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KOLKATA | NEW DELHI | SILIGURI | BHUBANESWAR

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WEATHER
Mainly clear sky. The maximum and
China deliberately PM Modi a genius who thinks
globally, acts locally: SC judge
delaying permit for
minimum temperatures would be around
26 and 13 degrees Celsius respectively.
RAINFALL: Nil PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
“India is a responsible and most friendly
RELATIVE HUMIDITY

plane to Wuhan: India

member of the international community
Max.98% Min.63%
TEMPERATURE Supreme Court judge Jus- under the stewardship of internationally
Max: 24.8°C (0) Min: 15.0°C (+2) tice Arun Mishra on Sat- acclaimed visionary Prime Minister Shri
SUN RISES SUN SETS urday was all praise for Narendra Modi... India is committed to con-
06:52 hrs 18:16 hrs Prime Minister Narendra
The aircraft was to fly to China with medical supplies & bring back 100 Indians Modi and termed him as
stitutional obligations and dedicated to a
MOON RISES MOON SETS
an “internationally peaceful and secure world, free from ter-
07:52 hrs 18:03 hrs
STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE acclaimed visionary” and rorism,” said SC judge Justice Arun Mishra.
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY Govt asks a “versatile genius, who
citizens to thinks globally and acts

C
THUMBNAILS hina is deliber-
ately delaying
clearance to a third
Indian aircraft that
was expected to fly to
Wuhan with medical relief
supplies and bring back
nearly 100 Indian nation-
als waiting to be evacuat-
ed from coronavirus-affect-
ed Wuhan province, official
sources said today but Bei-
A devotee with her cheeks pierced with metal
jing denied the charge.
rod dances in trance as she carries a milk pot
India had planned to
during a procession as part of Mahashivrathri
send a C-17 Globemaster
celebrations in Chennai on Saturday. AFP
military transport aircraft
to Wuhan on 21 February
Krishna Bose, academician and former TMC but the flight has been
MP, dead: Academic-turned-politician Krishna unable to leave because of
Bose died on Saturday due to age-related ail- lack of the go-ahead from
ments. She was 89. Bose, the former Trinamul the Chinese authorities.
Congress MP from the Jadavpur constituency, “The Chinese side is
was unwell for quite some time, family deliberately delaying the
sources said. She died at a private hospital off grant of clearance for the
EM Bypass at 10.22 a.m., they said. Bose was evacuation flight. They
married to Sisir Kumar Bose, nephew of Netaji continued to maintain
Subhas Chandra Bose. there is no delay even on
Friday, the day the flight was
supposed to go, but inex-
Kejriwal, Sisodia dropped from Melania's plicably the clearance has
school event: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and his not been given,” sources
deputy Manish Sisodia will not be present dur- said. External Affairs Min-
ing US First Lady Melania Trump's visit to a istry spokesperson Raveesh
Delhi government school on 25 February as Kumar had confirmed on
their names were dropped for the event. P3 Thursday that the flight
was awaiting clearance
from China to leave for
Wuhan.
“There is no such thing
as China deliberately delay-
ing granting flight per-
mission (to India). The
Chinese side always attach-
es great importance to the
health and safety of Indi-
an nationals in China, and
provided assistance and
convenience for the return
of Indian citizens,” Chi-
nese Embassy spokesper-
son Ji Rong said in a state-
ment. She said the situa-
tion in Hubei province was
complicated, and the pre-
vention and control of
Covid-19 has entered a
critical stage. “We are care-
fully assessing ground sit-
uation, as prevention work
requires. Competent
departments of the two
countries are keeping com-
munication and coordi-
nation in this regard,” she
added. Prime Minister
Narendra Modi had recent-
ly written to Chinese Pres-
ident Xi Jinping to convey
the solidarity of the people
and government of India
with China in tackling the
challenge posed by the
coronavirus outbreak and
offered to send medical
supplies to the neigh-
bouring country. The Indi-
an government then put
together relief supplies in
line with this commitment
avoid travel
to Singapore
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
In furtherance to the
travel advisory issued
earlier in the wake of the
coronavirus outbreak,
the government on Sat-
urday advised citizens
to avoid all non-essen-
tial travel to Singapore.
It also said screening
at airports is now being
planned for flight pas-
sengers coming to India
from Kathmandu,
Indonesia, Vietnam and
Malaysia from Monday.
Currently, passen-
gers from China, Hong
Kong, Thailand, South
Korea, Singapore and
Japan are screened at 21
designated airports in
the country for a pos-
sible exposure to the
novel coronavirus. PTI
as a token of solidarity.
TURN TO PAGE 6
locally”.
Complimenting the PM
and Union Law Minister
Ravi Shankar Prasad for
doing away with 1,500
obsolete laws, Justice Mishra
said India is a responsible
and most friendly member
of the international com-
munity under the “stew-
ardship” of Modi.
Delivering the vote of
thanks at the inaugural
function of the Interna-
tional Judicial Conference
2020 ~ ‘Judiciary and the
Changing World’ at the
Supreme Court, he said
challenges faced by the
judiciary at the national and
international levels are
common and judiciary has
a “significant role” in the
ever-changing world.
“Dignified human exis-
tence is our prime concern.
We thank the versatile
genius, who thinks glob-
ally and acts locally, Shri
Narendra Modi, for his
inspiring speech which
would act as a catalyst in
initiating the deliberations
and setting the agenda for
the conference,” Justice
Mishra, who is third in
seniority in the apex court,
said while expressing grat-
itude to the PM for inau-
gurating the conference.
He said India is the
biggest democracy in the
world and “people wonder
how this democracy is
functioning so success-
fully”.
“India is a responsible
and most friendly member
of the international com-
munity under the stew-
ardship of internationally
acclaimed visionary Prime
Minister Shri Narendra
Modi,” he said.
“India is committed to
constitutional obligations
and dedicated to a peace-
ful and secure world, free
from terrorism. In the
process of development,
preservation of environ-
ment is considered
supreme,” he said.
Justice Mishra empha-
sised on the need to
strengthen the judicial sys-
tem saying, “Now we are in
the 21st century. We are
looking for modern infra-
structure not only for the
present but also for future.
“To strengthen judicial
system is the call of the day
as it is the backbone of
democracy whereas leg-
islature is the heart and
executive is the brain. All
these three organs of the
state have to work inde-
pendently but in tandem
to make democracy suc-
cessful...”.
Referring to globalisa-
tion, he said, “but there is
growing concern among
masses of being left out and
deprived of the gains of
globalisation”.
“The sense of injustice
and inequality being cre-
ated by the same looms
large on us,” he said, adding,
“It has to be taken care of
by all of us alike before it
becomes lethal like coro-
navirus”.
He also referred to the
contribution of an inde-
pendent and robust bar
and said there is no deny-
ing the fact that “bar is the
mother of judiciary”.
Judges from over 20
countries are attending
the conference here.
02
Today, a new history has been created in Odisha. It's not just
remarkable for the history of Indian sports, but is a big step for
the future of India's sports
NARENDRA MODI
NEW DELHI, 23 FEBRUARY 2020 PRIME MINISTER

Nirbhaya: Court rejects convict’s North Corp launches

campaign to increase
plea for relief over ‘mental illness’
One of the four death row convicts, Vinay Sharma's claims a 'bundle of distorted facts', Tihar authorities tell court
school enrolment
STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE and benefits provided to stu-
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY dents studying in municipal
AGENCIES the convict has plaster on his ed him in prison on the school through pamphlets
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY Tihar jail authorities hand that shows he has frac- request of his family mem- With an aim to increase and interactions with the
tures and not superficial bers, he found that the con- enrolment rate by 10 per parents.

A
Delhi court today
dismissed a plea by
one of the four
death row convicts
in the Nirbhaya gang rape
and murder case claiming he
has mental illness and needs
treatment.
Additional Session Judge
Dharmender Rana rejected
the plea by Vinay Sharma.
The plea had claimed
that Sharma had sustained
grievous head injury and
fracture in his right arm,
and was suffering from
“insanity”, “mental illness”
and “schizophrenia”.
Tihar jail authorities had
termed his claims as a “bun-
dle of distorted facts” and told
the court that the CCTV
footage established that the
convict had inflicted “super-
ficial” injuries on himself and
was not suffering from any
psychological disorder.
The psychologist, who
appeared on behalf of the jail,
said medical check-ups of all
four convicts were done on
a daily basis and that they
were "fine".
“These (convict's claims)
are all a bundle of distort-
ed facts. Doctor attended to
him and found there was an
injury. They gave him med-
icine. All injuries are self-
inflicted and superficial in
nature,” the public prose-
cutor representing the Tihar
jail authorities told the court.
“The medical records say
had termed his
claims as a “bundle
of distorted facts”
and told the court
that the CCTV
footage established
that the convict had
inflicted “superfi-
cial” injuries on him-
self and was not
suffering from any
psychological
disorder.
he (convict Vinay Sharma)
is not suffering from any
such mental illness and his
check-up in any hospital is
not required. He is under reg-
ular check by the jail doctor,”
the public prosecutor said.
“He talked to his moth-
er and lawyer. So it's wrong
to say that he is not able to
recognise them,” the pros-
ecutor said.
The defence counsel said
injuries.
“Why did the jail conceal
the fact about his injuries
from the court? Why are
documents not being filed?”
advocate A P Singh, appear-
ing for the convict, asked.
Howe ver, the Tihar
authorities claimed that “It's
wrong to say he had a plas-
tered arm. It wasn't a frac-
ture. It was only a slab around
his hand.”
In his plea, Vinay Sharma
has sought better treatment
for his alleged mental illness,
schizophrenia and head and
arm injuries.
According to prison offi-
cials, Vinay injured himself
by banging his head on his
prison cell's wall in Tihar Jail.
The incident happened in Jail
number 3 last Sunday after-
noon, they said, adding that
he got some minor injuries
and was treated at the prison
premises.
The plea claimed that
when Vinay's counsel visit-
vict had sustained a griev-
ous head injury, fracture in
his right arm with plaster and
was suffering from “insan-
ity”, “mental illness” and
“schizophrenia”.
Vinay could not identify
his counsel and his mother
in jail, it said.
T he p et it io n f u r t h e r
cl ai me d t ha t h e h a d
“decreased sleep” for a long
time and was referred to a
senior psychiatrist in view
of drug dependence.
The court had on 17 Feb-
ruary issued fresh death
warrants for execution on 3
March at 6 am against the
four death row convicts in
the Nirbhaya gang rape and
murder case.
It had issued fresh war-
rants against death row con-
victs ~ Mukesh Kumar Singh
(32), Pawan Gupta (25), Vinay
(26) and Akshay Kumar (31).
This is the third time that
death warrants have been
issued against them.
cent in primary schools dur-
ing the next academic year
(2021-22), the North Corpo-
ration has launched "Ek
kadam school ki aur" cam-
paign.
This campaign, according
to a North Corporation offi-
cial, would reach out to chil-
dren who have never been to
schools besides those chil-
dren who had earlier got
enrolled but dropped out
later.
"This will include identi-
fying drop-out children, long
absentees and those not
going schools, including
homeless and street chil-
dren," said an official in edu-
cation department of the
North Corporation.
After such identification,
teachers would initiate the
process of enrolment of chil-
dren.
They would undertake
the responsibilities of inform-
ing parents and children
about free welfare schemes
Under this campaign, sev-
eral initiatives such as "School
apke dwar, Munadi and Prab-
hat pheris" have been
planned till March end.
"Teachers will play a vital
role in implementation of
these initiatives as at least 50
per cent of teachers will con-
duct joint survey of the areas
beginning from this very day
to identify drop-out, home-
less, and absentees students.
Followed by this, all teach-
ers will participate in mass
enrolment drive of such chil-
dren in March," said an offi-
cial.
According to a Delhi gov-
ernment report released last
year, corporation schools
saw a decline in enrolment
rate and in their numbers.
From 1808 such schools in
2011-12, the number of
schools rose to 1813 in 2014-
15. It dropped to 1783 in
2015-16 and further dropped
to 1722 in 2018-19 as per the
report.

COMMON CAUSE
4 members of a gang held
for cheating senior citizens
PTI
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
Delhi police arrested four
members of the notorious
'Irani Gang' who would imper-
sonate police personnel and
rob senior citizens on a false
pretext from Okhla Mandi, offi-
cials said on Saturday.
They told police that two
of the gang members would
pose as police officials and ask
their targets to take off their
jewellery for checking.
They would then wrap the
jewellery in a paper but return
fake items packed in a simi-
lar paper to the victims,
Deputy Commissioner of
Police (Crime) Ram Gopal
School students and their parents stage a demonstration against the central government over Naik said.
the hike in prices of paper that would make notebooks and books dearer. At Jantar Mantar in In the meanwhile, the
the Capital on Saturday. SNS
other two gang members,
pretending to be passersby,
would also hand over their
belongings to remove any
doubt in the minds of the vic-
tims, Naik said.
On Friday, police arrested
the robbers from Okhla Mandi
following a tip. About 220
gram of gold ornaments, a car
and a bike were seized from
them. Sadiq Kambar Jafari (25)
is a resident of Bhiwandi in
Maharashtra, but the other
three Kasim Beg (30),
Khaibar Ali (23), Salim Ali
(35) are residents of
Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh,
police said.
They said the 'Irani Gang'
tricked several people using
the same modus operandi
in Delhi-NCR.
'16 lakh people joined AAP since Delhi polls'
PTI
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
A total of 16 lakh people have
joined the Aam Aadmi Party
since Delhi polls through its
“nation-building” initiative
launched to expand the party's
reach across the country,
senior AAP leader Gopal Rai
said on Saturday.
Right after the election,
the AAP launched a campaign
on February 11 under which
it set up a phone number
9871010101. By giving a missed
call on this number people can
join AAP's campaign.
Rai said 16 lakh people,
including 1,72,269 in Delhi
and 1,81,212 in UP, have joined
the AAP using the phone num-
ber. The party will launch a
mega campaign in 20 states
from Sunday.
“The Aam Aadmi Party will
pursue the 'politics of work'
across the country. For this,
from February 23, the party will
start a campaign to join nation-
building campaign in 20 states.
As part of this campaign,
posters will be put up in 20
states and the missed call
number 9871010101 will be dis-
played on the poster,” Rai told
reporters.
“Posters are being pre-
pared in different languages
for different states, so that
people can be easily reached
through local languages, he
said.
Rai said in addition, vol-
unteers' meet will also be
organised in all states.
“All our office bearers will
hold press conferences in their
respective states to spread
the model of positive nation-
alism and development which
has come up in Delhi, as the
politics of work got a place in
Delhi,” he said.
He also said coordinators
have been appointed for dif-
ferent states for this cam-
paign.
State coordinators include
Lok Sabha MP Bhagwant
Mann from Punjab and AAP
member Elvis Gomes from
Goa.
The AAP registered a land-
slide victory in the high-stakes
Delhi Assembly polls, leaving
the main rival BJP way behind
and decimating the Congress
in a bitterly-fought contest.
Since then the party has again
started building a national
ambition.
The AAP is, at present,
recognised by the Election
Commission as a state party.

JOBS & CLASSIFIEDS QUEST

LEGAL NOTICES
xyz-8144
PROCLAMATION REQUIRING
ATTENDANCE OF
DEFENDANT
(Order 5, Rule 20 of the Code
of Civil Procedure)
In the Court of
Gurdeep Singh
(Commercial Court)
West-02
Room No. 110,
Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi
CS (Comm.) No. 265/19
M/s. Shyam Indus Power
Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
— Plaintiff
Versus
M/s. Ali Engineering
— Defendant
To,
1. M/s. Ali Engineering,
through its proprietor Mr.
Azgar Ali.
Corresponding address at :
P-27/A/5, Batla House, Jamia
Nagar, Okhla, Delhi.
Whereas you, in view of the
reports already received, can-
not be served in ordinary way.
It is hereby notified that if
you shall not defend the case
on the 23rd day of April, 2020,
the day fixed for the final dis-
posal, it will be heard and
determined ex-parte.
Given under my hand and
the Seal of the Court on this
20th day of February, 2020.
(Commercial Court)
West-02
Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi
Seal of the Court
xyz-8132
DEBTS RECOVERY
TRIBUNAL-I, DELHI
4th Floor, Jeevan Tara
Building, Parliament Street,
New Delhi-110001.
O.A. No. 88/2019.
Canara Bank
— Applicant
Versus
Sh. Rahul Kumar Gupta
— Defendant
To,
1. Sh. Rahul Kumar Gupta,
s/o Sh. Chhote Lal, Proprietor
of M/s. Shrishti Enterprises, at
Plot No. 4, Dada Bhaiya Marg,
Najafgarh Road, Village Ran-
holla, Delhi-110041.
Also at : Plot No. 2, K. No.
37/4, Ranholla, Delhi-110041.
Also at : K. No. 67/20, Kotla
Vihar, Phase-IV, Bakarwala,
Delhi-110041.
Also at : Plot No. 4, Gali No.
1, Plot No. 2, Kotla Vihar, Najaf-
garh Road, Delhi-110041.
Also at : H. No. G-14, Kotla
Vihar, Phase-IV, Nangloi, Delhi-
110041.
Also at : H. No. 386, Block-F-
6, Sultanpuri, Delhi-110086.
Whereas the abovenamed
applicant has instituted a
case for recovery of Rs.
10,93,979/- (Rupees Ten Lakh
Ninety Three Thousand Nine
Hundred Seventy Nine only)
against you and whereas it
has been shown to the satis-
faction of the Tribunal that
it is not possible to serve you
in the ordinary way. There-
fore, this notice is given by
advertisement directing you
to make appearance before
Ld. Registrar on 20-03-2020 at
10-30 a.m.
Take notice that in case of
your failure to appear on the
abovementioned day before
this Tribunal, the case will be
heard and decided in your
absence.
Given under my hand and
the Seal of the Tribunal on
this the 30th day of January,
2020.
By Order of this Tribunal
for Registrar
Seal of the Tribunal
xyz-8136
IN THE COURT OF
SHRI SHIRISH AGGARWAL
Additional Rent Controller-1
Central District,
Room No. 42,
Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi.
Case Reg. No.:
RCARC/891/2019 (209/2019).
U/S 25-B, Delhi Rent Control
Act, 1958
Duli Chand & Ors.
— Petitioners
Versus
Anuradha Jhalan
— Respondent
To,
Anuradha Jhalan, w/o Sh.
Nirmal Jhalan, r/o 641, First
Floor, Kucha Shiv Mandir,
Katra Baryan, Delhi-110006.
Whereas Petitioner has filed
an application (a copy of
which is annexed) for your
eviction from the Tenanted
Premises (mentioned in copy
attached) on the ground spec-
ified in Clause (e) of the pro-
viso to Sub Section (1) of Sec-
tion 14.
You are hereby summoned
to appear before the Con-
troller within fifteen days of
the service thereof and to
obtain the leave of the Con-
troller to contest the appli-
cation for eviction on the
ground aforesaid in default
whereof, the applicant will
be entitled at any time after
the expiry of the said period of
fifteen days to obtain an order
for your eviction from the
said premises.
Leave to appear and contest
the application may be
obtained on an application
to the controlled supported by
an affidavit as referred to in
Sub-Section (5) of Section 25-
B.
Given under my hand and
the Seal of the Court on this
the 19th day of February, 2020.
Addl. Rent Controller-1
(Central)
Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi.
Seal of the Court
xyz-8133
xyz-8134
DEBTS RECOVERY
TRIBUNAL-I, DELHI
4th Floor, Jeevan Tara
Building, Parliament Street,
New Delhi-110001.
O.A. No. 126/2019.
Canara Bank
— Applicant
Versus
Govind Kumar
— Defendant
To,
Govind Kumar, s/o Sh. Sat
Dev Gupta, Proprietor of M/s.
Satya Enterprises, K-1/162,
Budh Vihar, Phase-I, New
Delhi-110086.
Also at : H. No. 25, Extension-
2, Nangloi, Delhi-110041.
Also at : B-2/21, Budh Vihar,
Delhi.
Whereas the abovenamed
applicant has instituted a
case for recovery of Rs.
15,65,595.00/- (Rupees Fif-
teen Lakh Sixty Five Thou-
sand Five Hundred Ninety Five
only) against you and where-
as it has been shown to the
satisfaction of the Tribunal
that it is not possible to serve
you in the ordinary way. There-
fore, this notice is given by
advertisement directing you
to make appearance before
Ld. Registrar on 20-03-2020 at
10-30 a.m.
Take notice that in case of
your failure to appear on the
abovementioned day before
this Tribunal, the case will be
heard and decided in your
absence.
Given under my hand and
the Seal of the Tribunal on
this the 28th day of January,
2020.
By Order of this Tribunal
for Registrar
Seal of the Tribunal
xyz-8135
IN THE HIGH COURT OF
DELHI AT NEW DELHI
(Ordinary Original Civil
Jurisdiction)
CS(COMM) 1204/2018.
Vigen Healthy Tech India
(P) Ltd.
— Plaintiff
Versus
D H Trading Private Limited
& Ors.
— Defendants
To,
Defendant Nos.:
(1) D H Trading Private Lim-
ited, having registered office
at : C-700, T/F, Shop Palam
Extn., Sec-7, Dwarka, Near
Ram Phal Chowk, New Delhi-
110045.
Also at : Plot No. 16, First
Floor, Near Brahma Apart-
ments, Sector-7, Dwarka, Delhi.
(2) Syed Ali Asaf Naqvi,
Director : D H Trading Private
Limited, At : Flat No. 5B, 2nd
Floor, Plot No. 10, Sector-10,
Dwarka, New Delhi-110075,
Email : ali.vigen@gmail.com
(3) Ranjan Kumar Ojha,
Director : D H Trading Private
Limited, A-702, Pathik Vihar, C-
Block, Near Fortis Hospital,
Sector-62, Noida-201301, Email
: ranjanojha@hotmail.com
Whereas the plaintiff above-
mentioned has instituted a
Suit for recovery of Rs.
2,00,10,732/- (Two Crore Ten
Thousand Seven Hundred
Thirty Two only) against you,
the abovenamed defendants
and whereas it has been
shown to the satisfaction of
this Court that it is not pos-
sible to serve you in the ordi-
nary way, therefore, this notice
is given by publication direct-
ing you, the abovenamed
defendants to make appear-
ance before the Joint Registrar
(Judicial) of this Court on 24-
04-2020 at 11-00 a.m.
Take notice that in default of
your appearance on the day
beforementioned, the Suit
will be heard and determined
in your absence.
Given under my hand and
the Seal of this Court on this
the 11th day of February, 2020.
Assistant Registrar (O)
for Registrar General
Seal of the Court
xyz-8137
PROCLAMATION REQUIRING
THE APPEARANCE OF A
PERSON ACCUSED
(See Section 82)
In the Court of
Jitendra Pratap Singh
Metropolitan Magistrate
(East)-02
Karkardooma Courts, Delhi.
CT-45416/2016.
Under Section 138 NI Act.
PS. : Krishna Nagar.
Manoj Kumar Bafna
— Complainant
Versus
M/s. Vasavi Garments
— Accused
Whereas complaint has
been made before me that
M/s. Vasavi Garments, c/o
Colorful Fashions, 12-2-47,
Sun Road, Battel Bazar, Opp.
Venkateshwar Swami Tem-
ple, Warrangel-506002, Telan-
gana, Also at : House No. 11-
18-399, Society Colony, Kashi
Bugga, Warrangel-506002,
Telengana, has committed
(or is suspected to have com-
mitted) the offence punishable
under Section 82 of the Indian
Penal Code, and it has been
returned to a warrant of arrest
thereupon issued that the
said accused cannot be found
and whereas it has been
shown to my satisfaction that
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statesmanbbsr@gmail.com
AIR-SURCHARGE; Kathmandu - Re. 2, Eastern Region - Re. 1
the said accused has abscond- 7. Smt. Neetu, w/o Sh. enclose to my housing loan
ed (or is concealing himself to
avoid the service of the said
Keshav Kant, C/o R. P. Sharma,
T. N. Park, Village Bandepur,
PUBLIC from SBI Imphal Code No. 92
on the way from 1st Manipur
warrant). Sonipat, Haryana-131001. NOTIFICATIONS Rifle to Imphal East, Manipur.
Proclamation is hereby Whereas the plaintiff above- xyz-8141
made that the abovesaid mentioned has instituted a
accused is required to appear WE, Krishan Pal, s/o Nawal PUBLIC NOTICE
Suit for Partition, Specific Pos- I, MD. SHARFUL Islam, son
before this Court to answer session, Permanent and Singh & Dayawati, w/o Krishan Our clients Dhanesh Sharma
of Abdul Latif, resident of
the said complaint on 25-04- Mandatory Injunction against Pal Singh, both r/o H. No. and Smt. Rama Sharma, both
Vill. + P.O.: Palsunda, Nadia,
2020. you, the abovenamed defen- 227/157, Shanti Nagar, Guru- r/o 2722, Chatta Pratap Singh,
Kinari Bazar, Chandni Chowk, W.B.-741156 shall hence-
Given under my hand and dants and whereas the gram, declare that our daugh-
Delhi, make known to the pub- forth be known as Md.
the Seal of the Court on the Hon'ble Court issued sum- ter Seema is out of our contol.
Sharful Islam from
3rd day of February, 2020. mons in Suit on 14-05-2019 We disown her from our all lic at large that they have
04.02.2020 (No. 13253).
Metropolitan Magistrate and whereas it has been movable/immovable proper- disowned and disinherited
(East)-02 Sherful Islam, Mohammad
shown to the satisfaction of ties. Anybody deals with her their son namely Sachin Shar-
Karkardooma Courts, Sherf Ul Islam, Mohd. Sherf
this Court that it is not pos- they will be doing at their ma, his wife Arti Sharma and
Delhi. Ul Islam, Md. Sherf Ul Islam
sible to serve you in the ordi- own risk. We & our family are their children who are present-
Seal of the Court and Md. Sharful Islam are
nary way, therefore, this notice not responsible, any kind of ly residing at Bhajanpura,
xyz-8139
is given by publication direct- act done by her. Delhi, from their immovable same and one identical per-
IN THE HIGH COURT OF ing you, the abovenamed xyz-8140 and movable properties which son, vide affidavit sworn
they posses with immediate before Ld. Judicial
DELHI AT NEW DELHI defendants, to make appear-
I HAVE lost my original Reg- effect as Sachin Sharma, his
(Ordinary Original Civil ance before the Joint Registrar Magistrate 1st Class,
Jurisdiction) ister Sale Deed dated 20-08- wife and their children have Alipore.
(Judicial) of this Court on 23-
CS(OS) 260/2019. 2004 between Md. Nurul Amin, gone out of family fold and
04-2020 at 11-00 a.m. (B01811)
Sh. Jai Prakash Bhardwaj s/o Md. Angou, resident of any person whosoever deal
Take notice that in default of
— Plaintiff your appearance on the day Nongpok Ingkhol, Imphal, with them shall do so at his
Versus beforementioned, the Suit Manipur, and Mr. Sekhomang own risks, costs and conse-
Sh. Veer Singh Bhardwaj will be heard and determined Touthang, s/o Thangkholet quences as our clients shall
and Others in your absence. Touthang, resident of New not be responsible in any
— Defendants Given under my hand and Lambuland, Imphal, Manipur, manner for their liabilities
To, the Seal of this Court on this in connection of sale of home- that may arise in past, present
Defendant Nos. : stead land under parts No. EXPERIENCED ICWA (I),
the 13th day of February, 2020. or future.
6. Smt. Neelam, w/o Sh. 1499 (New) corresponding to does e-Filing of GSTR, ITR,
Assistant Registrar (O) S. Goel & V. Goel
Aditya Chandra, r/o RW-296, for Registrar General C. S. Dag No. 5414/5665 mea- Advocates & Solicitors TDS, P.Tax, Accounts,
Gali No. 8, Sadh Nagar, Palam Seal of the Court suing an area of 0.031 acres 761, Chandni Chowk, Taxation and online jobs.
Colony, New Delhi. xyz-8143 which is now required to Opp. Town Hall, (M): 9051205246.
Delhi-110006 (B01743)
xyz-8138
A WELL experienced
Stenographer, Computer
savvy (MS-Word, Excel, E-
mail, Internet) correspon-
dence, seeks job in good
SILIGURI BANGALORE
firm. 9836192119.
13A, Dabgram Industrial No. 68, First Floor, Gold Tower, FOR AIR-CONDITION & (B01744)
50 Residency Road, Bangalore- Electrical System: (1)
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P.O. Satellite Township, (2) Sales Manager (8 Nos.), cialist, self-correspondent,
Tel.; 080-22229129, 080-22234813 (3) Marketing Executive (4 59, seeks change immedi-
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Email: Nos.) (retired Elect. Engr.), ately. 8582844250, pro-
Tel: 2568615, 2568063 and bangalore@thestatesmangroup.com (4) Mechanic (6 Nos.), (5)
bir151161@gmail.com
Elect. Supervisor, National
2568787. Fax: (0353) 2568296, MUMBAI License Holder or equiva-
(B01745)
Email: lent (4 Nos.), (6) Office
5, Kasturi Buildings, Jamshedji Assistant with Computer STENOGRAPHER-cum-
siliguri@thestatesmangroup.com Tata Road, Mumbai-400 020 knowledge, e-tendering, e- Computer Operator, self-
City Office: 3rd Floor, Rina filing & online work (4 Nos.). correspondent, seeks
Tel: (022) 2202 1045,
Minimum experience 5 change. Please contact:
Bhawan, Opp. HDFC Bank, Email: 9748644428.
years for Sl. No. 1 to 6, (7)
Panitanki More, Sevoke Rd., mumbai@thestatesmangroup.com Office Peon (4 Nos.), (8) (B01746)
Siliguri-734015. House Keeping Boy (4 Nos.),
manuelfrancis@thestatesman.com (9) Driver (2 Nos.), (10)
B.COM. Accountant, excel-
Ph.: 0353-2524077 CHENNAI Security Guard (4 Nos.), (11) lent knowledge of Tally, ERP-
Body Guard with Arms, (12) 9, MS-Office, Internet.
SHIMLA
Fagun Mansion (4th floor), 26, Electrical / Air-conditioner Amitava: 9163494492.
Cabin No. 305, P. C. Chambers Ethiraj Road, Chennai-600 008, Engineer (Diploma or
E - m a i l :
Tel: (044) 28278037, 28224800 Degree holder) (6 Nos.).
Near Jodha Niwas Please send your com- amit_deykol@yahoo. co.in
Email: (B01747A)
The Mall Shimla-171001, H.P. plete biodata with relevant
chennai@thestatesmangroup.com documents to E-mail ID:
Tel: 0177-2815000
g l a c i DIPLOMA Electrical
LUCKNOW
Email: erengineer@gmail.com (M) Engineer, 21 years experi-
2/2, Butler Palace (Near Jopling No.: 8777743065. ence having Electrical
shimla@thestatesmangroup.com Glacier Engineering Co.
Road), Lucknow-226 001, Supervisor Licence, seeks
(B01812) part-time job. Contact:
HYDERABAD Ph.: (0522) 2206705 SKILL Hut requires PHP,
8145956468.
The Statesman Limited, 2nd Email: Android Developers, MCA /
(B01807)
lucknow@thestatesmangroup.com B.Tech. preferred. Freshers
Floor, UNI Building, may also apply. E-mail:
A.C. Guards, Hyderabad- RANCHI info@skillhut.com
500004, 11/C, Road#1, Ashoknagar, (B01808)
Ranchi - 834 002
Ph.: 040-2339 1739 .
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Email:
Email: parking, 1300 sq.ft., fittings,
hyderabad@thestatesmangroup.com ranchi@thestatesmangroup.com ENGLISH Classes ICSE / 30 feet road facing, 1 km.
CBSE / SLST / B.A. / M.A. stu- Jadavpur 8B, flat for sale, no
dents; Mr. D.S. Bose, (M): broker, 9477457236, 70447-
All other stations in India - Re. 1 9038587144. 65064.
(B01809) (B01810)

