CoWIN upgraded, 1 cr. can register for jab daily - Tenhard India

CMYK

A ND-NDE

monday, march 29, 2021 Delhi

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Jarkiholi supporters

protest against Congress

leader D.K. Shivakumar

page 8

Trinamool Congress

accuses Election

Commission of bias

page 9

Suicide bomb hits

Palm Sunday Mass in

Indonesia, 20 wounded

page 11

Shardul, Bhuvneshwar

shine as India claims

series in thrilling fi��nish

page 13

EDUCATION PLUS A PAGE 5

The National InvestigationAgency (NIA) on Sundaytook suspended Mumbai Police offi��cer Sachin Vaze to theMithi river here and recovered a digital video recorder (DVR), CPUs, a laptop

and two number plates withthe help of divers, a police offi��cer said.

The NIA is probing thecases of the recovery of anexplosivesladen sports utility vehicle found outside thesouth Mumbai residence ofindustrialist Mukesh Ambani

last month, and the subsequent murder of businessman Mansukh Hiran, whowas said to be in possessionof the vehicle.

The agency also recoveredrouters, computer cartridgesand other items from the river, the offi��cer said. The DVR

was allegedly removed fromthe housing society in Thanewhere Mr. Vaze lives.

The NIA team took him tothe spot in Bandra KurlaComplex around 3 p.m., theoffi��cer said.

NIA fi��shes out DVR, number plates in Vaze casePress Trust of India

Mumbai

CONTINUED ON A PAGE 8

The CoWIN platform, forCOVID19 vaccination registration, has been ramped upto accept one crore registrations and record vaccinationof 50 lakh persons daily, saidR.S. Sharma, Chairman, Empowered Group on COVID19vaccination.

Mr. Sharma said the system has been geared up toaccommodate the registration rush and vaccinationload anticipated from April1, when vaccination will beoff��ered to everyone above45. The system on Sundayshowed more than 6 croreregistrations.

‘Continuous process’“Upgrading the system is acontinuous process, the system has been acclimatised totake on the load that is expected. We have seen thetrends so far and the number of people seeking thevaccine has grown. The system is operating at four levels — the one that is open topublic (for registration), theverifi��cation level, platformmanagement (open to hospitals giving the vaccine) andthe certifi��cate generation,”Mr. Sharma said.

Stating that this “100% governmentrun” system isequipped to off��er privacy,Mr. Sharma, however, ad

mitted that there were reports of errors in registration from several parts of thecountry.

“During selfregistrationand spot registration we areseeking only three basic information — name, genderand the year of birth. We expect that this will be provided correctly by the benefi��ciaries,” he said.

Mr. Sharma added thatcurrently the CoWIN systemdoes not schedule the appointment for the seconddose of the vaccine automatically, and benefi��ciariesshould schedule this as per

the recommended gap between the two doses.

62, 714 casesIndia registered 62,714 freshcases and 312 deaths in the24 hours till 8 a.m on Sunday.

Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Punjab,Gujarat, Madhya Pradeshand Tamil Nadu accountedfor 81.46% of the new cases,a Union Health Ministrystatement said.

CoWIN upgraded, 1 cr.can register for jab dailyCapacity raised ahead of roll-out of vaccine for all above 45

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

NEW DELHI


MAHARASHTRA CM CALLS FOR

LOCKDOWN PLAN A PAGE 10

Defence Minister RajnathSingh and CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury onSunday clashed over the Kerala government’s decision toinstitute a judicial inquiryagainst Central agencies investigating the UAE consulatelinked gold smugglingcase.

Both leaders were in Kerala for electioneering and metthe press separately.

Mr. Singh said the LDF government’s move was unconstitutional in bringing

the Central law enforcementagencies within the ambit ofa judicial commission of inquiry. It refl��ected a certainuneasiness that the investigative and regulatory agencies were edging closer tothe truth, he said, adding

that the bogey of a judicialprobe would not deter them.

Mr. Yechury counteredMr. Singh and said the Stateswere well within their rightsto limit cooperation with theCentral government on issues that infringed on their

constitutional rights. “TheDefence Minister must reread the Constitution. NoCentral agency can interfereor work in any State withoutthe concurrence of the Stateconcerned. If the State is notwilling to give the concurrence, then it has to get ajudicial intervention. It cannot be a direct interventionlike what is being done now.”

The LDF government’s decision on Friday to set a panel to probe the alleged jurisdictional overreach andpolitical bias of Central agencies has reignited the debateon the BJPled administration’s perceived trespasseson federalism.

Rajnath, Yechury spar over Kerala probePoll campaignsees debate onState rights Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram


The Centre has told the Assam government that “rejection slips” should be issued immediately to thoseexcluded from the fi��nal National Register of Citizens(NRC) which was publishedin 2019.

More than 19 lakh of the3.29 crore applicants in Assam were left out of the fi��nal register that took fi��veyears to compile and cost₹��1,220 crore.

NRC rejectionslips to beissued soon

Vijaita Singh

New Delhi

FULL REPORT ON A PAGE 10

The Centre plans to issue a14digit identifi��cation number to every plot of land inthe country within a year.

It will subsequently integrate its land records database with revenue court records and bank records, aswell as Aadhaar numbers ona voluntary basis, accordingto a parliamentary standingcommittee report submittedto the Lok Sabha last week.

The Unique Land ParcelIdentifi��cation Number (ULPIN) scheme has beenlaunched in 10 States thisyear and will be rolled outacross the country by March2022, the Department ofLand Resources told theStanding Committee on Rural Development.

An offi��cial, who did notwish to be named, describedit as “the Aadhaar for land”— a number that would uniquely identify every sur

veyed parcel of land and prevent land fraud, especially inrural India, where land records are outdated and disputed. The identifi��cationwill be based on the longitude and latitude of the landparcel, and is dependent ondetailed surveys and georeferenced cadastral maps, according to a presentation bythe Department in September 2020.

Centre mulls unique ID for allplots of land by March 2022ULPIN database to be linked with revenue court records

Priscilla Jebaraj

NEW DELHI


The Delhi High Court hasruled that there is nothingto substantiate the claimby those residing at Extended Lal Dora Abadi ofBhati village here that theyare all originalinhabitants.

Justice Jayant Nath alsovacated the court’s November 18, 2019 order asking authorities to maintainstatus quo with regard toany decision on demolition in the village situatedin south Delhi’s notifi��edRidge area.

The HC order came ona plea fi��led by Bari Bhatiand Chhoti Bhati Residents’ Welfare Associationwhich claimed that the occupants of Extended LalDora Abadi of Bhati villageare all original inhabitants, descended from acommon ancestor.

The association alsosought to settle the rightsof the inhabitants of thevillage as “other traditional forest dwellers” in accordance with the Scheduled Tribes and OtherTraditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of ForestRights) Act, 2006.

Their plea stated thatthe inhabitants of Bhativillage are of Gurjar tribe,which is a traditional herder community engagedin cowherding and sheeprearing. Only a small portion of village land wascultivated to grow grainfor sale/consumption.

HC denies reliefto residents of‘extended area’in Bhati village Soibam Rocky Singh

New Delhi

Capital sees 1,881 cases,highest in three monthsNEW DELHI

Delhi reported 1,881

COVID19 cases on Sunday,

the highest in over three

months, while the positivity

rate rose to 2.35%, the

Health Department said.

CITY A PAGE 3

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NEARBY

Part of Dwarka e-waycollapses, three hurtGURUGRAM

A portion of an under

construction elevated road

on Dwarka Expressway,

connecting Delhi and

Gurugram, collapsed on

Sunday morning. Three

persons suff��ered injuries.

CITY A PAGE 3

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BRIDGINGTHE GAPes can never match that of physical classrooms. There were network issues due to which weeven had to change the format ofour midterm examinations.Even though professors tried tohelp, the lack of proper discussions in class was a big disadvantage,” she said.

“Finding a place at home to attend these online classes was also an issue. I have two other siblings and initially we did nothave enough devices for all threeof us to attend classes simultaneously,” added Ms. Saxena, a native of Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur.

At the school level, the number of hours spent in front of thescreen as well as lack of continuous supervision by an adult hasled to its own set of problems.GeetaBisht, who bought a smartphone for her son to attend online classes, says that she wasshocked during a parent teacherinteraction when told that herson had not been attending class

As COVID19 cases continueto rise in the city after atwomonth remission, the

hope that students had nurturedof returning to classrooms hasbeen dashed. With online classescontinuing to play the role of thesubstitute, students from acrossage groups have started to feelthe loss.

Patchy Internet connectivity,missed internship or extracurricular opportunities, lack of“school or college life” and navigating through home to fi��nd aplace conducive for study aresome of the issues studentspointed out while looking back atthe past year when classes wentvirtual.

For Harshul Singh, a secondyear Political Science (Hons) student, studying in DU had alwaysbeen an aspiration. However, before he could even complete hisfi��rst year in the university, he wasforced to return to Saharanpur inUttar Pradesh, his native place,due to the pandemic and the subsequent lockdown.

Problems aplenty

“I have always had the aspirationto be in Delhi University and apart of the intellectual community. While the lockdown has beenan introspective one, things werenot convenient. Sitting behind ascreen with poor connectivityand in an environment not conducive to attending classes wasnot easy. The lack of access to libraries was an added issue. Overall, in the past year we have missed out on the essence of being apart of DU,” said Mr. Singh.

Talking about the diff��erence inthe quality of learning, RamjasCollege student Sneha Saxenasaid: “The quality of online class

es. “Once I went back to my job, Iwould leave my son at home withthe phone unsupervised. He wasbusy playing games and chattingwith friends. I feel that he haslost out completely on a year. Atfi��rst we took it as a positive thatwe can spend time as a family.But now, online class is no substitute,” Ms. Bisht said.

Missing campus life

Although online classes can tickthe boxes of having fi��nished covering the syllabus, students studying at premier schools or colleges feel they have missed outon the “experience” of studyingat an institution that is irreplaceable. Navya Jain, a student of Indraprastha College for Women,lamented: “What I have missedthe most in the last one year isthe college experience that onelooks forward to. Online classesare not as interactive as regularclasses as most of the times people have their videos off�� and it isnot the same.”

Several students also spokeabout the “lack of connect” toprofessors, fellow classmates andthe courses.

Veerangana Chauhan, a student of Political Science in LadyShri Ram College for Women,said: “It feels like I am not beingable to do anything properlythese days. The most importantfactor is lack of connect withwhatever I am trying to pursue.There are 80 people in our classand often with online teaching,professors are not able to devoteindividual time to all. These dayseven if there are tutorials scheduled, I am more concernedabout saving data for the classes.Attending classes from home wasanother challenge as distractionswere aplenty with family members around.”

Lack of internships was anotherdrawback. “When I started college,I was looking forward to an overallexperience including opportunitiesto get good internships. Under current circumstances, the scope for

such opportunities is no longer possible. I was a part of the debatingsociety among others most ofwhich I have had to let go now,” saidMs. Chauhan.

Lack of discussions inside andoutside classrooms have aff��ectedthe teachinglearning process over the past year, according toprofessors. Tanvir Aeijaz, professor at Ramjas College, said: “Initially the feeling was that this isgoing to last momentarily andthat we will all be back soon. Butat this point, teachers are worried and frustrated. The vibrantdiscussions in classrooms aremissing in online classes. It hasbecome more like someone giving sermons. Usually most of thelearning is done outside classrooms, which is no longer an option now.”

Teachers’ apprehension

Teachers have other doubts too.“In the backdrop of the New Education Policy (NEP) there is alsoapprehension among teachersthat the government is pushingfor online classes. Any policywhich is topdown will have itsrepercussions if the primary stakeholders are not taken into account,” said Mr. Aeijaz.

While at the school level, parents have been scepticalabout sending their students back to school due tothe virus, at the universitylevel, student groups havebeen demanding thereopening of colleges at the earliest.Students feelthat the digitaldividehas created a gap

that will be very diffi��cult tobridge as students are not allowed on campus immediately.

The Students’ Federation ofIndia along with other organisations that held a protest and hunger strike to demand reopeningof campuses earlier this monthsaid: “Students want campusesto reopen. There are so many infrastructural facilities, librariesand laboratories that studentsare restricted from accessing,thus decreasing the quality oftheir educational experience.Many students relied on these easily available resources on theircampuses and university areasbut the prolonged lockdown hasreduced their opportunities. It isvery evidently exclusionary andagainst the interests of the student community.”

Changing face

To help bridge the gap, EdTechcompanies have launched anumber of innovative productsto help create a favourable learning experience. When the lockdown happened, not many institutions were prepared to dealwith shifting to online classes butas the year went along, solutionswere found to leap over many ofthe hurdles.

Chandrabhanu Pattajoshi, founder of Glossaread, a platform that helpsin making higher education more accessible andconvenient, says that des

pite the challengingtimes, his company

has seen an exponential growth interms of expansion. “The EdTech industry

has undergone

a seachange

with the shift towards onlinelearning and greater adoption oftechnology tools. The lockdownhas caused the transition from offl��ine to online, especially for Indian education system at a muchfaster pace with classes, doubtsolving sessions, remedial andeven assessments moving online,” Mr. Pattajoshi said.

He added that in a postpandemic world, we will see a blendof online and offl��ine learning inhigher education. The industrybelieves that in the comingmonths and years, more students will prefer to study onlineand access content or study material online as it also addresseschallenges such as expensivebooks, poor library infrastructure, multiple and fragmentedsources of study material and thesheer amount of time one takesin gathering the relevant studymaterial.

SumeetMehta, cofounder andCEO of LEAD, an EdTech company, observed that adoption oftechnology has been brought forward by a couple of years andthat most schools undertook a‘jugaad’ to set up online learningto make up for school shutdown.

However, he feels that goingforward as the school reopens,there is a need to cover the learning gaps from last year and hencebridging courses are imperative.“Schools need to follow hybridschooling which gives an optionto switch between school modes[offl��ine/online] and let theschools decide the days studentswill attend online class or physical school. Despite the challenging environment, we need tocontinuously add value and reinvent our learning models as wemove away from the analogueworld to the postCOVID world,”Mr. Mehta said.

Virtual school

An indicator to the change theCOVID19 had brought to learning can be seen from the announcement made by the Delhi government during the budget thatit plans to launch a Virtual DelhiModel School. Education Minister Manish Sisodia said that theschool will be based on the principle of “anywhere living, anytime learning, anytime testing”and it will not have four walls or abuilding but there will be children, teachers, regular teachinglearning, examinations and assessments.

“It will be a unique experiment in itself, and will probablybe the fi��rst virtual school in theworld. This will benefi��t studentsin Delhi as well as all those children who live in any part of thecountry but want to benefi��t fromthe Delhi education model,” Mr.Sisodia said.

A year has passed since virtual learning became commonplace.While students say they miss the essence of campus life and are faced with technical glitches, EdTech companies arelaunching innovative products and are pushing for a blend of online and offl��ine learning in higher education

Students attending online class in the Capital; a mother helping herdaughter with virtual learning. * SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA AND R.V. MOORTHY

Shinjini Ghosh

Jaideep Deo Bhanj

NEW DELHI

A 43yearold Nigerian national died after allegedlybeing hit on the head by apoliceman in west Delhi’sTilak Nagar on Sunday. Thepolice, however, deniedthe allegations and said thedeceased was not assaultedby them.

The man, LeohandLyeanyi, used to live inKrishna Puri of Tilak Nagararea, a senior police offi��cersaid.

Nigerian nationals, laterin the day, created ruckusat Tilak Nagar following hisdeath.

The police said that theNigerian nationals brokeglass at DDU Hospital. Theyattacked local people onthe road. When offi��cialsfrom the High Commissionof Nigeria came to meetthem, they were also assaulted by a violent moband their vehicle wasvandalised.

The family members ofLyeanyi have alleged thathe died after being hit bythe police.

On the other hand, thepolice said that the deceased was not hit by themand there was no fresh external injury on the body.

A senior police offi��cersaid they received information about Lyeanyi’s deathat around 3.30 a.m. onSunday from the DDU Hospital.

Two cases have been registered against the violentmob, police said, addingthat a probe is on in thematter.

Foreigner dies after being ‘hit by police’

STAFF REPORTER

NEW DELHI

To overcome power shortagein operating kitchens at theGhazipur border protest site,protesters on Sunday installed a 5KW solar panel.

Protesters said that the solar panel will help them keeprunning fridges, rotimakermachines and fans insidekitchens. The decision was taken after they failed to get anyhelp from the local administration, they said.

“We decided to switch tosolar power as it is a cleansource of energy. Power generators operating on dieselcould be an option, but not apermanent solution as it willcause pollution,” said Bhoopinder Singh, a protester.

The solar panel was inaugurated by farmers’ leader Rakesh Tikait. “We have installed it under ‘our home,our electricity’ plan. In future, we will be installingmore solar panels at the Gha

zipur protest site to meetpower demand. The panelhas been fi��xed on a rotatabletable to ensure it gets maximum exposure to the sun,”said Mr. Tikait, adding that“not withdrawing farm lawswill be the biggest mistake ofthis government”.

Another protester said thatthey have constructed morethatch to keep the roof oftheir tents cool. They will alsosprinkle water on it in case of

intense heat. “We are continuously making changes at theprotest site to keep the protesters safe because this fi��ghtis going to be big and theyhave to be prepared for anysituation. We all have madesuch houses in our villages.All farmers are skilled in making chappar [thatch] andknow the construction techniques to get cool air,” said Vinod Chaudhary, a farmer.

Farmers will gather to

burn the copies of the farmlaws as part of ‘Holika Da-han’ celebrations on Sunday.“We have invited securitypersonnel deployed at theGhazipur border to come andcelebrate Holi with us,” saidAmbrish Singh, another protester.

Power cut on SundayBKUTikait claimed that electricity was cut off�� at the agitation site on Sunday. “Thepower supply on the DelhiMeerut Expressway above thefl��yover has been disrupted forseveral days. On Sunday, thepower below the fl��yover wasalso cut off��,” said a statementfrom the union’s spokesperson Dharmendra Malik.

On Sunday, BKU leader Mr.Tikait warned that if powerwas not restored, farmerswould obstruct toll collectionon all U.P.’s national highways. After this, power wasrestored around 6 p.m., saidthe statement.

Ghazipur protest site gets solarpanel to fi��ght power shortageProtesters say they failed to get any help from the local administration

SAURABH TRIVEDI

NEW DELHI

Farmers burning copies of farm laws on the occassion of HolikaDahan at Ghazipur border on Sunday. * SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA

A 50yearold man was arrested along with his son forallegedly being involved insnatching incidents. He saidhe was stocking gold for hisdaughter’s marriage, thepolice said on Sunday.

The accused have beenidentifi��ed as Sarvapal Singhalias Ginni and JasmeetSingh alias Mocki (24), residents of Bhadurgarh in Haryana, they said.

The police said that on February 17, a case was registered where the complainant alleged that twopersons snatched her goldchain and ran away on ablack scooter.

The rider was wearing ahelmet while the pillion rider was wearing mask, thepolice said.

On March 17, the accusedsnatched a gold chain ofanother person in Dabriarea, they said.

“During investigation, thepolice identifi��ed the scooter

used in the snatching incidents. The police got a tipoff�� that the owner was livingon rent at Bahadurgarh.They raided the area and apprehended both the accused,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka)Santosh Kumar Meena said.

Mr. Sarvapal used to weara black mask, a black helmet, and hide the front number plate by pasting whitepaper on the last four digitsand rear number plate byputting mud on it, the DCPsaid. He also took his son Jasmeet along with him. Heused to come towards Delhi,snatched gold chains and returned to Bahadurgarh, thepolice said.

Mr. Sarvapal disclosedthat he wanted to stock goldfor the marriage of hisdaughter, who is already engaged. The marriage is duein two months. Mr. Sarvapalhad lost his job during thelockdown while his son is acollege drop out, said a police offi��cer.

He stocked gold for daughter’s wedding

STAFF REPORTER

NEW DELHI

Man, son arrested forsnatching gold in Delhi

Two persons sustainedinjuries in a road accident, which involved aDelhi Transport Corporation bus and a motorcycle in northeast Delhi’s Jyoti Nagar area, thepolice said on Sunday.

The incident happened on Saturdaynight, the police added.

The persons, who sustained injuries, were riding the twowheeler, asenior police offi��cer said,adding that they wereadmitted to Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital in theCapital.

A fi��rst information report has been registeredin connection with theincident, the senior police offi��cer said.

Driver apprehendedThe offi��cer added thatthe DTC bus has beenseized and the driver hasbeen apprehended.

Two injured in roadaccident inJyoti Nagar

Press Trust of India

New Delhi

The Delhi High Court has ordered a man, who publiclyassaulted a woman at PVRcomplex, to do a onemonthcommunity service at a deaddiction centre here afterthe victim said she did notwant to pursue the case anyfurther.

Justice Subramonium Prasad said, “Since the complainant does not want to pursuethe case, it would be futile tocontinue with theprosecution.”

“However, looking at thefacts and the conduct of thepetitioner [VikramjeetSingh], this court is inclinedto direct the petitioner to do

some social service to atonefor his sins. He is also warnednot to repeat such actions infuture,” Justice Prasadadded.

As per the complaint registered by the woman at Vikaspuri police station, on July 15 last year, at about 4.30p.m., after fi��nishing work atoffi��ce, she was sitting at PVR

complex on the backside ofPVR slums beside an opengym with three colleagues.Mr. Singh came towardsthem and started talking. Hesaid he was a millionaire. However, he was asked to goaway and he left. He returned after ten minutestried to speak to the womanagain. When she tried leave,

rassed in the proceedings initiated against the petitioner,” the court noted.

“A perusal of the complaint shows that the petitioner has acted in a veryhighhanded manner,” theHigh Court said.

The High Court also imposed a cost of ₹�1 lakh on Mr.Singh.

The woman stated beforethe High Court that she andMr. Singh have amicably settled the matter and no usefulpurpose would be served incontinuing the proceedings

“In the present case, it isthe victim who is the ultimate suff��erer. She has beenharassed by the petitionerand she is being further ha

Mr. Singh held her hand andtwisted it behind her back.She also complained that hehad hit her on her face andhit her with his bag.

As she raised an alarm, people started gathering andMr. Singh fl��ed. On the basisof her complaint, he was arrested on July 21 and later released on bail.

HC orders assault case accused to do community service at deaddiction centre Staff Reporter

New Delhi

CMYK

A ND-NDE

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DELHI THE HINDU

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 20212EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

CITY

0DISCLAIMER: Readers are requested toverify and make appropriate enquiries tosatisfy themselves about the veracity ofan advertisement before responding toany published in this newspaper. THGPUBLISHING PVT LTD., the Publisher &Owner of this newspaper, does not vouchfor the authenticity of any advertisementor advertiser or for any of the advertiser’sproducts and/or services. In no event canthe Owner, Publisher, Printer, Editor, Dir-ector/s, Employees of this newspaper/company be held responsible/liable inany manner whatsoever for any claimsand/or damages for advertisements inthis newspaper.

Discourse on SrimadRamayanam from todayNEW DELHI

Akhila Bharata Sadhu

Samajam will organise a

discourse on Srimad

Ramayanam by Sri Krishna

Premi Swamigal at Sri

Rajaram Temple in

Dasarathpuri at 7 p.m. from

March 29 to April 6 .

IN BRIEF

Timings

DELHI

MONDAY, MAR. 29

RISE 06:15 SET 18:38

RISE 19:23 SET 06:44

TUESDAY, MAR. 30

RISE 06:14 SET 18:38

RISE 20:31 SET 07:22

WEDNESDAY, MAR. 31

RISE 06:13 SET 18:39

RISE 21:40 SET 08:02

When Vartika Nanda, a prison reformer, visited

Panipat Jail a week ago totalk to the inmates aboutthe newly launched ‘Jail Radio’, an 80yearold convicttold her that he was feelingelated for the fi��rst time eversince he was in jail.

“It was a very interestingconversation. He has beenin prison for a long time.He told me that since hisentry into this jail, he washappy for the fi��rst time.When asked about the reason behind his smile, hetold me that he was to present Ragini [local folk theatrical performance] on JailRadio that day,” recalledDr. Nanda while speakingto The Hindu. Her foundation “Tinka Tinka” haslaunched this ‘Jail Radio’project in Haryana jails in

collaboration with theState government.

“This is what we want,”emphasised Dr. Nanda, referring to the conversationwith the elderly convict.Though Dr. Nanda’s journey as a prison reformerstarted around a decadeago when she launched“Tinka Tinka” in 2013 to“contribute to society in aserious manner”, her association with Haryana jails isjust two years old.

“I was working on abook on prison radio in2019 when I approachedthe Haryana government.It was quite surprising thatTihar [ Jail] had it, but Delhi’s nextdoor neighbourdidn’t. This is how it started, and we divided ourwork for Jail Radio intophases,” said Dr. Nanda,Head of Journalism Department, Lady Shri RamCollege.

In the fi��rst phase, threeprisons in Haryana — Panipat and Faridabad districtjails and Ambala CentralJail — were taken up for theproject and ‘Jail Radio’ wasset up. Panipat was the fi��rstto get it on January 16 thisyear. It was followed by setting up of a ‘Jail Radio’ inFaridabad on January 28and in Ambala on March 8.“It is an inhouse production run by the inmates.The programmes arebroadcast from a studio inside the premises andreach to the inmatesthrough speakers in thebarracks. We mostly playBollywood songs but alsoencourage them to presenttheir own programmessuch as playing musical instruments or presenting raginis,” said Devi Dyal, Supe

rintendent, Panipat Jail. Inthe second phase, the project will be launched infour more jails and thepreparations for it are almost done

Important aspect

Dr. Nanda said the most important aspect of the project was that “it is for the inmates”. “No commercialinterest, no outside intervention, no ads, and nocommercial breaks,” sheremarked. Dr. Nanda saidthe aim was to bring outthe inmates’ creativity, givethem meaningful engagement. “These inmateswould go back to societyone day. It is, therefore, important that they are givena meaningful intervention.Many of these repent andregret what happened in

the past. They need healing,” she said.

The prisons were lookedat from the point of view ofpunishment, said Dr. Nanda, adding that she wasworking on her own “TinkaModel” of prisons lookingat them from the humanside. “How human resources can be best utilised? Thisis how my model of prisonsis being designed,” said Dr.Nanda, author of threebooks on the subject. In thefi��rst phase, 21 inmates, including fi��ve women, wereshortlisted from among 70to be deployed as “radiojockeys”.

In the second phase, 26inmates, including a transgender, have been trained.

“We were looking for people who were interested,wanted to bring a change

and had energy and passion didn’t want anybodyto come with a baggage,”said Dr. Nanda. In just sixdays, these inmates weretrained to take up theirnew roles.

Mr. Dyal said the “Jail Radio” was now a big hit andhe was getting a lot of requests from the inmates tobe the “Radio Jockeys”. InPanipat Jail, the “Tinka Tinka” foundation has also setup a library adjoining thestudio. Director General ofPrisons, Haryana, K. Selvaraj, said the project was received well and the government planned to extend itto all 19 jails in the State, except Palwal and Rewari,which may be taken up later.

“The project is very useful in these times when wehave to create awarenessamong the inmates. It alsohas an entertainment quotient. We plan to take upfi��ve jails each in the nexttwo phases,” said Mr.Selvaraj.

With plans to take theproject beyond Haryana tojails across the country, Dr.Nanda refl��ected that she always wanted to prove thatif you do something with apure heart, you always succeed, but she never expected huge support for her endeavour and this was its “biggest beauty”.

Inmates tuneinto new

talents with‘Jail Radio’

Some prisoners become radiojockeys at the inhouse radio

station, others play instruments

Prison reformer VartikaNanda with Panipat JailSuperintendent Devi Dyalat the studio inside the jail.

* SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Ashok Kumar

GURUGRAM

A section of the underconstruction elevated road onDwarka Expressway collapsed, injuring three labourers, the police said onSunday.

The collapse on the National Highway 248BB,which connects Delhi andGurugram, is the secondsuch incident in the latter inless than a year.

Similar incidentA portion of the underconstruction elevated corridorhad collapsed on GurugramAlwar Highway in a similarway in August last year.

The undererection spanand the adjoining span ofthe elevated corridor on thehighway came crashingdown near DaultabadChowk at 7.30 a.m. alongwith the launcher with adeafening sound heard in aradius of several hundredkilometres.

“Of the three labourerswho sustained injures, twoof them had superfi��cial injuries and one had fractures.We are recording the statements of the three followingwhich a case would be registered,” said Deepak Saharan, Deputy Commissionerof Police (West).

Around two dozen labourers working on the

night shift had a miraculousescape as they left the sitejust minutes before the collapse.

“Around 2025 labourerswere present at the construction site standing ontop of the section 10 minutesbefore the collapse. Thoughtheir shift ends around 8a.m., they left early today[on Sunday] because of Holi.It is Sunday so the labourersfor the next shift did notcome,” said Rajbir Singh, aneyewitness.

Dharmendra Yadav, whowas in a crane parked underthe section, also escaped unhurt. “Just minutes after I

parked the crane under it, Iheard a faint creakingsound. I looked outside tosee dust falling from the top.Even before I could fi��gureout anything, the two slabscame crashing down. Luckily, they did not land on thevehicle,” said Dharemendra.

