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VOL. 54 * NO. 161 * AHMEDABAD SUNDAY * 27/12/2020

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IND VS AUS
Day
1
Aus: 195/10
Ind: 36/1
News Brief
Israeli midnight
strikes in Syria kill
6 fighters
Damascus,
A total of six pro-gov-
ernment fighters were killed
during an Israeli airstrike
that targeted positions in
central Syriat, according to a
war monitor .
The Israeli missile strike
on Friday targeted the de-
fence factories where a sci-
entific research centre is lo-
cated in the city of Masyaf in
Hama province, Xinhua
news agency quoted the
UK-based Syrian Observa-
tory for Human Rights as
saying in a statement.
The Bwatchdog group
said the strike destroyed
weapon depots run by Ira-
nian fighters.
For its side, the Syrian
army said its air defences
had intercepted most of the
Israeli missiles that were
fired on Masyaf.
Throughout the Syrian
crisis, Israel has carried out
hundreds of airstrikes
against Syrian military sites,
including Iranian targets.
Brazil’s Covid-19
CMYK
To push for ‘one nation, one election’, BJP to hold 25 webinars
New Delhi,
To build consensus for
simultaneous elections in
the country, the Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) will
organise 25 webinars over
the coming weeks on the
merits of one nation, one
election, people aware of
the details said.Prime Minis-
ter Narendra Modi has
pushed for conducting si-
multaneous elections to the
Lok Sabha and the state as-
semblies over the last few
years on the ground that it
does away with the obstruc-
tion in carrying out develop-
ment work that is hampered
Farmers’ group seek resumption of
talks on Tuesday over new farm laws
New Delhi,
Farmers’ groups on Sat-
urday proposed to hold an-
other round of talks with the
Centre over the three farm
bills on Tuesday, listing the
demands they have out-
lined for the government
ahead of the discussions.
Farmers’ rights activist and
Swaraj India leader
Yogendra Yadav said that
the farmers are ready to
hold another set of discus-
sions at 11am on Tuesday.
“The first two points in
our agenda for talks are
modalities to repeal the
three farm laws and mecha-
nism and procedure to
bring a law for providing a
legal guarantee on MSP
(Minimum Support Price),”
Yadav was quoted as saying
by news agency ANI.
by the model code of con-
duct, imposed due to fre-
quent elections. To allow a
level playing field, during
the implementation of the
MCC, incumbent govern-
ments are forbidden from
making new announce-
ments of schemes and poli-
cies. The MCC, however,
does not prohibit the
completion of ongoing
work.
According to a senior
BJP leader, the webinars that
are aimed at creating aware-
ness about the benefits of
simultaneous elections will
be addressed by senior
ers is similar to what the
farmers have earlier de-
manded as they continue to
press the government to
withdraw the recently
passed laws. Though the
agitating farmers have de-
manded a legal guarantee
on minimum support price,
the Centre has on several
occasions assured the farm-
ers that the MSP system will
not be disturbed because of
the new laws. Prime Minis-
ter Narendra Modi on Satur-
day highlighted that the
MSP system will continue to
run while disbursing funds
to farmers under the PM-
KISAN scheme at a virtual
event on Friday.“The Oppo-
sition is misleading farmers
regarding MSP. If farmers
want to sell at MSP, they can
go to mandis. If they think
party leaders, and will be at-
tended by academics and
legal experts. Since coming
to power in 2014, PM Modi
has advocated simulta-
neous elections. Recently,
while addressing the con-
cluding session of the 80th
All India Presiding Officers
Conference, the PM pitched
for one nation, one election,
pointing out it is the need of
the hour as elections are
being held every few
months, impacting develop-
ment work.
“Elections are held at dif-
ferent places every few
months and the impact it
the freedom,” Modi had said
during the event. He also
highlighted that farmers will
continue to get assured
prices for their produce un-
der his government.
More muscle to IAF with at least 3
more Rafales flying-in next month
New Delhi,
The Indian Air Force’s
solitary Rafale squadron will
add more muscle with the
arrival of at least three more
fighter jets in January, a shot
in the arm for the IAF that is
grappling with a shortage of
combat planes, people fa-
miliar with developments
said on Saturday on the con-
dition of anonymity.
This batch of Rafale
has on development work is
known to all. Therefore, it is
a must to have deep study
and deliberation on‘one na-
tion, one election’, ” Modi
had said.
