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Hot news Kejriwal tears Naidu dares CM to go for up copies of farm laws elhi Chief Minister Arvind referendum on 3 capitals DKejriwal tore up copies of the farm bills during a special n Will quit politics if Amaravati insider trading is proven, says TDP supremo Assembly session on Thursday, and urged the centre "not to PNS n VIJAYAWADA become worse than Britishers". ISRO successfully Mr Kejriwal also asked the Stating that he would quit PM very worried: centre "what was the hurry to India plans $60-bn politics ‘forever’ if public launches get the farm laws passed during investment in gas opinion favoured separate Yeddy on violence pandemic". "I hereby tear (up capitals for the state, TDP the) three farm laws in this infrastructure: national president N PSLV-C50 at iPhone factory Assembly and appeal to the Pradhan Chandrababu Naidu on New Delhi: India's 42nd rime Minister Narendra Modi is centre not to become wors(e) Thursday dared Chief communications satellite which will P "very much worried" about the than (the) Britishers. What was Minister YS Jaganmohan help in disaster management and violence at the iPhone making factory the hurry to get farm laws Reddy to opt for a referen- internet connectivity was launched of Wistron near Bengaluru, Karnataka passed in parliament during 8 dum on the proposal to by the ISRO on Thursday in the Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said (the coronavirus) pandemic?" decentralise administration. agency's second successful today. Hundreds of workers vandalized Mr Kejriwal asked during a He also challenged Jagan mission during the COVID-19 Taiwan-based Apple supplier Wistron's session called to discuss the to prove that there was an pandemic. ISRO's reliable facility in Kolar near Bengaluru over the farmers' protest. element of insider trading in workhorse, the Polar Satellite weekend, looting iPhones and laptops Amaravati while alleging Launch Vehicle, performed and causing damage worth $7 million, that the ruling YSRCP lead- flawlessly on its 52nd mission with according to the company. "We have ers were now indulging in the CMS-01 satellite, lifting off at taken action. It is a very important insider trading in Vizag. 3:41 pm from the second launch foreign company and this should not Addressing the 'Jana Bheri' pad at the spaceport of Sriharikota. have happened. The PM is also very public meeting organised by TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu pays obeisance at the site where the foundation for the CM K Chandrashekhar Rao has much worried about this development," Amaravati Parirakshana JAC Amaravati Capital City was laid. congratulated ISRO for successful Yediyurappa told reporters. "We have that marked one year of its launch of PSLV-C50. The CM instructed that such things will not be agitation against the three- congratulated the scientists, repeated. We will give full support to capital proposal, Naidu said engineers, other technical staff and that company, without any problem let that surveys revealed that 80 BCs are backbone classes, says Jagan employees of the ISRO for them continue production," he said. percent of the respondents achieving success. preferred Amaravati as the Vijayawada; Chief emancipation has taken place,” who are left out and be part of only capital of the State. Minister YS Jagan said, speaking at the BC the welfare programmes,” In US, vaccine “Nobody can deny the Jaganmohan Sankranti Sabha held at the Jagan said. rollout hits snags Immediately relieve 3 fact that Amaravati is locat- Reddy on Municipal Stadium here, The Chief Minister said that Not allowed to IPS officers, MHA tells ed at a central point in AP Thursday said where chairpersons and setting up 56 BC corporations with delays with six districts and 12 that the State directors of 56 BC and appointing 728 BC leaders speak at Parl he first known allergic West Bengal govern- Parliamentary constituen- government has Corporations were sworn in. from 139 castes to the posts of Treaction to the Pfizer Inc. ment cies on either side,” the TDP transformed BCs The Chief Minister said that it directors and chairman was a panel meet, Covid-19 vaccine in the U.S. supremo pointed out. from Backward appeared as if Sankranti had set historic step that was initiated was reported in Alaska as Classes to Backbone in early with the festival by only the AP government. He some snarls began to emerge 2 Classes while social, economical atmosphere. urged the leaders to take Rahul tells Birla in the effort to send the shots n 5 and political empowerment of He told all those newly sworn-in responsibility for ensuring PNS NEW DELHI across the country, highlighting Naidu prays to Durga weaker sections has been taken that the position was a welfare schemes for all the the daunting challenges ahead up as a movement in his rule. responsibility and not power. eligible beneficiaries. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for a historic immunization “Nowhere in the country such “You should try to uplift those Mamata Banerjee's for Amaravati Pg 3 2 on Thursday wrote to Lok drive. A health-care worker in Sabha Speaker Om Birla claim- ex-minister Juneau, Alaska, with no history ing he was not allowed to speak of allergies experienced freely in the meeting of the quits party flushing and shortness of Parliamentary Committee on breath 10 minutes after Vijayawada roads choked with people uvendu Akhikari, the powerful rebel Defence and sought his inter- receiving a shot, the state leader of Bengal's Trinamool vention, the sources said. S health department said in a Congress, quit the party today ending PNS n VIJAYAWADA punished. He also alleged In his letter, Gandhi urged statement Wednesday. The weeks of speculation on the issue. BJP sends rep to Amaravati Janabheri Pg3 that the YSRCP was encour- the Speaker to ensure that the person was admitted to the There is a buzz that he would join the All roads in Vijayawada city aging the “PayTM batch” to right of elected MPs to speak emergency room and was BJP over the weekend when Union were on Thursday choked as “Save Amaravati” agitation. programme where chairmen launch anti-farmer agitations. freely in parliamentary panel given Pepcid, Benadryl and Home Minister Amit Shah visits the crowds thronged either the Representatives of all politi- and governing bodies of 56 Naidu also predicted a meetings is protected. epinephrine through an state. An induction of the leader -- who State Government’s BC cal outfits, with the obvious BC corporations took oath. washout for the YSRCP in the He also said the Speaker intravenous drip. Sankranti celebrations or the exception of the ruling The venue saw Chief Minister next election and described should ensure that the discus- is said to have control over the local Jana Ranabheri organised by YSRCP, took part in the event. Jaganmohan Reddy firing Jaganmohan Reddy as a ‘one- sions and presentations in the leaders in more than 50 seats in the the Amaravati farmers. The venue saw the participant salvo after salvo against his time CM’. panel on defence are in conso- western part of the state -- will be the The Indira Gandhi stadium after participant raising slo- predecessor N Chandrababu BJP officials spokesperson nance with its role and objec- highlight of the visit of Mr Shah, who TTD fixes rules for in the city reverberated with gans criticising the govern- Naidu. Vamaraju Satyamurty, PCC tives. has set his heart on forming the next 10-day Vaikuntha slogans praising Chief Minister ment. Naidu addressed farmers at working president N Tulasi Gandhi and other members government in the state next year. A YS Jaganmohan Reddy at the The city and its surround- Rayapudi where he targeted Reddy, CPI state secretary of his party on Wednesday second Trinamool leader, Jitendra Dwara darsanam BC Sankranti programme ing areas experienced a sea of both Jaganmohan Reddy by Ramakrishna, Janasena leader walked out of the meeting of the Tiwari quit the party shortly after wherein BC corporations’ people that included activists saying that “Rajareddy rule” Potina Mahesh, TDP AP Parliamentary Committee on Adhikari from his post in the town's chairmen and governing body of various political parties, is being implemented in the president K Atchannaidu, Defence, alleging that the civic body. members took oath. farmers and the police state. Amaravati Parirakshana panel's time was being wasted Elsewhere, farmers of deployed to keep peace. The TDP chief cautioned Committee leader Velagapudi in discussing armed forces' uni- 2 Amaravati launched Jana Right from early morning, the police of playing into the Ramakrishna Prasad, PCC form instead of the crucial Ranabheri to mark the com- thousands of YSRCP activists hands of YSRCP leaders and leader Sunkara Padmasri and issue of national security. VANTAGE POINT -NNARSIM pletion of one year of their took part in the BC Sankranti warned them against getting others were present. 2 Jagan betraying Two youths BCs with empty from Tirupati Indian GDP to contract India’s economy bottoming corporations, drown, 5 7.8 pc in FY2021: Icra out, says Credit Suisse missing PNS n MUMBAI um-term growth outlook, meagre funds: PNS n MUMBAI we believe upgrades PNS n TIRUPATI After several years of are now likely. TDP Domestic rating agency Icra downgrades to the "The easing of Two youths from here Ratings expects the technical country's medium- monetary condi- drowned and five others were recession in the country's term growth out- tions reverses the missing after being swept economy to end in the fourth look, the estimates tightness of 2015- Page 3 away in Penna river in neigh- quarter of the current fiscal, are likely to be 18, with the large bouring Kadapa district in limiting the contraction in upgraded now, Credit balance of payments Andhra Pradesh on the GDP to 7.8 per cent in the Suisse said in a report. (BoP) surpluses that have Thursday, police said. financial year 2021. The country's economy is allowed for this also providing TODAY The seven, in their teens, In the second quarter of financial year 2021. showing signs of bottoming the macroeconomic scope for Panel wants quota IIT entered the river at financial year 2021, GDP con- The rating agency's out, it said. a stimulus," Credit Suisse co- ALMANAC Siddavatam, 130 km from tracted 7.5 per cent as against Principal economist Aditi According to the report, head of equity strategy, Asia Month & Paksham: here, for a bath after attend- a decline of 23.9 per cent in the Nayar said healthy procure- the consensus forecasts of Pacific and India equity strate- ing a function at their friend's April-June quarter. ment and a favourable outlook GDP growth for FY2022 over gist Neelkanth Mishra told faculty hiring scrapped Margashirsha & Shukla Paksha residence there when the With a steady performance for the rabi season, as well as FY2020 stopped falling after reporters on Thursday. Panchangam mishap occurred late evening, of the agricultural sector and greater visibility of an October 2020 (currently at (- The multi-year real estate PNS n NEW DELHI tee comprising IIT directors Tithi : Chaturthi: 02:22 pm they said. a lagged recovery in the con- approaching COVID-19 vac- ) 1 per cent). Analysts at cycle is no longer a drag on the was asked to suggest mea- Nakshatram: Shravana: 07:04 pm Two bodies had been tact-intensive parts of the ser- cine rollout, will strengthen Credit Suisse expect these economy, he said, adding that The Indian Institutes of sures on effective implementa- fished out and an intense vices sector, the agency fore- demand and economic activ- estimates to be revised there is a pro-growth shift in Technology (IITs) should be tion of reservation policies Time to Avoid: (Bad time to start search with the help of flood- casts a small contraction of ity in the fourth quarter of upwards. the country's industrial policy. exempted from reservations in not only in recruitment, but any important work) lights is underway for the five one per cent in the Indian financial year 2021. "After several years of faculty appointments and also for admissions. Rahukalam: 10:50 am – 12:12 pm missing youths, police added. GDP in the third quarter of 2 downgrades to India's medi- 2 rather than specific quotas, In a report submitted to the Yamagandam: 02:57 pm – 04:19 pm diversity issues should be government in June, the panel addressed through outreach said that the IITs should be Varjyam: 11:10 pm – 12:48 am campaigns and targeted exempted from reservations Gulika: 08:06 am - 09:28 am recruitment of faculty, a because they were "institutes of Vaccination won't hamper polls, SEC tells HC Ministry of Education (MoE) national importance and are Good Time: (to start any important work) panel has recommended. involved in research". Amritakalam: 08:44 am – 10:19 am PNS n VIJAYAWADA February, as notified by the conduct the polls. The SEC also polls and the decision to hold The eight-member commit- Abhijit Muhurtham: 11:50 am – 12:34 pm SEC. said that the vaccine would be the elections was taken only 2 The State Election The government said that first given to frontline workers after consulting and taking VIJAYAWADA Commission (SEC) on the entire administrative and it will not affect the con- opinions of various stakehold- WEATHER Thursday told the Andhra machinery would be busy with duct of the Panchayat polls. ers. Pradesh High Court stating the Covid vaccination pro- The SEC also reminded that The SEC prayed to the High Forecast: Mostly sunny that Covid vaccination pro- gramme around that time. already polls were held in Court to quash the petition Temp: 32/21 gramme will not be a hurdle in In its affidavit filed on Bihar, Rajasthan and filed by the State government Humidity: 65% the way of conducting Thursday, the SEC said that it Hyderabad during the Covid to cancel the notification on Sunrise: 06:40 am Panchayat polls. would take at least three to six pandemic. The affidavit also holding the Panchayat polls Sunset: 05:45 pm The SEC was countering months for the Covid vaccine said conducive environment and issue necessary instruc- Current Weather Conditions the affidavit filed by the State that it was not feasible to con- to become available and not by and conditions prevail in the tions to the Government to Updated December 17, 2020 5:00 PM Government a few days ago duct Panchayat polls in February, the time it wants to state to conduct Panchayat hold the election. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | DECEMBER 18 2020 vijayawada 02 BCs are Naidu dares CM to go for TTD fixes rules for 10-day backbone classes... referendum on 3 capitals Continued from Page 1 Continued from Page 1 Vaikuntha Dwara darsanam Naidu deplored that over Rs 10,000 “I am happy to note that 29 “The Chief Minister is playing PNS n VIJAYAWADA virtual kalyanotsavam can of the 56 chairpersons and a dangerous 3-card game with crore that was already spent for come for Srivari Darshan on all 336 of the 672 directors are the farmers who pooled over developing basic infrastructure in the Arrangements for the maiden days excepting on December women. Andhra Pradesh has 34,000 acres of their hereditary ten-day Vaikuntha Dwara 25, 26 and January 1 made laws in implementing lands. Without proof, Jagan Capital city area but “Ministers and Darshanam from December 25 On Vaikunta Ekadasi day 50 percent reservation for claims at the BC Sankranthi MLAs are describing it as a desert and to January 3 are going on a fast utsava idols of Sri Malayappa BC, SC, ST and Minorities meeting that Amaravati agita- a burial ground”. pace, TTD Executive Officer Swamy and his consorts Sri and women in all nominated tion is backed by businessmen KS Jawahar Reddy said on Devi and Sri Bhudevi will bless posts and contracts. Standing with real estate interests. The Thursday. devotees by riding on Swarna by this, during the composi- fact is that the Chief Minister TDP regime worked hard to Minister Narendra Modi him- The TTD EO, along with Ratnam on Mada streets. tion of the State cabinet, 60 is himself a misguided busi- bring development to North self brought soil from the Additional EO AV Dharma Chakra snanam is per- percent posts were given to nessman bent on destroying Andhra, Rayalaseema and Parliament and water from Reddy and JEO P Basanth formed in Ekantham on BC, SC, ST, and minority the Capital city and the State Coastal districts on an equal the Yamuna river at the time of Kumar briefed the media on Vaikunta Dwadasi day in view leaders, and two BC leaders as well,” the TDP thundered. footing. The Singapore foundation stone laying. “At Vaikuntha Dwara Darshanam of Covid-19 guidelines. will be sent to the Rajya Naidu deplored that over Rs Government was known for its that time, the PM assured the arrangements at Sri Adequate laddu stock is main- Sabha,” he said. 10,000 crore that was already credibility and it came forward people of Andhra Pradesh that Padmavathi Rest House in tained at laddu counters for Jagan said that the previous spent for developing basic to take part in the development the entire Parliament would Tirupati. tickets will also be issued only tocol VIPS will be given pref- benefit of devotees. TDP government had infrastructure in the Capital of Amaravati. Even this high- stand by them in their mission Jawahar Reddy said that all for Tirupati locals on erence if they come in person Sanitising and thermal check betrayed BCs and broke their city area but “Ministers and ly valued partnership was set to build a great Capital City for arrangements are being made December 24 round the clock with family members and 5+1 is done to all devotees as per backs while we are treating MLAs are describing it as a aside by the Jagan regime,” themselves. Jagan is making as per Covid-19 guidelines for till the prescribed quota for ten tokens will be issued. Covid guidelines at Alipiri them as Backbone Classes. desert and a burial ground”. Naidu said. casteist allegations as he is providing Vaikunta Dwara days is exhausted. On these ten days, Break check point, accommodation “During 2014 elections, “The Chief Minister blew He said that he wanted to oblivious of the fact that the Darshan to devotees for ten For local devotees, offline Darshan for Srivari donors allotment centres at Tirumala, the TDP had made 118 kisses to the voters at the time develop AP as the No 1 State TDP also developed days from December 25 to tickets will be issued at five will be priced at Rs 1,000. Vaikunta Queue Complex 1 promises to BCs. Of these, not of elections but now he was in the country by 2029 but the Hyderabad and January 3. centres with 10 counters at No recommendation letters and 2, Srivari temple and laddu even 10 percent were fulfilled. giving blow after blow to all voters preferred to believe in Visakhapatnam but there were On these ten days, only each centre in Tirupati locat- from VIPs and others will be counters. They promised to spend Rs sections of people. In course of the sweet-talk of Jagan. “The no such casteist remarks,” he devotees with darshan tokens ed are Mahati auditorium, accepted from December 25 Jawahar Reddy advised 10,000 crore every year on BC time, Amaravati would have people voted for the YSRCP in said. and online tickets for the day Ramachandra Pushkarini, and 26 and on January 1 for devotees to maintain social welfare but spent only Rs the potential to create a wealth a sort of hysteria and now all Naidu accused the YSRCP will be allowed on both on Municipal office, Ramanaidu Srivari Darshan. distancing , as per Covid-19 19,329 crore in the entire of Rs 1 lakh-crore to Rs 2 lakh- sections of society are paying government of also targeting Alipiri and Srivari mettu walk- Municipal school in Bairagi TTD has issued online guidelines at room allotment five-year instead of the crore for the people of the a heavy price for blindly trust- Dalit farmers and residents of ers footpath as well on the ghat Patteda and New market at MR 20,000 of Rs 300 special dar- centres. Only two rooms promised Rs 50,000 crore,” entire state. No sane person ing Jagan,” Naidu said. Amaravati just for stopping the roads to reach Tirumala after Palli. shan tickets daily in time slots allowed for VIPs if they persist Jagan said. He said that in would take the decision to shift “While Jagan is plundering supporters of “fake three-cap- stringent checking at Alipiri TTD appealed to protocol for ten days which are already arrive for darshan. contrast, his government had the Capital from Amaravati to the State with wholesale cor- ital agitation”. and Srivarimettu. Devotees VIPs to reach Vaikuntam being booked from across the No privileges and prefer- spent Rs 38,519 crore on BCs Vizag,” he said. ruption at the top level, his “Cases were filed against without tokens will be sent queue complex-1 through country ences for donors in room allot- in the last 18 months, bene- Stating that the YSRCP Ministers and MLAs are the SCs out of sheer political back. route allotted to them at 3 am This year TTD is providing ment from December 24-26, fitting over 2.88 crore people. regime did not do anything resorting to retail corruption at vendetta and oppression. Dalit Due to prevailing Covid sit- on December 25 for Srivari Vaikunta dwaram Darshan to he said. All VIPs are allotted “For all BC, SC, ST and even for North Coastal district and local levels. The doctor Dr Sudhakar was uation, darshan will be provid- Darshan. They should obtain donors of all TTD trusts and rooms at Sri Venkata kala Minorities, the Government Andhra, Naidu said that not a BCs, SCs, STs and Muslims branded as insane just for ask- ed to pilgrims only in limited tokens for darshan and accom- they are advised to reserve Nilayam, Ramraja Nilayam, spent a whopping amount of single industry has sprung up have come under unprece- ing for a mask. The family of numbers every day, unlike in modation at counters set up at their tickets and time slots Sita Nilayam, Sannidhanam, Rs 59,317 crore in the last 18 in the past 19 months nor has dented attack in his rule,” the Abdul Salaam was persecuted the past, strictly following the the Sri Padmavati Rest house. online in advance. Gambul rest house, the EO months on 4.45 crore bene- there been a single road laid in TDP chief averred. and driven to suicide,” he pandemic guidelines. Offline On December 25, only pro- Devotees who have booked said. ficiaries,” Jagan said. the three districts there. “The He recalled how Prime added. Indian GDP to contract 7.8 pc in Tally reaches Sarada Peetham seer Delhi 8.77 lakh with FY2021: Icra 534 new Continued from Page 1 year 2021 at 7.8 per cent. winds, as the visibility of vac- visit sparks speculations infections Nayar further said the cine availability is now push- The technical recession is spending seen during the fes- ing up global commodity PNS n VIJAYAWADA in February next year with the PNS n VIJAYAWADA likely to end in that quarter tive season was driven by prices, it said. If the saffron party can get the participation of over 2,000. (Q4), with a muted 1.3 per cent pent-up demand, and con- Nayar said exports, which With the by-election for the Devotees of the Peetham say Andhra Pradesh's Covid-19 growth benefiting from a real sumption is yet to fully stabilise faltered in the third quarter of Tirupati Lok Sabha seat on the Chinna Swamy into its fold, it would that the seer is gathering the tally increased to 8.77 lakh on recovery as well as the low base in various sectors. financial year 2021, given the horizon, all eyes are on the surely get a major shot in the arm. opinion of the devotees in Thursday as 534 cases were effect. This is expected to limit While many indicators have renewed restrictions in many BJP’s every move, considering Meanwhile, word has spread that the holding the event. reported anew. the contraction in Indian GDP displayed growth in the ongo- key trading partners and logis- the saffron party’s stupendous In Delhi, the seer called on In 24 hours ending 9 am in real terms to 7.8 per cent in ing quarter relative to a weak tical constraints, may revive performance in Telangana in seer Saraswati is concerned over BJP leaders like V Ram on Thursday, 498 patients FY2021, Nayar said in a report. performance in the same peri- modestly in Q4 financial year the recent Dubbak by-poll and religious conversions in the state. Madhav and Guntupalli had recovered, taking the After the NSO had released od in FY2020, volumes still 2021, as the vaccine rollout the GHMC polls. Venkata Narasimha Rao. He is total recoveries to 8,65,825. the GDP data for the second remain below FY2019 levels in gathers traction. A pick-up in While it can be safely said also likely to meet Union The overall toll rose to quarter in financial year 2021, a number of sectors, highlight- revenue visibility is expected to that the BJP will use the in the Sarada Peetham and at government expense. Home Minister Amit Shah 7,069 as two more fatalities the rating agency had project- ing that a full recovery remains boost the spending of the gov- Hindutva card to draw voters, with the ‘Chinna Swamy’ sud- These are indications that and Finance Minister Nirmala were reported in a day, the ed the GDP contraction in somewhat distant, she said. ernment in the rest of this fis- there is speculation that the den dashing off to Delhi and the BJP means to use religion Sitharaman and also JP Nadda, latest bulletin said. The state financial year 21 to range The rating agency said that cal, she added. party would utilise the services his being closeted with top BJP to make its presence felt in AP. as and when he recovers from now has 4,454 active coron- between 7-9 per cent. supply-side and logistical dis- Private sector investment of seers to woo the electorate. leaders have sparked intense According to devotees of Covid-19. avirus cases. With the updated projec- ruptions have re-emerged in activity may gather some pace In this context, the Delhi interest. Sarada Peetham, Hindu reli- The BJP leadership is keen Chittoor once again report- tions for Q3 and Q4 financial some states. Further, the tail- in certain sectors but may not visit of Swatmanandendra The word is that the BJP gious groups and Brahmin to bring all seers of various ed the highest 130 cases afresh year 2021, it has now pegged winds of low commodity revive in a broad-based man- Saraswati, the Uttaradhikari leadership asked the seer to Associations have been exert- peethams onto a common plat- in a day while the 12 other GDP contraction in financial prices are turning into head- ner this fiscal, Nayar noted. of Sarada Peetham, has caught visit Delhi as the Tirupati by- ing severe pressure on Sarada form before the Tirupati by- districts added less than 100 the attention of everyone. election is around the corner, Peetham for the past several election and has identified each. In fact, Chittoor has Developments taking place as the party has been unable to days. These organisations are Sarada Peetham as most suit- been reporting relatively more in Sarada Peetham and pres- make political headway into apparently unhappy over able to serve its needs. new cases of Covid-19 over sure being exerted on the the State through the agitation- Sarada Peetham keeping mum Seer of Sarada Peetham the past few days. Panel wants quota IIT faculty... monastery by Hindu groups al and other methods. over religious conversions tak- Swaroopananda Saraswati is In the last eight days, the and Brahmin Associations are Recently, the BJP, led in AP ing place in the state. not venturing out of the district saw an addition of Continued from Page 1 rather than specific quotas, to Centre for Advanced Scientific fanning the rumours. by Somu Veerraju, staged a When these organisations peetham for the past several 746 new cases, the highest in address diversity issues Research in Bengaluru, Swatmanandendra Saraswati’s dharna demanding rebuilding brought the matter to the days as he is very busy with get- the state. At the same time, it "Being established and recog- through outreach campaigns," Physical Research Laboratory visit to Delhi in spite of the fact of temples demolished by the notice of the seer, ‘Chinna ting a book written on safe- also had 704 recoveries and nised as institutions of nation- it added. in Ahmedabad, Space Physics that there are no scheduled pro- TDP regime for the Swamy’ concurred and said guarding Hindu Dharma. That only two deaths, as a result of al importance under an Act of According to clause 4 of the Laboratory in Thiruvanantha- grammes in Sarada Peetham has Pushkaralu. that he has no alternative but is why ‘Chinna Swamy’ is ven- which the active caseload Parliament, IITs have ought to Central Educational puram, Indian Institute of done little to quell these BJP leader Vishnuvardhan to keep mum till February turing out on various tours. increased by 40 to 505. be listed under (clause 4) of the Institutions (CEI) Act, institu- Remote Sensing in Dehradun rumours. Normally, the seer Reddy assailed the Vijayawada because of some reasons. It may be recalled that the In AP, so far 1.10 crore CEI (Reservation in Teacher's tions of excellence, research and Homi Bhabha National will meet VVIPS personally and traffic police for celebrating He assured them that the seer of Sri Peetham Paripurn- samples were tested that Cadre) Act 2019, for exemp- institutions and institutions Institute and all its 10 con- invite them only if there are spe- Christmas, forcing the Police Sarada Peetham would lead the anda Swami of Kakinada turned out an overall infec- tion from reservations. This of national and strategic stituent units in Mumbai. cial programmes in Sarada Officers’ Association to way when it comes to protect- joined BJP in 2019. tion positivity rate of 7.93 per must be immediately reconsid- importance are exempted from There are 23 IITs in the Peetham. respond. He was also critical of ing Hindu Dharma. In this backdrop, the Delhi cent. The recovery rate stood ered for inclusion of IITs in the granting caste-based reserva- country. According to devotees, there a church coming up at The seer plans a Hindu tour of ‘Chinna Swamy’ has at 98.69 per cent and mortal- Schedule taking into account tion in faculty hiring. The committee was consti- are no special events lined up Rompicherla in Narasaraopet Sammelan in Visakhapatnam assumed significance. ity rate at 0.81 per cent. the nature of these institutions, At present, eight institu- tuted in April this year with duties and their activities," the tions are listed under the clause director of IIT-Delhi, V report sought through RTI by the Tata Institute of Ramgopal Rao, as its chairper- a Lucknow based activist said. Fundamental Research in son and the director of IIT Not allowed to speak at Parl panel meet... In order to compete with Mumbai, National Brain Kanpur, registrars of IIT- Continued from Page 1 aggression and better equip- the Standing Committee. The India’s economy bottoming other top institutions in the Research Centre in Gurgaon, Bombay and IIT-Madras, and ping the soldiers at the border Committee is free to disagree world in terms of excellence, North-Eastern Indira Gandhi representatives from Ministry He was disallowed to speak in Ladakh, the sources said. with what I say, but the fact that output, research and teaching, Regional Institute of Health of Social Justice and at the meeting by the panel "It is the right of a member the Chairman does not even out, says Credit Suisse a system emphasising targeted and Medical Science in Empowerment (MoSJE), and chairman when he sought to to point out digressions from permit a member to speak is a Continued from Page 1 receipts. goals over a period of time, Shillong, Jawaharlal Nehru others as members. raise the issues of Chinese the agenda and the purpose of sad comment, Gandhi said. The restocking-led momen- Mishra said the produc- tum in manufacturing is like- tion-linked incentive (PLI) ly to boost GDP for a few VIJAYAWADA schemes can add 1.7 per cent quarters, it added. BULLION RATES to GDP by FY27, or an aver- Indian equities are no Global multilingual poets meet from Dec 19 age of 0.3-0.5 per cent a year. longer cheap, the report said, GOLD The cuts in corporate tax adding "in fact, they have PNS n ` 50, 600 (10 gm) VIJAYAWADA Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, rates in September 2019 and rarely been more expensive". Peru, Poland, Portugal, the labour law reforms should "Any reasonable investment ` 200 The Cultural Centre of Romania, Russia, Spain, contribute as well. strategy must factor in lower SILVER Vijayawada and Amaravati Srilanka, UK, USA, Uzbekistan The report said a pro-cycli- or at best unchanged P/E ` 70, 600 (1kg) (CCVA), in association with and Vietnam — will be partic- cal fiscal policy was a drag on (price-to-earning) going for- ` 1700 Centre of Excellence for Studies ipating in the meeting. growth in the September 2020 ward - if Nifty and current in Classical Telugu (CIIL), He said that the Amaravati quarter and is now likely to FY22 and FY23 index EPS Department of Language and Poetic Prism 2020 will rever- support it as the earlier-than- (earnings per share) forecasts CHICKEN Culture, Andhra Pradesh and berate with their poetry read- expected rebound in econom- sustain, in a year P/E ratios are RATES `/KG Department of Language and ings in various languages dur- ic momentum boosts (central only likely to go back to pre- Culture, Government of ing the two days. and state) government tax pandemic levels," it said. Dressed/With Skin `154 Telangana, will be organising India is represented by poets Without Skin `176 Amaravati Poetic Prism 2020 – in 20 languages — Assamese, Broiler at Farm `106 the 6th International Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Multilingual Poets’ Meet on Hindustani, Kannada, Karbi, December 19 and 20. Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, EGG K Siva Reddy, recipient of Malayalam, Marathi, Mizo, RATES `/100 Saraswati Samman and Kabir The anthology edited by Dr Records and the Limca Book of said that the overseas poet Odia, Punjabi, Santali, Sindhi, Samman and member, Central Papineni Sivasankar and Dr D Records since 2016 and each delegates from 31 countries — Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. VIJAYAWADA 492 Committee for Kendra Sahitya Vizaibhaskar showcases 162 edition thereafter has gone on Albania, Argentina, The organisers said that all HYDERABAD 478 Akademi, will inaugurate the poems in 42 languages by 162 to break its own previous Azerbaijan, Austria, poetry lovers can participate in meet and launch the poets from 32 countries. records in terms of number of Bangladesh, Bosnia, Canada, the two day event through the VISAKHAPATNAM 472 International Multilingual The earlier editions of this poems and languages. China, Croatia, Cuba, France, following Zoom Meeting Id: RETAIL PRICE `4.92 Poetry Anthology e – book in anthology have been recog- CCVA CEO and managing Germany, Ghana, Greek, 93984587444. The passcode is (IN VIJAYAWADA) the inaugural session. nised by the India Book of trustee Dr E Sivanagi Reddy Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, 914434.

