y

k y m c

VOLUME 11, ISSUE 137 | www.orissapost.com BHUBANESWAR | TUESDAY, AUGUST 17 | 2021 12 PAGES | `5.00

y

k y m c JOHNNY DEPP CLAIMS BEING ROBBIE HASN’T BEEN TUESDAY | AUGUST 17 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR BOYCOTTED BY HOLLYWOOD HOME FOR TWO YEARS Hollywood star Johnny Depp claimed in Actress Margot Robbie has not been back to her an interview that he is being ‘boycotted native Australia in almost two years due to shoot by Hollywood. Depp said that he feels the commitments and the Covid-19 pandemic. “There Hollywood is turning its back on him as was the pandemic and before that I was on a film

y his latest film Minamata is yet to get a US or two. I miss home so much,” Robbie told

k y m leisure release, reports variety.com. T Australia: The New York Times Style Magazine. c FORTUNE FORECAST Mrunal on going back Debanshi bags SaReGaMaPa title ARIES to ‘hectic schedule’ BHUBANESWAR: Odia singing reality show You will be indecisive today, SaReGaMaPa – Swara ra Mahamancha, aired which is not usually the NEW DELHI: Mrunal lockdown happened... I knew on Zee Sarthak TV, has found its winner. case with you. Ganesha Thakur says when I would get back to this hec- Debanshi Das from Puri has beaten her co- says this could lead you to indulge in the lockdown hap- tic schedule and this is what participants to bag the title. She won a cash prize speculation, which is not so bad unless pened, she knew we live for...” of Rs 1 lakh while first and second runners-up you risk all your money in it. Besides, when it comes to matters of the heart, she would get back “Shooting back-to-back... Payal Mohanty and Ipsit Pati, both from you must exercise a great deal of caution. to the hectic sched- I know I feel exhausted but Bhubaneswar went home with `50,000 and ule that actors live I always feel like this is the `25,000 in their kitties. for. time, I have the opportunity After winning the title, Debanshi says, “I TAURUS Mrunal’s latest and if not now then when?” am overwhelmed and speechless as the feel- All is not likely to go well release is the added the 29-year-old actress. ing of being the winner is yet to sink in. Zee during this day says Farhan Akhtar Mrunal will also be seen Sarthak has given me a platform to realise my Ganesha. Though you will starrer Toofan. with actor Dulquer Salmaan dreams and I will always be thankful for that. sail smoothly most of the day, prob- She next has in their yet-to-be-titled trilin- It was an honour to perform with and in front lems are very likely to come up. At the professional level you are not Jersey and Aankh gual film. of legends from the industry. I would like to ex- likely to face obstacles or difficulties. Micholi. Directed by Hanu press my gratitude to the audience who voted Your relations with your parents turn Does the fast Raghavapudi, the film pro- for me wholeheartedly.” awkward and unpleasant. You could be paced life of film duced by Ashwini Dutt and The musical event was attended by celebrities getting into a serious argument with industry ever get Priyanka Dutt under Swapna like Babushan, Mantu Chhuria, Tansen Singh, them and thereby displease and disap- exhausting? point them. You need to respect their Cinema is being made in Bikash Dash and Prem Anand. Mentors of the views and wishes and if necessary ten- Mrunal said: Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. show Goodly Rath, Aseema Panda, Dipti Rekha der sincere apologies, if necessary. “When the second It will be presented by and Krishna Beura were also present. PNN wave came and the Vyjayanthi Movies. IANS GEMINI Your sensitive and emotion- al nature will prove to be a I am misfit in the industry: Sona problem for you. Hence you need to control your emotions. Tread Prachi joins MUMBAI: Singer-songwriter Sona Bollywood songs in my kitty, I would carefully when it comes to personal rela- tionships. You need to wait for a better Mohapatra believes that even though rather have original, independent time before you think of proposing to that her choice of ‘living life on her own songs. Yes, it is time-consuming, special someone, says Ganesha. Forensic cast terms’ and speaking her heart out but these are original work.” made her journey as an artiste Since the pandemic, like MUMBAI: Prachi Desai has joined tougher, it has also liberated all the other industries, CANCER Radhika Apte and Vikrant Massey her as an artiste. the music industry has You will be in a joyous for investigative thriller Forensic di- She says: “I am a little strange also got affected espe- mood. You will be de-lighted rected by Vishal Furia. and misfit in Bollywood or in cially film music. in whatever task you do. Talking about her upcoming film, the Mumbai music industry be- IANS Financial matters will confound you, with even a petty issue causing tension. Prachi said: “I am so happy to cause I am always doing every- Ganesha says it will be a colourful day, be a part of this investigative thing on my own terms. So with happy tidings. thriller. Vishal has a very naturally, my work oppor- interesting vision and tunity in film music is palette for the project. And less. Therefore I am not in LEO I play a part that I have a rat race. From the time Your entire day will be spent never quite attempted be- I started my journey as at work. Those working in fore. It is exciting that writ- a musician, I always fo- large corporations will have ers and directors are pen- cused on putting out to fulfill heightened expectations from their superiors. Housewives will need to ning projects that are so original songs as op- tackle other work, apart from their daily unique.” posed to counting on chores. It is an important day for you, Talking about Prachi the number of says Ganesha. being cast in the film, Vishal Bollywood songs I said: “I am happy that we lend my voice to. have Prachi coming on board For me, it is not VIRGO for the film. She plays a cru- an ultimate You will stay away from cial character. She has this in- achievement partnership ventures. trinsic charm that makes to have 100 Ganesha says you have the ability to control large-scale projects on her effortlessly sync with your own. You have leadership qualities, the story.” and will be able to coordinate team work Welcoming her to the and direct your colleagues to get the team, producers required amount of work from them. Deeapak Mukut and Mansi Bangla said: “Prachi’s casting was LIBRA key to the film. It took Ganesha says that you will us several weeks of brood- be able to attain a huge ben- ing to find the right one for the efit because of your nature to take chances. Higher ups in the office part. We are so thrilled that will take notice of your skills and ability to she is coming on board.” work well. Seniors in your office will pro- The actress was last seen in mote and inspire you to give your best Silence..Can You Hear It? oppo- Ganesha says this is not a good time to site Manoj Bajpayee. IANS get into a direct fight with anyone since it will lead to more problems and issues.

SCORPIO SUDOKU You are ready to take up the post To solve the Sudoku puzzle, fill in the boxes in such a challenges that life has to PEANUTS CROSSWORD manner that every row, column and 3x3 box contains throw at you. Thanks to the confidence the digits 1 to 9, without repeating any. within you, which gives you power to fight it out against all odds. Even if you take up a mammoth task, you are bound to succeed today, predicts Ganesha.

SAGITTARIUS Your business is likely to grow with leaps and bounds, foresees Ganesha. Increase in financial returns will keep you happy for the entire day. Work in progress gives out positive signals. Your expert advise will be valued at work. In short, a day full of activities.

CAPRICORN CALVIN AND HOBBES Practical and creative, you are able to utilise your tal- ents in the best possible manner. You will smartly solve family issues, without favouring or hurting any- body, says Ganesha. You'll like to play the role of a peace maker, as it gives you sat- SOLUTIONS isfaction from within. Also, you will love to help others as much as you can.

AQUARIUS Be it about solving financial issues or concerns about income, money matters will keep your mind occupied through out the day. You will have a gala time with your friends later on the day, predicts Ganesha. Not that you don't value your friends, but today, you will realise how BREVITY CROSSWORD important you are for one another.

PISCES

You are fond of traveling y

and are always looking for

k y m an excuse to set off. Hence it comes as no c surprise if you pack your bags and decide to embark upon a journey on a whim today. It is a much needed break too, from the daily stresses of earning a liveli- hood. While you are seeking solitude, you

will take your friends and relatives along SUDOKU with you on the trip, says Ganesha. CHECK FOR SOLUTIONS OF THE PUZZLES TOMORROW

y

k y m c

STRAIGHT TALK AFGHANISTAN FALLS SPURS STUN MAN CITY Singer-songwriter Sona Mohapatra The Taliban have seized power in Afghanistan two Son Heung-min goal helps Spurs beat Manchester believes that she is misfit in Mumbai weeks before the US was set to complete its City and get off to winning start in film and music industry troop withdrawal Premier League 2021-22 BACK LEISURE | INTERNATIONAL | P8 SPORTS | PAGE

www.orissapost.com BHUBANESWAR | TUESDAY, AUGUST 17 | 2021 P1

Assembly session from September 1 3 top Maoists surrender before DGP BHUBANESWAR: Three top Maoists from Chhattisgarh Monday BHUBANESWAR: The monsoon session of the State Assembly surrendered before the Director General of Police Abhay at the DGP will begin from September 1 and continue till September 9, a camp office here. The ultras of the CPI (Maoist) were identified as notification said. As per the schedule prepared by the Lakma Madvi alias Lakhan of village Isurnag under Bijapur police Assembly Secretariat, there will be seven official business days limits, Ganga Madkam alias Nitesh of village Kamalpad under and one private members’ business day during the short Kistaram police station and Suka Sodi alias Nabin of village Dulad session. The house will remain closed September 4 (Sunday). under Chintakupa police station of Sukma district in Chhattisgarh. The state government is likely to table several bills during the They were part of the Kodanga-Mahanadi-Sanjukta area session. This will be the 7th session of the 16th Assembly. committee operating under the KKBN division of Odisha State Committee of the CPI- Maoists.

IRREGULAR by MANJUL No cut in excise on fuel, Centre clarifies again AGENCIES

New Delhi, August 16: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Monday ruled out a cut in excise duty on petrol and diesel to ease prices, which have touched an all- time high, saying payments in lieu of past subsidised fuel pose limi- India is truly a diverse country! tations. There are people to even cheer for Taliban! Petrol and diesel as well as cook- ing gas and kerosene were sold at subsidised rates during the previ- ous Congress-led UPA government. Instead of paying for the subsidy 15-yr old, above to bring parity between the artifi- cially suppressed retail selling vehicles to go price and the cost that had soared because of international rates off roads in state crossing USD 100 per barrel, the then government issued oil bonds POST NEWS NETWORK totalling `1.34 lakh crore to the state-fuel retailers. Bhubaneswar, August 16: Soon These oil bonds and the interest after the Centre launched the ve- CLASSES AMID PANDEMIC: Class IX students of Govt Girls’ High School at Unit-I in Bhubaneswar walk out after attending physical classes that resumed amid Covid-19 restrictions (REPORT P2) thereon are being paid now. "If I did hicle scrappage policy, the state not have the burden to service the government has initiated steps to oil bonds, I would have been in a po- implement the same in Odisha. sition to reduce excise duty on State Transport and Commerce fuel," she told reporters here. Minister Padmanabha Behera said, "Previous government have made “Whatever policy decisions on 104 KIDS TEST our job difficult by issuing oil motor vehicles were taken by the bonds. Even if I want to do some- Centre are being implemented by all states including Odisha. As the Exit frenzy kills Prime Minister had announced COVID-19 +VE CUMULATIVE POSITIVITY RATE 5.82 PER CENT PNN &AGENCIES ALARM BELLS RING Bhubaneswar, August 16: Amid 8 at Kabul airport concerns that the third wave of 50,689 the pandemic would have a greater Covid-19 cases have been recorded vehicle scrappage policy on the oc- impact on children, 104 kids test- among children in the age group of casion of Independence Day, the n As Taliban wrap up their ing positive for Covid-19 in the 0-14 years thus far state will also implement it.” takeover of Afghanistan, citizens state has set alarm bells ringing, All vehicles above 15 years which scramble to leave the country. Monday. thing I am paying through my nose are unfit for the road and their fit- Odisha Monday registered 868 for the oil bonds." ness would not be renewed will be Panicked Afghans were seen new Covid-19 cases, which took active cases in Khurda-- the only Sitharaman, who had raised scrapped, Behera said. Asked about desperately trying to get on the tally to 9,95,433, while 66 fresh district marked as ‘Red Zone', excise duty on petrol and diesel to Cuttack has been identified as the number of such vehicles in fatalities pushed the toll to 6,953, a record high to shore up revenue flights out of the country ‘Yellow Zone' with 1,356 active cases Odisha, the minister said, “As per health department official said. collections last year, said the in- the Centre, there are nearly one AGENCIES Of the 868 new cases, 104 are in terest on oil bonds paid in the last crore such vehicles of which our the age group of 0-18 years, he said. 1,94,18,224 seven years totalled `70,195.72 state has a few lakhs.” The state has Kabul, August 16: At least five According to chief of Directorate people inoculated in state till crore. Of the `1.34 lakh crore of oil the list of such old vehicles. The de- people have been killed at the of Medical Education and Training Sunday of which 44,70,426 benefi- bonds, only `3,500 crore of prin- cision will be taken as per the Kabul airport and three stow- AIR INDIA CANCELS CBK Mohanty, “Since the popula- ciaries have taken both the doses cipal has been paid and the re- Centre's scheme, he added. aways were reported to have fallen FLIGHT TO KABUL tion of 18 years of age and below maining `1.3 lakh crore is due for Commenting on this new pol- to their deaths from an airborne is not inoculated, the probability of repayment between this fiscal icy, All Odisha Private Bus Owners plane as thousands of Afghans Panicked Afghans were also seen NEW DELHI: Air India cancelled its them getting affected is more. School and 2025-26, she said. Association spokesperson Debasish are desperately trying to get on climbing up the outside of an air- Delhi-Kabul-Delhi flight that was authorities and parents have a spe- The government has to repay Nayak said, “The launching of the flights out of the country amid bridge in a bid to get onboard scheduled to be operated Monday cific role to play in protecting them.” `10,000 crore this fiscal year (2021- policy during this pandemic will col- increasingly chaotic scenes, media planes and chasing a US military and carriers running flight services According to the health depart- 22). Another `31,150 crore is due between India and the western lapse the private bus sector. As we reports Monday. C-17 down the runway. ment, 50,689 Covid-19 cases have to be repaid in 2023-24, `52,860.17 countries avoided the Afghan air- are sitting idle for more than two US troops fired shots in the air Videos also showed hundreds of been recorded among children in crore in the following year and space after it was declared "uncon- ` years, we are unable to pay our at the Hamid Karzai International people running alongside, and in trolled" by the Kabul airport authori- the age group of 0 and 14 thus far. 36,913 crore in 2025-26. "A sig- loans. This time, this policy will en- Airport to prevent hundreds of front of a US Air Force plane ties, senior officials said. The Air Odisha’s percentage of infection number of fresh fatalities at 12, nificant amount is going for in- sure that we stop doing business.” civilians running onto the tar- preparing to take off. All com- India flight was the only commercial among children and adolescents followed by Cuttack eight, Angul terest payment and principal re- At least the government should mac after they took over mercial services have been sus- service scheduled to be operated is mostly at par with the national seven, Balasore and Dhenkanal payment. What unfair burden on give some time so that the bus op- Afghanistan's air traffic control. pended, with only military flights between India and Afghanistan average, the DMET chief stated. five each. This apart, 53 other Covid- me," she said. erators can come out from the Witnesses said it was not clear leaving the country as the UK, Monday. The national carrier is the Khurda district, of which the 19 patients in the state have died due "Opening balance in 2014-15 was heavy losses, he said, adding, “It whether the victims were killed US and other western countries only airline that has been operating state capital Bhubaneswar is a to comorbidities. Odisha currently about `1.34 lakh crore and interest should have been implemented in by gunshots or in a stampede. repatriate their citizens. It comes flights between the two countries. part, recorded 256 new cases, fol- has 10,187 active cases while as many repayment was `10,255 crore. Since a phased manner without putting Footage published by Asvaka as the UK Ministry of Defence Afghanistan stares at an uncertain lowed by Cuttack at 154, the official as 9,78,240 patients, including 1,043 2015-16, interest burden each year much burden on us.” showed three stowaways falling to confirmed the first British na- future as President Ashraf Ghani left said. Three districts – Koraput, Sunday, have recovered from the is `9,989 crore." The collections the deaths after clinging on to the tionals had landed at the RAF the country just before Kabul fell Nabarangpur and Subarnapur – highly infectious disease. Khurda is from the hike in excise duty far MARKET WATCH wheels of a military plane as it base Brize Norton after being into the hands of the Taliban. did not report any new case. the only district marked as ‘Red exceed the amount due to be paid took off from Kabul airport. evacuated from Kabul. Sambalpur reported the highest Zone' with 3,638 active cases. to oil companies. INDEX VARIATION

SENSEX 55582.58 145.29

BOURSES NIFTY 16563.00 33.90 Can’t compel reluctant Centre to file affidavit on Pegasus: SC DOLLAR 74.61 `0.03 up a panel to examine all aspects with an object of examining the is- answer is no.” n The Centre’s unwillingness to related to the issue. sues raised, the Centre will con- He said, “If it is for fact finding, EURO 87.43 `0.12 CURRENCY file a detailed affidavit on the The apex court bench headed stitute a Committee of Experts in then I am for it. But if it is for sen- GOLD `47,220 `280 controversial Pegasus expose by Chief Justice NV Ramana would the field which will go in to all as- sationalising which is alien to Tuesday deliberate on whether the pects of the issue. Article 32 then I cannot help it. It SILVER `63,359 `121 has rattled the Supreme Court Centre should file a detailed affidavit “You see, when the government looks like petitioners want to go BULLION in the matter, after the short one in is reluctant, then can you force it somewhere else other than what AGENCIES which it submitted Monday that the to file a detailed affidavit?” the courts want to see.” Senior ad- pleas were “based on conjectures bench said, adding, “We will con- vocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for WEATHER New Delhi, August 16: The and surmises or on other unsub- tinue tomorrow... If Mr Mehta veteran journalists N Ram and Supreme Court Monday said it stantiated media reports or in- (Solicitor General) may decide to Sashi Kumar who have filed one y BHUB CTK cannot compel the “reluctant” complete or uncorroborated ma- file an affidavit, then we have noth- of the petitions in the matter, ar-