In 2016, the government
think tank, Niti Aayog in a
discussion paper,‘Analysis of
Simultaneous Elections: The
What, Why and How’, also
lent support to the idea of
simultaneous elections,
stating that frequent polls
change the focus of policy
making because “short-
sighted populist” and“politi-
cally safe” measures are ac-
corded higher priority over
difficult structural reforms.
Instead of holding elec-
tions in two to five states
every year, the report pro-
posed elections in two
cycles with an interregnum
of 30 months: 14 states to go
to polls along with that of
the Lok Sabha in one phase
and the remaining states in
the next cycle two-and-a- Union Home minister Amit Shah addressing a public meeting after laying the
foundation of a Medical college and Law collages at Amingaon,in Kamrup District.
half years later.
Xi Jinping sending team to
stop the Nepal party split
origin aircraft to the air force, batch of the IAF’s three New Delhi,
which has ordered a total of Rafale fighter jets had China’s President Xi Jinping has ordered a high-level
36 warplanes (equivalent of reached the Jamnagar team of communist party officials to travel to Kathmandu
two squadrons) at a cost of airbase in Gujarat from to stop the Nepal Communist Party from splitting. Presi-
Rs 59,000 crore. France in early November dent Xi’s decision to rush the four-member team to
“At least three Rafale jets before they flew to their Kathmandu comes after an SOS message from ambassa-
will arrive in India next homebase in Ambala. The dor Hou Yanqi who hadn’t succeeded in her attempts to
month. The dates are still first batch of five Rafale jets stop the key players in the Nepal Communist Party (NCP)
being worked out. The of the 36 ordered by the IAF from pulling the party in different directions, people famil-
planes will be flown to reached the Ambala airbase iar with the matter said.
Jamnagar from France with- on July 29 after a stopover The team led by Guo Yechau, vice minister of the Inter-
out a stopover on the way. at the Al Dhafra airbase near national Department of the Central Committee of the Com-
Refuelling support will be Abu Dhabi, although a for- munist Party of China, will land in Kathmandu on Sunday

half of the protesting farm-
death toll tops
190,000
Brasilia,
Brazil’s coronavirus
death toll has increased to
190,488 after 482 more pa-
tients died due to the dis-
ease in the last 24 hours, ac-
cording to the Ministry of
Health.
Besides the new fatali-
ties, the country on Friday
also detected 22,967 new
cases, raising the nation-
wide infection tally to
7,448,560, Xinhua news
agency reported.
Currently, the South
American nation accounts
for the world’s second high-
est Covid-19 death toll, sec-
ond only to the US, and the
third largest caseload, after
the US and India Brazil has a
Covid-19 mortality rate of 91
deaths per 100,000 inhabit-
ants, and its case rate stands
at 3,544 per 100,000 inhab-
itants. Meanwhile, 13 of
Brazil’s 27 states are witness-
ing recent resurgences.
Yadav’s proposal on be- they are getting a price from fighters will be the third set provided by Indian and
private traders, they have of deliveries of the French- French tankers,” the people
said.The jets were ordered
from France in September
2016 under a government-
to-government deal. The
delivery of the three jets in
January will take the num-
ber of Rafales in the IAF’s in-
ventory to 11. The second
Indian security agencies concerned
about increased Turkish influence in J&K
New Delhi.
Taking his anti-India
stance on Jammu and
Kashmir (J&K) matter a
notch further, Turkey Presi-
dent Recep Tayyip Erdogan
is raising his efforts to influ-
ence the issue.
Many Turkey-based Is-
Farmers raising slogans in protest against the Farm Laws at Singhu border, in
Delhi. lamist charity organisations
and Turkish NGOs have
launched a blitzkrieg in
Jammu and Kashmir, espe-
Finance ministry allows Rajasthan to borrow Rs cially after the abrogation
of Article 370. Their activi-
mal induction ceremony
took place later on Septem-
ber 10. The arrival of more
fighters will further boost
the IAF’s capability to rap-
idly deploy the advanced
jets in the Ladakh theatre
amid military tensions with
China, as previously re-
ported by Hindustan Times.
“One of the most
prominent and powerful
Turkey-based NGO, which
has a worldwide presence
and most of its units are lo-
cated abroad, was found to
be indulging in anti-India
activities. During last
Ramadan,the organisation
distributed food and
money in the form of zakat
in J&K. It also organised a
charity programme on Eid.