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VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | DECEMBER 18, 2020 vijayawada 03 Naidu’s only motivation is to Glass-top Vistadome coach back on Araku track from today PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM protect his interests, says Jagan The glass-top transparent Vistadome coach attached to PNS n VIJAYAWADA Vizag-Araku-Kirandul train will be back on track on the KK line Accusing his predecessor of Naidu prays from December 18. doing his best to safeguard his The Vistadome coach is spe- and his coterie’s interests so to Durga for cially designed with a single large that the value of land window through which tourists acquired by nefarious means can get a panoramic view of the does not go down, Chief Amaravati Eastern Ghats and its ecology. Minister YS Jaganmohan PNS n VIJAYAWADA This coach is very popular Reddy on Thursday said that among tourists due to their to the picturesque Araku Valley. cial express will leave TDP chief N Chandrababu TDP national president N ability to give a breath-taking The train from Visakhapatnam Visakhapatnam daily at 6.45 Naidu was deliberately ignor- Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday view. to Kirandul is resuming from am with effect from December ing the empowerment of BCs had darshan at the Kanakadurga Waltair Railway Division on tomorrow,” tweeted the AP 18 to January 20. This train will while backing a ‘parallel temple atop Indrakeeladri in Thursday announced that keep- tourism department. reach Kirandul the same day at meeting’. Vijayawada before proceeding to ing in view the need of the Waltair Divisional Railway 8.45 pm. In the return direction, “He should have some take part in the pro-Amaravati Jana tourists and public demand, Manager Chetan Kumar Train No. 08513 Kirandul- mind, but he has lost it,” the Bheri public meeting in the Capital East Coast Railway has decided Shrivastava appealed to pas- Visakhapatnam special express Chief Minister said, in an City area. Naidu said that he prayed to provide additional stoppages sengers to strictly follow all the will leave Kirandul daily at 6.00 obvious reference to the TDP to Goddess Durga for her blessings and augment the health protocols before under- am with effect from December chief. on behalf of the five crore people of Visakhapatnam-Kirandul- taking journey to have a safe and 19 to January 21 and will reach “The broadmindedness of Andhra Pradesh. He exuded Visakhapatnam special train comfortable journey. “Keeping Visakhapatnam the same day at our Government in empow- confidence that truth, justice and with Sleeper Class and in view the public demand the 8.20 pm. ering BCs, whom we consid- TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu at Jana Bheri organised by |Amaravati Parirakshana JAC at Rayapudi on Thursday righteousness would eventually Vistadome coach to provide a stoppages and composition of Additional stoppages have er Backbone Classes, is in prevail over injustice, falsehood and memorable and comfortable these special trains has been been provided at sharp contrast to the meeting atrocities. The TDP chief wished journey to the travelling public. revised,” he added. Srungavarapukota, Borraguhalu, of Naidu,” Jagan said. BJP sends rep that when evil forces are bent on “Vistadome is back to enthral Train No. 08514 Kotpar Road, Dilimili, Kaklur Listing out the number of Jagan betraying BCs with crushing the 'Capital of Gods', the tourists between Visakhapatnam Visakhapatnam-Kirandul spe- for the train. schemes introduced by his to Amaravati Goddess would envelop it with her government one by one with empty corporations: TDP protective cover. So many hurdles details like the amount spent, were created in the path of the the number of beneficiaries PNS n VIJAYAWADA ment. Janabheri agitators and farmers who have PNS n AP bans purse seine ring net to and sub-total of BC benefi- “Even BC corporations VIJAYAWADA been struggling and fighting for ciaries and the amount spent TDP general secretary were only intended to cheat 'one Capital' for the past one year, on them, the Chief Minister Panchumarthy Anuradha on and betray the Backward Class Representatives of all the he said. Naidu deplored that “anti- said in a lighter vein that the Thursday hit out strongly at populations across the State. opposition parties, including people forces” were so adamant protect catamaran fishermen list of schemes is so long that the Jaganmohan Reddy gov- Though he has not given any the BJP participated in the and arrogant that they were no one else can remember all ernment, saying that the rul- funds, the Chief Minister was meeting organised by Amaravati obstructing even those coming for PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM nets in the district. the names. ing YSRCP had done nothing trying to claim all the credit for Parirakshana JAC on the completion darshan of the deity. “There would Except for two boats, the department has His remarks were met with to improve the living standards BCs upliftment through his of one year of the pro-Amaravati stir. always be blessings for Amaravati The State Fisheries Department has banned the banned the 81 boats from using the ring nets. thunderous applause and slo- of Backward Classes in the unchecked propaganda,” At the meeting, BJP representative as it was begun with a noble use of purse seine ring nets in Bay of Bengal The government also banned the mechanised gans of “Jagananna zind- State over the past 19 months. Anuradha alleged. Vamaraju Satyamurthy reiterated the purpose which was to build a with immediate effect in a bid to protect the tra- boats fishing within 8 km from the shore in the abad”. Anuradha said that though She criticised the Jagan party’s support to Amaravati as the 'People's Capital' for Andhra ditional catamaran fishermen. interest of the traditional fishermen. the Jagan regime set up many regime for reducing BC reser- only capital of the state. Pradesh,” he added. Later, Naidu Purse seining is a non-selective fishing He said use of ring nets and fishing in close corporations for BCs, they vations in local body elections He said that the BJP would fight went to visit the site of the method that captures everything that it enclos- range has been creating tension among the fish- have not given any funds to to just 24 per cent. “Very few until the last Amaravati farmer gets foundation stone laid for Amaravati es, including protected species. The tradition- ermen leading to breakdown of law and order. conduct any developmental BCs are among the top high- justice. “I bow down to all the at Uddandarayunipalem. When the al fishermen had been complaining that the ring Issuing guidelines, the joint director said activities. Just low-level jobs ly-paid 30 advisors of the farmers, including women, who police objected to his convoy, the net was used by the trawlers leaving them no boats using less than half inch nets would not like volunteers getting Rs 5,000 Chief Minister. Even the ben- have been fighting on the streets for TDP chief got down his vehicle and catch for small-level local fishermen. be allowed for fishing as per AP Marine were being given to BCs, but efits meant for ration and Amaravati. Jagan had brought walked to the site on foot. Naidu A purse seine is a large wall of netting Fisheries Regulation Act of 1995, boats should the top level jobs that paid pensions were not being everyone onto the roads whereas bent his head and paid obeisance at deployed around an entire area or school of fish. not venture into the sea without registration and lakhs as salaries were bagged extended properly in the name he is enjoying the comfort of air- the Capital City foundation site. Sea turtles can be captured by a purse seine as license and announced a ban on use of mech- by a particular section, she of welfare,” she alleged. conditioned rooms,” Satyamurthy Amaravati JAC leaders and it is set and then become entangled in the net anised boats in 8 km area as per the Act. alleged. Anuradha urged the said. “I’m here not to talk about activists, farmers and women mesh as it is hauled in. Entangled turtles may The joint director warned fishermen that the In a statement, the TDP YSRCP leaders to realise that politics. Our flags may be different raised slogans 'Jai Amaravati' at the sustain injuries to their flippers and shells due registration and licence of boats would be leader asked why Jagan was mere lip service without giv- but our agenda is one. Amaravati is venue. Naidu also paid obeisance at to the force of the net as it is hauled. immediately cancelled without notice and no not bringing a special budget ing gainful jobs would not lead the only capital of the state and with the 'Yagasala' going on at Joint director of fisheries Dr K Phani Prakash benefits and subsidies would be given if they for the BCs by sanctioning to real empowerment of the that slogan, BJP will go forward,” Uddandarayunipalem to register his in a release here on Thursday said in a survey violated the guidelines. exclusive funds for their uplift- BC communities. he said. support to the Capital city agitation. conducted recently it was found that 83 mech- He said if any clashes take place, those with anised boats have been using purse seine ring the ring nets would be held responsible. Ready to work under Jagan: Four cheats SHORT TAKES Japanese industrial township held in Rs 25 Guv, Jagan congratulate ISRO Pondicherry Minister VIJAYAWADA: Governor to come up in Visakhapatnam lakh ‘magic Biswabhusan Harichandan PNS n VIJAYAWADA PNS n on Thursday hailed the VISAKHAPATNAM Thursday during the virtual The Vizag-Chennai corri- metal’ scam Indian Space Research Citing the ways employed by CII-Partnership summit on a dor would be developed dur- PNS n Organisation (ISRO) for the AP government to facili- One more Japanese Industrial session “Promoting India ing the first phase of the VISAKHAPATNAM successful launch of the tate the upliftment of the Township is proposed in Japan Strategic and Economic 2,500 km-long East Coast PSLV C-50 from the Satish backward sections of the soci- Visakhapatnam on 10 lakh Cooperation during Covid Economic Corridor which Vizianagaram police on Dhawan Space Centre ety, Pondicherry Minister square-ft as part of the Vizag- and Beyond. the Centre had proposed to Thursday arrested four mem- (SDSC) in Sriharikota and Malladi Krishna Rao is all Chennai industrial corridor. “Andhra Pradesh and Japan develop in three stages. bers of a gang on charges of successfully placing the Indian communication satellite CMS-01 in praise for AP Chief Minister “Special financial incen- have a close bond and it has Goutham Reddy disclosed duping gullible people by sell- geosynchronous transfer orbit. The Governor said the second YS Jaganmohan Reddy. tive is being offered to strengthened further after the that under the aegis of Japan ing them a metal that they said successful launch of the PSLV by ISRO scientists after Covid-19 “People of Tamil Nadu need Japanese companies shifting YSRCP government came International Cooperation would bring the owners luck. lockdown period is an ample demonstration of their dedication and a Chief Minister like Jagan. As their base from China to into power,” Goutham Reddy Agency, and with the collab- They were selling metal adds another feather to the cap of India's robust space programme. a minister belonging to the invest in AP,” said Industries, said, recalling the success of oration of National Industrial (copper iridium) convincing Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy too congratulated ISRO Backward Class, what he has IT, Skill development and the Japanese Township in Corridor Development and the gullible that the metal had scientists for the successful launch of PSLV- C 50. He wished the done for the BC community in persons of 56 BC corporations Training minister Mekapati SriCity. “There are over 25 Implementation based at magical properties. ISRO team success in all future endeavours. the state is historic. Jagan has and 672 new directors were Goutham Reddy. Japanese companies operating Krishnapatnam, already Rs The gang duped two per- kept his word to serve the BC sworn in. The second Japanese town- out of Andhra Pradesh with 1,300 crore were allocated sons in Nellimarla of community. I'm ready to Reiterating that the BCs ship in Andhra Pradesh has the recent project being the for the Chennai-Bangalore Vizianagaram district to the Web option for teacher resign and work for this have always been an integral been planned as part of the ATG Tires by the Yokohama Industrial Corridor. tune of over Rs 25 lakh. Government as long as you are part of the society, Jagan said Vizag-Chennai industrial cor- group. A training centre had He also threw light on the The accused were identified transfer extended the Chief Minister,” Krishna that the state had created his- ridor. been set up to provide talent pool available in the as Keerthi Lakshmana Rao VISAKHAPATNAM: Rao said. tory by setting up 56 BC cor- A separate Japanese desk employment and training for Telugu state and the efforts to (32), Dasari Srinivas (59), Responding to requests made by teachers’ He was speaking at the BC porations for 139 BC castes in had been set up for the pur- youth numbering 2,000 in the create skill development insti- Chandaka Venkata Rao (54) associations, the web option for transfer has been given to 95 per Sankranti Sabha where chair- the state. pose, the minister said on tyres sector alone,” he said. tutes. and Pativada Appa Rao (54), cent of the eligible teachers (71,947) and the deadline has been all native of Nellimarla and extended till Friday. The government has issued revised GO Nos. 53, Pusapatirega area in 54 and 59 with regards to the transfers after consultation with the Vizianagaram district. The teachers' unions. The AP government says that the transfer of the police are looking for one teachers is being done in a transparent manner. According to State 67 NDPS cases, 2,233 kg ganja seized in Vizag in 2020 more member of the gang. Education Minister Adimulapu Suresh, the objective of the teacher Nellimarla sub-inspector L transfer was to ensure that poor students were educated in Category 4 schools. The Minister said that the final list of Jagananna Amma PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM late Wednesday evening in complex to reach Hyderabad. Damodhar said that some Pendurthi area and arrested The police seized seven kg of gangs had cheated people with Vodi would be announced on December 20 after identification of the Andhra Pradesh Special two women — Panchadi ganja from them. the help of rice-pulling scams beneficiaries. If any beneficiary was left, he requested to get them Enforcement Bureau registered Vasundhara and Kangu Sireesha In other cases, the SEB person- by tempting them to invest in enrolled before December 20 through their respective Village Secretariats. 67 NDPS cases seizing 2,233 kg — both aged 21 and seized one nel arrested one A Nagababu machines or vessels that test of dry ganja in Visakhapatnam kg of hash oil made from ganja who was carrying gutka worth Rs copper-iridium, an alloy which city in the year 2020. from them. 1.65 lakh from Bhubaneswar to they claim carries magical PRSI Vizag chapter Speaking to the media on Elsewhere on the same day, Vijayawada. He was caught at properties and is valuable for Thursday, Additional Deputy Duvvada police arrested four RTC Complex in its magnetic power. “Actually, gets new team Commissioner of Police Ajitha persons J Balkaraju, J Durga Visakhapatnam. They also arrest- pulling the rice is a trick V said under the directions Prasad, Vanathala Kesava Rao ed two persons — G Srirama involving mixing the grains VIJAYAWADA: Public Relations Society of India (PRSI), from the Narcotics Control and S Mandmadha Rao and Murthy and Bandi Ashok — at with iron particles,” the S-I Visakhapatnam Chapter unanimously elected Chief Executive of Bureau, an anti-drug drive on seized 48 kg of dry ganja from Zinc Gate, Visakhapatnam who said. P Srinivasa Rao of Visakha Ads PLK Murthy, as chairman and others as office- NDPS activities was launched them at Duvvada railway sta- after purchasing the contra- youngsters from Hyderabad — were in possession of 138 liquor Srikakulam had alerted the bearers for the year 2020-22. RP Sharma, General Manager, from December 15 and it would tion. They hid 10 kg in a cook- band from Peda Bayulu in M Venkata Sanju Raju and bottles that they procured from police about the gang cheating Corporate Communications, Visakhapatnam Steel plant (RINL) continue till December 22. ing gas cylinder and the rest in Visakhapatnam agency. Devudu Saibaba while they Vizianagaram and intended to the people claiming that the was elected Vice-Chairman and MKVL Narasimham, Senior As a part of the drive, SEB an auto rickshaw seat cover. In the third incident, the were boarding a private travel sell for a higher price in magic metal is worth crores Manager Public Relations, HPCL, chapter Secretary. The other personnel raided an apartment They came from Sabbavaram Fourth Town police arrested two bus at Visakhapatnam RTC Visakhapatnam. and very rare. office-bearers elected were A Govinda Rao, Visakha Dairy PRO was elected Joint Secretary, NV Narasimham, PRO of Gitam deemed to be University the Treasurer. T. Mallayya, Manager, Public Relations, NTPC (Simhadri) and B. Jayaram, Senior PR Inspector, ECO Railway, Visakhapatnam were elected executive Activists seek plastic-free beaches for Olive Ridleys committee members. Prof DVR Murthy and K. Rama Rao will be the PRSI chief advisors of the chapter. PRSI National Vice PNS n VISAKHAPATNAM The survival rates of Olive from Australian shores and Fishermen are being urged to President (South) US Sarma and other chapter members Ridleys are abysmally low at 1 Gulf of Mexico and reach the use fishing nets fitted with congratulated the newly elected body. Hundreds of the endangered per 1,000. Plastic poking out of Indian coastline for nesting Turtle Excluder Device (TED) Olive Ridley turtles reach the the rectum of the dead turtles every year. Each female lays so that turtles can escape even Vizag shores every year looking is a common sight on the shore. more than 100 eggs inside the if they get caught. However, for a safe haven to nest. Representatives of Wildlife sand, closes the nest and they claim that the catch is However, after trawlers, fishing Conservation Through returns. reducing by 20 percent due to nets, plastic waste are making Research & Education With plastic laden beaches all the device. the beaches they nest on unsafe. (WCTRE), which is taking up around, it is a sad sight to watch “So, these kinds of workshops The Olive Ridleys feed on jel- a beach cleanup drive to create the turtles land up in the plas- help us to educate them. All the lyfish in the ocean but plastic a safe place for turtles on tic mess we humans have cre- stakeholders should work bags floating in the water have December 20, said Olive ated. Their long journeys are together to ensure that turtles an uncanny resemblance to the Ridleys are endangered in the usually hard enough and hence are safe, the WCTRE represen- marine species. Hence, the tur- world and are facing population it is every nature enthusiast’s tatives said. tles end up feeding on these decline due to trawlers and responsibility to make sure they Interested people can join the plastic bags that ultimately leads unsafe nesting grounds. are safe in their nesting drive on Sunday at 6 am at to their death. They arrive in huge numbers grounds. YMCA. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | DECEMBER 18, 2020 nation 04 SC refuses to interfere with HC Kerala: Rift in UDF out in open order quashing detention of Kafeel

