MONDAY
com
May 6, 2024
INTERNATIONAL
EDITION
18 Pages
Chennai » Coimbatore » Bengaluru
ABDUCTION CASE
Revanna sent to SIT
custody for three days
STATES » PAGE 2
INSIDE
쑽
Rajnath says BJP
will never change
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
the Preamble
NEW DELHI
The BJP will never change the
Constitution , Defence Minister
Rajnath Singh said, accusing
the Congress of creating a “fear
psychosis” for “vote bank”
politics. Congress leader Rahul
Gandhi has been alleging that
the BJP will “tear up and throw
away” the Constitution if it
retains power. » PAGE 4
Devender Yadav
interim chief of
Delhi Congress
NEW DELHI
Devender Yadav on Sunday
took over as the interim
president of the Delhi Congress
and urged workers to stand by
the party, which he said is
going through its “most
challenging” times. He took
the charge a day after party’s
former Delhi chief joined
the BJP. » PAGE 4
Netanyahu orders
Al Jazeera to shut
shop in Israel
TEL AVIV
Israel ordered the local offices
of Qatar’s Al Jazeera news
network to close on Sunday,
escalating a long-running feud
between the broadcaster and
Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu’s hard-line
government as Doha-mediated
truce talks with Hamas hang in
the balance. » PAGE 14
T.N. moves top court, accuses Kerala of People with disabilities to get quotas
obstructing work on Mullaperiyar dam on all trains irrespective of concessions
Krishnadas Rajagopal
NEW DELHI
Tamil Nadu has accused
Kerala in the Supreme
Court of “crying foul”
about the safety of the over
125-year-old Mullaperiyar
dam while at the same time
“wilfully obstructing”
work essential to maintain
the structure.
“The State of Kerala on
one hand raises the issue
of comprehensive dam sa-
fety review, but on the oth-
er hand is obstructing in
granting permissions and
approvals for conveying
materials and machinery
to enable Tamil Nadu from
completing the remaining
strengthening works,” the
Tamil Nadu Water Resourc-
es Department said in an
application. It contended
that Kerala has managed to
delay even routine annual
maintenance works, in-
cluding painting, patch
works, and repair to staff
CM
YK
www.thehindu.
» Hyderabad » Madurai » Noida
CONTEST FOR TELANGANA
Cong. tries to
repeat victory,
BRS hopes for
a comeback
NEWS » PAGE 5
Search on for militants
after IAF convoy attack
Helicopters pressed into service as combing operations continue; security forces question several
people to identify who provided logistic support to militants; one held for using a VPN app
Peerzada Ashiq
SRINAGAR
ilitants behind
M the attack on an
Indian Air Force
(IAF) convoy at Surankote
in Poonch district of Jam-
mu and Kashmir, which
left one jawan dead and
four injured, remained un-
traced on Sunday even as
helicopters provided aerial
support for combing oper-
ations in the forests.
A high alert has been
sounded in the Rajouri-
Poonch belt after the at-
tack on Saturday. Top pol-
ice and intelligence offi-
cials, including the
Additional Director-Gener-
al of Police, Jammu, in-
spected the ambush site.
Official sources said securi-
ty agencies suspect the use
of metal-piercing bullets
Testing time
Anxious wait: Parents of candidates wait outside a centre in Vijayawada where the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for admission to
the undergraduate medical programme is in progress on Sunday. This year, a record 23 lakh candidates registered for the test. K.V.S. GIRI
Kerala has delayed even routine annual maintenance works for a
month to over a year, Tamil Nadu has contended. FILE PHOTO
quarters for two months to
more than a year.
The State said the recon-
stituted supervisory com-
mittee, despite being en-
dowed with powers under
the Dam Safety Act, 2021,
had miserably failed to en-
sure that Kerala and its in-
strumentalities permit and
facilitate strengthening
and other related works.
Tamil Nadu has sought the
court to direct Kerala to al-
low Tamil Nadu to conduct
the remaining works.
FOLLOW US
» Visakhapatnam » Thiruvananthapuram
High alert: Security personnel engaged in the cordon and search
operation in Poonch district on Sunday. PTI
fired from U.S.-made M4
carbines. Sources also said
security forces questioned
a number of people to
gather information on
those who provided logis-
tic support to the militants.
According to prelimin-
ary reports, the militants
belonged to an infiltrators’
group that had sneaked in
The pending work in-
cluded the grouting of the
main dam, and permission
to cut 15 trees to facilitate
the strengthening of the
baby dam. Tamil Nadu said
the permission to cut the
trees was granted by Kerala
in November 2021 but
withdrawn days later.
In 2021, the Kerala go-
vernment had made a
strong pitch in the Su-
preme Court to decommis-
sion the “deteriorated”
Mullaperiyar dam operat-
» Kochi » Vijayawada
U.P. STRATEGY
We are working for
your children: Modi
NEWS » PAGE 6
recently from the Samba-
Kathua belt of Jammu into
the Rajouri-Poonch area.
One person was arrest-
ed by the police for using a
Virtual Private Networking
(VPN) application on his
mobile. All kinds of VPNs
are banned in the Rajouri-
Poonch belt till the culmi-
nation of the Lok Sabha
ed by Tamil Nadu, and
build a new one, saying
phenomena like climate
change, erratic and heavy
rainfall and floods had
made the spectre of catas-
trophe real and near.
Kerala’s affidavit had
coincided with a red alert
issued in Chennai follow-
ing torrential rains that
year. The Chennai rains
had come on the heels of
several days of downpour
in Kerala.
The State had also re-
ferred to the Uttarakhand
flood of February 2021,
mainly attributed to cli-
mate change in the envi-
rons of the Nanda Devi Na-
tional Park.
The suggestion for a
new dam dates back to
1979. Kerala had referred
to the decommissioning of
another 19th century lime
concrete structure, the
Victoria dam in Australia,
following the detection of
seepages in its structure.
» Mangaluru » Tiruchirapalli
election in the Anantnag-
Rajouri seat, polling for
which is on May 25. A pol-
ice spokesperson said Maz-
har Iqbal, 30, from Dha-
nore Jaralan village,
Rajouri, was booked under
Section 188 of the Indian
Penal Code.
Meanwhile, State Con-
gress president Vikar Ra-
sool said, “The tall and hol-
low claims of the BJP have
yet again been exposed by
the terrorist attack in
Poonch. The situation has
worsened in the Rajouri-
Poonch area under the BJP
rule.” National Conference
president Farooq Abdullah
said the BJP’s claim that Ar-
ticle 370 was responsible
for terrorism now stood ex-
posed.
‘POLL STUNT’
» PAGE 4
S. Vijay Kumar
CHENNAI
The Ministry of Railways
has approved quotas for
people with disabilities on
all trains, irrespective of
whether any concessional
fare facility is available or
not.
According to railway
sources, the quota will be
earmarked on all reserved
express/mail trains, includ-
ing Rajdhani and Vande
Bharat services. Under the
norms, the quota will be
four berths in Sleeper Class
, four berths in three- tier
AC, 3E or 3A, (two lower
and two middle), four
berths in the specially de-
signed second class lug-
gage-cum-guard (SLRD)
coaches of Garib Rath
trains, four seats in re-
served Second Class sitting
and AC Chair Car in those
trains which have more
than two coaches of these
classes, and four seats on
» Kolkata » Hubballi » Mohali
DATA POINT
‘PMJAY did not
reduce health
expenses’
Data from Chhattisgarh
points to ‘double-billing’
OPINION » PAGE 9
Campaigning ends in 94
Lok Sabha constituencies
for third phase of election
Devesh Kumar Pandey
NEW DELHI
The 48-hour silence period
in 94 Lok Sabha constituen-
cies spread across 12 States
and Union Territories com-
menced at 6 p.m. on Sun-
day with the conclusion of
campaigning for the third
phase of the Lok Sabha
election. Voting will take
place on May 7.
Polling for more than
half of the total number of
constituencies will be com-
pleted by the end of this
phase.
Among the prominent
contestants in the fray in
the third phase are Union
Ministers Amit Shah (Gand-
hinagar, Gujarat), Pralhad
Joshi (Dharwad, Karnata-
ka), and Jyotiraditya Scin-
dia (Guna, Madhya Pra-
desh), former Madhya
Pradesh Chief Minister
Shivraj Singh Chouhan
(Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh),
Congress leader Digvijaya
Singh (Rajgarh, Madhya
Pradesh), Samajwadi Par-
ty’s Dimple Yadav (Mainpu-
ri, Uttar Pradesh), and Na-
tionalist Congress Party MP
Supriya Sule (Baramati,
Maharashtra).
Section 126 of the Repre-
sentation of the People Act,
1951 prohibits election cam-
paign activities through pu-
blic meetings and proces-
sions and display of
election matter by means
of television and similar
platforms, during the si-
lence period.
Silence period norms
“In a multi-phased elec-
tion, the silence period of
last 48 hours may be on in
certain constituencies
while campaign is ongoing
in other constituencies. In
such an event, there should
not be any direct or indi-
rect reference amounting
to soliciting support for
The facility will only be available to people who have been issued
unique identity cards by Indian Railways. FILE PHOTO
Vande Bharat trains.
The sources added that
one specially designed seat
(seat no. 40) will be availa-
ble for travellers with dis-
abilities in coaches C1 and
C7 in the case of eight-car
trains, and C1 and C14 in 16-
car trains, along with an
additional seat for an es-
cort or attender on Vande
Bharat Express trains.
To avoid misuse of the
provision, the facility of
booking tickets under the
disability quota online will
» Malappuram » Mumbai » Tirupati
SUCCESSFUL SUNDAY
KKR and CSK register
impressive wins
SPORT » PAGE 16
Ready, set: Buses for Lok Sabha election duty parked at the Lal
Parade Ground in Bhopal on Sunday. A.M. FARUQUI
parties or candidates in the
constituencies observing
the silence period,” accord-
ing to the Election Commis-
sion (EC).
“During the silence pe-
riod, star campaigners and
other political leaders
should refrain from ad-
dressing the media by way
of press conferences and
giving interviews on elec-
tion matters,” the EC holds.
The process of filing
nominations for the 94 con-
stituencies in the third
phase began on April 12.
The last date for filing nom-
inations was April 19.
This phase will cover the
25 constituencies of Guja-
rat, where the BJP candi-
date from Surat has been
elected unopposed; two of
Goa (North Goa and South
Goa); and the remaining 14
constituencies in
Karnataka.
Election for the Betul
seat was shifted from the
second to the third phase
after the death of the Bahu-
jan Samaj Party (BSP)
candidate.
Bhind, Bhopal, Guna,
Gwalior, Morena, Rajgarh,
Sagar, and Vidisha in Mad-
hya Pradesh are also sche-
duled to vote on May 7.
In Assam, the consti-
only be available to people
who have been issued un-
ique identity cards by the
Railways. To book tickets
at reservation counters,
the facility will be extend-
ed on the production of
the card or a copy of the
concessional certificate.
The Centre for Railway
Information Systems, the
IT arm of the railways, was
told to modify its reserva-
tion software to ensure the
verification of such cards
even on those trains where
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Vol. 2 앫 No. 108
» Lucknow » Cuttack » Patna
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
tuencies of Dhubri, Kokraj-
har, Barpeta and Guwahati
will go to the polls. In Bihar,
polls will be conducted in
the Jhanjharpur, Supaul,
Araria, Madhepura, and
Khagaria constituencies. In
Chhattisgarh, the consti-
tuencies of Surguja, Rai-
garh, Janjgir-Champa, Kor-
ba, Bilaspur, Durg, and
Raipur will go to the polls.
In Maharashtra, polls will
be held for the Baramati,
Raigad, Osmanabad, Latur,
Solapur, Madha, Sangli,
Satara, Ratnagiri-Sindhu-
durg, Kolhapur, and Hatka-
nangle seats.
Also going to the polls in
the third phase are Samb-
hal, Hathras, Agra, Fateh-
pur Sikri, Firozabad, Main-
puri, Etah, Budaun, Aonla,
and Bareilly in Uttar Pra-
desh; Maldaha Uttar, Mal-
daha Dakshin, Jangipur,
and Murshidabad in West
Bengal; and the Union Ter-
ritories of Dadra and Nagar
Haveli, and Daman and
Diu.
Voting in Jammu and
Kashmir’s Anantnag-Rajou-
ri constituency has been
rescheduled for May 25 in
the sixth phase.
RELATED REPORTS
» PAGES 2, 5 & 6
concessional fare facility is
not available.
In case both of the spe-
cially designed seats ear-
marked for people with
disabilities in Vande Bharat
express trains are booked,
but one or both of the seats
reserved for their accom-
panying escorts remained
vacant, such vacant seat or
seats will also be allotted to
a passenger with a
disability.
Under the old guide-
lines, people with disabili-
ties and their escorts were
provided accommodation
under the quota only in
those trains which allowed
booking tickets with fare
concessions, the sources
said.
They added that no de-
cision had been made on
restoring the rail travel
concession to senior citi-
zens and other categories
of passengers who were gi-
ven concessional fares be-
fore the pandemic.
A IN-X
 THE HINDU
2 Monday, May 6, 2024

States Chennai

INBRIEF
쑽 Revanna sent to SIT custody Congress moves EC
for three days, blue corner against BJP video
targeting Muslims
notice issued against Prajwal Press Trust of India
Former Karnataka Minister undergoes medical examination, claims his arrest is part of a political BENGALURU

conspiracy; Karnataka government to provide financial assistance to the rape survivors
‘CM jailed before polls to stifle The Hindu Bureau
BENGALURU
his voice’, says Sunita Kejriwal
anata Dal(S) MLA and
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s wife Sunita
Kejriwal on Sunday alleged he was jailed before
the elections to “stifle” his voice as she urged
J former Karnataka Mi-
nister H.D. Revanna,
who has been arrested in an
people to vote against “dictatorship” when the abduction case, was on
national capital goes to polls later this month. Sunday remanded in three-
Ms. Sunita held her third roadshow in the day police custody of the
national capital in south Delhi in support of AAP Special Investigation Team
candidate Sahiram Pahalwan on Sunday. In the (SIT) till Wednesday. The
absence of her husband, Ms. Sunita has taken the SIT is probing the alleged
reins of the AAP’s Lok Sabha campaign. She said multiple instances of sexual
her husband was put in jail since he built good abuse by his son and Has-
government schools and promised to give ₹ 1,000 san MP Prajwal Revanna.
to every woman in Delhi. PTI His police custody will end
on May 8.
After medical examina-
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
complaint filed with CID-
Bengaluru, a JD(S) leader
accused Mr. Prajwal of rap-
ing her at gunpoint, video-
graphing the incident and
blackmailing her. The third
complaint is against Mr. Re-
vanna pertaining to the ab-
duction and illegal deten-
tion of a woman. “There is
no evidence pertaining to
the May 2 complaint. It’s a
big political conspiracy
hatched against me,” Mr.
Former Minister H.D. Revanna being brought to be produced before Revanna had told reporters
a magistrate in Bengaluru on Sunday. K. MURALI KUMAR earlier.
A blue corner notice (a
Revanna said. former maid at his house. part of Interpol’s colour-
Mr. Revanna was arrest- She was allegedly raped by coded notices) has been is-
The Karnataka Pradesh
Congress Committee
(KPCC) on Sunday sought
the Election Commission
to initiate action against
BJP’s national president J.P.
Nadda and other senior
leaders for allegedly violat-
ing the model code of con- J.P. Nadda
duct by posting a video on
social media ‘intimidating’ labelled as the Muslim
members of SC and ST community. It is projected
community not to vote for as though funds are being
a particular candidate. fed to the chick depicting
In a complaint to the the Muslim community,
Karnataka Chief Electoral which then kicks out the
Officer, the State Congress SCs, STs, and OBC com-
unit mentioned a video munities,” the letter stated.
uploaded on the social me- It said nowhere in the
dia platform, X, by the offi- Congress manifesto has it
cial account of the Karnata- been mentioned that allo-

tion at Bowring and Lady
Trade unions extend support Curzon Hospital, where he
spoke to the media waiting
to Cong. candidate Raj Babbar outside, Mr. Revanna was
produced before the Addi-
Several trade and workers unions came together tional Chief Metropolitan
to hold a meeting at Mahavir Park in Gurugram Magistrate Ravindrakumar
on Sunday to extend their support to Congress’ B. Kattimani.
Gurgaon Lok Sabha candidate Raj Babbar. He alleged that his arrest
Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA), who was a political conspiracy.
had carried several months-long agitation last “There is no evidence
year seeking hike in wages, and members of against me. I have not done
city’s auto rickshaw union, Haryana roadways any harm to anyone. First
employees union, “rehri patri” union and they registered a case
construction workers union were among the against me on April 28, but
present at the programme. Mr. Babbar, who is when they could not do
pitted against BJP’s Rao Inderjit Singh, said lakhs anything to me in that case,
of workers had lost their jobs over the past ten they registered another
years during the BJP rule. case just to arrest me,” Mr.
ed minutes after his antici-
patory bail plea was turned
down by the Special Court
for Elected Representatives
on Saturday. He was pro-
duced before Magistrate Ra-
vindra Kattimani at his resi-
dence at Koramangala on
Sunday evening. The SIT
sought his custody, even as
Mr. Revanna’s advocate op-
posed it. However, the ma-
gistrate remanded him in
SIT custody for three days.
The former Minister is
accused of being involved in
the abduction of one of the
victims of alleged sexual as-
sault by his son, who is a
Mr. Prajwal Revanna who al-
so allegedly recorded the
crime. The victim was alleg-
edly abducted at the behest
of Mr. Revanna on April 29
and held captive at a farm-
house in Hunsur taluk She
was rescued by SIT on
Saturday.
Three FIRs have been re-
gistered in connection with
the sexual abuse allega-
tions, involving the father
and son. In the first case in
Holenarasipura, the cook
and relative of the Revannas
complained that Mr. Revan-
na and Mr. Prajwal had mol-
ested her. In the second
sued and Interpol’s help is
being taken to bring Mr.
Prajwal back to India, Kar-
nataka Home Minister G.
Parameshwara said.
Meanwhile, Congress
leader Randeep Singh Sur-
jewala said on Sunday that
the Karnataka government
will provide financial assis-
tance to those sexually as-
saulted by Mr. Prajwal. He
said that Congress leader
Rahul Gandhi has written to
CM Siddaramaiah asking
him to protect the victims
and provide them
assistance.
(With PTI inputs)
ka unit of the Bharatiya
Janata Party — @bjp4kar-
nataka — which is operated
by Amit Malviya, the head
of the party’s IT cell, alleg-
edly on the instructions of
Mr. Nadda and B.Y. Vijayen-
dra, BJP State president
and social media in-charge
of the State BJP, on May 4.
“The said video posted
on social media featured
animated characters of Ra-
hul Gandhi and Siddara-
maiah. In the clip, SCs,
STs, and the OBCs are por-
trayed as “eggs” in a nest
and it also suggested Rahul
Gandhi planting a big egg
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
cations of funds to SCs, STs
and OBCs will be cut and
that they will be diverted to
the Muslim community.
‘Promoting enmity’
“The act of the accused
person is to wantonly pro-
voke rioting and promote
enmity between different
religions and is prejudicial
to maintenance of harmo-
ny apart from intimidating
members of the SC/ST
community not to vote for
a particular candidate and
causing enmity against
members of the SC/ST
community,” it added.

Caste equations, three-way fights spice Shiromani Akali Dal narrowing its
up battle for Gwalior-Chambal region focus to ‘regional identity’ in Punjab
Mehul Malpani
MORENA/GWALIOR
With just a day to go for the
third round of polling of the
Lok Sabha election, battle
lines are drawn in Madhya
Pradesh’s Gwalior-Chambal
region with caste equations
and triangular fights spic-
ing up the contests.
The region comprises
the Morena, Bhind (Sche-
duled Caste) and Gwalior
seats, and parts of the Guna
Lok Sabha constituency.
Other Backward Classes
(OBCs) form the largest
chunk of the electorate
here, followed by the Sche-
duled Castes (SCs). Howev-
er, in Morena, the Kshatriya
community has been in a
deciding position thanks to
political rivals Tomars and
Sikarwars.
The BJP currently holds
all three seats, but the Con-
hold of Assembly Speaker
and former Union Minister
Narendra Singh Tomar,
who won the Lok Sabha
poll from here in 2019 and
is currently an MLA from
Dimani seat of the Lok Sab-
ha segment. The BJP this
time has fielded and former
MLA Shivmangal Singh To-
mar. The Congress has
fielded former BJP MLA Sa-
tyapal Singh Sikarwar alias
‘Neetu’, whose father Gajraj
Singh Sikarwar was a two-
term BJP MLA, while the
Close contest: The crowd at a public meeting addressed by Prime BSP has given the ticket to
Minister Narendra Modi in Morena. FILE PHOTO an industrialist, Ramesh
Garg. In Gwalior, the BJP
gress draws its hopes from hujan Samaj Party, which has fielded former MLA
its performance in the As- has had a significant pre- Bharat Singh Kushwaha to
sembly election held six sence in parts of the Gwa- take on the Congress candi-
months ago. In Gwalior and lior-Chambal belt, has date and former MLA Pra-
Bhind, the Congress won made the contests triangu- veen Pathak. In Bhind, the
four out of eight Assembly lar in Bhind and Morena. contest is between the BJP’s
segments each, while in The Morena constituen- sitting MP Sandhya Rai and
Morena, it won five out of cy has been with the BJP Congress MLA Phool Singh
eight. Meanwhile, the Ba- since 1991 and is a strong- Baraiya.
The Hindu Bureau
CHANDIGARH
With the parliamentary
election closing in and
electioneering picking up
in Punjab, the Shiromani
Akali Dal (SAD), which is
toiling to reclaim lost
ground appears to be nar-
rowing its focus down to
“regional identity”.
As the party continues
its ‘Punjab Bachao Yatra’
(Save Punjab) march, party
President Sukhbir Singh
Badal on Sunday targeted
the Congress and the Aam
Aadmi Party (AAP), calling
them outsiders and Delhi-
based parties that have
never let Punjab’s interests
prevail.
Addressing gatherings
at Dera Bassi and Zirakpur
areas in Sahibzada Ajit
Singh Nagar district, Mr.
Badal said, “Experiment-
Hard effort: Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal during
a roadshow in Mansa, Punjab. FILE PHOTO
ing with Delhi-based par-
ties had cost Punjab dearly
with all its core issues in-
cluding federal autonomy
being put on the back
burner.”
He added that Punjabis
should put their faith in the
SAD to ensure the State’s
voice reaches Parliament.
Mr. Badal said, “Our ex-
periments have cost us
dearly. Earlier the Con-
gress misled you with false
promises of a loan waiver,
and ₹2,500 per month for
unemployed youth but did
nothing. Then the AAP
went a step further and
promised ₹1,000 per
month to women besides
promising to eradicate
drugs within ten days. This
promise was also false, and
the AAP stands thoroughly
exposed as it has bankrupt-
ed the State by raising debt
of one lakh crore.”
Pointing out that the
SAD strongly supports fed-
eralism and has been de-
manding more rights for
States, Mr. Badal said, the
party is committed to fed-
eral autonomy to ensure
Punjab’s rights are
safeguarded.
“Divisive politics propa-
gated by Delhi-based par-
ties that are based on reli-
gion and casteism will
never succeed in the State.
I am confident people will
repose faith in their region-
al party – the SAD and shun
Delhi-based parties.”

Distress migration, river erosion key issues ahead of poll in Malda, Murshidabad
SPOTLIGHT
Shiv Sahay Singh
“People who go out of the
State to work don’t die,”
Rafiqul Sheikh, 32, assured
his wife, Rabijan, 30, who
did not want him to leave
their village Chauduar in
West Bengal’s Malda dis-
trict in search of work.
A week after he left, in
the second week of Febru-
ary, Rabijan got a phone
call from Aizawl, Mizoram
informing her that Sheikh
had died in an accident.
Carrying their nine-month-
old child in her arms, Rabi-
jan laments, “I did not
want him to go, but there
was no work here and he
did not listen to me.”
Sheikh is not the only
one from Chauduar to
have died while working at
a construction site in Mizo-
ram. In August last year, 12
men from the village died
when a bridge being con-
structed by the Railways
collapsed on the workers,
Published by Nirmala Lakshman at Kasturi Buildings, 859-860, Anna Salai, Chennai 600002 on behalf of THG PUBLISHING PVT.LTD. Editor: Suresh Nambath (Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act).
also in Aizawl. The village,
located about 20 km from
Malda town, is still recover-
ing from the tragedy.
‘Few men left’
Nuresha Khatun, former
Congress panchayat prad-
han (head) of Chauduar,
says the village has very
few men left because most
have migrated for work. “I
remember when 11 bodies
and later, one more body,
came to the village from
Mizoram. But the tragedy
has not stopped men from
going out to seek employ-
ment as migrant workers,”
says Khatun. The men left
behind in the village are
either over 60 or injured
from working in towers or
bridges in other States.
Nemai Chandra Basak,
Congress president of Ra-
tua II block, admits that
jobs in Malda are irregular
and low-paying (₹200 to
₹250 a day). She feels that
if minimum wages (starting
from ₹376 and going up to
₹501) are guaranteed, peo-
ple will not work elsewh-
Eating away: The Ganga has eroded large swathes of land at
Shamsherganj in Murshidabad district. SHIV SAHAY SINGH
ere and risk their lives.
Lost land
The river Ganga gently
flows along the Pancha-
nandapur Ghat in Malda,
where large wooden boats
line the bank.
Khidir Box, in his 50s, a
primary school teacher
and resident of Bangitola
village under the Mothaba-
ri Assembly seat, takes a
boat ride under the scorch-
ing sun. “I want to show
you my home,” he says.
As the boat navigates
the chars (river islands
formed by silt), he points
to two places along the riv-
er where his homes were
located. “I have faint me-
mories of the first house.
The next house disap-
peared before my eyes in
1999,” he recalls.
As a boat carrying about
30 people approaches the
opposite bank, Box points
out that the land there, Pa-
ranpur Palasgachi village,
was earlier part of Kalia-
chak II block in Malda, un-
til the river changed its
course in the 1960s, leav-
ing the area submerged
and displacing thousands.
Although the land resur-
faced a decade later after
the river moved eastward,
the area now falls under
the Rajmahal Assembly
segment in Jharkhand’s Sa-
hibganj district.
Kalyan Rudra, chairper-
son of the West Bengal Pol-
lution Control Board and
author of Rivers of the Gan-
ga-Brahmaputra-Meghna
Delta, says on the map of
Malda, it can be seen that
the river formed a mighty
bend between Manikchak
and Farakka Barrage.
“More than 200 sq. km has
been eroded along the left
bank of the river,” he says.
Experts say the sedi-
ment deposition is leading
to the emergence of chars
in Malda. The river is erod-
ing the left bank in the dis-
trict, and the relatively se-
diment-free water
downstream Farakka is
eroding the right bank in
Murshidabad, and in both
these cases, West Bengal is
losing land. As the land is
lost and agricultural soil
denuded, people continue
to move out of the State to
look for work.
River becomes political
Four seats across Malda
and Murshidabad districts
(Malda Uttar, Malda Daksh-
in, Jangipur, and Murshida-
bad) will go to polls on May
7, while Baharampur will
go to polls on May 13.
River erosion and the is-
sue of migration are being
raised by candidates in
their own way. Trinamool
Congress candidate from
Malda Dakshin Shahnawaz
Ali Rehan, who is also a
PhD scholar at Oxford Un-
iversity, says the construc-
tion of the Farakka Barrage
was wrongly done; it ob-
structed the river, leading
to the problem of erosion.
Located 300 km north
of Kolkata, the project was
implemented to facilitate a
pact on the sharing of the
Ganga water between In-
dia and Bangladesh.
The Trinamool candi-
date says the Central go-
vernment should take a
more proactive role in ad-
dressing the problem of
river erosion.
Sreerupa Mitra Chaud-
hury, the BJP MLA from
English Bazar in Malda,
feels only the party can ad-
dress the issue of erosion
and says though river wa-
ter is part of the National
Waterways, the land be-
longs to West Bengal.
‘Political unwillingness’
Chief Minister Mamata Ba-
nerjee claims that her go-
vernment has brought mi-
grants under the ambit of
the State government’s
Swasthya Sathi Health In-
surance Scheme, whereas
BJP leader Suvendu Adhi-
kari highlights the poor
economic condition of the
place, saying the youth are
migrating to work in BJP-
ruled States. The State go-
vernment has set up the
West Bengal Migrant Wel-
fare Board, which enlisted
about 21 lakh migrant
workers in the State by No-
vember 2023.
In the heart of Baharam-
pur town, Matiur Raha-
man, 42, runs an NGO, Kar-
na Subarna Welfare
Society, which tries to
reach out to migrant work-
ers stuck in foreign coun-
tries. Rahaman says when
he approaches politicians
across political lines for is-
sues of migrant workers,
they do not show any inter-
est. He had written a letter
to the Election Commis-
sion on April 20 to allow
migrants to vote from whe-
rever they are stationed,
but he got no response.
“Migrant workers are
not concerned about the
elections. They are still
catching trains from diffe-
rent stations to leave for
other States,” he says.
To prove his claim, Ra-
haman calls up Subhajit
Tudu, a migrant worker,
who hangs up after hurri-
edly telling him that he is at
the Satragachi railway sta-
tion (near Kolkata) to take
a train to Kerala.
LINK TO FULL STORY
» HTTPS://BIT.LY/4DU75TE
ISSN 0971 - 751X

