- Ta lot of controversy about the The Metro will stop at every sta- omy is fairly lagging in comparison to Global NCAP test in which various tion for about a minute and then the world, so if we go into stock mar- popular cars failed but India’s own quickly gain speed. This technology is ket, it will really benefit the MSMEs. manufactures — Mahindra and Tata also in place and we have worked a lot Besides, if the various MSMEs, which — performed very well. As Bharat on it. Basically, public transport on are earning profits and exporting NCAP is set to start from this year, electricity is much more beneficial for material, go into the capital market, do you think the cars will now people from the perspectives of pollu- public money will definitely be become safer and would you want to tion, ticket cost and safety. involved. A very good aspect in all of say anything about the Global NCAP I would also like to share that it is that, now when we deposit money results? recently, we made a jalmarg on River in the banks we get low interest, but Here, I’d like to share that India’s Ganga — from Varanasi to Haldia and we will slowly ask people to invest in public transport system definitely from Prayagraj to Varanasi. And now MSME shares so that the share value needs to be strengthened. In our we have given a proposal to the World increases along with the return value. country, more than 18 crore vehicles Bank for a similar project on River With all these attempts, I am hopeful have been registered. Given the grow- Yamuna from Delhi to Mathura, that a positive impact will be seen ing number of cars owned per family, Mathura to Agra, Agra to Etawah and within a year. parking issues are increasingly grow- from Etawah to Prayagraj. So if we go ing, especially in the big cities. on water, decidedly public transport A bit about the FASTag system that So, we are trying to encourage and waterways are the cheapest. comes into place soon... people to switch to public transport by Here, I must share that I have ful- Till now, the FASTag system is offering great connectivity (for filled my promise as the Transport about 75 per cent complete and from instance, from Mumbai to Pune and Minister to make airplanes land on February 15, 2021, FASTag would be Mumbai to Nashik). We also plan to water. An amphibious aircraft service mandatory for all. Everyone would introduce double-decker AC buses, has been launched in Gujarat which have to go through FASTag only, so with economy class at the lower level touches down both on water and land. there will be seamless traffic. In time, and executive class at the upper. Just The day is not far when such amphibi- you won’t even see toll booths, there as in flights, food and beverages will ous aircraft will start operating widely will only be cameras which will scan be provided on board and these buses in our country. your vehicle details when you enter. A will run on bio-fuel. Not just cars, scooters and buses, photo will be clicked at the point of In some of the hill regions, besides but new innovations have been exit and that amount of toll will be ropeways and cable cars, funicular devised comprising electric buses, deducted from your bank account. railways are being planned. These take trolley buses, double-decker buses, This entire system would be seamless less time to build and cause much less public transport running on electrici- and will be operative in the country in pollution. We are also making the E- ty, Broad Gauge Metro, amphibious about two-three years. Soon, there will highways electric. The Mumbai-Delhi planes and suchlike to bring about a be no need to stop at the toll plazas. highway is being built at a cost of `1 transport revolution. I am working lakh crore and 30-40 per cent work hard with my team to bring about all There is a similar system in place in has already been accomplished. This the changes in the transport sector. Portugal…that there is no stoppage, highway will be completed in about Hundred new airports are being cur- there is only a card reader, no need two years and people will be able to rently constructed; naturally dams will to pay so through this, will the effi- travel from one metro to the other in become water ports and rivers will be ciency also increase on the high- about 12 hours. A pilot project for this used to build a new network which ways? is in the works. will reduce accidents, pollution and Our toll income has been `24,000 We are trying to introduce various expenditure while being sustainable crore as of now. In spite of Covid-19 innovative technologies. For instance, and comfortable. travel restrictions and other hiccups, for the very first time in our country, our estimate is that it will go up to we have initiated a project in Nagpur You have recently announced high- `34,000 crore. `10,000 crore would which has received approval from rail- way projects specific to the North- increase owing to the reduction in ways, the Maharashtra Government east. Can you tell us a bit more thefts and when this system will be and the Urban Affairs Ministry. It is about that connect in the remote The idea of Aatmanirbhar Bharat crore. For this we have identified sec- 100 per cent operative in the next five called Broad Gauge Metro. As against areas? is that India must be turned into a tors, tool rooms, technology centres, years, the NH toll income will be `350 crore per km that is being spent to In the Northeast, we are currently happy, prosperous, strong and No. 1 new innovations for skilled workers more than `1 lakh crore. So this is a build a Metro line, the Broad Gauge working on projects worth about `1 global economy, and to do this we and designs. I believe that in the com- major positive change due to the digi- Metro would cost only `5 crore per km lakh crore. We are building six bridges have to reduce our imports and ing times, this sector will become the tised system; all thefts and loopholes to build. We have made use of the exist- on the Brahmaputra river and, in many increase our exports. We have to backbone of development and econo- will be eliminated and there will be a ing broad gauge and made an eight- places of Arunachal Pradesh, Megha- upgrade our technologies and our pri- my. And our attempts, including the lot of benefits. boxed Broad Gauge Metro which will laya and Tripura, we have put in a lot of mary aim should be to prepare and OUR VILLAGE packages handed out by the Prime run from Gondia to Nagpur, Nagpur to work to create good road network. produce in India whatever things we INDUSTRY HAS A Minister, will be used. I feel that posi- You spoke of intelligent traffic sys- Amravati, Amravati to Narkhed and India is changing and so is the North- import today. Without compromising tive results will be seen in the next tem among other things... What do from Narkhed to Nagpur, then from east. Even in Jammu & Kashmir, we are on the quality, we have to reduce the TURNOVER OF `80,000 two years. you think would really improve Nagpur to Chandrapur to Ramtek. building tunnels at a cost of `11,000 production costs, power costs, labour CRORE AND, IN TWO In the interim, our GDP had fallen through better technology, traffic This entire 850-900 km broad crore. Work on Zoji La has started and costs and logistic costs. These factors for a while but there has been a signif- behaviour and management? gauge line is being used to replace the the road to Mansarovar is almost 85 per make for the basis of our work in sec- YEARS, WE AIM TO icant rise in this quarter and slowly Technology has the power to standard gauge with eight-boxed cent complete. tor. INCREASE IT TO there will be a rise in every quarter. impact a lot of lives. What we do need broad gauge double-decker in which There have been some issues The best example for this is that Currently, due to Covid-19, we are in to do is change people’s mindset and passengers can sit on both the upper regarding the Char Dham project fol- our automobile sector is in talks for `5 LAKH CRORE. FOR a lot of trouble, even our economy has behaviour. There has to be fear as well and lower levels. It will have an AC lowing the Supreme Court verdict electric cars, electric buses, electric THIS, WE HAVE faced a lot of challenges but soon we as respect towards the law and the law first class chair car and a second class which I feel will be resolved soon. In two-wheelers, electric trucks, so slow- IDENTIFIED SECTORS, will defeat the virus and will be a must be followed. For this, education chair car. In addition, there will be the Northeast, we are making a num- ly ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, bio developing economy going forward. not just in schools but also public one box for milk, fruits and vegetables ber of bridges on the Brahmaputra CNG, electric, hydrogen fuels are TOOL ROOMS, education, is very important in which and one box for restaurants. It will river and several roads are coming up coming into India and, through these, TECHNOLOGY You have been talking about FDI the road safety council would include work just like an airline. This Broad in the backward areas. a major change is underway in the which has also been affected by the NGOs, educational institutes, univer- Gauge Metro will travel at the speed I am greatly inspired by a quote by MSME sector. CENTRES, NEW pandemic. So is there a plan or poli- sities, newspaper organizations and of about 160km/hr as compared to American President John F Kennedy I believe that in the future, we will INNOVATIONS FOR cy in place to fix this? the media. our passenger car which has the speed which states: “American roads are not definitely become a large exporting On a large scale, we are trying to With the help of all these, public of about 40km/hr and express which good because America is rich, but economy. The sector currently con- SKILLED WORKERS take MSMEs towards the stock mar- campaigns will be launched to make goes at 60km/hr. America is rich because American tributes 30 per cent to our GDP but AND DESIGNS. I ket. We have done funding of `20,000 people aware of both technology and To put it in straightforward terms, roads are good.” Roads bring prosperi- we will soon increase that to about 40 crore and the MSMEs which have a changing people’s mindset and behav- this Broad Gauge Metro will replace ty and now Arunachal, Meghalaya, per cent. Our country’s total export BELIEVE THAT IN THE good turnover, which file income tax ior. Even students and children — passenger cars on Delhi to Chandi- Tripura, Manipur, all have good roads. owing to MSMEs is 48 per cent and COMING TIMES, THIS returns and have a good track record, basically all future citizens — are also garh and Delhi to Jaipur route and the we plan to increase that to 60 per cent. besides maintaining a good bank and being educated in this aspect. When travellers would be able to book a seat To move on to MSMEs, now that We have created 11 crore jobs in the SECTOR WILL BECOME GST record, we will rate them and all the stakeholders make positive for themselves just as they do for air- Aatmanirbhar Bharat being our big past five years and we are attempting THE BACKBONE OF when they go to the capital market, attempts, only then will we get posi- lines. This would fetch the Govern- slogan, what plans or policies have to create 5 crore new jobs. they will be awarded with 15 per cent tive, foreign-like results. ment good revenue and cut down on been made to benefit the MSMEs in Our village industry has a DEVELOPMENT by the Indian Government. That is our losses, and people would be able bringing in and conducting busi- turnover of `80,000 crore and, in two our policy and work has already start- Interview by Kushan Mitra & to travel more comfortably. The dis- nesses? years, we aim to increase it to `5 lakh ed on this front. Navneet Mendiratta

