27 Feb 2023

Aus beat S. Africa by 19 runs to register hat-trick of Women’s T20 WC titles

Assembly polls in Nagaland, Meghalaya today

MULTI-CORNERED CONTESTS; 118 SEATS, OVER 550 CANDIDATES IN FRAY

Correspondent/Agencies

KOHIMA/SHILLONG,

FEB 26: After nearly a month of high-octane campaigning, it’s now over to the voters in Nagaland and Meghalaya where singlephase elections will be held on February 27.

More than 34 lakh electors would choose their new representatives in the elections to be held across 118 constituencies on Monday-- 59 each in Nagaland and Meghalaya-- to seal the fate of over 550 candidates.

The counting of votes for both the states, along with that of Tripura, will take place on March 2.

In Nagaland, there are a total of 13,17,632 eligible voters, of which 6,61,489 are men and 6,56,143 women, who will decide the electoral fate of 182 candidates contesting in 59 out of a

Prohibitory orders clamped in Sitimi town

DIMAPUR, FEB 26

(NPN): Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kiphire T Wati

Aier has clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC of 1973 in Sitimi town from 12 noon of Sunday till 5 am of March 3.

The order follows reports of scuffle between two group of miscreants, mobilisation of miscreants, disturbances and a situation of breach of public peace and tranquillity threatening the atmosphere of free and fair election in the town.

Accordingly, assembly of five or more persons and vehicular movement of non-essential nature have been prohibited during this period.

However, officials and staff of district administration, security personnel, magistrates on duty, medical personnel and persons engaged in election duty/ essential services have been exempted.

Movement of all commercial vehicles (goods/passengers) or vehicles carrying essential commodities, press and media, telecom services and medical emergencies has also been exempted from the purview of restriction.

The order stated that after careful examination of all facts, the DC was satisfied that there were sufficient grounds for taking precautionary measures to prevent occurrence of any untoward incident in the interest of maintaining peace and tranquillity in the town.

1 dead, 15 polling personnel injured in

road mishap in Wka

in place and we are confident that the elections will be conducted smoothly,” CEO said.

The ruling NDPP and the BJP are contesting the polls on a 40:20 seat-sharing basis. The Akuluto seat in Zunheboto district was won uncontested by BJP nominee and sitting MLA Kazheto Kinimi.

total of 60 seats. Polling will be held from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Speaking to media persons at his office chamber in Kohima on Sunday evening, chief electoral officer (CEO) Nagaland V. Shashank Shekhar said that 11,575 polling personnel have been despatched for the election duty, where polling will be held in 2291 polling stations across 59 assembly constituencies. Merapani polling station no. 71 under Bhandari assembly constitu-

ency in the Wokha district has the lowest number of electors at 37.CEO further said that 387 all women polling stations have been set up. Shekhar further said that over 300companies of central police force and 11000 state police personnel have been deployed at polling stations across the State. He said 720 polling stations were identified as “vulnerable”, 777 “critical” and the rest were normal.

“All arrangements are

The Congress has fielded 23 candidates while the NPF, which won 26 seats in the last assembly polls, has fielded candidates in 22 seats. NPP and NCP have fielded 12 candidates each. Newbie in Nagaland politics, LJP (Ram Vilas) has put up as many as 16 candidates, while the RPI (Athawale) has fielded eight aspirants.A total of 19 nominees will contest as Independents.

Meghalaya: In Meghalaya, polling will be held at 3,419 polling stations across 59 assembly constituencies

in the state. The voting will begin at 7am and continue till 4pm on Monday.

Of the 60 assembly constituencies in Meghalaya, 36 constituencies fall in Khasi, Jaintia Hills region while 24 are in Garo Hills region. There are over 21 lakh electorates (21,75,236) of which 10.99 lakh are women and 10.68 lakh are male voters. In Meghalaya, the woman voters are in higher numbers than their male counterparts. There are about 81,000 first-time voters in the state.

As many as 369 candidates are in the fray of which 36 are women.

Of the total 3,419 polling stations, 120 will be all women-managed polling stations, 60 are model polling stations and another 60 will be PWD polling stations.

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 26

(NPN): One person was killed and 15 others injured when a vehicle carrying polling personnel met with an accident nearnear Thillong Bridge, Doyang under Wokha district on Sunday afternoon.

When contacted, Addl SP & PRO Wokha police informed Nagaland Post that the vehicle (Force Traveller AS01LC-0882) carrying 16 persons including security and polling personnel, was enroute to Sungro sector polling station 4 of 39th Sanis A/C for election duty.

The 16 occupants included the driver, handyman, a Nagaland police personnel, eight Jharkhand IRB personnel and five polling officials. PRO said that the handyman died on the spot. The injured were rushed to district hospital

CBI arrests Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia in excise policy case

NEW DELHI, FEB 26

(AGENCIES): In a big jolt to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Delhi’s deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia was on Sunday arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over his alleged involvement in the Delhi excise policy case.

Sisodia was grilled for over eight hours before his arrest. The entire questioning of Sisodia by the CBI was videographed. AAP– after the arrest— accused Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of conducting a witch-hunt against its leaders. The party said Sisodia was arrested in a false case.

Sources said Manish

Sisodia was called for questioning after three months following a statement recorded by a senior excise department official – who in his statement said Sisodia tailored Delhi’s liquor policy. Sisodia was first

questioned in October last year by the CBI. The probe agency had previously called Sisodia for questioning on February 19. AAP leader, who is also Delhi’s Finance Minister, however, sought a week’s time for making

Crude bomb blast in Mokokchung; 25 detained with arms near Alichen

Correspondent

MOKOKCHUNG, FEB 26 (NPN): Barely 12 hours before the polling, a crude bomb reportedly exploded at Aongza ward in Mokokchung town Sunday night.

Sources said that the blast took place at Aongza ward at around 9.30 p.m. near the residence of Independent candidate I. TalitsubaImchen, who is contesting from Koridang assembly constituency. When contacted, Aongza ward authority chairman, Longri confirmed about the blast. However, there was no report

of any casualty till the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, police also detained 25 persons from Alichen area (under Koridang A/C) Sunday evening along with arms. Sources said that two AK series rifle, one pistol and crude bombs were also seized from the possession of the arrested persons.

In another incident, shots were reportedly fired near Alichen 2nd gate on Sunday morning. A complaint with police was also lodged by the son of the Ind candidate, Limameren claiming that the IRB per-

sonnel stationed at Alichen area had physically assaulted some of the supporters soon after the firing incident. The complainant also alleged that ten of the supporters were taken to police custody. Tension has been running high in Koridang A/C, particularly after the killing of late Imkongchiba Kichu on February 22. Reports of people moving, some with arms has only added to apprehension. Police have redoubled security measures to prevent any untoward incident in the areas in and around places where violent incidents had taken place.

Delhi Budget. The CBI had agreed to his request.

On August 17, last year, CBI had registered a case against Sisodia, then excise department officials and businessmen on charges of cheating, and bribery in the new excise policy (2021-22), which was later shelved. On August 19, the CBI raided the residence of Manish Sisodia and three other members of the AAP. Before his arrest, Sisodia asked AAP to take care of his family

Earlier, ahead of his questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in alleged liquor scam, Delhi’s deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia got

CM appeals citizens to vote in large numbers

DIMAPUR, FEB 26

(NPN): As the State prepares to go to Assembly election on Monday, chief minister Neiphiu Rio appealed to all eligible voters in Nagaland, especially those voting for the first time, to turnout in record numbers and cast their vote on February 27.

“Be a contributor to the democratic process. I also extend my best wishes to all the candidates. May polling day be peaceful & successful,” the chief minister said in a tweet.

emotional, when he-- apprehending his arrest-- asked his party workers to take care of his wife and son.

Addressing the party workers, outside the CBI headquarters, Sisodia said his wife had all along been supporting him during the ups and downs of his life.

As many as 50 AAP workers and prominent leaders– including MP Sanjay Singh and Delhi minister Gopal Rai– were detained by the Delhi Police for allegedly violating section 144 of the CrPC. The AAP workers were holding a protest outside the CBI headquarters while Sisodia was questioned by the CBI.

Wokha while nine others were airlifted to Dimapur and admitted to CIHSR.

PRO said that the district administration along with state police personnel rushed to the spot immediately after hearing the incident. He also added that CRPF nodal official assisted the team.

According to DIPR reports, the apparent cause of the accident seemed to be mechanical failure.

A new team of polling personnel along with polling materials/machinery from the reserve has been dispatched from Wokha district headquarters, DIPR said.

Further, deputy commissioner Wokha Ajit Kumar Ranjan assured that, if required, EVMs would be replaced from the reserve.

He added that all 15 received injuries, while five of them were seriously injured. He however informed that non were in critical situation. The PRO added that district administration and police personnel rushed to the spot immediately after hearing of the incident, whilst also adding that district medical team coordinated with them. He also added that CRPF nodal official assisted the team.

NEW DELHI, FEB 26

(PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release the 13th instalment of financial benefits worth Rs 16,800 crore to over eight crore eligible farmers under the flagship PM-KISAN scheme on Monday ahead of Holi and rabi harvesting.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), eligible farmers are provided with a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year in three equal instalments of Rs 2,000 each every four months. The fund is directly transferred to the bank accounts of the ben-

eficiaries. The scheme was launched in February 2019 but is being implemented with effect from December 2018. The Prime Minister will release the 13th instalment at an event to be held at Belagavi, Karnataka, an official statement said on Sunday.

More than one lakh attendees, comprising PMKISAN and Jal Jeevan Mission beneficiaries are expected to take part in the event. The Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Agriculture Secretary Manoj Ahuja will also be present.

CEO appeals electors to vote without fear

DIMAPUR, FEB 26 (NPN): Chief electoral officer (CEO) V Shashank

Shekhar has appealed to all electors to cast their vote without fear or undue influence in the Assembly election on Monday.

In a statement, he pointed out to the voters that it was their legitimate right to cast their vote with the spirit of one man one vote. He however insisted that there should not be any malpractice, disturbance, violence, etc, during the polling hour so as to conduct the election in a free, fair and peaceful manner.

For any assistance, he urged the people to contact

booth level officer (BLO) for polling station location, voter slip, document required for identification.

He also stressed that there should be no proxy voting in any polling station, except those persons who have been authorised to vote as proxy for an elector under electoral law in so far as he votes as a proxy for such electors. He said ethical voting must be maintained throughout the polling process. In this regard, he request all presiding and polling officers to discharge their duties and responsibilities as per rules and maintain law and order inside the polling stations as well as in the catchment ar-

Voices on issues during the current electioneering

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, FEB 26

(NPN): Public in Nagaland are overwhelmingly in favour of Clean Election and would have voted overwhelmingly for it (Clean Election) but only if the choice were not hijacked by money and muscle power.

In fact, Clean Election came ahead of another need to secure solution to the Naga political issue. These were the two most common issues spoken by people when Nagaland Post asked them for their opinions during the past few days in the run up to the February 27 poll.

One college student of a well-known college in Dimapur, said he was in favour of clean election where money or muscle power were not allowed to hijack the will of the people.

He said that since Nagaland is a majority Christian state, it was only expected that Clean Election ought to have been the standard practice since everyone today is totally fed up of the role money and muscle power playing havoc with the election system in the state for decades,

Asked on whether solution to Naga political issue was crucial, he said though the Centre and the state pre-

ferred to keep it in abeyance over political interest, yet people will not remain quiet after the new government takes office.

He said people especially the ordinary daily wage earners were confused about the intention of the Modi government at the Centre and the Rio-led government in the state about the issue, he said it was time that the exact status of the final negotiations should be made known since keeping it under a veil of secrecy was questionable.

On whether the Church has done anything much with regard to implementing Clean Election, another

female student said the objective would be achieved if all youths were made aware about it. She said the issue of Clean Election has been talked about and discussed for nearly ten years and therefore, there should be a great deal of awareness today.

Due to the high level of awareness about Clean Election, today elections have become slightly less inclined to cash and guns as in the past though a lot remains to be desired.

On whether the four female candidates in the fray would win the election, she said it would be the finest achievement in

the state’s political history even if a single woman candidate won. She said all her friends are hoping that all four women candidates will make it to the assembly in order to bring changes to society. She acknowledged that young women were putting on more efforts to bring a positive change in society.

Another professional working in a public sector bank when asked if the political parties can reshape the budget to focus on cutting down unnecessary expenditure while aiming to invest more in revenue earning projects such as PPP model for local entrepreneurs, his answer was that Nagaland

needed a full-time finance minister to get down to serious work.

The bank employee said the government could also think of professionalising its cooperative bank since the bank can be a unique model of banking in the region that is sensitive to the needs of people.

A free lance journalist when asked about the likely outcome of the election replied wittingly that though people speak of change yet they “may vote for the same change” since there is no optional change. He however added it would only be proved after March 2, when counting is complete.

eas of their polling stations. Conveying his greetings to all the voters in this festival of democracy, Shekhar also appealed to all the electors to exercise their voting right and uphold the democratic principle of the nation.

“It is a proud moment for every citizen of Nagaland to exercise his/her vote in the General Election to Nagaland Legislative Assembly 2023. I wish all the best to all the DEOs, ROs, AROs, polling officials, law enforcement agencies and other related election officials, voters, etc. Let this election be conducted in the true spirit of democracy,” he exhorted.

NAVA RAIPUR, Feb 26

(PTI): The Congress is considering a Pasighat-to-Porbandar yatra, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Sunday after Rahul Gandhi called for taking the “tapasya” of the Bharat Jodo Yatra forward.

Ramesh asserted that there was a lot of enthusiasm and energy among party workers for another yatra after the nearly 4,000-km Kanyakumari-to-Kashmir journey that was undertaken by Gandhi and scores of Congress persons from September 2022 to January this year.

Delhi Police personnel escort Sisodia form Rajghat ahead of his questioning by CBI in Delhi, Sunday. (PTI)

Some of the injured jawans at the accident site. (Social Media)

PM to release `16,800 crore to farmers under PM-KISAN scheme

Cong plans new march, this time from east to west

Polling personnel with materials being dispatched for duty in Dimapur.

M’laya poll: Officials cross rivers, trek for hours

traditional Khasi basket ‘khoh’ to carry the EVMs and other items, the CEO said. The Meghalaya assembly has 60 seats, but polling for the Sohiong constituency in East Khasi Hills district

was adjourned due to the death of UDP candidate HDR Lyngdoh. A total of 369 candidates are contesting the elections, the votes for which will be counted on March 2.

21 lakh voters to seal fate of 369 candidatesinM’layapollstoday

Meghalaya polling officer dies in accident

SHILLONG, FEB 26

(PTI): A polling officer died in Meghalaya’s West Garo Hills district when the vehicle in which he was travelling overturned, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) FR Kharkongor said on Sunday.

Meghalaya polling parties leave for their respective polling stations through the living root bridge in Nongriat ahead of Meghalaya Assembly elections, in Sohra, Sunday. (PTI)

SHILLONG, FEB 26 (PTI): Election officials made their way to the polling booths across Meghalaya, trekking steep mountainous paths, crossing muddy rivers and walking for hours, as the northeastern state gears up for the assembly polls on Monday.

Over 19,000 polling officials have been deployed at 3,419 booths set up for the elections to the 59 assem-

bly seats, Chief Electoral Officer F R Kharkongor told PTI.

“All the teams that left for their respective polling booths since Saturday have now arrived,” he said.

The polling teams had to trek steep mountain paths, cross muddy rivers while travelling through difficult terrains -- in some areas through ropeways, to reach their destinations,

Kharkongor said.

A team headed to Nongriat polling station of Shella assembly constituency in East Khasi Hills district trekked 6,000 steps to reach its destination located near the scenic root bridge, he said. Election officials had to row a boat to reach the Amlarem constituency’s Kamsing polling station, which has only 35 voters.

Some teams used the

Drugs worth Rs 33 crore among items seized ahead of polling in Meghalaya

SHILLONG, FEB 26 (PTI):

Drugs worth Rs 33.24 crore, and Rs 8.63 crore in cash have been seized in Meghalaya where polling for the assembly elections will be held on Monday, the Election Commission said.

