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  POK. However, his MIG-21 look forward to his return Air and not through the Attari- mony held at the Attari-Wagah was shot by the air defence of Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor, Wagah land border, official border front along the - wo days after his Mig-21 and Varthaman eject- assistant chief of staff (space) sources said Friday. Pakistan border in Punjab was TBison fighter jet was shot ed before the plane crash and had told a news conference in They said hours after Khan cancelled for Friday in view of down and he was captured in landed in POK where he was New Delhi. Asked if the IAF announced the decision to Varthaman’s release by Pakistan Pakistan Occupied captured. saw it as a goodwill move, release Varthaman, India con- at this frontier, the BSF said. (POK), Wing Commander The Pakistani action to Kapoor had said “we see it as veyed to that he be A senior official of the attack Indian military installa- a gesture in consonance with sent back via the aerial route. force said the martial ceremo- returned to India on Friday tions came a day after the IAF the Geneva Convention.” However, late in the night, ny was called off due to admin- night via Attari-Wagah border jets destroyed terror group Justifying the Pakistani aer- Pakistan conveyed to India istrative requirements. in Amritsar. His release Jaish-e-Mohammed’s (JeM) ial strike, Khan had said in that the pilot will be returned Officials said it was esti- prompted massive celebration biggest training camp near Parliament on Thursday, “the through the Attari-Wagah bor- mated that over 20,000 people across the country. deep inside Pakistan only purpose of our strike was der and India’s request could could gather on the Indian side The released pilot dressed early on Tuesday. to demonstrate our capability not be heeded to, the sources to welcome IAF pilot and it in khaki trousers and a dark It came 12 days after the and will. We did not want to said. India was also mulling could be a security nightmare. jacket set foot on Indian soil JeM claimed responsibility for inflict any casualty on India as sending a special aircraft to Hundreds of people had shortly after 9 pm from a on a CRPF con- we wanted to act in a respon- Pakistan, the sources said. flocked the Attari border since Pakistan after being handed voy in Kashmir’s Pulwama, sible manner.” Meanwhile, Varthaman was finally driven early Friday morning to catch over to India on other side, killing 40 soldiers. reports in New Delhi suggest- to the border in a Pakistani mil- a glimpse of the IAF pilot. where he was accompanied by Pakistan Prime Minister ed that Pakistan turned down itary vehicle before being hand- Hence, it was decided to call the Indian air attaché and a woman had announced in a request by India to send ed over to the Indian officials. ceremony off on Friday so that official of Pakistan foreign Parliament there on Thursday back Varthaman by aerial route The Daily Retreat cere- nothing untoward happens. office. He was whisked away about the decision to release from Attari border to avoid  ($*. (/+$0$    1       2    $  0  the captured pilot as a “peace ❝  ❝ $% &'&* '5$ media glare. Hundreds of peo- $$  2   $(  - gesture” and the “first step” to !" !#$% &'& 5*  #'&#$&#$ ple had gathered there since open negotiations with India. % & *&  ' $   !*2&  morning to have a glimpse of person account from the pilot beaten up by the locals in POK Narian in Naushera, Rajouri “In our desire for peace, I  $% #' +,-   $* $% #' '&$      Varthaman. about the sequence of events opposite Rajouri sector, he after it tried to target an ammu- announce that tomorrow .#  ❝ . !%%#$#!$' #& ' 7 He will undergo a medical during his captivity and details attempted to destroy the doc- nition point of the Indian (Friday) and as a first step to          !* / check-up at military hospital of interrogation by the Pakistan uments in his possession by Army. The Pakistani jets earli- open negotiations Pakistan will ❝ / &'& $&#$#! $% #%# # and then flown in a special air- Armed forces. Since stuffing them in his mouth. er had dropped bombs at the be returning the IAF officer in 0 !. #!*# #        craft to New Delhi. He will Varthaman was in custody for His plane was shot down brigade headquarters of the our custody.” %% #$& &  #*2& ❝ ! ! meet his family, including his a brief period and most prob- after Varthaman successfully Army in Rajouri but there was The IAF said on Thursday !& '' $#* . #!!$# wife, a retired IAF officer, and ably blindfolded to prevent brought down a F-16 of no damage. it was happy that Varthaman 2& $% #***3&#* !      father, Air Marshal S him from observing the details (PAF) which During the aerial engage- was returning home but dis- .# * ❝ #!#  Varthaman (retired) now set- of the place of his custody, the had intruded into Indian air- ment close to the Line of missed suggestions it was a       5& !  tled in Chennai. The IAF debriefing will be short, they space in Rajouri sector on Control (LoC) between the goodwill gesture insisting it was ❝   !4& #4 authorities will then debrief the said. Wednesday at about 10.30 am. SU-30 and MIG-21s of the IAF in line with Geneva !. #!"2&  $&8 %$  &$% &* #$$%$#!'' 8 pilot in New Delhi. Reports from Pakistan The IAF pilot was part of and F-16s of the PAF, Convention. “We are very  5&! Sources said the debriefing media indicate that after the combat air patrol which had Varthaman chased one F-16 happy Abhinandan will be $#5$% &$ *     procedure entails getting first IAF pilot was shot down and intercepted the Pakistan jets in and shot it down and it fell in freed tomorrow (Friday) and 5$"            2$*           !"!#$%!#&&"'(#&)'#*!)&+*,%'#&-"!,%!#-%     !"  "#   #    hief Minister Raghubar     the joint session of Parliament, CDas on Friday inaugurated adding that lower ranking offi- the first skill college in the State n a major diplomatic cials would attend to represent at Nagratoli locality of the Iachievement, India on Friday Pakistan’s interests. Capital City. The college has for the first time addressed the “Terrorism and extrem- been established by PreJHA Organisation of Islamic ism bear different names and Foundation and State Cooperation (OIC) meeting labels. It uses diverse causes. Government to give residential here, and External Affairs But in each case, it is driven by training of different vocation- Minister Sushma Swaraj assert- distortion of religion, and a al trades to 360 girls. ed that terrorism is destroying misguided belief in its power to Inaugurating the college lives, destabilising regions and succeed. The fight against ter- the CM said that it was a day of putting the world at great peril. rorism is not a confrontation delight as Air Force’s courageous India’s participation came against any religion,” Swaraj, commander Abhinandan is despite strong demand by who is the first Indian Minister coming back to the country and Pakistan to rescind the invita- to address the meeting of the 57 on the other hand doors of self-   3   ,  $ $* 0  4$    tion to Sushma to address the Islamic countries, said. dependence were being opened  2 $ $$   * $$ - 5  *$ grouping of the OIC which was Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, a        !    O# $$$P  &' ($  P$)  $ for the girls of the State. 3 * $(  3  4  $ turned down by the host UAE, senior Minister in Indira $  *$$+ $, $(  - “During the road show at resulting in Pakistan’s Foreign Gandhi’s Cabinet who later Dubai I had thought whether Palamu,” he said. should always be the toppers. 21 Minister Shah Mehmood became President, was invited address read a verse from the world stands for peace, ters. Our Muslims brothers a state of the art skill college can Das said the Government is welfare gurukuls are being run Qureshi boycotting the meet. to attend the Rabat conference Holy Koran which says ‘La compassion and brotherhood,” and sisters are a microcosm of be opened in Jharkhand also? determined to make the to train the youth. “Best wishes “I will not attend Council of in 1969 and then disinvited at Ikrah fiddeen’ — Let there be she said. the diversity of India itself,” the The thought was realised today Scheduled Castes, Scheduled to those girls who have been Foreign Ministers as a matter of Pakistan’s instance after he no compulsion in religion. “I carry the greetings of my Minister said and asserted that with the opening of the college Tribes and the youth of the enrolled in this college. 100 per principle for (them) having arrived in the Moroccan capi- “Just as Islam literally Prime Minister Narendra “very few” Muslims in India here. I appeal to the girls tak- minority community skilled. cent employment has been extended invitation as a Guest tal. Since then, India has been means peace, none of the 99 Modiji and 1.3 billion Indians, have fallen prey to the poiso- ing training here to give their “Today, 69 young men of Torpa ensured in this. Kalyan of Honour to Sushma Swaraj,” excluded from all OIC delib- names of Allah mean violence. including more than 185 mil- nous propaganda of radical best. The Government will in Khunti district got jobs in Gurukul’s trained children are told erations. Sawaraj during her Similarly, every religion in the lion Muslim brothers and sis- and extremist ideologies. provide 100 per cent employ- Dubai. It was possible only also working abroad. We all have ment to them,” he said. after they were skilled. It is not to make Skilled India and Skilled The CM said that the nurs- that you just get a job, rather you Jharkhand, together,” she said.       ing college in Ranchi’s Chanho become a job provider too. For Katsuvo Mattsumoto said    &   ( #  * is successfully operating. “The first time since Independence, on the occasion that it gives plea-    girls of the State are becoming Ministry of Skill Development sure to see broadening bound- skilled nurses. The was made by the Prime Minister aries of State and country in the    + , New Delhi/Srinagar: A day after banning Government will soon start the so that the youth of the coun- field of skill development. The #     #  Jammu & Kashmir chapter of Jamaat-e-Islami construction work of nursing try can be made skilled along- Japanese government is putting     for five years under anti-terror law, Union Home college in Chaibasa, Seraiakela, with degree holders,” he said. efforts to use Indian human Ministry is mulling to ban the Valley’s most Gumla and Sahebganj. Welfare Minister Dr Louis resource and is training people & '    "       powerful separatist outfit, Hurriyat Conference Approval has been granted for Marandi said that the college will in new trades, he said. under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act this. The trained nurse from train the women in two trade PreJHA Foundation    !  Army Brigadier and DIG of        (UAPA). here will be employed at 500 arts of cooking and manufac- Chairman M Mutthuraman said State police too received According to highly-placed sources, the bedded Medical Colleges and turing. PreJHA Foundation that without State government’s     injuries at the encounter site in mid tensions between India and Pakistan, Centre is determined to crack down on Hurriayt Hospitals being opened in should appoint quality teachers help nothing was possible. Pulwama as one of the terror- AChief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora Conference this time around. PNS Hazaribagh, Dumka and so that girls from Jharkhand Continued on Page 4       ists, hiding under the debris, said on Friday that Lok Sabha elections will be waited for an opportunity to held as per schedule and asserted that the ECI ive security personnel, strike again. Till the time of fil- was committed to holding free and fair polls. Fincluding a CRPF Inspector ing the report operation was The CEC along with other Election " #   !    ! $% & '( and two State policemen, still going on in the area. Commissioners were talking to the media after attained martyrdom before A civilian also lost his life. concluding a three-day tour of Lucknow to eliminating one terrorist during CRPF commandant and seven review poll preparations in the State.      grievance redressal platform where- fierce gunfight in Handwara other jawans of Army and CRPF To a specific question on whether Lok Sabha in the Chief Minister could direct- area of North Kashmir’s received injuries during the fire polls could be deferred due to the escalation of he Chief Minister Jan Samvad ly listen to the grievances of the Kupwara district on Friday. fight. The search operation was tension on the Indo-Pak border, Arora said, “The Tcentre has nearly halved the people and redress their problems The security forces suf- launched by the joint team of general elections in the country will be held on number of Public Interest Litigations in presence of Government officials fered heavy losses after one of security forces past midnight time. We are in direct touch with the govern- (PIL) filed in Jharkhand High Court concerned. The objective of start- the two terrorists, presumed after receiving credible inputs ment and there is by promptly addressing matters at ing it was to bridge the gap between dead during the gunfight, rose about the presence of terrorists no confusion on a pre-litigation stage, Advocate the Government and the people. from the debris and opened fire at Khanan Babagund in Langate. this issue.” General Ajit Kumar said on Friday. Commoners can lodge com- on the joint team of security Several local residents were also Refusing to “Minor to moderately complex plaints over telephone, text mes- personnel who arrived at the injured during clashes with disclose any possi- issues that earlier took the form of sages and through the Internet on encounter site to recover the security forces. ble date for PILs have almost vanished. The this platform. The complaints are dead bodies of terrorists. Meanwhile, Pakistani announcement of matters are being actively addressed reviewed and the officials con- According to official Army once again provoked election schedules, at a pre-litigation stage by the * $$  cerned are asked to either address sources, a CRPF commandant strong Indian retaliation along he said that dis- Government of Jharkhand’s Jan     the matter or justify their inaction. also received serious injuries the LoC in border districts of cussions with the Samwad centre,” said Kumar. A full-fledged Jan Samvad Centre and was rushed to Army’s 92 Rajouri and Poonch by resort- Home Ministry According to the AG, the num- 150 in a year. which caused an increase in the works 24x7 on the disposal of Base hospital in Srinagar. ing to heavy shelling across about availability ber of PILs moved every year in “Earlier, there was no process number of PILs,” he said. cases and monitors progress in each Earlier on February 18, civilian pockets on Friday of para-forces have Jharkhand was around 250 to 300 to address matters in pre-litigation Jan Samvad was launched on of the complaints lodged here. two senior officers including evening. been done. and it has now reduced to around stage at the administration level, May 1, 2015 as an interactive, Continued on Page 4  %# $#%%#( )#%*+*,-.

2 3  /   *3 &  R   ,< 2  $*2$++  $     :&$' the centre will serve the dual new age learning. purpose. Spread over an area of eputy Election $&  ## According to the universi- 13,111 sq. feet, the Archeology DCommissioner, Election '#$# %# ty personnel, the facilitation and Museology Centre has Commission of India, Sudip centre will be utilised by the been constructed at a cost of Jain, today reviewed the pre- students of the Hotel 1.92 crore. paredness of the election com-   Management. Ranchi The Governor on the occa- mission in the office of the University (RU) Academic sion said that the centres inau- Chief Electoral Officer, atering to the needs of the Council recently approved the gurated here will provide a new Jharkhand through the video Cstudents in a more elabo- syllabus of the Hotel dimension to the learning and conferencing with Deputy rate way, the State’s biggest Management and Catering will fulfill the requirements of Commissioners and     and transportation etc of EVMs university campus on Friday Technology course. Covering the students in a much broad- Superintendents of Police. On       before and after voting and got two new buildings. The an area 22,116 sq. feet, the facil- er way. Meanwhile, the the occasion, he gave necessary        during the counting of votes. Facilitation Centre alongwith itation centre has been con- Governor inspected the guidelines and instructions to      All the superintendents of the Archaeology and Museology structed at a cost of 3.10 Department of Tribal Regional the DCs and SPs.       police were instructed to settle Centre was inaugurated by crore. Language (TRL). Chief Electoral Officer,     matters related to non-bailable Governor-cum-Chancellor of The facilitation centre has “Attempts are being made Jharkhand, L Khiangte, said on     warrants in their district as universities, Draupadi Murmu the facility of cafeteria, a well- to separate each tribal and the occasion that the minimum !"    quickly as possible and brought at Morhabadi Ground amidst equipped auditorium with regional language department. required facilities like ramps, them to zero level. #$$,$+  31,=3  5   $  $       much fanfare here on Friday. ramp. The centre has the capac- Also, appointment of teachers toilets, drinking water, elec-     It was also said that the Designed with all state-of- ity of accommodating as many $*    * $$$$( * $ will be done in a sufficient tricity, furniture, help desk, DCs and the SPs have been the-art facilities, the two build- as 300 students. No additional ** $$  $$ $  3 * $(  number at each tribal depart- signage etc have been arranged School have been formed at asked to do so as soon as pos- ings of the university have charge will be incurred on the 3  4 $ ment to foster tribal dialects, at polling stations. If these booth level. With this, promo- sible. Additional Chief been conceptualised keeping students for organising any art, culture and murals. facilities are not available in any tional material related to voter Electoral Officers Vinay the pre-requisites of the stu- affair. Graduate (UG) and Post Centre behind ‘Dikshant Ensuring better facilities at polling station, then it should awareness is being shown on Choubey, Manish Ranjan, dents. In an attempt to provide Similarly, the RU which Graduate (PG) departments. Mandap’. Catering to the need TRL department is our prior- be done promptly. Training the screen in cinema halls, he Nodal Officer, State Police, a dedicated space to the stu- registers highest number of Beginning with the of students, the centre has ity,” she added. RU VC – Dr. program for EVM-VVPAT vot- added. The Deputy Election Ashish Batra, Nodal Officer, dents for organising different students enrolled in different Department of Archaeology been equipped with archeo- Ramesh Kumar Pandey includ- ing is being conducted in every Commissioner directed all the Central Armed Police Force, cultural events, the facilitation courses has started expanding and History, the university has logical stuffs, fossils, historical ing other senior university offi- village and local markets by DCs to strictly adhere to the Sanjay Anand Lathkar , and centre has been opened behind its facilities and learning level opened the first of its kind, findings and much more for cials were present on the occa- electoral workers. Election basic protocol applicable in other senior police officers Basic Science Building. Also, criteria for different Under Archaeology and Museology exposing the students to the sion. Literacy Club and Election respect of maintenance, storage were present. ')     !"!# ) "     !  %" &&%&'#(  *        :    :  

nti Corruption Bureau he Giridih Police in a joint Asleuths on Friday arrested Toperation with the 154th a revenue department employ- Central Reserve Police Force ee from Jharkhand's Giridih (CRPF) recovered two power- district for taking a bribe of ful can bombs following a raid 5,000 for updation of land conducted on a Maoist bunker records. near Dhibra forest area under Acting on the complaint of Dumari police station of Devendra Nath Agarwal, the Giridih on Friday. sleuths led by the deputy super- According to SDPO intendent of police (DSP) laid Dumari, Niraj Kumar, while a trap and nabbed Rakesh conducting search operations Singh as soon he received the at Dhibra, the team raided a only a few days ago, he added. Naxal operation. graft at tea stall at district small artificial bunker of a However, no arrest could be Police destroyed both the transport office,Giridih, an Maoists located village near made as the cane bombs and bombs under the supervision official release said. Dhibra and recovered two 10 other explosives found of BDDS team, Hazaribagh. Devendra Nath Agarwal, a kg powerful can bombs and dumped, said Kumar. The personnel of CRPF, district native of Topchachi area in others materials. The can The Maoists, it may be police spotted a thin wire while Dhanbad, had lodged a com-    bombs were about to blast but recalled, have been extensive- crossing Dhibra village road in plaint with the vigilance    fortunately, there were detect- ly using landmines against the the morning. Tracking the wire department stating that Singh ed and defused in time by anti- police force and the State police for a few metres, they found the was demanding graft for upda-     bomb squad. The items indi- and CRPF have suffered heavy cane bombs. The bombs tion of land records of his     cated that they were kept there damages including casualties in weighed 10 kg each. family following division of their paternal    properties through mutual    consent among the family $$ $$2  +*  members, it said.     The complaint against the          yet to be mended by the company personnel.        ,$+   $* 0  4$    +$   5 ;  $    $$    revenue official was found to be     “The technical glitch in JIO network has left true during preliminary inves-        the public in a mess. As per the inputs received inister of Department of * $$ *  * *2 ;  ($$    tigation and a trap was laid        by the residents, the owner of ‘Rohini Complex’ MSports Amar Kumar $  3 * $(  3  4 $ against the latter, the release here, where quite a number of mobile towers Bauri, Minister of Urban said. for further interrogation before   have been installed has not received the month- Development CP Singh and Marandi said it is duty of Department Secretary, Himani The accused revenue production before a special ly rent for more than a month from the con- Welfare Minister Louis the sports department to main- Pandey was also present on the employee and complaint were vigilance court for judicial he consumers of one of the biggest and pop- cerned company. Hence, the problem has Marandi jointly inaugurated tain it and simultaneously it is occasion. being brought to the Dhanbad remand. Tular mobile networks – Reliance JIO -- have aroused,” said a retailer at Circular Road, eight lane synthetic track at responsibility of the players Meanwhile, Sports been left in a Murari Prasad. Birsa Munda Football Stadium, maintain the track because Department Secretary, Rahul total muddle “The mobile users who have JIO network Morhabadi here on Friday things come with facing very Sharma announced that on in a promi- as primarily connection are facing trouble not amidst a huge gathering of difficulties and hardwork so it March 10 the department will nent area of in just browsing the Internet, incoming-outgo- sportspersons and officials. is our duty to preserve it. organize Run-O-Thon, a half the State ing calls but even mobile recharge has become The work for laying syn- Addressing the gathering marathon, with the help Capital. The a difficult thing now. Earlier, the residents were thetic track started in January CP Singh said that in an attempt ROUND TABLE INDIA, a vol- residents of just having trouble in browsing the Internet. The 2018 and the work completed to increase numbers of medals untary organization. The event Circular network problem had started on in first week of February, 2019. this facility has been provided will be dedicated to Pulwama Road – a and till March 1 evening it was not resolved,” The length of the track is 400 for the players of the State. attack martyrs. With a view to commercial added Prasad. metres. At one time eight ath- “The Government has done its increase awareness among peo- hub situated The problem is bigger for those locals who letes can run on the track. duty now the time of players ple about health issues the in the heart are solely dependent on JIO mobile network. Speaking on the occasion they have to show their talent department organize the event of the State According to the locals those dependent on a Louis Marandi said that with a at national and international every year. Capital have single mobile operator have been craving for view to provide better practice level. I am invited as I am MLA This year the winner of the been facing assistance. “With just one JIO network now, I facilities for the athletes of city of this area and this event has race will get two lakh as first technical feel completely helpless. Being an IT professional, and SAI Centre the department given me immense pride. I am prize, one lakh and 50 thou- glitch on JIO at this moment, I have to spent longer hours at has provided funds to sports sure that the players will uplift sand for second and third prize network the office as I am not able to connect to inter- department for the work as the name of the State,” He added. respectively in the event of 21 since past net at home,” said Vikash Sharma. Welfare department given Speaking on the occasion Kilo meter race. In the event of three days. As per Prasad, the complaint had been reg- seven crore for laying the Amar Kumar Bauri said that 10 kilo meter first prize will be Despite of istered with marketing personnel of Reliance JIO Synthetic Track. “As the play- the department is thankful for 75 thousand and for the sec- the regular on February 27 but it is yet to be addressed. ers face difficulties in their the State government and the ond and third prize it will be complaints, “From marketing persons to distributors, all have practice as Khelgaon, which is Minority and Social Welfare 50 thousand and 25 thou- the network been made aware of the situation but there is no far from the city and it is dif- department. Sports sand only. at this specif- progress or any attempt to resolve the techni- ficult for them to visit there for Department Secretary, Rahul Entry fee will be 400 for ic locality is cal hitch at the earliest,” he added. daily practice,” she added. Sharma and Welfare each participant. 4 2  +89:: *$ *$

