) aRceZVd WZ_VU W`c YZUZ_X TR_UZUReVd¶ TcZ^Z_R]Zej

��

Though puritans may lookdown at them with con-

tempt, the judiciary has a softcorner for them. On Tuesday,the Kerala High Court camedown heavily on the KeralaGovernment and the KeralaBeverages Corporation(Bevco), the monopoly liquortraders in the State for the cruelmanner in which they treatconsumers of spirits.

Justice DevanRamachandran, while hearinga petition regarding the non-implementation of the Court’searlier order to provide a dig-nified way to citizens to pur-chase liquor from BEVCO out-lets, lambasted theGovernment of Kerala as wellas the authorities for Bevco fortheir indifference towards the

thousands queuing up in frontof the liquor outlets to buy theirregular quota.

“How do you make our cit-izens do this? We are talkingabout the collective dignity of

citizens. Just becausethose people are poor

and hard-work-

ing and theycome in theevening andthey buy theirliquor, their bev-erage, it doesn’tmean you cantreat them like

cattle, or worse. Especially afteryou (State Government) toldme that all those shops whichdo not conform to the stan-dards are closed down,” said theJustice, who disclosed that hehad personally visited the out-lets in Kochi to get a first-handexperience of the situation.

The judge shared pho-tographs of the shop he hadseen the previous day.

“It has got a barricade. Ifyou see if, it looks scary. It’s adark room, so dark that youcan’t see inside it. And even inthis photograph taken just thismorning, you can see a few

people queuing outside it.It is worse in the evening.I want to know whether

this shop has been foundsuitable by the excise com-

missioner,” said the Justice.

� � � ��

The Supreme Court onTuesday imposed fines on

eight political parties for failingto comply with the directionsin relation to the disclosure ofdetails of candidates with crim-inal backgrounds on their offi-cial websites as well as in news-papers and on social media inthe Bihar Assembly elections.

The CPI(M) and the NCPwere fined �5 lakh each and theBJP, the Congress, the RJD, theJD(U), the CPI and the LJPwere fined �1 lakh each by theBench comprising JusticesRohinton Nariman and BRGavai. The CPI(M) and theNCP were fined high due to thetotal non-compliance of theapex court’s directions.

“We direct the respondentNo. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 11 todeposit an amount of �1 lakh

each in the account created bythe ECI as specified in thisjudgment in paragraph 73(iii)within a period of 8 weeks fromthe date of this judgment.Insofar as respondent No. 8 and9 are concerned, since theyhave not at all complied withthe directions issued by thiscourt, we direct them todeposit an amount of �5 lakheach in the aforesaid accountwithin the aforesaid period,”the court ordered.

The SC delivered judgmenton contempt petitions filed by

Brajesh Singh and ManishKumar, who alleged that thecourt’s earlier directions passedon February 13, 2020, were notcomplied with by political par-ties during the Bihar Assemblyelections. Senior advocate KVViswanathan served as AmicusCuriae in the case.

Senior Advocate PVSurendranath, appearing onbehalf of CPI(M), submittedthat the election process for theState of Bihar was coordinatedby the State Committee of theparty and that Form C7 and C8

were not submitted due tooversight on part of the StateCommittee.

He submitted that the partyhas attempted to comply withthe directions of this courtinsofar as declaration of infor-mation regarding criminalcases in newspapers and thewebsite of the party is con-cerned and that the aforemen-tioned act of non-complianceshould be viewed as an isolat-ed incident and its uncondi-tional apology be accepted.

� ��

As fighting intensifies inAfghanistan, India on

Tuesday urged all its citizensthere to return home. A spe-cial flight from New Delhi wasalso dispatched to Afghanistanto evacuate the first batch ofIndians. There are about 1,500to 2,000 Indians inAfghanistan.

The advisory issued by theIndian consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif, besides appealing tothe Indian citizens to leave thecountry, also said a specialflight is leaving from Mazar-e-Sharif to New Delhi. “AnyIndian nationals in and aroundMazar-e-Sharif are requested toleave for India in the specialflight scheduled to depart latetoday evening,” it said.

“Indian citizens desiring toleave by special flight shouldimmediately convey their fullname, passport number, date ofexpiry by WhatsApp at the fol-lowing numbers: 0785891303,0785891301,” the Consulateadded.

Indians in Afghanistanwere also advised to makeimmediate travel arrangementsto return home before com-mercial air services are dis-

continued. Moreover, Indian firms

operating in Afghanistan wereasked to immediately with-draw Indian employees out ofproject sites before air travel isdiscontinued. The advisorysaid Indians working forAfghan or foreign companiesin Afghanistan should requesttheir employer to facilitate

travel from project sites toIndia.

Also, Indian media travel-ling to Afghanistan to coverevents through ground reportswere advised to establish con-tact with the Indian Embassyfor a personalised briefing,including specific advice for thelocale they are travelling to.

Washington: India has playeda constructive role inAfghanistan in the past by pro-viding assistance in training andinfrastructure improvementsthat helped maintain stabilityand good governance in thecountry, the Pentagon has said.

Pentagon Press SecretaryJohn Kirby during his daily

news conference on Mondayalso said Defence SecretaryLloyd Austin shares the concernof the international communi-ty about the security situationin Afghanistan which is clear-ly not going in the right direc-tion. India has been a majorstakeholder in the peace andstability of Afghanistan. AP

��

��

�� !��"��

� ��

Prime Minister NarendraModi on Tuesday sought

the list of MPs who were absentin the Rajya Sabha on Mondaywhen voting for a statutory res-olution moved by severalOpposition MPs was held,sources said.

The statutory resolutiondemanded that the TribunalsReforms Bill be sent to theselect committee of the House.However, it got negated.

Addressing the BJP parlia-mentary party meeting, thePrime Minister reportedlyasked Parliamentary AffairsMinister Pralhad Joshi to sub-mit a list of MPs absent in theRajya Sabha where theGovernment faced an embar-rassing situation on Monday.

Many MPs of the BJP wereabsent at the time when impor-tant Bills were tabled in theHouse. While the Governmentmanaged with the numbers, theissue was brought to the noticeof the Prime Minister.

In one instance theOpposition had asked for adivision in the Upper Housewhen many BJP MPs were notpresent.

In the first Parliamentarymeet in the monsoon session,the Prime Minister had askedparty MPs to ensure maximumparticipation in both theHouses.

��#�� $��#� ��

The Directorate of Estate,under the Ministry of

Housing and Urban Affairshas asked Lok Sabha memberChirag Paswan and other occu-pants to vacate the 12 Janpathbungalow, allotted to his latefather and former UnionMinister Ram Vilas Paswan.The eviction notice was issuedon July 18.

A senior official said on thecondition of anonymity that thebungalow is earmarked forUnion Ministers and the occu-pants of the Government accommodationhave been asked to vacate it.

�� !��

�� !��

��!��

��

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

� �$�"��"��#�� "��"(��$��"� ��)��*��'��$��%��"��%�� "��#�#��%*��

� �� "� ��"��"�� #��+��$��$��%��#��"��&��#"��%�� "��

��

�� "��"�� ,��-,.�

Factionalism in PunjabCongress, it seems, is far

from over, compellingCongress interim presidentSonia Gandhi to put the StateCongress in-charge HarishRawat back on the job toensure the party's frictionlessfunctioning.

The development tookplace after the Chief MinisterCapt Amarinder Singh metSonia Gandhi at 10 Janpathahead of a possible Cabinetreshuffle in the State. His MediaAdvisor Raveen Thukral quot-ed Capt Amarinder as saying:“Met Congress president SoniaGandhi in Delhi this evening todiscuss various state-relatedissues. Spent an extremely sat-isfying one hour with her”.

But indications on whattranspired during the meetingwere provided by Rawat duringhis interaction with the media.He is believed to have said: “Ibelieve that Congress chief(Gandhi) has advised that theState Government and organi-sation have to walk together andboth of them (Capt AmarinderSingh and Navjot Singh Sidhu)have to work within theirrespective limits but by coop-erating with each other.”

Capt Amarinder’s meet-ing with Sonia was the firstafter Sidhu’s appointment as thePunjab Congress president,which the Chief Minister hadall along been opposing.

The meeting also sawSonia Gandhi expressing satis-faction with Capt Amarinder’s

status report on theGovernment’s attempts to com-ply with the high command’s18-point agenda earlier hand-ed over to him. Sonia Gandhi,at the same time, is learnt tohave told Capt Amarinder to“expedite” its implementation.

The meeting came close onthe heels of a letter written bya group of MLAs, including fiveCabinet Ministers — includingSukhjinder Singh Randhawa,Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa,Charanjit Singh Channi,Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria,Razia Sultana — to SoniaGandhi complaining that the18-point agenda was not beingacted upon. The meeting alsocame a day after Sidhu took toTwitter to once again attack hisown party’s government overthe issue of drug menace ques-tioning inaction against SADMLA and former MinisterBikram Singh Majithia andothers allegedly involved in a2018 drug trafficking case.

At the same time, Sidhualso declared that he wouldbring “a resolution in theVidhan Sabha to make theSTF report on drugs public ifthe Government fails to do so”.Sidhu, in a series of tweets onMonday, had written,“Punishing culprits behind

drug trade is Congress’s prior-ity under 18-point agenda.”

Sources informed ThePioneer that the Chief Ministerhas raised the matter of Sidhu’scontinuous diatribe against hisown party’s Government inPunjab with Sonia Gandhihighlighting that it was send-ing a wrong signal among themasses and would impact the“smooth functioning” of theGovernment as well as thestate party unit.

Reacting, Sonia Gandhi, ithas been learnt, asked theChief Minister to “worktogether” with Sidhu, whileasking the state party affairs in-charge Harish Rawat to act asa bridge between the two.

“The party chief has direct-ed that both the StateGovernment and the Congressunit in Punjab must worktogether and not on cross pur-poses,” said Rawat after themeeting. Rawat added that theparty supremo has given himthe “responsibility” to fine-tune the relationship betweenthe two leaders.

Despite the Chief Minister’sstrong opposition to appointSidhu as the state party chief,the party high command ele-vated the former cricketer asPPCC president as a part of its

“peace formula” while assuringCapt Amarinder to be theparty’s chief ministerial face.

Even as Capt Amarinderdeclared that he would notmeet Sidhu till he apologised inpublic for his 150-odd deroga-tory tweets against him and theGovernment, the ChiefMinister later reluctantlyaccepted the former cricketer’sappointment on the party’s toppost. Sidhu, on the other hand,is yet to tender an apology tothe Chief Minister while, at thesame time, continuing hisattack against the Government.

The Chief Minister, duringthe meeting, also informed theparty supremo about the StateGovernment's efforts in resolv-ing the power crisis, cancellingthe power agreements, progressin the sacrilege and related fir-ing cases, and cracking downon the drug mafia, amongother things.

It has also been learnt thatthe Chief Minister also raisedthe issue of giving more repre-sentation to the Dalits in hisCabinet. The plans of Cabinetreshuffle, which was expectedbefore Sidhu’s elevation, havebeen hanging fire since longnow. Notably, the last Cabinetmeeting was held on June 18,in which several controversialdecisions, including giving gov-ernment jobs to sons of twoMLAs, were taken.

-�/��.,, .��0��1�� 2 ��3 4��.��, ��1� �� ,��.�

��"��#�$��%��&'(��)*��

5 �� 0�� $�"��(6"�%*��

��

��#��%6"�%*�� *

�� #�!$%& "�� 789,��"��#��:��$,�� "��

0�� %��4�� 1��0,�1�41,��,.

.,��.,�04. ��,��-,.��.,�4� �2��.,1,�/�;,2,�,

��'!��%(&)��

�� *"+��,�-* �*�.��+��/ %%�010%2��+��%0��0

!"#$%#��&��.�,.��.

��4��-

��'($#)�*

.1� �0��,��1,��.��,��, <��.�<�� 7

��

(+�$�($�,,�-�,�� ,��,��-

� �� ,��1,�

�� !��" �#�#�� $$%&'&$ ��

�� !��"�� #�� $��%��&�� '�� "��(��

�� !�� "��#$%�%��&��'��(��)*+��(��+%$**)*�,��-��*%.)+/$*01/.��2��(��(��(��-��))3/4��+22�2��5��!��6��7��!��6�� 27�87�5�79!��7��%�**!��6��7�� :��-��6��;��6�� 3�� 6 �(��3��6��<��'��#��6-��$� ��9�� :�� =��(�-�:'��+%%***)��6*%%+/*%%*/>>��#��6&+0%��$�-#2'��9�� -(�+)*%0*%�8��6*%)*+/1.41**3/1.44**��:#��6/��&��(��&�? �7��:+))$*%$�,��6*>))+)0/$//0+/>

�� !��" �#�#�� $$%&'&$ ��

� �� ,��-,.�*��

Amid escalating threat to thestate’s security from across

the border and several cases ofdrone from across the borderventuring in the Indian terri-tory, Punjab Chief MinisterCapt Amarinder Singh onTuesday evening asked theUnion Home Minister AmitShah to urgently provide 25companies of Central ArmedPolice Forces (CAPF) and anti-drone gadgets for the BorderSecurity Force (BSF) for pro-tection from Pak-backed terrorforces.

Citing the recent heavyinflux of weapons, hand-grenades, and IEDs into theState, with Pakistan’s ISI alsoraising the ante ahead of theIndependence Day and in therun-up to the Punjab Assemblypolls, the Chief Minister toldShah that the security situationwas grave and needed theCentre’s immediate interven-tion.

Capt Amarinder, who metShah in the national capital,sought CAPF deployment forAmritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana,

Mohali, Patiala, Bathinda,Phagwara, and Moga, as well asanti-drone technology for theBSF deployed at the borders.

He pointed to the potentthreat to the security of vitalinfrastructure or installationsand public meetings or eventsbeing attended by “highlythreatened individuals”.

Citing inputs from the cen-tral and state agencies, corrob-orated by disclosures made byarrested terrorists, CaptAmarinder said that potentialindividual and mass indis-criminate targets include trains,buses, and Hindu temples,prominent Kisan leaders (spe-cific inputs about five suchfarmer leaders had beenreceived but they had refusedto take security offered byPunjab and Haryana police),RSS shakhas or offices, RSS,BJP or Shiv Sena leaders basedin Punjab, deras, NirankariBhawans, and Samagams.

The Chief Ministerapprised Shah about the recentefforts by Pakistan’s ISI and thecountry’s establishment to pushlarge quantities of weapons,hand-grenades, RDX explo-sive, detonators, timer devices,

sophisticated laboratory made“tiffin bombs” into Punjab forcarrying out terrorist acts.

“With the PunjabAssembly elections scheduledfor February-March 2022,many militant and radicaloperatives are being pressur-ized by the ISI to carry out ter-rorist actions. These are veryserious and worrisome devel-opments having huge securityimplications for the borderstate and its people,” he warned.

He reminded the HomeMinister about the earlier tar-geted killings masterminded bythe ISI, including that of RSS,Shiv Sena or Dera leaders andRSS Shakhas, in 2016, ahead ofthe last Assembly polls. Also,the Maur bomb blast onJanuary 31, 2017, was carriedout just three days prior to thepolling day on February 4,2017, he noted.

The Chief Minister toldShah that between July 4 andAugust 8, 2021, foreign basedpro-Khalistani entities, workingin close collaboration with theISI, had managed to inductover 30 pistols, one MP4 Rifle,one AK-47 Rifle, around 35

hand-grenades, sophisticatedlaboratory made tiffin bombs,over six kg RDX and assortedhardware for fabrication ofIEDs (9 detonators, 1 multipletimer device and fuse-wire).

He further informed Shahthat in the last 35 days, morethan 17 deliveries of weapons,hand-grenades, explosives andassorted IED fabrication hard-ware had come to the notice ofthe Punjab Police and the cen-tral agencies, which meant thatconsignments of weapons orhand-grenades or IEDs weredelivered to Punjab based ter-ror operatives on every secondday in July with the trend con-tinuing in August.

The Chief Minister furtherobserved that the fencing at theIndo-Pak border in Punjabhad been rendered ineffectiveas a result of the tremendouscapacity and expertise devel-oped by the ISI and Pakistan-based Khalistani terrorist out-fits, which allows them to usedrones for delivery of terroristhardware and drugs over theborder fence into Punjab withease. This, he stressed, hademerged as a serious nationalsecurity concern.

��

��3��*��/�� *�*�� /��/

�� 4�� ,��-,.�

After former Union MinisterManeka Gandhi objected

to the setting up of a bird aviaryin Chandigarh, the authoritieson Tuesday said there was noillegality involved in the exot-ic aviary bird project.

