29 April 2023

Nagaland Post

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SC directs states to register cases against all making hate speeches

NEW DELHI, APR 28

(IANS): Supreme Court on Friday directed all states and Union Territories to register cases against those making hate speeches even if no complaint has been made.

The bench of Justices

KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna termed hate speech a serious offence capable of affecting secular fabric of the country and added that the court had passed the order last year with public good in mind for suo motu action against hate speech.

“This is something which goes to the heart of our republic...about dignity of people....”, said Justice Joseph.

During the hearing, the bench made it crystal clear that both judges are apolitical and they do not care about party A or party B, or party C, “we only

Western Sumi bodies to disallow formation of new factions

DIMAPUR, APR 28

(NPN): Western Sümi Kükami Hoho and Western Sümi Youth Front have resolved not to allow any individuals or group of individuals to form new factions at any cost within the jurisdiction of Western Sümi inhabited areas. Informing this in a press note, WSKH president Vikuto Achumi and WSYF president Mughavi Awomi said that a joint resolution was adopted at the meeting held on April 27, at WSH Ki, Chekiye village, after the house deliberated on numerous issues confronting the society. The house also resolved not to allow anyone to canvas for creating divisions within groups/factions and cautioned that by doing so the Western Sümis would not cooperate with those factions/groups.

Maintaining that unity among Nagas was the need of the hour, they said creating divisions one after another “at this opportune time” was “very unfortunate”. In order to prevent such recurrence amongst the Nagas, being perpetrated by “unseen forces”, WSKH and WSYF resolved not to allow “such unseen forces to divide us again.” They also urged upon all to work towards bringing the unity among the Nagas and “leaving aside the past differences.” WSKH and WSYF also urged upon the government of India to expedite the “Indo-Naga talk” and bring the Naga political solution to a logical conclusion at the earliest for the greater interest of the Nagas.

PUDW bans Assam pig import into Wokha dist

DIMAPUR, APR 28

Mayers, Stoinis sizzle in LSG’s big win over PBKS

Andrea Kevichusa and Suman Adhikari make NE proud with Filmfare Awards

parts of the country for “larger public good” and to ensure establishment of “rule of law”.

Advocate Nizam Pasha, counsel for the petitioner, said the court ordered the police to take suo motu action and if police are not acting, it will be contempt. Mehta said let all states be joined in the matter.

(NPN): Even as the closure of pork butcher shops in Dimapur entered fifth day on Friday, the Pig Union Dealer Wokha (PUDW) has also decided to ban import of Assam local pigs into Wokha district starting from April 29, 2023.

know the Constitution and the laws of the country... let us be very clear about it... whatever order we pass, it is allegiance to the oath we have taken”.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said there is no dispute about it and also there is no doubt about it.

When counsel cited instances of hate speeches in various parts of the country, the bench orally observed: “Don’t bring in politics. If

the attempt is to bring in politics, we won’t be a party to this...we said in our order, irrespective of religion (action should be taken)...”.

The bench warned that any delay in registering cases will be treated as contempt of court and emphasized that its October 21, 2022 order shall be made applicable irrespective of religion. It said it is entertaining petitions against hate speeches in different

The bench said respondents shall ensure immediately when any speech or any action takes place which attracts offences under various sections of IPC, without any complaint being filed suo moto action can be taken to register cases.

It said that such action be taken irrespective of the religion of the maker of the speech so the secular character of the country as envisaged by the Preamble is preserved.

In a press release, PUDW secretary Nyanbemo Murry informed that the union took the decision at its executive meeting held on April 27, 2023 as the rate of pigs was increasing due to Assam government ban on transportation of pigs through the state of Assam.

Extending support to the Pork Butcher Union Dimapur (PBUD), the PUDW warned that stern action would be initiated against the defaulters.

The union has also strongly appealed to the state government to address the issue at the earliest.

DIMAPUR, APR 28 (NPN): Andrea Kevichusa from Nagaland and Suman Adhikari from Assam made the Northeast proud by winning awards at the 68th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2023.

Andrea won the Best Debut Actors (female category) award for her role as Aido in ‘Anek’ and Suman won awards in two categories – Best Story and Best

PM virtually launches 100W FM transmitters for Mon, Tuensang

DIMAPUR, APR 28

(NPN): Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on Friday inaugurated 91 new 100W FM Transmitters across 18 states and two union territories including Mon and Tuensang in Nagaland via video conferencing.

Addressing the gathering, Modi said that today marks a significant step in the expansion of FM services by All India Radio (AIR) in the direction of becoming All India FM. He underlined that the beginning of 91 FM transmitters by AIR was like a present for 85 districts and two crore people of the nation. In a way, the Prime Minister

said it provides a glimpse of the diversity and colours of India.

He informed that the districts covered under the new 91 FM transmitters were aspirational districts and blocks, and congratulated AIR for the momentous achievement. He also congratulated the citizens of the Northeast who will

greatly benefit from this.

PM Modi underlined that the inauguration of 91 FM transmitters forwards the policies of the government that gives preference to the underprivileged who have been deprived of this facility so far. He said that the government was continuously working for the democratization of technol-

ogy. Modi touched upon the dimension of linguistic diversity and informed that FM transmission will take place in all the languages and especially in the regions with 27 dialects.

As part of the government’s commitment to enhancing FM connectivity in the country, 91 new 100W FM transmitters have been installed in 85 districts across 18 States and two Union Territories. A special focus of this expansion has been on enhancing coverage in Aspirational Districts and in border areas.

Mon: State lone Rajya Sabha MP, S Phangnon Konyak graced the occa -

Sec. 144 , internet shut in Churachandpur dist

Correspondent/Agencies

IMPHAL, APR 28: Tension prevailed in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Friday even as the state government shut down the use of mobile internet and deployed additional forces following a violent protest against the state government’s move to carry out a forest survey.

Police personnel also arrested two persons as protest continued in the district even after chief minister N Biren Singh cancelled his visit to the district on Friday.

Unidentified miscreants on Thursday night set fire to a hall and vandal -

Protesters block road during the 8-hour total shutdown on Friday. (NP)

ised properties where chief minister N Biren Singh was supposed to inaugurate a newly constructed gym and sports facility.

Besides suspending mobile internet service in Churachandpur and Pherzawl district, Manipur govern-

ment also clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC. Despite heightened security measures following the arson incident, a large number of protesters came out on the streets to protest against the chief minister’s

visit. Police resorted to firing tear gas shells as police were attacked with stones and catapults. A policeman was injured in the incident.

The clash broke out during the eight-hour total shutdown call given by Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) in the district, which began on Friday morning.

The shutdown was imposed to protest against the failure of the government to address several memoranda submitted highlighting grievances and apprehensions (about the survey carried out by the government) pertaining to reserved forest/protected forest etc. and eviction of villages.

Cong holds ‘Jai Bharat Satyagraha Yatra’ in Kohima

DIMAPUR, APR 28

(NPN): Nagaland Pradesh

Congress Committee on Friday concluded its statewide ‘Jai Bharat Satyagraha Yatra’ at Congress Bhavan, Kohima and vowed to save democracy.

Informing this in a press note, NPCC communication department said that the satyagraha was organised to protest against the “anti-democracy” policies Modi-led government, disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as Lok Sabha MP. The party also demand a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe or Supreme Courtmonitored probe, into the

financial irregularities committed by the Adani group. Addressing the programme, former NPCC president K Therie alleged that freedom of expression was being curtailed and alleged that the entire govern-

ment machinery was working to save Adani. “Democracy has collapsed. Fascism, Authoritative acts of the BJP government should be condemned by all,” Therie stated. Mentioning that satyagraha was needed to

save democracy, Therie alleged that the government at the Centre was bent on weakening democracy.

Host of Congress leaders led by NPCC president S Supongmeren Jamir also took part in the

sion as the guest of honour in Mon. Phangnon thanked the AIR for introducing FM, saying it was the vision of the Prime Minister that no one was left out even in such a far-flung area like Mon. She urged the citizens of Mon to lend their cooperation so in the future a proper station will be set up to cover the whole district.

KK Rengma, DDG (E)/cluster head, while delivering the welcome address, acknowledged the retired Staff of AIR Mon who had lent their time. He also requested the people of Mon to contribute through this medium.

(Cont’d on p-8)

Screenplay – for the movie Badhaai Do.

In her Instagram post, Andrea said “BEYOND grateful!! I had the honour of being awarded the Best Debut Female at the 68th Hyundai @filmfare Awards 2023 for my role as Aido in Anek.”

She also thanked all the people involved in the making of the film. “I am indebted to everyone for all

the support I have received in this journey,” she stated.

Andrea also shared a picture from the Filmfare Awards where she is seen alongside Salman Khan and Maniesh Paul, who hosted the event.

She played the role of Aido in the Anubhav Sinhadirected film that featured Ayushmann Khurrana in the lead role. The film was released in May last year.

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio and deputy chief minister Y. Patton also took to Twitter to congratulate Andrea Kevichusa.

“Happy to know that her hard work and talent have been recognized. I wish her the best for all her future endeavours,” Rio tweeted.

Congratulating Andrea Kevichusa and team ‘Anek’, Patton said: “May her (Andrea) journey guide and inspire aspiring artists in our state!”

IMD predicts wet spell over NE

DIMAPUR, APR 28

(NPN): India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that light/ moderate fairly widespread to widespread rainfall with thunderstorm/lightning/ gusty winds was very likely over the North East region during the next five days.

Met department predicted heavy rainfall likely at isolated places over Arunachal Pradesh during from April 28-May 2; Assam & Meghalaya during April 29-May 2 and over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura during May 1-2.

According to IMD’s monthly outlook for the temperature and rainfall during May 2023, maximum

temperatures are expected to be above normal over eastcentral and east India and some parts of Northeast and peninsular India.

Heatwaves: Extreme heatwaves are expected over eastern India in May, IMD director-general Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said on Friday, alerting the population of a region that has seen temperatures shoot up to around 42-44°C this month. Other parts of the country such as the east-central region, parts of the North-east and peninsular India are also expected to experience soaring temperatures in May, which could strain the power network, hurt the economy and threaten people’s lives.

6 abducted persons rescued in Dimapur

DIMAPUR, APR 28 (NPN): Assam Rifles personnel on the intervening night of April 27 and 28 rescued six civilians and arrested five NSCN (I-M) cadres. In a statement, PRO (Defence) said that the victims, some from Assam and Bihar, were kidnapped by NSCN (I-M) cadres between April 13 and 27 from different places. They held captive for ransom at Bamanpukhri area, Dimapur, “apparently an illegal place for similar nefarious activities by NSCN IM”, PRO said.

PRO named the NSCN cadres as-- ‘lieut.’ Khenito Assumi, ‘2nd lt.’ Neison, ‘lance cpl.’ Mughahuto,

‘sgt.’ Chonpenthung Murry and ‘sgt.’ Katoho Yeptho. The rescued persons were identified as-- Mulutayo Kezo, headmaster Govt High School, Kikruma, kidnapped on April 25; Akito Sumi resident of Dimapur kidnapped

on April 27; Raju Gupta (Bihar), kidnapped on April 21; Raj Kumar Das (Assam), kidnapped on April 21; Piyar Ali from (Assam), kidnapped on April 13 and Huvito Sumi, resident of Dimapur, kidnapped on April 27.

AR bust godown, seize areca nut consignment

(L-R) Police personnel at the site on Fridasy and areca nuts seized by AR personnel.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 28

(NPN): Assam Rifles (AR) personnel raided a godown in Seithekema area, below Patkai Christian College (PCC) Seithekema C in Chümoukedima district on Thursday night and seized

around 2,000 bags of areca nuts and other items worth several crores of rupees. Based on specific input, the AR personnel launched an operation and seized the items, an official said on condition of anonymity.

Though the official claimed that black pepper and poppy

seeds were also seized during the raid, it was yet to be ascertained as no official statement had been issued on the seizure. When media persons reached the spot, a person, claiming to be a local resident, alleged that the raid

satyagraha.

(L) PM inaugurating 91 FM transmitters (R) Pangnong at Mon FM station.

The six civilians rescued by Assam Rifles personnel. (PRO)

NPCC members during the ‘Jai Bharat Satyagraha Yatra’ at Congress Bhavan, Kohima.

Andrea speaking at the Award ceremony. (Via Instagram)

Nagaland suitable for oil palm cultivation: Yanthan

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, APR 28

(NPN): State level workshop-cum-awareness programme on oil palm cultivation in Nagaland was held at Angh House, Agri Expo Site, Chümoukedima, on Friday. The programme was organised by department of Agriculture.

Addressing the gathering as special guest, advisor of Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan said that oil palm cultivation was suitable in the state as the product has huge market margin all over the country.

He said edible oil was not very much in demand in the state, but there was huge market probability outside the state. “Demand for oil palm is very high in the country. Around 65% of edible oil comes from oil palm”, he said.

He also said that North East and Andaman and Nicobar Island were being targeted for potential growth of oil palm in the country. The advisor further pointed out that the

Cancel transfer orders of teachers:

SMC Phishumi

DIMAPUR: Head GBcum-SMC chairman of Phishumi village has appealed to the higher authority to immediately cancel all the transfer orders of teachers in Government Middle School (GMS) Phishumi In a press release, head GB –sumSMC chairman, Kughaho Assumi said the school has been left with only two teachers after six of them were transferred by the department of School Education without the knowledge of the School Management Committee (SMC). The chairman said that government has fully empowered SMC to control and issue NOC if any of the staff wants to transfer. The SMC chairman also said that GMS Phishumi was downgraded by the department of School Education in 2022, but the villagers did not complained. Therefore, the chairman cautioned that the village authorities will be compelled to take its own course of action, in the event of failing to revoke the transfer orders for which the department will be solely held responsible.

IDAN inks MoU for technology transfer

Immunization week observed at Jalukie

Meanwhile, delivering the key note address, director of Agrnculture, M Ben Yanthan, said that the Oil Palm cultivation in the state strated in 2016 for welfare of farmers, but could not flourish as planned.

Mhathung Yanthan

state has a taunting task, pointing out that around 15000 hectares have been earmarked for plantation of Oil Palm.

Therefore, Yanthan said that people have to work hard and give their best efforts to increase the production and reach the target for installation of processing plants. He said only around 1000 hectares have been currently utilized for Oil Palm cultivation which cannot meet the demands of a processing plant due to less production. Yanthan later expressed happiness to Godrej Agrovet Ltd and Patanjali Foods Ltd for taking up as the implementing agencies.

He said state government had earmarked around 15,000 hectares in the Foothills area for the plantation, without disturbing or destroying the natural biodiversity.

The director later informed that MoU was signed with Godrej Agrovet Ltd on January 10, 2023 and with Patanjali Foods Ltd on January 30, 2023.

Earlier, the programme was chaired and welcome address delivered by jt director, Agriculture, Z Hukhato Sema and vote of thanks delivered by deputy director, Agriculture, Dr Beremjungla.

The technical sessions were provided by the two implementing agencies and the department of Agriculture.

DIMAPUR: As part of building a conducive ecosystem for building Investment and Entrepreneurship in the state, Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) has signed a tripartite agreement on technology transfer with Nagaland Tool Room and Training Centre (NTTC) and Eco-Green. According to DIPR report, chairman of IDAN, Abu Metha expressed confidence that the project will lead to enhancement of rural livelihood activities. The agreement signed included technology transfer for manufacturing of nearly 10 rural entrepreneurship machines and

equipment, training, after sales and market linkages. He expressed the hope that NTTC should be rebranded and shall be converted into a State of the art manufacturing support centre, which will lead into more such engagements

NEWS IN BRIEF

KMC informs on trade license inspection: In continuation of its office notice issued on February 3, 2023, administrator Kohima Municipal Council (KMC), T. Lanusenla Longkumer has informed all business establishments/institutions within KMC jurisdiction that intensive trade license inspection will be conducted by KMC from May 1 onwards and defaulters will be imposed Rs. 2000/- as penalty along with other normal late fines as applicable.

NDPP Wokha region picnic: NDPP Wokha region organised picnic-cum-get together at Doyang bridge, Mokokchung road on April 25. The party thanked advisor of Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan and advisor to chief minister, Dr.Chumben Murry for sponsoring the programme.

CMO Phek informs: Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Phek has informed all the HoDs of Phek district that the District Medical Board for confirmation of service/commutation of pension for grade III and IV would be held on May 10 at the CMO, office Phek. Therefore, all head of the departments have been requested to submit the list of employees to undergo medical examination to the undersigned on or before May 6.