     some of the most important coming to KGBVs are mostly issues which are not covered by dropouts or from interior most tudents of Kasturba Gandhi course books like gender equal- villages and they do not SBalika Vidyalayas (KGBV) ity, bullying, friendship, sex know how to communicate in Gumla district are now education, child marriage, drug with people. more confident and vocal after abuse, importance of relation- This training has helped in attending life skill training ships and much more. both personality development classes. Another support teacher, and intellectual development of The life skill classes, being Suchitra Sen said, “We train the the students. We are thankful given to around 1500 students students of class 11 and 9 and for the two organizations to of class 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11 at seven discussion leaders are selected take up this initiative and work out of 10 KGBVs across Gumla from among them. These dis- towards overall development of district are organised with the cussion leaders then go ahead the children.” joint efforts of Save the to train students of class 6, 7 Warden of the school, Children and Vikas Bharti. and 8. We provide an open Afsana Khatoon said that the Vineeta Kumari, a support platform for discussion on  $5  #  ; 2 1   #   *   training has helped students teacher of Vikas Bharti, who these sensitive issues and $+ $$ perform better at various has been trained by Save the let students speak out their school activities. Children for conducting skill heart.” Explaining the change she from of people but now I am “Earlier, we had a child development classes said, “The She added, “There is no felt after attending these skill much more vocal and I can cabinet but the students never classes are held once or some- right or wrong in these debates. training sessions, Rupa Kumari, actually fight for my rights showed much interest in its times twice every week and We encourage students to say a student of class 8 of KGBV, now,” she said. functioning. However, after covers wide aspects of day to what they really feel about Gumla said that she can feel The teachers and warden getting the skill training, they day life and personality groom- these topics. Every girl is given herself develop intellectually of the schools are all praises have developed a leadership ing.” a chance to speak up and we after attending these sessions. about the training. Kamla quality and are now proactive- The entire course is divid- encourage even the shyest girls “I did not know about my Sharma, a teacher at KGBV ly participate in various activ- ed into 13 sections including to tell us their opinion.” rights and was scared to talk in Gumla said, “The children ities of the cabinet,” she said.                                                                                                                                                !        "                                            #            $ % S                      '                "       (          

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"  VQ Qu‚r)  !#'&(' > #'&(( Gˆpx‚ Pssvpr) #‡u Ay‚‚  Thuh h Tu‚ƒƒvt 8r‡ r Ahv“hihq S‚hq Gˆpx‚ !!% % Uryrƒu‚r†) $!!!"#%##" !"#%### !"#%##$ %# $#/%#( )#%*+*,-.   *  3    )Q+' %('&%( ((  ' -)"# '. #(  (& ,& %#(&# ##&/#(& #   00  &           harkhand joined the elite    Jgroup of States by making provision for star rating for ) * #6   (.,    industries operating here. The rating system launched by the    the regulator pointing out that the increase was Jharkhand State Pollution elcoming Congress pres- limited to 1 against JBVNL’s demand of  1.25. Control Board (JSPCB) in asso- Wident Rahul Gandhi on n order to strengthen police networks in the Rahate said, “The Cabinet also gave its ciation with the University of the soil of Jharkhand the BJP ILeft Wing Extremist (LWE) affected districts approval for construction of two transport Chicago would be a kind of State unit has put forward five in State, the State Cabinet on Friday approved Nagars in Sukurhutu and Dobalia. The two constant tab monitoring air questions to him ahead of the infrastructure projects of 188.88 crore. The funds transport nagars will come up at area of 8 acres quality index to begin with. AICC presdient’s March 2 rally will be used under the Special Infrastructure each at both the place at an estimated cost of The star rating ranging on here on Friday. Projects, which is Centre-State projects with cen- 97.19 crore.” one to five scale, would evalu- $$$$;$   * 34; 2  +   In the first question asked tre bearing 60 per cent of total projects cost, while In another decision which was taken for ate the emission coming from $*  $ * $.   /*   + *$  by State BJP Spokesperson the State will bear 40 per cent of the project cost. State capital, the Cabinet gave its nod for con- any particular industry by mea- *  -+  ,$+ $  $,5-  $   Pratul Sahdeo the BJP has stat- The Special Infrastructure Scheme, provide cru- struction of incubation centre at Namkum. The suring air quality based on par- +$    $ ($ $$ ,$  3 * $(  ed that the Congress has sup- Congress party for selecting cial infrastructure requirements that are critical incubation centre will come up at the cooper- ticulate matter or PM-2.5 and 3  4 $ ported Madhu Koda Morhabadi ground for to the policing and security needs in the field. ative building at Namkum. The State Cabinet PM 10. The PM 10 analyser has Government, which was the rally of its national presi- State Cabinet Coordination department gave its nod for transfer of 65,000 sq feet of built been made mandatorily to be Member Secretary with the academia and Government. involved in a scam of more dent and said the grounds sit- secretary SKG Rahate said, “The Special up space along with 1.65 acre of land and 1 installed by air polluting indus- Board RL Bakshi and Leni The Chief Secretary while than 4,000 crore. “Today you ting capacity is 15,000 to 20,000 Infrastructure Projects will have three compo- crore as grant for infrastructure development of tries including railways siding, Chaudhuri, Country Director praising the initiative taken, have again inducted Madhu only. nents, Special Task Force (STF), Special the premises. mining and any other causing of the varsity trust. termed the level of emission Koda in your party. Are you He said that the party’s Intelligence Bureau and construction of fortified The State Cabinet also gave its nod for devel- emission. The system has put great concern for the society. planning another scam?” he national president is coming to police stations. The main focus will be on oping the tribal and regional language depart- “The system would be in Jharkhand after Maharashtra “The step would place quipped. the State after five years and the improve security, policing and strengthening of ment of Ranchi University as centre of excel- place from April 1 which would and Odisha that have gone for Jharkhand as one of the most “There is an old relation- party has shown by selecting intelligence in LWE districts.” For strengthening lence. The Cabinet gave its nod for creation of help us in getting real time the monitoring system attached forward looking States in the ship of give and take between the small ground that how STF operations 45 crore has been sanctioned, 29 posts. The 29 posts include eight posts of pro- inputs about emission from with the star rating which country. The system was you and JMM. Make public the many people will come in the 11.12 crore has been sanctioned for improving fessors, 16 post of associate professors and five industries, prompting the would be linked with several important since what you mea- deal for Mahagathbandhan meeting. intelligence network in these areas; also 132 post of assistant professors. industry if the limit is exceed- benefits attached with it. sure you monitor and what you between the two parties,” he “The Congress leaders are crore will be used for construction of 54 forti- The State Cabinet also gave its nod for cre- ed and in informing common Rastogi informed that the monitor you improve. It is asked the second question. boasting that two to three lakh fied police stations falling under LWE districts. ation of 20 posts in Jharkhand High Court which people about the level of emis- industry securing five stars important to have a system and In the third question posed people will come in the meet- In another important decision, the State includes five post of court master, five post of sion. Participation into the rat- would be exempted from make it work together rather to Rahul Gandhi Shahdeo ing but the selection of the Cabinet today gave its nod for the new power secretary and 10 posts of peons. ing system is voluntary for the applying for renewal. than work in isolation,” said asked, “Your party MP Late ground has shown that how tariff which was announced by Jharkhand Nod for creation of 115 post of deposition first year but from the subse- “Good performers would Sudhir Tripathi. Kartik Oroan had presented a many people will come in the State Electricity Regulatory Authority (JSERC) typist and 64 post of typist under Jharkhand quent years it would be made be incentivised in many ways. DK Tiwari also termed the Bill in Lok Sabha to bar tribals meeting as its sitting capacity on Thursday. The new power tariff will come Judicial Academy was also given nod. For set- mandatory for all the industries The JSPCB has provision for star rating system relevant for who have changed their reli- is twenty thousand only. They into force from April 1. As per the approved tar- ting up New Professional College (engineering) functional here to comply,” auto-renewal for green catego- Jharkhand considering paradox gion from taking benefits of have shown their capacity as iff, domestic consumers in rural areas would be at Godda was also given nod. Construction of said JSPCB Chairman AK ry industries having capital present in the form of natural quota. What opinion do you selecting such a small meeting charged 5.75 per unit, while their urban four roads covering the length of 77.45 km road Rastogi on Friday after the sys- investment made up to 5 wealth attached with mineral have on this?” place for their national presi- counterparts would have to pay 6.25 for every at an estimated cost of 295.54 crore was also tem was inaugurated in the crore. But all those who would wealth. “RJD, which had vehe- dent,” he added. unit of power they consume. given nod in the today’s Cabinet meet. presence of Chief Secretary be getting five stars would be The PCCF pitching for mently opposed formation of Shahdeo said that if the Rural consumers, who were paying 4.75 per Altogether 38 agendas were given approval at Sudhir Tripathi, Development extended the privilege irre- cleaner world referred to the Jharkhand, is in the Congress has courage then it unit, will now have to pay 5.75 per unit, with today Cabinet meet. Commissioner DK Tiwari, spective of the size of the reluctance shown by financial Mahagathbandhan. Then how could have selected Prabhat PCCF and HoF Sanjay Kumar, industry. Also concessions in institutions in funding pollut- can it think about the devel- Tara or any big ground of the fee charged by the pollution ing coal-based industries. opment of the State? Can you State capital. “It is clear that %&'%( board would be given to such As many as 81 industries in go down to any levels for get- Rahul Gandhi’s interest about  ' %'&( %%## industries,” added the 17 different categories are oper- ting power in Jharkhand?” the Jharkhand. After the last gen- O P    Chairman. ational in the State. The JSPCB BJP Spokesperson asked. eral election Rahul is visiting The observation would be on its part has planned to And, finally, Shahdeo asked first time the State while Prime P, Q (%  made about air quality coming install monitoring units at 102 who will be the leader of the Minister visit- out in the first two years which locations after CPCB’s Grand alliance in the State. ed eight times to launch vari- would be expanded further to approval, including one at “Because,” he said, “Babulal ous welfare programmes,” he monitor also the liquid dis- Netarhat to register the best fig- Marandi’s party is finished. If added. charges made and level of noise ure. The Chairman added that you have accepted Hemnat Shahdeo said, after five generated. The Board has QR code based biomedical Soren as your leader, then years of long wait it will be first roped in the University of waste disposal system, call cen- make an announcement visit of Rahul Gandhi in the Chicago for the purpose of ter for reporting about violation because, JPCC president Ajoy State. But in the upcoming gen- capacity building, infuse exper- and dry fogging for stone Kumar is also trying to become eral election the Congress will tise and ensure international crushers are in offing to better the CM by backdoor entry.” open its account in the State it standards with perfect blend of the emission level. Shahdeo mocked at the is in doubt, he added.

  $$ * 3 #  P +$  $  3 * $ (  3  4 $

/$!/#&!#! 5O$N/O#    JVM supremo Babulal Marandi, %'    !7 *   ! RJD State chief Annapurna / $!3! 4!'  !3!43!!4  A# ongress party is all set to get Devi and host of senior leaders & 4$!/43&5& #!#! $#''&$# $ Ca major boost in Jharkhand from the Left parties besides of  % $##!$*4%% $#!&$# $ &#&$ with its national president Rahul the Congress leadership would #!N/O %%'  &$ 5% $$$* Gandhi kick starting the party’s be sharing the dais at electioneering for the upcoming Morhabadi Maidan. Rahul is   8O  P Lok Sabha elections. slated to reach Ranchi at 1.30 in The Congress chief in the the afternoon. process of addressing people to “He is supposed to hit the encourage them for ‘Ulgulan’ or BJP-led dispensation which is uprising against the ruling BJP working day and night against at the Center would also cement the interests of the people. the ‘grand alliance’ come up There are lots of issues con- involving majority of the anti- cerning tribal, farmers, youths, Modi forces. women, business people in the If party sources are to be State as well as at the national believed, the trip would prove to level. Entire Opposition collec- be vital, especially for the organ- tively shares the pain which isation right up to the district would be reflected through the and panchayat levels. “This is rally. However we also expect going to be like a sanjivni for us that true representation of all the and for thousands of other alliance partners be there when party workers spread all over the it comes to seat sharing,” said  N&!& #O'!A%& 'B$  B$!!  State. The organisation was pre- JVM general secretary Pradeep 7 & #!  ' C5 $# ##*#!$ sent but needed a boost which Yadav. $4'% & 8 #  !&$!4!A%& $#   would be provided by the Rahul Out of 14 parliamentary $!4 5$!$! 4 3! 5$&3 3!4 Gandhi’s rally. Party workers are seats available in the State, the  !   4A  4/&  % $#* feeling euphoric and a new Congress and the JMM have / & 8 #  !&$!$#!#B$  B$ $ kind of energy has stated to flow run away with major chunk-11- %# #$* #!$#$$!!    at the right time,” said Pradesh leaving just three for the JVM, $ '#! $' #!$5'#!&# D$$& #* #!$4#! Congress Committee president the RJD and the Left to distrib- /&#$##5 $!& '4!&%%' Ajoy Kumar. ute. The formula has created & &#  #$ *$#!##  $!  Rahul is likely to be accom- some kind of resentments ##! 'A #!$'*/ 3A/&A ##!##! panied by JMM representative among the partners who have $!#'#!!A%& ' !#5& % as its executive president even raised the issue before the !* % #' #!$4#!  $!#$ &#'&%$ Hemant Soren is busy in the last leadership but no response so  &#!%#* leg of party’s ‘Sangharsh Yatra’. far.   *  >#,3$  2 

   of all the registration offices is established with the district evenue and Land Reforms offices, and the document area Rdepartment Minister of related to it becomes accessible State Amar Kumar Bauri online after the document is launched the national Generic registered. Document Registration System All kinds of payments are software from Project Building available online. The docu- Secretariat here on Friday. ments related to the online After the launch the Minister search module can be searched said that before 2014, getting by the 1970s. The scanning information related to land work of records from the year was complicated. “After 2014 1947 to 1970 is on. The tem- the government worked in this plate for all types of documents direction, the result is that is available on the website to now a common man can see 3 4 3$   5 ;  $  $$*  facilitate the parties, which information related to any land  * +$ $ > $ #*,$* 3  $ can be downloaded online. online through the online sys-    $  $!*;*  3 * $(  $+ $$ Thus, the present government tem. Now land owners and has made substantial simplifi- land buyers can be aware of the work system will now save entire State. cation of land related problems current situation of land. Today time in terms of registration The Minister said that for the common people in last is a historic day, due to the and will ensure transparency. Jharkhand is the only State in four years. addition of another facility in The government is trying to the country where women are On the occasion, Secretary this system, the common citi- protect the fundamental rights being empowered by making Revenue, Registration and zens will no longer have any of the people of the State. This them owners of house/land, Land Reforms Department, problems in the possession of system was first implemented property worth 50 lakhs or KK Soan, Ramkumar Sinha, the land,” he said. in East Singhbhum office in the less. He said that 42 registra- Registrar General, Registrars Bauri said that imple- first phase, now this system tion offices of the State are from different districts were menting this software in the will be implemented in the computerised. The integration present. %# $#/%#( )#%*+*,-.  + 7 " 8!    *"  (!          &    ,      - .      harkhand Mukti Morcha -     J(JMM) on Friday criticised          '3*      assigned all party MLAs, MPs, the State Government and said / M1         ministers in Raghubar Das that the Government has min-   enior leaders of BJP, includ-    Cabinet and Union Ministers imised the numbers of eggs .  Sing Chief Minister Raghubar    from State, who will participate from two to three from the stu-      Das and party State president in the bike rally. Union dents’ mid day meal and loot- Laxman Gilua, will hit the " .   Minister of State for Civil ing resources of the State for its     N road on Saturday by taking part 4 5 6 Aviation, Jayant Sinha will par- capitalist friends. in a bike rally to make people     ticipate at the bike rally in Addressing a large gather- he added. aware of the achievements of        Hazaribagh and Sudarshan ing at Mahagama in Pakur Lambasting on the State the Central and State    Bhagat in Gumla. during his ‘Sangharsh Yatra’ Government the former Chief Governments. Meanwhile, the Mahanagar JMM Executive president and Minister said that look at the The bike rally, being organ- of the bike rally is to highlight BJP too has planned to make former Chief Minister, Hemant intention of the Government as ised in the run-up to the 2019 the achievements of Modi the bike rally a grand success. Soren said that the it announced that pension for Lok Sabha polls, will be taken Government. The BJP cadres Urban development and hous- Government is saying that it is laborers after 60 years of age in in all 81 assembly constituen- will reach out to people about ing minister CP Singh will costly to provide eggs to stu- unorganized sector. “In India cies in the State, with Chief the various development take part in the bike rally in dents three days in a week. “It average age of the people is 65 Minister Raghubar Das taking schemes launched by Modi OTC ground in Ranchi, while is difficult to understand that years and after 55-56 years only out the bike rally in Government such as Hatia MLA Naveen Jaiswal selling mines and forest people from belonging to afflu- Jamshedpur east constituency, Ayushman Yojana, Ujjwala will take part in the bike rally resources at very low cost have ent class able to live or those BJP State president Laxman scheme, housing and toilets in Harmu ground as the area no impact on the Government. people who have capacity to Gilua in Chakradharpur. along with social security falls under Hatia Assembly You should know that the State afford private health facilities. The BJP expects that schemes. segment. is known for malnutrition as At present condition a labour- around 6 lakh BJP members “The moral, diplomatic The bike rally is part of mineral and natural resources *  $           <    2$(  $+ $$ er can’t live such a long live as and cadres in 3 lakh bikes will and defense victory of India outreach programme the party reach the State have 62 per cent they have to do very hard participate in the rally. State BJP over Pakistan will add to the has organized for mobilizing children are malnourished. Government, Soren said that that in the broad day light there that BJP is businessmen party work with vacant stomach in media in-charge, Shiv Pujan enthusiasm of the BJP cadres. people for Lok Sabha elec- Due to malnutrition 47 per the cities have become hell. “On are cases of murder in front of as it is closing schools and different work conditions. It is Pathak said, “The bike rally is We will reach out to people that tions. Prior to this party had cent of total children are not as the name of development the Chief Minister’s Residence and opening wine shops. The emi- completely joke or what else mammoth outreach pro- Modi hai to mumkin hai, as organized Kamal Jyoti Sandesh long as average national height Government is spending fund police station is also situated grant CM has no interest in that on the name of pension the gramme being carried out by earlier too terrorist attacks had yatra and ‘Mera Parivar BJP of a youth,” he added. on same plan various time. The there. Daughters are also not betterment of the State. He is government is taking money,” the BJP in the State. The BJP occurred in country, but the Parivar’ which was hoisting Hitting hard on the State situation of law and order is secure in the State. It is clear not paying worth of salt also,” he added. cadres carrying party flags, way Indian Government retal- party flags and putting up banners and posters highlight- iated is possible only because stickers at BJP members hous- ing the achievements of Prime the country is in the hands of es. Also, on Thursday Prime %&'%( Minister Narendra Modi strong Prime Minister,” said Minister interacted with more ,  $*  $  $5$* , $$ Government will take part in Pathak. than 1 crore BJP cadres across    9     the rally.” The BJP to make the pro- the country though video con- New Delhi; The Enforcement Laundering Act (PMLA) earli- (VIEL) and Videocon Pathak said, the main focus gramme a grand success has ferencing. Directorate (ED) on Friday er this month against Chanda Industries Limited (VIL). The carried out searches against for- Kochhar, her husband Deepak CBI had also named Supreme mer ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar, Dhoot and others to Energy, a company founded by Kochhar and Videocon pro- probe the money laundering Dhoot, and Nupower  2"(%&### moter Venugopal Dhoot in aspect in the irregular sanction Renewables, a company con- connection with a bank loan of Rs 1,875-crore loans by the trolled by Deepak Kochhar, in fraud case. ICICI bank to the corporate the FIR. Raids were carried out in at group. Dhoot had allegedly 3 &#(#Q#&(&(' ( least five office and residential The searches are aimed at invested in Deepak Kochhar’s premises in Mumbai and unearthing additional evidence company Nupower through Ranchi: Barely 48 hours after attack on jour- Aurangabad, officials said. in the case to establish the “pro- his firm Supreme Energy as a nalists at the Ranchi University (RU) campus,  . % # $ “ED is conducting search- ceeds of crime” in the matter, quid pro quo to loans cleared 7 #!%#$'3 4%& $!  <-+E4#! Governor Droupadi Murmu on Friday said that es under PMLA at the premis- an official said. The case under by ICICI Bank after Chanda $%$ #'#!$# #3  &#! #' #!+<$# #$ she will talk to the Government about taking nec- !$%#$$ es of Chanda Kochhar, former PMLA was filed by the ED after Kochhar took over as the CEO ' !4  !4   !4!# 4#! 4! 4 essary steps to ensure safety of scribes. chairman ICICI Bank, and taking cognisance of a CBI of the bank on May 1, 2009. /&4: !4!&#4:&3$# &$## !* “I will talk to the Government about mea- '#   Venugopal Dhoot of Videocon complaint lodged in the matter The ownership of #! 8# %    $ !# sures that can be taken to ensure safety and secu- #! $!  &%'  Group in Mumbai and in January. Nupower and Supreme Energy &#%& %$&4&5 4#!3##%# rity of journalists in the State,” she said after Aurangabad respectively,” the In its FIR, the CBI had changed hands through a com- 7 !!#&#3&* attending an event at the university on Friday. $#''##!# agency said in a statement. named Chanda Kochhar, plex web of shared transactions A local TV reporter was hospitalized on The ED had registered a Deepak Kochhar, and Dhoot between Deepak Kochhar and   8   8 Wednesday after being allegedly thrashed by a % ##'#! $# criminal case under the and his companies -- Videocon Dhoot, alleges the CBI FIR. ! 5! 5 $ $$: 3 # 4#3 # ' group of RU staff at the Examination Department Prevention of Money International Electronics Ltd PNS  4'  $%5$% $'3## $$ A  of the varsity. Chandan Dev Bhattacharya, who $ &$#$/!'  A& $#!#& !$ is said to have sustained severe injuries on his such incidents of journalists falling prey to the head and nose, was rushed to the Rajendra wrath of Government doctors and teachers have Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) after he been reported in Ranchi in the recent years.    === 2)  " %444 reportedly lost excessive blood and started However, barring a few arrests, no measure was vomiting. taken to ensure safety of journalists on duty. From Page 1 From Page 1 said Sunil Kumar Barnwal, Eyewitnesses said that Bhattacharya and two “Measures are being taken across India to In the leadership of the CM A majority of the cases, Principal Secretary to Chief other journalists had gone to the University to ensure security to journalists. I would like we are continuously making officials from Jan Samvad Minister Raghubar Das. report about the alleged anomalies in the func- Jharkhand to take similar steps,” Murmu said. people skilled and several Centre say, are related to land The latest addition to the tioning of the Examination Department. Several PNS changes are taking place in the disputes, anomalies in pay- already successful initiative is State. Minister CP Singh, Louis ment of pensions, compensa- the Mukhya Mantri Jan Marandi, MP Ram Tahal tion for people killed in Left Samwad Kendra (MJSK) App, Chaudhary, Development Wing Extremist (LWE) inci- which is available for free Commissioner DK Tiwari, dents and domestic disputes. download on the official web- Secretaries Rahul Sharma, As per figures mentioned site of Jan Samvad Centre. Himani Pandey, JICA Chief in the official website of CM’s Jharkhand residents can now # $' #! $$% ## &%#%$##!  Representative Katsuvo Jan Samwad Centre, it has reg- lodge their complaints through $' &%$ # % #D$''   $* Mattsumoto, PreJHA istered a total of 3,33,002 com- this App as well. #!#!$#4$' % ##5#$& #! Foundation Chairman M plaints and generated 2,92,270 There are a total of 2270 # % $$4!$*  A$# $%##!#! Mutthuraman, IFCA president grievances till date. Out of cases at Jan Samvad Centre that %%'#!% #4!$$&## #$' % ###$* manjeet Singh Gill, HDFC them a total of 2,63,525 were require a long term solution,  #!$% $##! $5 / %&!&4 Banl head Nusrat Pathan resolved with satisfactory com- while solution for around 3& !#3!4& 4A24  $!  4 alongwith others were present pliance. The success rate of the 36,396 cases is under process, 7& G $ 4  ' $ 4#!% #D$ $   on the occasion. platform is a whopping 90.16%, officials said. $4!$* %# $#/%#( )#%*+*,-.   7

