English dna 23 01 2018 by Mahesh Yadav

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Tuesday January 2018

Q. Will you watch ‘Padmaavat’? Yes No Can’t say Go to our Twitter handle @dna, look for #DNAPoll and vote.

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Breaking news US lawmakers struck a deal to reopen the federal government, three days into a shutdown prompted by an impasse over immigration and border security, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on Monday.

inside Opinion

Contemporary history must acknowledge the role that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose played in ousting Britishers, writes Kingshuk Nag P8

City

Ahead of the ASEAN Special Commemorative Summit 2018 on Thursday, the Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory for the citizens P2

india

Former UP CM and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav will contest 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Kannauj in place of his wife Dimple Yadav P7

sports Former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic is knocked out by South Korean Chung Hyeon in fourth round of Australian Open P13

Afterhrs Relationships in the industry are fragile, says Sidharth Malhotra on Bolly equations and talks about his love for spy-films

BSF destroys Pak arsenal across border Srinagar: The Border Security Force (BSF) has destroyed fuel and ammunition dumps of Pakistan forces in retaliation to the repeated ceasefire violations on the international border. BSF released the footage pinpointing the targets of Pakistani forces across the border. “BSF is pinpointing the retaliation to unprovoked fire by Pakistan forces across border in Jammu,” said a BSF spokesperson. “At several locations, the enemy’s firing positions, ammunition and fuel dump have been destroyed by our men.” Report, P5

YESTERDAY’S POLL RESULT: Is AAP fair in blaming the Centre for disqualification of its 20 MLAs? Yes No Can’t say

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NIA’s most wanted ‘techie-bomber’ Qureshi nabbed in Delhi Anvit Srivastava anvit.srivastava@dnaindia.net New Delhi: The police arrested Abdul Subhan Qureshi alias Tauqeer — one of India’s most wanted terrorists — from East Delhi’s Ghazipur area after a brief encounter on Saturday night, ending a nine-year chase by central agencies and antiterror units of eight states. He was the mastermind of serial blasts in Gujarat and Delhi in 2008. A total of 21 blasts had rocked Ahmedabad and Surat, killing 56 people and wounding over 200. His name had also figured in the July 2006 Mumbai train bombings, and many other terror attacks in the country. He hid in Nepal, Saudi Arabia and remote parts of

India, and was often referred to as “India’s Bin Laden”. The breakthrough came just before Republic Day celebrations on Friday. He was the co-founder of terror outfit Indian Mujahideen and was known as its top bomb-maker. He was former head of the Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), a banned Islamist organisation. A software engineer by profession, Qureshi has worked in top-notch IT firms at high salaries. He studied in Mumbai. He was on the most-wanted list of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and was being hunted by the antiterror units of Gujarat, Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka.

‘My son is not guilty, he will be acquitted’

Abdul Subhan Qureshi, wanted for several terror attacks in India, being produced in a court in New Delhi on Monday —BB Yadav/DNA The 46-year-old was in the capital on Saturday night to meet one of his old associates, when the special cell, following intelligence, laid a trap to arrest him. “About 12 rounds were fired from both sides. We

Loya death case is serious: CJI bench Lawyers’ body is cautioned not to ‘cast aspersions’

No foul play in judge’s death, Maha tells SC

Ritika Jain ritika.jain@dnaindia.net

DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net

New Delhi: The case of special CBI judge BH Loya’s death is “serious” and its details must be looked at with “objectivity”, the Supreme Court said on Monday, while asking a lawyers’ body not to “cast aspersions”. The court transferred to itself two petitions, pending at the Bombay High Court and its Nagpur bench, relating to the alleged mysterious death. The court also asked the parties to catalogue all documents relating to Loya’s death, which have not been filed so far, and submit them on February 2, the next date of hearing. “We must look into all documents with objectivity,” said a bench led by Chief Justice Dipak Misra. The bench, also comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, restrained all High Courts from entertaining any petition relating to Loya’s death. In 2014, Judge Loya died, allegedly of a cardiac arrest,

when he was hearing the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case that had 22 accused, including current BJP chief Amit Shah. The case was transferred to another judge who then dismissed the charges. On Monday, the court got irked when advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for a Bombay lawyers’ body that has filed a PIL in the High Court there, took Shah’s name. “Please do not cast aspersions or comment on such things. We all are the holders of our own conscience,” Justice Chandrachud said as the bench considered the strong opposition of advocate Harish Salve, the counsel for the Maharashtra government in the case. Justice Chandrachud said that the court would look at the matter objectively since it could not base its analysis depending on news reports. Turn to P4

Please do not cast aspersions or comment on such things (on Justice Loya’s death). We all are the holders of our own conscience DY Chandrachud, Supreme Court Justice

New Delhi: The Maharashtra government told the Supreme Court on Monday that a prudent probe was conducted after media reports, and four judicial officers assured there was no foul play in judge BH Loya’s death. Complying with the court’s direction, Maharashtra submitted a 50-page report that comprised statements from district judges who were present with Loya at the time of his death. At least four judges present with Loya since he started complaining of “chest pain” have narrated the sequence of events on the intervening night of November 30-December 1, 2014. It was submitted that following news reports surrounding the death, Maharashtra directed the commissioner of the state Intelligence department to conduct an inquiry into the matter. It said that statements were taken after permission from the Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court. A copy of the post-mortem report suggesting that the death was due to heart attack has been included in the sealed report.

have found pistols and documents he was carrying. He was trying to revive SIMI and Indian Mujahideen in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh,” said Pramod Kushwaha, DCP, SpeTurn to P4 cial Cell.

Canadian PM will visit India next month DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net New Delhi: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will arrive in India next month for a seven-day visit, from February 17-23, aimed at strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership in the key areas of counterterrorism, energy and trade. “The visit is aimed at further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries in key areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, energy, science and innovation, higher education, infrastructure development, skill development and space,” according to an MEA statement. PM Narendra Modi had paid a bilateral visit to Canada in April 2015.

Mumbai: Mohammed Usman Qureshi, Abdul Qureshi’s father, said he was happy with his son’s arrest but hoped he would be declared innocent one day. “I remember Abdul telling us about working with the SIMI. But it was only for preaching, not terror activities. I am happy he has been arrested; the court will declare him innocent. For me, my son is innocent and charges against him Report, P14 are false.”

The suave engineer who kept vanishing Sumit Kumar Singh singh.sumit@dnaindia.net New Delhi: Abdul Subhan Qureshi alias Tauqeer is tech-savvy, extremely radicalised and has excellent oratory skills. Every time security agencies cracked down on SIMI or IM, he just vanished. He speaks English well and has deep knowledge of local as well as international issues. He could easily influence and motivate impressionable minds into waging Jihad. He studied at a mission-

ary school in Mumbai’s Byculla, and earned his diploma in Industrial Electronics from Bharati Vidyapeeth University in Pune. He started working as a customer support engineer at a company in Mumbai. During this period, he also attended weekly programmes of SIMI in Kurla. He became a member of SIMI in 1996, and by 2000, he transformed into a radical youth. He got the task of editing the English edition of SIMI magazine ‘Islamic Turn to P4 Movement’.

PM hosts dinner for top CEOs, hard-sells India Keynote address at WEF session in Davos today DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net Davos: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at the Swiss city of Davos to showcase his economic reform agenda to global business leaders and seek investments in India. Besides the usual business, the PM will also present Indian cuisine and yoga at the 48th annual meeting of World Economic Forum (WEF). Shortly after his arrival in Zurich on Monday, the PM held a bilateral meeting with Swiss President Alain Berset, before driving to the town of Davos, 100 km away, in the Alps Mountains. PM Modi hosted dinner for 12,000 delegates, in-

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets officials after arriving at Zurich International Airport to participate in WEF in Davos on Monday —PTI cluding heads of almost 60 companies spread across 26 different sectors. On the opening day of the WEF’s plenary session on Tuesday, Modi will deliver a keynote address on ‘Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World’. Then he is scheduled to interact exclusively

with Indian chief executives. In the afternoon, he will meet the WEF’s 120-member International Business Council. Ramesh Abhishek, secretary of the department of industrial policy and promotion, said, “Even more round tables have been lined up.” Related reports, P7

AAP down, Oppn smells blood in Del bypolls Chhavi Bhatia chhavi.bhatia@dnaindia.net New Delhi: If the disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs is not overturned by a court of law, bypolls to these seats have to be conducted within six months, a possibility that has enthused the Opposition. Delhi’s ruling party seems down. Its MLAs faced the action because they were found holding offices of profit as parliamentary secretaries. The BJP, with three MLAs,

Tough battle ahead and the Congress, with none, have started planning to make the most of the chance thrown in their way by the Election Commission. The

bypolls to the 20 seats provide a ready platform to both parties to improve their tallies. The grand-old party has begun its legwork in the 20 Assembly constituencies. “All these are traditional Congress seats. We have chalked out a plan and have decided to hold workers’ meet from January 28. We will visit all constituencies to discuss issues,” said Ajay Maken, Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee chief. Sources in Delhi BJP say

that leaders from constituencies that may go to the polls started doing the rounds of the party office. While hectic strategising is on among BJP leaders, they claim that state BJP president Manoj Tewari has been holding closed-door meetings with confidants to finalise names of candidates. CM Manish Sisodia tweeted an open letter to the people of Delhi, asking, “Is it justified to disqualify elected leaders in such an unconstitutional and illegal way?”

Share buyback may be taxed in Budget ‘Padmaavat’ protests Bawana: Hundred on, SC hearing today such tragedies are Tax loophole needs mission to be plugged, say budget officials in FinMin 2018-19 ‘waiting to happen’ Buybacks Boom: Avoided Dividend Tax From Last 2 years

2009-10 2010-11

Dipu Rai dipu.rai@dnaindia.net

New Delhi: Share buybacks will no more be a tool to avoid dividend tax for listed companies as the Finance Ministry is planning to plug this tax loophole in the Union Budget, to be presented on February 1. A ministry source told DNA that the “government is very serious about such tax leakage” and “may change the rule of Section 115QA in the Budget.”

`13,765 Cr

2011-12 2012-13

`1,694 Cr

`11,380 Cr

2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net

`824 Cr `4,295 Cr

`605 Cr `1,834 Cr

2016-17 2017-18

`34,468 Cr `48,918 Cr Data till December 31, 2017: Prime Database

Currently, only unlisted domestic companies are liable to pay additional income tax at the rate of 20 per cent on any amount of distributed income paid by them on a

buyback under Section 115QA. This rule is likely to extend to listed companies as well. The government has found that company promoters are

allotting cash to shareholders, including themselves, through buyback without paying any tax. In the 2016 Budget, the government had introduced 10 per cent tax on dividend of over Rs 10 lakh. After this, the listed companies turned share repurchases as a tool for tax-planning. After the dividend tax levied, share buybacks spiked more than 1,700 per cent in FY 2016, as compared to the year Turn to P4 before.

New Delhi: Protests against ‘Padmaavat’ rocked Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh even as Karni Sena indicated willingness to watch the film ahead of its scheduled release on January 25. In Rajasthan, protesters in Rajsamand and Barmer blocked highways, while a youth in Bhilwara climbed a mobile phone network tower to express opposition. Towns like Indore, Ujjain

and Jhabua in Madhya Pradesh witnessed road blockades while in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur, the home turf of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, people waving saffron flags burnt an effigy of director Sanjay Leela Bhansali right in front of a cinema hall. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh approached the Supreme Court for modification of an order that paved the way for Padmaavat’s release. The court will hear the petitions on Tuesday after the states expressed fears of a law and order breakdown.

More stone-pelters in Trump mimics Modi to push Afghan cause Kashmir to be let off DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government is considering amnesty to secondtime stone-pelters in the Valley, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said on Monday. “The government is reviewing cases of second-time offenders in stone-pelting protests,” she said while replying to a question in the Upper House of the Assembly. Unless the cases are with-

drawn, such people cannot get government jobs. In November last year, she had ordered the withdrawal of cases of stone-pelting against 4,327 youths. This followed the recommendation of a high-powered committee headed by Director General of Police (DGP) SP Vaid. Mufti had started a process of reviewing cases against youths from 2008 to 2014 and 104 cases involving 634 youths were withdrawn in two months of her assuming power.

DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net

New Delhi: US President Donald Trump is in controversy for faking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s accent. While directing Pentagon officials to send 1,000 more American troops to Afghanistan, Trump said: “Never has a country given so much away for so little in return as the US in Afghanistan.” Trump used a typical South Asian style with nasal resonance, signature of Modi’s style of speech, those

PM Modi greets President Trump during his US visit in June last year who participated in the meeting told Washington Post. Modi is known to praise the Trump administration’s role in Afghanistan.

The Washington Post report adds: “To Trump, Modi’s statement was proof that the rest of the world viewed the US as being duped and taken

advantage of in Afghanistan.” The incident highlights that world leaders are taking PM Modi’s foreign policy observations very seriously. Trump has made it clear to senior Pentagon officials that he wants to see a quick return on the increased US investment in troops and money in Afghanistan. Trump has used mimicking in the past as well. In October 2017, his address commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month, drew flak for his exaggerated Spanish accent.

Vatsala Shrangi vatsala.shrangi@dnaindia.net New Delhi: Investigations into the Bawana factory fire, which killed 17 workers trapped inside it on Saturday, revealed gaping violations in the building plan. It has been found that a number of units are functional in the Bawana Industrial Area, which has around 10,000 factories. The factory did not have fire exits, had an additional floor and basement in violation of the building norms. The owner had not applied for a Completion Certificate, revealed an inquiry report of the North MCD. “The plan was sanctioned in 2006 in favour of M/S Diamond Plastic Industries. As per record, the building was issued a notice of house tax in December 2007. The construction was complete well before 2007. However, the applicant had not applied for a completion certificate,” the report stated. Agencies probing the incident plan to inspect all of these units to check for violations, said sources. DNA had previously reported the building was functioning illegally, as it did not

17 people had died in the fire have a valid licence. The civic body in 2014 had rejected the application received in the name of Uma Mittal, the wife of owner Subhash Mittal. The industrial area having multiple authorities in charge for various sanctions at present has North MCD, Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (DSIIDC), Delhi Fire Services (DFS) and the Labour Department investigating the tragedy. The Labour Department stated that a unit cannot be approved by the MCD without provisions of firefighting, ventilation and means of escape in case of fire.” Civic officials said the monitoring in ‘confirmed’ areas is under the jurisdiction of the DSIIDC, while the latter is shifting blame said, “the development corporation has no powers of enforcement.”

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02 DAILY NEWS & ANALYSIS I NEW DELHI I TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018

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AAP MLAs withdraw plea from High Court, to file fresh appeal The court maintained that the hearing of main petitions by 20 MLAs will be heard on March 20 Richa Banka richa.banka@dnaindia.net

‘Centre scared of CM’s popularity’ the passion to make a contribution to the development of the city,” he wrote. A day after President Ram Noting that President Ram Nath Kovind approved the Nath Kovind has approved the Election Commission’s rec- Election Commission’s (EC) ommendation to disqualify 20 recommendation to disqualify AAP MLAs, Deputy Chief 20 AAP MLAs, he said this Minister Manish Sisodia was “yet again” the Centre wrote an open letter to that was creating hinthe citizens of the Capidrance in the growth of tal and sought support Delhi. “The MLAs were against the disqualifigiven specific responsication move on charges bilities like overlooking of holding the office of the government profit. schools, government In the letter tweeted hospitals, etc. They by Sisodia on Monday Deputy CM were never given any morning, he blamed Manish Sisodia travel allowances or acthe BJP-led Centre for commodations and hampering the work of the they traveled to places spendruling Aam Aadmi Party ing their own money because (AAP) in the national Capital. they have all been activists of He said the Centre was scared the (Anna) movement and are of Chief Minister Arvind Ke- here to serve the nation. If jriwal’s rising “popularity they did not enjoy any such across the country”. privileges, how did they hold “They were working with- the ‘office of profit’?” he out getting any benefits with wrote.

DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net

AAP leader Sanjay Singh addresses AAP members —File Photo the 20 AAP MLAs had moved to the high court seeking a stay on the proceedings pending at the EC. However, the court did not grant them relief and directed the EC counsel to take instructions whether any recommendations were sent to the President or not. “I am not inclined to grant interim relief that you are seeking,” Justice Palli had said on Thursday, refusing to grant a stay as sought by the AAP MLAs. The disqualified MLAs are likely to knock the court’s door on Tuesday with fresh applications. On Monday, however, the

JNU students’ body alleges assault by cops

court maintained that the hearing in the main petitions filed by the 20 MLAs questioning the maintainability of the proceedings at the EC, will be heard on March 20 as scheduled. The court also said that there was no requirement for the EC to file a counter affidavit as was sought on Thursday during a high voltage courtroom drama on Thursday. The petition before the EC was filed by Prashant Patel against 21 MLAs who were appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries by the AAP government in Delhi.

DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net

Buses moving from South Delhi on Tughlaq Road, bound for Connaught Place or Central Secretariat will be diverted from Aurobindo Chowk to Safdarjung Road to Panchsheel Marg and Simon Boliver Marg. Police keep traffic clear for guests of these dignitaries, traffic at various places like Rashtrapati Bhawan, Rajpath and Hotel Taj Palace, will be stopped on certain roads. Police advised people to avoid Satya Marg, Shanti Path, Teen Murti, South Av-

enue Road, Dara Shukoh Road, Akbar Road, Krishna Menon Marg, Vijay Chowk, Mother Teresa Crescent Road, Sardar Patel Marg, Panchsheel Marg and San Martin Marg during the day. In addition, police said

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Nursery admissions for EWS begin, parents clueless Fareeha Iftikhar fareeha.iftikhar@dnaindia.net Soon after learning about the commencement of nursery admission under Economically Weaker Section (EWS)/ Disadvantaged Group (DG) category in private schools across the Capital on Monday, Ikram Abbas, a rikshaw-puller in south Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh, visited all schools in his locality. Abbas, who is seeking admission for his 4-year-old daughter, however, had to return home disappointed. “I was told that parents who want to apply under the EWS/DG category have to fill an online form and need not

uge traffic snarls are witnessed at the Mubarka Chowk (Karnal Bypass) situated at the outer Ring Road leading to several problems in the area. Vehicles entering from other states like Haryana, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh have to face problems due to the regular traffic jams. The winding traffic jams leads to waste of fuel, pollution and humanly problems to the drivers driving the car. The vehicles are stranded for hours at the bypass causing huge expenditure on the maintenance of the vehicles. The traffic congestion have made it difficult for the people to take this route as well as the inter-state vehicles which get delayed due to the congestion. While most of the people try to avoid the route, the inter-state vehicles do not have any option except to take the route despite knowing the condition of the street.

DELHI

AT YOUR DOORSTEP

The vehicles are stranded for hours leading to fuel wastage

visit the schools. I was not aware of the process. For people like me who can’t even read or write, online admission process is a nightmare,” rued Abbas. He will now take help of either an NGO or a cyber cafe person in filling the form. “I won’t take the risk of filling the form myself. What if I make any mistake and the form gets rejected?” the 35-year-old wondered. Abbas is among those thousands of parents who want to admit their wards to a private school under the 25 per cent seats reserved for the EWS/Disadvantaged (DG) category. The Delhi government conducts online central-

People queue up for admissions —File Photo ised admission for this category. Unlike previous years, the Directorate of Education (DoE) will conduct computerised lottery system for admissions in all 1,700 private un-

aided recognised schools. Rakesh Singh, a vegetable vendor in east Delhi’s Mayur Vihar, had similar experience. “I visited the neighboring Ahlcon Public School and was informed that no separate forms will be issued for the EWS/DG category. We have to fill a centralised form online and only one form per candidate will be accepted,” he said. Singh is seeking admission for his 5-year-old son. This year, the DoE has put an upper-age cap for admission to nursery at 3-5 years, for KG at 4-6 years and for Class I at 5-7 years. However, there is no such limit for general category students. The move draws activists and par-

Whether it’s dumped garbage in your lane that’s an eye sore or potholes on your commute to work — send pictures of your friendly neighbourhood irritant to connectwithdna@gmail.com

Dental council fixes age limit DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net The Dental Council of India (DCI) has fixed the age limit of the Paediatric Dentistry to 13 years to streamline the working process for the patients and doctors. The circular was issued to the principals of all the dental colleges/ institutions in the country as most of the teenage dental problems are over by this age and the secondary teeth already replace the primary teeth. “In view of the decision of the General Body of the Dental Council of India arrived in its meeting, I am directed to inform that the upper age

limit of the patients being treated in Paediatric Dentistry Clinic/Department, be considered as 13 years,” stated the circular by DCI Secretary, Sabyasachi Saha. Children tend to lose their primary teeth by the age of seven, after which the ‘milk’ teeth are replaced by second-

ents. “Why there is an upper age limit for poor people only? My son is 6-year old and haven’t been to a school yet. I wonder if he will get admission in nursery or not,” said Baby Devi, a domestic help. Meanwhile, experts said that the helpline number issued by the DoE does not working properly. “Few EWS/DG parents contacted the officials at the helpline number but volunteers there said that they have no knowledge about it. The DOE is requested to depute staff which has complete knowledge of EWS/DG admissions,” said Sumit Vohra, founder admissionsnursery. com.

ary teeth. This process of shedding of deciduous (or primary) teeth and their replacement is known as exfoliation. The exfoliation, in most cases, is done by the age of twelve after which mostly permanent teeth remain there. According to the experts, the idea is to incorporate a little-known branch of dentistry called ‘Ephebodontics’ that deals with patients between the age 10 and 18 years. “The aim was to help the patients as well as the doctors. In many cases, there were no clear instructions about which department to be visited,” said Dr AK Chandna, senior DCI member.

