|TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2024 | BENGALURU
160| PAGES 12
Insights from 'Ambajipeta Marriage Band' Heroine Shivani Nagaram
ENETERTAINMENT
Shivani Nagaram is set to make her debut in
Telugu cinema as the leading lady in “Ambajipeta
Marriage Band,” alongside Suhas.
WINDOWS
Implemented
all 5 schemes,
beneficiaries must
respond to BJP's
lies: CM
Bengaluru
KARNATAKA Chief Minis-
ter Siddaramaiah on Monday
said that the Congress gov-
ernment has implemented
all the five guarantee schemes
promised during the elections
and called upon the benefi-
ciaries to respond to the lies
being spread by the BJP.
“Today’s programme is an an-
swer to those who claim that
the guarantee schemes have
not been implemented as the
government has no money.
We have implemented all the
five guarantee schemes prom-
ised during the elections.
Beneficiaries of these schemes
must give a fitting reply to the
lies spread by BJP,” the Chief
Minister said after distribut-
ing the facilities and equip-
ment of various departments
to 30,125 beneficiaries of
Tumkuru district and launch-
ing development projects
worth Rs 697.27 crore.
He said that as the state is wit-
nessing a severe drought, the
Central Government has not
provided a single rupee for
drought relief from the state's
share.
The Chief Minister said that
along with the all documents,
that the state government
has deposited the first instal-
ment of drought relief in the
account of at least 29,28,910
farmers.
“None of the development
programmes have been
stopped in the state. We have
also taken up new develop-
ment works. As the purchas-
ing power of the people of the
country has increased due
to the guarantee schemes,
we have reduced the distress
hike created by the Central
government's price hike.
However, BJP is involved in
manufacturing lies,” the Chief
Minister said.
He said that 142 crore women
of the State have travelled in
buses for free while 1. 50 crore
women are being reached by
Annabhagya, Grihalakshmi
schemes. “At least 1.18 crore
people are availing the ben-
efits of Griha Jyoti. Millions
of young men and women are
registering for the Yuvanidhi,”
the Chief Minister said.
It feels comforting
and nice after
breaking I.N.D.I.A
THE
P5
Simultaneously published from Hyderabad | Warangal | Tirupati | Vijayawada | Visakhapatnam | Khammam | Kurnool | Delhi
Compete with yourself, not with others: PM to students
I fall asleep within 30 seconds of going to bed: PM cautions students against excessive screen time
Purna Singh
New Delhi
PRIME Minister Narendra
Modi on Monday interacted
with students, teachers and
parents at the seventh edi-
tion of ‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’.
Modi highlighted the role
of teachers in mitigating the
impact of added pressure
from external factors on
students and also pointed
out that parents have ex-
perienced this during their
time. He suggested making
oneself capable of handling
pressure and preparing for it
CAA within a week:
Union Minister
BJP again crying 'CAA CAA' for votes: Mamata
New Delhi
UNION Minister Shantanu
Thakur on Monday said the
Citizenship (Amendment)
Act (CAA) would be imple-
mented in the country within
a week.
During an interview with a
news channel, Thakur, a BJP
MP from Bongaon, an area
with the majority of peo-
ple belonging to the Matua
community in West Bengal's
North 24 Parganas district,
said that swift implementa-
tion of the contentious legis-
lation would be made within
seven days.
The CAA, enacted by
the BJP-led government at
the Centre in 2019, aims at
granting Indian citizenship
to persecuted non-Muslim
migrants, including Hin-
dus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists,
Parsis and Christians, from
Bangladesh, Pakistan, and
Afghanistan who entered
India before December 31,
2014. "The CAA will be im-
plemented very soon. It will
be implemented within seven
days. This is my guarantee,"
said Thakur, also a leader of
KHARGE WARNS OF 'LAST POLL'
IF MODI BECOMES PM AGAIN
Bhubaneswar
CONGRESS president Mal-
likarjun Kharge on Monday
predicted that the 2024 Lok
Sabha polls will turn out to
be the last election ever in
India if Narendra Modi re-
tains power. Addressing a
gathering of Congress work-
ers in Odisha's Bhubaneswar,
Kharge claimed PM Modi
will declare a dictatorship
VHP to launch campaign following Hanuman flag row
Hans News Service
Bengaluru
KARNATAKA Vishva Hindu Par-
ishad (VHP) unit on Monday said
that it will launch the Hanuman
Dhwaj campaign in the state and
Hanuman flags will be hoisted on
every road and house of the state.
The party’s announcement
came in the backdrop after the
authorities replaced the Hanuman
flag with the Tricolour for the Jan-
uary 26 Republic Day function.
“In Keragodu of Mandya, all
Ram bhakts had hoisted the Ha-
numan flag. But, for Muslim
votes, the Karnataka government
Is two-state solution now dead?
A simple fact is the number of Israeli settlers in the occupied
West Bank (including East Jerusalem) – now about 7,00,000,
EDIT
who live alongside three million Palestinians – means there is
not much space left for a Palestinian state.
Follow @ / thehansindia
as a part of life.
Modi urged the students
to prepare themselves men-
tally by giving the example
of travelling from one ex-
treme climate condition to
the other where the mind
already prepares to face ex-
treme weather conditions.
He also suggested assess-
ing stress levels and mov-
ing forward by gradually
incrementing it so that the
student’s ability is not ham-
pered by it.
He urged the students,
families and teachers to col-
lectively address the issue of
the Matua community.
Thakur, the union minis-
ter of state for ports, shipping
and waterways, has made a
similar comment on Sunday.
He has been claiming that the
CAA would be implemented
in the country ahead of the
Lok Sabha polls this year.
Matuas, who constitute
a large chunk of the state's
Scheduled Caste population,
had been migrating to West
Bengal since the 1950s, pri-
marily due to religious per-
secution in erstwhile East
Pakistan which later became
Bangladesh.
West Bengal Chief Minis-
ter Mamata Banerjee hit out
at the BJP on Monday saying
after this year's general elec-
tions.
"If Modi comes to power
after the Lok Sabha polls,
there will be dictatorship; no
democracy and no elections,"
Kharge was quoted as saying
by news agency PTI.
Kharge claimed the 2024
General Elections will be the
last chance for the people of
the country to vote.
"They are giving (ED) no-
has removed the flag. It needs to
be hoisted again just like it was
brought down,” Sharan Pumpwell,
Prantha Saha Karyadarshi of VHP
told media persons.
He said that the Hanuman Dh-
waj campaign will be carried out
in Karnataka and the flags of Ha-
numan will be hoisted on every
road and on every home. “We will
show our devotion towards Lord
Hanuman in this manner to the
government,” Sharan said.
He said that Hindus, devotees
of Ram and Hanuman are pained
by the development. “We are not
against hoisting of the Tricolour.
www.thehansindia.com
NATION/ BUZZ
P6
/ thehansindiaweb / thehansindia
‘Pariksha Pe Charcha’
external stress while evolv-
ing the process rather than
implementing a systematic
theory. He also suggested
that families of students
should discuss different
ways that work for each of
them.
Modi stated that while
competition is imperative, it
should be healthy. He point-
ed out that often the seeds
of unhealthy competition
are planted in families lead-
ing to perverse competition
among siblings. Modi asked
parents to avoid comparison
among their children.
that the party has again start-
ed crying "CAA CAA" for the
sake of votes as Lok Sabha
elections are approaching.
"We have fought against
the NRC. Rajbanshis are
citizens of India. They have
again started shouting CAA,
CAA for the sake of votes,"
Mamata Banerjee said at a
public distribution program
in West Bengal's Cooch Be-
har on Monday.
The West Bengal Chief
Minister said that her gov-
ernment has acknowledged
all colonies as "permanent
addresses," and all residents
who get the benefit of various
state government benefits are
citizens of the country.
tices to each and every one.
They are intimidating peo-
ple... Because of fear, some are
leaving friendships, some are
leaving the party, and some
are leaving the alliance... This
is your last chance to vote. Af-
ter this, there will be no vot-
ing," he said, per ANI.
Kharge warned the party
workers against the BJP and
its ideological mentor RSS,
calling them "poison".
But there are a set of guidelines to
hoist the national flag. They have
insulted the national flag as well.
The people who insulted the na-
tional flag should be charged with
sedition,” he said.
Sri Rama Sena founder Pramod
| VOL.4 | NO.
'I can't do JEE, I am a loser': Kota girl commits suicide Double blow for India ahead of 2nd Test
India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and batter KL Rahul were
An 18-year-old student preparing for JEE allegedly hanged herself at her
home in this coaching hub on Monday, leaving behind a suicide note on Monday ruled out of the second Test against England,
SPORTS
saying sorry to her parents and calling herself a “loser”. “Mummy, papa dealing a body blow to the hosts after a shock loss in the
I can't do JEE series opener here.
P11 P12
/ TheHansIndiaWeb / thehansindia
Modi said he falls asleep
within 30 seconds of going
to bed and cautioned stu-
dents against screen time
causing disturbance in sleep.
Interacting with students,
parents and teachers , the
prime minister said screen
time eats into sleep time.
“To maintain a balanced
lifestyle, excess of every-
thing should be avoided. A
healthy body is crucial for a
healthy mind and it requires
some routines, spending
time in sunlight and get-
ting regular and complete
sleep..,” PM Modi said.
Candidates for Bangalore Teachers'
Teen made to lick
friends' shoes,
Constituency MLC polls file nominations
perform sex
Hans News Service
New Delhi
A 14-year-old boy was made
to lick shoes and perform
Bengaluru
CANDIDATES from the
Congress and the NDA filed
filed their nominations today.
The elections are being held
as Puttanna, who held the
seat, resigned from the BJP as
who accompanied
tanna to file his nomina-
tion. Ranganath was flanked
by former chief minister
Put-
"unnatural sex" on three of
his friends, who also record-
nominations on Monday for
the legislative council election
well as the Legislative Council
on March 16, 2023. Puttanna
H D Kumaraswamy and
former ministers C N Ash-
ed the act and put its video from the Bangalore Teachers' joined the Congress after quit- wath Narayan and G T Deve
on social media, in south Constituency. Tuesday is the ting BJP and unsuccessfully Gowda when he submit-
Delhi's Hauz Khas area, po- last day to register as a can- contested the Karnataka As- ted his application. A Su-
lice said on Monday. didate for the election which sembly election last year from preme Court and High Court
The incident came to the will take place on February 16. Rajajinagar constituency. lawyer H Sunil Kumar has also
fore Sunday night, when Former MLC Puttanna of the Ministers B Z Zameer jumped into the fray, filing his
one of the three juvenile as- Congress and A P Ranganath Ahmed Khan and M C Sud- nomination as an independ-
sailants sent the video to the representing the BJP-JD(S) hakar were among those ent candidate.
mother of the boy and she
approached the local po-
lice, they said. The video, PACHYDERM PROGRESS
also posted on Instagram,
showed the boy being made
to crouch at knife point,
while his "friends" first made
him lick their shoes and then
forced him to perform an
"unnatural act," police said.
Responding to a PCR call
Sunday night, the "local po-
lice rushed to the spot where
the caller said some boys had
committed an unnatural act
with her 14 year-old son and
sent the video clip to her on
her mobile phone," an officer
said. A herd of wild elephants enters a farm land at Adhishakthi Nagar in Chikkamagaluru on Monday
SC extends stay on
Mathura mosque survey
Hans News Service
New Delhi
issue will be taken up for
hearing together in April.
The top court had on Janu-
THE Supreme Court on
Monday ordered con-
tinuance of the interim
ary 16 stayed the operation
of the December 14, 2023
order of the Allahabad
stay on the operation of High Court which allowed
the Allahabad High Court a court-monitored survey
order for a court-monitored of the Shahi Idgah Mosque
survey of the Shahi Idgah complex. It had also stayed
Mosque complex adjoining the order of the high court
the Krishna Janmabhoomi by which it agreed to the
temple in Mathura. A bench appointment of a court
of Justices Sanjiv Khanna commissioner to oversee
and Dipankar Datta posted first half of April. "Interim in its order and directed the survey of the mosque
the plea filed by the Com- orders wherever granted the parties to complete premises, which the Hindu
mittee of Management shall continue. the pleadings by then. The side claims hold signs sug-
Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah Re-list in the first half of top court said all petitions gesting that it was once a
for further hearing in the April, 2024," the bench said pending before it on the temple.
Muthalik said that the Congress He said that in Keragodu the daramaiah said that BJP is creat-
does not like the saffron colour Hanuman flag was hoisted on a ing trouble unnecessarily. “There
and they even do not like Hindus 108-feet-tall flag pole. Local peo- is no opposition to hoist the Ha-
and Hindutva. “The whole na- ple had installed it on January numan flag. The people had got
tion is swept by the tsunami of Sri 22. On January 26, the Tricolour the permission to hoist the Tricol-
Ram. Congress is unable to digest was hoisted. The Hanuman's flag our,” the Chief Minister said.
the celebration which is being wit- should be hoisted again,” Mutha- “I am also a Hindu. I love peo-
nessed in every home and every lik said. ple of all religions. We have faith
village of the country,” he said. Karnataka BJP unit has in the secularism enshrined in
He said that saffron does not launched a protest in all district the Constitution which means
belong to a person or a party but headquarters on Monday con- tolerance and coexistence. LoP
is thousands of years of heritage. demning the incident of authori- R. Ashoka and JD (S) leader H.D.
“If Muslims have objection to it, ties taking down the saffron flag Kumaraswamy is provoking Hin-
they must explain that it is neither hoisted at Keragodu village in dus by making visits to Mandya.
Pakistan nor Afghanistan. In Hin- Mandya district. They are only provoking Hindus
dustan, the saffron flag will always Reacting on the developments, as elections are nearing,” the Chief
flutter,” Muthalik said. the Karnataka Chief Minister Sid- Minister said.
 2 TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2024 |THE HANS INDIA | BENGALURU
WINDOWS
Mandya waits for
super specialty
hospital despite
growing urgency
MANDYA: The long-
standing demand for a
super specialty hospital in
Mandya remains unful-
filled, creating disappoint-
ment among residents who
eagerly anticipate positive
budget announcements
each year. The absence of a
proposal for such a facility
in the current budget adds
to the frustration, leaving
locals to contend with in-
adequate medical resources
and facilities.
Established in 2005,
Mandya Institute of Medi-
cal Sciences (MIMS) has
been serving as the MIMS
Teaching Hospital under
the Department of Medical
Education. Despite the
hospital’s daily treatment of
1800 to 2000 outpatients, it
faces challenges due to high
patient loads, insufficient
medical equipment, and the
need to refer critical cases
to hospitals in Bangalore
and Mysore, often resulting
in fatalities during transit.
Supporters argue that
a super specialty hospital
in Mandya would provide
superior and timely treat-
ment, utilizing the expertise
of existing specialists in
MIMS. Surgical gastro-
enterologists, urologists,
plastic surgeons, neurosur-
geons, and cardiothoracic
surgeons could contribute
to the proposed super spe-
cialty hospital.
If sanctioned, the super
specialty hospital would
require the recruitment of
new specialists, including
neurologists, cardiologists,
medical gastroenterologists,
nephrologists, pediatric
surgeons, and staff for
the medicine and surgery
departments.
With MIMS Teaching
Hospital already hosting
over 850 beds, the new
facility would need at
least 300 beds, catering to
both surgical and medical
departments.
People emphasize that
establishing a new unit with
modern facilities, including
operating rooms, surgical
ICU units, stainless steel
surgical units, and ad-
vanced technology medical
equipment, would enable
major and minor surger-
ies to be conducted locally.
This move would ease the
financial burden on patients
and reduce the need for
emergency treatment in
larger cities.
Dr. Kumar, DC of
Mandya, stresses the urgent
need for a super specialty
hospital and a trauma
care centre, as the current
district hospital offers only
primary treatment. Local
authorities and representa-
tives are urged to take
immediate action for the
establishment of a super
specialty hospital in Man-
dya. AC Ramesh, President
of Negilayogi Samajseva
Trust in Mandya, echoes
these sentiments, emphasiz-
ing the necessity of such a
facility for the community’s
well-being.
Two senior citizens
die, trying to douse
forest fire
BUNTWAL: Two senior
citizens were burnt alive
when they ventured into
dousing a forest fire near
their house in Amtadi Vil-
lage in Buntwal taluk on
Sunday. The deceased have
been identified as Gilbert
Carlo (78) and Christina
Carlo (70) The plot next
to theirs caught forest fire,
and fearing that the fire
would engulf their property
as well, they ventured into
the fire area and tried to
douse it with sticks and
some water, but exhausted
with smoke, they could not
escape the fire by engulfing
them. They were living in
their house all by them-
selves. The Buntwal rural
police have registered a case
and are investigating.
Railway activists of the coast Coastal temples to
seek more budgetary outlay exercise restraint
Hans News Service
Udupi
THE upcoming interim
budget, scheduled for Febru-
ary 1, is being looked up by
the railway users with eyes
of anticipation for better ser-
vices and new lines. One of
the regions that is expecting a
big boost is the coast of Kar-
nataka and hinterland.
Historical neglect of the
coastal district Udupi’s de-
mands by successive govern-
ments, citing reasons such
as forest land challenges, fi-
nancial infeasibility, and the
absence of alternative railway
lines, has compelled the lo-
cal population to heavily rely
on bus routes for travel to the
state capital.
Railway activists, highlight-
ed the influence of private bus
operators’ lobbying and the
lack of determination among
people’s representatives, con-
tributing to the denial of al-
ternative railway lines like
Nandikoor-Karkala-Mood-
bidri-Belthangady-Dhar-
masthala-Subrahmanya Road
HDK expresses strong disapproval
over Hanuman flag removal
Hans News Service
Mandya
THE removal of the Hanu-
man Flag in Keragodu village
has drawn strong disapproval
from former Chief Minister
HD Kumaraswamy, who alleg-
es it to be an act of arrogance
by the Congress government.
Speaking during an ongoing
protest in Keragodu in Man-
dya district and adorned in a
saffron shawl, Kumaraswamy
criticized the government’s ac-
tions. He said tensions height-
ened as law enforcement
resorted to lathi-charging
activists and demonstrators,
resulting in injuries, includ-
ing one individual sustaining
an eye injury. Kumaraswamy
BJP trying to find political
foothold in Mandya: DKS
Hans News Service
Bengaluru
“BJP, which has no political
base in Mandya, is trying
to mobilize people to find
existence,” DCM DK Shi-
vakumar criticized.
DCM Shivakumar an-
swered a question asked
by the media on Monday
about the controversy over
the Hanumadhwaja issue
in Mandya. “BJP leaders
are trying to create unrest
in the society. We must re-
spect the law of the land.
BJP candidates have joined
hands with JDS after los-
ing their deposits in many
places. They have taken
such an effort to gain a po-
litical foothold in Mandya.
This is of no use. Man-
Info Commission for new RTI benches in Mysuru, Davanagere
Hans News Service
Mysuru
IN an effort to enhance ac-
cessibility to the Right to
Information (RTI) process
for citizens, the Karnataka
State Information Com-
mission has recommended
the establishment of new
RTI benches in Mysore and
Davanagere. Currently, the
main RTI bench is situated
in Bengaluru , with addi-
tional benches in Kalaburagi
and Belgavi.
The commission acknowl-
edged the inconvenience
faced by citizens from dis-
tant villages who find it chal-
lenging to travel to the exist-
ing benches in Bangalore,
Kalaburagi, and Belgavi,
especially when senior gov-
ernment officials are often
respondents in RTI appeals.
The need for citizens to trav-
el to Bengaluru for hearings
poses both time and finan-
Local population relies heavily on bus
routes for travel to the state capital
or Byndoor-Hebri-Karkala-
Moodbidri-Belthangady-
Dharmasthala-Subrahmanya
Road. The proposal for the
line connecting to Bengaluru
dates back to 2010.
Initiated by the then Un-
ion Minister of Law and Jus-
tice, M Veerappa Moily, the
Railway Minister, Mamata
Banerjee, included it in her
2010 budget for the survey.
However, due to environmen-
tal concerns, the survey was
not conducted at that time.
expressed concern over the
incident and challenged the
authorities, questioning their
responsibility in such situa-
tions. He remarked, “Should
someone lose an eye due to
your actions, would the Dis-
trict Superintendent of Police
give him eyes ? Be cautious,
police. The duration of your
strategies will be observed. We
are resolute against complying
with unjust directives.” Attrib-
uting the government for the
turmoil in Keragodu, Kumar-
aswamy called for the suspen-
sion of the Mandya DC, hold-
ing him accountable. Drawing
parallels to the divine wrath of
Hanuman leading to the burn-
ing of Lanka, he warned of a
comparable destiny for those
dya people are very toler-
ant, secular. They are not
swayed by such ideas. We
have our own constitution.
There is a history of how
our Maharajas ruled this
part. All these confusions
are BJP’s creation. Estab-
lishing peace in the state is
our priority.”
When asked about the
BJP leader’s criticism of
the anti-Hindu Congress
government, he said, “Who
is anti-Hindu? We are all
Indians first. Dalit Sang-
harsh Samiti, Kempegowda
Samiti and many others are
asking that we will put up
the flag there. Aren’t we all
Hindus? Aren’t the people
in our village Hindus? “BJP
is trying to create unrest in
the society,” he said.
cial constraints. To address
this issue, the Commission,
led by Chairman NC Srini-
vasa and Commissioners KP
Manjunath, HC Sathyan, Dr.
SB Bommanahalli, and Sec-
retary AB Basavaraja, held a
plenary session and recom-
mended the establishment
of new benches in Mysore
and Davanagere for the con-
venience of the public.
Currently, the main bench
in Bangalore faces space con-
straints, leading to the rent-
ing of a portion of the Myth-
ic Society for the creation
of two additional benches.
The proposed Mysore bench
will cover eight districts, in-
cluding Mysore, Chamara-
janagar, Mandya, Hassan,
Udupi, Dakshina Kannada,
Chikkamagaluru, and Koda-
gu. The Mysore bench aims
to address the pending 3543
cases from these districts.
Chief Information Com-
missioner NC Srinivas em-
Recently, residents and rail-
way activists from Byndoor,
Hebri, and Moodbidri re-
newed their demand for this
alternative railway line ahead
of the budget.
In response to queries
about the feasibility check, the
South Western Railway, in its
RTI reply, stated that the sur-
vey has not been conducted
due to a lack of permission
from the forest department.
This response has dampened
the spirits of railway passen-
deemed responsible. Kumar-
aswamy emphasized, “Mere
association with the name
Rama is insufficient; one must
embody the virtues of Rama.”
Labelling the baton charge as
evidence of the government’s
authoritarian inclinations,
Kumaraswamy issued a stern
warning to the Siddaramaiah
government. “Rectify your
errors. Physical assault under
the influence of power will
not conclude this struggle,” as-
serted Kumaraswamy, urging
officials to seek redemption
for their actions.
Highlighting that the pro-
test was not motivated by
political interests, Kumaras-
wamy criticized the authori-
ties for allegedly fabricating
information regarding the
flag pole incident. He called
for an immediate peace meet-
ing in Keragodu, advocating
for the reinstatement of the
flag. Warning that the resist-
ance would persist until their
BJP launches protests over
taking down of saffron flag
Bengaluru
THE Karnataka BJP on
Monday launched a protest
in all district headquarters
condemning the incident
of authorities taking down
a saffron flag hoisted at
Keragodu Village in Man-
dya district. The Leader of
the Opposition, R Ashoka,
and others were taken into
police custody following
the protest at the Mysuru
Bank Circle in Bengaluru
on Monday. In Mandya, BJP
and JD-S leaders took out a
foot march from Keragodu
phasized the importance
of setting up new benches
in Mysore and Davanagere
to save time and money for
citizens seeking RTI reso-
lutions. The Commission
recommended the establish-
ment of a Davanagere bench,
catering to the districts of
Davanagere, Chitradurga,
Shimoga, Haveri, and Bel-
lary in Central Karnataka,
where 2110 appeal cases are
currently pending.
gers, with activists criticising
the norm of rejecting surveys
based on forest department
hurdles, questioning why
such obstacles are unique to
the coastal region of Karna-
taka.
Ganesh Puthran, presi-
dent of the Kundapur railway
passengers’ welfare asso-
ciation, emphasised that the
realisation of the Byndoor-
Hebri-Karkala-Moodbidri-
Belthangady-Dharmastha-
la-Subrahmanya Road line
would create a religious tour-
ism circuit.
This circuit would facili-
tate easy access to religious
destinations such as Kol-
lur Mookambika Temple,
Jain Basadis in Karkala and
Moodbidri, Sri Manjunatha
Swamy Temple, and Dhar-
masthala for devotees.
Dinesh, a railway activ-
ist, urged for at least a survey
of the Nandikur-Karkala-
Subrahmanya Road railway
line, asserting that it could
save more than two hours
in reaching Bengaluru
from Udupi.
Issues caution to government
demands are met, he added,
“If public sentiment intensi-
fies, law enforcement may
find it challenging to contain.
Dissolve Section 144 before
the situation escalates.” The
Hanuman Flag dispute in has
escalated, with many BJP JDS
leaders entering into protests
conducted in various district
headquarters of state. In Man-
dya police resorted to mild
lathicharge to quell the mob
which attempted to tear Con-
gress MLA Ravi Ganiga s flex
expressing outrage accusing
he of instructing officers to re-
move the Hanuman flag.
The BJP JDS workers staged
protest in Mandya’s Ma-
haveera Circle, against baton
charge. Two workers sustained
head injuries. Enraged further
by this incident, activists have
initiated a sit-in protest on the
old Bangalore-Mysore high-
way.
Village to the District Com-
missioner’s office condemn-
ing the incident.
The agitators were plan-
ning to lay siege to the DC’s
office after staging a pro-
test in Mandya city. Police
security has been beefed
up in the city following the
foot march. Meanwhile, the
situation in Keragodu Vil-
lage, where the saffron flag
was taken down, remained
volatile. Heavy police secu-
rity was deputed and police
have erected barricades to
prevent the people from
reaching the flag post area.
Section 15(7) of the Right
to Information Act, 2005,
permits the establishment of
RTI benches outside Banga-
lore.
With benches already
functioning in Bangalore,
Belgaum, and Kalaburagi,
the proposed benches in
Mysore and Davanagere aim
to provide greater accessi-
bility and convenience for
citizens seeking information
through the RTI process.
FIRECRACKER TRAGEDY IN BELTHANGADY
M Raghuram
Mangaluru
THE temple festival season
on the coast will soon be
here; starting in February,
it will stretch up to July 14,
the beginning of the Dak-
shinayana (Southern Sol-
stice), and strangely, the
temples and Shrines here
consider bursting crackers a
part of the tradition. When
and how this destructive
and woeful practice crept in
nobody can remember; per-
haps it has something to do
with the entertainment part
of it, which aberration, has
crept in sometime during
the consumer movement
began in India.
The managements of the
temples and Daiva Stha-
nas make it a point to burst
crackers that make big noise
in the middle of the nights
and throughout the night,
keeping society around the
temple and Daiva Sthanas
awake all night, unmind-
ful of the hardships to old
and feeble, sick people and
students who are preparing
for exams and those people
who have to go to work next
day.
In the wake of the hor-
rendous blast in a fire-
cracker unit in Belthangady
on Sunday (January 28) a
whole new ecosystem has
been exposed, which is giv-
ing impetus to the growth
of highly toxic, exploitative,
and life threatening explo-
sives industry, which is also
unlicensed and spurious.
ALARMED by the irra-
tional and irresponsible
ways of use of explosives
during the temple festi-
vals and the spirit worship
shrines during the Bhoota
Kolas the Deputy Commis-
sioners in the past have sent
guidelines for the use of fire
crackers.
• All temples burn the
iconic ‘Bedi’ which is a
large firecrackers that is
usually sounded to an-
nounce beginning of a
temple festival. Kumble
(30 kms from Mangalu-
ru) is known for its Bedi.
Puttur is also known for
its own version of Bedi.
Speeding car kills tiger
Mysuru
A male tiger was killed
after being hit by a
speeding car while cross-
ing a road in a forest area
here, a forest official said
on Monday.
According to the
Conservator of For-
est, Malathi Priya, the
accident occurred near
Mandakalli Airport on
RTI activists smell a rat in Food Fiesta affairs
Hans News Service
Mangaluru
THE RTI cell of Mangaluru
City has been flooded with
queries asking for details
about the Mangaluru Street
Food Fiesta. Prof.Narendra
Nayak, a rationalist and
RTI activist, has sent an
elaborate query to the RTI
Cell of the City Corpora-
tion.
In his petition to the
Commissioner, Prof. Nayak
has asked about the details
of the name and address of
organiser/s of the food fes-
tival held on roads of Man-
galore city from January 24
to 28.The details of the pro-
cess of calling tenders to se-
lect the highest lowest bid-
der awarded the contract
to conduct the event. If the
Following the Belt-
hangady blast the district
authorities are bracing up
for unearthing unchartered
and unlicenced firecracker
units in Dakshina Kannada
district and intel info has
been shared with Udupi and
Uttara Kannada district too.
District officials who
spoke to Hans India on
conditions of anonymity
told that following the fire
in Kollam temple in Kerala
some time in 2016 when 111
people were killed and over
300 injured when the fire-
cracker display went awry
and followed by 2017 when
two people dead in a fire
cracker unit in Vitla the po-
lice are sparing no effort to
make the fire crackers show
in the temple festival safe for
public attending the temple
festivities.
Many temples on the
coast including Kollur
Mookambika, Udupi Sri
Krishna, Kukke Subraman-
ya, Kateel Durgaparamesh-
wari, Polali Rajarajeshwari,
Mahabaleshwara Temple at
Gokarna Mangaladevi in
Fiery devotion
•Udupi has a unique
lineage of locally made
fireworks. During the
Utsavas the fireworks
are lit in front of Mitra
Samaja and again near
the Admaar mutt.
• All the three types of
traditional crackers are
lit during the Bhoota
Kolas, (spirit wor-
ship) during Febru-
ary to April. It goes on
throughout the night
and disturbs the sleep
of people and the chil-
dren who study for the
exams during that time.
• Only the Jain temples
do not use any type
the Mysuru-Nanjangud
road on Sunday at
around 11pm.
The one-and-half-year-
old tiger died on the
spot, she said.
Forest department reg-
istered a case and seized
the car as part of the
investigation, Priya said.
The 2023 census pegged
the number of tigers in
Karnataka at 563.
procedure is something dif-
ferent from the above, the
official proceedings of the
Mangalore city corpora-
tion pertaining to the same.
Copy of the letter sanction-
ing permission for conduct
of the said event. Details
of the payment received
as rental for the use of the
premises of the Mangalore
city corporation. If the ar-
rangement is something
different from the above,
details of the same. Details
of FSAAI licences obtained
for preparing and serving
the food items by the food
selling stalls.
Details of mike licence
obtained from police for
using public address sys-
tems in open air. Details of
payment made to police for
maintaining law and order
Mangaluru are big time us-
ers of fireworks during the
annual fairs and festivities.
Many of them buy firecrack-
ers from their traditional
suppliers and some have
it custom made which are
lit during the Ratha Utsavs
(Car festivals).
The custom made fire-
crackers are more danger-
ous say the people who
burn them. In 2006 four
persons had died in Puttur
taluk during manufacturing
them.
The district police and
explosives department have
core competence to carry
out the checking the quality
and safety aspects.
In Dakshina Kannada
district there are 7 licenced
manufacturers and 50 sellers
of firecrackers. Four manu-
facturers have been asked
to shutdown shops after the
Vitla incident in 2017. But
the police and the depart-
ment aver that some of the
old units might be function-
ing and they will soon begin
the search operations for the
unlicenced units.
of fireworks, for they
believe bursting crack-
ers are also a kind of
violence. Jain Mutts,
in Shravawnabelagola
(Hassan) Humcha (Shi-
vamogga) Moodbidri
and Venur (Dakshina
Kannada) and Karkala
(Udupi) have banished
fireworks during their
•
festivities.
The fringe groups that
take up the work of
burning crackers do not
give a damn about the
rules, instead they use
the influence of their
leaders to gag the police
and fire officials.
and bandobust. Expenses
incurred by the Mangalore
City corporation for clean-
up of the premises, roads
and collection of garbage.
Since currency officially
printed and circulated by
the RBI was not allowed at
the stalls open to public and
at public places and instead
coupons printed by private
persons organisations were
accepted as legal tender let-
ter of permission obtained
from RBI for the same.
However, this is not with
respect to payment made
through digital means. The
names of the officers in
charge for overall super-
vision and control of the
event held at public prem-
ises belonging to the Man-
galore City Corporation.
 TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2024 |THE HANS INDIA | BENGALURU 3

