OPEN eye CITY Public life,asweknew THE SUNDAY EXPRESS MAGAZINE it,has come to an unprecedented standstill. A KOLKATA,LATECITY historian, asocial scientist and an artist NOVEMBER22,2020 reimagine form and 12PAGES,`5.00 functionalityinthe (EX-KOLKATA`7,`12INNORTHEASTSTATES&ANDAMAN) cities that nurture us DAILY FROM: AHMEDABAD, CHANDIGARH, DELHI, JAIPUR, KOLKATA, LUCKNOW, MUMBAI, NAGPUR, PUNE, VADODARA WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM PAGES 9, 10, 11

G20: PM calls for anew global ASSESSMENT OF RESPONSE index in post-pandemic world Fromlackofbeds

SHUBHAJITROY toriseinpoverty, NEWDELHI,NOVEMBER21

THE COVID-19pandemic is an “important turning point” in the Housepanelflags history of humankind and the “biggestchallenge” since World WarII, Prime MinisterNarendra ModitoldG20leaders,ashecalled Covidconcerns foranew global indexbasedon transparency in governance and the creation of avasttalent pool. Pointsout lapses in surveillance and He also calledfor decisive action PM NarendraModi addresses the 15th G20 Summit via to preservethe planet. management, recommends steps video-conferencing, in NewDelhi on Saturday. ANI Modi, who attendedthe G20 CONTINUEDONPAGE2 KAUNAINSHERIFFM KEYFINDINGS NEWDELHI,NOVEMBER21 5-year jail term HEALTH EXPENSES may DDC polls: India tells Pak UNEXPECTED SPENDINGon have drivenfamilies for ‘offensive’ health afterbeing hit by Covid-19 belowpoverty line ready for all steps on terror CHHATH AT THE TAJ mayhavepushedmanyfamilies CLOSED OPDs during post: Kerala’s belowthe povertyline, a lockdown hit women to take all necessarymeasures to Chhath Puja againstthe backdrop of the TajMahal in Agra on Saturday. PTI Committeeof Parliamenthasob- and seriouslyill worst, SHUBHAJITROY safeguardits national security in served.Delivery of healthcare mayhavecauseddeaths chilling law &ARUNSHARMA the fight againstterrorism”. serviceswasseverelyimpactedaf- DIGITAL divide mayhave NEWDELHI,JAMMU, The MinistryofExternal teroutpatient departments jeopardisedthe futureof SHAJUPHILIP NOVEMBER21 Affairs, whichsummoned (OPDs)inhospitalswere shutdur- INSIDE millions of students; THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Pakistan’s acting envoy,lodged a Farmers relent, trains set ing the lockdown, and women concerns over long NOVEMBER21 EXPRESSINGSERIOUS concern CONTINUEDONPAGE2 borethe brunt of the disruption, FORMERASSAM confinement over “continuedterrorattacks”by to start in Punjab Monday the panel has said in itsreport. KERALAGOVERNOR Arif Moha- Pakistan-basedJaish-e- CHIEFMINISTER The ParliamentaryStanding SUICIDE RISK mayhave mmad Khan has givenhis ap- Mohammed, NewDelhi warned FAROOQ WRITES TO TARUNGOGOI Committee on Health and increaseddue to proval to adraconian ordinance Islamabad Saturdaythat it is STATE POLL OFFICER CRITICAL PAGE 4 KANCHANVASDEV The high FamilyWelfareassessedthe re- depression, loss of by the LDF government amend- “firmlyand resolutelycommitted PAGE 4 CHANDIGARH,NOVEMBER21 cost of a sponse of the government to livelihood, and economic ing the Kerala Police Actthat pro- E contain the novelcoronavirus falloutsoflockdown ● blockade vides forjail term forany social THE NEARLYtwo-month-long EXPLAINED CONTINUEDONPAGE2 media or cyber postthat is de- train blockade in Punjab looksset emed“offensive”orthreatening. Whole nine yards: Berlin to end, afterfarmer unions said THE TWO-MONTH-LONG Khan’s office Saturdaycon- theywould allowmovement of rail blockade has meant all firmedthat he had signedthe or- to Mumbai, Salvi’s sari run both passenger and goods trains the thermal plantsinthe dinance that incorporates anew starting Mondayevening, follow- statehavebeen forced shut SUNDAY STORY Section, 118(A), in the Kerala their camerarigs in the media ing ameeting with Chief Minister due to the lackofcoal, Police Act. Accordingly,any per- SHIVANINAIK room at Berlin. It wasSeptember Amarinder Singh on Saturday. shortage of fertilisers even PAGE 5 son who creates or sends anyin- MUMBAI,NOVEMBER21 of 2018 and Kipchoge, already However, theysaid theywere as silos overflowwith ‘IF ICAN’TSTUDY, formation that is offensive or is running royalty by then, had just suspending their agitation for grains, Rs 30,000croreloss ICAN’TLIVE...’ intendedtooffend or threaten HAVINGFINISHED her setthe marathon worldrecord. only15days,and would resume to the Covid-hit Punjab in- another person, through any marathon, Kranti Salvi was Mumbai resident Salvi, celebrat- if the Centredid notmeettheir dustry, Rs 2,200crore loss to What college meant for means of communication, is li- seated in the waiting lounge ing turning 50 that year,had de- representativesregarding the the Railways,aswell as an Aishwarya Reddy, and able to face imprisonment of five Kranti Salvi competing in with Kenyan great Eliud cidedtorun her milestone newfarm laws. impact on Armysupplies. her cries forhelp CONTINUEDONPAGE2 the 2018 Berlin Marathon KipchogeasTVcrews setup CONTINUEDONPAGE2 CONTINUEDONPAGE2

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PM attends G20 tory. threatening their wheat crop. claimed. The PakistanForeign The industry, justemerging from virtual summit hostedbySaudi Ministryalso summonedthe House panel flags gaps in pandemic response the Covid setback, is estimated Salvi’s sari run Arabia, postedonTwitter after- Indian chargé d'affaires in to have sufferedlosses to the marathon on Berlin's fast and ward:“Had averyfruitful dis- Islamabad to reject what it pandemic andmitigateits im- drivenmanyfamilies to below Also, the Committee has sion of resources to respond to tune of Rs 30,000 croreinthis flat course. But she found herself cussion with G20 leaders. calledwereallegations to “im- pact. The Committee has sub- povertyline”. noted, “testing facility is only the Covid-19pandemic can two-month period, with exchanging small talk with Coordinated effortsbythe plicatePakistaninsome alleged mitted itsreport, titled‘The According to the limited to bigger districtsand limit women’s ability to access Amarinder Singh claiming on Kipchogeinthat quietlounge largest economies of the world plannedattackinNagrota”. Outbreak of Pandemic COVID- Committee, “arriving at asus- cities”, and“lack of testing fa- health services whichmakes Saturdaythat six lakh migrant because she ranBerlin wearing a will surelylead to faster recov- The Indian warning of taking 19 and itsmanagement’, to tainable pricing model to treat cilities in rural areas has also them moresusceptible to workers had leftdue to units sari, setting aGuinness record eryfromthis pandemic.” “all necessarymeasures to safe- RajyaSabha Chairman M Covid patientscould have resulted in underreporting of health risks”. shutting down. Over 13,500 forbeing the fastesttocomplete The Prime Ministersaid guardits national security” came Venkaiah Naidu. avertedmanydeaths”. The cases”. The PrimaryHealth Also, “violence against containers carrying exportma- amarathon in the nine yards. “Spirit of trusteeship towards aday afterPrime Minister The reportisamong the first government “should have Centres and Community women increasedduring the terials alone arestrandedat German TV networks were planetEarth will inspireusfor a NarendraModi pointed to cross- official assessmentsofthe fall- strategizedabetterpartner- Health Centres “arestill largely lockdown period as the perpe- Dhandari DryPortinLudhiana. mighty keen to talk to her. healthyand holistic lifestyle.” border terror from Pakistanand out of the pandemic. It takesa ship with the Private Hospitals devoid of anytesting facilities trators of violence and suscep- The blockade has also im- On Sunday, as a21-km An official statement by the thanked security forces forhav- look at almostevery aspect of under PPP model.” and the required technical tible both stayed at home”, it pacted the supplyof40lakh 'Pinkathon' in itsninth edition is MinistryofExternal Affairs said ing “defeated anefarious plot” the government’s handing of The Committee has said workforce”, it has said, and has said. “The Committee metric tonnes of parboiledrice run remotely across the country, Modi calledfor a“newglobal in- to target grassroots democracy the crisis, including hospitals, that giventhe reports of “pri- “strongly recommended” that strongly recommends the from Punjab to Bihar and east- to createawareness about breast dexfor the post-Corona world in J&K. the costoftreatment, surveil- vate hospitals charging exorbi- a“strong network” of Viral Government to identify such ern Uttar Pradesh forPDS distri- cancer,15others from Mumbai that comprises four keyele- India carriedout surgical lance, and testing; issues of tant medical fees” that were Research &Diagnostic women who have been the bution, with Punjab's silos full will hit the roads in saris and ments—creation of avasttalent strikes on terror launchpads frontline workers, school-going beyond the reachofmany, Laboratories (VRDLs) be setup victims of sexual and domes- with foodgrains. sneakers, inspired by Salvi. A pool; ensuring that technology along the Line of Control after children, women, and mental “free Covid treatment under in the country. tic violence during the pan- Singh said the rail blockade veteranof15full-distance reaches all segmentsofthe so- the UriattackinSeptember health; and offers recommen- PMJAY could provide asigh of demic and rehabilitatethem. wasalso impacting urgent Army marathons (42.195km), includ- ciety;transparency in systems 2016,and air strikes in Balakot dations to the government. relief to the entitledbenefici- FRONTLINE WORKERS The Committee would likethe supplies to the Valleyand Leh- ing Berlin (3 hours 57 mins) and of governance; and dealing with afterthe Pulwama attackin “The purpose of the report aries and the economically The Committee has ex- Ministrytocreatespecific hot- Ladakh. Boston(3:50), Salvi has decided Mother Earth with aspirit of February2019. is nottocriticise the govern- weaker sections of the society”. pressedanguish over instances lines, telemedicine services, Darshan Palsaid theydidn't to participateinMumbai pick- trusteeship”. In astatement Saturday, the ment’s course of action... but to It has recommendedto“the of mistreatment of Accredited rape crisis centres forwomen.” want to inconvenience anyone, ing out yetanother Khandeshi According to the MEA,the MEA said, “A major terror attack identify the implementation Ministrytoconstantlymake Social Health Activist(ASHA) and were hence conceding on Silk. PM said that while the empha- wasfoiledbyIndian security gaps,” Prof RamGopal Yadav, effortstominimise the out of workers engaged in contact CHILDREN the issue of trains while contin- "A bunchofusfromGirgaon sis over the pastfew decades has forces in Nagrota, Jammu and Chairman of the Department- pocket expenditureofpatients tracing, and has said it is The Committee has ex- uing their agitation. “For now, will commemorateRani been on capital and finance, the Kashmir on 19 November 2020. related Parliamentary due to Covid and updatethe “painedtonotethat commu- pressedconcern over the “con- we have the supportofthe com- Laxmibai's birthday(November time has come to focus on multi- Initial reports indicatethe at- Standing Committee on Health details of the beneficiaries on nity health workers were de- finement of the school-going mon people. But industrialists 19)belatedly by running 3km, skilling and re-skilling. “This tackers to be members of &FamilyWelfare, has said in the scheme's IT System”. niedwages even though they children due to prolonged clo- aresuffering due to disruption 10 km or 21 km in saris," she would notonlyenhance the dig- PakistanbasedJaish-e- the report. arethe foot soldiers of the sureofeducation institutions” in the supplyofraw material, says,stressing that what started nity of citizens but would make Mohammed(JeM), aterrorist SURVEILLANCE healthcaresystem”. and, equally, at the “existing labourers arelosing jobs." out as asartorial statement at our citizens moreresilient to organization proscribed by the HOSPITALS The Committee has noted “It is toomuchtoexpect digital divide in the country At leastone farmer organisa- Berlin is nowsimplyaclarion face crises.” United Nations and several The committee has noted that “poor contact tracing and from the community health whichhas jeopardisedthe fu- tion, the Kisan Mazdoor call inviting women to notbede- According to the statement, countries. The Government of that the “number of slowtesting in the initial phase workers to accomplish big task tureofmillions of students Sangharsh Committee that is terred from running because of Modi said that dealingwiththe India expressedits serious con- Government hospital beds... of pandemicled to the in- without proper training, incen- from the weaker section of the protesting on the Amritsar-Delhi what theywear.Shoes are environment and natureas cerns at continuedterrorattacks wasgrosslyinadequatekeep- creasednumber of infections”, tivesand supportfromthe society”. It has observed that tracks near Jandiala Guru, what's mostimportant in run- trustees rather than owners by JeM againstIndia.” ing in viewthe rising inci- and that it was“constrainedto health system,” it has said. “The “with the shiftineducation Amritsar,however, said it would ning, she insists. would inspireustowards aho- “JeM has been partofseveral dence” of cases. “As the num- observethe failureofNCDC- Committee strongly advocates method from classroom to on- notbacktrack. “Wewill notlet Salvi has fashionedanine- listic and healthylifestyle. attacks in India in the past, in- bers... were on the rise, afrantic IDSP (National Centrefor forstrengthening the network line medium, the education of anypassenger trains resume," yard drape that is mostcomfort- ‘WorkfromAnywhere’ is a cluding the Pulwama attackin search forvacant hospital beds Disease Control-Integrated of ASHAs, ANMs (Auxiliary the studentsresiding in areas said Sawarn Pandher,the leader ablysuited to running, and has newnormal in the post-Covid February2019. The hugecache became quiteharrowing. Disease Surveillance Nurse Widwives), and other with poor connectivity has of the committee that had ear- spoken of howwomen in rural world, the PM said —and sug- of arms, ammunition and explo- Instances of patientsbeing Programme) in generating the community health workers.” been compromised”. lier tooboycotted meetings with Maharashtracarry out just gested that as follow-up action, sive material indicatedetailed turned away from overbur- required response...”. The Committee has also It has recommendedthat Central ministers and officers. about anytask in the unfussy aG20 virtual secretariat be cre- planning foramajor attackto denedhospitals due to lackof “The Committee feels that highlighted “large numbers of the government should Since the Punjab deadlock nouvari effortlessly. "Berlin ated as arepositoryofdocumen- destabilise peace and security in vacant bedsbecame the new NCDP-IDSP should have been vacancies in secondaryand “strengthenits networkfor began, 2,352 passenger trains Marathon organisers help you tation. “Atthe G20 Summit, Iput the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, normal,” it has said. utilizedinamoreeffective tertiarypublic hospitals which digital and online classes and have been either cancelledordi- recordthe run in anative cos- forwardaneedtodevelop anew in particular,toderail the ongo- “The Committee is ag- manner especiallywhen the considerablyincreases the de- once the normal classes re- verted,while 3,850 freight trains tume. Ihad watchedwomen run global indexbasedontalent, ing democratic exercise of con- grievedatthe poor stateof sole objective of IDSP is to re- pendence on private providers sume, provision forextraspe- could notbeloadedand 230 in Mumbai deckedout in saris, technology,transparency and duct of local District healthcaresystemand there- spondtooutbreaksinthe early and contractual workers”. cial classes should be made es- loadedfreight trains remain though over ashortdistance of trusteeship towardsthe planet,” Development Council elec- fore,recommends the phase through trainedRapid Thereis“urgent needfor ca- peciallyfor studentsfromthe strandedoutside the state. The 7km. Idecidedtogothe whole Modi tweeted. tions,” it said. Government to increase the in- Response Teams,” it has said. pacity building and maintain- economicallyand socially total loss to the Railways since hog at Berlin including wearing He also said: “Weoffered “PakistanCd’A wassum- vestment in public health and The Committee has said it ing the pool of health resources weaker section”. September 24 is estimated at Rs the nathni (a traditional nose India's IT prowess to further de- monedbythe Ministryof take appropriatesteps to de- would likethe Ministryto to fight againstthe outbreak of 2,220 crore. ring)... And alipstick.Whynot?" velop digital facilities foreffi- External Affairs and astrong centralize the healthcareserv- launchIDSP in states other the pandemic”, it has said. MENTAL HEALTH She matchedher sari with a cient functioning of the G20.” protestwas lodged at the at- ices/facilities in the country.” than the nine in whichitisin Therehas been “a consid- Kerala’s new law breathable running vest fash- Chinese President Xi Jinping temptedattack, whichwas only The Committee has under- place, and that “thereisanur- WOMEN erable rise in mental health is- years or afine of Rs 10,000 or ionedintoadressy blouse, and a said, “China will always be a prevented from happening by linedthat “the closureofOPD gent needtoassess the finan- The pandemic has not sues during the lockdown”, the both. choker around her neckand shin- builder of global peace, acon- the alertness of the Indian secu- services in government hospi- cial requirement”. “onlyadverselyaffected Committee has said. “Sudden It is feared that the amend- ing studs. To avoid anychance of tributor to global development rity forces. It wasdemandedthat tals... crippledthe healthcare The Committee has said women’s social and mental loss of employment and social ment could have achilling effect tripping, she tuckedinthe ends and adefender of international Pakistandesistfromits policy of delivery system in the country” while it “appreciates” meas- well being but also disrupted isolation aggravated the psy- on free speechgiving more of the sari intolong socks.Acus- order.Onthe basis of mutual re- supporting terrorists and terror –and “non-Covid patientses- ures likethe jantacurfew, access to healthcareservices chological burden among the powertothe police and restrict- tomisedpouchthat goes with the spect, equality and mutual ben- groups operating from itsterri- peciallyfemale patientsand “therehavebeen [a] fewglar- especiallysexual and repro- masses, it has said. ing freedom of the press. Chief sari holds, apartfromthe usual efit, China stands ready to pur- tory and dismantle the terror in- the patientswith chronic and ing lapses... likeshortage of ductive healthcareservices”, “Thereisnodenying the MinisterPinarayiVijayan has waterbottle, abunchofsafety sue peaceful coexistence and frastructureoperated by terror- lethal diseases were the worst emergency supplies, red- the Committee has said. fact that staying in touchwith claimedthe decision wasguided pins forquickfixes and special common development with all istoutfitstolaunchattacks in sufferers”. tapism, shortage and quality of “Access to contraceptives friends or familyisatypical by growing abuse on social me- vaseline tubes to applyincase of countries. We maybridgediffer- other countries.” “The Committee notesthat testing kits, delayindomestic or healthcareservices became mechanism forcoping with dia targeting individuals. arash due to the fabric rubbing ences through dialogue, resolve “India reiterated itslong disruption of medical services production.” difficult whichled to manyun- stress but during the lockdown Kerala-basedadvocateAnoop againstthe skin. Still, the interest disputes through negotiation, standing demand that Pakistan forNon-Covid patientsduring wanted pregnancies and un- in the absence of anycoping Kumaran, who movedthe Berlin media showedinher sur- and makeajoint effort forworld fulfil itsinternationalobligations lockdown paralyzedthe deliv- TESTING safeabortions. The Committee, mechanism, working-age Supreme Courtin2015against prisedher,Salvi says. peace and development.” and bilateral commitmentsto eryofessential healthcare The Committee said it is therefore, strongly recom- adults, studentsetc who live another Section, 118(D) of the Act, On Sunday, the runners in Saudi Arabia’s King Salman notallowany territoryunder its services. Particularly,the diag- “worriedatthe use of less reli- mends the Government to alone, were moreprone to de- said he would move the High sari will choose their own bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who was control to be usedfor terrorism nosis and treatment of other able diagnostic testswhichin- chalk out specific course of ac- pression.” Courtagainstthe ordinance. "The adornments. in the chair,said, “Although we againstIndia in anymanner,” the services did take abackseat crease the chances of false neg- tion forrescuing the women The Committee has specifi- government claims that Section MarriedtoaMerchant Navy areoptimistic about the MEA said. whichevenled to manynon- atives”. The government “must out of mental trauma by re- callyhighlightedthe “increased 118(A) is meant to protect people, captain, Salvi says running is her progress made in developing “The Government of India is Covid deaths,”ithas said. assess the veracity of Rapid suming the sexual and repro- risk of suicide during the pan- particularly women, from social entryintoaworld away from vaccines, therapeutics and diag- firmlyand resolutelycommit- Antigen Test vis-à-vis RT-PCR ductive healthcareservices demic whichmay beattributed media abuse. But in reality,the home and itsresponsibilities. nostics tools forCovid-19, we tedtotakeall necessarymeas- COST OF TREATMENT and other diagnostic tests... to and allocating the resources to to social isolation, fear of the newlaw would be usedbythe "It's noteasy,nomatter your mustworktocreatethe condi- ures to safeguardits national se- The Committee has said it bring forththe true pictureof improvewomen health serv- pandemic, loss of livelihood and government againstthose who familybackground." tions foraffordable and equi- curity in the fight against “apprehends that amidstthe the testing capacity in the ices.” other economic and health fall- criticise them," he said. Salvi's lastrun wasthe table access... At the same time, terrorism,” it said. pandemic and the uncertainty country”. It has “strongly rec- The Committee has ob- outs”, and “strongly urged” the Striking down Section 118(D) London Marathon in September, we mustpreparebetterfor any Meanwhile, an Army in the treatment protocol”, ommended” that testing facil- served that “restrictive social government to makesuicide of the Kerala Police Act, the organisedremotely due to the futurepandemic. We mustalso Havildar waskilledand another out-of-pocket expenditureon ities arerampedup“formore norms, gender stereotypes, prevention and mental health a Supreme Courthad declared it pandemic, along Marine Drive. continue to supportthe global soldier injured as Pakistani health “mayhavefurther accuratetests”. home quarantining and diver- priority. unconstitutional forviolating The 52-year-old endedupin- economyand reopen our troops resortedtounprovoked the fundamental right of free- spiring her pacer Abbas Shaikh economies and borders.” mortar shelling and small arms dom of speechand expression. to finish the whole 42 km. "He's The two-dayG20 leaders’ fire Saturdayalong the Line of trict. He belonged to afamilyof ceivedacommunication from farmers in their fight. “Weall the Centre's stand, whichhas An official release lastmonth agood pacer and initiallyI summit brought together the Control in Rajouri district of J&K. farmers. He wasthe second sol- Punjab that "tracksarenow clear have farmer blood in our veins." hindered the supplyofessential announcing the Cabinet's rec- thought he would help me ma- world’s largest economies that Armyspokesperson Lt dier from Kolhapur district to be fortrain operations". "The DarshanPal, statepresident supplies to Punjab and hit itsin- ommendation to the Governor noeuvrethe Sundayevening makeup85per cent of the Colonel Devender Anand said killedinaction along the LoC in Railways will take steps towards of the KrantikariKisan Union, dustries, as atactic to forcetheir regarding the ordinance had crowd, because it wasanovelty global GDP,and is expected to ceasefireviolations from across over aweek's time. restoration of train services at who wasatthe meeting with hand. said the Kerala High Courthad -- running amarathon in loops. laythe foundations of an inclu- the LoC took place in the morn- the earliestafter undertaking the CM, said, “Wehaveonly The 'rail roko'movement earlier directed the statepolice Therewerechildren playing on sive,resilient, and sustainable re- ing and again in the evening. Farmers relent the necessarymaintenance liftedthe rail blockade. The rest againstthe three Central farm to take steps againsthatecam- the promenade, Ididn't want to covery from the Covid-19crisis. He said Havildar Patil Agovernment statement checks and completing other of the agitation will continue." laws wasstarted by the farmers paigns and attacks through so- bumpoff anyofthem!" Heads of State/Government of Sangram Shivaji of Kolhapur was said the farmers had accededto protocols." He said it would take time for on September 24.After talks cial media. Her fondestmemorythough 19 member countries, the EU, killedinaction in the Nowshera the CM's appeal to allowboth Announcing the decision to them to getthe messageacross with the stategovernment,they The CPM-ledgovernment remains finding herself face to and other invited countries and sector.“He wasabrave,highly passenger and goods trains. allowall trains, Bharti Kisan to farmers' organisations sitting had liftedthe blockade forgoods had also claimedarise in crimes, face with Kipchoge, the divinity international organisations, at- motivatedand asinceresoldier. The farmer leaders said they Union (Rajewal) president Balbir in the precinctsofrailway sta- trains on October 21.Astate gov- fake propaganda and hate of marathons,that September of tendedthe summit. United The nation will always remain would continue with their plans Singh Rajewalurged political tions across the state, and forthe ernment team including senior speechonsocial media since the 2018."Ithink Itold him, 'They States President DonaldTrump indebted to him forhis supreme to "laysiegetoDelhi" on parties in Punjab to support latter to collect their belongings ministers and later officers had outbreak of Covid-19, and said (TVreporters) don't actually wasone of the attendees. sacrifice and devotion to duty,” November 26-27. them in their fight againstthe and leave,whichiswhy theyhad failedsofar in getting them to the existing legal provisions knowme. It's justthe sari'." The 15th summit of G20 Lt Colonel Anand said. Arun Kumar,the Director farm laws,and notlet the issue givenMondayevening as the agree to passenger trains. were inadequatetofight them. Focusing on hydration and leaders will continue on Sunday. Officials said another soldier General of the Railway be politicised. time to the government. The Punjab government got It had arguedthat while the pacing ahead of Sunday's run, sustainedinjuries and is under- Protection Force, told The Thanking the farmers, The farmers have been the farmers to relent by urging Supreme Courthad repealed likeall her marathons, Salvi says, DDC polls going treatment at amilitary SundayExpress, “Weare in Amarinder Singh said he would claiming that theyhavenot them that the continuing block- Section 118(D) of the Kerala "Anymajor marathon dayislike protestafter the latestJaish bid hospital. The Army, officials said, touchwith the stategovern- meetPrime MinisterNarendra blockedany tracks,and that they ade wasleading to rising resent- Police Actaswell as Section 66- awedding dayfor arunner.You to carry out terror strikes in J&K retaliated effectively to silence ment. We aremaking arrange- Modi and Union Home Minister would allowonlygoods trains ment among the public. All the Aofthe IT Act, the Centrehad arecompletely zonedintothe ahead of the District the Pakistani guns. mentstorun trains from Amit Shah on their behalf. “Let till their demands regarding thermal plantsinthe statehave notintroducedany other legal run and finishing arun is special. Development Council elections. According to an ENS report Monday. If we getthe assurance us together put pressureonthe farm laws were met. The Centre, been forced shut as theyhave framework to replace them. "In Thereare athousand worries It demandedthat Pakistan from Pune, 38-year-old Patil of that everything will be fine, we Centretosee our point of view however, maintainedthat it run out of coal, while the farm- this scenario, the police areun- until youactuallystart to run, desistfromits policy of support- 16 Maratha Light Infantryhailed areready to run (trains).” and understand howthese laws wouldn't clear goods trains if ers themselvesare facing ase- able to deal effectively with and then that's my territory." ing terrorists and dismantle the from NigaveKhalsa villagein ARailway Ministry would ruin Punjab,” he said, as- passenger trains weren't al- vere shortage of fertilisers, es- crimes committed through so- And when she is there, she terror infrastructureonits terri- Karvir taluka of Kolhapur dis- spokesperson said theyhad re- serting that he waswith the lowedaswell. The farmers saw peciallyurea, whichis cial media," the government had adds, it's easy to forget the sari.