Padmaavat protests: Section 144 imposed

Migrate to e-litigation platform: Govt

Advitya Bahl correspondent@dnaindia.net

In order to ensure effective monitoring of all court cases, the Delhi government has directed all heads of departments to migrate to e-litigation platform. Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash issued the direction at a recent meeting with all secretaries and heads of departments. The chief secretary has asked secretaries and principal secretaries to ensure that the exercise regarding e-litigation platform should be completed within a week. E-litigation platform would allow the government to scan all cases pertaining to the city administration through the online system. “At the meeting, the chief secretary issued a direction to all departments to migrate to e-litigation platform. “The move will ensure effective monitoring of all court cases,” a senior government official said. The official said any laxity in this regard may be viewed seriously and responsibility of the officer concerned will be fixed. Prakash’s predecessor M M Kutty had also issued directions to all secretaries to review the position of court cases to ensure timely reply and effective representation to avoid contempt of court. —PTI

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The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) on Monday alleged that its Vice President was assaulted by Delhi Police women constables at Tuglak Road police station. The students were taken to the police station after it staged a protest near Jammu and Kashmir Bhavan against the rape and murder of an eight-year-old Kashmiri girl. According to the students, a woman constable dragged JNUSU vice president Simone Zoya Khan inside a room and beat her up. “We were taken from the protest site to Tuglak Road Police Station. Within the station premises, I was dragged inside a room and was punched on the face and beaten up,” she said. The students’ body will file a complaint against the constable. “This kind of behaviour is uncalled for from the police whom citizens approach for justice. If this is the state of Delhi Police which calls itself gender sensitive then we can understand what does a “Beti Bacho Beti Padao” mean in our country” Khan said, adding several other students were also beaten up by the police at the station. Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) BK Singh, however, denied the charges and said it was Khan who assaulted the women police officers. “It’s just an attempt to take mileage. Rather the Vice President assaulted women police on duty. They were not at all peaceful and disciplined during the protest,” he said.

that traffic on Kautilya Marg, Tyag Raj Marg, Safdarjung Road, Kushak Road and K Kamraj Marg will also be affected during this time. Those driving on these roads were advised to take alternative routes to Aurobindo Marg, India Gate, Vikas Marg, Ring Road, Moti Bagh and Dhaula Kuan. Buses moving from South Delhi on Tughlaq Road, bound for Connaught Place or Central Secretariat will be diverted from Aurobindo Chowk to Safdarjung Road to Panchsheel Marg and Simon Boliver Marg. Similarly, buses coming to Mandi House

BUS ROUTE

Ahead of the ASEAN Special Commemorative Summit 2018 that is to be held on Thursday, the Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory for the citizens to maintain a smooth flow of traffic and ensure a chaos-free day on the streets of the Capital. The heads of ten ASEAN countries are in the Capital for the Republic Day and security arrangements have also been adequately stepped up. Senior police officers said that while ensuring a clear and uninterrupted passage for the movement

RING ROAD

DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net

Traffic woes at Mubarka Chowk

Traffic police issues advisory ahead of ASEAN summit

The six Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs, who had filed applications seeking a stay on the proceedings at the Election Commission (EC), withdrew their pleas on Monday after President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday notified the disqualification of 20 AAP MLAs in an office of profit case. Justice Rekha Palli allowed the counsel for the MLAs to withdraw their pleas and termed them “dismissed as withdrawn” after Manish Vashist, counsel for one of the MLAs, informed the court that they would file fresh petitions against the disqualification of the 20 Delhi Assembly lawmakers. The court’s order came after Amit Sharma, counsel appearing for the EC, submitted that the recommendations to disqualify the MLAs was already sent to the President on January 19 and the same was notified on January 20. Following this, the applications were withdrawn by MLAs terming them “infructuous”. On Thursday, six of

Noida: A day after complete law and order failure was witnessed in many parts of Gautam Buddha Nagar district and with the release of the Padmaavat movie nearing, the administration on Monday imposed Section 144 CrPc in the district, which prohibits the assembly of four or more people. According to the officials, the decision has been taken after the police failed to control the protest over the release of Padmaavat. The movie is slated for release on January 25. “Section 144 will be implemented for the next 2 months in the district. This is a precautionary measure taken to maintain law and order,” said BN Singh, District Magistrate. Many organisations protested against the release of the movie on Sunday. The protests that started at Grand Venice Mall, Greater Noida later spread to Noida- Greater Noida Expressway and DND toll plaza. Hundreds of members of the Karni Sena, a Rajput output vandalised the Delhi Noida Direct (DND) Toll Plaza. After facing a serious backlash from the people, police have filed cases against 40 named and 800 unidentified miscreants.

Karni Sena vandalised toll booth on Sunday “ Different cases under relevant sections have been filled at Surajpur, Kasana, Dadri and many other police stations across the district against members of Karni Sena. We have arrested 12 people from the spot and detained many others for creating nuisance and rioting. We will scan the CCTV footage and arrest more people. We will take strict action against them. Extra police forces are deployed across the city to control any untoward incident,” said Suniti, Superintendent of Police, Gautam Budh Nagar. Following the outrage against the movie’s release, the Delhi Police is also maintaining high security at the multiplexes and theatres. Special Commissioner of Police, Dependra Pathak said, “We are constantly in touch with cinema hall management and the people living in those areas. We believe the film will release hassle-free.”

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DEL I

03 NEW DELHI I TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018 I DAILY NEWS & ANALYSIS

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WHEN DNA VISITED THE FACTORY IN O BLOCK OF SECTOR 5 IN BAWANA INDUSTRIAL AREA, IT WAS LOCKED

FACTORY OWNER RUNS ANOTHER UNIT Advitya Bahl Correspondent@dnaindia.net Manoj Jain, the arrested firecracker factory owner who continues to be in judicial custody, was running another factory in the adjacent block, sources told DNA. The other factory in O Block was found locked on Monday. However, Jain, during interrogation, accepted that the factory was being run by him but denied that it was a cracker factory. But when DNA visited Maharishi Hospital, one of the survivors of the fire incident, Roop Prakash Singh revealed that he had been working for Jain for the past four to five months. The factory in which the fire took place was a new unit recently set up by Jain. “He has another factory in O block of sector 5 in the Bawana Industrial area. The firecrackers were manufactured in that factory also. On January 1, Jain told me that he is starting a new unit in F block and it is the same factory where the fire broke out,” said Singh. Singh further revealed that for the new unit, Jain had started hiring people. “ New hirings took place as he was looking to expand his business. Around 35 people were inside the factory when the mishap took place. I fear that the toll is being hidden,” Singh added. When DNA visited the factory in O block, it was found to be locked. When inquired from the locals, they stated that it has been shut for the past 7-8 days. “ We haven’t seen or spotted anyone coming to the factory from the past one week. The activities inside the factory were also suspicious as they didn’t allow any outsider inside, and maintained that it was a plastic factory,” said a local. The case has now been referred to the crime branch. “ We are yet to receive the official file. However, the investigation has begun and our team visited the spot on Monday,” said a senior police official. A case was registered under sections 285( Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 337(Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 304(Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and Explosive Act 9 (b) of the Indian Penal Code.

Court directs cops to produce factory owner on January 24 DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net

A file photo of relatives of the deceased workers from the fire factory mourn during the funeral —PICS: AMARJEET SINGH/DNA

DCW takes action, seeks licence details DNA Correspondent Correspondent@dnaindia,net The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Monday took suo moto cognisance regarding the fire incident in Bawana, which claimed the lives of 17 people on Saturday night and served a notice to Commissioner North Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Madhup Vyas seeking information of several aspects with regard to the tragedy. The DCW Chief has sought a repsonse by January 29, 2018. The DCW sought a copy of the license provided to the cracker factory if one was issued. It also sought details with regard to the officer who had granted the license. “Whether the land where the factory was built was allotted by DSIIDC? If yes, please provide the purpose

SDMC seals 38 properties in Haus Khas DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net Continuing with the sealing drive, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) on Monday sealed upper floors and basements of 38 commercial establishments in the popular Hauz Khas Market. The major units sealed include three public sector banks -- SBI, UCO, Bank of Baroda; a number of consultancy offices and a gym, among others. The units are being sealed for “misuse” and “unauthourised construction”. The sealing exercise is being conducted on directions of the Supreme Court-appointed Monitoring Committee. “The building department of the South Zone, while ensuring compliance of the committee, took action against the properties where commercial activities were found in the basements and upper floors of the shops,” said a senior SDMC officer. The North Corporation too, sealed 58 commercial units in areas under its Karol Bagh Zone, including Old Rajendra Nagar and Ramesh

A file photo of a recent sealing drive

for which the land had to be used, Terms and Conditions of the allotment and other relevant documents for the same,” said Swati Maliwal, DCW, Chairperson. Maliwal questioned if the DSIIDC was aware that the land is being used to run an illegal firecracker factory. Maliwal asked for names and designations of the officers, if any, responsible for ensuring that the factories running in Bawana are abiding by the Terms and Conditions of the allotment of land? The DCW also asked entire details of inspections carried out by the authorities from 2016 till date and details of illegal factories being run in the area, complaints given by the locals and the proposed action by the DSIIDC for preventing misuse of the allotment of land in Bawana.

One of the mourning relatives the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day is scheduled for January 23, it was highly likely that the accused would not be produced tomorrow,” the court said in its order. Appearing for the accused, his counsel Pradeep Rana stated that it would be illegal to keep his client in custody in absence of specific order regarding his custody. However, the court stated that this plea shall be considered after hearing all the stakeholders

on the next date of hearing, ie, January 24. While allowing the application of the cops, the court directed that“Copy of this order be sent to the DCP, 3rd Battalion as well as Jail Superintendent concerned directing them to ensure that the accused is produced positively on January 24 preferably at 11 am so that the relevant prayer of the IO and the counsel for the accused can be considered,” the court added.

Labourers worked with bare hands at factory Sakshi Chand sakshi.chand@dnaindia.net Working with bare hands and no safety gears, labourers working at various factories in Bawana Industrial Area risked their lives for money which they would get after working overtime. An image clicked by one of the workers who died in the blaze shows them dealing with explosives with bare hands. One of the deceased, Pintu Pandit, who had recently started working at the factory had on one occasion shared a picture of him and other workers working at the factory with his family. The picture shows them only wearing a yellow mask and packing the explosives with bare hands. “He had cleared his first year exams and had started working to earn some money. The way they functioned was dangerous with the shutter down and all of them dealing with explosives, which they were told was col-

DREARY WORK

Labourers’ yellow stained hands were a common sight as they worked with bare hands The practice of having the main gate locked is a common sight in the area

(Above) A girl reacts to the death of her sister, one of the workers from the factory; (Right) A picture taken by one of the deceased workers shows them manufacturing firecrackers with bare hands our,” said one of his family members. The yellow stained hands were a common sight with the labourers working there. Labourers in the area alleged that there were around 30-35 people inside the factory, but the authorities are hiding the exact toll. “The tea stall person had delivered around 42 cups of tea

EARLY MORNING TRAGEDY

inside the factory, but only 17 died and two were injured -where are the others? Even if some of them left at 5:30 pm, there might still be 30-35 people inside. Where are they?” said Akhil Kapoor, a worker from the area. Kapoor further added that the police officials were aware of the cracker factory. “When they come and collect cash from factory owners, how

is it possible that they are unaware? They keep the premises locked to avoid any raids,” he added. The practice of having the main gate locked is a common sight in the industrial area. “The life of a labourer is the least among the concerns of the factory owners. While some have grills, there are some who have even built

walls and keep the main gate locked. It is a death trap for all of us but we have no option but to work. There are times when we don’t know if by evening we will have our jobs,” said Audesh Tiwari, another labourer from the area. Extortion in the name of a local gangster is carried out regularly. Police officials were deployed at the building to make sure no one enters the building where the blaze took place. Labourers were lured with double the money for working overtime, which is why many were present when the fire broke out.

AIIMS staff demand more drugs at generic pharmacy DNA Correspondent Correspondent@dnaindia.net

TRADERS UPSET The traders have called the drive “ruthless”, demanding immediate de-sealing of shops Nagar, among others. In these areas too, basements and upper floors were sealed. Meanwhile, in a bid to mark a protest against the ‘sealing drive’, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has called a citywide ‘bandh’ in which over 350 major markets will remain shut on Tuesday. The major markets including Chandni Chowk, South Extension-I and II, Hauz Khas, Lajpat Nagar, Kamla Nagar, Ysusuf Sarai, Greater Kailash, and Defence Colony, among others. “Why should a sword keep hanging on the traders’ community always? We demand immediate de-sealing of the shops. Besides, they have to implement the floor area ratio (FAR) as recommended in the Master Plan of Delhi-2021 instead of harassing us,” said Rajendra Malik, president, Defence Colony Traders Association.

A Delhi court on Monday asked the city police to produce Manoj Jain, the owner of the firecracker factory in Bawana where 17 people were charred to death in a deadly blaze on January 20. Metropolitan Magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh directed the police to produce Jain before it on January 24 after the cops moved an application stating that the accused could not be produced from judicial custody as sufficient police force was not available due to the Republic Day preparations. “The Investigating Officer (IO) submits that accused was to be produced today from the judicial custody but because of the Republic Day arrangements, sufficient police was not available. “The IO submits that since

THE CHARGES

Manoj Jain was held under Sections 285, (Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 337 (Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), and others of the IPC

The wreckage of a car that collided with a truck at the ITO Redlight early on Monday in the Capital —BB YADAV/DNA

In a written letter to the AIIMS Director, the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) has demanded inclusion of 53 more drugs in the free pharmacy at the hospital and the need of an updated medicine list, which has not been updated in the last nine months. The RDA has also shown support to the initiative of prescribing generic medicines by doctors, in view of Prime Minister’s vision, and have thus shared the list of medicines with their letter. The RDA recently had a meeting with the in-charge of free generic medicines store at AIIMS and found out that the store has only 230 medicines available. Now they have written to the administration to include 53 medicines which are mostly

A file photo of the AIIMS at New Delhi prescribed by the doctors at the hospital. “We can also collect a list of most commonly prescribed drugs from each department and help the institute update its list,” stated Dr Vijay Gurjar, Former RDA President, AIIMS, in his letter. “We have also realised that only one-sixth of the patients are able to avail the free medicines services due to unavailability of com-

mon medicines, so we have to make necessary efforts to promote the medicines,” he added. The doctors have also raised a concern that most of the available medicines are not in combination, which despite the need of the hour, increases the number of pills for patients, for example, TAB ECOSPRIN-AV, which is mostly prescribed in combination.

BJP announces ‘Vedic Yagya’ outside Red Fort in March DNA Correspondent Correspondent@dnaindia.net A “mega event” will be held in March in the national Capital that will have Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind in attendance, along with other political bigwigs. This was announced by BJP MP Maheish Girri on Monday. Aimed to blunt “conspiracies” hatched by “inimical forces” in the country, the week-long ‘Vedic Yagya’ will be hosted at the sprawling lawns outside the Red Fort from March 18-25, Girri informed on Monday. Girri, who will be at the helm of handling the event, claimed to have roped in

NATIONAL CAPITAL’S MEGA EVENT Aimed to blunt “conspiracies” hatched by “inimical forces” in the country, the week-long ‘Vedic Yagya’ will be hosted at the sprawling lawns outside the Red Fort from March 18-25 more than 1,100 priests. The BJP leader also asserted that a number of Delhi-based businessmen have come forward “to fund the Hindu ritual,” which entails “worshiping the Vedas and the nation in the same breath”. Sharing the blueprint of the ‘Rashtriya Raksha Mahayagya’ in a press conference here, Girri said, “Obla-

Other highlights of the event are performances by singers, including Shankar Mahadevan and Kailash Kher, who are preparing a “theme song” tion will be offered to gods by around 1,100 priests through 108 ceremonial fires. The ghee to be used in the ritual will be sourced from people across the country through ‘rath yatras’. We urge everyone to offer at least one spoonful of ghee,” he said. A temporary Vedic village will be set up in the area, where the annual Ram Lila is

held every year, for this purpose. Other highlights of the event are performances by singers, including Shankar Mahadevan and Kailash Kher, who according to Girri are preparing a “theme song”. “It will be attended by prominent political leaders, religious gurus, bureaucrats, Bollywood celebrities and corporate honchos,” the East Delhi MP said, refusing to divulge the names of those who have confirmed their participation. “Eight vows, to rid the nation of vices like casteism, communalism, among others, will also be taken by the participants,” he added.

A file photo of Red Fort

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C MMUNITY

04 DAILY NEWS & ANALYSIS I NEW DELHI I TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018

Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical begins on Feb 1

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2 dead in accident on Meerut-Ghaziabad Road A truck rammed into the bike while drifting away from the morning vehicle pile-up Advitya Bahl correspondent@dnaindia.net

The play will run till Feb 11 DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net The city will bid farewell to Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical, as the second season, begins on February 1. The play, directed by Feroz Abbas Khan, will be staged at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium and after that, the team will take the play to other parts of the country and abroad. “Our interaction with the audiences of the Capital has been special. Their appreciation for Mughal-e-Azam has been evident and a very important part of the play’s journey. This farewell to Delhi will be a hard one,” Khan said in a statement. Produced by Shapoorji Pallonji, the swan song of the musical will also be its 100th ‘s show. Deepesh Salgia (creative and strategic vision: Mughal- e-Azam) said, “We have been getting inquiries from all over the country and different parts of the world to stage the musical. The success and the popularity it gained by word-of-mouth has been unprecedented and we are in the process of charting an entire schedule now. Mughal-e-Azam will now travel to audiences across India and globally, as well.” The play has already completed five successful seasons in Mumbai. The musical will run till February 11.

The morning vehicle pile-up at the Meerut-Ghaziabad Road claimed two lives on Monday after a truck hit a bike. The incident took place when a speeding truck rammed into a bike while drifting away so as not to hit the early morning vehicle pile-up on the highway. The deceased were identified as Devendra (41) and Naresh (40). A total of nine vehicles were involved in the pile-up which also left two others injured. The injured were identified as Ram and Amit, who were rushed to Kansal Hospital where doctors declared them out of danger. According to the police, the incident occurred at a busy road near Ghookna Morh under the Sihani Gate police station around 8 am on Monday when a speeding bus hit a car from behind leading to the pile-up. One of these vehicles tried to move away and came in front of a truck, which was coming from the opposite side. “Trying to save the collision, the truck driver tried to drift away towards left, but hit a bike on which Devendra and Naresh were riding,” said Vinod Kumar Pandey, Station House Officer, Sihani Gate police station. Both of them died on the spot. Both the drivers of the truck and the bus had fled the spot by the time police arrived. The deceased were employees in different private companies. They were neighbours in Ghookna village of Ghaziabad. Devendra had gone to the nearby market to collect ‘pooja ingredients’ as

A biker gets crushed under the truck; (below) A total of nine trucks were involved in the pile up

FREAK SHOW The deceased were neighbours in Ghookna village of Ghaziabad. Devendra had gone to the nearby market to collect ‘pooja ingredients’ as he had bought a house recently and he had organised a housewarming ceremony at his place

he had bought a house recently and he had organised a housewarming ceremony at his place. “After investigating the matter, we have registered a case under Indian Penal Code section 304(A) for causing death due to negligence. Both the drivers are absconding but they will be held soon,” said Pandey.

Share buyback may be taxed in Budget From p1 Listed companies these days are announcing consideration of buyback of shares, something which has not been a common phenomenon earlier. “It is evident that the scales have been significantly tilted in favour of buyback of shares by listed companies, as against payment of dividends, on account of the recent changes in the tax laws,” tax expert Manish Garg told DNA. According to Prime Database, an equity research firm, 2017 has created history in the capital market with a record Rs 489.18 billion buybacks (see chart). As many as 32 companies exercised repurchase offers till December 2017. “We think a large number of buybacks are only because it’s more tax efficient for promoters as compared to paying dividend. This is largely because promoters get more than Rs 10 lakhs as dividend and therefore have to pay another 10% tax on it. It is a better way to pay out,” said Deepak Shenoy, founder and MD, Capitalmind. Promoters have two options - either share the profit through dividend or buy back. For cash-rich companies, this has meant that a buyback is more prudent than giving dividends, which is subject to tax. Once a company is listed in the stock market and shares issued to the public, promoters and top management often jump into the game of buybacks. Full copy on dnaindia.net

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also told the court that the order asking the association to vacate the room did not prevent the scribes from accessing the facilities of the NMC, nor did it take away their accreditation. Delhi High Court issues notices to Press Information Bureau and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting seeking their responses by May 9 The ministry also told the court that the room was “state largesse” given free of cost to the association, comprising over 700 accredited journalists, and it had no le-

NIA’s most wanted ‘techie-bomber’ held

From p1 During his late teens, Qureshi joined SIMI in the 1990s and worked as a co-instructor. In 2008, when SIMI General Secretary Safdar Nagori was arrested, he left SIMI and joined hands with the Bhatkal brothers and founded the Indian Mujahideen. He later met Riaz Bhatkal in Pune in 2008 and decided to carry out a series of blasts. “He masterminded Gujarat serial blast. After these blasts he bought a colour television and distributed sweets to celebrate. Later to evade arrest he changed his base from Patna to Ranchi and to many other

places in India, before fleeing to Nepal via Raxaul. In Nepal he worked as a teacher and also pretended to be running an NGO,” the officer said. In 2015, using a fake Nepalese passport, he fled to Saudi Arabia and stayed there till 2017, to revive IM and raise funds. Kushwaha said that his name also surfaced in the July 2006 Mumbai train bombings, but his involvement is yet to be ascertained. His role in Bangalore blasts has also surfaced. His name as a recruiter emerged after the arrests of the Haider Ali module and the Patna blasts of 2013.

gal right to continue occupying it. It also told the court that the order asking the association to vacate the room did not prevent the scribes from accessing the facilities of the

NMC, nor did it take away their accreditation. The court, however, did not accept the contention, saying that despite not having any right to government housing, scribes have been provided this benefit. The association’s counsel alleged in the court that it was asked to vacate the room in question as it had joined the protests against the attacks on journalists. It told the court that since 1965, it had a room in the Shastri Bhawan, and thereafter when the NMC was built in 2014, the association was asked to shift there in July 2014. —PTI

A section of Delhi University (DU) students on Monday alleged that they were manhandled by the members of RSSbacked Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) during a protest meeting being organised at the Dyal Singh College against its bifurcation. The meeting was also attended by a section of teachers, who are opposing the move. According to the students, the ABVP members not only disrupted the public meeting but also manhandled them. “They hurled sexist abuses against female faculty members and girl students,” said Prashant Mukherjee, Delhi secretary of the student wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI). The students, however, formed a human chain around the college’s amphitheater and continued the meeting. “The unity of struggling students forced them to backtrack and the students formed a human chain to ensure that the meeting be continued,” he added. The ABVP, however, denied the allegation. Dyal Singh Evening Col-

From p1 He left his job in Mumbai and moved to Delhi’s Zakir Nagar. There, he grew close to Safdar Nagori, the then general secretary of SIMI’s central advisory committee. SIMI was banned in September 2001 but Qureshi escaped arrest and shifted base to Bijapur in Karnataka. Nagori appointed him head of Karnataka operations. He started travelling to Bhatkal and revived his association with Riyaz and came in contact with Iqbal. At that time Bhatkal was the centre of radical youths and Qureshi was by now second in command of SIMI and a co-found-

Advitya Bahl correspondent@dnaindia.net

The authority also approved that the farmers will be allowed to set-up gas godowns or petrol pumps —Pic for representation chairman, it had allotted 3,700 plots in twin villages as most of the farmers didn’t sell their land to them, hence the authority decided to re-

FOUR DEATHS The official toll maintained by the Delhi municipal authorities till December 26 stood at four, even though some hospitals had reported a few more deaths due to dengue.

The mosquito-borne tropical disease had claimed its first victim in the city last year on August 1, when a 12-year-old boy died of dengue shock syndromes at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH). Three more deaths were

lege has been in the eye of the storm after its Governing Body (GB) “unanimously” passed the resolution to change its name to ‘Vande Mataram’ and make it a normal shift college in November last year. The change in the name, however, has been put on hold after HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar objected to it. The college, which was set up in 1958 as the first evening college of DU, has both morning and evening shifts. Earlier this year, the college had decided to bifurcate the campus and convert the evening college into a day college. The move triggered a controversy as the DSC (morning) teachers protested against the decision without allocating it a separate campus.

reported in October by the SDMC. The numbers of malaria and chikungunya cases recorded in 2017 stood at 1,142 and 940 respectively. Of the 9,271 dengue cases, 4,726 patients were from Delhi, while 4,545 had come to the city from other states for treatment, according to the SDMC’s last report. In 2016, at least 21 dengue deaths were reported from various city hospitals, including nine at the AIIMS, though the official figure of the civic bodies was 10. Seventeen deaths, suspected to be due to malaria, were also reported by the civic bodies in 2016. —PTI

Town vending panel to identify hawker spots The Delhi government has notified rules for the formation of Town Vending Committees (TVCs) across the Capital which will identify sites and spaces for vending and hawking in the city. According to the government, the Delhi Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Rules, 2017 will pave the way for constituting 25 to 28 TVCs. The notification, issued earlier this month, states that the TVCs will conduct surveys to identify street vendors in the area and issue certificates of vending to eligible street vendors and ensure enforcement of corrective mechanism against any defiance. “The Town Vending Committees will identify sites and spaces for vending and hawking. It will also recommend local authorities to declare an area in its jurisdiction as nonvending zone,” the notification stated. It adds that the committee will regulate timings for vending to ensure non-congestion of public spaces. A government official said that according to the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, every state has to form TVCs to regulate street vendors.—PTI

Abdul Subhan Qureshi: The suave Loya death case is engineer who kept vanishing serious: CJI bench

er of IM along with Riyaz and Iqbal. He became the bridge between SIMI and IM. By 2005, he diverted his energies to carrying out action in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Qureshi went to Ranchi in Jharkhand then to Bihar’s Chhapra and thereafter to Nepal where he met Nizam

Khan, a SIMI sympathiser, who ran an NGO, Nepal Development Society. He informed Khan about his SIMI links but did not disclose his IM links. With Khan’s help he started to teach English at Christian Boarding School. He stayed there from October 2008 to January 2009 and then moved to Gorkha. Qureshi managed to get a Nepali passport in the name of Abdul Rehman. He again came in touch with Riyaz who motivated him to come to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia in 2015 to arrange finances and revive IM in India. On return, he started to visit India to revive IM.