PTI n NEW DELHI the Aligarh Muslim University after setback in local body polls (AMU) during the anti- The Supreme Court on Citizenship (Amendment) Act Thursday refused to interfere (CAA) protests didn't pro- PTI n THIRUVANANTHAPURAM alleged that the Congress had with the Allahabad High Court mote hatred or violence and cheated his party at verdict which had quashed gave a call for national integri- The rift in the Congress-led Thodupuzha. the detention of Dr Kafeel ty. United Democratic Front Shibu Baby John, leader of Khan under the National The high court had said that (UDF) came out in the open a Revolutionary Socialist Party Security Act (NSA) and the Aligarh district magis- day after it faced a major set- (RSP), an ally of the UDF, said ordered his immediate release, trate, who had passed the back in the local body polls in "the Front failed to use the anti- saying t is “a good judgement”. order for Khan's detention, did Kerala despiteperforming well government sentiment". “We will not interfere in the a "selective reading" of his in the Lok Sabha elections last The Left front appeared to judgement. However, the speech, "ignoring its true year. make a sweep of the local observation will not impact intent". Posters appeared in the body polls by leading in 514 any other proceedings,” said The high court had allowed Kerala Pradesh Congress grama panchayats, five corpo- the bench comprising Chief the petition filed by Khan's Committee (KPCC) office rations and 11 district panchay- Justice S A Bobde and justices mother, Nuzhat Parveen, and here, seeking to dissolve the ats, as per the latest update on A S Bopanna and V “We will not interfere in said the detention order by the district Congress committee. the SEC website. Ramasubramanian. the judgement. However, district magistrate was illegal. Also, boards were erected in Ramachandran, along with The bench was hearing the Quashing Khan's detention Kozhikode district by Congress Leader of Opposition, Ramesh Uttar Pradesh government's the observation will not order, the high court had said, sympathisers criticising the Chennithala and former chief plea challenging the high impact any other "A complete reading of the party's state leadership. minister Oommen Chandy court's September 1 verdict. speech prima facie does not Though the State Election met the media on Wednesday Solicitor General Tushar proceedings,” the disclose any effort to promote Commission (SEC) is expect- and said the party will address Mehta, appearing for the state, bench said hatred or violence. It also no ed to announce the final results the matters that led to the told the bench that observation where threatens peace and only by Thursday evening, the defeat. made by the high court exon- tranquility of the city of latest trends issued by the poll The counting was taken up their voter base, we were Sudhakaran told the media. "When compared with the erates Khan in the criminal nine other doctors and staff Aligarh. The address gives a body shows that the UDF was on Wednesday. unable to do so. That seems like The Indian Union Muslim 2015 local body polls, the UDF proceedings. members of the hospital, all of call for national integrity and leading in 375 grama pan- Senior leaders including for- the reason behind our defeat," League (IUML), a major ally of did better this time. It's true “Criminal cases will be whom were released on bail unity among the citizens. The chayats, 44 block panchayats, mer union minister P J Kurien, Unnithan told the media. the UDF, had on Wednesday that the anti-government sen- decided on their own merits,” later. speech also deprecates any 45 municipalities and three dis- Vadakara MP K Senior Congress MP K itself said that the Congress and timents were not seen this the bench observed. A state government probe kind of violence.” trict panchayats. Muraleedharan and Kasaragod Sudhakaran also lashed out at the Front had to introspect the time. We will address the fail- Khan had hit the headlines cleared Khan of all major "In absence of any material The three-phase polling, MP Rajmohan Unnithan, hit the state Congress leadership matters that led to the debacle. ure in each panchayat and after the 2017 tragedy at charges, prompting him to indicating that the detainee conducted as per strict out against the party leadership and said democracy needs to "There are many things move forward after correcting Gorakhpur's Baba Raghav Das seek an apology from the state. continued to act in a manner COVID-19 protocols, was held headed by Mullappally be reinstated in the party. which the UDF needs to intro- the mistakes," Chennithala had (BRD) Medical College, in Khan had alleged that an insti- prejudicial to public order in a total of 21,893 wards in Ramachandran and said the "We need to reinstate spect with regard to the vari- said. which several children died tutional failure had led to the from December 12, 2019 up to 1,200 local self governing bod- organisationalset-up of the democracy inside the party. ous political changes in the The ruling CPI(M) which due to a lack of oxygen cylin- deaths of the children. February 13, 2020, or that he ies--including six corporations, Congress party was weak. The party should bring in state," IUML leader P K won the Thiruvananthapuram ders. In its September 1 verdict, committed any such other or 941 village panchayats, 14 dis- "It's not right to say that our leaders who can instill confi- Kunhalikutty told the media on Corporation has alleged that Initially, he was hailed as a the high court had quashed further act as may have had trict panchayats and 87 munic- party lost its base in the state. dence in the minds of party Thursday. there were incidents of cross- saviour for arranging emer- khan's detention under the that effect, the preventive ipalities on December 8, 10 and But it seems like when our workers and the civil society. On Wednesday, Kerala voting in the district saying the gency oxygen cylinders but NSA and ordered his immedi- detention order cannot be sus- 14. political rivals are expanding Then we can save the party," Congress leader P J Joseph had Congress helped the BJP. later faced action along with ate release, saying his speech at tained," it had said. Domestic tourism to be Last national Lok Adalat of the year settled over 10L cases PTI n NEW DELHI constituted by 31 state legal ser- was being contested Cases relating to The matter was pending statutory status under the Legal mainstay of industry in vices authorities to hold the by the insurance matrimonial dis- before a family court in West Services Authorities Act, 1987. The last national Lok Adalat of national Lok Adalat on company. putes were also Singhbhum at Chaibasa. After Under the Act, the decision the year held last week settled December 12 through virtual The case settled. In one the matter was taken up in the made by lok adalats is deemed post-Covid times: Patel 10,42,816 cases, out of which and physical mode across the was settled in such case, a Lok Adalat, the dispute was to be a decree of a civil court 5,60,310 were at the pre-litiga- country. the Lok man and his amicably settled, the statement and is final and binding on all PTI n NEW DELHI tion stage and 4,82,506 were According to some of the Adalat, and wife who said. parties and no appeal lies Corona is almost over pending in courts, the Law cases mentioned in the state- the depen- were going Lok Adalat, conducted by against such an award before Culture and Tourism Minister now and whatever Ministry said on Thursday. ment, an application for com- dents were through a National Legal Services any court. Prahlad Patel on Thursday The details, as provided by pensation was filed by the awarded a marital Authority (NALSA) is an alter- National lok adalats are con- said domestic tourism would damage it had to do states on National Legal dependents of an unmarried compensation disharmony native method of dispute res- ducted quarterly for settle- be the mainstay of the tourism has happened, said Services Authority portal, indi- 22-year-old man who had died of Rs 11,30,000. were reconciled. olution. It is a forum where dis- ment of cases (both pre-litiga- industry in post-COVID cate that the settlement amount in a road accident before the The Lok Adalat The husband putes pending in courts or at tion and post-litigation) in all times, highlighting the need to Culture and Tourism was nearly Rs 3,227.99 crore, a Motor Accidents Claims also settled a family had filed an original pre-litigation stage are settled the courts from the Supreme identify and promote unex- Minister Prahlad Patel statement said. Tribunal. land dispute case at the pre- suit for restitution of con- or compromised amicably. Court to the taluk courts on a plored and little known desti- A total 8,152 benches were The claim for compensation litigation stage. jugal rights. Lok adalats have been given single day. nations in the country. Speaking at two separate Unexplored, unexploited desti- events organised by industry nations have to be identified SHORT TAKES bodies ASSOCHAM and CII, and promoted. Also, people are Advance corporate tax mop-up jumps Inter-ministerial Patel said the ministry is look- now preferring to go to tiger Kailash Gahlot tables resolution in ing to promote medical tourism projects and other serene places panel on capital and geo tourism in a big way. to be with nature and not just 49 per cent to Rs 1.09 lakh crore in Q3 Delhi Assembly to repeal farm laws "Corona is almost over now big hotels, who will continue to goods holds and whatever damage it had to have their own importance PTI n MUMBAI lower tax payout by companies. Overall advance corporate elhi minister Kailash Gahlot on do has happened. During this and preference for internation- During the same quarter last tax stood at Rs 2,39,125 crore DThursday tabled a resolution period, our steps brought a lot al events etc.," he said at the Further adding to the recovery fiscal, corporate advance tax so far this year, down 4.9 per first meeting in the legislative assembly to of good name for the country. ASSOCHAM's virtual session signals, advance tax payment stood at Rs 73,126 crore. cent from Rs 2,51,382 crore as repeal the Centre's three new Even foreigners preferred to on "Reviving the stressed sec- by companies has shown a The gross tax collection the first two quarters bore the PTI n NEW DELHI farm laws. The AAP government stay back here and felt safe. Now tors to support the post- massive 49 per cent growth to stood at Rs 7,33,715 crore, brunt of the lockdown. has convened a one-day special the post-corona situation is COVID recovery for India". Rs 1,09,506 crore in the third while net mop-up was Rs Advance personal income The inter-ministerial com- session of the Delhi assembly to one where our system of med- Rupinder Brar, Additional quarter this fiscal, a CBDT 5,87,605 crore in the quarter, tax on the year-on-year basis mittee for strengthening discuss the alleged icine, local cure and wellness Director General, Ministry of source has said. the source told PTI on this quarter declined 5.6 per India's capital goods sector misappropriation of nearly Rs methods are what could be best Tourism, in her address, high- The increase can primarily Thursday. cent to Rs 31,054 crore from Rs constituted by the govern- 2,500 crore in the municipal suited to deal with it. After lighted how domestic tourism be attributed to the low-base During the quarter, the 32,910 crore, the source said, ment last month held its corporations. AAP MLA Mahendra Goyal tore a copy of the farm corona, medical tourism is grew from 128 crore to 2,322 last fiscal when the government department has refunded Rs adding the same so far this fis- first meeting on laws during his speech in the assembly. "I refuse to accept these expected to rise and we must be crore visitors between 2014 had slashed corporation tax 1,46,109 crore, which is less cal stood at Rs 60,491 crore, Wednesday, a top official black laws which are against farmers," he said. Thousands of prepared for this opportunity. and 2019, and has the potential rates to a record low of 25 per than 8.1 per cent from Rs down 10.4 per cent from Rs said on Thursday. farmers have been agitating against the agri-marketing laws at Delhi "Domestic tourism is the future. to grow further. cent in the Q3, leading to 1,58,988 crore in Q3 of FY20. 67,542 crore. Heavy Industries borders since the last 20 days demanding that the laws be repealed. Secretary Arun Goel, who Many AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his heads the panel, said it is deputy Manish Sisodia, had joined the farmers' day-long fast on essential that constraints Monday in protest against the farm laws. ED gets seven-day custody of faced by the capital goods Rahul's walkout from defence panel's sector are resolved at the PFI's student wing leader earliest in order to achieve Kovind to attend Goa Liberation Prime Minister Narendra meet ‘totally justified', says Amarinder PTI n KOCHI airport on Saturday. Modi's vision of an Day celebration tomorrow In a remand report submit- Atmanirbhar Bharat or self- PTI n CHANDIGARH threat. A court here on Thursday ted in the court here a day after reliant India. resident Ram Nath Kovind will “With both China and granted the Enforcement his arrest, the ED had stated The secretary said the Parrive on a two-day visit to Punjab Chief Minister Pakistan breathing down India, Directorate seven days custody Sharif, national general secre- panel will address the issues Goa on Saturday and attend a Amarinder Singh on Thursday the committee should have of Popular Front of Indias stu- tary of CFI, had funded the faced by the industry per- cultural event to celebrate the said Rahul Gandhi's walkout been discussing strategic secu- dent wing leader K A Rauf trip of Siddique Kappan, a taining to technology 60th year of the state's liberation, from a meeting of the rity issues and the urgent Sharif, arrested by it in connec- Delhi-based Kerala journalist development, global value Chief Minister Pramod Sawant Parliamentary Committee on requirements of our forces tion with a money laundering and three others to Hathras in chains, testing infrastruc- said on Thursday. The state was Defence was “totally justified” and not the polish they need to probe being conducted against Uttar Pradesh, where a Dalit ture, skill training, global liberated from Portuguese rule on December 19, 1961. On and stressed that the panel shine their shoes and but- the Kerala-based outfit. woman had died after being standards, and customs Saturday, Sawant will unfurl the national flag at a function in should have discussed strate- tons,” said Amarinder Singh in Considering a plea by the allegedly gang-raped. duties. Campal Stadium in Panaji. President Kovind would arrive in Goa in gic security issues. a statement. ED, the Special Court on Kappan and three others The inter-ministerial the afternoon after which he will go to the Raj Bhavan near Panaji, Gandhi on Wednesday had to look into the working of the “People who know nothing Prevention of Money were arrested by the UP police committee, under the the chief minister told reporters here. In the evening, Kovind along walked out from a meeting of committee, which he dubbed of the defence forces are made Laundering Act (PMLA) cases in October while being on chairmanship of the heavy with Governor B S Koshyari, Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik the panel, alleging that time as “absurd” with the members to sit on these committees here sent the Campus Front of their way to Hathras. The industries secretary, with and Sawant will lay wreath at martyrs' memorial in the Azad was being wasted in discussing discussing “the type of polish now and we expect them to India (CFI) leader to its cus- agency has also alleged that representation of sufficient- Maidan near here. After that, the President will attend a cultural event armed forces' uniform instead to be used on buttons and protect the nation,” he quipped. tody till December 24. Sharif had received huge ly senior-level officers from at D B Bandodkar ground in the state capital, the CM said. Around 150 of the crucial issue of nation- shoes of the uniform instead of He expressed shock that polit- The ED arrested Sharif after amounts of money n his the ministries and depart- to 200 Goan artists will be participating in the cultural event. The al security. The Punjab CM strategising on ways to counter ical affiliations were guiding he was apprehended by author- bank accounts through suspi- ments concerned will meet President will also address people of Goa on the occasion of the urged the Lok Sabha Speaker the joint China-Pakistan” the functioning of the panel. ities at Thiruvananthapuram cious transactions. quarterly. Liberation Day, Sawant said. The government will also give a face-lift to various memorials associated with the liberation movement. Highway dhabas wait for customers, count their losses Anti-Sterlite violence: Rajinikanth may