Responding to the letter ofAnimal Rights activist ManekaGandhi to UT AdministratorVP Singh Badnore objecting tothe proposed exotic bird aviarynear Sukhna Lake terming it asillegal, the UT ChiefConservator of ForestsDebendra Dalai said that thereis no illegality involved in theproject. This project will becompleted within 15 days andeverything is being done bykeeping in mind the law of theland.

Talking to The Pioneer,Dalai said that the apprehen-sion raised is completely base-less, imaginary and with ulte-rior motive. All legal aspects

had been taken care of inregard to the aviary. There is noviolation of any Acts and rulesand no guidelines have beenviolated.

UT Administrator hadgiven his nod for the con-struction of Nagar Van and birdaviary for exotic birds inJanuary, 2019. The construc-tion work of the aviary costsaround Rs 3.65 crore.

In the letter, ManekaGandhi wrote: “It had beenbrought to her notice that theUT Administration hadbrought out a tender to buy1,500 rare exotic birds for awalk-in aviary at Nagar Van(city forest) near Sukhna Lake.This is illegal. No one is allowedto sell birds in this country andsellers are regularly caught andjailed. Many of these birds arenot bred in India but smuggledfrom other countries wherethese are becoming increas-ingly rare.”

When asked whether

W i l d l i f eDepartmenthad soughtp e r m i s s i o nfrom ZooAuthority ofIndia (ZAI) forbuilding exoticbird aviary asall collection ofanimals orbirds for publicdisplay comeunder the titleof zoo and nozoo can bestarted in thecountry with-out the per-mission of theCentral Zooa u t h o r i t y ,Dalai said thatthere is no need to seek per-mission from ZAI as Indianbirds will not be kept there.

Asked that in the letter itwas mentioned that since thesale of these birds is illegal and

there is no open market and nofixed price for them, Dalaisaid, “We are not purchasing itfrom the open market but onlyfrom known sources.”

Sources said that regarding

this issue, Gandhi had spokento the Governor's ADC, to theCentral Zoo Authority and thebureaucrat in charge of wildlifein the Government of India.

When contacted RK Garg,president of Second InningsAssociation said, “Caging ofbirds is against the directionsissued by Animal WelfareBoard of India (AWBI) andvarious high courts and theSupreme Court, but theChandigarh Forest and wildlifedepartment is making cages tocage 1,500 birds. There arequestions asked about the pur-chase of birds from the openmarket through a tender.”

Garg alleged that severalquestions regarding building ofexotic bird aviary project wereasked through the Right toInformation (RTI) Act to thedepartment of Forests &Wildlife, Chandigarh but noappropriate answers weregiven. The concerned shouldnot hide such information, headded.

Moreover, Animal WelfareBoard of India (AWBI) onTuesday wrote a letter to UTChandigarh Administration

stating, a Central team shouldbe deputed to look into all pro-cedures adopted and imple-mentation of all directionsissued by the office and PCAAct 1960. The procedure fol-lowed for purchase of rarebirds and standard operating

system for such purchases mayalso be looked into to ensurestrict implementation. Thewhole project may be reviewedas it seems that necessary clear-ance has not been sought andgot from AWBI, it stated.

� �� ,��-,.�

After the recent directions ofPunjab and Haryana High

Court, Haryana Governmenton Tuesday warned its seniorofficers of stern action forunnecessary delay in filingappeals in Courts within theprescribed period of limitation.

An order in this regard wasissued by Chief Secretary VijaiVardhan to all AdministrativeSecretaries, Heads ofDepartments, ManagingDirectors ofB o a r d s / C o r p o r a t i o n s ,

Divisional Commissioners,Deputy Commissioners,Registrars of all theUniversities.

The order stated,“Unnecessary delay in move-ment of file should be strictlyavoided as such delay is notcondonable. It is also con-veyed that irresponsible atti-tude towards filing of suchappeals with delay on the partof officer/official shall beviewed seriously and actionshall be initiated against thedelinquents. The StateGovernment has also notifieda litigation police for efficientand effective monitoring ofCourt cases.”

Referring to the observa-tion of the High Court in writpetition which came up forhearing on July 23, 2021, theorder said, “ The Courtobserved that the instant peti-

tion was filed after a delay offour and a half years which isunacceptable.”

Taking serious note of thematter, the High Court hadsaid, “It has been noticed thatthe state or its officials delay thefilling of the appeals and thewrit petitions involving hugepublic money. However, thestate does not take any step tocurb such practice.” The ChiefSecretary, Haryana was thusasked to file an affidavitexplaining the reasons for thedelay and steps he proposed totake in order to monitor andregulate the working of itsofficials.

The Chief Secretary in hisTuesday’s order has asked allAdministrative Secretaries todevelop a mechanism in thedepartments under theiradministrative control whichensures that Court matters are

dealt in an urgent mode andappeals are filed within the pre-scribed time limit.

Appeals against any decreeor order must be decidedimmediately and delay inmovement of files for seekingopinion for filing appeals andsanction must be avoided, theorder said.

It was further directed thatas per the state litigation poli-cy, every department shall haveone senior administrative offi-cer with legal background whoshall be designated as nodalofficer. It shall be his or herduty to ensure that there is nodelay on the part of the depart-ment while conducting cases indifferent courts. He shall beassisted by District Attorney,Deputy District Attorney,Assistant District Attorneyworking in the Department.

The nodal officer and HoD

shall have to ensure that data ofevery Court case is updated inLitigation ManagementSoftware so that effective andproper monitoring can bedone. In case of laxity, a factfinding inquiry shall be con-ducted by the HoD and neces-sary disciplinary action must beinitiated against the delinquentofficial. Where an officer orofficial is held responsible afterinquiry proceedings, anadverse entry in his or herannual confidential record ofthat particular year shall beaccordingly made, the orderdirected.

Further, if theAdministrative Departmentwishes to file an appeal in amatter, he/may seek opinion ofAG Haryana or LegalRemembrancer, who shall ten-der their opinion within tenworking days, it added.

� �� ,��-,.�

Haryana Government is allset to launch a unique

volunteer programme'Samarpan'.

“The implementation ofthis programme will inculcatea sense of working dedicated-ly towards society and with thisinitiative, people will beencouraged to come forward toserve the society selflessly,” theChief Minister Manohar LalKhattar said while presidingover a meeting here.

The Chief Minister saidthat the ‘Samarpan’ programmeis a big initiative of the StateGovernment as the programmeaims towards building a bettersociety and volunteers involvedin this programme will alsoplay an important role in curb-ing crime through counsellingprogrammes.

It was informed that regis-tration of volunteers will bedone under the ‘Samarpan’programme. During registra-tion, the volunteers will entertheir details as well as the areathey are willing to work in.They will also enter this infor-mation at the time of applyingand also the number of hours

the volunteers will be able towork for the 'Samarpan' pro-gramme per week.

Based on the details pro-vided by the volunteers, theirservices will be rendered as pertheir interest area.

The Chief Minister saidthat under the ‘Samarpan’ pro-gramme, the main focus is onthe social sector. In view ofthis, he directed the officers togive special emphasis on theissues related to the social sec-tor under this programme.

During the registration,many such people will alsocome forward, who can begood trainers as well. If weengage in the work of impart-ing moral and theoretical train-ing to such people, we will bemore successful in our objec-tive of this programme, headded.

It was informed that theservices of volunteers would betaken in the fields of education,sports, skill development, agri-culture, environment, socialaudit, participation in govern-ment schemes, general admin-istration and health etc. Later,the number of areas will beincreased as per the require-ment.

��

� �� ,��-,.�

Amidst the threat of a pos-sible third wave looming

large, as many as 23 studentshave been tested positive for thenovel coronavirus fromPunjab’s three Governmentschools — two from Ludhianaand one from Abohar.

Only a week after thereopening of schools for allclasses in Punjab, 12 studentsare from Government HighSchool in Kailash Nagar(Ludhiana), eight fromGovernment Senior SecondarySchool in Basti Jodhewal(Ludhiana), and three fromAbohar’s government school.

Ludhiana DeputyCommissioner-cum-DistrictMagistrate Varinder KumarSharma has ordered immediateclosure of both schools tillAugust 24. At the same time, heordered testing of all studentsand teachers in both theschools.

As the testing has beenordered and several suspectcases have also come forth incontact tracing, there is a pos-sibility that several other stu-

dents might also be infected,and more positive cases mayalso be reported in the comingdays.

As of now, the HealthDepartment has ordered theCOVID-positive students toisolate themselves for 14 daysand stop coming to schools.

With cases abating, thePunjab Government had decid-ed to reopen its schools for allclasses — from pre-primary tosenior secondary — fromAugust 2, making the parents’written consent mandatory toattend physical classes.

Besides conducting ran-dom testing in schools with theratio of 100:1 students, thestate’s District EducationOfficers were also asked toensure both doses of COVIDvaccination of teaching andnon-teaching staff before allow-ing them to conduct physicalclasses.

Besides, it was also decid-ed that random testing wouldalso be conducted in schoolswith the ratio of 100:1 studentsand secretary school educationwill be reviewing the situationon a weekly basis.

%&�� '��

� �� ,��-,.�*��

Citing social, economic andsecurity implications of the

prolonged farmers’ agitation,Punjab Chief Minister CaptAmarinder Singh on Tuesdaypressed the Union HomeMinister Amit Shah for imme-diate repeal of the “contentious”farm laws, which had causedgreat resentment amongst farm-ers from Punjab and other states.

Expressing concern over thefear of inimical powers fromacross the border trying toexploit the resentment and dis-gruntlement against theGovernment, the Chief Ministersought an enduring and expe-ditious solution to the farmers’concerns.

“Protests have been going onin Punjab ever since the UnionGovernment issued the ordi-nances in June 2020. Whilethese protests have so far beenlargely peaceful, one can sense

rising tempers, especially as theState moves towards elections inearly 2022,” he warned.

The prolonged agitation isnot only impacting economicactivities in Punjab but also hasthe potential to affect its socialfabric, especially when politicalparties and groups take strongpositions, he added.

Citing reports, the ChiefMinister said that more than 400farmers and farm workers hadlaid their lives in their fight fortheir rights since the agitationshifted to the Delhi borders. Herecalled that he had even earli-er sought appointment fromShah to meet with an all-partydelegation from Punjab. CaptAmarinder also flagged theurgent need to compensate farm-ers for the management of paddystraw at the rate of Rs 100 perquintal and to address the grow-ing fear of shortage of DAP,which would further aggravatethe problems of farmers.

He urged Shah to immedi-

ately advise the officials of theFertilizers Department forenhanced allocation of DAPstocks to Punjab as per therevised demand by the State andto further direct the suppliers toensure that adequate supplies aregiven as per schedule.

Pointing to the recentincrease in the cost of phosphaticfertilizers subsumed by theGovernment of India into thesubsidy only till October 31,2021, the Chief Minister said thatthe firming up of DAP prices inthe international market and theuncertainty about the extent ofsubsidy were contributingimmensely to an apprehensionof a likely shortfall of DAP in theensuing Rabi season.

The timely availability ofDAP would greatly help inreducing panic buying andblack marketing, which wouldbring a bad name to both theState and the CentralGovernments, CaptainAmarinder further said.

��!��#��

"��4� ��,��-,.�

In a bid to attract investmentsand encourage private firms

to build data centre parks in thestate, Haryana Government isall set to launch its “DataCentre Policy” which propos-es incentives in form of subsidyand exemption for land, power,water and allied infrastruc-ture.

The policy, which is likelyto be released soon, aims togive a boost to the data centreindustry in big cities like cybercity-Gurugram and Faridabadand also, attract big invest-ments in cities like Panipat,Hisar, Yamunanagar amongothers.

The State Government hasplanned to give “infrastructure”status to the data centre sectorto enable the industry to availlong-term credit from lendersat easier terms and, in turn,

boost investment in this space.Apart from this, the DataCentre Parks (DCPs) and DataCentre Units (DCUs) will bedeclared as an energy intensiveindustry and considered essen-tial service under HaryanaEssential Services MaintenanceAct, which means that the ser-vices will be available duringcalamities or crises as well.

“Data Centre Units, cov-ered under the policy, will bedeclared as a separate infra-structure industry. The DataCentre infrastructure will be aseparate entity under theHaryana Building Code pro-viding relaxed FAR andBuilding Design RequirementNorms,” stated the policy.

“The policy aims to gener-ate more employment oppor-tunities and create an ecosys-tem to give a boost to the datacentre industry across the state.The government plans to

launch the policy soon,” said asenior official of the StateGovernment while talking toThe Pioneer.

The official said that theState Government wants todevelop Haryana as a datacentre hub in the country. Wewill offer incentives to attractdata centre companies to shifttheir base to the state.

The Deputy Chief MinisterDushyant Chautala had metvarious stakeholders to seektheir suggestions on the policy.The government has focusedon ease of doing business andproposed single window clear-ance in a time bound mannerfor creation of data centres,” theofficial added.

Under the policy, the gov-ernment has proposed that allapprovals related to con-struction of DCP/DCU likebuilding plan approval, tem-porary power connection, firefighting scheme and consent to

establish amongst others shallbe given in ten working days ofacceptance of application.

The approvals for provi-sions like – permanent powerconnection, occupation cer-tificate and consent to oper-ate among others are pro-posed to be given to the datacentre operational in data cen-tre parks within 15 workingdays of acceptance of appli-cation.

The policy also proposed100 percent reimbursement ofstamp duty paid on sale or leasedeeds paid on the first trans-action for setting up a DCP orDCU.

Other key features of thepolicy include capital assis-tance for setting up water treat-ment or recycling plants andwater conservation and har-vesting tanks in or aroundDCPs/ DCUs, at least

75 percent net SGST reim-

bursement for DCUs opera-tional in the state for a peri-od of 10 years provided itmeets a certain criteria, 100percent property tax abate-ment for seven years for DCUsoperational in the state notifiedDCPs.

Besides, the right of way isproposed to be provided free ofcost as per the guidelinesunder State Communicationand ConnectivityInfrastructure Policy, 2017.The permission of right of wayfor DCPs shall be processedonline through single roofclearance

The state has also plannedto implement a Dial BeforeYou Dig Policy (DBYDP) toallow authorities responsiblefor carrying out constructionwork to access informationabout underlying networkcabling infrastructure beforedigging in order to minimizecable breaks.

(��)� ��*+��$

� �� ,��-,.�

Punjab Sports and YouthServices Minister Rana

Gurmit Singh Sodhi onTuesday said the state govern-ment will honor Olympicsmedal winners and participat-ing state players besides Goldmedalist Neeraj Chopra withthe cash awards worth Rs.32.67in a special function to be heldin Chandigarh on August 12.

In a statement, Rana Sodhisaid that Chief Minister Capt.Amarinder Singh will honourthe Olympic players, whileGovernor V.P. Singh Badnaurwould be the special guest onthis occasion.

The Sports Minister saidthat the Chief Minister has alsoincreased the cash awardmoney for the Olympic medal-

ists with a view to further pro-mote sports in the state. Heinformed that against the ear-lier announcement of Rs.2crore, now the gold medalwinner Javelin Thrower NeerajChopra, who has deep rootswith Punjab, would be hon-oured with an increasedamount of Rs 2.51 crore.

Rana Sodhi said that thecash award money for 11 stateplayers, who were part of theIndian hockey team whichbrought laurels in Olympics bywinning a medal (bronze) after41 years of drought, has alsobeen increased from Rs.1 croreeach to Rs 2.51 crore each. Nowthe all state hockey playerswould be given Rs. 2.51 croreeach.

Indian hockey team wasled by Captain Manpreet Singh

and Vice-Captain HarmanpreetSingh. Apart from them,Rupinder Pal Singh, SimranjitSingh, Mandeep Singh, GurjantSingh, Shamsher Singh, VarunKumar, Dilpreet Singh, HardikSingh and Krishan Pathak werealso from Punjab.

Fourth positioned Indianwomen hockey team mem-bers from state Reena Khokharand Gurjit Kaur and DiscusThrower Kamalpreet Kaur,who remained on 6th positionalso amongst to be honouredwith cash prize of Rs. 50 lakhseach. Similarly, Boxer SimranjitKaur, Shooter Anjum Moudgilland Angadveer Singh, athletesTejinder Pal Singh Toor &Gurpreet Singh and ParalympicBadminton player Palak Kohli,would also be given Rs.21 lakheach.

