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rompted understandably by Pupper caste ‘disenchant- ment’, the NOTA (None of the Above) votes crossed over 1.4 per cent of the total polling in Madhya Pradesh and felled four of the most powerful BJP Ministers and several other MLAs. In MP, many upper caste outfits had openly declared that they would waste their votes by opting for NOTA rather than voting for the BJP for passing a legislation in Parliament to retain the strin- chanted Upper caste voters Jobat, Mandhata, Nepanagar,     ,            gent SC/ST Act. The same not opted to waste their votes. Rajnagar, Raipur and Suwasra. #       - !  ! &    ' NOTA story was also repeated IN MP, the BJP lost 12 seats NOTA also polled more votes in Rajasthan, though in some where the NOTA margin was than the victory margin in pockets the BJP also gained in more than margin of loss. The Bina and Kolaras, where BJP      both the States because of SC trend was visible in Chambal candidates won. In seven of voters reacting against the region, where Thakur voters these 11 seats, the victory mar- upper caste aggressiveness. are believed to have not backed gin was less than 1,000 votes. The number of no-choice the BJP for backing the SC In the touch and go poll    ' votes outnumbered victory atrocity legislation. verdict, the BJP narrowly margins in good 22 con- Similarly, Bundelkhand missed the bus even though it   (              !$)*              )  89.' counting, another police officer, stituencies in Madhya Pradesh. and Malwa drew the highest polled more votes.   P         (    ' citing the similar reason, accept- While the gap between BJP and number of NOTA votes and In 2008, BJP collected 38% utgoing Chief Minister ed that the police personnel Congress vote share was only changed the poll outcomes. votes and won 143 seats but ((   89.' CM candidate for Chhattisgarh tion with CLP meeting at 4 pm, OShivraj Singh Chouhan voted against the BJP. The postal 0.1% (BJP being in the lead), Nine upsets were in this time round ended up with is likely to be taken on Friday remained in the Congress may have kept the integrity, ballots used by the police per- NOTA share stood at 1.4 per Bundelkhand and eight in 109 seats despite securing more ormer Union Minister and morning, according to party’s office till 10.30 pm, when the poise and appeal intact but the sonnel showed that 80 per cent cent of votes polled — over 5.4 Malwa tribal region. than 40% votes. FCongress heavyweight Central observer Mallikarjun CLP meeting took place. downfall of the BJP rule in of them voted in the election. lakh. The NOTA option gives NOTA played out in a way NOTA got 1.4% of the Kamal Nath was named as the Kharge. Meanwhile, the supporters Madhya Pradesh was triggered However, going through the voter the choice to reject all that the BJP failed to capture total vote share even as next Chief Minister of Madhya Central observer AK of both- PCC chief Kamal Nath by arrogance and non-perfor- the results of the elections, it candidates in the election fray. majority despite bagging .1% Samajwadi Party got 1.01% Pradesh on Thursday after sev- Antony made an announce- and Guna MP Jyotiraditya mance of his ministerial col- was clear that the voters taught A section of BJP leadership, vote share more than the while AAP got 0.7% votes. eral rounds of hectic parleys ment in this regard at the CLP Scindia, who headed the party's leagues and party MLAs. the leaders a lesson for their however, point out that BJP did Congress which got 41% of the NOTA may have again among the top leadership. meeting at around 11 pm. poll committee during the just A closer look reveals that rude behavior, no matter well in the Vindhya region of votes. On the contrary, played a role in denting Congress president Rahul Sources claimed that the concluded Assembly polls, the behaviour of the sitting whether the leaders belong to Madhya Pradesh as SC voted Congress, with help from BSP, prospects of the losing side in Gandhi took this call late in the oath taking ceremony would shouted slogans in front of the MLAs and Ministers cost them Congress or the BJP. for it on account of passing the SP and Independents, crossed Rajasthan with 1.3 per cent of evening after holding talks take place on December 17. Congress office. Sources also dearly in the Assembly elec- Prominent faces, who lost amended SC/ST Atrocities the majority mark of 116, while voters going for it. with Nath and the other con- Around 20 MLAs are likely to claimed that former AICC tions. The major reason behind elections due to this reason (Prevention) Bill in Parliament. the BJP managed 109 seats. In Rajasthan, NOTA votes tender for the post, Jyotiraditya be inducted in the Cabinet. Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and not getting votes was that these included Leader of the It is also being contended In at least 11 seats where stood at 1.3% while SP and Scindia. The supporters of both Earlier, the whole day, con- Priyanka Gandhi also remained leaders did not behave properly Opposition in the State that NOTA factor could also the Congress won, NOTA got NCP got 0.2% votes. leaders held day-long rallies in fusion prevailed at the State present during the meeting at with the people and were not Assembly Ajay Singh, Deputy have affected the victory mar- more votes than the winning Communist Party of Bhopal in favour of their party headquarters, as a meet- New Delhi. Finally, at around 8 active in the constituencies. Speaker in the State assembly gin of some of the Congress margin — Biaora, Damoh, (Marxist) has 1.2%. respective leaders, but ulti- ing at New Delhi continued on pm, both Nath and Scindia A gazette police officer, Rajendra Singh and 11 minis- candidates had the disen- Gunnor, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Continued on Page 4 mately Rahul was successful in deciding the name of the Chief came out of the meeting and left while talking to The Pioneer, ters including Revenue brokering a peace. Minister. It was told by the for Bhopal. They told media around one month ago, had Minister Umashankar Gupta.  In case of Rajasthan, con- Congress leaders that a meet- persons separately that there claimed that the whole police It was a clear message in fusion still prevails and both ing of the CLP would be held was no difference of opinion staff is trying for a change in the air that Gupta has not !"   old guard Ashok Gehlot and at the PCC at 4 pm to declare and claimed that an announce- the Government. The reason, been cordial with the people   new generation leader Sachin the name of the Chief Minister. ment regarding the post of he cited for his claim was that and never worked for the peo-    Pilot have dug in their heels for Interestingly, all the chief minister would be made the BJP leaders have been quite ple of his constituency, South-     the top post in the State. Congress legislators who had in Bhopal. rude and bully. West Bhopal. #  "       The announcement for the reached the PCC in anticipa- Continued on Page 4 Only few days before the Continued on Page 4                              !"###   "#P               !        &

    Asking the BJP to do a %&       course correction vis a vis its        approach towards the Muslim '      '   voters, Gujral said, “”The         minorities want security. If   0/30'8      you don’t provide them secu-   (           rity, they will vote en masse he Supreme Court is sched- ) **+, * - * with the Congress and allies. Tuled to pronounce its ver-       & Unless we recognise factors like dict on pleas seeking a court-   0/30'8 economic factors and espe- monitored probe in the polit-     cially rural distress, we are in ically sensitive Rafale case on   !   he setback BJP suffered in for trouble.” Friday. A Bench headed by                  "#$% .    Tits bastions of Madhya Another long-time BJP ally, Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi                    Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and the Shiv Sena on Thursday had reserved its verdict on a         Rajasthan in the recent continued its tirade against batch of pleas on November 14.  9'9 9 Rajapaksa.   /   Assembly polls has come handy senior ally BJP, saying its rout Former Union Ministers Sirisena on October 26   . * & & for its NDA allies, which could in the just held State polls was Yashwant Sinha, Arun Shourie, ri Lanka’s Supreme Court on had sacked the incumbent PM, now compel the saffron outfit the “defeat of injustice and lies”. noted lawyer Prashant Bhushan SThursday unanimously Ranil Wickremesinghe, and &'(   (  to be “generous” in seat shar- It said along with Prime and AAP leader Sanjay Singh ruled that the dissolution of install ex-President Mahinda (    )  ing for the next year’s Lok Minister Narendra Modi and are the main petitioners seek- Parliament by Maithripala Rajapaksa in his place. Later *  .  !"   Sabha polls.      !    "#         "# BJP chief Amit Shah, and party ing a probe by the CBI. Sirisena was “illegal”, in a body Sirisena sacked Parliament      In the mid of report that         $   ! &    ' workers had called for a While reserving the ver- blow to the embattled President when it appeared that       Shiv Sena wants to contest “Congress-free” country. dict, the apex court had said whose controversial decisions Rajapaksa would not be able to  *  -0  half of the 48 Lok Sabha seats “I don’t see any single polit- existing allies especially the “However, Congress chief that the pricing details of Rafale plunged the nation into an prove majority. )       in Maharashtra and force the ical party getting over 200 Shiv Sena, deal with them with Rahul Gandhi has beaten them jets could only be discussed unprecedented political crisis. However, on Wednesday,   &  BJP to agree to hold simulta- seats in the next election. So generosity and at the same in their own turf. This is the after it decides on whether to A apex court bench said Wickremesinghe proved his     neous State Assembly polls, whoever makes the right pre- time reach out to parties who defeat of injustice and lies. make it public. The observation that the President cannot dis- majority in Parliament, with     *  senior Akali Dal leader Naresh poll coalition is going to be the were a part of the (Atal Bihari) Pride has been captured and by the SC had came after the solve Parliament till it com- 117 out of 225 lawmakers in      Gujral has asked the BJP to winner,” Gujral said during a Vajpayee rainbow coalition at ego crushed,” the Sena said in Government refused to pub- pletes its four-and-half year Parliament voting to pass a (    1(2 “quickly settle” with allies or it discussion on NDTV. one stage, so that you have a an editorial in party mouth- licly divulge pricing details of term, triggering demand for confidence motion in his (     & will be in a big trouble in the “So it’s very important that strong pre-poll coalition in piece ‘Saamana’. the deal, saying it would give the impeachment of Sirisena as leadership. 2019 general election. the BJP quickly settles with place before 2019,” he said. Continued on Page 4 advantage to India’s enemies. well as ex-strongman Mahinda Related report on P12  +   "   "  3               $  %    %    &'    *      , * 445     !"              *       3  &    (O P( )   "  0/30'8 Of the eight islands in !(  )  Andaman & Nicobar, corals #     oncerned that the ambi- reefs are present in 10 km area   (  Ctious 71 crore project of some sites of Havelock Long,    envisaging laying of undersea Campbell Bay (Great Nicobar), 6   *   optic cable connecting Kamorta, Car Nicobar, and -     Andaman and Nicobar with Hut Bay (Little Andaman).    *    Chennai, will adversely impact Other islands in the regions are     & coral reef in the island, a Port Blair, Kamorta and Rangat Central green panel has asked Islands.  .  /   the project proponent, Also, the Nicobar islands Government feels that the Chennai to the Union )   (   Department of have more nesting Leatherback Advisory Committee (EAC) grants Island Protection Zone Chennai has been entrusted much-awaited project will help Territory.  3 -  7  Telecommunication (DoT), to turtles than any other site in the on projects related to Coastal and CRZ clearance. with the task to carry the sur- the island to implement e- Seeking a report within   *   conduct additional marine northern Indian Ocean. There Regulation Zone (CRZ) under However, it feels that addi- vey. governance and other welfare next three months, the com-       *   environmental impact (EIA) are about 19 important bird the Union Environment tional marine EIA study espe- The project aims to provide schemes to the last mile con- mittee observed that this study        assessment to ensure enough areas in the Andaman and Ministry in its meeting on cially in areas likely to pass secure, robust and affordable nectivity. is required as abundant pre-     protective measures are taken Nicobar district and would November 28 has said though through corals reefs need to be telecom facilities carrying Total segments of subma- caution in addition to the study        to save the marine life in the have some impact. it is inclined to support the pro- conducted. The National bandwidth speed of 100 Gigabit rine cable will be 8 while total report is made available.        & region. The Environmental ject in larger public interest and Institute of Ocean Technology, per second (Gbps). The length will be 2245.96 km from Continued on Page 4

   (  ) *+, -.*/

  " (      !    )  (  #   ((   89.' petition in colleges, singing compe- tition debate competition, clean plat- t a meeting held here to discuss form and organize competition on ((   89.' During the investigation, it Ain connection with preparations social media under cleanliness activ- was found that the Mohammad for Swachchh Sarvekshan 2019 under ities. uelled by old enmity, a 29- Anas had a fight with his Swachchh Bharat Mission, During the meeting, discussions Fyear old man was attacked neighbours in the past. Commissioner Higher Education Ajit regarding establishment of Smart with a sharp-edged weapon by After the fight accused left Kumar said, “Various activities will be Dustbin for garbage disposal were dis- two armed miscreants near the spot and decided to teach organised in city colleges under cussed in different Government Panchyati Masjid under Talaiya a lesson to victim. On Swachh Bharat Mission 2019”. Colleges of the city. police station area on Wednesday the accused got the During the discussion, Additional The colleges’ principals demanded Wednesday. opportunity when he found the Commissioner Ranbir Kumar gave setting up smart dustbin at their college According to the police, a victim was alone in his vicini- detailed information to the Principals campuses. Municipal Corporation man was attacked by two per- ty and passing near their colony of various colleges of Bhopal city Commissioner Avinash Lavania has sons and was rushed to a near- and attacked him in the left side through the Power Point presentation ensured the establishment of Smart by hospital where his condition in chest and escaped the spot. of the Parameters of Swachh Dustbin in the College premises for bet- is reportedly stable. Police have started search- Sarvekshan 2019. ter performance of waste from all the Police were informed and ing for the details of the In the meeting, discussions colleges. on the receipt of the informa- accused as in the initial inves- regarding the operation of publicity At the meeting, Motilal Science tion a team reached the spot tigation the victim and his activities for awareness among the cit- College, Maharani Laxmi Bai College, and after preliminary investi- family were not able to provide izens were discussed in order to Gitanjali Girls College, Raman Sanskrit gation registered a case against details of the accused and their make the cleanliness of the area College, SNAA College, PG College the accused. whereabouts. clean for the cleanliness of the city. BHEL, Hamidia College, All Saints Arts The victim was identified The police have registered Commissioner of Higher and Commerce College, Government as Mohammad Anas while the a case under sections 294, 307 Education Ajit Kumar and Collegetwo accused were identified as and 34 of the IPC and have Commissioner of Municipal Narela, Institute for Excellence in Gufran and Farhan. started search for the miscre- Corporation Avinash Lavania were Higher Education College, Old Benazir Victim in his complaint ants. present during the meeting, College, SPM Principal and higher edu- stated that the two tried to The two accused do not Under the Swachh Bharat cation department and other munici- extort Rs 10000 and when he hold any criminal record. The Mission 2019, the education com- Kumar, told to the principals of the ities from December 26 to 29. These lic awareness campaigns for public pal officials were present in the meet- refused they attacked with victim works at vegetable mar- missioner, High Education, Ajit colleges to conduct cleanliness activ- activities will be organized under pub- awareness. He said that essay com- ing. sharp edged weapon. ket. ")           

((   89.'     peratures was witnessed in ! " #   $ Chambal division in the past 24 ith rainfall recorded at %  $  $ hours. Gwalior, Betul and Datia Wfew places the cold con-     # ' recorded night temperature ditions intensified as cold  "  "   (   around 7 degree Celsius. winds prevailed for the past    ! + Few regions which record- two days making the temper-  " ', ed rainfall were Sabalgarh ature dip to the lowest level of    '-(. which recorded 2 mm of rain- the season. fall, Morena recorded 1.8 mm The lowest temperature  ' and Gwalior recorded 1.6 mm which was recorded at 5 degree in the past 24 hours. Celsius on Wednesday night temperature at 7 degree The state capital recorded increased slightly on Thursday Celsius which was second low- night temperature at 12 degree and was recorded at 6 degree est in the state. In the past 24 Celsius while day temperature Celsius. The lowest night tem- hours Chambal and Gwalior was recorded at 24 degree perature was recorded in divisions witnessed rainfall at Celsius. Mandla at 6.4 degree Celsius isolated places. Chilly winds were wit- and few other places were According to the forecast nessed in the evening on recorded night temperature Balaghat, Mandla,Seoni, Wednesday and in the early around 7 degree Celsius. Chindwara and Betul districts morning hours on Thursday. The temperatures would are likely to receive rainfall. The The sun failed to surface dur-                  dip in the next 3-4 days and wind speed would be recorded ing the day and in the after- .    /           (                     (   2  "    later prevail around the same around 10 km per hour. noon temperature remained "   0 .                (            range. Chindwara recorded Steep change in the tem- at lower level.     ,    !  60 *   !*# #+- #  * 3     ((   89.'   !  " /' 0 !  ented player Pranay Khare,  '""    ""  " won gold medal in the B cate- .# #-   *   ranay Khare, player of gory of World Challenge PMadhya Pradesh State  ""     ""  " Jumping, has won a total of 124 Equestrian Academy won the  ' +2   '   medals including 58 gold ((   89.' depraved yet revel in their workshop originator/conduc-   gold medal and secured first medals including this medal. humble surrounding group of tor. He has also directed award place at FIE World Challenge .   "   3  +  " All these medals Pranay Khare Hindi film Pintu Ka Sabun characters living along the winning children’s short films Jumping Championship.       "    have earned in performing Awas screened at Madhya mountain valleys in lush and his forte resides in under- Bhopal: Three artistic and bril- The championship began national and Pradesh State Tribal Museum Uttarakhand that has never standing the psychology of liant students of the Campion on December 1 to 13 in the '  '   !  international equestrian com- here on Thursday. The film was seen soap. children, their emotions and School Arera Colony Bhopal, Embassy International School, #   $ !" ' ! petitions. screened under Ullas children’s Pinti Ka Sabun is a story experiences which he has Afaque Ahmed Siddiqui, Bangalore. Pranay secured first Apart from this, he was film screening. about a twelve year old carefree assimilated through his numer- Ayush Pandoriya and place in world's B category, 4' "    . Awarded Eklavya Award in The film is based on the boy Lalit. He stays in a village ous children’s theater and per- Jyotirmay Singh participated in proud of Madhya Pradesh. 2015, Best Rider Trophy in award winning novel titled that has never seen soap. See sonality workshops. Rise up 18 Interschool Art Pranay Khare earned this Siraj Khan, the player of expressing his gratitude. He Equestrian Premier League ‘Pinti ka Sabun’ (Pinti’s soap) how things around him change The film also received var- Competition at district Level medal while performing a the academy, got fifth position congratulated and won the (EPL) Bangalore, Delhi Horse written by Sanjay Khati. The when he gets soap. ious awards. Art, Drawing and Painting cat- spectacularly. in this competition. gold medalist Pranay Khare. It Show (DHS) Best Rider Trophy film was directed by Pramod It is to be noted that The film won Best egories organised by Acevision. This is the first time when While FEI organized in is noteworthy that Pranay is in Delhi, Best Rider Trophy of Pathak. Pramod has been in Mumbai Children’s Film, Best child actor These students secured in the F.E.I. World Challenge Delhi Pranay Khare also got trained under the guidance of the Junior National Horse It stars Sandeeep Kothari, city since the past 15 years. (male) was given to Sandeep first, second and third positions Jumping, a player from the fifth place in the category of Captain Bhagirath, Chief Racing Competition Year 2017, Shubham Sharma, Vasundhra A commerce graduate from Kothari in Lonavla and received Trophy and Madhya Pradesh State World Challenge Jumping. Instructor of the Equestrian Pranay is the first player of Negi, Isha Karki and Maliha Kanpur university, Pramod has International festival of Film Certificate of Appreciation. Equestrian Academy has won Director of Sports and Academy. equestrian Academy, who was Malla. more than 13 years of experi- and television India – LIFFT The competition which was a gold medal and secured the Youth Welfare S.L. Thoussen Pranay has won 124 awarded the Vikram Award for It’s a sensitive and delight- ence in the field of theater as an India. The film was much held recently and result was first position in the country. expressed his happiness while medals so far. Academy's tal- the year 2018. ful story of an economically actor, director, and children’s enjoyed by the audience. declared on Friday. All the three students per- formed this level of painting and their excellent perfor-   "  5  mance in this competition under the guidance of school Art & Craft Senior Teacher Aarti Sharma and bag Top  '  !      three positions. These students painted their perceptions or conveyed their thoughts and ((   89.'  8008 .'(0((9 .0 respect of transfer of equity ideas on paper on the theme of shares, Clubbing of Income, Folk Art through beautiful he Institute of Charterted 0(0 0(69.''.9= 3 Acceptance of Deposits and inscriptions brought out on TAccountants of India- repayment of loans as per sec- canvas and displayed their CICASA Bhopal Branch is  3.1 390,9',..).= tion 269SS, 269ST and 269T. artistic skills. hosting two-day CA Student In special Session 2 CA In the same competition, Conference in city. :(.,8.. . 8'/.. Navin Khandelwal from Indore Aarti Sharma received Trophy The conference will be .803. .32/''0(0 80 will discuss about profession- and Certificate of Appreciation organized by Board of Studies- al opportunities in stock mar- for Promotion of Art category. New Delhi on December 15 .0(& 0(.00(0 0 ket. In this Interschool Level Art and 16 at Samanvay Bhawan. On Day 2 CA Dharmendra Drawing and Painting This will be followed by CA /'' 00'B '069 Shrivastava from Kanpur will Competition hundreds of stu- Student Festival ‘MERAKI take technical session. dents from eighty various gov- 2018’ on December 18 to 22.  0 .9 .''0:0'9 600 0 This conference aims to ernment, private and CBSE Theme of this conference is motivate students by under- schools of Bhopal district were ‘Knowledge and training with standing the initiatives of BOS participated. It has been start- ethical quotient pathway to Financial Reporting Authority International Level Conference. and taking benefits of the same. ed to motivate artistic and professional excellence’. The (NFRA), Overview on In Special Session 1, CA Near about 700 students will their creative minds of the stu- programme is divided in four Insolvency and Bankruptcy Vandana D. Nagpal (Director participate in the conference. dents. technical sessions. On day 1 Code – 2016. BOS) will take special session CICASA Bhopal Branch Campion School Principal CA Amarjeet Chopra from In the Technical Session on importance of articleship is also hosting CA Student Fr Athnas Lakra SJ, and vice New Delhi will speak about Paper Presenters from all and How to crack CA Festival MERAKI 2018. In this Principal Fr Amritlal Toppo SJ, Corporate and Allied Laws on around India (Indore, Kolkata, Examination. CA Festival fun events like Congratulated Aarti Sharma topics Loans given to Jaipur, Visakhapatnam, In Second technical session Debate, Ex-Tempore Speaking, and all the winner students for        #       - !            Director as per Section 185 and Bhilwara, Ahmedabad) will CA Amit Jain from Bhopal will Mehandi Competition, Collage making School proud and give    )        2            3  "  186 of Companies Act, 2013, present their papers. Best paper be discussing about Direct Tax making competition will be best wishes for their bright      Overview on National Presenter will be eligible for on the topics Capital gains in organised. future. SR

