...superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva...

16
T he Jammu & Kashmir Government on Sunday stripped four separatist leaders, including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, of their security cover and allied arrangements with immediate effect. The order was issued by the State Government three days after a CRPF convoy was attacked in which 44 CRPF jawans were killed in Lethpora area of Pulwama. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had earlier said that the security provided to those who “receive money from Pakistan would be reviewed.” According to the State Government order issued by the office of Principal Secretary of Home Department, on Sunday, “as a first step the secu- rity and allied arrangements provided to Moulvi Umar Farooq, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat, Bilal Gani Lone and Shabbir Ahmad Shah are withdrawn immediately”. During a high-level review meeting Government of India had emphasised the need to immediately review the wastage of police resources in providing unnecessary securi- ty to a large number of non- government persons in the State. Reacting to the withdraw- al of security, the Mirwaiz-led All Parties Hurriyat Conference spokesperson said the sepa- ratist leaders never asked for security and that they had repeatedly said that the Government can withdraw it. Meanwhile, J&K BJP pres- ident Ravinder Raina wel- comed the Government deci- sion to withdraw security cover of the separatist leaders and said he would “like them to be arrested and jailed” outside the State. “The Hurriyat people are the real enemies of the Kashmiris and they are the ones who ruined the Valley. Their security has been with- drawn which is a welcome step and I would like them to be arrest and lodged in Tihar and Jodhpur jails (in Delhi and Rajasthan, respectively),” he said. Describing Hurriyat lead- ers as “sinners”, Raina alleged that they were the ones respon- sible for the killings in Pulwama. “If Kashmir is facing ter- rorism today it is because of (Syed Ali Shah) Geelani, Mirwaiz (Umar Farooq), Shabir Shah and Yaseen Malik,” Raina said. Their own children are studying in London and enjoy- ing in Europe and they have properties in Dubai but are instigating Kashmiri children to pelt stones and orchestrating innocent killings,” he alleged. Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party on Sunday said its chief Shabbir Shah was never provided any security by the State. In a state- ment, the JKDFP said that Shah, currently undergoing detention at Tihar jail in New Delhi, was never provided any kind of Government security. “…so the announcement of withdrawing it is nothing but a big lie,” read the statement. Security cover was, how- ever, deployed outside his res- idence in Srinagar where his family resides. F ive days after a fire at Hotel Arpit Palace in Karol Bagh left 17 dead, the Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested its owner Rakesh Goel after he landed in New Delhi from Qatar on Saturday late night. According to Rajesh Deo, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Crime Branch, they had received a tip-off that Goel, who founded Hotel Arpit Palace in 1993, was travelling to Delhi from Qatar by IndiGo flight 6E 1702. “A lookout circular (LOC) had already been issued on Thursday and Goel was detained upon arrival in Delhi and handed over to the Crime Branch officials. Goel was arrested after brief question- ing,” said the DCP. Delhi Police produced Goel in court on Sunday. “The court has sent Goel to two-day police custody. Besides Goel, two people have been arrested so far — hotel general manag- er Rajendra Kumar (47) and assistant manager Vikas Kumar (21). The court on Sunday also extended their police cus- tody for two more days,” said the DCP. “A LOC has also been issued against the owner’s elder brother Shardendu Goel, who is still absconding. It has been found that all licences of the hotel were in Shardendu’s name,” said a senior police official. Tragic death of 17 people took place in Hotel Arpit Palace fire on Tuesday. According to forensic experts, the fire start- ed in room number 109 of Hotel Arpit Palace probably due to the air-conditioner switched on by a couple due to lack of ventilation. “As it is win- ter, the AC was probably not serviced and there was a short- circuit, which led to the fire,” said a forensic expert. In its FIR, the Delhi Police mentioned some of the short- comings were two kitchens in the basement and terrace, no smoke alarms, no signage directing guests to the emer- gency exit and obstruction on the way to the exit. Taking a strong note over the incident, the Delhi Government had cancelled fire safety certificates of more than 70 hotels in Karol Bagh areas in last three days for flouting laid down norms. The Government had issued instructions to municipal corporations and police asking them to seal these establishments in the wake of violations of fire safe- ty norms. A fter Delhi Metro phase IV projects, the Centre and the Delhi Government are at loggerheads over the regulari- sation of unauthorised colonies in the national Capital. Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said that Delhi Government is not serious about regularisation of 1,797 unauthorised colonies. “The Delhi Government has not created a separate cell to finalise the boundaries of each identified colony on the layout plan by using satellite or aerial survey images with the approval of the local body and this has not been done in last 10 years despite repeated reminders. The total station machine (TSM) survey has been stopped in March 2018 due to deficiency in demarcat- ing the boundaries of these colonies in the survey,” Puri wrote to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Puri said that the TSM has been stopped in March 2018 as deficiencies were found in the survey report submitted by the agency. The contract has not been extended. “The State Government representative further informed that they were considering introducing a new technology to complete the task by July 2019. On January 29, the Delhi Government informed that they are yet to finalise award of contract for fresh study and that may take four months. The study is likely to take another two years. This means the Delhi Government has been delaying the report continu- ously and it may go beyond July 2021,” said Puri, adding that these are all facts on record but are being conveniently sup- pressed from or mis-repre- sented before the public. As per the Government sources, two private agencies hired by the urban develop- ment department had started the TSM survey of 893 colonies in September 2017 and were supposed to complete it by September 30 this year. The agencies prepared maps of 566 colonies, which, when verified by the revenue department using revenue records and geospatial maps were found to be riddled with inaccuracies. Only 62 maps could be authen- ticated. The Minister alleged that the State Government and its Ministers are giving impression that the Centre is responsible for delay of these colonies reg- ularisation. “It also appears to be a concerted smear campaign unleashed to divert attention from the real issues and mis- lead the citizens of Delhi instead of making efforts to regularise all unauthorised colonies as per the guide- lines/regulations issued by the Government of India way back in 2008,” said Puri holding the Delhi Government responsible for delaying of regularisation of these colonies. “Government of India is keen to regularise all unautho- rised colonies of Delhi which are covered under the Regulations but the whole process is stalled due to the apathy and inaction on the part of your Government to finalise the boundaries after survey of these colonies. Regulations also provide that GNCTD can com- mence the development works and augmentation of infra- structure facilities in public interest in colonies soon after the receipt of lay out plan if it satisfied that the colonies or part thereof fulfil the general principles contained in the revised Guidelines 2007,” read the letter. The letter further said that the Centre has consistently been sympathetic to the cause of people living in these unau- thorised colonies and to this end it has extended the cut-off date of regularisation of an unauthorised colony to the gazette notification dated January 1, 2015 of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). Continued on Page 4 T he rendezvous between superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva (as the actor is addressed) declared on Sunday that he would neither contest the 2019 Lok Sabha election nor declare support to any of the political outfits. Interestingly, he asked his supporters to vote for those who permanently solve the water crisis faced by the State. “Tamil Nadu’s most impor- tant problem is water scarcity. Hence, in your opinion, who- ever you think is capable of forming a stable and strong Government at the Centre and formulate plans and imple- ment them to resolve perma- nently the water problem, please vote for them without failure,” Rajinikanth added in the statement. People of Tamil Nadu were waiting in anticipation since Rajinikanth made it known on December 31, 2017 that he would launch a political party and contest election as part of his battle against corruption. But other than converting his fan clubs into an organised entity and forming district level units, Rajinikanth has done nothing to float a politi- cal outfit. Continued on Page 4 T he CRPF on Sunday issued an advisory cautioning the public against “fake pictures” being circulated online of body parts of its 44 troops killed in the Pulwama attack, the dead- liest terrorist strike on securi- ty forces in the Kashmir Valley in three decades. “Fake news about harass- ment of students from Kashmir is being propagated by various miscreants on social media. CRPF helpline has enquired about complaints about harassment and found them incorrect. These are attempts to invoke hatred. Please DO NOT circulate such posts,” it said in its second post on Twitter. “It has been noticed that on social media some miscre- ants are trying to circulate fake pictures of body parts of our martyrs to invoke hatred while we stand united. Please DO NOT circulate/share/like such photographs or posts,” the CRPF tweeted on its official Twitter handle — @crpfindia. The CRPF advised the people to report any such con- tent by sending an email to [email protected]. Officials said a number of such photographs of badly mutilated bodies were being circulated and the develop- ment was brought to the notice of paramilitary officials after which the advisory was issued. The paramilitary force, that has deployed about 65,000 personnel as part of 61 battal- ions in Jammu & Kashmir, issued another advisory on bogus messages being circu- lated on social media vis-a-vis Kashmiri students based in various places in the country. Investigators suspect the attack that killed 40 CRPF per- sonnel in Pulwama on February 14 was executed by a ‘lone wolf ’ Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber Adil Ahmad Dar alias Waqas Commando who rammed an SUV packed with explosives and inflammable gas into a bus of 78-strong con- voy of CRPF on Thursday. A mid fresh Indo-Pak ten- sion, top legal eagles of the two countries will present their arguments in the high-profile Kulbhushan Jadhav case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) here from Monday during four days of public hearings. Jadhav, a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April 2017. India moved the ICJ in May the same year against the “farcical trial” by the military court of Pakistan against 48- year-old Jadhav. India first approached the ICJ on May 8, 2017 for the “egregious viola- tion” of the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963 by Pakistan by repeatedly denying it consular access to Jadhav. A 10-member bench of the ICJ, which was set up after World War II to resolve inter- national disputes, on May 18, 2017 had restrained Pakistan from executing Jadhav till adju- dication of the case. The ICJ has set a timetable for the public hearing in the high-profile case from Febraury 18 to 21 in The Hague. Continued on Page 4 P rime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asserted that he was filled with grief and outrage, just like the people of the country, in the wake of the terrorist attack in Pulwama which claimed the lives of 44 CRPF personnel. In this north Bihar town to launch a number of develop- ment projects, Modi began his speech with a few lines in the local dialect ‘Angika’ before paying tributes to two of the slain jawans who hailed from the State. “I salute and pay my trib- utes to Sanjay Kumar Sinha and Ratan Kumar Thakur,” the Prime Minister said. The two martyred CRPF personnel hailed from Patna and Bhagalpur districts, respec- tively. “I condole the bereaved families. And to the large num- ber of people who have gath- ered here, I would like to say the fire that is raging in your bosoms, is in my heart as well,” Modi said, evoking a thunder- ous response from the crowd. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi also expressed hopes of a strong response from India in the wake of the Pulwama attack. After the evocative begin- ning, the Prime Minister con- centrated his nearly 30-minute speech on various projects, worth more than 33,000 crore, which were launched at the function here. Modi explained how each of these projects will bring all- round development in the lives of people. He said the National Democratic Alliance’s strategy of development was two- pronged — one was develop- ment of infrastructure and the other uplift of deprived sections of society. Continued on Page 4

Transcript of ...superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva...

Page 1: ...superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva (as the actor is ... on Twitter. “It has been noticed that on social media some

������������ ����������������������������������� ���������������� ��������� ������������������������� ������������������������� ���������� ��������������������� �������������� ������������������������������� ����� ������� ��! ��

������ �� ������������������������� !�"#� "�����#������������������� ��� ����$������������������������%� � �� ��� �� ���������&������������� ������������� ����� ������ ��� ������������������� ������ �������������� ������!

$����%������������������������%�&'��&�# � '�������������������(������������������� �������������� ������ ��)���������� ����������� ���� ����*�������)���� �� ����������������������� ���� �����������)���������������� ������� �� ����� �� �����!

���(�������������������������%������()'�#�* � +����������������������� ������ �������)(������������������������� ��������������,�� ��� ���������� �%������&����� ����-���� ���������� ���� ���% �����������&!�.����� �������������� � ����.�����/������ ������������������������� ���������� ���� ������ ���� �����%�������&���� �����! +

����$�,������(����������%�������)-&� ��01������ ����*�'�2���������������������%��������&����%������ ��&����� �������� ��������)����������������� ������������ ������� � ��� �������������� ���������� ����� �� ��������� �����33��*�'�� �������� ����������������������������� ������!

��(�������.����������������/���%�������&'��&�# � �������-����������������� �������������������� �������� �������������������������������������������� ��������������.��������� ��� ��������� ����� ����������� ������������� � ��������������� � �����������!������������������������������������ ������� ���� ������)� ���������������*�2����������*�� ��!�

�������

������ ��������� (���#

The Jammu & KashmirGovernment on Sunday

stripped four separatist leaders,including Mirwaiz UmarFarooq, of their security coverand allied arrangements withimmediate effect.

The order was issued bythe State Government threedays after a CRPF convoy wasattacked in which 44 CRPFjawans were killed in Lethporaarea of Pulwama.

Union Home MinisterRajnath Singh had earlier saidthat the security provided tothose who “receive moneyfrom Pakistan would bereviewed.”

According to the StateGovernment order issued bythe office of Principal Secretaryof Home Department, onSunday, “as a first step the secu-rity and allied arrangementsprovided to Moulvi UmarFarooq, Prof Abdul Gani Bhat,Bilal Gani Lone and ShabbirAhmad Shah are withdrawnimmediately”.

During a high-level reviewmeeting Government of Indiahad emphasised the need toimmediately review the

wastage of police resources inproviding unnecessary securi-ty to a large number of non-government persons in theState.

Reacting to the withdraw-al of security, the Mirwaiz-ledAll Parties Hurriyat Conferencespokesperson said the sepa-ratist leaders never asked forsecurity and that they hadrepeatedly said that theGovernment can withdraw it.

Meanwhile, J&K BJP pres-ident Ravinder Raina wel-comed the Government deci-sion to withdraw security coverof the separatist leaders andsaid he would “like them to bearrested and jailed” outsidethe State.

“The Hurriyat people arethe real enemies of theKashmiris and they are theones who ruined the Valley.Their security has been with-drawn which is a welcomestep and I would like them tobe arrest and lodged in Tiharand Jodhpur jails (in Delhi andRajasthan, respectively),” hesaid.

Describing Hurriyat lead-ers as “sinners”, Raina allegedthat they were the ones respon-sible for the killings in

Pulwama.“If Kashmir is facing ter-

rorism today it is because of

(Syed Ali Shah) Geelani,Mirwaiz (Umar Farooq),Shabir Shah and Yaseen Malik,”

Raina said. Their own children are

studying in London and enjoy-ing in Europe and they haveproperties in Dubai but areinstigating Kashmiri children to pelt stones andorchestrating innocent killings,”he alleged.

Jammu KashmirDemocratic Freedom Party onSunday said its chief ShabbirShah was never provided any

security by the State. In a state-ment, the JKDFP said thatShah, currently undergoingdetention at Tihar jail in NewDelhi, was never provided anykind of Government security.“…so the announcement ofwithdrawing it is nothing buta big lie,” read the statement.

Security cover was, how-ever, deployed outside his res-idence in Srinagar where hisfamily resides.

������������� .45�64+7�

Five days after a fire at HotelArpit Palace in Karol Bagh

left 17 dead, the Delhi PoliceCrime Branch arrested itsowner Rakesh Goel after helanded in New Delhi fromQatar on Saturday late night.

According to Rajesh Deo,the Deputy Commissioner ofPolice (DCP), Crime Branch,they had received a tip-off thatGoel, who founded Hotel ArpitPalace in 1993, was travellingto Delhi from Qatar by IndiGoflight 6E 1702.

“A lookout circular (LOC)had already been issued onThursday and Goel wasdetained upon arrival in Delhiand handed over to the CrimeBranch officials. Goel wasarrested after brief question-ing,” said the DCP.

Delhi Police producedGoel in court on Sunday. “Thecourt has sent Goel to two-daypolice custody. Besides Goel,two people have been arrestedso far — hotel general manag-

er Rajendra Kumar (47) andassistant manager Vikas Kumar(21). The court on Sundayalso extended their police cus-tody for two more days,” saidthe DCP.

“A LOC has also beenissued against the owner’s elderbrother Shardendu Goel, whois still absconding. It has beenfound that all licences of thehotel were in Shardendu’sname,” said a senior policeofficial.

Tragic death of 17 peopletook place in Hotel Arpit Palacefire on Tuesday. According to

forensic experts, the fire start-ed in room number 109 ofHotel Arpit Palace probablydue to the air-conditionerswitched on by a couple due tolack of ventilation. “As it is win-ter, the AC was probably notserviced and there was a short-circuit, which led to the fire,”said a forensic expert.

In its FIR, the Delhi Policementioned some of the short-comings were two kitchens inthe basement and terrace, nosmoke alarms, no signagedirecting guests to the emer-gency exit and obstruction onthe way to the exit.

Taking a strong note overthe incident, the DelhiGovernment had cancelled firesafety certificates of more than70 hotels in Karol Bagh areas inlast three days for flouting laiddown norms. The Governmenthad issued instructions tomunicipal corporations andpolice asking them to sealthese establishments in thewake of violations of fire safe-ty norms.

���� .45�64+7�

After Delhi Metro phase IVprojects, the Centre and

the Delhi Government are atloggerheads over the regulari-sation of unauthorised coloniesin the national Capital. UnionHousing and Urban AffairsMinister Hardeep Singh Purihas said that DelhiGovernment is not seriousabout regularisation of 1,797unauthorised colonies.

“The Delhi Governmenthas not created a separate cellto finalise the boundaries ofeach identified colony on thelayout plan by using satellite oraerial survey images with theapproval of the local body andthis has not been done in last10 years despite repeatedreminders. The total stationmachine (TSM) survey hasbeen stopped in March 2018due to deficiency in demarcat-ing the boundaries of thesecolonies in the survey,” Puriwrote to Delhi Chief MinisterArvind Kejriwal.

Puri said that the TSM has

been stopped in March 2018 asdeficiencies were found in thesurvey report submitted bythe agency. The contract hasnot been extended. “The StateGovernment representativefurther informed that theywere considering introducing anew technology to completethe task by July 2019. OnJanuary 29, the DelhiGovernment informed thatthey are yet to finalise award ofcontract for fresh study andthat may take four months. Thestudy is likely to take anothertwo years. This means theDelhi Government has beendelaying the report continu-ously and it may go beyond July2021,” said Puri, adding thatthese are all facts on record butare being conveniently sup-pressed from or mis-repre-sented before the public.

As per the Governmentsources, two private agencieshired by the urban develop-ment department had startedthe TSM survey of 893 coloniesin September 2017 and weresupposed to complete it by

September 30 this year. Theagencies prepared maps of 566colonies, which, when verifiedby the revenue departmentusing revenue records andgeospatial maps were found tobe riddled with inaccuracies.Only 62 maps could be authen-ticated.

The Minister alleged thatthe State Government and itsMinisters are giving impressionthat the Centre is responsiblefor delay of these colonies reg-ularisation. “It also appears to

be a concerted smear campaignunleashed to divert attentionfrom the real issues and mis-lead the citizens of Delhiinstead of making efforts toregularise all unauthorisedcolonies as per the guide-lines/regulations issued by theGovernment of India way backin 2008,” said Puri holding theDelhi Government responsiblefor delaying of regularisation ofthese colonies.

“Government of India iskeen to regularise all unautho-

rised colonies of Delhi whichare covered under theRegulations but the wholeprocess is stalled due to theapathy and inaction on the partof your Government to finalisethe boundaries after survey ofthese colonies. Regulations alsoprovide that GNCTD can com-mence the development worksand augmentation of infra-structure facilities in publicinterest in colonies soon afterthe receipt of lay out plan if itsatisfied that the colonies orpart thereof fulfil the generalprinciples contained in therevised Guidelines 2007,” readthe letter.

The letter further said thatthe Centre has consistentlybeen sympathetic to the causeof people living in these unau-thorised colonies and to thisend it has extended the cut-offdate of regularisation of anunauthorised colony to thegazette notification datedJanuary 1, 2015 of the DelhiDevelopment Authority(DDA).

Continued on Page 4

�������������� �74..��

The rendezvous betweensuperstar Rajinikanth and

politics would not materialiseduring this election season asThalaiva (as the actor isaddressed) declared on Sundaythat he would neither contestthe 2019 Lok Sabha electionnor declare support to any ofthe political outfits.

Interestingly, he asked hissupporters to vote for thosewho permanently solve thewater crisis faced by the State.“Tamil Nadu’s most impor-tant problem is water scarcity.Hence, in your opinion, who-ever you think is capable offorming a stable and strongGovernment at the Centre andformulate plans and imple-ment them to resolve perma-nently the water problem,please vote for them withoutfailure,” Rajinikanth added inthe statement.

People of Tamil Nadu werewaiting in anticipation since

Rajinikanth made it knownon December 31, 2017 that hewould launch a political partyand contest election as part ofhis battle against corruption.But other than converting hisfan clubs into an organisedentity and forming districtlevel units, Rajinikanth hasdone nothing to float a politi-cal outfit.

Continued on Page 4

��������� �������������������������������� ���������������������������� �������������

����������������������� � ����������

���� .45�64+7�

The CRPF on Sunday issuedan advisory cautioning the

public against “fake pictures”being circulated online of bodyparts of its 44 troops killed inthe Pulwama attack, the dead-liest terrorist strike on securi-ty forces in the Kashmir Valleyin three decades.

“Fake news about harass-ment of students fromKashmir is being propagatedby various miscreants on socialmedia. CRPF helpline hasenquired about complaintsabout harassment and foundthem incorrect. These areattempts to invoke hatred.Please DO NOT circulate suchposts,” it said in its second poston Twitter.

“It has been noticed thaton social media some miscre-ants are trying to circulatefake pictures of body parts ofour martyrs to invoke hatred

while we stand united. PleaseDO NOT circulate/share/likesuch photographs or posts,” theCRPF tweeted on its officialTwitter handle — @crpfindia.

The CRPF advised thepeople to report any such con-tent by sending an email [email protected].

Officials said a number ofsuch photographs of badlymutilated bodies were beingcirculated and the develop-ment was brought to the noticeof paramilitary officials afterwhich the advisory was issued.

The paramilitary force,that has deployed about 65,000

personnel as part of 61 battal-ions in Jammu & Kashmir,issued another advisory onbogus messages being circu-lated on social media vis-a-visKashmiri students based invarious places in the country.

Investigators suspect theattack that killed 40 CRPF per-sonnel in Pulwama on February14 was executed by a ‘lone wolf ’Jaish-e-Mohammed suicidebomber Adil Ahmad Dar aliasWaqas Commando whorammed an SUV packed withexplosives and inflammablegas into a bus of 78-strong con-voy of CRPF on Thursday.

���� "74�7�/#4

Amid fresh Indo-Pak ten-sion, top legal eagles of the

two countries will present theirarguments in the high-profileKulbhushan Jadhav case beforethe International Court ofJustice (ICJ) here from Mondayduring four days of publichearings.

Jadhav, a retired IndianNavy officer, was sentenced todeath by a Pakistani militarycourt on charges of espionageand terrorism in April 2017.

India moved the ICJ inMay the same year against the“farcical trial” by the militarycourt of Pakistan against 48-year-old Jadhav. India firstapproached the ICJ on May 8,2017 for the “egregious viola-tion” of the provisions of theVienna Convention onConsular Relations, 1963 byPakistan by repeatedly denyingit consular access to Jadhav.

A 10-member bench ofthe ICJ, which was set up afterWorld War II to resolve inter-national disputes, on May 18,2017 had restrained Pakistanfrom executing Jadhav till adju-dication of the case.

The ICJ has set a timetablefor the public hearing in thehigh-profile case fromFebraury 18 to 21 in TheHague.

Continued on Page 4

���������������������������

��������������������� ���������������!�"���

��� ����� ���������������������� ������� ����

���� )�*�#.��8)�7�*9

Prime Minister NarendraModi on Sunday asserted

that he was filled with grief andoutrage, just like the people ofthe country, in the wake of theterrorist attack in Pulwamawhich claimed the lives of 44CRPF personnel.

In this north Bihar town tolaunch a number of develop-ment projects, Modi began hisspeech with a few lines in thelocal dialect ‘Angika’ beforepaying tributes to two of theslain jawans who hailed fromthe State.

“I salute and pay my trib-utes to Sanjay Kumar Sinha andRatan Kumar Thakur,” thePrime Minister said.

The two martyred CRPFpersonnel hailed from Patnaand Bhagalpur districts, respec-tively.

“I condole the bereavedfamilies. And to the large num-ber of people who have gath-ered here, I would like to saythe fire that is raging in yourbosoms, is in my heart as well,”Modi said, evoking a thunder-

ous response from the crowd.Bihar Chief Minister Nitish

Kumar and Deputy CM SushilKumar Modi also expressedhopes of a strong responsefrom India in the wake of thePulwama attack.

After the evocative begin-ning, the Prime Minister con-centrated his nearly 30-minutespeech on various projects,worth more than �33,000 crore,which were launched at thefunction here.

Modi explained how eachof these projects will bring all-round development in the livesof people. He said the NationalDemocratic Alliance’s strategyof development was two-pronged — one was develop-ment of infrastructure and theother uplift of deprived sectionsof society.

Continued on Page 4

�������������������� ��� ���������������� �����!����

!�������"������������������#������$��%

&����'� ������������������(������)��������*���

����������� ���������������������������������� ����������� ����������� �� ��� ����� �� ��� ��

���������������������������������������������������� ������������������ ���� ����������� !�"����� �� ��� �#�

"���� ������������������������� ���$����

:"��6������ ���� ���� �!� �;������� ����#�!!�$������%

������������� ���

�&'�()��*

4#��#�"�"�$4�)��$�,<4*1==������'�/7"4*�>�"*#��

'��+�'+�,)4�./�64�4�<46�

4<4*?"��4

-�'�.��/�74+�4��",�7,�"��.�#"6��.�'���#�

�������!� �;������� ����;

@+������ �0�1�0A����)& 31@�������������4B���� �����������

����������� ��������������� ! "� �#�

"��"#��$!#% %#�����%#���%��#���&#%������%#���

�*��� �#&���2+3������������ ��������������� ���������� ���������������� ����!"���#$%���

�,�����4������%�������%��24��5�67��(���+��/

������������ ����������� ������������

Page 2: ...superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva (as the actor is ... on Twitter. “It has been noticed that on social media some

��!�������'�( ��#) '���"%�#%) *+,�-.*/ ��������"#

����������� ������ ����������������� ������������������������������������� �� �� �����!��"����#��� $����%&&'''(� �����)'&&%*'&&'*++���,,��������-�����).%/&�!��������-0$1����,�����#�%('&/'&�2��������)'&('%*3453''6*3455''����������7#����8�������$(&'�(&&!�����%�/�����92���:�;�����)����������10<!2<�=1<�;��� (�'';��)������������)���>���)��, �61�,�� �!����)��#����6�������������)��?��������8�� -�����)*��.�����!��!������#�������.�@ �<������8�� %((�'&��A���������)'+((%(/*�**/�(/*�***�(/*�**+�

���������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������� ��������������� �� ���������������������������������������������������������� ������������ ����� ��������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������� �!����������������"���������� ���������������������������� �������������������� ���� ��������������������������������� �����������������������������#��������������������������� ���� ����$����%����&�������������������������� ��������������� �����������������������'����������������������������������� ���������������"��������������������(�����������������������������

������������� .45�64+7�

Day after incidents of vio-lence and alleged harass-

ment against Kashmiri stu-dents were reported acrossIndia in the aftermath of thedastardly Pulwama terrorattack, Delhi Police assertedthat security has beenenhanced in the nationalCapital and they will ensure thesafety of all citizens includingKashmiri inhabitants.

Madhur Verma, theDeputy Commissioner ofPolice (DCP), New Delhi dis-trict tweeted that security hadbeen strengthened all across thenational capital, includingminority dominated areas.

“Visibility of police per-sonnel has been increased.We’ll ensure the safety andsecurity of every citizen,including Kashmiri inhabitantsand students living in Delhi,”the DCP wrote in his tweet.

Delhi Minister RajendraPal Gautam also condemnedthe alleged attacks onKashmiris.

“What kind of hatred andfrenzy is being spread in thename of religion? The countryhas not even recovered fromthe Pulwama attack that reportsof ill-treatment of Kashmirishave started pouring in,” hetweeted.

Gautam further said theperpetrators of these attackswere not patriots.

The Home Ministry hadon Saturday issued an adviso-ry to all states and Union ter-ritories to take measures toensure the safety and securityof Kashmiris.

The advisory came hours after Home MinisterRajnath Singh assured an all-party meeting of doing the needful for the protectionof the Kashmiri students andpeople who were allegedlythreatened after the terroristattack.

Some Kashmiri youthsstudying in Uttarakhand’sDehradun alleged that theywere harassed and asked bytheir landlords to vacate

accommodations fearingattacks on their properties inthe aftermath of the attack.

A Kashmiri student study-ing in a Bengaluru college wason Saturday arrested forallegedly hailing the Jaish ter-rorist while another fromDehradun was booked forallegedly sending WhatsAppmessages supporting thePulwama suicide attack.

CRPF Madadgaar, thecentral force’s helpline had onSaturday night tweeted,“Kashmiri students and gener-al public, presently out ofKashmir, can contact@CRPFmadadgaar on 24x7toll free number 14411 or SMSus at 7082814411 for speedyassistance in case they face anydifficulties/harassment”.

������������� .45�64+7�

Expressing solidarity withthe families of the

CRPF jawans killed in thePulwama terror attack, hun-dreds of people from all walksof life gathered at India Gateand Jantar Mantar on Sundayand took out candle lightmarches.

Students, corporateemployees and members ofsocial organisations gathered atthe two venues demandingthat Pakistan be given a “befit-ting reply” in the wake of thePulwama attack.

Hundreds of protestors aresitting at India gate and JantarMantar fgor last two days.Delhi police has also enhancedsecurity in the national capitalwith special deployments in theprotest areas.

“The protests are peaceful.Special deployments have beendone and security strength-ened. Adequate PCR vans and‘Parakram’ vans have beendeployed. Blood donationcamps are also being organisedat the spot,” said MadhurVerma, the DeputyCommissioner of Police, NewDelhi district.

Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP)Member of Parliament Udit Rajalso participated in the protestat the India Gate and said thesacrifice of the martyrs shouldnot go waste and the fightagainst terrorism be strength-ened.

“We have to fight and standagainst terrorism now. So manylives are lost due to these ter-ror attacks.

Our Government shouldnow take step against countries

supporting these terrorist,” saidTushar, a protestor at IndiaGate.

In one of the deadliest ter-ror attacks in Jammu andKashmir’s three decades ofmilitancy, a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) suicideattacker rammed an explo-sives-laden vehicle into a CRPFbus in Pulwama district onThursday, killing around 40personnel and leaving manycritically wounded.

��!�����������0���1������������������

������������� .45�64+7�

Athree-day Garden TourismFestival concluded on

Sunday with dance and musicalperformances. The 32nd GardenFestival also saw various eventsincluding painting competition,cut flower and vegetable displayamong others that showcasedthe talent of the thousands ofparticipants.