CM A IN-X
YK

Monday, May 6, 2024
Chennai
K.V. Rajendranath Reddy
EC orders
transfer of
A.P. DGP, two
other officers
The Hindu Bureau
VIJAYAWADA
The Election Commission
(EC) on Sunday asked the
Andhra Pradesh govern-
ment to transfer Director-
General of Police (DGP)
K.V. Rajendranath Reddy
with immediate effect.
The EC did not mention
the reason for the move.
The EC, in its orders, al-
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
so said that Mr. Reddy
should not be assigned any
election-related work. The
Lok Sabha and Assembly
elections will be held in the
State on May 13.
The EC asked the State
government to send the
names of three DG-rank of-
ficers for the post of the
DGP by 11 a.m. on Monday.
It also ordered the
transfer of Anantapur Ur-
ban DSP G. Veeraraghava
Reddy and Rayachoti DSP
Syed Mahbub Basha. They
were ordered to hand over
their responsibilities to
their subordinates imme-
diately. The EC ordered
their transfer after investi-
gating complaints from the
TDP leaders, who alleged
the duo harassed the party
cadre and foisted false cas-
es on them.
The EC transferred 12
IAS and IPS officers of the
State in the last one month.
A.P. CID books Naidu, Lokesh over
‘false propaganda’ on Land Titling Act residents allege official apathy
The Hindu Bureau
VIJAYAWADA
The Andhra Pradesh
Crime Investigation De-
partment (CID) has regis-
tered a case against former
Chief Minister and Telugu
Desam Party president N.
Chandrababu Naidu, his
son Nara Lokesh and other
party leaders for allegedly
making false propaganda
against Chief Minister Y.S.
Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Following a complaint
lodged by the Vijayawada
Central MLA, Malladi Vish-
nuvardhan, the Additional
Chief Election Officer in-
structed the CID police to
register a case and investi-
gate the matter.
Mr. Naidu, Mr. Lokesh,
who is the TDP national se-
cretary, and other party
leaders and the campaign-
ing team have been
booked under Sections
Percussion maestro
Aravindakshan
Marar passes away
The Hindu Bureau
THRISSUR
Kelath Aravindakshan Ma-
rar, who had been part of
the percussion ensembles
of the Thrissur Pooram for
four-and-a-half decades,
passed away in Thrissur on
Sunday. He was 82.
He was an integral pre-
sence at the Ilanjithara me-
lam of the Thrissur Poo-
ram and the percussion
ensembles of other famous
poorams.
Mr. Marar, who had
been part of the percus-
sion team of the Paramek-
kavu Devaswom for 13
CM
YK
Evidence points to murder
in death of Tamil Nadu
Cong. leader Jayakumar
Police sources say that his letter addressed to SP, fearing threat to his life, wasn’t delivered; some
people were found moving around his house in a suspicious manner, says a police officer
S. Vijay Kumar
CHENNAI
vidence that has
E surfaced in the
death of Congress
Tirunelveli East district
president K.P.K Jayakumar
Dhanasingh appear to
point to murder.
He was reported mis-
sing on May 3 and his half-
burnt body was found on
Saturday in the backyard
of his house. According to
police sources, Dhanas-
ingh feared for his life from
some persons, including
senior politicians, who
owed him a lot of money.
However, reports that he
had lodged a complaint
with the Tirunelveli Supe-
rintendent of Police over
threat to his life were un-
true. Two letters that he
purportedly wrote – one
addressed to the Tirunel-
veli SP and the other to his
son-in-law – were found on
his office table and never
delivered, they said.
“It is unclear why the
complaint was not handed
over to the police. The let-
ter claimed that an MLA
and a former MP were
among those who owed
him money. Some people
were found moving around
his house in a suspicious
manner in the run up to
the Lok Sabha election,” a
senior police officer told
The Hindu on Sunday.
Investigation revealed
Swell waves hit coastal Kerala;
Telugu Desam Party president N. Chandrababu Naidu during an
election campaign in Andhra Pradesh. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
171(F) (Punishment for un-
due influence or persona-
tion at an election), and
188 (Disobedience to order
duly promulgated by a pu-
blic servant) of the IPC and
other charges.
The complainant al-
leged that many voters re-
ceived automated phone
calls from different num-
Kelath Aravindakshan Marar
years, later became part of
the Thiruvambadi Devas-
wom for nine years. He re-
turned to Paramekkavu
and continued there for 23
years.
TNCC president K. Selvaperunthagai paying his last respects to the
deceased leader on Sunday. A. SHAIKMOHIDEEN
that Dhanasingh had asked
his secretary to take copies
of the letters. Though he
went missing on the even-
ing of May 2, a complaint
was filed only the next
evening. A wooden plank
was placed on the victim’s
partly charred body, found
behind his house, and tied
with metal wires. A scrub-
ber that is used to wash
vessels was stuffed in his
mouth, perhaps in a bid to
prevent him from raising
an alarm, the officer, who
did not want to be quoted,
said.
“Presuming that the in-
cident happened on the
night of May 2 or 3, Dha-
nasingh’s wife and son
who were at home at the
time say they did not hear
or see anything unusual.
The neighbours, too, say
they did not see anyone or
hear anything suspicious.
bers in the State, through
which the TDP leaders
were giving false informa-
tion on the Land Titling Act
in Andhra Pradesh.
“The caller was asking
the voters ‘Not to Vote for
Jagan, and Vote for Chan-
drababu’,” the MLA said in
his complaint.
“The TDP leaders were
Concerns over criteria for scholarship scheme for SCs
A.S. Jayanth
KOZHIKODE
Disbursal of post-matric
scholarships for students
from the Scheduled Caste
(SC) category is reportedly
getting delayed in Kerala in
the wake of the changes in-
troduced in its eligibility
criteria.
According to functionar-
ies of the Ambedkar Pro-
gressive Democratic Fo-
rum (APDM), the revised
scholarship scheme was
launched by the Union go-
vernment in March 2021.
The Kerala government
notified the changes in Ja-
nuary 2023.
Shaju V. Joseph, general
secretary of the forum,
points out that only those
whose annual family in-
THE HINDU
States
The fuel, wooden plank
and wires were all taken
from the backyard of the
house. The CCTV installed
in the house was not work-
ing,” the officer further
said.
Post-mortem report and
forensic analysis would
provide more evidence.
“We are sending the hand-
written letters to docu-
ment experts to confirm
that it was indeed Dhanas-
ingh’s handwriting. If
proved otherwise, there is
more than what meets the
eye in this case...” he
added.
Possibility of suicide
Another police officer said
that the possibility of sui-
cide could not be ruled out
given the circumstances
that led to the death. The
front portion of the body
alone was burnt, and there
resorting to personal at-
tacks, and describing Mr.
Jagan Mohan Reddy as a
land grabber, which is a
violation of the Model
Code of Conduct,” he
alleged.
The CID officials report-
edly served notices on the
TDP leaders on Sunday,
and asked them to cooper-
ate for investigation.
Earlier, Mr. Naidu had
said the Andhra Pradesh
Land Titling Act (APLTA),
2023, will be scrapped af-
ter the TDP-BJP-Jana Sena
Party ( JSP) alliance comes
to power, by insisting that
it is detrimental to the peo-
ple’s right to their proper-
ties.
Data pertaining to the
land records was handed
over to a private company
purportedly for storing
and it could be tampered
to the benefit of land grab-
bers, he said.
come is up to ₹2.5 lakh are
eligible for the scholarship
now. “The principle of
creamy layer has been
made applicable to the
educational assistance for
the SCs. If this is going to
be rigorously applied, a
vast majority of students
belonging to the category
aspiring for higher educa-
tion will be out of the ambit
of e-grants or scholar-
ships,” Mr. Joseph says.
Practical problems
Before the 2021-22 academ-
ic year, the fees for stu-
dents from SC, ST, and the
Other Eligible Communi-
ties were remitted by the
government directly to the
educational institutions.
As per the latest provi-
sions, the fees are directly
was no trace of any injury
on the back, he said, ad-
ding: “We are awaiting fo-
rensic reports and trying to
reconstruct his activities in
the last few hours prior to
his death. There is no clar-
ity on why the complaint
was not handed over to the
SP. There seems to be no
strong motive for a
murder....”
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu
Congress Committee presi-
dent K. Selvaperunthagai
on Sunday paid his res-
pects to the deceased, and
conveyed his condolences
to the bereaved family
members at the Govern-
ment Medical College and
Hospital.
Later, he told mediaper-
sons that the police probe
into the death would be
fair and in accordance with
the law. “We are hopeful
that the probe would be
open and the offenders are
brought to book...”
Former AIADMK coordi-
nator O. Panneerselvam, in
a statement, urged Mr. Sta-
lin to bring to book those
responsible for the death.
“This incident raises suspi-
cion whether the DMK go-
vernment is supporting an-
ti-social elements,” he
added.
(Assistance for overcom-
ing suicidal thoughts is
available on the State’s
health helpline 104, and
Sneha’s suicide prevention
helpline 044-24640050).
The Hindu Bureau
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Tension gripped the resi-
dents of coastal areas in
Kerala on Saturday night
after high swell waves
pounded the coast.
The strong waves dam-
aged houses, displacing fa-
milies in many parts of the
State and flooding roads
near the coast. However,
no casualties were report-
ed. In Thiruvananthapu-
ram, three families were
displaced after the swell
waves flooded their houses
at night.
Strong waves also bat-
tered coastal Alappuzha on
Sunday, bringing life to a
halt in the areas. People in
Punnapra, Arattupuzha,
and Thrikkunnapuzha
bore the brunt of the rough
sea. Residents said the sea
started to turn rough in the
afternoon. Several houses
When the Government
of Kerala fails to remit its
share on time, the
remittance of the Centre
will get delayed.
SHAJU V. JOSEPH
General secretary, APDM
paid to the student’s bank
account. The student
should withdraw the fee
and remit it to the respec-
tive educational institu-
tion. The academic allo-
wances (lump sum grant,
monthly stipend or month-
ly pocket money) also
reach the bank account.
Mr. Joseph says that though
this arrangement appears
Spat with
Mayor: police
ready report
on bus driver
The Hindu Bureau
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Mounting pressure on the
Kerala State Road Tran-
sport Corporation (KSRTC)
staffer involved in a spat
with Thiruvananthapuram
Mayor Arya Rajendran, the
city police have gathered
more evidence of miscon-
duct against the empa-
nelled driver H.L. Yadhu.
In a comprehensive re-
port being readied up for
submission to the KSRTC,
the law enforcers will also
recommend making police
clearance certificates man-
datory while empanelling
staff members.
A scrutiny of his call de-
tail records has revealed
that he had engaged in a
conversation on his mobile
phone for nearly an hour
during the journey from
Thrissur to Thiruvanan-
thapuram on April 27.
Notably, the driver had
halted the bus and rested
for only nearly 15 minutes
during the particular trip
that later came to an
abrupt end following the
confrontation with the
Mayor, K.M. Sachin Dev,
MLA, and others.
The finding, which im-
plied that Mr. Yadhu could
have spoken on the mobile
while driving, further bol-
sters the police allegation
of negligent driving in a
manner that endangered
the safety of passengers
and motorists.
“Though it is irrelevant
to the case, the police will
submit a report on his cri-
minal antecedents and
driving habits. It is for the
KSRTC to take a decision,”
a senior officer said.
Battling the sea: Officials have issued swell wave warning until
Tuesday for parts of Kerala and south Tamil Nadu. H. VIBHU
close to the sea at Punna-
pra are at risk of destruc-
tion and inundation. Many
families have shifted to
their relatives’ homes.
Strong waves also uproot-
ed many trees along the
coast.
Irate residents also
staged protests against “of-
ficial apathy”.
Meanwhile, the Indian
National Centre for Ocean
Information Services (IN-
to be simple, the students
are facing practical pro-
blems in its implementa-
tion.
Another feature of the
scheme is the cost-sharing
between the Union and the
State governments in the
proportion of 60:40. “But
the catch is that only after
the Government of Kerala
remits its share to the bank
accounts of the students,
the Union government
makes its remittance.
When the Government of
Kerala fails, which hap-
pens always, to remit the
full amount of its share on
time, the remittance of the
Union government will get
delayed,” Mr. Joseph says.
Those who do not receive
the scholarship are not
able to pay their fees on
KTR flays Revanth
for making Rahul
‘lie’ about promises
The Hindu Bureau
HYDERABAD
Working president of the
Bharat Rashtra Samithi
(BRS) K.T. Rama Rao criti-
cised Telangana Chief Mi-
nister A. Revanth Reddy
for making Congress lead-
er leader Rahul Gandhi
“utter lies” on the imple-
mentation of six guaran-
tees, including ₹2,500
monthly assistance to wo-
men belonging to the be-
low poverty line category.
Speaking at a roadshow
in Karmanghat here in sup-
port of party candidate for
Malkajigiri Parliamentary
Constituency Ragidi Lax-
ma Reddy, Mr. Rama Rao
said people of Greater Hyd-
erabad believed that the ci-
ty would be developed
further under K. Chandra-
sekhar Rao’s leadership
and had given 16 seats to
BRS. But, people in rural
areas believed in the false
promises of the Congress
party and supported it.
‘Failed to keep promise’
However, the Congress go-
vernment had failed to
keep up the promises, bar-
ring one or two, and peo-
ple were highly disappoint-
ed with the government
over ₹2,500 monthly assis-
tance to women, ₹4,000
monthly social security
pension, 10 grams gold
along with ₹1 lakh under
Kalyana Laxmi, two-wheel-
ers to college-going girls,
enhanced Rythu Bharosa,
bonus to paddy etc.
Stating that people were
puzzled on how to take Mr.
Gandhi’s claim that wo-
men in the State were get-
COIS) issued a swell surge
warning for the third con-
secutive day for Kerala and
south Tamil Nadu and oth-
er parts of the country, for
May 5 and 6, suspending
fishing and recreational ac-
tivities on the beaches.
The sea is likely to be
rough near shore along the
coast from 5.30 p.m. on
Sunday to 3.30 p.m. on
Monday due to the effect of
high period swell waves.
time. They are prevented
them from appearing in ex-
ams. Such students drop
out, Mr. Joseph says.
Met by State govt.
Activists point out that the
those belonging to the SC
category have been able to
make some modest pro-
gress in their social life on-
ly because of their educa-
tional achievements.
These new provisions
could arrest those too, they
say. “The entire education-
al assistance to the SC stu-
dents hailing from families
with annual income of over
₹2.5 lakh is met by the
State government out of its
funds. The State is not get-
ting matching grant from
the Union government for
this,” Mr. Joseph says.
3
K.T. Rama Rao greeting people
at Karmanghat on Sunday with
MLA D. Sudheer Reddy (right)
and Malkajgiri candidate
R. Laxma Reddy by his side.
ting ₹2,500 monthly assis-
tance, he said Mr. Gandhi
was innocent and he had
read out a script handed
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
out to him by the Congress
leadership in the State.
He sought to know how
the Chief Minister had ar-
ranged hoardings in the ci-
ty claiming implementa-
tion of five guarantees
while the fact remained
quite opposite as the go-
vernment was implement-
ing free travel in RTC buses
fully and ₹500 per gas cy-
linder and 200 units free
energy supply every
month partially.
The BRS leader cau-
tioned people that BJP
would make Hyderabad a
Union Territory, if it was
voted, to loot the city and
to prevent that, the pre-
sence of BRS in Parliament
with good numbers was
necessary.
He asked the people to
support Mr. Laxma Reddy
in the same measure as
they did with L.B. Nagar
MLA D. Sudheer Reddy.
‘Coastal States
may continue
to experience
swell surge’
V. Geetanath
HYDERABAD
The Indian National Centre
for Ocean Information Ser-
vices (INCOIS), which had
forecast the sea swell surg-
es across the East and West
coast, continued to caution
coastal States to remain al-
ert to the sea being rough
with high waves and inun-
dation of low-lying areas.
Senior scientist and group
director T.M. Balakrishnan
Nair said on Sunday that
the notified coastal States
of Kerala, south Tamil Na-
du, Lakshadweep, Karna-
taka, Goa, Maharashtra,
Gujarat, Northern Andhra
Pradesh, Odisha, West
Bengal, and Andaman and
Nicobar Islands, may expe-
rience the swell surge till
alerts are lifted.
The feedback from the
Kerala State Disaster Man-
agement Authority
(KSDMA) and others said
that there was damage re-
ported at a few scattered
coastal districts of Kerala
and some locations in
southern Tamil Nadu. Wa-
ter gushed into the low-ly-
ing areas around May 4
and surging of water is still
being experienced in these
areas as of Sunday.
Significant damage has
been reported in coastal
establishments during
these wave surges. Howev-
er, families close to coasts
were relocated to interior
places, Dr. Nair said.
He said the wave surges
and rough sea conditions
associated with high-pe-
riod swell waves are ap-
proaching from the distant
southern Indian Ocean.
“We are presently moni-
toring the situations in all
coastal States and the up-
dates will appear on: www.
incois.gov.in/portal/osf/
osf.jsp,” he added.
A IN-X

4 Monday, May 6, 2024
Police officer
run over by
tractor used in
illegal mining
Mehul Malpani
BHOPAL
An assistant sub-inspector
of the Madhya Pradesh Pol-
ice was crushed to death
when he tried to stop a
tractor-trolley being used
for illegal sand mining in
Shahdol district, the police
said on Sunday.
According to Shahdol SI
Kumar Prateek, the inci-
dent took place early on
Sunday when ASI Mahen-
dra Bagri, posted at the Be-
ohari police station, was
on his way to a village to ex-
ecute a warrant in a case
with two colleagues.
“On the way they spot-
ted an overloaded trolley
on the opposite side. The
driver refused to stop and
ran over the ASI who was
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
in front of the tractor,” Mr.
Prateek told The Hindu.
The police have arrested
the driver and another per-
son present on the tractor.
They were identified as Raj
Rawat and Ashutosh Singh
respectively, who had fled
the scene of incident. Pol-
ice are currently searching
for the owner of the trac-
tor, Surendra Singh who is
on the run, the SP said.
Mr. Prateek also said
that various illegal proper-
ties owned by the three ac-
cused were demolished by
the administration.
Devender Yadav
takes over as interim
chief of Delhi Cong.
The Hindu Bureau
NEW DELHI
Devender Yadav on Sun-
day formally took over as
the interim president of
the Delhi Congress and
urged workers to stand by
the party, which he said is
going through its “most
challenging” times.
Mr. Yadav took the
charge a day after the par-
ty’s former Delhi chief, Ar-
vinder Singh Lovely, joined
the BJP for his second stint
in the party, which he had
quit in 2018 to rejoin the
Congress. Mr. Lovely had
resigned as the Delhi Con-
gress president on April 28
citing the lack of a free
hand to run party affairs.
The former Congress
chief had also expressed
reservations on the seat-
sharing pact with the Aam
Aadmi Party (AAP) and
Lok Sabha tickets to “out-
siders” like Udit Raj, a BJP
turncoat, from North West
SC sets aside
bail to officer
accused of
raping minor
The Hindu Bureau
NEW DELHI
The Supreme Court has
overturned bail granted by
the Allahabad High Court
to a police officer accused
of raping a 13-year-old who
had come to his station to
register a complaint of
gang rape in Lalitpur dis-
trict of Uttar Pradesh in
2022.
A Bench of Justices A.S.
Bopanna and Sanjay Ku-
mar ordered the accused,
Tilakdhari Saroj, who was
the Station House Officer
(SHO) when the child came
for help, to surrender im-
mediately. The court di-
rected the State of U.P. to
apprehend him in case he
did not cooperate and
send him to judicial custo-
dy. The court passed the
order on May 3.
CM
YK
Field evaluation of proposals for Indian
Navy’s mega submarine deal under way
German government to acquire stake in TKMS; only Germany and Spain submitted bids for the deal, the deadline for which saw several extensions
before culminating in July 2023; the specifications submitted by the Navy states that the first submarine should have indigenous content of 45%
Dinakar Peri
NEW DELHI
he German govern-
T ment is expected to
take up a stake in
submarine manufacturer,
the TKMS (Thyssenkrupp
Marine Systems), and dis-
cussions are on, it has been
learnt. Meanwhile, the In-
dian Navy’s mega subma-
rine deal under Project-75I,
estimated to cost upwards
of ₹43,000 crore, has
moved to the evaluation
stage with compliance
checks of the two bids re-
ceived, one of which is
from the TKMS.
The German govern-
ment’s move to pick up a
stake in the TKMS is in line
with the company’s inter-
est and will strengthen its
shareholders confidence,
sources observed.
An Indian Navy team vi-
sited TKMS in March and
conducted the field evalua-
tion trials (FET) and it has
met the criteria specified,
multiple sources con-
firmed. The FET of Navan-
tia of Spain, the second
bid, is expected to be com-
pleted before June, it has
been learnt. An Indian Na-
vy team visited the TKMS
Devender Yadav
Delhi and Kanhaiya Kumar
from North East Delhi.
In a no-holds-barred at-
tack on Saturday after Mr.
Lovely’s induction into the
BJP, Mr. Yadav had called
him an “opportunist” and
said there was no place for
“cheaters” in the Congress.
Addressing Congress
workers at the party head-
quarters here, Mr. Yadav
said, “The Congress is our
mother, who needs us
now. It’s our duty to stand
by the family when times
are hard.”
Trudeau hails ‘rule of Row over Maharashtra Cong. India has stringent
law’ after arrests in leader’s comment on Karkare norms for pesticide
Sikh separatist killing
Agence France-Presse
MONTREAL
Prime Minister Justin Tru-
deau on Saturday acknow-
ledged fear in Canada’s
Sikh community but un-
derscored the “rule of law”
after three arrests in con-
nection with last year’s kill-
ing of a Sikh separatist in
Vancouver.
The police arrested
three men on Friday for
the murder of Hardeep
Singh Nijjar, which trig-
gered a diplomatic rift bet-
ween Canada and India
last fall after Mr. Trudeau
suggested Indian govern-
ment involvement in the
homicide.
Speaking on Saturday at
a gala in Toronto to cele-
brate Sikh heritage and cul-
ture, Mr. Trudeau acknow-
ledged that many in
Advanced ambitions: A Class 214 submarine, based on which the new submarines will be developed
for the Indian Navy. TKMS
and carried out the FET
from March 22 to 28, two
sources independently
confirmed.
The German govern-
ment’s move to pick up a
stake in the TKMS is in line
with the company’s desire
to convince its stakehol-
ders of the viability of the
submarine business,
sources said noting that it
would automatically bring
in the government-to-go-
vernment part, essential
for a deal of this size and
technological sophistica-
tion. The TKMS was initial-
ly not inclined to bid for
P-75I due to its scope and
‘Manipur
extremist
group leader
killed’
The Hindu Bureau
GUWAHATI
An area commander of an
extremist group that
claimed to have attacked
oil and gas tankers on a
highway in Manipur more
than a fortnight ago has re-
portedly been gunned
down.
Reports from capital Im-
phal said Thangminlien
Haokip, also known as
Hunter, was shot dead by
one of his guards in Kang-
pokpi’s Geljang village on
Sunday. It was not clear
whether the shooting was
deliberate or an accident.
The police neither de-
nied nor confirmed the
incident.
Haokip was the leader
of the less-known United
Kuki National Army, which
had taken responsibility
for the attack on fuel tank-
ers on National Highway 37
near Kaimai in the Imphal
East district on April 16.
residues limit: Centre
Canada’s Sikh community
are “feeling uneasy, and
perhaps even frightened
right now,” but urged faith
in the justice system.
“Let us remain calm and
steadfast in our commit-
ment to our democratic
principles and our system
of justice,” he said.
Mr. Trudeau said the ar-
rests were “important be-
cause Canada is a rule of
law country with a strong
and independent justice
system, as well as a funda-
mental commitment to
protecting all its citizens”.
Three Indian nationals –
two aged 22 and one aged
28 – were arrested on Fri-
day on first-degree murder
and conspiracy charges.
They are accused of be-
ing the shooter, driver and
lookout on the day Nijjar
was killed.
THE HINDU
News
complexity but was later
convinced by the German
government to bid for it,
the two sources cited
above confirmed. The war
in Ukraine and change in
Europe’s security outlook
also contributed to the
German government’s in-
terest in expanding de-
fence cooperation in a big
way, sources said.
The design offered by
the TKMS for P-75I is based
on its highly successful
Class 214 submarine as well
as Class 212CD, with the
submarine featuring angu-
lar design for minimised
radar cross-section, it has
Ignore any summons BJP govt. will never change
by police: Bengal the Preamble: Rajnath Singh
Governor to staffers
Shiv Sahay Singh
KOLKATA
West Bengal Governor C.V.
Ananda Bose on Sunday di-
rected all Raj Bhavan staff
to ignore any communica-
tion from the Kolkata Pol-
ice in connection with the
complaint filed on May 2
by a woman Raj Bhavan
employee that he had sex-
ually harassed her.
The Governor has also
banned the entry of police
personnel into the Raj
Bhavan.
“It is clear that in view of
Article 361 (2) and (3) of the
Constitution of India, the
State police cannot act in
any manner whatsoever to
inquire/investigate/set in
motion any kind of pro-
ceedings against the Hon-
’ble Governor,” a post by
the Raj Bhavan said.
Earlier, the Kolkata Pol-
ice had constituted an
eight-member special in-
quiry team to look into the
The Hindu Bureau
PUNE
Maharashtra Leader of the
Opposition and Congress-
man Vijay Wadettiwar
stirred a hornets’ nest after
he alleged that a police of-
ficer affiliated to the RSS,
and not terrorist Ajmal
Amir Kasab, had killed
former State Anti-Terro-
rism Squad chief Hemant
Karkare during the 2008
Mumbai terror attacks.
Mr. Wadettiwar’s re-
mark drew sharp criticism
from the ruling BJP and the
Chief Minister Eknath
Shinde-led Shiv Sena, with
ruling party leaders accus-
ing Mr. Wadettiwar of driv-
ing Pakistan’s agenda and
the Congress of trying to
give a “clean chit” to
Pakistan.
Mr. Wadettiwar had tar-
geted high-profile lawyer
Ujjwal Nikam, who has
been learnt. Meanwhile,
Mazagon Dock Shipbuil-
ders Limited (MDL), the In-
dian partner of the TKMS,
has begun work on the first
phase of submarine de-
sign, sources in the know
said.
Indigenous content
The Request For Proposal
(RFP) issued by the Navy
detailing the specifications
states that the first subma-
rine should have indige-
nous content (IC) of 45%
which should go up to 60%
for the sixth and last
submarine.
The final design will be
allegations of molestation
by the Governor. The pol-
ice had even sought CCTV
footage and summoned a
few people working in the
Raj Bhavan. However, they
did not appear before the
police.
The two-page letter
signed by the Governor
states that media reports
indicate that the police in-
vestigators propose to con-
duct an inquiry into the
incident.
“The question that aris-
es is whether the police
can conduct an inquiry in
view of the immunity en-
joyed by the Governor,”
the Raj Bhavan statement
said.
The development has
triggered outrage in social
and political circles of the
State, with the Trinamool
Congress leadership tar-
geting the Governor.
Mr. Bose on Friday
dubbed the charges as an
“absurd drama”.
Vijay Wadettiwar
been fielded by the BJP as
the Mahayuti’s candidate
for the Mumbai North Cen-
tral Lok Sabha seat.
Speaking in Kolhapur
on Sunday, Mr. Wadettiwar
said his remarks were
based on the book Who
killed Karkare? by former
top police officer S.M.
Mushrif.
Accusing the Congress
of insulting martyred he-
roes of the Mumbai terror
strike, BJP State president
Chandrashekhar Bawan-
done jointly by the TKMS
and the MDL. “MDL will be
able to give 60% IC from
the first submarine itself
and India will own the de-
sign which enables it to
make any integration of in-
digenous equipment as de-
sired even at a later stage,”
one source stated.
In a major decision as
the deal moves forward,
Germany early April grant-
ed small arms licence to In-
dia, a significant exception
given the ban on exports to
third countries, and in the
last couple of months liber-
alised the licensing re-
quirements for sale of mili-
tary equipment as
required under its BAFA
(Federal Office for Eco-
nomic Affairs and Export
Control).
Only Germany and
Spain submitted bids for
the deal, the deadline for
which saw several exten-
sions before finally culmi-
nating in July 2023. The
deal is being progressed
under the Strategic Part-
nership model of the de-
fence acquisition proce-
dure. Larsen & Toubro
(L&T) and the MDL are the
two Indian shipyards shor-
tlisted to partner with fo-
Press Trust of India
NEW DELHI
The BJP government will
never change the Constitu-
tion or end reservation,
Defence Minister Rajnath
Singh said, accusing the
Congress of creating a
“fear psychosis” and re-
sorting to spreading misin-
formation for “vote bank”
politics.
In an interview, Mr.
Singh blasted the Congress
for spreading “canards”
that the BJP will change the
Constitution if it returns to
power.
Congress leader Rahul
Gandhi has been alleging
that the BJP will “tear up
and throw away” the Con-
stitution if it retains power.
Other Congress functionar-
ies had expressed appre-
hensions that the BJP may
drop the word “secula-
rism” from the Preamble
of the Constitution.
“The Congress brought
constitutional amend-
ments 80 times. They
kule said such remarks sug-
gested that the Congress
was conspiring to help
Pakistan.
Calling Mr. Wadettiwar’s
remarks “shocking” and
“unbelievable”, BJP na-
tional spokesperson Sheh-
zad Poonawala said it was
small wonder that “Pakis-
tan is praying for Con-
gress” and that Rahul
Gandhi was once again
putting vote bank politics
above national interest by
casting aspersions “on pa-
triots like Ujjwal Nikam”.
Likewise, Rajya Sabha
MP and Shiv Sena (Shinde
faction) leader Milind Deo-
ra called Mr. Wadettiwar’s
statement “shameful”.
“During the 26/11 at-
tacks, I witnessed the pain
the people of India had to
witness. Why are they [the
Congress] trying to ap-
pease Pakistan?,” said Mr.
Deora.
reign submarine manufac-
tures to manufacture six
advanced conventional
submarines in India with
significant
transfer.
technology
The key determinant to
qualify for P-75I is the Air
Independent Propulsion
(AIP) system. The P-75I
process ran into rough
weather, among other is-
sues, over the specification
that the submarine on off-
er should have an opera-
tionally proven AIP mo-
dule with an endurance of
two weeks.
In addition, manufac-
turers had also raised the
issue of unlimited liability
on them, some of which
have since been addressed
by the Defence Acquisition
Council, but yet to be fully
resolved, according to
sources. The AIP condition
meant only two manufac-
turers were left in the race.
India and Germany dis-
cussed the deal at the high-
est level during the visit of
German Defence Minister
Boris Pistorius in June
2023, during which he
made a strong pitch for the
bid by the TKMS in his
talks with Defence Minister
Rajnath Singh.
Rajnath Singh
changed the Preamble dur-
ing the Emergency,” the
Minister said.
“The BJP will never
change the Constitution.
Constitution makers never
imagined that there would
be changes in the Pream-
ble. You (Congress) only
acted to hurt the core idea
of Constitution,” he said.
“There is no question of
changing the Preamble of
the Constitution. They
changed it and now they
are making baseless allega-
tions against us,” he added.
The Preamble to the
Constitution of India pre-
sents the principles of the
Press Trust of India
NEW DELHI
The government on Sun-
day asserted that India has
one of the most stringent
norms for pesticides resi-
dues in food items and re-
jected reports suggesting
that the Food Safety and
Standards Authority of In-
dia (FSSAI) allows high le-
vel of residues in spices
and herbs.
The clarification comes
amid a ban imposed by the
Hong Kong food regulator
on certain spice mixes of
two leading Indian brands
MDH and Everest on al-
leged presence of pesticide
ethylene oxide in their
samples. The Singapore
food regulator too ordered
a recall of one spice pro-
duct of the Everest brand.
FSSAI is currently col-
Chennai
Cong. leader
terms attack
on IAF convoy
a poll ‘stunt’
Press Trust of India
CHANDIGARH
Congress leader Charanjit
Singh Channi on Sunday
called the Poonch terror at-
tack a stunt “to make the
BJP win” the Lok Sabha
election.
One soldier was killed
and four were injured as
terrorists ambushed an In-
dian Air Force (IAF) con-
voy in Poonch district of
Jammu and Kashmir on Sa-
turday, three weeks ahead
of polling in the Anantnag-
Rajouri Lok Sabha
constituency.
To a question on the at-
tack, Mr. Channi, the form-
er Punjab Chief Minister,
said, “’Yeh stuntbaazi ho
rahi hai, hamle nahi ho
rahe’ (These are all stunts,
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
not attacks).” “Whenever
elections are near, such
stunts are performed to
make the BJP win. There is
no truth in it,” he said in
Jalandhar.
His remark triggered a
row, with Union Minister
Anurag Thakur asking the
Congress leadership to
seek apology from the
countrymen.
Punjab BJP chief Sunil
Jakhar also condemned
Mr. Channi’s remarks as
“shameful” and said the
nation would not forgive
him.
Constitution. The 42nd
Amendment in 1976
changed the description of
India from a “sovereign de-
mocratic republic” to a
“sovereign, socialist secu-
lar democratic republic”.
“They (Congress) are
trying to get people’s sup-
port by instilling fear
among the citizens,” he
said.
‘Reservation will stay’
On the issue of reservation
also, he alleged that the
Congress is misleading the
nation. “There will not be
any end to reservation.
They are making false alle-
gations against us,” Mr.
Singh said.
The Congress has also
asked the BJP leaders to
clear the party’s stance on
whether it would remove
the 50% cap on reservation
for the Scheduled Castes,
the Scheduled Tribes, and
the Other Backward Class-
es. “We will not tinker with
the reservation at all,” Mr.
Singh said.
lecting samples of branded
spices, including that of
MDH and Everest, sold in
the domestic markets to
ensure they comply with
its quality norms. It does
not regulate the quality of
exported spices.
In a statement, the Un-
ion Health Ministry clari-
fied that maximum residue
limits are different for va-
rious food products based
on risk assessment. “Some
media reports are claiming
that the Food Safety and
Standards Authority of In-
dia (FSSAI) allows 10 times
more pesticide residue in
herbs and spices. Such re-
ports are false and mali-
cious,” the Ministry said.
India has one of the
most stringent standards
of Maximum Residue Li-
mits (MRLs) in the world, it
asserted.
A IN-X
 THE HINDU
Monday, May 6, 2024 5
Chennai