*  -      4  $   %& -,1     Q,#  *  " R  P   >;$  New Delhi: The Supreme Court Friday dismissed the plea of a retired #$$$* $ $ *$  *   ++$ Army offi- cer chal- lenging the   On Friday, the briefing appoint- included the MEA's assess- ment of Dalbir Singh Suhag as n the backdrop of India's ment of the Pakistan Prime   ?3$0$  head of the Iairstrike at Balakot in Minister's tenure so far, the in 2012. Suhag had later suc- Pakistan harbouring Jaish-e- member said. ceeded General Bikram Singh Mohammed (JeM) “terror The foreign secretary also     +$ **$ as Army chief on July 31, 2014. camp”, the Parliamentary told the panel that an attempt Gen. Suhag retired on Standing Committee on by the Pakistan Air Force to December 31, 2016. External Affairs on Friday target military installations   whose MIG crashed after a "You will speak and we sought the Government to vig- in India was unsuccessful as it with Pakitani F-16 will listen without finding out     orously explain to the interna- was thwarted by the Indian tating that creating a situa- had parachuted in Pakistan your intentions," he said,     tional community reasons Air Force, which lost a jet in Stion for the return of Wing occupied Kashmir and taken in referring to Khan's comments New Delhi: The CBI has behind the Indian decision to the fight back. Commander Abhinandan custody by Pakistan authori- that he was ready for talks. begun investigation into a hit the terror site across the Another member said the Varthaman from Pakistan in ties. Later, Pakistan Prime In his brief reference to brutal attack on Binu Kuruvila, neighbouring country. foreign secretary detailed the such a short span of time was Minister Imran Khan the Pulwama incident in   who was contesting an elec- The members of the panel diplomatic measures that the a diplomatic victory, BJP pres- announced that the Indian which 40 CRPF personnel -   tion of the Christian organi- told foreign secretary Vijay ministry took right from the ident Amit Shah on Friday Airforce Pilot would be were killed in a terror attack, wo years after the term of  &  sation Kananaya Yakoba Gokhale, who debriefed them Pulwama attack to the ensu- slammed Pakistan Prime released as a 'goodwill gesture'. Khan had said on Wednesday, TNational Commission for    Sabha in Kerala, officials said here about the latest develop- ing air strike, and efforts, Minister Imran Khan for not India, though, held that it was "We know how the families of Other Backward Classes  9 -  Friday. The CBI has taken over ment in the Indo-Pak sphere, thereon, to seek out the inter- condemning the Pulwama ter- her diplomatic victory to have those killed in Pulwama inci- (NCBC) got over, the Central     investigation on the orders of that the Government should national community to brief ror attack and asked how India the pilot released from dent must have felt. We have Government has set up a new the Kerala High Court which vigorously publicise across the them about the impasse, in an can trust him. Pakistani custody. been the victims of war for commission appointing  "   found it necessary to rope in world the reasons behind New effort to isolate Pakistan glob- Speaking at the 'India At the convention, BJP decades." Bhagwan Lal Sahni, a BJP . ( the central agency for probing Delhi's move to target the ter- ally. Today Conclave' here, Shah president slammed Pakistan Shah said it may be pos- leader from Bihar's the attack which took place on ror camp, a member later said. Foreign Secretary said, "The air-strikes after the Prime Minister for not con- sible that Khan is not in con- Muzaffarpur, as its new chair- April 7, 2018. Gokhale gave details on the Gokhale assured the commit- Pulwama terror attack has demning the Pulwama terror trol, but he should have at man. Shahni assumed charge Centre to make public the fast-paced development after tee that diplomatic overtures now isolated Pakistan global- attack and asked how India can least paid a "lip service" and on Friday. findings of the caste census O 8 :8  the February 14 Pulwama ter- to the international commu- ly, this is a victory of our trust him. condemned the attack. BJP leader and former and implement reservation     ror attack by the JeM in which nity were still underway. diplomacy. Creating situation Shah said the Modi Putting the UPA Varanasi mayor Kaushalendra accordingly. The bill was New Delhi: With Maha 40 CRPF personnel were killed He also informed the for the return of pilot Government has been able to Government in the dock for Singh Patel, BJP national sec- passed by the Lok Sabha on Shivratri scheduled on and also received suggestions members on how India got the Abhinandan in such a short create "fear" among those not giving a befitting reply to retary and former MP Sudha August 2, 2018 superseding Monday, a movie titled 'God from the Standing committee support of the members of span of time is our diplomat- behind terrorism with its the enemy after the Mumbai Yadav from Haryana, and the amendments earlier car- of Gods', produced by films members. Organisation of Islamic ic victory". actions against Pakistan-based terror attack in 2008, he said Telangana BJP general secre- ried out by the Rajya Sabha. division of Brahma Kumaris, The panel told the foreign Cooperation (OIC) on the The two neighbouring terrorists, and asserted a mes- the Modi Government has tary Achary Talloju have been The NCBC, which until was held at national Capital on secretary that the Government issue. countries came on the verge of sage has gone that India is no been the best dispensation appointed as members of the now only had only a recom- Thursday. The one and half should highlight the impact of India, on Friday, for the war with each other after a longer ruled by a dispensation since Independence in commission. President Ram mendatory role on the issue of hour film is based on unique the air strike and the infor- first time, addressed the OIC human bomb trained by that was at the helm between responding to terrorism. Nath Kovind approved their inclusion or exclusion of a theme of "God's love and mation about the extent of meeting in Abu Dhabi where Pakistan based terror outfit 2004-14, referring to the "We have a policy of zero names on Thursday. community in the Central list journey towards country's damage, including casualties, External Affairs Minister Jesh-e-Mohammad (JeM) Congress-led UPA. tolerance against terrorism Sahni, who belongs to of OBCs, will now have all love" and basic fundamental suffered by the JeM. This will Sushma Swaraj is a guest of killed over 40 CRPF personnel Asked about Khan's offer and the Modi Government Nishad community, had con- powers of a civil court when it values. ensure that no international honour. and India on Tuesday crossing for talks with India, the BJP has the will to implement it on tested Lok Sabha polls against comes to handling complaints agency questions the impact Pakistan has boycotted Pakistan airspace and hitting chief said, "He does not have ground. Whenever we are former Defence Minister and welfare measures for 9 88  of the strike, a member of the the plenary session of the JeM terror camp at Balakot in two words of condemnation attacked, we will give a befit- George Fernandes on socially and educationally   ; 8  committee, said Gokhale, who OIC meet to protest India's Pakistan. that the incident (Pulwama ting reply. Enemies will now Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) backward classes. Until now, New Delhi: A fresh petition was assisted by officials of the participation there. In the ensuing air skir- attack) was wrong. He should think ten times before doing ticket in 2004. He has close the NCSC, which handles such has been filed in the Supreme Ministry of External Affairs One of the parliamentary mishes following days Wing condemn it. How can we trust something," the BJP chief links with the Rashtriya cases with regards to Dalits, Court seeking direction to (MEA), informed the panel's panel's members also said this Commander Abhinandan you? What are you talking?" said. Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS). was also in charge of looking the authorities not to evict any members about the air strike when a slew of questions were The NCBC was given con- into similar complaints of forest dweller and setting up of on the JeM terror camp in asked to the foreign secretary The panel raised some in the meeting Friday. Tharoor, Arka Keshari Deo, stitutional status by Parliament rights violations of people an SIT to look into illegal Pakistan and also about the about the anti-terror strikes queries about the assessment The purpose of the meet- Prof Richard Hay, Jagdambika last year, after repealing the belonging to backward class- acquisition of tribal land in the retaliation by the western against Pakistan. Gokhale was of damage caused by the air ing, described as good and Pal, Magannti Venakateshwara National Commission for es. country. neighbour, a source said. "cautious" about answering strike, but Gokhale informed constructive, was part of "par- Rao, Mohammad Salim, P Backward Classes Act, 1993. The term of the last NCBC Foreign ministry officials them, taking the stand that he that the Defence Ministry was liamentary accountability" and Bhattacharya, Sambhaji The Constitution (123rd chairperson, Justice V    ;8 had briefed the panel earlier in could not reveal much because better equipped to answer. the MEA gave a briefing in this Chhatrapati, Swapan Amendment) Bill, 2017 was Eswaraiah (retd), got over in    October when Imran Khan of the "sensitive nature" of the Congress president Rahul regard, a member said. Dasgupta, Chunibhai passed after heated exchanges September 2016, while that of New Delhi: The Supreme was elected Prime Minister of information and "national Gandhi is a member of the The meeting was attended Kanjibhai Gohel and Kumar in Parliament during which its last member expired by Court on Friday declined to Pakistan. security". committee but was not present by chairperson Shashi Ketkar. several members urged the February 2017. interfere with the Madras High Court order giving its nod to capture and put in cap- tivity a wild elephant, nick-  2 $  $ ++$ * named "Chinna Thambi", >$+$  *  # 2  which has been venturing into human habitats in Coimbatore , *$ +    , *$+ and neighbouring districts.   The senior BJP leader said PR." "I have a bad habit... I tell Difference of opinion can be that BJP would get absolute before 10 lakh Muslims that I there... It is our tradition. Atal nion Minister Nitin majority in the upcoming elec- am a pure RSS man vote me if Bihari Vajpayee, Jawaharlal New Delhi: The Supreme Deputy Commissioner of today that she has been assault- Police Station, New Delhi. She UGadkari on Friday said he tions and the country would go you want otherwise do not Nehru and even Modiji wel- Court Friday asked a woman Police, under whose jurisdic- ed by some policemen outside may also seek police protection is not in the race for the post ahead on the path of develop- regret. I have the conviction to comes the opposition party." lawyer, who was allegedly tion the Tilak Marg police sta- the High Court of Delhi last since she apprehends danger to of Prime Minister and termed ment under Prime Minister say this. I am not a calculated Talking about the 'Clean assaulted by some cops outside tion falls, with her complaint night. "It would be appropriate her life," the Bench noted in its himself as a "pure RSS" man for Narendra Modi while "we are politician. I am a good BJP Ganga' project, Gadkari said, the Delhi High Court premis- for registration of the FIR and if petitioner-in-person, files an order. whom the nation is supreme. standing behind him." worker. Country is supreme for "The flow of water in the es last night, to approach a seeking protection. First Information Report (FIR) The apex court also At the same time, he also Reacting to speculations me. I work for it. It should be Ganga has increased under senior officer of Delhi Police for "Advocate, who is appear- to that effect in the Office of allowed the lawyer to file inter- showcased the work done by that in case of a fractured happy, prosperous, strong and the Modi Government. In 13 lodging an FIR in the incident. ing as the petitioner-in-person appropriate Deputy locutory application for direc- his Ministry including the pro- mandate, Gadkari would be become world's economic months from now, river Ganga A Bench comprising in these writ petitions, has Commissioner of Police who is tions in the main petitions. jects with Delhi Government, the BJP's consensus Prime power," Gadkari said. will be cleaner." Gadkari also Justices S A Bobde and Deepak mentioned before this court in-charge of the Tilak Marg which has been at severe odds Minister candidate, and said it "I have come as a sup- clarified his controversial Gupta took note of the sub- with the Centre. is like "Mungeri Lal Ke Haseen porter in this work and will do where-are-the-jobs statement, missions of the woman advo- "I am not in the race to be Sapne" (day dreaming). whatever work is assigned to saying he was misquoted by cate, who has also filed a sex-   - the Prime Minister. PM Modi Asserting that "I am not a cal- me for the country," he reiter- the media as he meant "jobs ual harassment case against an is the PM and will be the PM culated politician", Gadkari ated. In reply to a query as to have lessened after computer- eminent jurist, that she was even after the elections. I am said BJP would return to power why he was favourite among isation". brutally assaulted by two an RSS man, service to the with absolute majority and the opposition leaders, On projects with Delhi policemen near the high court. *+$$+ 2+$ nation is my duty. We are all added that this time he was Gadkari said he was a worka- Government, he said in 13 pro- She also alleged that her mobile behind him [PM Modi]. I am going to get 5 lakh votes holic and believes in hard- jects work was on worth 4,500 phone, by which she was film- another worker in the fulfil- against 3.5 lakh in the last elec- work. crore besides the work on ing the cops, was snatched by      ment of his vision. Where tions. Asked whether he believed Yamuna, Ramnadi, Kali Ganga them. "You go to the police sta- does the question of me being He said he spoke whatev- in "Congress mukt Bharat", he and 40 tributaries. On ethanol, tion. This is not the police sta- a PM arise?" Gadkari said in a er he felt from within and said the ideologies of both the he said that the plans were to tion,"the bench said. Later, the New Delhi: The Centre Friday (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi was of the agencies specified in the reply to a query at the India added "Neither I dream it, nor parties are different and "we take 11,000 crore ethanol bench asked the woman lawyer told the Supreme Court that its unavailable due to sudden order, the order not only Today conclave on Friday. there is any liaisoning, nor any are not enemies of each other. economy to 2 lakh crore. to approach the office of the order allowing agencies to demise of his relative and streamlines but restricts the use intercept, monitor and decrypt Delhi HC judge Justice Valkimi of the Act and confines it to the computer systems of the citi- Mehta. cases of legitimate state inter-    &    zens was passed keeping in "There is no blanket per- est," it said. mind "legitimate State interest" mission to any agency for The order was intended "to ; $   ? and threats like "terrorism" interception or monitoring or prevent unauthorised use of      and it did not violate the right decryption as the authorised these powers by any agency, to privacy. agencies still require permis- individual or intermediary and The Ministry of Home sion of the Union Home to ensure that right to privacy *  $ $ *$ +$+$  ' !     Affairs (MHA), in its affidavit Secretary in each case as per of law abiding citizens is not filed with the apex court reg- due process of law and justifi- violated by any agency, inter- istry, sought dismissal of the cation for interception or mon- mediary or person", it said.   of  553 crore to 1,054 crore for %      New Delhi: The Supreme od of time. PILs challenging its December itoring or decryption," Satinder The Centre said records one year.        Court on Friday came down The top court was dealing 20, 2018 notification authoris- Bhalla, Director in MHA, said pertaining to directions for n a major decision to "Surplus production is also  4   heavily on the Haryana with a matter in which it had ear- ing 10 central agencies to inter- in the affidavit. interception and of the inter- Iimprove liquidity position estimated in the current sugar     Government for passing lier directed demolition of illegal cept, monitor and decrypt The Centre said the use of cepted messages would be of sugar mills and to help the season 2018-19 which has affect- amendments to an Act which constructions in forest area of computer systems saying that the power to intercept, con- destroyed every six months    sugar industry clear its cane ed the liquidity position of sugar allows construction in Aravalli Aravalli hills in Haryana. these would be done by "an templated under the law, has unless they were required. dues arrears to farmers, the mills resulting in building up of       hills, saying the step will "You are not supreme and authorised agency". brought several results in larg- It said the 10 agencies Centre has approved the pro- cane price arrears of farmers      destroy the forest and this can- supreme is the rule of law," the "The grave threats to the er national interest in pre- have been asked to seek prior posal to provide soft loans to which has reached to the level of    not be permitted. bench told the counsel appearing country from terrorism, radi- venting terrorism, drug traf- approval of the Union Home   the extent of 7,900-10540 20,159 crore as on February 22,   7    A bench of Justices Arun for Haryana and asked the state calisation, cross border ter- ficking and intercepting and Secretary in each case of "inter- crore to the sugar industry. 2019," the statement said. To Mishra and Deepak Gupta not to take any action on the law rorism, cyber crime, organised busting narcotic drugs racket. ception or monitoring or Government will bear the ensure that farmers are paid their      asked the State not to take any allowing constructions in Aravalli crime, drug cartels cannot be "What has been done decryption". interest subvention cost @ 7- dues expeditiously, the Centre     further action on the law and area."It is really shocking. You are understated or ignored and a under the December 20, 2018, Such interception should 10% to the extent of 553 has asked banks to seek bank :;<:=  termed it "shocking" that the destroying the forest...It is not strong and robust mechanism order was in fact restricting be "restricted strictly for the crore to 1,054 crore for one account details of cane growers    Haryana government has taken permissible," the court said, for timely and speedy collec- the exercise of powers, remov- purposes in the interests of year. from mill owners, so that this step despite being told adding that "it is sheer con- tion of actionable intelligence ing a possible vagueness and the sovereignty or integrity of Sugar cane arrears to farm- amount is paid directly to farm- earlier by the apex court not to tempt".The bench observed it including signal intelligence, is specifying the agencies/organ- India, defence of India, secu- ers have crossed 20,000 crore in ers. is estimated to decline to 307 do so. had earlier asked Haryana not to imperative to counter threats isations who only would have rity of the State, friendly rela- the current marketing year 2018- "In order to incentivise the lakh tonnes in the 2018-19 mar- On February 27, the allow any construction in forest to national security. the powers to utilise the pow- tions with foreign states or 19 (October-September). mills to clear their dues, CCEA keting year (October-September) Haryana Assembly had passed area of Aravalli, but despite that "This is undeniably legiti- ers of section 69 of the public order, or for prevent- "To help the sugar industry has also decided that the from record 325 lakh tonnes in amendments to an Act, open- the State went ahead with it. mate state interest. It is there- Information Technology Act," ing incitement to the com- clear its cane dues arrears, the approved soft loans will be pro- the previous year, the output will ing up thousands of acres of The amendments to the act fore imperative that the request the Centre said. mission of any cognisable Cabinet Committee on vided to those units which have be much higher than annual land to real estate and other were passed by the state assem- for lawful interception or mon- It said the question as to offence relating to above or Economic Affairs (CCEA) already cleared at least 25 per domestic consumption of 260 non-forest activity that were bly amid vociferous protests and itoring must be dealt with by which government agency can for investigation of any chaired by Prime Minister today cent of their outstanding dues in lakh tonnes. Moreover, mills protected under it for over a walkout by opposition parties. the executive authority to be authorised to exercise the offence", it said. approved the proposal to provide the sugar season 2018-19," the had an opening stock of about century. The Punjab Land maintain speed and prompti- power under the IT Act was It has been emphasised to soft loans to the extent of about statement said. 100 lakh tonnes of stock from Chief Minister M L Khattar Preservation Act was enacted by tude in taking decisions," the never defined till December the agencies concerned that 7,900-10,540 crore to the sugar The decision to provide soft previous year's production. had said the Punjab Land then Punjab Government in 1900 MHA said defending its order. 20, 2018 and now, only 10 strict adherence to legal pro- industry," an official statement loans comes a fortnight after the In last one-and-a-half years, Preservation (Haryana and it provided for conservation The apex court, which on agencies have been authorised visions must be ensured and said. Centre raised benchmark selling the Central Government has Amendment) Bill, 2019, was of subsoil water and prevention January 14 had issued notice to to exercise powers which are every such case of intercep- The Centre will bear the price of sugar at factory gate by taken a number of measures to the "need of the hour", adding of erosion in areas found to be the Centre on PILs, could not subject to approval of the com- tion is placed before the interest subvention cost at the 2 to 31 per kg. bail out sugar mills as well as that it was a "very old" act and subject to erosion or likely to hear them today as the Chief petent authority. Review Committee to review rate of 7-10 per cent to the extent Although sugar production cane farmers. much has changed over a peri- become liable to erosion. PTI Justice of India "Considering the nature such cases, it said. %# $#/%#( )#%*+*,-.   >