Rohit Chaudhary, a resident of Paras Dews in Sector106, said he went rushing tohis fl��at’s balcony when heheard a loud thud. Hethought maybe a plane hadcrashed, but he soon spotted the collapsed portion ofthe corridor on the highway.

The National HighwaysAuthority of India, in a press

statement, said an expertcommittee was being constituted to ascertain the reasonfor failure leading to the accident and the key offi��cialsof the contractor and supervision consultant weresuspended.

“The authority hasviewed the incident seriously and pending the outcomeof the investigation by thecommittee, the personnelconcerned of the ContractorM/s L&T and SupervisionConsultant M/s AECOM havebeen suspended as per Standard Operating Procedure ofthe NHAI,” read thestatement.

Three hurt as section of elevatedroad on Dwarka E-way collapses2025 labourers left site 10 minutes before the accident; NHAI forms committee

Ashok Kumar

GURUGRAM

Three labourers were injured after a section of the under-construction elevated road onDwarka Expressway collapsed on Sunday. * MANOJ KUMAR

A gangster, who had escaped custody, was killedfollowing an exchange offi��re with policemen in Rohini on Sunday, the policesaid.

Teams from Special Celland Crime Branch wereworking to nab Kuldeepalias Fajja. The raid wasconducted at a fl��at in Rohini’s Sector 14 at 1.45 a.m.

Tipoff�� from accompliceThe Special Cell said theygot a tipoff�� on Saturdaythat Kuldeep was hiding ina fl��at at Tulsi Apartments.

They got the informationfrom Kuldeep’s accomplice,Bhupinder Mann, who wasarrested at 9.30 p.m. on thesame day. Next, the policesaid they made a strategybecause the fl��at was locatedin a residential area and unplanned operation could

have been dangerous. Theychoose night time as therewould be less movement inthe gated society.

“Police reached the areaand raided the fl��at. Theyasked Kuldeep to surrender, but he opened fi��re atpolice. In retaliation, policefi��red and Kuldeep suff��eredinjures. He was rushed tothe Baba Saheb AmbedkarHospital at Rohini where hewas declared broughtdead,” said Deputy Com

missioner of Police (SpecialCell) Pramod SinghKushwah.

Around 20 rounds werefi��red — eight by Kuldeep,said an offi��cer. The fl��at belonged to Yogender Dahiya,also an accomplice of Kuldeep. He has been arrested,they said.

A senior offi��cer said theescape plan for Kuldeepwas hatched by his accomplices to revive the Gogigang.

How he escapedOn March 25 afternoon,Kuldeep escaped from custody after a gunfi��ght brokeout at GTB Hospital in eastDelhi. At the hospital, theassailants fi��rst threw chillipowder at the police teamand then started fi��ring atthem. The police retaliatedwith 12 rounds of fi��re, killing one of them on the spotand injuring another.

Raid conducted at 1.45 a.m. to avoid crowd, say offi��cers

SAURABH TRIVEDI

NEW DELHI

Gangster Kuldeep.* SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT *

Gangster who escaped custodykilled in shootout with police

The Capital recorded 1,881new COVID19 cases onSunday — the highest singleday cases in over threemonths, according to ahealth bulletin released bythe Delhi government.

Nine deaths were alsorecorded in the same 24hour period, it said, adding that 79,936 tests wereconducted with a positivity rate of 2.35%.

There are currently7,545 active cases in the city with 4,237 of them under home isolation.

The government has ordered that there will be nopublic celebrations in theCapital.

Chief Minister ArvindKejriwal said he would notattend any public Holiprogramme due to the increasing number of COVID19 cases.

“COVID19 cases haveincreased in the last fewdays, in view of this, I amnot attending Holi programmes. Appeal to all ofyou to just celebrate Holiwith your family and

avoid crowds, follow therules of COVID19 prevention,” Mr. Kejriwal tweeted in Hindi.

Health Minister Satyendar Jain also asked Delhiites to maintain social distancing and adhere to allCOVID19 protocols to prevent the spread of the virus.

“District Magistratesand police have createddistrictwise teams. Legalaction would be takenagainst violators,” Mr. Jainsaid.

The total number ofcases in the Capital sincethe pandemic began nowstands at 6,57, 715 caseswith 11,006 deaths.

There are 1,710 containment zones in the Capital.

City sees highest single-day

COVID-19 cases in 3 monthsCM not to attend Holi programmes

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI The All India Students’ Association (AISA) on Sundaydemanded that government provide free vaccinations at the earliest to students, teachers and staff��ersso that campuses can beopened. They said theydon’t want to lose anotheryear due to the pandemic.

“Online education resulted in dropouts and students are excluded fromlearning due to lack of Internet and smart phones.This turmoil in educationthat we have witnessed inthe past year is set to continue if campus remainclosed,” AISA said. It addedthat there would be a surgein drop out rates if the discriminatory mode of online education continues.

“Governments shouldimmediately vaccinate students, teachers and staff��ersfrom school, colleges anduniversities in order saveanother academic yearfrom destruction. If this isdone, the government willnot be able to use COVID19as an excuse to keep campuses shut,” AISA said.

AISA demandsfree vaccine atthe earliest


NEW DELHI

Delhi’s maximum temperature on Sunday rose to 37.3degrees Celsius, fi��ve notches above the normal, the India Meteorological Department said.

The mercury inched closer to 40 degrees Celsius atsome places.Najafgarh andNarela recorded their maximum temperature at 39.2degrees Celsius and 39.6 degrees Celsius, respectively.“The Safdarjung Observatorrecorded a maximum of37.3 degrees Celsius,” anIMD offi��cial said. The airquality in the city was recorded in the ‘poor’ category. The 24hour average AQIwas 233, said CPCB.

Delhi recordsmaximumtemperature

pRESS TRUST OF iNDIA

nEW dELHI

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Sunday saidthat during the pandemic,children studying in Delhigovernment schools endured an immense loss oflearning, but it was mindfulness learnt as a part of theirHappiness Curriculum thathelped them to apply lifeskills to deal with stressfulsituations.

“Almost 34 lakh studentswho practiced mindfulnessand diff��erent activitieshelped their homes to bestrong and emotionallysound. Through the happiness curriculum, we havebeen able to encourage our

ecosystems to think aboutlongterm approaches tomental health,” Mr. Sisodiasaid.

The Minister was speaking at the Harvard Social Enterprise Conference to deliberate on innovations in

mental health.“I believe that wellbeing

needs to be made as a mainstream subject in education.This is the time to changeour strategy and push wellbeing into our domains oflearning and mainstreamsubjects. Failures are a partof life, but our studentsshould be able to bounceback from them, analyse andlearn from both successesand failures, and relentlesslypersevere to achieve theirgoals,” Mr. Sisodia said.

‘Technology here to stay’He added that the biggest takeaway from COVID19, forour public education, hasbeen that technology is here

to stay. “We need to quickly adapt

our systems and encouragethe use of technology.Adopting the right approaches to inculcate technology within our educationwould in fact make learningmore inclusive,” he said.

He said Delhi Board ofSchool Education, which thegovernment is introducing,will eventually move towards testing mindset ratherthan testing knowledge.

“It will play a key role inensuring that schools develop a holistic learner profi��leof students, assessing andpushing for social and emotional learning in schools,”he said.

Sisodia says wellbeing needs to be made a mainstream subject in education


NEW DELHI

Manish Sisoda spoke at theHarvard Social EnterpriseConference to deliberate oninnovations in mental health.

‘Happiness Curriculum helped students during lockdown’ The Delhi police on Sundaysaid patrolling will be intensifi��ed during Holi celebrations and strict action willbe taken against those whodo not follow COVID19 guidelines issued by Delhi Disaster ManagementAuthority.

Amid a surge in COVID19cases, the DDMA had onTuesday ordered that therewould be no public celebrations in the Capital duringupcoming festivals such asHoli and Navaratri. DelhiPolice PRO Chinmoy Biswalsaid patrolling will be intensifi��ed during Holi.

“Pickets will be placed bythe district police in theirrespective areas. Patrollingwill be increased during thefestival. Police will focus onthose who are involved indrunken driving,” Mr. Biswal said.

Will take actionif COVID rulesnot followed onHoli, say police

Press trust of india

newdelhi

CMYK

A ND-NDE


THE HINDU DELHI

MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 3EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

CITY

Published by N. Ravi at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860, Anna Salai, Chennai-600002 and Printed by S. Ramanujam at HT Media Ltd. Plot No. 8, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida Distt. Gautam Budh Nagar, U.P. 201306, on behalf of THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD., Chennai-600002. Editor: Suresh Nambath (Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act).

Regd. DL(ND)-11/6110/2006-07-08 ● RNI No. UPENG/2012/49940 ● ISSN 0971 - 751X ● Vol. 11 ● No. 74

Four people were killedand two injured in a collision between a car and abus on the Yamuna Expressway on Sunday, policesaid.

“While three personswere killed on the spot, thefourth succumbed to injuries in the hospital,” a police offi��cer said.

According to the police,the accident took place after the overspeeding carveered off�� the road and hita divider. The vehicle thencollided with the bus coming from the oppositedirection.

SP (rural) Srish Chandrasaid the deceased include afatherdaughter duo andtwo others. The injured,who have been admitted tothe hospital, are in a serious condition, he said.

The victims were heading towards Farrukhabadfrom Delhi to celebrate Holifestival, the offi��cer added.

Four killed, 2 hurt in vehiclecollision


Mathura

CMYK

A ND-NDE

2021 WEST BENGAL | ASSAM

ASSEMBLY POLLSDELHI THE HINDU | MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

P4

In the fi��rst week of March,veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty graced the famousBrigade Parade Ground hereto join the BJP and begin hispolitical journey with a newdialogue: “Aami ekta cobra,jat ghokhro, ek chhobol echhobi [I am a cobra, I willbring death in one strike].”

Around the time of the inclusion of the actor, onceseen as close to West BengalChief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a host of other celebrities jumped on the bandwagon in the midst of one ofIndia’s most interesting elections in recent history.

While the Trinamool Congress is known for bringingcelebrities into its fold, theBJP has followed suit, fi��elding television stars and other popular fi��gures this time.

Will it cut ice or is it justanother ploy by politicalparties that is bound to fallfl��at on its face?

‘Politics not cinema’Soumyadip Mitra, a 29yearold techie from Behala East,said the BJP has lost out on aseat by fi��elding Paayel Sarkar (actor). He says, “SovanChatterjee used to win byhuge margins when he waswith the TMC. Paayel is clueless about the dynamicshere.”

“TMC candidate RatnaChatterjee has visited ourapartment thrice, but Paayelnot once,” he said. Mr. Mitraclaims Paayel cannot be considered a big star like Dev orMithun.

In Behala West, where theBJP has fi��elded actor Srabanti Chaterjee against veteranTMC leader Partha Chatterjee, people seem to be igno

rant about the “star”. Shamyal, a driver, said: “Politicsis not cinema. Partha [Chaterjee] has worked for us over the years. Srabanti is anactor, what does she know?”

Asansol Dakshin, an Assembly constituency in Paschim Bardhaman district, isone of the places where celebrities will have a faceoff��.

A BSc (Hons.) student, Binit Chakraborty, said: “Iwant to ask if designer Agnimitra Paul [BJP candidate]or actor Saayoni Ghosh[TMC candidate] will staywith us after their win? Oneof them stays in Kolkata andthe other in Delhi. We needsomeone from our city, likeSushanto Ghosh (CPIM). Heis an advocate fromAsansol.”

“Last time, the TMC wonbecause they fi��elded TapasBanerjee who is from the city. How many people evenwatch movies on OTT platforms here to know SaayoniGhosh?” he said. The samesentiment was reinforcedwhen Maya, a domestichelp, said she has just heardthat Saayoni is an actor.

Baranagar, once a Leftbastion which was taken over by the TMC in 2011, toohas an interesting scenario.The TMC is banking on veteran Tapas Roy, while the BJPwill go with actor Parno Mittra, a newbie. A housewife,requesting anonymity, said:“We do not know Parnomuch. She did not even visitus. Mr. Roy, of course, isfamiliar.”

Someone familiarAt Uttarpara, a governmentoffi��cial said the TMC shouldhave fi��elded someone with apolitical background. “Weneed someone who knows

the area. Kanchan Mullick[the TMC candidate] is acomic relief.”

Namin, a municipal worker, reiterated the samepoint: “Does the party consider us fools?”

Tollygunje, the south Kolkata locality popularlyknown as the centre of theBengali fi��lm industry, is notseeing many new faces thiselectoral battle, except CPI(M)’s Debdut Ghosh.

Retired government employee Ardhendu NarayanGuha said when Mamata Banerjee came to power, therewere some communal tensions at a Hindudominatedslum in the area. “Aroop Biswas [the TMC candidate]might have irked some people at the time, but his othergood work might keep himin good stead.”

In Barrackpur, popularfi��lm director Raj Chakraborty will face tough competition from BJP candidateChandramani Shukla. “Mamata tends to discard oldteam members for newones. It’s more of a ‘Tollywood Trinamool Congress’now. The people have understood that dorkari jakepai, sorkare takei chai[Whom we get during crisis,we want them in power],”said Nilabhra, a culturalworker.

Mani, a rickshawpuller,has a slightly diff��erent take.

“We need someone who canhelp us get employment. Wehave lost a lot during thelockdown. BJP’s Chandramani Shukla might get sympathy votes as his son, Manish Shukla, was murdered,”he said.

Rupam, a social mediamanager with Indian Railways, said Raj Chakrabortymade the cut as the TMC hadto fi��eld a clean candidate.“His ragstoriches storymight sell too.”

At Krishnanagar Uttar(North), Koushani Mukherjee from the TMC is winninghearts. “She is campaigningwell and understands thepolitics of the region,” saysprimary teacher Anupam.

Greenhorn dividendMeanwhile, some people believe that the political inexperience of celebrities iscompensated by their‘clean’ image and mightbring in poriborton(change).

At RajarhatGopalpur,banker Pratayay Gupta saidof singer Aditi Munshi, theTMC candidate, “One doesnot need to have a politicalbackground to take administrative decisions. Most political leaders are corrupt anyway. The cleanliness thatcelebrities bring is refreshing. But it all depends onhow they manage to retainhold after the polls.”

As the BJP and TMC bet on celebritypower in the winnertakesall battle,some voters say political grounding is amust while others feel their clean slateis just what it takes for poriborton

Actor and BJP candidate for Behala East Paayel Sarkar doingdoor-to-door campaigning. * FILE PHOTO: PTI

Ankita Sarkar

Kolkata

Will the stars align this Bengal election?Weather WatchRainfall, temperature & air quality in select metros yesterday

Temperature Data: IMD, Pollution Data: CPCB, Map: INSAT/IMD (Taken at 17.00 Hrs)

Forecast for Monday: Thunderstorm with lightning, hail andgusty winds (speeds reaching 30-40 kmph) very likely at isolatedplaces over Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram,Tripura, Odisha, Kerala, Jammu, Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Ut-tarakhand, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands

city rain max min city rain max min

Agartala................—....36.0....19.1 Kozhikode....................—....34.1....27.4

Ahmedabad...........—....41.7....21.8 Kurnool .......................—....40.6....27.7

Aizawl...................—....29.6....13.8 Lucknow......................—....36.2....18.0

Allahabad..............—....38.8....18.5 Madurai .......................—....37.4....26.4

Bengaluru .............—....35.0....22.5 Mangaluru ................... 1....36.0....24.7

Bhopal ..................—....38.9....18.4 Mumbai .......................—....33.7....26.0

Bhubaneswar.........—....37.2....19.5 Mysuru ........................—....35.0....20.0

Chandigarh ...........—....34.6....19.0 New Delhi ...................—....37.3....17.8

Chennai ................—....36.2....24.9 Patna ..........................—....37.4....19.4

Coimbatore ...........—....36.7....25.3 Port Blair.....................—....33.1....26.7

Dehradun ..............—....32.3....16.7 Puducherry ..................—....34.2....24.6

Gangtok................—....20.0....12.7 Pune............................—....38.9....20.1

Goa.......................—....34.2....27.8 Raipur .........................—....37.8....18.2

Guwahati ..............—....35.0....17.0 Ranchi .........................—....35.0....19.1

Hubballi ................—....34.0....23.0 Shillong.......................—....25.1....13.4

Hyderabad ............—....38.8....22.6 Shimla.........................—....23.9....13.9

Imphal ..................—....30.1....12.0 Srinagar.......................—....21.3....10.6

Jaipur ...................—....39.0....21.7 Thiruvananthapuram...... 0.6....32.4....24.8

Kochi ....................—....32.2....26.6 Tiruchi.........................—....37.5....26.2

Kohima .................—....20.8....12.0 Vijayawada ..................—....37.2....25.2

Kolkata .................—....36.0....25.1 Visakhapatnam ............ —....32.8... 25.8

(Rainfall data in mm; temperature in Celsius)

Pollutants in the air you are breathing Yesterday

CITIES SO2 NO2 CO PM2.5 PM10 CODE

In observation made at 4.00p.m., Udupi, Karnatakarecorded an overall airquality index (AQI) score of500 indicating an unhealthylevel of pollution. Incontrast,Thiruvananthapuram, Keralarecorded a healthy AQI scoreof 46

Ahmedabad..... 30 .85 51 ..119 .134 ....*

Bengaluru ....... 10 .13 54 ..150 .121 ....*

Chennai .......... ..4 ...6 28 ....34 ...79 ....*

Delhi .............. 27 .84 16 ..255 .281 ....*

Hyderabad ...... 17 .61 25 ..171 .....— ....*

Kolkata........... 15 .36 25 ..177 .151 ....*

Lucknow ......... 12 .82 40 ..298 .261 ....*

Mumbai .......... 12 .47 78 ..251 .168 ....*

Pune............... ..— ..— .— ..211 .145 ....*

Visakhapatnam ..— .60 40 ..120 .155 ....*

Air Quality Code: * Poor * Moderate * Good (Readings indicate average AQI)

SO2: Sulphur Dioxide. Short-term exposure can harm the respiratory system,

making breathing difficult. It can affect visibility by reacting with other air

particles to form haze and stain culturally important objects such as statues

and monuments.

NO2: Nitrogen Dioxide. Aggravates respiratory illness, causes haze to form by

reacting with other air particles, causes acid rain, pollutes coastal waters.

CO: Carbon monoxide. High concentration in air reduces oxygen supply to

critical organs like the heart and brain. At very high levels, it can cause

dizziness, confusion, unconsciousness and even death.

PM2.5 & PM10: Particulate matter pollution can cause irritation of the eyes,

nose and throat, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath, reduced

lung function, irregular heartbeat, asthma attacks, heart attacks and premature

death in people with heart or lung disease



NORTH & EAST

The Odisha government received Central assistance ofmeagre onesixth of the losses incurred in eight diff��erentcyclones that visited afterthe Super Cyclone 1999.

After the Super Cyclone1999, the State was hit byPhailin (2013), Hudhud(2014), Titli, Phethai andDaye (2018), Bulbul and Fani(2019) and Amphan (2020).In these cyclones, Odishasuff��ered losses of life andproperty worth ₹��31,945.80crore.

“The State governmenthad sought assistance to thetune of ₹��29,480.37 crorefrom the Centre. However,the government has receivedonly ₹��5,285.65 crore,” Sudam Marandi, Revenue andDisaster Management Minister, informed the Assembly.

As far as the loss is concerned, Phailin was the mostdevastating, with the Statelosing ₹��14,373.47 crore. Thegovernment had then sought₹��4,242.41 crore assistance

from the Centre whereas itreceived only ₹��1,149.83crore.

Two years ago, coastalOdisha was again devastatedby cyclone Fani. The Stategovernment estimated theloss at ₹��9,336.27 crore. Hudhud and Title followed thetwo major cyclones with estimated loss of ₹��4,949.39crore and ₹��2,779.32 crorerespectively. The Centre hadgranted ₹��3,114.46 crore.

Fani had aff��ected 20,367villages whereas the impact

of Phailin was experiencedin 18,374 villages. Other sixcyclones had impacted lessthan 10,000 numbers ofvillages.

Loss of lifeTotal 160 persons had diedin the eight cyclones duringthe past two decades. Whilehighest 72 had died in Titlicyclone, Fani claimed 64lives. In four out of eight cyclones, as per Mr. Marandi’sreply, not a single life waslost.

State received only onesixth of the amount from Centre

Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR

Trees swaying during Cyclone Amphan in Bhadrak district ofOdisha. * FILE PHOTO

Odisha suff��ered losses worth₹��31,945 cr. in eight cyclones

For the fi��rst time since its inception, the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura (IPFT)is not focusing on its pet Tipraland demand in the campaign for the elections to theTripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council. Theregional party, which had

created a sentiment amongthe tribal masses with Tipraland (separate state for indigenous people) and othercontentious issues, is nowspeaking words of harmonyand need of bonding amongthe communities.

The changes in the IPFT’sstyle of politics came after itbacked out from an electoral

understanding with the TIPRA (Tipraha Indigenous People’s Regional Alliance) lastmonth and was compelled totie up with the BJP — its senior ally in the State’s coalition government.

Minister and IPFT generalsecretary Mevar Kumar Jamatia launched a verbal attack against TIPRA founder

Pradyot Kishore Debbarmanfor allegedly trying to fantrouble in the hills. “He [Mr.Pradyot] has been instigatingpeople with his ‘Greater Tipraland’ demand,” he said atan election rally at Ampurain Khowai district. Mr. Jamatia, IPFT leaders and the party candidates are not raisingthe ‘Tipraland’ demand.

It advocates need for bonding among communities in tribal council poll campaign Syed Sajjad Ali

Agartala

IPFT puts pet Tipraland demand on the backburner

A Right to Information (RTI)activist, who had moved theOdisha Lokayukta allegingthat a road embankmentwas blown up at the instanceof a Biju Janata Dal MLA andan engineer to cover up corruption, was allegedly at

tacked with bombs. Two bikeborne mis

creants hurled bombs targeting the RTI activist, Sarbeswar Beura, who wasreturning home with afriend in a car at Imamnagarvillage in Jajpur district onSaturday evening. He sustained critical injuries. Mr.

Beura and his friend wereshifted to the SCB MedicalCollege & Hospital, Cuttack.The doctors have declaredhim out of danger.

Apart from the presentLokayukta case, Mr. Beura’sRTI applications seeking information had put many infl��uential people in a spot.

He had named BJD MLA, engineer in a fraud coverup

Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR

Bombs hurled at RTI activist in Odisha

Former Silchar MP and AllIndia Mahila Congress pre-sident Sushmita Dev is themost visible Congress leaderin southern Assam’s Benga-li-dominated Barak Valley,comprising 15 Assemblyseats. She says the disillu-sionment of the people withthe BJP’s “fake love” for Ben-gali Hindus could help theCongress regain the valley.Excerpts:

Is there a pro-CAA

sentiment in Barak Valley

that is perceived to help

the BJP?

■ The Hindu Bengalis tookthe CAA bait because NRCwas a fearful exercise forthem as well as for BengaliMuslims. I have been askingpeople mesmerised by CAAif they really think it will protect them. Why then is theBJP speaking about implementing it in West Bengaland not in Assam wherethere has been opposition tothe law (in Brahmaputra Valley)? Why didn’t (Prime Minister Narendra) Modijispeak about it when he camefor a rally in Karimganj? Because they know it is a fakepromise and people have understood their fake concernfor Bengali Hindus. The BJPis using many tools to sayHindu Bengalis are gettingaway from the Congress. Butour vote share will increasethis time.

BJP claims it has narrowed

the divide between the

Assamese-speaking

Brahmaputra Valley and

the Bengali-speaking

Barak Valley. Has it?

■ They talk of bringing thepeople of the two valleys together. But they drove thewedge deeper with CAA besides polarising the voters of

Barak Valley on religiouslines. If you look at the demography of Cachar (district), you cannot win seatsunless you have the votes ofevery community. We arenot a party of one community. Bengalis have seenthrough the BJP’s liesthrough steps such as cancellation of holiday on Rabindranath Tagore’s birth anniversary. How can you dothat? Is he a Bengali icon oran international icon? Andsix of the eight BJP legislatorsare Bengali Hindus from Barak Valley but Chief MinisterSarbananda Sonowal makesthem stand in the back. Theyhave done nothing for HinduBengalis.

How important are

detention centres and

D-voters as issues for

Congress?

■ Very. Our manifesto talksabout resolving the problemof Dvoters, an unconstitutional concept that hashounded the people of Assam for so many years. Theyare silent about it. I have visited detention centres, ourMLAs have, a special teamled by Jairam Ramesh did.Has one BJP leader donethat? We are talking aboutthese issues, but they arenot. All they are promising isto review and rectify theNRC, which means they aregoing to exclude more people. How can you leave somany people stateless? Doyou not have regard for international laws?

INTERVIEW | SUSHMITA DEV

‘Bengalis have seenthrough BJP’s lies’RAHUL KARMAKAR

A probe has been initiatedinto a claim by the offi��cialsof a local police station thatrats were behind the disappearance of a large numberof seized cartons of illicit liquor from a strongroom.

A senior police offi��cersaid over 1,400 cartons ofliquor have gone missingfrom the Kotwali Dehatpolice station here and acase has been registeredagainst Station House Offi��cer Indreshpal Singh andclerk Rishal Singh. However, a general diary at thepolice station mentionsthat 239 cartons have beendamaged by rats, which,the senior police offi��cersaid, seems to be fi��shy andunacceptable.

Etah Superintendent ofPolice Udai Shankar Singhon Sunday confi��rmed thedevelopment and said thata probe is on.

Meanwhile, Vikas Kumar, a police offi��cer fromAligarh who is probing thecase, said, “Eff��orts are onto ascertain as to where theseized liquor has gone.”

U.P. policemenblame rats for‘missing’ liquor


Etah (U.P.)

Punjab Governor V.P. SinghBadnore on Sunday condemned the recent attack ona BJP legislator in Muktsardistrict and sought a reportfrom the State governmentin this regard.

The Governor also calledup Chief Minister AmarinderSingh, who holds the Home

portfolio, and conveyed hisserious concern over the incident. Mr. Badnore condemned the incident and ina statement, said the Stategovernment cannot allowsuch blatantly unlawful andviolent attacks on anybody.He said such incidentsshould not be repeated andstrong action should be taken immediately.

Guv. seeks report from govt.Press Trust of India

Chandigarh

Several Punjab BJP leadersstaged a sitin outside the offi��cial residence of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh hereon Sunday to protest the attack on a party MLA in Muktsar district.

BJP MLA from Abohar inFazilka district Arun Narangwas allegedly thrashed andhis clothes torn by a group ofprotesting farmers in Muktsar’s Malout on Saturday.The BJP leader had gone toMalout to address a pressconference.

A delegation of PunjabBJP leaders called on Governor V.P. Singh Badnore andsubmitted a memorandum.After the meeting, the BJPleaders headed to the ChiefMinister’s residence. A fewBJP leaders even took off��their shirts as a mark ofprotest.

The protesters raised slogans against the Congress go

vernment, alleging that lawand order had completelybroken down in the State.

“Does the Opposition party(BJP) has no right to putforth its views,” Mr. Sharma

asked while condemning theattack on Mr. Narang.

“The voice of the BJP cannot be suppressed. We havenever seen democracy beingshamed this way,” he said.

BJP leader and former Minister Tikshan Sood demanded Capt. Amarinder’sresignation. “BJP leaders arebeing targeted. There is nosign of democracy in theState. We came here to tellhim (the CM) that he is notcapable of running the Stateand should resign,” he said.

Later, addressing a pressconference, Mr. Sharmasaid, “The incident has exposed the tall claims of theState government regardingthe law and order situation. Iwant to say that it is the Vidhan Sabha which wasstripped, not Arun Narang. Itis the responsibility of theCM and the Speaker to ensure the safety of a member.”

Meanwhile, the BJP leaders and workers held protests at Gurdaspur, Patiala, Jalandhar, Batala andLudhiana against the attackon Mr. Narang.

BJP stages dharna in Punjabover attack on party MLAParty delegationmeets Governor


Chandigarh

BJP workers during a protest against the Punjab governmentin Patiala on Sunday. * PTI

PUBLIC NOTICE

themselves and each other.Every week, on one day,they take a break fromteacherfacilitated activitiesand anchor a studentdriven process in whichthey practise buildingcommunication skillsthrough debates and JustAMinute talks. Interactionswith other professionalsand entrepreneurs alsohelp them explore diff��erent

Today, as the focus ofeducation shifts fromacademic learning to skillbuilding, developing anentrepreneurial mindsetmakes students jobreadyand helps them address thechallenges of the future.This is what the UdhyamLearning Foundation (ULF)has been working towards,through its programmes,Udhyam Shiksha (forstudents) and UdhyamVyapar (for microentrepreneurs).

Launched in 2017,Udhyam Shiksha works oneducation reforms, cocreated with stategovernments, to enablelearningbydoing. Focusedon education modules thatare more connected withrealworld aspects whileincreasing learnerautonomy among students,it has collaborated with thegovernments of Delhi,Haryana, Assam, Kerala,Maharashtra, andKarnataka. TheEntrepreneurship MindsetCurriculum (EMC),designed specifi��cally forstudents from Classes 9 to12, is currently beingimplemented across 1,024schools, in Delhi.

Mekin Maheshwari,Founder and CEO, UdhyamLearning Foundation,off��ers insights into the needfor entrepreneurship at theschool level and the variousfacets of the programme.