ELECTIONS 2024

DD ropes in Chauhan; actor Taapsee
Pannu; and Salma Khan of the
noted faces for Kinnar Maa Trust.
awareness drive Earlier, top office holders
had appealed to the voters.
쑽 President Droupadi Murmu
exhorted the electorate to
Doordarshan National has participate in the elections.
roped in prominent Chief Justice of India D.Y.
personalities from various Chandrachud also said: “The
fields for an awareness Constitution gives us a
campaign to encourage multitude of rights as citizens,
people to vote in the Lok but it also expects that each
Sabha election. of us performs the duty which
Among them are ISRO is cast upon us, and one of
scientist Nandini Harinath; the foremost duties of
singers Adnan Sami and Mohit citizenship is to cast our vote.”
Actor Taapsee Pannu is among
the personalities roped in for
the campaign. FILE PHOTO
Out on parole,
ex-MLA bats for
JD(U) candidate
쑽 had awarded him 10 years’
A week before the Munger Lok
Sabha constituency goes to
the polls on May 13 in the
fourth phase, Bihar’s
gangster-turned-politician
Anant Kumar Singh, a
four-time MLA from Mokama
popularly known as “Chhote
Sarkar”, was on Sunday
released from the Beur jail on
a 15-day parole on the ground
of “resolution of his ancestral
land”. In August 2019, he
surrendered in an arms case
and a MP-MLA court in Patna
imprisonment. Mokama falls
in the Munger constituency
from where the ruling JD(U)
has fielded its former
president Rajiv Ranjan Singh,
aka Lalan Singh.
Soon after his release, Mr.
Anant reached Sabneema
village of Barh in a cavalcade
of over 100 SUVs and rallied
support for Mr. Lalan Singh.
The BJP took
bribes and gave
business through poll
bonds. The most corrupt
party is BJP and PM has
emerged as the world’s
most corrupt leader
SANJAY SINGH
AAP leader
CPI(M) releases
AI video to seek
votes in Bengal
쑽
The Communist Party of India
(M) has released a video of
former West Bengal Chief
Minister Buddhadeb
Bhattacharjee, generated
through artificial intelligence.
In the two-minute video, the
leader is seen urging people
to vote for Left democratic
secular candidates.
Prime Minister
Narendra Modi
is imposing food habits
on people. In Modi's
Bharat, one has to eat
and perform puja rituals
as per his wish
MALLIKARJUN KHARGE
Congress president

Maharashtra Triangular contests in the offing in

parties race
against the clock Telangana as BRS fights for survival
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce

e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
As the State gears up for the May 13 polls, the prevailing situation shows a straight fight between the Congress and the BJP, with the BRS also putting
to popularise up a spirited fight in some constituencies; while the ruling party in the State hopes to keep its momentum, the BJP works to improve its tally

new symbols OVERVIEW contesting against their

previous parties. The BJP
Nevertheless, the BRS
has started targeting the
has gained the most in this government, accusing it of
Nistula Hebbar Ravi Reddy regard, welcoming rivals depriving the farmers of
MUMBAI HYDERABAD into its fold without any re- their irrigation sources as
servations, hoping for an their crops wither due to
he two Shiv Senas, two Nationalist resurgent Con- electoral pay-off. dry reservoirs and last

T Congress Parties, four party symbols,

and the pulsating grudge match at the
heart of Maharashtra politics has forced
A gress, determined
to repeat its No-
vember 2023 Assembly
political leaders to go back to the first election victory; the re-
principles of political mobilisation this Lok gional Bharat Rashtra Sam-
Sabha election. iti (BRS), which has recent-
An important part of this mobilisation is ly suffered a series of
the party symbol, providing an easy setbacks and is fighting to
identification of political parties, a coda for revive its fortunes; and the
their ideology, leadership, and community BJP, which is working to
base. For Jayashree Ballikar, coordinator for improve its tally in the
the Shiv Sena (UBT) in Kolhapur, the change State to contribute to its
in her party’s symbol has meant a nationwide goal of 400
door-to-door campaign to publicise the new seats — together, they sum
mashal (flaming torch) symbol given to her up the mood in Telangana
party after the Shiv Sena (now led by Chief ahead of polling for 17 Lok
Minister Eknath Shinde) was awarded the Sabha seats on May 13.
party’s original bow-and-arrow symbol. The ruling Congress in
“Nowadays, everyone has a smartphone; the State is striving to keep
so it’s not so difficult, and as part of our its momentum, banking on
regular door-to-door campaigns, we have the six guarantees from its
been emphasising that we have a new symbol Assembly poll manifesto,
now,” Ms. Ballikar told The Hindu. She added of which four have now
that her faction has also launched a big been fulfilled. It is also rop-
campaign on social media to publicise the ing in leaders of other par-
new symbol. The Shiv Sena (UBT) came up ties to improve its chances
with the ‘mashal geet’, or a flaming torch while taking the BRS and
song, for easy identification, but it is still the BJP head on. Chief Mi-
short notice for any party to change public nister A. Revanth Reddy is
perceptions before the polls. leading the Congress cam-
The new symbol of the NCP (Sharad Pawar paign, assisted by Deputy
faction) is the tutari, a man blowing the turha Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti
or traditional trumpet. The biggest face-off Vikramarka and his Cabi-
between the two NCPs is in Baramati, where net colleagues N. Uttam
sitting MP Supriya Sule, daughter of Mr. Kumar Reddy, D. Sridhar
Sharad Pawar, is defending her seat against Babu, Ponnam Prabaha-
Sunetra Pawar, the wife of her cousin Ajit kar, and Komatireddy Ven-
Pawar, who heads the other faction. kat Reddy. National leaders
Baramati being the home turf of the Pawar Rahul Gandhi and Priyan-
family, there is a high degree of awareness of ka Gandhi Vadra are also
the two symbols, with family members forced planning rallies.
to choose between the two camps. “Pawar
saab launched the tutari symbol from Raigad
Fort, the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj. His speech there was enough for
us,” says Dhananjay Patil, an NCP (Sharad
Pawar) worker currently in Mumbai, who is
Royal challenge for Mahua as Trinamool, BJP
working for the campaign of the Shiv Sena
(UBT) candidate from Mumbai North East.
Party symbols were considered important
clash in Krishnanagar, but CPI(M) can tilt scales
right from the beginning of electoral
democracy in India, as the country began its Sreeparna Chakrabarty
post-Independence elections with universal KRISHNANAGAR
adult franchise as well as a large number of
unlettered voters. The symbols have now One of the most keenly
acquired a totemic appeal. watched contests in West
Party workers in the Sena (UBT) and NCP Bengal in the Lok Sabha
(Sharad Pawar) are, however, confident that election is unfolding in
by the Assembly polls at least, their symbols Krishnanagar, which has
will be fully internalised by their supporters. come into the limelight for
being the constituency re-
presented by Mahua Moi-
tra till she was expelled
CARTOONSCAPE | SOUMYADIP SINHA
from Parliament.
The feisty Ms. Moitra
has been fielded again by
the Trinamool Congress.
She is pitted against the
BJP’s Amrita Roy, the
daughter-in-law of the erst-
while royal family of Krish-
nanagar, better known lo-
cally as “Rani Ma”.
The importance of the
contest for the BJP can be
gauged from the fact that
Ms. Roy and Sandeshkhali
BJP candidate Rekha Patra
were the two contestants
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi called up when their
nominations were an-
nounced.
At first glance, this looks
like a direct fight between
a former MP from a party
which rules the State and a
first-time contestant, who,
CM
YK
Former Chief Minister
and BRS supremo K. Chan-
drashekhar Rao has em-
barked on a bus yatra co-
vering all the 17
constituencies, though the
Election Commission
slapped a two-day suspen-
sion on his campaign for
the offensive language he
used against the rivals. BRS
working president K.T. Ra-
ma Rao and former Minis-
ter T. Harish Rao are the
other leaders campaigning
for their party’s
candidates.
Hoping to ride on the
image of Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and the slo-
gan Ab ki baar, 400 paar,
the BJP’s national leaders
are extensively touring Te-
langana’s rural areas to im-
prove the party’s pros-
pects. The Prime Minister
and Union Home Minister
Amit Shah have addressed
Rough and tumble: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
with Trinamool candidate, Mahua Moitra during a rally in Nadia. ANI
though a political novice,
boasts local connect and
formidable organisational
strength of the party in
power at the Centre.
What actually plays out
on the ground, however, is
a triangular contest in
which a third party —
seemingly a bit player —
has the capability to mash
up the scene in favour of
the BJP candidate. The
candidate is S.M. Sadi of
the Communist Party of In-
dia (Marxist) who has been
fielded by the CPI(M)-Con-
gress alliance.
When they fought sepa-
rately in 2019, the CPI(M)
more than half-a-dozen
meetings, their speeches
filled with polarising
rhetoric.
Changing fortunes
The State of Telangana was
officially formed in June
2014, days after the Lok
Sabha election. The BRS
(then TRS) was the clear
front-runner in that 2014
election, bagging 11 of the
State’s 17 seats, followed by
two for the Congress, and
one each for the Telugu
Desam Party, the BJP, the
All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul
Muslimeen (AIMIM), and
the YSR Congress Party.
Five years later, howev-
er, the BRS could not reach
the double digit mark, win-
ning only nine seats des-
pite having made a clean
sweep in the Assembly
elections held a few
months earlier in Decem-
with 1.2 lakh votes and the
Congress with 38,305
votes were a decisive fac-
tor, and Ms. Moitra won by
a margin of 63,218 votes.
The contest is not bet-
ween two parties or two
candidates. It is perhaps
between a party (BJP) and
a candidate (Ms. Moitra).
“We as a party have to
ensure that Mahua Moitra
is defeated specially after
the incident in Parlia-
ment,” says Sadhan Ghosh,
the vice-president of the
Nadia unit of the BJP.
The incident he is refer-
ring to is the expulsion of
Ms. Moitra in December
ber 2018. That 2019 elec-
tion also saw the BJP
emerging as a force to reck-
on with in Telangana, bag-
ging four seats — Adilabad,
Nizamabad, Karimnagar
and Secunderabad — and
providing a foothold for
the party to expand its
base in a State where it
hitherto had a marginal
presence. The Congress,
licking its wounds from the
drubbing it had received in
the Assembly election, had
managed to win three Lok
Sabha seats, while the AI-
MIM retained its strong-
hold in Hyderabad.
Turncoats in demand
This time around, a quick
scan of the candidate lists
of the three major parties
shows that several sitting
MPs and senior leaders
who have recently
switched sides are now
last year over cash-for-qu-
ery allegations. Her party
has officially stood by her
and termed her expulsion
a political witch-hunt.
The BJP, which has been
fighting tooth-and-nail in
Bengal to expand its footh-
old, is banking on the Left
alliance candidate to bail it
out in this round. They are
hoping Mr. Sadi takes away
a chunk of the Muslim
votes from the Trinamool.
“Usually, Muslims have
an affinity towards voting
for a candidate from their
own community,” says Tu-
lika Bhattacharya, head of
the women’s wing of the
BJP in Nadia district.
The claim has brought
some disquiet in the local
Trinamool ranks.
Though none wanted to
be quoted officially, a num-
ber of local Trinamool
workers The Hindu spoke
with were worried that if
Mr. Sadi did succeed in
splitting votes, then Ms.
Moitra could finish with a
razor-thin victory margin
or Ms. Roy could make it to
the finishing line.
The Krishnanagar seat
comprises seven Assembly
The Congress too is
fielding turncoats. In at
least four constituencies,
the Congress candidates
are defectors.
Over its four months in
office, the Congress-ruled
State government has tried
to roll out some of its poll
guarantees in phases, des-
pite financial constraints.
The party hopes that the
goodwill it had won in the
Assembly election will car-
ry over to the Lok Sabha
poll as well.
The BRS chief has tried
to drill some confidence in
his cadres by saying that
the party is passing
through a rough patch and
this is only temporary. The
party also has to deal with
key leaders deserting it for
greener pastures.
The arrest of K. Kavitha,
MLC and KCR’s daughter,
had cast a shadow on the
party, along with the ongo-
ing probe into allegations
that some police officers
and former BRS leaders
were involved in the phone
tapping case. It is also on
the back foot with regard
to the damaged piers of the
Medigadda barrage of the
Kaleshwaram Lift Irriga-
tion Scheme, touted as the
biggest such scheme in the
world.
segments out of which four
have a sizeable Muslim
population — Palashipara,
Nakashipara, Chapra and
Kaliganj.
Trinamool workers are
also worried that Ms. Moi-
tra’s style of campaigning
is too individualistic. “She
has her own team and in-
forms us whenever she
needs support.”
The focus of Ms. Moi-
tra’s campaign has been on
roadshows in gram pan-
chayat areas. West Bengal
Chief Minister Mamata Ba-
nerjee addressed a rally at
Tehatta in support of Ms.
Moitra on May 3.
In case of Ms. Roy, the
organisation was driving a
reluctant politician who in
her own words “did not
feel initially that politics
was her cup of tea”. But
“the way people in Bengal
are suffering due to cor-
ruption and ‘cut money’
everywhere made me take
up the challenge”, she told
The Hindu .
The CPI(M)-Congress al-
liance is not mincing words
while campaigning and is
targeting both the Trina-
mool and the BJP equally.
year’s erratic monsoon. It
is also lashing out at the
Congress for its failure to
implement a promised ₹2
lakh farm loan waiver in
the first 100 days of forma-
tion of the Congress
government.
The BJP has riled com-
munal sentiments, and
talks about cancelling the
State’s quota for Muslims.
The charge that the BJP
will change the Constitu-
tion has also caught it on
the wrong foot. Another
charge that the BJP is try-
ing to ward off is the accu-
sation that it will reduce re-
servations for Scheduled
Castes and Scheduled
Tribes.
As D-Day nears, the pre-
vailing situation shows a
straight fight between the
Congress and the BJP, with
the BRS also putting up a
spirited fight in some con-
stituencies. Unlike in the
previous Assembly elec-
tion, where Muslims voted
for the BRS and Congress
alike, this year, there
seems to be a clear consoli-
dation of the community in
favour of the Congress.
This could provide a big
boost for the party in over
six constituencies where
Muslims are present in
sizeable numbers.
No Muslim
candidate
from Cong.
in Gujarat
Press Trust of India
AHMEDABAD
Thirty-five Muslim candi-
dates are contesting the
Lok Sabha election in Guja-
rat, but the Congress has
this time broken its tradi-
tion and not fielded a sin-
gle person from the com-
munity in the State.
The Congress has ar-
gued that the Bharuch Lok
Sabha seat, from where it
used to field a Muslim can-
didate traditionally, has
this time gone to the Aam
Aadmi Party (AAP) as part
of the seat-sharing agree-
ment among the Opposi-
tion INDIA bloc
constituents.
Among the national par-
ties, only the Bahujan Sa-
maj Party (BSP) has fielded
a Muslim candidate from
Gandhinagar for the May 7
polls in the State.
This time, 35 Muslim
candidates are in the fray
for the polls to be held in
25 out of the 26 seats in
Gujarat, as against 43 in
2019, according to Election
Commission data.
A IN-X
 THE HINDU
6 Monday, May 6, 2024

News Chennai

INBRIEF
쑽 Unlike Opposition, we work Top BJP leaders head
to Naveen’s bastion as
for your children, says PM elections draw close
The SP, Congress either do good only for their family or for their vote bank, says Modi; he speaks
of his humble roots as a chaiwala, and describes the manifesto of the Congress and the SP as ‘lies’

The Hindu Bureau ligion,” Mr. Modi said.

LUCKNOW
In Odisha manifesto, BJP rime Minister Na-
pledges to fill two lakh posts
With the aim of seizing power by replacing the
P rendra Modi on
Sunday targeted
the Samajwadi Party (SP)
24-year reign of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress over dy-
government, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nasty politics, alleging that
unveiled a plethora of pledges including filling of the Opposition parties
2.15 lakh government sector positions and were contesting elections
payment of ₹3,100 per quintal of paddy. BJP to benefit their families
president J.P. Nadda on Thursday released the and their vote banks.
party’s manifesto targeting the State Assembly “SP and Congress peo-
election this year. “We will ensure recruitment to ple either do good only for
1.5 lakh vacant government posts in a fair and their family or for their
transparent manner,” the manifesto says. The vote bank,” Mr. Modi said,
party will power Odisha into a top-performing addressing an election ral-
economy and create over 3.5 lakh jobs by 2029, ly in Etawah supporting
the party says. Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) candidate Ram Shan-
kar Katheria.
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
Laying into: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Uttar Pradesh
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at an election rally in Ayodhya. PTI
because Modi uncovered
their appeasement vote
He questioned the stand
of the SP and the Congress
“In Karnataka, they [the
Congress] looted the big-
gest part of the 27% reser-
vation that OBCs had. If to-
morrow, this is repeated in
Uttar Pradesh, what will
happen to the reservation
and rights of Mauryas, Ya-
davs, Jatavs, Shakyas and
Kushwahas?” he said. The BJP’s Lok Sabha candidates Dharmendra Pradhan and
Mr. Modi targeted the Rudnarayan Mani during a roadshow in Dhenkanal, Odisha. ANI
Congress and other Oppo-
sition parties for declining Satyasundar Barik about the possible visit of
the invitation to attend the BHUBANESWAR Home Minister Amit Shah
Ayodhya Ram Mandir’s and Union Road Transport
consecration ceremony. The BJP has resorted to a and Highways Minister Ni-
“These parties [the Con- poll blitzkrieg in Odisha tin Gadkari next week.
gress and the SP] rejected with visits by its top leader- According to State BJP
the invitation for the con- ship prominently featuring sources, the back-to-back
secration ceremony. After Prime Minister Narendra visits by the top BJP leader-
500 years, the dream of a Modi at the forefront — a ship are intended to keep

e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
Speaking of himself and bank politics,” he said. on the matter of reserva- grand Ram Mandir is ful- strategy seemingly aimed people of Odisha hooked
PDP chief served notice for the Uttar Pradesh Chief Mi-
nister Yogi Adityanath, Mr.
Hinting at his humble
roots, Mr. Modi said that a
tion, alleging that the Op-
position parties wanted to
filled in Ayodhya. When
the people of India built
at reshaping the narrative
as the State gears up for the
to speeches of the leaders.
On April 28, Mr. Nadda and
‘using child’ to seek votes Modi touched upon their chaiwala created a legacy snatch the constitutionally such a grand temple, for- polls in just a week. Mr. Modi spoke on the is-
bachelor status to say that and broke the design guaranteed reservation for giving all their [the Con- The BJP’s top leader- sue of Odia Asmita (Odia
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti was served a they did not have children where only heirs of royal the Other Backward Class- gress’s] mistakes by invit- ship, including Mr. Modi, Pride) in a veiled attack on
show-cause notice on Sunday for allegedly using and worked for “your chil- families became Prime Mi- es (OBCs), the Scheduled ing them for the Defence Minister Rajnath V.K. Pandian, close aide of
a child to seek votes during campaigning for the dren”. nisters or Chief Ministers. Castes (SCs), and the Sche- consecration ceremony, Singh, External Affairs Mi- Odisha Chief Minister. The
Lok Sabha polls in Rajouri district. Rajouri, part Mr. Modi described the “The legacy created by Mo- duled Tribes (STs). these people insulted Lord nister S. Jaishankar, Rail- issue of Odia Asmita has
of the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency, will go manifesto and slogans of di is for everyone. I want “Our respected learned Ram by rejecting the invita- way Minister Ashwini been reiterated in election
to the polls on May 25. Ms. Mehbooba, a former both the Congress and the that in 2047, your son and people who drafted the tion,” Mr. Modi said. Vaishnaw and Union Edu- campaigning by all other
J&K Chief Minister, is among 20 candidates from SP as “lies”, and said their daughter can also become Constitution said there Later in the evening, the cation Minister Dharmen- leaders, which appears to
the constituency. Additional District Magistrate, “objective” was also not the PM or the CM. This would be no reservation Mr. Modi reached Ayod- dra Pradhan, will criss- be well-crafted election
Rajouri and nodal officer for Model Code of good. “These people [the chaiwala broke the evil tra- based on religion. But the hya, his first visit to the city cross the State for poll strategy.
Conduct, Rajeev Kumar Khajuria issued the SP and the Congress] are dition where only the heir Congress and the SP want after the consecration ce- campaign this week. “The BJP has somehow
show-cause notice to Ms. Mehbooba in trying their level best to apparent of royal families to snatch the reservation of remony. He held a road- Union Environment Mi- identified the desire of
connection with an election rally she conducted unleash lies about our Con- becomes the PM or the the Backward Classes, SCs, show and offered prayers nister Bhupendra Yadav change in Odisha after 24-
in Shahdara Sharief area on May 1. PTI stitution and democracy CM,” Mr. Modi said. STs and give it based on re- at the temple. has been assigned the task year-rule by a single party.
of the State BJP’s election As the saffron party is ex-
management, with him pected to get fewer seats in
based out of Bhubaneswar. north India compared
Cong. slams
BJP over LS
Lalu’s daughters sweat it out as poll heat rises Mr. Modi is arriving on a
two-day visit to the State
on Sunday. After making a
night halt at the Raj Bhavan
with2019 election, Odisha
could be the ideal State for
them to compensate some
seats,” said Rabi Dash, se-
ticket to Brij Amit Bhelari
PATLIPUTRA/SARAN
with a big smile as party
workers perched atop an
dijiye [Lalu’s daughter has
come, please come outside
here, he will fly down to
Berhampur and Nabarang-
nior journalist and political
commentator.
Bhushan’s son Misa Bharti and Rohini
earthmover showered her
with flowers. Many women
wish her victory].”
When an elderly woman
pur to address two public
meetings on May 6. He
“There has been fatigue
in the leadership of the Bi-
Acharya, daughters of greeted her with a tilak. opened the door, Ms. may return to the State for ju Janata Dal. People are
Press Trust of India Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) “Is baar apni beti ko jita- Acharya came out of her holding a roadshow in unable to find established
NEW DELHI chief Lalu Prasad, are bu- na hai Patliputra se [This SUV and touched her feet. Bhubaneswar on May 10, political faces beyond
sier than ever. Navigating time, make sure your Women in large numbers though the schedule has Chief Minister Naveen Pat-
The Congress on Sunday the maze that is Bihar polit- daughter wins from Patli- welcomed her and at many not been finalised. The naik. With the number of
alleged that Prime Minister ics, they are trying to find a putra],” she told the places offered her sattu Prime Minister is sche- meetings held by the Od-
Narendra Modi “failed” the way to reach the Lok crowd. Addressing party juice, a common refresh- duled to visit Odisha dur- isha Chief Minister during
country’s daughters by “re- Sabha. workers, Ms. Bharti ment in Bihar. During the ing all four phases of elec- election campaigning com-
warding” sexual harass- While Ms. Bharti, a Ra- slammed the incumbent interaction, the women tions to bolster the ing down drastically this
ment accused BJP MP Brij jya Sabha member, is the MP Mr. Yadav and said he discussed their problems prospects of party year, the BJP is out to
Bhushan Sharan Singh RJD candidate for the Patli- Misa Bharti, who is contesting the Patliputra seat, campaigns ahead has not done any work in with Ms. Acharya, she kept candidates. change narratives by field-
with a Lok Sabha poll tick- putra Lok Sabha seat from of the Lok Sabha election. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT the constituency. on listening to them care- ing its top leadership,” said
et for his son, and asked where she had lost to the Asked about her chanc- fully and promised to solve Intellectual meets Mr. Dash.
whether women will ever BJP’s Mr. Ram Kripal Yadav Both sisters begin their workers. At Ahiyarpur, she es, Naveen Kumar, a farm- it once she becomes the Mr. Jaishankar has been Mr. Pradhan, who in-
be safe in “Modi’s India”. in 2014 and 2019, the Sin- day by meeting people and boarded another car. As er said, “Abhi kya bole, re- MP of Saran. tasked with addressing in- itially concentrated in the
Congress general secre- gapore-based Ms. Acharya discussing the campaign the convoy trundled, sult dekhiyega [What to say The Saran seat which tellectual meets in Bhuba- Sambalpur Lok Sabha con-
tary Jairam Ramesh posed is debuting in politics trail that last almost 12 speakers blared Bhojpuri now, check the results].” Ms. Acharya is trying to neswar, Cuttack, and Sam- stituency, as he is contest-
questions to Mr. Modi against the BJP’s Rajiv Pra- hours every day amid the songs in Ms. Bharti’s sup- In Chapra, Ms. Acharya win was once a stronghold balpur. The Minister, who ing a direct election after a
ahead of his visit to Ayod- tap Rudy in Saran. scorching 40 degrees Celsi- port. In front of the caval- too greeted people with of Mr. Prasad. The RJD arrived in Bhubaneswar on gap of 15 years, is also mov-
hya. “Rather than punish- us heat. Once on the trail, cade, RJD supporters sat in folded hands and was sho- chief had won the seat in May 4, is highlighting im- ing out to other districts,
ing MP Brij Bhushan Sha- In scorching heat there are roadshows and an open jeep shouting slo- wered with flowers by par- 1977, 1989, 2004 and 2009. provement in India’s global addressing rallies and
ran Singh for his heinous Leaving 10 Circular Road, ‘jan samvad’ meets (inte- gans in her support. Amid ty workers who told peo- In 2014, his wife unsuc- image under Mr. Modi’s holding closed-door meet-
crimes, the BJP has re- the official residence of raction with people), with the din, one could hear ple how Ms. Acharya cessfully contested the rule. Similarly, Mr. Singh is ings with the local
warded him with ticket for former Chief Minister Ra- both sisters visiting 40 to “Misa Bharti zindabaad, donated her kidney to save election and in 2019, Chan- scheduled to address a ral- leadership.
his son Karan Bhushan bri Devi where Mr. Prasad 45 localities a day besides Ram Kripal murdabad”. her father. drika Rai, the father of Mr. ly in Rayagada on May 8. Leaders from States
Singh from Kaiserganj Lok resides, Ms. Bharti has holding small public As Ms. Bharti emerged The RJD’s district gener- Prasad’s daughter-in-law, Mr. Vaishnaw, who was such as Rajasthan, Chhat-
Sabha seat,” he said. made her father’s Gausha- meetings. through the car’s roof, a al secretary, Sagar Nausher was defeated by Mr. Rudy. former District Collector of tisgarh, and Tripura,
“This has come as a slap la, a farmhouse 4 km away, With her 10-SUV caval- party worker gave her a Vaan, knocked at the doors Saran will vote in the Balasore, has been asked where voting has been
in the face of all the women her base camp. Ms. cade, Ms. Bharti left Gaush- scarf with the RJD symbol of residents at Dahiyawa fifth phase on May 20 to help the party candidate completed in most of the
who put their careers at Acharya is working out of ala towards Bihta where that she wrapped around locality shouting, “Lalu ji while Patliputra will vote in Pratap Sarangi from there. seats, have been camping
stake in their fight for jus- the RJD office in Chapra to she was scheduled to hold her forehead. With folded ki beti aaye hai, bahar ni- the seventh phase to be The Odisha unit of the in Odisha to keep the BJP
tice,” he added. tour the constituency. a roadshow and meet hands she greeted voters kalkar jeet ka ashirvaad de held on June 1. BJP has been informed workers on their toes.