PTI n NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH to tuck into paranthas, ‘dal circle around him. his workers, wondering how be summoned again, says Commission makhni' and steaming cups of The huge, yellow-red hoard- they will manage if they don't get he one person inquiry commission The highway much travelled is tea. But the road ahead is uncer- ings of Rasoi Dhaba, a landmark their wages. "First, it was coro- Tprobing the May 2018 anti-Sterlite now the road hardly taken and tain, putting a question mark on along the Delhi-Karnal highway, navirus. Now, the farmers'' violence here in which 13 people were scores of dhabas along the the future of the establishments are hard to miss. On another day, protest. This has been a terrible killed in police firing, may once again Delhi-Punjab route that once and hundreds of employees in what now seems a distant past, year," said Gopal Bhim, 37, a summon top Tamil actor Rajinikanth, buzzed with truckers, tourists who work in them. the place would be bustling with worker from Bulandshahr in following his remarks of "anti-social and others say their earnings are Several dhaba owners along activity. Today, it's mostly empty Uttar Pradesh. The langar, the elements" infiltrating the protest. down by up to 90 per cent – the route said their earnings and the stoves in the kitchen are community kitchens that have According to the Commission's advocate, there is a "likelihood" of done in by the coronavirus pan- have reduced drastically with off. Four people sit in a distant come up at the protest site to the actor being summoned in January, even as the star avoided a demic and now the 22-day thousands of farmers occupying corner of the 150-seater restau- feed the farmers, have taken the personal appearance in February this year following an earlier farmers' protest. a 10-12 km stretch of the high- rant spread over one acre. place of dhabas, he said. summon. "There is a likelihood of issuing summon to him in The stretch of National way, starting from the Singhu "They are farmers. They come The highway continues, January," the counsel said. The state government had appointed the Highway 44 that makes it way gateway out of the national cap- to sit for a while or use the toi- winding, long and mostly empty commission, headed by retired High Court Judge Aruna Jagadeesan from Delhi to Haryana, Punjab ital, as they demand a repeal of said Sanjay Kumar Singh, point- long it will continue. Our earn- lets," Singh said. The restaurant and there are many other eater- in 2018 to probe the violence, which erupted during a protest and thereon to Himachal the Centre's new farm laws. ing to the vast expanse of his ings have reduced by over 90 employs around 60 workers ies like Rasoi Dhaba that are seeking permanent closure of Vedanta group's Sterlite Copper plant Pradesh and Jammu and “Do you see anyone here? The Rasoi Dhaba. percent. It will be difficult to pay belonging to different states now eerily quiet. The story of over alleged pollution issue. As many as 13 people died after police Kashmir is famed for its many situation has been the same "We thought the farmers' full salaries... I cannot even and the salary bills amount to Rs uncertainty, for employers and opened fire to quell the violent mob. Rajinikanth, who had visited eateries, necessary pitstops not since November 26, when farm- protest would last two-three send my workers home," Singh 5 lakh a month. employees, turns many pages the town later to meet the injured, had alleged that anti-social just to stretch your legs but also ers arrived at the Singhu border,” days. Now, we don't know how said as his employees stand in a Singh is worried and so are further down the road. elements had infiltrated the protests that took the violent turn. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | DECEMBER 18, 2020 nation 05 Immediately relieve 3 IPS officers, ‘Covid recovery rate in India among highest in the world’ MHA tells West Bengal government PNS n NEW DELHI India's COVID-19 recovery PNS n NEW DELHI attack on Nadda's convoy with rate is amongst the highest in stones and bricks at Diamond the world, the Union Health The Centre sent a fresh missive Harbour, the Lok Sabha con- Ministry said on Thursday, to the West Bengal government stituency of Chief Minister underlining that countries like on Thursday, asking it to Mamata Banerjee's nephew the US, Brazil, Russia, and Italy immediately relieve three IPS Abhishek Banerjee. are reporting lesser recovery officers who have been sought Dhankhar had also alleged at rates. for central deputation, saying a press conference in Kolkata With focussed strategy and all of them were already given that violators of law have the proactive as well as calibrated new assignments, officials said. protection of the police and the measures of the Centre along In a communication to the administration in West Bengal with the States and UTs, India West Bengal chief secretary, the and any resistance by the oppo- has sustained a very high Ministry of Home Affairs sition is quelled. COVID-19 recovery rate along (MHA) said according to the The West Bengal govern- with rapidly declining active IPS cadre rules, the Centre pre- ment has not sent a report on cases and low mortality rate, it 3.24 per cent of India's total contributed 78.27 per cent of vails over a state government in the "serious security lapses" said. infections. the new infections. case of any dispute. during Nadda's visit to the "While the global figure for Following the national pur- Kerala reported 6,185 cases It said the three IPS officers state, as sought by the MHA. recovery rate is 70.27 per cent, suit, 18 states and UTs have a in a span of 24 hours. West were already given new assign- The chief minister had India is recording 95.31 per recovery rate more than the Bengal recorded 2,293 new ments in the central govern- mockingly distorted Nadda's cent.The USA, Brazil, Russia, national average. cases while Chhattisgarh reg- ment and they should be name at a recent rally in and Italy are reporting lesser India has registered 33,291 istered 1,661 new cases yester- relieved immediately, the offi- Kolkata and termed the attack recovery rates," the ministry new recoveries in a span of 24 day. cials said. The three officers - on his convoy a "staged act". said. hours. Of the 355 new fatalities, - Bholanath Pandey (SP, The cars of several BJP lead- Recoveries outnumbering The ministry said that 75.63 79.15 per cent have been Diamond Harbour), Praveen ers, including that of the party's new cases on a daily basis have per cent of these new recov- reported in a span of 24 hours Tripathi (DIG, Presidency national general secretary ensured a high recovery rate ered cases are contributed by by ten states and UTs. Range) and Rajeev Mishra Research and Development, sent is taken before any all- decision of the central govern- Kailash Vijayvargiya and West among patients. The total ten states and UTs. Maharashtra reported 26.76 (ADG, South Bengal) -- were Tripathi as the DIG in the India service officer is called to ment". The MHA had sum- Bengal unit chief Dilip Ghosh, recovered cases are nearing 95 With 5,728 persons recover- per cent of new fatalities.West responsible for the security of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and serve in central deputation. moned the West Bengal chief which were part of Nadda's lakh. ing from COVID-19, Kerala Bengal saw a fatality count of BJP chief J P Nadda during his Mishra as the IG in the Indo- However, in this case, the secretary and DGP on convoy, were also damaged in "The gap between recover- has recorded maximum num- 46 while Delhi reported 32 December 9-10 visit to the Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). MHA has unilaterally taken the December 14 for an explana- the attack. Union Home ies and active cases is also ber of recoveries. Maharashtra new deaths. politically volatile state. The copy of the letter has also decision, bypassing the state tion on the law-and-order sit- Minister Amit Shah had said increasing consistently and registered another 3,887 daily India has registered a steady The three IPS officers were been sent to the West Bengal government, under a clause of uation in the state. "Bengal has descended into an presently stands at 91,67,374," recoveries while West Bengal decline in the number of daily directed to join the central dep- director general of police the Indian Police Service However, the state govern- era of tyranny, anarchy and the ministry said. registered 2,767 new recover- deaths. The case fatality rate is utation for alleged dereliction (DGP). On December 12, the (Cadre) Rules, 1954. ment had refused to acknowl- darkness under the Trinamool The rising recoveries have ies. sustained at 1.45 per cent and of duties after Nadda's convoy West Bengal government had The rules say in case of any edge the summons. The two rule.... The manner in which also led to a continuous con- A total of 24,010 new daily is consistently decreasing. was attacked at Diamond conveyed to the Centre that it disagreement between the cen- top civil and police officers political violence has been insti- traction of India's active case- cases were registered in a span India's fatality rate is one of the Harbour. The MHA said would not be able to spare the tral and the state governments, were called by the MHA after tutionalised and brought to the load which presently stands at of 24 hours. lowest in the world, the min- Pandey has been appointed as three IPS officers. the "state governments con- West Bengal Governor Jagdeep extreme in West Bengal under 3,22,366 and consists of just Ten states and UTs have istry said. the SP in the Bureau of Police A state government's con- cerned shall give effect to the Dhankhar sent a report on the TMC rule is sad and worrying". Javadekar slams Sikh preacher Won't cow-down before ‘expansionist' forces: Mamata suicide: Akalis

Centre to encroach upon the dereliction of duties, following the state in case of a dispute. "We immediately relieve the three IPS PNS n KOLKATA Rahul Gandhi pay respects state's jurisdiction and attack on the convoy of BJP wouldnt allow this brazen attempt officers for joining the central n demoralise the serving officers in president JP Nadda. "GoI's by the Centre to control the State deputation, saying all of them were PNS CHANDIGARH n Hitting out at the Centre, West West Bengal. "This move, (Government of India) order of machinery by proxy! West Bengal already given new assignments, PNS NEW DELHI Bengal Chief Minister Mamata particularly before the elections is central deputation for the 3 is not going to cow-down in front according to officials.Bholanath Akali leaders and a large Banerjee said on Thursday that against the basic tenets of the serving IPS officers of West of expansionist & undemocratic Pandey has been appointed as SP Union minister Prakash number of followers of Sikh its order, seeking the deputation federal structure. It's Bengal despite the State's forces," the chief minister tweeted. in the Bureau of Police Research Javadekar on Thursday preacher Sant Ram Singh, of three senior police officers unconstitutional & completely objection is a colourable exercise of Banerjee's statement came within and Development, PraveenTripathi slammed Rahul Gandhi for who apparently committed from the state, is a blatant unacceptable!" she said. power and blatant misuse of minutes of as DIG in the Sashastra Seema Bal walking out of a meeting of the suicide because he was unable misuse of power and her The Union Home Ministry has emergency provision of IPS Cadre information about a letter, sent by and Rajeev Mishra as IG in the Parliamentary Committee on to bear the "pain of farmers", government would not cow-down asked the West Bengal Rule 1954," Banerjee tweeted. The the Home Ministry to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, they Defence, saying the Congress paid their last respects to him before "expansionist" and government to immediately Home Ministry said that as per the chief secretary of West Bengal, was said. A copy of the letter has also leader has "insulted" constitu- at his gurdwara in Karnal on "undemocratic" forces. In a series release the IPS officers for central IPS cadre made public. The Centre asked the been sent to the West Bengal's tional institutions by imputing Thursday. of tweets, Banerjee said that it deputation for their alleged rules, the Centre prevails over the West Bengal government to director-general of police. that important issues are not Haryana Chief Minister was a deliberate attempt by the discussed by the panel. Manohar Lal Khattar termed His remarks came a day the 65-year-old preacher's after Gandhi and other two out of the 14 meetings in death "an irreparable loss". Congress leaders walked out of the last one-and-a-half years Khattar's Punjab counterpart INDIA CORNER a meeting of the committee and did not disclose his Amarinder Singh also Govt formally recognises and alleged that the panel's desired agenda for discussion expressed grief over Sant time was being wasted in dis- as he was absent in the meet- Ram Singh's death. Army recruitment racket: Four cussing armed forces' uni- ing to finalise the agenda", Sant Ram Singh's body form instead of the crucial Javadekar said. was on Wednesday night held in UP's Shahjahanpur yogasana as competitive sport issue of national security. Noting that the proceedings taken to the Nanaksar The BJP leader also said that of the committees are secret, Gurdwara in Karnal's Singhra olice here have arrested four PNS n NEW DELHI Gandhi has remained mostly the minister said parliamen- village, where a large number people allegedly involved in absent from the committee's tary panels are not for deliv- of his followers had gathered. Pfacilitating recruitment in the The Sports Ministry on meetings in the past. ering speeches or staging polit- The cremation will take place Army on the basis fake documents, Thursday formally recognised Gandhi has attended "only ical protests. on Friday. an official said.Superintendent of yogasana as a competitive Police S Anand said the accused sport, which will enable the had approached Khutar police ancient practice to avail gov- station SHO Jai Shankar Singh for ernment funding. Kin of late the verification of two candidates' Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju residential address.“On suspicion, when police interrogated them, and Minister of AYUSH Maha Vir Singhu emerges as they confessed to their involvement in the recruitment racket and (Ayurveda Yoga and were arrested on Wednesday," he said. Those arrested have been Naturopathy Unani Sidda Chakra awardee identified as Shahjawaz, alias Sonu; Mukesh Singh; Aniruddh Homoeopathy) Shripad Yesso Mishra; and Aftab Khan, he said. The SP said Upendra Kumar and hotspot for protests Naik formally promoted Aman Kumar, both residents of Bulandshahr, had given Rs 7,500 yogasana as a competitive felicitated each to Aftab Khan for preparing their fake address proofs and were sport during an event here. PNS n NEW DELHI pooled technological resources selected in the Army with help of gang's kingpin Aadesh Kumar. The move was made to PNS n GURGAON to sustain the agitation. For over encourage yoga, spread aware- The Singhu, Tikri and two weeks now, thousands of ness about its benefits and to Family members of late Maha Ghazipur borders have come farmers, largely from Punjab help improve physical and A National Yogasana Sport The Sports Minister also Vir Chakra awardee Brigadier up as the most prominent and Haryana, have been Maha: Rs 21 lakh compensation mental wellbeing of the people. Federation of India (NYSFI) said yogasana will be induct- Kailas Prasad Pande were protest sites for the ongoing protesting against the new farm "Yogasana has been a com- was also established for preser- ed in future Khelo India felicitated here on Thursday farmers' agitation, but one laws at these Delhi borders after awarded to accident victim's kin petitive sport for a long time. vation and development of Games programme. as apart of 'Swarnim Vijay location --- Singhu --- seem- repeated rounds of talks with he Thane Motor Accident But it has to be recognised by yoga as a competitive sport. It "It's popularity will not Varsh', the 50th anniversary ingly has been receiving more the government have ended in Claims Tribunal (MACT) has the Government of India so was recognised by the sports doubt increase in India and we year celebrations of India's limelight than the others. stalemate. According to Ranjit Tawarded Rs 21.49 lakh that it becomes an official and ministry as a National Sports will include it in the Khelo victory over Pakistan in the While there is no dearth of Singh, who has been camping compensation to the family of a recognised competitive sport," Federation (NSF) last month. India School and University 1971 war that led to the birth the fighting spirit among at the Singhu border since courier company employee, who Rijiju said. Rijiju said the sports min- Games," Rijiju said. of Bangladesh. demonstrators at Tikri and November 26, the site has been died in a road accident in 2017 at "Today is a big day, we are istry will start by providing For competitions, 51 medals One of the four 'Swarnim Ghazipur either, the facilities receiving higher traction than Bhiwandi in the district.In the order launching it formally as a financial support to the NYSFI have been proposed in four Vijay Mashaals', or the gold- at these relatively smaller the other two because it was the passed recently, MACT member M M competitive sport and I am so that the federation can events and seven categories in en victory torches, was protest sites are limited. first border to be blocked. Walimohammed directed Mosim Ali Hussain Ali Shaikh, whose jeep had sure it will go a long way," he chart out its plan for the com- the sport. brought by the Army at the Singhu, which has emerged “Singhu hit the headlines ear- hit victim Atul Shende when he was going on a motorcycle, and IFFCO- added. An International ing year. "Till now it wasn't Events proposed include event here that took place as the centre of the agitation, lier than Tikri and Ghazipur, Tokio General Insurance Company to jointly pay the compensation along Yogasana Sports Federation recognised but now that it traditional yogasana, artistic near the family's home. has had a constant influx of which is why all these organi- with seven per cent interest rate from the date of application within two was formed under the presi- has come under us, the Sports yogasana (single and pair) , Moreover, soil was also col- resources both in cash and in sations came here offering help, months. The victim's family members- his wife and parents- who reside dentship of yoga guru Baba Ministry will start by provid- rhythmic yogasana (pair, free lected from around their kind. Over the days, good but they are also offering sim- at Kalwa in Thane city had filed a petition in the tribunal, informing it that Ramdev with DR HR ing the NYSF with financial flow/group yogasana), indi- home to be taken to the samaritans, gurdwara commit- ilar ‘sewa' at the other borders," the victim worked for a prominent courier company at the time of his Nagendra as secretary gener- support to make their annual vidual all round-championship National War Memorial tees and NGOs have made the member of Bharatiya Kisan death. The insurance company, however, contested the claim.But the al in November last year. training and calender." and team championship. (NWM). large donations as well as Union (Krantikari) said. MACT ruled in the victim family's favour and asked the jeep owner as well as the insurer to pay the compensation.