Need forentrepreneurshipHumanity is staring atcomplex social andenvironmental problemsthat require us to be more

empathetic, experimental,and collaborative. Whenentrepreneurial mindsetsand skills are built,students are equipped tosolve challenges.

Being entrepreneurialadds signifi��cant value toevery student, irrespectiveof whether they go on to bea scientist, teacher, doctor,or business leader.Entrepreneurial people areable to solve moreproblems, operate withhigher grit, try new things,and continuouslyunderstand and improvethemselves. Thesemindsets, and the 21stcentury skills that studentslearn, are what employersseek.

Building agencyStudents learn variousskills and mindsets througha set of structured activitiesand refl��ection questions.One of the mindsets is todevelop selfawareness,and this is done in a funand engaging manner toenable them to understand

careers. Then there are fi��eld

projects, where studentsapply their learnings byrunning a small venture tocreate value in any domainthat aligns with theirstrengths and purpose.Every learner receives seedmoney between ₹��5,000and ₹��10,000 to run theirown business for six weeks,and 91% is returned at the

end of the course. The shiftin learners’ attitudestowards risktaking,collective problemsolving,and selfbelief can be seenin this level.

During the pandemicThis past year, the focushas been to continue theengagement with thelearners. Hence, socialmedia and online

interventions have beenused as implementationchannels. For students whodon’t have Internet access,interactive worksheets havebeen developed. Theactivities in the curriculumhave been reimagined for amore independent context,to enable learners toexperience them withoutany facilitation from theteachers. It has also openedup more opportunities forintegrating reallifelearning. For example,now, students can work onsituations that are real forthem and their immediatecontexts, such as familyand neighbourhood.

Anyone who is interestedin conducting anentrepreneurial mindsetprogramme can write [email protected] for acopy of the curriculum,which is open-source.

UPSKILLING)

Fostering future entrepreneursCoping with challenges of the futurerequire the right skill-sets and thatinvolves developing entrepreneurialmindset early, says Mekin Maheshwariof the Udhyam Learning Foundation

Skill-building: Customers interacting with students at abusiness fair. (Left) Mekin Maheshwari.

b MADHUMITHA SRINIVASAN

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The shift in learners’attitudes towards risk-taking, collectiveproblem-solving, andself-belief can be seenin this level.

India’s education system hasbeen designed around meritsand cutoff�� lists, and astudent’s future depends onhis/her performance. Thepressure that surroundsschools and colleges, even at anascent age, is healthy andbenefi��cial only to an extent.When it begins to aff��ect theirmorale and confi��dence, it canlead to stress and depression.

Is it required?Educationists disagree on theneed for competition. Onehypothesis asserts that, sincecompetition is a part of eachculture, education must refl��ectthat and help students getused to it. Another theory seescompetition as a malevolentcomponent that must beeliminated. This confl��ict tendsto confuse children whoattempt to competewholeheartedly while makingit look as if they’re not doingso.

Another issue is rewards.Whether it is getting goodgrades during school/collegeor incentives and incrementsat the workplace, the ideaseems to prioritise successrather than eff��ort. Among theyouth, this also tends to aff��ecttheir impression of theirpeers.

This is not to deny theimportance of competition.

But, it should not become theonly tool in defi��ning one’sfuture. One should competewith oneself and strive tobecome a better version ofhim/herself. This requiresscholarly upgrades,magnifi��cent work, ownership,and companionship. Insteadof sabotaging and kickingpeers down in an assortmentof ways, sharing information,creating leaders, andconsideration towards ourmates can fortify one’scharacter. When you investenergy in improving yourselfrather than focusing on whatothers are doing, it will helpyou understand which abilitiesare important to you and whatyou are capable of. Then youcan work on those withoutfeeling jealous of whatsomeone else has achieved.Not only does this help buildyour character andpersonality but also createsbetter relationships.

By diverting our energyaway from competing withothers, to competition withourselves, we will discover weare still contending with ourcompanions and that we willhead towards our goalstogether in the best possibleversions of ourselves

The writer is the Founder, Global

Classroom Pvt. Ltd. (GCPL) and

Global Education Training

Institute GETI.

PERSONALITY)

Competition, a catalyst? Contend not with others butwith yourself

b Sunita Gandhi

FR

EE

PIK

A teacher’s role today, goesmuch beyond just disseminating knowledge. It is about nurturing young learners to be resilient, adaptive, innovative,empathetic and criticalthinkers; all of which theyneed, to be successful in afast evolving world. Asteachers, it is our collective responsibility thatwe open their minds tonot just ‘what was’, butto ‘what can be’ and‘what is my role in it’.The bubbles created bysocial media, and magnifi��ed bythe pandemic, are mirrors towhat an extremely polarisedworld may look like.

Creating classrooms wheremultiple perspectives are debated and discussed criticallyand refl��ectively is imperativetowards nurturing 21st centuryglobal citizens. However, thequestion is how ready orequipped are we, to foster thisenvironment? We need to introspect at every level and refl��ect on our teaching pedagogy.Our own learning process givesus an opportunity to implement methodologies to helpthe classrooms evolve ashealthy spaces to collaborate,and express and respect diff��erent voices.

The Social Sciences providean excellent space to engage insuch discussions. The subject isable to unravel normative bin

aries, while traversing in thegrey zones of right and wrong.The teacher as facilitator of debates and discussions is pivotalto contextualise the text andprovide conceptual clarity.

Understanding asrefl��ectionThis is the fi��rst step to untanglecomplex narratives and events.What is my stand on an issue,and why have I chosen saidstand? Before understandingwhat makes others take confl��icting perspectives, learnersneed to engage with whatmakes them hold on to theirs.Any issue of relevance to thelearner can be picked up here— from the Partition to the on

going farmer protests. Beforedebates and discussions withothers, refl��ection provides learners with the opportunity toconsolidate and comprehendtheir thoughts.

Developing a thinkingclassroomVisible thinking routines are effective to get students to sharehow they feel and refl��ect, aswell as give teachers a sense ofthe learning. Try to develop independent thinkers by nurturing a culture of creative thinking and encouraging studentsto have a voice in the classroom. Adopt a conceptbasedcurriculum, a 21st century needin academics to develop inde

pendent thinkers. This is a researchbacked approach toteaching thinking dispositions,and has provided educatorswith a tool kit to develop a culture of thinking in the classroom. Students should be encouraged to discuss their takeon an issue from multiple stakeholder perspectives, whichcan show that diff��erent peoplehave diff��erent connections tothe same thing that infl��uencetheir stand.

Debate as discussionIt is a valuable skill to be able toboth debate your ‘opponent’and discuss your points of view.The Social Sciences as a curriculum are eff��ective in provid

ing a space where the learnersengage with the human experience and condition as a laboratory in itself. The SocraticMethod — using questions toprobe values, principles andstudent beliefs — is a great toolto encourage classroom discourse. Inquiry, rather thanfacts and topics, drives the discussion. What is the value for astudent in 21st century India inlearning about the French Revolution? By conceptually unpeeling concepts and context,we understand governance as asystem, change as a constant,and state legitimacy as a relationship. So, the student is ableto relate these to democracy,dissent, and revolutions as they

see around them.

Contexts and connectionsThe Social Sciences can be thatumbrella under which studentscan explore their lived experience and realities, not just insubject silos but as a cohesivewhole. Learning more aboutourselves and the worldaround can be enlivened byaligning it with other domains,

and even using their concepts, knowledge and

skills. The school, therefore, needs to evolvetowards conceptbased

learning to give studentvoice priority, among other reforms. Connecting the threadsof learning, debate and discussion can foster creative thinking beyond traditional SocialScience topics.

Including such practicesroutinely in Social Scienceclassrooms is possible for offl��ine, online or hybrid learning.It is especially crucial given theeff��ect the pandemic has had oneducation to keep students engaged and informed. Navigating critical issues of our timescan seem daunting but, withcareful thought and preparation, the teacher can nurturethought leaders and changemakers of tomorrow, who arewilling to engage with multipleideas, identities and ideologies.

The writer is the Political Science

teacher at Shiv Nadar School,

NOIDA.

Space fordiscussion and

debateThe Social Sciences can be an umbrella under which students can explore their lived

experience and realities, not just in subject silos but as a cohesive whole

b Shahnaaz Khan

CMYK

A ND-NDE

www.thehindu.com/education

www.facebook.com/thehinduedge

www.twitter.com/thehinduedge

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Delhi • monday • march 29, 2021

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DELHI THE HINDU


EDITORIAL

EVM malfunctionIt is baffl��ing that theElection Commission ofIndia (ECI) appears to becomplacent by sayingElectronic Voting Machinesand the voter verifi��ablepaper and audit trail usedfor the Phase I pollsmalfunctioned less than inprevious polls (Page 1,“Bengal, Assam record highturnout in fi��rst phase ofpolls”, March 28). It is aserious issue if a voterpressing the button to casthis vote for a particularparty of his choice, fi��ndsthe vote having been cast infavour of another party.The ECI has the huge taskof conducting elections in afree and fair manner and itshould not give rise tosuspicion that it is a handmaiden of a particularparty. A. Jainulabdeen,

Chennai

■ While it is good news thatthe fi��rst phase of electionswas held peacefully in WestBengal and Assam, it is alsoshocking to learn that at apolling booth in the MajraHigh Madrasha area ofKanthi in West Bengal, therewere allegations that afterthe vote was cast, the VVPATslips showed votes for theBJP (Inside pages, “Largelypeaceful start to polls inBengal, Assam”, March 28).While the CEO said the errorwas addressed, one cannotforget that there were manysuch complaints reported inthe last general election also.The electorate has to bevigilant.Tharcius S. Fernando,

Chennai

Mask wearingThe government survey, thatover 50% do not wear facemasks, does not bode wellfor India (Page 1, “Over 50%

don’t wear masks, fi��nds govt.survey”, March 28). With thehealthcare systemsexperiencing COVID19fatigue, it will be disastrous ifthe COVID19 surgecontinues and large numbersof people needhospitalisation again.Vaccination and publichealth campaigns toemphasise the importance ofmask wearing and socialdistancing are the need ofthe hour if India does notwant to fi��nd itself in the samesituation as last year.Dr. Thomas Palocaren,

Vellore, Tamil Nadu

■ While the fi��ght againstCOVID19 is going on, there isanother story. Most peopleon the streets have forgottento wear masks and practisesocial distancing. Why is theurge to protect oneself andothers from the virus fading?Vaccination and acceptance

of maskwearing can helpIndia lessen the chances ofanother wave happening.Mayashang Nk,

Nambashi Khullen, Yairipok, Manipur

Examination resultsThe result of the KeralaAdministrative Serviceexamination was publishedby the Kerala Public ServiceCommission on March 24. Inthe results of Streams 1 and 2(SL. No.: 27/2021/ERIII,Cat.No.: 186/2019 and SL.No.: 27/2021/ERIII, Cat.No.:187/2019) for the KAS Offi��cer( Junior Time Scale) Trainee,on the basis of a written test(descriptive type) held onNovember 20 and 21, a fewroll numbers have appearedin both streams. Thenumbers 100222, 101032,101717 and 102748 have beenrepeated. This shows thatthere could be othermistakes in the list. Rightfrom the beginning of the

Offi��ce was livid when mycolleague was trying toexplain to him what we reallyexpected from the trainingsession by asking her not tocomplain as food had beenprovided.We were told that coronapatients will be allowed tocome to the booth on votingday and the people insidewill have to wear a PPE. Whyshould everybody face a riskwhen there is somethingcalled a postal ballot facility?As the number of booths willincrease this time, one canimagine the cost incurred tobuy PPE kits for thepresiding offi��cers and pollingoffi��cers. The ElectionCommission must review itstraining and revisit its orderpermitting COVID19 patientsin polling booths.Abarna Roy,

Chennai

KAS examination, there havebeen a series of issues. Gayathri S.,

Thiruvananthapuram

Election duty trainingI am a college professorappointed for the fi��rst timefor election duty for the 2021Assembly election. Iattended two trainingsessions, on March 13 andMarch 27. The programmeorganised by the ElectionCommission was a farce. NoSOP was followed as theclassrooms were too small toaccommodate the trainees. The entire day was spent inwatching recorded videos(YouTube) of election duties,which could have beencirculated on social media tothe trainees, saving time,energy and money. TheElection Commission oughtto have conducted a virtualtraining programme. Thepersonnel from the Election

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials.

To read more lettersonline, scan the QR code

A. Faizur Rahman

If Islamist terror is a major international issue today, so is theresponse to it. For instance, the

UN ‘Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief ’ fl��aggedthe “epidemic proportions” of antiMuslim hatred with the lamentthat member states responded tosecurity threats “by adopting measures which disproportionatelytarget Muslims and defi��ne Muslimsas both high risk and at risk ofradicalization”.

Exploring the reasonsIn fact, the spread of Islamophobiaacross the globe has been so rampant over the last couple of decades that it is now considered anindustry and a subject of study inpsychiatry. Springer, one ofworld’s leading scientifi��c publishers, brought out a volume in 2019titled Islamophobia and Psychiatry: Recognition, Prevention, andTreatment.

The Cambridge dictionary describes Islamophobia as an “unreasonable dislike or fear of, andprejudice against, Muslims or Islam.”But the AllParty Parliamentary Group on British Muslims(APPG) goes further and equates itwith racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceivedMuslimness. The APPG has a pointbecause long before the term

gained currency, Frantz Fanon,the celebrated anticolonial writerand psychoanalyst, had engagedwith Islamophobia without mentioning it, and saw it as an expression of religious racism of the colonising West.

In The Wretched of the Earth,which Fanon wrote in the contextof the French occupation of Muslim Algeria, he described “thechurch in the colonies,” as “thewhite people’s Church, the foreigner’s Church. She does not callthe native to God’s ways but to theways of the white man, of the master, of the oppressor.”

The West’s fearDespite this depressing reality, theWest’s fear of Islam or Muslims haslittle to do with religion and everything to do with cultural frictions and political rivalries as Graham E. Fuller rightly concluded inA World without Islam. In the caseof India too it was the tussle forpower that made people like Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Chandranath Basu, Lala Lajpat Rai, andBhai Parmanand suspect theMuslims.

If in Ananda Math, BankimChandra Chatterjee fi��ctionalisedHindu nationalistic sentiments bynarrating how “everyone was angry with the Muslims for the anarchy and lawlessness of theirreign”, in the early 1900s, Rai andParmanand fl��oated the idea of territorially separating Hindus andMuslims long before Jinnah imagined Pakistan.

Even B.R. Ambedkar was notsure about the political stability ofan undivided India. In his book

Thoughts on Pakistan he wantedthe Hindus to concede Jinnah’s demand for a separate Muslim statebecause without Pakistan, Indiawould have to contend with 65million Muslims, while after itscreation, this number would fall to20 million thus greatly reducingthe proportion of Muslim to Hinduseats in central and provincial legislatures, which would furtherfall once weightage was cancelled.It is this same unfounded fear ofMuslim numbers that refl��ects inthe recent enactment of lawsagainst “lovejihad” by several Indian States, and raucous calls for apopulation regulation law in Indiato “tackle the problem of decliningHindu population and to stop therise of nonHindu population”.

The Muslim contributionBut what is inexplicable is, morethan seven decades after Partition,antiMuslim sentiment not just exists but continues to surge in India.Why is this so if Muslims have consciously stayed away from terrorism and never betrayed the faithreposed in them by Prime MinisterNarendra Modi who in September2014 had said, “Indian Muslimswill live for India. They will die forIndia. They will not want anything

bad for India.”?Apart from the aforementioned

reasons, the answer lies in the factthat Muslim religious leaders havedone nothing to encourage thecommunity to win the trust of other people, a basic requirement forpeaceful coexistence. Unlike political trust in liberal democracieswhich according to British authorMarek Kohn is founded upon thesuspicion that the powerful will betempted to abuse power, socialtrust (as argued by American political scientist Eric Uslaner) is basedon the optimistic premise thatalthough people may follow diff��erent religions or secular ideologies, they hold fundamental values in common.

The Muslim clergy has miserably failed on this front. It saw theillegal demolition of the Babri Masjid as condemnable act of religiousextremism but remained a mutespectator when a Hindu templewas burnt down in Pakistan a fewmonths ago. And when Pakistan’sSupreme Court ordered its reconstruction, no Muslim religious organisation welcomed the decision.However, provocative televangelist Zakir Naik issued a statementthat nonMuslims in a Muslim statedo not have the right to constructtheir places of worship even withtheir own funds. The unIslamicconversion of Hagia Sophia into amosque was also greeted witheither deafening silence or quietsupport.

Similar clerical hypocrisy prevails when it comes to condemning draconian laws in Muslimcountries such as those pertainingto blasphemy and apostasy in Pa

kistan whose blatant misuse hasresulted in the murder of bothMuslims and nonMuslims. The Islamically baseless concept of ghazwa al Hind (war against India) isanother issue on which the Indianulema are silent. The issue continues to be invoked by the Hinduright to question the loyalty ofMuslims, and thus, is yet anotherreason for HinduMuslim mistrust.

Overcoming the suspicionIf this climate of suspicion has tobe overcome, the Indian ulemamust emphatically declare theconcept of ghazwa alHind to beunIslamic apart from clarifyingthat India is not darul harb (abodeof war). They must also announcethat the word kafi��r has no pejorative overtones and does not referto nonMuslims. Apostasy andblasphemy have also got to be removed from the list of capitalcrimes under Islamic law.

In short, what is needed is a radical rethink of Muslim theology. Asthis is not possible in India withthe outdated madrasa system inexistence, it is up to the Muslim laity to shed its deferential docilityand start challenging the selfproclaimed epistemological supremacy of “religious authorities” andpressurise them into completelyrevamping the madrasa curriculum to harmonise it with the pluralistic teachings of Islam and modernity. There is no other antidoteto Islamophobia from within.

A. Faizur Rahman is SecretaryGeneral of

the Islamic Forum for the Promotion of

Moderate Thought.

Email: [email protected]

An antidote to Islamophobia, within and beyondThe Muslim laity must shed its docility and challenge the ‘religious authorities’ to be open to Islam’s pluralistic teachings

AP

The AstraZeneca SARSCoV2AZD1222 vaccine, which wasdeveloped at the University

of Oxford, is a chimpanzee adenovirus strain which was engineeredso that it could not replicate anymore in humans. The team at Oxford had already begun to use thischimpanzee adenovirus vaccinetechnology to produce candidatevaccines against many pathogensincluding infl��uenza, Zika and theMiddle East Respiratory Syndromecoronavirus.

When work beganThey had also begun, with theCoalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), to usethis technology in preparation for‘Disease X’. When the sequence ofSARSCoV2 was released in January 2020, they moved very quicklyto engineer a new candidate vaccine and begin work on a trial. Sarah Gilbert who led the team withothers at the University of Oxfordand the Jenner Institute announced very early on that shethought that we would have a vaccine available by October. This wasreally quite remarkable given thateveryone else was predicting thatwe would not have vaccines available for at least 12 to 15 months.

The team at Oxford and the Jenner had been working for a longtime on candidate vaccines, andhad the capacity to make pilot lotsfor clinical trials, but they did not

have the capacity to make vaccines at scale, particularly thosethat would require millions or billions of doses. So, working withCEPI and the Bill and MelindaGates Foundation, the Oxfordteam began discussions with multiple companies in order to fi��gureout who could be a manufacturingand development partner for thevaccine. Initially, it was thoughtthat it might be possible to engagewith Merck, an American leaderproducing vast amounts of vaccines, but ultimately it was decided to go with AstraZeneca, a company that had no experience ofvaccines other than a nasal fl��uspray, but was a BritishSwedishpharma conglomerate.

The vaccine began to be testedin humans in April 2020 and technology transfer agreements wereagreed with SKBio in South Koreaand the Serum Institute of India,and others; the goal was to make avaccine that was suitable for use inimmunisation programmesaround the world and could bemade at very large volumes. ByDecember we had results that indicated the vaccine worked.

Interpreting the vaccine dataBut before and after December, ithas been an incredibly bumpyroad for AstraZeneca. Before thetrial results became available, thetrial was stopped for a while to investigate a case of transverse myelitis in the United Kingdom. In India, a case of neurolupus led toquestions about the responsibilities of investigators, sponsors andregulators. When the results wereannounced in December, the fi��rstreport was by press release and indicated an effi��cacy of 70%, withsome peculiar results showing that

in some groups, effi��cacy could beas high as 90%. It fi��rst turned outthere were several issues. The vaccine trials compared a single doseand two doses, and decided to gowith two doses, but with supply issues, wound up with some peoplewith a single dose and others withtwo doses, but with varying intervals because there were long gapswhile waiting for supply initially,and then closer to the originallyproposed four week interval asenough vaccine became available.

To complicate matters further,there was an error in calculatingdoses, and some individuals hadreceived vaccine doses that hadless of the viral vector. Initially, itwas reported that highest effi��cacywas seen with a lower fi��rst dose,and scientists scrambled to try andfi��nd an explanation. It was hypothesised that it might be because antibodies made in response to thefi��rst dose inhibited response to thesecond dose, but given that the difference was one of 25 billion and50 billion viral particles, it seemeda bit unlikely.

Later, as more data becameavailable, it was clear that the longer time there was between doses,the immune response and effi��cacywere better. But considerabledamage had already been done because of the messy sequentialcommunications, even though re

sults from multiple analyses werebeing rapidly published by the Oxford team.

The vaccine data were reviewedby the regulator in the UnitedKingdom, the Medicines andHealthcare Products RegulatoryAgency, which gave emergencyuse authorisation, and the JointCommittee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommended initiation of vaccination in the U.K. witha 12 week gap. The data were reviewed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA)which also approved the vaccineand recommended its use. Sincethis vaccine was suitable for usewithin routine immunisation programmes, this was a reason to celebrate, because Serum, SKBioand AstraZeneca had all committed to making the vaccine available to the COVAX facility which iscommitted to providing vaccinesto at least 20% of the world’s population, irrespective of the abilityto pay.

The case in EuropeUnfortunately, the controversiescontinued. A few European countries refused to use the vaccine inolder individuals, citing the lack ofdata from this subset in clinicaltrials. And then, cases of haematological sideeff��ects which combined blood clots and low plateletsbegan to be reported. So far, thedata do not indicate a signal ofsideeff��ects that are above the baseline of thromboembolic events,but in a limited number of cases,the clinical picture is unusual andhas been labelled vaccineinducedprothrombotic immune thrombocytopenia by researchers in Norway and Germany. This will conti

nue to be investigated until weunderstand the association andthe level of risk, but it is clear, andstated by the EMA and WHO, thatthe benefi��t far outweighs any rarerisk.

Even as the vaccine began to bewidely used, the global community awaited trials of the vaccine inthe U.S. and South America underOperation Warp Speed, and whena press release in March stated79% effi��cacy, there was a sense ofrelief that, fi��nally, clean and cleardata from a study that included32,000 people were available.

This was followed swiftly by anunusual announcement by theU.S. government’s National Institutes of Health to say that the Dataand Safety Monitoring Board(DSMB) felt it essential to reportthat the data were outdated. Thecompany said that they were reporting data until February 17based on 141 cases and scrambledto get a fuller analysis of 190 casesshowing an effi��cacy of 74% whichwas released last week. Thisthrows up a lot of questions aboutwhy the DSMB felt it essential tobring this up, when other companies like Moderna and Pfi��zer hadalso reported fi��rst interim andthen fi��nal results. In any case, thedata will be independently reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. regulator,and then perhaps all the controversies can fi��nally be put to rest.

This vaccine has potential, butif this saga highlights anything, it isthat in clinical research and development, logistics, transparencyand communication matter asmuch as the science.

Gagandeep Kang is Professor,

Christian Medical College, Vellore

Weighing in on the saga of a vaccineThe AstraZeneca story shows that in research and development, logistics, transparency and communication also count

Gagandeep Kang

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The Supreme Court’s decision on a batch of peti

tions seeking waiver of all interest during the pe

riod of the pandemicspecifi��c moratorium, relief

from compound interest for the period for all borrow

ers without distinction and extension of the moratori

um period itself is a fair verdict. The Court has sought

to limit the scope of its juridical intervention to the

questions of whether any laws have been violated and

whether any actions that banks may have taken under

the policy guidance of the government and central

bank likely violated any rights of the petitioners. Ob

serving that “wisdom and advisability of economic pol

icy are ordinarily not amenable to judicial review”, the

Bench denied all but one of the petitioners’ pleas: it

held that the government’s decision to limit the waiver

of compound interest to loans under ₹�2 crore was “arbi

trary and discriminatory” and directed a refund of all

compound interest levied during the moratorium pe

riod. The Court justly fl��agged the absurdity of levying

the compound interest on any category of loans since

by its very nature it was a penal interest intended to im

pose a cost on wilful or deliberate default, while a bor

rower’s decision to defer repayment of instalment by

availing of the moratorium could not be considered wil

ful default by any stretch. This part of the ruling would

surely come as a welcome relief to borrowers across ca

tegories and loan size, while adding a relatively smaller

burden — estimated at about ₹�7,500 crore — on lenders

(or the Centre, if the government decides to foot the bill

and spare banks the cost).

On the other hand, the Court appears to have taken a

literal view of whether the National Disaster Manage

ment Act’s provisions were contravened by authorities’

response to the economic fallout of the pandemic,

which it acknowledged to be a disaster due to “biologi

cal emergencies”. While the Centre’s and Reserve Bank

of India’s arguments that any attempt to extend the mo

ratorium and/or widen the waiver to include regular in

terest would undermine overall stability in the fi��nancial

system are undeniably germane, the fact that the pan

demic has proved to be an unprecedented disaster in

terms of the health and economic costs it has imposed

on all sections of society and the economy ought to

have evoked a more holistic and expansive fi��scal res

ponse from the government. Vast sections of small for

mal and informal enterprises as well as lower income

households are saddled with debt that they are certain

ly bound to struggle to service in the absence of some

direct credit support mechanism. So, the Court’s ruling

notwithstanding, it behoves policymakers to urgently

come up with measures to help mitigate this crisis be

fore lenders are deluged with more defaults.

Limited succourPolicymakers should mitigate the crisis

facing borrowers during the pandemic

The reasons given by the Supreme Court for not

staying the issuance of electoral bonds are un

convincing. A Bench headed by the Chief Justice

of India, Justice S.A. Bobde, has said there is no justifi��

cation for staying the scheme as electoral bonds have

been released in 2018, 2019 and 2020 without any legal

impediment; and that “certain safeguards” have been

provided in the Court’s interim order of April 12, 2019.

The Court ought to have considered that when the ear

lier order was passed, the time available was deemed to

be too limited for an indepth hearing. An order favour

ing the continuance of the scheme cannot be repeated

year after year. The portion of the 2019 order asking

political parties to submit to the Election Commission

in a sealed cover all details of the anonymous contribu

tions received through electoral bonds was meant to

avoid tilting the balance in favour of either side until the

matter was heard in detail. It was also underscored

then that “weighty issues which have a tremendous

bearing on the sanctity of the electoral process in the

country” were involved. In this context, it defi��es logic

for the Court to maintain that no interim stay is neces

sary while not giving any indication when it will take up

the case for fi��nal disposal. The latest order also fails to

note that the submission of contribution particulars by

political parties was a onetime arrangement. There is

nothing to suggest that it applies to subsequent tranch

es of the sale of electoral bonds. Therefore, to describe

it as a ‘safeguard’ has little meaning.

The problem with taking up only applications for

stay is that vital constitutional issues do not fall under

the zone of consideration. The infi��rmity in the electoral

bonds scheme is not, as the Court seems to suggest, li

mited to ‘black money’ being used to fund parties. It

has laboured to point out that the scheme works solely

through banking channels and can be utilised only with

KYCcompliant entities. However, the crux of the issue

is the anonymity given to corporate donors in combina

tion with the absence of any ceiling. This means that

the right to know of voters, recognised as a constitu

tional right in past rulings, is abridged. Further, the link

between contributions and policymaking remains im

penetrable to the citizen. Any number of shell compa

nies can be created, and their bank accounts used for

making anonymous contributions. The claim that the

veil of anonymity can be pierced with a little eff��ort by

matching the audited accounts of parties with the stat

utory fi��lings of companies is quite way off�� the mark.

Parties declare a cumulative fi��gure of amounts received

through the bonds. No inference can be drawn by a

company’s disclosure of its total contribution to one or

more political parties. It is time the Court recognised

that the electoral bonds scheme, by its very nature, un

dermines the voters’ right to know.

Opacity rulesThe electoral bonds scheme undermines the

voters’ right to know about funding of parties

CMYK

A ND-NDE


THE HINDU DELHI


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The third Conference of the Indian Mathematical Society met today [March 26] at theTown Hall, a large and distinguished gathering being present. The Hon’ble Sardar Sunder Singh Majithia, Chairman of the Reception Committee, welcomed his Excellencythe Governor in a short speech. The Governor in declaring the Conference open saidthat he was glad to see there that day not afew of the best known mathematicians in India and he felt that great honour had beenconferred on the city of Lahore by their visit.The Governor deplored the death of thatbrilliant genius Mr. Ramanujan, but hehoped that they had others of similar calibrestill. He wished the Conference all success.After the Secretary, Professor Kapadia ofPoona had read the report of the society, Mr.Balakram, I.C.S., delivered his presidentialaddress.