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THESUNDAY EXPRESS,NOVEMBER22,2020 3 WEST BENGAL

NIA MUST PROBE MALDA EXPLOSION, SAYS DILIP GHOSH Suvendu won’t quit if Mamata TMC MP Ahmed Hassan TMC’s‘outsider’digsmay talks to him, says TMC leader

MP threatens to EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE sue Dilip Ghosh landBengalisintrouble: BJP KOLKATA,NOVEMBER21 ASECTION of the Trinamool for questioning Congress (TMC) leadership is plosion at aplastic factoryin lowthe “Gujarat modelofdevel- pushing forreconciliation be- his citizenship EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE Malda district. Six people were opment”. He said lakhs of youths tween Chief MinisterMamata KOLKATA,NOVEMBER21 killedinthe incident, with the from the statewereworking in Banerjee and dissident leader Kolkata:Trinamool Congress Bengal BJP hinting at the involvement of Gujarat because of alackofem- Suvendu Adhikari, and believes (TMC) RajyaSabha MP Ahmed STATEBJP president Dilip Ghosh BJP chief extremistoutfits. ployment opportunities here. Adhikari will remain with the Hassan alias Imran on Saturday on Saturdaysaid Trinamool Dilip Ghosh “Therehavebeen so manyin- “I stand by what Isaid. We party if Banerjee smooths things threatenedtosue stateBJP pres- Congress’s “outsider jibes at the cidentsofexplosions in Bengal. will makeBengal another out with him. ident Dilip Ghosh if the BJP Opposition party mayland In Khagragarh, we have seen Gujarat. Lakhs of youths from It is learnt that TMC MP leader fails to provein48hours Bengalis in other states in trou- conference at the party head- what happened. There, blood Bengal arestaying in Gujarat and SaugataRoy will meetAdhikari his allegation that Imran is an ble. quarters here. flowedinthe drains. In Malda, working there. Theretheyhave on Mondaytofix ameeting be- “outsider”. Trinamool Congress leaders He added, “Bengal has over six people have died. Even after jobs in factories. Here, our indus- tween him and Banerjee. Asen- Ahoarding at Purba Midnaporereferring to Transport Ghosh had claimedImran have targeted the BJP since the 40 lakh people who areworking the forensic team leftthe area to- tries have been destroyed.Left ior TMC leader,who did notwish MinisterSuvendu Adhikari as “public servant”. Partha Paul came to the statefrom party deputed central leaders to in different states. No one there day, therehas been asmall ex- [Front] people usedtosay to be named, said on Saturday, Bangladesh via Assam. He made the stateinthe run-uptonext says theyare outsiders there. plosion at the site. People want Gujarat is notsafefor minorities “He has no grudgeagainst the comment while criticising year’s Assemblypolls. Theyworkand stay in different to knowthe truth but the gov- and theyweredrivenout of MamataBanerjee. He is angry Dibas” rallies earlier this month Itshopes were renewedafter the the TMC forlabelling it aparty of “Gandhi ji wasfromoutside states. What will happenifpeo- ernment is trying to suppress. powerhere. Manyminority with some party leaders but if in whichbothsides made ran- ministeronThursdayquashed outsiders. Ghosh also alleged Bengal, he wasfromGujarat. ple of those states saythat they Onlyaprobe by acentral agency youths arenow working in Didi talkstohim with sympathy, corous speeches. rumours that he would join the that Imran usedtobethe Freedom fighters of Bengal never areoutsiders? If theyall are likeNIA will reveal the truth. NIA Gujarat. Here, minority people he will neverquit our party. Also, over the pastmonth, BJP.The Opposition party’s state founder leader of SIMI, an ex- fought foronlyBengal’s inde- forced to return, will the govern- should probethe incident in arerunning behind TMC leaders Suvendu is our asset. We should posters with Adhikari’s photo president DilipGhoshhas made tremistorganisation. pendence but of that of the ment give them jobs here? Sujapur,Malda,” he added. to getaKanyashree cycle, while notlet him go.Hehas ahuge have appeared in Medinipur and offers to Adhikari to defect to his In response, Imran said he country. Those who have lostthe Bengalis arenot this narrow- Ghosh had made asimilar minority people in Gujarat are cadrebase. If he quitsthe party other parts of the Jangalmahal outfit. “I am still amember of one had neverlived in Assam. “His faith of people hereare talking minded. She [chief minister] is demand on Friday, claiming that riding cars. Gujarat is number before the Assemblyelections, area. These posters were put up party.Iamstill aministerinthe statement is false and politically about outsiders. Is the prime putting Bengalis working out- “in mostofthese incidents, one in the countryinlaw and or- the party will face ahugeface by an organisation called“Dadar cabinetofthe West Bengal gov- motivated. Iwas born in 1953 in ministeranoutsider? Is the side in danger.She is putting Bangladeshi SIMI and JMB links der.Bengal, on the other hand, loss.” Anugami [Elder brother’s follow- ernment. MamataBanerjee has the Mal police station area of home ministeranoutsider? doubtsabout Bengalis in the were established”. He pointed has stoppedgiving itscrime sta- In recent weeks, Adhikari, ers]”. On Saturday, these posters neither asked me to resign nor Jalpaiguri district. Inever livedin When theyvisit other states like minds of all others. It is unfortu- out that “recentlyal-Qaeda ter- tistics to NCRB forthe lasttwo who is the statetransportmin- were seen in Kolkata’s have Idecidedtoleave.Iamnot Assam. My father worked in a Tripura, Assam, UP and natethat suchpolitics is happen- rorists were arrested from years because Bengal has be- ister, has criticisedhis party and Shyambazar area. aman to letgoofmyideology for teagarden in Jalpaiguri.Ihave Jharkhand to fight [polls] they ing.” The BJP leader demandeda Murshidabad”. come number one in crimes, in- addressedpolitical rallies under Asection of the TMC leader- the sakeofpolitics,” he said at everyproof and document with arenot considered to be out- National Investigation Agency The BJP leader on Saturday cluding crimes againstwomen,” non-TMC banners. The breach ship, however, believesAdhikari the rallyinRamnagar in Purba me.” ENS siders,” Ghoshsaid at apress (NIA) probeintoThursday’s ex- reiterated that Bengal would fol- Ghosh added. widenedduring “Nandigram can still be kept in the party fold. Medinipur district. TMC: Dhankar BJP MP: Suvendu should not stay Governor slams home dept response humiliating his to his queries on law &order situation post, Raj Bhavan with TMC for even aminute more Kolkata:TheTMC reacted sharply “Whereone is insulted and to Governor Jagdeep Dhankar's EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE where‘Parivarvaad’ is prime, one sponsibility lies with ACShome, through itstwitter handle remarks on Saturday, with TMC KOLKATA,NOVEMBER21 should leave immediately. Ihave EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE aredefamatoryand actionable dubbed the statistics as ‘not MP Kakali Ghosh Dastidar say- one thing to saytoSuvendu KOLKATA,NOVEMBER21 Dhankhar in law….’ basedonany official reportdata ing he “is humiliating the postof SUVENDU ADHIKARI should not Adhikari. Come to us, the people criticises “Enormity and seriousness of or information’. Governor and the RajBhavan.” stay with the Trinamool of Bengal arewaiting. He will be IN Afresh salvo,Governor ‘capitulation the matter calls foraction at my On November 19 afteranex- Addressing apress confer- Congress (TMC) for“even a givenhis due respect in BJP,” Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday of police’ end. Ideem it expedient to seek plosion in afactoryinMalda ence at the TMC headquarters in minutelonger” and the BJP was addedSingh. targeted the stategovernment the response of ACShome on whichkilledfivepeople, the Kolkata, Kakali said, “Suchaly- “ready to welcome him and give BarrackporeMPArjun Singh also claimed, “FiveMPs over the statehome department lapses and untenable premises Governor tweeted‘Anguishedat ing Governor has nevercome in him due respect”, BJP MP from Singh (left); TMC leader will soon submit their resigna- raising questions over statistics lation and politicisation of police of the tweets as indicated above. deaths in reportedblastthat the history of India. Isuggestthat BarackporeArjun Singh said on Suvendu Adhikari tions from the TMC. SougataRoy on crime and highlighting law @WBPolice and bureaucracy ACShome maybedirected to rippedestablishment apartin he (Dhankhar) should be the Saturday. Singh also claimedthat on camerasays TMC, TMC. But if and order issues postedbyhim @MamataOfficial unfortunate send his response within afort- Sujapur area of Malda district. statepresidentofthe BJP.Heis five TMC MPs were ready to join youremove the camera, he will on social media. and augurs ill fordemocracy.. night,”’the Governor wrotein According to SP five killedand humiliating the postofGovernor the BJP.The TMC deniedthe put her nephew[Abhishek writehis name in the list(of Dhankhar took to social me- South response from ACSHome the letter. five injured.Time and the RajBhavan.” claim and accusedthe BJP of Banerjee] in the chair.Nomass those who areset to leave),” dia highlighting aletterthrough on tweets @HomeBengal as such The Governor also shared a @MamataOfficial to proactively She also alleged that the BJP “spreading lies”. leader can acceptthis. The man- addedSingh. whichhehas sought response affront to constitution &rule of letter written to the CM on contain illegal bomb making and is regularly circulating fake news Adhikari, who is State ner in whichSuvendu Adhikari TMC MP SougataRoy reacted from the additional chief secre- lawcan neitherbeoverlooked October 7, wherethe Governor ensure professional non partisan through social media. She said, TransportMinisterand among is being insulted,amass leader sharplytoSingh’s remark. tary (home) within afortnight. nor condoned,” he wroteinan- stated that he has got the ‘alarm- investigations @WBPolice’ “Theyare trying to mislead peo- the popular leaders of the TMC, likehim should notstayone “He (Singh) is known to be a He also highlighted that his other tweet. ing data’ on crime as monthlyre- The statehome department ple to getafoothold in Bengal.” has apparentlydistancedhim- minute(in TMC). This is my per- goonda by the people. He prac- letter to this effect to Chief On Saturday, the Governor ports from commissioners of five wasquicktorespond on its Theymade manyWhatsApp self from his party in the recent sonal opinion,” Arjun Singh told tices lowpolitics. No one puts MinisterMamataBanerjee gen- wrotetothe stategovernment divisions. He asked the chief Twitter handle ‘The Malda groups to circulatefakenews past. Although Adhikari has kept mediapersons on the occasion of value to what he says.The BJP is erated no response. stating that “Home Department, ministerto‘take proper action Sujapur plastic factoryaccident among the people. Theyare cre- everyone guessing till date, in his Chhath Puja in Barrackpore. acommunal party.Iwill leave “Accusatorytweets Government of West Bengal in againstthose engaged in this todayisrelated to manufactur- ating networks to circulatefake speeches at bannerless rallies he “Cases arebeing slapped politics and die before Ijoin BJP. @HomeBengal quaGovernor itstweet been both accusatory horrendous act and direct forth- ing process issues and has got news.This is hurting India's has made his unhappiness over againstpeople who areclose to All this is amisinformation cam- factuallyuntenable and beyond and defamatorymode quathe with withdrawal of Home nothing to do with illegal bomb democracy,constitution and cul- asection of his party leaders him (Adhikari). LikeIwas ha- paign spread by the BJP.That is justifiability.Flagged Issue constitutional head.” Department input in public do- making, as suggestednon- re- ture.” Kakali added, “Theyare clear. rassed, in the same manner he is whytheyare spreading such @MamataOfficial. Still non re- In his letter Governor wrote‘ main’ the letter urged. sponsiblybysome quarters.’ humiliating Bengalis at every “Suvendu Adhikari is amass also being harassed. Mass lead- lies,” said Roy. sponsive.These unfortunate ..the tweets response of the The matter startedwhen on Earlier the Governor took on step. Theywill notget support leader.(Chief Minister) Mamata ers cannotbestoppedbysuch “The people arewith transgressions areactionable. home department that is ex fa- October 6, Governor tweeted the stategovernment on various from Bengal. Peace is prevailing Banerjee has become aleader harassment. He is welcome in MamataBanerjee and Targeting Constitutional head in- cie confrontational to the office statistics of crime in the stateof issues and wasseen highlighting in the state.” through bloodshedand hard the BJP.The BJP will form govern- Trinamool Congress will emerge dicative of bureaucracy in ‘polit- Ihold …The sequence of events the month of August2020 it in social media. Trinamool BJPleaderSayantanBasusaid, work of leaders suchasSuvendu ment in Bengal next year.When victorious in the (2021) ical captivity.” Dhankhar leave no manner of doubt that wherehehighlighted 223 rapes Congress leaders on their part “BJP nevercirculated fake news. Adhikari. Afterbecoming a Suvendu Adhikari joins the BJP, Assemblypolls. The BJP can go tweetedonSaturday. the actions of the Home and 639 kidnappings. Thereafter were also seen dubbing him as a The TMC is totallyfake.” leader,MamataBanerjee has de- this government will fall,” said on spreading lies,” said TMC MP “Suchemasculation, capitu- Department, forwhichdirect re- the statehome department “spokesperson forBJP.” ENS stroyed those steps and plans to Arjun Singh. KalyanBanerjee. Minor fire breaks out at Govt allows cultural events, fairs in open spaces site of Malda explosion STATECOUNT that those earning their liveli- is an effort to provide an oppor- EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE hoods from this artare notde- tunity to them so that theycan Kolkata:Aminor fire brokeout The officer and other members KOLKATA,NOVEMBER21 TOTAL CASES privedand getthe maximum op- earn their livelihoods,” he said. on Saturdayinthe debris of a of the team were movedto portunity to earn." Meanwhile, 3,639 fresh plastic recycling factoryinWest safetyand the blaze was THE STATEgovernment on 452770 “Wehaveasked the Kolkata Covid-19cases and 53 more Bengal's Malda district wherea doused," he said. The cause of Saturdayallowedcultural func- INCREASE DEATHS Commissioner of Police, the DGP deaths were reportedinthe past blastclaimedthe livesofsix the blaze is yettobeascer- tions and fairs to be organisedin and all the district magistrates, 24 hours. Atotal of 3,794persons people on November 19,police tained, afireofficial said. open spaces while adhering to 3639 7976 the SPs to allowopening of open- were cured of the infection and said. However, no one wasin- Meanwhile, asenior member Covid-19protocols. 419403 RECOVERED air theatres while maintaining the number of active cases fur- jured in the blaze that erupted of the forensic team said an in- Chief SecretaryAlapan Covid-19safetyprotocoland then ther decreasedtostand at 25,391 around 1.20 pm when forensic vestigation is underwaytofind Bandyopadhyaysaid the govern- 5478311 SAMPLES allowing people as per the size of on Saturday. experts were collecting sam- out the cause of the blast. “We ment has decidedtopromote TESTED TILL NOV 21 the ground. If theymaintain these The total death toll in the ples from the blastsitein have collected samples from artistesofall kinds of performing basic parameters, theyshould be stateisnow 7,976. The cumu- Sujapur,asenior police officer the blastsite, whichwill be arts morevigorouslysothat their promoting artistesinvolvedindif- allowedtoperform. Thereare lative number of discharged said. chemicallytestedtofind out livelihoods arenot affected. ferent arts suchasJatra, stag the- lakhs of performing artistesinthe persons is now4,19,403. The “One of the forensic expert's the cause of the explosion. The Bandyopadhyaysaid, “The atre, recitation, folk artists and stateand the Chief Ministeris recovery rate has increasedto PPE caught fire from the blaze. investigation is on," he said. PTI stategovernment is in favour of other forms of performing arts so sympathetic towardsthem. This 92.54per cent.

ZONAL OFFICE: SURI ZONE Chhath Puja celebrations NEAR CIRCUIT HOUSE, SURI:BIRBHUM :: 731 101 conclude across state Whereas, The undersigned being the Authorized officer of UCO Bank Under the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (No. 54 of 2002) and in exercise of power conferred InKolkata,theadministration under Section 13(12) read with Rule 8ofthe Security Interest (Enforcement) Rules, 2002 issued demand notice and calling PRESSTRUSTOFINDIA didnotallowthepujaintwolakes. upon the borrower(s) /guarantor(s) to repay the amount mentioned in the notice within 60 days from the date of receipt of the KOLKATA,NOVEMBER21 RabindraSarobar and Subhas said notice. Sarobar,following courtorders. The borrower(s) guarantor(s) having failed to repay the amount, notice is hereby given to the borrower(s)/ guarantor(s) in BENEATH AN overcast The Supreme Courthad on particular and the public in general that the undersigned has taken possession of the property described herein below in exercise of powers conferred on him under section 13(4) of the saidAct, read with rule 8ofthe said Rules as per the dates shown sky,devotees paid obeisance to Thursdayruledthat Chhath Puja against each Borrowers/guarantor(s). the Sun godonearly Saturday will notbeallowedatthe The borrowers /guarantor(s) in particular and the public in general is hereby cautioned not to deal with the property and any morning at large watercontain- RabindraSarobar Lake, whilethe dealings with the property will be subject to the charge of the UCO Bank for the said amount with further interest, incidental ers at home, nearbyponds, rivers CalcuttaHigh Courtbannedcele- expenses, cost &charges etc. and other waterbodies, marking brations at Subhas Sarobar. a) Date of Demand Notice the culmination of the The National Green Tribunal Sr. Name of the b) Date of Possession Notice Description of the Property Chhath Puja. hadpassedanorderin2018,ban- No. borrower c) Demand notice amount, interest, As on Fridayafternoon, they ning Chhath Puja at Rabindra cost and charges thereon. also performedthe puja rituals at Sarobar.However, hundredsof 1 Sri. Noor Amin Haque Property 1:All that Piece and Parcel of land measuring 48 a) 01.08.2020 b) 18.11.2020 Mallick, Satak &1.64Acre, with single storied building on the said c) Rs.16,46,861.50 (Rupees- Sixteen artificial pools prepared by civic devotees flouted the ban and S/O- Late Enamul Haque plot measuring 1800 Sq.ft. &450 Sq.ft. and located at Lacs Forty Six Thousand Eight Hundred authorities but did notplaymu- brokeopenthegatesofthelakein Mallick, Vill- Hatgacha, Mouza-Hatgachha &Dewanganj, J.L No –1&36, Sixty One &Fifty Paisa )Only as on sic, unlikethe previous years, of- 2019 to perform the puja. P.O- Bharkata, Dist. Khatian No- 1355,187,1809 &111,665, Dag /Plot No- 21.07.2008 (Inclusive of interest upto ficials said. An official of Kolkata Birbhum, Pin- 742136 2319/5214, &116,127, Vill –Hatgachha, P.O–Bharkata, 31.03.2008) and interest thereon. West Bengal Chief Minister Metropolitan Development P.S–Md. Bazar,Dist –Birbhum. Registered Deed No – MamataBanerjee had appealed Authority —the custodian of the 2967 of 2004& I- 3921 of 1999, I- 3922 of 1999, in the name of Mr.NoorAmin Hoque Mallick &Mr. Yamin Hoque to peopleto offerprayersathome twolakes —said that five gatesof Mallick, Both S/o- Late Enamul Hoque Mallick. or visit neighbourhood ponds to RabindraSarobar and severalen- Registered in theA.D.S.R.O –Suri, Dist- Birbhum. hold the puja following health trypointsofSubhas Sarobar re- This is also notice to the Borrower(s) and Guarantor(s) Authorised Officer protocols related to the Covid-19 mainedlockedsince Thursday Date: 22.11.2020, Place :Suri UCO Bank, Suri Zone pandemic. midnight, the official said. Kolkata WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 4 EXPRESS NETWORK THE SUNDAY EXPRESS,NOVEMBER22,2020