YEIDA returns land to farmers, hsg site to be shifted Noida: The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) on Monday decided to return the land to the farmers that it had acquired in 2009 as part of developing sector-18. It is the same land for which Bhatta-Parsaul villages had made headlines during the Mayawati regime when clashes had taken place between the police and farmers. The decision was taken by the Yamuna Authority Area during its 62nd board meeting. According to authority

Pic for representation

DNA Correspondent Correspondent@dnaindia.net

NO HARM

ing its decision, said the petitioner body — Press Association— was asked to move out as the Indian Information Service was moving into the NMC.

It is January, but at least three people have already been diagnosed with dengue in the national capital, the first reported cases this year. Cases of vector-borne diseases are usually reported between mid-July and November-end, but this period may stretch up to mid-December. “Three cases of dengue have been reported till January 20. However, no cases of malaria or chikungunya have been reported,” according to a municipal report released today. There were no cases of any vector-borne disease till January 13. At least 10 people died in Delhi due to dengue last year, according to the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), which tabulates the data for the entire city. The vector-borne disease had affected 9,271 people here in 2017. Five of the 10 victims were not Delhi residents but had died in the national capital. The official toll maintained by the Delhi municipal authorities till December 26 stood at four, even though some hospitals had reported a few more deaths due to dengue.

‘ABVP members manhandled us’

HC stays Centre move to evict press association The Delhi High Court on Monday put on hold the Centre’s decision to evict an association of accredited journalists from a room given to it in the National Media Centre (NMC) here. Justice Rajiv Shakdher also issued notice to the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting seeking their responses by May 9 to the Press Association’s plea challenging the government’s decision. “Meanwhile, there shall be stay of the order (of eviction),” the court said and asked the government to “try and work out” the issue. The government, defend-

Dengue strikes early in Capital, three cases in Jan

turn all land to the farmers and shift the plots to some other place. Sources, however, said it is an attempt to mount pressure on the farm-

ers to sell their land to the authority. “We have decided to release the land and cancel acquisition of about 3700 plots that formed a part of our proposed sector-18. These land pockets primarily belonged to farmers of Bhatta-Parsaul area and they have been refusing to accept the compensation. As most of them haven’t taken any compensation, hence the land couldn’t be acquired as well. Our development work is stalled because of the same, hence we have decided to do away with these plots” said Prabhat Kumar, YEIDA chairman. Kumar further stated that

the board has decided to give free land to NHAI near the zero point of Easter Peripheral Expressway and Yamuna Expressway. Around 97 hectares of land will be given to NHAI. Other than this, the YEIDA board also agreed to extend Noida- Greater Noida Metro up to the Jewar Airport. The board also decided that the old allottees of sector 18, 20 would not be brought under the GST umbrella. The YEIDA also adopted UP’s IT and electronics policy under which large companies and manufacturers will be encouraged to set up their bases in YEIDA area.

From p1 Dave continued that “the entire institution was working towards the protection of one individual”. If judge Loya died a natural death, then the state should not hesitate to make all documents transparent, he said. During the hearing, CJI Dipak Misra got angry when advocate Indira Jaising inferred a possible future order that the apex court may gag the media in the case. “This is not fair to me. This you cannot do,” the CJI responded and asked Jaising to retract and apologise. She retracted her statement and tendered an apology. The case, last heard by a bench of Justices Arun Mishra and MM Shantanagouder, was seen as one of the main triggers for four Supreme Court judges — the most senior of the court’s 25 after the CJI — holding a press conference on January 12 to bare their anguish over CJI Misra’s alleged breach of institutional integrity, and “to save the democracy”.

When reporters asked whether the presser was related to the case of Loya, one of the four judges had said “yes”. The four revolting judges — Justices J Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan Lokur and Kurien Joseph — had said that sensitive cases should be heard by senior judges. Last week, Maharashtra submitted a 50-page document pertaining to Loya’s death in a sealed cover. The apex court had then directed Maharashtra to provide both petitioners -- Tehseen Poonawala and journalist BR Lone – copies of the report. However, on Monday, counsel for petitioners submitted that there were some papers missing from the copies of the report provided by Maharashtra. “The report narrates the investigation conducted by the Director General of Police. It contains statements from judicial officers, who were accompanying Judge Loya, on the entire sequence of events leading to his death,” Salve said.

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NEW DELHI I TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018 I daily news & analysis

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pm modi will become the 2nd indian pm to attend wef; is expected to hardsell india

Modi’s mantra: India means business

WEF ranks India 62 for devpt PM has a great story India in Davos: From Davos: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a great story to tell about significant reforms undertaken in India and even a greater story about 1.4 billion Indians, a young population and a massive market for the world, while no one other than him is better to tell this story, Spicejet CEO Ajay Singh said on Monday. Here to attend the World Economic Forum being addressed by Modi among

India Inc makes strong pitch for ‘statesmanship’

NC accuses HM of war mongering Ishfaq-ul-Hassan h_ishfaq@dnaindia.net

Ishfaq-ul-Hassan h_ishfaq@dnaindia.net Srinagar: The Border Security Force (BSF) has destroyed fuel and ammunition dump besides several positions of the Pakistan forces in a massive retaliation to the repeated ceasefire violations at the International Border (IB). BSF released a footage showing pinpoint targeting of Pakistani forces across the IB. “BSF is giving suitable and pin-pointed retaliation to unprovoked fire by the Pakistan forces across the IB in Jammu,” said a BSF spokesman at Jammu Frontier. The spokesman said several enemy positions were destroyed by the BSF troops during the retaliation. “At several locations, the enemy’s firing positions, ammunition and fuel dump have been destroyed by precision firing,” he added. More than 12 people have been killed in Pakistani shelling at the Line of Control (LoC) and IB since January 17, 2018. More than 50 people have suffered injuries and thousands of people have fled their homes. Schools and educational institutions in the five kilometer range of the IB and LoC have been shut as a precautionary measure. Incidently, the intensity of cross-border firing decreased considerably along the LoC and the IB in the Jammu division on Monday. Baring minor exchange of firing in Naushera sector of Rajouri district, it was a cal Monday at both the LoC and the IB. “(Areas under) 16 corps has been calm since Sunday evening, except some minor exchange of fire on Monday afternoon,” said an Army spokesman. Full report: www.dnaindia.com

Srinagar: The National Conference (NC) accused the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh of “war mongering” on Monday. The accusations follow Singh’s remarks that India has shown that it can attack its enemies not only on its soil, but also in a foreign territory, if need be. “It smacks of a war cry and war mongering, which do not behove a person of his position and authority in the Union government. It does not befit the second most populous country and the largest democracy in the world against a country that is one fifth of the size and population of India. It is unfortunately a language of an arrogant boaster and a bully. This will not help matters but only aggravate tension and animosity in the region,” said Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal, Additional General Secretary National Conference and uncle of former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah. Kamaal’s statement comes a day after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said “khoon ki holi” is being played at the interational border with Pakistan, and appealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan not to turn the state into a “jung ka akhara”, and in-

Rajnath Singh be well advised to show serious concern for the growing Indo-Pak hostility, which if allowed to grow, will lead to open war

billboards to platters Davos: It’s India everywhere in this snow-covered Swiss resort town — once known for health tourism, always frequented by skiing enthusiasts and home to the annual weeklong pow-wow of global elite in sub-zero temperatures. For now, it teems with huge billboards atop buildings and even on buses, promoting India and Indian companies, while the narrow roads made even narrower by heavy snowfall are full of lounges set up by the private and pub-

North America and Western Europe will have a commanding presence at the 2018 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland

Country Respresentation

Delegates by country compared to 216 population and GDP

n North America

n Western America

n Rest of the world

Size indicates GDP

30%

Delegates: 27% Population: 4.3% GDP: $18.6 trillion 20%

Switzerland

China

Delegates: 8% Population: 0.1% GDP: $0.7 trillion 10%

Delegates: 3% Population: 18.5% GDP: $11.2 trillion

Delegates: 9% Population: 09.% GDP: $2.6 trillion

India

Delegates: 4% Population: 17.8% GDP: $2.3 trillion

0 0

Per cent of population

20%

global ones. The five-day WEF affair seems to be bigger this year and so does the snowfall, as the first day itself saw roads getting closed and serpentine traffic since morning. Flush with nearly three times its usual population, the Swiss resort of Davos is teeming with black business suits for the WEF annual gathering, but it still cannot deter the skiing enthusiasts and those coming for medical tourism. —PTI

Davos: A team of chefs from Taj Group is preparing cuisines at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Mainly consisting of Indian cuisine, the spread prepared by these chefs will be served at three different venues. Raghu Deora, the logistical head for this entire mission, said, “I have been told that he likes anythng and everything vegetarian. It will be like ghar ka swad Davos mein when serving Prime Minister Narendra Modi.” He added that it is quite difficult to prepare Indian dishes in Davos as the Indian spices are quite different. “We are a team of 32 chefs and managers catering to India Adda, AP lounge and India Reception for about 12,000 people. We also have a special dinner at Inter Continental. Prime Minister Modi will be having our food at 3 different

venues. There is much bigger Indian presence in Davos,”� he added. He said, “Almost 1,000 kg of spices have been brought from India, some hand-carried and some couriered.” Deora, along with Nitin Mathur, the executive chef Taj Krishna, Hyderabad and Neville Pimento, resident manager at Taj Lands End, Mumbai, will be leading the team of chefs at different venues. —ANI

Office of Profit: AAP demands action against BJP DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net Bhopal: A day after President Ram Nath Kovind approved the disqualification of 20 Aam Aadmi Party MLAs in Delhi, the party demanded that the Election Commission take similar action against 116 BJP legislators in Madhya Pradesh as they too held posts that come under the ambit of Office of Profit. The party’s MP convenor, Alok Agrawal, said that the party had raised the issue on July 4, 2016, and sought the disqualification of these

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal along with Dy CM and other leaders MLAs, but no action was taken by the poll panel. “We had submitted a written complaint to the Governor, but we did not get any

response,” he claimed. The party, once again, urged the Commission to immediately scrap the membership of those 116 MLAs.

“Of the MLAs in question, most are members of Jan Bhagidari Samitis of colleges, which comes under Office of Profit,” former state AAP secretary Akshay Hunka said. He said that while these MLAs are not paid salaries, they do get travel allowances from these colleges. “Two ministers — Paras Jain and Deepak Joshi – also hold Office of Profit by virtue of being office bearers of Indian Scout and Guide,” he said, adding that several more ministers would have fallen under the ambit in the last couple of years.

‘Prez decision tughluqshahi’ New Delhi: Rebel BJP leaders Yashwant Sinha and Shatrughan Sinha have come out in support of the AAP over disqualification of its 20 MLAs with the former calling the president’s decision a “tughluqshahi” order. President Ram Nath Kovind had disqualified 20 AAP MLAs for holding offices of profit.

‘Missionaries goaded religious conversion’

first words

Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal, Additional general secretary, National Conference stead make it a bridge for friendship. More than 12 people have been killed in Pakistani shelling at the Line of Control (LoC) and International border (IB) since January 17, 2018. More than 50 people have suffered injuries and thousands of people have fled their homes. Schools and educational institutions in the five kilometer range of the IB and LoC have been shut as a precautionary measure. “Wars between the two countries since partition of India in 1947 have yielded nothing but death,” Kamaal added.

lic sector from the country where Indian delicacies are flying off the counters. Chai and pakodas are in high demand and so are vada pao and dosas. The choices to sit and munch over are plenty — there is the Indian government’s official India Lounge, while Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra governments too have set up their own lounges. Then, there are plenty of Indian companies with their own setups alongside those of the

‘Ghar ka swad’ for Modi in Swiss town

The heavyweights in Davos

Per cent of delegates

BSF destroys Pak positions across border

other world leaders, Singh said it is a very big occasion for India as an Indian prime minister is attending the WEF Davos summit after 20 years. “When we saw Chinese premier Xi Jinping here last year, there was a lot of focus on China and it’s natural there would be a lot of focus on India this time,” Singh told PTI. Singh added that India has a real terrific story to tell in Davos. —PTI

to tell: SpiceJet chief

REUTERS GRAPHICS

Davos: India was on Monday ranked at the 62nd place among emerging economies on an Inclusive Development Index, much below China’s 26th position and Pakistan’s 47th. Norway remains the world’s most inclusive advanced economy, while Lithuania again tops the list of emerging economies, the World Economic Forum (WEF) said while releasing the yearly index here before the start of its annual meeting, to be attended by several world leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President DonMen outside of the Davos Congress Centre in Davos on Monday —AFP ald Trump. The index takes into account the “living standards, five-year trend of their overenvironmental sustainabiliall Inclusive Development ty and protection of future Growth score — receding, generations from further inslowly receding, stable, slowly debtedness”, the WEF said. It advancing and advancing. urged the leaders to urgently Despite its low overall move to a new model of inscore, India is among the ten clusive growth and emerging economies Davos: As the world leaders development, saying with ‘advancing’ await to hear Prime Minister reliance on GDP as a trend. Only two ad- Narendra Modi’s vision for measure of economvanced economies India’s engagement with the ic achievement is have shown ‘advanc- world, Indian CEOs on MonThe index day made a strong pitch for a fuelling short-tering’ trend. takes into mism and inequality. Among ad- statesman like position for account the vanced economies, the country to counter the India was ranked 60th among 79 develNorway is followed protectionism and domestic living oping economies last standards, by Ireland, Luxem- rhetoric likely to be presentyear, as against Chibourg, Switzerland ed by countries like the US. Eminent banker Uday Kona’s 15th and Paki- environmental and Denmark in tak, a Davos veteran who has stan’s 52nd position. sustainability the top five. The 2018 index, and protection Small European been attending the World which measures economies dominate Economic Forum Annual of future progress of 103 the top of the index, Meeting in this Swiss ski reeconomies on three generations with Australia (9) sort town for years, said India individual pillars — from further the only non-Euro- needs to understand the subgrowth and developpean economy in the tle difference between sales ment; inclusion; indebtedness top 10. Of the G7 and marketing, and present and inter-generaeconomies, Germa- the India story accordingly WEF tional equity — has ny (12) ranks the while positioning itself in been divided into two highest. It is followed the role of a statesman. “When we saw Chinese parts. The first part covers by Canada (17), France (18), 29 advanced economies and the UK (21), the US (23), Japan premier Xi Jinping here last year, there was a lot of focus the second 74 emerging (24) and Italy (27). economies. The top-five most inclu- on China and it’s natural The index has also classisive emerging economies are there would be a lot of focus fied the countries into five Lithuania, Hungary, Azerbai- on India this time,” Spicejet CEO Ajay Singh said. —PTI sub-categories in terms of the jan, Latvia and Poland. —PTI

Siddhartha Rai siddhartha.rai@dnaindia.net

A family during a religious ceremony ‘Akshara Abhyasam’ at a temple in Hyderabad on Monday —PTI

New Delhi: The recently concluded New Delhi World Book Fair was used by Christian and Muslim missionaries for goading religious conversion, says RSS, while the organisation itself sold over 50,000 copies of a book specially authored over ‘love jihad’, apart from orders been placed for almost the same number of copies. The RSS had planned a book blitz at the Delhi Book Fair that started from January 6. The rightwing fountainhead of cultural nation-

alism had assembled a spectrum of 12 “nationalist” publishers that had come together under one stall to showcase literature pertaining to Indian nationalism. This fair-within-fair was called ‘Rashtriya Sahitya Sangam’ or the ‘National Literature Confluence’. RSS claimed that the book titled ‘Ek Mukhauta Aisa Bhi’ (A mask like this) and authored by Bhopal-based teacher Vandana Gandhi remained one of the bestsellers among all publishers that had come under the aegis of the Sahitya Sangam. Full report: www.dnaindia.com

No biometric verification for tourists at 5 seaports Amrita Madhukalya amrita.madhukalya@dnaindia.net New Delhi: While the Centre is pushing for the use of biometric data in various domains, there is one where it has withdrawn its use. Last month, the home ministry, on the insistence of the tourism ministry, withdrew the process of collecting biometrics data to issue e-visas to tourists at the five seaports around the coastal regions. The tourism ministry’s view was that the move will help promote cruise tourism, which is in its infancy now.

govt’s efforts The ministry has been promoting cruise tourism since ’16 in over 13 ports As part of the govt’s thrust, ports in Mumbai, Cochin, and Goa’s Mormugao, New have been developed by both shipping & tourism mins Currently, when any passenger or tourist enters the country through any airport, the government collects biometric data to issue any e-visa. Details like fingerprints

and photos are usually collected. Since the Centre is in the midst of sprucing up seaports to attract more tourists, the home ministry was given a deadline till October, 2017,

to install machines to collect the data. A tourism industry insider told DNA that the home ministry missed the dead-

line. At the same time, officials of the tourism ministry, during the 7th meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Coordination Committee on Tourism Sector (IMCCTS), contended that the system of using biometrics for issuing e-visa for cruise vessel passengers is “complex and time-consuming”. Secretaries of both tourism and home ministries are part of the IMCCTS. Consequently, the home ministry sent a communique on January 5, relaxing the collection of biometrics data till 2020. Full report: www.dnaindia.com

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06 DAILY NEWS & ANALYSIS I NEW DELHI I TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018

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Opposition parties taste blood in Congress' improved performance in Gujarat Assembly polls, plan for the elections ahead

Akhilesh to contest LS polls in ’19 DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net Lucknow: Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav said that he will contest 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Kannauj Parliamentary seat in place of his wife Dimple Yadav. Talking to mediapersons in Lucknow, Akhilesh also said his father will change his seat from Azamgarh to traditional Mainpuri Lok Sabha seat. At present, Akhilesh is a member of the UP Council (Upper House) and his wife Dimple Yadav is MP from Kannauj. “It is my personal wish to contest 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Kannauj. Netaji (as his father Mulayam Singh Yadav

Shivpal calls for SP unity to fight ‘communal’ BJP

Akhilesh Yadav with wife Dimple Yadav —DNA is known) will contest from Mainpuri,” said Akhikesh, who was elected thrice from Kannauj Lok Sabha seat in 1999 (bypolls), 2004 and 2009. Dimple was elected in 2012 Lok Sabha bypolls when Akhilesh had quit the Kannauj Lok Sabha seat after becom-

ing the UP Chief Minister. Facing BJP charges of promoting nepotism, Akhilesh had announced that his wife Dimple Yadav will not contest from Kannauj again. Since then speculations were rife that he might contest the 2019 LS polls from Kannauj.

Lucknow: Sidelined Samajwadi Party leader Shivpal Yadav on Monday stressed the need for unity in the party and Yadav family in order to fight “communal forces” in the country. “I am still with ‘netaji’ (Mulayam). I will do whatever he directs me to do. I still pray for family unity. Only by being united, we can fight communal forces strongly,” Shivpal, who has been sidelined in the party by nephew Akhilesh Yadav, told reporters here, as he turned 63 on Monday. “The state is facing a lot of

challenges. Farmers and youths are a disgruntled lot. Corruption is rising, but there is no one to hear,” he said. Shivpal’s birthday, which coincided with ‘Basant Panchami’, was celebrated by his supporters as ‘Satat Sangharsh Diwas’ (relentless struggle day). To mark the occasion, Shivpal also released an e book about his political life, where photos of Akhilesh, the former chief minister of the state, were conspicuous by their absence.

No truck with Cong Cong non-committal on CM’s in K’taka: Gowda face in MP, is open to alliance Mangaluru: The JD(S) would have no electoral understanding with the ruling Congress in the coming Karnataka assembly election as it had “burnt its fingers” in the past aligning with the national party, former Prime Minister and party president H D Deve Gowda said on Monday. The Janata Dal (Secular) had “burnt its fingers” in the past aligning with the Congress, he told reporters here, adding that his party was also not interested in forming a government with the Congress’s support if the results threw up such a probability. The Congress and the BJP were “only discussing communal issues” and were turning a blind eye to people’s issues, including the problems being faced by farmers, he said. Gowda said the JD-S would contest in all the 224 assembly seats in the state, of which some seats would be spared for the Left parties.

IN BRIEF

Man hurls acid at wife suspecting her fidelity Jajpur (Odisha): A man allegedly hurled acid at his wife suspecting her fidelity in Jajpur district, police said on Monday. The woman, aged around 40 years, received serious burn injuries on her face and back in the incident on Saturday evening at Malapada village, they said. The woman was rescued by neighbours who admitted her to the local hospital. Later, she was shifted to the district headquarters hospital here as her condition deteriorated.

Karnal, Ludhiana coldest in region Chandigarh: Punjab and Haryana reeled under cold weather conditions today with Karnal and Ludhiana being the coldest places in the region with a low of 3 degrees Celsius each. Union Territory of Chandigarh, the joint capital of both Punjab and Haryana, recorded its low at 7 degrees Celsius, an official of the MeT department said here. In Punjab, Amritsar recorded its minimum at 3.2 degrees Celsius.—PTI

Pilot takes potshot at Raje electioneering

ADVANTAGE BJP The JD(S) says it decided not to ally with Congress as it had “burnt its fingers” in the past aligning with the party. The move is likely to benefit the BJP which is eyeing to return to power in the state. The party had not yet decided whether to seek the support of the Social Democratic Party of India, which had backed it in the last elections. On the controversial statements made by Union minister Ananth Kumar Hegde on the Constitution and Dalits, Gowda said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should control his ministers. He said the JD-S had submitted a complaint to the assembly Speaker to disqualify two of its MLAs, who had defected and joined the BJP recently. PTI

Bhopal: Aiming to gain power after a gap of almost oneand-a-half decade, the Congress in Madhya Pradesh has started preparations for the year-end assembly polls and indicated it was open to joining hands with “like- minded” parties to oust the ruling BJP. To begin with, the party is focusing on identifying possible candidates on “difficult” seats by March-end, but remained non-committal on projecting a chief ministerial candidate ahead of the crucial polls likely by December. “(Generally) decision on seats is taken at the last moment. I will discuss the matter with senior leaders of the state. “However, I am thinking of identifying candidates on difficult seats - the seats the party has not won for the last three-four elections. “I will indicate such persons in advance - my aim is by March-end - so that they

Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia —File photo get sufficient time to prepare for the polls,” Congress general secretary in-charge of Madhya Pradesh Deepak Babaria said. He was asked about the party, in the past, waiting almost till the last day of filing nominations to finalise candidates on various seats. The Congress is out of power in Madhya Pradesh, which has a 230-member assembly, since 2003.