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Despite Singh not being an Shivraj had three consecu- accused, according to Singh, tive terms as the CM of the the campaign is being run by state but will now have to exit the rival BJP against him. office for a Congress leader. While talking to media While there have been specu- persons here, Singh said the lations that a leader of his /             (     "# incident is 35 years old. There stature may be given a nation-          "#   3  "    is no FIR against him, no al role by BJP, Shivraj said he    charge-sheet or a case against plans to continue working for him and he is not an accused      &  (  2        the people of Madhya Pradesh. are around and Chouhan wants bency. in the case. Whenever his       ,   #        "I will not go to the centre. I to invest his energy in ensuring The yatra would cover all name crops up, BJP people run        '       "    shall like in Madhya Pradesh a impressive result from the 52 districts of Madhya such kind of campaign.    and die in Madhya Pradesh," he Madhya Pradesh. Pradesh via road route. Kamal Nath was a minister told media persons here at the Secondly, through the The party is yet to from 1985 to 1990 as well as added. and Kamal State BJP headquarters. Abhar Yatra (Thanks Giving announce any date for com- between 1991 and 1996. He He, however, asserted that Nath, Singh raised suspicion Chouhan has decided that journey), Chouhan wants to mencement of the yatra but it was also a minister from 2004 he has no information as to whether it is the rivals who he would go on Abhar keep himself politically relevant could well be undertaken in to 2014. At these times no one who would be announced as stage managed it. He said, (Gratitude) Yatra soon starting sensing the fact it was not his January. objected. Most or as much as the chief minister of Madhya “People are excited and we do from Vindhya region of personal defeat in assembly Chouhan due to his incli- 100 per cent Sikhs of Pradesh. An announcement in not know which party they Madhya Pradesh. polls as he almost reached out nation towards yatras had Chhindwara are his supporters this regard is expected to be belong to. It needs to be seen The yatra however holds to the magical figure despite earned the distinction of Panv- and he has also done service at made this evening. how many of them are significance on two accounts- BJP being in power for 15 years Panv wale bhaiya (one who the local Gurudwara. No one On being asked about the Congress members or which First –the Lok Sabha elections and pitted against anti-incum- always remains on foot). has a problem with him, he sloganeering by supporters of party they are from.” *+)) "  ( /## # *#  ;      &  *-# #0        &         B/.'9 was identified as 43 year old Bhopal: A 20-year-old youth .93 B9 Janved Singh, resident of was assaulted and robbed of his ((   89.' cide while his wife had gone to n less than six hours three Mohanpur. The Morar TI, mobile phone, a pair of sports Peoples hospital for treatment Ipeople died in different road 809'0 Sudesh Tiwari reached the spot shoes and cash by four masked uffering from severe finan- of her eldest girl. accidents in Gwalior. The acci- (003 B. 3 and sent the body for post bike borne miscreants near Scial crunch, a 34-year-old Family was under severe dents occurred in the Morar, mortem. A case has been reg- Oxford School under Kolar man killed his two daughters by financial crisis as deceased was Tatipur and Jhansi Road areas .(83: B istered in the Morar Police police station area late in the strangulation and committed not able to meet his ends and of the city. After the accidents Station against unknown dri- night on Wednesday. suicide by hanging with the goods of basic needs and food the police reached the spots /0080. ver. According to the police, the ceiling at Manikhedi under were not at home, he added. and sent the bodies for post 0.(9 (69 In another incident, a 24- victim Aditya Tejbal Singh was Gunga police station area on Two brothers of the deceased mortem. According to the year-old woman trainee con- robbed by four bike borne mis- Thursday. live in Obedullahganj. One of police speeding and rash dri- 80.30 ( stable has lodged a complaint creants while on his way to near Police said that in the after- his brothers Arjun came to ving were the main reasons for against one Satendra Goswamy Oxford School when he was noon wife of deceased Gunga on Wednesday. He had the accidents. for raping her. According to walking towards his house. The Bhagwan Singh found him gone with deceased’s wife to the In the first incident, a into a divider in high speed and sources in the police the victim victim was rushed to hospital hanging and her two uncon- hospital. speeding SUV mowed down overturned, killing a woman. is undergoing training in the where he was discharged after scious daughters in the after- The deceased used to work two youths who were returning The victim was identified as 24 Rewa Police Training School. providing treatment. The victim noon when she returned after as labour and fearing that after home after attending a wedding year old Nidhi, a resident of In her complaint the victim has was attacked by the four mis- treatment of her eldest daugh- his death life of his daughters ceremony. One of the victims, Chhatrapur. She was being alleged that she came in contact creants. The victim lodged a ter. would worsen he strangulated Sanjay, a resident of Ashok brought to Gwalior for treat- with the accused when she was complaint with the police and in The daughters were rushed them to death and later com- Colony died on the spot while ment after she had been injured preparing for the exams in his complaint he stated that the to hospital where they were mitted suicide by hanging with the other, Sunil is in a critical in a road accident in Gwalior. When she returned to incident took place at 6 pm declared dead who were iden- the ceiling. condition. According to police Chhatrapur. The police Gwalior on leave the accused when he was on his way to home tified as Gunjan (2) and Rani After the preliminary the accident was so horrendous reached the spot and sent the took her to his home and and when he reached near (5). investigation the body was sent that even the speeding car got body for post mortem. The dri- raped her repeatedly. In the Oxford School in Ganesh Nagar Addl SP Neeraj Soni said for the post mortem. overturned. After the accident ver of the ambulance too is complaint she has alleged that four bike borne miscreants that the deceased was debt The police have registered the driver of the car fled away injured and is being treated in the accused had made a video appeared and started to abuse ridden and money provided by a case under section 174 of the from the spot. The police have the government hospital. and was threatening to malign him which he opposed and him was not refunded by CrPC and started further inves- registered a case and are on the In another incident in the her. soon they started to assault him Hukum Singh which was men- tigation. lookout for the absconding Morar area a petroleum com- Devendra Sigh Kushwaha, and snatched mobile phone, a tioned in the suicide note. The The person named in the driver. pany employ was mowed down the CSP of Lashkar said that pair of sports shoes and 1500 deceased killed her two daugh- suicide note would be searched In the second incident, a by a speeding car killing him they are on the lookout for the cash from his possession and ters before committing sui- in the investigation. speeding ambulance rammed instantaneously. The victim accused who is absconding. escaped the spot. SR .    "#,

Bhopal: An employee of Ondoor store was targeted and an ATM card was stolen from her bag and 30,000 were with- drawn using the ATM card in the month of October. The TT Nagar police on Wednesday registered a case of theft. According to the police, the victim Shivani Raikwar found that ATM card was missing from her purse when she went to withdraw cash and received three message of withdrawal of 10000 each. In her complaint she stat- ed that after completing work on October 20 she went to withdraw money from an ATM at Bittan market but failed to find ATM card inside the purse and around the same time she received three messages of withdrawal of 10000 each in her mobile phone. The police have registered a case under section 379 of the IPC and have started further investigation. The victim works as audi- tor with Ondoor at TT Nagar office. After the investigation police found that the claims made by the victim were true and based on the investigation police have registered case against unidentified miscre- ant. For establishing identity police would investigate CCTV footages of the incident day of the ATM and nearby installed CCTV cameras. The victim had provided details of places which she vis- ited during the day. Police have not denied involvement of employee of the company deployed at office where the victim works. SR   (  ) *+, -.*/  7 "    24# -#* 5#*     (    - *-# #.Q %"  ,      ,9.= entrusted with the task of organising man- ((   89.' 8(60(:.'/''90 0 (  Mohapatra. down fall was due to their dis, it is not providing the necessary infra- /8 .=B=.9 96,.80 Expressing his grateful- leaders’ ego. he Congress held road blockade on structure for the same. ndira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav    ness to them, Mohapatra said BJP Government’s failure TThursday from 10am to 2pm alleging The RMC has no grader machines to ISangrahalaya, Bhopal is organising '0,8.. 0<8 9 9 he and Dilip Ray are in touch in addressing problems of massive irregularities in procurement of check the quality of the paddy while the Tribal Literature Festival with the aim C/9930 69960<0((9 (C   with several leaders now and farmers and tribals and unem- paddy during the ongoing Kharif mar- officials were just checking the quality of of bringing the cultural and literary . 3,. ).'J./9,(899 they would jointly take a very ployment issues led to their keting season (KMS). paddy manually and rejecting it, he reserves of tribal inhabitants into L.39 .'.. 3.6M important political decision in poll debacle in these States, he The Congress workers and leaders alleged. Bahiniapati also said only 800 ) ")   mainstream. This festival will com- 69!G8300 04#!H the interest of the State soon. said. alleged that even after a month of open- quintals of paddy have been procured in mence with inauguration of Kathe ,0 3..3. “After Dilip Ray returns “I fought for the State’s ing of mandis at 58 places in the district, the district against the target of 14 lakh Lekha - An Exhibition on "Wooden from foreign, we would hold a interest in Mahanadi issue the process of procuring paddy has been quintals. He warned to hold Koraput Form of Expressions" and Kanjali – “Jayaka” is the Major attraction enior leader Bijay meeting at the district head- and advised BJP leaders to join affected and there is delay due to the pres- bandh if the issue was not resolved soon. A Workshop on “Traditional Art and of this programme. In this, resident SMohapatra, who resigned quarters and would announce me without advocating for ence of middleman and inadequate infra- When asked, Jeypore Sub-Collecter Craft” from 14th December, 2018. of Bhopal will Enjoy the delights of from the BJP recently, organ- future course of action. It is Chhattisgarh comment. But I structure in the mandis. Lokanath Dalabehera said all steps are This Programme will be inaugurat- traditional dishes of Bastar ised a massive meeting at the sure that we will fight for the was opposed by them,” he Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati being taken to streamline the function- ed by Prof T. V. Kattimani, Vice (Chhattisgarh), Oraon (Jharkhand), Gojabayani temple under interest of the State,” said said. said middlemen are exploiting the mar- ing of the mandis. “We are in talks with Chancellor, National Jatapu (Andhra Pradesh), Kaboi Marshaghai block in Mohapatra. He said the flood of ginal farmers in mandis. They are procur- both the farmers and millers to resolve the Tribal University, Amarkantak at Naaga (Manipur), Karbi and Mishing Kendrapada district on He said the 2019 general Mahanadi row swept away ing paddy from small and marginal issue,” he told. Tribal Habitat from 11.00 am. On this (Assam) and Bhil (Madhaya Wednesday, apparently to get elections would the youths’ the Chhattisgarh Government. farmers at a price much lower than the Hundreds of farmers blocked the occasion will also display a book Pradesh). This function will last till confident of his support base. election in and, thus, He told his supporters minimum support price (MSP) fixed by roads and shut down the shops in differ- exhibition. December 16, 2018. Thousands of Bijay Sena more youths would get oppor- that time has come for them the Government, he said. ent interior pockets of the district to show Thereafter, the Panel Discussion Cultural presentations proga- members, former PRI mem- tunity in the fray. not to face any humiliation Bahinipati demanded that the admin- their anger against the delay and the irreg- on “Tribal Literature: Contribution ramme “Akhra” will commence from bers, Zilla Parishad members Commenting on the poll and atrocity that they have istration take immediate steps to check the ularities made during procurement. and Concerns”, in which the partic- 6.00 pm, in which the cultural artists and his protégés and support- results of Chhattisgarh, been facing for the last 18 presence of middlemen in the mandis. However, common people affected by ipants will present their thoughts on from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur ers attended the meeting to Rajasthan and Madhya years as a major political Bahinpati also said through the the bandh expressed their anger against the topic. and Nagaland. show their solidarity with Pradesh, he said the BJP’s change is on the cards. Regional Marketing Committee (RMC) is the bandh organisers. "    &      4  - #. R 5      2  5 .         &  Q,     -           R   308.3= Pant also exhorted the bankers for active contribution ttarakhand Finance to help effective implementa-   308.3= UMinister Prakash Pant has tion of the Memoranda of asked the banks to raise the Understandings signed dur- olice foiled the plan of the Credit Deposit (CD) ratio in ing the Investors Summit. Punemployed physical edu- the hill districts. The general manager, State cation teachers to march to the He was addressing the 67th Bank of India ( SBI), residence of the Chief Minister State-level bankers committee Thakur, while thanking the on Thursday. meeting on Thursday. He told officials present, assured the Under the banner of bank officials that they should Finance Minister and the Unemployed Bachelor of hold awareness campaign finance secretary that the banks Physical Education and Master among the masses of the peo- and the officers of the of Physical Education ple on the banking processes. Government departments Federation, the youths have He said that National Bank would coordinate as per the been staging a dharna near the for Agriculture and Rural work plan and raise CD ratio. Parade Ground in the city for Development (NABARD) is The number of beneficia- the past many days. Some of providing a financial assis- ries of crop and term loan the members have also been on tance worth 2,000 for every would also be increased, he an indefinite hunger strike. literacy camp. assured. On Thursday, as the agi- education teacher in every put by the state administration Pant said efforts should be Among others present tated members of the federa- Government-run school. He machinery. We would fight made to organise maximum included the chief general man- tion were out to march to the said despite the National Council relentlessly till the state gov- number of such campaigns ager of State Bank of India Alok CM residence in support of of Education Research and ernment accepts our demand,” with the financial assistance Kumar Chaudhary, State their demands the police Training having made physical he warned. being provided by NABARD. He said these schemes people living in these areas help meet the Prime Minister finance secretary Amit Singh stopped them once they took education compulsory for stu- Meanwhile, the health of These campaigns would help in would help in dealing with the should be connected with Narendra Modi’s target of dou- Negi, chief general manager out the march. dents of Classes I to X, no move one of the protesting members increasing the CD ratio, he problem of unemployment and the Government-run bling the income of the farm- NABARD Avinash Chandra Some members of the fed- is being initiated by State of the association Hansa Bisht- opined. be instrumental in giving National Urban Livelihood ers by 2022. Srivastava, deputy general eration were also arrested by Government to recruit trained sitting on a fast unto death- The Minister added efforts a boost to the economy of Mission (NULM) for employ- He instructed the bank manager Reserve Bank of India the police and they were later teachers for the all-round devel- deteriorated on Thursday. The should be made under the the State. ment generation. officials to conduct various Tarika Singh, deputy general taken to police lines. opment of the children. doctors examined her on the financial literacy programme He said with the expansion The Minister asked the activities in the tourism sector manager of State Bank of India The patron of the federation He said the members of the day and advised her to break action plan in order to take the of the local bodies, the new vil- bankers to sanction crop loan and instructed them to work BL Saini, assistant general man- Himanshu Rajput demanded association are resolved to take the fast, given the worsening social security schemes to the lages which have been added to and term loan to the maximum according to the work plan and ager RK Pant and finance con- that the State Government their agitation to its logical end. condition of her health. But she common people across the State. the urban areas and the number of beneficiaries so as to road map prepared. troller Kulanand Ghanshala. should appoint one physical “We would not give in pressure refused to heed it.

, 000 loan waiver. The next year’s Lok Tamradhwaj Sahu, also a Lok Sabha As hours went by without an '    !$ ! 5 * Sabha elections also weighed heavi- member, is considered an “outsider” announcement till evening, tension ly on the mind of the Congress lead- as he joined the grand old party after and sloganeering rose among sup- From Page 1 ership in opting for experienced quitting the BJP. porters of various contenders, spilling  5- Central party observer and for- Kamal Nath. Sources said Rahul also sought into violence in some areas of '.,  mer Defence Minister AK Antony Early in the morning, the four views of party workers through an Rajasthan. In Chhattisgarh too, some was on Wednesday in Bhopal to meet main CM claimants belonging to the internal messaging system with a pre- clashes took place outside the resi-  the new legislators after the Congress old and new generation cadre from recorded message asking them to dence of State party chief Bhupesh (  " in a nail-biting finish defeated the MP and Rajasthan as well as AICC send their views directly to him Baghel (57), who is one of the con- From Page 1 ruling by observers were closeted with Rahul through the application. tenders apart from Leader of On the contrary, Congress securing 114 seats but fell two seats at his residence. With supporters of Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot, Opposition in the outgoing Assembly candidate PC Sharma was con- short of a majority in the 230-mem- the four contenders taking to streets, the two hopefuls for Rajasthan, TS Singh Deo (66) and OBC leader sidered close to the public, ber House. The meeting was expect- Rahul took to the social media to appealed to the party workers to Tamradhwaj Sahu. because he used to visit any- ed to reach a consensus on the Chief share a message “the two most pow- maintain peace and discipline, say- While Rahul Gandhi met the body, who approached him in Minister's name, however, that did erful warriors are patience and time”. ing they have full faith in the party party’s Central observers — KC problems. The victory of PC not happen. Congress rebel MLAs, Quoting Leo Tolstoy, Rahul posted leadership and would abide by the Venugopal for Rajasthan and AK Sharma is considered a major who won as Independent candidates a picture of himself flanked by final decision. Gehlot and Pilot both Antony for Madhya Pradesh — to one, because he always in the November 28 polls, were also Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kamal Nath. late in the evening left for Jaipur for seek their inputs on views of newly- demanded Congress ticket part of the CLP meet. Antony met Elected Congress MLAs in another round of CLP meeting while elected legislators in the States, he from Bhopal Madhya (Central) every one individually. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh had Nath and Scindia too headed for their separately met Gehlot, Pilot, Nath constituency, but he was field- During the day, Rahul held sev- passed one-line resolutions autho- State capital Bhopal. and Scindia at his Tughlak Lane ed from South-West, which did eral rounds of marathon consulta- rising Rahul Gandhi to decide on “The Congress president is talk- house. Kharge too held discussion not have his committed vote tions with senior party leaders, Chief Ministers. Some party sources ing to all leaders. It is a good thing with Rahul and conveyed him the bank. It has been quite fateful including Sonia Gandhi and sister indicated that the Congress was also that he is holding talk with all lead- feelings of Chhattisgarh party MLAs. that Leader of the Opposition, Priyanka, to select Chief Ministers for toying with formula to have Deputy ers before taking the decision on “We are checking, taking inputs who had been thriving for past the three Hindi heartland States. Chief Ministers in these two States. Chief Ministers...The process is on from different people in the party. We three terms for forming Party sources said Nath was chosen In that case, Pilot could be offered the and a decision on Chief Ministers will are taking inputs from MLAs and Congress’ government in over Scindia given the experience fac- post of Dy CM of Rajasthan and be taken soon...The decision of the workers. We are getting a compre- Madhya Pradesh, lost the elec- tor which was the need of the hour Scindia for MP. Congress president will be acceptable hensive answer to what the Congress tion, when Congress is forming since the party has promised sever- Chhattisgarh CM too could have to all,” Gehlot and Pilot stated sepa- party and others feel,” government. al freebies, including crucial farm a deputy since front runner rately. Rahul said.

the Prime Minister held dozens of ral- 3* &&& $  %    2 Q-#* lies in every (poll-bound) State and mer- )    (= 3.B.8 " " P"! 9  cilessly attacked Rahul, not taking care From Page 1 about the “lows” one could go to while In Rajasthan , at least 15 con- poor deaf and dumb youth of .  !. %      - holding the constitutional post. stituencies polled more NOTA votes ASundargarh district is now There is ego even in Modi’s “hum- than the victory margin of the win- known as a very good artist, and "     From Page 1 ble” acceptance of defeat as he did not ing candidates. through his brush he has made a ., ,    &' “Our culture is that along with one’s congratulate Rahul over the win, and the Health Minister Kalicharan Saraf number of heart touching paintings loss, a win should also be accepted BJP’s loss should be attributed to him as in the outgoing Vasundhara Raje-led and statues and is now a profession-  (   "  From Page 1 humbly, however, this culture was his entire Council of Ministers was BJP Government won by 1,704 al artist. 7 "   The study should also highlight conservation and destroyed after the Lok Sabha election of roped-in for campaigning, said the Sena, votes from Malviya Nagar con- Asish Kumar Naik (30), a resident restoration measures for corals and associated flora and 2014,” it said in sarcastic remarks. an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in stituency where NOTA was exer- of Modern India area under "  !(+ fauna, said the seven-member panel headed by Dr Deepak Despite its repeated assertion that it Maharashtra. cised by 2,371 voters. The lowest vic- Tangerpalli police station of 9   "  Arun Apte from Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). will go alone in the Lok Sabha polls, there It said Rahul has humbly accepted tory margin was witnessed in Asind Sundargarh district, is deaf and dumb The study shall explicitly spell out additional mitigation are reports that Sena would negotiate his win and acknowledged the contri- constituency where BJP’s Jabbar since childhood.   measures required to be undertaken along the route of the cable with the BJP now from the point of bution of BJP Chief Ministers. However, Singh Sankhala trounced Congress’s Asish’s father Ajay had migrated laying including financial implication that will have to be met “strength” and ask for half of the 48 LS Modi is not willing to accept the con- Manish Mewara by only 154 votes from his native place at Ambabhaili by the project proponent. The measures so suggested by the seats. The Sena is also expected to tribution of (former Prime Ministers and while 2,943 voters opted for NOTA. in Dhenkanal district 40 years ago to ing and painting. study shall be further prescribed either by way of a corrigen- mount pressure on the BJP to hold simul- late Congress leaders) Jawaharlal Nehru, Similarly in Pilibanga, BJP’s search for work. Ajay too was doing After being encouraged by his dum or an amendment to the IPZ/CRZ clearance by the taneous Assembly polls in Maharashtra Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi in build- Dharmendra Kumar defeated painting. Ashis was a different sort of father, Asish started doing painting Ministry. The project for which technical consultant is so that the BJP could not dump it after ing the nation. Congress’s Vinod Kumar by just 278 boy in school. Whenever he was get- regularly. He has opened a small shop Telecommunication Consultants India Ltd. (TCIL) is being con- the LS polls in a repeat of 2014. The “He is not even willing to accept that votes but 2441 NOTA votes were ting a piece of paper, he was drawing near his residential place whose sidered of vital importance and has Government interest as cur- Maharashtra Assembly polls were held (veteran leader) LK Advani has built the polled, as per the election commis- a picture on the paper. After attend- name is Ajanta Arts, where he is writ- rently the only medium of providing telecom connectivity in October 2014 and the BJP had con- BJP,” the Sena said. sion data. While on Marwar Junction ing sixth class, due to financial hard- ing number plates for vehicles and between mainland and the island is though satellites which has tested it alone. “Why did Rahul survive this storm? seat independent candidate ship of his parents, he could not study also making hoarding and banners to a poor quality bandwidth, said the TCIL seeking its clearance. “Those who built the party were Why did democracy survive despite so Khushveer Singh defeated BJP’s further. earn his livelihood. He also makes The panel was told that the proposed Chennai Andaman ousted. Friends, who did not give up in many bruises? The answer lies in hum- Kesaram Choudhary by 251 votes When he sat idle at home, he beautiful statues and idols through his and Nicobar Island (CANI) cable system will also be of immense bad times, were termed enemies. People, bleness. The election results are a lesson. against 2719 NOTA. The other could recall about his father Ajay’s art. Even if he is physically chal- strategic significance to India in addition to assisting the who lifted you up from dust, themselves But, is there a will to learn lessons?” the Assembly constituencies where painting work. Inspired by father’s lenged, he has become inspiration for Andaman & Nicobar Islands communications security, espe- are in ruins today. They (BJP) could not Sena asked. NOTA votes were recorded more drawing, Ashis had started drawing a others. cially during natural disasters or failures of other systems.The register a win in a single state because the The Sena had Wednesday also took than victory margin include: Ghatol, picture on paper. When his father Ajay “We are proud of our son,” said NEC, Japan is executing cable deployment and repeaters and country doesn’t need industrialists,” the a swipe at the BJP over its poll drubbing, Chohtan, Pachpadra, Bundi, Chomu, noticed his art work, he had encour- Ajay and Ashalata Naik, parents of associated environmental management during cable laying Sena said. saying people have brought “those flying Pokaran, Khanpur, Khetri, Makrana, aged Asish to do more and more draw- Asish. process on behalf of the DoT. In a vitriolic attack on Modi, it said in the air back to the ground”. Dantaramgarh and Fatehpur.   (  ) *+, -.*/  :       