Tarun Gogoi’s Bidtodoubleoilrefiningcapacity, health worsens, on ventilator quadruplenaturalgasusage:PM support

made this decision with hon- EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE esty,did it forabright futurewith GUWAHATI,NOVEMBER21 AHMEDABAD,NOVEMBER21 avision. Solar plantsbegan in Gujarat and in large numbers,” THE HEALTH condition of three- PRIMEMINISTERNarendraModi Modi said. time former Assam CM Tarun said Saturdayefforts were on to Solar energy,the PM added, Gogoi, 85, deteriorated on double India’s oil refining capac- hasnowbecome“amovementin Saturdayevening with post- ity in the next five years and mul- the country” and the costofsolar Covid complications and he was tiplythe usageofnatural gasby powerhas “droppedbelowRs2 put on ventilator support, at the four folds in this decade. Prime MinisterNarendraModi at the convocation of Pandit per unit”. “Keeping in mind our time of filing this reporton The Prime Minister, who was DeendayalPetroleum University on Saturday. Mukesh energy needs, it is our endeavour Saturdaynight. addressing the 8th convocation Ambani (left), who is the president of BoardofGovernors of to increase the proportion of nat- Gogoi wasdiagnosedwith ceremonyofGandhinagar-based the university,was also present. PTI ural gasbyfour times in this Covid in Augustend and wasad- Pandit DeendayalPetroleum decadealone.Inthenextfive years, ministeredplasma therapy University (PDPU) via video-con- effortsare being made to double when his condition worsened. Avehicle in flames during the protestatPanisagar in NorthTripuradistrict. PTI ference,saidthecountrywasalso “You(students)allknowofto- thecountry’soilrefiningcapacity,” Aftertesting negative forCovid, movingforwardtoreduceitscar- During his address, day’s fashion to createaruckus Modi said. Modi told the graduat- Gogoi has been battling post- bonfootprintby 30to 35 percent. Modi recalledhis and find fault in small matters. I ingstudentsthattheywereenter- Covid complications. TRIPURA Atotal of 2,600studentsre- usedtofacealot of problemsthen ingtheenergysectoratan“oppor- Doctors at the Guwahati ceivedtheir degree certificates experience of battling (as Gujarat CM). The issue came tune time”. Medical Collegeand Hospital duringtheconvocationceremony. “pre-conceived before me about powerproduc- “Today, thereare unlimited (GMCH), whereGogoi is under Violence over Bru resettlement, During his address, Modi re- ers selling at (thermal power) opportunities in the energy sec- treatment, have termedhis con- calledhis experience of battling notions” as the former Rs 2-3 per unit and (solar torinIndia.You(students)allhave dition as critical as of now. GMCH “pre-conceivednotions” as the chief ministerof power) Rs 12-13per unit. Iwas reachedthis sector at the right superintendent Abhijit Sarma has protester killed in police firing former chief ministerofGujarat. Gujarat confronted with amoment time. In this decade, in justthe oil said that Gogoi wasintubatedand He told the studentshow he had whereIhad to worryabout my andgassector,therewillbecrores was“very critical”. He wason calledMondaybythe Joint around 20 families fledavillage helpedtoseparatefeederssupply- reputation or worryabout my of investment... thereare ample non-invasive ventilation since DEBRAJDEB Movement Committee (JMC)—a in panic. ing electricity to domestic and futuregenerations. Iknewthat opportunities, from research to November 2, but on Saturdaywas AGARTALA,NOVEMBER21 forum of local ethnic civil soci- On Saturdaymorning, alarge agricultureconsumers, and thus had aclean slateand Iusedto this type of decision will be manufacturing,” the PM said. put under invasive ventilation. eties including Nagarik Surakhsa group of people gathered on the ensuredround-the-clockandeffi- think in anew way,”hesaid. blown up by the media and will Duringhisvirtualaddress,the Assam’s health minister AHIGHWAY blockade in Tripura Mancha and Mizo Convention— NH 8atPanisagar and blockedit, cient powersupplyinthe state. Under him, the PM said, the invitechargesofcorruption. But PMalsourgedstudentstobecome HimantaBiswaSarma, who vis- againstthe resettlement of Bru in the district's Kanchanpur sub- demanding the withdrawal of “Thisexperimentchangedthe Gujarat government had “gam- Ihad aclean heart. Igenuinely the soldiers of “Atmanirbhar itedthe hospital on Saturday, said, refugees Saturdayspiralledinto division. The joint body is against the resettlement formula. mindsetofall our officers at that bled” with solar powerand pur- believedthat we had to do Bharat”. “Today’s India is passing “Fromtodayevening, his health arson and clashes between pro- the decision to settle over 5,000 The group soon turnedvio- point in time... If Ihad stucktothe chaseditatRs12-13peruniteven something to changeour throughabigphaseof transition... has deteriorated.Heissuffering testors and the police, who then Brus out of the total of 32,000 lent. Afteraclash, the police ba- preconceivednotions,thiswould when thermal powerwas avail- lifestyles. Finally, we decidedto Thinkaboutwhatagoldenperiod from multi-organdysfunction. He openedfireonthe gathering “in refugees in Kanchanpur. ton-chargedand firedupon the nothavebecome apossibility.I able at Rs 2.50 to Rs 3per unit. go forsolar energy.And we youare in,” he said. is unconscious and is on ventila- self-defence” and killedone of These refugees, who fled mob, killing 40-year-old Srikanta torsupport. He is unable to recog- the demonstrators. Mamit, Kolasib and Lunglei dis- Das, acarpenter who joinedthe nise anyone.” Sarma addedthat At least20people—including trictsofadjoining Mizoram in protests. J&K DDC ELECTIONS: FAROOQ ABDULLAH WRITES TO POLL OFFICER doctors were regularly in touch police and Fire Services person- 1997,are beingresettledinTripura Additional Director General of with Gogoi’s family. nel—sufferedinjuries in the as partofanagreement among Police RajivSingh told The Indian Doctors of GMCHare in con- clashes at Panisagar of North thetwo stategovernments, the Express that the police wascom- ‘PAGD candidates not allowed to stant touchwith medical experts Tripuradistrict. Centreand Bru migrants. pelledtofireinself-defence since from the All India Instituteof The blockade of National During the indefinitestrike, the crowdhad turnedunrulyand Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Highway 8was the latestflash- awater supplypumpoperator triedtosnatchweapons from law canvass... security can’t be excuse’ Delhi, but said that Gogoi was point in the indefinitestrike had been severely assaulted and enforcement personnel. notinaposition to be shiftedout in this condition. Gogoi’s treat- nourishedbythe sacrifices of ment is following the module set Man shot in BASHAARATMASOOD thousands of political workers,” by doctors from AIIMS. TRACKING INDIA’S COVID CURVE SRINAGAR,NOVEMBER21 he added.Abdullah said since the birthday party constituent parties of the PAGD CASES: RECOVERED:84,78,124 FORMERJAMMU and Kashmir have been in powerinthe past, 264 at UP MLC’s chief ministerFarooq Abdullah on theyare awareofthe security Expressreport DAYSSINCE 90,50,597 DEATHS:1,32,726 Saturdayaccusedthe administra- challenges in Jammu and PANDEMIC flat; 4held tion of “interfering” in the demo- Kashmir.“Our parties have been BEGAN TESTS: 1,30,657,808 | DOUBLING RATE: 161.71** on addiction cratic process, claimingthat se- in powerinthe pastand have had curity is being usedasapretext to the opportunity to head and run EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE impede candidates forthe up- Gupkar Alliance chief Abdullah; PDP leader Mufti the government. We areaware amongPunjab LUCKNOW,NOVEMBER21 coming District Development of the challenges posedinthe Council (DDC) polls from canvass- realm of security in aplace be- womenwins A35-YEAR-OLD man wasshotun- ing. In an apparent reference to Saying that the journeyof setbyviolence,” his letter read. der mysterious circumstances PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti BJP candidates, Abdullah wrote, democracy in Jammu and “These challenges arenot new Laadli Award during abirthdayparty at has also raisedthe issue, claiming “The current stateofaffairs in the Kashmir is soaked in blood, but have been painfullyper- KEYSTATES TOTAL SURGEIN 7-DAYAVG DOUBLING Samajwadi PartyMLC Amit that the Centreis‘sabotaging’ par- realm of security is blatantlyori- Abdullah has termedthe govern- sisting forthe lastthree TOWATCH CASES 24HOURS GROWTH* TIME** Yadav’s official residence under ticipation of non-BJP parties in entedtowardsproviding security ment’s “interference” in the polls decades. But the government EXPRESSNEWSSERVICE ■ Maharashtra 17,68,695 5,640 0.23% 312.84 the Hazratganj police station lim- DDC polls, and has calledfor an to aselect fewand confining oth- as a“desecration of those sacri- had structures in place which MUMBAI,NOVEMBER21 itsinLucknow on the intervening intervention by Lieutenant ers. This comes across moreasan fices”. ensured security forall con- ■ Kerala 5,51,669 6,018 1.01% 71.02 night of Fridayand Saturday. Governor Manoj Sinha. attempt to interfereinthe dem- “MayIadd that the evolution testantsirrespective of the ide- AREPORTpublishedbyTheIndian ■ Delhi 5,17,238 6,608 1.23% 58.56 Flat caretaker PankajSingh, The eight-phase DDC polls are ocratic process than anyreal con- of democracy in J&K is distinctive ology theyespousedorthe Express has wonthe Laadli Media ■ West Bengal 4,49,131 3,626 0.80% 89.66 VinayYadav, GyanendraKumar settobegin on November 28. cern forthe wellbeing of the con- comparedto anyother partofthe parties theyrepresented.” andAdvertisingAwardforGender ■ Haryana 2,12,355 3,104 1.17% 61.73 and AftabAlam have been ar- Abdullah, who is the presi- testants. Security cannotand country. The journeyisablood- Meanwhile, the PDP chief Sensitivity 2018-19ininvestiga- rested under the murder charge dent of the People's Alliance for should notbeusedasatool or an iedjourney, soaked in the blood claimedthat the Centrewas tive story(print) category. *Compounded Daily Growth Rate over last7days**Calculated over 7-daygrowth and the ScheduledCaste and Gupkar Declaration (PAGD), in a excuse to interfereindemocratic of thousands of politicalworkers “sabotaging” the participation PopulationFirst,aMumbai-based ScheduledTribe(Prevention of letter to J&K Election processes.” who have laid down their livesfor of non-BJPparties in the DDC NGOthatworksforwomen’sem- CASEFATALITYRATIO POSITIVITYRATE DAILYIN,DAILYOUT Atrocities) Act. The men, in their Commissioner KKSharma said, Abdullah said that it is job of the sakeofdemocracy.Itisades- polls. “GOI sabotaging partici- powerment and gender equality, 7DAYSEARLIER: 7DAYSEARLIER: DETECTED TODAY early 30s, were celebrating “A strangeand aunique feature the government to provide secu- ecration of those sacrifices when pation of non BJP parties in announcedthe winners of the 1.47 7.07 46,232 Vinay’s birthday. has come to the fore.Candidates rity to the candidates contesting the very conflict that consumed DDC polls. PDPs Bashir Ahmed 10theditionof theawardsduring NOW: NOW: RECOVERED TODAY: According to police, MLC put up by the PAGD areimmedi- the DDC polls. “Security is achal- their livesisusedasanalibi to cus- despitehaving adequatesecu- avirtual event on Saturday. 1.47 6.93 49,715 Amit Yadavwas notpartofthe atelywhiskedaway to 'securelo- lengeand it is forthe government tomize democracy,” Abdullah rity has been detainedat The Indian party.Police said theyare inves- cations' in the name of security of the daytocounter that chal- wrote. Pahalgam on the pretextofse- Express’s Deaths as aratio of Positives against Becoming sick vs positive cases (in %); number tested recovering; more tigating howvictim Rakesh and confinedtothose 'securelo- lengeinamanner whichisfair “Democracy is still in astate of curity.Todayisthe lastday for DivyaGoyal indicator of progress (in %); indicator of recoveries for 14 days Rawat, an accountant, wasshot cations'. Theyare notallowedto and transparent. Providing secu- fragility in J&K. Governments filing nominations &havespo- wonthe in averting deaths the spread of disease may signal the peak with an unlicensed.32 borepis- canvass, theyare completely out rity to aselect fewand literallyin- come and go.Nogovernmenthas kentoDCAnantnag forhis re- awardfor her DataasonNovember20,releasedbyUnionMinistryofHealth,ICMRandstates.Oftendailynumbers tolallegedly belonging to the of touchwith those from whom terning the rest is agross interfer- the right to alter the institutional lease,” she tweeted, tagging Lt report— includedatafrompreviousdays.Assuch,trendsbasedondailynumbersareindicative,notdefinitive caretaker. theyare supposedtoseek votes.” ence in democracy.” foundations of democracy in J&K, GovSinha in the post. ‘Punjab: The The Indian Invisible Drug KHADIAND VILLAGE INDUSTRIES COMMISSION Express’s Addicts’ — DivyaGoyal whichfocused DIRECTORATE OF MARKETING on drug addic- Ministry of Micro, Small &Medium Enterprises tion among Govt. of India women in Punjab. Gramodaya, 3, Irla Road, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai- 400 056 This year,75mediapersons Tel: 022-2671 6680, Email: mkkting. [email protected] GOVERNMENTOFMANIPUR representingHindi,Tamil,Telugu, Website: www.kvic.org.in PUBLIC HEALTH Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, and Notice No. CE/PHE/NB/2-452/2019 EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) dated 19.11.2020 English languages wonthe It is hereby notified that e-tender awards;18 othersreceivedjuryci- process for the following works has tations. Khadi &Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Ministry of been initiated- Manipur Water Supply Project : Addressing the virtual event, MSME, Govt. of India intends to operate its six Departmental a) Providing Drinking Water Supply to chief guestRekha Sharma, chair- other Towns (13 nos.), (works) Sales Outlets (Khadi Gramodyog Bhavans) located at premium Package: OTP P-VI (W); b) Providing person of the National Drinking Water Supply to other Towns CommissionforWomen,saidthat areas of Kolkata, Patna, Mumbai, Goa, Ernakulam &Bhopal (12 nos.), (works) Package: OTP P-VII under Private Public Partnership (PPP) mode through bonafide (W); c) Procurement of Galvanised she hopes the media would cre- Iron pipe (Class Medium/ Heavy) for ateanenvironmentthat will en- entities. It is expected that the private partner will source Khadi & Other town and Rural Water Supply Packages: OT&RWS P-VIII (G); d) couragewomen."Mediacanhelp Village Industry products for sale from the approved Providing Drinking Water Supply to changethe mindsetthat ‘ladki Rural Area of Manipur Works manufacturing institutions/units of KVIC and the sales to be Package: RWSP-IX (W); e) Providing parayeehaiaurladkaapnahai'.All Drinking Water Supply to Rural Area of laws to help women areinplace; effected through the KIMISsoftware, using the existing Manipur Works Package: RWSP-X (W); f) Providing Drinking Water we needmedia's help forabetter infrastructure. All expenses of operation, maintenance, services, Supply to Rural Area of Manipur, Works Package: RWSP-XI (W) g) implementationof thelaws.That rent etc to be borne by the partner,leaving apercentage of sales Providing Drinking Water Supply to willonlyhappenwhenthemind- Rural Area of Manipur Works turnover to KVIC, supported with security deposit/bank Package: RWSP-XII (W). The details sets change, and the media can can be obtained from the website help changemindsets,” she said. guarantee. Interested entities are requested to convey their terms http://manipurtenders.gov.in Sd/- Dr AL Sharada, director, and conditions, with aprofile of existing business activities to us Chief Engineer,PHED Population First, said the Laadli and email the same to [email protected] captioning 'EOI for Govt. of Manipur Media Awards provethat even in PPP operation of DSOs'. By considering the EOI points made, we the worstsituations and cynical will finalise the Request For Proposal (RFP) for bid process. For times thereishope. The juryselected 93 winners any clarification, please e-mail to us. from 1,100-plus entries. Dy.Director (Marketing) STATEINDUSTRIES PROMOTIONCORPORATION OF TAMILNADU LIMITED (SIPCOT) ''IMPORTANT'' 19-A, RUKMANI LAKSHMIPATHY ROAD, EGMORE, CHENNAI-600 008. Whilst care is taken prior to INVITATION FORBIDS acceptance of advertising Cop, kin killed GOVERNMENT OF ODISHA Tender NoticeNIT.No.88/CW/DO/T.No 92/2020-21 Dt.19.11.2020 copy,itisnot possible to verify OFFICE OF THESUPERINTENDING ENGINEER Sealed tendersare invited from biddersunder “Two CoverSystem” forHiring of WaterTanker its contents. The Indian over dispute RURAL WORKS CIRCLE, KENDRAPARA- JAJPUR Lorries forSIPCOT Industrial Parks/ Growth Centres at Irungattukottai, Oragadam, Pillaipakam, Express (P) Limited cannot be No. Tender Online RCK-09/20 Letter No. 1692 Date: 16.11.2020 Sriperumbudur and Vallam Vadagal. The details of the tender areasfollows: held responsible for such O-574 e-Procurement NOTICE 1TenderInviting Authority The Managing Director,SIPCOT Ltd., Lucknow:Apolice constable, his 1. Name of the work : Infrastructure development of Derabis College &Olaver College under World Bank Assistance Programme OHPEE (Phase- 19-A,Rukmani LakshmipathyRoad, Egmore, Chennai-600008. contents, nor for any loss or 1) in the District of Kendrapara. 2Name of work Hiring of WaterTanker Lorries of 9000 Litres and 6000 Litres Capacity damage incurred as aresult of sisterand their mother were on Contract Basis forThree Yearsfor SIPCOT Industrial Parks/ Growth 2. Class of Contractor : B&AClass as specified in the column 6ofthe Annexure. Centres at Irungattukottai, Oragadam, Pillaipakam, Sriperumbudur transactions with companies, killedbytheir relativesusing 3. Time for Completion : As Specified in Column- 7ofAnnexure. and Vallam Vadagal associations or individuals blunt and sharp-edged weapons 3Purchase of tender documents Tender document canbeobtained from SE, SIPCOT Head Office, advertising in its newspapers 4. Detail Projects : As per annexure attached Chennai-08 at free of cost from 22.11.2020 to 07.12.2020 upto 3.00 following an argument over 5. Other details : P.M. Tender documents will not be sentbyPost. or Publications. We therefore Alternatively,the tender schedulescan be downloaded from the garbagedisposal in Uttar Procurement Officer Bid Identification Availability of Tender on-line for bidding Last Date &Time of seeking Date &Time of opening of tender recommend that readers Governmentwebsiteand SIPCOT websitewww.tenders.tn.gov.in at Pradesh’. Four people have been No. From To tender clarification Technical Bid Financial Bid free of cost. make necessary inquiries 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 4EarnestMoneyDeposit Rs. 10,000 /- per vehicle in the form of Demand Draft drawninfavour before sending any monies or arrested.The deceasedhave Superintending Engineer,Rural Works Tender Online 23.11.2020 11.12.2020 to 5.00 PM 10.12.2020 up to 5.00 PM 14.12.2020 at 12.00 21.12.2020 At of SIPCOT Ltd., payable at Chennai (In the tenderer’s name only) entering into any agreements been identifiedasAbhijeet Circle, Kendrapara- Jajpur RCK-09/20 at 11.00 AM PM 12.00 PM 5Lastdate and time for 08.12.2020 upto 3.00 P.M. at the above mentioned address in Sl with advertisers or otherwise submission of bid documents No (1) Verma (25), his mother Further details can be seen from the website: www.tendersorissa.gov.in Sd/- Superintending Engineer, 6Venue, Date and time of 08.12.2020 at 3.30 P.M. at the above mentioned address in Sl No (1) acting on an advertisement in Rural Works Circle, Kendrapara- Jajpur opening of bids any manner whatsoever. Rameshwari and younger sister OIPR-25129/11/0007/2021 DIPR/4349 /TENDER/2020 Managing Director Nisha Verma. ENS

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THESUNDAY EXPRESS,NOVEMBER22,2020

on en stak wa ore 5 SUNDAY STORY aph ef ana’s gr kb lang to ee Te , pho aw at oir d This er 26, death, serv frien ob ’s re her Oct ya had ar hamma with She ed y. at Aishw visit mil er ndapoche fa ob Ko hs her Oct on and ll of home whic ta erself rshini dh Va almosreturningille spent Shek 1. y Varshini’s,er da vemb No wing follo the