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-    "     Visakhapatnam: Firing fresh       “chowkidar chor bhi darpok bi salvo at the Opposition, Prime hain” ( Chowkidar is not mere-      Dhanushkodi which was Minister Narendra Modi ongress president Rahul ly a thief but a coward)  2  washed away by the tidal waves accused them of indulging in CGandhi on Friday sought At his earlier rally at Dhule, in 1964. The 208 crore project petty politics that is benefiting to bring the various scams Gandhi went hammers and hile the world is respect- once completed would ring the enemy and said their only involving the NDA tongs at Modi over the Rafale Wing and saluting our back the moments of the Boat agenda was to “remove Modi” Government back into the Lok issue and demanded to know as armed forces for the exemplary Mail which connected India rather than focusing on the Sabha poll agenda, by daring to why the Hindustan style in which they neutralised with Sri Lanka by rail till the country’s growth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Aeronautics Limited (HAL), terrorists and terrorism, some early 1960s.   >  $ + 2  +$ $  * $ “It is the country’s misfor- for a public debate with him on which had experiences of fight- section in India are doubting The Prime Minister also  $ $+ +$!*  $  + 2    +$    tune during this time when the the issue of corruption. er aircraft for 70 years and our armed forces and spreading flagged off the Tejas Express 5  2 $(  - whole world is seeking ansew- Addressing back-to-back made aircraft like like Mirage, lies about them, charged Prime connecting Madurai with ers from Pakistan, some in public rallies at Dhule in north Sukhoi and Jaguar, was denied Minister Narendra Modi on Chennai. The train built at crowd which had gathered to which was appreciated by the India are giving statements Maharashtra and in Mumbai, ka mamle pe aap aake mera the Rafale contract. He said that Friday. “The Parliament and the Integral Coach Factory at hear him despite the scorching people. The Prime Minister that will weaken the morale of Gandhi castigated Modi for saath baat karo. Inko samne the Government had no Radio in Pakistan are echoing Perambur as part of the Make sun, Prime Minister Modi paid devoted most of his speech to the country’s security forces,” “politicising” the ongoing con- khada kardo nahi tho mera answers for the specific ques- the words spoken by some of in India programme would rich tributes to AIADMK the development works and Modi said, addressing a rally flict with Pakistan, for his nahi tho do minute debate kardo tions raised by him in the political party leaders in cover the distance between the leader and former Chief people friendly measures organised by the BJP here. “miserable failure” to create do minute. Hindustan se bagna Parliament and outside. India questioning our defence two cities in six hours and thir- Minister J Jayalalithaa . “People launched and executed by his “They should introspect jobs and for handing out a na pad jay mai deklunga ( I am “Did Anil Ambani make forces. This is unfortunate,” ty minutes, a journey which in Tamil Nadu would remem- Government during the last five what they are talking that is measly cash assistance of Rs 17 challenging Narendra Modi. Mirages or Sukhois?. For 70 said the Prime Minister while used to take nine hours. ber her for her great develop- years. He listed the Ayushman being lauded in Pakistan a day per farmer family under Let him debate with me on the years HAL has been making addressing a public meeting The Prime Minister dedi- ment vision . I am also happy Bharat scheme, the world’s Parliament and used to target the PM Kisan scheme. issue of corruption. Let me him planes. Anil Ambani cannot held at Vivekananda College in cated to the nation a stretch of to be in Tamil Nadu, the home largest health programme for India,” he said in an apparent Taking Modi head on the stand in front of me stand even make paper planes,” Kanyakumari on Friday. the four-lane Madura- state of India’s first woman the common man, and the reference to ongoing tensions issue of corruption at a large pub- beside me and debate with me Gandhi said. The Prime Minister laid the Ramanathapuram NH 87, a Defence Minister Nirmala Prime Minister’s Kissan between the two countries fol- lic rally held at MMRDA ground, on corruption for two minutes. Dubbing demonetisation as foundation stone for the flyover and also the four-lane Sitaraman and the home of Samman Nidhi which enabled lowing the February 26 air Gandhi had a caustic dig at the I will see how he will not run a big failure, Gandhi said: “You restoration of the 17.2 km long highway between Panagudi and Wing Commander farmers owning up to five acres strikes by the Prime Minister for his failure to away from the country). stood in a queue outside banks... rail connectivity between Kanyakumari. Abhinandan, the national of farm land would be eligible and Pakistan capturing an IAF address even one press confer- Responding a shout from a Did Anil Ambani, Nirav Modi, Rameswaram and Addressing the mammoth hero,” said the Prime Minister to get 6,000 per year. pilot the next day. PTI ence during the course of his five member in the audience “Chor Mehul Choksi, Lalit Modi, Vijay year tenure and said: “I regular- bhag jayega” shout, Gandhi Mallya stand in queues...while ly address press conferences.... said, “Darpok hain. Khada nahi you were standing in queues Aap kabi desh ka chowkidar ko ho pata hain (He is scared. He outside banks, they were busy "   '    press ke saamne dekha hain? can’t stand before me). ... Kaisa making their black money into Inko 15 minute dedo, Mera aasakta hain. Wo nahi aayega white on the rear side of the       saamne bithado. Dudh ka dudh (How will he come to debate banks,” he said. pani pani kardenge (Have you with me? He will never come). “Modi ji said (before 2014 engal Chief Minister Mamata ever seen the country’s chowki- Gandhi, who began his elections)...do not make me BBanerjee on Friday extended her dar address the media?. Make 25-minute speech after con- Prime Minister, make me “welcome” greetings to fighter pilot him sit in front of me 15 minutes, ceding to a request from the ‘chowkidar’....and once he Abhinandan Varthaman even as the I will call his bluff)”. audiences to indulge his sup- becomes PM, he puts 30,000 country celebrated his glorious return “Mai Narendra Modi ko porters with “chowkidar chor crore in pocket of Anil to India after two days’ captivity in challenge deta hun. Brashtachar hain” sloganeering, said that Ambani,” Gandhi said.. Pakistan where his fighter aircraft Mig 21 Bison had crashed after shooting down a much superior enemy jet F-16 the eastern mountains could be moved that had intruded into the India terri- to a designated point in the eastern tory in Jammu & Kashmir. mountains within an hour from Banerjee who had on Thursday Panagarh. expressed concern about the brave Earlier, Lieutenant General MN fighter’s wellbeing, while during Naravane, the GOC-in-C Eastern Pakistani custody on Friday tweeted, Command had visited Panagarh and “welcome back Abhinandan met with Brahmastra Corps com- Varthaman.” manding officer Lt General PN Rao. Meanwhile, in a move to secure the “Eastern Command Army com- in the eastern mander visited Panagarh Military Himalayas the had decid- Station on Wednesday. He was received ed to move the XVII Mountain Strike by Lieutenant General PN Rao, GOC, Corps to its designated headquarters at Brahmastra Corps. The Corps which Panagarh in Bengal from where it can was raised at Ranchi will shortly be be quickly airlifted to selected regions shifting to Panagarh. up in the mountains. “The Army Commander reviewed The move comes against the war- the security situation and operational like situation between India and preparedness of the formation. He Pakistan, sources said adding the XVII emphasised on the need for remaining ;   > 5   $$2  $3 ! 5  @::A  * ; *  $*=- $$2 Mountain Corps also known as the ready at all times to meet the emerging O4B  P  *$*$$A@+$  *   $ $    *    $ $ Bramhastra Corps which was raised in security challenges,” said a statement +     =) $** $,#.- /$23 !*+ * $   * 5  January 2014 for specialized actions in from the Eastern Command. * $  1  #$+    $+  $+ $$ -R   ! #$   $$2$9  *     !    ailway Minister Piyush    /  RGoyal on Friday released a booklet on the five-year achievements of the ministries under his charge. Highlighting "  " "  the achievements and initia- tives of the Ministry of Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Railways, he said it made safe- Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to Prime ty the foremost priority and Minister Narendra Modi, urging him not to achieved its best ever safety hand over the international airport here to a pri- record in 2018-19. vate entity. Goyal said, “There has $ $3    $  #$   $3  ;$ 15<   * $   The Adani Enterprises Ltd had emerged as been 81per cent drop in num-  !  .4/   * $ $$2$9<  *       $3    $   >,  the highest bidder for managing, operating and ber of deaths from 152 in $(  3 ! , $ developing six airports of Airports Authority of 2013-14 to 29 up to January 31, India, including that in Thiruvananthapuram, 2019. This is a result of holis- Baat show for taking up further Goyal said that aspirations will benefit about 15 lakh com- which are to be privatised. tic efforts taken by the ministry developmental projects. of the people of North East muters. In a letter to the PM, Vijayan demanded the including eliminating He added there has been a were fulfilled with completion “Mumbai Suburban airport’s operation be handed over to ‘Unmanned Level Crossings’ quantum leap in capital expen- of 4.94 Kms long Bogibeel Systems is also being mod- Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Ltd (UMLCs) on Broad Gauge net- diture. Total capital expenditure Bridge, longest rail-cum-road ernised with ongoing projects (TIAL) floated by the Government-run Kerala work. Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha between 2014-19 is 5.1 lakh bridge in India. Now, journey worth more than 70,000 Cr, State Industrial Development Corporation. The Kosh (RRSK) fund of 1 lakh crore which is more than dou- from Itanagar to Dibrugarh is which will benefit about 75 interests of the Centre and the State will be pro- crore has been created for safe- ble of total expenditure during only 180 Kms, reducing the lakh commuters,” he said. tected by this move, and with State backing it ty expenditure”. 2009-14, he said. travel time from 24 hours to Talking about Vande will also pave way for airport’s development, he Goyal reiterated that the “The Railways is connecting only 5 hours. Bharat Express, he said “India’s said. There is lot of opposition from the public focused approach of the India at a faster pace with a 59 Commuter travel in urban first high-tech, energy-effi- to the handing over of the airport’s functioning Government in last five years per cent increase in the average India has been given suffi- cient, self-propelled train is a to a private entity, he said, adding that the same has materialised various projects pace of commissioning New cient attention. Bangalore prime example of the success of company has got the bids for all six airports in for the benefit of the nation and Line / Doubling / 3rd and 4th Suburban System is being Make in India movement. This the country. About 23.57 acres of land was given people. He urged the people of line projects from 4.1 km during developed with ongoing pro- train will be proliferated across for free to the airport for developing it in 2005 the country to put their sug- 2009-14 per day to 6.53 km per jects worth more than 15,700 India and also exported glob- on the condition that the cost of the land would gestions in the popular Mann Ki day during 2014-18,” he added. Crore, he said adding that this ally, he said. be converted to Government equity if a com- pany was formed to manage it, he said. PTI - &&     "   8<  ##   3   &  Mathura: The mortal remains of an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer, who was killed in a heli- copter crash in Jammu & Kashmir’s Budgam district, were consigned to the flames in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district on Friday. The body of IAF officer Pankaj Nauhar was taken to the residence of his father, retired Subedar Major Nobat Singh, in Mathura town, said District Magistrate Sarvagya Ram Mishra. He was taken to his native village in Mant area for cremation. Rudra, the 16-month-old son of Pankaj, lit the pyre with family members beside him. A massive crowed gathered at the funeral amid chanting of slogans. UP Minister Laxmi Narain Chaudhary, Mathura MP Hema Malini, RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary were among those present. The widow of Nauhar was given a cheque of Rs 25 lakh by Uttar Pradesh Minister Laxmi Narain Chaudhary on behalf of the State Government. A cheque of Rs 5 lakh was also given by the Minister to the IAF officer’s father. The Minister said a member of Nauhar’s family would be given a Government job also and land. PTI %# $#/%#( )#%*+*,-.   ? = R    >  *$+ &  3 $+   C    Shillong: A team of rescuers back on Saturday, the opera- relatives from Lumthari vil- from the Navy And Army on tions spokesperson said, adding lage, Susngi said. The highly Friday announced to leave the the Army will also pack up and decomposed body was identi-   3 operation site in Meghalaya's leave on receiving a direction fied by his family members East Jaintia Hills district after 60 from the higher authority. from the clothes he wore, he days of searching the 15 min- The Navy and Army per- said.      Acting on inputs received ers trapped in a 370 feet-deep sonnel along with rescuers of The companies involved that a group of Bangladeshis illegal coal mine. the NDRF had so far detected in discharging water from the Q   2 had crossed over, the BSF team The Navy and the Army five bodies deep inside the mines, including the Coal India deployed at Kaithakona carried informed local authorities mine and retrieved two of Ltd, Kirloskar Brothers Ltd and Shillong: Eight Bangladeshi out intensive search, frisking about their decision to pack up them, officials said. KSB dewatered over 1 crore women and a man, who ille- and checking of vehicular and leave the operation on The Navy arrived at the litres every day, he said. gally crossed the border, were movement along the border, a direction from their higher-ups, accident site at Ksan area of The operation to rescue the arrested by BSF personnel in BSF spokesperson said. operations spokesperson R Lumthari village on December miners is one of the longest in Meghalaya's South West Khasi In the process, the Susngi said. 31 last and lately operated their the country and involved mul- Hills district, officials said on Bangladesh nationals — one However, the National underwater remotely operated tiple agencies, including the Friday. male and eight females — en- Disaster Response Force vehicle (ROV) to search the Navy, Army, NDRF among The Bangladeshis, who route to the Khanjoy market (NDRF), which has been holes 24/7. others. were caught on February 25, were apprehended, he said. engaged in the rescue operation The district authority con- The family members of were handed over to the Vegetables and fishes since the day of the tragedy on gratulated and saluted the each of the 15 miners have been authorities of the neighbouring seized from them were hand- December 13 last, will contin- efforts, dedication and the given 1 lakh interim relief each country by the Border Security ed over to the Border Guards ue with their services. tremendous contribution of by the district authorities. Force as a goodwill gesture the Bangladesh (BGB) with the "There is no instruction for the agencies in the two month- The mine disaster had next day, they said. persons, the official said. us to wind up the operation and long rescue operation for the shocked the nation. Media The illegal immigrants had The BSF personnel we will continue with our trapped miners at Ksan. reports highlighted the cash- crossed the International requested the BGB to press work," Santosh Singh, Assistant District Deputy rich illegal coal mining in East Border on Monday through an charges against them for cross- Commandant of Guwahati- Commissioner F M Dopth also Jaintia Hills district of unfenced area to visit a week- ing the International Border based NDRF team, told PTI conveyed his deepest gratitude. Meghalaya in violation of a ban ly market, which is about 30 without valid documents, he Friday from the site. On Thursday, the second imposed by the National Green km away, the BSF said. said. PTI The Navy will be going body was handed over to the Tribunal in 2014. PTI ;   $2 $ -  $ +* +  $$+ * 0 + - +;$   $(  - -        $ + '9: *+$!* ,* *$  & *" (  !    3- *  ?$$  C  $ $ *   )# Nagaon: Assam Chief Minister under AMRUT would benefit state by Union Minister for **   Sarbananda Sonowal on Friday 28,000 families of Nagaon Petroleum and Natural Gas, Panaji: The ruling BJP Friday due to the ongoing tension on said the State Government has town, Sonowal said. Dharmendra Pradhan, in     D5 Kota (R'than): Two gangs of rejected the Congress's demand the Indo-Pak border. undertaken implementation of He also came down heav- Guwahati, Sonowal said. alleged motorcycle thieves were to cancel carnival festivities in Addressing a press confer- infrastructure development, ily against the opposition He also said that the Union busted and five people arrest- Goa in the wake of the prevail- ence here, Power Minister and water supply and beautification Congress "for its 55 years of Cabinet gave its approval for Srinagar: PDP president said in a tweet. ed in Rajasthan's Bundi district ing tension between India and Goa BJPspokesman Nilesh projects to the tune of 650 misgovernance in the state". construction of a new bridge Mehbooba Mufti on Friday The Centre Thursday on Friday, police said. Pakistan, saying the country is Cabral said the country is not crore in Guwahati, Nagaon, A large number of projects over river Brahmaputra for condemned the Centre's deci- banned the Jamaat-e-Islami Acting on a tip-off about not in a state of war. in a state of war to cancel an Dibrugarh and Silchar. are being implemented for connecting Dhubri with sion to ban the Jamaat-e-Islami Jammu & Kashmir for five some suspected youths in Goa Carnival is one of the event like carnival. "We are not The projects are part of improving infrastructure and Phulbari, with a budget outlay Jammu & Kashmir, saying it years under anti-terror law on search of customers to pur- most popular and much- await- in a state of war. If we were in Atal Mission for Rejuvenation beautification of all the 98 of 5,000 crore. was another example of "mus- grounds that it was "in close chase motorbikes, the police ed annual cultural festivals in a state of war then it (the and Urban Transformation towns of the state, he said. "It is a strong testimony of cular approach" of the central touch" with militant outfits and carried out a raid in Dablana the coastal state. demand to cancel the event) (AMRUT), the Chief Minister Under the BJP-led govern- Prime Minister Narendra government to deal with a is expected to "escalate seces- area. This year, the four-day fes- could have been considered," said. ments at the Centre and state, Modi's unparallel commitment political issue of the state. sionist movement" in the state. Three persons — Harpreet tival, a huge tourist attraction Cabral said. "But now we(India) Sonowal said this while thrust has been given on imple- towards development of the "Democracy is a battle of A notification, banning the alias Siddhu (24), Mahavir marked by song, dance and dis- are in a commanding position. laying foundation stones for a mentation of development pro- State," he said. He observed ideas, crackdown followed by group under the Unlawful Mali (45) and Murlidhar Gujjar play of colourful floats, will The armed forces are properly water supply project, renova- jects, which has brought that financial allocation of 14 banning of Jammat Islami (JK) Activities (Prevention) Act, (35) — were arrested and six begin Saturday. looking after us," he said, tion work of three recreation- remarkable transformation in lakh crore in the Budget last is condemnable, another exam- was issued by the Union motorbikes were recovered, Goa Pradesh Congress adding festivities like the al parks and installation of the country in recent years, he year, for improving rural liveli- ple of high handedness and Ministry of Home Affairs after said Deputy Superintendent Committee president Girish Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj are high mast LED lights at said. As many as nine projects, hood and economy, has muscular approach of GOI to a high-level meeting on secu- of Police (DSP) Samandar Chodankar had demanded that still on and they should not be Nagaon town on Friday. to the tune of over 1,500 brought distinctive positive deal with political issue of rity, chaired by Prime Minister Champawat. PTI carnival festivities be cancelled stopped. PTI The development schemes crore, would be dedicated to the change in the villages. PTI J&k," the former chief minister Narendra Modi. PTI ' 2 &     <$*$+! + $          '     $      Ahmedabad: A young hus- February 24," Wadhwan police "However, when they did Hailakandi: Assam's Hailakandi tional allocation on the basis of band-wife duo allegedly inspector H R Jethi said. not return within the district has shot up to number the rankings, it said. jumped into a well at a village The deceased were iden- promised time, Kaliyabhai one from the 52nd position, "Aspirational district in Wadhwan taluka of tified as Nanka Sapania (20), launched a search and finally among the aspirational districts Hailakandi will be given an Surendranagar district along his wife Puniben (19) and found their bodies in the well of the country, a new report additional allocation of Rs 10 with their two-month-old their son Sahil, he said. today. Preliminary probe has released by the Niti Aayog said. crore for securing first rank," child, following which all Police investigation has revealed that the couple Hailakandi ranked first District Assistant Commissioner three died, police said on revealed that the deceased jumped into the well along among the 112 aspirational dis- Parikshit Phurkan said. Friday. were tribals and hailed from with their son after tying tricts of India on the basis of its During the June-October Although the incident Alirajpur district of Madhya themselves with a rope," Jethi performance during November- 2018 ranking, Hailakandi dis- came to light on Friday, police Pradesh. The couple had been said. December 2018 and January trict was placed at the bottom of suspect that the couple had working as farm labourers at He said that police were 2019, an official release said. the rung of aspirational districts, apparently jumped into the Baldana village for some time. trying to ascertain the reason Deputy commissioners of the release said. The then well a few days back. In his statement to police, behind their extreme step. the awarded districts have been Deputy Commissioner Adil "The bodies of the couple Nanka's father Kaliyabhai A case of accidental death invited to New Delhi on March Khan had said that proper sur- and their baby were recovered claimed that the couple had has been registered, the offi- 6 at a conference on Sustainable vey was not possible as most from a well near Baldana vil- left the farm on February 24 cer said adding that the case #     + $ $ *   5   @:8E    $  + $*  +  +  Development Goals (SDG), parts of the district were reeling lage in Wadhwan taluka today. saying that they would return will be investigated from all  + $ $ ++$ F::::+$+$ $*$  * +   !$(  - where they would receive addi- under floods in June. PTI They were missing since in some days. angles. PTI  !!    )5  )# '$'-"/   >   & #     !     "  Q   Srinagar: Former Jammu & ! R    Kashmir Minister and senior " R 6  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Qazi Kanyakumari (TN): Narendra in Jammu and Kashmir. Mohammad Afzal died due to Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP Modi has taken the "Narasimha The Deputy Chief Minister prolonged illness on Friday. president B S Yeddyurappa on avatar", Tamil Nadu Deputy praised Modi for his "strong He was 76. Friday urged the party workers Chief Minister O and steadfast leadership," in bat- "With heavy heart to live up to Prime Minister Panneerselvam said on Friday, tling external threats in a bold we announce the tragic Narendra Modi’s expectation of likening him to the incarnation and decisive manner without a demise of our Senior leader winning 300 seats in the com- of Lord Vishnu as he and Chief wink of sleep. & Ex-Cabinet Minister ing Lok Sabha elections by Minister K Palaniswami show- Such resolute steps were a Qazi Mohammed Afzal winning all the 28 seats from world. ered praise on the Prime warning signal to countries Sahab," the PDP announced the state alone. Hence, it was the respon- Minister for 'decimating' ter- that supported terrorism, he on Twitter. “We have to live up to the sibility of all the party workers rorists in Pakistan in air strikes. noted. Afzal was admitted at the expectation of Modiji by win- to put in all their efforts to Panneerselvam said Modi Speaking after his deputy, SKIMS hospital here, where ning more than 300 seats and make him the prime minister did not buckle under the threat Palaniswami hailed Modi for   $  + $  $  $   2     $$*  *$(  - he breathed his last at around hence, we have to win all the 28 again, he added. of terrorism and instead had bold and decisive measures to 8.00 pm, doctors said. seats in Karnataka. “Prime Minister Modi did taken the "Narasimha avatar", a root out terrorism. Afzal shot to fame after he This is the responsibility we not take rest for even a single reference to Hindu faith in "On behalf of the people of ;3  defeated then National have,” said Yeddyurappa in his day in the last four and half which Lord Vishnu takes the Tamil Nadu, I thank the Prime &   34 Conference president Omar address to the ‘pramukhs’ years. You have noticed that he ferocious incarnation in the Minister for the bold and deci- Abdullah from Ganderbal (heads) of 10 Shakti Kendras in is toiling hard to make India form of human body with the sive measures to root out ter-    & assembly segment in the 2002 the run-up to the parliamen- and the party stronger,” head of a lion to destroy demon rorism, which is threatening the       assembly elections. tary polls. Yeddyurappa told the party king Hiranyakasibu. world and the successful air  "His contributions He also asked the party workers. "Without buckling under strike to decimate the terrorist towards the party & the peo- cadres to serve as full-time Hailing MiG-21 pilot the threat of terrorism of the camps." ple of this state have been workers just as Modi has been Abhinandan Varthaman who neighbouring country, Modi "Entire country and Tamil   Mumbai: Akil Lakdawala, immense. We pray for eternal doing ever since he assumed displayed extraordinary val- took Narasimha avatar and Nadu stands behind you," the brother of fugitive gangster Ejaz peace to his departed soul & office. our, Yeddyurappa said Pakistan decimated hundreds of terror- Chief Minister said referring to Jaipur: The Rajasthan con- mature and the hospital staff Lakdawala, has been arrested for strength to the bereaved fam- Giving a clarion call for agreed to release him following ists which the world lauded," he Modi. This is the first time, the sumer commission on Friday gave oxygen more than the pre- allegedly trying to extort money ily," the PDP said. “Mera Booth, Sabse Mazboot”, a warning by Modi to safely said at a function here where top two leaders of the AIADMK imposed a penalty of 48 lakh scribed limit, which contract- from a builder here, a senior Although he was a first- the party’s slogan to the grass- hand over him to India with- the Prime Minister dedicated to joined the Prime Minister in an on a private hospital after a ed the retina of the eyes and led police official said on Friday. time MLA, Afzal was given a roots level workers for aggres- out a delay for a second, or else the nation various highway official event after their party newborn had lost eyesight due to blindness. Family members Ejaz Lakdawala had been cabinet berth in the PDP- sive campaigning ahead of the they will face the consequences. and railway projects in Tamil inked a poll pact with BJP on to medical negligence. consulted other doctors but the calling several builders in the Congress coalition elections, Yeddyurappa said Yeddyurappa had come Nadu. Feb 19 for the coming Lok A bench of Kamal Kumar problem was declared untreat- western suburbs since December Government that was headed the election dates could be under fire Thursday for his He was referring to India's Sabha elections. Bagri and Meena Mehta gave able, a statement said. and demanding `protection by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. announced any time soon. statement that the IAF’s pre- February 26 pre-dawn air The Chief Minister also the order on a plea by Anup The bench found the hos- money', he said. On February 26, Afzal unsuccessfully con- He reminded Shakti emptive strike inside Pakistan strikes on a terror camp in thanked Modi for his effective Yadav against Sanjeevani pital guilty of negligence and a builder approached the anti- tested the 2008 and 2014 Kendra ‘pramukhs’ that the territory would help the party Pakistan days after the killing of diplomatic steps to bring back Hospital in Kotputli town — ordered the hospital manage- extortion cell of Mumbai Police assembly elections as a PDP prime minister had a vision to secure at least 22 out of 28 seats 40 CRPF jawans by a Jaish-e- Wing Commander Abhinandan around 110 km north of Jaipur. ment to pay 48 lakh as com- and lodged a complaint against candidate. PTI see India as a superpower in the in Karnataka. PTI Mohammed suicide bomber safely to India. PTI Yadav's son was born pre- pensation to the family. PTI the gangster. PTI %# $#/%#( )#%*+*,-.    ; 4% && 4" ' 5* %  9 !/  $# * % !!, .1 !  '   " -R   ' !         7'8     '     $           = :   O$ #$####!% $ # #% 3      $      (            ( !#!#!! #! #*.$$##&$##&    S        7          ,                (  $          >:          $ 7(?@    *%(A? 2              )     $    (           #         5  2  @49@4        (           he Punjab Land Preservation     #                  (Haryana Amendment) Act             (PLPA), passed recently by the     +              Haryana Legislative Assembly, has understandably alarmed those      "  #              whoT care for the ecology of the very large part            $    B    of the Aravalli hills that fall in Haryana. The            +        " ( PLPA was enacted in 1900 to “preserve” land in undivided Punjab by curbing activities like        >: )    P(   ( the felling of trees for timber, quarrying for  Q             +      rocks, agriculture, herding and other pastoral                      preoccupations on land notified under it. The Act disallowed all human activity that could                  $   affect the availability of sub-surface water, alter         + 2           the landscape, lead to biodiversity loss and          $    =    other unpredictable consequences. Section 3A of the amended Act states that               the provisions of the PLPA would not apply          +        to “the lands included in the final develop- $    (             ment plans, any other town improvement plans or schemes published under the pro-           + $=  $    visions of” Acts listed under the Section. The +             amended Act would throw open almost #          ;   + :   4;+:5 30,000 hectares of land to a wide range of activities, particularly construction and min-                       ing. The impact would be all the more dev- #   $               astating because its provisions would apply,  *  8    2 2       ;+: “except unless expressly provided,” retrospec- ence of all these species, partic- Air pollution has been iden- the environment and animal                tively from November 1, 1966, when Haryana ularly after the closure of mines. tified as the fifth biggest cause of habitats. The Uttarakhand came into being, and provide legal cover to They will now be forced out mortality in India. Further, Government’s decision to build   2        P         all activities, some of them subjects of law- again. according to studies, as many as a highway through the Corbett                   ( suits, which were clearly in violation of the There will be other conse- an estimated 10,000 people die National Park is an example. Its  Q       $ #     provisions of the Act prior to its amendment. quences. Construction and min- prematurely in Delhi every year construction and the plying of There arises here the question of the Kant ing activity in the Aravalli area as a result of air pollution, and vehicular traffic through it will      ;+:           E Enclave, a residential colony in Faridabad. The and the dust generated by it is residents could live for an addi- have disastrous consequences      $   )     )   Supreme Court had, in the matter of MC bound to increase air pollution    tional nine years if Delhi met for wildlife, particularly tigers.          ;+:   +     ( Mehta Vs Union of India & Others, ordered not only in the adjacent areas but 3L3* World Health Organisation’s air Another is the Maharashtra its demolition on September 11, 2018, on the even in Delhi, the national cap- quality standards. Government’s diversion last year  +        *      ( ground that it was built on forest land. The ital, where things are very grim 3   Concern over the alarming of 467.5 forest land in Yavatmal              2     case raised a critical issue — whether in the already and where the situation   : levels of air pollution in Delhi was district for a cement plant. F8 =  =      F2        $    State of Haryana, land notified under the pro- gets particularly bad in the peri- voiced by the Supreme Court, Further, its recommendation has visions of the Punjab Land Preservation Act, od between October and January  . 2   which on October 24, 2018, led to the clearance, in principle,     >:    2          ( 1900, was forest land or was it required to be every year. According to a expressed shock over the disap- of the grant of 87.98 hectares of  $         2   treated as forest land? The Supreme Court had research paper published by the .      pearance of 31 hills in the Aravalli land in Kondhali and      $           +    answered in the affirmative. Also, by an order Ministry of Earth Sciences in 3 range in Rajasthan and asked the Kalmeshwar ranges to an explo- on December 12, 1996, the Supreme Court October, 2018, 21 per cent of State Government to stop all ille- sives company in Chakdoh for                  2  S had directed that the Centre’s prior approval Delhi’s PM2.5 (particulate mat- : 2  3 gal mining in an area, measuring manufacturing defence prod- :  $        +       # was necessary for any non-forest activity with- ter smaller than 2.5 micron) air   115.34 hectares, within 48 hours. ucts. Worse, the land earmarked F8          :  $     P   in a “forest” and that any ongoing activity pollution is caused by the pres- The Bench of Justices Madan B being reportedly in the tiger without that must cease forthwith. ence of dust.   3 Lokur and Deepak Gupta corridor between Bor and                    One will have to watch how the imple- The result? The least serious /  referred to the huge amount the Melghat tiger reserves, the facto- Q   :   $  (     mentation of the amended Act proceeds in afflictions include breathless- Rajasthan Government was ry would prevent the move-        +S           the context of the various orders passed by ness, coughing, sneezing, con- 2   earning from mining activities in ment of tigers between the two. the country’s apex court and how it impacts striction inside the chest, allergy     3 the Aravalli, but said that This alarming tendency      F2      +      ( the suits being heard under the provisions of and aggravation of asthma. The notwithstanding this, it could not mentioned will cause irreparable      :S 7  * = 0    $ the PLPA. Meanwhile, one needs to point out serious illnesses include  .  4 endanger the lives of lakhs of damage to the country’s environ-  : P               that its impact on the environment in the areas ischaemic heart disease    people as the disappearance of ment unless reversed. That can around the Aravalli and Shivalik ranges, that (ischaemic stroke) and cere- the hills could be one of the rea- happen only if a strong resistance Q + +              fall within Haryana, will be devastating. These brovascular disease (haemor-  / 4  sons for the rise in the pollution is mounted. The sterling role                constitute a critical ecological and biodiver- rhagic stroke), chronic obstruc-  :3 . 2 level in Delhi-National Capital played by the judiciary, the sity zone that has nearly 400 species of plants tive pulmonary disease and res- Region. It directed Rajasthan’s protests against constructing the and is home to 200 species of native and piratory infections. Besides, a :    2 chief secretary to file an affidavit road through Corbett, and migratory birds. A huge part of the wildlife study by researchers at Columbia regarding compliance of its order Haryana’s PLPA amendment 1     habitat between Asola and Damdama could University’s Mailman School of within a week. Act, are heartening but the be destroyed, leading to the extinction of local Public Health shows that people The assault on the Aravalli in protests need to become much '  -*"  86  !    wildlife of which there is a variety — leop- living in areas with high pollution Haryana and Rajasthan under- larger for politicians to listen. ards, wolves, hyenas, jackals, porcupines, mon- levels are more likely to have lines the growing tendency to pri- (The writer is Consultant         $  R 9 goose, civets, jungle cats, rhesus macaque and bone fractures as a result of osteo- oritise development in terms of Editor, The Pioneer, and an so on. There has been an increase in the pres- porosis. industry and infrastructure over author)      * +S             )  , -    - 1 6 &  '% ,.-      %  /    !!$  $ O#$#! /! J$ ! K$  !$#%              ( /5$#$ '&  /5$#*$&*$ '#!# * ! $       0       & &# $*& %$8 &%$#* #!5#!# &##!###!#! %#!%#5$ #!$ !*   4   #!$!&$ #!!* #! 4!#5$           $ #'$$* &$!$ &* #!#!  : * 1    %    *    ,&% %8"%&& !    2   3   * <"$% (#& &-# $<<% #$ !#&8"%&& !%  %#-% K& K. #! K3!!!L& $! K3& 3                      #          (                     9      -  1  ,  %1                          #           %  2     itary action, had only targetted      terrorist training camps on # 4%2#5                  Pakistan’s soil. On February 27,           Sir — This refers to the editori- ! &#  $% $ '  Pakistani Air Force fighter planes +   %2#         R7#S ( al, “Encashing Pulwama” (March   ! . #!  /5$# crossed the and $ # '* #$$$$#%        $  *    *  ! #   1). Even as a war-like situation targetted four Indian military was developing with Pakistan, &##!$'!&# $#&  5A  58 establishments but missed the tar-  ,  *  %        +S  political parties in India lost no #! &!'' #$#8$##!# #$$ get. Pakistan has always been in         #  (* 8       opportunity to milk the issue for #!   $# #/5$#O$$ ' denial mode whenever it is  O                 ( electoral gains. The first in line ##* !%#& L   M #& #! O$ accused of turbo-charging terror- was the ruling BJP, which left no ##! ## 8!   '# OE!& $' ists. It has committed a blunder              $       7  stone unturned to exploit the %##4#!$$''!# % #*2$ by targetting Indian military :    + !              Pulwama attack and the counter ! !#$# #&  $##5#  8 establishments.   +         %   *   #   air strikes in Pakistan. It seemed $ &##!$#$ * MC Joshi to have taken all the credit for !5$##!$L%$#& 4M% #& #!%# Lucknow 8      (         ( every action taken in response to $ %#  /5$# /   !4 #$  $!&#'##5#! !#$* $   ,   !  *  8  ;    the attack. It is quite bizarre that ##!#&# $#!##* '#!$4 #! O$ $# 4#$%& #!''            #           ( even before the wounds of the 44 #!$ #%#! 4#$#$!#4' %8 '#5$   !#!&#%% # &8 jawans killed in the Pulwama 4!!$ ## #! * #$# !%#!# # $##! $#' #$#!&!8        +S  +       attack had healed, the tempo of #!$$#& $# $ % #!8 %#! * Sir — Now that Wing          <         electioneering picked up as if the   # #! 8/5$# #$ $ #!  #- !"& Commander Abhinandan  (                  volatile electorate might forget the /&##5* !#'$!$   Varthaman is back, India must Government’s bravado. press the international communi-  ((   (  8           It is too early to foretell the ty on the need for consensus on                    turn of the electoral wind but one    port of the global community. store for them. In the early hours combating terrorism. Without       +S            thing can be said that the valour But this time, Prime Minister on February, 26, 12 IAF Mirage any doubt, world opinion is of Prime Minister Modi as shown Narendra Modi was determined 2000 fighter planes took off from inclined towards India. India must   (           $     in the air strike and the success- Sir — Pakistan-based Masood for decisive action. Terming the various air bases in India and take advantage of this. As expect-                      ful release of Wing Commander Azhar’s terrorist group, Jaish-e- Pulwama attack a very big mis- completely demolished JeM’s ed, Pakistan is eager to engage in ! !              ( ( Abhinandan is being used as a Mohammad (JeM), openly took take by those who committed it, biggest training camp at Balakot peace talks with India. Reviving weapon to thrash the already responsibility for the Pulwama ter- he gave a free hand to the Army and two others in Pakistan and talks can help ease the situation.            :     fragmented opposition. The ror attack on a Central Reserve to choose the time, place and returned safely. Anand                 8  Pulwama development looks god- Police Force convoy. It was confi- strategy to avenge. Pakistan Prime Minister Via email                +    send at least for the BJP. dent that as in the past, the Indian JeM and its patron, the Imran Khan threatened India Rajendra Prasad Singh Government would not go beyond Pakistani establishment, could with retaliation though the Indian $ *2$?                  Delhi lodging protests and calling sup- have never dreamt of what was in Air Force, in a limited non-mil- %!!% !"<"&%%>(# .*"( %# $#/%#( )#%*+*,-.   = 4% && 4" (%- 196"& (&  "#   16&              8 8    8 " & & ,      .    +   8    @      @  8  +     . / $ #!$&!$#! $##&#' L     8 L        $!$4#!  $% $$             G&$#$#!: #&$#$ -*   $ *    '4&3         %  S    0                            +  8  4+85     +        +      !#+   ! : '  ! *                                          ;      *  , !             %  S      !#+         " G > S   "       # +8         ?H   ?H                        %          ;                =  F  !   +S            :     $  #  !     # %           2 5 7,4%4%     AH        :  8  : % 4 5 ,   )  2 ndia and Pakistan joined the Shanghai    #  E F   , :    ( Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as full mem-   !  E    ++* >   $  2 Iber states during its June 8-9, 2017 summit in 8       ?         Astana, Kazakhstan. Before the addition of the two   ("          ( South Asian nations, the SCO consisted of ,  7  ?HH(       ?? Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and  I +       ++# 4  )  E  Kyrgyzstan. The now eight-member SCO also has four observer states, including Afghanistan and six  * 5< + +  2   ) <   dialogue partners, including Sri Lanka. In total and F  < B  F    F   7     together, they constitute much of the Asian geog-         )+#2 $ *  B +  # raphy with a population of over three billion peo- %        ++#    )  ++2 )+#2 $ ple. The foundational purpose of SCO as the largest * F   B + 4       inter-governmental organisation in the world is to                 *  strengthen mutual trust and promote good neigh-  383               ( bourly relations among member states. This is to 3    5        ( be achieved through gradual but consistent efforts 3     ?J    4    ?K   ?K    by SCO member states to engage in multi-faceted  72    5 #         cooperation to advance their collective and com- 3333  mon interest in the sustainable human and protec- $         )  , / 37 tive security of the SCO space. Parallel to this, the   F     * F   # 1 F   $ SCO seeks to establish a more democratic and ratio- F   $ F   $            3 nal world order. : /3       4 F    E  F  5 1 $  Because sustainable peace makes sustainable F                development possible in Asia and the rest of the  3//    E++# # F  %  :     world, the SCO summits continue emphasising 7 3     %             the importance of results-driven security coop-  : remains the priority for cooperation involved in military conflict, to enhance tions within the SCO’s own borders. The   LH       AH #    eration among its member states, observer states 3 : * within the SCO”, underlining that the military exchanges and trust. This could organisation should lose no time in  B LH              and dialogue partners. The addition of India and  3 three-year programme of action, adopt- improve regional stability.” engaging with the two countries to have     *           ( Pakistan was widely welcomed as a significant  /  ed at the 18th Summit, “envisions hold- Contrary to these expectations, them refrain from further retaliatory mea- opportunity for the SCO to address lingering secu- ing joint drills and counter-terror oper- however, a rapid escalation of violence sures in favour of returning to direct dia-      +   )   (   3 38 rity threats of terrorism, extremism and separatism    ations, streamlining a closer exchange of between India and Pakistan since logue for a resolution of mounting ten-                 ( in South and Central Asia. Same intertwined experience and operational information.” February 14, 2019, has been a cause for sions caused by recent developments.     E      !  !      8 threats have provided an enabling environment   3/  He also encouraged the SCO Youth serious concern in the SCO neighbor- While this should be SCO’s immedi-  F   $  ) *      for organised criminality, while also deepening Council to “actively participate in the work hood and the rest of the world. On ate goal, the RATS-SCO should be tasked 1 $  F       O    poverty that denies the youthful populations of 7  7 on preventing the recruitment of young February 14, Pakistan-based terrorist to identify and assess the presence of         %   B     Asia the socio-economic opportunities and facil- / 2 people to participate in terrorist activities.” group, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), car- major terrorist groups and their support   +8  S "    ities they need to contribute to the sustainable  3 3 Building on these and other state- ried out and later claimed a suicide attack infrastructure throughout the SCO region. +             development and peace of their individual nations ments from the SCO member states, call- on a bus, carrying Indian Central Then it should map out a results-orient-                 ( and collectively to those of the rest of Asia. ing for quick and concrete action to fight Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel ed counter-terrorism plan of action for        %  S      +S  ( That is why Chinese President Xi Jinping at the and eliminate terrorism, the Central in of Jammu & adoption by the SCO member states, 18th SCO Summit in Qingdao called on the SCO’s Military Commission of Russia conduct- Kashmir. The attack killed 44 CRPF men. whose counter-terrorism efforts the       "  7    %   ( expanded membership to move from talk to ed a six-day joint military exercise from This unprovoked act of terrorism was RATS-SCO should verify to ensure no dis-               G 2   action. He stated: “We need to actively implement August 22-29, 2018, in Chelyabinsk internationally condemned with calls on tinction between and among terrorist  ??               ( the 2019-2021 programme of cooperation for com- Oblast, Russia. The joint exercise was ini- Pakistan to rid its soil of terrorist net- groups. In other words, verification by  +8 G =      #   =  )  bating ‘the three evil forces of terrorism, separatism tiated by the Regional Anti-Terrorist works and to dismantle their support RATS-SCO should expose for correction 4          I ++# E   and extremism;’ continue to conduct the ‘peace mis- Structure of SCO (RATS-SCO), which infrastructure, including safe havens duplicitous counter-terrorism policies, *  B   5       G #    sion’ and other joint counter-terrorism included tactical operations with a focus and training facilities. India promised which remain an impediment to effective    LH   (       exercises…We need to give full play to the role of on strengthening counter-terrorism and retaliation and, on February 26, conduct- counter-terrorism in South Asia. B    F   ++# E  + 2  )  SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group to facilitate counter-insurgency preparedness, coor- ed surgical air strikes that hit “the As President Ashraf Ghani said while # +  2 2    ++*     ( peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan.” dination and cooperation among the biggest training camp of JeM in Balakot, condemning the February 14 terrorist                 President Xi added, “Countries are increasing- SCO member states. Around 3,000 sol- Pakistan.” Many militants under train- attack in India, “terrorism is a cancer in ly inter-dependent today… confronted with many diers, including 748 from China, 167 ing at the camp are reportedly to have the region and requires collective efforts  (    G      S  ( common threats and challenges that no one can from India and 110 from Pakistan, par- been killed by India’s air strikes. to root it out.” The SCO can and should               ( tackle alone. Only by enhancing solidarity and part- ticipated in the joint drill. Although the international commu- initiate to lead a collective, region-wide  G #          ( nership, will we be able to achieve lasting stability Indeed, for India and Pakistan, it was nity has called for restraint by India and campaign to fight and eliminate the can-                 +8 and development.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra their first such joint military exercise since Pakistan and de-escalation of tensions cer before it spreads in multiple destruc- G            G Modi, who addressed the summit as a newly admit- their independence in 1947. And this between them, now is the time for the tive ways throughout the SCO region. 7             G ted member state, echoed his Chinese counterpart, raised much hopes about the prospect of SCO’s founding member states to act on Afghanistan has done more than a =          42   ? floating the concept of ‘secure’ to underpin the work the two countries participating in the their often-stated common objectives to lion’s share in fighting terrorism with AH?-5   ++* :    G 7  of SCO: ‘S’ for security for citizens, ‘E’ for econom- ‘Peace Mission 2018’ and future ones to restore, ensure and maintain peace, secu- regional and transnational roots. Our               ( ic development, ‘C’ for connectivity in the region, move beyond decades of routine skirmish- rity and stability in the SCO space. In the full accession to the SCO will only           G 2  ‘U’ for unity, ‘R’ for respect of sovereignty and ‘E’ es along the Line of Control and to begin last SCO Summit, President Putin empha- enable us to do a lot more, helping our for environmental protection. He highlighted building inter-military confidence through sised that one of the SCO’s key priorities neighbours, including India, Pakistan,                G +  instability in Afghanistan as an “unfortunate effect SCO measures, thereby easing tensions was to assist “in the political and diplo- China, Russia and Iran, address the F2             E of terrorism”, noting: “I hope the brave steps towards between the two nations. Commenting on matic settlement of conflicts near the intertwined threats of terrorism,  E          =  ( peace taken by President Ghani will be respected this shortly before the joint exercise, Sun external borders of the organisation’s extremism and criminality.    G 8 %           by all in the region.” Zhuangzhi, a professor at the Chinese member states.” (The writer is the Ambassador of   =   G         Moreover, Russian President Vladimir Putin Academy of Social Sciences, told the Any escalatory moves by India and Afghanistan to Sri Lanka as well as Senior        welcomed the accession of India and Pakistan to the Global Times, “It is a rare opportunity for Pakistan could lead to the breakout of a International Security Fellow at the New         ! "# $%& ' SCO. He stressed that “countering terrorism Pakistan and India, which have long been larger conflict with far-reaching implica- America in Washington, DC) &   !     /          E                 (1%.& 5                 !   "#$%&'      