Asked about projecting a chief ministerial face in MP as happened in Punjab, where the move paid rich dividends to the party, Babaria said, “Whatever is needed we will do. But we will not open our cards outside. “If we decide on any face we will definitely let people know about it. What we are thinking or not thinking (on the issue) we will not let anyone know.”—PTI

Yuvraj Shrimal s_yuvraj@dnaindia.net

Amit Shah at a meeting of North East Democratic Alliance —File photo

Nitish’s JD(U) to enter fray in Nagaland, eyes alliance with BJP Anand Mishra & Amrita Madhukalya correspondent@dnaindia.net New Delhi: With the upcoming Assembly polls in Nagaland less than a month away, alliances are being crafted in full swing. JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar has entered the fray in the state and the BJP is forging new ties with former CM Neiphiu Rio. And, all of this is giving CM TR Zeliang a sleepless night. The JD(U) plans to field five candidates in the state, and to give a final shape to his plans, Nitish will visit the National Capital on January 27 to meet JD(U) leaders from the state. The party is in touch with both factions of the ruling Naga People’s Front — CM TR Zeliang’s followers and those of party president, former Chief Minister Shurhozelie. NPF leader and former minister Tenucho had met Kumar some time back in Bihar Bhavan to discuss the possibilities. Shurhozelie has recently hinted at severing ties with the BJP. JD(U) general secretary KC Tyagi said that JD(U) is seeking to contest Nagaland election in alliance with BJP and regional parties and all these issues will be discussed

CM’S MOVES The BJP’s move to forge an alliance with Rio has given sleepless nights to CM Zeliang.

He has held talks with Conrad Sangma of the National People’s Party, without any avail. when Kumar comes to New Delhi. If BJP-JD(U) alliance happens, it will be the first time for the Nitish Kumar’s party to contest any election in alliance with BJP after it rejoined the NDA in July last year. Tyagi had a telephonic discussion with the Bihar Chief Minister on last Thursday to discuss Nagaland polls. Tyagi was on a threeday visit to Nagaland last month. In addition, the National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) founded by former CM Neiphiu Rio and Lok Sabha MP Chingwang Konyak is another player JD(U) is eyeing at. Rio has also been meeting senior BJP leaders in the national capital at the initiative of BJP general secretary Ram Madhav and NEDA convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Jaipur: RPCC chief Sachin Pilot took a potshot on Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje’s emotional appeals to community leaders, recalling her ‘relations’ with them, while seeking votes. Pilot made direct attack on Raje in Ajmer while campaigning for party candidate Raghu Sharma on Monday. Raje had made an emotional appeal in Alwar where she held dialogues with members of various communities. Among these were community leaders of various castes and religion. All of them expressed their support for the BJP candidate in the coming election after Raje’s appeal. Her appeals were the target of Pilot during an election rally at Ajmer on Monday. “Raje has been campaigning for two days in Ajmer. She has nothing to tell people on achievements of her government and that’s why she is reaching out to communities,” said Pilot. “After four years of BJP rule, no announcement on farm loan waiver has been made till date. The farmers faced natural calamities and other crisis, though no relief the government gave to them. The government proved failure on all fronts.” “In the way people are coming to rallies and supporting the candidates, it is sure the Congress will win all three seats — Ajmer, Alwar and Mandalagarh,” stated Pilot.

Sachin Pilot on election campaign

IPFT will not raise demand for separate state: BJP Sambhaji Bhide is Agartala: The BJP, which is in the process of finalising a pre-poll alliance with the Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT), on Monday said the anti-Left tribal party will no longer raise its demand for a separate state. A joint statement on the matter will be signed soon by the authorised signatories of both parties, BJP state incharge Sunil Deodhar said. “The IPFT will not raise the demand for Twipraland

MORE AUTONOMY The BJP, however, said the tribal council will be empowered to provide more autonomy to all the 19 tribes of the state. The council will get one-thirds of the state budget, when the alliance is in power. For representation or a separate state. It would work according to the agreed common minimum pro-

gramme between the two parties,” he claimed. The saffron party has also

Trio thrashed in Pune for fighting caste panchayat Pune: Three men were allegedly beaten up by some members of their own community for opposing certain regressive practices of their caste panchayat, a police officer said on Monday. The police arrested two persons in this connection, he said. The three victims from the Kanjarbhat community are part of a WhatsApp group, called ‘Stop the V Ritual’, formed to spread awareness against the practice of determining the virginity of a bride on the wedding night. They were beaten up by around 40 members of their community last night when they had gone to attend a relative’s wedding in the district’s Pimpri industrial town.

promised to attend to the problems of the tribal people of Tripura. “We have agreed to address the socio-economic, socio-cultural and linguistic concerns of the tribals in the state”, Deodhar said. The talks for forging an electoral alliance with IPFT were held at a two-day meeting in Guwahati last week, he said. “Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who

is also the chairman of North East Democratic Alliance, and BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav arrived in the state yesterday to work out the modalities of a prepoll alliance with other antiLeft tribal parties,” Deodhar said. The BJP wants to provide more autonomy to tribals, who constitute one-third of the population in the state, and empower the tribal council, he claimed. —PTI

PLAYING WITH FIRE

VIRGINITY TEST The victims from the Kanjarbhat community are part of a WhatsApp group, ‘Stop the V Ritual’. It was fighting the practice of determining the virginity of a bride on the wedding night.

Two persons have been arrested this morning, an official at the Pimpri police station said. A case has been registered against the accused under IPC sections pertaining to voluntarily causing hurt, unlawful assembly and rioting, the official said.—PTI

A man pours water to extinguish a fire that broke out at a marketplace on the outskirts of Kolkata on Monday. —REUTERS

being shielded, says Prakash Ambedkar

New Delhi: Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of B R Ambedkar, on Monday questioned the failure of Maharashtra Police to arrest right wing Hindu activist Sambhaji Bhide, who has been booked for allegedly inciting the Bhima-Koregaon violence. “We have been demanding the arrest of Sambhaji Bhide and Milind Ekbote (another leader booked for the BhimaKoregoan violence that took place early this month) but to no avail,” Ambedkar said at a news conference here. He claimed that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had given an assurance that Bhide would be arrested. “But now we hear from the corridors of power that the PMO has ordered the state government not to arrest Bhide,” the former MP alleged. Ambedkar also released a purported video of Bhide, in which the former RSS worker claims that he told Prime Minister Narendra Modi to wear a saffron turban while delivering his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort in August 2014. The authenticity of the video could not be verified. Ambedkar also released another video clip in which

Prakash Ambedkar

WHO’S BHIDE? Bhide, 85, who heads Shiv Pratishthan Hindustan, has been accused of instigating violence against the dalit community in Pune district. He has denied the allegations. Modi is purportedly heard saying: “I am thankful to Bhide guruji (Sambhaji Bhide) because he did not send me an invitation. He ordered me’. The prime minister was referring to an event he was participating in Maharashtra. Ambedkar warned that “if Bhide is not arrested, he will be emboldened and ... will become the Hafiz Saeed of India”, a reference to the leader of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. —PTI

RJD demands white paper In address, Kerala Guv skips text critical of Centre on ‘super flop’ human chain Patna: The Rashtriya Janata Dal termed Sunday’s human chain as “super flop” and demanded that the Bihar government bring out a white paper on the expenditure incurred on it and the Vikas Samiksha Yatra, undertaken by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The state government on Sunday had organised a human chain across the state to spread awareness to abolish social evils of child marriage and dowry. “After going through the reports of various editions of different newspapers, it can

CM Nitish at human chain easily be said that it was super flop. The number of participants in this human chain was not even one fourth of the one organised last year in

support of liquor ban when RJD shared power with JD(U),” party’s vice president Shivanand Tiwary told reporters here. Tiwary dared the state government to make public the photographs of the human chain clicked with the help of 40 drones. No official version has come out so far on the number of people participated in yesterday’s human chain. The state government had last year claimed that over four crore people took part in the human chain held on January 21, 2017.—PTI

Thiruvananthapuram: The policy address of the LDF government in Kerala by Governor P Sathasivam at the start of the Assembly session on Monday saw him skipping portions critical of the BJP government at the centre. In the printed copy of his address, prepared by by the state government and distributed to legislators and media, there was a reference to the alleged tendency of the central government to “roughshod” the traditions of cooperative federalism by bypassing the state government. However, this portion was not read out by the Governor during his speech.

“We are also perturbed by the tendency of the central government to roughshod the best traditions of co-operative federalism by bypassing the State Government and directly dealing with the district authorities and local bodies,” the text said. The Governor also omitted the reference about the “plotting” by some communal outfits in triggering riots in the southern state. “Kerala has once again been identified as first in the country in maintenance of law and order and top the country in the ranking of quality of life. “There has not been any instance of communal riot in

We are perturbed by the tendency of the central govt to roughshod the best traditions of co-operative federalism. Kerala government, (from skipped portion by Guv)

P Sathasivam our state despite the plotting by certain communal outfits,” the copy of the speech said. When contacted, the Chief Minister’s Office said they were not keen on making any comment on this issue. “We usually do not make

any comment on the Governor’s policy address,” the official sources said. In his speech, Sathasivam referred to campaigns by some “communal outfits” on the law and order situation of the state on both social and convention-

al media, in the past year. “Despite being a state with some of the best law and order indices in the country, a month long campaign was carried out across India, on certain flimsy grounds by some communal outfits,” he said. However, people of the state en masse responded to this campaign featuring the hash tags, the Governor said. During the past one year, there had been “slanderous” attacks on the secular traditions of Kerala, doubts thrown on its social sector achievements and vilification of the law and order situation from various quarters, he said. —PTI

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07 NEW DELHI I TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018 I DAILY NEWS & ANALYSIS

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IN BRIEF

Cong hopeful despite CPM’s ‘no’ R-Day to showcase India’s Act East CPI yet to decide on policy: Def Min

Yechury’s proposal for alliance with Cong was voted against by CPM Central panel on Sunday DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net

For representation

GST on sanitary napkins: SC stays proceedings New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed proceedings in the Delhi and Bombay High Courts on cases related to levying Goods and Services Tax (GST) on sanitary napkins. The top court further said it would hear all cases pertaining to this matter if they were stalled from being examined in state high courts. Petitioners have also been issued notices by the apex court.

Five killed as truck, rickshaw collide Puri: Five persons were killed and three others injured when the autorickshaw carrying them collided head-on with a truck in Odisha’s Puri district. The accident took place on Jagannath Sadak in Satyabadi area last night when eight persons were returning to their village in an autorickshaw after attending cremation of a man in Puri, police said.

Corrigendum In a report ‘RBI official steals Rs 90L from Bank Note Press’ on Page 6 of edition dated January 20, Saturday, we erroneously mentioned that an official apprehended by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the Bank Note Press (BNP) in Dewas was an RBI employee. RBI does not have any official placed with BNP Dewas. The error is regretted.

New Delhi: Notwithstanding CPM defeating Yechury’s proposal to align with the Congress in coming polls, the Congress is still hopeful of forging unity with the opposition parties. Responding to a direct question on the decision taken by the CPM’s central committee, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, “it is not necessary for us to respond to the internal workings of a party as it is at a stage when they themselves have not taken a final decision which they will take.” During its central committee meeting at Kolkata on Sunday, the CPM had voted 55-31 in favour of party hardliner Prakash Karat’s line to have no understanding with

tie-up with Congress A mooring area for house boats decorated with a cut-out of ‘Che’ Guevara in Alappuzha in Kerala as part of the CPM district conference —PTI the Congress Unnerved of the development, Singhvi said, it is “highly premature” to speculate on alliances. Clearly indicating that he is not going to stop his efforts of aligning with the Congress Yechury also had said that the“final authority will be the Party Congress and Let’s go to the Party Con-

not taken any such decision. We will discuss about it,” Reddy said. “After the resolution of the CPI(M), we will discuss this issue within our party and also with the CPI(M),” he said. Reddy does not think there is any possibility of having an all India alliance with the Congress, but said “in some states, no-contest type of things can be worked out.” “But we want the Left unity as the first priority. So, on this issue, we want to discuss in our party and with the CPI(M) also,” Sudhakar Reddy said.—PTI

LCH undergoing tests, Govt issues slew of curbs on field trials in Pokhran use of pet coke in lime kilns Kartikey Dev Singh correspondent@dnaindia.net

DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net

Jaipur: The Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), India’s multirole combat helicopter, is undergoing a battery of tests and field trials in Pokharan field range in Jaisalmer district. The helicopter has a distinction of being the first attack helicopter to land in Siachen amongst various other high altitude helipads. Though the helicopter was first thought of after Kargil war, the current tests are more focussed on the performance of LCH in the foggy winters of the Thar desert, where India and Pakistan have already fought two wars. Highly placed sources reveal that the helicopter would undergo firing tests as well as operational capability test in extreme weather conditions. These tests are also focused on testing of on-

New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has banned the import of pet coke for trading in National Capital Region (NCR) states and has also imposed a slew of restrictions on use of pet coke in lime kilns in Delhi-NCR. The directions to control use of the major source of air pollution were issued in the wake of a Supreme Court (SC) order from last month that allowed cement companies and lime kilns to use pet coke. SC’s order relaxed the blanket ban it had imposed earlier on the use of pet coke, which is a refinery byproduct. The environment ministry had argued before the SC for a limited-period relaxation of the ban on pet coke and had also submitted that it would come up with alter-

For representation board systems of the helicopter, the analysis of which will aid in effective strategy planning in event of war. In 2017, the Indian Army Air Corps placed combined orders for 114 LCH with the Indian Air Force placing 65 LCH in total. The current row of tests is in line with the Initial Operating Capability (IOC) which was set to be conducted during 2018. It is expected that the LCH will be deployed along with Boeing’s Apache helicopter.

WHY THE MOVE EPCA had submitted that sulphur levels in pet coke were over ten times compared to coal, making it a dirtier fuel.

Also reports say US and China were pushing the dirty fuel to India.

For representation nate mechanism. The ministry has come out with a notification to issue these directions and it had issued similar directions to the cement industry just days ago. In the notification, the ministry has stated that lime kilns in NCR states — Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana — that use pet coke as fuel would have to obtain a mandatory consent from respective state pollution control boards (SPCB) and that consent will specify the quantum of fuel

WEDDING VOWS

Victim in rape case involving Asaram to be examined, SC told New Delhi: The Gujarat government told the Supreme Court on Monday that the victim in a rape case involving self-styled preacher Asaram Bapu will be examined from January 29. The top court adjourned the hearing on the bail plea of Asaram by nine weeks and said it will taken it up after the victim is examined by the trial court. A bench of Justices N V Ramana and A M Sapre which was initially inclined to dismiss the bail petition said the petitioner can easily approach after the victim is examined. The court had on January 15 sought to know the status of trial in a rape case involving Asaram and asked the Gujarat government to file a progress report on it. Asaram’s counsel had then told the court that in the Gujarat case, out of 92 witnesses, 22 material witnesses have been examined, 14 of them are dropped and rest need to be examine. On August 28, the apex court had expressed anguish over the tardy pace of progress in the rape case and had asked the state government to file the report. On April 12 last year, the apex court had asked the Gujarat trial court to expedite

gress, the Party Congress will take the final call.” “It is not a subject which I want to hypothesize or speculate and last but not the least certainly issue based support. Issue based support in every sphere in and outside the Parliament is something which we have seen actively going on,” he said.

Hyderabad: The Communist Party of India (CPI) said on Monday that it has not taken a decision on an electoral alliance with the Congress, a day after the CPI(M) ruled out a tie-up with the Rahul Gandhi-led party. CPI general secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said his party is generally of the opinion that all secular forces should come together on a broader platform, but an electoral alliance is different. “About the electoral alliance with the Congress, we have not decided either to join or not to join. We have

state’s socio-cultural life for which the efforts are now being made. “There are only a few pockets left now where the trees bearing Aboli flowers are planted. The rest of Goa has forgotten them,” said Minguel Braganza, Secretary of the Botanical Society of Goa. Braganza has been on the forefront of a project to revive the floriculture sector, which has been getting secondary preference in the state’s economic scenario. Braganza said the ‘Aboli’, found only in Sri Lanka, Goa and parts of South India, had been part of the state’s rich

Sitharaman said the government's vision is to expand the footprint of the Corps in the country.

Currently, 13 lakh cadets are enrolled in the NCC and the government has planned to increase it to 15 lakh in five phases by 2020. Sitharaman also visited the 'Hall of Fame' gallery where she was given a guided tour of the exhibits.

ceremony held at the camp. The Raksha Mantri Padak, instituted in 1989, is presented to the most deserving cadet every year for bravery or exceptional service of the highest order. Cadet Priya of the Uttar Pradesh Directorate received the honour on Monday. The defence minister said the National Cadet Corps, since its inception has helped in the nation-building process by inculcating among the youth, discipline, confidence, camaraderie and a spirit of adventure. “I am very impressed by the high standard of the parade displayed by cadets at the camp and other skills during the cultural programme. —PTI

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman pours tea for herself during her visit to NCC Republic Day camp at Delhi Cantt in New Delhi on Monday. PTI

DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net

Brides and grooms at a mass marriage organised at a golf course in Dhanbad Jharkhand —PTI

Srinagar: Shock and anger gripped Jammu and Kashmir after police cane charged the protesters and arrested a social activist for protesting against the alleged rape and murder of an eight-year-old tribal nomad girl in Hiranagar. Body of the girl was found near the jungles at Rasana village of Hiranagar in Kathua district on January 17, a week after she went missing near her home in Kota village. Family of the girl had alleged that she was raped before being murdered given

For representation the nature of wounds on her body. The alleged rape and murder has snowballed into a major controversy with united Opposition gunning for Mehbooba Mufti led govern-

ment. Under pressure, police have arrested a 15-year-old accused and suspended the Station House Officer Hiranagar. What however fueled the anger was the arrest of social activist Talib Hussain by the police for leading the protests on Sunday for demanding justice to the girl. Police said he was creating a nuisance by blocking highway which prompted them to proceed against him. Protestors had blocked the JammuPathankote highway demanding justice when police swooped on them on Sunday evening.

I’m framed, says girl accused of stabbing boy BSF intensifies vigil along Raj border DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net

Lucknow: The accused Class VI girl student of Lucknow’s Brightland School, who allegedly stabbed a six-year-old Class 1 boy of the same school last week, claimed that she was innocent and was being framed in the case by the school management. Breaking her silence nearly a week after the shocking stabbing incident, the accused said she never met the victim (Hriyhik Sharma) and he was not known to her before the incident. The accused pointed fin-

gers of the school management alleging that she was being framed due to an argument with the school management between her and her father over some issue a few weeks ago. “I suspect that could be the reason for me being framed into the stabbing case by the school management,” charged the accused girl student. She further alleged that an old picture of her was shown to the boy for identification. “I have had long hairs and completely different looks in that photograph. I got my hairs trimmed only November last year. Even then

Victim boy at the hospital school management claimed that the boy has identified her,” she said. Demanding a fair probe by the CBI or any other independent agency to get the real culprit nabbed, she pleaded

that she was being framed to save ‘someone’. “I came to know about the stabbing incident only on Wednesday when news channels flashed the news around 4 pm. The case should be investigated thoroughly by the CBI or any other agency to arrest the real culprit. I am innocent and be allowed to walk free,” she said. The accused girl was arrested on Wednesday last and produced before the Juvenile Justice Board. She was granted interim bail till January 30. She had allegedly stabbed the boy with a kitchen in the toilet on Tuesday last for getting a holiday in the school.

Facing neglect, Goa’s state flower ‘Aboli’ set to bloom again Panaji: After being pushed into near oblivion, Goa’s celebrated `Aboli’ flower is getting back into the limelight with a group of like-minded people working on a project to revive it. Scientifically known as crossandra infundibuliformis, Aboli was notified as the state flower in the early 1970s because of its importance in Goa’s socio-cultural life. But over the years, it virtually vanished from the state’s floriculture map, forcing its imports from adjoining Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. “Abolim once again needs to feature prominently in the

CORPS STRENGTH

Anger over arrest of J-K activist seeking justice for rape victim

Asaram Bapu —FILE PHOTO the recording of evidence of prosecution witnesses in a sexual assault case lodged by two Surat-based sisters against Asaram. Earlier, the top court had refused to grant bail to Asaram on various grounds in the two sexual assault cases lodged in Rajasthan and Gujarat. The two Surat-based sisters had lodged separate complaints against Asaram and his son Narayan Sai, accusing them of rape and illegal confinement among other charges. The elder sister, in her complaint against Asaram, had accused him of repeated sexual assaults between 2001 and 2006 when she was staying at his ashram near Ahmedabad. In the case in Rajasthan, a teenage girl had accused him of sexual assault at his ashram in Manai village near Jodhpur. —PTI

they are permitted to use per month and per annum. The producers or refineries and their authorised dealers and users of pet coke in NCR states have also been directed to register with the SPCBs. Only those industrial units that are granted consent and are registered would be permitted to directly import pet coke consignments. The ministry also directed end users to submit details of pet coke use to SPCBs on a quarterly basis.

New Delhi: India’s Act East policy is really “taking shape” and the presence of 10 ASEAN leaders during the Republic Day celebrations here will definitely showcase that policy, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday. She said this in response to a question from the press during her visit to the NCC Republic Day Camp at Delhi Cantonment. “The prime minister’s intention that the Look East policy should now be the Act East policy is really taking shape. “And, by the very presence of 10 leaders from ASEAN during the Republic Day celebrations, India definitely is showcasing its Act East policy. And, we are happy that the event is going to happen with all of them present,” she said. Asked about ceasefire violations, she said, “Let’s focus on the NCC Camp and Republic Day today.” In an unprecedented event, leaders of all the 10 ASEAN member countries -Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei -- will be chief guests at the ceremonial parade at Rajpath on January 26. Earlier, Sitharaman presented the ‘Raksha Mantri Padak’ and commendation cards to cadets at an investiture

Goa’s state flower Aboli —FOR REPRESENTATION cultural legacy cutting across the religious barriers. He narrated how followers

of Our Lady of Milagres, a Christian deity, and Hindu Goddess Lairai used to ex-

change ‘oil’ and ‘Aboli’ as a part of intercultural tradition as both the deities are considered sisters. He said there are some festivals which are incomplete without `Aboli’. Joining hands with Braganza, the Nirmala Institute of Education, the state’s oldest teacher training school, has dedicated its annual event to the flower and named it ‘Abolianchem Fest’ (a festival dedicated to Aboli). “The institute does not want to project Goa as the land of sand, Sun and fun as done in tourism brochures. Our efforts have always been to project the cultural herit-

age of the state,” said Rita Paes, director of the institute and a former principal. She said the festival, to be held on March 10 at the institute s premises in Panaji, will celebrate the state s food, flowers, music and other legacies. Braganza said there is no figure as to what quantity of `Aboli’ is imported to Goa as there are no organised flower markets in the state. He said conservationists have decided to approach the agriculture department and request them to initiate measures to save the flower from becoming extinct in the state. —PTI

BSF personnel conducting patrol along Indo-Pak border in Rajasthan —DNA Sangeeta Pranvendra sangeeta.pranvendra@dnaindia.net Jaipur: There is intense security along the Indo-Pak border on Rajasthan. The Border Security Force (BSF) has stepped up vigil across the border in the Western sector of Rajasthan to check every possibility of infiltration, as part of Operation Sard Hava (cold air) that is schedule to continue till January 28. The operation assumes importance as this is the time when fog descends on the desert areas increasing the possibilities of infiltration. There is intensive patrolling by jawans armed with advance weaponry. They move on foot, on camels and on vehicles. Apart from this in depth patrolling is being conducted in areas where there is civilian movement.

