KOCHI � THURSDAY � JUNE 27, 2024 � `9.
00 � PAGES 16 � LATE CITY EDITION
JAISHANKAR FLAGS INDIA’S CONCERNS
OVER VIOLENCE TO MYANMAR DY PM
The external a�airs minister on Wednesday
conveyed India’s ‘deep concerns’ over the impact
of violence in Myanmar on the Indian border
CHENNAI ■ MADURAI ■ VIJAYAWADA ■ BENGALURU ■ KOCHI ■ HYDERABAD ■ VISAKHAPATNAM ■ COIMBATORE ■ KOZHIKODE ■ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ■ BELAGAVI ■ BHUBANESWAR ■ SHIVAMOGGA ■ MANGALURU ■ TIRUPATI ■ TIRUCHY ■ TIRUNELVELI ■ SAMBALPUR ■ HUBBALLI ■ DHARMAPURI ■ KOTTAYAM ■ KANNUR ■ VILLUPURAM ■ KOLLAM ■ TADEPALLIGUDEM ■ NAGAPATTINAM ■ THRISSUR ■ KALABURAGI
An elderly man wades through knee-deep water at Bala Nagar near Vettucaud in
Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday. Heavy rain lashed several parts of the state
on the day, inundating low-lying areas | B P DEEPU
5G spectrum auction fetches
just 12% of targeted revenue
R A K E S H K U M A R @ New Delhi
THE Central government’s sec-
ond 5G spectrum action on
Wednesday saw subdued bid-
ding by telecom companies,
which collectively bid `11,340
crore for a total 141.4 MHz of
airwaves. The bid value
amounts to just 12% of
the reserve price of
`96,238 crore. The auc-
tion concluded in two
days with seven rounds
of bidding.
Bharti Airtel emerged
the top bidder by acquiring air-
waves worth `6,856.76 crore,
followed by Vodafone Idea at
`3,510 crore. India’s largest tel-
ecom operator Reliance Jio
had deposited the highest ear-
nest money of `3,000 crore but
it bid only `973.62 crore to pick
up additional spectrum.
Snakes troubling Udma?
Muhammad, 75, is on it
J I T H U L N A R AYA N A N @Kasaragod
WHEN residents of Udma face
a snake problem, they make a
call. Somewhere, the mobile
phone of M Muhammad rings
with urgency.
Within minutes, Muham-
mad, 75, is on his trusty old bi-
cycle — his chariot — furiously
pedalling to the destination
where some terrified people,
and an even more terrified rep-
tile, await his arrival.
Muhammad is not new to
snake-catching, having done
this for over 50 years. In fact,
he is so renowned for his ex-
pertise that even forest depart-
ment officials give Muhammad
a call when they want some
slithering visitors removed
from human habitats and re-
leased into the wild. His family
is always worried about his
safety. Yet, Muhammad contin-
ues to pursue his passion.
“The first time I rescued a
snake was from a well when I
was 18 years old. In the days,
months and years since then, I
have rescued many snakes, so
many that I have lost count.
Though I do not charge them
anything for catching a snake,
I happily accept whatever peo-
ple give me out of happiness
for, as they put it, saving them.
After capturing the snakes, I
ALERT TODAY
LUKEWARM RESPONSE
This year’s auction included
spectrum across various bands —
800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz,
2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, 2500 MHz,
3300 MHz, and 26 GHz. However,
telcos showed interest only in
900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz,
and 2500 MHz bands
In the previous 5G spec-
trum auction held in Au-
gust 2022, the government
had fetched a record `1.5
lakh crore. The lukewarm
response this time is attributed
to the fact that most telecom
service providers (TSPs), ex-
cept Reliance Jio, participated
in the auction mostly to renew
their expired spectrums.
Bharti Airtel, led by Sunil
Mittal, acquired 97 MHz of
spectrum to renew its expiring
M Muhammad and his trusty old bicycle
alert the forest officials,” says
Muhammad. Though a septua-
genarian, Muhammad shows
no signs of slowing down, let
alone stopping.
To ensure he’s always avail-
able when they need him, Mu-
hammed keeps his service dis-
creet, asking people to call his
personal number. This helps
him ensure that calls seeking
his service are not made to his
home, as they would end up
adding to the worries of his
family. A daily wage labourer,
Muhammad originally hails
from Sirsi in Karnataka and
came to Kasaragod when he
was 16. ● More on P4
FIRST ENGAGEMENT WITH SENIOR JUNTA LEADER
Jaishankar’s meeting with Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister U Than
Shwe in New Delhi is the government’s first publicly acknowledged
engagement with a senior leader of the Myanmar military junta in India.
Jaishankar told Shwe that the continuing violence in Myanmar has led
to a rise in illegal arms and narcotics arriving at the Indian border
IT’S POURING
Heavy rain and strong winds
lashed several parts of Kerala on
Wednesday. The state received
69mm rainfall on the day
HOLIDAY TODAY
For all educational institutions,
including professional colleges, in
Pathanamthitta, Wayanad, Idukki,
Kottayam, Ernakulam, Alappuzha
& Kannur’s Iritty taluk. Model
residential schools in Wayanad, Idukki
to stay open. Exams as per schedule
Orange: Wayanad & Kannur
Yellow: Idukki, Ernakulam,
Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram,
Kozhikode & Kasaragod
Girl, 4, injured after palm tree
falls on house in Peringalakara,
Ernakulam. Seven houses partially
damaged in district. One house
partially collapses in Kozhikode
Rain/thundershower likely in most
places till June 28
Kottayam receives max rainfall
(103mm), followed by Wayanad
(95.8mm), Kannur (89mm) &
Kasaragod (85mm)
Seawalls collapse on many coastal
stretches in Kozhikode, breached at
Chellanam in Kochi
licences and also to bolster its
mid-band spectrum holdings
across select circles. Bharti
Hexacom, a subsidiary of
Bharti Airtel, acquired 15 MHz
of airwaves for `1,001 crore.
Vodafone Idea picked up 50
MHz spectrum across low band
and mid band series (900 MHz,
1800 MHz, and 2500 MHz) in as
many as 11 circles. Reliance Jio
acquired additional spectrum
in the 1800 MHz band in Bihar
and West Bengal.
“Spectrum auction 2024 was
part of a continuous allocation
process... TSPs have taken
spectrum not only for continu-
ity of service but for expand-
ing their services but the vol-
ume is limited because already
a large part of the spectrum re-
quired was auctioned only last
year,” said Union telecom min-
ister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
EXPRESS READ
CBI chargesheets
ex-cops in ISRO case
T’Puram: The CBI team probing
the conspiracy behind the ISRO
spy case has named high-ranking
former police officers in the
chargesheet filed in a
Thiruvananthapuram court on
Monday. Former DGP Siby
Mathews, ex-IB Deputy Director R
B Sreekumar, former Pettah
Inspector S Vijayan and former
Pettah Sub-inspector Thambi S
Durgadath have been named as
accused in the chargesheet | P4
16 PAGES, INCLUDING 4 PAGES OF
KOCHI EXPRESS
Applicant’s licence renewal bid hits apostrophe roadblock
K R I S H N A K U M A R K E @Kochi
PETER Leo D’Couth, an Anglo-
Indian residing at Pachalam in
Ernakulam, was restless on
Wednesday. His driving licence
was expiring, and his efforts to
get it renewed were going in
vain.
It was not manpower short-
age at the Motor Vehicles De-
partment (MVD) or official apa-
thy that was making Peter’s
task difficult. Rather, it was the
apostrophe in his name that
was causing the problem.
For, despite umpteen tries,
1,640 km
SECURITY SOUGHT FOR INDIAN PROJECTS
Jaishankar sought cooperation for the early return of about 100
■
Indians trapped in Myanmar’s Myawaddy town. Most of them fell
prey to an international racket promising jobs in Myanmar
■ The minister also said he had pressed for credible security protection IS THE LENGTH OF INDIA’S
for India’s various ongoing projects in the strife-torn country BORDER WITH MYANMAR
Birla stays in LS Speaker’s saddle
Second presiding officer to get
two terms; elected by voice vote
P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi
NATIONAL Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate
Om Birla was on Wednesday elected Lok Sabha
Speaker for the second consecutive term after a
motion moved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
was adopted through voice vote.
The Speaker election for the 18th Lok Sabha was
keenly watched as it witnessed a rare contest be-
tween Birla and the Opposition INDIA bloc’s can-
didate Kodikunnil Suresh after both sides failed to
arrive at a consensus.
Birla became the only presiding officer to serve
two terms after Balram Jakhar. Pro-tem Speaker
Bhartruhari Mahtab made the announcement af-
ter the Opposition did not press for division of
votes to the motion. While elections to the Speak-
er’s post were common before Independence, the Video grab of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in a rare handshake
position witnessed contests only thrice in Inde- before escorting Om Birla to the Speaker’s chair, in New Delhi on Wednesday | PTI
pendent India — in 1952, 1967 and 1976.
Massive Oppn protest after
Three-term BJP MP Birla represents Kota in the
Lok Sabha. NDA allies Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Jitan
Ram Manjhi (HAM-S), Prataprao Jadhav (Shiv
Chair’s Emergency rap
Sena) and Chirag Paswan (LJP-RV) also moved
motions in Birla’s favour.
Shiv Sena (UBT) member Arvind Sawant moved
SHARP
the motion to elect Congress’ Suresh to the post. STATEMENT P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi cy. 25th June 1975 will always be
After the voice vote, Mahtab announced that all known as a black chapter in the
other motions, barring the prime minister’s, be- “The nation SOON after his election as history of India,” he said. The
came infructuous. Birla’s election was a foregone turned into a Speaker, Om Birla on Wednes- House was adjourned after cha-
prison...
conclusion as the NDA has 293 members as against day sparked a row by reading otic scenes of protests and slo-
the INDIA bloc’s 237 in the Lok Sabha. Emergency out a resolution condemning ganeering by the Opposition.
Congratulating Birla on his re-election, Modi brought with the imposition of Emergency Prime Minister Narendra
expressed confidence that he will guide parliamen- it anti-social as an attack on the Constitu- Modi welcomed the Speaker’s
tarians and play a big role in the House in fulfilling and tion by former prime minister reference to Emergency. “The
people’s expectations. dictatorial Indira Gandhi, triggering mas- happenings during the Emer-
In his speech, Birla said that in the last decade, policies that sive protests by the Opposition gency exemplified what a dicta-
the expectations, hopes and aspirations of the peo- destroyed in the Lok Sabha. torship looks like,” Modi said.
ple have increased. “Therefore, it becomes our re- the lives of “This House strongly con- For his part, Congress MP
sponsibility to make collective efforts to fulfil their the poor, demns the decision to impose Shashi Tharoor said, “What we
expectations and aspirations effectively. The 18th the Dalits Emergency in 1975. We appreci- saw was the Speaker unfortu-
and the
Lok Sabha is the world’s largest celebration of de- ate the determination of all nately raising a matter that had
deprived,”
mocracy. More than 64 crore voters participated those who opposed Emergency, not been discussed in the House
Speaker Om
with great enthusiasm. On behalf of the House, I fought and fulfilled the respon- and in a manner that came
Birla said
express my gratitude to them,” he said. sibility of protecting democra- across as confrontational.”
Delhi court sends
PJ, EX-COMRADE CROSS
Arvind Kejriwal to SWORDS IN CYBER WAR
3-day CBI custody
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @Kannurmedia. “Manu Thomas was not in-
volved in any political work for fifteen
S U C H I T R A K A LYA N M O H A N T Y @ New Delhi AS THE CPM readies for an intro- months. Was he fighting quotation
spection in the wake of the severe gangs, indulging in gold smuggling,
DELHI Chief Minister drubbing in the Lok Sabha election, or quarry owners during the Lok Sab-
Arvind Kejriwal was on the party finds itself in an imbroglio ha election? If Manu makes false ac-
Wednesday sent to three- in its citadel, Kannur, with expelled cusations against someone in the
day CBI custody by a lo- district committee member Manu party, we cannot merely stand by and
cal court after his arrest Thomas coming out in the public with nod,” he wrote on Facebook.
by the central probe a series of serious allegations against Jayarajan did not spare the media
agency in the excise pol- party leaders from the district. either. “During his long stint with the
icy case. CPM stalwart P Jayarajan CPM, Manu Thomas had to
The CBI, which pro-
duced Kejriwal in Rouse
Avenue Court, sought
joined issue with Manu on
Wednesday with a hard-hit-
ting facebook post targeting
make several sacrifices in
his journey from a farmer’s
family to the leadership of
five-day remand to inter- CBI officials leave Rouse the expelled leader. He SFI and DYFI. He became an
rogate him in the case, Avenue Court with Delhi threatened to sue his former elected member of a local
but Judge Amitabh Ra- CM Arvind Kejriwal | PTI comrade for slander. body, and later made it to the
wat ordered three days Manu retorted daring party district committee.
of custody. Kejriwal is in Tihar Jail over his Jayarajan to a public debate But the media had ignored
alleged involvement in a money laundering on the allegations he raised. Manu Thomas him all through this journey.
case linked to the now-scrapped liquor policy. It all started with the CPM But suddenly on 24th June,
The Enforcement Directorate had arrested him expelling Manu, who was on a hiatus 2024, he gets widespread media cover-
on March 21. from party work for over an year, last age. Why? Just because he left the
After serving a production warrant late on Sunday. CPM,” the FB post alleged.
Tuesday night, the CBI on Wednesday sought Later in an interview with a news- Manu replied, inviting Jayarajan to
the court’s permission before formally arrest- paper, Manu levelled allegations an open debate.
ing him in the case. There was high drama dur- against the district leadership, includ- “Let the people know everything,
ing the hearing in the courtroom, with Kejriwal ing Jayarajan, accusing them of har- including the fact that you started a
himself addressing the court and saying he and bouring strong ties with criminal discussion to form a new group in the
other AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia, gangs, including those involved in party recently. I have nothing to hide
were innocent. “I am innocent, my lord,” he gold smuggling, and, quarry mafia. from the party and people,” he wrote
told the judge. An enraged Jayarajan took to social on Facebook. ● More on P4
PUNCTUATION FRUSTRATION
MVD officials could not enter phe,” said the official. Peter, 60, Voter ID card . At the time, too,
his name, along with the apos- did not want his name changed. I had to go to an Akshaya centre
trophe, in their new software “My name is mentioned cor- and change my name,” Peter
‘Sarathi Parivahan’, stalling rectly in my two-wheeler driv- told TNIE.
his application. ing licence that expires on The MVD official said when
“The system simply rejects Wednesday. So what’s the issue the new software was imple-
his name and an ‘error’ mes- now?” wondered Peter, as he mented, there were issues with
sage pops up. Hundreds of An- waited in the queue to remit the dot (.) too initially.
glo-Indians like Peter are fac- the licence renewal fee. “Officials would then enter
ing the same problem,” said a Finally, after much coaxing names without the dot. Howev-
senior MVD official. “We are Peter submitting his driving licence by MVD officials who con- er, many applicants later came
helpless. In the end, we enter renewal application at the MVD office vinced him of the issue, Peter to us for name correction. The
the names without the apostro- in Kakkanad on Wednesday reluctantly agreed to change issue was rectified later, but the
his name. Peter vaguely recalls volume of applications was so
The system simply rejects the name of Peter Leo D’Couth (due to the encountering the ‘name’ issue huge that the work (correcting
apostrophe) and an ‘error’ message pops up. Hundreds of Anglo- before. “It was either while ap- the name) is still pending,” the
Indians like him are facing the same problem — A senior MVD official plying for a ration card or a official said. ● More on P4
 KOCHI MIN MAX
MIN MAX Thrissur 230C 290C
230C 280C Kozhikode 230C 280C
Kottayam 220C 280C
WEATHER FORECAST
A few spells of rain T’Puram 230C 290C

02 KOCHI THURSDAY 27 06 2024

� � newindianexpress com

Set for World Masters,

race walker Hasina
is breaking barriers KSRTC
L A K S H M I AT H I R A @Kannur In Sweden, I will be
competing with Olympic launches
driving school
AT 45, HASINA Aliambethu is veterans and world
shattering religious and gen- champions. It will be a

T’Puram airport hikes user fee;

dream come true for me
der boundaries to achieve her
greatest dream. When the Hasina Aliambethu, athlete EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
World Masters Athletics Cham- @T’Puram
pionships begin in Sweden this competitive journey started

will impact pax traffic, say experts

August, the Dharmadam resi- with service meets for govern- AIMED at providing quality
dent will be gunning for glory ment employees. driving training at afforda-
in the 20km race walk. “In foreign countries, ath- bl e r at e s, K S RT C h a s
Hasina views her 40s as the letes don’t quit; they progress launched a driving school in
best period of her life, pursu- from junior meets to seniors’ the state. Chief Minister Pi-
Fee hiked to C770 and C1,540 from C506 and C1,069 for domestic and int’l pax, respectively ing dreams she couldn’t and masters’ competitions as narayi Vijayan on Wednes-
achieve in her youth. “In they age. In Sweden, I will be day virtually inaugurated
A I S H W A R YA P R A B H A K A R A N ROUND-UP OF RATES ports where airlines have to Kannur Airport, operated school, I was an active athlete, competing with Olympic veter- the driving school project at
@Kochi pay a hefty fee for aero bridges, under a public-private partner- competing at the state level in ans and world champions. It Anayara in Thiruvanan-
Airport UDF (in L) sprints and long jump. But will be a dream come true,” thapuram. He said the driv-
Thiruvananthapuram airport ship promoted by the state gov-

P
ASSENGERS using Domestic Int’l won’t charge any such fee. Also, ernment, charges the highest coming from an orthodox Mus- she says. ing reforms are aimed at
Thiruvananthapuram AERA has approved conces- UDF -- `1,680 for international lim family, my father restricted Her son, former junior na- ensuring road safety. He also
Kochi 270 570
Airport will have to sions to airlines starting serv- and `750 for domestic sectors. further participation,” she tional football team goalkeeper announced free driving
dish out more as user Kozhikode 430 720 ices on new routes,” he added. At Kozhikode Airport, the UDF says. Mohammad Shahad, is her big- training for students in the
development fee (UDF) “Expansion of ter minal is `720 for international and Her second innings in sports gest supporter and main coach. SC/ST category and dis-
with the Airport Eco- T’Puram 770 1,540 buildings alone is not enough. `430 for domestic travel. began in her late 30s when she “Usually, parents motivate counted rates for others in
nomic Regulatory Au- Kannur 750 1,680 Connectivity, passenger facili- took her son to football prac- their children to perform well the category.
thority (AERA) approving the
Challenges tice. “I was trying to achieve in competitions. For me, my He said directives were is-
ties and other factors need to be
hike in rates. also improved. When they Adani Group took over Thiru- my dream through my son son is my greatest supporter. sued to directors of SC and
The airport, operated by More routes likely [Adani Group] got their hands vananthapuram Airport in Oc- when he joined football coach- I’m undergoing strenuous ST departments to submit a
Adani Group, has increased Discussions are ongoing with on six airports, they knew how tober 2021. “In the last three ing. But once on the ground, training sessions at the Tha- proposal on offering free or
UDF to `770 and `1,540 from multiple airlines to begin much others had offered for the years, daily air traffic has dou- my dreams reignited. I started lassery Municipal Stadium training at subsidised rates.
`506 and `1,069 for domestic services to countries like New tenders, though the govern- bled to nearly 100. Passenger working out to regain my fit- and the Dharmadam Brennan “The spurt in the number
and international passengers, Zealand and Australia and ment would not admit it. They traffic jumped from 3.2 million ness and then began practising Stadium under his guidance,” of vehicles and unsafe driv-
respectively. Europe, besides domestic offered less than that. For them, in 2022-23 to 4.4 million in the race walking and sprinting,” Hasina says. ing practices are the main
The new rates are applicable services to Delhi, Mumbai it is not about passenger last financial year,” the airport Hasina says. Currently work- This isn’t the first time Hasi- reasons for the increase in
till March 2025. For FY26, fee and Bengaluru from service, but how much source said. ing with the Assistant Educa- na is representing India inter- road accidents. No life shall
will be raised to `840 on domes- T’Puram airport profit they can make,” “Though the airport aims to tional Office in South Tha- nationally. She won three gold be lost due to carelessness of
tic and `1,680 on international said Mohan. increase passenger traffic to l a s s e r y, h e r medals at the first Open Inter- drivers. The focus of driving
sectors, before a further jump Meanwhile, the five million next year, one of national Masters Athletics schools is not just to provide
to `910 and `1,820 in FY27. The Rang anathan said source said that discus- the challenges it faces is land Championships in Dubai in licence but to create aware-
fee is also being introduced for with lower connectiv- sions are ongoing with acquisition for terminal expan- 2023. Earlier the same year, she ness on road safety and im-
arriving traffic — `330 for do- ity compared to Kochi multiple airlines to be- sion. As of now, there is no land became India’s best walker by bibe a new driving culture,”
mestic and `660 for interna- and higher UDF, passen- gin services to countries to expand the terminal. ,” the winning gold in the women’s said Pinarayi. He said the re-
tional passengers. gers will opt for the airport that like New Zealand and Australia source said. Citing the Kerala 5,000m at the National Open forms are aimed at enhanc-
Tour operators say that air- provides better service. “When and Europe, besides domestic government’s refusal to part Masters in Kolkata. In the ing road safety.
fares from Thiruvanan- you make more changes, you services to Delhi, Mumbai and with around 18 acres for devel- 2022 National Open meet The KSRTC driving schools
thapuram Airport are already are bound to lose passenger Bengaluru. opment of TIAL as a major hur- in Baroda, Hasina won provide theory classes and
higher due to various reasons, traffic, just like it happened in Among the four airports in dle, he said that the operator gold for Kerala in the test practices, according to
including distance when com- the case of Chennai airport the state, Kochi charges the has approached AAI to re-ini- women’s 3000m event, the norms of the accredited
pared to Kochi. “The hike in when Bengaluru was working lowest UDF — `570 and `270 for tiate talks. “We require land beating the national centres suggested by the Min-
UDF will reflect in the airfares on its expansion,” Mohan, a international and domestic sec- for expansion of the T2 inter- record holder. istry of Road and Surface
from the capital city, and this for mer commercial pilot, tors respectively. “Only six national terminal. On the Hasina cherishes a Transport. The centre charg-
would benefit Kochi airport, added. months ago, the UDF was in- positive note, the state gov- compliment from es `9,000 for heavy and car li-
which has better connectivity Responding to the criticism, creased at Kochi airport. Ear- ernment has given in-prin- Prime Minister Naren- cences, `3,500 for two-wheeler
and services,” said a Thiru- a Thiruvananthapuram Air- lier it was `400 for internation- ciple approval for land ac- dra Modi after win- licences and `11,000 for bike
vananthapuram-based tour port source said the Adani al and `180 for domestic quisition near Chakai fire ning gold in the 5,000m and car licences combined.
operator. Group will invest `1,200 crore passengers,” a Cochin Interna- station for lengthening that Hasina Aliambethu along with race walk at the Asian KSRTC plans to start 14 cen-
Speaking about the implica- for its expansion in the next tional Airport Ltd (CIAL) side of the runway by 140 her son Mohammed Shahad Masters meet in Sri tres in the initial stage out of
tions, aviation expert Mohan five years. “Unlike in other air- spokesman said. metres,” the source added. Lanka in 2019. the 23 places identified.

Alappuzha native on a mission to utilise unclaimed deposits in banks for elderly welfare
B I J U E PA U L @ Alappuzha claimed deposits with the post- In the postal department and employees provident fund, money in that DEAF increased nearly
al department and a few other MAKING IT COUNT WHAT ARE unclaimed accounts is utilised for the benefit of elderly people. The 26% in March 2024 from a year
CHANDRADAS K has been on Union government agencies UNCLAIMED Union government should also craft legislation to this end earlier, RBI has not released
a mission to help the elderly. are already being be utilised for
And, for the purpose he has set the purpose.
his eyes on unclaimed deposits The 59-year-old’s five-year-
C78,213 cr*
Unclaimed deposits with
ACCOUNTS?
Accounts which have been
Chandradas K, retired revenue inspector

RBI had asked all banks, in- ness Fund (DEAF), was formed
bank-wise data, said
Chandradas.
“In Kerala, unclaimed depos-
inoperative for 10 years or more.
in banks and institutions that long fight bore fruit last year banks in country cluding cooperative banks, to to manage such accounts. The its are high in banks in Tiru-
The majority of these accounts
manage financial when the state govern- submit reports on such ac- Unclaimed Deposits-Gateway valla, Ranni and Mallapally
were held by those who died
instruments. ment amended legisla- Most of this money is in saving counts. “In the postal depart- to Access inforMation taluks. Many parents in these
with no legal nominees. Many
In a report published tion for the welfare of bank accounts, current accounts ment and employees provident (UDGAM) portal was also in- regions live alone in their
were registered inactive after
earlier this year, the Re- aged people abandoned and recurring deposits fund, money in unclaimed ac- troduced, where nominees or homes. The government should
disputes between heirs
serve Bank of India by children who landed counts is utilised for the benefit legal heirs can register and ex- enact laws to utilise such de-
(RBI) revealed that the jobs under the compas- of elderly people. The Union amine the unclaimed deposits posits for the benefit of the eld-
banks in the country sionate employment UDGAM portal government should also craft of their loved ones. erly,” he asked in the memoran-
have `78,213 crore in scheme. The Unclaimed Deposits Gateway legislation to this end,” he In March 2023, the unclaimed dum. He is also planning to
such deposits. Chandradas K Following the amend- To Access inforMation portal added. amount in the DEAF stood at submit the letter to Prime Min-
A retired revenue in- ment, 25% of the salary provides information on unclaimed In September 2023, the RBI `62,225 crore, which increased ister Narendra Modi and the
spector from Alappuzha, Chan- of beneficiaries is deducted deposits. Nominees or legal heirs released a list of 30 banks and to `78,213 in March 2024. In De- central government.
dradas submitted a memoran- and given to parents or depend- can access the portal for allowed the public to identify cember 2023, the RBI said pub- Chandradas has called for
dum with the state government ents who are left to fend for information on such the deposits accounts which have remained lic sector banks had `36,185 utilisation of the unutilised
for steps to utilise such funds themselves. by submitting account details. inoperative for the last 10 years crore of such money, with pri- money for implementing a
for the welfare of the aged. In According to Chandradas, or more. A special fund, the De- vate banks accounting for health insurance scheme for
* As per RBI data released on March 2024
the document, he said un- the Union government and the positor Education and Aware- `6,087 crore. Though it revealed senior citizens.