To solve this puzzle online,

14167
(set by Arden)
Across
1 Moaning? Simple to stop having orgasm (11)
7 Short man is bound to fail (3)
9 Animal lust transformed Aunt Sally (5)
10 Equipment with agent, crossing central park is a hassle (9)
11 Renew contact out at sea, with first boat in pursuit (5,4)
12 Father and son finally succumbed to her music (5)
CM
YK
SCAN TO PLAY
get across to our crossword site.
@ https://qrgo.page.link/jjpTn
13 Melanesians wrongly snap up and imprison American (7)
15 Fruit salad, let one enjoy for starters (4)
18 Instrument in the car, try operating every second one (4)
20 Aspire to live outside earth perhaps (7)
23 Throughway, inside view (5)
24 Love fancy iPhone? Laurie Banks loves his wine (9)
26 From space launchers, one removed teeth (9)
27 Narrow to get a person inside (5)
28 Fathead missing goal (3)
29 Laboured below, agrees it's hard work (5,6)
Down
1 Bananas not peach as a symbol of remembrance (8)
2 Wrong map, without a clue? Perhaps, it's my mistake (3,5)
3 Doctor heals, shows restraint (5)
4 There is a noticeable effect when you make them (7)
5 Admission as singers perform (7)
6 UK's ex-PM is gone, taking the boy by the way (9)
7 Brood about something unknown, whatsit? (6)
8 Governess is outstanding - bringing up the girl (6)
14 Cold stuff coming down or hot stuff coming up - bearing pain
all over (9)
16 Confusing the regular dimorphic with a country (8)
17 Practice working here on top and bottom (8)
19 Saw a dog in lead in a symbolic way (7)
20 Tool ring on 19 (7)
21 Reportedly, ace allowed to confer old religious texts (6)
22 In Kailash Ram had a retreat (6)
25 Diminish note in each coverage (5)
SUDOKU
쑽 쑽
Solution to previous puzzle
FAITH
Gita: code for man’s life
The term “Go” refers to cows and also the earth. Mother
Earth, taking the form of a cow, prayed to Lord Narayana
that she could not withstand the world’s burden.
Sri Ananthapadmanabhachariar Swamy said in a dis-
course that under the pretext of relieving the earth of its
burdens and making Himself available for ordinary people
to take refuge in Him, He incarnated on the planet as Sri
Krishna.
Arjuna, the great warrior with a stubborn mind, got
confused on the battlefield and asked Sri Krishna to clari-
fy. God blessed him with 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita
to remove his doubts and clear his mind.
The teachings in the Gita possess eternal value and are
universal in their applicability. Its message continues to be
fresh. The Gita is God’s recipe to remove grief, guidelines
for man’s good conduct, and Vedas, in essence, an eternal
beacon for mankind.
Solution to yesterday’s Sudoku
It stresses truth and righteousness, prescribes the char-
ter of duties, and emphasises that a man must not shirk
his duties. It is a practical code for man’s life and is coun-
selling to create mental strength.
Lord Krishna emphasises devotion to Him, avoiding un-
wholesome emotions, and being obsessed with anticipat-
ing one’s actions. In His directives, He refers to three fun-
damental evils that man should abhor: attachment, ego,
and desires.
The Bhagavad Gita explains how a devotee can please
God by carrying out the ordained duties and casting aside
all desires for the fruits of his actions.
A IN-X
 THE HINDU
Monday, May 6, 2024 7
SCIENCE
Chennai

Where does ‘us versus them’

bias in the brain come from?
Modern genetics has established that all humans are equal. But human history is replete with people from one cultural or social group treating those from others as
if they are less than human. The basis of this deep-seated tendency continues to be the focus of intense research efforts in psychology and neuroscience

Reeteka Sud
THE GIST
쑽
In a study, scientists found
ll animals are equal, but stark differences between

“A some are more equal than

others” — this line from
George Orwell’s 1945
classic Animal Farm perfectly describes
how bias operates in human societies.
participants’ explicit
statements and their implicit
beliefs. While everyone said
they believed in the equality of
all races, they also harboured
In a study published in May last year, implicit biases in favour of
socially advantaged groups.
psychologists explored how people
This bias was universal,
subconsciously evaluate different racial
irrespective of racial identity
groups. They screened responses from
more than 60,000 participants belonging 쑽
to four groups: ‘white’, ‘blacks’, Studies have found that the
‘Hispanics’, and ‘Asians’ (67% of them criteria our brains use to
lived in the U.S.). categorise others as ‘us’ or
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce

‘them’ shift constantly

e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
Using a psychological test called an
implicit association test (IAT), scientists 쑽
found stark differences between
Bias doesn’t exist at birth. It is
participants’ explicit statements and their
a learned response built on
implicit beliefs. While everyone said they cultural associations together
believed in the equality of all races, they with the brain’s biology.
also harboured implicit biases in favour of Factors that lead to hostility
socially advantaged groups. This bias was A better understanding of the human brain in the context of intergroup threats can also shed light on ways to improve reconciliation. ALAIN JOCARD/AFP include associating an
also universal, irrespective of the racial out-group with a threat.
identity of the participants. Uncertain circumstances can
The IAT is built on the premise that if they — as white people — differed from In one 2020 study, psychologists also heighten mistrust towards
two things — words, concepts, events, etc. black individuals. They asked the other imaged the brains of white, non-Muslim the outgroup
— have co-occurred in our experience half to describe how they differed from participants as they watched short videos
over and over again, we put those two old persons. In this way, the researchers Psychologists explored how people of Muslim males with stereotypical
things together very quickly. The test drew the participants’ attention to subconsciously evaluate different appearances threatening their in-group
includes a series of quick-fire rounds to specific aspects of their own social racial groups in a study involving more and found this activated the amygdala
sort words related to concepts (e.g. identity (“white” or “young”) and to more, as expected. This study was unique
than 60,000 participants
“thin”, “fat”, “white”, “black”, etc.) and perceived differences from the respective because it also included videos of
assessments (“good” or “bad”) into outgroups. reconciliatory statements — and watching
categories. A participant’s score is based Assessing the participant responses substantiated these findings. Depending them activated a very different neural
on the time taken to sort words when with IAT, the researchers found that on the context, this differential processing circuit, involving different parts of the
concepts and assessments are combined. directing participants’ attention to could be harmless, lead to subtle forms of cortex, which are higher brain regions
For example, if test subjects combine different facets of their in-group identity in-group favouritism or, in extreme cases, that control impulses and regulate
“white” with “good” faster than they do was sufficient to change their intergroup to intergroup violence. emotions. The amygdala being activated
“white” with “bad”, the test suggests they bias. That is, the participants’ preferences Bias doesn’t exist at birth. It is a by something perceived as a threat is an
have an implicit bias favouring white changed depending on whether their learned response built on cultural automatic part of information processing
people. brains used age or race to classify others. associations together with the brain’s in the brain. But cortical activation
biology. Yet preferential bias towards implies more of a cognitive effort.
The brain’s shifting criteria Bias is learned in-group members doesn’t mean an We need more research to better
That all humans are equal is a scientific Neuroimaging studies have corroborated individual will be hostile towards understand neural processing,
fact established by modern genetics. such findings from psychology research, out-group members. Factors that lead to particularly the extent to which these
However, the history of humankind is and have clarified that hostility include the notion of associating results are generalisable. A better
replete with people from one cultural or information-processing in the brain is an out-group with a threat. Uncertain understanding of the human brain in the
social group treating those from others as different depending on whether it circumstances — such as those we context of intergroup threats can also
if they are less than human — a pertains to “us” or to “them”. witnessed during the pandemic — can shed light on ways to improve
phenomenon called pseudo-speciation. Brain regions that activate in response also heighten mistrust towards the reconciliation.
The basis of this deep-seated tendency in to the direct experience of pain as well as outgroup. Whenever you hear social and/or
people continues to be the focus of empathy for the pain of others include cultural narratives presented as a “fact of
intense research efforts in psychology and parts of the anterior cingulate cortex and The biology behind ‘facts of life’ life” — that, say, “they are bad people” —
neuroscience. insula. The first report showing this Neuroimaging studies that have explored and find yourself getting sucked into it,
Many recent studies have found that selective processing was published more the basis of intergroup threats have remember that somewhere behind this
our brains process information about than a decade ago. Participants were highlighted the role of a specific brain statement is a misappropriated bit of
in-groups (i.e. “us”) and out-groups shown images of others in distress (e.g. region called the amygdala. An brain biology. Being aware of our own
(“them”) differently. In particular, a study people affected by natural disasters) and almond-shaped region situated deep in biology can make us more informed,
published on March 18, 2024, in Frontiers non-painful situations (e.g. people out on the brain, the amygdala is central to especially when faced with narratives that
in Psychology reported that, bizarrely, the a picnic). Images of their brains showed detecting threats and fear-based learning. arouse rather than inform.
criteria our brains use to categorise others lower activation in these brain regions Imaging studies have shown the amygdala (Dr. Reeteka Sud is a neuroscientist by
as “us” or “them” shift constantly. when those in distress belonged to racial activates to a greater degree when the training and a senior scientist at the Center
Researchers asked half of a group of groups different from the participants. source of threat is from an out-group for Brain and Mind, Department of
young, white participants to describe how Since then, several other studies have member. Psychiatry, NIMHANS, Bengaluru.)

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BIG SHOT WHAT IS IT?

Catatumbo lightning: a torrent of current

Arkatapa Basu

Catatumbo lightning is a
mesmerising natural phenomenon
that occurs over the Catatumbo
River in Venezuela, where lightning
strikes almost continuously. This
phenomenon primarily happens at
the mouth of the Catatumbo River,
where it meets Lake Maracaibo,
the largest lake in Venezuela.
A convergence of several factors
give rise to the unique conditions
required for Catatumbo lightning.
Warm, moist air from the
Caribbean Sea is pushed towards
the Andes mountains, where it
collides with cooler air descending
from the peaks. This collision
creates a perfect storm of sorts, as
the warmer air is forced to rise
rapidly by the shape of the local
landscape. And as it does, it cools
and condenses, forming towering A convergence of several factors give rise to the
cumulonimbus clouds. unique conditions required for Catatumbo lightning.
Meanwhile, the combination of GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO
strong winds and temperature
differentials generates electrical average of 28 lightning strikes per minute
charges within these clouds. The at its peak. Thanks to this constant flow of
cumulonimbus clouds — current, the area has earned the title of
sometimes reaching heights of “the lightning capital of the world”.
more than 5 km — load up on
static electricity. When the
electrical potential within the
clouds becomes too great, it
discharges in the form of lightning. For feedback and suggestions
Catatumbo lightning is for ‘Science’, please write to
X
distinguished by its frequency and science@thehindu.co.in
An aerial view of hippopotamuses stuck in a dry channel in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. A drought across southern Africa has been driven mostly by the El Nino weather duration: the strikes occur for up with the subject ‘Daily page’
pattern, not climate change, scientists have said. Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi have declared a national disaster over the severe dry spell that started in January and has to 160 nights in a year, with an
devastated the agricultural sector, decimating crops and pastures. AFP
CM A IN-X
YK

8 Monday, May 6, 2024
In the frontline
Rahul Gandhi should have decided to
contest from Rae Bareli much earlier
C
ongress leader Rahul Gandhi has entered
the electoral fray in the Hindi heartland
too, ending a prolonged suspense just in
time to file his nomination on May 3, in Rae Bare-
li, Uttar Pradesh. His grandfather, grandmother,
and mother were among those who represented
this constituency, located around 80 km south-
east of the State capital Lucknow. Mr. Gandhi had
lost the adjoining Amethi constituency in 2019,
even as he won Wayanad in Kerala. He is seeking
re-election in Wayanad, and had to decide wheth-
er to contest at all from the Hindi heartland and,
if so, whether it had to be Rae Bareli or Amethi.
He chose Rae Bareli, which was won by his moth-
er Sonia Gandhi in 2019, who is now a member of
the Rajya Sabha. A family loyalist has been field-
ed in Amethi. Mr. Gandhi has been vocal about
his liking for Wayanad, and waited for voting
there before the candidacy in Rae Bareli was an-
nounced. This reeks of a scheme, perhaps unin-
tended, but certainly avoidable. A forthright and
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
early decision would have been more appro-
priate for his stature, and respectful towards the
electorates. His sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra,
who has emerged as an impactful campaigner for
the Congress across the country, chose not to
contest, while her husband Robert Vadra’s em-
barrassing public demand for the party ticket has
been overlooked by the party, and rightly so.
Mr. Gandhi has declared that resisting the
BJP’s Hindutva politics and advancement of so-
cial justice are his life’s mission. That battle is be-
ing fought primarily in the Hindi belt and the
western region of the country. Electorally and
ideologically, the BJP derives its strength from
those regions. While the BJP is focused in its ef-
forts to expand in the south, the Congress is con-
fused in its strategy to regain its lost glory in the
Hindi States. By deciding to contest from Kerala
in 2019, Mr. Gandhi made a strategic mistake of
seeking refuge in a comfort zone. He had the op-
portunity to correct it by returning to the tough
battle in U.P. this time, but he kept vacillating.
Though it has been not done in the best manner,
his entry could enthuse the Opposition in U.P.
The Congress is in an alliance with the Samajwadi
Party (SP) in U.P., and the decision of SP chief Ak-
hilesh Yadav to contest the election from Kannauj
could also help the alliance. Considering the do-
minance of the BJP in the Hindi belt, the Congress
faces an uphill task. In the event of winning both
Wayanad and Rae Bareli, Mr. Gandhi must retain
the latter and make it clear that he is in the ideo-
logical war with the BJP for the longer term.
Yearning for change
The opposition in Kashmir and Ladakh
are united in their aims, not electorally
J
ammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, the Un-
ion Territories bifurcated from the legacy
border State of J&K, are among the few
States/UTs where polling is taking place across
many phases. The constituencies in Jammu have
already voted in the first and second phases
while elections have been postponed from the
third to the sixth phase in the Anantnag-Rajouri
constituency. While the turnout in Udhampur
(68.27%) and Jammu (72.22%) were encouraging
and more or less in line with the participation fi-
gures of 2019, it would be an achievement for In-
dian democracy if voters turned out in good
numbers in constituencies in the Kashmir Valley.
The turnout figures for Srinagar (14.43%), Anant-
nag (8.49%) and Baramulla (34.6%) were among
the lowest in the country. This was largely due to
a sense of disillusionment among the electorate
over the dissolution of the erstwhile State’s As-
sembly. Since 2019, the Valley has been subject to
persistent central rule that has led to phases of
severe repression followed by attempts to rejig its
polity and electoral map. The abrogation of spe-
cial status for the erstwhile State and the conti-
nuance of J&K as a UT have not helped reverse
the alienation. But the polls could provide a plat-
form for the disenchanted electorate to air their
grievances in the form of a decisive mandate.
The enduring distrust between the Kashmiri
polity and New Delhi also explains why the tradi-
tional parties in the former have sought to op-
pose the postponement of the polls in the Anant-
nag-Rajouri seat, ostensibly due to weather
conditions. But the mainstream Kashmiri polity
including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
and the Jammu and Kashmir National Confe-
rence (NC) that came together with others to
form the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declara-
tion could not unite and contest as one in the Lok
Sabha elections. The NC and PDP have revived
their political hostilities in the Valley; the former
is in alliance with the Congress as part of the IN-
DIA bloc. As for the Bharatiya Janata Party, its tri-
umphal talk of “unifying” the country by abrogat-
ing J&K’s special status sounds hollow: it has
limited its contest to the Hindu-majority Jammu
and Buddhist-majority Ladakh. In Ladakh, the
campaign led by activist Sonam Wangchuk has
brought the question of Statehood and environ-
mental concerns to the fore. But that has not
been enough to rev up the Opposition. The Con-
gress and NC could not come up with a consen-
sus candidate for the Ladakh constituency that
includes the Leh and Kargil areas, leading to the
Congress fielding a candidate from Leh, while the
Kargil units of both parties are supporting an in-
dependent from that area.
CM
YK
Editorial
The PM’s speeches fall foul of the Model Code of Conduct
T
he nation is in the grip of the Lok
Sabha elections. Political manifestos
are in the news, not for their good
content, but for what they don’t
contain. The Prime Minister’s recent statement
that the Congress wants to take away properties,
including gold and mangalsutra, from the people
and distribute it among members of the minority
community reflects the quality of the narrative in
the ongoing election. The Prime Minister, who is
the leader of the world’s largest democracy, and
his advisors are expected to know the facts.
The contents of the two manifestos
The Congress in its manifesto titled ‘Nyay Patra’
has listed out the various issues facing the
country and has declared its aims and objectives
in dealing with them if voted to power. The
manifesto covers diverse topics such as equity;
religious and linguistic minorities; senior citizens,
persons with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+; health;
youth; education; sports, women’s
empowerment; farmers, workers; art, culture,
and heritage; economy; taxation and tax reforms;
and defending the Constitution.
Under the head ‘wealth’, the manifesto says,
“Wealth and wealth creation are the goals of any
business… The Congress is committed to rapid
growth and generation of wealth. We have set a
target of doubling the GDP in the next 10 years.”
Under ‘welfare’ it says, “Welfare of all is the goal
of all work and the creation of wealth. Under a
Congress government, the welfare of the poor
will be the first charge on all government
resources… The Nav Sankalp Economic Policy
will aim to build a fair, just and equal-opportunity
economy and bring prosperity to all sections of
the people.” Under ‘equity’, it says, “The people
belonging to the SC, ST and OBC communities
have not yet been able to catch up with the rest
and are still left behind. While OBC, SC and ST
constitute nearly 70 per cent of India’s
population, their representation in high-ranking
professions, services and businesses is
disproportionately low... Congress will conduct a
nation-wide Socio-Economic and Caste Census to
enumerate the castes and sub-castes and their
socio-economic conditions. Based on the data,
we will strengthen the agenda for affirmative
action.” Nowhere does it suggest that wealth will
be taken from the people and redistributed to
others. The Congress is not Robin Hood.
This manifesto echoes the Preamble of the
Constitution which resolves “to constitute India
into sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic
republic and to secure to all its citizens: justice,
social, economic and political; liberty of thought,
expression, belief, faith and worship; and
equality of status and of opportunity. The
Supreme Court has declared that the Preamble is
the basic structure of the Constitution.
Article 39 of the Constitution, a Directive
It is time to operationalise the Indian Defence University
T
he Greek thinker Thucydides is said to
have remarked that a nation which makes
a distinction between its scholars and its
warriors will have its thinking done by cowards
and its fighting done by fools. It is no surprise
that several nations have established ‘defence
universities’ to promote academic rigour and
enhance strategic thinking in their armed forces.
In India’s own neighbourhood, it is reported that
Pakistan has created two universities for its
armed forces, while China has three, although a
report of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute
lists more than 60 Chinese universities with
military and security links. In this context, the
absence of the long overdue Indian Defence
University (IDU) is concerning.
Professional Military Education
While the nature of war remains constant, its
changing character imposes a premium on
military education and the academic preparation
required to cope with current and future security
challenges. The dynamic and chaotic character of
warfare currently on display in Europe and West
Asia means that military officers are expected to
produce results in the face of nebulous initial
information and rapidly changing circumstances.
To meet complex challenges, officers are
empowered through a well-constructed
Professional Military Education (PME) continuum
that augments their abilities to correspond with
changing assignments and increasing
responsibilities over long career spans.
The evolution of PME in the U.S. is of interest
to us, since it has parallels with Indian
theaterisation aims. While the Goldwater-Nichols
Defense Reorganization Act, 1986 brought
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A silent ECI jizya tax” are some of the
It is a matter of deep examples. Why is the EC not
concern that the communal intervening in these
vitriol in the election matters? The people are
campaign has reached an turning increasingly
all-time thanks to the sceptical about the ability of
Election Commission’s the EC to ensure a free and
silence (“Modi brings up fair election.
Godhra train burning at poll J. Anantha Padmanabhan
rally in Bihar,” May 6). The Tiruchi
Prime Minister's recent
remarks and Uttar Pradesh Knowing is important
Chief Minister Yogi The Supreme Court has said
Adityanath’s reckless candidates are not barred
statement alleging that from contesting in more
Congress will impose a tax than one constituency in
similar to “Aurangazeb's one poll simultaneously,
THE HINDU
Chennai
Principle of State Policy, inter alia provides that, construed as ‘corrupt practice’ under Section 123
“the State shall, in particular, direct its policy of the RP (Representation of the People) Act, the
towards securing that the citizens, men and
women equally, have the right to an adequate
reality cannot be ruled out that distribution of
freebies of any kind, undoubtedly, influences all
means of livelihood; that the ownership and people. It states the root of free and fair elections
control of the material resources of the to a large degree”.
community are so distributed as best to subserve The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) issued by
Dushyant Dave the common good; and that the operation of the the ECI on March 16, 2024, expressly provides
is Senior Advocate
economic system does not result in the under the heading ‘General Conduct’ that “no
concentration of wealth and means of production party or candidate shall include in any activity
and former president
of the Supreme Court to the common detriment.” Article 38 empowers which may aggravate existing differences or
Bar Association the State “to secure a social order for the create mutual hatred or cause tension between
promotion of welfare of the people, and to “strive different castes and communities, religious or
to minimise the inequalities in income, and linguistic”. It also says “criticism of other political
endeavour to eliminate inequalities in status, parties, when made, shall be confined to their
facilities and opportunities”. Article 46 provides policies and programme, past record and work.
for the promotion of educational and economic Parties and candidates shall refrain from criticism
interests of the weaker section of the people and, of all aspects of private life, not connected with
in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the the public activities of the leaders or workers of
Scheduled Tribes. other parties. Criticism of other parties or their
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is aggressively workers based on unverified allegations or
pushing the agenda for a uniform civil code, distortion shall be avoided. And “there shall be
which is also a Directive Principle, under Article no appeal to caste or communal feelings for
44. If this be so, the Prime Minister and the BJP securing votes.” It prohibits activities which are
should not have any reservations, much less “corrupt practices and offences under the
objection, to the Congress manifesto. It is election law”.
unfortunate that a serious document has been In a series of judgments in 1996, the Supreme
turned upside down to misguide the nation. Court declared speeches of religious nature to
The BJP’s manifesto, ‘Sankalp Patra’, begins influence voters as corrupt practices, such as
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
with ‘10 years of good governance and Vikas’. statements by Bal Thackeray that “we are fighting
Under the title Garib Parivar Jan, it declares that this election for the protection of Hinduism.
“80+ crore citizens are receiving free rations since Therefore, we do not care for the votes of the
2020 through PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana”. It Muslims. This country belongs to Hindus and will
also says the party “empowered citizens by remain so”. The Supreme Court in 2017
transferring ₹34 lakh crore directly to their interpreted Section 123 of the Representation of
accounts”, “34+ crore citizens are receiving free People Act, 1951. Dr Justice Thakur, speaking for
health insurance of ₹5 lakh under Ayushman the Court, held, “An appeal in the name of
Bharat”, and “4+ crore families now have pucca religion, race, caste, community or language is
houses under the PM Awas Yojana and other impermissible under the Representation of the
initiatives”. These declarations coupled with People Act, 1951 and would constitute a corrupt
guarantees on other issues, including to continue practice sufficient to annul the election in which
to provide free rations for the next five years, such an appeal was made...” So interpreted,
reflect the BJP’s commitment to the goals set out religion, race, caste, community or language
in the Preamble. Therefore, the Prime Minister would not be allowed to play any role in the
and the BJP should be the last to accuse the electoral process and should an appeal be made
Congress on its commitments in its manifestos. on any of those considerations, the same would
constitute a corrupt practice.
No law to govern manifesto The Prime Minister’s tirade against the
In S. Subramaniam Balaji v. Government of Tamil Opposition and minority community only show
Nadu & Ors. (2013), the Supreme Court had that he has no positive issues to persuade them to
bemoaned the absence of a law to govern the vote for him. His statements clearly fall foul of the
contents of the election manifesto and directed MCC and also amount to corrupt practice as
the Election Commission of India (ECI) to frame declared by the Supreme Court. The Prime
guidelines in consultation with all recognised Minister must scrupulously adhere to the MCC in
If the Prime political parties. The ECI held a meeting on letter and spirit. If he ceases to be the role model,
August 12, 2013, with various political parties on nothing will be left of our great democracy.
Minister ceases
the formulation of guidelines on election Yet, the malaise continues because of the weak
to be the role
manifestos. It then issued ‘Instructions to rule of law. The holding of free and fair elections
model, nothing political parties on manifestos’ on April 24, 2015, is the constitutional mandate of the ECI. It has
will be left of outlining ‘Guidelines on election manifestos’, miserably failed in its duty, only to prove that
our great which says: “Although, the law is obvious that the composition of the ECI as approved by the
democracy promises in the election manifesto cannot be Supreme Court is defective.
wide-ranging structural reforms, the U.S. approach to strategic thinking. Although the
military’s professionalism is perhaps owed in armed forces have affiliations with universities for
large measure to ‘Ike’ Skelton, whose report to degree courses, this is not the optimal solution.
the U.S. Congress significantly reformed military The IDU would remedy such shortcomings in
education in the U.S. armed forces. This report India’s PME system by providing a central
advised the Department of Defense to focus institution of higher military learning through a
Admiral educational institutions on specified learning well-qualified faculty with a mix of academicians
Karambir Singh, objectives, enhance the quality of both civilian along with serving and retired officers from the
and military faculty, establish a two-phased military and civil services. In effect, this would
PVSM, AVSM, IN
(Retd), was 24th Chief system for the education of joint officers, and unite theory with practice.
of the Naval Staff and form an Institute for National Strategic Studies at The university’s curriculum would vary among
is former chairman of National Defense University, among other things. the various colleges and other institutions that
the National Maritime would be governed by it. However, it would need
Foundation, New Slow progress to offer a variety of additional subjects relevant to
Delhi. Views are The Indian armed forces, like others, need a national security and defence – both in sciences
personal broad-based education system, founded upon and humanities.
academic rigour. This realisation came soon after
independence when, in 1967, the Chiefs of Staff An idea whose time has come
Committee mooted the setting up of a Defence The realisation of the IDU is long overdue. Some
Services University. In 1982, a Study Group experts have suggested that after the
constituted by the COSC emphasised the need to establishment of the Rashtriya Raksha University
While the nature set up an apex educational body for the armed (RRU) in Gujarat, there may not be a need for
forces in the form of an IDU. IDU. This argument is flawed, because comparing
of war remains
Two decades later, in the wake of the Kargil the IDU and RRU is like comparing apples and
constant, its
conflict, a committee was established under the oranges. Neither does the RRU Act specify
changing chairmanship of Dr K. Subrahmanyam to education related to ‘defence’ in its objectives,
character examine this issue. Based on its nor is its curriculum focused solely on military
imposes a recommendations, in May 2010, ‘in principle’ requirements for management of war and
premium on approval was accorded for setting up of the IDU execution of plans.
military in Gurgaon. Despite some optimistic reportage in The IDU as an idea has come and delays
2017-18, the progress on setting up of the IDU has attached in its commissioning come at the cost of
education and
been rather slow. defence preparedness, strategic culture, and
the academic
The several world-class training and education inter-service integration. The need of the hour is
preparation institutions run by India’s armed forces constitute to operationalise the IDU at the earliest, so that
required to cope a rich and vast ecosystem of professional training. the first building-blocks of joint warfighting can
with security However, they lack an overarching integrated be put in place through a well-calibrated and
challenges PME framework and a multi-disciplinary futuristic military education curriculum.
and has chosen to leave the later. The Wayanad been cautious while long way to go in ensuring
matter to Parliament. There electorate did not know nominating candidates. It is women's safety.
have been many instances about Rahul Gandhi’s also shocking that the party Kshirasagara Balaji Rao
of leaders contesting from decision when they voted, allied with the JDS despite Hyderabad
more than one seat. which was material to their knowing about Prajwal
However, the question own decision-making. Revanna’s exploits, despite
arises if it is incumbent on Gopalaswamy J. receiving warnings about
the candidate to declare to Chennai the sex abuse videos.
their electorates of their N. Mahadevan
intention to contest from Women’s safety Chennai
To read more letters
more than one constituency Hats off to the RLD national online, scan the
before the polls. Voters may spokesperson (“RLD The Prime Minister has not QR code.
may not like to vote for a spokesperson quits party said a word about Prajwal Letters emailed to
candidate who is contesting over BJP's ticket to Brij Revanna. Earlier, he did not letters@thehindu.co.in
from more than one seat as Bhushan’s son,” May 5). BJP say anything about the must carry the full postal
that candidate may even leaders who preach about Manipuri women who were address and the full name or
choose to give up that seat women’s safety should have paraded naked. India has a the name with initials.
A IN-X
 THE HINDU
Monday, May 6, 2024 9
Chennai
Opinion