Centre to file a detailed affidavit on terial”. ing to say, or we will hear all of you.” gued that the Centre should file

k y m MAX 32.6° 32.0° c pleas seeking information if Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, The law officer said, “The gov- an affidavit stating whether the

TEMP MIN 26.8° 26.2° Pegasus spyware was used to snoop appearing for the Centre, said the ernment is not reluctant at all... I government or its agencies have Forecast on certain citizens and steps it matter, if gone into on the basis of “furnish an affidavit etc”. comprising justices Surya Kant ask myself a question if a one used Pegasus. The Solicitor General Humidity 97% 97% Light rain took to probe the allegations amid unsubstantiated reports, may have The ministry of electronics and and Aniruddha Bose, that “to dis- page affidavit is filed saying that said the Pegasus issue would involve Rainfall 8.4mm 10.2mm very likely vehement claims that there was “national security implications” Information Technology in a two- pel any wrong narrative spread Pegasus was not used then will the aspect of national security and “nothing to hide” and it will set and it cannot be handled by asking page affidavit told the bench, also by certain vested interests” and they withdraw the petitions. The the matter is “sensitive”. P2 TUESDAY | AUGUST 17 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR downtown Smart health cards

‘White Spider’, Sarai for 3.5 crore people STA LAUNCHES APP TO

k y m CURB ROAD FATALITIES c POST NEWS NETWORK App to arrest crimes he programme is aimed at maintaining a national database of POST NEWS NETWORK the slums drugs free Monday. A Bhubaneswar, August 16: On T road accidents special team of police officials have the occasion of 75th Independence Bhubaneswar, August 16: The DIAL 112 FOR been created by the police. The PNN & AGENCIES Day, Sunday, State Transport he app will help establish an Commissionerate Police Monday cops will try to thwart the spread Authority (STA) launched Taccurate and uniform accident data launched operation ‘White Spider’ EMERGENCY of drugs trade in the slums and Bhubaneswar, August 16: Around Integrated Road Accident Database collection mechanism for improving to make the slums drugs free and disha Police Monday urged arrest the peddlers. 3.5 crore people of 96 lakh families, (IRAD) mobile and web applica- road safety in the state the residents of Capital city also unveiled a software application, O The cops under the supervision who are getting benefits under na- tion that will analyse causes of t will enable the police, transport, to dial 112 instead of 100 in case Sarai App, to keep tabs on suspi- of DCP, Bhubaneswar will visit tional and state food security road accidents and help reduce fa- PWD, and NHAI authorities to use of any emergency. “UPD I cious activities in hotels and lodges the slums and listen to the problems schemes, will avail cashless health talities across Odisha. their mobile phones to collect accident Bhubaneswar (Dial 100) is now in the Capital city. of the slum dwellers under ‘Basti coverage under Biju Swasthya An initiative of the Union data on the spot and facilitate timely integrated with #ERSS (Dial Speaking on the issue, Ku Chala’. They will try to find Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) from Ministry of Road Transport and exchange of information Commissioner of Police Saumendra Telephone receiver112). We out why the slum dwellers are in- September 1 onwards. Highways (MoRTH), the project urge the people of Odisha Priyadarshi told the media that it volved in various criminal activi- The state government Sunday an- was launched in Odisha by including UPD Bhubaneswar, is mandatory for the lodges and please dial Telephone ties. Action will be taken to check nounced the expansion of its flag- Commerce and Transport Minister put through analysing, monitor- district for implementation of this hotels under the Sarai's Act to receiver112 in case of criminal activities in slums after ship health assurance scheme Padmanabha Behera. Supported ing and reporting dashboard for application. share all the details about their emergency rather than dialing proper analysis of findings. BSKY, which it had implemented by the World Bank, the applica- easy understanding and accord- “These descriptions will assist establishment with the police. This 100,” twitted the official Twitter “Our drive against drugs men- instead of Centre's Ayushman tion will enable collection of ac- ingly forecasting & decision mak- the government in bringing about apart, they are supposed to share handle of Odisha police. Though ace will be more effective following Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan cident data on the spot. ing by apex authorities. This will reforms in driving rules, the con- the records of visitors checking the Emergency Response three-pronged action that includes Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).For the Speaking at the launching cer- help in formulating new policies and ditions of roads, ensuring safety in and out with the police. Support System (ERSS) was Basti ku Chala, extensive drives first time, the state government emony, Behera said, “The pro- strategies. measures on district roads and “The Commissionerate Police has launched in March, the system against drug addicts, drug ped- has also introduced smart health gramme is aimed at maintaining The app will also enable the highways and creating conditions developed an app named ‘Sarai’ to needs some more time to get dlers and rising street crimes,” cards for the beneficiaries. a national database of road acci- stakeholders such as the police, for prompt disposal of road accident streamline the aforesaid task. The ho- fully integrated. Priyadarshi added. Announcing this on the occa- dents. The app will help in estab- transport, PWD, and NHAI au- registered cases,” said Commerce tels and lodges in Bhubaneswar have Bhubaneswar DCP Umashankar sion of 75th Independence Day, lishing an accurate and uniform ac- thorities to use their mobile phones and Transport department prin- to send all their activity details to po- the security and crime by getting Dash also reissued the WhatsApp Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik cident data collection mechanism to collect accident data on the spot cipal secretary Madhu Sudan Padhi. lice on a daily basis by installing the such details shared by the hotel number, 7077798111, for street crimes said that all 96 lakh families will be for improving road safety in the and facilitate timely exchange of in- Apart from Odisha, the project app in their systems,” he said. owners daily. and urged citizens to share details re- provided smart health cards under state.” formation. National Informatics was launched in Chhattisgarh, He expressed hope to bring under The twin city police also launched garding any illegal drug activities in the scheme that will transform Sources said that the system Centre (NIC) has appointed District Kerala, Meghalaya, Himachal control any movement affecting operation ‘White Spider’ to make their locality through this number. health service delivery system. would represent the analysis out- Rollout Managers (DRMs) in every Pradesh and Haryana. IMD predicts heavy SISTER’S LOVE Structures razed to pave way rain for two days POST NEWS NETWORK for multi-level car parking Bhubaneswar, August 16: The India Meteorological Department POST NEWS NETWORK Proposal has been expedited.’’ (IMD) Monday said heavy rainfall Sources said that the eviction would occur at many places of the Bhubaneswar, August 16: An was necessary to expedite the MLCP state for next two days under the in- eviction drive was carried at Saheed project at Saheed Nagar. The drive fluence of a fresh low pressure area Nagar here Monday by joint en- would also help provide drainage (Lopar) formed over Bay of Bengal. forcement squads of city authori- system for MLCP structure, street Under the influence of a cyclonic ties to remove encroachments lights, avenue plantation and pe- circulation over westcentral & ad- around the upcoming Multi-Level ripheral beautification. joining northwest Bay of Bengal off Car Parking (MLCP) facility. Upon completion, the two MLCPs north Andhra Pradesh-South The drive was conducted by are expected to decongest Janpath Odisha coasts, a Lopar has formed Central Enforcement Monitoring Patnaik had laid the foundation by creating parking infrastructure over the same area, the IMD said. Committee (CEMC) of stone of two MLCPs – Saheed Nagar for around 600 cars. These will also Associated cyclonic circulation Bhubaneswar Municipal and Rajmahal. While 80 per cent of be integrated with a master-sys- extends upto 7.6km above mean sea Corporation (BMC), Bhubaneswar work for Saheed Nagar MLCP has tem integrator under Pan-city level tilting south-westwards with Development Authority (BDA), been completed, 30 per cent work Smart Solutions which will pro- height. It is likely to move west Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited remains to be completed for vide app-based pre-booking and north-westward during the next (BSCL) and Commissionerate Police. Rajmahal one. semi-automatic off-road parking two days, the Met department said. During the eviction drive, 28 il- BSCL chief executive officer (CEO) facilities to the citizens. The IMD said heavy rainfall legal structures of eateries, bound- Sanjay Kumar Singh said, “Works The MLCP building at Saheed would occur in Kandhamal, Boudh, ary walls, iron angle with tin were affected by Covid-19 and the Nagar is envisaged as a high-rise Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Sambalpur, sheeted extension sheds and ramps virus-induced lockdowns. Completion with five floors of car parking and Sonepur, Nayagarh, Angul, were demolished. of different infra and technology- three floors of commercial area Kalahandi, Jagatsinghpur and A woman checks rakhis at an ORMAS stall in Unit-VIII area of Bhubaneswar, Monday OP PHOTO In 2017, Chief Minister Naveen based projects under the Smart City over 0.734 acres. Ganjam districts, Tuesday. Dharmendra’s Schools reopen for Class IX students Startup challenge under state visit to POST NEWS NETWORK IX student of Unit-I Girls’ High to thermal scanning while enter- July 26, after a gap of more School here, said that physical ing the classrooms. Schools also than three months due to the expedite RUSA Bhubaneswar, August 16: classes are very important for her ensured that students sanitise their restrictions enforced to curb spread NGIS boon for innovators Sandhya Pradhan’s happiness as she could hardly get answers hands, wear facemasks and main- of Covid-19. The Board of POST NEWS NETWORK knew no bounds as she met with her to doubts raised during online tain social distance on the school Secondary Education has intro- POST NEWS NETWORK startup ecosystem in Odisha and classmates after months with classes. While a few schools wel- premises,” said a source. duced a new scheme of examina- encouraged the students and in- Bhubaneswar, August 16: Union schools across the state resuming comed the students by drawing Sources said that Class X teach- tion for Class IX and X students Bhubaneswar, August 16: novators to make Odisha the des- Education Minister Dharmendra physical classes for Class IX rangoli, others greeted the school ings start at 10:30am and ends at in 2021-22 as no examinations have Software Technology Parks of India tination of choice for disruptive Pradhan, on his three-day visit students in strict adherence to goers with flowers. 1:30pm. Schools have been asked to been conducted either at school (STPI) Bhubaneswar organised a and deep-tech startups. He men- Odisha August 19, will interact Covid-19 norms Monday. According to sources, classes make sure that Class IX and X stu- or Board level in Class IX during pan-Odisha online outreach event tioned about the six successful with State Higher Education Pradhan, a Class IX student of would begin at 9am and conclude dents do not interact. “We have 2020-21 due to the Covid-19 situation. inviting startups, innovators, stu- startups from Odisha selected for Minister Arun Sahoo and other Saraswati Sishu Vidya Mandir at at 12.30pm. Schools would hold separate campus for the Class IX Meanwhile, the universities and col- dents, academicians and re- funding under NGIS out of 42 start- senior officers of the Higher Unit-III here, said, “This is for the classes every day except for Sundays and X students. Hence, chances of leges also resumed physical class- searchers to participate in Chunauti ups across the country. Education department with a view first time in the last one and a- and public holidays. interaction are negligible,” said room teaching Monday for the post #2, an open challenge platform for Under the initiative, the selected to expedite Rashtriya Uchchatar half-year that I’m attending phys- “Students with consent letter Sonali Ray, a teacher at Unit-I Girls’ graduate (PG) first year and under selection of beneficiaries under startups will get incentives like hi- Siksha Abhiyan (RUSA) in Odisha. ical classes. It feels really awesome from their parents were allowed High School. Hostels for Class IX graduate (UG) pre-final year students. the New Generation Incubation tech office industrial space, high Pradhan recently informed in to meet friends in school after a entry to classes. In accordance students also reopened Monday. As per previous announcements, the Scheme (NGIS). definition internet, networking and Lok Sabha that Odisha has so long period.” with the norms laid down by the au- Earlier, physical teaching examinations for PG and UG final Speaking on the occasion, STPI industrial connection, help to access far received the Central share of Pragnya Mishra, another Class thorities, students were subjected for Class X and XII resumed year students will be held online. senior director Devesh Tyagi spoke funding from several capitalists, `395.42 crore till date under various about the success of Chunauti#1 `25 lakh seed funding and `10,000 per components of the RUSA scheme. in Odisha. He highlighted the ex- month for six months for pre-in- The Centre has approved 161 higher I-Day at edu institutes tensive infrastructure and facilities cubation programme and for de- education institutions including created by STPI in Odisha with veloping the idea. degree colleges and universities BHUBANESWAR: Schools and Centurion University launches the active support and coopera- The last date of entry for the from the state under RUSA. colleges of the state celebrated the tion of the state government. He programme is August 31, 2021. The Centre has approved as 75th Independence Day at their urged the participants to grab this Sanjukta Badhai, Evangelist of many as 14 institutes from Balasore, educational institutes’ premises in opportunity and come up with in- Startup Odisha, highlighted the in- 11 each from Cuttack and Khurda, the absence of students owing to community diagnostic centre novative ideas and cost effective centives extended by Startup Odisha 10 from Ganjam, eight from the Covid guidelines. technology-driven solutions for specially to women entrepreneurs Mayurbhanj and seven from Jajpur. POST NEWS NETWORK the people. and stressed that there is a need for Three institutions – Rama Devi STPI, Bhubaneswar director more women to delve into entre- Women’s College (Bhubaneswar), Bhubaneswar, August 16: Aiming Manas Panda spoke about the con- preneurship to contribute to faster Gangadhar Meher College CLASSIFIED to provide affordable services to tribution of STPI to build a robust economic development of Odisha. (Sambalpur), and Khallikote College the public, Centurion University, (Berhampur) - were upgraded into AFFIDAVITAFFIDAVIT Jatni launched a community di- universities under RUSA. Nine agnostic centre on its premises universities have received infra- I, Ronny Sarkar residing Monday. SERO SURVEY SOON IN 12 DISTS structure grants this scheme. Senior physician at Jatni group The objective of RUSA is to im- at Flat No. 1, Top Floor, BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to estimate the prevalence of Covid-19 antibodies, health centre Jitendra Kumar prove access, equity and quality especially among the healthcare workers, the state government has Kashi Enclave, N-16/34, Panda inaugurated the commu- in higher education through Block-A, Kolwha, decided to conduct serological survey in 12 districts, an official said nity diagnostic centre in the pres- Monday. Additional Chief Secretary (Health) PK Mohapatra has asked planned development at state level. Vinayaka, Ward No. 2, ence of Gautam Patnaik, research Kumar Rautaray, and Janla abetes, anemia and malnutrition Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) director Sanghamitra Pati to go The scheme aims at creating new Chhitupur, Mahmoorganj, scientist at special centre for mo- sarpanch Pradosh Kumar Jena at- will be organised with the help of ahead with the survey in Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, academic institutions, expanding Varanasi, have changed lecular medicine at JNU, and D P tended the event as guests. students from health workers of Khurda, Puri, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Kandhamal, Kalahandi and and upgrading the existing ones, my name to Samrat Rath, ex-pathologist and blood bank The diagnostic centre will offer the diagnostic centre and students Nabarangpur. The state will spend Rs 57.70 lakh for the survey. “The state- providing students with relevant Sarkar vide affidavit dated officer municipal hospital and tests of blood, stool, urine and eye of School of Paramedics and Allied level serological surveillance will be conducted in the 12 districts to education, and creating an en- Kalinga Hospital, Bhubaneswar. as well as consultation with senior Sciences in various panchayat of- estimate and compare the age-specific prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 abling atmosphere in the higher ed- 16 Aug. 2021 sworn before Jamukoli sarpanch Jotirmayi physicians. Various social service fices, schools and villages under antibodies in the general population and healthcare workers across the ucational institutions to promote Notary Jagyneswar Chhotray, Kusumati sarpanch Sunil camps relating to diseases like di- Jatni panchayat in coming days. state of Odisha,” Mohapatra said in a letter. research and innovation.