Kejri, Sisodia dropped from
Melania’s Delhi school event
AAP alleges their names dropped at the behest of Modi govt; BJP deplores 'petty politics' over such matters
SNS & AGENCIES
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
D
elhi chief minister
Arvind Kejriwal and
his deputy Manish
Sisodia will not be
present during US First Lady
Melania Trump's visit to a
Delhi government school on
25 February as their names
were dropped from the guest
list for the event, sources
said.
Melania, wife of US Pres-
ident Donald Trump, is sched-
uled to visit the Delhi school
to see “Happiness Classes” and
interact with the students
there.
Delhi government sources
said the US embassy com-
municated to the Delhi
administration this morn-
ing that the names of Kejri-
wal and Sisodia do not figure
in the list of invitees for Mela-
nia's school event.
According to the original
schedule, Kejriwal and Siso-
dia were to welcome Melania
at the school and brief her
about rationale behind intro-
duction of Happiness Class-
es as well as the Delhi gov-
ernment's overall reform ini-
tiatives in the education sec-
tor, officials said.
“Names of Kejriwal and
Sisodia have been dropped
from the list of invitees for the
event. We do not know who
will receive and brief the First
Lady about Happiness Class-
es when she visits our school,”
said a Delhi government offi-
cial.
US President Trump,
accompanied by Melania,
daughter Ivanka and son-
in-law Jared Kushner and a
Cleaning Yamuna, eliminating water pollution priorities: Rai
Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai visits a sewage treatment plant
at Delhi Gate on Saturday
STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
Capital in for vintage treat today
STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
A day ahead of The States-
man Vintage and Classic Car
Rally's 54th edition in the
national capital, the partic-
ipants in the rally today
made a beeline at Modern
School on Barakhamba Road
in the heart of Delhi to get
their cars inspected by judges
there on the second and
final day of the pre-judging
of the vehicles.
The pre-judging of all the
vehicles is mandatory for
allowing them to partici-
pate in this annual vintage
car extravaganza.
The pre-judging of the
cars has been conducted by
a panel of eight judges in
groups of two to ensure that
these vehicles are fit to take
part in the Sunday rally. The
parameters for prejudging
includes the condition of
engine, mechanical main-
tenance, restoration, origi-
nality, interiors, exteriors,
the condition of instruments,
chassis, tyres, wheels, and
spare-parts used, among
other factors.
Scores of automobiles
were pre-judged today.
Among these vehicles were
a 1965 Cadillac, a 1930 Ford-
A, a 1947 Chevrolet, and a
high-level delegation, will
arrive in Ahmedabad around
noon on 24 February for a less
than 36-hour-long trip to
India.
From Ahmedabad, the
delegation will travel to Agra
before arriving at the nation-
al capital for the main leg of
the visit.
The AAP-led Delhi gov-
ernment introduced the "Hap-
piness Curriculum" in July
2018 in its schools.
As per this curriculum,
SNS
Delhi environment minister
Gopal Rai, who visited a
During the pre-judging of the paticipating vehicles for the 23rd February Statesman Vintage
and Classic Car Rally, at Modern School in the Capital on Saturday.
1965 Ford automobile.
The vintage cars, set to
participate in the mega event
tomorrow, are beauties on
four wheels, each of which
tells their own glorious his-
tory. Most of them are back
on Delhi roads in their shin-
ing best after participating
Terrorists and the corrupt cannot claim right
to privacy
students studying in classes
1-8 at Delhi government
schools spend 45 minutes
every day to attend “Happi-
ness Classes” where they par-
ticipate in exercises such as
storytelling, meditation and
question and answer ses-
sions. Similarly, for nursery
and KG students, these class-
es are held twice a week.
According to the Delhi
government sources, the US
First Lady is likely to visit a
school in South Delhi and see
sewage treatment plant (STP)
located at Delhi Gate on Sat-
urday, said cleaning the Yamu-
na river and eradicating water
pollution within the next five
years were to be done as mat-
ters of top priority by the
AAP government.
"Our primary focus is on
cleaning river Yamuna and
eliminating waste from the
local water bodies across the
city in the next five years so
that effluents from these
water bodies are removed
before flowing into the river.
Once we are successful in
achieving this goal, we will also
work on developing the river-
front of the Yamuna," Rai
said.
Briefing media persons
about his visit to the STP, Rai
said, "There are around 35
STPs across Delhi working on
eliminating pollutants from
water bodies through tech-
nologically advanced mech-
anisms. These plants are
in the previous vintage and
classic car rallies
organised by The States-
man annually.
Over 130 cars have been
registered for participation
in tomorrow's rally. Of these,
57 belong to the vintage cat-
egory, 10 to classic section,
RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD
UNION LAW MINISTER
first-hand the impact of the
"Happiness Curriculum"
introduced by the AAP gov-
ernment.
The AAP and the BJP locked
horns over CM Kejriwal and
Deputy CM Sisodia being
dropped from Melania
Trump's proposed visit to a
Delhi government school.
The AAP camp accused the
BJP-led Centre of dropping its
two top leaders from this
event.
Taking on the Narendra
Modi government, AAP's
National Executive member
Preeti Sharma Menon in a
tweet responded to media
reports, saying that "There is
no match for the pettiness of
Narendra Modi. You may not
invite Arvind Kejriwal, Man-
ish Sisodia, but their work
speaks for them."
Though there was no offi-
cial reaction from the Delhi
government over the row, a
series of tweets by Sisodia,
credited with educational
working on purifying untreat-
ed water, generating gases that
run these sewage plants, and
extracting waste from the
water which can be made
into compost for agricultur-
al use. Our focus is solely on
eliminating water pollution
from the city." The newly-
appointed environment min-
ister, Rai also said the treat-
ment of Najafgarh and Shah-
dara drains was under process.
These two drains contribute
about 60 per cent of the total
pollution load being dis-
charged into the Yamuna
river in Delhi. Under the treat-
ment process, the Delhi gov-
ernment is implementing the
Interceptor Sewer Project
(ISP) in six packages under
which the waste water flow-
ing in these drains will be
trapped and diverted to
STPs for treatment. The ISP
is likely to be completed by
31 March this year, and then
it will come into operation.
DEEPAK
20 to the post-War section,
and 44 to the category of oth-
ers.
On the significance of
the rally, one of the event's
judges, Indermeet Singh
said, "The event has been
organised to raise aware-
ness about cars' history and
reform in Delhi schools, indi-
cated the AAP government's
unhappiness over it.
Sisodia said “Happiness
Class” is “the solution to all
hate and narrow minded-
ness”.
“Education is meaningless
without happiness. I am
happy that Delhi govt schools
are showing a path to the
world. And the world is curi-
ous to know what we are
doing in happiness class,”
he said.
Earlier in the day, Sisodia
told reporters that the Delhi
government had received a
request about Melania's visit
to a government school. "If
she (Melania) wants to come
(to a government school),
we welcome her,” he said.
Expressing anguish over
exclusion of names of the
two leaders from the event,
AAP spokesperson Saurabh
Bharadwaj said it has been a
“protocol” and “convention”
that the state leaders are pre-
The minister suggested
close interaction with the
Delhi Jal Board to ensure that
the waste water trapped in ISPs
is treated to meet the standards
that were observed in the
STP situated at the Delhi
Gate. This will help ensure
establishment of good qual-
ity water treatment mecha-
nisms across Delhi in the
long-run.
Rai had chaired a high-
level meeting with the offi-
cials of the Delhi govern-
ment's environment depart-
ment and the Delhi Pollution
Control Committee to for-
mulate action plans on resolv-
ing environmental issues.
Several meetings and visits
have been planned over the
next few days to oversee the
functioning of pollution mon-
itoring bodies in the city.
A roundtable conference
will also be held at the Delhi
Secretariat on 27 February on
the issue.
India's cultural heritage."
Another judge, Pramod
Bhasin, said, "Vintage cars
should be kept in a safe
environment and covered
area and should be used
regularly so that the vehicles
remain in a good condition.
The event will help highlight
the significance of this valu-
able treasure."
Appasaheb Allur, who is
also a judge for the rally,
said, "The originality of the
vehicle kept as a vintage car
should be preserved so that
it gives a clear idea of the era
it belongs to."
The rally will be flagged
off at 9.30 am tomorrow
from Statesman House,
Barakhamba Road, by New
Delhi Municipal Council
(NDMC) chairman Dhar-
mendra.
The participating vehicles
are scheduled to line up at
this venue at 8 am before
being given a go-ahead to
move to Noida and return to
the National Stadium, India
Gate, via the Noida Amity
University route.
The prizes will be dis-
tributed by DDA vice chair-
man Tarun Kapoor in the
afternoon following the
arrival of the cars at the
National Stadium after cov-
ering their pre-decided route.
NEW DELHI, 23 FEBRUARY 2020
sent when any foreign dig-
nitary attends events in their
states.
He also alleged that the
names of Kejriwal and Siso-
dia have been dropped from
the guest list at the behest of
the BJP-led Centre.
The BJP said there should
be no "petty politics" on such
major occasions.
Addressing a press con-
ference at the BJP head-
quarters, BJP spokesperson
Sambit Patra said, "Petty pol-
itics should not be played on
important occasions. The
government of India repre-
sents all Indians and politi-
cal affiliations should not
count on such an occasion."
Patra maintained that
"there should not be petty pol-
itics" over such matters.
“India comes under dis-
repute if we start pulling each
other's legs. The Modi gov-
ernment doesn't influence the
US, as to whom they invite or
not,” he claimed.
ED raids multiple
premises in Noida
Bike Bot ponzi scam
PTI
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
The Enforcement Directorate
on Saturday conducted
searches at around a dozen
locations in Delhi and Uttar
Pradesh in connection with
its money laundering probe
against a Noida-based firm
alleged to be involved in a
ponzi scam, officials said.
They said the raids are
being conducted at about
12 premises in Delhi, Noida
and Lucknow under the Pre-
vention of Money Launder-
ing Act (PMLA) in connection
with the 'Bike Bot' case.
The searches are aimed to
collect additional evidence
and documents to take for-
ward the probe in the case,
the officials said.
The Greater Noida-head-
quartered Bike Bot taxi ser-
vice is accused of duping Rs
3,000 to Rs 4,000 crore from
2.25 lakh investors in multi-
ple states including Uttar
Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,
Rajasthan and Haryana.
Over a dozen company
officials including the chief
of Bike Bot company, Sanjay
Bhati, have been sent behind
bars by the Noida Police.
A few others wanted in the
case are absconding.
The Garvit Innovative Pro-
moters Limited (GIPL) com-
pany in Greater Noida had
come out with multi-level
marketing scheme “Bike Bot”
and lured investors with a
Shaheen Bagh road opened,
blocked again: Delhi Police
PTI
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
A stretch of the road closed
for over two months in Sha-
heen Bagh due to an anti-cit-
izenship law protest was
“opened” by a group of
demonstrators on Saturday,
only to be closed after some
time, police said.
“Road number 9 in Sha-
heen Bagh was reopened by
a group of protesters, but later
it was closed by another
group,” Deputy Commis-
sioner of Police (Southeast)
R P Meena said.
Protestors claimed that
they “opened” the stretch,
which would allow passage
to commuters between Noida
and South Delhi, at around
5 pm near the protest site, but
the Delhi police and the
Noida police were continu-
ing to barricade it from one
side.
The road, which connects
Noida to south east Delhi and
further to Faridabad in
Haryana, was closed for traf-
fic in the wake of the anti-Cit-
izenship (Amendment) Act
(CAA) protest at Shaheen
Bagh since December 15.
The development came
after three days of talks
between the Supreme Court-
appointed interlocutors --
senior advocates Sanjay
Hegde and Sadhana
Ramachandran --and the
protesters over the issue of
difficulty to commuters due
to blocking of roads.
According to the police,
the protesters briefly opened
a small portion of a road
leading to Kalindi Kunj so that
locals can pass through it with
their two wheelers.
The Noida Traffic Police,
however, also continued the
restrictions on the Uttar
Pradesh side of the road, an
official told PTI.
“It was being alleged
repeatedly that the protes-
tors have blocked the Kalin-
The Greater Noida-
headquartered Bike
Bot taxi service is
accused of duping Rs
3,000 to Rs 4,000
crore from 2.25 lakh
investors in multiple
states including Uttar
Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Rajasthan
and Haryana.
promise of double returns in
an year.
They sought Rs 62,100 in
investment for a motorcycle
taxi and assured monthly
returns besides double the
investment amount in just one
year but failed to deliver on
the promise, as per the police.
The bike-taxis have been
operating in districts like
Gautam Buddh Nagar, Ghazi-
abad, Hapur and Buland-
shahr in western Uttar
Pradesh, while its network was
also active in states like
Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh,
Haryana, among others, offi-
cials said.
The company had used
internet, social media, pam-
phlets, and motivators to
spread word about the scheme
and encourage gullible peo-
ple to invest in it.
The investors would be fur-
ther assured of some extra
bonus if they could connect
more investors with the
scheme.
03
di Kunj road, which leads to
Noida Sector 37. So, today it
was decided that this alle-
gation has to be done away
with and the route was
opened,” Sonu Warsi, a pro-
testor, said.
“The decision was also
taken to give a gift to the
Supreme Court-appointed
interlocutors, whose inter-
action and mediation has
helped reopen the case. We
have opened the road and it
is now up to the Delhi Police
and UP police to decide
which vehicles they will
allow,” he added.
After the talks on Friday,
Hegde had said the protest-
ers, in principle, were not fun-
damentally against open-
ing of the non-protest side
of the road if their security
could be guaranteed in writ-
ing by the Delhi Police under
suitable orders of the apex
court.
“We will not be holding a
public interaction tomor-
row to enable the protesters
to come to an independent
conclusion as to the way
forward. We will return on
Sunday only if we deem it nec-
essary and feasible to do
so,” he had said.
Shaheen
protesters
understand
rights but not
duties: Naqvi
PTI
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
Minority Affairs Minister
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on
Saturday termed the Sha-
heen Bagh protest against
CAA an an example of the
struggle between rights and
duties of the people.
“They (protesters) under-
stand their rights but not
their duties. I do not think
one can achieve their rights
by abducting (blocking) a
road,” Naqvi said at Indian
Student Parliament event
held at Vigyan Bhawan here.
“We will always be caught
up in confusion if we do not
understand our rights and
duties,” he said.
The protest against Cit-
izenship Amendment Act
(CAA), primarily by local
women, started in Shaheen
Bagh in mid December, has
led to blocking of a road con-
necting southeast Delhi
areas to Noida causing daily
hardships to commuters.
04
NEW DELHI, 23 FEBRUARY 2020
Jai Ram: Himachal committed to
double farmers income by 2022
STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE
SHIMLA, 22 FEBRUARY
C
hief Minister Jai Ram
Thakur today said
the state government
has initiated various
innovative schemes to dou-
ble farmers’ income by 2022
as envisioned by Prime Min-
ister Narendra Modi and rear-
ing of milch animals could play
an important role in it.
Addressing a public meet-
ing at Balh in Mandi district,
Thakur said state cooperative
milk producers federation
(MILKFED) has a capacity of
collecting up to 1 lakh litres
of milk which needed to be
increased.
“In a developed country,
the base of the rural econo-
my is animal husbandry and
the farmers by going for best
breed of cows could increase
their income manifold,” he
said.
He appreciated the efforts
of MILKFED in diversifying its
activities as this would not only
ensure increase in its rev-
Oppn slams Punjab DGP for
Kartarpur Corridor remark
STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE
CHANDIGARH, 22 FEBRUARY
The Opposition Shiromani
Akali Dal (SAD) and Aam
Aadmi Party (AAP) today con-
demned Punjab Director
General of Police (DGP) Dinkar
Gupta’s purported statement
that pilgrims going to Pakistan
through Kartarpur Corridor
could be trained for terror
activities.
While the SAD said if a clar-
ification was not issued, the
party will stall proceedings of
the budget session of the
Assembly on 24 February,
the AAP, too, lashed out at the
DGP, terming the statement
condemnable and seeking
the removal of the top cop.
SAD senior leader Bikram
Singh Majithia alleged that
DGP Gupta told a national
daily that "Kartarpur offers a
potential that you send some-
body in the morning as an
ordinary chap and by evening
he comes back as trained
terrorist actually. You are
there for six hours, you can
be taken to a firing range, you
can be taught to make an IED".
The DGP also reportedly
said some elements based in
the neighbouring country
were "trying to woo the pil-
grims and making overtures
to them".
"I condemn the statement
in the strongest possible
words. I do not think it is the
statement given by the Pun-
jab DGP, I see this coming from
the Congress headquarters
because this DGP was hand-
picked by overlooking several
senior officers," alleged
Majithia.
Majithia also dubbed the
statement a "deep rooted
LEISURE
10 MINUTE CROSSWORD
ACROSS DOWN
1 Lock-opener (3) 1 Japanese robe (6)
3 Gaming stake (4) 2 Alpine singing effect
9 Obstetrics nurse (7) (5)
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12 Wishy-washy (7) 6 Outdoor meal (6)
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17 Storm (7) 8 In this way (4)
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(Informal) (5)
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brate (7) 17 Lukewarm (5)
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SOLUTIONS TO YESTERDAY’S CROSSWORD
ACROSS 12 Butterflies, DOWN
1 Seek, 14 Pass, 1 Shoes,
3 Wind 16 Tick off, 2 Extract,
18 Separate, 3 Win,
(Sequined), 20 Drug, 4 Neigh,
7 Colt,
21 Used, 5 Accident,
8 Confined, 22 Brie. 6 Senses,
9 Stamina, 10 Affected,
11 Host,
By arrangement with The Independent
Figures in parentheses denote
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enue but also help the farm-
ers by offering them more
effective services.
The CM said the state gov-
ernment was also promoting
indigenous breed of cattle
so that the farmers could get
high milk producing cows. The
state government was also pro-
moting natural farming so that
people could be motivated to
DGP clarifies statement
STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE
CHANDIGARH, 22 FEBRUARY
With Opposition parties con-
demning Punjab Director
General of Police (DGP) Dinkar
Gupta’s purported statement
that pilgrims going to Pakistan
through Kartarpur Corridor
could be trained for terror activ-
ities, the DGP today expressed
shock and outrage over his
remarks being misunder-
stood or being willfully mis-
construed.
In a statement, Gupta said,
“I rejoiced at the opening of
the Kartarpur Sahib Corri-
dor which has fulfilled the
decades-old aspirations of
millions of devotees like myself
all over the world who profess
their faith in Guru Nanak Dev
and his divine teachings.
He said the state govern-
ment and all its agencies,
including Punjab Police,
worked with great devotion
and commitment to suc-
cessfully observe the his-
toric event.
“As the state DGP, I assure
that we will continue to strive
to work towards facilitating
trouble-free access to the
holy shrine of Sri Kartarpur
Sahib,” he said.
Gupta also said that, as the
DGP of the state, which is faced
with a continuing battle against
violent extremism that con-
tinues to be funded and sup-
conspiracy" of the Congress
to paint every Sikh pilgrim a
"terrorist".
"As many as 52,098 pil-
grims have so far paid obei-
sance at the Kartarpur gur-
BEETLE BAILEY/Mort Walker
RED EYE/Bill Yates & Mel Casson
DADDY DAZE/John Kovaleski
12 Beaten,
13 In order,
15 Stays,
17 Flute,
19 Aid.
rear cattle. “The state gov-
ernment has also constitut-
ed a Gau Sanrakshan board-
ing in the state, besides sev-
eral cow sanctuaries are being
opened in different parts of
the state,” he said.
Thakur said the Lal
Bahadur Shastri Government
Medical College Ner Chowk,
Mandi, was fast emerging as
ported from across the bor-
der, he cannot overemphasise
the need to remain vigilant.
"I only red-flagged the
obvious ‘potential’ for misuse
by elements notorious for
their hostility towards India
and their effort to exploit
every opportunity, even the
most pious one, to disturb
peace and communal har-
mony”, he said.
Gupta said his remarks at
the Indian Express event were
strictly pertaining to the secu-
rity and safety of Punjab and
India. There was absolutely no
reference to any religion or
community in his remarks but
simply that some anti-nation-
al elements based in hostile
neighborhood could misuse
and exploit this opportunity
and, therefore, “we” need to
be vigilant to such potential
dangers in the interest of
peace and security of the
people of the State, who, he
said, had already suffered a lot
in the past at the hands of ter-
rorism promoted by our hos-
tile neighbour.
The DGP said that he was
personally there when the
first pilgrim crossed the bor-
der at Dera Baba Nanak, to visit
Sri Kartarpur Sahib in Novem-
ber 2019.
In the four months since,
the Punjab Police has facili-
tated more than 51,000 devo-
tees.
dwara. Please check us and
see which one of them became
terrorist," asked Majithia,
alleging that they (Congress)
were trying to get the corri-
dor shut.
The youth will lead India and enable the nation to achieve
its goal of becoming a Vishwa Guru. With higher goals and
broad vision they can achieve this goal
Virtual classroom facility launched
STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE
SHIMLA, 22 FEBRUARY
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur
today inaugurated virtual
classroom facility at Vallabh
Government Degree College
Mandi to help students get
better education.
Thakur interacted with the
teachers and students of
the premier medical college
of the region and the state gov-
ernment was committed to
strengthen it.
Himachal today has six
medical colleges in govern-
ment sector alone and AIIMS
is coming up in Bilaspur dis-
trict.
Thakur laid the foundation
stone of tertiary cancer care
centre at Lal Bahadur Shas-
tri Government Medical Col-
lege Ner Chowk today which
would cater to health care
needs of over 25 lakh popu-
Mandi Shivratri Fair kicks off with fanfare
STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE
SHIMLA, 22 FEBRUARY
The week-long Internation-
al Mandi Shivaratri Fair start-
ed with much fanfare today
with a Sobha Yatra from Shri
Raj Madhav Temple to Pad-
dal Mela Ground in Mandi.
The fair was inaugurated
by Chief Minister Jai Ram
Thakur, who presided over the
opening ceremony and said
it was vital to respect tradi-
tion and culture as only those
societies thrive that respect
and love their culture.
“Mandi Shivratri not only
reflects the deep faith of the
people in their Gods and
Goddesses, but it provides an
opportunity to the people for
socialising,” he said, adding
that the fair has also emerged
as the major hub for com-
mercial activities.
Thakur said in the present
era of cut-throat competition,
Kotli, Dharampur, Lambat-
hach, Thachi, Nihri and Dehar
Colleges through virtual class-
rooms.
He also provided laptops
to meritorious students under
the Srinivasa Ramanujan
Students Digital Yojna. As
many as twenty students
were provided laptops by
the Chief Minister.
lation of the area.
The centre would be
equipped with latest machin-
ery and equipment like lin-
ear accelerator, HDR
brachytherapy and planning
CT-simulator for the treatment
of various cancers like head
and neck, breast, cervix, lungs
and lymphoma, etc.
He added that dedicated
chemotherapy, radiothera-
py, oncosurgery and palliative
care facilities would also be
made available in this cancer
centre.
people usually have little
time to participate in the
fairs, which is a matter of con-
cern.
Himachal is known as
Dev Bhoomi as the lives of the
people of the state are deeply
influenced by the local Gods
and Goddesses. Almost all the
villages of the state have
their own temple and own
deity.
He said Mandi town was
also known as Choti Kashi as
there are over hundred tem-
ples in the town. The state gov-
ernment has spent over Rs 72
crore in providing 24-hour
drinking water supply to
Mandi town. A Shiv Dham
would also be developed in
Mandi town, besides con-
struction of Heliport to attract
the tourists to visiting the
town, he said.
“The state government is
striving hard to construct an
international airport at Balh
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RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK'
Cong for strict
monitoring of pvt
varsities in HP
SHIMLA, 22 FEBRUARY
State Congress chief Kuldeep
SinghRathoretodayexpressed
concern over selling of fake
degreesbyprivate universities
in Himachal Pradesh and
called for strict monitoring of
allprivateuniversitiesinthestate.
Rathore said the irregu-
larities in education, jobs
and transfers was a major of
cause concern as these were
denting the honest image of
Himachalatthenationallevel.
Calling for strict action on
these issues, Rathore said pri-
vate educational institutes in
the state had made the edu-
cationsectoramoneymaking
venture and they were charg-
ing hefty sums from students.
“The case of selling of
fake degrees by private uni-
versities points to the role of
influential persons in the
entire scandal and a probe
should be ordered to check
all the degrees that were dis-
tributed by them.If these
institutes are found guilty, the
state government should
cancel their recognition,” he
added. SNS
area of Mandi. A multi-storey
parking lot would be con-
structed in Mandi town,”
Thakur said.
He also announced that a
trekker hut would be con-
structed in the town to facil-
itate tourists visiting the town.
He announced Rs 20 lakh
for two ambulance roads in
the town and announced an
increase of ten per cent in the
‘Nazarana’ of the deities par-
ticipating in the Shivratri. He
also announced ten per cent
increase in honorarium of
‘Bajantaris’ on the occasion.
“Himachal is celebrating
golden jubilee year of its
statehood and during these
fifty years, the state has made
unprecedented and unpar-
alleled development in all
spheres of development.
The state government has
decided to celebrate this year
in a befitting manner, high-
lighting the achievement of
the state during the last fifty
years,” Thakur said.
The CM said the state gov-
ernment during the last two
years has started several wel-
fare and development-ori-
ented schemes for people of
the state.
Schemes such as Jan
Manch and Chief Minister
Helpline 1100 have proved a
boon to the people for redres-
sal of their grievances and
Himachal is the fifth state of
the country to start this
scheme, he added.
He said HimCare Scheme
has benefitted over 60,000 peo-
ple of the state in getting free
treatment.
“Union Government led by
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi has taken several his-
toric decisions such as abro-
gation of Article 370 from
Jammu and Kashmir, there-
by making Jammu and Kash-
mir integral part of India,” he
added.
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AROUND TOWN
ENGLISH FILM 11:50am, 2:35pm, 8:20pm, 9:40pm,
4:25pm, 5:20pm, 10:55pm.
Brahms: The Boy II
7:10pm, 8:05pm, PVR Pacific Mall -9am,
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1:10pm, 6:20pm. Director's Cut, Delhi - 5:45pm, 8:20pm,
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8:45pm. 5:15pm, 6:35pm, 8pm, PVR Shalimar Bagh -
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9:55am, 2:55pm, 10:55pm. 3:50pm, 6:25pm, 9pm,
7:50pm. PVR Rivoli -9am, 9:55pm.
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PVR MGF, Gurgaon - 11:30am, 2:15pm, 5pm, 5:25pm, 10:35pm.
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PVR MGF, Gurgaon - 7:20pm, 8:40pm, Director's Cut, Delhi -
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9:10pm. 9:50am, 12:55pm, 4pm,
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PVR Logix, Noida - PVR Select City Walk - 1:10pm, 9:50pm.
12noon. 9:10am, 1:15pm, Director's Cut, Delhi -
3:30pm, 6:35pm, 3:40pm.
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A scene from
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TODAY IN DELHI featuring Ladhaki February)
DRAMA pashmina, carpet National Gallery of
weaving, wood carving, Modern Art (NGMA) &
Habita World presents
clay pottery, hand knitted French Institute in India
"Theatre Fest -- Old garments, metal crafts,
World Collegiate Theatre present "Retrospective
traditional cusines and Exhibition of French
Festival 2020". Presenting cultural programmes,
fresh productions from Artist Gerard Garouste",
at Dilli Haat, opp INA at NGMA, Jaipur House,
Collegiate Theatre Market, 10.30 p.m. to India Gate, 11.00 a.m. to
Societies with an exciting 9.00 p.m. (till 29 8.00 p.m. (till 29 March)
new edition of Collegiate February)
choral performances. The Japan Foundation
Mandi House Metro presents "Shojo Manga",
Log on to
www.oldworldculture.co Station presents "The special event by curators
m for the schedule, at 1947 Partition Archive", of Kyoto International
Amphitheatre, India this exhibit by The 1947 Manga Museum, at
Habitat Centre, Lodhi Partition Archive explores Tenshin Okakura Gallery,
first-hand accounts with 5A Ring Road, Lajpat
Road, (till 29 February)
women who witnessed Nagar IV, (till18 April)
EXHIBITIONS the partition, at Mandi 11.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Dilli Haat presents House, 5:40 a.m. to (Closed on Sundays)
"Enchanting Ladakh", 11:30 p.m. (till 29 (till18 April)
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SUDOKU
Directions Make a 2 to
7 letter word from the
letters in each row.
Add points of each
word, using scoring
directions at right, 7-
letter words get 50- Sudoku is a number-placing
point bonus. "Blanks"
puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with
used as any letter
have no point value. several given numbers. The
All Judd's words are
in The Official object is to place the numbers 1
Scrabble Players to 9 in the empty squares so
Dictionary(Merriam-
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Official Scrabble answer to 3x3 box contains the same
Words(Chambers).
Judd's solution previous number. The difficulty level
tomorrow. puzzle increases through the week.
10-25-12