ARIES
(Mar 21 - Apr. 20)
Financial news
P E T E R V I DA L could be better
than you’d
27TH June : Here’s today’s general advice hoped for, and you may
- even if your individual reading says feel sufficiently enthused
to team up with partners
differently: seize opportunities while in a new venture. Push
you have the chance. Something small along with changes and
and subtle but highly beneficial is due to make a few much-
take place today. Those who go for it may needed improvements in
your relationships. Above
never look back. Those who stop and blink all, you’ll be focusing on
may find that the chance has moved on. a new social goal.
TAURUS
(Apr. 21 - May 21)
Surprise news or
events could add
interest to social
engagements, and if you’re
involved in light-hearted
activities, you’ll be given a
welcome break from
arduous responsibilities.
When you’re dealing with
money you may feel as if
you should be saving, but
in the meantime, it seems
to be easier to spend!
GEMINI CANCER LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES
(May 22 - June 21) (June 22 - July 23) (July 24 - Aug. 23) (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23) (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23) (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) (Nov. 23 - Dec. 22) (Dec. 23 - Jan. 20) (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19) (Feb. 20 - Mar 20)
Home and Mundane and Unexpected You will still be kept Background Your prospects Chase up any If a business If progress Life is fairly
family affairs routine affairs encounters could on the go, with little activity is are bright, but cash owing to matter has been seems slow at hectic, and new
are have taken up prove to be highly time to put your feet important, and you’ll be occupied you, and give left in the air work, try new invitations or
highlighted, and plans much of your time, but fortunate, and may give you up. Don’t, though, expect cash and career prospects keeping abreast of chores, time to long-term recently you should now be tactics and go for the proposals may present you
for a move could soon there’s plenty of scope something to think about everything to turn out as you could benefit from your especially if partners don’t investments and securities. able to tie up a few loose friendly approach. Before with awkward choices. If so,
be under way. If you are for developing the more financially. You’ll have the would like. Short trips could typically discreet actions. see eye-to-eye. Make sure Your ideas on business will ends. A new social contact long, there’ll be now is the ideal time to sort
able to side-step imaginative side of life. right touch, and this could be a take you to some unusual Friendly contacts will help you don’t waste your be good, but you could do should be cultivated, as opportunities to branch out your priorities, deciding
opposition from There’s still no sign that promising day for dealing with places. You will very soon be you along, but your own valuable time running with expert advice if you you are not yet sure from out in new emotional what is really important
associates, this should partners are any more officialdom. You’ll be able to able to grapple with a romantic mood could turn serious around after people who are to stay in the black. which source future directions, so put down and setting aside much
be a day of co-operation. reliable than in the past. make a bid for romantic ambition and, if you’re lucky, as time progresses. And don’t share your After all, you can’t always assistance will be arriving. your foundations now. more time for relaxation.
Also, try to be less Still, you chose them! happiness soon, but not until your feelings will be when that happens, your aspirations. The last thing be expected to take all the It could actually be an old Part of the problem is On the other hand, as soon
secretive than usual and And that, perhaps, is the you’ve stopped relying on reciprocated - but give yourself attitudes to close you want to do now is responsibility - and the friend who comes back into that you are expecting too as you have had a short
share ideas with friends. lesson you have to learn! others for emotional security. an opt-out clause just in case. partners will also change. waste more precious energy. blame. your life and fits the bill. much to happen too soon. rest, you’ll be off again!

CROSS WORD JUMBLE UNSCRAMBLE THESE JUMBLES, ONE LETTER TO

EACH SQUARE, TO FORM FOUR ORDINARY WORDS.
BY DAVID L. HOYT
ACROSS DOWN AND JEFF KNUREK
1 Where the cat sat in 1 Correct as to
the doghouse (2,3,3) type of cereal (4)
5 Clothes to boast about (4) 2 A newspaper gives it
9 One breaks a little back bone (5) a bold presentation (7)
10 A tug in a storm 3 An overdrawn account (12)
in the West Indies (7) 4 Grants a minor point (6)
11 A worthy person, 6 A long translation
Solutions to Yesterday’s puzzle

as yet lacking polish (5,7) into English (5)

13 Holy commands? (6) 7 Unwelcome on a
14 Not so fair (6) ship but they pay for
17 Modern container made accommodation (8)
to go by elephant (9,3) 8 A firm grip on
20 Make the most the throttle? (12)
of an adventure (7) 12 Perfect finish (8)
21 Love spirited girl (5) 15 One drink swallowed
22 How else perhaps by Miss West in picture (7)
swimmers appear (4) 16 Singer letting o� steam (6)
SU DO KU MEDIUM 23 Exhausted a debated 18 Turnover in coats (5)
possibility (4,4) 19 Ordered as whisky may be (4)
TEST YOUR NUMBER
CRUNCHING SKILL WITH OUR
UNIQUE PUZZLE YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS
Across: 1 Prejudice, 8 Drama, 9 Opening, Down: 2 Rupee, 3 Junket, 4 Dinosaur,
� Fill in the grid with digits in such a manner 10 Absent, 11 Defers, 12 Appetite, 5 Edible, 6 Rarebit, 7 Saltpetre,
that every row, every column and every 3X3 box Yesterday’s
15 Palm tree, 18 At once, 20 Lean-to, 11 Dispelled, 13 Pleasant, 14 Cleanse,
accommodates the digits 1 to 9, without repeating any. 21 Barbara, 22 Ensue, 23 Rotterdam. 16 Totter, 17 Bomber, 19 Circa.
 John Brittas @JohnBrittas
TWEET
OF THE When Assange is being released it’s important to reflect on the need to have transparency of governments. WikiLe-
aks exposed the hollowness of US actions including Iraq n Afghan wars. Deep state has become a norm everywhere,
DAY curbing the liberty in the name of National Security.

03 KOCHI THURSDAY 27 06 2024

� � newindianexpress com

Dengue on rise in dist as monsoon Seawall, groynes fail to keep Bazaar safe;
Kannamaly bears brunt of sea attack
intensifies; over 400 cases in June A N U K U R U V I L L A @Kochi

Health dept intensifies preventive measures; plans to launch ‘Guppy Gambheeram’ campaign
A N N A J O S E @Kochi
WITH several areas remaining
waterlogged amid heavy rain,
Ernakulam district has seen an
increase in the number of den-
gue cases. In 25 days of June, as
many as 490 suspected and 403
confirmed cases of dengue
were reported in the district,
compared to 253 and 215, re-
spectively, in May.
Given the circumstances, the
health department has intensi-
fied preventive measures.
“We have directed schools,
institutions, and public offices
to intensify source reduction
activities and to observe dry
days at least once a week. Also,
awareness has been created
among the public with the par-
ticipation of Asha workers and
Kudumbashree members. We
intend to prevent death caused
by dengue,” District Medical
Of ficer Sakeena K told
Express.
Dr Rajeev Jaydevan, chair-
man of the Indian Medical As-
sociation Kerala research cell,
said a spike in dengue – spread
by Aedes mosquitoes – and oth-
er mosquito-borne diseases is
seen after the onset of mon-
EXPRESS READ
Seven houses
damaged as heavy
rain lashes district
Kochi: The heavy rain that has
been lashing the district for
the past two days has led to
waterlogging in low-lying
areas, forcing people to
relocate. As many as seven
houses suffered partial
damage in Ernakulam district
as uprooted trees fell on the
houses. A four-year-old girl
was injured as a palm tree fell
on the house of Ammini
Kurumban of Kallumala in
Peringalakara of Kunnathunad
taluk. The houses of
Mahilamani of Parekatti
Colony in Aikaranad,
Narayanan of Nechikatt in
Kumbalangi village, Pulluvazhi
Shaji of Kodanad village,
Thadathikavala Muraleedharan
of Thrikariyoor village,
Naklikad Chandran of
Thrikariyoor village and Thayyil
Krishnan of Chendamangalam
village in Paravoor taluk
suffered partial damage.
A child stands in a queue at the OP department of the Ernakulam GH. Since the
onset of monsoon, viral fever cases have gone up in the state | A SANESH
soon. “We see a spike in dengue
cases because conditions are
favourable for mosquitoes to
breed. At the individual level,
wearing full-sleeve clothes and
using mosquito repellents can
help prevent the spread,” he
said.
Kalamassery, Thammanam,
Edappally, Chambakkara,
Choornikkara, Edathala, Alu-
PICTURE PERFECT
A couple clicks a selfie in the heavy rain that lashed the city on Wednesday | T P SOORAJ
va, Kuttampuzha, Chalikavat-
tom, Pindimana and Kotha-
mangalam areas have reported
a majority of the dengue cases
this month.
Guppies to the rescue?
In an effort to reduce mosquito
breeding at source, the health
department is set to launch a
campaign, ‘Guppy Gambheer-
Dengue cases in
Ernakulam district
Month Suspected Confirmed
April 262 83
May 253 215
June (so far) 490 403
Source - Directorate of Health
Services, Kerala
am’, with the cooperation of
the district administration and
local bodies.
“We have decided to intro-
duce guppies into the water res-
ervoirs in open areas to control
the mosquito population.
The district health depart-
ment will also write to the de-
partment of fisheries.
Guppy availability in the wa-
ter can counter mosquito breed-
ing, ensuring long-term results.
The campaign will be carried
out at the ward level, with the
cooperation of health centres,
focusing on the dengue hotspots
in the district,” Dr Sakeena
said.
In reservoirs with oil con-
tent, other fish varieties will be
introduced, she added.
IT is back to square one for the
residents of Bazaar in Chellan-
am panchayat as the newly
built tetrapod seawall and the
six groynes have failed to keep
the waves out. And in the adja-
cent Kannamaly, a lack of or
the dilapidated condition of the
old seawall has resulted in
roads and houses getting inun-
dated on Wednesday.
Every monsoon, the lives of
those living in the coastal areas
of the Ernakulam district be-
come miserable as the sea turns
rough.“It comes as a surprise
that the 10-km stretch of the
seawall constructed as per the
specifications arrived at with
the help of the study conducted
by the National Centre for
Coastal Research (NCCR) fell
short of expectations,” Jinson
Veluthamannunkal, secretary
of Care Chellanam, told TNIE.
He said the NCCR study had
identified Bazaar as the area
most affected by sea attacks.
“Following that, six groynes
were installed at Bazaar, be-
sides a temporary seawall made
using boulders,” he said.
After the monsoon rain in-
Milma’s ready-to-drink
palada payasam launched
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @Kochi
MILMA, the home-grown milk
r e t a i l e r, o n We d n e s d ay
launched its ready-to-drink pal-
ada payasam, guaranteeing a
12-month shelf-life for the deli-
cacy made from milk and sugar.
The microwave-assisted ther-
mal sterilisation technology
used in its manufacturing proc-
ess prevents the payasam from
spoiling for a year after
production.
Manufactured by Tata Smart
Foods in Sri City of Tirupati
district in Andhra Pradesh, the
product will maintain its tradi-
tional Kerala flavour, without
adding any preservatives. Each
400-gram packet, priced at `150,
serves four persons.
K S Mani, chairman of the
Kerala Cooperative Milk Mar-
keting Federation (KCMMF),
known by the brand name Mil-
ma, said the initiative would
facilitate the export of the tra-
ditional sweet abroad as well.
“Palada, enjoyed by children
and adults alike, is time-con-
Women at a house inundated with sea water in Kannamaly | EXPRESS
Residents have been urging seawall and the installation of
the authorities for long to the groynes, were on Tuesday
take steps to construct a night surprised to see seawater
seawall and install groynes. entering their homes,” Jinson
But nothing has happened. By the
end of the monsoon, many houses
said.
may get destroyed He pointed out that this has
happened because the seawall
V T Sebastian, convenor of between the Velankanni and
Chellanam Janakeeya Vedhi Bazaar areas is not high
enough.
tensified, the turbulence in the At the same time, Kannama-
sea has also increased because ly lacked any protection what-
of various factors like the de- soever and got battered black
velopment of low-pressure ar- and blue by the surging waves.
eas, he pointed out. “Entire Kannamaly has been
“The situation now is such inundated by seawater. The
that waves are leaping over the houses have water up to the
top of the groynes and the sea- waist,” said V T Sebastian, con-
wall. Residents, who felt safe venor of Chellanam Janakeeya
after the construction of the Vedhi.
Elephant herd
spreads panic
at Vengoor
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @Kochi
A herd of eight wild elephants,
including calves, entered Ven-
goor village in the Kodanad for-
est range on Tuesday night,
causing panic among residents.
Basil Korah, a panchayat mem-
ber, said that the elephants
crossed the Periyar river near
the Panad area, close to the
Paniyeli pump house, and be-
gan raiding crops. Forest offi-
cials were promptly informed
and mobilised to manage the
suming to prepare at home. The situation.
launch of our new product will “The local residents alerted
benefit many,” he said. us about the presence of ele-
The product was launched by phants, and we arrived at 9:30
Animal Husbandry and Dairy pm. By 3:30 am, the elephants
Development Minister J Chin- crossed the river and we tempo-
churani at the International rarily withdrew. However, the
Dairy Federation Asia Pacific herd was later found in an es-
Conference in Kochi, in the tate on Wednesday morning,”
presence of NDDB Chairman said K Manoj Kumar, deputy
Meenesh C Shah; KCMMF range officer, Mekkapala. “We
chairman K S Mani; Animal returned to the location and
Husbandry and Dairying De- successfully guided the ele-
partment secretary Alka Upad- phants back to the forest around
hyaya and others. 10 am,” he added.

DLF resident files complaint against association members

A B D U L N A Z E R M A @ Kochi
WITH the health department collecting data
on 492 inhabitants of DLF New Town Heights,
Kakkanad, who were forced to take medical
assistance for diarrheal infection due to the
presence of coliform bacteria, including E-
coli, in their drinking water sources, a resi-
dent family has approached police with a com-
plaint against members of the residents’
association executive committee (EC) and em-
ployees of a property management firm.
Melvin Jose and Yakira Rebecca Abraham,
a couple living in the ‘Q’ block, accused seven
EC members and three staffers of a property
management company employed by JLL Ko-
chi of sheer mismanagement and criminal
negligence. “Considering the apathy and non-
cooperation on the part of flat authorities
from the very beginning, we have decided to
move legally,” the complainants said.
DLF New Town Heights | T P SOORAJ
“We filed a complaint on Tuesday. Following
this, police called for a preliminary-level meet-
ing of both parties on Wednesday. But flat au-
thorities didn’t attend the meeting,” Melvin
said. My father and son suffered serious health
problems, which delayed the filing of the com-
plaint, he said.
Pointing to the condition of those hospital-
ised, he said, “My father and two-year-old son
are still recovering. We have already spent
around `1 lakh on their hospital bills,” Melvin
said. Most of the resident families have simi-
lar tales. The recommendation of the authori-
ties to use hot water for even dish washers is
impractical, he added.
“EC members hid the results, which con-
firmed the presence of E-coli in rainwater har-
vesting tank 1. Despite the serious situation,
they instructed the maintenance team to add
more chlorine to the water,” said another resi-
dent. Association members have not bothered
to enquire about the status of patients, and the
president himself tried to mislead everyone by
saying that the poisoning was caused by food
delivered by online vendors like Swiggy and
Zomato, he added.
Around 60 to 70 residents are planning to file
a mass complaint on the issue, he added.
 Suressh Gopi @TheSureshGopi
TWEET
OF THE Deeply humbled by the heartfelt birthday wishes from our esteemed Prime Minister
@narendramodiJi. Your words inspire me to serve our beloved nation with unwaver-
DAY
ing dedication. I am proud to work alongside you towards a new Bharat.

04 KOCHI THURSDAY 27 06 2024

� �

CBI chargesheets ex-cops NEET, NET MUDDLE: HOUSE DEMANDS

in ISRO conspiracy case
It was filed by officer from CBI Delhi unit, which had probed case
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @T’Puram
THE CBI team probing the con-
spiracy behind the ISRO spy
case has named high-ranking
former police officers in the
chargesheet filed at the Thiru-
vananthapuram Chief Judicial
Magistrate Court. The
chargesheet was filed on Mon-
day by an officer from the CBI
Delhi unit, which had probed
the case.
Sources said former DGP
Sibi Mathews, former IB Depu-
ty Director R B Sreekumar,
former Pettah Inspector S Vi-
jayan and former Pettah Sub-
inspector Thambi S Durgadath
have been named as accused in
Sibi Mathews R B Sreekumar
fabricated case on former ISRO
scientist Nambi Narayanan,
the CBI had named 18 people as
accused.
The Supreme Court had or-
dered a CBI probe on the basis
of the Justice D K Jain report,
which suggested that the spy
case was the result of a
conspiracy.
with another senior ISRO offi-
cial, two Maldivian women,
and a businessman. The CBI ac-
quitted him in 1995, and since
then, he has been fighting a le-
gal battle against the then top
police officials, including Siby
Mathews, Vijayan and K K
Joshua, who probed the case
and implicated Narayanan.
The case had created a politi-
cal storm in Kerala at a time
when the group war in the Con-
gress was at its peak.
Later, the then Chief Minis-
ter K Karunakaran had to quit
office in 1995 following reports
that he was protecting his close
aide and senior police officer
Raman Srivastava, who later
IMMEDIATE & CREDIBLE ACTION
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @T’Puram
THE assembly unanimously
passed a resolution on Wednes-
day demanding ‘immediate’ and
‘credible’ actions by the Centre
to address the grievances of stu-
dents who took the NEET-UG
and UGC-NET entrance exams
conducted by the National Test-
ing Agency (NTA).
During a special two-hour dis-
cussion on the matter in the as-
sembly, both the ruling LDF and
the opposition UDF agreed that
the irregularities in the NEET-
UG and UGC-NET exams have
Visa fraud:
Efforts on
held the Centre responsible for
the irregularities in the NEET
exam. He alleged the NEET re-
sults were announced on the
same day of the announcement
of Lok Sabha poll results on
June 4, to divert attention from
the outcome of the entrance test.
The assembly also accused the
Centre of modifying the coun-
try’s education policy to suit its
eroded the NTA’s credibility and political interests. Higher Edu-
also its competence to conduct cation Minister R Bindu moved
such national-level entrance a resolution condemning the
tests. manner in which the NTA was
The issue was raised in the functioning and the support giv-
House by LDF MLA M Vijin who en to it by the Centre. The resolu-
Remission to convicts: Satheesan criticises
Shamseer’s stand on adjournment motion
T’ Puram: A day after Speaker A N Shamseer
declined permission to raise an adjournment
tion was unanimously passed by
the House.
Argument during discussion
During the discussion, Con-
gress’ Mathew Kuzhalnadan
alleged that there were irreg-
ularities in the conduct of
PSC exams in the state. He
urged the LDF government to
learn from these incidents to
prevent their recurrence.
Speaker A N Shamseer told
Kuzhalnadan that House was
discussing the national en-
trance tests and urged him to
stick to that topic.
‘Fitness bell’ system
for physical training of
school students
T’Puram: The government is

for release of
the chargesheet. The spy case erupted in 1994 became the state police chief motion on the LDF government’s alleged attempt planning to introduce a ‘fitness
In its FIR, which stated that when Narayanan was arrested and police advisor to Chief to give remission to three convicts involved in the bell’ system to provide 10
the accused conspired to foist a on charges of espionage along Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Keralites
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
@ T’Puram
THE state government is in
touch with the Indian Ambas-
sador at Bangkok and the Un-
ion Ministry of External Af-
fairs in connection with the
release of two Keralites, who
are in the custody of armed
gangs along the Thailand-My-
anmar border. Shafeer and
Shuhaib of Koottilangadi
panchayat of Malappuram
were trapped by agents in-
volved in an online visa
fraud.
Responding to a submission
killing of RMP leader T P Chandrasekharan, Leader minutes of physical exercises to
of Opposition V D Satheesan has sent a letter to all students during school
him. In the letter, Satheesan highlighted that it’s hours, General
not the speaker, but it’s the chief minister who dons the role of the Education
home minister and prisons who should have replied to the motion Minister V
raised by Chandrasekharan’s wife, K K Rema. Sivankutty
informed the
Criticism mounts over delayed assembly.
completion of smart roads project Replying to the
discussion on
T’Puram: Opposition MLAs have sharply criticised the public works demands for grants in the
department for significant delays in completing the construction of budget, Sivankutty said the
smart roads across the city. MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan blamed the government was also planning
department, citing inefficiency and lack of preparedness in project to implement ‘inclusive sports’
execution. “The delay is due to the department’s inefficiency and to ensure participation of
lack of professionalism. There was inadequate preparation before children with special needs.
designing the project,” Kuzhalnadan said. Public Works Minister P A The minister added that the
Mohamed Riyas attributed the initial delay to poor contractor government was also planning
performance, leading to the cancellation of their contract and the comprehensive reforms in the
impounding of their performance guarantee fund. school sports sector, he said.

Walkout in assembly over inflation

by IUML’s Manjalamkuzhi
Ali, Chief Minister Pinarayi
Vijayan informed the House
that the government has di-
rected the state police chief
and NRI Cell SP to probe into
the role of visa agents who
took them abroad. A report
PROTEST DRIVE has been sought from them,
he said. The chief minister,
Cops look at a physically challenged lottery seller who came to protest in front of the Secretariat demanding a ban on parallel
however, added that the state
lotteries and to save the lottery sector | VINCENT PULICKAL
government has its own limi-
tations in the matter.
Raising the issue, Man-
QUICK READ ‘Standardisation jalamkuzhi Ali said as per
available information, the two
EX P R ESS N EWS S E RV I C E @T’Puram
THE Opposition UDF on
Wednesday staged a walkout in
the assembly protesting the
failure of the LDF govern-
ment in arresting infla-
tion. Food and Civil Sup-
plies Minister G R Anil
maintained that infla-
tion is a national issue
and through market inter-
introduced by Congress legisla-
tor Roji M John. Leader of Op-
position V D Satheesan said
that at a time the Supplyco is
celebrating its 50th anniver-
sary, the LDF government
has become its
destroyer.
Blaming the food and
civil supplies minister
for not controlling infla-
tion, Roji said the LDF gov-
inflation had not come to his
notice which enraged the Op-
position. “The price of vegeta-
bles, fish, meat and eggs has
doubled. I am keen to know
whether the state government
is providing any funds to Civil
Supplies Department for mar-
ket intervention,” said Roji.
Anil blamed the UDF for not
cooperating with the LDF gov-
ernment in putting up a joint

`900 cr sanctioned for welfare during

are in the custody of armed vention, the government could ernment hasn’t understood the protest against the apathy of
gangs on the Thailand-Myan- arrest inflation. He was reply- seriousness of the issue. Anil the Centre towards the state in
mar border. ing to an adjournment motion had told the assembly that the New Delhi.
pension, distribution from today programming
behind error’ My family worries about Red flag for Ktm skywalk;
T’Puram: At a time when the finance department has been
drawing flak from within the Left for delay in distributing
welfare pensions in the wake of LDF defeat in the Lok Sabha

my safety: Muhammad thought it was a Biennale

polls, the department has allocated Rs 900 crore for
distributing social security and welfare pensions for June. The CONTINUED FROM P1
pension distribution will begin on Thursday, Finance Minister K

installation, quips Ganesh

N Balagopal said on Wednesday. The beneficiaries will receive K R I S H N A K U M A R K E @KochI
Rs 1,600 each. As usual, those who have provided bank account
numbers will receive the pension through their accounts, while SOFTWARE expert and tech-
others will have it delivered to their homes via cooperative nology writer V K Adarsh said
societies. As per the budget promise, the state government has the problem with regard to An-
distributed the pension monthly without delay. The minister glo Indian names arises due to
said that pensions were distributed in March, April and May as standardisation during
per the budget decision. The CPM and CPI meets have pointed programming.
to delay in pension distribution as one of the major reasons for “Usually numerals, signs and
LDF’s poor performance in the LS polls. The CPM leaders felt symbols are not part of a name.
that the government should set priority. So, while programming, the
computer is given a set of spe-
cific instructions not to accept
CONTINUED FROM P1
J I T H U L N A R AYA N A N @Kasaragod
“MY family, especially my wife
Bheevi, fears for my safety.
However, I assure them that it
is saves lives, that every life is
important. When people come
to my house or call my home, I
urge them not to contact me at
home as my family would wor-
called to catch snakes,” says
Muhammad. Muhammad’s
mission is simple: Catch snakes
found in human habitats and
hand them over to the forest de-
partment. He believes people
have destroyed the habitats of
snakes and other animals in
the name of development,
shrinking their source of food.
“This is mainly why snakes are
spotted near human habitats,”

Downgrading a routine affair, them. This is to cut down on er-

rors and a part of standardisa-
ry if they learn I have been he said.

says Kerala Bank authorities Shajar involved with criminal

tion efforts. However, this (apos-
trophe in name), is a special
case. Such special characters
T’ Puram: The Kerala Bank has informed that Reserve Bank of India
downgrading it from ‘B’ category to ‘C’ category is a routine affair. A
joint statement released by Kerala Bank president Gopi Kottamurikkal
won’t appear in the SQL (Struc-
tured Query Language) search
of a specific software pro-
and CEO Jorty M Chacko respectively following a director board gramme, here the ‘Sarathi
meeting stated that this would not affect the bank’s prospects and Parivahan’. In simple words, the
the RBI’s move is a routine one. The RBI took action against Kerala ‘error’ happens because of the
Bank following a report by NABARD which was the assigned standardisation directions cod-
controlling authority of the bank during 2022 - 23. The officials ed during software program-
claimed that the downgrading will not affect the functioning of the ming,” explained Adarsh. Simi-
bank. They informed that the only issue is that the personal loan and lar issues were earlier reported
mortgage loan maximum limit has been reduced from Rs 40 lakh to 25 from railway booking websites
lakh. “Kerala Bank has disbursed loans worth Rs 48,000 crore. Out of and passport seva kendras. “The
this, only 3 % is personal and mortgage loan. Hence, the latest move length of the name then was re-
will not affect the bank’s investment, important loans like agriculture stricted to 14 characters, and the
loan, cooperative society’s loan, small- scale entrepreneur loan and issue arose when the number of
housing loan,” said a joint statement issued by the bank. characters exceeded the limit,”
Adarsh said.
groups: Manu tells Govindan
CONTINUED FROM P1
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @Kannur
MANU’S letter to CPM state
secretary M V Govindan, com-
plaining against Youth Com-
mission Chairman M Shajar,
also came out. The letter al-
leged that Shajar is actively in-
volved with criminal groups.
Earlier on Tuesday, CPM
Kannur district secretary M V
Jayarajan told reporters that
Manu’s dismissal from party
membership had no connection
with his allegation against par-
ty leadership. “Manu has not
participated in party meetings
or activities for the last 15
months. His party membership
was not renewed in 2024. As per
section 7 of the party constitu-
tion, memberships must be re-
viewed annually. As Manu
failed on various criteria with-
out proper reason, he was eject-
ed from the party,” he added.
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @T’Puram
THE state government will not
go ahead with the half-finished
skywalk project in Kottayam.
Rejecting outright the de-
mand put forth by senior Con-
gress leader Thiruvanchoor
Radhakrishnan, Transport
Minister K B Ganesh Kumar
infor med the assembly on
Wednesday that, with costs es-
calating, the project would re-
quire around Rs 17.82 crore for
completion. Government funds
should not be misused for such
a purpose, with the project
stand that it was a skywalk,”
said Ganesh, amidst laughter.
The minister pointed out that
construction was handed over
to KITCO, violating specified
norms about such projects be-
ing entrusted to the Roads and
Bridges Corporation.
“Already, there’s a petition
filed before the High Court
seeking to demolish the struc-
ture. The then district collector
had given a report saying that
no land acquisition would be
required for the project. How-
ever, now crores will be re-
quired for land acquisition.

