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millenniumpostVOL. 4, ISSUE 150 | Sunday, 3 June, 2018 | Kolkata | Pages 16 | Rs 3.00PUBLISHED FROM DELHI & KOLKATA

RNI NO.: WBENG/2015/65962

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOLKATA: The body of another youth was found hanging in Puru-lia district on Saturday with the BJP claiming that the deceased was their supporter and he was killed for his political affiliation. In the wake of two alleged recent murders of BJP mem-bers in Purulia, the state government on Saturday ordered the transfer of the district Superintendent of Police.

Akash Magharia took over the charge from Joy Biswas in compli-ance with an order issued by the state government. Four Block presidents of the TMC in Purulia have also been removed on charges of corruption. A high-level meeting was held, presided over by Trinamool Youth Congress president Abhishek Banerjee on Sat-urday. He said: “No one involved in corruption will be spared.” However, former Sabhadipati Sristidhar Mahato was not summoned in the meeting.

At the same time, a probe has been initiated and the case has been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) suspecting “con-spiracy and involvement of outsid-ers” as two incidents have occurred in the same district within a span of just a few days.

In connection with the event, Trin-amool Congress MP Abhishek Baner-jee had said that stern action would be taken against those involved in the

murder of Trilochon if the BJP could prove any association of a Trinamool worker in the incident.

Condemning the incident, TMC Rajya Sabha MP, Derek O’Brien, tweeted: “We strongly condemn this despicable killing. All angles must be probed. The perpetrators of this hei-nous act must be punished. What role did Jharkhand border have to play? What elements of Bajrang Dal, Maoist or BJP involved. Let the truth be found out through proper investigation.”

Locals in the early hours of Sat-urday morning spotted the body of

Dulal Kumar (30) hung to an electric-ity tower in Dava village of Balarampur area. His motorbike was found near a pond on Friday night itself.

It has been claimed that he had gone to attend a police station gherao programme of the BJP on Friday.

After his body was found hanging from a high-tension tower, it led to tension in the area as locals initially didn’t allow the police to take away the body for an autopsy. Later, the cops had to chase away the mob by raising their lathis and the body was removed from the spot and sent for an autopsy.

The mob pelted stones at the cops leav-ing some of them injured. Biswas, who was posted as the district SP earlier in the day, said that preliminary probe suggested that Dulal had committed suicide.

It may be recalled that three days ago, there was an incident at Balaram-pur in which 18-year-old Trilochon Mahato was found hanging from a tree with a poster found near his body in which it was mentioned that he had to pay the price for his alleged involve-ment with the BJP at such an early stage.

CITY PAGE 3SOON, BIOMETRIC ATTENDANCE FOR DOCTORS ACROSS STATE

In today’s paper

...

We have graduates, post-graduates (but) lack in skilled manpower

FORMER PRESIDENT PRANAB MUKHERJEE

CITY

CM SLAMS CENTRE OVER LPG PRICE HIKE 3

NATION

INDRANI MUKERJEA IN HOSPITAL AGAIN 4

BUSINESS

MAKE IN INDIA, PRABHU TELLS AIRBUS 5

INTERNATIONAL

TRUMP-KIM SUMMIT ON JUNE 12 6

SPORT

SAHA RULED OUT OF AFGHAN TEST 7

CASE HANDED TO CID; TMC REMOVES 4 BLOCK PRESIDENTS ON GRAFT CHARGES

Purulia ‘killings’: State govt cracks whip, transfers SP

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OUR CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI/ MUMBAI/ NASHIK/ NAGPUR: With the farmers’ agitation entering the second day on Saturday, vegetable prices in different parts of the countruy started soaring in the wake of dwindling fresh supplies of farm produce in mandis even as farm-ers dumped vegetables and milk on roads and blocked supplies to cities. As part of the 10-day agitation start-ing from Friday, farmers stopped sup-ply of vegetables, fruits, milk and other items to various cities against the anti-farmer policies of the Centre.

Though the impact of farmers’ stir on price of farm commodities was not visible on Friday, retail prices of veg-etables in several cities soared in the range of Rs 10-20 per kg on the second

day on Saturday, forcing consumers in cities to shell out more for buying vegetables. According to traders , the price of tomatoes, potatoes, capsicum, bottle gourd, cucumber, have gone up on short supplies. Traders said the fresh supplies of vegetables com-ing through vehicles in mandis have dwindled, triggering fears of more price rise in coming days.

Meanwhile, the Left-affiliated All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) on Saturday accused the Maharashtra government of dispalying a “negative approach” to the farmers’ protest and warned that it would intensify from June 5. There has been no response from the govern-ment to the demands of the protest-ing farmers, AIKS General Secretary Ajit Navle told reporters in Mumbai.

“Farmers across the state are

holding protests but the Government seems to have a negative approach over keeping the promises it had made to farmers last month,” he said. “All milk dairies in the district are closed

and collection centres for milk have been affected. Agitating farmers poured milk on roads at Visapur in Yeola taluka on Saturday morning. Arrival of vegetables at market com-

mittees too is low,” said AIKS Working President Raju Desale. An official of the Nashik Agricultural Produce Mar-ket Committee said that the arrival of vegetables there was low due to the protest.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of Shipping and Road Transport Nitin Gadkari on Saturday blamed the global economic situation and sur-plus production for the farmers’ woes and assured that the Centre is working on “a war footing” to solve their prob-lems. “This situation has arisen due to the global economy and surplus pro-duction. This is an old issue, not a new one. The government is working on a war footing by formulating mid- and long-term policies as well as exporting excess produce,” he said to a question about the ongoing farmers’ agitation.

As 10-day farmers’ stir enters 2nd day, veggie prices start to soarMODI GOVT BLAMES GLOBAL ECONOMY, EXCESS OUTPUT FOR COUNTRY’S WORSENING AGRICUTURAL CRISIS

‘Sign of desperation against Centre’s wrongs, indifference’

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Min-ister Amarinder Singh on Saturday described the ongo-ing protest by farmers as a “sign of their des-peration in the face of the wrongs being perpetrated on them by the central govern-ment”. Singh made the remarks during a media interaction at Haryana Raj Bhawan here after the swearing-in of Krishna Murari as the new Chief Jus-

tice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

He said the farm-ing community in the country is in the grip of a serious crisis due to the “indifferent” attitude of the BJP-led

central government. The gov-ernment had “failed” to provide any succor to the beleaguered farmers, who were unable to make both ends meet due to its “antagonistic policies”, the chief minister said. MPOST

Spectre of betting returns to haunt IPL; Arbaaz confesses

Top Bollywood producer too involved, reveals bookie during quizzing

OUR CORRESPONDENT

THANE (Maharashtra): Bolly-wood actor and filmmaker Arbaaz Khan has told police that he has been betting on cricket matches for the past five to six years, a police offi-cial claimed on Saturday. The police also said that interrogation of alleged bookie Sonu Jalan alias Sonu Malad revealed that a prominent Bollywood producer was also involved in the betting racket. The producer would be summoned soon, an official said.

Khan, who appeared before Thane Police’s Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) on Saturday morning, also claimed that he had not placed bets on any match of the 2018 season of the Indian Premier League that ended on May 27, the official said. “The actor told police that he has been betting on cricket matches for the past 5-6 years,” the police official said on the condition of anonymity.

Jalan also told the interrogators that a Bollywood producer, who is

the CEO of a film production-dis-tribution company based in Mum-bai, was his “partner” in the betting racket, the official said. Police were going to summon the producer and question him, he added, without specifying if any letter has been sent to him.

The city police had on Friday sent a letter to Arbaaz Khan, asking him to join the probe in the wake of arrest of Jalan who was allegedly placing bets on the recently-concluded edi-tion of IPL. On May 15, the AEC busted a racket with the arrest of four people including Jalan who is believed to be one of the top bookies in the country.

During the probe, a “connec-tion” between Jalan and Khan was established, head of the AEC, Senior Inspector Pradeep Sharma had said. Khan allegedly lost Rs 2.80 crore in betting to Jalan and was not pay-ing the amount, following which the bookie had threatened the actor, police had said.

OUR CORRESPONDENT

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh was hit by another deadly dust storm that claimed 17 lives and left 11 persons injured on Friday. A UP gov-ernment spokesperson on Saturday said that most of the deaths were caused due to falling of trees and house collapse.

Moradabad bore the max-imum brunt of the storm, with as many as seven deaths reported from the district, followed by three deaths from Sambhal, the state govern-ment spokesperson said. Two deaths were reported each from Badaun, Muzaffarnagar and Meerut, while one death was reported from Amroha, he said.

Five persons were injured in Amroha, three in Morad-abad, two in Muzaffarnagar and one in Badaun. The state government has directed all district magistrates to distrib-ute relief within 24 hours.

The state was swept by three major dust storms last month that left over 130 peo-ple dead. On May 13, 39 peo-ple died in various districts including Bareilly, Barabanki, Bulandshahr and Lakhimpur Khiri districts.

Uttar Pradesh dust storm

leaves 17 dead

500 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 200 WOMEN & CHILDREN, RESCUED

Army holds flag march in Shillong; cop hurt in clash

Kashmiri hit by CRPF car dies, clashes at funeral

OUR CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: Curfew contin-ued in parts of Shillong for the second day on Saturday as the Army conducted flag marches in disturbed areas and rescued several people following night-long violence and arson during which a mob torched a shop, a house and damaged at least five vehicles here, besides injuring a senior police officer, officials said on Saturday.

The Army was requisi-tioned by the state govern-ment to conduct flag march in the affected areas. Army troops conducted the flag march and rescued about 500 people,

including 200 women and chil-dren, Defence spokesperson Ratnakar Singh said.

He added that the rescued civilians were given food and water and have been sheltered at the Army cantonment here. General Officer Commanding 101 Area Lt Gen D S Ahuja vis-ited the affected people at the Army cantonment.

Superintendent of Police (City) Stephan Rynjah sus-tained injuries after he was hit by a rod. He has been admit-ted to the Shillong Civil Hospi-tal, a senior police officer said. At least 10 persons, including policemen, have been injured in the violence, which has trig-gered demands that the gov-ernment take action against alleged illegal settlers in the area.

State police personnel were attacked by stone pelters in the Motphran area of the city. Tear-gas shells were used to disperse rioters but people in other parts of the city mistook them for police firing, the officer said.

SRINAGAR: Clashes broke out between protesters and secu-rity forces in the old city here on Saturday after the death of a youth who was allegedly hit by a CRPF vehicle during another confrontation on Friday. Pro-testers pelted stones when secu-rity forces stopped his funeral procession at Fatehkadal, a police official said. The forces fired dozens of tear smoke shells and pellets to chase them away.

Some protesters received

minor injuries, the official said. The authorities had imposed restrictions in parts of Srinagar after Kaiser Bhat (21) died in hospital around midnight. But hundreds of people turned out for the funeral. He was later buried at Eidgah even as reports came in of clashes elsewhere in the city.

Following the youth’s death, the separatists had given a strike call across Kashmir on Satur-day, prompting shopkeepers

and other business owners to down shutters. The clash in which Bhat was fatally injured took place on Friday after Fri-day prayers ended at the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar’s Nowhatta area. A group of youths had started pelting stones at the security forces, with some of them attacking a CRPF vehicle.

Bhat and another man were taken to SKIMS hospital at Soura after being hit by that vehicle. MPOST

Punjab CM Amarinder Singh

SPORT PAGE 7RAFAEL NADAL DOWNS GASQUET FOR 16TH TIME

FILM PAGE 16MOVING OVER CHICK FLICKS

Transferred SP Joy Biswas Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

OUR CORRESPONDENT

SHIMLA: A 65-year-old woman was allegedly crushed under the wheels of a water tanker here on Saturday, the driver of which is suspected to have suffered a seizure from a neurological disorder, police said. The victim, identified as Uma Sadret, was strolling along with her granddaughter in the Himachal Pradesh cap-ital’s main street, Mall Road, when the incident occurred. She sustained injuries on her head, neck and chest and her face was badly mutilated, a police official said.

She was rushed to the Indira Gandhi Medical College where the doctors declared her “brought dead”, senior medical superintendent Dr Janak said.

The driver of the tanker was taken to a local hospital as he was in a semi-conscious state with froth coming out from his mouth. It is suspected that he was a patient of epilepsy and suffered an attack, the police said, adding that he is under treatment. Epilepsy is a neu-rological disorder in which nerve-cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures ranging from brief to long peri-ods of vigorous shaking.

Mall Road is considered as the safest area for a walk as no vehicle is allowed to come here except the vehicles of the gov-ernor, chief minister and emer-gency services like ambulance and fire brigade.

Shimla water crisis: Tanker

crushes woman

Poll malpractice exposers’ IDs will be protected: ECPRITESH BASU

KOLKATA: Giving power to the common man to ensure a free and fair electoral pro-cess, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is introduc-ing a mobile phone applica-tion, using which the video of any electoral malpractice can be sent from any part of the country for necessary action during the coming Lok Sabha (LS) polls. More importantly, the identity of the sender of the videos, which will act as both “complaint and evidence”, will remain undisclosed. The app was introduced on a pilot basis during the recently held Karna-taka elections.

“Recently, during the Kar-nataka elections, the Election Commission introduced one mobile phone application for the common people. If you download this app, you would become a policeman to keep a watch on the electoral pro-cess. Just take a video and send wherever you see any politi-cal party or candidate harass-ing, threatening or distributing money,” said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Om Prakash Rawat.” He was speak-ing at session on “Electoral Integrity and Role of Money in Elections” organised by Mer-chants’ Chamber of Commerce

& Industry on Saturday.He further said that the lon-

gitude and latitude, along with the constituency of the place featured in the video, will get identified automatically. “At the same time, the contact num-bers of the returning officer and district magistrate of the place will also get generated and we can take immediately action.”

Around 780 videos were sent during the Karnataka polls. “So we are giving power to the common man and in the Lok Sabha polls, too, the same will be done. Moreover, the identity of the person who sends the video will remain undisclosed.”

Rawat furthers said: “When Cambridge Analytica was exposed, it was found that only 5 lakh voters in India have lost their data out of 875 million. But the threat is huge. The EC is taking steps to ensure that these things are prevented.”

CEC Om Prakash Rawat

NO HALF TRUTHS

Summer means a clear blue sky, brighter days and sunshine that are per-fect ingredients for happy

mind and indeed a happy home. And just like your wardrobe, your home also needs seasonal change, which not only reflects your per-sonality and style but also latest trend. So how about opting indigo print and pastel shades. Experts list some ideas on how one can add indo and pastel to their abode.4Walls: Painting your walls

in soothing pastel shades like mint, dusty pink or beige is the coolest (pun intended) way to welcome summer. A well-done, accent wall in summer shades for the living room or bedroom

can be a head turner and experi-menting with wallpapers/murals or a contrasting shade can do the trick! In places of extreme heat, soothing pastel blues, lilacs and greens will bring a cooling effect in the home.4Bed-sheet: Breathable

materials like cotton and linen keep the room cool and you, comfortable. And no one can go wrong with floral and light colour sheets. Instead of heavy quilts and comforter, light weight colourful dohars are popular in summers. 4Curtains: For your liv-

ing room, go sheer with the cur-tains to let in some cool breeze and natural light into your home, whereas for your bedroom take

a break from traditional patterns and simple blinds by investing in chic looking textured drapes in a variety of opaque hues to match your décor scheme. With an extra-wide curtain, you can sweep it to the side during the day to embrace the asymmetry.4Cushions: Nothing adds

charm to a room faster than cush-

ions. To add an effect to pastel wall décor, lace or crochet cush-ions will be a perfect match. You can also opt for bold colour cush-ions with geometric or abstract patterns. Some plain cushions enhanced with bobbles and tassles also add an element of fun to a room. A mix and match of colored patterns also create a personality for the bedroom giving it a bohe-mian feel.4Apparel: Women’s and

Men’s: Unleash your inner diva and the perfect statement with the apparels that marries the ease of billowy shapes in cotton and silk fabrics with a crisp and strong pal-ette of indigo, crafting the perfect pieces for the summer shopper. A Dabu printed sari with a soft gold border, an Indigo cotton shirt, and a Indigo-white striped long kurta are a must have for your summer wardrobe. 4Jewellery: Command

power this summer with Indigo jewellery with sleek simplicity and strong designs. Jewel-lery made in silver with the hues of Indigo add to the overall ele-gance and signa-ture statement that’s speaks of its own! One can always go

for ornate rings, geomet-ric necklaces, and an eclec-tic range of earrings. Stack them, swap them, or style them solo for a look that’s all your own. IANS

 MEGHNA KHANNA

Tired of summers and the scorch-ing  heat in the month of June, all I wanted was to go back home from work and eat the chilled mangoes which

I kept in the fridge before leaving for office. This was my daily routine, all the summers and then one day I was invited by Cafe Knosh in Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, Delhi, to taste their exclusive ‘Mangolicious’ menu. It is then when I realised that there is a lot more scope with mango as an ingredient than just having Its slices.

Before going to the venue, I was totally unaware of what will be served to me. But trust me, my eyes were wide opened and mouth started watering when I saw the meticulous range of dishes – from appetizers to the main course – covering different kinds of rice and roti preparations to desserts. 

The welcome drinks varied from a very basic ‘Mangotini’, which was more like a pulpy fruity with slices of mango in it to a very unique amal-gamation of coconut and mango in ‘Mango coconut chia cooler’. The mock-tail menu was an assemblage of three more

drinks besides Mangotini and Chia cooler. Now that the body temperature was normalised and we started to talk, a starter was served in front of us – which was Raw mango stuffed aran-chi with sweet mango aioli. Maybe, the name is too big and confusing, but the way it was pre-sented was immensely appealing to my eyes. Enlisted in the menu were the other four starter items out of which I liked ‘Ambi pudina ki machhli’ and ‘Aam ke kaliyan waale jhinge’. Per-sonally, I didn’t like the ‘fried chicken’ and ‘Mango chilli potato’ there, as the taste was very basic and boring.

The main-course menu out-stood the charts as the chef had very wisely chosen the dishes and bal-ance of taste and presentation were quite visible.

You won’t believe me if I tell you that I had ‘Mango Noodles’ as my lunch. Will you? Well, they were amongst the best noodles I have ever had in my life. I am not a big fan of eating fish, but the chef at Cafe

Knosh made me fall in love with his second rec-ipe of ‘fish’ when I had the first bite of ‘mango fish curry’ with rice. The fish was so soft and the curry had a perfect balance of spices in it. I would give that curry a perfect 10/10.

Also, the Pancha Manga curry, a South Indian mango curry served with nice was okay

in taste but the mongo fish curry stole the show. I literally held my tummy and said “I can-

not eat anything else. ENOUGH!” when a very subtle and alluring platter of deserts was kept

on my table and the chef asked me to try it. I swear that even if the chef had not asked me to eat it, I had already made my mind to dive into the beauty and experience its taste.

Now, that I had the mango mousse and cupcake in Cafe Knosh, I would not be able to try any other mango dessert with-out comparing it with the one I just had! It was so delicious and pleasing to my eyes that in no time I ate the whole palate and wanted to ask for more.

Overall, I had a wonderful experience and I would definitely love to experiment with the king of fruits, now that I know that it blends with so many things to make a perfect dish.

This festival offering plenty of happiness with mangoes will last until June 25.