THUMBNAILS
Valley schools to reopen
on 24 Feb: Schools in the
Kashmir valley will reopen
after about seven months
on 24 February. The scho-
ols had been shut due to
tension following abroga-
tion of the Article 370 on
5 August last year. Altho-
ugh the government had
few months ago announ-
ced reopening of sch-ools,
but most parents were
af-raid of sending their
child-ren to schools also
becau-se of terror
threats. A famous school
in Srinagar reopened on
Thursday. SNS
MP man kills mother with
washing paddle: A 32-
year-old man killed his
mother and stuffed her
body in a box in Khandwa
in Madhya Pradesh after
she asked him to look for a
job, police said on Satur-
day. Santosh Patil killed his
50-year-old mother Vimla
Bai with a wooden paddle
(used to wash clothes) in
Ram Nagar locality under
Kotwali police station lim-
its on Monday and put the
body in a box, superinten-
dent of police Shivdayal
Singh said. PTI
Terrorists have
no right to
privacy: Law
minister
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
Terrorists and corrupt peo-
ple have“no right to privacy”
and these people should not
be allowed to abuse the
Internet, Union Law min-
ister Ravi Shankar Prasad
said on Saturday.
Speaking at the inaugu-
ration of the International
Judicial Conference 2020 ~
‘Judiciary and the Changing
World’, Prasad said it needs
to be acknowledged that
people who abuse the finest
creations of humankind,
one of which is the internet,
pose the biggest threats.
He said the right to pri-
vacy has been held to be a
fundamental right and the
government appreciates
that but “terrorists and the
corrupt have no right to
privacy because right to pri-
vacy has acquired critical pro-
portion in the wake of dig-
ital landscape expanding
globally”.
“This is the age of infor-
mation and information is
power.This is the age of com-
munication and commu-
nication is power,” he
explained.
The minister said the
right to privacy verdict of
the Supreme Court has
become a beacon global-
ly as it held that the right
to privacy flows from Arti-
cle 21 right to life and right
to live with dignity.
Prasad also warned about
the “sinister trend” of some
people“unleashing all forces
of criticism” if courts do not
deliver judgments in line with
their expectations.
“In a democracy, we
welcome dissent, we wel-
come populism. But we
have a problem when pop-
ulism impinges upon the
well-settled constitution-
al principles. And pop-
ulism also becomes the
problem when those reject-
ed in the popular man-
date becomes the biggest
flag-bearers of populism,”
he said. PTI
240-250 militants
active in Kashmir; 25
killed in 2020: J-K DGP
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
SRINAGAR, 22 FEBRUARY
The number of listed militants
in Kashmir has come down
to less than 250, while 25 ter-
rorists were killed by securi-
ty forces in nearly a dozen
operations in the first two
months of this year, Director
General of J&K Police Dilbag
Singh said here on Saturday.
He also said there has
been confirmation of only
three militants infiltrating
into the Valley through the
International Border so far this
year.
“The number of listed mil-
itants has come down from
what it was earlier. Around 240
After criticism, BJP says Cong playing
spoilsport in improving Indo-US ties
BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra held the Cong responsible for lack of improvement in bilateral ties between US & India over 70 years
STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
W
ith the Congress
party going all
out against the
Centre for
allegedly spending crores of
rupees in preparation for US
President Donald Trump’s
day- and-a-half long visit to
India from 24 February, the BJP
today hit back, accusing the
Congress of playing spoil-
sport in improving bilateral ties
between the two countries.
Addressing a press confer-
ence here, BJP national
spokesperson Sambit Patra
held the Congress party respon-
sible for lack of improvement
in bilateral relations between
the US and India over the last
70 years.
“During the last 70 years,
what were the deliverables to
the US, this has been asked by
President Trump many times
in his own inimitable manner.
What more proof does Con-
gress want that if Indo-US
Guj faces embarrassment
ahead of Trump visit
STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, 22 FEBRUARY
Ahead of US President Don-
ald Trump’s maiden visit
to India, a series of embar-
ra s s m e n t s h a s h i t t h e
Gujarat government which
has spent more than Rs 100
crores for extending the
red carpet.
First, it was the cancel-
lation of Trump’s visit to
Mahatma Gandhi’s Sabar-
mati Ashram, a compulso-
ry stop-over for all dignitaries
from across continents
including the likes of Nelson
Mandela.
Even as the authorities are
hard pressed to offer a valid
explanation for the US Pres-
ident dropping the Mahat-
ma’s Ashram from his itin-
erary, the last surviving
Gandhians are hurt but
remain tight-lipped on the
issue.
While one inmate of the
Sabarmati Ashram told The
Statesman that skipping the
Ashram visit would be com-
pensated by Trump showing
up at the Rajghat in Delhi,
other theories attribute the
change in itinerary to the first
lady Melania Trump’s insis-
tence to watch the sunset at
Taj Mahal in Agra.
It is true that the Sabar-
mati Ashram trustees had
rejected the US security
agencies’ demand for clos-
ing the premises to all visi-
tors one day prior to the Pres-
to 250 listed militants are
there in the valley,” the DGP
said, adding that in the last
two months, the number of
reported and confirmed infil-
trated militants is three. “One
of them a JeM militant was
killed in an operation in Tral
recently,” Singh added.
He said nearly a dozen
successful operations have
taken place till now in 2020,
which included 10 in the
Kashmir valley and two in
the Jammu region. “Till now,
25 terrorists have been killed
in these operations. Nine ter-
rorist operatives have been
arrested in the valley, while
three or four in Jammu,” he
said.
Trump’s Guj visit: Priyanka questions over panel funding
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
Congress leader Priyanka
Gandhi Vadra on Saturday
raised questions over the
funding of the committee
formed to oversee various
programmes during US Pres-
ident Donald Trump's
Ahmedabad visit on 24 Feb-
ruary.
Tagging a media report on
Twitter, she wondered what
the government is “hiding
under the guise” of the com-
mittee. “Rs 100 crore is being
spent on the visit of President
Trump. But this money is
relations did not improve then
the party is responsible for it,”
Patra said. He asked the Con-
gress what made the party so
unhappy as India’s stature is
being raised globally thanks
ident’s visit, but there is no
confirmation about whether
that can be attributed to
Trump not stopping over
at the Mahatma’s ‘Karmab-
hoomi’.
On the other hand, amidst
confusion over who is the
organiser of the “Namaste
Trump” event, Chief Minis-
ter Vijay Rupani hurriedly
announced only on yester-
day afternoon that city Mayor
Bijal Patel is the chairperson
of the Donald Trump Nagarik
Abhivadan Samiti.
Eminent architect B V
Doshi is the only person in
the samiti who is not direct-
ly connected to the ruling
BJP.
Though the hype over the
Trump visit quickly brought
all required civic utilities per-
missions to the still unfinished
Motera Cricket Stadium,
Gujarat Cricket Association
(GCA) has clarified that the
event there is not its formal
inauguration.
Meanwhile, hundreds of
vehicles and mini buses
requisitioned from Delhi,
Haryana and Uttar Pradesh
have flooded the city roads
for ferrying the security peo-
ple and others to the venue
and roadshow.
Hectic efforts are on for
arranging breakfast, lunch
and water to the people
who are being issued pass-
es for attending the “Namaste
Trump” event and the road-
show on Monday.
India prepared to bring back cheetah: Wildlife experts
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
GANDHINAGAR, 22 FEBRUARY
India is prepared to bring
back the cheetah, which
became extinct 70 years ago,
as the species’ protected areas
have been restored, accord-
ing to wildlife experts.
The country is in a condi-
tion where it is economical-
ly possible to restore lost her-
itage, Wildlife Institute of India
(WWI) senior scientist Y V
Jhala said at a session of the
13th Conference of Parties to
the Convention on Conser-
vation of Migratory Species and
Wild Animals.
In January, the Supreme
Court had allowed the gov-
ernment to introduce the
African cheetah to a suitable
habitat in the country on an
Why is the Congress party unhappy when India’s
stature is being raised globally?
BJP NATIONAL SPOKESPERSON SAMBIT PATRA
ADDRESSING A PRESS CONFERENCE IN NEW DELHI
being spent through a com-
mittee. The members of the
committee do not know that
they are its members. Does
the country not have the
right to know which ministry
gave how much money to the
committee? What is the gov-
to India’s improving relations
with US. “Why is the Congress
party unhappy when India’s
stature is being raised globally?
Whenever there is happiness
in the air, why is the Congress
‘Trump will raise issue of religious freedom with Modi’
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
WASHINGTON, 22 FEBRUARY
President Donald Trump will
raise the issue of religious
freedom with Prime Minister
Narendra Modi during his
visit to India next week, the
White House said, noting that
the US has great respect for
India's democratic traditions
and institutions and will con-
tinue to encourage it to uphold
those values.
Ahead of Trump's first visit
to India, The United States
Commission on International
Religious Freedom, a bipar-
tisan American federal enti-
ty, published a 'factsheet',
claiming that the Citizenship
(Amendment) Act (CAA) rep-
resents a significant downturn
in religious freedom in India.
“President Trump will talk
about our shared tradition of
democracy and religious free-
dom both in his public remarks
and then certainly in private.
No discovery of 3000-tonne gold ‘Traditional media should
introspect on its role in society’
deposits in UP’s Sonbhadra: GSI
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
KOLKATA/SONBHADRA (UP), 22
FEBRUARY
The Geological Survey of India
(GSI) on Saturday said there
has been no discovery of gold
deposits estimated to be around
3,000 tonnes in Sonbhadra
district of Uttar Pradesh, as
claimed by a district mining
official.
“Such data was not given
by anybody from GSI.... GSI has
not estimated such kind of vast
resource of gold deposits in
Sonbhadra district,” GSI Direc-
tor General (DG) M Sridhar told
PTI in Kolkata this evening.
“We share our findings
regarding any resources of ore
after conducting survey with
the state units.... We (GSI,
Northern Region) had carried
out work in that region in
1998-99 and 1999-2000. The
report was shared with UP
DGM for information and fur-
ther necessary action,” he
said.
The exploration works of the
experimental basis to see
whether it can adapt to Indi-
an conditions.
Stating that the rare Indi-
an cheetah is almost extinct
in the country, the National
Tiger Conservation Authori-
ty (NTCA) had sought the
court’s permission to relo-
cate the African cheetah from
Namibia.
“The main cause behind
losing the cheetah has been
historical hunting coupled
with population growth with
loss of the prime habitat of
cheetahs to agriculture,” Jhala
said at the session hosted by
the Wildlife Conservation
Society.
“Now that India is in a
condition where it is eco-
nomically possible to restore
our lost heritage, we have
ernment hiding under the
guise of the committee?”
the Congress general secre-
tary tweeted.
The Congress also took a
swipe at the 'Donald Trump
Nagrik Abhinandan Samiti'
with a parody advertisement
on its official Twitter handle.
The poster read 'hiring
now' for job of “waving at US
President Donald Trump”.
It also said that the vacan-
cies were 69 lakh and remu-
neration would be “achche
din”.
“69 lakh vacancies of the
2 crore promised by Modi ji
have been announced. Apply
party unhappy?” the
spokesperson asked. He said
it did not behove the Congress
party to question the govern-
ment when India has assumed
an important position in the
He will raise these issues,
particularly the religious free-
dom issue, which is extreme-
ly important to this admin-
istration,” a senior official at
the White House told reporters
in a conference call on Friday.
The official was respond-
ing to a question on whether
the president was planning to
speak to Prime Minister Modi
on the CAA or the National
Register of Citizens (NRC).
According to the CAA,
members of Hindu, Sikh,
Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and
Christian communities who
have come from Pakistan,
Bangladesh and Afghanistan
till December 31, 2014 fol-
lowing religious persecution
there will get Indian citizen-
ship.
The NRC has been pre-
pared to identify genuine
Indian citizens living in Assam
since March 24, 1971, or
before, and identify illegal
Bangladeshi migrants in the
GSI for gold was not satisfac-
tory and the results were not
encouraging to come up with
major resources for gold in
Sonbhadra district, he added.
Sonbhadra district mining
officer K K Rai had said on Fri-
day that the gold deposits
were found in Son Pahadi and
Hardi areas of the district.
The deposits in Son Paha-
di are estimated to be around
2,943.26 tonnes, while that at
Hardi block are around 646.16
kilogram, the official said.
Rejecting the claim, Srid-
har said that in its report after
exploration in the district “the
GSI has estimated a probable
restored all the protected
areas where cheetahs can be
brought back to,” said Jhala,
who also heads the WWI’s
NEW DELHI, 23 FEBRUARY 2020
now. Hurry!” the party said
in a tweet. Meanwhile, the
committee headed by
Ahmedabad mayor Bijal Patel
held its first meeting at the
Circuit House in Ahmed-
abad on Saturday.
The formation of the com-
mittee, first announced as
Donald Trump Nagarik
Abhivadan Samiti by Ministry
of External Affairs spokesper-
son Raveesh Kumar, had
drawn flak from the Congress.
Congress spokesperson
Randeep Surjewala had asked
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi to explain who all are
in this Samiti.
US' global scheme of things.
“Close cooperation with
the White House has ensured
that India remains the front
and centre of Trump’s White
House strategic blue-
state. It was conducted in the
state on the directions of the
Supreme Court.
“We do have this shared
commitment to upholding
our universal values, the rule
of law. We have great respect
for India's democratic tradi-
tions and institutions, and we
will continue to encourage
India to uphold those tradi-
tions,” the White House offi-
cial said, requesting anonymi-
ty.
“And we are concerned
with some of the issues that
you have raised,” the senior
administration official said,
in response to the question on
CAA and NRC.
The Indian government
has been emphasising that the
new law will not deny any cit-
izenship rights, but has been
brought to protect the
oppressed minorities of neigh-
bouring countries and give
them citizenship.
It has maintained that the
category resource of 52,806.25
tonnes of ore with 3.03 grams
per tonne gold (average grade)
for a strike length of 170m in
Sub- Block-H, Son Pahadi of
Sonbhadra district of Uttar
Pradesh”.
“The mineralised zone hav-
ing an average grade of 3.03
grams per tonne of gold is
tentative in nature and the total
gold which can be extracted
from the total resource of
52,806.25 tonnes of ore is
approximately 160 kg and
not 3,350 tonnes as mentioned
in the media,” the DG clarified.
The GSI is headquartered
in Kolkata.
tiger team.
Restorative ecology is a
global norm and “we try to get
back what we have lost,” he
print…..Today India has been
at the front and centre of any
decision of the White House.
It is a matter of pride for
us…My advice to Congress is
– start taking pride in the
nation’s achievements…In every
nation’s case time comes when
political parties set aside their
petty identities and think as
a nation. This is one such
occasion when one of the
largest democracies of the
world will be meeting one
the oldest democracies of the
world,” Patra said.
He said India and the US
had been engaged in dia-
logues at the highest forums
such as ‘two plus two’ and ‘mini
two plus two’. In a jab at the
Congress party he asked if
the Congress party ever allowed
then PM Manmohan Singh to
develop rapport with various
global leaders. “BJP takes this
opportunity to question the
Congress party as to what did
it have to say in defence. What
did they achieve after 26/11?’
Patra asked
CAA is an internal matter of
the country and stressed that
the goal is to protect the
oppressed minorities of neigh-
bouring countries.
On the issue of NRC, Prime
Minister Narendra Modi last
month said his government
has never discussed the NRC
since coming to power for the
first time in 2014 and it was
done only in Assam.
“I think the President will
talk about these issues in his
meetings with Prime Minis-
ter Modi and note that the
world is looking to India to con-
tinue to uphold its demo-
cratic traditions, respect for
religious minorities,” the offi-
cial said. “Of course, it's in the
Indian Constitution ~ reli-
gious freedom, respect for
religious minorities, and equal
treatment of all religions. So
this is something that is impor-
tant to the president and I'm
sure it will come up,” said the
official. PTI
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
BENGALURU, 22 FEBRUARY
President Ram Nath Kovind
on Saturday asked the tradi-
tional media to introspect
on its role in society in the face
of the new media,driven by
the internet and social media,
to earn the reader's full trust
again.
“The new media is fast
and popular and people can
choose what they want to
watch, hear or read.
But only the traditional
media has, over the years,
developed skills to authenti-
cate a news report, and that
is a costly operation,” he said
in his inaugural speech at
the fourth edition of 'The
Huddle' by English daily The
Hindu.
The President said the tra-
ditional media would have to
introspect on its role in soci-
ety and find ways to earn the
reader's full trust again.
“The project of democra-
cy is incomplete without
informed citizens which
means, without unbiased
said.
Historical threats in pro-
tected areas have been negat-
ed and it is time to consider
bringing back the cheetah to
the subcontinent, Jhala said.
“With economic means,
political will..., the govern-
ment’s initiative to bring the
cheetahs is strengthened fur-
ther,” he said.
Inspector General of Forests
at the Union Forest Ministry
Soumitra Dasgupta said he was
hopeful that the reintroduc-
tion of the cheetah in the
subcontinent will take place
soon.
“It is interesting to talk
about a species that has had
its downs and upcoming ups.
It is a fantastic occasion and
an opportunity for India to
showcase some of the good
05
Narendra Modi
won’t accompany
Trumps to Taj: Govt
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
The government today denied
reports that Prime Minister
Narendra Modi would accom-
pany President Donald Trump
and First Lady Melania to the
Taj Mahal in Agra on Monday.
Officials sources said the
visit to the Taj Mahal would
afford the US President and
the First Lady an opportuni-
ty to view the historical mon-
ument suitably. “Therefore,
no official engagements or
presence of senior digni-
taries from the Indian side is
envisaged there,” sources
said. PM Modi will welcome
President Trump and the
First Lady in Ahmedabad,
where a public reception will
be accorded the American
leader. Modi will also host the
couple in New Delhi, where
official engagements are
scheduled for 25 February.
The US President and First
Lady Melania Trump will
lead a 12-member delegation
to Ahmedabad, Agra and
New Delhi during the 24-25
February trip to India.
The visiting American del-
egation includes Commerce
Secretary Wilbur Ross, Ener-
gy Secretary Dan Brouillette,
Acting Chief of Staff Mick
Mulvaney and National Secu-
rity Advisor Robert O' Brien.
Trump's daughter Ivanka,
and son-in-law Jared Kush-
ner, who serve as Assistant to
the President and Senior
Adviser to the President
respectively, will also be vis-
iting India.
Senior advisors to the
President Stephen Miller,
Dan Scavino, Chief of Staff to
the First Lady Lindsay Reyn-
olds, Assistant to the Presi-
dent and Special Represen-
tative for International Tele-
communication Policy and
Senior Adviser to the Chief of
Staff Robert Blair, and White
House Press Secretary Step-
hanie Grisham are the other
members of the delegation.SNS
journalism,” he said.
Speaking about the new
media, the President said
rapidly evolving Information
Technology has impacted
journalism in all its aspects,
from news gathering to deliv-
ering news to readers and
finally making money to sus-
tain the activity.
The internet and social
media have democratised
journalism and revitalized
democracy, said Kovind,
adding that it has also led to
many anxieties.
In this context, only the tra-
ditional media remains
authentic.
deeds we have done in species
conservation,” he said.
“We are proud that India
has something for conserva-
tion of any species you name,”
Dasgupta said.
Unfortunately, there is one
species that “we have lost,
that is the cheetah”, he said.
“We are hopeful that the
introduction of the cheetah in
the Indian subcontinent will
take place soon. Under the
instructions of the apex court,
a committee comprising of an
expert has been constituted.
“This committee will be
working, suggesting and rec-
ommending introduction of
the cheetah in India and the
process will be taken forward
by the National Tiger Con-
servation Authority,” Das-
gupta said.
06
We have strived at every turn, not just as a judicial institution
but also as a citizenry to keep these basic ideals intact
CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA S A BOBDE
NEW DELHI, 23 FEBRUARY 2020 SPEAKING AT THE INTERNATIONAL JUDGES' CONFERENCE

People belied fears on key verdicts: Modi Manipur University VC

dismissed over irregularities
In apparent reference to Ayodhya judgment, PM lauded how ‘1.3 billion Indians’ accepted recent critical judicial verdicts PTI istry on Friday dismissed
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY Pandey after an inquiry. In
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA sions were being expressed ing 1,500 archaic laws and an inquiry report, he was
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY about the consequences. But said, “Speed has been demon- Manipur University Vice found indulging in “financial
look what happened! 1.3 bil- strated not only in doing Chancellor Adya Prasad and administrative irregu-

P
rime Minister Naren-
dra Modi Saturday
said “1.3 billion Indi-
ans” have disregard-
ed apprehensions and “whole-
heartedly” accepted recent
critical judicial verdicts which
were subjects of global dis-
cussion.
Speaking at the inaugural
function of the Internation-
al Judicial Conference 2020
'Judiciary and the Changing
World' at the Supreme Court,
Modi spoke about recent cru-
cial judgments, in an appar-
ent reference to path-break-
ing verdicts including in the
politically-sensitive Ayodhya
case.
The Prime Minister said no
country or society in the world
can claim to achieve holistic
development without gen-
der justice and referred to
laws on transgenders, 'triple
talaq' and on the rights of
'Divyang' (persons with dis-
abilities). He said the gov-
ernment has also taken steps
to give rights to women in mil-
itary service and in providing
paid maternity leave for 26
weeks.
He also hailed the Indian
judiciary for redefining envi-
ronmental jurisprudence to
strike a balance between
development and ecological
protection. Modi, while
emphasising on the use of
technology and the internet,
said it would help in proce-
dural management of courts
and would benefit the justice
delivery system to a large
extent. He also referred to
synchronisation of artificial
intelligence with human wis-
dom and said it would bring
“speed to delivery of justice”.
“In addition, in the chang-
ing times, issues like data
protection, cyber crimes pose
new challenges for the judi-
ciary,” he said in his inaugu-
ral address.“In recent times,
there have been some criti-
cal judicial judgements and
decisions which have been the
subject of global discussion.
Before these judgements were
delivered, several apprehen-
lion Indians wholeheartedly
accepted the judicial ver-
dicts,” Modi said.
He said it is going to be a
decade of remarkable changes
across the world which will
impact all frontiers, be it
society, economy, or tech-
nology, and these changes
need to be rational as well as
just and fair.
Talking about the contri-
bution of Mahatma Gandhi,
the Prime Minister said,
“Gandhiji's life was dedicat-
ed to the cause of truth and
service, which are the foun-
dational tenets for any sys-
tem of justice and as you all
know, he was himself a bar-
rister and belonged to the fra-
ternity of lawyers”. Hailing a
vibrant judiciary, legislature
and executive, the PM said,
“Respecting each other's
jurisdiction and dignity, these
three pillars of the Consti-
tution have resolved vari-
ous challenges faced by the
country on several occa-
sions.
“We are proud of having
developed such a rich tradi-
tion in India. In the last five
years, various institutions
of India have further strength-
ened this tradition”.
He also referred to the
Centre's endeavour in repeal-
away with irrelevant laws
but also in enacting new leg-
islations aimed at strength-
ening the social fabric”. The
Indian Constitution guar-
antees gender justice under
the provisions of the right to
equality, Modi said, adding
that India is “among few
nations which has ensured
the right to vote for women
since independence”.He also
referred to his government's
flagship programme 'Beti
Bachao Beti Padhao' to stress
the steps taken by it to
empower women.“Similarly,
the government has brought
about many changes, whether
it be the appointment of
women in military service or
in the selection process of
fighter pilots or regarding
their freedom to work in the
mines at night,” he said.
He referred to India's eco-
nomic growth and said that
five-six years ago, India was
the 11th largest economy of
the world.“According to a
report which appeared just
3-4 days ago, today India is
the fifth largest economy of
the world. Thus, India has
shown that infrastructure
development can happen
simultaneously with the pro-
tection of environment,” he
said.
Pandey was dismissed by
the government following
complaints of financial and
administrative irregulari-
ties, according to an HRD
Ministry order.
The human resource
development (HRD) min-
China deliberately
delaying permit...
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
“These supplies have been
offered even as India faces
tremendous shortage itself,
given our ethos of helping oth-
ers, especially neighbours, in
their hour of need,” Indian
sources said. The materials
that were to be ferried by the
flight include gloves, surgi-
cal masks, feeding and infu-
sion pumps, and defibrilla-
tors and were put together
based on the requirements
indicated by the Chinese
side.
India evacuated 650 of
its nationals from Wuhan
and other parts of Hubei in
two earlier flights. “The
remaining Indians in Wuhan
larities, including miscon-
duct, dereliction of duties,
abuse of power and lack of
commitment, causing great
harm to the academic envi-
ronment and bringing the
varsity into disrepute”, the
order stated.
are continuing their long
wait for the flight to evacu-
ate them and the delay is caus-
ing them and their families
in India tremendous mental
anguish,” sources added.
They noted that relief and
evacuation flights from other
countries, including France,
were operating unhindered
and questioned why the Chi-
nese government was delay-
ing clearance for the Indian
relief flight.
“Are they (China) not inter-
ested in Indian aid provided
as our token of support? Why
are they creating roadblocks
in evacuating our nationals
from Wuhan and putting
them under hardship and
mental agony?” sources asked.

TENDER CAA: AIADMK reassures Muslims Loans for Modi

Corrigendum-2
Some modification/correction has been done with reference to the
tender notice of different packages issued vide this office letter No.
17148-57 on dated 20.01.2020 published in different newspapers
on dated 21.01.2020 to 22.01.2020.
Sr. Read as
No
1 L068-C/o Kotla Pujaria (Darla) to
Kayari Piplughat km. 0/0 to 6/150
under PMGSY Stage-II. (SH:-
Removal of formation deficiency, C/o
retaining structure, M/T, C.D.Work &
C/o RCC slab culverts 4.00 mtrs.,
Span, V-Shape side drain, PCC
Parapets, P/F Logo, sign board,
under PMGSY Batch-I).
Package No. HP-11-103
(a) Construction Cost = 529.96 Lacs
(b) Maintenance cost = 34.29 lacs
(c) Uploading date = 18.02.2020
(d) Opening date = 23.03.2020
Instead of
L068-C/o Kotla Pujaria (Darla) to Kayari
Piplughat km. 0/0 to 6/150 under
PMGSY Stage-II. (SH:- Removal of for-
mation deficiency, C/o retaining struc-
ture, M/T, C.D.Work & C/o RCC slab
culverts 4.00 mtrs., Span, V-Shape side
drain, PCC Parapets, P/F Logo, sign
board, i/c five years routine maintenance
and AMP after completion of 5 years
routine maintenance under PMGSY
Batch-I).
Package No. HP-11-103
(a) Construction Cost = 648.16 Lacs
(b) Maintenance cost = 34.29 lacs
(c) Uploading date = 17.02.2020
STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, 22 FEBRUARY
Treading a middle path after it
wholeheartedly supported Cit-
izen Amendment Act (CAA) in
Parliament, the AIADMK now
written to the Centre asking for
certaindetailstobeavoidedwhen
the enumeration for the con-
troversial National Population
Registry (NPR) is conducted.
A joint statement issued by
Tamil Nadu chief minister Edap-
padi Palaniswami and deputy
chief minister O Panneerselvam,
the deputy coordinator and
coordinator of the party respec-
tively, sought to assure minori-
ties, including Muslims, that the
AIADMK government in Tamil
Nadu would protect their inter-
ests.
The continuing protests
against the citizenship law and
the unwarranted police action
against the agitating Muslim
groups led to severe criticism
inthestateagainsttherulingparty
and some of its minority mem-
bers were also in the forefront
of the criticism.
In the initial stage, weeks after
the controversial CAA sparked
protests across the country in
December last year, chief min-
ister Palaniswami had
announcedthatworkfortheNPR
in the state would kick off in April
2020. The statement issued by
the party pointed out that the
NPR became a part of the cen-
sus in 2010 when the DMK was
an ally of the Congress-led gov-
ernment at the Centre.
“TheTamilNadugovernment
has written a letter to the Cen-
tral government insisting that
during the enumeration for
2020, details like mother tongue,
place and date of birth of moth-
er/ father/ spouse, Aadhaar/
mobile number/ voter ID/ driv-
ing license number, should be
avoided.”
Though Union home min-
ister Amit Shah reiterated sev-
eral times about the nationwide
NRC and implementation of the
CAA and protesters sounded the
alarm on the NPR processes, the
AIADMK said, “Apart from the
National Register of Citizens
(NRC) that was carried out
recently in Assam according to
the Supreme Court's direction,
it is not meant for the whole
nation. The Centre has already
clarified that (the NRC) is not
against minority communities,
particularly Muslims. Apart
from Assam, the central gov-
ernment has not released guide-
lines for any other states.”
But now the AIADMK's state-
ment says that,“Indian integri-
ty must be protected; full coop-
eration must be given to plans
that are carried out as per
Supreme Court directions; the
AIADMK functions on the prin-
ciplethatclosetiesmustbemain-
tained with neighbouring coun-
tries and the Centre in order to
fulfil all plans for Tamil Nadu.”
Appealing for people to
maintain communal harmony,
the AIADMK leaders wrote,
“No injustice will be meted out
to any minority brother and sis-
ter in Tamil Nadu. The govern-
ment will not allow any activ-
ity against minorities. AIADMK
will be a true friend for the
Muslim community forever.”
The statement also comes
in light of Shaheen Bagh style
sit-in protests underway in
Chennai’sWashermenpet area
byseveralMuslimgroupsinclud-
ing women. They demanding
that the state Assembly pass a
resolution against the CAA.
The statement says: “All,
especially the Muslim brothers
and sisters, should understand
that anti-social elements and
some political parties which will
carry out any heinous activity
to come to power are trying to
scuttle law and order."
The statement also lam-
bastedtheDMK,saying“Itiscon-
demnable that unable to stom-
ach the AIADMK government's
growing public support, DMK
is trying to instigate and spread
false propaganda to create con-
fusion among Muslims. The
minorities should be alert and
be careful against those trying
to conspire mischievous cam-
paigns for their own selfish
interests and maintain calm,”
the statement said.
cronies, but no
debt relief for
farmers: Cong
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
Accusing the Modi govern-
ment of waiving loans of
crony capitalists worth near-
ly Rs 8 lakh crore, the Con-
gress Saturday demanded
that the names of those peo-
ple whose debt has been
written off be made public
and a high-level committee
be set up to examine the
process of loan waiver.
Congress spokesperson
Supriya Shrinate said it is evi-
dent by various reports that
the stressed assets in the
banking sector have consis-
tently climbed. It was at 12
per cent in fiscal 2017, it is close
to 16 per cent now, and near-
ly Rs 16,88,000 crore are
stressed assets of banks which
is a clear signal of an acute

Worst not over as far as economy is

(e) Bid Security = 11.29 lacs
slowdown in the Indian econ-
(d) Opening date = 20.03.2020
(e) Bid Security = 13.65 lacs 3 women killed omy, she said at a press con-
in fire at ference.

concerned, agree Swamy & Yechury

The Cement/Steel/Explosive materials etc. shall be arranged by “It is also important to tell
contractor at his own level. Chandigarh PG you here that loans worth Rs
The other terms and conditions will remain the same. hostel 7.77 lakh crore have been writ-
ten off -- nearly Rs 8 lakh crore
Superintending Engineer, CHANDIGARH, 22 FEBRUARY STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE “no , not at all”. If correctives them, he added. lition of Income Tax, cor- worth of loans have been writ-
3rd Circle, HPPWD, Solan. BHUBANESWAR, 22 FEBRUARY are not taken – interest of Taking several jibes at the recting GST which he termed ten off and I think it is basic
Three female students were fixed deposits not raised, har- government while claiming to as a disaster, increasing inter- question to ask -- who are
4963/2019-2020 HIM SUCHNA AVAM JAN SAMPARK killed on Saturday when a fire Unlike what the central gov- rassment by IT officers not be a disciplined partyman, est rate on fixed deposits and these people after all. Don't
broke out at a paying guest ernment and the union finance stopped and IT not abolished, Swamy said as an economist reducing interest rates on we as citizens of this coun-
(PG) house in Sector 32D, minister would like everyone GSST madness is not fixed, the he felt hugely embarrassed loans to nine percent as some try and taxpayers deserve to
HIMACHAL PRADESH Chandigarh. to believe, the worst is not over slide will continue. when experts in NITI Ayog of the measures. Speaking know whose loans have been
IRRIGATION AND PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT Among the women who died as far as the economy is con- He observed that the worst andothers talk of 5 trillion after him Sitaram Yechury written off?” Shrinate said.
two are aged between 19 to 21 cerned, agreed both BJP leader case scenario of banks clos- economy. said India was facing a reces- “We have three demands
NOTICE INVITING TENDER and are from Punjab while the Subramaniam Swamy and ing down , people withdraw- “To achieve that India has sion. He felt that the crisis was ~ names of those whose debt
third woman hailed from CPI( M) leader Sitaram Yechury ing their money has not yet to grow at 14.4 per cent when grave as there are signs of has been waived should be
Sealed item rate tender on form No. 6 & 8 are hereby invited for and on
Haryana. Another woman who . come. it is below five per cent now,” distress in teh agri sector made public, a high level
behalf of the Governor of HP by the Executive Engineer, Jal Shakti Division,
Jhandutta for the following works from the approved and eligible contractors jumped from the roof of thehouse The right and left party Answering a question on he remarked. In response to which could lead to food committee should be con-
enlisted in I&PH Department so as to reach in this office on or before 07-03- has been seriously injured. leaders were speaking at a whether the central govern- another question on the PM’s deficit and man made hunger. stituted to examine the
2020 up to 3.00 PM and will be opened on the same day at 3.30 PM in the These women were reportedly annual convention of a local ment continues to be in denial narratives, Swamy quipped The primary sector is on the process of loan waiver, and
presence of intending contractors or their authorized representatives. The students of a private college television channel on the state mode, Swamy retorted not thesedays he does not talk of brink, he observed. this committee should assess
tender forms can be had from this office against cash payment (non refund- situated nearby. of the economy. Interesting- denial, there is a lack of many things including “ He warned against the idea financial viability and poten-
able) up to 4.00 PM on 06-03-2020. The rates in the tender form will be filled
in words and figures failing which the tender will be rejected. The tender
Four fire tenders were used ly , Swamy and Yechury held understanding, knowledge.He vikas”.Swamy said US presi- of government bonds being put tial of the banking sector,” she
documents also uploaded on the departmental website and can be down to put out the blaze. The cause the view that the economy was asserted that the economists dent Donald Trump was com- in global indices to attract said. Whenever the BJP gov-
loaded at www.hpiph.org. which shall required to be issued from this office of the fire is yet to be ascertained, in dire straits . They called for in the government were aware ing perhaps to sell soya beans foreign flow of funds. India was ernment is questioned on the
on dated 06.03.2019 up to 4.00 PM. the police added. Unconfirmed correctives and stimulous. of the crisis but they do not to help the US economy. He not affected by the collapse condition of the banking
The Earnest money in the shape of National Saving Certificate / Time reports said at least 25 women The two , however, dif- have the nerves to say so on regretted that lack of negoti- of banks and global recession sector, they blame the pre-
Deposit Accounts / in any of the Post office in Himachal Pradesh/ were housed in the hostel but fered on the prescriptions for the face of the Prime Minis- ating capacity and felt we are because it had insulated itself vious government, but lying
Nationalized Bank duly pledged in favour of the XEN must be accompanied
with each tender. Conditional tenders and the tenders received without most of them were not inside at revival of the economy. When ter. I have written letters to the overpowered by US on tar- , once we open government again and again does not
earnest money will summarily be rejected. The tenderer may bring the latest the time of the incidents due to asked whether the worst was PM and sent my book to him iffs.On the way forward , he bonds , it will be disasterous change the truth, she said.
income tax clearance certificate and registration with HP sale tax department examination in the college.SNS over, Swamy candidly stated , but I dont think he has read iterated his demand for abo- , he said. PTI
with latest clearance certificate and renewal of enlistment and GST Nos and
EPF Nos. The Executive Engineer reserves the right to reject any tender
without assigning any reason. The offer of the tender will be kept open for
120 days.
‘Rahul remains top leader in Cong, large section always felt he should return as chief’
Note: Other terms and conditions are as per schedule of quantity.
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Khurshid also asserted that the leader, let us give him the use that label today, lets respect processes should not be
Sr. Name of work Estimated Earnest Cost of Time
No cost Money form allowed
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY Congress was going through choice of decision making him for it and we have done allowed to evolve in the party.
1 Providing development and 483270 9670 250 6
a “transitional process”, but and the timing.Why do we want so,” Khurshid said, adding Democratic processes are
Improvement of additional Months A large section within the there was no leadership crisis to impose (our views) on him.” that it is the media that does evolving in the party. But the
sources of LWSS Chounta Jangle Congress has always felt that plaguing the party as Sonia On whether there was a not stop talking about it.Khur- position they hold histori-
Thathal in Tehsil Jhandutta Distt. Rahul Gandhi must come Gandhi was there at the helm. dominant view within the shid asserted that Gandhi cally, is the position that is
Bilaspur (SH: Laying jointing and back as party chief and he His remarks assume sig- Congress that Gandhi must remains the “top leader” in the acknowledged and accepted
testing of Rising Main and Supply
and errection of pumping machin-
remains the “top leader” in the nificance as they come after come back as party chief after party. by huge numbers of Con-
ery)Job No.2 party, senior leader Salman voices emerged from several resigning last year taking “He (Gandhi) remains the gress workers, that is a fact you
Khurshid said on Saturday, quarters within the Congress moral responsibility for the Lok top leader...nobody else is cannot shut your eyes to,” he
Sd/- asserting that Gandhi should on the leadership issue with Sabha polls defeat, he said there the top leader. But there are said.
Executive Engineer, not be pressured and be allowed many leaders, including Shashi has always been such a feel- other leaders who have their This whole business against
Jal Shakti Division, Jhandutta to make his decision. Tharoor and Sandeep Dik- ing in a large section of the own significance, who con- dynasties is repeated by those
4981/2019-2020 HIM SUCHNA AVAM JAN SAMPARK In an interview to PTI, shit, demanding that the mat- party. tribute to the entirety of the people who have benefited
ter be finally laid to rest. “But it was embarrassing process that the Congress from dynasties. The BJP has
Tharoor on Thursday had to continue repeating it party is,” he said. benefited from dynasties, he
urged the Congress Working because if you do believe that Khurshid said the fact that said.
Committee (CWC) to hold he is a leader, you need to leave parties opposing the Con- “Tell me one party that
leadership elections to “ener- When we get to that point, we some decisions to him, not gress continue to attack him does not have dynasties. I am
gise workers and inspire vot- will cross the bridge.” impose the timing, not impose more than anyone else, shows not saying dynasties are good,
ers”. He said talking about such the nature of the decision, let that he remains the top leader. but dynasties are a fact, not
Asked about Dikshit and issues in the media doesn't help him take a decision,” the for- Asked if the Gandhi fam- just in politics, but in the
Tharoor's views, Khurshid the Congress.Asked if Rahul mer Union minister said. ily remains the fulcrum of media, in police, in judiciary,
said, “We have had elections Gandhi was best suited to “He (Gandhi) said he is the Congress, he said that it in Bollywood, in administra-
in the past. We have also had lead the Congress, Khurshid not going away and he has not is a fact which cannot be tion, in universities You can't
people say that elections are said, “We have all said this. It gone away. He is still here. If wished away.“Nobody says, just single out one single area
not necessarily the best thing. is now written in stone, it is clear. he does not have a label and least of all the Gandhi fam- and say 'there should be no
There are two points of view. But if we accept him as our because he does not want to ily says, that democratic dynasties here',” he said.