NSCN (I-M) informs: NSCN (I-M) ministry of chaplee has informed citizens, administrators, governmental department, contractors of Peren district that any financial aid or deduction of percentage related matters within the district has been prohibited without the concern of the finance incharge Peren (Ministry of Chaplee). In this connection, all concerned have been requested to comply with the notification.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

with national and international entities, centres of excellence and world class institutes.

NTTC principal highlighted that the project will include training for value added products such as banana fibre products, pine-

apple fibre products, and banana leaf tea cups, plates etc. Eco-Green highlighted the marketing potential’s that they have for produces from Nagaland in their existing marketing channels in Austria, US and UK. The potential of using the Stingy Nettle fibre and other natural fibres in the state to build a specialized product category for export from Nagaland through Eco-Green Channel was also deliberated. The event concluded with signing of MoU and discussion on prospects of upgradation of NTTC with commercial, economic and innovation verticals under the institution.

DIMAPUR: MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity (M-RITE) Project, Indian Social Responsibility Network (ISRN) observed World Immunization Week 2023 under the theme “The Big Catch-up” at Ramzie School, Jalukie on April 27. MO CHC, Jalukie, Dr. Michael Tetseo spoke on the importance of immunization and vaccination. A speech competition was held under the topic “The role of vaccines in preventing diseases” where Keyisabeule, Nsanglungle, Peniel won the first, second and third prizes.

NEXT POLL

Q: Is opposition to oil exploration along Assam-Nagaland border justified?

Lt. I. TALITSUBA IMCHEN

Born: 06.10.1961 Died: 19.04.2023

“And think of him as living in the hearts of those he touched. For nothing loved is ever lost and he was loved so much.”

~ Ellen Brenneman

The family members of Late I. Talitsuba Imchen, wish to express our sincere thanks and deep gratitude to all our relatives, friends and neighbours for the many gestures of kindness shown to us during our period of sad bereavement.

We offer our heartfelt thanks and recognition to every individual, unions and churches, to all well-wishers from far and near, for your compassionate display of respect and dignity showered upon the departed soul and family.

We are deeply moved by all the contributions, the immense support and love and the unceasing prayers we have received at our time of sorrow.

We remain truly grateful. God bless you all.

MKC-148/23

Family Members

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

K-904/23

SENLO KATH RENGMA

(01.03.1944 – 21.04.2023)

ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR (Retd) ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS

The Steadfast Love of the Lord never ceases, His Mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your Faithfulness.

Lamentations 3 :22-23

The family of Late Senlo Kath Rengma extends our heartfelt gratitude to all individuals, families, relatives, friends, neighbours and well-wishers for all expressions of sympathy, prayers, floral tributes and support shown following our recent sudden bereavement.

We have been overwhelmed by the love, support and care and we want to thank all who have offered their condolences and kindness at what has been a very difficult time for us.

Your support and prayers have helped to sustain us through this time.

We regret our inability to thank each one of you individually but we pray for God’s abundant blessings upon each of you.

Loving Wife, Children, In-Laws and Grand Children

A five-member team from Nagaland attended the festival of Innovation and Entrepreneurship from April 10- 13 held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. The event was organized by department of Science and Technology and National Innovation Foundation-India.

Abu Metha and officials after signing MoU.

14 arrested in IPL betting racket

PANAJI, APR 28

(IANS): The crime branch unit of the Goa Police on Friday busted an IPL betting racket and arrested 14 people, said officials.

Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Nidhin Valsan informed that all 14 accused persons were caught red-handed and have been arrested from Porvorim in North Goa.

“All accused persons were caught red-handed while accepting bets on the ongoing 20-20 IPL Cricket match played between Rajasthan Royal and Chennai Super Kings and seized from their possession cash of Rs 38,000, 47 mobile phones, one laptop, three LED TVs, three net routers, three set-top boxes, one router modem and other gaming electrical accessories all worth of Rs 25,38,000,” Valsan said.

Delhi student killed near school premises

NEW DELHI, APR 28

(IANS): In a shocking incident, a Class 8 student was beaten to death near an MCD government school in Delhi’s Badarpur area, an official said on Friday. According to police, the incident occurred late Thursday evening. “A police control room call was received at 8:20 p.m. in which a woman caller claimed that two boys had beaten up a child, who is also a school student and thrown him in a drain near the school,” said a senior police official. Upon reaching the spot, the police found the body of a boy aged around 12-13 years in the drain in his school uniform.

Man arrested for killing wife, chopping body

GURUGRAM, APR 28

(IANS): A 34-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly killing his wife and chopping her body and discarding the parts in Gurugram, police said. The police recovered the halfburnt torso of the victim from a room built in the fields of Kukdola village in Manesar area on April 21. Later, the police also found her hands and head.

Two held for cheating doctor of Rs 25 lakh

THANE, APR 28 (PTI): Two persons have been arrested for allegedly cheating a doctor from Maharashtra’s Akola district of Rs 25 lakh on the pretext of selling him gold, police said on Friday. The police have registered a case under section 420 (cheating) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code against two arrested accused, who are doctors, and two others involved in the crime, senior inspector Jitendra Rathod said.

BJP, Cong seek EC ban on campaigning by leaders of other side in Karnataka

NEW DELHI, APR 28

(PTI): With the election campaign in Karnataka witnessing a bitter war of words between the BJP and the Congress, both the parties rushed to the Election Commission Friday seeking ban on electioneering by top leaders of the other side.

While the BJP sought an FIR and a bar on campaigning by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress demanded restrictions on Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Kharge is under attack from the BJP after he likened Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a “poisonous snake” during a poll rally. Shah and Yogi have been accused of flaring communal passions and creating disharmony in the poll-bound state with their statements against minorities.

Union minister Bhupender Yadav led a BJP delegation and urged the poll body to file a criminal case against Kharge and bar him from campaigning in the Karnataka assembly polls.

He later told report -

ers that Kharge’s comment was not merely a slip of the tongue but part of the Congress’ “hate politics”.

BJP general secretary Tarun Chugh said Kharge is a “habitual offender” and noted that Congress leaders have made a number of “hateful” personal attacks on Modi.

The BJP has demanded registration of an FIR under IPC sections 499 and 500, which deal with defamation, and Section 504, which deals with the offence of deliberate insults and provocation.

The delegation also included BJP chief spokesperson Anil Baluni and party leader Om Pathak.

‘Why paraded before media’, SC seeks status report on Atiq-Ashraf murders

NEW DELHI, APR 28

After the row erupted over his “poisonous snake” barb, Kharge later clarified that his remarks were not aimed at the prime minister but at the ruling BJP and its ideology.

In retaliation to Kharge’s remarks, BJP MLA from Vijayapur Basanagouda Patil Yatnal on Friday likened former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to a ‘vishkanya’ (venomous maiden).

“Kharge should be barred from campaigning in Karnataka elections so as to contain the spread of such acrimonious campaign and set an example that the Commission will not brook any violation of MCC or

Excise scam: Delhi court denies bail to Sisodia in money laundering case

NEW DELHI, APR 28

(PTI): A Delhi court on Friday dismissed the bail application of AAP leader Manish Sisodia in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam.

Special Judge M K Nagpal denied the relief to Sisodia, saying the stage was not fit to grant him bail.

The judge had reserved the order after hearing arguments on Sisodia’s plea seeking relief claiming that his custody was no longer required for investigation.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had opposed the application, asserting the investigation was at a “crucial” stage and claiming

the senior AAP leader had planted fabricated e-mails to show there was public approval for the policy.

The federal agency also said it had found fresh evidence of his complicity in the alleged crime.

The court had on March 31 dismissed Sisodia’s bail application in

a corruption case, being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), saying he was “prima facie the architect” in the criminal conspiracy behind alleged payment of advance kickbacks of around Rs 90-100 crore meant for him and his colleagues in the Delhi government. The court had observed that the release of Sisodia, at the moment, would “adversely affect the ongoing investigation”.

The CBI and the ED had arrested Sisodia for alleged corruption in the formulation and execution of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 and for laundering the money so generated.

other laws of the land,” the BJP memorandum to EC said.

Comparing anyone to a p oisonous snake in Indian society projects such an individual as an “enemy, untrustworthy, unfaithful, treacherous, and deceitful”, it said, adding that Kharge and his party are repeat offenders.

The Congress reached the Election Commission in the evening and urged it to ban Shah and Adityanath from campaigning for the May 10 Karnataka assembly polls for their alleged derogatory statements against the minority community that create an atmosphere of communal disharmony.

The delegation including Abhishek Singhvi, Pawan Kumar Bansal and Mukul Wasnik, met the chief election commissioner and the election commissioners, and requested the poll panel to ensure a levelplaying field in the southern state.

The Congress will also seek all legal options with regard to the “vishkanya” remark.

(IANS): The Supreme Court on Friday directed Uttar Pradesh government to bring on record steps taken and inquiries which have been initiated into the killings of Atiq Ahmed and his brother, while they were taken for medical check-up in police custody, and also shot a volley of questions to the state government in connection with the lapse of their security. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the UP government, said the killers came in the guise of news photographers. A bench comprising Justices S. Ravindra Bhat and Dipankar Datta asked how did they know? Referring to the shooting of Atiq and his brother live on TV, the bench questioned why they were not taken into the van till the hospital, why were they made to walk and paraded before the media?

The UP government counsel submitted that as per orders of the court, they have to be taken for medical test every two days, so the press knew and the government has appointed a commission to examine the

matter and urged the court to not issue notice in the matter and the government will produce records.

The bench said that the petitioner is claiming there is a pattern, maybe the commission can take a sample case, and there was another encounter. The UP government counsel said Atiq and the family were involved in criminal activities for a long time. The bench also sought a report from the UP government on the police encounter of Atiq Ahmad’s son, Asad in Jhansi. Asad was killed in an encounter by a special task force (ST) team of the UP Police on April 13. The top court has scheduled the matter for further hearing after three weeks. The top court was

hearing a plea seeking a probe into the killings of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf. The plea sought a direction for setting up of an expert committee headed by a former apex court judge to investigate the killings.

Advocate Vishal Tiwari moved the apex court seeking an independent expert committee and also sought an inquiry into the 183 encounters that have taken place in Uttar Pradesh since 2017. Ahmad and his brother were shot dead by three assailants, posing as journalists, while they were being escorted by police personnel to a medical college in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj for a check up on Saturday night.

J-K bribery cases: CBI quizzes ex-JK gov Malik for 5 hrs

NEW DELHI, APR 28 (PTI) The CBI questioned former Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik for nearly five hours Friday in connection with its probe into the alleged insurance scam in the Union Territory which came to light after his statement that he was offered bribes to clear related files, officials said.

A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team arrived at the Som Vihar residence of Malik in the R K Puram area of the national capital around 11.45 am to seek clarifications over his claims, they said.

Officials said the exercise continued for nearly five hours during which several questions were lobbed at him about the claims made in his statements recorded

ModibashingwillonlyhelpBJPwinmoreseats:Shah

HUBBALLI, APR 28

(IANS): Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday that slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi will only help the BJP win more seats in the May 10 Assembly elections in Karnataka.

Addressing a public rally here, Shah said, “Sonia Gandhi had called Modi ‘Maut Ka Saudagar’. Rahul Gandhi calls him a lower caste man. But no matter how much you humiliate the Prime Minister, lotus will bloom in Karnataka. More threats to Modi will only create a pro-BJP wave.”

Shah’s remarks cam a day after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge likened Prime Minister Modi to a “poisonous snake”, drawing strong rebuke from the BJP. Kharge

AR bust godown, seize areca nut consignment

(From p-1) carried out by the Assam Rifles was “illegal” as there was no search warrant or presence of State police/magistrate during the raid.

The person, who also did not wish to disclose his identity, alleged that the AR personnel broke open the lock and carried out the raid when no one was present. When asked about the seized items, he admitted that there were around

1,500 bags of locally grown areca nuts collected from several villages to be sent outside Nagaland. He claimed that there was nothing illegal about the items as the areca nuts were locally grown and exported after completing all paper works like GST, toll tax, etc. He estimated the seized goods to be approximately worth around Rs 80 lakh.

A police team reached the spot and the seized items and three trucks. The seized items were to be

handed over the Customs Prevention department Dimapur for investigation. Police officials at the site did not wish to comment stating that the matter was under investigation. Meanwhile, according to reports, it was claimed that the AR team seized approximately 200 tons of Burmese areca nuts along with 10,000 kgs of black pepper and 1400 kgs of poppy seeds, which were stocked in the godown for few months.

Andrea Kevichusa and Suman Adhikari make NE...

(From p-1)

Meanwhile, at this year’s Filmfare Awards, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi and Harshavardhan Kulkarni’s Badhaai Do were among the big winners.

Gangubai Kathiawadi won 10 awards, while Badhaai Do received trophies in six different categories. Gangubai Kathiawadi won the Best Director for Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Best Actress for Alia Bhatt.

Rajkummar Rao won Best Actor Award for his performance in Badhaai Do.

Meanwhile, Tabu and Bhumi Pednekar shared the award for the Best Actress (Critics) for Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and Badhaai Do respectively. In the critics category, Sanjay Mishra won the Best Actor for his performance in Vadh. Veteran actor Prem Chopra was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

later retracted his comment, saying that his remarks were not aimed at the Prime Minister, but at his party.

Addressing the rally, Shah said that former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa had presented a special budget for the agriculture sector and had worked for their welfare.

“He (Yediyurappa) brought happiness in the lives of the farmers of north Karnataka,” the Home Minister said.

“People should decide for the comprehensive development of the state. If the BJP comes to

power, development will take place.

But if the Congress comes to power, the state will suffer in terms of development,” Shah said. The Home Minister also said that the Congress has always betrayed the farmers. “Farmers were shot during the Congress regime. The future of the state depends on the upcoming elections. The Congress led by Rahul ‘baba’ will provide a reverse gear government. Do you want a reverse gear government,” Shah asked the gathering.

with the CBI last year. This is the second time in seven months that Malik, who served as governor of various states, was quizzed by the CBI. Officials, however, clarified that Malik is not an accused or a suspect in the case so far. His statement was recorded in October last year after he concluded his gubernatorial responsibilities in Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Goa, and Megha-

laya. After the latest CBI notice to seek clarifications from him, Malik had tweeted, “I have exposed the sins of some people by speaking the truth. Maybe that’s why I have been called. I am the son of a farmer, I will not panic. I stand by the truth.”

The CBI registered two FIRs in connection with the corruption allegations levelled by Malik in awarding contracts for a group medical insurance scheme for government employees and civil work worth Rs 2,200 crore related to the Kiru hydroelectric power project in J&K. Malik had claimed that he was offered a Rs 300 crore bribe for clearing two files during his tenure as the Jammu and Kashmir governor between August 23, 2018, and October 30, 2019.

The agency has booked Reliance General Insurance and Trinity Re-Insurance Brokers Limited as accused in its FIR related to the medical insurance scheme for J&K govt employees reportedly cleared by Malik at a state administrative council meeting on August 31, 2018. The scheme was subsequently scrapped. Unknown officials of the finance department of the government of J&K, by abusing their official positions in a conspiracy and connivance with Trinity Reinsurance Brokers Limited, Reliance General Insurance Company Limited and other unknown public servants and private persons, have committed the offences of criminal conspiracy and criminal misconduct,” one of the FIRs allege.

12-hr bandh hit life in North Bengal

RAIGANJ/COOCH BE-

HAR/MALDA (WB),

APR 28 (PTI): Normal life was affected in the eight northern districts of West Bengal on Friday due to a 12-hour bandh called by the BJP to protest “atrocities on the tribal community” in the backdrop of a girl’s death in Kaliaganj last week.

Protestors damaged two buses in Cooch Behar, where scuffles and heated a verbal spat between BJP and Trinamool Congress workers were also reported.

However, in other places, the bandh remained peaceful even as 100 agitators were detained from

GOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND DIRECTORATE OF ART AND CULTURE NAGALAND ; KOHIMA

No. AC/PC/3/2020-21 Dated Kohima, the ......April ‘2023.

“ONLINE FOLK SONG COMPETITION” under the Banner ‘AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV’ Theme: ‘Unity through Folk Song’ Date: 24th May, 2023

1. The competition shall be open to Local Folk Artistes, Cultural Troupes & Institutions in the State of Nagaland.

2. The participating group shall present 1(One) Folk Song in full Traditional Attires.

3. The performance should be of minimum 2 (Two) minutes and maximum 3 (Three) Minutes duration.

4. The song is to be presented in respective local dialect.

5. The Participants shall not be less than 15 (Fifteen) persons and not more than 30 (Thirty) persons.

6. The participating groups are required to send/submit Recorded Video (in digital format/ DVD/Pen-drive) along with the Lyrics (PDF Format) of the song in English to Email ID: artandculture2023competition@gmail.com or to the Directorate office in person on 24th May, 2023.