Organisation's unit in Ger-
many also conducted char-
ity for Kashmir and ex-
and is scheduled to spend the next four days in the Hima-
layan nation.
According to sources based in Kathmandu, Ambassa-
dor Hou has already scheduled their meetings with promi-
nent players in Nepal’s ruling party from both sides. It is,
however, not clear yet if Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, who
had earlier turned down requests from Ambassador Hou
to meet her, would meet the Chinese delegation. Chances
of PM Oli, who has taken a staunch Nepali nationalist role,
meeting the visiting delegation are slim.
separatist elements” said a NGOs controlled by
senior officer deployed in Diyanet and has been
the Central security estab- tasked with promoting
lishment. Erdogan’s geopolitical
Observers of Islamist agenda. The IDSB also is-
charity organisations be- sued a statement criticizing
lieve that the NGO has been India’s move to abrogate
floated by Turkey's Reli- Article 370 and termed it a
gious Directorate, Diyanet ‘threat to global peace and
— an organization aggres- stability’. It has also pulled
sively promoting Erdogan’s in a number of Indian Is-
religious agenda. The lamic NGOs in its fold,
organisation is also a mem- thereby working to subvert
ber of the Union of NGOs of
Islamic World — IDSB.
and converge entities for
furthering Erdogan's inter-
The IDSB is an umbrella ests in India, along with the

Russia thwarts
bomb attack in city
of Tambov
Moscow,
The Russian Federal Se-
curity Service (FSB) said it
has detained a teenager
plotting a bomb attack in a
building in the city of
Tambov. Explosives and
other components used in
the making of an impro-
vised explosive device as
well as instructions for its as-
sembly were seized from
the suspect’s rented apart-
ment, the FSB said in a state-
ment on Friday, Xinhua news
agency reported on Satur-
day. According to another
statement released by the
Russian Investigative Com-
mittee, the suspect, 17,
planned to use an impro-
vised explosive device to
commit a terror act in one of
the city’s buildings.The com-
mittee has opened a criminal
case against the offender.
4 injured in Berlin
shooting
Berlin,
At least four people
were injured in a shooting
incident in the German capi-
tal city of Berlin on Saturday,
local media reported.
Local news outlets cited
police sources as saying that
the incident occurred in the
Kreuzberg district, reports
Xinhua news agency It is
currently unclear who fired
the shots. More details on
the incident were awaited.
—IANS
2,731 cr more post ease of doing business reform
New Delhi,
The Finance Ministry on
Saturday said it has permit-
ted Rajasthan to borrow an
additional Rs 2,731 crore af-
ter the state successfully
undertook ease of doing
business reforms.
Rajasthan has now
joined the five other states
namely, Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,
Tamil Nadu and Telangana,
which have completed the
reform facilitating ease of
doing business to be eli-
gible for additional borrow-
40 companies of central paramilitary
forces to be deployed for Kumbh
will be received on February Har ki Pairi ghat should be
New Delhi,
Forty companies of cen-
tral paramilitary forces will
be deployed for the Kumbh
Mela starting here next
month, a senior police offi-
cial said.
The Centre has given its
approval for the deploy-
ment of 40 companies of
paramilitary forces, includ-
ing seven companies each
of the Sashastra Seema Bal
(SSB) and the Central Indus-
trial Security Force (CISF), six
of the Indo-Tibetan Border
Police (ITBP), 10 each of the
Border Security Force (BSF)
and the Central Reserve Po-
lice Force (CRPF), for the
mela, Inspector General (IG)
of Police (Kumbh Mela)
Sanjay Gunjyal said.Five
companies of the central
paramilitary forces will ar-
rive on January 1. The next
batch of seven companies
ing. These six states have
been granted additional
borrowing permission of Rs
19,459 crore.“Thus, the state
(Rajasthan) has become eli-
gible to mobilise additional
financial resources of Rs
2,731 crore through open
market borrowings. Permis-
sion for the same was issued
by the Department of Ex-
penditure on December 24,”
the ministry said in a state-
ment. The ease of doing
business is an important in-
dicator of the investment
friendly business climate in
1, Gunjyal said.
On the main bathing
days or ‘Shahi Snan’ days,
twelve-fourteen companies
of the central paramilitary
forces will be deployed in
the mela area, the IG said.
Besides these, he said,
the Centre is also sending
NSG commandos, snipers
and bomb disposal squads
with anti-sabotage sniffer
dogs on the state
government’s request.