A HUNDRED YEARS AGO MARCH 29, 1921

Mathematical Society Conference

On November 9, 2019, the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Courtgave its judgment in M. Siddiq v. Ma-hant Suresh Das, which is known asthe Ram Janmabhoomi temple case.The Bench comprised Chief JusticeRanjan Gogoi and Justices S.A.Bobde, D.Y. Chandrachud, AshokBhushan and S. Abdul Nazeer. Therecord does not show who the author of the judgment was, so all the fi��vejudges can be said to have authoredit. The judgment is an unequivocalexpression of approval of The Placesof Worship (Special Provisions) Act,1991. The Preamble of the Act reads:“An act to prohibit conversion of anyplace of worship and to provide forthe maintenance of the religious character of any place of worship as it existed on the 15th day of August, 1947,and for matters connected therewithor incidental thereto.” Section 5 expressly exempts Ram JanmabhumiBabri Masjid, situated in Ayodhya,from the Act.

Supreme Court’s observationsAfter analysing the Act, the SupremeCourt said: “The law imposes two unwavering and mandatory norms: (i)A bar is imposed by Section 3 on theconversion of a place of worship ofany religious denomination or a section of a denomination into a place ofworship either of a diff��erent sectionof the same religious denominationor of a distinct religious denomination. The expression ‘place of worship’ is defi��ned in the broadest possible terms to cover places of publicreligious worship of all religions anddenominations and; (ii) The law preserves the religious character of every place of worship as it existed on15 August 1947. Towards achievingthis purpose, it provides for theabatement of suits and legal proceedings with respect to the conversion ofthe religious character of any placeof worship existing on 15 August1947.”

The court said that the Places ofWorship Act “protects and securesthe fundamental values of the Con

stitution.” It further said, “The lawaddresses itself to the State as muchas to every citizen of the nation. Itsnorms bind those who govern the affairs of the nation at every level.Those norms implement the Fundamental Duties under Article 51A andare hence positive mandates to everycitizen as well.”

The court also emphatically heldthat “the Places of Worship Act is intrinsically related to the obligationsof a secular state. It refl��ects the commitment of India to the equality of allreligions. Above all, the Places ofWorship Act is an affi��rmation of thesolemn duty which was cast uponthe State to preserve and protect theequality of all faiths as an essentialconstitutional value, a norm whichhas the status of being a basic featureof the Constitution.”

The court more pithily stated:“Historical wrongs cannot be remedied by the people taking the law intheir own hands. In preserving thecharacter of places of public worship, Parliament has mandated in nouncertain terms that history and itswrongs shall not be used as instruments to oppress the present and thefuture.”

The court took serious exceptionto the judgment of Justice D.V. Sharma of the Allahabad High Court wherein he had held, “Places of Worship(Special Provisions) Act, 1991 doesnot debar those cases where declaration is sought for a period prior tothe Act came into force or for enforcement of right which was recognised before coming into force of theAct.” The Supreme Court declaredthat this is directly contrary to Section 4 of the Act.

Despite the fact that Ram JanmabhoomiBabri Masjid was exempted

from the Act, the Supreme Court expressed its anguish. It said, “On 6 December 1992, the structure of themosque was brought down and themosque was destroyed... The destruction of the mosque and the obliteration of the Islamic structure wasan egregious violation of the rule oflaw.”

A deeply disturbing moveYet, on March 12, 2021, the SupremeCourt issued notice to the Central government on a petition that was fi��ledchallenging the validity of certainprovisions of the 1991 Act. The petition seeks setting aside of Sections 2,3 and 4 of the Act on the grounds thatthey “validate ‘places of worship’, illegally made by barbaric invaders.”The Bench consisted of Chief JusticeS.A. Bobde and Justice A.S. Bopanna.

The petition is founded, inter alia,on the basis that, “From 11921947,the invaders not only damaged destroyed desecrated the places of worship and pilgrimage depicting Indianculture from north to south, east towest but also occupied the same under military power. Therefore, S. 4 isa serious jolt on the cultural and religious heritage of India.”

The Supreme Court’s order on issuing notice on this petition is deeplydisturbing on many counts. Every argument being raised now was repelled by the fi��ve judges in theirbinding judgment in M. Siddiq v. Ma-hant Suresh Das.

Freedom of religion is guaranteedto all citizens under Articles 25 and26 of the Constitution. The framersof our Constitution debated these Articles extensively. Tajamul Husainsaid, “As I said, religion is betweenoneself and his God. Then, honestlyprofess religion and practise it at

home. Do not demonstrate it for thesake of propagating... If you startpropagating religion in this country,you will become a nuisance to others... I submit, Sir, that this is a secular State, and a secular state shouldnot have anything to do with religion. So I would request you to leaveme alone, to practise and profess myown religion privately.”

Lokanath Misra strongly objectedto the right to propagate religion bysaying, “Sir, We have declared theState to be a Secular State. For obvious and for good reasons we haveso declared...” H. V. Kamath warned,“...because Asoka adopted Buddhism as the State religion, there developed some sort of internecine feudbetween the Hindus and Buddhists,which ultimately led to the overthrow and the banishment of Buddhism from India. Therefore, it is clearto my mind that if a State identifi��es itself with any particular religion,there will be rift within the State.”

Pandit Lakshmi Kanta Maitra said,“By secular State, as I understand it,is meant that the State is not going tomake any discrimination whatsoeveron the ground of religion or community against any person professing any particular form of religiousfaith... The great Swami Vivekanandaused to say that India is respectedand revered all over the world because of her rich spiritual heritage.”

T.T. Krishnamachari laid emphasison the fact that “a new governmentand the new Constitution have totake things as they are, and unlessthe status quo has something whichoff��ends all ideas of decency, all ideasof equity and all ideas of justice, itscontinuance has to be provided for inthe Constitution so that people whoare coming under the regime of anew government may feel that thechange is not a change for theworse.”

The 1991 law was enacted to assuage the feelings of the Hindus whohad been seeking Ram Janmabhoomifor a long, long time and to reassureMuslims that other places of theirworship existing on August 15, 1947shall be protected. The court rightlygave a quietus to this burning issue.Hopefully that was fi��nal.

Dushyant Dave is a Senior Advocate

practising at the Supreme Court of India and

is former President of the Supreme Court Bar

Association

The apex court’s order issuing notice on a petition challenging the Places of Worship Act is disturbing

The needless resurrection of a buried issue

Dushyant Dave

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On March 24 last year, the Government of India imposed a sudden, harsh lockdown tocurb the spread of COVID19. In doing so, itgave the people of the country less than fourhours to prepare for the eventuality. Howsuccessful have the governmental measuresbeen in containing the pandemic? What explains the second wave we are witnessingnow? Apart from the health cost, the pandemic has taken a huge economic, ethicaland moral toll on the population. In their research for the UNESCO, with the support ofthe International Center for Journalists, Julie Posetti and KalinaBontcheva document how thepandemic has spawned potentially deadly misinformation and disinformation that directly impactslives and livelihoods around theworld. They point out that one ofthe techniques adopted by political players to defl��ect attentionfrom their own inadequacies is to discreditjournalists and credible news outlets.

In need of transparencyIn these times of unprecedented diffi��culties,a transparent decisionmaking system is theonly way forward. It will help citizens knowwhere we went wrong and how we cancourse correct. It will create a situationwhere we do not heap new policy hardshipson the populace over and above an imperious decision that has already pushed manyto the brink. We hoped that the highest courtwill stand with the people of the country intheir quest for transparency and openness.Unfortunately, the Supreme Court of India,which fi��rst introduced the notorious idea ofsealed envelopes, has been in the forefrontof upholding and valorising opacity. Howelse can one read the observation of the fi��rstbench in the electoral bonds case where itconcurred that the scheme protected theidentity of purchasers of electoral bonds in acloak of anonymity, but came to the conclusion that eventually the State Bank of Indiawill know the identity of the buyer? The editorial, ‘Inhouse secrets’ (March 27), listedout the perils fl��owing from adopting opaquemethods in dealing with complaints againstthe judiciary: “Should the confi��dentiality

rule always hold the fi��eld? Is it possible todismiss the allegations without disclosingwho were heard as witnesses and what material was considered as evidence?”

In this environment where seeking accountability is fast being replaced by endorsing those in power and their decisions, however harmful they may be, the questionbefore journalists is this: How do we help people make informed choices? There are twocomponents to good journalism: providingcredible information and making sense ofcomplex realities. One of the key elementsthat distinguishes a journalist from an onlooker is the nature of the observation. Ajournalist bears witness to events and happenings and that is vastly diff��erent from a casual and sometimes voyeuristic gaze.

The heart of journalismIn the last 35 years, I have been a reporter

bearing witness and an opinionwriter trying to make sense. Ihave no hesitation in declaringthat reporting is the heart of journalism. It brings in elements oftransparency, accountability andthe voices of people who are impacted by the decisions taken bygovernments. Filmmaker VinodKapri exemplifi��es this act of bear

ing witness, in his documentary 1232km, inwhich he meticulously records the diffi��culties encountered by a group of migrant labourers in their arduous journey from Ghaziabad, on the outskirts of Delhi, to Saharsain Bihar.

Six years ago, British journalist CharlieBeckett posed a crucial question: Is goodnews really news at all? He asked a pointedquestion: “News can be informed and informing or crass, shallow and swift, but nowit is all networked together. The choice isthere for the journalists but it’s also there forconsumers. Which do you want?” At thattime, I did not realise that the executivewould become the sole arbitrator of our life.

Let us look at the functioning of our Parliament. In the last six years, the accent hasbeen in getting more bills cleared rather thandebating the pros and cons of a policy. Cansomeone explain the meaning of the claimsthat the productivity of the Lok Sabha wasmore than 110% and that of the Rajya Sabhawas more than 120%? It was a display of themight of the majority rather than the democratic mediation of ideas. Hence, reportingalone can confront the allpervasive opacityin the legislature and the judiciary.

[email protected]

Confronting opacityReporting alone can confront the lack of transparency inthe legislature and judiciary

A.S. Panneerselvan

FROM THE READERS’ EDITOR

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DATA POINT

In February 2020, college authorities, including the principal, of theShree Sahajanand Girls Institute(SSGI) in Bhuj, Gujarat, allegedlyforced over 60 girls to remove theirundergarments to check if they weremenstruating. This shocking act,which rightly caused outrage, followed complaints that the girls hadentered the temple and kitchen inthe premises while on their period,which is against the institute’s rules.Four persons were later arrested.

Notions of purity and pollutionThe stigma attached to menstruationand restrictions in the private andpublic sphere for the duration ofmenstruation have long been part ofwomen’s lives in India. The stigmafi��nds its roots in the notion of purityand pollution attached historically tomenstruation. This was explained exceptionally by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud in Indian Young Lawyers Asso-ciation v. The State of Kerala (2018),known popularly as the Sabarimalacase, a decision that India is stillstruggling to accept. He reasoned —and rightly so — that any social practice which excludes women from participation in public life as a result oftheir menstruation is discriminatoryon the ground of their sex. This is because it is drawn from the notion ofmenstruating women being “impure”, a notion which targets thephysiological feature of being women.

The fi��rst ground for rejecting suchpractices is thus diff��erential treatment, which directly discriminateswomen on the ground of their sexand is impermissible under Article 14of the Constitution. Viewed fromanother lens, it is also against the notion of substantive equality adoptedby the Constitution. In fact, it supports a more formal notion of equality of ‘separate but equal treatment’.Women are treated diff��erently because they have distinct physiological features than men but are nevertheless equal to men. An attractiveexplanation also used to justify castediscrimination previously is nothingbut a guise to perpetuate and exacerbate regressive patriarchal notions ofour society and must also be readily

dismissed under Article 14.That apart, such social exclusion

can be attacked on the ground of privacy. Incidents such as what tookplace in SSGI not only attack the ‘sex’of women, but also impact a deeplypersonal and an intrinsic part of theirprivacy, namely, their menstrual status. Restrictions of movement imposed on these students are one ofthe many attempts of state and nonstate actors to take control of theirperson. It is an outrageous exerciseof power to prevent them from leading a dignifi��ed life during their period. It is undoubtedly an excessiveinvasion of a biological feature thatmakes them women. This surely cannot be the intent of our Constitutionand its values we adopted, and needsto change.

Court interventionTaking cognisance of the incident atSSGI, the Gujarat High Court, in earlyMarch this year, proposed to introduce a set of guidelines that prohibitthe social exclusion of menstruatingwomen from private, public, religious and educational places. Thecourt also emphasised on the negative impact created by such practiceson a woman’s emotional state, lifestyle and, most signifi��cantly, herhealth. While surely a ray of hope,the eff��ect of court intervention is yetto be seen in a society where previous decisions of courts categorically holding menstruation to be a partof the fundamental right to (private)life have failed to change societal notions surrounding it.

The hope for women is that society will slowly but surely get past thetaboo around menstruation, and abhorrent practices discriminatingagainst menstruating women will beconsidered abnormal. That will be asociety where no exclusion will bepracticed and tolerated, and no discrimination will be perpetrated. Itwill be a society where women canfreely live dignifi��ed lives, nurturingall facets of their womanhood. And itwill be a society where women willbe considered neither polluted norimpure during their menstruation,but will be treated with respect.

Shivani Vij, an advocate, is pursuing a

Masters degree from the University of Oxford

Tackling the period taboo Abhorrent practices discriminating againstmenstruating women should be considered abnormal

Shivani Vij

Free Bangla Radio today [Calcutta, March28] announced the formation of a Provisional Bangla Desh Government headed by Maj.Zia Khan and said its forces were on themarch to Dacca from Chittagong. The marchbegan at 845 a.m. today, the radio said. TheGovernment would be guided by “BanglaBandu”, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, who is directing the liberation struggle from his revolutionary headquarters in Chittagong, theradio said. Major Zia Khan, who also todaybecame the chief of the Liberation Army, ina broadcast appeal sought recognition to hisgovernment from peaceloving governments. He also sought material assistancefor the freedom fi��ghters. Meanwhile freshtroop reinforcements from Karachi disembarked at the Chittagong port today and ranagainst barricades put up by Bangla Deshfreedomfi��ghters, reports reaching heresaid. The Pakistani soldiers tried to maketheir way into the town, burning down houses and other structures along the route. Thetroops arrived by shop three days ago, butcould not disembark earlier because of obstructions caused by freedom fi��ghters. AnS.O.S by the Pakistani military authorities inDacca to their west wing headquarters monitored at Shillong, today called for moretroops and other help. “It is impossible tosave Dacca” said the message in seeking toimpress upon the military headquarters ofthe urgency of the demand.

FIFTY YEARS AGO MARCH 29, 1971

Provisional Govt. of Bangla Desh

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FROM THE ARCHIVES

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The political tensions overthe CD scandal involvingformer Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi spilled over into Belagavi on Sunday, as his supporters protested againstState Congress presidentD.K. Shivakumar, who arrived in the city for discussions over the Lok Sabha bypoll. Some of the protestersallegedly threw footwear atthe escort vehicles accompanying Mr. Shivakumar’s car.

Deputy Commissioner of Police VikramAmte denied any incidents of throwing offootwear or stones at thevehicle. He, however, saidfurther action would be taken based on detailed verifi��cation of video footage of theincident.

As Mr. Shivakumar wasscheduled to visit Belagavi,

the home district of Mr. Ramesh Jarkiholi, to hold seriesof meetings and join the Congress candidate Satish Jarkiholi as he fi��led his nomination, a large number ofCongress workers had gathered near Sambra airport.

Simultaneously, severalsupporters of the former minister too had gathered tostage a black fl��ag protestagainst the Congress leader.Mr Shivakumar is in the eye

of a controversy, having allegedly helpedthe woman who hasfi��led a complaintagainst Mr. RameshJarkiholi.

Trouble started after some of the protesters,who raised “go back” slogans, managed to come onthe road to block Mr. Shivakumar’s vehicle. Althoughthe police thwarted their attempt, a gunman who triedto disperse the crowd was

manhandled by them, forcing him to fl��ee the scene on amotorcycle. As the vehiclespassed by, some protestersreportedly threw stones andfootwear at them. The policethen resorted to caning todisperse the crowd and restore normality.

Earlier at the airport, Mr.Shivakumar welcomed theprotest and said it wouldfurther boost the party’s

strength. Former CM Siddaramaiah condemned the attack on Mr. Shivakumar’sconvoy.

“I condemn the act ofstone pelting by followers ofMr. Ramesh Jarkiholi on thevehicles of Mr. Shivakumar.This is a BJPsponsored act,”he said in a tweet. “If there isno security to the State president of the Opposition partyin the BJPruled State, then

what is the fate of the common man? The failure of theBelagavi police seems to be arefl��ection of the aspersioncast on the Karnataka policeby the lady in the alleged sexCD of Mr. Jharkiholi,” headded.

Following the scuffl��es inBelagavi, members of theYouth Congress staged aprotest outside the CubbonPark police station in the

capital Bengaluru demanding the arrest of the Mr. Ramesh Jarkiholi.

The protesters shoutedslogans accusing the government of protecting Mr. Jarkiholi despite him beingbooked in a rape case.

Home Minister BasavarajBommai said the SIT hadbeen given a free hand toprobe and it would do freeand fair investigation.

CD scam: Shivakumar faces protests in Belagavi Supporters in Jarkiholi bastion blockCongress leader’s car, throw footwear Special Correspondent

HUBBALLI

Facing fury: Supporters of D.K.Shivakumar protesting inKalaburagi on Sunday seeking the arrest of Ramesh Jarkiholi.

CMYK

A ND-NDE


DELHI THE HINDU


NEWS

FROM PAGE ONE

said. Six States accountedfor 82.69% of the newdeaths, the Ministry releasesaid. Punjab reported 45deaths during this period,while Kerala reported 14.

India’s total active caseloadstood at 4,86,310 and thecumulative recoveries at1,13,23,762, with 28,739 recoveries registered in thepast 24 hours, the statement

Co-WIN upgraded, 1 cr.can register for jab daily

makrishnan). The submission marked a further low inthe already fraught CentreState relations. It alsoprompted LDF activists tolay siege to Customs offi��cesacross the State in protest.

The LDF has made anelection issue out of theCentre’s alleged trespassesagainst federalism. BJP andCongress, on the otherhand, have attacked theLDF for hobbling the Central law enforcement agencies to save the face of itspolitical leadership.

Meanwhile, Union HomeMinister Amit Shah said inDelhi on Sunday that theKerala government’s moveto register a case against Enforcement Directorate offi��cials was a “face saving exercise” as the principalsecretary of the State government had been arrestedin a gold smuggling case.

(With inputs fromVijaita Singh in Delhi)

The Kerala government arguably required the ECI’spermission to set the judicial probe in motion. Thecommission's terms of reference and the agencies thatwould come under the ambit of its investigation werenot immediately known.

Since January last, an Assembly electioneve showdown with the Central government has beenbrewing. First, Kerala joinedranks with 11 other States tohalt work on the NationalPopulation Register. Soonthereafter, the State government withdrew the generalconsent to the CBI to voluntarily operate in Kerala afterthe agency booked Life Mission offi��cials on the chargeof violating the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.(Life Mission is Kerala's fl��agship programme to providefree housing to lowincomefamilies).

The decision to bring central agencies under the ambit of a judicial enquirycomes barely two weeks after the Kerala police bookedunnamed Enforcement Directorate (ED) offi��cials onthe charge of conspiring toimplicate Mr. Vijayan in thesmuggling case dishonestly.

Earlier, the Customs hadsaid in a court fi��ling that thewoman suspect in the goldsmuggling case had statedwith clarity about the“smuggling of gold” at theinstance of the Chief Minister and Speaker (P. Sreera

Rajnath, Yechury sparover Kerala probe

tary panel listed the proposed cost for some of thenew initiatives. Linking Aadhaar with land recordsthrough ULPIN would cost₹��3 per record, it said, whileseeding and authenticationof landowner Aadhaar datawould cost ₹��5 each. It addedthat the integration of theAadhaar numbers with theland record database wouldbe done on a voluntarybasis.

Creating a modern landrecord room in every district would cost ₹��50 lakh perdistrict, while the integration of land records with theRevenue Court ManagementSystem would cost ₹��270crore. It also added thatDILRMP’s next phase wouldinclude “linkage of land record database with banks”.

“These components willenhance the service deliveries to the citizen of the country and will also function asinputs to the schemes of theother sectors like Agriculture, Finance Disaster Management etc,” the Department told the panel, addingthat ULPIN has been recommended by the SectoralGroup of Secretaries.

This is the next step in theDigital India Land RecordsModernisation Programme(DILRMP), which began in2008 and has been extended several times as its scopegrew. It’s due to come to anend next week, but the Department has proposed afurther extension to 202324, to complete its originaltargets as well as expand itsambit with a slew of newschemes.

“This Department has taken new initiatives underthe programme like NGDRS[or the National GenericDocument Registration System], ULPIN, linking ofcourt to land records, integration [of ] consent basedAadhaar number with landrecords etc. which necessitated its further extensionbeyond 202021 till 202324,” the Department toldthe parliamentary panel.

“Unique Land ParcelIdentifi��cation Number (ULPIN) is proposed to be rolledout in 10 States during FY202021 and by 202122 inthe entire country,” it added.

The Department’s presentation to the parliamen

ID for all land parcels by March 2022: Centre

ing society on the latter’sinstructions.

The body of Hiran, a resident of Thane, was found inMumbra creek on March 5.

“The NIA is taking the helpof professional as well as local divers who know theMithi river well. More evidences are likely to be recovered,” he said.

It is suspected that assistant police inspector Riyazuddin Kaazi had told theNIA during his interrogationthat these evidences werethrown into the Mithi river.

Mr. Kaazi, who is close toMr. Vaze, was questioned bythe NIA multiple times in recent past. It was Mr. Kaaziwho allegedly took away theDVR from Mr. Vaze’s hous

NIA fi��shes out numberplates, DVR in Vaze case

Sachin Vaze

The two pilot unions of national carrier Air India haveurged the Minister of CivilAviation and the airline’schairman and managing director to roll back the reductions in their salary and reinstate their monthly fl��yingallowances in line with industry standards. Most otherairlines in India have scaledback their austerity measures. The appeals were inthe form of letters and addressed to Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri

and Air India chairman andmanaging director RajivBansal.

In its March 23 letter, thecentral offi��ce of the IndianCommercial Pilots Association (ICPA), in Chennai — ithas six offi��ces — drew the Minister’s attention to the pilotshaving borne the “brunt ofunjust pay cuts with unilateral reductions to wages of approximately 58% from April2020, and 55% from October2020”, at a time when Air India has been the only majorIndian airline to operate themost number of repatriation

fl��ights through the peak ofthe novel coronavirus pandemic. An aviation industryexpert familiar with the context in which the letters werewritten said that as a breakup, this would work out to a

40% cut on all allowancesbarring salary which is asmall part of the gross package. Allowances form nearly60% to 70% of the gross pay.Also, instead of the fi��xed 70hours payment which is theindustry norm, the pilots arebeing paid based on the actual fl��ying done. In addition,there has been a cut of 40%on the hourly rate payment.

In the case of Air India,the wage cuts applied to pilots in its other airline groupstoo — its low cost subsidiary,Air India Express which employs about 320 pilots, andits regional airline subsidiary, Alliance Air, with about210 pilots. Both these airlineshave foreign national pilots

bound) and 11,58,313 passengers (outbound).

The IPG, which represents367 pilots and operates mostof Air India’s longhaulfl��ights, said that with domestic and international passenger load factors rising, theairline’s operations department had now introduced arevised policy that did awaywith prefl��ight COVID19 testing to enable better crew utilisation. The aviation expertsaid the IPG found this to bea cause for concern.

Neither the Ministry of Civil Aviation nor the Air IndiaCMD responded to The Hin-du’s emails for their comments on the issue.

on their rolls as well. Theytoo have had a pay cut butnot to the extent of their Indian counterparts. Thesetwo airlines do not have aseparate union, but are ICPAmembers.

The key roleIn the second letter, also dated March 23, the other Air India pilot union, the Indian Pilots Guild, which is based inMumbai, highlighted the keyrole the airline had playedunder the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ repatriation fl��ight schedule. Citing Civil Aviation Ministry data of March 18, itsaid Air India had fl��own27,50,385 passengers, whichis 15,92,072 passengers (in

Pilot unions urge Air India, Ministry to reverse salary cutsThe two bodies also want monthlyfl��ying allowances reinstated

Air India pilots say they hadto bear 55% cut in wages.

MURALI N. KRISHNASWAMY

Chennai

Leader of the Opposition inthe Assembly Siddaramaiahon Sunday accused thepolice and the BJPgovernment of “pledgingthe pride of Karnataka” byfailing to provide protectionto the woman allegedly seenwith the former MinisterRamesh Jharkiholi in a CD.

“It is shameful that thepolice could not trace theCD victim even after 20days,” he tweeted. “It lookslike she is of the opinionthat the police are involvedin the conspiracy againsther. This CD case is a classicexample for the breakdownof administrative and policemachinery in the Stateunder the BJP government.”

Police, govt. have pledgedState’s pride: SiddaramaiahSpecial Correspondent

BENGALURU

‘23% of endowment landin Telangana encroached’ HYDERABAD

About 23% of total

endowment land in Telangana

was encroached. The total

endowment land in the State

was 87,235 acres. This was

declared by the Comptroller

and Auditor General of India

while referring to the

management of endowment

assets in 2017-18. Absence of

a proper mechanism to

protect temple land increased

the risk of encroachments,

the report said.

Bharat Sevak Samajactivities to be probedKOZHIKODE

The Kerala State Human

Rights Commission has

directed the Chief Secretary

to probe the management of

Bharat Sevak Samaj (BSS),

which claims to be a Central

government institution. This

follows a complaint filed

by a few beneficiaries of the

BSS’s ‘Muttagramam’ project

(to promote backyard poultry

in villages) that they had

been taken for a ride.

Andhra Pradesh reported1,005 new COVID19 casesand two deaths on Sunday,the highest singleday tally inthe past four months. Karnataka added 3,082 cases, Kerala 2,216 and as of Saturday,Telangana recorded 535 cases.

The test positivity rate(TPR) in Kerala shot up to4.69% and the State added 12deaths to the toll. Threemore patients died inTelangana.

The total number of casesfrom the engineering campus of Andhra Universitywas 102 on Sunday, HealthDepartment offi��cials said. Of102 cases, 96 were boys, fi��vefaculty and one was from thegirls hostel. Four medicalteams at the varsity weremonitoring the students.

Tourism Minister Srinivasa Rao said the studentswere given separate isolation

blocks and provided COVID19 kits. He said studentsdid not have any symptomsand parents need not worry.

The number of active cases jumped to 5,394, a fi��vefold increase in just threeweeks. There were only1,009 active cases on March8.

Also, 31,142 samples were

tested in the past day and theTPR was 3.23%.

Karnataka’s cases on Sunday, at 3,082, matched the3,000 mark recorded on November 5, 2020. The Healthdepartment said 2,004 caseswere reported from Bengaluru Urban alone. Active casesin the State stood at 23,037and 204 patients were in in

tensive care. Also, 1.06 lakhtests were conducted onSunday, 99,753 of them ofthe RTPCR type, besides rapid antigen tests. The TPRstood at 2.89% and 12 deathswere reported.

In Kerala, Malappuram reported three deaths, Kottayam, Kozhikode and Kannur two each while one

death each was reportedfrom Kollam, Thrissur andKasaragod.

Among districts, Kozhikode reported the maximumnumber of new cases 403.

So far, 11 persons, including one contact of a U.K. returnee tested positive for thevirus variant B.1.1.7.

Telangana’s new cases included 154 from GreaterHyderabad Municipal Corporation region, 49 from MedchalMalkajgiri and 39 fromRangareddy. Only one casewas detected in Mulugu.

Cases were on the rise inYadagirigutta temple town,with nearly 70 persons testing positive. Most of themare staff� of the Sri LakshmiNarasimha Swamy temple.

Tamil Nadu reported2,194 fresh infections, thehighest since the fi��rst weekof November last year. Eleven patients died of the infection. Chennai reportedthe highest number of 833fresh cases.

(With inputs fromThiruvananthapuram,

Bengaluru, Hyderabad &Chennai bureaus)

With new clusters, COVID19 cases shoot upA.P. case load up fi��ve times since March 8taff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM

Swapna Suresh, accused inthe diplomatic channel goldsmuggling case, gave a statement to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that SpeakerP. Sreeramakrishnan had“always kept trying toget close to her and hewas in need of the Consul General of UAE forhis personal aff�airs.”

The ED had submitted these statements tothe Kerala High Courtrecently.

When asked to explainher relationship with Mr.Sreeramakrishnan, Ms.Swapna said she met him forthe fi��rst time at a function ofthe UAE Consulate. “He used

to send me WhatsApp messages and used to call up frequently,” she said.

Ms. Swapna said theSpeaker had invited her tohis offi��cial residence on several occasions.

She stated that Mr. Sreeramakrishnan hadcalled her to a fl��at inMarutham Apartment, Pettah, twiceand told that it was hishideout. She statedthat she did not agreeto his “personal inter

ests.” Ms. Swapna said shemet him at the apartmentalong with Sarith.

She said Mr. Sreeramakrishnan handed over a bagto Sarith, another accused inthe case, and told him that it

contained a packet that wasto be handed over safely tothe Consul General. He alsogave a pen to Sarith, she stated. Sarith, who delivered thepacket to the Consul General, said the packet seemed tohave currency notes inside.Later, this bag was seized bythe Customs from the residence of Sarith, she stated.