Note: No Audio recording shall be accepted.

7. There shall be no entry fee for participation in the competition.

8. The panel of judges shall be appointed to judge the competition and the decision of the judges shall be final and binding.

9. The competition will be judged on the basis of the following:

i) Voice, Intonation & Rhythm ii) Harmony iii) Expression iv) Music arrangement v) Traditional Attires/Costumes vi) Overall impact.

10. The winning participants/groups will be given prizes and certificates.

1st Prize - Rs. 30,000/-

2nd Prize - Rs. 15,000/-

3rd Prize - Rs. 12,000/-

11. The participating folk singers should be from any age group of 10 years & above

12. The Entry Form can be downloaded from the Department Website www.artandculture. nagaland.gov.in and duly filled in form (in PDF format) can submitted to Directorate of Art and Culture office through Email ID: artandculture2023competition@gmail.com or WhatsApp No. 8798030180 on or before 15th May ‘2023.

13. The Department will announce the competition result in the local Newspapers.

14. The Department reserves the right to modify, change and to interpret the contents of the

different parts of the region, a police officer said. Protesters damaged two buses operated by the state-run NBSTC, while BJP activists put up road blockades in different parts of the region, affecting normal life despite heavy police deployment.

Residents of Siliguri, Jalpaiguri, Raiganj, Kaliaganj, Tufanganj, Balarampur and Cooch Behar town remained indoors as business establishments were shut and vehicles off the

roads due to the band that began at 6 am. “Barring a few stray incidents, the bandh remained peaceful. Our officers were alert and averted any attempt at disrupting law and order. We took strict action and detained over 100 people trying to disturb the peace,” a senior police officer said.

In Tufanganj’s Chowpati area, police had to intervene when TMC activists tried to stop a BJP rally.

Gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf Ahmed. (PTI)

Amit Shah

Manish Sisodia

Satya Pal Malik

Amit Shah and Mallikarjun Kharge

Wrestling for justice

Sevenwomen wrestlers on April 23 filed a fresh complaint alleging sexual exploitation by Wrestling Federation of India(WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, months after Commonwealth Games gold medallist Vinesh Phogat went public with the accusations on January 18. The Indian wrestling champions like Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and others have been demonstrating in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for the past five days to demand the arrest of WFI chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Singh whom they accused of sexual harassment. They had earlier filed a complaint to IOA president P.T.Usha on January 20,2023 alleging sexual harassment of women athletes not only by the BJP MP but also other coaches. In their complaint, the wrestlers have cited multiple instances of sexual harassment, dating back to 2012 and as recent as 2022. They also alleged that at least on four occasions, the harassment took place at Brij Bhushan’s MP bungalow at Ashoka Road, New Delhi, which also doubles up as the WFI office. The reason they did not raise the issue before was their fear of facing consequences, the complainants said. Despite the second complaint, the latest with the Connaught Place police station, no FIR had been registered. After hearing the petition, the Supreme Court on April 25, called the sexual harassment allegations against the BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh “serious” and issued notice to the Delhi Police in the matter. It was only after the court’s intervention did the Delhi Police register the FIR on April 28 against the WFI chief and others. The handling of the issue by the government calls into question its injustice do the national heroes who have earned laurels to the country in global competitions. Even the Delhi Police appeared to be dragging its feet by not filing the FIR despite complaint made first made in January. The court’s intervention and later, registration of the FIR came after top wrestlers, including Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik along with world championship medallist Vinesh Phogat, returned to Jantar Mantar on April 23 , three months after they first began a sit-in protest against Brij Bhushan, for sexual harassment, among other issues. The sports minister Anurag Thakur had tried to placate the wrestlers in calling off their protest by assuring he would resolve the issue. However the wrestlers were in no mood to relent until the WFI president was removed from his post and a new wrestling committee formed. Also at the request of the wrestlers, the government formed a seven-member committee headed by boxer M.C.Mary Kom to inquire into the incident . Besides boxer Mary Kom, the committee also includes Yogeshwar Dutt, archer Dola Banerjee and Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) president and IOA treasurer Sahdev Yadav. The committee also has two advocates - Talish Ray and Shlok Chandra - besides former shuttler and IOA joint secretary Alaknanda Ashok as its vice chairperson. The committee has reportedly submitted its report to the sports ministry but its contents kept under wraps. It is surprising that the government appears to be dragging its feet on the matter which has attracted international attention and also outrage from across India.

DailyDevotion

What You Will Get

I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go. —Jeremiah 45:5

This is the firm and immovable secret of the Lord to those who trust Him– “I will give your life to you….” What more does a man want than his life?

It is the essential thing. “…your life…as a prize…” means that wherever you may go, even if it is into hell, you will come out with your life and nothing can harm it. So many of us are caught up in exhibiting things for others to see, not showing off property and possessions, but our blessings. All these things that we so proudly show have to go. But there is something greater that can never go– the life that “is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

Are you prepared to let God take you into total oneness with Himself, paying no more attention to what you call the great things of life? Are you prepared to surrender totally and let go? The true test of abandonment or surrender is in refusing to say, “Well, what about this?” Beware of your own ideas and speculations. The moment you allow yourself to think, “What about this?” you show that you have not surrendered and that you do not really trust God. But once you do surrender, you will no longer think about what God is going to do. Abandonment means to refuse yourself the luxury of asking any questions. If you totally abandon yourself to God, He immediately says to you, “I will give your life to you as a prize….” The reason people are tired of life is that God has not given them anything— they have not been given their life “as a prize.” The way to get out of that condition is to abandon yourself to God. And once you do get to the point of total surrender to Him, you will be the most surprised and delighted person on earth. God will have you absolutely, without any limitations, and He will have given you your life. If you are not there, it is either because of disobedience in your life or your refusal to be simple enough.

By Oswald Chambers

Quotes

A year of crucial importance

India presently is in the midst of efforts by the Narendra Modi government to reach a new high in building international relations, maintain domestic peace in the face of a planned attempt of hostile forces within and abroad to push the country towards a serious communal divide and establish once again - in the run-up to the next General Election - the image and strength of India as the world’s largest democracy.

India’s Presidency of G20, the challenge posed by the rise of minority politics at home and the concerted campaign of opposition parties including the regional entities against the ruling dispensation, all cumulatively add to the need for effective and firm governance in the country in the pre-election year.

Prime Minister Modi’s foreign policy initiatives have enhanced India’s image abroad and have also delivered on trade and economic relations, but the regime seems to be facing an increasing challenge in the area of internal security and stability because of divisive and disruptive politics at home and the organised attempts of anti-India forces within and outside of the country to build a narrative that India was moving towards an authoritarian, majoritarian and non-secular rule.

Since the Modi government’s development agenda is in full swing and its schemes for the less privileged have also made an impact, the opposition was taking to finding fault with the democratic content of the present dispensation at the Centre and alleging misuse of coercive instruments of the state by the regime to selectively run down the leaders of other parties.

India however, is used to the ‘wisdom of the crowd’ asserting itself in all critical situations and there is little doubt that in a national poll, people would make a sound judgement on the integrity of the

Modi government, its political will in safeguarding national security and the sincerity of its efforts to develop the country economically. India has made its G20 Presidency an event with a difference- its motto ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘World is one family’ setting the note for a global mission that India wished to pursue on this forum.

On the initiative of Prime Minister Modi various international conferences in the run-up to the G20 Summit in September are being held at different locations across India to give the visitors a feel of the vastness, cultural richness and development, of this country and to spread the awareness among the people here, of the big strides India was taking to make its presence felt international.

Three distinct features of G20 attract attention - the rise of India as a major power in the world with considerable influence on issues of global peace and development, the continuity of the policy of bilateral relations extended to a multilateral format that guaranteed mutually beneficial outcomes for both security and economic advancement and the designing of G20 events in a manner that would promote domestic growth.

India is already the leading power in South Asia and the G20 Presidency has provided it with an opportunity of gaining the leadership of the South by propounding the cause of the less developed countries across the entire range of issues from economic support to an equal say in environment protection.

Nine of the twenty G20 members and as many as seven of the nine invitees represent the South and India has done well to have deliberations on the specific matters of concern affecting them.

G20 meetings being held in Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir convey among other things, India’s assertive answer to China and Pakistan

who had been raising a dispute about these territories. The domestic scene in India has for some time been subjected to communal divide, regional centrifugalism and politics of allegations about the style of functioning of the Modi government.

The phenomenon of the Hindu-Muslim divide creating communal violence in India was the inevitable legacy of Partition but the severity of riots did taper down with time. However, the schism between the two communities has been perpetuated because of the ‘Minority politics’ that the Ulema and the elite guiding the Muslims as also many of the political parties, indulged in for their vested interests - considering that as a useful aid in elections.

During the Modi regime forces in the opposition have constantly accused the former of promoting ‘majoritarianism’ for pushing the country towards Hindu rule and tried to build a narrative- in many cases in conjunction with antiIndia lobbies abroad - that the minorities were feeling ‘unprotected’ under the present government.

The failure of an individual state government on the law and order front in any case of targeted public violence against individuals was unfairly blamed totally on the Centre - in disregard of the fact that the state was autonomous in handling crime and order in the Constitutional scheme of things.

The threat to the internal security and stability of India is aggravated by the propaganda offensive of Pakistan alleging that the Muslim minority here was unsafe under the Modi rule and the attempt of that country to raise this question at the Organisation of Islamic Conference(OIC) on the plea that Muslims of India were part of ‘Ummah’ to which the entire Muslim world particularly Pakistan stood committed.

Pakistan, supported by

China, has voiced its opposition to the abrogation of Art 370 by the Indian Parliament, at the United Nations and implicitly projected Kashmir as a ‘Muslim issue’. India has taken appropriate measures on diplomatic, political and domestic fronts to counter the narrative floated by the adversaries.

In recent years, the communal divide has been exploited by anti-India forces within and outside of the country to foster faith-based militancy to foment terrorism in India and enlarge the ambit of cross-border terrorism in Kashmir as well by injecting a religion-linked motivation.

The trend that began with the formation of Indian Mujahideen (IM) as an offspring of the Students Islamic Movement of India(SIMI) - which had been established earlier by the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind at Aligarh in 1978- culminated in the early Nineties into the call for Jehad in Kashmir replacing the earlier slogans of Plebiscite and Azaadi as Pak ISI planned to replicate the success of Afghan Jehad in the valley.

The pro-Pak lobbies in India and abroad have continued to abstain from naming Pakistan for cross-border terrorism in Kashmir and have in fact joined hands in fomenting Muslim separatism by alleging that the Modi government was deviating from the democratic path, by voicing opposition to the current policy of ‘no talks with Pakistan’ and by even deprecating the advocacy of nationalism by the present regime.

Ever since the Sino-Pak axis has become aggressive against India, external threats to India’s internal security had multiplied- the two hostile neighbours were using their potential to fish in the troubled waters of India.

In the run-up to the General Election next year the country is exposed to an everincreasing Hindu-Muslim

divide primarily because of the politically-motivated campaign of the anti-BJP forces to the effect that the Modi government was pursuing the RSS agenda of establishing Hindu Rashtra in India and working against the Muslim minority.

The opposition parties evidently believed that against a highly divided Hindu community, consolidation of Muslim votes behind them would greatly improve their electoral prospects.

The Muslim minority is largely guided in politics by its leaders but the community is not a monolith in terms of its political stand. It is good to reach out to various segments and sects to gain their trust- this is precisely what the ruling dispensation is attempting to do.

The anti-BJP parties often in collaboration with civil society groups opposed to the Modi government are projecting the present regime as illiberal- given to nepotism and violation of Constitutional norms.

Indian electorate however is a shrewd judge of whether or not Prime Minister Modi was taking the country on the path of economic development, unfailing national security and special attention to the poor and the underprivileged. It can set its sights above the political tussles that were going on between the ruling party and its detractors.

The pre-election year is crucial both for testing the rise of India as a global power and evaluating the Modi government’s success in governance at home.

The presidency of G20 and the dynamic framework in which its international conferences had been planned would certainly equip India with unprecedented potential as a world power, make it the fastest growing economy, a tourist destination of repute and an attractive market for investment and would also reaffirm its democratic foun-

dations. Pakistan and China, the two hostile neighbours, would engage in putting down India’s image as a self-supportive, secular and peaceloving democracy. However, the reform-oriented, growth driven and welfare-minded rule of Prime Minister Modi is moving ahead along a nationalist path, undeterred by the distracting narratives built by anti-India forces within the country and outside.

The rise of the BJP government at the Centre has prompted some Tamil parties to revive their anti-North and anti-Hindi rhetoric for political reasons even though they knew that their state was completely integrated with the Central administrative mainstream.

Modi government needs to critically examine the quality of law and order management offered by the states, work for effective oversight on the IAS and IPS as the civil services that provided a uniform, apolitical and people-oriented administration throughout the country and do all it takes to ensure that national security was kept above politics in this country.

It should adopt bold measures to train, monitor and support the national civil services as India’s prime instrument of governance and not hesitate to effectively intervene as per the mandate of the Constitution in the event of a state government failing to maintain administrative integrity in general and the law and order situation in particular.

The image of a country in the international community is determined significantly by the merit of the democratic governance of the nation and the political will of its leadership to respond to both security and economic challenges.

D.C. Pathak (The writer is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau. Views expressed are personal)

Mann Ki Baat: The voice of India’s traditional handlooms

The pride of the Indian National movement before independence is ‘Khadi’. After independence, the pride of Swadeshi is ‘Khadi’. Presently the identity of ‘self-reliant India’ is ‘Khadi’.

The mantra of ‘Vocal for Local’ by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has made Khadi ‘Local to Global’. Now Khadi is not just a symbol of fashion but has become the most powerful medium of change in the lives of the poor. Before independence, revered Bapu made India’s national heritage ‘Khadi’ the most powerful medium of non-violent movement; The same Khadi was made the most powerful pillar of the foundation of ‘Self-reliant India’ by Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the craftsman of New India.

The Prime Minister’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program has made the most significant contribution in making Khadi self-reliant, as a result of which the total business of Khadi and village industry products has crossed Rs 1.15 lakh crore in 20212022, which is a history in itself.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had said in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ that when we buy any Khadi product, we light up the lives of lakhs of weavers who toil day and night. This shows the commitment of the present government towards rural

India, under the leadership of the Prime Minister. It is the outcome of the same that the acceptance of Khadi products at the national and international levels has increased in recent years and its benefits have gone to the Khadi workers working at the grassroots level. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), has boosted the remuneration of Khadi artisans by over 33 per cent with effect from April 1, 2023. Since 2014, there has been an increase of more than 150 per cent in remuneration.

After independence, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission was established in the year 1956 to promote Khadi and Village Industries activities. The Commission is implementing flagship employmentoriented programs of the Government of India under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). On 3 October 2014, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi through his radio broadcast program ‘Mann Ki Baat’ appealed to the citizens of the country to buy Khadi, which revived the Khadi sector. Prime Minister had said that “If you buy any Khadi product, you light a lamp of prosperity in a poor person’s home”. As a result, “a 125% increase in the sale of Khadi was registered within a week”.

Khadi and Village Industries

World Veterinary Day is observed to honour veterinarians and other members of the veterinary profession for their dedication to animal health and welfare and to highlight the different facets of the works performed by these professionals around the world. World Veterinary Day is marked on the last Saturday of April every year since its creation in 2000 by the World Veterinary Association (WVA). This year, it falls on April 29 under the theme, “Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness in the Veterinary Profession.”

The theme highlights on embracing the differences while respecting and recognizing everyone, feeling safe, heard, and valued no matter the age, class, ethnicity, gender, health, race, religion, education and job level, personality traits, or other differences. It also highlights on the need to remove barriers and improve inclusiveness through diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices in a diverse world.