Acharya, Bhubaneswar.

k y m c P3 TUESDAY | AUGUST 17 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR state

POLITICKLE by MANJUL STF seizes brown sugar

worth `2.40cr in

k y m Balaram Yojana fails Balasore, 3 arrested c Bhubaneswar: In a major crackdown, the special task force (STF) of Odisha Crime Branch conducted a raid and seized a huge to take off in Jajpur cache of brown sugar weighing around two kilograms in Jaleswar village level Agriculture workers and of Balasore district, Sunday. Three persons have been arrested in this Krushak Sathis are required to form the connection. Acting on a tip-off, a group. Accordingly, groups have been team of STF personnel raided a formed in the block but the banks have place at Jaleswar market in decided to provide loans only to 14 Balasore leading to the arrests and groups. seizure. They nabbed the peddlers Meanwhile, the Agriculture officials when the latter were about to have failed to form groups in several pan- finalise a deal. Those arrested has chayats as it has become difficult for been identified as Mamtaz Khan them to get landless farmer families. from Jhadeswarpur under Jaleswar Moreover, the banks are verifying the police limits of Balasore district, loan transaction records of the group Udaya Nath Rath from Arana village members before sanctioning loans. in Jagatsinghpur district and A member of the group is declared Pradeep Kumar Das of Tainkala ineligible for a loan if he has defaulted area, under Baiyalismouza police in repayment of any previous loan. As limits of Cuttack district. The seized brown sugar weighing 2.402 Rasulpur block has 28 panchayats The Agriculture officials have failed to a result, for a single person the whole Kg has been valued at around `2.40 but Agriculture officials have so far form groups in several panchayats as it group suffers in availing the loan. crore in the market. Along with the managed to form only one joint has become difficult for them to get Moreover, the landless farmers pro- Woman flees village fearing ostracisation contraband, other incriminating liability group on the basis of landless farmer families. Moreover, the vide the details of the land (khata and evidences were also found in the guidelines comprising 14 families of banks are verifying the loan transaction plot numbers) they are cultivating with- possession of those arrested. They landless cultivators in five records of the group members before out the consent of the landowners POST NEWS NETWORK media persons when they visited her and de- were produced before the Balasore panchayats sanctioning loans while applying for the loan. This results manded justice for her and family members. District and Sessions Judge Court in face-off between the two following Sajanagad, August 16: A woman in However, police are yet to speak on the issue Monday and remanded to police which the landowners lodge complaints Jharanaghati village under Berhampur po- or register a case on her written complaint. The custody. POST NEWS NETWORK cials have so far managed to form against the concerned farmers. As a re- lice limits in Balasore was forced to flee her vil- incident has spread anger and shockwaves in only one joint liability group on the sult, it becomes difficult for a group to lage with her family members after a villager the district. Rasulpur, August 16: The state gov- basis of guidelines comprising 14 get a loan and, in most cases, the loan warned of ostracising her and her family Reports said that Chhabi was staying with ernment has launched Balaram Yojana families of landless cultivators in is declined to the group. members as the police failed to act on her com- her three children at home in the absence of (Bhoomihina Agriculturist Loan and five panchayats. This apart, a bank declines a loan to plaint, a report said. her husband. Trouble started after a co-vil- Resources Augmentation Model) to They are Rajendrapur, Samantarapur, the group if a loan on the land which The matter came to the fore after the lager Bhilu Bagal and his family members provide crop loans to landless farm- Bandhadiha, Singhapur and Mugupala he has mentioned in the application is woman was left to starve without food after suspected her fidelity and started abusing her. ers, a report said. panchayats. What is worse is that it outstanding on the landowner. fleeing her village and admitted to Nilagiri Bagal even threatened to ostracise her by de- However, the scheme has failed to take took around a year for them to form the The Sharecropper Act has also been hospital in Balasore district in a critical con- priving her of fire and water. off due to various conditions laid down joint liability group. The delay has violated in the scheme. The rule man- dition, the report said. Shocked over the development, the woman in the guidelines to provide crop loans sparked concern among the Agriculture dates that the landowner who has more informed her husband and lodged a complaint and the restrictions imposed by the department officials working in the than 10 acres of farmland can han- at the local police station, August 11. banks, the report said. As a result, grassroots level. dover his land to landless farmer in Enraged over her move, Bagal banned her sharecroppers and landless farmers Sources said the scheme was launched getting a loan. from using fire and water in the village and who lack resources to carry out agri- in the state, July 6, 2020. The banks Landless farmers have demanded threatened her family members of serious cultural activities have failed to avail have been directed to provide loans to to simplify the loan process under the consequences. Panicked, she finally decided to loan under the scheme. the landless families. The Agriculture scheme and to make provision of loan leave the village as police did not act on her com- The matter has been reported from department was directed to form one to individual farmers instead of a The woman was identified as Chhabi Bindhani, plaint even after two days. Rasulpur block where agriculture of- group each in every village comprising group. When contacted, Bhagydhar 30, wife of a migrant labourer Raju Bindhani Later, she along with her family members ficials have failed to implement the five families of landless cultivators. Sahu, Block Agriculture Officer, said at Jharanaghati village under Pithahata pan- fled the village through the backyard of her scheme in over 80 per cent panchayats. The aim of the scheme is to provide that every attempt is being made to chayat of Nilagiri block and Berhampur po- house. Her health condition deteriorated after Reports said the block has 28 pan- a minimum of `50,000 and maximum make the scheme a success in the block lice limits. she failed to get any food after leaving her vil- chayats. However, Agriculture offi- of `1.6 lakh as loan to each group. The as per rules framed by the government. The woman narrated her ordeal before the lage. Later, she was admitted to the hospital. State witnessing rise in sale of vehicles running on clean fuel

MANISH KUMAR, OP VEHICLE REGISTRATION IN ODISHA (TILL DATE) Bhubaneswar, August 16: After decades of dependence on fossil fuel, CATEGORY TOTAL the transport system in Odisha is grad- REGISTRATIONS ually witnessing a transition to cleaner fuel for both private as well as public Petrol 79,88,133 vehicles. Diesel 13,41,029 Data available from the Ministry of Road and Surface Transport claim Petrol/LPG 8,935 that over past several years, more Petrol/CNG 7,415 and more vehicle owners in the state are showing interest in electric ve- Petrol/Hybrid 6,742 hicles, hybrid vehicles and non-pol- Electric vehicles 7,152 luting energy such as compressed natural gas (CNG). during the same period. Diesel/Hybrid 2,033 While the number of vehicles According to the government data, CNG 298 run on petrol is highest, the share 2,246 electric vehicles were sold in the of cleaner fuels is gradually in- state in the last one year. The auto- LPG 208 creasing its presence in the auto- mobile industry believes that this has mobile sector. been possible due to the opening of Methanol 2 As per official data, April 1, 2021 on- more outlets of electric vehicles in Source: Vahan, Ministry of Transport wards, the state witnessed registra- the two-wheeler category as well as sub- tion of 2,83,450 and 37,133 vehicles sidy given to the customers and traders terms of subsidy, lower operational run on petrol and diesel respectively. by the government to boost sales of elec- charges, low cost of the vehicles and During the same period 2,229 hybrid tric vehicles. rising awareness among youths re- vehicles were sold across the state – Recently, the state government an- garding preserving the environment,” the third highest number after petrol nounced an electric vehicle policy to a commercial dealer of EVs said on the and diesel vehicles. boost the sales of such vehicles. condition of anonymity. Interestingly, electric vehicles were According to industry experts, with the At the same time, the state transport the fourth dominating category with rise in prices of fossil fuel, sales of department plans to introduce more registrations of 1,752 electric vehicles electric vehicles have seen an upward battery-operated rickshaws as a means between April 1, 2021 and August 14, trend recently. of public transport, especially in places 2021. Similarly, 72 CNG vehicles and 286 “The higher sale of vehicles running like Konark. During the last one year petrol/CNG vehicles were registered on clean fuel, such as EVs, is also at- 283 electric rickshaws were registered with the state transport department tributed to government support in in the state. ELECTRIFICATION OF ALL VILLAGES BY DEC END Mantri Awas Yojana. Roads to be laid in Given the difficulties faced by people during the Covid-19 pandemic, the ad- 423 villages in three ministration has emphasised on the ex- months ecution of MGNREGS projects on a pri- ority basis. Under the rural job scheme, roads will be laid in 423 villages, which POST NEWS NETWORK currently lack connectivity, within three months. The DDOs have been asked to Rayagada, August 16: With scores of ensure that the road connectivity is com- villages in Rayagada still deprived of pleted on time. electricity, the district administration Mission Shakti houses, school trans- It was also decided that a park, a library, has focused on expeditious steps for formation, healthcare and sanitation. an SHG house, a playground and waste rural electrification across the district. As for rural electrification drive, the management centre will be set up in It has set a target to electrify all villages Collector has directed the staff of Southco each panchayat. Besides, Mission Shakti by December 2021. and block officials to conduct a survey houses will have provision for drinking Collector Saroj Kumar Mishra re- on the status of electrification in the water, toilets and electricity. These houses cently held a review meeting on the de- villages and submit a report within will be handed over to CDPOs by velopment projects of different depart- seven days. He also directed the officials September 15.

ments in the district with the PD (DRDA) concerned to initiate immediate steps so The Collector also warned that stern

k y m c officials and all BDOs. that electrification of all the villages action would be taken against the BDOs The officials deliberated on the progress that have been deprived so far is completed who would fail to ensure timely com- and bottlenecks of the projects relating by December 31. pletion of the projects. Tehsildars have to drinking water, electricity, rural road At the same time it was decided to been directed to provide land to the land- connectivity, MGNREGS, Odisha supply electricity to all the houses that less people. They will be provided with Livelihood Mission, construction of have been constructed under the Pradhan cluster houses on these lands. P4 TUESDAY | AUGUST 17 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR power post

FOCUS NATION The only work that spiritually

purifies us is that which is done

k y m without personal motives. c SRI AUROBINDO HDI ASPIRATIONS

ndia’s 74 years of existence In the early 1970s, Professor MD as a sovereign independent Morris was given the task of de- nation is a minor miracle. vising a quality-of-life index. He de- Sabka Prayas IAt its birth, not many out- veloped the physical quality of a side observers gave it a life ex- life index, which later was adopted he Prime Minister’s Independence Day speech delivered from the pectancy of more than a few years. as a Human Development Index ramparts of the Red Fort has turned out to be an exercise in hyper- With an incredible degree of di- (HDI) by the United Nations Tbole rather than a blueprint for what his government proposes to do versity on every conceivable di- Development Programme. The to tackle the grave problems on ground ravaging the country’s economy and mension, like religion, language, HDI is a simple average of three wreaking havoc on the lives of citizens in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. caste, cuisine, culture and even components, income, life ex- The PM did what he is so good at, which is to weave verbal magic, churning race, how could the country hold pectancy and literacy. The first is out catch phrases and slogans and drawing up grandiose plans which are as one? There would inevitably be an economic variable, the second either poorly executed or remain only on paper. He has been doing this fissiparous tendency and forces, is about health and the third is since he delivered his first such speech after assuming office in 2014. This which would cause a split. Indeed, about education. All three are also year’s notable coinage of catch phrases is – ‘sabka prayas’- which is an ad- many countries newly liberated included in the 17 Sustainable dition to the already existing slogan of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka viswas.’ from the yoke of colonialism split Development Goals (SDGs) adopted The mantra is followed more in breach than in observance. up due to internal divisions. Over by all members of the United We need to understand what that Sabka Prayas phrase implies. There is seven decades of India’s sover- Nations in September 2015. India’s something called the Ben Franklin effect. The Ben Franklin effect is a pro- eignty we have seen many more India has a higher IMR than neighbours HDI rank in 2019 was 131 out of 189. posed psychological phenomenon: a person who has already performed a favor countries split, including our own Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. The best in the The HDI rank is a relative rank- for another person is more likely to do another favor for the other than if they twin. India was very poor and il- ing, so if your peer countries are had received a favor from that person. Let us think back to the last few years. Ajit Ranade literate in 1947. It had been se- world is 1 or 2. Imagine achieving this progressing faster than you, then Swachh Bharat or Clean India was a central government program. A tax verely impoverished by its colo- aspirational IMR benchmark. This is the your rank falls back, even if you in the form of a cess was imposed on the citizens to fund this program. The nial rulers. It had suffered a bloody have done much better than your cleanliness drive was a complete failure. One of the best examples to check partition. Most remarkably, it had project ‘tiger’ that we need to work on previous year. on was visible near the exit gates of the New Delhi Railway Station. Yet the THE HDI RANK IS embarked on a bold, some say The HDI rank is one metric that PM asked every Indian to contribute 100 hours towards the cleanliness crazy, experiment to give every we must focus on. It can be meas- drive. Now look! Most Indians have forgotten about the drive as also that they A RELATIVE adult the right to vote. rather the Republic of India. For tioning democracy than in 1947? ured in a highly disaggregated way. are still paying the Swachh Bharat cess. RANKING, SO IF Democracy unleashed from the instance, we could measure, how Are we better at our platinum ju- You can have an HDI for the whole Surrender LPG subsidy was another call for action by the PM. People went word go. No other modern nation well have we done on the socio-po- bilee than we were at the golden nation, or for each state of India, haywire and were comfortable to socially enquire from friends and relatives YOUR PEER has done it. Would it survive as a litical metrics. Have we been able jubilee? or a separate one for urban and whether they had given up the subsidized single nation? Would not com- to overcome social hierarchies to Apart from the socio-political di- rural areas of each state, or broken cylinder. We all know now where all that sac- COUNTRIES ARE petitive politics further divide the be able to give every citizen an mensions are the economic de- down into male and female HDI, or rifice has landed and which corporate is PROGRESSING nation? Not only has the nation sur- equality of opportunity and ac- velopment dimensions. Here we even in a more granular fashion. immensely benefitting from it. The task vived, but democracy has also cess? On the political metric, do we can use many indicators, such as As such we have already identi- however was left on the citizens to implement. FASTER THAN thrived. Its health can never be have a genuinely representative per-capita income, literacy rate, fied the 100 most backward dis- Today, if anyone questions as to who bene- YOU, THEN YOUR taken for granted, but it is more ro- democracy that represents every school and college education at- tricts of India, which we term as fitted from surrendering LPG subsidies, Piate bust now than it was in 1947. India Indian’s voice? The ultimate mi- tainment, access to drinking water ‘aspirational’ whose HDI is very people in general feel as if their pro-nation Tathagata RANK FALLS is very much a free democracy. nority in any society is the indi- and electricity, access to medical low. One can quibble that even the activities are being questioned. BACK, EVEN IF But as the famous quip goes, “eter- vidual. Thus, protection of mi- facilities, job opportunities and HDI is an ‘average’ so it misses out One is reminded about what the PM had OSatpathy nal vigilance is the price of free- nority rights means protecting so on. Is it possible to coalesce all on high performance islands. If said after surprising the nation with his YOU HAVE DONE dom and democracy.” India’s the individual’s rights. Those these into one or two meaningful one has to focus on only one met- Demonetization decision 8 November 2016. He had then asked citizens to shoul- democracy project is akin to a rights are both positive and neg- indicators, easy to track and that ric, what would that be? What is the der the hardship for a short while in the interest of the nation and requested MUCH BETTER company, which is run by a man- ative. The positive rights are right can give a sharp estimate of where ‘tiger’ in this project approach? for 50 days of patience. People felt their sacrifice would eradicate black THAN YOUR agement team appointed by the to freedom of expression, to freely we stand? One is reminded of Some economic studies suggest, if money, combat terrorism and currency counterfeiting and halt corruption. shareholders. The managers are move anywhere in the country, to ‘Project Tiger’ launched nearly 50 there is a single metric to chase, it It was made out to be everyone’s battle against these evils. While a blossoming PREVIOUS YEAR the elected representatives and pursue livelihood and practice years ago. The basic idea of that is the infant mortality rate (IMR) economy of the country died a sudden death, most people even today are un- officials of the government at all one’s faith. The negative rights project is that by focusing on the at age one. This is the number of willing to accept that this single executive decision has broken the back of three tiers, and the shareholders include right not to be harassed by health and habitat of the tiger, it deaths of children under one year the Indian economy. are the citizens and voters. If the the police or any organ of the was an indirect way of ensuring of age, for every 1000 live births. For When COVID struck the country, the PM asked for patience while imple- management is hijacking the com- state, at least not without due the health of the entire system of India this number is about 30. India menting an almost overnight lockdown, leading to a migrant crisis of epic pro- pany, it is as much a fault of the process. Many of these metrics flora and fauna, of forests and has a higher IMR than neighbours portions. Then Indians were asked for various favors including banging pots silent, indifferent, complacent can be measured and quantified in wildlife. For if the tiger was pros- Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. and pans and lighting candles to ward off the virus. When COVID spread and shareholders or voters, as the a fairly objective way. We can meas- pering, then so were its prey, like The best in the world is 1 or 2. deaths increased, it was projected as the failure of the people to abide by mask wrongdoers themselves. Of course, ure how we stand in comparison deer and bison, which meant there Imagine achieving this aspirational wearing, social distancing and other mandates. More patience and coopera- the ‘regulators’ -- the courts, the to other democracies of the world. was adequate green vegetation IMR benchmark. This is the proj- tion was asked of people. With COVID raging on even today, instead of blam- Lokpal, the Constitutional au- It is however more important that providing food and habitat to the ect ‘tiger’ that we need to work on. ing the vaccination shortages or the neglected healthcare infrastructure of thorities -- are all responsible for we are progressing along our own lower organisms in the food chain. the country, people lament on not having done more themselves. how well the ‘company’ is doing. historical path. That is irrespec- Similarly, if one were to focus on The writer is an economist Interestingly, with such tasks placed on the shoulders of citizens on a daily There are so many metrics along tive of how we stand in compari- a ‘Project Tiger’ metric to capture and Senior Fellow, basis, when any of these programs fail, it is the failure of every citizen. The which we can measure the per- son to other countries, are we economic development in India, Takshashila Institution. citizen therefore is defensive and angry if any one points out those failures. formance of the ‘company’, or doing better as a robustly func- what would it be? ©THE BILLION PRESS The average Indian feels so invested in these processes that no one questions the absurdity of the planning, designing and execution of the programs. A dog chasing to bite its tail goes round tirelessly without achieving any re- sults. This is the exact kind of motion that many Indians have been put into while the folks in power have cleverly maneuvered to not be held account- SPECTRUM AFGHANISTAN able for any of their acts. WISDOM CORNER Does Taliban victory mean a Pak triumph? We may give without loving, but we cannot love without giving. BERNARD MELTZER t is a flawed line of thinking opinion across the board, but my Minister Imran Khan took charge. province of Helmand - why? that Taliban victory in interactions in Kabul, Gardez and The Taliban today are not the ones Prof Habib’s question may well Love means to love that which is unlovable; or it is no virtue at all. Afghanistan is somehow vic- Mazar-e-Sharif some years ago who won in 1996. The new Taliban have been answered two days ago GILBERT K. CHESTERTON I tory for Pakistan too. To the con- surprised me: Pakistan was seen as have Shia and Uzbek command- by a former British Defence trary, Pakistan’s problems begin a troublemaker. India’s develop- ers too but keep your fingers crossed Minister, Johnny Mercer, who Death and love are the two wings that bear the good man to heaven. MICHELANGELO now. Pashtun population on both ment works were appreciated. At for the women of that country. served in Afghanistan: “A lot of sides of the border is just one of night all of Kabul was glued to Was this collapse of a large sec- British blood was spilled in them. The failure of the Istanbul Bollywood on TV. tion of the Afghan Army unex- Helmand.” He asks angrily: “Was conference on Afghanistan reflects After US Deputy Secretary, pected? Is one to believe that green- it really for nothing?” Helmand is WORDSWORTH Pakistan’s inability to persuade Richard Armitage threatened to on-blue attacks had ended just the world’s largest centre for poppy the top Taliban leadership to at- “bomb Pakistan into the stone age” because the US media had stopped production which blossomed in 20 Orrery tend what was billed as a 10-day jam- a terrified President Pervez reporting such incidents? US offi- years of the war. boree. All participants, including Musharraf made a U-turn. His cers training the Afghan army were His colleague, another Defence he orrery was invented by George Graham about 1710; the first example Ashraf Ghani, were expected to army turned upon exactly the mu- frequent victims of their own Minister, Tobias Elwood has gone was constructed by the London instrument maker John Rowley. It was a T Saeed Naqvi emerge having sorted out jahideen that ISI had trained to trainees. Little wonder President Joe one better; he wants Afghanistan device of arms and balls and gears, run by clockwork, that showed how the planets and their satellites moved around the sun as time passed; the Earth Afghanistan from A to Z. see the back of the Soviets in 1989. Biden was almost bitter: “I don’t re- re-invaded. typically took about ten minutes to go round once, so it could hardly have THE TALIBAN Nothing of this happened. This about-turn by Pakistan be- gret the decision to withdraw.” The Mercer-Elwood duo revives been an enthralling spectacle by the standards of today. We ought to call it Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut came part of the historic memory He said the US had spent $3 tril- images of Laurel and Hardy in a graham, after its inventor, but John Rowley made a copy for Charles TODAY ARE NOT Cavusoglu came down a few notches of Taliban. That’s the rub: the ‘un- lion for 20 years training and equip- frayed army uniform looking after Boyle, the fourth Earl of Orrery, and ingratiatingly named it in his honour. THE ONES WHO in his boss, Tayyip Erdogan’s esteem. reliability’ quotient of Pakistan ping an Afghan Army of 3,00,000. a giant warehouse packed with It’s really a reference to a geographic area, since the Boyles took their title The Foreign Minister believed that was cited even by the Taliban “Now it is time for the Afghans to canned food. News of the armistice from an ancient term for a part of County Cork, Ireland. (Boyle was WON IN 1996. THE Pakistan would deliver the Taliban spokesman who showed disinter- sort it out among themselves.” has not reached the two, surrounded described later that century as “one of the literary ornaments of the reign at the conference. It could not. est in the Istanbul conference. Years ago, a former Governor by mountains of opened cans which of Queen Anne”; he was a relative of the more famous Robert Boyle, he of NEW TALIBAN Describing Indo-Pak dynamics Abdus Salaam Zaeef was the of Balkh, Prof Habibullah Habib, have been their only source for Boyle’s law.) The orrery became a popular amusement and teaching device; HAVE SHIA AND on Afghanistan as a zero-sum game Afghan Ambassador in Islamabad told me a story which sounded con- food. A biplane flies low and the pilot no progressive educational establishment was without one. But not has antecedents. In 2010, Gen. and a friend of the late Mullah spiratorial then. “The British asks them what they were doing. everybody was enthralled by it; in 1833 the Astronomer Royal, John UZBEK Stanley McChrystal, as the force Omar. After Pakistan joined the Provincial Reconstruction team “We are in charge of the war’s Herschel, called it a “childish toy”, and Charles Dickens wrote an COMMANDERS commander in Afghanistan, was un- war on terror, Zaeef found him- was doing excellent work in the biggest canteen,” Hardy says. unflattering description of a public lecture that featured one in The happy that the popularity of India’s self in Guantanamo Bay for four north of the country.” Why did “But the war ended years ago.” Uncommercial Traveller: “My memory presents a birthday when Olympia TOO socio-economic development work years. Zaeef was bitter: “The man- they so willingly agree to vacate the As Bobby Talyarkhan used to end and I were taken by an unfeeling relative — some cruel uncle, or the like — distracts Pakistan from its war- ner in which they treated our pris- peaceful region for the Germans to his columns, “Do you get me Steve?” to a slow torture called an Orrery ... It was a venerable and a shabby Orrery, on-terror focus. To this, Gen. David oners was worse than the Israeli take over? What surprised Prof at least one thousand stars and twenty-five comets behind the age. Petraeus added his bit: “India’s treatment of Palestinian prison- Habib even more was the alterna- Nevertheless, it was awful”. The writer is a senior Cold Start doctrine worries ers.” These plaints belong to an tive destination selected by the commentator on political Pakistan.” It is impossible for an itin- era many moons ago. Surely, the sit- British contingent. They chose to and diplomatic issues. Orthorexia erant journalist to gauge public uation has changed after Prime be headquartered in the troubled IANS n full, orthorexia nervosa, showing its close link to the much better-known Ipsychological condition anorexia nervosa. Instead of an obsessive desire to lose weight, those who suffer from orthorexia have an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating. In their search for dietary purity, they may Criminalisation of politics Archaic practice become so restrictive about what they eat — for example, avoiding fatty foods, those containing preservatives, those with salt or sugar — that Sir, The Supreme Court and the high courts have always batted for transparent and accountable Sir, The Constitution is the supreme law of eventually they become as dangerously thin as an anorexic. The word, and politics in the country. The 2018 Constitutional Bench headed by then Chief Justice of India, the land. It is not mentioned in the Constitution the identification of the condition, is attributable to a Colorado specialist, Dr etters Dipak Misra, in Public Interest Foundation versus Union of India, not only made public that the President, the Vice-President and the Steven Bratman, who published a book on it in 2001, describing the declaration of all assets by contesting candidates compulsory, but also barred candidates Governor should be from political backgrounds. condition as a “fixation on righteous eating”. He coined orthorexia in 1997 on with criminal charges from contesting any election. However, several loopholes remained In India, there is no dearth of intellectuals, writ- the pattern of anorexia, from Greek orthos, “correct or right”, plus orexis, TOL THE EDITOR unaddressed, and were exploited by wily politicians. The foremost -- candidates with ers, social activists, painters, musicians, doc- “appetite”. A person with the condition is an orthorexic. Readers of Orissa POST pending cases could still contest as is happening now. Looking back, will there be any politi- tors, engineers and filmmakers who can do are most welcome to contribute letters cian left to contest elections if this rule is scrupulously adhered to? Reasons for giving ticket the job better than those from political back- (200 words), articles and to a candidate with criminal antecedents, the SC had said, are to be put on party websites grounds sitting in top constitutional positions. columns (between 750-1250 LOL words). Contributors are and social media accounts. Well, nothing much appears to have happened on this front. But After over seven decades of Independence, we requested to send their the latest SC verdict has come down heavily on political parties failing to comply with its follow the same archaic process for selection contact numbers and full order. The top court has fined several political parties for disobeying it. It also has modi- of our constitutional positions. Why can’t the