The fest concluded withvibrant dance forms such asKaalbelia, a spellbinding magicshow by Raffan and a serenemusical performance by Jhoom,the band, concluding the daywith a grand prize distributionceremony, wherein winnersacross 32 categories were facil-itated.

The festival was organisedby Delhi Tourism in associationwith Delhi Government with anobjective to create awarenessabout the environment andshowcase the rich floriculture ofDelhi, said a senior official ofDelhi Tourism.

The three-day extravaganzawhich was themed ‘Plants-Lifeline for Everyone’ this yearthat narrates the important roleof gardening in our life with var-ious health and environmentalbenefits

A senior official of Delhi

Tourism said that the fest wit-nessed thousands of visitors tothe venue. “The festival enlight-ened the visitors on the impor-tance of gardening and howsmall efforts can make a differ-ence towards a greener Delhi,”he said.

Elaborating it further, hesaid that various nurseries show-casing plants for kitchen gar-dens, home gardens and indoor

areas put up exclusive stalls.“Different theme gardens at thevenue captivated large numberof nature lovers. Floral Animals,potted plants, foliage, medicinaland herbal plants, organic items,gardening accessories etc wereavailable for sale,” the officialsaid.

“I have seen this festivalgrow bigger over the years andeven-though my age allows me

very little, I have never missedthe fest,” said Shekhawat, one ofthe visitors from Rajajipuram,New Delhi.

C Arvind, General Managerof Delhi Tourism andTransportation DevelopmentCorporation (DTTDC) said thatall the participants were awarded with trophies in dif-ferent categories for their uniqueperformances.

������������� .45�64+7�

A22 year-old, former ‘MrUttrakhand’ in a dance

competition, who was planningto form a gang in NationalCapital, was arrested by DelhiPolice on Sunday. Police havealso recovered one countrymade pistol with two live car-tridges from the possession ofthe accused.

The accused has been iden-tified as Adnan alias Aadi whohails from Uttrakhand and waspresently residing in Delhi’sUttam Nagar area. According toAnto Alphonse, the DeputyCommissioner of Police (DCP),Dwarka district, on February 16,while patrolling in the area,one suspect was seen standingnear A Block corner.

“On seeing the policepatrolling team, suspect startedstumbling and moving towardsaisle following which he wasapprehended by the team andcursory search one illegal coun-try made pistol and two live car-tridges were recovered,” saidthe DCP. “During interrogation,the accused disclosed that ear-lier to earn instant money, hecommitted a robbery about�3.45 lakhs at Dominos PizzaCorner at Sector-12, Dwarka.

New Delhi: To control air pol-lution and to save environ-ment, climate change and con-servation of bio-diversity, theenvironment committee ofDelhi University’s RajdhaniCollege and the Department ofEnvironmental studies organ-ised a two-day conference on‘emerging challenges of envi-ronmental health society andpolicies. The conference wasattended by Chandi PrasadBhatt, the man behind theChipko Movement professorIndrajeet Singh, Head of envi-ronmental studies, Pankaj Garg,professor and others academi-cians. The conference was divid-ed into various themes such asclimate change, conservation ofbiodiversity, environment lawand human health. The com-mittee has also presentedposters with theme of social per-spectives of environment.

“Everyone should adoptsynchronized, internally guidedand externally supportedapproach towards environ-mental health,” said Bhatt whilepresenting a detailed account onChipko Movement. SR

�������������.45�64+7�

South Delhi Mu-nicipal Corporation

(SDMC) organised anagenda based mega“Parents TeachersMeeting” (PTM) in allits 581 schools acrossits jurisdiction. Asenior SDMC officialsaid that the PTM wit-nessed around 78 percent participation of the enthusiastic parents and their uniquelevel of understanding while interacting with the teachers onthe progress of their wards and their overall development.

The direct active interaction by most of the parents com-ing from economically weaker sections underlined the needof bringing a cognitive development of students in order tosharpen their attitude towards learning and becoming an agentof social & futuristic change, he said.

The parents in turn reported the positive effect of‘Buniyad Project’ with reference to progress in education andintelligence level of their wards, he informed, adding that theparents wanted that a mechanism be developed to keep aliveexchange of views between teachers and parents to closely mon-itor the educational shortcomings of the children.

SDMC Commissioner Punit Kumar Goel instructed theofficers to visit maximum number of schools and preparedetailed reports on regular intervals to assess the impact of themeeting. SDMC Mayor Narendera Chawla during his visit toa number of schools in the west zone said that the PTM wasorganised in two shifts to analyse all the valuable suggestionsreceived from the parents and chalk out an action plan to makestudents better than the best as far as their keenness to learn-ing is concerned. The Chairperson of Education CommitteeDr Nandini Sharma visited number of schools in Malviya Ngar,Ambedkar Nagar and Saket. She stated that SDMC has pro-vided an atmosphere conducive to learning in order to makeour schools better than public schools.

������������� .45�64+7�

A14-year-old boy was allegedly sexually

assaulted by his tutor on Friday at his home in eastDelhi’s Anand Vihar following which the accusedwas arrested.

According to a seniorpolice official, the incidenttook place on Friday and theaccused man had been teach-ing him for the last couple ofmonths.

“ The 35-year-old accused took the boy insidethe bathroom and touched him inappropriately duringthe game of hide and seek.

The boy’s parents werenot at home at the time ofincident,” said the seniorpolice official.

“He narrated the incidentto his parents after which theyapproached Anand Viharpolice station.. A case was reg-istered under relevant sectionsof the Protection of Childrenfrom Sexual Offences(POCSO) Act on Friday andthe accused tutor was arrestedon Saturday,” said the seniorpolice official.

������������� .45�64+7�

A28-year-old Kashmiri manwas beaten up by public

before being detained onSunday allegedly for raising“anti-India” slogans during aprotest against the Pulwamaterror attack at Jantar Mantaron Sunday.

The man, identified asAbid Hussain, had come fromKashmir on Saturday, a seniorpolice official said.

Hussain was at Jantar

Mantar where he was beaten upby public for allegedly raising“anti-India” slogans, he said.

He has been detained andis being interrogated, MadhurVerma, Deputy Commissionerof Police (New Delhi) said.

Hussain was under theinfluence of alcohol, he said. Asthe protests continued for thethird day on Sunday, policeenhanced security in thenational Capital with specialdeployments in the protestareas.

�$�%����&�����%%��'

$������������������������������ ��C������� ���� ��-

+��#����#��(����(�������#�

4B����#������������ �� ������D�� ������������ �����E��

,������-����.����������(�-�����

*�2�����-������������ ��������0������ � ������ ������� ����

������-�(����������,%����/01��#����������*���(�����

�����"����%� ���������������� ���� ��������&���� ��#�������%���� �'� ������()*����������������+���������� � �� ��� ��� ��������

�� +� "����,��� ���

#��!�"����%� ��������� ���-!"%�.� �� ������� ���������������� �� ����"����'��� ��������������������������������������������������������� ��� ��������

/0���1���� #���������������� ������

Page 3: ...superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva (as the actor is ... on Twitter. “It has been noticed that on social media some

��!�������'�( ��#) '���"%�#%) *+,�-.*/ ��������"(

������������� .45�64+7�

Cracking the whip on hotelsfor flouting norms, the

Delhi Government has can-celled fire safety certificates of14 more hotels in Karol Bagharea, taking the total number ofsuch establishments to 71.

Delhi Home MinisterSatyendra Jain tweeted, “Firesafety certificates of 14 morehotels/guesthouses have beensuspended after violations werefound during inspections. Atotal of 71 NoCs have been sus-pended so far. We will not com-promise with fire safety.Human lives are precious &their safety has to be given toppriority.”

In past few days, the AamAadmi Party (AAP)Government had cancelled firesafety certificates of businessestablishments for various vio-lations in Karol Bagh, where amassive fire at a hotel recently

killed 17 people, and orderedtheir closure.

The Government hadissued instructions to munici-pal corporations and policeasking them to seal these estab-lishments in the wake of viola-tions of fire safety norms.

The fire department hadon February 13 inspected 23hotels, out of which 13 werefound to be violating fire safe-ty norms. On Thursday, 22hotels were checked, out ofwhich 17 were found to be vio-

lating laid down rules. OnFriday, Jain, who heads the firedepartment, said that this drivewould continue across thenational capital.

Deadly fire in Arpit Palacewas followed by a massive firein which 250 were gutted anda factory caught fire on weehours of Thursday which wascontrolled on time. All theseincidents are a telling com-mentary on the state of affairsas criminal neglect and apathyof civic agencies snuffed out

various innocent lives for years.Instead of doing detailed secu-rity audit of all the budgethotels that have proliferated inKarol Bagh, Rajinder Nagar,Nabi Karim, Paharganj, JamaMasijd area in highly congest-ed Central district, Corporationofficials are busy in passing thebuck on each other.

According to sources inFire Department, only around25 percent restaurants andhotels in Delhi have themandatory NOC from FireDepartment and only 1540guest house are so far registeredwith DFS that possess NOC.

“We get letters to inspectfrom civic authorities and weissue NOC after our inspectionus done. NOC is not issued forguest houses or buildings beingused as a hotel which has twofloors. Most of the buildingowners show that they areusing facility as guest house andduring inspection of restau-

rants owners’ shows sittingcapacity less than 50 but theyincrease that once inspection isdone. The NOC is renewed inthree years,” said Atul Garg,Chief Fire Officer, Delhi FireServices department.

Meanwhile, the NorthDelhi Municipal Corporationshifted the blame on Delhi gov-ernment for allegedly allowingthe unchecked growth of ille-gal construction in city on thename of implementing of theNational Capital Territory ofDelhi Laws (SpecialProvisions), Second Act, 2007.

Putting the blame on DFS,he said that there are more than600 guest houses in the areas and most of them easilyget fire safety clearances. “It isdifficult to check violations asthere is no mechanism to sub-mit the construction comple-tion certificate at the time ofapplying for a trade licence,” headded.

�������������.45�64+7�

Witnessing anumber of

complaints fromthe passengersabout excessiveannouncements inthe metro trains,the Delhi MetroRail Corporation(DMRC) hasdecided to cut-short the audio announce-ments made in the Metro trainson Magenta Line that connectsBotanical Garden to Janakpuri.The process will start fromMonday on a trial basis forthree months.

Presently, 34 announce-ments are made both in audioand video format. But, nowonly seven audio announce-ments will be made during theentire journey of 7 minutes.Remaining, 25 announcementswill be displayed in video for-mat to comfort the commutesfrom excessive announcementsin the trains.

“Only seven generalannouncements such as sittingon floor, suspicious articlesand others will be made insidethe train in both audio andvideo format during the entiretravel time of the train on thisLine. The other 25 announce-ments such as welcome toDelhi Metro, Use smart cards,deposit tokens and others willbe displayed only in video for-mat and there will be no audioannouncements,” said a DRMCofficial.

Rest of the two announce-ments such as first car isreserved for ladies, male pas-sengers do not board the ladiescoach, and its direction and soon will be removed from thetrain but, will be announced atplatform only at the stations.

“DMRC received number

of feedbacks from the com-muters as they feel inconve-nience due to excessiveannouncements. Thus, thesemeasures will reduce the num-ber of audio announcementsconsiderably inside the trainbut information will be avail-able to passengers on video dis-play. Moreover, all the manda-tory announcements like nextstation, door opening side,destination station, and termi-nal station will continue to runas usual in both the audio andvideo formats inside the trains,”said the official.

If results are good duringthe trial, the Delhi Metro willfurther decided to implementthe same on the Pink Line(Majlis Park to Shiv Vihar) afterthree months. However, this feature in all other Lines (Line 1 to 6) will berequired to be tested separate-ly as trains on those Lines don’thave the mechanism of videodisplay for announcements,said the official.

Delhi Metro makes regu-lar announcements inside itstrains to inform passengersabout departure and arrivalwhich are considered mandatory, whereas there areother announcementsalso which are made when thetrain is on travelling mode to inform about various passengercentric issues.

���� .45�64+7�

With the prospects of analliance with AAP near-

ly over, several senior DelhiCongress leaders have emergedas contenders for the sevenseats in the national Capital forthe coming Lok Sabha election.

Delhi Congress presidentSheila Dikshit said a number ofapplications from party leadershave been received but addedthe ticket distribution will bedecided based on their “winability”.

Former Delhi Congresspresident Ajay Maken is focusing his strength on NewDelhi Lok Sabha seat by holding meetings with localleaders and workers, Congressinsiders say.

Maken, a two-time MPfrom the seat in 2004 and2009, was defeated by BJP’sMeenakshi Lekhi in 2014 elec-tions.

Former MP MahabalMishra is eyeing West Delhiconstituency but the Congressmay field a Jat candidate, pos-sibly Yoganand Shastri, fromthe seat, they say.

“On almost all seven LokSabha seats, several senior lead-ers are staking claims as it isalmost clear that Congress willnot ally with AAP for the com-ing election,” a senior DelhiCongress leader said.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwalsaid on Thursday that theCongress has “more or less”refused an alliance with hisparty for the general election.He, however, had added hisparty was “eager” for a tie-upwith Congress in the nationalcapital to avoid a three-cor-nered contest involving theBJP.

The same day whenKejriwal said this, SharmisthaMukherjee resigned as chiefspokesperson of the Congress’sDelhi unit, expressing her

desire to contest the Lok Sabhaelection.

“If given a ticket by theparty I will contest the LokSabha election. I will apply forticket,” she said, without reveal-ing her preferred choice ofseat.

But the Congress leadersaid she is a probable fromChandni Chowk constituency.

Former Union ministerKapil Sibal, former deputy

speaker of Delhi AssemblyShoaib Iqbal and Haroon Yusufare other contenders fromChandni Chowk, he said.

Congress insiders sayeither Kirti Azad or ShatrughanSinha, both of whom are look-ing for a new home after dif-ferences with top BJP leaders,may be fielded from North EastDelhi constituency, currentlyheld by Delhi BJP chief ManojTiwari.

They claimed Sinha is alsoin touch with the Congress“high-command” for his polit-ical shift.

Chaudhary MateenAhmad is also a contenderfrom the seat, which has a size-able number of minorities,they said, adding that formerDelhi minister JP Agarwal isanother probable from there.

“From South Delhi, formerMP from the seat RameshKumar may be considered butthe party could look for otherslike Yoganand Shastri andChatar Singh, as Kumar is the

brother of anti-Sikh riot caseconvict Sajjan Kumar,” theCongress leader said.

AK Walia and ArvinderSingh Lovely, ministers in theSheila Dikshit Government,are vying for party ticket fromEast Delhi seat. Sheila Dikshit’sson Sandeep Dikshit is also aprobable from there, the lead-ers said.

Delhi Congress workingpresident Rajesh Lilothia, min-ister in Sheila DikshitGovernment RajkumarChauhan, and district presidentSurender Kumar are in racefrom North West (reserved)seat, they added. The electioncommittee of the DelhiCongress will meet on Mondayto discuss the applications filedby the party leaders.

After that, the Delhi Congress unit is expect-ed to forward a screened list ofpossible candidates to thenational leadership for finalselection.

�2�1������!�����������������!�����)*+����)�%,��$+��

-*������ ����������� �.��������������� � ������� ������������������� ����������������� ������ ��� ���� ����� ���� �� ��������� �������� ���� �� /

������������� .45�64+7�

Delhi Chief Minister ArvindKejriwal will visit

Puducherry on Monday to meethis counterpart VNarayanasamy who is sitting ona dharna outside the Raj Nivas,an official said on Sunday.

Narayanasamy, his cabinetcolleagues and legislatorsbelonging to the Congress andthe DMK continued theirdhrana for the fifth day onSunday protesting LieutenantGovernor Kiran Bedi’s “negativestand” towards his government’sproposals awaiting her approval.

A senior DelhiGovernment’s official saidKejriwal, accompanied by hisdeputy Manish Sisodia, willmeet the Panducherry ChiefMinister at the protest venuearound 12 noon Monday.

�%��������(��#�����(��

,�����(���-����������-��-��(���������-���� $�2#����-$�������������� ���.�������� ����� ����� ����� � ����� ����.��������������������������� ������������� ��!�������������!������� ����� ������� � �����/

"%�� ������� � � �� ���� ���2���������� ��

��0��%���*��

Page 4: ...superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva (as the actor is ... on Twitter. “It has been noticed that on social media some

�������"1��!�������'�( ��#) '���"%�#%) *+,�-.*/

�� � �����$���� .45�64+7��

The success of the Centre’s‘Beti Bachao’ campaign is

all set to be a major campaignplank for the HaryanaGovernment as the State unitBJP has decided to make theimproved sex-ration in theState a major poll issue in theforthcoming general electionsand the Assembly electionsdue late this year.

Haryana BJP chief SubashBarala said that the State hasimproved upon the sex ratiofrom 835 (girls) over 1000(boys) in October 2014 to 922(girls) over 1000 (boys) tilldate.

“Haryana’s battle against itsdwindling sex ratio is finallyproducing some encouragingresults. We still have to matchthe national average of 943,”Barala said in an exclusiveinterview to The Pioneer.

Prime Minister NarendraModi had announced thelaunch of ‘Beti Bachao, BetiPadaho’ programme fromHaryana in January 2015 as thestate had always reported worstin sex ratio.

“From Chief MinisterManohar Lal Khattar to districtunit party volunteer workedvery hard to create awarenessand reaching out to the Khapsto achieve this remarkable feat.I am sure in this way Haryanawill set an example and a casestudy to the world wherever thegirl sex ratio is in a deprivedstate,” said the Haryana BJPchief.

Barala, who has just

emerged as party’s chief strate-gist to help the BJP register awin in the much hyped Jindbypoll against Congress stal-wart Randeep Surjewala andthe breakaway factions ofINLD, said that the just con-

cluded elections is the reflec-tion as how the Haryana LokSabha and Assembly will looklike. In the last parliamentaryelections in 2014, BJP wonseven out of 10 seats inHaryana and this time it claimsto grab on all 10.

“Certainly we are in advan-tage as we are not into castepolitics. Jats are with us.Congress is a divided lot andthe INLD is a fragmented way.People of Haryana is cravingfor development and we arefrontrunner due to Modi andKhattar’s people friendly poli-cies,” said Barala when askedabout the mood of the forth-coming elections.

On the issue of frequentJat quota agitation, Baralasaid every sensible personwhich also include Jats under-stand the intention of theKhattar government on thereservation issue and nowthey will not be a misguidedlot to the advantage of otherpolitical parties.

Setting aside any riftbetween the party and theKhattar who is a Punjabi in theJat and Non-Jat combination,Barala praised the incumbentCM for doing some of the‘Firsts’ in the country likeamending Haryana PanchayatiRaj Act 1994, fair recruitmentsand transfer postings,improved Sex ratio etc,. Baralasaid that people of Haryanawere fed up with the corruptregimes of past and mostimportantly the decade ofnepotism and now experienc-ing the change.

�3���3��#�� ��������&�������3�� � ���� �����

%� ������2�����2���34��+�������� �� ��������������������� �� �������� �%�������%����� �����2�2��������5���� ������ ����������������������� !�"����� �� ��� �#�

���� .45�64+7�

Saudi Arabia's Crown PrinceMohammed bin Salman's

visit to India presents a "historicopportunity" to expand col-laboration in all sectors, theGulf country's envoy here saidon Sunday.

Prince Salman, who is alsoSaudi Arabia's defence minis-ter, will arrive in India onFebruary 19 on his first officialvisit. Counter-terrorism andenergy security are expected totop the agenda for discussionsduring the trip.

Besides holding talks withPrime Minister NarendraModi, he will also meetPresident Ram Nath Kovindand Vice President M VenkaiahNaidu during his two-day visit.

Cooperation in counter-terrorism is likely to figure highon the agenda of his talks inNew Delhi as the visit comesfollowing the Pulwama terrorattack carried out by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in which 40CRPF men were killed.

Saudi Arabia had stronglycondemned and the attack.

Prince Salman hasembarked on a four-countryAsian tour that besides India,also includes Pakistan,Malaysia, Indonesia.

"Saudi Arabia and Indiashare age-old ties of friendshipthat are deepening with eachpassing day. Crown PrinceMohammed bin Salman's visitto India is highly anticipatedand presents a historic oppor-tunity to expand collaborationbetween our two friendlycountries in all f ields,"Ambassador of the Kingdomof Saudi Arabia to India SaudMohammad Al Sati said.Under Prince Salman's lead-ership, Saudi Arabia is at thecusp of path-breaking trans-formation, he said.

"In our common pursuitfor development and stability,Saudi Arabia sees India as animportant strategic partnerand valued friend," Sati said.

Investments, defence andsecurity, including counter-terrorism and renewable ener-gy, are the key issues which arelikely to come up for discus-sions during Prince Salman'svisit to India, the Ministry ofExternal Affairs (MEA) hadsaid last week.

34-��������� �����������������������%-��������

�-�*#&� ��)&�088"&9)&-*�$�*�9)0*�

�! *�* 0-4���"������ �&:&";��&-� ��&�<&"�0-

'# =#����0� -=�)�&$�*��)-�&"�*�-��*#&

-*&-* 0-�08�*#& #�**�"�!0:&"-�&-*0-�*#&�"&�&":�* 0- ��)&��-��-0'�*#&;

' ���-0*��&��� �!) �&���0*�*0�*#&��:�-*�!&�08�0*#&"

<0� * =���<�"* &�

����������� ������6���������� �����������6�7��%�0*/8���� ���5��#��� ��-�5#.���������2��2��0����������2���*8�������� �2�9�:� ���8;*<��=����� �����4���� 4� ������� �� ��� �#�

Kasargod: Two Youth Congressworkers were allegedly hacked todeath by unidentified assailantsin the northern district ofKasargod late on Sunday night,a senior police official said.

The incident took place ataround 8 pm and the deceasedwere identified as Kripesh andSarath Lal (24), the official toldPTI.

"Two youths have beenkilled. We have just confirmedthe identity of the deceased.Further investigation is on,"police said.

Congress leader RameshChennithala lashed out at theruling CPI(M) and expressedhis strong protest against thedouble murder.

He will visit homes of thetwo deceased workers onMonday.

"The CPI(M) is trying todestroy the Congress party usingthe party goons. The youthcongress activists were attackedwithout any provocation. Theywere not involved in any kind ofcriminal activities. No caseswere there against them. Thegovernment should identify the

culprits and arrest them as soonas possible," Chennithala toldmedia persons.

He also alleged that themurder was a conspiracyhatched by the CPI(M) as theLok Sabha elections are near.

However, CPI(M) districtsecretary M V BalakrishnanMaster categorically deniedany role of his party in thekillings.

"We strongly condemn thismurder. We are against mur-derous politics. We don't haveany role in this," he told mediapersons.

Sources said the workerswere returning home afterattending a local function onSunday night and they werestopped by a gang of uniden-tified people who came in a carand hacked them to death.

The identity of the attack-ers was yet to the confirmed,police said. PTI

4�5��#��������������#����(��(��#����������

Lakhimpur (Assam): AssamFinance Minister HimantaBiswa Sarma on Sunday saidthose opposing the CitizenshipBill want to "attack" the cultureand civilisation of Assam.

Addressing a rally ofBhartiya Janata Yuva Morcha(BJYM) in the presence of BJPpresident Amit Shah here,Sarma claimed that his party willwin 10-11 Lok Sabha seats outof the 14 in Assam in theupcoming elections.

"Lots of misinformation isbeing spread about theCitizenship (Amendment) Bill,ST status to six tribes andClause-6 of the Assam Accord,"he said. "They (those opposingthe bill) want to mislead theAssamese community. Theywant to attack the culture andcivilisation of Assam. We wantto tell all that we will protect theIndian culture and civilisation.It is our resolution," he added.

The contentious CitizenshipBill is set to lapse on June 3,when the term of the presentLok Sabha ends. It could not bepassed in the Rajya Sabha dur-ing the Budget session, the lastParliament session of the present

government, which ended onWednesday.

The senior BJP leader saidit is a clash between the onesprotecting 'jati-mati-bheti' (com-munity, land, homeland) and thethose attacking the civilisation.

"The BJP is the saviour ofthis civilisation. 'Fir ek baarModi sarkar' — it is not only aslogan, but a resolution to saveour lives. The BJP will win 10-11 seats in Assam," Sarma said.

Referring to the terror attackin south Kashmir's Pulwamadistrict, Sarma said, "We hadstated earlier that we do not want(Assam to become) the secondKashmir. Then some peoplehad criticised us. Now, all haveseen the situation in Kashmir. Ifwe do not become careful,Assam will be the secondKashmir. We have to be carefulabout this always."

The finance minister hadstoked a controversy onJanuary 6 after he said Assamwill surrender to the "philoso-phy of Jinnah" and 17 Assemblyseats "that elect Assamese peo-ple will go the Jinnah way" ifthe Citizenship Bill is notpassed. PTI

#���������� �����>� 4���� ���&������6�����6�������� ����������� $�����

From Page 1“Further, it was notified

that such colonies, where morethan 50% plots have been builtup to 01.01.2015 will be con-sidered for regularization. Evenareas that have come up as anextension to village abadi andhave not been notified as LaiDora extension to village abadias on 01.06.2014 have beenconsidered as habitation eligi-ble for regularisation underthese Regulations. As a conse-quence, more unauthorised

colonies have come within theconsideration for regularisa-tion. It is your duty and oblig-ation as the Government con-cerned to invite applicationsand decide as per revisedguidelines/regulations,” the let-ter said.

As per the regulations of 24March 2008 and subsequentmodifications thereof, Delhigovernment has to play the leadrole in identifying and carryingout the process related to reg-ularisation. The state govern-

ment is expected to create aseparate cell to carry out thework relating to regularisa-tion of unauthorised coloniesand finalise the boundaries ofeach identified colony on thelayout plan by using satel-lite/aerial survey images forthe approval of the localbody. This has unfortunate-ly not been done in last tenyears despite repeatedreminders/ reviews by theGovernment of India.

From Page 1The hearings at the ICJ will take place

four days after one of the worst terrorattacks in Jammu and Kashmir that killed41 CRPF soldiers. The terror attack hap-pened when a suicide bomber of Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) blew upan explosive-laden vehicle near a convoyof CRPF buses in Pulwama district onThursday.

India on Friday summoned thePakistan high commissioner to issue a verystrong demarche over the terror attack. OnSaturday, India hiked the customs duty to200 per cent on all goods imported fromPakistan, following revocation of the MostFavoured Nation status following thePulwama attack.

Former solicitor general Harish Salveis expected to represent India whilePakistan will be represented by BarristerKhawar Qureshi at the ICJ.

While India will argue first onFebruary 18, Pakistan will get its chanceto make submissions on February 19. ThenIndia will reply on February 20 whileIslamabad will make its closing submis-sions on February 21.

It is expected that the ICJ’s decisionmay be delivered by the summer of 2019.

While maintaining that India remainscommitted to make all possible efforts tosecure and protect the rights of Jadhav, thespokesperson of the Ministry of ExternalAffairs Raveesh Kumar did not make pub-lic New Delhi would take at The Hague.

“India will present its case before thecourt. Since the matter is sub judice it isnot appropriate for me to state our posi-tion in public. Whatever we have to do, wewill do at the court,” Kumar said last weekin New Delhi in response to a question.

Pakistan’s Attorney General AnwarMansoor would lead the Pakistani dele-gation at the ICJ while Director GeneralSouth Asia Mohammad Faisal would leadthe Foreign Office side.

Ahead of the hearing, a seniorPakistani official said that his country iscommitted to implement the decision ofthe ICJ in the Jadhav case.

“We are fully prepared with ourstrongest evidence being the valid Indianpassport recovered from CommanderJadhav with a Muslim name,” the officialsaid.

Both India and Pakistan have alreadysubmitted their detailed pleas and respons-

es in the world court.In its written pleadings, India accused

Pakistan of violating the Vienna Conventionby not giving consular access to Jadhavarguing that the convention did not say thatsuch access would not be available to anindividual arrested on espionage charges.

In response, Pakistan through itscounter-memorial told the ICJ that theVienna Convention on Consular Relations1963 applied only to legitimate visitors anddid not cover clandestine operations.

Pakistan had said that “since India didnot deny that Jadhav was travelling on apassport with an assumed Muslim name,they have no case to plead.”

Pakistan said that India did not explainhow “a serving naval commander” wastravelling under an assumed name. It alsostated that “since Jadhav was on active duty,it is obvious that he was a spy sent on a spe-cial mission”.

In its submission to the ICJ, Pakistanhad stated that Jadhav is not an ordinaryperson as he had entered the country withthe intent of spying and carrying out sab-otage activities.

Pakistan claims that its security forcesarrested Jadhav from restive Balochistanprovince on March 3, 2016 after hereportedly entered from Iran.

However, India maintains that Jadhavwas kidnapped from Iran where he hadbusiness interests after retiring from theNavy. Jadhav’s sentencing had evoked asharp reaction in India.

Pakistan had rejected India’s plea forconsular access to Jadhav at the ICJ,claiming that New Delhi wants the accessto get the information gathered by its “spy”.

However, Pakistan facilitated a meet-ing of Jadhav with his mother and wife inIslamabad on December 25, 2017.

In the pictures issued by Pakistan afterthe meeting, Jadhav was seen sittingbehind a glass screen while his mother andwife sat on the other side. They spokethrough intercom.

Later, India accused Pakistan of dis-regarding cultural and religious sensibil-ities of Jadhav’s family members under thepretext of security by removing the man-gal sutra, bangles and bindi of his moth-er and wife before they could meet him.

India also asserted that Jadhavappeared coerced and under considerablestress during the tightly-controlled inter-action at the Pakistan Foreign Office.

From Page 1He said all this has been

possible because you had elect-ed a strong and stableGovernment which can takequick decisions, work on themand translate them into realityon the ground.

He also mentioned thescheme for giving Rs 6,000 topoor farmers and said it wouldbring significant change in thelives of people.

On the 10-per cent reser-vation in jobs and education tothe poor from the general cat-egory, he said this was beingdone without affecting theexisting quotas of SCs, STs

and OBCs.In his speech, Chief

Minister Nitish Kumar saidBegusarai-Barauni area hadbeen developed as an industri-al hub under the guidance ofBihar’s first Chief Minister ShriKrishna Sinha and it was heart-ening to see that renewedefforts were being made torestore and further develop itspre-eminence in the econom-ic life of the State. At theBarauni programme, the dig-nitaries present includedGovernor Lalji Tandon, UnionMinisters Ravi Shankar Prasad,Ram Vilas Paswan, Ram KripalYadav and Giriraj Singh.