Confusion in Armed Reserve Constable Exam;

WINDOWS
CM slammed on
reference to
Prez in singular
BENGALURU: Union
Minister for Coal, Mines
and Parliamentary Affairs
Pralhad Joshi on Monday
slammed Karnataka Chief
Minister Siddaramaiah
for addressing President
Droupadi Murmu in the
singular during his speech in
Kannada.
Siddaramaiah, who was
speaking at ‘Shoshitara Jag-
ruti Samavesha’ (Convention
of the Oppressed) organised
by Karnataka Exploited Op-
OMR sheet numbers exchanged?
Hans News Service
Bengaluru
STATE Armed Reserve Po-
lice Force (CAR/DAR) con-
ducted written examination
on Sunday for 3064 vacan-
cies (Male & Third Gender
Male). The exam was held
on Sunday from 11:00 am
to 12:30 pm. But there was
confusion in the exam and
the candidates are worried.
The examination was con-
ducted in many parts of the
state. But the candidates are
worried because they have
heard that the OMR sheet
number of the candidates
has been changed in the
examination centre of Na-
tional College, Jayanagar,
Bengaluru.
Candidates who ap-
peared for the State Armed
Reserve Constable exam at
11 am at the National Col-
lege Examination Centre in
Jayanagar are now worried.
There has been an allega-
tion that the OMR sheet of
the candidates has been re-
placed. Hall ticket number
and OMR sheet number
have been changed for it. At
12.30 pm the exam was over
and the candidates were
supposed to come out. But
they stayed in the room till
1.20 pm.
Recruitment Department
DIG Martin, DJ Kamal Pant
arrived at the examination
centre and tried to clear the
confusion among the can-
didates. Speaking on this
occasion, Kamal Pant said
there is no problem in the
exam. It is true that there is
confusion among the candi-
dates. OMR roll number is
not related to hall ticket roll
number. He assured that
only the numbers marked
in the OMR will be read.