��

��

+��,�-��%��

��

'(��-��.��/!��%��%��%��,��

�� !��" �#�#�� $$%&'&$

� ��

The BJP might have down-played the issue of Chief

Ministership in Uttar Pradeshfor now continuing to projectYogi Adityanath and sought tobuck a likely anti-incumbencyin Uttarakhand by replacingtwo of its Chief Ministers, nev-ertheless, it has asked the vot-ers of the five poll-bound Statesto name top three BJP leadersin their respective States, thatin all probability will help itmake a choice should it assumeor retain power.

The query is among theseveral others that the surveylaunched by Prime MinisterNarendra Modi’s NamoAppasks. The survey seeks to gaugethe mood of the masses byseeking their opinion on issuesthat are likely to influencetheir choice of the party or can-didates.

0��1� �� 0��-��2��

� ��

The Lok Sabha on Tuesdaypassed the Constitution

(One Hundred and TwentySeventh Amendment) Bill,2021 that restores the power ofStates and Union Territories to

make their own OBC lists.This after the House, func-

tioning for the first time sincecommencement of the ses-

sion, witnessed a thaw in thelogjam over the Pegasussnooping row as memberscutting across party linesvoiced support for the consti-tutional amendment Bill.

Supporting the Bill, theCongress sought that the cen-tral Government considerremoving the 50 percent limitfor reservation. The party forthe f irst t ime since theMonsoon Session commencedon July 19, participated in adiscussion in the Lok Sabha. Itsaid that it will be only afterthe removal of this limit thatthe Maratha community inMaharashtra and people inmany other States will get itsbenefit.

The Government, for itspart, underlined its commit-ment to social justice.

During the debate, manyleaders such as BJP allyJD(U)’s Lalan Singh,Samajwadi Party’s AkhileshYadav, BSP’s Ritesh Pandeyand DMK’s T R Baaludemanded a caste census beconducted throughout thecountry.

!��"#$��%%��&'��(�� "��%��

� ��

The Parliamentary StandingCommittee on Home

Affairs has expressed dismayover the “abysmally low” con-viction rate in crimes againstwomen and children in thecountry and suggested that theGovernment work out a mech-anism for gathering informa-tion on reasons for the delay inthe investigation in criminalcases on an annual basis.

The panel, headed by RajyaSabha member and Congressleader Anand Sharma, alsoexpressed disappointment overthe continuous diversion of theNirbhaya Fund towards otherschemes and projects.

“The Committee is con-strained to note the abysmallylow conviction rate in crimesagainst women and childrenwhich also shows a serious mis-match between the measuresadopted and their implemen-tation,” the report, submitted toRajya Sabha, said.

��+"��&�"��"��%��#��+�%��

��4��

The Directorate General ofCivil Aviation (DGCA)

on Tuesday issued an adviso-ry for international passengersto check fare on the websitesof airlines before bookingtickets amid complaints of asurge in fares in economyclass. It has asked airlines tomonitor fares offered onmetasearch engines l ikeGoogle to ensure that thosesites do not show astronomi-cal economy airfares as this iscausing confusion among thepublic. Various metasearchengine websites such asGoogle and Skyscanner oper-ate in India.

“Passengers travelling tointernational destinations arerequested to check the farepreferably from the website ofthe concerned airline as themetasearch engines at timesdo not reflect the actual pointto point fare and do makecombinations of multiple air-lines and end up with an

3,"��-��4��4��

� ��

The Centre on Tuesday yetagain said that only one

State has till now reported a“suspected” death due to oxy-gen shortage during the sec-ond Covid wave and no otherState reported any such case.

“States were asked if therehave been oxygen-relateddeaths. When the questionwas raised in Parliament, states were specif-ically asked this question.According to reports we havegot till now, one state hasreferred to a suspected case,other states have not said if there have been any oxygen-related deaths,” LavAgar wal, Joint Secretary, Union HealthMinistry, said.

He, however, did notmention which state hadreported the “suspected oxy-gen-related death”.

�� 7��&��#�!��

�� !��" �#�#�� $$%&'&$

��+�� +��/� � ��, ,

Bengal Chief Minister MamataBanerjee once again attacked the

Centre for allowing her state toremain a perennial victim of what shecalled “man made floods.”

The Chief Minister who onTuesday made an aerial survey of theflood-hit regions of Ghatal and adjoin-ing parts of West Midnapore said theState Government was not able to doanything about the recurrent floodbecause of “non-cooperation from theCentre.”

“We have made several represen-tation to the Centre for the approvaland implementation of Ghatal MasterPlan but all these are falling in deafyears … they are simply not listeningto us … as a result of this Ghatal has

to face overwhelming floods year afteryear,” Banerjee said adding “this is aman-made flood.” Almost entiresub-division town of Ghatal and theadjoining areas of West Midnaporehad been under water for the past sev-eral days rendering more than 3 lakhpeople homeless.

As Ghatal is a low-lying area, “it

cannot be saved without the masterplan being implemented by de-siltingrivers, constructing canals and a damon the Shilabati River … which can-not be made possible without theactive help of the Centre,” Banerjee

said adding "I have conducted a sur-vey of the area. I will prepare areport on this."

The Chief Minister said that shewas sending a team of representativesto Delhi to meet the Union Irrigation

Minister. The team would be led byBengal Water Resources MinisterManas Bhuniya and IrrigationMinister Soumen Mahapatra. Twoother ministers Seuli Saha and SrikantMahato, Ghatal MP Dev andMedinipur MLA) June Malia wouldalso be in the team.

At least 23 people have beenkilled in the past one week in Bengalfloods. The Army and NDRF per-sonnel were distributing food medi-cines and other relief items in WestMidnapore and adjoining Hooghlydistrict sources said.

In the northern part of the Statesituation in Malda district continuedto remain grip with rivers -- Ganga,Fulhar and Mahananda -- in spate fol-lowing heavy rain in the Himalayanregion and the catchment area.

��%��%��%��)�*��

��"/�� *��"�� ;,<<4

Over one dozen Kashmiriyouths, who travelled to

Pakistan on valid visa docu-ments between 2017-18, havecome under the scanner of theJammu & Kashmir police asthey were actively involved interrorist activities and helpinglocal commanders to radicalisevulnerable youth to join the ter-rrorist ranks.

In another related devel-opment a local journalist fromPampore area of Pulwama wasarrested by the police alongwith two grenades from LalChowk area of Srinagar short-ly after a grenade attack wasreported in Hari Singh Highstreet.

Two civilians receivedinjuries in the grenade attackwhile security forces, who weretargeted, escaped unhurt. Inanother incident, a CRPF jawanreceived injuries after theirpatrol party was targeted by theterrorists in Zainapora area ofShopian early Tuesday morn-ing.

Kashmir zone police post-ed a tweet which said, "AdilFarooq from PamporePulwama arrested along with02 grenades in the heart ofSrinagar City. More arrests areexpected. Investigation goingon. Further details shall follow".

Meanwhile, DirectorGeneral of Jammu andKashmir police Dilbagh Singhwho visited frontier district ofRajouri to take stock of thesecurity situation toldreporters, "during 2017-18around 57 kashmiri youth wentto Pakistan on tourist andstudy visa but after some timethey returned as trained ter-rorists along with weapons viaLoC". The DGP said instead ofstudying there, they joinedmilitancy.

DGP said, so far we haveeliminated 17 such terroristsand 13 more are still active inKashmir valley. He said around17 among them are still camp-ing in Pakistan and we are try-ing to closely monitor theiractivities.

5��%��-��

��

After a brief lull of two days,the Covid-19 cases shot up

in Kerala on Tuesday as theState diagnosed 21,119 newpatients out of 1.32 lakh sam-ples tested during the last 24hours, according to VeenaGeorge, Kerala’s HealthMinister. Kerala's death tollcrossed the 18,000 mark onTuesday.

While the average TestPositivity Rate across the Statetoo increased to 15.91 per cent, 152 persons lost their lives tothe pandemic on Tuesday andthis took the death toll in theState till date to 18,004.Malappuram remained the dis-trict with highest number ofnew cases (3603) while Idukkihad the lowest number of newcases (382).

Dr S S Lal, public healthspecialist with considerableexperience across the worldsaid the State government failedin all rounds in controlling thepandemic.

“Instead of declaring it asa medical emergency, theGovernment of Kerala blew itout of proportion and por-trayed it as a law and orderissue. The so called KeralaModel was a bunkum,” said DrLal.

Kattankulathur: The countryerupted in joy at the historicwin of Neeraj Chopra on win-ning the gold medal in themen’s javelin throw event at theTokyo Olympics 2020 and thesocial media is flooded withcelebratory messages.

Founder Chancellor ofSRM Group of Institution andMember of Parliament (LokSabha), Perambalur

Constituency, Dr. T. R.Paarivendhar applauded theOlympic Gold Medalist andsaid, “Neeraj Chopra hasbrought in great honour for ournation. We are proud of hisachievement of becomingIndia's first track- and-field Olympic medalist with hisgold, which was India’s firstsince shooter Abhina Bindracame out tops in the 2008Beijing Games.” The philan-thropist and educationist alsocongratudaled all the other sil-ver and bronze medalists.

� �� 4��

Ahead of the approaching2022 Uttar Pradesh

Assembly elections, PrimeMinister Narendra Modi vir-tually launched UjjwalaScheme 2.0 which aims to pro-vide free LPG connections toaround one crore families of thepoor and migrant labourers from the state onTuesday.

Surprisingly the UjjwalaScheme 1.0 was also launchedfrom Ballia in UP in 2016 andit led to a big win for the

Bharatiya Janata Party in theAssembly elections in 2017.

The Prime Minister inter-acted with some beneficiariesof the scheme through videoconferencing while ChiefMinister Adityanath handedover the papers of the cookinggas connections to five womenon behalf of the prime minis-ter.

Congratulating the benefi-ciaries, the prime minister saidthat the scheme had illumi-nated and changed the lives ofa number of people andwomen in the country.

��,''#��%-.

/ ��+� �/�� <4<1,�

The daily Covid-19 deathsclimbed to 137 and the

infections went up to 5,609,even as 7,720 patients were dis-charged after full recoveryfrom various hospitals acrossthe State.

A day after the fatalitiescame down to 68 and theinfections dropped to 4.505, thedeaths doubled to touch a tallyof 137, while the infections roseby 1,104 to touch a daily tally5,609. With 137 fresh fatalities,the total number of deaths inthe state increased from1,34,064 to 1,34,201,, whilethe infections -- with 5,609 newcases – rose from 63,57,833 to63,63,442.

As 7,720 patients were dis-charged from the hospitalsacross the State after full recov-ery, the total number of peopledischarged from the hospitalssince the second week of Marchlast year increased from61,51,956 to 61,59,676. Therecovery rate in the State rosefrom 96.76 per cent to 96.8 percent. The total “active cases” inthe state dropped from 68,375to 66,126. The fatality rate inthe state stood static at 2.1 percent.

Pune with 13,892 activecases emerged as the first in thestate in terms of maximumnumber of “active cases” in thestate, while Sangli with 7,297stood second, followed bySatara (6469), Ahmednagar(6192),Thane (6070), Solapur(5202), Kolhapur (4579) andMumbai (4501).

/ ��+� �/�� <4<1,�

In an effort to facilitate thefully vaccinated citizens to

travel in local trains and obtainrailway monthly pass fromAugust 15, the BrihanmumbaiMunicipal Corporation (BMC)will embark upon a giganticoffline verification process forCovid-19 Final Vaccination at53 railway stations in themetropolis and 109 railwaystations in MumbaiMetropolitan Region (MMR),from Monday.

Two days after theMaharashtra Governmentannounced that the fully vac-cinated people could travel bysuburban local trains inMumbai from August 15,Brihanmumbai MunicipalCommissioner I S Chahalunveiled a vaccination verifi-cation plan under which theBMC help desks will checkFinal Vaccination Certificate(second dose) on Cowin Appand photo ID of the citizenconcerned.

As per the Maharashtragovernment’s decision, the cit-izens who have completed 14days after Covid second dose,are required to carry a hardcopy of Covid-19 VaccinationFinal Certificate and a PhotoID for verification.

“Once the verification iscompleted and both the docu-ments are found to be valid, thecertificate and the identificationproof will be stamped in theprescribed format,” Chahalsaid.

“The stamped CovidCertificate shall be presented atthe ticket window at the railwaystation. Railway Monthly Passwill be issued by Railway,accordingly on its basis.However, this pass-based trav-el facility will be valid fromAugust 15 only and not beforethat,” the Mumbai civic chiefsaid.

As many as 358 help deskswill carry out the verificationprocess at 53 railway stations inMumbai MunicipalCorporation area.

�+�++,��-��#��%�

�� /�� +��/��5��#�/"� ��+�� !,��#��.��=��#��=�$��&��)��#��>�#�� "�� $��$$��%��&��"�� "�� #��"� ��"��$��"��:��"��=��'�� 6=4�� #��$��+�� =��"�%� ��=+��$�� )�� &��$��$��$��"�� "��#�6

3�"��+�� /*�/��6�� ,�� +�� ! ��%�� "�� #��%�?+��0�� ,@�%��<��%%��,�� )��?�"�� "��:�%��#��"�%� ��+��+�+��(�)��"��$� �#��"��#��$��#��$��"�%��%$��#��#��"��0,�"��6

�"� ��/"� ��" ��*7��

��+�� !0��%�<��<�� >� �� "�� $�+��#�� 6 �� %�?��"��"��#��)��%��,��"��)<��+��6

* �� 5"��/��55"��" �� "��+�� ! ��$��"�%��"��A��B�� $��$$�"��<��+� ��#��$��"��#��$��%,�#��77)��"�� #��"�� 6 ��+��3@�� $$�"�+� �� "��"�� "��$�%�� +� $��"��@�� $$�"�3�� "��-�+��),��%6

� ��

The CBI on Tuesday arrest-ed nine accused (all private

persons) in an on-going inves-tigation of a case related tobank fraud in which fixeddeposits of Chennai Port Trust(CPT) were foreclosed wrong-fully, causing a loss of over �45crore to the exchequer.

The CBI had registered acase on July 31 last year on acomplaint from Indian Bank,Chennai against two privatepersons, Branch Manager,Indian Bank, KoyambeduBranch, Chennai and otherunknown public servantsbesides private persons on theallegations of committingfraud, forgery, impersonationwith the intention to cheat thebank to the tune of�100,57,50,000.

Searches were earlier con-ducted at 22 locations includ-ing at Chennai, Tirunelveli,Tuticorin and Nagercoil whichled to recovery of severalincriminating documents andmaterial objects.

Out of the arrestedaccused, eight were producedbefore the Special Judge for CBICases, Chennai and remandedto Judicial Custody. Remainingone accused arrested fromTirunelveli was taken on tran-sit remand from theCompetent Court.

The arrested accusedGanesh Natarajan, VManimozhi, J Selvakumar aliasSelvam, K Zakir Hussain, MVijay Herald, M Rajesh Singh,S Siyadh, S Afsar and VSudalaimuthu alias Annachi.

The CBI said that thealleged accused in conspiracy

with each other canvassedthe bank and CPT for open-ing of term deposits in theKoyambedu Branch, IndianBank.

As many as 45 Termdeposits (FD) were createdduring the period betweenMarch 2020 and May 2020.

� ��

India has improved its capa-bilities to hit targets with pre-

cision after the Balakot airstrikes and developments inEastern Ladakh last year afterthe Galwan Valley clash, IAFchief RKS Bhadauria said hereon Tuesday.

The IAF had carried out airstrikes in 2019 at terroristcamps in Balakot in Pakistan inretaliation to suicide attack inKashmir killing 40 CRPF per-sonnel.

In Galwan, 20 Indian armypersonnel including the com-manding officer were killed ina bloody brawl with theChinese troops.

More than 30 Chinese alsowere killed but Beijing is yet tomake official the number ofcasualties. In this backdrop,Bhadauria said India's airpower capabilities in terms ofhitting targets with precision,defending assets and use of newtechnologies have gone up sig-nificantly after the Balakot airstrikes and rapid developmentsin eastern Ladakh following the Galwan Valleyclashes.

! "�#$%

��"��0��."��4��

&'��(��)��

<��" �%��7CD

�1��8�""��($��"��

E�,� $�"��#"�� F

�/" � 1��-,�4.4

Karnataka Chief MinisterBasavaraj Bommai on

Tuesday gave a slew of direc-tions to the police includingtight vigil in the districts bor-dering with neighbouring stateswhere the Covid-19 cases areon rise, zero tolerance towardscrime and crackdown on drug cases.

Hailing the police force inthe state for their exemplarywork during a review meetingat the Vidhana Soudha here,Bommai directed the officialsto create a peaceful environ-ment in the state.

The Chief Minister laidemphasis on containingCOVID-19 to avoid the thirdwave.