TRP scam: Ex-COO of ratings Disturbance in North Atlantic waters can derail monsoon agency BARC arrested PNS n NEW DELHI tion of rainfall deficit. or system that influences the and, apparently squeezed in by umbai Police on Thursday Rainfall deficit in El Niño behaviour over India. We the Tibetan Plateau, disrupts arrested former Chief A planetary wave from the droughts sets in early around looked at the winds that were the flow of the monsoon North Atlantic is capable of mid-June and becomes pro- prevalent in these non-El Niño winds," he said. MOperating Officer (COO) of the Broadcast Audience Research derailing the Indian monsoon gressively worse. By mid- drought years," a statement Oceanic and atmospheric Council (BARC) in connection with in August, a study by the August, the deficit is very high issued by the IISc quoted Jai Rossby waves — also known the alleged TRP rigging scam, an Indian Institute of Sciences and spreads across the country, Sukhatme, associate professor as planetary waves — natural- official said.Romil Ramgarhia, (IISc), Bengaluru, has suggest- with no sign of recovery, the at CAOS and one of the senior ly occur largely due to the former COO of the BARC, was ed. study revealed. authors, as saying. Earth's rotation. These waves arrested in the afternoon by a team A team from the Centre for During non-El Niño The interaction between affect the planet's weather and of Mumbai crime branch, which is probing the TRP case, he said. Atmospheric and Oceanic droughts there is a moderate upper-level winds and deep climate. This is the 14th arrest in the case. "During the probe, Ramgarhia's Sciences (CAOS) of the IISc decrease in June rainfall, fol- cyclonic vorticity anomalies "The atmospheric tele-con- alleged involvement in the case came to light, following which he was carried out the research, sup- lowed by signs of recovery located above anomalously nection studied in this paper, placed under arrest today," the police official said.He would be ported in part by the during mid-July to mid-August cold North Atlantic waters whose first author was a PhD produced before a local court, he added. On Sunday, the police had Department of Science and ? the peak of the season. during late August to early student Pritam Borah with arrested Republic Media Network's Chief Executive Officer Vikas Technology (DST) under their However, in late August, September results in an atmos- DST INSPIRE Fellowship, Khanchandani in connection with the scam. However, he was granted climate change programme. there is an abrupt and steep fall pheric disturbance, explained offers an avenue for improved bail by a court on Wednesday.The police began a probe into the The research showed that in seasonal as against El Niño the daily rainfall during the two in rainfall, resulting in drought V Venugopal, associate profes- predictability of droughts, espe- alleged scam after ratings agency BARC filed a complaint through the past century, Indian mon- droughts where the deficit per- categories of droughts from conditions. sor at CAOS and a co-author. cially in the absence of telltale Hansa Research Agency about rigging of TRP by some channels. soon droughts that occurred in sists throughout the season. 1900 to 2015 and noticed dra- "We tried to trace this late "This disturbance, a Rossby signs in the Pacific," the state- non-El Niño years were sub- The research team analysed matic differences in the evolu- August break to a forcing agent wave, curves in towards India ment said. VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | DECEMBER 18, 2020 op nion 06 www.dailypioneer.com facebook.com/dailypioneer | @TheDailyPioneer | instagram.com/dailypioneer/ PAPER WITH PASSION Stop blockades Enough is enough: No matter how ‘worthy’ the cause, Covid's pitiable sufferers disturbing other citizens cannot be allowed to carry on ne can be allowed to have differing opinions on the validity of protests, whether it is the Enhancement in the quality of life and stringent laws against gender crimes have OPunjabi farmers and middlemen at Singhu Border or the anti-Modi protestors at Shaheen Bagh, failed to improve the lot of sex workers. It’s about time to legalise the profession holding the Capital to ransom, often with the illogi- cal support of some in power, but normal life in the city is getting out of hand. The Delhi-NCR is the eco- nomic heartbeat of the nation; the demand from Delhi and cities surrounding the Capital not only keeps the economy going but brings in the much-needed tax revenues to the Government. Sure, blockading the PRAFULL GORADIA city might get your message heard but, as the farm- t is gratifying to find that the ers protesting all along Delhi’s periphery for over 21 days now are discovering, it is Maharashtra Government having rapidly diminishing returns as local citizens are upset at their lives and their has decided to give free rations to sex workers dur- economic prospects being ruined. As it is, barely had over eight months of inert and ing the pandemic. This sec- moribund public life seen the first flickers of physical and economic activity when it Ition of the society is in a way was suddenly forced to speed down again, this time by the growers from hinterland unjustifiably ostracised and viewed with contempt. Hardly a who had come over to the doors of power at the Centre to throw down the gaunt- day passes when the media does let, miffed as they were at the passage in Parliament of three farm laws without being not report one rape case or anoth- consulted. We might celebrate the rural economy and the farmer in India, which unfor- er; yet few Indians, social scien- tunately continues to fuel the fallacy that agricultural economy drives the nation, it tists included, see a connection between frequent gender crimes does not; it is the urban economy that drives India. If farmers who are addicted to and their alleviation, paid sex, but their Minimum Support Prices (MSP) want to continue to feed off the teat of the State, rather view it as a crime. With they need the economy to grow. continual urbanisation, the num- ber of families living apart must In addition, the longer these protests continue the more the hypocrisy of protes- increase. When most people lived tors, whether they are upper-caste landowners at Singhu Border or a largely-Muslim in villages or small towns, fami- protest at Shaheen Bagh, becomes apparent. The fact of the matter is that these pro- lies lived together. With joint families, the young man’s income testors cannot defeat Narendra Modi and Amit Shah and the BJP’s electoral machine was not a pressing, urgent issue. at the hustings and the longer the protests continue, they end up solidifying the BJP’s Hence early marriages were more votes, maybe not in Punjab or Delhi but definitely in the BJP’s core vote bank. The a rule and less an exception. The challenge of sex did not normal- Supreme Court has waded into the farmer protests, although it need not have, and, ly arise. Whatever few sex like in Shaheen Bagh, albeit horribly post-facto, should ensure that the farmers lift offences took place, were commit- their blockade. If we are all protesting about the mythical ‘common man’ who has ted largely by perverse men. Even in those easier times, the been ‘wronged’ by the laws, we should bust that myth. The real ‘common man’ is contempt towards sex outside female when she is in heat and biographer Patrick French, a Europe did recognise flawed females. The most affectionate actually the middle-class security guard or the taxi driver whose life has been ripped marriage was largely confined to not otherwise. Whether perpe- famous writer. This was despite saints. Mary Magdalene was way to address one, even a asunder by the pandemic who needs to get to work and for whom the blockade is the middle classes. Among the trated in public or within fam- him being married to Lady one duly respected by daughter, was to call her ‘Maa’. upper rungs of society, whether ily, rape is a barbaric act. Patricia until her death. Christianity. Or did the preju- Was it because most Hindus actually ruining his/her economic prospects further. It is almost certain that the BJP, land-based or industry support- On the other hand, the The Vaishali-born dice grow out of dread of con- worshipped Durga the most? In with its vote bank intact, will ride out these protests like it did Shaheen Bagh. Unseating ed, having a mistress was not world’s oldest profession is not Amrapali was beautiful and tagious diseases? all, there are 13 Devi pujas in the BJP from power in Uttar Pradesh and the northern States is a pipe dream and it looked down upon. On the con- fundamentally very different rose to become the nagarvad- No doubt, a system of the year. Was the attitude trary, a wealthy man without a from a contractual — as dis- hu or royal courtesan. She was licence should be introduced to towards women influenced by is more likely that the BJP will further consolidate Hindu votes as well as seats in tawaif was not usual. In many a tinct from a sacramental — a contemporary of Lord give the profession due legiti- this worship of female deities? the heartland. There is another factor too. The protests are getting invaded by all society circle in Mumbai before marriage. Only the time span Buddha who, once in response macy. More importantly, the Some sociologists think so. sorts of elements inimical to India, whether they are Communists under instructions Independence, the measure of a varies; some contracts require to her invitation, visited her system would help protect the There is no doubt that man’s status was the quality of his payment, called mehr, at the house and dined with her. This health of these women as well Hinduism is about the only from Beijing or those who continue to worship Bhindranwale. Reforming India is not mistress’ singing and, possibly, time of wedding. An eligible incident reflects the social atti- as their patrons. And, above all, faith which bows to so many an easy task and many have despaired at how long it has taken Narendra Modi to dancing. A cousin of the writer’s groom is universally an income tude towards courtesans in the women would be freed female deities. It is eminently make meaningful reforms, and while his methods have been almost brute-force not grandfather Nathubhai Vora drawing man. A marriage is those times; Buddha did not from the frequent harassment shameful, therefore, that there lived most of his life with a lady sanctified by either a priest or deem it degrading to dine with they suffer at the hands of the be so many rape cases so often. wanting to give the Opposition one chance to block laws in Parliament, although with no less than the famous classical a Government official where- one. In any case, a number of law and order authorities. Paid sex has widely been an almost-majority in the Rajya Sabha the fate of most parliamentary discussions songstress Kesarbai Kelkar, who as paid sex is a private mutual Hindu temples did have Strangely enough, it is invari- called the world’s oldest profes- is now fait accompli. And if the Opposition believes that street protests instead of a was a Padma Vibhushan arrangement. At the same time, devadasis who were sanctified ably the women who are arrest- sion, which means it dates awardee. An incidental blessing having a tawaif was not looked by dancing for the ostensible ed and punished. One never back centuries when collective rational economic policy are the way forward, it is sadly mistaken. was that he was not married. If down upon, whereas anything entertainment of the deities. hears of any patron being human living began. It also any relatives dropped in to call confined to a short duration is There are camp followers arrested. Why? Because if any means that there has been a on him, Kesarbai would be deemed immoral. attached to most militaries, law is violated, both parties universal, permanent need for around like any other friend. Although one appears to duly approved by the defence must be held accountable. For it. Why the widespread con- On the other hand, the work- not have questioned the Shia authorities. long years there has been a tempt for it then? Amazingly, Calling Bangladesh! ing classes did not particularly practice of nikah-e-mut’ah, The contempt perhaps locality in Kolkata, off the there has been no attempt in attach any stigma to extramari- which has no minimum time developed after the entry of main arterial road Chittaranjan India to reform or reorganise The reopening of the Haldibari-Chilahati rail link is aimed at tal sex. If the farm could not sus- limit. Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan, Christian influence in India. Avenue, called Sonagachi. in any way to improve its con- tain the livehood of a man, he had who in pre-Independence days The religion looks upon sex as There are many houses there dition. After all, an over- reducing the diplomatic distance between Delhi and Dhaka to go to a city for work. Not was the divan of the Kota a sin and is to be avoided. Jesus that are rented by individual whelming majority of women everyone could afford housing or princely state, was invited with Christ was therefore said to women professionals. There is go into this profession out of iven the heaving presence of China in the region even a room for his family there. his wife to a special birthday have been born of Immaculate no particular stigma attached sheer poverty. Where is our and its debt-trapping ways with our neighbours, The result was that he lived party of the Maharaja. As he did Conception, free from original to the locality or the practice. social conscience? Why not it is important for India to strengthen bilateral rela- alone months on end. He then not wish his wife to be seen in sin. The Church might be jus- One does not hear or read in begin by giving it profession- G found release by payment which public, he contracted a nikah- tified in its contention but if it the papers about raids and al legal recognition and then tions and invest in mutually beneficial infrastructure than was altogether preferable to e-mut’ah with a lady apparent- has moulded our morality, it is arrests made in the area. making rules to ensure health, depend on a historicity of ties. While the Narendra Modi molestation or rape. This crime ly for going to the party. The unfortunate, especially for This writer grew up in hygiene and fairness? A num- is only now being looked at as Raja subsequently became an women in India. This has been Kolkata and spent 38 years ber of countries in Europe did Government has been aggressively pursuing the “look dastardly, especially since the envoy of Pakistan to India. Sir unfortunate for both the girls there. He cannot remember any so years ago. East” policy, it has been aiming to make Bangladesh the Nirbhaya tragedy. Some have Vidia Naipaul, a Nobel Prize who are victims of molestation reports of either rape or (The writer is a well- arrowhead of its diplomacy. This has become all the more called it beastly, but the writer winning author, is reported to as well as the poor women who molestation during those known columnist and an important considering that the Sheikh Hasina Government disagrees. Animals or beasts do have been visiting sex workers give pleasure for payment. decades. Among the middle author. The views expressed not rape; the male follows a in London as reported by his Incidentally, at one time, classes, there was respect for are personal.) has been equally keen on Chinese investment and devel- oping a transactional relationship with our eastern neigh- bour and counter-weighing that edge in its relationship S O U N D BITE with India. So New Delhi has been making efforts to I am writing to tender my The victory of Bangladesh I think injustice is true all over India should dream of further enhance transport and connectivity between India and Bangladesh and has revived resignation as a member is also the victory of the world. The rich have qualifying for the 2026 FIFA the 55-year-old Haldibari-Chilahati rail link. The neighbours had earlier decided to res- of AITC as well as from India. India helped us in always had a tendency to have World Cup as the tournament all other positions held the war of 1971 against will be expanded to 48 urrect the six pre-1965 rail links between the sides which the war had cut off. The other a more favourable vertix by me in the party and Pakistan. Their soldiers towards their way and the teams. Eight teams will go links that are set to be revived between West Bengal with Bangladesh are Petrapole (India)- associate organs. sacrificed their lives. poor, unfavourable. from Asia. We have six years. Benapole (Bangladesh), Gede (India)-Darshana (Bangladesh), Singhabad (India)-Rohanpur Former WB Minister B'desh Foreign Minister Hollywood actor AIFF president (Bangladesh) and Radhikapur (India)-Birol (Bangladesh). Diplomatically, this eases the trade —Subhendu Adhikari —AK Abdul Momen —Bryan Cranston —Praful Patel corridor with Bangladesh, boosting bilateral trade in the region. Strategically and political- ly, it eases India’s mainland connectivity to the Northeastern States, particularly Assam. The new rail link between Akhaura (Bangladesh) and Agartala, which is being funded by L E T T E R S T O TH E EDITOR India, is likely to be operational by 2021 end. Both are the fastest growing economies in Need to work together Dragon at it again South Asia, and Bangladesh is expected to graduate from the LDC status to a developing Sir — Keeping in mind that more Pawar is the right man for UPA’s top job Sir — China’s expansionist country by 2024. The GDP per capita is also projected to rise there. The more India strides than half of the Indian population mong the older political warhorses in Indian poli- designs have asserted control ahead in connectivity, the more it can keep Bangladesh as a buffer against China. depends on agriculture but its tics, three names readily come to mind: Mulayam over Hong Kong, intruded into Why do we need Dhaka even more now? On the face of it, Bangladesh Prime Minister share in GDP is nowhere near ASingh Yadav, Sharad Pawar and HD Deve Gowda. Taiwan’s airspace, trained guns on expectation, then PM Atal Bihari The common denominator in all three is that they are the Philippine navy, harassed Sheikh Hasina assured India of respecting the organic nature of historic ties and soothed Vajpayee had in 2002 asked MS regional chieftains who single-handedly took their par- Malaysian vessels, sunk a anxieties over the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise in Assam. But by fore- Swaminathan, an agriculture ties to positions of strength. Vietnamese fishing ship, rammed grounding economic cooperation — one that spans connectivity, investment, power and expert, to file a report for the Pawar, who was a prime ministerial hopeful at one a Japanese coast guard vessel, infrastructure projects in her home country — she has also redefined the rules of bilat- improvement of farmers’ condition. point and has come a long way, is always in the news, reignited a deadly border conflict Swaminathan filed his report even at 80, because of his tremendous zeal. The Nationalist with India and conducted cyber eral engagement. The new reality has put us in a competitive slot vis-à-vis China, which in 2006. His message to the farm- Congress Party (NCP) is zero without the uncanny Pawar attacks and economic coercion has become one of the top trading partners of Bangladesh over the past couple of years. ers and the Government was: “It who loves to be in the thick of action, both in the region- against Australia. And in a multilateral world, where each nation is negotiating deals most beneficial to it (the favourable recommendations) al and national politics. His extra-cautious approach Minister Narendra Modi has showered praises on Pawar Its ill-conceived and provoca- is not much for farmers; they have towards men and matters is understandable because his despite taking potshots at him on more than one occa- tive actions near the Line of Actual and will not just pay obeisance to history, we can no longer afford to touch a raw nerve. always been the sufferers.” The mes- flock swears by only one name: Sharad Pawar. The for- sion. Sonia Gandhi has revealed how she and Pawar Control, which also violated pre- There is a need to further woo Bangladesh, considering its deep discomfort over repeat- sage for the other half of the pop- mer Maharashtra Chief Minister has kept intact his old respect each other despite strong differences on some vious deals between the two ed statements from our Ministers on infiltration, minorities and the NRC. Particularly the ulation was: “If agriculture goes art of sniffing out dissidence. issues. That she, despite his rebellion against her, remains nuclear-armed rivals, have further wrong, nothing else will go right!” The wily politician who has tasted success in almost on excellent terms with him points to his inevitability to soured relations between the coun- idea that all “infiltrators” were “Bangladeshis”, repeatedly uttered in political speeches, Food security is fundamental every ministerial position held by him at the Centre, is a strong Opposition front. Is it, therefore, a surprise that tries and reached a tipping point. has not gone down well among the people there. While many understand the difference to national sovereignty. For the past friends with most, if not all, powerful political leaders of Pawar is strongly rumoured to “take over” from Sonia China is engaged in a highly between the political necessity of posturing and the diplomatic value, the overtly aggres- three weeks, both the protesting the country. There is no hope lost for any party till Pawar's as the UPA’s chairperson sooner than later? sophisticated campaign, which farmers and the Government are NCP is present to back it up. Some call it an absence of Ganapathi Bhat includes bribery, blackmail and sive Hindutva messaging hasn’t quite sat easy with Bangladesh. So it is incumbent upon adamant on their respective stands ideology, but many term it clever politics. Prime Akola covert deals, to malign India. The India to make Dhaka feel wanted at this juncture. Besides, Bangladesh is a key pillar in and no midway path is in sight. The Government is utilising the services Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s neighbourhood diplomacy, what with it being a littoral impasse is affecting the nation’s Rahul has a point The war of words broke out basis of which uniforms and of a technology firm to collect per- economy which had already taken when Gandhi pointed out that the ranks were decided, Gandhi said, sonal data of Indian politicians and nation and crucial to our role in the Indian Ocean. China has been quick to tap into the a hit owing to the COVID pan- Sir — I was happy to read that panel was wasting time discussing adding that any decision to change of 10,000 organisations. This sur- acute shortage of power in Bangladesh and has already taken up two mega power pro- demic and the subsequent lock- Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and ranks and uniforms when Indian uniforms or ranks should remain veillance is being seen as part of a jects, hoping to enhance its presence in the energy market there. And while India is also down. The nation’s image is being his party colleagues walked out of soldiers were facing a crisis on the only with the service chiefs. hybrid warfare, which uses non- tarnished globally due to the farm- the parliamentary standing com- borders. He opined that the com- When he asked why the panel military means to gain domination. a player in the power sector, it is difficult for Bangladesh to overlook China given its ers’ agitation and even the UN mittee on defence meeting for not mittee should focus on discussing failed to discuss the LAC situation, Seetharam Basaani energy demands. For its part, India is working on joint projects on ports and roadways. Secretary General had recently being allowed to speak by chair strategy and ways to better equip Oram stopped him from speak- Hanamkonda If the Modi Government wants to make a success of its ‘Act East’ policy, we must invest expressed his concern on the issue. Jual Oram during a discussion on soldiers stationed at the borders. ing, which led to the walkout. Yash Pal Ralhan the rank structure, uniforms, stars The Indian forces had their Bhagwan Thadani Send your feedback to: meaningfully in our neighbouring nation. Jalandhar and badges of the defence forces. own history and tradition on the Mumbai [email protected] VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | DECEMBER 18, 2020