MAKE WAY FOR INDIGOPRINTS, PASTEL SHADES THIS SUMMER

Besides wardrobe, your home also needs seasonal change. This summer, try playing with pastel shades, indigo prints, and get ready to receive compliments

My ‘Mangolicious’ lunch

Veere Di Wedding (A)Hindi, 2D 09:35 AM, 12:10 PM, 02:35 PM, 04:45 PM, 06:00 PM, 08:35 PM, 10:45 PMSinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists (U)Hindi, 2D 10:00 AMUma (UA)Bengali, 2D 10:30 AM, 01:30 PM, 04:30 PM, 07:30 PM, 10:30 PM102 Not Out (U)Hindi, 2D 12:00 PMParmanu: The Story of Pokhran (U)Hindi, 2D 12:00 PM, 05:35 PM, 11:00 PMRaazi (UA)Hindi, 2D 12:05 PM, 07:55 PM, 11:10 PMPhamous (A)Hindi, 2D 02:15 PMCarry On Jatta 2 (UA)Punjabi, 2D 02:55 PMGuptodhoner Sondhane (U)Bengali, 2D 07:50 PM

Raazi (UA)Hindi, 2D 09:00 AM, 04:45 PMVeere Di Wedding (A)Hindi, 2D 09:10 AM, 12:10 PM, 02:35 PM, 05:00 PM, 10:10 PMBhavesh Joshi Superhero (UA)Hindi, 2D 09:20 AM, 11:30 AM, 10:25 PMUma (UA)Bengali, 2D 11:35 AM, 02:20 PM, 05:05 PM, 07:25 PMHaami (U)Bengali, 2D 02:15 PM, 07:30 PMParmanu: The Story of Pokhran (U)Hindi, 2D 07:55 PM, 10:15 PM

Veere Di Wedding (A)Hindi, 2D 09:00 AM, 11:25 AM, 12:30 PM,

01:50 PM, 04:20 PM, 05:55 PM, 06:50 PM, 09:20 PM, 11:50 PMUma (UA)Bengali, 2D 09:15 AM, 12:00 PM, 02:50 PM, 05:45 PM, 08:40 PMBhavesh Joshi Superhero (UA)Hindi, 2D 09:25 AM, 02:30 PM, 11:35 PMParmanu: The Story of Pokhran (U)Hindi, 2D 09:45 AM, 08:25 PM, 10:45 PMPhamous (A)Hindi, 2D 12:15 PMRaazi (UA)Hindi, 2D 03:10 PM, 11:00 PMHaami (U)Bengali, 2D 05:25 PM, 08:05 PM

Veere Di Wedding (A)Hindi, 2D 09:25 AM, 12:00 PM, 02:40 PM, 05:20 PM, 08:00 PM, 10:40 PM

Phamous (A)Hindi, 2D 09:40 AMUma (UA)Bengali, 2D 10:15 AM, 01:20 PM, 04:25 PM, 07:30 PM, 10:35 PMRaazi (UA)Hindi, 2D 11:25 AM, 07:50 PMRainbow Jelly (UA)Bengali, 2D 12:00 PMParmanu: The Story of Pokhran (U)Hindi, 2D 02:10 PM, 10:45 PMGuptodhoner Sondhane (U)Bengali, 2D 05:30 PMHaami (U)Bengali, 2D 08:20 PM

Raazi (UA)Hindi, 2D 09:05 AM, 11:45 AM, 08:30 PMDeadpool 2 (A)English, 2D 09:15 AMVeere Di Wedding (A)Hindi, 2D 09:30 AM, 12:10 PM, 02:50 PM, 05:30 PM, 08:10 PM, 10:50 PMUma (UA)Bengali, 2D 10:25 AM, 01:30 PM, 04:35 PM, 07:40 PM, 10:45 PMHaami (U)Bengali, 2D 12:05 PM, 08:20 PMParmanu: The Story of Pokhran (U)Hindi, 2D 02:35 PM, 11:20 PMRainbow Jelly (UA)Bengali, 2D 02:55 PMBhavesh Joshi Superhero (UA)Hindi, 2D 05:20 PMGuptodhoner Sondhane (U)Bengali, 2D 05:35 PMPhamous (A)Hindi, 2D 11:10 PM

Bhavesh Joshi Superhero (UA)Hindi, 2D 08:45 AM, 02:40 PM

11:10 PMVeere Di Wedding (A)Hindi, 2D 09:00 AM, 11:40 AM, 02:35 PM, 05:20 PM, 08:05 PM, 10:50 PMParmanu: The Story of Pokhran (U)Hindi, 2D 09:10 AM, 05:50 PM, 11:25 PMUma (UA)Bengali, 2D 10:00 AM, 01:00 PM, 04:05 PM, 07:10 PM, 10:15 PMHaami (U)Bengali, 2D 11:50 AM, 05:30 PM, 08:20 PMRaazi (UA)Hindi, 2D 11:50 AM, 08:30 PMGuptodhoner Sondhane (U)Bengali, 2D 02:40 PM

Bhavesh Joshi Superhero (UA)Hindi, 2D 8:50 AM, 2:25 PM, 11:10 PMVeere Di Wedding (A)Hindi, 2D 09:00 AM, 11:35 AM, 02:15 PM, 05:00 PM, 07:45 PM, 10:30 PM, 11:20 PMUma (UA)Bengali, 2D 10:00 AM, 01:00 PM, 04:05

PM, 07:10 PM, 10:15 PMParmanu: The Story of Pokhran (U)Hindi, 2D 11:45 AM, 05:30 PMGuptodhoner Sondhane (U)Bengali, 2D 11:55 AMRaazi (UA)Hindi, 2D 02:45 PM, 08:15 PMVeere Di Wedding (A)Hindi, 2D 09:00 AM, 11:40 AM, 02:25 PM, 05:35 PM, 08:05 PM, 10:50 PM

Bhavesh Joshi Superhero (UA)Hindi, 2D 09:10 AM, 11:05 PMRaazi (UA)Hindi, 2D 09:10 AM, 08:30 PMUma (UA)Bengali, 2D 10:00 AM, 01:00 PM, 04:05 PM, 07:10 PM, 10:15 PMParmanu: The Story of Pokhran (U)Hindi, 2D 12:10 PM, 11:25 PMDrishtikone (UA)Bengali, 2D 12:15 PMHaami (U)Bengali, 2D 02:50 PM, 05:10 PM, 08:15 PMGuptodhoner Sondhane (U)Bengali, 2D 03:05 PMRainbow Jelly (UA)Bengali, 2D 05:55 PM

Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran (U)Hindi, 2D 08:50 AM, 05:40 PM, 11:20 PMRaazi (UA)Hindi, 2D 09:00 AM, 02:45 PM, 08:25 PMVeere Di Wedding (A)Hindi, 2D 09:00 AM, 11:45 AM, 02:30 PM, 05:15 PM, 08:00 PM, 10:45 PMBhavesh Joshi Superhero (UA)Hindi, 2D 09:50 AM, 04:50 PM, 10:15 PMDeadpool 2 (A)English, 2D 11:30 AM

mp

Weekend BreakKOLKATA|SUNDAY, 3 JUNE 2018|millenniumpost

Movies this week

Haami (U)Bengali, 2D 09:05 AM, 02:50 PM, 05:10 PM, 08:15 PM

Deadpool 2 (A)English, 2D 09:00 AM

Cinepolis: Lake Mall, Kolkata

Haami (U) Bengali, 2D 09:00 AM, 05:40 PM, 08:30 PM

INOX: City Centre II, Rajarhat

Carnival: Arti Suncity Mall, Barasat

Cinepolis: Lake Mall, Kolkata

INOX: Hiland Park

INOX: Quest Mall

INOX: City Center, Salt LakeCarnival: Salt Lake

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Bhavesh Joshi Superhero (UA)Hindi, 2D 09:05 AM, 10:35 PM

PVR: Diamond Plaza, Jessore Kolkata

- Tony Robbins

If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten

2|

- Mamata Banerjee

Solemnly remembering Raj Kapoor on his death anniversaryCity

mp| 3millennium post | KOLKATA|SUNDAY, 3 JUNE 2018

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOLKATA: A student of St. Paul’s Cathedral Mission Col-lege in Amherst Street has complained of ragging by some senior students inside the union room of the college after he had enquired about the functioning of the college union fund.

The student was allegedly compelled to parade naked inside the union room of the college and was threatened that the video would be circulated through social networking sites if he narrated the incident to anybody.

It may be mentioned that some days back, the victim had asked president of the col-lege unit Arnab Ghosh about the functioning of the union fund. Following this, a heated verbal exchange ensued between the two and soon some other senior students took Ghosh’s side and then the student was allegedly beaten up by his associates and forced to parade naked. A video was also shot.

“ I was in fear and did not tell anybody. But on Saturday, I found that the video has been circulated on social network-ing site,” the victim said further alleging that a college staff and another fellow students were also involved in the matter.

St. Paul’s Cathedral Mission College student alleges ragging

COSTLY AFFAIR

LPG cylinders are being arranged for distribution at a village in Howrah on Saturday. The new rate for subsidised cylinder is Rs 496.65 in Kolkata. This comes after the Central government was criticised for increasing the fuel prices for 16 consecutive days until May 30 PIC/PTI

Soon, biometric attendance for doctors across state

PRADIP CHATTERJEE

KOLKATA: In a bid to check absenteeism of doctors, the state Health Department is all set to introduce biometric attendance system in all the medical colleges, super-spe-cialty hospitals and also the district and sub-divisional hos-pitals across the state from later half of this month.

The move has been taken by the state government to fix more accountability of the doctors. There were a few complaints coming in from the district and sub-divisional hospitals that some doctors do not visit the hospitals on a reg-ular basis while some others do not enter the premises on time resulting in health services being affected.

It may be mentioned that the biometric attendance sys-tem has already been installed in various government depart-

ments. Now, the doctors at the state-run medical colleges and hospitals and in the districts will be brought within the sys-tem which, many believe, will benefit the common people.

A section of doctors espe-cially the non-teaching ones is however sceptical over the future of the new system. They expressed their confu-sion over the introduction of the biometric system as they claim it would have an adverse impact on them for certain reasons. The teaching doctors and senior ones would remain unaffected by the move. It is the Registered Medical Offi-cers (RMO) and non-teaching doctors who will face inconve-nience only because they often attend emergency patients on call during night hours. Will they be allowed to record their attendance during late night, asked the doctors? A section of non-teaching doctors said after

performing normal duties, they often get calls for emergency duties and treat patients during late night hours. After treating the patient, they get released from the hospitals early next morning. Under the existing system, the RMOs or the non-teaching doctors who attend emergency patients during the

night even after extending ser-vice throughout the day some-times take leave on the next day or join duty in the latter half of the day.

If the biometric atten-dance is introduced, these doctors again have to come to the hospital the next morn-ing even after attending emer-

gency patients throughout the night. They claim that a huge number of patients are avail-ing the health services in the state-run medical colleges, super-specialty hospitals and the district hospitals and they are already overburdened with the pressure.

If the non-teaching staff and RMOs have to join duty the next morning after performing emergency duties the previous night, it would adversely affect the health condition of these doctors.

The non-teaching doctors have demanded some relax-ation on the duty hours if they attend emergency patients on call the previous night.

Dr Ajay Chakraborty, Director of Health Service said: “The matter of biometric attendance for doctors is still under process. We will con-sider all the issues related to the doctors.”

CM slams Centre over LPG price hike

Firhad Hakim stresses on steps to check vector-borne diseases

CPI(ML) Red Star leader sent to 10-day police custody

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOLKATA: Coming down heavily on the BJP, Chief Min-ister Mamata Banerjee on Sat-urday said the soaring prices of essential commodities will result in the middle-class being badly hit which will, in turn, become a question of their basic sustenance.

“The hike in fuel price will affect the kitchen while the rise in the price of petrol and die-sel will hit the transport sec-tor badly,” she told newsmen on Saturday.

The Chief Minister also said that the price of cooking gas has skyrocketed without any rhyme or reason. “Things are going beyond the reach of the middle-class. How can they make their both ends meet? How can they sustain,” she said and added: “But the Centre is not taking any mea-sure to bring down the prices of petrol and diesel and that of

the cooking gas.”It may be mentioned that

the Trinamool Congress is the first national party to raise voice against the hike in the price of fuel. The Trin-amool supremo had instructed her party leaders to hold ral-lies and meetings throughout the state.

On Tuesday, the youth wing of the party had held a sit-in demonstration at the Gandhi Statue. The meeting was addressed by the president of the youth wing Abhishek Banerjee.

Banerjee has said over and again that the hike in the prices of petrol and diesel are affecting the transport sector badly. “The Centre is totally indifferent towards this prob-lem faced by the common peo-ple,” she maintained.

Asked if she would attend the meeting of the Niti Aayog scheduled to be held in Delhi on June 16 to be pre-sided over by Prime Minis-ter Narendra Modi, Banerjee said: “How can I take part in the meeting as Eid will be cel-ebrated on that day. I want to be by the side of my people on the day of festivals. I take part in Durga Puja, Eid and Christ-mas and I do not differentiate between communities. I think they did not check the calen-dar before fixing the date of the meeting.”

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOLKATA: State Municipal Affairs min-ister Firhad Hakim laid emphasis on pub-lic awareness to successfully fight against vector-borne diseases like dengue while addressing a meeting on Saturday.

“Councillors will have to pull up their socks for massive public awareness in their respective municipal areas to combat dis-eases like dengue,” Hakim said speaking at a meeting of urban local bodies and 25 municipalities across the state.

The minister maintained that despite all efforts on part of the state government and other stakehold-ers, the desired results over vector-borne diseases cannot be achieved until people are responsible enough to keep their own premises clean.

“We are using fogging machines, doing house-to-house campaigns and circulating do’s and don’t’s but people have to be vigi-lant,” the minister said.

He also referred to one of his own expe-riences when he had found that water had accumulated in flower pots on the roofs of his own house. “I had gone to the roof of the house a few days back while it was raining. I found there were some empty

flower pots in which water was accumu-lating. I immediately turned them upside down and told my family members that they should be careful and should not let these things happen,” he added.

The minister had urged the chairman of the civic bodies to conduct fortnightly meetings to monitor the progress of the awareness drives in their respective areas.

Some chairmans flagged off the issue regarding the resistance that they often face

in conducting drives at the Central govern-ment establishments and the surrounding areas of ponds owned by public.

“We have been given contact numbers of nodal officers whom we need to get in touch with whenever we face any diffi-culty in taking such drive. If the problem continues even after contacting the nodal officers, then the department should be informed,” a chairman of a municipality in the northern fringes of the city said.

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOLKATA: CPI(ML) Red Star leader Alik Chakraborty, who was arrested in Bhubaneswar on charges under the stringent UAPA, was produced before a court here on Saturday and sent to police custody for 10 days.

Chakraborty, who has been leading an agitation against the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited in Bhangar in South 24-Parganas for the past few years, was brought here by the police on a transit remand from Bhubaneswar.

He was produced before the sub divisional magistrate’s court at Baruipur in the district.

The police said he has been charged with instigating and deliberately misinforming vil-lagers of Bhangar, which wit-nessed violent clashes against the PGCIL’s proposed unit on 16 acres.

He was arrested by the Special Operation Group (SOG) of the South 24-Parga-nas police from Bhubaneswar when he went there for treatment.

He was arrested from outside Kalinga Hospital at Bhubaneswar for his alleged involvement with the Mao-ists and for creating trouble at Bhangar.

Due to Alik’s agitation, the work of the almost complete sub-station had to be stalled and it resulted to the restric-tion in development of the area.

The police had been on the look-out for Alik for the past one-and-a-half years. But he had managed to flee from Bhangar a few weeks ago and went to Hyderabad from where he reached Bhubaneswar for treatment.

The police received infor-mation and went to Bhu-

baneswar acting on the tip-off. They found Alik outside a tea stall and arrested him. He was brought to Kolkata in flight on Friday late night and was pro-duced before the court on Sat-urday afternoon.

Alik had headed the move-ment against setting up of the power grid sub-station at Bhangar and rallies under the banner of ‘Jomi Jibika Poribesh o Bastutantra Raksha Samiti’ (committee for protection of land, livelihood, environment and ecology).

Some supporters of the CPIML (Red Star) had cre-ated trouble at Bhangar caus-ing inconvenience to common people protesting against the arrest.

A large contingent of police was posted in the area to ensure that the situation remains calm and doesn’t dete-riorate further.

Pedalling to good health: Cyclists to participate in 1st World Bicycle Day celebration in New Town

TARUN GOSWAMI

KOLKATA: Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) will observe the first-ever World Bicycle Day on Sunday in New Town.

The United Nations has declared June 3 as World Bicycle Day this year and it will be celebrated globally. Bicy-cles are not only an eco-friendly mode of transport but also keeps the cyclists physically fit and mentally alert. It helps to reduce obesity and improves the car-diovascular system.

In New Town, the celebration is more significant as it is the only place in India where the Cycle Sharing Scheme has been introduced and it has become extremely popular.

Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) under the min-istry of Housing and Urban Affairs had awarded the scheme introduced by New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) in the Urban Transport cate-

gory at a function in New Delhi in April.On Sunday, the World Bicycle Day

will be celebrated with HIDCO keeping

cycles in front of the golf course off Eco Park to be used by the enthusiasts. The ride is free and cycle lovers can take a

ride to popularise cycling. Eco Park has a special zone where people come and do cycling and duo cycling as well and it is extremely popular among visitors.

In the evening, Zoomcar, the com-pany that has introduced the Cycle Sharing Scheme will host a programme at the NKDA football ground where people will be given free rides. They will be given modern cycles fitted with GPS which are used in the Cycle Shar-ing Scheme.

There will be a treasure hunt show for the participants and the winner will be awarded.

New Town has graded cycle paths and the Cycle Sharing Scheme is becom-ing popular. It may be recalled that to popularise cycling, Jagadish Chandra Bose used to come to Presidency Col-lege riding a cycle just to show that Indi-ans are equally capable of riding bicycles like the British. At times, he was also accompanied by his wife Abala who was also an expert cyclist.

‘Implementation of detention system soon’OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOLKATA: Union minister for Human Resource Devel-opment Prakash Javadekar expressed his optimism over the implementation of deten-tion system from the 2019 aca-demic session.

“I am hopeful that the Bill regarding detention-no deten-tion will be passed in Parlia-ment in July and will be readied by the month of August. From March 2019 onwards, the states who are willing to introduce detention can do it in Class V and VIII,” Javadekar said at a press conference on Saturday.

He attributed the delay in the passing of the Bill to the Congress and said: “The last

session was washed out because of the Congress, otherwise it could have been passed in the Budget session itself.”

According to the minis-ter, the Centre has allowed the states to exercise their discre-tion on whether they should allow detention or continue with no detention policy. “25 states including Bengal want detention. The others do not want, I respect their freedom,” he maintained. Responding to a poser on reducing the burden of bags for students, the min-ister said the NCERT syllabus which is so crammed will be soon reduced by half. “A stu-dent’s brain is not a data bank. It should be able to analyse, comprehend and communi-

cate. We have received sugges-tions from 37,000 teachers class wise, subject wise and lesson wise. The process of framing a system of reducing the burden of the syllabus which will bring

down the load of school bags is on. Some of it will be reduced in 2019 and some again in 2020,” he said.

He further added that the ministry is focusing on learn-ing with fun to reduce the pressure of studies. “We will be giving a grant of Rs 20,000 to each government school across the country for librar-ies and Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000 grant to every school for build-ing up sports infrastructure,” Javadekar said.

He maintained that the National Testing Agency will be soon getting a new chairman and it will start taking examina-tions like Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) and NEET right from the 2019 academic year.

Body of housewife found

hanging from ceiling in Liluah

OUR CORRESPONDENT

KOLKATA: Mystery shrouds the death of a housewife whose body was found in Howrah’s Liluah on Saturday morning.

The victim was found hang-ing from the ceiling fan inside her room.

The incident triggered ten-sion in the area. Family mem-bers of the victim woman levelled charges of murder against her husband and in-laws and lodged a complaint with the local police station. Following the incident, the local residents staged a dem-onstration with the dead body on the road.

The agitation was later lifted following the intervention of senior police officers.

The victim’s husband has been absconding since the inci-dent took place. The victim, identified as Moumita Mondal, got married to Subhasis around six years back.

The family members of the victim alleged that she had been tortured at her in-laws’ house for dowry since marriage.

Her husband used to beat her up for money. He used to pressurise her to bring money from her parents.

This often led to quarrels between the couple. Sometimes her in-laws used to abuse her and put pressure to go to her parental house.

The family members of the deceased alleged that her hus-band and in-laws strangulated her to death and later hung her body from the ceiling.

The police have started a detailed probe and the body has been sent for post-mortem examination.

The cops are conducting a search for her husband who is at large.

2 under-trial prisoners call up 2 businessmen from correctional home, demand ransom KOLKATA: Two under-trail prisoners allegedly called up two businessmen from a correctional home and demanded ransom failing which, they would face dire consequences. The incident took place at Dum Dum Central Cor-rectional Home. The authorities have ordered a probe into the incident that would be conducted to find out where from they had received the mobile phone. The duo — Biswajit Das and Bapi Raman were arrested on charges of murdering a Trinamool Congress leader that took place at Kestopur in February 2016. It was alleged that they had called up two Baguiati-based businessmen and demanded Rs 10 lakh from them. They also threatened them with dire consequences if they failed to pay the amount. The business-men told the cops that they had received the phone call from the duo on May 24 and threatened to kill them if they informed the matter to the police. Later they gathered courage and lodged a complaint with the local police station. On the basis of the compliant, the police have started a probe in this regard and are interrogating the duo. The correctional home authorities are also conducting a probe in this regard. OUR CORRESPONDENT

Prakash Javadekar

REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE

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NationKOLKATA|SUNDAY, 3 JUNE 2018|millenniumpost

- Akhilesh Yadav to youth

Don’t get caught in caste, religious conflicts

PM Modi meets US Defence Secretary in Singapore

Most UP ex-CMs leave official bungalows after SC order

Rs 5 lakh life insurance scheme for farmers soon: Telangana CM

Sushma Swaraj leaves for South Africa on 5-day visit; to attend BRICS, IBSA OUR CORRESPONDENT

HYDERABAD: Telangana government on Saturday said it would soon announce a Rs five lakh life insurance scheme for farmers of the state.