to my financialcondition but somehowwith college-levelinterventions, DelhiUniversity theencouragementgivenbymymentorsand mustalsorethinkthewayithastransitionedto to pursue my dream(IAS), (I was) admittedin the online mode. Lady Shri RamCollegefor Women and nowI “Students have approachedussayingthat got into debt....” theyare findingithardtocope with the long Amonth earlier,onAugust6,Aishwarya hours of online classes but we have explained hadreceivedaprovisionalofferletterfromthe to them that thereisnothing we candoabout On November 2, Aishwarya Reddy,astudent of Innovation in Science Pursuit forInspired that because thereare acertain number of Research’s (INSPIRE) Scholarshipfor Higher creditsweneedtocomplete overcertainhours Delhi University’s LSRCollege,killed herself,citing Education (SHE), offeredbythe Department of classes.The university has simplysought to of Scienceand Technology (DST), but wasun- transferwhateverwashappeningofflineto the financial troubles. SUKRITABARUAHinNew Delhi sureifshe would receive themoney. online mode,” the teacher said. &RAHUL VPISHARODY in Hyderabad tell the story “I maybeable to getSHE-scholarship by InSeptember,theLSRStudents’Unionhad next year (processing and notsure),but Iam raisedthestudents’concernsoverlongonline of the 19-year-old —the front bencher forwhom requesting youtohelpmethrough this diffi- classes by conducting asurvey of over 1,400 culttimesothatIdon’thave to dropoutof col- students.Aishwarya wasamongthe95.5%re- the campusopenedaworld of possibilities —and Aishwarya’s father Srinivas, amotorcyclemechanic, had mortgaged theirhome lege,” shewroteinthe emailtoSood. spondentswho said that the classes were af- forRs2lakh to supporther education Attaching copies of bank statementsand fecting theirmental and physical health.The her desperatecries forhelp other documentaryproof, she further wrote: survey found 27.5% respondents withoutac- “If youare really willingtohelp Iwill showmy cessto laptops,of whom91.6%respondedsay- sincerity through my results.” ing collegeauthorities had notreachedout to OR 19-YEAR-OLD Aishwarya he had already givenmostofwhat he had. on the hostellawns. Mostofthe time,wejust studentsget accommodation.Intheangerpro- Less than twomonthslater,Aishwarya helpwith alternatives. Reddy,the futureglitteredwith chilledinmyroom,chatting,studying,watch- vokedbyAishwarya’s suicide, the college au- killedherself. UniongeneralsecretaryUnnimayasays the possibilities —her civil service ■ ■ ■ ing movies. In fact, we spentsomuchtime thorities said theywould considerhostelfor Whileherdeathhasrekindledtheconver- collegedidn’tdoenoughto reachoutto stude- dreams,ascholarshipto hername, therethat we told eachother that whenwe second-year studentsaswell. sationaroundthedigitaldivideandhowonline nts. “LSR is structurallyaveryelitespace and F and trips with friends to Old Delhi Inmanyways,Aishwarya waspartofashift came backtoDelhi, we mustnot wastemore Sumathisays Aishwarya hadhopedtofind learninghaswidenedexistingfaultlines,ithas studentsfromsociallyandeconomicallymar- and the TajMahal. Yet, therewas alooming takingplaceinsomeof thetopcollegesof Delhi time likethis and mustexplorethe citybefore private accommodationalongwiththreeother also thrownintosharp focus the need forcol- ginalisedbackgrounds feel alienated...Idon’t spectre, of financial distress, that she feared University,with their balanceofstudent pop- we got busywithpreparationsforcompetitive friends. “Anyprivate accommodationoutside legesto introspectthelimitsoftheirstructures. knowhow theadministrationcansaythatthey would snuffout all else. ulation nowheavilytilted towardsstudents exam. We had been to the Mughal Gardens would have cost at least Rs 15,000 amonth, While questionsare being raisedabout weren’t awarethat this student washaving a Over ayear ago, shehad catapulted from from outside Delhi, asignificant number of and explored NorthCampus, but we also apartfromafew thousandrupeesforfoodand whether LSRdid itsbit to addressthe digital difficult time when student representatives the one-bedroom home that she shared with themfromthesouthernstates,andmanyfrom wantedto seeOldDelhiandmaybeevengoto travel. Besides, we would have had to makea gapand if it went toofar in implementing its have beenpointingoutto themthattherewere hersisteranddaily-wagerparentsinTelangana families with first-generationcollege-goers. Agra to see the TajMahal,” says Varshini. depositofRs30,000,”shesays,addingthatthe hostelpolicy giventhese times, besides larger certainissueswhichweredistressingstudents to thered-brickcorridorsof acollegeinthena- “Whenshefirstmetmeandfoundoutthat Forall the unevenness of the city and the family’s monthlyearnings nevercrossed issues of howwell,ifatall, colleges are during the lockdown,” she asks. tional capital, one of the pre- I’mfromKerala,sheimmedi- worldoutside, the hostel, Varshini explains, Rs 10,000even before thepandemic. equippedtohandle structu- mierinstitutionsinthecoun- “Wewereboth new atelysaid, ‘Thank godIgot wasasafe, familiar space forthe girls. OnSeptember14,Aishwarya evenreached ralexclusivity,LSR authori- “LSR is averyelite ■ ■ ■ try. OnNovember2,shedied someone from South India!’ “ManyofusfromSouthIndiahave studied out to actor Sonu Sood, afterhelaunchedan ties have been maintaining by suicide at home, faraway to Delhi. My Hindi She probablymeant it as a instateeducationboardschools,andinourde- initiative onTwitterto supportstudentsseek- thatAishwarya neverappro- space... thosefrom Aishwaryahadspental- from Lady Shri RamCollege wasquite weak, joke...I’mnotsure,”says Hana partmentsand in collegesometimes, we can ingfinancialassistance. achedher teachers,the col- weak backgrounds mostallof October,themon- (LSR)for Women. Fathima, Aishwarya’s room- sensethatwe areconsiderednotgoodenough. “I neverexpected that alaptopisveryim- legecounsellor,orthe ad- th before her death, with Inherfinalnote,shewro- Aishwarya’s was mateinthe hostelatLSR. Peoplethinkstateboardsmarkliberally, which portantasof now. Butdueto onlineclasses,the ministration forhelp. feel alienated... How Varshini,wholivesinatown te,“Iamaburden formyfa- better if not great.It “Wewerebothcomple- iswhyweget highmarksinClass12.Butinthe laptopbecame extremelyimportant to study Hostelwarden Ujjayini canadministration aroundfourhoursfromhers. mily. Myeducationisaburd- didn’t bother her,she tely newtoDelhi. My Hindi hostel,thereare girlsfromeverywhereandnot 2-practical papers. Idon’thavealaptopand I Raysays,“She did notinany sayitwasn’t awareof “I spent nine days in her en.If Ican’tstudy,Ican’tlive.” wasquiteweak and Ihad justelitecity schools.Those of us from similar am unable to do practical papers. Iamafraid I waycommunicate... to the house in October and then Her familysays shehad wasconfident,” says trouble communicating. backgrounds formedareallytight group and mayfail in these papers. Our familyiscom- hostelseeking an extension her issues,” says a we came to my house. She beenstressedaboutanotice room-mate Hana Aishwarya’sHindi wasbet- the hostelwas asafespace forus,” shesays. pletelyindebtsothere is no waytobuy alap- in dates forcollecting her student union leader waswithustillNovember1. from collegeasking her to terthan mine though not HoweverinMarch,close to the end of her top... Iamnot surewhether Iwill be able to luggage,nor communicate We celebratedDussehrato- vacateher hostelroom, and great. But that didn’t bother firstyear of college,asstudentsreturnedto complete my graduation due to lackoffinan- her financial problems... getherandspentthemonth her familynot being able to afford alaptopfor herand she spokewith confidence,”she says. their homes because of thenationwide lock- cial support,” shewrote in an e-mail to Sood. Severalstudentshadappliedfor an extension, in eachother’scompanysince we had metaf- her to attend online classes. Aishwarya’sfriendstalkof herasthefront- downinresponseto Covid-19,Aishwarya’slife Shefurther said: “I did notapply forastu- eachapplication wasdiscussedand ageneral tersomanymonths. At no pointdid sheshare Aishwarya’s familyfirstrealised the full bencher with afierce focus on studies, but for upendedcompletely. dent loan (in the bank) becausestudying in extension giventill November 10.Evenafter thatshewassodistressed.We evenhadaplan breadth of her academic potential when she whom the campus and hostelhad thrown DelhiUniversitywasnot my planfromfirstdue that, extensions have been giventostudents on howtovacate our hostelrooms —someof stood firstinher school in Class 10 with a9.5 open aworld of possibilities. ■ ■ ■ on genuinegrounds likecancellation of trains, us would rent aflat and keep our thingsthere CGPA. In recognition of her potential and the “She wasabrilliant student.Weusedtosit illness, etc.” AfterAishwarya’s death, the col- and since Aishwaryawas having ahardtime, family’s financial constraints, she wasoffered in the firstrow in almostevery class... All our Aishwarya wasclosesttoher father Srini- legehasindefinitelypostponedthe hostelva- she needn’t have paid therenttill herissues freeschoolingattheseniorsecondarylevelby teachers knewher.Inour firstyear,wehad a vas.Yet,herlastfew monthsathomehadbeen cating process. were sorted.Myuncleworksinabankandmy aprivate institution in Shadnagar. In Class 12, mathsdepartmentfestivalandshewaspartof filledwitharguments,unspokenguiltandres- The SundayExpress reachedout to LSR mother had said she would help her with an shestoodsecondinthetownwith98.5%.With the organising committee,” says Indu, ignation. Just before thelockdown, Srinivas, Mathematics Department Teacher-in-Charge education loan..All that I’m reading and hear- somepushfromherteachersandothersclose Aishwarya’s classmateand one of her closest who worked at abike-mechanic shop in the MonikaSinghandanotherseniorteacher,Jyoti ing nowfeels so farremoved, so distant, from to thefamily, Aishwarya applied foraBache- friendsincollege. town, had borrowedmoneytoopen his own Darbari, to askabout Aishwarya’s academic our lastdays together,” shesays. lor’s degree in Delhi, hoping that it would be a “She wasquitechildish and even careless shop.ThelockdownmeantthatSrinivas’sbusi- performanceandwhetherthedepartmenthad On her lastnight in Varshini’s house, the boostfor her UPSC preparations. sometimes. Iremember scolding her once — nessnever took offand his wifeSumathi’s tai- been tracking if anyoftheir studentshad been twogirls hadhad achat with Indu —who was Her high percentagesecuredher aseat in we were in an auto in acrowded area and she loring work drieduptoo. Systemicgaps falling behind with the shifttoonline mode. at her home in Andhra Pradesh. the B.Sc.(Honours)Mathematics program- had her phone almosthanging out. But when In August, DelhiUniversity beganits third However, neither respondedtothe queries. “Wehadspokenaboutourpracticalsbutit me at LSR, the second highest-rankedcollege itcameto studies,shewascompletely focused semesterinonlinemode,andAishwarya’scol- At the end of herfirst year,Aishwaryahad wasaveryoptimistic conversation. We had in the countryin2020,according to the and tidy.She would study dayand night dur- legebegan conductingclassesfrommorning AISHWARYA’S DEATH pointsto aCGPAof7.91. spoken about howweweren’t alone in our Central government’s National Institutional ing exam season,” says Hana. till 5inthe evening. As ascience student, she largersystemic gaps in the univer- Amathematicsteacherinanother DU col- problemsand that ourteachersare under- Ranking Framework. Even with her focus on studies, it wasthe also hadonline practicalpapers. sity and collegeset-up with respect legesaidwhilea7.91CGPAwouldnotbeatthe standing and wouldn’t forceuswithsubmis- At thetime of her admission, herfather hostelwhichbecame thecentreofher life. Sumathisays thatoverthelastfew months, to studentsand their wellbeing. In topend of acompetitive classroom, it would sions we couldn’tdo,” says Indu. GantaSrinivasReddy,amotorcycle mecha- Her friend Varshini recalls howtheyfirst Aishwarya hadbeenstressedaboutheronline the weeksand months before her still be considered “good, consistent score”. She nowoften wonders whyAishwarya nic, mortgaged theirhome forRs2lakhto met. She and herparentswereinthe college classes and notbeing able to submither as- death, Aishwaryahad sent out sev- Aishwarya’s friends said she appeared to gave up; she was, afterall, the mostoptimistic support her education. Today, he has to pay queueatthetimeof admissionwhenAishwar- signmentsbecause shedidn’thavealaptop. eral SOS —filledupacollegesurvey, be “satisfied”withher scores. among her friends. back the loan with an interestof24.54% at an ya’sfatherheardherfamilyspeakinginTelugu. Besides,shereceivedamessagefromthecolle- in whichshe wasamong 95.5% re- Whilethe collegehas nowannounced “Atthe beginning of our firstyear,there EMI of Rs 4,904till July2026. Aishwarya’s 16- He walked over,introducedthe twogirls and ge hostel authorities asking her to vacateher spondentswho said that online some steps to offerrelieftoits students,inclu- were timeswhenIwouldfeelreallylow beca- year-old sisterVaishnavi droppedout of askedVarshini to look afterhis daughter.Shy roomby theendof October.“Shewantedto go classes were affecting their mental dingmakinghostelroomsavailableto second- use of hownew everything wastome. But schoolafter Class7to letthe familyaccom- andreticentatthestart,Aishwaryawentonto to Delhi. Butwedid nothavemoney to afford and physical health, and even re- year studentsona‘need’ basis andexpediting Aishwarya would be theone whowould en- modateher elder sister’s education. While spend almostall her time in Varshini’sroom. her train ticket.How could we have got hera spondedtoanoffer of help by actor the process of disbursing income-basedfree- courageme... She would do her best at any- Reddy says he would have gone to anyextent “Weusedtospend alot of time in the hos- laptop?”Sumathi says. SonuSood. ship amounts, ateacher at LSR, notamong thingshewaspartofandshewasstrong,brave to supportAishwarya’s studies,the truth is tel. Sometimes we would hang out until late As per LSRhostel’s policy,onlyfirst-year Aishwarya’steachers,saidthatoverandabove and joyful.” Kolkata WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 6 OPINION THE SUNDAY EXPRESS,NOVEMBER22,2020

Across Fifth THEAISLE COLUMN TAVLEENSINGH Reformsforwhat—growthorglory? Twitter@tavleen_singh

IWELCOME the manner in which shockedbythat conclusion. Letmenow list andcount the re- Hereisaseverely limited list of Professor Arvind Panagariyahas joined Be that as it may, since Dr Panagariya forms underDrSingh as prime minister reformsduring 2004-2014: the debateonreforms andgrowth. In has usedthe word “most”—aquanti- (2004-2014). Beforeyou read the list, 1. VAT, 2. MGNREGA, 3. Aadhaar, 4. answer to my column Reforms and tative measure—we have to list and hereare severalcaveats. Ihaveleftout Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT),5.‘No Dangerous Growth (The Indian Express, October18), count the reforms undereachprime reform measures that had run their frills’ or ‘ZeroBalance’ bank account, he has penned an article ‘Defending minister. Ihad already notedthe five course, forexample, the Banking Cash 6. Consolidation of Regional Rural dog whistles PCHIDAMBARAM Modi’s Reforms Record’. Iamhappythat reforms that Dr Panagariyaattributed Transaction Taxthathad trackedlarge Banks, 7. Right to Education Act, Website:pchidambaram.in he has kept the debateatascholarly and to Mr Modi: withdrawals and depositsofcash. Ihave 8. National RuralHealth Mission; ASHA, Twitter@Pchidambaram_IN civillevel. 1. Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code also left out measureslikethe National 9. National Urban RenewalMission, WE HEARD twopolitical dog whistles last In my column, Ihad analysed the five 2. Farm Laws Manufacturing Competitiveness Council 10.National HorticultureMission, week.Bothuglyand both dangerous but reformstrumpetedbyMrModi’ssupport- 3. Labour Reforms and the Investment Commission that 11.Weather-basedcropinsurance, the one from the Home Ministermoreso, ers. Ihad concludedthat “the ultimatetest 4. ReformingMedical Education were very person-centric. Some reform 12.Model lawonAPMC, 13.National because he has the capacity to do more According to Dr Panagariya, of areformiswhether it adds to or accel- 5. Liberalising FDI measureswereinitiated by the UPAbut Skills Development Mission& harm than theformerChiefMinisterof the champions were erates therate of growthof GDP”.Iwas re- Forsome reason, Dr Panagariya arenow known by different names, and Corporation, 14.CENVAT on all goods the former stateofJammu &Kashmir.The PVNarasimha Rao and minding Dr Panagariya of thegold stan- under-emphasisedthe botched-up GST theyare included. Ihavefollowed the and services, 15.Long Term Capital firstmurmurings of political activity in dardofreforms; Ihad not“shiftedthe and hid the disastrous Demonetisation. tests of longevity and durability of the Gainsonsecurities abolished, Kashmirsince the revocation of Article ABVajpayee,and goalpost”, as contendedbyhim. Forthe sakeofcompleteness, we must reform measure. 16.Introduction of STT, 17.FDI in retail, 370havejustbegun with district-level Mr NarendraModi belongs Having crossedthat diversion, letme addthe twotothe five.So, that makes it Ishallacceptthe growth rate num- 18.Private participation in coal mining, elections. And, it is possible that this is to that league of twowhile turn to themeat of Dr Panagariya’s seven‘reforms’. bers givenbyDrPanagariya: Narasimha 19.Eliminating subsidies forPetrol& what provokedthe dog whistles. Dr Manmohan Singh does argument:who deliveredmostre- Ishall not, once again, getintothe Rao 5.1 per cent, Vajpayee 5.9,DrSingh Diesel,20. GenderBudget, The firstcame from AmitShah who forms? Note the word “most”. According argument whether ‘Reforming Medical 7.7 and Mr Modi 6.8.Number-wise, the 21.Demutualisation of stockexchanges, took to Twittertodeclare that the‘Gupkar not. Most economists of to Dr Panagariya, the champions were Education’ by constituting the National recordofDrSingh’s twotermsoffive 22. PFRDA Act, 23.Companies Act, Gang’ wastrying to invite foreign powers the world,including PVNarasimha Raoand ABVajpayee, MedicalCommission is a‘reform’ or years farexceeds the recordofany prime 24.National Food Security Act, 25. Right to interfereinthe Valley’spolitics. What Dr Panagariya’smentor, and Mr NarendraModi belongs to that whether ‘Liberalising FDI’ can be attrib- minister. (TobefairtoDrSingh, manyof to Fair Compensation(LARR) Act, he said waswrong on severallevels. It was Prof Jagdish Bhagwati, league of twowhile Dr Manmohan uted solelytoMrModiasifheallowed the seminal reforms ushered in during 26. Forest RightsAct. wrong forthe Home Ministertodescribe Singh does not. Mosteconomists of the FDI forthe firsttime. Remember,weare the tenure of Narasimha Raoshould also “I did reforms” is forself-glorification. acoalition of Kashmiri politicalparties as would be shockedbythat world, including Dr Panagariya’s men- doing aquantitative count,not aquali- be attributedtoDrSingh who, as finance “My reformsbrought growth” is forthe a‘gang’. It waswrong forhim to diminish conclusion tor, Prof Jagdish Bhagwati, wouldbe tative assessment. Thescore is seven. minister, wasthe real author.) people and forposterity.You bethe judge. the high office he holds by speaking in the language of astreetfighter.And,itwas wrong forhim to indicatetohis Hindutva base that in theviewofthe Government of India theseKashmiri political parties LOSING MORE PERKS were all acting againstthe interests of inside She India, thereby‘anti-national’.Within Therewas atime whenmanysenior SAID Reading between the lines hours of his tweets,the BJP’s moreven- TRACK politicians pulledrankand felt theywere omousspokesmen poppeduponprime- COOMIKAPOOR entitledtospecial protocol while boarding ALAKA MBASU time talk shows to hurlinvectivesatthe an aircraft. Theydid notstand in queues [email protected] as languageisco-opted ‘Gupkar Gang’ and to charge themwith forsecuritychecks or boardthe passen- that ultimateterm of Hindutvaabuse, gershuttle from the airporttothe tarmac. ‘Pakistani, Pakistani’. Theyweredrivendowninaseparateve- Mehbooba Mufti’s dog whistle came CURIOUS DELAY hicle. But under the Modi dispensation, IT IS becoming near impossibletoparse when she told the Kashmiri people about such specialprivilegeshavevanished. The languagethesedays.Inthe past, when aplottosettle‘outsiders’onlandthat be- THE CITIZENSHIP (Amendment)Act was newairportsecurity rules statethat even someone usedaphrase or figure of speech longed to Kashmiri nomads.Itwas asig- passedbyParliamentinDecember last former SPG protectees, exceptformer that onedid notquiteunderstand, one nal that since her release she has thrown year with muchfanfare, and notified prime ministers, arenot exempt.Sothe knewthat it wasusuallyone’s ownigno- in her lotwiththe Islamic fundamental- shortlyafterwardsamidstprotests. Gandhis, who lostSPG coverinNovember rance and notsomeone else’sdeeper con- ists andthe jihadi terrorists who have Surprisingly,the government has yetto lastyear after35years, arerequiredto spiracy to mislead. collaborated to bring ruinous, religious frame rules under the Act, althoughthese standinaqueueand boardthe aircraft Later,aslanguagebecame morepoliti- changesinthe Valleyinthe past30years. have to be issuedwithin sixmonths or along with the hoi polloi. cisedand moreopaque, neworunfamil- Mehboobaseems to have forgottenthat elseanextension has to be sought. In iar phrases and figures of speechbecame until justthe other dayshe headed agov- August, thegovernmentapplied fora easier to understand notwith adiction- ernment that wasacoalition with the three-month extension, but the rulesare NOT OUT OF ACTION ary, but by association. Thus anyone with BJP.Her political statements areall dog yettobedeclared.Thereare twoexplana- Because Amit Shah did notcampaign some knowledgeofthe US knows, forex- whistles. Afterbeing releasedfrom18 tions forthe tardinessinimplementing in Biharfor asingle day, rumoursabounded ample, that being ‘pro-life’ is notabout be- months of house arrest she said that the what the ruling party proudlyproclaims of aserious health condition. Another sur- ing againstwar.The term is instead a Indianflagwould onlybeallowedin as alandmarklegislation. The BJP’s polit- misewas that he apprehendedadismal shorthand expression usedbyconserva- Kashmir when “weget ourown flag ical opponentsfear that the government outcome forthe NDA. Both conjectures tivestodescribetheir opposition to a back”. Whatshe has notnoticedisthat wantstobringout the rules during the turnedoutto beincorrect. The truth is Shah woman’s right to abortion. And ‘pro- it is exactlythis kind of languagethat the West Bengal election campaign to polarise stayed away on doctors’ advice because of choice’isthe self-description of those who BJP’s Hindutvabasewants to hearsothat the atmosphere. Another reason fordrag- lowimmunityafterthe coronavirusattack. believe that awomanhas the right to de- theycan makeall political battles in India ging feet on afollow-up couldbeconcerns Shah has nowbouncedbackand attends cide on her ownreproductive trajectory. about ‘nationalism’. over antagonisingfriendlyneighbour the Home Ministryregularly besides su- But whatdowedonow that suchasso- Speaking of which, Irecently read Bangladesh President Sheikh Hasina. She pervising campaign strategies forthe forth- ciative meanings arenolonger clear-cut Shashi Tharoor’s newbook, TheBattle of hasvoiced her disapprovalofthe contro- comingWest Bengaland Tamil Nadu elec- either? What do we do when an allegiance Belonging,and found that the mostinter- versial law. In fact, three Bangladesh min- tions. Asectionof the BJP wasmisledbythe to ‘democratic principles’isaffirmedby Illustration: Suvajit Dey esting thing about it wasthe distinction isters had cancelledofficial visitstoIndia Bihar exit polls intoassuming thatthe party those who believe that democracymeans mouthing and resource-cutting of the UN guageof‘equal rightsofmen and women he makes between patriotism and nation- subsequent to the passageofthe law. waslosing and party spokespersons at the bowing to the willofthe majority as well that President Trumphas engaged in, it to all civil and political rights’. alism. And, how‘nationalism’isbeing Prime MinisterNarendraModi is sched- briefing before thepoll resultswereeven as by thosewho believe that democracy seemedveryodd that his government The central regressive slant of the usedbythe BJP and itsHindutvafollowers uledtovisit Bangladesh on its50th giventalking pointstomakeontelevision entails protecting the rights of the minori- would actuallyhostthe launchofaUN Declaration explains both the small num- to makeadistinctionbetween thosethey anniversaryinMarch next year and would in case of adefeat.Theywereunaware that ties? Allthatwecan sayisthat the word declaration. Secondly, it wassignedbyjust berofits signatories and their question- consider India’s real citizens and those notwant to sour theatmospherebefore Shah, though notphysicallypresent, was ‘democracy’ obviouslyhas some inherent 32 countries —one of the important rea- able recordofprotecting the reproductive theyconsider lesser citizens becausethey his trip. regularly in touchwithgeneralsecretary positiveconnotation if such oppositepo- sons forthe blandness of manyUNreso- rightsofwomen or thehuman rightsof do notmeettheir definition of ‘national- in-charge of BiharBhupender Yadavwho sitions want to claimits banner. lutions is that these documentshaveto sexual minorities —inaddition to theUS, ism’. It is assumed that the decision to de- carriedout his instructions. Iwas remindedofthis co-opting of be greatlywatered down to arrive at a the listincludes Hungary, Brazil, cide someone’s ‘nationalism’remains in MISSING JAITLEY morally or emotionally compelling lan- consensus among its193 member states. Indonesia,Poland,Saudi Arabia, Sudan, the hands of those who believe that ag- JD(U) members aresorelymissing Arun guageafew weeksago upon reading But itsmostpuzzling featurewas its Uganda and Zambia. Poland recentlyfur- gressiveHindutvaqualifiesthem instantly Jaitley, along-time supporter of Nitish LOST ENTHUSIASM about the official launchofsomething title itself: Promoting Women’s Health ther tightenedits already restrictive abor- to win their nationalismbadge. Kumar.The friendship of the twomen, NRI businessman Shalabh “Shalli” Kumar calledthe ‘Geneva Consensus Declaration and Strengtheningthe Family! These — tion laws.Within the US, President-elect So when AnuragThakur,aministerin along with Sushil Modi, dates backto wasmissing during the US presidential on Promoting Women’s Healthand Women, Health, Family—are all impor- Joe Biden will have to presshardtosup- Modi’s government, uses an uglyslogan their years together in the JP Movement. campaign this year,whereas in 2016,Shalli Strengthening theFamily’.Myimmediate tant keywords that the UN would not press similar initiatives. that says ‘traitors should be shot’, he In fact,Nitish is the onlypolitician to erect wasacentral figure who came to theres- reactionwas ayawn; one moreUnited have anyostensible problems with, at Other governments with very differ- passes his ‘nationalism’ test with flying astatue to commemorate the late cueofthe Indian government in opening Nations Declaration —toothless, even if it least at firstglance. As amember of the entagendascan also feel moreembold- colours. But when at the same time Finance MinisterinPatna.The JD(U) reck- doors forIndian officials to connect with is signedonbymostnations of the world, Guttmacher-LancetCommission on enedbysuchsmart‘moral’ messaging to Muslim women, afraid of losing their ons that if Jaitleywerealive,hewould theincoming Trumpteam. Then the MEA and bound to be boring, longwindedand Reproductive andSexual Health and push different forms of intrusionsintothe right to be Indian, gather fordays with neverhavepermitted Chirag Paswan to wascaught completely offguardasithad politicallycorrect on topofthat. Rights,Ihaveaspecialacademicaswell private livesofindividuals. Using the lan- the Constitution heldhigh,toprotest undercut Nitish so brazenlyinorder to expected HillaryClinton to win. Kumar, This firstconclusion wassupportedby as policy interestinthesequestions,and guage of altruism, we already have wait- againstthe amendment to the citizen- strengthen the BJP.Nitish mayhavebeen who formedthe RepublicanHindu aglazedglanceatthe document —each so it soon seemedaduty to read this ing parliamentaryBills about the needfor ship law, they arelabelled‘traitors and sworn in as Chief Ministeragain, but the Coalition, and firstcame up with “Ab ki clause and paragraphbegan with oneofa Declarationmorefully. And what an eye- ‘population control’ in India, even as we Pakistanis’. This happened, please re- vibes between the twoallies arefar from baar TrumpSarkar”was,however, lessin- handful of wordsover-usedinUN openeritis—ituses the progressive lan- also have the morenaked assertion by ex- member,after adog whistlefromthe amicable. Nitish demonstrated his defi- terested in Trump’s return this time. He Declarations — reaffirm, emphasise, recog- guageofthe UN and of women’s rights tra-parliamentarymembers that it is in Home Minister. The minutehedeclared ancebyinsisting on installing his old wantedafirm commitment firstonissues nise, ensure, improve and secure, build, ad- advocates to press forexactlythe oppo- fact the reproductive rights of certain that (Hindu)voters should push the but- friend Mewalal Choudharyasminister, suchasresidencyrightsfor grown-up chil- vance, support, engage.What’s nottolike site. In essence, this documentisacallto groupsthat should be suppressed. tonsohardonthe EVM (electronicvot- even though therewerecorruption cases dren of long-pending green cardholders, about the UN’s noble intentions and its increase the restrictionsonwomen’s re- By sprinkling their document with the ing machine) that the ‘current’ would be againsthim duringhis days as vice-chan- and over he CAAand Article 370. Shalli, difficult,underlying task of usuallyget- productive health,mainly on abortion, words, phrases and sentenceslong con- felt in Shaheen Bagh, his acolytes in the cellor of Bihar AgricultureUniversity. oncethe mostvisible Indian-origin sup- ting some150 governmentstosign on to and acall to reject anynon-conventional sidered thepreserve of socially advanced mediaand hisparty spokesmen wasted NowanembarrassedNitishhas had to porterofTrump, wasalso disillusioned what it sets itsmind to —human rights, non-heterosexual rights to building and groups,the signatories of this Geneva notamomentindeclaring the women of sufferarebuff and been forced to drop with the US President’s refusal to endorse HIV and AIDS, universal health coverage, belonging to a‘family’. Declaration can nowclaim the moral high Shaheen Bagh ‘Pakistanis’. Choudharyfollowing Opposition noises. wearing of masksagainstCovid. In addi- rightsofindigenous peoples, and so on. These areits central propositions, ground. Forweare all human rightists Is it anywonder that in Modi’s India If the BJP pushesNitish toofar,his going tion,Shalli seems to have been ignoredby But then the bells startedtoring. Too couchedinthe unimpeachable language now. Haven’t we justsaid so? dissidence is being seen as sedition? Is it the Maharashtraway and sewing up an Modi. He wasnot avisible presence at the manythings about this declaration did not of humanrightsand human security and anywonderthatjournalists writing alliancewith the RJD-led Howdy,Modi! rallyinTexas.When Trump seem quiteright. First, itslaunchwas co- the familyasthe ‘naturaland fundamen- The writer is Professor,Cornell University. againstgovernmentpoliciesare beingla- Mahagathbandhan cannotbecompletely failedtowin the electoral college,Kumar hosted by an avowedenemyofthe UN — talgroup unit of society’. The document National Editor Shalini Langer curates belledCongress party ‘durbaris’? Is it any ruledout. offerednocommiserations. the US government. Afterall the bad- alsouses the moresocially acceptable lan- thefortnightly ‘She Said’ column wonder that in the eyes of the worldIndia is nowbeingseen as descending intoillib- eralism? Personally, Ibelieve that we My ISOLATION have notgot thereyet but as someone who remembers well the halcyon days AWEEKLY WINDOW INTO THE LIVES OF INDIA’S NEWSMAKERS AND THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON THEM when we were atrulyliberal democracy, Ican see howmuchthings have changed, and the changes areworrying. It is time forModi and his ‘gang’ to realise that it is ‘I would liketoplayinastadiumfull of supporters’ the patriotic duty of those who love India to speakout when theysee signs of illib- What precautionsare youtaking? While interacting with people at time on my phone, laptoportelevision. eralism. It is the patriotic duty of judges Iamcurrentlyinabio-securebubble work,how do youensureyour safety? However, Idooccasionallywatch who arebrave enough to speak the truth with my club, Bengaluru FC,inGoa for Thereisalong listofsafetyprotocols documentaries and shows on streaming to speakout aboutthe pressures theyin- the football season. Everyprecaution On Sunday, Bengaluru FC plays that we follow. Football is acontact sport. platforms. creasinglyendure. It is the patriotic duty that one canimagineisbeingtaken.We So, on the pitch, it isn’t possible to main- of journalists to speak outagainstpoli- gettestedregularly andhavezerocon- its inaugural matchofthe tain distance likeyou caninanoffice job. Howdoyou keep your mind offthe cies that theyconsider harmful to India. tact with anyone from outside the bub- Indian Super League,which However, once offit, we wear our masks pandemic? The Prime Ministerand his Home blethat we have created.Wewear masks kicked offonNovember 20 in all the time, space ourselvesout at team Training and resting takesupmostof Ministerhaverecently declared thatthey at all times, and aredoing all the small meals and meetings, and avoid being to- my time.Ilikemyfair shareofboard believe in a‘free press’, so we have sanc- and big thingsright. Goa. Through the lockdown gether in large numbers in small spaces. games. Ihavealso been catching up on a tion from the top. months, club captain SUNIL lotofreading too. True patriotsalways showthe courage Have yougot yourself tested for CHHETRI, 36 —also captain of What precautions do youtakewhile to speak out whentheysee something Covid-19? the national football team and travelling? What is the firstthing youwant to do wrong. As someone who considers my- Yes, we gettestedevery three or four Ihaven’t reallytravelledanywhere when thepandemic is past? self atrue patriot,Iwouldliketoend by days.Itmight seem ratherregular,but that India's all-time-highest goal since the lockdown wasannounced. I Iwould liketoplayinastadium full of saying that Ibelieve that our levelofpolit- is the levelofprecaution that is beingtaken. scorer —sayshehas has been made trips to Bellary and then Goa in the supporters in Bengaluru or with the na- ical discoursehas descendedtodog whis- keeping up with training team bus. We usuallytravelinone bus. tional team —whichevercomes first. tles that incitethe worstemotions in the Have youhad to isolateyourself? But this time, we chosetotravelintwo so worstpeople in India. When it comes to Yes, through the lockdown, and the INTERVIEWBY that we can maintain social distance Since the un-lockdown, what have dog whistles it is true to saythat both pre-season. My wifeand Ihavebeen isolat- AMITAVA CHAKRABORTY when seated. youbeendoing? Hindu and Muslim ‘leaders’ areguilty.But, ing and takingevery possible precaution. We were movingcloser to the season. it is those who hold high office in Modi’s Howmuchtime do youspend in front Iwas spendingmostofthe time training government who have the highestplat- What kindofmask do youuse? of ascreen? hardand resting as muchasIcould. forms and the loudestwhistles, so they Nothing in particular.Justaregular Idon’t have anumber forthat. But it’s Football and fitness aside, Ihavebeen needtoshowthe highestresponsibility. mask. Illustration: Suvajit Dey rather minimal. Idon’t spend toomuch playing alot of Ludo. Sadlythis is what we do notsee yet.