 " )  0/30'8    .      *      * O    espite the big electoral set-        *  G>###      O       1  back in Chhattisgarh,   *               D      *  *  *       Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan  " )  0/30'8  .       *    * Jehanabad 33 per cent; Jamui       *        ' (     being attributed to rural dis-  ( K.         31 per cent; Katihar 34 per    *  (       tress and farmers’ anger and the fter getting reports from B )   9 K      cent; Khagria 36 per cent;      4#!? !!   result of the Congress’ promise Athe State Governments,  (  Muzzaffarpur 41 per cent; to waive farm loans, the the Agriculture Ministry has  (  ,    B  *   Patna 27 per cent and east Ministry of Agriculture on deputed inter-ministrial    1** 24#!H   Champaran 32 per cent. Thursday stated that it was not Central team to six States — In Gujarat, the rain defi- considering any loan waiver Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra,  9   (  * ** * ciency in Devbhoomi Dwarka scheme as it would affect the Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jharkhand  * B  * recorded 42 per cent; Jamnagar credit culture, incentivise and Odisha — to assess  .  34># 5H!       29 per cent; Kachchh 62 per defaulters, create a moral haz- drought situation across the     cent; Morbi 51 per cent; ard and perpetuate demands States. These six States and the Porbandar 28 and Rajkot 30 for further waivers. Karnataka Government had per cent in Saurashtra and It is estimated that an declared drought for the kharif Kutch sub division. Similarly, amount of 45,000 crore would (summer) 2018 season. Barring rain deficiency in Ananthapur, be needed to keep the promis- Odisha, the other States have Chittoor, Cuddapah and es of farm loan waivers in submitted a memorandum Kurnool in Rayalseema record- these three States. seeking funds from the Central ed 33 percent, 41 per cent, 60 In a written reply to Shiv Government. As per IMD, 250 per cent and 46 per cent Sena MP Bhavana Gawali Patil, farmers’ loans in Madhya Officials of the Agriculture an effective interest rate of 4 per of the 681 districts across the The report is first vetted by Recently, Maharashtra respectively. Union Minister of State for Pradesh and Chhattisgarh Ministry said huge amount of cent per annum against the country have faced deficient a sub-committee headed by the Chief Minister Devendra In Karnataka, the official Agriculture Parshottam within 10 days of coming to farm loan will put enormous normal lending rate of 9 per rainfall this year. Agriculture Secretary. Fadnavis met Nripendra Misra, said 72 out of 100 taluks were Rupala said, “The Union power. The ruling BJP lost the pressure on the near-precarious cent to prompt payee farmers. According to India Thereafter, the recommenda- the Principle Secretary to severely affected by drought Government at present is not Assembly polls in these States. fiscal situation in two of the three “Thus, the prompt payee Meteorological Department tions are placed before the Prime Minister Narendra during the kharif season, while considering any loan waiver The loss is attributed to rural States: Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh farmers are getting an interest (IMD), the rain deficiency is Union Home Minister Rajnath Modi, in seeking a financial there was moderate impact in scheme for farmers.” distress and farmers’ anger. and MP. “The loan waiver also subvention of 5 per cent per recorded 9 per cent this year. Singh-headed high-level com- assistance of 7,962.63 crore to rest of the taluks. “Such waivers may impact The farmers’ woes are expect- risks deepening the malaise at annum. The scheme is continued The States like Jharkhand, mittee seeking approval for the tackle the prevailing drought in In Jharkhand, the rain the credit culture of a State by ed to be major poll issue in Lok public sector banks saddled in 2018-19. Besides, some State Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, release of funds from National Maharashtra. The Maharashtra deficiency is recorded in 191 incentivising the defaulters Sabha elections in 2019. with most of India’s $150 billion Governments in fact also provide Meghalya, Bihar, West Disaster Response Fund. Government has identified talukas in 18 districts. In even if they are in a position to Rupala admitted that in stressed loans. If the govern- additional interest subvention, Rajasthan, Gujarat, North-East According to a new manual on 201 talukas in 32 districts that Andhra Pradesh, six districts repay the loan and thus cre- according to the National ment finds very limited fiscal reducing the effective interest and parts of Andhra Pradesh, drought management issued by are facing water scarcity owing have reported drought like sit- ate/amplify the moral hazard Crime Records Bureau data, space, it could go for loan burden on short term crop loans Tamil Nadu and Karnataka the Union Ministry of to deficient rainfall in the uation this year. by discouraging those bor- bankruptcy or indebtedness, waivers only in a few areas that to zero. Government sets annu- have witnessed below normal Agriculture in December 2016, southwest monsoon season. Even a large chunk of rowers who have been regular and farming-related issues were have suffered extreme weather al target for the flow of credit to rain. Out of total 36 sub-divi- the Centre will only provide Marathwada region seems Uttar Pradesh received 40 per in repaying their loans. Further, reported as the major causes for conditions,” officials said. the agriculture sector. Banks sions, as many as 24 have wit- funds to State Governments in worst affected. cent deficit monsoon but the each waiver granted makes it suicides among farmers. Highlighting the steps have been consistently surpass- nessed normal rain, while 10 case of “Severe” drought, not In Bihar of the 38 districts, state has not declared drought. even more difficult to reject any “While the Centre would not taken by the Government to ing the annual target. The cur- continue to remain rain-defi- “mild”. Since the yardstick to 24 witnessed rain deficient Ten districts in West Bengal future similar demand,” Rupala consider loan waivers, it had farmers, Rupala said in his rent year’s agriculture credit flow cient and two sub division has measure the severity of this monsoon. As per data, rain received deficit rainfall of more said in the statement. initiated a number of measures reply that the Government is target has been set at 11 lakh recorded excess rain. drought is stricter, the new deficiency recorded in Arariya than 20 per cent but the state During the campaign for to reduce the debt burden of providing Interest Subvention crore,” he said. The Minister Already, a team has visit- conditions make it more diffi- 21 per cent; Arwal 30 per is yet to declare drought. West the Assembly election, farmers and to increase avail- Scheme (ISS) to make available added that he current year’s ed Karnataka and submitted its cult for the States to prove cent; Begu Sarai 26 per cent; Bengal and Uttar Pradesh con- Congress president Rahul ability of institutional credit to short-term crop loans upto 3 agriculture credit flow target report. Other teams are in the “severe” drought and get relief Bhojpur 33 per cent; tribute more than one-fourth Gandhi vowed to waive off farmers,” he said. lakh for a period of one year at has been set at 11 lakh crore. process. from the Centre. Darbhanga 28 per cent; of India’s rice production. 2 3 45-6)%7   2 & 3    '            !) ;   0/30'8 struction of Ram Temple in            Ayodhya. As the protests con-  !     8 he Opposition continued to tinued, Speaker Sumitra   (  * )   0/30'8 Tstall proceedings of both the Mahajan asked members to New Delhi: The Interpol has  *     Houses of Parliament for the sec- allow the House to function but issued a Red Corner Notice at      n a bid to scale up prepara- ond consecutive day on in vain. The House was then the behest of CBI against B      Ition s for the 2019 Lok Sabha Thursday raising various issues, adjourned for the day. Mehul Choksi in connection  *       elections, the BJP is to hold including alleged corruption in Earlier, as soon as the with the PNB credit fraud to   *    two-day national council meet- the Rafale fighter jet deal, con- Question Hour began after the tune of over 7,000 crore.    &      ing on January 11 and 12 here struction of Ram temple and paying tributes to martyrs of The RCN was issued by the   *     as also the national conventions Cauvery river water. While the the 2001 Parliament attack, Interpol on Wednesday, CBI   *    of seven of its seven ‘Morchas’ The party’s national coun- was adjourned for members from the Congress, officials said on Thursday. 4##!  *  &  across the county. Some of the cil will be held on January 11- the day shortly after it met for the           ! &    6 ,7' TDP and AIADMK rushed to The CBI had registered     conventions of the ‘Morchas’ 12 in the national Capital, he day, the Lok Sabha witnessed the Well raising slogans, fol- the case against Choksi and     will be attended by Prime said. The party’s defeat in the repeated adjournments before it business following protests by relent forcing Naidu to observe lowing which the Speaker others, including his firms, on       *   Minister Narandra Modi and Assembly elections was not was finally adjourned for the day. Tamil Nadu parties inside the “I would like to urge members adjourned the House. February 15 on a complaint (& party president Amit Shah. discussed in the meeting, Yadav Thursday was the third Well over the Cauvery river to at least allow the House TDP member from Punjab National Bank (  ((  Addressing a Press confer- said, adding that it was not on day of the Winter Session. issue. No sooner had the House today...9 persons had laid down Venkateshwara Rao (Babu) used (PNB). The agency had booked &66)   ence at the party office, BJP the agenda. While on day one, both the paid its respects to the nine per- their lives to protect a mike installed in the Well for Choksi, Managing Director, general secretary Bhupender While holding its Moarch Houses were adjourned after sons who laid down their lives Parliament. Wrong message the oath of a new member to Gitanjali Gems Ltd and others 6    on the allegations of cheating !##*     Yadav shared details of various meetings, the BJP will holding paying obituary to former 17 years back when terrorist will go,” he said. He later prop up a poster seeking special      *  meetings to be held across the public rallies too, some of Prime Minister Atal Bihari attacked the Parliament House adjourned the proceedings till status for Andhra Pradesh. A the public sector PNB. *  H>5I"  country. These include the which would be addressed by Vajpayee, Union Minister complex and the listed papers Friday at about 11.10 am Lok Sabha secretariat staffer After an investigation into  4#!>!I&   two-day ‘Scheduled Caste mor- Prime Minister. Ananth Kumar and some sit- presented, members belong- The Lok Sabha also wit- tried to convince him not to use the case, the CBI filed a    7  cha’ meeting, to be attended by Asked whether temple was ting members, the second day ing to the AIADMK and DMK nessed repeated adjournments. the mike. Parliamentary Affairs chargesheet on May 16 against ' (  .  * its chief Amit Shah on January discussed in meeting, Yadav on Wednesday saw protests by trooped into the Well of the The House was adjourned twice Minister Narendra Singh Tomar Choksi and 17 other accused    (  19-20 in Nagpur. said though not discussed, it the Opposition. While the Lok House shouting slogans about in the Question Hour. It was too tried to convince him to persons, including one former /     The ‘Scheduled Tribe mor- was the commitment of the Sabha was adjourned without Cauvery issue. Some members later adjourned for the day dur- keep down the mike. The TDP Managing Director and two 3 * B  cha’ meeting will be held on party and mentioned in its transacting much business, the from Andhra Pradesh also ing Zero Hour where only two member’s action invited the ire Executive Directors, of PNB    G?#4   February 2-3 in Bhubaneswar manifesto. Earlier in the day Rajya Sabha had passed a Bill came into the well demanding members got a chance to speak. of Speaker Sumitra Mahajan before the Special Judge, CBI H4!G5     and the ‘OBC morcha’ on BJP parliamentary party amid noisy scenes. special status for the State. Besides Opposition mem- who warned him that he will be cases, Greater Mumbai for      & February 15-16 in Patna, Yadav held its meeting which was The Upper House on Chairman M Venkaiah bers, ruling BJP’s ally Shiv named. Once a member is cheating the bank to the tune told reporters after a meeting attended by the PM and the Thursday was adjourned for the Naidu tried to pacify the mem- Sena also held protests in the named, he or she has to leave the of 7080.86 crore. "     of the party’s office-bearers. party chief. day without transacting any bers. However, they did not House demanding law for con- House chamber. PNS (           !   4   8   (   4                  !     

 0/30'8   &  The Bombay High Court 8 )      9   had dismissed the plea of one   <) %0 ( )    he Supreme Court on Satish Ukey seeking annul- New Delhi: The Supreme New Delhi: The Supreme cannot be started immediately.   0/30'8 2$=#$$22 *>  (   Thursday issued notice to ment of Fadanavis’s election to Court on Thursday dismissed Court stayed the Meghalaya “The High Court order T $$#$0 0*>=         Maharashtra Chief Minister the Maharashtra Assembly on a plea seeking directions for High Court order directing all shall remain stayed,” said the ndia and Russia discussed the ?#@%0+2#$02      * Devendra Fadnavis on a plea the ground of alleged non-dis- immediate execution of the commercial operators and the Bench which also comprised entire range of issues related to I 0=** =  %0 = 8  ) seeking annulment of his elec- closure of all pending criminal four death row convicts in the Aviation Ministry to urgently Justices SK Kaul and KM Defence during the 18th meet- 10 22#$$$  &       tion to the State Assembly for cases against him. 2012 Nirbhaya gangrape and take a decision to start flights Joseph. Rohatgi said there was ing of the India-Russia Inter- $>0$$$#@@*02  *      alleged non-disclosure of pend- The apex court was hear- murder case, saying, “you want from Umroi Airport, 30 km no petition before the HC, Governmental Commission on #@ 20**>%0 *     ing criminal cases against him ing an appeal of Ukey against us to go around Delhi and exe- from capital Shillong. which on its own (suo motu), Military Technical Cooperation ?#@%0*>#$$*       * *& in the nomination papers. the high court order. cute these people?” A Bench headed by Chief took note of the issue and (IRIGC-MTC) here on /* * A Bench comprising Chief Senior advocate Kapil “What kind of prayer Justice Ranjan Gogoi took note directed Director General of Thursday. The meeting was co- Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Sibal, appearing for the peti- you are making?,” a Bench of the submissions of senior Civil Aviation, Secretary, chaired by Defence Minister     Justices SK Kaul and KM tioner, submitted that Fadnavis of Justices Madan B Lokur advocate Mukul Rohatgi, repre- Ministry of Civil Aviation and Nirmala Sitharaman and her &3    Joseph sought response of the in his election affidavit filed in and Deepak Gupta told the senting Indigo Airlines that Airport Authority of India Russian counterpart General (    Chief Minister on an appeal 2014, had failed to disclose the petitioner. there were no fire fighting and Chairman to hold a meeting Sergei Shoigu.      !H filed against a Bombay High pendency of two criminal cases “You are making the court other facilities available at Umroi within a week for making the In the framework of the (     Court order. against him. a joke,” it said. PTI Airport and flight operations airport operational. PTI bilateral Special and Privileged      *   Strategic Partnership, the    * IRIGC-MTC meeting discussed a revised Inter-Governmental *  ( *   a wide range of issues relating Agreement on restructuring   *  &( 5 &  (R % &  (  to Defence equipment, industry the existing IRIGC-MTC to the     *   and technological engagement IRIGC on Military and Military : 8        between India and Russia as Technical Cooperation was also        well as after sales support and signed by the two Ministers. An ,       "  0/30'8 becoming used to human translocation project that envis- have been up in arms against upgradation of military equip- additional institutional      imprints, losing her wild ages release of three pairs of the introduction of the preda- ment of Russian origin. Working Group headed by        undari, a tigress which is instinct in the process due to tigers in the Satkosia reserve. tors in the region, he added. The Ministers expressed Chief of Integrated Defence   3* G& Shoused in an enclosure for which will no longer be able to Mahavir and Sundari were Brought from satisfaction at the dynamism Staff to the Chairman COSE more than a month after she survive in the wild on herself part of the country’s first inter- Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and progress in bilateral (CISC) and Deputy Chief of the )      was suspected of killing two again. This is the second time State tiger translocation plan. to Satkosia on June 29, Defence cooperation. Intensive Main Operational Directorate     people in Odisha’s Satkosia that the tigress is inside the Refusing to be named, a Sundari was released in the discussions were held on joint of General Staff of Armed    Tiger reserve might not enjoy enclosure, first time was when forest official lambasted the wild on August 17. During manufacturing projects, includ- Forces of Russian Federation      the wilderness of the forests it was brought from State Government for failing to her transit stay in the enclo- ing the Kamov-226T heli- would be set up under the  *     ever again. Bandhavgarh tiger reserve in ensure that the tigress remain sure, she was fed domestic copters, naval frigates and pro- expanded Commission.    *   Sources said the wild June to be shifted to Satkosia. in the core area. He also animals like calf and goat jects related to land systems. The Ministers expressed     female big cat from Her companion, a male expressed his displeasure that instead of prey more suited to The two sides also agreed satisfaction progress in struc-     *   Bandhavgarh tiger reserve in tiger, called as Mahavir by the the female big cat was being predators like her like Sambhar, to take forward Inter- tured engagement between their    * Madhya Pradesh might be forest officials, has already kept in an enclosure for such a bison and barking deer. Governmental arrangements armed forces, including joint      & shifted to a zoo, most probably become victim of poaching. It long period. Usually it is wild to “The tigress shouldn’t have for facilitating joint manufac- exercises, resumption of train-    8 * Nandankanan Zoo in the com- was brought from Madhya wild release so that the preda- been kept in the enclosure for turing of spares for Russian ori- ing exchanges and other inter-       ing days. Presently, her move- Pradesh’s Kanha tiger reserve. tors maintain their killing more than seven days. Lodging gin equipment in India, under actions in the framework of the   =  ments are being watched Following the death of the instinct in the wild, he said. a predator in an enclosure is the ‘Make in India’ initiative, Bilateral Road Map on Defence .1  2.!?5I through the CCTV cameras. tiger and suspected human Keeping in the soft ambience like gradually killing its wild officials said. Cooperation signed in June   3  Wildlife experts fear that killings by the tigress, the bring behaviourial changes in instincts,” according to Biswajit With a view to enhancing 2017. The inaugural meeting of 8  ) having lived for quite some National Tiger Conservation the animal. Moreover, it is Mohanty, secretary of Wildlife military-to-military engage- the IRIGC-MTC is proposed to (  3 ( & time in the enclosure, the Authority (NTCA) has already doubtful if the tigress will be Society of Odisha as per a ment and rationalising the be held in Russia in 2019 on striped female cat is now put on hold the 18-crore acceptable to the locals also who report. functioning of the Commission, mutually convenient dates.   ( ) *+, -.*/    ;       & *M      O3       *& *M     M 3',&"8&*           6  R 7      &    (          O      *         &9          +    ; <                *                      =000      (  S   <            < 3 <  <  *            ,    >6       (         (            !)6 3%         n science and philosophy, there is a rule           referred to as ‘Occam’s Razor’, which           basically states that the simplest expla- +       +S           nation is often the right one. In the week leading up to the elections, there was    < S             Ian article by Surjit Bhalla, where he claimed       +            that the Congress and its allies would fail to        ,   ??     !    even win one State despite exit polls and opin- ion polls indicating otherwise. His reasons <   6  % #            were far from simple and contrary to noise   #            9    on the ground. This lends credence to the  (   %   :             ( belief that while the simplest answer is often the right one, a complicated explanation is       )     ,5$       the bellwether of a wrong one.     %            The past few days saw the Congress win    S @   SA  (        ,5$ the mandate of the people in three massive States namely, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh     )        $  < S  ( and Chhattisgarh. Widely viewed (by most               7    >$   in the media, especially within the BJP) as the )               ( States being the stronghold of the BJP, there          +         ( is no denying the fact that the Congress has dealt a major blow to the BJP in the run-up              < S     to the 2019 Lok Sabha election. If you have,   +                 >6 however, spoken to a supporter or had a  ?B             ,  # R+  chance to watch certain news channels, you would think that the Congress should actu- by Rahul Gandhi and how it is The Congress, in contrast, intellectual approach to politics ple and recognising specific  S                 ally feel sorry for itself for winning these three equated with being disrespect- focused on raising smaller and public discourse. This is the issues of each State. This was                major States. The narrative that is being ped- ful and arrogant. Similar was amounts from its supporters most basic feature of the BJP in evident from the difference in < S             *  <  dled, primarily by the BJP, is that these elec- the manner in which even and remained largely uninflu- its current form and this has the issues raised and the cam- tions were fought on local factors and that minor achievements or every- enced by any particular industri- been visible throughout its entire paign organised in Madhya    -    +        %  S anti-incumbency played a larger role in the day governance is treated as a alist. This enabled the party to tenure. Pradesh as opposed to                  # > victory than the work done by the Congress day of celebration. Even mili- not be ruled by the whims and Whether it is the destruc- Rajasthan. This kind of freedom *      9 : 2   ,      ( and its workers. Such an argument, unsur- tary action, such as surgical fancies of any particular indus- tion of institutions by replacing allows the State units to con- prisingly, betrays a lack of humility and hubris strikes, was not spared. In will- trial interest but to fight on the experts in a particular field with tribute to the party’s success and               # ,  *  on behalf of the BJP. ful ignorance of the fact that ground on its own terms, and on mere yes-men or the inability of just as significantly feel as if they ?0/B         9           In this week’s column, I aim to provide such actions do not aid India’s issues raised by the public. Prime Minister Modi to have a are participating to the party’s <                   context to the Congress’s victory in order to Armed Forces and have repeat- Similarly, the fact that the single debate or to hold a sin- success. understand the obstacles that the party edly been done in the past by BJP was already in power in gle Press conference and answer Contrast this with the BJP                  faced in the run-up to the elections. I will previous Governments, sec- Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and questions about unemploy- where chief campaigners like       %            briefly talk about the simple factors that tions of the media provided Madhya Pradesh was another ment, demonetisation agrarian Prime Minister Modi, Yogi    S     /CD00       <    enabled the party to emerge victorious. loud horns for the BJP to obstacle the Congress had to discontent. Contrast this with Adityanath and Amit Shah One of the biggest obstacles that the repeatedly blow on. work against. While in power, the Congress and Rahul Gandhi hijacked the State narrative                   Congress faced in the run-up to the elections Another factor that cannot the BJP was free to use the state who have repeatedly been and attempted to replace it with        +       >6S     was the media. While it goes unsaid, I wish be ignored is the influence of machinery, besides SOPs and amongst the people who have their own parochial narrative of  S    #     :      to clarify that my observations do not apply money and how the BJP and its freebies like distribution of cell- encouraged tough questions. division on religious grounds, carte blanche to all media but is, instead, a big, wealthy donors armed the phones, to influence the elec- People of these three States have changing the names of cities       (        <   commentary on certain sections of the party with a huge war chest to torate. Therefore, the victory of wised up to this crucial differ- and insulting the Congress.   (               media. You, the reader, would have seen it too. fight the elections. As you may the Congress despite the above ence. The people of the coun- This was another example of       R      S :    There are certain sections in the media that be aware, elections are extreme- obstacles, warrants, in my opin- try have wised up to the fact disconnect between the BJP’s     +           appear to be operating with a clear agenda ly expensive propositions and ion, a fairer examination and that one leader has spent the high command and the com- of promoting even minor achievements of the can have a huge influence on the greater recognition. past few years on the ground lis- mon man.                 BJP and takes pleasure in belittling any effort outcome. It is this influence of While I have briefly dis- tening to the people while the This week, I have attempt-             %    + of the Congress. money that a modern democra- cussed how the obstacles high- other has spent a huge amount ed to provide some reasons as %            While there is an argument to say that cy aims to check and regulate. lighted above indicate that the on his own public image, has to why in my opinion, the no media can be absolutely unbiased, one The BJP has not earned the victory of the Congress in the dodged any hint of a difficult Congress beat the odds to win would expect them to fulfil the function of moniker of ‘Suit Boot ki Sarkaar’ State elections is a bigger victo- question by flying out of the the recent elections. I have being a reporter of facts rather than mere fan- for nothing. It is reported to be ry than what many would like to country and can be seen hob- attempted to back my argu- boys or fangirls. Take the example of how the the largest benefactor of dona- admit, it would be amiss to not nobbing with celebrities and ments with reasons and ratio-     media treats the language used by the Prime tions compared to other politi- examine factors that enabled industrialists at weddings. nale and I would appreciate Minister in contrast with the one used by cal parties. As I have written pre- the Congress to emerge victori- Another factor that worked any disagreement that is sim-  7 R       (  7 Rahul Gandhi. In the case of Modi, there have viously, the introduction of elec- ous in the elections as well. in favour of the Congress was ilarly backed by reason and been innumerable occasions where the toral bonds and the correspond- The biggest factor that the freedom granted to the debate. Whether certain sup-  (      " & 7    Prime Minister has used disgraceful and dis- ing amendments to the worked for the Congress in the State units. Speaking from my porters, however, will be per- gusting language against members of the Companies Act, 2013 and the elections was the contrasting own experience, in Jharkhand, suaded by reason as opposed         Gandhi family and the Congress in partic- Income Tax Act among others by approach in leadership between the Congress leadership has to rhetoric though is another )  *        ular, which was recently evident by his com- the BJP have made it easier than the BJP, led by Prime Minister encouraged State units to build matter altogether. ) ment of ‘Congress ki Vidhwa’. Barely any ever for money to have a greater Modi and the Congress, led by a closer bond with the public of (The writer is Jharkhand        major news channel covered this. influence on politics and skew Rahul Gandhi. The BJP repre- the particular State by spending PCC president, former MP and *      Contrast this with any comment made the electoral process. sents a loud, garish and an anti- time in the State with the peo- IPS officer. Views are personal)    (                       # )  * S            +    (     3      9    !I      * -         *                 *     &           -    *              *       & * *   *      ,    S         &    *        &   &  &         S   #0 *   %1$$2*           2 %=> 0*0 @0#2 !$0 )    #      KB     K 8  K3 ' * K *        -   )  *                      . ,                        2          . )                                                  . -  . ,              %          /00 ( Sir — This refers to the editori- Sir — This refers to the editor-          . al, “Rahul’s day dawns”      L  -  M ial, “Rahul’s day dawns” (December 12). Assembly elec- 13* !42&  -  *  (December 12). Results to the 1  +          1       tion verdicts to five States, espe- (          Assembly elections held in five     +      (         ( cially the three Hindi heartland      *       States, except Telangana, clear-       + ( $        viz Chhattisgarh, Madhya    B &8  B 9  ly indicate that people were up Pradesh and Rajasthan will cer-  *  *  *   * for a change. Voters can no                  ( tainly strengthen Congress pres-     4#!?B 0  & longer be fooled. At the end,              2       ident Rahul Gandhi’s standing *        there comes a realisation that                  within the party and give him a     )      promises made to them simply voice in national politics, apart        !&I   remained undelivered.      !  +   3         from boosting Opposition unity.         )& .  )O*       Leaders, who come to power           )      ) 4 * Ever since Prime Minister          *           with tall claims must take  5 6             7  Narendra Modi came to     )&6    -  &9 * ( .*   * * lessons in defeat. They must not power, the Congress has been      *  7 *       &  *      forget that promises, if left unde- ,                trampled upon in almost every  -   *          *     livered, will ultimately lead the                   ( political confrontation. These            *   4#!?' (    & common man forgetting them.   +          +      results show that Congress is no B            ) )"*$ The words of late Kofi dead horse and is still in the polit-    &   Annan, former secretary                     ( ical race. General of the UN, is apt in                 # R, 9 + - S Interestingly, during cam- today’s political circumstances:                 %   paigning in these elections, the     India ‘Congress-mukt’. has led to the emergence of the “I have always believed that on Prime Minister was personally The Congress’ victory in Congress as a strong Opposition important issues the leader must +          2      involved and led from the front. Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan once again, it has also boosted lead. Where the leaders fail to           )         Therefore, this is his loss too. On Sir — This refers to the editorial, make for a strong comeback for the morale of the party for the back and people are really con-  :                   the other hand, the Congress “Rahul’s day dawns” (December the party in mainstream politics. 2019 General Election. The cerned about it, the people will should not rest on its laurels and 12). The victory of the Congress However, in Madhya Pradesh, results have affirmed one thing take the lead and make the        +         1     introspect as to how it can sustain in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh the party fell short of just two for sure: Voters are not in a leaders follow.”                    the momentum of its victory as and the termination of the BJP’s seats (won 114 seats) to gain the mood to withstand any form of M Pradyu Thalikavu      (     *   %   State polls are fought largely on winning streak in Madhya majority. Nevertheless, it arrogance, carelessness and fake Kannur           #        local issues. Pradesh has made a massive revealed the intent of the voters promises of any party.     4 Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee statement for the BJP: There is still regarding the BJP in the State. Tushar Anand 00$0*@*B %9=*%    +              Faridabad a long way for the party to make Though the recent victory Patna   (  ) *+, -.*/  " " <     % )% )%#