From Page 1He held a day-long meeting

with district-level office of hisfans association at his Poes Gardenresidence in Chennai on Sundayand made it known through arelease that he would keep awayfrom elections this time.

“I will not be contesting in theupcoming parliamentary polls.Our goal is the 2021 Tamil NaduLegislative Assembly election,”said Rajinikanth in the release.

He also stated that he wouldnot support any political outfit inthe Lok Sabha election. “We willnot allow anybody to use my pic-ture or the flag of Rajini Makkal

Mandram (his fan club) for elec-tion campaign,” he said.

It may be noted that NitinGadkari, Union Minister for WaterResources and Management, hadrecently declared that he wouldsoon take steps to interlinkGodavari and Cauvery. “Everyyear, about 1,100 tmc ft ofGodavari water is going waste intothe Bay of Bengal while there is adispute between Tamil Nadu andKarnataka. So we have taken thedecision to take Godavari water toTamil Nadu and that will resolveall water issues among four States,”Gadkari was quoted as saying in ameeting at Amravati in Andhra

PradeshTamilaruvi Manian, long time

friend of Rajinikanth had told thisnewspaper that the superstar’sfocus was on the 2021 Assemblyelection. “He has sought the guid-ance of veteran bureaucrats,experts from various fields andlawyers to draft an action plan forthe revival of Tamil Nadu’s eco-nomic, educational and socialspheres. He is also in the processof appointing booth-level workersfor the party so that there wouldnot be any polling booths in theState where his party would nothave any representation,” Manianhad told this newspaper.

����������������������������

��*���������� 16�����777

+��#�����������������������������777

!�������"�����������������777

Puducherry: Puducherry LtGovernor Kiran Bedi cut short herNew Delhi trip and returned here,offering to hold talks on Sundayevening with Chief Minister VNarayanwamy to end his five-day olddharna, but the initiative failed to takeoff with the latter "imposing" pre con-ditions for the meeting.

After the parleys scheduled laterin the evening were cancelled, Bediaccused the Chief Minister of "impos-ing" conditions on the venue and offi-cials to be present only to "stretch thematter unduly" as it suits him politi-cally.

Bedi's offer came hours afterNarayanasamy warned that the dhar-na infornt of Raj Nivas would beintensified into a "jail bharo" agitationfrom February 20.

"Our protest will continue till ourdemands, contained in the letter sentto the Lt governor on February 7, aremet," he said.

On Sunday morning, the chiefminister, his ministers and leaders ofthe ruling coalition hoisted black flagsatop their residences as part of theirprotest against the Lt governor.

Claiming that Bedi had "threat-

ened" to take the protesters to task,Narayanasamy said, "We will not becowed down by such threats and weare prepared even to court arrest".

Bedi, who left for Delhi onFebruary 14, returned this afternoonand shot off a letter to Narayanasamyinviting him and his colleagues for ameeting in the evening at Raj Nivas.

As soon as he received the letter,the Chief Minister sent his replyrequesting Bedi to hold the meetingat the Chief Secretariat.

In his letter, the CM had veryspecifically stated that the Officer onSpecial Duty or Consultant of theoffice of Lt Governor should not bepresent at the meeting.

Bedi in turn sent a letter point-ing out that by "imposing these con-ditions" regarding venue of the meet-ing, the officers to be present at thediscussion, he only wanted to "stretchthe matter unduly" as it suits himpolitically. She also informedNarayanasamy that she had cut shorther public engagements and returnedto Puducherry to hold meeting withhim to "avoid inconvenience to peo-ple of Puducherry" due to his "polit-ically motivated agitations." PTI

Guwahati: The GovernmentRailway Police (GRP) on Sundayapprehended three illegalRohingya Muslims fromLumding railway junction, morethan 150 km from here, an offi-cial said.

According to theSuperintendent of Railway PoliceHemanta Kumar Das, the threeRohingyas spotted and appre-hended by the GRP personnel inthe afternoon, were being inter-rogated at present.

The three have been iden-tified as Samshu Alam (51),Shamsu Alam (32) and ShabirAhmed (64), Das said.

On January 21, 30 RohingyaMuslims, including 12 children,were apprehended along theTripura-Assam border.

Five members of a Rohingyafamily were deported toMyanmar on January 3, exactlythree months after seven otherswere handed over to the author-ities of the neighbouring coun-try. On October 3 last year, sevenMyanmarese nationals, whowere in detention in CacharCentral Jail in Silchar, weredeported from Assam. PTI

8���#����������(�����!��(�������������������'��

���(���%9�(#�����������"�3�(�9��������������

Page 5: ...superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva (as the actor is ... on Twitter. “It has been noticed that on social media some

��!�������'�( ��#) '���"%�#%) *+,�-.*/ �������"2

�� ��� ����(��� .45�64+7�

The preliminary probe intothe Pulwama attack by the

security agencies have revealeda direct involvement of Jaish-e-Mohammad and its KhyberPakhtunkwa-based comman-der Nusr Maulvi WatahQuahish.

Sources said Quahish hadbeen instructing Abdul RashidGhazi, the JeM commandersuspected to be hiding inJammu & Kashmir. He trainedand instructed the suicidebomber Adil Ahmad Dar aliasWaqas Commando whorammed an SUV into a bus ofthe CRPF convoy on Thursdaykilling at least 40 paramilitarypersonnel.

Interestingly, the master-mind of the suicide squad hailsfrom Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,the home State of PakistanPrime Minister Imran Khanwho has a working relationshipwith Lashkar-e-Tayyeba chiefHafiz Sayeed and has evenallowed his deputy AbdulRahman Makki access in theuniversities and schools to rad-

icalise the young minds. This Jaish module used to

communicate with each otherthrough Y SMS app, a tool thatconnects a smart phone to a

VHF set and interception byIntelligence agencies is virtuallyimpossible. The Y SMS app isan in-house app suspected tohave been developed by the

JeM or its cohorts. “The findings with respect

to Quahish, a Pakistan-basedJaish commander, along withother inputs will be used for

preparing a dossier for isolat-ing Pakistan internationally,” anofficial in the security estab-lishment said.

Abdul Rashid is an IEDexpert trained by Quahish andis said to have been battle-hard-ened by conducting attacks

against NATO forces in thetribal Pakistani provinve.Rashid was the handler ofWaqas Commando and trainedhim to execute the suicidebombing on February 14.Waqas Commando hadrammed an SUV into a bus ofa CRPF convoy on Thursdaykilling at least 40 men andinflicting injuries to nine oth-ers. Quahish and Ghazi are sus-pected to have operationallinks with Taliban, anotherterror group essentially activein Afghanistan but controlledby Pakistan’s covert agencyInter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

The latest terror tactic dis-played by the Pakistan-backedJeM assumes significance in thebackdrop of peace talks inAfghanistan led by the US, amove that has given a majorhandle to Islamabad to the perilof Indian interests in Kabulwhere New Delhi has made sig-nificant investments for recon-struction of Afghanistan.

Sources in the securityagencies said Ghazi is on theradar of the Forces and is like-ly to be eliminated soon.

�� � �����$���� .45�64+7�

The Congress is planning tocash in the disenchant-

ment of the unemployed votersin a big way. In order to drawthese electorate, the party is allset to roll on a unique move-ment in the Mumbai metro-politan the success of whichwould be replicated in otherStates as well before the grandold party finally announcesthe unemployment stipend inits manifesto.

The Congress will launchits campaign titled “ChaloWard Abhiyaan” aimed at reg-istering unemployed youngmen and women to providethem a monthly allowance ifthe party is voted to power inthe Lok Sabha polls.

“As per the strategy,Mumbai Congress has alreadystarted working on the planand printed around six lakhforms. The Youth Congressworkers will be visiting everyhouse in all the Assembly seg-ments in Mumbai to ensurethat every youngster fills theseforms,” said a AICC source.People between 18 and 40years of age will be enrolled forfor the unemploymentallowance.

Those who fill the formswill be given allowance cards.If f Congress is voted to power,the allowance card holders willbe given preference in employ-ment, or else they will provid-ed unemployment allowance.

The new Congress-led gov-ernments in Rajasthan andMadhya Pradesh had alreadyannounced unemploymentallowances of �3,500 and�4,000 per month respectivelyand the State, according toAICC source, is working on thedisbursement of the share.

“Unlike the ruling BJP, theCongress will actually walkthe talk, if it is voted to powerin the Lok Sabha elections,”said Sanjay Nirupam, chief ofMumbai Congress.

Congress has oftenslammed Prime MinisterNarendra Modi over his 2014promise of creating two crorejobs per year and alleged thatunemployment in the countryhad reached a decade’s high at7.4 per cent.

Congress President RahulGandhi too recently mockedPrime Minister Narendra Modiand referred him as Germandictator and Nazi Party chiefAdolf Hitler. Citing a recentNational Sample Survey Office’sPeriodic Labour Force Surveyof Non unemployment, Rahulsaid unemployment rate inIndia was at a 45-year-high of6.1 oercent in 2017-’18. “TheFuhrer promised us two crorejobs a year,” the Gandhi sciontweeted. “Five years later, hisleaked job creation report cardreveals a national disaster.” TheFuhrer was a political titleused for German dictator andNazi Party chief Adolf Hitler.

���� .45�64+7�

Former Prime MinisterManmohan Singh on

Sunday hit out at theGovernment for failing to upliftthe economy to its potential.Singh asserted that the domes-tic challenges of India’s econo-my were daunting in theircomplexity and devastating intheir impact on the society.

Singh said the “joblessgrowth” has slipped into “job-loss growth”, which, togetherwith rural indebtedness andurban chaos, has made thegrowing number of aspira-tional youths restless. In a con-vocation address of aManagement institute, Singhsaid the “grave agrarian crisis,the declining employment

opportunities, the pervasiveenvironmental degradation,and above all the divisive forcesat work” were some of the chal-lenges facing the nation.

“Suicides of farmers andfrequent farmer agitationsreflect the structural imbal-ances in our economy whichcall for serious in-depth analy-sis and political will to addressthem,” the senior Congressleader asserted. The attempts atcreating additional job oppor-tunities in the industrial sectorhave failed as industrial growthis not picking up fast enough,he alleged. In a scathing attackon the government, Singh saidthe small and unorganised sec-tors which were vibrant andcontributing to generation ofwealth and employment oppor-

tunities have grievously suf-fered in the wake of the “dis-astrous” demonetisation and“slipshod” introduction and

implementation of the Goodsand Services Tax (GST).

“Well thought-out policyand implementation strategiesare required to stimulate indus-trial and commercial sectors.Knee-jerk reactions and off-the-cuff announcements ofgrandiose schemes and unpro-ductive projects have mani-festly failed to uplift the econ-omy to its potential,” he alleged.

Singh said one of the areasof major concern in theendeavours to promoteemployment-oriented indus-try is the gap between theskills that the industry needsand the skill-sets that the grad-uating students possess. “Weare living in a fast-changingworld. On the one hand we aregetting more and more inte-

grated with the world economyand exposed to the global mar-kets, and on the other hand weface massive economic andsocial challenges at home,” saidSingh, who was the primeminister from 2004-2014.

Changing equationsamong global powers and fluc-tuations in the markets forpetroleum products and otherindustrial commodities andthe financial markets affectIndia’s economy more thanever before, he argued.“Needless to stress, it is a test-ing time for our democraticspirit, our patience and toler-ance, our capacity of managingcontradictions, our resolve ofensuring inclusive growth — astrong, equitable and sustain-able growth,” he said.

��������$%����� .45�64+7�

While every month a goodnumber of wildlife-relat-

ed projects are cleared with certain conditions that has tobe followed by proponentswhile executing the proposal,strangely there is yet no mech-anism in place to check ifthese are being followed in letter and spirit.

As a result, many projectproponents seems to be havingno qualms in blatantly ignor-ing the mitigation measures tominimise the adverse impacton wildlife they are supposedto follow once their projects arecleared. Now, waking up to thisglaring gap, the UnionEnvironment Ministry ismulling to set up a robustmechanism to ensure that pro-ject agencies strictly complywith the terms and conditionsthey are stipulated to followduring clearance of their pro-posals. Taking strict view in thematter, the StandingCommittee of the NBWLchaired by Dr Harsh Vardhanhas also decided that monitor-ing of the mitigative measureswill be a part of the manage-ment effectiveness evaluationprocess conducted by theWildlife Institute of India(WII).

The issue was highlightedby Dr HS Singh, member of thestanding committee of theNational Board of Wildlife(NBWL) in its meeting inJanuary, this year.

Dr Singh complained thatduring the field visits by dif-

ferent committees constitutedby the Standing Committee ofNBWL, it was observed thatmany projects were imple-mented without implementingthe conditions including miti-gation measures.

“In other words, the inter-ests of wildlife conservationwere ignored sometimes inten-tionally,” said Dr Singh, said theminutes of the meeting.

The standing committee,which is headed by DrHarshvardhan is entrusted withresponsibility of giving greenclearances to projects that passthrough protected areas liketiger reserves, wildlife sanctu-aries and also those fallingwithin 10-kilometre distance ofthe wildlife sanctuary ornational parks.

Dr Singh further men-

tioned that the conservationistswere of the view that theProtected Areas (PAs) havesuffered in recent times due tosanctioning of the develop-mental projects inside the PAswhile the project proponentsignored the conditions speciallymentioned for protection ofwildlife while recommendingthe projects.

Stringent action needs to betaken against the project pro-ponents who have not compliedwith the terms and conditions.Further, no new projects wouldbe taken up from States wherethe terms and conditions arenot complied, these are some ofthe stringent measures that arebeing considered to tightenthe noose, as per the the min-utes.

The Minister was of con-

sidered view that there is a needto establish a robust mecha-nism of monitoring to confirmthe compliance of terms andconditions including the miti-gation measures stipulatedwhile recommending the pro-posals.

He also suggested thatinstead of 100 per cent moni-toring of all the projects, cer-tain representative projectscould be taken up, through awell-defined, criteria for mon-itoring to see the compliance ofterms and conditions onground, as per the minutes.

NBWL is the highest bodyrelated to wildlife matters, andis headed by Prime MinisterNarendra Modi. However, itswork is handled by NBWL’sstanding committee since theboard does not meet regularly.

4������������!$�1������������50

�������������������������������������� ����������� �� ���������22������������������������������������ ����������� �� ��� ����� �� ��� ��

�����������*�-���������#������������������(��� �����

�3��4�$) ����$����*�����5�*

%�9���������������������� ���� �������� ���� ����������� ��

5��������������������������������$9?0�%

���� .45�64+7��

CSC e-Governance ServicesIndia Limited, a Special

Purpose Vehicle under theMinistry of Electronics & IT,has begun the registrationprocess for the Pradhan MantriShram Yogi Maandhan(PMSYM) scheme covering unorganised sectorworkers up to 40 years of age making them eli-gible for a minimum monthlypension of �3,000 after the ageof 60 in lieu of contributions made under thescheme.

��-;�<"0>&=*�<"0<0-&-*���&&��*0��&�#�: -!�-0�9)����� -

���*�-*�;� !-0" -!�*#&�� * !�* 0-�&��)"&��*0�� - � �&�*#&

��:&"�&� �<�=*�0-�' ��� 8&�*#&;�"&��)<<0�&��*0�80��0'�

New Delhi: Movement of para-military convoys by road forlogistical and operational rea-sons will continue in Jammuand Kashmir as it is “neces-sary”, the Home Ministry saidSunday, even though it hasincreased air support to carrytroops to the state.

The statement came after40 CRPF personnel were killedand five injured on Thursdaywhen a Jaish-e-Mohammadsuicide bomber rammed avehicle carrying over 100 kg ofexplosives into their bus, partof a 78 vehicle convoy. PTI

�������1��1�������������50����������%�367

�-*&"&�* -!�;4�*#&���*&"� -��08�*#&�) = �&��9)���#� ��

8"0�� #;�&"�?#*)-?#'�4�*#&

#0�&��*�*&�08�? �*�-�" �&

� - �*&"���"�-� #�-'#0�#�����'0"? -!"&��* 0-�# <�' *#

���#?�"�&���;;&��=# &8���8 @���;&&�

�-��#���&:&-����0'&�# ���&<)*;����)�

��#��-���?? ��==&�� -�*#&�)- :&"� * &���-��=#00���*0�"�� =�� �&

*#&�;0)-!�� -��

�-����������!!������������������$�����

Page 6: ...superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva (as the actor is ... on Twitter. “It has been noticed that on social media some

��!�������'�( ��#) '���"%�#%) *+,�-.*/ �������"6

Barauni/Patna: Prime MinisterNarendra Modi on Sundayinaugurated and laid the foun-dation stone of projects worthover �33,000 crore in Bihar,including the long-awaitedPatna Metro Rail Project.

Laying the foundationstone of the metro projectthrough a remote at a functionat Barauni in Begusarai district,Modi said, “I congratulate thepeople of Patna, becausePataliputra (the ancient name ofPatna) is now connected to themetro rail.”

Modi said the �13,000 croremetro project is being devel-oped in keeping with the futureneeds of the people.

The metro projects willgive new speed to Patna city, hesaid.

The Prime Minister inau-gurated the first phase of RiverFront Development at Patnaand the Patna City GasDistribution project.

Modi laid the foundationstone for medical colleges atChhapra and Purnea and alsofor the upgradation of the gov-ernment medical colleges atBhagalpur and Gaya.

He said the NDAGovernment was giving a lot ofimportance to the health sectorand the day is a historic one interms of health services in Bihar.

While Chapra and Purneawill now have medical col-leges, the ones in Bhagalpur andGaya would have upgraded

facilities.Modi also said that work is

going on for establishing anoth-er All India Institute of MedicalSciences (AIIMS) in the statebesides the existing one inPatna.

Modi laid the foundationstone for the KarmalichakSewerage Network spanning96.54 km. Works related tosewage treatment plants atBarh, Sultanganj and Naugachiawere also kicked off by the PM.

He also laid the foundationstone for 22 Atal Mission forRejuvenation and UrbanTransformation (AMRUT)projects at various locations ofthe state.

The Prime Minister said hisgovernment was giving a lot ofimportance to connectivity.

At the function, he flaggedoff the Ranchi-Patna ACWeekly Express and inaugu-rated the electrification of rail-way lines on the Barauni-Kumedpur, Muzaffarpur-Raxaul, Fatuha-Islampur andBiharsharif-Daniawan sectors.

The Prime Minister inau-gurated and laid the foundationstone of a number of projects inthe oil and gas sector and saidthey will significantly augmentthe availability of energy inPatna city and the region.

The projects will also boostfertiliser production, and sig-

nificantly enhance medical andsanitation facilities in Bihar.

Modi inaugurated thePhulpur-Patna stretch of theJagdishpur-Varanasi NaturalGas pipeline and laid the foun-dation stone for extending theParadip-Haldia-Durgapur LPGpipeline from Durgapur toMuzaffarpur and Patna.

He laid the foundationstone of the 9 million metrictonne atmospheric vacuum unit(AVU) of the Barauni RefineryExpansion Project, the AviationTurbine Fuel (ATF)Hydrotreating Unit (INDJET) atBarauni Refinery and also theAmmonia-Urea FertiliserComplex at Barauni. PTI

�3��!!����880���� ����������4����������������������

�����%� �����!��� ���%������������4��������2%� �����!�������������� ����� ��������� � �2�� ����� ��� �0���� ������� ��2���������������� ����+����� 4��������� �� ��� �#�

Coimbatore: At least 40 bull-tamers were injured in the jal-likkattu held near here onSunday.

A total of 740 bulls and1,700 tamers from across TamilNadu took part in the sport.

This was the second editionof jallikattu (taming of the bull)organised here. The event wasinaugurated by the stateMunicipal AdministrationMinister S P Velumani.

There were over 40,000spectators.

Of the injured, 20 wereadmitted to various hospitalswhile the rest were treated asoutpatients, official sources said.

A few bulls too sustainedminor injuries, they said.

Karthik of Madurai, whotamed 13 bulls, was adjudged asthe best tamer and he receiveda car, a motorcycle and twohousing plots.

Before the event began, atwo-minute silence wasobserved as a mark of respect tothe 40 CRPF personnel who losttheir lives in a terror attack inJammu & Kashmir.

Earlier, talking to reporters,the Minister said the tradition-al sport of Tamil Nadu was heldon 300 acres of land and near-ly 2,500 police personnel weredeployed for security.

He said jallikattu was organ-ised by the district administra-tion and Coimbatore JallikattuFederation which arrangedfacilities, including an ambu-lance and a 15-member team ofdoctors to provide first aid forthe injured. PTI

�:�-���;������*���(���*�������

Kasargod (Kerala): The returnof Narendra Modi to powerwill be the “death knell” of allthe constitutional institutionsin India, CPI(M) general sec-retary Sitaram Yechury said onSaturday.

He was speaking here atthe inauguration of the north-ern region ‘KeralaSamrakshana Yatra’ which willbe led by CPI state secretaryKanam Rajendran and willhighlight the “failures” of thecentral government.

“Return of Narendra Modito power will be the death knellof all the constitutional insti-tutions in India. As of now, anattack has been launchedagainst them. It will result increating a wide gap between therich and the poor in the soci-ety,” Yechury said.

Speaking about thePulwama attack, in which 40CRPF personnel were killed, hesaid it should not be commu-nalised for political gains.

“The Kashmir attackshould be seen as a terroristattack. The attack should not becommunalised considering thereligion of the terrorist andused for political gains. Thecountry should stand togetheragainst terrorism,” the CPI(M)leader said.

Yechury also said theSabarimala issue is not going tohave an impact on the upcom-ing Lok Sabha elections.

He said in West Bengal,both the Trinamool Congressand the BJP are political rivals

of the communist party.“The massive rally of the

CPI(M) in Bengal shows ourclout there but Trinamool wasnot allowing people to votethere. We have not made anydeals with the Congress party,but the aim is to oust theNarendra Modi Government.(We) will take decisionsaccordingly. The main aim is todefeat the BJP candidates,”Yechury said, addressing thou-sands of Left Democratic Front(LDF) workers.

Ahead of the Lok Sabhapolls, the LDF has organisedtwo regional yatras in the state.

CPM State secretaryKodiyeri Balakrishnan beganhis march from the southerndistrict of the State —Thiruvananthapuram — onThursday and it was inaugu-rated by CPI general secretaryS Sudhakar Reddy. Both themarches will conclude onMarch 2 in Thrissur. PTI

���������������74..��

Chinna Thambi, the ele-phant belonging to

Thadagam Valley reserveforests in Coimbatore district,earned a rare distinction ofbeing the one and only wildelephant in South India to becaught twice and that too inquick succession. He alsobecame the first wild life citi-zen to taste cooked food!

The darling of the villagersadjoining Thadagan Valleyreserve forests, ChinnaThambi, who was caught fromthe village and relocated toAnamalai Tiger Reserve onJanuary 26 following com-

plaint from a section of the res-idents that the pachydermalong with his comrades werestealing their agricultural cropslike sugar cane, bananas andother vegetables.

Chinna Thambi, who wasre-located to ATR in a nightlong operation felt unease inthe new surroundings and his

odyssey in search of his origi-nal home on the next dayitself. He has been in the lime-light since then. The ForestOfficials sent kumkis (ele-phants specially trained inhandling wild and rogue ele-phants) to take control ofChinna Thambi. The depart-ment also decided to train

Chinna Thambi as a kumkibecause of his “civilised behav-iour”.

But hell broke loose inThadagam Valley as the resi-dents opposed the move totrain their “Chinna” as kumki.Petitions were filed in theMadras High Court challeng-ing the move by the ForestDepartment. The friends of thetusker formed a ChinnaThambi Fans Association todrive home the adorationenjoyed by the guest from the“wild west”.

Meanwhile the caravanconsisting of Chinna Thambiand forest officials accompa-nying him reached Udumalpet. The hero enjoyed his paday-

atra as there was no shortage offood and drink. The MadrasHigh Court ordered thatChinna Thambi be caught butthe move to train him as kumkiwas blocked by the court.

Late Friday, the team offorest officials with the help ofa veterinary surgeon, a kumkiand foresters managed to lureChinna Thambi out of a densesugar came field with jackfruits, a weakness of the wild tusker.The team tranquilised himand transported ChinnaThambi to a kraal (an enclosuremade with wood for cagingelephants).

V Ganeshan, FieldDirector, ATR, told the mediaon Sunday that the elephant is

hale and hearty in spite of thefact that normally they getirritated and disturbed whilecaged. “He is having food andlot of water and is cordial tothe forest staff,” said Ganeshan.

The forest official disclosedthat Chinna Thambi was beingfed cooked food comprising ofmillet and fodder. “We are forreleasing him back to the ATRafter training him for some-time. Out idea is to set him freein the reserve forests and makehim stay there throughout life,”said a senior forest official.

For the time being, NallaThambi is going off the mediaglare and would be back if hecomes out of the ATR again insearch of his original abode.

74����6��.�54�")4./�+��),"7

"74�"*�.��,,+�,./*4����.6

"74�)(���*4�,+�"���+

*�<�+��,'�"74�,��#.��"

��*"?

%���'������ �����������&������ ���'�2����� �������� ��� �������� � ����=������

Siwan (Bihar): Seven peoplewere killed and nine othersinjured when a pick-up vancarrying them collided head-onwith a truck here, police said onSunday.

All the seven died on thespot, the police said.

The accident took place inSarai area of the district onSaturday night when thedeceased as well as the injuredwere returning to their villagehere after attending a ceremo-ny at a nearby place, theAdditional Superintendent ofPolice (ASP) of Siwan district,K K Mishra, said.

The truck fled the sceneafter the accident, Mishraadded.

The deceased have beenidentified as Ajit Kumar (12),Brajesh Kumar (14), ShibuKumar (20), Lal Babu Kumar(20), Sonu Kumar (17), VikasKumar (19) and Saheb Hussain(18), the ASP said.

Nine other occupants ofthe pick-up van were injured inthe accident, the police officersaid, adding, eight personsamong the nine injured wereadmitted to Patna MedicalCollege and Hospital. PTI

9���!! �����������������������4����

�� ��������'�%����� ��������4��� �!���@���������2������������������������������� ���� ������%���� ��������+ � #������ �#�

Guwahati: Launching a blis-tering attack on the Congress,BJP president Amit Shah saidon Sunday that the Oppositionparty cannot “nurture” thecountry’s democracy and for itonly “family matters”.

Naming Congress leadersfrom the Nehru-Gandhi fami-ly, Shah claimed that the oldestparty of the country does nothave “internal” democracy.

“Jawaharlal Nehru, IndiraGandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, RajivGandhi, Sonia Gandhi, RahulGandhi — I am not mention-ing the future name. No ques-tion of involving workers at all.Such parties cannot nurture thecountry’s democracy and fulfilits objectives,” the BJP chief saidat a party meet here.

Taking a dig at theCongress, he said the party,which does not have “internaldemocracy”, cannot strengthenthe country’s democracy.

“That is why, only onefamily ruled the country for 55

years... Nehru-Gandhi family ofthe Congress ruled these 55years. But what has the coun-try got?” Shah said.

Laying the foundationstone of a nine-storey buildingthat will house the new stateheadquarters of the BJP inAssam, Shah, in an apparent digat the Congress, said that“brain, hard work, patriotismdo not matter, only family mat-ters”.

Stating that such practicesare not prevalent in the BJP, hecited his own example, explain-ing how he rose to the positionof national president from abooth worker who put upposters in 1982.

“Our democracy is thebiggest in the world. Born in apoor tea seller’s house, (primeminister) Narendra Modi isthe leader of the world’s biggestdemocracy,” he said.

Shah said many politicalparties across India are work-ing in different ways in the

democratic system, but the BJPis different from all as it has pre-served its internal democracyeven today.

“In every three years, weconduct elections from boothlevel to that of the national pres-ident. That is why the BJP hasnot become any family party,but remains a party of workersonly. BJP has become a nation-al party, not a regional party. Itnever got split after poll results.

“Father, son or daughter,son-in-law, these things neverhappen in the BJP. Many partiesare just family parties,” he said.

Shah claimed that whenModi got the mandate to formGovernment, 60 crore peopledid not have bank accounts, 18crore had no gas cylinders, 10crore were without houses, 2.5crore had no electricity and 10crore were bereft of toilets athomes.

The BJP chief said theModi Government has workedto solve these issues. PTI

������������������������� �(��������$�2#�#

Sivasagar (Assam): Fourmembers of a family, includingtwo women and a child, werekilled and another was injuredin a road accident in Sivasagardistrict on Sunday, police said.

The incident happened at4.45 pm when vehicle carryingfive persons of a family col-lided with a bus, a police offi-cer said, adding, three mem-bers of the family died on thespot.

The accident took placeunder the jurisdiction ofDemow police station atBamunbari, on NationalHighway 37, in upper Assam,the police officer said.

The child, an eight-year-old boy, succumbed to hisinjuries at a private hospital, theofficer said, adding, anothermember of the family, who wasdriving the vehicle, was fight-ing for his life at the nursinghome, he added. PTI

2������1�!���!!�����������������7���1

Ahmedabad: Two personshailing from Maharashtra werearrested in connection with theJanuary 8 killing of ex-GujaratBJP MLA Jayanti Bhanushali, asenior police official said onSunday.

Bhanushali, once a BJPMLA from the State’s AbdasaAssembly constituency, wasshot dead on board the Bhuj-Dadar Express betweemBhachau and Samkhiyali sta-tions in Kutch district.

Speaking to reportersSunday, Director General ofPolice, CID (Crime) AshishBhatia identified the two arrest-ed sharpshooters as SasikantKamble and Ashraf Sheikh,

both residents of Yerawadanear Pune in Maharashtra.

“They were arrested onSaturday from a guest house inSaputara in Dang district. Thetwo allegedly carried outBhanushali’s murder at thebehest of former BJP leader andex-MLA Chhabil Patel, BothKamble and Sheikh are histo-ry-sheeters with several casesagainst their names,” he said.

“They were in direct con-tact with Chhabil Patel whomet them in Mumbai twomonths before the crime andoffered �30 lakh to carry outthe murder. They were paid �5lakh in advance,” Bhatia said.

Chhabil Patel has report-

edly fled to Muscat in Oman aweek before the murder.

The DGP said Kamble vis-ited Ahmedabad three timesand also went to Bhuj withChhabil Patel, who showedBhanushali’s residence.

The official informed thatKamble decided to killBhanushali on a train and evenconducted reconnaissance forit but aborted a plan to kill himon December 31 as the duo didnot have specific informationregarding the latter’s travelplans.

“After receiving specificinformation, they went aheadto commit the murder onJanuary 8,” Bhatia said. PTI

1�+����2�����45�%A�������$#�%���0�����������������2���"� �

Labhpur (WB): A local BJPleader, Suprabhat Batyabyal,and two others were arrestedin West Bengal’s Birbhum dis-trict on Sunday in connectionwith the kidnapping of hisdaughter, a senior police offi-cer said.