Precious metals worth Rs 91 lakh, liquor of Rs 2.54 crore and different other items meant for distribution among voters worth Rs 27.37 crore were also seized by the law enforcement agencies, Chief Electoral Officer FR Kharkongor told PTI. “The total cumulative value of the seizure made since the model code of conduct came into effect on January 18 is Rs 72.70 crore,” he said.

The polling will be held for 59 seats of the 60-member assembly on Monday, and the votes will be counted on March 2. Polling for the Sohiong constituency in East Khasi Hills district was adjourned due to the death of UDP candidate HDR Lyngdoh.

BSF seizes huge amount of cash from near Bangladesh border

A day after Meghalaya’s international border with Bangladesh was sealed ahead of the February 27 Assembly elections, the BSF seized a huge amount cash from near the zero line in East Khasi Hills district, an officer said on Sunday.

Acting on suspicious move-

ment, BSF seized a huge amount of cash from near the international border in two separate operations in the past 48 hours, a BSF officer told PTI.

In the first instance, the BSF deployed in Hat Thymmai area of the IndoBangladesh border seized a bag containing 18 lakh Bangladesh Taka. The carrier escaped taking advantage of the thick vegetation and darkness, he said.

In a second incident, BSF troops impounded Rs 3.12 lakh cash in Ryngku village when the troops acted upon suspicious movement of a group of people near the international border.

Meghalaya is all set for polling in 59 of the 60 assembly seats where more than 21.6 lakh voters will seal the fate of 369 candidates on Monday, as the ruling National People’s Party will fight to retain power, while the BJP and Trinamool Congress will attempt to unseat the incumbent government from power.

Chief Electoral Officer F R Kharkongor said preparations for conducting a free, fair and peaceful election have been completed. Polling will begin at 7 am in 3,419 booths and will continue till 4 pm. As many as 640 polling

booths have been categorised as ‘vulnerable’ and 323 as ‘critical’.

Thirty-six of the 369 candidates are women. The highest of 10 women nominees have been put up by the Congress. Polling in Sohiong constituency has been adjourned due to the death of one of the candidates.

“Over 19,000 polling personnel and 119 companies of CAPFs have been deployed in polling stations. They have been backed by state police personnel to maintain law and order,” the CEO said. The international border with Bangladesh has also been sealed.

According to the CEO, the vehicle carrying polling officials enroute to Jangrapara LP School met with an accident at a remote village in West Garo Hills district on Saturday night.

The other officials and security personnel reported minor injuries and were taken to Tikrikilla community health centre from where Chesham Ch Marak and his colleagues were referred to a hospital in Goalpara. Chesham, the second polling officer, who suffered head injuries was later taken to Guwahati where he was declared brought dead at the hospital, the CEO said.

The EVM machines were safely collected and secured by a sector magistrate and accompanied by security forces were taken to the concerned polling station.

“The entire election machinery in general and West Garo Hills in particular deeply condoles the very unfortunate and untimely demise of Chesham,” Kharkongor said in a statement.

“The Election Department is extending an exgratia compensation of Rs 15 lakh which will be paid to the next of kin,” he said.

A team of over 19,000 election officials are being deputed to man 3,419 polling stations across the state. Around 119 companies of CAPFs are being deployed in the state for the elections,

he said. Elections to the 59 assembly seats will be held on Monday in which over 21.6 lakh registered voters are eligible to exercise their franchise. The votes will be counted on March 2.

Rs15lakhex-gratia to next of kin

The Meghalaya Election Department is extending an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 15 lakh which will be paid to the next of kin of polling officer Chesham Ch Marak who died in a car accident on Saturday while on polling duty.

Students vandalize exam centre over extra time

Correspondent

IMPHAL, FEB 26: Eight students appearing in the ongoing Class-XII examinations conducted by Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur (COHSEM) resorted to vandalism at their examination centre at ACME Higher Secondary School at Yairipok of Thoubal district on Saturday. They later surrendered to the police on Sunday even as the state education department ordered a probe into the vandalism. A local source claimed that the students who were angered after additional time was allotted to others but not to them even as another source alleged that

the students indulged in the vandalism after teachers on examination duty denied unfair means during the examination.

Properties of the school, including benches and desks were damaged in the vandalism at the concluding part of day’s exam when some students started pelting stones toward the school.

The vandalism was allegedly perpetrated by students of the Azad Higher Secondary School appearing for the exam at the centre (ACME Higher Secondary School).

In the melee, at least 15 students were injured and one female teacher fell unconscious and they were immediately rushed

to a Community Health Centre at Yairipok.

The Yairipok police station has initiated an investigation into the incident after lodging a case under 148/353/307/427/34 IPC relating to rioting. In the FIR , the police pointed out eight students as instigators of the uproar.

The eight students turned up at the Yairipok police station and surrendered. The police formally arrested them and initiated legal action against them, the source said.

All the surrendered students belonged to Azad Higher Secondary School appearing in the ongoing examination at the centre.

Meanwhile, the state education department has

ordered a probe into the vandalism at the exam centre involving students appearing in the exam.

While inquiring to fix responsibility on those who triggered the unrest, the inquiry will also ascertain the circumstances leading to the uproar of the students.

The inquiry report to be submitted on Monday will also suggest measures to be taken up to prevent such incidents in future.

Talking to media today, state education minister Th Basantakumar asserted that the state government took the matter seriously and appropriate legal actions against the erring students.

The minister said that

the report of the inquiry would be submitted by Monday.

He further informed that fresh examination for the particular subject for the students appearing the exam at the particular centre will be conducted.

The prompt action of inquiring about the incident came after various student bodies demanded action against the student responsible for the vandalism.

The examination for Class-XII conducted by the COHSEM commenced on February 23 ends on April 1. A total of 36, 717 students at 120 different examination centers across the state are appearing in this year’s examination.

Polling teams dispatched across Nagaland

DIMAPUR: In view of the general election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) election 2023 on February 27, polling personnels and equipment from various districts were dispatched to respective

polling stations on Sunday. Kohima: Polling personnel and polling equipment to 184 polling stations across six Assembly Constituencies were dispatched on Sunday from DC office, Kohima.

According to DIPR report, altogether, 920 polling personnel including polling officers, 1st polling officers, second polling officers, third polling officers and grade IV staff proceeded to their respective designated poll-

ing stations. Out of 184 polling stations, 40 polling stations will be managed by all women polling parties.

Phek: Polling teams in Phek district were dispatched successfully by late afternoon on Sunday at local

ground, Phek.

Altogether, there are 202 polling stations in the district in which 25 polling teams against 25 polling stations have been released and have already reached their destinations on Saturday.

36 polling stations to be manned by all women team in Dimapur

DIMAPUR: Deputy Commissioner and DEO Dimapur, Sachin Jaiswal has informed that a total of 36 polling stations under Dimapur district would be manned by all women team starting from magistrate to 4th grade staff, during the forthcoming General Election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on February 27.

According to a DIPR report, the DC disclosed that a total of 860 polling officials has been assigned for election duties and 258 extra polling officials has been kept as extra reserve if need arises. A model voter friendly polling station with all assured minimum facilities has also been set up at Burma camp and Phaipijang.

The remaining 77 polling teams against 77 polling stations were dispatched on Sunday from Phek Hq. Noklak : Polling officers along with security personnel for 56 AC Noklak and 57 AC Thonoknyu were

dispatched to all polling stations under Noklak on Sunday for the conduct of the general election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.

Altogether, there are 31 polling stations under

56 AC Noklak and 33 polling stations under 57 AC Thonoknyu.

Earlier, on Saturday, eight polling parties were dispatched to their respective polling stations under 57 A/C Thonoknyu.

DIMAPUR: A co-ordination meeting among Air Charter Service led by captain Raja Tarun, Chopper Medical Evacuation Team, district health officials led by chief medical officer (CMO) and State nodal health officer from Directorate of Health and Family Welfare was held at CMO’s office chamber Dimapur on February 25. A press release issued

by additional director and OSD (Health) to CEO, Dr. C Tetrseo informed that chopper service for emergency medical evacuation within the state has been in place since February 17 and Air ambulance for patient evacuation outside the state is also in place from February 24 till March 2 midnight. The members discussed about strategy to

deal with any emergency situation where air evacuation of poll personnel may be required. The release informed that the state government has made elaborate arrangements for all poll personnel and in this regard, government hospitals, military hospitals and private hospitals in the state and some outside the state were empaneled for cashless treatments.

DEO Dimapur further informed that sufficient para military forces have arrived in Dimapur district for conduct of peaceful, free and fair elections. He appealed to the voters to come and participate in the election process while ensuring one man one vote and to celebrate the festival of democracy. In Dimapur district, a total of 1,20,864 electorates representing three Assembly Constituencies will go to poll spread across 172 Polling Stations.

1 Dimapur I has a total of 24943 electorates (Male 12793, Female 12150); 2 Dimapur II has a total of 58292 voters (Male - 28882, Female29410) and 3 Dimapur III has a total of 37629 voters (Male - 18633, Female - 18996).

DIMAPUR: The third round of training for polling personnel for the general election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, 2023 under Noklak district was held on February 24 at GHSS, Noklak.

According to DIPR report, during the training, general observer for Noklak district, Ajoy Sharma, advised the polling personnel to be confident and well-equipped on EVM/VVPAT for the conduct of polling. Observer stated that

the secrecy of voting is very important and urged them to maintain the secrecy of voting on poll day. He wished all the polling personnel for the successful conduct of the poll.

DC & DEO Noklak, K. Mhathung Tsanglao spoke on the setting up of polling compartments and other procedures on the day of the poll. The DC informed that facilitation centres for EVM/VVPAT have been set up at DC office, Noklak, where he requested all polling person-

nel to utilize the facilities. The polling personnel were imparted with theory and hands-on training on EVM and VVPAT by the trainers.

District level master trainers were PGTs GHSS Noklak, T. Wanle Konyak, Arenkaba, DFO Noklak Khriezhato Nakhro and assistant programmer, Election Office Noklak, Sentimeren Jamir. Meanwhile, the casting of the postal ballot was also conducted for the polling personnel at GHSS, Noklak February 24.

Chesham Ch Marak

Security personnel dispatched in Noklak. (DIPR)

Polling personnel dispatched in Kohima. (DIPR)

Officials during the coordination meeting on February 25.

Polling personnel attend the 3rd round of training in Noklak. (DIPR)

Polling personnel leaves for duty in Dimapur. (DIPR)

Dispatch of polling officials in Phek. (DIPR)

SNIPPETS

Man, grandson killed in road accident in UP

MAHOBA, FEB 26

(IANS): In a shocking incident of another hitand-drag case, a man and his grandson were killed after their scooty was hit by a truck that kept on speeding with the twowheeler stuck under it for a distance. The incident is said to have taken place on Saturday on NH 86 -- Kanpur-Sagar Highway.

Both the man, and his sixyear-old grandson died in the incident. The police said that the truck has been seized and the driver taken into custody.

Triple murder in UP, woman arrested

GORAKHPUR, FEB 26

(IANS): A woman killed her husband and two stepsons by slitting their throat in her house in Sahabganj in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur district on Sunday.

The accused woman has been arrested and the knife used in the crime has also been seized. According to reports, Avadhesh Gupta, 40, had remarried after the death of his first wife from whom he had two sons Aryan and Pihu. According to sources, Neelam had relations with another man and wanted to get rid of her husband and step-sons.

Youth murdered in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD, FEB 26

(IANS): A youth missing for nearly two weeks was found brutally murdered in Hyderabad early on Sunday. The body of Mohammed Shah Faisal was found near Minar Colony in Shaheen Nagar on the city outskirts. Police shifted the body for autopsy. According to police, the victim was attacked with sticks and stones. Faisal was missing since February 12 and his parents had lodged a complaint with Balapur police station under Rachakonda police commissionerate.

Youth dies while dancing at a wedding

HYDERABAD, FEB 26

(IANS): In yet another incident of youth succumbing to cardiac arrest, a 19-year-old collapsed and died while dancing at a wedding of his relative. The incident occurred on Saturday night when Mutyam, a native of Maharashtra, was dancing at the wedding reception of a relative in Pardi village of Nirmal district, about 200 km from Hyderabad. The video of the incident went viral on social media. The young man was in a celebratory mood and was dancing to a popular number in the presence of the guests.

While dancing, he suddenly collapsed and fell unconscious. The guests rushed him to Bhainsa Area Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Doctors said the youth may have suffered massive cardiac arrest.

Kerala CM dismisses

fourth Sat holiday for state govt employees

THIRUVANANTHA -

PURAM, FEB 26

(IANS): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday rejected the recommendation by the state Administrative Reforms Commission for providing a holiday to state government employees on the fourth Saturday. The suggestion was to bring the state government employees equivalent to the bank employees who have an off day on the fourth Saturday. The Chief Minister’s action came following the stringent opposition by the Left trade unions to the conditions put forward by the government for leave on the fourth Saturday.

Have a heart, PM tells young cops

LUCKNOW, FEB 26

(PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked fresh recruits in Uttar Pradesh Police to have a heart -- be sensitive even as they are asked to wield the stick as part of their new responsibility.

Modi pitched for “sensitivity” in the system even as he claimed that UP has shed the tag of being a state where the law and order was in shambles.

“There was a time when Uttar Pradesh was known for the mafia and the poor law-and-order situation. Today, it is known for better law and order and as a state that is progressing rapidly,” he said in a recorded message at a “rozgar mela”, where over 9,000 appointment letters were handed over to newly recruited security personnel.

He asked the young policemen and women never to stop learning.

These included police sub-inspectors, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) officers and firefighters, joining the service in a state which in the past has faced accusation of police excesses.

“When you don the police uniform, the gov -

ernment places a baton (`danda’) in your hands but don’t forget that that the government came in later – before that God gave you a heart as well,” he told the recruits, asking them to listen to their heart as well.

“You will have to be sensitive and make the system sensitive as well,” the prime minister said.

He said this will be kept in mind during the training of the young recruits so that they become as sensitive as possible.

He said the UP government is bringing several changes in police training. Recruits will be trained to deal with cybercrime and in forensic science to encourage “smart policing”.

The message was played out at the event attended by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and Finance Minister Suresh Khanna. Modi said the occasion brought happiness to more than 9,000 families.

“I am told that since 2017, when the BJP came to power in the state, more than 1.5 lakh new recruitments have been made in Uttar Pradesh Police. Employment opportunities have gone up and the sense

of security among people has been strengthened under the BJP rule,” he said.

The prime minister said employment opportunities increase wherever law and order is sound.

“Investment goes up wherever a safe environment is created for business.”

“These days, employment fairs (‘rozgar melas’) have become special events for me. For several months, I have been observing that job fairs are being held every week in one or the other BJP-ruled state. Thousands of youngsters are being given appointment letters.

It is my good fortune that I am getting an opportunity to witness this,” Modi said.

“Those who have got appointment letters today should always keep one thing in mind -- new re -

Cong plans new march, this time from east to west

NAVA RAIPUR, FEB 26 (PTI): The Congress is considering a Pasighat-to-Porbandar yatra, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh said on Sunday after Rahul Gandhi called for taking the “tapasya” of the Bharat Jodo Yatra forward.

Ramesh asserted that there was a lot of enthusiasm and energy among party workers for another yatra after the nearly 4,000-km Kanyakumari-to-Kashmir journey that was undertaken by Gandhi and scores of Congress persons from September last year to January this year.

Ramesh told PTI that an east-to-west yatra, probably from Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh to Porbandar in Gujarat, was being considered but its format could be a bit different from the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

route. “It would be a multimodal yatra, but mostly it would be a padayatra,” Ramesh said.

He said that with elections in Karnataka in April, rains from June and again state polls in November, the yatra may have to be undertaken before June or before November.

sponsibilities, new challenges and new opportunities are going to come to you, new opportunities are waiting for you every day.”

“I am saying this personally as an MP from Uttar Pradesh. Even though you have got the appointment letter, never let the student within you die,” he added.