and the vulnerable. Some of the chal- For the self-employed, the the non-poor households, working in inclusion of NHIS in campaign agen- should attract them to the programme. lenges faced by PM-JAY are not very Government partly tax-subsidises pre- the unorganised sector, private volun- da and rising economic prosperity that Korea made it mandatory for its pop- different from those faced by South mium. In addition to contributing tary health insurance is the only option. improved the ability of the self- ulation to join the scheme. India will Korea. The way it dealt with the issues towards premium, all insured members Covering the self-employed — the employed to pay insurance premium. have to look for mechanisms to create holds useful lessons for India. A lot can have to make co-payments at the time why and how: South Korea is an excel- Insuring the self-employed brought semi-mandatory conditions such as be learnt on how to save the self- of seeking care. These co-payments lent example of how premiums from with it challenges of deciding contribu- subscribers of specific services like tele- employed deal from vested interests, vary, depending on the level of health- non-poor households in the unorgan- tion levels, enrolling/collecting contri- com, tapping into affinity groups like generate necessary intel from claims care provider (from physician clinics to ised sector can be leveraged to mobilise butions and administering benefits. housing society members and so forth. data and integrate different schemes tertiary hospital). For the poor, who additional funding for the health sec- South Korea responded to these chal- Also, extending PM-JAY to the /O3 / 2  )4,634 covering different population sub- account for a small share (3 per cent to tor. This is particularly important in a lenges well. unorganised sector has other solid groups. This article will, however, 5 per cent) of the population, the context where public health spending India will soon be confronted advantages such as reduced adminis- 7 37 uring Prime Minister Narendra focus on covering the self-employed or Government fully subsidises premium has been low and ‘sticky’, which is true with the issue of divergence in the reim- trative costs and greater bargaining Modi’s recent visit to South the non-poor in unorganised sector. and co-payment rates, which are sig- of India. Moreover, the Korean expe- bursement rates paid to hospitals and power as care purchaser relative to care 2$4#! $$' DKorea, both countries signed About NHIS: South Korea, now an nificantly smaller or nil. NHIS has a rience informs us that there are poten- ones charged by hospitals to the non- providers. There are good reasons for #!!  &% seven agreements to enhance cooper- advanced nation, was a middle-income well-defined benefit package that cov- tial risks for not bringing this section insured. This divergence will be signif- extending the scheme to the non-poor   #  ation in key areas, including infrastruc- country when its NHIS achieved near ers curative care (including outpatient of the population under the health icant even if the non-poor unorganised unorganised sector workers (and their $&#$*&#  &%O$ ture development, media, start-ups and universal population coverage in 1989. care), diagnosis, emergencies, pharma- insurance programme. workers were to participate in private families). This may not get extended #%!$ combating trans-border terrorism and In 1977, Korea made social health ceuticals, health check-ups and the like. In South Korea, extending NHIS voluntary health insurance. This is like- immediately as the scheme is still being international crime. Health could have insurance mandatory for its employees During 2000, the Government integrat- to the self-employed was necessitated ly to become untenable sooner than rolled out to cover the poor and the vul- $# #!#! #! been yet another possible area of (including dependents) of large corpo- ed different schemes, each having a sep- due to rising inequity in the amounts anticipated. Unlike South Korea, where nerable. Nevertheless, a plan needs to   * cooperation as India has much to learn rations. It was gradually extended to arate risk pool into a single scheme with paid by the insured and the uninsured. the Government fully subsidises pre- be put in place for covering the non- !&  4  '& from South Korea, which has over 30 other organised sector workers (includ- a single risk pool. Under NHIS, reimbursement rates to miums only for a small percentage of poor for which the Korean experience  % # years of experience in implementing the ing dependents). However, in 1989, South Korea’s experience in imple- the health care providers were regulat- its population, India is fully subsidis- is useful. Learning and technical know- National Health Insurance Service NHIS, with identical benefit package, menting NHIS will be useful for India ed. As these rates were restrictive, health ing premium for a significantly high- how from Korea could, perhaps, be for- %% !4$5# (NHIS) scheme that covers its entire was extended to the self-employed (and even though the context is different. care providers were prompted to charge er share of its population. The fiscal bur- malised through a bilateral agreement '  #! #! population (almost). Currently, India their families). In terms of funding, it While India has social health insurance higher rates to the uninsured, which led den will likely preclude the or through an international agency like  ##!%$ is at the initial stages of rolling out the is a contributory scheme for all organ- for a majority of its organised sector to increasing inequity in the amounts Government from giving any subsidy the WHO. %  4&! world’s largest hospital insurance pro- ised sector employees, wherein both employees, it is seeking to provide free paid by the two groups. There were to the non-poor. Even so, extending the (The writer is a development econ- ' $ & $* gramme, the Pradhan Mantri Jan employer and employee contribute hospital care for the bottom 40 per cent other factors at work, too, notably polit- scheme to the unorganised sector omist, formerly with the Bill & Melinda Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), for the poor towards insurance premiums. of the population through PM-JAY. For ical considerations that led to the workers at full and fair premium Gates Foundation and the World Bank)      %# $#/%#( )#%*+*,-.  :