“Action has to be taken toprevent the possible Covidthird wave. Precautions haveto be taken at the border dis-tricts.

�>��(��<��"�� "��&�#� ��"��

duct operations independentlyand withstand Taliban attacks.So, when Kunduz fell in 2015(and again in 2016), all hellbroke loose. Inflating ANSFcombat capabilities was appar-ently done on the direction ofthe Pentagon higher-ups.Another failure on ISAF’s partwas not focusing on policetraining and involving too manyNato trainers.

Speaking at Wilson Centre,Washington, Pakistan’s NSAMoeed Yusuf said Islamabad’sleverage with Taliban reducedwith US withdrawal andTaliban’s combat victories.Chairman, Pakistan’s SenateDefence Committee, MushahidHussain characterised Pakistan’score interests in Afghanistanwith four Noes: no cross-borderterrorism from Afghanistan;no military solution; no accep-tance of more refugees; and notolerance for presence of 6,500Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan(TTP) in Afghanistan. WillTaliban’s blitzkrieg result incracks in ANSF and collapse ofKabul? Taliban controls morethan half of Afghanistan’s 419districts, surrounds half the 34provincial capitals (captured sixof them and leans onLashkargah and Kandahar) andcontrols crossings on all itsborders. In a shift in strategy,Taliban is now going for urban

centres and fighting in cities,resulting in civilian casualtiesand IDPs.

India has been excludedfrom the third regional meetingof the extended troika — US,Russia, China and Pakistan,organised by Russia. DroppingIndia, says Russia, is due to itsinability to influence the situa-tion in Afghanistan (readTaliban). New Delhi belatedlybegan back-channelling Talibanbut Islamabad’s leverage over itand others in the troika has keptit out of the ORBAT. Instead, lastweek it used its presidency ofUNSC in August to hold discus-sion on Afghanistan whereas anemergency session was requiredcalling for an end to violenceand sanctioning Taliban leader-ship. India is exploring anoth-er route to checkmate Taliban —Iran. Foreign Minister JavadZarif has said Islamic Emirate isa threat to Iran and India andexistential threat to Pakistan. Hepassed more or less the samestrictures on Taliban at thisyear’s Raisina Dialogue. Iran toois not a part of the ExtendedTroika at US behest. India hasanother opportunity to resetrelations with Iran, disturbed byTrump’s sanctions affecting oil,supplies, investment inChabahar and gas fields in Iran.

It is high time India puts itsrelations with Afghanistan in

high gear in sync with Iran,which has close links withTaliban. Except Mazar-e-Sharif,India has closed down its con-sulates at Jalalabad, Kandaharand Herat. High brick walls pro-tect the Indian Embassy inKabul’s Green Zone. The four-part strategic partnership withAfghanistan (October 2011),the first Kabul signed with anycountry, must be reactivated,especially defence cooperation.India must augment Afghan AirForce airpower capability by allfeasible means, including itsairbase in Tajikistan maintainedby IAF which it shares withRussia. Calls for evacuating3,000 Indian nationals are grow-ing louder but, most of all, Delhimust urgently help Kabul incontaining Taliban by overtand covert mechanisms.

Time has also come forUS/Afghanistan to act againstQuetta Shura, the Baradar-Doha gang, and Pakistan’s ISIwho have held Kabul hostage fordecades unless regime change isbeing allowed by a State-spon-sored terrorist organisationwhich calls itself Taliban.

(The writer, a retired MajorGeneral, was Commander, IPKFSouth, Sri Lanka, and foundermember of the Defence PlanningStaff, currently the IntegratedDefence Staff. The viewsexpressed are personal.)

�� Sir — Anti-Muslim slogans were alleged-ly raised at Jantar Mantar on August 8. Aprotest by the Bharat Jodo Andolan todemand the abolition of colonial-eraBritish laws was organised under the lead-ership of former BJP spokesperson AshwiniUpadhyay. However, the objective of thedemonstration took an incongruous turnwhen anti-Muslim slogans were raised atthe event. Such activities bring discomfortto the country’s social fibre and are a threatto its sovereignty. India is the land of var-ious cultures and religions.

We stand out in the world as a sover-eign country which is blessed with cultureand heritage. But these kinds of anti-com-munal acts are completely ridiculous. Thecountry is made up of its people and the peo-ple elect their Government. So it’s the respon-sibility of the Government to take cognisanceof such serious issues and act strictly.

All religions are separate from politicsbut due to the selfish desire for power, somepoliticians use it as their weapon. Theseactions are highly detestable. The police havetaken some of the accused into custody butthere needs to be imposition of stricterpenalties for such violators of the law.

Manoj Kumar Jena | Cuttack

��Sir — Justice NV Ramana is right; the policeshould not turn devilish by harassing, tor-turing, exploiting and harming the citizen-ry. They should realise that they are meantto do good for the society, including thepoor and the underprivileged. An excellentexample is the Icelandic police which does-n’t even carry a baton and spends time help-ing people with kindness and compassion.In response, their society’s people also dis-play humanity.

There is an urgent need to frame a reg-ular training timetable in happy behaviourdevelopment for the police and the citizens.In this regard, let the police take regularfeedback from citizens via the media; thereshould be a website where police atrocitiescan be reported anonymously; and, justiceshould be meted to poor and the vulner-able sections.

After all, the police personnel are an off-spring of the society they live in. Already,India has an abysmal rank of 139 (among149 nations) in the happiness index.

Vasudeva Rao P | Secunderabad

��Sir — Neeraj Chopra held a corner of theIndian flag in each hand and raised it overhis head. A half-hour later, the Tricolourwas flying at the top of the mast at Tokyo’sOlympic Stadium and Chopra was stand-ing atop the medal podium. The first goldmedal in Olympics track and field for anation of 1.3 billion, it’s the first in any sportssince a shooting title in 2008, had to causewild, nationwide celebrations.

Chopra, a junior officer in the IndianArmy with the Rajputana Rifles, made hisfirst mark in the international arena with

a world junior title in 2016. Two years later,he became the first Indian athlete to winthe javelin at the Asian Games and at theCommonwealth Games. The first goldmedal in track and field has already madeChopra a star in India.

He set a new benchmark in Tokyo,holding off Jakub Vadlejch (86.67) andVitezslav Vesely (85.44), both of them fromCzech Republic. Chopra was ranked fourthheading into the Olympics and had someissues with his technique in the hot andsteamy conditions. Former world champi-on Johannes Vetter of Germany wasfavored to win, but was placed ninth afterthe first three attempts and out of con-tention early.

Bhagwan Thadani | Mumbai

� � � . / � 0 1 ' 2 � � � � � 1 " 3

�� $�"��(6"�%*�� G 5 �� 0��G ��#��%6"�%*�� *

�� !��" �#�#�� $$%&'&$

�*

��#!��8��!$9��

��#��+�� #��"(3"�� #�� )��%��+�:� �� "��"(%��"+��

,��1,�� .��<�.�

�,��,��,�-�,�� ,�>�H78�� .�� )

�4..�4��,�� CH0.�/��,�

�,0� ,��A�,0 4.��I�� <,��,��,��,.-,�,��,��,�,.B,�� .��.��-��

,�� 1�.��.�

+�%%�$" %#�%%��, %#$

��!�!�'��%-

�� $��% �� 4�F��#�&��%�� 0�� %��#�"��$��+��(�� 3

��$" �%��"��#��$��#��AE�� F),�#7�B6��"��+��#��+��" �3%��"��#��"��'��&��#�� (�6�� #� &��%�� "��6�"��"�� &��$ ��$��+��"��#�� %�6�:��%��$� )$ �� #��+�&��"�� &��$��+�� &�� #��$" �%��"��#�6��"��'��"��"�%3��" �%��"��#�+��"��$��

� ��#��$��:��%�+��3��&��"�%��#%��$��'��)��+��6

��+��%��"��+�"��+��$��&��J��"�� "��#�� +�� "��3��"6�� +��+�� %�� $��%��"��#��&�&�6 ��$�� "��$�"�&��"��+��" �%��"��#�� #� ��%��"��&3��"��$�� $�� #��$��3��6 ��($� �) �� &�� %6��%��(�� %� +��+�$��3��+��"��(�"� �"��&�# �� "�� %��# �� +��%��#��76K��#�� &��3�� &� �)�"��"� ��3� ��0��"��$��"��7K�� "�&� ��"($��%��(6 ��"��'��"��#� �� E��3@�� %��F �$ "��:��#��#��3��"� �"��$�� $�� %��6,$$ ��"��3�� %�?��%��$#��#�� #� � �� $�� "�%3��#��"��6

+�*��!��| ��

��

!��/��

In his Twelve Dilemmas Behindthe UK’s Afghan Defeat, diplo-mat-journalist Tim Willasey-Wilsey dwells on the familiar

lessons: No clarity of purpose,wrong enemy, mission creep…. butthe unilateral US decision of with-drawal with minimal consultationwith the UK is the most telling.Some 475 British soldiers diedcourageously defendingLashkargah in Helmand province,assisted by sniffer dogs that includ-ed Theo who won a bravery medalposthumously after the SpringerSpaniel died from undiagnosedseizure hours after his handlerLance Corporal Tasker was killedin a firefight. Helmand is about tofall, and will be the seventh provin-cial capital to succumb to Taliban.Lessons not mentioned byWillasey-Wilsey are: Despite 20years of battling by combinedforces of the US, Nato and ANSF(nearly 500,000), the 50,000

Taliban were never signifi-cantly degraded and the capabili-ties of ANSF and police not oper-ationally enhanced. Airpower thathas proved pivotal in combat wascuriously not conferred on AfghanAir Force, probably due to objec-tions by Pakistan. Consequently, theless effective over-the-horizon airsupport for ANSF is not hurting.

The Washington Post pub-lished a series of revealing articlescalled ‘Afghanistan Papers’ in whichthe US Commanders exaggeratedbattlefield successes, even suggest-ed victory was close. Similarly, thecapability of ANSF was depicted inexcess of reality. Lt Gen MarkMilley, Commander US Forces inAfghanistan in 2013, said: “TheAfghan Army and police are very,very effective in combat.” AsChairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, heseems less confident about them.The Special Inspector General ofAfghanistan Reconstruction(SIGAR), established to investigatewaste and fraud, exceeded its brief.Besides audit, in 2014 it produced‘Lessons Learnt’. Its most famousquotation is by James Dobbins, for-mer US envoy to Afghanistan andPakistan: “We don’t invade poorcountries to make them rich. Wedon’t invade authoritarian countriesto make them democratic. Weinvade violent countries to makethem peaceful and we clearly failedin Afghanistan.” SIGAR certified in2014 that ANSF was able to con-

SOUNDBITE ��4??+� �2�?��$��+�%��F� �&��"��+��6��$��)L�%� ��$��0-"��"��+��#�&��6

��M��<��

,�� +��+� �$��4��$��"��$��%,$#��%��$��

%� �� $��6

��:��5��M ��<��%��N��

�&��+�� "��#�� #E��FO��$�� #��$��%��#��"��"O

�9��M��.�+��

��-�?��)+�� &�#3��6��"��)�+�� (��"�%��-��)��$��+��(6

��!�9��+��!M ��<��

<��%�#�"�� $��"3"��)��#�" ��+��%��6��

%�)��"� %�%�%��6

�! ��9�'��;��!�<��M0/��

)�� (�� &��*� ��

�� #�� +� ��&��

��(�� ,-��.��/��/��)��&��"��0(��%��(�� /��, ��1�2��3��(��)��"��4��5��.��!��6�� 7��6��.//)&��

��8�$!��&�� 9��6��(

��:��%�� "�� (��"�� (�� )��;�� )�� %�� &�� <�� /*4)�(0=�� *��(�� .�� (��

/��)�� :�� )��$��/��/��>)$//?

��0�2��/��(��#��#�:�� (��@�� A�)��&�<��3��#��(��)�)��*��

� )��/��:��6��#��(��)�� #��B�2��#�� &��#��B1B1��(�� #�� (��0�C��B10=�� B11��B1B1�

#��(�� (��B1B0��*��)��C1��(�� )�� (�� B1D1�#�<��3�� 21��#��$��+��)��(E��)��F��)��#�� #�� )�� )�� "�� )��)��

*��

�(��4��(��0��

. �" #!

��,��-�� %��-��6�� !7��

,�� #��

)�� "�!��

��/�� "� �+�#� � /��"*��/�� .�/�� /"� �-"/�/� ��+��

/� ��+"�� *,�"5��,�/�*/�"��5�"/=>��?��4.��3��

#��"#�*��

/��" "�/�.��5�*5 �� /��*�� .�/�� /"� �-"/�/� ��+��/� ��+"�$>��" "�/��5��/�/�5��*5 ��4�.�3�//

As the country celebrates the vic-tories of women athletes at theOlympics, a stark contrast isvisible within the country. On

August 1, a nine-year-old Dalit girl wasallegedly raped and murdered in theDelhi Cantonment area. Unfortunately,such incidents in the country are notnew to read or hear. What is new indeedis that anyone showing solidarity to getjustice for the girl’s family is beingsilenced — in Parliament or outside.

When I stood up to remind theaugust Upper House about the rape, mymicrophone was immediately muted.The sad reality is that the government,inorder to hide its failures, will have It’sspokespersons indulge in whataboutery.It is a shame that a cause that shouldunite us all in our resolve to fight forequality and justice has instead got thisgovernment to find reasons to divide usfurther.

The recent act of cruelty and vio-lence, as alleged by the parents, on theDalit girl speaks volumes about the gen-der-based and caste-based violenceprevalent in the country. This incidentis just one among many other intersec-tionality-based violence cases in India.It eerily reminds us of the last case thatshook the country, the rape and the sub-sequent death of a 19-year-old Dalitwoman in Hathras. It is such brutalcrimes of violence against the most vul-nerable sections that have marred ourcountry’s road to socio-economic devel-opment. As we celebrate our 75th inde-pendence year, what has truly changedwhen we consider the developmentand progress for our most vulnerablepopulation — children, women, andsocially backward communities?

As per the latest statistics availablethrough National Crime RecordsBureau, a total of 4,05,861 cases of crimeagainst women registered in 2019,showing an increase of 7.3 per cent over2018. The crime rate registered per lakhwomen population increased to 62.4 percent in 2019 in comparison with 58.8 percentin 2018. A total of 1,48,185 cases ofcrime against children registered during2019, showing an increase of 4.5 per centover 2018. A total of 45,935 cases reg-istered for committing crime againstScheduled Castes (SCs), showing anincrease of 7.3 per cent over 2018. Crimerate registered showed an increase from21.2 per cent in 2018 to 22.8 per cent in2019. These numbers are hard pills thatwe as a country have to swallow. Thegrowth and development of a countryare not merely defined on the econom-ic aspects. We must have economic andsocial liberty as envisioned in theConstitution of India to thrive as mem-bers of society and citizens of the coun-try.

The power tussle between the Centreand the state government in Delhi ismerely exacerbated when cases like

1��)� �$�� #�� #�� 2�

��,��,2�)��1�

��1., ��- ��DK �2�,.��,>�

��0��)��,

�.,� �� 4 ��

��4��1� ��-4��-

��-� ��.��,��,��

�4��0.�<��N4,�.�-� �

,��;4� �� ,��6�,/��<,�,-��

��.�� ,�

��<<� <�� , �4.��.��, ��.�

0�.��/��.�4.�, ��P

!�� $�� 6��/��+��!��)��)��+��#�� $��

��F��/��@�� )��(��#�� A�#��$�� /��(�� (�� %��(��C1��:��)��#��:��.��:��%�� 0G��0D�� #��(��

�� (��9��(�� (�� "�� (��6��(� �� #��)��$�� (��.�� "��)�� (.��.��%�� (�� .��.��/�� +��/��&��(�� (��"�� #�%��#�� 0==G��.��)��(��B1BG�)��D1( �� B121�� (��+��%�� ,.��)�� (�� (��.�� (��)��.��+��(��"�� ,)�� ;�� .��:��$��6�� $��3��(��$��6��(5��5��.��5��#�� (�� (��(�� )�� (�� (�� "�� "��(��

��

Has the IndianParliament lost its rel-evance? Has the

Opposition failed to performits duties of holding the gov-ernment accountable? Hasthe government been stub-born and not reaching out tothe Opposition? The answer toall these questions is a grand‘yes’ as of now. There is con-frontation and no compromisefrom all sides with the resultthere is no solution to the pre-sent standoff.

To preserve India as ademocratic country,Parliament needs to functionmore actively in framing bills,scrutiny, and holdingsessions.But sadly, more of disruptionthan discussion and debate onissues about publicimportanceis witnessed. ShorterParliamentary sessions and

leniency in the scrutiny of theBills have diminishedParliament’s efficiency.