GAFX tech should be effectively BBMP struggling to

pressed Caste-Communities
Federation and the Karna-
taka State Backward Castes
Federation at Chitradurga
on Sunday, said, “The BJP
which makes tall claims, did
not invite poor Droupadi
Murmu, one who belongs to
the oppressed class, for the
Parliament inauguration.
She (mentioned as ‘avalu’
in singular) was not invited
despite being the custodian
of the Constitution. The day
before, she was not even
invited to inaugurate the
Ram temple. Then, they keep
saying Siddaramaiah is anti-
Hindu. I am not against any-
body. I am pro-humanity.”
Slamming Siddaramaiah for
addressing the President in
the singular, Joshi said, “Mr
Siddaramaiah, you came to
power chanting the phrases
of Ahinda, nari shakthi. Is
this the respect you give to a
woman President who hails
from the tribal community?”
Taking to social media,
Joshi stated, “Dear Sid-
daramaiah, I seriously don’t
understand what’s gotten
into you and your party! You
have time and again proven
that you have utmost dis-
regard for the Constitution
and those who represent it,
holding supreme positions.
Addressing the President
and that, too, a woman in
singular is extremely dis-
graceful. This coming from a
law student like you is even
more shocking and disap-
pointing. Either education
has escaped you or you are
becoming senile. I wonder
which it is! Neither age nor
experience are reflected in
your words and actions!”
Go to Pak if you don’t
believe in Constitution:
Cong to BJP
BENGALURU: Karnataka
Minister for RDPR, IT and
BT Priyank Kharge on Mon-
day attacked the BJP, saying
that if they do not like the
national flag, Indian Con-
stitution and integrity of the
nation, their leaders “can go
to their preferred destination
Pakistan”. “We will not bog
down with the conspiracies
and strategies of the BJP.
We will effectively deal with
it,” he underlined. The minis-
ter was speaking over the is-
sue of hoisting and bringing
down of saffron flag bearing
the picture of Lord Hanuman
on a 108-feet-tall flagpost
on government land in the
Keragodu village in Mandya
district of Karnataka. The
issue has turned out to be
a latest flash point between
the ruling Congress and
opposition BJP in Karnataka.
Kharge further stated, “Like
RSS, which hated tiranga
(national flag), BJP trained
by the RSS is also hating the
national flag. Instead of re-
specting it, the BJP is hating
the Tricolour. Mr. Vijayendra
(State BJP President B.Y.
Vijayendra), the government
has fulfilled the purpose of
the flagpole by hoisting the
national flag.”
“Even then why are you
so angry? By showing hatred
towards the national flag,
the BJP has certified itself
as anti-nationals,” Kharge
stated.
He further said that the
BJP and Sangh Parivar which
had made the coastal region
its Hindutva laboratory have
now got activated in Mandya
district and started their
Hindutva experimentation
here. “It seems BJP won’t be
at peace if the society is
peaceful. The BJP leaders
have stooped down to the
low level of igniting fire in
Mandya district for political
gains. The position of LoP is
a dignified post, his actions
won’t bring respect to his
position,” he said.
used in education sector: Dy CM
Hans News Service
Bengaluru
DCM DK Shivakumar said,
“Due to GAFX technologies,
the cinema sector is getting
more benefits and this tech-
nology should be adopted in
education, health and other
social sectors.”
Speaking at the opening
ceremony of the 5th GAFX
conference, DK Shivakumar
said, “In Bengaluru, there
is a techie in every three or
four families. There are more
than 400 institutions in the
city and we have come to a
situation where education is
impossible without technol-
ogy. There is no field without
technology. You can’t escape
from technology anywhere
in cinemas.”
‘Nowadays, the develop-
ment and adoption of tech-
nologies in the film industry
is quite surprising. Bengalu-
ru is making strides in tech-
nology (GAFX) for gaming,
animation, cinema and oth-
er entertainment sectors. We
have to compete globally. In
the near future, we hope to
produce more excellent im-
ages using GAFX technol-
ogy.
Now with the advent of
artificial intelligence, there
is hope that these fields will
work even more efficiently.
These technologies have
brought a huge change in
Parents beware, Mpox disease Grand entrance gate, statue of Field
spreading among children… Marshal Sam Manekshaw unveiled
Hans News Service
Bengaluru
PARENTS beware! Mumps
virus has started in children,
whereas it has been detected
in children of Bengaluru. Due
to the divine negligence of
the government, the epidemic
of mumps virus has started
among children. Due to this,
some children are experienc-
ing pain in their bones. Chil-
dren have to stay out of school
due to pain. The government
should have vaccinated the
children to prevent such dis-
eases. It has neglected to pro-
vide vaccinations to boost im-
munity and control disease.
Mumps virus is now ap-
pearing more often in chil-
dren from this background.
At present the government is
giving only the MR vaccine to
Tell the story of our heroes of Ramayana, Mahabharata: Invest India chief
Bengaluru
THE MD and CEO of Invest
India Nivruti Rai on Mon-
day exhorted the gaming
and animation developers
to build and tell stories of
Indian heroes from mythol-
ogies like Ramayana and
Mahabharata. Invest India
is the National Investment
Promotion and Facilitation
Agency that helps investors
looking for investment op-
portunities and options in
the country.
To drive home her mes-
sage, she told the success
story of ‘Chhota Bheem’,
a popular animation se-
ries based on an imaginary
childhood of ‘Bhima’, the
second of Pandavas with
towering strength as men-
the lives of our children. The setting up many industrial
government is committed to estates. Bengaluru embrac-
provide full cooperation for es industries very warmly.
the further growth of this Our government will give
industry. Bangalore attracts full cooperation to the de-
new technologies fast like a velopment of industries. As
magnet’, said DCM. a result of our government
Bengaluru responded well giving priority to the IT sec-
to industrial revolution tor, the IT sector grew in
He said, In the 1950s, 60s Bangalore. The innovation
and 70s, there was a revolu- revolution has also started
tion of public enterprises with Bangalore becom-
in the country. During this ing the innovation capital
time, our leaders like Jawa- of the country. Bengaluru
har Lal Nehru, Indira Gan- has become the first choice
dhi and Rajiv Gandhi estab- for industries because of its
lished many big enterprises complementary innovation,
in Bangalore. They started technology and culture’, said
many enterprises including DCM Shivakumar.
BEL, BEML, ISRO, BHEL. ‘Our government is com-
During the industrial mitted to provide all kinds
revolution that followed, the of cooperation for the de-
city responded positively by velopment of the technol-
disease. Some people experi-
ence pain in the bones. Chil-
dren have to stay out of school
due to this pain.
This disease is caused by a
virus called monkey pox or
mumps. The parotid glands
become enlarged causing se-
children. MMR vaccine is not vere pain. Located below the
given. Thus the mumps virus front of the ear, these glands
has started for the children. produce saliva. It is an infec-
Day by day this virus is becom- tious disease that spreads from
ing more common in children. an infected child to another
The upper part of the neck through person-to-person
and the upper part of the fore- contact (physical contact, sa-
head has an abscess. Due to liva, breathing). Children aged
this, fever is appearing in the 2 to 12 years are most suscep-
children and the children are tible to this infection. Apart
becoming irritable. from the parotid glands in the
Mumps infestation has elderly, other organs such as
increased since the last two the testes, pancreas and nerv-
weeks. Mumps can spread very ous system can also become
quickly from child to child. Fe- infected.Symptoms usually
ver and swelling of the neck on appear within 12 to 14 days of
both sides in children with this viral infection.
Offer made to partner with the State government to
see that Bengaluru and India become ‘the front end
and not the back end of gaming developer industry’
tioned in the epic ‘Mahab- back end of gaming devel-
harata’. Stating that ‘Chhota oper industry’.
Bheem’ is loved by people “Can I tell you that our
all across the globe, Rai said history documented is 3,000
even Japan has its own ver- years old and many of our
sion of ‘Chhota Bheem’, histories are 5,000 to 7,000
which the children there years old that we may not
love very much. have documented but have
Speaking at the inaugu- good proof?” she said.
ral session of the Bengaluru “So 7,000 years of his-
GAFX-2024 here, an annual torical heroes, 7,000 years of
event for Games, Animation fantastic architecture! I re-
& Visual Effects Industry ally feel we have content, we
hosted by Government of have stories to tell. And I’m
Karnataka, Rai even offered really happy that some soft-
to partner with the State ware developers are building
government to see that Ben- stories from Mahabharata
galuru and India become and Ramayana and build-
‘the front end and not the ing stories of those heroes
ogy sector. We are bringing
a new policy in this regard.
20 years ago we created a
huge amount of opportuni-
ties in Bengaluru because of
the IT policy we brought. As
a result, Bengaluru is recog-
nised globally in the IT sec-
tor. Karnataka State is in the
forefront of development in
all fields and our politicians
and officials are working
hard for this.
Our minister Priyank
Kharge is working hard for
the fast growth of IT BT sec-
tor’, he said.
Adopting a new policy for
the technology industry
He said, ‘The use of tech-
nologies in the field of en-
tertainment is increasing.
Hollywood and TV are us-
Hans News Service
Bengaluru
GRAND entrance gate and
statue dedicated to Field
Marshal S.H.F.J. Manekshaw
was unveiled at the parade
ground here, which is named
after him, by Lieutenant
General K S Brar, General
Officer Commanding (GOC)
Dakshin Bharat Area, on
Monday.
The GOC stressed the
significance of preserving
history, acknowledging the
achievements of Field Mar-
shal Manekshaw and high-
lighting the centrality of the
parade ground in the con-
duct of events of national im-
portance, the Defence PRO
office said in a release.
He highlighted that dur-
ing the British period the pa-
that the world is accepting,”
the former India head of In-
tel said. Rai wondered why
Bengaluru wanted to be the
ing technology on a large
scale. Separate policies have
been adopted in this regard.
So we also have to formulate
a new policy in this matter.
The new policy is industry
friendly and will help attract
investment’.
‘This industry sees a
change every couple of
years. Therefore, the gov-
ernment should give full
cooperation to this industry
to face the challenges and
strengthen them in the com-
ing days. Karnataka is com-
mitted to the development
of this industry’.
He said, ‘Our new policy
aims to create more than 30
thousand jobs in this indus-
try in the state by 2029 by
allowing innovation, global
level competition. It is not
just a statistic, it is the gov-
ernment’s commitment to
the growth of this industry.
The aim is to make Karna-
taka a global skill hub. Our
government has given high
priority to skill development
and job creation in the new
policy’.
He added, ‘Today I see
young new entrepreneurs in
this programme. This event
is not just a professional
event, it is a celebration of
activism. As you grow
stronger, the entire indus-
try grows. Our government
will provide all necessary
incentives for it’.
rade ground extended from
Cubbon Park to its present
area and was called “Sports
Ground and Garrison Pa-
rade Ground”. Later owing
to the needs of urbanisa-
tion, the area shrank to the
present range.This parade
ground is the ground where
annual Parade for Republic
Day and Independence Day
are held under supervision of
Governor and Chief Minis-
ter of Karnataka.The project
back end and not front end
when “our heroes are global
heroes”. “I want Karnataka,
I want India to be at the
reach property tax
target of `4,000 crore
Hans News Service
Bengaluru
THE tax collection tension
has started for the civic of-
ficials of BBMP, the power
centre of the state capital.
As per the orders of DCM
DK Shivakumar, the Cor-
poration is collecting the
property tax arrears at a fast
pace.
Currently, the Corporation
has collected Rs 3,273 crore
tax, now it is preparing to
reach the target of Rs 4,000
crores.
While the debate is going
on whether the government
is facing financial difficul-
ties after implementing a
series of guarantees, now
the government is calculat-
ing from which source the
revenue will be collected.
The government, like the
Bengaluru revenue treasury
or BBMP, is all set to fill the
spearheaded by Major Gen-
eral Ravi Murugan, General
Officer Commanding (GOC)
Karnataka and Kerala Sub
Area, was completed in just
over eight weeks.
The release noted that the
grand gate boasts a meticu-
lously planned layout, a har-
monious blend of military
precision and artistic finesse.
With dimensions measuring
66 ft width and 20 ft height,
the gate embodies the disci-
pline of effort that defines the
Indian Army. It is also archi-
tecturally appealing, seam-
lessly blending tradition with
modern design.
Central to the grand gate
stands an inspiring 7ft Iron
frame statue of Field Marshal
Sam Manekshaw flanked
by the insignia of Southern
command and Karnataka
front end of the gaming de-
veloper industry. To be the
front end we have to have
a supportive government.
coffers of the government
through the collection of
corporation tax.
As per the instructions of
the government, the Corpo-
ration is struggling to reach
the target.
The Corporation officials
took up the challenge and
has issued a notice to 15-
20,000 defaulters who have
already arrears of property
tax and warned them to pay
tax.
The DCM, who had
promised to give tax con-
cessions to the poor and
middle class people, was
complaining that the public
was facing problems due to
the collection of taxes, but
he is not talking about it.
There have also been ru-
mours that the government
has used a tax weapon to se-
cure money for its guaran-
tees on the corporation that
has arrears of tax.
and Kerala Sub Area.
With meticulous crafts-
manship, the statue captures
the essence of his resolute
leadership, serving as a
poignant reminder of his in-
valuable contributions to the
nation, it said, adding, an In-
dian Army crest at the apex
of the gate marks the values,
ethos and spirit of the Indian
Army. The logo typically fea-
tures the national emblem
and crossed swords.
Plans are underway to en-
gage the community through
military displays, educational
programmes, guided tours
and interactive displays, the
release further said.” The aim
is to foster a deeper under-
standing of the Indian Army
and the historical context
surrounding the parade
ground”, it added.
To be a supportive govern-
ment, the way I look at the
government’s role is like I
am a mother at home. I re-
move obstacles in front of
my children’s path, so they
can climb the highest, they
can shine the brightest,” she
said.
She offered to extend her
support to Karnataka to be-
come a leader in the gam-
ing industry. Invest India
is committed to partnering
with Karnataka and helping
the State become the front
end of the industry, Rai said.
The Invest India chief
appealed to the youth to tap
the potential in the gaming
and animation industry by
making optimum use of the
cheapest data tariff available
in India.
 4 TELANGANA
GOVT CRACKDOWN ON RICE
MILLERS YIELDS RESULTS
Receives record quantity of CMR in single day
Md Nizamuddin
Hyderabad
FOLLOWING Civil Sup-
plies Commission tightening
noose around the millers and
setting the deadline for this
month for delivering default-
ed CMR (Custom Milling
Rice), the department has
received an overwhelming
response.
The millers have sped up
the delivery as the depart-
ment officials registered an
almost six-fold increase in
the past 50 days. The deliv-
ery from millers has gone
up from about 5,000 - 6,000
metric tonnes daily aver-
age to 30,000 per day aver-
age during the past 50 days.
It recorded delivery of more
than 56,000 metric tonneson
a single day.
The department officials
informed that the CMR per-
tains to 2022-23 (Yasangi
season) and millers were
supposed to deliver rice to
TSSPDCL completes
maintenance in Greater
Hyderabad Limits
HYDERABAD: As part of the
maintenance works being
undertaken by the Telan-
gana State Southern Power
Distribution Company Limited
(TSSPDCL) from January 17 in
the Greater Hyderabad Limits,
2,470 11 KV feeders and 182
33/11 KV substations main-
tenance works have been
completed so far. There were
about 3,288 11 KV feeders
and 346 33/11 substations
in the Greater Hyderabad
Municipal Corporation (GHMC)
limits, and of them, 2,470
feeders and 182 substation
maintenance works have
been completed, and the
remaining 818 feeders and
164 substation works will be
completed by the end of the
week, said SPDCL officials.
The SPDCL authorities have
prepared a detailed schedule
for maintenance and repair
work on power lines and
substations in the Greater
Hyderabad Limits. The field-
level staff has been directed
to complete the maintenance
work within 15 minutes to 2
hours so that the consum-
ers do not face difficulties,
officials said.
PALAMURU NYAYA YATRA FROM TOMORROW
Challa Vamsi takes a
leaf from RG’s book
CM to join Cong leader for yatra
Hans News service
Mahbubnagar
IN a bid to spearhead the
rejuvenation of Palamuru
district, Challa Vamsi Chand
Reddy, a special invitee of
CWC and Congress leader
who is among probable MP
ticket seekers from Congress
party from Mahbubnagar
Lok Sabha Constituency is
set to launch the Palamuru
Nyaya Yatra on January 31,
commencing from the his-
toric KsheeraLingeswara
Swamy Mutt in Krishna vil-
lage of Maktal constituency.
Inspired by Congress
leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat
Jodo Yatra, Challa Vamsi
in collaboration with Chief
Minister Revanth Reddy,
aims to propel Palamuru
district towards progress,
addressing long-standing is-
sues in irrigation, education,
health, and employment.
The 25-day padayatra will
traverse seven Assembly
constituencies within the
Mahbubnagar parliamentary
constituency, with each con-
stituency being covered over
three days. The journey will
commence at 10 am daily
and conclude at 10 pm, cov-
ering 20 km per day.
MLA Vakiti Srihari, Con-
gress leaders, thousands of
the tune of 43.73 lakh metric
tonnes. However by Novem-
ber 2023, only 24.50 lakh
metric tonnes was received.
But during the past 50-days
14.50 lakh metric tonnes
were received, as there was
Death toll in Miryalaguda
road accident rises to six
Hans News Service
Hyderabad
THE death toll in the
Miryalaguda road accident
has risen to six. The police
have also identified the
lorry responsible for the
accident, and DSP Giri re-
ported that the lorry driver
has been detained.
The tragic incident oc-
curred at Nandipahad in
Miryalaguda mandal on
Sunday night when a lorry
collided with a car, causing
it to hit the divider and fall
on the opposite side of the
road.
In this devastating ac-
cident, five out of the six
individuals travelling in the
car lost their lives on the
spot, while the remaining
victim passed away during
treatment at the hospital.
The deceased have been
identified as Cherupalli
Mahesh (32) of Nandi-
pahad Colony, his wife
activists, and citizens will
join Challa Vamsi Chand
Reddy in Maktal constitu-
ency from January 31, kick
starting a series of engage-
ments across various con-
stituencies.
The schedule includes
Narayanpet constituency
from February 4 to 6, De-
varakadra constituency from
February 8 to 10, Shadnagar
constituency from February
11 to 13, Jadcherla constitu-
ency from February 15 to
17, and Mahabubnagar con-
stituency from February 19
to 21. The dates for Kodangal
constituency will be finalised
in consultation with Chief
Minister Revanth Reddy,
who is expected to be the
chief guest for the conclud-
ing session.
During the Palamuru
change in the government.
During the past three years,
the delay has pushed the
Corporation into debts, even
as the millers crossed the set
deadline for supply. Follow-
ing a series of review meet-
Jyoti (30), their daughter
Rishita (6), Mahesh’s
brother, Bhuma Mahender
(32) of Golnepally, Vali-
gonda Mandal, Yadadri
Bhuvangiri District, and
his son Liansi (2). Poga
and Bhuma Madhavi also
succumbed to their injuries
while undergoing treat-
ment in the hospital.
Cherupalli Mahesh,
employed as a photogra-
pher in Vanasthalipuram,
Hyderabad, had undertak-
en a journey to Vijayawada
and other parts of Andhra
Pradesh with his family
for a divine darshan. The
accident occurred on the
return journey to Nandipa-
had Colony in Miryalagu-
da, on the Addaki–Narkat-
pally main road. Had they
taken a turn there, they
could have reached home
in three or four minutes,
but unfortunately, the
accident transpired in the
interim.
Nyaya Yatra, Challa Vamsi
Chand Reddy plans to in-
teract with farmers, women,
youth, laborers, employees,
and various sections of the
community, understanding
their concerns and challeng-
es. Post-lunch, he will engage
in meetings with caste or-
ganizations, students, youth,
labor, farmers, and people’s
associations, seeking con-
structive suggestions for the
progress of Palamuru.
In a unique gesture, Challa
Vamsi Chand Reddy has de-
cided to stay at the house of
a common Congress worker
in the village where the pa-
dayatra concludes every day.
The leader encourages Con-
gress leaders, activists, and
people from all walks of life
to actively participate in the
Palamuru Nyaya Yatra.
ings with Minister N Uttam
Kumar Reddy and appoint-
ment of D S Chouhan the
department has decided to
tighten the noose around
the millers towards resolv-
ing the matter. The officials
Aussie High Commissioner
lauds Cong’s six guarantees
Australian High Commissioner Philip
Green and IT minister D Sridhar Babu
Hans news service
Hyderabad
AUSTRALIAN High Com-
missioner Philip Green said
that the six guarantees an-
nounced by the Congress
government were very good.
He lauded the free bus facili-
tyfor women provided under
the Maha Laxmi Scheme.
The Australian High Com-
missioner Philip Green and
Bengaluru Consulate Gen-
eral Hilary McGeechywere
meeting with IT Minister D
Sridhar Babu at V-Hub in Ju-
bilee Hills on Monday.
On this occasion, the Min-
ister briefed them about the
conducive environment for
investment in the state. He
Weaving Gandhi through Naresh Bollu’s art
Akhil Kumar
Hyderabad
FROM the earliest days of
his youth, Naresh Bollu ex-
hibited a profound interest in
the intricate and captivating
world of traditional painting.
With an innate talent and an
unquenchable thirst for artis-
tic expression, he embarked
on a unique journey of crea-
tivity. Naresh found his muse
in the venerable figure of
Mahatma Gandhi, a symbol
of peace and resilience. He
began to explore this fascina-
tion through his art, master-
fully weaving the essence of
Gandhi into an array of di-
verse and myriad forms.
Each stroke of his brush
brought to life the different
facets of Gandhi’s character
and philosophy, translating
them into stunning visual
narratives. Naresh’s work,
rich in detail and depth, not
only celebrated the legacy
of one of the great leaders
in the world but also show-
cased his own evolving skills
as a painter. Through his art,
he established a connection
with the past while simulta-
neously imprinting his own
also informed that till two
months back the department
witnessed on an average
5,000 to 6,000 metric tonnes
per day. However during the
past 50 days delivery per day
has gone up by 30,000 met-
ric tonnes on an average. On
January 27, Civil Supplies
recorded history as it re-
ceived 58,843 metric tonnes
of CMR.
The districts identified by
the department which default-
ed maximum are Wanapar-
thy (82,000), Nagarkurnool
(42,000), Medak (40,000),
Kamareddy (37,000), Nirmal
(35,000) amongst others. The
Commissioner has warned
the millers will be forced to
shell out money in case of de-
faulting the delivery of CMR.
The Commissioner while
expressing satisfaction, felt
that the Government strategy
worked, and the department
was making history with the
coordinated efforts of all the
officials.
said that special centres were
being set up to impart train-
ing in the respective courses
to develop skills among the
youth. Green said that Hy-
derabad was a favourable
place for investments
Sridhar Babu held discus-
sions with the Australian
team on new methods in the
agriculture sector. He said
that policies would be de-
signed to benefit the farmers
and added that steps were be-
ing taken to directly benefit
the farmers without a mid-
dleman system.
Australian govt partners
with V-hub
In a significant development,
the Australian government
unique mark on the timeless
tradition of painting.
“Since my childhood days,
a deep-rooted passion for
traditional painting has been
a defining part of my identity.
My journey in the world of
art commenced at Sri Ven-
kateswara University in Tiru-
pati, Andhra Pradesh. It was
there that I first dipped my
brushes into the vast ocean
of artistic expression, learn-
ing the foundational skills
that would shape my future.
As my hunger for artistic
knowledge grew, I advanced
TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2024 | THE HANS INDIA | BENGALURU
Digital health card soon to come
knocking on doors across State
Hans News Service
Hyderabad
CHIEF Minister A Revanth
Reddy has taken some cru-
cial decisions to improve
medical care facilities, in-
cluding digital health profile
card for all, speed up pay-
ment of Arogyasri bills, fo-
cus on providing all services
in AIIMS at Bibinagar and
speedy completion of TIMS
hospitals in Hyderabad and
Warangal.
He instructed officials to
prepare a digital health pro-
file for everyone in State and
link the profile card with a
unique number which will
enable it to provide required
treatment in emergency situ-
ations. The card will also be
linked with Arogyasri card
. Removal of mandated re-
quirement of white ration
card to avail the Arogyasri
benefit is also under active
consideration. Due to this
provision, the number of
people demanding new white
ration cards increased abnor-
mally in State.
The construction of TIMS
Super Specialty Hospitals
in Warangal, LB Nagar,
Sanathnagar and Alwal will
be done on a war footing. The
CM said medical colleges
has partnered with V-Hub.
The agreement was signed at
a meeting between IT Min-
ister Duddilla Sridhar Babu
and Australian High Com-
missioner Philip Green on
Monday. As part of the part-
nership programme, V-Hub
will conduct a 13-week long
pre-incubation programme
called Start-X in entrepre-
neurship for women, mar-
ginalised sections and the
LGBTE group.
Speaking on the occasion,
Sridhar Babu said, “Telan-
gana’s growth will be based
on the foundations of wom-
en’s empowerment and we
believe in it.” He said that as
part of the women empow-
erment, they had taken up
free bus facility, Rs 500 per
LPG cylinder programme
while noting that if the is-
sues related to women are
not addressed, they will face
obstacles in competing with
the world.
He also announced that
women will be made entre-
preneurs. He said he was
happy with the Austral-
ian government’s partnership
with V-Hub. He thanked the
Australian government for
its support. State IT and In-
dustries Department Princi-
pal Secretary Jayesh Ranjan,
V-Hub CEO Deepti Raola
and others were present on
the occasion.
to pursue post-graduation
in fine arts at the prestigious
Jawaharlal Nehru Architec-
ture and Fine Arts University
(JNAFAU) in Hyderabad.
“My educational path took
an intriguing turn during my
master’s programme when
we were assigned to create
a project centred around a
unique theme. Coming from
Warangal in Telangana, a
place where the rhythmic
sound of looms is a part
of daily life, I grew up in a
family deeply entrenched in
the art of weaving. My par-
would be linked
to hospitals so that there
is no shortage of doctors. In
the high level review Reddy
inquired about details of
medical, nursing and para-
medical colleges which are
yet to be started
and suggested to officials
to look into setting up a med-
ical college and a nursing col-
lege at Kodangal.
The CM said complete
medical services at Bibina-
gar AIIMS which will ben-
efit people of Khammam,
Warangal and Nalgonda
districts and reduce burden
on Osmania Hospital and
NIMS. He ordered officials
to visit AIIMS and prepare
complete report. He said
he will also meet the Union
Health minister, if necessary,
MLA criticises BRS govt’s
treatment of Sarpanchs
Hans news service
Rangareddy
SHADNAGAR MLA Veer-
lapalli Shankar voiced
strong concerns about the
plight of Sarpanchs under
the Bharat Rashtra Samithi
(BRS) government during
the Farooqnagar Mandal
Parishad Plenary Meeting
held on Monday. The meet-
ing, presided over by MPP
Khaza Ahmad Idris, wit-
nessed discussions on vari-
ous issues impacting the lo-
cal community.
The MLAaccused the BRS
government of mishandling
the administration of Sar-
panchs, alleging that they
were given mere symbolic
items like a bowl, leaving
them in a challenging situ-
ation. He emphasised the
importance of coordination
between people, representa-
tives, and officials for effec-
tive governance.
Expressing concern over
the current state of Sar-
panchs, Veerlapallihigh-
lighted the lack of freedom
ents and relatives, all skilled
weavers, had unknowingly
sown the seeds of inspiration
in me. This close association
with the weaving community
ignited a creative spark—the
idea to intertwine weaving
with painting, to blend these
two beautiful art forms into
one,” says Naresh Bollu.
This concept found a
perfect muse in Mahatma
Gandhi, a figure synony-
mous with weaving and the
Swadeshi movement’s em-
blem, Khadi. Gandhi’s ad-
vocacy for hand-spun fabric
and explain necessity of pro-
viding full medical services
in AIIMS.
The CM asked officials to
develop alternative facilities
so that people across State
should not rely only on Hy-
derabad for medical treat-
ment. Area-wise better medi-
cal treatment facilities should
be developed and provide
best medical care to peo-
ple. He suggested to officials
to continue the Arogyasri
services in the concerned
medical colleges. The offi-
cials informed the CM about
problems being faced in ex-
pansion of Osmania Hospi-
tal. Reddy said the issue of
Osmania Heritage building is
pending before the court; the
government will take a deci-
sion as to how to proceed as
per court directive.
The CM asked officials
to clear Arogyasri bills of
government hospitals every
month. The officials were di-
rected to enter into an agree-
ment with private hospitals
for release of Arogyasri bills
every three months. The
pending Rs 270 crore Aro-
gyasri bills for government
hospitals and teaching hospi-
tals affiliated to government
medical colleges would be
released immediately.
and dire situations they face.
He called for unity and pa-
tience in village politics,
stating that power dynamics
in villages require a differ-
ent approach compared to
national and state politics.
During the general assem-
bly, public representatives
brought forward various
issues, including concerns
about the shortage of ferti-
lisers, problems in the edu-
cation system, and the need
for solving challenges in
government hospital works
and RTC services.
The MLA urged officials
to work collaboratively, set-
ting aside political rivalries,
especially in matters related
to education. The meeting
also addressed issues raised
by Sarpanchs, who expressed
their grievances as their ten-
ure was coming to an end.
Sarpanchs from Madurapur
lamented their inability to
resolve problems and urged
the MLA to ensure prompt
payment of salaries and con-
tract bills for the staff under
the new government.
was not just about the cloth
but a symbol of self-reliance
and resistance against op-
pression. Inspired by this, he
embarked on a project that
was more than just an artis-
tic endeavour; it was hom-
age to a heritage, a fusion of
tradition and innovation. By
weaving the canvas and then
painting on it, he aimed to
capture not only the essence
of Gandhi’s legacy but also
the soul of his familial herit-
age.
His project was more than
a piece of art; it was a tapes-
try of history, culture, and
personal identity, woven in-
tricately through the threads
of imagination and painted
with the colours of reverence
and innovation.
Naresh Bollu’s paintings
have been showcased in art
galleries across India, reach-
ing beyond his base in Hy-
derabad. His work has been
exhibited in various States,
including Uttar Pradesh,
Gujarat, and Punjab, among
others. Each exhibition has
helped spread his unique
blend of traditional painting
and weaving to a wider audi-
ence, showcasing his talent.
 5 TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2024 | THE HANS INDIA | BENGALURU