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THESUNDAY EXPRESS,NOVEMBER22,2020 Crude Wa tch OIL POSTS THIRD WEEK OF GAINS NewYork: Oilprices rose about 1per cent higher on Fridayand posted athird consecutiveweekly rise,buoyed by successful Covid-19 vaccine 7 ECONOMY trials, while renewed lockdowns in several countriestolimit the spread of the coronavirus capped gains. REUTERS

RESERVES AT $572.7 BILLION IN WEEK-ENDED NOVEMBER13 PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION BILL Ineightmonths,forexreserves Tech policy groups, civil societies seek wider risebymorethan$100billion consultation from JPC

in the currency marketsifre- SANDEEPSINGH JUMPINRESERVESSINCELOCKDOWN ED Reserves quired to stabilise volatility in ru- AASHISHARYAN SFLCINDIAWRITESTOCHAIRPERSON &SUNNYVERMA provide pee-dollarexchangerate,andalso NEWDELHI,NOVEMBER21

NEWDELHI,NOVEMBER21 PLAIN use it as atool forinflation man- ■While some groups such over the next week. 600 E ● comfort 572.7 EX agement. With higherforeignin- IN AN attempt to seekwider con- as SoftwareFreedom Law ■ In itsletter, SFLCIndia has THOUGH THE Covid-19pan- vestment inflows,RBI has been sultationsondataprotection pol- Centre(SFLC) India have said while social media

demichas hitthe economyondif- ion) AS GDP growth remains buying dollars from the market icy and relatedissues, tech policy written aletterto intermediaries, fintech ferent frontsoverthe lasteight ill 560.5 aconcern for2020-21, and in doing so, it releases an groups and civil societies are Meenakshi Lekhi, the firms, travel aggregators $b Oct 23 months,the foreignexchangere- in rising forexreserves pro- equal amount in rupeesthrough planning to write to Meenakshi chairperson of the joint had been calledbythe JPC serveshave risen by over$100bil- s( 500 vide comforttothe gov- issuance of bonds and securities Lekhi,the chairperson of the joint parliamentarycommittee fororalconsultations, civil ve lion when the lockdown wasan- er ernment and the RBI. It and LAFoperations, resulting in parliamentarycommittee (JPC) (JPC), urging it to call them societies have notbeen es

nouncedinMarch-end. This xR 469.90 sufficiently covers the higherliquidity. on the personal dataprotection and other tech policy groups giventhe chance to jumpof22per cent has come fol- re import bill of the coun- “Accumulationof dollarsisen- bill, accordingtosources. forconsultations, others are represent themselvesand lowingasharpdecline in imports Fo try. Reservesalso pro- hancing liquidity in the banking While some groups such as likelytosend in their letter sharetheir ideas. alongside strong foreign invest- vide confidence to mar- system, keeping bond yields in SoftwareFreedom LawCentre 400 ment inflows in the secondhalf Mar 20 Nov13 ketsthat the countrycan checkand supporting effective (SFLC) India have written aletter of the calendar year. Week ended meetits external obliga- transmission On the backofpur- to Lekhi urging theJPC to call the draftDataProtectionBill,” global internetconglomerate Source: RBI Whiletheforexreservesstood tions and has reserves poseful dollarbuying by RBI, rise them andother tech policy SFLCsaid in itslettertoLekhi. Google,e-commerce giant at $469.9 billion in the week fornationaldisasters or in gold reserves and foreign cur- groups forconsultations,others The JPC on dataprotection Amazon and paymentssys- endedMarch 20,2020,ithasrisen between March andMay,pre- obtainedfromthe Ministryof emergencies. rency assets,India’sforeign ex- arelikelytosend in their letter bill, however, is likely to move to tems aggregator PayTM’s rep- by $102.8billionsincethenandto vented even normal drawdown Commerce. The value of elec- changereserves stood high at over the next week. clause by clauseconsultation resentativeshavedeposedbe- touch$572.7 billion in theweek of reserves. tronicgoodsimportstoodeclined $560.53billionason23rd October, In itsletter, SFLCIndia has said and discussion from the next fore the JPConpersonaldata endedNovember 13,2020. RBI According to dataavailable from$34.7billioninApril-October with benign oil prices and tepid 2020,coveringmorethan 13 that while social media interme- meeting onward andmay not protection bill. datareleasedonFriday shows with the Petroleum Planningand 2019 to $28.6billionduringApril- imports,hashelpedtheIndianru- months of imports,” the finance diaries, fintechcompanies, travel call anytechpolicy groups or Google’s representativeshad thatreserves grew by $4.2 billion Analysis Cell under the Ministry October 2020. pee remain broadlystable since ministrysaid in itsOctober aggregators had been calledby civilsocieties forconsultations, in their meeting with the JPC said in the week endedNovember13. of PetroleumandNaturalGas,the Rising foreign exchangere- mid-March2020.Therehas,how- monthlyeconomic review. the JPC fororalconsultations, civil sources said. Indiashould avoid data localisa- BetweenAprilandNovember, netcrude oil importdeclined serves provide forexternal sector ever,beendeteriorationinnotjust India’sforeignexchangere- societies have notbeen giventhe “The committee wantsto tion requirements, whichhad while foreignportfolio invest- sharplybetween April and stability and also coverfor im- the growth prospectsbut some serves startedrising significantly chance to represent themselves wrap up consultations as soon as irkedthe members of the com- ments(FPI) amounted to Rs September this year to $19.3 bil- ports. Almostsix months back other macroparameters suchas from September 2019.While the and sharetheir ideas. possibleand submit itsrecom- mittee,whilePaytm hadsaid 1,40,295crore(nearly $19billion), lion. It wasashigh as $83.2 billion when reserves had risen to $487 retail inflation and fiscaldeficit. foreign exchangereservesstood “Through this letter,wesin- mendationssothat the bill is datageneratedin Indiashouldbe the netFDI between April and forthe full year 2019-20. billionintheweekendedMay 15, While the rupee hit alow of 76.97 at $428billionin theweek ended cerelyhope that the Joint givenafinalshape. It maynot be parked in the country. September aggregated to $22.85 Similarly,thevalueofgoldim- RBIGovernorShaktikantaDashad againstthedollaronApril21, 2020, September 20, 2019,ithas risen ParliamentaryCommittee, under possible to invitemorestake- Cab aggregators, suchasOla billion. Besides this, asharpde- ports duringApril-October 2020 notedtheyare “equivalent to 12 ithasrecoveredoverthelasteight by $144 billion over the last 14 your chairpersonship, will invite holdersfor face-to-face consul- and Uber whose representatives cline in imports of crude oil, elec- fell to $9.2 billion compared with months of imports.” monthsandclosedat74.16 Friday. months to hit ahigh of $572.7 bil- civilsociety organisations that tations,” asenior government of- had also appearedbefore the JPC tronics andgold due to alock- $17.6billion in the corresponding Economistssayariseinforeign Highreservesprovidethecen- lion in the week-ended defend rights of citizensinthe ficial said. earlier this month, have sup- down in manyparts of the world periodlastyear accordingtodata exchangereservesincombination tral banks theability to intervene November 13. digital space forconsultationon Over the lasttwo months, porteddatalocalisationnorms. BRIEFLY PANDEMIC IMPACT Tamil Nadu bans online games, Punjab&Sind Banktoraiseup ‘Economic consequences of gambling; joins AP, Telangana to`5,500cr Covid on SouthAsia greater willbefinedRs5,000 and be Games that involve betting NewDelhi: State-owned than healthcarechallenges’ ENS ECONOMIC BUREAU punishedwith asix month sen- of anykind and rely on luckof Punjab &Sind Bank on NEW DELHI,NOVEMBER 21 tence, while those who open or the participantsare mostly Saturdaysaid itsboardhas The economic consequences of Covid pandemic on South keep open online gaming bannedinIndia, with some approvedaproposal to raise Asia areproving to be even greater than thehealthcare TAMIL NADU on Fridaybecame houses will be finedRs10,000 statesallowing some offline up to Rs 5,500crore by issu- challenges in theregion,according to areport compiled the thirdstate to banonline and be imprisonedfor versions suchaslottery tickets ing shares on apreferential by theHudson Institute games andgambling afterthe twoyears. and scratchcards. While there basis. The boardapprovalis state’s governor promulgated Electronic transfer of funds has been some debateon in line with the government WHATISTHISREPORT? COVID-19onSouthAsiaare healthcareinfrastructureandare developmentofhumancapital an Ordinance to restrict such forplacing bets,distributing whether online games area sanctionto infuseanamount Titled“NineMonthsofCOVID-19: provingtobeevengreaterthanthe hometolargenumbersofpeople games from public to prevent the winnings of games or any matter of pureluckorskill, the of Rs 5,500crore in the bank TheImpactonSouthAsia”,the healthcarechallengesintheregion livingbelowthepovertyline, PAKISTANhadmanagedto them from the “evils of online otherprize moneyrelatedto arrivalofmoneyhas further towardscontribution of the reportreleasedbytheHudson ■DifferentSouthAsiancountries settingthefoundationforuphill curtailthespreadofCOVID-19 gaming”. online games willalso be pro- complicated matters. Centre in thepreferential al- Institutethink-tank,isco- havedealtwiththepandemicin battleswhentacklinghealthcrises cases,butthecountryisonce “Due to online gaming,in- hibited under the new Mostadversaries of online lotmentofequitysharesdur- authoredbyHusainHaqqani, variousways,buttheeconomic againfacingariseininfection nocent people mainly young- ordinance. games and gambling have said ing FY2020-21. PTI formerPakistanambassadorto costsoverallseemtobehigher WAYOUT:Inordertoensurea sters arebeing cheated and ApartfromTamil Nadu, its that since thereare no regula- theUS,andAparnaPande thanthehealthcareconsequences safereturntonormallifeanda CURTAILMENTOFmediaand some people have committed neighbouring stateofAndhra tions, mostplayers end up resumptionofeconomicactivity, Opposition,aneconomyincrisis, suicide,” the governor’s office Pradesh and Telangana has al- spending alot of moneyfor Mnuchindenies 0FINDINGS: WHYISTHISIMPORTANT? SouthAsiangovernmentswould andincreasingroleofthemilitary saidinastatement promulgat- ready bannedonline gambling buy-in in these games. tryingtolimit ■Theeconomicconsequencesof Allthesecountrieshavepoor benefitfromfocusingmoreonthe beingseeninthelast9months ingthe Ordinance. and some of the cardgames Critics have also said that According to the newlaws, that canbeplayedonline. Tamil since these games arealso Biden’soptions anyform of wageroronline Nadu neighbouronthe other played by kids of all ages, the TAKEONINDIA: withaneconomythathasslowed country,“India’sdemocratic bets using computers or any side, Karnataka, is also mulling lackofmoney to buy these add- Washington: US Treasury WhiletheIndia-USrelations downdrastically,andaclamping credentialsfacechallenges other devices arebanned anew lawtoban online games on putsdifferent kinds of peer Secretary Steven Mnuchin “remainonanupwardtrajectory” downondissentwithinthe SOURCE: HUDSON INSTITUTE/PTI across the state. People who whichinvolve gambling and pressure, leadingtounpleasant deniedonFriday thatheisat- will be found gaming online betting, according to reports. circumstances. tempting to limit President- elect Joe Biden’s optionsfor revivingthepandemic-dam- Petrol, diesel aged economybyending Adverse reaction in Covaxin participant ‘US to add4more severalemergencyloanpro- grams being run by the price hiked Federal Reserve. AP ‘investigated’, unrelated to vaccine, saysco Chinese firms to for 2nd day ZurichInsurance minedas notvaccine related,” the conducted firstphase of the ENSECONOMICBUREAU The adverse event, spokesperson added. Covaxintrialatdifferentsiteswere nearsdealfor NEWDELHI,NOVEMBER21 BharatBiotechdidnotrespond notapprisedofthe issue, The Pentagon blacklist’ in arow reportedlyacase of the to queries about whether it had Sunday Express has learnt. MetLifeunit APARTICIPANT in the early stages participant developing haltedthe trials while it investi- “Allsuchissuesarerequiredto of BharatBiotech’strialforCovaxin viral pneumonitis, was gatedthe issue. Queries sent to be reported to the DSMBand, ac- REUTERS The additions would ENSECONOMICBUREAU NewYork: Switzerland’s haddevelopedanadversereaction DCGI Dr VG Somaniand Indian cordingly, the DSMB has to take a WASHINGTON,NOVEMBER21 bring the number of NEWDELHI,NOVEMBER21 ZurichInsurance Group AG reportedlyleading to hospitalisa- found in the firstphase Council of Medical Research decision. It is notnecessary that is in advancedtalkstoac- tion. However, theissue was“in- of the trials Director General Dr Balram everything should be reported to WASHINGTONISpoisedtodes- Chinese companies PETROL PRICE on Saturdaywas quireMetLifeInc’sUSprop- vestigated thoroughly”and was Bhargava about this issuealso re- everysite,” said one of the princi- ignatefour moreChinese compa- affected to 35 hiked by 15 paise per litreand erty andcasualty (P&C)car found nottoberelated to the mainedunansweredby presstime palinvestigatorsinthephase1trial niesasbackedbythe Chinesemil- dieselby20paise,the second and home insurance unit for Covid-19 vaccine, the company Drug Controller General of India), on Saturday. of Covaxin. Another principal in- itary, sources said,curbingtheir straightdayofincreaseinratesaf- close to $4 billion (3.01bil- said on Saturday. within 24 hours of itsoccurrence In the lastthree months, com- vestigatortoldTheSundayExpress access to US investors as the be named. terfirming international oilrates lion pounds), according to The adverse event, reportedly and confirmation...As per the panies likeAstraZeneca and the adverse eventseemstohave Trumpadministration seeksto The WhiteHouse and the brokenearly atwo-month-long people familiar with the acase of theparticipantdevelop- guidelines,alladverseeventswere Johnson &Johnson have an- occurredafter mostparticipants cement itshawkish China legacy Chinese embassy in Washington hiatus in price revision. matter.ZurichInsurance is- ingviral pneumonitis, wasfound reportedtothesite ethicscommit- nouncedthattheyweretemporar- forthe phase 1trial had been re- in itswaning days. did notimmediatelyrespond to Thepriceof petrolinDelhiwas suedastatement lateon in the firstphase of the trials and tee, CDSCO-DCGI,DataSafety ilyhalting recruitment and vacci- cruited,considering it wasre- The designations, whichhave requests forcomment. hiked to Rs 81.38 per litrefromRs Fridayconfirming it wasin the companyclaims it followed Monitoring Board(DSMB) and nation in late-stage trials of their portedinAugust.Recruitmentand notbeen previouslyreported, The additionswouldbring the 81.23, according to anotification discussions to acquire the proper protocols of reporting Sponsor,” Bharat Biotech’s vaccine candidates while theyex- vaccinations in firstphase of this could be releasedbythe numberof Chinese companies af- from oil marketing companies. MetLife’s US property and theissue.“Theadverseevent dur- spokesperson told The Sunday aminedunanticipated serious ad- trialbeganinmid-Julyandthesec- Department of Defense as soon fected to 35.Theyinclude giants Diesel rateswent up from Rs casualty business and cau- ing phase 1clinical trials during Express in emailedresponses verse events. The companies re- ond shotfor these wasadminis- as Fridaybut maybeunveiled likeHikvision 002415.SZ China 70.68toRs70.88 perlitre. tioningthatnodeal wascer- August2020, wasreported to the about the issue. sumedtrialsafteritwasconfirmed teredbythe end of the month, af- next week,said one US official Telecom Corp0728.HK andChina On Friday, petrol price was tain. REUTERS CDSCO-DCGI (Central Drugs “Theadverseeventwasinves- the issue wasnot causedbytheir terDSMB approved safetydata and one person familiar with the Mobile 0941.HK, whichwere raisedby17paise per litreand StandardControl Organisation- tigated thoroughlyand deter- vaccine. Other investigators who collectedfromfirst50participants. matter who declinedto addedearlier this year. diesel by 22 paise. Thisisthefirstrevisioninpetrol prices since September 22. Diesel rateshad notchanged since Decodingthe drop in diesel consumption in Nov G20 determined to use all tools October 2. Public sector oil marketing DROPINCONSUMPTION restriction across the countryon indicateareversalofthe companies -Indian Oil KARUNJITSINGH March 25 to curb the spread of growth trend? to contain pandemic, save jobs Corporation,Bharat Petroleum NEWDELHI,NOVEMBER21 Covid 19.Diesel and petrol con- The fall in diesel consumption Corporation Ltd and Hindustan 5% sumption crashedby56per cent inthefirsthalf of Novemberdoes- Petroleum Corporation Ltd -re- DIESELCONSUMPTIONinthefirst and 60 per cent, respectively,in n’t indicateareversal in the move REUTERS viseratesofpetroland diesel daily half of November fell 5per cent April. Thesalesofbothpetroland of dieselconsumptiontopre- BRUSSELS/WASHINGTON, basedonbenchmarkinterna- year-on-year,after growing in ■Diesel consumption in the diesel recoveredaslockdown re- Covidlevels,accordingto analysts, NOVEMBER21 tional oil price and foreign ex- Octoberforthefirsttimesincethe firsthalf of November fell 5per strictions were eased, withdiesel whonotedthatitmaybearesultof changerate. Covid-19pandemic-relatedtravel cent year-on-year,after salesinJunefallingonly15percent an unusual pattern of dieselcon- G20 NATIONSare determinedto Theyhave, however, resorted restrictions were imposed in growing in October forthe first shortofdieselsalesintheyear-ago sumption around the festivesea- continue doing everything possi- to calibrating the ratessince the March.Diesel consumption is a time since the Covid-19-related period. However, increasedcurbs son.Expertsnotedthatthere isin- ble to contain Covid, warning in a pandemicbroke out with aview keyindicatorofeconomicactivity travel restrictions were on movement imposedbystates creasedconsumption of diesel in draftcommuniquetheglobaleco- to avoidingvolatilityinretailprices. since it is usednot onlyasatrans- imposedinMarch. in Julypushedbackthe recovery the weeksleading up to the festi- nomicrecoveryremains“uneven, The 58-dayhiatus in petrol portation fuel but also forindus- in dieselconsumption, whichre- valseason, whichthen reduces highlyuncertain,andsubjectto el- price revision and the 48-daysta- trial and agriculturalactivity. mained20per cent belowpre- during the festiveperiod itself — evated downside risks”. tus quoondiesel rateswerepre- lockdowns? Covid levels in Julyand August. whichmay have brought down Bringing the pandemic under ‘FamilyPhoto’for the annual G20 SummitWorld Leaders is cededbynochange in ratesbe- What has the trend of petrol The consumptionofboth consumptionsforearly November. controlisthe keytosupporting a projected ontoSalwa PalaceinAt-Turaif, one of Saudi tween June 30 and August15and and diesel consumption been diesel and petrol crashedwhen Does the fall in diesel Fullreport on globaleconomicrecovery,theG20 Arabia’s UNESCOWorld Heritagesites,inDiriyah. Reuters a85-daystatus quobetween since Covid and itsrelated the government imposedtravel consumption in November www.indianexpress.com leaders said in the draft. March 17 and June 6. WITHPTI Kolkata WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM

THESUNDAY EXPRESS,NOVEMBER22,2020 8 THE WORLD

TOPOFTHE WORLD Georgia,Michigandeliver blowstoTrumpbidto reverseelectionresults Georgia is firstcontested statetocertify Biden as winner; Michigan GOP lawmakers saynoreason to alter outcome Kyle Rittenhouse at court. Reuters RICHARDFAUSSET, NICKCORASANITI& USA MAGGIEHABERMAN Teenchargedin ATLANTA,NOVEMBER21