Govt decides to extend tenure of State Police Chief by a year
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ T’Puram
IN a major decision, the gov-
ernment has decided to extend
the tenure of State Police
Chief Sheikh Darvesh
Sahib till June 2025.
With the cabinet deci-
sion extending his serv-
ice tenure for two years
with effect from July
2023, he will get a two-
year tenure as the state
police chief. The deci-
sion was taken as his tenure
was set to end. The decision
was taken in compliance with a
Supreme Court order related to
the tenure of DGPs.
The SC in its verdict in Pra-
kash Singh versus
Union of India case,
had ordered that state
police chiefs should
be given a tenure of
two years. The gov-
ernment had extend-
e d t h e t e nu re o f
former state police
chief Anil Kant too.
Sheikh Darvesh Sahib will be
the fourth IPS officer to be
granted extension while serv-
ing as DGP.
A 1990-batch IPS officer,
Sheikh Darvesh Saheb was pre-
ferred to Prisons Director Gen-
eral K Padmakumar, who is of
the 1989 batch, in the fight for
the top post. He had earlier
served as ADGP in the police
headquarters, Crime Branch,
Vigilance, Law and Order and
the North Zone. Before being
selected as the state police
chief, he worked as Director
General of the Fire and Rescue
Services.
originally conceived at a cost of
Rs 5 crore, the minister said.
“Even if it is constructed, the
skywalk would have to be de-
INSTITUTE OF ORGAN AND TISSUE TRANSPLANT molished in future for town de-
In a major relief to many waiting for organ transplant across the state, velopment. In such a scenario,
the cabinet has decided to set up an Institute of Organ and Tissue using funds from the Road Safe-
Transplant in Kozhikdoe. The project will be implemented in two ty Authority for its completion
phases, by the agency Heights. Administrative sanction has been given wouldn’t prove feasible,”
for allocating Rs 558.68 crore from KIIFB. Ganesh said.
Taking a dig at Thiruvan-
NEW MDs APPOINTED FOR VARIOUS PSUs UNDER INDUSTRIES DEPT choor, Ganesh said that it was
only after he took over as min-
Travancore Titanium Products Ltd - V Kuttappan Pillai
ister that he understood it was
Kerala State Coil Machinery Manufacturing Company Ltd - M K Sasikumar supposed to be a skywalk.
State Cashew Development Corporation Ltd - K Sunil John “I have often wondered what
The Kerala Ceramics Ltd - S Syamala this structure was; I thought it
was an installation made by
Keltron Component Complex Ltd - Krishnakumar Krishnavilas Gopinathan Nair some artist for Biennale. Only
Keltron Electro Ceramics Ltd - E K Jacob Tharakan after taking over did I under-
The Road Safety Authority can-
not acquire land this way,” he
said. Responding to a veiled
criticism by his ex-colleague in
the Oommen Chandy cabinet,
Ganesh said the decision was
not personal.
“Thiruvanchoor, as the forest
minister, had rejected outright
a project that I submitted.
Please don’t view this as an act
of revenge. I wouldn’t behave
the way you responded to my
proposal,” Ganesh quipped.
Earlier, raising the issue
through a calling attention mo-
tion, Thiruvanchoor said the
skywalk was designed to ad-
dress traffic snarl-ups in Kot-
tayam town.
 Hibi Eden @HibiEden
TWEET
OF THE I would like to congratulate you on behalf of the entire opposition. This House represents the
voice of India’s people & you are the final arbiter of that voice. Govt has political power but
DAY the opposition also represents the voice of India’s people - Sri @RahulGandhi LOP!

05 KOCHI THURSDAY 27 06 2024

� �

Waste management: Enforcement HC: A person can’t be termed ‘enemy’

squads struggling to collect fines
Enforcing penalties for waste-related violations is yet to pick up owing to lack of follow-up
S H A I N U M O H A N @T’Puram
DESPITE the launch of ‘Mal-
inya Muktham Nava Keralam’
campaign, which aims to trans-
form Kerala into a garbage-free
state, enforcing penalties for
waste-related violations is yet
to pick up. Close on the heels of
the launch of the campaign last
year following the fire outbreak
at a dump site at Brahmapuram
waste treatment plant and sub-
sequent High Court interven-
tion, the local self-government
department (LSGD) deployed
23 special enforcement squads
for implementing solid waste
management rules in the
state.
The LSGD took the bold step
to impose hefty fines for waste-
related violations to make Ker-
ala a litter-free state. In March
2024, the enforcement squad
conducted 36,450 inspections
and imposed fines to the tune
of `4.05 crore. The squads could
collect only `1.06 crore from the
violators due to lack of follow-
up enforcement of penalties.
According to officials, de-
spite their efforts in identifying
and fining violators, the squads
are struggling to enforce the
payment of these fines. As the
campaign enters its second
year, lack of enforcement would
send a wrong message and the
violators can continue pollut-
ing the environment without
facing real consequences, offi-
cials said.
Suchitwa Mission executive
director U V Jose told TNIE
that the LSGD is taking steps to
increase the conversion rate of
penalties imposed by digitising
the activities. The plan is to dig-
itally record the fine imposed
and the activities of the en-
forcement squads. “The entire
process from identification of
the violation will be digi-
tised so that the officials
from state to district
level can track the
follow-up of en-
forcement
measures. Also
all these data
will be made avail-
able in the public do-
main. This year our
focus is to strengthen
the activities of the
enforcement squad,”
said Jose.
He said that
punishment for
PLAN TO DIGITISE
�In March 2024, the
enforcement squad
conducted 36,450 inspections
�The squads imposed fines
of I4.05 cr but could collect
only I1.06 cr from violators
�The LSGD plans is to
digitally record the fine
imposed and the activities of
the enforcement squads to
track the follow-up measures
violations is one of the strate-
gies of the campaign this year.
“Enforcement activities will be
fine-tuned and all hiccups faced
in the initial year of the cam-
paign will be fixed. The squad
did pretty good during the first
year,” he added.
The squads have members
from the police, Pollution Con-
trol Board (PCB), Suchitwa
Mission, internal vigilance
wing and LSGD. According to
official sources, lack of re-
sources is a major concern af-
fecting the squad work. “We
often call the police when their
service is required during the
squad work. There are cogni-
zable offences like polluting
the water bodies and it
is a non-bailable of-
fence,” said an official
of Suchitwa Mission.
As per official esti-
mates, Kerala generates
10,504 tonnes of solid
waste per day (TPD). The
state generates over 590
tonnes of plastic waste
every day. Around 49% of
the waste is generated
in households, 36% in
institutions and 15%
in public places.
just because he worked in Pakistan
Section 2(b) of the Enemy Prop-
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @Kochi
erty Act,1968, and consequent- HC slams govt over
THE Kerala High Court has ly, the portion of the property church transfer delay
held that just because a person purchased by the petitioner Kochi: The Kerala High Court
had gone to Pakistan in search from him is doubted to be an criticised the state
of a job and worked there for a ‘enemy property.’ The petition- government for failing to
short period will not bring him er argued that his father was a comply with its directive to
within the definition of ‘ene- citizen of India. His father died transfer ownership of St
my’ under Rules 130 or 138 of in 1995 and the inhumation was Thomas Orthodox Syrian
the Defence of India Rules, at Valiya Juma-at Palli Kaber- Church in Cherukunnam, St
1971. As many as 60 immovable stan, Parappanangadi. The Mary’s Orthodox Syrian
properties in Kerala have been death certificate in this regard Church in Mangalam Dam
listed by the Custodian of En- was also produced before the Post, and St Mary’s Orthodox
emy Property for India (CEPI) court. Syrian Church in Erickinchira
as ‘enemy properties.’ The petitioner submitted to the Orthodox faction.
Justice Viju Abraham issued that his father who was domi- During the contempt case
the order while allowing a peti- ciled in India as of January 26, hearing, the government
tion filed by P Ummer Koya of 1950, on the commencement of argued that initiating police
Chettippadi, Malappuram, who the Constitution, had gone to action could lead to
retired from Kerala Police serv- Karachi, Pakistan in 1953 in gatherings of the public,
ice, seeking to declare that his search of a job and worked including women, children,
property to an extent of there as a helper in a ho- and elderly individuals
20.5 cents in Parappanan- tel for a short while. driven by religious fervour,
gadi village does not When the police au- potentially causing law and
come under ‘enemy thorities continuously order issues. Justice Devan
properties.’ haunted the petitioner’s Ramachandran questioned
Ummar Koya bought FROM THE father branding him a the government about the
the land from his father HIGH COURT Pakistan citizen, he ap- police response should a
Kunji Koya who had proached the Ministry similar situation arise at the
worked in Pakistan for some of Home Affairs, New Delhi, Secretariat during a protest.
time. When the petitioner ap- for determination of his na- The Jacobite faction assured
proached the village officer, tional status as a Citizen of In- the court they would not
Parappanangadi, for remitting dia under Section 9(2) of the obstruct further.
the basic tax in respect of his Citizenship Act. The central
properties, the officer informed government declared that the
that there were instructions petitioner’s father continued to
Police should stop
from the Custodian of Enemy be a citizen of India as he had
behaving like colonial
Property of India (CEPI) not to not voluntarily acquired citi-
force, says HC
collect basic tax in respect of zenship of Pakistan. Kochi: The Kerala High Court
the properties as proceedings The central government has on Wednesday orally

Nemom native picked Four of family die in wall

were initiated under the Ene- no case that the petitioner’s fa- observed that the police
my Property Act of 1968. CEPI ther was trading with an ‘ene- should stop acting like a
has initiated a national drive to my’ or part of any ‘enemy firm’ colonial force and adopt a
inquire into several immovable carrying out business with In- more modern and

up by Tamil Nadu cops collapse near Mangaluru properties out of which 60 are dia. The court quashed the or- professional approach.
in Kerala. der of CEPI and directed the Justice Devan
The petitioner’s father is village officer to accept the ba- Ramachandran remarked

in bizman murder case

E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @T’Puram
THE Tamil Nadu police have
taken into custody a 57-year-old
history-sheeter from Nemom
in connection with the maca-
bre killing of a businessman at
Ottamaram in Kaliyikkavila on
Monday night. Sajikumar aka
Ambili was detained from a
hideout near Malayam by a spe-
cial squad probing the murder
of S Deepu, of Kaimanam.
TN police sources said Saji-
kumar was an accused in sev-
eral dozen criminal cases, in-
cluding murder. Off late he was
into scrap business and also ex-
torted money from quarry man by slitting his throat.
The accused had some
grudge towards Deepu over
some financial matters and
the murder seems to be an
act of revenge. We are yet to get into
the finer details of the case. The
accused is sidestepping our questions
and is not cooperating — Police sources
Found dead in car
Police found Deepu murdered
while inspecting his car that
was parked on the side of the
National Highway with
headlamps switched on and
the engine running
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
@ Mangaluru
FOUR people, including two
children, of a family died when
a retaining wall collapsed on
their house at Madani Nagar in
Kuthar near Mangaluru on
Wednesday morning.
The deceased are Yaseer, 42,
his wife Mariyam, 40, and their
daughters Rifana, 16, and Riy-
an, 14. The retaining wall col-
lapsed on Yaseer’s house fol-
lowing heavy rain in Kuthar
Keralite dies after Hooch tragedy: AIADMK MLAs suspended from assembly
middle berth seat
and surrounding areas. Al-
though some people rushed to
the spot after hearing a loud
noise when the wall collapsed
on the house, they could not
rescue Yaseer and his family
members.
Their bodies were recovered
from the rubble after a three-
hour rescue operation. The
narrow road to the locality
hampered the rescue operation
as firetenders and earthmoving
vehicles could not reach the
spot on time.
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @Chennai
doubted to be an enemy (Paki- sic tax of the petitioner’s that police stations should
stan national) as defined under property. not intimidate citizens,
rather they should function
like any other government
Pantheerankavu victim was coerced into giving office, where they feel
statement favouring husband, police tell HC protected. The court made
the observations while
Kochi: In a counter affidavit presented to the Kerala High Court, the
hearing a contempt of court
Kozhikode City police disputed Pantheerankavu native Rahul P
petition filed against
Gopal’s plea to quash the FIR against him as he and his wife amicably
Raneesh V R, former sub-
resolved their domestic violence case. They said the victim’s recent
inspector of Alathur police
statement, filed under pressure from Rahul, is unbelievable and
station in Palakkad for using
potentially coerced. Highlighting Rahul’s history of alcoholism and
abusive language against a
predicting continued abuse if they were to live together again, the
lawyer who approached him
police emphasised ongoing efforts to bring Rahul back to India.
on behalf of his client.
aniswami, being suspended from at- alleged that the speaker was not acting
tending the remainder of assembly in an impartial manner. Later he an-

falls on him in train

owners. Hailing from Choozhat- Deepu was found murdered in- THE Kallakurichi hooch tragedy session, which concludes on June 29. nounced that AIADMK MLAs would
tukotta near Nemom, Sajiku- side his car that was parked on rocked the Tamil Nadu assembly again Speaker M Appavu said the party’s stage a hunger strike at Rajarathinam
mar was known to Deepu, but the wayside. The police found on Wednesday with AIADMK MLAs, MLAs had disrupted the proceedings Stadium in Chennai on Thursday to
the exact motive behind the him dead while inspecting his E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @ Hyderabad including party general secretary and of the House from the beginning of condemn the “refusal of permission to
m u r d e r i s y e t t o b e car that was parked on the side Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Pal- the session on June 20. Palaniswami raise” the tragedy in the House.
ascertained. of the National Highway with A 60-year-old train passenger from Kerala
“The accused had some headlamps switched on. The died here in a private hospital while undergo-
TAMIL NADU TRANSMISSION CORPORATION LTD
grudge towards Deepu engine was also run- ing treatment a week after the hook holding Notice Inviting Tenders (E-Tendering Process)
over some financial ning and that made the middle berth got accidentally detached
matters and the mur- the police suspicious, and the seat fell on him. The victim, identified S. No Tender Inviting Authority ��������������� �����

as Ali Khan TK, was travelling from Thrissur TP1-05/2024-25, TP1-08/2024-25,

der seems to be an act prompting them to 1 CE/TP-I/Chennai
TP1-09/2024-25,TP1-11/2024-25
4
of revenge. We are yet check the vehicle. to Agra Cantonment in the Millennium Ex- 2 CE/P&C/Chennai PC 1094 1
to get into the finer de- Deepu was travel- press on June 16. He was travelling on the For details of Works / Procurement / Due date of submission / opening, viewing
tails of the case. The ling to Pollachi for lower berth of the sleeper coach. The middle and downloading of e-tenders, please visit websites: �����������������������
accused is sidestep- business pur poses berth was reportedly chained improperly and ������������������������������������������������������ DIPR/2109/Tender/2024
ping our questions carrying `10 lakh with during the journey, the hook got detached and
and is not cooperat- him, which was found fell on him and he suffered a neck injury. Due
ing,” sources added. S Deepu missing after the mur- to the impact, he fell unconscious, the police
According to sources, der. The Tamil Nadu police said.
Deepu was attacked with a later recovered CCTV visuals The railway staff received information
knife that was used to cut ther- in which a person was seen about the incident at around 6.30 pm and
mocol. Deepu was behind the walking away from the parked made an unscheduled stop at Ramagundam
wheel when he was attacked. car carrying a bag. Deepu’s to detrain him and admit him in the nearby
The police have prima facia family had said that he had hospital. Ali was later shifted to a private hos-
confirmed that Sajikumar was been issued threats by certain pital in Warangal and again to another pri-
alone when he committed the people, who tried to extort large vate hospital in Begumpet, Hyderabad, for
murder. However, the cops felt amounts from him. better treatment. However, he succumbed to
more people might have acted Meanwhile, Deepu’s brother his injuries and died while undergoing treat-
from behind the curtains to Dileep said they had no prior in- ment on June 24.
pull off the murder. “We are formation about Sajikumar. After his death, the Mancherial railway po-
checking this angle. Our offic- “We have no information about lice registered a case and are carrying out an
ers are right now conducting the detained man. Deepu has investigation for further details. Regd. Office: PSEB Head office, The Mall Patiala - 147001
further inquiry at Malayam many contacts. So the detainee Meanwhile, the official spokesperson of the Phone No.- 0175-2207649, Email id:-se-it-os@pspcl.in
and nearby areas,” the police could be someone he interacted Ministry of Railways issued a statement on X Corporate Identity No. U40109PB2010SGC033813 Website: www.pspcl.in
sources added. with in business. Deepu hasn’t saying, “It is clarified that the seat was not in
TENDER ENQUIRY No. 316/DIT-1118(Vol-I) dated 25.06.2024
The Tamil Nadu police had mentioned about him. Neither I damaged condition, neither it had fell down
credible leads on the culprit, nor his wife and children know nor crashed/fallen.. The seat was checked at Dy.CE/IT(O&S) Ground Floor PSPCL Head Office, The Mall, Patiala
who had killed the 46-year-old anything about him,” he said. Nizamuddin station and found Ok.” invites e-tender for AMC of VMware software for PSPCL. For detailed
NIT & tender specification please refer to https://eproc.punjab.gov.in
from 25.06.2024, 5:00 pm onwards.
EXPRESS READ Student dies after wall falls on him in Alappuzha Note : Corrigendum and addendum, if any will be published online at
Alappuzha: A student who was returning home after tuition class on a https://eproc.punjab.gov.in
Court rejects Prajwal’s bail plea bicycle died after a wall collapsed on him in Alappuzha on Wednesday. The 485/C-380/24-6/26/2024
deceased was identified as Alfayaz Ali, 14, son of Ali, Andheparambu, 76155/12/3036/2023/35024
Bengaluru: A Special Court on Wednesday Arattuvazhi. Alappuzha North police said the victim was heading home on a
rejected the bail petition filed by former bicycle after attending tuition classes when the wall collapsed on him. He
Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna in connection was a Class IX student at Lajanathul Muhammadiya School, Alappuzha.
with a rape case registered against him at Regd. Office: PSEB Head Office, The Mall, Patiala-147001
Holenarasipura Town police station in Corporate Identification Number (CIN) : U40109PB2010SGC033813
Hassan district. Judge Santhosh Gajanan TAMIL NADU SMALL INDUSTRIES Website : www.pspcl.in; e-tendering portal : https://eproc.punjab.gov.in
Bhat of the Special Court for the trial of CORPORATION LIMITED Contact No.: 96461-19383, 96461-11036
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06
INDIAN EXPRESS IS NOT AN
INDUSTRY. IT IS A MISSION.
— Ramnath Goenka
ASSANGE SAGA A
REMINDER FOR STRONG
WHISTLEBLOWER LAWS
J
ULIAN Assange, the 52-year-old founder of WikiLeaks,
finally walked to freedom in the early hours of Wednes-
day after a 12-year ordeal. Assange, who had been fight-
ing US efforts to extradite him from the UK where he
was holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy during 2012-19
and in prison afterwards, had leaked over 7,00,000 classified
documents and videos linked to alleged US war crimes.
These included the US military’s operating manual for its
infamous detention camp in Guantanamo Bay and a classi-
fied US video of a July 2007 helicopter attack in Baghdad that
killed a dozen civilians, including two journalists. The trove
of leaked classified documents was aimed at exposing the
US’s involvement in what Assange described as “compelling
evidence of war crimes”. For his whistleblowing and alleged
role in breaching US security, Assange faced 18 charges
and a maximum of 175 years in prison. In an unexpected
bargain plea struck over the last few days, the Australian
citizen pled guilty to a single espionage charge before a judge
in Saipan, capital of the US territory of Northern Mariana
Islands in the Pacific, for a sentence of 62 months—which he
has already served in the UK—before flying home.
Whether through Wikileaks or the International Consor-
tium of Investigative Journalists’ exposés of the Panama,
Pandora and Paradise papers, whistleblowing with credible
evidence is a necessity in a democracy. It forces transparency
and acts as a formidable weapon to inhibit corrupt practices
that violate human rights, including the right to live.
But India does not have an effective central law to protect
whistleblowers. The Whistle Blowers Protection Act passed
through parliament in 2014 and got as far as the president’s
assent, but did not come into force because of technicalities
to do with national security. The Whistle Blowers Protection
(Amendment) Bill 2015 tried to revive the effort and sought
to prohibit the reporting of corruption-related disclosures
under 10 categories, but it got stuck in the Rajya Sabha and
subsequently lapsed. A robust democracy needs protective
laws encouraging citizens to step forward to expose malprac-
tices in the government or in private enterprises. Only a few
states in India have such policies. We do need Assanges in
our midst, but where are the effective laws to protect them?
CAUTION NEEDED BEFORE
HOSTING THE OLYMPICS
J NEW GOVT IN A NEW STATE
UST over a month ahead of the Paris Olympics, a
new sports minister has taken charge—Mansukh Man-
daviya has replaced Anurag Thakur. Mandaviya’s first
gesture was notable—he became the first sports minis-
ter to visit the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) after
assuming office. It is possible that the sports ministry is try-
ing to send a signal to the fractured IOA, where executive
committee members are in revolt against president P T
Usha over the appointment of the CEO in January. Even
now, with just a month to go for the Olympics, there is no
sign of a truce. The IOA is yet to announce the chef de
mission, a post vacated by M C Mary Kom in April. The gov-
ernment is also serious about going ahead with the 2036
Olympic bid with Ahmedabad as the venue. The process of
bidding has already started with IOA’s engagement with the
International Olympic Committee. More talks will take
place in Paris next month. At these parleys, it would be bet-
ter if the IOA presented a united face.
The main question is whether India is ready to spend
so much money. Sure, it will further raise the country’s
profile. India’s sporting movement will get a fillip as
athletes and fans will enthusiastically engage with the event.
This much is undeniable. What is also undeniable is the ef-
fect the Olympics will have on the economy, especially in a
developing country like ours. If the government is keen to
go ahead with Ahmedabad as the host, a lot of infrastructure
will have to be built or redeveloped, as there are not many
readymade venues. The Indian government will have to
prepare for the costs to shoot up.
Recent history can be instructive. One only has to look at
Greece. They spent so much on the 2004 Games that it
plunged the economy into a crisis. Twelve years later, Rio de
Janeiro faced similar issues, though an independent study
later claimed the city had benefitted from the Olympics.
There is a reason why even developed countries shy away
from hosting big-ticket events. The Commonwealth Games,
which India hosted in 2010, is struggling to find a host city
for 2026. Australia was in line, but walked back. The govern-
ment should not lose sight of these examples and issues.
Q U I C K TA K E
WATER CRISIS & CREDIT RATING
T
HERE could soon be a new cost attached to India’s poor
water management efforts. Moody’s, one of the three
most influential sovereign credit rating firms, said on
Tuesday that India’s worsening water shortage might affect
the nation’s sovereign credit strength as it would affect a
number of sectors. A downgrade or change in outlook would
affect the interest rate at which the Union and state govern-
ments—and other sovereign-backed funds—are able to raise
foreign debt. When Moody’s last downgraded India four
years ago to Baa3, there were protests from the administra-
tion. Rather than poking holes in ratings, the government
should forge a national plan for water conservation.
Resident Editor (Kerala): Kiran Prakash* Published by R K Jhunjhunwala on behalf of Express Publications (Madurai) Private Limited at Express House, Kaloor, Kochi-682 017 and Printed by him at Viani Printings, P B No.3062, Lissie Road, Ernakulam North, Kochi - 682018.
Kochi. Vol. 52, No.149. RNI Reg. No. 24964/73. Phone: 0484-2402220, Fax: 0484-2401799. * Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act. Copyright: Express Publications (Madurai) Private Limited. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner, electronic or otherwise, in whole or in part, without prior written permission is prohibited.
KOCHI THURSDAY 27 06 2024
� �
L
IKE Mark Twain said about him-
self, the report of the dollar’s
death is exaggerated—though its
health problems are multiplying.
The dollar dominates trade,
payments and reserves. About 96
percent of trade in the Ameri-
cas, 74 percent in the Asia-Pacific region,
and 79 percent in the rest of the world is
denominated in the currency. Only in Eu-
rope, where the euro is dominant with a 66
percent share, is its market share low.
About 60 percent of international and for-
eign currency claims (primarily loans) and
liabilities (primarily deposits) are in US
dollars. Its share of foreign exchange trans-
actions is around 90 percent. US dollars
constitute around 60 percent of global of-
ficial foreign reserves. These shares are
disproportionate to the size of the US econ-
omy (around a quarter of global GDP, or 15
percent adjusted for purchasing power).
The dollar’s difficulties are largely self-
inflicted. Incontinent fiscal and monetary
policy—with the US budget deficit and gov-
ernment debt at around 7 percent and over
100 percent of GDP, respectively—has di-
minished long-term purchasing power of
the dollar. Since 1972, it has fallen by 99 per-
cent against gold and lost 90 percent of pur-
chasing power of real goods and services.
American policymakers have sought to
weaponise the dollar in multiple ways to
further political objectives, compensating
for economic weaknesses such as a lack of
competitiveness in particular. The US has
sought to exclude foreign entities from in-
ternational payment systems like SWIFT.
There are secondary sanctions penalis-
ing people and organisations not subject to
US legal jurisdiction. If a Russian entity is
under sanctions, anyone dealing with it
may be liable to prosecution, even if it is
complying with laws in its own nation. This
is done via the tenuous nexus of dollar pay-
ments through the US banking system. In-
ternational banks and others have been
prosecuted for transactions legal in their
country. The threat has been sufficient to
deter dealing with US sanctioned entities.
Weaponisation extends to asset seizures.
In the wake of the Ukraine war, the US and
its allies have frozen $300 billion of Russian
central bank dollar holdings. The Biden ad-
ministration passed the REPO Act author-
ising the confiscation of about $20 billion
worth of Russian assets held by US banks,
primarily government securities that were
legitimately purchased, and transferring it
to Ukraine. Selective cancellation of US
government obligations held by a foreign
power is now a policy option, despite its
doubtful legal basis. It would represent a
selective US government default.
BUILDING ANDHRA PRADESH:
U
NDER the leadership of Nara
Chandrababu Naidu, the TDP-
BJP-JSP combine within the
NDA umbrella won a landslide
victory in Andhra Pradesh at the
recent elections, bagging 164 of
the 175 assembly seats and 21 of
the 25 Lok Sabha seats. The vote was for
Viksit Andhra to be part of Viksit Bharat.
Two projects would be crucial to meet
the aspirations of the people and develop
the state—building the new capital Ama-
ravati and completing the Polavaram ir-
rigation project. These two projects are
expected to contribute substantially to the
country’s GDP and create considerable
wealth for the state. There is also a huge
potential for employment generation as
Amaravati will first need to be built, then
be the seat of the state government’s ex-
ecutive functions, and thereafter will be a
services hub. In the case of Polavaram, it
will support the entire state’s drinking
water and irrigation needs and generate
hydel power to serve industrial needs.
During the 2024 election campaign,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
Home Minister Amit Shah expressed the
NDA’s support for building Amaravati,
which was abruptly stalled by Y S Jagan
Mohan Reddy’s government. Work on
the new state capital was purposely ne-
glected by the outgoing chief minister as
his priorities were scattered across free-
bies in the name of welfare measures.
This led to a neglect of using the capital
expenditure route for creating productive,
revenue-generating assets for the state. The
YSR Congress government buried the ef-
forts made prior to 2019 for the develop-
ment of Amaravati as a ‘growth engine’ for
the state. As a result, investors across the
world lost confidence in the state being able
to honour project commitments despite a
change in government—it had an adverse
impact not only on foreign direct invest-
ments, but among domestic investors too.
Now the people of Andhra Pradesh have
given a clear and absolute mandate for de-
velopment and for creating employment
opportunities for them. The point is about
carrying out the development of Amara-
vati’s infrastructure in a phased manner
according to the master plan approved by
the Amaravati Capital Region Develop-
ment Authority (CRDA) and reconnecting
with the set specifications of a project
stalled since 2019. There are three main
questions that would need to be addressed.
First, is it necessary to revise the detailed
THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS
Chairman of the Board: Manoj Kumar Sonthalia Editor: Santwana Bhattacharya
For the moment, the US believes the dollar’s reserve
currency status is secure. Given the nation’s economic,
political and social problems, this belief will be tested
THE INEVITABLE
DECLINE OF THE
AMERICAN DOLLAR
SATYAJIT DAS
American policymakers also exert dis-
proportionate influence on currency val-
ues and the cost of capital globally. A strong
dollar and devaluation of local currencies
fuels imported inflation in many emerging
nations. Borrowers with US dollar denomi-
nated debt now face higher debt servicing
costs. A rise in US government bond rates
result in a similar increase in term interest
rates globally, increasing borrowing costs.
These factors are driving foreign public
and private institutions’ increasing reluc-
tance to transact in dollars or hold dollar
assets. But American authorities assume
continuation of the dollar hegemony be-
cause of limited alternatives.
Two principles lie at its heart. The first
is the ‘policy trilemma’ or ‘impossible trin-
ity’ proposition of economists Robert Mun-
LANKA DINAKAR
project report for the changes needed in the
structures and funds to ensure that Amara-
vati is a self-sustainable project? Second,
are the old contractors ready to take up the
project, or would new contractors be invit-
ed? And third, are any changes needed in
the law governing the CRDA since a few
amendments had been made by the previ-
ous government during 2019-2024?
EXPRESS
Building the new capital Amaravati
and completing the Polavaram
irrigation project are priorities
for the new NDA government
in AP. They can generate wealth
and jobs, and contribute
substantially to India’s GDP. There
is also a need to decentralise the
state’s development
It should be noted that the Union govern-
ment is continuing to play a vital role in the
process of building Amaravati. First, a Rs
1,500-crore grant has already been given by
the Union government for setting up infra-
structure such as an assembly, a secretariat
and a high court, among other structures
needed for the city to function as the capi-
tal. A Hudco loan of Rs 10,000 crore has also
been facilitated by the Union government.
Second, the Centre has recognised it as
a smart city and a heritage city. It allowed
capital gains tax exemption on the sale
of land by farmers who offered it under
a land pooling system; farmers had vol-
untarily offered nearly 35,000 acres of
land to the CRDA on a call from the then
CM Chandrababu Naidu.
When Tony Lewis died in 2020,
he phoned to tell me that people
thought he was already dead
Former banker and author
MANDAR PARDIKAR
dell and Marcus Fleming. It argues an
economy cannot simultaneously maintain
the following—a fixed exchange rate, free
capital movement and an independent
monetary policy. The second is the paradox
named after economist Robert Triffin. This
states that where its money functions as
the global reserve currency, a nation must
run large trade deficits to meet the demand
for reserves. Any aspirant to a new global
reserve currency status faces an unaccept-
able loss of economic control and must run
large current account deficits.
Other essential requirements include
deep liquid capital markets, high credit
quality, suitable clearing, custody and trans-
fer mechanisms, strong governance, legal
enforceability, and universal acceptance.
Potential contenders such as the euro or
FCA, Chief Spokesperson for BJP in AP
Third, nearly 50 central government
institutions had procured land in Amara-
vati to build their facilities, but they now
need to start construction.
The people of the state have given their
mandate in favour of the NDA for coordina-
tion between the state and Union govern-
ments in developing the capital. The newly-
formed government will have to plan for
the required funds to complete the phased
development with Union government as-
sistance through the ministries of urban
development, highways, aviation, jal shakti
and tourism, among others. The plan will
also include internal resources like project
loans that are repayable from the future
revenues generated from Amaravati.
Apart from this, the new government
will implement other industrial projects
along 975 km of the sea coast similar in im-
portance to building Amaravati. This will
include looking at the western Prakasam
district and the Rayalaseema region for de-
centralising development, since all regions
of the ‘Sunrise State’ have potential with
their own resources and advantages.
In addition to Amaravati, the NDA gov-
ernment’s priority is in creating 194 thou-
sand million cubic feet of storage capacity
for the multi-beneficial Polavaram under-
taking, which has been accorded priority
as a national project under Section 90 of
Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
It has been noted that among the impor-
tant components of the project are funds
for the rehabilitation and resettlement
plan and providing water for drinking and
industrial use—these parts can be accom-
modated through various Union govern-
ment schemes on a priority basis. It is es-
timated that the Polavaram project can be
completed within the next 4 years with the
assistance of the Union government.
Apart from Amaravati and Polavaram,
better capacity utilisation in the indus-
trial areas along the Visakhapatnam-
Chennai, Bengaluru-Chennai and Ben-
galuru-Hyderabad corridors would lead to
inclusive and decentralised development
of Andhra Pradesh and would be a consid-
erable contribution to nation building.
(Views are personal)
Frank
Duckworth
yuan do not meet all the standards. Other
options like IMF Special Drawing Rights, a
‘world currency’, a blockchain-based digital
mechanism or a return to a gold standard
are unrealistic. But a shift is underway.
Russia’s MIR and China’s Cross-Border
Interbank Payment System offer alterna-
tive fund transfer arrangements. Nations
are denominating trade in different cur-
rencies. China has reduced its US Treasury
holdings to below $800 billion, down 40 per-
cent from a decade earlier. Foreign inves-
tors have moved into real assets, primarily
business and commodities. The Chinese
Belt and Road Initiative is one example.
Central bank purchases of gold and other
currencies reflect these pressures. But the
biggest change may be fundamental.
A trading and reserve currency is need-
ed due to imbalances. Where India imports
more than it exports to China, if denomi-
nated in rupees, would leave the Chinese
with surplus Indian currency. Alternative-
ly, if denominated in Chinese yuan, India
would have to finance the deficit. This re-
quires unfettered access to investments or
funding in respective currencies. If trade
is more bilaterally balanced over time, then
there would be no surpluses to invest or
deficits to finance, reducing the need for a
reserve currency such as dollars.
The structure can be extended to encom-
pass trading blocs, where imbalances net
out between members when aggregated. It
implies a world of multiple trading and re-
serve currencies, which has existed at vari-
ous times in history.
A world based around bilateral or multi-
lateral autarky has implications for growth
and development. Trade and capital flow
volumes would fall. It would diminish the
ability to trade freely as well as sourcing
investment capital for growing economies.
Comparative advantages would be lost. But
this approach is implicit in the evolving in-
dustrial structure driven by sovereignty
and economic independence concerns.
The diminution of the dollar’s status
would affect the US’s ability to fund its con-
tinuing budget and trade deficits. Dollar
interest rates may have to rise and the cur-
rency devalue. The role of its capital mar-
kets and financial institutions would de-
cline. American political prestige and
power would suffer.
For the moment, America believes the
dollar’s reserve currency status is secure.
Given its economic, political and social
problems, this belief will be tested. All ma-
jor economic shifts go through phases—
impossible, unlikely, plausible, likely and
finally, inevitable. The dollar is progressing
through these stages.
(Views are personal)
Gandhi’s vision
Ref: The need to empower the third tier
(Jun 26). The creation of panchayats and
municipalities with self-government status
was symbolic of Mahatma Gandhi’s vision that
development should start from the bottom.
The article has rightly pointed out that the
16th Finance Commission should address the
concerns of local governments.
Dharmarajan A K,Thalassery
Political involvement
Ref: NTA 2.0: Spaceman’s countdown to
launch countless careers (Jun 26). Such an
in-depth analysis by the author is welcome.
Still, we need to address how to eliminate the
political involvement in this massive exercise.
D T Thyagarajan, Bengaluru
Generational illiteracy
Ref: June 26, 2024: Golden Jubilee of the
Blackest Day (Jun 26). The author rightly
points out the illiteracy of the post-Emergency
generations about the suppression of democracy.
But he fell short by failing to observe the
amnesia of the media and opposition leaders,
not presenting the right perspective.
Ashok Kumar, Kozhikode
Repeal inadvisable
The author has elaborated the arbitrary action
taken by the then government by curtailing
fundamental rights during the Emergency.
It is true the 42nd Amendment paves the
way for interference in the independence
of the judiciary, but it is not good to repeal
it entirely. It added the terms socialist and
secular to the Preamble. These are the distinct
features enshrined in our Constitution.
A Iniyavan Abdullah S A, Madurai
Hurried construction
The statement by the Ayodhya Ram temple’s
chief priest on seepage inside the sanctum
with no drainage provision inside shows the
temple construction was completed in a hurry.
Obviously, the BJP wanted to take credit for
not only getting a nod from the court but for
completing the construction in record time.
N Nagarajan, Secunderabad
Argument points
Ref: Debating empathy at the dinner table
(Jun 25). I am a vegetarian by birth, choice and
conviction. This article is the most nuanced
comment on the subject I have read. There are
generally two sets of people: non-vegetarians
who think vegetarians have lost something
in life, and vegetarians who think non-
vegetarians are committing a sin. I am grateful
this article has given me some extra points to
pull up while arguing with my sons, when they
pose questions in the matter.
V Venkateswaran, Chennai
 Anurag Thakur @ianuragthakur Mallikarjun Kharge @Kharge Tejashwi Yadav @yadavtejashwi
POSTS
The black chapter recorded in Indian democracy in 10 years of BJP rule has stopped the development In Bihar, even Yamraj cannot guarantee
OF THE the form of Emergency on 25 June 1975 will always of Haryana. Hundreds of recruitment exams have when, whom, where, why and how the
DAY remain alive in the memories of every citizen. been rigged, farmers have been brutally tortured... government criminals will kill.