Veterinarians play a vital role in our

Commission has made Khadi a fashion choice not only in India but internationally by bringing innovation in Khadi fabrics. The mantra of ‘Khadi for Nation, Khadi for Fashion and Khadi for Transformation’ by the Prime Minister has become a major medium of change. Similarly, for the promotion of village industry products, under the “Honey Mission” program from 2017-18 till now, 1.80 lakh bee-boxes and Bee Colony have been given to more than 18 thousand beneficiaries and more than 25 thousand electricity kits to potters under the Potter Empowerment Program, under the Leather Industry around 3,100 artisans were provided training in skill development and more than 1600 were provided with advanced tools kits for footwear manufacturing. Similarly, 1080 pedal-operated machines were also distributed to the agarbatti artisans after training. Along with this, agro-based and food processing industries, Turnwood Craft, Khadi Natural Paint, Project RE-HAB, Khadi Fabric Footwear and Handmade Paper Manufacturing Scheme gave a new identity to rural industries. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission had built a record of employing new startups through the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Program (PMEGP) during the period of Corona epidemic when there was a

record decline in industries around the world and a huge increase in unemployment. Taking the crisis as an opportunity, during the financial year ending March 31, 2021, which was largely affected by the nationwide lockdown, the Commission has created 5,95,320 jobs by disbursing Rs.2188.78 crores. This was the highest level ever since its launch in 2008. Taking a giant leap in the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign, KVIC has employed 64,30,618 people since 2008, in the last financial year 202122, by disbursing margin money of Rs.19148.01 crores.

The promotion of Khadi in the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program by the Prime Minister has increased the sale of Khadi on normal days. In the last financial year, on October 2, 2022, the ‘Khadi India’ showroom located at Connaught Place, New Delhi, sold nearly 1 Khadi-Village Industries product worth Rs 34 crore, which is the biggest sale ever in a single day. During the Har Ghar Tiranga program of the Government of India in the 75th year of independence, there has been an increase of 75 per cent in demand for the National Flag made of Khadi. With the efforts of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Khadi has become a popular brand, especially among the youth. It is the prime choice of top fashion designers in the country. In the finan-

World Veterinary Day 2023

society, and their work is essential for the health and well-being of animals.

They are responsible for diagnosing and treating animals and providing preventive care.

This demanding profession can be both challenging and rewarding, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility.

The desire to enable animals to be as healthy and happy as possible has not altered since the profession began.

Working at a veterinary clinic can be a physically taxing job. Vets and supporting staffs are always on their feet for most of their shifts and often end up working hours that span well beyond an eight-hour shift.

They are also exposed to diseases, the possibility of bites or other physical injury caused by animals. Therefore, taking precautions against zoonotic diseases is important in order to maintain working conditions and production and increase quality.

Significant zoonotic diseases include bacterial diseases such as tuberculosis, teta-

nus, anthrax, brucellosis, salmonellosis, etc.; viral diseases such as rabies, Q fever etc.; fungal diseases such as ring worm, candidiasis etc. Veterinar ians also have to deal with the stress of knowing that their job involves caring for sick and injured animals, many of which will not survive.

Vets often witness the effects of animal cruelty firsthand. They may also be called upon to euthanize healthy animals that have been abandoned or are no longer wanted by their owners. This can be very upsetting for vets, who usually become attached to the animals in their care.

The job can be emotionally taxing when dealing with upset clients and sick or dying animals on a daily basis. Thus, proper protocols should be in place to ensure that staffs get proper breaks and take care of themselves mentally, physically and emotionally.

The biggest challenge for veterinary practitioner is to keep themselves updated on the changing standards, emerging trends and new drugs, therapies and treatments in

cial year 2014-15 to 2021-22, when the production of Khadi increased by 191 per cent, there was a jump of 332 per cent in sales. While the production of the village industry sector increased by 206 per cent during the same period, while sales increased by 245 per cent, a government procurement order of Rs 45 crore to KVIC during the second lockdown of the Covid pandemic has been a big boost for Khadi artisans. Be it Khadi clothes, handicraft products or food made in village industries, these items have given India international recognition as a nation as well as made it selfsufficient. These products are not only world-class but also close to nature. For the present world grappling with climate change, these products coming from our villages can prove to be ideal, which is the identity of a self-reliant India.

Prime Minister’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio program is going to complete its hundred episodes on April 30, 2023. I hope that the way we have adopted Khadi, we will take a pledge to be more ‘Vocal for Local’ than before and make India self-reliant in every sense.

Manoj Kumar, Chairman, Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Government of India

the field. Today, clinicians are unquestionably more knowledgeable about the animals they treat, and better equipped to tackle the diseases they combat than any generation before them.

Nevertheless, the high dropout rate from the profession and the negative impact on the mental health of many veterinarians must serve as a warning that being an animal professional in the 21st century carries with it burdens as well as rewards. The people who become veterinarians endure it all for the sheer love of the job and a deep rooted passion for helping animals.

Animals can’t speak to us and tell us what hurts. Being able to connect with an animal to determine the nature of an illness or injury takes many skills. Using those skills to help restore an animal’s health brings great joy that makes all of the stressful times worthwhile. Ultimately, for those in the veterinary profession, happy and healthy animals are the greatest reward.

Written by: Veterinary Hospital Kohima

“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”

~ Albert Einstein

SNIPPETS

Man gunned down by assailants

NEW DELHI, APR 28

(IANS): A 35-year-old man was shot dead in broad daylight by three assailants in Central Delhi on Friday, the police said.

The deceased has been identified as Imran alias Nanhe, a resident of Laxmi Nagar.

According to the police, at around 3:30 p.m. on Friday, an incident of firing was reported from Kabutar Market near Dargah Sheikh Kalimullah.

When the SHO of Jama Masjid police station along with his team reached the spot, they found that an injured person has been taken to the hospital, where he died during treatment.

154 stones removed from kidney of a patient

HYDERABAD, APR 28 (IANS): Urologists at Asian Institute of Nephrology & Urology (AINU), Secunderabad have successfully removed 154 stones from the right kidney of a 45-year-old male patient. The patient, a resident of Ramagundam area in Telangana, was presented with CT scan report showing few calculi in the kidney, the largest calculi measuring approximately 62mm x 39mm.

After obtaining his blood sugar levels under control, he underwent endoscopic surgery - Per Cutaneous Nephrolithotomy.

The large stone measuring 62 mm x 39 mm was fragmented and retrieved in multiple pieces.

Man caught doing inappropriate act on Metro

NEW DE LHI, APR 28 (IANS): In a shocking incident, a video has gone viral on social media showing a man indulging in an inappropriate act inside a running Delhi Metro.

Although the video has sparked outrage among the public, Delhi Metro authorities are however, yet to issue a statement on the development.

The video shows the man seated inside the train and engaging in the act without any fear or shame.

The incident has raised serious questions on the safety of women and children traveling on the Delhi Metro.

Taking cognizance of the video, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Friday issued a notice to the Delhi Police and Delhi Metro to take strict action.

SCO meet: Rajnath calls for unity against terrorism

NEW DELHI, APR 28

(PTI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday called upon the SCO member nations to fix accountability on supporters of terrorism and pitched for a framework of regional cooperation that respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the countries in the grouping, in comments seen as a veiled reference to Pakistan and a message to China respectively.

With Chinese defence minister Li Shangfu listening, Singh, who chaired a conclave of defence ministers of the SCO countries, said India envisions a robust framework of regional cooperation which mutually respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all member states by taking care of their legitimate interests.

New Delhi strives to further bolster “trust and cooperation” among the members of the grouping as it believes in maintaining peace and security based on the provisions of the UN

charter, he said.

Singh’s comments referring to the need for respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all member states under a regional framework for cooperation came amid the three-year border row between India and China.

The Pakistani defence minister did not participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conclave and Special Assistant to Pakistan prime minister on defence affairs Malik Ahmed Khan joined the deliberations virtually.

Highlighting the threat

Normalised management: China on border issue

of terrorism, Singh called upon SCO nations to collectively work towards eliminating it in all its forms and fix accountability on its supporters. Any kind of terrorist act or support to it in any form is a major crime against humanity and peace and prosperity cannot coexist with this menace, Singh asserted while stressing the need to contain terrorism effectively.

“If a nation shelters terrorists, it not only poses a threat to others but to itself too. The radicalisation of youth is a cause of concern not only from the point of

view of security, but it is also a major obstacle in the path of socio-economic progress of society,” Singh said.

“If we want to make the SCO a stronger and more credible international organisation, our topmost priority should be to effectively deal with terrorism,” he added.

Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane told reporters that all the member nations arrived at a consensus on several areas of cooperation, including dealing with terrorism, and the security of vulnerable populations in various countries.

He stated that all member states were unanimous in their statements that terrorism, in all its forms, must be condemned and eliminated.

Sharing his insights on the vision to ensure collective prosperity, Singh, in his address, called for concerted efforts by the SCO member states so that the region, with limitless possibilities in today’s multilateral world, shifts to the

Oppn call out PT Usha for her remarks on protesting wrestlers

mindset of ‘great gain from win-win paradigm’ from ‘great game of zero-sum, win-lose paradigm’.

“India has always followed the principle of ‘Let us walk together and move forward together’. Every era has a zeitgeist (defining idea). The zeitgeist of the present era is ‘win-win cooperation for the great gain’,” he said.

At the end of the deliberations, all the SCO member countries signed a protocol, expressing their collective will to make the region secure, peaceful and prosperous.

Singh also voiced India’s commitment towards defence capacity building of SCO member states through training and co-manufacturing and co-development of items. He stated that as security challenges are not limited to any one country, India is moving forward with a collaborative approach in the field of defence partnership, keeping in mind the shared interests.

NEW DELHI, APR 28

(PTI): Several opposition leaders hit out at Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha on Friday for criticising a protest by wrestlers in Delhi, alleging she has become a “political mouthpiece”. The wrestlers have launched a second round of protest against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, accusing him of sexual harassment and intimidation. Usha, a Rajya Sabha member, has condemned the protest, saying the grapplers lacked discipline in hitting the street in support of their demand. She also said their action has tarnished the image of India.

Responding to Usha, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said ignoring their pleas tarnishes the country’s image, not their protest.

“Dear @PTUshaOfficial, it is does not become you to disparage the justified protests of your fellow sportspersons in the face of repeated & wanton sexual harassment. Their standing up for their rights does not ‘tarnish the image of the nation’. Ignoring their concerns - instead of hearing them out, investigating them & taking just action - does,” he said.

CPI MP Binoy Viswam blamed the sprinter’s “newly found” political friends for her stand on the issue.

“Usha, with utmost respect and affection, I have to say, your comments on the suffering wrestlers should have been avoided. The country and the sport lovers wish to see you as a spirited sports person. Alas! Your newly found friends want to make you their political mouthpiece,” Viswam said.

Poonch attack: 6 arrested for sheltering terrorists

NEW DELHI, APR 28

(AGENCIES): A day after Union Minister Rajnath Singh’s strong message to China during the first meeting of defence ministers of the two nations since the Galwan incident, his Chinese counterpart General Li Shangfu today called for “normalized management” of differences on the international border.

“The two sides should take a long-term view, place the border issue in an appropriate position in bilateral relations, and promote the transition of the border situation to normalized management,” a communique released by the Chinese embassy said.

This is a position which has been unacceptable for New Delhi, with India making it clear that a resolution of the border situation was linked to the expansion of ties between the two nations. China and India share far more common interests than differences, the Chinese statement today said, adding that the two sides should view bilateral relations and

each other’s development “from a comprehensive, long-term and strategic perspective, and jointly contribute wisdom and strength to world and regional peace and stability.” Underscoring the need for peace and tranquillity at the border, New Delhi had yesterday said “violation of existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations”.

The Indian communique after the two minister’s meeting -- held on the sidelines of the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) meeting -- read: “The Raksha Mantri categorically conveyed that development of relations between India and China is premised on prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders”.

“He added that all issues at the LAC need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and commitments. He reiterated that violation of existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations and disengagement at the border will logically be followed with de-escalation,” the statement added.

The Chinese statement further said that the situation on the China-India border is “generally stable” and the two sides have maintained communication through military and diplomatic channels, and added that it hopes that the two sides will work together to continuously enhance mutual trust.

Unseasonal rain ruins crops of 14,000 Maharashtra farmers, leaves 10 dead

72 hours. It has damaged crops on 8058.66 hectares of land and affected 14,441 farmers. Nanded has seen 5726.70 hectares being affected, followed by Jalna with 2016.96 hectares, Hingoli 165 hectares and Parbhani 150 hectares,” an official said.

RAJOURI, APR 28 (AGENCIES): Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday claimed that the terror plot in last week’s Poonch ambush has been uncovered and six locals have been arrested for sheltering the terrorists before they carried out the attack on an army vehicle using explosives and weapons that came from Pakistan through drones.

Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said the April 20 attack was a well-

planned one and executed by three to five terrorists. They first did a recce of the area, understood the terrain and then chose the spot of attack.

He said over 200 people have being questioned till now and the operation to neutralise the terrorists involved in the attack is on.

“Six persons (of a module) have been arrested. They include those who have provided material (weapons, ammunition, explosives) to the terrorists besides shelter

BJP targets 4 lakh venues to listen to 100th ‘Mann ki Baat’

NEW DELHI, APR 28 (PTI): The BJP is going all out to make the 100th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann ki Baat’ radio broadcast an “unprecedented” mass outreach programme and has planned to organise facilities at 100 venues on average in every assembly constituency across the country for people to listen to it.

BJP sources said the party will make arrangements at around four lakh places, including abroad, for people to hear Modi’s address, with party president J P Nadda overseeing the entire exercise to make it a “historic” success.

The party’s overseas units and several non-political organisations have also been roped in to ensure that the radio broadcast has the maximum outreach.

In all Raj Bhawans, official residences of governors, and the homes of chief ministers from the BJP or its allies, arrangements have been made for eminent citizens to listen to the programme, they said.

Padma awardees from all states have been invited to attend the events at Raj Bhavans, they said.

BJP MPs and MLAs will be in their respective constituency for overseeing the exercise, with Nadda and other senior party leaders holding a number of video-conferences in this regard.

Modi speaks on a variety of issues during his monthly broadcast on the last Sunday of every month.

The programme started in 2014, the year he came to power, and has been going on since.

and food and guided them from one to another place,” Singh told reporters during a visit to Rajouri district.

“We are getting clues during questioning. We are working on that,” he said.

Singh, who visited Darhal and remote Budh Khanari area in the foothills of snow-covered Pir Panjal mountains, also said that such incidents are not possible without local support.

“One full module in this has been caught. They

were giving them support for past two to three months. A local named Nisar and his family were providing all support from food to shelter. The material (explosives) had come from Pakistan through drone. They picked up the weapons and provided them to the terrorists. Weapons, grenades and ammunition explosives were included in that,” he said. He added that security forces are identifying more local support. “They will be

working on it strongly. The terrorists choose places close to forests, where they get local support and also have escape route into forests,” he said. Giving further details about the module, Singh said Nisar has been a terrorist for a long time.

“He was working as OGW of Pakistan origin LeT commander in the 1990s. He was under our radar. We had picked him two to three times in the past for interrogation” he said.

New judge to hear Rahul’s appeal against conviction

AHMEDABAD, APR 28 (IANS): The appeal filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi against the Surat sessions court’s order denying a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case will be heard by a new judge of the Gujarat High Court on Saturday. According to the cause list published by the high court, Justice Hemant Prachchhak will hear the matter on Saturday. Justice Gita Gopi, who was earlier assigned to hear the matter, had recused her-

self from the hearing on April 26. On March 23, a metropolitan magistrate’s court in Surat had sentenced Rahul Gandhi to two years in jail in a 2019 criminal defamation case filed by

JOB FAIR

Gujarat BJP MLA Purnesh Modi. Following the verdict, Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as a MP under the Representation of the People Act. The Congress leader then challenged the order in a sessions court in Surat, along with an application seeking a stay on the conviction. The court, while granting bail to Rahul Gandhi, refused to stay his conviction. A stay on the conviction could lead to Rahul Gandhi’s reinstatement as an MP.

Organized by SREO, NCSC For SC/ST Kohima, Regional Employment Officer, (Model Career Centre) Kohima, Supported by The Directorate of Employment, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Govt. of Nagaland Job Fair will be launched by Shri. Kovi Meyase, Additional Secretary & Ex Officio Director, ESD&E 29th April 2023 (Saturday) Time : 10.

MAHARASHTRA, APR

28 (AGENCIES): Unseasonal rains and thunderstorms killed 10 persons in eight districts of Maharashtra’s Marathwada region since April 25 and damaged crops of more than 14,000 farmers, officials said on Friday. Latur recorded 44.3 millimetres of rainfall in 72 hours, followed by Nanded (28 mm), Hingoli (14.3 mm), Osmanabad (13.9mm), Beed (12.7 mm), Jalna (7.8 mm), Parbhani (4.9 mm), Aurangabad (1.8

mm), a primary survey report of the state government released during the day said.