$      * * '   ; 1   # !$ 89 ( *  ='/@   - * ;:<=  >?@A $  $ >?>? " R  

  relief measures will contribute a fiscal stimulus of about 0.45 ndian economy is expected per cent of GDP. to grow at 7.3 per cent in cal- “These measures will sup- I   $ $$    .3/   *       endar year 2019 and 2020, and port growth through con-   ,*$$;  , * 4 .;,4/    $ 8 the Government spending sumption over the near term,   $,*#$ $  announced ahead of elections albeit at a fiscal cost... ormer finance secretary this year which will support “In India, Government FAjay Narayan Jha on Friday near-term growth, Moody’s spending announced ahead of joined the 15th Finance said on Friday. elections this year will support Commission as a member, The US-based rating near-term growth,” Moody’s pursuant to the resignation of agency said that the country is said. Shaktikanta Das. less exposed to a slowdown in It said RBI is likely to be Jha, a 1982 batch IAS offi- global manufacturing trade able to maintain their current cer of Manipur cadre, super- growth than other major Asian monetary policy stance after annuated as a Finance economies and emerging mar- some tightening last year. Secretary to the Government of kets and is poised to grow at a The RBI cut its bench- India on February 28. relatively stable pace in the two mark policy rate in February “Ajay Narayan Jha today years. and changed the policy stance joined the Fifteenth Finance “We expect India’s econo- to “neutral” from “calibrated Commission as its member. He    IGST as regular settlement. the impact of rate rationaliza- my to grow around 7.3 per cent tightening”. Inflation measures joins in place of Shaktikanta >,4    F  #* 3   @:8F The total revenue earned tions effective January”. in both years (2019, 2020),” have steadily declined since the Das who had resigned as a  *** $ F  #* 3$* ST collections in February by the Centre and State The GST Council in its Moody’s said in its quarterly middle of 2018. member of the Commission  * #$ $   *$ 4  ** =- Gdropped to 97,247 crore Governments after regular set- December 22, 2018, meeting Global Macro Outlook for 2019 On banking sector, after being appointed as gov-   *,*$ $ #3 ,#.3,/* *$ from 1.02 lakh crore in the tlement in February is 37,095 rationalised the 28 per cent slab and 2020. Moody’s said, although the ernor, Reserve Bank of India,”  $ $>, previous month, the Finance crore for CGST and 39,939 and restricted the highest slab Moody’s growth esti- overall strength of the system an official statement said. Ministry said on Friday. crore for SGST. to luxury, demerit, and sin mates in based on calendar is improving, it remains a con- Jha had also served as the However, compliance Tax experts attributed the goods, besides cement, large year. India, however, mea- straint on the economy. secretary to the 14th Finance improved and the number of reason for dip in GST mop-up screen TV, Air Conditioners sures its economic growth on In February 2019, the gov- Commission which was head- sales return or GSTR-3B filed figures for February to the and dishwashers. the basis of fiscal year (April- ernment provided further cap- ed by former RBI Governor Y for the month of January up to reduction in tax rates on 23 Goods and Services Tax March). ital infusions to public sector V Reddy. February 28, 2019 stood at goods and services, including (GST) collections in the current In 2018-19 fiscal, ending banks. These measures, com- Set up in November, 2017, 73.48 lakh. This is higher than movie tickets, TV, power banks fiscal till February totalled March 2019, Indian economy bined with the application of the 15th Finance Commission, 73.3 lakh returns filed in and monitor screen, with effect 10.70 lakh crore. is estimated to have grown 7 the Prompt Corrective Action headed by former Planning January. from January 1. The Government has low- per cent, lower than 7.2 per framework, which requires Commission member N K “The total gross GST rev- The goods on which GST ered the GST collection target cent in 2017-18. timely recognition of bad loans, Singh, is mandated to recom- enue collected in February has been lowered to 18 per cent for the current fiscal to 11.47 Moody’s said the and resolution of bad loans mend distribution of net pro- 2019 is 97,247 crore of which from 28 per cent include pulleys, lakh crore in the Revised announcement in Interim through the Insolvency and ceeds of taxes between the Central GST is 17,626 crore, transmission shafts and cranks, Estimates, from 13.71 lakh Budget 2019-20 on direct cash Bankruptcy Code, are helping Union and the States, for a peri- State GST (SGST) is 24,192 gear boxes, retreaded or used crore budgeted initially. transfer programme for farm- to address solvency and asset od of five years — April, 2020 3 ! $ ,G3 -43 ++$$; $ $  crore, Integrated GST (IGST) is tyres, power banks of lithium- GST collection stood at ers and the middle-class tax quality challenges. to March, 2025, among others. # $$     *$$ 2 $   $$ 46,953 crore and Cess is ion batteries, digital cameras, 1.03 lakh crore in April,  2,$+ -  + 1 , *> .   / 8,476 crore,” the Ministry video camera recorders and 94,016 crore in May, 95,610 $$      $ *$ +*$  said in a statement. video game consoles. crore in June, 96,483 crore in      The GST collection for EY Tax Partner, Abhishek July, 93,960 crore in August, # '  ! February, 2019, is 13.12 per Jain said: “While the GST col- 94,442 crore in September, cent higher than 85,962 crore lections are in line with the 1,00,710 crore in October, O P0-) >      mopped-up in February, 2018. average collection in this finan- 97,637 crore in November, The Government has set- cial year, it has witnessed a 94,725 crore in December  $$ tled 19,470 crore to CGST and slight dip vis-a-vis the previous 2018 and 1.02 lakh crore in >@      15,747 crore to SGST from month; a possible reason being January 2019. $     agreements.” Beijing: China said on Friday The carrier is actively it “regrets” a World Trade inancially-stressed Jet engaged with all its aircraft Organization ruling in FAirways on Friday said two lessors and regularly provides Washington’s favour over a more of its aircraft have been them with updates on the dispute on Chinese subsidies to grounded due to non-payment efforts undertaken to improve +$  $$  $    +$*   + wheat and rice producers. of lease rentals. its liquidity, the filing said.  O $ $+$ P  +$  $$  )*P    The decision comes as the With this, the total number The company said it is world’s top two economies try of aircraft taken out of opera- making all efforts to minimize to hammer out an agreement to tions due to cash crunch in the disruption to its network due to      settle a long-running trade airline and its subsequent fail- the the grounding of these $ $ row that has rattled global ure to pay rentals to various planes and is proactively   B  C  markets. lessors has gone up to 21 so far. informing and re-accommo-       The United States in 2016 In a filing to the stock dating its affected guests. $ $ alleged that China doled out exchanges, the full-service air- The company also contin-   $100 billion in “market price line said, “An additional two ues to provide required and $  support” for wheat and rice as aircraft have been grounded periodic updates to the okerStars India well as corn production, above due to non-payment of Directorate General of Civil Pannounces its association  + levels agreed to at the Geneva- amounts outstanding to lessors Aviation in this regard, it with Bollywood actor based WTO. AFP under their respective lease added. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who   stars in the adverts. The association is designed to o provide a boost for star- strengthen the brand’s reso- Ttups seeking to get listed, nance as it seeks to bring the capital markets regulator Sebi’s concepts of poker to a wider board on Friday approved eas- audience. ing of norms for accreditation Three television com- of investors willing to invest in mercials have been shot, each such new-age entities. with a different narrative. At a meeting here, the Sebi board approved a frame- work for the process of accred- itation of investors for Innovators Growth Platform, which will be the name of the stock exchange platform where new-age startups would be listed. Under this framework, the investor having a demat account will make an appli- cation to the stock exchanges or depositories to be recog- nised as an ‘accredited investor (AI)’. :: %# $#/%#( )#%*+*,-. %# $#/%#( )#%*+*,-.  :

+ !  .91'  ' 2 # 3  1%&.   Q R        "     %,#&; !#%% 5 " # "3 &    ,P&! &$ 8 3  #& 7  O$ L8 ! !!4#!$8 8   ussia on Friday vowed to maintain support for '' 3 $  Rthe embattled regime of its Venezuelan % #* orth Korea on Friday “friend” President Nicolas Maduro, including with Npromised further negotia- humanitarian aid supplies. 00 tions with the US despite a spec- During talks with Venezuelan Vice President   P    tacular failure to strike a nuclear Delcy Rodriguez in Moscow, Russian Foreign #"/; % '&%$ deal at their Hanoi summit, with Minister Sergei Lavrov said President Vladimir 5#$#++%%#! both sides keeping the door of Putin expressed “support and solidarity for his col- 3%# !& $4 diplomacy open. league and friend” Maduro in the country’s polit- %$*  $# $# The high-stakes second ical standoff with the opposition.  &%#!#$!& meeting between the North’s “Russia will continue to assist the !#$#!## #4 leader Kim Jong Un and US Venezuelan authorities in resolving social and &#%'' $##$ President Donald Trump broke economic problems, including through the ##  !# # up in disarray Thursday, with- provision of legitimate humanitarian aid,” Lavrov $$$$#A&* out even a joint statement. told a joint news conference with Rodriguez after- In the aftermath, each wards.  C sought to blame the other’s Battered by an economic meltdown, Venezuela P D    intransigence for the deadlock. Foreign Minister said agency reported on Friday that descended into political crisis when opposition "&-"&; A&   ' Trump insisted Pyongyang Pyongyang had only wanted the two leaders had had a “con- leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim pres- / $#  ! $O$ wanted all some of the measures eased, and structive and candid exchange.” ident in January and asserted that Maduro was no : #G&# !& $ sanctions imposed on it over that its proposal to close “all the Relations between the two coun- longer legitimate.  ! $#!$5# its banned weapons pro- nuclear production facilities” at tries — on opposite sides of the Maduro and his allies — including Russia — /$#!%## grammes lifted, and this was a its Yongbyon complex was its technically still-unfinished have accused Washington of attempting to carry  #4'# <- # bridge too far. best and final offer. Korean War — had been “char- out a coup against his government. The United !  $#$#! But in a rare late-night press Despite the stalemate, the acterised by mistrust and antag- States has recognised Guaido and led a diplomatic * briefing, the North Korean North’s official KCNA news onism” for decades, it said. campaign in support of his leadership. $ H8   !$$# $4  $ $ 4/5 8  3 : 

he United States on Thursday offered a USD T1 million reward for information on a son of $& $##$ late Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, seeing him as an emerging face of extremism.    : Kim Jong-un in Vietnam. The location of Hamza bin Laden, sometimes “China has never recog- dubbed the "crown prince of jihad," has been the hina Friday said it has never nised India and Pakistan as subject of speculation for years with reports of him Crecognised India and nuclear countries. Our position living in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria or under Pakistan as nuclear powers and on this has never changed,” house arrest in Iran. "Hamza bin Laden is the ruled out extending such a sta- Chinese Foreign Ministry son of deceased former AQ leader Osama bin tus to North Korea following the spokesman Lu Kang told a Laden and is emerging as a leader in the AQ fran- unsuccessful second summit media briefing here. He was chise," a State Department statement said, refer- between US President Donald replying to a question whether ring to Al-Qaeda. Trump and North Korean leader China would recognise North Korea as a nuclear state like India and Pakistan as talks between Trump and Kim at the second summit in Hanoi broke down over Pyongyang’s refusal to give up two nuclear processing plants. China has been blocking India’s entry into the 48-mem- ber Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) on the ground that New Delhi has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). After India applied for NSG membership, Pakistan too applied for the same following that China has called for a two-step approach which States that NSG members first need to arrive at a set of princi- ples for the admission of non- NPT states into the NSG and then move forward discussions of specific cases.    12   : %# $#/%#( )#%*+*,-.