Under the scheme, to be implemented through the pub-lic sector Life Insurance Corpo-ration, the family of a farmer would get Rs five lakh within 10 days in the event of his death, Chief Minister K Chan-drasekhar Rao said.

Making the announce-ment during the celebration of the Telangana formation day, he said the premium for the scheme would be fully paid by the government. The distri-bution of insurance papers to the farmers would begin from

August 15, Rao said.Earlier, the CM unfurled

the national flag and inspected a parade. The state was carved out of Andhra Pradesh on June 2, 2014. From August 15, the government would hold free eye-camps under the 'Kanti Velugu' scheme, he said. Spec-tacles would be distributed free of cost and free eye surgeries would be performed for the needy patients, he added.

The state government had earlier proposed to announce an interim relief in lieu of salary revision to its employees on the formation day, but deferred it.

The chief minister held a meeting with senior officials in this regard last night when they suggested it may not be proper to make an announcement on

the relief now as the pay revi-sion commission, which has recently been appointed, is yet to submit any report, an official release said. On the occasion of the formation day, the govern-ment listed out the numerous welfare and development pro-grammes being implemented over the last four years.

The schemes include social security pensions, 'Kalyana Lakshmi' scheme for providing monetary benefit to women, 24-hour free power supply to farmers, update of land records and the mission 'Bhagiradha', a drinking water supply project.

The state formation day was celebrated in the offices of opposition Congress, BJP, TDP and various other government departments.

OUR CORRESPONDENT

MUMBAI: Former media executive Indrani Mukerjea, a key accused in the murder case of her daughter Sheena Bora, was admitted to J J Hospital here on Friday night after she complained of chest pain, doc-tors said on Saturday.

The 46-year-old co-founder of INX media, lodged in Byculla women's jail since her arrest in 2015, was brought to the state-run medical facility at 11.30 pm with a "history of chest pain and discomfort", S D Nanan-dkar, J J Hospital dean, told reporters. Mukerjea underwent a series of medical tests after she was admitted to the critical care unit (CCU) of the hospital, he said. "Accordingly, a clin-ical evaluation was done. ECG (electrocardiogram) showed mild changes (in heart rhythm), while her chest X-ray

report was normal."Her MRI (magnetic reso-

nance imaging) test report of the neck was awaited. Her con-dition is not serious. Some tests related to cardiology are pend-ing," Nanandkar said.

Mukerjea will be dis-charged in two to three days and till then, she will remain in the CCU, he added.

This is the second time in two months that Mukerjea has been admitted to the hospital. In April, Mukerjea was admit-ted to the hospital in a "semi-conscious" condition.

OUR CORRESPONDENT

AHMEDABAD: The Oppo-sition Congress has written a letter to Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, calling for a spe-cial session of the Assembly to discuss a host of issues, includ-ing the government's failure to withdraw police cases against Patidar quota agitation leaders.

Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani, who has writ-ten the letter, said the BJP gov-ernment has "failed" to fulfil promises made in the run up to the 2017 Assembly elections and this issue should be dis-

cussed in the House.In a statement, Dhanani

said he has written to Rupani demanding a special session of the Assembly to discuss, among others things, the issue of "the government's failure to with-draw police cases against Pati-dar leaders pertaining to the reservation agitation despite promising the same".

The special session was required as the Rupani govern-ment has gone back on a num-ber of promises made before the elections, the senior Con-gress MLA said.

There was also a need to

discuss why "no action has been taken by the govern-ment against the perpetrators of inhuman action against the Patidars" during the 2015 quota stir, he said.

Nearly a dozen people were killed when the stir took a vio-lent turn three years ago.

In an attempt to appease the politically influential Pati-dar community ahead of the December 2017 polls, the BJP government had announced it will withdraw police cases against its members who took part in the reservation stir.

However, police cases,

including those related to sedi-tion, against Patidar leaders have not been withdrawn yet, Dhanani maintained.

The Leader of Opposition also raised the issue of "exor-bitant" fees charged by private schools and sought the gov-ernment reply on its "inaction" against such schools.

"The Fee Regulation Act was brought before the 2017 Assembly elections to curb exorbitant fees charged by pri-vate schools. But after the polls, the education minister said fees (set by these schools) will have to be paid," he said.

PATNA: A tweet by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, celebrating the victory of his party and mock-ing the defeat of Chief Min-ister Nitish Kumars JD(U) in a recent by-poll at Joki-hat, today triggered a politi-cal spat in Bihar. While the JD(U) deplored the tweet by the leader of the opposition in the state assembly and pointed to his lack of formal educa-tion, the RJD hit back say-ing even legendary poets like Kalidas and Tulsidas did not have academic qualifications and challenged the ruling party to arrange for an open debate between the Chief Minister and their 28-year-old leader.

Yadav had posted the

tweet, in the Bhojpuri dialect, yesterday a day after his party wrested the Jokihat assembly seat from the JD(U) and regis-tered victory by a huge margin of over 41,000 votes.

In the tweet, Yadav had claimed that the result in the assembly segment of Araria district proved that Kumar owed the success of his party

in 2015 assembly polls to the alliance with the RJD and not the other way round.

Kumar had walked out of the Grand Alliance last year after corruption cases were lodged against Yadav, who was then the Deputy CM.

In the tweet, Yadav had also remarked this is just a trailer. The film is yet to be screened hinting that he saw the prob-ability of his party return-ing to power by defeating the JD(U) in the next assembly polls in the state. Reacting to the tweet, JD(U) MLC and spokesman Neeraj Kumar said I am appalled by the language he has used. Though I never expected very high standards

from him given that he did not even complete high school. The provocative tone of his tweet is in such a poor taste that I won-der whether he got admission to the prestigious Delhi Public School on merit or by virtue of the clout enjoyed by his fam-ily which is responsible for his meteoric rise.

Reacting to Neeraj Kumars statement, RJD MLA and spokesman Bhai Veerendra said the JD(U) leaders state-ment shows that he and his party lacks sanskar (culture). As far as educational qualifi-cations are concerned, neither Kalidas nor Tulsidas had any. But can anybody doubt their knowledge and merit. AGENCIES

MPOST BUREAU

NEW DELHI: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday left on a five-day visit to South Africa where she will meet top leadership of the country and attend meetings of BRICS and IBSA -- the two major groupings where India has been playing a key role.

Swaraj will also attend a series of events marking the 125th anniversary of the his-toric incident where a young Mahatma Gandhi was thrown out of a train compartment in Pietermaritzburg railway sta-tion, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

The 1893 incident proved to

be a turning point in Gandhi's fight against racial discrimina-tion in South Africa.

During her visit to the African nation, Swaraj will participate in the BRICS (Bra-zil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Foreign Minis-ters' meeting on June 4 which is expected to lay the founda-tion for the annual summit of the grouping in Johannesburg next month. She will also chair a meeting of Foreign Ministers of IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa), another bloc working to deepen coordination among the three countries on major global issues.

"The External Affairs Min-ister will participate in the

BRICS Foreign Ministers Meet-ing on June 4, 2018 and chair the IBSA Foreign Ministers Meeting," the MEA said.

On June 6, Swaraj will visit the Phoenix settlement where Mahatma Gandhi had devel-oped his philosophy of non-violence, the MEA said.

"She would also participate in a series of events on June 6-7, 2018 at Pietermaritzburg, South Africa to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the historic incident in the train compartment that became a catalyst for Gandhiji's Satya-graha movement," the MEA said. It said the two-day com-memoration activities will also include release of joint com-memorative stamps on Oli-ver Tambo and Deen Dayal Upadhayaa and a Youth Sum-mit where 20 diaspora youth from Africa and five from India will speak on the relevance of Gandhiji's message of peace to the youth of today.

Tambo was a South African

anti-apartheid activist and rev-olutionary leader.

"The year 2018 is an impor-tant year for India-South Africa relations as it marks the 25 years of the establishment of diplo-matic relations, the 125th anni-versary of the Pietermaritzburg railway station incident and the 100th birth centenary of South African iconic leader, Nelson Mandela," the MEA said.

It said India and South Africa enjoy close and friendly relations which are rooted in history and the values of south-south cooperation. “The visit of External Affairs Minister will further strengthen our close and long standing ties with South Africa,” the MEA said.

GURDIP SINGH

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Naren-dra Modi on Saturday met US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis in Singapore and discussed security related issues, days after the Pentagon renamed its Pacific Command as Indo-Pacific Command in a largely symbolic move to signal India's importance to the US military.

Modi, who is here on the last leg of his three-nation tour, held a closed-door meeting with Mattis during which both sides discussed all security related issues of mutual and global interests, sources said.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval was also present in the meeting that lasted for nearly an hour.

The meeting was held on the side-lines of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue which was addressed by the Prime Min-ister last night.

"The focus of conversation was on the region in the context of PM's key-note address at the #SLD18 yesterday evening," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

In his keynote address, Modi had said an "Asia of rivalry" will hold the region back while an Asia of coopera-tion will shape the current century.

Asia and the world will have a bet-ter future when India and China work together with trust and confidence

while being sensitive to each other's interests, he had said.

"We should all have equal access as a right under international law to the use of common spaces on sea and in the air that would require freedom of naviga-tion, unimpeded commerce and peace-ful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law," he had said.

Mattis also addressed the dialogue

where he stressed upon freedom for all and "reaffirmation for rule based order".

The meeting between the two leaders assumes significance as in his address Mattis has stressed upon both countries working together and with other nations for ensuring peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

"It is only appropriate that water-ways remain open for all nations," Mat-

tis said.The meeting comes days after the US

renamed its oldest and largest military command - the Pacific Command - to Indo-Pacific Command, amid height-ened tensions with China over the mili-tarisation of the South China Sea.

The US move came in the wake of a series of measures by China that have raised tensions in the South China Sea.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea. Vietnam, Philip-pines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims over the area. The US also rejects China's claims of own-ership of the area.

The Pentagon's move is also reflec-tive of the growing importance of India in US strategic thinking.

India was granted the 'Major Defence Partner' status by the previ-ous Barack Obama Administration, providing for transfer of technology and deeper cooperation in the defence sector.

In 2016, India and the US had signed a crucial logistics defence pact enabling their militaries to use each other's assets and bases for repair and replenishment of supplies, making joint operations more efficient. Soon after coming to power, the Trump administration had renamed Asia Pacific as Indo-Pacific and identified India as one bookend of the region. PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting the US Secretary of Defence, James Mattis, in Singapore on Saturday

OUR CORRESPONDENT

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Police on Saturday claimed to have arrested two young men who were allegedly radicalised and funded by their foreign-based handlers, including SFJ legal adviser Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, to carry out hate crimes in the state. Another person has been arrested for allegedly supplying weapons to the two persons - Dharminder Singh alias Commando Singh (21) and Kirpal Singh (26) - to carry out hate crimes on the orders of their handlers, a police spokesperson said.

The arrests came as a US-based Khalistani group affili-ated to Sikhs for Justice issued a video threat to Punjab Jail Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa for opposing its "referendum" on creation of a separate homeland for Sikhs,

the spokesperson said.The threat was tweeted by

Pannun, apparently in response to Randhawa's reported criti-cism of the referendum in Can-ada and the United States.

The minister had said that the people "pitching for Kha-listan from their cosy confines were playing with the sen-timents of innocent Sikhs in India and they had no knowl-edge of the reality in Punjab."

The police, which took a serious view of Pannun's video threat, initiated a probe into the matter to ascertain the SFJ legal advisor's links with the two persons arrested in Har-pura Dhandoi village near Bat-ala city, the spokesperson said.

The duo have confessed to being motivated and financed by Pannun, along with Param-jit Singh Pamma (UK), Mann Singh (UK), Deep Kaur (Malaysia), to carry out vio-

lent acts with an aim to gain publicity in the media for the ISI-sponsored secession-ist campaign in Punjab, the spokesperson said.

The arrests happened dur-ing an investigation into the torching of two liquor vends on May 31 in Harpura Dhan-doi and Panjgrian villages, the spokesperson said.

The accused told the police they were indoctrinated on social media platforms such as Telegram and WhatsApp. They had been asked to spray-paint "Referendum 2020" and torch liquor vends and gov-ernment properties during the 'Ghallughara' week.

One .32 caliber revolver was seized from Dharminder Singh and a .30 caliber pistol from Kirpal Singh. Posters relating to the "referendum" and spray paint bottles were also seized from them.

GUWAHATI: Three AGP ministers on Saturday said they opposed the controver-sial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 at a meeting of the Assam Cabinet, in a U-turn a day after a party leader claimed the issue was not raised at the key state forum. The Cabinet meeting was held on Friday and immediately after it Assam government spokesperson and Parliamentary Affairs Minis-ter Chandra Mohan Patowary had said that the Asom Gana Parishad did not raise any issue related to the bill.

AGP general secretary Ramendra Narayan Kalita had told the media that the three AGP ministers –Atul Bora, Keshab Mahanta and Phani Bhusan Choudhury –did not raise the issue in the meeting as Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had met them before it commenced and requested

them to discuss it at the next sitting of the coordination committee of the three alli-ance partners.

But taking a U-turn, Bora, who is the AGP president and the state agriculture minister, today said, "We strongly raised the issue (in the Cabinet meet-ing). We said that we cannot be in the government if the bill is passed."

At a hurriedly called press conference in the face of wide-spread criticism over the reported silence, Bora said, "We did not say it yesterday (after the Cabinet meeting) as we wanted to maintain the confi-dentiality of Cabinet meetings. But this has led to confusion among the people.

"The issue was not in the agenda (of the meeting), yet we raised it and discussed it for about half-an-hour which led to a lot of debate."

Mahanta is in charge of the water resources department and Choudhury holds the civil supplies and consumer affairs portfolio. They were present at the press conference.

Though the bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on July 15, 2016, seeks to grant citizen-ship to non-Muslims who have fled persecution in Afghani-stan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, indigenous groups in Assam view it as a move to legitimise Hindus who have migrated from Bangladesh after 1971.

The AGP is a constituent of the BJP-led NDA government in Assam and a meeting of the AGP Legislature Party held on May 31 had decided to oppose the bill, which has triggered protests across the state dur-ing the past one month and the three ministers had said that they would raise the issue dur-ing the Cabinet meeting. AGENCIES

OUR CORRESPONDENT

LUCKNOW: A day before expiry of the dead-line to vacate their official bungalows, former chief ministers Akhilesh Yadav and his father Mulayam Singh have moved to the VVIP guest house here, while Mayawati vacated one bunga-low, she claimed the other was converted into a memorial for BSP founder Kanshi Ram.

"Mulayam Singh Yadav shifted to the VVIP guest house here on Friday, while Akhilesh Yadav along with his MP wife Dimple and children shifted to the VVIP guest house on Saturday. One room each has been allotted to Akhilesh, Dimple and Mulayam," Chief Management Officer of VVIP Guest House Rajiv Kumar said.

He said all the rooms which have been allot-ted to them are double-room suites.

Acting on a Supreme Court order last month, the UP Estate Department issued notices to the former chief ministers asking them to vacate their official bungalows within 15 days that expires tomorrow.

The apex court had on May 7 held that for-mer UP chief ministers cannot retain govern-ment accommodation after demitting office.

The estate department had issued notices to six former chief ministers –Narayan Dutt Tiwari, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Kalyan Singh, Mayawati, Rajnath Singh and Akhilesh Yadav –to vacate their official bungalows in compliance with SC the order.

While Akhilesh and Mulayam have shifted to the VVIP guest house, Tiwari is yet to do so with his wife Ujjwala Tiwari seeking more time from the estate department, pleading that her husband was in the "last stages" of his life.

A board reading 'Pandit Narain Dutt Tiwari Sarvjan Vikas Foundation' has been fixed outside

Tiwari's Mall Avenue bungalow it in an appar-ent bid to save it.

Claiming compliance with the Supreme Court order, BSP supremo Mayawati vacated a government house here but held on to a second sprawling bungalow, which her party says is a memorial to their founder Kanshi Ram.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who is also the local MP, has shifted from his bun-galow at 4, Kalidas Marg, just next to the resi-dence of the chief minister, to his residence on 200 square metre plot at Vipul Khand in posh Gomti Nagar here.

Rajasthan Govenor Kalyan Singh's belong-ings have been moved to the official bungalow of his grandson Sandeep Singh, who is a minister in the Yogi Adityanath government.

The Supreme Court's order came on a public interest litigation filed by NGO Lok Prahari fol-lowing an amendment passed by the UP Assem-bly which allowed all the former chief ministers to occupy government bungalows for lifetime.

The apex court had also struck down the amendment to the legislation which allowed them to retain government accommodation even after demitting office.

Former UP CMs Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati

U-turn: AGP ministers say they opposed Citizenship Bill in Assam Cabinet meet

Two men radicalised to carry out hate crimes in Punjab arrested

Indrani lands in hospital again

Congress writes to Gujarat CM, demands special Assembly session

Tejashwi tweet on by-poll triggers spat

mp| 5millennium post | KOLKATA|SUNDAY, 3 JUNE 2018

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Branch Secretariat Uttarkanya, Fulbari, Jalpaiguri

Suresh Prabhu asks Airbus to make planes in India

Mismatch between skills industry needs & available talent: Pranab

DUBAI: Travel and tourism businesses around the world are looking to capitalise on India's double-digit annual growth in the outbound MICE and luxury travel segment, with the value of India's busi-ness travel market expected to reach USD 93 billion by 2030, organisers of an industry event have said.

India has recently moved up two places to become the eighth largest business travel market in the world, and busi-

ness travel spending in the country is projected to record a compound annual growth rate of 12 per cent through 2020, they said.

As India maintains its dou-ble-digit annual growth in the outbound meetings, incen-tives, conferences and exhibi-tions (MICE) and luxury travel segment, travel and tourism businesses around the world are looking to capitalise on the country's growth potential.

The MICE market refers to

a niche of group tourism ded-icated for planning, booking, and facilitating conferences, seminars, and other events.

Forging business opportu-nities and partnerships with leading Indian corporates and luxury travel specialists will be discussed at the 6th annual MICE India and Luxury Travel (MILT) Congress, the premier B2B event that caters to both the business travel and luxury tourism sectors in India.

Organised by Dubai-

based QnA International, the MILT Congress will be held this year in Mumbai from July 25-26 and in Delhi from July 31-August 1. By 2030, the value of India's business travel mar-ket is expected to reach USD 93 billion, a statement released here said.

Noting that Indian corpo-rates remain largely unaffected by the global slowdown and continue to spend big on cor-porate travel, Hassan Madah, Director, Israel Ministry of

Tourism India and the Philip-pines, said.

India is among the largest source markets for MICE tour-ism in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and the travel and hos-pitality companies in both the Emirates are looking to fur-ther expand their reach in the Indian market by taking advantage of the unique net-working opportunities pro-vided by MILT Congress 2018 with its high-profile buyer lineup. PTI

NEW DELHI: Several com-panies like Coca-Cola, Infosys and Hilton among others have pledged to address the growing problem of plastic pollution.

The government is sensitis-ing the issue on the occasion of the World Environment Day on June 5 with the theme 'Beat plastic pollution'.

"We have pledged to recover and recycle one pack-age for every single one that we put out in the market by 2030," Coca-Cola India and South West Asia Vice-Pres-ident (Public Affairs and Communications) Ishteyaque Amjad said. PTI

NEW DELHI: Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu has asked aircraft manufacturer Airbus to build planes in India under the Make in India' ini-tiative and contribute to the country's growing aviation sector.

Prabhu visited the Airbus facility in Toulouse on Friday during his ongoing visit to France and said that if Airbus decides to make aeroplanes in India, it will lead to job cre-ation and will be a win-win situation for both.

Visited the Airbus facility in Toulouse, France. Growing Indian aviation sector, stress on regional connectivity lead-ing to more demand. It is also an opportunity for global air-craft manufacturers," the min-ister tweeted after the visit.

"Impressed upon them to Make In India. We will work on a roadmap," the minister said. Airbus, at present, has more than 300 aircrafts flying in the Indian skies and another 530 have been ordered by Indian carriers.

Talking to PTI recently, the minister had said: I will be meeting top bosses of Air-bus and try to request them to start manufacturing aircrafts in India".