The 153 villages that have been affected by the untimely and incessant rains comprise 101 in Jalna, 38 in Hingoli and 14 in Osmanabad, it added.

Six deaths have taken places in Nanded, two in Latur and one each in Osmanabad and Beed, the officials said.

“A total of 1,178 hens, 147 domestic animals have died in the past

“So far, 10 circles have recorded heavy rainfall, that is more than 65 mm, led by Borol circle in Latur. Others areas that have seen heavy rainfall are Talani in Jalna, Patoda and Bardapur in Beed, Tandulja, Killari and Halgara in Latur, Shiradgaon and Narangwadi in Osmanabad,” he added.

VISITING CONSULTANT

Dr. Rockey Katheria, MD, DM Cardiology, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist from Manipal Hospitals, Bangalore will be available for Consultation on

Rajnath Singh and delegates of various countries at SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting, in New Delhi, Friday. (PTI)

Li Shangfu

Rahul Gandhi

PT Usha

Representational image

Adani pays back $200 mn Holcim debt

NEW DELHI, APR 28 (AGENCIES): Adani Cement Industries Ltd. has pre-paid $200 million in the past week, helping pare a $1 billion mezzanine loan taken from global banks to fund the purchase the Indian units of Holcim Ltd., news agency Bloomberg reported on Friday citing people in the know.

The pre-payment will help billionaire Gautam Adani’s firm seek an extension of the debt taken to fund the acquisition by three years, the report added. Global banks had lent Adani $4.5 billion to finance the purchase of Holcim Ltd. cement assets, with the mezzanine loan due for maturity in September 2024.

The Adani Group in September 2022 completed the acquisition of Ambuja Cements and its subsidiary ACC Ltd from Switzerland’s Holcim Group for $6.4 billion. The two cement makers together make Adani the second largest cement player in the Indian

market only behind Aditya Birla Group’s UltraTech Cement.

US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research in January alleged malfeasance by the Indian conglomerate, which sent Adani stocks and bonds tumbling. Since then, the group has pre-paid about $2 billion of share-backed loans, made bond repayments on time and won another $1.9 billion investment from star investor Rajiv Jain of GQG Partners.

Adani started a polymers import-export business in the 1980s and gradually expanded into infrastructure.

In the 1990s, he started building a port in Mundra, in his home state of Guja-

rat. He went on to add coal mines, power plants and airports to his portfolio. In the past decade, he secured one of his biggest international deals — the Carmichael project in Australia, one of the largest open-pit coal mining operations in the world.

Last year, the Adani Group bought a cement business in India from Holcim, a multinational construction company based in Switzerland. In another sign of the diversification of his business, Adani took control of NDTV, an independent news outlet.

The Adani conglomerate’s success in some ways paralleled the growing Indian economy, which is now the fifth largest in the world. Adani, 68, has styled himself as an industrialist who is helping to address his country’s lack of infrastructure.

The billionaire has generally kept a low profile even as he has become one of the richest men in the world. He is a follower of

Rupeefalls3paisetocloseat81.82USD

MUMBAI, APR 28 (PTI):

The rupee pared all its initial gains to settle lower by 3 paise at 81.82 (provisional) against the US currency on Friday amid a strong greenback overseas.

However, the strong sentiment in the domestic equities market restricted the depreciating bias in the rupee, forex traders said.

At the interbank foreign exchange, the domestic unit opened at 81.77 against the dollar and finally closed at 81.82 (provisional), down 3 paise from its previous close.

During the day, the rupee witnessed a high of 81.72 and a low of 81.85 against the greenback.

On Thursday, the rupee closed at 81.79 against the US currency.

Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback’s strength against

a basket of six currencies, rose 0.51 per cent to 102.02.

Brent crude futures, the global oil benchmark, advanced 0.45 per cent to USD 78.72 per barrel.

The rupee depreciated on a strong US Dollar and a recovery in crude oil prices.

However, positive domestic equities and FII inflows cushioned the downside, Anuj Choudhary - Research Analyst at Sharekhan by BNP Paribas said.

The US Dollar strengthened on strong earnings by IT companies and as US inflation data released on Thursday were elevated, raising expectations of a hawkish Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC).

“We expect the rupee to trade with a slight positive bias on the rise in risk appetite in global markets and fresh inflows from foreign investors. However, a strong

US Dollar may prevent a sharp upside in the rupee,” Choudhary said.

Traders may remain cautious ahead of India’s fiscal deficit and core PCE deflator from the US, which is the preferred gauge of inflation used by the US Federal Reserve, Choudhary said, adding that “We expect USD/INR spot to trade in between 81.30 to 82.20 in the near-term”.

On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share BSE Sensex closed 463.06 points or 0.76 per cent higher at 61,112.44 points.

The broader NSE Nifty advanced 149.95 points or 0.84 per cent to 18,065.00 points.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net buyers in the capital market on Thursday as they purchased shares worth Rs 1,652.95 crore, according to exchange data.

the Jain religion, which emphasizes asceticism, and he and his family tightly control his conglomerate.

(Hindenburg has criticized the ownership structure of his company.)

Months before Hindenburg made its allegations, the dizzying rise of an Adani subsidiary’s shares drew scrutiny. Much of the trading activity in the subsidiary, Adani Enterprises, was traced to holding companies based in tax havens, leading to speculation that the stock — which had helped propel Adani’s personal wealth — was being manipulated. Shares in Adani’s seven subsidiaries have soared more than 800% in the past three years, according to Hindenburg.

Previously, Adani’s company faced investigations into allegations of tax impropriety related to coal imports but was eventually cleared. Adani was also linked to an Indian stock market manipulation scam engineered by a Mumbai stockbroker, Ketan Parekh.

Gold declines Rs 420; silver tumbles Rs 570

NEW DELHI, APR 28 (PTI): Gold price declined Rs 420 to Rs 59,980 per 10 grams in the national capital on Friday amid weak global cues, according to HDFC Securities. The precious metal had settled at Rs 60,400 per 10 grams in the previous trade. Silver also tumbled Rs 570 to Rs 74,600 per kg.

“Domestic gold prices were trading lower on Friday, tracking overseas prices,” Sriram Iyer, Senior Research Analyst at Reliance Securities, said. In the overseas markets, both gold and silver were trading lower at USD 1,982 per ounce and USD 24.82 per ounce, respectively.

“Gold price traded lower in Asian trading hour on Friday as recovery continued in dollar after US PCE data rose more than estimated,” Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.

Star Health announces FY23 net at Rs 618 crore

CHENNAI, APR 28

(IANS): Standalone health insurer Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Ltd closed FY23 with a net profit of Rs 618.5 crore.

In a regulatory filing, the company said it had closed FY23 with a gross premium of about Rs 12,952 crore (FY22 Rs 11,463 crore) and a net profit of Rs 618.5 crore (a net loss of Rs 1,040 crore).

The company board, at its meeting, also appointed Anand Roy as the Managing Director and CEO and V.Jagannathan as the Non-Executive Chairman.

“I am happy to announce that I have decided to take a non-executive role in the company, as I have completed five decades in the insurance industry. It has been a heartful, fill -

ing journey in building this company to what it is today. When Star Health insurance was started, the concept of stand-alone health insurance was unheard of and health insurance penetration was extremely low,” said Jagannathan, former Chairman and Managing Director of United India Insurance Company Ltd. He said at the time of floating the company, there was a need to create awareness on the importance of health insurance.

“Today, I’m able to see, that we have achieved this objective to some extent, as Star Health Insurance continues to grow. I am very happy to handover the mantel to Anand to carry forward this noble task,” he added.

(From p-1) Lemjan Phom, Programme Executive, AIR Kohima, extended thanks to the Prime Minister for inaugurating 100W FM transmitters at Mon. She also acknowledged the cooperation of the administration, police, civil societies, and the citizens for Mon. David Konyak presented a special number and, thereafter, Radio Sets were distributed

to dignitaries. Tuensang: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tuensang Nokchasashi, while speaking at the inaugural programme, said that opening of FM station at Tuensang would greatly benefit the people of the area as people rely on the radio for their communication, to get information and news.

He said that FM station would transmit informa -

tion about locally relevant programmes, education, health, and social issues to the masses, which can bring a significant change in the life of the people. Welcome address and vote of thanks were given by Rachel Shimray Hop and Temsula PEX respectively. Invocation was given by Sangtam Baptist Church Tuensang Pastor Imsujungba.

Blow to revival plan: CEOdesignate of Jet Airways quits

NEW DELHI, APR 28 (AGENCIES):

Jet Airways Chief Executive Officerdesignate Sanjiv Kapoor has resigned, in the latest blow to the grounded airline’s revival hopes.

Kapoor is the third senior executive to quit this week after Vice-President (Operations) P P Singh and the airline’s Company Secretary Neeraj Manchanda. The resignations come as Jalan-Kalrock consortium (JKC) is yet to iron out differences with lenders on issues such as payment of gratuity and provident fund to the grounded airline’s staff.

In a statement, JKC board member Ankit Jalan said the consortium is commit-

ted to the revival of the airline and a new CEO for Jet Airways will be announced shortly.

“The revival of Jet Airways is through a court-approved process, which has taken more time than originally estimated. However, it is needless to say that JKC is committed to the revival of the airlines. We are in the last leg of closing the transfer of ownership of Jet Airways to JKC, subsequent to which we will settle outstanding amounts payable to previous creditors according to our approved resolution plan and shall, soon thereafter, recommence the commercial operations following our re-launch plans,” he said.

Sensex revisits 61k, Nifty above 18k

MUMBAI, APR 28 (PTI):

Equity benchmark Sensex climbed over 460 points to reclaim the 61,000 mark while the Nifty closed above the 18k level on Friday, propelled by robust buying in index majors Reliance Industries and ITC amid fresh foreign fund inflows.

Rallying for the fifth straight session, the 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 463.06 points or 0.76 per cent to settle at 61,112.44. During the day, it surged 560.08 points or 0.92 per cent to 61,209.46.

The broader NSE Nifty advanced 149.95 points or 0.84 per cent to finish at 18,065, with 40 of its scrips ending in the green.

“Despite concerns

about potentially weaker US GDP numbers and high inflation, the stronger-thanexpected earnings reported by Meta propelled IT stocks to the forefront of the Wall Street rally.

“The trend was reflected in the domestic market, as beaten-down IT stocks helped to lift broader market sentiment. However, with US inflation remaining high, the prospect of another rate hike by the Fed is looming, keeping global markets volatile in the coming days,” said Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services.

Wipro was the biggest gainer in the Sensex pack, rising 2.89 per cent, followed by Nestle, State Bank of India, Larsen & Toubro,

ITC, Tech Mahindra, Reliance Industries, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Bajaj Finance.

In contrast, Axis Bank, HCL Technologies, Titan, Hindustan Unilever, Bajaj Finserv and ICICI Bank were the major laggards, skidding up to 2.39 per cent.

IT major Wipro on Thursday reported a marginal year-on-year decline of 0.4 per cent in net profit to Rs 3,074.5 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 2023 and announced a share buyback of up to Rs 12,000 crore.

SNIPPETS

Ukraine expects $42bn in int’l aid this year

KIEV, APR 28 (IANS):

As Russia continues its full scale invasion of Kiev, Ukraine expects to receive $42 billion in international aid this year, National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) chairman Andriy Pyshnyy said.

“The funds from partners, in particular, will contribute to the growth of international reserves to more than $35 billion at the end of this year,” Pyshnyy told a media briefing.

20 countries at risk of excessive rainfall

ISLAMABAD, APR 28

(IANS): Pakistan is among the 20 countries which are at risk of excessive rainfall as the El Nino oceanographic phenomenon forecast returns in June following three years of La Nina, according to a report prepared by the Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

While 20 countries are at risk of excessive rainfall, 42 countries are also at risk of the effects of El Nino with the risk of dry conditions, Dawn news quoted the report as saying.

Pak asks US to restore military financing

WASHINGTON, APR

28 (IANS): Pakistan has asked the US to restore military financing and sales suspended by the administration of former President Donald Trump as a senior American official acknowledged the importance of this bilateral relationship in a key strategic region, the media reported.

US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Elizabeth Horst, however, focused on the need to help rebuild the troubled Pakistani economy and urged Islamabad to work with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to do so.

33 soldiers killed in attack in Burkina Faso

OUAGADOUGOU, APR 28 (IANS): Thirtythree soldiers were killed in an attack against a military detachment in eastern Burkina Faso, the military said in a statement.

The military detachment of Ougarou was targeted by a large complex attack on Thursday morning, which left 33 soldiers dead and 12 others injured, the statement added as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.

“They managed to neutralise at least 40 terrorists before the arrival of reinforcements,” the statement said.

Turkish evacuation plane shot at in Sudan

ANKARA, APR 28 (IANS): The Turkish Defense Ministry said on Friday that its evacuation plane was shot at as it arrived in conflict-torn Sudan, but no injuries were reported.

The Turkish C-130 plane, which was landing at Wadi Seidna Airport outside Sudan’s capital Khartoum for evacuation, was shot at, said a statement from the ministry, Xinhua news agency reported.

The plane landed safely, no injuries were reported for the personnel, and the aircraft is parked for inspection, the statement added.

Sudan’s army accused RSF of opening fire on the Turkish evacuation aircraft, while the RSF denied firing at the plane.

Russian missile and drone attack in Ukraine kill 22 people

UMAN, APR 28 (AP): Rus-

sia fired more than 20 cruise missiles and two drones at Ukraine early on Friday, killing at least 22 people, almost all of them when two missiles slammed into an apartment building in a terrifying nighttime attack, officials said. Three children were among the dead.

The missile attacks included the first one against Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, in nearly two months, although there were no reports of any targets hit.

The city government said Ukraine’s air force intercepted 11 cruise missiles and two unmanned aerial vehicles over Kyiv.

The strikes on the ninestory residential building in central Ukraine occurred in Uman, a city located around 215 kilometers (134 miles) south of Kyiv. Twenty people died in that attack, according to the Interior Ministry. They included two 10-year-old children and a toddler.

Another of the victims was a 75-year-old woman who lived in a neighbouring building and suffered internal bleeding from the huge

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire after a Russian attack at a residential building in Uman, central Ukraine, Friday. (AP) blast’s shock wave, according to emergency personnel at the scene.

The Ukrainian national police said 17 people were wounded and three children were rescued from the rubble. Nine were hospitalised.

The bombardment was nowhere near the war’s sprawling front lines or active combat zones in eastern Ukraine, where a grinding war of attrition has taken hold. Moscow has frequently launched long-range missile attacks during the 14-month war, often indiscriminately hitting civilian areas.

BBC Chairman resigns after Boris Johnson loan row

part whatsoever in the facilitation, arrangement, or financing of a loan for the former Prime Minister”.

Ukrainian officials and analysts have alleged such strikes are part of a deliberate intimidation strategy by the Kremlin.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the long-range cruise missiles launched overnight were aimed at places where Ukrainian military reserve units were staying before their deployment to the battlefield.

“The strike has achieved its goal. All the designated facilities have been hit,” Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, the Defense Ministry’s spokesperson, said. He didn’t mention any

Heavy clashes rock Sudan’s capital despite truce extension

CAIRO, APR 28 (AP):

specific areas or residential buildings getting hit.

Survivors of the Uman strikes recounted terrifying moments as the missiles hit when it still was dark outside.

Halyna, a building resident, said she and her husband were covered in glass by the blast. They saw flames outside their window and scrambled out, but first Halyna checked whether her friend in a neighbouring apartment was OK.

“I was calling, calling her (on the phone), but she didn’t pick up. I even rang the doorbell, but still no answer,” she told The Associated Press. She used the spare keys from her friend’s apartment and went inside to check on her. She found her lying dead on her apartment floor.

Halyna refused to provide her last name out of security concerns.

Another building resident, Olha Turina, told the AP that glass from the explosion flew everywhere.

Turina, whose husband is fighting on the front lines, said one of her child’s classmates was missing.

Heavy explosions and gunfire rocked Sudan’s capital, Khartoum and its twin city of Omdurman early Friday, residents said, despite the extension of a fragile truce between the county’s two top generals whose power struggle has killed hundreds.

After two weeks of fighting that has turned the capital into a war zone and thrown Sudan into turmoil, a wide-ranging group of international mediators — including African and Arab nations, the U.N. and the United States — were intensifying their pressure on the rival generals to enter talks on resolving the crisis.

So far, however, they have managed to achieve only a series of fragile temporary cease-fires that failed to stop clashes but created enough of a lull for tens of thousands of Sudanese to flee to safer areas and for foreign nations to evacuate thousands of their citizens by land, air and sea.