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audition he had to say this mono- logue which was five and a half pages long! “It was the first time something like this was being attempted. But this was crucial to clinching the role. To add to my -;)<>I-,))3 woes, I had to perform it the next day,” he recalls. So Kartik did what he knew best. Took it up passion- #   2  $'#$#5 # !# &#!$! #$# ately. “I didn’t sleep. I kept learn- ing it throughout my train journey #$' !$!#: #!&$! ##! 4$$3  3 and then in my PG. I enacted it, recorded it, then saw the mistakes and attempted it again. The next ave you eaten?” Even cast and crew around. I loved these mitted. If he is convinced about any Sonu ke Titu ki Sweety. “It is not just day I kept on doing it in the train. before I can ask a boondi laddoos from Bahadura choice that he makes, he goes for the protagonists. The side track in But it was worth the effort as peo- question, actor Kartik Sweets as a child. So I got those and it with great passion. the film is an interesting commen- ple actually clapped when I fin- Aaryan fires the first rasmalai for everyone everyday. Besides the relatability factor, tary on our intrusive culture. ished,” he says, the pride still sur- salvo and makes you Everybody had to chuck their diet what excited Kartik was that for the Everybody has a habit of poking facing in his voice. wonderH if you are on a social visit plans. The aloo patties are famous first time he was using a dialect in their noses in other people’s lives During the actual shooting, at his home rather than for an inter- as is the poha,” he says as he seems the film. “My character is from instead of their own. So the elder they worked on a reel camera view at a hotel. But then it is this to to be savouring all the delicacies Mathura, so he speaks like the peo- brother wants to know what the which has a limit unlike the newer next-door comfort that has made once again. ple from the town. But the manner younger one is up to and the third digital ones which are used now. him the nation’s heartthrob, one But it is also in his values that of speaking is situational because he bhaabi might be jealous that the first “There was only four-and-a-half who equalises reality and aspiration he continues to remain a small town is educated. So it changes depend- one has an important position in the minutes of the film left when I on his sneakers. Dressed in a dark boy and is not affected by failures ing on the people that he is inter- family. In this too, everyone has an started my monologue of six min- blue suit blazer with a barely there and success. “I keep on working on acting with. I think my rawness will agenda. Each character has a sepa- utes. No one told me that the cam- print, white shirt that is unbuttoned myself because that is what I did be visible here. While Sonu and the rate track. That is the funniest era was not rolling for the last one- and blue trousers, the actor sips his after getting scolded by my parents,” other characters were flamboyant, thing. There was a lot of situation- and-a-half minutes. As I was draw- tea perched on the 20th floor and he says. street smart and with grey shades, al comedy. When I heard the script ing to a close, the reel finished. I glances around at the people who Coming back to the present, the here I play an average guy who fits I decided that this has to be my next had to do a re-take I shot at one go are assembled in the room. actor says that his entire trajectory film. I was actually the first person and it was okayed in Take 2,” he The actor, who is known for his has been about doing relatable cin- O"  %   on board.” says. But he feels it was well worth comic capers in films like Pyaar Ka ema. “Luka Chuppi is about the   ./ % It is apparent that Kartik follows the effort as the monologue is the Punchnama and its sequel as well as problems that a small town couple      % everything with a deep conviction most popular scene from the film. Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, is often mis- faces when wanting to live in. But    and passion. “I was in class VIII “It has been circulated all over the taken for a Delhi boy. “May be it is it has a quirk. It is live-in sah pari-      when I decided that I wanted to be world and has been a hit,” he says. because of the way I look or my var (with family). It is a social satire     / % an actor,” he says. It was in pursuit Having nailed it, Kartik went lahja (tone). May be it has to do and many can identify themselves       of this goal that he applied to all the on to top this further. In Pyaar Ka with the fact that I have done a lot with the characters. After watching     % engineering colleges only in Punchnaama 2, the monologue was of films that have seen me play a Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, a lot of peo-       Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. “In seven minutes long. “They kept character from Delhi. But yes, this ple felt that they wanted a Sonu in "     Gwalior, appearing for PMT and IIT working on the final draft so it idea has caught on in popular their life as they felt that they were   P entrance exams was the done thing. came to me when I was in the imagination,” says the 29-year-old Titus,” he says. I could not have told my parents midst of shooting. But somehow I actor. The actor believes that Guddu that I wanted to pursue acting as managed to pull through,” he says. Kartik is from Gwalior where Shukla, the protagonist in this film, in the setting and is not stylish. His they would not have been able to One reason that his films have his new film, Luka Chuppi, is set. “I is the most earnest and honest char- appearance, too, is such that he fits afford a course. So engineering in drawn flak is the misogynist gaze could never imagine that I would be acter that he has ever played. “He into the scenery. From the first Mumbai became an excuse. I never on the female characters. “See, we shooting in the place where I had is the guy you would want to take scene you will see Guddu and not attended classes as I was busy with are not generalising boys. It is these dreamt of being an actor. My home to mum,” he says. Kartik Aaryan.” auditions,” says the actor who did characters in the films that are friends, families and relatives are all And when one asks him if his So is that his way of making a manage to complete his engineer- roguish and loveable rakes.” there. Everyone knows each other claim of being marriage material in mark when all the young actors are ing during Pyaar ka Punchnama 2. Another reason why Kartik has as it is a small town. The welcome a recent interview is true, he imme- competing for the same set of Kartik burst on in the popular been in the news is on account of was surreal. They started calling me diately answers, “Yes,” without bat- roles? “Whatever I am doing, I imagination with a six-minute Sara Ali Khan taking a shine to him Son of Gwalior. There were huge ting an eyelid. And then laughs and believe it is working. I have that monologue in his first film, Pyaar and wanting to date him or his hoardings with my name and pho- adds, “May be I became the char- belief in my sense that it is going in Ka Punchnaama, and he has an alleged link-up with Ananya tographs which were a bit embar- acter of Guddu. I am shaadi mate- the right direction and I don’t want interesting story behind it. “For Pandey. Something that has kept rassing, especially because they all rial as I am a person who believes to change it. I am relying on my gut three years, I searched online with his name in circulation among were from my in being together with family. I have feel,” he says. About his compatri- key words like audition and actors Bollywood’s swish set. But the scrawny days. I shifted to a bigger place recently so ots, he adds, “I think that this is a required. I got an advertisement young star likes to keep it ground- wish they had that I could get my family to very good time for the young where I was paid 2,500 which was ed. “I don’t pay attention. I only feel asked me for Mumbai after staying alone for brigade as there are so many con- a channel promo where I was good and flattered but that is some better ones,” seven-eight years.” However, he tent creators and avenues of expres- holding a placard,” he recalls. It was bound to happen when someone he guffaws. “It was believes that he is not as righteous sion. Content is king and that is the during this time that he saw an says something good about you. surreal.” as Guddu. “And that is me being reason why there is ample amount audition call for an unnamed film. Link-ups are a part and parcel of However the honest,” he says guffawing again. of chance for all of us to put our- “I caught the train from Belapur to the industry and I know how to love for the city The other characteristics that selves out there in projects which are Andheri which took 2.5 hours deal with it,” he nods sagely. The comes through in he believes he shares with different and also work on screen.” and gave an audition,” he says. The small town boy is growing up. his voice. “I took his role are that he is Few know that he locked on to back and forth went on for six  $$? 2 !5  my entire upfront and com- this character soon after he finished months and as a part of the last      8 *    8!   !* ;3 & 3 C   op singers Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas Psported ensembles designed by New York-based Nepalese designer Prabal Gurung for their single cover # $$ 3 $$$!$'  # ! # $ Sucker. Gurung shared the cover on social 5$# 5#!#!G& 5$'!*   . . media and captioned it: “The ave you ever But actress Kriti Sanon, who plays the yourself in the script to make each char- film-going audience is a lot more Jonas brothers wear thought of being character of Rashmi in Luka Chuppi, acter look different.” accepting of realism than escapism. Prabal Gurung on Hin a live-in rela- says that this one is a bit different from Kriti doesn’t want to categorise her- “That’s the reason why biopics, real-life the cover of their tionship as a normal option? all because it is about a “live-in with self in terms of genres though she has inspired events and social issues are the new album (single) Well, our society, particular- family.” She explains that a concept like a series of comedies lined up — Luka bedrock of commercial hits. The audi- Sucker. So stoked ly in non-metro areas, is this may be cool in big cities but is a big Chuppi, Arjun Patiala and Housefull 4. ence these days wants to watch a sub- that our first headed towards a massive taboo in small towns like Mathura. She Perhaps that has happened uncon- stantial story. And when you highlight menswear overhaul owing to the mod- sees live-in as a choice for survival. “To sciously. “May be after Bareilly, I found social issues in an entertaining and collection is on my ern ways that have devel- each his own. Everybody has the right myself getting attracted to comedy. I lighter format without being preachy at favourite brothers oped in relationships. It to be completely sure of what two peo- didn’t realise it when I said yes to these all, it does make the crowd sit up and thank you Nick seems like more and more ple exactly want before you can take the films.” think than it would if you were to force- Jonas, Joe Jonas and couples are warming up to big step of getting married rather than As an actor she’s greedy enough to feed it. We are in a good space in films Kevin Jonas... I am the idea to test their com- risk a divorce down the line. So it’s total- be wanting to do a lot more. She’s dying where we are free to think, say and do over the moon.” patibility before they get ly fine if it gives you a little bit clarity to do a role that scares the hell out of things which are not harming anyone In the album married. Yet marriage on that. After meeting so many people her but she wants to take baby steps. else.” cover, Nick is seen still receives a societal from all walks of life in this industry, I That is why she takes time while com- Since the actress has now worked sporting salmon stamp of approval do not judge anything at all.” mitting herself to a script. with both the Khurrana brothers, pink pants and a than live-ins and it is The actress feels that Bareilly Ki She’s very instinctive about the Ayushmann and Aparshakti, we ask her black and yellow t- this dichotomy that Barfi was a milestone in her career. And stories she wants to do. Says she, how she rates them. Says Kriti, “Both are shirt. Joe looks is being explored in the relatability she found in Bareilly is “Sometimes I go for the scripts, some- supremely talented actors and easy to dapper in an ice- Luka Chhupi. Of exactly the same in this film too. “In times for the way the characters are work with. They have a similar sense of blue twin set, while course, Bollywood Bareilly... Bitti was born and brought up etched. Sometimes, I go by the director, humour. They even sound very similar. Kevin is seen has been attempt- in the eponymous town. So even hoping to avail a great learning experi- If you just listen to them and not see wearing a bright ing a dialogue on though she was a little modern with ence. Then I put myself in the audience’s them, I bet you can’t make out who it orange and blue twin suit. the subject for respect to the other girls, she was cir- shoes and ask if I want to spend my is. I enjoyed working with both of them.” The Jonas Brothers have reunited for a single titled quite some cumscribed by her milieu, which was money and time on the film. There are Of course, Kriti wants to do a larg- Sucker after a gap of six years. Its video features Nick’s time through evident in her dialect. Rashmi, on the several criteria but I never go by stars er than life role soon. And would love actress wife Priyanka Chopra too. films like other hand, is born in Mathura but has because I don’t believe that they make to feature in a biopic on Madhubala. The video also stars Kevin’ spouse Danielle and Joe’ Salaam studied in Delhi. She is way more lib- a whole film. I go with my gut feeling. Says she, “That iconic actress was the fiancee and Game of Thrones fame actress Sophie Namaste, eral than Bitti was. She is mature, Sometimes it works, sometimes it does- epitome of beauty, style and grace and Turner. Katti Batti, empowered and gutsy enough to go for n’t. But I try to grow a little bit more there can never be someone like her. I Jonas Brothers’ band was formed in 2005. The band Pyaar Ka a live-in relationship. She is also impul- with each and every film I do.” want to tell the story of her life to the has created hits like Burnin’ up, Hold on and Fly with me”. Punchnama sive, so that is why she talks a bit fast. Kriti feels that she can explore dif- world.” The Jonas Brothers split up in 2013. among others. These little nuances you try and find for ferent characters simply because the  $$? 2 !5  L >    12  :+ %# $#/%#( )#%*+*,-.

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ith his shock of long grey has been manifesting itself in dif- ing world which inspires each of us hair, Muzaffar Ali stands ferent ways becoming more and in our own way. The west is show- Wout in any gathering. But more relevant with time. There was ing its own mindset, its own agen- on him, it does not impart a look a space in the heart which began to da through what it presents on that is wild, rather it gives him a be discovered and started to fill up. screen. India needs to create its own sage like quality befitting a person That is why we introduce new tal- content base with its vision for the who organises Jahan e Khusrau, a ent each year and work with those future. The content out of India has festival centered around the Sufi art who are open to new ideas and to assume extremely aesthetic and forms. But while the capital rever- experimentation in music and the cultural dimensions. berates with the sounds of the fes- sacred dance. tival in March, he is known for The current crop of films has much more and refuses to be What was the initial response to seen content coming to the fore. defined by any of it. As the direc- response to Jahan e Khusrau and Do you think Indian cinema has tor of the original Umrao Jaan how has that become a much- finally moved beyond formula? (1981), he created a cult classic awaited festival? Certainly good films have hap- which more than any other film is It is a blessing for the people of pened, are happening and will considered Rekha’s most defining the city and for us too. It is again continue to happen. Each person and seminal work in a career span- an organic extension of our jour- brings his/her sensitivity to the ning almost five decades. He is also neys. Jahan e Khusrau is a commit- medium. New experiences in mov- a fashion designer along with his ment to an idea of oneness of the ing images and telling stories. The wife Meera Ali whose brand House human race and that is what is  3 33 :7 formats are changing and content of Kotwara which has timeless tra- reaching out in a viral form, more evolving. ditional silhouettes reminiscent of than expected. //7  Indian heritage translated perfect- Are you planning any new film ly through rich fabrics and subtle The last film that you made was  2 7 3 projects? hues. He is also a poet, an artist, a Jaanisar in 2015. Why don’t we see *  3 :   I have many interesting ideas on craft revivalist and social worker. more? the anvil, but I feel the film econo- He discusses his life, the impact of The film world which includes  :  R 3  my is in a flux with corporate intel- the festival that has become and talent, resources and the market is ligence playing a different game. important part of the cultural cal- corporatised and controlled. 7  23* There are a few films in the pipe line endar of the capital. Independent talent finds it extreme-  3 and we are hopeful. The House of ly difficult to make headway into Kotwara has a distinct look in its sil- Since it started, how has Jahan this domain.     houettes and designs. Now Sama e Khusrau changed and evolved? (Meera and Muzaffar Ali’s daugh- Jahan e Khusrau was born out There is a certain intensity in the   733 ter) is coming in with her own sen- of a concern for the unity of Indian films, whether it is Gaman (1978) 7    sibilities. Our design have been cultures which were threatened in or Umrao Jaan. Where does that organic and natural as if emerging Kashmir and other parts of our come from?    3 from a tradition with some elements country by fundamentalism. It is an The intensity of thought and of newness and surprise. all inclusive philosophy made beau- inspiration imparts a difference to 3   :   tiful by poetry and music of the my approach to films. I am in a . 7 4 How do you juggle the festival, heart. It was inspired by Amir quest for perennial beauty that the fashion brand, writing and Khusrau the master blender of enriches the human soul and it is     more? society and the arts. Having worked this that I wish to share without a R/  The fashion brand is more of a in the valley on the film Zooni I felt commercial agenda or vested inter- philosophy than a competitive this intensely. While Zooni had to est. commercial brand. And it is this be abandoned, my takeaway was Zooni was much anticipated. that organically becomes a festival Sufiana Kalaam which existed clois- Why is it yet to see the light of and other forms of creative expres- tered in the Khanaqahs of the val- day? sion. ley. It made me see music as an Zooni was a journey through international language of the soul. history of the Valley, its beauty and Your son, Shaad has charted out its heartbreak, its angst and its his own journey. How much of an When you started out, not many dreams. It was delving into the truth influence have you had on his film festivals centered around sufism. of the pain which went beyond time making? However, there are a lot now. and subjugation of man by man. Shaad has his own journey and What has led to the change? I am there to bless him and encour- Music and festivals around it The web platform is an exciting age him only. He has to be respon- had been rampant but Jahan e new space. Would you be open to sible for his own successes! Of Khusrau was born out of a differ- exploring it? course, he takes feedback from me. ent realisation. A realisation that The web platform is an excit- But I don’t interfere.   3  Q$ R       R     (##  25 + #&('# #(' (!& , ('#(#   &# #&"& (!& , ('" How does Elsewith get along with Judith? rom the beginning, Judith and Elsewith really click. I think Judith Fcan see a lot of herself in Elsewith. Elsewith is a little bit overwhelmed with having to come in and take on such a prominent role within the royal fami- ly. Judith really helps to guide her. She invests a lot in Elsewith. Elsewith knows eventually she is going to be at Alfred’s side for the rest of their lives, so she needs to be really strong. Judith helps sculpt Elsewith’s role within the royal family. They become very close because of this.