07 KOCHI THURSDAY 27 06 2024

� �

DAY 3: Abhishek Banerjee claims to have sought division but Jairam Ramesh says otherwise; Rahul assures Oppn help to Speaker

TMC sought voting, POWER CORRIDOR LoP makes a point:

Cong for consensus 1 2
‘Allow Oppn to voice
on Speaker election concerns of people’
P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi P R E E T H A N A I R @ New Delhi

THE Opposition INDIA bloc constituents Trinamool Congress IN his debut speech in the Lok Sabha after being appointed as the
(TMC) and Congress appeared to be not on the same page on Leader of Opposition (LoP), Rahul Gandhi said he expressed
demanding a division of votes in the election for the Lok Sabha hope that the Opposition would be allowed to raise the “voice of
speaker on Wednesday. people” in the House.
While TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said that the pro-tem Gandhi also countered the government over claims of high
speaker did not allow voting in the Speaker election even as sev- productivity of the Lok Sabha and said the question is not how
eral opposition MPs sought a division of votes, Congress leader efficiently the House is run, but how much of India’s voice is be-
Jairam Ramesh insisted that the INDIA bloc did not seek a divi- ing allowed to be heard.
sion of votes. “This House represents the voice of India’s people and you,
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Banerjee said that, 4 3 Speaker Sir, are the final arbiter of that voice. Of course, the
according to the rules, division of votes has to be allowed even government has political power, but the Opposition also repre-
if a single member demands it. sents the voice of India’s people and this time, the Opposition
“The rule says that if any member of the House asks for divi- represents significantly more voice of the Indian people than it
sion, the pro-tem speaker has to allow it. You can clearly see and did last time,” he said.
hear from the footage of the Lok Sabha that several members of Gandhi said the Opposition would like to assist the Speaker in
the opposition sought and asked for a division,” he said. his work. “I am confident you will allow us to speak in the House,”
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee Om Birla was he said. The Opposition represents significantly more voices of
elected Speaker after a motion moved by PM Narendra Modi was the Indian people than last time, said Gandhi adding that it is
adopted through voice vote. Pro-tem speaker Mahtab made the important that the voice of opposition is allowed in the House.
announcement after the opposition, which had forwarded the “I am confident that you will allow us to represent our voice,
name of eight-term Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh as its can- allow us to speak, to represent the voice of the people of India,”
didate, did not press for votes to the motion. (1) Union minister Chirag Paswan with BJP MP Kangana Ranaut (2) Nirmala Sitharaman (3) TMC’s Derek O’ Brien with Shiv the leader of Opposition said. The question, he said, is not how
“The motion was adopted without putting it to vote. This is a Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi and SP MP Shahid Siddiqui (4) BJP’s Hardeep Singh Puri with SP’s Ram Gopal Yadav | PTI efficiently the House is run, but the question is how much of
clear testament to the fact that the ruling dispensation, the BJP, India’s voice is allowed to be heard.
does not have the numbers ... This government is running with- PRESIDENT TO ADDRESS ‘HOPE NO MUSLIM MP BJP MPS TARGET CONG “The idea that you can run the House efficiently by silencing
out the numbers. It’s illegal, immoral, unethical and unconsti- JOINT SITTING OF HOUSE CALLED A TERRORIST’ OVER EMERGENCY the voice of Opposition is a non-democratic idea. “This election
tutional and the people of the country have already shown them has shown that the people of India expect the Opposition to de-
President Droupadi Murmu will Srinagar MP Aga Syed Ruhullah BJP MPs, including Union
the door. It’s just a matter of time before they’re shown the door fend the Constitution, the ‘Samvidhan’ of this country and we
address the joint sitting of the Lok Mehdi on Wednesday urged ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw,
again,” said the TMC MP. are confident that by allowing opposition to speak, by allowing
Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on Speaker Om Birla to ensure the Pralhad Joshi and Kiren Rijiju
However, Ramesh said the INDIA parties did not seek a divi- us to represent the people of India, you will do your duty of de-
Thursday, where she is expected sanctity of the House by held a protest in Parliament
sion of votes in the Speaker’s election as they wanted to main- fending the Constitution of India,” he said.
to unveil the priorities of the restraining members from complex on Wednesday,
tain a spirit of consensus and cooperation.
newly-elected government. making disparaging remarks targeting the Congress over the
“INDIA parties exercised their democratic right and moved
Murmu’s address to the joint like dubbing a Muslim imposition of Emergency in 1975
motions in support of Kodikunnil Suresh as Lok Sabha Speaker.
sitting of Parliament will also be parliamentarian a “terrorist” or and demanding apology from
Voice vote was taken. Thereafter, INDIA parties could have in-
the first after the constitution of rushing legislations like the the party. The MPs assembled
sisted on division,” Ramesh said in a post on X.
the 18th Lok Sabha. The first abrogation of Article 370. He outside, carrying placards and
“They did not do so. This is because they wanted a spirit of
session of the 18th Lok Sabha expressed hope that Birla raising slogans such as
consensus and cooperation to prevail, a spirit singularly lacking
began on Monday and the 264th would uphold the Constitution “Emergency ke liye Congress
in the actions of the PM and the NDA,” he added.
session of the Rajya Sabha will and lead the House as a beacon sharm karo” and “Emergency ke
Though TMC was initially non-committal on supporting Con-
begin on June 27. of democracy. liye maafi mango.”
gress nominee Suresh, the party came around after a phone con-
versation between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Mamata
Banerjee Tuesday night. TMC claimed they were not consulted
by the Congress before nominating Suresh.
BJP WON’T BE ABLE TO ‘STEAM ROLL’ OPPN IN HOUSE AGAIN, SAYS OWAISI
Responding to a question that the opposition did not press for a AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi said on Wednesday that the ruing BJP will not be able to “steam roll” the
division of votes, Abhishek said, “The question is not about how Opposition as the character of the House has changed in the new Lok Sabha. Congratulating Om Birla on
strongly the division (of votes) was sought. The rule says that even being re-elected Speaker, he said the smaller parties should be heard as they too represent the people. “Here
if one out of 500 people ask for division, it has to be allowed.” the Opposition also has the support of the people. I urge you to give chance to smaller parties also,” he said. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi speaks in Parliament on Wednesday | PTI

EAM to Myanmar: Concerned Shrinking Arctic ice behind high summer rainfall
over violence on Indian border BA L A C H AU H A N @ Bengaluru

THE mystery behind the in-

Y E S H I S E L I @ New Delhi
EXTERNAL Affairs Minister S
Jaishankar on Wednesday
raised the issue of increased
smuggling of goods, narcotics
and arms owing to the instabil-
ity in Myanmar, when he met
a visiting delegation of senior
leaders from the country.
“Met with Deputy Prime
Minister and Finance Minister
of Myanmar, U Than Shwe, in
Delhi. We discussed our con-
cerns about the impact of con-
tinuing violence and instabil-
i t y i n M y a n m a r. W e
particularly flagged the illegal
smuggling, narcotics, arms
smuggling and trafficking of
persons as priority challeng-
es,” he said.
The minister also reiterated
that India was open to engag-
ing all stakeholders in address-
ing the situation. “We also
sought cooperation for early
return of Indian nationals
trapped in Myawaddy (a town
fallen to forces led by the Karen
ethnic army) and also pressed
for credible security protec-
tion of our ongoing projects in
that country,” he added.
EAM Jaishankar meets Myanmar Deputy PM and FM in New Delhi on Wednesday | X
India’s most ambitious
project in Myanmar is the Ka-
ladan Multi Modal Transit
Project, which was nearing
completion before the instabil-
ity set in. India had begun
working on this project in 2010
and was to complete it in 2014.
However, a 10-year delay has
escalated the cost from an ear-
lier projection of `535 crore to
`3,200 crore.
“We urged the early return
of Myanmar to democratic
transition and reaffirmed that
India was ready to help on all
accounts,” Jaishankar added.
India shares a border of 1,643
km with Myanmar on land.
Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland,
Manipur and Mizoram have
borders with Myanmar. Things
changed when a state of emer-
gency was imposed in Myan-
mar on February 1, 2021, and
the administrative control was
taken over by the commander-
in-chief of the Myanmar
Armed Forces, Senior General
Min Aung Hlaing, who is the
present Prime Minister of the
provisional government.
crease in Indian summer mon-
soon rainfall and its link with
the melting of Arctic ice dur-
ing spring (March to May) has
been demystified in a ground
breaking research by the Na-
tional Centre for Polar and
Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa,
in collaboration with the Korea
Polar Research Institute.
“There is a significant link
between the melting of Arctic
sea ice in spring and increased
Indian Summer Monsoon Rain-
fall (ISMR),” said NCPOR Sci-
entist and corresponding au-
thor Avinash Kumar.
The paper ‘Contrasting Re-
sponse of Regional Spring Arc-
tic Sea Ice Variations on Indian
Summer Monsoon Rainfall’ is
published in the June edition
of the internationally reputed
peer reviewed journal ‘Remote
Sensing of Environment.’
The study has investigated
the intricate relationship be-
tween spring Arctic Sea Ice
Concentration (SIC) and the
ISMR using satellite observa-
tions and climate model simu-
lations (CMIP5 and CMIP6). It
sheds light on the complex tel-
econnections between polar re-
gions and the Indian subconti-
WEATHER CHANGE PATTERNS
1 2
Reduced sea ice in the
Central Arctic is
associated with
increased rainfall in
central and north-
eastern India. This is
due to changes in
atmospheric circulation
patterns that influence
global weather
nent’s climate, with potential
implications for agriculture,
water resources, and disaster
management.
“Our research found that re-
duced sea ice in the Central
Arctic is associated with in-
creased rainfall in central and
north-eastern India. This is due
to changes in atmospheric cir-
culation patterns, including at-
mospheric waves that connect
distant regions, influencing
global weather. In contrast, low
sea ice in the Barents-Kara Sea
Asian jet stream. “These find-
ings highlight the far-reaching
impacts of Arctic sea ice melts
on global weather patterns,”
said project scientist, NCPOR,
and lead author Juhi Yadav.
“As the Arctic continues to
warm at an alarming rate — 3-4
times faster than average global
war ming — understanding
3 these teleconnections becomes
crucial for predicting and miti-
The Indian Summer Monsoon Low sea ice in the gating the effects of climate
Rainfall has shown a decadal Barents-Kara Sea in change on the Indian monsoon
trend of increased rainfall the Arctic region is and its associated socio-eco-
over western India and a linked to changes in nomic consequences,” NCPOR
decrease in the northeast. the North Atlantic- scientist Rohit Srivastava said.
This is attributed to factors Eurasia teleconnection The researchers utilised sat-
like shifting land-sea tempe- wave train pattern, ellite observations and climate
rature gradients, warming of which affect the onset model simulations to analyse
western Indian Ocean, & and intensity of the the relationship between Arc-
changes in Asian jet stream Indian monsoon tic sea ice and the Indian mon-
soon from 1979 and 2021. The
in the Arctic region is linked to study emphasises the need for
changes in the North Atlantic- improved representation of re-
Eurasia teleconnection wave gional Arctic sea ice dynamics
train pattern, which affect the in climate models to enhance
onset and intensity of the In- the accuracy of rain forecasts.
dian monsoon,” said Kumar. “The implications of this re-
The study also examines the search are significant for India,
decadal trend of ISMR, reveal- where the monsoon is critical
ing increased rainfall over west- for agriculture and water re-
ern India and a decrease in the sources and will help scientists
northeast. This trend is attrib- and policymakers to anticipate
uted to factors like shifting and prepare better for changes
land-sea temperature gradients, in rainfall patterns, said Group
warming of the western Indian Director of Polar Sciences
Ocean, and changes in the NCPOR, Rahul Mohan.

What WHO report says
The report said that globally, an
estimated 400 million people, or
7% of the world’s population
aged 15 years and older, live with
alcohol use disorders, and an
estimated 209 million (3.7% of
the adult world population) live
with alcohol dependence. It said
that the highest proportion (13%)
of alcohol-attributable deaths in
2019 were among young people
aged 20-39 years.
3m annual deaths due to alcohol, drug use: WHO
K AV I TA BA J E L I - DAT T @ New Delhi
AS many as 2.6 million deaths
per year globally are attributa-
ble to alcohol consumption, ac-
counting for 4.7 per cent of all
deaths in 2019, according to the
latest report by the World
Health Organisation (WHO).
The WHO’s global status re-
port on alcohol and health and
treatment of substance use dis-
orders stated that the alcohol-
attributable disease burden is
heaviest among males — 2 mil-
lion alcohol-attributable deaths
and 6.9% of all disability-ad-
justed life years (DALY). Among
females, these figures were 0.6
million deaths and 2.0% of all
DALY as of 2019.
The report said that globally,
an estimated 400 million peo-
ple, or 7% of the world’s popu-
lation aged 15 years and older,
live with alcohol use disorders,
and an estimated 209 million
(3.7% of the adult world
population) live with al-
cohol dependence.
It highlighted that
the highest proportion,
or 13%, of alcohol-at-
tributable deaths in 2019
were among young people
aged 20-39 years.
Noting that the Covid-19 pan-
demic significantly impacted
global alcohol consumption, it
said there was an estimated
10% relative reduction from
2019 to 2020 but with different,
and sometimes opposite, im-
pacts in other countries and
population groups.
In India, the report said that
alcohol consumption increased
until the Covid-19 pandemic
began.
“In the South-East
Asia Region, with India
as the largest country,
levels of alcohol con-
sumption increased
steadily until the Cov-
id-19 pandemic began due to
economic growth coupled with
a fractured response to control
policies,” the report said.
It said that in 2019, 17% of
people aged 15+ years and 38%
of current drinkers engaged in
heavy episodic drinking or
“binge drinking” — consuming
at least 60 grams of pure alco-
hol on one or more occasions in
the last month — while continu-
ous heavy drinking was highly
prevalent (6.7%) among men.
The level of alcohol con-
sumption per capita among
drinkers amounts on average
to 27 grams of pure alcohol per
day, which is associated with
appreciably increased risks of
numerous health conditions
and related mortality and
disability.
The death rates due to alco-
hol consumption per litre of
alcohol consumed are highest
in low-income countries and
lowest in high-income
countries.
At IFFI, summit to showcase
India as content creation hub
PA R V E Z S U LTA N @ New Delhi
IN a bid to promote India as a hub of content creation, the Ministry
of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) is set to host a grand event
— World Audio-Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) — on
the sidelines of India International Film Festival (IFFI) in Novem-
ber this year. The idea is to attract filmmakers across the globe to
the Indian market, which offers state-of-the-art technological in-
terventions and innovations in film production and editing.
It will further create employment opportunities in the country,
said officials privy to the development.
“The four-day event is to leverage cutting edge technology, en-
courage cultural understanding, knowledge exchange and tap-
ping into markets. WAVES will be a platform to explore varied
opportunities in the media and entertainment sector worldwide
from news, advertisement, radio, television to music, animation,
VFX, OTT, digital media, Artificial intelligence (AI) and
metaverse… More than 10 industries will come under one roof,”
said officials from the ministry.
 INDIA Max Min Max Min

2
Ahmedabad 42 27 Mumbai 35 29
FLOOD IN ASSAM Bhopal 43 28 Panaji 32 28
The flood situation in Assam improved on Wednesday Jaipur 41 30 Patna 41 27
Amritsar 40 23 Lucknow 42 27
even as almost 1.4 lakh people are still reeling under the Chennai 39 30 Port Blair 34 28
deluge in seven districts. According to ASDMA, more than CLEANER HURT AS SCHOOL Kolkata 36 26 Imphal 23 18
1,37,800 people are hit due to the floods in six districts. KIDS BUS MEETS WITH ACCIDENT Srinagar 18 08 Chandigarh 42 23