Why the big fight? wallet, the postal address/email ID. They may also fied some of its own directions. What the court has done is to minimise the reason of ‘winnabil- voters have their say in the selection process?

k y m send in their valuable comments, opinion c surprised thug said and suggestions, preferably by email, ity’ cited by parties for doling out tickets to tainted politicians. Credibility, qualification, A political person for these posts is neither man being mugged by two thugs "Why did you put up to: [email protected] performance and merit of a candidate should matter for parties as much as the ability to necessary nor desirable. The selection process Aput up a tremendous fight! such a fight?" win. However, lack of transparency and accountability in political contributions, and the needs an overhauling. Let us begin a new chap- Finally, the thugs subdued him and To which the man promptly replied "I absence of an independent audit of such transactions, may continue to help tainted can- ter this year. This move will enrich our vi- took his wallet. was afraid that you would find the B-15, Rasulgarh Industrial Estate, didates. Moreover, the onus also lies on the voters who will have to make wise choices. brant democracy. Upon finding only two dollars in the $200 hidden in my shoe!" Bhubaneswar-751010 Ganapathi Bhat, AKOLA Prabhudutt Dash, BHUBANESWAR P5 TUESDAY | AUGUST 17 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR state

SETU Yojana comes a STUDENT UNREST

k y m c cropper in Malkangiri

Some fishermen alleged the fingerlings sold by traders from other states are of inferior quality The onus lies with the OPDC for its failure to set up fingerling production centres in the district ponds. While ponds were dug up on 69.80 hectares, `1.74crore was given to them as rebate. In 2019-20, 77 beneficiaries dug up ponds on 55 hectares and were given `1.37 crore as rebate. As many as 118 benefi- Students of Khemundi College in Ganjam district staging a demonstration protesting hike in admission fee and in support of other demands after locking ciaries dug up ponds on 86.30 up the main gate of their college, Monday OP PHOTO hectares and were given a subsidy POST NEWS NETWORK they didn’t have equipment like of `2.15 crore. life jackets. “To release 2 crore fingerlings in Malkangiri, August 16: Out of Meanwhile, some beneficiaries several reservoirs in the district, CUT-OFF FROM MAINLAND BY MAHANADI IN SAMBALPUR the `100 crore announced by Chief have dug up ponds to produce fish the OPDC and the district Fisheries Minister Naveen Patnaik after in- and fingerlings. For these, they ei- department were given `2.80 crore augurating Gurupriya bridge July ther took loans from banks or in- under the SETU yojana. Similarly, 26, 2018 for the development of pis- vested their savings. But the ulti- `58 lakh was spent to buy 100 fish- ciculture as well as the fishing mate result was not satisfactory. ing boats, nets and life jackets, Panchayat gets its first banking service community in the district under the Since, these ponds failed to pro- `2.40 lakh spent to give training ‘Socio-Economic Transformation duce fingerlings, some traders from to 25 societies of fishermen, `10,000 POST NEWS NETWORK ginal traders will also be benefitted and Upliftment’ (SETU) pro- other states are producing and sell- to each society. Another `48 lakh has from the opening of the centre. gramme, so far only `18 crore has ing fingerlings to the fishermen been sanctioned to construct a Sambalpur, August 16: A pan- Addressing the gathering, been spent. here at exorbitant prices. house at Chitrakonda. The work on chayat in this district surrounded Dhankauda block development of- SETU yojana is for the development Some fishermen alleged the fin- the house has not been started as by Mahanadi river finally got its first ficer Basant Hati said that taking of Swabhiman Anchal, the erstwhile gerlings sold by traders from other yet since the process of tender is banking service after Sukant banking services to rural and remote cut-off region in the district, now states are of inferior quality. yet to be started. Thus, out of the Tripathy, district Collector (in- areas in the state has always been connected with the mainland. The onus lies with the OPDC sanctioned `100 crore, only `17.48 charge)-cum-project director, DRDA, a priority of the state government. The residents of the district, in- for its failure to set up fingerling crore has been spent,” informed inaugurated a customer care cen- Moreover, the government has plans cluding the fishermen, held the production centres in the district. Patra. tre in the panchayat, Monday. to implement many more welfare district Fisheries department and Instead, the OPDC procured fin- The OPDC has received money Residents of Kudagunderpur schemes in the panchayat. Odisha Pisciculture Development gerlings from Bolangir, Kalahandi, to provide boats and nets. The con- panchayat, comprising seven vil- As part of this programme, con- Corporation (OPDC) responsible for Ganjam and Bhubaneswar and tractor who has been awarded the lages, were overjoyed at the open- struction of a Mission Shakti build- the inability to spend the fund for brought them to Malkangiri district, tender to provide boats has not ing of the customer care centre in farmers also find it difficult to sell people have started travelling on the ing in the panchayat is nearing development. spending extra money on fares. supplied even a single boat so far. their panchayat that was opened 75 their harvested crops due to the bridge. The newly opened centre will completion while plans are afoot for The assured money was given to These fingerlings were released The district Fisheries department years after the country achieved same reason. The villagers had to not only help in the financial in- construction of a skill develop- the district Fisheries department in Chitrakonda and Satiguda reser- has also failed in supplying life Independence. risk their lives and travel in small clusion of residents through open- ment centre and panchayat build- to increase the production of fish voirs. But, according to the fish- jackets. Reports said that the panchayat and dingy boats to reach the main- ing of bank accounts, but will also ing in the area, the BDO said. in Chitrakonda, Satiguda and other ermen, these reservoirs don’t have “The failure of OPDC and district in Dhankauda block is surrounded land for their daily work. Many meet credit needs of the people for Currently, the panchayat officie medium reservoirs. But, the de- fish of the same fingerlings. Fisheries department has resulted by Mahanadi river and has a pop- lives were lost during these 75 years enhancing their livelihood and in- is functioning from Bharat Nirman partment failed to spend the money. When contacted for his com- in chemically-laced Andhra Pradesh ulation of over around 6,000. and finally their demand to get come, Tripathy said. Rajiv Gandhi Seva Kendra. A new In three years, it could just spend ment in this regard, district fish kept in ice being sold every- Speaking on the occasion, banking services in their panchayat Earlier, the people had to travel building for the high school has `18 crore. At the same time, due to Fisheries officer Rajendra Patra where in the district. People are Tripathy said that the residents in has been met, Tripathy said. 15-20 km daily to get banking serv- also been constructed. the negligence of the OPDC, hun- said 21 beneficiaries dug up ponds falling ill after consuming these the panchayat were living a life of Recently, their problem in con- ice but now the bank has come to A woman Prabhasini Nayak said dreds of fishermen are yet to get on 16.40 hectares in 2017-18. Of fish,” some residents alleged. neglect, seclusion and drudgery as necting with the mainland has been their doorstep. The opening of the that today is red-letter day for all of fishing equipment like fishing them, six took bank loans and 15 They have urged the govern- it was surrounded from all sides by eased after the state government re- centre will result in an increase in us as the residents including the boats, nets and life jackets. As of invested their own money. They ment to intervene and initiate steps the Mahanadi river. alised their problem and constructed more customers while it will be farmers will be benefitted from the now, they are forced to fish put- were given `41lakh towards rebate. so that the fingerlings and fish pro- Sources said the villagers were a bridge on the river connecting easier for people to get loan and opening of panchayat. Senior offi- ting them in harm’s way. In the Similarly, in 2018-19, 98 benefi- duction increases and resultantly facing a host of problems in avail- the panchayat with the mainland. make its payment. cials of Utkal Gramya Bank and last three years, many fishermen ciaries availed bank loans and 96 the people will no longer suffer ing education and transport facil- The bridge work has been com- The members of women self-help local public representatives were also lost their lives to mishaps as spent their own money to dig up from any disease. ities and healthcare services. The pleted but is yet to be unveiled but group, farmers and small and mar- present on the occasion.