In a sign of the persistent chaos, Turkey said one of its evacuation planes was hit by gunfire outside Khartoum with no casualties on Friday, hours after both sides accepted a 72-hour truce

Foreign companies in China face growing scrutiny, pressure

BEIJING, APR 28 (AP):

LONDON, APR 28

(IANS): BBC Chairman Richard Sharp resigned on Friday over a report into whether he failed to properly disclose his involvement in the facilitation of a loan to former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Barrister Adam Heppinstall was appointed by the Commissioner of Public Appointments to investigate the claims which had first appeared in the Sunday Times, says the BBC.

Confirming his resignation, Sharp said the report, which was published on Friday, found “that while I did breach the governance code for public appointments, he states that a breach does not necessarily invalidate an appointment”. He said the report finds he did not play “any

But he said with hindsight he should have disclosed his role in setting up a meeting between Cabinet Secretary Simon Case and Sam Blyth -- a businessman who was offering the then PM financial help -- to the appointments panel during the scr utiny process ahead of him taking up the senior role.

Sharp said not doing so was an “oversight” and apologised for it.

In a statement, he said he did not want to be a “distraction”, adding that it had been an honour to chair the BBC.

He will remain in post until June until a successor is appointed.

In response to his resignation, the BBC board said: “We accept and understand Richard’s decision to stand down. We want to put on record our thanks to Richard, who has been a valued and respected colleague, and a very effective chairman of the BBC.

“The BBC board believes that Richard Sharp is a person of integrity.”

Foreign companies are under growing pressure in China from anti-corruption, security and other investigations as President Xi Jinping’s government tightens control over business, clashing with efforts to lure back investors after the pandemic. This week, Bain & Co. said police questioned staff in its Shanghai office. The consulting company gave no details of what investigators were looking for. Last month, the corporate due diligence firm Mintz Group said its Beijing office was raided by police who detained five employees. Also last month, an employee of a Japanese drug maker was detained on spying charges and the government announced a security review of memory chip maker Micron Inc. The ruling Communist Party is trying to reignite investor interest i n China despite increased political control over the economy. Business groups have said global companies are shifting investment plans to Southeast Asia, India and other economies.

“At a time when China is proactively trying to re-

China flies 38 warplanes near

TAIPEI, APR 28 (AP): China’s military flew 38 fighter jets and other warplanes near Taiwan, the Taiwanese defense ministry said Friday, in the biggest such flight display since the large military exercise in which it simulated sealing off the island earlier in April.

Naval vessels were also seen in the area as part of China’s long-running campaign of intimidation against Taiwan.

Later Friday, China’s People’s Liberation Army issued a protest over the flight of a United States Navy P-8A Poseidon antisubmarine patrol aircraft through the Taiwan Strait, which separates mainland China from the self-governing island democracy claimed by Beijing.

Calling Thursday’s flight a provocation that the U.S. “openly hyped up,” the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command said it scrambled fighter jets to monitor the plane’s flight.

Such acts “fully prove that the U.S. is a disruptor of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and a creator of security risks,” the state-

A Chinese J-11 military fighter jet flies above the Taiwan Strait near Pingtan. (AP) ment said. “Theater troops maintain a high level of alert at all times and resolutely defend national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability.”

The U.S. 7th Fleet said Thursday’s flight was in accordance with international law and “demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

“The United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate anywhere international law allows including within the Taiwan Strait,” the statement said. The U.S. remains Taiwan’s closest military and political ally, despite the lack of formal diplomatic

ties between them. U.S. law requires Washington to treat all threats to the island as matters of “grave concern,” though it remains ambiguous over whether American forces would be dispatched to help defend the island.

Beijing has threatened to bring Taiwan under its control by force if necessary, and China’s intensely nationalistic leader Xi Jinping has sworn never to give up “a single inch” of territory claimed by his country — a pledge that applies to Taiwan, the disputed border with India, and the South China Sea that China claims almost in its entirety. In addition to the lat-

store business confidence to attract foreign investment, the actions taken send a very mixed signal,” the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China said Friday in a statement.

A foreign ministry spokesperson said she didn’t know about the Bain & Co. case but defended Chinese law enforcement.

“China welcomes foreign companies to invest and do business in China. We are committed to building an internationalized, market-oriented and law-based business environment,” said Mao Ning. “All companies in China should operate in

Taiwan

est Chinese warplane flights, Chinese navy vessels were spotted in the area from 6 a.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday, the island’s Defense Ministry said.

Nineteen of the aircraft flew across the midline in the Taiwan Strait that separates the island from the mainland, the ministry said. It said they included five SU-30 and two J-16 fighter jets, along with one drone: a large, long-endurance TB-001 Scorpion capable of carrying a variety of bombs and missiles that circled the island in a relatively rare move, according to a diagram from the Defense Ministry.

It wasn’t clear what, if anything, prompted the large-scale Chinese action, but China’s efforts to train for a potential attack, wear down the island’s military and impact Taiwan’s politics have become increasingly ambitious.

U.S. military officials recently said they are increasingly concerned that a massive buildup in China’s military capabilities makes the potential for a conflict more likely.

Evacuees cross into Egypt through the Argeen land port, after being evacuated from Sudan to escape the conflict, Thursday. (AP) extension, apparently to allow foreign governments complete the evacuation of their citizens.

Fierce clashes with frequent explosions and gunfire continued Friday in Khartoum’s upscale neighborhood of Kafouri, where the military earlier used warplanes to bomb its rivals, the Rapid Support Forces, residents said. Clashes were also reported around the military’s headquarters, the Republican Palace and the area close to the Khartoum international airport. All these areas have been flashpoints since the war between the military and the RSF erupted on April 15.

In Omdurman, across the Nile from Khartoum, a protest group reported “constant explosions” in the district of Karari early Friday.

The Turkish Defense Ministry said “light weapons were fired” at a C-130 aircraft heading to Wadi Sayidna airbase on Khartoum’s northern outskirts to evacuate Turkish civilians. The plane landed safely, the ministry said in a tweet, and no personnel were injured.

The Sudanese military blamed the RSF and posted images on its Facebook page, purportedly showing a Turkish aircraft at an airfield, with marks of gunshots on its body and wing.

UN urges Afghanistan’s Taliban to reverse bans on women

UNITED NATIONS,

APR 28 (AP): The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a resolution Thursday calling on Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers to swiftly reverse their increasingly harsh restrictions on women and girls, which range from severely restricting education to banning women from most jobs, public spaces and gyms.

compliance with law.”

Xi, China’s most powerful leader in decades, is in the midst of multiple campaigns to tighten ruling party control over entrepreneurs, root out official corruption and reduce reliance on foreign technology and expertise.

China’s relations with Washington, Europe and Tokyo are strained by disputes about human rights, Taiwan, security and technology. But there is no indication whether the investigations were politically motivated. Chinese companies have been targeted for more severe action.

The council condemned the Taliban’s ban on women working for the U.N., a decision the resolution calls “unprecedented in the history of the United Nations.”

The unanimous 15-0 vote, with the United States, Russia and China all in favor, was a sign of the widespread global concerns over the Taliban’s actions. It was a rare moment of unity on a highprofile issue at a time of steep international divisions over the Ukraine war, although both Russia and China criticized the United States after the vote for its past role in Afghanistan and for refusing to return all $7 billion in frozen Afghan government funds.

The Security Council

never considered sanctions against the Taliban but the strong rebuke by the U.N.’s most powerful body is a blow to the prestige of Afghanistan’s rulers, who are trying get credibility on the global stage – including formal recognition by the United Nations as Afghanistan’s legitimate government. When the Taliban seized power in August 2021 as U.S. and NATO forces were pulling out of Afghanistan after two decades of war, they initially promised a more moderate rule than during their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001. But there has been a growing international outcry as Taliban leaders have gradually re-imposed their severe interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia, on women and girls.

During the 20 years after the Taliban were ousted in 2001 for harboring al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden, who masterminded the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, schools and universities were opened for girls and women entered the workforce and politics, and became judges, ministers and professors.

MANCHESTER, APR 28 (AGENCIES):

Donald

Trump vowed Thursday to “crush” Joe Biden in the 2024 election, warning in his first campaign stop since his successor entered the 2024 race that the United States will descend into “anarchy” if the Republican billionaire isn’t returned to office.

The defiant address at a hotel in Manchester, New Hampshire, came with the twice-impeached former president’s legal woes multiplying, as a writer who accuses Trump of rape testified for a second day at a civil trial in New York, reports AFP.

“The choice in this election is now between strength or weakness, between success or failure, between safety or anarchy, between peace or conflict, and prosperity or catastrophe,” Trump told a relativelymodest crowd of around 1,500 supporters.

“We are living in a catastrophe. With your vote on November 5, 2024, we are going to crush Joe Biden and the White House... at

the ballot box, and we are going to settle our unfinished business.”

It was Trump’s first appearance since January in the Granite State, which propelled him to victory in the 2016 Republican nominating contest after a shaky start in Iowa.

Biden, 80, announced Tuesday he would seek a second term in 2024, warning that the next election, like the last, would be a “battle for the soul.”

Many top Republicans say Trump, 76, is positioning himself to lose again after leading Republicans to poor showings in the 2020 general election and in the last two midterm cycles.

“Republicans want someone who can win in November of ‘24. Donald Trump is a loser,” New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, who is said to be mulling a rival presidential bid, told NBC on Sunday.

Nine Republicans in the US Senate have endorsed the billionaire, but others are warning that prosecutions enmeshing Trump might undermine their hopes of taking the upper chamber of Congress back from the Democrats next year.

Trump is being sued for battery and defamation in civil proceedings in New York, accused of raping writer E Jean Carroll in 1996, and has been indicted over a 2016 hush money payment to a porn star in a criminal case likely to stretch well into election year.

He also faces the possibility of charges from the Department of Justice and Georgia prosecutors in cases involving his attempts to overthrow the 2020 election and his hoarding of government documents.

Donald Trump

Richard Sharp

Visitors past near the emblems of the Chinese Communist Party at an exhibition in Shanghai, Thursday. (AP)

Donald Trump vows to ‘crush’ Joe Biden in 2024 election

Sumi Hoho, CKS felicitate legislators

DIMAPUR: Sumi Hoho (SH) and Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS), the apex body of Chang, on Friday felicitated the newly elected legislators from Sumi and Chang communities at a separate programmes held on April 28 at Zunheboto Town Hall and CKS Hall Tuensang respectively. According to a DIPR report, SH president, Nikheto Zhimomi, in his welcome address, congratulated all the winning candidates and encouraged them to be united at all times. He also requested the legislators to establish a B. Ed center at Zunheboto for the students’ community and also the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in

Zunheboto. Speaking at the programme, minister of Road and Bridges

G. Kaito Aye stressed on the importance of electing candidates for consecutive terms and having confidence in the candidates.

He further said that the present MLAs were young and dynamic and have all practical experiences for bringing about all-round development and therefore urged the Sumis to have patience. He advised the students to not only depend on political leaders for their future but rather focus on quality education and prepare themselves for competitive exams.

Minister of PHED and Cooperation, Jacob

Zhimomi urged the Sumi to uplift the legacy of faithfulness and loyalty of their forefathers and to maintain the spirit of brotherhood in every walk of life. He appealed to the Sumis to be responsible citizens and extend support and cooperation to government for any kind of developmental activities.

Earlier, the programme was chaired by SH general secretary, Dr. Vihuto Asumi and invocation by NCRC pastor, Kughavi Chishi.

Sumi Kukami Hoho, president, Kashito Yeptho delivered the greetings, vote of thanks by SH vice president, Hokishe Kiba and the programme concluded

ASU biennial conference begins

wit h a prayer of blessing upon the legislators by executive secretary of SBAK Nito Mount, Rev. Kughato Chophi.

CKS felicitates:

Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS) at its 78th executive session-cum-felicitation programme, feliciated minister of PWD Housing and Mechanical Engineering, Beshangmongba Chang, Lima Onen MLA and Imtichuba MLA and chairman DBDP Tuensang.

CKS president, Nusanglemba Chang congratulated the three legislatures and thanked them for abiding by the rules and regulations set up by CKS for the peaceful conduct of the recent election. He expressed

Dimapur wins Parliamentary Quiz Competition

Correspondent

KOHIMA, APR 28 (NPN): Dimapur district with a total of 125 points emerged as the winner of State Level Parliamentary Quiz Competition 2022-23 held at Imagine Hall, ATI, here on Friday.

Kiphire with 115 points, Longleng with 80 points and Mokokchung with 45 points were placed in the second, third and fourth positions respectively.

NBSE holds meeting with head of institutions

KOHIMA, APR 28 (NPN):

Correspondent

KOHIMA, APR 28

(NPN): The 30th Biennial General Conference of Angami Students’ Union (ASU) began on Friday at Tuophema village under the theme “Rational integrity” with Dr Tseilhoutuo (Ato) Rhütso, MLA as the inaugural guest.

In his speech Dr Ato said progress was important in life and a people should keep asking themselves if they had made any progress.

He challenged village elders, officers and organizations to ponder if they were performing better than their predecessors. Similarly, he said, students should also question themselves if they were diligently doing their duties as students.

He said at present the society was in need of skilled youth who were competent and have the will to progress.

He added that farmers must also cultivate with new methods of farming in order progress.

Challenging the gathered students, Dr. Ato urged them to work for the greater interest of all the Nagas. Instead of simply looking for government jobs, he encouraged them to create jobs, be job providers and make avenues for people to earn their livelihood.

Sharing about himself, Dr Ato said, he served as a surgeon in government hospitals for 13 years and later went on to start a private hospital which made it possible for him to provide jobs to about 100 healthcare workers.

He advised students about the ill effects of alcohol, which not only affects the health of the consumer but the family.

On reservation of jobs, he wondered if tribes covered under reservation were really benefiting from the quota. He observed that kins of the creamy layer of a society take away reservation of students who were deprived of educational opportunities.

He urged student bodies to ensure that the

creamy layer was excluded from reservation policies.

He suggested that reservation policy should be made clear and the purpose of reservation would be justice if the creamy layer of tribes under reservation policy were removed.

He also recommended tribes to urge the government to relook the reservation policy.

Earlier the programme was chaired by ASU tribunal, Vizokho Zashümo while St John Bosco Church, Tuophema, catechist, Dziesedilhou Sylvester Zumu invoked God’s blessings.

Tuophema Village Students’ Union president, Seyiekuolie Sanchu delivered the welcome address and greetings were conveyed by Northern Angami Students’ Union president Atouzo Kerhüo and Ao Students’ Union president, Lanutoshi Aier.

A traditional song was performed by Chakhesang Students’ Union and a special number by Virie. The conference will culminate on April 30.

Earlier in a short speech, commissioner & secretary, Wezope Kenye said the competition embodies the curiosity and the desire to learn and explore new ideas. He said the competition also was a reminder that knowledge was not just about memorizing but was also about understanding and how they fit together to create a bigger picture. He added that apart from answering questions correctly, the competitors also could showcase their abilities to think critically, to analyse and interpret information and to apply in a real world scenario.

Kenye said the competition should also enable the participants to demonstrate their creativity, innovations and their capacity to think outside the box. The competition was hosted by asst professor, Kohima college, Dr Evothung Ezung while welcome address was delivered by asst prof, Kohima college, Dr Eunice Alinger.

Vote of thanks was proposed by JSO, Parliamentary Affairs Department, Mewelo Kepfoh.

the hope that three elected members will continue to work for the upliftment and development of the Chang community in the coming days. At the function, a short speeches were delivered by CWS president, Pongsu, minster Beshangmongba Chang, Lima Onen MLA and Imtichuba MLA.

The programme was chaired by CKS vice president, Sipong. The programme was attended by tribal bodies, Chang Gazetted Officers Association (CGOA), Chang Wedoshi Setshang (CWS), Changsao Thangjam Setshang (CST), and executive members of different villages in Tuensang.

Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) held a one-day meeting with the new head of institutions in Kohima on Friday at Platinum Hall, NBCC, Bayavü Hill, Kohima.

Resource person, principal, Japfü Christian College, Kigwema, Dr Visakhonu Hibo, shared on the topic - “Expectation from the Heads of Institutions”.

As heads, she said it was imperative to improve everyday, start practicing and learn new things. She encouraged the heads that the NEP 2020 would become meaningful only when the heads activate the changes.