Make the poor richer without making the rich poorer The battle for water in Bengaluru

S
ince the Congress party
released its election
manifesto on April 5, the
word ‘redistribution’ has
dominated the election discourse.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
alleges that the Congress’
manifesto promises to
‘redistribute’ wealth by taking
philosophical difference across the
ideological spectrum to solving
inequality.
‘Fix the system’
The idea of a wealth tax to extract
Praveen from the super rich and give to the
Chakravarty poor stems from a ‘zero sum’
is Chairman of All thought to reduce economic
capital over labour for efficiency.
So, the key to reducing economic
disparity is to rebalance the
capital-labour skew through
labour market focused policy
incentives. This is the rationale
behind some of the Congress
manifesto promises such as the
right to apprenticeship for youth,
Bengaluru’s crisis could be a preview of what other cities may face in the future
fill up lakes in Chikkaballapur,
STATE OF PLAY Kolar, etc. Encouraging the
use of tertiary treated water
Sailee Rane will be a good first step for ci-
Alankrita Khera ties to mandate. At a larger le-
vel, leveraging innovative was-

away people’s gold, mangalsutras,
imposing new taxes and giving it
to poor minorities. Except, there
is no mention of ‘redistribution’,
‘mangalsutras’ or, ‘wealth tax’ in
the 48 pages of the manifesto. The
election in the world’s largest
democracy is now a contest over
missing words.
Nevertheless, this has triggered
a furious public debate over
India’s inequality and the idea of
redistribution to bridge the gap
between the haves and the
have-nots. It is simply
incontestable that the economic
disparity between the rich and the
poor has widened alarmingly over
the last two decades, not just in
India but across the world. It is
puerile to politicise this serious
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
India Professionals’ disparity. It is entirely legitimate to
Congress & a key question if the rich acquired their
member of the wealth through fair means and
Congress manifesto perhaps most don’t in countries
committee like India. But taxing their wealth
because it is ill-gotten conflates the
process with the outcome. If the
system is corrupt to let a few
acquire wealth illegitimately, then
fix the system, not tax it in the
garb of bridging inequality.
An inheritance tax may sound
even more morally correct in that
it is unfair that a child born into a
rich family can be wealthy on day
one, while another born into a
poor family starts with a huge
disadvantage. But the ultimate
goal is to bridge economic
inequality, not resolve an ethical
quandary. Such vindictive ‘tax the
employment linked incentive
schemes for corporates and
promote unskilled labour
intensive economic activities.
The other driver of India’s
inequality is the imbalance in
taxation where the common
person pays more than the
corporates in the share of taxes.
Out of every 100 rupees that India
collects in taxes, 64 rupees come
from the poor and middle class
through indirect (GST) and income
taxes, while only 36 rupees come
from rich corporates. Essentially,
the poor and common person
suffers a double whammy where
they are not only excluded from
the gains of economic growth but
are also taxed more vis-à-vis
corporates. This is why the
I
n recent months, Benga-
luru’s acute water shor-
tage has dominated hea-
dlines, sparking conversations
in households and newsrooms
alike. The city’s residents have
been grappling with disrupted
water supplies, exorbitant
tanker prices — experiencing
an 80% inflation in pricing —
and stringent usage restric-
tions. This crisis, however, is
not solely a consequence of
mismanagement but rather a
complex interplay of geo-
graphical challenges and un-
planned urbanisation.
Situated 900 metres above
sea level without any natural
freshwater sources, Bengaluru
has historically relied on lakes
solutions, and long-term stra-
tegies. Immediate measures
must focus on demand man-
agement, led by local munici-
pal bodies. Municipalities
could run campaigns that in-
centivise citizen action for de-
mand management and foster
a culture of water conserva-
tion. Such campaigns can be
supported by technology such
as smart water meters, engi-
neering solutions on pressure
management as well as plug
and play aids like water aera-
tewater treatment solutions
like Indra Water, an electrical-
ly-driven modular system
that’s designed to treat waste-
water in a decentralised man-
ner at the point of source, can
expand the purposes for
which the treated water can
be used. Better pipeline man-
agement and regular mainte-
nance are also crucial. There
is a huge play for technology
here as well; the example that
comes to mind is Solinas Inte-
grity, that is building robotic
solutions to address issues
within water and sewer
pipelines.
From a long term point of
view, cities must reduce their
reliance on distant water

issue by quibbling over which
political party’s tenure has
exacerbated economic inequality.
The fact is that the world is
becoming more and more unequal
and it is not in the larger interest
of any society to let this fester. The
real argument is over how one
should bridge this gap and aspire
for a more equal and just society.
The gap between the rich and
the poor can be bridged by either
making the rich poorer or the
poor richer or both. Does one
believe that the size of the overall
economic pie is either fixed or will
not grow fast enough for the rich
to keep their share and the poor to
get a greater share? If the answer
is yes, then the thinking to achieve
a more equal society is shaped by
what sociologists call a ‘Pareto
Optimum’, under which it is
impossible to make one person
better off without making another
worse off. Developed nations, that
can only grow slowly, are forced to
adopt a ‘Pareto’ path to reducing
inequality. But developing nations
that can grow much faster need
not. This is the fundamental
rich’ measures neither provide
enough resources to make a
significant impact nor foster a
healthy climate to reduce the
rich-poor disparity.
In the current stage of India’s
development cycle, economic
growth is necessary for increasing
the size of the overall economic
pie. Economic growth needs
investment. A confrontational
‘make the rich poorer’ policy
attitude can hinder investments
and trigger flight of capital.
India’s inequality is a result of
A pragmatic lopsided economic growth and
approach to taxation. It is well established that
India is experiencing jobless
reducing the
growth where headline GDP
rich-poor gap is growth does not translate into
by maximising jobs, incomes and prosperity for a
economic large majority.
growth, As I showed in my July 2022
minimising article ‘Whose GDP is it anyway’ in
unemployment, The Hindu, every percentage of
GDP growth today generates less
lowering the tax
than one-fourth the number of
burden and formal jobs than it did in the
providing a 1980s. This is mainly due to
safety net for contemporary economic
the poor development models that prize
manifesto promises an overhaul of
India’s taxation structure through
a simpler, lower GST indirect tax
rate and a new direct tax code.
It is important to ensure a social
security net through welfare
programs for the poor until they
can reap gains of economic
growth. Such programs can be
funded through a combination of
faster growth, higher tax
buoyancy and efficient welfare
delivery without having to resort
to penalising the rich.
A pragmatic approach to
reducing the rich-poor gap is by
maximising economic growth,
minimising unemployment,
lowering the tax burden for the
common person and providing a
safety net for the poor. This
involves a delicate balancing act of
labour market incentives, welfare
safety nets and attracting
investments. But punitive and
spiteful taxation of the rich to pay
the poor is not workable, wise or
welcome. India can reduce
inequality by making the poor
richer without having to make the
rich poorer.
and tanks to meet its water
needs. Regrettably, only a
fraction of the water bodies re-
main today. Groundwater, a
vital supplement, is rapidly
depleting due to over-extrac-
tion and inadequate replen-
ishment. Water from the Cauv-
ery only fulfils ~50%
Bengaluru’s water require-
ments. The remaining 50%
currently comes from ground-
water which is depleting very
quickly. Of the 11,000 bore-
wells in the city, 800 have
been completely out of service
and even in the ones that con-
tinue to be functional, water
levels are receding. Erratic
rainfall patterns exacerbated
by climate change have furth-
er strained the city’s water re-
sources. The Bengaluru crisis
serves as a harbinger of what
many Indian cities may face in
the coming years. To avert a
nationwide water catastrophe
projected by 2030, we must
adopt a multifaceted ap-
proach encompassing imme-
diate actions, medium-term
tors to empower citizens to re-
duce consumption effectively
and curtail wastage at the hou-
sehold level.
Simultaneously, medium-
term structural solutions like
rainwater harvesting and was-
tewater treatment must be im-
plemented on a broader scale.
With proper collection and
management led by program-
matic solutions like percola-
tion pits and tech-led innova-
tions on rainwater harvesting
and storm drain management,
rainwater can substantially al-
leviate water stress.
Similarly, enhancing waste-
water treatment facilities and
promoting the reuse of treated
water can mitigate demand
for freshwater sources. For ex-
ample, around 77% of Benga-
luru’s wastewater is currently
treated through a combina-
tion of municipal corporation
operated central treatment
plants and distributed treat-
ment plants, but most of this
water is not reused — it’s either
let go of as run off or used to
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
sources. The Cauvery water,
for instance, comes from a re-
servoir that is 90 km away and
at a height of 300 metres low-
er than Bengaluru and the city
spends ₹3 crores on just elec-
tricity per day to pump the
water up. Sustainable urban
planning and measures on
lake conservation and bore-
well management coupled
with initiatives to replenish
groundwater and preserve
lakes, is imperative for
resilience.
Bengaluru’s plight must
serve as a wake-up call for all
Indian cities as several cities
are vulnerable to similar water
crises. Collaborative efforts in-
volving city administrations,
startups, research institu-
tions, and civic groups are es-
sential to address this looming
threat.
Sailee Rane is Fellow, ACT For
Environment
Alankrita Khera is Director, ACT For
Environment

PMJAY did not reduce patients’ health expenses: Chhattisgarh study F R O M T HE A RC HI V ES

Data points to ‘double-billing’, where hospitals claim money from insurance as well as from patients
FIFTY YEARS AGO MAY 6, 1974

DATA POINT
2014 and 2019. However, the in- All-India character for
crease was similar among those
who were enrolled in PFHI regional colleges urged
The Hindu Data Team schemes (an increase from 3.3% to
6%) and those who were not en- New Delhi, May 5: The high powered committee

A
n analysis of the effective-
ness of the Ayushman Bha-
rat Pradhan Mantri Jan Ar-
ogya Yojana (PMJAY) in
Chhattisgarh shows that the
scheme has not increased utilisa-
tion of hospital care. Also, the
scheme did not reduce the out-of-
pocket expenditure (OOPE) for
hospitalised patients. Moreover,
the data also pointed to the possi-
bility of “double-billing”, where
the hospitals will claim money
from the insurance provider but
charge the patients illegally for the
same service.
The conclusions are based on a
study by the State Health Resource
Centre in Chhattisgarh.
Table 1A shows the share of pe-
ople in Chhattisgarh who were en-
rolled under different Public
Funded Health Insurance (PFHI)
schemes in 2004, 2014 and 2019.
In 2004, there were no PFHI
schemes. In 2014, around 40%
were enrolled in a PFHI scheme
and the share increased to 68% in
2019. The report studied enrol-
ments in three PHFI schemes in-
troduced in the State across va-
rious years — Rashtriya Swasthya
Bima Yojana (RSBY), PMJAY, Muk-
hyaMantri Swasthya Bima Yojana
(MSBY). The RSBY scheme intro-
duced in 2008 was later subsumed
by PMJAY. The PMJAY scheme,
launched in 2018, is active and
supported by the Union govern-
ment and is targeted at poor hou-
seholds. The MSBY is fully funded
by the State government and takes
care of the non-poor households.
As shown in Table 1A, by 2019,
PMJAY provided cover for about
46% individuals in the State while
the MSBY covered less than half of
that roughly. Also, the annual insu-
rance cover provided by PMJAY is
far higher than MSBY.
Table 1B shows that the share
of the population who accessed
hospitals has increased between
CM
YK
rolled in one (2.9% to 5.7%). This set up by the Union Education Ministry on the
shows that the PHFI schemes, in Regional Engineering Colleges has suggested
particular the PMJAY have not led that these institutions be renamed Central
to an increase in access. Engineering Colleges.
Table 1C shows the share of Admissions to all the Central Engineering
hospitalisations which happened Colleges through an entrance examination for
in a private hospital. Notably, the State quota as well as the quota for other
among those enrolled in PFHI States is one of the far reaching suggestions in
schemes, the share of hospitalisa- the report just submitted to the Government.
tions in private hospitals increased Some other important recommendations are:
from around 33% to 45% between Selection committees for all categories of
2014 and 2019. Among those who posts should be constituted properly and
were not enrolled, this share re- healthy conventions established in appointing
duced from about 54% to 29%. experts. Posts should be advertised on an
Table 2A shows the mean all-India basis. Travel expenses for persons
OOPE in rupees for hospitalisa- called for interview should be paid as in the case
tions among those enrolled under of institutes of technology.
various schemes across 2004, To achieve national integration and improve
2014 and 2019. Table 2B provides the quality of admissions the committee
the median OOPE. Only OOPE for suggested the provision of full rail concessional
medical reasons were considered provision fares by second class once a year to
and spending on transport and students from other States whose homes are
stay were ignored. As the expendi- more than 500 km from the colleges. The
ture in private hospitals was many existing scholarships available in each college
times over the expenses in public should be divided equally between the students
facilities, the comparisons are fo- from within the State and those from outside.
cussed on private entities. There Colleges should provide opportunities for
was no significant difference bet- students from other States to imbibe something
ween the mean OOPE among of the language and culture of the State.
those who were enrolled in PMJAY The organisations and programmes of the
and those who were not enrolled. Central Colleges should be linked up with other
Both the set of patients spent engineering colleges in the State, the Central
around ₹20,000 per hospitalisa- Colleges with overall powers for both academic
tion episode in private hospitals. and administrative purposes.
Even if the median OOPE is consi-
dered, the difference was not con-
siderable with those who were en-
rolled spending around ₹7,300 A HUNDRED YEARS AGO MAY 6, 1924
and those who didn’t spend ₹8,750
per hospitalisation episode. Miners’ wage dispute.
Table 2C shows the share of
hospitalisations which resulted in London, May 5: Mr. Cook, Secretary of the
catastrophic health expenditure Miners’ Federation, speaking at Pontypool
(CHE25) in which the OOPE in- referred to the court of enquiry into the Miners’
curred was about 25% of the pa- wages which has just concluded and said that
tients’ annual expenditure. The unless the court made some tangible
share of such patients remained si- recommendations the enquiry would have been
milar among those who were en- a waste of time. He had arranged to meet the
rolled in PMJAY and those who did coal owners on May 14th. If men’s proposals
not. Tables 2A, B, and C hint at were not satisfactory there would be only two
the possibility of double-billing as alternatives, a strike or an appeal to the
OOPE increases despite rising in- government which had the power to grant the
surance coverage. just demands.
A IN-X

10
Text&Context
NEWS IN NUMBERS
The decline in the Number of companies
market valuation of six incorporated in India
of the top 10 firms in 2023-24
68,417
in ₹ crore.
While
Reliance
Industries and Bharti Airtel took the
biggest hit, Tata Consultancy Services
(TCS), HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and SBI
emerged as the gainers. PTI
An overview of Sudan’s civil war
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
A closer look at the history of Sudan reveals that the country suffers from a long-standing identity crisis that has fuelled numerous rebellions. The inability of
successive governments to articulate a shared vision has resulted in the unfair distribution of wealth and resources
WORLD INSIGHT
Hamdy A. Hassan
T
he current civil war in Sudan
goes beyond a simple power
struggle between two generals.
It reflects a deep-rooted crisis
within the country’s governing structure
that’s been present since it gained
independence from the British in 1956.
Since independence, the Sudanese
have experienced 35 coups and attempted
coups, more than any other African
country. In the country’s southern region
a 56-year rebellion eventually led to the
creation of South Sudan in 2011. A
Darfurian uprising in 2003 was sparked
by accusations that the central
government was discriminating against
the region’s non-Arab population. It led to
ethnic killings and continues to simmer.
Delving into the history of Sudan,
which I have done for more than three
decades, reveals that the country suffers
from a long-standing identity crisis that
has fuelled the numerous rebellions. The
inability, or perhaps unwillingness, of
successive governments to manage the
country’s diversity and articulate a shared
vision has resulted in unfair distribution
of wealth and resources.
Sudan has a population of 49 million. It
comprises 19 major ethnic groups and
about 597 ethnic sub-groups speaking
hundreds of languages and dialects.
Sudanese Arabs make up the largest
single ethnic group at about 70% of the
population. Political and economic power
and resources are concentrated in the
country’s centre (for example,
Khartoum).
Achieving peace in Sudan requires a
focus on the concerns of marginalised
populations in conflict zones and
deprived regions. These include Darfur,
South Kordofan and the Nuba Mountains.
It also requires addressing the root causes
of armed violence. Among them are
issues of marginalisation, the relationship
between religion and state, governance,
resource sharing, land, social justice and
equality at the national level.
The early years of independence
The Sudanese government that came to
power in 1956 insisted on an Arab and
Islamic identity. The state was based on
the principles of Mahdism, an Islamic Sufi
order established in the 1880s. It wasn’t
representative of diverse communities
and sought to subject them to the will of
the Mahdist state. It demanded a degree
of compliance that many were unwilling
to provide. Resistance against Mahdism
was widespread.
In 1989, a new government seized
control of the state under the rule of the
National Islamic Front. This was an
alliance between army officers and the
Muslim Brotherhood, a fringe outfit that
grew into a powerful political
organisation. This coup brought to power
Omar al-Bashir, who was supported by
Islamist leader Hassan al-Turabi. Their
government also endeavoured to establish
an Islamic state.
The government set up an internal
security apparatus, which arrested and
tortured dissenters. In 1991, the regime
introduced a new penal code to impose
an Islamisation agenda, and created the
“People’s Police”.
Two further developments would
create the conditions for the war that
continues to rage today. The first was the
al-Bashir regime’s decision in 2003 to
enlist Janjaweed militias to quell an
insurgency in Darfur. Second, the Islamist
regime used this new militia to keep the
elite in the Sudanese army away from
CM
YK
Chennai www.thehindu.com Monday, May 6, 2024
● ●
0
1.85
in lakh. The collective
paid up capital for
2023-24 was ₹30,927.40
crore, according to the Corporate Affairs
ministry. About 71% of companies were in
the services sector, 23% in the industrial
segment and 6% in agriculture. PTI
Follow us facebook.com/thehindu
In flight: Sudanese refugees who fled the violence in the Darfur region, near the border between Sudan and Chad in Goungour, Chad on May 8, 2023. REUTERS
conflict zones in the periphery.
In 2013, al-Bashir formally designated
these tribal militias as the Rapid Support
Forces through a presidential decree. This
affiliated them with the national security
and intelligence services. In 2017, Sudan’s
parliament ratified the Rapid Support
Forces Law. This formally incorporated
the militias into the government’s military
apparatus under the direct command of
the president. The minister of defence
was tasked with overseeing the Sudanese
Armed Forces. Mohamed Hamdan
Dagalo, alias Hemedti, was appointed by
al-Bashir to lead the Rapid Support
Forces. This enabled his power and
influence to grow. It was to inform the
dramatic and tragic events in Sudan in the
coming decade.
After protests in 2018 swept through
Sudan’s major cities — driven by
grievances around poverty, corruption
and unemployment — the military
intervened in April 2019. They removed
al-Bashir from power and declared a state
of emergency.
Despite establishing a transitional
military government, demonstrations
persisted demanding civilian leadership.
With mediation from the African Union,
an agreement on power-sharing was
reached in August 2019. It resulted in a
military-civilian transitional
administration. Still, challenges persisted,
including a failed coup attempt in
September 2021. A month later, Sudan’s
top general, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, led
another coup, derailing the country’s
democratic transition.
Share of normative
coal stocks in thermal
power plants
68
in percentage. As many as
184 thermal power plants
with a total generation
capacity of 211 GW have 47.78 million
tonnes of coal stocks against the
normative level of 70.55 million tonnes, as
per the Central Electricity Authority. PTI
twitter.com/the_hindu
The months leading up to the war in
April 2023 were marked by civilian
protests that were violently repressed,
and tensions between army and Rapid
Support Forces leaders.
Forging a militia-dominated state
The Rapid Support Forces emerged as a
counterbalance to the armed forces. It
strategically deployed thousands of
battle-hardened fighters to the country’s
biggest cities, volatile border regions and
economic hubs like gold mines.
Concurrently, Russia forged ties with the
Rapid Support Forces through the
Wagner Group to secure access to
Sudanese gold. Three conditions
coalesced to foster the emergence of a
militia-dominated state, with the Rapid
Support Forces at its helm:
1) Civil strife in Darfur in 2003
presented an opportune moment. While
the army focused on quelling rebellion in
south Sudan, the suppression of the
Darfurian uprising in the west was left to
paramilitary forces.
2) Support from the Sudanese
government enabled the self-styled militia
to access financial resources and
weaponry. It could then develop
commercial ventures to attain and sustain
autonomy from the state.
3) Ideologically, Hemedti portrayed the
Rapid Support Forces as a militia
representing marginalised Arabs from
Sudan’s rural and border regions.
The unravelling
In Sudan’s evolving democratic transition,
Southern Brazil hit The increase in
with worst flood in outstanding home
decades loan in last two fiscals
80 10
years. Heavy rains in Rio in ₹ lakh crore. Credit
Grande do Sul killed 39 outstanding to the housing
people, with 68 still missing, sector rose to a record ₹27.23
the state civil defence agency said. lakh crore in March 2024, according to
Flooding has surpassed levels seen during RBI’s data on ‘Sectoral Deployment of
a historic 1941 deluge, according to the Bank Credit’. PTI
Brazilian Geological Service. AP COMPILED BY THE HINDU DATA TEAM
instagram.com/the_hindu
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
THE GIST
쑽
Sudan comprises of 19 major
ethnic groups and about 597
ethnic sub-groups. Since
independence, the Sudanese
have experienced 35 coups and
attempted coups, more than
any other African country.
쑽
The Sudanese government that
came to power in 1956 insisted
on an Arab and Islamic
identity. The state was based
on the principles of Mahdism.
쑽
Sudan requires a collaborative
effort from the international
community to aid
reconstruction. It needs to
establish a transparent,
civilian-led government that
represents the Sudanese
populace and hears their
voices in decision-making
processes.
Hemedti’s rise to the vice presidency of
the Sovereignty Council in 2021 was
crucial, overseeing the path to elections.
Disbanding the Rapid Support Forces or
sidelining Hemedti risked sparking
unrest, given the outfit’s size and business
interests.
Militia dominance over the state can
prompt belated responses from the
military, potentially making conflict
worse. Initially, Hemedti refrained from
seizing power by force. He aligned his
troops as allies of the army, which also
had substantial economic ventures.
But the October 2021 military coup
halted Sudan’s democratic progress. Amid
repression and economic decline, the
Rapid Support Forces expanded its
influence through business ventures and
engagements.
The army’s attempt to integrate these
forces backfired, leading to armed
confrontations and the Rapid Support
Forces’ seizure of critical areas.
What next
Sudan requires a collaborative effort from
the international community to aid
reconstruction. It needs to establish a
transparent, civilian-led government that
represents the Sudanese populace and
hears their voices in decision-making
processes. Urgent action is needed to
reconstruct Sudan’s post-colonial state as
one that includes and safeguards the
rights of all.
Hamdy A. Hassan is Professor at Zayed
University. This article has been
republished from The Conversation.
A IN-X
 THE HINDU
Monday, May 6, 2024 11
Chennai
Text&Context
CSDS-LOKNITI

Unveiling the veil: expenditure disparities

in India’s electoral system
During the 2019 general elections, the BJP and the Congress collectively spent an astronomical sum of over ₹20 billion. This underscores the impact of the absence of spending caps on
political parties. It is, therefore, imperative to reassess India’s political funding framework to ensure the integrity and transparency of elections

Sanjay Kumar
Aditi Singh
Abhishek Sharma

n the colourful mosaic of Indian

I democracy lies a fundamental

question that strikes at the core of
our democratic ethos: the issue of
electoral expenditure. In the 2019 general
elections alone, the Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) and the Congress collectively spent
an astronomical sum of over ₹20 billion.
While the Representation of the People
Act, 1951 (RPA) meticulously outlines
expenditure limits for individual
candidates, a glaring gap remains — the
absence of comparable restrictions on
political party spending (Table 1) and
third-party spenders/campaigners (Table
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce

e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
4). This discrepancy has not only opened
the floodgates for unchecked expenditure
by parties but has also paved the way for
a skewed electoral landscape, where
financial muscle trumps meritocracy.
The researchers of CSDS-Lokniti
analysed the expenditure reports
submitted by various political parties
during the Karnataka and Tripura State
Assembly elections in 2023. In Karnataka,
the study scrutinised the spending of
three national parties, the BJP, the
Congress, and the Aam Aadmi Party
(AAP), alongside three State parties which
are the Janata Dal (Secular) ( JD(S)), the
Samajwadi Party (SP), and the
Communist Party of India (CPI). Similarly,
in Tripura, the study examined the
expenditure reports of three
national-level parties, the BJP, the
Congress and the Communist Party of
India-Marxist (CPI-M), and three State
parties, the All India Trinamool Congress
(AITC), the Communist Party of India
(CPI), and the Revolutionary Socialist
Party (RSP).
The States for this study were selected
based on the availability of expenditure
reports for the 2023 Assembly elections,
released by the Election Commission
(EC). Furthermore, national and State
parties that had incurred the highest
expenditure in a State were chosen,
provided they had released their
segregated expenditure reports. The
study, thus, highlights the significance of
regulating expenditure across all key
stakeholders to ensure a level playing field
in the electoral arena.
disadvantaging independent or less spending of political parties ensuring that quid pro quo arrangements and could the U.K. imposes differentiated limits on
Party expenditure during elections financially endowed candidates. political actors compete based on the also lead to an influx of unaccounted targeted spending, spending in each
Expenditure limits are vital for ensuring Both national and State-level parties strength of their ideas rather than the money into the electoral process. constituency, and spending on U.K.-wide
fair elections and preventing a financial allocated a significant portion of their depth of their pockets. Through our study, we found several campaigns. at certain elections. This is
arms race. According to International “general party propaganda” budget to third-party campaigners on Google and also essential for increasing transparency
IDEA, 65 countries around the world, media advertisements, surpassing Role of third-party campaigners Meta platforms spending substantial sums and accountability, curbing the
including the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and expenses for rallies and other activities Third-party or non-party campaigners of money to influence voters for or unregulated flow of money, preventing
Brazil, have a cap on election expenditure (Table 2). This observation underscores refer to individuals or groups against a political party (Table 4). quid pro quo arrangements, and checking
of political parties. This framework serves the pressing need for reforms to ensure participating in campaign activities the influx of black money into the
as a stark contrast to the scenario in India, fair access to media platforms. during elections, without being formally What can be done? electoral process.
where the absence of such caps has led to The stark contrast in media advertising registered as political parties or In alignment with global practices, the Reassessing India’s political funding
a lopsided expenditure landscape. In expenditure leads one to examine the role candidates. However, in the Indian EC’s ‘Proposed Electoral Reforms’ report framework is imperative to ensure the
Karnataka, for example, the combined of digital platforms like Google and Meta electoral laws, the term hasn’t been in 2016, advocated for the introduction of integrity and transparency of elections.
spending of the two national parties, the (formerly Facebook) in the ongoing Lok clearly defined. While the issue of expenditure ceilings for political parties Introducing expenditure ceilings for
Congress and BJP, has surged to over Sabha elections. Big spenders, primarily regulating the expenditure of political in India. However, garnering unanimous political parties represents a crucial step
500% higher than that of the two State national parties, are allocating parties is widely discussed and debated, support for this proposal proved towards upholding these fundamental
parties, JD(U) and SP combined. Similarly, disproportionately higher budgets to ads regulation of third-party involvement is challenging, highlighting resistance from principles.
in Tripura, national parties outspend on these digital platforms. This was often overlooked. The unchecked certain political factions. By embracing these measures, India
their regional counterparts by over 200% highlighted in a recent study of the expenditure and the nature of content Similarly, embracing strategies from can aspire to international standards of
(Table 1). CSDS-Lokniti (The Hindu dated April 18, posted by third-party campaigners raises countries like Australia and the U.K. could electoral integrity, instilling greater
This glaring discrepancy underscores 2024). In contrast, State parties were serious issues around the lack of offer valuable insights and present confidence and trust among its citizens in
the impact of the absence of spending found to have a negligible presence in transparency and accountability of such tangible models worth considering for the democratic process.
caps, effectively skewing the playing field terms of advertisements on these actors. (Table 4). Now that the electoral India regarding the regulation of Sanjay Kumar is a Professor at CSDS,
in favour of deep-pocketed political platforms through their official party bond scheme is scrapped, the lack of third-party involvement. While the Aditi Singh is an Assistant Professor at O.P.
giants. The exorbitant sums poured into handles. (Table 3). This observation again regulation of third-party expenditure former requires formal registration and Jindal Global University, and Abhishek
campaigns tilts the scale of competition, highlights the need to regulate the overall during elections could result in a rise of disclosure requirements for third parties, Sharma is a researcher with Lokniti-CSDS.