G
OWTHAM Tin-
nanuri, along with
rockstar Anirudh
and Sithara Entertain-
ments’ S Naga Vamsi,
join forces to create a
musical teenage drama
titled “Magic” following
the success of their cult
sports drama “Jersey”.
In a departure from
sports drama, direc-
tor GowtamTinnanuri
with “Magic”, featuring a
cast of fresh faces in lead
roles.
The film revolves
around four teenagers
collaborating to com-
pose an original song for
their upcoming college
fest, weaving together
nostalgic moments that
resonate with audiences
of all ages.
This nostalgic theme
technicians involved
in the project, led by a
National award-winning
crew.
Girish Gangadharan
captures the essence of
the story through his
cinematography, while
Avinash Kolla handles
production design, Navin
Nooli takes charge of
editing, and Neeraja Kona
oversees costume design.
Ravichander lends his
musical genius to the
project, promising a
soundtrack filled with en-
chanting tunes destined
to top the charts.
Despite challenges such
as inclement weather, the
team skillfully cap-
tures the breathtaking
landscapes of the Nilgiri
hills, enhancing the visual
experience for viewers.
Soujanya, brings this cap-
tivating tale to audiences
under the banners of Si-
thara Entertainments and
Fortune Four Cinemas,
with Srikara Studios
‘True Lover’ teaser launched
presenting the film.
With filming complet-
ed, the eagerly anticipated
by star director maruthi
and producer SKN
teenage musical is set
for release in summer
2024 in Telugu and Tamil
languages, promising an

ventures into the realm of
a heartfelt teenage drama
has proven to be a driving
force for the talented
Adding to the allure,
the acclaimed Anirudh
Producer Suryadevara
Naga Vamsi, alongside Sai
T
unforgettable cinematic HE sleeper hit creators
experience. of ‘Good Night’ are
bringing a heartfelt
tale of love for this Valen-
tine’s Day. The Telugu ver-
sion of the film, titled ‘True
Lover’, is set to captivate
audiences with star direc-
tor Maruthi and successful
producer SKN presenting
it under the Maruthi Team
Productions and Mass Movie
Makers banner. Featuring
Manikandan, Gouri Priya,
and Kanna Ravi in pivotal
roles, the film is produced
by NazerathPasilian, Magesh
Raj Pasilian, and Yuvaraj
Ganesan under the banners
of Million Dollar Studios and
MRP Entertainment. Direct-
ed by Prabhuram Vyas, ‘True
Lover’ promises a poignant
and distinctive love story. As
Valentine’s week approaches,
the film is scheduled for a
theatrical release on Febru-
ary 9. The teaser for the mov-
ie was unveiled today, mark-
ing a significant moment in
its journey.
Expressing gratitude dur-
ing the event, lead actor
Manikandan remarked, “As
newcomers, we extend our
heartfelt thanks to Maruthi
and SKN garu for believing
in our vision and bringing
‘True Lover’ to the Telugu
audience. Though our film
may be modest in scale, our
aspirations are grand.”
Producer SKN expressed
his appreciation, saying, “I
am deeply thankful to all my
friends, the media, and well-
wishers who have supported
me during challenging times.
As the essence of our movie
is captured through the lens
of the camera, we chose to
release the teaser of ‘True
Lover’ through our esteemed
media colleagues. Maruthi
and I embarked on our jour-
ney together with dubbed
films. Today, Maruthi has
evolved into a pan-India di-
rector, and he still appreci-
ates movies across various
languages. After viewing
the first cut of ‘True Lover,’
Maruthi invited me to join
him in presenting it.”
Director Maruthi shared
his thoughts, stating, “My
friend Uday, who is over-
seeing post-production for
‘True Lover,’ urged me to
watch the trailer. Impressed
by what I saw, I decided to
view the entire film. It struck
me how authentically the
narrative unfolded on screen.
The protagonist’s quest for
love amidst adversity reso-
nated deeply. Director Prab-
huram Vyas spent six years
crafting this script, infusing
it with authenticity that blurs
the lines between reality
and fiction. Witnessing the
protagonist’s journey, it felt
as though we were encoun-
tering a real person. Our
journey in the film industry
began with dubbed mov-
ies, and over time, we have
released numerous dubbed
films. Recognizing the merit
of ‘True Lover,’ we eagerly
embraced the opportunity to
present it to audiences.”

Gopichand’s ‘Bhimaa’ set for theatrical

Producer promises smiles after release on Maha Shivaratri
T
HE promotional activities March 8th, coinciding with
‘Happy Ending’ theater experience for the unique action
entertainer “Bhimaa,”
starring the macho star Gop-
Maha Shivaratri, making it an
ideal release date for a mass
movie poised to capitalize on

T
HIS buoyant coming-of-age narrative,
helmed by Kowshik Bheemidi, has gar-
nered considerable attention with its
captivating promotional material. Apoorva
Rao takes on the role of the female lead, with
backing from Yogesh Kumar, Sanjay Reddy,
mount for a film's success," Pallala empha- ichand, recently commenced the festival holiday.
sized. "In 'Happy Ending,' we firmly believe with the unveiling of the First Priya Bhavani Shankar and
we possess a story brimming with potential.
We've taken calculated production risks, en-
Naa Saami Ranga Success: Look. The video captivated
audiences with its spectacular
Malvika Sharma play the lead-
ing female roles in the movie.
suring our promotional material remains au-
thentic and does not misrepresent the film's
Nagarjuna thanks fans for support visuals, introducing Gopichand
as a formidable cop. The First
Swamy J Gowda handles
cinematography duties, with

and Anil Pallala, who are producing the film
under Hamstech Films and Silly Monks Stu-
dios.
In a recent interview, Producer Anil Pallala
shared insights into the film's journey. "Sil-
lymonks is primarily focused on content
creation. Our foray into production be-
gan with the movie '24 Kisses,' which,
while catering to a youthful audience,
conveyed a meaningful message.
Similarly, 'Happy Ending' is crafted
to resonate with the youth while
also carrying a significant message,"
Pallala explained.
"The film industry, often overlooked
by external investors as a conventional
sector, churns out approximately 600
films annually, yet only about 150 achieve
widespread recognition. The fate of the
remaining 450 films, often spear-
headed by newcomers in the
industry, remains a major
concern."
"We actively participate
in national and interna-
tional film festivals, delv-
ing into various facets of
filmmaking, distribu-
tion, and business,"
Pallala added. "We've
had successful experi-
ences distributing and
promoting films like
'Maa Vintha Gaadha
Vinuma' and 'George
Reddy.' 'Happy Ending'
was meticulously exe-
cuted within its allocated
budget. We understand
that there might not be sub-
stantial pre-release business for
this film. With a fresh lead ac-
tor, we've opted to rely on post-
release feedback."
"While '24 Kisses' didn't meet theatri-
cal expectations, it garnered millions
of views on YouTube and received a
positive response when dubbed in
other languages," Pallala reflected.
"Each film operates on a distinct rev-
enue model, necessitating careful plan-
ning from producers to ensure stabil-
ity."
"A compelling narrative is para-
essence. Much like films such as 'Vicky Do-
nor' and 'Oh My God 2,' which tackle weighty
subjects amidst entertaining elements, 'Happy
Ending' also delves into layers of complexity.
Contemporary audiences embrace
diverse content, and 'Happy
Ending' promises both
amusement and in-
trospective themes."
N
AGARJUNA Akkineni
showcased his multifac-
eted talent in the film
‘Naa Saami Ranga,’ a cinematic
endeavor produced by Srinivasa
Chitturi with a significant budget,
helmed by director Vijay Binny
under the banner of Srinivasa
Silver Screen. Presented by
Pawan Kumar, this cinematic
gem stars Ashika Ranganath
alongside Nagarjuna, with
commendable performances by
Allari Naresh, Raj Tarun, Mirna
Menon, and Ruksar Dhillon. Look received an overwhelm- music composed by Ravi
Released on January 14 as a ing response, setting the stage Basrur, renowned for his work
delightful Sankranti offering, for anticipation. Directed by on “Salaar.” The production
the film has emerged victorious popular Kannada filmmaker A design is overseen by Ramana
as the quintessential Sankranti Harsha, “Bhimaa” marks his Vanka, with Thammiraju serv-
entertainer, earning accolades Telugu debut and is produced ing as the editor. Kiran works
from audiences, admirers, and lavishly by KK Radhamohan as the online editor, while
critics alike. Acknowledging its under the banner of Sri Sathya Ajju Mahakali contributes
triumphant journey, the film’s Sai Arts. In a recent develop- dialogues to the screen-
ensemble organised a grand ment, the film’s release date play. The film boasts action
celebration, wherein King Na- was announced alongside sequences choreographed by
garjuna felicitated the team with a brand new poster featur- Ram-Lakshman, Venkat, and
success shields, expressing grat- ing Gopichand in a ferocious Dr. Ravi Varma, promising a
itude to the audience and fans police avatar. “Bhimaa” is thrilling cinematic experience
for their unwavering scheduled to hit theaters on for audiences.
support and love.
Every Character Shines: Insights from 'Ambajipeta
S
HIVANI Nagaram is set to
make her debut in Telugu Marriage Band' Heroine Shivani Nagaram
cinema as the leading lady
in “Ambajipeta Marriage Band,” for the opportunity to debut with on set. Working alongside Suhas,
alongside Suhas. The film, a stellar team and under a prestig- who garnered acclaim with a Na-
jointly produced by GA2 Pic- ious banner. She eagerly awaits the tional Award for “Color Photo,”
tures and director Venkatesh audience’s response, acknowledg- was a joyful and comfortable ex-
Maha under Mahayana Mo- ing the weight of responsibility that perience for Shivani. She acknowl-
tion Pictures and Dheeraj accompanies being part of such a edged the influence of her co-stars’
Mogileni Entertainment significant project. Hailing from performances on her own, noting
banners, is directed by Du- Hyderabad, Shivani recounted that working with Suhas elevated
shyant Katikineni and is her first-time experience shooting her own acting. As a newcomer,
slated to hit theaters in a different town, Amalapuram, she appreciated the support she
on February 2nd. In Ambajipeta area, where the entire received from him. Director Du-
a recent interview, cast and crew spent a delightful shyanth’s vision for “Ambajipeta
Shivani opened 75 days. Immersed in the local Marriage Band” prioritizes every
up about her charm, she spoke fondly of the character, giving them depth and
journey and the beautiful weather and the warmth significance within the narrative.
film’s essence. of the people, expressing her joy at Shivani highlighted the richness of
Expressing a the experience. each character’s arc, emphasizing
blend of hap- Shivani secured her role in the that every role, from Lakshmi’s to
piness and film through a rigorous audition Saranya’s and even the villain’s, is
nervous- process, initially aiming for a sup- intricately crafted. The screenplay’s
ness, Shivani porting role but ultimately land- strength lies in its treatment of
shared her ing the lead. She dedicated her- each character, ensuring that every
gratitude self to preparation, meticulously portrayal adds to the film’s beauty.
honing her emotional scenes and While Shivani didn’t share
mastering every dialogue. Despite scenes with Sharanya, she re-
her background as a Kuchipudi mained tight-lipped about the plot,
dancer, she didn’t get a chance to urging audiences to experience the
showcase her dance skills in this story firsthand in the movie itself.
particular film. Portraying the As anticipation builds for the re-
character of Lakshmi in “Ambaji- lease of “Ambajipeta Marriage
pet Marriage Band,” Shivani faced Band,” Shivani Nagaram’sinsights
challenges with emotional scenes offer a glimpse into the film’s nu-
but overcame them with thorough anced storytelling and celebration
preparation, ensuring perfection of every character’s beauty.
 THE

6 TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2024 | BENGALURU

Vote-on-account: Expect policy tweaks, hints on full budget LETTERS

I N the most significant year of
elections, the annual Union
Budget for 2024-25 to be pre-
sented by Finance Minister Nir-
mala Sitharaman on February 1
has taken centre-stage – It is her
consequent sixth budget and PM
Narendra Modi’s final budget of
his second term. It is uppermost
on the discerning minds as well as
ordinary folks, in the face of many
challenges threatening to halt the
steady course of the economy. But
it is a bit of a letdown for the both
as it will be an interim i.e., a vote-
on-account rather than the full
budget, which can be expected in
July.
Nevertheless, the BJP-led NDA
government would not let go of
any leeway to meet pubic expecta-
tions, in a bid to ensure the hat-
trick of Prime Minister Narendra
Modi. Taxpayers, both individu-
als and businesses, peg hopes on
liberal taxation policies. Given
the budgetary constraints, the
government may throw indica-
tions of what is to expect in the
full budget. It is being hoped it
may raise overall tax exemption,
providing for all rebates, for indi-
vidual taxpayers from Rs 7 lakh to
Rs 8 lakh under Section 87A. In-
dia’s retail inflation, measured by
the consumer price index (CPI),
soared to 5.69% in December on
the back of spurt in food prices of
over 10.4%. With deceleration in
consumption and demand, which
depressed the overall market, any
more reluctance on the part of
consumers to spend money will
set off an adverse chain reaction.
As such, any tax sops at this junc-
ture may soothe the frayed nerves
of the populace and induce them
to spend on their needs and aspi-
rations.
In line with PM Modi’s mus-
cular push to green/renewable
energy – most recently spelt in
his Suryodaya Yojana to provide
rooftop solar power systems to
one crore households across coun-
try – there may be tax impetus or
infra push to green mobility in the
country. Micro, small and medi-
um enterprises that contribute 30
per cent to India’s GDP, employing
more than 110 million, could do
with any amount of help. Finan-
cial inclusion and jobs are other
factors which require novel think-
ing on the part of the government.
Tax reforms, new regulations,
ease of compliance saw India
jump from 142nd rank in World
Bank’s Ease of Doing Business in
2014 to 63rd currently. The Modi
government raised the bar for it-
self in this regard in 2018, setting
its sights on inclusion in top-50.
Going forward, the government
may announce or hint at greater
push/sops in the interim budget.
There is a serious unemployment
crisis in the country, aggravated
by increasing incidence of layoffs.
Economists say over 40 per cent
of graduations below 25 are un-
employed. India fares poorer than
most emerging economies, leave
alone developed ones. The NDA
government is yet to admit it and
focus its energies on the issue.
Yet, one has to bear in mind
that the vote-on-account author-
ises withdrawal of funds from
the treasury for only essential ex-
penses such as salaries, debt ser-
vicing, and ongoing programmes.
As such, the February 1 budget
may at best yield a minimal pol-
icy tweak with adequate hints of
what is to come in July. Educa-
tion, skills development, research
thrust, jobs generation and digital
divide may figure in FM’s speech.
Her role has been key to India’s
buoyance in becoming the fastest
growing economy, with sights on
the third largest economy slot by
2030. Expect same exuberance in
her Budget speech, too.
Address antibiotic overuse, adverse effects
E XCESSIVE use of antibiotics, particularly for prophy-
laxis, is fueling antimicrobial resistance (AMR). A re-
cent survey in India reveals that over 70% of patients in
tertiary-care hospitals were prescribed antibiotics, with
50% carrying the risk of AMR. Urgent measures, such as
rational prescription and reducing unnecessary usage, are
imperative. Another survey indicates that 38% of patients
received multiple antibiotics, with resistance exceeding
75% in some cases. The Union Health Ministry emphasis-
es the need for justified prescriptions based on evidence-
based medicine. Ongoing audits, regulatory measures, and
investment in research are vital in the broader fight against
AMR. While genomic surveillance holds promise, chal-
lenges in accessibility and technology adoption persist.
Dr Krishna Kumar Vepakomma, Hyderabad
Accelerate TSPSC recruitment drive
C ONGRATULATIONS to the newly appointed head
of TSPSC along with 5 members having good track
records. The present government is keen to clean up the

ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT failed and corrupt systems. It is a popular reality that due
to papers leakage none could provide justice quickly nor
till now. 15 question papers under 6 categories of com-

Is two-state solution now dead?

petitive examinations of TSPSC were leaked. The assistant
engineers examination question papers were sold to many
people. The accused also planned to steal the papers re-
lated to Grade-I main examinations. All this upset every-
one and caused mental agony to the candidates who ap-
peared for the examinations and their parents. Time rolls
Ian Parmeter Specifically, the court said that existed before Israel to 32% last year. The decline but their prospects are still blocked. The newly appointed
Israel must take all possible seized the West Bank in the was even sharper among 6 members of TSPSC are requested to accelerate the pro-

T
HE growing rift be-
tween the Biden ad-
ministration and the
Netanyahu government over
Israel’s war in Gaza is now in
the open, with public disa-
greement between them on
the viability of a two-state
solution to the conflict.
US President Joe Biden
literally embraced Prime
Minister Benjamin Netan-
yahu within days of Hamas’
horrific attack in southern
Israel on October 7, and the
US has steadfastly protected
Israel’s interests in the UN
Security Council.
But tensions have mount-
ed as the civilian death toll
from Israel’s massive retalia-
tion in Gaza has climbed to
more than 25,000 – 70% of
whom are women and chil-
dren.
To put that in context,
more non-combatants have
been killed in less than four
months in Gaza than in
nearly two years of war in
Ukraine, where the civilian
death toll only recently ex-
ceeded 10,000.
Our mission is to share
knowledge and inform deci-
sions.
Biden warned in Decem-
ber that Israel was losing in-
ternational support over its
“indiscriminate bombing”
of Gaza. The administration
has also made clear through
background media briefings
its concern that Netanyahu
has no postwar plan for
Gaza’s governance.
And following the prelim-
inary order issued by the In-
ternational Court of Justice
in the genocide case against
Israel this past weekend,
White House commentary
made clear the court’s or-
ders aligned with US policy.
steps to minimise civilian
harm and increase the flow
of humanitarian assistance
to Gaza.
With criticism of Israel
mounting on the global
stage, the Biden administra-
tion has inserted the United
States’ long-standing sup-
port for a two-state solution
to the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict.
In response, Netanyahu
has thrown down the gaunt-
let – flatly rejecting the crea-
tion of a separate Palestinian
state. He posted on X: “I will
not compromise on full Is-
raeli security control over
the entire area in the west of
Jordan – and this is contrary
to a Palestinian state”.
This is not the first time
he has butted heads with a
US president. In particular,
he had a poisonous relation-
ship with Barack Obama,
notably visiting Washington
to address a joint sitting of
Congress in 2015 without
bothering to call on the
president – an extraordinary
breach of protocol.
Despite the fact the Oslo
Accords of 1993 and 1995,
signed by former Israeli
Prime Minister Yitzhak Ra-
bin and Palestinian leader
Yasser Arafat, laid down a
pathway to the creation of a
Palestinian state, Netanyahu
has never hidden his oppo-
sition to the concept. In a
recently published profile of
Netanyahu in the New York-
er, David Remnick describes
how the Israeli leader made
a speech in 2009 in which he
“conveyed a wary and highly
conditional openness to a
Palestinian state”. The con-
ditions included: Palestin-
ian recognition of Israel as
a Jewish state; no return of
1967 Six-Day War. Arab Israelis, who had been cess of identifying all vacancies. Conducting examinations
Despite the fact the settle- more optimistic in 2013, with without upsetting anyone and declaring results in time will
ments are illegal under inter- 74% thinking peaceful coex- cheer up all.
national law – they violate istence was possible. By 2023, G Murali Mohan Rao, Secaunderabad
the Fourth Geneva Conven- the proportion was just 41%.
tion – no Israeli government
is likely to try to remove
The extent to which Ne-
tanyahu, in office through-
INDIA looks like a rudderless
them for fear of violent do-
mestic consequences. Some
in Netanyahu’s government
out this period, might have
influenced these declines is
difficult to measure. But con-
T HE Opposition INDIA alliance is crumbling like a
pack of cards with the unfolding political develop-
ments among its constituents even before its take-off to
are already talking about Is- sidering the current level of defeat the ruling BJP. It has been functioning like a rudder-
rael annexing the West Bank, hatred and distrust between less entity. There is an increasing evidence that it may not
in the way it annexed East Je- Israelis and Palestinians, it’s even be able to contest as a single bloc in any of the states.
rusalem in 1980. difficult to envisage any po- West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has given
Talk of land swaps usually tential replacement for Ne- the bugle call that her Trinamool Congress would contest
Talk of a two-state solution by West is simply ends with potential offers of tanyahu taking a different all the seats in West Bengal. Similar thoughts have been
kicking the can down the road A simple fact is land for Palestinians in the line on a Palestinian state. guiding Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. In doing
barely habitable Negev de- That reality is reinforced by so, he has thwarted the attempts to forge an electoral ar-
the number of Israeli settlers in the occupied sert. The major Jewish set- the Orthodox Jewish demo- rangement with the Congress in Delhi. In large states like
West Bank (including East Jerusalem) – now tlement blocks in the West graphics noted above. Or- UP, the Congress is not even in a position to bargain with
Bank, by contrast, are in thodox Jews tend to vote for Samajwadi Party because it does not count there.
about 7,00,000, who live alongside three million prime real estate. conservative religious par- N Sadhasiva Reddy, Bengaluru
Palestinians – means there is not much space Then there is the question ties, which means growing
left for a Palestinian state. That gap is narrowing,
of Gaza, which is barely large
enough to accommodate its
numbers of
That means talk of a two-
Team India lacks killer instinct
with population growth higher among
settlers than Palestinians
current population of 2.3
million. With unemploy-
ment there at nearly 50%, it
state solution by Western
governments is simply kick-
ing the can down the road. It’s
T EAM India lost a key opener at the hands of profes-
sional English side. The writing was on the wall as
England conceded a lead of 190. But the tables were turned
is a breeding ground for rad- not going to happen. Israelis as we took it for granted that victory is already achieved.
Palestinian refugees outside live alongside three million icalism, as the Hamas attack respect the US and value the Overconfidence and complacency put paid to hopes of a
Israel; the demilitarisation Palestinians – means there is in October demonstrated. materiel and diplomatic sup- home win. The team selection was unpredicted players
of a future Palestinian state; not much space left for a Pal- port provided by US presi- with two left arm spinners in the side and both together
and, Jerusalem remaining estinian state. Most Israelis side dential administrations, but could not achieve what Hartley achieved single handedly.
the united capital of Israel. That gap is narrowing, with Netanyahu they won’t be ordered about Expensive bowling by our lefties saw gifting runs in plen-
None of these was likely with population growth The other factor is that by them. ty. England’s Bazball strategy saw them through and the
to be acceptable to Palestin- higher among settlers than Netanyahu’s rejection of And there could be a Indian team lacked the killer instinct to lose the first test
ians. Palestinians. Ultra-Orthodox a Palestinian state reflects change in leadership in the match by 28 runs.
Jews, who comprise one- the current views of most US this year, too. The leading C K Ramani, Mumbai
Biden or Bibi, third of the settlers, have a Israelis. Polling by the Pew Republican candidate, Don-
who is right? fertility rate in Israel of 6.5 Research Center in March ald Trump, had a reputation Most talented actors remain unglorified
This leads to the current – live births per woman. The and April 2023 – well before as the most pro-Israel US
and more important – ques-
tion: who is right about the
future viability of a two-state
current fertility rate among
Palestinians is around 3.8
births per woman. If this
the Hamas attack – showed
only 35% of Israelis (includ-
ing both Jewish and Arab
leader since Harry Truman
when he was in office. So, if
Trump wins the election and
S outh Indian Actors mostly remain unglorified. While
greeting Chiranjeevi on his being conferred another
Padma honour (Padmavibhushan), I should mention many
solution, Biden or Netanya- trend continues, by mid- respondents) thought “a way Netanyahu is still in office stalwarts/ historians of Telugu film field vanished unrecog-
hu? Putting aside questions century, the Israeli-Palestin- could be found for Israel and next year, there will be little nised and nameless despite their matchless contribution to
of equity and morality, analy- ian population in the West an independent Palestinian head-butting at all. the films with their talent and beauty/glamour. Those who re-
sis of the evidence suggests Bank could be equal. state to coexist peacefully”. mained unglorified truly deserve posthumous honour at least
the answer is Netanyahu. The only way space could That was down nine percent- (Writer is a Research now. For example, Savitri, NTR, Anjali, Kantha Rao, Ramana
The simple fact is the be made for another state age points from 2017 and 15 Scholar, Centre for Arab and Reddy, S V Rangarao, Rajababu, Jamuna, Krishna Kumari
number of Israeli settlers would be if the government points from 2013. Among Islamic Studies, Austral- etc., are among the most talented South Indian actors. One
in the occupied West Bank were to dismantle the settle- Jewish Israelis, those who ian National University, shouldn’t forget Suryakantham who stands first among many
(including East Jerusalem) ments and direct the settlers agreed with the statement Canberra; Courtesy: https:// Indian actresses if performance alone is the criteria.
– now about 7,00,000, who to live within the borders dropped from 46% in 2013 theconversation.com) K Sai Prasanna, Hyderabad