The current Monsoon ses-sion is nearly a washout as nei-ther debate happened norbills were discussed andpassed. Prime MinisterNarendra Modi was critical ofthe Opposition last week fornot allowing Parliament tofunction. At a BJPParliamentary party meeting,Modi called the Opposition’sbehaviour “an insult” toParliament, the Constitution,democracy, and the public.This is because the govern-ment could not push throughmuch of the business. TheOpposition demanded adebate on the Pegasus snoop-ing, farmers’ issues, and pricerise. Though the governmentclaimed it was ready to discuss

any case, they could not agreeon the time and day. It is notfor the first time that no busi-ness has been transacted forweeks. The BJP, which hadplayed the role of Oppositionfor a much longer time thanany other national party,knows this better as they didall these when they were inOpposition.

Democracy demands thatexecutive decisions be subject-ed to Parliament scrutiny.However, this process is absentnow as Parliament gets

adjourned many times in aday. Politics makes lawmakersfail in their duty to discuss anddebate bills. They are calledlawmakers but they are notserious about finding out flawsin legislation. Noisy scenes,fistfights, and tearing of papersby the Opposition havebecome a common feature inboth houses. The govern-ment, too, wants to get the billspassed amidst din and noise.

In fact, we see almost thesame headlines at the close ofevery Parliament session in thepast two decades. People aregetting disenchanted with theMPs for their non-perfor-mance. Some new Memberswho entered Parliament withthe hope of becoming goodparliamentarians are disap-pointed. Some could not evenmake their maiden speeches.

What are the functionsand duties of an electedMember? There are fouressential functions: Budgetscrutiny, protecting the inter-ests of the constituents, func-tion as a watchdog over thegovernment, and above all,making laws.

Does the parliament needmore time? Both Houses sitfor an average of 67 daysannually. Compare this to thefirst, second, and third LokSabha (1952- 1967), whenthey sat for an average of 120days annually. The NationalCommission to Review theWorking of the Constitutionrecommended that Lok Sabhashould have at least 120 sit-tings in a year. In comparison,Rajya Sabha should have 100sittings. Parliament couldwork for only 34 days since the

pandemic hit the country inMarch last year.

Traditionally, parliamen-tary committees function ona non-party basis. Of late,members, who hail from bothHouses, have started politicalposturing. Even they gradual-ly have a decreasing role.There have been several recentinstances of confrontationwithin standing committees.

Since 1952, the rulesrequired MPs not to interruptspeeches of others, maintainsilence, and not obstruct pro-ceedings during debates.Newer forms of protest led tothe updating of these rules in1989. Now members shouldnot shout slogans, displayplacards, tear away documentsin protest, play cassettes, ortape recorders in the House. Inpractice, they disobey all these

rules. The primary point is that

members from both sidesshould aim to perform asgood parliamentarians.Disruptions cannot be thegoal. Elected MPs should dis-cuss people’s problems as theirchosen representatives.

There have been manysuggestions that a concept ofno work no pay should beadopted for members. Butthis would affect only mem-bers who depend on theirsalary. There is also a sugges-tion to embrace the shadowcabinet model like in the UK.It is for the political parties toensure responsible behaviourof their members, whether inthe opposition or the rulingparty. Dialogue is the only wayto resolve issues. Wasting thetaxpayer’s money is no answer.

��

�� !��" �#�#�� $$%&'&$

�/�� $�"��(6"�%*�� G 5 �� 0��G ��#��%6"�%*�� *

FIRSTCOLUMN��/.�2�51.0�"3

/15./�""�./�'1"3

POINTCOUNTERPOINT

(The writer is DeputyLeader of Shiv Sena in

the Rajya Sabha. The views expressed

are personal.)

+��

! #$ %&�"�-!0-$

(The writer is a seniorjournalist. The views

expressed are personal.)

� %' $�12.%-

this happen. No one can ever for-get the outrage that the Nirbhayacase led to; it should never be for-gotten either. At that time thecountry stood united to make thiscountry a safer place for women,bring in stricter laws for perpe-trators of such heinous crimes,and ensure justice for the parentsof Nirbhaya. It is indeed tragicthat the case took years to reacha final conclusion and it was onlyher parents’ resolve that ensuredjustice though delayed was notdenied.

However, the reason toremember that case is also toremind ourselves how it becamea political rallying point for twopolitical parties against the gov-ernment of the day. It gave AamAadmi Party a political plank forDelhi after its anti-corruptionmovement, while it also gave theBharatiya Janata Party reasons toscore political points against theUPA government. The kind ofpolitics that emerged from thenalso brought about the culture ofwhataboutery and of us versusthem for a cause that all shouldhave fought for together. It is asad reflection how both partieswho got their way by committingto ensure better law and order,went on to form a government atthe Centre, and the other in

Delhi but sadly nothing haschanged for women on theground. Every such case report-ed from the national capital leadsto both the Centre and the Stateaccusing each other. This down-ward spiral unfortunately for acause that is above politics hasbecome deeply political anddivided.

There is a lack of accountabil-ity and absence of protection bythe State as enshrined in theConstitution. With the lackadaisi-cal approach of the government,essentially seen during recentparliament sessions, where thegovernment is not ready toengage in participative discussionon important issues, where shallthe victim go? Series of legisla-tion give a safety net of protectionlegally but the Indian societyenvisioned as a melting pot ofcultures, stands stratified on thebasis of gender, caste, and class.The victim has the right to legalremedy but what about the socialremedy? Despite constitutionalprotection and several legisla-tions, there exists gender andcaste-based discrimination andinjustice. The tragedy of Indiansociety and institutions is that thevictim and her affiliates have tokeep reliving the trauma. Thenotion of ‘victim blaming’ is

deeply entrenched in Indian soci-ety.

In a few days, we will be cel-ebrating the seventy-fifth year ofIndia’s independence, when Indiadrafted its constitution whichwould be the guiding light forIndians and would promise equalrights and justice to all. Have wemanaged to work with total com-mitment to what our forefathersperceived for our nation? That isfor every Indian to think over andfor the government to work upon.Indian as a society has to commititself to free itself of the biases andprejudices that we have cement-ed as a way of life. The PEWresearch findings show that weare tolerant and inclusive as anation as long as we live in ourown silos and until we truly donot intermingle across caste andreligious barriers we will contin-ue to struggle for an equitablesociety. The government of theday needs to shed the temptationto seek political fortune out of theschisms that exist in society.

No legislation can fully beactualised until and unless weplay our part as the rightful andsocially aware members of thesociety. To rephrase RabindranathTagore, I pray that towards thatheaven of freedom, my countrywill soon awake.

�(&$ %! ��-%2$3�,

��%�"��$� ��"� ��&��?�"��+� ��" �%��"��#��%��"��

�� !��" �#�#�� $$%&'&$ 4�� 5

3.��"��+��,�� *��,��"��,�4��+�+"�,��/��"� �/"� �� "#��"/.�� *�� " +,��5��5��"��/�� +�"��/�� *��/��"��

Canberra: Australia is experi-encing widespread, rapid cli-mate change not seen for thou-sands of years and may warmby 4 degree Celsius or more thiscentury, according to a highlyanticipated report by theIntergovernmental Panel onClimate Change (IPCC).

The assessment, releasedon Monday, also warns ofunprecedented increases inclimate extremes such as bush-fires, floods and drought. Butit says deep, rapid emissionscuts could spare Australia, andthe world, from the most severewarming and associated harms.

The report is the sixthproduced by the IPCC since itwas founded in 1988 and pro-vides more regional informa-tion than any previous version.This gives us a clearer pictureof how climate change willplay out in Australia specifi-cally.

It confirms the effects ofhuman-caused climate changehave well and truly arrived inAustralia. This includes in theregion of the East AustraliaCurrent, where the ocean iswarming at a rate more thanfour times the global average.

We are climate scientistswith expertise across historicalclimate change, climate pro-jections, climate impacts andthe carbon budget. We havebeen part of the internationaleffort to produce the IPCCreport over the past three years.

The report finds evenunder a moderate emissionsscenario, the global effects ofclimate change will worsensignificantly over the coming

years and decades. Every

fraction of a degree of globalwarming increases the likeli-hood and severity of manyextremes. That means everyeffort to reduce greenhouse gasemissions matters.Australia is,without question, warming

Australia has warmed byabout 1.4 degree Celsius since1910. The IPCC assessmentconcludes the extent of warm-ing in both Australia and glob-ally are impossible to explainwithout accounting for theextra greenhouse gases in theatmosphere from human activ-ities. The report introducesthe concept of Climate Impact-Drivers (CIDs): 30 climateaverages, extremes and eventsthat create climate impacts.These include heat, cold,drought and flood.The reportconfirms global warming is dri-ving a significant increase inthe intensity and frequency ofextremely hot temperatures inAustralia, as well as a decreasein almost all cold extremes. TheIPCC noted with high confi-dence that recent extreme heatevents in Australia were mademore likely or more severedue to human influence.

These events include:The Australian summer of

2012–13, also known as theAngry Summer, when morethan 70% of Australia experi-enced extreme temperatures

The Brisbane heatwave in

2014 Extreme heat precedingthe 2018 Queensland fires

The heat leading into theBlack Summer bushfires of2019-20.

The IPCC report notesvery high confidence in furtherwarming and heat extremesthrough the 21st century – theextent of which depends onglobal efforts to reduce green-house gas emissions.

If global average warmingis limited to 1.5 degree Celsiusthis century, Australia wouldwarm to between 1.4 degreeCelsius to 1.8 degree Celsius. Ifglobal average warming reach-es 4 degree Celsius this centu-ry, Australia would warm tobetween 3.9 degree Celsiusand 4.8 degree Celsius.

The IPCC says as the plan-et warms, future heatwaves inAustralia – and globally – willbe hotter and last longer.Conversely, cold extremes willbe both less intense and fre-quent. Hotter temperatures,combined with reduced rain-fall, will make parts of Australiamore arid. A drying climate canlead to reduced river flows,drier soils, mass tree deaths,crop damage, bushfires anddrought.

The southwest of WesternAustralia remains a globallynotable hotspot for dryingattributable to human influ-ence. The IPCC says this dry-

ing is projected to continue asemissions rise and the climatewarms.

In southern and easternAustralia, drying in winter andspring is also likely to contin-ue.

Climate extremes on therise Heat and drying are not theonly climate extremes set to hitAustralia in the comingdecades. The report also notes:

Observed and projectedincreases in Australia’s dan-gerous fire weatherA projectedincrease in heavy and extremerainfall in most places inAustralia, particularly in thenorthA projected increase inriver flood risk almost every-where in Australia.

Under a warmer climate,extreme rainfall in a singlehour or day can become moreintense or more frequent, evenin areas where the averagerainfall declines.

For the first time, the IPCCreport provides regional pro-jections of coastal hazards dueto sea level rise, changingcoastal storms and coastal ero-sion – changes highly relevantto beach-loving Australia.

This century, for example,sandy shorelines in places suchas eastern Australia are pro-jected to retreat by more than100 metres, under moderate orhigh emissions pathways.

The IPCC report says glob-ally, climate change meansoceans are becoming moreacidic and losing oxygen.Ocean currents are becomingmore variable and salinity pat-terns – the parts of the oceanthat are saltiest and less salty –are changing.

It also means sea levels arerising and the oceans arebecoming warmer. This is lead-ing to an increase in marineheatwaves such as those whichhave contributed to mass coralbleaching on the Great BarrierReef in recent decades.

(Via AP)

3.�� *��,��,��"��+��,��"��,�4��+�+"�,��/��"� � �/"� �� "#��"/.�� *��/�" �� ,�/� "#��"/.��5��3��

Canberra: Earth has warmed1.09 degree Celsius since pre-industrial times and manychanges such as sea-level riseand glacier melt are now vir-tually irreversible, according tothe most sobering report yet bythe Intergovernmental Panel onClimate Change (IPCC).

The report also foundescape from human-causedclimate change is no longerpossible. Climate change isnow affecting every continent,region and ocean on Earth, andevery facet of the weather.

The long-awaited reportis the sixth assessment of itskind since the panel wasformed in 1988. It will giveworld leaders the most timely,accurate information about cli-mate change ahead of a crucialinternational summit inGlasgow, Scotland inNovember.

The IPCC is the peak cli-mate science body of theUnited Nations and the WorldMeteorological Organisation. Itis the global authority on thestate of Earth’s climate andhow human activities affect it.

We are authors of the lat-est IPCC report and havedrawn from the work of thou-sands of scientists from aroundthe world to produce this newassessment.

Sadly, there is hardly anygood news in the 3,900 pagesof text released today. But thereis still time to avert the worstdamage, if humanity choosesto.

It’s unequivocal: humansare warming the planet

For the first time, theIPCC states unequivocally —leaving absolutely no room fordoubt – humans are responsi-ble for the observed warmingof the atmosphere, lands andoceans.

The IPCC finds Earth’sglobal surface temperaturewarmed 1.09 degree Celsiusbetween 1850-1900 and the lastdecade. This is 0.29 degreeCelsius warmer than in the pre-vious IPCC report in 2013. (Itshould be noted that 0.1 degreeCelsius of the increase is due todata improvements.)

The IPCC recognises therole of natural changes to theEarth’s climate. However, itfinds 1.07 degree Celsius of the1.09 degree Celsius warming isdue to greenhouse gases asso-ciated with human activities. Inother words, pretty much allglobal warming is due tohumans.

Global surface tempera-ture has warmed faster since1970 than in any other 50-yearperiod over at least the last2,000 years, with the warmingalso reaching ocean depthsbelow 2,000 metres.

The IPCC says humanactivities have also affectedglobal precipitation (rain andsnow). Since 1950, total glob-al precipitation has increased,but while some regions have

become wetter, others havebecome drier.

The frequency and inten-sity of heavy precipitationevents have increased

over most land areas. Thisis because the warmer atmos-phere is able

to hold more moisture —about 7% more for each addi-tional degree of temperature —which makes wet seasons andrainfall events wetter.

Higher concentrations ofCO2, growing faster

Present-day global con-centrations of atmospheric car-bon dioxide (CO2) are higherand rising faster than at anytime in at least the past twomillion years.

The speed at which atmos-pheric CO2 has increased sincethe industrial revolution (1750)is at least ten times faster thanat any other time during the last800,000 years, and betweenfour and five times faster thanduring the last 56 million years.

About 85% of CO2 emis-sions are from burning fossilfuels. The remaining 15% aregenerated from land usechange, such as deforestationand degradation.

Concentrations of othergreenhouse gases are not doingany better. Both methane andnitrous oxide, the second andthird biggest contributors

to global warming afterCO2, have also increased morequickly.

Methane emissions fromhuman activities largely comefrom livestock and the fossilfuel industry. Nitrous oxideemissions largely come fromthe use of nitrogen fertiliser oncrops.

Extreme weather on therise Hot extremes, heatwavesand heavy rain have alsobecome more frequent andintense across most landregions since 1950, the IPCCconfirms.

The report highlights thatsome recently observed hotextremes, such as theAustralian summer of2012–2013, would have beenextremely unlikely withouthuman influence on the cli-mate.

Human influence has alsobeen detected for the first timein compounded extremeevents. For example, incidencesof heatwaves, droughts andfire weather happening at thesame time are now more fre-quent. These compound eventshave been seen in Australia,Southern Europe, NorthernEurasia, parts of the Americasand African tropical forests.

Oceans: hotter, higher andmore acidic

Oceans absorb 91% of theenergy from the increasedatmospheric greenhouse gases.This has led to ocean warmingand more marine heatwaves,particularly over the past 15years. Marine heatwaves causethe mass death of marine life,such as from coral bleachingevents. They also cause algalblooms and shifts in the com-position of species. Even if theworld restricts warming to 1.5-2?, as is consistent with theParis Agreement, marine heat-waves will become four timesmore frequent by the end of thecentury. (Via AP)

�� 1��;��-

ACanadian entrepreneurwho was charged with spy-

ing after his Governmentarrested an executive ofChinese tech giant Huaweifaces a possible verdictWednesday as Beijing steps uppressure on Canada ahead of acourt ruling on whether tohand over the executive toface U.S. criminal charges.

Michael Spavor and anoth-er Canadian were detained inChina in what critics labeled“hostage politics” after theexecutive’s 2018 arrest in con-nection with possible violationsof trade sanctions on Iran. OnTuesday, a court rejected theappeal of a third Canadianwhose prison term in a drugcase was abruptly increased todeath following the executive’sarrest.