www.dailypioneer.com analysis 07 FIRSTCOLUMN Always be ready POINTCOUNTERPOINT DILJIT DOSANJH AND PRIYANKA CHOPRA HAVE FORGET ABOUT DISAPPEARING. WHO IS A PATRIOT to ride a crisis DISAPPEARED AFTER PROVOKING THE FARMERS. AND WHO IS NOT, WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO LOOK AT THE STATE THEY (FARMERS) ARE IN NOW. DECIDE THIS? WHAT IS YOUR AUTHORITY ON THIS? It is vital for firms to get capital budgeting right —ACTOR —ACTOR AND SINGER as their ability to survive, grow and stay ahead of the competition depends on it KANGANA RANAUT DILJIT DOSANJH Heal the broken health system HIMA BINDU KOTA Understanding the fundamental problem of fragmentation in India’s disintegrating apital is an important area in financial management, as is evident by the huge amount of research this field has attract- healthcare system would be an important step towards universal health coverage Ced over the last eight decades. This has given the acade- mic world many doctrines like the Markowitz Portfolio Theory and the Modigliani and Miller Code of Capital Structure, to name a few. Then there is the Fama French Capital Asset Pricing Model, the Sharpe Index Model, the Black Scholes Option Pricing Model and so on. However, things have changed drastically in the business world due to the advent of globalisation, rapid developments in technology and environmental degradation. Hence, the applicability of the theories and models of the last century in today’s fluid environment is questionable. Even Nobel Prize-winning models and theories, taught as a mandatory part of the curriculum, may not be practical to use in the real busi- SURAVI SHARMA KUMAR ness scenarios created by the ongoing pandemic. Capital bud- geting decisions, such as acquiring existing assets and invest- here are more than 460 million people in ing in new ones, product and technology development and adop- India with insufficient access to basic health- tion of new business processes hold importance to finance man- Tcare. When this is combined with increased agers as these decisions always involve huge investments for a life expectancy and high chronic disease prevalence, long-term and are irreversible in nature. there is a need for long-term comprehensive care and interventions. Though the Ayushman Bharat So it is important for organisations to get capital budgeting scheme and initiatives like the National Medical decisions right as their ability to survive, sustain, grow and stay Commission Act and the National Digital Health ahead of the competition, even in a crisis, depends on them. Capital Blueprint have created a foundation for health inte- budgeting choices are strategic in nature as they can have a role gration, the issue of a fragmented healthcare sys- in long-term corporate performance. Overall, there are 12 capi- tem needs to be addressed urgently. This can be tal budgeting techniques that are used in organisations based on done through better profiling of patients, better their suitability: Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return organisation of healthcare delivery, besides creat- (IRR), Payback (PB), Discounted Payback (DPB), Accounting Rate ing a seamless, interoperable and integrated dig- of Return (ARR), Profitability Index (PI), Annuity, Price-Earnings ital health landscape. With the 154th position in Ratio (P/E), Sensitivity Analysis, Adjusted Present Value (APV), global rankings in quality and accessibility, the sub- par performance of the Indian healthcare sector Value at Risk and Real Options. — in comparison to countries with equally However, the traditional capital budgeting techniques have mature economies and democracies — is a criti- come under criticism for not including the use of advance tech- cal yet underappreciated problem of a disunited nology in the manufacturing process overlooking the competitive- healthcare system. The delivery system focusses and ness of organisations. Several researchers have pointed out the acts on various parts in silos without adequately gaps in the Capital Budgeting Theory and its relevance. The cur- appreciating their interrelation and position in the rent health emergency has further shown that uncertainty is some- larger picture. thing that will stay with us and for survival and long-term growth, This imbalance is at the root of the more obvi- this, along with other factors, has to be taken into account. ous healthcare crises of poor quality service, There are several sources of uncertainties ranging from rou- inequality as well as inequitability. This divide is VIEWING at the heart of the ineffectiveness of our increas- poor policymaker who designs health- The promise of healthcare is reduced distributed towards public healthcare. An tine issues like cash flow estimations, to more obscure ones like ing efforts to nurture improvement. HEALTHCARE AS care systems that deal only with discrete when it is treated as a commodity. When estimated `1.6 trillion were spent on pub- opportunity cost of capital. One of the most difficult issues fac- As Sir William Osler, the world-renowned AN EVOLVING diseases and fails to create environments patients become customers, citizens lic healthcare in 2018. The total per capi- ing researchers and businesses is the question of identifying and physician and author, said, “It is more important ‘WHOLE’ INSTEAD that support interaction among different become consumers and healers become ta Government spending on healthcare capturing uncertainties related to long-term projects. Therefore, to know what sort of person has a disease than to OF AS parts of the system. providers. By focussing their role narrow- has nearly doubled from `1,008 per per- over the years, the traditional capital budgeting decision techniques know what sort of disease a person has.” The expe- FRAGMENTED Fragmentation at times renders ly on a technical skill, procedure, or body son in the financial year (FY) 2015 to are being supported by risk analysis and management science rience of healthcare in our country, however, is PARTS CAN HELP well-intentioned actions into the unin- part, healthcare professionals have com- `1,944 in FY20, but is still low. The total techniques, like the Monte Carlo simulations, Game Theory, often one of not being known as a person. This US INSTILL HOPE tended consequence of making things pleted one part of their contract with expenditure by the Centre and States for Decision Trees, Capital Asset Pricing Model, scenario analysis and experience affects the poor, who have difficulty get- WHERE NOW worse. This results in an inefficient, inef- society. But in focussing just on exper- the FY20 was `2.6 trillion or 1.29 per cent so on. ting access to basic medical care until their prob- THERE IS fective and unequal care delivery that is tise without also attending to their of the GDP, including establishment The inclusion of managers in a capital budgeting decision is lems become emergencies. It is also experienced CYNICISM. commoditised. A cacophony of narrow- responsibility to the whole person and expenditure comprising salaries, gross by the rich and the middle class, who receive as ly-focussed programmes and services to society, most of the healthcare budgetary support to various institutions imperative. Therefore, they are taken at a higher level such as pres- much (and often more) of the sometimes danger- IT WILL LEAD TO may be a good strategy for expanding providers have not acted responsibly and hospitals and transfers to States ident, controller, finance director or treasurer. In addition, sever- ous commodities of healthcare but feel abandoned PERSONALISATION revenues for service in the private sec- towards society. In our system, we def- under centrally-sponsored schemes such al psychological characteristics like age, gender, schooling, tech- when they need help putting together the pieces OF CARE AND tor but definitely not a strategy for effi- initely can’t settle for technicians in place as Ayushman Bharat. Of the total pub- nical expertise, experience and manager personality play an impor- of their illness-shattered lives. RELATIONSHIP cient public healthcare delivery. Efficient of compassionate healers. We have to lic expenditure, the Centre’s share is 25 tant role in decision-making. For instance, a working mother of two from WITH THE HEALER healthcare requires an ability to person- remember that higher levels of healing per cent. So which capital techniques do Indian companies use? Since a middle class family in Delhi went from doctor WHERE NOW alise and prioritise problems based on “an are possible by balancing the biotechni- In a fragmented healthcare system, liberalisation, the country’s economic environment has become to doctor trying to find the reason for her fatigue THERE IS acquaintance with the particulars,” seen cal with the biographical. spending more on some parts does not integrated with the world economy and Indian organisations are and decreasing energy levels. Each specialist DETACHMENT in the context of a person as a whole or Patients appear to be dissatisfied with improve the whole system. Similar crit- subject to business turbulences, like a slowdown, competition and examined her and prescribed the latest drugs and AND ISOLATION. whole people, communities and systems. healthcare in more fragmented systems. icisms of fragmented disease-by-disease risks such as interest rate, inflation risk, business exposure, tests. However, they were unable to help her and THERE WILL BE Today the efforts of public health, Indeed, the failure of repeated attempts efforts by the World Health Organisation the patient got worse each passing day. In the end healthcare systems and philanthropists to fix the problems can result in a kind have been raised on the 30th anniversary exchange rate hazard and so on. In such conditions, only firms her problem remained and she went into a PROFESSIONAL are directed at narrow programmes of shared hopelessness. When we see only of the Alma Ata plan for “providing a with effective decision-making and sound financial management depression. AND CORPORATE with insufficient focus on the larger pic- parts, disconnected from the whole, we comprehensive, universal, equitable and practices can survive and grow. Therefore, corporate investment The above experience of a patient is what is SHARED ture. The lack of an integrative way of lose our ability to find incremental affordable healthcare service for all.” decision-making is important for any organisation. exactly the opposite of healing. Because, healing RESPONSIBILITY making sense of the world and the need actions that are connected to a larger evo- The benefits of integrated care have Batra and Verma in their research paper published in the IIMB requires relationships, which in turn build trust and WHERE NOW to control and understand narrowly lutionary improvement. been widely acknowledged and it has Management Review have found that in 85 per cent organisa- hope. They also provide a sense of being known THERE IS replace the greater promise of whole-sys- The search for single sustainable been adapted extensively in North tions, capital budgeting decisions are taken by the senior man- to the care provider and thereby feeling secure that NARROW tem approaches. solutions gets in the way of fostering America and Europe, especially for the agement and the mid-level management is involved in just nine s/he will get the best treatment. The emotional con- SELF-INTEREST Doctors treat whoever comes development toward equitable, integrat- management of patients with chronic dis- per cent of the firms. Indian businesses have become sophisti- nection between the healer and the sick is unique through the door, often oblivious to the ed, personalised, prioritised healthcare. eases. Understanding the fundamental cated in the use of capital budgeting decisions. A majority of com- and priceless and imparts health benefits to the many barriers to entry. Manufacturers Furthermore, the fragmentation of problem of fragmentation in our disin- patient. make their products based on the eco- healthcare leads to a get-what-you-can tegrating healthcare system would be an panies adopt superior Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) techniques The country’s current healthcare system does- nomic niche more than public good. mentality among all involved. Developing important step forward towards univer- like NPV, IRR with advanced techniques like Real Options and sim- n’t contemplate on this aspect of treatment. It does- Hospitals and healthcare systems strive shared goals requires continuous atten- sal health coverage. Viewing healthcare ulations. However, the easier and non-DCF technique of Payback n’t deliver empathy and give a patient hearing to to attract “the right case mix” to max- tion but discernment of how each per- as an evolving “whole” instead of as frag- is still regarded as the second best option. Some firms also use a person’s health issues. Increasingly, it delivers imise profits, or just to stay in business. son’s health and healthcare affects the mented parts can help us instill hope both, DCF and non-DCF techniques, to evaluate their projects. care/commodities that can be quantified, incen- Knowledge generation is narrowly others can provide a platform for seek- where now there is cynicism. It will lead Companies have to change their decision-making tools to face tivised and sold or bought while the person, the partitioned in disease-specific institutes ing a better way together. to personalisation of care and relation- the growing ambiguities in today’s world. They must do this in whole system and communities get worse in spite and initiatives without sufficient balanc- With rapidly aging populations and ship with the healer where now there is order to meet the challenges that will be thrown up by a post- of massive investment of time, effort and money. ing research that crosses these bound- an increasing burden of patients with detachment and isolation. There will be COVID world too, as economies around the world strive to recov- Focussed research is must to understand the aries. Specialists, drug and device mak- chronic conditions and their complex professional and corporate shared er from the bashing that they have taken due to the pandemic. behaviour needed for discrete treatments of dif- ers, hospitals and service agencies focus needs, there’s a pressing need for a com- responsibility where now there is narrow ferent diseases. But improving health is fostered on delivering their well-reimbursed ser- prehensive healthcare delivery system in self-interest. High-value healthcare where Use of sophisticated capital budgeting tools and factoring in uncer- by a different science, one that considers the behav- vices without a way to consider their our country. In an effort to cope with this now there is ineffectiveness, waste and tainty will help Indian companies tide through volatility and thrive iour of multiple interacting factors which advance effect on the whole person or system, or growth, public health spending has inequality as well as inequity. in the long run. the health of people. the opportunity costs on the social been raised consistently since 2014, (The writer is an author and a doc- (The writer is Associate Professor, Amity University, Noida. It is a poor healthcare professional who con- determinants of health, such as educa- with an increasing share of the country’s tor by profession. The views expressed are The views expressed are personal) siders only the disease and not the person. It is a tion and employment. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) being personal) A smart testing plan must to unlock education Studies show that screening students using rapid tests, coupled with strict behavioural interventions, helps control COVID-19 infections FOREIGN EYE

virus is proving disastrous not only for accessible and affordable to all in order campuses. This will also allow govern- the economy but also for its underpriv- to ensure the maximum safety of all ments to take a more comprehensive ileged and marginalised citizens. As a stakeholders and students. This will pre- view of the situation on the ground and result, education, especially that of vul- vent any long-lasting impact on the allow them to make practical decisions nerable communities, has taken a huge economy and society. on opening colleges and schools, and hit. The Government needs to focus on not just be based on an ad-hoc policy. More than 320 million students scientific measures to control the The economic downturn has taken have been hit by the COVID-19 lock- spread of the virus. Opening up of a huge toll on students and education WHAT HAPPENED down and shifting of classes online. The schools and colleges without an effec- in India. While a robust testing and TO THE BIG PLANS? MAYUKH BISWAS 75th report of the National Sample tive testing and tracing strategy will be tracing strategy will effectively manage While Prime Minister Imran Survey Office (NSSO) for 2017-18 catastrophic as children are considered the spread of the Coronavirus, we also Khan’s ‘Digital Pakistan’ was highlights the digital divide in the coun- to be spreaders of the virus. The need to undertake other initiatives to he socio-economic distress trig- try. Only 23.8 per cent of India has healthcare systems are overburdened support students from vulnerable com- intended to be a long-term gered by the lockdown necessi- access to the internet, with urban currently and, in such a situation, munities through the disbursement of project, a year after its launch Ttated by the ongoing Coronavirus areas leading with 42 per cent and rural access to health to the most vulnerable scholarships, a special stimulus pack- there is a little evidence that pandemic has been a cause of anxiety availability languishing at 14.9 per the income of the family. In particular, amounting to $30 trillion in lost lifetime suffers the most. And so, it is crucial not age for students, sector-focussed the Government is following for many in India and globally, too. cent. Amid such a digital divide, frus- the education of the girl child has suf- productivity and earnings. As the to lose sight of the effectiveness of tar- upskilling and reskilling and accessibil- a time-bound plan to realise According to the United Nations trated students have been pushed to fered the most, with 42 per cent of the unlocking of the economy, as well as geted testing and rigorous contact ity to proper internet facilities and lap- International Labour Organisation take extreme steps like self-harm. The girls surveyed reporting a decline in schools, colleges and universities, takes tracing across the country. tops. School fees should also not be its objectives. Disappointing (ILO), more than 400 million workers recent suicide by a LSR student high- their family’s income during the place, there is a need for a concrete plan There are global studies which have increased in this situation to stem the as this delay may be, it from India’s informal sector will be lights the financial hardships faced by COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in to address the challenges that are set to noted that screening students every two exclusion of marginalised students of presents a valuable pushed deeper into poverty due to the them. lack of acccess to digital education. arise. This is because the resumption of or three days using rapid tests, coupled the country from their right to educa- opportunity for exploring its effects of COVID-19. Many scholars were forced to drop Consequently, one in two girls surveyed classes increases the exposure and vul- with strict behavioural interventions, is tion. implications for a developing India’s underpreparedness and fail- out due to the unavailability of digital was at risk of dropping out. The nerability of students, teachers, and staff helpful to maintain a controllable (The writer is the All-India General ure to have a smart testing and tracing tools to access online education and spillover effect of girls dropping out of to COVID-19. Therefore, it is vital to number of COVID-19 infections. It Secretary of SFI. The views expressed are country. strategy to counter the spread of the started working on farms to augment schools and colleges will be massive, ensure that COVID-19 testing is made permits the safe return of students to personal.) (Dawn editorial) VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | DECEMBER 18, 2020 Money 08 GSK Consumer ‘Virus vax pricing to help govts India plans $60-bn investment forays into nasal wash segment minimise costs for people’ PNS n NEW DELHI in gas infrastructure: Pradhan PNS n NEW DELHI receives regulatory approval is GSK Consumer Healthcare made available to governments PNS n NEW DELHI India's first automated Pradhan added that there is on Thursday said it has for- Global pharma major Pfizer for use as per their plan. a reflection of these efforts in ayed into the nasal wash seg- has said its COVID-19 vaccine "Therefore, at this stage, our Petroleum Minister national-level gas how India's energy sector has ment in the country with the is being priced in a way that priority is to ensure the avail- Dharmendra Pradhan on trading platform was bounced back with remarkable launch of Otrivin Breathe will help governments to ability of this vaccine for use by Thursday said the government resilience. "Our energy Clean. ensure that there is little to no Governments across the world. has planned a USD 60-billion launched in June this demand has almost recovered A saline wash with the out-of-pocket costs for their During this pandemic phase, investment for creating gas year to promote and back to pre-COVID-19 levels, moisturising benefit of natur- people, as it seeks to ensure Pfizer will supply this vaccine infrastructure in the country particularly for petroleum al glycerin, the product access to the vaccine across the only through government con- till 2024, and gas' share in the sustain an efficient products. We are confident comes with strong safety cues world. tracts based on agreements energy mix is expected to rise and robust gas that this recovery path in ener- and is recommended for daily For this pandemic period, with respective government to 15 per cent by 2030. gy demand growth in India usage, the company said in a the company's pricing authorities and following reg- Currently, gas accounts for 6 market and foster will sustain in the coming statement. approach is based on the prin- ulatory authorisation or per cent in the country's total months." Saline nasal washing as a ciple of ensuring broad access approval," the statement said. energy mix. gas trading in the Vedanta Group Chief practice has been backed by and supplies to the govern- Earlier this month, Pfizer Speaking at Assocham country Executive Officer Sunil Duggal experts globally and has been ments, a Pfizer spokesperson Inc Chairman and CEO Albert Foundation Day Week 2020, said that during the session, used for its benefits in reso- said in a statement. Bourla said at a virtual press the minister said, "On the "We contribute 15 per cent to lution of respiratory disor- The company's decision- conference organised by investments front, we have geographical areas spread over Mangaluru and Padur. domestic crude oil production ders, it added. making is not being driven by International Federation of envisaged a spend of USD 60 400 districts, with potential to "We have initiated the which would be raised to 50 “Otrivin continues to be traditional cost/benefit analy- Pharmaceutical Manufacturers billion in creating gas infra- cover about 53 per cent of the process of establishing anoth- per cent by 2030... It can add the leading nasal deconges- sis, it added. and Associations (IFPMA) structure till 2024, including country's geography and 70 per er 6.5 MT commercial-cum- Rs 1 lakh crore to the central tant in India as well as glob- "Our pricing strategy is an Even in developed that "the fundamental that for pipelines, LNG terminals cent of population, he added. strategic petroleum storage government (revenue) kitty." ally. As the air quality outcome of volume, advanced went into the pricing was that and CGD (city gas distribu- He also said, "We are adopt- facilities at two locations, He suggested that the indus- degrades with each passing commitment, equity and countries, the price is we make sure we make it very tion) networks." ing clean mobility solutions Chandikol and Padur, under try should be given more free- day, cleansing the nasal cav- affordability principles. We what they can afford to quickly available to everyone". He further told, "We are ush- with greater use of LNG (liq- the public-private partnership dom with additional reforms in ity by washing away the are pricing in a way that can "We are having a tier pricing. ering a gas-based economy by uefied natural gas) as a trans- model," he added. the sector which would ulti- excess mucus or the allergen help governments to ensure pay. In the US the price It is one price for the developed increasing the share of natur- portation fuel, including long About the pandemic, he mately help realise the goal of particles such as dust or that there is little to no out-of- is $19.50, the price of world based on their GDP, al gas in India's primary ener- haul trucking. We plan to have noted that the COVID-19 pan- USD 5-trillion economy and pollen is an immediate need," pocket costs for their popula- another price, lower for the gy mix from 6.2 per cent to 15 1,000 LNG fuel stations across demic continues to inhibit an Aatmanirbhar (self-reliant) GSK Consumer Healthcare tions. an average meal middle-income countries and per cent by year 2030." the country. Last month, foun- conduct of normal activity. India. OTC & Expert Marketing "We remain committed to in the low-income countries, India's first automated dation stone was laid for the He said, "We also have clear Sumant Sinha, vice-presi- ISC Area Marketing Lead engaging with the Government against COVID-19 in the like countries in Africa etc, we national-level gas trading plat- nation's first 50 LNG fuel sta- indications of improvements dent of Assocham and chair- Vijay Sharma said. of India and explore opportu- country from the drug regula- are giving it on a not-on-prof- form was launched in June this tions." and a gradual increase in activ- man & managing director of With the science and trust nities to make this vaccine tor. it base," he added. year to promote and sustain an This year, India has achieved ity across all states and sectors ReNew Power, stressed the held by Otrivin over all these available for use in the coun- The company also said gov- Even in developed countries, efficient and robust gas market the milestone of completely fill- of our economy. You are need for more research and years, the company aims to try," the statement said. ernments globally are develop- the price is what they can and foster gas trading in the ing all the strategic petroleum already reworking the tradi- development in the energy address the current situation The company's Indian arm ing comprehensive and strate- afford to pay. In the US the country. reserves with a total capacity of tional strategies, not just to sector to make economy more by launching Breathe Clean, has sought emergency use gic pandemic response plans. price is USD 19.50, the price of Coverage of CGD projects 5.33 MT (million tonnes) con- mitigate the effects of the pan- sustainable, and called for a clinically verified saline authorisation (EUA) for the At this time, it is most appro- an average meal, Bourla had are being expanded to 232 structed at Visakhapatnam, demic but to build back better." more investment in the area. formulation, he added. Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine priate that any vaccine that said. Sensex surges ‘Faster coal mine Vahdam India WANI can provide 20mn MONEY MATTERS 224 pts to finish raises fund Govt engages consultant to at record peak; operationalisation from ex-tea entrepreneurship, job entrepreneur assist coal block allottees Nifty tops 13,700 mid reports of poor to reduce import’ PNS n NEW DELHI opportunities: BIF Aprogress in the PNS n MUMBAI PNS n NEW DELHI an industry think-tank. development of coal blocks, PNS n NEW DELHI tion services Ltd. Vahdam India on Thursday Countering "misinformed allotted to various entities Rallying for the fifth consec- Stating the need for fast said ex-tea entrepreneur Industry body BIF on concerns" in certain sections long ago, the Centre has utive session, equity bench- The Centre, state governments operationalisation of coal Ketan Desai has made an Thursday slammed "misin- over the viability of Public Wi- engaged a consultant to mark Sensex jumped 224 and coal block allocatees need blocks that have been allocat- investment in the company formed concerns" over viabil- Fi model, BIF argued that assist them to overcome points on Thursday to end at to come together in a "coordi- ed or auctioned, he said some and has also been appointed ity of WANI public Wi-Fi numerous proofs of concept challenges and make the its fresh peak, tracking gains nated and harmonious way" to of the allocatees were found to as Chief Tea Educator and model, saying the new frame- have been performed by the mines productive, an official said on Thursday. The government in index majors HDFC twins, operationalise the blocks at a be not taking interest and Sustainability officer. work holds the potential for government for several years. intends to conduct the next round of coal block auctions in January, TCS and Reliance Industries faster pace as of the total 98 laxed on obtaining clearances. In a statement, Vahdam over 20 million job and entre- Extensive trials were carried he said. "Engaged a consultant to guide the allottees to navigate amid persistent foreign fund mines auctioned so far, only 33 said Desai has invested in the preneurship opportunities, out over a period involving the through the processes," Coal Ministry's additional secretary M inflows and positive global are operational, Coal Nagaraju said that fast brand, without disclosing the besides offering a cost-effec- government's own premier Nagaraju said at an event organised by mjunction. Many blocks got cues. After touching its life- Additional Secretary M amount. Vahdam India, a R&D institution - C-DoT, in stuck at various levels of progress, the official said. He, however, did time intra-day high of Nagaraju said on Thursday. operationalisation of five-year old tea start-up, has conjunction with startups and not divulge details of the consultant. 46,992.57, the 30-share BSE He said that fast opera- coal blocks will not raised over USD 17 million in entrepreneurs in the small index settled 223.88 points or tionalisation of coal blocks will only reduce the import funding from investors and medium enterprises sec- 0.48 per cent higher at not only reduce the import of including Fireside Ventures, tor, with support from inter- 46,890.34. Similarly, the fossil fuel but would also pre- of fossil fuel but would Sixth Sense Ventures, net services providers. Rupee settles flat at broader NSE Nifty rose 58 vent the foreign exchange prevent the foreign Mankind Pharma, SAR Even as indications suggest points or 0.42 per cent to a expenditure. Group, Urmin Group, Chona that mobile data tariffs may new closing high of 13,740.70. "We have auctioned till now exchange expenditure Family and entrepreneurs rise in the near future, the 73.59 against US dollar It hit a lifetime peak of 98 (coal) blocks out of that 33 like Kris Gopalkrishnan tive means of mass connectiv- demand for floor tariffs on he Indian rupee ended just 1 13,773.25 during the day. are operational... So, the task "We are actually taking seri- (Infosys founder), Pankaj ity through Wi-fi hotspots at data services by the concerned Tpaisa lower at 73.59 against the HDFC was the top gainer before us specially before mine ous action on those who have Chaddha (Zomato founder), a time when mobile data tar- players to ensure the sustain- US dollar on Thursday amid a firm in the Sensex pack, rising allocatees, the state govern- been found laxed on obtaining Amrish Rau (PayU founder), iffs are rising. ability of operations would trend in the domestic equity around 3 per cent, followed ment and government of India the approvals/permissions," amongst others, it said. The Despite being an afford- also increase the cost differen- markets. At the interbank forex by Bajaj Finance, HDFC is very clear. All of us have to he said adding that recently company has a facility in the able option, mobile data tariffs tial further. market, the local unit opened at Bank, IndusInd Bank, Pow- come together in a very coor- some coal blocks have also national capital, and caters are "rising continuously" with "Wi-Fi hotspots would 73.52 against the greenback and erGrid, UltraTech Cement, dinated and harmonious way been cancelled. He said there mainly to overseas markets. reports in certain sections therefore continue to offer a witnessed an intra-day high of 73.39 and a low of 73.59. It finally TCS, Tech Mahindra and to operationalise the coal was a need to auction more Ketan comes with an experi- indicating a further 30-40 per more cost-effective option for ended at 73.59 against the American currency, registering a fall of 1 L&T. On the other hand, mines as fast as possible," he coal mines and those blocks ence of over 25 years and has cent possible rise in the near the common man and could paisa over its previous close. On Wednesday, the rupee had climbed ONGC, Maruti, Tata Steel, said. He was speaking during which are feasible and can be previously started and suc- future, said TV emerge as an affordable means 5 paise to finish at 73.58. The dollar index, which gauges the HUL, Bajaj Auto and Sun the 14th Indian Coal Markets operationalised at the earliest cessfully run multiple tea Ramachandran, President of for mass public connectivity,” greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading Pharma were among the lag- Conference hosted by mjunc- should be put to sale. ventures in the past. Broadband India Forum (BIF), Ramachandran said. 0.56 per cent lower at 89.94. Traders said the American currency was gards. Domestic equities trading on a weak note after the US Federal Reserve disappointed remained upbeat and record- investors expecting a shift toward more purchases of longer-dated ed fresh highs. A dovish tone bonds. The US Federal Reserve pledged to keep its benchmark of Federal Reserve along with interest rate near zero until the economic recovery is complete. assurance of continuing asset ‘Edtech startups attracted over $2.22bn funding’ purchase program until econ- omy makes a substantial PNS n NEW DELHI companies like Byju's, capital in the last five years at 225 billion by FY25 at 14 per progress bolstered investors' Unacademy and Vedantu USD 2.32 billion (latest valua- cent CAGR over FY20-25, it Gold rises Rs 194, sentiment, said Binod Modi, Indian edtech startups received accounting for the highest tion at USD 12 billion), fol- added. Head- Strategy at Reliance a total investment of USD 2.22 share. In 2020, 92 players lowed by Unacademy at USD "EdTech is one sector which silver zooms Rs 1,184 Securities. Better prospects of billion in 2020 as compared to received funding, out of which 354 million (valuation at USD goes in sync with the Moore's old prices rose Rs 194 to Rs earnings recovery, dismal USD 553 million in 2019, 61 players received seed fund- 2 billion). Law, with the advancing tech, G49,455 per 10 gram in the interest rate scenario and reflecting the confidence of ing, the report by Indian It estimates the education Education Technologies in national capital on Thursday, strong FPI participation led investors in the segment that Private Equity and Venture market in India to be worth India have become a change tracking firm overseas trend, markets to see record highs, has seen a huge surge amid the Capital Association (IVCA) USD 117 billion with about 360 maker...EdTech in India has according to HDFC Securities. he noted. pandemic, a report by IVCA- and PGA Labs, said. (USD 1.98 billion), followed by million learners in FY20. Of emerged a clear winner, this In the previous trade, the Foreign portfolio investors PGA Labs said on Thursday. "Indian edtech startups Continued Learning (USD 142 this, about USD 49 billion is report also projects how new precious metal had closed at Rs (FPIs) were net buyers in the The report, titled 'The Great received a total investment of million), Higher Education spent on school education and unicorns are being presented 49,261 per 10 gram. Silver prices also gained Rs 1,184 to Rs capital market as they pur- 'Un-Lockdown': Indian USD 2.22 billion in 2020 alone, (USD 84 million), Pre-K (USD USD 42 billion on supplemen- globally, putting India yet again 66,969 per kilogram from Rs 65,785 per kilogram in the previous chased shares worth Rs EdTech', noted that Indian compared to USD 553 million 12 million) and B2B Edtech tary education (private coach- on the globe in regards to trade. In the international market, gold was trading with gains at USD 1,981.77 crore on Wednesday, online education companies in 2019. K-12 and Test companies (USD 7 million)," it ing and test preparation). tech, innovation and digital 1,874 per ounce, while silver was quoting flat at USD 25.63 per according to provisional have raised USD 4 billion in the Preparation companies said. The report highlighted The education market is consumption," IVCA President ounce. "Gold prices rallied on US stimulus expectations by this exchange data. last five years (2016-2020) with accounted for the largest share that Byju's raised the most expected to grow 2x to USD Rajat Tandon said. week," HDFC Securities Senior Analyst (Commodities) Tapan Patel said. Google adds to Indian lang capabilities for net adoption Volkswagen loses top court PNS n NEW DELHI Indian languages," he said. tap to see results in their pre- content viewed on Google case in EU in diesel scandal Gupta highlighted that India ferred language. Since the launch Discover is in Indian languages, Google on Thursday said it is is witnessing a surge in internet of this feature, Google said it has and a third of Google Assistant he European Union's top adding capabilities that will usage from outside the big seen more than a 10X increase users in India are using it in an Tcourt ruled on Thursday make it easier for people to get metro cities, and in the last two in Hindi queries in India. Indian language. that Volkswagen breached search results and navigate on years, over 100 million new Google is now adding support Since the launch of Assistant the law by installing on its Google Maps in additional internet users have been added for four additional Indian lan- language picker, queries in cars a so-called defeat device Indian languages, and even from rural India. guages - Tamil, Telugu, Bengali Indian languages have doubled, to cheat on emission tests learn how to solve math prob- Every new user coming and Marathi - leveraging which Google said in a statement. and cannot argue it was lems in Hindi. online is an Indian language users will be able to toggle their The tech major is now merely protecting car The addition of these features user, he said. search results between English extending this ability to Google engines. The scandal known is part of Google's effort to solve The company has adopted a and these languages. Maps, where users can change as “Dieselgate" erupted five years ago when the U.S. Environmental challenges around consump- three-point strategy in this direc- Google noted that in India, more Over the next month, the their Maps experience into one Protection Agency found that Volkswagen had installed special tion, communication and cre- tion. than 50 per cent of the content search will also start to show rel- of nine Indian languages that software to rig U.S. emissions tests for its latest “clean diesel” ation of content in local Indian "The first is investing in evant content in supported will allow them to search for vehicles. The German car manufacturer admitted wrongdoing and languages on the internet, machine learning and artificial viewed on Google Discover is in Indian languages where appro- places, get directions and navi- it turned out that the use of the cheating software had not been Google India Country Head intelligence efforts to become Indian languages, and a third of priate, even if the local language gation, and interact with the isolated to the U.S. In Europe, it had argued that the software could and Vice President Sanjay Gupta better in language understand- query is typed in English. map in the chosen language. be justified by the fact that it helps protect the engine over time. said during the Google L10n vir- ing at our research centre in Google Assistant users in India This functionality, it said, People will also be able to use Volkswagen was referred to as “company X” in the court ruling, tual event. India and make these technolog- are using it in an Indian language will also better serve bilingual Lens to snap a photo of a math which established that “a manufacturer cannot install a defeat device "Even when India had less ical advances we have made, users who feel comfortable read- problem and learn how to solve which systematically improves, during approval procedures, the than 100 million users online, accessible to everyone across the ing both English and an Indian it on their own in Hindi or performance of the vehicle emission control system and thus obtain Google Search was accessible in ecosystem. Next is to invest Gupta added that the tech enabled users in states with a sig- language. It will roll out in five English. To do this, Lens first approval of the vehicle." The case was examined by the ECJ after the at least 9 Indian languages. And and deeply partner with inno- giant is also focussed on drasti- nificant Hindi-speaking popu- Indian languages - Hindi, turns an image of a homework Paris prosecutor's office opened a judicial investigation into whether over the years, we have worked vative local startups who are cally improving the experience lation to flip between English Bengali, Marathi, Tamil and question into a query and based Volkswagen deceived buyers of diesel cars fitted with the device. In hard to ensure that all our prod- building solutions to cater to the of its products and services for and Hindi results for a search Telugu. on the query, step-by-step guides its detailed and technical ruling, the court dismissed the idea that the ucts are accessible and useful for needs of Indians in local lan- Indian language users. query on Google by introducing Google noted that in India, and videos are provided to help presence of the device could be justified by the fact it contributes to the most popularly spoken guages," he said. Previously, Google had a simple 'chip' or tab they could more than 50 per cent of the explain the problem. preventing the ageing or clogging up of the engine. Follow us on @TheDailyPioneer facebook.com/ dailypioneer