# -- -   (      +  ) " ) ()         (   9  !  )   )  9  #*    (   9  ! )        9  *  )*    L)    "  L ) )    &    *   "     !

       !    &      ,(   7   &          &   ( % !         %      &                             <  $   ! :*  #   <7              ,   5 $  @,5$A +                      (     # ,5$  "    <  $          !       *  #   <7        (  S       @  S     A         O                         S  (          ( !&7%!#! =2      +        $  <    <   *  < )  ) *    unwar Narain was a literary icon, who with his exceptionally refined literary sen-  ,5$      <  $   >    sibility, stylistic as well as linguistic                 sophistication, and a tremendous sense *           )    # of humanism embedded in native tradi- ,5$            *  Ktions, made enduring contributions to Indian liter-    ! %           ature. He brought back not just enormous accolades           + *    ,5$ for his immensely impressive creative output in var-            +   ( ious genres such as poetry, short-story, translation,       -  ! ) literary criticism, and writings on cinema and music, %                but also numerous awards and honours that include #         *   (  the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Padma Bhushan, the Sahitya Academi Senior Fellowship and the           ,5$   Jnanpith Award. His literary endeavours chart a tra-       <         ,5$ jectory to explore those possibilities that can effec- .. /.(P=0         5       tively strengthen core human values in a deeply divid- = . B=9=(         ed and perpetually painful modern world where pre- 8(0=3.9 96         ,5$S    requisites for a peaceful and satisfying co-existence . ;     S         +     are increasingly being ignored. 9 B6980  <(   %         ( Narain is often said to be a highly contempla- .0 .969'(       S   ?0??      tive and visionary bard who chose to creatively engage with some of the fundamental questions sur- 9= 00((.'; Narain brought another heroic fig- Gudiyon ka Khel not only underlines the his creative presuppositions intimately as       @<)$A         6'=0 080               rounding human existence. Issues that kept the prac- ure Nachiketa into the picture in two struggles and hardships of brother-sister is amply clear from his way of doing crit- titioners of the Upanishad and the followers of (.9(.  other poetry collections namely duo who conduct the circus, but also high- icisms of celebrated poets like Agyeya,       ,5$S      )   Buddhist thought wide awake come to occupy a )9= 0;96 Atmajayi and Vajasrava ke Bahane. lights the undercurrents of existential angst Shamsher and Muktibodh and novelists        9    !  <  central space in Narain’s poetic compositions. The 90;& = Nachiketa asks extremely difficult ques- and unhappiness of the hero who is oth- like Nirmal Verma, Yashpal and Hazari $        # > %  S ( primary objective behind his enormously specu- 80/.( tions to Yama and his own father, erwise able to manifest a lot of enthusi- Prasad Dwivedi respectively.                  lative poetic temperament is to reinforce belief in (='. 09=('; Vajasrava, about death and existence, asm and zeal for the celebration of life. Narain was a living legend. He  )   %          the primacy of human bonding as well as the . 330 9=B89 attachment and renunciation respective- Alongside he shows a great deal of com- remained throughout his life remarkably        +      ,5$ supremacy of humanitarian perspectives of life. ., 9/'03B080 ly. Nachiketa story was taken from passion and generosity for the people from reclusive but effectively articulate in his +            ( Drawing upon information and insight, knowledge 9. 096 Kathopanishad, but it was employed to the periphery. writings and speeches. An excellent    ,5$          and wisdom gathered from both historical and give it a contemporary meaning. Here. Narain posed some tough questions human being who was held in high mythical characters such as Sarhapa, Abhinavgupta, 9'(699= we may also seek an adequate answer to about the kind of moral choices we make regard by his contemporaries, he was         $  < < # 930 3.;                ( Kumarjiva, Amir Khusro and Gandhi, Narain pre- questions about human life, its annihi- in our lives as was evident from the short quite unambiguous in his repudiation ferred to weave an interesting and inspiring web. 0<(0 0&/.( lation and truths about the existence of story Kameej in which an apparently inno- of any diktats coming from the arena of           #      This made it evident that he possessed a credible 8('.;96 an afterlife. cent man, who had already renounced the politics to unnecessarily influence the      (       ( historical sense. Even when he employed mythical 89=B88. Issues raised by Narain in these col- world having sacrificed the material sacrosanct journey of poetry. But he was        #       figures for his poetic purposes, he never lost sight 0 . '0389 lections were relevant for contemporary comfort of home with wife and children, simultaneously candid enough to (             of historical sense that enabled him relocate those 0669'0(('; readers precisely because they motivated is not only put into the bar of judgement acknowledge the importance of politics ,5$              figures. This helped him render them absolutely 0 .080 them to meaningfully engage with the but also declared guilty. With the asser- for our modern day existence. It was this               <  meaningful in a contemporary social and cultural =(06=' (B8( highly unpredictable twists and turns, tion of the plight and indeed desponden- clarity of thought about the different        4            set-up. Additionally, it helped him find out plau- 0 B966003 ; often mysterious, miraculous and even cy of the man named Vireshwar Babu, roles of politics and literature that                ( sible solutions to those lingering problems that had monstrous pulls and pressures of human Narain encouraged us to think through enabled him to effortlessly embrace the been major concerns for the modern society. 80='=.'. 3 life with a view to encourage them to think the fallacious nature of judicial structures useful insights being offered by the cul-       #          ( 8'9(98.'   - <        )    His historical sense did not allow anyone draw along the lines of living a purposeful and that ruthlessly sabotage the supposedly tural and philosophical traditions of our divisive lines among individuals. Instead, it made an .39 (969= productive life, and not just a superficial- good intentions of a seemingly upright country.    %      S         ( earnest attempt to put hostile people together for the 9= ; ly happy and materially sound one. man. Despite giving an appropriate voice Right from his first collection of poet-        <    sake of forging a harmonious relationship between In his other collections of poems, to deeply disturbing thoughts and emo- ry, Chakravyuh published in 1956 to his            2 them. This kind of inclusive approach with an explic- Narain proved to be an extremely success- tions associated with the overarching last one namely, Kumarjiva published in # ,5$                it optimism suggests Narain’s unflagging commit- ful poet who was almost always immac- experiences about borderline in Seema 2017, and also the posthumous publica-                 ment to the essence of nativist ideas and principles ulate in his selection of language, impec- Rekha, Narain emphasised on the signif- tions of second short story collection             that appear to govern his poetic preoccupations. cable in his treatment of content and icance of a compassionate and caring kind called Bechain Patton ka Koras, along with -        ,5$   ( In his very first collection of poetry, Chakravyuh, extremely careful about the idea of of politically neutral humanism. his translations of some to finest poems          *     Narain made it very clear that he had a deep desire enriching the genre of Hindi poetry itself. It is this connecting thread with a pro- from world literature, Narain remained    S           (  ( and high aspiration apart from those ordinary ones While Narain was most famous for found sense of indigenous humanitarian preoccupied with a relentless search for  #            that defined the existence of people who were happy his praiseworthy poetry, he had written outlook that prompted Narain to avoid all harmony exhibiting an indefatigable faith and content with the fulfilment of their immediate wonderful short stories too. His two col- kinds of polemical criticism of art and lit- in humanity of the humankind.             (  ( material needs and requirements. It was precisely an lections of short stories — Akaron ke erature. Such criticisms tend to ignore the In his entire preoccupations, he    <        acute awareness about those deep desires and high Aaspaas and Bechain Patton ka Koras — need to understand intricacies and com- reflected a rare kind of originality, deep                aspirations that set creative fertile minds apart and were particularly praised for their evoca- plexities behind the creative processes of engagement with myths and legends   +    +          ( explained their pre-occupations. tive expressions of contemporary realities a literary work of art, and remain preoc- and their inextricably intertwined relation-                    The way Abhimanyu, his heroic character in in such a way that his concerns for the cul- cupied with perpetuating predominance ship with contemporary history. He                , Chakravyuh, does not flinch even an inch in the face tivation of a sense of moral discrimina- of a particular point of view over others, expressed superb cultural confidence                 of impending death and instead displays remarkable tion and genuine commitment to human- mostly for personal or political aggrandis- that distinguished him from all those who               courage and extraordinary skill of warfare while fight- itarian principles were much obvious. ement. harboured serious misgivings about the                 ing against a gang of deceitful warriors on the other While reading these stories, readers Narain the critic never tried to reduce distinctiveness as well as the effectiveness          ,5$  side suggests a certain kind of sincerity and dedica- get curious before getting poignantly con- a creative piece to the point of a theoret- of indigenous traditions and nativist ten- tion that gives a definite purpose to contemporary versant with the protagonists, subject mat- ical premise which often governs ideolog- dencies.             people to sustain themselves even during the worst ter they deal with and the ambience they ically-oriented critics. Perhaps the best way (The writer is Assistant professor of              phases of their lives. create in those stories. For instance, to understand Narain as a critic is to read English at Rajdhani College, Delhi) $   &    >/  E        A                                     

Ashfaq Ahmed, perhaps one of the regime usurp the publications of the intuitive Sufi strands of Islam. His tele- tial resolutions from wandering spiri- that the Zia regime was perturbed by most polarising Urdu playwrights in Pakistan Progressive Papers and made plays delighted audiences in critiquing tualists and even roving vagabonds. the negative manner in which the cler- Pakistan. His name still provokes dis- Ahmed the editor of one of these pub- the ‘materialism of the modern mid- Yet Ahmed did not shy away from ics had been portrayed by Pakistani tinct responses of reverence or repul- lications. No wonder, Ahmed praised dle classes’ before advocating a balance exploring some rather delicate terri- films, plays and in Urdu literature. The sion. His admirers see him as a sage. the Ayub regime’s ‘modernist’ policies between materialism and spiritualism. tories as he did in the 1975 teleplay Zia Government issued an ‘advice’ to His detractors decry that he was an to no end. At RP, he also became a close In one such play, Dada Dildada, a Nijaat, whose protagonist was a vil- PTV asking it to start portraying the     opportunist who had no qualms about associate of Urdu short story writer, doting upper-middle-class grandfather, lage cleric trying to come to terms clerics “in a more positive light.” !+ 2 using his writings to serve the ideolog- Mumtaz Mufti. It was due to the influ- who loves his whisky as much as he with his sexual urges. But Ahmed Agreeing with Zia, Ahmed told ( ! ical inclinations of the Governments of ence of Shahab and Mufti that Ahmed does his teenaged grandson, plunges took off his Mao cap the moment the an interviewer, “Those who want to /   arly this year, a clip from an the day. Ahmed was only a minor developed a deep interest in Sufism. into depression when the grandson falls Bhutto regime fell to a reactionary criticise religion (but can’t) begin to Urdu play produced by PTV library figure up until the 1950s. This However, in the late 1960s, Ahmed sick and the doctors fail to diagnose his military coup in July 1977. Three years target clerics.” Thus, whereas in *  *    Ewent viral. It showed a discourse was the heyday of the much celebrat- became disillusioned by the Ayub ailment. The grandfather smashes his later, Ahmed was being called a Ahmed’s plays of the 1970s, those suf-    *   between two famous TV actors, ed Progressive Writers’ Movement. It Government. He believed that Ayub’s bar and starts to walk in circles around ‘favourite playwright’ of Gen Zia-ul- fering from an existential crisis were  Q/  Firdous Jamal and the late Khayyam had produced a number of highly inno- ideas about human progress were the bed on which the grandson is lying Haq. The admiration emerged when soliciting advice from spiritual   7  Sarhadi. The clip was from a play, vative Urdu novelists, short-story writ- overtly materialistic. In his article, unconscious. As the grandfather col- Ahmed penned a teleplay in 1980 to vagabonds, in his plays of the 1980s  &(   Man Chalay Ka Sauda, that was tele- ers and poets. They commented on var- Khalique quoted Urdu poetess lapses, the grandson awakens, all justify ‘Christian’ America’s support they were seen doing the same — but cast in the early 1990s, and was ious social and political issues through Fahmida Riaz, as saying that with the cured. Ahmed alludes to the hapless- (via ‘Islamic’ Pakistan) for the anti- from clerics, who by then had         penned by Ashfaq Ahmed. Jamal styles of writing inspired by realism, coming to power of ZA Bhutto’s left- ness of the modern liberal belief sys- Soviet mujahideen in Afghanistan. become wise men with flowing white   N( ( '  O plays the role of a modern-day Sufi Marxism and the theories of the con- leaning Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), tem, suggesting that the things which The 1980 drama is about a Muslim beards and calm dispositions.      * sage, who through some simplified troversial psychologist, Sigmund Freud. Ahmed began praising Bhutto’s brand were keeping the family together were boss of a female Christian secretary Ahmed’s output as a playwright     &  quantum physics, tries to explain the Ahmed first tasted fame in 1962 of socialism. It was during the Bhutto of superficial nature because they had who goes out of his way to help her. decreased after Zia’s demise. Perhaps   * O  complexities of spiritual understand- when he began to host a show on Radio regime that Ahmed truly emerged as detached the family from its tradition- When asked why he was doing this, the conscious of the criticism that he had ing of the universe to an existential- Pakistan (RP) called Talqeen Shah. a prominent playwright. His antholo- al spiritual moorings. boss says that during the initial emer- received for writing plays to suit the   (    ly lost character played by Sarhadi. There he befriended writer Qudratullah gy of TV plays, Aik Mohabbat, Sau Sadia Afzal, in her analysis of gence of Islam, the Christian king of regimes of Ayub, Bhutto and Zia, O0 To some, the dialogue delivered by Shahab, who was part of the Ayub Afsanay celebrated the ‘left-liberal’ Ahmed’s plays, wrote that “rationality Abyssinia had helped Muslims, and that Ahmed is quoted by Dr Afzal Mirza     Jamal was brilliantly weaved together Khan Government that had come to zeitgeist of the era. But the concluding and logical solutions counted for noth- he (the boss) was simply returning the (in Legends of Pakistan) as saying,   1    by the playwright, while to others, it was power through a military coup in 1958. sections of almost every play were ing” in his plays. She adds that educat- favour. Former general manager of “The hen lays an egg every day…but nothing but pseudo-scientific/pseudo- According to an article in Dawn by always pregnant with a plea to balance ed urbanites were encouraged to look PTV, the late Burhanuddin Hasan, in cannot make an omelette.”        2& spiritual mumbo jumbo. But that was Harris Khalique, Shahab helped the modern notions of liberalism with the for medical, psychological and existen- his 2001 memoir Uncensored, wrote (Courtesy: Dawn)         (  ) *+, -.*/  ? 7:)4 "   .    89 !          ," & (  )&&  !   ( .B.   ,9',.. wo local terrorists of TLashkar-e-Tayyeba (LeT) n a sudden development, outfit were killed in a night- Ithe Enforcement Directorate long gunfight in a village in sleuths on Thursday conduct- north Kashmir’s Sopore quar- ed surprise raids over ten loca- ter on Thursday, official tions in Kolkata following a tip- sources said. After the gunfight, off from the Information security personnel battled with Bureau from Delhi, sources through hawala channels over irate protesters who attempted said. the past several months. to march towards the The ED conducted simul- Though the officials encounter site. taneous raids in the offices of remained tight-lipped, other Police said that on the basis a number of travel agencies and sources said news of hawala of credible input about the pres- money exchange agencies at transactions had been pouring ence of terrorists in Brath Kalan complicity in a series of crimes ed after clashes erupted in the Burrbazar, Posta, Park Street, in since the past 5-6 months. area of Sopore, a search opera- including the attack on securi- area following the killing of two New Market, Bhawanipore and Whether these were linked tion was launched by police, ty establishments and civilian terrorists. Locals said soon other areas sources said. to demonetisation or not were army, and CRPF jointly in the atrocities,” the spokesman said. after the gunfight ended youth According to sources, the yet to be confirmed but suffi- area on Wednesday evening. “Huge quantity of arms took to streets and pelted stones ED received a tip-off from the cient documents were recov- “As the searches were going and ammunition including on the security forces. The IB that crores of rupees were ered from the raided areas, . "#          9 9  O 9          O& on, the search party was fired rifles were recovered from the retaliatory action from the being siphoned out of India sources said.   9  #    ' upon by the hiding terrorists. site of encounter. All these security personnel triggered The fire was retaliated leading materials have been taken in clashes. to a gunfight,” a police the case records for further The terrorists are under spokesman said. investigation and probe their intense pressure from the secu- ,9        /    “In the ensuing encounter, complicity in other terror rity forces after the tempera- two terrorists were neutralised cases,” the spokesman said. tures began plummeting in and the bodies were retrieved “Citizens are requested not the region. The terrorists gen- Panaji: An umbrella group of memorandum to the Prime one of two major sources of as a consequence have lost The GMPF has sought an from the site of the encounter,” to venture inside the encounter erally descend to the populat- mining dependent people in Ministers Office in New Delhi revenue in Goa — the other their jobs," GMPF president appointment with Modi to the spokesman said. zone since such an area can ed areas during harsh winter Goa on Thursday sought Prime in this regard. being tourism — came to a halt Puti Gaonkar has said in the personally present their case to The slain terrorists have prove dangerous due to stray months and are prone to get- Minister Narendra Modi's Thousands of mining in March this year after the memorandum submitted to him. been identified as Owais explosive materials. People are ting exposed. intervention for resumption dependent people are protest- Supreme Court quashed 88 the PMO. "Small-scale entrepreneurs Ahmad Bhat alias Abu Bakar requested to cooperate with Meanwhile, security forces of iron ore mining which came ing in the national capital since mining leases. "If immediate measures like truck, barge and machin- and Tahir Ahmad Dar alias police till the area is complete- launched cordon and search to a halt nine months ago the last three days demanding "After the stoppage of min- are not taken, their number is ery owners have lost their only Abu Abdullah. Both were affil- ly sanitised and cleared of all operation in Mirdanter village adversely affecting their liveli- renewal of iron ore extraction ing activities in the State many likely to increase exponential- source of income and are left iated with terror outfit LeT. the explosives materials if any,” of south Kashmir's Anantnag hood. and transportation in the people who were directly ly, rendering a large population clutching at the straws to safe- “Both the terrorists were said police. district late on Thursday The Goa Mining People's coastal state. employed in the mining indus- of the State jobless," according guard their childrens future," wanted by the law for their The advisory was reiterat- evening. Front (GMPF) has submitted a Mining, which used to be try have been retrenched and to the memorandum. the memorandum said. PTI  )#          