Canada and otherGovernments includingAustralia and the Philippinesface growing Chinese pressureincluding trade boycotts indisputes over human rights, thecoronavirus and territorialclaims. Washington has warnedAmericans they face “a height-ened risk of arbitrary deten-tion” in China for reasonsother than to enforce the law.

Canadian AmbassadorDominic Barton said he wouldgo to see Spavor in Dandong,about 210 miles (340 kilome-ters) east of Beijing on theNorth Korean border.

Asked when a ruling mightcome, Barton said, “our senseis, it’s tomorrow.” As for the sec-ond detained Canadian, formerdiplomat Michael Kovrig, theambassador said, “we have notreceived any indication of that.”

�/"�� 1��;��-

China has recalled itsAmbassador from

Lithuania for its decision toallow Taiwan to open a repre-sentative office under its name,a move that could cast a shad-ow on Beijing’s ties with theEuropean Union.

China views Taiwan, anisland which has been inde-pendent since 1950, as a rebelregion that must be reunitedwith the mainland - by force ifnecessary.

The Chinese ForeignMinistry said that “the decision(to allow Taiwan to open a rep-resentative office under itsname) brazenly violates thespirit of the communiqué onthe establishment of diplomat-ic relations between China andLithuania and severely under-mines China’’s sovereignty andterritorial integrity”.

“The Chinese Governmentexpresses its categorical oppo-sition to this move. China hasdecided to recall itsAmbassador to Lithuania anddemanded the LithuanianGovernment recall itsAmbassador to China,” it said.

China has also told the“Lithuanian side that there isonly one China in the worldand the People’’s Republic ofChina is the sole legal govern-ment representing the whole ofChina”.

Lithuania also plans toopen its representative tradeoffice in Taiwan.

China claims that Taiwan isan integral part of it under the‘One China’ policy and oppos-es any country granting diplo-matic recognition to Taipei. Italso resents any support toTaiwan.

Cairo:Syrian President Basharal-Assad issued a decree onTuesday approving a new cab-inet headed by HusseinArnous, following a May elec-tion that secured Assad’s gripon power in the war-torn coun-try. The new 29-minister gov-ernment, announced less thantwo weeks since Assad taskedArnous with forming it, is lit-tle changed from its predeces-sor. Those at the head of thekey defence, foreign affairs,interior and finance ministriesremained unchanged. But newnames were appointed to leadthe ministries of information,social affairs and domestictrade and consumer protection.The reshuffle, weeks afterAssad took the oath of office fora fourth seven-year term, isrequired by the Syrian consti-tution which stipulates that acabinet’s term ends with that ofthe president. AFP

HONG KONG :Hong Kong’slargest teachers’ union said itdisbanded Tuesday due to thechanging political climate, asthe Government continues itscrackdown on dissent in thecity.The Hong Kong govern-ment cut ties with the pro-democracy union last weekand accused it of spreadinganti-Beijing and anti-govern-ment sentiment. The split camehours after Chinese state mediacalled the union a “malignanttumor” that should be eradi-cated.The ProfessionalTeachers’ Union is the city’slargest single-industry tradeunion, with 95,000 members.“Regrettably, the changes in thesocial and political environ-ment in recent years haveforced us to think about theway forward, and some recentrapid developments have alsoput us under tremendous pres-sure,” the union said in a state-ment Tuesday. AP

�/"�� ,��- ��

The US is having conversa-tions with the Pakistani

leadership about the need toshutdown the safe havens forTaliban militants along theAfghan-Pakistan border thatare providing a source of moreinsecurity and instability insideAfghanistan, the Pentagon hassaid, as Defence SecretaryLloyd Austin spoke over phonewith Pakistan Army chief GenQamar Javed Bajwa.

Austin, in a phone callwith Gen Bajwa on Monday,discussed the current situationin Afghanistan, regional secu-rity issues and the bilateraldefence ties, Pentagon PressSecretary John Kirby said.

During the phone call,Austin expressed his interest incontinuing to improve the US-Pakistan relationship and buildupon their multiple sharedinterests in the region, Kirbysaid on Monday in a readout of

the conversation.“Secretary Austin and

General Bajwa discussed theongoing situation inAfghanistan, regional securityand stability, and the bilateraldefence relationship morebroadly,” Kirby said.

Austin discussed the mutu-al goals of security and stabil-ity in the region, he said.

Responding to a question,Kirby said the US continues tohave conversations with thePakistani leadership about thesafe havens that exist along thatborder between Afghanistanand Pakistan.

“We are mindful that thosesafe havens are only providinga source of more insecurity andmore instability insideAfghanistan.

We are not bashful abouthaving that discussion withPakistani leaders,” he said.

“We are also mindful thatPakistan and the Pakistani peo-ple also fall victim to terrorist

activities that emanate fromthat region.

So, we all have a sharedsense of the importance ofclosing down those safe havensand not allowing them to beused by the Taliban or otherterrorist networks to sow dis-cord,” Kirby said.

“And again, we’’re havingthat conversation with thePakistanis all the time,” headded. Taliban’’s surge inAfghanistan has intensified asUS and NATO troops wrap uptheir withdrawal from the war-torn country.

With Taliban attacksincreasing, Afghan securityforces and government troopshave retaliated with airstrikesaided by the United States.

Afghanistan and the UShave criticised Pakistan in thepast for allowing Taliban fight-ers to cross into Pakistan wherethey are provided safe havensand also receive medical treat-ment.

While Kabul claims thatIslamabad is sending thou-sands of militants to fight in thewar-ravaged country and pro-viding safe haven for theTaliban, Pakistan alleges thatAfghanistan harbours the anti-Pakistani group Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan - the PakistaniTaliban - and also the seces-sionist Balochistan LiberationArmy.

Pakistan has said that it hasused its influence over theTaliban to press the insurgentsinto talks with the US and theAfghan Government to find apolitical solution to the crisis.

Pakistan Prime MinisterImran Khan last month saidthat the US “really messed itup” in Afghanistan as he ques-tioned the American motive forthe 2001 invasion of the coun-try in the first place and thentheir subsequent attempts ofseeking a political solutionwith the Taliban from a posi-tion of weakness.

�/"�� ,��.�

The Pakistan Governmenthas completed the restora-

tion work of the Hindu templebadly damaged by a mob lastweek in Punjab province andarrested around 90 peopleinvolved in the attack thatdrew strong condemnationfrom India and the minoritycommunity leaders in thiscountry.

Hundreds of people, car-rying sticks, stones and bricksattacked the temple at Bhongcity of Rahim Yar Khan district,some 590 kms from Lahore on

August 4, burning parts of itand damaging the idols inprotest against the release by acourt of an eight-year-oldHindu boy, who was arrestedfor allegedly urinating in alocal seminary.

The attackers had damagedthe idols, walls, doors and elec-tric fittings while desecratingthe temple.

An FIR was registeredunder terrorism and other sec-tions of the Pakistan PenalCode against over 150 peoplefor their involvement in attack-ing the temple.

“The government has

completed the restoration workof the temple and handed itover to the local Hindu com-munity,” District Police Officerof Rahim Yar Khan AsadSarfraz told PTI on Monday.

He said the temple is readyfor worship as well.

To a question about howmany suspects in the templeattack have been arrested so far,Sarfraz said,

“A total 90 suspects havebeen arrested so far with thehelp of video footage and theyhave been produced before acourt of law for physicalremand,” he said.

�� 4�

The powerful sister of NorthKorean leader Kim Jong Un

ripped South Korea for pro-ceeding with military exercis-es with the United States thatshe said are an invasionrehearsal and warned Tuesdaythat the North will work fasterto strengthen its preemptivestrike capabilities.

Kim Yo Jong’s statementcame after South Korean mediareported that the allied mili-taries will begin four days ofpreliminary training on

Tuesday before holding com-puter-simulated drills on Aug.16-26.

Kim said she was givenauthority to release the state-ment, implying the messagecame directly from her broth-er.

Hours after her commentswere published on state media,South Korea’s defense and uni-fication ministries said NorthKorean officials hadn’tresponded to their callsTuesday afternoon over inter-Korean hotlines, which hadbeen disconnected for a year

before North Korea agreed toreopen them in late July. TheKoreas then described themove as a conciliatory gesture.

South Korean officials saidthey were closely monitoringthe development, but that itwasn’t immediately clearwhether North Korea had cutthe communication channelsagain. Kim Yo Jong describedSouth Korea’s decision to holdjoint exercises despite earlierwarnings by the North as “per-fidious behavior” that will pushthe allies into facing a “moreserious security threat.”

��)�&��% �� %�� (�� -��'�%��%��

' �� !��&�%��(��(�� (��1��(��

!1�'.�2�36.��3*�.�/'2$��&'&/.

(��$�#��#�

��$�"�� #��+��"�� %�

"��-��8��-��%��!��%��

��0��,��"��$��%��#��+-�&�

!��2��#�� $�� (�

��3�� #��

/�� %� ��0��?��&��"��)��&��!0�(-�&�

��6�� !��" �#�#�� $$%&'&$

� ��

Indian tech start-up —TraqCheck — has revolu-

tionized the way corporate andbusinesses today do backgroundverifications by using ArtificialIntelligence (AI). Formed bythree US-studied young andinnovative entrepreneurs,TraqCheck is disrupting thetraditional background checksand identity verification indus-try by leveraging cutting-edge AIrather than doing it manually.

The TraqCheck AI scansmillions of legal documentsincluding court cases, orders aswell as FIRs and is able to gen-erate a candidate's criminal

record instantly. It can also ver-ify the candidate's employmenthistory and automaticallyretrieve feedback from the pastemployers. All of this is moni-tored by a quality control layercomposed of industry experts.On top of doing automated IDverifications for things likeAadhaar, Voter ID, etc. the AIcan also detect if there has beenany tampering of the submitteddocument through a softwarelike Photoshop.

Some of the biggest com-panies in India including BajajCapital, Motherson Sumi,Somany Ceramics and HeroElectric have already signed onwith TraqCheck.

4� ��#��

Mumbai: Concerned over theinconvenience caused to thepublic due to the non-avail-ability of cash in ATMs, theReserve Bank has decided topenalise banks for failure totimely replenish currency notesin such machines.

The RBI will start impos-ing penalty on banks in case theATMs remain out-of-cash fora total period of 10 hours in amonth from October 1, 2021,onwards.

"The Scheme of Penalty fornon-replenishment of ATMshas been formulated to ensurethat sufficient cash is available

to the public through ATMs,"the RBI said in a circular.

The Reserve Bank of Indiahas a mandate to issue ban-knotes and the banks are ful-filling this mandate by dis-pensing banknotes to the pub-lic through their wide net-work of branches and ATMs.

In this connection, it saida review of downtime of ATMsdue to cash-outs was under-taken and it was observed thatATM operations affected bycash-outs lead to non-avail-ability of cash and cause avoid-able inconvenience to themembers of the public.

It has, therefore, beendecided that the banks/ WhiteLabel ATM Operators(WLAOs) will strengthen theirsystems/ mechanisms to mon-itor the availability of cash inATMs and ensure timelyreplenishment to avoid cash-outs, the central bank said.

"Any non-compliance inthis regard shall be viewedseriously and shall attract mon-etary penalty as stipulated inthe 'Scheme of Penalty fornon-replenishment of ATMs',"the RBI said. The Schemewill be effective from October01, 2021. PTI

/�1��%�� '��"��+

�/"�� <4<1,�

Equity benchmark Sensexrose by 152 points to end

at a record high on Tuesday,tracking gains in index majorsHDFC, Bharti Airtel andInfosys amid a largely positivetrend in global markets.

The 30-share index ends151.81 points or 0.28 per centhigher at its lifetime peak of54,554.66, while the broaderNSE Nifty advanced 21.85points or 0.13 per cent to

16,280.10.Bharti Airtel was the top

gainer in the Sensex pack, ris-ing around 4 per cent, followedby Tech Mahindra, HDFC,Kotak Bank, M&M and HCLTech.

On the other hand, TataSteel, NTPC, ITC andPowerGrid were among the

laggards."Domestic equities wit-

nessed high volatility todayand benchmark Nifty afterrecording fresh all-time highfell sharply mainly led by heavyselling pressure in metals, PSUbanks and realty stocks," saidBinod Modi, Head Strategy atReliance Securities.

��5�� 67%��

Dhaka: Bangladesh hasannounced to have discovereda new gas field containing aprobable reserve of about 68billion cubic feet worth overUSD 148 million.

]The State-run BangladeshPetroleum ExplorationCompany (BAPEX) made thediscovery in Sylhet region,some 240 kms northeast ofDhaka, State Minister for

Power, Energy and MineralResources Nasrul Hamid saidon Monday.

It would play an importantrole in meeting the energy-starved country's growingdemand, he said. "The new gasfield has a possible reserve of 68billion cubic feet (bcf) of gasworth around 12.76 billiontakas (about $ 148 million),"Hamid said. PTI

New Delhi: The Governmenton Tuesday said it will take allmeasures to eliminate the usecrypto-assets in funding ille-gitimate activities or as part ofthe payment system. In a writ-ten reply to the Rajya Sabha,Minister of State for FinancePankaj Chaudhary also said theGovernment will explore theuse of block chain technologyproactively for ushering in dig-ital economy. The Governmentdoes not consider crypto-cur-rencies legal tender or coin andwill take all measures to elim-inate use of these crypto-assetsin financing illegitimate activ-ities or as part of the paymentsystem," he said. PTI

New Delhi: The FinanceMinistry on Tuesday said it hasreleased the fifth monthly instal-ment of revenue deficit grant of�9,871 crore to 17 states.

The Post DevolutionRevenue Deficit Grant is pro-vided to the states under Article 275 of theConstitution.

The Central grants arereleased as per the recommen-dations of the 15th FinanceCommission in monthly instal-ments to meet the gap in rev-enue accounts of the states post-devolution.

The commission has rec-ommended this grant to the 17states during 2021-22. PTI

��+�� ! ��,�� 3;��'�� +��$��%��%��(��%��"��+�&��$��&��378��'��"( ��"�&��+��)" �"(��#LQ��"��3��3��#��+��"��CH%� ��)��"�$��%��6 ��"��+�&��$��&��378��"�� %��$��$��+�&��&��#��$�"�� %��$%��(��6

�/"��

The country's leather andfootwear exports are

expected to touch about USD6 billion in the current finan-cial year on account ofhealthy demand in key globalmarkets, CLE said on Tuesday.

Council for LeatherExports (CLE) also urged thegovernment to release pendingrefunds under MEIS (mer-chandise export from Indiascheme) as non-availability ofliquidity is a major concern for exporters as ofnow. PTI

��+�� !1��#� ��3��78HD��)� �$�� " ��#��"� ��3"� ��)��#��<�4+��"�.��"��#��A��.�B��"�%��.�F�$��%��"��#��6 ��&��$��.�F� ��#3��%� ��$�%� ��%� �� #��"��&�%��%� ��6 ��.�"� �"��#��##��""��"�$��%��%��+�� "��78HD��+��6R��%��$��P��#��<�4+��.�)S��78HD��3$��+?��0��6

��9�� ):��:;<;1�� <�*�!��7 -� �� .�7DQ��HK)77��7�#��%)�""��#��"��6��&��)��"��

%�� " ��HK)�LQ��7�#��%6�� &�� %� ��.�L8L�� Q7)DQK��(� �#��%$��%�Q�)QQC��(� �#��%��&��6

�� )*+�� ,-,

e-PROCUREMENT TENDER NOTICEeProcurement Portal: https://eproc.cgstate.gov.in

(SECOND CALL)System Tender No. 80587 / NIT No.: 04/SAC/2021-22

Kanker Dated: 06.08.2021Online Tenders are invited for the following works up to 23.08.2021at 17.30 Hour Name of work : Construction work of Minor CanalNo. 7,8,9,10 & 11 (7.56 km) Earth work and Canal structure ofDudhawa Right Bank Canal in Narharpur block of Kanker District.Probable Amount of Contract: - Rs. 231.683 Lakhs

The details can be viewed and downloaded online directly fromthe Government of Chhattisgarh Integrated e-Procurement Portal(https://eproc.cgstate.gov.in) from Date 13.08.2021, at 17.31Hours.(IST) onwards.NOTE:- All eligible/intrested contractors/bidders are mandated to get

enrolled on the Integrated e-procurement por tal(https://eproc.cgstate.gov.in) and get approval on specificvendor class from PWD under Centralized Contractor/SupplierRegistration in order to download the tender documents andparticipate in the subsequent bidding process.

Executive EngineerWater Resources Division, Kanker

R.O No:- 62758/11 For, Chief Engineer, Mahanadi ProjectR.O Date:- 10/08/2021 Raipur (C.G.)