THUMBNAILS
US actress Callie Hernan-
dez during a photocall
for the film One of These
Days on Saturday at
the 70th Berlinale film
festival in Berlin. AFP
London stabbing: London
police on Saturday charg-
ed a 29-year-old homeless
man, Daniel Horton, with
causing grievous bodily
harm and possessing an
illegal knife he used to
stab a mosque leader dur-
ing prayers. The police
quickly ruled out any
terror motive. AFP
Nigeria military operation:
A joint operation by Nige-
rien and French troops in
southwest Niger killed 120
‘terrorists’ and seized
bomb-making equipment
and vehicles, the defence
ministry said on Friday.
The operation took place
in the vast Tillaberi region
near the border with Mali
and Burkina Faso. AFP
Friends reunion: All the six
original cast members of
the popular sitcom,
Friends , will come togeth-
er for the reunion episode
scheduled to debut in
May, Warner Media
announced on Friday. The
reunion episode will be in
the form of an exclusive
‘untitled unscripted spe-
cial’ on HBO Max. AFP
Israeli forces kill suspect:
Israeli forces shot and
killed a suspect in
Jerusalem’s annexed Old
City on Saturday after he
approached officers post-
ed near one of the gates
armed with a knife, police
said. Police did not imme-
diately release further
details on the identity of
the suspect. AP
Conservatives take
lead in Iran elections
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
TEHERAN, 22 FEBRUARY
Conservatives appeared to
be in the lead as the first
results of Iran's parliamentary
election came in Saturday,
amid expectations of a low
turnout after the disqualifi-
cation of many candidates.
Friday's election came
after months of steeply esca-
lating tensions between Iran
and its decades-old arch foe
the United States.
Voters had been widely
expected to stay away in
droves, disillusioned over
unfulfilled promises and strug-
gling to cope in a country
whose economy has buckled
under harsh US sanctions.
By mid-morning on Sat-
urday, 1,063,860 votes had
been counted in 41 con-
stituencies across Iran, accord-
ing to figures released by the
National Elections Commit-
tee and reported by semi-
official news agency ISNA.
There were still 167 other
constituencies to tally, said a
spokesman for the commit-
tee, including bigger provinces
such as Tehran and Fars.
“We will try to publish the
final figures tonight, and if that
task takes too long, tomorrow,”
spokesman Esmail Mousavi
told state television. With
official figures still coming in,
news agencies close to con-
servatives and ultra-conser-
vatives have predicted a land-
slide victory for their candi-
dates. An unofficial tally pub-
lished by Fars news agency said
the fate of 183 of parliament's
Virus toll crosses 2,300; WHO team in Wuhan
Confirmed cases of infection rise to 76,288; WHO team to conduct a probe about the virus which originated from a sea food market last year
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
BEIJING, 22 FEBRUARY
A
team of WHO experts
visited China’sWuhan
city, the epicentre of
the novel coronavirus,
on Saturday as death toll due
to the epidemic climbed to
2,345 with 109 more fatalities
reported, while the confirmed
cases of infection rose to
76,288, Chinese health officials
said on Saturday.
A total of 397 new con-
firmed cases of COVID-19
were reported on Friday, while
109 deaths were reported
from 31 provincial-level
regions, health authority said.
By the end of Friday, a
total of 2,345 people had died
of the disease and 76,288 con-
firmed cases of novel coron-
avirus infection had been
reported from all over the
country. Among the deaths,
106 were from the Hubei
province, the epicentre of the
virus, one each from Hebei
province, Shanghai and Xin-
jiang, it said, the National
Health Commission said. The
central Hubei province report-
ed 366 new confirmed cases
and 106 new deaths on Friday.
The latest report brought the
total confirmed cases in the
Afghans mark start of week-long partial truce
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
KABUL, 22 FEBRUARY
A week-long, partial truce
came into effect across
Afghanistan on Saturday, with
jubilant civilians celebrating
in the streets to mark a poten-
tially historic turning point in
the war, even as isolated
attacks threatened to under-
mine the process.
The Taliban, US and Afghan
forces have all agreed to a so-
called “reduction in violence”
which, if it holds, will be only
the second lull in fighting
since 2001.
“It is the first morning that
I go out without the fear of
being killed by a bomb or
suicide bomber. I hope it con-
tinues forever,” Kabul taxi
driver Habib Ullah said, while
in other parts of the country
people danced in the streets.
Watchdog
sanctions Iran
over lax terror
financing laws
PARIS, 22 FEBRUARY
A multinational finan-
cial crimes watchdog on
Friday faulted Iran for
not doing enough to
counter a “terrorist financ-
ing risk” and announced
the reinstatement of puni-
tive measures against the
country.
The Financial Action
Task Force said it was
rescinding a suspension
of the measures, granted
in 2016, to give Tehran
time to work on reforms.
The FATF “fully lifts the
suspension of counter-
measures” it said, citing
Iran's failure to enact the
UN's 2001 Palermo Con-
vention against organised
crime and the Terrorist
Financing Convention.
It also urged FATF
member states and “all
jurisdictions to apply
effective counter-meas-
ures”. AFP
290 seats had already been
decided, with 135 conserva-
tive candidates winning office.
It put the total number of
reformists to claim seats at 20
and independents at 28.
The 11th parliamentary
election since the 1979 Islam-
ic Revolution comes after a
surge in tensions between
Tehran and Washington, and
Iran's accidental downing of
a Ukrainian airliner that
sparked anti-government
protests. Turnout was esti-
mated at around 40 percent
nationwide and 30 percent in
Tehran at the scheduled close
of polls at 1430 GMT on Fri-
day, according to Fars. Fars said
official turnout figure would
be released on Saturday, while
results are not expected to be
announced until Sunday.
My message to Putin is clear: Stay out of American elections, and
as president I will make sure that you do
CONDEMNING RUSSIAN EFFORTS TO INTERFERE IN THE 2020 US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
A woman puts a face mask on a boy as he plays at a
playground along a street in Beijing on Saturday.
hard-hit province to 63,454,
the provincial health com-
mission said.
The team of public health
experts from the World Health
Organisation (WHO) has vis-
ited Wuhan city, the capital of
Hubei province, to conduct a
The Taliban, US and
Afghan forces have all
agreed to a so-called
‘reduction in violence’
which, if it holds, will
be only the second lull
in fighting since 2001
However in Balkh province
in the north, Taliban fighters
attacked a district head-
quarters near the provincial
capital of Mazar-i-Sharif,
killing two Afghan soldiers, a
local official said.
The attack came after mid-
night, when the partial truce
had already kicked in. There
were also reports of a separate
incident in central Uruzgan
province. General Scott Miller,
who leads US and NATO forces
in Afghanistan, stressed that
Western forces would con-
Differences drive EU budget summit towards no deal
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
BRUSSELS, 22 FEBRUARY
An EU summit called to set
the bloc's next seven-year
budget ended in impasse late
Friday, driven by competing
groups among the 27 mem-
ber states and pressure to fill
a funding gap left by Brexit.
Differences were "still too
great to reach an agreement,"
German Chancellor Angela
Merkel told reporters at the
end of the two days of talks
in Brussels.
No date had yet been set
for another summit to try
again, but Merkel added that
"we are going to have to
return to the subject". The tril-
lion-euro-plus budget, the
Harry, Meghan to drop ‘royal’ from new branding
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
LONDON, 22 FEBRUARY
Britain's Prince Harry and
Meghan Markle have agreed
to drop the use of the word
royal from their future brand-
ing as a financially inde-
pendent couple.
The Duke and Duchess of
Sussex were in talks with the
Buckingham Palace team
handling their transition away
from frontline royal duties,
with some complications
around the use of Sussex
Royal as the phrase to be
associated with their chari-
table work and other causes
going forward.
While the Duke and
Duchess are focused on plans
to establish a new non-prof-
it organisation, given the spe-
cific UK government rules
surrounding use of the word
‘royal’, it has been therefore
agreed that their non-profit
organisation, when it is
announced this spring, will
not be named Sussex Royal
Foundation, a spokesperson
for the couple said in a state-
ment, issued to address the
ongoing media speculation
over the issue. The Duke and
Duchess of Sussex do not
intend to use ‘Sussex Royal’
DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BERNIE SANDERS
AFP
detailed probe about the virus
which reportedly originated
from a sea food market in
December last year.
The NHC said the WHO
experts along with their Chi-
nese counterparts who formed
a joint investigation team
tinually monitor the “reduc-
tion in violence”. “The objec-
tive here is that we reduce vio-
lence for Afghanistan and
that it doesn't spike,” Miller
said, adding that he was con-
fident of the Taliban's over-
all commitment to the process.
The partial truce is expect-
ed to set the conditions for
Washington and the insurgents
to sign a deal that could, ulti-
mately, pull US troops out after
more than 18 years and launch
war-weary Afghanistan into
an uncertain future.
A successful week would
show the Taliban can control
their forces and demonstrate
good faith ahead of any sign-
ing, which both the US and
the insurgents have said could
be done on February 29 in
Doha. It also gives a much-
needed respite to civilians, who
have long borne the brunt of
multiannual financial frame-
work, is meant to be opera-
tional from next year and
run to the end of 2027.
But the summit revealed
stubborn differences between
a handful of wealthy "fru-
gal" states and a larger group
wanting more money to meet
both big European ambitions
and to fill the 75-billion-euro
shortfall left by Britain's exit
from the EU last month.
"Unfortunately we have
observed it was not possible
to reach an agreement, we
observed we need more time,"
said European Council Pres-
ident Charles Michel, who
had called the extraordinary
summit and stewarded the
talks.
in any territory post spring
2020. Therefore, the trademark
applications that were filed
as protective measures, act-
ing on advice from and fol-
lowing the same model for The
Royal Foundation of the Duke
and Duchess of Cambridge
(William and Kate Middleton),
have been removed, the
spokesperson said.
The spring 2020 deadline
refers to March 31, unveiled
earlier this week as the for-
mal date from when the cou-
ple will cease to formally rep-
resent Queen Elizabeth II
and make their move to Cana-
da, where they are expected
Iran now says 5 dead out of 28
infected with new coronavirus
ASSOCIATED PRESS
TEHERAN, 22 FEBRUARY
Iranian health authorities on
Saturday reported a fifth
death from the new virus that
emerged in China, and said
the fatality was from among
10 new confirmed cases of
the virus in Iran.
So far, 28 cases have been
confirmed in Iran, includ-
ing the five who died.
People are being treated
for the virus in at least four
different cities, including
the capital, Teheran, where
some pharmacies had
already run out of masks and
hand sanitizer. Other cities
are Qom, Arak and Rasht.
The virus loomed over a
nationwide parliamentary
have held talks with the local
health authority in Wuhan
and visited relevant healthcare
institutions. The UN team
comprises specialists from
the USA, Germany, Japan,
Nigeria, Russia, Singapore
and South Korea.
the bloody war.
In Kandahar in the south,
considered the Taliban heart-
land, and the eastern province
of Jalalabad, dozens of Afghans
could be seen dancing the
attan~ a traditional Pashtun
dance ` in the streets in cel-
ebration overnight.
100,000 civilians dead in
Afghanistan in 10 years:
A United Nations report
says Afghanistan passed a
grim milestone with more
than 100,000 civilians killed
or hurt in the last 10 years since
the international body began
documenting casualties in a
war that has raged for 18
years. Almost no civilian in
Afghanistan has escaped being
personally affected in some
way by the ongoing violence,
said Tadamichi Yamamoto,
the secretary-general's special
representative for Afghanistan.
European Commission Presi-
dent Ursula von der Leyen in
Brussels on Saturday. � AFP
He said, however, he was
right to make the effort: "As
my grandmother said, to suc-
ceed you first have to try."
European Commission
President Ursula von der
to be based and travel to the
UK regularly. Harry, 35, and
Markle, 38, are currently liv-
ing in a mansion on Van-
couver Island in Canada with
their nine-month-old son
Archie.
Harry remains sixth in line
to British throne and will
retain his military ranks of
Major, Lieutenant Com-
mander and Squadron Leader
but will not use his honorary
military positions or perform
any official duties associated
with these roles.
The positions will remain
unfilled during an agreed 12-
month trial period for the
transition, leaving an option
open for him to resume those
roles. Similarly, the couple will
retain their His and Her Royal
Highness titles but have agreed
not to use them in their new
independent roles.
The couple had registered
the website sussexroyal.com
in March last year, where
they laid out details of their
future plans ahead of formal
discussions with the 93-year-
old monarch, Harry's grand-
mother.
A detailed statement on the
website notes that Harry and
his former American actress
wife will refresh their digital
NEW DELHI, 23 FEBRUARY 2020
election in Iran on Friday.
Many voters went to the
polls wearing face masks.
Health ministry spokes-
man Kianoush Jahanpour
made Saturday's announce-
ment for the latest figures on
state TV, but did not speci-
fy when the fifth death
occurred.
Two people had died ear-
lier Friday from COVID-19,
the illness caused by virus.
Authorities reported two
deaths previously this week.
Jahanpour said that of the
10 newly-detected cases,
two were in Teheran and
eight in Qom. That's where
the first two elderly patients
died on Wednesday. He said
the two patients in Teheran
had visited Qom.
The 12-member team,
which arrived in China on
Monday, was initially desig-
nated to visit only Beijing,
Guangdong and Sichuan
provinces, while the worst-
affected Hubei province and
its capital Wuhan were miss-
STREET ART
Children take part in a march in Marseille, France, in memory
of Mehdi, an 18-year-old boy who died on 14 February after a
chase by the police following a robbery.
Leyen, who is counting on a
big enough budget to meet her
executive's "geopolitical"
ambitions, said the EU discord
was sign of "democracy".
Despite Merkel and French
President Emmanuel Macron
teaming up to back Michel in
his search for an acceptable
compromise, two groups of
countries dug in their heels.
One was the so-called "fru-
gal four" made up of Austria,
Denmark, the Netherlands
and Sweden, which wanted
the budget reined in to reflect
the UK's absence and to avoid
them having to shoulder a big-
ger budgetary burden.
The other was the "friends
of cohesion", 16 member
states including Italy, Spain,
channels for the next excit-
ing phase in their lives.
While there is not any
jurisdiction by the Monarchy
or Cabinet Office over the use
of the word Royal' overseas,
the Duke and Duchess of
Sussex do not intend to use
Sussex Royal' or any iteration
of the word Royal' in any ter-
ritory (either within the UK
or otherwise) when the tran-
sition occurs Spring 2020, a
further detailed statement
on their website notes.
The Duke and Duchess of
Sussex will become private-
ly funded members of The
Royal Family with permission
to earn their own income
and the ability to pursue their
own private charitable inter-
ests, the statement adds.
The statement notes that
the couple are not planning
a new foundation but a non-
profit entity to develop a new
way to effect change and
complement the efforts made
by excellent foundations glob-
ally.
Meanwhile, they are set to
return to the UK over the
coming weeks to complete a
series of formal engagements
as royals before they step
back from representing the
Queen at the end of March.
ing from the list. However, the
team was finally given per-
mission to visit Wuhan by the
Chinese government. Besides
controlling the spread of the
virus, a major task for the
WHO team along with their
Chinese counterparts was to
come up with standard med-
icine to cure the disease.
The NHC said on Saturday
that the team had met top Chi-
nese respiratory disease expert
Zhong Nanshan in Guang-
dong, and visited the centre
for disease control and pre-
vention in Guangdong and the
city of Shenzhen, and Sichuan.
The specialists also dis-
cussed quarantine measures,
the wild animal trade and
community prevention meas-
ures, it said. Yanzhong Huang,
senior fellow for global health
at the Washington-based think
tank Council on Foreign Rela-
tions, said it was important for
the team to see conditions on
the ground and to offer advice.
South Korea reported an
eight-fold jump in viral infec-
tions in four days to 433, most
of them linked to a church and
a hospital in and around the
country's fourth-largest city,
where health workers scram-
bled to screen more than
9,000 worshippers.
AFP
Portugal, Greece, Poland and
Hungary that want to ringfence
EU spending on things like
infrastructure as well as farm
subsidies. "We ended up in a
situation of group versus
group. That's why it failed,"
a source close to the negoti-
ations said.
Germany and France stood
apart from those groups but
had their own interests to
defend. Merkel is determined
to retain a budget rebate her
country has received ever
since Britain wrangled one for
itself while a member.
Macron, who is against
the rebates, is resolute that the
farm subsides~ from the
Common Agricultural Policy
(CAP) ~ not be cut.
South Sudan’s rival leaders
form coalition government
South Sudan’s former rebel
leader Riek Machar (L) meets
with President Salva Kiir in
Juba. AFP FILE PHOTO
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
JUBA, 22 FEBRUARY
South Sudan opened a new
chapter in its fragile emergence
from civil war on Saturday as
rival leaders formed a coali-
tion government that many
observers prayed would last
this time around.
A day after President Salva
Kiir dissolved the previous gov-
ernment, opposition leader
Riek Machar was sworn in as
his deputy, an arrangement
that twice collapsed in fight-
ing during the conflict that
killed nearly 400,000 people.
07
Second virus
death sparks
lockdown in
Italian towns
CODOGNO, 22 FEBRUARY
Streets were deserted and
residents warned to keep out
of an emergency room on Sat-
urday in an Italian town
placed under lockdown as a
second death from coron-
avirus sparked fears through-
out the region.
“No entry” read the sign
on the emergency room in the
small town of Codogno with
a population of 15,000 where
three people have already
tested positive for the virus,
including one 38-year old
man now on life support.
On Saturday, Italian news
agency ANSA reported a sec-
ond death from the virus in
the Lombardy region, where
Codogno is located.
It came one day after the
death of a 78-year-old retired
bricklayer from the Padua area
in the nearby Veneto region,
who was the first local per-
son in Europe to die from the
coronavirus. ANSA reported
that the new victim was a
woman. AFP
Bloomberg says
3 women can be
released from
non-disclosures
WASHINGTON, 22 FEBRUARY
Mike Bloomberg said on Fri-
day he'd free three women
from confidentiality agree-
ments that bar them from
speaking publicly about sex-
ual harassment or discrimi-
nation suits filed against him
over the last three decades.
The billionaire former
mayor of New York also said
his company, Bloomberg LP,
will no longer use such agree-
ments to resolve claims of sex-
ual harassment or misconduct
going forward.
His remarks come after
days of intense scrutiny over
the treatment of women at the
company he's led for three
decades, and amid pressure
from Democratic presiden-
tial rival Elizabeth Warren to
allow the women to share their
claims publicly.
Bloomberg didn't auto-
matically revoke the agree-
ments, but told the women
to contact the company if they
would like to be released.
The three agreements
relate to comments he's
alleged to have made.
His company reportedly
faced nearly 40 lawsuits
involving 65 plaintiffs between
1996 and 2016, though it's
unclear how many relate to
sexual harassment or dis-
crimination. At Wednesday's
debate, Bloomberg called
such nondisclosure agree-
ments consensual and said
women who complained did-
n't like a joke I told. The
remarks were viewed by some
as out-of-touch with the post-
#MeToo era, which has prom-
pted far more serious scruti-
ny of sexual harassment. AP
Kiir declared “the official
end of the war, and we can now
proclaim a new dawn.” Peace
is “never to be shaken ever
again,” the president said,
adding that he had forgiven
Machar and asking for
Machar’s forgiveness, to
applause. He called on their
respective Dinka and Nuer eth-
nic groups to do the same.
The world’s youngest
nation slid into civil war in
2013, two years after win-
ning a long-fought inde-
pendence from Sudan, as
supporters of Kiir and Machar
clashed.
Numerous attempts at
peace failed, including a deal
that saw Machar return as vice
president in 2016 — only to
flee the country on foot
months later amid fresh gun-
fire.
Intense international pres-
sure followed the most recent
peace deal in 2018. Pope
Francis in a dramatic ges-
ture kissed the feet of Kiir and
Machar last year to coax them
into putting differences aside.
Saturday’s ceremony began
with a presentation to them
of that photo as a reminder.
08 NEW DELHI, 23 FEBRUARY 2020
With which is incorporated
The Englishman ~ Founded 1821
Amader Santiniketan
R abindranath Tagore’s creation deserved bet-
ter. The Vice-Chancellor of Visva-Bharati Uni-
versity might arguably have uttered certain
home-truths on Friday, incidentally at a campus
programme to observe International Mother Lan-
guage Day, more accurately Mahan Ekushe, as 21st
of February is referred to on either side of the Ben-
gal-Bangladesh border. The point that the universi-
ty is facing an “acute financial crisis” may be seem-
ingly valid. He has nonetheless kept the audience
guessing with the averment that it is “ailing and
running on life support”. It was an oblique swipe at
the Union HRD and Finance ministries, one that
has little or no connection with an occasion that is
as solemn as Language Day. It was scarcely the
occasion for Prof Bidyut Chakraborty to bare his
angst against the Centre’s running of the institu-
tion. The political scientist from Delhi University
ought to be acutely aware that the responsibility
devolves almost equally on the Vice-Chancellor, his
team, the political class and also, of course, the stu-
dents, as often as not restive when not violent. And
then the supplementary in a moment of blistering
candour ~ “On October 2, one cannot enter Rajghat
as it is too crowded with all thieves wearing caps,
queuing up there. But they act in exactly the oppo-
site way of Gandhiji’s ideals throughout the year”. In
the net, the Vice-Chancellor has made the waters of
Santiniketan murkier in the aftermath of the gherao
of BJP’s erudite member of the Rajya Sabha, Swa-
pan Dasgupta, and the retaliatory assault on a sec-
tion of the students by activists of the BJP’s student
wing, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. Indeed,
the campus has been the scene of bloody strife for
the past few months, ever since the upheaval
against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the
National Population Register gained momentum
in the rest of Bengal. On closer refection, there has
been no well-grounded movement at Visva-Bharati
against the Centre’s latest embroidery. Intrinsically,
it has been reduced to a student versus student
conflict, wholly bereft of cogent arguments. It is,
therefore, a law and order issue that the Vice-Chan-
cellor will be expected to countenance. That fun-
damental responsibility cannot be camouflaged by
drawing an analogy between the university and a
life support system.
The song and dance recital, that was integral to
the International Language Day programme, shall
not overshadow the canker that has permeated the
system at Visva-Bharati. The Vice-Chancellor might
have hit the bull’s eye, but his presentation was
decidedy inappropriate. Most particularly the con-
tention that “Visva-Bharati has become a goose
that lays the golden egg”. He is eminently in a posi-
tion to stem the rot, and it will be worth the while.
On 21st of February, Prof Chakraborty ought to
have been riveted to the International Language
Day. Sadly, the theme song, Amader Santiniketan,
suffered a jarring note in conclusion.
Hope and Conundrum
T hough the contours of the US-Taliban agree-
ment are yet to be spelt out, it is profoundly
significant that the two sides will sign an
agreement on 29 February, paving the way for a
troop pullout and peace talks. Is this asking for the
moon? Yet Friday night’s prologue is a swelling act
of the geopolitical theme. A seven-day reduction
of violence has begun, but Afghanistan being
Afghanistan this might even turn out to be delusory.
If the statement of the US Secretary of State in Doha
is any indication, the cessation of hostilities will
hopefully lead to a peace agreement, which even-
tually will lead to what he calls a “permanent cease-
fire”. Not many might readily concur with Mike
Pompeo’s optimism; his hope is not wholly unre-
lated to Donald Trump’s prospects in the November
election.
Nonetheless, the scheduled signing of the
agreement will of course register a critical measure
of forward movement in a country where political
instability and terror strikes are almost institution-
alised. The goalposts cannot be faulted. Intra-
Afghan negotiations will start soon after the deal
is signed. The agreement is the fundamental step to
yield a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire
and the future political roadmap for Afghanistan.
Equally fundamental must be the fact that the Tal-
iban remains an unpredictable quantity. The
immediate response of the militant group has been
fairly reassuring, clothed with the pledge that both
sides will make arrangements for the release of
prisoners, and “finally lay the groundwork for peace
across the country with the withdrawal of all for-
eign forces”. Markedly, there is no joint statement,
as the comity of nations would have expected.
Nonetheless, this is an important opportunity
for the Taliban to demonstrate their seriousness for
peace and end the suffering of the Afghan people.
As much is clear from the response of the Taliban’s
deputy leader, Sirajuddin Haqqani, who in the
immediate aftermath of Friday’s developments has
let it be known that his movement was prepared to
make compromises at the negotiating table with
Afghan government representatives, including the
issue of women’s rights. It is fervently to be hoped
that the liberal winds blowing across the desert
sands of Saudi Arabia will touch Afghanistan no
less. Yet conundrums there will be. Though Ashraf
Ghani was this week declared the winner of the
presidential elections, the declaration was not
accepted by his main political rival, Abdullah
Abdullah. The Taliban does not recognise Ghani’s
government and has said it will only talk to gov-
ernment officials if they attend talks as ordinary
citizens. A week-long reduction in violence is a
small concession in winter, in the wake of snow-
fall and before a spring offensive is expected to
begin.
Focus without Stress
So what exactly is mindfulness? It is the act of consciously focusing your mind in the
present moment without judgment and without attachment to the moment. It can
help us become more aware of what is going on for us both internally and externally.
We become more present to the ‘here and now‘
W
e live in times when
so many of us find it
increasingly difficult
to focus on just one
thing at a time. When we do not
have sufficient time, our techno-
logical devices enable us to be in
multiple places all at once. But it
comes with a cost. Modern tech-
nology has split our concentra-
tion into smaller bits, scattering
them in many directions. As we
have become more technologi-
cally savvy, we also seem to have
lost our ability to live in the pre-
sent ~ a place where we actually
want to be without stress and
distractions. Although we can
connect with just about anybody
with a touch of a finger, we often
find ourselves unable to engage
in genuine, one-on-one commu-
nication. On the one hand, tech-
nology has made us more effi-
cient and productive but, on the
other, we find that our attention
is scattered and our lives marked
by stress and complications.
Consequently, we are not always
“mindful” when we are commu-
nicating with ourselves or with
others.
So what exactly is mindful-
ness? It is the act of consciously
focusing your mind in the pre-
sent moment without judgment
and without attachment to the
moment. It can help us become
more aware of what is going on
for us both internally and exter-
nally. We become more present
to the “here and now.” Professor
Emeritus Jon Kabat-Zinn,
founder and former director of
the Stress Reduction Clinic at the
University of Massachusetts
Medical Center, defines mindful-
ness as the “awareness that arises
by paying attention on purpose,
in the present moment, and non-
judgmentally.” According to
Thich Nhat Hanh, world
renowned Zen Master and auth-
or of several books on mindful-
ness, the term “mindfulness” re-
fers to “keeping one's conscious-
ness alive to the present reality.”
Although practicing mind-
fulness has become highly popu-
lar in the United States in recent
years, it is an ancient practice
introduced by Hindu and Bud-
dhist spiritual leaders over 2,500
years ago as a means of calming
the mind and gaining insight
into the impermanent and inter-
dependent nature of the self.
There are now many leading
experts on mindfulness in the
United States who teach how to
harness the power of mindful-
ness and how it can be used to
manage stress, center one's self,
see more clearly, live more fully,
step out of routine thought pat-
terns, and open hearts and
minds. There are also numerous
books written by experts on
mindfulness that show us ways
how to live in the present
moment with ourselves and with
others. This is accomplished by
engaging in different kinds of
meditation techniques, which
emphasize the cultivation of
keen awareness to experiences in
the present moment without any
kind of analysis or interpretation
or having any kind of attachment
to a particular outcome.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Mr Fukuyama and the New India
SIR, The tumultuous NPR,
CAA, NRC controversy in
21st century India has liter-
ally moved the ground
beneath the feet of those
who live and work in “New
India”. Francis Fukuyama,
the advocate of liberal
democracy who has been
often admired, more often
criticized ,for his configura-
tions in The End of History
and the Last Man (1992)
however now states that the
process of liberal democracy
that he had projected has
undergone a paradigm shift
in recent times, “Sometime
in the middle of the second
decade of the twenty-first
century, world politics
changed dramatically”.
In his recent book
where he shifts from his ear-
lier points of view titled sig-
nificantly, Identity ~ The addresses the issues of
Demand for Dignity and The nationalism and religion,
Politics of Resentment, identity politics, revolutions
Fukuyama cursorily refers to of dignity and democratiza-
the changing politics in con- tion of dignity, among other
temporary India as he related factors. Referring to
Vol. CXXXXXI 8 (S)
A MEMBER
OF THE
ASIAN VOICES
Pilots to pass
psychometric tests
N
epal may require aspiring air-
line pilots to pass psychometric
do we pass any judgment on tests before they are allowed to
them. We just observe these join a pilot course abroad, according
thoughts and sensations and go to a preliminary draft of the national
back to focusing on our breath- aviation policy which is being revised
ing again. Our goal is to allow our after 13 years. Psychometrics tests
mind to refocus on the present. gauge an individual's personality
Here are four popular mindful- traits, mental competence and suit-
ness techniques, which all ability for a particular job. A task force
involve meditation. There are formed to amend the aviation policy
obviously many more approach- recommended inserting the require-
es to achieving mindfulness. ment in response to different air crash
1. Basic mindfulness meditation investigation reports that partly
~ we need to sit quietly and focus blamed the behavioral attitude of
on natural breathing. We must pilots in the face of bad weather for the
allow thoughts to come and go disasters.
without judgment and return to The panel handed over the draft
our focus on breath. policy to Tourism Minister Yogesh
2. Body sensations. In this tech- Bhattarai on Wednesday. In view of the
nique, we are supposed to obser- safety measures that Nepal has to
ve the subtle sensations in our adopt in line with its diverse topogra-
body such as an itch or tingling phy, any Nepali wishing to become a
without passing any kind of judg- pilot should undergo psychometric
ment and let them pass. We must tests as per international standards,
notice each part of our body in says the draft. They should be allowed
succession from head to toe. to pursue the pilot course only if they
3. Sensory ~ Here we practise pass the test, it says. “We all know that
observing sights, sounds, smells, Nepal has been seeing an increasing
tastes, and touches. We name the rate of accidents involving both fixed-
Kabat-Zinn and many neu- Target, and Goldman Sachs, to “sight,” “sound,” “smell,” “taste,” wing and rotor-wing aircraft. And most
roscientists in the United States name a few, have all instituted or “touch” without judgment and of them were due to human error,”
have helped to bring the practice mindfulness training for their let them go. said Suman Pandey, chief executive
of mindfulness meditation into employees so that they are 4.Emotions ~ In this mindfulness officer of Fishtail Air, who was a mem-
mainstream medicine, demon- healthier, less stressed and more technique, we allow emotions to ber of the task force. “These issues
strating that practising mindful- focused on their jobs. Mindful- be present without judgment. We have prompted us to recommend
ness improves both our physical ness experts are also training practise a steady and relaxed mandatory psychological assessment
and psychological wellbeing CEOs of major corporations on naming of emotions such as for candidates who will become
resulting in positive changes in mindfulness techniques. Busi- “joy,” “anger,” “frustration,” while Nepal’s future commercial pilots,” he
our health, attitudes, and behav- ness leaders who practise mind- accepting the presence of the said. Airlines in most countries have
iour. According to these experts, fulness report that they now per- emotions without judgment and been conducting an psychological
mindfulness techniques benefit ceive issues more objectively; letting them go. assessment of pilots before hiring
us in a number of important they can form deeper relation- While all this may seem to be
ways; it helps relieve stress, low- ships that are empathic, and they a new-age approach to our holis-
ers blood pressure, are not driven by tic wellbeing, hard medical evi-
reduces chronic their ego and pride dence demonstrates that we can them. But there are only a few countri-
aches and pains, as they learn to be train our brains to function dif- es whose flying schools conduct psy-
helps with sleep, humble. These ferently and that brains can adapt chometrics tests before enrolling
reduces gastroin- business leaders and rewire. This phenomenon, them, said Sanjiv Gautam, former
testinal problems often mention that known as neuroplasticity, sug- director general of the Civil Aviation
and, finally, mind- they are also more gests that there are concrete and Authority of Nepal. “It’s a good move to
fulness is good for productive, more provable benefits to exercising conduct psychometric tests. But the
our heart. creative in solving the brain by engaging in min- policy should be clear where Nepalis
Mindfulness problems, more sat- dfulness. It is precisely because should undergo them,” he said, adding
also improves our isfied with their jobs of this scientific component that that in Nepal, a separate institute can
psychological well- and are less stressed mindfulness has gained so much be formed like a medical board to con-
ABHIK
being. American ROY in challenging situ- traction with people who might duct the tests. “But since exercising
psychotherapists ations. otherwise find this to be spiritual power and nepotism in Nepal is a big
The writer is Professor
now use mindful- of Communication The growing “mumbo jumbo.” problem, as it is now, to pass the test, it
ness meditation Studies at Loyola popularity of prac- According to Richard J. may not work properly .” Another opti-
Marymount University,
extensively to treat tising mindfulness Davidson, founder and chair of on is issuing a commercial pilot's
depression, eating
Los Angeles
in the United States the Center for Investigating licence to a pilot who has passed psy-
disorders, anger, is not just limited to Healthy Minds at the Waisman chometric tests from any flying school
anxiety disorders, and obsessive- big corporations. Now mindful- Center at the University of Wis- that requires candidates to take them
compulsive disorders, among ness training is imparted to the consin at Madison, “There is a before they can enrol in the course, he
others. Medical research find- US military and the US Depart- swathe of our culture who is not said. “But these issues need to be stat-
ings also indicate that mindful- ment of Defence, which have
ness contributes to a positive invested millions of dollars to
going to listen to someone in
monks' robes, but they are pay-
ed clearly in the regulations too.” Acco-
rding to Gautam, human error has
attitude. Being mindful also identify ways for US defence per-
helps us to become fully engaged sonnel to become more focused
in activities, while increasing our and less stressed in their work.
capacity to deal with adverse Even educators in American high
events. By focusing on the pre- schools are turning increasingly
ing attention to scientific evi-
dence.” Davidson and his co-
researchers published a scientific
paper in the prestigious Proceed-
ings of the National Academy of
been the major cause behind acciden-
ts in Nepal with pilots seen making
quick decisions and lacking situational
awareness. According to the Civil Avia-
tion Authority of Nepal, 21 fatal acci-
sent, people who practise mind- to mindfulness training for stu- Sciences in 2004, demonstrating dents have occurred in the country in
fulness have reported that they dents, teaching them how to con- that Buddhist monks who had the past 10 years, including eight cra-
don't easily get caught up in wor- centrate in the classroom and spent at least 10,000 hours of shes involving helicopters. During the
ries about the future or regrets deal effectively with stress. Many meditation time had brains with period of 2009-18, the highest number
over the past. They also seem to high schools in the United States more functional connectivity of accidents occurred in 2016 when
be less preoccupied with success are also investing time and than folks who never meditated there were four mishaps. In 2018, the
that boosts one's ego and they money to train high school or meditated in small doses. European Commission adopted new
are also more capable of forming teachers about mindfulness. These monks also had a higher rules on the mental health of pilots for
deep and meaningful connec- At this point, a reader may state of consciousness. the first time, requiring airlines to do a
tions with others. ask how can one practise mind- Of course, most of us will psychological assessment before hir-
Since mindfulness has so fulness? Although there is actual- never have the capacity to medi- ing them.
many important benefits for us, ly more than one way to such tate at the level of a monk. But
whether they are connected with practise, the goal of mindfulness neuroscientists seem to be con- IN MEMORIAM
our physical or emotional well- is to always be in the present vinced that there is hope for far
being, mindfulness training has moment. This is achieved by less experienced meditators
certainly become tremendously focusing on our breathing as we because by engaging in mindful- SENGUPTA CHIRA RANJAN (C.R.)
popular with many major orga- meditate. When we meditate, we ness meditations, they will have — Respectful homage on your
nizations in the United States. pay attention to the thoughts and more capacity for a working ninetieth birth anniversary. —
Companies like Adobe, Amazon, sensations that distract us but we memory, more focused attention Family and friends.
Ford, General Mills, Google, do not try to fight them. Nor and less stress in their lives. (BPL7362)
editor@thestatesman.com
hosts a population of some
11-12 million undocument-
report, “Pakistan to remain
in FATF’s Grey List’ (19 Feb-
ed aliens. The vast majority ruary), the recommendation
of these people have been in is unfortunate since Pak-
RED CARPET IN THE SLUM the country for years and are istan was granted afour-
doing useful work, raising month grace period in Octo-
SIR, In connection with the report, ‘Controversy over families and otherwise ber last year to complete all
Trump’s red carpet welcome in Gujarat’ (19 February), I behaving as law abiding citi- “action points” as laid down
submit that the Government of Gujarat can always give zens. The idea that they are by FATF to check funding to
a red carpet welcome to the President of the United all criminals because they terrorist groups. Since
States of America, but it would be grossly unfair to evict violated US law to enter the Islamabad has once again
45 poor families from the slums near Motera Stadium country is ridiculous, thou- failed to fulfill the commit-
which Mr Trump is scheduled to visit. The Gujarat Gov- gh some within the popula- ment, it deserves to be
ernment should have put in place alternate shelters tion are criminals, just as included in the financing
for the slum dwellers instead of being so inhuman as to within the native-born pop- watchdog’s ‘blacklist’. Pak-
serve eviction notices. ulation. It is also ridiculous istan has taken no effective
Yours, etc., AK Deb Biswas, Hooghly, 19 February. to think that the United action against any of the ter-
States could ever force all ror networks and terrorists
these people to leave the operating from its soil.
US immigration laws and apprehensions about what country and return to their The country is not will-
the fact that huge numbers the future has in store for countries of origin. A project ing to give up its confronta-
entered the US legally but each of us. Understandably, on that scale would be wor- tional attitude over Kashmir
have continued living there Fukuyama cites the example thy of Stalin’s Soviet Russia and needs the support of the
on expired visas and what of the United States of or Nazi Germany.” likes of Masood Azhar. It
Fukuyama terms as ‘a America. The issues of root- Discourse is always a won’t be surprising if, after
uniquely American opposi- ing out ethnic religious learning experience. the fear of blacklisting by the
tion to a national ID system”. groups and Islamophobia Yours, etc., Sanjukta FATF is warded off, the deep
The following para- are not overt governmental Dasgupta, (Former state there prevails upon
graph from Fukuyama’s concerns in the US, but the Professor, Dept of English, the judiciary to get the
Identity... may help us in fig- speculative relevance of the Calcutta University), recently convicted Jamaat-
uring out what is happening consequences cannot be Kolkata, 21 February. ud-Dawa leader Hafiz Saeed
now in our beloved country, ignored. freed.
our collective and individual So Fukuyama, states, IN BLACK & GREY Yours, etc., SS Paul,
dismay and despair and “The United States now SIR, Apropos the front-page Nadia, 20 February.