Gunjyal also attended a
seminar with Ganga Sabha
representatives to review
the preparations for Kumbh
and invited suggestions
from them on how to im-
prove the arrangements,
calling them one of the prin-
cipal stakeholders in the
organisation of the event.
Ganga Sabha president
Pradeep Jha suggested that
ties intensified in the Union
Territory during Ramadan. tended its support for the organisation of Islamist world.
the country. The govern-
ment had in May decided to New strain of
link grant of additional bor-
rowing permissions to
coronavirus
detected in 8
MNS workers allegedly vandalise
states who undertake the
reforms to facilitate ease of
doing business. The reforms European nations
Geneva: The new
Amazon warehouse in Pune
stipulated in this category Pune, on adding Marathi lan- Maharashtra,” said MNS
include completion of first strain of the coronavirus
has been detected in eight An FIR (First Information guage on Amazon’s worker Amit Jagtap, who
assessment of ‘District Level Report) has been registered website. was allegedly leading the
Business Reform Action European countries, the re-
gional director of WHO Eu- on Friday allegedly against “The notice sent to Raj group which vandalised the
Plan’, elimination of the re- 8 to 10 Maharashtra Thackeray by Amazon yes- godown. The e-commerce
quirements of renewal of rope said, adding that the
World Health Organisation Navnirman Sena (MNS) terday (Thursday) is illegal. If company had approached
registration certificates/ap- workers for vandalising one has to do business in Dindoshi court in the city
provals/licences obtained ( WHO) is continuing to
monitor the situation. Amazon’s Godown in Pune, Maharashtra they must pro- after which a notice was is-
by businesses under various police said. vide an option in Marathi sued to MNS chief Raj
Acts. While stressing the need
to boost the protective MNS workers allegedly language and if they don’t Thackeray directing him to
measures, Hans Kluge, vandalised godown of Ama- do it in future as well....then appear in court on January
the way this (Amazon’s 5. MNS had recently written
WHO`s Regional Director
for Europe said the new
zon based warehouse in
Pune’s Kondhwa over notice
sent by Mumbai court to Raj
godown)
vandalised
has been
similarly
a letter to Amazon chief ask-
ing him to include Marathi
strain seems to be spread-
ing among younger age
groups, unlike the previ-
Thackeray asking him to re-
main present in court on
Maharashtra Navnirman
Sena will not let their shops,
language as an option on
their website for
January 5 over controversy vehicles operate in Maharashtra customers.
declared a shoe-free zone ous strains WHO is con-
during the event.Devotees tinuing to monitor and will
staying at hotels and provide updates," Hans
dharmashalas during the Kluge tweeted.The variant
event should by asked by also seems to be spread-
their managements to visit ing among younger age
Har ki Pairi without their groups, unlike previous
shoes on, he said. strains.
RLP pulls out of NDA
New Delhi,
After Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Rashtriya Loktantric
Party (RLP) chief Hanuman Beniwal also walked out of Na-
tional Democratic Alliance on Saturday. While addressing
farmers’ rally in Shahjahanpur in Rajasthan’s Alwar district,
Beniwal said, “Bye-bye. We are quitting NDA. Nothing is
above the pride of farmers in the country.”State Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Mukesh Pareekh said that
Beniwal’s party is an independent party and a one man’s
unit. “Just because of him, the BJP left the parliamentary
seat from Nagaur and helped him in winning the election,”
he said.Earlier, he had supported the agri laws but now just
People pouring milk at sea to pay tribute to Tsunami victims to mark 16th anni-
to gain political mileage he had quit the alliance,” Pareekh versary at Marina Beach, in Chennai.
added.

Social Media Pakistan 0345-6738217 CMYK

2
From
AHMEDABAD SUNDAY 27/12/2020
Editorial India to revamp federal
Editor’s anti-drug agency, 3,689
Desk new posts to be created
New Delhi,
The Indian government is planning to revamp its
federal drug law enforcement and intelligence
agency - Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) — with cre-
ation of 3,689 new posts, canine squads, cyber and
intelligence units and creation of a dedicated pros-

Conversations
ecution wing for the organisation.
The proposal aims at redesigning the governance
architecture of NCB, its capacity of investigation and
intelligence and making it more professional and ef-

with Time
fective. The bureau comes under Ministry of Home
Affairs and is currently headed by 1984-batch IPS of-
ficer Rakesh Asthana.