GOVERNMENT OF CHHATTISGARH, WATERRESOURCES DEPARTMENT

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ENGINEERMAHANADI PROJECT: WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

RAIPUR (CHHATTISGARH)

�<�*�!��7 -� �� "�� 7DQ�� HK)77��7�#��%)�""��#��"��6��&��)��"��%�� " ��HK)�LQ��7�#��%6

7��1;��=��#�73"

��<�� 8)LD7"��7D��#��

1��# ��"�&��+#��$�� +��&��T7HL%�

$��#�,�-�

8��(��>?��#�"8'

Gurugram: Power GridCorporation of India Limited(POWERGRID), a 'Maharatna'Company under Ministry ofPower, GoI, has delivered arobust quarterly performance.During Q1FY22, the Companyre-ported PAT of �5,998 croreand Total Income of �10,392crore on consolidated basis reg-istering a YoY growth of 193%and 6% respectively. On stand-alone basis, the Company hasposted PAT and Total Income of�6,085 crore and �10,285 crorerespectively registering a YoY

growth of 207% and 7% respec-tively for Q1FY22.

During the quarter, POW-ERGRID completed the firstasset monetisation by a CPSEthrough the InfrastructureInvestment Trust (InvIT) route.

PGInvIT, sponsored byPOWERGRID, came out withan Initial Public Offer of itsUnits comprising Fresh Issue of�4,993 crore and Offer for Saleby POWERGRID amounting to�2,742 crore and got listed onBSE & NSE on May 14, 2021.

The company transferred 74%shares in the 5 SPVs to the InvITand the profit on sale of its stakein the five SPVs amounting to�3,014 crore (on ConsolidatedBasis) was recognized as anexcep-tional income.

The Company incurred aCapital Expenditure of ?1,110crore and capitalized assetsworth �5,642 crore (excludingFERV) on consolidated basis.POWERGRID's Gross FixedAssets on con-solidated basisstood at �2,47,421 crore as onJune 30, 2021.

.�4��1��.-%��7665�)��89

��48��"�69:;��+�6��

In this era of diverse careers sur-facing, students often feel stuckin chaos while choosing the

paths ahead. With over 250 pro-fessions panning all across thecountry, they have numerousopportunities unfolding in front ofthem, which might sound reassur-ing but also serves as the maincause of them having career-relat-ed dilemmas. Students get entan-gled in the complexities and seekguidance from their mentors.However, professionals whoempathise with students’ psycheand understand their potential arebetter-suited for such counselling;career guidance counsellors puteffort as well as study individualgraphs of students’ interests andaptitude to suggest them withappropriate streams and thus helpthem choose the right path.

Analysing careers the right wayStudents often get roped into

external activities for career guid-ance, such as indulging into a

SWOT (strengths, weakness, oppor-tunities and threats) analysis butmost of the time, it is not enough.SWOT might point towards a direc-tion but it does not take in a majorfactor: the aptitude of the students.It doesn’t provide clarity on the skillsthey can work on, in order to makethe right career choice and join theright career program. However,when clubbed with proper coun-selling and guidance, SWOT canchurn out great results which are aresult of an informed and honestprocess of weighing pros and cons.This further reflects how coun-selling acts as a significant tool andguides students towards an appro-priate career.

Understanding the basics ofchoosing a career

A career counsellor makes surethat students are not dabblingbetween their cognitive, applicativeto kinesthetic and vocational skillsand creating an internal state ofchaos. While asking students about

their interests, the counsellors listthe number of future choices theywould have in suitable fields andthe monetary scope along with thegrowth potential of the stream.They further encourage the chil-dren to think out of the box andtake risks but be calculative withthem. It is all about trusting one'sgut but also taking under consid-eration the logical aspect of it.Along with the SWOT analysis,communicating with the studentsto understand their inclinationand suggest career streams, thecounsellors make sure that they aretaking all factors into accountbefore letting children make unin-formed and irrevocable decisions.

Emotions v/s practicalityComing to terms with their

skills and interests can be an intim-idating task or an interesting one,depending upon the students' men-tal temperament. While both theelements are required to make awise call, the counsellor's role is to

inform the students about theavailable choices, job satisfaction,the growth factor and the marketvalue and significance of theirchosen streams. Counsellors arewell-suited to differentiate betweenan emotional decision to pursue acareer and a well-informed onebased on logic, practicality andscope in the field. They encouragestudents to be systematic in theirapproach instead of being overlyenthusiastic while taking intoaccount strengths, weaknesses andskills. This will, in turn, help themmake a call that is not only back-ing their present but also support-ive of their future plans.Counsellors understand that it isnecessary to show all sides of thecoins to the students before they lettheir feelings overwhelm theminto making a decision.

Career counselling aiding stu-dents to make a wise choice

The universities and institu-tions are growing more aware bythe day and thus focusing on theneed to have in-house career coun-sellors who are trained profes-sionals. These counsellors keepthemselves well informed and upto date on the changing industryrequirements and thus qualify wellfor their job of helping studentsmake a wise call. They are provid-ing students with tailor made solu-tions that fit best as per their per-sonality, ambitions and their visionfor the future.

Helping students realise theirskills, needs and desires and dis-tinguishing between all three is amonumental task. At times stu-dents are scared to think out of thebox or choose a career path lesstravelled for the fear of beingjudged by others. Encouragingstudents to believe in themselvesand helping them understand allaspects of a particular streambefore they choose their path is theprime role of a career counsellor.Although most of the schools areopting for this lately, universitiesare also stepping up responsiblyand planning exclusive budgetsand providing sensitive careercounselling to students.

Universities along with othereducational institutions andschools provide students with a safeand supportive atmosphere toexpress themselves. Career coun-selling helps students to discusstheir inhibitions openly and henceaiding them in making a wise callwith respect to their careers. Thesediscussions open many new doorsfor students and help them to seethe bigger picture while securingtheir future. It is helping studentspen their success stories and excelin their respective fields.

!��%��3��@!�� /��-��A��'��

!��B/'!�C�

�� !��" �#�#�� $$%&'&$ ��9�./�"0��1�"�0�2 $�

-�4��4��)�� )�� ):;�-��7 �� :;<�-��&��

� ��

The catalyst will be offeringlifetime scholarships to

students preparing for UPSC/SSC/GATE/IBPS/CA/CS/NET/IIT JEE/NEET/CAT andeven for school students, wholost their parents due toCOVID-19. The prestigious e-learning institution has decid-ed to help those in need byworking as an accelerator tothe student’s success path.

Catalyst is a group of fac-ulties including civil servants,senior professors, authors andother professionals working

together to make e-learningreach a high level by makingeducation easily accessible foreach and every student. Weprovide a wide range of cours-es online, from competitive toschool-level courses are allavailable at the catalyst.

It will be providing stu-dents with 50-100 per cent ofscholarships to the studentswho lost their parent(s) in thepandemic to help them get

through this hard time. A 100per cent scholarship will alsobe provided to the studentsdepending on their financialstatus. This plan is onlyapplicable for the next threemonths. The total worth ofthe scholarship is �2 crore.

This crisis support schol-arship is especially for thosestudents who lost any of theirbeloved parents & are nowsuffering due to financial

constraints due to the pan-demic. Students can enrollthemselves for any competi-tive or government examina-tion preparation and can alsochoose to study individualsubjects for school, gradua-tion, post-graduation, or PhD.

Students willing to takeup the benefits can registerthemselves for the scholarshipon the official website of catalyst.

� ��

The Hong Kong Universityof Science and Technology

(HKUST), ranked No 3 inTimes Higher Education’sYoung University Rankings2021 and No 34 among globaluniversities in the QS WorldUniversity Rankings 2022,announced that teaching andlearning activities will resumenormal in the fall term, start-

ing from September. To ensure safety of its stu-

dents, faculty and the stafffrom COVID-19, the univer-sity is conducting a vaccinationdrive on its campus whileimplementing strict social dis-tancing and precautionarymeasures.

Upon beginning of thenew school term, all students,faculty and staff members arerequired to be either vaccinat-

ed or undergo testing every twoweeks.

The university hasarranged on-campus vaccina-tion in June and July, with morerounds to follow for both newand existing university mem-bers — including those return-ing from India as well as othercountries in the coming weeks.The university will also offerassistance to members whoopt for regular testing due to

medical and other reasons.The Hong Kong University

of Science and Technologyadopts the vaccination andregular testing policy as itbelieves such measure bal-ances the respect for personalchoice and the university’sresponsibility for public health.The classes will be held in ahybrid mode to accommodatestudents who cannot be phys-ically present in Hong Kong.

The EdTech sector reachedan inflexion point whenthe COVID-19 pandem-

ic struck globally and pulled italong a transformative path.Growth in the sector has beenunparalleled and career oppor-tunities plentiful. In stark con-trast with the e-commercesegment which took years todevelop and mature, theEdTech sector gained promi-nence overnight. It has alreadyattracted investments worth$2.2 billion and continues tosteal the show.

The user base of theEdTech industry in the K-12and post K-12 levels doubledfrom 45 million in 2019 to awhopping 90 million in 2020.Other noteworthy develop-ments include a steep 83 percent increase in the number ofpaid users and a 50 per centincrease in the time spent withEdTech tools, which rose from60 to 90 minutes. These arestrong signs that the EdTechindustry is poised for robustgrowth (estimated to touchthree times the current valua-tion) in the next five years.

The sector has not onlyattracted massive investmentsbut has also supported theeconomy at a time when it wasstruggling. The EdTech indus-

try is ushering in disruptionsthat positively favour learningthrough creative means andmethods. Its role has becomecritical at a time when the tra-ditional education systems arecrippled. Concomitantly, thefast-booming industry offersseveral career opportunities aswell. Here are some of them:

App developer: Withmobile platforms gaining pop-ularity as the preferred mode oflearning, the demand for appdevelopers is rapidly rising.With the gamification of edu-cation and the ‘classroom inyour pocket’ approach, con-tinuous innovation is the needof the hour. To materialisethese ideas, a think tank ofdevelopers is required.

Content creator: This rolerequires the candidate to curate

interesting and engaging con-tent based on the most recentcurriculum. The candidatemust keep pace with thechanges in the syllabus andkeep abreast of all develop-ments. Curriculum designersand subject matter expertswork in collaboration withcontent creators to come upwith interesting learning aids.The content could comprisevideos, podcasts, presentations,e-books, quizzes, images, etc.

Academic consultant:These professionals bridge thegap between students andteachers. A consultant is wellaware of the student needsand preferences with respect tothe mode of learning, lan-guage preference, etc., and findthe best teachers for the job.This role is a unique blend of

academic knowledge and mar-keting skills.

Technical architect: TheEdTech business is evolvingrapidly and the need forupgrading the IT infrastructureand ancillary equipment isparamount. With the steep risein the number of students aswell teachers on digital medi-ums, the online platform host-ing the process must function24x7 and seamlessly withoutany downtime. The demand forcreating scalable online plat-forms is at an all-time high tofulfil which senior softwareengineers with 10 years ofexperience in the domain arepreferred for this role.

Course manager: The pri-mary function of a coursemanager is to help teachersfamiliarise themselves with theonline ecosystem. Teacherswho have no prior experiencewith the newest modus operan-di can take assistance fromcourse managers throughouttheir onboarding process.Course managers have a vitalrole to play in enhancing thelearning experience for stu-dents.

The growth of the EdTechindustry is set to continuealong an upward trajectoryeven after the passage of thepandemic as it offers immensecustomisations for students.The improved access to edu-cation from any part of theworld opens up avenues foraspirants who wish to work inthe EdTech sector, and oppor-tunities are in abundance.

!��%��D��

With growing businessrelations between India

and other countries, there hasbeen a significant increase inthe inclination towards foreignlanguages apart from English.Amidst this, Spanish which isthe second most widely spokenlanguage in the world afterMandarin; has also gainedmassive prominence in therecent past.

As the world is becomingmore connected and depen-dent day by day, the perks oflanguage learning are muchhigher today than ever before.This ever increasing demandfor the foreign language has ledto a massive increase in thenumber of students opting forthe language to give their careerthe required boost.

While there are many insti-tutes in India those offer thebest Spanish learning courses;we wish to make your choice alittle simpler by listing downthe Best five institutes for lean-ing Spanish. If you are aspiringto carve a career path out ofthis, you may definitely want toconsider these courses.

Henry Harvin: For thosewho want to add additionalstars to their career by learningSpanish, the Spanish trainingcourse offered by India’s lead-ing Ed-Tech company – HenryHarvin; founded by KounalGupta is the most feasiblechoice. Spanish Language

Training by Henry Harvinaims to enhance the interper-sonal skills of the candidatesand has been thoughtfullycrafted to acquaint the learnerswith excellent knowledge ofSpanish Language atIntermediate Levels.

The training session isdivided into six levels – A1-A2;B1-B2 and C1-C2. The courseis delivered by the mostrespected industry experts with15+ years of working experi-ence who impart the skills ofstructuring and delivering longspeeches in Spanish. The suc-cessful completion of thecourse allows you to attain thecertificate of Spanish LanguageTraining and is followed byregular bootcamps and intern-ship opportunities.

Cambridge institute: TheSpanish Learning courseoffered by Cambridge Institutefollows the common EuropeanFrame Work (CEF) that dividesSpanish in six levels includingA1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. All

the six levels train the studentswith every minute concept ofthe language; right from thebasic everyday expressions toconveying their thoughts flu-ently and spontaneously.

The institute is an affiliat-ed centre of FIDESCU and pro-vides training for D.I.E.(Diploma Internacional deEspañol). This certificationallows students to test theirknowledge and sharpen theirSpanish speaking skills effec-tively.

Instituto Hispania:Established in 1997, InstitutoHispania is one of the oldestSpanish Institutes in Delhi thatis known for providing anexceptional and high-qualityclass for the students to achievea higher Spanish ability.

Instituto Hispania’s entireprogram is divided into threebroad categories, which arefurther divided into a total of8 levels, ranging from HispanicUno (A1) to Hispanic Ocho(C1). The native and experi-

enced trainers, fully equippedclassrooms, exclusive studymaterial, effective teachingmethod, friendly environmentand some of the key factors thateasily prove the worth of thecourse.

The Instituto Cervantes:Affiliated to the Government ofSpain, Instituto Cervantes isanother popular institute oflearning Spanish. The courseoffered by The InstitutoCervantes is much more thanjust learning the language, it isthe opportunity to experienceand become familiar with thebroad range of Spanish-speak-ing cultures.

The institute has its ownsyllabus which establishes theappropriate foundations forthe teaching of universal, well-spoken Spanish, while respect-ing the variety found amongthe diverse Spanish-speakingcommunities.

L a n g u a g e N e x t :LanguageNext is a ForeignLanguage Institute that providesstudents with Spanish languagetraining regardless of their lin-guistic level. The course aims toprovide high quality and effec-tive sessions as second languageinstruction and a deeper under-standing of the Hispanic cul-ture, through cross-culturaleducation, personalised atten-tion and dynamic teachingmethods in a professional andfriendly environment.

��!/�"��

��!��"��#��

��*�/�� ./"��The University of

Sheffield, UK is inviting appli-cations for its MSc DataAnalytics course starting inSeptember 2021. This coursewill develop your skills inanalysing big data sets so thatyou can transform the infor-mation into actionable knowl-edge.

Duration: One yearEligibility: Holders of a

three-year bachelor degreewith a minimum of 60 percent or first class from a rep-utable university in a numer-ate discipline (computer sci-ence, mathematics, economics,engineering, physics, chem-istry). Overall IELTS score of6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 ineach component, or equiva-lent.

How to apply: Log on tohttps://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postg radu ate / taug ht / cour s -es/2021/data-analytics-msc [email protected].

�+�@��+��Sanskriti University,

Mathura invites online appli-cations for admission to diplo-ma, under graduate, and postgraduate programmes inEngineering, Management &Commerce, Education, SpecialEducation, Humanities &Social Sciences, Pharmacy,Agriculture, FashionDesigning, Law and LegalStudies, Yoga andNaturopathy, Tourism & HotelManagement, Medical &Allied Sciences, Basic &Applied Sciences, Ayurveda,Unani, and Nursing courses.

Eligibility: Applicationsare open to applicants whohave passed or will appear forthe qualifying examinationsunder the higher secondary(Class XII) from any recog-nised Board of Education suchas AISSCE/IB/ICSE/CBSE, orequivalents. For Admissionto diploma programmes,Students are required to havepassed the Class X examina-tion from any state or centralboard like CBSE/ICSE.