 !   ( .B. on the road status. fic would be allowed on Traffic Officials said that in Thursday from either side of he vital Srinagar-Jammu view of snowfall on both sides national highway owing to fresh TNational highway was of Jawahar Tunnel at Shaitan snowfall on both sides of Jawahar closed on Thursday due to Nallah, Banihal, Qazigund, the Tunnel. They said subject to fair fresh spell of rainfall in the vehicular traffic from Jammu weather and road condition only plains and moderate snowfall towards Srinagar was stopped stranded vehicles will be allowed in higher reaches in Kashmir for the safety of travelers. They to reach their destination. The Valley. The authorities cleared said over 1500 passenger and road maintenance agencies are hundreds of stranded passen- load carrier vehicles were engaged in clearing the areas to gers and vehicles late in the stranded at Chanderkot, facilitate the stranded vehicles evening with an advisory for Ramban and Ramsoo stretch- and travellers to move towards people not to embark on fresh es along the highway. their destination. journey without confirmation They said that no fresh traf- Meanwhile, MeT depart- ment predicted improvement in the weather. The minimum temperature in Srinagar city plummeted to 0.1 degree Celsius during the previous night while Pahalgam recorded 1.5 degrees and Gulmarg minus 9.5 degree Celsius temperature.   (  ) *+, -.*/  @

#=>%  &      P "     

)   ment of the Congress party,” Tamil Nadu BJP, according to and chronicler of the political      ,9',.. December 7, 9 and 14 before 80 . said Raajhaa, the minority face party insiders. “There are four history of Tamil Nadu. “Where culminating at a grand rally in "#     ;  of the AIADMK. groups pulling the party in dif- are the cadres in the BJP. There he electoral debacles in the Kolkata on January 23. he BJP is all set to “regain” As on Wednesday, no ferent directions. The leaders may he hardly 1,000 activists of THindi heartland has pushed The Prime Minister who   ,9',.. ities of the proposed Rath Tits status as the untouch- political outfits in Tamil Nadu are fighting among themselves the party all over Tamil Nadu,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi was supposed to hold his first Yatra that got stalled for want ables of Indian politics, at least have any kind of alliance with and have forgotten the directive said Satyamurthy. and BJP president Amit Shah’s rally on December 14 during n unbending BJP leader- of administrative permission in Tamil Nadu. The results of the BJP. The Hindutva party issued by party president Amit A senior leader said it Bengal rallies in to realms of the course of the Yatra at Siliguri Aship on Thursday told the early this month leading to the the Assembly elections held in suffered yet another setback in Shah to enrol 60 lakh members would be better if the nation- uncertainty, party insiders say. would not be available now for State Government about its saffron outfit to move the Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan Tamil Nadu on Tuesday in the party. “There are 60,000 al leadership forget about the At least Modi’s much the mega show as he would be intentions not to alter the Calcutta High Court which and Chhattisgarh has hastened evening when Rajnikanth, the polling booths in Tamil Nadu. BJP. “Leaders in the State are hyped Siliguri rally is not hap- busy on the said day somewhere route of the much hyped Rath directed both the parties to sit the isolation of the Hindutva super star of Tamil films and Each booth should have 100 vying with one another to get pening immediately. The State in Uttar Pradesh, senior State Yatra scheduled to be taken out and sort out the issue among party in Tamil Nadu. who has announced his polit- booth level workers to ensure plum postings in various BJP leadership has been inti- leader Sayantan Basu said. in three phases. themselves before returning to There was an expectation ical dreams, made it known that the party votes are cast Central Government and pub- mated by the Prime Minister’s Others said he would be visit- “We have given our sides the Court. among political circles in Tamil that the BJP has lost it’s influ- without failure,” Shah had told lic sector undertakings and office on this count, sources at ing Rae Bareli next week. to the Government. We have “We have said that we will Nadu that the ruling AIADMK ence in the three States where a mammoth gathering at they have prospered,” said the the Muralidhar Sen Lane (BJP’s Following the debacle in said that we can change the change the days but not the may forge an alliance with the elections were held. “The per- Chennai on December 20, leader. State headquarters) said. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh days of the Yatra but we will route. We submitted our letter BJP at the time of the Lok formance in the elections is 2014. But neither the party’s Satyamurthy pointed out The Prime Minister had and Chhattisgarh and the not change the Yatra routes in after which the officials at the Sabha election. That hope lies definitely a setback for the State chief nor others could that neither the Prime Minister expressed his wishes to address prospects in UP not looking case,” State BJP president Dilip meeting said they will come buried by late Tuesday evening BJP,” Rajnikanth told reporters enrol even 10 lakh members nor the party president would 5 rallies during the highly favourable either in the wake of Ghosh said adding the party back to us later on,” Ghosh when Anwhar Raajhaa, the late Tuesday evening. The during the last four years. be able to communicate with bandied Rath Yatras of the Congress, Samajwadi Party and would commence the Yatra said. AIADMK MP, declaring that Tamil Nadu BJP had great Prime Minister Narendra the cadre in Tamil. “People in saffron outfit. But for a legal Mayawati resurgent cama- within 4-5 days of the The State Government had his party would not have any hopes about an electoral Modi and party president Amit Tamil Nadu do not know Hindi tangle — pending police per- raderie the saffron outfit wants Government giving its per- earlier argued before the Court kind of alliance with the BJP . alliance with the party to be Shah need not spend their thanks to the Dravidian poli- mission — the three Yatras to fortify its rear before leaping mission for it. that the Yatra could trigger “The results of Madhya formed by the actor. But his valuable time campaigning in cies. I am yet to see someone each commencing from into bigger adventures in Three senior BJP leaders communal disturbance to Pradesh, Rajasthan and statement has dampened their Tamil Nadu during the Lok properly translating the leaders’ Coochbehar, Birbhum and Bengal and the remaining part earlier held consultations with which the Court had asked the Chhattisgarh are against the expectations. Sabha election, said Hindi speech into Tamil,” said Kakdwip (Ganga Sagar) were of the East and North East, the police top brass over the parties to sit and discuss before BJP. It may not be an endorse- Group war is at its peak in G.Satyamurthy, veteran scribe Satyamurthy. scheduled to start on insiders say. permission and other formal- returning to the Court. !      '  < "            )   Valiathan. TheValiathans seized this of the past as Shaffi and his   80 .M,98 When contacted, the com- opportunity to expose the brother had resolved the  R pany told him that there were sordid deeds that were being internecine “dispute” in the he Insolvency and some issues between the broth- committed by the company family.    TBankruptcy Code has come ers and everything would be for more than a decade towards Valiathan stood his ground 4,   0 B.'== to the rescue of a Kollam based settled soon. ‘But when they its hapless customers. and the director board of the Chartered Accountant and his started conjuring new con- When he saw the number company got dissolved. n a ghastly wife in their fight for justice in struction strategies each time of prospective apartment own- Padmakumar, the IRP appoint- )   chose to cast his lot with Iincident, a the face of a massive fraud 12th floor luxury apartment in we called them, we were con- ers who have been cheated by ed by the NCLT would admin- 80 . Sasikala and Dhinakaran in the leopard committed by a Congress the proximity of the scenic vinced that the money was as fly-by-night operators, the first ister the process of identifying tussle for supremacy in the snatched a leader in Kerala known to be Periyar River. good as gone and there was no thing Vijaya Mohan Valiathan a prospective buyer who will he disintegration of the party and was disqualified three year old close to former Chief Minister “The Mathers were people chance for us to recoup the did was to get qualified as an take the company and its pro- Truling AIADMK which is alonh with 17 other MLAs by baby and ate, creating panic in Oommen Chandy and former known all over the State and amount we paid them,” said insolvency professional to help jectsforward or secure an order yet to recover from the untime- the Speaker. a village in Bellary district of Union Minister Vayalar Ravi. they were a known name in the Valiathan. the victims. He also for its liquidation. “It may take ly demise of J Jayalalithaa in Balaji and his close associ- Karnataka. The incident hap- Shaffi Mather, former eco- property development busi- In 2016, the Government approached the National some more time for me to get 2016, got hastened with one of ates remained tight lipped about pened at Somalapur village in nomic advisor to ness at the time we invested. of India enacted the Insolvency Company Law Tribunal which back my money if at all! I am its rebel leaders Senthil Balaji their plans though there were Kampli taluk on Tuesday OommenChandy and his Shaffi Mather was the one who and Bankruptcy Code which on 30th November 2018 admit- now at least assured that I am deciding to go back to the reports that he was in contact evening. According to police father KMI Mather, himself a accompanied the then Chief was to revolutionise the bor- ted his application to initiate resting in the credibility and the DMK, his former party. with A Raja, a close confidante the toddler was identified as veteran Congress leader and Minister Oommen Chandy to rowing culture and etiquette in insolvency proceeding against timelines provided by Law” It is expected that Balaji of Kanimozhi, daughter of for- Venkatswamy Raghavendra the State’s football boss, had the World Economic Forum the country. Through an the company. It also ordered for says Valiathan. He feels the would call on DMK president mer Chief Minister late M Daroji. allegedly cheated gullible session at Davos and there amendment later, home buy- appointment of a Trivandrum IBC, 2016 has vested in cus- M K Stalin on Friday morning Karunanidhi. What stood out According to police and investors of crores of rupees was no need to suspect their ers were accorded the status of based Insolvency Professional tomers who are cheated by at the party head quarters in on Thursday was the absence of State forest department offi- promising high-end luxury credentials,” Valiathan told The ‘financial creditor’ at par with s the Interim Resolution operators like Mather Projects Chennai when the latter would the pictures of Jayalalithaa cials, the animal attacked the apartments. Pioneer. banks and financial lenders. Professional. the power to either salvage declare his joining the party. and Sasikala from the shirt baby while he was attending Mather Projects Private The Valiathans paid 46 The code resulted in the setting The Mathers who their life savings or dislodge Hundreds of loyalists of Balaji pockets of Balaji and his fol- nature’s calls in front of his Limited, their company, had lakh as the first two instalments up of the Insolvency And remained incommunicado till fraudsters from running com- had left Karur, hometown for lowers. Gone too are the pic- house. The mother had gone offered to sell luxury apart- through bank drafts by Bankruptcy Board of India, a then rushed to Valiathan with panies by getting them hand- Chennai to be with him when tures of Jayalalithaa and Sasikala inside to bring water and was ments in Kochi. More than 30 February 2014. “The Mathers regulatory authority to take to a plea not to go forward with ed over to more dependable he joins the DMK. from the cars and SUVs of not aware of the attack by the professionals working in India had assured that they would task delinquent companies like his complaint and sought more and forthright managements. For Balaji, joining the Balaji and his followers. leopard which was hiding and abroad invested heavily in deliver the apartment by Mather Projects which were time to complete the Project This is the first instance DMK is like coming home, as “By tomorrow morning all behind the bushes. “She heard the project, some as far back as December 2014. But even after taking customers for a ride. and hand over the apartment. from Kerala where a “victim” he had quit the party in 2000 these vehicles will spot the the kid scream for help. By the 2007. K Vijaya Mohan three years, they failed to hand Hitherto there were no safe- Interestingly, the so-called fam- got justice from the amended to join the AIADMK. He was pictures of Stalin and time she rushed, it was late as Valiathan, a chartered accoun- over the flat and the construc- guards to save the homebuyers ily dispute that was touted as Insolvency and Bankruptcy a Minister in the AIADMK Kanimozhi,” said one of the dri- the animal had vanished with tant and his wife Seema K Nair tion had come to a standstill by from the crooks who were the reason for distress of the Code, which in normal situa- Government led by Jayalalithaa vers in the motorcade accom- the baby”, said an official. booked in February 2014 a January 2014 itself,” said enjoying “field days” company had become a thing tion would have taken decades. which came to office in 2011. panying Balaji to Chennai. T T But he was dropped from the V Dhinakaran, founder of the Council of Ministers following AMMK, the breakway faction some allegations. Though he of the AIADMK, said at "  "  was re-elected to the assembly Chennai that he had no regrets in the 2016 election, Balaji in Balaji leaving the party.      

Joynagar (WB): Three Trinamool Congress activists were shot dead in South 24- Parganas district on Thursday evening when gunmen attacked the vehicle of a party MLA, police said. Motorbike borne assailants attacked the three persons when they, including the dri- ver of the vehicle, were at a petrol pump in Joynagar area. The incident occurred shortly after Biswanath Das, the MLA, disembarked from the vehicle at a party office nearby. The police started an investigation into the killing          O  .   9              ,  detained a few people for ques- -    ' tioning. PTI #:      & -  .     8;      Ahmedabad: President Ram Nath Kovind will be in Gujarat on December 15 to pay visit to     the Statue of Unity in Narmada district. He will also lay the foun- Mumbai: A 39-year-old 8(0'.:0( dation stone for a railway station farmer, who was on hunger at Kevadiya village in the vicin- strike for crop loan, died on 99,80 93; ity of which the 182-meter tall Thursday in Maharashtra's statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Parbhani district, police said. 6980 Patel stands, an official release Tukaram Vaijanath Kale, said on Thursday. resident of Mardajgaon in 89(.'. 3 Local tribal leaders are Pathri tehsil, had sat on a '.03.80 opposing the railway station and hunger strike in front of State have sought a meeting with the Bank of India's Pathri branch .B.9 (0 president over the issue. alongwith some other farmers As December 15 is the since on Wednesday. death anniversary of Sardar Their demand was that strike at Pathri, he said. Patel, the country's first home the bank should grant them His relatives took the body minister, Kovind will also attend crop loan speedily, said inspec- from the hospital and placed it a prayer meet in the statue com- tor Vidyasagar Shrimanvar of at the agitation site. plex. The statue was unveiled by Pathri police station. A crowd gathered at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Kale's condition deterio- spot but the situation was in October this year. rated on Thursday afternoon under control, the inspector From there, Kovind would and he was shifted to a said. proceed to Kevadiya village, 5 Government hospital at The exact cause of Kale's km away, to lay the foundation Manvat where he died during death was yet to be ascer- stone for a railway station, said treatment, the police official tained, he said. the release. Chief Minister Vijay said. An accidental death report Rupani and Railway Minister As the news of his death has been registered and further will also attend the came, there was a commotion investigation is underway, he event. PTI at the venue of the hunger said. PTI   (  ) *+, -.*/ . -