The BSF is engaged in surprise checking along border roads to monitor unwarranted movements as this is the area where curfew is emposed after the sun has set. This checking is being done in association with the local police. Special Ambush Combat Vehicles (ACVs) are used this. Along the villages close to the border is special emphasis on intelligence gathering too. The intelligence wing of the BSF is engaged in detailed information gathering among the villages. An unknown person in the territory or a visitor to any home is on their radar. “We use all means at our disposal to gather intelligence. We also have an active network of informers who support us and give us information especially if there is a stranger in the vicinity,” said a BSF official.

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NEW DELHI I TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018

daily news & analysis

AAPocalypse Now!

opini n

EC ruling adds to Arvind Kejriwal’s troubles

elhi is headed for a mini-election, unless of course, the Delhi High Court or the Supreme Court delivers some much-needed relief to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) by putting a stay on the execution of an Election Commission (EC) order that has virtually shaken the young party to its core. On Friday, the EC shot off a recommendation to the President advising him to disqualify 20 AAP MLAs for holding the office of parliamentary secretaries. Consequently, the President accepted the recommendation, effectively hiving off close to one-third of the party and delivering to the BJP and Congress a golden opportunity to redeem themselves after the humiliating loss in 2015. For now, the lay of the land is murky. Clarity will likely emerge once either the Delhi HC or the SC delivers a verdict, even if an interim one, on the entire controversy which first came to light in May 2016. Yesterday, AAP MLAs withdrew their application from the Delhi HC seeking a stay on the EC order for technical reasons. AAP’s gameplan going ahead will involve filing a fresh application either in Delhi HC or the SC seeking a stay on the EC order which has received the assent of the President. Will they succeed in securing a stay? Legal experts state that the odds are slim, but one can safely bet that the AAP will not yield till all avenues of legal recourse are exhausted. In any case, if this unprecedented axing of MLAs does indeed take place, it will only be another nail in AAP’s coffin. Far from its Ramlila Maidan roots, the party has fast degenerated into a personality cult with the Delhi CM at the centre of its universe. Papering over the cracks within seems a tall order was now given that the cracks have now become craters. Earlier this month, AAP’s founding member Kumar Vishwas came out all guns blazing against the BJP after he was unfairly sidelined from the party’s nominations to Rajya Sabha. Instead of opting for an articulate and popular leader like Vishwas, the party put its integrity on sale by nominating a moneybag member, whose sole utility to the party is his financial muscle. Optimists would argue that even if AAP was to lose its 20 MLAs, the party would still command a majority of 46 MLAs in the House versus the BJP’s four MLAs. But, much to the political credit of BJP, it has been steadily chipping away at AAP’s brute majority of 67 MLAs, and has been very successful at sowing dissent. As things stand, AAP is currently home to many members who in actuality are BJP cheerleaders. Throughout 2017, MLA Kapil Mishra repeatedly embarrassed the party with his explosive allegations of corruption within the party ranks. Others like Devendra Sehrawat, Jitender Singh Tomar, Asim Ahmed Khan, Sandeep Kumar as well as Pankaj Pushkar have faced heat from the party establishment for voicing their opinions against the party leadership. Meanwhile, AAP has not been able to make an impression on the national level; its performance turning out to be sub-par in Goa, Punjab notwithstanding its aspiration to make it as a pan-India party.

Defence disquiet

Bureaucratese hobbles the workings of the Indian Army

ome Minister Rajnath Singh made it abundantly clear that it will not stand by as a mute spectator even as state and nonstate actors from Pakistan carry out their insidious designs in India. The Indian establishment realises very well that only by following the maxim of an eye for an eye will Pakistan learn the folly of its ways. However, hard talk needs a follow up of hard action, and that is a tough task considering the impoverished state of military infrastructure in this country. A life-threatening shortage of ammunition, especially bullets, continues to bedevil the Indian Army. In fact, after the surgical strikes of 2016, the army was forced into emergency, unplanned purchases to make good on the ammunition shortages. This is unpardonable if India is to ever be prepared to wage battle on two and a half fronts. One against Pakistan, one against China and the half-bit against anti-state elements like Naxalites operating from its hinterlands and jungles. Had the Indian defence ministry been a peak performer, low on bureaucracy and high on delivery, many roadblocks for the Indian Army would cease to exist. However, a bureaucratriddled ministry and one unpopulated by army officers means that pressing matters are given the short shrift and impediments that should be cleared on a priority basis are tackled at a snail-like pace. Additionally, many of the bureaucrats working within the ministry have little or no expertise when it comes to weapons’ procurement. Thankfully, things have been changing for the better. Under Nirmala Sitharaman, the Indian Army’s long-standing demand for small arms was met as the Defence Acquisition Council cleared procurement of 72,400 assault rifles and 93,895 carbines worth Rs 3,547 crore. Decisions like these will go a long way in resuscitating the sinking morale of Indian soldiers.

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The heroic legacy of Bose

Contemporary history must acknowledge the role that Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose played in ousting Britishers By invitation Kingshuk Nag

istory is written by victors. Therefore the narrative of the Indian freedom struggle was written at the behest of the first rulers of Independent India. Thus the Quit India movement is seen in these books as delivering the final blow to the British and the Congress party led by Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru projected as the real heroes who led India to freedom through non-violence and satyagraha. Effectively dinned into the subconscious of the nation through history books, it is hard to appreciate that this is palpably false and obfuscates the truth. In reality, the British left India because of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, who delivered the final nail in the coffin of the imperial masters. The British ruled India only on the strength of the British Indian army whose soldiers were Indians but officers were British. Without this army, the British could never hold together, ‘the jewel in the crown’ and exploit its resources. Smartly, the British had raised the army on communal lines with regiments based on castes and communities to perpetuate feudal feelings and prevent the development of a national consciousness. Netaji Subhas Bose realizing this raised an Indian National Army (INA) which had men of all castes and communities in mixed regiments and who ate from the same kitchens. The poorly equipped INA men (recruited in SouthEast Asia from Indian prisoners of war) fought valiantly on India’s northeast borders but lost the battle. 26,000 of the 60,000 INA soldiers perished on the battlefront. Being with the Axis Powers, they were on the losing side in World War II. Netaji disappeared after the conclusion of the World War and what happened to him thereafter remains a matter of conjecture — albeit it is now proven that no air crash in which he is supposed to have died ever took place. Significantly, Netaji raised the level of consciousness among Indian soldiers who fought for the British. During the wartime, INA’s exploits remained unreported because of military censorship. But with the historic trials at Red Fort in late 1945 where three officers of the INA (a Hindu, one Sikh and a Muslim) were arraigned for waging war against ‘the King-Emperor’, a new wave of nationalism ran through the country including in the armed forces. Sections of the armed forces became restive and there was a mutiny in the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) from Karachi to Calcutta. The British began fearing an encore of the 1857 rebellion which had nearly resulted in their eviction from India. Lt

The British left India because of Bose, who delivered the final nail in the coffin of the imperial masters General S K Sinha reported that on taking charge as a Captain in the Military Operations Directorate in the Army Headquarters, he chanced upon two ‘top secret’ files. One pertained to ‘Operation Gondola’ a detailed plan to evacuate the 43,000 Britons from the country in the event of an Indian rebellion. The second contained an intelligence assessment of the loyalty of Indian army officers and said that wartime Emergency Commissioned Officers (nearly 11,500) had doubtful loyalty. After the War, the newly elected Labour government in Great Britain under Clement Atlee suddenly and inexplicably decided to grant freedom to India. A few years later in 1956, as a private citizen, Atlee visited Calcutta. The acting Governor of West Bengal, Justice P V Chuckraborty in a private meeting asked Atlee the compelling reasons which made the British leave. Atlee said that the INA activities of Bose had weakened the foundation of the British

QUOTE HANGER Radhika Vaz @radvaz Many of us have been on both Aziz and Graces’ side of the fence. Going where we are not wanted in the way that we want to be wanted. #showcompassion Shehzad @Shehzad_Ind Rahul lacks credibility & leadership - forget Opposition, even the party is not united under him merely bearing him until 2019! Taslima Nasreen @taslimanasreen Evolution is not a mere theory. There are thousands of evidences for evolution. If you are truly educated, you will believe in it.

Kanchan Gupta @KanchanGupta @SitaramYechury can’t win an election in which 86 votes are cast, yet #MSM rushes to him for insights into national politics, foreign affairs, etc.

“I didn’t know how I’d win tonight. I was just honoured to play against Novak and happy to see him back on the tour. I try to copy Novak in the way I play, he is my idol.” —Chung Hyeon,

after beating Novak Djokovic in Australian Open

Empire in India and the mutiny of the Royal Indian navy made the British realize that Indian forces could no longer be trusted to prop up the British. When asked about the role of the Quit India movement and Mahatma Gandhi in pushing out the British, Atlee’s lip widened in a smile of disdain and he uttered slowly ‘minimal.’ Similarly, B R Ambedkar told the BBC in an interview in 1955 that he believed that the British left India only because the loyalty of Indian troops could not be taken for

granted after Subhas Chandra Bose raised a national army. The British had ruled India under the premise that whatever the politicians did the loyalty of Indian soldiers (to them) would not change. Thus to keep India under British control would require a huge number of European troops which was not possible. Since Britain held India only for trade and commercial interests, they left India making sure that this was not affected. Netaji’s grand- nephew Surya Kumar Bose says that he accompanied his father (who was Netaji’s nephew Amiya Kumar Bose) in November 1976 to a meeting with Lord Mountbatten and that the last Viceroy of India said that ‘it was Subhas and his INA that made them leave India in a hurry.’ It is time to recognize this reality and incorporate Netaji’s role in pushing the British out in history books. Kingshuk Nag is an eminent journalist and the author of the book ‘Netaji: Living Dangerously’

slowburn

Intolerance paving way for demagogues

global human rights NGO has warned the world community about the disturbing trend of strongmen coming to power on the back of a wave of intolerance and anger against foreigners and immigrants. In its annual report, NGO Human Rights Watch has warned that authoritarian populists have surged across the globe by “demonizing unpopular minorities, attacking human rights principles, and fueling distrust of democratic institutions.”The executive director of the NGO Kenneth Roth has blamed this developing crisis on the inclination of a number of developed countries to look inwards, and cede their responsibility towards maintaining a stable world order. Taking a pot shot at US President Donald Trump and other European countries, Roth states: “With the United States led by a president who displays a disturbing fondness for rights-trampling strongmen, and the United Kingdom preoccupied with Brexit, two traditional if flawed defenders of human rights globally are often missing in action.Buffeted by racist and antirefugee political forces at home, Germany, France, and their European Union partners have not always been will-

ing to pick up the slack.” Naturally, this has created a vacuum in the balance of power and China and Russia have been capitalising on it by creating stronger ties with repressive governments. “Their avoidance of public oversight,” Roth states “has attracted the admiration of Western populists and autocrats around the world.”

Eritrea fast becoming a kidnapping hub

idnapping is a thriving business along the Eritrean border, and according to experts, local traffickers have managed to make a killing by demanding a ransom from the kin of the kidnapped. As per news reports, kidnapping Eritreans as a practice is spreading to other parts of Africa as well: Countries like Chad, Somalia, Libya have also reported cases of kidnapping of Eritreans. Many in the country continue to flee the country in order to escape the mandatory, indefinite military duty in their country, which begins once a person finishes his school education.

What should the taxpayer expect from Budget 2018? Ishita Sengupta

he Union Budget 2018 is around the corner; there is less than a month left for the Finance Minister (FM) to reveal what he has in store for taxpayers. Whether this year’s Budget will have personal taxation as a big ticket item remains to be seen, but as always, individual taxpayers have high expectations from the FM. Moreover, this being the Government’s last full-year Budget before the elections, peoples’ expectations of seeing some populist measures are not out of place. This is especially so because last year’s Budget was disappointing for many, particularly after the hardships people had faced during demonetisation. For the past few years, the average taxpayer has been attempting to draw the FM’s attention to the crying need for some relief which would enhance their disposable incomes. These expectations include a rise in the basic thresholds for tax exemption, an in-

crease in the income slab that qualifies for a maximum marginal tax rate of 30 per cent, loosening of the existing cap on tax sops, etc. Many of these monetary thresholds were set more than a decade ago, and in conjunction with rising inflation and food prices, people hankering for a reduced tax burden is not unreasonable. Higher disposable incomes will boost India’s economy with many more people being able to make investments, which should broaden the taxpayer base. Unfortunately, these recommendations have been consistently put on the back burner. By calculating the impact of inflation over the last four years, the basic exemption threshold of Rs 2.5 lakh translates to around Rs 3.25 lakh, which means that at the very minimum, in order to bring parity to the cost of living, the basic exemption limit should be increased. Furthermore, with incomes touching the maximum tax rate very quickly, the average salaried person is incredibly squeezed be-

tween the low taxable threshold and the higher tax bracket. Therefore, increasing the income threshold from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh for the 30 per cent tax rate slab would be very welcome. For salaried individuals, the threshold of exemptions (medical reimbursement, conveyance allowance, education allowance for tuition and hostel fees for children, etc.) needs to be re-

vamped. Most of these thresholds have ceased to be relevant long ago and are not commensurate with the current cost of living and price index. It is also a burden for employers to collect proof of expenditure, etc., to allow their employees these exemptions. Instead, a flat standard deduction of up to Rs 1.5 lakh would be much more effective. Given that the salaried class is the most tax compliant, acknowledged by FM in his budget speech, there is also a general feeling that this section of taxpayers is usually the most neglected when it comes to tax benefits granted by the government. Hence, a standard deduction would go out as a goodwill gesture from the FM for middle-class salaried taxpayers. Apart from the above, some changes would have a positive cascading impact on certain priority growth sectors in the Indian economy, e.g., allowing a tax benefit for Leave Travel Concession every year instead of twice in a block of four years. The FM could also consider allow-

ing an exemption on accommodation expenses in addition to travel costs. With India’s tourism industry having a huge potential for growth, this concession will encourage taxpayers to spend more on holidays in India. It will give a boost to the transport and hospitality industries as well as ancillary industries such as art and craft, and cottage industries. This benefit could also be effectively extended to the non-salaried class. Another sector that is struggling to recover from the slump is the housing segment. Providing some sops to taxpayers such as increasing deduction for home loan interest under section 80C, giving an additional rebate for repayment of home loans and increasing the threshold for carried forward loss from house property from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh can give a significant fillip to the housing industry. It is also expected that the provisions related to deemed rental income from more than one selfoccupied house should be revisited. Furthermore, it is important to pro-

vide financial security to senior citizens, who are already struggling in a hostile market scenario with reduced incomes from bank deposits due to decreasing interest earning rates. The FM could consider exempting interest income from bank deposits, or alternatively, by increasing the basic income exemption amount to Rs 10 lakh. And last but not the least, increasing deduction under section 80C from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 3 lakh will encourage taxpayers to invest in various savings and investment options in the organised financial market, e.g., in infrastructure bonds, life insurance products and bank deposits. The countdown has begun and the market is buzzing with expectation! But how the FM balances allocations in his Budget will only be known when the D-day arrives on February 1. The author is Partner – Personal Tax, PwC India. Ritika Arora, Associate Director, PwC, also contributed to this article. The views expressed in this article are personal.

Vol 02 n Issue No. 104 RNI: DELENG/2016/70265. Printed and published by Anurag Bhatnagar on behalf of Diligent Media Corporation Ltd., Printed at Jagran Prakashan Ltd., Plot no D- 210 & 211, Sector 63, Noida, Uttar Pradesh- 201301. Published at Diligent Media Corporation Ltd, B-10, Essel House, Lawrence Road Industrial Area, New Delhi. 110035. Editor : Dwaipayan Bose Responsible for the selection of news under the PRB Act

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IN BRIEF

People make their way in the heavy snow at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo —REUTERS

Tokyo snowstorm disrupts road, rail and air transport Tokyo: A rare snowstorm hit Tokyo on Monday, snarling train services, forcing the cancellation of scores of flights and prompting hordes of workaholic Japanese to heed official advice to head home early. Snow began falling on Monday morning, with as much as 10 cm predicted for central Tokyo by the time it is expected to stop early on Tuesday. By 5:00 pm 6 cm had fallen in central Tokyo, as the snowfall intensified, NHK national broadcaster said.

Hong Kong gets engulfed in smog Hong Kong: Hong Kong’s famous skyline was engulfed in smog Monday, with residents urged to stay indoors. The winter months regularly bring worse air quality to Hong Kong and other parts of the region due to wind direction and weather conditions.

‘Want to discuss key issues again’ Berlin: Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) want to renegotiate key issues agreed in a blueprint for a coalition with the conservatives during formal coalition talks that the centre-left party narrowly voted for, leader Martin Schulz said on Monday. Schulz also said that he would meet conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel and the leader of her CSU Bavarian allies, Horst Seehofer.

US shutdown enters third day as Senate vote looms Republicans and Democrats failed to restore federal funding despite day-long talks Washington: Hundreds of thousands of federal workers woke up on Monday with the US government still shut down and the Senate expected to try again to restore federal funding, if only temporarily, and work on resolving a dispute over immigration. Amid uncertainty about whether federal employees should report to work in the morning, senators were set to vote at midday on a funding bill to get the lights back on in Washington and across the government until early February. Support for the bill was uncertain, after Republicans and Democrats spent all day on Sunday trying to strike a deal, only to go home for the night short of an agreement. Markets remained calm on Monday morning as world stocks and US bond markets largely shrugged off Washington’s standoff even as the dollar continued its pullback.

STALEMATE Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said late on Sunday that an overnight vote on a measure to fund government operations through February 8 was cancelled and would be held at 12 pm the next day Many still awaited notification on whether they are “essential” employees or not

Capitol Hill seen on Monday in Washington —AFP US stock futures edged lower. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said late Sunday that an overnight vote on a measure to fund government operations through February 8 was cancelled and would be held at 12 pm on Monday. Up until Monday, most federal workers were not directly affected by

the shutdown that began at midnight on Friday. Many still awaited notification on whether they are “essential” employees or not, determining whether they must report to their offices. Even late Sunday, the federal Office of Personnel Management provided little guidance. It said on its website

UKIP, its chief and texts from a lover: UK’s anti-EU party in chaos London: The United Kingdom Independence Party, which transformed British politics by securing a referendum on EU membership, was close to meltdown on Monday over the fate of its leader whose lover made racist comments about Prince Harry’s fiancee Meghan Markle. Under Nigel Farage, UKIP became a significant force in British politics by convincing former Prime Minister David Cameron to call a national vote and then campaigning successfully for Britain to leave the bloc. But since Farage quit after Brexiteers won the referendum, UKIP has descended

A fie photo of Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage —REUTERS into chaos, partly as its main objective - severing direct ties with the EU - is now the official policy of both the Conservative and Labour parties. Farage, a fan of U.S. President Donald Trump who has lambasted traditional politi-

Rohingya return delayed by B’desh

Kabul gunmen ‘searched for foreigners’

Dhaka: The repatriation of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who fled violence in Myanmar will not begin as planned, Bangladesh said Monday, with authorities admitting “a lot of preparation” was still needed. Dhaka had been due to start the huge process on January 23, after agreeing a twoyear timescale with Yangon. But Bangladesh’s Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam announced Monday that there was much more work to be done. “We have not made the preparations required to send back people from tomorrow. A lot of preparation is still needed,” Kalam told AFP. Since August last year around 688,000 Muslim Rohingya have escaped over the border into Bangladesh in the wake of a military-led campaign in Rakhine state that the UN says amounted to “ethnic cleansing”. They poured into illequipped and over-crowded camps, bringing with them harrowing tales of rape, murder and torture at the hands of Myanmar’s feared army or Buddhist mobs. After a global outcry, which included loud criticism of Myanmar’s civilian

Kabul: Taliban militants who killed at least 22 people at a luxury Kabul hotel went from room to room searching for foreigners, survivors and a security source said Monday as more details of the victims emerged. Insurgents armed with Kalashnikovs and suicide vests attacked the landmark Intercontinental Hotel overlooking the Afghan capital late Saturday in an assault that lasted more than 12 hours and prompted questions over how the attackers breached security. Guests hid behind pillars and in rooms as gunmen sprayed bullets and set fire to parts of the six-storey building. Some people climbed over balconies and used bed sheets in a desperate attempt to escape. “They were saying, ‘Kill the foreigners!’,” a 20-yearold hotel employee who gave his name as Hasibullah told AFP from his hospital bed. He described hiding in a fifth-floor room and listening as the gunmen went from room to room, forcing doors open “with daggers” and killing those inside. Officials have said that at least 14 foreigners were killed. —AFP

Rohingya refugees build a shelter with bamboo at the Jamtoli camp on Tuesday morning in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh —REUTERS

SHATTERED HOPES Dhaka had been due to start the process on January 23, after agreeing a two-year timescale with Yangon. Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammad Abul Kalam said on Monday that there was more work to be done leader Aung San Suu Kyi, the two countries agreed earlier this month that the refugees would be returned to Myanmar, in a process they said would take around two years. Rights groups and the UN have said any repatriation must be voluntary, with reports that many Rohingya settlements have been burned to the ground. —AFP

cians for failing voters, dismissed speculation that he may be plotting to create a new political party to ensure a full break with the EU. “No thoughts of a new party whatever some may speculate,” Farage told Reuters. Asked if he would return to frontline politics, he said: “Doubt it.” Farage declined to comment on the confusion inside UKIP, where leader Henry Bolton has refused to resign since his 25-year-old lover, Jo Marney, made offensive comments about Markle and black people in text messages to a friend. —Reuters

that “federal government operations vary by agency.” The Department of Defense published a memo on its website detailing who does and does not get paid in a shutdown and saying that civilian employees were on temporary leave, except for those needed to support active-duty troops. —Reuters

‘US embassy to move to Jerusalem by end of 2019’ Jerusalem: The US Embassy in Israel will move to Jerusalem by the end of 2019, US Vice President Mike Pence said in a speech to the Israeli parliament on Monday that highlighted a policy shift that has stoked Palestinian anger and international concern. President Donald Trump last month recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and said he would move the US Embassy there - dismaying Palestinians who claim the eastern part of the city and angering Arab states across the region. “In the weeks ahead, our administration will advance its plan to open the United States Embassy in Jerusalem – and that United States Embassy will open before the end of next year,” Pence said. “Jerusalem is Israel’s capital – and, as such, Presi-

Catalonia: Carles is Prez candidate Madrid/Copenhagen: The Catalan parliament on Monday proposed Carles Puigdemont as candidate for president, dealing a blow to central government efforts to derail an independence movement that has plunged Spain into political crisis. As the legislature’s speaker named Puigdemont as the sole candidate for a position he was fired from in October, Spain’s legal system sought to tighten its net around him. The state prosecutor in Madrid requested the reactivation of a European arrest warrant to detain him on charges of sedition and rebellion in Copenhagen, where Puigdemont touched down earlier on his first trip away from Belgium in three months of self-imposed exile. —Reuters

US VP Mike Pence with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu —REUTERS

Ljubljana: Slovenia is preparing to recognise Palestine as a sovereign state next month amid rising sentiment among the European Union nations after US President Donald Trump’s decision to acknowledge Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Slovenia would join Sweden as only the second EU

Brussels: The European Union’s foreign policy chief assured President Mahmoud Abbas at a meeting in Brussels on Monday that the EU supported his ambition to have East Jerusalem as capital of a Palestinian state. Abbas in return repeated his call for East Jerusalem as capital as he urged the EU member nations to recognise a state of Palestine immediately, arguing that this would not dis- Mahmoud rupt negotia- Abbas —AFP tions with Israel on a peace settlement for the region. Mogherini, in what appeared to be a veiled reference to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel, called on those involved in the process to speak and act “wisely”, with a sense of responsibility. Abbas made no reference to Trump’s move on Jerusalem or to comments on the issue made on Monday in Jerusalem by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence. —Reuters

member to recognised Palestine among the bloc’s 28 countries, Delo newspaper reported on Monday, citing Foreign Minister Karl Erjavec. Debates on the whether to acknowledge the State of Palestine are also happening in Portugal, Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg. Since 1988, 136 countries

have recognised the State of Palestine at the United Nations, where it has the status of “non-member observer state.” Slovenia, an EU and NATO member of 2 million people, has said it wants to pursue a more independent foreign policy in the 28-member bloc —Bloomberg