Modi, who represents the Varanasi parliamentary constituency, said these days there are many avenues of online education and there is a lot to learn.

“It is necessary for your progress. Strengthening your capability is necessary to attain new heights in life,” he said.

Earlier, CM Adityanath said the police force must be friendly and sensitive towards the common man but not spare criminals and anti-social elements, following the policy of zero tolerance towards crime. He said UP’s image has changed.

“Six years ago, our youths had to hide their identity outside Uttar Pradesh. The fault was not with the land but with the system. Today, people from the state’s 75 districts can proudly take the name of their district.”

Centre pressuring Cong leaders through probe agencies: Priyanka

RAIPUR, FEB 26 (PTI):

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Sunday accused the BJPled Centre of trying to put pressure on Chhattisgarh Congress leaders through probe agencies, an apparent reference to the recent Enforcement Directorate raids in connection with an alleged illegal coal levy scam.

Such raids were an attack on the people of Chhattisgarh and their rights, she said at a rally in Jora village to mark the conclusion of the 85th plenary session of the Congress here. She said the Narendra Modi government was ignoring the voices of the poor while listening to only its “industrialist friends”.

Speaking about her maiden visit to Chhattisgarh, Gandhi said she had heard about the region’s tradition and culture from her grandmother, former prime minister Indira Gandhi, and was now witnessing it first hand.

“I went to Sirpur (Mahasamund district) on Saturday and saw a Buddha Vihar and a Shiv Temple as well as tribal traditions, which show the togetherness and unity among the

people, something that out Constitution believes in,” she said. The Constitution talks about equality and equal rights for all, but if it is made weak then leaders get the chance to commit injustice, she said.

The media, judiciary and the Parliament protect the Constitution but the (Union) government is trying to supress the media and judiciary as well as voices of the opposition in Parliament, Gandhi alleged.

“The Congress wants discussions on important issues but Parliament does not even take our (Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and leader Rahul Gandhi) voices on record,” she alleged.

Speaking about the

recent raids in the state, she said, “ED and IT (Income Tax department) raids are taking place on our leaders in Chhattisgarh. This is because the (state) government and CM are doing good work and the state is being seen as model across the country. But they (BJP) want to show the (state) government is not good for you,” Gandhi said. The Centre was sending probe agencies to Chhattisgarh as they (BJP) know the Congress is going to win again. Assembly polls are scheduled for the end of the year. “The ED raid on Congress leaders is not an attack on the Congress party but on the people of Chhattisgarh and their rights,” she asserted.

Khalistan supporters funded by Pakistan: CM Mann

BHAVNAGAR, FEB 26 (PTI): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday said Khalistan supporters were getting funding from Pakistan and other countries, amid the ongoing turmoil in his state surrounding the recent activities of Khalistani sympathiser Amritpal Singh and his supporters.

Jairam Ramesh Bhagwant Mann

“There is a lot of enthusiasm and energy. I also think personally it is needed but the format of the east-towest yatra may turn out to be different from the format of the south-to-north Bharat Jodo Yatra,” Ramesh said.

It may not have such an elaborate infrastructure that was mobilised for the Bharat Jodo Yatra and may have less yatris, he said.

He said it would largely be a padayatra but there are jungles and rivers on this

Ramesh also added that the yatra would be of a shorter duration than the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

He said all this will be decided in the next few weeks.

Addressing the Congress plenary session, Gandhi said the party should formulate a new plan to carry forward the “tapasya” undertaken through the Bharat Jodo Yatra and that he along with the entire country will participate in it, indicating another such initiative.

Without revealing any concrete strategy to tackle Khalistani elements, Mann, who was in Gujarat, said the Punjab Police were capable of handling the issue and only a handful of persons were supporting the pro-Khalistan movement in Punjab.

“Do you think 1,000 people (who have been seen shouting pro-Khalistan slogans) represent the entire Punjab? You come to Punjab and see for yourself who all are shouting such slogans,” Mann said when asked what he had to say about pro-Khalistan slogans

Rahul likens Adani Group to East India Company

NAVA RAIPUR (CHHATTISGARH), FEB 26 (PTI):

Flaying BJP leaders for coming out in support of the Adani Group in Parliament, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday likened the business conglomerate to the British East India Company and said the party would keep raising questions about its business practices until the truth comes out.

He also said the party should formulate a new plan to carry forward the “tapasya” undertaken through the Bharat Jodo Yatra and that he, along with the entire country, will

participate in it, indicating another such initiative.

Launching a strong attack on the government on the Adani issue, he charged that the industrialist was working against the country by cornering its entire wealth.

The US-based Hindenburg Research had made a litany of allegations, including fraudulent transactions and share-price manipulation, against the Adani Group. The Adani Group has dismissed the charges as lies, saying it complies with all laws and disclosure requirements.

Addressing the 85th

Rahul Gandhi

plenary session of the Congress here, Gandhi said, “When we asked in Parliament what is the prime minister’s relation with Adani, our entire speech was expunged. We will ask in Parliament thousands of times until the truth of Adani ji is

out, we will not stop.” His remark drew a round of applause. “I want to tell Adani that his company is hurting the country and is snatching the entire infrastructure of country,” the former Congress president charged.

“The battle for the country’s freedom was against one company as it had taken away all wealth and ports, etc.,” he said, referring to the British East India Company.

“History is being repeated. This is work against the country and if that happens the entire Congress party will stand against it,” he said.

being raised in his state after Singh’s episode. He was addressing a press conference in Bhavnagar city of Gujarat after attending a mass wedding function.

“Only a handful of persons are behind this and they run their shops through funding from Pakistan and other foreign countries,” Mann said. “Though Rajasthan shares a much larger border with Pakistan, why do drones (sent from Pakistan) land in Punjab and

not in Rajasthan? Because their (Khalistani element’s) masters are sitting there (in Pakistan) and they want to disturb Punjab. But we will not let them succeed,” the CM said.

Referring to Khalistani sympathiser Amritpal Singh and his supporters’ act of bringing a copy of the Guru Granth Sahib inside a police station in Ajnala on the outskirts of Amritsar recently, Mann said those who took the Sikh holy book to the

police station as a shield cannot be called as “waris” (heir) of Punjab. The Punjab CM also termed the incident as a minor one and downplayed Singh’s alleged threat of more violence in coming days. “This is khayali pulao (daydreaming). Punjab has seen such black days in the past. The Punjab Police are capable of handling them and we will never allow anyone to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere,” he said. Mann further said thanks to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, many industries were coming, including Tata Steel and entities from other countries. “Had Punjab’s situation been so bad, these industries may not have been coming to Punjab today. Even NRIs are coming back and those who planned to settle abroad have now cancelled their plans. Punjab will shine again after six-seven months,” said the CM.

Uddhav, Pawar didn’t support Muslim community in time of need: Owaisi

THANE, FEB 26 (PTI):

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaddudin Owaisi has asked the Muslim youth to become a strong force in the country to fight for their rights and targeted leaders like Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, claiming they did not support the community members in their time of need.

Owaisi was addressing a rally in Mumbra area of Maharashtra’s Thane district on Saturday during his party’s national convention.

Need to make Mumbai of international standard: Maha CM Shinde

MUMBAI, FEB 26 (PTI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday said there is no need to dream of making Mumbai like Shanghai, but the need is to focus on making the metropolis a city of international standard.

Shinde also said they need to win the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation polls, to remove the “clout of certain contractors” and provide better roads and services to the people.

He was speaking at a public function where he launched works on 320 different projects in Mumbai.

“There is no need to dream of making Mumbai like Shanghai. We need to make the city of inter-

Eknath Shinde

national standard. We are also setting up several sewage treatment plants which would treat the used water and release only clean water into the sea,” he said. Shinde further said he will not to respond to criticism as he prefers to work rather than talk.

“If you level one allegation against me, I will carry out 10 good works in

Mumbai city in response,” he said. The chief minister also took a dig at Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut’s daily morning media interaction, comparing it to a “mill siren”.

“Earlier, Mumbai used to have mill sirens to which everyone used to pay attention. Now, there is only one siren and nobody needs to pay any attention to it it,” he quipped without taking Raut’s name.

Govtspendingmoney

extravagantly,ignoring

keyissues:AjitPawar

Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar on Sun-

day accused the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government of spending money in an “extravagant” manner while ignoring the key issues being faced by common people and farmers.

The Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly was speaking to reporters here on the eve of the Budget session of the state legislature.

“The state government is extravagantly spending crores of rupees to show their smiling faces, instead of solving the woes of the common man. We have decided to boycott the invitation for high tea. Instead, we will meet the new Governor of Maharashtra, Ramesh Bais, and share our con -

cerns with him,” the former deputy chief minister said.

“The state government announced aid for different purposes in the past some months, but that assistance is yet to reach the affected people or beneficiaries of schemes. I have noticed this during my recent visits to different places across Maharashtra,” he said.

Inflation is going up, due to which the cost of production has increased for farmers. However, the agricultural produce is not getting a good price in the market, Pawar said.

He announced that the opposition parties were boycotting the customary team party hosted by the Shinde government on the eve of the session.

“If Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis can become leaders, why can’t you?” he asked the Muslim community youth.

The AIMIM was formed 65 years back and just a handful of people used to attend its meetings, but the number has now gone up to thousands, he said.

“We also have the presence in Parliament, state Assemblies and local bodies and this growth should continue unabated and the youth should try to get into the administration as well through election,” he said. He asked the youth to come forward, make the AIMIM strong and fight for the rights of Muslims and Dalits.

Priyanka Gandhi

Asaddudin Owaisi

Voting in 3 states

As voters in Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura go to the polls on February 27 to elect their respective 60-member legislative assembly, the outcome will also influence the 2024 Lok Sabha polls while there is a feeling that these states could end up with a hung assembly. This is more in the case with Meghalaya where contenders for power- the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance(MDA) comprising of National People’s Party(NPP), United Democratic Party(UDP), People’s Democratic Front(PDF), Hill State People’s Democratic Party(HSPDP)- will be fighting the polls separately. Congress had won 21 seats in 2018 and NPP won 20 but Mukul Sangma somehow could not garner support from parties who feared that being in alliance with the Congress would earn the ire of the BJP at the Centre. A total of 375 candidates, belonging to 12 political parties and Independents are in the fray for 60 Assembly seats in Meghalaya. But no party is contesting with an alliance or a seatsharing arrangement even as coalition government has become a norm. The NPP is fighting to remain as a major force and is in fierce contest against TMC to dominate the Garo hills districts while the UDP and HSPDP are fighting it out to dominate the Khasi, Jaintia and Ribhoi districts. The biggest political joke is when 12 Congress MLAs in Meghalaya led by former chief minister Mukul Sangma “merged” with TMC, the latter instantly became the main opposition from being ‘zero’ in the assembly and obtaining 0.4% votes in 2018 . In Tripura also the fight is largely quadrangular between ruling BJP and opposition TMC, Tipra Motha and Cong-CPM alliance. The state is also likely to throw up a hung house in the event the BJP does not win majority on its own. The Tipra Motha founded by former Congress leader and Tripura royal dynast Pradyut Deb Barma could likely be the party which would be wooed by other parties to form a coalition government. In Nagaland, the hot topic’ Naga political solution’ that has been raging since 2003 and especially 2018, has receded to the background after the government of India brushed aside the voices for securing a solution before election. In its place came demand for Frontier Nagaland state which was dealt directly by union home minister Amit Shah(and not the UDA opposition-less government). Shah visited Nagaland twice during January and February over the issue and appear to have struck some deal with the proponents for which the earlier call to abstain from election was ‘relaxed’ to allow smooth conduct of election in eastern Nagaland. The centre’s change of mind over Naga solution has made public disbelieve all those promises made in the recent past but finally turning out to be just for sounding politically correct. One of the NGOs, the Naga Hoho has even questioned the “sincerity and habitual rhetoric of the government of India with regard to the Indo-Naga political settlement”. Even the 7-member Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups(NNPGs) have accused the state BJP of “playing with fire” by going ahead with elections without an acceptable political settlement. The political parties are mainly looking to win enough seats at least to form a post-poll coalition. The lack of confidence, at least for the NDPP and BJP has been the anti-incumbency but unlike Meghalaya and Tripura there is no opposition in Nagaland. All want to be part of a post-coalition government.

DailyDevotion Our Misgivings About Jesus

The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw [water] with, and the well is deep.” —John 4:11

Have you ever said to yourself, “I am impressed with the wonderful truths of God’s Word, but He can’t really expect me to live up to that and work all those details into my life!” When it comes to confronting Jesus Christ on the basis of His qualities and abilities, our attitudes reflect religious superiority. We think His ideals are lofty and they impress us, but we believe He is not in touch with reality— that what He says cannot actually be done. Each of us thinks this about Jesus in one area of our life or another. These doubts or misgivings about Jesus begin as we consider questions that divert our focus away from God. While we talk of our dealings with Him, others ask us, “Where are you going to get enough money to live?

How will you live and who will take care of you?” Or our misgivings begin within ourselves when we tell Jesus that our circumstances are just a little too difficult for Him. We say, “It’s easy to say, ‘Trust in the Lord,’ but a person has to live; and besides, Jesus has nothing with which to draw water— no means to be able to give us these things.” And beware of exhibiting religious deceit by saying, “Oh, I have no misgivings about Jesus, only misgivings about myself.”

If we are honest, we will admit that we never have misgivings or doubts about ourselves, because we know exactly what we are capable or incapable of doing. But we do have misgivings about Jesus. And our pride is hurt even at the thought that He can do what we can’t.

My misgivings arise from the fact that I search within to find how He will do what He says. My doubts spring from the depths of my own inferiority. If I detect these misgivings in myself, I should bring them into the light and confess them openly— “Lord, I have had misgivings about You. I have not believed in Your abilities, but only my own. And I have not believed in Your almighty power apart from my finite understanding of it.”

Quotes

“If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.”

State debt soars, NE at lowest

The RBI red flags states’ debt touching critical high of Rs 76.10 tr (trillion) and classifies debt liabilities of five states - Bihar, Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan, and West Bengal - no longer sustainable. Northeast states have the lowest.

Ten states are the worst defaulter. The state debt in 2013 was Rs 22.44 trillion (tr). This is in addition to Rs 155.77 tr central debt as on March 31, 2023 and is expected to go up to Rs 172.5 tr on March 31, 2024.

The RBI calls for deep introspection and immediate corrective steps.

Among the reasons cited for the crisis is slowdown in tax revenue and rising expenditure on nonmerit freebies; expanding contingent liabilities; and the worse the ballooning of overdues of private power distribution companies (Discoms).

The RBI lambasts the practice of infusing capital and giving subsidies to the Discoms. At least thrice majorly states have bailed out Discoms. Indirect bailing out and taking over their losses is usual. Power sector, it finds is mismanaged and has become a major liability.

The power sector ac-

counts for much of the financial burden of state governments in India, both in terms of subsidies and contingent liabilities. It has substantial repercussion for state finances.

The RBI warning on power situation apparently is in the context of moving every activity on electricity from railways, buses, and cars to many other activities. It calls for immediate corrective measures. It does not speak of high pricing of electricity and other utilities nor does it mention high road toll rates and consequent inflation.

The highest debtinfested are Haryana Rs

2.87tr, UP Rs 7.1 tr, West Bengal Rs 6.08 tr, Kerala Rs

3.91 tr and Punjab Rs 3.05 tr, Maharashtra 6.80 lakh cr, Karnataka 5.35 Andhra Rs 4.42 tr, Gujarat 4.23 tr, Rajasthan Rs 5.37 tr, Bihar

2.86 lakh cr, Jharkhand Rs

1.29 tr. The debt-GSDP ratio of the stressed states is to fall beyond 35 percent by 2026-27.

It classifies Bihar, Kerala, Punjab, Rajasthan, and West Bengal as the most stressed states in terms of their finances and liabilities.

The tax revenues of some of 10 states, including Madhya Pradesh, Punjab , Haryana,

Andhra and Kerala, have been declining. For most of these states, non-tax revenue dropped significantly in recent years forcing them to resort to higher market borrowings.