10 THINGS TO GIVE UP FOR A SUCCESSFUL LIFE Mindful decisions & action are the keys to a successful life, says SAMRIDH SETH, as he offers tips to declutter your mind

rocrastination is a trait that has planning what is to be done can be and impact your growth adversely. been learnt by us due to techno- time-consuming. Rather, focus on Don’t be afraid of the world out Plogical advancements over the action. there, embrace it, it is your world years. But in our pursuit for a stable, l Waiting for the right time: There too! promising and illustrious life, moving is never the right time and every l Overthinking: It only creates anxi- ahead after shedding this quality is the time is right. Get up and start ety in the mind. The mind starts only way out. Mindful decisions and working on what you have in mind. exploring all the worst-case scenar- action are the keys to a successful life. Be it simple reading or a new pro- ios and builds up the adrenaline However, it is easier said than done. ject, just start working on it and response (fight, flight or freeze) Certain challenges come in our way, of things will start falling in place. which we take as anxiety. which some are dependent on the l Dwelling in the past: No point cry- l Comfort Zone: Do not hesitate to external factors while others are a part ing over spilt milk. Be here and explore something out of the box. of our lifestyle. Using corrective mea- now! The more time and energy Make the uncomfortable zone your sures to check certain practices that we you give to the past, the less you’ll comfort zone. You will come back follow would certainly help us lead a have to propel you into the future. richer in experience and wiser. life that helps us be at peace. Listing 10 l Final Destination: It’s the journey l Blame game: It is far easier to pin things that would certainly help you that matters more than the destina- the blame on others than own up to lead your life with much more clarity. tion. There is always room for one’s faults. Own the mistake, improving, learning, excelling as understand where you went wrong l Day Dreaming: Dream big and you go along! and then learn and improve. Never work big. But that excludes day l Perfection: Perfection is mere illu- commit the same mistake and don’t dreaming. This process is both time sion. Give what you are doing your hold others responsible for your consuming and emotionally drain- best ability, and then release it out wrong doing. Don’t be afraid of ing. All you do with daydreaming is into the world and see what hap- failure. Take failure as the stepping lose out on time that you could pens. Perfection is a myth, it’s only stone for success. have spent working on your dream. excellence what one can achieve. l Planning: It is good to think ahead l Doubt: Doubt and fear of failure The writer is the author of and be organised but to just keep only put you through self-criticism Past Dwellers VIJAYAWADA | SUNDAY | JANUARY 3, 2021 nation 07 Vardhan: Won't compromise on Coronavirus: India’s active caseload down to 2.50 lakh protocol before approving vax PNS n NEW DELHI With India recording more PNS n NEW DELHI recoveries from COVID-19 Guidelines for the nationwide dry run daily than the number of new Union Health Minister Harsh have been updated based on the infections, the active caseload Vardhan appealed to people on dropped to 2.50 lakh and Saturday not to be misguided feedback from the insightful pilot dry accounted for merely 2.43 per by rumours regarding safety run held on Monday and Tuesday in cent of the total cases, the and efficacy of the coronavirus four states Union Health Ministry said on vaccine, adding that there Saturday. would be no compromise on While 19,079 persons in any protocol before approving selected for the purpose, offi- Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, India were found to be it. cials said. Punjab in two districts each COVID-19 positive in a day, Vardhan said free vaccine It is set to be conducted by where five session sites with 25 22,926 new recoveries were would be provided in the first all state and Union territory beneficiaries each were identi- registered during the same ered cases have surpassed 99 The ministry said phase of inoculation to the administrations on January 2 to fied. The activity is proposed to period. This has led to a net lakh (99,06,387). most prioritised beneficiaries, test the linkages between plan- be conducted in all state capi- decline of 4,071 cases in the "The gap between recover- 78.64 per cent of the including one crore health- ning and implementation, tals in at least 3 session sites. total active caseload in a span ies and active cases is steadily new recovered cases care and two crore frontline identify challenges and to As the vaccine administra- of 24 hours. increasing and presently stands workers. He added that details assess operational feasibility tors will play an important role Five states -- Kerala, at 96,56,204," it said. are contributed by 10 of how 27 crore priority bene- in the use of Co-WIN applica- in the vaccination process, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, The ministry said 78.64 per states and union ficiaries -- those above 50 years tion in field environment. The training of trainers and those West Bengal and Chhattisgarh cent of the new recovered of age and those below it hav- dry run will also equip the who shall administer the vac- -- contribute 62 per cent of the cases are contributed by 10 territories ing comorbidities -- would be administration in management cine has been taken up across total active cases. states and union territories. vaccinated until July were of vaccine supply, storage and various states. Around 96,000 At 101, India has recorded Kerala leads with 5,111 per- er 3,524 new cases on Friday, being finalised. logistics, including cold chain vaccinators have been trained "one of the lowest new cases sons recovering from COVID- while West Bengal recorded During a visit to the GTB "we must remember its suc- "Details of how further 27 cr management, the ministry had for this purpose. per million population in the 19, while Maharashtra record- 1,153 new cases. hospital in Delhi to review the cess". priority beneficiaries are to be stated. An important focus of the last 7 days. Brazil, Russia, ed 4,279 recoveries. West It said 224 case fatalities that dry run of administering the In the first phase of COVID- vaccinated until July are being Guidelines for the nation- dry run will be on manage- France, Italy, USA and the Bengal registered another have been reported in the past jabs, he said: "We will not 19 immunisation drive, free finalised," he added. wide dry run have been updat- ment of any possible adverse UK have much higher cases 1,496 daily recoveries. 24 hours, 75.45 per cent of compromise on any protocol vaccine "shall be provided Vardhan also reviewed dry ed based on the feedback from events following immunisa- per million population report- Ten states and UTs have them are from 10 states and before approving a vaccine." across the nation to most pri- run of administering COVID- the insightful pilot dry run held tion (AEFI), and adherence ed in the last 7 days," the min- contributed 80.56 per cent of UTs. Maharashtra reported 59 Vardhan underlined that oritised beneficiaries", Vardhan 19 vaccine at Urban Primary on Monday and Tuesday in and management of infection istry said. the new cases. deaths or 26.33 per cent of the vaccine hesitancy was an issue tweeted, adding that those Health Centre at Daryaganj. four states, Vardhan said. control practices at the session India's cumulative recover- Kerala reported 4,991 cases new fatalities. West Bengal even when the country started include 1 crore healthcare and The dry run began in Delhi The first round of the dry site to prevent disease trans- ies are inching closer to one in the last 24 hours. saw a fatality count of 26 and polio immunisation drive, but 2 crore frontline workers. on Saturday at three sites run was conducted in Andhra mission, the ministry had said. crore. The cumulative recov- Maharashtra registered anoth- Kerala 23, the ministry said. MAHARASHTRA Vax dry run a learning experience: TN INDIA CORNER Vax dry run carried PNS n CHENNAI following initial identification were among aspects studied. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tamil Nadu on Saturday con- Availability of requisite out in four districts ducted a dry run at 17 centres drugs and presence of a doctor discharged from AIIMS for the rollout of COVID-19 in an observation room to PNS n MUMBAI ing days. vaccination that showed suc- monitor people who received ttarakhand Chief "The dry run is being con- cessful working of the process- the vaccine shots for unlikely Minister Trivendra Singh A dry run to assess the readi- ducted in select cities, towns es involved and it was a learn- reactions or adverse events URawat was discharged ness of the mechanism laid and villages to check the pre- ing experience as well, a top was also evaluated, the top offi- on Saturday from Delhi's All out for the COVID-19 immu- paredness of system for actu- state health official said here on cial said. About 100 people India Institute of Medical nisation drive, which is al vaccination exercise," he Saturday. could be vaccinated in a day in Sciences (AIIMS) where he expected to begin soon, was said. The exercise showed that all a given centre with all ameni- had been undergoing conducted on Saturday in Tope said the selection of preparations were in 'ready' ties, including separate entry treatment for COVID-19 four districts of Maharashtra. beneficiaries for the first mode for the roll-out of the and exit points and this feature since December 28. The The exercise was conducted phase of actual mass vaccina- COVID-19 vaccine in the state, was also evaluated. chief minister will remain in at identified health centres in tion will be modelled on the Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J The beneficiaries also home isolation in Delhi for Nagpur, Jalna, Pune and the Election Commission's Radhakrishnan said, adding received SMS on their phones some time, his physician N S Bisht said. Rawat is fine and has been Nandurbar districts. polling procedure. that overall, the processes informing them of 'success- discharged from AIIMS as all his tests reports are normal, Bisht Specific teams were formed "The only exception will be worked successfully. ful' (dummy message during said. Rawat, who was in home isolation here after testing positive for various tasks by the dis- that the person who gets an The dry run was held at practice session) vaccination, for COVID-19 on December 18, had to be hospitalised here on trict administrations and SMS can only come to receive three centres each in the dis- participants, showed overall ed, changes would be suggest- he said. As many as six lakh December 27. He was flown to the premier AIIMS in Delhi the next activities like uploading of the (COVID-19 vaccine, tricts of Chennai, Tiruvallur, satisfactory results, adding that ed by Tamil Nadu to the Centre health personnel have already day after being diagnosed with a mild lung infection. dummy beneficiary data, ses- which is expected shortly) Nilgiris, Tirunelveli and five in the focus of the exercise was in the pattern of processes registered for the vaccination sion site creation, vaccine shot. Coimbatore. preparation and planning for and its working, he said. and other frontline workers allocation, communicating "Like a polling booth, a "An initial learning was that the proposed roll out of the The objective of the exercise were set to register themselves, vaccination details to benefi- person has to show an iden- the room earmarked for vacci- vaccination. was preparatory in nature, followed by the elderly and BJP confident of comfortable win ciaries and vaccinators, and tity card before entering a nation should be more spa- The mobile application and where the working of various those with co-morbidities, he beneficiary mobilisation etc health centre,” he said. cious," the secretary told other processes, including processes involved for suc- said. In Chennai and other dis- in Goa Assembly polls: Sawant are being carried out. “After verification, the vac- reporters, adding officials from identification of beneficiaries cessful hassle free vaccination tricts,teams have been set at the Speaking to reporters in cine will be administered, the World Health Organisation worked well and aspects like was tested. level of zones and unions oa Chief Minister Pramod his home district Jalna, and the person who received (WHO) and United Nations internet connectivity in hilly The overall management respectively and 45,200 sites for Sawant on Saturday said Maharashtra Health Minister the shot will be shifted to Children's Fund (UNICEF) regions were also studied and scenario of vaccination,right providing vaccination and Gthe BJP is confident of a Rajesh Tope said the state is adjacent rest room for obser- also witnessed the drive. all of these observations would from bringing vaccines to inoc- 51 walk-in coolers, 2,800 sec- comfortable win in the 2022 prepared to undertake actu- vation (for any adverse reac- Quoting initial inputs, he be sent to the Centre,he said. ulation centres from cold chain ondary cold storage points state legislative Assembly al COVID-19 vaccine inoc- tion)," the state health min- said the dry run, involving After perusing all reports amenities and verifying bene- with capacity to store 2.5 crore elections. Sawant was speaking ulation exercise in the com- ister said. about 2,000 personnel and 510 related to the dry run, if need- ficiaries in a mobile application ampules are ready , he said. to reporters in Margao city of South Goa where he will address a workshop for party workers."The party is geared up for the upcoming Assembly elections. We will be holding our workshops in all 40 Assembly Delhi reports less than 500 Indian cricket fraternity wish constituencies," the BJP leader said.People will repose their faith in the BJP and the government, he said, adding that the party is confident of winning the polls comfortably. The elections for all 40 virus cases, lowest in 7 months Ganguly a speedy recovery seats of the Goa Legislative Assembly will take place in March, 2022. PNS n NEW DELHI 0.73% from 15.26% on 7 Nov. lowest in the last five months. PNS n KOLKATA skipper Virat Kohli, who is on (ICC) also took to twitter to Positivity less than 1% for last On December 29 and 30, paternity leave for the birth of wish Ganguly quick recovery. K’taka cabinet talk comes to fore Delhi recorded 494 fresh 11 days. Active cases reduced the city recorded 703 and 677 Indian cricket fraternity, led his first child. "Former India captain and COVID-19 cases on Saturday, to 5,342 from 44456 on 13 cases respectively. On by skipper Virat Kohli, on A three-member board with current BCCI President Sourav again; CM to talk to BJP Gen Secy the lowest daily rise in over Nov. Though 3rd wave is December 31, 574 cases were Saturday wished Sourav SSKM cardiologist Dr Saroj Ganguly suffered a mild car- seven months, and 14 new going down, be careful and recorded, and 585 on the first Ganguly a speedy recovery Mondal has been formed to diac arrest earlier today. He is iscussions on the much-awaited fatalities, while the positivity observe all precautions," he day of 2021.These 494 cases after the BCCI president and carry out the coronary now in a stable condition. We expansion or reshuffle of rate remained unchanged at tweeted. came out the 67,364 tests con- former India captain was hos- angiogram to assess the block- wish him a speedy recovery!" DKarnataka cabinet have once 0.73 per cent on Friday, From December 21-23, the ducted the previous day, pitalised following a mild car- age. BCCI secretary Jay Shah ICC wrote. Wished also again come to the fore with Chief authorities said. daily cases count had been including 39,591 RT-PCR tests diac arrest. said Ganguly was responding poured in from Ganguly's for- Minister B S Yediyurappa on Saturday With the Saturday num- below the 1000-mark. On and 27,773 rapid antigen tests, The 48-year-old com- well to the treatment. mer teammates Virender saying he will hold talks in this bers, the infection tally in the December 21, 803 cases were according to the latest bulletin plained of dizziness during "I wish and pray for the Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Anil connection with BJP national General city rose to over 6.26 lakh and reported; 939 on December 22 issued by the Delhi health the morning workout and was speedy recovery of Kumble and Gautam Gambhir. Secretary in-charge of the state Arun the death toll to 10,561, they and 871 on December 23. department. rushed to a private hospital @SGanguly99. I've spoken to "Dada, jaldi se theek hone Singh. Speaking to reporters, he said. However, on December 24, On August 17, Delhi had where doctors said his condi- his family. Dada is stable and ka. Praying for your quick said, "He (Singh) has come, Iwill Delhi Health Minister 1,063 cases were recorded, recorded 787 cases, and 652 on tion was "stable and would is responding well to the treat- and speedy recovery," Sehwag discuss with him." He was responding to a question about the Satyendar Jain tweeted that the dropping again to 758 on August 16. The active cases need coronary angiogram". ment," Shah wrote. wrote on his handle. cabinet expansion. The Chief Minister later met Singh, who arrived positivity rate has been below December 25 and 655 on tally on Saturday dropped to He is currently admitted to the "Here's wishing the BCCI Team India cricketers in the state capital, ahead of their travel to Shivamogga Singh is on one per cent for the past 11 December 26. On December 5,342 from 5,358 the previous crictical care unit (CCU) of the President a speedy recovery," Shikhar Dhawan and a visit to the state to participate in the special meeting of the state days. "First time less than 500 27, 757 cases were recorded day. The bulletin said that the hospital. "Praying for your BCCI posted in its official Mohammed Shami too joined BJP and also its core committee in Shivamogga on Saturday and cases in 7 months (since while on December 28, the total number of cases has speedy recovery. Get well soon twitter handle. in to wish Ganguly "get well Sunday. Yediyurappa will be part of these meetings. There has 17May). Positivity reduced to daily cases count was 564, the climbed to 6,26448. @SGanguly99," tweeted Indian The game's governing body soon". been talk within the state BJP that the expansion or reshuffle was likely this month. Yediyurappa has been waiting for some time now to carry out the cabinet exercise, as he was asked by BJP national president J P Nadda during their meeting in New Delhi on Comedian among 5 held for remarks on Hindu deities November 18, to wait for the clearance from the central leadership