08 KOCHI THURSDAY 27 06 2024

� �

JHARKHAND BIHAR STATUS CHECK

NTA coordinator CBI: NTA dithers NTA a pvt society

detained in Ranchi to share key info holds key exams RANCHI
M U K E S H R A N J A N @ Ranchi R A M A S H A N K A R @ Patna K E TA N N A R O T TA M TA N N A @ New Delhi
DIARY
A team of CBI officials on Wednesday questioned Hazaribagh THE National Testing Agency (NTA)’s reluctance in sharing AMID the NEET-UG exam debacle, the National Testing Agen-
NTA city coordinator and school principal Dr Ehsan Ul Haque, vital and crucial information with the Bihar police’s Economic cy (NTA) is finding itself in hot water. The independent body, MUKESH RANJAN
along with the centre superintendent, deputy superintendents Offences Unit (EOU) for taking forward the probe into the which handles top exams like JEE, NEET-UG, UGC-NET, and Our correspondent
and invigilators, in the NEET paper leak case. NEET-UG paper leak has only put the premier testing agency CMAT, is actually a society under the Societies Registration in Jharkhand
Denying his involvement, Haque had alleged gross negligence under scanner as the possibility of complicity of some NTA Act of 1860. It runs 15 fiercely competitive entrance exams for mukesh.r@newindianexpress.com
on the part of the transport company which brought the ques- officials in the examination muddle could not be completely higher education admissions.
tion papers from Ranchi to Hazaribagh by flouting rules. ruled out. The CBI, which took over the investigation into the Set up in 2017 and registered as a society on May 15, 2018, after
After the investigation was handed over to the CBI, an eight- scandal from the Bihar police on June 23, is probing the case the Cabinet’s approval on November 10, 2017, the NTA boasts Cabinet expansion
member team of the investigation from this angle. of being an “independent, autono- likely this week
agency reached the school campus in The role of some NTA functionaries mous, and self-sustained premier
8-member team the morning. ‘NTA reluctance is also being looked into. Earlier, EOU A self-sustained testing organization.” But how pri-
The two cabinet berths lying vacant
reaches school delayed probe’ organisation in Champai Soren government are
Since the principal was absent, officials alleged that the reluctance vate is this body really?
likely to be filled up this week by
they went to his home and brought of NTA to provide necessary infor- The NTA is overall in charge of pre-
After the investigation The role of some NTA Set up in 2017 and Congress MLA Irfan Ansari and BJP
him to school and questioned him for mation delayed the probe. The NTA, paring the examination papers, dis-
was handed over to the functionaries is also registered as a society on MLA Baijnath Ram from Jamtrara
over seven hours. an autonomous and self-sustained tributing them, and marking them.
CBI, an eight-member being looked into. Earlier, May 15, 2018, after the and Latehar respectively. The formal
In the evening, they took him along testing organisation under education The September 2018 order from the
team of the investigation EOU officials alleged Cabinet’s approval on consensus is said to have been
with them to CCL Guest House in ministry, is responsible for conduct- Indian government clearly states
agency reached the that the reluctance of November 10, 2017, the reached during a meeting of
Charhi, around 15 km from there, for ing some crucial examinations such NTA would “adopt technology and
school campus on NTA to give information NTA is an independent, Jharkhand Congress in-charge
questioning. Meanwhile, the CBI also as JEE, NEETUG, UGC-NET, CMAT. the best global practices to bring in
Wednesday. Since the delayed probe. The NTA, autonomous, and self- Ghulam Ahmed Mir with former
visited the State Bank of India twice, Taking a serious note of the matter, high reliability, transparency, and
principal was absent, an autonomous and self- sustained premier testing Jharkhand CM and JMM Executive
and interrogated the officials for a CBI team carried out searches at a standardized difficulty levels for as-
they went to his home sustained testing organization. It is overall President Hement Soren at Birsa
more than an hour. private school in Jharkhand’s Haz- sessing the aptitude, intelligence, and
and brought him to organisation, conducts in charge of preparing, Munda Central Jail on Tuesday. One
They also inspected the place aribagh from where the question leak problem-solving abilities of the stu-
school and questioned some crucial distributing and of the berths fell vacant after
where the question paper was kept. is suspected. The search was carried dents.” But has it served the motto it
him for over seven hours. examinations. assessing exam papers. Alamgir Aalm resigned from his
The team then went back to the out on the basis of evidence collected was set up for? The first time contro-
ministerial post after his arrest in a
school and returned at around 2:00 from the school by the EOU team. versy hit the testing body was in 2021
money laundering case, while 12th
pm. According to sources, the CBI officials were trying to quiz The school principal was made the city coordinator of the when the CBI apprehended a Russian hacker believed to be the
cabinet berth was vacant since long.
the courier company employees who delivered the question NTA for smooth conduct of medical entrance. In Patna, NTA mastermind behind the 2020 JEE Mains paper leak case.
papers and the bank officials who received them. The Blue Dart has no office of its own to conduct exams. Instead, it has nomi- According to K. C. Kaushik, Advocate, Supreme Court of India,
courier, however, located at Nutan Nagar area of Hazaribagh, nated S S Sahay, principal of Dony Polo Public School, RPS and Former Additional Solicitor General of India, the Indian
was found to be closed since morning. Mor, Danapur, P K Singh, principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya, government registered the NTA under the Societies Registra-
On June 22, a five-member team from Bihar had come to Haz- Bailey Road, and Manisha Sinha, principal of Radiant Inter- tion Act to ensure its independence, akin to the AIIMS. The
aribagh to probe the matter. It recorded the statements of the national, Khagaul road as coordinators. However, Sahay has government registers various bodies depending on their intent
principal and others. The initial probe revealed that the Bihar been assigned to look after its affairs as state coordinator. and purpose. “It is up to the government to select the act under
EOU team had found that the question papers were leaked from Though he confirmed that he has been made coordinator by which companies can function. In this case, NTA was regis-
Hazaribagh. NTA, he declined to share information citing protocol norms. tered under the Societies Registration Act,” Kaushik said.

Peaceful Naga After Ram, ‘Emergency’ SAD story: Heat on Sukhbir

civic polls with
in MP school curriculum Healthcare scheme for

women’s quota
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
@ Guwahati
NAGALAND’s “historic” ur-
ban local body (ULB) elections
were held on Wednesday. Ac-
cording to officials, no inci-
dents of violence were reported
from anywhere.
The Eastern Nagaland Peo-
ples’ Organisation boycotted
the polls as the Centre failed to
fulfil its demand of “frontier
Nagaland ter ritory”. The
ENPO, which is the apex tribal
organisation of eastern Naga-
land covering six “backward”
districts, had earlier boycotted
the Lok Sabha polls.
Their decision to not partici-
pate in the ULB elections af-
fected 14 town councils.
The ULB polls were dubbed
historic for two reasons. First,
they were held after a gap of 20
years. Secondly, it is for the first
time that the polls featured 33
per cent reservation for wom-
en. The votes, to be counted on
June 29, will decide the fate of
523 candidates. There were over
2.23 lakh voters. All major po-
litical parties in the state such
as Nationalist Democratic Pro-
gressive Party, BJP and Con-
gress contested. Chief Minister
Neiphiu Rio had on Tuesday
appealed to people to exercise
their franchise.
A N U R A A G S I N G H @ Bhopal
STRUGGLES of Emergency
era will be included in the
school curriculum of BJP-
ruled Madhya Pradesh, state’s
chief minister Dr Mohan Ya-
dav announced on Wednesday.
Addressing a gathering of
MISA detainees at his official
residence in Bhopal to mark
the 49th anniversary of the 1975
Emergency, Yadav made the an-
nouncement. The announce-
ment happened just a few days
after the CM had an-
nounced including
teachings of Hindu
gods Ram and Krishna
in the school and col-
lege curriculum of the
state.
While lauding the
CM’s announcement to
include a chapter on
the struggles of the Emergency
era in the school curriculum,
ruling BJP leader Tapan Bhow-
mick (who heads the associa-
tion of the MISA detainees in
the state) said a committee will
be formed to decide the con-
tents for inclusion in the school
curriculum. “There is a strong
possibility of the contents of
the Emergency era being made
part of Class VII and Class IX
curriculum.”
Making a slew of other an-
nouncements for the MISA de-
tainees in the state, the CM said
the soldiers of democracy will
be provided 50% concession up
to three days stay at the Circuit
Houses across the state and ex-
emption on toll plazas.
The medical claims under
the Ayushman Bharat Scheme
will be paid on priority and
speedy basis, air ambulance
services will be provided to
them for getting lifted for ur-
gent medical treatment at big
hospitals, particularly in the
big and metro cities.
They will also get a
25% discount on travel
through the air taxi
services launched re-
cently in the state.
The honorarium of
`8,000 which is provid-
ed for funeral/crema-
tion of MISA detainees
will be hiked to `10,000
and their children.
Importantly, there are 700
MISA detainees currently in
the state, who are getting
monthly honorarium (pension)
ranging between `8,000 and
`30,000 from the government
under three categories (depend-
ing on the prison term they
served during the
Emergency).
Besides it, 600 widows of
MISA detainees are getting
pension up to Rs 15,000 from the
state government presently.
as party faces vertical split
Rebels to start protest from July 1; working committee says party united
H A R P R E E T B A J W A @ Chandigarh
THE Shiromani Akali Dal
(SAD) stares at a vertical spilt
after a section of senior leaders
revolted against party presi-
dent Sukhbir Singh Badal even
as the working committee of
the party on Wednesday re-
posed f aith in Badal’s
leadership.
MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal,
wife of Sukhbir, said some
“stooges of the BJP” are trying
to break SAD as they did to par-
ties in Maharashtra. But the
rebel leaders claim that the
public sentiment towards the
SAD leadership is changing.
Asking Badal to quit, rebel
leaders announced that ‘Akali
Dal Bachao Lehar’ will be
launched from July 1. The rebels
include former MP Prem Singh
Chandumajra, former SGPC
chief Bibi Jagir Kaur, ex-MLA
Gurpartap Singh Wadala, and
for mer ministers Sikandar
Singh Maluka, Parminder Singh
Dhindsa, Sarwan Singh Phillaur
and Surjit Singh Rakhra.
“It is writing on the wall that
the party is fighting for its ex-
istence. Many workers left the
party during the Lok Sabha
polls. The party is going down
since 2017 assembly polls. The
sentiment of the public and
party cadre is that the party
president should be changed if
the party is to be revived,’’
Wadala told this newspaper.
“They can pass any resolu-
tion in the working committee
of the party but the cadre is not
with them. From July 1 Akali
Dal Bachao Lehar will be
launched after paying obei-
sance at the Golden Temple,’’
he said. Harsimrat Kaur said,
“The SAD is united and stand-
ing with Sukhbir Badal. Some
of the stooges of the BJP are
trying to break SAD. They want
to do the same as they did in
Maharashtra. Out of the 117
leaders, only 5 leaders are
‘Fighting for existence’
Ex-MLA Gurpartap Singh Wadala
said, “It is writing on the wall that
the party is fighting for its
existence. Many workers left the
party during the Lok Sabha polls.
The party is going down since
2017 assembly polls.” “The
sentiment of the public and party
cadre is that the party
president should be changed if
the party is to be revived,’’
Wadala told this newspaper
against Sukhbir Badal.’’
The working committee in its
meeting asked “detractors” not
to play into the hands of the en-
emies of ‘panth’. “A dangerous
conspiracy is already at work
for communal polarisation in
Punjab for petty political gains.
The old game is being played
again to inject communal ha-
tred and violence in the state
and to put the blame for it on
Sikhs so as to vilify our youth
as was done in the eighties,”
said a resolution passed at the
working committee meeting.
Party chief Badal called for
“patience, forbearance and a
large-hearted approach based on
humility taught to us by the great
Guru Sahiban towards all.”
deprived people
The government will soon launch a
scheme so that no poor person in
the state will be deprived of medical
treatment. Under this scheme, all
those who are deprived of
Ayushman card and have ration card
will get treatment facility up to `15
lakh. CM Champai Soren, while
holding a meeting to review the
schemes related to Health, Medical
Education and Family Welfare
Department, directed the officials to
complete the processes to start this
scheme as soon as possible. The
Chief Minister also directed the
officials to improve the facilities at
all health sub-centers in state.
Special bus service
starts for HC lawyers
A special bus service has been
started for the lawyers of Jharkhand
High Court. The bus service was
started on the directions of the
Acting Chief Justice of Jharkhand
High Court. He had asked the Ranchi
Municipal Corporation to provide bus
facility for the lawyers, so that the
lawyers coming from faraway places
to practice in the High Court can get
transport facilities. Request for the
same was made by the High Court
Advocate’s Association. The Ranchi
Municipal Corporation has started
three buses from the old High Court
Building to the new one. Buses will
start from the old High Court at 9:00
am, 9:15 and 9:30 am and will return
at 5:00 pm, 5:15 pm and 5:30 pm.

3 terrorists suspected to be involved in GUJARAT U’KHAND

twin attacks killed in Doda encounter BJP MLA flags graft in
F AYA Z W A N I @ Srinagar
THREE militants, believed to
be involved in twin attacks on
security forces earlier this
month, have been killed in the
ongoing encounter with secu-
rity forces in mountainous
Doda district of Jammu and
Kashmir on Wednesday.
A police official said an en-
counter broke out between mil-
itants and security forces in the
Sinoo area of Gandoh in Doda
district on Wednesday morn-
ing. “The encounter started
during the search operation,
which has been going on in the
forest areas of Doda since last
fortnight,” he said.
In the day-long encounter,
three militants have been
killed, the police official said.
He said the search operation
is going on as they have got in-
puts that another militant is
hiding in the area.
“We had information that a
group of four militants were
hiding in the area and managed
to kill three militants in the
day-long encounter today. Our
hunt for the remaining militant
is going on,” the police official
said. A Special Police Officer
(SPO) identified as Ashiq Hus-
sain was injured in the encoun-
ter. He has been hospitalised.
The security forces used
drones during the operation to
track down the movement of
the militants, who continued to
change their positions.
The army, police and para-
military CRPF men had
launched massive search oper-
ations in dense forest areas in
Doda district a fortnight back
after twin militant attacks on
security forces in the district in
which seven security men in-
cluding five army men and two
cops were injured on June 11
and 12.
Police had released sketches
of four militants involved in
two attacks in Doda district and
announced a reward of Rs 20
lakh for information leading to
their arrest. “It is believed that
the militants killed in today’s
encounter were involved in
twin attacks on security forces
in Doda,” a police official said.
pvt college admissions
D I L I P S I N G H K S H AT R I YA
@ Ahmedabad
A ruling party MLA in Gu-
jarat on Wednesday raised is-
sues over admissions to col-
leges in the state through the
government portal, alleging
that private colleges are en-
gaged in “corrupt
practices”.
“Despite the admis-
sion process being
conducted through
the GCAS (Gujarat
Common Admission
Service) portal, pri-
vate colleges are en-
gaging in corrupt prac-
tices by not admitting
students without taking mon-
ey,” said Kishor Kanani (Ku-
mar), BJP MLA from Varach-
ha in Surat.
“According to the offer let-
ter received by the students,
admissions were to be con-
firmed between June 16 and
25, but the colleges admitted
students on June 16 itself, un-
dermining the merit proc-
ess,” Kanani said in a letter
to Chief Minister Bhupendra
Patel.
“Following this, students
on the merit list were refused
admission. This has left stu-
dents and parents bewil-
dered. Due to the disorgan-
ised admission process by
the self-financed colleg-
es, money has been
taken from many stu-
dents, creating a net-
work of middlemen
a n d re s u l t i n g in
widespread corrup-
tion,” the MLA said.
This isn’t the first instance
of a BJP MLA questioning
the government’s system
through a letter. Previously,
Sanjay Kordia, a BJP MLA
from Junagadh, raised con-
cerns about the slow progress
in beautification of Narsingh
Lake in Junagadh. Sanjay
Singh Mahida,
Marks for wrong answers
put univ under scanner
N A R E N D R A S E T H I @ Dehradun
HUGE discrepancies have
come to light in the assess-
ment of answer sheets at
Sridev Suman University in
Badshahi Thol, Tehri Garhw-
al, Uttarakhand.
Taking strict cognizance
of this issue, Commissioner
Bhatt has directed the Con-
troller of Examination
and the Registrar of
Sridev Suman Uni-
versity to appear in
person at the next
hearing. This direc-
tive is issued under
the provisions of Sec-
tion 18 of the Right to Infor-
mation Act.
Following an RTI revela-
tion, the truth was brought to
light before the State Infor-
mation Commissioner. “An-
swer sheets are being evalu-
ated in a largely casual
manner. Marks are being giv-
en for wrong answers in some
cases, and there have been in-
stances where answers are
not thoroughly scrutinized,”
the commissioner stated.
State Information Commis-
sioner Yogesh Bhatt ob-
served, “In one instance, a
question about the founder
of the Muslim League was
incorrectly answered as Mu-
hammad Ali Jinnah. Howev-
er, the examiner negli-
gently awarded marks
for this answer with-
out proper
verification.”
Commissioner
Bhatt said, “The eval-
uation of answer sheets
is an extremely sensitive
matter. Negligence in evalu-
ating properly and awarding
incorrect marks can jeopard-
ize students’ futures.” A pen-
alty of ten thousand rupees
has been imposed on Public
Information Officer and Dep-
uty Public Information Of-
ficer of the university.
 Beijing 35 23 SNY Los Angeles 30 18 SNY

4 bodies
Recovered near the summit of Mount Fuji, days
GLOBAL
WEATHER
LR: Light Rain HR: Heavy Rain
Colombo
Dhaka
Dubai
Houston
Istanbul
31
33
38
36
29
27
28
33
27
21
SNY
LR
SNY
SNY
SNY
Melbourne
Moscow
New York
Singapore
Toronto
15
25
31
31
26
9
14
18
27
15
SNY
SNY
SNY
SNY
SNY
before the summer climbing season begins TDS: Thundershower LC: Light Cloud SNY: Sunny London 24 14 SNY Washington 17 13 LR

09 KOCHI THURSDAY 27 06 2024

� �

Assange finally free, reaches home

S KOREA CROSS

North Korean
‘hypersonic’ CANBERRA Shipton who were waiting on
the tarmac, but avoided media
2007 Apache helicopter attack
by American forces in Baghdad

missile blows WIKILEAKS founder Julian

Assange returned to his home-
at a news conference less than
two hours after he landed.
that killed 11 people, including
two Reuters journalists.

up in mid-air
land Australia aboard a charter
jet and raised a celebratory
clenched fist as his supporters
cheered on Wednesday, hours
SEOUL Edith Wanjiku, left, weeps after viewing the body of her son, who was allegedly shot after pleading guilty to obtain-
by police during Tuesday’s in Nairobi on Wednesday | AP ing and publishing US military
A suspected hypersonic missile secrets in a deal with Justice
“Julian wanted me to sin- The case came to a surprise
cerely thank everyone. He end in a most unusual setting
wanted to be here. But you have with Assange, 52, entering his
to understand what he’s been plea in a US district court in
through. He needs time. He Saipan, the capital of the
needs to recuperate and this is Northern Mariana Islands. The
a process.” Stella Assange told American commonwealth in

Kenya to nix tax

launched by North Korea ex- Department prosecutors that reporters. the Pacific is relatively close to
ploded in flight on Wednesday, c o n c l u d e s a d r aw n - o u t Assange was accused of re- Assange’s native Australia and
South Korea’s military said, as legal saga. ceiving and publishing hun- accommodated his desire to
North Korea protests the re- Assange told Prime Minister dreds of thousands of war logs avoid entering the continental

hike bill after 22

gional deployment of a US air- Anthony Albanese in a phone and diplomatic cables that in- United States.
craft carrier for a military drill call from the capital Canberra’s cluded details of US military It is unclear where Assange
with South Korea and Japan. airport tarmac that Australian wrongdoing in Iraq and Af- will go from Canberra and what
Julian Assange gestures after landing in
Later Wednesday, South Ko- government intervention in ghanistan. His activities drew his future plans are. His South
Canberra on Wednesday | AP

rea conducted live-fire drills
along its disputed western sea
boundary with North Korea, its
first since it suspended a 2018
agreement with the North
aimed at reducing front-line
military tensions in early June.
The North Korean missile was
launched at about 5.30 am and
was travelling off the North’s
killed in clashes
Oppn calls it PR; UN Secy General demands
accountability for the firing on protesters
NAIROBI
gagement with the young peo-
ple of our nation, our sons and
the US prosecution had saved
his life, Assange lawyer Jenni-
fer Robinson said.
Assange embraced his wife
Stella Assange and father John
EXPRESS READ
NATO appoints Rutte as
an outpouring of support from
press freedom advocates, who
heralded his role in bringing to
light military conduct that
might otherwise have been con-
Court upholds validity of France’s
cealed from view and warned
of a chilling effect on journal-
ists. Among the files published
by WikiLeaks was a video of a
African-born lawyer wife and
mother of his two children,
Stella Assange, has been in
Australia for days awaiting his
release. AP

arrest warrant against Bashar Assad

east coast before it blew up,
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of
Staff said.
Missile fragments were scat-
tered in the water up to 250 kil-
ometers from the launch site
near North Korea’s capital, it
said. No damage was immedi-
ately reported.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said
it believes the weapon was a
solid-fueled hypersonic missile.
The launch generated more
smoke than normal launches,
possibly because of an engine
fault, it told reporters.
In a three-way phone call,
senior diplomats from South
Korea, the US and Japan con-
demned the missile launch as a
violation of UN resolutions and
agreed to maintain close coor-
dination over North Korea, ac-
cording to South Korea’s For-
eign Ministry. Wednesday’s
missile test came as the rival
Koreas are engaged in Cold
War-style psychological war-
fare using balloons and loud-
speaker broadcasts. AP
KENYAN President William
Ruto said on Wednesday that a
bill containing contentious tax
hikes would “be withdrawn”,
dramatically reversing course
after more than 22 people were
killed in clashes with police
and parliament was ransacked
by protesters opposed to the
legislation.
The initially peaceful demon-
strations were sparked last
week by the 2024 finance bill —
which politicians passed Tues-
day afternoon — and took Ru-
to’s administration by surprise
as rallies gathered momentum
across the country.
But the Gen-Z-led protests
spiralled into violence on Tues-
day when police fired live bul-
lets at the crowds outside par-
liament, leaving the complex
ransacked and partly ablaze.
“I concede and therefore I
will not sign the 2024 finance
bill and it shall subsequently be
withdrawn,” Ruto told a press
briefing.
“I will be proposing an en-
daughters, for us to listen to
them,” he said, in a marked
shift from his late-night ad-
dress on Tuesday when he lik-
ened some of the demonstra-
tors to “criminals”.
Immediately after his speech,
prominent protester Hanifa
Adan dismissed Ruto’s an-
nouncement as “PR”.
Referring to his comments
the previous night, she said on
X: “He made that speech trying
to intimidate us and he saw it
won’t work hence the PR.”
Ahead of Ruto’s about-turn,
protesters had called for fresh
rallies on Thursday.
“Tomorrow we march peace-
fully again as we wear white,
for all our fallen people,” Adan
said. Demonstrators shared
“Tupatane Thursday” (“we
meet Thursday” in Swahili), on
social media.
UN Secretary-General Anto-
nio Guterres’ spokesman called
for “clear accountability” after
protesters were killed in the
demonstrations. Agencies
next secretary-general
Brussels: NATO appointed Mark
Rutte as its next secretary-
general on Wednesday, putting
the outgoing Dutch prime minister
in charge of the world’s biggest
security organisation at a critical
time for European security as war
rages in Ukraine. Rutte’s
appointment was sealed by NATO
ambassadors during a meeting at
the headquarters in Brussels.
Biden pardons gay
ex-service members
Washington: President Joe Biden
pardoned potentially thousands
of former US service members
convicted of violating a now-
repealed military ban on
consensual gay sex, saying that
he is ‘righting an historic wrong’
to clear the way for them to
regain lost benefits. Biden’s
action grants a pardon to service
members who were convicted for
sodomy.
PARIS ICC convicts leader with ties to Qaida for crimes
THE Paris appeals court ruled The Hague: The ICC has convicted an al-Qaida-linked Islamic extremist
on Wednesday that an interna- leader of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Mali’s Timbuktu.
tional arrest warrant for Syri- Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud was accused of
an President Bashar Assad is- playing a key role in a reign of terror unleashed by insurgents in the
sued by France for alleged desert city. He was accused of involvement in crimes including rape,
complicity in war crimes dur- torture, persecution, enforced marriages and sexual slavery. Prosecutors
ing Syria’s civil war is valid say he was a key member of Ansar Dine, an Islamic extremist group
and remains in place, lawyers with links to al-Qaida that held power in northern Mali at the time. Al
said. Lawyers who represented Hassan faces up to life imprisonment when a sentence is handed down
the plaintiffs and non-govern- at a later date.
mental organisations who filed
the complaint against the Syr- solute immunity as a serving the 4th Armored Division; and
ian president in France, hailed head of state. “It’s the first time two Syrian generals, Ghassan
the decision as a historic judg- that a national court has recog- Abbas and Bassam al-Hassan,
ment and “a giant step nised that the personal immu- for alleged complicity in war
forward in the fight nity of a serving head of state crimes and crimes against
against impunity.” is not absolute,” the lawyers humanity.
In May, French anti- said. They include a 2013 chemical
terrorism prosecutors French judicial authori- attack on then opposition-held
asked the Paris ap- ties issued international ar- Damascus suburbs. Victims of
peals court to rule on rest warrants last No- the attack welcomed France’s
lifting the arrest vember for Assad; his decision to issue arrest war-
warrant for Assad, brother Maher Assad, rants as a reminder of the hor-
saying he has ab- Bashar Assad the commander of rors of Syria’s civil war. AP

Fear of a wider regional war with Hezbollah

GAZA STRIP

FIGHTING raged on
Wednesday between Is-
raeli troops and Palestin-
ian militants in Gaza’s
ISRAEL-GAZA: DAY 264 southern city of Rafah,
witnesses said, as fears
grow of a wider regional
war drawing in Lebanese
Hamas ally Hezbollah.
WEST BANK
Witnesses reported clash-
Tel Aviv
es during the night, and
JORDAN

the Israeli military said

Jerusalem
GA Z A
STRIP
ISR A EL
TOLL SO FAR
39,410
Suspected attacks by
Houthis in Aden gulf
Suspected attacks by Yemen’s
Houthi rebels early Wednesday
targeted a ship in the Gulf of
Ade. The captain of a merchant
vessel reported a missile
impacted the water in close
proximity to the vessel. The
crew are reported safe and the
vessel is proceeding to its next
port of call. The Houthis did not
claim the ship attack.
its air force struck a rock-
et launch site.
Mohammad al-
Mughayyir, an official
with the civil defence
agency in Hamas-run
Gaza, said that rescuers
had recovered the bodies
of “15 martyrs from vari-
ous areas in Rafah city in
the past few hours”.
The civil defence agen-
cy and hospital medics
said at least four people,
including three children,
were killed in a strike
early on Wednesday tar-
geting a house in Beit La-
hia, in the north.
Aside from that strike,
agency spokesman Mah-
mud Basal said, “there
have been almost no at-
tacks” and “the rest of
the areas in the Gaza
Strip are calm compared
to yesterday”. An air
raid on Tuesday killed
Fadi al-Wadiya, an em-
ployee of medical charity
Doctors Without Borders
(MSF) who the Israeli
military said was a “sig-
nificant operative” for
Islamic Jihad, a Palestin-
ian militant group which
has fought alongside
Hamas.
MSF said on X that it
was “outraged” by Wadi-
ya’s killing in a strike in
Gaza City. “The attack
killed Fadi, along with
five other people includ-
ing three children while
he was cycling to work
near the MSF clinic
where he was providing
care,” the charity said.
The military said the
slain man had “devel-
oped and advanced the
terrorist organisation’s
rocket array”.
The deaths include 10
members of Qatar-based
Hamas political chief Is-
mail Haniyeh’s family,
including his sister.
Meanwhile the Integrat-
ed Food Security Phase
Classification partner-
ship said its March warn-
ing of imminent famine
in north Gaza had not
materialised, but around
495,000 people still face
“catastrophic levels of
acute food insecurity”.
Netanyahu on Sunday
said “the war in its in-
tense phase is about to
end in Rafah”, which the
Israeli military sees as
Hamas’s last stronghold,
with some troops to be re-
deployed to the northern
border with Lebanon.