The lowest debts are with North-East states- Assam Rs 1.21 tr, Arunachal Rs 15917 crore, Meghalaya Rs 17433 crore, Mizoram Rs 12991crore, Nagaland Rs 16562 crore, Sikkim Rs 12982 crore and Tripura Rs 26446 crore.

The central bank criticises the states for doling out high subsidies, particularly free electricity, free water, free public transportation, waiver of pending utility bills and farm loan waivers. The RBI has not included corporate doles in deliberations. As per CAG, state subsidies grew at 12.9 per cent in 2021-22 and 11.2 per cent during 2020-21, after contracting in 2019-20. Gujarat, Punjab and Chhattisgarh spend more than 10 per cent of their revenue on subsidies. Average subsidies are at 8.2 percent in 2021-22 having risen from 7.8 per cent in 2019-20. Jharkhand, Kerala, Odisha, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh are the top five states with the larg-

est rise in subsidies over the last three years.

Committed expenditure like interest payments, pensions and administrative expenses, accounts for a significant portion (over 35 per cent) of the total revenue expenditure in states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala and Punjab, leads to lower expenses on developmental activities.

Shivaji Sarkar

State finances are vulnerable to a variety of unexpected shocks that might alter their fiscal outcomes, causing slippages in their overall performance. Shocks may increase their debt by a significant amount, posing fiscal sustainability challenges. Among the 5 most indebted states, Punjab and Rajasthan appear to be most vulnerable to fiscal shocks arising out of realisation of contingent liabilities.

Financial restructuring or bail-out of ailing Discoms could have severe impact on the debt-GSDP ratio of these two states. Taking into account the warning signs flashing from all the indicators, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and Punjab exceeded both debt and fiscal deficit

Election for Change

In Nagaland electoral politics context, political parties and candidates has always participated in the general elections on the promises of bringing changes and development. In the run up to the upcoming 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly Election, we see candidates with activism in their spirit speaking out boldly for change in the governance of the state and this present general election will be different from the past elections in many ways. Through this article, I shall point out some factors which differentiate the present general election from the past general election.

Entrance of anti corruption activists in electoral politics

In this year general election, the number of anti corruption activists’ candidates or in other words; candidates who despise the prevailing political situation and governance of the state have increased.

Educated youths have realized that, unless they join the electoral politics and enter the system, they are helpless to bring any credible change. One of the main reasons, we see young candidates facing senior politicians in some assembly constituencies.

Their hope of winning the election is slim yet facing off veteran sitting MLAs and defeating them in polls is the only way to bail out Nagaland from decades of corruptions in the administration.

The Eastern Promise

New interesting development did took place for the first

time in Nagaland statehood history, for the first time the ENPO seriously decided to boycott the general election; later on the intervention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah changed the mind of the ENPO leaders. Only the ENPO and Home Minister know the details of the promises. But one has to keep in mind, failed promises hurt the most.

The rise of BJP in Nagaland Editor of Imphal Times Pradip Phanjoubam’s 09 March 2018 article, “How BJP won without winning in Nagaland”; pointed out that increase in BJP seats from one in 2013 general election to 12 seats in 2018 general election was not due to steep rise in the BJP’s popularity in Nagaland, but an outcome of the party riding on the support base of Rio’s NDPP party, also pointing out that if there was no split in the NPF and BJP going to polls on its own would not have better results than in 2013 assembly election.

This is really true and in many ways Rio has played a major role in the rise of BJP in Nagaland.

Another factor responsible for rise of BJP in Christian populated Nagaland is attributed to development oriented approach of the BJP and observers must not confuse it with the secular attitude of the Nagas, here I would like to add that the backslide of the regional parties of the state has allowed to BJP to grow in Nagaland and looking at the current statistics, BJP seems to stay in power in

Nagaland for a long time, as history tell us that Nagaland based political party and politicians will flock to whichever party comes to power in centre, putting regional principle at the back.

Increase of women candidates Compared to past assembly election, this upcoming general election will see four women contesting the polls. The ruling parties, NDPP fielding two women candidate and BJP fielding one woman candidate is indeed a positive sign of development and we can all agree that Nagaland has taken some steps to increase women participation in electoral politics.

Conclusion

Like my former boss use to say that in Nagaland election, candidates elect the voters instead of voters electing the candidate. In this context, I appeal to the voters especially youths, that one should not miss the opportunity of electing a right candidate than to elect a wrong but rich candidate and see our state continue to suffer from corruption and lack of development.

Together we can make this assembly election different from past elections and a turning a point in the history of Nagaland, by sending at least one anti-corruption activist turn politician to the house of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly for the good of our society.

Pakinrichapbo, Samziuram Village, Peren.

targets for 2020-21 set by the 15th Finance Commission (FC-XV). Kerala, Jharkhand and West Bengal exceeded the debt target, while Madhya Pradesh overshot the fiscal deficit target. Haryana and Uttar Pradesh were exceptions as they met both criteria. According to the RBI, the debt levelwill remain higher than FRBM stipulated 20 percent. The states are anticipating an increase in non-tax revenue, which is generated from sources such as fees, fines, and royalties..

The report notes that states are expecting to see an increase in revenue from various sources such as GST, excise duty and other taxes.

The financial risks from freebies seem to be moderate in case of many states, except Punjab which spends a large amount on provision of free utilities. It says that allocating to healthcare, education infrastructure can promote economic growth and development. The RBI has also proposed to establish a fund that would be used for buffer capital expenditure dur ing periods of strong revenue growth. The state governments must restrict their revenue expenses by

cutting down expenditure on non-merit goods in the near term. In the medium term, the states need to put efforts towards stabilising debt levels.

In a competitive politics fiscal responsibility is largely ignored. Votes have get better off than fiscal prudence. Of late, the spree of infrastructure spending has caused heavy burden on meager finances. The need for infra is there. The governments, however, have become reckless spender even for ill-designed roads and retrospection is passé. Lobbies work to rob the states and the pressures created are a bit for the state governments to resist it. This leads to many duplication, irrational constructions as the Delhi’s Ashram Chowk or NH9 witnessed. For transport linkages metro, its space guzzling stations and other paraphernalia drain the states out. At least eleven cities metro remains unutilized and have failed. Easier and inexpensive options are shunned because of factors of rent seeking. More expensive a product, higher is the rent. An immediate review and pause on infra can help the states cut debt. Even The RBI has ignored it.

The 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly: The way I see it

Once again it is time for us to exercise our precious votes (one of the greatest tool in democracy), to elect/choose leaders who would be our voices; with a hope that they will do well for us and our progeny. Nagaland is considered as one of the most corrupted states in the country and the onus lies on us to alter this tag. Voting for the wrong person/party would be a five-year mandate of suffering in silence. Therefore, it is wisdom that tells us to vote for the right and suitable leader in order to avoid the misery, but choice is ours.

Looking at the annual budget, Nagaland receives enough, if not excess funds from the Central government. Where are most of these funds used? Especially funds and schemes meant for the grass-root public hardly reach them. It is in fact an open secret they get consumed by those in power – the so called leaders (at different levels) and the existing parallel government.

Time for nagas to practice what we preach, otherwise become a silent spectator to all atrocities meted out to ourselves. It indeed disheartens me to see our people going to vote based on the financial status of candidates, for the reason that today they are in need of some few thousands, selling off their next five years of development & prosperity. Many parties around the state are resorting to violence even to the extent of killing one another. Why are we risky lives? Is it worth your life? Ponder once before such steps are taken by you. The environment of violence which the election has created reminds me of how headhunting days would have been: and we call ourselves as civilized and

modern.

One more aspect I see in this election is regarding women candidates contesting the election. We have never had an elected woman MLA in our legislative assembly till date. Is this election going to be different? Is the deficiency of equal gender representation going to be removed? Is the naga patriarchal society which professes to believe in gender equality seeing a shift in favour of the other gender? I believe political equality which is the essence of any democratic set up, needs to be placed in the naga society too. To achieve this, we need strong, reliable and morally responsible leaders, and not individuals who are running public office for their own personal gain. Leaders who have the ability to think and look beyond their selfish-interests, would also bring solutions to the problems staring at the faces of common nagas. Otherwise, even though we have been freed from the colonial British, we cannot be truly free. We cannot put the blame on anyone else for this situation we are in, but us….

This brings me to the conclusion regarding this election, as a first time voter- we need to cast our votes to the right and upright candidate(s) and not jeopardize our next five years. If true leaders emerge I believe we will definitely see a prosperous Nagaland- the dream of most of the youths like me. Therefore, let us not fail to go and cast our vote, because ‘ONE VOTE CAN CHANGE THE EQUATION’.

Akhumse A Sangtam, BA 2nd Semester (Political Science), Livingstone Foundation International College

To all those who murdered Lt. Imkongchiba Kichu

“ The tree that bears fruits will be stoned.”

Alas!!! They chose not to stone but to chop it down.

To all those involved in the most heinous and merciless murder of our beloved brother Lt. Imkongchiba Kichu.

Bravo!!!! Finally, your plots and plans have been executed and what you see now is the consequences of your deed. You have sacrificed so much for this, celebrate your victory in public not alone with doors closed.

Now that you have

managed to MURDER an innocent, defenceless unarmed being, are you satisfied? What do you beget out of this monstrous act? Don’t you have any guilt or remorse? Don’t you have a conscience? Are you even Human? Do you know how hurting it is for a mother to lose her only son? Nevertheless, you did what you did because you wanted to do it. Period.

Don’t you see the blood in your hands? Alas!!

The blood stains cannot be erased, but in-fact it will infest and haunt you and your generations (The

LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion.

Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation. Numbers 14:18). The Tag “Murderers” will remain even after you are long gone. ‘Murderers’ will be synonymous to your names now and forever.

Oh!!! What have you done to him, to us and yourself?! None of the consequences of your act is benefiting any of us, not

even you. Does it not pain you to share your bitter cup with your offspring for no fault of theirs? No words can express our excruciating pain and disgust towards your horrendous deed. No tears, no regrets, no action will bring back our brother, our son, our friend’s life, yet we still pity you because we’re afraid, God and His words do not go in vain (Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans12:19). Many

of you may manage to flee from the law, but you cannot escape God and His wrath.

I only wish and pray that one day you will realise, what you did was extremely wrong, shameful, hurtful and sinful and that you will stop others from committing such crime and fight against it.

That day, the world will become a better place to live in and coexist with peace.

Achi, You have stood and fought like the last man standing, ran a good race and were well ahead

of many. But the evil forces against you refused to let you race more. “The tree that bears fruits will be stoned.” Alas!!! They chose not to stone but to chop it down”. Let us only wait and watch the kind of fruit they will bear. For now, only God, you and the people involved knows who did this to you.

Our God is a Just and a Living God and He will let the world know the truth sooner or later. Justice will prevail. Rest in Peace Achi. Limasungla Jamir.

SNIPPETS

4.3 magnitude

earthquake hits Rajkot

RAJKOT, FEB 26 (AGENCIES): An earthquake of 4.3 magnitude jolted the Rajkot district of Gujarat on Sunday afternoon, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), reports ANI. The quake struck at around 3:21 pm with a depth of 10 km. “Earthquake of Magnitude: 4.3, Occurred on 26-02-2023, 15:21:12 IST, Lat: 24.61 & Long: 69.96, Depth: 10 Km, Location: 270 km NNW of Rajkot, Gujarat, India,” the NCS said in a tweet.

Jawan killed in blast of IED

NARAYANPUR, FEB 26 (PTI): A head constable of the Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) was killed after a pressure improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Naxalites went off in Chhattisgarh’s Narayanpur district on Sunday, police said. The incident took place at around 7 am near Batum village under Orchha police station limits, Narayanpur Additional Superintendent of Police Hemsagar Sidar said.

3 J-K govt employees

dismissed for ‘antinational’ activities

JAMMU, FEB 26 (PTI):

Three government employees, including a schoolteacher recently arrested for allegedly carrying out several blasts, were dismissed from service for their alleged involvement in anti-national activities, an official said. The Jammu and Kashmir administration ordered the dismissal of a government middle school teacher Arif Sheikh of Reasi, Junior Engineer (Public Works department) Manzoor Ahmad

Itoo and Syed Saleem Andrabi, an orderly in the Social Welfare department, under Article 311 of the Constitution for their involvement in anti-national activities, an administration spokesperson said.

Decomposed bodies of 3 found hanging in Kolkata apartment

KOLKATA, FEB 26 (IANS): Decomposed bodies of a couple and their daughter were found hanging in their accommodation in south Kolkata on Sunday, police said. The couple’s neighbours at Regent Park housing society had been complaining of a foul smell emitting from the residence locked from inside for the last couple of days. On Sunday morning, when the foul smell went beyond limits of toleration, the neighbours informed the local police. A police team arrived, broke open the door of the residence and discovered the three hanging bodies from the ceiling of their drawing room.

3 medicos killed in road accident

AMARAVATI, FEB 26

(IANS): Three medicos were killed in a road accident in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district on Sunday, police said. The accident occurred near Kuppam town when a car in which they were travelling was crushed under a truck after it was hit by another car from behind. The accident took place on Palamaner Road in Settipalle village on the outskirts of Kuppam. According to police, the students from PES Medical College were on on their way to Kuppam town to attend the wedding of their classmate.

Need to fight against Centre’s ‘dictatorship’ to save democracy: Kharge

TargetsPMModi over Adani issue

RAIPUR, FEB 26 (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government of being “undemocratic”, and said people will have to strongly fight against its “dictatorship” to save democracy.

Claiming that industrialist Gautam Adani’s wealth grew exponentially in the last few years, Kharge took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to share the “magical mantra” behind the growth in the tycoon’s wealth.

He also alleged that PM Modi has “mortgaged the entire country for one person”.

Kharge was addressing a public rally at Jora village on the outskirts of Raipur city after the conclusion of the Congress’ three-day 85th plenary session here.

Thousands of Congress workers and supporters attended the rally that

was viewed as a show of strength by the ruling Congress ahead of Assembly polls scheduled this yearend in Chhattisgarh.

“The government at the Centre is not democratic. It does not work for the people. This government only runs its dictatorship,” he said.

“We are not free to raise issues related to the poor, Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and women there (in Parliament). My speech and Rahul ji’s speech were expunged. We did not use any derogatory words. We just asked questions about Adani,” he said.

The wealth of Adani before 2004 was Rs 3,000 crore, which increased to

Candlelight protests held against Kashmiri

Rs 50,000 crore in 2014.

From 2021 to 2023, it has increased by 13 times, he claimed. “Please tell me which magic is this. The mantra you gave to Adani please give to us. How Re 1 becomes Rs 13 or Rs 1 lakh become Rs 13 lakh in only two-and-a-half years?”

Kharge asked.

The US-based Hindenburg Research had made a litany of allegations, including fraudulent transactions and shareprice manipulation, against the Adani Group. The Adani Group has dismissed the charges as lies, saying it complies with all laws and disclosure requirements. Apparently targeting PM Modi, the Congress chief said, “He mortgaged the entire country for one person. He always says ‘Na khaunga, na khane dunga’ (will not take bribe, nor let anyone do so)… The assets of the county you are selling are going to whom? They is going to your friend. Who is your friend whose aircraft you used to fly to Delhi from Gujarat after becoming

Haryana town internet snapped after protest over killing of 2 muslim men

prime minister?”

“You (Modi) said you will not tolerate corruption. He may have stopped small corruption, but allowed big corruption to take place,” he said. We are living in such a country where there is no freedom of speech and writing. If anyone speaks the truth he or she is sent to jail, he said. He accused PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of running a dictatorial government, and said people will have to strongly fight against this to save democracy and the constitution.

“If democracy and the Constitution are not protected, its worst consequence will have to be faced by Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, minorities and women,” he added.

“Modi ji asks what did the Congress do in 70 years. He should be shown Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bhilai Steel Plant of Chhattisgarh, Bhakra Nangal and Hirakud dams... How many public sectors did you (BJP) set up? Give me one example.