Airbus Commercial Air-craft, India President Srini-vasan Dwarakanath, had in March, on the sidelines of the Wings India aviation event in Hyderabad, said that Airbus will be delivering one plane on an average per week to airlines

in India over the next 10 years. The company in its India

market forecast estimated that the country would need 1,750 new aircrafts over the next 20 years (2017-2036), comprising 1,320 single-aisle and 430 wide-body planes, valued at $255 billion. The Indian Embassy in France too tweeted about Prabhu's visit to the facility and said the minis-ter saw passenger planes being built at Toulouse. PTI

NEW DELHI: Ruing the mis-match between the skilled manpower the industry needs and the available talent, former president Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday pitched for world-class educational institutions and innovations to ensure that India’s demographic dividend brings it dividend and does not become ‘demographic disaster’.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony, Mukherjee said he was "dismayed" to find dur-ing his presidency that most of India's over 763 state and cen-tral universities, over 38,000 degree colleges and scores of other institutes, including IITs and IIMs, were not in any reck-oning in ratings by interna-tional agencies.

He harped on this point like a "parrot", the former president said, stressing that in almost every academic con-gregation during his five years of tenure he took up the issue.

Now a couple of institu-tions are being recognised as

world class, he said."I want each and every one

(of the institution) be recog-nised worldwide and our aca-demic performance should be at par with the institutions of world class," Mukherjee said.

He said there is a great need for skilled personnel and that a dichotomy existed in the edu-cation system.

More than 50 per cent of India's population will be below 25 years of age in 2022,

Mukherjee said, noting that it is seen as demographic divi-dend but there is another side to it as well.

"But their is other side of the coin, other side of the pic-ture is if we cannot provide them job, create employment for them, if we cannot skill them which the jobs require, and with the present mis-match... we have graduates, post-graduates (while) indus-try is suffering for skilled man-power," he said.

The former president said there is a mismatch between the requirement of the indus-try and the availability of edu-cated persons in the market.

"So these improvements have to be made. There must be a close nexus between the industry and the academic and these interactions will help the graduates coming out of the institutions find themselves employable," he said.

He also lamented that India lack seriously in fundamental

research and said no Indian scholar working in an Indian institution has been recom-mended for a Nobel award after 1933. Likes of Hargobind Khorana and Amartya Sen were working abroad when they received the honour, he noted.

Policy makers, academi-cians and leaders in the field of education will have to work to create a kind of ambience which will help brilliant stu-dents to go for fundamen-tal research and innovation, Mukherjee asserted.

"If we can develop spirit of innovation, if we empha-sise on fundamental research, I am sure this demographic dividend will be truly dividend for us and will not be demo-graphic disaster," he said.

Innovation is the way of life and main spirit of advance-ment of civilisation, and our system should encour-age innovation, the former president said. PTI

TELANGANA FORMATION DAY

Telangana State Formation Day-2018 was celebrated at Jyotika Club, NTPC-Ramagundam on Saturday. Chief Guest of the occasion A K Jain, GM (O&M), Ramagundam hoisted the National Flag and addressed the gathering. NTPC senior officials, local corporators, employees and office bearers of different unions and associations were present on the occasion

Global travel suppliers eye India’s outbound tourism market

SAN FRANCISCO: Google workers have got word that the internet titan will retreat from a deal to help the US military use artificial intelligence to ana-lyze drone video following an outcry from staff, according to reports. The collaboration with the US Department of Defense was said to have sparked rebel-lion inside the California-based company.

An internal petition call-ing for Google to stay out of "the business of war" garnered thousands of signatures, and some workers reportedly quit to protest a collaboration with the military.

The New York Times and tech news website Gizmodo cited unnamed sources as say-ing that a Google's cloud team executive announced told employees on Friday that the company would not seek to renew the controversial con-tract after it expires next year.

The contract was reported to be worth less than 10 million to Google, but was thought to have potential to lead to more lucrative technology collabora-tions with the military.

Google did not respond to a request for comment.

Google has remained mum about Project Maven, which reportedly uses machine learn-ing and engineering talent to distinguish people and objects in drone videos for the Defense Department.

"We believe that Google

should not be in the business of war," the employee peti-tion reads, according to copies posted online.

"Therefore, we ask that Project Maven be cancelled, and that Google draft, publi-cize and enforce a clear policy stating that neither Google nor its contractors will ever build warfare technology." The Elec-tronic Frontier Foundation, an internet rights group, and the International Committee for Robot Arms Control (ICRAC) were among those who have weighed in with support.

"As military commanders come to see the object recog-nition algorithms as reliable, it will be tempting to atten-uate or even remove human review and oversight for these systems," ICRAC said in an

open letter. "We are then just a short step away from authoriz-ing autonomous drones to kill automatically, without human supervision or meaningful human control." Google has gone on the record saying that its work to improve machines' ability to recognize objects is not for offensive uses.

The EFF and others stressed the need for moral and ethi-cal frameworks regarding the use of artificial intelligence in weaponry.

"The use of AI in weapons systems is a crucially impor-tant topic and one that deserves an international public discussion and likely some international agreements to ensure global safety," the EFF said in a blog post on the topic. AFP

Google retreating from military AI project: Reports

ISTANBUL: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the ride hailing app Uber is "finished" in Turkey, following intense pres-sure from Istanbul taxi drivers for the service to be banned.

Erdogan's comments, in a late night speech Friday in Istanbul, came after the govern-ment agreed new rules that are expected to severely complicate Uber's operations in Turkey.

Drivers of Istanbul's yellow taxis have over the last months waged an intense campaign to have Uber banned, saying the company is eating into their business without having a proper legal basis for work.

"This thing emerged called Uber or Muber or whatever," said Erdogan. "But this issue is now finished. It's over now." "Our Prime Minister (Binali

Yildirim) made the announce-ment. We have our system of taxis," he added.

Yildirim's government last month issued a directive sharply hiking fines and threat-ened blacklisting for compa-nies whose vehicles illegally work as taxis.

The official taxi drivers association said at the time the measure would be a major threat to Uber, if it was properly enforced by the traffic police.

Erdogan said that while Uber may be popular in some European countries, Turkey was different.

"Why did it (Uber) emerge? Because it was in Europe. But what is Europe to me? We will take the decision ourselves." His comments come three weeks ahead of keenly-con-

tested presidential and par-liamentary elections. Many Istanbul taxi drivers -- though not all -- are strong Erdogan supporters and the main taxi associations back him.

The 17,400 official yellow taxis in Istanbul are a pillar of the city's often patchy trans-port system, but critics say that poor quality service and over-charging have given Uber an opportunity.

The yellow taxi drivers, on the other hand, slam Uber as "pirates" who are swallowing their incomes in an already tight market. Uber has said it is committed to working in Tur-key and insisted it is operating within the law.

"We want to work in coop-eration with all the relevant stakeholders to improve trans-portation options in Turkey and we are committed long-term to Turkey, to the end, as a loyal partner," it said in a rare Turkish statement this week.

The tension in Turkey is one of a number of headaches for Uber and its new chief execu-tive Dara Khosrowshahi, who took over last August after founder Travis Kalanick was ousted following a series of scandals. AFP

Erdogan says Uber ‘finished’ in Turkey

The collaboration with the US Department of Defense was said to have sparked rebellion inside the California-based company

Former president Pranab Mukherjee

Coca Cola, Infosys pledge to beat plastic

pollution in India

- Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh

Production and productivity in agricultural sector have increased during the four years of NDA rule at the Centre

6|

mpKOLKATA|SUNDAY, 3 JUNE 2018|millenniumpost

mp

World Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

We have to believe that at some point, common sense will prevail but we see no sign of that in this action today by the US administration

Trump meets N Korea envoy, says Kim summit on June 12

WASHINGTON DC: US President Donald Trump con-firmed that his Singapore Sum-mit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un would take place on June 12, and said it would begin the process of denuclear-isation of the Korean Peninsula.

Trump's announcement came at the end of a nearly 80-minute meeting in the Oval Office of the White House with North Korean envoy Kim Yong Chol.

Kim Yong Chol delivered a letter from the North Korean leader to Trump.

"The meeting went very well. We'll be meeting on June 12th in Singapore. It went very well. It's really a get-to-know-you kind of a situation," Trump said at an impromptu press conference with the White House pool soon after the North Korean envoy left.

Kim Yong Chol arrived in Washington DC after two days of talks with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in New York.

Trump acknowledged that denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula was going to be a long process. "I think it'll be a process. I never said it goes in one meeting. But the relation-ships are building, and that's a very positive thing," he said.

Confident that the North Koreans wanted to achieve this goal, he said they want other things along the line. "I think they want to do that. I know

they want to do that. And they want other things along the line. They want to develop as a country. That's going to hap-pen. I have no doubt," the US President said.

Trump said countries in the region Japan and South Korea were also involved in this. "We're involved in terms of getting everything. Every-body wants the United States. So we're going to help in the process. Without us, it wouldn't happen. But I think that you see a lot of very positive things, including with China. I think you see a lot of very positive things happening with Presi-dent Xi, who has helped me quite a bit with this. So we'll see where it leads," he said.

The President went on to confirm that the summit would take place in Singapore on June 12.

"It will be a beginning. I

don't say and I've never said it happens in one meeting. You're talking years of hostility, prob-lems and hatred between so many different nations. But I think you're going to have a very positive result in the end," he added.

Responding to a question, Trump said he had never can-celled the meeting. His letter to Kim Jong-un was in response to statements coming from them.

"My letter was a response to their letter. The media forgot that. You know, the media said, 'Oh, you had a meeting, then you cancelled.' I didn't cancel the meeting. I cancelled it in response to a very tough state-ment. And I think we're totally over that. Now we're going to deal, and we're going to really start a process," he said.

"We are meeting with the Chairman (Kim Jong-un) on

June 12 (in Singapore). It is ulti-mately going to be a successful process," Trump said.

The president described the letter as very interesting and nice. "It was actually very inter-esting because this was liter-ally going to be the delivery of a letter, and it ended up being a two-hour conversation with the second-most powerful man in North Korea," he said.

"We talked about almost everything. We talked about sanctions," Trump added.

Based on the talks, Trump said the North Korean leader was committed to denuclearisation.

"I do think so. He'd like to see it happen. He wants to be careful. He is not going to run and do things. But I told him, to be honest with you, look, we have sanctions on; they're very powerful sanctions. We would not take sanctions off unless they did that. But the sanctions are very powerful. You're going to see how powerful sanctions are when it comes to Iran. You see what that's doing to Iran," he said.

The President said he looked forward to the day when the sanctions could be lifted

Trump, however, said the current level of sanctions on North Korea would remain. "It's going to remain what it is now. I don't even want to use the term 'maximum pressure'

anymore because we're getting along," he said.

He said the United States was unlikely to offer much aid to North Korea, which would be taken care of by South Korea and Japan.

Responding to a question, Trump said he was concerned about the recent visit of the Russian foreign minister to Pyongyang.

"I didn't like it, but it could be very positive, too. I didn't like the Russian meeting on Friday. If it's a positive meeting, I love it. If it's a negative meet-ing, I'm not happy," he said.

Trump said they also talked about ending the Korean war. "We talked about ending the war. This war has been going on -- it's got to be the longest war -- almost 70 years, right? And there is a possibility of some-thing like that. That's more of a signing of a document that it's very important in one way. Historically, it's very impor-tant. But we'll see. We did dis-cuss the ending of the Korean War," he said.

The United States, Trump said, was going to ensure the security of Kim Jong-un.

"We're going to make sure when this is over, it's over. It's not going to be starting up again. They have a potential to be a great country. I think South Korea, Japan and China are going to help a lot," he said. AGENCIES

Separatist govt takes oath in Spain’s Catalonia regionBARCELONA: Catalonia's new separatist government was sworn in on Saturday in an emotional ceremony full of pro-independence symbolism, a move that will spark the end of Madrid's direct rule over the region imposed after a failed secession bid.

The 13 councillors picked by new Catalan president Quim Torra, a close ally of ousted leader Carles Puigdemont, took oath in the regional presidency in Barcelona - some of them wearing yellow, the colour that has come to symbolise the sepa-ratist cause. "Do you promise to faithfully fulfil the duties of the post you're taking on at the ser-vice of Catalonia in accordance with the law and with loyalty to Catalonia's regional president?", Torra asked each one. "Yes I promise," they responded to strong applause.

An empty chair with a yel-low ribbon stood next to them to represent Catalan separatists who are in jail over their role in last autumn's independence push and those like Puigdemont who fled abroad.

Letters were read out by loved ones affected during a cer-emony that saw several onlook-ers break down in tears.

The new executive took office shortly after Spain's Socialist party leader Pedro Sanchez was sworn in as prime minister in Madrid, a day after ousting Mariano Rajoy in a historic no-confidence vote sparked by fury over corrup-

tion woes afflicting the conser-vative leader's party.

Sanchez, a 46-year-old economist who as opposi-tion leader was sharply critical of Catalonia's independence bid, has promised to try to "build bridges" with the wealthy region's new separat-ist government.

The swearing-in ends months of political limbo in the wealthy northeastern region after the independence bid last October caused Spain's biggest political crisis in decades.

Under the terms of emer-gency legislation brought in to take over the Catalan adminis-tration, Madrid must lift direct rule once a Catalan government is fully formed and cabinet members are sworn in. Spain's central government last month recognised the powers of newly-elected Catalan president Torra but refused to ratify his first choice of councillors because four of them face charges linked

to the failed independence drive, calling their nomination "a new provocation". Earlier this week, Torra nominated a new administration which did not include them, prompting Madrid to give its green light.

The 55-year-old former edi-tor has been under pressure from some segments of his own separatist camp to adopt a more conciliatory stance to allow a new Catalan government to take office and end Madrid's direct rule.

Torra was chosen by Puig-demont to be Catalonia's next leader after separatist parties kept their absolute majority in regional elections in December.

The election result was a severe blow to the Spanish government which had called the polls in the hope of head-ing off the secessionist push in the region, which is home to around 7.5 million peo-ple and is about the size of Belgium. AGENCIES

More sex assault charges against WeinsteinNEW YORK: Three actresses have filed a new lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein alleging sex-ual assault and urged other vic-tims of the disgraced Hollywood producer to come forward and join their complaint.

Melissa Thompson, one of the women filing the class action lawsuit on Friday, said she was sexually assaulted by Weinstein during a 2011 meeting to discuss a new marketing tool.

Following public revelations last year about his predatory behavior, Thompson said she was referred to lawyer Benjamin Brafman and another attorney at his firm, Alex Spiro.

Brafman is defending Wein-stein following his indictment last week on rape and sex crime charges.

"Thompson was led to believe that Brafman and Spiro were representing vic-tims against Weinstein," the law firm representing her, Hagens

Berman, said in a statement."Deceptive tactics were used

to entice her to turn over her visual and audio evidence of Weinstein's conduct (which she did)," it said.

"Melissa did not learn that Brafman was actually then or would later be Weinstein's lead criminal defense attorney until after turning over the video as evidence." Brafman's law firm

was named as a defendant in the lawsuit along with Wein-stein's former movie company Miramax and The Weinstein Company.

The other two actresses who are a party to the lawsuit are Caitlin Dulany and Larissa Gomes.

It accusses Weinstein of "assaulting, threatening and falsely imprisoning (Dulany)

in her apartment" in 1996 and again at the Cannes Film Fes-tival that same year.

As for Gomes, the second time Weinstein met with her, he "imprisoned her in his hotel room and threatened, battered and assaulted her," the law firm said.

The lawsuit is the third class action suit filed against Wein-stein by Hagens Berman since late last year.

Other women who were victimised by Weinstein were invited to join the suit.

"We deserve to live in a world in which accountability for the abuse of power exists," Thompson said. "Stand up and say something -- because now is the time that enough is enough." Elizabeth Fegan, a partner at Hagens Berman, said "we are working to see a day of justice for the hundreds of women who were exploited for Weinstein's sexual gratification and silenced

by this ring of conspirators." The 66-year-old Weinstein was charged with rape and a sex crime in New York last week, nearly eight months after his career imploded in a blaze of accusations of misconduct.

Nearly 100 women have now accused Weinstein of crimes ranging from sexual harass-ment to assault and rape going back decades.

Salma Hayek, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie are among more than two dozen actresses who say they were sex-ually harassed by the producer. A few, including Asia Argento and Rose McGowan, said they were raped.

Brafman, Weinstein's lawyer, is one of America's most cele-brated criminal defense attor-neys. His past clients include former IMF boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who escaped criminal prosecution for alleged sexual assault in 2011. AGENCIES

Whale dies in Thailand after swallowing 80 plastic bags

BANGKOK: A whale has died in southern Thailand after swallowing more than 80 plas-tic bags, officials said, ending an attempted rescue that failed to nurse the mammal back to health.

Thailand is one of the world's largest consumers of plastic bags, which kill hun-dreds of marine creatures liv-ing near the country's popular beaches each year.

The small male pilot whale became the latest victim after it was found barely alive in a canal near the border with Malaysia, the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources said on their Facebook page on Saturday.

A veterinary team tried "to help stabilise its illness but finally the whale died" on Fri-day afternoon, the post said.

An autopsy revealed 80 plastic bags weighing up to eight kilograms (18 pounds) in the creature's stomach, the department added.

Photos accompanying the post showed a group of people

using buoys to keep the whale afloat after it was first spotted on Monday and an umbrella to shield it from the scorch-ing sun.

The whale vomited up five bags during the rescue attempt before it died, the department said.

Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a marine biologist and lecturer at Kasetsart University, said the bags had made it impossible for the whale to eat any nutri-tional food.

"If you have 80 plastic bags in your stomach, you die," he

said.At least 300 marine animals

including pilot whales, sea tur-tles and dolphins perish each year in Thai waters after ingest-ing plastic, Thon said.

"It's a huge problem," he said.

"We use a lot of plastic." The pilot whale's plight generated sympathy and anger among Thai netizens.

"I feel sorry for the animal that didn't do anything wrong but has to bear the brunt of human actions," one Twitter user wrote in Thai. AGENCIES

Egypt Prez Sisi sworn in for second term

CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was sworn in on Saturday for a second four-year term in office as the country faces major economic and security challenges.

Sisi took the oath in a packed house and in front of members of his government, after winning 97 percent of valid votes in the March presi-dential election.

Fighter jets drew an Egyp-tian flag in the sky above Cairo while military helicopters flew over the capital's centre as the president made his way to par-liament -- where he was greeted with a 21-gun salute.

Sisi, who as army chief ousted Egypt's first freely elected president Mohamed Morsi after mass street protests in 2013, won his first term in 2014 with an overwhelming majority of the vote.

He faced no serious compe-tition in his run for re-election. His only opponent, Moussa Mostafa Moussa, was rela-tively unknown and a fervent Sisi supporter himself.

All other political con-tenders were either sidelined or withdrew.

Seven years after the Jan-

uary 2011 uprising that top-pled Hosni Mubarak's regime, Sisi will have two major chal-lenges to tackle in his second term: security and economic recovery.

Human rights defenders have regularly accused Sisi of violating public freedoms and suppressing opponents.

Many of his opponents and vocal members of civil society have been arrested in recent months.

Two of those arrested are blogger and journalist Wael Abbas and Shadi Ghazali Harb -- one of the youth leaders dur-ing the 2011 revolution.

They also include Hazim Abdelazim, who has described his decision to head the youth committee of Sisi's successful 2014 presidential bid as his "biggest mistake". AGENCIES

Dawn of new era: Socialist Pedro Sanchez sworn in Spanish PM

MADRID: Spain's Social-ist chief Pedro Sanchez was sworn in as prime minister on Saturday, a day after ousting Mariano Rajoy in a historic no-confidence vote sparked by fury over corruption woes afflicting the conservative lead-er's party.

Sanchez, a 46-year-old economist with no govern-ment experience who has made a spectacular comeback to the frontline of politics, took the oath of office before King Felipe VI in the Zarzuela Palace near Madrid.

"I promise to faithfully fulfil the duties of the post of prime minister with conscience and honour, with loyalty to the king, and to guard and have guarded the constitution as a fundamental state rule," he said in the presence also of Rajoy, without a Bible or crucifix -- the first to do so.

The Socialist leader must still name his cabinet and it is only when their names are published in an official gov-ernment journal in the coming days that he will fully assume his functions.

His ousting of EU-friendly Rajoy, a 63-year-old veteran politician who had been in power since 2011, comes at a time of political instability in Europe as Italy brings in a new eurosceptic anti-establishment government.

But even if he will head up

a minority government with support of a hodgepodge of disparate parties like far-left Podemos and Catalan sepa-ratists, Sanchez has promised his "main priority" will be to respect Madrid's deficit reduc-tion commitments to the Euro-pean Union.

He has also vowed to imple-ment the 2018 budget designed by Rajoy's conservative Popular Party (PP) government.