PNS n INDORE persons based on a written religious feelings of any class by them and stopped the show by 2 held for extortion over complaint filed by Eklavya insulting its religion or religious taking the audience out of the Munawar Faruqui, a stand-up Singh Gaur, who also submit- beliefs), section 269 (unlawful cafe. Then we caught the come- ‘tampered' meter comedian from Gujarat, was ted a controversial video or negligent act likely to spread dians and organisers of the wo contractual employees of arrested along with four others footage of the comedy show," the infection of any disease show and took them to power utility BSES were after the son of a BJP MLA in-charge of Tukoganj police dangerous to life) and other rel- Tukoganj police station," he Tarrested for allegedly extorting complained against him for station Kamlesh Sharma said. evant provisions.Meanwhile, said. Gaur, who is also the con- money from a shopkeeper in south alleged indecent remarks made "All the five accused were talking to reporters, Gaur said, vener of local outfit Hind Delhi on the pretext that his meter against Hindu deities and later arrested," he said. "After purchasing the tickets, Rakshak, alleged that the was tempered, police said on Union Home Minister Amit As per the complaint, inde- my associates and I went to the instruction to maintain phys- Friday. The duo visited the Shah during a show at Indore cent remarks were passed comedy show, where Faruqui ical distance was also not being photocopy shop of Sanjay Sareen, in Madhya Pradesh, a police against Hindu gods and god- was performing as the main followed during the comedy 55, at Malviya Nagar on Thursday official said on Saturday. desses and Union Home comedian. The show mocked show and it was organised for changing defective meters. They Police said the comedy show Minister Amit Shah during the Hindu deities by passing without the permission of the said his meter was tampered, was held at a cafe in 56 Dukan the show, Sharma said. indecent comments. authorities. At least 100 spec- according to police. After area of Indore on Friday. Four other arrested persons The Godhra incident and tators were sitting in a small replacement, Sahil Goyal (25) and Tarun Suri (47) demanded Rs Eklavya Singh Gaur (36), son were identified as Edwin Union Home Minister Amit hall of the cafe, he said. 35,000 against the settlement of the tampered meter. The suspects of local BJP legislator Malini Anthony, Prakhar Vyas, Priyam Shah were also mentioned Some media reports said threatened Sareen that if the money was not given to them, they Laxman Singh Gaur, filed the audience, where the comedian "A case was filed late on Vyas and Nalin Yadav, the inappropriately during the that the stand-up comedian would implicate him in a case and Rs 3.5 lakh would be imposed as complaint in this regard, police made the remarks. They Friday night against stand- up police said. All of them were show." was also thrashed by the work- penalty by the BSES, an officer said. The matter was settled for Rs said. objected to his comments and comedian Munawar Faruqui, a booked under IPC sections "Such objectionable talks ers of Hind Rakshak during the 15,000 and Friday afternoon was fixed to deliver the money, Deputy Gaur said he and his associ- created ruckus over it. They resident of Junagadh in 295-A (deliberate and mali- were going on during the com- ruckus in the cafe. However, Commissioner of Police (South) Atul Kumar Thakur said. ates had gone to the show as also forced the event to stop. Gujarat, and four Indore-based cious acts, intended to outrage edy show. We made a video of Gaur denied the charge. VIJAYAWADA | SUNDAY | JANUARY 3, 2021 money 08 GARMENT SECTOR HOPEFUL OF Rise in 2020 fuel sales shows signs of economic recovery: IOC ACHIEVING GROWTH IN 2021 PNS n KOLKATA Despite disruptions in com- PNS n COIMBATORE technology adoption and dig- mercial activities due to the ital initiatives, he said to equip COVID-19 crisis, sales of With COVID-19 making the the industry and eco system, motor spirit and diesel have year 2020 a year of learning culture-building of having an increased during 2020, which and turbulence, the textile and agile mindset is the forward to indicates a revival of the econ- apparel sector is confident of institutionalise the success. omy, an official of Indian Oil achieving the much needed The industry is currently Corporation (IOC) said on growth in 2021. managing the trade well with Friday. The sector can make 2021 sufficient liquidity due to During 2020, sales of motor a year of progress by focusing infusion of funds in the sys- spirit have increased by 108 per on USA for apparels, as the tem with Central gover ments cent and diesel by 96 per cent textile industry had benefited Emergency Credit Lin over the previous year, IOC from the volumes in the mar- Guaranteed Scheme, he said. director (marketing) Gurmeet ket in the first 10 months of The sector needs to utilise Singh said. 2020, Indian Texpreneurs the opportunity to maintain "This shows the healthy Federation (ITF) convenor the financial discipline to signs of an economic revival," Prabhu Dhamodharan said work on shorter credit terms he said at an event in on Saturday. across the value chain to Bhubaneswar in the presence Currently, the option of registering "Now, its time to step up the improve the business perfor- of petroleum and natural gas new connections through the missed efforts to repeat the same mance and sustain the recov- minister Dharmendra success in the US market for ery momentum, he said. Pradhan. call facility is available only in our apparel products," he said. with quick economic recovery markets," he said. sector should use the forth- As a dynamic textile asso- IOC chairman S M Vaidya Bhubaneshwar and will soon be rolled Vietnams Free Trade make a compelling case for Stressing on value addition coming production- linked ciation, ITF would enable the said domestic LPG demand out in other parts of the country, IOC Agreement (FTA) with the Indian apparel sector for with new capex, he said using incentive scheme as the step- strategies in line with these increased by 10 per cent dur- European Union would inten- immediate growth, he said. the low-interest and easy liq- ping stone for much-needed focus areas with its member ing the lockdown months in official said sify competition for India, "We need to intensify uidity combined with robust product diversification and companies and work towards the country. and at the same time a level- efforts and focus on all levels, demand during post-COVID- innovation to attract global the theme and goal of 2021 He said 2020 was a year of playi g field with top compet- including those at the govern- 19 times, the sector can hit the buyers, the convenor said. 'A\ Year of Progress for the digitalisation at the state-run in Assam to seven cities, ity is available only in ing nations for the US market ment, cluster and companies target of 20 per cent increase Stating that all manufactur- Textile and Apparel Sector', he oil marketing company, which including Kolkata. Bhubaneshwar and will soon in terms of duty combined to grab our share in the US in per product revenue. The ing units need to invest in said. had helped it achieve seamless He also introduced a missed be rolled out in other parts of business continuity. call facility for LPG refill book- the country, IOC official said. Petroleum and natural gas ings and registering new con- Prasad said the number of minister flagged off the nections for households. LPG connections in the coun- despatch of high-octane pre- Currently, the option of reg- try has reached 30 crore, out of 6.03 crore GST e-invoices Rabi foodgrains output mium petrol from the coun- istering new connections which, 17 crore had been try's oldest refinery at Digboi through the missed call facil- achieved in the last six years. generated in December 2020 may surpass record CIL December PNS n NEW DELHI PNS n NEW DELHI which it expects 151.65 mil- MONEY MATTERS lion tonne to come from the production As many as 6.03 crore GST e- The country's Rabi foodgrains rabi season. Government removes import invoices were generated in production including wheat in Further, the minister said December 2020, higher than the ongoing 2020-21 crop year progress to be made in the up, offtake 5.89 crore in November, is expected to be better than recent government initiatives curbs on fresheners according to an official release. the previous year's record of including two new farm laws down 2.1% he government on Friday The government had made 153.27 million tonne, accord- on marketing, formation of removed import curbs it mandatory for businesses ing to Agriculture Minister 10,000 FPOs (Farmer PNS n KOLKATA Ton room/car fresheners. with turnover of over Rs 500 Narendra Singh Tomar. Producers Organisations ), Rs A notification in this regard crore to generate electronic Sowing of rabi (winter) 1 lakh crore Agriculture State-run Coal India Ltd was issued by the invoice or e-invoice for B2B crops is underway. The rabi Infrastructure Fund, will also (CIL) on Friday said its pro- Directorate General of transactions, from October 1, sowing begins from October benefit farmers and boost the duction in December was Foreign Trade (DGFT), under 2020. immediately after the harvest sector. up by 0.5 per cent to 58.3 mil- the commerce ministry. In a statement, the IT min- of kharif (summer) crops. "I hope farmers' hard work lion tonne, while its offtake "Import of odoriferous istry on Saturday said that Wheat and mustard are major and the Modi government's was down by 2.1 per cent to preparations such as room GST e-invoice system, "the in December 2020," it said. validation or calculation errors rabi crops. The crop year runs pro-farmer policies will 52.6 million tonne for the fresheners/car fresheners game changer in the GST sys- Notably, the e-way bill gen- etc. Proactive measures taken from July to June. strengthen the agriculture sec- month. that do not operate by tem", has completed journey of eration from the National by NIC help desk, including Speaking to PTI, Tomar tor. The miner had produced 58 burning is free," the DGFT said. Earlier, imports of the product were three months and facilitated Informatics Centre (NIC) communication with tax pay- said the country's agriculture New reforms will also ben- million tonne of coal and under the restricted category. smooth transition of the tax developed e-way bill system is ers about the issues through sector performed well during efit the sector," he added. supplied 53.7 million tonne payers to the new platform. also highest during September mails and telephonic calls and 2020 as foodgrains production According to the official in the year-ago month. It has enabled more than to December 2020 compared suggestion of corrective mea- rose to a record in the kharif data, wheat sowing area has But, month-on-month pro- 37,000 taxpayers to generate to corresponding months of sures, have facilitated in bring- season with farmers working increased by 4 per cent so far duction and offtake remained Irdai imposes Rs 15L penalty on more than 16.80 crore invoice previous years. ing the errors down," it said. hard despite the COVID-19 this rabi season to 325.35 lakh higher. reference numbers (IRNs) dur- The response of the system The government has pandemic and proving their hectare, while pulses acreage The coal behemoth had Bharti AXA Gen Insurance firm ing the last three months from is good and generation of reduced the aggregate relevance. grew 5 per cent to 154.80 lakh produced 51.7 million tonne egulator Irdai has imposed the NIC developed e-invoice IRNs is hassle-free during this turnover cut off to Rs 100 "This year, we hope better hectare on better monsoon of dry fuel in November 2020 a total penalty of Rs 15 system. period. crore per annum for genera- foodgrain production in the rains. and the offtake was at 51.3 Rlakhs on Bharti AXA "Starting with with 495 "However, there have been tion of IRN by the tax payers rabi season than last year The paddy coverage was million tonne. General Insurance Company in lakh (4.95 crore) during common errors such as from January 1, 2021, and NIC (same season)," he said. down marginally to 14.83 lakh Last month, Eastern two different cases for violation October 2020, generation of e- repeated requests on same has already enabled the API For the 2020-21 crop year, hectare so far this rabi season Coalfields and Bharat Coking of various provisions invoice has increased to 589 document number, simultane- and offline tool based sites for the Centre has set a target of from 15.47 lakh hectare in the Coal witnessed 31 per cent concerning motor insurance. In lakh (5.89 crore) in November ous requests on same docu- these tax payers, the statement a record foodgrains output of corresponding period of the and 25 per cent decline in off- this first case, the Insurance 2020 and 603 lakh (6.03 crore) ment number, requests with added. 301 million tonne, out of previous year. take respectively. Regulatory Development The supply of coal to the Authority of India (Irdai) slapped consuming sectors rose 9.2 a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on the private sector insurance company for MINING AND SERVICE SECTORS TOWER DAMAGE CASE per cent to 154.6 million non-compliance with minimum obligations under regulations tonne in the third quarter of concerning third-party motor insurance business. It was alleged that the current financial year, it during 2017-18, the private sector insurer has underwritten Rs 380 said. crore as against the minimum obligatory motor third-party insurance Airtel writes to DoT, says Jio's The total output of the business of Rs 399.94 crore, resulting in a shortfall of Rs 19.94 Min seeks feedback Maharatna PSU stood at crore. In percentage terms, the shortfall worked out to around 4.99 156.8 million tonne in per cent of the motor-third party insurance business obligation. The October-December 2020, a adjudicative officer, looking after the case, recommended a penalty of on draft model rules charges against it ‘outrageous’ 6.3 per cent jump, as com- Rs 1 crore due to the repetitive nature of non-compliance by the pared to 147.5 million tonne private sector insurer. The Irdai, however, reduced the penalty to Rs PNS n NEW DELHI suggestions from the stake- KPNS n NEW DELHI that it deserves". The letter by behind the farmer agitation to in the year-ago period. 