Does virus make Xi vulnerable?
ROWAN CALLICK
B
rand “People’s Republic of
China” is wobbling, as if the
massive picture of Mao
Zedong in Tiananmen Square
was swaying with an earthquake
tremor. But it can only actually fall if
pushed from inside.
The handling of the coron-
avirus epidemic is undoubtedly sap-
ping confidence in the Communist
party and its formerly all-conquer-
ing general secretary, Xi Jinping.
Any country or ruling party
would struggle if faced with a simi-
larly massive challenge – exacerbat-
ed by the great annual domestic
migration for Lunar New Year.
But the party and its leader
shoulder especially great ambitions
of entering a “new era” created by Xi
to “realise the Chinese Dream of
national rejuvenation.”
National elders selected Xi as
leader in 2012 to purge corruption
and purify the party. He has
replaced most senior officials,
including in the People’s Liberation
Army, with those who supported his
rise through the provincial ranks in
Fujian and Zhejiang.
Xi has restructured the party,
personalised and centralised power.
Leveraging the anti-corruption cam-
paign, he has also built the central
party’s vast surveillance and control
powers.
The big question now is how
this renovated party structure is
holding up against the appalling
coronavirus epidemic. Particularly
as it compounds an economic slow-
down already exacerbated by the
trade-and-tech war with the US and
Beijing’s struggles to subdue its
troubled borderlands in Xinjiang
and Hong Kong.
It would seem logical that since
Xi claims all the glory for China’s
economic rise and global influence,
he would bear the responsibility for
disasters, as well.
This would fit with the old
imperial danger of losing the “man-
date of heaven” – the notion that
only a righteous ruler would retain
the approval of the gods.
But there’s a long history in
China of people blaming local offi-
cials for problems, while retaining a
CROSSWORD
SOLUTION FOR 16 FEBRUARY
ACROSS 19 Feel a need for
wife to meet
1 A memorable lay
social worker (4)
one can’t get out
20 Danger in me
of head? (7)
5 It has a bell end
suffering with a
and gives plea-
lot of wind? (10)
22 Bloody US agent
sure if blown (7)
arresting one
9 One who gives
that’s high (8)
you soap and
23 Boozer loves to
flannel (9)
10 On punching
drink drop of
good daughter,
lovely red (6)
26 Article on uni
primate looked
opening hospital
amazed (5)
in Bath (5)
11 Scoffing can be
27 Lost, but I ... I am
worrying (6)
12 Check grass so wanting to
brought round get somewhere!
for ruminant (8) (9)
28 Back or rump or
15 Violent jets of
gas brute uncle bits of sow’s
entrails (7)
let loose (10)
17 We’re told ‘cock’, 29 Adders regularly
perhaps, is offen- seen by ancient
sive (4) city ruin (7)
NOTE: Figures in parentheses denote the number of letters in the words required.
(By arrangement with The Independent, London)
belief in the power of the emperor
or general secretary to resolve them.
Hundreds of thousands still annu-
ally petition the central party lead-
ership about regional and personal
wrongs.
Many are still assessing where
to pin blame for the current crisis
and are reluctant to accept what
they are told officially. People are
adroitly downloading and re-post-
ing censored messages on social
media, causing the “net police” con-
stant whack-a-mole grief.
This is why the initial failings of
the Wuhan authorities, which likely
enabled the virus to spread rapidly,
have aroused widespread anger in
China. And why many rightly
dubbed the whistleblowing doctor
Li Wenliang, who died from the dis-
ease after being hauled in by police,
a martyr.
In recent days, the central gov-
ernment has also blamed local
authorities, replacing the party sec-
retary in Hubei province. However,
public anger and distrust of the
authorities still burns.
Crises like the melamine-laced
milk powder scandal that sickened
more than 300,000 babies in 2008
and now coronavirus underline a
basic reality: for all the vast sums
spent on security in China, it
remains fundamentally elusive for
most people.
NO 27871
DOWN
1 We lie with effo-
rt about massive
erection (6,5)
2 A certain type of
cooking pan (5)
3 Stupidly go out
with ex around
noon for food (8)
4 Horse, ecstasy
and smack are on
the rise (4)
5 Furious recent
tugs could make
one thus (10)
6 Very important
bloke, top dog at
summit! (6)
7 Good spirits,
Italian lager and
sausage (9)
8 Edwardian dress-
er police officer
upended (3)
13 Somehow you
girls lie in a scru-
pulous way (11)
14 Slowly but surely
go down?
Pervert! (10)
16 Maintain and
operate a cycle
or small car? (9)
18 Get a star involv-
ed in racy water
sports? (8)
21 Nothing’s flipping
free from dishon-
esty in business
(6)
24 Old and harshly
uninviting smell
(5)
25 Society girl Ame-
rican knocked up
in the sack (4)
26 What’s up with
that woman! (3)
Alistair Nicholas, a Sydney-
based business consultant with
extensive China experience, told me
his contacts in China have said “the
poor initial handling of the crisis by
the Chinese authorities has ‘left a
bitter taste in the mouths of many
Chinese.’ Trust with their own gov-
ernment has been broken and those
who can will leave.”
With hundreds of millions still
staying largely at home, staring at
smartphones, such sentiments seep
out everywhere.
Xi will, of course, be aware it
was in Wuchang, a district of
Wuhan, where a rebellion began in
1911 that triggered the downfall of
the Qing Dynasty.
Today, however, the extent of
China’s online and offline controls
almost rule out change – or even
threat – coming from the “masses”.
They are not trusted to partici-
pate in their own governance. They
are given no scope to organise. Since
seizing power in 1949, the party has
drawn a line under further revolu-
tions.
In the last few days, two figures
named Xu have challenged Xi, and
suffered the consequences.
Xu Zhiyong, a civil rights
activist and academic who called on
Xi to resign over the virus response,
has been arrested by security offi-
cials in Guangzhou.
POLITICAL DIARY KALYANI SHANKAR
Gender justice and male mindsets
T
he recent Supreme Court rul-
ing granting permanent com-
mission to women on par with
men will have a far-reaching
impact in promoting gender justice. The
court held, “An absolute bar on women
seeking criteria or command appoint-
ments would not comport with the guar-
antee of equality under Article 14”.
The judgment, seen as a land-
mark, means that women officers will
now get opportunities on par with
men in promotions, ranks, benefits
and pensions, irrespective of their
years of service or whether they had
retired. Currently, women are induct-
ed into the army through Short Ser-
vice Commissions, which permits
them to serve for only 10 to 14 years.
The Union government agreed last
year to give permanent commissions
to women, but with a rider that it
would only apply to female officers
who had served less than 14 years.
The petitioners, a group of 332
women army officers, who joined the
army from 1993 onwards, argued that
the present policy was discriminatory.
Earlier their plea was partially accept-
ed by the Delhi High Court in March
2010, but the defence ministry
appealed against in the Supreme
Court and also did not implement the
order though there was no stay grant-
ed by the Apex Court.
One of the most important things
to emerge from this judgment is the
utter rejection of regressive arguments
provided by the Centre. The court
rejected the ministry’s argument that
“(Indian) troops are not yet mentally
schooled to accept women officers in
command of units” because they (the
men) are “predominantly drawn from
a rural background.” The SC observed:
“The submissions advanced in the
note tendered to this Court are based
And Xu Zhangrun, a famous
law professor at Tsinghua University,
has been placed under effective
house arrest after posting a lengthy
critique that said China’s political
system “turns every natural disaster
into an even greater man-made
catastrophe.”
There has also been sharp criti-
cism of China’s response to the crisis
overseas, but this, too, carries limit-
ed weight in Beijing.
Instead, China highlights and
relishes the applause its governance
receives, especially from agencies
like the World Health Organisation.
WHO Director-General Tedros Ghe-
breyesus recently thanked China for
its “transparency” and heaped par-
ticular praise on Xi for his “detailed
knowledge of the outbreak”.
There are, of course, questions
about when Xi’s knowledge of the
outbreak actually began.
But rather than claiming igno-
rance of the severity of the outbreak
at the outset, Xi has decided to take
a different course. He’s persisting
with his customary claim of omnis-
cience and blaming local officials,
while insisting China’s “war” against
the virus has been valiant, as attest-
ed by the WHO and other interna-
tional voices.
Who is going to take credible
issue with that?
In today’s China, it is not intel-
on sex stereotypes premised on
assumptions about socially ascribed
roles of gender which discriminate
against women.” The apex court also
dismissed the defence ministry’s con-
tention that “owing to their prolonged
absence during pregnancy, mother-
hood and domestic obligations
towards their children and families,”
women are not equipped to deal with
“the hazards of service.” Justice D Y
Chandrachud rightly remarked that,
“Two things are required to rid any
form of gender discrimination –
administrative will and change in
mind set”.
As in many other fields like judi-
ciary, journalism, politics, police and
other professions, women work in a
man’s world in the army. Despite so
much progress in the world on equal-
ity of women, the male dominated
Defence services have not yet got an
open mind. The judges rebuked the
government, describing its views as
"disturbing" and urged "the need for
change in mind-sets to bring about
true equality in the army".
While Defence Minister Rajnath
Singh has welcomed the Supreme
Court’s order, the proof the pudding
lies in the eating and how the govern-
ment implements the order and pro-
vides gender justice. The government
should ensure that women get proper
respect in their new command jobs.
The initial response from army
chief General M.M. Naravane is quite
encouraging. He said after the verdict,
“I must assure that everybody in the
Indian Army, including women offi-
cers, will be given equal opportunity
to contribute to the Nation as also
progress in their careers.” The judg-
ment will immediately impact 322
women officers in the army. It will also
have a bearing on future recruits.
NEW DELHI, 23 FEBRUARY 2020
lectuals or the general public, but
the 90 million party members who
will determine whether this epi-
demic demands substantial change.
And that will ultimately depend
on the tiny circle of elite cadres sur-
rounding Xi. Unless a convincing
crack appears at the top, the crucial
band of middle-ranking party man-
agers will sit tight.
The personalisation of the sys-
tem, combined with Xi’s reluctance
to groom a successor is, however,
steadily raising party anxiety about
the future.
Xi said recently, “the long-term
sound fundamentals of our econo-
my haven’t changed … The impact of
the outbreak will only be short-
term.”
But the rippling effects of coro-
navirus threaten to derail Xi’s vision
of “rejuvenation” - a Chinese centu-
ry of power and affluence. Econo-
mists ponder whether China will
now spring the “middle income
trap” that has restrained the pros-
perity of other nations, risking a fail-
ure to “get rich before it grows old.”
The almost certain postpone-
ment of next month’s National Peo-
ple’s Congress is a further mark of a
government in crisis. Despite mak-
ing good health sense, this move
would create political risk by
acknowledging that even pillar state
events are now eluding Xi’s control.
Once eventually summoned,
though, the NPC delegates will be
expected to cheer to the red rafters
Xi’s victory in the “People’s War”
against coronavirus.
But what does it mean, asks
Jude Blanchette, who holds the
Freeman Chair in China Studies at
the Centre for Strategic and Inter-
national Studies, for Xi to dominate
a party and government “that
appear unable to confront, diag-
nose, and effectively overcome com-
plex domestic and international
challenges? That’s not just a prob-
lem for China, but for the world.”
Or as the stood-down law pro-
fessor Xu Zhangrun asks, can a
regime that cannot treat its own
people well, treat the world well?
The writer is Industry Fellow, Griffith
University. This article was published on
www.theconversation.com
However, it will take some time for
male officers to accept the change and
it is for the senior officers and political
leadership to implement this.
Interestingly, the judgment also
emphasised a need for mind-set
change. I recall a case in the US when
the Supreme Court ordered the
Citadel, South Carolina’s state sup-
ported military institute, to grant
admission to its first female cadet.
However, when the gates of the insti-
tute opened on 15 August 1995, 19-
year-old Shannon Faulkner left the
institute within a week citing psycho-
logical abuse and later she became a
middle school teacher in South Car-
olina. Already the Supreme Court has
delivered some landmark judgments
like Triple Talaaq, sexual harassment
at the workplace, recognizing live-in
relationships, unwed mothers not
needing to name the fathers, stopping
the two finger test for rape victims,
and that prostitutes have a right to live
with dignity etc., which would enable
gender justice. Lack of education,
development, poverty, lack of enforce-
ment of laws, and economic depend-
ence of women etc., are the main rea-
sons for gender inequality.
As the Apex court has noted, for
this the mind-set needs to be changed
in favour of women.
Though India has had a woman
Prime Minister, many chief ministers
and party chiefs, much more needs to
be done on treating women as equals
and gender justice is the right route
for development of the country as a
whole. If almost half the population is
suppressed India cannot become a
global power it aspires to be. It is
heartening to see that the judiciary
has taken note of it and is moving
towards the path of providing gender
justice.
09
NOW AND AGAIN
Let s keep it short
SHOVANLAL CHAKRABORTY
I
f a novel is an elaborate meal of several cours-
es, a short story is delectable street food -
sharp, tangy, spicy and delicious. It may not
be a full meal to satiate your hunger, but it
certainly tingles your taste buds and leaves you
asking for more. It's the difference between a deli-
cious meal in a five-star hotel and yummy pani
poori or egg rolls eaten on the roadside. Each
has its place and each is enjoyable in its own way.
My love affair with short stories began
when I was in high school. We had a library
period every week when we would have to sit
in the library and read for forty minutes. Forty
minutes is hardly enough time to read a novel,
so I would reach for a book of short stories.
There were huge anthologies of stories, some of
them entitled - 'Stories for Girls', 'Stories for
Boys' and many more. I never understood why
this distinction between boys and girls was
made. All the stories in all the books were good
and I enjoyed all of them immensely.
My method for enjoying a book of short
stories is to first scan the table of contents and
first pick the short stories. After they are read, I
turn to the slightly longer ones. In a short story,
there is no room for character development of
the protagonist or any long conversation
between the characters. There aren't lengthy
descriptions and preludes. Everything is limit-
ed to the storyline. The reader's attention has
to be grabbed and held by the author so that
his story rivets the reader for a few short pages
in which the story unfolds. The story could be a
romance, a thriller, crime fiction or even a chil-
dren's tale, every kind of story lends itself to
this genre.
Over the years, I have amassed many vol-
umes of short story collections. Some of the
books have the same story repeated. But I don't
mind reading the same story multiple times. I
was amazed to find short stories written by
authors famous for writing huge tomes like
Charles Dickens and Leo Tolstoy. Short stories
with a twist at the end are the best kind. O
Henry was famous for such stories. The gift of
the Magi and After Twenty Years come to mind
immediately when you think of twist endings.
Who can forget stories like Rain or The
Lotus Eater by Somerset Maugham and The
Necklace or Two Friends by Guy de Maupas-
sant. Novelists like Agatha Christie and PG
Wodehouse have also written several gems in
this genre.
As I grew up I came across the macabre
pen of Edgar Allan Poe, the short fiction in his-
tory of Anton Chekhov, the never simple Oscar
Wilde, the realism of Franz Kafka and the
humour of Mark Twain, to name a few. In
today's fast paced world, the short story is ideal
bed time reading material.
100 YEARS AGO
CALCUTTA’S NEED OF AN AERODROME
To The Editor Of The Statesman
SIR, - The want of an aerodrome at Calcutta
strikes a business man as a serious matter in these
days of rapid progression and more especially so
after he has made a flight over the city. Every other
city of note in India has its aerodrome, but Cal-
cutta - a natural stopping place on the route from
Europe to Rangoon, Singapore and Australia - has
none. While flying today it became clear that the
Dum Dum site is an ideal one, and as it is Gov-
ernment property one cannot help wondering
why Government does not make it over at once,
so that it may not be said that the metropolis of
the East is minus up-to-date arrangements. Dum
Dum with its splendid communications is emi-
nently the spot which will keep Calcutta its place
as the most progressive city in India. It is up to the
Government to forget Delhi awhile and make
Dum Dum the homing place of the Handley-Page
aeroplane which we call Calcutta’s own.
HEAVIER THAN AIR.
Calcutta.
MISSIONS IN BENGAL
To The Editor Of The Statesman
SIR, - In view of the very serious situation
caused by the adverse exchange, may I suggest
that a joint appeal be issued by all the Protestant
Societies working in Bengal and Assam? Every
one of us is suffering, and the danger is that if
each individual Society makes its own public
appeal, the ones not so well known amongst us,
but doing equally good work, will suffer the most.
I am thinking just now of a small mission on the
Himalayan Hills where the missionaries are on
the point of being unable to feed themselves. May
I very earnestly suggest that individual appeals
should cease for the present until all may join
together in one body; and surely those of our
Indian friends who have personally benefited
through missionary institutions, and who may,
incidentally, have much to thank the Missionary
Societies for the atmosphere which has made this
possibly, will not fail to help us.
A MISSIONARY SUFFERER.
Calcutta.
THE HOUSING QUESTION
To The Editor Of The Statesman
SIR, - Your readers have been horrified by the
awful revelations presented by the Domiciled
Community Committee, and they have also been
edified and delighted with the prospect held out
by the Regent and other building companies
which are aiming at providing new and attractive
suburbs. The Mutual Provident Building Compa-
ny is also preparing a scheme for a snug little
colony with its own club house and recreation
ground. It is, however, at present the only compa-
ny which is tackling the problem of re-housing
the people on a comprehensive scale with an eye
to helping those who, though not rich, are pre-
pared to help themselves. The “Mutual” has pre-
pared schemes to suit both the well-to-do and
those whose salaries are small, who are paying
rents beyond their means and yet have no
prospect of rising to any better position than
mere tenant.
W.H. PHELPS.
Chairman.
10 NEW DELHI, 23 FEBRUARY 2020
Nostradamus
MANAS DAS
A
wanted criminal hides in time;
a lowly technician discovers
an unlikely alternative to com-
puters — the human brain; a
writer’s cramp affects the outcome of
Creation; disembodied humans are nos-
talgic for the sense of touch; dreams
are marketed like pornographic videos.
These are just a few of the amazing and
stunning assortment of themes pre-
sented in the works of a writer whose
life is as astonishing as the ideas intro-
duced for his readers in his books. Filled
with amusing squibs, startling prophe-
cies and scathing social comment,
the science fiction novels and stories
of Isaac Asimov, whose birth centenary
is being celebrated this year, present
mind-boggling stuff of amazing vari-
ety that has profoundly influenced our
modern society at levels that one can-
not even imagine. The publication of
Nightfall, a science fiction novella by
Asimov, in the Astounding Science
Fiction magazine in September, 1941
catapulted him into instant fame and
readers began to feel the advent of a
true genius in the science fiction
domain.
Nightfall presents before the read-
ers Lagash, a planet which is constantly
illuminated by at least one of the six
suns in its multiple star system. When
Alpha sets, Beta is at zenith; when
Gamma is at aphelion, Delta is near.
As the whole planet is bathed in per-
petual daylight from its constant com-
panions, the inhabitants of Saro City
have never seen the stars apart from
their own and have never known the
darkness of night. Until now. After two
thousand years of constant sunshine
on Lagash, the terror of complete
darkness, the “soul-searching splen-
dour” of the mysterious stars, is enough
to send the citizens mad, to consume
civilisations in the hungry flicker of the
only means to hand for making light
— fire. The citizens or even scientists
are not sure whether the astronomi-
cal truths discovered at Saro Univer-
sity survive the apocalypse and enlight-
en the survivors of the next cycle, or
if obscurantism of religion will prevail.
It is a confrontation that reads all the
more relevant now, even after 70
years, as climate scientists struggle to
make their warnings of catastrophe
heard above the voices of the deniers.
With a stunning storyline unleashing
a mind-stretching celestial inversion,
its inimitable style and its philo-
sophical content, Nightfall became an
instant classic.
The editor of Astounding Science
Magazine raised the 21-year-old Asi-
mov’s fee to a princely 1.25 cents a word
and gave him the cover. “I was suddenly
taken seriously”, Asimov reminisces,
“and the science fiction world became
aware that I existed”. There is reason
for his remonstrance as Asimov got poor
publicity, little praise and recognition
for his science fiction stories published
before Nightfall. But the spectacular
novel changed the entire scenario
both for Asimov as well as for science
fiction. Asimov became a legend and
science fiction boldly established itself
as a literary genre.
Petrovichi in Russia was an impor-
tant hub of wheat trade and Jewish
traders of that place were respected
for their honesty and efficiency when
Asimov was born there of Jewish par-
ents in November 1920. A year after the
German occupation in 1941, the eth-
nic cleansing of Jews killed almost the
entire Jewish population. But Asi-
mov’s family left the country much ear-
of our times
With his humanism, extraordinary imagination and sharp intelligence,
Isaac Asimov’s books will continue to guide and entertain us as life
becomes more and complex in a digitally driven universe
lier when Asimov was only three. The
family settled in New York and start-
ed operating a candy store. At the age
of five, Asimov learned to read and soon
after he learned Yiddish. After gradu-
ating from high school, he entered
Columbia University where he earned
Bachelor’s degree in science and Mas-
ter’s and PhD thereafter.
In 1949, Asimov began to teach at
Boston University and eventually he
became a full-time professor there.
But Asimov showed interest in lit-
erature and writing right from his
school days. His interest in science
fiction had begun as a boy when
he saw several science fiction and
pulp magazines for sale on the
news stand in his family’s candy
store. These included popular
magazines like Argosy (the first
American pulp magazine), Amaz-
ing Stories and Weird Tales. His father
did not allow his child to read these
books. But when Asimov convinced
his father that some of these issues
had serious topics of science, he was
allowed to read them. Young Asimov
took full advantage of it and started
reading and writing sci-fi stories and
sending them to different magazines
for publication.
But the beginning of Asimov’s
writing career was not smooth. His
first sci-fi story Cosmic Corkscrew was
rejected by the famous science-fic-
tion writer and the then editor of
Astounding Stories, John W Campbell.
But Campbell offered suggestion for
improvement and encouraged
young Asimov to keep
trying. His first
story to be
sold,
Marooned off
Vesta, was pub-
lished in Amazing
Stories in 1938. One
after another story
began to be published
thereafter in quick suc-
cession and within 10 or
12 years Asimov carved
a niche for himself as a pro-
lific science fiction writer. An
influential vision came with
the 1950 release of the story col-
lection titled I, Robot, which
included stories published a
decade back and looked at the
human /construct relationship fea-
turing “Three Laws of Robotics”.
Through these stories, Asimov intro-
duced his readers to his three laws of
robotics,
“1. A robot may not injure a human
being or, through in action, allow a
human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given
it by human beings except where such
orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own exis-
tence as long as such protection does
not conflict with the First or Second
Law.”
Asimov’s books about robots, name-
ly I, Robot, The Caves of Steel and The
Naked Sun, hold the three laws as the
moral basis guiding the conduct and
acts of robots. A “positronic brain”, as
conceived by Asimov, is a fictional tech-
nological device which functions as a
central processing unit for robots,
and in some way, provides them with
a form of consciousness recognisable
to humans. Asimov’s short story
wh e re t he tw o
compulsions are of
equal strength, which
Runaround makes Speedy, the
(1942) intro- robot, appear drunken.
duced this con- Artificial intelligence
cept explicitly for researcher Marvin Minsky
the first time in feels, “After Runaround
the context of his appeared in the March 1942
three fictional Laws. issue of Astounding Stories, I
As in other stories, the never stopped thinking about how
conflicting Laws cause what is basi- minds might work.”
cally a feedback loop, which confus- It was in his story Robbie (published
es the robot to oscillate around the point as Strange Playfellow) that Asimov
introduced his robot and positronic
brain for the first time. Previously all
science fiction writers followed the
theme, “robot turns against creator”.
But from this story onwards, Asimov
wanted to convey the message that
technophobia and Frankenstein com-
plex were a misplaced fear, and he held
the belief that robots, with the guid-
ing Laws of robotics, could provide help
to humanity. In this story, the robot
appears as a robot nursemaid of a young
girl, Gloria, who is so addicted to this
company that her parents one day
send Robbie to the factory. But
Gloria cannot forget her robot
friend in despite many efforts by
her parents. It is only after an inci-
dent where Robbie saves the life
of Gloria, that her mother’s reser-
vation about the robot goes and
the girl is reunited with her sav-
iour friend.
In 1951, Asimov’s seminal work
Foundation saw the light of the day.
It was a sci-fi book, bringing into its
fold all the novellas and stories pub-
lished before in the Foundation series.
The series is a trilogy: Foundation, Foun-
dation and the Empire and Second
Foundation. There were also sequels
like Foundation’s Edge and Foundation
and the Earth and prequels like Pre-
lude to Foundation.
The novels in the series collectively
tell the early story of “Foundation”, an
institute founded by psycho-histori-
an Hari Seldon to preserve the best of
galactic civilisation after the collapse
of the Galactic Empire. Foundation
introduces a new chapter in the
story of man’s future. As
the old Empire
cr umbles into
barbarism
throughout the mil-
lion worlds of the
galaxy, Hari Seldon and
his band of psycholo-
gists must create a new
entity, the “Foundation”,
dedicated to art, science and
technology as the beginning of
a new empire. In Foundation and
the Empire we have the enor-
mous struggle for power amid the
chaos of stars in which man stands
at the threshold of a new enlightened
life that could easily be destroyed by
the old forces of barbarism.
The third in the series, Second
Foundation, follows the Seldon plan
after the First Empire’s defeat and
describes its greatest threat — a dan-
gerous mutant strain gone wild, which
produces a mind capable of bending
men’s wills, directing their thoughts,
reshaping their desires and destroy-
ing the universe. The novels are bril-
liant in many ways. The prose is uber
readable, the pace is lickety-split and
the stories are full of larger-than-life
things.
The Foundation series is not mere-
ly about glitzy gadgets, they are more
about societies that don’t seem to be
much affected by technological progress.
We get in these novels a fair bit of Amer-
ican history, passing through Boss
Tweed politics and Robber Baron-
style plutocracy; and by the end of the
trilogy it has evolved into something
resembling mid-20th century Amer-
ica, although the author makes it clear
that this is by no means its final stage.
Once Asimov peaked as a science
fiction writer by the mid 1960s, he spent
the next few years writing a lot of pop-
ular science books, non-fiction and
school text books. What HG Wells did
for the popularisation of science in the
first half of the 20th century, Asimov
did for the second. Much of his non-
fiction writing was on various topics
in science, written with lucidity and
humour, ranging from chemistry (“The
Chemicals of Life”) to physics (“The
Neutrino”) to biology (“The Human
Brain”). His take on literature includ-
ed Asimov’s Guide to Shakespeare and
there was Asimov’s Guide to the Bible
among his books on religion. His
books on real science, explaining
everything from how nuclear weapons
work to the theory of numbers, take
complicated information and turn it
into readable interesting writing.
Asimov also enjoyed the work of a
teacher and discovered that he was an
entertaining public speaker, “I have no
doubt that I could give a stimulating
talk that would stiffen the manly fibre
of everyone in the audience”. But Asi-
mov as a person courted controversy
many a time and for a number of rea-
sons. Noted science fiction writer
Frederick Pohl recounted that when
Asimov was happily married, he was
a model of rectitude. But in the late
1960s, Asimov went through a period
of grabbing the backsides of women
he found attractive. When Pohl asked
Asimov about this, he said, “It is like
the old saying. You get slapped a lot,
but you get laid a lot too”. In this
#MeToo era, Asimov’s bad behaviour
at conferences would definitely not fly
in any way. It was a fairly known fact
that Asimov was a sex pest and for his
butt-grabbing skill, he was even invit-
ed to give a lecture on “The positive
power of posterior pinching”.
Asimov was also a man of curious
contrasts as a scientific thinker. He hated
flying, only doing it twice in his life,
choosing instead to stick to cruise ships
and trains. He also never learned to
swim, to ride a bicycle, although he
eventually learned to drive. In 1983,
Asimov had a triple bypass operation
for his heart problems. But during the
operation, he tragically received HIV-
contaminated blood for which he
later developed full-blown AIDS. Asi-
mov died in New York in 1992, but
because of the stigma associated with
AIDS at that time, his wife had to wait
for 10 years to reveal the real cause of
his death.
Although Asimov is no more with
us in his birth centenary year, his
works will continue to influence gen-
erations of writers, scientists, direc-
tors, artists, engineers and roboti-
cists, and his innumerable questions
about our relationship with scientif-
ic progress are more than relevant today.
His predictions about the rapid progress
of computerisation, robotics, tech-
nology-guided education and man-
machine relationships have come true
in many ways and his treatises and lec-
tures on popular science tried to incul-
cate the scientific temper in the man
in the street.
With his humanism, extraordinary
imagination and sharp intelligence, Asi-
mov’s books will continue to guide and
entertain us as life becomes more
and complex in a digitally driven uni-
verse where progress of science side-
by-side witnesses a sharp fall in eth-
ical and moral standards of scientif-
ic and technological inventions and
experiments and, paradoxically, a
spurt in irrational and obscurantist ideas
and utterances that threaten to take
the world back to the Dark Ages.