Batyabyal’s daughter, whowas kidnapped at gunpoint onThursday, was “rescued” fromUttar Dinajpur district, hesaid.

In a joint operation withUttar Dinajpur police, a policeteam from Birbhum traced the22-year-old woman toDalkhola railway station areaon Sunday morning, the offi-cer said.

Batyabyal and two of hisassociates were arrested afterpreliminary investigationindicated that they played arole in the kidnapping, headded.

“We have rescued the girlfrom Dalkhola this morning.She is fine and we are talkingto her to find out what hadactually happened. We havealso arrested the girl’s fatherwho seems to have played animportant role in the kidnap-ping,” BirbhumSuperintendent of PoliceShyam Singh told PTI.

Asked about the motivebehind the kidnapping, Singhsaid, “There are two aspects toit. There is a family problem,gaining political mileage couldalso be the motive. We areprobing the matter. We are

grilling the three.”Batyabyal, who switched

to the BJP from the TrinamoolCongress around five monthsago, was detained on Saturdaynight. Police came to knowabout his daughter’s locationafter questioning him, a dis-trict police source said.

Before joining the TMC,Batyabal was a district com-mittee member of the CPI(M).

His daughter’s kidnappinghad sparked tensions inLabhpur, with protestersblocking the Suri-Katwa roadfor three days.

On Saturday, a mobattacked local TMC MLAManirul Islam’s vehicle andchased him, forcing him totake refuge in the local policestation.

Police resorted to mildlathicharge to disperse themob.

The BJP’s district leader-ship had alleged that TMC-backed goons were behindthe kidnapping. PTI

<3�3������(��������#���������(�����#�(���#�� ���(�� ���

=�� #��"��#�����,#��-�"��� ���(������������������������ ����������������� #� ������ �� ��� �#�

Page 7: ...superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva (as the actor is ... on Twitter. “It has been noticed that on social media some

��!�������'�( ��#) '���"%�#%) *+,�-.*/ �������"7

�����(��������� �#�)��

Work came to a grindinghalt for at least four

hours at the Film City atGoregaon in north Mumbai onSunday, as film personalities,technicians and prominentcricketers, owing to allegianceto as many as 24 film associa-tions, joined the protestsagainst the Pulwama terrorattack.

The shooting of AmitabhBachchan’s next f i lm“Brahmastra” and a commer-cial featuring cricketersVirendra Sehwag, HarbhajanSingh, VVS Laxman andSuresh Raina were among thefilm engagements that came besuspended for anywhere fromtwo to four hours to facilitateparticipation of the artistes,directors and technicians in theprotests.

The Federation of WesternIndia Cine Employees(FWICE) and Indian Film &Television Directors’Association (IFTDA) hadtaken the lead in organising theprotests. Informed IFTDAsources said that Big-B couldnot join the protests as he wasin the get up for the film.

Announcing the boycott offilms featuring Pakistaniartistes and singers in thewake of Pulwama attack,IFTDA’s President AshokePandit said: “”We won’t let anyfilm release which has even asong by any Pakistani singer,forget about actors. We willtake strong action if we come

to know anything.”Echoing the sentiments of

Pandit, BN Tiwari, president ofFederation of Western IndiaCine Employees (FWICE), saidthat all the film associationshad decided to “boycott total-ly” any Pakistani artiste work-ing in Hindi films.

Pandit also announcedthat that various film and tele-vision associations had decid-ed to boycott India’s former testcricketer and Punjab’s Ministerto boycott Navjot SinghSiddhu, who appears on “TheKapil Sharma Show”, for hisquestionable commentwhether entire Pakistan couldbe blamed for a handful ofpeople who perpetrated thePhulwama attack.

Speaking on the occasion,Sehwag said: “Compared withwhat our soldiers do at the bor-ders on a day-to-day basis,whatever we are doing and say-ing is less. We are deeplypained at Phulwama, but arehopeful for a better time for allof us in the future... At this

juncture, we can only thankthem and should do whatevercan to help them”.

“These are tough timesbut let’s stay united so that theyaren’t able to break us. I’mgrateful to all the soldiers whoprotect us around the clock.Cricketers, actors aren’t heroes.The real hero of the nation isour soldier,” Harbhajan said,expressing hope that the sac-rifices made by the martyredsoldiers in Pulgh does not goin vain.

Apart from film personal-ities, cinematographers, makeup men, costumes, juniorartists, editors, fighters anddancers participated in theprotests.

It may be recalled 40 CRPFsoldiers were killed and fiveothers injured when a suicidebomber rammed a vehicleladen with explosives into theirbus on Thursday last. ThePakistan-based terror groupJaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) hasclaimed responsibility for theattack.

�����(��������� �#�)��

In what threatens to be arepeat or even a bigger version

of the massive peasant congre-gation witnessed in the metrop-olis in March last year, farmersowing allegiance to the CPM’speasants’ wing All India KisanSabha (AIKS), will walk fromNashik in north Maharashtra toMumbai between February 20and 27 in protest against the“betrayal” of farmers by theBJP’s Central and StateGovernments.

The Kisan Long March-2,as the organisers have termedtheir protests as, will beginfrom Nashik on February 20,the martyrdom anniversary ofComrade Govind Pansare andwill end in Mumbai onFebruary 27, the martyrdom

anniversary of ChandrashekharAzad. “At the Long March-2, weexpect double the number offarmers than the ones who hadturned at the previous morchaheld in March last year,” AIKS’president Dr Ashok Dhawalesaid.

“In order to stop the AIKS-led second Kisan Long March inMaharashtra against the betray-al of farmers by the ruling BJPat the Centre and in the state,the Government has takenrecourse to repression,” Dhawalesaid.

The AIKS had organised afarmers’ convention atAhmednagar on February 13 toprepare for the Long March.“We submitted a memoran-dum to the Ahmednagar districtcollector. Nowhere was thereany breach of peace. All neces-

sary police permissions hadbeen taken,” Dhawale said,

“But just for organising thisconvention, police cases havebeen lodged against AIKS stategeneral secretary Dr Ajit Nawaleand attempts are on to arresthim. It is crystal clear who isbehind these steps,” Dhawalesaid.

Condemning “this act” ofthe government as an attempt to“crush” a democratic and peace-ful satyagraha struggle, theAIKS warned that such “repres-sive attempts” of the govern-ment would not succeed instopping the Long March. “Thegovernment should realise thatfarmers’ issues can be solved byaccepting their just demandsand by implementing them.Farmers in Maharashtra will notrest until the major issues that

are being taken up in this sec-ond Long March in two yearsare resolved,” Dhawale said.

The AIKS’ demandsinclude: immediate relief in thegrim drought situation, issues ofirrigation, land rights, com-plete liberation from debt, MSPat one and a half times the fullcost of production, a pro-farmercrop insurance scheme,increased pension, ration andfood security.

The AIKS has planned theKisan Long March-2 in view ofthe state government’s failure toimplement its various demandsthat the state government had“accepted” after the farmerstook out a long morcha fromNashik in March last year.

It may be recalled that thefarmers owing allegiance toAKIS had their way on March

12, 2018 after their 200-km gru-elling long march from Nashik,as the BJP-led saffron alliancegovernment “accepted” a major-ity of demands, including trans-fer of forest land rights, totalimplementation of farm loanwaiver scheme by June andincrease in quantum of pensionunder the Sanjay GandhiNiradhar Yojana.

The farmers, 35,000 ofwhom had walked all the wayfrom Nashik to Mumbai as partof the “Kisan Long March”organised by the ABKS, hadcalled off their agitation in theevening, after the Maharashtragovernment handed to theirleaders a letter of assurance,assuring them that it had accept-ed nearly 80 percent of theirdemands and would implementthem in a time-bound manner.

Mumbai: Maharashtra BJPMLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha onSunday demanded the scrappingof Article 370 of the Constitutionthat gives Jammu & Kashmirspecial status and limitsParliament’s power to makelaws concerning the northernState.

He also sought a specialpackage for J&K so that youththere could get trade and indus-trial opportunities.

The legislator from MalabarHill in the metropolis, in a let-ter to Prime Minister, said peo-

ple of the restive state should notfeel alienated and disconnectedfrom the rest of the country.

“You (PM Modi) are infavour of taking many strongdecisions and this has beenproved by your many past deci-sions. Therefore, I demand ther-emoval of Article 370 fromJammu and Kashmir,” his letterstated. “A special package shouldbe announced for trade andindustrial development in thestate for people ofKashmir toremainconnected with thenation,” it added. PTI

Gorakhpur (UP): UttarPradesh Chief Minister YogiAdityanath on Sunday visitedthe family of slain CRPF con-stable Pankaj Tripathi inMaharajganj district’s HarpurBelhiya village.

Tripathi was one of the 40Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) personnel killed in theterror attack in Jammu &Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

The Chief Minister paidtributes to the constable andassured Tripathi’s family thattheir demands would be ful-filled.

Adityanath spoke to fami-ly members and enquired whenTripathi had last come home.

The constable’s father, OmPrakash Tripathi, said, “He (theChief Minister) didn’t ask usabout our demand and has nottold us what we will be getting.We wrote our demands in apiece of paper and we gave it tothe Chief Minister.”

“He kept it and told us that

our demands will be met,” hesaid.

When he was asked aboutthe demands, Om PrakashTripathi said the six demands ofthe family include a job in a pri-mary school for the constable’swidow and a link road to con-nect the main road to the village.

He said the demands alsoinclude employment for hisyounger son.

The Uttar PradeshGovernment will give familymembers of the those killed inthe terror attack from the State�25 lakh, one acre land for cul-tivation and a Government job,the Chief Minister said.

He also said a road will benamed after those killed in thePulwama attack. “In the cow-ardly attack, we lost our soldiersamong whom 12 were fromUttar Pradesh. The entire coun-try is fighting against terrorismand those who promote terror-ism will get befitting reply,”Adityanath said. PTI

������ ��������� (���#

At least 150 youngsters havebeen arrested by the

Jammu & Kashmir police inconnection with different inci-dents of violence reported inand around Jammu in the lastthree days. Meanwhile, curfewremained imposed for the thirdconsecutive day in Jammu evenas situation is gradually return-ing to normalcy. Mobile inter-net services also remained sus-pended and several socialevents including marriagereceptions were cancelled dueto prevailing security scenarioin Jammu.

As a precautionary mea-sure the district administrationhas announced cancellation ofexaminations scheduled onMonday. School/ colleges inJammu district shall alsoremain closed due to prevailingcircumstances.

PDP Chief MehboobaMufti who arrived in Jammuwas prevented by the statepolice from holding meetinghere in the party office duringcurfew restrictions.

As some of the party lead-ers started trickling in the

party office in Gandhi Nagararea the police authorities hadto seal the party office to pre-vent assembly of more than 4people in the wake of imposi-tion of Section 144.

Inspector General of Police,Jammu range MK Singh said,“we are trying to strictly enforcethe curfew restrictions inJammu and situation on groundis improving gradually”.

He said barring one oddincident in Janipura no majoruntoward incident was report-ed in Jammu.

He said, “we have arrested

around 150 youngstersinvolved in different incidentsof violence during curfew andJammu bandh”. He said we arescreening the footage avail-able with the department toidentify the miscreantsinvolved in these incidents.He warned those indulging inrumour mongering.

Elaborate security arrangements have been madein Janipura area by the district administration toensure security of StateGovernment employees fromKashmir valley.

7��!�����:;��! ��50�1�������������$

����������������������������� ������ �����2� �������� ������������2���������������� ������� ����������������������� ������������������������ 5����� �� ��� �#�

Jaipur: Four female paramed-ical students of Kashmiri-ori-gin have been slapped withsedition charges after beingsuspended from a private insti-tute here for allegedly cele-brating the Pulwama terrorattack by posting “anti-nation-al” messages on an instantmessaging app, officials said onSunday.

The second-year studentsof the National Institute ofMedical Science (NIMS),Talveen Manzoor, Iqra, ZohraNazir and Uzma Nazir, weresuspended for posting onWhatsApp a picture in whichthey were purportedly seencelebrating the terrorist attackin Kashmir that claimed thelives of 40 CRPF personnel.

The picture soon wentviral, prompting the universi-ty administration to takeaction.

In the suspension order,the NIMS registrar said,”Youhave posted an anti-nationalmessage on your WhatsApp forcelebrating killing of Pulwamaterrorist attack martyrs. Theuniversity will not tolerate andstrictly condemns such activi-ties. The act is grave and seri-

ous in nature.”Later, a case was regis-

tered against the four studentsfollowing a complaint by theuniversity administration, apolice official said.

The students were bookedunder IPC sections 124A (sedi-tion), 153A (promoting enmi-ty) and relevant provisions ofthe Information Technology(IT) Act. Senior officials areinvestigating the matter andappropriate action will be takenthereafter, SP (Rural) HarendraKumar said.

The Aligarh MuslimUniversity has also suspendedan undergraduate Kashmiristudent for his alleged objec-tionable tweet in connectionwith the Pulwama attack. PTI

B������������� ��2���������� �������2��&��������� �'������������

%� ���� ����! � ���. ��� ��*��

� �������8#1�9� �����:��82(�

9���������� �����:���� � ���

����������� ��� *� ��������

% ���������9*%:����

���&�����%%��' �)%�+��%3

Lucknow: Union MinisterMukhtar Abbas Naqvi saidon Sunday the Narendra ModiGovernment has “broken thebackbone” of terrorists as heasserted that the “cowardly”Pulwama terror attack will beavenged.

“National security is mostimportant and there cannot beany compromise on this.Neither can there be any softposturing. The cowardly actwill be avenged,” Naqvi toldreporters here, referring tothe recent terror attack inPulwama in which 40 CRPFpersonnel were killed.

“In the more than four-and-half years of the Modigovernment, the backbone ofterrorists has been broken.Since the formation of BJPgovernment at the Centre,barring some places inKashmir, there have been noterror attack,” the Union min-ister said.

Citing Sankat Mochantemple (Varanasi), MeccaMasjid (Hyderbad) andLucknow, he claimed that ear-lier there were no places whereterror attack had not takenplace.

“But, during the tenure ofthe Modi government, the ter-

rorists have not been able tostrike,” he said.

The minister said thePulwama terror attack thattook place last Thursday is“unforgivable” and thoseresponsible for the strike willnot be spared.

“The Prime Minister hasalready made his intentionsclear in very strong words. Weare not going to compromisewith those responsible for theterror attack, those who givethem patronage or those whosponsor them. They will notbe spared,” Naqvi said.

He referred to the gov-ernment actions in the after-math of the deadly terrorstrike.

“The Most FavouredNation (MFN) status accord-ed to Pakistan (by India) hasbeen withdrawn. The processof reining in separatist forces,who sing praises of Pakistan,while staying in India, has alsostarted,” Naqvi said.

The security cover of sixseparatist leaders, includingMirwaiz Umar Farooq, waswithdrawn Sunday.

To a question whether theLok Sabha elections would bepostponed in the wake of thePulwama terror attack, the

Union minister said the pollprocess and the terror strikeare separate issues.

Reacting to controversialstatements made by Congressleaders Navjot Singh Siddhuand another leader Noor Bano,vis-a-vis the Pulwama terrorattack, Naqvi said, “TheCongress must rein in its lead-ers. In this party (Congress),a competition on giving (con-troversial) statements is goingon.”

On “non-fulfilment” ofpromises made by the BJPregarding Article 370 and Ramtemple in Ayodhya, Naqvisaid, “These have been oursankalp (commitment). In themore than four-and-half yearsof the Modi government, wehave given a government ofIqbal (faith), Imaan (honesty)and Insaaf (justice).”

Naqvi said the ‘Bharat keMann ki Baat, Modi ke Saath’programme is the “first-of-its-kind” step taken by any polit-ical party.

The BJP launched themonth-long exercise onFebruary 3 to seek suggestionsfrom 10 crore people acrossthe country to help the partyprepare its ‘sankalp patra’(manifesto). PTI

�����������������������-��������($�>�?��

��� ������2�����22���������������� �������������� ��2%�+����������4����� ��+����� �� ��� �#�

5��������������������������-��������(���������������

Bengaluru: A woman teacherof a private school in Karnataka has been arrest-ed for allegedly hailingPakistan in the backdrop ofthe terror attack in Jammu &Kashmir that left 40 CRPFpersonnel dead, police said onSunday.

Jilekha Bi of the school atShivapura in Belagavi wasarrested on Saturday nightafter she posted a message onsocial media saying “PakistanKi Jay Ho”, they said.

She is the second personto be arrested in the stateover similar comments on theThursday’s suicide bombattack in Pulwama. AKashmiri student studying ina city college was arrestedSaturday for hailing the Jaishterrorist in a social network-ing site.

The teacher, a native ofBelagavi, was produced in alocal court Sunday andremanded in judicial custody,

police said.Her post triggered public

outrage and some youth gath-ered near her house, pelted itwith stones and allegedly triedto set it afire, they added.

Soon, police reached thespot, arrested the woman andthe protestors.

Earlier Saturday, policearrested 23-year-old TahirLatif of Baramula district.

He had allegedly put up ascreenshot of the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terroristAdil Ahmed Dar and the bod-ies of the slain soldiers as hisdisplay picture on WhatsAppand praised him.

Besides the two, policehave also registered a caseagainst another

Kashmiri youth — AbidMalik — for posting remarkson Facebook allegedly describ-ing the terror attack as “Thereal surgical attack”. Followingthe complaint, Facebook delet-ed his account. PTI

���������������� !����"�"#$��%"&��#�'�������������%

������������$��������������2���������� %������������

#��1��������!��������<(����3���������1�#��*;

2��� �'������8@:"� ����(� ������������$�%�#�3���%!'����%�%�(�

C���������������2%� �����=��������� ���� �������������2�������������2���� ������ �������� ��+�����#������� ����������� #�������'������������������� � %�����+�� +� �� ��� �#�

Page 8: ...superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva (as the actor is ... on Twitter. “It has been noticed that on social media some

February 14, 2019, will be remem-bered as the saddest day in inde-pendent India. The killing andwounding of so many CentralReserve Police Force (CRPF)

jawans was tragic enough but that wasn’tall. The casualties were of innocent mentravelling to perform their duty. Theywould have ceased to be innocent once theydonned their uniforms and slung theirweapons on their shoulders. Well-led sol-diers are seldom deceived. We hope wehave at least woken up to the evil that thePakistani rulers are.

Since October 1947, India and Jammu& Kashmir have suffered countless attacks— whether by soldiers, mujahidden orplain criminals. Thousands of lives havebeen sacrificed upon the altar of terrorismand several India-Pakistan wars havebeen fought. But Indian rulers have regret-tably not understood the Pakistani psychenor its power structure. An outstandingreason is that New Delhi interpretsIslamabad through its eyes. Little wonder,we are deceived each time.

In Kargil, Pakistani soldiersentrenched themselves on hilltops duringthe winter; whereas we woke up to themonly in spring. In 1971, the Yahya-Bhuttoclique wanted to get rid of the majorityeastern wing; whereas we seriouslybelieved that Maj Gen Niazi was sent toDacca (now Dhaka) to defend and savewhat became Bangladesh.

In 1972, when the then PakistanPrime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto cameto negotiate peace after the 1971 war, it wasagreed that the Line of Control in Kashmirwould become the permanent frontierbetween India and Pakistan. In exchange,93,000 prisoners of war under Maj GenNiazi would be returned. But how couldthe poor Bhutto sign? After all, his coun-try was in agony having just lost over halfof Pakistan. In 1965, Pakistani tanksattacked Kutch to test Prime Minister LalBahadur Shastri’s will to fight — if foundweak, to invade Jammu & Kashmir andPunjab. Our Army was, therefore, sur-prised when the subsequent assault camein Chamb Jaurian. In 1947-48, Srinagarinitially saw the arrival of the armed brig-ands but they turned out to be intendedconquerors of the State of Jammu &Kashmir. Fortunately, Sardar Patel under-stood Qaid-e-Azam’s designs.

The Islamabad clique is a hydra-headed regime. In front is the civilianGovernment, next the Army and next tothat is the Inter-Services Intelligence.Whenever these three have to restrainthemselves — it may be due to the incli-nation of Pakistan’s benefactors, worldopinion or human rights — the Taliban orother terrorists are made to step forward.This was the case in the Pulwama terrorattack by the Jaish-e-Mohammad, whichis a non-state agency and can be claimed

to be “beyond the control ofthe state”. How can anyonetrust four different agencies ifone could not believe even asingle person, namely ZulfikarAli Bhutto, on the Line ofControl in 1972? Pakistanis areborn and habitual deceivers.Indira Gandhi and her PanjPyare led by PN Haksar naive-ly believed Bhutto.

Before coming to the innerplay among the hydra-headedagencies, it should be educativeto note India’s acts of non-com-mission as well. We have allheard the many cries and slo-gans of azadi, autonomy andNizam-e-Mustafa. But has NewDelhi ever bluntly asked thoseagitators and their allies: Whatabout the enormous subsidythat Jammu & Kashmir enjoys?

Kashmiris pay very fewtaxes and, therefore, live offsubsidies from the Centre.Three years ago, on a visit toSrinagar, this writer happenedto ask a highly respected jour-nalist: What do you, as aKashmiri, ideally want? Hereplied ‘autonomy’, except forfour or five subjects. Whenasked whether he would beprepared to run theautonomous state without sub-sidy, he hesitated for a fewmoments and then replied:

“Frankly, while we have workedout our political roadmap, wehave not yet drawn up our eco-nomic roadmap”!

Surely, New Delhi shouldhave encouraged discussionsand debates on this contradic-tion. These would help damp-en nefarious elements and theirintentions. At the same time, itis equally important for NewDelhi to declare unequivocallythree blunt truths. That Indiacannot, for love or money, letKashmir secede from the coun-try for three solid reasons. Twoof the country’s major rivershave their source not far fromSrinagar. Two others passthrough the Valley before enter-ing Punjab. And the Indusbegins in Ladakh. If Kashmirgets autonomy, why wouldother Muslims resident in Indianot expect the same privilege?

Incidentally, Justice GopalDas Khosla, ICS, who was oneof the three judges who sen-tenced Nathu Ram Godse,wrote in his book, SternReckoning, that an exchange ofpopulation was an integralpart of Partition; this was notimplemented. MA Jinnah haddeclared that Hindus andMuslims are so different thatthey could not coexist in thesame country. If that be not so,

where was the need forPartition? But today, there aremore Muslim residents in Indiathan either in Pakistan orBangladesh. Third, if the Valleyis granted autonomy, any otherof the 30 States in the countrycould ask for a similar privilege.Politicians, whether of theHuriyat or any other shade,would know these home truthsbut an average Kashmiri doesnot and is, therefore, vulnera-ble to being misled.

The Army in Pakistanenjoys near unquestionedcharisma. There are four rea-sons that this writer is aware of;there may be more. One, is theseries of discredited civilianGovernments since the assas-sination of Nawabzada LiaquatAli Khan in 1951. Two, is themortal fear induced by therulers that the common folkharbour an Indian threat. Thethird is the Punjabi apprehen-sion that Pakistan may fallapart if the Army is not in thede facto saddle. Four, civilianshave not seen their country’sArmy being beaten soundly,except perhaps on the periph-eries during the 1965 war.Kashmir was not in sight andBangladesh (in 1971) was faraway from the Pakistani main-land. The Inter-Services

Intelligence is an integral partof the Army.

This inexorable factor willprevail unless and until thepeople of Punjab see their sol-diers being defeated on the bat-tlefield. This is the crux of theconflict with Pakistan, Kashmirbeing merely the akhada for itsArmy to wrestle with Indians.Players can be the Taliban orprofessional terrorists or paidand trained Indian Kashmiris.This is the merry convenienceIslamabad will enjoy until NewDelhi gets ready to takes seri-ous action.

Without such action, it isunlikely that it would be pos-sible to live in peace as goodneighbours. In this context, theOttoman Empire was a similarproblem. It was economicallysick since quite early in the19th century as Pakistan nowis. Yet, Turkey controlled largeareas around itself and wascapable of conducting a mas-sive genocide five decades ormore later in Armenia. Theproblem was solved only whenthe Ottomans were routed inthe World War I and theirempire taken down. The Sultanwas soon exiled and theCaliphate was abolished.

(The writer is a well-knowncolumnist and an author)

)������������ ���������������������������������������������������������������

�������������"�����!�������� ���� ���� ������ �������������*��������� ������������������������������������������������� ������*����������������� ����� �� ���� ������ ���������������������������������� ����� �� ���������� �� ����������+�������������������������� ���� �� ���������� ��,������� ���������������������)����$����������������������(

������������������������������������#������������������������*�������� ����������������� ���������������(�������� ��������� *������������������������������������ �� �����������������������

-������������������������������������������������������ �������������������������������������� ���� ���(��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��� ����������������� ������������������������������� ������� ��.���������������*����������������������������(������������������������������������������������� ��������������� ����+������� ���������������*��������� ���(���������������� ��/����#���������������������������������������������������������*����������� �&����������0�������������1���-�����0��������������������������� ������#����� �� ������������������ ����������� ������������������ ������������������ �����������������-������������ ������������������������������������������������������������������������

#���������������������2����������*�������������������� ���������� �������� �� ������ ����������� ��������������������������� ������������������������������������� ������������ ����� �������� ������ �� �������-������������ ��������������������������� ������������������(����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

$���($������� ������������ ������� ������ *����&� ������(���������������������������� �3���

���������������������������������������������������������������4������������������������������������������������������4*��������5������������������������������(� �������������������������������������������)�������������������"��������������#���������������������������������������������� ������������������������������ �������������������� �������������������(���-����� ����������������(

����������������������������������������������6������&�����������������������������������#�����������������������������������������������&����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������7���������������������� �������������8��������5������/������) (��������������������������8������������������������������������������������$�������-��7���������8����������) �����������������������������������������������������/����7����&�����������������������������������������//�*�����������������)�������������3�����������/��������������������� �������������� ��$��������7����&�9���(�����:��������������������������*������/�������7��������������������������������������*��������(����������*����&��������� �����.������&�%�����-�����*�������������� ������7����&������������������������������� ����������-�����!���*���������������������������������������7����($��0�������7�����������7����������������$��������-�����7�������$�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������(����;����������$������������������7�������� ��(������5����������������$����������7����&������������) .7�-������������������(��������������� ���������������������������7���������������������������������*�����#��7����$����<�8���������$���5������5�������� �������������������3��������������������������� ���������������(��(���������������������������������������������=7����&����������������������������*�������������������$�������(����������������������(�����������������(��������������� ���������� ���������������������������(������������ ������7�������������������8���������������(������#�).�������� ����������������������������������$�������������������������������������-����������������� ������(����� �����������&����7����������������������*���������������������������������������� ������������ ���� �����������).���!������������ ����7�����������������/�������������������;����&�������������8��������������������#�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��).����������������������*����������������$���������������������� *�����.�������������� �*�����������������������������������������-����������� ��������������(�����������������������������������������������������������;����$����������������������������6��������������������������������������������������������������������� ���*����(������������������������ �����������������������������������(�������&������� ������������� ��������������(���������(������������������

��!$�1���������A�(�������#���������#�(���(� �������-��B������-���#���������������#���"���#�������#�*�-���#��(

7��������!11�A������*����������#������� ��-������#���������"#��C��(��3#����=. ��"�#��#�(� ��-������#��"���

������������

Sir — It was disheartening toread that England’s 1966 WorldCup-winning goal-keeper,Gordon Banks, died of kidneycancer. Bank’s diving, twistingsave of the century — votednumber 41 in the list of 100greatest sporting moments bythe British public in 2002 — tothwart Brazil’s Pelé in the 1970World Cup is lauded as one ofthe greatest feats of goal-keep-ing. Football lovers all over theworld are overjoyed when theyrelieve that miraculous save,but Banks had mixed feelingsabout it.

He said, “They won’tremember me for winning theWorld Cup, it’ll be for that save.That’s how big a thing it is.People just want to talk aboutthat save”.

In fact, according to Pelé,“[Banks was] a goal-keeper withmagic... I scored so many goalsin my life, but many people,when they meet me, always askme about that save. While it wasindeed phenomenal, my mem-ory of Gordan is not defined bythat... “ Not only did the leg-endary Brazalian speak of his

friendship with Banks in histribute, but he also unveiled astatue of the goal-keeper outsideStoke’s new Britannia Stadium,which depicts him lifting thetrophy in 1966. Banks won 73 England caps before hiscawinners’ medal. Bank’s contri-bution to football will never beforgotten.

Bidyut Kumar ChatterjeeNoida

�����������

Sir — This refers to the editor-ial, “Hit Pakistan back hard”(February 16). The suicide carbomb attack that claimed thelives of 45 Central Reserve PoliceForce soldiers, near Awantiporaof Jammu & Kashmir must notjust be condemned, the need ofthe hour is to punish the

Pulwama attack perpetrators.The nation-wide outrage follow-ing the dastardly suicide attackby the a Jaish-e-Mohammed is,hence, understandable.

It is well-known fact nowthat our neighbour, Pakistan, hasno qualms in nurturing andsupporting terror groups on itssoil to further its strategic goals.But India’s response to such acowardly act demands that as a

sovereign nation with all therights to defend, secure andprotect its territory and peoplefrom sinister designs of terrorgroups, the Government shouldgive a befitting reply to the ter-ror group and its sponsors. Butthis critical moment also callsfor sobriety and wisdom.

SanjuktaKolkata

����������������

Sir — This refers to the editor-ial, “Hit Pakistan back hard”(February 16). As far as curbingterrorism in the State of Jammu& Kashmir is concerned, neitherGovernor’s rule nor President’srule appear to have had any sig-nificant change.

It seems, people have notlost faith that peace will ever berestored in their State.Eliminating terrorists is going tobe a challenging task for ourarmed forces as terror elements appear to be workingin isolation.

ShankarVia email

� 7 � = � � & � . 6 � � 7 - - � ' +

((() �"�*+"�#���)��, ���� �!� �;������� ������F :"��6������ ������F �������!� �;������� ����;

����������!�������'�( ��#) '���"%�#%) *+,�-.*/

";

3�����(������("���������

����-�� 0$+�4*�

"������������������ ������������������������������������ ������� ��������������������� ������ �����������!�.���6�������������������������� ����������

"���#������ ��������G����� ���� ��� �������� ��������� ���� �� �� ����� ������������������������� �������� �������� ��(��!�

������H( ���) � �

5�������������������������������������!���������������������� ��������� �� ��������� ������ ������������ ���!�"����� �����������������!