What does Elsewith think of the Vikings? She’s definitely intrigued by the P %& &#,&& , Vikings in the beginning. She has heard so many stories about how vicious they are, but she’s still very curious. She’s # "## ,Q also taken with how different and wild they are — they follow their own rules. Elsewith was brought up as a good -  '"$ &'+"'      Christian. When she’s confronted with people so completely different than her,    it’s really intriguing.      not be allowed. I think being in Lagertha and he’s such a young King that he finds adhaai Ho director Amit Sharma message that keep making good film Does she get to meet the Vikings?       presence, Elsewith realises that she’s a it all a bit overwhelming. Elsewith does- says he will start shooting for his based on good stories.” Yes. They’re at the court when she    / 4 fierce warrior and also a more wiser n’t know what to do with herself and how Bnext film — a sports biopic — Sharma believes no one can teach arrives. A few of them are around woman from who Elsewith can learn a to connect with Alfred, but as time pass- along with actor Ajay Devgn, around filmmaking and acting to anybody. Lagertha and Bjorn. She’s quite taken with @ P     lot. es by and Alfred becomes more comfort- May or June. “It's either there inside you or it isn't. them and with all of the stories she’s      able with his position, they get on really His next film will focus on the gold- It's just that you need to tap the right heard.    / Do you hope that Elsewith can well and form a great partnership. en years of Indian football between 1951 points and decide where it is taking become more rebellious? and 1962. Ajay will play the role of Syed you.” How did it feel coming into the show Oh for sure. I also hope that she will Does Alfred lean on Elsewith? Abdul Rahim who was a coach and As a director, Sharma made his with an already tight knit group? learn to speak up and not be afraid. She He confides in her, and they have a manager of the Indian national football directorial debut with Tevar, featuring Everyone was really amazing. It’s a Was it daunting coming to set on definitely likes to be heard and I hope partnership where they can discuss team. Arjun Kapoor and Sonakshi Sinha. huge production, and it’s been going on your first day? to see more of that. things. Alfred provides, like in any strong Sharma said, “My next film is a foot- But it failed to impress the audience. for so long. It is still running so I suppose in a way. I think it’s more relationship. They do respect one anoth- ball related film. It's a period film... we But his second film Badhaai Ho did smoothly. Everybody knows each other daunting before you get to set because How long does it take you to get into er and I think they grow to love each will start shooting of the film in next very well. quite well now. I have to say it’s been a you’re wondering what it’s going to be costume, hair, and makeup? other. two to three months around May or Asked about his definition of suc- really easy transition for me. like since the show has been running for Hair takes 45 minutes. And make- June.” cess, Sharma said: “I feel there is no def- five years already. You don’t know until up is very quick since it’s minimal. The Michael write characters who have a On the gradual audience acceptance inition to success. If you achieve success After seeing the show on TV, did you you walk on set, but the minute you get costumes are beautiful. You can work lot of insight. What are your thoughts of high-on-content films, Sharma said, more than your expectation, then it's ever think you would be a part of it? there, it’s like, “Oh yeah. I’m home.” You your whole life and never get into cos- on his writing style? “I think it's a really nice time for cine- bad and if you do not achieve success, For sure. I think every Irish actor get into the swing of it pretty easily. tumes like we wear on this series. It’s an Michael writes such amazing, strong ma. We are getting to hear and watch then also it's bad. One of my films has hopes to be on a show like this. I had amazing work. They custom fit the cos- women, it’s brilliant. Especially, for peri- good and unconventional stories and I worked and I am here right in front of taped for it a few times before for dif- What does Elsewith take away from tumes to your measurements, so it od pieces like this it is nice to work with am happy that those films are doing well the media... So, that is success and I feel ferent characters so I was hopeful that Lagertha ? Dose she aspire to be more always looks wonderful. a writer who values the female voice. at the box office. I think people are success should be under control.” I would eventually become part of the like her who is a strong warrior? There are so many amazing things that going to theatres to watch those films, His yet untitled sports biopic will be cast. Elsewith is a great character to play I think even if Elsewith wanted to be What is Elsewith’s relationship like women get to do in Vikings that you don’t that's why they are doing good business. bankrolled by Akash Chawla's Freshlime because her storyline goes far and she a warrior, there was no chance. A King’s with Alfred? even have to be a Viking to get to do them. “In fact, the audience is giving us a Films and Boney Kapoor. IANS is a very interesting person. wife running around with shields would At first Alfred has so much going on    %# $#/%#( )#%*+*,-.  :7

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' $#  # #! the two T20 Internationals and is es singlehandedly that the team D# #'# #!#$ $ #!#! <-$* overs. tain), D'Arcy Short, Shaun Marsh,   & $: &  ! expected to get a few more chances management may give him a few Bumrah, set to be India's pre- Marcus Stoinis, Usman Khawaja, P#!!& % !+,* at the top of the order. more matches before taking a final still claim for a second all-rounder's Ahmed hasn't yielded the desired mier bowler in England, may be Alex Carey, Peter Handscomb, 7& &#!#% $!$ & The batsman is fighting for the call. slot if Pandya is the first choice. results. rested for a game or two depend- Ashton Turner, Adam Zampa, #!$G&*7#!+8-'##7: reserve opener's slot and who For Vijay Shankar, his bowling Kaul is a rank outsider and With Mohammed Shami and ing on India's position in the Jason Behrendorff, Jhye #!' 3'#&  !& $4!7 knows if Shikhar Dhawan's indif- doesn't exactly inspire confidence could be a blind side entry as the Jasprit Bumrah being automatic series. Richardson, Pat Cummins, #&#! 7&%% % #$: ferent form continues, the but Hardik Pandya's dodgy fitness reserve pacer as the team mange- choices, Kaul will probably get two The Australian team, buoyed Andrew Tye, Nathan Coulter-Nile, ' 3 5 !O* #>  Mangalore man could well be a will keep him in the race and he can ment's trial test with Khaleel games to prove his worth. by the maiden T20 triumph over Nathan Lyon. 5$  $+$   >$&K 2 5- 9   $% $%% &' 8 0  $+$ $  (*  7 -=  )8'+$ ( 0  8%8$0  /0&%$  2   situation, I back myself to play 8 322 the game that I know." etting the batting order right Maxwell, on the other hand, teve Smith has returned to the nets after  2   Gis every skipper's priority had indicated that he wanted to Selbow surgery, with Australia coach and rival captains Virat Kohli bat higher up the order after his Justin Langer expecting the banned former ndia captain Virat Kohli on and Aaron Finch are open to series-winning hundred in the captain and his deputy David Warner to be IFriday said IPL performances minor rejigs going into the 2019 second T20 International on fit for the Indian Premier League. will have "no influence" on the World Cup. Wednesday. Smith went under the knife in January World Cup team selection, calling While the Indian captain "is His skipper, on the eve of the after being forced to drop out of the the speculation a "very, very rad- ready to bat at No 4" if the situ- first ODI, indicated that a pro- Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20 tour- ical analysis". ation arises, his opposite num- motion is in the offing for the nament with a ligament problem. With 12 to 13 slots more or ber Finch made it clear that dashing batsman. He has been in a brace since, but picked less locked, India will be zeroing Glenn Maxwell will come up the "Glenn will get an opportu- up a bat again and had a session at the in on their last couple of slots for order after playing a major part nity to bat higher up the order Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday. the World Cup, whichstarts May in the T20 series victory. than No 7 that he batted against "Great to have my first hit back. The 30 in England, after the five games Recently, India coach Ravi India in the previous series (in elbow is feeling good," Smith posted to his in the upcoming ODI series Shastri had indicated that Kohli Australia). He has been in great 1.4 million Instagram followers with a and told the Cricket Australia website that against Australia. could bat at No 4 in the World form. His ODI cricket has been short video early Friday. having Smith and Warner back would be "No, I don't see the IPL hav- Cup and the skipper on Friday great as well. I am not sure where Smith and Warner become eligible for good for the game. ing any influence on World Cup said that it's not a big deal as his he will bat but higher than 7 I international selection again on March 29 "Obviously as a cricket supporter I'm selection. I think that will be very, "game template" doesn't change would imagine," Finch said after serving year-long bans for their part rapt for him to get back on the field. It will very radical sort of analysis," the if he comes one place down the when asked about Maxwell's in attempting to alter the ball during a Test be great to see him and Steve (Smith) play Indian captain, known for his order. batting position. against South Africa. and it will be great for Australia as well." forthright views, said on the eve "If that's the requirement of "In one day cricket, it's not Warner also returned home from Langer said. of the first ODI here. the team at a particular stage in as easy to go at the end. So it Bangladesh with an injured elbow, though "From all accounts they should both be There were talks that IPL the game or before a particular would be nice to bat higher up less serious than Smith. He too had surgery ready for the IPL, which is really positive," could be a possible shoot-out 1 5$  *$  *   game, I'm more than happy to do The skipper made it clear but it depends on what happens and was also at the SCG on Thursday. he said. Once their bans expire, both play- between Dinesh Karthik and it. I've batted a lot of times at No that his style of batting won't in the top four or top five. If the He crossed paths there with former ers will be eligible for the final two games Rishabh Pant for the second wick- seems to have regained some 4, so I don't necessarily need to change much from No 3 to 4. opportunity does come up, I'd South African fast bowler Morne Morkel, of Australia's five-match ODI series against etkeeper's slot but Kohli said that form, has made a very good case try it out because I've done that "My game doesn't change like to take," Maxwell had said who has settled in Sydney with his wife. Pakistan in the UAE next month. one good IPL won't make much for himself for the World Cup a lot of times in the past," Kohli from No 3 to No 4 because tem- after the Bengaluru T20, sig- Morkel was training at the ground ahead The squad for that series has yet to be of a difference for any World Cup squad. echoed his coach's sentiment. plate is quite similar. In any given nalling his intentions. of a stint with English county side Surrey, announced. hopeful. "It augurs really well. KL, "We need to have a solid when he plays well, is operating at team. Before we head into the IPL, a different level I feel. We have seen we need to be absolutely clear of him do that in the IPL last year what team we want for the World and in patches over the last sea- ( '     D  R  Cup. I don't see anything chang- son we played as a team." ing on how the IPL goes for any Kohli then went on to explain of the players. as to what makes Rahul special. 8     start of the innings. fours off Ebadat Hossain to move "If one or two players do not "It's very difficult to find a He occupied the crease for more from 93 to 101. have a good IPL season, it does- consistent player, who can play enturies to Tom Latham and Jeet than six hours, scoring freely around It took a sly switch from n't mean that they are out of the good cricketing shots and still win CRaval, and the best opening part- the ground and reaching the bound- Mahmudullah to make the elusive picture for the World Cup. Those you games at a strike-rate of over nership for New Zealand in nearly ary with 17 fours as well as hitting breakthrough. things are not going to matter," 140 or 150. He has all the shots half-a-century left Bangladesh on Mehidy Hasan over the mid-wicket The Bangladesh skipper brought Kohli set the record straight. and has a solid game as well. the ropes on day two of the first Test fence three times. himself on for one over only and on Talking about the remaining "…it will be interesting to see on Friday. Ironically, it was Soumya Sarkar his fifth delivery, Raval skied an slots, Kohli is keen to give Pant what happens in the final World Kane Williamson, unbeaten on -- who spilled the simple catch at sec- attempted slog-sweep to Khaled some game time but certainly not Cup squad. Definitely, he has 93, added to the run-fest at Hamilton's ond slip -- who eventually claimed his Ahmed at mid-wicket. at the cost of playing a bowler less, made a strong case for himself. It's Seddon Park in a century stand for the wicket. It was another part-time bowler taking the field restrictions into good he's in great nick and hope- fourth wicket with Henry Nicholls. But by then, Latham had passed Soumya who picked up the two account. fully he can carry it forward." At stumps, New Zealand were 451 150 for the fourth time in his career wickets of Latham and Ross Taylor. "We will have to think about The one time the skipper for four, leading by 217 with six wick- and New Zealand were 333 for two. Latham, who edged a wide deliv- the combinations. I don't think seemed a trifle irritated was when ets in hand. It continued a purple patch of ery to second slip on the second ball playing a bowler less is a good idea a scribe asked whether the team Latham made 161, Raval notched form for the left-hander who has three he faced, put that stroke away for 246 because with the extra fielder in is experimenting at the cost of his maiden century with 132, while centuries from his past four Test deliveries before he poked at a wide till the 40th over, it becomes very winning the series. Nicholls departed two overs before innings. ball from Soumya and a diving difficult to sort of get a few guys "We are playing to win the stumps for 53. Raval, frustrated by holding the Mohammad Mithun completed the to chip in with a few overs here series or else I'll leave the ball to With the assistance of a flat track, New Zealand record for the most dismissal -- also at second slip. and there. hit the stumps," it was difficult to Latham and Raval put on 254 for the fifties (eight) without a century, final- Taylor did not bother questioning "We will have to work out the miss the sarcasm in his voice. first wicket -- the third-highest open- ly got that monkey off his back in his his dismissal when a Soumya batting combination to try and "As I said earlier, if we want to ing partnership by a New Zealand pair 17th Test. inswinger rapped on the front pad give game-time to the guys we see how a few guys play in a cer- and their best since the record 387 set He held his nerve after passing his plumb in line with the stumps. want to. But, I don't see the bowl- tain situation, we'll play them by Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis previous best -- 88 on the same Against the run of play, Mehidy ing combination changing," the again in that situation. It's not like against the West Indies 47 years ago. ground against South Africa two claimed the late wicket of Nicholls skipper said. if a guy is not playing in a certain Latham punished Sri Lanka for years ago -- and was able to raise his -$ 4   3  *  *$ + *   with a ball that came back and The skipper also dropped a situation, he doesn't have the dropping him before he scored at the bat when he cracked back-to-back crashed into the stumps. broad hint that KL Rahul, who ability," he added. %# $#/%#( )#%*+*,-.  :>

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  ,B, 2(, 8  that is the most important thing now." ottenham could dream of an Much of the damage done in the 8    Tunlikely Premier League title chal- past week will be forgotten should Valverde. exploit. lenge just a week ago but back-to-back Spurs bounce back in the derby and fter knocking Real Madrid Midfield has been defeats against Burnley and Chelsea open up what ought to be a decisive Aout of the Copa del Rey,    bypassed too easily mean their top-four place is in dan- seven-point advantage over Arsenal. Barcelona now have the oppor- The question for all season while nei- ger as they prepare to host Arsenal. And Pochettino was keen to point tunity to send their rivals pack- Barca is also what ther Nelson Semedo Spurs' lead over their north out that there is just as much pressure ing in the title race too. these showings against nor Sergi Roberto London rivals is down to four points, on their local rivals to avoid a third Barca's 3-0 victory on the defending have really convinced with Manchester United and Chelsea season without Champions League Wednesday means Barca will European champions at right back. also close behind in the race for the football. return to the Santiago say about their own There is still time final two Champions League places "Everyone from the beginning of Bernabeu on Saturday with a chances in the to tighten up and next season. the season would have signed up to spring in their step, even if Champions League. Samuel Umtiti's To make matters worse, Mauricio be in that position before playing on Madrid were the better side A goalless draw return to fitness will Pochettino's men still have to travel Saturday," added the Argentine. and had the better opportuni- at Lyon in the first leg be a welcome boost if to title-chasing Liverpool and "Everyone would have signed for ties until the chaotic final 30 leaves their last 16 tie he can find sharp- Manchester City in the final 10 games that eight or 10 months ago in June minutes, when a Luis Suarez delicately poised ness before the end of of the league campaign. or July, to be, today, with the possi- double and Raphael Varane ahead of the home the season. Pochettino has routinely hailed bility of playing against Arsenal at own goal gave victory to the return next month But for those that the incredible effort of his squad to Wembley with the gap at four points. Catalans. and if Barca do come crave success in the stay in the title race as long as they The pressure is on them, not only us." "They had more chances in through, sterner tests Champions League, have done, particularly in finding late the first half, it's true," said will lie ahead. more than either La winners to beat Fulham, Watford and  Gerard Pique. "But in the sec- Suarez's brace on Liga or the Copa del Newcastle without the injured Harry A thrilling 4-2 win over ond we knew how to get at Wednesday continues Rey, there is room Kane. Tottenham in early December was the them. They left more space and a timely return to for improvement. The England captain is now back highlight so far of Unai Emery's first in 10 to 15 minutes we scored form while Lionel "We are happy to in the fold but despite defying World season as Arsenal boss. three goals." Messi showed against go through but we Cup fatigue and struggling with a However, despite the Spaniard's A repeat this weekend in Sevilla last weekend have do have to do lengthy injury list, no new signings success in putting his personal stamp La Liga would leave Santiago that he is ready to call some things a lot bet- and having to endure another season on the Gunners, a familiar failing Solari's side 12 points adrift of upon his scintillating ter," Valverde said. at their temporary home of Wembley, from the final years of Arsene Barcelona, who would effec- best when required. "There are impor- it is possible Spurs are finally running Wenger's reign has hampered their tively have an extra point's It is in defence tant matches to out of steam at the wrong time. progress. advantage given their superior where doubts remain. come." "Now it's about being calm. It In contrast to their stunning head-to-head record. That The ease with which Atletico Madrid won't change my assessment of the form at the Emirates, Arsenal have would be a gargantuan gap to Madrid opened Barca play a resurgent Real players," said Pochettino after his side won just once on the road in the make up with 12 games left. up on the counter- Sociedad on Sunday failed to register a single shot on tar- Premier League in their past seven Atletico Madrid are closer, attack suggests there is while Getafe's sur- get in the Premier League for the first games and that was at rock-bottom seven points back, and they still still a vulnerability on prise challenge for time in his five seasons in charge in Huddersfield. have to play Barca in April, the break, which Champions League a 2-0 loss to Chelsea on Wednesday. Emery's embarrassment of rich- albeit at the Camp Nou, where teams in the qualification contin- "We need to support them, pre- es going forward was demonstrated in they have not won in 18 visits. Champions League ues away at Real pare them and lift them and help a 5-1 thrashing of Bournemouth on But there is no doubt bumping will be better placed to Betis. them to compete on Saturday because Wednesday. Real out of the chase would be a major step for the Catalans. They should feel confi- at the Bernabeu and in each of And while Madrid will delivered by players used to dent if recent form between the those they have scored three or take heart from the handful of producing when it matters two sides is any guide. The more. This season alone, their golden opportunities they cre- most. Copa del Rey win was aggregate total against Real ated, it was their opponents "When Luis Suarez is in the Barcelona's fourth in six games reads 9-2. that showed the killer instinct, area, he is at 200 per cent," said   & (   )+$    # -  &  &    $

      

here will be no final at    Thome for Real Betis. The team's Benito ndia Open will have a new Villamarin Stadium in Seville Iaddress this time with Indira will host the Copa del Rey final Gandhi International Stadium this season, but Betis won't be (IGI) set to host the ninth edition there after being eliminated by of the World Tour Super 500 Valencia in the semifinals on badminton tournament from Thursday. March 26 to 31. Valencia won 1-0 at home After eight successful years, to reach the Copa final for the the USD 350,000 tournament first time in more than a will return for its ninth edition decade, where it will play with the best names in the busi- Barcelona on May 25. ness descending on the capital Striker Rodrigo scored a for the event. second-half winner for This marque tournament Valencia, which advanced 3-2 was previously held at the Siri on aggregate after a 2-2 draw Fort Sports Complex for the last at Betis three weeks ago. seven years. "We wanted to be in this The Indira Gandhi final and we were confident International Stadium (IGI) in that we had the team to make the past has hosted landmark it," Betis defender Marc Bartra sports events like the 1982 Asian said. Games and recently, the AIBA "Unfortunately, sometimes Women's World Boxing things don't go the way you Championships. expect in football." On All the matches will be Wednesday, four-time defend- played at the K.D Jadhav Indoor ing champion Barcelona Hall located within the IGI sta- defeated Real Madrid 3-0 to dium. advance to its sixth straight "Historically India has regis- Copa final. tered good results in this tourna- Valencia, celebrating its ment and I am confident our centennial, hadn't made it to players will repeat the feat this the final since it won the last year too; especially playing at a of its seven Copa titles in new and historic venue like 2008. !   :< even matches against them Indira Gandhi Stadium," BAI "We played a very com- this season, and could have President Himanta Biswa Sarma plete series and deserved to     actually beaten them. It's a said. advance," Rodrigo said. "It's      final, in one match, so any- The tournament has evolved great to be able to reach this       thing can happen." a long way since its inception in final in such a special year for Valencia was eliminated by 2008. The first three editions of the club."    Barcelona in last year's Copa the India Open, then a Grand Betis needed to score after  semifinal. It also fell to the Prix Gold level tournament of the conceding twice in the first leg Catalan club in the last four in BWF tournament structure were at home, but it was Valencia 2012 and 2016. hosted in Hyderabad. that struck first at its Mestalla first leg, when Valencia trailed Barcelona will be trying to It was upgraded later to a Stadium when Rodrigo found by two goals early in the sec- win an unprecedented fifth BWF Superseries Tournament in the net from close range after ond half. straight Copa title, and 31st 2011 and since then India Open a pass by Kevin Gameiro fol- Valencia and Barcelona overall, the most by any club. is part of the World Tour and lowing a breakaway in the drew both matches they played Valencia had a dismal start hosted at the National Capital. 56th minute. in the Spanish league this sea- to its season, winning only one With the Olympic It took a while for son - 1-1 at Mestalla last year of its first 13 matches in all Qualification starting later this Rodrigo's goal to be con- and 2-2 at Camp Nou Stadium competitions. But it has hit its year; this year's India Open will firmed, but a video review this month. stride recently, moving closer see a host of top players from eventually determined there "We will face a great team, to the European spots in the world badminton trying to amass was no offside in the build-up. with a player who makes the Spanish league and also reach- as many ranking points possible Gameiro had scored the difference," Rodrigo said. ing the last 16 in the Europa to guarantee a direct entry for the stoppage-time equalizer in the "But we played two very League. Tokyo 2020 Olympics.