CHANDIGARH, FEB 26 (AGENCIES): The Haryana Government on Sunday ordered suspension of mobile internet and SMS services in Nuh district for three days over apprehensions of communal tension and breach of peace following a call for more protests over the abduction-murder of two men from Rajasthan allegedly by cow vigilantes. The restrictions “shall remain in force with effect from February 26 to February 28, 2023 (23:59 hrs),” according to an official order.

Sources said security has been strengthened in Nuh, where hundreds of people blocked the NuhAlwar highway in Firozpur Jhirka on Friday demanding the arrest of the accused in the abduction and murder of the two men from Bharatpur whose charred bodies were found in Haryana’s Bhiwani. “Haryana Government has issued a temporary suspension of mobile internet services (2G/3G/4G/ CDMA/GPRS), all SMS services including bulk SMS and excluding banking and mobile recharge, and all dongle services, etc. provided on mobile networks

for tie

PATNA, FEB 26 (PTI):

Senior JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh on Sunday questioned whether party supremo Nitish Kumar has begged the BJP for realignment, after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the party’s doors have been “shut forever” for the Bihar chief minister.

SRINAGAR, FEB 26

(IANS): BJP workers on Sunday took out a silent candlelight protest in J&K’s Ganderbal district and other places against the killing of a Kashmiri Pandit by terrorists earlier in the day BJP District President Mohammed Amin Shah led the protest at the clock tower in Ganderbal town against the killing of Pandit security guard at Pulwama this morning. Terming the killing unfortunate and dark chapter in Kashmir, he told reporters that such incidents create sadness and distress among people of Kashmir.

“People want to leave violence and live peacefully with their families. Such incidents should not take place. Human life is

NEW DELHI, FEB 26

(IANS): In wake of the arrest of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia by the CBI on Sunday, Delhi BJP Working President Virendra Sachdeva claimed that the people of the national capital are “feeling ashamed” that the party to which they have entrusted the power of Delhi is “steeped in corruption and scams”.

Sachdeva has said that today Delhi has become the first state whose two ministers are in jail. He alleged that Sisodia and Satyendar Jain, who were flag bearers of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s politics of change, did not give Delhi the needed change of development but “have got it the first place in corruption”.

He also alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party calls Sisodia the pioneer of education, but today the children and their parents of Delhi are “ashamed” that the Delhi Education Minister is in jail for a liquor scam and have questions for him.

He said that Kejriwal will have to say that if the liquor policy was clean, then why did he withdraw it,

precious and should not be wasted like this,” Shah said.

Many locals joined the protest. Similar protests were held at some other places in the Valley.

Sanjay Sharma, a local Kashmiri Pandit, who worked as a bank security guard, was killed by terrorists in his native village Achan in Pulwama. Political leaders across the board including former Chief Ministers Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Ghulam Nabi Azad have condemned the killing. Apni Party President, Syed Altaf Bukhari has also condemned the killing asserting that those responsible for such innocent killings are enemies of the people of J&K.

Shah, during his visit to the state on Saturday, claimed that Nitish Kumar has joined hands with the RJD and the Congress, after ditching the BJP, to realise his Prime Ministerial ambitions, while asserting that the BJP’s doors are shut forever for him.

“Has Nitish Kumar begged the BJP for realignment? Amit Shah should remember that the Chief Minister returned to the NDA in 2017 only after being persuaded by the PM to do so,” Singh, the JD(U) national president, said.

Wondering why the Union home minister had to say the “same thing again and again”, another JD(U) leader, Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, questioned whether it was because the BJP has begun to “feel the heat of Nit-

ish Kumar and the JD(U) not being by their side”.

“Nitish ji has never expressed his intention to return to the NDA, so such rhetoric is pointless. We would have appreciated if Shah would have spoken something on what his government has done, and proposes to do in future, for Bihar,” Mr Chaudhary, the state finance minister, said.

The BJP and Kumar first entered into an alliance way back in the 1990s when the latter’s outfit was known as Samata Party. The alliance continued for more than a decade till it first snapped in 2013 when Kumar pulled out of the NDA following differences over his then Gujarat counterpart Narendra Modi occupying the national centre-stage.

Kumar and the BJP

fought bitterly for a few more years until a dramatic realignment in 2017 when it was accused of “achieving power through back door” by the RJD, which is now charged with the same by the BJP. Chaudhary, one of Kumar’s troubleshooters, claimed Shah’s words “clearly betrayed the exasperation BJP workers in the state must be feeling”.

“He accused Nitish Kumar of having agreed to give away the Chief Minister’s chair to Tejashwi Yadav and in the same breath alleged that Nitish ji will cheat Lalu ji (RJD supremo and Tejashwi’s father). It does not add up,” he said. Singh, also known as Lalan, said, “The Union government has cheated the people in the name of welfare schemes such as Ujjwala Bharat and Ayushman Bharat. The Centre has promoted crony capitalism as evident in its reluctance to get investigated the alleged fraud by the Adani Group. It does not behove the BJP to speak of new allies when it has caused many of its former coalition partners to leave.”

e xcept the voice calls in the territorial jurisdiction of district Nuh with immediate effect,” it said. It cited “potential cause for communal tension and disturbance of public peace”.

The temporary suspension has been imposed to stop the spread of disinformation and rumours through various social media platforms, such as Whatsapp, Facebook Twitter, etc. on mobile phones and SMS, the order said. The protest on Friday led to a massive jam on the highway for around an hour but finally police managed to control the situation and got the road cleared.

After the protest on the Nuh-Alwar highway, a call was made for a series for

a series of protests in Nuh district. Police on Saturday charged more than 500 people for blocking the highway. Nasir and Junaid, both residents of Ghatmeeka village in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan, were allegedly abducted by cow vigilantes on February 15 and their bodies were found in a charred car in Loharu in Haryana’s Bhiwani the next day. The Rajasthan Police has said it has got concrete evidence against eight accused named in the FIR. They are Anil and Srikant from Nuh, Kalu from Kaithal, Kishore and Shashikant from Karnal, Monu and Gogi from Bhiwani, and Vikas of Jind, officials said.

Not nationalism but cowardice: Rahul on EAM’s China remarks

NAVA RAIPUR, FEB 26 (PTI): In a scathing attack on External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said his recent remarks on China did not show nationalism but cowardice and that these were in line with V D Savarkar’s ideology of “bowing before the strong”. Addressing the 85th plenary session of the Congress here, Gandhi also claimed that his party leaders and workers were “satyagrahis” while the BJP and RSS people were “satta grahis” (power seekers). “I want to tell you something about the government’s thinking. A few days ago, in an interview, a minister said that China’s economy is bigger than India so how can we fight them. When the British ruled over us was their economy smaller than ours,” Gandhi said, without naming Jaishankar. Does this mean that one doesn’t take on anyone who is stronger and only takes on those who are weaker, he said. “This is cowardice. It is (V D) Savarkar’s ideology that if someone is stronger than you, bow before them. In-

dia’s minister is stating that your economy is bigger than us so we cannot stand up to you. Is this nationalism? Is this patriotism?” the former Congress president said. “What kind of patriotism is this that you beat someone weaker than you and bow before the strong,” Gandhi said. “There is a word for it. Mahatma Gandhi used to talk of satyagraha. Satyagraha means don’t leave the path of truth. There is a new word for the people of the RSS and the BJP. We are satyagrahis, they are ‘satta grahis’. They will do anything for satta (power), they would align with anyone, bow before anyone for power. This is their truth,” he said. The Congress has slammed Jaishankar for his reported remarks. “They are the bigger economy, what I am going to do? I am a smaller economy. Am I going to sort of pick up a fight with a bigger economy? It is not a question of reacting. It is a question of common sense. It is in our interest to stabilise our borders or a situation, it is not out of love, affection or sentiment,” Jaishankar had reportedly said.

why was the commission of wholesalers increased, and why was the tax payment of liquor traders waived.

Sachdeva earlier had said that people were surprised how AAP leaders were rattled by CBI calling Sisodia for investigation, saying that when Jain was arrested last May, the AAP had claimed that he is innocent but 9 months later, he has failed to get bail despite repeated attempts.

He also said that the AAP has insulted Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh by invoking them, while terming it and the Congress two sides of the same coin as he recalled the way Congressmen created “drama” when then party chief Sonia Gandhi was called for an inquiry and similarly, the AAP was following suit.

The charred vehicle inspected by officials.

‘Has Nitish Kumar begged BJP

up?’ JD (U) over Amit Shah remark

Protestor holding a placard during the protest. (IANS)

Pandit’s killing

Mallikarjun Kharge

Rajiv Ranjan Singh

Virendra Sachdeva

Delhi people feeling ‘ashamed’ for voting for AAP: BJP

‘Misleading’: Centre rubbishes onion export ban reports

NEW DELHI, FEB 26

(PTI): There is no ban on exports of onion and India has shipped the commodity worth USD 523.8 million during April-December 2022, the commerce ministry said on Sunday.

It said that only the export of onion seed is restricted.

“Government has not restricted or prohibited the export of onions,” the ministry said in a statement.

In December 2022, onion exports rose by about 50 per cent to USD 52.1 million. During April-December this fiscal, the exports rose by 16.3 per cent to USD 523.8 million. Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal in a tweet on Sat-

India, UK finance ministers agree to make further progress on FTA

LONDON, FEB 26 (PTI): India and the UK have agreed to make further progress on the ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) and also to swiftly organise the next bilateral Economic and Financial Dialogue soon, the British government has said. India has recently concluded the seventh round of talks with the UK.

urday stated that there is no ban on onion exports from India to any country and misleading statements suggesting the contrary is unfortunate.

There is no ban on onion exports from India to any country and misleading statements suggesting the contrary is unfortunate.

Infact, from July-

December 2022, onion exports have consistently been above the $40 million mark every month, benefiting our Annadatas.

https://t.co/tGzwVHCt9J

— Piyush Goyal (@ PiyushGoyal) February 25, 2023. The statement came after a tweet by NCP leader Supriya Sule on February 25 on onion exports.

At the conclusion of UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s India visit for the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting, held under India’s 2023 Presidency, the UK’s Treasury department said the finance minister held talks with Indian counterpart Nirmala Sitharaman with a focus on deepening bilateral economic and financial ties. “At a meeting with Indian Finance Minister Sitharaman, both sides agreed to make further

ChatGPT won’t replace jobs, will be a co-worker: TCS

MUMBAI, FEB 26 (PTI):

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) feels generative artificial intelligence platforms like ChatGPT will create an “AI co-worker” and not replace jobs.

Milind Lakkad, the chief human resources officer (CHRO) of the country’s largest IT services firm that employs over 6 lakh people said such tools will help improve productivity, but not change the business models for companies.

“..it (generative AI) will be a co-worker. It will be a co-worker and that co-worker will take time for them to understand the context of the customer,” Mr Lakkad said in an interview with PTI recently.

The context for a job to be executed will be industry and customer-centric, which will continue to come from the human who is being assisted in tasks by such a co-worker, Lakkad explained.

“It is not that jobs will get replaced, but the job definitions will change,”

he added in the comments which will assuage concerns about future of jobs in the sector which is one of the biggest recruiters of engineering talent in the country. The introduction of platforms like ChatGPT has led to concerns on whether a trained human is needed at all to deliver the work which a technology company offers to clients. Already, there are examples of entire codes being generated through such platforms. One of the reasons for massive layoffs by big tech companies across the world is being attributed

to the emergence of such intuitive platforms.

Lakkad said the context in which a particular customer works is extremely important, and the need to differentiate its offerings from competition makes it essential for a customer to keep on evolving continuously. The amount of work to be done by a human being versus the generative AI platforms will vary as per industry as well, he said.

If anything, it will reduce the need for managerial talent but the demand for workers lower down the hierarchy will continue as

they will get crucial skills on the context front, he said.

“It’s (generative AI) a good thing to happen for the future, but I think it will be collaboration rather than replacement,” Lakkad said, adding that the emergence of such tools will not change the business models.

Such tools will help improve the productivity, consistency of the work which gets delivered and reduce the need for governance, up the pace of delivery and reduce the need for peripheral functions, he said.

TCS is using such inputs in “some pockets” already, Lakkad said, adding that a lot of the work will happen in these areas going forward and the entire picture will get clear only in two years’ time.

There will be changes in training which will take place as a result, Lakkad said, adding that the company pays a lot of attention to this aspect and typically plans in advance for requirements of the future.

progress on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and deepen bilateral economic and financial ties,” the Treasury department said in a statement on Saturday.

“They agreed to make swift progress on setting up the next UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue,” it said. Hunt, on his first international visit as UK Chancellor, also met with business leaders in Bengaluru and visited the offices of tech multinational Wipro which employs over 4,000 people in the UK.

“Meeting fellow Finance Ministers face to face is an excellent opportunity to make real progress on the key global economic issues of our time,” said Hunt. “I first visited India 38 years ago, and it’s been fascinating to see how much the country has changed in this time – there are positive lessons to be learnt from

India’s economic growth to be ‘very fragile’: RBI

NEW DELHI, FEB 26 (PTI): India’s economic growth appears to be ‘very fragile’ and it may fall short of what the country needs to meet the aspirations of its growing workforce, RBI Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) member Jayanth R Varma said on Sunday.

In India, Varma said he expects inflation to remain high in 2022-23 but come down significantly in 2023-24. “However, growth appears to be very fragile, and monetary tightening is compressing demand,” he told PTI. Explaining further, he said rising EMI payments increases the pressure on household budgets and dampens spending, and exports are struggling in the face of global factors. While noting that high interest rates make private capital investment more difficult, Varma said the government is in fiscal consolidation mode, thus reducing the support to the economy from this source.

their successful rapid development. “It’s been great to hear from Indian technology business leaders here in Bengaluru how they are pushing the country’s economy forward, and I look forward to further collaboration between India and the UK as we continue to trade and create jobs – delivering on

the government’s plan to grow the economy,” he said. The Chancellor, alongside Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, attended a meeting of G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors on Thursday. They were joined virtually by Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko.

“Their statement sent a strong message of condemnation for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, announced an increase of financial support for the Ukrainian government to a total of USD 39 billion in 2023 and committed to continue supporting vulnerable countries hardest hit by the economic impact of the war,” the Treasury said. On Friday, the UK announced a fresh wave of internationally coordinated sanctions and trade measures, to “further restrict Russia’s capability to wage war in Ukraine both now and in the future”. At the first G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting under the Indian Presidency, Hunt condemned “Russia’s brutal acts” in the strongest terms, emphasising that securing peace was the most important action for global growth.

Assembly polls in Nagaland, Meghalaya today

(From-p1)

The Election Commission has deployed 119 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Meghalaya. Chief Electoral Officer, Meghalaya FR Kharkongor said 640 polling stations are identified as ‘vulnerable’, 323 are ‘critical’ and 84 are identified as both.

Meghalaya will witness a tough contest between all the parties who have decided to go solo this time. Polling will be held in 59 out of 60 seats since voting has been delayed in Sohiong due to the death of former Meghalaya minister and United Democratic

Party (UDP) candidate HDR Lyngdoh.

Unlike 2018, the BJP and National People’s Party (NPP) have not stitched any prepoll alliance. While BJP and Congress have fielded candidates in all the seats, NPP is contesting 57 seats.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC), which became the main opposition party in Meghalaya in 2021 following the defection of 12 Congress MLAs, became a formidable force, especially after former chief minister Mukul Sangma joined its ranks. The TMC has fielded candidates in 58 seats. The state also wit -

nessed high-decibel campaigning in the run up to the polls.

The BJP showed its strength with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah, party president JP Nadda and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma holding rallies. Modi also held a roadshow in Shillong on Friday. Rahul Gandhi, who was missing from the campaign scene in Tripura, held a rally in Shillong. Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee held public meetings in Meghalaya. TMC MP Mahua Moitra also canvassed for party candidates in the state.

CM appeals citizens to vote in large numbers

(From-p1)

Meanwhile, NDPP has also called upon all citizens to come forward and exercise their universal adult franchise and ensure that democracy was once again upheld.