WhatsApp chatWhen confronted with herWhatsApp chat with M. Sivasankar, former Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister,Swapna said she had informed the Chief Ministerabout the circumstances inwhich she was forced to resign from the UAE Consulate.

Speaker always tried to getclose to me, says Swapna‘He was in need of UAE Consul General for personal aff��airs’


KOCHI

YSRCP MLA VenkataSubbaiah passes awayKADAPA

Badvel YSRCP MLA and noted

medical practitioner G.

Venkata Subbaiah, 60, died

while undergoing treatment

at Kadapa in Andhra Pradesh

on Sunday. He got elected

MLA in the 2019 elections.

He is survived by wife and

two children. Governor Biswa

Bhusan Harichandan and

Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan

Mohan Reddy conveyed their

condolences to the family.

IN BRIEF

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

Two tiger cubs fromBandipur die, one criticalMYSURU

Two tiger cubs from the

Bandipur region died on

Sunday, apparently due to

starvation, while the

condition of another is critical

and is under observation at

the Mysuru zoo. The three

cubs were found in an

emaciated condition in the

Nugu division of Hediyala

range on Sunday. Forest staff

said the mother may have

abandoned the cubs or died.

If elected to power inKerala, the BJP willpromulgate a law to protectthe rights of Sabarimaladevotees, Defence MinisterRajnath Singh has said.Another law to check ‘lovejihad’ in the State too wouldbe brought in, he said.

‘BJP will bringtwo new laws’

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

STAFF REPORTER

KOTTAYAM

Tamil Nadu DirectorGeneral of Police J.K. Tripathy onSunday transferred the investigation in the alleged attempt to bribe police personnel in Tiruchi to theCBCID.

After reports ofcash covers being distributed to police personnel went viral onsocial media, TiruchiPolice CommissionerJ. Loganathan orderedsearches at suspectedplaces.

Police sources said thatcash to the tune of a fewthousands of rupees kept inseveral covers were seizedfrom Thillai Nagar and Tiruchi government hospitalpolice stations.

Six police offi��cials, including two inspectors,were placed under suspension pending enquiry.

The allegation is that themoney was distributed byDMK leader K.N. Nehru,who is contesting from the

Tiruchi West Assembly constituency.

However, Mr. Nehru, in a letter to theChief Electoral Offi��cer, Tamil Nadu, dismissed the allegationagainst him. He said

attempts were being madeto spoil his reputation byspreading false news in thesocial media.

Mr. Nehru sought the intervention of the ElectionCommission to stop the propaganda and take actionagainst the wrongdoers.

CBCID to probe T.N.police bribery caseCash seized, 6 personnel suspended

S. Vijay Kumar

CHENNAI

CMYK

A ND-NDE


THE HINDU DELHI


NEWS

Tamil Nadu has the highestrevenue defi��cit among thepollbound States, accordingto a report. It stood at₹��65,994 crore, as per the revised budget estimate for202021.

In terms of size of the economy, Tamil Nadu’s economy is the largest amongthese States (third largest inIndia), followed by WestBengal (sixth), Kerala (11th),Assam (17th) and Puducherry (26th). Together, they account for around 20% of India’s economy, according toa Care Ratings report on theeconomic and fi��nancial profi��le of the States and the Union Territories headed forelections.

At ₹��19 lakh crore, TamilNadu accounts for 9% of India’s economy, it said.

Assam has witnessed a revenue surplus in 202021, asper the revised estimates forthe year, while Puducherryhad a revenue surplus for201920 and is yet to announce the Budget for 202122, the report said. The fi��nancial position of WestBengal and Kerala is alsostressed, with revenue defi��cit of ₹��34,345 crore and₹��24,206 crore in 202021,respectively, the report said.

According to the report,Assam has witnessed thehighest average economicgrowth of 8.6% during thefouryear period to 201920.West Bengal and Puducher

ry’s economy grew on a parwith the national average,while at 6.3%, Kerala’s economic growth was lowerthan the national averagedue to the devastating fl��oodsof 2018 and 2019.

The services sector accounted for 51% or over halfof the Tamil Nadu’s economic output, followed by industry (38%) and agriculture(11%) for 202021, Care Ratings said. Tamil Nadu’s economic growth averaged 8%from 2016 to 2020, abovethe national average of 6.7%.

Unemployment rateThe unemployment rate inTamil Nadu in February 2021was 4.8%, lower than the national average of 6.9%, it added. The unemploymentrates in other four Stateswere also below the national

average, it added. This couldbe on account of the Statelevel measures being undertaken to provide employmentopportunities to its population. The process has alsobeen driven by the upcoming elections when more effort is put to create jobs,Care said.

In February 2021, TamilNadu’s infl��ation stood at7.2%, above the national average of 5%. The infl��ationwas 4.9% for Kerala, 5.3% forWest Bengal, 8% for Puducherry and 6.5% for Assam.

Although Tamil Nadu hasa high quantum of outstanding debt (₹��4.85 lakh crore inFY21), it is perceived as being sustainable as it is withinthe prudential limit, whiledebt burden of West Bengaland Kerala are above the limits, the report said.

It accounts for 9% of India’s economy, says report


CHENNAI

‘T.N. has highest revenue defi��citamong electionbound States’

Calling the Election Commission order relaxing the rulefor the appointment of polling agents “arbitrary, motivated and biased”, the Trinamool Congress has writtento the Commission, urging itto withdraw the order.

According to a March2009 rule, polling agentswho are appointed by thecontesting candidates shallhave to be electors in thesame polling stations orfrom neighbouring pollingstations falling in the sameconstituency. However, theprovision was amended recently to allow an electorfrom any part of an Assembly constituency to be appointed a polling agent.

The Trinamool claimedthat this change was broughtabout on the directions of

the BJP. The party also released an alleged conversation between BJP leader Mukul Roy and another BJPfunctionary, where the Trinamool claims that this wasdiscussed. The Trinamoolsaid that no other party wasconsulted.

The commission, the Trinamool alleged, changed the

rule based on inputs and forthe convenience of the candidates.

‘Ambiguous reasoning’“Such reasoning is not onlyambiguous in nature but alsoleads us to a conclusion thatit has been implemented tohelp certain political parties,namely the Bharatiya Janata

Party (BJP), due to them notpossessing the strength tomuster enough pollingagents,” the party alleged ina letter to the EC datedMarch 26. It released the letter on Sunday.

The party claimed thatthe new instructions weremade with a “mala fi��de intention” to benefi��t the BJPcandidates . “Such instruction passed by the ElectionCommission of India just before the scheduled date ofelection to take place in WestBengal is arbitrary, motivated and biased,” it alleged,and urged the Commissionto withdraw the directionand restore the earlier rule.

A delegation led by MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay had onSaturday raised the issue at ameeting with Chief ElectoralOffi��cer Aariz Aftab in Kolkata.

Trinamool accuses EC of bias Provision for appointing polling agents was relaxed to benefi��t BJP, it says


New Delhi

Word of advice: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee withTrinamool Rajerhat candidate Aditi Munshi on Sunday. * PTI

Union Home Minister AmitShah said on Sunday that theBJP would win more than 26seats out of the 30 to whichpolling was held in Saturday’s fi��rst phase of the Assembly election in West Bengal. He said women hadvoted for the party in largenumbers in the State.

In Assam, he said, the party would win more than 37of the 47 seats in the fi��rstphase.

“I want to thank people inboth the States that they voted in favour of the BJP inhuge numbers; 84% pollingin West Bengal and 79% inAssam shows the huge enthusiasm of voters. The twoStates were earlier knownfor poll violence, but pollingwas peaceful this time. Noone was killed,” Mr. Shahsaid at a press conference athis residence in Delhi.

“The voting pattern refl��ects that people want aprotestfree Assam, developmentprone Assam. Assamhas realised the importanceof a doubleengine government,” he said.

He said West Bengal hadbeen affl��icted with appeasement politics and unfetteredillegal migration. “The fundsfor development work wasusurped by political parties,the kind of mismanagement

during COVID and Amphanwas seen... After the 27yearcommunist rule, it was feltthat some transformationwill come; however nothingchanged under Didi [WestBengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee]; Bengal can develop, without appeasementa government can run, allcan get religious freedom,”he said.

“We will cross more than200 seats. In Assam also wewill more seats than we havenow,” he said.

Asked about the highvoltage contest at Nandigrambetween Ms. Banerjee andBJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari, Mr. Shah said, “Nothing special about Nandigram, it is just a seat for usbut if Nandigram does itthen transformation willcome. The maa, maati,

maanush (Trinamool slogan) promises have beenproved hollow,” he said.

Home Minister says party will get 37 of 47 seats in Assam


New Delhi

Home Minister Amit Shahspeaks to media persons, athis residence in New Delhion Sunday. * PTI

BJP will win 26 of 30 seatsin Bengal Phase 1: Amit Shah

In the highstakes battle forthe Nandigram seat to whichpolling will be held on April1, West Bengal Chief MinisterMamata Banerjee is campingin the constituency for threedays from Sunday, attendingseven public meetings andtwo roadshows.

She is facing her erstwhileprotege, Suvendu Adhikari,who joined the BJP on theeve of the election, leavingher usual constituency ofBhawanipur. The contest isalso for the ownership of theNandigram agitation againstland acquisition by the thenLeft Front government in200809. Mr. Adhikari wasthe local Trinamool Congress face of the movement.

Her threeday halt in theconstituency began with avisit to the Reyapura ShibMandir Dol Mela followed bya public meeting. She will attend three public rallies and

one roadshow each on Monday and Tuesday.

The BJP is also pulling outall the stops. Home MinisterAmit Shah will address a public meeting here on Tuesday, the last day ofcampaigning.

Ms. Banerjee’s camping inNandigram has given herpolitical opponent ammunition to question her party’sconfi��dence.

Mamata is nervous: BJPThe BJP already has beenrunning a campaign aboutTrinamool’s “nervousness”,releasing an audiotape inwhich the Chief Minister isreportedly heard asking forhelp from Proloy Pal, BJPdistrict vicepresident.

“Mamata Banerjee has always said that she is the candidate for all 294 seats. Thefact that she is spendingthree days in Nandigram betrays her nervousness. Rightnow, it seems her only prior

ity is to win Nandigram,”said Dinesh Trivedi, a founding member of the Trinamool who joined the BJP lastmonth.

The Trinamool, however,says that this is not very unusual and every candidatedoes this. “It is a pointlessargument to ask why she isspending three days in aconstituency where she iscontesting from. Had she notgone, then these very people would have claimed thatshe is ignoring Nandigram,”party leader Saugata Roysaid.

Political researcher SajjanKumar said that it would bea very close contest. “Bycontesting from Nandigram,Mamata Banerjee has scoredthe perception advantage ofowning up the Nandigrammovement. Also there is acommitted Muslim electorate who are fi��rmly with theTrinamool,” Mr. Kumar toldThe Hindu.

Mamata camps in Nandigramin the fi��nal lap to pollingAmit Shah to campaign for the BJP, to attend meeting

Sobhana K. Nair

New Delhi

The railway station in Silchar, the political hub of theBengalimajority Barak Valley comprising 15 Assemblyconstituencies in Assam, ismore than a terminal fortrain travellers. NamedBhasha Shahid Station, ittakes the local people backto May 1961 when the policeshot down 11 people whoprotested against the “imposition” of Assamese throughlegislation in October 1960.

The psychological dividebetween the valley and theAssamesemajority Brahmaputra Valley has remainedsince.

The BJP claims to havebridged this divide. “Wehave taken Barak, Brahmaputra, hills, plains alongequally,” Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal often says.But the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) appears tohave divided the two valleys.While the Brahmaputra Valley has been largely againstthe law, many in the BarakValley have supported it.

The CAA seeks to fasttrack the citizenship of nonMuslims who fl��ed religiouspersecution in Afghanistan,Bangladesh and Pakistan

and took refuge in India tillDecember 31, 2014.

Keen on wresting Barakback from the BJP, which hadwon eight Hindumajorityseats in 2016, the Congressappears to have taken a gamble with the “guarantee” ofhaving CAA scrapped if voted to power. The remainingseven seats are Muslimmajority.

“People are gravitating toward Congress because theyhave called the BJP’s bluff� onCAA, which fools BengaliHindus because of the conditions that come with it,” the

party’s pointsperson in Barak and former MP, SushmitaDev said, adding that theBJP’s avoidance of the CAA inAssam while rooting for it inWest Bengal revealed its trueface.

Few takersBJP State chief Ranjeet Kumar Dass said the rules of theCAA would be framed afterthe polls for implementationin the country. But there arefew takers in Barak Valley.

“CAA will never happen inAssam because the BJPwould not like to lose the

votes of the Assamese, manyof whom are against it.Another factor is Clause 6 ofthe Assam Accord that guarantees Constitutional safeguards for indigenous communities, and it is unlikelythat Bengalis of any religionwill be considered indigenous no matter how longthey have been living in Assam,” said Kamal Chakraborty of the Unconditional Citizenship Demand Forum.

“CAA came as a corollaryto the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which did negate the Brahmaputra Valley

narrative that there are 1crore Bangladeshi Hindus.Do you think the 19 lakh excluded from the NRC wouldhave submitted their papershad they not believed theyare Indians?” he said.

Most agree the CAA andthe Hindutva agenda havepolarised Barak Valley likenever before.

“Every action has a reaction. More than one partyhas turned communal.Where Bengali Hindus andMuslims should have beentogether on issues of NRCand D (doubtful) voters, theyare moving apart. For some,CAA is the dose of reassurance that nothing will happen to them so long they arewith a party,” said formerMLA Ataur Rahman Mazarbhuiya.

The BJP is contesting 14 ofthe Barak Valley seats and ally AGP is contesting two,with a friendly fi��ght in oneseat.

The Congress and ally AllIndia United DemocraticFront, too, would have afriendly fi��ght in one seat,while contesting 10 and fourseats individually.

The 15 seats are among the39 going to the polls in thesecond phase on April 1.

A valley divided by the CAA crosscurrentsThe Act has polarised Assam’s Barak region, where Bengalis are the majority linguistic group

RAHUL KARMAKAR

SILCHAR

NIA arrests TMC leaderChhatradhar Mahato KOLKATA

The National Investigation

Agency (NIA) on Sunday

arrested Trinamool Congress

leader and former convener

of the People’s Committee on

Police Atrocities, Chhatradhar

Mahato. The arrest came

hours after 30 constituencies

in southwestern Bengal,

where he wields influence,

went to the polls. The NIA

had earlier in the month

issued summons to Mr.

Mahato in connection with

the murder of a CPI(M)

worker in 2009, and for the

alleged hijacking of

passengers of the Rajdhani

Express in the same year.

IN BRIEF

West Bengal finalturnout is 84.63% KOLKATA

West Bengal Chief Electoral

Officer Aariz Aftab on Sunday

said 84.63% of the 73.8 lakh

voters in 30 constituencies in

the State exercised their

franchise during the first

phase of polling on March 27.

After voting concluded at

6.30 p.m. on Saturday, the

CEO’s office had said that a

79.79% turnout was recorded

till 5 p.m. “The poll

percentage figure till 6.30

p.m. is 84.63%,” Mr. Aftab

said. Polling was “mostly

peaceful”.

56 bombs found in WestBengal, says poll panelNEW DELHI

The Election Commission said

on Sunday that 56 bombs had

been recovered from

Narendrapur in West Bengal

during a search operation

based on “secret source

information”. On the

intervening night of Saturday

and Sunday, a team of

Narendrapur police under

Baruipur police district raided

a “bamboo fenced tile shed

room beside Bheri at

Kantipota, Kheadaha II G.P.

under Narendrapur P.S”, an EC

statement said. The police

team recovered 56 bombs

during the search, it said.

President givesassent to Delhi BillNEW DELHI

President Ram Nath Kovind

on Sunday gave assent to a

Bill to accord primacy to

Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor

(L-G) over the government.

The Union government

announced the presidential

assent to the Government of

National Capital Territory of

Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021

through a gazette

notification.The law says the

“government” in Delhi means

the “Lieutenant Governor and

the city government will now

have to seek the opinion of

the L-G before taking any

executive action.” The

Opposition parties termed the

Bill “unconstitutional”.

CMYK

A ND-NDE


DELHI THE HINDU


NEWS

In view of the sharp rise infresh COVID19 cases, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday,on the recommendation ofthe State COVID19 taskforce, asked offi��cials to prepare a plan for implementation of a lockdown which willhave minimum impact onthe economy, an offi��cial release said.

In a meeting held withHealth Minister Rajesh Tope,the Chief Minister reviewedhealth infrastructure, including availability of beds,oxygen and medicines, inthe State to treat COVID19patients.

The task force then recommended that the Stategovernment implementmeasures such as a stricterlockdown to stem thespread. The Chief Ministerasked offi��cials to prepare adetailed plan.

“There should not be anykind of confusion among thepeople once a lockdown is

announced,” the Chief Ministar said.

Maharashtra has seen asteep rise in COVID19 casessince the last week. As manyas one lakh new infectionswere added to the State’s tal

ly during the period.“24,619 cases had been re

ported on a single day inSeptember, 2020. However,on March 27 this year, theState reported 35,726 newcases in a day,” the release

said. The State governmentimposed a ban on gatheringsof fi��ve or more persons atnight beginning March 28.

On Saturday, the government also announced a banon all types of gatherings, in

cluding political and religious events.

It also ordered that restaurants, gardens and mallswould remain shut between8 p.m. to 7 a.m. beginningSaturday night.

Maharashtra CM calls for lockdown planUddhav seeks one with ‘minimum impact’ on the economy; over one lakh cases added last week


Mumbai

Stringent measures: A health worker taking a compulsory nasal swab sample of a person at abeach in Mumbai on Saturday. * AFP

Prime Minister NarendraModi defended his prescription for honouring frontlinehealth workers during theinitial days of the lockdownwith measures such as banging steel utensils, clappingand lighting a lamp, sayingthat these went a long way inkeeping the spirits up in thebattle against the COVID19pandemic.

Speaking during the 75thedition of ‘Mann ki Baat’ thatstarted in October 2014, Mr.Modi said these expressionsof respecting the “coronawarriors” kept them going.“You cannot imagine howmuch it had touched thehearts of corona warriors …and that is the very reasonthey resolutely held on thewhole year, without tiring,without halting. Steadfastly,they endured to save the lifeof each and every citizen ofthe country,” he said.

The Opposition has oftenderided these measures.

Mr. Modi also appreciatedthe discipline shown by thecountry in over a year, beginning with the Janata curfew on March 22 last year. “Itwas an unprecedented example of discipline; generations to come will certainlyfeel proud about that,” hesaid.

Noting that around thistime last year the questionwas whether there would bea vaccine for COVID19 andby when it would be rolled

out, the Prime Minister saidit was a matter of pride thatthe world’s largest vaccination drive was under way inIndia.

On agricultureHe also spoke about modernisation of the country’sagriculture. “In India’s agriculture sector, modernisation is the need of the hour.It has been delayed and wehave already lost a lot oftime,” he said.

Mr. Modi said in order tocreate new employment opportunities in the agriculture sector and to increasefarmers’ income, it wasequally important to adoptnew alternatives and innovations along with traditionalagricultural practices.

His comments on agriculture come at a time whenthe farmers’ agitation is going on relentlessly withfarmers camping at the Delhi border.

Janata curfew was an example of discipline, says Modi

Sobhana K. Nair

New Delhi

Narendra Modi

‘Lighting lamps, clappingencouraged health workers’

The Centre has told the Assam government that “rejection slips” to those excludedfrom the fi��nal National Register of Citizens (NRC) published in 2019 should be issued immediately.

More than 19 lakh of the3.29 crore applicants in Assam were left out of the fi��nalregister that took fi��ve yearsto be compiled and cost₹��1,220 crore.

The offi��ce of the RegistrarGeneral of India (RGI) underthe Ministry of Home Aff��airs(MHA) wrote to Assam HomeSecretary S.R. Bhuyan onMarch 23 that the supplementary list of exclusionsand inclusions were published on August 31, 2019on the directions of the Supreme Court. “However, theprocess of issuing rejectionslips to those excluded fromthe NRC is yet to start.”

The MHA had earlier saidthat “noninclusion of a person’s name in the NRC doesnot by itself amount to him/her being declared as a fo

reigner” as they would be given adequate opportunity topresent their case before theForeigners Tribunals (FTs).The time limit to appeal before the FTs, the quasi judicial bodies unique to Assam,has been increased from 60to 120 days.

Assam is the only Statewhere an NRC was compiledunder the supervision of thetop court.

“In a meeting held underthe chairmanship of the Union Home Secretary on February 22, 2020 it was decided that the rejection slip for

the cases which are correctmay be issued to the personsleft out of the supplementary list of inclusion and exclusion immediately and cases where mismatch in resultsrecorded in hard copy andentered in computer hasbeen found by the SCNR[State coordinator, NationalRegistration] may be referred to the concerned deputy commissioners for clarifi��cations,” the letter byJaspal Singh, Joint Director,offi��ce of the RGI, said. TheState Coordinator of the NRCis a secretary rank offi��cer ofthe Assam government whoassists the RGI.

Several meetingsThe letter added that theNRC coordination committee has been insisting sinceits meetings held on January30, 2020 and July 2, 2020 tocomplete the activities under the approved budget of₹��1,602 crore.

The letter mentions thatthe State coordinator of theNRC in the July 2 meetinghad mentioned that rejec

tion slips would be issued bythe end of December 2020.

The BJPruled Assam government has rejected theNRC in its current form anddemanded reverifi��cation of30% of names included inthe NRC in areas borderingBangladesh and 10% in remaining State. The Assemblyelection is under way in Assam and the results are to beannounced on May 2.

According to Article 6 ofthe Constitution, the cutoff��date for migration to Indiafrom Pakistan is July 19, 1948whereas according to the1985 accord, in Assam, thatborders Bangladesh, it isMarch 24, 1971.

In the letter, the joint director asked the Assam government to assess the software used for managing theregister and discontinue theones not required.

The letter said the Stategovernment’s requirementof ₹��3.22 crore per month forthe upkeep of records appeared to be “too high”. It also asked to discontinue theadditional staff��.

NRC-excluded to get rejection slipsCentre writes to Assam; 19 lakh of 3.29 crore applicants were left out of fi��nal list

People queue up to checktheir names on the fi��nal NRCin August 2019. * FILE PHOTO

Vijaita Singh

New Delhi

As many as 27 migratorybirds have been reporteddead on account of avian infl��uenza in the Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary area of Himachal Pradesh since March25, setting off�� alarm bellsand forcing authorities toshut down the sanctuary.

Archana Sharma, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (wildlife), told The Hin-du on Sunday that 14migratory birds, mostly barheaded geese, were founddead at the sanctuary onMarch 25. “Another 12 birdswere found dead over thenext two days. We have sentthe samples to the RegionalDiseases Diagnostic Laboratory in Jalandhar. Any confi��rmation about the presenceof avian fl��u could be ascertained only after the reportscome,” she said.

“At this time of the year,migratory birds are on theirway back to their breeding

grounds in central Asia.Some of them may be infected because immunity levelsare low as they are comingfrom diff��erent wetlands. Weare assuming that it could beavian infl��uenza — H5N1 orH5N8 — but until the reportscome nothing can be confi��rmed,” she said.

“As a precautionary measure, we have closed thesanctuary area for now. Thewildlife wing of the Forest

department is working actively to monitor the situation and fi��eld staff�� have beendirected to maintain strictvigil and active surveillanceon the situation,” added Ms.Sharma.

Earlier in January thisyear, avian infl��uenza (H5N1)led to the death of over5,000 migratory birds in thePong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary area in Kangra district ofthe State.

Offi��cials suspect avian infl��uenza, reports awaited

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHANDIGARH

Alarming situation: Barheaded geese fl��ying at the Pong Damwetlands in Himachal Pradesh. * FILE PHOTO

27 migratory birds found dead atwildlife sanctuary in Himachal

Amid the crackdown bythe military on protestersin Myanmar following theFebruary 1 coup, India isone of the countries thatattended the Armed ForcesDay parade on March 27, ithas been learnt.

“As the norm, the Defence Attache at the Embassy would attend the parade. It is so as diplomaticties are still on with Myanmar,” two offi��cial sourcessaid independently.

There was no offi��cial response from the government. According to NikkeiAsia, eight countries — Russia, China, India, Pakistan,Bangladesh, Vietnam, Laosand Thailand — sent representatives for the annualparade. On Sunday, the defence chiefs of 12 countries, including Australia,the U.K. and the U.S., condemned the “use of lethalforce against unarmed people” in what was reportedas the bloodiest day sincethe coup.

India attendsMyanmarparade


NEW DELHI

A Muslim man from Kannauj, who was jailed underUttar Pradesh’s strict anticonversion law in December2020 on charges of allegedlyhiding his identity to marrya Hindu woman, has beengranted bail by the Allahabad High Court. The Hinduwoman submitted an affi��davit to the district police supporting the case of herhusband.

Mohammad Taufi��q Khanwas accused by the father ofthe woman, Priya Verma, ofhiding his identity and goingunder a false name to trap

her in love, for marriage.Mr. Khan’s counsel sub

mitted that the woman wasan adult and the accusedhad been in a relationshipwith her for the past threeor four years. The coupleperformed their marriageon their own will as per Hindu rites and rituals, he said.

In another case, two women from Prayagraj whowere arrested along with aKorean national and an Indian man on charges of allegedly trying to entice twoHindu women to convert toChristianity in GautamBuddha Nagar were alsogranted bail by the court.

Man accused under U.P.conversion law gets bailCourt grants bail to three others

Omar Rashid

LUCKNOW

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut onSunday called Anil Deshmukh an “accidental HomeMinister”, claiming that hegot the post after senior Nationalist Congress Party(NCP) leaders like Jayant Patil and Dilip WalsePatil refused the responsibility.

Mr. Raut’s remarks cameamid speculation that UnionHome Minister Amit Shahhad met NCP leaders SharadPawar and Praful Patel at atop industrialist’s residencein Ahmedabad on Saturday.

In his column “Rokhthok”in the Shiv Sena mouthpieceSaamana, Mr. Raut also saidthe Maha Vikas Aghadi go

vernment in Maharashtradid not have damage controlmachinery as was seen afterformer Mumbai police chiefParam Bir Singh claimed thatMr. Deshmukh asked the police to collect ₹��100 crore amonth. “If a junior offi��cer

like Sachin Vaze was runninga [money] collection racketfrom the Mumbai PoliceCommissioner’s offi��ce, whywas the Home Minister notaware of it? ... Vaze was amere API in Mumbai police.Who gave him so many pow

ers?” Mr. Raut said.“Deshmukh unnecessari

ly rubbed some police offi��cials the wrong way. A HomeMinister cannot functionproperly if he gets surrounded by suspicious offi��cers,” hewrote in the column.

Sanjay Raut hits out at Anil DeshmukhHis remarks come amid speculation about Amit Shah’s meeting with Pawar

Sanjay Raut


Mumbai

The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday initiated aninvestigation after a fi��rebroke out in the cardiologydepartment of a hospital inKanpur.

The fi��re broke out around7.25 a.m. at a medical storeof the ICU of the LPS Institute of Cardiology, a seniorpolice offi��cer said. It wasbrought under control butsmoke spread to the ICU,said Aseem Arun, Commissioner of Police. All 140 patients were safely evacuated, he said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath sought a reportfrom the district administration and directed a team ofthe Principal Secretary,Health Department, and theDirectorGeneral, Fire, to visit the hospital and submit areport.

According to hospital offi��cials, two highrisk patients

died in the morning but thedeaths were “not caused bythe fi��re”. About the deathsof the two patients, VinayKrishna, Director of the hospital, said, “Tek Chand diedaround 6.30 a.m., even before the fi��re broke out. Rasoolan Bi died later. The bodies have been sent for

postmortem. Prima facie,the highrisk patients hadnormal deaths and the fatalities were not caused by thefi��re. The postmortem willreveal the exact cause.” Dr.Krishna said the cause was“probably a shortcircuit”.

“Things are under control now ... There are no casualties. Over 140 patientswere evacuated,” AdditionalChief Secretary (Home)Awanish Kumar Awasthisaid.

Windowpanes on the fi��rstfl��oor of the hospital werebroken to let the smoke out,an offi��cial said.

(With inputs from PTI)

More than 140 patients rescued


LUCKNOW

Towards safety: Patients being shifted to a hall after the fi��reat the LPS Institute of Cardiology on Sunday. * PTI

Union Home Minister AmitShah said on Sunday “noteverything is to be madepublic”, when asked abouthis meeting with NationalistCongress Party (NCP) chiefSharad Pawar in

Ahmedabad. NCP ministerNawab Malik toldmediapersons in Mumbaithat no such meeting tookplace, adding “there is anattempt to create confusionby spreading suchrumours”.

(Inputs from PTI)


New Delhi

‘No meeting took place’

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Maharashtra on Sundayreported 40,414 freshCOVID19 cases, the highestrise so far in a single day,taking its tally beyond 27lakh to 27,13,875, the StateHealth Department said.

The State had reachedthe 26 lakhmark of caseson March 25.

With 108 fresh fatalitiesdue to COVID19 infection,the overall toll in the Statereached 54,181, said therelease. .