Traffic stranded for 9 hrs in Mayurbhanj Bike lifting gang Wrong site selection renders crematorium useless POST NEWS NETWORK the construction of the cremato- site selection has rendered the facility busted; 15 arrested rium, which has only a few pillars useless. dent during the protest,” Bangriposi Pattamundai, August 16: Despite with a concrete slab resting on them. While an approach road is yet to police station inspector Sanjay SAMBALPUR: In a major spending lakhs of rupees on devel- Local villagers alleged that the qual- be laid out to the crematorium, the crackdown, police busted a bike- Kumar Panda said. oping village cremation grounds in ity of the construction work is far place is now home to poisonous lifting gang and arrested 15 Bangriposi Sachetana Nagarik the state, many of them are lying un- below the standard. “This is so be- people in this connection in snakes. This apart, if people need Mancha had convened the 12-hour Sambalpur Friday. Police have also used due to one or the other reason. cause the block authorities did not to carry a body to the facility, they blockade over the rising number of seized 21 bikes from them. Of the The crematorium at Baipada vil- inspect the work properly. Taking ad- have to wade through the water road mishaps, which claimed more arrested, three are minors, police lage cremation ground of Khadianta vantages of it, the contractor carried body, which is infested with weeds than 10 lives in the last three said. Addressing a press meet, SP panchayat under Pattamundai out the construction work care- and hyacinths. months, convenor of the outfit, Batuala Gangadhar said, the gang block in Kendrapara district is a case lessly. It is constructed on a bund of These are the reasons why the Sanjay Kumar Agarwala, said. has been operating in Rairakhole, in point. a water body (Patanali) and the area villagers are reluctant to go to the fa- The area is congested leading Kuchinda, Jamankira and As per plan, the block development is covered with weeds and bushes,” cility. Instead they still use the old cre- to increased vehicular queuing, Jujumara areas for the last two office had sanctioned money for they said, adding that the wrong mation ground in the village. PRESS TRUST OF INDIA police said. he added. years. People had lodged several More than 200 people put up The agitation was lifted at 3 pm, complaints about bike thefts in Baripada, August 16: Hundreds roadblocks near Bangriposh ghat following an assurance from the au- these areas. Acting on a tip-off, of vehicles, including interstate demanding a widening of the high- thorities that they would discuss police formed a team and carried trucks carrying essential goods, way into four lanes over a 6-km with the National Highways out raids at different places in the Tardy pace of bridge work were stranded on National Highway stretch in the area. The highway Authority of India on Thursday locality and arrested the accused. 49 in Mayurbhanj district for nine connects Kolkata to Mumbai. about ways to improve traffic move- Two of them were booked for hours Monday due to a blockade, “There was no untoward inci- ment. buying stolen bikes. irks residents in Mayurbhanj Woman, minor Crime Branch interrogates cook, 5T Secretary reviews POST NEWS NETWORK ‘smart classroom’ Baripada, August 16: The daughter killed 4 others in ACF death case tardy pace of construction work project in Ganjam of a bridge over Budhabalanga river on the outskirts of in road mishap POST NEWS NETWORK Baripada town in Mayurbhanj district has triggered anger and POST NEWS NETWORK Berhampur, August 16: During resentment among local people. a two-day-long official visit to They threatened to call a strike Basta, August 16: A woman and Ganjam, 5T Secretary VK Pandian if the work is not completed her minor daughter were killed reviewed available infrastructure within the deadline. on the spot after they were mowed at the different schools in Hinjili The bridge is under con- down by a speeding oil tanker near and Sheragad blocks of the dis- struction at Madhuban on the Katipola on National Highway-60 trict Monday. Baripada-Midnapore state high- The bridge is under The 292-metre-long bridge will have eight under Basta police limits in According to a senior adminis- way, connecting Udala. The construction at Madhuban spans with 400-metre and 200-metre-long Balasore district Sunday. The de- POST NEWS NETWORK It is pertinent to mention here trative official, the 5T Secretary Works department had initially on the Baripada- approach roads from the Madhuban side and ceased have been identified as that a clean chit was given to reviewed construction work under sanctioned a budget of Midnapore state highway, the other side of the bridge, respectively Muni Tudu (50) and her daughter Paralakhemundi, August 16: Gajapati divisional forest officer the ‘Smart Classroom Project’ at `27,29,80,206 for the project and connecting Udala. The Shanti Tudu (12). Three-member teams of the Crime (DFO) Sangram Keshari Behera high schools in Hinjli block, on the work was awarded to Iron construction work While three years have passed since the Eyewitnesses said that the Branch Monday interrogated cook by erstwhile police superintendent the first day of his tour. Pandian also Triangle Limited. The con- commenced in May, 2017 construction work began, it will take at least mother-daughter duo was walk- Manmath Kumbh in connection stating that he has no link in the reviewed seven smart classrooms struction work commenced in and the contractor firm another two years to be complete. The ing when the accident took place. with the alleged murder of assis- case. that are under renovation. The 5T May, 2017 and the contractor was asked to complete the inordinate delay has left the locals worried An oil tanker heading from Kolkata tant conservator of forests (ACF) On August 8, Soumya’s father Secretary also visited playgrounds firm was asked to complete the work by December, 2018 as well as infuriated to Ganjam hit them near Katipola. Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra, July Abhiram Mohapatra had written and held discussions with school work by December, 2018. On being informed, police reached 12 night. Along with the cook, four to Prime Minister Narendra Modi children as well as their parents Later, the department felt the re- no spans being constructed as have nightmarish experiences the spot, recovered the bodies and others were also grilled by a Crime and Union Home Affairs Minister Monday. Local MLAs will visit the quirement of two more spans. As yet, it is now anyone’s guess when while crossing it,” rued local res- sent them for post-mortem. Branch team headed by DSP Gyana Amit Shah seeking justice on be- different schools in Ganjam start- a result, the project cost was re- the bridge will be completed. idents like Govind Naik, Sanatan As the news of the accident Ranjan Mishra. Among them were half of the bereaved family. ing from August 21 to 28, in phases. vised to `30.57 crore. While three years have passed Naik and Panchanan Naik. spread, tension gripped the area as a couple of ACFs and two forest Abhiram had complained against Ganjam Collector Vijay Amruta The 292-metre-long bridge will since the construction work began, When the Works department local people gathered at the spot and guards. These five were interro- the tardy pace of investigation. He Kulange, District Education Officer have eight spans with 400-metre it will take at least another two assistant engineer Bikas Pani

demanded exemplary punishment gated at the Paralakhemundi police had alleged Soumya’s death to be (DEO) and several other senior offi- and 200-metr-long approach roads years to be complete. The inordi- was contacted for his comment

k y m c to the driver. They also demanded station to find out how Soumya a clear case of murder and sought cials of the department accompanied from the Madhuban side and the nate delay has left the locals wor- in this regard, he said March compensation to the family of the Ranjan sustained burn injuries. justice. In his communique sent Pandian during his official tour. It is per- other side of the bridge, respec- ried as well as infuriated. “The cen- 2022 has been set as a new dead- deceased. The investigating officials are through e-mail and post, the fa- tinent to mention here that ordinary tively. tury-old narrow bridge’s line for the completion of the The cops have arrested the driver. likely to interrogate deceased ACF’s ther had demanded action against classrooms, which existed at 53 high As of now, construction of five dilapidated condition had neces- bridge. In case of any unfore- According to police, the driver was wife Bidyabharati Panda, who is a key persons who are involved in the schools of Hinjli block, are being pillars has been completed, while sitated a new one. Due to heavy seen problem, it may take 3/4 in an inebriated state. accused in the alleged murder case. death of his son. converted into smart classrooms. work on two has just started. With traffic on the existing one, people months more. P6 BIHAR MAHARASHTRA

TUESDAY | AUGUST 17 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR

k y m c OBC QUOTA Ganga continues to flood Bihar

AGENCIES

Pawar says amendment a New Delhi, August 16: For the sec- ond consecutive week, the Ganga is flowing in a severe flood situa- tion, due to combined effects of river runoff from the Yamuna and ‘fraud’, seeks caste census its northern tributaries. As per the CWC Flood AGENCIES Forecasting Network, one station in Bihar is is in ‘Extreme Flood Mumbai, August 16: Terming Situation’, 31 stations -- 21 are in the recent Constitutional Bihar, six in Uttar Pradesh, two Amendment, restoring power to in Assam and one each in states to have their own OBC lists Jharkhand and West Bengal -- are for reservations in government in ‘Severe Flood Situation’ and 25 jobs and education ‘a fraud’, stations - 10 in Bihar, six in Uttar Nationalist Congress Party Pradesh, seven in Assam and one President Sharad Pawar Monday each in Arunachal Pradesh and demanded a caste-based Census, West Bengal - are flowing in ‘Above providing states empirical data Normal Flood Situation’. and hiking the cap on reservations The main Ganga stem is flowing above 50 per cent. in severe flood situation in Ghazipur He said that unless the 50 per cent (Uttar Pradesh) to Murshirabad quota limit imposed by the Supreme (West Bengal) districts. From Court in its 1992 landmark verdict Lakshadweep - 100, Nagaland - 80, While the Centre later gave a 10 Ghazipur to Ballia (UP), the river is relaxed, states cannot prepare Mizoram - 80, Meghalaya - 80, per cent quota for Economically is in falling to steady state, whereas People of Manash village shift to a safer place along the banks of the Ganga after the water level rises following their own lists of socially and ed- Arunachal - 80, Maharashtra - 65, Weaker Sections, almost 90 per from Patna and downstream, it is monsoon rain in Patna, Monday. PTI PHOTO ucationally backward classes Haryana - 67, Rajasthan - 64, cent states have exceeded the 50 flowing with rising trend. “Alert (SEBCs). “In reality, it (the amend- Telangana - 62, Tripura - 60, per cent quota limits, so the Centre's may be kept in districts of Varanasi, as Badaun and Farrukhabad (UP) “Currently, the flood that origi- River Kosi in Supaul, Khagaria ment) will be of no use... The Centre Jharkhand - 60, Uttar Pradesh - 59, move will be of no use now, he Ghazipur, and Ballia (UP), Buxar, are in above normal flood situa- nated in tributaries of Yamuna and Katihar districts, Bagmati in took away the rights of the states Himachal - 60, Gujarat - 59, claimed. The NCP chief said the Patna, Munger, Bhagalpur (Bihar), tions. River Ghaghra in Barabanki, last week is passing through Ganga Sitamarhi, Muzzafarpur, and around a couple of years ago to Karnataka - 50 per cent, etc. state NCP Minister Chhagan Sahibganj (Jharkhand), and Malda Ayodhya & Ballia (UP) and Siwan and it may take another 3 to 4 days Darbhanga districts, Gandak in prepare and maintain their SEBC He said that since the Centre is Bhujbal has been repeatedly de- and Murshirabad (West Bengal). and Saran (Bihar) districts is flow- to pass through completely; in such Gopalganj, Muzaffarpur and lists and that has been restored silent on the issue of relaxing the manding the empirical data from Propagating peak inflow will fur- ing in above normal to severe flood situation further runoff created Vaishali districts, Adhwara in now. The government has betrayed 50 per cent quota limits, the the Centre to enable the state con- ther increase the water level of situations with rising trend due to due to intense rainfall in the catch- Darbhanga district, Kamla and the OBCs. Today, almost all states Maharashtra government will be duct surveys and prepare their main Ganga stem in Bihar, past two days rainfall in the catch- ments of north tributaries of Ganga Kamlabalan in Madhubani dis- have more than 50 per cent reser- in no position to restore the pro- own SEBCs list. Jharkhand and West Bengal in ment. The Rapti is flowing in se- may not stream into Ganga easily. trict, Burhi Gandak in Samastipur vations,” said Pawar. Giving de- posed 12 per cent in education and While the previous UPA-II next 2 to 3 days,” the CWC said. vere to above normal flood situation The flooding situation in districts and Khagaria districts, Parman tails, he said the percentages for dif- 13 per cent in government jobs for Government had initiated steps At the Bhagalpur site of the CWC, in Balrampur, Siddharth Nagar such as Ballia (UP), Saran, in Araria, Mahananda in Purnia ferent states are: Madhya Pradesh the Maratha community that was in this direction, Prime Minister water level of Ganga was expected and Gorakhpur districts (UP). River Bhagalpur, Khagaria, Vaishali, and Katihar districts are flowing - 63 per cent, Tamil Nadu - 69, scrapped by the Supreme Court Narendra Modi's government put to cross high flood level. Middle Sone and Punpun are flowing in and Katihar (Bihar) may get ac- in ‘above normal’ to ‘severe flood Haryana - 57, Rajasthan - 54, in May. this on the backburner, he claimed. reaches of Ganga in districts such severe flood situation in Patna. centuated,” the CWC warned. situations’. NAVROZ MUBARAK! Mumbai resumes rail services

REUTERS

Mumbai, August 16: Authorities in India’s financial capital Mumbai have almost fully resumed subur- ban rail services for the first time in more than a year, as part of a wider easing of COVID-19 restric- tions, as the pace of infections de- clined. Previously, only essential work- ers were allowed to use the trains, but those who are fully vaccinated were allowed on board trains from Sunday. Parks, seafronts and play- grounds were also allowed to stay open for all until 10pm, from the pre- vious closing hours of 4pm, the city’s civic body said. Monday, the second day that second wave that killed hundreds in India by the Serum Institute of trains were 95% open, crowds were of thousands. India, and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. sparse because of a public holi- The thriving metropolis in the Almost half of India’s 950 mil- day. In normal times, more than 8 largest industrial state of lion adults have received at least one million people travel on Mumbai’s Maharashtra, saw a peak of 11,000 dose of the vaccine so far. local trains every day, but services daily cases a day at the height of the India as a whole reported 32,937 have been closed to commuters second wave in May-June, but new new infections of the novel coro- since March 2020, when the first cases have fallen after stringent navirus in the last 24 hours, taking COVID-19 related lockdown was lockdown curbs, with overnight its total caseload to 32.23 million, announced in the state. infections dropping to 267 new data from the federal health min- In February this year, commuters cases and four deaths Sunday. istry showed Monday. were allowed on trains at non-peak India is relying on two home- Deaths rose overnight by 417, hours, before being shut again as produced vaccines, Astra Zeneca’s with the country’s COVID-19 death Parsi people walk outside a prayer hall near Fire Temple during Parsi New Year in Mumbai, Monday. PTI PHOTO the country faced a devastating Covishield, which is manufactured toll standing at 431,642. BIHAR CAN CONDUCT CASTE CENSUS ON ITS OWN: DY CM Sena fires missile after Gadkari’s ‘letter-bomb’ INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE Accusing Sena leaders

Mumbai, August 16: A couple and activists in some of days after Union Minister for places like Washim of Highways Nitin Gadkari dropped a 'letter-bomb' in Chief Minister giving “threats, making Uddhav Thackeray's lap, the Shiv irrational demands” Sena has hit back in full force. from contractors or Accusing Sena leaders and ac- tivists in some places like Washim officials, Gadkari said of giving "threats, making irra- the works on the tional demands" from contractors or officials, Gadkari said the works national highway on the national highway projects projects in the state in the state are being affected. The Bharatiya Janata Party are being affected central minister, hailing from Nagpur, virtually threatened to stop the ongoing works in the your letter to PM public, just as you Washim district and even yank did with the letter to Maharashtra AGENCIES him to consider the same. Some off all future highway projects CM," said Tiwari throwing the JD(U) ministers have openly said from Maharashtra if such acts gauntlet at Gadkari. Patna, August 16: Amid the rift that if the Centre would not con- are not reined in. The Sena leader further pointed between the BJP and the JD(U) duct a caste based census, the Bihar Taken aback by the harsh tone out that though Thackeray has over caste based census, the former government is capable of doing of the soft-spoken Gadkari's letter, always held Gadkari in high es- seems to have softened its stand that at its own expense. Thackeray promptly asked Home teem, through his letter, the latter on the issue. Bihar's deputy chief Besides Renu Devi, Ram Surat Minister Dilip Walse-Patil to direct is now trying to edge close to "the minister Renu Devi has said that Rai, another minister in the Nitish the Director-General of Police small group of state BJP leaders" the state government can conduct Kumar government under the BJP (DGP) Sanjay Pandey to probe the who are continuously targeting a caste based census on its own. quota, advocated a caste based cen- issue. the Maha Vikas Aghadi govern- Renu Devi, during the Sahyog sus in Bihar. Simultaneously, senior Sena ment. As tempers continued, programme Saturday said: “The The Bihar legislature has twice leader Kishore Tiwari - accorded burnt road building machines and find out. tract even to bankrupt companies Nationalist Congress Party's Karnataka and Odisha govern- passed a resolution for a caste MoS status - launched a missile ask- warned that if the Sena leaders and Claiming that most political or blacklisted entities, but after Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar ments have conducted caste based based census unanimously -- ing why Gadkari did not publi- elected representatives repeat parties are engaged in such ac- complaints of inferior quality, stressed that if the quality of road census at their own expense. The February 18, 2019 and February cise his earlier letter to Prime such behaviour it will be difficult tivities in lucrative road contracts, several projects were stopped many works is not good, then action Bihar government is also inde- 27, 2020. Minister Narendra Modi in which to continue with the projects. Tiwari alleged that even the min- times. should be taken against the con- pendent on opting for the same. The JD(U) has support from the he had named BJP political and Responding, Sena MP from ister and his family's companies "I have a list of your supporters, tractors.