Kenoshashootings US PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s releasedon attempt to undo the election re- sultswas undercut twice by fel- $2millionbond lowRepublicansonFriday, as KYLE RITTENHOUSE, the Georgia became the firstcon- teenager chargedwith fa- tested statetocertify Joe Biden’s tallyshooting twomen and victoryand Michigan lawmak- Duringarecount of ballots in Atlanta, Georgia, lastweek. NYT woundingathirdata ers —after meeting with the demonstration in Kenosha, president —said theywould not Latest bid running out of steam Wisconsin,wasreleasedon intervene in their state’s election Fridayona$2 million bond, BRAZIL:VIOLENCE ERUPTS AFTER MAN KILLED AT STORE certification process. aspokesman forthe AftercomplaintsbyTrump WITH BALLOT recounts the Electoral College. Key Kenosha County Sheriff’s Morethan 1,000demonstrators attacked aCarrefour Brasil supermarketinthe southern BraziliancityofPorto AlegreonFriday about the Georgia votecountand and lawsuitshaving so states suchas Department said. The aftersecurityguards beat to death aBlackman at the store. Thekilling, which has sparkedprotestsacross Brazil,occurredlateon amethodicalhand recount, farfailedtohelp Trump Pennsylvania, Georgia, teenager wasfreed afterhis Thursdaywhen astore employeecalled security afterthe man threatenedtoattackher,cable news channel GloboNewssaid, Georgia’s secretaryofstate,Brad reverse resultsinany of Michigan and Wisconsin attorneys postedthe bond citingthe Rio Grande do Sul statemilitarypolice. Amateurfootage of thefatal beating andtributestothe Blackvictimwere Raffensperger, declared Friday, “I the crucialstates, the have Republican-con- formurder and other publishedonsocial media. He wasidentified in local media by his father as 40-year-old JoaoAlberto SilveiraFreitas. Reuters live by themotto that numbers President’s latestplan, trolledlegislatures, so chargesstemmingfromthe don’tlie,”andmadeofficialthefi- according to reports, is to tryto Trumphopes theywould select Aug25shootings.Itwasun- nal tallyshowing Biden had de- getRepublicanmembers of electors who wouldbackhim. clearwherethe money feated Trumpby12,670 votes. boardsthat certify resultsin But he has alreadyfaced set- camefrombuthisattorneys Hours later,adelegation of states to stall the certification, backs to this plan, with Georgia Rockets hit Kabul, at least 8killed, 31 injured sevenMichigan Republicans, so that eventuallythe state leg- already certifying Biden’s win, had ledadrive to raise moneyfromdonations. who had metwith Trumpatthe islature will have to step in and and Michigan lawmakers say- Rittenhouse,17, is accused that an investigationisgoing on WhiteHouse at his request, said appoint their representativesto ing theywill notintervene. of shooting people at a REUTERS to find out howthe vehicle came theyhad no information “that protestfollowing the fatal KABUL,NOVEMBER21 inside the city. would changethe outcomeof shooting of Jacob Blake by Some residentsfilmedthe the election in Michigan.” Biden mostvotes win elections and Georgia and Michigan to his will policedays earlier.REUTERS SEVERALROCKETS hitresiden- rockets beingfired and posted beat Trumpinthe state by nearly Michigan’s electoral votes,” the signalsavanishingpathforhisef- tial areas in the early rush hour them on social media. Several 3percentagepoints. statement said. Trump’sout- fortstosubvert the election sys- in the Afghan capital Kabul on pictures circulating on Facebook “Wewill followthe lawand reachtostate Republicans amid tem. Georgia’s certification is the Saturday, killing at leasteight showeddamaged cars, shattered followthenormalprocessregard- the ongoing votecertification leadingedgeofaseries of battle- USA civilians andwounding 31,po- windows and holesinresiden- ing Michigan’s electors, justaswe process wascondemnedby grounds that over the next five 8injuredin lice officials said. tial homes. have said throughout this elec- Democratsasadangerous intru- days couldofficiallydeclare Biden The explosions, some close to Apictureofayoung brother tion,” the state’stop two sion intothe election process. thewinner,with Michigan and Wisconsin the diplomatic enclave,sent and sister, whom officials said Republican leaders said in astate- Though Trumphas tried Pennsylvania facing adeadline of mallshooting warning sirens blaring from em- were killedintheir home, was ment issued by the legislature. mightilytostymietheprocess,his Monday andNevadascheduledto bassies and it comes twodays Afghan security personnelcheck avehicle destroyed in the widelyshared on Facebook. “The candidates who win the failuretobend lawmakers in certify Tuesday. NYT POLICE SEARCHED Friday before amajor donor conference rocket attackinKabul on Saturday. AP One of the rocketslandedin eveningforthesuspectina forAfghanistaninGeneva. the vicinity of the Iranian em- shooting at asuburban TariqArian,spokesmanforthe bassy and severalfragmentshit Twitter to hand Milwaukeemall that left MinistryofInterior,said at least health ministryofficialsaid five Arian said “terrorists” the main building but therewere Donald Trump Jr tests sevenadultsand a eight civilians had been killed in bodiesand 21 injuredwere taken mounted 14 rocketsinasmall no casualties among the staff, over @POTUS teenager injured. the attackand 31 wounded. A to thehospital from the incident. truckand setthemoff,adding the embassy said in astatement. Wauwatosa Police Chief account to Biden positive for coronavirus Barry Webergavenomo- tive forthe attackatthe on January 20 Mayfair Mall. He said the Tibetan political leader Ethiopia rejects African MAGGIEHABERMAN extentof theeightvictims’ Los Angeles: Twitter will hand NOVEMBER21 injurieswasunknown,but mediation, pushes toward control of the@POTUS account all were alive.Headded visits White House for to US president-elect Joe Biden DONALD TRUMP Jr,the US that the shooterwas “no rebel-held Tigray capital the moment he is sworninon President’s son, tested positive longeratthe scene”when first time in six decades January20, even if President forthe coronaviruslastweek and authorities arrived. Donald Trumphas notcon- has been isolating since Monday, “Preliminarystatements half amillion people. ceded, the companyhas said. aspokesman said on Friday. DonaldTrumpJr from witnesses indicate REUTERS REUTERS Hundreds,possiblythousands, The @POTUS account is the He addedthat TrumpJrhas thatthe shooter is awhite SHANGHAI,NOVEMBER21 NAIROBI/ADDISABABA, have diedand morethan 30,000 official account of the President shown no symptoms and is fol- male in his 20s or 30s,” NOVEMBER21 refugees have fledtoSudan since of the United States andissepa- lowing virus protocols. wentaseriesof invasive therapies Webersaid. AP THE HEAD of the Tibetangov- theconflicteruptedonNov.4.The rate fromthe@realDonaldTrump TrumpJristhe latestperson typicallyreserved forpeople se- ernment in exile has visited the THE ETHIOPIAN governmentre- fightinghasspreadbeyondTigray, accountthat Trumpuses to tweet. close to the President who has riouslysickwith Covid-19. LEBANON US WhiteHousefor the firsttime buffedanAfrican effort to medi- whoseforceshavefiredrocketsat Biden, 78, will be the 46th US tested positive forCovid-19. Afteranexposuretothevirus, 5prisonersdie in six decades, amovethat could ateonSaturday,saying itstroops theneighbouringnationof Eritrea, President when he is sworn in. Barron Trump, thePresident’s symptoms can take up to 14 days further infuriateBeijing,which hadseizedanother town in their spurring concern of awider war. The handoverrequires no youngest son,testedpositive last to appear,iftheyeverappear at following has accusedthe United States of march towardsthe rebel-held On Friday, theAfrican Union sharingofinformation between month. Melania Trump, the first all. In that time, the virus can still massjailbreak trying to destabilise the region. capital of northernTigray region. blocappointedformerpresidents the outgoing Trumpteam and lady,also tested positive in spread from person to person. Lobsang Sangay,President of LobsangSangay,President More than twoweeksinto of Mozambique,LiberiaandSouth the incoming Biden team, October.InJuly, TrumpJr’s girl- Inrecentmonths,TrumpJrhas FIVE ESCAPINGprisoners the Central Tibetan of the Central Tibetan Prime MinisterAbiyAhmed’s of- Africa as special envoystoseeka Twitter said, adding that all ex- friend, Kimberly Guilfoyle, had questionedthe seriousness of the diedonSaturdaywhen Administration (CTA), wasin- Administration. Reuters file fensive,the government says ceasefireandmediationtalks.But isting tweets on those accounts tested positive forthe virus. pandemic,sayingthatsincedeaths their carhit atreeafter vited to the WhiteHouse to meet Tigrayan forces arebulldozing Abiy,who wonthe NobelPeace will be archived and Twitter will President Trumptestedposi- fromthevirushaddroppedto“al- morethan 60 detainees the newlyappointed U.S. Special roads and destroyed bridges to Prizelastyearforapeacepactwith transfer the accounts—resetto tive forthe virus in October and mostnothing” the outbreak was brokeout of aLebanese Coordinator forTibetan Issues, ported“meaningfulautonomy” hold up the advanceonregional Eritrea, aims to capture Tigray zerotweets—tothe Biden White washospitalisedashis symptoms under control. That daydeaths in detention centreoutside Robert Destro,onFriday, the CTA forthe region. capitalMekelle, home to about leaders before holding talks. House that day. PTI worsened. The President under- the US topped1,000.NYT the capital Beirut, said in apress release. Beijing officials have since ac- Lebanon’s Internal “This unprecedented meet- cusedthe United States of using SecurityForces(ISF)saidin ing perhaps will setanoptimistic Tibettotry to promote “split- astatement. The ISFstate- tone forCTA participation with tism”inChina. Chinahas also re- Protests across France against Billonpolice images ment did notsay howthe US officials and be morefor- fusedtoengagewithDestro. 69 prisonershad escaped malised in the coming years,” China seizedcontrol over fense of publishing images of po- AmnestyInternationalFrance,the ment to the measureinorder to from the facility,whicha saidthe CTA, whichisbased in Tibetin1950inwhat it de- ASSOCIATEDPRESS lice officers with intent to cause HumanRightsLeague,journalists’ specify that it “won’t impede the security source said holds India’s Dharamshala. scribed as a“peaceful liberation” PARIS,NOVEMBER21 them harm. unions and other groups. freedom of information” and pre-trial detainees and is Tibethas become one of the thathelpeditthrow offits “feu- The government has saiditis The Office of the UN High that it would focus onlyonim- partofBaabda district areas of disputebetween the dalistpast”, but critics ledbythe RIGHTS CAMPAIGNERS and intendedtoprotectpoliceofficers Commissioner forHuman ages broadcastwith “clear” in- prisonnear Beirut. The ISF United States andChina, with re- exiledspiritual leader the Dalai journalists organisations staged from onlinecalls forviolence. Rightsand France’s human tent to harm apolice officer. said15 prisonershadbeen lations between theworld’s two Lama sayBeijing’s rule amounts street protestsinParis and other Critics fear that, if enacted,the rights ombudsmanhavealso Offenders would face amax- caught while four others biggesteconomies at their low- to “culturalgenocide”. Frenchcities on Saturdayagainst measurewould endanger jour- voicedconcerns this week over imum penalty of up to one year turnedthemselvesin. The estpoint in decades. Chinese PresidentXiJinping asecurity Bill that theysay nalistsandotherswhotake videos risksthatthe measurewould in prison and a45,000-eurofine. carcrash in whichthe five US SecretaryofState Mike said in Augustthat China needed would be aviolation of the free- of officersatwork,especiallydur- undermine fundamental rights. Lawmakers arescheduled to diedwas describedasan Pompeo accused Beijing in July to build an “impregnable dom of information. ing violent demonstrations. At aprotestinParis on In response to the criticism, voteTuesdayonthe Bill, which accident. REUTERS of violating Tibetanhuman fortress” in Tibetinorder to pro- The proposedmeasure Saturday’sprotestswere called Saturday. Reuters Prime MinisterJeanCastexan- alsoincludesothersecuritymeas- rights and said Washington sup- tect national unity. REUTERS would createanew criminal of- by Reporters without Borders, nouncedThursdayanamend- ures. It will then go to the Senate.

THROUGH OVER 4DOZEN BOOKS,SHE EXPLORED FOREIGN LANDS,HER OWN BRITAIN AND HER EXPERIENCE AS ATRANSGENDER WOMAN Jan Morris, celebrated journalist, travel writer and historian, dies at 94

militaryofficer in one of Britain’s gender identity.Atage 46, she scriptionsofcities and country- 12.Hermother,EnidPayne,wasa guides as relays between the ex- JONATHANKANDELL mostrenownedcavalryregi- underwent transition surgery, sides areequallyvivid” and that concertpianist. pedition’s overnight camps and NOVEMBER21 mentsand then adaring journal- explaining the reasoning in a her writing conveyed“the emo- Afterjoining TheTimesof the city of Kathmandu in Nepal, istwho climbed three-quarters well-received1974memoir, tional tone of aplace as sharply London,she become aroving cor- she wroteofdeepsnowdragging JANMORRIS, the acclaimed of theway up MountEverest for Conundrum,which waswritten as itsshape and colour”. respondentinEurope,theMiddle at the explorers’ feet,sweat trick- Britishjournalist, travel writer an exclusive series of dispatches twoyears afterthe operation un- Venice (1960) wonBritain’s EastandtheUS.Butitwashercov- ling down theirbacks,their faces andhistorian who wroteabout from the firstconquest of that der anew byline, Jan Morris. prestigiousHeinemannAwardfor erageofthe firstascentofMount burning from cold, ice and wind. history’s sweep and the details mountain, the world’s highest. “I wasthree or perhaps four Jan Morris Literature.InTheNew York Times Everestin1953that establisheda But Morris stoppedshortofthe of place with equal eloquence Shecontinuedabrilliantwrit- years oldwhenIrealisedthat I in Wales in BookReview, ItalianauthorCarlo reputationasone of theshining summit, allowing the expedition and chronicledher lifeasatrans- ing career with reports on wars hadbeenborn intothe wrong 2018. NYT Beufcalledthe book “one of the journalistsofageneration. leaderstoclaim the limelight. gender woman, diedonFriday and revolutions from ascoreof body,and should reallybeagirl,” mostsatisfactoryand delightful The Times securedthe exclu- “I think forsheer exuberance in Wales. She was94. countries, and withmuch-ad- the bookbegan,ariveting narra- worksonthe City of the Lagoons sive rightstocovertheEverest ex- thebest dayofmylifewasmy last Her sonTwm Moryssaid in mired bookslike PaxBritannica, tive of being transgender,which my backonit, as Iset my face Heaven’s Command: An Imperial to appear in recent years.” pedition, whichwas ledbySir on Everest,” she wrote. “The an email thatshe diedinahospi- thefirstofathree-volumehistory wasmisunderstood at thetime againstmanhood,” she wrote. Progress (1973). MorriswasbornonOctober2, Edmund Hillary, aNew Zealand mountainhadbeenclimbed,and talnear the villageof of the British Empire. Morris also and rarely discussed. In all, Morris wrotesome four In a1957reviewofIslam 1926, in Clevedon, atownin explorer,and Tenzing Norgay,a Ihadalreadybegunmy racedown Llanystumdwy,whereshe lived. marriedand had five children. “I thought of public success dozen books. Among the best- Inflamed: AMiddle EastPicture, Somerset,England. Her father, Sherpa guide from Nepal, and the glacier toward Katmandu, He did notgivethe cause. But she became increasingly itself, Isuppose,aspartofmale- known early titles were The Phoebe-Lou Adams of The Walter,was gassedduring World pickedMorris to jointhe team. leavingthe expedition to pack its As James Morris she wasa despondent over the issue of ness, and Ideliberatelyturned Hashemite Kings (1959) and Atlantic wrotethat Morris’ “de- WarIand diedwhen Morris was Filing dispatches by using gear behind me.” NYT Kolkata NOVEMBER 22, 2020 | WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM | PAGE 9 THE SUNDAY EXPRESSMAGAZINE

SPOTLIGHT BOOKS MiracleWorker ● Review of Arun Shourie’s Preparing ForDeath ● Review of John Zubryzcki’s The House of Jaipur: The Director Atanu Ghosh remembersthe late actor Inside Story of India’sMost Glamorous RoyalFamily SoumitraChatterjee and howherepresented the best in Bengali cinema ● Interview with Women’s Prize winner eye Maggie O’ Farrell

ILLUSTRATION:SUVAJITDEY BreaktheMould Open City RoomforUsAll Unlikemany other megacities in Areimagination of cities will the world, in Delhi, one is require the collective always acreature of habit and Public life, as we knew it, has come to an unprecedented standstill. involvement of the people whose limitedimagination needs it should represent Ahistorian, asocial scientist and an artist reimagine form Monica Narula and functionality in the cities that nurture us Manju Menon

SOMETIMES, Igocycling witha13-year-old. The roads are IN JULY2018,about100Delhiresidents—children, shopkeep- unevenbut emptythese days,especiallyifwemanage to get Janaki Nair were daring ideas in their time, and women ers, professionals, auto drivers, among them —stood on the out early enough. Will the scent of the shaitaan bloom be were fullyapartofthe workforce. But the Africa Avenuepavementeveryevening,protestingagainstthe able to pierce our masks? It’s coming to that time of the year. AFINE Zhenotdel or Women’s Bureau(the women’s NationalBuildings Construction Corporation Ltd and Urban The trees aregreen and we areable to feel the gentle slide of UBLIC LIFE, as we knew it, has department of the Secretariat of the Central Ministry’s massiveredevelopment project that would turn the seasons. Our cycling path remains meandering as we come to an unprecedented Committee of the All-Russian Communist sevengreen, residential areas intohigh-rise apartment and have no specialplace to headtowards. Delhi, unlikeother standstill, and private lifehas Party) wasabolished in 1930 whenJoseph commercial complexes. The project, spread over 570acres, cities, does nothaveaspotfromwhichtosoak in the pleni- been intensifiedtothe point of BALANCE Stalin declared that the women’s question originallyintendedtorazeall existing buildings and over tude of life—unlike Istanbul, KolkataorLondon with asea to tyranny, due to thecurrent had been “answered”(in some accounts, be- 16,000trees to theground. One common concern waswhere look at or abridgeviewtosee aliving river. Youare always fi- Phealth emergency.Eventhe cause the potato peeler had been invented!). do we take our grievances about what the city is becoming. niteinDelhi. Probablythe reason whypeople seem so trou- lines that radicallydividedunpaid domestic The claims of women In itsplace came an organisationof“activist MostIndiancitiesarebeingbroughtdownto rebuildthem. bledbythe monsoon, as, forthosefew days,the disruption labour from “workfor wages”, usuallyout- to public space wives”, who nowperformedwhatwas Thewords mostfrequentlyusedtodescribetoday’s urban dy- feels large and beyond our everyday. side the home (though onlyfor some largely an extension of housekeeping in the namicsarerestructuring,renewalandredevelopment.Ourcity classes), have been dramaticallyredrawn. public sphere: checking the cleanliness of plansleave outtheverypeoplewhomakethecity.Thepresent What better moment to criticallyre-examine responsibilities. Some thinkers even ab- hostels, beautifying gardens, supervising system of urban planninghas very little to offertothe poorest, andreimagineprivate lifeand domesticity, horredthosewomen who lookedfor aca- crèches. WomeninResidents’ Welfare working-class city residents. Cities have also been acutelyex- and also reassertthe claims of women to reer outside. Even the left-oriented Bauhaus Associations in Indiatodaylikewise playadis- periencingtheeffectsofenvironmentalmal-governance.There public space? architectsofthe early 20th centuryaimed proportionate role as “social housekeepers”, is apublic environmental disasterfor everyseason and cities To startwith, howdowomen navigatea forgreater efficiency in housework,byde- extending their skillsathome to the lifeof face them morefrequentlyand forlongerperiods. So, howdo predominantly “man-made” environment, ploying the principles of scientific manage- neighbourhoods, though within aframework we engagewith the remakingofour cities? Urbanisationcan- both within and outside the home —itself ment to increase the efficiency of the house- of enclaved democracy. notbeindenialofecology and oursocial realities andhierar- surprising, giventhat women architecture hold through the use of moredomestic Housingdesign in the modern cityisin- chies.This calls fornuance and acareful understanding of var- studentsoutnumber men in contemporary appliances, but onlyinorder to free women creasinglybeing homogenised, drivenexclu- ious experiences to collectively imagine whose needs acity India, though fewerwomen practise archi- fortheir roles as spouses and mothers. sively by real estateconcerns, rather than by should cater to and what values it should reflect. tecture. Howcan architects, planners and In other cases, women movedfrombe- aesthetics, social justice,orgaining equal pub- Unfortunately, our urban-planning processes offernosuch environmental experts be made to collabo- ingpassive clientstoactive agents, though lic access, leave alonethe achievement of rel- platforms.Itis hypertechnical, meant to disempowerand dis- rate in ways that extend respect to thelived in alow-key,understatedway: “Vrouwen ative gender equality.Housing needs of single suadeordinarycitizens from getting involved in the business EXPRESSARCHIVE experiences, and the challenges facedby Adviescomissies” (VACs) were begun in the women, childless couples, the elderly or the of “regulatinglanduse”. Thisis strictlythedomainofthepow- INFINITYINMULTITUDES women, herenot to be understood as aho- immediate postwar years in the Netherlands home worker (saythe beedi roller) rarely im- erful and privileged experts who approachurban space as an Anti-CAA/NRC protest at Shaheen Bagh earlier this year mogenous whole? (in the 1940s andcontinue to the present pingeonplanning imaginations, forwhom economic resource in their hands to monetiseatwill.Mostur- Perhaps, this is an appropriatemoment day) when therewas aserious housing all solutions maybescaledas“BHKs”. banregulatorybodies constitutegovernment departmentsor to engageinareverie about newwaysofliv- shortage. Public provisioning of housingwas It is no indulgence, therefore, to return to agenciesthatapprovetheir ownprojects. The approval mech- Delhi offers us modularliving:movingbetween known ingincities. Let’s beginbyreturningtothe notjustfor theworking class or the urban that earlier generation of dreamers who anismshavenoarticulation of the city’s relationship to nature. spaces and faces. It does noteasilyaffordanencounter with a dreams of 19th and early 20th century poor but forthe middle class as well. The were concernedabout reducing the monot- Thereislittle hope of anygood outcomes until these bodies stranger.For that alone, Mumbai is thebestcity. In Delhi, it is utopian thinkers —bourgeois dreamers no VACs suggestedchangestoplans that were onyand drudgery of housework.Sometimes, arerevampedtobemoreinclusive and transparent. within our lattice-likestructureofliving that we have to build doubt —who reconceptualiseddomestic life notenvisaged by (usually) male builders, theyproposedsimple solutions, suchas Theenvironmentallaws andregulationsthatapplytocities our security, andourexuberance. Does this form of living limit and space. The main aim wastoreduce the “walking” through plans, cutting up and re- round rooms (whichhad no dust-gathering areoutmodedand complicit in creating urban forms that are our worldand hamper our imaginations? Does it makeusde- repetitive drudgeries of household labour: arranging themfrommorepractical pointsof corners) or at leastroundedroom edges. unliveable unless cities appropriatefood, watersources and pend on knownways of relating and framing people, with in- who wishedtoproduce approximately1,095 use, to the elderly,the physicallychallenged, Givenour entrenched inequalities, we will leisure spaces or “second homes”further away to sustain life culcated habitspolicing the borders of the social? meals per year,inaddition to planning and the single woman. These, too, were largely have to look hardatspaces and temporali- in cities.Environmental approvalstoreal-estateand construc- Ihavesensedanelated bewildermentinthe eyes of my cleaningupafter that? non-feministinterventions, asearch forprac- ties, well beyond the private/daytime, to gen- tion companies comeeasy.Because of badly-planned, large young companion, twice. The firstwas when she entered the So the answer of some utopian planners tical conveniences withincloselyguarded eratea“good city form”. The unfinishedproj- landscapeprojects,citiesare producingquick-fixsolutionsthat Nehrustadiumto seetheUnder-17WorldCupfootballandthe of the US, suchasMarie Howland in the domestic spaces. ect, whichtook shape following the can be counterproductive to public health. The smog towers roar and friendlycrowd brought out an understanding of the 1870s, and Alice Constance Austin in the Utopian ideals, meanwhile, changeddra- nationwide outcryagainst the December andthe “waste to energy” incineration plantscame through unknown powerofcollectivelife. The second time waswhen 1890s, wastosocialise domesticwork, and maticallyasaresultofthe warand revolu- 2012 gangrape and murder,and continues top-down environmentalinterventions, involving courts,as sheencounteredhundredsofwomensittinginShaheenBagh; collectivise laundry,cooking, and childcare. tion, whichbrought hugenumbers of hith- to generateonlythe rather tame demand for solutions to airpollution and wasteaccumulation. Suchreac- silent and listeningtodistant speakers, underthe veil of an en- This involvedthe design of “kitchenless” erto closetedwomen out of their homes to better-lit roads, mustberevived.The water tive managementcreatesabacklashagainstlawsmeantto pro- velopingyellow fog.Bothof thesemadethecitybreakitsworld, houses, though food consumption still re- work in industry/fields/munition factories, if pumps, the footpaths, the publictoilets,the tect publicinterest. The collective rebuilding of citiesneeds in- andgatheraforceof possiblefuturesoutof thecountoftheday. mained aprivatisedaffair.Freeing women onlytemporarily. Ideas about collectivising street corners,inaddition to parks, places of clusive forumsfor decision-making.Urbanregulatorybodies Ilook up from my balconyatVenus, with itspossible sign foramorepublic lifewas only an implicit housework took stronger root only in the so- worship and recreationalspaces,mustall be willhave to shedtheirauthoritariantop-downplanningmech- of life. Ilook backatmycity: Delhi needs to celebrate itscrowds, goal, since the designs did notnecessarilyre- cialistworld, wherethe (state support for) so- partofthe newreverie. anismsifcities have to be co-designedashabitatsfor all. as an admission of infinitude within the finitecount of living. setgenderrelations, or assign agreater role cialisation of housework wastiedtothe even- formen in domestic life. Women remained tual “withering away”ofthe family, especially JanakiNairisretiredprofessor,history,Jawaharlal ManjuMenonisasocialscientistandwritesonurbanissuesand MonicaNarulaisco-founder,RaqsMediaCollective principallyhousewives, though withfewer in the 1920s. Collective kitchens and crèches NehruUniversity,NewDelhi environmentalpolicies Kolkata EYE,THE SUNDAY EXPRESS MAGAZINE