Millets beyond reach of ordinary folks

WILL DUAL FORCE REIGN AGAIN IN BIHAR?
PATNA: With senior Janata
Dal-United (JD-U) leader
Nitish Kumar walking out of
the ‘Mahagathbandhan’ and
joining hands once again
with the Bharatiya Janata
Party (BJP) ahead of the
upcoming general election,
political observers in Bihar
underlined the good track
record of the dual force –
two parties going to polls to-
gether – in Assembly as well
as Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking in the context
of the fresh developments
in Bihar, a political analyst
said that Bihar has always
witnessed the dominance
of three parties – the Rash-
triya Janata Dal (RJD), JD-U
and the BJP. “It has been
observed that whenever two
political forces join hands
in Bihar, they easily win the
election... be it Lok Sabha
or Vidhan Sabha polls. In
the early 1990s when RJD’s
Lalu Prasad was a dominant
political figure in Bihar with
Muslim, Yadav and back-
ward caste equations bal-
anced in his favour, the BJP
and George Fernandes-led
Samata Party joined hands
together to challenge Lalu
Prasad,” an analyst said.
They were successful for
the first time in 2000 when
they formed a “non-RJD
government” in the state.
Nitish Kumar became the
Chief Minister of Bihar
for the first time with 154
MLAs. However, after the
RJD-led alliance soon as-
sembled with 159 MLAs, the
Nitish Kumar-led govern-
ment collapsed. However,
that experiment was worth
it for BJP and Samata Party
with the JD-U coming to
power in 2005. Nitish Ku-
mar again became the CM.
In the 2014 Lok Sabha
polls, Nitish Kumar left the
National Democratic Alli-
ance (NDA) after the BJP
named then Gujarat CM
Narendra Modi as the PM
candidate. The JD-U then
contested the polls alone in
Bihar. The RJD also contest-
ed that election alone, and
both these two parties per-
formed miserably. The RJD
won only 4 seats and JD-U
got two seats. In that elec-
tion, BJP won 22 seats. Even
the alliance partners of BJP
like RLSP led by Upendra
Kushwaha won 3 seats and
Ram Vilas Paswan-led LJP 7
seats in Bihar. However, the
vote percentage of RJD and
JD-U were 20.10 and 15.80
O ur Prime Minister appealed to people to turn to con-
suming of millets as it is rich in nutrition and high in
fibre content. It also can solve food crisis and help change
tions, BJP won 74 seats with climate resilience .The UN (United Nations) also declared
a vote percentage of 19.46 the past year 2023 as the IYM (International Millets Year).
while the JD-U won 43 seats But all enthusiasm is extinguished in no time upon learn-
and the vote percentage was ing that the selling price of a kilogramme of any type of
15.39. The RJD had bagged millets in market is as high as Rs 110, which is almost the
75 seats and its vote per- double that of our staple food rice. For a common man, it
centage was 23.11. becomes a luxury to spend such Rs 110 for a kg. It is there-
While analysing the fore earnestly appealed that the price of millets may be re-
trend, it has been observed vised downwards to encourage more and more consumers
that the percentage of votes to turn towards consumption of millets
of two major parties have Seshagiri Row Karry, Hyderabad
always been higher than the
“third party”. Political ana- thehansreader@gmail.com
lysts that keeping all these
factors in mind, the BJP and
the JD-U must have joined
It has been observed that the percentage with a vote percentage of
16.8. The BJP won 53 seats
hands ahead of the 2024
Lok Sabha election to gain
an edge over RJD and other
BENGALURU ONLINE
of votes of two major parties have always and the vote percentage was alliance partners of ‘Maha- BBMP struggling to reach property tax
24.4 per cent. In 2019 Lok gathbandhan’.
been higher than the “third party”. Sabha election, the JD-U This could be the rea- target of Rs 4,000 crore
Political analysts that keeping all these and BJP in Bihar contested son why the BJP opened its BENGALURU: The tax collection tension has started for the
together, and the dual force doors to Nitish Kumar. This civic officials of BBMP, the power centre of the state capital.
factors in mind, the BJP and the JD-U must theory got further solidified. time, the BJP has been eye- As per the orders of DCM DK Shivakumar, the Corporation
have joined hands ahead of the 2024 Lok The BJP won 17 seats with ing at least 16 to 17 seats. is collecting the property tax arrears at a fast pace. Currently,
vote percentage of 23.58 Besides, analysts believe the the Corporation has collected Rs 3,273 crore tax, now it is
Sabha election to gain an edge over RJD per cent, the JD-U bagged party has a trusted partner preparing to reach the target of Rs 4,000 crores. While the
16 seats with 21.81 per cent like Chirag Paswan who has debate is going on whether the government is facing finan-
per cent, respectively, and sion of votes. votes and LJP won 6 seats considerable influence on cial difficulties after implementing a series of guarantees, now
the BJP had 29.40 per cent. Later, Lalu Prasad and with vote percentage of 7.86. Dusadh community. Nota- the government is calculating from which source the revenue
This had actually given hope Nitish Kumar joined hands The RJD did not win a single bly, the BJP has aimed for will be collected. The government, like the Bengaluru revenue
to RJD and JD-U leaders in the 2015 assembly elec- seat in that election. all 40 Lok Sabha seats in treasury or BBMP, is all set to fill the coffers of the govern-
that if they joined hands to- tion and managed to stop The dual forces’ domi- Bihar and its chances look ment through the collection of corporation tax.
gether, they could defeat the BJP’s winning spree. In 2015 nance continued in the 2020 quite bright now with Nitish
BJP. The think-tank of both polls, RJD won 80 seats with assembly election too when Kumar stitching an alliance Read more at
parties believed that the BJP
won the contest due to divi-
a vote percentage of 18.4
while the JD-U won 71 seats
the BJP and JD-U pact con-
tinued. In 2020 Bihar elec-
with the saffron camp, ana-
lysts say.
https://epaper.thehansindia.com
 TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2024 | THE HANS INDIA | BENGALURU
AP 7

Madigas are worst-hit by

BJP means Babu, Jagan,
Pawan, says Sharmila
Criticises that
both Jagan Mohan
Reddy and Chan-
drababu Naidu are
bonded with BJP
V Narendra Kumar
Kurnool
APCC chief YS Sharmila
came down heavily on the
leaders of both ruling and
Opposition parties, alleging
that both YS Jagan Mohan
Reddy and TDP national
president N Chandrababu
Naidu are bonded with BJP,
which is a religious party.
Pointing Manipur and
Godhra incidents, she wor-
ried that Christians and
Muslims are not safe in BJP
government.
Addressing party cadres
meeting here on Monday,
Sharmila pointed out that
BJP is ruling the State, de-
spite having even one MP
or MLA. Both Chandrababu
PCC chief YS Sharmila addressing the party cadre at a meeting in Kurnool on Monday
and Jagan Mohan Reddy
failed to get Special Category
Status to the State, she criti-
cised.
Reminding that former
CM YS Rajasekhara Reddy
had completed 90 per cent
works of Hundri Neeva at a
cost of Rs 4,500 crore during
his tenure, which would cater
irrigation needs of 65 lakh
hectares and drinking water
needs of 33 lakh households.
Both Jagan and Naidu failed
to complete the remaining 10
per cent works. The same is
the case of Galeri Nagari Su-
jala Sravanthi (GNSS), where
50 per cent works were com-
pleted during YSR govern-
ment and the balance works
are not completed till date,
she alleged.
Sharmila criticised that
Jagan Mohan Reddy failed to
fulfil his election promises.
‘No job calendar is released,
no DSC notification, around
19 lakh unemployed youth
are waiting for jobs. 30,000
teacher posts are lying vacant
unfilled and 6 lakh students
are waiting for DSC.’
Stating that Polavaram is
a national project and the
Central government has to
allot 90 per cent of funds,
PCC chief Sharmila alleged
that the Central government
didn’t allocated, instead try-
ing to privatise Vizag steel
plant. She said that construc-
tion of Kadapa steel plant is
also on the cards. She said
both Naidu and Jagan have
made Rs 8 lakh crore debts.
Stating that only 70 days
were left for the general elec-
tion, Sharmila advised party
leaders, youths and well-
wishers of YS Rajasekhara
Reddy to visit every house
and educate people to teach
a befitting lesson to Jagan
Mohan Reddy, Chandrababu
Naidu and Pavan Kalyan, de-
scribing the trio as BJP, Babu,
Jagan and Pawan.
Jagan rule: Madiga Dandora
Rayalaseema
Madiga Dan-
dora president
Ananta Ratnam
Madiga extends
support to TDP
V Narendra Kumar
Kurnool
THE founder-president of
Rayalaseema Madiga Dando-
ra, Ananta Ratnam Madiga,
reiterated that people of Ma-
diga community will extend
full support to Telugu Desam
Party (TDP) chief Nara Chan-
drababu Naidu to become
the CM of Andhra Pradesh.
While addressing ‘Tirugu-
batu Mahasabha’ conducted
at Dr BR Ambedkar Bhavan
in Kurnool town on Monday,
he said the people of Madiga
community are facing hard
time in YSRC government.
‘Atrocities on people of this
community are registering on
a larger scale. CM YS Jagan
Mohan Reddy, despite well
aware of the atrocities, is least
concerned to render justice to
the community people,’ he al-
leged. Ananta Ratnam further
alleged that Jagan has stopped
Rayalaseema Madiga Dandora founder-president Ananta
Ratnam Madiga addressing ‘Tirugubatu Mahasabha’ at
Ambedkar Bhavan in Kurnool on Monday
several welfare schemes
meant for SCs. Best available
schools are like a boon to
the students of downtrodden
communities and Jagan had
stopped such a scheme, he al-
leged. He further stated that
SCs are the worst victims in
Jagan government. For a long
time, the SCs were demand-
ing ABCD categorisation, but
Jagan, during his five-year
tenure, never spoke a word
about this.
Speaking about Chan-
drababu Naidu, Ratnam said
Naidu has supported the cat-
egorisation and rendered jus-
tice to all sections of people in
education, employment and
welfare schemes. Lauding that
Chandrababu has relentlessly
strived for the betterment of
SC community people, he
said that several families have
earned bread and butter af-
ter benefitting from National
Schedule Castes Finance and
Development Corporation
(NSFDC) scheme. Almost all
schemes, which have benefit-
ted the SCs, were stopped by
Jagan Mohan Reddy, he criti-
cised.
Ratnamsaid the people of
SC community have deter-
mined to teach a befitting
lesson to Jagan Mohan Reddy
in the coming general elec-
tion. The community people
have come on to one platform
and took an oath to support
Chandrababu Naidu, Ratnam
asserted. Prior to address-
ing ‘Tirugubatu Mahasabha’,
a massive rally was taken
out from Krishnadeva Raya
Circle to Ambedkar Bhavan.
Kommupalem Srinivasulu
Madiga, N Soma Sundaram
Madiga, B James Madiga,
Darur James Madiga, Eddu-
laThyagaraj Madiga and oth-
ers participated.

Swadhyaya-2024 Police told to focus on

inaugurated in Anantapur
Hans News Service
Anantapur
THE three-day district-level
science exhibition, titled
‘Swadhyaya-2024’ got off on
a grand start on Monday at
PVKK Diploma College at
Rudrampet locality in the
city. Joint Collector and Ad-
ditional District Magistrate
of Anantapur Ketan Garg
and Sri Krishna Devaraya
University Prof A Venkata-
ramana inaugurated the pro-
gramme.
Speaking on the occasion,
the duo said that such sci-
ence exhibitions will help a
lot in developing the scientif-
ic ambition and exploration
perspective among students.
Dr Palle Venkata Krishna
Kishore, the chairman of
Sri Balaji Educational Insti-
tutions, said that students
should develop scientific
outlook from childhood and
wish to break new ground
in science and technology to
Joint Collector Ketan Garg and Sri Krishna Devaraya University
Prof A Venkataramana inaugurating the science exhibition in
Anantapur on Monday
meet the needs of the people
in the future. He said there is
a bright future with diploma
education.
Diploma College Principal
Dr GYS Yash Vaibhav said
that every year Swadhyaya
programme is being con-
ducted with great ambition
and the designs presented by
students are winning prizes
at State-level competitions.
He said that this year also 151
models have come to the ex-
hibition and more than 3,000
students from different col-
leges and schools will come
to see them.
Key models like biogas
plant and sewage treatment
plant with automatic drip
irrigation, mechanical wash-
ing machine, all-in-one floor
cleaner, ultra sign breaking
system, hydraulic car park-
ing, mini air cooler, distance
meter, wifi controlled by
neo light, fire control robot,
smart don etc. have astound-
ed the visitors.
Additional SP R Vijay Bhaskar Reddy inspecting a check post at Bestarapalle on Monday
Police vigilance at border check posts
Ravi P Benjamin
Anantapur
FOLLOWING the
instructions of SP KKN
Amburajan, Additional
SP R Vijaybhaskar Reddy
inspected border check
posts and villages to check
illegal smuggling of liquor.
He inspected Bestarapalle
and Kambadur check posts
to prevent illegal activities,
keeping in view the
impending elections.
Police have checked
vehicles entering into the
district from Karnataka
border areas. He warned
against flow of liquor or illegal
and unaccounted cash flow.
Kalyandurg DSP B Srinivasulu
and rural CI Nagaraju
participated in the checking.
public grievances
Ravi P Benjamin women and couples. He al-
Puttaparthi lotted the petitions to the
officials concerned, advising
SUPERINTENDENT of them to attend to the peti-
Police SV Madhava Reddy tions on an urgent basis. He
asked the subordinate police assured the petitioners of
officers to focus on people’s prompt action and if the vic-
problems, particularly griev- tims felt that justice was not
ances of women and respond rendered to them, he would
positively to give them re- have a relook at them.
lief from all problems and Additional SP N Vish-
pressures. nu, CI Harsha and legal
The SP personally received cell SI Sainath Reddy also
41 petitions, mostly from participated.
SP Madhav Reddy listening to a petitioner during grievance
programme at Puttaparthi SP office on Monday

Awareness session held for One killed, two seriously injured in mishap
M Srinivasa Rao

Nellore Parliament TDP president Abdul Aziz inaugurating division-
al party office at Venkateswarapuram in Nellore city on Monday
Nellore will develop if
Narayana wins: TDP leader
Hans News Service
Nellore
NELLORE Parliament con-
stituency TDP president
Abdul Aziz inaugurated di-
visional party office at Ven-
kateswarapuram in 54th
division in Nellore city on
Monday. He said If TDP
comes to power, welfare and
development will be imple-
mented equally, asking the
party activists to explain
to the people that welfare
without restrictions will be
provided to them. Abdul
Aziz said that if party leader
Narayana wins, Nellore city
will develop and the fate of
the people of the city will
change. He gave a call to the
people and party activists to
strive to make Narayana wins
with a huge majority.
State secretary Raja Naidu,
Zaheer, Shafi, Sudhakar
Reddy, Ratchagiri Chandra
and others participated in
the programme.
Anganwadi workers
Abbas Nadendla
Kadapa
AIMING to educate partici-
pants about various aspects
of child welfare and rights,
District Women and Child
Welfare and Empowerment
has organised an awareness
Anganwadi workers at an awareness programme at Model Angan-
programme for Anganwadi wadi Centre in Kondayapalli on Monday
workers at Model Angan-
wadi Centre in Kondayapalli
on Monday. Addressing the
participants, Protection Of-
ficer of District Child Protec- Adoption Institution (Shisu
tion Department G Sunitha
highlighted the importance
of child rights and the ser-
vices provided by Mission
Vatsalya. She also addressed
the serious issues of child
marriage and emphasised
the significance of girl child
education. Also, the concept
of ‘good touch and bad touch’
was discussed to raise aware-
ness about child safety. Y
Kumari, Manager of Special
Gruha) of District Women
and Child Development In-
stitution, shed light on adop-
tion programme, observing
that adoption is a blessing
for childless couples and
is facilitated by the district the responsible use of social
Collector and president. She
stressed that any illegal adop- fects of excessive mobile
tion would be a crime under
shaw going towards Deverapalem village from
Nellore Nellore city collided into a car coming from op-
posite direction. The injured persons K Mastha-
ONE person died and two others were seri- naish (50) and R. Krishnaiah (42) were shifted
ously injured in a road accident that occurred to Bollinene super speciality hospital in Nellore
at Dodla Dairy located in Nellore rural mandal city. Doctors informed the condition of the duo
on Monday. The deceased was identified as M was stable. TDP Nellore parliament president
Seenaiah (42) of Patha Vellanti village of Nellore Shaik Abdul Aziz visited the hospital and con-
rural mandal. According to sources, autorick- doled the family members of the deceased.
TDP leader Kotamreddy
Sridhar Reddy’s wife
K Sujathamma and
daughters Hyndavi and
the law and urged those in- Vaishnavi requesting
terested in adoption should people to support TDP
contact the Special Adop- in the next elections and
tion Agency or the District vote for N Chandrababu
Women and Child Welfare Naidu and Kotamreddy
and Empowerment Officer. Sridhar Reddy. They
V Krishna Pratiroop, Pro- conducted house-to-
house campaign in
tection Officer at NIC, pro- Ambapuram, Akkacheru-
vided insights into the Juve- vupadu, Ogurupadu and
nile Justice Act and discussed Sri Lanka Colony in 31st
division in Nellore rural
media, highlighting the ef- constituency on Monday.
phone usage.