However, the central government opposition RJD and another ally of elected leaders from all over India Washim-Yavatmal, Bhavana "have a finger" in all road and toll even your past and present com- Since Gadkari has written to

k y m c has a clear stand of not to conduct the NDA -- the Hindustan Awami making 'extortion demands' from Gawali-Patil said Gadkari was contracts. panies besides other BJP political the CM, the government will en- caste based census in the country.” Morcha (HAM) -- on the issue. road contractors. "misled" and pointed out that He said that right from 2014, or elected leaders engaged in ne- quire the situation at the ground Earlier, Bihar chief minister The BJP has however supported Gadkari's grouse pertains around 90 per cent of the work in contractors owing allegiance to farious deals for roads-tolls proj- level especially since Thackeray Nitish Kumar while advocating a caste-based census only for SC/ST, mainly to the Washim-Akola sec- her constituency was completed, certain BJP politicians grab the ects, and looting thousands of has always stated that "work qual- caste based census, wrote to Prime which constitute only 15 per cent tion of the ongoing highway proj- although there were local hurdles roads-tolls contracts and for a crores of rupees of public money ity would never be compromised", Minister Narendra Modi urging of the total population. ects, where he said Sena activists in some areas which she would hefty commission, give a sub-con- through banks. Will you make said Pawar. When VAJPAYEE DEATH ANNIV P7 fundamental TUESDAY | AUGUST 17 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR rights of people, President Ram Nath Kovind and guaranteed by the founding Prime Minister Narendra Modi fathers of our Constitution were among the dignitaries who are being trampled upon, it paid tributes to former Prime is a sin to stay silent Minister and BJP stalwart Atal y SONIA GANDHI | Bihari Vajpayee on his third

CONGRESS CHIEF death anniversary Monday

k y m national c

of the day uote MATTER OF FAITH

The purpose of ‘WILL STAND BY OUR science is to make people's lives happy, healthy and comfortable AFGHAN PARTNERS’ M VENKAIAH NAIDU | VICE PRESIDENT India is in constant touch with the

The representatives of Afghan Sikh and Hindu government communities, said the Ministry of External must not be a ‘shasak’ (ruler) but a Affairs Monday asserting that the country will ‘sewak’ (server) and should work like a facilitate repatriation to India of those who wish service provider. This year, the Independence Day is more to leave Afghanistan significant because it marks 75 years of Independence. It is the beginning AGENCIES Afghanistan following the takeover of a new chapter and we are of the country by the Taliban. "We committed to building a new Uttar New Delhi, August 16: India are in constant touch with the rep- Pradesh Monday said it will "stand by" its resentatives of Afghan Sikh and AKHILESH YADAV | Afghan partners, take all steps for Hindu communities. We will fa- SAMAJWADI PARTY PRESIDENT the security of Indians and its in- cilitate repatriation to India of terests in Afghanistan and facili- those who wish to leave tate the repatriation of Sikhs and Afghanistan," the MEA spokesper- I am going to Hindus who wish to leave the war- son said. "There are also a number Uttarakhand torn country, in its first reaction fol- of Afghans who have been our tomorrow. Aam lowing the takeover of Kabul by the partners in the promotion of our Aadmi Party is going Taliban. mutual developmental, educational to make a very External Affairs Ministry and people-to-people endeavours. important spokesperson Arindam Bagchi We will stand by them," he said. announcement said the situation in Afghanistan Bagchi said India is waiting for tomorrow. This announcement will is being monitored on a constant the resumption of flights to restart prove to be a milestone for the basis at high levels and that the the repatriation process. progress and development of suspension of commercial opera- A devotee whispers in the ears of Nandi for fulfilment of her wishes during the holy month of Shravan, at lord Shiva temple in Patna PTI PHOTO Uttarakhand "Commercial operations from Kabul tions at Kabul airport has forced a airport have been suspended today. ARVIND KEJRIWAL | DELHI CHIEF MINISTER "pause" in India's repatriation ef- This has forced a pause in our forts. Capping its month-long rapid repatriation efforts. We are await- advances, the Taliban took posi- ing the resumption of flights to PEGASUS SNOOPING ROW CONG LEADER SHORT TAKES tions in Kabul on Sunday evening restart the process," he said. hours after Afghan President Ashraf "The situation in Afghanistan SUSHMITA DEV Ghani left for an unknown desti- is being monitored on a constant Centre allocated nation, paving the way for the basis at high levels. The Will the offender probe himself: JOINS TMC ` takeover of the capital as well as Government will take all steps to 267.35cr to Kerala the country. ensure the safety and security of PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Thiruvananthapuram: Union "The security situation in Kabul Indian nationals and our interests Health Minister Mansukh has deteriorated significantly in in Afghanistan," Bagchi added. Cong on Centre’s affidavit in SC New Delhi, August 16: The Mandaviya, who arrived in the last few days. It is changing The MEA spokesperson also re- women's wing chief of the Kerala with a central team on rapidly even as we speak. The ferred to periodic advisories is- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Spying on Lawyers, Spying on Ex Congress, Sushmita Dev, quit the Monday to review the Covid- Government of India has been sued by the Indian embassy in Give a direct answer PM, Ex CM's...How is this 'National party and joined the Trinamool 19 situation in the state, said closely monitoring all develop- Kabul for the safety and security New Delhi, August 16: With the Modi ji, I again ask Security'? Can't pull wool over the Congress (TMC) Monday. the Centre has allocated Rs ments in Afghanistan," he said. of Indian nationals in that country, Centre telling the Supreme Court through television 'truth'!" he said in another tweet, Dev joined the TMC in the 267.35 crore to the state to Bagchi was replying to media including calling for their imme- that a group of experts will ex- channels that the people of using the hashtag presence of senior party leader strengthen its health queries on the situation in diate return to India. amine the issue of alleged snoop- India want to know - did you 'PegasusSnoopingScandal'. Abhishek Banerjee in Kolkata and infrastructure and will also ing, the Congress Monday asked buy Pegasus spyware or not? Asked about the development the Mamata Banerjee-led party provide it more vaccines to whether "the offender RANDEEP SURJEWALA I at a press conference, Surjewala welcomed her into its fold. “We combat the pandemic. In a will investigate himself" and de- CONGRESS' CHIEF SPOKESPERSON said, "How can the cat guard the warmly welcome the former tweet, subsequent to his manded that Prime Minister milk." President of All India Mahila "intensive" meeting with Narendra Modi answer whether Congress Sushmita Dev to our Chief Minister Pinarayi which will go into all aspects of "Does the respected Supreme Vijayan and state Health the Pegasus spyware was bought the issue. Court not know that only those Trinamool family,” the TMC said Minister Veena George, or not. Reacting to the development, who spied will investigate now? in a tweet. Mandaviya said that besides The Ministry of Electronics Congress' chief spokesperson Will the offender investigate him- A former MP, Dev was the na- the Rs 267.35 crore an and Information Technology in Randeep Surjewala tweeted, "Mr. self ?" he asked. tional spokesperson of the Congress additional Rs one crore would a two-page affidavit told a 'SNOOP-BOND', Pl tell the Nation In an affidavit filed before a and the chief of the All-India be made available to each Supreme Court bench that "to this much - Did you or not buy bench of Chief Justice N V Ramana Mahila Congress. district of Kerala for creating dispel any wrong narrative Pegasus Spyware? How does it im- and Justices Surya Kant and She sent her resignation letter a medicine pool. spread by certain vested inter- pact 'National Security'?" Aniruddha Bose, the government to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, ests" and with an object of ex- "Mr. 'SNOOPING-BOND', Spying said its position on the alleged sources said, but offered no rea- amining the issues raised, the on Opposition, Spying on Judges, Pegasus snooping has already been son for her quitting. In her letter Two sisters killed Centre will constitute a com- Spying on CBI Chief, Spying on clarified in Parliament by IT to Sonia Gandhi Sunday, Dev said mittee of experts in the field Journalists, Spying on Union Min., Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. she was beginning a "new chap- in building fire ter" in her "life of public service". She also changed her Twitter bio Noida: Two sisters, aged 9 and to a former member of the grand 12, died in a fire that broke out APEX COURT GIVES CENTRE 4 old party and a former chief of Monday in a five-storey Students return to classes in more states building in Noida apparently the Mahila Congress. due to a short circuit, police WEEKS MORE FOR GUIDELINES She said she is resigning from the officials said. The blaze broke PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Karnataka is planning to do so primary membership of the Indian out around 5.30 am and was from August 23. Schools for classes INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE tioning steps taken in connection National Congress. soon controlled by fire New Delhi/Lucknow, August 9 to 12, universities, colleges and with other guidelines in the judg- The Congress, however, said department officials who had 16: Uttar Pradesh and Andhra coaching institutes will be allowed New Delhi, August 16: The ment within two weeks. Sonia Gandhi has not received any rushed to the site under Phase Pradesh Monday joined the states to reopen in Rajasthan from Supreme Court Monday granted In July, the Centre had moved the letter from her. 3 police station limits, where schools have cautiously September 1 Earlier this month, four weeks more to the Centre to Supreme Court seeking additional The chief spokesperson of the Additional Deputy restarted physical lessons after the Uttar Pradesh government had frame guidelines in connection four weeks to frame ex-gratia pay- party, Randeep Surjewala, said he Commissioner of Police the ebbing of Covid-19 cases, while announced that schools would re- with payment of ex-gratia to de- ment scheme for the kin of those and other Congress leaders tried to (Central Noida) Ankur in Uttarakhand and Bihar, stu- open for students of classes 9 to 12 pendents of those who succumbed who succumbed to Covid, after the reach out to Dev but her phone Aggarwal said. dents of more classes returned to from August 16 with 50 percent at- to Covid. court, on June 30, directed the was switched off. the offline mode. tendance. A bench of Justices National Disaster States which had started phys- On Monday, some schools started DY Chandrachud and EX GRATIA FOR Management Fresh 417 ical classes in schools after a gap offline classes in shifts while ad- MR Shah asked Authority (NDMA) of a year were again forced to and holding of classes in shifts to hering to Covid protocols, but the Additional Solicitor COVID VICTIMS to frame appropri- Covid deaths order closure due to the second ensure social distancing, saniti- attendance was thin. General Aishwarya ate guidelines New Delhi: India's wave of coronavirus in March- sation and mask-wearing were The state government said Bhati whether the other directions within a period of 6 weeks. coronavirus caseload April this year. Schools across among the Covid-19 norms being teaching activity may be considered as given by the court in the order On June 30, the Supreme Court mounted to 3,22,25,513 Haryana, Gujarat, Odisha and followed by the schools, which for classes 6 to 8 from August 23 have been complied with. had said the Centre failed to per- Monday with 32,937 fresh Madhya Pradesh, however, began largely reported thin attendance. and for classes 1 to 5 from As Bhati requested some time to form its statutory duty cast under infections, while the active reopening after mid-July in a stag- Similarly, states like Punjab, September 1. seek instructions in the matter, Section 12 of the DMA, to issue cases came down to 3,81,947, gered manner, starting with grades Himachal Pradesh and The Cathedral Senior Secondary the court, while granting the ex- minimum standards of relief for the lowest in 145 days, 10 to 12. Chhattisgarh had resumed physi- School in Lucknow said about 100 tension, also asked the ASG to families of those people who lost according to Union health A 50 per cent cap on attendance cal classes from August 2, while students attended classes Monday. place on record an affidavit men- their lives to Covid-19. ministry data. The death toll climbed to 4,31,642 as 417 more people succumbed to Covid-19, the data updated at 8 am showed. India needs to strengthen security set up at J&K borders: Experts THERE ARE militia into Jammu and Kashmir when the Soviet troops withdrew the process of settling down in 3 Naxals held to disturb the prevailing security in 1988, the experts recounted how Afghanistan, and they will aim to APPREHENSIONS scenario. Pakistan's deep state diverted vast get recognition of their govern- Raipur: Three lower-rung In this regard, they have antic- stockpiles of Afghan war arms Naxals, who were THAT PAKISTAN’S ment from other countries before allegedly involved in ipated that the redeployment of and ammunition to Kashmir in embarking on such endeavours. the killing of a civilian in 2019 ISI MAY PUSH Pakistani terrorist groups like the late 1980s to fight a proxy war Taliban insurgents swept Kabul and also in incidents of AFGHAN MILITIA INTO Lashkar- e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish- that continues till date. after the US-backed Afghan damaging roads, were e-Mohammed (JeM), who have tar- However, some experts also feel government collapsed and arrested in Chhattisgarh's J&K TO DISTURB THE geted Jammu and Kashmir and that it is a little early to speculate President Ashraf Ghani fled the Dantewada district, police other parts of India in the past, about such things as the present country on Sunday, bringing an said Monday. Acting on a PREVAILING SECURITY may be activated again. Taliban appears to be different unprecedented end to efforts made specific input, the trio, SCENARIO “The security agencies in India from what it used to be in 1999. by the US and its allies to trans- identified as Hunga Kartam need to be careful and on high alert “This is a little premature to form the war-ravaged nation in the (25), Aayta Madvi (25) and AGENCIES and need to take all possible steps speculate such terror threats on last two decades. Pojja alias Lathi Kartam (28), to check the infiltration from the Jammu and Kashmir as the Taliban India has been a key stakeholder was apprehended New Delhi, August 16: In the Pakistan side into Jammu and are in the process of settling down in Afghanistan and it has invested

y Sunday from a forest near Etepal village under Kuakonda wake of the Taliban taking full Kashmir. The ISI was also instru- in Afghanistan but the security nearly $3 billion in carrying out

control in Afghanistan, experts mental in pushing the Afghan mili- forces need to be on high alert in nearly 500 projects across that coun-

k y m police station limits when a c joint team of the District have cautioned the Indian tia into J&K when they were ousted security set up said on the condition the sustainable development of the J&K to prevent such incidents”, try. Afghanistan's security forces Reserve Guard (DRG) and local security agencies to increase vigil from Afghanistan after the US se- of anonymity that this may region. Referring to the Soviet in- former DGP of J&K Police Ashok collapsed or fled in the face of a police was out on a search on the international border with curity forces launched military op- seriously undermine the vasion and occupation of Prasad, said. Taliban offensive that tore through operation, Dantewada Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir. erations against them,” former aspirations of the Kashmiri pop- Afghanistan in 1979 that witnessed Noting that this Taliban are dif- the country, ahead of the planned Superintendent of Police There are apprehensions that Home Secretary GK Pillai said in ulation for peace and the desire of a heavy resistance movement by the ferent from what it used to be in the withdrawal of the last American Abhishek Pallava said. Pakistan’s ISI may push Afghan a statement. A senior official in the the Indian government to work for Afghan local militia for eight years past, he said that the Taliban is in troops at the end of the month. P8

TUESDAY | AUGUST 17 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR op special