NDPP appealed to all to adhere to Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and

ensure that the polls were conducted in a free and fair manner and avoid resorting to violence and unscrupulous and illegal ways and means.

While wishing all candidates and political parties the very best, NDPP also prayed that democracy may once again be victorious in Nagaland.

Google layoffs not based on performance: Sacked Indian employee

NEW DELHI, FEB 26 (IANS): Even as tech giant Google continues to cut down staff, a sacked Indian employee stated that the layoffs are not based on performance.

In a Lin kedIn post, Google India employee Animesh Swain stated that pink slips were also served to employees with highest ratings. The list also has names who were recently awarded promotions.

“The people who managed to stay (including me) are not necessarily better than those laid off,” Swain was quoted as saying in the post.

Another employee Gurugram-based Aakriti Walia, working as a Google Cloud programme manager, was laid off just 10 minutes before a meeting.

“The ‘access denied’

message on my system left me numb as I was preparing for my meeting just 10 mins away,” Walia posted on the professional networking platform.

“As I celebrated my 5-year Googleversary just a few days ago, little did I know it would be my last,” she said.

Earlier, Jennifer Vaden Barth, a creative Strategist at Google, said that the “layoff impacted very talented and highly rated professionals”.

Barth, who had worked at Google for 15 years said that “layoffs hit women particularly hard, especially

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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Chancellor of Exchequer, United Kingdom, Jeremy Hunt.

SNIPPETS

Chinese brands surge in Russia after global brands pulled out

HONG KONG, FEB 26

(IANS): Over the past year, hundreds of global brands have fled Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.

That’s forced Russians to find alternatives for everything from smartphones to cars, media reported.

The companies benefiting: Chinese competitors. Smartphone giant Xiaomi and automaker Geely are among those that have seen sales surge in recent months, industry data shows, CNN reported.

2 killed, 11 injured in road mishap in US

LOS ANGELES, FEB 26 (IANS): Two bicyclists were killed and 11 others seriously injured after they were hit by a pickup truck in the southwestern US state of Arizona, local media reported, citing police.

The accident occurred just before 8 a.m. local time (1600 GMT) on Saturday on the Cotton Lane Bridge in Goodyear, a suburb of Phoenix, the capital city of Arizona, according to azcentral.com, the digital home of The Arizona Republic newspaper.

The truck driver stayed at the scene after the fatal accident, Xinhua News Agency reported quoting the Goodyear Police Department.

Polling stations in Nigeria attacked on election day

LAGOS, FEB 26

(IANS): Nigerian police have said that several polling stations had been attacked by gunmen in Lagos, the nation’s economic hub, during the presidential and national assembly polls.

Idowu Owohunwa, the police chief in Lagos, told reporters at a press conference in Lagos, that 25 staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission deployed to the affected polling stations in the Oshodi area of Lagos have been evacuated with electoral materials to the state police headquarters, Xinhua news agency reported.

SL to launch mobile

app to protect tourists

COLOMBO, FEB 26

(IANS): Sri Lanka is to launch a mobile app from March 1 to protect tourists, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said. The minister, addressing an event in Colombo on Saturday, said that this is one of the best mobile applications in the region for tourist safety, Xinhua news agency reported.

He said the app can be operated in seven languages. The mobile app will register all three-wheelers and a barcode will be displayed on the vehicle for foreign tourists to scan, the minister said.

4 killed, 14 injured in IED blast in Pakistan

KARACHI, FEB 26

(PTI): A blast caused by an improvised explosive device planted on a motorcycle killed at least four people and left 14 others injured inside a market in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province on Sunday morning, police said.

The blast took place a day after two policemen were killed and another was injured in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off while police personnel were patrolling the area.

Migrant boat breaks apart off Italy; dozens dead, 80 survive

ROME, FEB 26 (AP): At least 43 migrants died when their overcrowded wooden boat smashed into rocky reefs and broke apart off southern Italy before dawn Sunday, the Italian coast guard said. Survivors reportedly indicated that dozens more could be missing.

“As of now, 80 persons were recovered alive, some of whom succeeded in reaching the shore after the shipwreck. and 43 bodies were found along the shore,” the coast guard said in a statement issued shortly before noon.

Italian state TV later reported 45 cloth-covered bodies were brought to the sports stadium in the nearest city, Crotone.

There were also various estimates of how many people were aboard the

Israel, Palestinian officials to meet over surge in violence

JERUSALEM, FEB 26

nating the rescue, said about 120 migrants were believed to have been on board.

Italian authorities said a rescue operation involving a helicopter and police aircraft, and vessels from state firefighter squads, the coast guard and border police, was underway Sunday. Local fishermen also joined in the search for survivors.

tro, state TV quoted survivors as saying the boat had set out five days earlier from Turkey with more than 200 passengers.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni said some 200 migrants had been crowded into a 20-meter (66-foot) -long boat. Italy’s coast guard, which was coordi-

A body and the wreckage from a capsized boat are seen at a beach near Cutro, southern Italy, Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. (AP) boat when it collided with the reefs in violently rough seas. Some of the wreckage ended up on a stretch of beach along Calabria’s Ionian Sea coast, where splinted pieces of bright blue wood littered the sand like matchsticks. Reporting from the village of Steccato di Cu-

RPP decides to withdraw support from Prachanda-led govt in Nepal

KATHMANDU, FEB 26

(PTI): The Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (PPP), a key partner in the seven parties ruling alliance in Nepal, has decided to withdraw its support to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’-led government, citing changes in the political equation.

Four ministers from the RPP, including the party’s Chairman and Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Rajendra Lingden who was part of the coalition government, on Saturday submitted their resignations to Prachanda.

A joint meeting of the party’s central executive committee and lawmakers on Saturday decided to withdraw its support to the Prachanda-led government and the provincial governments, The Kathmandu Post reported. “In view of

the sudden change in the political equation and cooperation within the ruling government, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party has decided to quit the government,” said a statement issued by RPP spokesperson Mohan Kumar Shrestha.

The party believes that the recent changes are clear signs of inherent instability, and it would be inappropriate for the party to remain in power in the changed context,” Shrestha added.

“We have decided to withdraw the support given to the government, and quit the government with effect from today,” the Post reported, quoting the statement.

“The party also carries the same belief in the context of the provincial governments and hence, has decided to withdraw the support given to the provincial governments as well.”

A pair of firefighter water rescuers struggled with wind gusts and waves several meters (yards) high crashing onto the beach as they brought a body ashore.

A local priest said he blessed bodies while they were still lying on the beach. One survivor was taken into custody for questioning after survivors indicated he was a trafficker, Rai state TV said.

(AP): High-level Palestinian and Israeli delegations will meet in Jordan on Sunday, both sides said, in an attempt to reduce surging tensions ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Israel said the prime minister’s national security adviser as well as the chief of the Shin Bet domestic security agency were to attend. The head of the Palestinian intelligence services as well as advisers to President Mahmoud Abbas were expected to join.

The presence of top officials at the meeting, as well as delegations from Egypt, Jordan and the United States, underscored the severity of the crisis. It was also a rare high-level meeting between the sides, coming during a time of rising tensions and after the Palestinians cut security coordination with Israel over the

EU sanctions top Russian officials, banks

Russia during the war. The new measures, proposed by the EU’s executive branch three weeks ago, were only adopted after much internal wrangling over their exact makeup, and made public one day after the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - the intended target date.

BRUSSELS, FEB 26 (AP):

The European Union agreed on Saturday to impose new sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine targeting more officials and organisations accused of supporting the war, spreading propaganda or supplying drones, as well as restricting trade on products that could be used by the armed forces. The EU’s Swedish presidency said the sanctions “are directed at military and political decision-

Iran’s currency hits new low amid anti-government protests

DUBAI, FEB 26(AP):

Iran’s currency fell to a new record low on Sunday, plunging to 600,000 to the dollar for the first time as the effects of nationwide antigovernment protests and the breakdown of the 2015 nuclear deal continued to roil the economy.

Iranians have formed long lines in front of exchange offices in recent days, hoping to acquire increasingly scarce dollars.

Many have seen their life savings evaporate as the local currency has deteriorated. Inflation reached 53.4% in January, up from 41.4% two years ago, according to Iran’s statistics center. The dire economic conditions have contributed

to widespread anger at the government, but have also forced many Iranians to focus on putting food on the table rather than engaging in high-risk political activism amid a fierce crackdown on dissent. Iran’s currency was trading at 32,000 rials to the dollar when it signed the 2015 nuclear accord with world powers. The agreement lifted international sanctions in return for strict limits on and surveillance of its nuclear activities.

The agreement unraveled when then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the U.S. from it and restored crippling sanctions. Iran responded by ramping up its enrichment of uranium, and now has

enough for “several” atomic weapons if it chooses to develop them, according to the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog.

Iran insists its nuclear program is entirely peaceful, but experts say it had a nuclear weapons program until 2003 and is developing a breakout capacity that could allow it to quickly build an atomic weapon should it decide to do so.

The Biden administration supports a return to the 2015 agreement, but negotiations hit an impasse last year and appear to have ground to a halt. Iran has further angered Western countries by supplying armed drones to Russia that have been used in its invasion of Ukraine.

makers, companies supporting or working within the Russian military industry, and commanders in the Wagner Group. Transactions with some of Russia’s largest banks are also prohibited.” Asset freezes were slapped on three more Russian banks and seven Iranian “entities” - companies, agencies, political parties or other organizations - that manufacture military drones, which the EU suspects have been used by

Sunak

The delay, which was minor but symbolically important, is yet more evidence of how difficult it has become for the 27-nation bloc to identify new targets for restrictive measures that are acceptable to all member nations.

The sanctions are meant to undermine Russia’s economy and drain funds for its war effort, but they are also increasingly inflicting pain on European economies already hit by high inflation and energy prices and still suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Palestinians protest a deadly Israeli raid in the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday. (AP) violence. Abbas’ office said the Palestinians would “stress the need to stop all Israeli unilateral actions.”

An Israeli official said the meeting was meant to ease tensions ahead of Ramadan and came after an American request.

The meeting’s Palestinian attendees were confirmed by a Palestinian official. A Jordanian official

also said the meeting was meant to stop “Israeli unilateral actions,” build confidence and lead to more comprehensive contacts between the sides. He said the meeting will take place in the Red Sea resort town of Aqaba, Jordan. All three officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorised to discuss the meeting with the media.

Putin says Russia cannot ignore NATO nuclear capability

TALLINN (ESTONIA),

FEB 26 (AP): Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview broadcast Sunday that Russia has no choice but to take into account NATO’s nuclear capabilities, in remarks justifying Russia’s recent suspension of its participation in the New START treaty.

As he has done repeatedly during the Ukraine war, Putin claimed that Russia faces an existential threat because, in his view, NATO members are seeking the country’s “strategic defeat.” He said on Russian state TV that the suspension of New START stemmed from the need to “ensure security, strategic stability” for Russia. “When all the leading NATO countries have declared their main goal as inflicting a strategic defeat on us (...) how can we ignore their nuclear capabilities in these condi -

tions?” Putin said. Putin’s overarching goal in invading Ukraine a year ago was to reduce what he perceived as threats to Russia’s security, and at times he has used that as justification for threats to use nuclear weapons in the conflict.

Putin declared Tuesday that Moscow was suspending its participation in the 2010 New START treaty, saying that Russia can’t accept U.S. inspections of its nuclear sites under the pact while Washington and its NATO allies seek Russia’s defeat in Ukraine. The Russian president emphasised that Moscow was not withdrawing from the pact altogether, and the Russian Foreign Ministry said the country would respect the treaty’s caps on nuclear weapons and keep notifying the U.S. about test launches of ballistic missiles.

pledges to ‘give everything’ for new Brexit deal

LONDON, FEB 26 (PTI):

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Sunday pledged to give everything he has got to fix the lingering problems of Brexit and clinch a new deal with the European Union (EU) that resolves the problematic Northern Ireland Protocol.

The protocol, agreed by his former boss Boris Johnson, was struck to prevent a hard border between UK territory Northern Ireland and EU member-state Ireland. However, in practice, it has proved controversial and created a standoff between the UK and EU over a resolution until now, when hopes of a new deal have been revived after intensive talks. “I voted for Brexit and I believe in Brexit because it offers vast opportunities for families and businesses across our whole

BEIJING, FEB 26 (PTI): China’s ruling Communist Party on Sunday began a key meeting to carry out a major revamp of the party and the government ahead of next month’s annual session of the Parliament.

The meeting of the Communist Party of China (CPC) plenum started its three-day plenary session in Beijing on Sunday, with President Xi Jinping, who is also the general secretary of the party, presenting a work report, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The Central Committee plenary session is being held ahead of the annual session of China’s Parliament, the National People’s Congress (NPC), and the top advisory body -- the China People’s Political

Consultative Conference (CPPCC) -- in the first week of March. During the NPC’s annual session, China will unveil a new leadership, including a new premier to succeed the incumbent Li Keqiang who is retiring. Barring Xi, most of the officials at the top were expected to be replaced.

Earlier this week, the political bureau of the party discussed the draft plan for the reforms of the CPC as well as state institutions and finalised recommendations to be submitted to the Central Committee plenary for approval. The Central Committee which was elected at the once in five-year Congress of the party held in October last year consisted of 203 members and 168 alternate members.

WASHINGTON, FEB 26

(PTI): Indian-American Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has vowed that if voted to power, she will cut every cent in foreign aid for countries like China, Pakistan and Iraq which hate America, saying “a strong America doesn’t pay off the bad guys”. The 51-year-old twoterm Governor of South Carolina and the former US Ambassador to the United Nations formally launched her 2024 presidential bid earlier this month.

“I will cut every cent in foreign aid for countries that hate us. A strong America doesn’t pay off the bad guys. A proud America doesn’t waste our people’s hardearned money. And the only

leaders who deserve our trust are those who stand up to our enemies and stand beside our friends,” she wrote in an op-ed in the New York Post. She said that America spent USD 46 billion on foreign aid last year, which is given to countries like China, Pakistan, and Iraq. American taxpayers deserve to know where that money

country,” writes Sunak in ‘The Daily Telegraph’. He notes that while Brexit was about restoring the UK’s sovereignty, the Northern Ireland Protocol had undermined that and created “serious barriers to trade within the United Kingdom, and that is unacceptable”.

“My job is to seize this opportunity, confront the hard choices, and give everything I’ve got. And I promise you this: I won’t agree on any deal which doesn’t fix

the problems and deliver for Northern Ireland and our precious Union. That is the best way to finish the job, to unleash the opportunities of Brexit for every part of our United Kingdom and, finally, to get Brexit done,” he writes. The protocol meant goods arriving from England, Scotland, and Wales within the United Kingdom are checked when they arrive at Northern Irish ports.

Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) are strongly opposed to this as they see it as undermining the region’s position within the rest of the UK, besides severely impacting trade. A controversial Northern Ireland Protocol

Bill drafted before Sunak took charge at 10 Downing Street was designed for the UK to undo parts of the agreement through a Parlia-

ment vote, a move the EU took legal action over and unleashed months of impasse until the latest round of talks. “No British Prime Minister could ever sit back and just allow these problems to continue. That’s why my predecessors were right to create the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill – and why I supported them in doing so,” notes Sunak.

“For as long as the European Union refused to reopen negotiations on the Protocol itself, this Bill was the only way forward. I have no doubt that it helped to create the conditions where the EU has been prepared to engage constructively. But my predecessors were also right to say this Bill was a last resort. Like them, I have always said a negotiated solution would be a better outcome,” he writes.

is going and what it’s doing, she added.

“They will be shocked to find that much of it goes to fund anti-American countries and causes. As president, I’ll put a stop to this fiasco,” she said.

According to Haley, the Biden administration resumed military aid to Pakistan, though it’s home to at least a dozen terrorist organisations and its government is deeply in hock to China. She said that as the US ambassador to the UN, she strongly supported then president Donald Trump’s decision to cut nearly USD 2 billion of military aid to Pakistan because that country supported terrorists who kill American troops.