10 lakh. In the second case, the Irdai has imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh holders within a period of thir- Airtel to Telecom Secretary 'sabotage' their network and to on Bharti AXA for violation of the guidelines which prohibit The labour ministry has ty days," the Ministry said in After Jio's purported allegations Anshu Prakash said the com- force customers to switch to The miner had payments, directly or indirectly, to the motor insurance service sought stakeholders' feedback a statement on Saturday. that channel partners of rival pany is aware of a complaint Airtel is therefore simply out- provider or any of its associate company. on the draft model standing The draft orders were noti- telcos were inciting and pro- made by Reliance Jio to the rageous," Bharti Airtel's Chief produced 58 million orders for the manufacturing, fied on December 31, 2020. voking agitators involved in department dated December Regulatory Officer Rahul Vatts mining and service sectors to Keeping in view the needs tower disruption, Airtel has 28, in reference to the disrup- said in the letter to the DoT tonne of coal and set standards for service con- of the services sector, a sepa- shot-off a letter to the telecom tion of RJIL (Reliance Jio) ser- dated December 28. ditions and employees' con- rate model standing orders for department slamming the vices due to farmer's protests "In fact, we are amused as to supplied 53.7 million TVS Motor sales zoom up by duct. the services sector has been charges as baseless and outra- in Punjab and Haryana. how Jio can even believe that tonne in the year-ago "Pursuant to section 29 of prepared the first time, the geous. Airtel has told the DoT Airtel noted that a similar Airtel would be so omnipotent 17.5 per cent in December the Industrial Relations Code, statement said. "These Model that Jio's allegations against it allegation had been levelled by as to make customers forcibly month. But, month- 2020; the Central Government Standing Orders will pave the did not demonstrate any evi- Jio in a letter to the telecom port out of Jio. If we had this VS Motor Company on Saturday has published the draft Model way for the industry harmony dence that Bharti had any regulator earlier in December power, we would have exer- on-month production reported a 17.5 per cent increase Standing Orders for the in the country as it aim to for- hand in the ongoing issues that to which the company had cised it over the last three years and offtake remained Tin total sales to 2,72,084 units Manufacturing Sector, Mining malize the service-related mat- the company is facing, and that responded. when Jio amassed a massive in December The company, which Sector and Service Sector in ters in an amicable manner," the complaint should be dis- "The baseless allegation number of customers," Airtel higher. primarily makes two-wheelers and the official gazette, inviting Minister said. missed "with the contempt made by Jio that Airtel is said. three-wheelers, had sold 2,31,571 units in December 2019, TVS Motor Company said in a statement. The total two-wheeler sales during the month stood at 2,58,239 units as against 2,15,619 in December Exports dip 0.8 pc in Dec, trade deficit widens to $15.71 bn 2019, up 20 per cent.The domestic two-wheeler sales stood at 1,76,912 units last month, as compared to 1,57,244 units in PNS n NEW DELHI cent at USD 42.6 billion. In handloom products (10.09 per chemicals (23.30 per cent), December, up 13 per cent, it added.The total exports increased 28 February 2020, it had registered cent), rice (8.60 per cent), electronic goods (20.90 per per cent to 94,269 units last month, as against 73,512 in the year- Contracting for the third a rise of 2.48 per cent. meat, dairy and poultry prod- cent), machine tools (13.46 ago period. straight month, India's exports "India is thus a net importer ucts (6.79 per cent), gems and per cent), pearls, precious and slipped marginally by 0.8 per in December 2020, with a jewellery (6.75 per cent), tea semi-precious stones (7.81 per cent in December 2020 even as trade deficit of USD 15.71 bil- (4.47 per cent), and engineer- cent), and fertilisers (1.42 per the trade deficit widened to lion, as compared to a trade ing goods (0.12 per cent). cent). Sectors which recorded Tata Steel transfers stake in USD 15.71 billion due to the deficit of USD 12.49 billion, Sectors that registered neg- negative growth in December rise in imports. widened by 25.78 per cent," the ative growth include petroleum 2020 were silver, newsprint, processing arms to TSDPL Exports in December 2020 ministry said in a statement. products (-40.47 per cent), oil transport equipment, cotton stood at USD 26.89 billion, as The trade deficit (the differ- Seeds (-31.80 per cent), leather raw and waste, coal, coke and at transferred its stake in two compared to USD 27.11 in the ence between imports and and leather manufactures (- briquettes. Commenting on companies to TSDPL, a wholly- same month of 2019, accord- exports) at USD 15.71 billion 17.74 per cent), coffee (-16.39 the data, FIEO President Towned subsidiary of the firm, as ing to the preliminary data was highest since July 2020. per cent), ready-made gar- Sharad Saraf said that the mar- part of reorganising its India released by the commerce min- The country had witnessed ments of all textiles (-15.07 per ginal decline of just 0.8 per cent footprint. "...the company today istry on Saturday. trade surplus in June 2020. USD 364.18 billion in April- under review include oil meals cent), man-made yarn/fab- is showing signs of revival as transferred the 51 per cent stake it The rate of contraction in the In April-December 2020- December 2019-20. (192.60 per cent), iron ore rics/made-ups (-14.61 per order booking positions have holds in Jamshedpur Continuous country's outbound shipments 21, the country's merchandise In December 2020, oil (69.26 per cent), carpet (21.12 cent), marine products (-14.27 continuously improved. Annealing and Processing Company has improved against a decline exports contracted by 15.8 per imports declined by 10.37 per per cent), pharmaceuticals per cent), cashew (-12.04 per Saraf urged the government Private Ltd (JCAPCPL) and 50 per of 8.74 per cent in November, cent to USD 200.55 billion, as cent to USD 9.61 billion. (17.44 per cent), spices (17.06 cent), plastic and linoleum (- to address some of the key cent stake it holds in Tata BlueScope Steel Private Ltd (TBSPL) to mainly due to the increase in compared to USD 238.27 bil- During April-December, the per cent), electronic goods 7.43 per cent), and tobacco (- issues, including adequate Tata Steel Downstream Products Ltd (TSDPL)," it said in a regulatory shipments of certain sectors lion in the same period last fis- imports dipped by 44.46 per (16.44 per cent), fruits and veg- 4.95 per cent). The major com- availability of containers, soft- filing. The step was taken to reorganise the company's India footprint such as gems and jewellery, cal. cent to USD 53.71 billion, the etables (12.82 per cent), and modities imported with posi- ening of freight charges, the into four clusters to drive scale, synergies and simplification and to engineering and chemicals. Imports during the nine ministry said. chemicals (10.73 per cent). tive growth in December 2020 release of the required MEIS create value for all stakeholders, the steelmaker said. The transfer After a gap of nine months, months of the current fiscal Major commodities which The other commodities in include pulses (245.15 per benefits and clarity on SEIS will help consolidate its downstream steel processing services, it imports in December record- declined by 29.08 per cent to have recorded positive growth the positive terrain include cent), gold (81.82 per cent), benefits, and resolving risky said. As on March 31, 2020, the net worth of JCAPCPL was Rs ed a positive growth of 7.6 per USD 258.29 billion. It was in exports during the month cotton yarn/fabrics/ made-ups, vegetable oil (43.50 per cent), exporters issues. 428.60 crore, while the same for TBSPL was Rs 469.97 crore. TRENDY special 09 VIJAYAWADA | SUNDAY | JANUARY 3, 2021 2021 >>> ‘I turn down roles that don’t excite me’ n What is your role in Coolie No Rawal, is looking for the richest of the well. It was a lot of fun shooting for that I have always said no to a one 1? rich husbands for us. Then we go on a song, it is like a dream come true dimensional character that was offered I play Anjali, Sara’s sister. trip with Raju and then the entertain- moment for me. to me in the past quite a few times. It was Our father, played by ment follows. You will have to watch the Also, to get the chance to share the My father has of a fat girl and that’s all that there was Paresh film to know the rest of it. screen with people I have admired my to the character. She is either hungry or n What attracted you towards the whole life like Paresh Rawal, Johnny always told me to horny. These characters just don’t excite role? Lever, Jaaved Jaaferi and Rajpal sir was have fun, keep me as an actor and there’s a lot more to The fact that she was in epic. The final work with David Sir, who your head down, me than just being a fat girl. This indus- the Coolie No 1 and David has collaborated with my father so many try, by the way, has always been kind to Dhawan’s universe and times, was just fantastic. keep working, me and I have been able to find oppor- also that she dances on n An advice given by your father that make good friends tunities that challenge me as an actor. Talktime Husnn Hai Suhaana, one helped you on the way? while you are at it, n What has been your take away from SHIKHA TALSANIA of my favourite songs. Yes, he has always been there to give the industry in all these years? n don't take yourself She always manages to charm the Any memories from me great advice, both of my parents have. There are some great people around. the sets? He has always been supportive. He has too seriously and Make the most of your time when you audience with her acting skills and she I remember with always told me to have fun, keep your stay grounded. are on the sets of films, have fun, just did the same in Coolie No 1 which Husnn Hai Suhaana, head down, keep working, make good This is the blanket observe people, take notes since there is recently released on Amazon Prime Varun kept changing friends while you are at it, don’t take so much to learn every second when you V ideo. The actor shares with Musba the steps because we yourself too seriously and stay ground- advice that he has are here in the industry. wanted to make it more ed. This is the blanket advice that he has always given me n What’s there in the pipeline? Hashmi what attracted her to fun and also because the always given me. For this film, he just All my attention is directed towards play Anjali, fun memories song is so fantastic. I was told me to have fun and that’s exactly Coolie No 1. Also, there is some amazing from the set s and how nervous for the first 15 min- what I did. work coming up. I am going back on stage n she always utes and then I got into the Has there been a role that you turned and once the official announcements are nerve and gave my suggestions as down? made, I will let everyone know about it. Ringing in new trends The New Year has brought with it loads of hopes and optimism for a better future. SUNDAY PIONEER lists the trends in the different sectors that will rule the year Get inked in style Decorate dreams to immortalise voices or your favourite tune through body art is the futuristic, latest invention in the world of which can shapeshift – have different forms and sizes tattooing. when in use and when not in use – are a hot favourite Here’s how it works: Record an audio clip between 5 to amongst urban dwellers as they seamlessly fit into 30 seconds of your loved ones and send it to the guys compact houses and are a novel design trend, says at Devil’z Tattooz through Whatsapp or email. They will Pritika Singh, Founder, Mohh, a contemporary create a soundwave of that audio clip and ink it on your furnishing brand. skin permanently which you can playback by scanning n Minimalism it with your mobile phone whenever you want to hear Less is more is what we have learnt in 2020, creating a their precious voice. minimalist bedroom look has surfaced as a new trend Armband tattoos: Armband tattoos are for people who especially when people are enjoying their work as well want very bold tattoos. While armband tattoos are as new learnings in their bedrooms. Minimalism is all popular among men, it has also gained a lot of female ‘I don’t want to be labeled about following a style inspiration and theme while attention nowadays. Armbands are usually like a acing the declutter game. Thus, 2021 will see a mixture bracelet usually done on arms as the name itself of mood and preference. A subtle theme lover would suggests. They can be of different types — solid black definitely go for dark hues, textured, printed organic as party song singer’ or with a theme like tribal, mandala, polynesian, nature- fabrics and while on the other side, the year will also related or space-related. An armband tattoo can look witness bedrooms turned into an art using geometric AASTHA GILL recently released her latest track very cool and aesthetically pleasing without taking