The aim of education was for all-round development, and as head of institutions, they should work towards the wholesome growth of the students, she

said. In the keynote address chairman, NBSE, Asano Sekhose, said the heads of institutions and the Board should work in close coordination towards a common goal of imparting quality education.

She expressed her delight to see the newly appointed heads in the meeting. She stated that as head of institutions, along with the position comes great responsibilities and the need to equip themselves to meet the challenges of the everchanging trends of providing meaningful education. As heads, it is their responsibility to drive the school in the right direction and motivate the teachers and students to do better.

She also highlighted the recent activities undertaken by the Board to align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

The first session of the day started with secretary, NBSE, Rangumbuing Nsarangbe, as the chairperson of the programme. Sister Maria Gorretti from St. Joseph Hr. Sec. School, Chümoukedima offered the invocation. The second session started with the presentation of the activities on Academic and Examination Matters by joint secretary (academics), NBSE, Iluheing Nsarangbe. IT Matters and interventions introduced by the Board were presented by chief coordinator IT, NBSE Kekhrielhoutuo Nakhro. In conclusion, secretary, NBSE, gave the concluding remark and proposed the vote of thanks. Books on vocational subjects were distributed to schools for their library reference.

Rio inaugurates bailey bridge over Zingki river; unveils foundation stone for TTC hall

DIMAPUR: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Friday inaugurated the bailey br idge over Zingki river, Tutheze village and also unveiled the foundation stone from Tikhir Tribal Council cum office at Kuisam town.

Taking to twitter, Rio said with the inauguration of the bridge, the distance between Pungro sub-division and Kiphire district headquarter will be reduced by 45 kms and will benefit about 35,000 people living in Pungro and Kiusam areas and also villages like Mimi, Thanamir Kongka etc. along the Indo-Mynmar border

“I am confident the Bailey Bridge will be a catalyst in enhancing the quality of life of the people in every possible way which is in one of the remotest parts of our

State. I congratulate DUDA for the initiative taken in planning and executing the project,” Rio tweeted.

Meanwhile, Rio also unveiled the foundation stone for Tikhir Tribal Council Hall cum office at Kiusam town.

“I extend my best wish-

OFFICE OF THE ZAPAMI STUDENTS’ UNION

P.O. PFUTSERO

Motto: “Deeper, Stronger & Higher” FELICITATION

The Zapami Students’ Union heartily congratulates Dr. Rhelo Kenye, S/o Rev Dr. Dingu Kenye, for being conferred the Doctor of Philosophy in Cultural Studies from the prestigious English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Hyderabad for his thesis on: “Folk Blues, Howey and Pop: The Cultural Practice of Music in Contemporary Naga Society.”

The Union delightfully shares the joy of this outstanding achievement and sincerely wishes him greater success in all future endeavors.

May the Almighty God continue to guide and bless him.

(ER. KESOWE-U WETSAH) (MEWE KHUTSO) President, ZSU General Secy. ZSU K-905/23

es to the people and hope that on completion of the project it serves its purpose well,” Rio said in his tweet.

FELICITATION

The Office of Kichilimi Students' Union with immense pride and honor, extends our heartiest congratulations to Dr. K. Kalito Chishi for being promoted to Principal, Zunheboto Government College, Zunheboto.The union is proud of her achievements and further wishes her good health and success in her future endeavors.

Akani Swu Anna K Chishi

President General Secretary

FELICITATIO N

With immense joy and happiness, we the Kulolau Ngozübomi Küqhakulu (KNK) warmly extend our heartiest congratulations to Dr. Khehoto Yeptho, S/o Mr. Yehozhe Yeptho of Ngozübomi Village, on being conferred with Doctorate of Ministry (D.Min) on 25th April 2023 from South Asia Theological Seminary, Bengaluru, Accredited by Asia Theological Association (ATA), Members of World Reformed Fellowship, PA, USA and Association with Christ Community Seminary, SC, USA. The union further wishes him more success, as he embark on his higher responsibilities, may God continue to use him in His ministry.

Mr. Khehovi Awomi Mr. Hokiye Yeptho Gen. Secretary, KNK President, KNK

NBSE officials with head of institutions on April 28. (NP)

Dr. Tseilhoutuo (Ato) Rhütso accompanied by ASU president unfurling the flag at the 30th biennial general conference of ASU at Tuophema village on Friday. (NP)

Sumi legislators at the felicitation programme at Zunheboto town hall on April 28. (DIPR)

Beshangmongba Chang, Lima Onen, Imtichuba MLA at the felicitation programme-cum-CKS executive session on April 18. (IA Tuensang)

Chief Minister Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio cuts the ribbon during the inaugural programme of Bailey Bridge at Zinki River under Kiphire District on April 28th. (DIPR)

2nd Test: SL beat Ireland, sweep series 2-0

GALLE, APR 28 (IANS):

Off-spinner Ramesh Mendis picked a five-wicket haul while conceding 64 runs as Sri Lanka beat Ireland by an innings and ten runs on day five of the second Test to complete a 2-0 series sweep at the Galle International Stadium, here on Friday.

Ireland had put up a record-breaking performance in the first innings, crossing 400 for the first time in Test cricket with Paul Stirling and Curtis Campher both making hundreds in their total of 492. But going into the final day’s play, they were facing an uphill battle for survival after Sri Lanka declared on 704/3 in their first innings and Ireland had lost two wickets on day four.

Day five’s play began with Andrew Balbirnie and Harry Tector in the middle, but the Ireland captain was struck on the helmet by a bouncer from the fiery Asitha Fernando and left the field after receiving medical attention.

Stirling attempted to

Real Madrid’s Modric a doubt for Copa del Rey final

MADRID, APR 28

(AGENCIES): Real Madrid’s Luka Modric has suffered a thigh injury, and the veteran midfielder could be a doubt for their Copa del Rey final against Osasuna on May 6, manager Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday.

Modric, 37, played a little over an hour in Real’s 4-2 defeat by Girona over the weekend before he was substituted.

Real will be looking to win the Copa del Rey for the 20th time.

“He had an injury in the match against Girona and is out of action,” Ancelotti told reporters ahead of Saturday’s LaLiga game against Almeria.

“It’s pending evolution and we don’t know if he will be fit for the Copa match. We are hurt and we hope he can recover soon to play in the important matches”.

Real host Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on May 9.

They currently sit second in LaLiga, 11 points behind leaders Barcelona after 31 games and two points ahead of Atletico Madrid. Ancelotti’s side also face fourth-placed Real Sociedad in the league on Tuesday.

counter-attack but picked out extra cover after backing away and driving off Prabath Jayasuriya. The scalp meant the Sri Lanka left-arm spinner became the fast bowler to reach 50 Test wickets, doing so in just seven Tests, snatching the record from West Indies’ Alf Valentine.

Jayasuriya also equalled the second fastest bowler overall to reach the 50-wicket mark along with Vernon Philander of South

Africa and Tom Richardson of England. The two pacers also claimed 50 wickets in seven Tests with Philander hitting the mark in 2012 and Richardson in 1896. Tucker and Campher each made starts, but neither could match their substantial contributions in the first innings. Tucker’s dismissal was unfortunate, a Fernando bouncer rising up off his body before bouncing and trickling back onto

the stumps. Campher fell sweeping, attempting an attacking stroke to disturb the close-in fielders, but instead gloved to leg slip.

Balbirnie returned to the field, partnering with Tector to take the side to lunch without any further loss. But post lunch, Balbirnie fell after being caught behind and Mendis struck twice in quick succession -- Andy McBrine edged to slip, while Graham Hume was undone by

FATD organises first Futsal tournament

a beauty, which turned and took the thinnest of grazes to keeper’s gloves.

Tector demonstrated plenty of heart and resolve, as well as a solid defensive technique, in bringing up a 159-ball half-century. With Matthew Humphreys looking solid and the ball soft, Tector accelerated.

Jayasuriya was smashed twice through the off-side for four before being lofted for six, while Mendis was slog-swept twice in successive balls for six and four, Tector playing with the spin in style.

Fernando was then pulled for six as Ireland inched close to taking the lead, and Tector towards a marvellous century. But the game came to a close soon as Tector and Ben White were castled in quick succession to confirm an Irish loss.

Brief Scores: Sri Lanka 704/3 dec in 151 overs beat Ireland 492 and 202 in 77.3 overs (Harry Tector 85, Andrew Balbirnie 46, Ramesh Mendis 5/64, Asitha Fernando 3/30) by an innings and 10 runs

Deaf

NEW DE LHI, APR 28

(IANS): Deaf Chennai

Blasters Team won the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) 4th Deaf Indian Premier League, which was organised in Kolkata in association with Bengal Cricket Association for the Deaf (BCAD).

The Deaf Chennai Blasters Team beat Deaf Bangalore Badshahs Team by 152 runs (DLS method, match reduced to 13 overs) in the final to win the tournament.

DIMAPUR, APR 28 (NPN): A standard basketball court constructed under MGNREGA, department of Rural Development was inaugurated by Block Development Officer (BDO), Pfutsero, Vekhrolo Koza on Friday at Zapami village under Phek district. Speaking at the inauguration programme, Koza called upon the youth to make the best use of the provided facility to excel and make the community proud. He also assured to take up the matter with the higher authority for gallery facility for the standard basketball court.

Koza stressed on the need to engage in recreational activities to stay safe from health risks. He lauded the semblance of unity among the villagers, which made the various developments possible within the village.

Zapami VDB secretary, Kedoutsolhi Wetsah informed that the basketball court was constructed at Rs. 5.30 lakh.

Wetsah informed that Zapami village has achieved 100% CGI sheet roofing to all households in the year

1984 (First in Phek district).

100% electrification to all households in the year 1986 (first in Phek district).

The village received the commendation Certificate Best VDB in overall Rural Development during the last 25 years (19802005). Received Nirmal Gram Puraskar (NGP) Award under total sanitation campaign in the year 2009 (first in Phek district). Received Best performing VDB Award by the DRDA Phek for the year 20142015. Received State Level Award for the best performing VDB Phek district during 2016-2017.

The village also

achieved 100% CGI Sheet Green Painting to all households in the year 2022 and received the best performing VDB secretary Award in Phek district during 20212022. The programme was chaired by chairman Village Education Committee, Rite Khutso, invocation was offered by Zapami Baptist Church pastor Chikhro Khutso, Zapami Village Council chairman, Tewelhi Khutso delivered the welcome address; Kuwe-ü and Weshe-ü Kreo enthralled the gathering with a special number while vote of thanks was proposed by Wekhazü Kreo.

Blasters Team wins IDCA 4th Deaf IPL

DIMAPUR, APR 28 (NPN): Football Association Tseminyu District (FATD) organised its first Futsal tournament 2023 at RIGA’s Astro turf, New Terogvunyu Village. The inaugural function of the two-day tournament was held on April 28. Presenting the scope of Futsal, joint secretary FATD, Hinumo Thong

note, Sr. vice president FATD, Shakelo Thong said that football as a game has a good scope for profession and encouraged the players to take up the game with commitment, dedication and perseverance.

Altogether, 19 teams registered for the tournament and the game will culminate on April 29.

The programme was

chaired by general secretary FATD, Asao Seb, introductory note was delivered by Sr. vice president FATD, Shakelo Thong, FATD anthem

“March for Victory” was tuned in the presence of all the players and spectators following which dedicatory prayer was offered by pastor TTBC, Athonglo Khing.

KDFA invites licensed coaches

KOHIMA, APR 28 (NPN): Kohima District Football Association (KDFA) has invited all licenced coaches of Kohima district for a coordination meeting on May 13, 5 p.m. at 2K Hotel, Ladies

Mile Road, Kohima. KDFA president informed that the meeting will be for the welfare, development and upliftment of football in Kohima and the State as well.

La Liga: Sevilla sneak late victory in Bilbao; Villarreal, Valencia win big

nyol ahead just before halftime, but Etienne Capoue equalized in the 53rd minute and Dani Parejo put Villarreal in front 10 minutes later.

Espanyol’s top scorer Joselu levelled in the 73rd minute, but Nicolas Jackson broke free of the offside trap to score a remarkable individual goal with 10 minutes remaining, and Capoue secured his second of the game in stoppage time to seal the win.

The 19-year-old Javi Guerra scored a stunning stoppage-time goal to complete Valencia’s comeback at home against Valladolid, lifting them out of the bottom three.

MADRID, APR 28

(IANS): Lucas Ocampos scored a stoppage-time penalty to secure a 1-0 win for Sevilla away to Athletic Club Bilbao with their only shot of the game in La Liga on Thursday.

The penalty was awarded for a foul by Yeray Alvarez on the winger and confirmed by VAR, despite TV images showing the defender touched the ball as he challenged, reports Xinhua.

The penalty decided a tight match in which defenses dominated for the most part, but Athletic had two first-half goals disallowed for offside.

Villarreal climbed above Betis into fifth place after netting four secondhalf goals at home against Espanyol, who now find themselves deeper in trouble at second from the bottom of the table.

Javi Puado put Espa-

Mouctar Diakhaby equalized for Valencia with 30 minutes left to play after an error from Valladolid keeper Joel Matip, who failed to pursue a ball he could have stopped, and Guerra netted a crucial goal with a powerful shot as time was running out.

The youngster beat a defender, picked his spot, and fired a left-footed shot past Matip into the corner of the net.

Following the match, the participants were felicitated at the Merlin Rise, Sports City, Club Pavilion Cricket Ground, Rajarhat, Kolkata, West Bengal.

Speaking about the IDCA T20 Deaf IPL, Sumit Jain, President, IDCA asserted, “We are delighted to close this very successful tournament with the support of Ankit Agarwal, President, Bengal Deaf Cricket Association & his team. It was a wonderful experience to be in Kolkata with eight teams coming from all over India for the first time to Kolkata to participate in the IDCA 4th T20 Deaf Indian Premier League, 2023.

“Congratulations to the winning team Deaf Chennai Blasters & runner up team Deaf Bangalore

DSSU holds one day sports meet

Badshahs. IDCA is grateful to all our sponsors, all teams & officials sporting spirit who participated wholeheartedly in this special Deaf IPL,” he added.

The state teams which participated in the league were - Deaf Bangalore Badshahs, Deaf Chennai Blasters, Deaf Kolkata Warriors, Deaf Hyderabad Eagles, Deaf Rajasthan Royals, Deaf Mumbai Stars, Deaf Punjab Lions, Deaf Delhi Bulls.

Roma Balwani, CEO, IDCA said,” Our endeavour & aim is to promote our social campaign for disability sport, ‘Cricket for a Cause’. We are delighted to welcome our guests --

Devang Gandhi, Sushil K. Goenka, Director, Emami Group, Sandeep Agarwal, CFO, Emami Agrotech, Satyen Sanghvi, Director, Merlin Group -- in our closing ceremony.

“We have witnessed one of the superlative performances by the best cricketing talents with hearing impairment from across India at the IDCA 4th T20 Deaf IPL. I wholeheartedly wish all the cricketers the best in their future endeavours. We from Merlin are happy to felicitate best individual talents in categories like Super Sixes, Best Fieldsman of the series, Best wicket keeper of the series, fastest fifty and high-

est wicket takers. We hope to support such initiatives in future also. We hope the ODI among Nepal, Bangladesh and India will be a good experience for us. These talents should be recognised at all levels,” said Satyen Sanghvi, Director, Merlin Group. The event was sponsored & supported by its corporate partners Hero MotoCorp, KFC India, Emami, Group, Merlin Group, Merlin Rise; Club Pavilion, Nykaa, Impact Research & Measurement, Banka Jewels, SK House of Jewellery, Ganeshji Maharaj Jewellery, Silver Arts, Trisys, Jagdamba Jewellers & Kyra Jewelz.

FC Barcelona continue cost-cutting with decision to close TV channel

MADRID, APR 28 (IANS):

Spanish football giants FC Barcelona have announced that the club’s TV channel, Barca TV, will close on June 30. The decision brings an end to the club’s own TV network, which has been in operation since 1996, and leaves about 150 people who worked in the network, either on a permanent or freelance basis, without jobs, reports Xinhua.

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, APR 28 (NPN): Dimapur Sümi Students Union (DSSU) held its third annual sports meet on Friday at Dimapur Government College ground, under the theme “One Team One Dream”.

Addressing the gathering as the special guest, vice president, Nagaland Football Association, Mughato Sumi, said that God has blessed Sumis in many ways while encouraging the gathering not to take sports as a hobby and urged them to be wise in the advance world.

Mughato maintained that education alone was not enough for students and said that students should

also focus in the field of sports, which helps them to be discipline.

He further urged all gathering to be good citizen and help Naga society grow.