South’s Prez hopes for nuclear talks with US

A giant mushroom-shaped cloud rose into the air from the Philippines’ most active Mayon volcano on Tuesday. Here it is seen from the highway in the town of Camalig, near Legazpi City in Albay province, south of Manila. The cloud darkened skies and rained ash on communities where tens of thousands have fled an impending eruption. —AFP

‘Syrian govt used chlorine gas’ er chemical weapons during Syria’s conflict, now in its seventh year. The White Helmets civil defence rescue force, which operates in rebelheld parts of Syria, said 13 civilians including women and children had been “injured after (the) Assad regime used Chlorine gas in Douma city in EasternGhouta”. Douma is in the eastern Ghouta, a suburb east of Da-

EU backs East Jerusalem as Palestine capital

Slovenia readies to recognise Palestine after Trump move

FIRE AND ASH

Beirut: Rescue workers in a Syrian rebel-held enclave east of Damascus accused government forces of using chlorine gas during bombardment of the area on Monday, and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 13 people had suffered suffocation. The Syrian army and government have consistently denied using chlorine or oth-

dent Trump has directed the State Department to immediately begin preparations to move the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.” The speech was briefly disrupted, at the outset, by Israeli Arab parliament members who held up protest signs in Arabic and English, reading “Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine”, and were ejected by ushers. Pence responded to the fracas by saying with a smile: “It is deeply humbling for me to stand before this vibrant democracy.” Though shunned by the Palestinians, the Trump administration says it remains committed to helping them and Israel negotiate a peace deal. Those talks have been stalled for almost four years. —Reuters

mascus where almost 400,000 people have been under siege by the Syrian government and allied militia since 2013. Eastern Ghouta is the last major rebel position close to the capital. The health directorate for opposition-held areas in the Damascus region said patient symptoms “suggest they have been exposed to chlorine gas inhalation”. —Reuters

Seoul: South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Monday a thaw in relations between the two Koreas ahead of next month’s Winter Olympics presented a “precious chance” for the United States and North Korea to discuss the North’s weapons programmes. North Korea is developing missile and nuclear technology amid regular threats to destroy the United States and Japan and in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions, prompting a war of words between the North and the United States. But after a year of mounting tension, diplomacy focused on sport enabled the International Olympic Committee to announce on Saturday that reclusive North Korea will send 22 athletes to the Feb. 9-25 Games. The Olympics provided a “precious chance to open the door” for talks to resolve the nuclear issue and establish peace on the peninsula, Moon said at the presidential Blue House. “But no one can be optimistic about how long the current mood for dialogue will last. We need wisdom and efforts to sustain the dialogue opportunities ... beyond the Olympics so that the

Moon Jae-in

A HOPEFUL SOUTH South Korean President Moon Jae-in said a thaw in relations between the two Koreas presented a “precious chance” for the US and North Korea to discuss the North’s weapons programmes inter-Korean talks will lead to talks between the United States and North Korea and other forms of dialogue”. While a recent opinion poll showed most South Koreans welcomed the North’s participation in the Games, conservative opponents staged a small but noisy rally as a North Korean delegation inspected venues in Seoul for cultural events to be held on the sidelines of the Olympics. —Reuters

China in bid to stop ‘low-taste content’ — hip-hop Women in Kenya march Beijing/Shanghai: China’s censors have a new target in a widespread clamp-down on popular culture: the country’s nascent hip-hop scene, which resonated with Chinese youth last year on hugely popular television show “Rap of China.” Hip hop artists Wang Hao, known as “PG One” and Zhou Yan, known as “GAI” - the two winners of the show have been sanctioned in recent weeks for bad behaviour or content at odds with Communist Party values. GAI was pulled from hit show “The Singer” last week. The crackdown on hiphop, still very much a new genre in China, reflects a broader squeeze on popular culture as the country’s sta-

bility-focused leadership looks to rein in potential platforms for youthful dissent. Beijing is eager to use popular culture to shape public opinion, including co-opting rap artists ahead of its five-yearly congress last year. With state support comes the insistence that Party values must take centre stage in the artists’ work. The latest cleanup started when PG One was forced to apologise for lewd lyrics, which critics said were insulting to women and encouraged the use of recreational drugs. The official Xinhua news agency wrote that PG One “does not deserve the stage,” and that “we should say ‘no’ to whoever provides a platform for low-taste content.”

A file photo of Chinese rapper PG One (C) performing during a promotional event in Beijing —AFP Other official media and companies quickly followed suit; the rapper’s tracks were soon pulled from most online sites. GAI, who had been in third

place on The Singer, broadcast by Hunan TV, was cut from the programme last week with no reason given. Rapper Vava was hastily ed-

ited out of the same station’s flagship variety show “Happy Camp” because of her association with hip-hop culture. “Hip-hop’s prospects in China seem dim after Chinese rappers removed from TV shows,” read one headline from influential state-run tabloid Global Times on Sunday. The same paper this month said hip-hop - which it called a “tool for people to vent their anger, misery, complaints” - did not suit China and “cannot thrive” here. The campaign underscores a broader clean-up of cultural content from video games, online streaming and even performance art amid a drive to make cultural products adhere to mainstream socialist core values. —Reuters

against political gender gap Nairobi: Hundreds of mostly female activists marched in Kenya’s capital Nairobi on Monday to protest repeated failures to apply laws that women must hold at least a third of government seats. According to Kenya’s 2010 constitution, women must have at least a third of seats in parliament and a third of appointed positions. But successive parliaments and governments have fallen short of the target. “The women of Kenya are tired of being treated like second class citizens and now stand together to ensure that we take our rightful place at the decision-making table,”

Women hold signs during a protest against failures to apply laws that women must hold at least a third of government seats in Nairobi —AFP said Wangechi Wachira, an organiser of the protest from women’s rights organisation the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness (CREAW). President Uhuru Kenyatta

won re-election last year and has so far named an all-male cabinet, although vacancies remain. “Out of the possible 13 positions that remain, the president must by law ensure at least nine go to women,” said Wachira. Waving placards and chanting, the 500-strong crowd accused Kenyatta of making unconstitutional appointments. “Implement Article 10, Article 27 and Article 81 (b) now. Women need to be free and not tearful,” read the banners, referring to various clauses of the constitution against gender discrimination. —AFP

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Can’t guarantee social media good for democracy: Facebook Social media network’s remark comes after allegations on Russia meddling in US polls San Francisco: Facebook Inc warned on Monday that it could offer no assurance that social media was on balance good for democracy, but the company said it was trying what it could to stop alleged meddling in elections by Russia or anyone else. The sharing of false or misleading headlines on social media has become a global issue, after accusations that Russia tried to influence votes in the United States, Britain and France. Moscow denies the allegations. Facebook, the largest social network with more than 2 billion users, addressed social media’s role in democracy in blog posts from a Harvard University professor, Cass Sunstein, and from an employee working on the subject. “I wish I could guarantee that the positives are destined to outweigh the negatives, but I can’t,” Samidh Chakrabarti, a Facebook product manager, wrote in his post. Facebook, he added, has a “moral duty to understand how these technologies are being used and what can be done to make communities like Facebook as representative, civil and trustworthy as possible.” Contrite Facebook executives were already fanning out across Europe this week to address the company’s slow response to abuses on its platform, such as hate speech and foreign influence campaigns. US lawmakers have held

FB to commence digital training hubs in Europe There have been accusations that Russia tried to influence votes in the United States, Britain and France —FILE PHOTO

A HARD LOOK

Facebook addressed social media’s role in democracy in blog posts from a Harvard University professor, Cass Sunstein, and from an employee working on the subject hearings on the role of social media in elections, and this month, Facebook widened an investigation into the run-up to Britain’s 2016 referendum on EU membership. Chakrabarti expressed Facebook’s regrets about the 2016 US elections, when, according to the company, Russian agents created 80,000 posts that reached around 126 million people over two years. The company should have done better, he wrote, and he said Facebook was making up for lost time by disabling

Contrite Facebook executives were already fanning out across Europe this week to address the company’s slow response to abuses on its platform suspect accounts, making election ads visible beyond the targeted audience and requiring those running election ads to confirm their identities. Chakrabarti said Facebook had helped democracy in ways, such as getting more Americans to register to vote. Sunstein, a law professor and Facebook consultant, said that social media was a work in progress and that companies would need to experiment with changes to improve. —Reuters

Brussels: Facebook said on Monday it will open three new centres in Europe to train people in digital skills and committed to training one million people over the next two years, part of the social media giant’s drive to show its contribution to the bloc. The US company, which has faced regulatory pressure in Europe over issues ranging from privacy to antitrust, said it would open three “community skills hubs” in Spain, Poland and Italy as well as investing 10 million euros ($12.2 million) in France through its artificial intelligence research facility. “People are worried that the digital revolution is leaving people behind and we want to make sure that we’re investing in digital skills to get people the skills they need to fully participate in the digital economy,” Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s chief operating officer, told Reuters. The community hubs will offer training in digital skills, media literacy and online safety to groups with limited

Pentagon made of microbes that older than dinos, say researchers

Seamstresses work at the Maison Julien Fournie workshop ahead of his fashion show presentation in Paris —REUTERS

Craft and tech mingle at couture house of French designer Paris: At his Paris workshop, haute couturier Julien Fournie is surveying the final tucks and tweaks to his outfits as models try on his hand-stitched silk gowns, bringing to life creations he first sketched on a tablet. Fournie is one of few designers trying to propel fashion into the modern age, with accessories created from 3D printers and sketches developed virtually. Yet Fournie’s high-tech approach is barely noticeable in his latest Asian-inspired collection, on view during Paris’ Spring/Summer Haute Couture Week, one of fashion’s ultimate display of craftsmanship. Vintage kimono fabrics are subtly integrated into the designs, some with intricate origami-style adornments. “New technology isn’t about doing dresses with blinking lights,” Fournie said in his studio after an after-

noon of fittings. “We realised that in fashion, technology is only interesting when it disappears.” For his couture house — a small team of seven — that means doing as much of the creative work as possible online, from conceiving looks to exchanging samples with textile suppliers virtually. Fournie’s experiments with iPad designs earned him a visit last year from Apple CEO Tim Cook, who came to see how the tools were being used. The designer is also collaborating with French 3D engineering and software company Dassault Systemes to develop management systems and printing techniques adapted to the fashion world. Fournie has other ventures up his sleeve with technology start-ups, and he said he had designed a soon-to-be unveiled USB stick meant to store and protect cryptocurrencies. —AFP

Some of the building blocks of the iconic Pentagon and Empire State Building in the US are made of mineralised microbes that lived up to 340 million years ago, predating the dinosaurs. The material, known as oolitic limestone, is a popular building material around the world and is almost completely made of millimetre-sized spheres of carbonate called ooids. Researchers from the Australian National University (ANU) found that ooids were made of concentric layers of mineralised microbes, debunking the popular ‘snowball theory’ that ooids were formed by grains rolling on the seafloor and accumulating layers of sediment. “We have proposed a different explanation for the origin of ooids that explains their definitive features,” said Bob Burne from ANU. “Our research has highlighted yet another vital role that microbes play on Earth and in our lives,” Burne said. —PTI

BUILDING STONE A material known as oolitic limestone is used in the building blocks of some iconic structures It is almost completely made of millimetresized spheres of carbonate called ooids

access to technology, including old people, the young and refugees. Facebook also committed to having trained one million people and business owners by 2020. “Absolutely we want to make sure that people see that we are investing locally, we’re investing in technology, we’re investing in humans,” Sandberg said. Facebook’s move comes as EU states discuss proposals to raise the tax bill of tech multinationals after pressure from large states that accuse firms like Amazon, Google , Apple and Facebook of slashing their tax bills by re-routing their EU profits to low-tax countries such as Luxembourg and Ireland. —Reuters

US tests Nuclear power system for Mars missiom Washington: Initial tests in Nevada on a compact nuclear power system designed to sustain a long-duration NASA human mission on the inhospitable surface of Mars have been successful and a full-power run is scheduled for March, officials said on Thursday. National Aeronautics and Space Administration and US Department of Energy officials, at a Las Vegas news conference, detailed the development of the nuclear fission system under NASA’s Kilopower project. Months-long testing began in November at the energy department’s Nevada National Security Site, with an eye towards providing energy for future astronaut and robotic missions in space and on the surface of Mars, the moon or other solar system destinations. A key hurdle for any longterm colony on the surface of a planet or moon, as opposed to NASA’s six short lunar surface visits from 1969 to 1972, is possessing a power source strong enough to sustain a base, but small and light enough to allow for transport through space. “Mars is a very difficult environment for power systems, with less sunlight than Earth or the moon, very cold nighttime temperatures, very interesting dust storms that can last weeks and months that engulf the entire planet,” said Steve Jurczyk, associate administrator of NASA‘s Space Technology Mission Directorate. “So Kilopower’s compact size and robustness allows

Amazon on Monday opened a convenience store in Seattle, US, where hungry customers will be able to grab sandwiches and go, without having to wait in line or use a checkout. It unveiled the concept for its cashierless “Amazon Go” shop just over a year ago —REUTERS

Audi ordered recall of 1.2 lakh vehicles over illicit emissions BLOTTED PAST

In Nov, Audi announced a recall of 5k cars in Europe for a software fix after discovering they emitted too much nitrogen oxide

It did not confirm more details of KBA’s request. Bild am Sonntag said road transport authority KBA had told Audi to respond by February 2 on how it plans to update vehicle software controlling emissions, making sure the cars are unable to illegally manipulate emission controls.

DESTINATION MARS President Donald Trump in December signed a directive intended to pave the way for a return to the moon, with an eye towards an eventual Mars mission. NASA said Mars has been its Kilopower project’s main focus, noting that a human mission likely would require 40 to 50 kilowatts of power

The technology could power habitats and

us to deliver multiple units on a single lander to the surface that provides tens of kilowatts of power,” Jurczyk added. Testing on components of the system, dubbed KRUSTY, has been “greatly successful — the models have predicted very well what has happened, and operations have gone smoothly,” said Dave

life-support systems, enable astronauts to mine resources, recharge rovers and run processing equipment to transform resources such as ice on the planet into oxygen, water and fuel. It could also potentially augment electrically powered spacecraft propulsion systems on missions to the outer planets.

Poston, chief reactor designer at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Officials said a full-power test will be conducted near the middle or end of March, a bit later than originally planned. NASA’s prototype uses a uranium-235 reactor core roughly the size of a paper towel roll. —Reuters

Curbs on Microsoft sales to Russian firms

INTO THE FUTURE

Frankfurt: Germany’s KBA automotive watchdog has detected illicit emissioncontrol software in Audi’s latest Euro-6 diesel models and has ordered a recall of 127,000 vehicles, Bild am Sonntag reported. Audi, a unit of Volkswagen, said in a statement that the models had been included in a voluntary recall of 850,000 diesel vehicles with V6 and V8 TDI engines announced in July. “The engine control software for the vehicles in question will be completely revised, tested and submitted to the KBA for approval”, Audi said in its statement.

Mars fission power system concept in the Kilopower project is shown in this undated NASA handout photo —NASA

Audi said it has been examining its diesel-fuelled cars for potential irregularities for months in close cooperation with the KBA. “As part of this systematic and detailed assessment, the KBA has now also issued a notice regarding Audi models with V6 TDI engines,” the carmaker added. —Reuters

Moscow: Two of Microsoft’s official distributors in Russia have imposed restrictions on sales of Microsoft software to more than 200 Russian companies following new US sanctions, according to notifications circulated by the distributors. While much of the focus around US sanctions has been on ways they are being skirted, the moves by the Russian distributors show how tougher restrictions that came into force on November 28 are starting to bite. The new measures cut the duration of loans that can be offered to Russian financial firms subject to sanctions to 14 days from 30 days and to 60 days from 90 days for Russian energy companies on a US sanctions list. Previously, the restrictions had mainly affected Western banks lending to Russian firms but with such short financing periods, swathes of companies supplying goods and services to Russian clients fear they could fall foul of the rules too. It is routine in Russia for suppliers to wait weeks or even months to get paid after

THE SANCTIONS The new measures cut the duration of loans offered to Russian financial firms subject to sanctions to 14 days from 30 days and to 60 days from 90 days for Russian energy companies on a US sanctions list

The guidance from the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control states that US firms can conduct transactions with firms on the sanctions list as long as payment terms do not exceed the loan duration submitting invoices for goods and services. Some Western firms have been advised by lawyers that the US Treasury Department could, in theory, take the view this constituted financing in violation of the sanctions, according to several people involved in the discussions. One of the two Microsoft distributors said that all sanctioned buyers must pay within tight deadline. —Reuters

Russian flag is reflected on the Microsoft Windows Installation CD —REUTERS

Barrier Reef funding boost to tackle predatory starfish Digital eyewear, 3D holograms Sydney: A multimillion-dollar campaign to stop the predatory crown-of-thorns starfish devouring the Great Barrier Reef was announced by the Australian government on Monday in a push to preserve the World Heritagelisted ecosystem. The coral-eating starfish are naturally occurring but have proliferated due to pollution and agricultural runoff at the struggling reef. Their impact has been profound — a major study of the 2,300-kilometre (1,400-mile) long reef ’s health in 2012 showed coral cover has halved over the past 27 years, with 42 per cent of the damage attributed to the pest. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Australian dol-

REEF SUFFERS Coral cover has halved over the past 27 years, with 42 per cent of the damage attributed to the pest It is also reeling from significant coral bleaching Warming sea temperatures linked to climate change have taken a toll on the reef lar 60 million ($58 million) would go into the new drive, with just over half to be spent on incentives for farmers to prevent agricultural pollutants from running into the reef. Funds will also go towards increasing the number

of patrol vessels and divers targeting the starfish, he said. “It is a vibrant, resilient ecosystem and one of the best-managed coral reef ecosystems in the world,” Turnbull said in a statement. “While it is facing increas-

ing threats, we intend to remain leaders in reef management,” he said, adding the fund would support the development of new technology to help protect the reef.

The reef is also reeling from significant coral bleaching due to warming sea temperatures linked to climate change. Canberra in 2015 narrowly avoided UNESCO putting the site on its endangered list, and has committed more than Australian dollar 2.0 billion to preserve it over the next decade. But it has been criticised for backing a huge $16 billion coal project by Indian mining giant Adani near the reef, which environmentalists warned would harm the natural wonder. Conservationists said on Monday the government’s latest funding announcement did not go far enough and action is needed to slash greenhouse gas emissions. —AFP

challenge medical institutions

hafi Ahmed dons a pair of digital sunglasses and explains how the tiny lenses built into its black plastic frame, which can capture high-resolution images, are transforming how doctors get trained in operating rooms. The British colorectal surgeon used Snap Inc.’s hightech spectacles a year ago to walk rookie physicians and millions of curious viewers through a hernia operation using the Snapchat photosharing app. In 2018, he plans to beam his avatar into operating rooms with so-called immersive technology, which spans everything from military training to adult entertainment, and promises to

Shafi Ahmed wears his digital sunglasses support the next generation of doctors with real-time supervision and tutelage. Ahmed’s early adoption of digital technology and social media has seen him recognised as the planet’s mostwatched surgeon, with more than 2 million views and 50 million Twitter posts for the Snapchat surgery. —Bloomberg

Doctors do not need to feel out of their depth, and this technology will allow them to get help whenever required. Shafi Ahmed, Colorectal surgeon

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Apple joins Malala Fund for girls’ education in India, world

COLOUR PLAY

Number of Indians going to Aus for PhD on a rise 30.6% increase since 2012, Australia is 3rd most preferred destination for students Kritika Sharma kritika.sharma@dnaindia.net New Delhi: With an increasing number of Australian companies engaging with corporates in India, the number of PhD students going to Australia has increased by 30.6 percent since 2012. It is now the third most preferred destination for PhD by Indian students. In terms of postgraduate studies also, Australia ranks at number two, with United States being at the top. As per the Group of Eight (Go8) — India PhD Advisory Taskforce report released on Monday, in 2016, there were 1093 Indian PhD students enrolled in Australia. This represented a 30.7 percent increase compared to 2012, and a 60.7 percent increase compared to 2006. By far, the most favored fields of study by Indian students at PhD level were Engineering and related technologies (26.2 percent) and the Natural and Physical sciences

Photo for representation (26.2 percent), followed by Health (17.2 percent) and Society and Culture (13.4 percent). This was in stark contrast to Indian students studying at both Masters and Bachelor degree level. At Masters level, Management and Commerce (46.3 percent) and Information Technology (28.7 percent) were by far the fields most studied by Indian students, followed by Engineering (12.2 percent).

Even as the number of PhD students coming to Australia has been on a rise, it is still behind in comparison to the United States. According to the data published by Institute of International Education (IIE), in 2015-15 there were 101,850 students enrolled in PhD and Masters programmes in US, in comparison, there were 31,653 students enrolled in Australia. A source aware of the devel-

High cost of Braille books a dampener for TN students Chennai: High cost of Braille books, which are at least 30 per cent higher than others, besides inadequate availability of textbooks for various subjects are posing a hurdle for visually-challenged students in Tamil Nadu. M Vellaiyammal, a visuallychallenged student pursuing her bachelors degree in history at a city college, said the price of braille text-books was often prohibitive. “I request my classmates (who are not visually challenged) to read out from usual textbooks, record it and listen to it again and again to

understand the subjects,” she told PTI. Also, several subjects like comparative politics were just not available in Braille editions, she said. She and other-visually impaired students like Vigneshwari said the cost of Braille books was at least 30 per cent higher than normal editions

and it could go upto even 50-60 per cent than the usual. Students like Vellaiyammal, inmates of a hostel here and studying at various institutions, including State-run Queen Marys College, are from socially and economically backward sections of society and find it extremely hard to buy such high priced books. V Sankarlal, founder of a voluntary organisation, MRL Anbargal Nesa Karangal, that helps such students, said, “We welcome help, be it Braille books or for other academic needs of visually impaired students.” — PTI

opments said, “The number of PhD students coming to Australia has been on a high, specially in the last three-four years. One of the reasons behind this is, more Australian companies engaging with Indian corporates and education institutions here.” “Since Indian students are more research oriented, the number of patents filed in Australian universities goes up. This is an advantage to both university and the student, since more number of patents filed would mean better ranking for the university,” added the source. The report is the first formal output of the Go8- India PhD Advisory Taskforce, which was announced by the Australian government in April 2017. The taskforce is jointly chaired by Vice Chancelor of University of Queensland Peter Høj and Director IIT Bombay Devang Khakar. The idea is to identify two-wat flow of PhD students between both countries.