DHAKA, FEB 26 (IANS):

Bangladesh was “constrained” to abstain from UNGA vote on Ukraine as it believes that the resolution lacked “intensive” diplomatic engagement and “dialogue” between the parties involved in the conflict, a government official said on Sunday.

“Bangladesh continues to remain concerned over the loss of civilian

lives, deteriorating humanitarian situation in conflict zone, and consequential socio-economic fallout around the globe and calls for cessation of hostilities,” the Dhaka Tribune quoted Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Seheli Sabrin as saying.

Bangladesh pursues a peace-centric foreign policy based on the principles of respect for all states, peaceful settlement of international disputes, and in line with principles of the United Nations charter, Sabrin said. The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Thursday that demanded Russia leave Ukraine. The resolution got 141 votes in favour, seven against while 32 countries abstained.

Rishi Sunak

China’s Communist Party begins key meeting to discuss major revamp, govt Nikki says if voted to power, she will cut foreign aid to countries like China & Pak which hate US

Nikki Haley

Seheli Sabrin

‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ bags top prize at PGA Awards

‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ won the top prize at the 2023 PGA Awards. Other winners at the Producers Guild of America awards ceremony include ‘Navalny’, ‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio’, ‘The Bear’ and ‘The White Lotus’.

Daveed Diggs kicked off the show with opening comments. ‘Pinocchio’ was the first winner of the night, presented by Hacksa Hannah Einbinder, as del Toro noted it was “a fantastic year for animation, every artist in this category is trying to push it,” once again emphasising that animation is an art form for audiences beyond children, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

B.J. Novak presented the Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television to Mindy Kaling, recalling their early days together at ‘The Office’ and their careers since. “She knows a lot about producing now

Drug Abuse

but she was great at it even before she did, because she’s a great producer for the same reason that many people, including her, are great parents right away. She cares so much that she either knows what to do or finds out fast,” he said, adding: “She cares so much about everything, and I care so much about her.”

As per The Hollywood Reporter, in her acceptance speech, Kaling dedicated the award to her late mother and thanked ‘The Office’ producers Greg Daniels and

Howard Klein for giving her her start. She also shouted out Lear for “paving the way for all kinds of people to be centred on TV - nuanced, three-dimensional people who are sometimes awkward or selfish but they’re always hilarious.”

Kaling also thanked her studio executive partners, “powerful people who have all believed in me, believed in the good business that is inclusive content, and encouraged me to fill my productions with tons of new talent, particularly

women of colour.”

Eugenio Derbez presented best episodic TV, drama to ‘The White Lotus’, to producer David Bernad, who jokingly apologised to those people in the crowd who voted for the show and hoped to see Mike White or Jennifer Coolidge give a speech, and Dave Burd presented outstanding live entertainment, variety, sketch, stand-up and talk television to Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

Here are the winners: Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ Award for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures: ‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio’ Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic TelevisionDrama: ‘The White Lotus’ Danny Thomas Award

Will Smith wins his first major award since Oscar slap at NAACP Image Awards

Hollywood star

for Outstanding Producer of Episodic TelevisionComedy: ‘The Bear’ David L. Wolper Award for Outstanding Producer of Limited or Anthology Series Television: ‘The Dropout’ Award for Outstanding Producer of Televised or Streamed Motion Pictures: ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’ Award for Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television: ‘Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy’ Award for Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment, Variety, Sketch, Standup & Talk Television: ‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’ Award for Outstanding Producer of Game & Competition Television: ‘Lizzo’s Watch Out For The Big Grrrls’ The Award for Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Picture: ‘Navalny’ (IANS)

Will Smith won the NAACP Image Award for outstanding actor in a motion picture for his performance in ‘Emancipation’ on Saturday night, marking his first award win since his infamous incident at the 2022 Oscars in which he slapped Chris Rock onstage. Smith was not present at the ceremony to accept his award in person, reports Variety.

Set in 19th century Louisiana, Smith portrays a runaway slave who embarks on a treacherous journey to Baton Rouge while thwarting violent plantation owners. ‘Emancipation’ was inspired by an 1863 photograph known as ‘Whipped Peter’, which depicts a once-enslaved individual with severe lacerations on his back.

The image’s circulation placed the brutality of slavery in front of the eyes of the American public.

After initially delaying ‘Emancipation’ following

Commonly Abused Prescription and OTC Drugs

Drug abuse isn’t just about street drugs. Besides marijuana, legal medicines are the most commonly abused drugs in the U.S. Over-the-counter and prescription drugs can help and heal us. But some can be addictive and dangerous if they’re used the wrong way. Keep your family safe. Use this guide to help you spot some commonly misused medicines. Because drugs come in many forms, not all pills and tablets are shown. Drug pictures are not to scale.

Barbiturates

These are sedatives like phenobarbital, pentobarbital (Nembutal), and secobarbital (Seconal). They help with anxiety, sleep problems, and some seizures. But if you take more than prescribed, you can get addicted. High doses can cause trouble breathing, especially if you use them when you drink alcohol. If you can’t function without barbiturates, get help. Going into withdrawal can be dangerous.

Benzodiazepines

Alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin) and diazepam (Valium) are two examples of benzodiazepines -- another type of sedative that can help with anxiety, panic

attacks, and sleep problems. They work well and they’re safer than barbiturates.

But overused, and even used as prescribed, they can also lead to physical dependence and addiction. Stopping these medications abruptly can be dangerous. If you feel you depend on these medications, talk to your doctor. Prescription drugs shouldn’t be shared. They are only for the person with the prescription.

Sleep Medicines

If you have trouble sleeping, drugs like zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and zaleplon (Sonata) can help you get the rest you need. But if you use them longer than your doctor suggests, you may become dependent and need them to sleep.

Practicing sleep hygiene skills is the best way to deal with sleep problems. Although they’re not as addictive as some sleeping pills, doctors are concerned about abuse if they’re not taken as prescribed.

Codeine and Morphine

Some of the most commonly abused prescription meds are painkillers -specifically, opioids. These drugs dull pain, but in large doses they can also cause a euphoric high -- and dangerous side effects. Doctors

usually prescribe morphine for severe pain and codeine for milder pain or coughing. Brands of morphine include Avinza,Kadian, and MS Contin.

OxyContin, Percocet

Another opioid painkiller is oxycodone. It’s in drugs like OxyContin, Percocet,Percodan, and Roxicodone. People who abuse oxycodone sometimes crush it and snort it or inject it -- greatly raising the risk of overdose.

Street names include “oxy,” “O.C.,” and “oxycotton” for OxyContin and “percs” for Percocet or Percodan.

Vicodin, Lortab, Lorcet

These drugs contain the opioid hydrocodone plus acetaminophen. Opioids cause drowsiness and constipation. High doses

French documentary ‘On the Adamant’ feted with Golden Bear at Berlinale

of a rural school, it centres on universal values of care and empathy.

can cause dangerous breathing problems. Vicodin’s street names include “vike” and “Watson-387.” If you feel sick, like you’re having the flu, after stopping any of these opioid medications, your body may have become dependent. Talk to you doctor if you feel you need these medications for more than pain relief.

Amphetamines

When prescribed, stimulants like the amphetamines Adderall,Adderall XR, Dextroamphetamine, and Mydasis can help people with ADHD. But some people use amphetamines to get high, to boost energy and alertness, or to keep their weight down. You can get addicted to stimulants. High doses can cause a dangerous rise in body temperature, irregu-

lar heartbeat, and even cardiac arrest. Nicknames for amphetamines include “bennies,” “black beauties,” and “speed.”

Methylphenidate

This is a stimulant in ADHD drugs like Concerta, Daytrana, Metadate, Methylin, and Ritalin. Its nicknames include “MPH,” “R-ball,” “Skippy,” “the smart drug,” and “vitamin R.” If you take stimulants, combining them with common decongestants can cause dangerously high blood pressure or an irregular heartbeat.

Dextromethorphan

(DXM)

It’s not just prescription drugs that are a problem. Dextromethorphan is a common ingredient in over-the-counter cold and cough medicines -- it helps stop the cough. But large doses can get you high and cause hallucinations. It’s popular among teens, since cough syrup is so easy to find in medicine cabinets. High doses also cause vomiting, rapid heart rate, and -- rarely -- brain damage.

Pseudoephedrine

This is a decongestant in lots of non-prescription cold medicines. While it helps clear up a stuffy nose, it’s also an ingredient in illegal methamphetamine

Jin, BTS’ J-hope enlists for conscription in South Korea

process and already applied for the cancellation of his military postponement.

Smith’s incident at the Oscars, Apple TV+ pivoted to positioning the historical drama as an awards season contender, releasing the film in October.

Smith, who doubled as a producer on the film, is set to accept a Beacon Award from the AfricanAmerican Film Critics Association alongside director Antoine Fuqua on March 1 for their work on the film.

The film also scored nominations in two categories at the Black Reel Awards.

Smith’s win comes almost a year after the contentious 2022 Oscars, where the actor slapped

(“meth”). To curb meth abuse, U.S. laws now control how you buy pseudoephedrine products. That’s why some cold medicines are located behind the counter and why you may have to sign for some.

Spotting a Suspicious

Pill

Found a random pill around the house or in your teen’s jacket? Want to know what it is? WebMD’s

Pill Identification Tool may help. But because there are hundreds of drugs and thousands of pills and tablets of all shapes, colors, and sizes, you may need a pharmacist to identify it.

Drug Abuse: What to Do

Worried that someone you love might be abusing drugs? The best thing to do is ask directly. Keep an eye out for signs of abuse, like behavior changes or missing medicines. Many kids assume that common household drugs or even prescription medicines are safer than street drugs because they’re legal. Explain the risks. Head off problems -- and clean out your medicine cabinet. Get rid of the drugs you don’t need, and keep track of the ones you do.

Medically Reviewed by

Jennifer Robinson, MD

Rock after an ill-received joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Moments later, Smith went on to win the Oscar for best actor for his performance in ‘King Richard’.

As a result of the altercation, Smith was banned from all Academy-sponsored events for the next decade.

Daniel Kaluuya (‘Nope’), Jonathan Majors (‘Devotion’), Joshua Boone (‘A Jazzman’s Blues’) and Sterling K. Brown (‘Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul’) were also contending in the actor in a motion picture category at the NAACP Image Awards. A four-day virtual awards presentation led up to the February 25 NAACP Image Awards, held in-person for the first time since February 2020. Live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Queen Latifah hosted the 54th annual awards show, which crowned winners in this year’s motion picture and television categories.

Ektaa Kapoor comes out in support of Akshay Kumar after ‘Selfiee’ debacle

Producer Ektaa Kapoor, who is known for ruling the Indian television industry, has come out in support of Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar after his recent release ‘Selfiee’ failed to pull the audience into the theatre.

‘Selfiee’, which also stars Emraan Hashmi is the remake of the 2019 Malayalam film ‘Driving Licence’. However, the film failed and registered a dismal opening at the box-office with Rs 2.5 crore making it Akshay’s 6th flop in a row after ‘Bachchhan Paandey’, ‘Samrat Prithviraj’, ‘Raksha Bandhan’, ‘Cuttputlli’ and ‘Ram Setu’.

Taking to the story section of her Instagram, Ektaa pointed the guns at the “tabloid culture”. She

wrote: “Akshay Kumar is the most reliable, dependable actor to work with!!! Depressing tabloid culture of bringing someone down to highlight his lows is a hugeeeeee low in itself!!!” She also added with the hashtag “insensitive”. Ektaa’s post comes after Kangana Ranaut criticised ‘Selfiee’. Kangana had reacted to a box office report of ‘Selfiee’ which compared her with Akshay. Comparing the first-day business of her last film ‘Dhaakad’ (2022) indirectly with ‘Selfiee’, Kangana had written: “Karan Johar movie ‘Selfie’ has hardly made 10 lakh on the first day I don’t see even one trade or media person talk about it forget mocking or bullying him the way they harass me.”

(IANS)

Veteran French documentary filmmaker Nicolas Philibert was the surprise winner of the Golden Bear at this year’s Berlin Film Festival.

He took home the prize for his film ‘On the Adamant’ which is a poignant observational study of a Paris mental health care facility, reports Variety.

He received the award from jury president Kristen Stewart, after the star offered an extended and plainly heartfelt ode to the film’s humanity and simplicity:

“People have gone in circles for thousands of years trying to pin down what can be deemed art, who’s allowed

to do it and what determines its value,” she said, citing the boundary-pushing nature of the festival, and name checking such opposing philosophers on the matter as Aristotle, Barthes, Sontag and Beavis & Butthead, before concluding: “For all of us, you just know it when you see it.”

Candidly and sometimes humorously surveying the daily routines of The Adamant, a waterborne daycare facility for people with a variety of mental disorders, it speaks not just to cinephiles but to anyone: Like Philibert’s 2002 arthouse hit ‘Etre et Avoir’, a similarly touching, unadorned study

Visibly stunned, the 72-year-old Frenchman was slightly less lyrical than Stewart when accepting his award. He said, quoted by Variety: “Are you crazy or what?”, he addressed the jury, which also included filmmakers Radu Jude, Carla Simon, Johnnie To and Valeska Grisebach, actor Golshifteh Farahani and casting director Francine Maisler.

Gathering himself, Philibert professed himself “humbled, proud and deeply moved,” describing his film as an effort to reverse public preconceptions of the mentally ill, and reminding us that “the craziest people are not those we think they are.”

Philibert’s film was the only documentary in competition; its win marks the second consecutive triumph for a nonfiction film at one of the three major European festivals, after Laura Poitras’ Oscar-nominated ‘All the Beauty and the Bloodshed’ took the Golden Livon at Venice in September. (IANS)

J-hope, member of the K-pop band BTS, has become the second member of the band to enlist for mandatory military service after Jin. Their label Bighit Music shared that J-hope has started his enlistment

The label on Sunday shared a notice on Weverse.

The statement read: “This is BIGHIT MUSIC. We would like to inform our fans that J-hope has initiated the military enlistment process by applying for the termination of his enlistment postponement. We will inform you of further updates in due course.”

“We ask you for your continued love and support for J-hope until he completes his military service and safely returns. Our company will spare no effort in providing support for our artiste. Thank you,” the statement read.

All South Korean men between the age of 18 and 35 are required to serve in the country’s military for around 20 months.

Though BTS members were earlier given the exemption for sometime, it was confirmed in October 2022 that the globally popular singers will have to fulfil their compulsory military service. (IANS)

After

German Chancellor spends time with RCB players

Bundesliga: Dortmund edge Hoffenheim to take top spot

BERLIN (GERMANY), FEB 26 (IANS): Julian Brandt’s sole goal was enough to lift Borussia Dortmund atop the Bundesliga standings after taking all three points following a 1-0 win at Hoffenheim in the 22nd round.

The BVB caught a bright start on the road on Saturday night and came close with four minutes gone when Jamie BynoeGittens forced Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann into action, reports news agency Xinhua. Hoffenheim needed

BENGALURU, FEB 26

(PTI): German Chancel-

lor Olaf Scholz on Sunday visited the M Chinnaswamy cricket stadium here and interacted with men and women players of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team.

Scholz spoke to the officials of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), RCB men and women team members for about 15 minutes.

The Chancellor understands that cricket is India’s number one passion when it comes to sports, a German Embassy official said.

“In Germany, cricket is not as popular. Although

more than 200,000 Indians in Germany are popularising the sport there,” he said. So, Scholz wanted to acclimatise himself about the sport and what cricket means to India, the official added.

“Moreover, he wanted to understand what the RCB, both the men’s and women’s team, mean to the city, especially as the RCB women’s team embark on the first season of the Women’s Premier League,” the official further said. Earlier, the German Chancellor arrived at the Kempegowda International Airport in the afternoon.

Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar, along with the

Daniil Medvedev masters Murray to win Qatar Open

German Consulate officials and Bengaluru Police Commissioner C H Pratap Reddy received him.