A short speech was also delivered by president, Western Sumi Students Union (WSSU), Kabo Zhimomi and presidential address was delivered by president DSSU, Vitoka N Rochill.

Earlier, the programme was chaired by Alakhu Kipeu, invocation was offered by vice president, Phukahe Awomi, special number was presented by Hukali Rochil, while dedicatory prayer was offered by asst Youth Pastor DSBC, Tovikali Shohe.

“FC Barcelona informs

that it has notified its provider, TBSC Telefonica, the company which manages the club’s television network Barca TV, that it will not renew its contract for services, which expires on June 30, 2023,” the club explained in a statement. The decision reflects Barcelona’s ongoing delicate economic situation, with the TV channel thought to cost Barca around 10 mn euros annually, although it also provided prestige and

a worldwide presence, given that it broadcast English language content as well. The club will now attempt to broadcast content through its social media channels. Barca have initiated financial management under pressure from UEFA Financial Fairplay rules for the last few years, allowing Argentine legend Messi to move to PSG as the hefty savings from the transfer helped bring the expenses down.

Players and organisers at the new basketball court.

Sri Lanka players celebrate after winning the Test series against Ireland.

Chennai

Deaf Chennai Blasters Team celebrate after winning the IDCA 4th Deaf IPL.

Players, FATD m,embers and others at RIGA’s Astro turf, New Terogvunyu Village.

Sevilla’s Lucas Ocampos scores through a spot kick.

Mughato Sumi speaking at the programme. (NP)

Mayers, Stoinis sizzle in LSG’s big win over PBKS

MOHALI, APR 28 (PTI): Marcus Stoinis and Kyle Mayers put on a powerhitting masterclass as Lucknow Super Giants slayed Punjab Kings by 56 runs in a high-scoring contest here on Friday after amassing the second highest total in IPL history.

A display of brutal hitting from Mayers (54 off 24) and Stoinis (72 off 40) fired Lucknow Super Giants to 257 for five against a profligate Punjab Kings.

Needing almost 13 runs per over to pull off an improbable chase, Punjab remained behind in the game despite scoring at a decent rate to end with 201 in 19.5 overs.

Atharava Taide batted well for 66 off 36 balls, his maiden fifty plus score in IPL, but the likes of Liam Livingstone (36 off 22) and Sikandar Raza (23 off 14) could not stay long enough to put pressure on the opposition. Skipper Shikhar Dhawan lasted only two balls on his return. Young pacer Yash Thakur was the most successful bowler with figures of 4/37 in 4 overs.

It was LSG’s fifth win in eight matches while Punjab Kings suffered their fourht loss in eight games.

At 152 for four in 15 overs, Punjab were strik -

ing at more than 10 runs per over but task of getting another 106 runs from the last 30 balls was beyond the reach of even Livingstone and Sam Curran (21 off 11).

Besides being the second highest total in IPL history, it was also the highest of the season.

Mayers went on the rampage in the Powerplay before Stoinis 40) effortlessly collected boundaries at will to help his team set a massive target. The other important contributions came from Ayush Badoni (43 off 24) and Nicholas

Pooran (45 off 19).

Back to lead Punjab after three games, Dhawan opted to field but his bowlers were all over the place on a belter of a track.

Barring Rahul Chahar, all the other six bowlers leaked more than 10 runs per over. The usually frugal Arshdeep Singh leaked 54 runs in four overs and Kagiso Rabada gave away 52 runs in four overs although he had two wickets to show for his efforts.

The total was also the highest of the season and six runs shy of 263, the

Badminton Asia C’ships: Satwik-Chirag confirm men’s doubles medal after 52 yrs

rean shuttler by going down 21-18, 5-21, 9-21. Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, began well and won the first game despite trailing 13-16 at one stage. The Indian had never won a game against An Se Young in their previous five meetings.

An Se Young dominated the second game. In the third, Sindhu engaged in longer rallies but An Se Young proved tough to crack and ran away with the game convincingly.

highest ever total in IPL history achieved by RCB back in 2013 when Chris Gayle played his epic 175run knock.

LSG skipper K L Rahul (12 off 9) was the only batter, who could not make use of ideal batting conditions. He was dropped on the first ball of the match off debutant Gurnoor Brar but could not make it count.

Mayers looked in menacing tough from the get go as he smashed Arshdeep for four boundaries in his opening over. He started with a gorgeous drive through

India U-17 men beat Atletico

point before using his long levers to target the long on and deep mid-wicket region, collecting seven fours and four sixes in total.

Such was his confidence and he took a couple of strides forward to dispatch Rabada just over his head.

After Mayers fell inside the Powerplay, Stoinis and Badoni shared an 89-run stand off only 47 balls to maintain the momentum created by Mayers.

Stoinis played some breathtaking strokes in his belligerent knock that included five sixes and half a dozen boundaries.

Stoinis could have been dismissed in the 13th over but Liam Livingstone touched the boundary while trying to take a regulation catch at long on.

Pooran began his innings with three back to back off drives off Livingstone. LSG hammered 73 runs off the last 30 balls.

BRIEF SCORES: Lucknow Super Giants 257/5 (Kyle Mayers 54 off 24 balls, Marcus Stoinis 72 off 40 balls, Nicholas Pooran 45 off 19 balls, Kagiso Rabada 2/52) beat Punjab Kings 201 in 19.5 overs (Atharva Taide 66 off 36 balls, Yash Thakur 4/37) by 56 runs.

Madrid Open: Kvitova biggest first-round victim; Murray loses

MADRID, APR 28

(IANS): The No. 10 seed Petra Kvitova fell victim to the first major upset in the Madrid Open while China’s Zhang Zhizhen sailed into the second round of the clay court event.

Madrileno U-16s in Spain tour

NEW DELHI, APR 28 (PTI): The India U-17 men’s team registered a 2-1 victory over Atletico de Madrileno U-16s in a practice game at the Alcala de Henares, in Madrid.

The India U-17s are currently playing a series of practice matches as part of their preparation for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2023, which will take place in Thailand in June.

Thanglalsoun Gangte and Lalpekhlua scored early in the second half for India, before Tallon pulled one back for the local team on Thursday.

The hosts began the match on the front foot, as India dug deep in the opening exchanges to keep the scores level.

However, India were ready to shift gears on the counter, and got a chance in the third minute itself, when they broke off a Faizan Waheed clearance and Gogocha proceeded up the pitch to feed a cross to Gangte, who shot wide.

Gangte was in the thick of things again, this time at the other end of the pitch, in the 23rd minute, when he cleared an Atletico corner.

The two teams kept going to and fro at each other, before Omang got an oppor-

India U-17 men football squad.

tunity to put his side forward with a little over five minutes of regulation time left in the first half. However, his shot was saved by Atletico keeper Dani.

India keeper Julfikar Gazi was also called into action late in the first half, as he kept the scores at 0-0 before the breather. The Spanish side began on the front foot in the second half as well, and Gazi had to make an acrobatic save early on to keep them out in the 53rd minute.

As it happens in a training game, India head coach Bibiano Fernandes brought in a host of changes a couple of minutes later, as Danny Meitei, Gurnaj Grewal,

Vanlalpeka Guite, Korou Singh, Lalpekhlua, Thokchom, and Ricky Meetei replaced Prachit, Rohen, Omang, Lemment, Gogocha, Faizan Waheed, and Dhanajit, respectively.

Interestingly, the changes turned the game around for the Blue Colts, and India took the lead as Korou passed it for Gangte, who took his chance with aplomb. Having taken the lead, the Korou-Gangte duo worked their magic once again, just four minutes later. Korou sent in a cross for Gangte, and this time, the latter, instead of going for the goal himself, left it for Lalpekhlua, to make it 2-0.

Newcastle strengthen grip on top 4 as Spurs recover their pride in EPL

The 26-year-old Madrid Open debutant came back from one break down in the first set and saved one set point to lead into the second set where he hit 12 winners.

DUBAI, APR 28 (IANS): India’s top men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty assured a men’s doubles medal at the Badminton Asia Championships after 52 years after they beat Indonesia’s experienced duo Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan in the quarterfinals, here on Friday.

The Indian duo of Rankireddy and Shetty won

by 21-11 21-12. They now face Chinese Taipei’s Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin in the last four encounters.

However, former world champion PV Sindhu crashed out of the Championships after losing to world No. 2 An Se Young in her women’s singles quarterfinal match.

World No 11 Sindhu suffered her sixth straight defeat against the South Ko-

At the last edition of the Asian championships held in Manila last year, Sindhu settled for bronze after losing to Akane Yamaguchi in the semi-finals. The 27-year old Sindhu also won a bronze in 2014.

In the men’s singles event, world No. 9 HS Prannoy also bowed out in the men’s singles quarterfinals after conceding his match midway against Kanta Tsuneyama of Japan. Prannoy was trailing 11-21, 9-13 when he retired due to an injury.

Delhi Police register 2 FIRs on sexual harassment allegations against WFI chief

NEW DELHI, APR 28

(PTI): The Delhi Police Friday registered two FIRs in connection with sexual harassment allegations levelled by women wrestlers against Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

On the complaints received from female wrestlers, two FIRs have been registered at the Connaught Place police station, a senior police officer said.

The first FIR pertains to allegations levelled by a minor which has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act along with relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code concerning outraging modesty, he said.

The second FIR has been registered for carrying out comprehensive investigations into the complaints by adult complainants under relevant IPC sections pertaining to outraging of modesty, the

officer said, adding that investigation into both the FIRs was being taken up in right earnest.

The First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed hours after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Delhi Police, told a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha that a case will be registered on Friday.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the wrestlers, placed or record an affidavit in a sealed cover which voiced apprehension about the safety of a minor girl, an alleged victim of sexual assault.

“Bearing in mind the content which has been placed on record, we direct the Commissioner of Police, Delhi, to make an assessment of the threat perception and provide adequate security to the minor girl involved,” the bench said in its order.

It said an affidavit be filed before it on or before May 5, the next date of hearing, about the steps taken for the security of the minor girl.

The apex court bench is hearing a plea filed by seven women wrestlers on non-registration of an FIR on their sexual harassment allegations against Singh.

After Mehta’s submission, the country’s top wrestlers, who have been on a sit-in at Jantar Mantar in Delhi since Sunday demanding action against Singh, rejoiced “the first step towards victory” but said they will continue their agitation. They demanded that the BJP MP be removed from all the positions he holds.

The Czech player, who won in Miami earlier this month, lost 7-6(9), 6-1 to Jule Niemeier of Germany here on Thursday. Croatia’s 20th-seeded Donna Vekic also bowed out, following a 6-1, 7-6 (5) loss to Spain’s Rebeka Masarova.

Dominic Thiem advanced into the last 64 with a convincing 6-4, 6-1 victory against Kyle Edmund of Britain, who is still working his way back to his best after a knee injury, reports Xinhua.

In the men’s tournament, China’s Zhang Zhizhen qualified for the second round, earning a 7-6(6), 6-4 victory over Jurij Rodionov of Austria in a match that lasted one hour and 30 minutes.

Former world No. 1 Andy Murray also exited in the first round, suffering a 6-2, 7-6(7) defeat to Andrea Vavassori of Italy.

China’s Wu Yibing crashed out in the first round as well, following a 6-2, 6-4 loss to Slovakian Alex Molcan in one hour and 21 minutes on Wednesday.

In the women’s doubles, China’s eighth seeds Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan advanced to the next round after defeating Ekaterina Alexandrova and Anastasia Potapova 7-5, 6-2.

On Wednesday, China’s Wang Xiyu booked a Round-of-64 match against No. 23 seed Bianca Andreescu, thanks to a hard-fought three-set win over Varvara Gracheva, 6-7(2), 6-3, 6-4.

LONDON, APR 28 (IANS): Newcastle United solidified their position for a top-four finish in the Premier League while Tottenham Hotspur staged a comeback to draw 2-2 at home against Manchester United in the latest action in the top-flight English league. Newcastle registered a convincing 4-1 win away at Everton on Thursday night, which was never in ques -

tion after Callum Wilson put them ahead in the 28th minute. Everton’s main issue this season has been a lack of goals, and despite 13 shots at the goal, they failed to find the net until Joelinton and Wilson’s second of the game put Newcastle 3-0 up in the second half, reports Xinhua.

Dwight McNeil’s goal in the 80th minute gave Everton hope, but it only

lasted for a minute before Jacob Murphy added Newcastle’s fourth, leaving Everton second from the bottom ahead of Monday’s crucial game away at Leicester City. Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford appeared to have secured a vital win for Manchester United when they scored in the seventh and 44th minutes, putting their side 2-0 ahead away at Tottenham, where Ryan Mason was back as caretaker coach after Spurs’ 6-1 defeat to Newcastle last weekend. But Tottenham wingback Pedro Porro netted an impressive volley to bring them back into the game in the 56th minute.

Bruno Fernandes failed to finish off a fantastic solo run, and Son Heung-min, after being set up by Harry Kane, equalised to restore pride for Spurs in the 79th minute. Left-back Marcus Tavernier scored early in the second half as Bournemouth won a south-coast derby 1-0 away against bottom-side Southampton.

Neeraj leads way as sports fraternity lends support to wrestlers

NEW DELHI, APR 28

(PTI): The Indian sporting fraternity on Friday put its weight behind the protesting wrestlers with Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra leading the way with a plea for “quick action” to ensure that justice is served.

Besides champion javelin thrower Chopra, ace boxer Nikhat Zareen, tennis star Sania Mirza, hockey player Rani Rampal, renowned former cricketers Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Madan Lal and Navjot Singh Sidhu also came out in support of the wrestlers.

These sports personalities expressed their views a day after Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha came down heavily on the wrestlers for hitting the streets to resume their protests instead of approaching its athletes’ commission.

Chopra tweeted, “It hurts me to see our athletes on the streets demanding justice. They have worked hard to represent our great nation and make us proud. As a nation, we are respon-

sible for safeguarding the integrity and dignity of every individual, athlete or not. What’s happening should never happen. “

“This is a sensitive issue, and must be dealt with in an impartial and transparent manner. Pertaining authorities must take quick action in order to ensure that justice is served.”

The wrestlers have now received support from the country’s only two individual Olympic gold medallists, with 2008 Beijing Games shooting champion Abhinav Bindra too recently voicing his support to the grapplers.

The wrestlers, who include Olympics, Commonwealth and World

Championships medal winners in Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat, have been sitting in at Jantar Mantar in the heart of the national capital since last weekend.

Double world championship gold medallist Zareen said, “It breaks my heart to see our Olympic & World medallists in this state. Sports people also serve the nation by bringing glory & laurels. I sincerely hope & pray that the law takes its own course and justice is served at the earliest. Jai Hind.”

Sania tweeted, “As an athlete but more as a woman this is too difficult to watch .. they’ve brought laurels to our country and

we have all celebrated them, with them .. if you have done that then it’s time to now stand with them in this difficult time too .. this is a highly sensitive matter and serious allegations. I hope whatever the truth is justice is served.. sooner rather than later.”

While no active India cricketer has expressed its opinion on the matter, some former players aired their views.

“It is extremely sad that our champions, who have brought laurels to the country, hoisted the flag and brought so much happiness to all of us, have to come out on the road today. It is a very sensitive matter and it should be investigated impartially.

Hope the players get justice,” Sehwag tweeted.

Former off-spinner and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Harbhajan wrote, “Sakshi, Vinesh are India’s pride. I am pained as a sportsperson to find pride of our country coming out to protest on the streets. I pray that they get justice.”

Irfan Pathan wrote,

“Indian athletes are always our pride not only when they get medals for us...”

While Madan Lal said, “Problem with our sports men’s and women’s are they never stand by their own players. P T usha comments are not best for players unity.”

Navjot Singh Sidhu, who is now attached with the Congress, also voiced his concerns and said he will join the wrestlers at Jantar Mantar on Monday.

“Shocking that 9 women of recognition complained & no FIR is registered. It’ll be a tear on the cheek of time in Indian history. Any country that insults their women icons is hurting its own pride, these women have brought laurels to the nation. They have given wings to the aspirations of millions”.

Over the last five days, the wrestlers have slept and trained at the protest site.

The IOA also announced the formation of a three-member committee to run the day-to-day affairs of the WFI and conduct fresh polls within 45 days.

Newcastle United players celebrate after their goal.

Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy

Abhinav Bindra and Neeraj Chopra

B. Bhushan Sharan Singh

Lucknow Super Giants batter Marcus Stonis plays a shot during the IPL match between Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab Kings at PCA stadium, Mohali. (PTI)