Please send in your answers to

THE DAILY QUIZ dailyquiz@thehindu.co.in

A quiz on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the sub-four-minute mile run on May 6 by Roger Bannister
V. V. Ramanan X Questions and Answers to the May 3
QUESTION 4 edition of the daily quiz: 1. This English
X To what incredible feat astronomer predicted the onset of the eclipse
QUESTION 1 that happened nearly a in 1715. Ans: Edmond Halley
At which location did year ago did Bannister 2. Great Britain would adopt the _________
Bannister achieve this compare his triumph, ________ only 37 years later. Ans: Gregorian
incredible feat and what writing “...it was a barrier calendar
was the occasion for the that seemed to defy all 3. This man is famous for pushing the
race? attempts to break it — Parliament of Great Britain to pass the
X an, irksome reminder Longitude Act in 1714. Ans: William Whiston
QUESTION 2 that man’s striving might 4. Edmond Halley predicted the eclipse to
Name the two other be in vain”? within four minutes, but got the path of the
runners (with same first X eclipse wrong because he used the wrong
name) alongside Bannister QUESTION 5 lunar _________ . Ans: Ephemeris
involved for the AAA in the Which Olympic champion 5. In 1686, Edmond Halley coined the name
record-breaking feat. was the commentator on ‘_____’ to refer to a period of about 6,585.3
X Radio BBC for the days, which could be used to predict the
QUESTION 3 historic run? occurrence of solar and lunar eclipses. Ans:
What was the X Saros
barrier-breaking time QUESTION 6 Visual: Name this man. Ans: John
retuned by Bannister that Roger Bannister trained X Flamsteed
has gone into athletics to be a doctor. What was Visual question: Name the famed rival of Bannister, seen on the right, who broke Sir Roger’s record just 46 days later with a World Early Birds: C. Saravanan| K.N. Viswanathan|
folklore? his specialisation? Athletics-ratified time of three minutes, 58 seconds? GETTY IMAGES Debarati Kar| Shiva Nigam| Prashant Nain
CM A IN-X
YK

12
PRECIOUSMETALS
Gold, silver
surge on
West Asia,
U.S. Fed
stalemate
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
The short-term outlook for
both gold and silver is positive;
while Comex gold could
consolidate in the near term,
silver looks relatively strong
and could continue its
short-term uptrend soon
B. Krishnakumar
After a strong performance in March,
precious metals edged higher in April.
Aided by geopolitical tension in West
Asia and rising demand from central
banks, Comex gold breached the
psychological $2,400 per ounce mark
in April.
The de-escalation of tensions in
West Asia along with the dent in the
prospects of an interest rate cut in the
U.S., led to a cool off in precious metal
prices in the latter half of April.
Comex gold gained 1.88% in April
to settle at $2,297.3 an ounce. Comex
silver posted a much healthier gain of
5.86% to end at $26.57 an ounce.
Mirroring the trend in the global
markets, MCX gold closed 4% higher
in April and closed at ₹70,466 per
10-gram. MCX silver closed 5.7%
higher at ₹81,310 per kilogram.
Comex gold continued its uptrend
in April and also achieved the target
zone of $2,295-$2,320 mentioned last
month. After reaching an all-time high
of $2,448.8 on April 12, the price has
cooled off in the past few weeks.
The sharp rise since March has
pushed Comex gold price into an
overbought region and the price could
consolidate in the $2,220-$2,350 zone
in the near term.
The long-term uptrend in Comex
gold is likely to resume on the
completion of the anticipated
consolidation. A move past $2,370
would be an early indication of the
resumption of the uptrend and the
price could then head to
$2,450-$2,500.
Silver breakout
Comex silver managed to breakout
past its prior range of $21.9-$26.4
range, which is a sign of strength. As
observed last month, the breakout
above $26.4 resulted in a spike to the
target zone of $28.5-$29 zone. The
short-term outlook is positive and
silver price could head to $27.8-$28.5
in the short-term. A fall below $25.8
would indicate short-term weakness
and would result in a delay in
progress towards the target zone.
Ruling firm
Mirroring the global trend, MCX gold
too ruled firm and reached the then
mentioned target of ₹69,200-₹69,800.
The short-term outlook is positive,
and the gold price could head to
₹72,200-₹72,500 zone.
A fall below ₹69,000 would
invalidate this positive outlook.
MCX silver price continued its
uptrend April and also hit the target
zone of ₹78,200-₹78,600 mentioned
last month. The near-term outlook is
positive and MCX silver could head to
next target zone at ₹83,200-₹83,500.
The positive view would be under
threat if the price drops below
₹80,000.
To summarise, the short-term
outlook for both gold and silver is
positive. While Comex gold could
consolidate in the near term, silver
looks relatively strong and could
continue its short-term uptrend soon.
(The author is a Chennai based
analyst / trader. The views and
opinion featured in this column is
based on the analysis of short-term
price movement in gold and silver
futures at COMEX & Multi Commodity
Exchange of India. This is not meant to
be a trading or investment advice.)
CM
YK
Mapping risk: Gauge your risk appetite, your ability to take losses and then decide on your asset allocation. Getty Images/iStock
Asset allocation answers
investing dilemmas
To craft an asset-allocation plan, it is tempting to go by Western thumb rules; however, it is best
not to apply such rules blindly; there is no single thumb rule that works for everyone
INVESTMENT BASKETS
Aarati Krishnan
ith gold
W
prices
shooting
up recent-
ly and the stock markets
entering a volatile phase,
investors have been writ-
ing in with many ques-
tions. Should they be sell-
ing their shares to lock into
profits? Should they buy
gold though it is at a life-
time high? Should first-
time investors go for equity
funds or stick to fixed de-
posits? Asset allocation
provides easy answers to
most of these questions.
Why asset allocation
Starting your investment
journey with an asset allo-
cation plan can lead to bet-
ter return outcomes in
three ways. One, it ensures
your portfolio matches
your risk appetite. If you
are an investor who will
spend sleepless nights
about a 20% decline in
your portfolio value, then
you obviously shouldn’t be
allocating 100% of your
portfolio to equity funds
where 30% draw-downs
are not ruled out. With a
portfolio split equally bet-
ween equity and debt, you
can ensure that your over-
all portfolio dips only by
15% even if the stock mar-
ket crashes by 30%.
Two, it helps you avoid
the emotional roller-coas-
ter. Usually, investors load
up on an asset when its
price is rising and shy away
from it when prices are fall-
Personal Loans
Rates and Charges
Name of Lender Interest Rate (%)
HDFC Bank 10.50 onwards
Tata Capital 10.99 onwards
State Bank of India 11.15-15.30
ICICI Bank 10.80 onwards
Bank of Baroda 11.05-18.75
Axis Bank 10.49 onwards
Kotak Mahindra Bank 10.99 onwards
Bank of India 10.85-14.85
Canara Bank 10.95-16.40
Punjab National Bank 10.40-17.95
HSBC Bank 9.99-16.00
Federal Bank 11.49 onwards
Union Bank of India 11.35-15.45
Bajaj Finserv 11.00 onwards
Punjab & Sind Bank 10.75-13.50
South Indian Bank 12.85-20.60
UCO Bank 12.45-12.85
IDFC First Bank 10.99 onwards
Bank of Maharashtra 10.00-12.80
Karnataka Bank 13.43
IndusInd Bank 10.49 onwards
THE HINDU
Monday, May 6, 2024
MONEYWISE
Chennai
Hubristic
bias
Gaurav Mashruwala
This is one of the most common bias
identified while investing. The feeling
is so strong, sometimes it leads an
investor to becoming speculator.
One of my wife’s cousins during
stock market rally between 2003-2008
started investing in equities directly.
He belonged to a very wealthy family
and hence, owning direct equity of
several firms was not new to him. In
2004, he decided to actively get
involved in managing the portfolio. To
begin with, he only started following
index and reading media reports for
index movement the next day.
We all know media reporting is
after the event had taken place.
However, the cousin thought he
understood index movement. Let me
give an in-depth example. Assume on
a particular day index fell by 250
points. Next, day media could report
the fall was due to selling by foreign
institutions. As far as the media is
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
concerned, they have performed their
job. The cousin started thinking he
now understands the movement.
Suppose, if there is rise in index
and next day media reports the rise is
due to latest inflation numbers, the
cousin feels he is in grip of the
movement. We all know movement of
index is not due to a single factor.
There are multiple factors, including
human emotions and herd mentality
for the movement in index.
vice, you may not be able This emotion led to him to feel he
to stomach big swings in understood the movement and
your net worth. This re- started day trading. This all was fine
duces your ability to take when market kept rising till 2008.
If you have many risks and thus argues for a Around 2008-09, there was a massive
With a portfolio split
equally between equity dependents to take care lower equity allocation in fall. He was exposed and suffered a
your portfolio. loss. While loss was big, it didn’t
and debt, you can ensure of and need to withdraw
significantly impact the family due to
that your overall from investments often,
Your family situation immense wealth. Also, he earlier set
portfolio dips only by you should have higher If you have many depen- aside a corpus. Reason to get into this
15% even if the stock allocation to safer assets dents to take care of and in-depth is many investors reflect such
market crashes by 30%. such as debt may need to withdraw emotions when the index is rising
from your investments of- Simply by following the media,
ten, you should have a listening to so called experts, which
ing. This is the opposite of the following factors. higher allocation to safer occur when the index is rising and
‘buy low, sell high.’ Asset assets such as debt rather discussing it’s behaviour with every
allocation nudges you to Your age than volatile assets such as possible person does not make an
sell a rising asset and add a The younger you are, the equities. individual expert. It will only lead to
falling one, helping your higher the allocation you overconfidence and a cognitive bias.
long-term returns. can afford to have in risky Your liquidity needs Being overconfident in a new
Three, it prompts you to assets such as equities. Some assets can be liqui- endeavour may lead to taking
own a diversified portfolio This is because younger in- dated at short notice while excessive risk. However, taking up the
at all times. One of the big vestors have the ability to others cannot. Usually fi- new endeavour with appropriate
temptations that investors stay invested through nancial assets such as preparations and thorough planning,
are prone to, is chasing as- draw-downs in portfolio stocks, bonds, mutual even if it means taking risk must be
sets that have delivered value and wait for prices to funds and fixed deposits encouraged. In the absence of it, no
great performance in the rebound in the next cycle can be liquidated quickly. new endeavour will ever be pursued.
recent past and ignoring before withdrawing from While investing, in direct equity,
those that are out-of-fa- their investments. Time is essence mutual fund schemes, debt-based
vour. Working to a fixed as- Older investors may not Whereas physical assets instruments etc. spread it across
set allocation plan pre- have this luxury. such as real estate or gold several assets classes and investment
vents us from such take a long time to be liqui- vehicles. Secondly, always keep
behaviour. So, if the above Waiting period dated or can be liquidated financial goals in forefront. If they are
points have made it clear In India, stock market cy- only after a significant sa- likely to occur after 5-7 years, choose
why you need an asset-al- cles usually last 6-7 years crifice on the price. In your equity as an assets class. Vehicle to
location plan, how do you from one peak to another. asset allocation, make sure investing in direct equity are several
go about drawing up such a Therefore, if you end up in- to have a mix of illiquid and in case of confusion, seek proper
plan? Here are a few tips. vesting in equities at a mar- and liquid assets based on professional advice. For financial goals
ket high (which is evident your requirement. which are likely to come up in 2/3
Factors to consider only in hindsight), you may years, debt-based instruments are
To craft an asset allocation need to endure a 6-7 year Your risk appetite preferred. For an interim financial
plan, it is tempting to go by wait for your portfolio va- Irrespective of age, some goals, go for combination.
Western thumb rules such lue to return to even keel. investors have a lower abil- Many a time, I have come across
as “Park 100 minus your This makes equities unsuit- ity to take on risks than the individuals who want to dabble in
age in equities”. able for financial goals others. direct equity market. This is more
But it is best not to apply coming up in less than 6-7 Some people cannot tol- prevalent in rising stock market.
such rules blindly if you years, as you may be erate even a 10% fluctua- Instead of curbing emotions, I allow
want to succeed at asset al- forced to withdraw in unfa- tion in their investment va- them to set aside a pre-determined
location. vourable markets. For such lue. Others can easily corpus to dwindle. Overconfidence is
There is no single asset goals, you should use debt- survive 50% draw-downs. an emotion we all have in us.
allocation thumb rule that heavy portfolios rather Therefore, gauge your risk Acknowledge the fact and focus on
will work for everyone. than equity-heavy ones. appetite, your ability to financial goals while investing.
You should decide on your If you have significant take losses and then decide (The writer is a financial planner
asset allocation based on liabilities or loans to ser- on your asset allocation. and author of Yogic Wealth)
Car Loans
Loan amount 5 lakh Loan amount 1 lakh (% of loan amount) Rates and Charges Loan amount 5 lakh (% of loan amount)
Tenure 5 years Tenure 5 years Tenure 5 years
EMI (Rs) EMI (Rs) Processing fee Name of Lender Interest Rate (%) EMI (Rs) Processing fee
10,747 onwards 2,149 onwards Up to Rs 4,999 Union Bank of India 8.70 - 10.45 10,307 - 10,735 Rs 1,000
10,869 onwards 2,174 onwards Up to 5.5%
Punjab National Bank 8.75 - 10.60 10,319 - 10,772 0.25% (Rs. 1,000 - Rs. 1,500)
10,909-11,974 2,182-2,395 1.50% (Min Rs 1,000
to Max Rs 15,000) Bank of Baroda 8.85 - 12.70 10,343 - 11,300 Up to Rs 2,000
10,821 onwards 2,164 onwards Up to 2%
Canara Bank 8.70 - 12.70 10,307 - 11,300 0.25% (Rs. 1,000 - Rs. 5,000)
10,884-12,902 2,177-2,580 Up to 2%
(Min Rs 1,000 and Max Rs 10,000) Bank of India 8.85 - 10.85 10,343 - 10,834 0.25% (Rs. 1,000 - Rs. 5,000)
10,744 onwards 2,149 onwards Up to 2% UCO Bank 8.45 - 10.55 10,246 - 10,759 Nil
10,869 onwards 2,174 onwards Up to 3%
10,834-11,856 2,167-2,371 0.50%-1%
State Bank of India 8.75 - 9.80 10,319 - 10,554 Up to Rs 1,500
(Min Rs 250 and Max Rs 10,000) Bank of Maharashtra* 8.70 - 13.00 10,307 - 11,377 0.25% (Rs. 1,000 - Rs. 15,000)
10,859-12,266 2,172-2,453 0.50% (Maximum Rs 2,500) Indian Overseas Bank** 8.85 - 12.00 10,343 - 11,122 0.50% (Rs 500 - Rs 5,000)
10,772-12,683 2,144-2,537 Up to 1%
10,621-12,159 2,124-2,432 Up to 2%
ICICI Bank 9.10 onwards 10,403 onwards Rs 999 - Rs 8,500
10,994 onwards 2,199 onwards Up to 3% HDFC Bank 9.20 onwards 10,428 onwards 0.50% (Rs 3,500 - Rs 8,000)
10,959-12,013 2,192-2,403 Up to 1% (Maximum Rs 7,500) Karnataka Bank 8.88 - 11.37 10,350 - 10,964 0.60% (Rs 3,000 - Rs 11,000)
10,871 onwards 2,174 onwards Up to 3.93%
10,809-11,505 2,162-2,301 0.50%-1%
Federal Bank 8.85 onwards 10,343 onwards Rs 2,000 - Rs 4,500
11,338-13,414 2,268-2,683 Up to 2% Punjab and Sind Bank*** 8.85 - 10.25 10,343 - 10,685 0.25% (Rs. 1,000 - Rs. 15,000)
11,236-11,338 2,247-2,268 Up to 1% (Min Rs 750)
South Indian Bank 8.75 onwards 10,319 onwards 0.75% (Max: Rs 10,000)
10,869 onwards 2,174 onwards Up to 2%
City Union Bank 14.45 - 14.95 11,751 - 11,882 1.25% (Min: Rs 1,000)
10,624-11,325 2,125-2,265 1% (Rs 1,000-Rs 10,000)
*0.25% interest rate concession for existing housing loan borrowers and corporate salary account holders
11,487 2,297 Up to 2% of loan amount
(Min. Rs 2,500, Max. Rs 8,500)
**0.50% interest rate concession to borrowers with credit scores of 800 and above. Interest rate concession of 0.25% to borrowers having
credit scores of 750-799
10,744 onwards 2,149 onwards 1.5% -3.5% ***Concession of up to 50% on processing fee for PSB Apna Vahan Sugam.
Rates and charges as on May1 Source: Paisabazaar.com
A IN-X
 THE HINDU
Monday, May 6, 2024 13
Chennai
Business

PNB Housing: How IT services veterans are able

is turnaround to spearhead leadership and growth
sustainable? As India’s information technology services sector faces turbulence and as more MNCs in-source tech operations, the top-level at India’s marquee IT
services firms is seeing new avenues open up; GCCs give them global standing and come with a 20%-25% pay premium making them a top pick

ment from services to In- chance to set up something

NEWS ANALYSIS dia captive units of MNCs is
more prevalent. “It’s not
just IT services but also
Sindhu Hariharan consulting (Big 4) leaders
who are looking at GCCs as
from scratch and gain glo-
bal exposure while doing
so,” he adds.
Perhaps the best exam-
ple of this is Gangapriya

W
hen a $25 bil- attractive career options. Chakraverti, the India head
lion U.S. 30-35% of our technology and MD at Ford’s 25-year
healthcare en- vertical revenue comes old GCC in India — Ford Bu-
terprise was looking to set from GCC mandates.” siness Solutions. The
Tapping potential: PNB Housing sees good opportunities up its Global Capability At executive search or- 12,000-plus strong GCC un-
in affordable and even in prime segments. THE HINDU Centre (GCC) in India re- ganisation Transearch too, it in Chennai takes care of
cently, it roped in a senior a majority of the services software engineering, data
Anshika Kayastha IT services leader with 30- hiring mandates are from analytics, artificial intelli-
plus years of healthcare ex- GCCs looking to staff roles gence, machine learning,
FY24 was a year of growth and strengthened pertise to spearhead it. such as country leads, en- finance and other func-
financial metrics for most financial services The leader not just helped gineering heads, and tech- tions for the larger group
participants. Even so, a standout was PNB set up the India unit and nology heads among oth- and is headed by Ms. Chak-
Housing Finance which saw a significant define the processes but al- ers. “These are typically raverti, who joined Ford as
improvement in financials finally bringing the so brought along a team of small and mid-sized GCCs director of human resourc-
housing finance company on par with peers, senior delivery talent to in pharma, engineering re- es in 2012. She came to
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce

e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
Eye for talent: Software, banking, healthcare GCCs have attracted senior talent. GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK
probably after four years of struggle. help in the execution. search and development Ford after spending over a
Plagued by legacy corporate accounts, the Another media conglomer- vering client projects are es, about 10% have gone to (ER&D) and retail. They decade at HR consulting
focus for PNB Housing over the last few years has ate that recently set up its choosing to build technol- GCCs, Xpheno’s data look for senior leaders firm Mercer and is now a
been on shrinking the corporate portfolio and GCC in Chennai also ogy solutions from scratch shows. Software, banking, with capabilities in deliver- global leader at Ford’s lar-
improving asset quality which led to muted tapped an IT services vete- at GCCs opened by such Chief HR officers, senior and healthcare GCCs have ing niche services such as gest centre outside the US.
overall growth. ran with decades of expe- clients. vice presidents, been most successful in at- analytics and AI and sector “The first wave of senior
“We had to do a lot of work and deal with rience in the media and GCCs in India started as engineering heads, India tracting the senior talent. specialists,” Meenakshi leaders from large IT ser-
challenges because of which growth was slightly technology space to lead back-office operations but “For GCCs, specialist IT Thakar, partner, Tran- vices companies migrated
MDs — these are all a few
muted last year. Now, we’re ready for the next the India centre. today these captive centres services leaders ensure search India, says. to mid-tier IT companies.
level of growth. We see very good opportunity in Chief HR officers, senior of MNCs hold ownership of key GCC leadership roles quick turnarounds and de- The leaders had a large fan
affordable and emerging segments, but also in vice presidents, engineer- global products. End-to- being occupied by IT ployment windows. For ‘Inch-wide, mile deep’ base so much so talent at
the prime segment,” MD and CEO Girish Kousgi ing heads, India MDs — end business services service top heads the talent, there is an ad- Balasubramanian Sanka- multiple levels followed
told businessline. these are all a few key GCC across finance, HR, opera- vantage of working directly ranarayanan, CEO of them,” Ramkumar Rama-
In FY24, the company shrank the corporate leadership roles being oc- tions, technology and oth- ing it a top pick. with international brands, healthcare GCC Thryve moorthy, partner of tech
loan book to ₹2,052 crore with wholesale gross cupied by IT service top er functions happen out of and getting onto long-term Digital that has offices in advisory firm Catalincs,
NPAs falling from 22.3% a year ago to 3.3% as of heads as they look for their India with leaders here Senior talent moves strategic pathways for lea- Chennai and Bengaluru, says. “Today, we are seeing
March 31. On the other hand, the retail portfolio next challenge. having more autonomy. As per data from specialist dership positions,” Sidd- took up the role after a 25- next wave of senior leaders
— which had not grown for a “prolonged” period Executive search firms staffing firm Xpheno, the harth Verma, business plus years of experience in going to GCCs of all sizes.”
— grew 14% in FY24, taking the total share of the Increased churn and IT industry trackers IT services sector has more head, Xpheno Executive the IT services world. With industry estimates
retail book to 97% as of March. As the Indian IT service told businessline the IT ser- than 1,02,000 active pro- Search, said. “GCCs offer an inch-wide pointing to a GCC rally in
But the street is cognisant of a rise in operating sector faces turbulent vices churn was at its peak fessionals in senior suites Gaurav Dev Burman, se- and mile-deep look into India in the coming years
expenses in FY25. The firm is developing an times and as more multina- in 2021 and 2022 and while roles such as CXOs, Direc- nior client partner and co- the sector. This is a com- and with IT services bat-
affordable-housing vertical, largely by investing in tionals in-source technolo- it moderated since then, C- tors, VPs/AVPs etc. and leader of the technology plete reversal of the IT ser- tling poor demand, the
branches and manpower. Also, competition gy operations, the top-level suite is always on the look more than 11,000 of these practice, at executive vices world and this is ‘great resignation era’ will
intensity and loss of interest income from the at India’s marque IT servic- out for greener pastures. people have switched jobs search firm Korn Ferry In- what attracted me,” he likely continue at the tech
sharp rundown in the corporate loan book may es firms is seeing increased GCCs give them global in the last two years. While dia, says GCCs are keeping says. “For an IT services C-suites.
also weigh on margins. churn. Leaders with de- standing and come with a a majority of this move- their vertical extremely bu- leader with relevant do- (The writer is with The
(The writer is with The Hindu businessline) cades of experience in deli- 20-25% pay premium mak- ment was within IT Servic- sy in recent years as move- main expertise, GCCs are a Hindu businessline)

Future on wheels
Unlocking the vast potential of
personalisation in banking services
N. Balaji
Personalisation stands as
the cornerstone of diffe-
rentiation for banks striv-
ing to foster long-term rela-
tionships with their
customers. In the rapidly-
evolving financial sector,
personalisation lends mus-
cle in fending off challeng-
es from both traditional
competitors and disruptive
fintech players.
This entails delivering
tailored experiences seam-
lessly across touchpoints,
whether traditional brick-
and-mortar branches, digi-
tal platforms, or face-to-
face interactions. The shift
from segment-based offer-
ings to personalised expe-
riences fundamentally al-
Driving imagination: People look at a Polestar Synergy concept car at the Beijing Auto Show. AFP ters the dynamics of
customer relationships,
placing the individual’s
needs and preferences at
the forefront of every
interaction.
Customers today expect
banks to anticipate their
needs and provide recom-
mendations proactively. As
the banking sector oper-
ates within a complex eco-
system characterised by di-
verse customer
demographics and finan-
cial needs, and evolving
regulatory frameworks,
this paradigm shift in cus-
tomer expectations neces-
sitates banks to reinvent
themselves, leveraging ad-
vanced technologies and
data-driven insights to or-
chestrate personalised ex-
periences at scale.
This, in turn, calls for in-
vestment in building ro-
bust data ecosystems and
other technological infras-
tructure capable of har-
nessing customer insights
effectively. Hence, a ‘per-
sonalisation engine’ be-
comes indispensable.
The successful opera-
tion of this engine calls for
scalability and flexibility,
accommodate future
growth, integrate new in-
novations to meet evolving
customer demands; inte-
gration with existing sys-
tems to maximise efficien-
cy and minimise
disruption during imple-
mentation; continuous
monitoring and optimisa-
tion to help refine the per-
sonalisation efforts based
on customer responses
and data insights; cross-
functional collaboration
across departments and
customer service to ensure
stakeholders work towards
a shared vision of custom-
er-centric excellence and
design focusing on simplic-
ity and relevance to raise
customer experience.
(The writer is President
and Head-Business Intelli-
gence Unit, Axis Bank)

How Nestle is weathering the baby food storm

Meenakshi Verma
Ambwani
NEW DELHI
Last week, Nestle India
CMD Suresh Narayanan
was in the hot seat as he
fielded questions on the
sugar controversy trig-
gered by a recent report re-
leased by Swiss investiga-
tive NGO Public Eye.
He vehemently dismis-
sed accusations made by
the Swiss NGO of Nestle
having “double standards”
for developed and deve-
loping markets.
The report alleged Nes-
tle’s baby-food products
sold in low and middle-in-
come countries, including
India, contain ‘high levels
of added sugar, while such
products are sugar-free in
developed markets.
The report’s claims
CM
YK
about added sugar levels in
Cerelac sold in the country
has prompted Food Safety
and Standards Authority of
India (FSSAI) to kickstart
an industry-wide testing of
infant food products sam-
ples across brands.
Nestle is no stranger to
controversies. The Swiss
multinational has battled
critics over its marketing
practices, labour handling,
and product safety. Its ba-
by food and infant formu-
la, with a fifth of the
world’s market share, has
recurringly come under
the scanner.
Defusing crisis
Asserting the company ap-
plies the same nutrition
principles globally, Mr. Na-
rayanan said there is no lo-
cal approach to making
“nutritional adequacy”
strategy. He pointed out
how this global approach
translates into products lo-
cally depends on raw ma-
terials, feeding habits and
local regulatory norms.
“Added sugar products
and no-added sugar pro-
ducts are present in Eu-
rope as well as they are
present in Asia. So, these
allegations of racial stereo-
types are unfortunate but
untrue. There is no distinc-
tion made between a child
in Europe or a child in In-
dia or any other part of the
world,” he told a media
roundtable.
The company also said
added sugar levels in Cere-
lac portfolio was at 7.1 gm
per 100 gm of feed, “well
below” the prescribed li-
mits set by FSSAI (13.6 gm
per 100 gm of feed). “In the
last five years, almost a
says,” It’s not as if this has
come as a shock to Nestle.
The sugar controversy is
not specific to India. There
has been a lot of activism
around sugar globally
which packaged food com-
panies have been facing for
the past few years. It is Nes-
tle’s stated goal that it is
working on reducing sugar
levels and focusing on ad-
ding healthier products to
their portfolio. In that con-
text, Nestle has systems
and an apparatus in place
No stranger to controversy: Nestle India faced a more daunting to address this issue.”
challenge in 2015 with the Maggi crisis. REUTERS Mr. Bisen believes the
controversy instead puts
30% reduction has been tions made by the compa- the spotlight on the inca-
achieved by us in the in- ny. They also add this pacity of India’s food regu-
fant-cereal portfolio. We controversy is unlikely to latory framework to deal
are looking at further ways have long-term ramifica- with such issues more
of reducing added sugar.” tions for the company. proactively and the need to
Experts say now it’s for Ankur Bisen, Senior put in place more stringent
the FSSAI to complete test- Partner & Head-Consumer, norms. The controversy
ing to verify the declara- Food & Retail, Technopak comes at a time when con-
sumer activism about
healthier food products
and claims is gaining
ground amid growing calls
for more stringent regula-
tions and enforcement.
‘Give consumers choice’
But could Nestle have done
better ? K. .S Narayanan,
food & beverage expert
and former MD, McCain
Foods, says, “They should
have offered both variants
with added sugar and no-
added sugar as part of their
portfolio and should have
left it to the consumers to
make their choice. Maybe
they will do that in the fu-
ture or may come out with
another formulation as a
fallout of this controversy.”
“Nestle India dominates
the infant-food segment.
The alternative is home re-
cipes, but the reasons con-
sumers seek baby food
products is for conve-
nience and brand trust. Al-
so, this category cannot be
advertised as per law.”
The company said it had
not seen any significant im-
pact on sales of Cerelac.
Nestle India faced a
more daunting challenge
in 2015 with the Maggi cri-
sis. Cut to 2024, India has
emerged as the world’s lar-
gest market for Maggi.
India is a priority mar-
ket where it is executing an
accelerated investment
plan. Irrespective of the
controversy, the firm
seems to be going full
steam ahead with new
bets, announced last week,
with a strong focus on tap-
ping growing demand for
premium products.
(The writer is with The
Hindu businessline)
A IN-X