His arrival at the prime minister's office represents an astounding comeback for the man who led the Socialists to two crushing general elections defeats in 2015 and 2016, and was forced out by the party apparatus. That was short-lived, though, as party activists re-elected him as party head in primaries in May 2017, but even then the Socialists were often sidelined as Podemos, centre-right Ciudadanos and Rajoy's PP took centre stage

in politics.That all changed on May

25 when the Socialists filed a no-confidence motion against Rajoy, a day after a court found former PP officials guilty of receiving bribes in exchange for awarding public contracts in a vast graft scheme between 1999 and 2005.

Other opposition parties lined up against Rajoy, who was abandoned by his allies too.

An absolute majority of 180 lawmakers voted for the motion on Friday to loud applause and shouts of "Yes we can". "It's been an honour -- there is none bigger -- to have been Spain's prime minister," Rajoy told parliament minutes before. In his first comments after winning the no-confi-dence motion, Sanchez, a for-mer basketball player, vowed to tackle "all the challenges which the country faces with humility". AGENCIES

Indian-origin boy killed in UK road collision

LONDON: An eight-year-old Indian-origin boy has been killed in a deadly road crash on a UK highway.

Dev Naran was pronounced dead at the scene of a collision between a truck and a car on the M6 motorway near Bir-mingham on Thursday. "He excelled at school and wanted to become a doctor. He looked after his brother Neel, who suf-fered brain damage at birth," his parents said in a statement.

A man and a woman travel-ling with Naran in the car were taken to hospital with seri-ous injuries, where they both remain in a stable condition.

West Midlands Police are appealing for any wit-nesses to the incident as the 62-year-old driver of the truck, who escaped uninjured, was

arrested on suspicion of caus-ing death by dangerous driving.

Sergeant Alan Wood, from West Midlands Police, said: "Our thoughts are with Dev's family who have asked for pri-vacy at this very difficult time.

"I would urge anyone who witnessed the crash, in particu-lar anyone with dash cam foot-age to get in touch."

Paramedics rushed to the scene to find the boy, from the city of Leicester, was in car-diac arrest. "Crews arrived to find three patients, all of whom had been travelling in the car. The boy was found to be in cardiac arrest and ambulance staff immediately began CPR [Cardiopulmonary resuscita-tion]," a spokesperson for the West Midlands Ambulance Service said. AGENCIES

Palestinian tries to hit Israeli soldiers with car, shot dead

JERUSALEM: A Palestinian man who tried on Saturday to hit Israeli soldiers with his car in the southern occupied West Bank city Hebron was shot dead, the army said.

"A terrorist attempted to run over IDF troops located at the site with his vehicle. In response, the troops fired towards the terrorist, kill-ing him. No IDF troops were injured," an army statement said.

A military spokesman said the alleged attacker was a Palestinian.

On Friday a 21-year-old Palestinian woman was shot dead by Israeli soldiers near the Gaza border fence, where clashes were taking place.

Razan al-Najjar was a vol-unteer with the Gaza health ministry, wearing the white uniform of a medic when she was shot in the chest.

According to the health ministry in Gaza, another 40 Palestinians were wounded by Israeli gun fire in Friday's clashes. AGENCIES

Former Afghan hostage Joshua Boyle granted bailOTTAWA: Former hostage Joshua Boyle will be re-leased from a Canadian jail with strict bail conditions that include an electronic tracking bracelet. Boyle faces a string of charges, including sexual assault, following his release from captivity in Afghanistan last year. Boyle and his wife, Caitlan Coleman of Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, were taken hostage in 2012 by a Taliban-linked group. Boyle's alleged crimes occurred between October 14 and December 30 after the couple returned to Canada. AGENCIES

New Catalan President Quim Torra

mp| 7millennium post | KOLKATA|SUNDAY, 3 JUNE 2018

Sports -Sunil Chhetri

I feel I haven’t yet reached that stature where international footballers will look up to me

PARIS: Rohan Bopanna and his French partner Edouard Roger-Vasselin shocked top seeded Marcelo Melo and Lukasz Kubot in straight sets to reach the men's doubles quar-terfinals of the French Open, here on Saturday.

The 13th seeded Indo-French team beat the Brazil-ian-Polish combo 6-4 7-6(1) in one hour and 30 minutes in the third round.

It's the third time that Bopanna has reached quarter-final stage at Roland Garros. He made it to the last-eight pairs in 2011 and 2016 also.

Bopanna and Roger-Vas-selin saved five of the six break chances while they converted two of the breakpoints on their opponents' serve.

They next face Nikola Mek-tic and Alexander Peya for a place in the semifinals.

Bopanna is the only Indian surviving in the clay court Grand Slam as all others have suffered defeats.

Earlier on Friday, Indias men’s doubles pair of Yuki Bhambri and Divij Sharan was outplayed in straight sets 5-7, 3-6 by second seeds Oliver Marach and Mate Pavic. AGENCIES

LEEDS (UK): Dominic Bess belied his position as a night-watchman by guiding England into a first-innings lead against Pakistan on a rain-marred day of the second Test at Heading-ley on Saturday.

England were 199 for three at tea, 25 runs in front, after rain meant there was no play before lunch.

Bess was 40 not out, hav-ing scored 57 on debut during England’s thumping nine-wicket defeat by Pakistan in the first Test at Lord’s. Together with Dawid Malan (27 not out) he had had put on an unbroken 61 for the fourth wicket after England captain Joe Root fell for 43 to the disappointment of his Yorkshire home crowd.

England were 106 for two, 68 runs adrift of Pakistan’s lowly 174, when play eventually got under way at 2:45 pm (1345 GMT) some several hours after the scheduled 11:00am (1000 GMT) start time. Root was 29 not out and Bess, who came in as a nightwatchman late Friday following Alastair Cook’s exit for 44, unbeaten on nought.

Bess, selected primarily as an off-spinner but yet to take a Test wicket, made light of the overcast, bowler-friendly con-ditions to cover-drive left-arm quck Mohammad Amir for a well-struck four. It was one of several stylish boundaries hit by the 20-year-old Bess that included a well-timed on-drive

off Mohammad Abbas. With Bess playing shots worthy of a top-order batsman, England lost Root. The England skipper has been criticised for a repeated failure to convert Test fifties into his hundreds.

But on Saturday he exited for 45. The right-hander, chas-ing a scrambled seam deliv-ery from Amir angled across him, succeeded only in getting a thin edge to wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed, with the Paki-stan captain joyfully accepting the easy catch.

Left-hander Malan made an uncertain start before finding his touch with several bound-aries, including a square driven four off Abbas. And when Bess swept leg-spinner Shadab Khan, England had the lead.

Pakistan only need to avoid defeat at Headingley to seal a first series win in England for 22 years. But if England fail to it will condemn them to a third successive series loss after reverses in Australia and New Zealand. AGENCIES

STAVANGER (NORWAY): Viswanathan Anand played out his fourth draw on the trot, signing peace with Wesley So of United States in the fourth round of the Altibox Norway Chess tournament here.

Taking his tally up to two points out of a possible four, Anand now has his task cut out for the remaining five games in this strongest tournament of the year. The world rapid champion needs a couple of victories to stake a claim in the tournament.

Meanwhile, reigning World champion Magnus Carlsen was pleasantly surprised to see a rather unambitious approach with white pieces by Hikaru Nakamura of United States. The game ended in a draw helping Carlsen to remain at the helm on three points from his four games. Sergey Karjakin of Rus-sia took sole second spot on 2.5 points after defeating Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France. PTI

NEW DELHI: Apart from fast-rising talents, only the top-eight performers in team events and the top-six performers in indi-vidual events in the last four years' continental competitions will be part of India's contin-gent for the Asian Games later this year, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced on Saturday.

IOA president Narinder Batra said that they have shared the qualification criteria with the sports federations at the Executive Council Meeting held earlier on Saturday.

The qualification criteria means that even if someone has crossed the performance criteria approved by the Olym-pic Council of Asia (OCA) but has not finished in the top-six in individual events in continen-tal championships or the 2014 Asiad, he or she will not board

the flight to Indonesia.However, Batra said that

IOA's performance analy-sis team will consider athletes who would have shown upscale performances.

"This is the criteria set by us and athletes need to meet this criteria. Athletes need to earn the Indian jersey," Batra declared at a press conference.

The IOA also announced that they have registered 2370 members, including athletes and officials, for the quadrennial showpiece to be held in Indo-nesia from August 18.

"The long list for the 18th Asian Games has also been sub-mitted to the organisers of the event. We shall shortlist the final contingent at the conclusion of final selections by various fed-erations," explained Batra. The names of the shortlisted ath-letes will be finalised by June 30.

Batra also announced to submit Expression Of Inter-est for IOC Congress 2021 or onwards, Youth Olympic Games 2026, Asian Games 2030 and Olympic Games 2032. Batra also said that country should aim to win "double digit" medals at the Tokyo Olympics and around 20 at the 2024 games in Paris.

The IOA president feels that a good show will then help them gain public support in its bid to

host the 2032 Summer Games.Meanwhile, IOA Secretary

General Rajeev Mehta said that the dates for the upcom-ing National Games are yet to be finalised. According to Mehta, IOA wants it to take place in December but the 36th National Games' organising state Goa is asking for some time and plans to host it in February.

Mehta said that during the Goa National Games, at least

four events, namely cycling, shooting, kayaking and canoe-ing will not take place in the western state. While Delhi is to host shooting, Kerala will orga-nise the rest of the three. Mehta also said that Karnataka may host hockey and tennis events of the National Games.

Mehta also announced the formation of an Associate Cat-egory within IOA to incorpo-rate the disciplines which are not part of Olympics, Com-monwealth Games and Asian Games programmes. "There are some sports federation which are registered with OCA but not with the IOA. Those will be part of the Associate Category," Mehta reckoned.

However, the Associate Cat-egory will not have voting rights within the IOA. The IOA also announced the formation of various committees like Arbitra-

tion Committee, 2024 Olympic Games Preparation Committee.

"The additional commit-tees and new commissions have been set up to help us achieve our ambitions as a rising sport-ing nation. It's imperative for the IOA to make sure there are action points to every review and a thorough process is fol-lowed for every global event," Batra said.

"From EOI for hosting global events to announcing new committees and commis-sions, it's all formally plotted in our future roadmap," Batra concluded.

During the meeting, it was also decided that no parents of athletes will be part of the coun-try's contingent for the Asiad. During the Gold Coast CWG held in April, the inclusion of Saina Nehwal's father was con-troversial. AGENCIES

IOA sets qualification criteria for 2018 Asiad

Bopanna and Roger-Vasselin reach quarters

France beat Italy, Tunisia held, S Korea lose, Aussies rampant

PARIS: France underlined their World Cup credentials with their three forwards all involved in the goals that secured an impressive 3-1 friendly victory over Italy on Friday.

Just under two weeks before the finals start in Rus-sia, Tunisia were held 2-2 by 10-man Turkey, Australia won 4-0 against the Czech Repub-lic and South Korea suffered a 3-1 home defeat after Bosnia’s Edin Visca scored a hat-trick.

France showed the full extent of their firepower as defender Samuel Umtiti scored at the end of a Kylian Mbappe move while Antoine Griez-mann and Ousman Dembele found the net.

The Italians pulled a goal back through central defender Leonardo Bonucci, who fired home after the returning Mario Balotelli, new coach Roberto Mancini’s favourite, saw his free kick parried into the path of the Azzurri captain.

But France were a cut above Italy, who missed out on the World Cup, with Umtiti putting Les Bleus ahead after keeper Salvatore Sirigu failed to deal with Mbappe’s shot.

Griezmann converted a second-half penalty and Dem-

bele curled a splendid shot into the top corner as France hit the Italians on the break.

France have been drawn with Peru, Denmark and Aus-tralia in Group C at the finals starting this month.

Tunisia were held to a 2-2 draw by 10-man Turkey in Geneva after Caglar Soyuncu scored a last-minute equaliser against the African side drawn in Group G with Belgium, Pan-ama and England.

Cenk Tosun put Turkey ahead with a penalty early in the second half before Anice Badri equalised two minutes later.

Striker Tosun was then sent off just past the hour when he became involved in a verbal altercation with a Turkish fan and had to be restrained by his team mates.

Ferjani Sassi fired the Tuni-sians in front with nine minutes remaining, before Soyuncu’s late strike denied them victory, but the result extended their unbeaten run to nine games.

South Korea, who have a tough group which includes Germany, Mexico and Sweden, succumbed to a disappointing defeat by Bosnia, with Visca scoring all the goals for the visitors. AGENCIES

Antoine Griezmann scored as France beat Italy 3-1

PARIS: Maria Sharapova marked her first appearance on Court Philippe Chatrier in three years with a 6-2, 6-1 rout of Karolina Pliskova to set-up a potential French Open last-16 duel with nemesis Serena Wil-liams on Saturday, while 10-time champion Rafael Nadal defeated childhood friend Richard Gas-quet for the 16th time.

Five-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova, the win-ner in Paris in 2012 and 2014, hadn't played on Roland Garros' showpiece arena since a quarter-final exit in 2015.

The 31-year-old served a doping suspension in 2016 and was refused a wildcard in 2017.

However, she made up for lost time by firing 18 winners past an under-cooked Pliskova, the sixth seed, in just under an hour.

She will next face either 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams or German 11th seed Julia Goerges.

Sharapova and Serena have met 21 times, with the American leading the head-to-head record 19-2 after 18 consecutive wins dating back to 2004.

"I think there is a lot of things in her game that she's done much better than I have... Numbers don't lie," admitted Sharapova ahead of the prospect of facing her American nemisis.

Williams, the champion in 2002, 2013 and 2015 and playing her first Slam since giving birth

to her daughter in September, last played a major at the Aus-tralian Open in 2017 while two months pregnant.

She has dominated the head-lines in Paris as much for her play -- she came back from a set and break down to beat Ashleigh Barty in the second round -- as for her striking all-black catsuit.

The 36-year-old Williams, now ranked at 451 in the world, boasts a 2-0 career lead over Georges.

It may not be easy on the eye with Williams's renowned power-hitting up against the 29-year-old German who leads the aces count on the WTA Tour

in 2018 with 212.Nadal continued his bid for

an 11th French Open title by brushing aside Gasquet to claim a 16th consecutive win over his childhood friend.

The world number one's record at Roland Garros now stands at 82 wins and just two losses.

The 16-time Grand Slam champion eased to a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory on Chatrier.

The 31-year-old also took his run of consecutive completed sets at the French Open to 34, just seven shy of the record held by Bjorn Borg between 1979 and 1981.

Nadal, who lost only two

points in the first five games, will next play Germany's world number 70 Maximilian Mar-terer, who beat Estonian lucky loser Jurgen Zopp.

Former champion Garbine Muguruza reached the last 16 for the fifth successive year with a comfortable 6-0, 6-2 win over Australia's Sam Stosur.

Spanish third seed Mugu-ruza, the 2016 winner in Paris and the reigning Wimbledon champion, fired 15 winners past Stosur, the 34-year-old 2010 runner-up and former US Open champion.

"I knew this would be very tough against a former US Open winner and a player who

has made the final here," said 24-year-old Muguruza.

"If I didn't play my best ten-nis, I realised that it would be very hard." The Spaniard goes on to face Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine who knocked out Slo-vakian 19th seed Magdalena Rybarikova 6-2, 6-4.

Estonian 25th seed Anett Kontaveit made the last 16 for the first time by downing Czech eighth seed Petra Kvitova who saw her 13-match win streak end in a horror show of 57 unforced errors.

Kontaveit next faces US Open champion Sloane Ste-phens, the American 10th seed, who saw off Italy's Camila

Giorgi 4-6, 6-1, 8-6.Italy's Fabio Fognini made

the last 16 for the second time with a 6-3, 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over Britain's last man standing Kyle Edmund.

Fognini joins compatriot Marco Cecchinato in the fourth round, the first time that more than one Italian has made the last 16 since 1976.

Women's top seed Simona Halep, twice a runner-up, has been shunted out to Court 18 for her third round clash against experienced German Andrea Petkovic. Halep leads their head-to-head 6-1, including a clash in the semi-finals in Paris in 2014. AGENCIES

Rafael Nadal downs Gasquet for 16th time, Sharapova sets up potential Serena clash

NEW DELHI: Sunil Chhetri, one of the greatest footballers that India has produced, made an impassioned plea to all the fans of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo — "abuse us, criticise us but please come to watch the Indian national team play." With less than two weeks left for World Cup football to begin and broadcasters urg-ing fans of the 'beautiful game' to profess their love for their "doosri country" via hashtags,

country's all-time highest goal-getter demanded some love and affection for their 'first country'.

India, who have improved their ranking to 97 in current Fifa chart, routed Chinese Tai-pei 5-0 on Friday in the opening game of the four-nation tourna-ment with less than 2000 fans watching from the stands.

The skipper who scored his third international hat-trick in-front a near empty Mumbai Football Arena (MFA) stands,

had a message for all the resi-dent 'Gooners', 'Red Devils' and 'Catalans', for whom Arsenal, Manchester United and Barce-lona means "we".

"To all of you who are fans of big European clubs and support European clubs with so much passion and sometimes you guys think that the level is not the same, so why do you waste your time? Agreed, the level is not the same, not even close but with our desire and determina-

tion, we will try our best to make your time worth," Chhetri's plea was not only about accepting where they stand but also what little they want from the fans.

"To all of you, who have lost hope or don't have any hope in Indian football, we request you to come and watch us in the sta-dium," the skipper said.

Chhetri had a request for all the arm-chair critics of Indian football -- please abuse but make the 'Blue Tigers' feel relevant.

"I mean it's not fun to crit-icise and abuse on internet. Come to the stadium, do it on our face, scream at us, shout at us, abuse us, who knows one day we might change you guys, you might start cheering for us. You guys have no idea how important you guys are and how important your support is," the skipper appealed. India will face Kenya on June 4, which will incidentally be Chhetri's 100th international match. AGENCIES

Abuse us, criticise us but please get involved: Chhetri appeals to football fans

NEW DELHI: India's wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha was on Saturday ruled out of the historic one-off Test against Afghanistan after fail-ing to recover from the thumb injury he suffered in this year's Indian Premier League.

The BCCI on Saturday named Dinesh Karthik as Saha's replacement for Afghanistan's debut Test match to be held in Bengaluru starting June 14.

"Mr Wriddhiman Saha has been ruled out of the one-off Paytm Test against Afghanistan to be held in Bengaluru from the 14th of June, 2018," BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary said. "He was under observa-tion by the medical staff of the BCCI and the management has decided to give him adequate rest before the start of the Eng-land Test series. Saha's recovery period is expected to be around five to six weeks," he added.

The 33-year-old stumper suffered the injury to his right thumb while playing for Sunris-ers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 of the IPL against Kolkata Knight Riders on May 25 at the Eden Gardens.

"The All-India Senior Selec-tion Committee has named Mr Dinesh Karthik as the replace-ment for injured Saha," the BCCI statement further read.

Saha did not have the best of IPL this year, scoring just 234 runs in 14 games. Karthik, on the other hand, scored a mam-moth 498 runs in 16 matches to guide KKR to a third-place finish. AGENCIES

Saha ruled out of Afghan Test, Karthik to replace him

Bess guides England into the lead against Pak despite Root loss

Anand draws with Wesley So

MOSCOW: A bout for the World Boxing Associa-tion (WBA) champions title between Russian heavyweight boxer Alexander Povetkin and UKs WBA belt holder Anthony Joshua is likely to be held later this year in Britain, the Russian boxer has said.

"I am now the manda-tory challenger for the WBA world champion's belt, which currently belongs to Joshua," Povetkin said in an interview with TASS news agency.

In early April, the WBA green-lighted a fight between Povetkin and Joshua and gave the teams of both fight-ers a period of 30 days to set-tle negotiations. The British boxer, however, announced later that his prime aim was to fight for the World Boxing Council (WBC) champion's belt against American boxer

Deontay Wilder."It is still unclear when and

where this fight will happen as everything depends on our promoters," Povetkin said.

"However, I believe the fight is more likely to be held in Great Britain this autumn. I will begin with my training sessions, when the exact date of the bout is announced," the 38-year-old Russian boxer added. AGENCIES

Boxers Povetkin, Joshua to clash for WBA title

NEW DELHI: Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma has been invited by the Major League Baseball (MLB) club Seattle Mariners to throw out the ceremonial 'First Pitch'.

Rohit will be the first Indian cricketer to be conferred this recognition in a major league American sports event.

Rohit will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Safeco Field, home ground of Seattle Mariners on June 3 as a pre-game activity against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The baseball league in America has a historic ritual inviting a guest of honour to throw out a ceremonial first pitch to mark the start of the game.