Pope Francis labels drug

traffickers ‘murderers’
ROME
POPE Francis on Wednes-
day denounced drug traf-
fickers as “murderers” and
labeled drug liberalisation
laws a “fantasy” as he
marked the UN’s day
against drug use and illicit
trafficking. Francis devoted
his entire weekly catechism
lesson to a reflection on
drug abuse. He called for in-
creased prevention efforts
and care for addicts, saying
they are children of God
who deserve to have
their human dignity
respected.
Francis
s p e n t
years min-
istering to people in the
slums of Buenos Aires
where “paco,” a cheap drug
made from cocaine residue,
ravaged the community.
The Argentine Jesuit has
long made visiting recover-
ing addicts a priority dur-
ing his foreign visits. “A re-
duction in drug addiction is
not achieved by liberalising
drug use, as has been pro-
posed, or already imple-
mented, in some countries,”
he said. “This is a fantasy.
You liberalise, they just
consume more.”
At the same time, he
advocated care for ad-
dicts and legislation
to back prevention
efforts. AP

10 KOCHI
FSIB to conduct State Bank Primary market all set for mega listings
chairman interview on Sat BIG IPOs TO HIT THE
MARKET SOON
Incumbent chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara will retire on August 28
B E N N KO C H U V E E DA N @ Mumbai
THE Financial Services Insti-
tutions Bureau (FSIB) will con-
duct the interviews for the next
State Bank of India chairman
on Saturday, a person familiar
with the matter has said. The
interviews were originally
scheduled for May 21-22, but
called off abruptly.
The incumbent chairman
Dinesh Kumar Khara will re-
tire on August 28, the day he is
turning 63, after his extension
on October 7. He was appointed
the chairman of the bank on
October 7, 2020. The role of the
FSIB is to recommend the
name and the final decision
will be taken by the Appoint-
ments Committee of the Cabi-
net headed by the Prime
Minister.
“The new date for the inter-
views to select next SBI chair-
man is slated for June 29. Only
three MDs of the bank are in
the race,” the person told the
TNIE on Wednesday.
The three senior most man-
aging directors (MDs) of the
SBI are CS Setty, Ashwini Ku-
mar Tewari, and Vinay M
Tonse. The senior most MS
Alok Kumar Choudhary is not
eligible for the interview as he
FUNDRAISING
SBI mops up
`10,000 cr via
infra bonds
E N S E CO N O M I C B U R E AU @ Mumbai
STATE Bank of India, the
country’s largest lender, has
raised `10,000 crore through in-
frastructure bond sales, at a
coupon rate of 7.36%. With the
current issuance, which is the
fifth in the infra series, the total
outstanding long-term bonds
issued by the bank is at `49,718
crore, the bank said in a
statment.
The issue, fifth in the infra
space, has attracted overwhelm-
ing response from investors
with bids in excess of `19,884
crore or an an oversubscription
of around 4x against the base
issue size of `5,000 crore, the
bank said in a statement
Wednesday.
The total number of bids re-
ceived was 143, indicating wid-
er participation of investors
who included provident funds,
pension funds, insurance com-
panies, mutual funds, corpo-
rates etc. The proceeds of bond
sales will be used in enhancing
long-term resources for fund-
ing infrastructure and afforda-
ble housing segment, the bank
said. Based on the response, the
bank has decided to accept Rs
10,000 crore at a coupon rate of
7.36 percent payable annually.
This represents a spread of 21
bps over the corresponding G-
Sec par curve.
The bonds are rated AAA
with stable outlook. The issu-
ance will help the bank in
developing a long-term bond
curve and encourage
other banks to issue bonds of
longer tenor, chairman Dinesh
Khara said.
Electric Chetak expands
its portfolio; now starting
at Rs 95,998
Pune: Bajaj Auto Limited., the
world’s most valuable two-
wheeler and three-wheeler
company, announced the
expansion of its popular
electric scooter portfolio with
the introduction of the affordable
Chetak 2901. Chetak possesses
distinct advantages such as a
robust metal body and advanced
technological features has
firmly positioned itself in the
electric scooter market. Bajaj
Auto is now democratizing
access to its range of electric
Chetak scooters, making it
an attractive offering for both,
ICE vehicle and electric vehicle
riders. This aims to appeal to
consumers who value an x
elegant, durable, and feature-
rich scooter without breaking
the bank.
THURSDAY
is retiring by June 30. The norm
is that an MD to be eligible to
attend the interview should
have three years service left.
The top SBI management is
headed by the chairman and
four MDs. The FSIB has recom-
mended the name of Rana
Ashutosh Kumar Singh as a
MD of SBI but he is not eligible
for the interview as he is yet to
assume charge, which will hap-
pen on June 30 only.
The second-rung manage-
ment consists of a dozen depu-
ty managing directors (DMDs)
and dozens of chief general
managers (CGMs). DMDs and
CGMs are respectively eligible
to become MDs and DMDs. All
the heads of SBI subsidiaries
like SBI Life, SBI General, SBI
Caps and SBI Cards are headed
by persons with DMD ranks in
the bank.
Telecom Act comes into
effect on Wed; 39 sections
implemented in 1st phase
E N S E CO N O M I C B U R E AU @ New Delhi
THE Telecommunications Act,
2023, which introduces signifi-
cant changes to India’s telecom
laws, will take effect from
Wednesday. This new legisla-
tion replaces the Indian Tele-
graph Act of 1885 and the Indi-
an Wireless Telegraph Act of
1933, reflecting substantial
technological advancements in
telecommunications sector.
“Telecommunications
Act, 2023 (44 of 2023), the
central gover nment
hereby appoints the
26th Day of June 2024,
as the date on which
the provisions of Sec-
tions 1, 2, 10 to 30, 42 to 44,
46, 47, 50 to 58, 61 and 62 of
the said Act shall come into
force,” the notification said.
The Act grants the govern-
ment authority to take over con-
trol and management of any or
all telecommunication services
or networks in the interest of
national security, public safety,
friendly relations with foreign
states, or for sovereignty and in-
tegrity of India. The govern-
ment can also intercept messag-
es if there’s a threat to law and
Yoga Day 2024 observed at Chilika by PPA
Overnight monsoon rains could not dampen spirit of team PPA as
they practiced YOGA on Chilika Lake side led by P. L. Haranadh,
Chairman, Paradip Port Authority on the occasion of 10th
International Day of Yoga . Haranadh inaugurated the event by
lighting the lamp. Nilabhra Dasgupta , Dy. Chairman, PPA, U. R
Mohan Raju, Secretary, Capt. A. C. Sahu, Dy. Conservator, H.S
Rout, Chief Engineer, among others, also graced the occasion.
27 06 2024
� �
Traditionally, and also by the
SBI Act mandate, chairman is
appointed from serving MDs,
though there were a couple of
exceptions to this in the past.
The first instance was in 1985
when the government appoint-
ed DN Ghosh, an Indian Audit
& Account Services officer, as
chairman for a four-year term.
Another occasion was when
MN Goiporia, from Central
Bank of India, came on board
as chairman in February 1990,
but his stint lasted for 2.5 years
until end of July 1992. Since
then, inter nal candidates,
starting with Dipankar Basu
in February 1993, have occu-
pied the corner room on the 18
floor of the SBI Bhavan in Nar-
iman Point.
The FSIB is an autonomous
body responsible for making
recommendations to appoint
senior executives to public sec-
tor financial institutions. The
bureau is headed by Bhanu
Pratap Sharma, former secre-
tary of the department of per-
sonnel and training, as its
chairman, with the secretaries
of the department of financial
services and the department of
public enterprises serving as
its members, along with three
outside expert members.
order. The Act addresses the is-
sue of unsolicited commercial
messages. Operators sending
such messages without user
consent could face fines up to `2
lakh and might even be banned
from providing services.
People can now have up to
nine SIM cards registered in
their name. However, residents
of Jammu and Kashmir and
the northeast may have a lower
limit due to specific regional
re gulations. Violations
of these limits will result
in hefty fines: `50,000
for first breach
and `2 lakh for subse-
quent breaches.
The Act streamlines
the process for telecom
companies to install mobile
towers or lay telecom cables on
private property. This provi-
sion ensures the expansion and
maintenance of telecom infra-
structure, deemed necessary
for improved connectivity.
The Telecommunications
Act, 2023, was passed by the
Parliament in December 2023,
received the assent of the Presi-
dent of India on 24.12.2023 and
was published in the official
Gazette on the same date.
Market 620.73
Watch 147.50
A RS H A D K H A N @ New Delhi
WITH a handful of more IPOs
to hit the market this week, In-
dia would see more companies
going public in the first half of
this year than it has seen in
nearly 2 decades. As per BSE
data, 37 IPOs collectively rais-
ing nearly `32,000 crore by June
-end 2024. Only in 2007, a year
before the collapse of the global
finance market, the Indian mar-
ket saw more listings, 54 to be
precise, in the 6 month period.
“Primary market has been
witnessing a significant surge
in the number of IPOs since
FY22. The average number of
IPOs launching since 2022 has
increased to 50-60 IPOs a year
and the average size of IPOs
has gone up from `240 crore at
the beginning of 2000 to `1,270
crore and the overall primary
market has grown 3 times big-
ger than it was at the beginning
of the millennium,” said
Sarvjeet Singh Virk, co-founder
& MD, Shoonya by Finvasia.
Bharti Hexagon, which raised
`4,275 crore, was the largest
Ather plans to
set up 3rd unit
in Maharashtra
E X P R E SS N E WS S E R V I C E @ New Delhi
ELECTRIC two-wheeler maker
Ather Energy is planning to set
up its third manufacturing
plant in Bidkin, AURIC, Chhat-
rapati Sambhaji Nagar, Mahar-
ashtra. This new facility will
manufacture both electric
two-wheelers and battery
packs, said the company on
Wednesday.
It currently has two manu-
facturing units in Hosur, Tamil
Nadu, one dedicated to battery
production and the other for ve-
hicle assembly. The current fa-
cilities will continue to produce
battery packs and vehicles. As
per Ather, the new facility
would allow them get closer to
more markets in the country to
cut its logistics cost. Devendra
Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minis-
ter, Maharashtra, said, “Ma-
harashtra offers a conducive
business environment and con-
tinues to be a top destination
for investments. This is in line
with our honourable PM Naren-
dra Modiji’s vision to strength-
en startup and manufacturing
ecosystem, aiming to match or
surpass global counterparts.”
No conclusion yet in Byju’s case, MCA clarifies
E N S E CO N O M I C B U R E AU @ Bengaluru
THE Ministry of Corporate Af-
fairs (MCA) on Wednesday clar-
ified that reports claiming
edtech firm Byju’s has been
cleared of financial fraud in an
ongoing probe are factually in-
correct. It said, “The proceed-
ings initiated by MCA under
the Companies Act, 2013, are
still going on and no final con-
clusion should be drawn in this
matter at this stage.”
Earlier on Wednesday, it was
reported that the MCA’s probe
has offered relief to the edtech
firm as it found allegations re-
garding manipulation of ac-
counts and siphoning of funds
against Byju’s to be unsustain-
BoB onboards rising
tennis sensation Sumit
Nagal as Brand Endorser
Mumbai: Bank of Baroda (Bank),
one of India’s leading public sector
banks,today announced that the
Bank has signed risingIndian tennis
player Mr. SumitNagalas its brand
endorser. The move is in alignment
with the Bank’s long-standing
philosophy to support emerging
talented and ambitious Indian
sportspersons as they endeavour
to compete with the best on the
world stage. Aged 26 years,
SumitNagalwill be strategically
positioned by the Bank to target a
younger demographic and a new
generation of customers with a
range of products specifically
designed for this segment.
The highest-ranked Indian
singles tennis player currently,
Sumithas jumped to a career-high
singles ranking of World No. 71 on
17th June 2024.
MARKET
Sensex 78,674.25 H230
Nifty 23,868.80 H250
ISSUE SIZE
HYUNDAI MOTOR INDIA
K25,000 CRORE
OLA ELECTRIC
K7,250 CRORE
BAJAJ HOUSING FINANCE
K7,000 CRORE
AFCONS INFRASTRUCTURE
K7,000 CRORE
OTHER BIG EXPECTED IPOs
Haldiram Swiggy FirstCry
Tata Capital
Gen AI has enormous potential for
good: Infy chairman Nandan Nilekani
E N S E CO N O M I C B U R E AU @ Bengaluru
GENERATIVE AI has enor-
mous potential for good when
advanced within the guardrails
of responsibility, Infosys Chair-
man Nandan Nilekani said.
Addressing shareholders at
Infosys’ 43rd Annual General
Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday,
Nilekani said, “As we look at
the larger business environ-
ment, we are now into the sec-
ond year of the generative AI
revolution, and the initial AI
doomerism has quietened
down.” He added that the pace
at which everything around us
is evolving is dizzying. A big
challenge of our time is to un-
leash AI for the next wave of
productivity for enterprises.
Infosys has integrated gen-
erative AI components into its
entire service lines and devel-
oped 25 playbooks to create im-
pact for its clients. “Our clients
are combining it with cloud ca-
pabilities in Infosys Cobalt to
help them scale AI,” he said.
To drive exponential growth
in AI and accelerate Infosys’
Chip-to-Cloud strategy, the
company acquired InSemi, a
able. Reports also said the MCA
observed that most of the cor-
porate governance issues al-
leged by the directors were in
relation to transparency and
independence.
It is almost a year since the
MCA initiated the investigation
KFC declares `36 cr dividend to govt
E X P R E S S N E W S S E R V I C E @T’Puram
THE Kerala Financial Corpora-
tion (KFC), an industrial lend-
er, has declared a dividend of
Rs 36 crore to the state govern-
ment following its annual gen-
eral meeting (AGM). The AGM
decided to declare a dividend of
Rs 5 per share. The state gov-
er nment holds 99% of the
shares in KFC, with SIDBI, SBI,
and LIC among the other
shareholders.
The institution reported an
increase in net profit, reaching
Rs 74 crore, marking a 48% rise
from the previous year’s figure
of Rs 50 crore.
The loan portfolio exceeded
Rs 7,000 crore for the first time,
at Rs 7,368 crore, while its net
worth stood at Rs 1,064 crore.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijay-
an, in a statement, highlighted
KFC’s achievements, attribut-
GOLD
24 carat (10 gm) H72,150 H1,000
22 carat (10 gm) H66,150 H10
newindianexpress com
IPO in the first half of CY24. It
was followed by Aadhar Hous-
ing Finance (`3,000 crore).
When it comes to total fund-
raising, this year’s figure is
only next to H1 of CY22 when
16 fir ms mopped up about
`40,300 crore. A bulk of this
came from the market’s biggest-
ever IPO of Life Insurance Cor-
poration of India.
Narendra Solanki, head of
fundamental research, Invest-
ment Services, Anand Rathi
Shares and Stock Brokers, said
in recent years, equity market
has seen a surge in IPO activity
which attracted investments
from various participants, in-
cluding participation from
HNIs and retail investors. Sec-
ondary market is also on the
rise with benchmarks- Sensex
and Nifty - gaining 9-10% each
so far this year.
Solanki believes despite glo-
bal periodic headwinds, the
momentum is likely to contin-
ue in H2CY24, led by a rise in
domestic liquidity and inves-
tor appetite, a rise in diverse
set of businesses coming for
As we look at the larger business
environment, we are now into the
second year of the generative AI
revolution, and the initial AI
doomerism has quietened down
Nandan Nilekani , Chairman, Infosys
semiconductor design services
provider, for $34 million, earlier
this year. The Bengaluru-based
IT services firm is currently
working on over 225 generative
AI programs for its clients. In-
fosys has created 23 AI industry
blueprints to solve industry-
specific challenges. “We have
invested significantly in hiring
on Byju’s. The ministry had or-
dered a probe after Byju’s audi-
tor Deloitte Haskins & Sells, the
biggest audit firm, exited due to
delay in filing of FY22 financial
results. Byju’s immediately an-
nounced appointment of BDO
(MSKA & Associates) as
statutory auditors for
the year commencing
from FY22.
Meanwhile, France-
based Teleperformance
Business Services has
withdrawn bankruptcy
plea against the etecth firm.
The Bengaluru bench of the Na-
tional Company Law Tribunal
(NCLT) asked Teleperformance
to file a memo as it wished to
withdraw the insolvency plea.
ing its success to initiatives
like the Chief Minister’s Entre-
preneurship Development Pro-
gramme (CMEDP) and startup
loans.
Noting that the Rs 100-crore
share capital infusion by the
state government helped KFC
to be financially stable, Finance
Minister K N Balagopal said
gover nment-supported
schemes have helped improve
credit flow to the MSME sector.
“KFC is implementing the gov-
ernment’s policy to provide
loans at low interest rates to
small and medium-scale busi-
nessmen,” Balagopal said.
KFC effectively managed
NPAs, reducing gross NPA to
2.88% from the previous year’s
3.11%. During the fiscal year,
KFC sanctioned loans amount-
ing to Rs 3,336.66 crore across
MSMEs, startups, and other
sectors, with total disburse-
SILVER
1 kg H90,000
FOREX
Dollar 83.55
10 gm H900 Euro 89.27
IPOs, an increase in number of
new-age companies, a strong
pipeline of upcoming IPOs and
sustained economic growth
brings much-needed confidence
for investors.
India’s second-largest car-
maker, Hyundai Motor India, is
set to launch a `25,000 crore
IPO this year, which would be
the country’s largest ever. Then
there are mega offerings by Ba-
jaj Housing Finance, Afcons In-
frastructure and OLA Election.
There is also strong buzz that
Tata Group may launch new
IPOs this year.
Singh believes that the mar-
ket may mop up as much as
`90,000 crore this year. “In H1
CY2024, the IPO market is at its
all-time high with 56 compa-
nies in the pipeline for SEBI’s
nod for their IPO launches.
Nearly `90, 000 crore is to be
raised from this IPO this year.
The robust primary market
conditions can be attributed to
the business-friendly economic
environment in the country,
stable policies, and stability in
the government,”
talent with generative AI skills
as well as rapidly upskilling
our existing talents. We have
over 2,50,000 employees trained
in the areas of generative AI,”
he told shareholders.
He said every day brings new
advances in large language
models. These range from large
models which need massive
computing infrastructure to
small ones that can run locally
on the phone. “The real power
of AI will come from configur-
ing all different models and
tools to get best solutions. The
rise of powerful open-source AI
models has accelerated the de-
ployment of AI to solve tough
business and societal challeng-
es,” Nilekani added.
The chairman said manifesta-
tions of consumer AI will make
life easier and more productive
for millions of people. It will
push the envelope of usability,
convenience, and accessibility
for all. Speaking at the AGM,
the company’s CEO Salil Parekh
said they have applied gen AI
playbooks on their own offer-
ings. “Our Cobalt ecosystem is
enabling the enterprise trans-
formation journey,” he said.
Last month, TNIE reported
that the edtech firm was explor-
ing out-of-court settlements
with Teleperfor mance and
Surfer Technologies. At least
seven petitions are reportedly
pending against the firm with
the NCLT.
The NCLT had issued
notices to Byju’s par-
ent Think and Learn
in three cases due to
claims of unpaid dues.
Publishing company
McGraw Hill, BPO serv-
ice provider Cogent E-services
and supplier of automation
control products AG Automa-
tion had filed cases against
Byju’s, and these cases will be
heard on July 3.
ments reaching Rs 4,068.85
crore. Under CMEDP, 2,648 MS-
MEs were assisted with a total
loan of Rs 726.66 crore so far at
an annual interest rate of 5%.
As many as 68 startups were as-
sisted with Rs 72.53 crore loans
under ‘Startup Kerala’ -- a com-
prehensive scheme by KFC for
financing startups, where loans
we re g ive n w i t h o u t a ny
collateral.
“KFC has sanctioned sub-
stantial loans to MSMEs, start-
ups, and other sectors during
the fiscal year, contributing to
economic development and job
creation in the region. A net
NPA of less than 1% indicates
a strong base. This is industry-
leading performance as the
NPA position is better than
some of the commercial
banks,” said KFC chairman
and managing director Sanjay
Kaul.
 Srihari, 14-yr-old Dhinidhi Swimmers Dhinidhi Desinghu & Srihari Nataraj have been selected to represent India
at the Olympics under Universality Quota. In the male section, Srihari was placed at

qualify for Paris Oly

the top of the World Aquatics points table with 849 points, while 14-year-old
Dhinidhi was leading the women’s table with 749 points. Srihari will compete in the
100m backstroke & Dhinidhi will participate in the 200m freestyle.

11 KOCHI THURSDAY 27 06 2024

� � newindianexpress com

DEJA VU OR DATE WITH DESTINY? Kick for Romania, Slovakia

India will be keen not to repeat mistakes they made in the 2022 semifinal against England A F P @ Frankfurt

G O M E S H S @ Chennai li, despite the poor form, has hit ROMANIA and Slovakia both
a couple himself. The ones who qualified for the last 16 at Euro
WHEN Rohit Sharma and Jos follow too have abided by it. 2024 after a tense 1-1 draw in
Buttler walk out for the toss at Which is why, despite the brief their last Group E game on
Providence Stadium, Guyana, it slow down, India posted a strong Wednesday. Ondrej Duda put
might all feel like a deja vu. Af- total against Australia. Slovakia ahead in the first
ter all, the same two captains “ I n d i a ’s a p p r o a c h h a s half but Romania’s Razvan
went up against each other in changed,” said Collingwood. Marin equalised with a penal-
the semifinal of the previous “They understand that this (old) ty before the interval.
edition of the T20 World Cup. strategy won’t win WCs. They With all four
England cruised past India and need to take risks, be brave, and teams in the
went on to win the title in 2022. express themselves freely. This group earning
Two years have gone by and new mentality might be criti- four points from
during this period, a lot has cised if it fails, but to win World their three
changed but at the same time, Cups, you need to be ahead of games, Romania
not much has changed, especial- the curve and adapt to what oth- finished top hav-
ly for India. Their personnel er teams are doing globally. Eng- ing scored more
have largely remained constant. Captain Rohit Sharma will be the key if India wish to progress to the final land has been doing this for goals than second-placed Bel- Romania finished as Group E toppers with a point against Slovakia | AP
Same captain in Rohit, same years. India has just caught up gium. Slovakia went through
keeper in Rishabh Pant. Virat ICC MEN’S T20 in the recent past. This makes in third place thanks to a supe- had taken place just outside
Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav and WORLD CUP them a much more dangerous rior goal difference to fourth- Tuesday’s scores: the area. Marin stepped up to
Hardik Pandya were there and WEST INDIES & USA 2024 opponent. Batting first, they placed Ukraine. England 0-0 Slovenia, drill the spot-kick high into
so were Axar Patel and Arsh- JUNE 1-29
could potentially score a total Romania threatened an ear- Denmark 0-0 Serbia. the roof of the net to the deaf-
deep Singh. While Shivam Dube far beyond England’s reach. ly goal when Andrei Ratiu’s There are no matches on ening delight of the hordes of
had been added to the team, the That’s the exciting thing about stinging strike was pushed Thursday and Friday Romania fans.
differential point is the return flawed batting structure and first 10 overs, and then tried to this clash,” he added. away by Martin Dubravka, The searing Frankfurt heat
of Jasprit Bumrah. The num- method, yet they persisted with catch up later,” the 2010 T20 WC- As much as India have revived with the rebound lashed wild- Confirmed teams in KOs: gave way to a heavy storm in
bers are out there to see and it. The result, England restricted winning captain said on Star their batting approach, the bot- ly over by Ianis Hagi. Netherlands, Switzerland, the second half as thunder,
there is no adjective, analogy or India to a sub-par total and Sports Press room. tomline is how Buttler and Phil Marin smashed a free-kick Italy, Germany, Denmark, lightning and rain swirled
metaphor that can do justice to chased it with ten wickets in However, “back then” is the Salt handle Bumrah, especially narrowly wide from long England, Spain, Portugal, around the stadium.
how much Bumrah elevates In- hand. Paul Collingwood, who imperative word from what with the forecast of rain. range moments late as Roma- France, Austria, Romania, It was a suitably dramatic
dia’s bowling attack on the was among the coaching staff of Collingwood said. India have In the larger scheme of things, nia looked to capitalise on Slovakia, Slovenia, Belgium. backdrop to a tense clash that
field. the England team, explains how changed, and done so drastically. the two teams are chasing two their early dominance. was close to swinging Roma-
That, however, is just on the the 2022 champions broke it They have hit 14 sixes in the different things. India are in a Slovakia were inches away nia’s way when Marin forced a
bowling front. Even in 2022, In- down: “The previous plan was to powerplay this World Cup — 2.3 desperate quest for an ICC tro- from snatching the lead as Lu- header past Florin Nita from good save from Dubravka be-
dia did not lose to England be- attack India aggressively from maximums per game in the first phy that has eluded them for kas Haraslin’s free-kick went eight yards. Romania’s re- fore Denis Dragus skimmed
cause of the bowling. It was the the start. However, a team like six overs. Only Australia have more than a decade. As for Eng- through a crowd of players sponse was emphatic as they the roof of the net.
batting that let them down. On a India can’t be surprised by that more (2.7) but they played an ex- land, it is about establishing and almost crept in at the far drew level in the 37th minute Wednesday’s results: Ukraine 0-0
good Adelaide batting surface, tactic. In 2022, when India batted tra game. Off the 14, eight of their white-ball dominance with post. It was a warning Roma- thanks to an incisive raid from Belgium; Slovakia 1-1 Romania.
Indian top-order — Rohit, KL first, we knew we could restrict them have come from the bat of three ICC titles across formats nia failed to heed and Slovakia the son of former Barcelona
Rahul and Kohli — went into a them. Back then, India played captain Rohit, who has been set- in the last five years. Only one went in front in the 24th and Real Madrid star Gheo- England top Group C
shell. It’s no secret that it was a conservatively, especially in the ting the tone up front. Even Koh- will have a chance to achieve it. minute. Juraj Kucka whipped rghe Hagi. On Tuesday, England ground
in a deep cross that caught the David Hancko’s foul on Hagi out a 0-0 draw with Slovenia to
Romania defence standing was adjudged a penalty by claim top spot in Group C and
VENTURING INTO THE UNKNOWN
In a format like T20, there aren’t many unknowns.
Everybody has played everywhere. However, at Guyana,
One step closer to glory OPENERS VS SOUTH AFRICAN PACERS
Rahmanullah Gurbaz & Ibrahim Zadran have been cautious
in the powerplay. Against South African bowlers who have
statuesque, leaving the un-
marked Duda free to power his
VAR after referee Daniel Sie-
bert initially ruled the offence
avoid a last-16 meeting with
hosts Germany.
ENGLAND STAND BETWEEN INDIA AND A THIRD FINAL IN THE FORMAT. BEFORE

Argentina in quarters
that may not be. For England, Chris Jordan is the only consistently picked up powerplay wickets, they will have
player to have played a T20 at the venue. Indian cricketers
also haven’t featured here a lot in recent times.
THAT, ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA OR AFGHANISTAN WILL WRITE HISTORY...
BUMRAH, KULDEEP AXIS HISTORY BECKONS
to be on song. One thing to keep an eye on is Gurbaz’s
knee. Will he have recovered sufficiently to take his place? Last chance for
athletes to book
2 4
with 1-0 win over Chile
OPENING SALVO On one of the World Cup’s best batting wickets at WEATHER WATCH South Africa have been here India have advanced to England will
Rohit Sharma decided to take the attack to the Australian Saint Lucia, Australia threatened for a brief bit It’s likely going to be wet for some seven times before (men’s two World Cup finals feature in a fourth
bowlers to break the game in the powerplay and he will
look to do something similar. For England, Phil Salt may
be the designated power-play hitter while Jos Buttler may
before Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav put the
brakes on the scoring. If they have a good day,
India will likely either a) have a below par total
periods of the match but the
weather is expected to clear up
semifinals at a World Cup)
but they have lost on all
seven occasions. Can
before (2007 and 2014) consecutive semifinal
South Africa vs Afghanistan, T&T, 6AM
Paris quotas
enough for there to be a game,
look to bat longer. The winner of the match may come to chase or b) win the match even after setting a either truncated or in full. Afghanistan keep their dream India vs England, Georgetown, 8PM A F P @ East Rutherford A G E N C I E S @ Panchkula (Haryana)
from this battle. middling target. run going? LIVE ON STAR SPORTS AND HOTSTAR
SUBSTITUTE Lautaro Martin- THE absence of Olympic jave-
ez grabbed an 88th-minute win- lin throw champion Neeraj

Arjun’s focus on mental stability

ner as Argentina finally over- Chopra notwithstanding, there
Usha pitches for came Chile 1-0 to book their
place in the quarterfinals of
will be no lack of star power as
the country’s remaining top

yoga’s inclusion the Copa America on Tuesday.