Students of Magadh Mahila College play with colours on Basant Panchami in Patna on Monday. —PTI

2 C’garh boys selected for IIT Delhi Jashpur (Chhattisgarh): Chhattisgarh’s northeast Jashpur district was in a joyous mood after two boys were selected to attend courses at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Delhi. Deepak Kumar and Nitesh Painkra, from the tribal villages of Kudekela and Jargam respectively, have secured admission in the textiles department of the pre-

BRIGHT FUTURE

Deepak Kumar and Nitesh Painkra, from the tribal villages of Kudekela and Jargam respectively, have secured admission in the textiles department of the premier institution mier institution, making their families proud. “Altogether, 21 students

from Jashpur were selected for National Institute of Technology (NIT) and IIT, out of which two are in Delhi,” said Jashpur collector Priyanka Shukla. Deepak Kumar’s father is a labourer. He completed his education from a government school and then joined a coaching unit run by the district administration to prepare for the IIT entrance. —ANI

Magadh Super 30 helping fulfil dreams Patna: Students from remote villages of Maoist-hit districts of Bihar have made it to top engineering institutes over the past few years, thanks to an unconventional coaching centre in Gaya town. Bright students from underprivileged families of Gaya and neighbouring districts of Magadh region prepare for tests like JEE and AIEEE at ‘Magadh Super 30’ under the guidance of a former police officer. Former Bihar Director General of Police, Abhayanand, who started the endeavour in 2008, told PTI here, “We do not boast that all our students will make it to the IITs, though many of them do. Others are not left in the lurch either as

Magadh Super 30 centre in Gaya they get selected for institutions like the NITs. “Although it is called Magadh Super 30, the number is only indicative. The focus is on helping students with the requisite aptitude.” Incidentally, Abhayanand had co-founded the legendary

‘Super 30’ in Patna along with mathematician Anand Kumar. A gold medallist in Physics from Patna Science College, Abhayanand had been driven by an urge to help meritorious students from underprivileged backgrounds to realize their potential. “Due to unavoidable

circumstances, I had to dissociate myself from the Super 30 in 2007. But in 2008, I was egged on by my friends in Gaya, my home town, to start a similar project there,’” the 1977 batch IPS officer, who has devoted himself to teaching since retirement in 2015, said. “The situation was quite bleak. An atmosphere of fear pervaded in the area due to Maoist violence, which was at its peak in the 1990s, had cast a long shadow”, the former DGP said. There was no dearth of talent but basic facilities like good, functional educational institutions were a rarity in the region. “So I felt this was a place where I ought to expend my energy,” he said. —PTI

London: Seeking to strengthen girl education in India and other countries, technology giant Apple has teamed up with the Malala Fund, led by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai, to double the number of grants awarded to the children. With Apple’s support, Malala Fund expects to double the number of grants awarded by its Gulmakai Network and extend funding programmes to India and Latin America with the initial goal of extending secondary education opportunities to more than 100,000 girls, Apple said in a statement. Apple will become the fund’s first Laureate partner, enabling a significant expansion of Yousafzai’s effort to support girls’ education and advocate for equal opportunity, it said. “My dream is for every girl to choose her own future,” said 20-year-old Pakistani, the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner. “Through both their innovations and philanthropy, Apple has helped educate and empower people around the world. I am grateful that Apple knows the value of investing in girls and is joining Malala Fund in the fight to ensure all girls can learn and lead without fear,” she said. Since 2013, Malala Fund has been working in partnership with other organisations, the private sector and governments around the world to realise every girl’s right to 12 years of free, safe, quality education. —PTI

Malala Yousafzai

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FOOTBALL

Former England captain and Blackpool legend Jimmy Armfield, 82, has died aged 82 after a long battle with cancer

FOOTBALL

Alexis Sanchez is reportedly set to become a Manchester United player soon after a leaked image apparently showed the Chile international on the Old Trafford pitch in the club’s famous red shirt

LONG JUMP Former Olympic champion Greg Rutherford says he’ll not defend his long jump title at this year’s CWG as he feels under-prepared 12 BALL GAME

After loss, Shastri dwells on hindsight

As India seek consolation win in 3rd Test, chief coach says 10 days of practice in SA ahead of series would have helped NZ wicketkeeper Glenn Phillips attempts to catch Pakistan’s Umar Amin in the first T20I in Wellington on Monday —AFP

Munro steers NZ to easy win

Colin Munro (49*, 43B, 3X4, 2X6) ensured New Zealand continued a stellar home summer on Monday when they thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets with 25 balls to spare in the opening Twenty20 match in Wellington. Brief scores: Pakistan 105 in 19.4 ov (B Azam 41; S Rance 3/26, T Southee 3/13, M Santner 2/15) lost to New Zealand 106/3 in 15.5 ov (C Munro 49*, T Bruce 26; R Raees 2/24)

Surprise selections in Aus Test squad

on the tube (all Live) Star Sports 1 ICC U-19 World Cup, Quarterfinals 03:00 Australia vs England 03:00 (Wed) Pakistan vs South Africa Star Sports Select 2 11:30 Tri-series, Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe Sony Ten 2 & Sony Six 05:30 & 05:30 (Wed) Australian Open quarterfinals Sony ESPN 14:10 BBL T20 19:00 Pro Wrestling League

IPL timings changed to 5.30pm, 7pm; begins April 7 New Delhi: The 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be held from April 7 to May 27, the IPL governing council said on Monday. Mumbai will host the opening match and the final of the cash-rich T20 tournament. The IPL governing council also decided to shift the start of the matches, which were scheduled to begin at 8pm and 4pm earlier. “The Broadcasters requested for a change in timings and IPL governing council in principal has accepted it,” IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said. “Live broadcast of 8pm game will be shifted to 7pm, while 4pm will be played at 5:30pm,” he added. Kings XI Punjab will play four of their home games in Mohali and three in Indore, while the home matches of Rajasthan Royals, who are returning to IPL after serving a two-year ban, will be decided after the Rajasthan High court’s hearing on January 24. A total of 578 players including 360 Indians will go under the hammer in this year’s IPL auction at Bengaluru on January 27 and 28. —PTI

India chief coach Ravi Shastri says he is pleased with his bowlers taking 20 wickets in each of the first two Tests—BCCI

Johannesburg: Their weaknesses thoroughly exposed in unfamiliar conditions, India coach Ravi Shastri on Monday said Virat Kohli and Co. should have landed in South Africa earlier to acclimatise and called for more preparatory time ahead of future overseas tours. India would be playing for a consolation win in the third and final Test starting on Wednesday and Shastri conceded that “overseas conditions” are the main reason for being 0-2 down in the series. India had landed in South Africa on December 28, while the Test series got under way on January 5. “Back home, we are familiar with conditions. Ideally we shouldn’t have to fight back (at home), but we fought back and we did well. Here, conditions are different. In hindsight I would say another 10 days of practice here would have made a difference,” Shastri said after a practice session on Tuesday. “But that’s no excuse. The pitch we play on is the same for both sides and I would rather focus on the 20 wickets we have taken (in both Tests). That has given us a chance in both Tests to win games. If our top order can fire, this (third Test) will also be a good match,” he added. The coach was further questioned why Test specialists weren’t sent in advance. He was also asked if an early departure to acclimatise for the tours of England and Australia later in the year would

Ravi Shastri, India coach

The Indian team would have been better off reaching SA earlier for Tests —BCCI

‘Schoolboy errors’ to be rectified: coach Johannesburg: India coach Ravi Shastri said the team will have to rectify the “schoolboy errors” that led to three run-outs in the lost second Test against South Africa, insisting that conditions are hard enough without such mistakes adding to the misery. “It hurts a lot. As it is the conditions are very tough, and on top of that, if someone gets run out then you feel bad and there is no doubt of that. You hope that those mistakes don’t happen again because at times they are schoolboy errors,” Shastri said. —PTI be taken into consideration. “There was a thought (to send Test specialists) early, but then you are disjointed. Those thoughts can be put in hindsight. But I would say the best thing would be reaching there (for future tours) two weeks earlier,” replied Shastri. “Unfortunately the schedule (this time) was such that you had matches (against Sri Lanka). But I am sure henceforth in the future when itineraries are made that will be taken into account. There is absolutely no doubt about that. You get there a couple of weeks earlier and prepare,” he added. Talking about the two Tests in Cape Town and Cen-

turion, the Indian coach highlighted that the bowlers had done a splendid job, allowing the team to express themselves as the world’s No.1 side. “No one expected our bowlers to fire the way they did and take 20 wickets so I would rather harp on that because for me that’s the biggest positive that has come out of this tour. We are here to live and learn from our mistakes,” Shastri said. “We did (play like the no.1 team). We had our moments in both Tests and we looked like the no.1 team when we bowled out South Africa for 130-odd. Or, when we closed the gap

thanks to Virat’s brilliant innings (at Centurion)...we looked like the no.1 team in overseas conditions. Not many teams look half that when they come to India,” he added. Shastri highlighted that the morale in the dressing room is high, because the team is creating chances to win Tests in overseas conditions. He said they are looking forward to the third Test in Johannesburg and pulling one back in the series. “Like South Africa, even we played with six batsmen, five plus one all-rounder. It means that responsibility on both sides on the top order is that much more...it won’t be easy because South Africa have a very good attack as well. You have to have guts out there. There are no short cuts or half measures. You have to grind it out there,” he said. “They have had chances in both Tests but they didn’t make the most of it. So when you believe you have a chance to win then you look forward to a Test match. When you don’t believe you can win you don’t look forward to a test match, as simple as that,” he added. The Indian team held a full practice session this morning. The management was a bit circumspect about the practice pitches and Shastri even called up the Wanderers’ head curator. —PTI

There’s no dead rubber games for us: Vernon Johannesburg: South Africa pacer Vernon Philander has shot off a warning to India, saying the hosts would not lower their guard in the third Test starting here on Wednesday as they eye a series whitewash. “It is just another game of cricket for us, but we do want to win each and every single game we play. So, it doesn’t matter that the Test series has already been won, we want to win all three matches,” said Philander. “The emphasis is on preparation, and doing it well today and tomorrow. We want to win this Test as well. There are no dead rubber games for us. We want to prepare as well as we can and be ready for Wednesday. We want to regain the no.1 Test ranking and so we want to win each and every single Test. There are no dead rubbers when we play,” he added. A green-top is expected at the Wanderers, in keeping with the tradition here. More importantly it will be vastly different than the Centurion pitch. I haven’t looked at the pitch yet, but normally there is pace and bounce at the Wanderers. Our roles always differ on different types of surfaces. I play with understanding of my role in the side. Last game I had to keep it tight from one end. So, I haven’t looked at this one yet,” Philander said. —PTI

Coach digs defence for Rahane’s omission Johannesburg: India coach Ravi Shastri on Monday defended the team management’s decision to leave out Ajinkya Rahane from the first two Tests in South Africa, saying Rohit Sharma was the best option going by form. But Sharma’s failure to live upto the expectations and the Indian batting’s inability to stand upto the South African pace attack in the preceding matches attracted widespread criticism, forcing the management to rethink about Rahane.

“If Ajinkya (Rahane) had played the first Test and not done well, you would have asked me the same question about why Rohit hasn’t played. Rohit played, he didn’t do well, so you are asking me why Ajinkya didn’t play,” a defiant Shastri said when asked about the selection policy. “The same would have happened with the fast bowlers. So you have choices. The team management has discussed what is the best option. They stick by it and they

go by it,” Shastri said. “Overseas, you go on current form, you go on conditions. You see which player can adapt to certain conditions quicker than the other,” he added. But if Sunday’s and Monday’s practice sessions at the Wanderers were any indication, there is a possibility of Rahane’s return to the playing XI for the inconsequential third Test starting here on Wednesday. “Chopping and changing

overseas is easier. In India, you don’t need to chop and change because you know what the conditions are and for which bowler to play, as opposed to what kind of track you will get,” Shastri said. “Whether you need a bowler with bounce or you need a bowler with swing, so that’s where the chopping and changing starts,” he added. Shastri also refused to the criticism back home. “Experts are meant to do a job. They can say what they want. It doesn’t

affect us. They have a job to do, so they are entitled to what they say,” Shastri said. Shastri’s dig at experts came following former India opener Virender Sehwag’s criticism of skipper Virat Kohli’s selection policy. After suffering a 72-run defeat in the first Test in Cape Town, India made three changes to their playing XI. And Sehwag did not mince words when he stated that Kohli “should drop himself ” if he failed in the second Test. —PTI

Ajinkya Rahane has had extended net sessions on Sunday and Monday. He is likely to return to the 11 for third Test in Johannesburg —BCCI

I have become real player with Chennai Super Kings: Raina Kolkata: Out-of-favour India all-rounder Suresh Raina knows his worth in the IPL and credited CSK for transforming him into a real cricketer. The 31-year-old Uttar Pradesh captain, who struck a belligerent 126 not out against Bengal in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 Super League match here on Monday, has played the most matches in IPL, 161, and has amassed 4,540 at a strike-rate of 139.09. His 59-ball unbeaten knock with 13 fours and seven sixes, is the second highest by an Indian in T20s. His knock was largely re-

sponsible in UP defeating Bengal by 75 runs in Group B. “We (along with MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja) have played so many matches together. We had to play for CSK again. In fact, I became a real player in Chennai,” Raina said here. “The coaches and the players there like Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Muttiah Muralitharan had a fine influence on me. I have learnt a lot from them. It’s not a team but like a family,” Raina, who will return to Chennai after leading Gujarat Lions for two seasons, said. —PTI

‘Sach’ is selfie

Sachin Tendulkar takes a selfie with the Indian women’s cricket team at the MCA-BKC Complex in Mumbai on Monday. The maestro tweeted his best wishes to the team bound for South Africa —TWITTER/@BCCIWomen

top 5 T20 scores by Indians Score 127 126 125 122 120*

Suresh Raina scored his fourth T20 century on Monday —TWITTER/@circleofcricket

Name Murali Vijay Suresh Raina Unmukt Chand Virender Sehwag Paul Valthaty

Team CSK UP Delhi KXIP KXIP

Opponent RR Bengal Gujarat CSK CSK

Year 2010 2018 2013 2014 2011

han 39, S Nadeem 27, V Singh 43; D Chahar 2/35, A Garhwal 2/15) lost to Rajasthan 158/6 in 19.1 ov (A Garhwal 43, S Khan 34; V Aaron 2/24, Jaskaran 2/42) Group B: Uttar Pradesh 235/3 in 20 ov (S Raina 126*, A Nath

Brief scores Group A: Mumbai 198/4 in 20 ov (A Herwadkar 42, S Iyer 79*; M Markande 2/32) lost to Punjab 199/7 in 19.2 ov (M Vohra 42, Singh 40, G Mann 43; S Dube 3/27) Jharkhand 157/5 in 20 ov (I Kis-

STARWATCH

Shreyas Iyer, 79* (44b, 8x4, 4x6), Mumbai vs Punjab Yuvraj Singh, 40 (34b, 2x4, 2x6), Punjab vs Mumbai Suresh Raina, 126* (59b, 13x4, 7x6) Kuldeep Yadav, 4/26 in 4 overs, UP vs Bengal

80) bt Bengal 160 in 16.1 ov (S Goswami 57, S Chatterjee 36; MM Khan 3/35, K Yadav 4/26) Baroda 140/8 in 20 overs (K Devdhar 77; S Bhati 4/20) lost to Delhi 143/8 in 19.1 ov (D Shorey 74; L Meriwala 4/24)

‘Playing T20 will help in SA’ Kolkata: Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav said playing the full Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy will hold him in good stead in the limited overs series in South Africa. Kuldeep, who will leave for South Africa on January 24 for the ODI series, said he expects to reap the harvest of a good domestic season in SA. “So far it has been good. I have played the full T20 season. My rhythm is good so hopefully I will be able to continue bowling well there (in South Africa) as well,” a confident Kuldeep said. —PTI

Gill makes history as Canada enter Plate semis Christchurch: Canada and Zimbabwe progressed to the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup Plate semifinals with convincing victories over Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Namibia, respectively on Monday. All-rounder Akash Gill slammed the first century by a Canada batsman in an ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup match as the North American side defeated PNG by 80 runs. In another match, Wessely Madevere took two for 11 and

Twitter/@cricketworldcup

Spinner Jon Holland and paceman Jhye Richardson were the surprise selections in a Australia squad for the tour to South Africa next month. Test squad for SA: S Smith (C), D Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Jackson Bird, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc; T20 squad vs Eng: Warner (C), A Finch (VC), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa

The pitch we play on is the same for both sides and I would rather focus on the 20 wickets we have taken

India in South Africa Test series

Akash Gill of Canada then scored 47 as Zimbabwe beat Namibia by 7 wickets. Gill became the 13th player to notch a century in the 12th edition of the tournament and his performance was the highlight from among the two matches here. Gill cracked 12 fours and

two sixes as Canada notched a competitive 265 for eight after being asked to bat first. Player of the match, Gill said: “I didn’t really know about that record but it’s honestly a great feeling. When I got to that milestone, I was just overwhelmed. It still feels surreal to me, I’m just letting it sink in.”—PTI Brief scores (Plate Q/fs: Canada 265/8 in 50 ov (Akash Gill 120, Arslan Khan 35, Ashtan Deosammy 35; James Tau 2/31, Leke Morea 2/69) bt PNG 185 in 44.3 ov (Simon Atai 81; Aran Padmanathan 3/23, Faisal Jamkhandi 3/48) Namibia 113 in 40.1 ov lost to Zimbabwe 114/3 in 19.3 ov (W Madevere 47, A Frost 30*)

Australia, England in battle of nerves Queenstown: Three-time champions Australia will have to put their best foot forward when they face a formidable England in the first Super League quarter-final of the ICC U-19 cricket World Cup here on Tuesday. Australia found rhythm in the tournament after losing their opening match to India by 100 runs while England advanced winning all their three league matches. Both Australia and England exuded confidence as they trained ahead of their match. Australia captain Jason Sangha said: “We’ve been focusing on ourselves and the way we want to play our cricket. The more we can control our plans the better cricket we will play. We have some really good performances and the team is gelling really well together.” Meanwhile, England captain Harry Book too looked confident of his team’s overall balance and hoped to outclass their rivals. —PTI Playing Today: Super League Quarterfinals: Australia vs England, Queenstown (Live on Star Sports 1, 3am); Plate Quarterfinals: Kenya vs Sri Lanka, Christchurch; Ireland vs Windies, Christchurch

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hot on heels

Magic stun Celtics for third victory The Orlando Magic parlayed a big third quarter into a 103-95 upset of the Boston Celtics on Sunday, their third win in 20 games coming against the NBA’s Eastern Conference leaders. Elfrid Payton scored 22 points for the Magic, who had lost their last 14 games in Boston in a skid stretching back to February 2010.

Russians appeal against doping ban Dozens of Russian athletes banned by the IOC for life over doping began an appeal against their suspension on Monday at the world’s top sports court. The week-long hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) includes appeals from 39 Russians who competed at the 2014 Winter Games that were tarnished by a Moscowbacked doping scheme.

PWL: Punjab thrash Mumbai 7-0 Punjab Royals’ icon player Geno Petriashvili scored a dominating 7-0 victory over Satender Malik in the super heavyweight category to clinch the tie 5-2 against Mumbai Maharathi in the Pro Wrestling League in New Delhi on Monday. Pooja Dhanda upset world championship silver medalist Odunayo Adekuoroye of Nigeria to put Punjab 3-1 ahead.

Kerala in Santosh Trophy final Kerala sealed their spot in the finals of the Santosh Trophy national football championship after drawing with Tamil Nadu in the South Zone qualifiers for Group B in Bengaluru on Sunday. Both Tamil Nadu and Kerala put on a good show with enormous support for both the teams but neither could break the deadlock as the scores read 0-0 at the half-time.

Chung chucks Djoko out

South Korean gives battling Djokovic taste of his own medicine to enter maiden quarterfinals

Melbourne: For Novak Djokovic it must have felt like some nightmarish fight to the death against a clone of himself on Monday as Chung Hyeon stunned the six-time Australian Open champion with a display ripped straight out of the Serb’s textbook. The 30-year-old, who has ruled like no other on Rod Laver Arena, simply had no answer as Chung, nine years his junior, wore him into the ground to win 7-6(4) 7-5 7-6(3) and become the first South Korean to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal. where he will face Tennys Sandgren. Time and again during the three-hour, 21-minute encounter, 14th seed Djokovic had Chung on the run but the world No. 58 displayed almost superhuman court coverage to prevail in rallies he had no right to still be involved in. It is exactly those defensive skills that have earned Djokovic 12 Grand Slam titles and it was no surprise when, after claiming the biggest scalp of his career, the spectacle-wearing Chung described the Serb as his idol. Tellingly, Chung won 34 of the 54 rallies that exceeded nine strokes, most memorably when he slid at fullstretch to hook a forehand winner past his opponent to take a 5-3 lead in the third set tiebreak. It proved the final straw for a weary Djokovic who netted a forehand return on the next point and then shunted a backhand into the tramlines after yet more Chung defiance. The ice-cool Chung barely

celebrated, but after being warmly congratulated by Djokovic he walked across to milk the applause from the sell-out crowd, including a sizeable Korean contingent. To his credit, Djokovic, who again wore a compression sleeve on his playing arm to protect the elbow that forced him off Tour last year and was clearly causing discomfort, fought tenaciously like the great champion he is. Had he grabbed the third set, a fightback might have been on the cards, although Chung, who frazzled fourth-seeded German wunderkind Alexander Zverev in five sets in the previous round, can apparently run all night. “I was just thinking ‘I’m two love up in sets so if I lose (the third) I still have two more sets. I can play two more hours. I’m younger than Novak so I don’t care’,” he said. “I was just trying to copy Novak because he’s my idol. My dreams have come true tonight.” —Reuters

did you know?

Chung Hyeon’s previous best show in the Grand Slam was a third-round appearance at the 2017 French Open The 21-year-old had won the inaugural Next Gen ATP Finals (21-and-under event) in Milan last year

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Chung Hyeon is the first South Korean to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal

Singh captures Swedish Open title Young shuttler Siddharth Pratap Singh secured his maiden international title, bagging the Swedish Open Junior International Series with victory over Denmark’s Mads Christophersen in the finals in Uppsala, Sweden. Playing his first career final, Ssingh defeated Christophersen 21-15 21-11 in a 33-minute match to claim the title.

ff the field this day that year

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January 23, 1983

Borg retires from tennis The loss to mercurial John McEnroe in the 1981 US Open had seemingly left an impact on Bjorn Borg. The then 11-time Grand Slam winner managed to win only two matches after that and something had changed internally for him. The 26-yearold wanted to retire and made an announcement in this regard, shocking his fans and fellow tennis players.

Jamie Murray @jamie_murray: Chung is doing to Novak what Novak has done to everyone for the past 5years. #ausopen

Send in your answers to sportsdna@gmail.com. Names of the first 10 winners will be published tomorrow

Austrollian Open @TrollandGarros: In Korean, Chung thanked people in Korea who were staying up late to watch and mentioned that it’s not over yet and that he hopes to give them more to cheer for on Wednessday. :) #AusOpen

Pshots

Men’s singles (Round 4) 2-R Federer (SUI) bt M Fucsovics (HUN) 6-4 7-6(3) 6-2, T Sandgren (USA) bt 5-D Thiem (AUT) 6-2 4-6 7-6(4) 6-7(7) 6-3, 19-T Berdych (CZE) bt 25-F Fognini (ITA) 6-1 6-4 6-4, C Hyeon (KOR) bt 14-N Djokovic (SRB) 7-6(4) 7-5 7-6(3)

fplay

Rod Laver Arena Morning session (5.30am) 6-M Bryan/B Bryan (USA) vs 15-A Qureshi/M Matkowsi (PAK/POL) E Mertens (BEL) vs 4-E Svitolina (UKR) 3-G Dimitrov (BUL) vs K Edmund (GBR) Evening session (1.30pm) 1-R Nadal (ESP) vs 6-M Cilic (CRO) C Suarez Navarro (ESP) vs 2-C Wozniacki (DEN) Live on: Sony Six & Sony Ten 2

No. of times Roger Federer has now entered the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. The Swiss has made the quarters every year since 2004, except in 2015

Born: May 19, 1996 Residence: Suwon, South Korea Turned pro: 2014 Play: Righthanded (two-handed backhand) Prize money: $1,709,608

Chung Hyeon reacts after winning a point against Novak Djokovic in Melbourne on Monday —AP

After loss, Djokovic to reassess fitness situation

Red-hot Federer, Halep enter last 8

Novak Djokovic says he will reassess his fitness situation after his painful defeat on Monday. The former world No.1 played in great discomfort with a recurrence of his right elbow injury and a possible hip/groin problem sustained during the loss on Monday. “Yeah, unfortunately, it’s not great. Kind of end of the first set it (elbow) started hurting more. So, yeah, I had to deal with it till the end of the match,” Djokovic said. “Now I don’t know. I have to reassess everything with my team, medical team, coaches and everybody, scan it, see what the situation is like,” he added.