NOVEMBER 22, 2020 SPOTLIGHT 10 DOWN IN JUNGLELAND

RanjitLal

Ranjit Lal is an author, environmentalistand birdwatcher All Eggs in One Basket Dark or light, round or oval, every bird egg serves aunique purpose

CHASING LIGHT HILE WE’RE all sourcedfromeggs, some moms in the animal kingdom prefer to keep their eggs outside their bodies. WWhich, Ithink,may be areallygood idea. After months of relative isolation, arejuvenating trek Think of the advantages: youcan layasmanyasyou wish; if some getbrokenorare diseased, theycan be replaced in Uttarakhand’s mountains without affecting the mother’s health. Egg-laying moms have arange, too: from the bindaas moms (in the insect and piscine worlds) who laythousands of eggs and forget PHOTOS:SHYAMSARAN about them, to birds who assiduouslyincubatetheir eggs, Shyam Saran fields of coarse grains, potatoes and mustard, vancedfromsunrise to sunset, myriad hues keeping them at exactlythe right temperatureuntil they with cattle and sheep grazing along hillsides. mantledthe Chaukhamba—mountainoffour hatch, and insect moms (wasps), who laytheir eggs on Our firstday’s trek wasshort but asteep pillars —whose views commandedourcamp. anesthetisedcaterpillars or small arachnids so their ba- FTER MONTHSofbeinghun- ascent. We movedfromazone of subtropi- Notfar from the campweregravesofnomadic bies have astock of fresh meat to feed on afterhatching. kereddowninrelative isolation cal vegetation to forestsofgoldenoak and Gujjar shepherds marked by rough-hewn While some hip moms maynot carefor their eggs at all, to escape COVID-19infection, rhododendrons. This mustbeone of thefew stones. This is whereshepherds graze their others (crocodiles) guardtheir clutches ferociously. therewas an incipient stirring remainingstretches of oak in the country. One flocks of sheepinthe summersand migrate The great dinosaurs laid eggs, too, and from them Aof lifelastmonth. Inormally suspects that with more road-building, these to the lowervalleys in winter.Wemet aflock came birds, to whichour focus will shiftnow.All birdslay head out intothe mountains everyautumn. pristine forestswill inevitablybelosttothe on itsdescent to greener pastures. eggs —whether justasingle one everytwo years (wan- So, the minutethe trekking agency,whose imperativesofdevelopment.Weset up camp On our lastmorning at Matiya, we went dering albatross) or as manyas19(grey partridge). The services Ioften avail of, offeredabrief trek in at asmall clearing in the forest calledthe up anearby ridge,Panwali Kantha, to geta tinybee-hummingbird’s eggs weigh 0.5 gm, while the os- theGarhwal Himalayas, Igrabbed at it.The Gwan Manda,withlushgreeneryaround its panoramic viewofthe entirerange. The sun, trich’s is 1.5kg(enough foranine-person omelette!). trek,ofcourse, hadanimpressivelistofsafe- perimeter. Looking down intothe valleyin however, struckatanangle whichput the Birds’ eggs have fascinated us forhundredsofyears. guards to protectagainstthe virus. From tem- the clearafternoon sun, we could see the vil- main peaksinalight haze. It wasstill agrand Collectors in the West backinthe “bad old days”, engaged perature, pulse and oxygen saturation checks lages we had leftbehind. sight. The ridgehad several in cut-throat competition, collecting eggs from the nests ●●● everymorning and evening to daily sanitisa- GO TELL IT The firstday of walking smallshrines—visiblefrom of rare birds andthen destroying them so others couldn’t tion of trekking gear andamasked-and- ON THE hadleftustired.Dinnerwas our camp—constructedby gettothem. It put manyspecies in danger of extinction: gloved crew.Our group of three braved the MOUNTAIN servedearly but,despitethe These alpine villagers in the memoryof mercifullythe “hobby” has diedanatural death, though early-November winter to head towards cold, the viewofthe night their deceasedelders. sadly, sometimes, birdphotographers these days indulge (From top) Nanda MatiyaBugyal in thenorth Tehri region. sky kept us from crawling meadows are framed We couldn’t leave in the same reprehensible behaviour. These alpinemeadows,atanaltitude of Devi at sunrise; backintothe tents. One of withouthavingwitnessed The bewildering, beautifulcolours,shapes and pat- 3,500m,are framed by an amphitheatre of Chaukhambha from the great delightsofmoun- by the massive the sunrise over theNanda terns of birds’eggs aretrulyfascinating. The default ground high snow-clad mountains, with the mas- Matiya Bugyal; tain treksisgazing up at a Chaukhamba at one Devi, so offwewentup colour is white(thankstocalcium,whichgives it strength), sive Chaukhamba at one end and thebreath- shepherds sky studdedwith an in- Jagdi Topridge, freezing in the eggs of manypasserine(or perching) birds areblue or taking Nanda Devi at the other.Inthe descending with credible density of twin- end and the Nanda the cold. The peak wassil- greenorbeautiful shades in between.Manyare speckled November sunrise and sunset, the moun- kling stars, to see the Milky houetted againstaflaming and splotched in richredsand browns.This patterning, ap- their flocks tains lookedmajestic. Thepleasant, sun-filled Gangotri and Badrinath becameaccessible by Waystretch acrossthehori- Devi at the other orangeand then bathedin parently, adds to rigidity when the calcium maybedefi- bugyal (high-altitudemeadow) wasamost road. Pandemic notwithstanding, therewas a zon as ariver of bright sil- golden light as the sun picturesque place to campat. Fortwo nights, fair amount of trafficonthe roads. We learnt ver, asight whichremains ●●● rose higher.Itwas an ethe- we made Matiya Bugyalour base, taking that this year Gangotri, Badrinath and adistant dream in the pol- real sight. shortertreks to some of thehigher ridges, Kedarnath were to remain open until luted cities we live in. The descent to our camp, next to the vil- wherethe views getmoredramatic. November 15 as the weather had been Our trek next daytook us to ourdestina- lageofGwanMalla wherechildren were The road from Dehradun to Ghansali vil- warmer than usual. tion,theMatiyaBugyal, over agentler,less-in- playing cricket as curiousvillagers paid us lageinupperTehri goes along thelakecreated FromGhansali,we headedout next morn- clinedpath, threading our waythrough forests friendlyvisits,was uneventful. On our drive by the Tehridam —the highestinthe country ing to Gwan village, wherethe road ends and of oak and occasional pines. The snowmoun- back to Dehradunthe next day, passing —beforeascending towardsChamba. What ourtrekwouldcommence from.Itwasashort tains came intoview, dominated by the through DhanaultinearMussoorie, we usedtobeasleepylittle village justafewyears two-hour drive.Our crew of guide, cook, Khatling, as we reachedthe open and rolling caught alovelyviewofBandarpoonchmoun- agowhen Ilastvisited wasnow asubstantial helper andporters stoodwaitingalongwitha expanse of the Bugyal soon afternoon. There tain, whichseemedtofloat againstthe deep- town spilling over the adjoining ridges. team of five poniesandtheirminders to carry is aroutetoTapovanand Gaumukh across the blue sky.With ourspiritselevated, we were Ghansali, too, is an urban sprawlinthe mak- our baggage. Withthe ponies loaded, offwe Khatling glacier.The Khatling is followedby ready to face the troubledworld again. ing. We spent the night at asmall guesthouse headedintothe mountains. Thevillagehadto the Bhrigu Patthar,ThalaySagar,Chaukhamba, with modern facilities.Theseroutes have ben- becrossedbeforehitting the mountain trail. It Neelkanth and, finally, risingabove all likea ShyamSaranisaformerforeignsecretary efitted from pilgrim trafficonce the towns of wasatypical Garhwalvillagewith terraced queen, the Nanda Devi peak.Asthe dayad- andanavidtrekker

RANJITLAL EGGSQUISITE Adecorated ostrich egg

The MiracleWorker cient in the mom’s diet, and has antimicrobial properties. Eggsofnon-passerine birds areusuallywhite, barring the nesting ones on the ground(lapwings, etc.) whose eggs are Adirector remembers the late actor Soumitra crypticallycoloured to camouflage with thestony ground Chatterjee, who epitomised the best in Bengali cinema they’relaid on,and, thus, easilytrampledupon.Bigger eggs laidbybigger birds have biggeryolks(no-brainer) —when theyhatch,the chicks arefairly chalta-phirta,abletorun, Atanu Ghosh break,the camerastopped working. swimand feed themselves, and callednidifugous although Immensely anxious,Iwas wondering how theyneedtheirmoms onlyfor protection. long it would take forthe replacement cam- While the yolk contains the nourishment forthe em- CINEMA,THEATRE, television —inhis entire eratoarrivewhen the powerwent off, adding bryo,the albumen surrounding it serves as acushion, pre- life, SoumitraChatterjee musthaveworked to my woes.Rightthen,hecalledforme.When venting harmful microbes from getting in. The eggshell is with thousands of directors. Iamjustone of Iwentto him,Isaw thatthescenehadchanged. dotted with thousands of tinypores through whichthe them. But muchbeforethat, Iamaneternally Theunithadmovedintothebalcony andwere exchangeofgases takesplace. Atypical chicken’s egg has captivatedfan. Imusthavebeen in Class VII or seated around him and he wasregalingthem 7,500pores. The broad end of the egg contains the air sacs VIII, when Isaw him forthe firsttime.Ihad with anecdotes, drenchedinsweat in that hot and mostofthe pores areconcentrated here. Reason why gone to buy medicines formygrandfather. summerafternoon.Iwasstandingatadistance there’s an emptyspace in this region, visible while peeling WhenIenteredthe store, he wasthereright in and watchingthe scene, marvelling at his zest ahard-boiledegg. The broad end is also wherethe major front of me buying medicines. Isaw people forlife,whenhebeckonedmeandsaid,“Listen, parts of theembryo develops, itshead and major organs, gawk at him, but he remainednonchalant. suchhindrancesare natural while shooting. If the tail being lefttothe narrowerend. The oval shape of Pocketing his purchase, he leftinhis thedirectorgetsworkedup,itaffectshiswork. mosteggs enables it to take up anaturally“heads up” pos- Ambassador car.Manymoons later, when I Instead, listentoaPJofmine, it willease your COURTESYATANUGHOSH tureand it is from herethat the tinychickbreaksthrough came to know him well, Irecounted this inci- nerves. PJ maane jaane toh (You knowwhat a FATHERS During the making of Mayurakshi,music him somewhat tired andsullen at times. But using its“egg tooth”, made of calcium. dent. He replied, “Do youremember what PJ is)? Apoor joke!” AND SONS director DebojyotiMishraand Iwantedhim to when he wasinthe mood, he wasready to Researchers have long arguedabout the shape and medicine Ibought that day? Musthavebeen Ihad worked with himbefore, but some- sing the song Babachhelergaan instead of set- meeteveryone’s demand, shareendless stock colour of birds’ eggs. Birds laying in risky places likecliff (Above) Soumitra forheadache. That is oftenre- how, duringMayurakshi(2017), tling foraplayback.He refusedpointblank.At of anecdotes, laughter and childlike exuber- ledges layeggs that aretapering and oval to prevent them quired in this field.” Irediscovered him. Four days Chatterjee (right) his age, he has no song leftinhim, he said, that ance. Greatartistestie us in invisible bonds of from rolling off, those that layinholes and hollows like Ever since Iwas bitten by before Iwas scheduledtonar- and Prosenjit he goes off-key and out of breath, and the film affection, salve our wounds andhopethatwe owls and bee-eaters layround eggs. But there’s moreto the filmmaking bug, Ihad just rate thescripttohim,hisgrand- Chatterjee in astill would sufferbecause of his attempt.Iurged give equal regard to theirlimitationsand pain this than that. It’s been discoveredthat the shape of eggs one dream —once, justonce, I sonmetwithaterribleaccident. from the National Debudato sing the trackfor themoment while as we do to their talent and intellect. is highlydependent on itsflight capabilities: if the birdisa wantedto work withSoumitra Iwas hesitant, but he insisted Award-winning Itriedconvincinghim.Debuda washesitant— Wherever Mayurakshi hastravelled, audi- fast flyer—likeafalcon —its eggs will be streamlinedtofit Chatterjee.Lifewouldhadbeen on hearingthe scriptonsched- giventhe intricacyof thecomposition,shoot- enceshaven’tbeenableto distinguishbetween intoits mom’s aerodynamic body shape perfectly. film Mayurakshi worthwhile withjustonefilm, ule.Hehadapeculiarhabitdur- ingitinsomeoneelse’svoice and then having the real-lifeSoumitraand his onscreen char- Darkeggs absorb moresunlight, keep out ultraviolet but over time, we endedupdo- ing script-readingsessions— (2017); director SoumitraKakusing over it would makeiteven acterisation of Sushobhon. Hischaracter’s in- raysand so areexpected to be found moreamong birds ingsix —four featurefilmsand he’d sketch along, translating Atanu Ghosh moredifficult forhim, he said. But we had no comparable credibilityhas leftmanycrying living in colder climes. But darkeggs also have strong an- twotelefilms. In the initialdays, his visceral perception of the choice. Soumitra Kakuwas happy to hear profuselyatscreenings. He had once told me, timicrobial properties and hotand humid climes are my handswouldtremble storyontopaper.Tomygreat Debuda’s playbackand especiallydelighted “Film acting is successful onlywhen it creates hotbedsfor harmful microbes. Researchers have finally while handing over the screen- surprise, that sketch would re- that he would gettodoasong sequence after maximum effect using minimum strokes.” concludedthat darkeggs arebetteratthermo-regulation plays to someone as scholarly flect the theme of the film. years. Isaw my chance and told him I’d retain Thisuniqueabilityto establishaspiritualrela- —inkeeping the temperatureatanoptimal levelfor the as him. My Bengali wasrusty,Itold him, my During both Angshumaner Chhobi (2009) and the song onlyifhesang it. He sank deep in tionshipwithone’scharacterwithatinystroke development of the embryo and can be found in both hot rootswereinAllahabad morethaninKolkata. RupkathaNoy (2013),hemadetwosuchlovely thoughtsand remainedsilent. Afterafew of abrush will remain unforgettable forever. and cold climes. Light or whiteeggs areasignal forpreda- Careful nottoembarrass me, he had aspecial pencil sketches. But during Mayurakshi,he days,herang me up to enquire whether Ihad In ascene from Mayurakshi,hedraws a tors –but then manybirds still laythem! way—whatever he didn’t want to hear,he couldn’t draw.Helistenedwith rapt attention changed my mind.Ihad notand he agreed windowinthe clouds with his hands and says The speckling and splotching of some sea birds that would feign that he hadn’t heardit. No won- andlatertoldme,“Thisisyourandyourfather’s eventually. Uncannily, his recording wasaper- (toonscreen son Prosenjit Chatterjee), “If you nestincolonies thousands strong aresospecific that the der he kept saying that the entirefilm indus- story. One day, tell me about your father in fect fitfor the shoot. It still surprises me how feel distressed, do come and sit here. You’ll see mother can recognise her own; and, with some victims tryknewthat he washardofhearing! great detail.” He took the time to hear about quicklyand effortlesslyheaccomplishedthe me.” That windowismine. All my life I’ll look of brood parasitism, the mom keeps changingthe pat- Mytrystwithhimstartedin2005,withthe my scientistfather and his insatiable curiosity difficult task.The worldknewhow defthewas up at the sky,atthat window, to find him there. terns of her eggs to keep one step ahead of the nasty, telefilm Asamapto.The shootinglocation was forthings.Iwasastoundedbythelengthanac- at dubbing, but that he could createmagic waiting cuckoo. astone’s throw away from his residence in torgoesto to bringto life hischaracter.Perhaps, with music as well, we hadn’t aclue. AtanuGhoshisaNationalAward-winningfilmmaker south Kolkata. On the firstday afterlunch this is true onlyfor an actor of his calibre. Of late, age, illnessandanxiety wouldleave Formore, visitwww.indianexpress.com

Kolkata EYE,THE SUNDAY EXPRESS MAGAZINE

11 BOOKS NOVEMBER 22, 2020

Palace Walk

Afascinating behind-the-scenes account of the inner workings of Jaipur’s Kachwaha dynasty

Coomi Kapoor

NTHE twilight years of the Raj, Jaipur wasthe country’s best known royal house, even if the ma- haraja wasaccordedfewer gun salutes than several Iother Indian princes. The kingdom’s fame wasnot justbecause of the fairy-tale pink city or the family’s claims to traceits ancestrybacktoLordRama through his son Kush. The colourfuldynasty remainedinthe limelight because of itsglamour,intrigue,romance, scandals and disputes. The star of the familywas undoubtedly Gayatri Devi, known to her friends as Ayesha, apet nametaken from Rider Haggard’s book, She.Ayesha’s beauty and elan were legendary. An international societymagazine wrotethatshe made even Jacqueline Kennedy look frumpish. Her romance with the handsome,polo play- ing Prince SawaiMan Singh II, Jai forshort, wasuncon- ventional. She was13years old when she firstmet him, but ateenageinfatuation developedintoafull-blown WIKIMEDIACOMMONS crush.When she wasonly15, Jai asked her mother Indira, the RajmataofCoochBehar,for permission to marry her. Indirarespondedsharply, “I neverheardsuch sentimental rubbish.’’ Jai already had twowives.Hewas marriedwhen he The Hawk Pulls its Shadow wasnine to the MaharajaofJodhpur’ssisterand niece in what arelative described as “a packagedeal’’,with some of Jodhpur’s famedpolo horses thrownin. One wifewas 13 years older than Jai, the other four years younger. Both were kept in strict purdah.Besides, Jai, who spent his summersplaying polo in England and sipping cham- From theWorld pagne with the swish set, wasamagnetfor beautiful foreigners. Ayesha’s brother,who had similar tastes, warnedhis sisterthat she would be marrying aKrishna. ArunShourie’s latest book is both a Ramana Maharshi ever loses his cool is in his the TibetanBook of theDead.For the politically As adefeated rival, he had wit- nowutter dependence on others formostba- inclined,thereisanambivalently revealingac- nessedfirst-hand Jai successfully sic bodilyfunctions. The problem of dying is count of thePrimeMinister’s visit to Shourie pursuing Virginia Cherrill, the di- contemplation of and an anthologyondeath notthat youcannotignorethe body;itisthat while he wasinthe ICU.All throughout, the vorced wifeofactor CaryGrant. the body does notignoreyou. bookislacedwithjudiciouslyselectedpoetry: Cherrill even made atrip to Pratap Bhanu Mehta section of the book is notsomuchabout death The second theme of the book is to take a the startling moment whereGandhi recites Jaipur,where, curiously, she as the process of dying. He documentswith sharpscalpelto false comfortersofall religions the Urdu couplet to Manu: Hai baha- e-bagh- struckupaclose and lasting detail, “great souls” experiencing the often and philosophies thatpromise the everlast- eduniyachandroz/Dekhloiskatamasha chand friendship with Jai’s second wife RUNSHOURIE is an unflinching painful dissolution of their ownbody —the ing soul, or the preservation of bodies onlyto roz,aregisteryou might associatemorewith Jo, who wasprettyand modern. seeker.Hehas an exemplary Buddha, Ramkrishna Paramhansa, Ramana subject them to torment in hell.Thismeta- Guru Dutt than Gandhi. ThereisalotofKabir, Despiteall these, Ayesha mar- ability to face the toughestques- Maharshi, Mahatma Gandhi, and Vinoba physical baggagemakes dealing withdeath of Bashopoetryandhaikus.Onestunningone: riedher Prince Charming. The tions.Afterabracingmeditation Bhave,and, as acameo, Kasturba. All of them harder and is atotal distraction. This section Circling higherand higher/Atlastthe hawk pulls liberated outsider, educated in Aon the problem of suffering in give lie to SigmundFreud’s dictum that no one is less generous in itsinterpretivesympathies. its shadow/From theworld. PREPARINGFOR European schools, surprisingly Does He KnowaMother’sHeart(2011), Shourie can contemplatetheir owndeath.But what DEATH The thirdtheme of the book,interspersedin This haiku caught my attention because I THEHOUSEOF endedupadjusting rather well in nowturns to Preparing forDeath.Thereusedto emergesfromthese accountsisnot so much BY ARUN various parts,isabout the discipline of deal- happened to be readingastunning essayby JAIPUR:THE the conservative feudal court. be ajokethatthe purposeofliteratureisto the conclusion that theyall faceddeathun- SHOURIE ing with your ownbody as it is in the process Arindam Chakrabarti at the same time, INSIDESTORYOF She pavedthe wayfor mod- prepareyou forthe good life, while the pur- flinchingly;mostofthem have apremonition. of dying. The book impressively marshals a “Dream, Death and Death Within ADream”, INDIA’SMOST Penguin Books ernising the state, including pose of philosophyistoprepareyou forthe It is also notabout capturing the moment 519 pages variety of sources, from the TibetanBook of the in ImaginationsofDeathandtheBeyondinIndia GLAMOROUS starting the Maharani Gayatri good death.But it is hardtounderstand our where the good death is leaving the world Dead,with itsincredible imaginative exercises and Europe (2018), avolume edited by Sudhir `799 ROYALFAMILY Devi School, forthe cloistered ownextinction. Broadlyspeaking, twodia- calmly.Itisrather what the suffering body that makeyou take in thewhole of existence, Kakar and Gunter Blamberger, that readsasa BY JOHN girls of aristocratic families. After metricallyoppositeviews areinvoked to rec- does to consciousness, all the memories and to Jainsources of Sallekhana,and various med- great philosophical complement to this one. ZUBRYZCKI Independence, Ayesha made a oncile us to death. One is that we don’t really harddecisions it forces on us. But the relation- itative techniques to inculcate acertain kind of That volume has apowerful piece by another Juggernaut successful foray intopolitics, die; in some form, through an incorporeal soul ship between the body and consciousness mindfulness. But mostlyone gets the sense brilliantphilosopher, JonardanGaneri,onillu- 384pages contesting from the Swatantra or something, we continue to exist. The other goes in twodifferentdirectionsat once. Onthe that theultimatepreparation fordeath is sim- sionsofimmortality that deals with asource `479 Partyticketand winning by huge unflinchinglyacceptsthatwejustare evanes- one hand this suffering is productive:con- plylove, somethingthat can endowthe Shourie cites at length: Pessoa. Chakrabarti’s margins. cent matter andnothing else.Bothapproaches sciousness worksthrough this pain. On the evanescent moment with significance. essayendswiththeinsightofYogaVashishtha: The author suggests that as prime minister, Indira address the question of dying by simplysay- other hand, even the mostexalted soul does But this is aseeker’s book.Itisinparts pro- To beborn is to have been dead onceand to be Gandhi targeted Ayesha notbecause of her politics ing“thereisnothing to it.” Thereissomething notescape the utter abjection of the body.The found probing, honest but notdogmatic. Its duetodie again. Shourieisperhaps right: Can alone,but because she enviedher looksand her friend- to this strategy,but it cannotmakesense of mostpoignant moment in this section is not SEEKING immense value comes from the fact that the we reallyunravel what it means forthe hawk ships with the international who’s who, including the the significance of life. It seems we caneither the calm and plenitude with whichthese ex- WISDOM bookisbothabookandananthologyondeath, to pull itsshadow from the world? Does the Mountbattens. During the Emergency,the fairy-tale makesense of lifeorofdeath, but notofboth. alted soulsface death;itisthe moments withextractsfromnot justthewordsofthose shadowreappear if it flies lower? princess wastemporarilyincarcerated in Tihar jail. Shourie’s book takesabrilliantlydifferent whereeventhe mostpowerful souls arere- An artistic depiction experiencing the process of dying,but an as- The author pointsout that Ayesha wasactuallyfar pathway. The bookhas three distinct themes. ducedtoabjection by the constraintsofthe of the Dipankara tonishing rangeofsources: from Fernando PratapBhanuMehtaiscontributingeditor, more conventional that her mother,Indira, the daughter The first, the mostpowerful and meditative body.The onlyone rare occasion where Buddha Pessoa to Michel de Montaigne, from yoga to TheIndianExpress of theMaharajaofBaroda, who had shockedthe princelyworld by writingdirectlytothe powerful ruler of Gwalior,breaking her engagement. He wasafter all 46 SHELF LIFE years old and already married. Instead, she weddedthe charming and good-looking scion of aminor state, CoochBehar.Indira’s husband, who eventuallyas- FROM ALINE-UPthat headlineddiversityby fea- immersive and nuancedportrait of atight-knit cendedthe throne, diedprematurelyatthe ageof36, of turing firstnovels, women writers and writers And Now We Have Everything socialworld, itspeopleand itsvalues...” alcoholism —amalady whichwould afflict severalin of colour,among others, Shuggie Bain by Scottish- Ayesha’s family, including her onlyson Jagat. As a American writer Douglas Stuarthas wonthis Alook at this year’s Booker prize-winning novel and its ■ Stuartcame to writing lateinlife. Aftergrad- widow, Indiracontinuedtolivelifeonher terms, defying year’sBooker Prize. Here’s alook at the book and uating from the RoyalCollegeofArt in London, the straightlaced conventions of the princelyworld. itsdebutant author: debutant author,Douglas Stuart he movedtothe US to study fashion design in The author has meticulouslyresearchedthe fascinat- NewYork. Forovertwo decades, he has worked ing background of the Kachwaha dynasty and the colonial ■ AnautobiographicalnovelsetinGlasgowinthe Avni Doshi, The NewWilderness by to write, wasrejected by over 30 ed- with fashion housessuchasBanana Republic, ruler’s hamhandedattemptstokeep itsprincelywards in 1980s,ShuggieBainfollows thelifeofShuggie,an Diane Cook and Real Life by Brandon itors before it wasacceptedbypub- Calvin Klein, Gap and Ralph Lauren. Afterthe control. He writes about the family’s experiences in poli- impoverishedboystrugglingto lookafterhissin- Taylor —featured in the six-book lishersPicador in the UK and Grove award, he hopes to become afull-timewriter. tics, including that of DiyaKumari, asitting BJP MP.But glemother,Agnes, an alcoholic, even as he grap- shortlist. Doshi’s and Cook’s novels Atlantic in the US. Afterits publica- the book is ariveting royal read largely because of the pleswith his sexuality.Despiteits grimness and also revolve around themes of filial at- tion, it drew fabulous reviews,that ■ Stuartisonlythe second Scotsman to winthe scandals whichkeep popping up in eachgeneration— squalor,thebook—dedicatedto Stuart’smother, tachments. In his Booker Prize accept- includedcomparisons withJames £50,000 Booker Prize. James Kelman wonitin Diya’s elopement, defying Rajput traditions; Ayesha’s whodiedwhenhewas16yearsold—brimswith ance speech, Stuartsaid, “I’m ab- Joyceand DH Lawrence. Besidesthe 1994forhis HowLateItWas, HowLate.Stuart has stepson Patallegedly trying to diddleher twograndchil- tenderness and filial affection. Stuart, 44,who solutelystunned...Firstofall, Iwill like prestigious Booker Prize, Shuggie Bain said that the book wasahugeinfluence on him. dren, from Jai’s marriagewith aThai princess, of their grew upinGlasgow undersimilarcircumstances, to thankmy mother...mymother is on wasalso in contention fortwo shareofAyesha’s property;convoluted lawsuitsstretch- hassaiditwaslove,hopeandhumourthathelped everypageofthis book —I’vebeen American awards —the National ■ At theaward ceremony, Stuartrevealedthathis ing over decades concerning the inheritance of the treas- him process his childhood trauma. clear,without her Iwouldn’t be here, Book Awardfor fiction and the Kirkus second novelwas already ready forpublication. ures and estatesofthis dazzling royal house. my work wouldn’t be here.” Prize. MargaretBusby, chair of Titled LochAwe,the book is also setinGlasgow. ■ The novelisStuart’s firstbook.Three other de- judges, Booker Prize, described Stuart’s novel CoomiKapooriscontributingeditor,TheIndian Express butnovels— Burnt Sugar by Indian-origin writer ■ Stuart’s novel, whichtookhim nearly adecade as abookdestinedtobeaclassic—amoving, PAROMITA CHAKRABARTI