7          "   7   8;9     ""  < = >"  1?     '%&   I!&5H  = .  = .  = . enchmark inance Minister Arun Jaitley Bindices Fon Thursday admitted there he rupee rose for the were two-three areas of differ- Tsnapped its third straight ences with the Reserve Bank three-day los- session on (RBI), but questioned how a ing streak to Thursday led mere discussion on its func- end 33 paise by a surge in tioning could be considered higher at 71.68 financial “destruction” of an institution. against the US stocks as opti- Under attack politically for dollar on mism over creating circumstances that led Thursday amid new RBI to the resignation of Urjit Patel a weak green- Governor as the central bank’s Governor, back and softening oil prices. more proactive in injecting Shaktikanta Jaitley listed out a string of Newly-appointed RBI liquidity. Das’ promise actions initiated by past Governor Shaktikanta Das’ Meanwhile, the global oil to take all Governments including comments that he will take all benchmark Brent crude was stakeholders Congress PMs Jawaharlal stakeholders along on key trading lower by 0.25 per cent along on key Nehru and Indira Gandhi ask- ing of concerns across and rected,” he added. issues also bolstered sentiment, at $60 per barrel. issues ing RBI Governors to resign. also a strong speech by RBI Further, if the Government analysts said. On the domestic front, enthused bulls Speaking at the Times Deputy Governor Viral is not able to convey the diffi- At the Interbank Foreign benchmark indices rose for on Dalal Networks India Economic Acharya to warn against com- culties in the system, it would Exchange (forex), the rupee the third straight session Street. approval from the RBI. The trade. Conclave, Jaitley said the dif- promising RBI autonomy. be failing its duty, he said. opened on a firm note at 71.70 Thursday. The BSE Sensex Recovery in rupee and bank, however, did not disclose On a net basis, foreign ferences with RBI included Jaitley did not elaborate on how The FM pointed out that against the US dollar and climbed 150.57 points, or 0.42 positive cues from other Asian the candidate’s name. portfolio investors (FPIs) sold credit flow in the economy and the discussion were initiated. the countrys first prime min- surged further to touch a high per cent, to end at 35,929.64, markets too influenced investor Other losers include Sun shares worth 1,299.43 crore liquidity support, and added “We are the sovereign ister Nehru had written to the of 71.51 during the day. while the broader NSE Nifty sentiment here, analysts said. Pharma, TCS, Tata Steel, Adani Wednesday, while domestic that the Government had ini- Government, we are the most RBI stating that the economic The local unit finally ended rose 53.95 points, or 0.50 per The BSE Sensex climbed Ports and , falling up institutional investors (DIIs) tiated a “discussion” to convey important stakeholders as far as policies are determined by the at 71.68, higher by 33 paise over cent, to 10,791.55. 150.57 points, or 0.42 per cent, to 2 per cent. were net buyers to the tune of its concerns. the management of an econo- elected Government, while RBI its previous closing price. On a net basis, foreign to end at 35,929.64, while the “In anticipation of some 1,121.29 crore, provisional “A discussion with an my is concerned,” Jaitley said, has autonomy over the mone- On Wednesday, the rupee portfolio investors (FPIs) sold broader NSE Nifty rose 53.95 firm measures to ease the cred- data available with BSE showed. important institution, which is in reference to the discussions tary policy. had declined by 16 paise to shares worth 1,299.43 crore points, or 0.50 per cent, to it squeeze by the new RBI Brent crude oil futures independent and autonomous, with RBI. The RBI’s policies also 72.01 per US dollar. Wednesday, while domestic 10,791.55. Governor post his meeting were trading flat at $60.15 per to tell it that its a part of your He reiterated that the RBI need to be in sync with the “The new RBI governor’s institutional investors (DIIs) Major gainers in the Sensex with PSU bank chiefs today, barrel. (RBIs) functions and therefore has the responsibility as far as economic policies, Jaitley first speech confirms our ini- were net buyers to the tune of pack were Wipro, Kotak Bank, markets rallied in the morning Elsewhere in Asia, Korea’s this is an important area of an credit and liquidity is con- stressed. tial impression that he is like- 1,121.29 crore, provisional Infosys, Maruti, Tata Motors, but cooled off in the second Kospi rose 0.62 per cent, Japan’s economy which you must look cerned. “We are not taking over Patel resigned amid the ly to be more communicative data available with BSE L&T, IndusInd Bank, Hero half on some profit booking,” Nikkei gained 0.99 per cent, at, how is it destruction of the the function,” he said, adding protracted friction with the and consultative in his showed. MotoCorp, M&M, SBI, ONGC, said Essel Mutual Fund CIO Hong Kong’s Hang Seng surged institution?,” he questioned. that the Government was only Government Monday, citing approach, which is a positive,” The Financial Benchmark HDFC Bank and HUL, rising Viral Berawala. 1.29 per cent and Shanghai According to reports, the initiating discussions using personal reasons. The Japanese financial services India Private Ltd (FBIL) set the up to 3 per cent. “Stocks with rural focus Composite Index advanced Government had initiated dis- instruments which force a dis- Government has immediately major Nomura said in a reference rate for the Yes Bank, on the other also gained momentum on 1.23 per cent. cussions under the never-used cussion. appointed retired bureaucrat research note. rupee/dollar at 71.5368 and for hand, was the biggest loser, expectations of some pro-rural In Europe, Frankfurt’s Section 7 of the RBI Act which “In some situations, the Shaktikanta Das, who was at It further added that on rupee/euro at 81.3407. The falling over 6 per cent after its announcements by the Central DAX fell 0.31 per cent and provides for the central autonomous institutions also the helm of finance ministry policy, it does appear that he is reference rate for rupee/British board meet concluded. The government,” Berawala added. Paris’ CAC 40 shed 0.30 per Government forcing down have to be informed that there during the controversial likely to relax regulatory norms pound was fixed at 90.3095 and bank said it has finalised a can- The rupee, meanwhile, cent in their early deals. decisions in public interest. It is some difficulty arising in the demonetisation exercise, as his for banks (make them more for rupee/100 Japanese yen at didate for the chairman’s posi- rose 35 paise to 71.66 against London’s FTSE too slipped is this aspect, which led to voic- system that requires to be cor- successor. counter-cyclical) and he will be 63.06. tion and would be seeking the US dollar in intra-day 0.02 per cent. 8 6 .   '         '  2 -#* ##         "    5   .   .'>    #-#* #    0/30'8 sonalized, localized vernacular      %   >   # *#9# content on its platform. elo, a social platform, on Available in 14 vernaculars HThursday announced that including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil,    0/30'8 Bookings are open only from   0/30'8  0/ it has partnered with Alt News, Malayalam and more, Helo 15 December 2018 to 15 30'8 a non-partisan fact-checking bridges the information gap for  ,9',.. he “Malaysia Fantastic January 2019for travel to mazon India on Thurs day partner authority, as part of its Indians nationwide, narrowing TDeals” package was Malaysia between 1 February Aannounced a partnership To ongoing fight against fake news. the digital divide for the larger he Indian Tea Association launched on Thursday to pro- and 31 July 2019. with FISME (The Federation of enhance This partnership involves a population communicating in T(ITA) on Wednesday said it mote more value-for-money For these “Malaysia Indian Micro and Small & risk man- series of training sessions con- their mother tongues. had signed an MoU with China holiday packages to Malaysia Fantastic Deals” campaign, Medium Enterprises) to agement ducted by Alt News to equip “At Helo, we take issues Tea Marketing Association for for tourists from India. The Malindo Air, a premium empower Micro, Small & capabilities, Helo’s local content moderation such as misinformation and lifting the volume of black tea campaign was officiated by Malaysia-based airline, oper- Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) the NSE team with their proprietary fake news very seriously. This exports from here. Tuan Syed Yahya Syed ating to nine cities in India, is to leverage growth opportuni- has said tools and methodology to iden- is why we’re honoured to part- ITA Chairman Vivek Othman, Director of Package offering a 10% discount on air ties in the e-commerce sector. trading tify and mitigate the threat of ner with Alt News, a renowned Goenka said India exported 13 Development Division, fares from Chennai, Delhi, As per the MoU, Amazon.in in members content from unverified fact-checking authority, to mkgs of black tea to China last Tourism Malaysia, and Manoj Mumbai and Calcutta. collaboration with FISME will will be sources. The first training ses- ensure that our platform con- year. Mehta, Country manager, Meanwhile, industry partners conduct various events and compulso- sion was held earlier this week tinues to be a safe and viable “This year, the target is 15 Malindo Air. Sunway Hotel & Resorts, workshops across the country rily placed in risk reduction the unexecuted orders would at the Helo headquarters in source of the latest news and mkgs,” he told reporters here. The initiative sees Tourism MeritusPelangi Beach Resort that will enable and encourage mode when 90 per cent of the be cancelled, the exchange said. Delhi NCR and was conduct- trending topics,” said China sources black tea Malaysia in partnership with and Spa Langkawi, Lexis Hotel the MSMEs in India to sell their members’ capital is utilised Fresh orders placed by ed by Alt News Co-Founder, Shayamanga Barooah, Head from India, Sri Lanka and Kenya. Malindo Air and several pop- & Group and Atmosphere 360 products to millions of con- towards margins. members to reduce open posi- Pratik Sinha. of Content Operations, Helo. The country imports around 30 ular hotels and a restaurant in Revolving Restaurant KL sumers from India and across The new framework will be tions will also be accepted, it This strategic partnership is Helo users can choose mkgs of black tea, he said. Malaysia to offer a total of five Tower have come hand in hand the globe by leveraging e-com- effective from December 17, added. in line with Helo’s commitment whether others can comment Wang Qing, president of packages catered specifically to to offer irresistible deals on merce marketplace solutions. 2018, the National Stock Besides, fresh orders placed to create a safe environment for on or share their content, the Chinese body, said China the India market. The packages hotel stays, services, activities Through these events, Exchange (NSE) said in a cir- by members that increase open the exchange of perspectives reducing risks of content was a great consumer of black can be purchased through and food and beverages for des- Amazon.in and FISME aim to cular. positions would be checked for and information, given the per- infringement. tea for health benefits. selected Indian travel agents tinations like Kuala Lumpur, educate MSMEs on the nuances “Member shall be com- sufficiency of margins and based in Chennai, Delhi, Port Dickson, Langkawi and of online selling domestically pulsorily placed in a risk those which do not satisfy suf- Mumbai and Calcutta. Penang in Malaysia. and also B2C exports to enable reduction mode when 90 per ficiency of margins would be them to sell across multiple cent of the member’s capital is rejected. Also, such fresh orders international locations. utilised towards margins,” it can be placed for immediate or Through the collaboration, added. cancel (IOC) only. MSMEs will get access to The stock broker will be An immediate or cancel experts from Amazon, FISME moved back to the normal risk order (IOC) in market parlance and various service providers to management mode as and refers to requirement of all or help them understand the pro- when the utilisation goes below part of the order to be execut- cedures and requirements relat- 85 per cent. ed immediately, and any ed to areas such as logistics, cat- In case a member moves unfilled parts of the order are aloging, imaging and taxation. into risk reduction mode, all cancelled. 0 =(   4       *     S=     @# "     = 03 .9 ( had a major impact, resulting in disruptions to existing sup-   0/30'8 illions of jobs in the Asia ply chains and dampening Mand Pacific region have investment. ndian Auto Company (IAC), been put at risk by conflicts Trade growth slowed after Ia New Delhi based DIPP reg- over trade, despite a recent the first half of 2018, and for- istered start-up offering auto- agreement not to escalate tit- eign direct investment (FDI) motive solutions in tracking & for-tat tariffs by the United flows to the region are also telematics, smart infotainment, States and China, according to expected to continue on a rear seat infotainment and dri- a new regional UN report. downward trend next year, fol- ver fatigue systems using IoT The 2018 Asia-Pacific lowing a 4 per cent drop over- enabled hardware and platform Trade and Investment Report, all this year. has added IAC 140 & IAC 140 issued by the UN’s develop- “In such a scenario, region- CAN Vehicle Location ment arm in the region, al investment will be key to cre- Tracking Devices to its list of ESCAP, suggests that an esca- ating new economic opportu- offerings. lating “tariff war” and resulting nities,” Mikic said, adding, These Vehicle Tracking drop in confidence next year, “complementary policies” such Systems conforming to the could cut nearly $400 billion as labour, education and AIS 140 Standard are being from the global gross domes- retraining, and social protection marketed through IAC’s net- tic product, drive regional GDP measures must be placed high work spread across 22 states & down by $117 billion. on the policy making agenda. 70+ cities in India. “As production shifts take This is also critical for “Our AIS-140 compliant place and resources are reallo- ensuring progress on imple- Vehicle Tracking Devices are cated across sectors and bor- menting the Sustainable also IP-67 rated(water and ders due to the trade conflicts, Development Goals (SDGs), dust proof) which enable vehi- tens of millions of workers she said. cles to be tracked on our device may see their jobs displaced ESCAP has also called on agnostic platform both on web and be forced to seek new countries to take full advantage and mobile devices ensuring employment,” said Mia Mikic, of all existing initiatives to safety and compliance. Citizens the head of Trade, Investment strengthen regional coopera- can be assured of safe transport and Innovation Division at tion, including a new UN treaty with the availability of the ESCAP. on digitalizing trade proce- panic button in case of emer- The report also noted that dures and enabling cross-bor- gencies.” said the trade tensions have already der paperless trade in the zone. Spokesperson, IAC.   (  ) *+, -.*/ -- Q    ! ! #* #          R -# -#; 3 4   $ >"  #<(# 4 (  )0=(.'0  9'9 9 (  . ,.. of those injured were still in Palestinian shot dead two ri Lanka’s Supreme Court on hospital for treatment. AIsraelis and wounded at SThursday unanimously ine people were killed and Two were in a serious con- least two others at a bus stop in ruled that the dissolution of Nnearly 90 injured after a dition, Koca added on Twitter. the occupied West Bank on Parliament by Maithripala high-speed train crashed into The fast train had been on Thursday, the Army said. Sirisena was “illegal”, in a body a locomotive in the Turkish its way from Ankara’s main sta- “A Palestinian opened fire blow to the embattled capital on Thursday, officials tion to the central province of at a bus stop killing 2 Israelis, President, whose controver- said, becoming the latest rail Konya. severely injuring 1 & injuring sial decisions plunged the disaster to hit the country. According to Hurriyet others at Asaf Junction, north island nation into an unprece- The accident comes less daily, there were 206 passengers of Jerusalem,” the Israeli mili- dented political turmoil. than six months after 24 peo- on board.Turkish President tary said on its Twitter account. A seven-member apex ple were killed in a train crash Recep Tayyip Erdogan said An army spokesperson was court bench said that the in northwestern Turkey in a three people had been unable to confirm reports that President cannot dissolve series of several fatal accidents detained. In a speech in the assailant targeted Israeli sol- Parliament till it completes its in recent years. Ankara, he vowed those diers. 4 1/2 year term, triggering Transport Minister Cahit responsible would be held to The attack occurred near '                 demand for the impeachment Turhan told reporters that three account. the Israeli settlement of Ofra,   ,       "     of Sirisena as well as ex-strong- !2       2           of those killed were operators The three were employees on the main road that crosses man Mahinda Rajapaksa.         ( 2          of the train. One of the victims of the Turkish state railways the West Bank from north to on Sunday at a bus stop also hospital in a serious condition. “I make order that the         died in hospital, he added. agency who were detained over south. near the Ofra settlement. The other Palestinian killed November 9 Gazette sacking Among those killed was a suspected negligence, accord- It came only hours after That attack wounded seven by Israeli forces overnight had Parliament has no force or called for a snap election on Supreme Court. Whatever it German citizen, a source in the ing to state news agency Israeli forces killed two people including a woman who been suspected of shooting effect in law and declare its January 5. may be, I will take future polit- Ankara governor’s office told Anadolu. Palestinians in the West Bank was seven months pregnant. dead two Israelis two months operation illegal,” Chief Justice Sirisena, 67, sacked the ical decisions accordingly, to AFP, confirming reports in Ankara governor Vasip after attacks that claimed the Doctors tried to save the ago. Nalin Perera said as he deliv- Parliament when it appeared the best interest of our moth- German media. Sahin said the accident hap- lives of three Israelis, including baby boy with an emergency Ashraf Naalwa, 23, was ered the landmark judgement that Rajapaksa would not be erland, not to the benefit of any The Ankara public prose- pened “after the 6.30 high- a baby. cesarean but he died on killed when forces tried to to a packed courtroom. able to muster the support of person, group or party,” the cutor said 86 people were speed train to Konya hit a One of them was Salah Wednesday and was buried in arrest him near Nablus in the Fearing trouble, authorities 113 MPs to gain a simple President tweeted on injured. Health Minister locomotive tasked with check- Barghouti, a 29-year-old Jerusalem. West Bank, the Israeli Shin Bet beefed up the security around majority. Wickremesinghe on December 9. Fahrettin Koca earlier said 34 ing rails on the same route.” accused of shooting at Israelis His mother remains in security service said. the Supreme Court and the other hand commands a Reacting to the apex court’s deployed the elite special task majority in the House. ruling, sacked Prime Minister force. On Wednesday, Wickremesinghe said, “We United National Front Wickremesinghe proved his trust that the President will (UNF) Deputy Leader Sajith majority in Parliament, with promptly respect the judgment              Premadasa said that the ruling 117 out of 225 lawmakers in of the courts. was unanimous by the seven Parliament voting to pass a “The legislature, judiciary, judge bench. confidence motion in his lead- and the executive are equally  '9 39 she heads to Brussels for a pre- The decision has laid to ership. Rajapaksa has so far important pillars of a democ- scheduled European Council rest one of the many contro- failed to prove his majority in racy and the checks and bal- ritish Prime Minister meeting on Thursday. .# #--# versial moves which had com- Parliament. ances that they provide are cru- BTheresa May won a crucial The verdict of the confi- plicated the political and con- There was no immediate cial to ensuring the sovereign- vote of confidence in her lead- dence vote was formally stitutional crisis emanating comment from either Sirisena ty of its citizens,” he tweeted. ership on Wednesday, with announced by Graham Brady,   #*#- 5 from President Sirisena’s deci- or Rajapaksa. Sirisena has pre- The leftist JVP, or the 200 votes cast in favour of her Chair of the 1922 Committee sion on October 26 to sack the viously said that he has always People’s Liberation Front, said and 117 against out of a total of made up of Tory backbenchers, incumbent prime minister, taken decisions in the best the sacking of the 317 of her Conservative Party who revealed that the   # * Ranil Wickremesinghe, and interest of the country and the Prime Minister MPs. Parliamentary Party “does have install former president people. He had also said that he Wickremesinghe was a “coup The vote had been trig- confidence in Theresa May as  =((0'( the party feels that it would Mahinda Rajapaksa in his will honour the court’s deci- orchestrated by Sirisena and gered earlier in the day after the leader of the Conservative prefer to go into that election place. sion. Rajapakse” and demanded a required 48 MPs from her Party”. Under the party’s rules, ritish Prime Minister with a new leader,” May said. Later, he also dissolved the “I look forward to the con- resolution in Parliament to Tory party filed letters of no- May’s leadership cannot be BTheresa May was seeking a She didn’t specify a date for her 225-member Parliament and stitutional interpretation of the bring them to justice. confidence with the influential challenged for at least a year lifeline from European Union departure. 1922 Committee. now need to get on with the job now. leaders on Thursday after win- May was meeting Irish “Whilst I am grateful for of delivering the Brexit for the The MPs, unhappy with ning a no-confidence vote Prime Minister Leo Varadkar the support, a significant num- British people and building a the Brexit deal May has struck among her own Conservative and European Council ber of my colleagues did cast a better future for this country. A with the EU, began voting on lawmakers — but only after President Donald Tusk vote against me and I have lis- Brexit that delivers on the vote her future Wednesday evening. putting a time limit on her Thursday before the summit, tened to what they have said,” of the people,” she said, adding A majority of the MPs had pub- leadership. May won the vote where she will seek reassur- May said in a statement outside that she intended to carry on licly said they would be voting after promising lawmakers at ances about the deal that she Downing Street soon after the negotiating with the European for the PM but as it was a secret a private meeting that she can use to win over a skepti- results were declared. Union (EU) over controversial ballot, there was uncertainty would quit before Britain’s cal British Parliament, partic- “Following this ballot, we aspects of her Brexit deal when over the result. next national election, sched- ularly pro-Brexit lawmakers uled for 2022. whose loathing of the deal trig- ># Arriving in Brussels for an gered Wednesday’s challenge > EU summit, May said that “in to her leadership. my heart I would love to be May caused an uproar in able to lead the Conservative Parliament this week when she O     Party into the next general scrapped a planned vote on the (   66P election.” deal at the last minute to avoid !$ 0*  B   “But I think it is right that a heavy defeat.  8 *  =(        L   M     /8 4#4#&    ;*    *    *3*   *         = =(      *8   Rimbo (Sweden): UN chief rebel negotiator Mohammed    *   Antonio Guterres announced Abdelsalam shook hands to   & on Thursday a series of break- loud applause. However, a num- throughs in talks with rivals in ber of issues remain unresolved  D     the Yemen conflict, including and a new round of talks with  )     a ceasefire for a vital port. take place, Guterres said. )*$=*     In a highly symbolic gesture The conflict has triggered       on the seventh and final day of what the UN calls the world’s (   *    the UN-brokered peace talks in worst humanitarian crisis, with   * (      Sweden, Yemeni Foreign 14 million Yemenis now at the      *  Minister Khaled al-Yamani and brink of mass starvation. AFP        *   &     )       !   !    !$ 0* 3   *                      =( O *     )9      Washington: China is posi-  *      tioning itself to supplant   *& America as the world’s next superpower through “eco- nomic aggression” and “relent- 8   * O less theft of US assets”, the Trump administration has told N   O a powerful Congressional com- mittee.     Assistant Director of counter-intelligence Division,    = FBI E W “Bill” Priestap told lawmakers during a Washington: Indian-American Congressional hearing on Nikki Haley, the outgoing US Chinese espionage activities ambassador to the UN, has said that after the World War-II, the she used President Donald US and its allies created an Trump’s “rhetoric” and “unpre- international order that has led dictable” nature to get the job to greater peace, prosperity done at the world body. and human rights than at any In October, Haley other time in human history. announced that she was leav- The Chinese government ing the post by the end of the has been exploiting this order year. Haley has served nearly while simultaneously trying to two years in the post. Although challenge and replace it. The some have speculated that resulting double standards are Haley, 46, may challenge everywhere, he said . Trump in the 2020 presidential “China tries to dominate election, but she has said that Internet governance to benefit she will support the president. Chinese telecom companies, “He (Trump) would ratch- yet China censors its own et up the rhetoric, and then I’d Internet and eliminates data go back to the ambassadors and privacy,” Priestap alleged. say: ‘You know, he’s pretty “It is alarming that the upset. I can’t promise you what Chinese government’s eco- he’s going to do or not, but I can nomic aggression, including tell you if we do these sanc- its relentless theft of US assets, tions, it will keep him from is positioning China to sup- going too far,’” Haley told NBC. plant us as the world’s super- PTI power,” he alleged. PTI 83   (  ) *+, -.*/ &7#& 7 %%!Q# !+#

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 8= . 0(/. lympic Silver medallist Belgium qualified Ofor the semifinals of the for the first time ndia let history slip out of its hands ever when they defeated two-time champions with a heartbreaking quarterfinal Germany 2-1. Idefeat against the Netherlands in the World No 3 Belgium scored through men's hockey World Cup, a result which Alexander Hendrickx (18th minute) and Tom left the young players of the team crying Boon (50th) to register the come-from-behind on the pitch. win. A well-oiled Indian unit had raised World No 6 Germany's lone goal came the hopes of making the semifinals for from the stick of Dieter Linnekogel in the 14th the first time since 1975 but the Dutch minute. side broke a million hearts by coming Belgium will now fight it out with England from behind to knock out the hosts 2-1 on Saturday for a place in the final. in the last-eight clash. The Red Lions were by far the better side Young players such as Dilpreet Singh on display considering the amount of scoring left the pitch with tears in their eyes. chances they got the in the opening two quar- India took the lead in the 12th ters. minute through Akashdeep Singh before Belgium got their first scoring chance in Thierry Brinkman drew parity for the seventh minute in the form of a penalty Netherlands five seconds before the end return home disappointed. corner but they could not capitalise on that. 6  6            of the first quarter. Germany, however, took the lead against Belgium secured their eighth penalty cor- After a hard-fought third quarter, O )   P the run of play in the 14th minute when an ner in the 37th minute but Hendrickx's try was Netherlands scored the winner in the India's chief coach Harendra Singh unmarked Linnekogel scored from top of the well defended by Tobias Hauke. Minutes later, 50th minute when Mink van der Thursday blamed poor umpiring for his circle after receiving a pass from Tom Belgium earned their ninth penalty corner but Weerden converted a penalty corner. team's early ouster from the ongoing Grambusch. once again Hendrickx's effort was kept out of The defeat ended India's long cher- World Cup. Stunned by the goal, Belgium went for the the target by the German defence. ished dream of lifting the trophy only for He said the International Hockey offensive and secured three back-to-back Ten minutes from the final hooter, Belgium the second time after its lone triumph in Federation (FIH) needs to seriously penalty corners just at the stroke of first quar- got the all-important winner through Boon 1975 at Kuala Lumpur. address the issue as his side has been on ter but could convert none. who scored from a rebound after skipper The Dutch had the first shot at the the receiving end of poor on-field deci- Three minutes into the second quarter, Thomas Briels' initial try was saved by German goal in the 11th minute but Jeroen sions twice this year. Belgium secured their fifth penalty corner and keeper Tobias Walter. Hertzberger reverse hit went just wide of Harendra said it's high time the FIH Hendrickx scored with a grounded flick to level Thereafter, the Red Lions went into a the Indian goal. reviews the performance of umpires. the scores. defensive mode as they decided to sit back and India's first real scoring opportuni- "I would like to tender my apologies. The Red Lions earned two more penalty deny and scoring opportunities to the ty came in the 12th minute when they We haven't given what we had to. I am corners in the second quarter but again faltered Germans. were awarded a penalty corner and the not going to stop today. If they (umpires) as Germany defended in numbers. Six minutes from time, Germany took out hosts did not let go the chance as don't want to improve, we will continue Four minutes after the change of ends, their goalkeeper for an extra player and tried Akashdeep scored from a rebound after to face these type of results," he said at Germany came close to restoring their lead but to attack the Belgium goal in numbers in search Harmanpreet Singh's initial flick was to-back penalty corners but the Indians   " ..  '" the post-match press conference. Timm Herzbursch's shot from close range was of the equaliser but the winners defended well saved by German goalkeeper Pirmin defended stoutly to thwart the danger. "Can anyone define Amit Rohidas's kept at bay by Belgium goalkeeper Vincent to make their first appearance in the semi-final Blaak. In the 48th minute, Simranjeet  " !   10-min yellow card? What about this Vanasch. of the quadrennial event. Kothajit Singh produced a stellar per- Singh's fine stick work in the right flank    " ,(" gentleman (pointing at Manpreet Singh), formance for India at the back as he went in vain as Akashdeep failed to reach when he was pushed from behind? denied the Dutch on a number of occa- his pass with only the Dutch goalie to ! 76 " "  Why not a yellow card there? We have sions with timely interceptions. beat.   4'  ! ! lost two major tournaments (Asian Q8*3/&3&< But at the stroke of the first quarter, The Dutch came out with a plan in " . 5!  "! Games) this year because of umpiring. Netherlands drew level when Brinkman the fourth quarter and didn't give India "Two times we got a card when we  8= . 0(/. our is left in the sport. It was got the faintest of deflection to beat any leeway into their citadel. 0'  ! -@<: hadn't done anything. But when it hap- the case when Pakistan was Indian custodian PR Sreejesh from a long The Indians found it difficult to build pened against us, they (umpires) said sian Hockey Federation winning all the World Cups, ball from outside the cirle. up attacks as the Dutch concentrated on nothing. They need to improve. We have ACEO Tayyab Ikram on Champions Trophy together Five minutes from the first half, India tight men marking. save to deny Harmanpreet. lost two major tournaments," he added. Thursday lamented demise of with India. There was glamour came tantalisingly close from restoring Ten minutes from the final hooter In search of a match-saving goal, The India coach, however, said he hockey in Pakistan and feared then, there was interest," he their lead by Nilkanata shot wide from Netherlands secured their fourth penal- India withdraw goalkeeper Sreejesh for will not lodge any protest and accept the that the prevailing political said. a rebound after Akashdeep's deflection ty corner and Van der Weerden found the an extra player but the move didn't pay result. and security situation will make "Pakistan why I say is a dif- was kept away by Blaak in front of the back of the net past Indian goalkeeper PR any dividend. "99.8 percent the referral goes in the game's revival very difficult. ferent case because of political German goal. Sreejesh, who had an ordinary tourna- Two minutes from time, Netherlands favour of players. The outcome of a Ikram, a Pakistani nation- and security situation at this Four minutes into the second half, ment as per his standard. secured another penalty corner but the protest has never been good in my career. al said due to lack of interna- stage. The sport in Pakistan is Akshdeep had a golden chance to restore Desperate for the equaliser, the Indian defence, without a goalkeeper, did We accept this gracefully. We want neu- tional exposure hockey has almost dead. The people of India's lead but his reverse hit from a long Indians threw up numbers upfront and well to keep Netherlands at bay. tral umpiring. I except both teams to be no takers in the troubled Bringing young generation Pakistan are waiting to see ball of Harmanpreet Singh sailed over the it bore fruit when Chinglensana Singh The hosts failed to get the equaliser treated equally. One wrong decision can nation. into hockey from a national international hockey in Dutch goal. earned their second penalty corner but as the packed stadium backed the Men ruin your preparation of 4-6 years," he "Pakistan is a completely point of view, it always has to Pakistan," Ikram said on the Soon Netherlands secured two back- Dutch goalkeeper Blaak made double in Blue till the very last second only to said. different case, at this stage. do something with what glam- sidelines of the World Cup.       8?)@A  #-##6 5#    0/30'8