Rohit is on a three-city US tour as part of 'Desh-Legends of Cricket Series'. AGENCIES

Rohit to throw 'First Pitch' in

MLB game

Dominic Bess

KOLKATA|SUNDAY, 3 JUNE 2018|millenniumpost8|

mp

In retrospect

KATHUA RAPE CASE (2018)

On January 10, 2018, the father of an eight-year-old girl registered a com-plaint with the police when his daughter didn’t return home after grazing their horses. A week later, the deceased body of the young girl was found by the vil-lagers, a few kilometres away from the village. On investigating, it was uncov-ered that she had been brutally gang-raped, abducted and drugged by eight men in a temple.

According to the forensic reports, the girl had been raped multiple times by different men, after which she had been strangled to death and hit in the head with a heavy stone. This horrific incident, which had undertones of polit-ical motivation, witnessed nationwide outrage; nevertheless, no promise of an end to the rape culture has yet been negotiated. JAGANNATH TEMPLE RAPE

A temple, the code of sanctity, has been ripped off every religious moti-vation after cases of rape have been reported from inside holy temple com-pounds. Yes, rape incidents inside tem-ples took birth way before the Kathua rape case. In another barbaric incident, an 11-year-old physically challenged girl was allegedly raped inside the Jag-annath Temple in Orissa last year. The incident took place when the minor girl stepped inside the temple at a time when the shrine was virtually deserted. Soon after, the 28-year-old accused escorted her to the bathing mandap and raped

her without an iota of conscience. The incident outraged angry locals who assaulted the accused before handing him over to the police.POCSO ACT 2012

The Union Cabinet, just a few weeks ago, cleared the ordinance on POCSO, whereby the death penalty will be directed to those convicted of raping a child up to 12 years of age. The Centre has cleared the criminal law amendment ordinance and the POCSO Act is a part of this amendment. Demands for the death penalty to a rapist accused of rap-ing a minor took centre-stage after two separate cases of gang-rape took place in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kathua and Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao, leading to massive outrage across the country. The Centre has increased minimum punishment in the case of rape from seven years to 10 years, extendable to life imprisonment. It said that in the case of gang-rape of a girl below 12 years, the punishment will be life imprisonment or death sen-tence. The new Act enlists a variety of offences under which an accused

can be punished. The Act makes abetment of

child sexual abuse an offence. It also provides for

various procedural reforms, making the tiring process of trial in India con-siderably easier for children.CRIME AGAINST WOMEN (2016-18)

With rape, molestation and eve-teasing cases being reported regularly in the capital, the arrest of people has also increased with more than 1,300 persons being booked in 2018. The data accessed by Millennium Post till April 15, stated that more than 500 accused were arrested on rape charges whereas over 700 persons were nabbed under the charges of molestation. Over 120 per-sons were also arrested for eve-teasing.

The police data claimed that around 3,672 accused were arrested for their involvement in rape cases from the year 2016 to August 2017, whereas more than 6,000 people were arrested on the charges of molestation.Recent data by Delhi Police claimed that more than 1,600 cases of crime against women were registered with them between January and April this year.

The data, recorded till April 15, states that 578 rape cases have been reported, while 883 cases of molestation have been registered in the Capital. More-over, Delhi Police registered 182 cases of eve-teasing. The law enforcement agency has also tightened its noose on criminals, as the data claimed that 1,123 of these cases have been solved. “460 rape cases have been solved, whereas 561 cases of molestation and 102 cases of eve-teasing have also been worked out,” states the data.

Though the police are on track in resolving the cases reported, our

society shows no signs of remorse or correction. Women are still not safe, not even behind the four walls of their homes. Like the POCSO ordinance, several more bold and immediate measures are essential to overcome the rampancy of this

heinous crime to ensure a life of dignity to the women of our

country.

In the developing world, India is among the most popu-lous countries. While on the international arena India has

achieved acclaim for its various feats in economic development, back home, a dangerous rape culture is permeating through society, also gaining a tainted global reputation. Naturally then, over the years, surviving in Indian cities as a female has become a palpable fear with the escalating number of rape cases in the country.

“I run this tea stall to fulfil our basic needs and for that, I have to leave my daughters alone at home. After many such horrific incidents, I feel insecure, leaving them at home is also no longer a full-proof safe option,” said Swati Gaur, a mother of two daughters who runs a tea stall in South Delhi, express-ing a fearthat is not uncommon today.

Swati is not alone, women from dif-ferent walks of life have expressed their deep concern over this issue.

“Hearing about incidents of rape have become an everyday affair. It is not just a heinous crime, it is an inhu-man act. The safety of females, whether it be a newborn or an aged lady, has been heavily compromised. The only way out is immediate punishment of the offender, to set an example for soci-ety” said Swetha, an Amity student.

“Sexual harassment, rape, assaults and gender-based violence are a result of the rape culture pervading our society. There are strict rules and amendments in other countries but we don’t seem to be doing enough. There are psychological undertones of men’s sexual deprivation and pow-erplay, it all needs more investigation,” emphasised Ambika, a gerontologist and clinical psychologist.

NIRBHAYA RAPE CASE (2012)

Who could’ve apprehended that a well-spent day for a medical student would soon turn into the darkest night of her life? On the night of Decem-ber 16, 2012, Nirbhaya was beaten, gang-raped and tortured in a private bus she had boarded with her friend from South Delhi. There were six oth-ers in the bus, including the driver, all

of whom raped the woman and physi-cally assaulted her friend. Eleven days after battling for life, Nirbhaya suc-cumbed to her injuries.

Nirbhaya seemed to have sparked a sense of cognizance among the authori-ties and civil society, as this gory night-marish incident led to nationwide protests. Nirbhaya had to die a most pathetic death for the rape of women

to receive some recognition in soci-ety – such is our world today. Despite this immediate outcry, even today, in 2018, women in India are vulnerable to the wrath of monstrous men who are butchering the dignity of women, whether she is six or sixty, across the length and breadth of our country.

Despite the government’s vari-ous steps, incidents of rape continue unabated. Two more such incidents that occurred in the last year, in Unnao and Kathua, have equally shaken the country to its core reinstating the need to reignite the debate on sexual vio-lence as a national agenda.UNNAO RAPE CASE (2017)

On June 4, 2017, a 17-year-old girl stated in her complaint that she had been raped in the house of Kul-deep Singh Sengar, an MLA of Uttar Pradesh. According to her complaint, the incident unfolded after she had entered the accused’s house seeking his assistance in finding employment. Her statement was recorded by the police on June 22, but they did not allow her to name her assailant. On April 5, 2018, the woman’s father was arrested and placed in judicial custody, allegedly after he was assaulted by sup-porters of Sengar. Four days later, the woman attempted to immolate herself in front of the residence of UP CM Yogi Adityanath stating that the police had taken no action against the accused. A day later, on April 9, her father died in the hospital due to his injuries, leading to the arrest of Atul Sengar (brother of Kuldeep Sengar) and the suspension of six police officers. The death and the immolation attempt led to wide-spread outrage, only after which an FIR was registered against Kuldeep Sengar.

In 2012, India was shaken by the horrific rape of Nirbhaya – it seemed as if society had at last taken cognizance of

women’s safety. However, in 2018, we continue to fight the same evils, which have shown no signs of containment

despite the roars of agitation, explores Madhupriti Mitra

The Unsafe Sex:Violence Against Women in India

Though the police are on track in resolving the cases reported, our society shows no signs of correction. Women are still not safe, not even behind the four walls of their homes

F. N. Souza V. S. Gaitonde Manjit Bawa Subodh Gupta

Saffronart’s upcoming Summer Online Auction June 13-14, 2018, marks an important milestone for India’s lead-ing auction house. With its 200th auc-

tion, Saffronart consolidates eighteen years of expertise and leadership in pioneering art sales in India and abroad. To celebrate this momen-tous occasion, the auction house presents 150 exceptional works of modern and contempo-rary Indian art.

The artists represented span the evolution of the Indian art scene from the pre-Indepen-dence period to the present day, illustrating over a hundred years of art history. Each work epitomises the achievements of these artists, and has been chosen bearing in mind its prov-enance and historical contribution to Indian art.

TYEB’S KALITop of the lots is Tyeb Mehta’s Kali. Mehta’s

iconic and monumental Kali, was once part of the art collection of the eminent and influ-ential theatre director, Ebrahim Alkazi. Over his entire artistic career, Mehta painted only three standing Kali figures between 1988 and 1989 – of which the Kali on offer is the largest, at 67 x 54 inches – with only a few smaller for-mat Kali heads in later years.  The monumental artwork has been estimated at USD 3-4 million (INR-18.9-25.2 crore).

SOUZALot 1 is an irresistible Eucharist ensemble by

the brilliant artist and founder of the Progres-sives and writer, Francis Newton Souza. The elements at the Eucharist table become a poi-gnant still life. Souza's unrestrained and graphic style created thought-provoking and powerful images. His repertoire of subjects covered still life, landscape, nudes and icons of Christianity, rendered boldly in a frenzied distortion of form. Souza's paintings expressed defiance and impa-tience with convention and with the banality of everyday life. Souza's works have reflected the influence of various schools of art: the folk art of his native Goa, the full-blooded paintings of the Renaissance, the religious fervour of the Catholic Church, the landscapes of 18th and 19th century Europe, and the path-breaking paint-ings of the moderns. 

RAZA’S PAYSAGE PROVENCALS.H. Raza’s dreamy landscape created in

1951 at Lot 71 is a masterpiece in its historic-ity. Paysage Provencal is a village-scape, seen from an aerial perspective, its like a pastoral

in shades of ochre – Raza places the houses across the surface of the canvas. Raza translates lithe architectural forms through the use of key signposts; as he connotes gabled roofing, soar-ing slender connote chimneys, and alternating fields of colour to suggest walls. Consequently, the village is conveyed to its viewer in tempo-ral increments. It requires its viewers to stand before it, to let the colours flicker across the can-vas and the shapes to collide and intersect, until the provincial scene reveals itself as the subject. 

STUNNING SWAMINATHANLot 18 is a stunning Swaminathan. The guru

of the abstract movement in the North, this ochre-toned work is a part of his historic Bird Mountain and Tree series. Jagdish Swamina-than was a writer, painter, and political activ-ist, who rejected the notion of "modernism". The present lot is one from his Bird Moun-tain and Tree series, which occupied him for

almost two decades. The subjects and objects he chooses are placed into a composition which he defines spatially with a horizon line and varia-tions in shades of yellow. A bird, seated on an oval shaped tree, surrounded by mountains is accompanied by an oval orange sun. In Swami-nathan's words, "The objects in themselves have relevance only as agents and not as themselves... Thus, the work becomes concrete and abstract at the same time," (J Swaminathan, "The Tra-ditional Numen and Contemporary Art," Lalit Kala Contemporary, No. 29, New Delhi: Lalit Kala Akademi, April 1980, p. 11). In the place-ment of these objects, Swaminathan plays with notions of reflection and shadow, thereby rais-ing questions about existence and perception

SUBRAMANYANLot 27 is an evocative multidivisional

work by K.G. Subramanyan. He peopled his works with familiar deities, their vehicles, and

mythical creatures but they come alive in the most unfamiliar and unorthodox situations and circumstances. Thus, a multi-armed deity could sit on a chair, goats talk to each other. He embraces all styles, Western as well as the Kalighat pat style.

Just like India’s folk art, there is a strong dec-orative element in all of Subramanyan’s compo-sitions but its not for mere embellishment. His characters lend an ironic edge to his works just in the same way that the deities and fantastic creatures do when they make an appearance in the otherwise realistic situations, blurring the line between the real and the surreal.

As he said: “...they strike heroic poses and break into loud dialogue and action, between these village boys and the mythical stereotypes a new reality is born. Mixing the normal with the hieratic, the worldly with the unworldly...”

KRISHEN KHANNALot 46 is Krishen Khanna’s portrait of

a bandwallah from his epic series. Khanna wanted to put the spotlight on individuals who often belonged to society and contributed in small humble ways and the bandwallah was one entity. Bordering on the narrative, Khan-na’s work captures moments in history, much like photographs do, but the artist’s technique is far from photo-realist. Khanna transfers his observations onto the canvas with spontaneity and exuberance, keeping the representational elements of his subject matter intact. The art-ist’s use of colour and his expressionist brush-work make the mundane rise to the challenge of the creative.

GAITONDELot 107 is Gaitonde’s  1965 work. He called

his work "non-objective" and believed that "there is no such thing as abstract art." Gai-tonde’s paintings, evocative of subliminal depths, are known for their spiritual quality and characteristic silence that is as meditative as it is eternal and momentous. The plain, large surfaces of layered paint possess an inherent quality of light making the work look more like a painted prayer.

RINA BANERJEERina Banerjee’s Lot 149, Tamarind Dreams-

Tamarind Girls and boys will play -1, is delight-ful. Rina has always created works and titles that celebrate allegories of literature and art. The artist takes on the role of a narrator and leads us through a world of stories and forms, in this case the tamarind, where memory and narrative of the exotic creates an unreal yet warped real-ity – a world perhaps not unlike our own. The artist has, in earlier works, expressed a sincere political concern. Beneath the playful colours and flowing, organic forms are profound cri-tiques of modern globalisation.

As an artist split between two worlds, Rina Banerjee questions both Anglo-Saxon and Indian ways of life. The superficial way, in which the western world regards foreign cultures and reduces them to shallow theme worlds, is a statement that can be read in many of the works. The stretching of identities in the modern cul-ture – assimilating world mirrors the extend-ing and yearning forms the artist uses in her pieces. "Identity politics are redirected in the post-colonial time," says Rina whose works are open to many interpretations. The tension and complexity between diversities is, however, a running thread through her pieces and this work is an ethos of that reality.

mp| 9millennium post | KOLKATA|SUNDAY, 3 JUNE 2018

Saffronart’s Bouquet of

MASTERPIECES From Francis Newton

Souza's poignant still life to Tyeb Mehta's iconic Kali, further on to Rina

Banerjee's voracious expression of political will through colour –

Saffronart's 200th auction is testimony to the grand evolution in Indian art,

writes Uma Nair

Beacon

Each work epitomises the achievements of these artists, and has been chosen bearing in mind its provenance and historical contribution to Indian art

IMAGES: SAFFRONART

Tyeb Mehta

Raja Ravi Varma

Rina Banerjee

Krishen Khanna S. H. Raza K. G. Subramanyan Jagdish Swaninathan

Saffronart's 200th Auction

10|

mpKOLKATA|SUNDAY, 3 JUNE 2018|millenniumpost

Inland

Manna Dey:A many-splendoured

Songster

From Indian classical rhythm to western beats, Manna Dey had aced each genre with inimitable ease. This master musician, was among the best gifts that Bollywood had offered its viewers, writes Sharad Dutt

The most cherished playback singers of the 1950s were Rafi, Mukesh, Talat Mahmood and Manna Dey. Anil Biswas was the only composer who didn’t use Rafi’s voice for his

compositions in the films. Anilda told me that he held no prejudice against Rafi but it created a hot contro-versy in film circles. He also confessed that he had

to invite Rafi specially to sing in the film Heer, as nobody else could have sung the lyrics of leg-

endary Heer better than Rafi, since he hailed from Punjab and made it come alive.

Anilda was, indeed, responsible for shap-ing up the careers of Mukesh and Talat Mah-mood. As did Manna Dey sing his best songs under his baton! And, I was introduced to this triumvirate by Anilda.

It so happened that he came to Delhi Doordarshan for a recording in the 70s. I was

very fond of Manna Dey’s private songs and told him, “Dada we listen to your film songs

quite often on AIR and Doordarshan but barely get a chance to listen to your private numbers.”

This is when he recorded his famous songs, Sajni nathli se toota moti de, Ye awara raatein and Meri bhi ek Mumtaz thi. He also revealed in the program that he had composed the music of these numbers.

In 2004, we again invited Manna Dey. He was to participate in a programme on the first death anni-versary of Anilda. He gave an emotional and glowing tribute to the maestro and commenced with Anilda’s composition, Buddham Sharnam Gacchammi, from film Angulimal. He also sang some of the popular filmy numbers at the behest of the audience and concluded the program with the classical number of Anilda, Ritu aaye ritu Jaaye sakhi re.

Born on May 1, 1919, in Cal-cutta as Prabodh Chandra Dey, he

was brought up in a joint fam-ily, that impressed upon him to

become a lawyer. But, he was born to be a singer. One of his uncles, Krishna Chan-dra Dey, a blind singer, actor and composer, was the sole supporter who encouraged him to pur-sue his singing. It was he

who rechristened him as Manna Dey, trained him,

and also ensured that he learnt music from Ustad Dabir Khan. Later, during his stay in Bombay, he imbibed the classical strains under the tutelage of Ustad Abdul Rehman and Ustad Aman Ali.

While graduating from Vidya Sagar College, Calcutta, he would often sing English songs of Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. Interestingly, Manna Dey was keen to participate in a music competition in his college, even though his uncle Krishna Chandra Dey advised him not

to. He participated in ten catego-ries of the competition and won the

first prize in nine segments. He was sec-ond in his own mother tongue Bangla.

In 1941, many artistes moved to Bom-bay from New Theatres of Calcutta.

Krishna Chandra Dey was one of

them and Manna Dey accompanied his uncle, thus getting the opportunity to sing his first song in film Tamanna in 1943. The song, Jaago aayee usha panchhi, was composed by his uncle and Manna Dey assisted him. But soon he realised that composing music for films was not his cup of tea.

In the same year, producer Shankar Bhatt approached Krishna Chandra Dey to sing a bhajan for his film Ram Rajya. He declined the offer not willing to lend his voice for someone else and recommended Manna Dey. After singing in Ram Rajya the latter was flooded with offers to sing for mythological films. But he continued to assist composers like Khemchandra Prakash and SD Burman. Khemchand Prakash had signed the film Ganesh Janam for producer-director Jayant Desai. He fell seriously ill and told the pro-ducer that Manna Dey would complete the film. After Ganesh Janam, he was again approached to compose for religious films, and gave music for Maha Puja, Jai Maha Dev and Gauri Puja. He was beginning to feel that he was being typecast as singer-composer and now wished to bid adieu to music direction and focus

on playback singing.In 1950, after Manna Dey gave a terrific playback

for a Bombay Talkies film Mashal, and sang for SD Burman, Oopar gagan vishal, he was sought after by the luminary composers. Manna Dey had tremen-dous regard for Anilda as he used Manna Dey’s voice frequently. And, he also remained grateful to Shan-kar (of Shankar-Jaikishan duo) who gave him a ter-rific break in the famous dream sequence song, Ghar aaya mera pardesi, from Awara. He further preferred Manna Dey to Mukesh in Shri 420 to sing Dil ka haal sune dilwala, Pyaar hua iqraar hua and Mud mud ke na dekh. Shankar had to fight with the producers of Chori Chori and Basant Bahar. In Chori Chori, Manna Dey gave playback for Raj Kapoor – Yeh raat bheegi bheegi and Jahan mein jaati hun with Lata. According to Manna Dey, he was at his creative peak when sing-ing Sur na saje kya gaoon main and a classical com-petition song, Ketatki gulab juhi champak with ace vocalist Bhimsen Joshi, besides a beautiful romantic

duet with Lata, Nain mile chain kahan. Mohammad Rafi was an all-time favourite of Nau-

shad but he made an exception calling upon Manna Dey to sing in Mother India. He also sang a bhajan for Naushad, Bhagat ke bas mein hain Bhagwan in film Shabab, and a title track in Palki, Mere ghar se pyaar ki palki chali gayi.

Madan Mohan was renowned as a ‘ghazal king’. When he composed a ghazal for Hindustan Ki Kasam, he chose Manna Dey for Har taraf ab yehi afsaane hain. Manna Dey’s solo, Aye meri zohra jabeen, in qawwali style was an instant chartbuster.

Even when the 1970s came to be dominated by a new generation of com-posers, Kalyanji Anandji, RD Burman and Laxmikant Pyaarelal, Manna Dey remained the first choice. RD Burman was a very talented composer who had mastery over Indian classical and West-ern music. He asked Manna Dey to sing Aao twist karein in a Western style in the film Bhoot Bangla. Like his father, RD Bur-man also made him sing a variety of songs - Chunri sambhal gori in Baharon Ke Sapne; Aayo kahan se ghanshyam in Buddha Mil Gaya; Ek chatur naar with Kishore Kumar-Mehmood in Padosan; and, of course, the evergreen hit, Ye dosti hum nahin chhodein ge in Sholay.

Manna Dey also sang very popular numbers for Kalyanji Anandji. One of those was a qawwali style number, Yaari hai imaan mera in Zanjeer; and a

boatman song, Nadiya chale chale re dhara, in Safar. But what Manna Dey appreciated the most among Kaly-anji Anandji’s compositions was Kasme Vaade Pyaar Wafa in Upkar. He also performed at numerous live shows with Kalyanji Anandji in India and abroad.