How to apply: Applicantsseeking admission are

requiredto fill an online applicationform available onwww.san-skriti.edu.in. The submissionof the Application Form canbe done online or in-person atthe University by depositing�1000. For online submission,visit thislink: https://www.san-skriti.edu.in/register. Theadmission prerequisites will bein accordance with the variousregulatory bodies as amendedfrom time to time.

L ast date to apply :September 30, 2021.

��The University of

Strathclyde, Glasgow invitesapplications for its MScEnvironmental Engineeringcourse at an additional entrypoint in January 2022.

MSc EnvironmentalEngineering is closely alignedwith industry’s demands, thiscourse meets the needs of:urban regeneration, land con-tamination management andenvironmental protection andinfrastructure investmentportfolios in Scotland andworldwide.

A distinctive feature ofthis course is its topical nature.Glasgow has been undergoingextensive urban regeneration,including building on landthat’s been contaminated inthe past.

Eligibility: Normally afirst-class or second-classhonours degree (or interna-tional equivalent) in engi-neering, earth sciences, envi-ronmental management, or abackground in the chemical,physical, biological or mathe-matical sciences.

How to apply: Log on tohttps://www.strath.ac.uk/cours-es/postgraduatetaught/envi-ronmentalengineering/#feesfunding.

��#��# ��"�%� �:��(#��"�$��%��%��6��+�&��)��$�� +��%��+��>��"�� 3��$��"�� #)��.�2,��;,��

COUNSELYOURWAYOUT

COUNSELYOURWAYOUT

,�,.��.��4��.<,��4.� �, � 4�� ,.�� ,11��-1� �� .��-�� /�),00��, �/� �� ,��/��, ��,��,��.�, ��-,�� .�,�� , ��,��

8��!��%��<�07�+�0!��,��$�8��%��-��

�� !��" �#�#�� $$%&'&$

��99

Some of the jobs we aredoing today never existedtill 10 years back and we

even do not know what is like-ly to happen in the coming 10years from now in the industryscenario in which we are work-ing in today. We don’t knowwhat the future will bring to usbut we know that it will bringchanges for sure. That meansthe job we are doing today couldbe different or even not exist inthe coming years.

To cope up with the futurechanges, we need to upgrade orchange our skills. If you fallbehind the time, then you willhave to struggle to sustain thechanges. With some strategiesand planning, you can blendwith the changing future suc-cessfully.

Embrace the change: Onething we need to learn frompandemics is to be always readyto embrace the change. Eventhough it is hard to change theold habit, but we can easily startwith a new habit. We shouldalways be ready to accept thechanges and be attentive to thenew opportunities. One yearago, remote working was a fan-tasy but now most of the com-panies are accepting it even inpost COVID-19 scenario.

Be tech-savy: Every year wesee many new inventions intechnology and even in thefuture, it is only going toupgrade itself. You shouldalways keep your technical

knowledge and skills up-to-date, even if it is not directlyconcerned with your current jobprofile. We cannot even thinkright now what kind of newopportunities will emerge in thetimes to come. Just like 10years ago we cannot think thatthere will be a job for socialmedia manager.

Be financially literate:Only 17% of citizens fromMaharashtra, 32% of citizensfrom Delhi, 21% of citizensfrom West Bengal and 13% ofcitizens from Punjab are finan-cially literate. Overall only 24%of the population is financiallyliterate. Developing countriesare not much better off, it is aglobal problem. Today the con-cept of budgeting is alien tomany millennials and evenolder people. To secure a futurewe need to be financially liter-ate and we must include finan-cial literacy in our school cur-

riculum.Invest wisely: Estimate says

you need at least $1 billion toretire if you want to live for 30years without working. Thekey to it is not to save aimless-ly but to make smart invest-ments. For e.g., if you are wor-ried about future medicalexpenses, you should take lifeinsurance that includes medicalcovers.

For that, you need to startearly, diversify your portfolio,divide your goals into shortterm and long term goals.

Expand your verticalsglobally: Remote working andflexible work timings hasopened up opportunities for youto work internationally. Lookbeyond and find out about theopportunities beyond bordersrelated to your sector. Be open-minded to new technology andattitude. Businesses now aremore globally and culturallydiverse, than ever before andyour clients, colleagues or stake-holders can be from differentparts of the world.

You can embrace your abil-ities to work globally throughworking in diverse cultures.You should look for assignmentsthat require international expo-sure and connections.

Just keep in mind that thefuture is going to bring oppor-tunities that are unexpected orbeyond our thinking, by takingsteps today you can prepareyourself for the future.

3% �� 4��5/��#��5�� <��5�� ((!4!

�"�""�� '(��-��3�� /��-��

The IPMAT is an aptitude test con-ducted by IIM Indore for its five-year course called the Integrated

Programme in Management (IPM). Itis an online exam and is conducted oncea year.

Here are some must-know pointsabout the exam. There are three sec-tions:� Quantitative Ability (MCQ type)� Quantitative Ability (Short answer

questions)� Verbal Ability (MCQ type)

The exam duration is two hours.Every right answer results in plus-4marks. Every wrong answer will resultin a minus-1 mark. The candidateshould have scored a minimum of 60 percent aggregate in Class X/SSC andClass XII/HSC or equivalent examina-tions.

TIPS TO PREPARE� Be ready to get surprised: Don’t com-

pletely rely on the previous year’spaper patterns. The pattern can bedifferent every year. The number ofquestions in each section may differfrom the given paper pattern. Thedifficulty of certain sections may alsobe very high, whereas for certain sec-tions the difficulty level might bemoderate or easy. Going with certainexpectations about the paper pattern

can disappoint you. So it’s better togo with no expectations and withconfidence in your preparation.

� Go out of the way for preparing forthe Quantitative reasoning section.The quantitative reasoning sectioncan be challenging. The candidateshould work hard and not hesitate inmaking extra efforts for the section.Solve every day without fail. Learnall the formulas by heart. Solve asmany mocks and as many practicepapers as possible. Buy enoughstudy material. Learn mental mathsto increase your calculation speed.

� Make different strategies for all thesections: Strategizing is extremelyimportant. Plan how you will pre-pare and how you will write theexam. Know how many minimumquestions you must attempt toachieve the score you desire. A Lotof time you will give to the sectionand how much maximum timeyou will spend on one question.Don’t waste more than 1 minute onquestions in the quant sections.Work on your mental math tech-niques.

� Be in the correct state of mind: Beconfident of the practice and hardwork you have done to prepare forthe section. Being calm and patientdoes wonder not just while prepar-

ing but also while appearing for theexam. Do not panic before or dur-ing the exam as it can wash away allthe hard work that you did beforefinally appearing for the exam.Being in the right mind will givemore effective results. Make sureyou reach the exam center on timeto avoid last-minute panic.

� Know your strengths and weakness-es: You need to know the topics thatyou are good at and the ones thatyou aren’t too good at. Try planningupon the questions you will preferattempting depending upon yourstrengths and weaknesses. This willreduce the probability of you losingmarks because of your wronganswers. Also, don’t be overconfi-dent about your strengths, anddon’t be ignorant of your weakness-es. Strive hard to convert yourweaknesses into strengths.

� Carry all the necessary documents:Make sure you carry all the neces-sary documents on the day of theexam. Carry your admit card andvalid identity proof. If you fail toprovide the required documentsyou would not be allowed to enterthe exam center. Also, carry all therequired study material that you willneed during the exam.

!��%��"'A �"�!5��'��

�� )�� "��"�� (<�&�%��+��%��#��

��"�%%��(��"��"��3��+��6 ��&��#� K��3� �� &�� &� ��#��$��+��-��" ��# ,(�� 0�� )��&��) ��1 ��.��<�&�%��),��"� ,�&��#�) ��% �&��) ��$�"��A.��B6 ��"��3��+��"�� $�� ,�#�� C)��764��%�&�%��)�� "��&��$��&� ��#��$� ��" ��3��#��$��"��%��)��%��)"�%%�� "��"� �"��) "��+�3$��# �%��) �� "�" ��#�%��6��3��$#�&��#��"(��"�%%��"��#��)��&� ��3��#��+� � ��"��&��#��"�� +��("��$�"��"�%� ��$��&� ��#��6��%��$��%�� ) &��!��

��/��(��%�� +�� #��-��<�� F�� <��"��#��%��&��#��

��(��"��$� ��#��-��<�� 6

��+%��#��$�%� ��$�� /��(��%��)"��%��3<��$��0��+�� +�$ ��$<�"��"� ��#��

,�<�4��+��#��+%��+��%�$�K� �(�$��$� �+��+��#��0��$��<��0��"��#�� )��A� �%��

"�� B)�� <��/��(��%��6

0��$��1��(��.�%�%��)��"��)�� <��)��! R��"��&��#�$��%�%��$��$ �%� ��>��%��&��"��6� ��#��-��<�� &��%��$��+�� )�� +��+� �� #��#%��(��$��"��$�� 6S

��$� �+��+� ��&��%�� "�� +�#��$��<�")<�)< �"��*��0��#��%%��$��+��"��"��&� �6

��"��-��#� /�5��3//��" *"�

-�+��"��*#�� /��/5�� 55�

5��-�"��" �� +.�� *�+� ��3"�"/.

!&$ ��

3A�0A!��07"� 'DA�'�A��3/�70,

!+'�'E��7!"�0�$��+��$�F

�88�!+'�+��3$A�5�!+�!�FA/

373� 'DA�'�D70�88F��'��70,�DA��

!+'�'E��<� '70,�70!+'��7,+!��703$788�,76'��A�'

'DD'"!76'��'�/8!�

1��''��%��

&�� &�6 "�� /6&"��&%�� %2�&�

��#�� "�� "��"� ��

$��+�#��(� ��&��"�� $��%6 ��"� ��+��(��$�� 0��+��"�� %��#�&��"��#�7��"��(� ��"�� $��+��($��"�$��6,��"�� #��&��$��%��+�� $+��()�(� � �(�"��"� ��(��#)"��&�� %�� &��#)�%�� #��"�)�� #��#��(� ��"�%��'�� "��"�� "��"� ��"��64��"� ��:��+� �� &��$��%�� U�� $��)��"�� %�3�� #��+��$��%��%�?��$��>��?��(��#�� 6

��9�� !��" �#�#�� $$%&'&$

�/"��

Ah i s t o r y - m a k i n gOlympic Gold in hispocket and having won

the 2018 CommonwealthGames and Asian Games titles,star javelin thrower NeerajChopra is now targeting a toppodium finish in the WorldAthletics Championships to beheld in USA next year.

The WorldChampionships was to be heldthis year in Eugene, Oregon, inUS but was pushed to 2022after the 2020 Tokyo Olympicswas postponed by one yeardue to the Covid-19 pandem-ic. It will now be held fromJuly 15-24, 2022.

“I have already won Goldin Asian Games andCommonwealth Games andnow an Olympic Gold. So mynext target is winning Gold inWorld Championships,”Chopra said during a pressconference arranged by theAthletics Federation of India(AFI) to felicitate him.

“World Championships isbig a competition and some-times tougher than theOlympics. I am not going to becontent with this OlympicGold and sit on this laurel. Iwould like to do even betterand win Gold again in AsianGames, CWG and again inOlympics.

“That is the medal whichis with Anju madam and Iwant to win it,” said Choprawith legendary Anju BobbyGeorge, who won a Bronze inthe 2003 WorldChampionships in Paris inwomen’s long jump, at hisside.

The 23-year-old superstaralso felt that his inclusion inthe national camp by AFI in2015 despite finishing fifthduring the National Games inKerala was a turning point inhis career.

Before joining the nation-al camp in early 2015, he wastraining at Tau Devi LalStadium at Panchkula afterbeing shifted from ShivajiStadium at Panipat.

“We did good training butthe facilities, equipment, dietwere not that good (atPanchkula) but once I joinedthe national camp (at NISPatiala) everything changed.

“I got better facilities, bet-ter diet and equipment onlyafter joining national camp.

And the most important thingis the feeling that I am train-ing along with the best javelinthrowers of this country. Thatis a different feeling.

“So, joining the nationalcamp changed my career andI want to thank the AFI forthat.”

After joining the nationalcamp, Chopra was first withlate Australian coach GaryCalvert. After that, he wasunder former world recordholder Uwe Hohn beforeswitching to train under bio-mechanics expert KlausBertonietz who accompaniedChopra to Tokyo.

“I respect Hohn sir, I wonGold in 2018 Asian Gamesand Commonwealth Gamesunder him. But his technicalapproach and style of trainingwas different. I told him thatI want to work with Klaus sir.

“His (Klaus’) training

plans were good and suitedme. He plans training accord-ing to the body of the athlete,he has also worked with a lotof athletes in different coun-tries.”

Asked if he now realisesthe magnitude of his feat,Chopra said, “I wasn’t believ-ing that I have won Gold. I wasasking myself whether this isa dream but I realised that theGold medal is with me. So thisis not a dream.”

Chopra said he will haveto make changes in the angleof release of the javelin to beable to cross the 90m mark.

“90m mark is my dreamand I will have to work withmy coach to achieve that. Iwanted to do it this year butOlympic Gold is there, themost important thing.”

Kamalpreet Kaur, who fin-ished sixth in the women’s dis-cus throw, rued the lack ofinternational competitionsbefore the Olympics due to thepandemic.

“I did not get internation-al competitions beforeOlympics. I hope to do betterin World Championships nextyear,” said Kaur.

“My coach (Rakhi Tyagi)told me not to be overawed bythe reputation of the competi-tors and I just did that. I wastrying for my personal best butcould not do that.”

Avinash Sable, who set anew national record in men’s3000m steeplechase but failedto qualify for the final, said hewas infected by Covid-19twice before the Olympics.

The men’s 4x400m relayquartet of Mohammed AnasYahiya, Rajiv Arokia, NoahTom Nirmal and Amoj Jacob,who shattered the Asianrecord but failed to qualify forthe final, were also present.

HOHN ON HIS WAY OUTFormer world record

holder and national javelincoach Uwe Hohn is on his wayout as his contract, whichruns till the end of TokyoOlympics, is unlikely to beextended further.

The 59-year-old German

3��0��%��$� ��6�%�

!��A�� ,��%��0��.�"��%��5��B9��C��.�3�-��0�%�3��!�� .��33��G!��

-� ��)� ��-��/��!�� =�� ,��/"��

The day Neeraj Choprascripted history by win-

ning Olympic Gold medal atTokyo Olympics, August 7, willbe celebrated as National JavelinDay by the Athletics Federationof India (AFI).

The 23-year-old Choprabecame only the second Indianto win an individual OlympicGold in Tokyo on Saturdaywhen he clinched the yellowmetal in javelin throw with abest effort of 87.58m.

“To encourage javelinthrow pan-India, we will cele-brate August 7 as NationalJavelin Day and from next yearonwards our affiliated unitswill hold javelin competitions intheir respective states,” AFI’sPlanning Commission chair-

man Lalit Bhanot said during afelicitation function of the ath-letes, including Chopra.

“After that we will haveinter-district competitions andwe will provide javelins(because there will be lot manyrequired). We will enlarge thecompetitions in the comingyears to become a nationalevent.”

The AFI started NationalOpen Javelin ThrowChampionships in 2018 and itsthird edition is scheduled inOctober this year.

“I am feeling good that theAFI is making my achievementto be remembered in the daysto come. I will be happy if myachievement becomes a reasonto inspire the youngsters of thiscountry to take athletics, espe-cially javelin,” Chopra said.

was appointed as chief coachin November 2017 for oneyear to train the likes ofOlympic champion javelinthrower Neeraj Chopa, otherTokyo Olympians ShivpalSingh and Annu Rani.

“He (Hohn) is on way

out. His contract is unlikely tobe extended by SAI (SportsAuthority of India),” a sourceprivy to the development said.

It is learnt that Hohn,whose 104.80m throw in 1984led to change in javelin designin 1986 and restarting of worldrecords, had demanded 50per cent hike in his salary,which is to be tax-free, besidesfirst class air tickets.

His original contract wasworth �1.09 crore a year, plus

boarding, lodging, medicalfacilities and leave travel. Hewanted to increase it to �1.64crore a year when the contractwas up for renewal in October2020.

“SAI in 2020 hadinformed him that hisdemands were unreasonableand unacceptable since theresult of the throwers he wastraining did not warrant anincrease of �55 lakh,” sourcesin the SAI said.

) aRceZVd WZ_VU W`c YZUZ_X TR_UZUReVd¶ TcZ^Z_R]Zej

Documents

Transcript of ) aRceZVd WZ_VU W`c YZUZ_X TR_UZUReVd¶ TcZ^Z_R]Zej