up and abstract prints, comments Rajiv Merchant, too much space on the forearm or bicep. President Retail, Indo Count Industries Ltd Crazy lady. The singer-songwriter speaks with Portrait tattoos: Mostly rendered in a realistic style that n Light furniture and opulent elements portrays a head shot of a person. Portrait tattoos are A wave towards lighter furniture – in weight and finish SHALINI SAKSENA about what the song is Realism tattoo: Realism tattoos are characterized by usually for tattoo lovers who want to memorialise an is also gaining traction as the younger audience is maximizing the life-like quality of anything we see in the important figure or person. They typically represent about and how from a journalist she went on to 2020 has surely been the year of mostly staying moving away from the traditional darker, heavier world- monuments, animals, flowers etc . It can also be something or someone extremely meaningful — could indoors. While we were all left in our abode craving for furniture which tends to look bulky and are looking for being a singer categorized as a "3D" tattoo with accurate be of a loved one who recently passed away, a newly comfort in every possible aspect, we ended up creating modular furniture with light finishes, particularly white, n representations of real-life imagery. born baby, a pet or a favourite musician. What is your latest song about? and reimagining the space around us in the most distressed whites etc, adds Pritika Singh, Founder A realism tattoo done by an inexperienced artist or Minimal tattoos: “Less is more” is the word on the The song is about my own life experiences. It is important innovative and multifunctional manner. At some point, Mohh. Lastly, we may also see more opulent elements someone who hasn’t trained in that particular style can street. Too much makeup, too many accessories, loud to be a bit crazy to make it big in life. I have been a crazy per- we turned our living space into a multipurpose office such as wicker, inlay, gold and silver finishes make way be a disaster. But if done right, it will surely blow your clothing, etc. will be sure to lose just about anyone’s son when it comes to making decisions and breaking barriers. room and at other hand, our bedrooms were no less of into modern designs as it neatly ties together the old- mind. India's first Award-winning, internationally attention. People simply don’t have any clue where to In this sense, it is important to be crazy and hence the title of a canvas. time aesthetic sensibility with the need for modern experienced artist, Lokesh Verma, Founder of Devil’z look first. The same applies to tattoos. Often, it’s the the song as well. Where we all have unprecedentedly turned ourselves designs as India’s growing urban population, largely n Tattooz is best known for his coloured realism and dainty tattoos that have a huge influence on your style. From a Bachelor's in Journalism, how did you end up a into a decor expert, there are a few inculcated millennials, become the country’s biggest consumer portraits style of tattooing that is mastered by only a Want to convey across a powerful message in a subtle singer? experiments that have earned the title of trends and segment. few people across the world! way? Then small tattoos characterized with clean lines It was a crazy decision on my part. One day I got a call from shall stay with us in the new year too. n Sternum tattoos: Also known as chest or underboob are the way to go! Growing and showing off greens Raftaar bhai when I was working in advertising; a profession that n Multi-purpose furniture tattoo, Sternum tattoo is considered among one of the Miniscule tattoos are one kind of tattoos that are super Spending more time indoors has let people turn their abode I had decided to pursue. He asked me to reach the studio to dub A definite uptick and fascination with multi-purpose best chest tattoo for women because it looks great discreet, incredibly detailed, pretty and aren't likely to into a lush green place following the minimal trick. Thus, my first Bollywood song. I took a leap of faith and left every- furniture pieces is already visible, and the trend aoised aesthetically and gives a feminine feel. date. That is why the millennials, especially women still 2021 will see the range of innovative indoor planters, adds thing behind, didn’t look back and got into singing. to get bigger in the coming year. Moreover, products Soundwave/talking tattoos: A new, revolutionary way haven't grown tired of the tiny trend. Pritika Singh, Founder, Mohh. n Your father is a musician. What made you pursue journal- ism then? I had seen my dad struggle as a musician. I had seen so many new year means new Show don’t tell While it is true that women are others in his field waiting for the correct opportunity. I, there- Aresolutions and a new outlook Instead of describing yourself 2.5x more likely to get a response fore, wanted a stable job. This was my outlook when I would talk towards life, specifically your love It’s a dating Sunday with a long list of adjectives, talk than men if they initiate the about my career graph. I loved advertising; I had learnt graph- life. And what better way to about the things you love and conversation. Men shouldn’t lose ic designing and getting into creatives. But I suppose destiny had jumpstart your dating experiences continued through the month with online and get dating! Upload a variety of photos (more enjoy doing. If you love dogs; heart. Look at a prospective something else in mind. When I got this opportunity to sing, I than on the first Sunday of the over 54 million conversations Update, Update, Update! than just selfies!) show a picture with you and Fido match’s profile and comment on don’t know what happened. I just grabbed the opportunity. I year, popularly known as ‘Dating during the entire month of An estimated one in three dating Share photos that show what in the park; if you're an adrenaline something specific that you like. couldn’t say no to it. Sunday’. This particular day is January. This year, the app users don’t update their makes you, you, whether about junkie, mention the time you went Keep it around 140 characters and n Did you train in music? known to have the highest international dating app is dating app profile once they put it working in your make-shift office skydiving; if you’re funny describe please don’t say “hey.” Try to Yes, partially. I wanted to learn and follow music for myself. number of singletons looking for predicting upwards of 15 million up - but if you add a new photo or space at home or a recent hobby the time you made everyone engage on a specific photo or Hence learn piano till Class IV; I have learnt classical music and love or a fresh start in their love- new conversations on and around a new story, most dating apps that you’ve taken up. laugh with your maid of honor question, such as “Pizza is the western as well. But this was on and off all through growing up. lives! And 2021 will not be any Dating Sunday. treat you like a new person and Here’s the secret — you want to toast. best food out there.” n How did you end up collaborating with Sony Music India? different. Going by tradition, in To make 2021 your year of love, the algorithm kicks into gear, make it easy for that other person OkCupid’s essays are a perfect And yes, saying “hey” in a first I have been with them for the last six years; that is when I 2020, OkCupid witnessed over 13 OkCupid has shared the following showing you to more people. out there to reach out about the place to show potential matches message is almost equivalent to signed up with them. All my big projects have been on it; it is million new conversations during simple tips to up your dating, People who complete their photo. with these aspects of yourself. saying nothing, this greeting has like family to me. the first week of January around particularly if you’re looking for a OkCupid profile get 200% more Photos that include animals are Send a meaningful message to an 92% chance of being n The year 2020 was tough for almost all artists. Was it the same the world. The positive mood meaningful relationship. So, get matches 3x more likely to get attention. initiate conversation completely ignored. for you? Yes, it has been tough. We are used to travelling and going out and being out there in the world. It has been a draining — 020 has been a year of cancelled emotionally and financially. Most of our income is based on the trips and missed experiences. The live shows that we do. Doing these is still not back on track. But 2New Year is here and we can’t wait I tried and made use of this time to my advantage and reinvent- to talk about what is on the horizon. Travel fresh and contactless ed myself; I started penning down songs and tried my hand at 2020 has been a year like no other and production too. while much has been said about the choices. Weekend getaways to become n How did you get your first break? adversity, positive news around the vac- Rise of slow, immersive travel: The the new weekend goals: Urban Indians The first was Dhup Chik for Fugly. Like I said, I got a call from cine rollout has also uplifted spirts help- one thing that this year has taught us were just warming up to the idea of Raftaar bhai. I was not sure if it was a Bollywood song. I was just ing all see a glimmer of hope. is to slow down and somewhat appre- weekend breaks in recent years but the an ordinary person doing my advertising job. I knew it is not easy The pandemic has been a shape- ciate an unhurried life. So be it a work- pandemic seems to have flipped the to get a break into Bollywood. But this song just came my way. shifting event when it comes to con- ation, staycation or a weekend getaway, switch for good. More and more While the first break was easy, the struggle started after this. I sumer behaviour and preferences. travellers are gravitating towards fuller Indians have tasted the fun of quick get- left my job and it was a fresh start. I was clueless where to go and Sifting the travel search and booking and richer immersive travel experiences aways during the pandemic induced what to do. It was hard work to get my single debut released. DJ data on MakeMyTrip over the last nine that allow them to connect, explore and travel restrictions and this travel habit Wale Babu happened due to Badshah bhai. He was introduced months, here are the definitive trends unwind. More and more people will is all set to become the norm. On to me by Raftaar bhai. Abhi Toh Party, I dubbed and started trav- that will shape how Indians are going prefer travel that balances their itiner- MakeMyTrip we have seen a 70 per cent elling with Badshah bhaiyya. The struggle was to do better. We to travel, come 2021. ary with a languid pace affording them recovery in the short-haul leisure trav- tried cracking the benchmark and couldn’t find anything. Then Revenge travel on bucket list: the time to explore more while elimi- el segment. Buzz happened and it launched me as a solo pop singer. Revenge is a dish best served cold and nating the stress of rushing around Contactless travel a reality: Post n Is this the reason behind Crazy Lady — to be at the top all after having been left out in the cold for many places to tick the boxes. the pandemic, the travel and hospital- the time? almost one full year — expect travellers More takers for premium stays & ity industry has made significant efforts I would not say I am at the top. I have still many miles to go hit the road with a vengeance. Travel is non-hotels: Safety and hygiene have to boost confidence among travellers by before I am anywhere near the top. But yes, I am proud of this on top of mind as people look at mak- emerged as the new comfort and lux- making services contactless as far as song because I have penned the song as well with Charan and ing a fresh start. Searches on our plat- ury in travel. The traditional in-stay possible. From contactless check-in at Kanika. form related to travel destinations and checklist has now made way for ques- airports and hotels; to ordering food n What kind of music do you like to listen to? activities reaffirm that travel may have tions like — does the stay ensure ade- and beverages and concierge services I listen to all kinds of music — Punjabi. Hindi. Hip-hop, Blues, slowed down but travel planning has quate social distancing, is there a pri- at hotels online, contactless offerings are English and Bollywood. It completely depends on my mood. I been on in full swing for travel dates as vate kitchen, can I have an extra room las and non-hotels that promise com- the survey conducted by MakeMyTrip’s becoming a norm more than an excep- draw my inspiration from whether people will be able to relate far out as fall of next year. People are for help or support staff and so on. Post- fort of a vacation while meeting addi- Consumer Insights team in October tion. In parallel, travellers are also to the song we pen down. going to spend time and effort planning COVID, travellers are looking for tional requirements. So, if in 2019, one 2019), come 2021 more Indians than warming up to the idea of using con- n What next? their excursions for future travel in 2021 more control over their stay – leading in every two Indian traveller was ever will be booking villas, homestays, tactless services and also building I have a few collaborations that I am working on. I have a relying on platforms that provide trea- many to opt for higher category hotels, thinking of booking an alternative vacation rentals and non-hotels for their appreciation for the tech-rich experi- release lined-up. My next step is to explore genres and not be sure trove of information and booking premium homestays, independent vil- accommodation property (results from travel. ences that promise travel safety, upfront. labeled as a party song singer. BIG SCREEN