Unsentimental
but devastating
This is the story of schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko
Haram. An astonishing act of imaginative empathy
on O’Brien’s part, it is grounded in research trips to
Nigeria, and interviews with people involved on the
ground... A review
HOLLY WILLIAMS
T
he novel contains stomach-
turning details as well as
moments of grasped and treas-
ured small pleasures. Edna
O’Brien made her name in the 1960s with
The Country Girls trilogy, banned in her
native Ireland for its depiction of young
women’s sex lives; in 2012, she released
her acclaimed memoir, Country Girl. But
while the 88-year-old’s latest novel may
be called Girl, its subject is a world away
from her own experience: this is the imag-
ined story of one of the Nigerian school-
girls kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014.
The subject, really, is lost girlhood,
as declared by its heart-breaking open-
ing line: “I was a girl once, but not any-
more.” And the heart breaks over and
over: this is a devastating read, horror
and misfortune and injustice piling on
its protagonist till you think you can’t
bear it, till you remember how many real
teenage girls have had to bear worse. Yet
it’s told with a spare economy; never sen-
Mrs Gupta and the flyover girls
SANJUKTA DASGUPTA
M
rs Gupta went to the sports
club almost twice every
week. At least she tried to.
One day was for swimming.
Her doctor had asked her to swim in the
indoor pool of the club at least once a
week. It would be good for joints and
muscles and other stuff that make up
the human body.
Nandini Gupta detested all com-
pulsory chores. Yet all her life she did noth-
ing else. Life is all about compulsions
and not convictions, she sighed. And yet
she loved to live on. At 75 she glowed
and flowed around the blue waters of
the swimming pool, waving to other 60
and 70-plus swimmers in the pool. Who
else would swim in the club pool on a
weekday afternoon?
This afternoon too she headed for the
club. Her driver turned up at around 1pm.
He was a part-time driver by the name
of Ratan. She chatted with him every day.
She advised him about various lifestyle
issues, which were the latest buzz in the
country. So Ratan now had Pan and Aad-
har cards. He had admitted his son to a
local English medium school. Although
his daughter was young, for her, a Ben-
gali medium school would be more
than enough. No one would marry an
English-spouting memsahib, Ratan’s
wife had warned him.
Mrs Gupta had never visited Ratan’s
home. He lived in a slum near the rail-
way tracks. In fact all the domestic
workers who worked part-time in her
double storied house, with a lawn and
two garages, lived in slums close by. She
had never visited any of their homes. She
never felt like doing so.
They also never felt like asking her
to visit their homes, which had no run-
ning water and toilets. The slum resi-
dents used public toilets built by the party
councillor. The single water tap in the
locality was like a revered temple. Peo-
ple were found queuing in front of it
through the whole day and early hours
of the evening. Cans or buckets in hand
they stood in queue, chatting, arguing,
shouting, laughing, and often winking
at the young girls, the girls sharply
telling them off.
Mrs Gupta stared out of the window
of her car. She always sat on the left side
of the back seat. Suddenly she noticed
a girl, barely 10 years old, run from under
the flyover, towards her car, as it stopped
at the glowering red traffic signal. The
little girl was holding a baby in her arms,
who was perhaps about a year old.
Mrs Gupta felt a sharp wrench in her
bosom. It can’t be a mini heart attack
as she had just had a check-up. Every-
thing was fine with the complex invis-
ible mechanisms within her body.
As if under a spell she rolled down
the glass pane of her car window. She
gestured to the girl to come closer,
“What’s your name?” she asked. “Minati”
she replied. Minati? Supplication? Mrs
Gupta the retired English teacher of an
ace international school wondered.
Her driver Ratan whispered, “Madam,
please roll up the glass pane. They are
bad girls”.
The traffic lights turned green. Time
to go. But very quickly Mrs Gupta
unzipped her handbag and pulled out
a 10 rupee note and gave it to the girl.
There was no time to notice whether the
girl smiled. Her car sped off to the
sports club.
timentalised, nor sensationalised.
O’Brien tells the story of Maryam, taken
to brutalising camps by the terrorists,
where she is raped repeatedly, then
married off and impregnated. She man-
ages to escape, but faces a punishing trek
through forest and desert with a baby
she fears she can’t look after. Once back
to safety, although traumatised beyond
belief, Maryam is politically used as a
symbol of the country’s success in fight-
ing Boko Haram. Really, her situation is
hardly rosy: having a baby by the enemy
means her return to her home and fam-
She routinely met her swimming pool
buddies for a coffee or fresh lime soda
sipping and chatting session. She nar-
rated her experience of meeting Minati
emerging from under the flyover. One
of the women, in red palazzo pants and
black top said, “Oh come on Nandini,
it isn’t that you have never seen such
children before. They are under every
flyover of the city. I wonder whether their
parents recognise, which are their own
children. They rarely bathe, their clothes
are always oversized, their feet are
mostly bare, their hair never oiled or
combed. Their mothers, aunts, grand
moms are often seen boiling rice and
vegetables in dented woks on clay
ovens. Don’t tell me you never noticed
these families before? Cataract and
glaucoma check are compulsory for us,
you know”. “Rekha, you are funny”
Nandini said, but she did feel she
should have noticed what her friend had
just described.
The next two days were her stay-at-
home days. She chatted with her son
and his wife, who lived and worked in
Mumbai. She called her daughter but
Send your original and unpublished short stories (in not more than 2,000 words) to literary@thestatesman.net
ily is shrouded in shame and stigma. Her
ordeal is not yet over.
Girl is an astonishing act of imagi-
native empathy on O’Brien’s part,
grounded in research trips to Nigeria,
and interviews with people involved on
the ground — and many of the Chibok
schoolgirls themselves. Anticipating
criticism that this is not her story to tell,
she came out with fighting talk in an inter-
view: “I do not subscribe to that devi-
ous form of censorship...he world is cry-
ing out for such stories to be told.” This
is surely right — if they are distilled with
this much care and respect, by such a
talent. Crucially, you feel O’Brien is
compelled to tell this story not for the
sake of showing off that talent, but for
the sake of too-often voiceless women.
Still, there are quirks to her approach.
O’Brien, probably wisely, doesn’t attempt
to craft any slangy, youthful Nigerian voice,
but even so, there are phrases that jump
out as inescapably English and old-fash-
ioned. The girls who are warned against
“tittle-tattle”, describe themselves as
“babes in the wood”, and are jolted
Short Story
she did not pick up. She must be in col-
lege now. She called the nanny who took
care of her grandchildren. Both her grand-
son and granddaughter attended the
same school. They were eight and six
years old. Baby bunching they called it
nowadays. It was a tried and tested
method of parenting if working couples
desired to have more than one child.
Geeta, the nanny, said that everyone was
fine, but the cook was being frequent-
ly absent and so she had to do the cook-
ing as well, as a result, she was completely
drained out.
Mrs Gupta had often been asked by
her daughter to stay with them. But Nan-
dini just couldn’t bring herself to sur-
render to 24x7 baby care. It was too
exhausting. She wanted to hang out with
people of her own age group. Seventy
plus was the sexiest age for her. What
fantastic nostalgia, often peppered
with outrageous lies, fantasies and fab-
rications that would put fiction writers
to shame. The group chat sessions were
delightful.
Three favourite topics always did the
rounds — ailments and medicines,
Illustration: Debabrata Chakrabarti
“hither and thither” in a truck — the sort
of thing that can jolt us out of Maryam’s
account. Told with first person narra-
tion, Girlalso flits, line-by-line, from pres-
ent to past tense: “Sheets of lightning
were streaming down and the whole yard
is a blaze of colour.” O’Brien manages
this with a strange fluidity, and it lay-
ers in an almost subconscious disori-
entation, which of course suits this
story of dizzying displacement and
destruction.
O’Brien also captures — even in her
restrained style — the hallucinatory shifts
in perception arising when human
beings are pushed to such extremes. The
luxurious hair of an unfaithful wife, buried
up to her neck and then stoned to
death, afterwards still “seemed to bris-
tle with life”. After being gang-raped, one
young woman declares that if she has
a baby, “it would be a girl, and that she
would name it Jesus. Jesus would be a
lady.” Even nature seems to turn against
them as they die of thirst under an “alien
… malignant” sky: “We were at the rim
of existence and we knew it.”
Early on, especially, there are stom-
ach-turning details: Maryam feels “my
nostrils being prised open and the
muzzle of the gun splaying my nose” when
she resists rape. Later, another man rap-
ing her instructs his friends to photo-
graph it on their phones: “At moments
he slides out for the camera to peer in.”
It’s not easy reading. It shouldn’t be easy
reading.
But there are moments, too, of
grasped and treasured small pleasures.
A sunset like “a ball of copper and the
sky with skeins of crimson running out
it in all directions...specially for us”; the
“happy and musical” sound of a clean
flowing river; a touch of a woman’s
hand to establish friendship. And most
of all, Maryam’s fierce love for her baby,
which ultimately sounds a note of hope
in a desperate tale.
The Independent
husbands and their aches and creaks,
and sympathetic adult children with-
out empathy. Had these kids ever heard
of emotional intelligence? How could
they? They were now busy inventing a
world flush with artificial intelligence
controlled by human intelligence. So
bizarre! How could they not realise if there
was human intelligence at the root of
creating artificial intelligence, there
was every possibility of programme
malfunction, leading to eccentric robots
that could be seething with hatred and
clamouring for revenge?
This time, when Mrs Gupta got into
her Honda City for her weekly trip to
the club, she had a large bag with her
and asked Ratan to keep the bag along-
side the window next to the driver’s seat.
She spotted Minati. The car slowed
down. She lowered the glass pane.
Minati came up to the window. Nandini
picked up the bag from the front seat
and gave it to the girl. “Some clothes,
books and biscuits are in the bag. Hope
you like them”, she said. The little girl,
smiled shyly. “I will see you next week”,
Mrs Gupta said. The car drove off.
Minati watched the car till she could not
see it anymore.
The following week Nandini Gupta
couldn’t wait till the car reached the fly-
NEW DELHI,23 FEBRUARY 2020
Spot
Light
GIRL
By Edna O'Brien
Faber,
£16.99
over area. This time she thrust her head
out and waved towards the area under
the flyover from where Minati had
appeared. Sure enough the little girl ran
towards the car. Behind her were two
other girls of her size and one boy. They
all stretched out their hands. “Please
share” called out Nandini in an amused
voice. She felt like Santa Claus. Imag-
ine Minati telling her friends about the
elderly lady who gave her 10 rupees and
then a bag full of goodies.
The kids did share. They fought over
the biscuits. They turned the pages of
the picture books. They lost interest very
soon. They could not connect with the
pictures of Red Riding Hood, Snow
White, Ugly Duckling, Mickie and Min-
nie mouse and Sleeping Beauty. They
started tearing the pages and laughed
at the silly pictures. They used the hard
bound covers like table tennis bats and
played with a rag ball till the adults under
the flyover asked them to concentrate
on their work.
Work meant begging. Begging as
the cars stopped and the traffic lights
turned red. Begging from passers-by. Beg-
ging from shopkeepers who sometimes
were quite generous. Minati remembered
how a street snack shop owner had given
her an egg roll to share with her friends.
11
Just once. Since then the owner just smiled
and sometimes made funny faces at her
and thrust his tongue out at her. She did
not like that look. She felt scared,
uneasy. She stopped hanging out in front
of such shops. The men were like the
asurs she saw in the Durga Puja pan-
dals.
Mrs Gupta felt she was suddenly bub-
bling with strange zest and joy in her
uneventful, placid life. She seemed to
live for her weekly flyover stop and hand-
ing over of the bags of biscuits and colour-
ful books to Minati and the other girls.
The three or four boys standing and star-
ing from behind the girls did not come
forward. They seemed to be there to make
their presence felt. They were sure the
girls would share. The girls knew they
had to. Once she asked, “Don’t any of
you go to school?” They told her they
were all students of a corporation
school. But they did not like school. So
they stopped going. Free meals were
served sometimes. They went on those
days.
Mrs Gupta felt troubled and guilty.
She went home and told her husband
that both of them had been cold-blood-
ed, heartless, selfish giants throughout
their lives. Dr Gupta, Nandini’s husband,
smiled indulgently. He loved this impul-
sive brainy wife of his, who was imprac-
tical to the hilt.
The flyover girls waited for Mrs
Gupta every week. Their bonding grew.
She could now recognise not just Minati,
but the chubby and dark Puja, and the
two chatty sisters Asha and Bijali. Then
one afternoon, as the car slowed down,
Mrs Gupta noticed a group of men and
women standing under the flyover
along with the girls and boys. As her car
approached the men and women began
shouting, “Child lifter, child lifter”. For
a second Nandini thought they meant
someone else. But they were all staring
at her. They shouted, “We will hand you
over to the police”. They moved towards
the car and were about to surround it.
Ratan said, “Madam I warned you.
They are bad people. I am jumping the
traffic light. We have to speed past.”
Nandini sat trembling in the back seat
of her car. “Child lifter” the shout buzzed
in her ears. Her cheeks burned. Blood rushed
through her veins; she could almost hear
the surge. When she felt so close to those
children, their parents thought she was
a child trafficker! Couldn’t the children have
explained to those dumb men and women
that Nandini had just wanted to love
them, help them and learn about them?
Why were the little girls so silent? And Minati?
She did not even make eye contact as she
sat in the car, shocked, scared and ashamed.
On returning home, she narrated
everything to her husband and broke into
tears. Dr Gupta gave a long lecture to his
impressionable 75-year-old wife, on the
ways of the world, ground realities and life
under flyovers.
From the next week onwards Mrs
Gupta’s Honda City took an entirely dif-
ferent, more circuitous route to reach the
sports club. Her buddies at the club
sighed with relief. What a close shave!
Mrs Gupta hated flyovers now. For quite
a few months she would shut her eyes if
she saw a flyover even in the distance. She
had nightmares about life under flyovers
teeming with sweet looking demonic
children and their murderous kin.
But flyovers were unavoidable in an
expanding city. So now driving up and down
the stretching flyovers made the brilliant
teacher of English literature, Mrs Nandi-
ni Gupta, feel as if she was a blithe spir-
it, like Shelley’s Skylark. She realised that
she preferred a bird’s-eye view of the
world.
12 NEW DELHI, 23 FEBRUARY 2020
A magisterial book
This book is a
tremendous
contribution to
Indian
historiography.
The three
historians
covered are
Jadunath
Sarkar
(1870-1958),
GS Sardesai
(1865-1959)
and Raghubir
Sinh (1908-91).
Their primary
concerns were
respectively
the Mughals,
Marathas and
Rajputs ...
A review
Thespian par excellence
Christopher Marlowe’s contributions will always be
remembered particularly in terms of redefining and
reviving the Aristotelian concept of a tragic hero
SHIV SETHI
W
hen it comes to English
drama, our mind is spon-
taneously drawn towards
William Shakespeare. How-
ever, it is not only Shakespeare who brings
glory to the English stage. Towards the
end of the translational phase emerges
a cluster of deeply innovative writers who
at one bound took the drama out of the
quagmire of decline and infused a new
life in this genre of literature which was
decaying under the stronghold of papal
authority. The members of this group had
attained their higher education from the
world famous universities of Oxford
and Cambridge. Therefore, collectively
they are known as the university wits. If
these literary wits are likened with the
bright shining starts in the firmament
of the English Drama, Christopher Mar-
lowe is certainly a moon among these
glittering and glowing starts. Born in 1564
in Canterbury, Marlowe was the son of
a shoe maker. Despite hailing from a hum-
ble family, with not much means to his
credit he paved his way to Corpus Christi
College, Cambridge and rubbed shoul-
ders with the men of sublime intellect
and enormous erudition. Ben Jonson
another thespian of matchless repute was
quite enamoured of Marlowe and thus
called the deft usage of his blank verse
“Marlowe’s Mighty Line. Though William
Shakespeare is indebted to all the uni-
versity wits (as he heavily borrows from
them in the pursuit of his creative jour-
ney) he is particularly influenced by Mar-
lowe and therefore directly makes men-
tion about him in his famous Romantic
Comedy As You Like It. Dryden too seems
smitten with the genius mind of Mar-
lowe and lavishes his praise on him in
the following lines:
Next Marlowe, bathed in the Thespi-
an Springs
Had in him those brave translunary
things, That the first poet had.
It was the watershed year of 1587 (When
Marlowe had turned 23), his first mega
work Tamburlaine came out of his acer-
KRISHNAN SRINIVASAN
T
his is a rare book, three histories
in one text. The first is the story
of three historians of diverse back-
grounds who lived contempo-
raneously, their collaborations and pub-
lications; the second, the story of their
ground-breaking narrations of Indian
history despite professional rivalries
and owners reluctant to part with pri-
mary sources of documentation; and the
third, the author’s own commentary and
elucidations of the same histories being
constantly updated as new sources
came to light.
The three historians are Jadunath
Sarkar (1870-1958), GS Sardesai
(1865-1959) and Raghubir
Sinh (1908-91). Their
primary con-
cerns were
respec-
tively the
Mughals,
Marathas
and
Rajputs but
with consid-
erable overlaps.
Raghavan dis-
claims an inten-
tion to write biogra-
phies, but finely drawn
portraits are given. Sarkar
and Sardesai met after four
years’ correspondence in
1909, while Sitamau scholar-
prince Sinh’s doctoral thesis on
Malwa was examined by both
Sarkar and Sardesai. The three men
combined forces to research original
manuscripts and geographical sites, with
stress on accuracy and detail in writing
on the 17th and 18th centuries. An
enormous mass of three-way corre-
spondence is the basis for Raghavan’s
magisterial book.
The three infected each other with
enthusiasm. Sarkar was an ardent sup-
porter of the Raj and one of the pioneers
of Indian history writing; his main works
were Shivaji (1919), History of Aurangzeb
(1924) and Fall of the Mughal Empire
(1950), and contributions to The Mod-
ern Review. He won a knighthood in 1929
and was the leading historian of his time.
His main associates for the Marathas were
Sardesai and Sinh for the Rajputs.
Sardesai served the Maharaja of Bar-
oda for 36 years as tutor, translator and
bursar. In 1925 he left Baroda to work
on history full time. His main works, many
with his mentor Sarkar, were editing the
Peswa Daftar, Records of Maratha His-
tory; Poona Residency Series, Marathi
bic quill. The magnum opus fetched him
instant fame. Thereafter although he had
to lead a wretched existence (owing to
his debauchery and dissolute life style)
yet he remained fully loyal to his high
literary objective. In the forthcoming five
years, when Shakespeare was working
as an apprentice, Marlowe had suc-
cessfully managed to produce all of his
major works like Tamburlaine the Great,
Doctor Faustus, The Jew of Malta and some
segments of The Massacre at Paris and
Dido, Queen of Carthage. As an icono-
clast Marlowe was in his personal life
and beliefs, similar sort of iconoclastism
is what we observe in his revolutionary
handling of drama. Demolishing the old
fossilised conventions he reinvented the
genre by exalting its subject matter.
Nothing was run of the mill in the con-
text of his classy oeuvre. Deviating from
the Senecan revenge model in drama,
he consummately introduced the idea
of lofty aspirations and vaulting ambi-
tions for pelf, power and knowledge.
Marlowe’s contributions will always
be remembered particularly in terms of
redefining and reviving the Aristotelean
concept of a tragic hero. Thus far stick-
ing to the directives of the great Greek
Master Aristotle (who was of the opin-
ion that the hero of a tragedy must always
hail from some aristocratic family), the
dramatists like Sophocles, Euripides
and Aeschylus would choose men with
blue blood in their veins as their tragic
heroes. No doubt Marlowe is at one with
Aristotle when it comes to hamartia or
tragic flaw. It is an ordinary shortcom-
ing in the character of the hero which
brings him down from prosperity to adver-
sity and makes him pay a heavy price
for this. On the contrary Marlowe
brushes aside the idea of the tragic
hero as a man of majestic status with
royal lineage. He opines that an ordinary
man can be as fit and apt a subject as
an aristocratic man. Therefore, if you close-
ly analyse his famous works you will find
that Marlowean heroes are initially the
men among us with whom we can eas-
ily establish a connect. Undoubtedly
bustling with enormous zeal and over-
Riyasat (1932) and New History of the
Marathas (1948). He was greatly helped
by Sarkar’s influence with the British, there-
by earning the enmity of the Poona School
(BISM) of scholars led by VK Rajwade,
who considered that Sarkar had insult-
ed Marathi pride with a “warts and all”
view of Shivaji. Nonetheless, Sardesai was
Rai Bahadur in 1937 and Padma Bhushan
in 1957. He tried to evoke Maratha pride
and influence as an “independent enti-
ty”, and a festschrift was awarded
in 1938 though its proceed-
ings were with con-
troversy due to
the fas-
Spot
Light
HISTORY MEN
By TCA Raghavan
HarperCollins UP,
2020;
Rs 799
Life & Letters
weening ambition, they succeed to rise
quite higher than the ordinary block of
people just to tumble down the ground,
courtesy their inherent tragic flaw. Tam-
burlain is a merely a rag clad shepherd
in his childhood who ascends to the
stature of a mighty king and a despot-
ic ruler whereas the eponymous hero
Dr Faustus is born in a very humbly fam-
ily who in his very childhood is rendered
orphan and hence brought up by one
of his relatives. However with his
indomitable will and insatiable appetite
for knowledge, this personification of
inquisitiveness becomes a necromancer
extraordinaire who ( he believes) is
nothing short of a demigod. Dwelling
on the comparative study of Mar-
lowean heroes and Shakespearean
heroes, it would be pertinent to assert
that the former breaks the stereotype
whereas the latter toes the line of Aris-
totle and a host of other redoubtable Greek
playwrights in terms of the lineage of
the hero of a tragedy. All of Shakespearean
heroes (Lear, Hamlet, Macbeth and
Othello) have that proverbial blue blood
in their veins. While declaring the royal
personas the most suitable subjects for
a tragedy Aristotle puts forth the view
that the chief purpose of a tragedy is to
evoke the emotion of pity. Who weeps
when a beggar dies is the contentious
standpoint of Aristotle. Though the
evaluation of the modern day tragedies
firms our conviction that it is Marlowe
whose heroes have lived by the present
day. Gone are the days of kings and queens.
Most of the famous tragedies written in
the modern era (Death of a Salesman,
The Hairy Ape) have offered the prime
position of a hero to the plebeians, the
commonplace people with their quite
ordinary lives. Last but not least is Mar-
lowe’s establishment of blank verse as
an effective and plaint medium of trag-
ic utterances. With him indubitably
begins a new glorious era in the annals
of the history of British drama.
The writer is chairperson, department of Eng-
lish language and linguistics, Dev Samaj Post-
graduate College for Women, Ferozepur
tidiousness of several personalities con-
cerned — including the awardee’s. This
was followed by a conference at Kamshet,
deliberately meant to coincide and
clash with the Modern History Congress
(later Indian history Congress), head-
ed by a rival of Sarkar’s. The author refers
to these rivalries
as “competi-
tive urges”.
Raghubir Sinh, also a protege of
Sarkar’s, dealt with Maratha-Rajput
rivalry. His main books were The Delhi
Sultanate (1931), Indian States and the
New Regime (1938) and Malwa in Tran-
sition, when his homeland lost politi-
cal, cultural and military significance due
to the Marathas. This established him
as a leading scholar of Malwa and
Rajasthan. Sinh had the resources and
prestige to access sources and his micro-
film reader, the first in India, facilitat-
ed the exchange of documents between
the three historians. He attended the
Chamber of Princes and later the Rajya
Sabha (1952-64) and was deeply con-
cerned with the future of independent
India and the royal houses. He was a cham-
pion of Hindi and regional history and
pleaded unsuccessfully in Parliament for
a separate state of Malwa.
Sarkar, doyen of the trio, mentored
the others in attention to “painstaking
detail”, and dwelt at length on otherwise
marginal figures on the big canvas,
but he was the centre of bitter hos-
tilities both personally with the
Poona School and Ashutosh
Mukherjee, and institu-
tionally with the Indian
History Congress, Cal-
cutta University
and many more.
Endowed
with con-
sider-
able
ego, he was not moved by the stirring
events of nationalist upsurge; he upset
the Sikhs and Marathas for being insuf-
ficiently reverential and both main reli-
gious communities for his neutrality about
Aurangzeb’s fanaticism when “Hindu-
Muslim unity was a national requirement”.
He was the leading light of the Histori-
cal Records Commission from 1919 till
the Second World War, but at inde-
pendence his views became unfash-
ionable. He was excluded from the His-
torical Records Commission and received
no independent Indian honour. He was
blamed for parochialism, communal-
ism and insufficient patriotism, and
was not diffident in returning these
insinuations with his own.
The three were not always success-
ful in searches for sources; a notable fail-
ure, due to Indians’ propensity for greed
and litigation, was the Gulgule Daftar
at Kota, but thanks to Sinh, the Paras-
nis papers at Gwalior and the Jaipur
archives — whose rulers had taken
pains to preserve the records — were
accessed, and the latter resulted in A His-
tory of Jaipur (1984) by Sarkar annotat-
ed by Sinh. Sinh was pained by the gulf
between the Marathas and Rajputs; the
former as the Mughals declined were seen
as invading upstarts by the latter despite
their religious affinity. He refrained
from any “airbrushing of history” and
questioned the merit of Akbar’s matri-
monial alliances with various Rajputs.
At a time when communications
were difficult, though the postal serv-
ice was reliable, the extent of interac-
tion between the three men was remark-
able. Their works are less read and cited
now as “the inevitable evolution in
history writing supersedes past
practitioners”. Sarkar’s docu-
ments are in the National
Library, Sardesai’s in Dec-
can College in Pune.
Sinh’s memory is sus-
tained in Sitamau,
by the Raghubir
Library and
an annual
seminar in
his mem-
ory.
The
bitter
antago-
nisms
and
petty rival-
ries described
in this book
reflect the situation
today among scholars;
the Indian is more contu-
macious than argumenta-
tive. Raghavan could have used
a methodology that would have
avoided the many repetitions in the text,
and elaborated on the legacies of the three
scholars to Indian history. The Index is
inadequate and a map or maps would
have been helpful. But the writing is lucid
and this book is a tremendous contri-
bution to Indian historiography.
The reviewer is India’s
former Foreign Secretary
Christopher Marlowe
 NEW DELHI, 23 FEBRUARY 2020
13
Think Again

‘Blessed are the merciful’

Compassion is an
economic
imperative, it
keeps you and the
planet healthy,
and what could be
better than that?

to be, pure, gentle, is the radical and ognize animals as sentient beings,
MANEKA GANDHI with curiosity and fanatic: not the par- instead of forcing them to eat them. When
compassion towards ents who force chick- the child is old enough, and wants to eat