Lionel Messi hit the post for
track and field athletes vie for
Paris Olympics berths during

in Asian Games
A N M O L G U R U N G @ Chennai I have been discussing it with Argentina in the first half but the National Inter-State Cham-
the team and the coaches. the World Cup winners had pionships be ginning here
INDIAN shooting has garnered Things are under process.” their goalkeeper Emiliano Mar- Thursday. The championships
A G E N C I E S @ New Delhi considerable interest over the Mental aspect of the sport is a tinez to thank for keeping them will serve as the final qualify-
years. However, the Olympics major talking point nowadays. on level terms before Lautaro’s ing event for the upcoming Par-
INDIAN Olympic Association has been like an unbreakable Arjun stressed the value of men- late strike settled a pulsating is Games where the athletics
(IOA) president PT Usha on riddle in the last two editions of tal stability. “It’s well-known clash in front of 82,000 fans at Lautaro Martinez scored Argentina’s events begin on August 1. Inci-
Wednesday pitched for the in- the mega event with the shoot- that shooting is a mental game MetLife Stadium in New Jer- winner against Chile | AP dentally, the final day of the
clusion of yoga in the Asian ers flattering to deceive. Twenty and the result is really impor- sey. There were enough open- four-day championships —
Games programme as the coun- one shooters (all-time high for tant but at the same time, an ath- ings for the 15-times Copa June 30 — also coincides with
try seeks to raise the popularity the country), who’ll be travel- lete’s mental stability, psychol- America champions to get the Scores: Argentina 1-0 Chile, the Olympics qualifying win-
of the exercise form. ling for the Paris edition, will be ogy matters a lot so that we can breakthrough much earlier but Canada 1-0 Peru dow deadline.
In a letter to Olympic Coun- aiming to end that jinx. One produce even better results. And a combination of poor finish- Thursday’s matches: In the absence of Chopra, the
cil of Asia (OCA) President among them is pistol shooter I feel that we don’t have much ing and an inspired perform- Panama vs USA (3.30 AM on likes of Avinash Sable (men’s
Raja Randhir Singh, the legen- Arjun Singh Cheema, who’s cur- Arjun Singh Cheema | NRAI pressure but it’s our duty to give ance from Chile’s 41-year-old Friday), Uruguay vs Bolivia 3000m steeplechase), Kishore
dary athlete urged the conti- rently training in Austria. our best,” the shooter said. goalkeeper Claudio Bravo left (6.30 AM on Friday) Jena (men’s javelin throw),
nent’s sports community to in- The 23-year-old from Punjab keeping those things in mind, For a first-timer (Olympics), the score deadlocked. Ram Baboo (men’s 20km race
clude yoga in the Asian Games is part of the squad after acing and moving forward,” Arjun mental stability, aside from the The home of the NFL’s New walk) and Parul Chaudhary
programme. “The world cele- a series of trials (which was the said in a media interaction, technical skills, certainly takes York Jets and New York Giants But the eight-times Ballon (women’s 3000m steeplechase)
brated the 10th International main criteria of the selection which was facilitated by the precedence. One can sense that — and venue for the 2026 World d’Or winner was inches away — all of whom have booked
Day of Yoga on June 21 and the policy). Having come this far, Sports Authority of India, Indi- he’s learning to make his young Cup final — was transformed from an opener in the 36th Paris berths by breaching the
response to its universal has Arjun, who was formerly into an Olympic Association and Na- mind work in his favour. “This into a home venue for Argenti- minute with a shot from 25 qualifying standards — will
been overwhelming. People swimming, is intent on making tional Rifle Association of India. is my first Olympics but I’m not na and the expectant crowd saw yards which clipped the outside headline the championships.
across nations have embraced the most of this opportunity. His most-recent lesson was the looking at it from that perspec- Messi and company dictate pro- of the post. Other athletes who can book
yoga and drawn benefits,” Usha “The training I have had a lit- Munich World Cup, where he tive. I have mentally prepared ceedings in the early stages. But while Chile proved stub- Paris ticket through world
said in the letter. tle while back, the coaching and had narrowly missed out on a myself for the matches and if I Messi’s strike partner Julian born, there is a real swagger ranking quota like Jyothi Yar-
guidance I have had, was quite chance to fight for medals after look at it with a different per- Alvarez forced Bravo into a about the world champions and raji (women’s 100m hurdles),
consistent. It was quite techni- finishing 10th in the qualifica- spective, things are going to save in the 22nd minute with a a belief that they can always Annu Rani (women’s javelin
EXPRESS READ cal then. Post selection trials, tion stage of the men’s 10m air turn in my favour,” the 2024 first-time shot after Nicolas turn a game their way. throw), DP Manu (men’s javelin
I’m looking to be more precise. pistol event. Asian Championships silver Gonzalez had pulled the ball In other Copa America ac- throw), Tajinderpal Singh Toor
As we were drawing closer and “The Olympic trials and the medallist assessed. back from the byline. tion, Jonathan David scored (men’s shot put), Jeswin Aldrin
Five Oly-bound boxers closer to the Games, we were Munich World Cup we had, I felt Apart from the men’s 10m air Chile were doing a good job the only goal as Canada reignit- (men’s long jump), Praveen
to train in Germany getting to learn from the most- that I had certain drawbacks pistol event, Arjun will also be of neutralising Messi, closing ed their campaign with a 1-0 Chitravel and Abdulla Aboo-
NEW DELHI: Five Olympics-bound recent competition. Finding out (technical and psychological as- part of the mixed team event, him down with three players on victory over 10-man Peru in backer (both men’s triple jump)
Indian boxers will head to the whatever drawbacks we have, pects) and I need to work on that. alongside Rhythm Sangwan. occasions. sweltering Kansas City. have also entered their names.
Olympic Centre in Saarbrucken,
Germany for a month-long

48 years since first-ever Test series, Chepauk ready to host India women
training camp starting from June
28 as part of their final
preparations ahead of the Games.
Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti
Pawar (54kg), Jaismine Lamboria
(57kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) K A LYA N I M A N G A L E @ Chennai cally, when we played against nai wicket was supposed to as- third Test of the series in Delhi.
and Nishant Dev (71Kg) will be the West Indies, all of us made sist spinners. I am not sure if When we went to Patna for the
training in Germany. Amit Panghal “OH! It was some 48 years ago. our debuts. In Bengaluru, that our teammates from Chennai fourth Test, I took seven wickets
(51kg), however, will continue to Let’s see how much I remember,” was the first international Test. got the opportunity to play at in the match we won.” The Test
train at Sports Authority of India’s laughs Shubhangi Kulkarni. She It was new for all of us, to be Chepauk because we used to match win in Patna was India’s
Shilaroo centre. is right. It has been 48 long years honest,” the former India all- play on mat wickets. Only if first-ever in the format. While
since India women officially rounder told this daily. there was any big series, we Kulkarni later went on to cap-
played a Test match against With the glory of playing a used to play at such big venues. tain India in Tests, she praised
Harmanpreet to lead West Indies. It has been 48 years Test ahead of her, there were I think the judgment of how the her first captain, Shantha, for
since Chennai’s beloved Che- mixed emotions leading up to wicket will work only came once paving the way. “Shantha always
hockey team at Oly pauk witnessed a women’s Test. the Test. Kulkarni had changed we started playing.” led from the front. She had im-
NEW DELHI: Harmanpreet Singh On Friday, the wait will end as her bowling to suit the team’s The rain in the city during mense confidence. I remember,
was named captain and Hardik the iconic venue will host India needs. “When you are playing the November of 1976 did damp- at that time, the Indian men’s
Singh his deputy as Hockey India and South Africa in the longest your first match for India, obvi- en the mood in the camp, but team had a few good spinners
announced a 16-member squad format. ously, you are excited. It’s a mix Indian team during a training session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium | PTI Kulkarni had a bigger worry in and they were dependent on the
for the Paris Olympics, featuring Kulkarni, who made her de- of nervousness and excitement the form of a thumb injury. spinners. I have a feeling Shan-
five Games debutants and a but in 1976 against West Indies I would say. When I started play- face leg spin bowling because wickets in the first innings at the “While batting in Chennai, I got tha picked it up from there and
handful of seniors from the in Bengaluru, remembers it all ing, I used to bowl medium pace there were not many leg spin- M Chinnaswamy Stadium. hit and I had to go to hospital be- used it when we played.”
previous edition. India, who won too well. Even though it was In- and then I converted myself to ners in the women’s game at Once the series shifted to cause my right-hand thumb’s Women’s cricket in India to-
bronze in the Tokyo Olympics, are dia’s official Test debut, it did leg spin. With that series against that time. Myself, Diana Edulji Chennai after a draw in Ben- nail was hit badly. I could not day is standing on the solid
placed in Pool B alongside not feel like one for them. “There the West Indies, it was my first and Sharmila Chakravarthy galuru, the talk was about Chen- play in the next Test because of foundation laid by the likes of
defending champions Belgium, were a few unofficial matches experience of bowling leg spin were the spinners for India. I nai pitch helping the spinners the injury because I could not Shantha and Kulkarni. Har-
Australia, Argentina, New Zealand before we officially played a Test in the match. Just before that se- was keen to try it out and sure out. However, no one had the ex- even grip the ball. I scored 14 manpreet Kaur’s side has an-
and Ireland. Teams finishing in the against the West Indies. I don’t ries, we had a coaching camp enough, they found it difficult.” perience of playing at the runs at Chepauk and got out, I other opportunity to consoli-
top four in the pool’s points table remember ever getting a Test and there I practised my leg It really worked for Kulkarni and ground as such. “From common was not able to play in the rest of date that legacy in Chennai.
will advance to the quarterfinals. cap from someone. So techni- spin. I knew it was not easy to India as she ended up taking five knowledge, we knew the Chen- the match. I could not play the Full story: newindianexpress.com
12 KOCHI THURSDAY 27 06 2024
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27 � 06 � 2024
THURSDAY

‘Kalki makers didn’t worry

DAY ’S D I A RY
Aviation centre opens
Officially opened on this day in 1998,
Kuala Lumpur International Airport
(KLIA) is one of the Southeast Asia’s
major aviation hubs
NEW POTENTIAL LOCATION RADIO STATION
The creation of KLIA was advocated
by Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad
for its economic benefits. This
At the top of the southern
corridor of Peninsular Malaysia,
bordering Selangor and Negeri
KLIA is the first airport to have
a radio station when ‘Fly.fm’
radio was launched in 2005. It
about time or money’
environmentally friendly airport was Sembilan, the airport is 45 km caters to the 38 million radio
completed in four-and-a-half years from the capital city listeners in the country PG 4

MEN
ASWIN ASOK KUMAR head of Community Medicine
Around the at Government Medical Col-

C
ALL it a paradox, a fault-
line, an anomaly. In a
country where men are
handed out privileges,
life seems to be pinning
down men more than
women. At least that is what an
August 2023 study by the Inter-
national Institute for Popula-
lege, Kannur. “It is the men
world, June is who have created a world of
observed as privileges for them,” she points
out, urging the men to move out
Men’s Mental of the sphere of privileges even
Health if it upsets set social roles as
stipulated by one’s family or
Awareness even society.
Month. TNIE

MATTERS
tion Sciences (IIPS) says.
The Gen-Z factor
The IIPS analysis showed explores how When it comes to the matter of
that the rate of suicide among societal mental health awareness, Gen-
Indian men is 2.5 times than Z men are a tad better than
that of Indian women. To ar- structure, which those in other age groups, says
rive at this finding, the insti- offers many Raji. “But awareness alone is
tute dived into the 2023 Nation- not enough. Despite having
al Crime Records Bureau privileges to The IIPS analysis showed that good intellect and better access
(NCRB) data prepared over a men, also pulls the rate of suicide among to resources, they are unable to
period from 2014 to 2021 that Indian men is 2.5 times higher handle several life situations,”
had adult men topping the them down than that of Indian women she points out.
chart in the number of suicides The Gen-Z boys too have a fet-
across all age groups, marital ish for the ‘macho-man’ image,
status, education, or MAIN FACTORS FOR SUICIDE IN KERALA depression. she adds.
profession. Despite sev- “Blame the movies, social
This means that men form a Male Female eral such in- media, and aggressive video
Mental illness 492
vulnerable chunk of the ‘one in stances among games for this. The flip side
every seven Indians’ that an In- 187 men, their psy- is they become unsure of
dian Council of Medical Re- chological is- themselves when a conflict
search (ICMR) data put as be- Cancer 183 Source: 2022 s u e s a re t h e arises in their interpersonal
ing on the mental health NCRB report least reported. relationships. This leads to
48 from Kerala
radar. Many view them them falling for peer pressure
This just adds to what is as a mark of ‘way- to use cigarettes, alcohol, or
termed the gender paradox — 828 wardness or lack of even drugs,” she says.
though women exhibit more Other prolonged responsibility’ of the
suicidal thoughts than men, illnesses 340 man who should be
The Way Ahead
the number of men dying by the one leading the So, yes, men too are victims
suicide is more than that of 1,043 pack. of patriarchy, that is why
Drug abuse
women. The trend is not a new 4 The state of affairs world over June is observed
turn in times: it has been so at hints at how the pa- as Men’s Mental Health
least for the past five decades in Death of 126 triarchal makeup of Awareness Month as a
India, just that the numbers dear ones 96
society can harm the step towards addressing
now are more seen than very gender it patron- how men can be told it
before. 198
ises. The very evident is okay to be human.
“The suicides are often trig- Romantic downslide of this is the late Addressing mental
gered by stress due to work- relationships 96 identification of mental issues issues among men is
place competition, family is- among men, that too after they thus a deep-rooted so-
sues, usage of alcohol and other Unemployment 108 start affecting work perform- cial problem, changing
substances, etc. Also, though 9 ance and show up as aggres- which would also require
the ‘breadwinner’ concept has sion, alcoholism, etc. visionary parenting and
come down considerably with The reason is men do not m e n t o r i n g , s ay s D r
more women going to work, it Suicide victims by sex and age group in India talk, or worse, accept they have Larger picture in Kerala Jayasree.
is still prevalent in villages,” a problem, say experts. “Wom- “I don’t think our homes have
Age Male Female Transgender �Total number of suicides in
says Dr B Padmakumar, profes- en are more open conversing, equal spaces for boys and girls.
2020: 8,500
sor at TD Medical College, Above 60 years 10,994 3,547 0 while men are a bit closed. That ILLUS | EXPRESS Our education system, too, han-
Alappuzha. is why women report their �Total number of suicides in dles this badly. Yet the scope of
The suicide figures in Kerala 45 - 60 24,554 5,607 2 thoughts more than men,” says 2021: 9,549 such discussions has expanded
can be roughly estimated to be Dr Raji K Mathew, a wellness is not only misogynistic but to some extent now,” she says,
30 - 45 40,415 11,629 10 trainer at a school in Thiru- �Total number of suicides in also misandrist. adding that a proper sex educa-
composed of 70 per cent men,
and the rate of failed suicides vananthapuram. In her 12 2022: 10,162 “The problem is the need for tion programme in schools
18- 30 37,941 18,588 14
is also almost the same. How- years of experience in schools, men to be ‘a man’. In a society could help clear gender role

ever, associated with the prob-
lem is a core point. Men are re-
luctant to seek help. “Most men
seek professional help when a
woman is prompting them to do
it,” says Dr C J John, senior
Consultant Psychiatrist, at
Medical Trust Hospital,
Ernakulam.
26 26.9
Below 18 years 5,075 5,655 2 she has found that girl students like India, men are not expect- views.
open up more about their sui- ed to be sensitive. But this adds Men should be encouraged to
Source: NCRB data from 2021 cidal thoughts whereas a boy, an additional load on men, of identify that the additional ‘un-
who never spoke about it, end- Rate of Rate of continuously proving their wanted’ stress and conflicts
Society, with its overwhelming patriarchal values, does not provide ed up dying by suicide. masculinity, ruling out the ac- they face are because of the
room for talks that show a man’s vulnerability. The privilege men suicide per suicide per
experience due to patriarchy will lead to higher gender expectations
“Society, with its overwhelm- lakh lakh ceptance of their emotional privilege they enjoy, says Dr
— Dr Rekha Raj, writer ing patriarchal values, does not population in population in side,” she says. Rekha, flagging the need for
provide room for talks that 2020 2021 Media too have a great place sufficiently qualified experts
psychological problems affect nia (overactivity, increased en- show a man’s vulnerability. The in reinforcing gender roles, she who could spark changes in

According to Dr Sreeja, con-
sultant psychologist at Anan-
thapuri Hospital, Thiruvanan-
thapuram, the difference in
suicide rates shows the ways
men differently. The issues are
usually sparked by occupation-
al and domestic stress, which
leads to substance abuse, sub-
stance-induced psychosis, ma-
ergy and irritability), etc. Porn
and gadget addiction, especial-
ly gaming, which leads to sleep
deprivation and emotional
problems, also cause
28.5
privilege men experience due Rate of suicide per says, citing examples such as men to take off their ‘heroic
to patriarchy will lead to high- lakh population the recent hit Animal. cape’ and speak their mind and
er gender expectations,” says in 2022 However, the onus of break- its issues. And what is it that a
feminist thinker and writer Dr ing these stereotypes is on the good talk cannot solve, experts
Rekha Raj, implying patriarchy Source: NCRB men, explains Dr A K Jayasree, ask?

The disappearance of Pop Star Florence Oral history workshop

TOBY ANTONY

ON the morning of June 21,

Avanthika C J woke to the dis-
tressing news that her bicycle
had been stolen. But this wasn’t
just any bicycle, but a special
gift from Education Minister V
Sivankutty, who had replaced
her previous bike, also stolen,
just a few months prior.
Yes, you read that right. After
her bicycle was stolen on April
28, the determined 15-year-old
emailed the minister, detailing
her plight. Moved by her story,
Sivankutty reached Kochi on
June 2 to present her with a
new Pop Star Florence bike. He
even instructed the police to
hasten their search for the
thief.
But as fate would have
it, her new bicycle was
also stolen, sparking a
rapid community re-
sponse to catch the
thief within 24
hours. Here’s how it
unfolded.
“First, we gathered
CCTV footage from all the
houses nearby. On it, we
saw a person donning a
raincoat ride away with
Ava n t h i k a ’s b i cycl e at
around 4.30am,” says her fa-
ther, Gireesh Madavan.
A short while ago
in the same video,
the man was seen
riding another cy-
cle, likely his own.
Armed with this in-
for mation, Gireesh
approached the Palar-
ivattom police station.
Unlike the previous occasion,
when the thief wasn’t found,
this time it was a matter of
pride for the police officials
since the new bicycle was a gift
from the minister.
“We examined the CCTV
footage and confirmed that it
was a different person who
stole the new bicycle,” says a
police officer at Palarivattom
station. While the first theft
Avantika C J, who wrote a letter to the General Education Minister V Sivankutty
after her cycle was stolen, receiving a brand new one as a gift from him | EXPRESS
was by a migrant
worker, this time
it was a local.
“We sent the visu-
als to other police
stations and start-
ed a search,” the of-
ficer adds.
Avanthika’s family,
living in a rented
house in Palar-
ivattom, enlist-
ed their land-
lord to circulate
the thief ’s im-
ages in WhatsApp
groups of local resi-
dents’ associations.
“One evening, we received a
call that a bicycle similar to the
thief ’s was seen near a tea shop
in the Vadathipalam area,”
Girish says.
On reaching the place, not
only did they find the cycle, but
we also noticed a bag tied to it,
which contained a cutter, an
iron rod, and a half-litre liquor
bottle. “It was clear that the ac-
cused had kept his bicycle near
the shop and fled with Avanthi-
ka’s. We were certain that he
would be back to get his own.
So, we waited,” Girish says.
Girish and his friends decid-
ed to keep watch. They in-
@ Kerala Museum
CASE DIARY KERALA Museum is organising an
oral history workshop for history
This weekly column brings you enthusiasts on Thursday.
exciting, intriguing police stories, Leading researcher Swarup
straight from the crime files Bhattacharya will give a lecture on
the topic ‘Boats of Bengal’, which
delves into the rich maritime herit-
age of Bengal, the traditional boat-
formed the tea shop owner and making practices and the social
even had someone sleep in a customs tied to these fascinating
car near the shop to catch the vessels.
thief when he returned. The session will be held via Zoom
“We told the tea shop owner and begin at 6pm. For more details,
to offer him tea and food to de- contact: 8129051881
lay him. On June 22, around
7:30 am, he showed up to re-
trieve his bicycle. The tea shop
owner stalled him and alerted
us. We informed the police, and
History lecture @ KCHR
within 10 minutes, they arrived
and took the suspect into cus- THE Kerala Council for His- Dr Ashokan is an assistant
tody,” says Girish. torical Research (KCHR) will professor of Manipal Centre
The suspect, Haji, a 56-year- host Dr Ashokan Nambiar C for Humanities. His areas of
old scrap picker from Thaipar- for a lecture on the topic research interests include the
ambil, Alappuzha, confessed ‘What is this thing we call cultural history of Kerala, lit-
and revealed he sold Avanthi- tradition?’ e r a r y h i s t o r y,
ka’s bicycle for `1,500 to a Fort The talk is a print history, and
Kochi native. The police recov- preliminary at- the interface be-
ered and returned the bicycle tempt to gain a tween literary
to Avanthika. clearer sense of studies and other
Girish credits the local resi- the vexed notion fields of inquiry.
dents, his friends, and the po- that we name tra- The event will
lice for their swift action. dition — the be held on Zoom,
“Avanthika is overjoyed to have things and prac- an online meeting
her bicycle back. It was a gift tices we index as platfor m, from
from the education minister, tradition in our 3pm on Thursday.
and she treasures it. We hope it everyday life and The meeting ID to
won’t be stolen again,” he in the conceptual join the lecture is
adds. world. 9783242 6357.
 2
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THURSDAY
Mail us: xpresskochi@gmail.com 27 � 06 � 2024

Not in Love Past Present Future The Ministry of Time Red Faces
by Ali Hazelwood by Rachel Lynn Solomon by Kaliane Bradley by Shinoy
Not in Love is a delightful enemies-to-lovers story. Rowan and Neil, once rivals, fall in love and The story takes place in a future London Red Faces is a tapestry of Malayalam short
This novel follows two rival scientists, Dr Katrina start a long-distance relationship as they and follows a company that brings people stories that delve into the myriad shades of
‘Trina’ Moore and Dr Liam Stafford, who are forced begin college in different states. This young from history to visit. It mixes romance, time human emotion. Inspired by real-life incidents
to collaborate on a research project. As they work adult fiction showcases their challenges, travel adventure, and state-of-the-nation and encounters with people, these stories are
together, sparks fly, despite their insistence that personal growth, and evolving relationship commentary with a clever and ferociously rich with the essence of life and belief that
they’re ‘not in love’. through calls, visits, and adventures. funny effect. unfold as a series of poignant anecdotes.