The government has planned to create 3,689
posts in various grades up to level-15, thereby rais-
Shamsur Rahman Faruqi spent a ing the strength of NCB from existing 1,107 to 4,751.
lifetime in conversation with Urdu There is also plan to create four new regional offices,
thus raising the number of regional offices from ex-
poets and poetry, and reclaiming its isting three to seven.
Creation of 17 new zonal offices and upgrading
modernist spirit. all existing 12 sub-zonal offices into zonal offices
Shamsur Rahman Faruqi rejected, like the char- thereby raising the number of field offices to 42, in-
acter from his majestic novel, Kai Chand thé Sar-e cluding 13 existing regional offices, has also been
Aasman (2006),“the notion that the past is a foreign planned.
country and strangers who visit there cannot com- There are plans to set up a dedicated prosecution
prehend its language”. His lifetime’s work, as a poet, wing to provide for in-house expertise for legal ad-
critic, translator and theorist of Urdu literature, was vice and taking up all cases filed under Narcotic Drugs
spent in conversation with this rich terrain, especially and Psychotropic Substances Act, a Canine Wing to
the culture of poetry that flourished in 18th and 19th identify drugs and Drug Intelligence Unit.
century Delhi, and to recall and reincarnate a lost Setting up of a Cyber Technical Cell is also planned
age of eloquence for a contemporary Indian audi- to tackle the challenges arising out of modern tech-
ence. In his death on Friday, the world loses one of nological methods used by drug traffickers.
the last great writers of Urdu, a language birthed in A Turkish Airlines plane, carrying evacuated passengers from United Kingdom, arrives at Istanbul Airport, Turkey.
the mash-up and synthesis of subcontinental cul-
tures.
Faruqi took the Urdu literary establishment by
storm in the late 1960s with a literary journal,
Shabkhoon, that was as uncompromisingly high-
brow as it was irreverent. He sought to wean away
literary criticism from ideas of social purpose and
themes to a tough-minded modernist consideration
of form and structure, much like T S Eliot did in his
MP cabinet’s nod for Bill against ‘love jihad’
Bhopal, Minister, the “MP Religious be able to indulge in abet- there would be a fine of Rs It has been decided in that those voluntarily con-
expositions on Elizabethan poetry. Nearly a quarter The Shivraj Singh Freedom Bill- 2020” was ment or conspire to carry 50,000 and a jail sentence the bill that after religious verting to other religions
of a century’s work went into a four-volume exege- Chouhan cabinet on Satur- passed by a voice vote. forceful religious conver- of three to 10 years would conversion, the child born to would have to give informa-
sis on the life and works of Mir, freeing his works day approved the “Madhya Strict provisions have sions. be imposed for indulging in the couple would inherit the tion to the District Magis-
from limiting, moral analysis. But if he was a connois- Pradesh Religious Freedom been made in this law to As per this Anti-Conver- religious conversions se- property of the father and trate 60 days in advance.
seur of literary excellence, he was also a translator Bill-2020 to check the rising prevent forceful religious sion law, a provision has cretly. the wife and the child would Failure to provide the cor-
of pulp detective novels of Ibn-e-Safi, and a late con- cases of “love jihad” in the conversions. According to been made that in violation As per the Bill passed in have the right to claim rect information would lead
vert to the adventures of the medieval oral romance state. this law, it is considered un- of the prescribed provisions, the state cabinet, indulging maintenance. Along with to a jail sentence of three to
Dastan-e Amir Hamza, on which he ended up writ- The Bill will be intro- lawful for any person to lure, a person would be punished in collective religious con- this strict action would be five years and a fine of Rs
ing a multi-volume analysis. duced in the upcoming As- threaten and indulge in with rigorous imprisonment version of two or more taken against those associ- 50,000.