�=*0"H��� 2�)�2�����

������������ ���������������������� �(��G����������������������!"���������� ��������� ��������������� ����������!�

����<0?&�<&"�0-�H*�������$����

5���� ����� ����������� ��� � ��� ���������� ��������� ������ ��������������� ���������� ���!����� ������������ ������ ����������I�����!�

� =&�"&� �&-*H<��������.�����

� $ � � 4 5 * % �

� � % % � + � % $ � %% 3 � � � 4 * % $ +

���������������������������������

"���� �� ���� � ��� ��� ������ %�� ���� �� ��� &8'��������JK9!�"���$�� ��)��� ���������������� ��� ���� ��D������������������������� ��!�"�������

����������� ������ ��� �������E���#��������������������������������JAAL��������� ���������� ������������ ����� ������ ������ ��!� ���� ��� � �� ���� ��������������������#�������������� ������������� ��B���������������������������� �������������������� ����� !�7 ������������������ ���������� �� ���������������������� �����������!������������� ������������������ ������� ����� ������ �������������� �����������������E�!�"����������� ��� ������������������������������� ����� �������� ��� ���������������������������������B� � ����� ���!

4���������B��� �������������������� ������ ���������� ������������!�,���� �������������� ��������������C����������B��-���������B������� ���!�"������������ �C ������ ���� ���-������������!�"��� ������������������ ��� � ��� �����������������������B�

� �� ��D���� ������ ���������������� ������ �������� �������� ����������������!����� ������ ��� �� ���������������� ������������������ ��!� ���������������C ��I���������-������� ������� ����� ��� �������������� �������������� �������� ����������!�� ��� �������� ��������� ����������������!���

(�-�<�*# ��#�*�����

�� ������22����������$�&**&"�*0< 0-&&"A!�� �1=0��

Page 9: ...superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva (as the actor is ... on Twitter. “It has been noticed that on social media some

India is home to one-fifth of theworld’s population, which includesa third of the world’s poor and one-

eighth of the world’s elderly. Most ofthem spend their entire lives as infor-mal workers and have no retirementsecurity other than hopes that theirchildren will take care for them in theirold age. This arrangement worked wellas long as the joint family structure wasthe dominant characteristic of theIndian society. However, with newsocial norms eroding the family-based system of support, old-age carefor low-income citizens has become acritical challenge. With underdevel-oped annuity markets and poor finan-cial literacy, these people face consid-erable challenges in planning theirretirement security. Many elderly cit-izens are stuck with lives of never-end-

ing work — a fate that may befall mil-lions in the coming decades. We cansee a miserable preview for those whodon’t have pensions that previous gen-erations enjoyed.

India is experiencing a demo-graphic transition — lower fertility,increased life expectancy and a con-sequent increase in the proportion ofthe elderly. Families are shrinking andtransforming into nuclear units.Individualistic attitudes and risingaspirations with accompanyingchanges in lifestyles are widening thegeneration gap.

Social security is defined by theInternational Labour Organisation(ILO) as “the protection which soci-ety provides for its members, througha series of public measures to preventthe social and economic distress thatwould otherwise be caused by thestoppage or substantial reduction inearnings resulting from sickness,maternity, employment injury, unem-ployment, invalidity, old age anddeath; the provision of medical careand the provision of subsidies for fam-ilies with children.” (ILO, 1942) .

Micro-pensions are financial

products for old age income security,targeted at people in the informal sec-tor and other low-income groups, whohave varying and unstable income andare often financially illiterate, thus hav-ing limited access to financial services.They are a powerful solution to insu-late low-income earners against old-age poverty and provide them with thepossibility to build a better, indepen-dent and dignified financial future.

According to NABARD’s AllIndia Rural Financial Inclusion Survey2016-17, 18.9 per cent householdsreported receiving one or the otherkind of pension. Of these, 32 per centreported at least one member abovethe age of 60 receiving old pension.Only four per cent were covered underthe widow pension, two per centretirement pension and 1.5 per centunder disability pension.

For the poor and vulnerable, twotypes of pension could be provided.The first is a public or social pension,where the state raises the revenue andredistributes to the citizens whenthey reach a stipulated age in order toguarantee them a dignified life. Thesecond is a micro-pension, a person-

al retirement savings plan. People savea small part of their income individ-ually during their working life that isinvested collectively to generate peri-odical returns. When people retire,their accumulated capital is paid outin monthly amounts. The first one hasissues of viability. A possible solutioncould be a universal social pensionwith a fairly high retirement age so thatexpenditure is contained.

IGNOAPS also called as NationalOld Age Pension Scheme (renamed asIndira Gandhi National Old AgePension Scheme (IGNOAPS) in 2007),which is targeted at the destituteelderly, was launched by the UnionGovernment on August 15, 1995.From April 2011, the eligibility age forthis scheme was reduced from 65 to60 and the pension amount wasraised from �75 to �200 per month forelderly persons in the age group 60-79 years and �500 for those above 80.The entire funding for this scheme isdisbursed by the Union Governmentto the States and the cover is limitedto 50 per cent of the BPL populationabove age 65 (now 60). Currently, theUnion Government spends �6,564

crore or 0.04 per cent of the GDP onthis flagship social security pro-gramme.,

The Indira Gandhi NationalWidow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS),introduced in 2009, provides BPL wid-ows in the age group of 40-64 (laterrevised as 40-59) with a monthly pen-sion of �200 per beneficiary. After theyattain the age of 60, they qualify forpension under IGNOAPS.

The Annapurna scheme,launched in 2000, provides food secu-rity (35kg. food grains per month freeof cost) to senior citizens not coveredunder IGNOAPS. As per the NationalFood Security Act, 2013, every personbelonging to priority households shallbe entitled to receive five kilograms offood grains per person, per month atsubsidised prices under the TargetedPublic Distribution System.

As many as 14 States provide amonthly pension of �500 per personor less to the elderly, as per the Stateof Pensions in India Report 2018,which was released recently at thePress Club of India. As per the report,Mizoram and Madhya Pradesh givepensions as low as �250 and �300 a

month, per person. Of the 80 millionelderly entitled to a pension of �200per month, this meagre amount by theUnion Government reaches just 22.3million people… leaving out 58 mil-lion people with no pension or anyother form of assistance.”

Daily wage workers live on a day-to-day basis and as a result, theirimmediate financial needs take prior-ity over their future needs. They arenot able to plan for their long-termfuture and as a result, they have towork till they die .Though informalsector workers may not ‘retire’ in theformal sense like employees in theorganised sector, they need to preparefor the eventual reduction in earningcapacity that will occur during old age,especially on account of ill health.Micro-pension, therefore, aims toprovide an income stream to coincidewith this decline in earning capacity.

Micro-pension has low-ticket,high-volume transactions which makeit unviable. With a small corpus, hightransaction costs and wafer-thin mar-gins (or even losses), the viability ofmicro-pension is a big issue. Anotherchallenge is getting the agents to sell

the scheme, as commissions are small.Premature withdrawal and closure arealso a serious problem.

For micro-pensions to succeed, adelicate balance between economicviability, generation of adequatereturns and customised features for theparticipants is required. As the incomeflow of low-income communities isuncertain or volatile, owing to thenature of their economy, they shouldbe offered a degree of financial flexi-bility providing for low or no mini-mum contribution requirements inorder to encourage membership.However, contributions that are set toolow or which are paid very unevenlymay not provide sufficient incomesecurity. Experience with micro-sav-ings indicates that low-income groupsprefer lower-value and frequentdeposits rather than infrequent larg-er-value deposits. As there are com-peting demands on their resources, itis difficult for them to accumulate largeamounts.

(The writer is Member, NITIAayog’s National Committee onFinancial Literacy and Inclusion forWomen)

%������������(����?���

��!�������'�( ��#) '���"%�#%) *+,�-.*/

����������������������%���$�,���,�����B��(��������������������������

,�������������1C�����������

������������

,������������%�����������(4�����������������������(���(������������%����������(����������������������������1C���������������(������ ����������� �������$��

�����$��%�+����

Drawing unfettered powers fromthe Kesavananda Bharati (1973)ruling by the Supreme Court, theModi Government introduced theConstitution (124th Amendment)

Bill, 2019, in Parliament to provide 10 per centreservation in jobs and educational institutionsto the economically backward section in thegeneral category, which was subsequentlypassed by both Houses in record time of twodays. It will be only with great difficulty that wecan recollect the name of any Bill that witnessedthe passage in both Houses with such unanim-ity. While the Lok Sabha passed theConstitutional Amendment Bill with 323 AYES,3 NOES; the Rajya Sabha passed it with 165AYES and 07 NOES. This affirmative action alsoreceived the President’s assent. As the Bill dealswith Fundamental Rights, it does not requirethe nod of State Assemblies.

Ever since the introduction of this amend-ment, numerous questions have been raisedabout its Constitutional validity, with referencesbeing made to the 1992 decision by theSupreme Court in Indra Sawhney versus Unionof India; applicability of the economic criteri-on as the basis for reservation; reservation beingan instrument to ameliorate poverty; and theinability of the Government to resort to alter-nate procedures like welfare programmes andpolicies for the welfare of the economicallyweaker sections from the unreserved strata.

There was no political immunity either togreater good intended or affirmative action.Criticisms were hurled at the Modi Government— the Bill was branded as “a step to do awaywith caste-based reservations” and a “populistmeasure to reap political gains” with the 2019General Election in mind.

Undoubtedly, India’s social engineeringthat predates many centuries had noble inten-tions in the form of delineating occupationsand services across caste groups, renderingthose services among themselves and, thus,driving dependence among the groups to deliv-er social bonhomie. In the course of time, how-ever, the noble intention took a hit and dete-riorated into caste oppression and further tountouchability — social bonhomie trans-formed to social evil. The tales are differentfor the Scheduled Tribes and Other BackwardClasses. The incessant social inequities drovethese classes — Scheduled Castes, ScheduledTribes and Other Backward Class — lower inthe echelons of social order.

If reservations were not provided to theseclasses, meritocracy and efficiency wouldhave been the order of the day with all likeli-hood that these classes are being under-rep-resented. Post Independence, the Parliamentrecognised and eventually provided reserva-tions — vertical in nature — through theConstitution to these socially and education-ally backward classes of the Indian society; in1950 to the Scheduled Castes and ScheduledTribes; and in the early 1990s to the OtherBackward Class. All of this to ensure adequaterepresentation in educational institutions andGovernment posts; Scheduled Castes: 15 percent; Scheduled Tribes: 7.5 per cent; and Other

Backward Class: 27 per cent — all of whichaggregated to 49.5 per cent.

The insertion of clause 4 in Article 15 andArticle 16 of the Constitution provided thebasis for reservation to the backward classes.Consequently, equilibrium established byright to equality and equality of opportunitieswas displaced. It is, therefore, apt to get Paretoefficiency, also referred to as Pareto optimal-ity, into context: It is an economic statewhere resources cannot be reallocated tomake one individual better off without mak-ing at least one individual worse off. Put itother way, it implies that resources are allocat-ed in the most efficient manner but does notimply equality or fairness. This state of real-location of resources was very well capturedin the Indra Sawhney 1992 judgement.

So, in an attempt to create an egalitariansociety and to normalise periodic agitationsagainst the Mandal Commission report in 1980,the then PV Narasimha Rao Governmentissued an impugned Office Memorandumdated September 25, 1991, which stated that 10per cent of the vacancies in civil posts and ser-vices under the Government of India shall bereserved for other economically backward sec-tions of the people, who are not covered by anyof the existing schemes of reservation.

The Supreme Court’s response to the afore-mentioned memorandum is captured in the115th paragraph of the Indra Sawhney 1992judgement, which is as follows: “The impugnedOffice Memorandum dated September 25,1991, does not say whether this classificationis made under Clause (4) or Clause (1) of Article16. Evidently, this classification among a cate-gory outside Clause (4) of Article 16 is not andcannot be related to Clause (4) of Article 16. Ifat all, it is relatable to Clause (1)”.

In the same judgement (paragraph 95), theSupreme Court emphatically declared that 50

per cent rule is applicable only to reservationsmade under clause 4 of Article 16 and thatreservations cannot breach the 50 per centmark — on the basis of social and education-al backwardness.

While the memorandum fell apart, agita-tions demanding reservations therein did notdie down. The last decade is replete withinstances of vociferous agitations, including vio-lent protests from communities of the unre-served strata like Kapus from Andhra Pradesh,Marathas in Maharashtra, Jats from Haryana,Gujjars from Rajasthan and Patidars of Gujaratamong others. These communities have exert-ed pressure on previous dispensations as alsoon the current Union Government to provideeffect to their economic vulnerability by way ofinclusion in extended scope of backward class-es. Likewise, in the last decade, various StateGovernments have either issued memorandumsor passed legislations to harmonise with theaforementioned agitations and nudged theGovernment at the helm, including the presentdispensation, to include those acts in theNinth schedule citing judicial immunity.

Wisdom prevailed with the ModiGovernment and it has neither resorted toexpanding the scope of the backward classes norincluded the state reservation Bills in the Ninthschedule. A populist dispensation would haveacted otherwise. So, the Union Government —with reference to the apex court’s judgement inIndra Sawhney (1992) — introduced addition-al 10 per cent reservation for the unreserved sec-tions based on certain economic criterion whileclause 6 was inserted in the Article 15 andArticle 16 to acquire constitutional validity.

Seeing this from a different dimension, itcan be emphasised that the Bill promotes socialbrotherhood and cohesion as well as preventscaste perpetuations. The Government does notbelieve in reducing the cut off marks or set-

ting lower standards for clearing the interviewprocess in order to uphold the top court’sjudgement pronounced in the Indra Sawhneycase: Service posts should ensure efficiency inthe administration.

As per the Mandal Commission report,Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and theOther Backward Class classes represent 74.5 percent of the Indian population. A simple mathwould yield that 66 per cent population of theseclasses are covered under reservation. Evidently,only 40 per cent of the unreserved strata are cov-ered under the current 10 per cent quota pro-vision, which is vertical in nature.

So, this Bill neither intends adequate/pro-portionate representation nor a procedure toeliminate poverty. The objective was to grad-uate from doles, freebies and inefficient wel-fare programmes to the Constitution for pro-viding indemnity and insurance to the unre-served populace. This affirmative action is aclassic instance of Pareto improvement —change in allocation harms no one and helpsat least one person, given an initial allocationof goods for a set of persons. The sabka quotaBill is definitely a stamp of accreditation to thesecular credentials.

Whether it is incessant efforts in achievingthe constitutional status to the NationalCommission for Backward Classes or delayeddecision to extend the creamy layer to ScheduledCastes and Scheduled Tribes reservations(Jarnail Singh, 2018 Supreme Court judgement),the Union Government has expressed unques-tionable intent on the welfare of the ScheduledCastes, the Scheduled Tribes and the OtherBackward Class. In the wake of this Bill, anymudslinging on BJP-led Modi Government, thatit wants to do away with reservations, shouldbe construed as a mere political hurl.

(The writer is Member, Manifesto sub-com-mittee on Social Welfare, BJP Telangana)

%��������(������������������(����

,#��1:� �������?����3�������#�������(��(�?���D �� ���������� ����������������� ����(�������������� �����7�,#���-*���������� ����(����(��������(��������������������(� � �����

&'�%�� #�(%)*��+�'�%�'�+*�,* ((��(-��� ��*���� �(%'%��* �%.���,�.�*' ')������%,'� '���//%)%�')0�%��-�������-))�����1�*�%�����2�*3�� ��#%) ���4 # ')��4��2��'��)�'�(%)�.% 4%#%�0��,�'�* �%�'��/� ��5- ���*��-*'�� '��)-���(%����/� �-*���/�*�+ *�%)%+ '���%�� �(-��

0�� �����������������������������������#����������������������������������#������(��������������������������� ����������������

�����>����&���>����&�����>���&�$������� �������(�����������������+�?2������������������� ������������� �����3����������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������� ����(����������������������������2����� ������������������ ���������������������������#�������������������������������������������������������� ����������� ���������������#������������������������������������������������;�����������������������������������%������� ���������������������������������������� �5��������������������(�������������������������

*������(�������������������������������(������������������������������������� �����2��������� ��� �������� ��� ��� ������������� ��� ��������# ������ ��������������(���������������������������������������������������������������������������������#�������������������9����������������� :�+������� �� >���&@#���������� ������������� �7������������������ ��������������������������#������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ ��������������������� �#������������������������������������������������������� �����������$���������������������������(��������������������%�������������������������������#������������������

.������� ��������������������"�������������������������������������# ������ ������������������������ � �������6��������������������������������(����������������+��������������������������������������������������������#� ������������������� ������������������������������#����������� 5�������� ��������� ��������������������������������������������������� ��0��������������������� �� ����������- ������������������AB��������������(������������������������ �����������(����������������3���7���������7�������������������������*������CDAE��������������������������������������������������CBB ���� ���������������7��������������������������������������������������� ������ �����������*���������������������������������������(������������ ����������������#� �� ���������������������� ����������������-�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

!����������������������������������������(�����������>������&����*����������������������������������.��������������� ������������������������ �������� ����� �� �� >����� �� ��&� 7���� � ���� ��������������������������"�����������0����&������� �0�������������"��� ������������������������������(����(���;������������������� ��������������������(���������� ���������������������������������(��+������������������������������������#���������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������� �

*������������������������������� �������(��� ���������������������������������������(�����������������������#���������������������������������������)��������������� ������������ �������� �� ������� �� ���������� ������ �� �������������������������������������>���(���������������������&�*�������������������������������������������������������������������������(�������������������������� �����������������������������������������������������������7�������������������������������������������������������� (� (��������������������*��"����������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������#��������������������������������������������������������"������������������(��������0����&������������#�������������������������� ��������������0������������������������.����������������������������������

������ �� ��������������������������������������

�������� "<) * + � % � $ � � � �

-# ��&��# "#$�.��#'"��#,�#�

���������0��%��

���=�>*

� � ��������� ������ ���������������� ������������������������������������ ���-�

�� ������!�"������������I������� �����������

���� � ?����%*

((() �"�*+"�#���)��,

Page 10: ...superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva (as the actor is ... on Twitter. “It has been noticed that on social media some

��!�������'�( ��#) '���"%�#%) *+,�-.*/ ��� ��8"

���� .45�64+7�

Yaantra, which providesrepair services and refur-

bished smartphones, saidSunday it plans to expand itsoperations to over 800 citiesand towns in the country,engaging over 40,000 retailersover the next three years.

Yaantra will also set up anetwork of company-ownedand franchisee-run repair cen-tres in 220-250 towns andcities during the same timeperiod, Yaantra said in a state-ment.

"India has seen the highestyear-on-year growth at 41 percent in the refurbished catego-ry of the smartphones. Therefurbished smartphones mar-ket is set to grow by 27 per centin the coming years, where themarket size for repair is USD 2billion and for the refurbishedsegment is USD 4 billion(expected to reach USD 10 bil-lion by FY2022)," it added.

Its business has seen ayear-on-year growth of over250 per cent in five years andexpects to close the ongoing fis-cal at around Rs 200 crore inrevenue, Yaantra said.

"The expansion is just anextension of our commitmentto the 400 million people whoare still on feature phones. Weare geared up to fulfill their

aspirations of having a brand-ed smartphone at an affordableprice," Yaantra co-founder andCEO Jayant Jha said.

With this expansion spree,Yaantra targets a 5X projectedgrowth and will also generateemployment for 3,000-3,500skilled professionals across thecompany's repair, refurbishand service segment in thesethree years, he added.

Jha said priority for thecompany will be on improvingthe company's tech infrastruc-ture with greater capacity, set-ting-up new repair centres andstrengthening the logistics divi-sion.

"Expansion in existing ter-ritories, foraying in new mar-ket regions and getting moreretail and channel partnersaboard is going to be our nextfoot forward. Yaantra has beenprominently working towardsthe re-commerce of smart-phones and recently, we gotinto wearables. We will con-tinue to extend our portfolioby adding new products," hesaid.

Currently, Yaantra employsover 1,000 people across theiroffices in ten cities coveringover 14,000 pin codes. It hadalready sold more than 7 lakhsmartphones till now andreceives over 1,500 fresh ordersdaily.

���� .45�64+7�

The Centre has exemptedindustries like steel, cement

and metal from mandatoryprior environment clearancefor setting up a new or expand-ing the existing captive powerplant employing waste heatrecovery boilers (WHRB) with-out using any auxiliary fuel.

The exemption to indus-tries having potential for heatrecovery has been given topromote energy conservationand reduce green house gasemissions, according to anorder.

This exemption was so fargiven to thermal power plantsusing waste heat boilers with-out any auxiliary fuel.

Prior environment clear-ance will not be required forsetting up of new or expansionof captive power plantsemploying WHRB withoutusing any auxiliary fuel, in theexisting cement plants, inte-grated steel plants, metallurgi-cal industries and other indus-tries having potential for heatrecovery, the order said.

The objective was to pro-mote energy conservation,reduce green house emissionsand, in larger interest of theenvironment including climatechange, it added.

The Union EnvironmentMinistry has amended thenorms and issued a fresh orderfollowing several representa-tions from the industry, accord-ing to the order

���� )4./�+#*#

Automobile major TataMotors would display a

complete range of 13 fully-builtready-to-use vehicles in the e-commerce expo 2019 to be heldhere from February 20 to 22.

Tata Motors said in a state-ment that it would showcasesome of the bestselling variantsacross small commercial vehicle,intermedial light commercialvehicle and medium and heavycommercial vehicle segments

The variants have beendeveloped after extensivelyresearching the requirements ofthe e-commerce industry,engaging with the top e-com-merce companies and theirvendors involving Tata's owndesign engineers, the state-ment said.

For the last mile distribu-tion, Tata Motors would exhib-it Ace delivery vanfore-com-merce goods, Ace Zip panelvanfor e-commercepackagesandSuper Ace MintXPSfor heavy goods transport.

"We believe the e-com-merce expo 2019 will act as aplatform to address the grow-ing demands of the trans-porters and e-commerce play-ers, and provide them with adiverse range of fully-builtproducts with customised fea-tures," the statement quotedpresident (commericial vehiclebusiness unit) Tata Motors assaying.

���� +#�$.,5

The UP's excise departmenthas replaced holographic

liquor tax stamps with plainbarcoded stamps which can beeasily counterfeited and canlead to ill-fated hoochtragedies, the AuthenticationSolution Providers' Association(ASPA) has claimed.

The association has askedthe state government to reviewthe existing excise policy and,to implement a solution that isrecommended by experts andbodies of the global anti-coun-terfeiting industry.

The Department of Excise,Uttar Pradesh, replaced securedholographic liquor tax stampswith plain bar coded stampsdevoid of any physical securi-ty features in compliance withthe move to implement trackand trace technology as per thestate's 2018-19 excise policy,ASPA President UK Guptasaid.

A printed UID not associ-ated with one or more authen-tication features or not pro-tected against copying or repli-cation cannot provide authen-tication, Gupta explained.

"We request the state gov-ernment and state excise toreview the existing excise pol-icy and implement a solutionthat is recommended byexperts and bodies of the glob-

al anti-counterfeiting indus-try. This will help in ensuringconsumer safety, easy identifi-cation of genuine products,plugging leakages in supplychain and enhancing revenuefor the exchequer,” he said.

The International TaxStamp Association (ITSA) andInternational Organization forStandardization (ISO) supportthe use of a combination ofphysical technology as well asdigital technology to checkcounterfeiting, the associationsaid.

Uttar Pradesh was one ofthe first states in India to adoptholographic tax stamps almost17 years ago and, now suchstamps are being used in moststates across the country onspirits and wines.

���� .45�64+7�

Loss-making Jet Airways islikely to receive fund infu-

sion worth over Rs 3,000 crorepost debt-rejig and investmentsby Etihad Airways as well asNational Investment andInfrastructure Fund (NIIF)while founder Naresh Goyalmight remain the promoterwith less than half of the exist-ing majority stake of 51 percent, according to sources.

While the final contours ofdebt-restructuring and conse-quent changes are beingworked out, an analyst said thatEtihad Airways should come asthe main driver for Jet Airwaysas lenders and shareholderswould not be able to bring inmuch value addition.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad,which currently owns 24 percent in the full service carrier,is a strategic partner and isexpected to pump in around Rs1,400 crore, sources said.

On February 14, JetAirways' board approved aBank-Led ProvisionalResolution Plan (BLPRP),whereby lenders would becomethe largest shareholders in theairline.

After receiving approvalfrom shareholders, during theirmeeting scheduled forFebruary 21, part of debt wouldbe converted into 11.4 croreshares at a consideration of Re1 apiece as per RBI norms.

Later, appropriate interimcredit facilities by domesticlenders would be sanctioned tothe airline, as per a regulatoryfiling made on February 14.

The government-backedNIIF, where Abu DhabiInvestment Authority is a keystakeholder, is likely to acquirelittle over 19 per cent stake inthe ailing airline, they added.

They said that NIIF is like-ly to put in Rs 1,400 crore whilelenders, led by the State Bankof India (SBI), are expected toconvert debt into equity wortharound Rs 600 crore.

Sources also said thatEtihad's proposed investmentswould hike its stake only mar-ginally and that would nottrigger the requirement formaking an open offer for share-holders of Jet Airways underSebi regulations.

Together, the fresh fundingfor the airline would amount toabout Rs 3,400 crore andGoyal's stake could reduce to20 per cent from 51 per cent atpresent, sources said.

Queries sent to EtihadAirways and NIIF on their pro-posed investments in JetAirways remained unanswered.

Query sent to Jet Airwaysabout Goyal's stake comingdown to around 20 per centafter debt-rejig did not elicitany immediate response.

In the three months endedDecember 2018, Jet Airwaysreported a consolidated net

loss of Rs 732 crore. Deepak Jasani, Head of

Retail Research at HDFCSecurities, said Etihad shouldcome as the main driver of thecompany and they have tonominate their main people torun the airline because lendersand shareholders are not goingto bring in much value addi-tion.

Noting that it is an irre-trievable situation under thecurrent promoters, Jasani toldPTI that who would be theoperational owner of the airlinewould be the most crucial part.

"Somebody who has exper-tise and equity stake has tocome. Only then this can berevived. Otherwise we are post-poning the problem by a cou-ple of years... If you are notchanging the management,then we are going to stay wherewe are. Same problem willcome again," he said.

V K Vijayakumar, ChiefInvestment Strategist at GeojitFinancial Services, said therestructuring exercise is likelyto steer Jet Airways away fromthe turbulence it has beengoing through for many yearsnow.

"The SBI-led consortium ofbankers who will be becomingthe largest shareholders afterthe conversion of debt intoequity can manage the transi-tion of management over toEtihad plus another partnereventually," he noted.

���� .45�64+7�

Steel Minister ChaudharyBirender Singh on Monday

will inaugurate SAIL's steelprocessing unit in Champarandistrict of Bihar.

At present, Steel Authorityof lndia Ltd (SAIL) manufac-tures steel pipes at the unit.

"The minister will tomor-row dedicate our steel pro-cessing unit in BettiahChamparan District of Bihar tothe nation," a SAIL officialsaid.

Plans are on the anvil toincrease the product mix, theofficial said.

The foundation stone ofthe processing unit foundationwas laid in November 2007with rated capacity of 50,000tonne. The unit has one slittingline and two tube mills.

While one tube millbecame operational on January31, 2019, the second willbecome operational byFebruary 28, 2019.

���� .45�64+7�

Exporters body FIEO Sundaysuggested a series of mea-

sures including outrightexemption from GST, interestsubsidy for agri-sector, andmore funds for MSME playersto boost outbound shipments.

With increasing protec-tionism in several countries,domestic exporters need incen-tives to increase shipments,Federation of Indian ExportOrganisations (FIEO)President Ganesh KumarGupta said.

"These support measures, ifprovided on time has thepotential to take the country'sexports to USD 375 billion in2019-20 and create lakhs ofjobs. This fiscal, we will crossUSD 325 billion to USD 330billion," he said on Sunday.

On Goods and ServicesTax (GST), he said, it is neces-sary that an outright exemptionwindow may be provided toexporters as was in existencebefore the GST regime to mit-igate the liquidity problem.

"Though, the governmenthas taken several measures toprovide quick GST refunds toexporters, but due to one rea-son or the other, substantialGST refunds remain outstand-ing for long time causing acuteliquidity problem whichadversely affect our exportsgrowth," he said.

There is a good potential

for agricultural produce inoverseas markets and, for thatthere is a need to extend theinterest subsidy scheme to thesector, he added.

Besides, the FIEO presi-dent sought more funds forimproving trade related infra-structure in states, incentives topromote shipments of valueadded branded products, stepsto increase trade with neigh-bouring countries like Nepaland Bangaldesh, and benefitson sales to foreign tourists.

"To reduce transactiontime and cost simultaneouslyincreasing competitiveness,there is a need to provide morefacility to the MSME exportersin the forthcoming foreigntrade policy particularly ofnon-fiscal nature," Gupta said

adding exemption from IGSTunder advance authorizationscheme.

Under this scheme, manu-facturers are allowed to importinputs at zero duty but only forthe export purposes.

During the April-Januaryperiod of the current fiscal,exports grew 9.52 per cent toUSD 271.8 billion.

Several key sectors likegems and jewellery, rice,marine product, leather, tea,coffee and cashew has record-ed negative growth for thecurrent period.

Since 2011-12, India'sexports have been hoveringaround USD 300 billion.During 2017-18, the shipmentsgrew by about 10 per cent toUSD 303 billion.

���� .45�64+7�

Anil Ambani-led RelianceGroup has reached a

'standstill agreement' with morethan 90 per cent of its lendersunder which they will not sellany of the shares pledged bypromoters till September.

Under the pact, the groupwill pay the principal andinterest amounts to the lendersas per the scheduled due dates,while it has also appointedinvestment bankers for partplacement of the group's direct30 per cent stake in ReliancePower to institutionalinvestors, officials at thelenders and Reliance Groupsaid.

The investment bankerswill begin roadshows for theshare placement soon, theyadded.

Some of the key lendersinclude Templeton MF, DHFLPramerica MF, Indiabulls MF,IndusInd Bank and Yes Bank.

When contacted, aReliance Group spokespersonsaid, "We are grateful to ourlenders for believing in theintrinsic and fundamental

value of our companies, andgranting their in principleapproval to standstill arrange-ments."

Officials said the agree-ment has been reached withmore than 90 per cent lendersof Reliance Group at the pro-moter group level.

Under this in-principlestandstill understanding, theselenders will not enforce secu-rity and will not sell any of thepromoters' pledged shares tillSeptember 30, 2019 on accountof lower collateral cover orreduced margin due to therecent unprecedented fall inshare prices.

Reliance Group will paythe principal and interest to thelenders as per the scheduleddue dates specified in the loanagreements.