Ice-cool Roger Federer roared into the quarterfinals with Tomas Berdych on Monday as world No. 1 Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber stayed on course for a potential lastfour clash. The defending champion swatted aside onetime training partner Marton Fucsovics 6-4 7-6(3) 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena to make the last eight for an incredible 14th time. He will now play fellow veteran Berdych who demolished Fabio Fognini.

Churchill Brothers leave it late to beat Indian Arrows 2-0 in an I-League encounter in Goa on Monday. Goals from Dawda Ceesay (88’)and Israil Gurung (90+2’) took Churchill over the line. hundreds of supporters gathered at the club tent. “Keep fighting, team. Give your 100 per cent in the pitch and win every game. Mohun Bagan will stay, but I have to go. “Mohun Bagan lives forever,” he said with moist eyes. —PTI

Melbourne: Unheralded American Tennys Sandgren said he struggling to come to grips with upsetting Austria’s fifth seed Dominic Thiem over five sets to storm into the quarterfinals of the Australian Open on Monday. The 97th-ranked Sandgren won 6-2 4-6 7-6(4) 6-7(7) 6-3 in just under four hours to continue his extraordinary run and will face South Korean giantkiller Chung Hyeon in the last eight. Sandgren conquered former winner Stan Wawrinka in the second round and eliminated the world No. 5. “The first three matches were more than I expected. This one was about as hardfought as I’ve ever had a match before,” Sandgren said. “My biggest match, as well, pretty neat. I definitely had a real pinch-me moment. Wow, this is hopefully real. If I wake up now, I’m going to be real upset,” he added, The man from Tennessee, who hadn’t won a Grand Slam match until this tournament after being knocked out in the first round at last year’s French and US Opens, said the wins had given him belief. Amazingly, the 26-year-old

Tennys Sandgren returns to Dominic Thiem on Monday —Reuters

unexpected run Tennys Sandgren hadn’t won a Grand Slam match until this tournament He became the second man in the last 20 years since Nicolas Escude to make the quarterfinals on debut at Australian Open

missed out on qualifying in the last four years to reach the main draw in Melbourne. Sandgren said he had the advantage of being an unknown player. “Maybe guys aren’t sure what to expect and they don’t know that I’m serving well and what spots I like,” he said. —AFP

Inexperienced Bengaluru face Bhutanese club

Magical Messi rolls back the years as Barcelona rout Betis

Thimphu (Bhutan): Bengaluru FC will hope their young guns come to the fore when they take on Bhutanese side Transport United in an AFC Cup preliminary round fixture at the Changlimithang Stadium here on Tuesday. The Blues have made the trip with a young squad that includes four players from the Bengaluru FC ‘B’ team along with a few experienced hands in Lenny Rodrigues, Lalthuammawia Ralte, Toni Dovale and Alwyn George. Albert Roca is confident that the squad will make the chance count. —PTI

Madrid: It is easy to forget how talented Lionel Messi is when the Barcelona forward performs at such a consistently high level that you simply expect him to work wonders in every match. Occasionally, though, Messi has games which even by his own lofty standards are hugely impressive and, unfortunately for Real Betis, they ran into him at his best on Sunday night. Barcelona thrashed the Andalusians 5-0 at the Benito Villamarin, with Messi scoring twice and setting up a goal for Luis Suarez. “You have to enjoy Messi. We’re living at the same time as him and we just have to enjoy him,” Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said. “I’ve faced him in the past and I know what he’s capable of. Now I can enjoy him. It’s spectacular to see him every day. He is the best player there is and the best there will ever be,” he added. After a tight first half, the Argentine forward stepped up a gear and single-handedly dismantled the hapless Betis defence. Messi finished clinically in the 64th minute, firing across Antonio Adan to leave

Ozil takes train A

rsenal superstar Mesut Ozil has a fleet of supercars but on Sunday, he decided to take London Underground to enjoy a day out. Posting a picture on Instagram of himself sitting in the tube and using his phone, the German wrote: “Doing this tourist thing today. Keep calm and mind the gap #London#Underground.” Clad in a black overall with a hoodie, blue jeans, brown casual boots and a cap, Ozil was possibly not recognised by his co-passengers. The picture shows a man sitting opposite the footballer and is seemingly oblivious to who is in front of him. Ozil also posted pictures from the rest of his day, as he “strolled through London with his gang”.

Women’s singles (Roundd 4) 1-S Halep (ROM) bt N Osaka (JPN) 6-3 6-2, 17-M Keys (USA) bt 8-C Garcia (FRA) 6-3 6-2, 21-A Kerber (GER) bt H Su-wei (TPE) 4-6 7-5 6-2, 6-K Pliskova (CZE) bt 20-B Strycova (CZE) 6-7(5) 6-3 6-2

‘Pinch me’: Tennys keeps fairy tale going

KNOW CHUNG

Mesut Ozil in the London Underground —Instagram/MesutOzil1988

champions’ homecoming

twitter trail

djokovic stunned by young chung

—Tennys Sandgren, after his 3-hour, 54-minute fourth-round win over Dominic Thiem to enter quarterfinals

ORDER

seedwatch

churchill win

that night when I took the decision because it was very hard for me,” an emotional Norde said. “I hope you guys try and keep winning. I will pray for Mohun Bagan to win every match. Thank you very much and I will see you very soon,” Norde said as a

I’m not in my underwear, so maybe it’s not a dream

India’s Rohan Bopanna and Divij Sharan lost their respective men’s doubles third round matches. Combining with Edouard RogerVasselin of France, Bopanna lost to Oliver Marach of Austria and Croatia’s Mate Pavic 6-4 6-7(5) 3-6. Meanwhile, the duo of Sharan and Rajeev Ram from the USA suffered a 6-3 6-7(4) 4-6 defeat at the hands of Lukasz Kubot of Poland and Brazil’s world No. 1 Marcelo Melo.

Emotional Norde leaves Bagan

Sony Norde is heading to Argentina

SSquote

bopanna, sharan bow out of men’s doubles

An exasperated Novak Djokovic, clutching on to his knees, is given a towel on Monday —AFP

Kolkata: Mohun Bagan’s star I-League-winning forward Sony Norde on Monday broke into tears as he bid an emotional farewell to the club with a promise that he would be “back”. Struggling with a knee injury, Norde, who had guided Mohun Bagan to I-League and Federation Cup titles, sought a termination of his contract to head to Argentina where he will undergo surgery for his torn meniscus. Emotional scenes were witnessed in their 2-0 derby win over East Bengal on Sunday as about 20,000 supporters adorned Norde’s masks. “It was hard for me to take the decision. I couldn’t sleep

Uttarakhand go down to Punjab Punjab beat Uttarakhand 70-68 in the men’s quarterfinals to knock the defending champions out of the 68th senior national basketball championship in Chennai. The defending champions in the women’s section, Kerala beat Delhi in the quarterfinals, coming up another superb performance to romp home 63-42.

The victorious Indian blind cricket team poses with the World Cup trophy after returning to New Delhi from Dubai on Monday. India beat Pakistan in the final to retain the Blind Cricket World Cup on Sunday

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi (left) dribbles past Real Betis’ Fabian during their match at Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville on Sunday —REUTERS

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100

No. of goals Luis Suarez has scored in La Liga, the second Uruguayan to do so after Diego Forlan (128)

No. of goals Lionel Messi has scored in 20 La Liga matches this season, the most by any player

did you know?

Lionel Messi has assisted a goal in 5 La Liga matches in a row for the first time in his career

the goalkeeper with no chance after being played through to double Barcelona’s lead following Ivan Rakitic’s opener. The No. 10’s second goal

was a work of individual genius, with Messi teasing two defenders before beating them with ease and casually slipping the ball past Adan. Arguably the best was yet to come. In the final stages of the game, the 30-year-old playmaker rolled back the years and embarked on a number of mazy dribbles, with Betis unable to get near him. Twisting and turning in his own half to tie three Betis players in knots before escaping at speed on the break, Messi drew a standing ovation from an admiring Benito Villamarin. These were the kind of moves Messi made a decade ago, but he showed he still has them in his locker. —Reuters Stopwatch: Real Betis 0 lost to Barcelona 5 (Rakitic 59, Messi 64, 80, Suarez 69, 90)

Sindhu, Srikanth eye positive start Jakarta: Ace Indian shuttlers PV Sindhu and Kidambi Srikanth will look to make a positive start to the new season when they kick off the international calender at the USD 350,000 Indonesia Masters tournament beginning here on Tuesday. Sindhu and Srikanth have been sensational last season as they clinched multiple ti-

tles and they will begin their quest for another successful season, taking on Indonesia’s Hanna Ramadini and Malaysia’s Zulfadli Zulkiffli, respectively, in the main draw of women’s and men’s event. Coming back from an ankle injury, London Games bronze medallist Saina Nehwal, who had a moderate 2017 with the only highlight

being the bronze at World Championships, will have a tough task at hand when she faces young world No. 8 Chen Yufei, seeded seventh, in the opening round. HS Prannoy will begin the season with a clash against Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke, while fit-again Sameer Verma will meet Kazumasa Sakai in Round 1. —PTI

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SECOND FRONT PAGE

He claims he is a common man, but embraces only the privileged. Modiji, what is your compulsion... it’s important that farmers, labourers and jawans are also hugged. — Congress president Rahul Gandhi, in a tweet against Prime Minister Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI I TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018 I DAILY NEWS & ANALYSIS

www.dnaindia.com I twitter.com/dna I epaper.dnaindia.com I facebook.com/dnaindia

SNAPSHOT

‘No evidence of Darwinian evolution theory’

India’s richest 1% corner 73% wealth: Oxfam survey 67 cr, comprising the poorest half, saw their wealth rise by just 1 per cent

Union Minister Satyapal Singh I absolutely stand by my comment that Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution is not scientific. There is hardly any evidence to substantiate the theory. Great scientists of the world came out to say there is no evidence available in the world which can prove the theory of evolution is correct

There has been no ‘evolution’ or ‘destiny’. There is only ‘being’. Evidence has come out against the theory

I propose, if the Ministry of Human Resource Development is ready to sponsor a world-level international conference to decide what is true and factual and that must be taught in schools and colleges

They (scientists) are saying no we cannot see evolution is taking place because it happened millions of years ago. You can find the evidence in the fossils. There are billions of fossils, not even in one fossil in intermediate evolutionary stage has been found

In the last 100 years, many evidences have come out against the theory, in favour hardly anybody. It is not my statement. So many world scientists have said it

Davos: The richest 1 per cent in India cornered 73 per cent of the wealth generated in the country last year, a new survey showed on Monday, presenting a worrying picture of rising income inequality. Besides, 67 crore Indians comprising the population’s poorest half saw their wealth rise by just 1 per cent, as per the survey released by the international rights group Oxfam, hours before the start of the annual congregation of the rich and powerful from across the world in this resort town. The situation appears even more grim globally, where 82 per cent of the wealth generated last year worldwide went to the 1 per cent, while 3.7 billion people that account for the poorest half of population saw no increase in their wealth. The annual Oxfam survey is keenly watched and discussed in detail at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, where rising income and gender inequality is among the key talking points for the world leaders. Last year’s survey had showed that India’s richest 1 per cent held a huge 58 per cent of the country’s total wealth — higher than global figure of about 50 per cent. With PM Narendra Modi attending the WEF meeting in Davos, Oxfam India urged the Indian government to ensure that the country’s economy works for everyone and not just the fortunate few. It asked the government to promote inclusive growth by encouraging labour-intensive sectors that will create more jobs. — PTI

A FORTUNATE FEW Last year’s survey had showed that India’s richest 1 per cent held a huge 58 per cent of the country’s total wealth — higher than global figure of about 50 per cent.

With PM Modi in Davos, Oxfam India urged the Indian government to promote inclusive growth by encouraging labourintensive sectors that will create more jobs

Photo for representation

‘India to grow at 7.4%, overtake China in 2018’ Washington/Davos: India is projected to grow at 7.4% in 2018 as against China’s 6.8%, the IMF said on Monday, making it the fastest growing country among emerging economies following last year’s slowdown due to demonetisation and implementation of GST. In its latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) update released on Monday in Davos, Switzerland on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, the International Monetary Fund has projected a 7.8 per cent growth rate for India in 2019. Growth rate projections for both 2018 and 2019 remain unchanged since its October

2017 WEO projections. China, during the same period, is expected to grow at 6.6 per cent and 6.4 per cent respectively, the IMF said. The IMF said the aggregate growth forecast for the emerging markets and developing economies for 2018 and 2019 is unchanged, with

marked differences in the outlook across regions. It projected India to grow at 7.4 per cent in 2018 as against China’s 6.8 per cent. Emerging and developing Asia will grow at around 6.5 per cent over 2018-19, broadly the same pace as in 2017,” it said, adding that the region continues to account for over half of the world’s growth. “Growth is expected to moderate gradually in China (though with a slight upward revision to the forecast for 2018 and 2019 relative to the fall forecasts, reflecting stronger external demand), pick up in India, and remain broadly stable in the ASEAN-5 region,” the IMF said. —PTI

OOPS! I DID IT AGAIN

Cong accuses Modi govt of fooling public DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net New Delhi: Congress blamed the Modi government on Monday for not passing benefits worth Rs 5.75 lakh crore to the common man, which it earned from low international prices of crude during three-and-half-years of its rule. Comparing crude price of $105 during Congress-led UPA government’s rule that declined to $47 and has not risen beyond $62 during the Modi government’s regime, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi accused the government of frittering away the bonanza and not passing it to the consumers. “We (Congress government) gave you such fantastic growth despite very high crude prices... Should the government of India have passed on some benefit to the poor ordinary people of India or not? It got oil at $47 and now at $68. I can understand if you charge the Indian public equivalent to $75 per barrel. When crude prices were at an all-time high in our time, petrol price was Rs 64 per litre. And now when crude is at $68, petrol is selling at Rs 80 and diesel at Rs 67.10 per litre in Mumbai,” Singhvi said. He also accused the government for indulging in accounting jugglery by forcing the ONGC to acquire another public sector company, the HPCL,

We (Congress government) gave you such fantastic growth despite very high crude prices... Should the government have passed on some benefit to poor people of India or not? Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Congress spokesperson just to meet the disinvestment targets but in turn adding to the rising fiscal deficit. “For the first time in India’s history, a virtually 100% gover nment-controlled ONGC is going to take a Rs 30,000-crore loan to buy the government-owned shares in another government-controlled company, HPCL. It is being done to fool the public by showing that the government has not taken a loan,” claimed Singhvi. He added that it was being to make the balance sheet of the government of India before Budget look alright.

A member of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) reacts as she takes part in a rehearsal for the Republic Day parade in Chennai on Monday. —REUTERS

Modi to visit Palestine on Feb 10 DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net New Delhi: After hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu here for six days, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a daylong visit to Palestine on February 10 — seen as a balancing act to outreach Arab nations. While confirming the visit, diplomatic sources here said the PM will spend a day in the Palestinian capital Ramallah. He will have meetings with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. He will reach Palestine at the end of

PM Modi with Mahmoud Abbas his three-nation tour that also includes Oman and the United Arab Emirates, sources said. In UAE, he is expected to attend an international conference. Last year, PM Modi had

visited Israel — a first by an Indian Prime Minister. He did not visit Palestine at the time — to de-hyphenate Israel and Palestine. But in December, India voted at the United Nations along with 127 other nations against US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. In May last year, during the visit of Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas to Delhi, PM Modi had emphasized India’s commitment ‘’to see the realization of a sovereign, independent, united and viable Palestine, co-existing peacefully with Israel”.

Amid tight security, R-Day venue shifted in Srinagar DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net Srinagar: For the first time, the Republic Day parade venue has been changed in the summer capital city of Srinagar. The Jammu and Kashmir government said the parade will be held in Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium instead of Bakshi Stadium on January 26. Authorities said the ongoing renovation of Bakshi Stadium was the reason behind shifting the venue. “There is renovation work going on in Bakshi Stadium. It is not possible to hold pa-

Photo for representation rade there. Everything is dug up,” said Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah, district development commissioner, Srina-

gar. Usually security forces remain on toes to ensure security on Republic Day and In-

dependence Day, given the militant threats and call for hartal by separatist groups. Since the venue for the parade has been changed, the security forces have gone back to the drawing board to ensure fool-proof and incident-free R-Day function in Kashmir. “We have reviewed security situation in the PCR. January 26 will be celebrated with great fervor. All arrangements have been made and its details can’t be shared,” said Dr Shesh Paul Vaid, director general of police, Jammu and Kashmir. A massive security blan-

ket has been thrown around Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium to sanitize the venue. Additional forces have been deployed to ensure foolproof security of the venue.Technology too has been used to keep a tight vigil in and around the venue. Security across the restive valley too has been beefed up with police and security forces setting up additional nakas at different places to keep militants and other anti-national elements at bay. Cordon and search operations too have been intensified to hunt for the suspected militants.

Baloch activist seeks Modi’s help to liberate territory from Pak Sumit Kumar Singh singh.sumit@dnaindia.net New Delhi: Balochistan activist Mama Qadeer Baloch sought PM Narendra Modi’s intervention to liberate their land from Pakistan, just like India had helped the formation of Bangladesh. “We plead Prime Minister of India to help us politically and militarily to get us freedom from Pakistan,” Qadeer told DNA in an exclusive interview. Founder of the ‘International Voice for Baloch Missing Persons’ travelled more than 2,000 km on foot and broke the record of Mahatma Gandhi — who traveled for 390 km from Ahmadabad to Dandi as part of his famous salt march — with a group of Baloch women and men on their way from Quetta to Islamabad to get their missing men and women released. He is in India for medical treatment of his grandson. Qadeer said, “If Indian PM political-

‘JADHAV KIDNAPPED’ On Kulbhushan Jadhav, Balochistan activist Mama Qadeer Baloch said he was ‘kidnapped from Iran on the directions of ISI for huge sums of money’ Mama Qadeer Baloch ly and militarily supports us, it will help us get freedom. He should help us the way India helped to liberate East Pakistan.” He reiterated that they will definitely get freedom in a few months. On Kulbhushan Jadhav, Qadeer said he was ‘kidnapped on the directions of the ISI for huge sums of money. “Kulbhushan Jadhav was abducted from Iran by (terrorist) Mullah Omar on being given huge sums of money by Pakistan. Jadhav was then taken to Islamabad through Quetta and made to give proPakistan statements through

force and torture,’’ he said He also said they will first fight with Pakistan and get independence and then they will then seek to liberate their occupied land from Iran. He said they are suffering in Pakistan every day. “We will not allow Pakistan to rule the people of Balochistan. We will fight with them till the end. It is just a matter of a few months,” he said. Qadeer also alleged that Pakistani army and agencies have been kidnapping their youths, engineers, activists and lawyers and putting them in unknown hideouts.

Impartial judiciary essential for democracy, says SC justice SC collegium endorses two for elevation

DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net New Delhi: It is essential to have an impartial and independent judiciary for the survival of a liberal democracy, Justice Jasti Chelameswar said. On Monday, Justice Chelameswar made his first public appearance while attending a book launch since the extraordinary press conference led by him on January 12. Earlier this month, four senior judges of Supreme Court — Justices Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan Lokur and Kurian Joseph, ranking two to five in order of seniority — held an unprecedented press conference to bare their anguish over CJI Misra’s alleged breach of institutional integrity, and “to save the democracy”. Speaking at the launch of the book “Supreme Court of India- The Beginnings” by author Vikram Raghavan and Vasujith Ram, Justice Chelameswar, who was the chief guest, said, “People like me who are interested in sustaining and protecting the institution, must keep analyzing it and examining it. For the survival of a liberal democracy, an impartial and independent judiciary is essential.” Hinting at the crisis in the judiciary, the SC judge

Protesting Padmaavat’s release, man climbs tower Bhilwara (Rajasthan): A man climbed a mobile phone tower in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district with a bottle of petrol in protest against the January 25 release of the movie Padmaavat. Upendra Singh Rathore climbed the 350-feet tall tower, saying he will descend only when the movie is banned across the country. “One of our friends has climbed a BSNL tower in protest against the release of the movie Padmaavat. He wants a complete ban on the release of the movie across the nation,” said a Karni Sena worker. Last week, the Supreme Court set aside notifications passed by the governments of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Gujarat to ban the release of Padmaavat. The movie will be released on January 25 in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil. —ANI

Photo for representation

DNA Correspondent correspondent@dnaindia.net

Supreme Court is not the superintendent of all courts, but in reality, it exercises such powers. Justice Chelameswar, Supreme Court Justice suggested that scholars study institutions due to curiosity as part of an assignment. However, people who are part of the institution have an interest but don’t have time to look at it systemically. “Supreme Court is not the superintendent of all courts, but in reality, it exercises such powers,” he said to a packed audience. Justice Chelameswar said he owed his gratitude to the people of this country and added that the law declared by the Supreme Court binds everyone.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court collegium has sent the Centre names of two candidates — Senior Advocate Indu Malhotra and Uttarakhand High Court Chief Justice K M Joseph — as recommendations for elevation to the top court. The Collegium’s move comes amid the greatest crisis faced by Indian judiciary, triggered by a press conference held by four senior judges where they bared their anguish at the alleged breach of institutional integrity by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. Malhotra and Chief Justice KM Joseph’s name first cropped up as candidates on January 11, a day before the press conference. Malhotra would become the first woman lawyer to be directly appointed as a judge of SC, sources said. Justice Joseph, on the other hand, was part of the bench in 2016 that had quashed the imposition of President’s Rule in Uttarakhand.

My son is innocent: Terror suspect’s dad Imran Fazal imran.fazal@dnaindia.net Residing in a humble locality at Highland Co-operative Housing Society in Narendra Park area of Mira Road, Mohammed Usman Qureshi, father of arrested Students Islamic Movements of India (SIMI) alleged terror suspect Abdul Qureshi, applauds the arrest of his son in the hope that the Indian judiciary system will declare him innocent one day. Usman Qureshi stays with his wife Zubeda in a 6th floor apartment. Neighbours remember Abdul to be very hardworking and religious. Naya Nagar police and Kanakia police of Thane Rural police department often visited the Qureshi residence to gather information about Abdul. “I remember Abdul teaching Quran at a local madrassa and also teaching students in the locality. But we never knew about his involvement in terror activities until media reports with his picture were flashed,” said Dr. Mohammed Hamid, a local resident. Usman Qureshi said, “I remember that he had informed us once about he was working with SIMI. But it was only for preaching

Usman Qureshi outside his residence in Mira Road and not for terror activities. I am happy that he has been arrested and the court will declare him innocent. For me, my son is innocent and the charges against him are false as he was never involved in terror activities.” “Since he left the house, we were never heard from him. The police officers often come to our house to gather information and every time, I have to tell them we do not have any such information,” said Qureshi. Zubeda, mother of Abdul alias Tauqeer, said, “The government has falsely implicated my son. But truth will soon come out.”

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