Friday December 18, 2020

ike most other things including our jobs and daily activities Just like meetings, conferences and get- Lwere disrupted, dating too came Thanking retailers to a halt due to the COVID pandem- ic. Online dating while being stuck togethers, dating too, went online this inside the four walls of our houses was definitely not a cakewalk. The open-heartedly year. The Pioneer's SHIKHA DUGGAL lack of physical meetings and the uncertainty associated with going back to the normal seemed to turn or a firm to be suc- ments were met and deliv- writes more about the various everyone hopeless, especially when it cessful, it is very ered at your doorstep – our comes to romance and love. But, important to have a retailers. With our clarion changes the dating culture saw much as the plot twist of a year that strongF team. While many call of 2020 has been, many dating app firms recognise the efforts #KhulKeBoloThankYou, the users did not give up. Online dating put in by their employees, idea is to encourage people this tribulent year. enthusiasts adapted and got more associates in the retail mar- to thank the retail associ- creative when it came to connecting ket are not given due ates for their relentless ser- with their matches. In a statement, respect for the work they vice all through the year one of the trending dating apps in do. To celebrate the efforts despite the global pandem- India revealed that over 540 million put by Retail Employees, ic.” With the goal of gath- messages have been sent on the app encouraging ering 1 Million Thank in India throughout 2020 and that employers and cus- Yous, the movement by sums it up to forty per cent of daters tomers to recognise the TRRAIN & RAI is a step to claiming to no longer feel confident efforts of retail associates empower the frontline war- about how successfully one in two across the country and riors from the retail frater- people on it are likely to be new express gratitude for their nity across the globe and in dawn daters. untiring support, Trust for India. The year turned our lives over in Retailers & Retail The COVID-19 pan- many unexpected ways, be it Associates of India demic brought about a rad- redefining dating rules, navigating (TRRAIN), a public chari- ical shift in consumer virtual and socially distanced dating table trust and Retailers behaviour and the retail etiquettes and different approaches Association of India (RAI), sector took a massive hit. to relationships apart from mental started a campaign However, as the world wellbeing in the new environment. #KhulkeBoloThankYou to coped with the new nor- Throughout this turbulent year, celebrate Retail Employees mal, the retail workforce meaningful online connections Day (RED). truly stood firm in the face reigned supreme albeit in new ways! As the movement of adversity. The study shows an increased need entered its 10th year of cre- “Needless to say, that the for social connections since lock- ating awareness and empa- pandemic has rewritten the down began. Here is a look at what it thy for the retail communi- rules of retail but what it means for the future of romance: ty with the campaign also brought in is a sense of #KhulkeBoloThankYou, B.S. gratitude to a community Nagesh, Founder, that delivered our daily TRRAIN, speaks to us bread and milk to our about the importance of doorstep, despite the retail employees and more. unprecedented times. “Back in 2011 with a hum- Retail now has also adapt- ble 20,000 joining in the ed itself to the new way of movement, Retail doing things, SOPs have Employees Day has grown changed and retail employ- What it's like to date manifold to now being rec- ees had to update them- ognized and having a glob- selves on it in a jiffy,” al footprint. Celebrated Nagesh explains. across five countries, the Recalling an incident of movement now enters its gratitude, he shares, “Last 10th glorious year of creat- year a large apparel chain ing awareness and empathy had put up a thank you for the retail community tree where customers could with write a thank you note and during quarantine #KhulkeBoloThankYou. put it up on the tree. They Over the years, Retail were overwhelmed by the Employees Day has gar- kind of response they got TRENDING EMOJIS OF Zodiac signs nered tremendous support from customers who were THE ERA OF continue to be a hot from 1000+ leading brands thanking the employees.” TOPIC OF 2020: topic in the middle of the in India including On being asked about CHOICE: SLOW DATING: WHEN THE dating community. So which Shoppers Stop, Reliance the small changes in cus- The most popular topic of Online dating is of the signs was most likely to Retail, Future Group, tomer behaviour that conversation was working incomplete without The study also saw a 38% STARS ALIGN: find love in India? Leos were Arvind Fashion along with retailers expect, Nagesh from home, as 57% of daters emojis! An emoji says a increase in video and voice calls most lucky this year; they had the 100+ malls and 8.5 lakh answers, “Just begin with discussed this as the new nor- thousand words; the following lockdown restrictions most matches of any star sign followed by Scorpio SMEs who have echoed the saying a thank you, smile mal. People dived right into heart wants what it being put in place across the nation. and Libra. Plus, the more photos you have the more shared vision,” the founder at them when you talk. As making the first move with wants after all. The most People had more quality conversations chances you will match! 63 per cent of daters used informed. retailers, their biggest goal their profile prompts. The used emoji on dating online and more than one in two chats turned photos of them in their everyday lives on their pro- Speaking about the cam- is customer service and most popular prompt used profiles was the classic into something more meaningful this year. While files while selfies took the second spot. More than paign helping the customer get was ‘beach’ or ‘mountains’ red heart. This goes to people started settling into the new normal, they ever, people felt a strong desire to build trust #KhulkeBoloThankYou he the best product required. amongst ‘nightclub’, ‘Netflix’, show that even during a also wanted to stay connected. Apart from all online before taking the relationship offline says, “This 2020 has truly Hence these basic gestures ‘after work you can find me’ pandemic, singles this, the pandemic and our health concerns have leading to more virtual communication. been a humbling experi- are extremely important in and ‘favourite quality in a looked to find more been a trending topic of conversation for single More than 40% of the dating community is ence and a year that has making a difference to a person.’ meaningful connections. people everywhere. slowing down the ‘get to know you’ taught us one of the most retail employees’ life.” phase and women are now more like- significant life lessons of Customers sometimes ly to really focus on the qualities in being grateful. If there’s form a relationship with a partner that are right for them one thing that kept us the retailers which go a ultimately putting less pres- afloat through the chal- long way. Facing the sure on themselves lenging times, hands down impossible in the last few while dating. it’s been our frontline months, the customer- Memes that heroes on duty, every sin- retailer relationship has gle day. As doctors, police- taken a completely differ- men and public servants ent turn where every retail- attended to their call of er has stood out there to livable duty, some ensured that help and done a phenome- made even your smallest require- nal job, believes Nagesh. SHIKHA DUGGAL Rasode mein kaun tha for solace when comedian Danish Ananya Pandey and Sait made these dark times during her comments the global pandemic slightly about “struggle” emes and trends are brighter with his famous tagline becoming a trending part from his short clips ‘Bevarsi Kudka.’ Ananya Pandey did Mof our daily life. All of a sudden, he became a hit on not start off 2020 on the There sure is no netizen social media during the country- best note as her “strug- who hasn’t come wide lockdown with most of his gle” comment had gotten across memes or Just a few months content pegged around life in her quite some flak. She funny trends that back, the internet went Bengaluru amid the lockdown. was indeed trending but are trending. crazy after artist ‘Oo Ma Go Turu Love’ for all the wrong rea- They are an Yashraj Mukhate’s rap sons! The actress integral part of video on the epic dia- appeared on the new- our dull and logue ‘Rasode Me comers roundtable host- boring life. They Kaun Tha’ went viral. ed by film critic Rajeev have been Musician Mukhate Masand where she trending went beyond viral addressed the issues of worldwide because, apart from being NM can imitate any with ease. nepotism and the strug- and India absolutely catchy and delight- Earlier, she posted a video on the gles outsiders go is no ful, it was well-timed. In the popular saying — ‘If you love through as they step into exception months building up to Rasode me someone, let them go’, where she Bollywood. Talking to this viral kaun tha’s debut, social media was angrily rants to ask if she’s running about nepotism, she Bye byefever 2020 of memes! packed with some more. Rashi, a lodge where one could come and said, “Just because my Hence, there truly Gopi and Kokila’s antics made TikTok may no longer be acces- go as they please. With heavy usage dad has been an actor, I is no better way to social media do what it does best sible in India but that hasn’t of Bengaluru street lingo, the video will never say no to an gauge how twisted our — spreading laughter, inspiring a stopped people from making any managed to reach all kinds of audi- opportunity to act. My 2020 brains were than to look at the mob of memes and cheeky rip-offs funny videos. Each day we see so ences. The video garnered lakhs of dad has never been in a memes and what was trending, to that would keep you scrolling many of them! A little Bengali views! Dharma film, he never define our year. Meanwhile, we all through your news feed happily for boy’s jibe at couples went viral went on Koffee With would like to imagine that one day hours at a stretch. sometime in October where the lit- The smiling rider of Zomato Karan. So it’s not as easy historians will stumble across our ‘Bevarsi Kudka'- the voice of tle one says, ‘Turu Love’ for true as people say. Everyone digital finds called the social media the lockdown love. His expressions for ‘Oh My Strange has their own journey and find gifs, inside jokes, memes, God True Love came’ out as ‘Oo are the ways and their own struggle.” etc., that we used to communicate Ma Go Turu Love’ and that became in which The statement didn’t go with. From serious news stories to the punchline. That phrase has social media well with netizens. As frivolous celebrity drama, memes stuck on people till today and they works. A soon as the actress have given our daily assault of are loving it. video of a equated the struggle of reality from the pandemic to some ‘Khatron ke Khiladi or Zomato outsiders to that of not much-needed moments of high what?' — Niharika, the viral rider went appearing on Karan spirits. They also have gotten really sensation of 2020 all sorts of Johar’s chat show Koffee weird this year! Be it politics, viral in With Karan, twitterati Ananya Pandey or the Rasode mein The trends, they never stop. We Bengaluru girl Niharika NM has which Sonu, opened their treasure kaun tha jingle, the memes and had barely scratched the surface of taken social media by storm with the rider box of memes! trends of 2020 have been a comfort the new year and there had already her sassy and relatable online con- sported a in dark times. Long live the trends been enough new internet trends tent. The 23-year-old YouTuber has sweet smile throughout his conver- and may they forever reign!We give to hold us for a good time. Keeping even got celebrities talking about sation with an executive. His smile itself! which has captured peo- a comprehensive list of trending it up as the crucial aspect of 2020, her videos. A South Indian aunty captured people’s attention includ- ple’s attention including the memes of 2020, check them out! more people turned to the internet or a Californian girl — Niharika ing the food delivery company food delivery company itself. 10