Regarding the proposedplacement of shares, thebankers said the value of thepromoter stake in ReliancePower, before the unprece-dented fall in share prices, wasmore than Rs 2,500 crore, andwould clear more than 65 percent of total promoter bor-rowings.

���� .45�64+7�

Two years after the govern-ment shifted to revenue

sharing contracts for oil andgas block auctions, a high-level panel has suggestedreverting back to older systemof awarding areas in mostbasins based on explorationcommitment.

The six-member panel,headed by NITI Aayog ViceChairman Rajiv Kumar, whichwas formed on directions ofPrime Minister NarendraModi, in its report submittedon January 29 stated that"unexplored areas in CategoryII & III basins be bid outexclusively based on explo-ration work programme".

"No revenue or productionsharing other than payment ofstatutory levies (including roy-alty)" should be the criteria, itsaid.

"However, in case of wind-fall gain defined as revenue ofmore than USD 2.5 billion ina financial year from the block,then 50 per cent sharing ofincremental revenue aboveUSD 2.5 billion."

The BJP-led NDA govern-

ment had two years backmoved from production shar-ing contracts, where acreage forexploration of oil and gas wasallocated to firms offering thelargest work programmes (suchas carrying out seismic surveyand drilling of wells), to rev-enue sharing contracts, wherethe firm offering highest rev-enue to the government wasgiven the blocks.

The move to revenue shar-ing was contrary to most of theindustry players being againstthe new regime.

India has 26 sedimentarybasins measuring 3.14 millionsquare kilometers. These areclassified into four categories:Category-I basins where com-mercial production has beenestablished like Cambay,Mumbai Offshore, Rajasthan,Krishna Godavari, Cauvery,Assam Shelf and Assam-Arakan fold belt; Category-IIbasins with known accumula-tion of hydrocarbons but nocommercial production so farsuch as Kutch, Mahanadi-NEC(North East Coast), Andaman-Nicobar and Kerala-Konkan-Lakshadweep.

The category-III basins

have hydrocarbon reserves thatare considered geologicallyprospective such as inHimalayan Foreland basin,Ganga Basin, Vindhyan basin,Saurashtra basin, KerelaKonkan basin, Bengal basin;and Category-IV which arethe ones having uncertainpotential which may beprospective by analogy withsimilar basins in the world.These include Karewa basin,Spiti-Zanskar basin,S a t p u r a – S o u t hRewa–Damodar basin,Chhattisgarh basin, Narmadabasin, Deccan Syneclise,Bhima-Kaladgi, Bastar basin,Pranhita Godavari basin andCuddapah basin.

The committee includedCabinet Secretary P K Sinha,Economic Affairs SecretarySubhash Chandra Garg, OilSecretary M M Kutty, NITIAayog CEO Amitabh Kant andONGC Chairman andManaging Director ShashiShanker.

The operators in CategoryII & III areas be given moreconcessions such as full mar-keting freedom to expediteproduction.

���� .45�64+7�

You may soon be able towalk into a shopping mall

and try on clothes with the'India Size', tailored to suit thebody measurements of thecountry's populace.

The government will alsobegin collating information for"trend forecasting" for textilesthis month, using commercialintelligence to determine whatcould be in vogue in the nearfuture, a move bound to exertmajor influence on global fash-ion trends, a top official said. In March, the government willlaunch an exercise to measurea group of people to prepare acomprehensive 'India Size'chart, which can be adopted bythe country's apparel industry.

"We want that we shouldhave Indian size for two things.It can boost our retail market.South Asian size will also getfillip, plus our own diasporawhich is outside, we willbecome influence drivers forforeign companies also. Weare actually rolling out theexercise in March itself,"Textiles Secretary Raghvendra

Singh told PTI.He said the government is

trying to complete the "size-able" project as soon as possi-ble, so that a standardised sizechart can be prepared for theready-to-wear industry, basedon body measurements of thedomestic population.

The project approved ear-lier by the government willentail measuring of 25,000male and female Indians in sixcities across six regions of thecountry : Kolkata (East),Mumbai (West), New Delhi(North), Hyderabad (CentralIndia), Bengaluru (South) andShillong (North-East). Using3D whole body scanners andcomputers that will extracthundreds of measurementsfrom scan.

Providing well fitting gar-ments in the absence of stan-dardised size chart is proving tobe a big challenge for thedomestic textile and apparelindustry, which is projected toreach USD 123 billion by 2021and holds 5th position inapparel imports.

At present, India's apparelindustry uses size charts which

are tweaked versions of sizes ofother countries, so returns ofthe garments are in the rangeof 20 per cent to 40 per centand increasing with the growthof e-commerce with the mainreason for returns being poorgarment fit.

A large percentage of shop-pers face difficulty in findingclothes that fit perfectly accord-ing to their body measure-ments, as there is no standardsize chart at present.

Moreover, there are differ-ences in anthropometric builtof people in different geo-graphical regions across thecountry. Once ready, the stan-dardised size chart will impactvarious other sectors like auto-motive, aerospace, fitness andsport, art and computer gam-ing, where insights from thisdata can produce ergonomi-cally designed products, whichare suited for the domesticpopulation.

Till date 14 countries havesuccessfully completed nation-al sizing surveys: the US,Canada, Mexico, the UK,France, Spain, Germany, Korea,China and Australia.

���� .45�64+7�

The final share purchaseagreement will be shared

soon with shortlisted bidders ofPawan Hans for selling the gov-ernment and ONGC's stake inthe helicopter service provider,an official said.

A meeting of theAlternative Mechanism onstrategic disinvestment headedby Finance Minister ArunJaitley and comprising CivilAviation Minister SureshPrabhu would be called soon toget the clearance for the finalshare purchase agreement(SPA).

The government holds 51per cent stake in Pawan Hans,which has a fleet of 46 chop-pers. The remaining 49 per centis with state-run ONGC.

"The final SPA is ready, weare waiting for the meeting ofthe Alternative Mechanism fol-lowing which it would beshared with bidders," the offi-cial told PTI.

The government is aimingto complete the strategic sale ofPawan Hans in the current fis-cal ending March.

The draft SPA and Requestfor Proposal (RFP) was circu-lated to shortlisted bidders onDecember 21, 2018, and afour-week time was given tothem seeking comments.

In April last year, the gov-ernment had issued the infor-mation memorandum for the 51per cent strategic stake sale inPawan Hans and had soughtexpression of interest (EoI) frominterested bidders by June 18.

Thereafter, the ONGCboard in July decided to com-bine its 49 per cent stake in theoffer for sale by Government ofIndia.

Following this, in Augustthe government invited freshbids from entities, saying thatalong with its 51 per centstake, the bidders will alsohave the option to buy ONGC'sstake of 49 per cent in the com-pany. The last date for submis-sion of bids was September 12.

However, the total numberof bidders have not made pub-lic to maintain confidentialityof the bidding process.

���� .45�64+7�

Vodafone Idea is likely tomop up about Rs 20,000

crore from its proposed stakesale in mobile tower firm IndusTower and monetisation ofoptical fibre assets, sourcessaid.

The country's largest tele-com operator plans to use thefunds for lowering its debt,which stood at Rs 1,23,660crore at the end of 2018.

"Vodafone Idea has receivedcombined valuation of aroundRs 20,000 crore for mobile tow-ers and optical fibre assets thatit is planning to sell. Discussionshave started around it," anindustry source close to thedevelopment told PTI.

The company had earlierannounced its plan to sell 11.15per cent stake held by theAditya Birla Group in IndusTowers as well as 1.56 lakh kilo-meters of optical fibre assets.

"Indus stake is worth aboutRs 50 billion (Rs 5,000 crore)today. We have 156,000 kms offibre. We have not given anyguidance on monetisablevalue," a Vodafone Ideaspokesperson said.

The company is also plan-ning to raise Rs 25,000 crorethrough a rights issue to fundits capital expenditure and paredebt.

#�='������������������1���������������> ����

(��������(�������������������������,�������

���'�����������������������8":::;���������(

"���� ��� �� ������JK��������������� ���B�

���#������/+�# +��&�#����011�"�"�&"#�*���&

������������ ������������+G�����)�������� ���

��� 7� �����$4����������� ���2� �������������������

� ���������������� �������� ��� ��������2��������������2����D���

< ��������������� ������ ����� �������

*��������/� ������������������������������������� ����� ����������������������

6����!�!� ��!����������������!������1�����������������!��!����

2�# "��"3�4$��,�#�&,�*�"����&���'�&&��#

�������� ����� ������������ �� ��� ���������@

%� �0� ��� �������28�� ��� �����. ������!��3�����!��������

�� � ��� �16����� ��A�%�

� ��������1<�� �� ������!���

���� B����$�0�

%� ������������������. ���

���� ��� ��� ������ � !���

@������� @��� ����������������� � ����

����������������� ���� � ���

@� ���������� �� ��� ������������B

����� � ������������

Page 11: ...superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva (as the actor is ... on Twitter. “It has been noticed that on social media some

������ �� �� ����������������� ���� ���������������������������� ! �"#������ ��$$ ��� �%&�����������������'��( �%)�����*++� �� , ��-.�������//�0�����'1�""��� $��-� .�����������2�! 0��3���'���"#�� -��, $��,%)�����*++��������//�0���( ����'1�+� �-�� $�,-%)����������������4����������������� ,���, $��-����4���(� ��*++"��������&�������� ����'1�""���*++� $���� ���-���������������4����������'1�""��� $��, ��-$������������������� ! ����%)����� ���.� ��$���������������������� ! ������������ ���,- ������������ 0 ( ���5�#��%)����� ���$ ���������������6"��4�( �%)������������ $��- ��,�//�0����"#�� ��#�� ���� ��,�%)������������ ������3�7"��������� ���� .��.����� ��������� ������3�7"��������� ��� .�������� ����������5�&�8���'�+������������ ��-- .����5�&����'1�+�������� �$�.� -�-� �����4����9������'��� $��- $�.$ ��:�'�&������������� 0 7"���%������ ,��� ��.$������������ 0 �"#���"'���"�� ���� �����������������������5������ ��&�5� .-��� ��, 0�����2��/����5� , $�,. �� ������ ��&�5���//�0����8/��������� ������ ���,�����'�����5�������� -�$ ��$� ��&�5�0����������'��01��3��������� �-��- ����� 0 7"�������'������ $� � ,�$������������(��%)���������������� ,,� � ,��$�5�&�8��'�+�������� ,���, ,��-2��/����5������;��< �-�� ��.$���0�����(��;�=������5������������ $��- ��.���/�;�=�������������� ��� � ��-���������5������;�=��� $��$� ��-.0�����0�����0���41�!"������3� �,��� ��$,%)���������������������'��>�+���%)����� ���� ����������� ��;�=������5������������ � �.$ ��,�//�0�����"?�1� � � �� -��������0������'�����5��������;�=��� -�� ���.0�����//�0���;�=������5� �,�,� ���������������4�����������5� .��.� �.������; %�;�=����������������� ! ���5� ����. �.�������� ��8����3�%)�����% �� �$�-- �$,�����������6"��4������%@�/"����� �.��$ ��-����������;�=������5�������� ��-� ��������������� ! /%���"#�� �,��, ��,�����������/�������"#�%)�������5� ����� ��. �:��������������/�������"#����'1�+�%)����� ���� ��$�����������//�0����������'":���� $��� ��� ���������//�0�����&���&&�/�'�� ,��. ��.-���������/�������"#�/"�&�3��� ,$�� ��-������&������������� 0 7"����"������������� �$. ��-�/�������"#�%)�������:��� ���,. ��-�������������5�&�!"������3�%)����� ���.� ���,�������%��?��&&�!�����/�+�������� ,,� ��,$�:�&'"��������������� ���- ��,��:�&'"��"#��%)������'"3��������� ������3� ��'���"'�&��� $���� ���� ������3��"#����:���� $�$� ��� ,>8�!�����/�+�������� $��,$ ��� .��������4����9������'��� $�$ ����$ ��:�'�&������������8������&&��������%)����� �-��� ����.������������5�&��"'�&������������� ���, ���$-���"������4����9����� ����� ���.- ��:��������

�:�&'"������!����'�+� �$�.. ������������8������&&���������/"�&�3��� ,��,� � � $������������2�! 0��3���'��!�����/�+� �$. � �,$�������������(��8�&���&1���������� ,��� � ��$������������ ! �"#�� ���� � ��-/"33"�����&��������8������&&�����5� �:��� $� . ���� �����������2��/��"+� ���������� ��.��$ ��� �>8�/"��� �������� .��, �����6"��4� ��������8���'�+� ,�� ���������������"���!�����/�+�������� ,��$ ����$%��?��&&�%3�������8��4��&� ��� ���$�*++�%)��*==&1"���������������:�&'"��������"?�1�*++� , ��� ���. ������������������� ! 8;/�������� -���$, ���..6"��4���5� �:��� '1�3���� ��� � ���.��2�! 0��3���'��!�����/�+� ���,$ ����.���������/�!�����/�+������������ ,���. �,��.������������ ! ����� -���$ �,������;�5���������

�:�&'"��������5�0����� �-� � �,� �:�&'"�����������'��� ����� �,��� ��:�'�&��������(����:������<���� $ �$� �,��.����������� ������3�!��������� , ��� �,��.8���/�+�������������'��!�����/�+�������� , �- �,���(��8;/������������ ..� , �,�� 6"��4����'1�+�������� � ��.� �,��$0���'�+���"'�&���8���'�+� �.��- �,�$$��������;0 0���#�&�!�����/�+� . � - �,�- �������//�0���!� %)���������� ,,���� �,�-$���5� �:�������8������&&���%3������� �.��, �,�-����'1�+�������//�0������'1�+�������� ,.�- �,���!9� �����!�����/�+� ���.� ��������������������������/"�&�3��� $�$� ��������������������������01��3��9� .��. ��� �2���1'��������������������'��@������������ ���,� ��� ������!�����/�+�������� �� ��� ��� �//�0���8���'�+�������� �$$��� ����-����4����������5&1������ ����� ���$�(��A����*++������������ �$��� ���$��2�! 0��3���'��!� %)����� ,��- ���-������������6"��4�7"����"��������� .�,� ���.��2�! 0��3���'��%��"�%)����� ,��� ���..�������� 0 7"���8������ .��- ���������������������������� ! ��"������ ��$�$- �����%)������������������������ ! ��5� ����. ��� �����=�B�$���//�0������4����9����� ��:� �$�$� ����������������4�����������'1�+� �, �� ������������>8���5������������� ���� ����� ���"'�&���%)����� �$�- ����.�����������%��?��&&�!�����9�8���/�+� �.�.. ���, �����������0���'�+���"#��*++"��������&� �.��. ���,$�������(�������!�=� ���� �,��� ���,.�����������%��?��&&�8����/�+� ,��, �����������������2�! 0��3���'����5�0����� �.�-� ����,������������ ! ���4����9� ���$. ����������'��� ��:�'�&������������6"��4�%)�����*++�������� ���� ����$

�:�&'"��������������� ���, ������:�&'"�0���%��"+����%)��������������������4��������%)������������ �� ��� ���- ������������ ! ����%)����� -��$ ���-����������2��/�%)������������ $� �, ���-.%��?��&&�%�������3�'� ��$ ���. %)�����*==�&1������������������������� ! �"'�&��� �,��. ���.�%)������������ ������3����� ��:� ,$�-, �����*++��������0���'�+����:������<���� ���-� �$����������������������5� �:���&� $�$� �$��$�����������//�0��������2�� ������� ,��$ �$� ������'��8����/�+�������� .���. �$���>8�8���'�+�������� �.�.- �$�,,//�0����"'�&���%)����� �-��- �$�,��������//�0�����"?�1������ ��0� �� � �$�,� �����/1�+������������ ,���� �$�� � 0 �"+� ���%)����� .-� �$�������������������'��/"&��%�����%)����� $�- �$�������������8"����*&?���"'�&������ ��. �$��-����������� ������3�!� ��5���:� ��$� �$��.����� ��������������'�����4����������� ����-� �$��� ��!�����9�8��'�+� ��,�.- �$�$-������������;0 0���#�&�!"������3� ,���� �$�-�%)�����������������'��/�+����������� �� �$�-,��������������4����&����%)������������ � � �$�-� ������3�!� ��5���:� ,��� �$�--����� ��������������!�����9�8���/�+� .���� �$�.�������� ������3�A���� ��.� �$�.������������� ��8����3�8���'�+� ����� �$�.$������������:�&'"������/"������������ �,�$� �$�..//�0���A���������,��� ���. �$�� �:�&'"������8��'�+�������� ���.� �-���(��!� %)���������� .���� �-�, ���5� �:��������������%)�������:������� ����� �-�,-��������������������"+� ���%)����� ����� �-��-������������������� ! %)����� $$��$� �-��$������������%�1�'��������� �-�$. �-�$� ��/"�&�3+��"��*++� ���� �-�$����������������4��������%)����� -,��$ �-�$-��:��������������(��2���1'��������������� . �,� �-�-- ��%)�����*++������ �� ���� �-����������//�0���A������&'":���� ,,�-- �-����������� 0 ��5� �:�������������� �,��� �.���2��/���"?�1�*++� ��� �.��������������//�0���A���������.��� ��-. �.��- ��8����3��"#�� $���� �.�������������������:��&�=����%)����� ���� �.��.�������� 0 %)���������������� ,���� �.��.2��/�/�+�����������A���� �- �-� �.��$���������3+��"�������%)����� �,�$- �.��.�'"3���������� 0 �"'�&������������ ���-� �.�$�����4���������"'�&��� ,$�� �.�-�%)������������!9� %)���������������� -��$� �.�--/�������"#�%3����%)�����&� .$��� �.�������������� ��8����3� ,��,, �.�����5����B�,�������(�����4�������������'��� ..� , ��� ��:�'�&������������!9� !"������3���:������� �-��$ �������������8"����*&?��8��'�+�,�� ���$. ���,������������%��?��&&����/1����%)����� ����, ����.*==� 1"���������������2�! 0��3���'����:��&�=���� ���� ���$�%)������������������/�8����/�+������������ .���� ���.�//�0���A��������� ���� ��-� ���.�//�0���!�����9�8��� ��,��� ���.�/�+�������� ������3���������� ,.��� �����/"�&�3+��"���������0���'�+��;�=��� ���%)��� $��-� �����7���1�����������/�/"���%)����� � ��� � ���������������

�������(���"'�&&���%)����� ���. � ��$������������;�=���>���"�����5� ���� � ��-$����������"���8���'�+�������� .��. � ����(��!� ��:��������� ���- � ��,�//�0���8��'�+�������� .-��$ � ����!9� 8��'�+������������ � �.� � ��$- ��!� ��:������� �� � � ��-������������������������� ! 8=���%)����� �� � � $� $�����������//�0�����:������<���� �� $ � $���%)���������������8��'�+�������� ���� � $�,�2��/��"'�&���,��������� $.��. � $��,�2�! 0��3���'��8��'�+�*++� $��$ � $�-������������ ��/"���������������� ����� � -��������������� ! ��:������<���� �.��- � -���������� ��8����3�8��/�+� $-��� � -�,�������������������&"��'�&�9�%������ ��-. � -��.�����������(��!� ��:������A��� .�. � -��-%��?��&&�8���/�+� ����� � -�.������������ ���=��&���'����� ,�,� � -��,������������;0 0���#�&�8���/�+� �.�., � .�����������:�&'"�������=��&���'����� �� � � .�,,������� ������3�8���/�+�������� �� �$� � .�$�(���=��&���'����� �$�,� � .�$,�����������!9� %3���������&���&&�&� ���$� � .�$������������������������ ! 8��'�+� ��.�,$ � .�$��������(��8���/�+������������ � ��$ � .�$���/� �������A���� ���-� � .��$���������������4�������� 3���� ����� � ����/"&��������(��!� ��:������A��� ���� � ���-������=��&���'������������ �.��� � ��$�6"��4� 3��/�+�������� $���, � ��.$//�0����=��&���'����� ��� � �����-��������:�&'"������0 (�%)����� ���� �������������!9� ��&���&&�/�'�� ,��� ����$������������/�������"#��=��&���'����� ��� � �� ��-����������������'��A�&�"��������� �$,��� �� � �6"��4��=���9�%'"���="�3� -�$� �� � $���������� 3��/�+�������� .�� �� �,�� 0 ����������%��� -.�� �� ��������������������=��&���'�������5� �:���� � � � �� �-��������!9� �=��&���'����� �� - ���� ������������� 0 ;��������&�9�;�?� �.��� ���� -%����������������� ������3��=�����:������� �.��� �����-������������'�� 3��/�+�������� ,��.� �����. �� 3��/�+������������ �$�$� ����- ��8����3�/"33�� , ��� ����.�����������������'����5� �:����%! �� ����- ��,���������������������� ! �=��&���'����� �-�-$ �������������(������&+"�����"��9�!"��&��'&�� ��� ����.������������ ��0 (������������ .�.� ��$� -� 0 3��/�+������������ ���� ��$�,.//�0��� 3�'�+�������� � �� ��$�� ������������ ! 3��/�+� ,���$ ��-�.�������������������� ! %3������� ��.. ��-���!�����&������,������� ������3� ��'��8�'�"� ��� ��-���/�+� ����&�C������������������� ! %3������� ,�,� ��.�.�!�����&�������������������'��0"?���9��=��� .���, ��.�.�������� ������3�!� 8�'�"�/�+���5� -�-� ���� ��:������ ��A������������������� ! 0����A���� �$��� ����,,���������/��=��&���'����� ,��. ����.������������������������ ! %3������� � , �,��,�!�����&������-������� ������3�!� 8�'�"�/�+� ���� �, �,���5���:������ ���������2��/��=��&���'������������ ���- �, ��� ������3�!� 8�'�"�/�+���5 -��� �, �����:������ ��A������� ������3� 3��/�+� -�� , �, ����������

%��?��&&�!"������3�%)����� ����$ � ������������5� �:���&��������8"����*&?��8���'�+�,�� �,��� � ���$����������� ��2���1'����*++� ,��. � �������������������4��������*++"��������&� $-�,, � ������������ 0 %)�����*++"��������&� �.�.$ � ���.����������������'��/"�&�3+��"�� $��.� � ��,-������� ����5���:������� � ��� � ��,�������������//�0�����"?�1������,��0� ���� � ���,����4��������0��3��������� .-.�.$ � ���������8���/�+���"?�1�������� ���$� � ����6"��4��"#��%3������� ���. � ���$84���������0���'�+��8����/�+���"?�1� ,���� � ��$-������������'��A����������� $$��. � ��-�0���'�+��0��&"�����5�&�:��� -���� � ��- ���������%)�����0D%�������� ����� � ���� ����5���:��������������� , �-� � �,$0���'�+����5� �:���&����� � ��, � �,�

������3���:��&�=���� ��� � ��,%)�������//�0���%5+"��&�9� ���-$ � ��. ��:�'�&��������2��/���5 �:����� �-���$ � �$�� 0 8��'�+������������ ����� � �$$>8�A����������� ����, � �$� ������3� ��'��8�'�"� ,��$ � �.�/�+� ����&��������(��/"���%)���������������� �-� � � ��� ����4�������������������� ,$�.� � ����//�0���A��������� ��� � � � ���,�;0 0���#�&�8����/�+� ���,� � �� �������������������� ! %)����� ,$$�.� � ���.��:��������������//�0���A������������� ���- � ���������'����"?�1�������� ��,��.� ���-���"���%! ��$��� � ��, � ��$.!9� ��5���:������������� ����� � ��� 0���'�+��%3����������'1�+� ���� � ���$�������8"����*&?��!"������3� ��$, � ���.%)�����������������:�&'"������8���'�+� �,��. � ,�� �������6"��4�%3�������%)����� ,��-� � ,��� '1�3����2��/�8���/�+�*++"��������&� ���$� � ,�� ������� ��!� ��:������� �� � � ,�$,������������2��/� 3��/�+� ,��-. � ,�. �������������3+��"�������A���� �,,��, � ,��,������� ��!� ��:������� ���. � ���.������������//�0���A��������� ���� ���� � �� � ������3� ��'��8�'�"� �.��� � �� ,/�+� ����&�A������� ������3� ��'�� 3�� ��-, � �� $/�+� ����&�A���������/���5���:��%! �� ����� � ���-�����������//�0���;�=���;�5����� ����. � ���.���5����������/��"'�&���%)����� ,,�$� � ���������������!9� �����A��������������� ,��$� � ��,. ������3� ��'�� 3��/�+� ��- � ���� ����&��������!9� !���������8��'�+� ����- � ���,�����������//�0���A������������� ��$� � ��$� ��!� ��:������� �� � ��$ �����A������������'���"'�&���%)����� � �� � ��$$

����88��!�������'�( ��#) '���"�#%) *+,�-.*/

Page 12: ...superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva (as the actor is ... on Twitter. “It has been noticed that on social media some

��!�������'�( ��#) '���"%�#%) *+,�-.*/ !����8#

%+$%%*�0%+$%%*�00�$5��

�������(�� �����(�����������������(�(0���D�"��0-!0E��4����� ������������������ �������/ �����������6*�� � ����� ������ ������ ���������������� ����� ������������ ������������� �� ����� ��� ���������. ���$����� �����!

����F��.�������%�������G��� ��(�����,��F�)- =#������-��' ������������� �������(�����M��� ���������������������������%� ���� ����&������������������ ������� ����������������������������������������!&���������� ����� ��������� ���� ������&�M��� ��������������I���� ������������������ ����������������������� � �������������%������&�������������� ������� !

�����������������������������������������0-�0-��7�������� ������������ �� ��4�� ���������������������������������� ������� ����)��������� ������������'�����!

6��������������������(���F���������#�?�������2 �� �������)������������� ����0==��������������������������������� ������������� ����������������� ������ ����� ��������!

���� 5��7�./",.

President Donald Trump hasdemanded that the

European nations take backmore than 800 ISIS fighterscaptured in Syria and put themon trial, warning that the USotherwise will be forced tofree the jihadists after it pullsout from the war-torn country.

President Trump surprisedthe world by announcing inDecember that he was with-drawing 2000 American troopsfrom the war-torn Syria.

He also warned the IslamicState (ISIS) that America wouldhit them hard from nearby mil-itary bases if the terror outfitregains momentum.

US-backed fighters are setto capture ISIS’s last tiny strong-hold in Syria, bringing an endto its self-declared caliphate.

“The United States is ask-ing Britain, France, Germanyand other European allies totake back over 800 ISIS fight-ers that we captured in Syriaand put them on trial. TheCaliphate is ready to fall. Thealternative is not a good one inthat we will be forced to releasethem,” Trump said on Saturday.

President Trump warnedthat ISIS fighters could “per-meate Europe” and called onEuropean nations to “step up”efforts to put the prisoners ontrial in their countries.

“The US does not want towatch as these ISIS fighters per-meate Europe, which is wherethey are expected to go.

We do so much, and spendso much - Time for others to

step up and do the job that theyare so capable of doing. We arepulling back after 100%Caliphate victory!” he said in atweet.

ISIS, which once controlledhuge swatches of land in Iraqand Syria, suffered cripplingdefeats in 2017 when Iraqrecaptured Mosul and theSyrian Democratic Forcesseized its Syrian capital ofRaqqa, and the Syrian govern-ment pushed it east to theEuphrates.

Trump has said he will pullUS forces from Syria after ISIS’territorial defeat, raising ques-tions over the fate of the US’Kurdish allies vulnerable toan attack from Turkey.

Ankara views the Kurdishforces as terrorists aligned withinsurgents inside Turkey.

Last month, Trump threat-ened to “devastate” Turkey eco-nomically if the NATO-alliednation attacks US-backedKurdish forces in Syria follow-ing a pullout of Americantroops from the war-torn coun-

try. He also urged the Kurdsnot to “provoke” Ankara.

Ground troops first arrivedin Syria in autumn 2015 whenthen US President BarackObama sent in a small numberof special forces to train andadvise YPG fighters.

A peaceful uprising againstthe president of SyrianPresident Bashar al-Assadseven years ago turned into afull-scale civil war. The conflicthas left more than 350,000people dead, devastated citiesand drawn in other countries.

=? 1����������������,;;��-�-��������%�.��1

G�#&��- *&���*�*&�� ���? -!��" *� -4��"�-=&4

(&"��-;��-��0*#&")"0<&�-���� &��*0�*�?&

��=?�0:&"�255������8 !#*&"�*#�*�'&�=�<*)"&�� -��;" ��-��<)*�*#&��0-�*" ��1��#&��� <#�*&� ��"&��;�*0�8���1�#&���*&"-�* :&� ��-0*��!00��0-&� -�*#�*�'&�' ��

�&�80"=&��*0�"&�&��&�*#&�F

���� 5��7�./",.

In a surprise move, StateDepartment spokesperson

Heather Nauert withdrew hernomination to replace Indian-American Nikki Haley as thetop US diplomat at the UnitedNations, amid criticism byDemocrats for her lack ofdiplomatic experience.

Nauert, 48, a former FoxNews anchor, issued a state-ment on Saturday citing fami-ly reasons for her decision.

“I am grateful to President(Donald) Trump and Secretary(Mike) Pompeo for the trustthey placed in me for consid-ering me for the position of USAmbassador to the UnitedNations,” Nauert said.

“However, the past twomonths have been gruelling formy family and therefore it is inthe best interest of my familythat I withdraw my name fromconsideration,” she said.

Nauret said her two yearswith the administration hadbeen “one of the highest hon-ours of my life and I willalways be grateful to thePresident, the Secretary, andmy colleagues at the StateDepartment for their support”.

State Department DeputySpokesperson Robert Palladinosaid President Trump will makean announcement about a newnominee soon.

Pompeo said she had per-formed her duties as a seniormember of his team “withunequalled excellence”.

“Her personal decision

today to withdraw her namefrom consideration to becomethe nominee for United StatesAmbassador to the UnitedNations is a decision for whichI have great respect,” Pompeosaid. President Trump nomi-nated Nauert for the top diplo-matic position at the UN inNovember, weeks after Haleyannounced her resignation.

Senators from the opposi-tion Democratic party raisedquestions over her qualificationas the top US diplomat to theUnited Nations.

In the past, the positionwas held by some of the topAmerican political leaders anddiplomats including formerpresident George H W Bush.

“She has no foreign policyexperience that I can deduce,and being a spokesperson isdifferent than being the chiefdiplomat of the United States ata world body like the UN,”Senator Bob Menendez,Ranking Member at the SenateForeign Relations Committee,had said.

Many of her supportersargued she’s more than quali-fied for the role, noting herpractice in messaging theTrump administration’s for-eign policy for nearly twoyears.

>�������#(���#����������������E2���������E>

���� ��+���)�6

Amid heightened security,cash-strapped Pakistan was

Sunday ready to receive SaudiCrown Prince Mohammad binSalman, whose maiden trip toIslamabad was delayed by a dayfor unknown reasons.