MISS-FIT
Wanitha Ashok
Wanitha Ashok is a Fit India Movement
Ambassador and celebrity fitness coach
I’ve been doing
intermittent fasting
and working out
regularly, but my
weight hasn’t
changed. What am I
doing wrong?
Intermittent fasting does
not guarantee weight loss!
To lose weight effectively
and keep it off, you still need
to follow the basic weight-
loss mantra. The number
one mantra is being on a cal-
orie deficit. The eating win-
dow does not mean that you
can eat to your heart’s con-
tent or consume high-calorie
foods. Focus on consuming a
balanced and nutritious
diet. Hydration, movement,
sleep, rest, and exercise play
an important role in losing
weight.
Including strength train-
ing leads to inch loss and
muscle gain due to increased
lean
FITBIT
SAVASANA VARIATION CHAIR
(CORPSE POSE VARIATION CHAIR)
This is a supine-position pose done with the help of a prop. It is an excellent
variation of the traditional Savasana pose and a very accessible restorative
posture. This pose involves a chair, and hence you can use any chair that has
a flat surface for this posture. It helps cure lower-back conditions like pain,
inflammation, and stiffness in the spine. Practising this pose enables the body
to enter a state of relaxation and promotes recovery.
STEPS BENEFITS
� Keep a chair and towel handy. � Opens up the cervical spine
� Place a medium-height chair on top of muscles.
the mat and align your upper body with � Helps strengthen the active
the rest of the mat. muscles.
� Fold the towel and place it on the chair � Improves body posture.
for the comfort of the calves.
� Releases and clears the
� Lie down on your back with your blocked channels, especially
buttocks kept close to the feet of the at the lower back, pelvis,
chair (not very close), your knees bent, and hips.
and your feet on the floor. � Helps with lower back
� Align the back of your upper body with stiffness, pain, insomnia,
your arms kept away from your body. restless legs syndrome, and
� Palms should face the ceiling. Rest your piriformis syndrome.
shoulders on the mat. � Helps with the high blood
pressure in the body.
� Keep your neck, head, and jaws, and the
forehead, relaxed. � Benefits students with
� Li� your feet off the ground and place tailbone pain (coccydynia).
your legs on the chair. The feet should � Balances the sympathetic
be resting hip-width apart. and parasympathetic
nervous systems.
� Breathe naturally, focus on your belly,

HAPPY GO LUCKY mus-

c l e
and relax.
� Stay here for a minimum of 5–10
� Good for athletes and
runners.
Tightly clutching their umbrellas, school students joyfully walk in the heavy rain in Kaloor | GLADYS RAJAN mass minutes. � Enhances the blood supply
a n d to the hips and pelvis and
bone � Release the pose slowly, relax, and sit up.
relieves the fatigue of the
density. Muscles are favour-
legs.
QUICKFIX able for fat loss as they rev
up your metabolism. LIMITATIONS � Holding the pose for long
There are a lot of differ- � Students with injuries to their duration eases the muscles in
SPICY COLA ences between weight loss
and fat loss. Let your work-
outs be structured and var-
hips, spine, pelvis, knees, and
lower back, or women during
the body and calms the mind.
� Soothes the nerves and sends
menstruation, should avoid this a calming signal to the brain.
INGREDIENTS METHOD ied; do not over-exercise, as
pose.
� Mix all the ingredients except cola.
it leads to muscle mass loss � Beneficial for seniors to
� Any cola drink: 300 ml � Students recovering from any kind
and stress. Stress leads to relieve cramps in
� White pepper powder: 1/4 tsp � In a tall glass, add a handful of crushed weight gain. of surgery related to any part their legs or any
ice. Focus on fat loss, continue of the body or who have acute
� Jeera powder: 1/4 tsp stiffness
� Add the mixed spices. to eat clean, and exercise. In- spinal deformities like kyphosis,
� Black salt: 2 pinches clude cardio and strength
in their
� Pour the cola very slowly by the side of lordosis, or tight hamstrings knees.
training exercises in your need to be very careful with the
� Dry mango powder: 2 pinches the glass. Contributed by Uma Sridharan, Chennai routine and stay committed
� A few finely chopped mint leaves � Serve chilled. to them.
pose.
� If there is inconvenience for
pregnant women and
WHATWHENWHYWHERE seniors in li�ing their
legs, they may consider
Hi Life Kochi Stand up eve
Constructive Rest Pose
Blanket Head Blocks Legs.
This event is guaranteed to provide something
for everyone, regardless of your interest in Mohammed Hussain got
fashion or just your curiosity about the latest HAVE A RECIPE OR ART
married super early and WORK TO SHARE, OR
trends. See stunning exhibits presenting the now wants to tell you why A QUESTION TO ASK?
newest styles in luxury and designer clothing arranged marriages are great.
@xpresskerala
jewelry. Watch the beautiful story
WHEN: July 2- July 3 of romance and love where xpresskochi@gmail.com

WHERE: The Avenue Center Hotel,

Hussain’s father fell in love
with his wife’s father and Stargazing eve @newindianexpress
By N Elumalai, PhD Scholar (Yoga Science) at
Panambilly Nagar now the kids are married Here’s a chance to enjoy the beauty of the night sky. Our seasoned
guides will lead you on an enchanting journey through the celestial Meenakshi Academy of Higher Education & Research, Chennai
WHEN: 28 June, 7pm
wonders, where each star tells a unique tale.
WHERE: Chakos Tower
WHEN: Daily evening, 6.30pm to 8.30pm
WHERE: Club Mahindra Resort, Ashtamudi ARTCORNER
Great Indian Ludo Tour
You have a fantastic opportunity to market your sports business’s
goods and services to other sports fans by participating in the
National Ludo Championship 2024. Additionally, it will create many
opportunities for coexistence, rivalry, and cooperation.

Professor of Tomfoolery Vol II: WHEN: 29th June WHERE: Forum Mall, Kochi

Revised with Music

See Kenny Sebastian performing the spectacular Techno Beats
once more in India for those who missed out on Get ready to lose yourself in a night
a show full of tales about friendships, family, of techno featuring the mind-
and generational divides! Kenny is back with
a powerful presentation that will make you
Lecture blowing beats of Silver Panda.
Historian, author and social activist WHEN: June 30, 6pm to
laugh, remember the good times, and reflect on
V V Swamy gives a lecture on how 11.55pm
life’s path. Poykayil Sri Kumaraguru Devan
led the subaltern resistance in WHERE: Crowne Plaza Kochi
WHEN: July 20
Kerala’s Renaissance movement
WHERE: Jose Thomas Performing Arts by mobilising marginalised
Center (JTPAC), Kochi communities against religious and
caste oppression. Forum Vibe
Pink Panther theme party WHEN: June 29, from 4.30pm
WHERE: Kerala Museum,
As part of the End of Season Sale at Forum Mall, along with some
exciting offers, various music artists including Malayali Monkeys,
Smokey, Gabri are slated to perform.
Brace yourself for a pink panther-themed party.
Kochi
DJ Ujwal and Ravlon will be presenting some WHEN: July 6, from 5:30pm to 10pm WHERE: Forum Mall
trendy groovy songs. COST: Free entry for public
WHEN: June 29 at 6pm
WHERE: On Stage, Palarivattom Near
Mc Donalds Kochi Lecture Oral History
Ernakulam Karayogam Heritage
Group will host Dr Midhun C
Workshop
Shekar for a talk on Muziris Kerala Museum is hosting three
Heritage online workshops featuring
prominent experts in the field
WHEN: July 20, 2024; 5-6pm on the subject of oral history.
WHERE: TDM Hall, Durbar To register, call: 8129051881
Hall Road
COST: Free entry for public
WHEN: June 25 to 27; 6pm
WHERE: Online
COSMIC HARMONY
Varun N Rao’s acrylic on canvas depicts the singular truth that everything and everyone is connected with each other and the universe.
 3
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Mail us: xpresskochi@gmail.com 27 � 06 � 2024

THE BEEKEEPER
MAHIMA ANNA JACOB

E
VER wondered what a
world without bees
would be like? Who
else would then carry
out the crucial task of
pollination? And how
would there be any
food? This is the thought that
led Akshay N V, a teacher at St TNIE speaks to Akshay N V, a school teacher,
Mary’s High School, Kallanode,
in Kozhikode, to come up with
who started a project to raise awareness
an idea — creating bee colonies about bees and their contribution to
on the school premises. biodiversity by establishing
Every morning before the
first bell rings, students of the bee colonies on the school premises
school huddle near the main
entrance to watch the bees in- bees in the ecosystem and how
side the glass box. Their day important they are in the sur-
starts with observing the vival of living beings struck a
‘cherutheneecha’ or stingless chord with this upper primary
honey bees, their rapidly mov- school teacher. Especially the
ing wings and the intricate If students are taught quote, attributed to Albert Ein-
honeycombs built inside. After that a third of the stein “If the bee disappeared
this, they spread out, and rush world’s food off the face of the Earth, man
to the corridor and the nearby would only have four years left
trees to check the rest of the production depends on to live.”
bee colonies. If they spot any these tiny pollinators, “Honestly, this is what led me
ants or other the next time when to look deeper into this sub-
threats that they see a hive or a ject,” says Akshay. There has
could harm colony of bees, they been a decline in bee popula-
the hive, the tion globally in the recent dec-
students won’t consider them ades, reason being, excessive
promptly re- as a threat use of pesticides, climate
port it to Akshay N V, teacher change, and intensive farming
their teach- practices. “If the students are
er, Akshay. taught from a young age
It’s been a that a third of the
year since world’s food pro-
A k s h ay duction depends
started the on these tiny
beekeeping p o l l i n at o r s, The students are also made
initiative on the next time aware that honey is bees’ way
the school when they of storing their food so they
p r e m i s e s. have something to consume
Reports on when there aren’t many flow-
the role like and return to the hive at ers in bloom.
o f night,” Akshay explains the “Students are curious. They
process. are also eager to taste the hon-
There are around five such ey. We plan to include a small
boxes on the school premises, portion of the honey in the
all made out of bamboo. When school’s midday meal. Tasting
a colony gets full, interestingly the produce they have nurtured
the students are also involved will leave a lasting impression
in the transferring of bees to on them,” says Akshay.
other boxes. “Students of This beekeeping practice is
see a hive classes 5 to 10 are active partici- now being replicated by stu-
or a colony of pants. Through these activities, dents at their homes. Akshay
bees, they won’t con- we are making them familiar firmly believes that caring for
sider them as a threat. They with the idea that beekeeping is bees will inspire students to
won’t have the urge to burn as important as planting trees,” care for other insects as well.
them down,” says the hopeful says Akshay. “Often, children’s curiosity
teacher. Each box is expected to yield about such living beings fades,
Cherutheneecha is com- around 500ml of honey when nue-generating activity in the but these activities help nur-
monly found on trees and in harvested. Though the extrac- future. However, the primary ture their inquisitive nature.
between rocks. Initially, tion is typically done every six focus of this initiative is not on It’s a satisfying experience,”
teachers caught them by us- months, the school has not yet honey extraction, but on rais- says Akshay.
ing a pipe and transferring undertaken the duty. “Beekeep- ing awareness about the impor- “Their fear of insects will di-
them safely to the boxes. “The ing can be a valuable source of tance of bees,” explains minish, and they can learn that
boxes aren’t enclosed but we livelihood. By providing stu- Akshay. these tiny creatures, like hu-
have ensured to keep them dents with practical knowledge, But he explains that the mans, deserve to live. Isn’t that
safe from the rain. So the bees they can easily replicate it and school has plans to harvest what we need for a better to-
can fly freely as and when they potentially turn it into a reve- honey in the coming months. morrow?” asks the teacher.

JUST PLAY

THE ELEPHANT IN THE GAME UG NEET: TRAP OR A TRIP

VINITA SIDHARTHA
vinita@kreedagmes.com
While on the surface it is just a
dice game, it carries within it
an understanding of probabil-
TO WIDER HORIZONS?
DR C J JOHN
The writer is an author
ity and numbers.
and the founder of Kreeda, The thing that caught my THE UG NEET conducted by
an organisation reviving fancy in this game is the name the National Testing Agency
traditional games
itself. Since cowry shells are and attended by 23 million stu-

T
HE thing that’s strange
about games is they turn
up in the most unlikely
places. I remember many
years ago doing an event
for a women’s club. It was at
somebody’s home — a very
plush, beautiful home with pol-
ished marble floors. After my
presentation, a few people came
up to me to talk. One of them
told me that she had a game for
me that I would never have
heard of before. Honestly, I dis-
missed the idea. By then, I had
done 10 years of research, and
I was thinking that it was un-
likely that a lady who had lived
for the most part in an urban
area could have a game that I
did not know. But she did. She
taught me the truly unique
game of Kalanay Belanay from
Mangalore — a game that she
played as a child.
It taught me that there are
incredible memories locked in
people’s minds and if we could
tap into them, we would learn
so much about our traditional
games — not just the games but
also how they were played and
where they were played. Some-
times this is as important to
our understanding of games as
the games themselves.
Although on the surface the
board looks a bit like the Pal-
languzhi or the Vamanagunta-
lu with seven circles on each
side, the game is very different.
The circles are also numbered.
It is played with a set of seven
cowry shells that are used as
dice. Each player has twenty-
eight game pieces with them.
Based on the throw of the cow-
ries, the game pieces are placed
on one of the circles based on a
set of rules. After having placed
the pieces on their side of the
board, players remove the piec-
es from the opponent’s side.
It’s a fun game with lot of ex-
citement on the throw of the
dice. The cheers and groans
based on the number that falls
add to the drama in the game.
brown on top and white on the
underside, the game Kalanay
Belaney, literally refers to the
two contrasting colours.
The name means “Black El-
ephant; White Elephant” — a
creative response to the upper
curve of the cowry that seems
to look like the back of an ele-
phant. Most traditional games
have simple or obvious names
and don’t show a lot of creativ-
ity. The name is definitely
catchy and its creativity makes
it stand out among traditional
games.
I also love the way the same
board is used and adapted for a
different game. That’s what
makes our traditional games so
special. Sometimes the same
board was used to play differ-
ent games and we don’t quite
know what game was actually
played at a particular place or
time. That’s why memories are
so important.
If you have interesting mem-
ories to share or know of other
such games, do reach out as I
would love to hear from you.
dents is now under a cloud of
controversy.
The credibility of the en-
trance test being challenged af-
ter the recent allegations will
create more confusion in the
minds of even those with the
right aptitude. Coupled with in-
tense preparations in prison-
like coaching environments,
serious doubts about the test’s
purpose will breed more frus-
tration down the line.
However, at the same time,
the mad rush for this test also
needs critical scrutiny.
Many students are dragged ded to the For the
into the ordeal of UG NEET idea of being health and
coaching by parental compul- in health care, future of stu-
sion. For them, it’s a trap that passing the test can dents, it would be
cruelly strips them of their ap- be the start of a trip to better if parents, society
titudes. Also, we need to keep wider horizons. and the educational system
in mind that the test itself has But for those who look for- looked at career choices more
no mechanism to check if the ward to quick employment, fast rationally. The new world opens
candidate has the aptitude to be entry to further studies or a sta- up fresh avenues. It’s time for
in the healing profession. ble economic status, this will be society to learn certain basic
It is purely a test based on a disappointing deal at least in principles to prevent disasters
knowledge of the subjects and Kerala. The state has crossed related to career choice.
the speed with the saturation Groom children with skills
which they point and to identify career choices and
crack the mul- hence the empower them to evaluate the
tiple choices. threat of un- choice
This creates employment is Never propmt them to run

KOCHI DIGEST another trap:

Krishna Kumar Nancy Johnson Vishnu Das K
Rotary Club of Cochin Lords
elects new office-bearers
Rotary Club of Cochin Lords has elected
new office-bearers for the year 2024-
2025. Rotarian K V Krishna Kumar has
been elected as the new president, while
Nancy Johnson was elected as the
secretary. Rotarian Vishnu Das K is the
new treasurer.
‘Made In’ short film
shines at international
film fests
The short film titled ‘Made In’
written and directed by Rajesh
Puthanpurayil has bagged awards
at the international film festivals.
The film won the Best Short Film
Award at the New York Gothamite
International Festival and bagged
the award for Best Silent Film at
the Ecovision Global Film Festival
in Sydney. ‘Made In’ is a
contemporary silent film that talks
about a dictatorial country that
sees the world solely through
commercial interests.
excellent
marks and no
a reality. So, a
failure in UG
NEET can be
blindly behind a career brand-
ed as the best by social
perception
aptitude. INTRODUCING: FORTNIGHTLY COLUMN ON an opportunity Being excellent in any pro-
The fallen and
WHAT’S NEW ON MENTAL HEALTH NEWS in disguise to fession selected by matching
pursue one’s aptitude is better than being
chosen souls
true interests. mediocre or substandard in
Has anyone ever wondered So, the answer is simple. Let one selected based on social
about the millions who have students choose higher educa- ratings
fallen out in this rat race? There tion according to their interests Let children discover them-
are some lucky ones who select and aptitudes. selves. Let them not be bound
a better plan that suits them
Aptitude-driven choices
to the multiple choices in a sin-
International Yoga Day observed later. I know someone who gle-track mad run for the
failed twice in NEET and even- Hard and focused effort is es- NEET.
SNV Sanskrit HSS in North Paravur observed International tually found a place in the In- sential for obtaining sufficient
Yoga Day under the leadership of its NCC troupe which dian Administrative Service. marks in UG NEET. Some are
comes under the 3 KER AIR SQN NCC Kochi. Yoga faculty But some may also feel infe- willing to give even an extra ex- The author is a
member Unni Krishnan E D took a one-hour class for the rior after losing the race that is clusive year or two to grab that senior consultant
students. Principal V Bindu inaugurated the event which rated as a benchmark of suc- dream seat in a college. For a psychiatrisat at
was presided over by headmaster Biju C K. First officer cess. This is unwarranted. large majority, this is even a Medical Trust
Anoop V P thanked all the participants. For those passionately wed- ritual. Hospital, Ernakulam
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‘KALKI 2898 AD
BH HARSH Saswata recalls the detailing
for one particular action se-

S
ASWATA Chatter- quence where he was one of
jee, who plays the the principal actors. “When I

MAKERS DID NOT

role of Command- went on the floors, I saw this
er Manas in the huge board with 250 photo-
upcoming Nag graphs, with each photo rep-
Ashwin directori- resenting a particular shot.
al Kalki 2898 AD, Then they showed me the ed-

WORRY ABOUT
has been active in movies ited version of the whole fight
since 1997. However, it was in sequence in pre-visualisation.
2012 with the Sujoy Ghosh- After each shot was taken,
directorial Kahaani that the they removed that photo from
actor achieved nationwide the board. They were that

TIME OR MONEY’
recognition. And yet, the ac- elaborate.”
tor remained very selective in Further talking about his
signing films outside Bengali working experience with
cinema. On his absence out- the Kalki team, Saswata

Warrior, leader, mother

side Bengali cinema, the ac- states, “There was so much
tor says, “The roles I was be- background work going on all
ing offered after Kahaani the time; it was amazing. In
from Bollywood were not up general, I don’t know how the
to the mark or were in a simi- Telugu film industry works.
lar zone as Kahaani, which But for this project, they did
didn’t entice me. By the time not worry about time and P RAS H A N T H VA L L AVA N to me. I was able to transfer But I also picked up a lot of
I signed my next Hindi film, money. They just wanted to those raw emotions into my new skills for the film. I picked
Jagga Jasoos, over four years make a great film.” GEORGE Miller’s recent addi- performance.” up horse riding, I learnt how to
had passed.” tion to his Mad Max franchise, According to the actor, the fire a rifle gun, and I also prac-
Kalki 2898 AD, however, which follows Furiosa, is de- process of bringing Mary Ja- tised martial arts.” While
was a unique working experi-
ence, notes Saswata, while
Saswata scribed as a ‘dark angel’s odys-
sey’. Like in any grand odys-
bassa to life involved more
than just raw emotions, as she
Mary is designed as an unstop-
pable warrior, a pivotal mo-
candidly admitting that he Chatterjee, s e y, t h e b e g i n n i n g s a re had to perform a range of high- ment in the film, where Mary
didn’t know how to react
when he first heard the film’s
who plays the role shrouded in moments of strife
and darkness, and how Furio-
octane stunts, from riding shows kindness to Dementus’
bikes in the desert to sniping female follower, goes on to
concept. “It was hard to grasp of Commander sa’s story begins, is perhaps enemies from afar and hand-to- change the course of both her
the vision that director Nag Manas in Kalki 2898 one of the most intense, dark- hand combats. “It was so much and her daughter’s lives. “This
Ashwin had in his mind.” The est stories in the world of Mad fun,” she says, before adding, moment was so impactful that
actor says that it was an AD, talks about his Max, which is saying a lot. “I grew up riding motorcycles I had several discussions with
equally different experience experience working on Charlee Fraser, who plays Fu- so I already knew how to ride. George (Miller) about why
on sets, where a lot of the riosa’s mother, Mary Jabassa Mary would do that. We never
work was done against a the pan-Indian in the film, describes her char- really came to a conclusion be-
green screen. “Even while I sci-fi spectacle acter as a “warrior, leader, and cause we all had different opin-
was shooting, it was hard to a mother.” She then adds, ions and different emotions
visualise how the film would “These three things set the regarding that scene. My un-
look after all the CGI work,” foundation for the character derstanding of that scene is
he says. However, it was the perfectly.” The actor reveals that Mary is a woman and she
look test that proved to be a that while she got every detail comes from a place of abun-
crucial step in preparing for regarding her character from dance that is filled with a lot of

the character, adds Saswata.
“It was when we did the look
test with those heavy cos-
tumes that I got a much better
idea of how to approach my
character, the body language
to employ and how to deliver
my lines.”
Recalling how he got on
board for the film, he states, “I
was actually surprised to
hear from their team because
I don’t know Telugu.” But as
it turns out, Saswata himself
has now dubbed his portions
in Telugu. Elaborating more,
he adds, “They gave me the
Telugu dialogues written in
English and an additional
English translation script so
that I knew which words to
emphasise.”
Talking about Nag Ashwin,
Saswata remembers being
surprised by the director’s
composed demeanour when
they first met. He says, “Be-
fore we commenced shoot-
ing, Ashwin just asked me to
trust him, and I went by that.
He is so calm and soft-spoken.
Charlee Fraser
the script, she also spent time incredible women and she
in the rehearsal room thinking grew up protecting them. I
about how Mary Jabassa’s life think that is why she decides
must have been before the not to kill the woman in De-
events of the film.” Since mentus’ camp.”
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Charlee also explains why
is a prequel to Mad Max: we get to see very little of the
Fury Road, we know the Green Place of Many Moth-
fate of Mary Jabassa. On ers in the film. “We only see
whether that affected her the Green Place for a short
performance, Charlee re- time because we want the cen-
veals that she had to con- tral characters to get back to
vince herself to stay in the place and just like how Fu-
the moment with the char- riosa has a faint memory of
acter so that the audience her home after she grows up,
also travels along with the audience would also have a
her, instead of thinking faint idea of how the place
about her ultimate fate. “I looks like, and so we feel her
managed to connect with desperation to see more of it.”
the character through the She then adds, “Having said
amount of work I did that, I really wish we had
along with the trust I had spent more time there. It is
in the processes taught to such a beautiful place. May-
me by the professionals. be we could revisit the
nature. Recounting their By the time we started place in a prequel to the
first day on set together, he filming, I had immersed prequel on Mary’s life,”
says, “We both came myself in the character she signs off with a
around 10.30 am, and I so much that she felt real chuckle.
was continuously going
and giving my shots till
5 pm. And all the while,

Varun Dhawan’s Baby John

It was only when instructions Deepika was waiting
were being passed on sets that there on the sets,
you would hear him speak laughing around. Af-

slated for release on Dec 25

loudly. Looking at him, you
would not believe that he
has conceived and executed
such a high-concept film.”
Saswata reveals that he
shot for Kalki 2898 AD over a
period of two years, adding
that most of his scenes were
with Deepika Padukone, who
plays the role of Sumati in the
film. Talking about his work-
ing experience with Deepika,
Saswata says that he was
floored by her down-to-earth
ter every shot,
she would sweetly
a s k m e, ‘ D a d a ,
p h i r a a p k o bu -
laaya... Mujhe E X P R E S S F E AT U R E S also slated for release on the
n a h i bu l a ay a ? ’ same day. Apart from Varun,
(Dada, again, they VARUN Dhawan’s upcoming Baby John would also star
called you but not actioner Baby John will re- Keerthy Suresh, Wamiqa Gab-
me?). It was very lease in theatres on December bi, Jackie Shroff, and Rajpal
sweet of her.” 25 this year. Directed by Ka- Yadav in pivotal roles.
Praising the lees, the film was earlier Murad Khetani, Priya Atlee
thorough proc- scheduled to hit screens on and Jyoti Deshpande are also
ess of the Kalki May 31. co-producing the film, which is
2898 AD team, As per reports, it might have speculated to be the remake of
a direct clash with Aamir Atlee’s hit film Theri (2016),
Khan’s Sitaare Zameen Par, starring Vijay.

Gokul Suresh joins Fahadh SS Rajamouli,

Faasil’s Karate Chandran
VIGNESH MADHU
GOKUL Suresh is in talks to
play the antagonist’s role in Fa-
hadh Faasil’s upcoming film
Karate Chandran. While specu-
lations have been doing the
rounds for a while now, the Mu-
dugauv actor himself con-
firmed it in a recent interview
with us. However, he refused to
divulge further details as the
project is still in the early stag-
es. It is backed by Bhavana Stu-
dios, headed by Fahadh, Dileesh
Pothan and Syam Pushkaran.
Karate Chandran marks the
directorial debut of Roy, who
has been assisting Dileesh
Pothan ever since Maheshinte
Prathikaaram (2016). It is
scripted by Kerala Sahitya
Akademi Award-winning writ-
ers S Hareesh and Vinoy Tho-
mas. The two had earlier col-
laborated on Churuli (2021),
screenplay of which was
penned by Hareesh based on
Vinoy’s story.
Gokul was recently seen in
Gaganachari, a dystopian sci-
ence-fiction mockumentary,
alongside Anarkali Marikar,
Ganesh Kumar and Aju Vargh-
ese. A first such attempt in Ma-
layalam, the film has fetched a
largely positive response, par-
ticularly among the youth audi-
ence. It is now gearing up for
overseas and rest of India
release.
Shabana Azmi among
others invited to join
The Academy
E X P R E S S F E AT U R E S
VETERAN actor Shabana
Azmi, directors SS Rajamouli,
Rima Das, producer Ritesh
Sidhwani, and noted cinema-
tographer Ravi Varman are
part of the 487 new members
invited this year by the Acad-
emy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences. This year’s in-
vitees include 71 Oscar nomi-
nees, including 19 winners.
Costume designers Rama Ra-
jamouli and Sheetal Sharma,
director Anand Tucker, docu-
mentary filmmakers Nisha Pa-
huja and Hemal Trivedi, and
choreographer Prem Rakshith
are among the other in-
vitees from India.
In a statement
shared on its web-
site, the Academy
said the list in-
cludes artists
and executives who have dis-
tinguished themselves by their
contributions to theatrical mo-
tion pictures. Membership se-
lection is based on professional
qualifications, with an ongo-
ing commitment to representa-
tion, inclusion and equity, ac-
cording to the Los-Angeles
based institution.
Going by The Academy press
release, the Class of 2024 has 44
per cent who identify as wom-
en, 41 per cent belonging to un-
derrepresented ethnic/racial
communities and 56 per cent
are from 56 countries and ter-
ritories outside the US. If all
the invitees accept the invites,
the Academy’s total member-
ship will rise to 10,910 with
over 9,000 eligible to vote.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer
and Academy President Janet
Yang said, “We are thrilled to
welcome this year’s class of
new members to the Academy.
These remarkably talented
artists and professionals
from around the world
have made a significant
impact on our filmmak-
ing community.”