Maharashtrasees highestsingle-day spike Press Trust of India

Mumbai

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The Jammu and Kashmirpolice lodged an FIR againstsome youth who raised slogans and vandalised a musicconcert organised by theJ&K Tourism Department,in Srinagar on Sunday.

“A group of miscreantscreated ruckus on the stage.It was triggered when oneboy among the audience demanded a song of his choiceto be played. However, hisrequest was not fulfi��lled im

mediately. When he tookaway the microphone, onemember of the culturalgroup slapped that boy,” apolice spokesman said.

The spokesman said thepolice used maximum restraint and avoided fi��ringteargas shells. “Any use offorce would have created astampedelike situationwhere people in hundreds,including women and children, were in attendance.”.The police have lodged anFIR against the miscreants.

Ruckus broke out over choice of song

Peerzada Ashiq

Srinagar

J&K police book youthfor disrupting concert

Fire breaks out atKanpur govt. hospital

For 15 years, Om Prakashserved as a teacher in thebasic Education Department in Uttar Pradesh. Hewas posted as a teacher inan upper primary school inSiryapur in Unnao. However, his run came to an endwith his arrest on Friday.

According to the police,Om Prakash’s educationaldocuments dated 2002were found to be fake. A native of Hardoi, he was arrested after a probe found his

B.Ed certifi��cates to be“forged and fake”, said thepolice. An FIR was lodgedagainst him on the complaint of the SumerpurBlock Education Offi��cer after a probe by the U.P. Special Task Force.

Cases like these oftenspring up in U.P., where theSTF has been probing “faketeacher” rackets. In January,a person who was workingas a teacher for 37 years inLakhimpur Kheri was arrested for being a “faketeacher” by the STF.

‘Fake teacher’ taught for 15 years in UnnaoU.P. STF has been probing such cases

special correspondent

LUCKNOW

Eight people were killed andseveral others seriously injured when a speeding truckploughed into a roadside eatery in Bihar’s Nalanda district on Sunday, the policesaid.

Irate locals set fi��re to thevehicle and indulged in heavy stonepelting when thepolice and administrative offi��cers reached the spot, a senior police offi��cer said.

The accident took placein the Telhada police station

area when the driver of thetruck, coming from Jehanabad district, lost control over the vehicle, Deputy Superintendent of Police KrishnaMurari Sharan said. Employees of the eating jointand customers are amongthe deceased, he said.

The driver and other occupants of the truck abandoned the vehicle and fl��ed.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar directed the DistrictMagistrate to provide ex gratia of ₹��4 lakh each to families of the deceased.

8 killed as truck ploughsinto roadside eatery Irate locals set fi��re to the vehicle


Bihar Sharif

CMYK

A ND-NDE


THE HINDU DELHI


SHOWCASE

“Why should periods be gross totalk about?” asks Tisca Chopra,mom to eightyearold Tara. Herparents, says Tisca, never volunteered information and shepicked up diff��erent versions ofpubertal truths from cousinsand friends. But with Tara, Tiscahas chosen to be open becauseshe realises growing up is a rollercoaster ride. “My husbandand I do not hesitate to call thebody parts by their biologicalnames during conversations athome,” she says. “A breast isbreast and a vagina is a vagina,why should basic physiologyand biology be such a taboo todiscuss?”

It was the actordirectorauthor’s childhood friend, VidhiBhargava who planted the seedin her to write on body changesso that young girls know what iscoming their way. The lockdowngave Tisca time to research andpen a guide that gives practicalsuggestions to cope with physical and emotional upheavalsduring hormonal changes at puberty. “It is also about inclusivity,” she says. “Boys and girlsshould be scientifi��cally taught tounderstand their bodies and also each other’s,” she says, takingtime off�� for the interview whileon a shoot in Jaipur for a webseries.

Tisca began writing a letter toher daughter about the biological events she would inevitablyface, but the more she spokewith Tara and her friends, shefelt the need to address severalbasic questions in detail in a language easy to comprehend.

From Taare Zameen Par’s onscreen sensitive and silent mother, Tisca emerges as the boldand understanding mother off��screen who wishes to empowerevery girl with knowledge andthe guts to laugh off�� anybodywho hushes up discussionsaround body parts or menstruation. From hair growth over thebody, to pimples and acne, padsand hygiene, emotions and selfworth, Tisca talks straight aboutthem all, while drawing lessonsfrom her personal experiences.

“Every girl should feel howamazing she is because the onset of period prepares her toprocreate life. There is nothingdirty or shameful about it; weonly need to do away with theage old programming of our

minds and irrelevant superstitions,” she says.

Excerpts from the interview:

Has your daughter Tararead the book?● Yes she has, and her responseis most memorable. She was myinspiration for writing this book.Her reactions to certain conversations, her thoughts and ideasshaped my approach to choosing various topics.

How did she react to thebook considering it is hergeneration the book isaimed at?● Tara took an hour of intentreading to fi��nish the book, coverto cover, absorbing every word, Iguess. I was surprised becausesuddenly I didn’t hear a peepfrom her, which is unusual formy active, chatty girl. Once doneshe said to me — “Mumma, youknow we talk about boys!” Thatwas enough for me to know thatI have hit the right note. Frank

discussions are at the core of understanding normal biologicalprocess.

How challenging was it todemystify bodily changesand the angst they bring onin a growing girl?● Initially I wondered how muchdetail to go into, but then I decided to stay true. In our homewe have honest conversationson every taboo topic. As the nar

rative took shape, I found myselftalking about selfworth andbuilding confi��dence in theyoung girls. Menstruation andpuberty are natural progressioninto adulthood. It confounds methat this phase is so shrouded inmystery, and is such a tumultuous time. I want to tell them thatthey can do anything they want,and they are incredible. Havingperiods is in no way bad, rathernot getting them is worrisome.

What was your approach tothe stigma of periodshaming?● When I looked back at mychildhood, it struck me that myown learning and discovery ofpuberty, and the concepts andchanges associated with it werefragmented, confusing and ambiguous. So I decided to put basic scientifi��c facts in a fun, candidand empathetic manner for acomplete rethink on traditionalconcepts of sexuality. By talkingabout sexual preferences, crushes, emotions that peak duringpuberty, I have tried to let go ofthe nudgenudge winkwink ap

proach. I have simplifi��ed situations and feel the illustrationswill appeal to young girls asmuch as my personal anecdotes.

Changing a hardenedmindset is the biggestchallenge...● Yes, my biggest hope is thebook will bring about a mindsetshift. A girl should be able to askher father to buy her sanitarynapkins and the chemist shouldstop wrapping them in newspapers. A girl should not feelembarrassed on her fi��rst brashopping [outing]. We shouldnot use terms like “mahamari”and ostracise or demonise menstruation. Schools need to relook at how sex education is imparted – boys should know girls,and vice versa. A collective shiftin thinking and a breaking downof societal pressures and narratives is still a way off��. But technology and multiple organisations and movements are takinginformation on menstrual hygiene across the country andeventually we will stop periodshaming.

Speaking out.

PERIODActor Tisca Chopra’s book What’s Up WithMe? is a conversation starter betweenparents and tweens on puberty and periods

VALUE ADDITIONTo make the book relatable and fun, Tisca has simplifi��edsituations with illustrations and peppered the pages withquotes of celebrities Gen Z adore. With her own text infi��rst person, she has blended facts and information fromtwo doctors as well. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Dr Mala Arora, Gynaecologist,Delhi

ON COLLABORATING: I was alwayskeen on getting such a book

published. When Tisca approachedme for my medical inputs in the book,

I knew her skills as a writer would helpsimplify and explain the topic of period

properly. She is passionate about collective socialresponsibilities and issues.

IMPACTING YOUNG READERS: It is essential to imparteducation to our young girls about their bodies atpuberty in the right manner. The book will go a longway in improving menstrual hygiene, preventingreproductive tract infections (RTI) and sexuallytransmitted infections (STI) and reducing teenagepregnancies.

Malvika Varma, Psychologist,Canada

ON COLLABORATING: I haveknown Tisca for many years and so

when she wanted me to contribute,I excitedly took it up knowing how

professional she is.

IMPACTING YOUNG READERS: Young girls will fi��ndcomfort in reading it because Tisca exudes confi��denceand reassures them to feel super good aboutthemselves.

Soma Basu

My mental illness started fourdecades ago, in the postpartum

period, when I developed symptomsof psychosis. I had grown up in a

loving home, so this came as a rudeshock to my family. As for me, I didnot even realise I was sick. Unlike a

number of people though, I had thesupport of my parents, husband,

and inlaws, and received excellenttreatment.

This treatment, consisting of verystrong pills, did not fully manage

the illness, so I had to undergoelectro convulsive treatment (ECT,commonly known as electric shock

treatment). In time, I could live anormal life, albeit on strong

medication with side effects likemuscle spasms and cramps, an

extremely dry mouth to the point ofnot being able to speak,

constipation, dizziness, drowsiness.The weight gain and the fact thatsome people sleep over 12 hourseach night, make many refuse to

take medicines. I realised that theywere essential, and that I had to

manage the side effects.Over the last four decades,

‘Compliance, Compliance,Compliance’ has been my mantra. I

have been productive, working,managing a home, and furthering

my education.It was not smooth sailing always.

As is the case with grief, I have gonethrough five stages, spread across

five years, in my journey throughmental illness.

Accepting mymercurial mindThis writer talks about the processof living a normal life with bipolardisorder, for decades

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MY MIND MATTERS

THE NUMBERS

20–60% of people with bipolardisorder attempt suicide at least

one in their lifetime.- Source: Suicide Risk in Bipolar

Disorder: A Brief Review

Those in distress may reachiCALLTISS at 02225521111.

Available from Monday toSaturday: 10 am to 8 pm.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

The second stage: Denial‘Me? Mentally ill? Ofcourse not. I am amember of MENSA, thesociety of people in thetop 2% of intelligence inthe population; how canI be mentally ill,’ I hadthought. But mentalillness does not

discriminate. Infact, bipolardisorder strikesthe creative andintelligent evenmore thanothers.

The third stage: AngerThe cliche, ‘Why me?’ was my leading emotion.This stage lasted a long time till I had to behospitalised again for a psychotic episode. WhenI was stabilised, I was determined to learn all Icould about my illness and the treatments thatwere available. Becoming knowledgeable alsohelped me manage the condition.

The fourth stage: AcceptanceI realised that the condition was not a fault of mine and thebest way to handle it was to accept it like any other illness.While I did not ‘come out of the closet’, I didshare my diagnosis with friends I trusted.This gave me the support I needed and Ibegan to live as normal a life as possible. Istill have the occasional visit to the hospitalfor a depressive or manic episode, whichcannot be managed at home.

The fifth stage: Acceptance with humourJust the other day somebody made a remarkabout me and I retorted, “Hey I’m crazy, notstupid.” Being able to laugh at mental illnessgives me the ability to develop a selfdeprecatory style of humour. I even did a standup comedy routine recently and a good bit of itwas about my illness.

My son and meMy son, who is nowgrownup and married, isa wonderful person. Ialways say he has grownup to be so delightfuldespite me, not becauseof me. In somewhat of arole reversal, he is veryaware of my mentalhealth condition and

keeps a lookout for signs that I may be ‘speeding’. “Momhave you had your medication?” he will ask me or say,“Shouldn’t you be in bed?” if he feels I’m getting to bemanic. I take such advice from him very well, though notfrom anyone else. We decided not to have another child,because it was not considered advisable, though I havealways regretted this.

The author is a retired maths teacher based in the US. March 30, Vincent VanGogh’s birthday is celebrated as World Bipolar Day.

The firststage:ApathyI did not knowhow ill I wasand did not care. I didbizarre things, likeshowering with myclothes on, writing toNASA with my resume,and ignoring my sweetchild. Only my familyknew something waswrong. We saw a leadingpsychiatrist threemonths after my son wasborn and I startedtreatment.

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M. R. A

Food served at 11 pm, a lot ofdrinking, mostly out of boredom(because after catching up withold friends and relatives, by day3 there is nothing else to do), very loud dhols, tempers at whowas not ‘respected’ enough. Thebig Indian wedding is oftenlaughed off�� as a time in life withlots of drama. What does it do toa) the emotional health of thecouple with each family wantingto have things done their way? b)to the fi��nancial health of familiesc) to the health of the environment with all the waste generated across so many days d) (andvery specifi��cally) to the gut of allthe attendees?

I am trying not to be a killjoyhere. Weddings are wonderfultimes in people’s lives if the mainidea is the coming together of families and to have a day or two offun. Instead, they become primarily about what ‘must bedone’ because of tradition or satisfying the ego of a few people(often the oldest male or femalemember from the ‘boy’s’ side).They seldom focus on the factthat a new relationship is often

fragile and the idea that family ismeant to support and help buildit up, rather than bring it downby taking up opposite positions,sulking, and laying the foundations of discordant relationships.These make for corrosive memories, often brought up years later, sometimes after grandchildren are born!

Then there are the guests,who are often made to wait longhours — sometimes in the cold —with drinks on an empty stomach and deepfried snacks thattrickle in. Anyone who has attended a Delhi wedding knowsthat ‘shaadi wala khana’ is allabout oily food that you cannoteat more than that one time. Karan Johar’s weddings may looklovely, but real life weddings imitating them feel like the actualshooting process that is neitherpretty nor pleasant, and is actually about waiting around,long hours of makeup, and uncomfortable outfi��ts.

What if people picked comfortover discomfort? What if wemade the couple — and not theoutfi��ts or the décor or who has totouch whose feet — the centre ofthe celebration? When we shiftour focus to why we are doing something, so much falls intoplace. Everything, including thefood and guest list, is likely to bethoughtfully done, the peripheral falls away as does the waste,and relationships take centrestage.

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COULD IT BE THAT...

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Indian weddingscan be healthy?

Sunalini Mathew

After Netfl��ix’s 2020 docuseries, (Un)well’s third episode featured people whobelieved human milk was asuperfood (for infants yes,but also for adults), and thewomen who donated theirbreast milk to them, Redditthreads on r/breastfeedingwere abuzz.

From bodybuilders looking for bulging muscle, people looking to boost theirimmunity, and a few momsdiscussing possible businessideas: the question was thesame: was breast milk really‘liquid gold’ for adults too?

Nutritionistsare quick toshut the ideadown. “Breastmilk is actuallymuch lower in the proteinsrequired for adults, as compared to cow’s milk. For every 250 grams, breast milkcontains two grams of protein and cow’s milk, eight,”says Delhibased sports nutritionist Lovneet Batra.

Yet, a small subsection ofpeople across the worldswear by its nutritional benefi��ts. Its supply and storage is made easier bypumps and refrigeration. Soa few moms in the US experiment with breast milk incooking and in makingsoaps and lotions, to helpwith eczema.

The main reason, be

lieves Lovneet, is becausecolostrum — the fi��rst form ofbreast fl��uid released by anymammal after childbirth —is known for its special properties. “It is the bestsource of nutrients for an infant for overall growth: immunity, brain function, organ development. Itcontains immunoglobulins(antibodies) that can’t befound elsewhere,” she says.

“But for muscle buildingand strengthening in adults,you need a whole diff��erentset of amino acids,” sheadds. “Even when it comesto boosting immunity inadults, there is very limited

research to back itup.”

And then comethe food safety issues in the supply

chain: how the sample iscollected, stored, and transported. “There is a goodchance that the mothercould be passing on infections, including HIV,” shesays.

For people looking for alternatives to cow milk, Lovneet suggests goat milk. “Ithas more protein thancow’s milk, so it’s better foryour skin and nails, and alsogood for your immune system,” she says.

In this column, we decode

health trends and decide if it’s

all just ‘hype’ or actually

‘happening’.

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Breast milk as adult superfood

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HYPE OR HAPPENING?

Sweta Akundi

On theroad, canvasin handFour artists from Kerala plan to travel acrossIndia and fund their trip by holding roadsideexhibitions and selling their works

On a breezy evening on the famous Muzhappilangad driveinbeach in Kannur, visitorswatched curiously as four menarranged paintings on theshore. Taking stacks of canvasesfrom a brown car parked nearby, they propped up works thatdepicted Bekal Fort, St AngeloFort, Madayipara, Dharmadomand so on.

A signboard that read ‘TravelBrush, karyangal ini colouraakkatey’ (let things becomecolourful) was put up on thecar.

“We are travelling from Kasaragod and soon we will go toWayanad. We hope to travel bycar through all states in India,”says a bearded man, who identifi��es himself as Vipin Iritty, an artist who does mural work andinterior design for a living.

Four artist friends from Kasaragod, Kannur and Kochi inKerala dreamt of a trip to learnmore about India, her artisans,villages and people. During thelockdown, when the art worldcame to a halt, the four gottime to fi��rm up their plans. OnMarch 14, Vipin, Shaiju K Maloor, Chandran Mottemmaland Benny Devasy, startedtheir journey from Malik Deenar Juma Masjid mosque inKasaragod.

Pieces of the countryTravelling in a Renault Kwid, thefoursome drove down throughKannur and Mahe, before theirstop at the beach en routeWayanad. Though vloggers andtravel buff��s have photographedand fi��lmed many of the wellknown places in the country,the artists believe that not manyhave captured it on canvas likethey plan to do.

Four days later, Vipin can’tstop talking about the trip toWayanad where they stayed inan adivasi colony, painted, heldpainting workshops for the children and conducted an exhibition of their works. They hopeto fund their travel by sellingthese paintings of the placesthey have visited.

Shaiju says with a laugh thatit was not easy for them to organise their travel on a shoestring budget. So, they do theirown cooking and stay in placesof worship if they are allowedto. The Lions Club has promisedto help them in Kerala.

“Before we enter Tamil Nadu, we want to visit every district in Kerala and paint at leasttwo monuments of that place.The car is a little cramped for usand so we are exploring if weneed to invest in another vehicle. In Thiruvananthapuram,our intention is to organise anexhibitioncumsale,” saysVipin.

They say that their familiesare supportive though all fourhave taken a break from their

work. Every day, time has beenkept apart for painting, cookingand organising art workshopsand exhibitions. If possible,they hope to meet artists in theplaces they take a break at.

“We are aware that there willbe challenges but isn’t making adream come true worth thetroubles? We have made a leapof faith and we are confi��dentthat we would be able to do iteven if it takes time,” assertsVipin.

Colours all around Whileon the road, thetravelling artists dotheir own cooking andsleep in places ofworship * SPECIAL

ARRANGEMENT

Saraswathy Nagarajan

beautyA tragic incident of selfimmolation at Neyyantikara in Januarywas the springboard for Santhosh Vadakkedath’s work, Anar-chy of Hope. Traditionally, mosaic art is identifi��ed withGrecoRoman murals, stainedglass Bibilical images and stilllifethemes. This depiction of a newsitem in shades of yellow, orange,red and black stood out amid other works displayed at Mosaic, agroup show of six artists, at DavidHall, Fort Kochi.

E.M. Jospeh, who helmed theshow and tutored Sajeev AT, Rajesh Thattasseri, Kunjamol, PaulGeorge and Santhosh, says thatvery few in India practise mosaicart. This is because “it is exhausting and has too manytechnicalities”.

Though not taught in artschools, there are plenty of hobby classes that teach mosaic art,which involves, composing anddesigning, cutting out the tiles,pasting, grouting or fi��lling thecrevices and polishing the fi��nalpiece. Joseph, who learnt the artfrom his father who had internedwith the mosaic artist V Balan,began by undertaking stainedglass mosaic work for churches,he has done over 40 pieces forchurches mostly in Andhra Pradesh, and now wishes to popularise it. Among his early works areimages of the Resurrected Christand Infant Jesus.

He points out that this art formis decorative and is seen at swimming pools, outdoor landscapes,fl��oors and even on photo andmirror frames. “Diff��erent materials such as ceramic tiles, stonesand glass can be used,” he says.

Attention to detailBengalurubased artist Sarah Kurien is working on a 10x10 ftGreekthemed mural as a balconypiece. She is perched on a ladderadding fi��nishing touches to a blue

door around which she will addpink bougainvillea. Through hercompany Tesserae India, Sarahtakes up commissioned work onplanters and patio tables besideswall panels and on curios. Shefeels that mosaic art “has lot ofpotential. We can take it to the level of fi��ne art as seen in Metro rail

pillars in Brazil that depict rainforests. They are gorgeous andfull of fi��ne detailing. In Europe,mosaic art can be seen on tombstones, urns, garden planters, patio tables apart from regular wallpanels,” says Sarah who dreamsof doing a park wall in mosaic.

The mosaics she saw inchurches led Delhibased RenuSharma to this art form. “I discovered the brilliant work of foreign artists through social mediaand saw the possibilities of usingglass tiles,” says Renu who was achildren’s books artist before sheturned to mosaic.

“I like to use pieces of glass asstrokes of brush,” she says, adding that one can play with co

lours and textures of glass in mosaic. While she likes to createbirds and fl��owers, “you can certainly take it to the level of fi��neart. It depends on the quality ofmaterial and intricacy of expression,” she says, adding that thisdepends on budget restrictions,quality of material and individualaesthetics. The tiles available inIndia are on par with importedones, she feels, and the lattertend to push the price up. She estimates a 8x10 ft panel to costaround ₹��25 lakh.

Rising awarenessSenior architect Ramesh Tharakan, who combines regional andcontemporary architecture inrestoration, has used mosaic artas borders and around water bodies during landscaping. “Architects use a glass mosaic called Bisazza from Italy. Thoughexpensive, it has a vast range ofcolours and fi��nishes. A thoroughknowledge of its aesthetics andapplication will get the best results,” he says.

Wellknown artist VandeeppKalra, who is based in Kolkata,rues the fact that mosaic art isstill nascent in India despite being popular globally. It is visiblein many metro stations acrossKolkata but not so much elsewhere. Vandeepp also laments thatspecifi��c tools required for this artfrom are not easily available.

Artimozz, a Delhibased company that manufactures fl��oor andwall materials, off��ers mosaic artas a product. Sunny Gupta, theproprietor who has trained hisworkers to create specifi��c worksat the factory in Delhi, says, “Wehave been in the business for 20years. Mosaic art was not knownearlier but now there is an awareness. The design and materialsused for public art and for privateindividuals is diff��erent. Highendluxury work requires double thetime compared to a commercialpublic project.”

At the Kochi exhibition, Josephpoints to a work by Kunjumol, adomestic worker who learnt mosaic art when she was jobless during the pandemic. “She is not only proud of her work but alsoready to assist artists. And thiswill fetch her someremuneration.”

The

broken pieces

From stained glassworks in churches,to murals in public

spaces and high-endwall art, mosaic is

seeing a resurgence

Intricacy in every frame(Clockwise from above) One ofSarah’s works, Anarchy of Hopeby Santhosh Vadakkedath,Sleeping Women by PaulGeorge * SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTin

..................................................................................................................

Though not taught in art

schools, there are plenty

of hobby classes that

teach this decorative art

commonly seen in

outdoor landscaping

POOCH CAFE

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE

TIGER

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE

CMYK

A ND-NDE


DELHI THE HINDU


SHOWCASE

Priyadershini S

CMYK

A ND-NDE

WORLDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

THE HINDU DELHI


The Philippines on Sundaysaid it has started deployingits Air Force to carry out daily patrols over a fl��otilla ofChinese vessels that hassparked fresh tensions in theSouth China Sea.

The latest dispute, Manilasaid, was triggered by whatit described as a swarm ofmore than 200 Chinese fi��shing vessels that have refusedto withdraw from waters off��the Whitsun Reef, near thedisputed Spratly Islands, inan area located within Manila’s Exclusive EconomicZone.

China, which claims almost the entire South ChinaSea, has said the ships weresheltering there because ofweather conditions, a claimthat Manila, which haslodged a protest with Chinaover what it called an incursion, has rejected.

Philippines Defence Secretary Delfi��n Lorenzanasaid the Air Force has now

begun daily patrols over thefi��shing vessels, AgenceFrance-Presse reported fromManila on Sunday. The Navyand Coast Guard have alsobeen deployed in the vicinity of the Chinese ships,sparking a standoff�� near thereef.

“We are ready to defendour national sovereignty andprotect the marine resources of the Philippines,” Mr.Lorenzana said.

The standoff�� follows a similar incident in 2019 trig

gered by Chinese fi��shing vessels near another disputedisland in the Spratlys. As itdid then, Manila has calledon Beijing to acknowledgethe 2016 arbitration casewhich recognised many ofits claims. President RodrigoDuterte mentioned the ruling in a meeting with theChinese envoy in Manila thisweek, his spokespersonsaid. Beijing has rejected thearbitration, emphasising itssovereignty over the SouthChina Sea.

Over 200 vessels refuse to leave waters off�� Whitsun Reef

Ananth Krishnan

Water row: A satellite image shows Chinese vessels anchorednear the Whitsun Reef in the South China Sea. * AFP/MAXAR

Philippines deploys aircraftas China ships spark tensions

Two attackers blew themselves up outside a packedRoman Catholic cathedralduring a Palm Sunday Masson Indonesia’s Sulawesi island, wounding at least 20people, police said.

A video showed bodyparts scattered near a burning motorbike at the gates ofthe Sacred Heart of JesusCathedral in Makassar, thecapital of South Sulawesiprovince.

Reverend Wilhelmus Tulak, a priest at the church,

said he had just fi��nished celebrating Palm Sunday Masswhen a loud bang shocked

his congregation. He said theblast went off�� at about 10:30a.m. as a fi��rst batch of

churchgoers was walking outof the church and anothergroup was coming in.

He said security guards atthe church were suspiciousof two men on a motorcyclewho wanted to enter thebuilding and when they wentto confront them, one of themen detonated hisexplosives.

Woman suspect Police later said both attackers were killed instantly andevidence collected at thescene indicated one of thetwo was a woman. The

wounded included fourguards and several churchgoers, police said.

The attack, a week beforeEaster in the world’s mostpopulous Muslimmajoritynation, came as the countrywas on high alert followingDecember’s arrest of theleader of militant group, Jemaah Islamiyah, which hasbeen designated a terrorgroup by many nations.

Indonesia has been battling militants since bombings on the resort island ofBali in 2002 killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists.

Suicide bombers target Indonesia cathedral 20 injured as two attackers blew themselves up as guards confronted them during Palm Sunday event

On vigil: An Indonesian policeman standing guard outside thechurch after an explosion in Makassar on Sunday. * AFP

Associated Press

Makassar

Court orders Bolsonaroto compensate journalistRIO DE JANEIRO

Brazilian President Jair

Bolsonaro has been ordered

by a court to compensate a

journalist for making remarks

against her. He had alleged

that reporter Patricia Campos

Mello had offered sex to a

source in exchange for

negative information about

him. REUTERS

ELSEWHERE

Overnight shootings nearthe Atlantic oceanfront inVirginia Beach left two people dead and eight woundedin a scene described byauthorities on Saturday as“very chaotic.”

A woman who died waslikely an innocent bystander, authorities said, while

the other person, a Blackman, was killed by a policeoffi��cer. It was not clear if theman was armed and the offi��cer’s body camera was notactivated at the time.

Three men ranging in agefrom 18 to 22 have been arrested and face charges thatinclude felonious assaultand reckless handling of a fi��rearm, police said.

Virginia shootings leavetwo dead; three arrestedAssociated Press

VIRGINIA BEACH

China has administered102.4 million doses of itshomedeveloped COVID19vaccines as of Saturday, thecountry’s National HealthCommission (NHC) hassaid.

China crossed the 100millionlandmark amid astepped up campaign athome, which reached anew daily high of 6.12 million vaccines administeredon Friday.

Wu Liangyou, deputy director of the NHC’s diseasecontrol bureau, said onSunday the plan “focuseson key groups, includingpeople who are in large ormidsized cities, port citiesor border areas, stateowned enterprise staff��, college students and lecturers, and supermarketstaff��”, the Global Timesnewspaper quoted him assaying.

In contrast to many other countries, China has focused on the 1859 agegroup initially rather thanon its senior citizens, withoffi��cials saying the idea wasto inoculate those who aremore likely to spread thevirus, even if local transmission in China has beenbroadly controlled.

China is now ranked second in the world in termsof total administered doses, with the U.S. having administered 130 million, theGlobal Times noted, with aplan to cover 40% of theentire population by June,which will require astepped up daily rate of 10million doses.

Over 100 mnvaccinated,says ChinaAnanth Krishnan

Defence chiefs from a dozencountries on Sunday jointlycondemned the bloodbathin Myanmar a day earlier,when at least 107 people —including seven children —were killed as security forcesopened fi��re on anticoupprotesters.

The junta on Saturdaystaged a major show of mightfor its annual Armed ForcesDay as the death toll fromcrackdowns since the coupclimbed to at least 423, according to a local monitoringgroup. The UN put Saturday’s death toll at 107 people— including seven children —but expects it to rise further.

The defence chiefs of 12countries, including theU.S., Britain, Japan and Australia, condemned the Myanmar military’s use of lethalforce against civilians.

“A professional militaryfollows international stan

dards for conduct and is responsible for protecting — notharming — the people itserves,” the rare joint statement said. “We urge theMyanmar Armed Forces tocease violence and work torestore respect and credibility with the people of Myanmar that it has lost throughits actions.”

Troops fi��re at funeralMeanwhile, Myanmar security forces opened fi��re onSunday on a crowd attending

the funeral of student whowas killed on the bloodiestday yet of a crackdown onprotests against last month’scoup, local media reported.