M
y granddaughter, Anasuyaa
5, is a vegetarian and a very
healthy eater. She loves veg-
etables, specially broccoli.
She doesn’t like maida in any form,
including cakes. She likes the idea of ice-
cream, but will rarely go beyond a few
licks. My son went through a phase of
offering her lollipops, which she took to
please him but never ate. Her idea of a
great meal is lots of salad, two rotis, a
little rice, dal, mushrooms and
vegetables
A few weeks ago she was given an egg
by a friend’s mother, which she ate. She
told me and I was very angry. When I took
the matter up, the only defence that the
person came up with was “Anasuyaa is
very thin and she needs protein” and then
she followed it up with a standard accu-
sation, “How can you force your child
to be vegetarian. She should be allowed
to eat what she wants .What you are doing
is not democratic and it’s bad for the child.
“This is the most annoying argument of
all, and is pushed by the feebleminded.
So, vegetarians and vegans should be
ashamed for making their children eat
so, while the others, no doubt, offer their
infants an a la carte menu at each meal
time?
Parents force their choices on you the
day you come to the world, starting with
the name and religion. Every parent forces
their children to eat in a particular
direction. But the parents, who force their
child to eat meat at a young age, are doing
much more damage, because they start
early in ruining the child’s health and
laying the foundation for obesity and
organ breakdowns. They also take away
the natural sensitivity the child is born
with towards the rest of creation.
A family stays together with food. All
culture, all respect, starts with food
choices. I know that if my son were to
eat meat it would strain our family ties.
He has been brought up a vegetarian,
and it has made him into a fine person.
Anasuyaa is the gentlest soul I have ever
met: she picks up snails from the path-
ways and carries them to one side to see
that they are not run over. We have not
taught her that. We have simply let her
be the way the universe meant humans
all. Even her teach- en nuggets on the meat when he is older, that choice can
ers say that she is four-year-old be left to him. But, until then, a healthy
unique in her respect because they know and ethical food should be the norm.
for everyone. And I best, and the child Many years ago, I asked a leader of
owe that to the fact should have what my party why his children ate meat when
that we have left her she wants. The same he and his wife were vegetarians. This
vegetarian, mostly parents do not allow leader is a Ram Mandir Hindu who
vegan, and explained her to have sweets, shot to fame through Ayodhya. His
food to her since she or any cereal that reply was, “In our house we have democ-
was two. How many contains too much racy”. My next question was “So, if your
parents explain food sugar, no matter how daughter and son smoked, drank, and
to their children? much she cries. had multiple partners, or walked about
How many under- Another oddity I scantily dressed, is that ok as well?” At
stand nutrition them- see in people is that which point he said “Tauba tauba”, and
selves? if a child is vegetar- foolishly added “Ram was a hunter”. “In
Your children are ian because of reli- the jungle”, I replied, “are your children
not born feral. Every gious reasons, its archers? Do they kill their own food? “
activity is forced on fine. But if you keep He was by then sick of me as a fanatic,
a child — make sure a child vegetarian but I pursued it, “So, you are ok with hav-
your choices are good because you care ing dead bodies on your table in order
and mindful, and about their health, to establish the sacred foundations of
then make the child the environment, democracy? And you are so noble that
do them. My son’s climate change and when your children were toddlers you
IQ is over 150, Ana- suffering to animals, fed them meat with your own hands in
suyaa has come first that’s considered order to make them true democrats? And
in several chess radical. How weird your children, when grown up, guided
championships, and that society values by the sacred light of democracy, could
is often first in her religious decisions not respect the family traditions of veg-
class- if you want to over moral ones. etarianism and their parents? “ And he
be a tiger mother A friend of mine answered, “Aaj kal modern zamanaa hai”.
and expect wonder- is very rich, and an I stopped arguing: anyone who accepts
ful things from your art collector. His the killing of other species as a “mod-
child, start with giv- grandson, aged 4, ern” thing cannot be argued with. Both
ing them the food loves, really loves, his children are divorced and he is
that their body and cows. So they have unhappy: divorce is not “very modern”.
soul really needs. statues of cows in The world is changing. It was very fash-
I have parents their vast garden, ionable to think of a vegan as a crazy flat-
who say to me very and he talks to them. earther. Now, veganism shows a supe-
proudly “My child And then sits down rior class of person, more committed to
hates vegetables” . to dinner and eats the planet, more interested in health for
That is an example of really bad parenting. you warm up food in a microwave…that’s Try getting a newspaper article on par- their meat. If I try and tell him, their whole themselves and their children. It is the
If the three year old rejects a vegetable fine. What about the parents that force ents whose child died of organ failure family warns me off because it might upset carnivores that are on the back foot:
the first time they simply remove it kids to eat McDonald’s, junk food and through bad eating. Not happening. him and put him off meat. But, if a sim- destroying health and other species is
from the diet. But it takes three to four sweets, a bucket of chicken, or lunch- When I was younger I used to speak ple identification of what he is eating no longer fashionable.
times to get a child to accept food, any eon meat sandwiches? These are the “forc- to children in schools. When I finished, puts him off meat, then surely it’s a sign Remember the Christian beatitude
food (I am not talking about sugar, at ings” that should be shamed. In this case, almost 90 per cent would turn vegetar- he shouldn’t be eating it ? always, when you feed your children,
all). These are parents who probably don’t the parents did not keep their child vegan ian. Then, they would go home and tell A lot of children don’t realise that the “blessed are the merciful for they will
like vegetables themselves, and force the — they simply fed her just fruit, which their parents. And one parent would turn meat they are eating are dead animals. be shown mercy”. Compassion is an eco-
child into their own food tastes. Some- is criminal idiocy — as much idiocy as this into power play and become aggres- They don’t talk about it at school, nomic imperative: it keeps you and the
times the media is so strange. I have read feeding chicken soup to a child that is sive in their need to dominate, “You want because teachers see it as the parent’s planet healthy, and what could be bet-
nonsensical news stories about “Vegan ill (chicken soup is used in labs to grow to be vegetarian. Go and live with Mane- job. But we need better food education, ter than that?
couple force their diet on child, kill bacteria). So many of our children in India ka Gandhi. “, or “Why should I cook sep- and now it is important that that we don’t
toddler”. If your child is obese, or dia- are vegan naturally, and look how well arately for you. This is not a restaurant”. hide where food is actually sourced To join the animal welfare movement contact
betic, because you give them pizzas, pas- they do. Childhood obesity is talked about If an elder child insists that her and what it’s actually made of. You owe gandhim@nic.in, www.peopleforanimalsin-
try, or hamburgers, twice a week, or if all the time, but it doesn’t get shamed. younger sibling be vegetarian, then she it to your child to “force” them to rec- dia.org

Country Notebook

The cat that almost was

conceded the utility of my goats, but was stand their exceptional qualifications as
M KRISHNAN critical of my dogs and pigeons and the useful and dependable pets — it is the
dogs, perversely were very fond of her small. Indian Civet that I am writing of,

T
wo months ago, I ate a variety
of mango sedulously cultivat-
ed in the Deccan, in far-away
Madhya Pradesh. No one knows
how or why these local fancies and
preferences spread out centrifugally
across the country.
And it what was the vogue in ratters
in Anantapur a hundred years ago had
extended to the rest of India, we would
have few cats in our homes. We would
have civet-cats, instead.
Even only 25 years ago, when I was
living in the Deccan and kept dogs and
milch-goats and racing homers, a kind-
ly old lady who lived next door used to
deplore my taste in pets. We lived from
harvest to harvest in those days, and stored
grain and pulses and gram for the year
in enormous earthen-ware jars as tall
as a man — and naturally we had to be
on our guard against rats. My neighbour
“What good are these big clumsy dogs?”
she would ask “They are much too large
to follow a rat through drains and nar-
row passages and a rat has only to climb
up to a shelf to be safe from them. Why
don’t you have the wits to get yourself
a civet-cat? With a civet in the house you
need never be bothered with rats”.
Then she would tell me of her younger
days in Anantapur and how she like many
others there, had kept civets to keep the
house free of rats. She assured me that
taken in hand young, a civet could safe-
ly be given the run of the house and would
not run away when grown, as a mon-
goose will. It was lean, quiet and affec-
tionate, and peerless as a ratter. The trou-
ble was getting it in the first place: if only
young civets were as easily available as
kittens, no one would keep cats.
I have no personal experience of
keeping civets, but can well under-
of course. Years ago, a wilder and more
nocturnal creature, a palm-civet, took
up residence in the many layered tile of
my kitchen roof, and lived there for years
till the old roof collapsed and was
replaced with a concrete slab.
Somehow, the potential of the civet
as a valuable and arrestingly attractive
domestic animal does not seem to have
been investigated outside the Deccan
and the surrounding tracts. In the old By nature, civets are less strictly car- ly it goes away on a voyage of discov- hunting. I have also seen them eating
days, before synthetic perfumes were pro- nivorous than cats, and feed on a vari- ery, a civet should be easy to keep and the fruit of Carisa, and even of a lantana,
duced in such profusion, civets were kept ety of things —insects, grubs, crustaceans, can be given the run of the house and other small jungle berries. Once I
in barrow, barred cages, for the sake of birds when they can catch them, and such instead of being cooped up in a cage. saw a civet up a jamun tree that was in
the secretion from their subcaudal reptiles and small mammals as they can And it is not an animal that is demand- fruit; civets can certainly climb trees if
glands which was scraped off and refined overpower, and also many wild fruits and ing and wants to be noticed and petted they want to, but I do not know whether
into the scent, civet. This was valued not even, I suspect, some tubers. A captive from time to time, like some other it had climbed the tree for the ripe fruit,
only for its perfume, but also for its alleged specimen I used to know was found of domestic pets. or for some other reason. It saw me when
therapeutic virtue. But the civet-cat bananas. Obviously, such an omnivo- I have watched civets hunting in the I saw it, climbed down the tree, and made
was seldom kept and prized as a pet. rous animal is not hard to feed and rear, grass and shallow puddles of the bor- off.
Zeuner does not even mention it in his and since it tends to stay where it grew ders of a lake; frogs, perhaps crabs, and
History of Domesticated Animals. up, returning home even if occasional- insects were what they were obviously This was published on 26 August 1973
14
NEW DELHI, 23 FEBRUARY 2020
THUMBNAILS
'Vivad se Vishwas'
scheme: Income tax cases
being arbitrated abroad
will be eligible to be
taken up under the pro-
posed 'Vivad se Vishwas'
scheme to settle dis-
putes between the tax-
man and the taxpayer,
the department said on
Saturday. The income tax
department issued adver-
tisements in leading
dailies saying the scheme
was a “golden opportuni-
ty... to settle income tax
disputes”, bridge the
trust deficit in cases of
disputes and minimise
tax-related litigation. PTI
Spices production: Spice
farmers should double
production and exporters
need to increase trade
with other countries to
enable the country reach
the targeted $5 trillion
economy and make India
a global powerhouse by
2024-25, minister of state
for commerce and indus-
try Som Parkash said on
Saturday. He was speak-
ing after inaugurating a
function to present tro-
phies and awards of the
Spices Board to exporters
for Excellence in Export
of Spices and launch of
new projects. PTI
Ireland education fair:
Over 250 students
attended the Ireland edu-
cation fair in New Delhi
on Saturday. The fair saw
leading Irish institutes
address, discuss pro-
grammes available,
intakes, offer accept-
ance, campus life, accom-
modation, international
student support, scholar-
ships and culture. Educa-
tion in Ireland fairs will
also be organised in Luc-
know, Mumbai, Bengaluru
& Chennai, according to a
Press release. SNS
Morepen profit up:
Morepen Laboratories has
reported a 21 per cent
rise in net profit in the
third quarter of FY 2019-
20, led by a stable per-
formance in all business
segments. The net profit
after tax during the peri-
od stood at Rs 10.81
crore as against Rs 8.91
crore registered in the
corresponding period of
FY 2018-19, says a Press
release. SNS
Biocon: Biocon said on
Saturday it has received
three observations from
the US health regulator
following inspection of
its insulin manufacturing
facility in Malaysia. The
US Food and Drug Admin-
istration (USFDA) had con-
ducted a pre-approval
inspection of Biocon's
subsidiary Biocon Sdn
BHd's manufacturing
facility in Malaysia for
Insulin Glargine between
10 and 21 February. PTI
Applied audit: The Insti-
tute of Internal Auditors
(IIA) organised an inter-
national seminar ~
Applied Audit-The Evolv-
ing Frontier ~ recently,
which witnessed some
path-breaking develop-
ments in the domain. The
conference emphasised
that applied audit today
is to provide value far
beyond assurance,
according to an IIA
release. SNS
2-digit salary hike
likely this yr: Study
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
Corporate India is expected
to roll double-digit salary
hike this appraisal season
and the average appraisals in
2020 will be higher than the
annual increment of 2019,
says a survey.
According to the findings
of a new survey, salaries across
different sectors would witness
an increment of up to 30 per
cent.
The survey titled Decod-
ing Appraisal Trends for 2020
that recorded responses of
1,296 hiring managers from
different industry verticals
noted that a majority (80 per
cent) of the hiring managers
claimed that the average
India needs pro-business,
not pro-crony policies: CEA
Budget’s thrust on ‘Assemble in India’ should not be seen as a substitute to ‘Make in India’ programme
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
MUMBAI, 22 FEBRUARY
I
ndia has some distance to
go in fully shifting from
pro-crony to pro-busi-
ness policies, chief eco-
nomic adviser Krishnamurthy
Subramanian said today.
It will be the pro-business
policies that will enable the
“invisible hands of the mar-
ket” and also take the coun-
try to the goal of $5 trillion GDP,
he added.
“Pro-business policies are
those that enable fair com-
petition in the country.We have
some distance to go in terms
of enabling that fully. Pro-crony
policies on the other hand just
help incumbents and that is
something that we have to stay
away from in enabling the
invisible hands of the market,”
he said at an alumni confer-
ence of his alma mater IIT-
Kanpur here. Indian policy-
making has been criticised for
favouring crony capitalists
in the initial decades after Inde-
pendence, till the country
shifted gears by adopting lib-
eralisation in 1991.
Mr Subramanian said after
Centre pays `50,850 crore Coronavirus a blow to domestic
under PM-KISAN scheme cut & polished diamond industry
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
The Centre today said it has
disbursed Rs 50,850 crore
to farmers so far under its
landmark scheme PM-KISAN,
enabling them to meet farm
input cost and household
expenses. The agriculture
ministry shared the progress
made under the scheme,
ahead of its first anniver-
sary on 24 February.
The PM-KISAN was for-
mally launched on 24 Feb-
ruary last year by Prime Min-
ister Narendra Modi at
Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Under the scheme, the
Centre transfers an amount
of Rs 6,000 per year, in three
equal installments, directly
into the bank accounts of the
farmers, subject to certain
exclusion criteria relating to
higher income status.
“24 February 2020 is the
Mahindra Renewables
to sell stake in 3 arms
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
Mahindra & Mahindra has said
its wholly-owned arm Mahin-
dra Renewables will sell its
entire stake in three sub-
sidiaries to CLP India, a part
of Hong Kong-based CLP
Group, for nearly Rs 340 crore.
Mahindra Renewables Pvt
Ltd (MRPL) has yesterday
agreed to sell its entire stake
aggregating 100 per cent of
the paid-up equity share
capital in Cleansolar Renew-
able Energy Pvt Ltd (CREPL),
Divine Solren Pvt Ltd (DSPL)
and Neo Solren Pvt Ltd (NSPL),
wholly-owned subsidiaries
of MRPL, to CLP India Pvt
Ltd (CLP), Mahindra & Mahin-
dra said in a regulatory
filing.
As per the share purchase
appraisals in 2020 will be
higher than the annual incre-
ment of 2019.
Around 41 per cent of HR
managers feel that location-
wise, the IT capital of the
country Bengaluru, would
lead the appraisal front this
year. While professionals
from Delhi-NCR and Mum-
bai would bag the second
and third highest appraisals
this year.
The survey further noted
that most HR professionals
believe that the IT sector
would outshine all the
other sectors this appraisal
season, followed by media
and entertainment and
healthcare sectors in the sec-
ond and third position, respec-
tively.
SUBRAMANIAN SPEAKS
� Pro-business policies are those that enable fair competition in the country. We
have some distance to go in terms of enabling that fully. Pro-crony policies on the
other hand just help incumbents and that is something that we have to stay away
from in enabling the invisible hands of the market
� He also made a strong case for not depending only on recent work in econom-
ics to make policy choices and neglecting age-old texts like the
'Arthashastra'
� If governance standards have to be increased in the coun-
try, there has to be a greater focus on disclosing related-
party transactions, the CEA said. The comments come in the
wake of frauds like the one at non-bank lender DHFL
the CAG's report on telecom
spectrum allocations came out
in 2011, investor returns from
“connected companies”, a
euphemism for crony firms,
have been very low as com-
pared to the broader indices.
The problem with crony-
ism is that it is not better
business models and process-
es which drive the growth, he
said, adding that we should
always aim at “creative destruc-
tion” where the incumbents
are challenged.
In a critique of the domi-
nant policy choices in the
initial decades after Inde-
pendence, Mr Subramanian
1st anniversary of starting of
a new Central Sector Scheme,
namely, the Pradhan Mantri
Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-
KISAN),” an official state-
ment said.
The scheme was launched
to provide income support
to all landholding farmers'
families across the country
and enable them to meet
expenses related to agricul-
ture as well as domestic
needs, it added.
“The Central government
has already released more
than Rs 50,850 crore till now,”
the ministry said.
The total number of ben-
eficiaries covered under the
scheme is about 14 crore,
based on estimates of the Agri-
culture Census 2015-16.
As on 20 February this year,
8.46 crore farmer families
have been given the benefits.
The scheme is effective from
December 2018. The cut-off
agreement, CLP will acquire
96,23,000 equity shares of Rs
10 each in CREPL at a price
of Rs 113.11 per share, aggre-
gating to Rs 108.85 crore.
Similarly, it will acquire
1,20,80,000 equity shares of
Rs 10 each in DSPL at a price
of Rs 104.57 per share, aggre-
gating to Rs 126.32 crore.
CLP will also buy 93,15,000
equity shares of Rs 10 each
of NSPL at a price of Rs 112.37
per share aggregating to
Rs 104.67 crore, the filing
said.
In the fiscal ended 31
March 2019, CREPL had a
turnover of Rs 39.15 crore,
while DSPL's and NSPL's
turnover stood at Rs 54.18 crore
and Rs 42.68 crore, respectively.
The transaction is expect-
ed to be completed by 31
May 2020.
Debt funds see inflow of over `94K crore
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
Mutual funds focused on
investing in fixed-income
securities saw an inflow of
over Rs 94,000 crore in the
three months ended Decem-
ber 2019, driven by infusion
in liquid and overnight
funds.
This comes following an
outflow of Rs 5,061 crore in Sep-
tember quarter and fund infu-
sion to the tune of Rs 19,691
crore in the June quarter,
according to a report by Morn-
ingstar.
It is interesting to note
that half of the total inflows
in the fixed-income segment
came through overnight and
liquid funds, where most of
the institutional money is
Over four crore well-paying jobs can be
created in the country by 2025
said: “The tryst with socialism
did not deliver the tryst with
destiny”, referring to first
Prime Minister Jawaharlal
Nehru's famous speech when
India attained freedom.
He also made a strong
case for not depending only
on recent work in economics
to make policy choices and
neglecting age-old texts like
the 'Arthashastra'.
“Scholarly work isn't some-
thing that was written in the
last 100 years but dates back
millennia,” he said.
The Arthashastra stresses
on ethical ways of creating
wealth, he said, adding that
date for identification of
beneficiaries with regard to
their eligibility was 1 Febru-
ary 2019. The entire respon-
sibility of identification of ben-
eficiaries rests with the
state/UT governments.
The scheme initially pro-
vided income support to all
small and marginal farm-
ers' families across the coun-
try, holding cultivable land
up to 2 hectares. However, its
ambit was later expanded to
cover all farmer families in
the country irrespective of the
size of their land holdings.
Affluent farmers have
been excluded from the
scheme such as income tax
payers in last assessment
year, professionals like doc-
tors, engineers, lawyers and
chartered accountants and
pensioners drawing at least
Rs 10,000 per month (exclud-
ing MTS/Class IV/Group D
employees).
‘FIs may continue to face
challenging environment’
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
MUMBAI, 22 FEBRUARY
With deceleration in growth
and tight liquidity condi-
tions, the country's finan-
cial institution sector may con-
tinue to face challenging
operating environment,
according to a report by Fitch
Ratings. It said the stress in
non-banking financial com-
panies, small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) and the real
estate sector will continue to
put asset-quality pressures on
financial institutions in the
country.
“The Indian financial insti-
tutions (FIs) sector will con-
tinue to face a difficult oper-
ating environment amid the
macroeconomic slowdown
and weak funding condi-
parked.
Liquid funds, with invest-
ments in cash assets such as
Treasury Bills, certificates of
deposit and commercial paper
for shorter horizon, witnessed
flows amounting to Rs 28,983
crore during the quarter under
review.
The segment had wit-
nessed an outflow of Rs 15,862
crore in September quarter,
typically due to advance tax
payment requirements.
In addition, overnight
funds, which invest in secu-
rities with maturity of one
day, received inflows of about
Rs 17,529 crore, higher than
Rs 3,913 crore in the three
months ended September
2019.
Further, banking and PSU
category, which is consid-
KRISHNAMURTHY SUBRAMANIAN
CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISER
On the focus on 'Assem-
ble in India', Mr Subraman-
ian cited the case of Suzuki's
entry into the country in
1980s and the developments
in the auto sector since then
to illustrate that simple assem-
bly of parts to make a car is a
precursor to manufacturing
and also intellectual proper-
ty creation.
Pointing out to the recent-
ly released Economic Survey,
he said over four crore well-
paying jobs can be created in
the country by 2025 by focus-
we need to focus on creating ing on assembling for the
trust in the markets as well. world, and the same can go
If governance standards up to eight crore by 2030.
have to be increased in the Asked about the Budget's
country, there has to be a thrust on imposing tariffs on
greater focus on disclosing certain sectors and how it
related-party transactions, has been criticised as being
the CEA said. The comments protectionist by some, Mr
come in the wake of frauds like Subramanian said we need to
the one at non-bank lender make a distinction between
DHFL. duties that are imposed on fin-
The Union Budget's thrust ished products against those
on 'Assemble in India' should on raw materials or interme-
not be seen as a substitute to diate goods which hurt exports.
the government's flagship “We need to move towards
'Make in India' programme, far more open trade policies
but as a complementary aspect on intermediate goods and raw
which will act as a precursor materials to enable exports,”
to other goals, he said. he told reporters.
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA industry had been going
MUMBAI, 22 FEBRUARY through weak demand con-
ditions in key markets and
Rating agency Icra has down- pressure on gross margins
graded its outlook on cut and due to declining finished
polished diamond industry prices. If the business
to negative from stable due to lockdown continues in C&HK,
the ongoing lockdown in parts industry pressure will
of China and Hong Kong aggravate and impact cash
(C&HK) region following flows,” Icra vice-president,
COVID-19 outbreak. corporate ratings, Jay Sheth
The coronavirus impact in said.
China coupled with weak This can have a serious
demand conditions in key bearing, especially given the
markets is expected to impact cautious lending to the sector
the domestic cut and pol- and potential impact CPD
ished diamond industry players' credit profile, he
in a major way, Icra said in a added.
report. “The pandemic in China will
China accounts for 14 per also hit near-term global
cent of polished diamond demand for CPD and the wide-
consumption while a larger pro- spread economic shutdown in
portion (35 per cent) of exports C&HK region which will fur-
from India is currently rout- ther delay demand recovery.
ed via Hong Kong. The industry is already bear-
“Apart from recent devel- ing the brunt of on-going US-
opments in China, the cut China trade and political ten-
and polished diamond (CPD) sions,” he opined. The C&HK
tions,” the rating agency said income buffers, it said.
in a recent note. “The potential for conta-
The rating agency expects gion for banks, thus, exists as
the real GDP growth to slow a result of their direct expo-
to 4.6 per cent in 2019-20 from sure to NBFIs as well as the
6.8 per cent in 2018-19, led second-order economic
by a squeeze in credit avail- impact of being exposed to
ability from non-banking the sectors that are adjusting
financial institutions (NBFIs) to the credit squeeze as the
and deterioration in busi- NBFIs cut back exposure,” the
ness and consumer confi- rating agency said.
dence. However, the real GDP The banking system's aver-
growth may rebound to 5.6 age impaired loans ratio had
per cent in 2020-21, it said. fallen to 9.3 per cent by 2018-
The report said asset-qual- 19 from 11.6 per cent at 2017-
ity tensions are likely to inten- 18, the first decline since
sify if stresses on non-banks, 2020-11.
real estate and SMEs remain According to the latest
unresolved. Financial Stability Report
Idiosyncratic stress in the released by the RBI, the gross
telecom sector has also pushed non-performing loans of
up asset-quality risks for banks may increase to 9.9 per
banks, which are vulnerable cent by September 2020 from
due to weak capital and 9.3 per cent in March 2019.
THIRD QUARTER PERFORMANCE
� It is interesting to note that half of the total inflows
in the fixed-income segment came through overnight
and liquid funds, where most of the institutional money
is parked
� Further, banking and PSU category, which is con-
sidered as a safe option, received flows of Rs 16,856
crore in the quarter ended December 2019, a surge
of 57 per cent from the previous three months
� Various categories of fixed-income investments con-
tinue to face challenges either due to
fear of rising yields
or credit downgrades
to any of their
underlying papers
ered as a safe option, received from the previous three
flows of Rs 16,856 crore in the months.
quarter ended December As a mandate, such funds
2019, a surge of 57 per cent need to invest a minimum 80
Banks under
PCA are being
monitored: RBI
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
Reserve Bank of India Gov-
ernor Shaktikanta Das has
said four banks under the
Prompt Corrective Action
(PCA) framework are taking
efforts and they are being
monitored. Currently, Indian
Overseas Bank (IOB), Central
Bank of India, UCO Bank and
United Bank of India are
under this framework, which
puts several restrictions on
them, including on lending,
management compensation
and directors' fees.
“We would like them to
improve their performance
and come out of PCA as quick-
ly as possible. We are engaged
with the banks. We are mon-
itoring it. They are making
efforts. Banks are required
to take several actions to
come out of the PCA, and that
is being monitored,” Mr Das
said in an interview.
Recently, the government
announced capital infusion
of Rs 11,521 crore into these
four banks, with IOB getting
the highest amount of Rs
region, accounts for 14-15 per
cent of the global demand for
CPDs, the report said.
China is a major market as
it not only consumes import-
ed diamonds locally, but
also to produce diamond
studded jewellery and export
the same to the US, South
East Asia and other markets in
a big way.
The export of polished dia-
monds to China is largely
routed through Hong Kong,
which is a major global
diamond trading hub along-
side Belgium and the United
Arab Emirates. Industry esti-
mates C&HK to be currently
accounting for 35 per cent of
India's overall CPD exports,
which is slightly ahead of
the US.
Therefore, Icra estimates the
domestic industry to be most-
ly impacted due to its con-
siderable exposure in C&HK.
In addition, the report said
Forex reserves rise
by $3.091 billion
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
MUMBAI, 22 FEBRUARY
The country's foreign exchange
reserves swelled by $3.091
billion to a lifetime high of
$476.092 billion in the week
to 14 February, mainly due to
a rise in foreign currency
assets, according to the RBI
data.
In the previous week, the
foreign exchange reserves
had increased by $1.701 bil-
lion to $473 billion.
Foreign currency assets, a
major component of the over-
all reserves, rose by $2.763 bil-
lion to $441.949 billion in the
reporting week.
Expressed in terms of dol-
lar, the foreign currency assets
include the effect of appre-
ciation or depreciation of
non-US units like the euro,
per cent of their total assets
in debt instruments of banks,
public sector undertakings, or
public financial institutions.
This makes the category of
investment relatively safer
than some of the other fixed-
income categories in terms of
credit risk.
“Interestingly, when most
of the fixed-income cate-
gories witnessed an exodus of
flows caused by frequent
downgrades to certain enti-
ties, the banking and PSU
category continued to thrive
as it kept getting healthy flows
as investors chose to park
money into safer options,” the
report said. Inflows into India’s
corporate bonds dropped to
Rs 5,359 crore from Rs 6,717
crore.
The asset base of debt
4,360 crore. Central Bank of
India got Rs 3,353 crore, UCO
Bank Rs 2,142 crore and Unit-
ed Bank of India Rs 1,666
crore.
Besides, LIC-controlled
IDBI Bank too received addi-
tional capital of Rs 4,557 crore
through the first supple-
mentary demands for grants
approved by Parliament in
December.
Last year, the RBI removed
five banks ~ Bank of India, Bank
of Maharashtra, Oriental Bank
of Commerce, Allahabad Bank
and Corporation Bank ~ from
the PCA framework in two
phases after capital support
from the government that
resulted in improvement in
their financial parameters.
The capital infusion helped
these lenders meet requisite
capital thresholds and reduce
their net NPA levels to below
6 per cent.
Out of the 11 banks put
under the PCA framework
last year, Dena Bank ceased
to exist as a separate entity after
its merger with Bank of Bar-
oda in April, while IDBI Bank
has been acquired by LIC.
the slowdown in sales will
mean increased finished stock.
However, it said that on the
positive side, lockdown in
C&HK will also mean more
opportunities for Indian CPD
companies to cater to dia-
mond studded jewellery
demand in the US and other
key markets.
With Chinese factories
operating at low capacity util-
isation, such manufacturing
can be diverted to India for a
short period of time.
“However, the situation
could worsen if the Chinese
shutdown sustains for two
more months (say until April
2020), then it could lead to ele-
vated inventory levels for the
industry. Exceptions will be
companies which have been
prudent in their rough diamond
procurement; such compa-
nies would be able to manage
their liquidity better,” the
report added.
The country's reserve
position with the IMF
declined by $9 million
to $3.590 billion, the
Reserve Bank of India
data showed
pound and yen held in
the foreign exchange res-
erves.
The country’s reserves of
gold rose by $344 million to
$29.123 billion.
The special drawing rights
with the International Mon-
etary Fund (IMF) were
down by $6 million to $1.430
billion.
The country's reserve posi-
tion with the IMF also declined
by $9 million to $3.590 billion,
the Reserve Bank of India
data showed.
mutual funds rose 11 per cent
to Rs 11.28 lakh crore at
December-end from Rs 10.15
lakh crore at the end of Sep-
tember.
The report said that vari-
ous categories of fixed-income
investments continue to
face challenges either due to
the fear of rising yields or
credit downgrades to any (or
some) of their underlying
papers.
“The year 2019 will be long
remembered by the numer-
ous downgrades some of the
entities witnessed. This in
turn had a significant impact
on the net asset values of
portfolios, the impact of which
is still being felt as investors
move from risky debt funds
to safer funds,” the report
added.