k y m c

The beating blades of US military helicopters whisking American diplomats to Kabul’s airport Sunday punctuated a frantic rush by thousands of other foreigners and Afghans to flee to safety as well, as a stunningly swift Taliban takeover entered the heart of Afghanistan’s capital. The Taliban have seized power in Afghanistan two weeks before the US was set to complete its troop withdrawal after a costly two-decade war. The insurgents stormed across the country, capturing all major cities in a matter of days, as Afghan security forces trained and equipped by the US and its allies melted away. Here’s a look at what happened and what comes next: MAZAR-I-SHARIF Mapping the advance HERAT he Taliban armed group is eying power after it entered hat is happening in troops ousted the Taliban Tthe capital Kabul, capturing Afghanistan? in a matter of months W KABUL 26 out of the country’s 34 The Taliban, a militant group that when they invaded to provincial capitals in the past 10 ran the country in the late 1990s, root out al-Qaida, which days. The armed group, which was have again taken control. orchestrated the 9/11 at- toppled from power in a United The US-led invasion of tacks while being har- remains an over- States-led invasion in 2001, Afghanistan in 2001 ousted the in- boured by the Taliban. whelmingly con- stepped up its campaign to defeat surgents from power, but they never But it proved more diffi- servative country, es- the Western-backed government left. After they blitzed across the cult to hold territory and pecially outside major in May as foreign forces started to country in recent days, the Western- rebuild a nation battered cities, and the status of withdraw from the country. Below backed government that has run the by repeated wars. As the women often varied, is a more detailed breakdown of country for 20 years collapsed. US focus shifted to Iraq, the even under Taliban rule. how each of the provincial capitals fell to the Taliban. Afghans, fearing for the future, Taliban began to regroup and KANDAHAR are racing to the airport, one of in recent years took over much Will the Taliban once again the last routes out of the country. of the Afghan countryside. harbor Al-qaida? August 6 Last year, then-President That’s anyone’s guess, but Zaranj, Nimruz province Why are people fleeing the coun- Donald Trump announced American military officials are The city of Zaranj was the first provincial capital to fall to the try? a plan to pull out and signed a deal LASHKAR GAH worried. In the peace deal signed They're worried that the coun- with the Taliban that limited US mil- with the United States last year, Taliban since it stepped up try could descend into chaos or itary action against them. President stuffed with money but had to the Taliban pledged to fight ter- attacks on Afghan forces in early the Taliban could carry out re- Joe Biden then announced that leave some cash on the airfield as rorism and prevent Afghanistan May. Nimruz province shares a border with Iran and Pakistan, venge attacks against those who the last troops would leave by the from again becoming a base for Taluqan, Takhar province Ghazni, Ghazni province it could not be squeezed into the and Zaranj is considered among The capital of Takhar province, The capital of the southeastern worked with the Americans or the end of August. As the final dead- chopper, according to Russian offi- attacks. But the US has little lever- the war-scarred country’s famed also in the north, fell to the Taliban province of Ghazni, about 130km government. line drew close, the Taliban began cial media reports on Monday. age to enforce that. historical cities. Many also fear the Taliban will a lightning offensive, overrunning Technological advances over the in the evening. They freed (80 miles) southwest of the reimpose the harsh interpretation city after city. Why are people comparing last 20 years allow the United States August 7 prisoners and forced government national capital, Kabul, fell on of Islamic law that they relied Afghanistan to the fall of Saigon? to target suspected militants in Sheberghan, Jawzjan province officials to flee. Thursday after heavy clashes. when they ran Afghanistan from Why did the Afghan security forces The Fall of Saigon to North countries like Yemen and Somalia The Taliban declared that it had 1996 to 2001. collapse? Vietnamese forces in 1975 marked where it does not have a permanent captured the entire northern August 9 Herat, Herat province Back then, women were barred The short answer? Corruption. the end of the Vietnam War. It be- troop presence. The Taliban paid province of Jawzjan, including its Aybak, Samangan province The capital of Herat province in the west of the country, the from attending school or working The US and its NATO allies spent came an enduring symbol of defeat a heavy price for their role in the capital Sheberghan. Heavy The capital of the northern third-largest city, fell to the outside the home. They had to billions of dollars over two decades after thousands of Americans and September 11 attacks and likely fighting was reported in the city, province of Samangan was the and government buildings were sixth Afghan provincial capital to Taliban after two weeks of wear the all-encompassing burqa to train and equip Afghan secu- their Vietnamese allies were air- hope to avoid a repeat as they seek fighting. and be accompanied by a male rel- rity forces. But the Western-backed lifted out of the city on helicop- to consolidate their rule. taken over by the Taliban. The fall in four days. Samangan was city is home to notorious once known to be one of the ative whenever they went outside. government was rife with cor- ters. US Secretary of State Antony But earlier this year, the Kandahar, Kandahar province The Taliban banned music, cut ruption. Commanders exagger- Blinken has rejected any compar- Pentagon's top leaders said an ex- strongman Abdul Rashid Dostum, safest provinces in Afghanistan, who had recently returned to with a minimal Taliban presence. The Taliban claimed to have off the hands of thieves and stoned ated the number of soldiers to isons to Afghanistan, saying: “This tremist group like al-Qaida may taken Kandahar, Afghanistan’s adulterers. siphon off resources, and troops in is manifestly not Saigon.” be able to regenerate in Afghanistan, Afghanistan after receiving medical treatment in Turkey. August 10 second-biggest city and former The Taliban have sought to the field often lacked ammunition, and officials are now warning that Taliban stronghold, in what Farah, Farah province present themselves as a more supplies or even food. What does the Taliban takeover such groups could grow much August 8 was a big blow to Afghan moderate force in recent years and Their morale further eroded mean for women? faster than expected. The Taliban captured the government forces. say they won’t exact revenge, but when it became clear the US was Many fear it could mean a severe Afghanistan is also home to an Internally displaced Afghan province’s central prison, families, who fled from Kunduz according to parliamentarian many Afghans are skeptical of on its way out. As the Taliban rap- rollback of rights. Afghan women Islamic State group affiliate that has August 13 and Takhar province due to battles Abdul Nasri Farahi. The capture those promises. idly advanced in recent days entire have made major gains since the carried out a wave of horrific at- between Taliban and Afghan of Farah also provided another Lashkar Gah, Helmand province units surrendered after brief bat- overthrow of the Taliban. Many tacks targeting its Shiite minor- security forces, collect food in border crossing into Iran The capital of Helmand province Why are the Taliban taking over tles, and Kabul and some nearby are worried they will once again ity in recent years. The Taliban Kabul on August 9, 2021. for the group. in the south was among six now? provinces fell without a fight. be confined to their homes. The have condemned such attacks and successive capital cities captured Probably because US troops are Taliban have said they are no the two groups have fought each Sar-e-Pul, Sar-e-Pul province Pul-e-Khumri, Baghlan province by the Taliban over the course of set to withdraw by the end of the What happened to the President of longer opposed to women attend- other over territory, but it remains The Taliban took control of the The capital of the northern Friday. month. The US has been trying to Afghanistan? ing school but have not set out a to be seen whether a Taliban gov- Sar-e-Pul capital in the north. It province of Baghlan, about 200km get out of Afghanistan, its longest Ghani allegedly fled the war-torn clear policy on women's rights. ernment will be willing or able to was the first of the three (125 miles) north of the capital Qal-e-Naw, Badghis province war, for several years now. American country aboard a helicopter Afghanistan suppress IS. provincial centres that fell within Kabul, fell to the Taliban after The Taliban also captured hours of one another. about two hours of fighting, Qal-e-Naw, capital of the western according to Mamoor Ahmadzai, a Badghis province. Kunduz, Kunduz province lawmaker. The capture of Pul-e- Taliban fighters Khumri gave the Taliban a trifecta Feruz Koh, Ghor province seized control of the of bordering northern provinces. Taliban fighters took control of Afghanistan’s military collapse: northern city of 270,000 Feruz Koh city in Afghanistan’s people, Afghanistan’s August 11 western province of Ghor without any fighting, officials said. fifth-largest city. Faizabad, Badakhshan province Regarded as a The Taliban took control of strategic prize, Pul-e-Alam, Logar province Illicit deals and mass desertions another city in northern The Taliban seized the capital of Kunduz lies at the Afghanistan, an official said, the central province of Logar and gateway to mineral- making it the ninth provincial he spectacular collapse of Afghanistan’s districts ringing Kabul and in the city itself rich northern captured the governor and the military that allowed Taliban fighters simply melted away. By nightfall, police capital to fall to the group in head of the city’s spy agency. provinces and six days. Badakhshan Tto walk into the Afghan capital Sunday checkpoints were left abandoned and the Central Asia. borders Tajikistan, Pakistan despite 20 years of training and billions of dol- militants roamed the streets freely. Terakot, Uruzgan province and China. lars in American aid began with a series of The pace of the military collapse has The capital of the southern deals brokered in rural villages between the stunned many American officials and August 12 Uruzgan province is captured and militant group and some of the Afghan gov- other foreign observers, forcing the governor escapes to Kabul. ernment’s lowest-ranking officials. the US government to dra- Taliban fighters are The deals, initially offered early last year, matically accelerate ef- pictured in a vehicle of Qalat, Zabul province the Afghan National were often described by Afghan officials as forts to remove per- The capital of Zabul province in Directorate of Security Afghanistan’s south became the cease-fires, but Taliban leaders were in fact sonnel from on a street in Kandahar 18th city to fall to the Taliban offering money in exchange for government its embassy on August 13, 2021. over the course of a week. forces to hand over their weapons, according in Kabul. to an Afghan officer and a US official. The August 14 Over the next year and a half, the meetings Taliban cap- Mazar-i-Sharif, Balkh province advanced to the district level and then rap- italised on Taliban fighters captured idly on to provincial capitals, culminating in the uncer- Mazar-i-Sharif – the country’s a breathtaking series of negotiated surren- tainty caused fourth-largest city with a strong ders by government forces, according to in- by the defence, as it took control of the terviews with more than a dozen Afghan of- February entire north of the country. ficers, police, special operations troops and 2020 agreement reached in Doha, Qatar, be-

other soldiers. tween the militant group and the United

k y m August 15 c Within a little more than a week, Taliban States calling for a full American withdrawal On Sunday, the Taliban captured fighters overran more than a dozen provin- from Afghanistan. Some Afghan forces realized at least seven capital cities, cial capitals and entered Kabul with no re- they would soon no longer be able to count including Jalalabad, the capital sistance, triggering the departure of on American air power and other crucial of Nangarhar province before Afghanistan’s president and the collapse of battlefield support and grew receptive to the surrounding the capital city his government. Afghan security forces in the Taliban’s approaches. of Kabul. Exporters lose heavily on AVIATION MINISTRY GIVES NOD P9 account of conversions, TUESDAY | AUGUST 17 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR volatility and ever-changing The Civil Aviation Ministry has given dynamics of forex markets. The conditional permission to 10 firms, including partnership (with Myforexeye) will M&M and SAIL, to use drones. ultimately help exporters manage The Karnataka government is one of the their forex operations under 10 firms that is permitted to conduct “drone- professional guidance of experts based aerial survey for creating urban

A SAKTHIVEL | PRESIDENT, FIEO property ownership records in Bangalore”

k y m business c of the day uote Rules for withdrawal of WPI inflation eases to 11.16% in July We are taking a pledge that no The high rate of inflation in July 2021 is primarily due to low base effect and rise in prices of crude petroleum and petrol 2W will natural gas, mineral oils and manufactured products as compared to the corresponding month of the previous year be sold in India after 2025. This is a retrospective taxation mission that we are AGENCIES the second month in a row to 11.2 putting forward to per cent in July 2021, modestly the industry and to the consumers to New Delhi, August 16: Easing trailing our expectation (11.5 per reject petrol and fully commit to prices of food products, primary ar- cent), benefitting from a favourable to come soon, says FM ticles sequentially decelerated base effect, a welcome softening electric. It's time for India to lead the way in electrification and build India’s July 2021 wholesale inflation. of food price pressures and the technologies of the future The annual rate of inflation, based uncertainty related to the Delta

BHAVISH AGGARWAL | CHAIRMAN AND GROUP on wholesale prices, was at 11.16 per plus variant arresting the rise in EXECUTIVE OFFICER, OLA cent last month from 12.07 per cent commodity prices," ICRA Chief in June. Economist Aditi Nayar said. However, on a year-on-year (Y-o- India Ratings & Research With the gyms Y) basis, the Wholesale Price Index Principal Economist Sunil Kumar being shut and (WPI) data furnished by the Sinha: "This is partly due to base extended Ministry of Commerce and effect as the WPI witnessed defla- lockdowns, we have Industry has risen exponentially tion during April-July 2020. seen a surge in over July 2020, when it stood at (-) However, deflation in WPI has been home-workouts, 0.25 per cent. witnessed earlier also during leading to a demand "The annual rate of inflation is November 2014-June 2016 but it for home workout paraphernalia. 11.16 per cent (Provisional) for the products etc. as compared the cor- than 7.74 per cent in June 2021. did not give rise to double digit or Our team got thinking about how month of July 2021 (over July 2020) responding month of the previous Similarly, the prices of food items high inflation in the following year." best we could support our as compared to ((-) 0.25 per cent) in year," the ministry said in its review rose on a slower rate at 4.46 per "The key differentiator is global consumers' fitness journey and set July 2020. The high rate of inflation of 'Index Numbers of Wholesale cent from 6.66 per cent reported commodity prices, especially the the idea of sports and fitness in July 2021 is primarily due to Price in India' for July. for June. crude oil prices. Sustained high equipment in motion low base effect and rise in prices of On a sequential basis, the ex- On a Y-o-Y basis, the cost of the taxes on petroleum products has AFSAR ZAIDI | CO-FOUNDER AND CEO, HRX INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE crude petroleum and natural gas, penses on primary articles, which fuel and power category rose by worsened the matter even more We should have mineral oils, manufactured prod- constitute 22.62 per cent of the 26.02 per cent against a rise of (-) leading to retail petrol prices breach- New Delhi, August 16: Finance released a white ucts like basic metals, food products, WPI's total weightage, increased 9.84 per cent Y-o-Y. ing the `100 per litre mark at sev- Life Freedom Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Monday paper in 2014 listing out textiles, chemicals and chemical at a slower rate of 5.72 per cent "The WPI inflation cooled for eral places." Index is our said that the rules for the recent tax- all that we inherited from barometer for ation amendment bill will be framed the previous government. measuring the levels soon. "We will have to wait for the Oil bonds were a big part SAUDI ARAMCO-RIL of financial rules to be framed under the recent of that. The previous STEEL INDUSTRY CAPACITY UTILISATION awareness, the taxation amendment bill," she said dur- government had reduced DEAL TALKS IN planning and the ing an interaction with adequacy of the plan. Over the last to prices but that burden reporters here. ` few years we have seen changing had to be taken by the State incurs 7,770 crore revenue ADVANCED STAGE trends The Taxation Laws (Amendment) OMCs through these Bill, 2021 was passed by the Parliament VISHAL SUBHARWAL | HEAD OF MARKETING, oil bonds in the recently concluded Monsoon INDO-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE DIGITAL BUSINESS & E-COMMERCE, HDFC LIFE Session, to do away with the con- NIRMALA SITHARAMAN I FINANCE MINISTER loss, job opportunities in 2020-21 tentious retrospective tax demand New Delhi, August 16: The talks provisions and its passage may end between Saudi Aramco and SHORT TAKES the much stretched tax disputes with yond five years of compensation POST NEWS NETWORK dustry expert. The experts also Reliance Industries (RIL) for the UK's Cairn Energy, and Vodafone Plc. which is ending in June 2022. said that if adequate iron ore could Saudi oil major's stake purchase in Britannia 50:50 The Bill has amended the Income On the high fuel prices, the min- Bhubaneswar, August 16: Odisha be made available in Odisha, the RIL’s oil-to-chemical business are Tax Act, 1961 so as to provide that ister said that NDA government lost around `7,770 crore of revenue steel industries could have pro- in an advanced stage and may con- launches Potazos no tax demand shall be raised in fu- is paying for reduction in prices of and thousands of employment op- duced as per their installed ca- clude in coming weeks. ture on the basis of the said ret- petroleum products during the portunities in 2020-21 because of the pacities, generating much more Aramco is discussing the pur- New Delhi: Britannia 50:50, rospective amendment for any in- time of Manmohan Singh gov- underutilisation of the installed revenue for the state. chase of around 20 per cent stake one of country’s leading capacity of steel, pellet and sponge in the Reliance arm for about $20- cracker biscuit announced its direct transfer of Indian assets if ernment, due to the interest and “In the last fiscal Odisha mer- foray into salty snacks with the transaction was undertaken principles having to be repaid on iron plants in the state, industry ex- chant mines produced 23% less 25 billion, reports have said. A the launch of ’50:50 Potazos’, before May 28, 2012 - when the fi- oil bonds from that period. perts said. pioneered industrialisation in iron ore, compared to the finan- query on the matter from RIL did which is 50% potato chip and nance bill was passed by the Sitharaman said that as of 31 As per information from the Odisha had envisioned 100 per cent cial year 2019-20. During the year, not elicit a response while mail 50% biscuit. It brings together Parliament in 2012. March, 2021, there was `1.31 lakh government’s Steel & Mines utilisation of raw materials pro- around 80 percent of the iron ore sent to Aramco remained unan- two exciting and love- On the GST compensation issue, crore in outstanding principle Department, out of the total in- duced in Odisha by state-based in- produced in Odisha was taken out- swered till the filing of the story. snacking formats. In a Sitharaman said that if GST rev- and `37,340 crore in interest yet to stalled capacity of steel of 33 MTPA, dustries only. side the state. Following the reports, RIL shares nationwide consumer survey enues collection continues like be repaid on Odisha-based steel plants produced Contrary to his vision, merchant This has created a severe short- surged on the BSE. Around 2.40 undertaken by Britannia in the this, then the Centre would be able these oil bonds. 20.5 MT steel in FY 2020-21. mines are diverting 80% of iron ore age of iron ore for Odisha based p.m., RIL shares on the BSE were run up to the launch, the to pay compensation as per the "We should have released a The experts said that the loss of out of the state. The continued ma- plants evidenced by the highest trading at `2,178.50, higher by `33.75, product was rated by agreement. white paper in 2014 listing out all production by these industries is nipulation of iron ore availability ever surge of iron ore prices in or 1.57 per cent, from its previous consumers as the ‘best new She noted that the Centre will that we inherited from the pre- primarily due to low production and and prices will lead to the end of the the state situation is critical as close. product’ in the snacking have to consult with states in the vious government. Oil bonds were huge dispatch of iron ore outside Odisha Steel industries and MSMEs, some MSMEs are even facing the Addressing RIL's 44th Annual category, with 90% consumers GST Council to assess the situation a big part of that,” Sitharaman Odisha by the merchant mines. with 40% capacity unused that day threat of closure due to raw material General Meeting, RIL Chairman giving it a ‘Definitely buy’ on repayment of borrowing be- said. “Former CM, Biju Patnaik, who is not far”, said BS Pani, an in- scarcity” said a senior official. Mukesh Ambani said that he ex- rating. pects RIL's partnership with Saudi