According to the report,several people attending thefuneral were arrested. It didnot say if anyone was hurt orkilled. But at least nine people were killed elsewhere onSunday as the crackdowncontinued, according to theAssistance Association forPolitical Prisoners, whichhas been tallying deaths dur

ing demonstrations againstthe coup.

Relatives of 13yearoldboy Sai Waiyan, who wasshot on Saturday while playing outside his house in Yangon, cried over his casket onSunday afternoon, local media reported.

At some of the funeralsheld on Sunday, crowdchanted prodemocracy slogans and raised the threefi��nger salute.

The military is also continuing to battle ethnic Karenfi��ghters in the country’s east.About 3,000 villagers fromterritory controlled by theKaren fl��ed across the borderto Thailand on Sunday aftermilitary aircraft droppedbombs on a Karen guerrillaposition, said workers fortwo humanitarian reliefagencies. The Karen National Union is one of the organisations that have been fi��ghting for decades to gain moreautonomy from Myanmar’scentral government.

Global outrage after Myanmarbloodbath claims over 100 livesDefence chiefs of 12 countries condemn use of lethal force; 3,000 fl��ee to Thailand

Agence France-Presse

Associated Press

Yangon

Protest continues: Protesters taking part in a demonstrationagainst the military coup in Monywa, Sagaing region. * AFP

Suez Canal salvage teamswere alternating betweendredging and tugging onSunday to dislodge a massive container ship blockingthe busy waterway, whiletwo sources said eff��orts hadbeen complicated by rockunder the ship’s bow.

Dredgers working to dislodge the stranded vesselhave so far shifted 27,000cubic metres of sand, to adepth of 18 metres (19.7yards), and eff��orts wouldcontinue around the clock

according to wind conditions and tides, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) said.

Egypt’s President AbdelFattah alSisi has orderedpreparations for the possible removal of some of theship’s 18,300 containers,SCA Chairman Osama Rabietold Egypt’s Extra News.

Any operation to lightenthe ship would not start before Monday, an SCA sourcesaid, as salvage teams try totake advantage of high tidesbefore they recede nextweek to manoeuvre the shipfree.

Eff��orts on to dislodgeship stuck in Suez CanalReuters

ISMAILIA

The UN is in negotiationswith Beijing for a visit “without restrictions” to Xinjiangto see how the Uighur minority is being treated, SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres said in an interviewbroadcast on Sunday.

At least one million Uighurs and people from othermostly Muslim groups havebeen held in camps in thenorthwestern region, according to U.S. and Australian rights groups, which accuse Chinese authorities offorcibly sterilising women

and imposing forced labour.China has repeatedly bri

dled at criticism of its treatment of the group.

“A serious negotiation isat the present moment taking place between the Offi��ceof the (UN Human Rights)Commissioner and the Chinese authorities,” Mr. Guterres told Canada’s CBC te

levision network.“I hope that they will

reach an agreement soon” toallow a visit “without restrictions or limitations,” headded.

Mr. Guterres said the Chinese had repeatedly affi��rmed to him “that theywant that mission to takeplace.”

On Saturday, Beijing announced sanctions againsttwo Americans, a Canadianand a rights advocacy bodythat had criticised its treatment of the Uighurs, whichU.S. offi��cials have said constitutes genocide.

UN in dialogue with China for ‘unrestricted’ Xinjiang visitRights groups allege abuse of at least one million Uighurs


Montreal

Antonio Guterres

A diamond bracelet and jewelled decorative elephantsfrom Jaipur are some of theIndian heirlooms that madeup a collection of 350 personal items belonging to Patricia Mountbatten, the eldestdaughter of Lord LouisMountbatten — the last Viceroy of India, which fetchedover £5.6 million at Sotheby’s auction in London.

Patricia Edwina Victoria

Mountbatten was the Second Countess Mountbattenof Burma and had a strongroyal connection as thegreatgreatgranddaughterof Queen Victoria and fi��rstcousin to Prince Philip, the99yearold husband of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II.

The Indian heirlooms upfor auction included a diamond set and enamelledgold bracelet made in India,that once belonged toQueen Victoria.

Mountbatten’s bracelet,other artefacts auctioned Press Trust of India

London

A teenager has died and atleast a dozen people wereinjured during clashes between police and demonstrators in Bangladesh onSunday, offi��cials and reports said, on the third dayof Islamist protests againstthe visit of Prime MinisterNarendra Modi.

The protesters — mostlyfrom the hardline Islamistgroup HefazateIslam —were angry at the visit ofPrime Minister NarendraModi as Bangladeshmarked 50 years of independence, accusing him ofstoking communal violence against Muslims inIndia.

Five people died on Friday, and another six thenext day, after police shotat demonstrators in severalmajor districts across theMuslimmajority nation of168 million people.

The 19yearold died in ahospital in Brahmanbariaafter being caught up inclashes in Sarail on Sunday,Shawkat Hossain, a doctorsaid.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khancalled for the protests to behalted. “Our security forces are observing this withpatience,” Mr. Khan said.

“We think if this is notstopped, we’ll take necessary actions.”

Teen dies inBangladeshviolence


Narayanganj

Q. I am a 30yearoldgovernment employee. My netmonthly savings is ₹��30,000and I have just started investing₹��7,000 a month in two ELSSSIPs with a return of about 7%. Iwant to invest my remainingsavings of ₹��23,000 to help meachieve my target of a ₹��15 lakhcorpus in 34 years. I can bearmoderatetohigh risks and mytaxable income for FY21 is nil.Please advise.

DILEEP KUMAR

A. If you have a goal within 34years, it is not a good idea toinvest in equity funds in order toachieve it. Therefore, ELSSfunds are not a good vehicle forthis goal. Though you’ve setyour return expectationsmodest at 7%, we’ve been in abull market in stocks for the lastsix years, as a result of whichmost stocks have turned quiteexpensive, if not overvalued.The markets can correctsignifi��cantly from here.

Should a deep correctionmaterialise, even a bouncebackto current levels can take morethan the 3to4year time frameyou have in mind. This wouldmean a longer wait to recoupcapital losses before making areturn. Yes, SIPs can help byaveraging your costs lower butthey can begin to deliver returnsonly if the markets bounce back.

The other problem with ELSSSIPs is that each instalment youpay is locked in for 3 years. Youwill be able to withdraw yourentire money only after 6 yearswhen every SIP completes the3year lockin period. Yes, ELSSSIPs are a good instrument fortax savings and goals beyond67 years. But, you shouldconsider stopping your SIPs if

OtherAction.do?doRecognisedFpi=yes&intmId=13. This link

from the Financial PlanningStandards Board will allow youto fi��nd a fi��nancial planner inyour city: https://india.fpsb.org/cfpcertifi��cantsdirectory/.

Unfortunately, there’s nopubliclyavailable rating orfeedback process which willallow you to assess fi��nancialplanners before selecting one.

A test of a good RIA is howmuch time he or she spendsunderstanding your fi��nancialsituation, goals and risk profi��lebefore getting down to yourfi��nancial plan. An adviser whostarts pushing products fromthe word go is best avoided.

Look for a systematic processand a fairly large roster ofexisting clients before you signup. Ask for client testimonies. Ifyou can get friends oracquaintances to recommendgood fi��nancial advisers they’vebeen using, that would be agood start. Fee structures rangefrom fl��at to ones based on apercentage of assets managed.SEBI’s guidelines cap themaximum fee at ₹��1.25 lakh perannum per client or 2.5% ofassets under advice forregistered investment advisers.However, actual fees can bemuch lower. Professionalplanners will ask you to sign awritten agreement of what theywill off��er before proceeding.

and constantly monitor andrebuild your portfolio to ensureits on track. Do use the servicesof a qualifi��ed fi��nancial plannerto do a really systematic job ofthis if you won’t have the timeor the skills.

Q. Is there a governmentlicensing agency website thatcan provide a list of licensedfi��nancial planners? If not, whatis the best way to fi��nd a genuineand reliable fi��nancial planner?Could you give an idea of afi��nancial planner’s indicativefee for consultations?

CHANDRANATH PATRA

A. It is very wise of you, indeed,to seek professional help toconstruct a fi��nancial plan and tohelp you with your investmentjourney. Most folks who consultdoctors, lawyers, accountantsand a variety of otherprofessionals for their otherrequirements, like to think thatthey can manage their fi��nancialjourney by themselves.

Financial planning requiresconsiderable expertise as itrequires gauging your goals andrisk profi��le, prioritising yourgoals and setting timelines,putting portfolio basics likeinsurance in place and makingan asset allocation plan, beforegetting on to product choices.Your fi��nancial plan is also not aoneshot exercise and will needconstant attention throughoutyour life. As most folks do nothave requisite expertise andcannot devote suffi��cient time tothis, it is best to engage a feebased Registered InvestmentAdvisor (RIA) or Certifi��edFinancial Planner.

This listing on SEBI’s websitewill allow you to look for an RIAin your city: https://www.sebi.gov.in/sebiweb/other/

For goals beyond 7 years, SIPsin carefully chosen multicapequity funds or broad marketindex funds would be ideal. Aqualifi��ed fi��nancial adviser canhelp plan out all this. But if youwant to choose funds on yourown, it would be best to do SIPsin index funds like Nifty500 andNifty100 rather than attempt tochoose activelymanaged equityfunds on your own.

Q. I am 38 years old and am inthe private sector. I save

₹��5,000 a month, which I’vebeen investing in MFs for

the past six years. Iwould like to target

₹��1 crore forretirement...

ANBU A

A. At an assumed return of10% CAGR, you will needto invest a total of about₹��13,100 a month in equityfunds or other avenuesover the next 20 years toget to a ₹��1crore corpus.However, you are wrong toassume that a ₹��1 crorecorpus would be adequatefor your retirement.Remember, even at 5%infl��ation rate, monthly

expenses of ₹��50,000 todaywould have bloated to ₹��1.32lakh in 20 years. As a thumbrule, you should strive to haveat least 25 years’ worth of livingexpenses by the time you retire(you can use online retirementcalculators for more precisecalculations).

So, your retirement corpusshould be roughly ₹��3.9 crore in20 years’ time (1.32*12*25).

Retirement planning wouldrequire you to also step upthose SIPs over the years, adjustyour retirement targets basedon your lifestyle and liabilities

to protect your income in caseof unfortunate circumstances.

First, save up to six months’worth of living expenses in bankFDs to take care of anyinterruption to your income orsudden emergencies. If youhave dependants, you shouldbuy a pure term insurance policyso that your family isn’t leftshort of fi��nancial security in casesomething happens to you. Toprevent health issues fromputting a big dent in yourfi��nances, get a basic₹��5lakh healthinsurance policy.

Once thesebuilding blocksare in place, listout your

fi��nancial goals and those of yourdependents that you plan tomeet. Put timelines to eachgoal. Where you invest towardseach goal will depend on bothyour return requirement and thetime you have.

For 1to3year goals, investin safe instruments like postoffi��ce time deposits, recurringdeposits and FDs with leadingbanks. For 3to5year goals,consider SIPs in short term debtmutual funds. For 5to7yeargoals, hybrid funds may fi��t thebill or post offi��ce schemes likeNSC can be explored.

you were not aware of thesefactors before commencingthem. In future, if you don’tneed tax benefi��ts, avoid ELSSand invest in plain index funds.

If you are able to free up₹��30,000 to invest every monthfor the next 4 years, you caneasily get to ₹��15 lakh as thevalue of your capital alone overthese 4 years will be ₹��14.4 lakh.

You can stick to safeinstruments that off��er capitalpreservation. A simple recurringdeposit with HDFC Bank (5.3%)or Axis Bank (5.4%) can get youto over ₹��16 lakh with minimalrisk to your capital.

You can also consider SIPs invery conservativelymanagedultrashort term debt and liquidfunds. If you go for the growthoption, it is more tax effi��cientthan the dividend option andalso recurring deposits. Yourgains after 3 years will be taxedas capital gains afterconsidering infl��ation indexation.

Q. I am 30yearold governmentservant. I invest the maximumlimit of ₹��1.5 lakh every year inPPF. I want to invest via SIPsbeginning with ₹��5,000 amonth. Could you pleaserecommend the best fundmanager to invest with? My riskappetite is moderate.

SACHIN THAKUR

A. The Public Provident Fund isa good choice for any newinvestor with its high taxfreereturn and you should continueyour savings with it. Beforegetting down to starting SIPs orchoosing funds, it would begood to map out your fi��nancialgoals with their timelines. Itwould also be good to put yourinvestment basics in place bybuilding an emergency fund,buying life and health insurance

ASK US

Aarati Krishnan

Financial planning requires expertise, RIAs may be able to help

It was about this time last yearwhen the Reserve Bank of India reduced the repo rate by 75bps (basis points) to 4.4% – ahistoric low – in an attempt tomitigate the economic impactdue to the pandemic.

The announcement had asecular impact on most savingsschemes with bank fi��xed deposits (FDs) being impacted themost. Soon after the cut, ratesfor savings schemes were alsoreduced.

The rate of interest on bankfi��xed deposits have been declining, from 8.5% in 2014 to5.4% in 2020. With the constant drop in rates, these products have now become less attractive among customerslooking for products that guarantee returns for a longertime period.

The idea behind any investment is to get a return that willat least beat longevity risk andensures that real return is guaranteed.

It is important to know thatas the economy develops, returns on products off��ered by

the government will continueto drop.

Financial futureOver the last one year, the lifeinsuranceproducts categoryhas emerged as the most preferred fi��nancial solution owingto its role in securing the family’s fi��nancial future.

Concerned about the economic slowdown caused by thepandemic, a majority of thepopulation today believes thatit is pivotal to have a long termguaranteedreturn plan in thefi��nancial portfolio. A big advantage with investing in guaranteedreturn products is thatthe downside of the portfoliowould be substantially limited.In case of market volatilitywhen marketlinked productsunderperform, fi��xed/guaranteedreturn products continueto give the same return. Withsuch products, you canlock in the rate of interestbeing off��ered for a maximum of 45 years.

Liquidity riskMost peoplepurchase gua

ranteedreturn products — alsoknown as savingsplus protection plans off��ered by insurancecompanies — with an objectiveof availing protection andbuilding wealth for the future.However, often customershave to liquidate the investments made for the longtermgoal for unexpected exigenciessuch as fi��nancial hardships dueto health emergencies.

This process of terminatinginsurancecumsavings plansbefore maturity is termed assurrender. Most investment instruments

available in the market do notallow you to liquidate savingsduring the mandatory lockinperiod while those that allowyou to surrender your policylevy a hefty surrender charge.

To tackle this drawback ofsavingsplus protection plans,insurers have come up with, orwill soon introduce, a new variant of guaranteedreturnplans under which you can easily surrender your policy incase of fi��nancial emergen

cy within the

fi��rst fi��ve years, without payingany surrender charges. Thecustomers get back 100% ofthe invested capital withoutany deductions.

Tax benefi��tsGuaranteedreturn plans comewith tripletaxation benefi��t.There is no tax on the amountinvested, accruals (the amountthat grows) and the maturityamount. However, bank FDslack such features.

For instance, Rajeev Nigam,earning ₹��20 lakh per annum,decides to buy an existing guaranteedreturn plan by investing ₹��10 lakh as a lump sum. Onthis, he will save ₹��46,800 in taxbenefi��t. Further, on maturity,Mr. Nigam would receive ₹��40.4

lakh that would be completelytaxfree.

Had Mr. Nigam invested thesame amount in a bank FD,though his invested amountwould have been taxfree, hewould have had to pay tax onthe maturity amount as income from FD is not taxfree.

On the maturity amount,Mr. Nigam would need to pay₹��9.11 lakh in tax — as he wouldfall under the 30% tax bracket.

By investing in the product,Mr. Nigam would save a total of₹��9.58 lakh. Guaranteedreturnproducts off��er promising IRR —the annual rate of growth theinvestment may generate –ranging between 5.3% and5.8%.

Life coverOften an unfortunate eventsuch as the sudden demise ofthe breadwinner of the family

proves disturbing for fi��nancial dependents in moreways than one. To addresssuch situations, guaranteedreturn plans are acomposite solution.

They assure longterm, guaranteed income along with security against unforeseen fi��nancial emergencies.

Customers investingin such plans even get a

life cover equal to 10 timesthe annual premium.

Hence, these plans attractthe attention of even those

customers who traditionallyinvest in FDs.

(The writer is Head of Investments, Policybazaar.com)

Give yourself GUARANTEED RETURNSVivek Jain

Such products help you with protection, while aiding in wealth-building

<>These plans enjoy

tripletaxation

benefi��t: no tax on money

invested, accruals or on

the maturity amount

CMYK

A ND-NDE


DELHI THE HINDU


MONEYWISE

Readers can send in queries on

personal fi��nance and investing to

[email protected]. Our

experts who write on personal

fi��nance will answer these queries.

Moneywise will not give specifi��c

recommendations for investment in

a particular mutual fund scheme,

share or fi��xed deposit.

LOOSE CHANGE

Ravikanth

“Could I have something with 20% morevitamins and minerals or 10% more discount?”

An annuity policy should fi��nd a place inyour basket of retirement investments. Thereturn on investment may not look attractive, but remember it is not an investmentbut a protection against the risk of livingtoo long. For this, the life insurance company charges you a premium. Living for 30years after retirement is common now andthe pension policy will fund you. If you livefor 35 or 40 years after retirement, it willstill be there.

There are two types of annuity policies.An immediate annuity where the pensionstarts immediately when you pay the purchase price, and the deferred annuitywhere you accumulate a corpus over yearsand this is used to purchase an annuity on apredecided ‘vesting’ date – usually your retirement date. With over 25 companies andhundreds of options, which policy to buy isthe haunting question.

Standardised policiesInsurance Regulatory and DevelopmentAuthority of India’s (IRDAI) recent strategyhas been to design standardised policies toserve as awareness as well as referencepoints for product benefi��ts and costs.

A standardised policy helps you compare pricing across companies for the sameset of benefi��ts. Comparing the benefi��ts andpricing of this policy with other policies ofthe same company in the same categoryhelps you guess the pricing matrix.

Enter ‘Saral Pension,’ the standardisedimmediate annuity policy that all life insurers have to off��er from April 1.

“XYZ Life Insurance Company Saral Pension,’ as they will be called, has to be a singlepremium, nonlinked, nonparticipating immediate annuity plan. Nonlinkedmeans your premium will not be investedin the capital markets, but in a safe set ofbaskets as per regulations. Nonparticipating or nonpar means that the policy willnot participate in the profi��ts of such investment. Your annuity will be fi��xed and guaranteed with no risk of loss and no promiseof bonuses.

Saral Pension will have only two annuityoptions viz. annuity for life with 100% return of purchase price and joint life annuitywith 100% annuity to the primary annuitant, on their death to the secondary annuitant and then, return of 100% purchaseprice on the death of last survivor.

This saves you from being befuddled by8 or 10 options and lends clarity to the benefi��ts and their pricing. The policy will cover male, female and transgender lives in theage group 40 to 80, on an individual basis.

Minimum annuity of ₹��1,000 if monthly,₹��3,000 if quarterly, ₹��6,000 if halfyearlyand ₹��12,000 if annual, all in arrears, are tobe off��ered, and the purchase price dependson the target annuity amount.

There is no maturity benefi��t, but a loan ispossible after six months after start of thepolicy. The interest rate will be equal to the10year government securities rate as onApril 1 of that year plus not over 200 basispoints. The loan is recovered from payableannuities and capped so that the interest isnot more than 50% of the annuity amount.

After six months from the date of commencement, the policy can be surrenderedon diagnosis of specifi��ed critical illness ofthe annuitant(s) or any of their children.The surrender value is 95% of the purchaseprice less any outstanding loans and interest and the policy is terminated after this.

While pricing is left to the insurers,bandwise annuity rates are to be derivedbased on purchase price ranges viz. lessthan ₹��2 lakh, ₹��2 lakh to less than ₹��5 lakh, ₹��5lakh to less than ₹��10 lakh, ₹��10 lakh to lessthan ₹��25 lakh and ₹��25 lakh and above.

Sounds like a lot of details? Remember,data becomes relevant only when there is areference point for comparison. So, youcan either buy the standard policy itself oruse it to interpret the cost benefi��t of comparable policies.

(The writer is a business journalist specialising in insurance & corporate history)

A pension plan canfund your retired lifeK. Nitya Kalyani

COVER NOTE



CMYK

A ND-NDE


THE HINDU DELHI


SPORT

SUDOKU

Solution to puzzle 13206 Solution to yesterday’s Sudoku

DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

In Vishnu temples, Divya Prabandham (the verses of theAzhvars) and the Vedas are recited whenever the utsava idol(processional deity) is taken round the town. In Kanchipuram, in the month of May, these groups of devotees walkwith the utsava idol of Lord Varadaraja, reciting praises ofHim, as He moves through the streets of Kanchi. And theywalk in the scorching summer heat, without footwear! Theyare out there on the streets until noon or even later, whenthe deity returns to the temple. And even after their return,they do not rest, but serve Him in other ways. There is a Vedic mantra for the star Uttarattadi, which says that obeisanceis paid to Uttarattadi, the star which serves Ahirbudhnya.Ahirbudhnya is none other than Lord Narayana Himself,said V.S. Karunakarachariar, in a discourse.

The star Uttarattadi is like the scores of devotees one seesin the Kanchi Varadaraja temple, sincere devotion and service being the hallmark of this star as well. When His devotees sing His praises, it seems as if He is more eff��ulgent thanusual. Uttarattadi is lauded by sage Valmiki in his Ramayana.He compares the four sons of Dasaratha to the asterismsPoorva Bhadra and Uttara Bhaadra. Each of these asterismshas two stars. So in all, we have four stars. Just as these starsare in pairs, so too are the sons of Dasaratha observed inpairs. Lakshmana is inseparable from Rama, serving Himdevotedly. In the same way, Shatrugna is always concernedabout the welfare of Bharata, and is close to him.

Sage Bodhayana lays down that the mantra for the star Uttarattadi must be recited for the udaka santhi ritual. In astrology, those born in this star have a magnetic personality.They are just and intelligent, with an inclination to the fi��nearts.

FAITH

Serving the Lord+ 13207(set by Incognito)

Display keystrokes of genius.

Type your answers into our online grids.

@ https://qrgo.page.link/jjpTn

■ ACROSS

8 Detest hotel at end of avenue (4)

9 Entertainment, initially on platform, before time (5)

10 First man in Dharwad, a musician (4)

11 Arterial blocks... may be mobile (6)

12 Mice bile concoction for fool (8)

13 Outdated and damaged bootees wrapped around leg initially (8)

15 Dancing lads with half tutu for grown ups (6)

17 Worried? Dip limb in ale before commencement of dinner (7)

19 Normal assault course conducted in absence of escort (2,5)

22 Elegant bird with King at the end of party (6)

24 “Flower’s edge” in nonpoetic writing (8)

26 Variable resistor set as “Hotter” (8)

28 GI’s jaw is broken? It’s a puzzle! (6)

30 Word for area surrounded by water in Dali’s lexicon (4)

31 Perhaps, a monarch earning extensive royalty, for starters (5)

32 Slim movie director (4)

■ DOWN

1 Moderately heated fi��ght by militants in the beginning (4)

2 Scheduled time for military operation? 00:00 (4,4)

3 Submissive doctor is endlessly ill... has some earache (6)

4 Also next to ship (7)

5 Some Africans release girl for Zulu and other Africans (8)

6 Ethnic Chinese person with Chinese uniform (6)

7 Cry, “Ring” (4)

14 Under bent elbow (5)

16 Hot beverage at beginning of match session for groups of players

(5)

18 Mad Pat eying Pharaoh, for example (8)

20 Fight saint on mat with broken leg (8)

21 Saw something like a leopard (7)

23 Loops ring into snouts (6)

25 Indian legal panel’s loss (6)

27 That guy’s sister starts to make sibilant sound (4)

29 Middle Easterner found in car abroad (4)

SCAN TO PLAY

Daruvala finishes sixth SAKHIR

India’s Jehan Daruvala

finished sixth in the third race

of the opening weekend of

the FIA Formula 2

championship here on

Sunday. Daruvala is now third

in the standings after the first

round with 28 points, 13

behind leader Guanyu Zhou.

Chhetri recoversfrom COVID-19NEW DELHI

India football captain Sunil

Chhetri said on Sunday he

had recovered from

COVID19. He had tested

positive on March 11. PTI

IN BRIEF

Sam Curran unleashed oneof the fi��nest assaults by alowerorder batsman on Indian soil. However, thesouthpaw couldn’t take England home as the visitingside fell agonisingly short ofwhat could have been one ofthe most memorable comeback wins to hand India thethird and fi��nal ODI, and thetrophy, on Sunday.

After India adopted an aggressive approach from thestart and got bowled out for

329 in the penultimate overon yet another belter of asurface at the MaharashtraCricket Association Stadium,England staged a remarkablelate charge, thanks to Curran’s exploits. But T. Natarajan defended 12 runs in thelast over to help India clincha sevenrun win to seal theseries.

All-format successThe ODI series win meant India triumphed in each of thethree formats against England over two months.

When Curran joinedMoeen Ali at the crease in

the 26th over, India lookedto be cruising towards victory after Shardul Thakur hadbroken the back of England’smiddleorder.

Well out of sightAt 168 for six, the target of330 seemed well out of sightfor England.

When Moeen’s uppishdrive was latched on to byHardik at midoff�� to giveBhuvneshwar his third scalpin the 31st over, India was theonly likely winner.

However, with brotherTom making way for MarkWood, Sam had to rely on

Adil Rashid to hang in therealong with him.

Had Hardik — who hadearlier dropped a skier tohand Ben Stokes a reprievein the evening — not droppedrunning to his right fromlongon off�� M. Prasidh Krishna, the game would havecome to an early fi��nish. Butonce he got the letoff��, thelefthanded Curran showedhis ability as a batsman.

Mounting pressureJust when Curran and Rashid’s 57run stand was givingIndia a headache, Shardulwas reintroduced into the at

tack and captain Kohlicaught a stunner at shortcover to see Rashid’s back.

Then on, till the last over,Curran farmed strike andWood batted sensibly whenever he had to and the pressure continued to mount onIndia.

Curran’s assault on Shardul in the 47th over broughtEngland within touching distance. In the penultimate over, India dropped two morechances, thus raising England bench’s hopes.

However, with 12 requiredoff�� the last over, Curranslipped while turning back

for the second and Hardik’srocket throw from longoncaught Wood short of thecrease. Natarajan then bowled tight to help India crossthe line.

Earlier in the afternoon,India took a cue from England’s crashbangwallopapproach and executed it tonearperfection.

Mini collapsesDespite England bowlerschecking India from runningaway with the game by causing two minicollapses, Indiapiled on a challenging total.

Thanks to quickfi��re part

nerships between openersRohit Sharma and ShikharDhawan and powerhittersRishabh Pant and Hardik, India brought up a total of 329before being bowled out inthe penultimate over afterbeing asked to bat for thethird time in succession.

Outlandish swatWhen Kohli attempted anoutlandish swat off�� Moeen’soff��spin in the 18th over, theworld champion could havebeen hoping to end the touron a high. Kohli’s dismissalwas the third wicket to losein 19 balls and the home

team was in danger of throwing away the advantage.

Despite pressing the accelerator from the beginning, Rohit (bowled throughthe gate) and Dhawan(caught and bowled) hadbeen undone by Adil Rashid’s googlies in successive overs after they put on 103 inless than 15 overs.

But Pant and Hardik’sfl��awless strokeplay resultedin a 99run stand off�� just 70balls.

Shardul’s cameo ensuredIndia crossed the 320runmark despite losing the lastfour wickets quickly.

Shardul, Bhuvi thwart England’s spirited chase as India wins thrillerSam Curran nearly denies the home team with a sensational assault; Pant, Hardik build on Dhawan’s halfcentury to help the hosts post an imposing total

HAVING THE LAST LAUGH: The Indian team overcame many a hiccup to eventually clinch the series decider. * GETTY IMAGES

ENGLAND IN INDIA

Amol Karhadkar

PUNE

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s resurgence as India’s key weapon in limitedovers contests has been the biggestgain for India during the lastthree weeks. But the seasoned pacer was full ofpraise for fellowpacer Shardul Thakur after India’s narrow win in the seriesdecider on Sunday night.

“He performed reallywell. He came on as secondchange when the ball didn’tswing at all and it was a fl��atdeck. It’s very diffi��cult for abowler to bowl in such a situation,” Bhuvneshwar said.

“He changed the matchduring that phase. He playedthe role that usually spinners play; we were one spinner short today. He gave usthe breakthrough and an upper hand.”

Besides his four wickets,Shardul’s cameo with thebat also came in handy withIndia scraping home by just

seven runs. Bhuvneshwarsaid Shardul has emerged asa confi��dent player over thelast three months.

“He has improved quite a

lot. He’s a typical player thatthe team aspires for. He ishigh on confi��dence and perform really well, be it inT20s or ODIs,” he said.