THUMBNAILS
Octogenarian banned:
Robert Strange, an 83-
year-old from California
who resumed weightlift-
ing after a heart valve
procedure and won gold
at the 2019 Masters World
Championships, has
accepted a one-year dop-
ing ban.
Medvedev stunned: Gilles
Simon stunned top seed
and world number five
Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-0 in
just 67 minutes to reach
the semi-finals in Marseille.
Gujrathi loses: Vidit
Gujrathi lost his play-off
game to finish second in
the Prague chess festival.
Five players, including
Gujrathi, finished tied top
with five points from nine
rounds.
Moscow Open: Bharath
Subramaniyam won while
S P Sethuraman was held
as the Indian duo shared
the second spot with two
others after three rounds
in the A group of the
Moscow Open chess tour-
nament. Azerbaijan's Rauf
Mamedov led the field.
Ravi shows class with gold,
Bajrang fails to defend title
PTI
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
Ravi Dahiya impressed with a
gold-winning effort at the Asian
Wrestling Championship but
India's biggest Olympic medal
hope Bajrang Punia looked
good until he ran into Japan-
ese Takuto Otoguro in his final
here on Saturday.
In a strong show by the
home wrestlers, four of them
reached the finals but only
Ravi stood on top of the podi-
um, with a scintillating show in
the 57kg.
Ravi had shown at the 2019
World Championship in Nur Sul-
tan, Kazakhstan, that he is one
for the future, and he proved it
again at the KD Jadhav Indoor
Stadium.
His agility, tactic and a strong
will all came together and
resulted in a tremendous per-
formance.
Apart from Bajrang (65kg),
Gourav Baliyan (79kg) and
Satyawart Kadiyan (97kg) also
had to be content with silver
medals.
World number two Bajrang
entered the event as defending
champion and conceded only
two points on his way to the final
but could not avenge his defeat
Clubs tremble when Real (Madrid), Barcelona come calling.
to Otoguro in the 2018 World
Championship title clash.
At that time his leg defence
was a huge issue but on Satur-
day he lost in a different man-
ner. In the fast-paced bout,
Bajrang's leg defence was not
a problem but he lost points on
smart counter-attacks by
Otoguro.
Much to the shock of home
fans, Bajrang suffered a com-
prehensive 1-10 defeat against
the world number nine.
Bajrang could score just
one point on push-out even as
Otoguro kept strengthening
his lead with tremendous tac-
tical acumen and power.
An upset Bajrang said he
could not fight the way he
wanted.
“It was important to fight with
all these wrestlers because I will
wrestle with them at the
Olympics. I have taken my les-
sons from this. I could not fight
as I wanted. It was a very dif-
ferent fight. His counter-attacks
were good and this is an area I
need to work on to”, he said.
Poor leg defence and con-
ceding a big lead in the first peri-
od troubled Bajrang for some
time but none of them cropped
up on Saturday as he remained
strong from the beginning.
India bounce back in style
Australia got a chance to seal the match with penalty corner but Rohindas blocked Dawson’s slap-shot
PTI
BHUBANESWAR, 22 FEBRUARY
I
ndia bounced back in
style to beat title holders
Australia 3-1 via a shoot-
out in the second match
of the two-leg FIH Pro League
match here on Saturday.
Both the teams were locked
2-2 at the end of regulation
time at the Kalinga Stadium.
India converted two penal-
ty corners through Rupin-
der Pal Singh (25th minute)
and Harmanpreet Singh
(27th), while Trent Mitton
(23rd) and skipper Aran
Zalewski (46th) were the scor-
ers for Australia in the regu-
lation 60 minutes.
India had lost 3-4 to the vis-
itors in the first game on Fri-
day. By virtue of this win,
India earned three points
from the game while Australia
pocketed one.
Both India and Australia
have 10 points from six games
but the Kookaburras are a rung
above the Manpreet Singh-led
side at third spot in the stand-
ings on goal difference.
In the shoot-out, Har-
manpreet,Vivek Sagar Prasad
and Lalit Upadhyay scored for
PEP GUARDIOLA
MANAGER, MANCHESTER CITY
India, while only Daniel Beale
found the net for the visitors.
Australia made a positive
start, earning a penalty corner
inside the opening 30 seconds
of the match, but Jeremy Hay-
ward's flick was saved by India
goalkeeper P R Sreejesh.
After that it was all India with
the hosts pinning the Kook-
aburras deep in their own ter-
ritory but failing to create
clear-cut opportunities.
In the eighth minute Aus-
tralia secured back-to-back
penalty corners, the second-
of which was converted by
Lachlan Sharp with a rebound,
but the goal was ruled out
after India called for video
referral for obstruction on
goalkeeper Sreejesh.
The Kookaburras won
another penalty corner in the
Giroud, Alonso help Chelsea sink Spurs
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
LONDON, 22 FEBRUARY
Olivier Giroud(in photo right)
and Marcos Alonso came in
from the cold to inspire Chelsea’s
2-1 win against Tottenham as
the Blues cemented their grip
on fourth place in the Pre-
mier League on Saturday.
Giroud and Alonso had
been reduced to fringe figures
in Frank Lampard’s first sea-
son as Chelsea manager.
But Lampard restored both
veterans to the team at Stam-
ford Bridge in a gamble that paid
rich dividends.
With Tammy Abraham only
fit enough to make the bench,
Giroud started for the first
time since November and the
France striker’s fine finish
opened the scoring in the first
half.
The 33-year-old could have
joined Tottenham had Chelsea
signed a forward in January, but
instead he netted his first club
goal since August and his first
in the Premier League since
April.
Alonso, 29, maintained the
theme of exiles getting back in
favour as the left-back struck
in the second half of his first
league start since Chelsea’s
win at Tottenham in Decem-
ber. Antonio Rudiger’s own
goal came too late to ruin
Chelsea’s first win in five league
games, moving them four
points clear of fifth placed Tot-
Mohun Bagan beat Churchill
Brothers to extend lead at the top
AGENCIES
MARGAO, 22 FEBRUARY
Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan
over whelmed Churchill
Brothers FC Goa 3-0 at the
Fatorda Stadium in Margao,
Goa, on Saturday, to inch
three points closer to their
second Hero I-League title,
with the crucial business
end soon approaching.
Former La-Liga and Sene-
galese striker Papa Babacar
Diawara started the blitz as
early as the sixth minute, with
second-half strikes from VP
Suhair and Tajik Komron
Tursunov driving home the
visitors’ dominance over the
hosts.
Both coaches, Portuguese
Bernardo Tavarez of Churchill
and Spaniard Kibu Vicuna of
Bagan were forced to make
changes at the start of the
game due to suspensions, but
that did not seem to have too
much of an effect on the
scoreline.
The league leaders were
off the blocks early with
Diawara scoring his seventh
in as many games. It also
involved prominently the
visitor’s two Spanish stars,
who have been involved in
almost every goal Bagan
have scored this season.
NEW DELHI, 23 FEBRUARY 2020
12th minute but Sreejesh once
again came to India's rescue
by denying Hayward.
Three minutes into the sec-
ond quarter, Jarmanpreet Singh
missed a glorious chance to put
India ahead, slapping his first-
time shot just wide of the left
post after he was picked out by
Amit Rohidas' searching cross
from the right.
Seconds later, the Indians
tenham in the race to qualify
for the Champions League.
Ending Tottenham’s three-
game winning streak in the
league was the perfect response
to Monday’s home defeat
against Manchester United.
It was no more than they
deserved after a vibrant per-
formance that finally answered
Lampard’s call for a killer
instinct in the final third.
Tottenham have now won
just once in their last 34 visits
to Stamford Bridge, making it
a painful return for their for-
mer Chelsea boss Jose Mour-
inho, who was beaten by Lam-
pard for the second time this
term.
Mourinho had ramped up
the mind games on Friday
when he claimed to know
Lampard was planning to use
Joseba Beitia played a
free-kick out wide for Hero
of the Match Fran Gonzalez,
who headed square for
Diawara coming in dutiful-
ly. The Senegalese tapped it
home with the Churchill
defence on his heals as it took
a couple of deflections includ-
ing that off the wrongfoot-
ed keeper, to hobble in.
Churchill fought back
creditably after the setback
and there was a period of play
when they missed three
clear-cut chances in the
space of five minutes with the
Dawda Cessay-Willis Plaza
combination working won-
ders.
Bagan’s new defensive
formation, with Trinidadian
Daniel Cyrus and Gurjinder
starting a game after a pro-
longed break, did well to
absorb a determined
Churchill push. Young SK
Sahil, in particular, was
impressive in snatching the
ball from the opposition.
The Green and Maroons
were looking good going for-
ward and they did create a
couple of golden chances
of their own, but the first half
could not find any more
goals.
Soon after the restart,
Suhair, another of Bagan’s
15
defended a fifth Australian
penalty corner.
Mitton broke the deadlock
for Australia in the 23rd minute
after beating second- choice
India goalkeeper Krishan Pathak
at his near-post with a powerful
slap-shot.
Australia earned their sixth
penalty corner soon but failed
to convert. Five minutes from
half time, Rupinder equalised
for the hosts, converting a
penalty corner with a low drag-
flick that went through the
legs of Australia goalkeeper
Tyler Lovell.
Two minutes later, Har-
manpreet converted another
set-piece to hand India a 2-1
lead going into the halfway stage.
Two minutes into the sec-
ond half, Australia secured
two penalty corners in suc-
cession, but Hayward's shot on
goal from the second chance
was disallowed.
A minute later Tim Brand
missed a penalty stroke for Aus-
tralia. In the 43rd minute,
Ramandeep Singh fired high
and wide of the rival goal.
Australia drew level soon
when an unmarked Zalewski
scored from a field effort.
Two minutes from the final
hooter,Vivek was denied by Tim
Howard with a brilliant tack-
le.
In the final minute, Australia
got a golden chance to seal the
match in the form of a penal-
ty corner, but Matt Dawson's
slap-shot was brilliantly blocked
by an onrushing Rohidas.
the same five-man defence
that helped the Blues win at Tot-
tenham earlier this season.
Mourinho was spot on,
with Lampard making four
changes in a return to the sys-
tem he predicted, but he could
not come up with an effective
solution.
Lucas Moura and Steven
Bergwijn, more often used as
wingers, led a makeshift Tot-
tenham attack in the absence
of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min
and Dele Alli, who was dropped
after reacting angrily to his
substitution in the midweek
defeat against Leipzig. Chelsea,
pressing hard from the start,
were always on top and when
Alonso’s superb pass picked out
Mason Mount, the young mid-
fielder’s shot was pushed away
by Hugo Lloris.
standout performers this
season doubled the lead, as
he cut inside from the left and
opened-up a side-footer that
beat the keeper at the near
post.
Se v e n m i n u t e s a f t e r
Suhair’s strike, left-back Gur-
jinder found himself near
Churchill’s right corner flag
and floated in a cross, that
took a slight touch off a
defender and looped towards
the centre of the goal.
Second-half substitute
Tursunov, followed the ball
perfectly, rushing in from
near the top of the box to leap
in front of a shocked Jovel
Martins, and with an aerial
kick, stabbed it into the back
of the net. Bagan were 3-0 up
with more than half an hour
left to play.
It was showtime after that
and there was a span of play
of about seven-eight minutes
when Bagan missed at least
four sitters, with Diawara
inexplicably missing two of
them. Bagan had a total of
18 shots, with nine of them
on target.
The Kolkata outfit now has
32 points from 13 games, 11
clear of second-placed Pun-
jab FC, while Churchill
remain third with 19 points
from 12 games.

Ashton Agar has described “rockstar” Ravindra Jadeja
(photo, left) as his favourite player in the world, saying a
chat with the Indian all-rounder helped him turn things
For more updates
THUMBNAILS
No change: England and
Wales Cricket Board chief
executive Tom Harrison
says there are no plans to
introduce four-day Test
matches in England as
debate swirls over the
future of the longest for-
mat. The International
Cricket Council is to disc-
cuss the matter next
month.
Ali optimistic: England all-
rounder Moeen Ali says he
is hopeful his team will
soon visit Pakistan, consid-
ering the fact that many
English cricketers are
already in the country for
the Pakistan Super
League. Some other coun-
tries are also interested,
Ali said.
Ambrose excited: Curtly
Ambrose said on Thursday
that he was very excited
to be in Pakistan for the
start of the Pakistan
Super League. “It has been
fantastic. I am having a
great time and looking
forward to enjoying the
rest of my time here,” said
Ambrose.
Sammy honoured: West
Indian Darren Sammy will
be made an honorary citi-
zen of Pakistan, the Pak-
istan Cricket Board
announced on Saturday.
“President Arif Alvi will
confer the highest civilian
award on Sammy on 23
March," the PCB said.
Poonam confident: A fin-
ger fracture leaving her
Twenty20 World Cup par-
ticipation in doubt, India
leg-spinner Poonam Yadav
says self-belief gave her
the confidence of playing
in the showpiece and it
showed in her demolition
of Australia in the open-
ing match.
Buck passed: A Karachi
Kings official was seen
using a mobile phone in
the dugout during their
match in the Pakistan
Super League against
Peshawar Zalmi and the
International Cricket
Council has said it is for
the Pakistan Cricket Board
to look into the matter.
Blast T20: Mitchell Marsh
has signed up with Middle-
sex for this season's Blast
T20 competition. Marsh
will arrive at Lord's ahead
of the start of the cam-
paign in May, and join
Afghanistan spinner
Mujeeb ur Rahman as the
club's second overseas
T20 signing.
Ervine shines
DHAKA, 22 FEBRUARY
Skipper Craig Ervine scored
a century as Zimbabwe
shared the honours with
Bangladesh on the open-
ing day of the one-off Test here
on Saturday. Ervine hit 107
off 227 balls -- his third cen-
tury in Tests -- as the visitors
reached 228-6 at stumps
after opting to bat first in what
is the 100th international
match between two teams.
Brief scores: Zimbabwe 228/6
( Ervine 107, Masvaure 64;
Hasan 4/68). AGENCIES
The moral: Where there is Ganguly, there should be a way
PULAKESH
MUKHOPADHYAY
Sourav Ganguly is said by
just about everyone, even
today, to have begun his lead-
ership innings with the Indi-
an team when they needed a
clean and complete break
with a past that was not quite
as milk-white as it might have
been.
And, equally truly, he was
believed to have skippered
Printed and published by VINOD KUMAR GUPTA for THE STATESMAN LTD, Statesman House, 148 Barakhamba Road, New Delhi ��Editor: RAVINDRA KUMAR ��Executive Editor: USHA MAHADEVAN ��Printed at Vibha Publication Pvt Ltd, D-160 B, Sector 7, NOIDA 201301 (UP). ��The Statesman Ltd. RNB REG. No. M-8905,RNI No. 59445, Vol No.26 Issue . 55
around. "He told me to keep trying to spin the
ball," Agar says, adding: "So I was pretty inspired."
www.thestatesman.com
India stage late fightback
Visitors were bowled out for 165 early in the day after losing five wickets for 43 runs
AGENCIES
WELLINGTON, 22 FEBRUARY
A
fter India were bowled
out for 165, New
Zealand’s star bats-
men KaneWilliamson
and Ross Taylor combined to
ensure New Zealand held a first
innings lead in the first Test
against India in Wellington
today.
But the advantage was not
overwhelming, thanks to a late
fightback staged by the impres-
sive Indian bowling unit.
The marquee New Zealand
pair both fell short of sub-
stantial innings by their stan-
dards, with captainWilliamson
out for 89 and Taylor gone for
44.But their 93-run stand for
the third wicket was enough to
lift New Zealand from 73/2 to
be ahead of India’s 165 before
the tourists fought back with
three crucial wickets in the
final session.
When bad light brought an
early end to the day, New
Zealand were 216/5, to lead by
51. Sharma was the pick of the
Indian bowlers with three for
31 off 15 overs.
Williamson went to the
middle following the early dis-
missal of Tom Latham and
was rocked by Sharma with the
first ball he faced but from there
he returned to his patient,
confident self.
He put on 47 with Tom
Blundell (30) for the second
wicket before being joined by
Taylor to put New Zealand in
front.
‘Pant’s dismissal was turning
point of India’s innings’
PTI
WELLINGTON, 22 FEBRUARY
New Zealand paceman Tim
Southee believes that Rishabh
Pant's freak run-out went a
long way towards changing
the course of the Indian innings
that eventually folded up for 165
in the first Test here today.
Pant, who had started the
day with a six in the first over,
suffered because of Ajinkya
Rahane's poor call and India lost
five wickets for 33 runs from that
point onwards. Rahane himself
fell to Southee, inside edging the
ball to the wicketkeeper after
trying to shoulder arms. A lit-
tle inward movement left him
undone.
Asked if there was any strat-
egy behind the dismissal of
Rahane, Southee replied: “No,
the run-out of Pant was a big
thing this morning. With him
(Pant) being such a dangerous
player and leading into that sec-
ond new-ball, he could have
scored quickly along with Jinks
(Rahane's nickname).”
Southee knew that Rahane
had no option but to attack once
Pant was dismissed.
“We knew though if we
could open one end up with the
bowlers, then Jinks was look-
ing to play a little bit more
aggressively, which brings us into
play a little more. The way we
bowled this morning was pret-
ty good. To come off and fin-
ish the Indian batting line-up
like that with two dangerous
players in this morning was real-
ly remarkable, said Southee, who
picked up four wickets.
Southee has never been an
out-and-out fast bowler and, at
this stage of his career, relies on
his ability to move the ball
both in the air and off the pitch.
“Well,Iprobablygaveupwor-
rying about speed a while ago,
so I guess you've got to rely on
India spectacularly out of
that difficult phase in our
game when its credibility had
taken quite a hit.
The reassuring belief that
we were all right once, all
over again was attributed to
his helmsmanship.
It was not as if he only
seemed to be fair in what he
did with his team, everyone
felt India had once again hap-
pened upon a captain who
defined probity in the way he
THE GURU
India players celebrate a dismissal on Saturday.
The New Zealanders were
clearly relishing home condi-
tions in their firstTest since being
thrashed 3-0 in Australia.
Taylor, New Zealand’s high-
est scorer and celebrating his
100th Test, received a standing
ovation when he entered the
arena where he looked in fine
touch as he peppered the
boundaries with six fours and
a six. But on 44, what was
shaping as a formidable part-
nership with Williamson was
undone by a rising Sharma deliv-
ery that ballooned off the gloves
to Cheteshwar Pujara at square
leg.
WithTaylor gone,Williamson
lasted 10 more overs but only
added a further 15 runs before
his bid for a 22nd Test centu-
ry came to an unexpected end
when he drove a Mohammed
Shami half volley to the safe
hands of substitute fielder
other skills, and I guess swing,
there was a little bit of swing there
today. Not been as windy as it
was yesterday, so us as a bowl-
ing unit, we try to expose that
swing when we get it, and there
was a little bit there today,” said
Southee. New Zealand were 216
for five at stumps on day two,
leading India by 51 runs.
“You always want to be one
wicket less than what you are.
But saying that, if we can carry
on tomorrow morning, get acou-
ple of partnerships together and
try and build that lead, then going
into the second innings it will
be nice.”
Team man
Ishant Sharma (in photo), jet-
lagged, slept barely four hours
in the past two days but kept
India in the fight with three New
Zealand wickets in the first
Test. Three weeks ago, the vet-
eran of 96 Tests was all but out
of the New Zealand series after
suffering multiple ligament
tears in the right ankle during
a Ranji Trophy game but trav-
elled for 24 hours and arrived
here 72 hours before the start
of the first Test.“I am not happy
because I have not slept for two
days and I was struggling a lot
today (with my body). The way
I would have liked to bowl, it
did not happen.They asked me
to play and I played. Anything
for the team,” said India's most
senior player.
ran his team and squad.
He had, in public per-
ception, become a hero -
even before his egalitarian and
in-your-face approach got to
be so popular across the land
- well before his sundry good
results which, quite unsur-
prisingly, induced a certain
feel-good factor in us. One of
Ganguly's predecessors in
the leading role of the nation-
al team was so bowled over
by him that he, around the
AFP
Ravindra Jadeja at cover. The
green wicket and overcast con-
ditions which were in New
Zealand’s favour when they
won the toss and opted to
bowl were easing by the time
India opened their attack. The
sun was out and the pitch was
browning off, and apart from
some sharp deliveries from
Sharma much of the Indian
bowling did not pose any seri-
ous threat to the batsmen. But
they kept persevering and at
stumps, kept India in the hunt.
India had resumed the day
at 122/5 and added only 43 runs
as their last five wickets fell in
just over 13 overs.
Debutant Kyle Jamieson
and veteran Tim Southee com-
bined to wrap up India’s first
innings for 165 on the second
morning of the first Test in
Wellington on Saturday.
It was good a first session
‘India could be
in cash clash’
NEW DELHI, 22 FEBRUARY
The International Cricket
Council is open to talks with
member countries on its pro-
posed events for the 2023-31
period, a source at the global
governing body told Reuters,
an approach that could head
off a clash with financial pow-
erhouse India. Following on
fromaproposaltabledlastyear,
the ICC recommended stag-
ingaTwenty20ChampionsCup
in 2024 and 2028 and ODI ver-
sions in 2025 and 2029 in
addition to the existingWorld
Cups in each format.The pro-
posal is part of the ICC’s plans
to boost their finances by hav-
ing at least one global event
every year. Media reports have
said England and Australia are
set to join India in opposing
the new ICC tournaments,
which would cut into the win-
dows of opportunity for crick-
et’s ‘Big Three’ to hold lucra-
tive bilateral series.The com-
peting views are set to meet
head-on at next month’s ICC
Board meeting in Dubai, and
while some are predicting a
stormy affair the source said
thegoverningbodyhadadopt-
ed a more flexible approach.
“We’re looking forward to pro-
ductive meetings,” the source
said.
“EveryBoardmeetingprovides
ample opportunity for mem-
bers for discussion, debate
and ultimately decisions.“ICC
staff will execute the deci-
sionstakenbytheBoard...They
[members] can have further
debate and change it. It has to
beacollaborativeprocess.”The
powerful Indian board is
opposed to the idea of new
global tournaments as they
would clash with its own plans
for an elite four-team com-
petition involving England,
Australia and another team.
AGENCIES
SHORT POINT
time, told yours truly of his
unstinted adoration.
"He's the right man for the
job," the northern Indian stal-
wart said, adding: "All our new
boys, including Sachin Ten-
dulkar and Rahul Dravid, are
excellent exponents of crick-
eting skills, they are all spe-
as New Zealand could have
hoped for after the Indian
batsmen were blown away in
just over an hour and then their
openers went into the interval
without losing their wickets.
Jamieson finished with fig-
ures of 4/39 while Southee
4/49. The India tail was exposed
with back-to-back wickets in
the fourth over of the morning.
First one to fall was Rishabh Pant
who was run out for 19 by
Ajaz Patel with a direct hit
from point. It was a moment
of madness that India did not
recover from. Pant had added
nine to his overnight total in a
bright start that included belt-
ing Patel over the mid-wicket
boundary for six off the fourth
ball of the morning and he had
reason to feel he was hard
done by with his dismissal.
Ajinkya Rahane had dabbed
a Southee delivery towards
Patel at point and took off for
SCOREBOARD
India 1st innings
Shaw b Southee
Agarwal c Jamieson b Boult
Pujara c Watling b Jamieson
Kohli c Taylor b Jamieson
Rahane c Watling b Southee
Vihari c Watling b Jamieson
Pant run out (Patel)
Ashwin b Southee
Sharma c Watling b Jamieson
Shami c Blundell b Southee
Bumrah not out
Extras: (lb 1, w 3)
Total: (in 68.1 overs) 165 all out
Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-35, 3-40, 4-
88, 5-101, 6-132, 7-132, 8-143, 9-
165, 10-165
Bowling: Southee 20.1-5-49-4,
Bengal secure first-innings lead Sri Lanka win
PTI
TANGI (ODISHA), 22 FEBRUARY
Bengal relied on a disciplined
pace attack to secure the
first-innings lead against
Odisha here today in their
Ranji Trophy quarter-final
clash. The pace troika of
Ishan Porel (3/72, in photo
right), Nilkantha Das (3/43,
in photo,middle)and Mukesh
Kumar (3/51, in photo, left)
shared nine wickets to bun-
dle Odisha out for 250, there-
by securing an 82-run lead.
At close on day three, Ben-
gal were 79 for two, extend-
ing their overall lead to 161
with Abhishek Raman (not out
4) and Manoj Tiwary (3,
unbeaten) at the crease.
Odisha's four-pronged pace
attack failed to stare down Ben-
gal, who had made a com-
bative start in the second
innings. But reckless batting
by captain Abhimanyu
Easwaran (30) and Koushik
Ghosh (41) resulted in Ben-
gal losing two wickets.
In the last hour's play,
when Odisha brought on
spinner Govinda Poddar, an
India A regular, Easwaran
lost his concentration and
stepped out for a drive to clear
the open off-side, though
only to be caught at cover.
Having got a reprieve at slip,
Koushik Ghosh was bowled,
being deceived by the flight
while trying to step out to part-
cial ones. But with Ganguly
around as captain, you know
we can't go wrong. He's strong,
fair-minded and he'll be
backed by his team-mates
because they they know he,
like them, is hundred per
cent honest. The reason per-
haps why Pakistan will never
a quick single and Pant, reluc-
tant to start running, was well
short of the crease when Patel’s
side-on throw crashed into
the stumps.
Ashwin Ravichandran was
next to the middle and was
bowled first ball by Southee with
a delivery that swung away late
and clattered into the off-
stump.
Rahane progressed to 46
before his stubborn innings was
ended by a Southee delivery that
caught the edge of the bat and
gave BJ Watling his third catch
behind the stumps. The Indi-
an vice-captain would be kick-
ing himself as he was attempt-
ing to leave the ball and ended
up edging the ball anyway.
Jamieson accounted for Ishant
Sharma who was also caught
behind for five and Southee
wrapped up the innings when
he had Mohammed Shami
caught for 21.
Boult 18-2-57-1, De Grandhomme
16 11-5-12-0, Jamieson 16-3-39-4,
34 Patel 3-2-7-0
11 New Zealand 1st innings
2 Latham c Pant b Sharma
46 Blundell b Sharma
7 Williamson c sub (Jadeja) b Shami
19 89
0 Taylor c Pujara b Sharma
5 Nicholls c Kohli b Ashwin
21 Watling not out
0 De Grandhomme not out
Extras: (b 1, lb 1, w 5)
4
Total: (in 71.1 overs) 216/5
Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-73, 3-166,
4-185, 5-207
Bowling: Bumrah 18.1-4-62-0,
Sharma 15-6-31-3, Shami 17-2-61-
1, Ashwin 21-1-60-1
time spinner Anurag Saran-
gi.
Bengal find themselves
in a comfortable position
yet, going into the penultimate
day of the knockout fixture
with eight wickets intact.
The pace-heavy Odisha
attack sorely missed Rajesh
Mohanty, their second lead-
ing wicket-taker with 32 wick-
ets, as Basant Mohanty and
Suryakant Pradhan failed to
make any impact with the new
ball. The Bengal pace battery
of Porel, Kumar and new-
comer Das stuck to their task,
dismissing the remaining six
batsmen for 99 runs after
Odisha had resumed day
three on 151 for four.
The first breakthrough
came almost an hour into the
morning and it was Das who
started it all by dismissing
SCOREBOARD
Bengal 1st innings 332 all out
Odisha 1st innings 250 all out
Mishra b Ahmed
Sarangi c †Goswami b Das
Samantray c †Goswami b Das 68
Poddar c Majumdar b Porel
D Pradhan c †Goswami b Das 15
Senapati c Ahmed b Porel
B Samantray lbw b Kumar
Dhuper † lbw b Kumar
S Pradhan b Kumar
Mohanty b Porel
Chohan not out
Extras: (b 6, lb 1, w 1)
Total: (in 102.1 overs) 250 all out
Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-135, 3-145,
4-151, 5-191, 6-198, 7-217, 8-235,
probably be able to break
free of a lot of bad things,
including much match-fixing,
is that, once Imran Khan
was gone, they had no one to
exert the kind of influence that
he had done.
India are lucky that Gan-
guly is not just powerful,
given his (Jagmohan) Dalmiya
links, but he's also a pole
apart from a few who cared
less for the game than their
ill-gotten wads of currency
NEW DELHI, 23 FEBRUARY 2020
Posted at RMS, Delhi, Postal Reg. No. DL (ND)-11/6089/2018-19-20
Agar hat-trick seals Australia win
AGENCIES
JOHANNESBURG, 22 FEBRUARY
Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar
(in photo) took a hat-trick as
Australia crushed South Africa
by 107 runs in the first Twen-
ty20 international at the Wan-
derers Stadium. Steve Smith,
back in South Africa for the first
time since the 2018 ball-tam-
pering scandal, hit a top score
of 45 for Australia, who made
196 for six after being sent in.
South Africa made a bad
start against the pace of Mitchell
Starc and Pat Cummins before
Agar's triple strike sent them
hurtling to their all-time low-
est T20 total of 89.
It was also the host coun-
try's biggest defeat in the for-
mat. Man of the match Agar
finished with career-best fig-
ures of five for 24. But he gave
praise to the fast bowling attack
of Mitchell Starc, Kane Richard-
son and Pat Cummins who
started South Africa's collapse.
Starc made a crucial break-
SCOREBOARD
Australia innings
Warner c Shamsi b Steyn
Finch c du Plessis b Shamsi
Smith st de Kock b Shamsi
Wade c Miller b Steyn
Marsh c Steyn b Ngidi
11 Carey c du Plessis b Phehlukwayo
30 27
Agar not out
Starc not out
44 Extras: (lb 2, w 12)
17 Total: (in 20 overs) 196/6
14 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-84, 3-114, 4-
4 117, 5-167, 6-171
7 Bowling: Steyn 4-0-31-2, Ngidi 3-
0-37-1, Rabada 3-0-45-0,
Phehlukwayo 4-0-35-1, Shamsi 4-
0-31-2, Smuts 2-0-15-0
South Africa innings
De Kock b Starc
nightwatchman Debabrata
Pradhan. Kumar then got
into the act with a twin blow,
sending Samantray (3) and
Rajesh Dhuper (10) back
before the lunch break.
Porel then ran through
the tail as Odisha lost their last
three wickets for 15 runs to
concede the lead and give the
visitors the edge.
Brief scores: Saurashtra 419
all out and 93 for 2 (Barot 44*,
V Jadeja 35*) vs Andhra 136
(Gnaneshwar 43, Bhui 28;
Unadkat 4/42, D Jadeja 3/27).
Karnataka 206 (Siddharth 76;
Nabi 3/45, Yousuf 3/45)v J&K
88/2 (Khajuria 39*, Pundir 16
*).
Gujarat 602/8 d and 158/1
(Gohel 70*, Prabhudessai 1-
32) v Goa 173 (Verma 56,
Gaja 5/19).
9-241, 10-250
Bowling: Porel 27.1-10-72-3, Das
62 21-8-43-3, Kumar 26-9-51-3,
5 Ahmed 23-5-60-1, Nandi 5-0-17-0
Bengal 2nd innings
11 Ghosh b Sarangi 41
Easwaran c sub (Singh) b Poddar
46 30
3 Raman not out 4 115 in his team's 289 for
10 Tiwary not out 3 seven.
13 Extras: (w 1) 1
5 Total: (in 45 overs) 79/2
4 Fall of wickets: 1-60, 2-76
8 Bowling: S Pradhan 9-3-20-0,
Mohanty 8-3-10-0, D Pradhan 8-4-
7-0, Chohan 10-0-31-0, Poddar 8-
2-8-1, Sarangi 2-0-3-1
notes." Which is why there
could be a whole lot of Indi-
ans today waiting for the
Indian cricket board, which
Ganguly now leads as its pres-
ident, will pull out all the
stops and have the law-enforc-
ing authorities extracting as
much information from San-
jeev Chawla, recently extra-
dited from the UK, as possi-
ble. Ajit Singh, anti-corrup-
tion wing chief of the Indian
board, may be the only one
16
through when he bowled South
African captain and batting star
Quinton de Kock for two with
a fast, swinging delivery in the
first over of the home side's reply.
South Africa were reeling at 40
for four when Agar came on to
bowl.He had Faf du Plessis
caught at deep cover with his
fourth delivery, trapped Andile
Phehlukwayo leg before next
ball and Dale Steyn superbly
caught at slip by captain Aaron
Finch to complete the hat-
trick.
Van der Dussen c Starc b Cummins
4 6
42 Du Plessis c Richardson b Agar 24
45 Smuts c Zampa b Cummins 7
Miller c †Carey b Zampa 2
18
19 Van Biljon b Agar 16
Phehlukwayo lbw b Agar 0
Steyn c Finch b Agar 0
20 Rabada b Zampa 22
7 Ngidi c Warner b Agar 1
14 Shamsi not out 2
Extras: (w 7) 7
Total: (in 14.3 overs) 89 all out
Fall of wickets: 1-2 , 2-17, 3-38, 4-
40, 5-44, 6-44, 7-44, 8-77, 9-85,
10-89
Bowling: Starc 3-0-23-1,
Richardson 3-0-20-0, Cummins 2-
0-13-2, Zampa 2.3-0-9-2, Agar 4-0-
2 24-5
Man of the Match: Ashton Agar
AGENCIES
COLOMBO, 22 FEBRUARY
A late cameo by Wanindu
Hasaranga helped Sri Lanka
pull off a thrilling chase to edge
out West Indies by one wick-
et in the first one-day inter-
national on Saturday.
Hasaranga, known for his
leg-spin bowling, hit an
unbeaten 42 after coming in
to bat at number eight as Sri
Lanka chased down their
target of 290 with five balls
to spare and lead the three-
match series 1-0.
Hasaranga held his nerve
after Sri Lanka slipped to
253 for seven following the
departure of Thisara Perera
for 32 to register his highest
ODI score.
He built crucial partner-
ships including a 38-run
stand with Perera and then
put on 27 runs with Lakshan
Sandakan for the ninth wick-
et.
With one to get off the last
six ball Sandakan was run out
but Keemo Paul bowled a
no ball.
"Of course, winning is the
ultimate thing but we made
couple of mistakes that we
have to learn from," skipper
Dimuth Karunaratne, who
top-scored with 52, said after
the victory. Karunaratne and
Fernando, who made 50, put
on 111 runs for the opening
wicket to lay the platform for
what turned out to be the high-
est successful chase at the Sin-
halese Sports Club ground.
For the West Indies, Alzarri
Joseph claimed three wick-
ets after Shai Hope made
Brief scores:West Indies 289/7
(Hope 115, Chase 41; Udana
3/82) lost to Sri Lanka 290/9
(Karunaratne 52, W Fernan-
do 50; Joseph 3/42) by one
wicket.
who has made himself avail-
able for comments so far but
there surely are those in it who,
patriotic defenders of this
country's reputation and
determined to expose the past
so the future is brighter than
ever before, will have the
truth, full and unalloyed,
unearthed. Singh, of course,
has said all the right things
but can anyone be better to
lead a drive for fact-finding
than Ganguly?