VIJAYAWADA | SUNDAY | JANUARY 3, 2021 2021 >>> special 10 BIG ONSCREEN HOPES 2021 has big-ticket movies in the kitty. While it is still unclear whether it will be a theatrical or an OTT release, the movies are a sureshot dose of entertainment. From Radhe in Bollywood to the likes of superhero movies in Hollywood, the New Year looks promising for the entertainment industry. SUNDAY PIONEER lists the fare

WETOO BIG DHAMAKA

GANGUBAI KATHIAWADI HASEEN DILLRUBA Director – Sanjay Leela Bhansali Director – Vinil Mathews Producers – Bhansali Productions & Producers – Colour Yellow Productions, Pen India Limited Eros International & T-Series Films Cast – Alia Bhatt Cast – Taapsee Pannu, Vikrant Massey, Harshvardhan Rane ATRANGI RE Director – Aanand L Rai HUNGAMA 2 Producers – Colour Yellow Productions, Director – Priyandarshan T-Series Films, Cape Of Good Films Producers – Venus Records and Tapes Cast – Akshay Kumar, Dhanush, and LLP Sara Ali Khan Cast – Paresh Rawal, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Meezaan, Pranitha Subhash RAKSHABANDHAN Director – Aanand L Rai BLIND RADHE: YOUR MOST WANTED BHAI BRAHMASTRA Producers – Colour Yellow Productions Director – Shome Makhija Cast: Salman Khan, Megha Akash, Disha Patani, Jackie Shroff, Randeep Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Mouni Roy, & Cape of Good Films Producers – Sujoy Ghosh, Avishek Hooda Divyenndu, Dimple Kapadia, Prateik Babbar Cast – Akshay Kumar Ghosh, Manisha W., Pinkesh Nahar, Director: Prabhu Deva Director: Ayan Mukerji Sachin Nahar, Hyunwoo Thomas Kim JERSEY Cast – Sonam Kapoor Ahuja Director – Gowtham Tinnauri Producers – Aman Gill, Dil Raju, INDIA LOCKDOWN Gowtham Tinnauri Director – Madhur Bhandarkar Cast – Shahid Kapoor, Mrunal Thakur KUN FAYA KUN SALAAR Director – Kushan Nandy Director – Prashanth Neel Cast – Harshvardhan Rane, Sanjeeda Producers – Hombale Films Shaikh Cast — Prabhas

BELL BOTTOM SOORYAVANSHI Cast: Vani Kapoor, Huma Qureshi, Akshay Cast: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Ajay Devgan, Ranveer FRESH FACES Kumar, Lara Dutta Singh, Jackie Shroff, Jaaved Jaaferi, Arushi Sharma ON SCREEN Director:Ranjit Tiwari Director: Rohit Shetty

ANMOL DHILLON Film: Tuesdays and Fridays Director: Taranveer Singh Producer: Bhansali Productions

LAAL SINGH CHADDHA RINZING DENZONGPA Cast: Aamir Khan,Vijay Sethupati, Film: Squad Kareena Kapoor Khan, Shah Rukh Director: Nilesh Sahay SHAMSHERA Khan, Mona Singh, Sharman Joshi Producer: Nilesh Sahay, Brajesh Sahaya Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Vaani Kapoor, Ronit Roy, Iravati Harshe Director: Advait Chandan Director: Karan Malhotra

PRANITHA SUBHASH Film: Hungama 2 Director: Priyadarshan '83 Producer: Venus Records and Tapes LLP DOSTANA 2 Cast: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Tahir Raj Film: Bhuj – The Pride Of India Cast: Jhanvi Kapoor, Laksh Lawani, Kartik Aaryan, Asha Bhasin, Saqib Saleem, Ammy Virk, Harrdy Sandhu, Pathan Director: Abhishek Dudhaiya Bhatt, Abhishek Banerjee, Abhay Deol Jiiva, Amrita Puri Cast: Shah Rukh Khan Producer: T Series and Select Media Director: Collin D'Cunha Director: Kabir Khan Director: Siddharth Anand Holdings LLP FROM THE HOLLYWOOD PACK

VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE Director: Andy Serkis Releasing: June 24, 2021 An American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Venom, produced by Columbia Pictures in association with Marvel and Tencent Pictures.