Bhuvneshwar all praise for Shardul Says the Mumbai seamer changed the course of the match

Key wicket: Shardul Thakur successfully appeals against Jos Buttler. * AFP

Amol Karhadkar

PUNE

INDIARohit Sharma b Rashid 37 (37b,6x4), Shikhar Dhawan c & bRashid 67 (56b, 10x4), ViratKohli b Moeen 7 (10b, 1x4),Rishabh Pant c Buttler b Curran78 (62b, 5x4, 4x6), K.L. Rahul cMoeen b Livingstone 7 (18b),Hardik Pandya b Stokes 64(44b, 5x4, 4x6), Krunal Pandyac Roy b Wood 25 (34b), ShardulThakur c Buttler b Wood 30(21b, 1x4, 3x6), BhuvneshwarKumar c Curran b Topley 3 (5b),M. Prasidh Krishna b Wood 0(3b), T. Natarajan (not out) 0(0b); Extras (lb1, w10) 11;Total (in 48.2 overs): 329.

FALL OF WICKETS1103 (Rohit, 14.4 overs), 2117(Dhawan, 16.4), 3121 (Kohli,17.4), 4157 (Rahul, 24.2), 5256(Pant, 35.6), 6276 (Hardik,38.6), 7321 (Thakur, 45.6), 8328 (Krunal, 47.2), 9329(Prasidh, 47.6).

ENGLAND BOWLINGCurran 50431, Topley 9.20661, Wood 71343, Stokes 70451, Rashid 100812, Moeen 70391, Livingstone30201.

ENGLANDJason Roy b Bhuvneshwar 14(6b, 3x4), Jonny Bairstow lbw b

Bhuvneshwar 1 (4b), Ben Stokesc Dhawan b Natarajan 35 (39b,4x4, 1x6), Dawid Malan c Rohitb Shardul 50 (50b, 6x4), JosButtler lbw b Shardul 15 (18b,2x4), Liam Livingstone c & bShardul 36 (31b, 4x4, 1x6), Moeen Ali c Hardik b Bhuvneshwar29 (25b, 2x4, 2x6), Sam Curran(not out) 95 (83b, 9x4, 3x6),Adil Rashid c Kohli b Shardul 19(22b, 2x4), Mark Wood run out14 (21b, 1x4), Reece Topley (notout) 1 (1b); Extras (lb1, w12):13; Total (for nine wkts. in 50overs): 322.

FALL OF WICKETS114 (Roy, 0.6), 228 (Bairstow,2.6), 368 (Stokes, 10.3), 495(Buttler, 15.1), 5155 (Livingstone, 23.5), 6168 (Malan,25.4), 7200 (Moeen, 30.3), 8257 (Rashid, 39.2), 9317(Wood, 49.1).

INDIA BOWLINGBhuvneshwar 100423, Natarajan 100731, Prasidh 70620, Shardul 100674,Hardik 90480, Krunal40290.

Toss: England.

MoM: Sam Curran.

MoM: Jonny Bairstow.

India won by seven runs toclinch the series 2-1.

SCOREBOARD

England skipper Jos Buttler bemoaned the lack

of partnerships and poordismissals for his side’s sevenrun loss on Sunday.

“We lost wickets at regular intervals and never gotthose big partnerships together that we wanted to,”said Buttler. “We never feltlike the run rate was goingto be the biggest issue. Wewere happy to chase thatscore.

“When chasing bigscores like that, you arelooking for someone to goon to make 80 or 100, areally matchdefi��ning contribution.

“Sam Curran nearly didthat but just as we got partnerships up and runningwe lost wickets. We knewthat score was manageable. We just needed the ownership from a couple ofguys to go and make thosestarts into big scores.”

Buttler pointsto lack ofpartnerships S. Dipak Ragav

Lewis Hamilton producedanother stunning demonstration of his supreme racing talent on Sunday to resist acharging Max Verstappenand win a thrilling seasonopening Bahrain Grand Prix.

The defending seventimechampion defended with supreme skill over the closinglaps in his Mercedes to holdoff�� the Red Bull driver andclaim a recordstretching96th Formula One victory.

Hamilton came home seventenths of a second aheadof the Dutchman, who wasforced to hand back the racelead in the closing laps afterpassing the champion with amove that had taken him off��the track and beyond the limits. As expected, Hamiltonand his heir apparent delivered an exhilarating exhibition of racing as theystormed to the fl��ag — the pair

leaving third placed ValtteriBottas, in the second Mercedes, to fi��nish adrift by 37seconds.

The results: 1. Lewis Hamilton(Mercedes) 1hr 32mins03.897s, 2. Max Verstappen(Red Bull) + 0.745s, 3. ValtteriBottas (Mercedes) 37.383, 4.Lando Norris (McLaren)46.466, 5.Sergio Perez (RedBullHonda) 52.047, 6. CharlesLeclerc (Ferrari) 59.090, 7. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren)

1:06.004, 8. Carlos Sainz Jr(Ferrari) 1:07.100, 9. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) 1:25.692, 10.Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)1:26.713, 11. Kimi Raikkonen(Alfa Romeo) 1:28.864.

1 lap: 12. Antonio Giovinazzi(Alfa Romeo), 13. Esteban Ocon(Renault), 14. George Russell(Williams), 15. Sebastian Vettel(Aston Martin), 16. Mick Schumacher (Haas) (all 1 lap).

4 laps: 17. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) 4 laps and 18. NicholasLatifi�� (Williams) 4 laps.

Hamilton bags edge-of-the-seat opener

Pips polesitter Verstappen; Bottas fi��nishes third

BAHRAIN GP

That’s how you do it! Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton celebratesyet another winning drive. * AP


SAKHIR

Stimac ready toexperiment again DUBAI

India will the United Arab

Emirates in its second

football friendly here on

Monday, with head coach Igor

Stimac again set to

experiment with a fresh set of

rookies. He said even senior

defender Sandesh Jhingan

will not start while

goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh

Sandhu is set to play instead

of Amrinder Singh and

captain the side. PTI

CMYK

A ND-NDE


DELHI THE HINDU


SPORT

International friendlies: India vs UAE, Eurosport (SD &HD), 9.45 p.m.

TV PICKS

Badrinath tests positivefor COVID19NEW DELHI

Former India batsman S.

Badrinath on Sunday said he

has tested positive for

COVID19 and is currently in

home isolation, making him

the third exIndia cricketer

from the Road Safety World

Series tournament to be

infected by the virus in the

last couple of days. The

40yearold Badrinath

recently played in the

veteran's tournament in

Raipur “I have tested positive

for COVID19 and have some

mild symptoms,” Badrinath

said in his Twitter handle. PTI

IN BRIEF

Ratra joins Delhi Capitalsas assistant coachNEW DELHI

IPL franchise Delhi Capitals

on Sunday announced the

appointment of former India

wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra as

the team’s assistant coach

ahead of the 14th edition.

Ratra said: “This is a verys

exciting team to work with,

abundant with talent. I can’t

wait to meet the team and

contribute to its success. I

am grateful to the Delhi

Capitals management for

giving me this wonderful

opportunity.” PTI

MUMBAI: Trainer Pesi Shroff ’sclassic filly Immortality (SurajNarredu up) proved her mettleby winning the prestigious Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby (Gr.1) atthe Mahalaxmi race course hereon Sunday (March 28). The winner is owned by Ms AmeetaMehra representing Mehra StudAnd Agricultural Farms Pvt. Ltd.& Mrs. Liane Luthria. TrainerShroff saddled two more winnersof the day.Ace jockey Suraj Narredu, whowas declared to guide the daughter of Multidimensional out ofPsychic Light in the IndianDerby, confidently kept her insixth position throughout therace till the 1000m. As the field entered the homestretch, Alluring Silver, anotherfilly from Shroff’s yard, went intothe lead even as Immortality andForest Flame were seen engaginginto a battle similar to the IndianOaks. But, Immortality unleashed a terrific turn of foot andcruised past her rivals to win by acomfortable margin.

Memorable hat-trickSuraj Narredu achieved anotherfeat by scoring a Indian Derbyhattrick. He had won on WarHammer in 2020 and Star Superior in 2019. Suraj is the secondjockey to achieve this feat emulating Immortality’s trainer PesiShroff, who claimed threeinarow between 1989 and 1991.

1. ZAVARAY S. POONAWALLA

MILLION (2,400m), Cl. III, rated40 to 66: REDOUBTABLE (AkshayKumar) 1, Justified (Zervan) 2, Arcadia (Chouhan) 3 and HighPriestess (Dashrath) 4. 11/4, 11/2and 73/4. 2m, 30.46s. ₹��95 (w), 27and 39 (p). SHP: 38, FP: 457, Q:602, Tanala: 670 and 239. Favourite: Arcadia.

Owner: Mrs. Ammu Ajit.Trainer: Prasanna Kumar P.

2. C.N. WADIA GOLD CUP (Gr. 2)(2,400m), (Terms), 4yo & over:SALAZAAR (Sandesh) 1, ApsaraStar (Nazil) 2, Caprisca (C.S.Jodha) 3 and My Opinion (A. Imran Khan) 4. 43/4, 23/4 and 2.2m 29.49s. ₹��19 (w), 19 and 72 (p).

SHP: 75 FP: 273, Q: 98, Tanala:1,012 and 386. Favourite:Salazaar.

Owners: United Racing &Bloodstock Breeders Limited.Trainer: Irfan Ghatala.

3. RUSI PATEL TROPHY (Gr. 3)(1,600m), (Terms) 4yo & over:COSMIC RAY (Sandesh) 1, FlyingVisit (T.S. Jodha) 2, Northern Alliance (Bhawani) 3 and SultanSuleiman (Akshay Kumar) 4. 2,Hd and 21/4. 1m, 35.71s. ₹��26 (w),15, 36 and 26 (p). SHP: 60, FP:454, Q: 164, Tanala: 2,447 and763. Favourite: Cosmic Ray.

Owners: United Racing &Bloodstock Breeders Limited.Trainer: S.S. Attaollahi.

4. SIR HOMI MEHTA MILLION

(1,600m), (Terms) Maiden, 3yoonly: SUPREME RUNNER (Akshay

Breeders Limited. Trainer: P.Shroff.

6. KINGFISHER ULTRA INDIAN

DERBY (GR.1) (2,400M), (TERMS)

INDIAN HORSE, 4-Y-O ONLY: IM-

MORTALITY (MULTIDIMEN-

SIONAL–PSYCHIC LIGHT) (SURAJ

NARREDU) 1, FOREST FLAME(Leitir Mor–Memory Bay) (Trevor) 2, ALLURING SILVER (LeitirMor–Personal Allure) (Chouhan)3 and TAIMUR (Multidimensional–Tammy O) (Sandesh) 4.Not run: Pissaro. 11/2, 11/2 and43/4. 2m, 28.67s. ₹��33 (w), 18, 13and 27 (p). SHP: 40, FP: 165, Q:60, Tanala: 500 and 443. Favourite: Immortality.

Owners: Ms. Ameeta Mehrarep. Mehra Stud and AgriculturalFarms Pvt. Ltd. & Mrs. Liane Luthria. Trainer: P. Shroff.

7. R M & RUKMANI GOCULDAS

MILLION (1,400m), Cl. III, rated40 to 66: GIANT STAR (SurajNarredu) 1, Scramjet ( J. Chinoy)2, Rays Of Sun (T.S. Jodha) 3 andThe Sovereign Orb (Trevor) 4. Sh,Nk and Nk. 1m, 23.85s. ₹��24 (w),16, 48 and 76 (p). SHP: 87, FP:444, Q: 234, Tanala: 7,741 and3,318. Favourite: Giant Star.

Owners: Mrs. B.E. Saldhana,Mr. Mark Saldhana, Mr. ShashiChand Jain, M/s. Vivek S. Jain,Faisal F. Qurreshi & Khushroo R.Battiwala. Trainer: M. Narredu.

8. MAHALAKSHMI MILLION

(1,000m), Cl. IV, rated 20 to 46:ENIGMA (Chouhan) 1, Desert Fire( J. Chinoy) 2, Super Girl (T.S.Jodha) 3 and Excelerator (A.Prakash) 4. 63/4, Snk and 1/2.57.44s. ₹��18 (w), 15, 76 and 17 (p).SHP: 150, FP: 834, Q: 605,Tanala: 1,193 and 282. Favourite:Enigma.

Owners: Mr. Mehernosh H.Deboo, Mrs. Auzita M. Deboo &Mr. Sultan Singh. Trainer: P.Shroff.

Jackpot: 70%: ₹��3,680 (250tkts.) and 30%: 705 (559 tkts.).

Treble: (i) 271 (45 tkts.), (ii) 610(31 tkts.).

Super Jackpot: 70%: 9,256 (5tkts.) and 30%: 1,322 (15 tkts.).

Kumar) 1, Alfayiz (Akshay) 2, Zarak (Dashrath) 3 and Arc De Triomphe (Zervan) 4. 13/4, 11/4 and11/2. 1m, 37.60s. ₹��44 (w), 15, 21and 90 (p). SHP: 58, FP: 264, Q:97, Tanala: 1,274 and 1,014. Favourite: Stockbridge.

Owner: Mr. Daulat Chhabria.Trainer: M. Narredu.

5. B.K. RATTONSEY MEMORIAL

MAIDEN MULTI-MILLION

(1,200m), (Terms) Maiden, 3yoonly: COLUMBIAN (Chouhan) 1,My Treasure (T.S. Jodha) 2, Keystone (Akshay Kumar) 3 andAhead Of His Time (Trevor) 4.Not run: Farrell. 2, Sh and 21/4.1m, 11.13s. ₹��41 (w), 15, 45 and 39(p). SHP: 115, FP: 539, Q: 412,Tanala: 12,466 and 890. Favourite: Ahead Of His Time. Owners:United Racing & Bloodstock

Immortality stamps her class in the Indian Derby

Mission accomplished: Jockey Suraj Narredu raises his arm intriumph after steering Immortality to victory in the Kingfi��sherUltra Indian Derby, much to the delight of owners LianeLuthria (left) and Ameeta Mehra (third from right), and trainerPesi Shroff�� (right). * VIVEK BENDRE

It was a brilliant climax forthe host, as the men’s andwomen’s teams nailed theelusive trap gold in theshooting World Cup thatconcluded at the Dr. KarniSingh Range, Tughlakabad,on Sunday.

Even though the team’sspearhead Kynan Chenaiwas not at his best in the singlebarrel competition, theIndian team pulled togetherremarkably well to beat thetricky Slovakian team 64.

Michal Slamka, AdrianDrobny and Filip Marinovhad helped Slovakia top thequalifi��cation four pointsahead of the host, but Indiahad the last laugh.

When one point was required with three shots to gofor India, Kynan missed. ButPrithviraj smashed the clayto celebrate with a clenchedfi��st. Asian Games silver medallist Lakshay Shoran putthe icing on the cake by hitting the last target and triggering a celebration.

The Indian women’s teamof Shreyasi Singh, ManishaKeer and Rajeshwari Kumarihad it relatively easy, as itoutclassed Kazakhstn 60.

The Indian team had toearlier endure the ignominyof being beaten to the gold inthe men’s rapid fi��re pistolteam competition by USA.

Keith Sanderson, JackHobson and Henry Turnerwere quite sharp as USA beatIndia 102.

Olympian Gurpreet Singhstruggled to fi��nd his rhythm,but Vijayveer Sidhu andAdarsh Singh tried to make afi��ght of it, albeit in patches.

India topped the medalstable with 15 gold, nine silverand six bronze. USA followed a distant second withfour gold, three silver and abronze.

Italy and Denmark hadtwo golds each, while Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Iran, Estonia, Britain and Sloveniawon at least one gold. The 82medals, with 30 gold and 30silver were shared by 22 ofthe 59 countries.

The results: Men: 25m rapidfi��re pistol team: 1. USA (KeithSanderson, Jack Hobson, HenryTurner) 10 (571) 868; 2. India(Gurpreet Singh, Vijayveer Sidhu, Adarsh Singh) 2 (552) 857.

Trap: 1. India (Kynan Chenai,

Prithviraj Tondaiman, LakshaySheoran) 6 (494); 2. Slovakia(Michal Slamka, Adrian Drobny,Filip Marinov) 4 (498); 3. Kazakhstan (Viktor Khassyanov,Maxim Kolomoyets, AndreyMogilevskiy) 6 (489); 4. Qatar(Saeed Abusharb, Nasser Ali AlHemadi, Mohammed Al Rumaihi) 4 (466).

Women: Trap: 1. India (ShreyasiSingh, Manisha Keer, Rajeshwari Kumari) 6 (321); 2. Kazakhstan (Mariya Dmitriyenko, Aizhan Dosmagambetova,Sarsenkul Rysbekova) 0 (308).

Indian teams trap gold in styleHost fi��nishes on top with 30 medals, far ahead of the USA

Signing off�� in style: Goldwinning trap teams (women) Shreyasi Singh, Manisha Keer andRajeshwari Kumari and (men) Lakshay Sheoran, Prithviraj Tondaiman and Kynan Chenai.

* KAMESH SRINIVASAN

SHOOTING WC

Kamesh Srinivasan

NEW DELHI

The president of the National Rifl��e Association of India(NRAI), Raninder Singh, assured a meritbased selection of the Indian shootingteam for the Tokyo Olympics, when he addressed themedia at the end of theWorld Cup here on Sunday.

“The selection will bepurely based on merit. Theinterest of the nation wouldbe foremost when fi��eldingthe best shooters in eachevent. We have all data available. We will take an informed decision,” assertedthe NRAI president. The selection committee meetingis expected to be held onApril 3 or 4.

It was also announcedthat there would be reserveshooters and they would begiven the same level of training as the Olympicboundshooters in the runup to theGames.

InternationalengagmentsRaninder was happy withthe manner in which theyoung Indian shooters responded to the opportunityof competing in the WorldCup at home. He said that efforts would be made to have“regular internationalengagements.”

On the safety and healthfront, Raninder said that hewas looking at the Indianshooters training in a biobubble in due course oftime.

He expressed anguishabout the National championship not being held anytime before the Olympics,owing to the prevailing situation in the country.

Conceding that the healthof Indian shooting was goodprimarily because of theemergence of young talentthrough the National championship, Raninder said thatthe system was missing afresh batch for the secondyear running. The Nationalchampionship could not beheld in 2020 owing to thepandemic.

Meritbased selectionfor Olympics: Raninder NRAI president lauds the young Indian shooters

Raninder Singh. * FILE PHOTO

Kamesh Srinivasan

NEW DELHI

Chennai’s P.M. Soorya andPuducherry’s Navneeth Kumar annexed the overall titlein the TVS Eurogrip MMSCMotorcycle Endurance raceat the MMRT here on Sunday.

The pair also topped theProStock 301400cc category while completing 55 lapsover two hours.

Finishing second a minute in arrears were polesitters from Hyderabad, Satyanarayana Raju and SahilShetty, while the team of Abhimanyu Gautam and R.Anand was third with 54laps.

A. Anfal and SubramaniGandan, completing 52 laps,won in the Stock 165cc category, restricted to those under 15 years of age. Lani Zena Fernandez and ArpithaBhat emerged champions in

the Girls (TVS Apache RTR200), completing 48 laps.

The results (provisional):

Overall and proStock 301400cc: 1. P.M. Soorya & Navneeth Kumar (55 laps, 2hrs,00:38.471s); 2. SatyanarayanaRaju & P. Sahil (55L;2:01:29.921); 3. AbhimanyuGautam & R. Anand (54L;2:01:22.055).

Stock 165cc: 1. A. Anfal & Sub

ramani Gandan (52L;2:02:05.716); 2. Mohan Babu &Udayi Prakash (52L;2:02:18.551); 3. N. Jagadeesh &Allwin Xavier (51L;2:02:29.670).

Girls (TVS Apache RTR 200): 1.Lani Zena Fernandez & ArpithaBhat (48L; 2:01:11.352); 2.Rakshitha Dave & Baddam Dipika (47L; 2:00:44.209); 3. Nivetha Jessica & Lakaya Lee(47L; 2:01:20.940).

Soorya, Navneeth duo clinch titleThe pair also tops the ProStock 301400cc category

Triumphant: Soorya and Navneeth, winners of the TVSEurogrip MMSC Motorcycle Endurance race.

* SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

MOTORSPORTS

Sports Reporter

Chennai

The Indian pair of KrishnaPrasad Garaga and VishnuVardhan Goud Panjala letslip a strong start to godown to England’s BenLane and Sean Vendy inthe men’s doubles fi��nals ofthe Orleans Masters badminton tournament hereon Sunday.

The unheralded Indians, the only ones left incontention from the country on the fi��nal day, lost 2119, 1421, 1921 in a 56minute battle with the fourthseeds.

Garaga and Panjala pairing up for the fi��rst time inthis event would bepleased with the resultsthey managed.

Popov triumphsFrance’s Toma Junior Popov, who knocked out K.Srikanth in the quarterfi��nals, won the men’s singlestitle by beating Mads Christophersen of Denmark 2321, 2113.

The women’s crown wasclaimed by Thailand’s Busanan Ongbamrungphan,who rallied to get the better of Denmark’s LineChristophersen 1621, 2115,2119.

GaragaPanjala pairfi��nishesrunnerup


PARIS

ORLEANS MASTERS

An unbeaten 92 by DevonConway and a fourwicketburst from Ish Sodhi ensured New Zealand rompedto victory by 66 runs in theopening Twenty20 againstBangladesh here on Sunday.

Conway, whose rollickinginnings included 11 foursand three sixes, shared in a105run stand with debutantWill Young (53), as New Zealand posted an impressive210 after electing to bat.

Mohammad Naim madean enterprising start to theBangladesh reply with twoboundaries off�� the openingover from Tim Southee. Butonce the tourists reached 39in the fi��fth over the inningsfell apart as fi��rst Lockie Ferguson removed Naim for 27and then Sodhi suff��ocatedthe momentum with hisfour wickets off�� eight deliv

eries. Bangladesh fi��nishedon 144 for eight and Sodhihad the impressive fi��guresof four for 28.The scores: New Zealand210/3 in 20 overs (Martin Guptill 35, Devon Conway 92 n.o.,Will Young 53) bt Bangladesh144/8 in 20 overs (MohammadNaim 27, Afi��f Hossain 45, Mohammad Saifuddin 34 n.o.; IshSodhi 4/28).Toss: New Zealand.MoM: Conway; New Zealandwon by 66 runs.

Conway and Sodhifashion Kiwi cruise

BANGLADESH IN NZ

Ish Sodhi is congratulated byDevon Conway. * AFP


Hamilton

Cristiano Ronaldo was controversially denied an injurytime winner as Portugalblew a twogoal lead to beheld by Serbia in World Cupqualifying on Saturday,while Romelu Lukaku’s 59thinternational goal was onlyenough to salvage Belgium a11 draw with the CzechRepublic.

The Netherlands saw off��Latvia 20 after its openingGroup G defeat by Turkey,which backed up that performance with an impressive 30 victory over Norway.

Portugal appeared to becruising to three points inBelgrade when leading 20at the interval through Liverpool winger Diogo Jota’sfi��rsthalf double.

Crucial performanceNemanja Radonjic’s halftime introduction provedcrucial for Serbia, though, ashe set up Aleksandar Mitrovic and Filip Kostic to net inthe fi��rst 15 minutes of the second period.

Portugal had to settle for a22 draw, with Ronaldo leftseven short of Iranian AliDaei’s alltime record of 109international goals after failing to score for a secondstraight match.

He appeared to have netted in the 93rd minute, butwithout VAR or goallinetechnology in use, offi��cialsdecided that Serbia defender Stefan Mitrovic hadcleared the ball before itcrossed the line.

Belgium, the world number oneranked side, sits behind the Czech Republic ongoal diff��erence in the earlyGroup E standings.

Something to cheerFrank de Boer’s Netherlandsgave the 5,000 fans allowedto attend at the Johan Cruyff��Arena in Amsterdam something to cheer as StevenBerghuis’s 32ndminute curling eff��ort and Luuk deJong’s secondhalf headersaw off�� Latvia.

Fenerbahce midfi��elderOzan Tufan scored twice as

Turkey beat a dangerousNorway side.The results: Group A: Serbia 2(A. Mitrovic 46, Kostic 60)drew with Portugal 2 (DiogoJota 11, 36); Republic of Ireland0 lost to Luxembourg 1 (Rodrigues 85).

Group E: Czech Republic 1 (Provod 50) drew with Belgium 1(Lukaku 60); Belarus 4 (Lisakovich 45pen, 83, Kendysh 64,Savitski 81) bt Estonia 2 (HenriAnier 31, 55).

Group G: the Netherlands 2(Berghuis 32, L. de Jong 69) btLatvia 0; Norway 0 lost to Turkey 3 (Ozan Tufan 4, 59, CaglarSoyuncu 28); Montenegro 4(Beciraj 25, Simic 43, Tomasevic53, Jovetic 80) bt Gibraltar 1(Styche 30pen).

Group H: Slovakia 2 (Strelec49, Skriniar 53) drew with Malta 2 (Gambin 16, Satariano 20);Croatia 1 (Pasalic 40) bt Cyprus0; Russia 2 (Dzyuba 26, 35) btSlovenia 1 (Ilicic 36).

Portugal blows a twogoal leadLukaku salvages a draw for Belgium; Dutch beat Latvia

Bliss: Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates after his strike thatsparked Serbia’s comeback against Portugal. * REUTERS

WC QUALIFIERS


Paris

Fourth seed Oliver Crawfordbeat Zane Khan 63, 60 toclinch the title in the KPIT$15,000 ITF men’s tennistournament at the DeccanGymkhana on Sunday.

It was the fi��rst defeat inthree fi��nals in India for theeighth seeded Zane. Thechampion collected $2,160,while Zane got $1,272.

Siddharth moves up

At New Delhi, former national champion SiddharthVishwakarma beat the thirdseeded Anirudh Chandrasekar 57, 63, 119 in the fi��rstqualifying round of the$15,000 ITF men’s tennistournament at the DLTAComplex here on Sunday.

The results: Qualifying singles(fi��rst round): Alexander Kotzen (USA) bt Tushar Madan62, 60; Shivank Bhatnagar btArjun Mahadevan 62, 46,[106]; Vishnu Vardhan bt AlexSolanki 60, 63; V.M. Ranjeet

bt George Botezan (Rou) 76(3), 64; Adil Kalyanpur bt Davide Pozzi (Ita) 60, 64; FaisalQamar bt Parth Aggarwal 61,62; Yash Chaurasia bt Rishabdev Raman 62, 62; MuthuAadhitiya Senthilkumar bt Jatin Dahiya 62, 76(2); Siddharth Vishwakarma bt AnirudhChandrasekar 57, 63, [119];Jonathan Binding (GBR) btGunjan Jadhav 63, 63;SahilGaware bt Arpit Sharma 62,62; Rishi Reddy bt Yash Yadav76(3), 61; Dalwinder Singh btBharath Kumaran 63, 64.

Suraj Prabodh bt OsgarO’Hoisin (Irl) 36, 75, [105];Preston Brown (USA) bt Jagmeet Singh 63, 67(2), [108];Kaza Vinayak Sharma bt KunalAnand 63, 63; Omni Kumar(USA) bt Anurag Nenwani 63,60; Bikramjeet Singh Chawla(USA) bt Tarun Anirudh 76(4),60; Lohith Bathrinath bt Yaswanth Loganathan 62, 64;Ishaque Eqbal bt Vijay SundarPrashanth 75, 26, [106]; Nitin Kumar Sinha bt PC Vignesh60, 10 (retired); Digvijay Pratap Singh bt Shashank Theertha 64, 62; Leonardo Catani(Ita) bt Chandril Sood 63, 64;Henry Patten (GBR) bt Parikshit Somani 61, 64.

Crawford claims titleTENNIS ROUND-UP

Sports Bureau

pune

Zimbabwe has chosen Harare as the venue for itsfi��rst international cricketgames since the pandemicbegan with Pakistan due toplay three Twenty20s andtwo Tests in April.

The T20 series will beplayed from April 2125, followed by the Tests on April29May 3 and May 711.

Pakistan will fl��y out toHarare from Johannesburgon April 17 following itsthree ODIs and four T20sagainst South Africa.

At the forefront“The Pakistan CricketBoard has been at the forefront of the revival of international cricket in the postCOVID19 world and thetour of Zimbabwe is another step in that direction,”PCB director of international cricket Zakir Khansaid in a statement onSunday.

Zimbabwe tohost Pakistanin Harare

Associated Press

Islamabad

Utah’s Donovan Mitchellscored 35 points and handed out seven assists as theJazz posted a 126110 victory over Memphis Grizzlieson Saturday.

Jordan Clarkson cameoff�� the bench to add 28points and Rudy Gobertadded 16 points and 14 rebounds for Utah, whopushed the lead to as manyas 30 in the third quarter.

Clippers down Sixers

Los Angeles Clippers, chasing Utah and Phoenix Sunsin the West, won a fi��fthstraight game, 122112 overthe Eastern Conferenceleading Philadelphia 76ers.

Kawhi Leonard led theClippers with 28 points,Paul George added 24. The results: New Orleans Pelicans 112 bt Dallas Mavericks103; Oklahoma City Thunder94 lost to Boston Celtics 111.

Washington Wizards 106bt Detroit Pistons 92; San Antonio Spurs 120 bt ChicagoBulls 104.

LA Clippers 122 bt Philadelphia 76ers 112; Sacramento Kings 100 bt Cleveland Cavaliers 98; Utah Jazz 126 btMemphis Grizzlies 110.

Milwaukee Bucks 96 lostto New York Knicks 102; Minnesota Timberwolves 107 lostto Houston Rockets 129.

Mitchell starsin Jazz’s winover Grizzlies


Los Angeles

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