Vijayawada Friday December 18 2020 tollywood StintStintStint withwithwith BiggBiggBigg BossBossBoss Vivek Athreya didn'tdidn'tdidn't helphelphelp mymymy actingactingacting ties the knot ilmmaker Vivek Athreya is the latest member from Fthe industry to have careercareercareer atatat all:all:all: PunarnaviPunarnaviPunarnavi walked down the aisle this year. On Thursday, the director who has hile it is nat- to know me at a certain maiden film. I was naïve dence over movies. This delivered memorable ural for Bigg personal level. But like most girls of my is exactly why I would- films like Mental Boss contes- career-wise, Bigg Boss age. I felt I could do n’t say that I was not Madhilo and tants to be in didn’t help me. Not that anything in this world happy with my career Brochevarevaruraa, W the public eye I have any complaints as at that age. As I was before Bigg Boss,” married Srija, with and attract such,” the actress studying, I never took replies the actress, who whom he has been in brand new film offers informs. my film career seriously. wants to pursue Masters a steady relationship for after they excel in the Presently basking in When I was in my grad- in dance therapy. the past many years, reports show (read this season’s the love she is continu- uation I found it tough She continues, “I was have it. While details are in contestants Divi ing to receive for her to juggle between very content with my short supply, it is said that Vivek Vadthya and Monal turn in Aha’s five-part movies and studies. career but I held grouse wanted the wedding to be a low-key Gajjar landing projects), web series, Commit Education was impor- over Telugu girls not affair and only his close friends from last year’s contestant Mental, Punarnavi’s tant for me. After grad- bagging good projects, the industry graced it. Punarnavi Bhupalam career never took off in uation, I interned as a at one point. However, Vivek’s next project as a director is tells us that the show the industry despite a journalist. I was also a soon I realised that Ante Sundariniki, starring Nani. A “didn’t help her acting promising debut in cognitive behavioral building my career was romantic musical peppered with a career at all”. “It did help Uyyala Jampala (2013). therapist, taking care of more important than lot of situational humour, the film, a me build a social profile Did it concern her as ADHD-ADD autistic comparing with others. Mythri Movie Makers production, and connect with peo- she has the looks and kids for a while. Those I understood the impor- will roll in summer next year. ple, which is important skills for a long run in were somethings I tance of being happy Malayalam actress Nazriya Fahadh in a place like the film the industry? “I was all wanted to give time to, and having a positive is making her Telugu debut with industry. People also got of 17 when I did my and they took prece- outlook towards life.” the project. Meanwhile, there is a strong buzz that Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn has acquired the Hindi remake rights of Brochevarevaruraa, and that he is planning to remake it with Abhay Deol and Karan Deol in the lead roles. Newcomer Deven Munjal’s name is attached to it as a director. BVS acts in Krack; open for more roles

riter- filmmaker BVS Ravi so that they know what I’m expecting has donned grease paint of them. Which is why, there was no Wto play a supporting role sense of discomfort as such while in Ravi Teja-starrer Krack, directed by enacting the part. I shot my portions Gopichand Malineni. “The duration for a week almost,” he notes, adding of the role is small. I will be seen as a that he is open for more offers in the good-for -nothing guy who com- future. “It all boils down to whether ments on happenings on the ongoing writers and directors feel that if I fit a incidents in the place where the film particular part. If they do, I’m ready.” is set. Director Gopi is a dear friend So, did he pocket any remuneration of mine and we've started our careers for Krack? Laughing, he adds, “I’ve in the industry as assistant directors done the project on a friendly note. I with the same film. So when asked didn’t expect any payment but the me to play the role, I obliged readily. producer was kind enough to offer it Plus, I have known Ravi Teja for the to me. However, I refused as it is my past two decades,” he tells us. friend’s film.” Acting is not an unchartered terri- Ravi is presently busy as a writer. F3 tory for Ravi, so the question of being Vikram Kumar is directing Thank launched uncomfortable facing the camera was You, starring Naga Chaitanya, from ruled out. “I his script. He is also penning the lose on the heels of unveiling the first house Sri Venkateswara was an actor story for a couple of web series. Then the concept poster, the mak- shot for F2 Creations said, “Get ready in my there is a film, an action-thriller, Cers of F3 on Thursday back in June for rib-tickling comedy and a school which he is producing with TV launched the film in Hyderabad. 2018). While film’s leading man Anil Ravipudi clarified that F3 is lot of entertainment. A lot more and col- actor Sagar (Mogalirekulu fame) in The day also happens to be the Victory Venkatesh was conspicu- not a sequel to F2. “The characters fun and frustration is in store.” On lege. the lead. When asked whether film’s presenter Dil Raju’s 50th ous by his absence, the makers will be repeated but the story is the technical side, Ravipudi has Also, as a direction has taken a backseat, birthday. It was Allu Aravind again revealed that the principal shoot entirely new. I hope the audience roped in Sai Sriram for cinematog- director I the Jawaan helmer informed, who sounded the clapper-board for will commence from December 23 will love it the way they embraced raphy and Devi Sri Prasad for act out “As soon as my writing assign- the first shot filmed on Varun Tej in Hyderabad. Speaking post the F2,” h e s ai d . music. SVC is planning to slot the my ments are wrapped up next and Tamannaah (he clapped for muhurat, film’s writer-director In a statement, production film for a May release. scenes to month, I’m planning to direct a my actors film.” - NG Major will go down as one of Sesh’s best performances: Mahesh

s Adivi Sesh celebrat- rorist attack in Mumbai. ed his 35th birthday The actor is playing Major Aon Thursday, super- Sandeep Unnikrishnan, a star Mahesh Babu, who is National Security Guard co-producing the former’s commando, who had led next, Major, unveiled his the Black Tornado opera- first look from the film. tion to save hostages in the “Happy to present the first 26/11 Taj Hotel attack in look of #Major!! Wishing Mumbai. He was martyred you a very happy birthday in action. The film, shot in @AdiviSesh. I’m sure Major Hindi and Telugu simulta- will go down as one of your neously, is based on best performances. Good Sandeep’s life. It is 70 per- luck and happiness always! cent over. (Sic),” the actor wrote. While thanking Mahesh, In the poster, Sesh is a Sesh wrote, “I hope that this picture of concentration as Summer, we live up to your he grips a gun, supposedly expectations :) aiming it towards the per- #MajorTheFilm means petrators of the 26/11 ter- everything to me and your words of encouragement make us soar higher. My gratitude to #Namrata gaaru as well. It is a blessed birthday (sic).” Sony Picture International Productions is foraying into Telugu cinema with Major, co-produced by Mahesh, Adivi Entertainment, Sharath Chandra and Anurag Reddy’s A+S Movies. The film also stars Sobhita Dhulipala, Saiee Manjrekar, Prakash Raj, Revathi and Murali Sharma in pivotal roles. 11

Vijayawada Friday December 18 2020 health

Myth #4: Freezing eggs at present can make you infertile in future. Demystifying fertility ticking biological clock is the primary rea- son women choose to freeze their eggs. A One of the important aspects of debunking egg freez- woman’s fertility peaks during her 20s and ing myths is understanding that extensive studies have starts to decline once she reaches 30. In shown no evidence that the process of egg freezing is issues in women fact, by the time a healthy woman reaches harmful to a woman’s future fertility. Because egg freez- nexplained infertili- Poor egg quality or A age 30, her chances of conceiving start to ing involves removing eggs from the body, many mis- ty refers to those lower ovarian reserve see a decline coupled with other fertility related issues takenly think the process decreases the number of eggs Ucases of infertility This can be determined by as well. available for a future pregnancy. This is a myth and in which the causes performing AMH or anti- In the current scenario, more women are postpon- every month women ovulate. During the egg freezing remain unknown. mullerian hormone test. ing family planning until their 30s and early-40s due process, we use medication to ensure that multiple eggs Infertility is a condition AMH hormone is a hor- to several personal and professional commitments. develop and mature, preserving some of those other- marked by the inability to mone produced by the One of the options that can be considered is fertility wise ‘lost’ eggs for use at a later time. conceive a child even after ovarian follicles and acts preservation through egg freezing that allows women a year of trying. This can as a marker of the egg to extend their childbearing years by preserving their Myth #5: Fresh eggs are better than frozen one be due to a variety of rea- quantity, possible for a younger, healthier eggs, says Dr.Ramya Gowda, con- sons, depending upon woman to be healthy, yet sultant, reproductive medicine, Cloudnine Group of Current data has shown more healthy which the treatment plan have a weaker result in Hospitals, Bengaluru. pregnancies actually result from frozen egg is tailored, points out Dr. AMH test. Even if normal, She says, “While it is not surprising that egg freezing cycles than fresh egg cycles. In addition, Shweta Goswami, the women may have alle- has gained a lot of attention amongst women of differ- research has found no difference in the risk Associate Director- viated egg quality. It is ent age groups, unfortunately, often it has also created of birth defects, chromosomal anomalies or Fertility, Cloudnine Group quite difficult to deter- many misconceptions.” pregnancy complications when comparing of Hospitals. mine the same as there are Dr Gowda helps understand some of those myths pregnancies that result from frozen eggs However, in some cases, only limited basic tests associated with egg freezing. versus fresh eggs. It is very important to it is not possible to deter- available. BustingBusting understand that when it comes to fertility — mine the exact cause, she Dysfunctional fallopi- the age of your eggs matters the most. tells IANSlife. “This means an tubes - Although tests that the basic tests of like SSG and HSG help to Myth #1: Egg freez- infertility do not show any detect any sort of blockage ing is a trial and specific tests that can be in the fallopian tubes, error option or it is held accountable for your there is, by far, no such experimental? inability to start your jour- test that can help to deter- ney towards parenthood. mine whether the fallopi- Prior to 2013, any- You will b e sur prised to an tubes are carrying their one who chose egg know that 1 in 10 cases of function normally, possi- freezing felt that the infertility is that of unex- ble to have functional procedure was fairly mythsmyths aboutabout plained infertility. In abnormalities despite hav- new and there wasn’t around 50 per cent of the ing normal reports. In this enough data available cases, the problem resolves case, we do not know if on the reasons to pur- on its own within a year of the egg is able to enter the sue this method. the diagnosis and the cou- tube or not, something However, scientific data ple is able to conceive nat- that an ultrasound or indicated that egg freez- urally. However, in some other imaging might not ing is safe, effective and no cases, the problem might be able to access. longer considered experimen- even aggravate. This Sperm defects -Though tal. The processes used in egg makes it important to seek other sperm parameters freezing — like ovarian stimulation, immediate medical inter- like sperm quality, quanti- egg retrieval, and even cryopreservation — eggegg freezingfreezing vention and go for proper ty and motility may be have actually been in use for decades and are screening. Usually, women normal, the sperm may absolutely safe. are recommended to go not be able to fertilise the Myth #6: Egg freezing is only an option for financial- for fertility tests like ultra- egg well or there may be ly affluent class or women with elite careers sound to check whether sperm DNA damage Myth #2: Egg freezing is life threatening to both the ovaries and uterus are which is preventing nor- woman and her child and no babies have been born fine and tubal potency mal fertilisation. from frozen eggs Women choose to freeze straints, not having a partner or tests like sonosalpingogra- How can you over- their eggs for all sorts of rea- where there are other commit- phy (SSG) and hysteros- come the problem? There’s no evidence that ovarian embryos (as compared to fresh eggs sons, both medical and social. ments to be balanced. There are alpingography (HSG) to stimulation and egg freezing causes or embryos). Generally, side effects Many women choose to freeze lots of different reasons and detect any abnormalities “Since the exact cause is harm to women or their potential are uncommon, and those that are their eggs due to a medical every person approaches egg or blockage in the fallopi- unknown, it can be a little future offspring. Extensive studies experienced are usually minor. diagnosis others choose to freezing with a unique perspec- an tubes. Males, on the difficult to deal with unex- have shown that there have been no Freezing eggs may increase your freeze because of they do not tive. In the present day scenario, other hand, are recom- plained infertility. A series documented differences in the risk chances of having a baby later in life, believe that they have the right majority of women who freeze mended to go for proce- of tests and screenings of birth defects, chromosomal Egg freezing is not an insurance pol- environment to have a child, for their eggs do so because they dures like semen analysis may be recommended to anomalies, or pregnancy complica- icy, but it is a powerful tool to help example, due to financial con- haven’t found the right partner. to evaluate the quality of evaluate and assess all the tions when using frozen eggs or give more choice to women. their sperm. Various fac- known factors and rule tors like the age of both out the possibility of the Myth #7: Egg freezing is a good insur- the partners and how long same. Medications and Myth #3: The process is painful and time-consuming ance policy for women in their late 30s they have been trying to therapies will be started to have a baby also con- see if there are any It’s actually best to freeze your eggs before you turn 35. tribute to this. However, in improvements. Adding, The hormone medication injec- surgery. While the word “surgery” Fertility rates gradually decline as we get older, so you the case of unexplained “However, if these fail to tions needed to begin the process may sound scary, but there’s no have a higher chance of success if you infertility, all the tests give any significant results, are typically taken once or twice a need to stress about this part of freeze your eggs at a younger age. Some reports are normal. ART or assisted reproduc- day for 8-11 days. During this peri- the procedure as there are women in their 20s aren’t really think- Though the abnormalities tive techniques like IVF, od, a doctor will check in on your no stitches, no cuts, ing about when they want to have are present, they remain intracytoplasmic sperm progress with 5-7 brief visits to and it’ll only take kids, so it tends to be most benefi- undetected,” she says. injection (ICSI) and monitor how your body is about 15 minutes. cial for women in their early 30s, Dr Goswami says intrauterine insemination responding to the medication. The whole maybe they haven’t settled down unexplained infertili- (IUI) are always there to When you’re ready, the doctor will process takes yet, but they’re thinking about it ty is majorly a result help you initiate your finish the process by retrieving about two weeks and their eggs are still good. of any of the follow- journey towards parent- your eggs in an egg retrieval from start to finish. ing: hood." FUN

ARCHIE CALVIN AND HOBBES

GARFIELD REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD

NANCY

SUDOKU Yesterday’s solution

GINGER MEGGS

Rules l Each row and column can contain each number (1 to 9) exactly once. l The sum of all numbers in any row or column must equal 45. sport 12 VIJAYAWADA | FRIDAY | DECEMBER 18, 2020

SINGLES Ahmedabad to host AUS OPEN 2021 SET TO BEGIN ON FEB 8 Aussies shine under lights Melbourne: The Australian Open was pushed back to February 8 on Thursday after weeks of negotiations as Mushtaq Ali knock-outs coronavirus disruption hits a second Grand Slam tennis season. Men's qualifiers will be held in Doha but Virat’s run out triggers collapse as hosts take advantage with 3 late wickets Australia will host a series of build-up events including Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai among venues the flagship ATP Cup, the men's ATP Tour said, n ADELAIDE PTI announcing its early 2021 schedule. Fans are expected to n MUMBAI 19 tests, one on January 20 and the PTI be allowed at Melbourne Park, but players will need to irat Kohli’s enduring other on January 22. undergo 14 days of quarantine. love affair with Adelaide he refurbished Sardar Patel stadi- Karnataka, who are the defending VOval resulted in a classy Tum in Ahmedabad will host the champions, have been placed in Elite AMIR ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT 74 but his untimely run-out knock-out matches of the Syed Group A, and will be playing their Karachi: Pakistan fast bowler Mohammed Amir on triggered a batting collapse as Mushtaq Ali T20 championship, from matches in Bengaluru. Domestic Thursday announced a dramatic end to his international India ended the opening day at January 20-31. giants Mumbai have been placed in cricket career, alleging that he has been “mentally 233 for 6 against Australia in As per the letter shared by BCCI Elite Group E and will play their tortured” by the management of his national board, the first Day/Night Test here secretary Jay Shah to all the secretaries matches in Mumbai, while Bengal which called the move a personal decision. “I am quitting on Thursday. of the state associations, the teams have have been placed in Elite Group B and cricket this time because I have been mentally tortured. I Kohli, who looked in com- been divided into six Groups — five will play their matches in Kolkata. can't bear this torture. I had faced torture from 2010 to plete command, was run out Elite Groups and one Plate Group with GROUPS 2015, I remained outside cricket for whatever the reason. when his deputy Ajinkya Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Indore, I served the punishment and did everything,” Amir, said Rahane backed out after call- Chennai and Vadodara being the Elite Group A: Karnataka, Punjab, referring to the ban he served for his involvement in ing for a single venues for league games. Uttar Pradesh, Railways, Tripura, Jammu spot-fixing. “But I feel tortured by this continuous talk and it happened 1st Test. Day 2 Chennai will be hosting the & Kashmir (Venue — Bengaluru) Live from 9:30am IST that PCB has invested (on me). I can't play under this just before the SONY TEN 1, 3 & SIX matches of the Plate Group, which Elite Group B: Odisha, Bengal, current management.” second new ball comprises eight teams, while the Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Assam, was taken. other 30 teams have been divided into Hyderabad (Venue — Kolkata) RUSSIA BANNED FROM USING NAME, FLAG From a comfortable 188 five Elite Groups, with each Group, Elite Group C: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Geneva: Russia was banned on Thursday from using its for 3, India slumped to 206 for having six teams. Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, name, flag and anthem at the next two Olympics or at 6 as Rahane and Hanuma The knock-outs are scheduled to Baroda, Uttarakhand (Venue — any world championships for the next two years. The Vihari (16) found the pace and start on January 26, with the quarter- Vadodara) Court of Arbitration for Sport's ruling also blocked Elite Group D: swing generated by the pink Australia's Nathan Lyon, center, celebrates with teammates after running-out India's Virat Kohli, left, on 1st day of 1st Test AP finals to be played on January 26 and Services, Saurashtra, Russia from bidding to host major sporting events for ball under lights too hot to 27, while the two semi-finals will be Vidarbha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, two years. Russian athletes and teams will still be handle. played on January 29 and the final on Goa (Venue — Indore) allowed to compete at Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Ravichandran Ashwin (15 January 31 in Ahmedabad. Elite Group E: Haryana, Andhra Beijing Winter Games, as well as world championships batting) and Wriddhiman Saha Kohli’s run out was massive: Lyon The players will have to undergo Pradesh, Delhi, Mumbai, Kerala, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup, if they are not (9 batting) saw off the final few ADELAIDE: The run out of India Rahane and Kohli resulted in Lyon said the Australian three Covid-19 tests on January 2, 4 Puducherry (Venue — Mumbai) implicated in doping or covering up positive tests. overs and also got a few runs. skipper Virat Kohli was “mas- run out of the Indian captain, dressing room was happy with and 6, the results of which will be Plate Group: Chandigarh, Meghalaya, In conditions, which can’t sive” and it turned to be a who made 74. When the day’s the way things panned out for declared on the subsequent day. Bihar, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, 4 MEDALS ASSURED AT BOXING WORLD CUP exactly be called batting friend- momentum-shifting moment, proceedings ended, India were them on Thursday. “Definitely Even before the knock-outs, the Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh (Venue — New Delhi: Amit Panghal (52kg) stormed into the final ly, Kohli blended the right says Nathan Lyon as the hosts 233 for six. satisfying, but we can get a lot players will be undergoing two Covid- Chennai). after three other Indian boxers were assured of medals at amount of caution and aggres- snared quick wickets towards the “It was massive. A wicket better. We are very happy with the World Cup in Cologne on Thursday even as a positive sion in his 180-ball innings, end of the opening day of the like that, run out, specially of where we are at but can keep Covid-19 case among the support staff caused some showing one and all that he is first Test to walk off the field Virat is massive. It was good to pushing the boundaries and anxiety in the contingent. Asian Games champion a few lightyears ahead of his smiling on Thursday. be back on board after the keep getting better as a bowling Warner targets Boxing Day Test return Panghal defeated Frenchman Billal Bennama, a Bronze- peers when it comes to quali- India looked pretty settled at Ashes. He was batting pretty unit. We are happy, but still lot medallist from the world championship 5-0 in the clash. ty batsmanship. 188 for three when a terrible well, so happy with that,” Lyon of work to do,” Lyon, who dis- AFP n MELBOURNE With only nine days Earlier, three Indian women (Pooja Rani (75kg), Manisha If Cheteshwar Pujara (43 mix-up between Ajinkya said after the day’s play. missed Pujara, said. PTI until the Melbourne (57kg) and Simranjeet Kaur (60kg)) were also assured of off 160 balls) let bowlers dic- tar Australian bats- Test, Warner said that medals after finding themselves in semifinals when tate terms with an ultra-defen- sessions. So intent was Pujara Sman David Warner he planned to increase draws were unveiled. sive approach, his skipper gave on blocking anything and leav- No regrets about strategy on Thursday said he the intensity of his rehab opposition the respect it ing everything for the better was aiming to play the work. BRAZIL F1 GP AT INTERLAGOS UNTIL 2025 deserved but also from time to part of his innings, that a 68- in first two sessions: Pujara Boxing Day Test against “Hopefully I can get Paris: The Brazilian Grand Prix will remain at its time, played those shots to run stand for the third wicket India in Melbourne, up and about and start traditional Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo after promoters drive home a point. with Kohli couldn’t release ADELAIDE: It took Cheteshwar “Not at all. We were in a calling his injury- running at a higher signed a five-year deal, Formula One said. F1 said in a His 88-run partnership pressure going into the second Pujara 148 balls to get his first very good position in the first enforced absence from SEN about the tempo,” he said. “I man- statement on Wednesday that the race will take place on with Rahane (42 off 91 balls) break of the evening. boundary but not for once did two sessions,” said Pujara, the opening clash in Melbourne Test. aged to get up to 14 Nov 14 next year. The announcement scuppers any plans during the final session nearly In the morning, Prithvi the senior India batsman feel defending the 41 scored by the Adelaide “devastating”. “(Adelaide’s) my kilometres an hour to move to a new circuit in Rio de Janeiro. put India on even keel but for- Shaw’s (0) poor technique was that he batted too slowly during team in the first session and 66 Warner limped out first missed Test (8.7mph) so I’ve got to tunes tilted once Kohli was once again exposed by Starc the opening day’s play in the first runs that were scored in the sec- of Australia’s second through injury so I’m work towards a max of LIVERPOOL BEAT SPURS 2-11 TO TOP EPL back in the pavilion. Rahane while Mayank Agarwal (17) got Pink ball Test on Thursday. ond. “We needed to make sure one-day international obviously very disap- 26 to 30 kilometres an Liverpool: Roberto Firmino scored with a 90th-minute was soon snapped with the sec- a beauty from Pat Cummins. Pujara, who scored a sedate that we don’t lose wickets when against the tourists last pointed with that. With hour by next week. If I header as Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-1 to climb above ond new ball by Mitchell Starc The Australian pace troika 43 off 160 balls, feels that a first the ball is swinging. It was a month in agony after the big series that it is, can run between wick- its opponent to the top of the Premier League. In a (2/49), easily the best bowler in of Starc (2/49 in 19 overs), Josh innings total of 350 would be great day of Test cricket and straining his groin. it’s devastating to miss a ets and move laterally victory reminiscent of so many which carried the Reds to action. Hazlewood (1/47 in 20 overs) very handy for the visitors. there are no regrets at all about “I am (hopeful), Test but I know that the and do some ground their first title in 30 years last season, Liverpool's Earlier, Pujara’s ultra- and Pat Cummins (1/42 in 19 Asked if he felt that he could the strategy. We couldn’t have that’s one that I never guys who are walking fielding by the end of relentlessness was rewarded when the Brazil striker defensive approach became his overs) bowled a very steady line have paced his innings better, lost more wickets playing shots want to miss out on,” out there are going to next week, I should be powered home a header from Andy Robertson's corner own undoing as India literally comprising mostly of fuller the Saurashtra man had an and getting bowled in a day,” Warner told Australian put their best foot for- ready to go. Fingers are with the clock ticking toward stoppage time on crawled during the first two deliveries. emphatic no for an answer. said Pujara. PTI sports radio network ward.” crossed.” Wednesday. Agencies