elugu Titans ended their home leg of  B=. BT89= both sides of the court gave Tzu Ying a long again, giving Sindhu a 11-6 advantage at the TVivo Pro Kabaddi League Season 6 in 11-7 advantage at the first break. breather. style as they beat defending champions lympic Silver medallist P V Sindhu After the breather, Tzu Ying Tzu Ying tried to stage a comeback but Sindhu Patna Pirates 41-36 on Thursday at Ofinally broke her jinx against world No unleashed two cross court returns on managed to extend her five-point advantage, moving Vizag. 1 Tai Tzu Ying with a come-from-behind Sindhu's backhand to continue gath- to 17-12. The Taiwanese girl went long and found the Rahul Chaudhari, who became the win in a thriller, while Sameer Verma out- ering points, reaching 15-8. net as Sindhu moved to 19-13. Tzu Ying got another second man to reach the 800-raid point classed Indonesia's Tommy Sugiarto at the Sindhu grabbed the next three point before she miscued one to hand over six game mark in Pro Kabaddi, led the Titans' World Tour Finals here on Thursday. points before the Chinese Taipei shut- points to Sindhu. charge with 13 points. Nilesh Salunke After six successive losses in 13 meet- tler produced a smash to break the run Tzu Ying saved two before serving out as Sindhu supported Chaudhari well and scored 9 ings, Sindhu got the better of her nemesis Tzu Ying of points. took the match to the decider. raid points. form as he achieved the 800-point mile- of Chinese Taipei 14-21, 21-16, 21-18 in a Group Tzu Ying's acute angled strokes bothered In the final game, Tzu Ying led 3-0 early after Sindhu Pardeep Narwal had a slow first half stone in the history of Pro Kabaddi A match that lasted a little over an hour. Sindhu as she reached 17-12. A lucky net chord went long twice. The Taiwanese's incredible touch helped yet top scored for the Patna Pirates with League. World No 14 Sameer, who qualified for the gave another point to Tzu Ying, who also her to extend it to 5-2. She caught Sindhu at the fore- 12 points. Both Patna Pirates and Telugu Patna Pirates inflicted an all out in tournament at the last moment after defending played an eye-catching behind-the-back court with her over-the-head cross court shot again. Titans remain in contention of a place in the 26 th minute as they trailed 24-30 and his title at the Syed Modi International last month, shot to win another point. Tzu Ying sent one to net and went wide again to the playoffs. looked to mount a comeback. But Rahul dished out a dominating performance to beat the She grabbed six game points when allow Sindhu narrow down the lead but her angled Telugu Titans got off to a dream start Chaudhari and Nilesh Salunke kept 10th ranked Sugiarto 21-16, 21-7 in a 40-minute Sindhu went to the net and sealed the strokes kept her ahead of the indian at 8-5. as Nilesh Salunke made a super raid and picking raid points at regular intervals as group B clash. opening game as the Tzu Ying once again exploited the corners with took out four Patna players in the second Telugu Titans led 36-28 after 34 minutes. The 24-year-old Indian had lost the opening Indian went long. her cross court returns minute. With less than five minutes to go match against world No 1 and world champion In the second and then Sindhu Vijay made a two-point raid in the Patna Pirates trailed by seven points and Kento Momota. game, Tzu Ying made went long and this third minute as Patna Pirates trailed 2- the Titans were looking on course to a Sindhu, who had finished runners-up in the Sindhu run around the time Tzu Ying held a 6. In the 4 th minute Telugu Titans inflict- victory. Patna's hopes of a comeback were last edition, gave ample display of her grit as she court with her acute five-point advantage. ed an all out to lead 11-5. looking dim as Pardeep was sent to the bounced back from a game down and erased a angled returns but made After the last change of ends, Patna's star raider Pardeep Narwal bench in the 36 th minute. 6-11 deficit in the final game to record her first many unforced errors herself. Sindhu made it 11-12 before Tzu Ying was struggling to get points on board and A tackle point in the 37 th minute win over Asian Games champion Tzu Ying since Sindhu jumped to 6-3 unleashed a body smash. But three unforced errors saw that reflected in Patna's performance. gave Telugu Titans a 10-point lead as the 2016 Rio Olympics. with her rival missing the the Indian wrest back the lead, moving to 16-13 It was the Pirates' defence that kept their victory was ensured. Patna Pirates In the 16-minute opening game, Sindhu lines time and again. quickly. An over-the-head cross court return them in the match's first half. They trailed picked up six points in two minutes to couldn't produce the winners initially and could At 3-6, a long rally took Sindhu to 17-13. The Indian added 11-19 after 14 minutes but things got reduce the margin of defeat. only consolidate on the unforced errors of her ensued which ended with another point before going to nets. A worse as they suffered another all out in With this win, Telugu Titans main- rival. Tzu Ying, on the other hand, looked as Tzu Ying's incredible cross body smash took Tzu Ying to 15-18. the 15 th minute. tained its third spot in Zone B with 50 impressive as ever with her deceptive strokes and court stroke from the back Sindhu reciprocated with a body blow With Narwal unable to get off the points from 19 games, while Pardeep technical acumen. of the court. A winner and then a lucky net chord helped the mark in the first half, Patna Pirates went Narwal’s Patna is on the second spot with Sindhu was lagging 2-6 early on. Tai extend- gave Sindhu a five-point Indian grab a four-match point advan- into the break trailing 15-26. 52 points from 18 matches. ed her lead to 8-4 after Sindhu went long and wide. cushion before she tage. Pardeep Narwal took 23 minutes to On Friday, in first game of Panchkula A couple of good looking shots helped reached 10-4. Tzu Ying caught the line by a whisker to stay alive open his account as Patna trailed 17-28. leg, Pink Panthers will face Puneri Paltan Sindhu to grabbed two points before she lifted one Tzu Ying and then Sindhu smashed wide to lose another match On the other hand for the Titans, while Bengal Warriors will be up against to the net. grabbed two point. But the Taiwanese went wide again after anoth- Rahul Chaudhari was in fine raiding Tamil Thalaivas. Two delightful shot with her racquet head on points before going er superb rally. 2  ###'@ AB'<

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urthermore, once the holiday you need them at all, read this post season is over, many people on why we need supplements. Let Fexperience a lull in their me help you choose the best sup- motivation to stay active. Some plement program for your lifestyle. people begin to experience depres- Essential Oils. Essential Oils sion or feelings of anxiousness are a must-have to protect your- over expenses that accumulated self and help your immune system. throughout the holidays. Others There are a variety of essential oils let diet and healthy eating habits that have been found to be high- fall by the wayside. Often, given ly effective against airborne bac- the weather, exercise is sacrificed teria. They also can do a lot to for warm nights spent indoors on strengthen your body, boost your the couch. immune system and help you to With shorter days and colder overcome colds and flu. weather, finding the motivation to Exercise regularly. It is impor- stay healthy and fit can be difficult. tant to exercise regularly, even if And that can lay the foundation only for 15 minutes a day! Get out for a weakened immune system, and take a short walk and enjoy posing a greater risk of develop- the cooler weather.Get the right ing illness or injury. No wonder amount of sleep every night. The they call it the winter blues. What’s average person needs 6-8 hours of more, the colder weather creates sleep per night. a number of safety risks to us and If you’re not getting enough to those around us, and some of sleep, your body is extremely vul- these we may not even be aware of. nerable to illness. Sleep is very Recognizing safety risks and much like fuel that recharges your patterns of illness or low energy batteries! You’ve got to do it to ahead of time is key to preventing keep the machine running. Wash them — or at least to dealing with your hands regularly. Keep the them as they arise. bacteria and viruses off There are countless your hands and out of winter wellness tips / 00 your mouth and eyes. and ideas available to Keep a bottle of hand ensure you have lots 0(0 (. sanitizer close-by for of ways to stay those instances where healthy, fit and safe 8B80 you can’t get to soap this holiday season ',0'8993 and water. Don’t and beyond. These smoke. Most of you healthy winter habits 930:0'9 already know this, but will help you to rec- it bears repeating ognize where your 9'3. 3 because smoking sig- health falls short and nificantly weakens what you can do to 6'=8. your immune system. boost it during this 3= B. ; If you want to quit and time of year. have tried everything While the winter 980 else, let me know. I season might increase have some nutritional the risk for weather- (0.(9 recommendations that related injury, the can help you quit! biggest risk to our over- Eliminate all forms all health is a lack of attention to of sugar. This includes not only the diet and exercise routines. During obvious kinds (cake, cookies and the holidays, we find ourselves so sweets, in general), but bread, busy finalizing travel plans, finish- pasta, rice, yogurt and commer- ing up with tasks at work, buying cial, store-bought fruit juices. and wrapping gifts and crossing Although all of these things are everything off of our checklists made with different types of sug- that we forget to prioritize our ars, your body still converts them healthy habits. to sugar, which will compromise As if all the insanity of the hol- your immune system. idays isn’t detrimental enough to Soluble fiber found in apples, our healthy habits, the chilly and oats and nuts is an important way unpleasant weather can also make to decrease inflammation and it very difficult to find the moti- boost immune system function. vation to get to the gym or head Soluble fiber also helps reduce outdoors for exercises. In tandem cholesterol levels in the body and with this, the additional time aids in weight loss and protection spent indoors means many of us against diabetes. snack more than we would typi- This is an especially important cally at other times of the year. winter health tip for seniors who This combination that can quick- require a high-fiber diet to protect ly add on the pounds and reduce their digestive systems. our happiness and self-esteem Sticking primarily to vegeta- over time. bles and fruits that are dark green Maintaining proper diet and and orange is important in ensur- exercise routines is also necessary ing you’re getting healthy nutri- to ward off illness. Wintertime ents, sugars and fats. Spinach, kale, presents a higher likelihood to Swiss chard, squash, carrots and develop cold and flu than during oranges are all delicious during the any other season. winter. There are plenty of recipes Eat a healthy diet. Maintaining available to incorporate these a good healthy diet full of fresh items into your regular winter diet. fruits and vegetables and minimal Onions, garlic, ginger and amounts of organic meats is cilantro are the perfect items to another way to keep your body add flavor to your dishes. Not only clean and in good working order. do they make food taste great, but Try eating an extra piece of fruit they’re also shown to help improve or veggie every day too! immune function. Turmeric is a Do your homework to find the spice traditionally used in Chinese best supplement for your health. and Indian medicine. Its main Even if you eat “perfectly” all the active ingredient is called curcum- time with loads of fresh fruits and in, which gives curry its yellow vegetables, you still need to boost color. This spice helps to combat your nutrition with a supplement. a number of conditions including What supplements you will need inflammation and heart disease, will depend significantly on your and it acts as a powerful antioxi- lifestyle. If you’re not sure whether dant.   -7   (  ) *+, -.*/  & & ,=(8. .  O    "    / &  .'"  P "   . )  ) +            * 7# )6!"            *  &     *              !%%)        N  OQ  *&     (. ).;) 3.'  8      t is a matter of pride at BMW 8.8., .'   *    L  headquarters that they were  *&  Ithe company that invented the            *    ‘sports sedan’ (or ‘saloon’ depend-  *   ing on where you live). The mid- hen polo was first played in India in 1836, there were loud     sized four-door car that has been Wtrumpets reverberating in the background, men in mil- around since the mid-seventies itary moustaches hovered charmingly while the swish of French   *  has formed the basis of the German chiffons added an aura of mystique to the proceedings. There      carmakers identity for four were British kings and Maharajas of the princely states who     decades. And despite the fact that brought a royal touch to the sport, which is even today called    &M we are moving to an era where the ‘The game of kings.’ Sports Utility Vehicle is increasing- Sanjay Jindal, patron of the La Pegasus Polo, says that “Polo L    ly taking the spotlight, a trend for for most of the population is still a luxury, considering the       which BMW themselves are par- amount of investment one needs to make to be involved in it.”   *  tially to blame, the 3-series remains He believes that in this game, “your sports equipment is    iconic and is vital in BMW’s an animal that costs anywhere between 10 to 50 lakh to own      increasingly complicated line-up. and add another 30 to 50 thousand per month to own and So when after 15.5 million 3-series upkeep these partners.” And for each match, every player needs *  *   sold over six generations, when the at least six to eight horses — one for each chukker. He says that  & Germans decided to let the global Polo also requires real-estate not just in terms of the playing L   media drive the new seventh gen- grounds, but also a shelter for horses and their training. **   eration, they spared no expense fly- So how has the tradition of the sport evolved over the years?      ing many of us down to the Algarve display that makes it far more car’s brakes and safety systems that things first, the engines are slight- Jindal believes that the sport, though “remains to be an elite region of southern Portugal. ergonomic and easier to use. The cannot be guaranteed at higher ly more powerful and fuel-efficient activity and can be brought to more people,” can never become   - Algarve is stunning, with both only issue here being that the speeds. But that is a debate for as well as pollute less. The differen- a “mass” sport. He says, “There are a few erstwhile royal fam-     smooth highways and wonderful, tachometer (rev-counter) display is another column. tial and gearbox are both light and ilies who are involved in the sport, but it is very much like their    M & twisty hill roads as well as the spec- anti-clockwise, in this case, for rea- And these are not just the only better. That is what you should participation in some other sport to inculcate fitness, hard-work tacular Portimao Racetrack. And sons of symmetry. gimmicks, there is the remarkable expect on any new generation of a and leadership values in their life. At La Pegasus, our goal was the new 3-series is quite a looker Unlike other carmakers BMW reverse assist for example where if car. What one did not expect with to draw not just sportsmen to the grounds, but also draw spec-   (     " as well. But your first impression of has laid off putting too many display you find yourself in a tight dead end, this car though was the absolutely tators to share the spectacle across the world and keep its tra-     .   the car is that it is quite large. With gimmicks but make no mistakes, the you select reverse gear and press the astonishing levels of grip on the car, dition growing.” .     pedestrian safety norms and the new 3-series is another level of com- ‘reverse assist’ control on the display yes it has fatter tires than any 3- He believes there have been significant efforts across the need for space and increasing puter wizardry and gimmickry. So and the car which would have series before it but even then, this country to revive the sport’s popularity. “However,” he says, “Since    automation, this new 3-series feels much so that this car is pretty much memorised the last 50 metres it trav- car grips to astonishing levels. Polo is an expensive sport, its revival is a huge task. Unlike crick- "! as large as a 5-series from a decade a robot with wheels and an internal elled, will back straight out unassist- Now, when I asked whether a car et or soccer, which people celebrate in gullis and mohallas, and .  ago. Of course it isn’t quite as large combustion engine and you leave ed with only your foot on the brake can be too good, I meant the fact nooks and corners of every city of the country, polo requires   + but the design team, led by Italian with the feeling that this car has pedal. There is also an assistant for that driving a BMW, even an entry- significant effort, upkeep and investment.” Bruno Amantino have added a few been designed not just with the tight space, where there is construc- level 320d, meant that if you want- If there are supporters, they are industrialists, businessmen   " design cues to make the car appear standard competitors in the tion material on the road perhaps ed to have a bit of tail-sliding fun and professionals, who are “chipping in to play, support and , . larger such as moving the charac- Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi plus a lot of traffic. Unfortunately, every once in a while you could and bring in new blood to the sport. Unfortunately, we are always   teristic ‘Hoffmeister-kink’ at the A4 in mind but also the Tesla there is no traffic in southern if you were an enthusiast, this car playing catch-ups despite having an abundance of talent and  end of the window behind the rear Model 3. Take for example the fact Portugal so we could try that feature could easily put a smile on your thoroughbred ponies in India. We are not able to compete with   " ,  . door. These are visual cues that that up to speeds of 60 km per hour, out. face. But this one, well, I for one, do countries like England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, trick your mind into thinking that if your car comes with the full cam- And then there is ‘Hey, BMW’, not believe that I have the skill lev- Argentina and the US. So, we are not quite there yet.”  +  "   the car is larger than it is; that said, era and sensor package, it can drive which is BMW’s intelligent voice- els to push this car to its limits on One of the reasons that the sport hasn’t penetrated deep-   A.  its physical dimensions are quite itself. Really, we tried this in an assistant, just like Siri on Apple and public roads no matter how desert- er in the country is because it is prohibitive. Jindal tells us that   large. empty parking lot at 20 km per hour Alexa on Amazon devices. This, ed. The car is, for all intents and polo can never be easily affordable as it needs time, energy and .  "  " The other thing that grabs and to my Indian driving brain it can’t just find you a destination or purposes, idiot-proof, that is if you a lot of money. He says, “The vision behind La Pegasus Polo     . your eye immediately are the head- was very disconcerting but it works. change radio stations as earlier are an idiot and try and drive like centre was to make it accessible to people who despite having lights. The new headlight unit on And like other BMW’s in Europe voice assistants could, but if you told a hoon, it will not really let you. Yes, the money and means are not able to play it.”    A" this seventh-generation 3-series is and America it comes with adaptive the car you were tired, it would cycle the M340i can be forced to be a bit Moreover, most Polo facilities across India are either exclu-    "   three-dimensional and is designed distance cruise control and lane a ‘refreshing’ programme with the naughty, but because that has sive clubs supported by royal families, army establishments, 0 " + to be viewed from the above and assist, which keeps you bang in the air conditioner. It can open the win- BMW’s Xdrive four-wheel drive embassies or private clubs, which outs it further out of reach L  " the sides and not just from the middle of the lane even when you dows and use the concierge services, system you can’t really push it to the of a common man. For instance, the one in Jodhpur is support- front. As a result of this, BMW has are driving at European highway if you have that, to book dinner limit. It isn’t as if BMW does not ed by its Maharaja. The Rajasthan polo club is run indepen- sacrificed their signature ‘corona speeds of 120-140 km per hour. You reservations or at least that is the manufacture crazy tail-happy cars, dently but supported by the royal family of the Pink City. .          rings’ headlights and the rings are cannot take your hands off the eventual idea. It of course means the M2 Competition is an absolute “On the other hand, if you compare army establishments           now like swooshes. This was a very wheel (for too long) not so much that the car has to be perpetually hoot, but it appears that you will such as the 61st cavalry establishment in Jaipur and Delhi, La  -*   controversial decision but because the car can’t manage but connected, but this is the future. You have to buy a BMW designed as a Pegasus Polo might just be more expensive or at par with pri-  & Amantino explained to me that as more for legal liability reasons. If can also give the car any name you crazy car if you want to be a hoon. vate clubs such as the Amateur Riders’ Club in Mumbai. But L8.*   U'    LED and Laser light technology you were to get in an accident when want to, you can call it ‘Charlie’ or Don’t get me wrong, I’m not we are the only ones in the country working towards meeting evolved, there will be even more the car is driving, who is to blame? ‘Mummy’ if you want, and as of now saying that this is a bad car. It is far the global standards at prices where we do not seek profit, but        play with headlights and taillights. You the person in the driver’s seat, there are no restrictions on names, superior to every other vehicle manage expenses well to offer the adequate quality required,  U     The insides of the car are real- or the car manufacturer or possibly although it would be weird if you available in its class today, both for players to make a mark internationally,” he adds.    ly quite unfussy, it is not compli- the software developer? Under 60 call your car something obscene. inside and outside. And 99 per cent While the kingdoms and Britishers may be long gone, the  &&& cated by multiple design cues and km per hour, there is a level of trust All this even before I start on the of buyers will want a sedate car sport has evolved to become more democratised than just being     styling elements, everything is in the drivability of the car. So I drove the with a lot of techno-gimmickry, the a ‘royal’ one. Today it’s known for team spirit as more profes- where it should be. And other 320d and 330i specifications of Chinese for example, BMW’s most sional players enter the game without a royal link. So does it &9   than the fact that the light the car along with driving important market today love these complement corporate philosophy?  *   switches are now but- a M340i prototype at gimmicks because they can’t drive Jindal believes that any sport, whether it is played individ-  -  tons instead of a dial, the racetrack. First like hoons in their police state. ually or with a team, inculcates diligent values in the player that    - which Amantino And when you are shielded from draw great relevance to corporate play. “Polo is definitely a game  *  explained was the outside world by the acoustic where all four players have to contribute to the win. The same because most (that is, noise-cancelling) wind- philosophy can be extended to corporates, because at the end  M(     users just shield once BMW India brings of the day any business house is only as good as the people with-   * & kept their this car to our shores in in that company. From Polo, one surely learns the art of team L.      lights on July, 2019, you will work, persistence, working towards a common goal and these    !H### ‘automatic’ really believe what I strategies can be adapted in business for success,” he says. Q1;   2&3 - anyway, the thought, that you He says that even though La Pegasus Polo is only 10-months- car is well are inside a robot. old, it has made efforts to popularise the sport and increase its  -*  .*   laid out. The This may not be reachability. “One of our key focusses is to encourage younger  -     -    new infotain- like the flying car aspirants to continue their involvement with the game and be M(   & ment display you saw in The able to improve their skills. In due course, we are looking to panel, is larg- Jetsons as a kid, it sponsor the growth of these aspirants to train in countries where er and with an is far better. I the game is more evolved. This includes the likes of Australia, = "  5"  excellent resolu- drove the future England, South Africa, Argentina, and the US.” tion as well as touchscreen-enabled, in Algarve and it The centre recently clubbed with the British High !  is at the same level as the fully-dig- was quite good Commissioner at his residency for a game to celebrate 100 years ital speedometer and tachometer indeed. of the game and share its history and tradition in India. (   " ( E    )*0%           says that the app caters to women in par-        "      ticular with the double opt-in, as it gives      *& them complete control of who they meet L    :*   and speak to. “It also creates a commu-  &8-      (         &  nity that is free of judgement and pre- vents unsolicited attention, as users can               (   only message someone after they match.    * Besides making the dating experience      & "   & &   0 > . 646 accessible via mobile and pioneering the .   *  double opt-in and swipe feature. A user   *    few years ago in India, when every are used most are some of the top met- can also unmatch should she change her Aother individual didn’t have a smart- ropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, mind at any point and can report a      phone, romancing online was largely Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai and Pune. match if she experiences misconduct or  *  limited to sending friend requests to However Solene Paillet, Head suspicious behavior from the other * *   people or perhaps lurking in chat- Communication Gleeden, a French user. This creates a safe, non-judgmen-      rooms, hoping that the soulmate you online dating app which is primarily tal platform where women are free to M'  & were chatting with wasn’t an eager sep- marketed for women who are already choose, discover and interact with like- tuagenarian and then there were all the into a relationship, says, “Usually when minded people based on shared inter-  *   matrimonial websites. we look at the researches, it states that est and mutual consent.”    Dating apps in India have changed men are more active on dating apps year. Today the app has about feel safe. Speaking on the safe- She says that as per the data, women    much of that, removing some of the sur- rather than women in India. As per the 3.5 lakh users in India with a ty of women’s safety, Sumesh in India feel particularly empowered by  * '   reptitiousness and leaps of faith that surveys there are only 26 per cent majority of users coming from Menon, CEO and Co-Founder Tinder’s ‘Super Like’ feature and send tended to come with virtual searches for female users. These are very less in com- Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi. of Woo, said, “The dating indus- super likes more often than men.    *  love. And so are the people who no pare to other countries where almost 40 According to Gleeden’s data, try in India is very dynamic The app has launched ‘My Move’     longer need their parents to trawl per cent women are using these apps. 45,000 users of the app are in where security and privacy that provides women the autonomy to      through ‘suitable’ profiles and they are But now, things are changing as the apps Bengaluru, 85,000 in Mumbai being of prime importance. As choose how to engage with their match-  *    a lot more open to casual meetings and being introducing in India incorporate and 80,000 in Delhi and over $4 a women-first app, Woo is con- es and empowers them to control their     online interactions with potential dates features that ensure that women get their million users worldwide. The stantly innovating and devising experiences. and mates. privacy and security. These apps are age group most active on the features in this direction like the In terms of safety, she says the app *  The data of men versus women in rapidly growing in popularity in metro- platform is between 34 – 49 and Woo Hide and Woo Calling was constructed keeping a zero-toler-  terms of usage of dating apps in India politan cities like Bangalore, Mumbai most members are profession- they are centered around the ance policy for online harassment.  & is, 28 per cent and 72 per cent respec- and Delhi not only among men but als, many senior executives, woman. Woo wouldn’t go down “Tinder is based on mutual consent, and tively according to Woo. The age women are also active on them.” doctors, lawyers or bankers. the route of aping the west and would so a user cannot receive unsolicited mes- group that is most active is between 25- Gleeden had signed up subscribers Most of the apps have features that always be focused on India.” sages and no one can message a person 35 and the regions where the dating apps from India long before it launched last have been incorporated to make women Taru Kapoor, GM, Tinder India, until s/he has also swiped right.”   (  ) *+, -.*/   1  -:

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or all those who think that life after being the runner-up for Masterchef Australia would be a Fbed of roses, need to do a reality check. Ben Ungermann, who stood second in 2017, has been “liv- >4 .. . ing out his suitcase” thanks to his world tours. But it has paybacks in terms of his profession. He says that travelling has made him delve deeper into various cul- 9  .             tures and cuisines. It has “certainly increased my abil- ity and efficiency to make food. The more I travel and     (. (.. trace boundaries, the more I explore food.” He has come to India as a part of his Johnnie n a meal, we normally conjure carbs as unique and appealing as the name. Walker Gourmet experiences tour to create a variety Ias a necessary yet boring evil. But The Chicken smoke red pepper of culinary dishes and desserts for the Indian audi- when a chef elevates the simple grain sauce got its taste from the barbeque ence with a touch of European spices. to an experience par excellence, you sauce which gave it a marked smoky He believes that it’s important for a chef to have know that a lot of thought has gone flavour that was appealing. Slightly done some touring or dealt with international into curating the menu. At Oko, the sweet, the dish could be had accom- cuisines closely. newly-opened pan-Asian restaurant panied by rice, noodles or just on its While travelling has indeed brought him near to at The LaLit, the sticky fried rice was own. some innovative culinary habits, there are some certainly the star of the meal which The Pad Thai or flat noodles with global food movements that he has observed. scored high on all sensorial counts — its assorted mix of vegetables was the Especially, “Something that is happening in a lot visual, olfactorial and gustational. The perfect accompaniment to both the of Western countries as well as in India is the same can be said about the restaurant. dishes but it was the Sticky fried rice movement towards ‘vegetables’ and trying to The U-shaped dining place is on Broccoli almond dumpling, which is to which paeans can be written. make vegetarian dishes where protein becomes the 28th floor, which, thanks to glass the speciality of the house but that was While most of the ingredients are the hero of the dish. I have also seen a real all around, offers a 360-degree view unfortunately unavailable at the time. sourced locally, some, including the increase in the use of alcohol in food too. It’s of what can be called the heart of the What works for Oko is that it Jasmine rice that goes into the mak- one of those products that has a real depth capital. So before stepping in, get takes the commonplace dishes and ing of this dish comes from Thailand. of flavour and can be quite intense.” ready to be enamoured by the twin- elevates it to something more sublime. But let me explain why the dish has But how did he zero down on India for his coconut, rich in flavour, will be paired with the black kling lights of Connaught Place And that is what exactly happened to be written about alone. To begin showcase? He feels that as a foreign tourist, it’s label with soaked raisins to give it a strong essence. which seem to give the impression of with the potato wedges, another of the with, coming from the Hindi heart- always important to make sure that the food Also there will be the whiskey samba where a new stars below ones’ feet. The skyline starters. A thin coating which was land, my heart beats for Basmati that you consume in another country is fusion is created with the Indian cuisine. I am going forms the perfect backdrop and its fun crisp gave way to a softer interior where the true worth of any biryani flavourful and has a perfect grouping of to pair them up with some Asian dishes, which I to try and spot some of the iconic when one bit into the spud. And then is measured in each grain of rice being spices. “I found Indian cuisines to be believe are fresh and have a lot to offer.” structures. there was the unique combination of khila hua. So when the server rec- one of the most complex among The chef who has Dutch and the Indonesian lin- There are live Teppanyaki coun- spices that are prepared in house ommended, a dish where the rice all the other countries that I eage talks about the direction that global food ters but it is not restricted to cuisine which makes the dish, a comfort food sticks together in clumps like a khich- visited.” trends are actually headed towards and names Indian from Japan but also has full menus that has the quality of gourmet din- di, it is certainly not my kind of He expresses his love food to be the one which is becoming globally pop- from China, Thailand, Korea, and ing. The herbs that are used in the gourmet food, (okay I concede that for the country and its ular. And there are reasons. He says, “The rice of India Vietnam. What makes it interesting dish like all the others at the hotel are paella and risotto is comfort food culinary culture that he has a number of flavours that can’t be replicated any- is that the hotel’s ideology of inclu- sourced from their own farm as they which is also gourmet), I was scepti- is immensely fascinated where else in the world. And every variety of it pre- sivity is reflected in a healthy mix of abide by the policy of “we serve what cal. But when the rice came in, I got with. He says, “When I sents an all-new taste.” a team of women and trans individ- we grow”. a whiff of a slightly nutty and a dis- was a part of the show He applauds how India, being such a huge coun- uals. The starters made us foretold that tinctly smoky aroma. A bite, and I had in Australia, I received try, has “food that varies every 100 km and as you trav- The interiors are plush. The there was more good food in store no qualms about pronouncing that a lot of support from el the cuisine changes. So it is very diverse. Hence, I lighting subtle yet just enough for a and we were not disappointed. We this was certainly the star dish of the the Indian people. It believe that the Indian cuisine is actually making a meal. The carefully chosen artefacts, went with Wok fried assorted funghi, evening. The flavours were balanced, was always one of the real impact on the world stage.” the different furniture arrangements Chicken smoke red pepper sauce not too strong nor too mild, the veg- countries which I The chef who was tagged as ‘The ice-cream king’, which are classy as well as comfort- which has barbeque style bell pepper etables retained a slight crunch which wanted to visit for my at the show narrates the story behind it. When he went able and the big granite table tops that and onion accompanied by Sticky is somewhat hard to achieve when world tour. And once I to the Masterchef show, the contestants were advised act as tables add to the restaurant’s fried rice and Pad Thai Noodles. you are dealing with ones which are did, it was really worth- to work on their weaknesses and “as a savoury cook, ambience and lead to a growing antic- What really worked for Wok chopped really fine. It had a slight while. So when I was I started working on my desserts as they were my ipation that one is in for a memorable fried assorted fungi was not just the smoky flavour which enhanced the asked to choose, I zeroed weaknesses. I was never sure I’d survive the compe- time. And the place does not disap- flavours but also the choice of mush- taste of both the accompanying dish- down on India for the tition, but honestly, my weakness did become my point. rooms used. Each of the mushrooms es. A plate of this solo, minus any side tour.” strength.” We started off with Som Tam, the added a distinct texture and a flavour dish can make for a satiating meal all He will be travelling to The chef calls cooking food an art. He recalls the Thai raw papaya salad which was stel- that gave the dish a taste which was by itself. four Indian cities, where rockstar chefs in Europe these days, “who are not just lar. With a perfect balance of flavours For dessert we had Tum Tim Krob Ungermann will liaise with cooks, they are scientists, they are everything.” — sweet, sour, salty as well as the bite which is a Thai delicacy made of ten- one partner outlet per city to Ungermann feels that the greatest cause of fail- where the finely grated papaya is soft der coconut cream with water chest- inspire a drink-led menu paired ure in a chef’s dish could be worrying and thinking and the peanut added the crunch, nuts topped with crushed ice, but with select appetisers. about pleasing others instead of “telling a story and this set the tone of the meal. this being winter, we gave The chef lists some of the portraying what you want to on the plate.” This was followed the last a miss. This liq- gourmet delicacies that he will He shares his idea of the Indian food. “The by dim sums — a uid is drunk rather than be presenting at the tour, “I flavours from the country offer an amazing palate. Its vegetarian and a chicken eaten and is mildly sweet have created toasted coconut spices and textures makes European cuisine look a bit mince one. With a delicate which can be an acquired ice-cream with raisins to pair dull at times. But if you know how to merge the two cover and crunchy vegetables inside, taste for some. Though, I with Johnnie Walker Black together, you’ll have a cuisine that would probably it was the one minus the meat which admit, I think they have Label. An earthy toasted trump all the other cuisines.” scored. The server told us that it is a winner on hands. '3&3  '"

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 08 strategy, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar coming in for the ost Indian teams of the past injured Ashwin. would be wary of a green top The Indian batting line-up Mbut the Virat Kohli-led side should otherwise be unchanged. will see it as an opportunity to bull- On Thursday, the three Indian doze the Australians when the second pacers, who played in Adelaide, Test begins on a pitch offering plen- didn't bowl at all. They did pad ty of pace and bounce at the brand up and have a hit in the nets. new Optus Stadium, here on Friday. Australia could make a tac- The mood in the Indian camp tical change to their batting line- was summed up best by the skipper up as well. Aaron Finch has after a green pitch was unveiled on eve come under sharp criticism for of the maiden Test at the new facili- his shot selection in the first Test ty. and there are growing concerns "We get more excited than ner- about him going into this vous looking at lively pitches now," match. said Kohli, who has a potent pace After Wednesday's practice attack at his disposal. sessions, there was growing The visitors will surely name a opinion that either Usman changed eleven as they have been hit Khawaja or Shaun Marsh could by a couple more injuries. India open in his place, with Finch      - named their 13-man squad for this P2)&%#CC%&.G slotting down in the middle second Test, with R Aswhin and Rohit  /..       *&    order.  08 in with a four-pronged pace- Sharma the two notable absentees. (             All-rounder Mitchell Marsh only attack for only the third Ashwin is ruled out owing to a left-    *   *    & still only has an outside chance he green pitches have instance in their Test history, abdominal strain while Rohit is laid 9 ( * -  C/- *   to play in this Test with skipper Tceased to be "alien" for the after Johannesburg (2018) and low due to a back issue that he sus-     *       Tim Paine declaring himself Indian team, declared captain Perth (WACA, 2012). tained whilst fielding in the first Test    -      *  &/-   fully fit after being hurt on his Virat Kohli, who is hoping "I have played all around at Adelaide.   .  &    right hand in Adelaide. that Australia will not take off the world for 10 years now and The batsman missed out on both ,       C(      Australia are expected to field the grass from the pitch for the I have never played on a wick- days of practice leading to the second /..  7  & the same bowling line-up and second Test. et like the one at Johannesburg Test. Ashwin also skipped the option-       barring any surprising injuries, "We certainly get more to be honest. I have played at al training on Wednesday, and while Peter Siddle is not in consider- excited than nervous looking at Perth as well in 2012 but was he was present for warm-ups during With Rohit ation. lively pitches. We understand not even close to what Thursday practice, he didn't bat or !-* #- %  out injured, Vihari  3. .0380 that we have a bowling attack Johannesburg was. We are not bowl in the nets. Meanwhile, Prithvi "# #D9EB#% is likely to play his !". (P=.369 /  that can bowl out the opposi- alien to pitches like these and Shaw continues to be ruled out, */&>: "30 second Test after India (13-players): Virat Kohli tion now. I hope no more this is nothing new for us. We meaning India will retain their open- his maiden 8((09 30( (capt), KL Rahul, Murali Vijay, grass is taken off it. We as a know what to expect on a ing combination of KL Rahul and appearance at the Oval, where- /8.(/8 . 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya team is pretty happy with that," pitch like this. On a lively Murali Vijay. in he scored 56 runs in the fifth Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, said a confident Kohli at the wicket where there is grass on For the other two spots in the Test against England. 98(8..80 Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra pre-match press conference. the pitch and the surface being playing eleven, Hanuma Vihari, Vihari is a handy off-spinner Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit "We just have to challenge hard, you are as much as in the Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar as well, and the team manage- /9 9. '0 Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, ourselves as a batting unit and game as the opposition." and Umesh Yadav have been includ- ment hasn't been shy to use him . (0 00(&.(8/ Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh play positively, backing the When asked about how it ed in the 13-man squad. It gives rise as such. At the Oval, when Yadav. bowlers to do what they did at feels to be the Indian captain to to different permutations and com- India did play with four full-time (='039=9/ B Australia: Tim Paine (capt & Adelaide as well. I think this unleash this 'best-ever Indian binations, and Kohli does have prior bowlers, he bowled 10.3 overs. 9.'06. 39 .' wk), Marcus Harris, Aaron pitch is going to offer signifi- pace attack', Kohli said, "I am history of picking an all-pace attack In the practice game in Finch, Usman Khawaja, Travis cantly more than it did at lucky that when they are at earlier in 2018. Sydney too, Vihari bowled 12 (. /8'098 Head, Shaun Marsh, Peter Adelaide. That is something we their peak I am the captain. At Johannesburg, on another rag- overs against Cricket Australia ('.3'9/3=09. Handscomb, Nathan Lyon, are very excited about." They have been playing for a ing green-top wicket, he picked a XI. Along with Vijay, picking Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, India named their 13-man while and it is just that these four-pacer attack with Hardik Pandya Vihari allows the Indian think- .,((=0 Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell squad for this Test. There is five have come into their own as the all-rounder. tank to go in with a four-pacer Marsh, Peter Siddle. every chance that India will go when I was the captain." &=3 &4    )(     '   2   4 ( %     B #  New Delhi: 0         (          9'9 9       9 *  (* 19(2              irtish Rana and Himmat Singh NB      O    *  4#4#    9 * &  Nstruck unbeaten half-centuries 9(   *       >#### to help India beat Pakistan by seven  08 that they feel they can get at       & C   *   wickets and seal a spot in the final the Indian batsmen but I just         of the ACC Emerging Teams Asia ormer England captain look to the game at Adelaide   4#4#9 * &     Cup on Thursday. FMichael Vaughan feels Oval, it wasn't the pitch, it was-       *    The Delhi duo added 126 runs preparing a green track for the n't anything to do with the  4#4G 9 * C  (  .    for the fourth wicket after India suf- second Test could backfire on conditions. It was just that 1(.2    &.*  !5  *  fered a few early blows, while chas- Australia against a pace heavy India produced more disci-       B  .    ing 173. India. pline for longer periods." 0   :   '   (     Rana scored 60 in as many balls, "Certainly from seeing the Vaughan also believes the (   & Himmat made 59 off 58 deliveries Indian attack in England and consistency of a finger-spinner with India overhauling the target in at the Adelaide Oval, Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja could be help-   )6&3 (! )  27.3 overs. Shami and Ishant will be going ful in absence of Ashwin. New Delhi:   3    (*   8  Singh smashed five sixes includ-  08 tomorrow morning you need to to bed tonight thinking thank "Jadeja's a wonderful       *   4#!H 6   ing three successive ones off start really well." you," Vaughan told Foxsports. cricketer as well. He's someone  *        & Mohammad Asgar, while Rana hit t will be a good toss to lose, said While India made a couple "The actual three quicks of that I'd want in the team. He /  *   3        three maximums. IAustralian captain Tim Paine key changes to their eleven owing India out bowled the three bats well, he's an incredible  *    6    Winning the toss and inviting on eve of the second Test against to injuries, Australia have named quicks of Australia. They were fielder, he will create some- *             *  -   Pakistan to bat first, India bowled India, considering the grassy an unchanged side for this second outstanding. It's a big big risk thing in the field and with his  8       & =(    out Pakistan for 172 in 44.4 overs. nature of the pitch and extreme Test. Paine acknowledged that that Australia are taking." bowling he's just going to   ) (  *-     Captain and wicketkeeper capped the group round with a six- hot weather. India could field an all-pace "They clearly need a pitch keep bowling," Vaughan said.     *-       *    Mohammad Rizwan top-scored wicket victory over Oman and a "Yeah it will be I reckon attack and added that Australia  ,    ,   (   &6 with 67, while Saud Shakeel con- four-wicket win over Sri Lanka. (good toss to lose). Actually, I have done their home work.   *       tributed 62 runs. Opener Zeeshan Pakistan started the tourna- spoke to the curator about it this He expects India to come putting it together on the field, unchanged batting line-up with               Malik made 17 runs. ment on a high, thrashing Hong morning. I really don't think the hard at the hosts and achieve and whatever eleven they put on Aaron Finch once again set to B ( *   *  6    Leg-spinner Mayank Markande Kong by 225-runs in their opening pitch will play that badly," said something special in Perth. the park, they will come hard they open. The skipper said that his  * *  3   6 & was the most successful bowler for match. Pakistan then defeated Paine ahead of the inaugural "They have new guys coming are prepared well and they have players needed to back their )    & )   India, returning figures of 4/38 in 9.4 United Arab Emirates (UAE) by Test at the Optus Stadium. in. We have spoken about it, but a sniff of something special (2-0). strengths if they are to make a overs. nine wickets, but lost to Bangladesh "With the heat it will proba- we have concentrated over their So we will have to be right on our comeback in this series, and Paris: 6           * India, who were placed in on Sunday by 84 runs in their Pool bly break up and you will see whole squad over the last few game from ball one," he said. backed Mitchell Starc to come up                        Group A, defeated Afghanistan by B match to set-up a semi-final cracks in the game. It is what it weeks so we know their strengths Along with an unchanged against all the criticism since the     &  -  *  84 runs in their opening match and clash with their arch-rivals. is and whatever you are doing and weaknesses. Again it is about side, Australia will also field an first Test. ( 0          6 -  - * *& .     *    * *        *    C*     !" ##$$ #7)&.#$!     C    6      '  1'62         *          (  ,0:    &      *S  winner as Bayern just about held on.  ( 0            Juventus finished at the Group H       *    & yon clinched the final Champions summit ahead of Manchester United LLeague last-16 place as Nabil Fekir's despite slumping to a 2-1 defeat by ( E   !  (  second-half strike grabbed a 1-1 draw Young Boys in Bern, as Jose Mourinho's Karachi:       (   .*  against Shakhtar Donetsk in a snowy Premier League giants lost at          **     Kiev on Wednesday, while Bayern Valencia. C  C     ( .   Munich pipped Ajax to top spot in Group United had to beat Valencia           E. and hope Juve failed to win in     &     Bruno Genesio's Lyon needed to Switzerland, but Carlos Soler and   T (      avoid defeat against Shakhtar to progress a comical Phil Jones own goal did            & from Group F with Manchester City, and the damage for the visitors, with C  ( .      a fifth successive draw in the competi- Marcus Rashford scoring a late  *        tion achieved that aim. consolation.      C(   & "It was hard in difficult conditions.   -   !4( .  We gave ourselves a fright and it's a pity <     *!??H 4##I   we didn't kill off the game in the first CSKA Moscow stunned a much-  &9    4#!"    half," Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar changed Real Madrid with a 3-0 victory "#& told RMC Sport. "The main thing is that strike into the top corner follow- the turnaround. men only eight minutes later, as Thomas at the Santiago Bernabeu, but still finished we've qualified." ing excellent play by Memphis Mueller was given his marching orders for bottom of Group G as Viktoria Plzen beat E !   (    ! Shakhtar forged ahead midway Depay.     ! planting his studs into the head of Nicolas Roma. Cuttack: 6 *   *   .   6     through the opening period with what Man City wrapped up top spot Bayern Munich went into Tagliafico. The Russian side, who also downed  -   *    .  proved their only shot of the first half, in the group by coming from their game at Ajax just needing Ajax briefly moved top of the live Real 1-0 in the reverse fixture, had to bet- '  6  &     * just seconds after Lyon forward Bertrand behind to beat Hoffenheim 2-1 at a point to beat their opponents standings when Jerome Boateng careless- ter Plzen's result to finish third and qual-       .         *  Traore had been denied by Andriy the Etihad Stadium. to first place in Group E, and ly conceded a penalty, which was dis- ify for the Europa League.      * * Pyatov when clean through one-on-one Andrej Kramaric gave Hoffenheim Niko Kovac's men did just that in a patched emphatically into the roof of the But Plzen edged out Roma 2-1 in the  .        with the goalkeeper. a surprise 16th-minute lead from the thrilling 3-3 draw. net by Tadic. Czech Republic to render CSKA's famous  * &  *  The Burkina Faso international was penalty spot, although Leroy Sane lev- The game burst into life in the second But Tagliafico brought down Thiago victory ultimately meaningless, despite     *      & made to pay for his profligacy, as Junior elled on the stroke of half-time with a half when Dusan Tadic equalised Robert Alcantara, with Lewandowski slotting in inflicting the heaviest ever European .  -  *   **  *  Moraes slotted home after being picked magnificent free-kick. Lewandowski's early opener just after the the spot-kick, before Kingsley Coman home loss on the record 13-time cham-            out by Ismaily. City wasted a host of chances, with hour mark, with Ajax defender Maximilian looked to have settled matters with a won- pions.    *   !>      Lyon continued to dominate, though, away goalkeeper Oliver Baumann in Woeber sent off in the 67th minute for a derful 90th-minute strike. Holders Real had already progressed    ( 44& and finally equalised in the 65th minute inspired form, but Sane grabbed his sec- dangerous lunge on Leon Goretzka. Tagliafico went up the other end to to the last 16 as group winners, with Roma =$ as Nabil Fekir hammered a left-footed ond just after the hour mark to complete But Bayern were also reduced to 10 equalise again, but Ajax failed to find a through in second place.