14
PANAMA CITY
Panama votes in presidential
election with eight contenders
X X
Panamanians started voting on Sunday in presidential elections
featuring a crowded field of eight candidates led by the protege of a
former head of state convicted of corruption. The Central American
country of three million people cast ballots to pick a new President,
congress and local governments. AFP
Israel closes
Gaza crossing
following
Hamas attack
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
Associated Pres
JERUSALEM
Israel closed its main cross-
ing point for delivering
badly needed humanitar-
ian aid for Gaza on Sunday
after Hamas militants at-
tacked it, while the De-
fence Minister claimed Ha-
mas was not serious about
a ceasefire deal and
warned of “a powerful op-
eration in the very near fu-
ture in Rafah and other
places across all of Gaza.”
Both struck blows to on-
going ceasefire efforts in
Cairo mediated by Egypt
and Qatar after reported
signs of progress. Israel has
not sent a delegation, un-
like Hamas, and Defence
Minister Yoav Gallant said
that “we see signs that Ha-
mas does not intend to go
to any agreement.”
Russian forces claim
to have seized village
in eastern Ukraine
Agence France-Presse
MOSCOW
Russia said on Sunday its
armed forces had seized
the village of Ocheretyne
in Ukraine’s eastern Do-
netsk region, the latest in a
string of small territorial
gains for Moscow.
After capturing the in-
dustrial hub of Avdiivka in
February, Russia has
pressed its manpower and
weapons advantage on the
battlefield, advancing sev-
eral kilometres deeper into
Ukraine.
The Defence Ministry
said Russian troops had
“completely liberated the
village of Ocheretyne in
the Donetsk People’s Repu-
blic”. Ocheretyne is
around 15 km northwest of
Avdiivka.
Ukraine’s commander-
in-chief Oleksandr Syrsky
said last week that Kyiv had
pulled back from three vil-
lages in the eastern Do-
netsk region and was
building a new line of
fortifications.
Kyiv has struggled amid
delays to vital Western
weapons supplies in recent
months and hopes the ar-
rival of U.S. arms will help
it stabilise the front lines.
Meanwhile, Russian
strikes on the eastern Uk-
rainian regions of Donetsk
Latest gain: The village of Ocheretyne which was targeted by
Russian forces in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. AP
CM
YK
AFP
Netanyahu orders news network
Al Jazeera to stop work in Israel
This the first time Tel Aviv has shuttered a foreign news outlet; the order empowers officials to confiscate equipment,
prevent the broadcast of the channel’s reports and block its websites; Gaza, West Bank operations remain unaffected
Associated Press
TEL AVIV
I
srael ordered the local
offices of Qatar’s Al Ja-
zeera satellite news
network to close on Sun-
day, escalating a long-run-
ning feud between the
broadcaster and Prime Mi-
nister Benjamin Netanya-
hu’s hard-line government
as Doha-mediated cease-
fire negotiations with Ha-
mas hang in the balance.
The extraordinary or-
der, which includes confis-
cating broadcast equip-
ment, preventing the
broadcast of reports and
blocking its websites, is be-
lieved to be the first time
Israel has ever shuttered a
foreign news outlet.
and Kharkiv killed three
persons and wounded at
least a dozen more, offi-
cials said on Sunday.
Easter occasion
These latest attacks came
as Orthodox Christians in
Ukraine and Russia cele-
brated Easter.
“In Pokrovsk, rocket at-
tacks killed two persons
and damaged a house,” Va-
dim Filashkin, Ukraine’s
governor of the Donetsk re-
gion, said in a post on
Telegram.
Pokrovsk is around 60
km northwest of Donetsk
city, the Russian-held capi-
tal of the region which
Moscow claims to have
annexed.
Another strike on Mona-
chynivka, in Kharkiv re-
gion, killed an 88-year-old
woman.
Earlier on Sunday, the
mayor of Kharkiv said in a
series of posts on Telegram
that at least 10 persons had
been wounded in an aerial
attack on the city around
lunchtime.
“The strike hit the cen-
tral part of the city in an
area of residential build-
ings,” Igor Terekhov said.
Ukraine’s air force said
Russia fired 24 Iranian-
style “Shahed” drones at
its territory overnight, 23
of which were shot down.
BEIRUT
Hezbollah launches rockets at
Israel after south Lebanon strike
An Israeli strike on a southern village on Sunday killed several
people from the same family, with Hezbollah announcing rocket fire
in retaliation. Israel and Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah group
have exchanged regular cross-border fire since Hamas’s October
attack on southern Israel sparked the war in Gaza. AFP
Sudden reaction: Al Jazeera went off Israel’s main cable provider
soon after the order but its website was still running. AFP
The network has report-
ed the Israeli-Hamas war
nonstop since the mili-
tants’ initial cross-border
attack October 7 and has
maintained 24-hour cover-
age in the Gaza Strip amid
Festival fervour
The Green Man and his Queen perform during the Celtic fire festival Beltain in Waterlooville in southern England on Saturday. The festival, a
modern annual participatory arts event, celebrates the Gaelic May Day festival and marks the beginning of summer. AFP
Brazil mounts frantic rescue effort as flooding kills 75
Agence France-Presse
PORTO ALEGRE
Authorities in southern
Brazil scrambled on Sun-
day to rescue people from
raging floods and mud-
slides that have killed at
least 75 and forced more
than 88,000 to flee their
homes.
All over Porto Alegre,
the capital of Rio Grande
do Sul State, people stood
on rooftops hoping to be
rescued as others in ca-
noes or small boats navi-
gated streets that have be-
come rivers.
Viewed from the air,
Porto Alegre was com-
pletely flooded, with
streets under water and
the roofs of some houses
barely visible.
Civil defense officials
said at least 103 people
were missing in the latest
of a string of catastrophic
THE HINDU
World
AFP
Israel’s grinding ground of-
fensive that has killed and
wounded members of its
own staff.
“Al Jazeera reporters
harmed Israel’s security
and incited against sol-
No respite: People being rescued after flooding in Canoas in the
Rio Grande do Sul State in Brazil on Sunday. REUTERS
weather events to hit the
South American giant.
More than 3,000 sol-
diers, firefighters and oth-
er crews worked frantically
to save people stranded by
the floods over the past few
days, in many cases with-
out basics like running wa-
ter or electricity.
“It looks like a scene out
of a war, and after it is over
WASHINGTON
Driver dies after ramming car into
exterior gate of U.S. White House
X X
A driver died after crashing a car into the exterior gate of the White
House late on Saturday, the U.S. Secret Service said. The Secret
Service, along with the police and fire departments of the District of
Columbia, have launched an investigation into the crash. There was
“no threat or public safety implications”, an official said. AFP
diers,” Mr. Netanyahu said
in a statement. “It’s time to
remove the Hamas mouth-
piece from our country.”
Al Jazeera issued a state-
ment vowing it will “pur-
sue all available legal chan-
nels through international
legal institutions in its
quest to protect both its
rights and journalists, as
well as the public’s right to
information.”
Banned for 45 days
Israeli media said the order
allows Israel to block the
channel from operating in
the country for 45 days.
“They’re also banning
any devices — that includes
my mobile phone,” the
network’s correspondent,
Imran Khan, said.
it will require a post-war
approach,” Rio Grande do
Sul Governor Eduardo
Leite said, flanked by Presi-
dent Luiz Inacio Lula da
Silva and several govern-
ment Ministers.
Lula promised the go-
vernment would provide
all necessary resources for
reconstruction.
Besides Porto Alegre,
AP
Al Jazeera went off Is-
rael’s main cable provider
in the hours after the or-
der. However, its website
and streaming links across
multiple online platforms
still operated on Sunday.
Heightened tension
The ban did not appear to
affect the channel’s opera-
tions in the occupied West
Bank or Gaza Strip, where
Israel wields control but
which are not sovereign Is-
raeli territory.
The decision threatens
to heighten tensions with
Qatar at a time when the
Doha government is play-
ing a key role in mediation
efforts to halt the war in
Gaza, along with Egypt and
the United States.
another 334 towns and vil-
lages have been hit by the
flooding, caused by torren-
tial rain.
Field hospitals
Soldiers are setting up field
hospitals after hundreds of
patients had to be evacuat-
ed from regular hospitals.
70% of Porto Alegre is
without running water and
much of the metropolitan
area is under water, offi-
cials said.
The Guaiba River, which
flows through the city of
1.4 million people, reached
a record high level of 5.3
m, according to the local
municipality, well above
the historic peak of 4.76 m
that had stood as a record
since devastating 1941
floods.
Rosana Custodio, a 37-
year-old nurse, fled her
flooded Porto Alegre home
with her husband and
LONDON
Actor Bernard Hill, of Titanic and
Lord of the Rings, has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, 79, who delivered a rousing cry before leading
his people into battle in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the
King and went down with the ship as the captain in Titanic, has
died. His death came the same day the second series of the BBC
drama The Responder in which he acted was to air. AP
China’s Xi Jinping in
France for talks with
Macron on Ukraine
Fresh start: France’s Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, second from
right, greets Xi Jinping at Orly airport, south of Paris on Sunday. AFP
Agence France-Presse
PARIS
Chinese President Xi Jinp-
ing on Sunday arrived in
France on a state visit host-
ed by Emmanuel Macron
where the French leader
will seek to push his coun-
terpart on issues ranging
from Ukraine to trade.
Mr. Xi’s arrival for the vi-
sit marking 60 years of di-
plomatic relations bet-
ween France and China
heralded the start of his
first trip to Europe since
2019, which will also see
him visit Serbia and Hun-
gary. But Mr. Xi’s choice of
France as the sole major
European power to visit in-
dicates the relative warmth
in Sino-French relations
since Mr. Macron made his
own state visit to China in
April 2023 and acknow-
ledges the French leader’s
stature as an EU
powerbroker.
The leader of the one-
party Communist state of
more than 1.4 billion peo-
ple, accompanied by his
wife Peng Liyuan, was wel-
comed under umbrellas at
a drizzly Paris Orly airport
by Prime Minister Gabriel
Attal.
Mr. Xi is to hold a day of
talks in Paris on Monday —
also including EU Commis-
sion chief Ursula von der
Leyen — followed by a state
banquet hosted by Mr. Ma-
three children.
“During the night on
Thursday the waters began
to rise very quickly,” she
said.
“In a hurry, we went out
to look for a safer place.
But we could not walk...
My husband put our two
little ones in a kayak and
rowed with a bamboo. My
son and I swam to the end
of the street,” she said.
Her family was safe but
“we have lost everything
we had.”
‘It’s terrifying’
Authorities scrambled to
evacuate swamped neigh-
bourhoods as rescue work-
ers used four-wheel-drive
vehicles — and even jet skis
— to manoeuvre through
waist-deep water in search
of the stranded.
Sunday will be a key day
for the rescue effort, said
Paulo Pimenta, a senior
Monday, May 6, 2024
Chennai
REUTERS
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
cron at the Elysee.
Tuesday will see Mr. Ma-
cron take Mr. Xi to the Py-
renees mountains to an
area he used to visit as a
boy for a day of less public
and more intimate talks.
Quoted on arrival in Pa-
ris by the Xinhua state
news agency, Mr. Xi said
the development of China-
France relations had “in-
jected stability and positive
energy into the turbulent
world” and China was rea-
dy to “enhance political
mutual trust, build strateg-
ic consensus and deepen
exchanges” during the
visit.
International order
A key priority of Mr. Ma-
cron will be to warn Mr. Xi
of the danger of backing
Russia in its invasion of
Ukrain.
Beijing’s ties with Mos-
cow have, if anything,
warmed after the invasion
and the West wants China
above all not to supply
weapons to Russia and risk
tipping the balance in the
conflict.
“It is in our interest to
get China to weigh in on
the stability of the interna-
tional order,” Mr. Macron
in an interview with the
Economist published on
Thursday.
“We must, therefore,
work with China to build
peace,” he added.
communications official
under Lula.
Long lines formed as pe-
ople tried to board buses in
many places, although bus
services to and from the ci-
ty centre were cancelled.
The Porto Alegre inter-
national airport suspended
all flights on Friday for an
undetermined period.
Its runways are under
water.
Lula posted a video of a
helicopter depositing a sol-
dier atop a house, who
then used a brick to pound
a hole in the roof and res-
cue a baby wrapped in a
blanket.
The speed of the rising
waters unnerved many.
Leite said this was the
worst natural disaster in
the history of Rio Grande
do Sul, which is home to
agroindustrial production
of soy, rice, wheat and
corn.
A IN-X
 THE HINDU
Monday, May 6, 2024 15
Chennai
World

In historical paradox in U.S., protests

are celebrated and condemned alike
Americans cherish the right to assemble and speak out, which is enshrined in the first of the constitutional amendments; but the same lauded social
actions of the past and advances toward equality have been known to produce anger and outright opposition when life’s routines are interrupted
commencements, have accompanied by a nostal-
Associated Press said they support the right gia for previous eras that
Heavy load: A Chadian farmer carries a basket filled with NEW YORK to speak but not to disrupt can be misplaced.
harvested cotton in Kagtaou village on April 26. AFP life for other students or “It’s a romanticism of

P
rotests, rallies, sit-
ins, marches, and
Cotton farmers in disruptions are the
hallmarks of American his-
tory. They date from the
Chad face the heat early days of what would
become the United States
of climate change to the sights and sounds
echoing across the land-
scapes of the nation’s col-
Agence France-Presse leges and universities dur-
KAGTAOU ing this activist spring.
And those same events
Declador Rimleldeoudje waded through his field being met with irritation,
between thousands of stalks that he hopes will be- condemnation, anger, calls
come a bumper crop of cotton — knowing that to desist, and at times the
Chad’s white gold has a future as unpredictable as use of law enforcement
the rains. and aggressive tactics to
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
violate conduct rules. The
police have been called to
clear campus encamp-
ments all over the country,
with more than 2,300 peo-
ple arrested.
Disruption key
When it comes to protest
activity, though, disrup-
tion is the point, said Cel-
este Faison, co-national Di-
rector of the Movement for
Black Lives network, a coa-
lition of organisations that
came together following
the Black Lives Matter prot-
History of movements: Students from various U.S. institutions march down Commonwealth Avenue in ests in 2014 that were cata-
Boston, Massachusetts in 1965 to attend rally on protesting U.S. involvement in Vietnam. FILE PHOTO
the past that it’s actually
not true. For instance, me-
dia covers Martin Luther
King Jr. with a lot of love
and reverence. But we
know: Back then, he was
presented in media as this
anarchist disruptor,” Ms.
Faison says. “At the end of
the day, we have a really
bad pattern of defaming
protesters when they are
in the fight, and then cele-
brating protesters when
they get the win or after
they take the risk.”
It’s a sort of “ideological
appropriation” when peo-

For decades, cotton has sustained his region of make that happen makes
southern Chad. But the prized crop is now under just as much a part of that
threat. American history.
“We like cotton but it’s too difficult ... the cli- “Dissent is essential for
mate is not stable and that’s a real drawback. It ef- democracy. But dissent
fects the tonnage,” Mr. Rimleldeoudje explained, must never lead to disor-
shading his eyes from the scorching sun. der,” U.S. President Joe Bi-
The 24-year-old’s profits have tumbled to a den said on Thursday,
third of what they were last harvest. summing up the enduring
More and more people are becoming discour- national paradox.
aged from cotton farming because of the damage Americans cherish the
wrought by climate change and long-running con- right to assemble, to speak
flicts between farmers and herders. out, to petition for the re-
“Evidence of climate change leads to huge dress of grievances. It is en-
drops in production,” explained Laohote Baohou- shrined in the first of the
tou, a climatologist at N’Djamena University. constitutional amend-
It also exacerbates ancestral conflicts, he said. ments. They laud social ac-
Nomadic herders from the arid Sahel areas of tions of the past and recog-
the north drive their animals through fields be- nise the advances toward
longing to growers in the south, or let the animals equality that previous gen-
graze there. There are disputes about who owns erations made, often at risk
some land. of life and limb. But those
At least 23 people died in a week of fighting in same activities can pro-
March. Women and children are often the victims duce anger and outright
of these frequent conflicts. opposition when life’s rou-
Intense rains are a new threat. The UN says tines are interrupted, and
floods in 2022 destroyed more than 3,50,000 hec- wariness that those speak-
tares of crops and killed 20,000 livestock in the ing out are outsiders look-
central African country. ing to sow chaos and in-
fluence impressionable
minds.
“The public at large dis-
liked the Civil Rights prot-
esters. The public at large
disliked the Vietnam War
protesters. And the public
at large disliked the wo-
men’s movement protes-
ters ... and all of the prot-
ests that have that basically
have occurred going for-
ward,” says Robert Shapi-
ro, professor of political
science in the School of In-
ternational and Public Af-
fairs at Columbia Universi-
ty and an expert on public
opinion in American polit-
ics.
Slow impact
But that does not mean
protests have not had an
impact, he says, even if it’s
not immediate. “Public
opinion changes on the is-
sues as a result of the effec-
tiveness of the protests do-
ing one very important
thing, raising the visibility
and salience of the issues.”
Consider, for example,
the Occupy Wall Street
protest of 2011. “It drew at-
tention to economic in-
equality in the United
States,” he says. “People
were paying more atten-
tion to the conversation
thereafter. The issue of
economic inequality in the
U.S. has become, and re-
mains, more visible.”
Over the last few weeks,
protest camps have sprung
up and been forced down
over Israel’s war on Gaza,
which has been going on
since early October.
The Israeli government
launched military action in
the Gaza Strip after Hamas
militants killed about 1,200
people and took about 250
more as hostages in an at-
tack on October 7 in south-
ern Israel. The Israeli of-
fensive has killed more
than 34,500 Palestinians,
according to the Health Mi-
nistry in Gaza, as well as
caused widespread dam-
age to infrastructure.
Pro-Palestinian demon-
strators at U.S. schools
have been calling on their
administrations to cut eco-
nomic and other ties with
Israel or companies they
say support the war. The
protest encampments
started on April 17 at Co-
lumbia University and
have rippled out national-
ly. What has also rippled is
opposition to the demon-
strations. Administrators,
under pressure to restore
order and normal func-
tioning close to college
lysed by the death of Mi-
chael Brown in Ferguson,
Missouri.
“It’s always in those un-
comfortable moments and
those uncomfortable push-
es that change is possible,”
she says. “What historical-
ly has created change in
the United States are those
who are willing to put their
bodies on the line, their
voice on their line, their
communities on the line.”
That resonates with An-
drew Basta, a fourth-year
undergraduate student at
the University of Chicago
who was spending time on
Tuesday at the encamp-
ment at that school. “It’s
not only fair, but it’s actual-
ly, a responsibility on us to
be disruptive, to change
our lives accordingly and
to resist,” Said Mr. Basta.
Calls for orderly protest
have been frequent in
American history, at times
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
ple who were considered
radical or crazy at the time
of their protests are later
considered “on the right
side of history,” says Char-
les McKinney, associate
professor of history at
Rhodes College, who stu-
dies the Civil Rights Move-
ment. “The state’s role
then is to incorporate
those values while being
ambivalent about the pro-
cess in which those values
were incorporated into the
nation.”
It reinforces the idea
that the power of protest is
not necessarily in convinc-
ing people in the present,
but in impacting the con-
versations in the culture.
The most potent of Ameri-
can history’s protests —
from the Boston Tea Party
in 1773 on down — resonat-
ed far beyond their eras
and, with their enduring
notoriety, succeeded.

Togo’s Gnassingbe follows his father’s Tree of diplomacy

political playbook to extend power

Agence France-Presse
LOME
When Togo’s lawmakers
passed a new Constitution
last month, opposition
leaders quickly rejected
the reform as another ploy
by President Faure Gnass-
ingbe to extend his family’s
more than five-decade grip
on power.
The amended Constitu-
tion created a new role of
President of the Council of
ministers, a position critics
say is tailor-made for Mr.
Gnassingbe to avoid presi-
dential term limits and stay
in office.
Electoral victory
After several delays, Togo-
lese went to the polls on
April 29, with Mr. Gnas-
singbe’s ruling Union for
the Republic party (UNIR)
winning 108 of 113 seats, ac-
cording to provisional re-
sults from the poll body.
A billboard of Togo President Faure Gnassingbe in Lome. FILE PHOTO
Mr. Gnassingbe was put
in power by the military in
2005 when his father
Gnassingbe Eyadema, who
had stamped his total auth-
ority over the country after
seizing power through a
coup in 1967, suddenly
died after ruling for nearly
four decades.
The manoeuvre was
condemned as a coup and
led to a wave of domestic
and international anger.
From having his half-
brother and former De-
fence Minister arrested ov-
er an alleged coup plot to
harsh steps like using live
bullets and Internt black-
outs to crack down on op-
position outbursts, Mr.
Gnassingbe has displayed
streaks of his father’s ruth-
lessness during his time at
the helm of the small West
African nation.
Under the previous Con-
stitution, the leader known
to foes as “Baby Gnass” — a
reference to the younger
man following his father —
could remain in office as
President only until 2030.
Ceremonial President
The new Constitution
makes the presidency a lar-
gely ceremonial role, elect-
ed by lawmakers for a four-
year term. Power now
shifts to the President of
the Council of Ministers, a
post that will be automati-
cally assumed by the head
of the majority party in
parliament.
His foes expect that Mr.
Gnassingbe, as chief of the
UNIR, will take up the new-
ly created post while UNIR
loyalists say the reform will
strengthen democracy Global roots: Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, plants a tree at the Japanese pavilion commemorating early immigrants from the
with more representation. Asian nation to Brazil at the Ibirapuera Park, in Sao Paulo on Saturday. AFP

Kenyan students plant bamboos around school to filter filthy air from trash dump
Associated Press
NAIROBI
Armed with gardening
hoes while others cradled
bamboo seedlings, stu-
dents gathered outside
their school in Kenya’s cap-
ital as they hoped the fully
grown bamboo would help
to filter filthy air from one
of Africa’s largest trash
dumps next door.
More than 100 bamboo
plantings dot the ground
around Dandora secon-
dary school, which shares
a name with the dumpsite
that was declared full 23
years ago. Hundreds of
trucks still drive in daily to
dump more trash.
Allan Sila, 17, said sitting
CM
YK
in his classroom is like stu-
dying in a smelly latrine.
Acrid smoke billowing
from the burning of trash
fills the air every morning,
hindering visibility and
leaving some students with
respiratory issues. “Asth-
ma is a disease that is com-
monly known,” Mr. Sila
said.
The school’s principal,
Eutychus Maina, recalled
being greeted by the smell
and smoke when he was
posted to the school last
year. He knew he had to do
something.
“My motivation for in-
itiating the bamboo project
in the school was to miti-
gate the effects of the
dumpsite. It really pollutes
the air that we breathe,” he
said. He said he researched
online and came across the
use of bamboo. He believes
it will help reduce the cas-
es of respiratory infections
in the community.
Promoted by UN
The fast-growing bamboo
has been promoted by the
United Nations and others
for its high uptake of car-
bon dioxide.
Aderiana Mbandi is an
air quality research and
policy expert at the United
Nations Environment Pro-
gramme (UNEP), based in
Nairobi. She said the im-
pact of air pollution is felt
in all parts of the body in-
cluding the brain, and the
Students hope that the
bamboo will help trans-
form the school compound
into a green haven in the
litter-strewn Dandora
neighbourhood.
The publicly funded
school relies on donations
to afford the seedlings that
is sold in retail at 400 Ke-
nyan shillings each.
But the school manage-
ment is determined to
keep going until bamboo
lines the 900-metre wall
A Dandora Secondary school building next to garbage from one of that separates the school
Africa’s largest garbage dump in Nairobi, Kenya on April 22. AP and the dumpsite.
The Dandora dump oc-
best way to reduce its ef- nine feet tall. The giant cupies about 123 acres of
fects is minimising expo- bamboo variety is expect- land and receives more
sure. The seedlings the stu- ed to reach 40 feet when than 2,000 tonne of waste
dents began planting in mature, depending on soil daily from around Nairobi,
last August are already conditions. home to 4 million people.
Its stench can be
smelled kilometres away.
UNEP, in partnership
with the Stockholm Envi-
ronment Institute, de-
ployed sensors to the Dan-
dora neighbourhood from
October to April to moni-
tor pollution levels from
the dumpsite.
Out of the 166 days mon-
itored, only 12 had a daily
average of excellent air
quality according to World
Health Organization guide-
lines.
Other pollutants
Nairobi’s air is also pollut-
ed by emissions from se-
condhand cars that make
up much of the city’s tran-
sport. Other pollutants in-
clude smoke from indus-
tries that are often located
near residential areas.
The Dandora school is
also planting trees includ-
ing jacaranda and grevil-
lea. Student Josiah Nyam-
wata called them easy to
obtain and easy to plant.
“The other advantage is
that the trees will be help-
ful in order to boost our air
circulation around our
school,” he said.
The air is not the only
challenge faced by the
school. Vultures from the
dumpsite circling in search
of food often create a nui-
sance to the students at
mealtimes forcing them to
guard their plates from be-
ing snatched.
A IN-X