Unease ran in the govern-ment circles in Islamabad thatthe Saudi prince might call offthe trip due to security reasonsafter building up of tensionsbetween Pakistan and India fol-lowing a terror attack on sol-diers in Kashmir on Thursday,according to officials privy tothe developments.

But there was a sigh ofrelief when the Foreign Office

announced on Friday nightthat the de-facto ruler of theGulf Kingdom will arrive onSunday.

No reason was given forthe rescheduling of the plannedarrival of the prince. However,the duration of two-day wasnot curtailed, nor the meetingsand investment plans.

The crown prince was dueto reach Pakistan on Saturday,but his arrival was delayed fora day.

Saudi Arabia on Fridaysaid it stood with India’s fightagainst terrorism and extrem-ism and denounced as “cow-ardly” the attack carried out byPakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror

group in Jammu and Kashmirthat killed at least 40 CRPF sol-diers.

The crown prince, who isvisiting Pakistan at the invita-tion of Prime Minister ImranKhan, will be accorded a redcarpet welcome and presenteda guard of honour at the PMHouse after his arrival at NoorKhan Air Base in Rawalpindi.

According to officialmedia, the prince will bereceived by Prime MinisterKhan and members of his cab-inet at the air base. He will beaccompanied by a high-pow-ered delegation, includingmembers of Saudi Royal fam-ily, key ministers and leadingbusinessmen.

����0����������������������������2���������� ��� ��

�������� ��������������� ������������������22������������������������������ � ���������� ����� ������������������2�����������'���� ��� ���������������� � ��������� ������� � �� ��� ��

��� �+�,��*�,�+�'�4+6)��48�?*��9

Islamic State militants are pre-venting more than 1,000 civil-

ians from leaving a tiny area stillheld by the extremist group ina village in eastern Syria, aspokesman for the U.S.-backedSyrian militia fighting the groupsaid on Sunday.

“Regrettably, Daesh haveclosed all the roads,” MustafaBali, a spokesman for theKurdish-led Syrian DemocraticForces, told The AssociatedPress, referring to IS by itsArabic acronym.

SDF officials have said theextremists are hiding amongcivilians in a tented villageand using a network of cavesand tunnels. IS, which onceruled a proto-state in largeparts of Syria and Iraq, is cling-ing to an area less than asquare kilometre in the villageof Baghouz, in eastern Syria.

The extremists mayinclude high-level comman-ders, and could be holdinghostages among those trappedinside.

Occasional coalitionairstrikes and clashes continueinside the village of Baghouz.Artillery rounds were meant toclear land mines for the SDFfighters to advance. SDF com-manders say the end of IS’ self-declared caliphate is near.

“We will very soon bringgood news to the whole world,”Ciya Furat, an SDF comman-der, said Saturday at a newsconference at the al-Omar OilField Base, miles away fromBaghouz in the Deir el-Zourprovince.

The capture of the lastpocket of territory held by IS ineither Syria or Iraq wouldmark the end of a devastatingfour-year global campaign toend the extremist group’s so-called caliphate.

At the height of their powerin 2014, the extremists con-trolled nearly a third of bothcountries.

But experts and USDefense officials warn that the group still poses a majorthreat and could regroup within six months if pressure isnot kept up.

E2;-����(�2���������"����A2�#��(���1":::���������

���� ��+���)�6

Pakistan on Sunday briefedambassadors from African

and the Shanghai CooperationOrganisation (SCO) countriesabout the situation after thePulwama terror attack inJammu and Kashmir that killed41 CRPF soldiers.

India held a briefing forenvoys of 25 countries, includ-ing from P5 nations — US,China, Russia, the UK andFrance — in New Delhi onFriday to highlight Pakistan’srole in using terrorism as aninstrument of state policy.

Pakistan Foreign Officespokesman Mohammad FaisalSunday said that briefing byForeign Secretary TehminaJanjua to resident ambassadorsregarding Pulwama attack con-tinued at the Ministry ofForeign Affairs.

Faisal said the Indian alle-gations were baseless and“aggressive rhetoric” by NewDelhi was “counterproductiveand threat to regional peace.”

While briefing the ambas-sadors from SCO states onPulwama attack, “she recalled

familiar pattern of India blam-ing Pakistan instantly aftersuch incidents without inves-tigation,” he said.

The SCO was founded at asummit in Shanghai in 2001 bythe presidents of Russia, China,Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan,Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.India and Pakistan became itsmembers in 2017.

The briefings werelaunched soon after thePulwama attack to ward offcriticism at the global level, asIndia blamed Pakistani ele-ments for the attack.

So far briefings for ambas-sador from the P5 nations,non-permanent members ofthe UNSC, EU members andother European countries hadbeen arranged, Pakistani offi-cials said.

�������2��2���� � ���:� ����������������� �2���������������

-�� �� ���� ������������ ����

*�������������.���������������

� � ���������� ����!������

�� ���������/

��� �#�#"��8�,+,�)��9

The US military airlifted tonsof aid to a Colombian town

on the Venezuelan border onSaturday as part of an effortmeant to undermine socialistPresident Nicolas Maduro andback his rival to leadership of theSouth American nation. Two ofthree scheduled Air Force C-17cargo planes that took off fromHomestead Air Reserve Base inFlorida had landed in Cucuta.

That border city, swollen bya flood of migrants fromVenezuela, is a collection pointfor aid that’s supposed to be dis-tributed by supporters of JuanGuaido, the congressional leaderwho is recognized by the US andmany other nations asVenezuela’s legitimate president.

“This wasn’t the first, and itwon’t be the last,” said USAIDAdministrator Mark Green, sta-nding on the tarmac in Cucutaat a ceremony to receive the aid.“More is on the way.” Com-mercial planes had been used forearlier shipments of aid, whichis aimed at dramatizing the eco-nomic crisis — including hyper-inflation and shortages of food,medicine — gripping Venezuela.

-�,"�"���*+��#�&��# #�����#�3.���5�� ��("���"

���� +,.6,.

Britain’s Princes William andHarry, known to be very

close, are preparing to go theirseparate ways, seeking a moreindependent path from eachother in terms of their charitywork and royal duties.

Courtiers hope that a for-mal separation of their staffmay also help ease somerecently-reported tensionsbetween the brothers and theirwives – Kate Middleton andMeghan Markle, according toThe Sunday Times.

The princes, grandsons ofQueen Elizabeth II, are expect-ed to create separate “courts”before the birth of PrinceHarry’s first child, due in Aprilor May.

Until now they operated via what was referredto as a joint royal householdbut now they will carve outmore distinctive roles for them-selves.

The brothers will operatethrough separate staff andcommunication teams, a moveseen as a way for them to seekout a more independent pathfrom each other in terms oftheir charity work and royalduties.

The division of their sharedhousehold after 10 yearsreflects their increasingly dif-ferent responsibilities, withWilliam set to take on addi-tional duties as a future kingafter father Charles.

Harry and his pregnantwife Meghan – the Duke andDuchess of Sussex – will short-ly move from KensingtonPalace to Frogmore Cottage, onthe Queen’s Windsor estate.However, their new office andstaff is expected to remain atKensington Palace.

“William and Harry areworking to make sure theSussexes have an office that cansupport their family when theymove to Frogmore this spring.This work has been under waysince before last year’s wedding(of Prince Harry and MeghanMarkle),” a royal source wasquoted as saying.

The main division forWilliam, 36, and Harry, 34, willbe of their communicationteams.

“There is a gulf in thestyle and approach to the typeof work that William and Katewill increasingly do as futurehead of state and consort, andHarry and Meghan, who havemore of a blank canvas withtheir roles,” another royalsource said.

Prince Charles, who fundshis sons’ household and officialwork from his Duchy ofCornwall income, is under-stood to have insisted that thedivision be “cost neutral”.

The brothers and theirwives will continue to worktogether on their charitableroyal foundation, HeadsTogether – which supportsmental health, veterans, con-servation and vulnerable youngpeople.

������ ��$��������<���������(&����� �� ���������� ��������

-&����������3������ �!��.��������. ���� ��� ���� @ ���� ���� �� ������������������� �� ������!� ���� ��� ����)������ �����������A�%���!��.������ ��� ��!������� � �� ������� ��/�! ����9� ������ 3��������� �������.� :/�

Tehran: Iran’s foreign ministryon Sunday summoned thePakistani ambassador afterTehran accused Islamabad ofharbouring a jihadist groupbehind a deadly suicide attackon security forces.

"The Islamic Republic ofIran expects Pakistan's gov-ernment and Army to serious-ly confront ... The terroristgroups active on its borderwith Iran," the foreign ministrysaid in a statement.

An Iranian official at theministry called on Pakistan toquickly take the necessary stepsfor the identification and arrestof the attack's perpetrators.

The suicide bombing onWednesday killed 27 membersof Iran's Revolutionary Guardstravelling on a bus in the volatilesoutheastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan, which straddlesthe border with Pakistan.

The attack was claimed bythe jihadist outfit Jaish al-Adl("Army of Justice"). It wasformed in 2012 as a successor tothe Sunni extremist groupJundallah (Soldiers of God),which waged a deadly insur-gency for a decade before it wasseverely weakened by the cap-ture and execution of its leaderAbdolmalek Rigi in 2010. AFP

��������� ��������� �� ������������ ����

���� +,.6,.

British Prime MinisterTheresa May has urged her

Conservative Party MPs to shedtheir “personal preferences” overBrexit and united in the nation-al interest ahead of a freshround of talks with the EuropeanUnion on the divorce deal nextweek. Britain is set to exit the 28-member bloc on March 29, butMay is struggling to persuadeparliament to back a divorcedeal.

In her letter to all 317Conservative MPs over theweekend, May urged her partyto sacrifice “personal prefer-ences” as she attempts to get anagreement on the terms of theUK’s departure from the EUthrough Parliament.

She warned the Tories, whoremain deeply divided over thecontours of Brexit, that leavingthe EU without a deal on theMarch 29 deadline “would causedisruption to our economy andto people’s daily lives, damagingjobs both at home and across theEU”.

“Instead, our party can do

what it has done so often in thepast; Move beyond what dividesus and come together behindwhat unites us; Sacrifice if nec-essary our own personal pref-erences in the higher service ofthe national interest,” she added.

However, the letter wasovershadowed by a series ofleaked WhatsApp messagesmagnifying the divide that existswithin the UK’s ruling party overthe issue.

The messages, received by‘The Sunday Times’ involveSteve Baker, the deputy chair-man of the Conservative Party’s100-strong hard-BrexitEuropean Research Group(ERG), telling colleagues thatMay’s Brexit negotiations withBrussels were a “complete wasteof time”. “What will it take for thePM to accept that we will notaccept the ‘backstop’ in its cur-rent form,” Baker questioned, inreference to the back-up clauseto prevent a hard borderbetween EU member-countryIreland and the UK post-Brexit– which remains the biggest hur-dle in the path to an amicableWithdrawal Agreement.

�����&���*.�$�&�����&��.#"���'�����/"�

���� 5��7�./",.

The US deputy attorney gen-eral discussed how many

cabinet members would sup-port removing US PresidentDonald Trump from office in2017, the FBI’s former actingdirector said in an interviewairing Sunday.

Andrew McCabe saidinvoking the 25th Amendmentof the US Constitution wasraised by Deputy AttorneyGeneral Rod Rosenstein afterTrump fired FBI director JamesComey on May 9, 2017.

“Rod raised the issue anddiscussed it with me in the con-text of thinking about howmany other cabinet officialsmight support such an effort,”McCabe told CBS’s “60Minutes” news show.

A clip of that part of theinterview was run early Sundayon CBS’s “Face the Nation”show, the first time McCabe’sactual comments on the explo-sive subject have been aired.

Rosenstein has dismissedreports that he discussedremoving Trump from office -- and even pondered wearing

a wire to secretly record hisconversations with the presi-dent -- as a “joke,” if indeed hemade the comments.

In the interview, McCabewas asked whether Rosensteinseemed intent on “getting rid ofthe president of the UnitedStates one way or another.” “Ican’t confirm that,” he said.

“But what I can say is thedeputy attorney general wasdefinitely very concerned aboutthe president, about his capac-ity and about his intent at thatpoint in time.”

The president abruptlyfired Comey amid tensionsover the FBI’s investigationinto possible links betweenTrump’s 2016 campaign and acovert Russian effort to swaythe US election in his favour.

Comey has said thatTrump had been pressuringhim to publicly declare that hewas not a subject of the inves-tigation. The firing set offalarm bells at the FBI, andMcCabe told CBS he scrambledto ensure that the Russia probewas on “absolutely solidground” so it could not easilybe shelved.

#��C��22��������������#������������ 8;*E$2������4�����2

�(������ .45�64+7�

Three days after thePulwama terror strike, at

least nine personnel were killedand 11 injured in a suicideattack on Pakistan Army con-voy near Balochistan.

According to a report inThe Balochistan Post, theBaloch Raji Ajoi Sangar(BRAS) have claimed responsibility for the attackbetween Turbat and Panjgur,on China Pakistan EconomicCorridor (CPEC) route.

The attack occurred hours before the Saudi Arabia's Crown PrinceMohammed bin Salmanarrived in Pakistan.

Baloch Raji Ajoi Sangar(BRAS) is an alliance of threeBaloch pro-freedom organi-sations, Baloch LiberationArmy, Balochistan LiberationFront and Baloch RepublicanGuard.

The report quoted BalochKhan, the spokesperson forBRAS, as saying that theirfighters had attacked thePakistani security forces

patrolling team and a camp atthe same time on Sundaymorning on CPEC routebetween Panjgur and Turbatcity.

The incident comes amidheightened tensions in the sub-continent after the suicide attack in Jammu &Kashmir, where a 20-year-oldyouth rammed an explosives-laden SUV into aconvoy of CRPF, killing over 40personnel.

External Affairs MinisterSushma Swaraj also made abrief stopover in Iran onSaturday, days after both coun-tries lost soldiers to attacks car-ried out by terrorists operatingfrom Pakistani soil.

While India lost over 40CRPF jawans to a terror attack carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad inJammu & Kashmir's Pulwamaon Thursday, Iran'sRevolutionary Guards hasaccused ‘Pakistan's securityforces’ of supporting the per-petrators of a suicide bombingthat killed 27 of its troops onWednesday.

�������<������ **� +����� �������������� �������$������

Page 13: ...superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva (as the actor is ... on Twitter. “It has been noticed that on social media some

�� ��������������������������� ������N����������� ���� ������� �3A��*�'�� ������� �������������� ����������(��������$������-����������������!������� ����������� ���������(���������$������������������������������JA1A����(�������� ��������������� ����������������������������������B�� �������� ���������*������� �����' ���8�*�'9����� ����(��������������������������������������������������3=�� ������ ������� !�"��� ��� ��� �3A� ��'������������������2���������������!7����� ������� ��� �� ���������������������%?�������)����������������������N����� ������ ���������-�� ����������������������� ������ ������ �������� ����� �� �� !&

�� ��� �������$����%�������������������$�������� ��� ������������������������� ���� ���� �������) ���� ����������������!

"��������� ������ ���(����������� �<��2����7��2��I����������� �������� ���� ���� ��

�������.�� �����������������������$������*��������� ����������$�����( ���!<��2����������(������ ��������������� ������B������� ��� ���!�(��������� ������%����������� ������������ ��2 ����������������� ����� �� � �����!�4���� ������������ �������!&

������� ���� ����� ������������������� �������%�����������������������E������������������� ������� �����������������������B�) ����������� ��� ��� ������������������

���!��� ����� �� ��������������������� ������E ����������������

������������ ������� �� ������������� �������� ���� ����� ����� ��!���E ����������� � ����!)� ������������� ��� ����������������������������������� ����������� ����������������� �OK==�===�������� �������������� ���������� ����� �G����������������������������!

5���5�������� ����+�)� ����� ��

+��� �����%��� ��� �������.

-*�/��������������������� ���� �� ��� ���� ��� �3�������� ���� ������� ���� �������A�%���������������� ��� ��

�� ������� �������� �*��� � ����� A�*��� ��� ��� �� ��. ���A�*���

���� �����������9����� �:� ��������� ������������������� ��������� �����������C���� ���A�*������� ��� @� �� �� !��.����!������� ���� ����������������� ������� �����D>������&����

��!�������'�( ��#) '���"%�#%) *+,�-.*/ �������8(

�-�-����� ���66The Italian drama is focused on power clashes andcorruption in Rome and the Vatican City, amongorganised crime, politicians and churchmen. StarringAlessandro Borghi as Aureliano Adami, an ItalianOstia-based gang member, Eduardo Valdarninistars as Gabriele ‘Lele’ Marchilli, a lone pusher andFrancesco Acquaroli plays Samurai, the main leaderof Rome’s organised crime.The drama is slated to release on February 22 onNetflix.

��� ����� Starring Ricky Gervais, the series is about Tony(Ricky) who used to have a perfect life. But after hiswife Lisa dies, Tony becomes suicidal, but he decidesinstead to live long enough to punish the world bysaying and doing whatever he likes. He thinks it’s likea Super Power — not caring about himself or any-one else — but it turns out to be tricky when every-one is trying to save the nice guy they used to know.The series will be released on March 8 on Netflix.

�-��--�������� Idris Elba stars as a failed DJ trying to relaunch hiscareer while working as a nanny for his superstarbest friend’s wild child — 11-year-old daughter. Alsostarring Piper Perabo and JJ Feild. The series of eightepisodes is slated to release on March 15 onNetflix.

% � � 3 � % � � '

While the top five smartphone brandscurrently enjoy a market share

exceeding 75 per cent in India, whateveris left is now being shared by over 88smartphone brands — leaving a mere 0.3per cent market share for each player.

Players like Panasonic and Videoconare among those 88 smartphone brandssharing the revenue of nearly �43,560 crore— or �475 crore revenue per brand (onaverage).

On the other hand, Samsung aloneposted sales of over �37,000 crore for itsmobile phone business in India in thefinancial year 2018, followed by arch rivalXiaomi at nearly �23,000 crore.

Oppo Mobiles registered nearly�12,000 crore in revenue while Vivocrossed �11,000 crore in the FY’18.

The big question is, how many of these88 brands will be able to survive the hyper-competitive and highly price-consciousIndian market?

“As a result of the increased consoli-dation among the top five smartphonebrands, the available potential sphere ofplay for other smartphone players has sig-nificantly decreased,” said Prabhu Ram,Head-Industry Intelligence Group (IIG) atthe market research firm CyberMediaResearch (CMR).

Over the past two years, feature phoneto smartphones upgrade has not picked upas anticipated.

“This was primarily due to the spikein refurbished phones/second hand phonemarket, along with the rapid uptake of 4Gfeature phones. Coupled with this, the lackof smartphone offerings providing optimalexperience under sub-�6,000, is alsoaffecting the upgrades,” Ram said.

Amid massive investment in retailstores, hiring more staff and increasing adspends as users are spoilt for choices, thepinch would soon affect many of those 88vendors sooner than later, and most willeither shut shops or enter newer business-es.

However, for Chinese brands withdeep pockets and a stagnating market backhome, India would continue to remain a

attractive bet.“They can afford to bleed, and any

profit would be welcome. We believe theywould continue to fight in the market,” saidSwati Kalia, an analyst at IIG, CMR.

The smartphone market in Indiagrew 14.5 per cent in 2018 with the high-est-ever shipments of 142.3 million units,

according to the International DataCorporation (IDC).

Xiaomi with 28.9 market shareshipped 41.1 million units while Samsungwith 22.4 per cent market share shipped31.9 million in FY’18.

Vivo shipped 14.2 million units with10 per cent market share while OPPOshipped 10.2 million units and captured7.2 per cent market share.

In such a scenario, the road ahead onlygets tougher for the rest of the players.

“For large consumer-durable con-glomerates, including the likes ofPanasonic and Videocon, it makes moresense to look at broader synergies avail-able from new blue sky opportunities suchas Internet of Things (IoT) and the con-nected home,” noted Amit Sharma, anoth-er Analyst at IIG, CMR.

F��!�

What is it with classical litera-ture? People might shrug itoff as old-fashioned and

trivial, however, there’s a reason thatthese books and works have been readover and over again despite the pas-sage of decades. From exposing sex-ism and toxic masculinity in SylviaPlath’s works, a modern speech froma Shakespearean play, today’s rom-coms which have a definite JaneAusten flair, to timeless moral of par-enting that Mary Shelley’sFrankenstein taught — the truth is thatthese classics continue to be relevanteven today.

One such was also RabindranathTagore’s Rakta Karabi or Yaksapuri,written in 1923 in Bengali, which peo-ple saw as a chronicle that foretold thefuture.

Director Pradip Bhattacharyarecreated the iconic play as Jakshapuriat the NSD’s Bharat Rang Mahotsav.The adaptation brought together 21murder convicts who are serving lifeterm at the Berhampore CentralCorrection Home in Bengal.

He believes that it was importantto retell the play especially by the teamfrom the Berhampore RepertoryTheatre of Murshidabad.

The director, who has been con-ducting theatre therapy at the correc-tion home since the last 12 years, saysthat when he had first interacted withthe prisoners and local administration,examining everything for 20 days, herealised that the Tagorean philosophytaught three things — who is a humanbeing?; every human should havehumanity and if one has that, onlythen will s/he attain salvation (mukti).He says, “The prisoners are alwayseagerly waiting to get rid of the cap-tivity, thinking about the time whenthey can return to their homes andhence, they are rootless. They becomelabourers inside the jail as a part of its

routine. But somewhere they arealways looking forward to get out.”

He realised that the prisonersneeded to do something beyond thelabour. It was an initiative to “recycle”the waste and give them a new life.They started with Tagorean classicsafter getting the permission from thelocal authorities.

He chose Tagore’s plays to makethem get rid of the “masks” that theywere wearing. “I did Tasher Desh, TotaKahini and then Jakshapuri or RaktaKarabi. He relates the situation of twokinds of people to explain what“masks” signify here — people fromthe higher class and the prisoners.

“All the people from the higherclass in our society are the dominat-ing lot. The rule of cards is the face ormask they wear. The true human ener-gy lies somewhere inside them.Similarly, prisoners are also masked.They are devoid of life after they havecommitted some crimes and landed inprison. To bring out the energy thatthey have inside them, we need to takeoff that mask,” he explains.

There was always a risk involved.“There is a prison law that prohibits

any interaction — verbal, sexual orphysical — between a man and awoman inside its premises. Koi aadmiaankh utha ke nahi dekh sakta kisiaurat ko (no man could look at awoman directly). And the play direc-tion brought them together.”

He narrates that even thoughthey are not literate and belong tonative villages, they had a lot of ques-tions, “Since Rakta Karabi spoke vol-umes about a jailer’s lives, they want-ed to know if Tagore ever went toprison? And when they came toknow that he hadn’t, they wereastounded as to how he could under-stand their real experiences.”

However, they related to the play’stheme of captivity so much that they“owned the story” and portrayed itwell. He says, “Acting can’t be taught.But this is a part of their prison expe-rience, hence they did it with utmosthonesty.”

The play’s protagonist, Nandini isan individual pursued by abstraction.Bhattacharya explains that she is nota reality. He says, “For me, Nandiniplays three characters. She shedslight on everyone and there is dark-ness when she leaves. She is an illu-sion.”

He derives a metaphor for thisfrom the prohibition law in theprison when in the play, neitherRanjan nor Kishore nor even the kingare able to meet Nandini. It’s becauseof the king’s greed for power andmoney, Ranjan’s bond with his mech-anised world and Kishore’s eagernessto live a life of abundance. This alsoinfluenced the way that he shaped herthree distinct characters.

Drawing a comparison with theliterary concept of Sophocles, he saysthat they are like Electra and Oedipus,“who never meet their desired part-ners as per the rules of nature.”

The king is blinded by greed, and

doesn’t consider the gold mine work-ers as humans. Even the labourers arebonded with the machinery to suchan extent that they completely delinkthemselves from love just like Ranjan.

The director explains that henever changed the original script,rather just rigorously edited it. “I edit-ed the script and changed thechronology. There were a few charac-ters in the original play which I did-n’t include. However, I didn’t changea single word or line,” he informs.

However, he says that he did twistthe climax in a way that it leaves theaudience with the hope that thecharacters will attain salvation oneday. He says, “Towards the end, all thelabourers of Yaksapuri’s gold minesbreak through the administration andking’s rule in the original. But my playdoesn’t show that. I can’t break thesystem. Similarly, in real life too, I goinside the jail and change some nutbolts through therapy and mentalrehabilitation. Hence, the play’s end-ing portrays hope through one ofTagore’s songs where all of them praythat light will come to them andrelieve them of all their sorrows.”

He feels that theatre is somethingwhich is an evidence that only “wordscannot fulfill the blankness.” Thereare a lot more things like “action” andthis is the way any play is designed.“One needs to look for a meaning andfind a connection with the reality,” hesays.

In the play, as in real life, he alsosearches for a balance between mate-rialistic mechanisation and nature aswell as breaking the blindedness ofmachinery. He strongly believes inthe simplicity of a man than in theprolific use of technology that is over-powering everything. Nandini, forhim, is the bearer of the message ofreality, the saviour through death. Sheis nature — unfettered, unspoilt.

Actress Bhumi Pednekar embod-ies the fact that talent and hard

work can make one a success story.She reveals some of her hectic prepa-rations for her forthcoming film,Sonchiriya.

“I have been called a perfection-ist but I think everyone workedequally hard. Starting with directorAbhishek Chaubey, who in our veryfirst meeting told me that the onlyway to survive the terrain and every-thing that is happening in the filmis to become mentally and phys-ically strong. And he just didn’tmean emotionally but also phys-ically because there is a lot ofaction, including runningaround. He trained us real-ly well, starting fromBundelkhandi, the lan-guage that we are speak-ing,” Bhumi reveals.

“The physicality of mycharacter concernedChaubey the most. Hereally went into the detailsof it and he literally told methat the women of Chambalare carb-eating women.They are muscular but theyare lean and they are fitbecause of the amount ofwork they do throughoutthe day. They walk kilo-meters, fetch eight-10litres of water, on theirhead, sometimes, whilecarrying a child in theirarm. Every time theywant to go to the wash-room, they have to walkmiles. Throughout theday they work at home orin the fields. They don’t real-ly rest and I planned my work-out around what he told me,” sheadds.

Bhumi’s work out regime is

the highlight of her prep forSonchiriya. “So, my train-

er Neelam (pilatesinstructor) came up witha regime where every-thing was around thekind of activities mycharacter would dothroughout the day. Itwas like a month and ahalf before we started

shooting. So, I would walkaround with five-six litresof water on my head inAaram Nagar for kilome-ters without any shoesbecause we were trying toalso get rough and tough.But then your body getsused to it. I remember Iwould carry 10-15 kgs ofwheat sack on my backand again walk and runthrough the area becausethere is a lot of running inthe film. I would grind akg of wheat flour every

day. It looks very easy butit is tough. We included a fewthings that helped me get thephysique of a person who isnative to the area,” she says.

& � 5 5 � 4

+�F��,&=�%'2�6���� ���*�6���)7�""��7�*?��������������"� ��-��������������������� ���������� ����������� �0J����� ����!������������ ����������� ������� ������������������������������������������ ������ ����� ����� �� ����� � �� ������������!�)���7�7�$ ��""�+

4��1����������$���� "$"���5�����))�������� ���� ��2����2������;G/����� ������������� � ���

Page 14: ...superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva (as the actor is ... on Twitter. “It has been noticed that on social media some

�?-6�?�-��7+�0==��6=7�.�)�-=7-=���-0�7.�47@('&��?�=��7.=�#'���6�()6'')��7+�=���+��+)�7

*��������������������� ���������������������������� ����������������� ��������� �������������������� ������������������������ ������������������ ������ ���������� �� ���!��� ����������������2 ��� �������������������������� �� �� ��������� �������� ������������������� �� ���������������������������� ��������������� �!�*���������������������(�� �'��� � �����#�������������������������'������������������ ���������������� �������������������� �� ������!����������������������������2 ���������������������������������� ��� ��������������� ���������� �������������� �������������������� ��� �������������!�"������� ������ ������������������ ���������������������� ������������������������������� ����� ��-�� �� ������� ��!�"����������������������������� �� �� ������������������������������ �� �������� �������������������� ��� ��������� ����������� �����!

)�74=.=-��'?()��'+.��4?.=�.'��+#=�.�(�.@6��������� �� �������������������� �������������������� ������� �� ����������� ��� ������������������������B����!�� �������� ������� �JN��������� ���� ������������ ������� �������!��� ����� �����������������5 ���7�����,����E�� ��857,9����� ������������������ ���������� ��������������������������K!A��������� �JP!1��������!%6���������������������6.�� �������������������� ��������������� ��������������������� ����� ������������������� ��� �������&�������* ����5�������� ��������' ����7 �������.���6����!,����� ���������������������� ���������� ���������� �������� ���������� ���8��,�9����� ������ ��������������������������� ��� ������!%6��������������������� ���� ���� �� ������������������������������������ �� ���� ���������������������� ����!"���� ��������������� ������������������������ �������������������K=�P=���������&�5�������B�������!

������ ���������� ����������� ������� ������������ ���� ��������������������������B������������B��������� ������ ������� ��������������� ������ �������������!%"������������������������������������� ���������������������� ��1=������������������� ����� ������!�5������������������ � ����2 �������������������������������������� ����5����������������������� �� ���&�7���� �,�� � ���<�����������������!%�� ����������� ����������������� �� ������������������ ������������2����� ���� �����������!�5����������������������� ���������������������������!�5������������������� ������������ ������������2 ������������� �������� �����������&�������������!+����������������� ���� ���8�� ��� �������������������������������������9��������� �� �� �� ���� �������������������!�"������� �������������������� ������������%���� ��������� ���� ���� ���������������������������� ������������������� �� ����� �������������������������������!&

/������ ���������������� ���������������������������������� ����������������������������� ����� ����� �������������������� ����������������!"������� ������������� � �������������/�������7 �����8�/79����������� ����������� ��������� ����������������������������� �������������������� ������������I������� ��������� ������������!"����������������������������������������������� ������� �������� ������������������������ ����������������������� ����� ���������� ���������� �� ������2 ��� ����� ��� ���������� ��������������� ���Q�����!%5����������� ��������������������� ������������ ���� ��������� ������� �� ��� ����� ��������������������� ��� ������������������� ���������������������� ���������� ���� �� �� ��� ����� ��������� ���� ���������� �� ����� ������ ������� ���������������&������� ���� ��'�����������!