This inimita-ble singer loved two things in his life – music and his fam-ily. He married his beloved Sulochna, a Keralite, and was blessed with two daughters Shu-roma and Shumita, settled in California and Bangalore. Both are accomplished singers.

Manna Dey left Bombay after an untoward incident when he was stabbed by some goons while on his way to the airport. He shifted to Bangalore and spent the rest of his life there, until his last in 2013.

Manna Dey had a sole regret – he never got a chance to sing for the big heroes in the later years of his career. But had he become a voice of any particular hero, we would have missed out on the kaleidoscopic versatility of his songs. Besides recording some private albums, his memorable contribution was rendering of Dr Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s Madhush-ala. Given his enormous contribution to the music world, he was conferred-with the Dada Saheb Phalke Award, the highest national honour in Indian cinema. On this occasion, he stated that he was quite fortunate to be part of the ‘Golden Era of Film Music’.

Even when the 1970s came to be dominated by a new generation of composers, Kalyanji Anandji, RD Burman and Laxmikant Pyaarelal, Manna Dey remained the first choice

Readmp

| 11millennium post | KOLKATA|SUNDAY, 3 JUNE 2018

FRESH OFF THE

SHEL

F

Author: James M. Kouzes

Publisher: Wiley

Here, you’ll discover that the very same behaviours that make leaders more effective also make sellers more effective. This critical shift is the key to boosting your overall sales effectiveness.

`499

Stop Selling and Start Leading

Author: Mridula Ramesh

Publisher: Hachette India

Drawing on her extensive practical and investing experience, Ramesh scripts a timely, urgent and thought-provoking, book – an urgent call to action, an essential manifesto for every Indian citizen.

`550

The Climate Solution

Author: Abhinav Chandrachud

Publisher: Penguin Viking

Chandrachud sheds light on a decade of politics and decision-making in the Supreme Court of India. This book yields a fascinating glimpse into the secluded world of the top judges in the 1980s and earlier.

`599

Supreme Whispers

Author: Anwesha Roy

Publisher: Cambridge university

This book moves beyond the binary understanding of Bengal communalism as Hindu versus Muslim and looks at the provincial caste politics of the 1940s before the grand Partition.

`750

Making Peace, Making Riots

Gauri herself clearly did not expect to be the target of an assassination bid, although physical menace and vio-

lence were occasionally in the air when she and the other rationalists spoke at public events. In a column, she wrote for the tabloid Bangalore Mirror, Gauri described an incident at a Lingayat matha (monastery) some years ear-lier. A riled-up conservative gathering had shouted her down during a speech she was delivering on Lingayatism – a twelfth-century reformist movement that led to the birth of what she and a few scholars argued was a separate religion.

The incident took place, she said, in 2003 or 2004, in a small town called Malebennur where a few Lingayat youth had reportedly stripped and raped two women from a minority community ‘while gleefully chanting religious slo-gans’. I emphasise reportedly because much of the reporting in India on such matters is dodgy, and facts are never clear. Riots and looting had followed. The incident disturbed Gauri, because Malebennur was very close to her ances-tral village on the maternal side; it was also a town where Hindus and Muslims had lived in harmony for generations.

Communal peace was an article of faith for Gauri Lankesh. She was one of the moving forces behind the Karnataka Communal Harmony Forum, and had been warning for years that the state’s fabric of communal peace was fraying, mainly on account of inroads made by right-wing extremists.

So, what did she say that riled the audience?

In Gauri’s eyes, the local gather-ing at Malebennur was only profess-ing to be Lingayat. They were not really followers of the progressive, reform-ist Lingayat religion that its founder had conceptualised. Rather, they were Veerashaivas, practitioners of what she (and Kalburgi and many others) saw as an older, Brahminical or Brahminised form of Hinduism that had swept in from the north. The two are very dif-ferent and distinct, she argued vocifer-ously, insisting they were often mixed up for political reasons. Her argument

was that keeping Veerashaivas and Lin-gayats together underwrote a single vote bloc, usually for the BJP and right-wing parties, in Karnataka. For the longest time though, this was a non-issue. The consensus in Karnataka was that Veer-ashaivas and Lingayats referred to the same community.

At the heart of the Veerashaiva-Lin-gayat debate, and that of the current debacle, is the issue of nativism and reformation. Founded in northern Kar-nataka by the twelfth-century political and social reformer Basaveshwara (also, and informally, called Basavanna or just Basava), Lingayatism was a Shiva-cen-tric reformist Bhakti movement that essentially sought to ‘cleanse’ rituals such as idol worship, and inequities such as gender discrimination and the caste system, from the precursor Veer-ashaivism traditions. The reformers said the old order was suffused with ills that ought to be removed to usher in a more

fair and equitable society. Basaveshwara preached and prac-

ticed equality and egalitarianism, rub-bished idolatry and discrimination on grounds of gender. He identified with the ‘lesser’ or ‘lower’ castes, and founded a religion that drew millions, including women, into the fold over the centu-ries. He challenged the orthodoxy and domination of Brahminical Vaishnava and Veerashaiva practitioners, taking on these and other strains of the Hindu dharma of the times.

By most accounts, Basava’s assembly of social revolutionaries, philosophers, poets and mystics is unmatched for its creativity and social commitment in the history of Karnataka, perhaps in the history of India itself. They were called sharanas: bhaktas or devotees who had surrendered themselves to the Lord. And they spread their message through vachanas, short epigrammatic verses, poems or songs.

The term ‘sharanu’ denotes the act of surrendering to, or respecting others. Workaday, rational and progressive, sha-ranas were not literary elites, but came from every class, caste and trade. Some were outcastes, some semi-illiterate, others itinerant, and they bore names such as Madara Dhoolayya, Okkalu Madayya, Ambigara Chowdayya, Ayda-kki Lakamma and Soole Sakkavva, the prefix usually denoting their profession.

In a religious and theological envi-ronment where learning and knowledge were the preserve of ‘upper’ castes, the sharana movement was a remarkable breakthrough. It gave voice to everyone – potters, tanners, oarsmen, blacksmith, carpenters and prostitutes (soole).

Being called or addressed as sharana is the ultimate sign of respect among Lingayats. A seminal story in the Lin-gayat historiography pertains to an incident where Basaveshwara visits a cobbler named Haralayya in a settle-

ment of ‘untouchables’ in the town of Kalyana in north Karnataka (now called Basavakalyana). Haralayya politely greets Basavanna with the formal sal-utation ‘sharanu’, one who has surren-dered to God. Basavanna replies with a double salutation incorporating a dou-ble idiom: ‘sharanu sharanarthi’: (I wish) to surrender to the one who has surren-dered (to God).

Haralayya is so overwhelmed by the respect he receives from Basaveshwara that he and his wife decide to honour him with a beautiful pair of footwear from the skin of their own thighs, pain-ful as it might sound. They present it to Basaveshwara in a future encounter. But Basaveshwara trumps them again by putting the footwear on his head and telling them, ‘Only god can wear foot-wear made from the skin of sharanas.’

The nearly 800-year-old footwear is still largely intact and exhibited to this day at a shrine in Bijanall village in Sedam Taluka, of Karnataka’s Gulbarga district. Typical of such legends in India, no one has questioned how and why it has not decomposed. Faith is a power-ful tool.

This then is the story, possibly apoc-ryphal, that led Gauri to write the email – and several other musings about sha-rana – in the two years since Dhyan Sharana was born to Mary and me. She never called him Dhyan. It was always Sharana.

(Excerpted with permission from Illiberal India: Gauri Lankesh and the Age of Unreason by Chidanand Rajghatta, published by Westland under their imprint Context, in May 2018)

I AM GAURI LANKESHChidananda Rajghatta, in this reflection on his friend, fellow liberal and ex-wife, scripts the compelling story of the fierce Gauri Lankesh – her virtues and rigid principles that

ultimately snatched her life in today's 'age of unreason'; Excerpts:

Price: `499Publisher: Context/ Westland

The silence of the pitch dark room is only broken by the intermittent echoes of the audience's anxious breaths;

suddenly, the lights flick on and the curtain is raised off the stage – from complete darkness, you instantly have a vivid array of characters engaging your vision. In a similar vein,Yatrik, A Journey Into Theatrical Art will be remembered as the literary curtain-raiser on the post-Independence cul-tural extravaganza of the Capital. 

The 271-page book, written by Diwan Singh Bajeli and edited by Indu Ramchandani, Bhaskar Ghose, Sunit Tandon and Ranjit Mathur, is a refreshing insight into the nuances of Yatrik theatre. The author has been writing on theatre for four decades with reviews and interviews of emi-nent theatre and film personali-ties appearing in almost all leading publications.

Bajeli has scripted the story of Del-hi's Yatrik theatre – from its inception till its present-day. The chronologi-cally-developed story has emphasised on the group and its members. How-ever, the author, in this journey, never missed lending the readers insight into

the prevalent cultural scene which, in its own ways, motivated the members to stick on and continue with their effort of performing meaningful plays.

Bajeli summarised, "A group of travellers, yatris with a passion for the-atre, registered themselves as Yatrik in 1964 as a bilingual repertory company. The objective was to project the arts as a dynamic living force by provid-ing regular sustained performances of theatre and other arts. Having staged almost 300 plays both in India and abroad, held dramatic readings, and conducted several theatre workshops, Yatrik has established its unique pres-ence in the history of theatre as one

of the longest-existing theatre groups. Hundreds of performers have walked the stage under the Yatrik banner and shall continue to do so. This is the story of the journey in the words of the yatris." 

"At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom" – a well-known excerpt of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's speech. The freedom came but took a different path in post-colo-nial India. Delhi being the capital of the nation witnessed upheaval. While the state was the centre of attention for its policymaking, the subtle cul-tural revolution of Delhi was swept to the sidelines. The story of this cultural revolution was remembered in Bengal and Mumbai, but Bajeli tells us about the less-discussed Delhi theatres.

In the first chapter, Genesis of Yatrik, the authors discuss the birth of this group, a silent revolution in many ways. "After Independence, the cultural world of Delhi had begun to vibrate with new hope, vitality, and spirit of an experiment to evolve new forms of art and infuse them with modern sensitivity and indigenous idiom," writes the author.

From the second chapter till the end, the author discusses the history and evolution of the Yatrik theatre group. Across the chapters though, the author's thematic emphasis has remained unwaveringly committed

towards the substance of the group, the people who made its dreams reality.

It starts with Joy Michael, one of the founders of the group, as the author notes: "Yatrik is to Joy as Joy is to Yatrik." Michael produced more than 250 plays for Yatrik and portrayed wide-ranging characters. In the same way, the author described the work and contribution of other key peo-ple of the group including, Roshan Seth, Sai Paranjpye, Alyque Padamsee, Sushma Seth and others. 

Discussing a journey should lend equal primacy to the founders as to the adapters. The author has been very candid in this view. In the chapter Movers and Shakers, Bajeli discussed the "Gen-Next" of Yatrik. The young minds that run the group today are as relevant as the founders.

This book is not an advertorial of a theatre group, it is not about some people, it is not a mere history of some plays. This book is of dreams which started with a small team and then became history itself. This book is about the much neglected cultural timeline of the Capital alongside being a sharp presentation of the importance of theatre in the Indian milieu. Today,

when communication has become more electronic, the book reminds us how theatre has existed in India in its various forms through periods of rejection and adaptation. 

Yatrik, A Journey Into Theatrical Art, is a narrative that confluences cul-ture, dreams, performance and history.

Delhi’s curtain raisers The story of Yatrik theatre is an essential script on the often forgotten cultural revolution that had churned through the streets of our national capital, writes Sayantan Ghosh

Price: `695Publisher: Niyogi Books

12| KOLKATA|SUNDAY, 3 JUNE 2018|millenniumpost

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Routes

Travelling is the one thing that brings peace to my being – I ensure that we are on a vacation with family and friends at least a couple of times

every year. Sometimes it is extremely impor-tant to take a step back from daily routine to think of where one is headed. There is no bet-ter place to do this than to be in the embrace of nature. This time around, I am thrilled to tell you that I checked off one of the great-est adventures on my list. During the begin-ning of March, I embarked on one of the most exciting adventures of my life, trek-king in Leh Ladakh. In my company were Voygr Expedition and some dear friends from Entrepreneurs’ Organisation. We took up the challenge of the snow leopard expe-dition, keen to spot one. Despite them being territorial and shy, and the area being home to only nine of them, we were hopeful and determined.

Travelling is an activity that requires immense energy but somehow, this jour-ney seemed to be one that relaxed my soul. In fact, for all my co-travellers, it was a wel-come break from the chaos and monotony of our daily lives. While travelling together, we realised how much we had in common, just as a result of our love and appreciation for exploring the unexplored. The trip had beau-tiful views, wonderful paths and, of course, a sighting of the elusive snow leopard – but more than that, travelling is something that rejuvenates my body and mind. The sheer quiet, distance and isolation from everything we know is refreshing. The thought of a group of people, from different walks of life, com-ing together to be immersed in nature and the wild, is beautiful to me. In the begin-ning, I didn’t know what signing up for this trip would entail, I did not think about how extreme the trip would be. My only moti-vation was that I wanted to push myself to do something new. This adventure seemed perfect for it, and, of course, the possibility of sighting the snow leopard was extremely exciting for me. My journey looked a little like this:

We caught the morning flight to the Trans-Himalayan town of Leh. We spent the day at a pace that is slower than normal to properly acclimatise ourselves to the high altitude. The first day was easy and we were given much-needed info on how the next few days will pan out. On Day 2, we explored the beautiful monasteries of Thiksey and Matho

and visited the Siddhartha School in Stok. We set out for Hemis National Park with

an hour-long drive to Zingchen on Day 3. From there, the trek began with a walk to our camp, about an hour and a half away. We spent the daylight hours searching for the

elusive ghost of the mountains through bin-oculars or a spotting scope with the expert spotters; and, the evenings were spent around the kitchen fire, tucked into our ultra-warm sleeping bags. The next few days, we explored the Hemis National Park without expert spot-

ters on the lookout for wildlife such as the Argali (Great Tibetan Sheep), Bharal (Blue Sheep), Shapu (Ladakhi Urial), and the Snow Leopard. Our camps were moved depend-ing on our spotting success and intel reports of Snow Leopard spotting around the valley. Each day we were trekking for a few kilome-tres, as little as 2 km per day and as much as 8 km per day. Day 4 was the day we spotted a Snow Leopard! It was highly unlikely, and all of us were thoroughly excited. The 7th Day was the last of this adventure, so after a trek to Zingchen and a short drive to Leh, we had a day to rediscover the comforts of a hot shower. it was our free day to rest, relax and explore Leh. The next day, I made my way back to Delhi, ending this perfect, adventur-ous trip. The trip concluded on the 8th day, and though the leopard sighting was the highlight of the trip, the totality of my travel left me sat-isfied and happy.

It is not easy to sum up my experience in a few words. I still remember walking in extremely challenging terrains only to find out that the mischievous leopard has moved to a completely different territory, leaving us to follow his footprints. It was challenging and pushed all of us much beyond our com-fort zone, living without electricity, no wash-rooms, no access to hot water added to the challenges. But when I revisit the roaring sight of the mighty beast, it all makes sense – it feels that all that effort was completely worth it. 

Trekking Expedition

THE SNOW LEOPARD

Tracing the elusive Snow Leopard through the mountaineous trails of

Leh-Ladakh is among the most memorable adventures that mustn’t be

missed by a true travel connoisseur TEXT AND PHOTOS: PALLAVI MOHAN

TRACKING THE SNOW LEOPARDIf you’re planning on taking up this adventure, here are a few pointers to keep in mind to be fully prepared:

TWO DAYS IN LEH Don’t miss out the two days in Leh. It is essential to acclimatise yourself to the environment, so the sudden temperature change won’t shock your body.

GO WITH A GUIDE Especially if it’s the first time that you are trekking, it is best to travel with people who know the place and are familiar with the surroundings. This ensures you get the best sights and also remain safe.

CHECK AHEAD FOR TEMPERATURE AND CLIMATE This is something we should keep in mind whenever we travel. Check ahead for the climate, so you are well prepared

with warm clothes. Carry plenty of thermals, innerwear, socks (we needed three layers in Leh!).

TREKKING TOOLS If you are embarking on a trek, don’t forget to carry the essentials – mountaineering sunglasses, appropriate shoes, water pack, walking sticks.

EAT HEALTHY When you are trekking, your body needs extra nourishment to stay up and at it! Eat healthy, nutritious food to keep yourself going

TRAVEL LIGHT It is best to not carry too much stuff. You only need the above-mentioned items. Call ahead to inquire about all the items that will be provided so that you don’t carry extra items unnecessarily.

STORIES IN A FRAME

mp| 13millennium post | KOLKATA|SUNDAY, 3 JUNE 2018

Trending

Finish the proverb:

If you think _______ is expensive, try ______.

BRAIN DRAINSUDOKU WORD SEARCH

chuc

kles ALL IS COOL

One morning, my girlfriend left a note on my refrigerator saying:

“This is not working. Goodbye.”

I opened the fridge and it was working just fine.

SEND YOUR ORIGINAL SNAPS ALONG WITH YOUR NAME AND A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STORY BEHIND THEM TO mpsundaypost@gmail.com. IF WE LIKE THEM, WE'LL PUBLISH THEM!

ALERTAWAKEBLANKETBODYSUITBOOSTER SEATBOTTLEBOWLCAR SEATCARRIERCOLICCREAMCRIBCRYING DADDYDIAPERDROOLFEEDFORMULAGIGGLEGRINHIGHCHAIRHOODIEINFANTINNOCENTJUMPERLAUGH LULLABY

MILKMOBILEMOMMYMONITORNURSERYONESIEPACIFIERPARENTSPLAYPOWDERRASHRATTLE RUBBER DUCKSIPPY CUPSKIN CARESLEEPSMALLSMILESPOONSTROLLERSWINGTEDDY BEARTEETHERTIREDWIPES

PRIYA SARAIYA-SINGER

CANDID TALKCASTLE CAPITAL WALES

The castle capital of the world, Wales is gifted with more castles than any other country in the globe. Other than being a rich source of English and Welsh history, many of these old behemoths have a legacy of supernatural activities which makes them even more alluring and attractive.

What inspires you to continue singing?

My mother and my father. They’ve worked very hard to give me the best of training. They are my inspiration.

What are you currently working on?

I’m working on making a romantic single and writing one song for the upcoming film Arjun Patiala.

If you weren’t a singer, what would you be?

A psychiatrist or a painter

Who are your singing role models?

Shamshad Begum, Sunidhi Chauhan, John Mayer and Whitney Houston.

Tell us your favourite books.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and all Sydney Sheldon novels.

Your dream destination?

Switzerland

Describe yourself in three words..

Actually there is only one word: Simple.

Five things you cannot do without...

Family, music, friends, books and good food.

Your idea of an ideal weekend?

Cooking good food for friends and family.

Most overrated singer?

Not fair to name only one.

INGREDIENTSSugar syrup 10 mlGround cinnamon 1 gm

Lemon Juice 10 mlOrange juice

150 mlIce-cubes 6-8 METHOD

In  a cocktail shaker – mix it all  together. Pour any aerated energy drink. Top up with soda water and garnish with orange slice.(Courtesy: Achin Mittal, General Manager - Operations, PVR Director’s Cut)

SPICED SUNRISE COOL PINK WONDERUNIVERSAL JOY

METHODIn a cocktail shaker – muddle the mint leaves with a pinch of salt, fill it with ice. Add simple syrup and watermelon puree. Pour the drink into a glass. Top up with club soda and garnish with mint sprig.

(Courtesy: Achin Mittal, General

Manager - Operations, PVR Director’s Cut)

INGREDIENTSSalt a pinch

Simple syrup 15 ml

Watermelon puree 60 ml Fresh mint leaves 8-10Ice cubes

6-8

METHODMix all the

ingredients together. Pour into low-ball glass and garnish with orange slice. (Courtesy: Achin Mittal, General

Manager - Operations, PVR

Director’s Cut)

INGREDIENTSEarl grey tea de-concoctionOrange juice 30 mlLemon syrup 15 mlIce cubes 6-8

GA

STR

ON

OM

Y

14|

mpKOLKATA|SUNDAY, 3 JUNE 2018|millenniumpost

Great abundance will find its way into your life. Your plans will yield prosperi-

ty, providing a sense of security. You may be seeking to mani-fest new ideas, friends, vibrant health or love. These treasures will flow in your life. Open your arms to heaven to receive with gratitude that which you desire.

Aries (Mar 21–April 20)

Only fear is inter-fering with your happiness. Release any worry so that

you can feel safe and secure. You’re ready to let go of control issues and trust that everything ultimately works out for the best. You’re going in the right direction. You are lovable; allow yourself to receive love.