Dharna held demanding houses for disabled
Abbas Nadendla
Badvel (Kadapa district)
DEMANDING provision of
houses for the disabled, CPI
district executive member V
Veera Sekhar along with the
disabled staged a dharna at
RDO office here on Monday.
Veera Sekhar said that
there are about 200 disabled
persons, who have no home,
are the real deserving ones.
He demanded the authorities
to respond to the problems
faced by the disabled and
allocate three acres of agri-
cultural land in rural areas.
Otherwise, he warned the of-
ficials that they will organise
large-scale agitation.
CPI district leaders Padige
Venkataramana, Peddallapa-
lli Balu and Ravikumar, Disa-
bled Association leaders Rafi,
Qadir, Srinu, Subbarayudu
and others participated in the
dharna. Badvel RDO Akula
Venkataramana responded
to their dharna and assured
CPI leaders and disabled persons staging a dharna at RDO office
in Badvel on Monday
them that houses would be
allotted to the eligible.
TTD to sell gold mangalasutras
Dusi Venkateswara Rao
Tirumala
AS part of its noble mission of tak-
ing forward Sanatana Hindu Dharma
Prachara, TTD Trust Board under the
chairmanship of Bhumana Karuna-
kara Reddy, has decided to make man-
galsutras, weighing 5 gm and 10 gm
and sell them to devotees for the actual
cost.
Speaking to the media along with
TTD EO Dharma Reddy after the TTD
Trust Board meeting in Tirumala on
Monday, its chairman said the man-
galsutra s will be placed at the foot of
Moola Virat (presiding deity) in Tiru-
mala temple before made available to
devotees on no loss and no profit basis.
He observed that these mangalasutrams
that have the blessings of Lord Ven-
kateswara Swamy will help the couple
to lead a blissful life. It was also decided
to make Lakshmi kasulu, he added.
Along with this, some other impor-
tant resolutions like approval of tenders
for the construction of gravel road in
additional 132.05 acres of land allo-
cated at Padiredu Aranyam of Vada-
malapet mandal for housing of TTD
employees; approval to increase wages
of 70 contract laddu tray lifting semi-
skilled and unskilled workers in TTD
Potu department from Rs 12,523 to
Rs 15,000; nod to increase the wages
of those working under contract and
outsourcing system in various depart-
ments of TTD; increase salaries of 51
Vedic teachers working in these six
schools from Rs 35,000 to Rs 54,000;
and others.
TTD Trust Board has thanked CM
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for sanctioning
house sites to TTD employees fulfilling
their several decades old wish.
8 TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2024 | THE HANS INDIA | BENGALURU Kajol
@itsKajolD
When the sky says sunny in
the picture but it feels like
something else entirely.

Empowering Women
Mental Wellness
Dr Sushma Gopalan
S
OMEONE rightly
said, “A smile is the
most beautiful curve
on a woman’s body”. So,
when we talk about men-
tal wellness, the ultimate
question is, are we at
peace? A woman’s mood
and mental health play a
pivotal role in all aspects
of her life.
Be it her inter and in-
tra personal relationship,
confidence, self-esteem,
professional growth or
even her physical health.
Given the varied roles
she juggles, the responsi-
bilities and expectations
many a time take a toll on
her.
Many life experiences
have an impact on her.
These can be positive or
negative. Childhood ex-
periences, family rela-
tionships and dynamics,
caring for or support-
ing others selflessly as
is sometimes expected,
managing relationships,
negative life experiences
like poverty, infertility,
discrimination (mostly
based on gender and
identity and sexuality),
violence, abuse,
isolation, finan-
cial instability,
menopause to
name a few.
S o m e -
times even a
momentous
experience
like child-
birth, when
coupled with
postpartum
depression can
become a nega-
tive incident.
This doesn’t
mean to say there
are no positive ex-
periences, but as is
the human mind
which focuses
on the negative
based on evo-
lutionary sur-
vival instinct,
we give more emphasis to
the negatives which ulti-
mately shape our subcon-
scious thoughts.
When women are con-
stantly pitched against
societal expectations and
pressure, either by them-
selves or others, there
is a huge amount of as-
sociated stress and anxi-
ety which later leads to
other comorbidities like
depression, eating disor-
ders, insomnia to name
a few. For example, the
guilt a working mother
has when she drops her
child at school or when
she is logged onto an of-
fice call while the child is
playing next to her.
Though these appear
like small incidents, they
play a monumental role
in affecting her emotions.
Its always the small things
that bother her!
So how can we make
things better for our-
selves? By following a few
simple actions, we can
try to stay healthy and at
peace!
• Love oneself and un-
derstand that you are
When women are constantly
pitched against societal
expectations and pressure,
either by themselves or oth-
ers, there is a huge amount
of associated stress and
anxiety which later leads to
other comorbidities like de-
pression, eating disorders,
insomnia to name a few
doing the best you can
at the moment.
• It is not being selfish to
take sometime to care
for yourself. You can
help others only if you
are fit.
• Do some physical ex-
•
ercise
Eat balanced nutri-
tious meal
• Try getting adequate
sleep
MAKING CONNECTIONS
• Gear yourself with
coping skills to combat
stress
• Engaging and under-
standing communica-
tion is key to sort out
various challenges Rajeev Kamra
• Quality time with
•
•
friends and family
Screen-free time
Have someone, friend/
I N a world that often
seems dominated by ex-
troverted personalities and
spouse/ parent/ sibling social butterflies, introverts
with whom you can may find it challenging to
share your thoughts forge meaningful connec-
and feelings tions.
But the most impor- The rise of friendship
tant thing a woman apps, however, has opened
has to remember is, up new avenues for intro-
her wellness lies in her verts to build friendships
hand. Like someone and alleviate feelings of
rightly said, “Behind isolation and depression.
every strong woman is These apps provide a com-
a story that gave her fortable space for introverts
no other choice!” to connect with like-mind-
So here is a shout ed individuals at their own
out to all the strong pace, fostering relationships
women out there that can positively impact
who are doing mental well-being.
the best they can The Introvert’s Dilemma
every single sec- Introverts often face a
ond! unique set of challenges
when it comes to socialis-
(The author ing. Unlike extroverts who
is a Child Life thrive in social settings, in-
Specialist – troverts tend to feel drained
Psychologist in large groups and may
Aster CMI) find it difficult to initiate
conversations. This can lead
to feelings of loneliness and
isolation, which, if left un-
addressed, may contribute
to the development or exac-
erbation of depression.
Why choose
Friendship Apps?
Friendship apps have
emerged as a beacon of
hope for introverts seek-
ing to break free from the
confines of their comfort
zones. These apps provide
a platform where individu-
als can connect based on
shared interests, hobbies,
and values, offering a more
Relationship
Discover how friendship help introverts
build friendships and combat depression
tailored approach to build-
ing friendships. The casual
and laid-back nature of
these platforms such as
Alyke allows introverts to
navigate social interactions
at their own pace, reducing
the pressure associated with
traditional social settings.
Finding Like-Minded
Individuals
One of the key advantages
of friendship apps is the
ability to connect with like-
minded individuals. Intro-
verts often appreciate deep,
meaningful conversations
rather than small talk, and
friendship apps cater to this
preference.
Users can filter potential
friends based on common
interests, ensuring that
every connection has the
potential for a genuine and
fulfilling relationship.
Building Connections
Gradually
Friendship apps recognise
that introverts may need
time to open up and feel
comfortable with new peo-
ple. Unlike the fast-paced
nature of some social in-
teractions, these apps allow
users to build connections
gradually. Through messag-
ing and shared activities,
introverts can establish rap-
port and trust before taking
the plunge into face-to-face
interactions. This gradual
approach helps alleviate
anxiety and makes the pro-
cess of building friendships
more enjoyable for intro-
verts.
Supportive Communities
Many friendship apps cre-
ate supportive communi-
ties where users can share
their experiences, struggles,
and triumphs. This sense of
belonging can be especially
beneficial for introverts
who may feel isolated in
their day-to-day lives. Being
part of a community that
understands and appreci-
ates their introverted nature
can significantly impact an
individual’s mental well-
being, reducing the risk of
depression.
Reducing the Stigma of
Online Friendships
Friendship apps are also
contributing to breaking
down the stigma associ-
ated with online friend-
ships. While some may still
view online connections as
less meaningful than those
formed in person, the real-
ity is that technology has
transformed the way we
build relationships. Friend-
ship apps create an envi-
ronment where individuals
can connect authentically,
proving that the depth of
a friendship is not deter-
mined by the physical prox-
imity of the friends.
Encouraging Real-Life
Meetups
Contrary to the misconcep-
tion that friendship apps
only facilitate virtual con-
nections, many users even-
tually transition to real-life
meetups. These meetups
are often organised around
shared interests, providing
a comfortable setting for in-
troverts to socialise without
the pressure of large gath-
erings. Friendship apps,
therefore, serve as a bridge
between the virtual and
physical worlds, enabling
introverts to forge connec-
tions that extend beyond
the digital realm.
Friendship apps like
Alyke have emerged as a
valuable tool for introverts
seeking to build meaningful
connections and combat the
feelings of loneliness and
depression that can accom-
pany introversion.
These platforms offer a
comfortable space for in-
troverts to connect with
like-minded individuals,
fostering relationships that
are built on shared interests
and values. By providing a
gradual and supportive en-
vironment, friendship apps
empower introverts to navi-
gate social interactions at
their own pace, ultimately
contributing to improved
mental well-being.
As society continues to
recognise the importance
of diverse personalities,
friendship apps stand as a
testament to the idea that
meaningful connections
can be forged by introverts
and extroverts alike, break-
ing down barriers and nur-
turing a more inclusive and
understanding world.

CROSSWORD SUDOKU

ACROSS
1 Fright (5)
4 Filled (7)
8 Whacked or hit hard (7)
9 Piano piece (5)
10 Intentionally so
written (3)
12 Lively old dance (4)
15 Sell (4)
16 Weasel fur (6)
17 Jason’s craft (4)
19 A heavy metal (4)
21 Attire (6)
22 Ship post (4)
23 Wooden barrels (4)
25 Broke bread (3)
28 Applause (5)
29 Realistic scene (7)
30 Square of four (7)
31 Correct (5)
1
DOWN
Vienna is its capital (7)
School Day of
2
3
4
Cropped up (5)
Attacks and robs (4)
Crazes (4)
Non-violence and Peace
5
6
French preposition (4)
Swiss cheese (7)
M OST people dream of the world
being a much safer place to live.
Many wish and hope that future genera-
in an instant, people can still start now to
instill this value in the future citizens of
the world.
7 Drift of events (5) tions will inherit a healthy planet that is School Day of Non-violence and Peace
11 Set fire to (6) filled with peace and harmony. And, al- offers opportunities for children to be
though this change is unlikely to happen taught about pacifism and non-violence.
13 Lion constellation (3)
14 Talisman (6)
18 Types of cakes (7)
19 Monetary unit of Bulgaria (3)
20 Get rid of (7)
22 __ in the woods : innocent, but
usually troubled persons ? (5)
24 Not asleep (5)
25 First-class (1-3)
26 Genesis setting (4)
27 Garment for a Roman (4)
Solution to January 29 Solution to January 29
 TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2024 |
9 THE HANS INDIA | BENGALURU
TDP-JANA SENA COMBINE
MAY FIELD BALASHOURI
n Sitting MP Vallabhaneni Balashouri
submitted his resignation to the primary
membership of the YSRCP after the party
refused to give him ticket for the ensuing polls
n The LS constituency comprises of seven
Assembly constituencies Machilipatnam,
Avanigadda, Gudivada, Pamarru,
Penamaluru, Gannavaram and Pedana
n Avanigadda MLA and YSRCP leader
Simhadri Ramesh indicated that he is
ready to contest either in the Assembly polls
or for the Lok Sabha polls
MD Ameen
Vijayawada
THE election campaign is
gradually gaining momen-
tum in the State.
However, the ruling YS-
RCP and the TDP and Jana
Sena combine are yet to an-
nounce the names of the
candidates to contest from
Machilipatnam Lok Sabha
constituency.
This Lok Sabha constitu-
ency has Assembly constitu-
encies of Machilipatnam,
Avanigadda, Gudivada,
Pamarru, Penamaluru, Gan-
navaram and Pedana.
In 2019 general elec-
tions, YSRCP candidate
V Balashouri was elected
from Machilipatnam Lok
Sabha constituency. Now, he
DISQUALIFICATION PLEA
YSRCP rebel
MLAs attend
Speaker’s inquiry
P V Krishna Rao
Vijayawada
YSRCP rebel MLAs on Mon-
day attended the hearing
conducted on disqualification
petition. The MLAs including
Anam Ramnarayana Reddy,
Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy,
Mekapati Chandrasekhara
Reddy and Undavalli Sridevi
attended the inquiry before
Speaker Tammineni Sitaram.
Later, speaking to media,
the rebel MLAs said that they
sought time from Speaker for
giving explanation after con-
sulting legal experts on dis-
qualification notice, for which
the Speaker refused. Udayagiri
MLA Mekapati Chadrasekhar
Reddy said that though he in-
formed the Speaker about his
ill-health and presented medi-
cal reports, Speaker rejected
his plea.
Venkatagiri MLA Anam
Ramnarayana Reddy said
that Speaker insisted on reply
from them within two weeks,
though they appealed for
more time as per natural jus-
tice. MLA Undavalli Sridevi
also stated that though she in-
formed the Speaker about her
ill-health and sought more
time for her explanation,
Speaker rejected her request.
It may be recalled that
YSRCP lodged complaint
with Assembly Speaker Si-
taram and Legislative Council
Chairman Moshen Raju ask-
ing them to disqualify party
legislators who had joined
other parties.
Sharmila calls on Sunitha Reddy
Hans News Service
Vijayawada
ANDHRA Pradesh Congress
chief Y S Sharmila on Mon-
day called on her cousin Y S
Sunitha Reddy amid specula-
tion that she will be joining
the Congress Party.
On her first visit to home
district YSR after taking
charge as the president of
MACHILIPATNAM LS CONSTITUENCY
Konakalla Narayana
quit the party and joined the
Jana Sena Party. It is expect-
ed that Balashouri may con-
test from Machilipatnam as
TDP-JSP alliance candidate.
He has announced his will-
ingness to contest for the Lok
Sabha elections. Konakalla
Narayana was elected twice
Sharmila decries personal
attacks by YSRCP on her
n Expresses anguish
that utter lies are
being propagated
against her in
Jagan’s media
n Points out that she
has as much stake as
Jagan in the media
n Vows to uphold
legacy of her father
and serve people
n Blames successive
govts for lack of
progress in Kadapa
steel plant in
the district
Abbas Nadendla
Kadapa
APCC president Y S Sharmila
promised to serve the people
continuing his father YS Ra-
jasekhara Reddy’s legacy of
welfare and development. Ad-
dressing the party cadres and
leaders here on Monday, she
continued her tirade against
YSRCP and the government of
her brother Y S Jagan Mohan
Reddy.
She said Jagan had complete-
ly changed after becoming the
Chief Minister. “I worked self-
lessly for the YSRCP and now I
am being subjected to personal
attacks,” she said and made it
APCC, Sharmila met Suni-
tha Reddy. During the meet-
ing that lasted for two hours,
they discussed various issues.
After the meeting, they
together went to the tomb of
Sharmila’s father and former
chief minister Y S Rajasekha-
ra Reddy.
Sunitha Reddy is the
daughter of former minister
Y S Vivekananda Reddy, who
Simhadri Ramesh Babu
from Machilipatnam in 2009
and 2014. He was defeated in
2019 elections. Now, Naraya-
na is not showing any interest
to contest the elections.
On Monday, Avanigadda
MLA and YSRCP leader Sim-
hadri Ramesh has announced
that he would contest for ei-
Party activists and leaders welcome PCC president Y S Sharmila as he arrives to address party
activists' meeting in Kadapa on Monday
clear that she never aspired for
posts and would fight for the
rights of the people of the state
no matter how many obstacles
were created.
"YSR left his mark of poli-
tics and welfare governance as
chief minister. Where is during
Jagan Mohan Reddy’s rule? I
embarked on a 3,200 km pa-
dayatra to bring YSRCP in to
power. Now they are attacking
me personally. They are insult-
ing me every day. They are al-
leging that my husband Anil
resorted to politics by joining
hands with Pranab Mukherjee.
They are spreading malicious
propaganda that Anil wants me
to become the Chief Minister
by sending Jagan behind bars.
They are all lies,” Sharmila said.
She pointed out her husband
used to go to meet Congress
Sonia Gandhi along with Bharti
was murdered a few weeks
before the 2019 elections. She
has been fighting a legal bat-
tle to get justice in the case in
which some family members
have also been named as ac-
cused by the Central Bureau
of Investigation (CBI).
The meeting assumed sig-
nificance amid reports that
Sunitha Reddy is keen to join
the Congress Party.
Vallabhaneni Balashouri
ther Assembly or Lok Sabha
elections if Chief Minister Y
S Jagan Mohan Reddy gives
his nod. Simhadri Ramesh
belongs to Kapu community.
Balashouri also belongs to the
same Kapu community.
Caste equations play an
important role in Machili-
Reddy only. If YsRCP lead-
ers have courage, they should
ask Pranab Mukherjee's son to
check it out. Jagan Mohan Red-
dy is carrying out vicious prop-
aganda against me through his
media. I have as much share in
that media as Jagan has. Forget-
ting it, the newspaper is writing
news as per its wishes. No mat-
ter what YSRCP leaders write or
do, there is nothing to fear. Do
what you have to do," she said.
She blamed both TDP and
YSRCP for lack of progress
on Kadapa steel plant in the
district. The Congress leader
underscored the need for com-
prehensive development initia-
tives, including infrastructural
projects like the railway line
from Kadapa to Bangalore.
She also voiced her con-
cerns about the treatment of
minorities in the state, point-
Sunitha is reported to be
planning to politically take
on the relatives named in
her father’s murder case.
Kadapa MP Y S Avinash
Reddy of YSRCP and his fa-
ther Y S Bhaskar Reddy were
named as accused in the case.
Bhaskar Reddy was recently
released on bail but Sunitha
has challenged the bail in the
Supreme Court.
Machilipatnam Medical College
patnam constituency. Back-
ward classes and Kapu voters
are in sizeable numbers and
they play vital role in the
elections. Kapu voters are in
large number in Machilipat-
nam, Avanigadda, Pedana,
Pamarru and Penamaluru
constituencies.
Backward class voters are
in large number in Machili-
patnam, Pedana, Pamarru
and other constituencies.
Functionaries of the political
parties are eagerly waiting for
the announcement of names
and launching of campaign
as the State top leaders Chan-
drababu Naidu, Y S Jagan
Mohan Reddy and the leaders
others of BJP and Jana Sena
have launched their campaign
and touring the State
ing out discrepancies between
the current government's ac-
tions and her father's inclusive
policies. She urged for a change
in approach and emphasised
the importance of fulfilling
promises made to the people,
particularly regarding projects
like Polavaram and the pursuit
of Special Categry Status for
Andhra Pradesh.
Sharmila reiterated her
commitment to her father's
vision and the welfare of the
people of the state, positioning
herself as a leader dedicated
to upholding his legacy and
addressing the state's pressing
issues.
Dr Narreddy Tulasi Reddy,
N Raghuveera Reddy, Gidugu
Rudra Raju, Pallam Raju, Kop-
pula Raju, Kamalamma, JD
Seelam, Sailaja Nath and other
leaders attended the meet.
The meeting comes amid
speculation that Viveka’s
daughter may join
Congress to politically
take on suspects in her
father’s brutal murder
It may be recalled that
Sharmila had last year stated
that Vivekananda Reddy was
not murdered for his prop-
erty as he had already writ-
ten the entire property in the
name of his daughter.
It's a question of majority
only in Kuppam, feels TDP
V Pradeep Kumar
Tirupati
IN the upcoming crucial elec-
tions, TDP chief N Chandrab-
abu Naidu will be testing his
luck for the eighth consecu-
tive time in his Kuppam fort
amid questions on his possible
majority this time. Naidu has
been winning the seat since
1989 after he became a first
time MLA from Chandragiri
in 1978 on Congress ticket.
After losing the same seat
in 1983, he turned his focus
successfully on Kuppam and
made a strong impact there.
But, unlike before, the rul-
ing YSRCP has been playing
mind games to weaken the
morale of the TDP cadres
hoping that Naidu would lose
this time. The childhood arch
rival and senior minister in
the present government Ped-
direddi Ramachandra Reddy
has been putting in all efforts
in that direction.
The YSRCP succeeded in
winning the municipal elec-
tions in Kuppam but under
the fast-changing political
equations, the question is
can YSRCP defeat Naidu. Not
such an easy task, people feel.
TDP leaders and cadre feel
that YSRCP will once again
try to bring in outsiders in
large numbers to cast bogus
votes. But this time all such
tricks will not work.
They have been maintain-
ing that the people also real-
ised the value of Naidu and
the crooked politics of YSRCP
and it would be a cake walk
for Naidu, they say.
Kuppam is located at the
tri-lingual junction con-
necting AP, Tamil Nadu and
Karnataka while the constitu-
ency was established in 1955.
Out of 14 elections held so
JSP demands CAG probe into
‘reverse borrowing’ by YSRCP govt
n Says govt borrowed
Rs Rs 91, 253
through this method
but no one knows
what happened to it
n States that officials
are in a quandary
to explain what
happened to the
funds and how to
explain the accounts
in budget session of
the Assembly
n Strongly condemns
attaching punching
bags to Oppn leader
pictures at Vizag
MV Syam Sundar
Vijayawada
THE YSRCP government
headed by Chief Minister Y S
Jagan Mohan Reddy raised Rs
91, 253.39 crore in the name
of ‘reverse borrowing’ and no-
body knows what happened
to that money, said chairman
of the Political Affairs Com-
mittee of Jana Sena Party Na-
dendla Manohar.
Addressing the media
here on Monday, Manohar
said that the officials were in
a quandary to explain what
happened to the funds and
how to reveal the accounts
Dravidian University main entrance in Kuppam
N Chandrababu Naidu KRJ Bharath
(TDP) (YSRCP)
n TDP supremo is all set to contest for the
8th time in a row from the same constituency
n YSRCP is hell bent on defeating him
this time, after successfully wining
Kuppam municipality
n Though it is not an easy task, TDP cadres and
leaders suspect that the ruling party will bring
T outsiders in large numbers to cast bogus
votes as it alleged to have done in
Tirupati LS byelection
far to elect MLAs, TDP has is a dominant community to
been winning the seat con- which the YSRCP constitu-
secutively since the inception ency in-charge and MLC K
of the party in 1983. Its can- R J Bharath belongs to. While
didate N Rangaswami Naidu his father and a former civil
won the election in 1983 and servant K Chandramouli was
1985 after which Naidu en- defeated by Naidu in 2014 and
tered the constituency and
never looked back. Thus, he
2019, after his death, Bharath
became active and became in-
laid a lasting impression on charge of the party.
the constituency with vari- Significantly, Naidu se-
ous development initiatives cured 47,121 votes majority
and made it his strong fort. in 2014 which was reduced
Needless to say that before to 30,722 in 2019. Citing this
1983, Congress and Inde- and the local bodies’ elec-
pendents won the elections tions, the ruling party has
there twice each while CPI been claiming that they are
emerged victorious once in going to win the seat. How-
1962. ever, TDP leaders are saying
After the special summary that Naidu’s victory will be
revision of electoral rolls, the beyond any doubt and they
constituency has 2,23,311 vot- are looking for the majority
ers out of which 1,11,855 are only excepting that this time
women. ‘Vannekula Kstatriya’ it will cross 50,000 mark.
Jana Sena Party PAC Chairman Nadendla Manohar addressing a press
conference in Vijayawada on Monday. Photo: Ch Venkata Mastan
during the forthcoming budg- 2022-23 the reverse borrow-
et session of the Assembly ing was Rs 9,253.90 crore.
from February 4. Referring to the Chief
The government named the Minister’s slogan ‘Siddham”,
unaccounted fund as ‘reverse Manohar asked the Chief
borrowing’. Manohar said that Minister whether he was
the debt raised through reverse ready to discuss reverse bor-
borrowing was not diverted to rowing and the failure in the
the government schemes, con- administration. He invited the
struction of projects or other Chief Minister to Kshetrayya
schemes. But the state govern- Kalakshetram for discussion
ment claimed that it had raised on various issues in the pres-
debts only Rs 1.72 lakh crore ence of the media.
during the last 4.5 years. He quipped that the people
The whole issue came to were already ‘Ready’ to send
light while preparing the the chief minister home.
budget. Manohar said that Manohar strongly con-
only the heads of the govern- demned the placement of
ment and the principal secre- punching bags before the
tary of the finance department pictures of opposition lead-
knew the truth of where the ers at Visakhapatnam which is
money had gone. nothing but instigating people
According to Manohar, to resort to violence.
during 2019-20, the govern- Manohar clarified that
ment raised through reverse plans are afoot to start tours
borrowing Rs 17,391.43 crore, of the party supremo Pawan
during 2020-21, the reverse Kalyan across the state in-
borrowing was Rs 30,764.27 cluding public meetings, and
crore, during 2021-22 it was meetings with leaders and
Rs 33,843.69 crore and in party activists.
 10 TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2024 | THE HANS INDIA | BENGALURU