NO TIME TO DIE BLACK WIDOW Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga Director: Cate Shortland Releasing: Early 2021 Releasing: April 29, 2021 THE SUICIDE SQUAD A spy film and the twenty-fifth An American superhero film based on Director: James Gunn instalment in the James Bond film the Marvel Comics character of the JUNGLE CRUISE Releasing: August 4, 2021 THE KING’S MAN series produced by Eon Productions. same name. Produced by Marvel Director: Jaume Collet-Serra The further adventures of Harley Director: Matthew Vaughn The film features Daniel Craig in his Studios and distributed by Walt Releasing: July 22, 2021 Quinn, Rick Flag and their team of Releasing: 2021 Period spy action comedy film. fifth and final outing as the fictional Disney, it is intended to be the 24th FAST & FURIOUS 9 An American adventure film assembled supervillains. British MI6 agent James Bond. film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Director: Justin Lin directed by Jaume Collet-Serra from a story by Glenn Ficarra Releasing: May 28, 2021 DUNE & John Requa and a MORBIUS In the film, Dominic Toretto and Director: Denis Villeneuve screenplay written by Michael Director: Daniel Espinosa his crew join forces to battle the TOP GUN: MAVERICK Releasing: December 18, 2020 Green, Ficarra and Requa, Releasing: March 19, 2021 most skilled assassin and high- Director: Joseph Kosinski A science fiction film in which based on Walt Disney's theme An American superhero film based on the Marvel performance driver they've ever Releasing: July 2, 2021 Paul Atreides leads nomadic park attraction of the same Comics character of the same name, produced by encountered — his forsaken An American action drama film, sequel to 1986's tribes in a battle to control the name. Columbia Pictures in association with Marvel. brother. Top Gun. desert planet Arrakis. VIJAYAWADA | SUNDAY | JANUARY 3, 2021 films & tv 11 HOME THEATRE Gives out a hard Fresh take on Look out for Broken but Beautiful Season 3 Dev DD is set to make things get suspense, dhamakedaar action, leftovers Cast: Sidharth Shukla, and Sonia wilder than your imagination. and loads of youth drama amidst Rathee This modern-day version of deep-lying secrets that unravel One of the most successful OTT Devdas is full of drama, one by one. hitting message franchises, Broken But Beautiful heartbreak and romantic twists in The Married Woman was loved by one and all and still the life of lead protagonist Cast: Ridhi Dogra, Monica Dogra, small dreams gets taken in by ranks high on the rating chart. Devika. Starring Asheema Imaad Shah, Ayesha Raza the outwardly materialistic The beautiful original music of Vardaan in the lead along with, Mishra, Rahul Vohra, Suhaas world and falls for it hook, the franchise is still the top chart Sanjay Suri and Nauheed Cyrusi, Ahuja, Divya Seth Shah line and sinker with no means numbers amongst the fans. The it’s time to be hooked to the The Married Woman is a love for a reprieve. first two seasons showcased a screen one more time as the saga story, based on Manju Kapur’s The story is straight tender love story of individuals of love, lust, betrayal and famous book A Married Woman, forward. A village man thinks (portrayed by Vikrant Massey and everything in between mesmerize that began during the times of that getting a bike will get him Harleen Sethi) who meet in the each one of us. unrest in the country revolves the leg up in life. For this he most unexpected of Puncch Beat Season 2 around two beautiful souls — is willing to put his wife up for circumstances and soon become After the resounding success of Aastha & Peepli, who love rose the worst kind of crime that a support system for one another. Season 1, ALTBalaji’s PuncchBeat beyond religious, gender, and can be done against a woman And now, with the new jodi — is renewed for the second societal conditions to find each — to be gang-raped and Sidharth Shukla, and Sonia season. Featuring Harshita Gaur, other. paraded naked in the village Rathee — roped in for season 3, Priyank Sharma, Siddharth 7 Kadam (Eros Now Original) — so that he can get the fans can't wait to know more Sharma, and Khushi Joshi in lead Cast: Amit sadh, Rohit Roy compensation that the about the story of Agastya and roles, PuncchBeat is a teen In a clash of ideologies, soccer Government gives to such Rumi! drama series that showcases the coach Aurobindo's son Ravi, the survivors. All for the sake of Apharan 2 story of four students from one star striker, joins a rival team, to a bike and become the town’s Cast: Arunoday Singh, Nidhi of the most prestigious schools uplift his family's status. hero. Singh, Saanand Verma, in India. Starting as strangers, Udan Patolas (Eros Now This satirical take on the Sukhamni Sadana, Aditya Lal, one sees how the lives of this Original) situation and how the system BEST LEFTOVERS EVER! Varun Badola quarter get intertwined leading to Cast: Aasttha Ssidana,Sukhmani is manipulated by those in Netflix After the resounding success of them becoming best buddies. Sadana power has its moments that Rated: 6/10 Season 1, ALTBalaji’s Apharan — This youth-based show is packed Apoorva Arora, Poppy Jabbal makes one laugh at the greed Sab ka Katega is renewed for the with a whole lot of fun, Masti, Four small town girls try to and the lengths they would go hat if one were to tell you that one could make second season. Packed with a drama and you guessed it, hilariously fit in the big city. They to for money and the next, it Mexican dishes remade into gnocchi, dumplings and gripping narrative, unimaginable pranks. Always ready to outdo are maybe unlucky in love but leaves one with a feeling of Wmuch more. What if one were to ask to use healthy twists, thrilling storyline, and each other, we see these kids their sisterhood is unbreakable. disgust and sadness that leftovers like marinated veggies and pork tenderloin and turn electrifying situational have a blast enjoying every Aisa Waisa Pyaar (Eros Now people would rape, a heinous it into cozy comfort food? Or one turned festive meal leftovers background score, Apharan is a moment of their lives. Original) crime, for their own personal of glazed ham, apple pie and green bean casserole — into a 70’s style masala entertainer at Crashh Cast: Ahsaas Channa, Prit gains and scam the poor in fancy sandwich? its very best. The cast and crew Cast: Zain Iman, Rohan Mehra, Kamani, Adah Sharma, Saqib the name of the Government Well, the latest reality show is sure to have all the answers of the show is currently shooting Aditi Sharma Saleem, Nidhi Singh, Sheeba compensation. for all those cooks out there who love to cook up a storm in the in Uttarakhand for the second Crashh depicts the story of four Chaddha, Rajit Kapu This is Om Puri and kitchen from leftovers. While the dishes may not be something instalment of the show. Going by siblings, who are torn apart by a From a millennial couple to an Jagdeep’s last movie. It is that one would find in Indian homes, the fact of the matter is the excitement on set, it certainly fateful accident in early 2000. 80+ couple celebrating their 60th unfortunate that this film was that instead of reheating the food and eating the same thing the seems that Arunoday Singh and What happens when the four anniversary… from stories released four years after the next day, one can whip up an entirely new dish by adding a few Nidhi Singh, who played the part siblings meet again? Watch on to featuring man's best friend to OMPRAKASH ZINDABAD former’s death. But it was extra ingredients that are already in our kitchens to wow the of Rudra Srivastava and Ranjana know the story of Kabir, Kajol, someone differently abled. 4 Voot Select good to see Jagdeep, who family members with your culinary skills. All it takes is a bit of Srivastava respectively, are the Jashn, and Gia! unusual love stories spanning 4 died in July 2020, and that he thought and viola — one has an entirely new dish on the table most excited. With shooting Bang Baang different ages, stages of *ing: Om Puri, Jagdeep, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Zakir had not lost the spark in his for the family to feast on. going on in full swing, the duo is Cast: Faisal Sheikh (Mr Faisu) relationships, backdrops, and Hussain eyes even though he was 81. It is a competition with three chefs/cooks who are judged performing to the best of their and Ruhii Singh characters. Told in a Rated: 5.5/10 One just wished that Gupta on the basis of their creativity, technique and the number of abilities as they look to make the Bang Baang — Sound of Crimes contemporary style of Modern t is not very often that we see movies that make us sit up and could have better utilised leftovers used to remake an entirely new dish. The winner takes second season all the more is set to be a visual spectacle for Love, come fall in love again, it is think long after the credits have stopped rolling. Omprakash their talent. The same goes for cash worth $10,000! Next time, there are some leftovers in the bigger and better than season 1. quintessential action cinema time for #Pyaar! Four-part love IZindabad directed by Ranjeet Gupta may not be your average Kulbhushan Kharbanda refrigerator, take inspiration from this show and delight your Dev DD Season 2 lovers and will leave the viewers anthology where each story takes film that has masala or an item number. But it does have a hard whose talent is wasted here. family and friends. Cast: Asheema Vardaan, Sanjay glued to their seats. The original you through love story of a hitting message to deliver. A message how the common man with — Shalini Saksena — Shalini Saksena Suri and Nauheed Cyrusi, web-series involves mystery, different generation. CHEERS TO NEW YEAR ‘Tough to play two contrasting roles’ and celebrating the last day of the year with my loved ones so that the next year of my life starts with people who matters the most to ABHISHEK NIGAM, who plays a superhero in SAB TV’s new show me. Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year. — Madirakshi who plays Paravati in Sony Hero —Gayab Mode On, speaks with SHALINI SAKSENA about his Entertainment Televisions Vighnaharta Ganesh character, how he got into acting and his first day of shoot