16
UNFORTUNATE
Injured Pathirana goes back to
Sri Lanka for further recovery
X X
CSK suffered a blow as its Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana is
nursing a hamstring injury and will be returning home for further
recovery, the franchise confirmed on Sunday. The right-arm pacer
featured in six matches in this IPL, claiming 13 wickets at an
economy of 7.68, including a four-wicket haul.
Jadeja’s all-round show helps
Super Kings see off Punjab Kings as KKR vaults to the top
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
The CSK star conjures up a three-wicket haul after scoring a valuable 43; Deshpande and Simarjeet chip in with crucial
strikes as Ruturaj’s men successfully defend 167; Rahul Chahar and Harshal’s efforts with the ball go in vain
IPL-17
Shayan Acharya
DHARAMSHALA
bout of flu forced
A Tushar Deshpande
to miss out on
Chennai Super Kings’
home game against Punjab
Kings earlier in the week.
But in the reverse fixture
on Sunday, the seasoned
fast bowler returned to ac-
tion in style and claimed
two for 35 to guide CSK to a
28-run win and bring its In-
dian Premier League cam-
paign back on track.
After CSK’s innings end-
ed at 167 for nine, it did not
seem to be a great total on
the HPCA Stadium surface.
Early strikes
However, Deshpande
struck in his opening over,
dismissing the in-form Jon-
ny Bairstow and Rilee Rus-
souw in a span of three de-
liveries. Punjab Kings
could not recover and fin-
ished its innings at 139 for
nine.
Coming into the game,
CSK’s bowling department
had injury concerns with
Deepak Chahar and Math-
eesha Pathirana out of ac-
tion, but it managed to exe-
cute its plans to perfection
as Simarjeet Singh — re-
turning to competitive
cricket after December
2022 — and Ravindra Jadeja
(three for 20) built on
Deshpande’s fiery spell.
Things go downhill
Prabhsimran Singh and
Shashank Singh forged a
53-run partnership for the
third wicket and looked on
course to guide Kings out
of the woods, but things
went downhill once Mitch-
ell Santner dismissed
Shashank.
Jadeja followed up by
sending back Prabhsimran
to trigger Kings’ collapse.
The home side lost five
wickets for 16 runs.
We are not overly concerned about the
middle-order batting, says Super Kings’ Simons
Shayan Acharya
DHARAMSHALA
Chennai Super Kings bow-
ling consultant Eric Simons
said he wasn’t too con-
cerned about the middle-
order failure and hoped
things would get better in
the upcoming fixtures.
“I think we won’t be
overly concerned about
the middle-order.
Quality
“We know the quality is
there and it might not have
happened in this game.
But as we move forward,
CM
YK
R. RAGU
Narine dazzles against LSG
Master of all trades: Jadeja once again showed what he can do on his day. R.V. MOORTHY
With this win, CSK has
kept its playoffs alive des-
pite another dull day with
the bat. It lost opener Ajin-
kya Rahane early, but skip-
per Ruturaj Gaikwad and
Daryl Mitchell dominated
the PowerPlay, taking the
tally to 60 for 1.
Quick wickets
At that stage, it seemed
CSK was on course for a
200-plus total, but things
turned quickly as leg-spin-
ner Rahul Chahar broke
the partnership and
claimed the wickets of Rut-
we hope to fire again,” Si-
mons said after the game
on Sunday.
It was the second time
in a row that Shivam Dube
fell for a golden duck, but
the seasoned coach backed
the India international.
Just a blip
“I don’t think that’s a pro-
blem when you have a blip
once or twice. That (mid-
dle-order) has been our
strength. Dube has been
incredible but he got out
early twice now and that
happens. “The guys fought
hard on the other side and
THE HINDU
Sport
SOMETHING NEW
Dhoni walks out to bat at No. 9 for
the first time in his T20 career
R.V. MOORTHY
Chennai Super Kings wicketkeeper-batter M.S. Dhoni walked out to
bat at No. 9 for the first time in his T20 career during the Indian
Premier League match against Punjab Kings on Sunday. The former
CSK captain’s stay at the crease was short-lived as he was bowled
by Harshal Patel for a golden duck.
SCOREBOARD
쑽 Varun 7 (7b, 1x6), Ravi Bishnoi
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS
Ajinkya Rahane c Rabada b
Arshdeep 9 (7b, 1x4), Ruturaj
Gaikwad c Jitesh b Rahul Chahar
32 (21b, 4x4, 1x6), Daryl Mitchell
lbw b Harshal 30 (19b, 2x4, 1x6),
Shivam Dube c Jitesh b Rahul
Chahar 0 (1b), Moeen Ali c
Bairstow b Curran 17 (20b, 2x4),
Ravindra Jadeja c Curran b
Arshdeep 43 (26, 3x4, 2x6),
Mitchell Santner c Curran b Rahul
Chahar 11 (11b, 1x4), Shardul
Thakur b Harshal 17 (11b, 2x4,
1x6), M.S. Dhoni b Harshal 0 (1b),
Tushar Deshpande (not out) 0
(1b), Richard Gleeson (not out) 2
(2b); Extras (lb-1, w-5): 6; Total
uraj and Shivam Dube off (for nine wkts. in 20 overs): 167.
FALL OF WICKETS
consecutive deliveries.
1-12 (Rahane, 1.5 overs), 2-69
(Gaikwad, 7.1), 3-69 (Dube, 7.2),
Golden duck for Dube
4-75 (Mitchell, 8.5), 5-101 (Moeen,
It was another golden duck 12.4), 6-122 (Santner, 15.6), 7-150
for Dube and having lost (Shardul, 18.4), 8-150 (Dhoni,
three wickets in a space of 18.5), 9-164 (Jadeja, 19.4).
11 balls, CSK’s innings PUNJAB KINGS BOWLING
needed consolidating. Rabada 3-0-24-0, Arshdeep
Jadeja played a handy 4-0-42-2, Curran 4-0-34-1, Brar
knock to help the team 1-0-19-0, Rahul Chahar 4-0-23-3,
breach the 160-run mark. Harshal 4-0-24-3.
PUNJAB KINGS
M.S. Dhoni, who batted
Prabhsimran Singh (Impact
at No. 9 for the first time in Player in place of Arshdeep) c
his T20 career, fell to the (sub) Rizvi b Jadeja 30 (23b, 2x4,
first ball he faced. But in 2x6), Jonny Bairstow b
the end, it was CSK all the Deshpande 7 (6b, 1x4), Rilee
way. Russouw b Deshpande 0 (3b),
Frugal spell: Rahul Chahar’s had CSK batters in a bind. R.V. MOORTHY
got us to a decent total that from the initial 11-12 has
we could defend,” Simons been important. So, for so-
said. meone like Simarjeet to
“We had a few injury is- come in and do what he
sues, and working away did tonight was very im-
BELIEF
We are still in the race for a playoff
spot, says PBKS’ Harshal
X X
Punjab Kings’ hopes of reaching the playoffs suffered a blow with its
defeat against Chennai Super Kings, but Harshal Patel is still
optimistic. “In my 13 years of playing IPL, I’ve never seen teams go
out of the race of qualifying before 13 or 14 games are over. So, we
are still in that race,” Harshal said.
Shashank Singh c Simarjeet b
Santner 27 (20b, 4x4), Sam
Curran c Santner b Jadeja 7
(11b), Jitesh Sharma c Dhoni b
Simarjeet 0 (1b), Ashutosh
Sharma c Simarjeet b Jadeja 3
(10b), Harpreet Brar (not out) 17
(13b, 2x4), Harshal Patel c Rizvi b
Simarjeet 12 (13b, 1x4, 1x6),
Rahul Chahar b Shardul 16 (10b,
2x4, 1x6), Kagiso Rabada (not
out) 11 (10b, 1x6); Extras (lb-5,
w-4): 9; Total (for nine wkts. in 20
overs): 139.
FALL OF WICKETS
1-9 (Bairstow, 1.3), 2-9 (Rossouw,
1.6), 3-62 (Shashank, 7.6), 4-68
(Prabhsimran, 8.6), 5-69 (Jitesh,
9.4), 6-77 (Curran, 12.1), 7-78
(Ashutosh, 12.3), 8-90 (Harshal,
14.4), 9-117 (Rahul Chahar, 17.3).
SUPER KINGS BOWLING
Santner 3-0-10-1, Deshpande
4-0-35-2, Gleeson 4-0-41-0, Jadeja
4-0-20-3, Simarjeet (Impact
Player in place of Rahane)
3-0-16-2, Shardul 2-0-12-1.
Toss: Punjab Kings.
PoM: Jadeja.
CSK won by 28 runs.
portant. It was obviously
his first game and the
nerves were there. To get
the wickets that did was
magical. So, it’s important
R.V. MOORTHY
Pranay Rajiv
LUCKNOW
Sunil Narine can do no
wrong this IPL season.
On Sunday, at the Ekana
Stadium, his Midas touch
powered Kolkata Knight
Riders to the top of the
standings following a
thumping 98-run win
against Lucknow Super
Giants.
Narine laid the founda-
tion for KKR’s victory with
a blistering 39-ball 81 in the
first innings, before return-
ing figures of one for 22 in
his four overs to shut LSG
down and push it outside
the top four in the points
table.
It all started with Narine
putting on a quickfire 61-
run opening stand with
Phil Salt after K.L. Rahul
elected to field.
Narine started sedately
as Salt peppered the field
with a flurry of boundar-
ies. The left-handed batter
opened up soon by smash-
ing left-arm pacer Mohsin
Khan for three fours and a
six in the fourth over.
The KKR opening duo
raced to its sixth fifty-plus
partnership of the season
before Salt was caught be-
hind off a slower one from
Naveen-ul-Haq. Narine,
though, persisted with his
swinging blade as he took
on the spinners. When
Krunal Pandya pitched it
up, the ball was launched
over mid-wicket, while leg-
spinner Ravi Bishnoi was
delicately cut away for a
four.
The 35-year-old was
brutal when LSG pacers
went full as he cleared his
front foot before launching
them over the leg-side
fence. Narine’s whirlwind
knock ended on 81 after he
mistimed a quicker one
from Bishnoi straight to
Devdutt Padikkal at long
off.
Despite a few quick
wickets, KKR finished on a
high thanks to a six-ball 25
from Ramandeep Singh as
it breached the 220-run
mark for the fifth time this
season. LSG’s riposte was
measured, if not hurried,
to make sure that the
whole squad is ready be-
cause we never know
when we are gonna call
them.”
FILLING IN
LSG’s Yudhvir becomes second
concussion substitute in the IPL
LSG bowler Yudhvir Singh Charak came on as a concussion
substitute for Mohsin Khan during his side’s IPL 2024 match against
KKR on Sunday. Yudhvir became only the second-ever concussion
substitute in the competition after MI’s Vishnu Vinod, who had
replaced Ishan Kishan in the second qualifier last year.
Swashbuckling: Narine was at his explosive best. SANDEEP SAXENA
SCOREBOARD
쑽
KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS
Phil Salt c Rahul b Naveen 32
(14b, 5x4, 1x6), Sunil Narine c sub
(Padikkal) b Bishnoi 81 (39b, 6x4,
7x6), Angkrish Raghuvanshi c
Rahul b Yudhvir 32 (26b, 3x4,
1x6), Andre Russell c sub
(Gowtham) b Naveen 12 (8b, 1x4,
1x6), Rinku Singh c Stoinis b
Naveen 16 (11b, 2x4), Shreyas
Iyer c Rahul b Yash 23 (15b, 3x4),
Ramandeep Singh (not out) 25
(6b, 1x4, 3x6), Venkatesh Iyer (not
out) 1 (1b); Extras (w-13): 13;
Totals (for six wkts. in 20 overs):
235
FALL OF WICKETS
1-61 (Salt, 4.2 overs), 2-140
(Narine, 11.6), 3-167 (Russell,
14.2), 4-171 (Raghuvanshi, 15.1)
5-200 (Rinku, 17.6), 6-224
(Shreyas, 19.3)
SUPER GIANTS BOWLING
Stoinis 2-0-29-0, Mohsin 2-0-28-0,
Naveen 4-0-49-3, Yash Thakur
4-0-46-1, Krunal Pandya 2-0-26-0,
Bishnoi 4-0-33-1, Yudhvir
(Concussion Substitute for
Mohsin) 2-0-24-1.
LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS
K.L. Rahul c Ramandeep b
Harshit 25 (21b, 3x4), Arshin
Kulkarni (Impact Player in
place of Yash Thakur) c
Ramandeep b Starc 9 (7b, 2x4),
Marcus Stoinis c Harshit b Russell
to start with. But KKR’s
bowlers held their ground
with a regular flow of
wickets.
While Rahul was sent
back by right-arm pacer
Harshit Rana, Andre Rus-
sell accounted for the in-
Leverkusen extends
unbeaten run to 48
EURO LEAGUES
Agence France-Presse
BERLIN
Bundesliga champion
Bayer Leverkusen extend-
ed its season-long unbea-
ten run to 48 games with a
5-1 win at Eintracht Frank-
furt on Sunday.
Liverpool shattered Tot-
tenham’s hopes of finish-
ing in the Premier League’s
top four with a 4-2 win that
left Aston Villa on the brink
of Champions League qual-
ification despite its 1-0 de-
feat at Brighton on Sunday.
Monday, May 6, 2024
Chennai
SANDEEP SAXENA
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
36 (21b, 4x4, 2x6), Deepak Hooda
lbw b Varun 5 (3b, 1x4), Nicholas
Pooran c Salt b Russell 10 (8b,
1x6), Ayush Badoni c Starc b
Narine 15 (12b, 1x6), Ashton
Turner c & b Varun 16 (9b, 2x6),
Krunal Pandya c Salt b Harshit 5
(6b), Yudhvir Singh c Russell b
lbw b Harshit 2 (3b),
Naveen-ul-Haq (not out) 0 (0b);
Extras (lb-1, w-6): 7; Total (in 16.1
overs): 137.
FALL OF WICKETS
1-20 (Arshin, 1.6), 2-70 (Rahul,
7.3), 3-77 (Hooda, 8.2), 4-85
(Stoinis, 9.1), 5-101 (Pooran,
11.2), 6-109 (Badoni, 12.3), 7-125
(Turner, 13.6), 8-129 (Krunal,
14.4), 9-137 (Yudhvir, 15.6).
KNIGHT RIDERS BOWLING
Arora (Impact Player in place
of Raghuvanshi) 2-0-21-0, Starc
2-0-22-1, Narine 4-0-22-1, Harshit
3.1-0-24-3, Varun 3-0-30-3, Russell
2-0-17-2.
Toss: LSG.
PoM: Narine
KKR won by 98 runs.
form middle-order duo of
Marcus Stoinis and Nicho-
las Pooran.
The rest of the home
batting lineup folded
quickly as KKR completed
the season double over
LSG in a crushing manner.
The results:
Premier League: Brighton 1
(Pedro 87-pen) bt Aston Villa 0;
Chelsea 5 (Palmer 15, Gallagher
30, Madueke 36, Jackson 48, 80)
bt West Ham 0; Liverpool 4 (Salah
16, Robertson 45, Gakpo 50,
Elliott 59) bt Tottenham 2
(Richarlison 72, Son 77).
Bundesliga: Eintracht Frankfurt
1 (Ekitike 32) lost to Bayer
Leverkusen 5 (Xhaka 12, Schick
44, Palacios 58-pen, Frimpong 77,
Boniface 89-pen).
Serie A: Empoli 0 drew with
Frosinone 0; Verona 2 (Lazovic
13-pen, Noslin 59) bt Fiorentina 1
(Castrovilli 42).
On Saturday:
Serie A: Sassuolo 1 (Lauriente
20) bt Inter Milan 0.
A IN-X
 THE HINDU
Monday, May 6, 2024 17
Chennai
Sport

INBRIEF
쑽 Match-ups likely to dominate I never refused to
MI-Sunrisers contest give the sample:
Hosts could play party poopers against the visitors as they look to avoid finishing last on the table;
Bajrang Punia
the duel between Bumrah against Head and Abhishek would attract eyeballs
WRESTLING

IPL-17 Sports Bureau

KOLKATA
Amol Karhadkar
Sriram Balaji and Begemann MUMBAI After World and Olympic
win Cagliari Challenger he Indian Premier
medal-winning wrestler

Sriram Balaji and Andre Begemann beat Boris

Arias and Federico Zeballos 6-4, 6-7(3), [10-6] in
the doubles final of the €205,000 Challenger
T League is entering
the last fortnight of
the league stage. Natural-
Bajrang Punia’s provisional
suspension due to his ‘re-
fusal’ to give his urine sam-
ple to the National Anti-
tennis tournament in Cagliari, Italy, on Sunday. ly, it’s that time of the year Doping Agency (NADA) of-
The champion team collected €11,705 and 175 when terms like “business ficials came to light, the
ATP points. It was the fourth Challenger title as a end, must-win affair, play- athlete gave his defence Bajrang... speaking out.
pair for Balaji and Begemann who had won three ing for pride and playing while the Wrestling Feder- FILE PHOTO
Challengers last year. spoilsport” will be used as ation of India (WFI) raised
frequently as Travis a question about it. his sample, Bajrang took to
Head’s sixes and Jasprit social media X to tell his
Bumrah’s toe-crushers. The NADA officials had side of the story.
approached several wres-
Heartbreak for men’s Despite all these terms
befitting the contest bet-
tlers, including Bajrang,
“I want to clarify about
the news coming about me
for their samples during
4x400m relay team ween Sunrisers Hydera-
the selection trials (for
for dope test! I never re-
bad — among the most ag- fused to give the sample to
Olympic qualifiers) con-
Second leg runner Rajesh Ramesh pulled out gressive outfits who NADA officials, I requested
ducted in Sonipat on
injured as the Indian men’s 4x400m team failed cannot afford a slip-up for them to answer me as to
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce

e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
March 10 by the Indian
to finish its heat at the World Athletics Relays in making it to the Playoffs — X-factor: SRH would rely on Head to get them off to a flier against MI. EMMANUAL YOGINI what action they took on
Olympic Association (IOA)-
Nassau (Bahamas) on Sunday, during round one and Mumbai Indians – on the expired kit which they
multiple occasions when duel between the duo in- appointed ad-hoc commit-
of Paris Olympics qualifications. The Indian course to be awarded the had earlier brought to col-
the duo have set the tone stead of Bumrah’s wor- tee, but they could not get
quartet of Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Ramesh, wooden spoon, it will be lect my sample. And then
for a gargantuan SRH total kload being managed with Bajrang’s sample.
Muhammed Ajmal and Amoj Jacob was hoping to the battle between the in- take my dope test. My la-
book a Paris ticket with a top-two finish in heat form opening batter and was the contest between an eye on India’s T20 After 44 days, the NADA wyer Vidush Singhania will
number four, but in utter heartbreak, Ramesh the pick of IPL bowlers these two sides in Hydera- World Cup challenge. sent a letter, dated April 23, reply to this letter in due
left the race midway while clutching his left leg that will be tempting for bad early on in the to Bajrang saying he had course of time,” said Baj-
Equally interesting
after cramping. Anas had already run the first the fans to flock the Wank- tournament. been provisionally sus- rang on Sunday.
could be the battle bet-
leg. India will have another chance on Monday hede Stadium on Monday So strangely was Bum- ween Rohit Sharma, who pended for his ‘refusal’ to The WFI questioned
during round two of Olympics qualifications. night. rah used in that game that was used as an Impact give his urine sample for why NADA, after taking
India also failed to make the Olympics cut in Head and Abhishek he bowled a solitary deliv- Player against Kolkata dope testing. more than a month to send
women’s 4x400m and mixed 4x400m relays on Sharma — the left-handed ery to Head. Knight Riders on Friday Tagging one of his old a notice to the athlete, sent
the first day of qualifications. Both the Indian duo — have turned the ag- With Mumbai Indians night due to a stiff back, videos, where he was seen a copy of the notice to the
teams of mixed 4x400m and women’s 4x400m gressive template into an having only pride and rep- and T. Natarajan, the left- questioning the NADA offi- ad-hoc body, which was
will have to wait for Monday’s round two of ultra-aggressive mode this utation to play for, the fans arm pacer who has found cials why they had brought dissolved on April 18, in-
Olympics qualifications. time around. Among the will be hoping for another his mojo. an outdated kit to collect stead of the federation.

India and Vivaan misses

Bangladesh beats Zimbabwe
by six wickets
Towhid Hridoy’s unbeaten 37 off 35 balls
Top run getter: Shafali has been the only batter to register a
powered Bangladesh to a six-wicket win over
half-century for India in this series. FILE PHOTO: EMMANUAL YOGINI
Zimbabwe in the second Twenty20 International
of the five-match series in Chittagong on Sunday.
The scores: Zimbabwe 138/7 in 20 overs (J. Campbell 45, B. India women eye
Bennett 44 n.o., Taskin Ahmed 2/18, Rishad Hossain 2/33) lost
to Bangladesh 142 for four in 18.3 overs (Towhid Hridoy 37
n.o.). Toss: Bangladesh. Bangladesh wins by six wickets and stronger outing
leads the series 2-0.
CRICKET
Press Trust of India
SYLHET
With the series already in
their kitty, India women
will be eager to iron out
certain flaws, particularly
on their batting front, dur-
ing the fourth T20I against
Bangladesh on Monday.
India has taken an unas-
Costantini back as foreign sailable 3-0 lead in the five-
match series, but the sco-
coach of the Indian TT team reline has masked some
rust in the batting unit.
Italy’s Massimo Costantini is returning as the Across the three match-
foreign coach of the Indian table tennis team on a es, India has only one fifty
two-year-term. He is expected to reach India to show, a 51 by Shafali Ver-
soon and complete all the formalities. The ma in the first match, and
66-year-old had been the Indian coach from other batters like Smriti
2009 to 2010 and from 2016 to 2018. After Mandhana and skipper
Massimo left in 2018, the Indian team hasn’t had Harmanpreet Kaur will be
the services of a foreign coach. eager to join the party.
It’s imperative for them
to slip into higher gears as
they will be up against a far
formidable rival in South
Africa next month in an all-
format series.
Additionally, this will al-
so be the batting core that
will do duty in the T20
World Cup in October.
But the Indian bowlers
have adapted well to the
slow pitches with left-arm
spinner Radha Yadav lead-
ing the chart with six
wickets.
Bangladesh will bank on
the experienced Nigar Sul-
tana, the leading run-get-
ter in this series with 85
runs, to counter the effi-
cient and experienced In-
dian attack.
Match starts at 3.30 p.m. IST.
Australia
in Group A
Press Trust of India
DUBAI
India was on Sunday
placed in Group A along-
side defending champion
Australia, New Zealand,
Pakistan in the Women’s
T20 World Cup, which will
be held in Bangladesh from
October 3-20 this year.
With all its group match-
es scheduled to be played
at Sylhet, India will open
against New Zealand on
October 4 and face off
against Pakistan on Octob-
er 6 as the ICC announced
the schedule for the ninth
edition of the Women’s
T20 WC.
India’s next assignment
will be against an yet-to-be-
identified Qualifier 1 team
on October 9 while its
clash against six-time
world champion Australia
will be on October 13.
“Each side will play four
group matches with the
top two teams from each
group progressing to the
semifinals on 17 and 18 Oc-
tober ahead of the final in
Dhaka on October 20,” the
ICC posted on its website.
Host Bangladesh is
placed in Group B along
with South Africa, En-
gland, West Indies and
Qualifier 2.
Triumphant: The victorious Chinese Uber Cup squad. AFP
China completes a
delightful double
THOMAS & UBER CUP
Agence France-Presse
CHENGDU
China completed a Tho-
mas and Uber Cup double
Sunday as both men’s and
women’s teams beat Indo-
nesia to win their respec-
tive world team champion-
ship finals in Chengdu.
The men, who won 3-1,
lifted China’s first Thomas
Cup since it beat Japan in
2018 for their 11th triumph
in all.
It was agony again for
14-time winner Indonesia,
which lost its second suc-
cessive final after falling to
India two years ago in
Bangkok.
Earlier, in the women’s
event, Indonesia was po-
werless to prevent a flaw-
less China from lifting the
Uber Cup for a record-ex-
tending 16th time with a
3-0 victory. The next most
successful women’s nation
is Japan, which has won six
times.
The results (finals):
Thomas Cup: China bt
Indonesia 3-1 (Shi Yuqi bt
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 21-17,
21-6; Liang Wei Keng & Wang
Chang bt Fajar Alfian &
Muhammad Rian Ardianto 21-18,
17-21, 21-17; Li Shi Feng lost to
Jonatan Christie 16-21, 21-15,
17-21; Hi Ji Ting & Ren Xiang Yu bt
Muhammad Shohibul Fikri &
Bagas Maulana 21-11, 21-15).
Uber Cup: China bt Indonesia
3-0 (Chen Yu Fei bt Gregoria
Mariska Tunjung 21-7, 21-16;
Chen Qing Chen & Jia Yi Fan bt
Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti &
Ribka Sugiarto 21-11, 21-8; He
Bing Jiao bt Ester Nurumi 10-21,
21-15, 21-17).
trap final by a
whisker
SHOOTING
Sports Bureau
Vivaan Kappor shot 120
out of 125 but missed the
trap final in the shoot-off in
the World Cup in Baku,
Azerbaijan, on Sunday.
In a three-way tie bet-
ween three shooters for
the sixth and last spot in
the final, the 22-year-old
Vivaan lost 3-2 to Matthew
Coward-Holley of Britain,
after Ian O’Sullivan of Ire-
land failed to hit the first
bird in the shoot-off.
Vivaan had a series of
24, 25, 22, 25 and 24 for the
seventh place while Prith-
viraj Tondaiman (117) and
Olympic quota winner
Bhowneesh Mendiratta
(116) placed 24th and 39th
respectively.
In women’s trap, Olym-
pic quota winner Rajesh-
wari Kumari shot 108 and
placed 23rd. She missed
the final by six points.
The results: Trap: Men: 1.
James Wilett 46 (121); 2. Filip
Marinov 42 (121); 3. Jean Pierre
Cardenas 34 (121); 7. Vivaan
Kapoor 120; 24. Prithviraj
Tondaiman 117; 39. Bhowneesh
Mendiratta 116.
Women: 1. Ray Bassil 44 (114); 2.
Penny Smith 40 (116); 3. Erica
Seissa 34 (115); 23. Rajeshwari
Kumari 108; 29. Shreyasi Singh
107; 38. Manisha Keer 105.

Swiatek outlasts Sabalenka to
win the Madrid Open
TENNIS
Reuters
MADRID
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek
edged Aryna Sabalenka
7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7) in a gripping
and gruelling Madrid Open
final to win the title for the
first time on Saturday in
what was a repeat of last
year’s summit clash at the
WTA 1000 claycourt
tournament.
Sabalenka had won the
2023 final in three sets but
it was Swiatek who tri-
umphed this time after
saving three champion-
CM
YK
What a win! Swiatek saved three match points on her way to a
maiden crown in the Spanish capital. AFP
ship points to secure her
20th career title and deny
the Belarusian a third title
on the red clay of the Span-
ish capital. Victory im-
proved Swiatek’s record
over her Belarusian rival to
7-3.
Verstappen ties Prost’s record with sixth pole
MIAMI GP
Associated Press
MIAMI
Max Verstappen inched
closer to a third consecu-
tive win at the Miami
Grand Prix by continuing
his long domination of For-
mula 1 qualifying.
The three-time reigning
F1 champion won his se-
venth consecutive pole,
but first at Miami, where
Verstappen failed to earn
the top starting spot in the
first two races around
Hard Rock Stadium, yet
still won them both.
“I don’t know what it is,
every single year we come
Sizzling drive: Verstappen celebrates after securing top spot. AFP
here I find it extremely dif-
ficult to be consistent with
the car feeling, with the
tire feeling over one lap,”
Verstappen said. “I think
we did OK. It’s not the
most enjoyable lap of my
career, but we’re on pole
and that’s the most impor-
tant.”
The pole-winning run
tied Verstappen with Alain
Prost in opening the sea-
son with six consecutive
poles. Prost did it in 1993.
“Good start,” Verstap-
pen radioed his team.
“Let’s keep it going.”
Verstappen opened Sa-
turday with a win in the
sprint race and ended the
day with his 38th career
pole.
The Red Bull driver
turned a lap at 1 minute,
27.241 seconds to best the
Ferraris of Charles Leclerc
and Carlos Sainz Jr. and
will lead the field to green
on Sunday for the first of
F1’s three races this year in
the United States.
Verstappen has won
four of the first five F1 races
this season.
Sergio Perez, Verstap-
pen’s teammate at Red
Bull, qualified fourth and
was followed by McLaren
teammates Lando Norris
and Oscar Piastri, who
were likely disappointed
after upgrades brought to
Miami has the team hoping
to move closer to competi-
tion with Red Bull and
Ferrari.
Mercedes drivers Ge-
orge Russell and Lewis Ha-
milton qualified sixth and
seventh and were followed
by Nico Hülkenberg of
Haas and Yuki Tsunoda of
Red Bull’s junior team.
A IN-X

18
How Kratky and Indian talent carried
Mumbai City to ISL championship triumph
A midseason change in management could have been catastrophic for the Islanders, but the new coach found the right way to balance predecessor
Buckingham’s style and his own philosophies to carry a young and determined side to the podium
Karthik Mudaliar
housands of fans fell silent at
T the Salt Lake stadium on
Saturday when Mumbai City FC
(MCFC) became the ISL
Champion, beating Mohun Bagan Super
Giant (MBSG) 3-1 in its backyard.
Just a few weeks back, MCFC had a
night to forget when it lost its League
Shield to MBSG under the same skies. But
with the reversal in the final, it was a
fitting end to what has been an eventful
campaign for the west-coast side.
With three wins and two draws from
the first five league games, MCFC had a
decent start to its season, but the club
underwent a major change in November,
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
when its longest-serving head coach Des
Buckingham left to join England’s Oxford
United.
A mid-season change in management
could have derailed MCFC’s season,
however, the City Football Group found
an able replacement in Petr Kratky.
The 42-year-old tactician moved from
sister club Melbourne City FC, where he
was an assistant manager. The role with
the defending ISL Shield champion was
his first assignment as a head coach,
raising eyebrows, but Kratky delivered.
Road to the ISL final
MCFC finished second in the standings
with 47 points, just one shy of the shield.
The Islanders were incredible during the
final stretch of the league, picking 25
points from the last ten games, with eight
wins and a draw. But the sole loss came
against MBSG in the last match, costing
them the Shield.
Apart from that defeat, it lost two more
games in the league with the first coming
in December against Kerala Blasters while
the next came against Jamshedpur FC at
home in February.
The ISL playoffs, too, could have
panned out differently for MCFC but for
the stoppage-time heroics of Lallianzuala
Chhangte and Vikram Partap Singh in the
first leg of the semifinal against FC Goa.
The Islanders were trailing 0-2 until the
89th minute, but three goals in just seven
minutes — including two in stoppage time
– turned things around dramatically. In
the second leg, it cruised to a 2-0 win to
seal the tie 5-2.
In the final, MCFC dominated
possession and controlled the tempo but
was once again trailing 0-1 at halftime. But
this time, the Islanders held their nerve to
lift the coveted trophy.
Kratky’s influence
Kratky has continued with Buckingham’s
4-3-3 formation and adopted a similar
possession-based approach to his
predecessor. MCFC attacked in huge
numbers by crowding the opponent’s half
and predominantly attacked through the
wings. In the final third, MCFC usually
moved deep into the flanks and made
cutbacks for the strikers to attack inside
the box.
While on the backfoot, MCFC stayed
deep and defended in numbers inside the
box. The Islanders had the best defensive
record – conceding just 19 goals in the
regular league stage.
MCFC, however, seemed vulnerable in
the first half with its defending. 11 out of
the 23 goals it conceded, including two in
the knockouts, came in the first 45
minutes.
Although MCFC had a good campaign
in the ISL, it couldn’t quite reciprocate its
form in other competitions. It got
knocked out of the Durand Cup last year
in the quarterfinals by the Mariners and
despite doing well in the group stage of
the Super Cup in January, were
eliminated by Odisha FC in the semifinals.
MCFC also had a disappointing
showing in Asia, losing all its six games in
the AFC Champions League this season.
The Islanders were in a tough group with
Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Navbahor
(Uzbekistan) and Nassaji Mazandaran
(Iran).
MCFC lost its home game 0-2 against
the Saudi giant Al Hilal, but the scoreline
didn’t do justice to how it played despite
being the underdog.
The Islanders were down to 10 men but
fought hard to limit Al Hilal’s might on the
ball despite the opposition having the
lion’s share of possession (79 per cent).
Although beaten, the host showed great
character against the power-packed Hilal
squad.
Adapting to changes
MCFC underwent major changes not just
in its management, but in its playing staff
as well. Key players like Mourtada Fall and
Ahmed Jahouh, who were integral in the
side’s Shield win last season, left for
Odisha FC.
CM
YK
We just tried to stay positive and keep
believing. As soon as we scored the first
one, we knew that we were on a good
pathway. We scored the second and
the third and we knew we were done...
sometimes in football you get lows and
highs. Very proud of the group and
how we handled it. It means a lot for
the club. Because it is not easy and you
don’t get this opportunity all the time
PETR KRATKY
Left-back Akash Mishra and midfielder
Yoell Van Nieff, two of the first names on
the team sheet, were brought in last
summer by Buckingham. They also signed
a new centre-back pairing of Thaer
Krouma and Tiri, who stabilised MCFC
with their contributions. The Islanders
also loaned in local player Jayesh Rane
from Bengaluru FC, who made vital
contributions coming off the bench and
had four assists in the ISL.
High-profile overseas players Greg
Stewart, El Khayati Nasser and Rostyn
Griffiths left the club midway through the
season in the January break and Iker
Guarrotxena, the reinforcement brought
in up front, got injured soon.
Despite the drawbacks, Kratky took
advantage of the depth in his squad and
entrusted the domestic youngsters to
keep MCFC’s boat afloat.
From being an occasional substitute at
the start of the season, Vikram Partap
became one of the crucial attackers under
Kratky. The 22-year-old made 23
appearances while scoring eight goals and
THE HINDU
Monday, May 6, 2024
Sport Chennai
e6fcf1ba-47bb-4e5e-a12b-0876de505fce
PTI
THE GIST
쑽
MCFC’s heroics against FC Goa
in the first leg of the ISL
semifinal is the first time any
team has scored three goals in
the 90th minute or later in the
history of the league
쑽
Mumbai became only the
second team to score 300 goals
in the league’s history after
Goa (346)
쑽
MCFC has scored in each of its
ten meetings against Mohun
Bagan Super Giant in the ISL,
its longest such active streak
against any opponent in the
competition
쑽
Four teams have played ISL
finals in front of their home
crowds. All four have lost
(2015: FC Goa 2-3 Chennaiyin
FC; 2016: Kerala Blasters 1-1
ATK (ATK won on penalties);
FOCUS SPORTS/ISL 2017-18: Bengaluru FC 2-3
Chennaiyin FC; 2023-24:
providing four assists. His performances Mohun Bagan 1-3 Mumbai City
also earned him a spot in the Indian FC)
National team for the AFC Asian Cup in
Qatar. 쑽
Young players like Gurkirat Singh, His stint with MCFC is Petr
Ayush Chikkara, Vinit Rai and Kratky’s first assignment as a
Hmingthanmawia Ralte (Valpuia) also head coach
prospered under the Czech coach.
With ten goals and six assists, Chhangte
had the highest goal contributions for
MCFC, also the most by an Indian player.
A right-winger with a mean left foot, the
26-year-old was a menace on the flanks
and pivotal for MCFC’s success, especially
after the playmaker Stewart’s departure.
Another youngster in the ranks,
Lalengmawia Ralte (Apuia) was
instrumental for the Islanders in the
midfield. The 23-year-old created 17
scoring chances throughout the season
and his passing in the middle of the park
was a catalyst to MCFC’s possession style
of play.
It’s only been five months since the
Czech took charge and he has already
become a favourite among both fans and
his players.
In both victory and defeat, Kratky is
always smiling, and his charismatic
nature brought positivity to the side.
“Kratky gives us individual attention in
training and gives us valuable insights
from previous games in training. We do
something new every day and we really
enjoy his training sessions,” MCFC
defender Mehtab Singh told Sportstar in
an interaction.
Kratky has taken ISL by storm in his
first season, helping MCFC to a
well-deserved trophy.
The Islanders are in safe hands and if
Kratky cracks the transfer window, it
could be another campaign to remember
next year. X/MCFC
A IN-X