Extra-curricular activities that boost academic performance

Extracurricular activities are not
offer students a unique plat-
form to develop and refine
Conclusion
In conclusion, extracur-
critical leadership abilities. ricular activities are not
mere add-ons to a student’s Whether leading a volun- mere add-ons to a student’s
academic journey but integral teer initiative, taking on a academic journey but inte-
components that enable them leadership role in a group,
or captaining a sports
gral components that en-
able them to reach their
to reach their full potential. team, these experiences al- full potential.
Encouraging active engagement low students to hone skills Encouraging active engage-
that extend far beyond ment in these activities
in these activities fosters the the classroom. Leadership fosters the development of
development of essential life roles in extracurricular ac- essential life qualities, such
qualities, such as self-discipline, tivities, such as mentoring
peers or organizing events,
as self-discipline, resilience,
and a growth mindset.
resilience, and a growth mindset equip students with deci- Moreover, it equips stu-
sion-making abilities, resil- dents with the skills needed
Col. Sanjay Dutta ience, and accountability. for success in diverse indus-
discipline, and focus skills. Team captaincy in sports, tries, emphasizing effective
These skills not only lead in particular, provides a communication, critical
E X T R AC U R R I C U L A R to improved grades but also hands-on experience in thinking, and leadership. As
activities play a pivotal role instill an ability to effectively inspiring and motivating- educators and parents, our
in shaping the holistic de- balance academic obliga- peers, handling diverse investment in promoting
velopment of students, of- tions with extracurricular personalities, and devel- extracurricular engagement
fering them opportunities commitments. Moreover, oping winning strategies. reflects our commitment to
to explore their interests, the heightened focus ac- These leadership experi- nurturing competent, well-
learn new skills, and thrive quired through extracurric- perseverance, and adapt- thinking and creative expres- ricular activities offers stu- for meaningful relation- ences, coupled with par- rounded individuals ready
outside the traditional aca- ular activities contributes to ability. This resilience, cou- sion. The ability to navigate dents a dynamic environ- ships, providing students ticipation in community to face the challenges of the
demic setting. In this article, more effective learning, en- pled with a growth-oriented complex situations, think ment beyond the classroom, with a sense of belonging service projects, prepare future.
we delve into the profound hancing students’ problem- mindset, becomes a cor- analytically, and solve prob- providing opportunities and unity. students for the challenges
impact of extracurricular solving and critical thinking nerstone for students to ap- lems is honed through tasks to interact with mentors, of future careers, emphasiz- (The author is Director
engagement, exploring five abilities. proach difficulties with op- like mastering challenging peers, and diverse groups. 5. Preparing for ing problem-solving, coor- Pastoral Care and Sports
key ways in which these timism and view setbacks as musical pieces or planning Mentors in various fields, leadership roles dination, and communica- Infrastructure,Vijaybhoomi
activities contribute to aca- 2. Cultivating resilience opportunities for intellec- community projects. be it music, sports, or com- Extracurricular activities tion skills. University)
demic prowess and foster through challenges tual and personal growth. Additionally, self-expression munity service, play a cru-
leadership qualities. Extracurricular activities in creative activities fosters cial role in guiding students It equips students with the skills
serve as a crucible for de- 3. Fostering unique thinking that can be toward their goals, offering needed for success in diverse
1. Building a foundation veloping resilience, a quality comprehensive skill applied to diverse aspects of insights into real-world ex- industries, emphasizing effective
for academic excellence indispensable for navigating development life. Effective communication periences and career paths. communication, critical thinking,
Participation in extracur- life’s challenges. Whether Engaging in extracurricular and teamwork skills devel- Collaborative activities, and leadership. As educators
ricular activities extends facing complex assignments, activities contributes signifi- oped through extracurricular such as sports or group
projects, nurture social
and parents, our investment
beyond mere hobbies or intense competition, or oc- cantly to a student’s overall engagement become invalu-
sports, consistently prov- casional setbacks, students skill set, extending well be- able assets in academic, pro- and emotional intelligence, in promoting extracurricular
ing to be associated with glean invaluable lessons in yond conventional classroom fessional, and personal con- emphasizing teamwork, engagement reflects our
enhanced academic perfor- resilience from these expe- learning. Activities such as texts. cooperation, and shared commitment to nurturing
mance. Studies reveal that riences. Overcoming ob- playing a musical instrument, responsibility. These expe- competent, well-rounded
students involved in such stacles, such as a failed ex- participating in debates, or 4. Enhancing social and riences not only contribute individuals ready to face the
activities develop crucial periment or a sports defeat, volunteering provide unique emotional competence to academic proficiency but challenges of the future
time management, self- fosters problem-solving, opportunities for critical Participating in extracur- also lay the groundwork

ACQUIRE THE SKILL TO Tech-Talk

GET A GOOD JOB
Hans News Service
Hyderabad
GITAM Career Guidance
Centre (GCGC) organized
an Orientation on ‘Skill
Building & Career Fulfill-
ment’ at its campus for the
2025 passing out batch on
Monday. The event was at-
tended by Prof. N Seetara-
maiah, Associate Director,
School of Technology, Dr.
Nathi Venu Kumar, Direc-
tor, CGC, Hyderabad, Dr.
Suresh, Deputy Director,
Skill Enhancement and
Training, and Placement Of-
ficials.
During the orientation,
Prof. Seetaramaiah empha-
sized the importance of ac-
quiring the required skills
for securing good jobs with
attractive packages. He an-
nounced that the training
session would commence in
February and urged students
to attend all the classes, as-
suring them of 100% place-
ments. Dr. Nathi highlighted
the focus of the CGC on ca-
reer development and career
fulfillment, including higher
studies, placements, entre-
preneurship, and other career
options. He advised students
to choose their preferred ca-
reer path, whether it be high-
er studies or placements, and
explained the structure and
responsibilities of the CGC
department. He also shared
that while 66 companies
have visited GITAM, only
50% of students have been
selected, emphasizing the
need for enhanced skills to
meet industry requirements.
Dr. Suresh detailed the train-
ing sessions, including the
30 hours of training during
each semester and the design
of a program for the 6th and
7th semesters. He outlined
the modules and the criteria
for shortlisting students for
company-specific training.
Meta’s new setting only allows
followers to DM teens on Insta, FB
Hans News Service
New Delhi An additional step to help protect teens from
unwanted contact by turning off their ability
TO help protect teens from to receive DMs from anyone they don’t
unwanted contact, and to follow or aren’t connected to on
make it simpler for parents Instagram - including other teens - by default
to shape their teens’ on-
line experiences, Meta an-
nounced ‘stricter private This default setting will teens’ (under 16) requests to
messaging settings for teens’ apply to all teens under the change their default safety
on Instagram and Facebook. age of 16 (or under 18 in and privacy settings to a less
Under this new setting, certain countries). strict state -- rather than just
the tech giant has now re- These new changes to being notified of the change.
stricted adults over the age teens’ default settings ap- “Empowering parents to
of 19 from messaging teens ply on Messenger as well, approve or deny requests to

Pre-Budget: 5 key investments

who don’t follow them and
limited the type and number
of direct messages (DMs)
people can send to someone
who doesn’t follow them to
where under 16s (or under
18 in certain countries)
will only receive messages
from Facebook friends, or
people they’re connected to
change their teen’s default
safety and privacy settings
gives parents the tools they
need to help protect their
teens, while at the same

needed in education sector

Manish Rastogi
IF India is to position itself
as a developed economy in
the next decade, we must
prioritize the education of
our children, the true archi-
tects of our nation’s destiny.
The following key areas de-
mand immediate attention
and increased investment in
the upcoming budget and
beyond.
Aligning budget
allocations with global
benchmarks
The stark contrast in educa-
tion budget allocations be-
tween India and countries
considered benchmarks for
quality education.
While Nordic countries
and the United States invest
5-6% of their GDP in edu-
cation, India lags behind at
3%. I would like to urge a
significant upward revision
to align with international
standards.
Targeted funding for key
areas
The launch of specific
schemes and increased
budgetary allocations in
critical areas such as Early
Childhood Care and Educa-
tion (ECCE), teacher train-
ing, and the development
of skill-based courses for
K-12. These targeted invest-
ments are essential for fos-
tering a robust educational
ecosystem.
Promoting education
technology
To enhance physical school
operations and teaching
methodologies, I would like
to suggest providing subsi-
dies to encourage the wide-
spread adoption of educa-
tion technology.
This includes both hard-
ware and software ap-
plications, ensuring that
schools are equipped with
the tools necessary for
modern, effective education.
Corporate investments in
k-12 education
Introduction of incentives,
subsidies, and tax benefits to
companies directly investing
in K-12 education. This stra-
tegic approach aims to lev-
erage corporate support in
fortifying the foundations of
our educational institutions.
Elevating teacher training
and compensation
The creation of a compre-
hensive ladder of training,
development programs, and
qualifications for teachers.
I would recommend link-
ing teachers’ salaries to their
qualifications, fostering a
continuous improvement
mindset throughout their
careers. This approach not
only enhances the quality of
education but also rewards
one text-only message. through phone contacts. time respecting their teens’
“Today we’re announcing In addition, the tech gi- privacy and ability to com-
an additional step to help ant is planning to launch a municate with their friends
protect teens from unwant- new feature designed to help and family,” Larry Magid,
ed contact by turning off protect teens from seeing CEO of ConnectSafely, said
their ability to receive DMs unwanted and potentially in a statement.
from anyone they don’t fol- inappropriate images in For example, if a teen
low or aren’t connected to their messages from people using supervision tries to
on Instagram - including they’re already connected change their account from
other teens - by default,” to, and to discourage them private to public, change
Meta said. from sending these types of their Sensitive Content
Under this new default images themselves. Control from “Less” to
setting, teens can only be “We’ll have more to share “Standard”, or – now – tries
messaged or added to group on this feature, which will to change their DM settings
chats by people they already also work in encrypted to hear from people they’re
follow or are connected to. chats, later this year,” Meta not already following or
Teens in supervised ac- said. connected to, their parent
counts will need to get To help parents shape will receive a notification
their parent’s permission to their teens’ online experi- prompting them to approve
change this setting, the com- ence, Meta now let par- or deny the request, the
pany said. ents approve or deny their company explained.
educators for their commit-
ment to professional growth.
Simplifying education
loans
For streamlining processes
and providing subsidies to
Indian citizens seeking K-12
education loans from banks.
This initiative aims to facili-
tate easier access to financial
support for families aspiring
to provide quality education
for their children.
(The author is CEO, Zee
Learn Ltd)