Taurus (April 21–May 21)

You are advised to love and respect yourself. There will be some situations

which can adversely affect your self-esteem. It’s time to honour yourself. Leave abusive situa-tions. Let go of behaviour that you know deep down aren’t healthy for you. Insist that others treat you with respect.

Gemini (May 22– June 21)

Whatever you’ve asked for will hap-pen this very soon. Your patience will

be rewarded. Release any wor-ry or dread so that you can feel safe and secure. You’re ready to let go of control issues and trust that everything ultimately works out for the best. You’re going in the right direction.

Cancer (June 22–July 22)

The angels remind you that prayer improves every situ-ation while worry-

ing does the opposite. God and angels intercede through prayer. Although your prayers may be answered differently from your expectations – you’re being heard. Be open to solutions that may be a little out of the box.

Leo (July 23–Aug 23)

Your angels want you to know that they are aware that things look difficult

right now. However, the situation is going to improve. It may take some time and there will most likely be hard work ahead of you. Continue to work towards a relationship where both indi-viduals are fulfilled, happy.

Virgo (Aug 24– Sept 23)

There’s an impor-tant feeling that you’ve been trying to ignore. Facing

this truth will be healing and will give you the direction you seek. You’ve tried to disregard your inner feelings because you’re worried about making life changes. Don’t compromise, leave all unhealthy situations.

Libra (Sept 24– Oct 23)

You’re an inde-pendent person, yet there are times when you need

support, and for you, that time is now. When you allow others to support you, you empower yourself. Ask God, His angels, family and friends for support and guidance. See a counsellor or talk to someone freely.

Scorpio (Oct 24–Nov 22)

Angels are protect-ing you and your loved ones. Relax. Your finances are

also being taken care of and business is being protected. It’s a safe time to travel. A loved one in heaven is happy and sending you love. Remember, worries are a form of prayer, so only pray for that which you desire.

Sagittarius (Nov 23–Dec21)

A very important relationship is about to enter or has recently entered

into your life. This is the romance you’ve been waiting for. Like all partnerships, there may be ups and downs but don’t let that shake your confidence. Have confidence that love is coming into your life to stay.

Capricorn ( Dec 22– Jan 20)

You’re on the right path. Keep a steady eye on your goals. Continually

visualise that you already have the career of your dreams. Any desire you have is viable, as long as you stay focused. Imagine that you have complete financial security while you de-vote yourself to your goal.

Aquarius (Jan 21–Feb 18)

Big changes are coming into your life. You may find yourself on a new

career path, entering a new relationship or moving to a new city. You may be required to take leaps of faith that seem frightening or beyond your abil-ity. Trust that the opportunities before you will bring happiness.

Pisces (Feb 19 –March 20)

You

shar

e you

r bir

thda

y with RAFAEL NADAL

Born on June 3, 1986, as Rafael “Rafa” Nadal Parera, in Manacor, Spain – Rafa is among the most celebrated professional tennis players, currently ranked as World No. 1 in men’s singles tennis by the Association of Tennis Professionals. He is also known as “The King of Clay” as he is widely regarded to be the greatest clay-court player in the history of the game. Nadal’s evolution into an all-court threat has established him firmly as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. From a very young age, he was passionate about sport and played both football and tennis. Soon, he would have to choose between the two. That’s when he decided to focus on tennis. In 2004, Rafa was a member of the Spanish National Team that won the Davis Cup. A year later, he estab-lished himself on the professional scene by winning Roland Garros, the first of his nine victories at the French Open. Until this day, he has won 14 Grand Slams, two Olympic gold medals and secured four Davis Cup victories with the National Team.

Why do earthworms come into drive-ways and sidewalks?

Earthworms come to the surface dur-ing rains (especially in the Spring), so they can move over land. The temporarily wet conditions give worms a chance to move

safely to new places. Since worms breathe through their skin, the skin must stay wet in order for the oxygen to pass through it. After rain or during high humidity are safe times for worms to move around without dehydrating. It is true that without oxy-gen worms will suffocate. But earthworms can survive for several weeks under water, providing there is sufficient oxygen in the water to support them. They surface as a response to high relative humidity after rain because they can move around safely without drying out.

 Who are the earthworm’s enemies?

The earthworm has many enemies, including mites, ants, centipedes, earwigs, nematodes, fly larvae, termites, springtails, sowbugs, snails, slugs, millipedes, spiders, birds, rats, mice, moles, gophers, toads and snakes.

 Why do cockroaches turn over when they die?

Their bulky bodies are composed of three heavy body segments which are only supported by six long, thin legs. As they die they lose muscle control, causing the leg muscles to contract. As a result, the legs are pulled beneath the body, causing them

to lose their balance and topple over onto their backs. This also explains why cock-roaches on the wall fall off when they get sprayed with insecticides.

Does head lice transfers from humans to animals?

Lice are species-specific, which means

there are different species of lice for each animal species that they depend on. Human lice need human blood to sur-vive; dog lice need dog blood and so on. Therefore, if your child comes home from school with a diagnosis of head lice, your dog, cat or other pets in the household are not at risk of catching the lice or hatching

eggs. Conversely, while lice are not com-mon in dogs and cats, the species of lice that live on dogs and cats are not able to live on humans.

Do worms have tongues?Worms do not have tongues. Certain

worms do have something in their mouth that they can poke out, like a tongue. It is called a “stylet” and it looks like a needle.Worms that eat plants pierce the outside of the plant with their stylet. They then use the stylet like a straw to suck out food from inside the plant. But the worm’s stylet isn’t actually a tongue.

One job of our tongue is to crush food when we are eating it. Inside our tongue is a set of muscles. These muscles let our tongue move food around in our mouth, pushing it up against the hard palate at the top of our mouth. Worms need to crush up their food. But instead of using a tongue, worms have muscles in their gut that do this.

Another important job of our tongue is to taste food. Our tongue is covered in tiny bumps which contain taste buds. Worms have taste buds  in special cells inside their mouth and other cells that are in their skin. As well as tasting, these cells also allow earthworms to smell. By sensing smells and tastes in the soil, worms can work out where they need to go to find food.

(Views expressed and information provided are personal. Send your ques-

tions to manekaanimallove@gmail.com)

Love and Light +91 7259025200 DEVINA SETHIA

Tarot ReadingInsight

Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, MP & Union Cabinet Minister, also an eminent animal rights activist and environmentalist, answers Millennium Post readers’ queries related to animal welfare issues

tails

Heads

The crawling invaders

Heartof the

Matter

Even a small tiny worm has elaborate organs in its body that assist it to locate food, taste it and also digest all particles efficiently – such are the mechanisms of our Universe

ROOPSHA DASGUUPTA RAY

I can’t accept my break up. I really love him for many years. What to do?

Ritu, KolkataAcceptance can only happen when

the subconscious mind makes sure that the event is irreversible. Most people who want to stop loving someone pre-vent themselves from accepting the fact that they can’t have him by doing the following:

Visualising the good old memories Keeping all the things that reminds them of him (text messages, e-mails, etc)

Never confront the person directly and keep the door open for hopeAll of these practices keep hope

present and, as a result, prevent accep-tance from happening. If you want to stop loving that person you should first

accept what happened by confront-ing him and making sure that he has no intentions to resume the relation-ship. The second thing you should do is deleting the mails, the text messages and removing everything that reminds you of him. Preventing yourself from thinking about him is another very important task, I know that some-times thoughts flow involuntary, but at least you can prevent these involuntary thoughts from growing bigger.

We had a love marriage but now we are divorced since 2010. At pres-ent, I’m seeing a woman for the past few months. I don’t know what is the future of this relationship.

Name not known We marry because we are in love,

and we fall in love with those who meet our most important requirement – emotional need. When the one we marry stops meeting those emotional need, we become vulnerable to others who are willing and able to meet them. If we let someone else meet our needs, we fall in love with that person, and an affair is off and running. Once an affair begins, it is like an addiction. The same emotional attachment that drew you and your spouse into marriage is

now directed to someone else. So, time shall say the future. Don’t worry, all will happen for the best. Enjoy your present with all your soul and heart.

I’m 23 and my parents insist on an arranged marriage next year. I’m just not sure about this ‘arranged marriage’. Can you suggest how to be sure?

Tanika, New Delhi It’s your life ultimately and the

choice is up to you. I don’t think you should enter an arranged marriage to keep your parents happy. It’s your life, not theirs. Whatever you decide to do, be guilt free. Know that assert-ing some independence does not make you a bad person and you shouldn’t let them make you feel otherwise, even if it means avoiding them. But you need to ask yourself one most important question – are you sure you’re ready for marriage? You shouldn’t get mar-ried to escape a situation because that

rarely ends with a happily ever after. Take time, find a man who touches your heart and then decide.

I love someone who is a compulsive flirt. He has relations with many. Many ‘close friends’ as he says. I still can’t get over this. I hope he will love me someday and realise my emotions.

R. Chatterjee, KolkataDon’t be hopeful that the music will

play and the prince will ride the white horse your way. He seems like a player, the one who keeps an excel sheet to maintain database of his ‘really close friends’! Suggest, you carry on your life and don’t expect much of this man. He looks like the sort who doesn’t know what he wants from his own love life! It’s good to hope, but sometimes that indeed is a hopeless exercise. It’s a gamble you are playing. Don’t hurt yourself, dear.

(Send your questions to roopshashotm@gmail.com)

ACCEPT YOUR FLAWS

You shouldn’t get married to escape a situation – that rarely ends in a happily ever after. Take time and find a partner who touches your heart and soul

It’s good to hope, but sometimes that indeed is a hopeless exercise. It’s a gamble you are playing

VS

mp| 15millennium post | KOLKATA|SUNDAY, 3 JUNE 2018

Game On

Much was at stake when the two heavy-weights of European football – Real Madrid and Liverpool – faced off in Europe’s most elite club competition

finale at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev on May 26. A seemingly mouth-watering clash

unfolded into a sombre night for Jürgen Klopp and his men while the Madrid camp rejoiced as Zinedine Zidane and his historic side clinched

their record-breaking third successive Cham-pions League title by toppling Liverpool who were hoping to lift the cup for the first time

since 2007.The finalists, under the supervision of

their respective managers, had reached the desired destination after show-casing some praiseworthy perfor-mances. Once the eagerly awaited

night arrived in Kiev, it also indis-putably culminated into a battle of wits as two of world foot-

ball’s most notable personali-ties – all but adept in their business, wielding their

footballing acumen to bring out the best of their immensely talented

squads – were pitted against one another. Klopp and Zidane

have also had two very disparate careers on their

way to the top – commin-gled with

the suc-cess they have

shared in the past few years at the helm of the top-flight clubs.

PLAYING CAREERZinedine Zidane was one of the most

gifted players of his time, well-known for his mesmerising control of the ball, a dazzling dribbler too and, not to mention, his unstoppable shots at the goal. The French playmaker was a popular figure at two of Europe’s greatest clubs – Juventus and Real Madrid. He won pretty much everything there is to win, including the 2002 Cham-pions League with Real by netting a memorable volleyed winner. Not to forget, his starring in the 3-0 triumph of the 1998 World Cup final over Brazil on home soil in which he scored a brace.

Jürgen Klopp began his 14-year career stint initially as a striker before turning into a defender at Mainz in the mid-nineties where he spent a large slice of his career. The German made 325 league appearances for Mainz during his tenure of 11 years there, scoring 52 times before retiring at the age of 34 to become the club’s manager.

MANAGERIAL CAREERZidane made a flying start to his managerial career.

A player well-acquainted with the pressure that ema-nates from representing Real Madrid, he smoothly made the transition into their coaching set-up. During Jose Mourinho’s spell at the club, he was a special advisor to him and then, became the manager of the Real Madrid Casilla – the B team – in the summer of 2014. However, it led to some controversies, as he didn’t have any concrete coaching qualifications. But, within the span of 18 months, he was appointed as Real Madrid’s manager, replacing Rafael Benitez.

Inundating his side with fresh and bold ideas, Real nota-bly pinned his first season by lifting the Champions League crown, defeating their city rivals Atletico on penalties in the Milan final. The season that followed was even more phe-nomenal as they went on to win the La Liga title, Fifa Club World Cup and, they also retained the Champions League title by thrashing Juventus in a 4-1 win to become the first team to retain the coveted trophy.

This success has lingered on to this season too, with the Los Blancos defeating PSG, Juventus and Bayern Munich to enter the finale and, yet again, retaining the illustrious cup – their 13th European glory.

Klopp kickstarted his coaching career at his principle club Mainz and led them to the Bundesliga for the first

time in 2004 and, notably, also guided them to the UEFA Cup the year earlier. Now, if bad times come to an end so do the good – they suffered relegation in 2007 but

his efforts did not go in vain when Borussia Dort-mund appointed Klopp as their manager in 2008. From then on, dawned the two seasons of notice-

able improvement and top-six finishes, enabling Klopp to win back to back titles in 2010-11and 2011-12.

Dortmund was then among the most thrilling teams to watch in Europe, his suc-cess was imprinted onto the European

scene as they reached the Champions League final in 2013, ultimately losing to bitter rivals Bayern Munich.

The German, being a popular figure at the club, announced he was to leave Dortmund at the end of the 2014-15 season and Liverpool moved to recruit him when Brendan Rodgers left the position vacant in October 2015. Upon arriving at the Merseyside club, Klopp infused a breath of fresh air around Anfield with Liverpool fans quickly establishing him in their hearts. He rewarded them with appearances in the League cup and the Europa League finals in his first season – though they lost both.

The energetic German has gradually revitalised Liver-pool into an attractive, attack-minded team that has taken the Champions League by sheer surprise.

MEDALS CHALKED OUTThe former France skipper twice won the Serie A with

Juventus and a La Liga with Real in the year 2003. Before this, the Spanish giants bagged the Champions League and they followed that up with the Intercontinental Cup. At the international scene, he inspired them to World Cup glory in 1998 and success in the European Championship in 2000.

Zinedine Zidane was also the winner of the Ballon d’Or in 1998 and was also named FIFA world player of the year three times – 1998, 2000, 2003.

His success as a coach has also been remarkable with three successive Champions League victories, back-to-back World Club wins and also the Spanish title.

As far as Klopp is concerned, in the context of medal collection, though he wasn’t a shining star as a player – all that changed for good when he took the position in the dugout. He won promotion with Mainz into the Bundesliga in 2004 and also claimed two Bundesliga titles with Dort-mund in 2010-11 and 2011-12 as well as the German Cup.

PLAYING STYLEUnder Zidane’s guidance, Real Madrid has under-

gone a scintillating transformation cemented on their traditional attacking football, particularly with his man-management skills both on and off the pitch. In regard to the defence, however, question marks still hover, consid-ering the goals Real had conceded in the Champions League games against Juventus and Bayern Munich.

With a galaxy of stars to choose from, the former Madrid midfielder has managed the big names of the club – Luka Modric, Cristiano Ronaldo, Toni Kroos – alongside the likes of upcoming heavy-weights Isco and Marco Asensio. Being a special player himself, Zidane knows exactly what is required to motivate individuals and fill them with confidence to derive the best out of them; and, this quality of his, in particu-lar, has allowed the Frenchman to connect well with the players from day one, all the while balancing a leadership role and understanding the needs of his team.

The charismatic Jürgen Klopp has brought with him to Liverpool his trademark style of high intensity – the ‘gegenpressing’ approach which also pervaded his for-mer club Borussia Dortmund during his spell there had proven to be influen-tial in its success. The former black-and-yellows boss has implemented the same ideology at the Mersey-side club and transformed Liv-erpool into a formidable team with the frightening trio of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and, of course, Mohammed Salah who have terrorised the opponents by mount-ing goals several times this season with their tremendous attack-ing display. He has also addressed the issues per-taining to the defence with the Janu-ary signing of Virgil Van Dijk.

UCL: KLOPP ZIDANE

Under Zidane’s guidance, Real Madrid has undergone a

scintillating transformation cemented on their

traditional attacking football

As their respective teams, Real Madrid and Liverpool kicked-off at Kiev – sitting anxiously at

the dugouts, Zinedine Zidane and Jürgen Klopp were fighting their own tactical battles, explores Daman Singh

Actor Kareena Kapoor Khan said that her Veere Di Wed-ding, which she has been promoting before its release,

is a progressive film.While interacting with reporters to

promote Veere Di Wedding, Kareena said, “People appreciated the trailer because this film’s language is very dif-ferent. It’s really a progressive film.” She further added that films like Dil Chahta Hai and Zindagi Na Milegi

Dobara have appeared on screens through the male’s outlook but

through this film, people will, for the first time, see a story through four female friend’s perspective.

Kareena said she enjoyed the script at the very first

time she read it.“This film has shown what happens

in the life of four childhood friends, very interestingly”

“When I first read the script, I enjoyed reading it. I felt excited and confident that people would like to see this kind of film,” she said.

When asked whether mak-ers of the film were trying follow the trend of female-oriented mov-ies, Bebo said: “This film has not tried to bring any kind of trend but I think after watching this film, people will have a changed mind-set.

It will also change the thought process of directors so they can tell a story of friendship and love through a female perspective also.”

Talking about story-line of the film, the Chameli actor said, “When we see four girls on screen, audi-

ence thinks that it is a chic flick and it will be about their clothes, shoes and bags but this film is not like that. I think that’s why producer decided not to position this film as a chic flick because it’s a story of four girls who are in different stages of marriage.”

“We have shown certain issues in the film which we have not addressed earlier,” she added.

When asked whether she could relate with her character in the movie, Kareena said: “My charac-ter, Kalindi, is commitment pho-bic but I am married and have a kid in real life, so I don’t think I could relate with her character in that way.” Veere Di Wedding is female buddy com-edy film, directed by Shashanka Ghosh.

The film is co-produced by Rhea Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor and Nikhil Dwivedi.

16|

mp

FilmKOLKATA|SUNDAY, 3 JUNE 2018|millenniumpost

There’s nothing creative about living within your means

-Francis Ford Coppola

From talk-ing about their desire for sex, to using cuss words to express the frus-

tration of their troublesome lives –Veere Di Wedding captures various facets of the lives of four urban working girls, and it seems to break the stereotypical image of an ideal Indian daughter.

Actors Swara Bhasker and Shikha Talsania, who are seen as two of the four friends along with Sonam Kapoor Ahuja and Kareena Kapoor Khan, believe that perhaps the film would help girls unveil their other side to their parents.

When the film’s trailer came out, orthodox minds took offence on how the women were being pro-jected on-screen – smoking, drinking and abusing. Considering how the Indian audience looks for aspirational characters in Bollywood films, will parents of middle-class families be able to deal with this image of young women?

Swara said, “I personally do not believe in the culture of silence that is so embedded in our mid-dle-class morality. I do not believe that not telling your parents about what is happening in your per-sonal life is a sign of respect. I think in my fam-ily, love and trust is the only thing that matters”. She further added, “So if I am going through something tough, my parents are the first people to know that”

Having said this, she mentioned that she also understands that talking about awkward things are ‘big no’ in the middle-class family.

But parents also should know that this is also one side of their daughter, especially if she is a working girl living in an urban city and leading a lifestyle of such. And they should love their daugh-ter the way they are.”

Shikha, who made her film debut with the

movie, said: “Even I come from a middle-class family but my equation with my parents might be different from oth-ers.” She thinks that we are receiving information through films, books, and social media and all of this is what is giving us awareness. But it is upon us how we interpret it.

She believes that by watching such an image of a girl on-screen, two kinds of things can happen – either it will break the barrier, where parents will get to know the side of their daughter that they otherwise do not discuss with each other, or they will watch it as slice of life, because they know that that is how their daughters are.

While Swara has played a girl named Sakshi who is on verge of getting divorced in the film, Shikha essayed Meera who is living a loveless mar-riage in the movie.

Talking about one incident, Swara said: “After the trailer released, one of the elderly gen-tlemen said that when he asked his daughter if she behaves and talks like that (shown in the film), she replied to him, ‘Yes dad, I do that... When you are not around’. I think that is the reality, we do not drink or smoke together with our parents in a middle-class family, but we all do in our own space. That is how our mind is conditioned.” AGENCIES

MOVING OVER CHICK FLICKS

Seeing four girls on screen, audience thinks that it is a chic flick and will be about their clothes and shoes but bebo believes that the movie has a lot more to it. It’s a story of 4 girls who are in different stages of marriage

‘Veere Di Wedding a progressive film’ When I first read the script, I enjoyed reading it. I

felt excited and confident that people would like to see this kind of film as it is an interesting portrayal of four childhood friends, their lives and problems

‘Veere... portrays changing image

of women’

Swara, who has always been vocal about societal issues, supports the idea of transparency between parents and children. She is happy on how the film has helped to break stereotypical image of ‘ideal’ Indian daughters