Factsys opens INDEPENDENCE DAY branch in City I-Day celebrated at 75th I-Day observed by MCL Tariff hike key to Bhubaneswar: An IT company Sambalpur: Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) today Factsys Technology Pvt. Ltd NTPC headquarters celebrated 75th Independence Day with patriotic fervor has been inaugurated in the Bhubaneswar: The and gaiety. OP Singh, Director (Technical/Operations), sector revival: VIL city. This company will work 75th Independence who was the chief guest at celebrations held at Anand Vihar Grounds, on cyber security, audit and IT Day was celebrated at hoisted the tricolour. Singh also read out the message of PK Sinha, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA "We will thus continue to get the services. Factsys will work on NTPC Coal Mining Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD), who is also the CMD of sister benefit of their experience and building product innovation Headquarters, Ranchi subsidiary Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), Singrauli (Madhya Pradesh). New Delhi, August 16: Amid an support," Takkar said. On fundrais- and research along with the with great enthusiasm Extending greetings on 75th Independence Day, the CMD appreciated existential struggle, Vodafone Idea ing, Takkar maintained that VIL other companies under Global and patriotic fervour. efforts of coal miners in service of nation by ensuring uninterrupted and Monday said while its recent tar- continues to remain in active dis- Group. On the occasion, video On the occasion, Chief adequate supply of coal to power plants and other consumers. The CMD iff tweaks are steps in the right cussions with potential investors. encryption software product Guest, Partha also expended I-Day greetings to public representatives, state direction, such changes are not Citing the recent "tariff inter- ‘Edusafe’ was also launched. It Mazumder, Regional administration, press/media, contractors, workers and peripheral villagers. enough to solve the industry’s ventions" undertaken by VIL, in- Aramco will be to be formalised in will be used for online video- Executive Director (Coal Mining) structural issues, and tariff hikes cluding entry-level corporate post- an "expeditious manner during based classes for preventing hoisted the national flag with a and floor pricing remain critical for paid plans and other offerings, this year", after obtaining required video privacy by encrypting guard of honour and salutation to Central Bank celebrates I-Day in City the sector revival. Takkar said, "While these tariff regulatory clearances. the videos. the national anthem. Mazumder on this occasion mentioned that Prime Bhubaneswar: Central Bank of India celebrated Speaking during the Q1 earn- interventions are steps in the right Aramco Chairman Yasir Al Minister Narendra Modi has India’s 75th Independence Day at Regional Office, ings call, Vodafone Idea CEO direction and will help in improving Rumayyan has been appointed as Sonalika posts spearheaded the ‘Azadi ka Amrut Bhubaneswar. On this occasion, Chief Guest Ravinder Takkar said although ARPU, such changes are not ma- an independent Director of RIL Mahotsav’ as a Jana Andolan to Parshuram Panda, CVO, Central Bank of India Kumar Mangalam Birla recently terial enough to solve the struc- with effect from July 19. 10,756 sales create awareness across India, conducted the flag hoisting activities. He also stepped down as chairman of tural issues that the industry is Ambani had said that which commemorates the occasion distributed masks to public to spread awareness on the Covid-19 pandemic. Vodafone Idea, "he as well as Aditya facing". Rumayyan's joining the board is also Bhubaneswar: Sonalika of 75 years of independence in A tree plantation drive was also conducted. That apart, traffic barricades Birla Group (ABG) and the The company continues to en- the beginning of internationali- Tractors has registered 10,756 2022. While talking about NTPC’s were distributed to Bhubaneswar and Puri traffic control authorities to Vodafone group are committing gage with the regulator on floor sation of Reliance and more an- overall tractor sales in July, digitisation initiatives, Mazumder spread traffic awareness. Moreover, auto branding and other advertising to providing support and guidance pricing, which is "critical and nec- nouncements on international 2021 and raced ahead by 5.2%. expressed sincere thanks to NTPC activities of the bank’s products and services were also held in the to the company, in line with the essary" to improve the overall plans of the company would come presence of esteemed SRM, PK Samantaray. Its dynamic performance has Management for its vision. stated positions of both the groups". health of the industry, he observed. in times to come. powered the new-age tractor portfolio that is fully equipped with advanced technologies to take farmers towards prosperity. Sonalika deeply understands rural geography ROAD TO FREEDOM FROM FINANCIAL WORRIES and the crop-specific requirements of farmers, as it remains closely connected Insurance transfers the risk from an individual to the insurer; it is an excellent tool to attain financial security and economic freedom with them across 130 countries in the world. he significance of August 15 One of the simplest ways to free tunate event. during an unwanted event. But ance market has covers for all your insurance, comprehensive motor Tis paramount to all the Indians yourself from financial worries is Such incidents become if you analyze the situation, assets including your home, vehi- cover, personal accident cover, and it needs no further elucida- by transferring them to someone roadblocks in your path to you will realize that your sav- cles, crops, cattle, mobile, you name and cyber insurance cover. These Samsung rolls tion. This year marks 75 years of else. Insurance transfers the risk prosperity, hinder your growth ings are not sufficient in most it. What more, your freedom from basic covers will safeguard you our independence and what a re- from an individual to the insurer; and cause mental strain, thus cases; you can only take some financial worries is just a few clicks and your family’s most valuable out new products markable journey it has been! We it is an excellent tool to attain fi- thwarting your overall well- hit on your finances de- away. assets and free you from the fear have traversed a long way, under- nancial security and economic being. By buying an in- pending on your back- Gone are the days when buying of the ‘unknown’. New Delhi: Samsung set a new went various social, economic, and freedom. surance cover, you ground. However, ir- insurance involved cumbersome pa- As we celebrate Independence standard for mobile political reforms that helped us We live in a dynamic, uncertain experiences and innovation shield yourself from respective of one’s perwork, today all the products Day, let us ensure that our eco- with two new foldable become one of the most vibrant world, the ongoing pandemic has these heavy losses financial status, are easily available on the website nomic liberty is maintained and we smartphones, Galaxy Z Fold3 democracies in the world. exposed the unpredictability of in return for a small there is a limit to and apps of the insurers. The en- progress, undaunted, in the path of 5G and Galaxy Z Flip3 5G. It As a country, we have achieved our environment and has accen- sum, as the cost of which anyone can tire policy management, right from growth and prosperity. This has also launched Galaxy a lot, and there is a lot more to ac- tuated the need to have a proper fi- insurance is con- sustain a loss, after purchasing the cover to policy is- Independence Day step towards Watch4 and Galaxy Watch4 complish. Fuelled by a sense of pa- nancial and risk management plan. siderably lower which the situa- suance, from endorsements to re- freedom from financial worries, a Classic marking a new era for triotism, my train of thought led Insurance provides peace to an in- than the amount tion becomes pre- newal and claims settlement, every- risk-free future awaits you, head to-

me to think what are a few things dividual by transferring the risk and of loss during an carious. thing can be done from the comfort

k y m smartwatch experience, and wards it. May we always flourish, c Galaxy Bud2 as the perfect pal which I want for my fellow citi- frees the person from looming un- undesirable event. Insurance pro- of your home. as individuals, as a society, as a to Galaxy smartphone tablet zens? Following factors topped my certainties and fear of the ‘un- Many people may vides protection In a matter of a few clicks, you nation and achieve new milestones!! or smartwatch. Galaxy Z Flip3 list; I want them to have a long, known’. Insurance also protects believe that they against various risks can secure your health and and Galaxy Z Fold3 offer users happy life, to prosper, and wish you from unforeseen financial don’t require insurance that your health, as- wealth. I urge everyone to buy (The writer is the Chief with unique ways to work, them to have freedom from finan- crunches by indemnifying you for since they have enough sets, and even life may few basic covers like compre- Technical Officer at Bajaj watch, and play. cial worries. the loss arising due to an unfor- savings that will suffice face. Today the insur- hensive health insurance, home Allianz General Insurance) TA RAMALINGAM BACK

TUESDAY | AUGUST 17 | 2021 | BHUBANESWAR PAGE

Odisha FC sign

k k y y m m c India lord at Lord’s Aridai Cabrera c Shami, Bumrah batting show followed by Siraj’s bowling help Men in Blue take 1-0 lead in the 5-match series after winning the second Test by 151 runs at the ‘Home of Cricket’

POST NEWS NETWORK Leonesa and Las Palmas. “I am very happy to sign for Bhubaneswar, August 16: Odisha Odisha FC and I am really excited FC have reached an agreement to play in India. I want to meet my with Aridai Cabrera that sees the teammates soon and start prepar- Spanish winger representing the ing for the upcoming season. We will Bhubaneswar-based club in the definitely make sure that Odisha FC eighth edition of the Indian Super does well in the next ISL,” said League (ISL). The club announced Cabrera. through a statement, Monday. Head coach Kiko Ramirez heaped The 32-year-old winger comes praise on Cabrera, saying: “Aridai with a vast experience of playing is an electric player who can change professional football for various the game with the magic that is Spanish teams after starting his needed in football. He is a footballer youth career with Universidad LP. with a very refined technical qual- He also made his maiden senior ity and capable of surpassing the appearance for Universidad LP B opponents with his feints. in 2006 and played for their senior “He is a dribbler and with his team the very next year. speed, we can say that he is a dif- He has also represented other ferent footballer. If he is motivated clubs like RCD Mallorca, Girona and people are with him, he can FC, Betis B, Hospitalet, Sabadell have a big impact in the ISL,” he FC, Huracan, Valencia B, Cultural added. MOMENT TO CHERISH: Indian players react after Mohammed Siraj dismissed James Anderson to wrap up the win Roger needs 3rd surgery PRESS TRUST OF INDIA nings of their lives and then rocked BRIEF SCORES the England top order, before Ishant INDIA 364 & 298/8 London, August 16: India’s world Sharma (2/13) and Mohammed ASSOCIATED PRESS cided to do it. I will be on crutches (Mohammed Shami 56 n o, Jasprit class pace attack pulled off an in- Siraj (4/32) played their part to for many weeks and then also out Bumrah 34 n o; Mark Wood 3/51) credible heist with the bat and then perfection to give the visitors a 1- Basel, August 16: Roger Federer of the game for many months.” a magnificent performance with 0 lead in the five-match series. BEAT ENGLAND 391 & 120 is going to miss the US Open and The 40-year-old Federer, who has the ball to decimate England by 151 This is India’s third Test match (Joe Root 33; Mohammed Siraj be sidelined for months because 20 Grand Slam singles titles to share 4/32, Jasprit Bumrah 3/33, Ishant runs in the second Test here Monday. win at Lord’s having won earlier in MATCH-WINNING PARTNERSHIP: Jasprit Bumrah congratulates Mohammed he needs a third operation on his the men’s record with Rafa Nadal Sharma 2/13, Mohammed Shami The fifth day at the hallowed 1986 and 2014 series and they now Shami after the latter completed his half century at the Lord’s, monday right knee, a procedure he said will and Novak Djokovic, acknowledged 1/13) by 151 runs. Lord’s was as good an exhibition have six points in the World Test leave him with “a glimmer of hope” there was a chance his playing ca- of Test cricket with India bowling Championship. Rory Burns (0) to close his bat for the final wicket of James Anderson. that he can return to competition. reer could be over, but he said he out England for 120 as they tried to First Shami and Bumrah to welcome the duo. a catch at short mid-off. Earlier, from a situation where Federer announced the news would rehab the knee with the goal bat it out without going for a chase achieved the unthinkable of batting With the ball, they both were It could have been six down soon a defeat looked imminent after Sunday via a video message on of making another comeback. of 272 in 60 overs. England out of the contest by con- joined by the “daddy of the pace had Virat Kohli held onto the catch Rishabh Pant’s (22) early dismissal, Instagram. “I’ve been doing a lot of “I want to be healthy. I want to It was a match where odds were juring a record stand of 89 which pack” Ishant as they had a seri- provided by Jos Buttler at first sip but Shami and Bumrah displayed never checks with the doctors, as well, on be running around later, as well, in favour of England but the crick- took team’s total to 298/8 and made ous shot at a memorable win after it evaded his reverse cupped palms before seen resolve in a record my knee, getting all the informa- again, and I want to give myself a eting Gods wanted Virat Kohli’s the target of 272 in two sessions look Joe Root’s (33) dismissal of a ‘jaffa’ and Moeen Ali’s edge didn’t matter stand with Ishant (16) also mak- tion as I hurt myself further dur- glimmer of hope, also, to return to men to script another golden chap- fairly impossible. from Bumrah had England on the as Ravindra Jadeja over-stepped. ing a nice little contribution. ing the grass-court season and the tour in some shape or form,” ter in the history of Indian cricket. Shami and Bumrah’s special ef- mat at 67/5 just after tea. But then Siraj bowled couple of The tail-enders between them- Wimbledon,” Federer said. Federer said. “I am realistic, don’t Mohammed Shami (56 n o, 70b, fort with the bat was duly applauded Before that Shami had bowled a superb successive outgoing deliveries selves accumulated 106 runs, some- “Unfortunately they told me for get me wrong. I know how diffi- 6x4, 1x6 & 1/13) and Jasprit Bumrah by the fellow teammates who came leg-cutter for keeps to get Dom to get Moeen (13) and Sam Curran thing that India have been missing the medium- to long-term, to feel cult it is at this age right now to do (34 n o, 64b, 3x4 & 3/33) played in- downstairs from the dressing room Sibley (0) and Bumrah had forced (0) to make it 90/7 before picking up before the start of the series. better, I will need surgery, so I de- another surgery and try it.” Son gives Cityzens hard time MESSI GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN Braithwaite scores twice and sets up another in Barcelona’s 4-2 win over Real Sociedad in their La Liga campaign opener

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Madrid, August 16: The post- Lionel Messi era began for Barcelona with fans chanting his name in the stands and players overcoming his absence on the field. Barcelona’s first season with- out Messi in 17 years started with a 4-2 win over Real Sociedad in the Spanish league on Sunday, with many in the crowd of more than 20,000 at the Camp Nou Stadium paying tribute to the Argentine star and protesting against the club for letting him go. The majority of fans loudly chanted Messi’s name in the 10th minute, a reference to the No.10 jersey he used to wear at the club. Many fans were wearing or car- rying Messi’s jersey, and several ban- ners honored the playmaker. “Forever grateful to Messi,” read one of them. There were also some jeers against Messi, though, who NEW ERA BEGINS: Barcelona players celebrate after one of the two goals by Martin Braithwaite (4th from R) at Camp Nou was already in France with PSG STUNNING FINISH: Son Heung-min curls one for Spurs’ winner against Manchester City, Sunday after Barcelona failed to give him per cent of the venues’ capacity. a new contract because of its fi- Fans had mixed feelings. “On ASSOCIATED PRESS Kane’s absence was the big ties — breaking forward in the open- nancial struggles. Some fans pre- one side I feel very bad because Club’s debt now at USD 1.6bn pregame talking point, although ing minutes to draw a free kick just ferred to chant “Barca, Barca” in- Messi is gone. I had a very hard time London, August 16: If this was a Nuno said the decision was made outside the area — but missed his stead of his name. On the field, with all this,” 23-year-old student MADRID: Barcelona’s president selves in a difficult situation to first taste of life without Harry solely because the England striker best chance to score when his shot Barcelona opened the scoring in the Marta Gonzalez said. “But on the presented a grim picture of the renegotiate the players’ contracts." Kane for Tottenham, maybe that only returned to full training from a tight angle was easily saved 19th with a header by Gerard Pique, other side I am very happy to see club’s financial situation Monday, The club lost star player Messi to prospect isn’t so terrifying after Friday after his holiday. Son in- by Hugo Lloris in the 75th. who also was loudly cheered by a new Barca and to be here.” saying its debt had risen to 1.35 bil- PSG this month because it could not all. At least not while Son Heung- sisted the Tottenham players had Riyad Mahrez had City’s best fans after agreeing to reduce his lion euros (USD 1.6 billion). give him a new contract that would min is still at the club. no difficulties putting all the spec- chance of the game in the 35th salary so the club could register ATLETICO WIN TOO Joan Laporta blamed the pre- fit within the Spanish league’s strict Son netted a second-half win- ulation aside. when he met a cross from Raheem other players in time for the opener. Angel Correa scored a goal in vious administration of Josep financial fair-play regulations. ner Sunday as Tottenham opened Based on this performance, City Sterling but shot wide after failing Martin Braithwaite added to the each half as Atletico Madrid opened Bartomeu for the club’s “dra- The club’s debt included almost the Premier League season with an might need Kane more than Spurs to cleanly connect with the ball. lead with goals in first-half stoppage its title defense with a 2-1 win at matic” situation that ultimately led 390 million euros (USD 460 million) impressive 1-0 home victory over do — especially after letting Sergio Son had already threatened on time and in the 59th. He also assisted Celta Vigo, extending their un- to Lionel Messi’s departure. related to player salaries, Laporta said. defending champion Manchester Aguero leave on a free transfer a couple of counterattacks by the in Sergi Roberto’s final goal in sec- beaten streak in Spanish league Laporta accused Bartomeu of More than 670 million euros (USD City — the team that has spent the this summer. time he put Spurs ahead. The South ond-half injury time. Memphis openers to 12 matches. countless “lies” and said he and 790 million) was debts with banks, summer trying to buy its talisman This was the final game of a Korea international collected the Depay, the club’s top offseason sign- Correa, starting in attack in place his board of directors must be while some 40 million euros (USD 47 striker. crowd-pleasing opening Premier ball down the right flank, drove at ing, helped set up two goals. of Luis Suarez, opened the scor- held accountable. million) was linked to membership New Tottenham manager Nuno League weekend and City was the defender Nathan Ake and then cut Sociedad, coming off a fifth- ing with a low shot from outside the Laporta said the club had losses losses. The impact of the coron- Espirito Santo left Kane out of his only big title contender that failed inside to bend a low shot inside place finish last season, pulled area in the 23rd. He added his sec- of 481 million euros (USD 567 mil- avirus pandemic was 91 million team altogether amid continued to start with a win. Chelsea, the far post. closer with a goal from Julen Lobete ond from inside the box in the 64th lion) and was left with a negative euros (USD 107 million), he said. speculation about a pending move Manchester United and Liverpool all Steven Bergwijn had a great in the 82nd and with a superb free- after Iago Aspas had equalised for net worth of 451 million euros Laporta was among those tar- to City, but still ended up with a state- opened with big victories Saturday. chance to double the lead on another kick — which Messi would have the hosts by converting a 59th- (USD 532 million), making it dif- geted by some fans in the team’s

ment victory on his debut. City dominated possession but counter just before the hour mark, been proud of — taken by Mikel minute penalty kick following a ficult to negotiate with players. Spanish league opener Sunday,

k k y y m m c c Son finished off a quick coun- struggled to break down a disci- but shot wide. Guardiola brought Oyarzabal three minutes later. hand ball by Marcos Llorente. “Our salaries represent 103% of when it defeated Real Sociedad 4- terattack in the 55th minute and plined Tottenham side, which was Kevin De Bruyne off the bench in The last time there were fans at the The benches were emptied in the club’s total income. That’s 2. There were banners outside the Tottenham effectively neutralized content to sit back and wait for op- search of an equalizer and the Camp Nou was March 7, also in a stoppage time after an altercation 20% to 25% more than our com- Camp Nou criticizing Laporta City’s many attacking threats in portunities to counter. Belgian forced a save from Lloris match against Real Sociedad. Spanish following a foul by Hugo Mallo on petitors,” Laporta said in a news and accusing him of not doing front of a packed home stadium of City’s record signing Jack Grealish with a dipping shot from distance health authorities allowed the league Suarez. Mallo and Atletico’s Mario conference. “We have found our- enough to keep Messi. about 58,000 fans. showed early flashes of his abili- in the 84th. to restart with crowds of up to 40 Hermoso got red cards.

Printed and published by Tathagata Satpathy on behalf of Navajat Printers and Media Pvt. Ltd. and printed at Navajat Printers, B-15 Industrial Estate, Rasulgarh, Bhubaneswar -751010, Odisha;Phone:7894447142(Marketing). Editor: Tathagata Satpathy, RNI No. ORIENG/2011/37159