11 TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2024 | BENGALURU
‘I can’t do JEE, I am a loser’: Kota girl commits suicide
Kota
AN 18-year-old student
preparing for JEE allegedly
hanged herself at her home
in this coaching hub on
Monday, leaving behind a
suicide note saying sorry to
her parents and calling her-
self a “loser”. “Mummy, papa
I can't do JEE. So I suicide,”
the note scrawled in English
said, according to police.
She was to give the JEE test
in a day or two. “I am loser.
Waited for 8 months,
Cong did nothing: TMC
Kolkata
SENIOR Trinamool Con-
gress (TMC) leader Ab-
hishek Banerjee on Monday
attributed the differences in
opposition’s Indian National
Developmental Inclusive Al-
liance (INDIA) in West Ben-
gal to Congress party’s failure
to finalise seat-sharing ar-
rangements.
Banerjee highlighted that
despite repeated reminders
over the last eight months,
the Congress remained inac-
tive in sealing the seat-shar-
ing agreement.
The TMC national general
secretary slammed West Ben-
gal Congress president Adhir
Ranjan Chowdhury for play-
ing into the hands of the saf-
fron camp and repeatedly
attacking the TMC govern-
ment in West Bengal, despite
being an ally at the national
level.“According to alliance
norms, the first thing you do
is seal the seat-sharing. We
had waited for eight months
to seal the seat-sharing issue.
ReNew Energy’s
CSR initiative
R eNew Energy Global Plc,
a leading decarboniza-
tion solutions company, has
announced the launch of the
ninth edition of ‘Gift Warmth,’
an initiative to support the
marginalized sections of the
society during the harsh win-
ter season.This year, ReNew
joined hands with the local
administration to distribute
over 200,000blankets across
states including Delhi NCR,
Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh,
Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat,
Odisha and Uttarakhand.
The blanket distribution drive
will continue up till January
to ensure that the impact is
maximized during the peak
winter season.
Botanical
mystery launched
U ma Chigurupati, Execu-
tive Director of Granules
India Ltd, launched Green
Allegiants and the Secret
of the Poison Garden, a
botanical mystery for young
adults,at the ‘Meet My Book’
sessionat Hyderabad Literary
Festival 2024 (HLF-2024). It
is a debut novel by Ananda
Thumrugoti.More than 120
book enthusiasts attended
the session. Author Ananda
Thumrugotisaid: “Realizing
this novel has been a dream
fulfilled. The plant kingdom
harbors countless enchant-
ing narratives waiting to be
explored and shared. This
book is a testament to that
very exploration.”
US State Dept
at Wings India
T he Washington State
Department of Com-
merce, in partnership with
Crescendo Worldwide, initi-
ated engaging discussions
with local businesses during
Wings India-2024, fostering
conversations on global avia-
tion insights and transforma-
tive collaborations through
roadshows in Hyderabad and
Bengaluru on January 20-22.
These roadshows aimed to
provide actionable strate-
gies for Indian businesses
in aerospace and defense.
RadiSimeonova, MD, Busi-
ness Development, Wash-
ington State Department of
Commerce, highlighted the
significance of India-Wash-
ington relations and Wings
India 2024.
I am worst daughter. Sorry
mummy papa. Yahi last
option he,” the note found
in Niharika Singh's room
added. This was the second
suspected suicide in Kota in
less than a week.
The suicide was reported
on a day Prime Minister
Narendra Modi held his an-
nual interaction with stu-
dents preparing for their
school board exams, ask-
ing them and their parents
not to let competition get
But the Congress was sitting
idle and nothing moved for-
ward,” he told reporters in
Diamond Harbour.
TMC supremo Mamata
Banerjee had last week an-
nounced that the party
would go alone in the Lok
Sabha polls in West Bengal.
The Diamond Harbour MP,
who is also the nephew of
Mamata Banerjee, slammed
Chowdhury for ‘demanding
President’s Rule in the state’,
echoing the demands of the
Bharatiya Janata Party.
Big bets on quality
stocks spur bull-run
Investors richer by `6 lakh cr as mcap on Dalal St surges to `377.21 lakh cr ($4.53trn);
Equity benchmarks surge nearly 2% boosted by rally in RIL, firm Asian markets; Investors
prefer to cash in on quality stocks after recent sell-off and positive global cues
Mumbai
BENCHMARK equity indices
Sensex and Nifty rebounded
sharply on Monday, surging
nearly two per cent, buoyed
by robust buying in Reliance
Industries (RIL) and a rally in
Asian markets. The 30-share
BSE Sensex jumped 1,240.90
points or 1.76 per cent to set-
tle at 71,941.57 points. Dur-
ing the day, Sensex soared
1,309.55 points or 1.85 per
cent to 72,010.22 points. NSE
Nifty climbed 385 points or
1.80 per cent to 21,737.60.
“The domestic market
underwent an upturn as the
recent sell-off and positive
Asian peers provided an op-
portunity to accumulate qual-
ity stocks. Despite premium
Vivo Ignite 2023 draws
over 19,000 entries
HYDERABAD: Vivo, a lead-
ing smartphone brand has
announced that ‘Vivo Ignite:
Technology and Innovation
Awards 2023’, had witnessed
a participation of more than
19,000 registrations and over
4,000 innovative projects
from students of grades 8-12.
Students from across the
country submitted individu-
al/ group entries under ‘Tech
for Good’ theme, demonstrat-
ing their problem-solving ap-
proach to make a positive
social impact. This was the
second phase of the competi-
tion which unfolds into two
phases and a grand finale. In
this phase, top 200 zonal win-
ners were shortlisted from the
lot and will be required sub-
mit a video of their prototype/
working model along with a
project display board.
to them. Niharika lived at
her family home in Shiv
Vihar Colony in the city's
‘Ideologies of RSS, BJP
spreading violence, hatred’
Kishanganj/Araria
CONGRESS leader Rahul
Gandhi on Monday alleged
that the ideologies of the
RSS and the BJP are spread-
ing violence and hatred in
the country. Addressing a
public rally in Kishanganj
as part of his ‘Bharat Jodo
Nyay Yatra’, he claimed that
people belonging to different
religions and castes are fight-
ing among themselves under
the BJP-led NDA rule at the
Centre. Gandhi’s tour to the
state came a day after the
Congress was left high and
dry with former ally Nitish
Kumar, the Bihar chief min-
ister, making a return to the
BJP-led NDA.
“The ideologies of the
RSS and the BJP are spread-
ing violence and hatred in
the country. They (RSS and
BJP) instigate people to fight
among themselves in the
name of religion, caste and
valuations, confidence is up-
held among investors due to
the optimistic environment
surrounding the interim
budget and recent set of re-
sults aligning with forecasts.
Globally, the upcoming Fed
policy stands out as a crucial
factor. While a rate cut by
the FOMC is unlikely, inves-
tors will eagerly monitor their
commentary to get cues on
future rate paths,” said Vinod
Nair, Head (Research), Geojit
GRT Jewellers donates
`1.03 cr to 3 organisations
Hans Business
Hyderabad
GRT Jewellers, one of the
South India’s premier jewel-
lery brands, has been on a mis-
sion to add value and contrib-
ute to the society at the highest
and lowest levels possible. It
has made a donation worth
Rs 1.03 crore to three notable
organisations that are work-
ing towards serving the soci-
ety. One of the institutions to
receive an aid of Rs 50 lakh is
The Cancer Institute, Chennai.
Also known as the Adyar Can-
cer Institute, it is a non-profit
cancer treatment and research
Centre established in 1952.
This donation will be used as
support for 20 General ward
cancer patients for Robotic
Surgery. Concurrently, Aram
THE
The RSS and BJP instigate people to fight among themselves in the
name of religion, caste and language. “Brothers are fighting among
themselves. This is the atmosphere they have created. We work to unite
the people and want to open a ‘Mohabbat Ki Dukan’ in ‘Nafrat Ka Bazaar’
Borekheda police station
area and was to take her JEE
test on January 30 or 31, cir-
‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ enters Bihar
language. “Brothers are fight-
ing among themselves. This
is the atmosphere they (RSS
and BJP) have created in the
country. We work to unite
the people and want to open
a ‘Mohabbat Ki Dukan’ in
‘Nafrat Ka Bazaar’,” the Con-
Financial Services.
“Firm global cues lifted
the domestic market senti-
ment, as the broad-based
rally pushed the benchmark
Sensex above the psychologi-
cal 72,000-mark towards the
closing stage led by RIL which
scaled a fresh record high. Af-
ter last week's major sell-off
triggered by FII selling, fur-
ther short-covering coupled
with recovery in global indi-
ces aided renewed optimism
in the markets today,” said
Prashanth Tapse, senior V-P
(research) at Mehta Equities
Ltd.
In the broader market, the
BSE midcap gauge climbed
1.68 per cent and smallcap
index rallied 1.03 per cent.
Among the indices, energy
Charitable Trust, Puzhal,
Chennai, which provides ho-
listic support to those in need,
focusing on education, health-
care, and livelihood develop-
ment, was handed over the
donation of Rs 28 lakh for the
purchase of permanent home
to accommodate Orphan Spe-
cial Girl Children. Also, a do-
nation of Rs 25 lakh was given
to Public Health Centre –West
Mambalam, Chennai, to sup-
port economically backward
children for free vaccination
for one year and purchase of
medical equipment.
- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi
suicide note says
she was under the
stress of studies
and found herself
unable to tackle
the exam
cle officer DSP Dharmveer
Singh said.
The suicide note suggest-
ed she was under the stress
of studies and found herself
gress MP said.
The Congress’ ‘Bharat Jodo
Nyay Yatra’ led by Gandhi
entered Bihar through Kis-
hanganj, the party’s strong-
hold, this morning. Later, in
the evening Gandhi’s yatra
entered Araria district. “After
jumped 5.29 per cent, oil & gas
zoomed 4.94 per cent, power
(3.03 per cent), services (2.82
per cent), capital goods (2.13
per cent), industrials (2.17 per
cent) and consumer durables
(1.93 per cent). FMCG, IT
and teck were the laggards. A
total of 2,266 stocks advanced
while 1,654 declined and 141
remained unchanged.
Among the Sensex firms,
Reliance Industries jumped
nearly 7 per cent, contributing
the most to the rally in mar-
kets. Tata Motors, Power Grid,
Larsen and Toubro, Kotak
Mahindra Bank, NTPC, Titan
and UltraTech Cement were
the other major gainers. ITC,
Infosys, JSW Steel, Tech Ma-
hindra and Tata Consultancy
Services were the laggards.
‘India can aspire to be
$7-trn economy in 7 yrs’
India will be 3rd largest economy in 3 yrs as GDP will hit $5-trn mark; FinMin
New Delhi
INDIA is expected to be-
come the third-largest econ-
omy in the world with a GDP
of $5 trillion in the next three
years and touch $7 trillion
by 2030 on the back of con-
tinued reforms, the Union
Finance Ministry said on
Monday.
Ten years ago, India was
the 10thlargest economy in
the world, with a GDP of
$1.9 trillion at current mar-
ket prices. Today, it is the
5thlargest with a GDP of $3.7
trillion (estimate FY24), de-
unable to tackle the exam,
the officer said. The student
was the eldest of three sis-
ters. Her father is a secu-
rity guard at a private bank
in Kota, he said. The fam-
ily hails from Akawdakhurd
village in Jhalawar district
and has been staying in the
city for the last three years.
Her cousin said Niharika
was under severe stress over
the upcoming JEE test. She
had to repeat her 12th class
exam because she got a low
offering puja at a local tem-
ple, Rahul ji will spend the
night in Araria.
He will resume his yatra
on Tuesday morning and
will enter Purnea district.
Rahul ji will address a mam-
moth rally at Rangbhumi
Ground in Purnea around
2 pm,” Congress state presi-
dent Akhilesh Prasad Singh
told reporters in Kishanganj.
According to party insid-
ers, Gandhi’s yatra will enter
Katihar district on Tuesday
evening. Earlier in the day,
Singh and other senior party
leaders welcomed him in
Kishanganj, a district in the
Seemanchal region where
Muslims are in majority.
During the padayatra, Con-
gress supporters were seen
hailing Gandhi and holding
the national flags and those
of the party.
Citroen unveils C3
Aircross Automatic
HYDERABAD: French au-
tomaker Citroen unveiled
the C3 Aircross Automatic
(AT) midsize SUV at an
introductory price of Rs
12,84,800 (ex-showroom).
Collaborating closely with
local consumers and regional
teams, the C3 Aircross SUV
Automatic is developed
and manufactured in In-
dia. “Boasting a high-per-
formance torque converter
6-speed AT with a manual
gear selector mode, the C3
Aircross SUV AT emerges as
India’s most accessible and
affordable automatic SUV
over 4 meters. Enhancing its
performance, the automatic
variant offers an impressive
205 NM of torque, surpass-
ing the manual variant by an
additional 15NM”, the au-
tomaker said.
The SUV boasts an ARAI-
certified fuel efficiency of
17.6 kmpl. The automatic
version comes equipped with
convenient features such as
remote engine start and re-
mote AC preconditioning.
Aditya Jairaj, MD & CEO,
Stellantis India, emphasized,
“Citroën is committed to
meeting the evolving de-
mands of Indian consumers.”
spite the pandemic and de-
spite inheriting an economy
with macro imbalances and a
broken financial sector, said
the Ministry’s January 2024
review of the economy.
“This ten-year journey is
marked by several reforms,
both substantive and in-
cremental, which have sig-
nificantly contributed to the
score, the relative told re-
porters outside the mortu-
ary. However, according to
him, she was good at studies
and devoted seven or eight
hours every day to them.
Niharika's grandmother
knocked at the door of her
room around 10 am. When
there was no response, she
raised an alarm.
The family found her
hanging from the ventila-
tion window above the door.
Last year, 26 students alleg-
‘Daughter didn’t mean
‘Sanghi’ as a bad word’
SUPERSTAR
Chennai
Rajinikanth
on Monday said his daugh-
ter Aishwarya did not term
‘Sanghi’ a ‘bad word’ and
only expressed her point of
view that he was a spiritual
person. She had said “Dad is
a spiritual person who loves
all religions and when that is
the case why father should be
described so (as a Sanghi),”
the top star said.
Rolls-Royce inks pact with
Hyd-based Azad Engg
To make defence aero-engine parts
Hans Business
Hyderabad
POWER and propulsion
solutions provider Rolls-
Royce on Monday said it
has signed an agreement
with Azad Engineering for
making complex defence
aero-engine components in
India.
Under the long-term
agreement, Hyderabad-
based Azad Engineering
will manufacture and sup-
ply complex components
for defence aircraft engines
and thus join the global
supply chain for complex
category components for
Rolls-Royce's technologi-
cally advanced aero-en-
gines, the company said in a
statement.
"Strong collaboration has
been at the heart of Rolls-
Royce's journey of success
in India. As we work to-
wards strengthening the
defence ecosystem, we are
happy to expand our supply
chain in India in partner-
ship with Azad Engineer-
country's economic pro-
gress,” it said. These reforms,
it added, have also delivered
an economic resilience that
the country will need to deal
with unanticipated global
shocks in the future. The
ministry said that in the next
three years, India is expected
to become the third-largest
economy in the world, with
a GDP of $5 trillion. “The
government has, however,
set a higher goal of becom-
ing a ‘developed country’ by
2047. With the journey of re-
forms continuing, this goal is
achievable,” it said.
edly committed suicide in
Kota, where children come
from across the country to
prepare for competitive tests
like the National Entrance
Exam (JEE) for admission
to top engineering colleges.
On January 23, 19-year-old
Mohammed Zaid was found
hanging in his hostel room
in Kota. He had come to the
city from Uttar Pradesh's
Moradabad district a year
back to prepare for the med-
ical entrance exam NEET.
Asked about allegations
that Aishwarya spoke on the
matter to promote the movie
Lal Salaam, he rejected the
accusation saying “nothing
like that.” The film Lal Sa-
laam is an Aishwarya direc-
torial and set for release on
February 9. The cast of the
movie includes Rajinikanth.
‘Sanghi’ is a colloquial
term used to describe a
supporter or activist of the
Right wing.
ing," Rolls-Royce Executive
Vice President Business
Development and Future
Programmes and Head
of Global Networks, Alex
Zino, said.
The sourcing of complex
components from India for
aero-engine programmes
further advances the goal
of capability creation in the
country, he added.
Azad Engineering
Founder and CEO, Rakesh
Chopdar said, "Bringing
these critical components
to India not only showcases
the capabilities of Azad En-
gineering, but also repre-
sents a pivotal moment for
India's aerospace and de-
fence industry, demonstrat-
ing the country's growing
prowess in advanced manu-
facturing."
Govt eyes `70k cr
dividend from RBI
NEW DELHI: Having
reaped rich dividends from
the Reserve Bank in the
current financial year, the
government will be look-
ing forward to receiving
about Rs70,000 crore from
the central bank and the
financial institutions (FIs)
in the next financial year.
In the interim Budget to be
unveiled in the Lok Sabha
on February 1 by Finance
Minister Nirmala Sithara-
man, sources said, the gov-
ernment would peg receipts
from dividends from finan-
cial institutions at much
higher level than Rs48,000
crore estimated for the
current fiscal. The current
financial year estimate has
already exceeded the Budg-
et target as RBI paid a divi-
dend of Rs87,416 crore.
 THE

12 TUESDAY 30 JANUARY 2024 | THE HANS INDIA | BENGALURU

Shubman Gill has been given the kind of "cushion"

that veteran Cheteshwar Pujara never got and the
young batter needs to make it count in the second Test
—Former India captain Anil Kumble

'Head of State' security for Davis Cup team in Pak

Amanpreet Singh
Islamabad
A bomb disposal squad will
sanitise the Islamabad Sports
Complex every morning,
and two escort vehicles will
shadow the Indian Davis
Cup team during its travel as
part of multi-layer security
arrangement, which is usu-
ally accorded to the Head of
State, to ensure the visiting
tennis players' safety and se-
curity. The national Indian
tennis team has travelled to
Pakistan for the first time
in 60 years, and naturally,
the Pakistan Tennis Federa-
tion (PTF) does not want to
compromise on the security
aspect. Mostly, the Indian
players will be restricted to
the venue and the hotel and
it could well prove to be a
bit stifling, though safe. The
PTF is following the security
plan that has been
approved by the
International
Tennis Federation (ITF).
"Since an Indian team has
come to Pakistan after 60
years, we are taking extra
precaution. There are four to
five layers of security around
the Indian team. I, as event
security manager, is with
them during travel," Col Gul
Rehman, who is the secre-
tary general of PTF, told PTI.
The Indian contingent, that
has five players, two physios
and two AITA officials, ar-
rived in Islamabad on Sun-
Since an Indian
team has come to
Pakistan after 60
years, we are taking
extra precaution.
There are four
to five layers of
security around the
Indian team: Col
Gul Rehman
day night. "Escort vans are
with the team during travel
time, and they enter the hotel
from the VVIP entry, which
is reserved for the Head of
State.
Bomb disposal squads
sanitised the venue in the
morning, and no one will be
allowed to enter the venue.
It will be a drill that will be
followed throughout the tie,"
he said. "Islamabad is one
of the safest cities in Asia.
And since general elections
are approaching, security
is already tight. Then there
is air surveillance, there are
around 10,000 cameras de-
ployed in the city. There will
be no compromise on safety
and security of the Indian
players," he said. The teams
of Pakistan Sports Board
(PSB), Islamabad Police, traf-
fic police, and others are on
the job. "It's an honour not
just for the PTF but also for diplomacy," Rehman said. said that his friends in the ri-
Pakistan to host the Indian Aqeel Khan, one of the finest val camp should explore the
team. We believe in sports tennis players from Pakistan, city, if they are comfortable.

DOUBLE BLOW FOR INDIA Gukesh ends joint 2nd

in Masters, Mendonca
ND
AHEAD OF 2 TEST Rahul, Jadeja out due to injuries; long wait ends for Sarfaraz Khan India slip to 5th spot in WTC rankings
wins Challenger
Wijk Aan Zee

Hyderabad
India all-round-
er Ravindra Jadeja
and batter KL Ra-
hul were on Monday
ruled out of the second
Test against England,
dealing a body blow to
the hosts after a shock loss
in the series opener here.
Jadeja sustained a hamstring
injury while going for a quick
single on Sunday while
Rahul complained
of pain in his right
quadriceps. Worryingly, Rahul had
also injured his right thigh while fielding in the IPL
in May last year and that required a surgery, keep-
ing him out of the game for four months.
"Mr Ravindra Jadeja and Mr KL Rahul have
been ruled out of the second IDFC First Bank
Test against England in Vizag, starting February
02, 2024," the BCCI said in a media release. "The
Mumbai batter BCCI Medical Team is monitoring the progress
Sarfaraz Khan of the duo," it added. The selection committee has
added Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan, left-arm spin-
ner Sourabh Kumar and all-rounder Washington
Sundar to the squad for the second Test.
It is a maiden national call up for Sarfaraz after
scoring truck load of runs in domestic cricket and
more recently in the India A series against England
Lions. With Virat Kohli already unavailable for the
first two Tests due to personal reasons, the injuries
to Jadeja and Rahul have made matters worse for
India, who find themselves under pressure after
losing only their fourth Test at home since 2013.
Both Rahul and Jadeja had made significant con-
tributions in the first Test before England staged
a remarkable comeback to win the game by 28
runs and go 1-0 up in the five-match series. Jadeja
snapped up five wickets and made 87 in the first in-
nings while Rahul scored 86.
Jadeja's all-round abilities are invaluable to the
team. Off-spinner Sundar, who has shown a lot of
promise in his four-Test old career, could replace
Jadeja in the playing eleven. Ever since making his
comeback from injury in the Asia Cup in Septem-
ber, Rahul has displayed stellar form in the ODI
and Test format. Keeping wickets in the ODI World
Cup and more recently in the Test series in South
Africa added to his workload.
DUBAI: India have dropped to fifth behind
Bangladesh in the World Test Championship
standings after their shock 28-run defeat to Eng-
land in the first Test in Hyderabad. India were
briefly on top after drawing the two-Test series
South Africa before being overtaken by Australia
following their victory over Pakistan. Rohit Shar-
ma's men have suffered in terms of accumulated
percentage points, going down from 54.16 after
the South Africa series to 43.33 currently.
Chasing 231 for a win in the fourth innings,
India were all out for 202 in the first Test in
Hyderabad on Sunday. England's Tom Hartley
(7/62) spun a web around the home team batters
to cause a collapse. The rare defeat at home took
Rohit Sharma's side down to fifth spot in the lat-
est WTC rankings headed by Australia with 55
percentage points. India currently have 43.33
percentage points in their kitty.
Australia's sensational eight-run defeat to the
West Indies in Brisbane on Sunday did not have
much impact on them as they continued to lead
the WTC rankings. South Africa, New Zealand
and Bangladesh -- all with 50 percentage points
-- are at second, third and fourth spots.
GRANDMASTER D Gukesh
endured a heartbreak in the fi-
nal tie-breaker against Wei Yi
of China and had to be con-
tent with a joint second place
finish at the Tata Steel Masters
chess tournament here. In-
dian Grandmaster Leon Luke
Mendonca, however, won the
challengers section, defeating
compatriot Divya Deshmukh
in the 13th and final round. It
was a full day of hard work for
Gukesh as he had to win the
13th round game with black
against Parham Maghsoodloo
of Iran and then prove supe-
rior in three tie-break games
against last year's winner An-
ish Giri to qualify for the final.
Once there, the Indian
raised visions of winning
the tournament but Wei Yi
was simply better in the re-
turn game after drawing the
first. If Gukesh was a heart-
break, Mendonca remained
pretty much in the shadows
throughout the event in the
company of big stalwarts.
Mendonca defeated Divya
in another complicated game
that could have swung either
ways but the latter was the first
to err as she went for a wrong
capture in the middle game.
"I am very happy and relieved
because it was not clear at all
throughout the tournament
whether I was close to win-
ning or not. It was only before
this round that I had a real
chance. I also needed a lot of
luck as well but mostly I am
just relieved," said Mendon-
ca after his win. Mendonca
scored 3/6 in the first half of
the event and then went on to
score 6.5/7 in the second half.

Team Alpha top overall standings in third round Shamar may be

Hans News Service
Hyderabad
THE third round of the
World HPGL moved to Boul-
der Hills Golf and Country
Club bringing in a new for-
mat in this league as the com-
petition heats up and margins
become razor thin.
The doubles alternate shots
proved to be a tough chal-
lenge for all the teams and
most of them struggled to
navigate the course.
However, there were a few
diamonds in the rough who
shone bright and brought
home 32 points for their
teams. Only 6 teams out of 64
were able to achieve this feat.
Rough Riders rode their
luck to rise to second spot
over the Lahari Lions in
group B as Team Alpha
emerged overall standings
leader pipping Mavericks by
2 points.
Akhil Thanam and Caleb
Rayapati of the Rough Rid-
ers top scored with 32 points
for their team and gave them
a much-needed boost. The
format saw some of the fa-
‘saviour in purest form
of cricket': Steve
BRISBANE: Legendary
Steve Waugh heaped rich
praise on young sensation
Shamar Joseph who bowled
the West Indies to their first
Test win in Australia in 27
vourites drop in rankings and wide open and can see break years, calling him a ‘saviour
give the other teams a chance away performances in the in the purest form of the
to catch up with them in next couple of rounds,” said game'. The 24-year-old Jo-
the more crucial match play Ajay Kumar D of HPGL. seph, who made his debut
rounds that are to come up. “We are thrilled to have in the first Test of the two-
“Each match play round the best in round 3 and hope match series, ran through
has 240 points at stake for this turns the tables around Australia with a spell of
each team and can swing the for our team,” said BVK Raju 11.5-0-68-7 to power Win-
results in any way. Its still owner of the Rough Riders. dies to a thrilling eight-run
win at the Gabba, Brisbane,
Top Scorers of the day a traditional fortress of the
hosts.
Vibhav Gadwal/Anirudh Penumatsa - Meenakshi Mavericks 32 The effort was even more
Akhil Thanam/Caleb Rayapati - Rough Riders 32 special because Joseph, who
Ramana Reddy/Srinivas Suryadevara - Team Alpha 32 not long ago worked as a
Deepak Singh/ Mohan Singh - Sama Angels Finvista EHAM 32 security guard, braved a
Anvesh Manne/Vivek Chandrasekhar - Agiles Dirty Dozen 32 toe injury to deliver a win
Aditya Jamwal/ Naveen Gullapalli - MYSA 32 for the ages for his team.
Day 3 scores Team wise. “There is nothing like Test
Group A: Sama 82, Stonex83, Kshema 72, Mysa 83 cricket and this man may
Group B: Alpha 82, Lahari 77, Rough Riders 92, Finvista be the saviour in the pur-
EHAM 86 est form of the game, (sic)”
Group C: DSR 74, Agile 81, Sharkies 74, Tutoroot 80 Waugh wrote on Instagram
Group D: Meenakshi 74, Villagio 63, Myk 73, Synthokem 84 while sharing a picture of
Joseph.

Gill needs to come good in Vizag, says Kumble

Hyderabad
FORMER India captain Anil
Kumble feels that the embattled
Shubman Gill has been given
the kind of "cushion" that vet-
eran Cheteshwar Pujara never
got and the young batter needs
to make it count in the second
Test against England or risk
being under tremendous pres-
sure. The 24-year-old Gill has
not scored a half century in his
last 11 Test innings. He scored
a 128 in India's first innings
against the visiting Australian
in Ahmedabad in March last
year, but after that his highest
score has been 36. He made 23
and 0 in the two innings of the
first Test against England here,
which India lost by 28 runs on
Sunday. "He (Gill) has been
given the cushion perhaps even
a Cheteshwar Pujara didn't get,
although he (Pujara) has played
over a 100 Tests," Kumble said
on 'JioCinema'.
Shubman Gill has
been given the kind of
"cushion" that veteran
Cheteshwar Pujara never
got and the young batter
needs to make it count in
the second Test against
England
"I keep coming back to him
(Pujara) mainly because that
was his place (No 3) not too
long ago. Pujara played in that
World Test Championship final
and post that, it's been Shub-
man Gill, who's been moving
from the opener's slot, and he
himself wanted to bat at No. 3."
The 36-year-old Pujara last
played a Test in June 2023 --
the World Test Championship
final against Australia -- and
he was ignored after that. He
scored a double hundred (243
not out) in a Ranji match ear-
lier this month. Skipper Rohit
Sharma, before the start of
the England series, stated that
younger players were being
preferred in a bid to look ahead
in Indian cricket. Kumble said
the youngster needs to work
on his mindset and also adjust
his technique slightly for the
second Test starting February
2. "So, when you want to bat
at No. 3 especially in India be-
cause you have that talent, you
certainly need to work on your
game.
He has the skills, he is young
and he's learning, but he needs
to do it in Vizag (in the second
Test), otherwise the pressure
will be on him," he observed.
"He needs to be a lot freer, score
runs. He needs to come up with
his own plan to tackle spin, be-
cause he has hard hands. "It's
good for good surfaces where
the ball is coming on nicely and
the faster bowlers are bowl-
ing at you. But when the ball
is turning, when it's slow, you
need to use your hands and
control and check your shots.
That's something he needs to
work on. It can't be one flow all
the time."