n What is your role in the more than I had. I was not show? desperate to get a break in the I play a superhero. I play industry. I was doing my own two characters and both are thing back then. I was doing different from each other. One, law and even directing that Veer, he is a compassionate kept me busy. There were other person, fun-loving and Siddharth small ventures that I was part While 2020 may have been a pretty rough one responsible. While is a do- and my work of. I played tennis at the State for a lot of people, it was quite a productive I have always believed in beginning the New gooder but he is not the kind level. My brother and I have year for me. I happened to get my first ever Year with a fresh mind and a lot of optimism. of person people can take is totally never competed with each short film rolling and it got a great response There is no better way to begin the year with a advantage of. He is the one different and other, we have been a support from the audience, friends and family. I little detour from my routine life, I will be who finds the magical ring. we are system to one another. happened to get some time in hand to devote travelling for two days to visit my extended The other is the super hero n What are these to my health and fitness which I have been family in my hometown Panipat. While my who takes on the true image of different ventures? wanting to do for a while now. I also bagged mother and my brother reside with me in what Veer is all about – he is people. Our Over the years, I my role in the show Teri Meri Ik Jindri this Mumbai, I haven't had a chance to meet my naughty. The ring is evil and learnt directing and did year and in 2021 I just hope the audience dad since the lockdown reopened or connect brings out the bad in the approach to two music videos under showers all their blessings and love towards This year has taught us so many things. I with my cousins and other relatives. Every wearer. But since Veer is such acting is not my own label. So that is the show. I would be ending this year and always believed more in planning the future occasion and festival celebrated with them has a good person, the ring doesn’t something that I do. making a fresh start to 2021 at Tirupati Balaji but the past few months made me understand till date been a memorable one and nothing overpower him. the same Also, while shooting and with God's blessings I pray that the new the importance of living in the moment and excites me more than to start a new chapter n How did you come on either. The for Panipat, I learnt year brings an abundance of opportunities and enjoying it. Hence, I have stopped worrying amidst the presence of my family. I am very board the project? more about directing. happiness for each and every person who has about upcoming problems and instead started excited for this trip and I look forward to I got a call for an audition. genre we are When you are in the dealt with a rough phase. enjoying the present moment more. This having the happiness and fun as I did during I was very hopeful and gave the working on is industry, you tend to — Adhvik Mahajan who plays Joginder in Zee definitely doesn’t mean spending every penny the lockdown. auditions. Unfortunately, I pick up tips. TV’s Teri Meri Ik Jindri you have earned, without any planning. — Kanika Mann who plays Guddan in Zee TV’s didn’t get that part. A few different n What do your While we didn’t have much work in terms of Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega months later, I got a call for as well parents think — both shoots, this year, it still feels like a very tiring another audition. When I went sons in acting? year, mentally. Hence, I want to travel a lot in to sign the contract, that is My mother has always 2021, to relax and be recharged. The past year when I came to know it was a been supportive. She told us has also taught us how much we need our lead. that whatever we did we friends and family, especially at such low n How tough was it to bring needed to give it our best. times. So, I will make sure I catch up with out the contrast in the two n You did a show — Chandra them more often this year. My New Year roles you play? Nandini — with Siddharth. resolution is to concentrate on my fitness as I It was a bit tough but I love How was it to work with will try to hit the gym everyday. I have also challenges and that’s the reason to. Whatever acting that him? wanted to learn playing the Guitar for a long why I took it up. The roles I know, I have learnt while We had a lot of fun. The time and hope to accomplish that this year. excited me and I was looking giving auditions. I used to only problem that I faced — Paras Arora who plays Dr Pramod in Sony for a project like this. I am get called for a lot of was how people would SAB’s Kaatelal & Sons grateful I got it. I identify with mythological shows. confuse my name with his. New Year to me is more about spending time my character of a superhero; Slowly, I made contacts Working with him was with the family, eating good food and watching This year taught me to be calm and also to Veer is too good and nobody and started getting work. great. When we work some amazing movies! This year has been save money. The most important thing that I is that perfect. That is how I got a role in professionally, I treat him quite a ride for everyone, and I hope the new learnt is to love yourself more than anything or 2020 has honestly been a year of mixed n Your brother is also an Panipat. as a serious person since he year brings in joy and health and happiness in anyone else because your happiness feelings for me. While the whole pandemic actor, do you think there will n What made you turn to has been in the industry for everyone's lives. Wishing everyone a very matters the most. So, I have started affected a lot of people, it was also the year be comparisons? TV then after doing a a longer time. Happy New Year! loving myself a little more.With the when my first show went off air. Looking at the I don’t think so. Our work film? n Most super hero shows in — Mugdha Chapekar who plays Prachi in Zee new year arriving, I have decided to be struggles of many other I kept myself together is totally different and we are At the stage where I am India are not as good as one TV's Kumkum Bhagya disciplined in life — wake up early, believing that my struggles are not that big, different people. Our approach today, it doesn’t matter gets to see in Hollywood. work out, have fun and be more and I would make it through. And I did! to acting is not the same either. whether it is TV or films. Will there be comparisons? I wish 2021 passionate about my work. Since Despite it all, this year also got me a role in The genre we are working on If we see screens are getting There will be comparisons brings a lot of I live away from my parents, I will a beautiful show like Apna Time Bhi is different as well. Siddharth smaller —from 70 mm to whatever we make. Even if we happiness and make sure I spend as much time Aayega. Rani is a very different character (who plays Aladdin) and I laptops to tablets to mobiles make a love story people prosperity for with my family as possible and she brings out the little innocent yet have always done things that today. People see content will say Hollywood made everyone because I miss that home love strong-willed child within me. While I had are not the same. I am hoping that you are part of and it like this. But our industry around. 2020 and care here in Mumbai. my fair share of struggles, this is the best that people too get to see how big it is. has given some great super has been a I plan to enter 2021 by traveling to thing that has happened this year and I am different things. n You are the heroes like Shaktiman and tough year I Goa with my brothers as I love eagerly looking forward to 2021. While I don't n How did you get into elder Balveer. What matters is how hope 2021 will travelling with them. For the same, I really make any resolutions, I do wish to acting? brother. we approach the project. It is make have applied for a few days off from continue working hard and entertaining my I came to Mumbai in 2014 Was it tough not correct to what we are everyone the shooting of Maddam Sir, way in audiences. I hope it's a better year for and pursuing law. At the same to wait for the right role doing on TV with a Marvel forget the advance and I am very excited. everyone and we can finally be free of COVID. time, I started giving auditions. while your brother already project. In fact, it is wrong to hardships of 2020 and give a new way of living — Yukti Kapoor who plays Karishma — Megha Ray who plays Rani in Zee TV’s But things never move or had a show as a lead? compare a film with a TV show to everyone .This year I will be staying at home Singh in Sony SAB’s Maddam Sir Apna Time Bhi Aayega happen the way you want them I never felt that he had due to scalability.

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PENNING SPECIAL It’s said that the true character of a man is revealed in the face of adversity or a crisis. This was so starkly proven during MOMENTS... My mom who was a pro- the Covid-induced lockdown. Sonu Sood’s charisma gave him a bigger than life image, mostly negative, for his fessor would always write about the special moments roles on screen but it was his humanitarian work that brought out the philanthropist during the lockdown. in her life. She always used to tell me to write about He touched many souls in every nook of the country with his selfless work and now, actor, my experiences, whenever you feel they are special philanthropist, producer… these are just descriptive words to describe Sonu. Most because they will stay with me forever. With so many importantly, he has been exposed to be a man with a truly golden heart. It’s this golden things happening, you tend heart that keeps him humble at a time his name has become synonymous with to forget those experiences, but you can always go back piety. His humility is evident when he says that whatever he is today, is to those pages and revisit those times. I earlier never because of his parents and he wants to keep their teachings alive. wrote as my mother was writing. Now when she is Starting his journey with modelling, Sonu is today one of the not there, I go through her letters, her diaries. I feel most sought after actors in both the South and Hindi that I can speak to her even now through her film industry. In a candid conversation with The notes, keeping her alive. Today when I touched so Pioneer's K Ramya Sree, the actor speaks many lives during the lock- down, I felt this to be very, about his childhood, family, very important, I felt I should put them on paper penning special moments in to connect with people life and much more. even more. All these things inspired me to pen my book "I'm no Messiah". Hopefully, this book will positively inspire people and change at least one life.

TARTING WITH MODELLING... S I was born in Patiala, grew up in Moga, my home- town. I studied in Moga till Intermediate and then moved to Nagpur to do my Electronics engineering. During my college days, I decided to get into acting and came to Mumbai, but started my acting career with Tollywood. During my college days in Nagpur, I started with modelling. I With mother Saroj Sood wanted to do something worthwhile in life profes- sionally. For an outsider, it was very tough to survive in the tinsel town initially. I asked my parents to give me a year's time so that I could establish myself as an actor. That one year was very tough. I was aware that the road ahead would be tough but I had also decided I should not look back. The support of my parents gave me that confi- dence to deal with those tough times. SOUTH FILMS WILL ALWAYS REMAIN SPECIAL... Young Sonu with mother and sister Sonu as a child WAS INTO With sisters A LOT OF SPORTS... I did many south films and I started SHORT TAKES: my journey with Tollywood. They will As a student, I was not always remain special to me. I did many SPECIAL MOMENT: I grew up watching Jackie Chan films, very studious. I was into a movies that were blockbusters, this is working with him in a film was very special to me. lot of sports and was more what I wanted to achieve when I came into exploring. I was doing to Mumbai, till my journey during lock- HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN A SENTENCE: Still things which most of the down began. I touched a lot of lives miles to go, but the journey goes on. people of my age wouldn't. helping migrant workers with medical In school, I used to actually services, transport, and whatnot. All this FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION: I love going to the US scare a lot of kids with my helped me explore myself and do some- as my sister lives there. I love shopping, spending quality pranks and my out-of- thing I always wanted to do. This is the-box activities. My what I had always aimed to do. Today, I time with the family. I always felt the US is my ultimate mom, Saroj Sood, was a miss my mother a lot. My mom always destination. professor in Moga. She wanted me to do something good for would get a lot of society. I wish my parents were alive FAVOURITE BEVERAGE: My protein shake complaints about me. now to see what I'm up to. They would What are you most inspired by: A common man's journey Not surprisingly, I have been proud of me. My father who was one of the most had a showroom in Punjab used to dis- FAVOURITE CELEBRITY: Jackie Chan. He is one of the most popular students tribute essentials to people. We were in a genuine and kind souls. both in school and place where we could help people. I college. grew up with principles in life. BEST THING HEARD FROM A MIGRANT: The best thing I heard from a migrant was that they have named their kid HELPING PARENTS... Sonu Sood Srivastav. It will stay with me forever. I will do When I came to Mumbai, I came on everything to make my parents proud by walking the path a train and had no reservation. When they showed me. I was doing my engineering in Nagpur, I used to travel on buses and trains without reservation. When I saw those migrants walking on the roads, with their kids, elders, those were the most disturbing visuals of my life. I decided that I would not be sit- ting at home and crib about it. My mom used to teach kids without fee, my dad, Shakti Sood, used to organise langars outside his shop. I was raised with those values in Punjab. My mother used to says that ‘if you can’t help anyone then don’t consider your- self successful’. My background, the values my parents imbibed in me are the reason I am doing this. Whatever I am doing today, is a clear reflection of what our parents taught us and prac- MET WIFE AT ticed in their own lives. We, three sib- Wife and sons lings, have grown up seeing our par- A FASHION SHOW... ents helping everyone they could. I met my wife, Sonali, at a fashion show in Nagpur. We GIFTING RADO were friends for WATCHES TO DAD... many years. We With the first salary I got, even worked I gifted a Rado watch to together for over a my father. That's one of year. As fate would the most special and have it, we emotional moments in my decided to get life. My mom and dad married. We now always told me that I have two sons — have taken up a challenge Ishaan and Ayan. and should not give up. They watch what I That challenge was to and my wife do establish me as an actor. and are growing They gave me all the with the same confidence I needed. I principles I was feel I was always ingrained with. Sood destined to become an With father Shakti S actor.