�������0��������1�81

�������� ��!���"��!��#"�$%��%�&�$����$%'

����������������������� ������ ������� ������3=��������������������������� �������� �������� ������ ����������������8�<69� �� ���� ������� �� ����� ��������������J=�������������������������!��������������������� ����� ������� ����������� ������������� ������ ��������������������������������� ���������������������������������B��������������B���������!�' �������������������������� � ��7������#���������������������������� � ��J�J=3����������� ��� �������� ���������������KA!P!�6��������J=��������������� ���KL��<6�������� �� ����������� ���!�%,��� ��������� ���������������������������������� ���������������� �� ����� �� ������������������ ��������������������������� �����������&�������������� ��(����?��������7�������"!7!��������� �� ��������7����������#�!�"��������������� �������������� �� ��������� �������� ���� ��������������������������������� ��!

��������("��� ����$���!%!���� �$

����� ������� ������ ��� ���� ��� ���� �� � ��������� �E������� ��AD��F������'����

�%%��%�������#�$����)�!�*����!�* ��!!+���)��&����$�

��!�������'�( ��#) '���"%�#%) *+,�-.*/

Since ancient times,the medical pro-fession has been

considered as a nobleone, for its membersrender a valuable ser-vice to mankind by pre-venting, alleviating,controlling or eliminat-ing disease, pain andsuffering. Through theknowledge of the phys-ical body and the lawsof health and hygiene,doctors provide patientsrelief and recoverywhen the former arepassing through greatphysical or mental cri-sis or facing the worst ofphysical troubles ormental tensions or arefighting for life. So, themembers of the profes-sion truly needed to becomplimented by thesociety.

However, it hasbeen observed thatmany members of themedical profession inthis era of increasingurbanisation andspread of industrialcivilisation and tech-nological culture alsoface the great pressures of materialism and are hard-pressed for time. With the objective of providing med-icine to the largest possible number of patients withinthe set time-limits, they are pre-occupied with only thephysical well-being of their patients, almost overlook-ing the changes required in the treatment depending onthe outlook or personality-traits of the patients. Eventhough they know that most diseases are psychosomat-ic in nature and that the life-style, the personality-traitsand the behavioural pattern of a person also play a majorrole in causing stress or trauma or in aggravating thedisease, they do not or cannot pay adequate attentionto the social and moral dimensions of health and dis-ease.

The reason for this is because their main attentionis on the symptoms and on prescribing suitable medi-cines. But, if we think deeper, we find that, without con-trolling, reducing or eliminating the psychic or the behav-ioural causes, there cannot be any lasting cure for dis-eases.

When a person is suffering from social or mentalill-health, it is not him or her who suffers from its evileffects but also others who live with him, work with himor deal with him. For example, a person of irritable natureor one who easily loses his temper or is prone to anxi-ety, not only suffers from avoidable worry and tensionbut often causes mental stress and anxiety to othersaround him also.

Worse still is the social strife, family turmoil or polit-ical upheaval that the moral and social ill-health of a per-son can create. Hitler, for example, was socially andmorally ill and mentally sick. Most of our present-dayproblems are due to moral and social ill-health of ourcitizens which generate a chain-reaction and contributeto an atmosphere that is full of strife. So, while doctorstalk of holistic health, hypertension, psychosomatic dis-eases, drug addiction or AIDS, we wish that due atten-tion is also paid to the turmoil caused by one’s moralsickness or social illness in the socio-political or socio-economic atmosphere of the society.

� �� ����������������� �������������� ��� � ����������������������� ������ ���� ���� ����������������������������� ������ ������� �� �����������������*�(?,/� )*�7��$#��* .�$#.( (�

The human mind is incred-ible. Consider for a momentthat everything you seearound — all the tools andservices you use, every

experience you enjoy is the result ofsomeone’s imagination brought tolife.

From companies in the sharedeconomy, space to manufacturing,tech and e-commerce, leaders acrossindustries are talking about innovationfor that is the only way to get ahead.

For several years companies havebeen able to thrive through smartfinancial management and efficientworkflows, ways to bolster the bottomline through cutting costs and ensur-ing conformity. While still important,these tools are no longer adequate.

As work becomes more fluid andflexible, employees no longer find theneed to go into the office unless theyhave to meet people and share ideas.Remote work and co-working spacesare fast overtaking the staid idea of anoffice with inspiration and purposequickly becoming a priority over a sta-ble income and job security. Thischange in mindset is why it’s essentialthat brands create spaces that inspireteams in ways that continuously offera sense of purpose, meaning, andimpact.

Companies today understand thatcustomers shift loyalties based onexperiences and not just products orservices. Employees are no different.Fair wages and flexible working hoursare par for course. Not offering theseoptions is a death knoll for firms look-ing to grow. In spite of competitivesalaries and benefits, attrition rates arehigh across industries. The workplaceyou create, on the other hand, can bea powerful tool for both retention andinnovation. By creating spaces thatmirror your organisation’s identity andthe mission you need your teams toserve, you can develop an ecosystemthat thrives on creativity.

Mirroring the social behaviours ofyour teams, primarily made up of mil-lennials and Gen-Z, is a crucial aspectof this process. Naturally inclined tocrave collaboration, frequent feedback,

and compelling experiences, thesegenerations need more from theirworkspaces. The workplace shouldoffer dedicated outdoor areas for nat-ural social interaction in addition totraditional conference and meetingroom setups. The ability to movearound the office and utilise ameni-ties based on the task at hand canreduce stress and free up headspace forcreative work.

Another meaningful way thatspaces can help you further creativi-ty is through the integration of tech-nology. The ability to book desks, view

data on the most-used areas, use fur-niture linked to apps, and even blockmeeting rooms through touchscreensare just some ways in which you canuse tech to create a workspace thatfeels intuitive. From a design stand-point, it makes sense to offer a widevariety of options, those that reflectthe diversity of your teams and thework you expect from them.Modularity is one option where peo-ple can rearrange furnishings to cre-ate interactive settings based on theirpreferences and requirements. Privacypods for some peace, technology-free

zones for work that requires zero dis-tractions, and dedicated collaborationcentres are just some of the other waysto build workspaces that fuel creativethinking.

Your workspace is the nucleus ofyour organisation so prioritise itsdesign accordingly. Committing tothis strategy, tracking its performance,and then making changes based oninputs will transform your work-space from an operational expense toan investment in creativity, one thatunlocks the real potential of your busi-ness.

Technology has penetrat-ed all segments of ourlives and undoubtedly

revolutionised all the sectors.Tech revolution are being wit-nessed in achieving fitnessgoals. Bodybuilding and fitnessdreams are no longer restrict-ed to the gyms.

Today smartphones andvarious apps have become aninseparable part of our lives.These apps and gadgets makeour lives easier while amusingand relaxing us. Interestingly,technology has started helpinghealth and fitness fanatics too.

There are number ofadvantages offered by healthand fitness app and gadgets,

here’s how?

HELPS YOU PLAN YOURSCHEDULE

Given our busy schedule,the most common excuse fornot working out is that they arebusy and have no time forexercise. However, with theadvent of fitness apps, timingyour schedule to improve yourfitness has become much eas-ier than ever before.

There is no doubt thatmaintaining work-life balanceand demarcating time for workout seems like a challenge.However, setting time on yourapp or even a watch for workout and following it for a cou-

ple of weeks willget you in the routine and itwill no longer be a challenge tofocus on your own health.

TRACKS YOUR HEALTHTracking is a major step in

reaching closer to your fitnessgoal. The newly inventedtracking devices are crafted tohelp you monitor the crucialcomponents of your healthlike nutrition, vital statistics,sleeping hours, workout ses-sions, calories consumed andburnt.

These gadgets further helpin various ways, like:Monitoring heart rate:Tracking your heart rate rangesfrom sensors to chest straps, to

wrist straps and headbands.Tracking of heart rate provesvery crucial while undertakingany aerobic fitness plan orundergoing regular cardio ses-sions. By monitoring yourheart beat, you would knowhow well you are performingand how close you are to your

fitness targets.

Tracking weight: Weight lossis a major concern amongmany today, however, there arevery few who are able to maketime to shed it via a work-outsession. With the help of gad-gets, you can now track your

weight regularly and thenumber of calories you

are consuming orburning. Most ofthese fitness gadgetscome with appswhich help you tocount macronutri-ents so that youchoose your foodwisely and stayhealthy.

WEARABLE DEVICESWearable technology is

one of the major disruptorsin the health and fitness sec-tor. It has empowered fitnessenthusiasts to have bettercontrol over their fitness goalsand motivated them to keeppushing themselves to do bet-ter. These wearable deviceshave revolutionised the scopeof health and well-beingimprovement by enablingwearers to know accuratelyhow much they ran or stepsclimbed, how their heart beatis or how sound their sleepwas.

Before their advent, didyou ever think that trackinghealth could be as easy as sim-ply attaching a strap to yourarm or chest? The accuratedetails revealed by thesedevices help you attain yourfitness goals.

Health certainly comesfirst and with technologyoffering so much, it is time weembrace it to live healthierlives and maintaining our fit-ness goals.

(The author is the founderof a health and fitness consul-tant company.)

��� �&"$#�!�(��%+������&���+���#�"����",+��'�����'�����+�� .��"'"�*�!�����,+�#*7&�*&�������� 8���

?+('�0�@'?����=7.�A�.@

"74�5,*$�+��4��7,#+6,''4*�,#"6,,*��*4���',*

.�"#*�+��.6��,���+�."4*��"�,.��.��66�"�,.

",��,.'4*4.�4�*,,��4"#��!�"74��)�+�"?�",

�,<4��*,#.6�"74�,''��4�.6�#"�+��4���4.�"�4�

)��46�,.�"74�"��$��"�7�.6

5������������������������� ������������������������������� �� ��������������$7?�"� ��7�(�.

%� �� !����� �� �����.��� �� ���� ���� � ����

� ����������������� �������������� ����� ������� �����

��. ������������������������������ ������������!��.����� �������

������ �������� ���������

574.����4*�,.����#''4*�./�'*,�

�4."�+��++�74�+"7��"����.,"�(#�"�7��

,*�74*�57,�#''4*��'*,���"�4<�+�4''4�"��)#"

�+�,�,"74*��57,+�<4�,*�5,*$�

5�"7�7���

A��#����#����

#���#

Page 15: ...superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva (as the actor is ... on Twitter. “It has been noticed that on social media some

��!�������'�( ��#) '���"%�#%) *+,�-.*/ ������82

�����> India captain ViratKohli remained on top whileteammate Chesteshwar Pujaramanaged to hold on to histhird position in the latestICC Test rankings, where SriLankan Kusal Perera made aquantum leap of 58 places.

Kohli is leading the chartwith 992 rating points ahead ofNew Zealand skipper KaneWilliamson (897 points) andPujara (881). Besides Kohliand Pujara, no other Indianfeature in the top 10 list.

The left-handed Pererahas reached a career-best 40th

position after 15 Tests, scoring51 and an unbeaten 153 thatguided his team to an improb-able win, partnering in thehighest ever unbroken 10thwicket stand in a winningcause in first-class cricket.

In the bowlers' list,Australia fast bowler PatCummins has overtakenKagiso Rabada to grab the topspot.

Cummins is the first fromhis country since GlennMcGrath's pole position inthe list, back in February,2006.

Cummins is leading thebowlers table ahead ofEngland's James Anderson andRabada of South Africa.

Among the bowlers,Ravindra Jadeja is placed at thefifth spot with 794 points.PTI

���� .45�64+7��

Asian Games Gold medallistAmit Panghal started the

season on a strong note asIndian boxers packed enoughpower into their punches toassure themselves of five medalsin the 70th Strandja MemorialBoxing in Sofia, Bulgaria, onSunday.

Panghal assured a semifinalberth and medal after a close-ly contested 3-2 win overUkraine's Nazar Kurotchyn inthe 49kg category.

The Indian womenpugilists too guaranteed fourmedals at the end of the thirdday at the prestigious tourna-ment.

Lovlina Borgohain (69kg),who won the Bronze at the 2018AIBA Wold Women BoxingChampionships, put up a robustdisplay to beat Brazil's SoarezBeatriz in a unanimous 5-0 vic-tory and assure the first medalfor the women boxers.

The Brazilian had noanswer to Lovina's attackinggame as she secured her placein the top four.

Following suit was youngboxer, Manju Rani, who servedBonati Roberta of Italy thesame fate, thrashing her with aunanimous 5-0 verdict. Manju,the current National Championin 48 kg category sealed herberth in the semis.

Former world junior cham-pion Nikhat Zareen (51kg)lived up to the expectations byoutclassing Buryam Yana ofBelarus 5-0.

In the day's last bout for thewomen boxers, Neeraj defeat-ed Amelia Moore of USA witha similar result to confirm thefifth medal and berth in thesemi-final.

2016 World ChampionshipSilver winner, Sonia Lather,however, succumbed to a

defeat, going down to RamirezYarisel of USA 1-4 in the 57kgcategory.

Earlier in the day, the men'steam too enjoyed positiveresults.

Commonwealth GamesGold medallist Gaurav Solanki(52kg) and Bronze winnerNaman Tanwar (91kg) bothadvanced to the quarter-finals.

Solanki, taking to the ringwithin 24 hours of his first-round win, defeatedKazakhstan's Anvar Muzaparov3-2 in a hard-fought contest onSaturday night.

The 19-year-oldTanwar, who claimeda Bronze in Gold

Coast last year, got thebetter of Poland's MichalSoczynski 5-0 in a dominatingperformance.

Solanki will faceUzbekistan's FayzovKhudonyazar in the last-eightstage. Khudonyazar defeatedlocal hope Tinko Banabakov inhis pre-quarterfinal bout, whichwas also ended in a split verdict.

Tanwar, on the other hand,will be up against Ukraine'sSerhii Horskov. Horskov out-punched Serbia's DarkoStankovic in his pre-quarterfi-nal contest to fetch a 5-0 deci-sion from the judgesl.

However, it was curtains forUlaan Baatar Cup Gold-medal-list Ankush Dahiya. Dahiyalost to Macedonia's Jasin Ljama,the bout lasting just over aminute before the refereestopped the contest. Dahiya isalso a former Asian youthSilver-medallist.

India's best medal haul atthis European event was lastyear when the country snared11 in all, two of them Gold.

���� �#�)���

Focus would be trained on in-formopenerSmriti Mandhana when she leads the

Board President's XI in a warm-up match againstthe visiting England women's team on Monday.

The match is being played at the WankhedeStadium and Mandhana, who is being helpedby team coach W V Raman to build up herpatience, would be keen to put the lessons learntinto practice before plunging into the seriesopener next Friday.

Mandhana recently scored 196 runs in thethree- match ODI series against hosts NewZealand, including a 100 and 90.

She would be keen to carry that form intothe upcoming home series and a good knock inthe warm-up match will only boost her confi-dence.

Apart from Mandhana, BPXI wicket-keep-er R Kalpana is also in the ODI squad and shecould also benefit from playing in the practicegame.

On the other hand, England women are aforce to reckon with in the 50-over format and

they utilise this game to get acclimatised to thepitch, weather and local conditions.

The England eves also boast of some bignames in Tammy Beumont, Heather Knight andDanny White, who had smashed the Indianbowlers during the T20 series last year.

The trio and others would be hoping to startthe campaign on a positive note.

The following three-match ODI series,forming part of the ICC Championship, will beplayed at the same venue on the 22nd, 25th and28th of this month.

�� � .45�64+7��

Inspired by an outstanding bowling perfor-mance in the middle overs of second innings,

Aaron Finch led Melbourne Renegades beatGlenn Maxwell’s Melbourne Stars by 13 runs inthe eighth edition of Big Bash League final atDocklands stadium in Melbourne on Sunday tobag maiden glory.

Chasing a traget of 146 to win, Stars wereoff to a strong start by Ben Dunk(57) andMarcus Stoinis(39), who added 93 for first wick-et in 78 balls. But soon after Stoinis dismissalby Cameron Boyce on the last ball of 13th overmomentum quickly turn towards Renegadesend.

Stars then saw a quick collapse of its battingunit and lost 7 wickets for just 19 runs to giveup the run chase as well as the golden chanceto win maiden trophy in its second attempt.

Earlier batting first, Renegades ride on bril-

liant batting display by Tom Cooper (43*) andDaniel Christian (38*) to reach 145 for 5 in 20overs.

Maxwell’s decision of inviting Renegades tobat first worked in Stars favour as its bowlers neverlet Renegades to settle on the crease. The hostswere struggling at 65 for 5 after Harvey’s wicketbut then Dan and Copper played sensibly andadded 80 runs to set a fighting total.

For Stars, Adam Zampa returned with figuresof 2/21 while Bird also took two wickets.

�-8���������-� 9� ����

������� ��������������2���� � �1������������������� 1���� ��������

������%� ��� ��������������� ��!H ���� �/��#8;

��������%��(#�����3�GA��������=���=��

�������� ��� ��������I��+��������

��#�$� �&�"!���� ���+�*

������������+ ���������������������������� B����� ��������������������

�%+��4F�� �����

Page 16: ...superstar Rajinikanth and politics would not materialise during this election season as Thalaiva (as the actor is ... on Twitter. “It has been noticed that on social media some

������86

���� ��6*�6

Real Madrid threw away theirlead and perhaps their hopes ofcatching Barcelona as Girona

came from behind to pull off a shock2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeuon Sunday.

Girona had not won in 13 match-es and looked on course for a seventhstraight defeat when Casemiro head-ed a dominant Madrid ahead in thefirst half.

But complacency set in, andGirona took full advantage asCristhian Stuani scored a penaltyand Portu nodded in at the back post,leaving the European championsscrapping even for a point beforeSergio Ramos was sent off in the 90thminute.

They failed even to muster that,with defeat here a major act of self-harm for what was beginning to looklike a serious resurgence in La Liga'stitle race.

The frustration for coach Santiago

Solari will be that his team had thisgame in the palm of their hands, incontrol against a Girona side that cel-ebrated at the end as if they hadsecured survival.

Their first league victory sinceNovember pushes them four pointsclear of the bottom three.

Solari will take some of the blameafter he fielded a rotated line-up fol-

lowing the Champions League winover Ajax in midweek, their seventhwin in eight games.

Gareth Bale and Vinicius Juniorboth started on the bench, while LukaModric was suspended.

Madrid barely broke sweat in thefirst half, in control but playing with-in themselves as long spells of posses-sion were only occasionally turnedinto a clear-cut chance.

The best move was marked by twoscoops, the first by Toni Kroos, wholifted the ball over Pere Pons and

squared for Lucas Vazquez, whorepeated the trick, dinking it betweentwo defenders, only for his finish tobe saved by Bono.

Girona threatened in flashes.Stuani drew a decent stop fromThibaut Courtois and Alex Granell'sdrive whistled past the post.

But Madrid never looked troubledand it was no surprise when Casemironodded in Kroos' cross after Bonoelected to punch rather than catch theinitial ball in.

����������������������Eusebio brought on both Aleix

Garcia and Anthony Lozano at half-time, and the impact was almostinstant, as Garcia blazed over therebound after Lozano's header.

Madrid slipped from comfortableto complacent and shortly after thehour they were punished. Stuani'sheader spilled out to Douglas Luiz,whose finish was blocked by thehand of Ramos.

Ramos' yellow card might havebeen red, the defender perhaps onlyspared by two white shirts behind himon the line. Stuani made no mistakewith the penalty.

Girona almost scored again,Portu's shot rattling the outside of thepost, and then they did. Casemiromissed a tackle in midfield andLozano's shot was parried to Portu.Marcelo dangled a leg but failed tostop the header, which crept inside thepost.

Vinicius and Bale both came onbut Vinicius three times missed thetarget from good positions, while Balewas whistled at one point after losingpossession.

Casemiro wanted a penalty whenhe felt Pedro Alcala's hand on hisshoulder and moments later Ramoswas sent off, drawing a second yellowcard for attempting to volley andinstead catching Alcala in the face.

Even Courtois was allowed up fora late corner and he got his head onit too but the ball flashed wide. Thesurprised applause quickly turned togroans at the full-time whistle.

���� +,.6,.

Manchester City powered into theFA Cup quarter-finals as the

Premier League leaders survived a bat-tling display from Newport County tobeat the fourth-tier minnows 4-1 onSaturday.

Pep Guardiola's side didn't have aneasy ride in a full-blooded fifth roundtie against a team 82 places below themin League Two.

Troubled by the rutted RodneyParade pitch, City was indebted toEderson for a superb save to keep themlevel during a lacklustre first-half display.

City eventually hit their stride in thesecond half and Leroy Sane's powerfulfinish put them ahead before PhilFoden doubled the lead.

Newport refused to surrender andPadraig Amond's late goal could haveset up a tense finale, only for Foden tonet again 79 seconds later before RiyadMahrez wrapped up the win.

With their Champions League last16 first leg against Schalke to come onWednesday, followed by the League Cupfinal against Chelsea, Guardiola madeseven changes to the side which ham-mered Chelsea 6-0 last weekend.

Newport had earlier knocked outPremier League side Leicester andChampionship outfit Middlesbrough inthe previous two rounds.

Guardiola had warned City theywould "suffer" at set-pieces againstNewport's "taller, stronger" players andthe Spaniard's fears were nearly con-firmed in the 14th minute.

Failing to deal with MickeyDemetriou's long throw, City left spacefor Tyreeq Bakinson and he headedgoalwards from close range, only forEderson to dive to his right to make abrilliant one-handed save.

Bothered by the unpredictable sur-face, left badly damaged by heavy usefrom two rugby unions teams as well asNewport, City were unable to get anymomentum and another long throwended with Joss Labadie lashing wide.

Mahrez couldn't hit the target witha series of half-chances and Sane grazedthe top of the crossbar from an acuteangle as Newport gamely reached half-time on level terms.

�������������Newport's brave resistance was

finally broke in the 51st minute, withGabriel Jesus teeing up Sane for a fiercestrike that smashed into Newport keep-er Joe Day's face before looping into thenet.

With 15 minutes left, Fodenincreased City's advantage as his lowstrike eluded Day's weak attempt to save.

Amond punished woeful defendingfrom Aymeric Laporte and NicolasOtamendi to lob home from the edgeof the area in the 88th minute.

But young midfielder Foden wentstraight down the other end to blastCity's third and Mahrez slammed in thefourth in the final seconds.

Brighton moved into the quarter-finals for the second successive seasonas goals from Anthony Knockaert andJurgen Locadia clinched a 2-1 win overFrank Lampard's Derby.

Championship strugglers Millwallare also through after a 1-0 win at thirdtier AFC Wimbledon.

Neil Harris's side made it to the lasteight for the second time in three yearsthanks to a fifth minute header fromMurray Wallace.

���� +,.6,.�

Maurizio Sarri will be fighting to savehis job when crisis club Chelsea

face Manchester United in the FA Cupfifth round on Monday.

Sarri is in danger of being sackedafter a dismal first season at StamfordBridge and crashing out of the FA Cupwould push the Italian closer to the axe.

Chelsea suffered their heaviest defeatfor 28 years when they were thrashed 6-0 at Manchester City last weekend, anindignity that came just weeks after ahumiliating 4-0 loss at Bournemouth.

Sarri's players are said to beunhappy with the Italian's uninspir-ing training methods and refusal toadapt his tactics to the players hehas at his disposal.

Cesar Azpilicueta, MarcosAlonso and N'Golo Kante are allbeing asked to perform roles that

are ill-suited to their strengths and so farSarri's lengthy debriefs have had madelittle difference.

While 'Sarri-ball' was a big hit withNapoli, Chelsea have looked labouredfor much of this season, struggling forcohesion in midfield and lacking cuttingedge up front.

Demanding Chelsea owner RomanAbramovich and influential directorMarina Granovskaia are unlikely to

spare Sarri unless results and perfor-mances improve soon.

That means Sarri must lift Chelsea— beaten in seven of their last 22 games— back into the Premier League's topfour and keep them on course for sil-verware.

They are still in the EuropaLeague, having beaten Malmo in thelast 32 first leg on Thursday, andface Manchester City in theLeague Cup final nextSunday.

But first Sarri mustfocus on United's visit tothe Bridge as holdersChelsea look to movecloser to a third suc-cessive FA Cupfinal appearance.

�������������%United were beaten by

Chelsea in last season's final,but much has changed atOld Trafford since May.

Jose Mourinho wassacked in December and hisreplacement Ole GunnarSolskjaer had overseen aremarkable turnaround asinterim boss.

Solskjaer went unbeaten inhis first 11 games in all compe-

titions, lifting United above Chelsea intothe top four. But their momentumstalled in a big way on Tuesday whenParis Saint Germain won 2-0 in theChampions League last 16, first leg in

Manchester.United's attempt to get back on

track has been hit by injuries toAnthony Martial and JesseLingard, who are both out for up

to three weeks.Solskjaer expects a

strong response despitethose key absences, say-ing: "I hate losing games

and it seems like theboys hate losinggames.

"There's nopoint dwelling on itbecause there arebig games againstgood teams comingup. We need to dustourselves down and

get going again onMonday.

"You've got tobounce back at this club.You don't panic becauseyou've lost a game, you

don't change everything. Itdoesn't change the mindsetat all."

���� ��*���

Monaco climbed out of the Ligue 1relegation places on Saturday with

a 1-0 win over Nantes, while MarioBalotelli scored for the third time in fourgames for a resurgent Marseille.

After failing to win at home all sea-son until the start of February, Monacomade it back-to-back victories at theStade Louis II as Gelson Martins fired ina Rony Lopes cross on 13 minutes.

Portugal international Martins, alsoon target in last week's 2-2 draw atMontpellier, has scored twice in threeleague appearances for Monaco follow-ing his arrival on loan from AtleticoMadrid.

Leonardo Jardim's side moved up to16th and two points clear of Dijon in therelegation play-off place.

Marseille defeated Amiens 2-0 torecord three straight wins for the firsttime this season and jump to fourth, sixpoints behind Lyon in the finalChampions League spot. Balotellifailed to find the net in 10 matchesfor Nice this season but has found hisgoalscoring touch since his switch toMarseille last month.

Florian Thauvin bagged his 12thgoal this term to give Marseille the leadon 19 minutes at the Stade Velodrome,and Balotelli swept in a second on theturn just six minutes later.

The Italian appeared to have grabbed

a second midway through the second halfwhen he nodded in from a free-kick, butthe goal was ruled out for offside follow-

ing a VAR review."It's much too early (to talk

about the top three) with the startto the season we had," saidThauvin.

"We were left behind a bit andnow we're starting to come back well,

but if we get carried away we're goingto quickly fall back on the ground."

Patrick Vieira's Nice crashed to aheavy 3-0 loss at mid-table Angers butremain seventh.

���� *,�4�

Krzysztof Piatek hit a won-der goal and grabbed a

second as AC Milan cameback to defeat Atalanta 3-1 onSaturday and stay on coursefor the Champions League.

Piatek took his season'sSerie A total to 17, just twobehind Cristiano Ronaldo.The Polish star now hasscored six times in four startsfor Milan since moving fromGenoa in the January transferwindow to replace GonzaloHiguain.

After Remo Freuler hadgiven Atalanta a 33rd-minutelead, Piatek struck with amemorable left-footed volleyin first-half stoppage time.

Ricardo Rodriguez swungin a cross from the left, Piateknipped in front of his markerbefore volleying into the topcorner from 12 yards outdespite not even looking at thetarget.

Turkish winger HakanCalhanoglu put Milan aheadwith a sharp drive 10 minutes

into the second periodbefore Piatek headed infrom a corner just after thehour mark to seal victory.

Milan fans have takenPiatek to their hearts, evendevising a new chant "Piatek!Pum pum pum pum!" to mir-

ror the striker's goal cele-bration of a pistol-shoot-er.

Gennaro Gattuso'sMilan stay in fourth spot

but they now have 42 points,four more than Atalanta,Roma and Lazio.

���� ��6*�6�

Lionel Messi scored apenalty and missed

another as La Liga leadersBarcelona ground out anunconvincing 1-0 win overReal Valladolid, whileAntoine Griezmann sur-passed Fernando Torres withhis 130th goal for AtleticoMadrid.

Messi's fitness was againin the spotlight on Saturdayafter a niggling thigh strainin recent weeks, but he com-pleted the full 90 minutes atthe Camp Nou and hit the30-goal mark at Barcelonafor the 11th straight season.

The Argentine coollydispatched a spot-kick justbefore half-time, drillingbeyond the reach of JordiMasip after Gerard Piquewas bundled to the groundby Valladolid midfielderMichel.

Masip brilliantly tippedover a Messi volley soonafter the interval and LuisSuarez wasted a huge oppor-tunity to double the leadshortly after replacing

Kevin-Prince Boateng withan hour gone.

Messi found himselfbooked for dissent after anapparent foul on him wentunpunished, and he thenblew the chance to kill offValladolid when Masip keptout his second penalty of thenight — awarded followinga trip on Philippe Coutinho.

The excellent Masipalertly gathered Messi's fol-low-up header and againdenied Suarez late on asBarca pulled seven pointsclear of Atletico ahead oftheir trip to Lyon in theChampions League last 16.

"We haven't played well.The truth is it wasn't a goodmatch today. The only goodthing is the victory," Pique,who made his 300th appear-ance in La Liga toldMovistar.

"Getting back on trackwith three points is impor-tant after two draws in theleague. But we definitelyhave to improve. We have tobe better on Tuesday other-wise we'll have a toughtime."

���:����;���$��&<�5 �#�

��������� 0������� ��1��� �����������2���������������80*������������ ������%�������4�� ����

����������� ���� ������ �������������������� ��A�A������������ ��1��� � �

�������'�J����� � �C ����'�A������������2���������� ��A �����

������ #����� �����������2�������� � �� �����

�� %��� '�1�� �����"� ������� ���>��>��2�����������������2���� �

�����(�����������������0 ���& (0���J +������� �R��84��9 JL00 ����S��4������ �84��9 JN=K ��� ����� ��84��9 J333 ( �R�/S���84��9 JKNN �� ����/���E�����8'*�9 JK=P '������ �" �����84��9 J0A

0�������������!�����8(������ ����

���. ��������� � ����� ������������

���� �� ����������� ���� ���������������� ������

�� ����.�������

-��������������������%���!��������?�

������(�>�� ��9����;�����������

=��(�&������*��.$�$�,�)>��+�#� ���&���"#$"#���$�,��# 5��"�'� "�(�& �#�)���*&��(� .&��("#��� "5�����*����# �5"$��,+�",�#�!�����,)=?� �8-������ %���� ������%� �������2���� ���� @�������>

����8�����-���

������������-�� �"�' �#&��&�

�&�!)& PJ 3L 3N����)< 1 0 N�&�!)&��)< 0 J 0�)< K 3 J�0*�� L3 N3 NK

�����F� ��������������(��&� 3J, - 0L�0�� 1�"�' P, -�H NN!1N

��!�������'�( ��#) '���"%�#%) *+,�-.*/