burial is one of the mostmoving sections This has been ayear of living on the of the novel. Howdifficultwas it foryou edge,ofmaking sense of loss and ‘I have long thought that grief is to imagine Agnes’s grief? bereavement. Howdoyou reflectonthe Ireally enjoyedcreating the characterof ongoing pandemic? Hamnet’smother.Weare so accustomedto It has been astrangeyear foreveryone — calling her AnneHathawaybut her father’s and it’s farfromoveryet.Any person who the other side of love’ willclearly namesher as Agnes. That wasan has come through asevereillness will know electrifying, definingmomentinthe writing that the experience changes youforever.You of the book.Ingiving her whatis emerge from your sickroom as presumablyher birth name, I’m one who has passedthrough fire, British writer Maggie O’Farrell, 48, winner of this year’s Wo men’s Prize, on amother’s asking readers to discard what we recast, all tooaware of your grief,life in apost-pandemic world and reclaiming Shakespeare’s wife from obscurity thinkweknowabout herand see frailty.Inthe same way, apopula- her anew. tion whichgoesthrough awide- If youask someone what they spread disease will also be Paromita Chakrabarti to Hamnet? London—and that’sbecauseof his career and knowabout Shakespeare’s wife, changed,and the coming gener- Ifirstheard about theexistenceof Hamnet his writing, whichcontinues to shapeusas you’llprobablyreceiveone of ations will inherit this sensibility. when Iwas studying Hamlet at school. My human beings. The stageand London is where twoanswers. Either,hehated We will emerge from this but we FROM HER debut novel AfterYou’d Gone teacher mentionedinpassing that the action is forscholars, but I’vealways her;or, she trickedhim intomar- will be different. We will never (2009) to her memoir IAm, IAm, IAm(2017), Shakespeare hadasoncalledHamnet, who thought that the biggestdrama of COURTESY:HACHETTE riage.Historians, biographers be able to go backtoatime be- the fragility of human liveshaveoften shaped diedatthe ageof11. Iwas immediatelystruck Shakespeare’s life happenedoff-stage:the GRIEF,SHE WROTE and critics have,for along time, fore thispandemic, to atime of the narrativesofBritish writer Maggie by the sad confluence of these names. What deathofhis onlyson. I’ve always felt Hamnet’s Maggie O’Farrell inexplicablyvilifiedand criticised HAMNET security and confidence, when O’Farrell’s work with intuitivedexterity.In did it mean forafather to call aplayafter his storyhasbeeneclipsed,hisshort life relegated her,creating amisogynistic ver- we thought we were inviolate, Hamnet,too, thehistoricalnovelthatwon her dead son?And howmight Hamnet’s mother to aliteraryfootnote.Hegets very littlemen- sion of her.Iwanted to persuade BY MAGGIE immune. the prestigious Women’s Prize this year, have felt about it? Iremember looking down tion in anyofhis father’s biographies. name because the word ‘Shakespeare’ proved people to think again, to notrush O'FARRELL O’Farrell reimagines the waythe loss of the at the coverofthe playand covering the ‘L’ of toodistracting forme, and Iknewitwould be to conclusions. Tinder Press What comes next? 11-year-old sonof Britishplaywright William the titlewithafinger.How easyit wastomake What made yourefrain from mentioning the sameforreaders. Withthis novel,I’m ask- I’velong thought that grief is 384pages; `699 At themoment, I’m writinga Shakespearecleavesthose closesttohim. In Hamlet read ‘Hamnet’. Shakespearebyhis name in your novel? ing readers to forget everything theythink the other side of love,or, perhaps, picturebook forchildren, my sec- thisinterview, O’Farrell speaksofherfascina- Ialwaysknewthat Shakespearewould be theyknowabout him and open themselves agreater partofit. If youlovesomeone, it’s not ond. Unbeknownsttome, my seven-year- tion with Hamnetand what happens when Whydoyou thinkShakespeare’s alessercharacter; he’s notpresentinStratford up to anew interpretation. Whichiswhy Ire- ahugeleap to imaginewhatyour lifewould be old daughter waslooking over my shoulder everyparent’s worstnightmarecomes to pass. biographers tend to glideoverhis life formostofthe novel. Thereisaplaybillthat fertohim as ‘the father’, ‘the Latin tutor’. ‘the likewithout them.Itriedtochannelthis think- as Iwas going through the final versionof Excerpts: before London in their accounts? proves his company wastouringinKent when brother’, and so on. ing intothose scenes and ask myself, what Hamnet,and shesaid: ‘I don’tlikethis book, There’s averystrongand valid reason why Hamnetdied, so it’s notknown whether he would it mean to lose achild? It is, of course, it’s muchtoo sad. Iwant youtowriteahappy Did youcome to theplay Hamlet firstor biographers focus on Shakespeare’s lifein made it to thefuneral.Iavoided usinghis Agnes preparing Hamnet’s body for everyparents’ worstfear. storynext.’ So I’m doing as I’m told.

Kolkata THESUNDAY EXPRESS,NOVEMBER22,2020 Chess societies have not been very kind to women and girls over the years. Certainly there needstobeabit of achange in culture. MAGNUS CARLSEN 12 SPORT WORLD CHESS CHAMPION

BRIEFLY participatedinthe ‘A’ category, she was SHASHANKNAIR deemedtobenot good enough and her GM NEWDELHI,NOVEMBER21 rating wassaid to have been awarded through some sleight of hand. If she partici- KONERUHUMPY has yettowatchThe patedinthe National ‘B’ set-up, it wasde- Queen’s Gambit. She has been receiving nu- criedasher taking an easy wayout. There merous phone calls about the Netflix mini- wasnowinning this battleofperception, but series, but has notgot around to having alook when Humpy finishedsecond in the at the showthathas put forthquestions on National ‘B’ set-up, by her ownadmission, women’s chess and the treatment metedout she felt likethat quashedany doubtsoverher to it over the years. But despitenot having qualifications. watchedthe series, Humpy is all toofamil- Humpy’s chess journeyisreplete with iar with itspremise –ayoung woman par- tales of menintentionally, or unintentionally, ticipatinginamale-dominated arena, start- providing aplatform fordisrespect.Some of Rohit Sharma pickedupa ing to changethe powerdynamics by the stories rangefromoutrightlywanting to hamstringinjuryduring the IPL. winning, and the changeinequations not defeat her (“Even though thereweresome takentoo kindly. weaker players than me comparatively, be- The girlfromAndhraPradesh startedher ing awoman, theytried harder to beat me”) Hamstringfine, chess journeyatthe ageofsix and when she to unintentionallydisrespecting her(“Once I became the youngestwoman Grandmaster playedaninternational tournament and had claimsRohitSharma in the world(at that time) at the ageof15, adisastrous performance in the event. she wasmarkedfor greatness. Butbywin- Afterwards,Igot a‘best women’s prize’).But RohitSharmasaidhealways knewthat ning open tournamentsand becominga despitethe lackofrespect, if thereisone opin- the hamstring injuryhesufferedwas forceinchess, Humpy also disturbed the sta- ion of hers that has shockvalue, it’s her belief notthatserious and he would be ready tus quowhichresulted in severalinsinua- thatmen simply arebetterthan women at forthe tour of Australia. "I don't know tionsonher credentials. chess. whatwas going on, to be honestand “At15, Ibecame aGM ELOratings seem to whatallwere peopletalkingabout.But but until then, the concept NUMBERSGAME suggestthe same –espe- letmeput this on record, Iwas con- of gender barriers didn’t re- ciallywhencomparing the stantlycommunicating with BCCI and allyoccur to me. Ibecame ■According to FIDE, topmale playerinthe Mumbai Indians," Rohit said. "I told aGMonthe European cir- there’s an 84-16ratio of world(Magnus Carlsen: them (Mumbai Indians) Ican take the cuit. In thosedays,wehad maletofemale registered 2862) and the topfemale field since it is the shortest format and I very fewinternational chess players.Intotal, player(Hou Yifan: 2658). willbeabletomanagethe situation tournamentsinIndia. To thereare 1,683GMs who Psychological journals and quitenicely. OnceImademy mindclear, getexposure, my father aremen and 37 whoare ex-players have attributed it wasall about focussing on what I took me on atrip to Europe women. it to manyfactors, chief neededtodo. Hamstringisfeeling ab- forafew months and I ■ The highestELO rating among them being the dif- solutely fine. Juststarted the process of would be playing continu- ever achievedbya ference in mindsetbe- gettingitnice and strong. BeforeIplay ouslyoverthere.Iwonati- woman is 2735byJudit tween men and women. thelonger format, Iabsolutelyneeded tle and came backtoIndia,” Polgar.She was, at one When asked what she to beclearinmindthatthereisnostone Humpy told TheIndian point, the eighth-best felt wasthe difference be- thatisleftunturned,that'sprobablythe Express as she recounted chess player in theworld. tween howthe twogen- reason, I'm at the NCA." the beginning of aturbu- ders playthe sport, the lent phase in her career. ■ In 2002, Koneru reigning women’s world It wasonlywhenshe Humpy became the rapid championoffered an Sirajdecidestostay startedwinning that the youngestwomanGMat interesting take.“Ihave backinAustralia DESPITE HER ACHIEVEMENTS,HUMPYHAS BEEN critics came out of the the ageof15years, one seen male players displaya woodwork, andwhat they monthand 27 days. wider repertoireofmoves. BCCI secretaryJay Shah on Saturday SUBJECTED TO DISCRIMINATION IN THE CHESS had to saywas notvery Current women’sworld Theyshiftbetween open- said that pacer MohammedSiraj,who charitable. “Atthat time, No.1Hou Yifan broke ingsquiteoften and are has losthis father,was giventhe op- WORLD AND BELIEVES UNIFIED TOURNAMENTS even though Iwas aGM, I that recordin2008. quiteaggressive in their tion of flying backhome to be with his ARE THE WAYTOGO wasn’t performing in asta- styleofplay. When it comes grieving familybut he decided to stay ble manner.It’s quitenor- to women, thereare many backinAustralia for"national duty". mal at that agetohave By winning open topplayers whohavelim- Ghouse,who wassuffering from a highs and lows.Some of tournaments and ited opening moves, but lung ailment, diedonFriday. He was my peers startedcriticising the preparation behind 53. "The BoardofControl forCricket me by saying that Ididn’t becoming aforce in those movesisdeeper.A in India(BCCI) had adiscussion with have the standardofaGM chess, Humpy also game between awoman Siraj andhewas offeredthe option of because Ihadn’t proven disturbed the status and awoman is verydiffer- flying backand be with his familyin myself in India and that I ent to agame between a thishour of grief," Shah wasquoted had playedinweaker tour- quo, whichresulted in man and awoman because as saying in aBCCI media release. "The namentsinEurope to be- severalinsinuations on psychologicallymen in- fast bowler has decidedtostaywith come aGM,” said Humpy. tend to trytomakeapoint the Indian contingent and continue Comparisons withJudit her credentials in thatmatch. So, the game performing his nationalduties.The Polgar seemedtoalways tends to becomewilder.” BCCI shares his grief and will be sup- find their wayintoconver- Foranacross-the- portiveofSiraj in this extremelychal- sations and the women’s chess circuit, which boardraise in ELOratings forwomen, the 33- lengingphase," Shah added. has historicallybeen seen as inferior to the year-old believesthat chess tournamentsex- men’s game, hopedthat Humpy would clusively forwomen mustcease to be a bridgethe gapbetween the twoworlds. She regular fixturebecauseseparatetourna- Ex-Mumbaiplayer could cope withthe pressureofthose expec- mentsfor both gendersmakeitdifficult for Chandorkarturns100 tations. Butshe wasn’t prepared forthe at- women to cope with the men’s circuit. tack on her credentials. “Thereshould onlybeopen tournamentsso Former first-class cricketer “This wasaperiod when Iwas really thatwomen have to playwith men and im- Raghunath Chandorkar on Saturday mentallydisturbed.Being asportsperson, provetheirgame.” turnedhundred years old, becoming handling awin or aloss at atournamentwas But Humpy acknowledgesthe problem onlythe thirdIndian cricketer to com- Illustration: Suvajit Dey quitenormal from childhood. Butthis kind suchasystemwill bring, as an already plete acenturyofbirthdays. of criticism wasverynew to me. It wasa skewered monetary gapmight become Chandorkar playedseven firstclass JUDIT POLGAR ON CHESS &WOMEN tough phase. Iwas down in many tourna- even wider.“Theprize moneyfor men is games, representing Maharashtra mentsand sufferedfor sixmonths to ayear. quitehigher.It’s tournamentslikethe (1943-44to1946-47) and Bombay ONNEEDINGTOCOMPETE ONWHYCOACHINGWOMEN ONNIGELSHORT’SCOMMENTSON It wasthen that my father and Icame to the WorldChampionship and Candidates that (1950-51).The wicket-keeper bats- AGAINSTMEN NEEDSFRESHPERSPECTIVE WOMEN’SCHESS’INFERIORITY conclusionthat IneededtoplayinIndian cir- helpwomen professionals survive finan- man had scored 155runs in seven Playing onlyamong women would not Girls in chess arenot treated thesame Short’s conclusion does notstand up to cuit tournaments,”Humpy said, explaining cially. Once they take offthese tourna- games. He also effected three catches have helpedmydevelopment, as since I wayasboys.Coaches and officials are scrutiny, and the burden of proof is with her decision to take partinthe National ‘B’ in ments, professionallyit’ll be very difficult and twostumpings. Prof. DB Deodhar was13, Iwas the clearnumberone guidedbypotential successes in girls’ him. Even if women do think and compete 2013 even though shecould be apartofthe to survive with the men’s circuit only. I (1892-1993) and Vasant Raiji(1920- among them. Ineededtocompete with competitions, whichare comparatively differently, we can attain the same achieve- National ‘A’ in an attempt to quell anydoubts think it makes sensefor them to keep aspe- 2020) arethe onlyother Indian crick- theother leading (male) Grandmasters of easier to achieve. Parentstend to follow mentsasmen: be it in science, artorchess. about her deserving the GM status. cial financial prize forwomen even in open eters to celebrate 100birthdays. my time. whatthe experts advise. As quotedbyThe Guardian This then ledtofurther grumbling. If she tournaments.” PTI EPL musical chairs continues, Asatisfying, humbling, enrichingIPL campaign bowler,quite astatement with the incred- Chelsea 7th team to go on top ible Rabada there, but Ashwin wasthat Iyer is ayoung captain. He would good withthe newball. He took out thetop have lovedmoreruns but the guns: from Chris Gayle, Rohit Sharma, REUTERS wayhecame backinthe final, Nicholas Pooran to ViratKohli. He is always NEWCASTLE,NOVEMBER21 NorthEast Utd stun up forachallengeand has the skills and soaking up the pressureofearly self-confidence to backhimself. Axar was CHELSEA BECAME the seventh club to top Mumbai City 1-0 wickets, showedhis mettle our unsung hero, showing enough cricket- the Premier League standings this season af- ing intelligence while bowling and alot of tera2-0 victory at Newcastle United on Vasco: Ghanian forwardKwesi potential with the bat. Saturdaycourtesy of an owngoalbyFederico Appiah's 49th minutepenalty helped Mohammad Kaif Another playerwho wasadelight to Fernandezand TammyAbraham's second- underdogs NorthEastUnitedstuna whichupsetour bowling balance. Still, we work with wasRabada. He is atrueprofes- half effort. star-studdedMumbai City in their had things under relative control. sional. KG landedinUAE just aweekbefore Frank Lampard's side dominated before opening matchofthe Indian Super “CAN YOUCOME forthe batting nets, Ponting wasathis inspiring best.His the tournament and Irememberthe inten- the break and took the lead in the 10th League in Vasco, Goa, on Saturday. bhai?” It wasShikhar Dhawanonthe working styleissimple: the supportstaff sity in his training. minutewhenFernandez, under pressure Mumbai, who areamong the tourna- phone in July. It had become our Covid rou- would throw around ideas, have achat in Youcould sense that he wasverykeen from Ben Chilwell, turnedinMasonMount's ment favourites, were thebetterside tine of sorts;bythe time Iwould reach, he the bus and at the hotel, and he would get to find his touchand rhythmquickly. Just cross. Chelsea reallyshould have been out of in the firsthalf but ared cardtotheir would be ready,waiting. in captain Shreyas Iyer forthe breakfast the second dayitself,you could see he was sight withTimo Werner guilty of missing keyplayer, AhmedJahouh, minutes It came to my mind later when he started meeting. Over food and coffee, Iyer would beginning to getthingsunder control.He some gilt-edged chancesbut Newcastle before thebreak turnedthe matchin to find touchmidway during the IPL; every- be presented our views,wewould hear his has great clarity about what he wantsto came alive afterthe break. NorthEast's favour.Soon afterthe one prepares well andwhenitclicksas it did views,haveahealthydiscussion –and do, what worksfor him and the willingness IsaacHaydensquandered agreat chance restart, Mumbaimidfielder Rowllin forhim, it feels good. Thosestintswereour Ponting wasclear that the captain should to work hardfor it. to equaliseonthe hour but afew minutes Borgeswas judged to have handed gentlere-entryintothe game in these un- have the final say. Acampaign can’t be successfulwithout later Werner burstthrough on goal before the ball and Appiah sent goalkeeper usual times. I’m justglad that BCCI man- team. With our unit, it wasperhapsbestto Iyer is ayoung captain. He would have selflesssenior players. Who better than passing to Abraham to double Chelsea's lead. Amrinder Singh the wrongway to aged to pull offone of the greatestcompe- letthe young batsmen playfreelyand then lovedmoreruns but the wayhecame back Rahane? In ourtraining sessions, he was Sean Longstaffcame close forNewcastle give his side the lead. NorthEastcon- titionsofour times. It helped that our team letour bowlers defend the score. We had in the final, soaking up the pressureofearly likeakid, wanting to be the best fielder out when his rising drive clippedthe crossbar trolledrestthe matchagainstthe 10- reachedthe final. In the firsthalf, we were coveredbothpace and spin with great wickets, showedhis mettle. there. Irrespective of whether he wasplay- but Chelsea could have scored morewith man Mumbai. ENS the team to beat and though we slipped quality from Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma Right through the tournament, we were ing or not, he prepared passionatelyand Werner having agoalruledout foroffside. Playing tonight:FCGoa vs Bengaluru FC, later,weclawedour waybackthough we and AnrichNortjetoRAshwin, Amit toying with the idea of opening with helpedhis team-mates. And in that must- Chelsea's thirdsuccessive league win 7.30pm, LiveonStarSports Network eventuallylosttoavery professional unit Mishraand Axar Patel, with adequateback- Marcus Stoinis but had Indian openers of win game, he stood out in the wayhe liftedthem levelon18pointswith Leicester in Mumbai Indians. ups if needed. quality in Prithvi Shawand AjinkyaRahane steadiedthe nerves and guidedthe chase. City but aretop thanksto abettergoal differ- “Bat first” and “Thereisnodew here” Unsurprisingly, most teams chose to to partner Dhawan. Once Shawlostform, It wasacampaign from whichwelearnt ence. LeicesterfaceLiverpool on Sunday. amixed starttothe newcampaign. were the ideas we would oftendiscussat chase, and it didn’t work forthem. Even if Ponting chose the crunchgame -the qual- alot; it wassatisfying, humbling, enrich- AstonVilla and Tottenham Hotspur could Saturday'swin wasmorecomfortable than our meetings in the firsthalf of the tourna- our batsmen scored par scores,wehad the ifier againstSunrisers Hyderabad -toun- ing. We reachedthe final, hopefullywego both replace Chelsea at the toplater on the scoreline suggests with Newcastle having ment.Manyteamsliketochase in T20s; bowling to defend those totals. (Head leash Stoinis, who seizedthe moment. He one step further next year. Saturday. onlyone shotontarget. youknowthe target and dewmakethings coach) Ricky (Ponting)and Iwerealways wasour Hulk,starring with bat and ball in Thewriteristhe assistant coach Afterahugeinvestment in the squad, Playingtonight:LeedsUnitedvsArsenal, 10pm; easierfor batsmen.But without the dew, trying to preparefor the what-ifsasmuch the tournament, ready forany challenge. of DelhiCapitals, who finished Chelsea arebeginning to showthe consis- LiverpoolvsLeicester City,12.45am (Monday), thekey advantages disappear and it comes as possible, and suddenlywewerefacing Ashwin wasmarvellous in the runners-up in the2020 IPL. Forfull version, tency foratitle challengeafter something of Live on Star Sports Network down to what suitsthe composition of the them. Ishant got injured,sodid Mishra, Powerplays.Hewas our leading strike logonto: www.indianexpress.com

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