Later, Sudhakar tweeted: “Welcomed the Chancellor of Germany, His Excellency @OlafScholz to Bangalore at Kempegowda International Airport today. This is the first visit from a Chancellor of Germany to India, since 2011, when the Inter-Governmental Consultation (IGC) was set up between our two countries.” Scholz is on a two-day trip to India. On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with the visiting German Chancellor in Delhi.

some time to grow into the game as Ozan Kabak headed narrowly wide from a promising position with 16 minutes played.

Dortmund posed more danger in front of the target and produced presentable chances, but Baumann was on guard to deny Sebastien Haller twice in quick succession at the half-hour mark.

Baumann was hapless as the visitors’ efforts got rewarded just before the break when Brandt tapped home Marco Reus’ pinpoint free kick.

Serie A: Napoli beat Empoli 2-0

NEW DELHI, FEB 26 ( AGENCIES): A goal by Victor Osimhen and an own goal by Empoli defender Ardian Ismajli helped 10-man Napoli beat Empoli 2-0 in Serie A on Saturday. With this win, Napoli have extended their lead over second-placed Inter Milan to a staggering 18 points, reports Times of India.

Napoli remain top of the standings on 65 points. Empoli are 12th on 28.

Napoli dominated the clash from the outset and pushed mid-table Empoli enough to pressure Ismajli into opening the scoring with an own goal in the 17th minute.

Osimhen made it 2-0 for Napoli just before the half-hour mark, tapping in a rebound from close range after Empoli keeper Guglielmo Vicario had parried a strike by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia right into the Nigerian’s path.

The visitors were left with 10 men in the 67th minute after defender Mario Rui received a direct red for a foul on Empoli striker Francesco Caputo.

Dortmund should have doubled its advantage but neither Reus nor Marius Wolf was able to beat Baumann in the injury

time of the first half. Wolf remained in the thick of things as he thought he had doubled Dortmund’s lead, but the video assistant

referee disallowed the goal due to a foregone foul play by Wolf at the hour mark.

Hosts’ goalkeeper Baumann continued in the limelight for the remainder of the match as he defused the efforts from Raphael Guerreiro and Brandt twice before tipping Jude Bellingham’s effort to the post in the closing stages. The result moves Dortmund to the top of the Bundesliga at least for one night before Bayern Munich and Union Berlin encounter in the top clash on Sunday.

Duplantis breaks world pole vault record

PARIS, FEB 26 (IANS): Swedish Armand Duplantis cleared 6.22 meters to claim victory with a new world record at the World Athletics Indoor Tour Silver meeting in ClermontFerrand.

The 23-year-old Olympic champion added one centimetre to his previous best of 6.21m which he nailed at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon last year on Saturday night.

At Clermont-Ferrand, Duplantis entered the competition at 5.71m and cleared that height on his first attempt, and then he secured the gold after clearing 6.01m with one attempt, reports Xinhua. He then raised the bar to 6.22 metres, knocked the bar on the first two attempts, and

succeeded on his third try. The record also marked Duplantis’ 60th six-meter-plus clearance in his career so far.

Australia’s Kurtis

China set to dominate biggest TT event in India

GOA, FEB 26 (PTI): A galaxy of international stars, including Olympic champions Ma Long and Chen Meng from China, will rub shoulders with the likes of India’s Achanta Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra when the World Table Tennis (WTT) Star Contender Goa, the biggest event in the sport to grace Indian shores, begins here on Monday.

DOHA, FEB 26 (IANS): Daniil Medvedev prevented Andy Murray from winning the Qatar Open after beating the Brit in straight sets to win two titles in nine days on Saturday.

The lanky Medvedev played some promising shots to edge past Murray 6-4, 6-4 in the tepid Doha weather. The loss to the Russian came in Murray’s fifth Qatar Open final and the first since losing to Novak Djokovic six years ago.

Third-seed Medvedev had defeated second seed Felix Auger-Alissaime of Canada on Friday to reach

the final, while Murray beat 21-year-old rising star Jiri Lehecka in the semifinal.

The tournament is a major draw on the sports calendar of the country that recently hosted the FIFA World Cup, the first one by a Middle East nation.

Meanwhile, the Qatar Tennis, Squash and Badminton Federation is drawing a plan to upgrade the Qatar ExxonMobil Open Tennis Championship from the ATP 250 series to ATP 500, media reports said.

Spectators will be in for a huge treat with the who’s who of the table tennis world, including the top-three ranked Chinese in the world in both the men’s and women’s sections, set to exhibit their mastery during the week-long tournament to be played at Panjim’s Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor stadium.

The 34-year-old Ma, widely regarded as the best to have ever played the game, is a two-time Olympic champion and will also have countryman and rival Fan Zhendong, the current world champion and world No.1, for company in the men’s singles.

With reigning women’s world champion Wang Manyu of China and world No.3 Wang Chuqin in the

men’s category also receiving wild cards, China is expected to make a clean sweep in both the men’s and women’s sections.

The Indian challenge in the men’s section will be led by Commonwealth Games gold medallist Achanta Sharath Kamal, who will have Sathiyan Gnansekaran for company, along with Payas Jain and Wesley Do Rosario in singles.

The other leading contenders in the men’s game are world No. 4 Tomakazu Harimoto of Japan, world No. 6 Truls Moregard of Sweden, No. 8 Lin Yun-Ju from Chinese Taipei and No. 9 Darko Jorgic from

Slovenia.

On the women’s side, Manika Batra, ranked 34th in the world, will spearhead the Indian challenge with Sreeja Akula and Suhana Saini.

Batra would be buoyed by her success in the ITTFATTU Asian Cup tournament in Bangkok, where she became the first woman paddler from the country to win a medal -- a bronze -- defeating three-time Asian champion Hina Hayata of Japan last year.

World No. 5 Hayata is again in the WTT Star Contender Goa draw, along with China’s Chen Meng, her countrymate and world No. 1 Sun Yingsha, world No. 8 Kasumi Ishikawa from Japan, world No. 9 Doo Hoi Kem from Hong Kong-China and world No. 10 Ying Han from Germany.

Batra, the top-ranked Indian player, recently said that playing the WTT Star Contender Goa at home, would be an experience in itself, indicating she would be drawing inspiration from the home crowd to excel on the big stage. The main draw of the event will start from March 1, after two days of

NewDelhiMarathon:3IndianmarathonersqualifyforAsianGames

Nagraj Adiga, the Race Director, said.

“I was stumped by the enthusiasm among the runners. I couldn’t stop myself from cheering as I saw India’s top marathoners enter the Nehru Stadium well under the qualifying mark,” world record holder and double Olympic champion David Rudisha, the Brand Ambassador of NDM, gushed.

NEW DELHI, FEB 26

(IANS): India’s elite runners Man Singh, Belliappa

A.B. and Karthik Kumar clinched the podium positions in the New Delhi National Marathon here on Sunday and also qualified for the 2023 Asian Games in September.

All three went under the qualifying mark of 2 hours and 15 minutes in an exciting run that went down to the wire much to the delight of cheering fans all along the picturesque route in the heart of the Indian Capital.

Man Singh, who re -

corded his personal best of 2:16:58 just last month, clocked an impressive 2:14.13 to win the coveted gold medal as well as the cash prize of Rs 1,50,000.

Belliappa (2:14.15), who was breathing down his neck in the final leg, finished just two seconds behind to improve upon his own best by over 2 minutes. He pocketed the silver medal in the process.

Karthik Kumar (2:14.19) crossed the line four seconds behind to take the bronze.

Evergreen Jyoti Gawate took home the gold

medal among elite women but could not book her ticket to Hangzhou in China. She, however, managed 2:53:04 while the target for the women was 2:47 minutes. Ashvini Jadhav (2:53:06) and Jigmet Dolma (2:56:41) took the other two positions on the podium.

“We at NEB Sports had done everything possible to create the best ambience and platform for the athletes to qualify for the Asian Games. We are delighted that three elite men have made it. It’s a proud moment for us,” NEB’s

“I congratulate the three qualifiers and wish them all the best for the big one in September,” he was quoted as saying in a release on Sunday.

“We are delighted with the response from the running community for the Apollo Tyres New Delhi Marathon. It is heartening that three male athletes have breached the qualifying standards for the Hangzhou Asian Games,” Satish Sharma, President (Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa) of Apollo Tyres Ltd said.

Over 16,000 runners took part in the four categories, making it one of

the biggest turnouts in the country. The Elite Marathoners set off on their mission at 5 in the morning, with David Rudisha flagging them off along with other dignitaries.

RESULTS Marathon (Elite):

Men: 1. Man Singh (2:14.13); 2. Belliappa AB (2:14.15); 3. Karthik Kumar (2:14.19)

Women: 1. Jyoti Gawate (2:53:04); 2. Ashvini Jadhav (2:53:06); 3. Jigmet Dolma (2:56:41).

Half Marathon:

Men: 1. Kiran Matre (1:05.57); 2. Nano Guta (1:06.03); 3. Tirtha Pun (1:06.21)

Women: 1. Neetu Kumari (1:17.14); 2. Bisle Bikaye (1:18.26); 3. Ujala Ujala (1:21.31)

10K:

Men: 1. Rishipal Singh (0:32.56); 2. Abdisa Wolde (0:32.57); 3. Sunny Kumar (0:34.14)

Women: 1. Ekta Rawat (0:38.12); 2. Rozi (0:38.13); 3. Priti Priti (0:39.22).

qualifications scheduled for February 27 and 28.

It would be a treat for the local crowd to see Olympic champions Ma Long and Chen Meng in action for the first time in India and Sathiyan summed it up succinctly, saying every single match is going to be tough.

“The field is incredibly strong, so all the matches are going to be tough. I hope as many fans as possible will come and support us in Goa.”

The event will offer India the platform to demonstrate its ability not just to host more world-class table tennis events and drive growth and development of the sport within the country but also become the motivation for home bred paddlers to show they are no longer pushovers.

The men’s doubles main draw will see Sharath Kamal and Sathiyan lead the Indian challenge along with Harmeet Desai and Manav Vikash Thakkar, while Batra along with Archana Girish Kamath will be seen in action along with the duo of Sreeja Akula and Diya Parag Chitale in women’s doubles.

Marschall and Menno Vloon of the Netherlands finished second and third respectively. Czech Amalie Svabikova won the women’s category with 4.66m.

EPL : Spurs beat Chelsea 2-0

LONDON, FEB 26 ( AGENCIES): Tottenham boosted their hopes of topfour Premier League finish with a London derby win over Chelsea that increases the pressure on Blues boss Graham Potter, reports BBC Sports.

Oliver Skipp’s thumping 20-yard effort just after the interval put the hosts in command and their victory was sealed when Harry Kane turned home Eric Dier’s knock-down late on. While the majority of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium were in celebratory mood in the final stages, Kane’s goal saw visiting supporters head for the exit as Chelsea’s recent woes continued.

The Blues have now won just two of their last 15

top-flight matches and sit 14 points off the Champions League places. This result is likely to place more scrutiny on Chelsea’s expensively assembled squad - with British record signing Enzo Fernandez at fault for the Spurs’ opener - as well as Potter, who recently outlined the toll that criticism has placed on his family and mental health. Meanwhile, things are on the up for Spurs, who have won four of their past five league matches. The hosts now sit fourth in the table four points above fifth-placed Newcastle, who have two games in hand, and are expected to welcome manager Antonio Conte back to work this week after his recovery from surgery.

Dubai Tennis C’ships: Krejcikova beats Iga Swiatek; clinch crown

DUBAI, FEB 26 ( AP):

Top-ranked Iga Swiatek was upset by Barbora Krejcikova 6-4, 6-2 in the final of the Dubai Championships on Saturday, reports Associated Press.

Krejcikova closed the tournament by beating the top three players in the WTA rankings: No. 3

Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals, No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, then Swiatek. No. 8 Daria Kasaktina was also overcome in the second round.

The Czech is the fifth woman in the Open era to beat the world’s top three at the same event.

“It’s a big achievement and I think it’s going to give me a lot of confidence that I can play with the best ones,” Krejcikova said.

The former French Open champion dominated the final, breaking Swiatek five times. The Pole earned two breaks back in the first set, but

Krejcikova then played out a love break and held to love for the set. In the second, she broke for 2-1 and 5-2 and easily held serve to win her sixth singles title.

“I showed my best tennis this week,” Krejcikova said. “I was able to play my tennis but also hold the nerves.”

Her previous title was

in October, when she beat Swiatek for the first time in the Ostrava final.

“When you play with Iga, you have to suffer, otherwise you’re not going to win because she’s everywhere,” she said. “She plays great shots. She likes to play long rallies. So you have to suffer. I don’t mind that.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz being presented a bat signed by the men’s team of Royal Challengers Bangalore at Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Sunday. (PTI)

Barbora Krejcikova

Daniiel Medvedev poses with the trophy of Qatar.

Armand Duplantis cleared 6.22 meters.

Dortmund players celebrate their goal.

Ma Long

Winners of New Delhi Marathon pose with their trophies

Harry Kane has scored 20 goals in nine successive seasons across all competitions

Aus beat S. Africa by 19 runs to register hat-trick of Women’s T20 WC titles

CAPE TOWN, FEB 26 (PTI): The Australian women’s team extended its enviable dominance in world cricket further by winning an unprecedented sixth T20 World Cup trophy with a comfortable 19-run win over a fighting South Africa in the summit clash here on Sunday.

Riding on Beth Mooney’s unbeaten 74 off 53 balls, Australia first posted a competitive 156 for 6 and then restricted the home team to 137 for 6.

Mooney’s knock proved to be the deciding factor as she single-handedly carried the Australian innings with nine boundaries and one hit over the fence.

Mayank to lead

ROI in Irani Cup game against MP

NEW DELHI, FEB 26 (PTI): Karnataka skipper Mayank Agarwal, the leading run-getter in the recently-concluded Ranji Trophy season, will lead Rest of India in the Irani Cup match against Madhya Pradesh, starting March 1 in Gwalior.

Agarwal, who is looking to regain his Test spot, is likely to partner Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran. Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan is the most notable absentee in the 16-member ROI squad.

The match was initially scheduled to be played in Indore, but was shifted to Gwalior after the Holkar Stadium earned the right to host the third India-Australia Test, starting March 1.

Bengal batter Sudip Kumar Gharami, Yashasvi Jaiswal, B Indrajith and Yash Dhull will form the fulcrum of ROI’s batting unit.

Wicketkeeper-opener Harvik Desai and left-arm seamer Chetan Sakariya are the only two players from the current Ranji champion side Saurashtra in the squad.

Australia won their sixth T20 World Cup title. (Getty Images)

Chasing, opener Laura Wolvaardt (61 off 48 balls) played a valiant lone hand while wickets kept tumbling at the other end for the hosts.

Wolvaardt hit five boundaries and three huge sixes during her knock. South Africa made a sedate start, losing Tazmin Brits in the fifth over, caught by Tahila McGrath at mid-on. McGrath ran backward to complete a catch above her head off the bowling of Darcie Brown.

Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp (11) then shared a 29-run stand for the second wicket before the latter was caught by Brown off the bowling of Ashleigh Gardner.

An over later, there was more misery for South Africa as skipper Sune Luus fell to an unwanted run out to slump to 54 for 3 in 10.4 overs.

With runs drying up, Wolvaardt went for a huge heave towards the onside off a Megan Schutt full delivery, only to miss it and be adjudged LBW. The batter, South Africa’s last hope, went for a review but was unsuccessful as Australia all but sealed the fate of the match.

Left-arm orthodox spinner Jess Jonassen then accounted for Chloe Tryon (19) in the next over before Anneke Bosch was run out a ball later to dash South Africa’s slim hopes.

Electing to bat, Australia lost Alyssa Healy (18) early, caught at covers by Nadine De Klerk off the bowling of Marizanne Kapp (2/35) in the fifth over.

Then Ashleigh Gardner (29 off 21) joined hands with Mooney and the pair’s 46 runs for the second wicket stabilised the innings before the former was brilliantly caught at long-off by South Africa skipper Sune Luus off the bowling of left-arm spinner ChloeLesleigh Tryon.

But Mooney went about her business in blistering fashion and dispatched the bad deliveries to the fence to keep the scoreboard ticking.