Faruqi came to fiction late — first through a col- sembly session, and once forceful religious conver- of one to five years and pay people it would amount to ated with running an This Anti-Conversion Bill
lection of stories on Urdu poets, and, then, through passed will become a law. sions. a fine of Rs 25,000. punishment with rigorous organisation aiding reli- passed in the state cabinet
his magnum opus, Kai Chand, which he translated Under this law, there is a State Home Minister At the same time, for the imprisonment of five to 10 gious conversions and would be tabled in the up-
into English in 2013 as The Mirror of Beauty. The provision of awarding a Narottam Mishra said no forceful religious conver- years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh. people associated with such coming session of the state
novel plucks the story of Wazir Khanum, an uncon- maximum of 10 years im- person shall directly or oth- sion of a woman, minor, On the other hand, the of- organisations, and there is a Legislative Assembly start-
ventional 19th century woman, from the footnotes prisonment and a penalty of erwise attempt to convert or Scheduled Castes (SC) and fence related to forceful re- provision of jail imprison- ing from December 28. The
of history to create a heroine of erotic power. It is, Rs 1 lakh for forceful conver- convert to another religion Scheduled Tribes (ST), a rig- ligious conversions would ment and fines against the MP Religious Freedom Act,
also, a celebration of a poetry that is inseparable sion of any person under the in the name of inducement, orous punishment ranging be cognizable and non-bail- accused person. 1968 would be repealed as
from the business of daily life, and a Delhi that is a pretext of marriage. threat, force, influence, un- from two years up to 10 able, the cases of such reli- Words such as love jihad soon as the MP Religious
baitul-mamur, a teeming house of beauty and According to official in- der the pretext of marriage years and a fine of Rs 50,000 gious conversions would be are not mentioned in the Freedom Act, 2020 comes
bawdy, love and betrayal. It is a plenitude that is also formation, in the cabinet or in any other fraudulent would be imposed on the heard in the Sessions Court anti-conversion bill. How- into effect.
the legacy of Faruqi. meeting chaired by Chief manner. No person would accused. Along with this, only. ever, it has been decided —IANS

Ashley Lobo recounts 2020’s

best dance moments
By Siddhi Jain
Reading amid the pandemic: Books and authors in 2020
By Vikas Datta
New Delhi,
In a roller-coaster year when nothing went as planned, With a microscopic or-
creative souls and artists all over the world dealt with the ganism upending life as we
pandemic in unique ways. Barcelona’s Liceu Opera opened know it, the realm of books
in June with plants as an audience. Doctors and nurses was among the few which
battled the pandemic blues by dancing in PPE suits. People held its own, operating near
organised balcony concerts in Spain and Italy. normally in this tumultuous
Closer home, Indian-Australian choreographer, dancer, year. The flow of new titles,
and educator Ashley Lobo learnt to reframe movement in across all genres, continued
contained spaces during the lockdown. He says,”This year unabated and provided
more than any other has taught me to look for silver lin- readers a safe haven for a
ings in dark clouds. It was inspiring also to see how danc- troubled psyche. For avid
ers globally expressed themselves during this difficult readers, confined to homes
time.” and deprived of opportuni-
Lobo, who was off to a positive start in January 2020 ties of external sources of lei-
with an invitation to the prestigious Landestheater, Aus- sure, it was a dream oppor-
tria to recreate the magic with world-class ballet dancers tunity to work through
in 2021, took to teaching online and designing new rou- pending piles and acquire
tines and choreographies as the lockdown kicked in. fresh material.
What can be more life-affirming than the example of But amid the host of au-
Kamal Singh, the young son of a rickshaw driver in Delhi tobiographies and biogra-
who discovered ballet and became the first Indian to be phies, examinations of politi-
accepted into the prestigious English National Ballet School cal partisanship - and their
in London? This a story of the power of dreams and miracles social effects, new looks at
at a time when so many of us felt browbeaten by the pan- history and more as well as a
demic. On sheer merit, he got a full scholarship in a ballet wide array of fiction for all
school in Delhi and is now on his way to be an international tastes and moods, the worst
ballet dancer. When Astad Deboo paid a tribute to migrant health crisis the world faced
labourers Late contemporary dancer and choreographer in over a century found its
Astad Deboo was considered to be an institution by many own niche.
generations of artistes. Says Ashley, “He was an inspiration While there is no short-
to so many of us and a pioneer in so many ways. It is hard age of books on coronavirus,
to believe that he is gone but his whole life is an affirma- some representative ones
tion of art’s triumph over adversity. Just a few months be- could include physician and
fore he passed, he choreographed a piece called ‘Bound- evolutionary biologist Frank
aries’ in Mumbai while his dancers recorded it in Delhi as a Ryan’s “Virusphere: Ebola,
tribute to migrant workers. He was 73 and danced till the AIDS, Influenza and the Hid-
very end. If that is not inspiring, I don’t know what is.” den World of the Virus”,which
explains why epidemics are
inevitable and their benefits,
science journalist Sonia
Shah’s “Pandemic” about the
interplay of history, politics
and science in tackling the
scourge of disease, and John
Barry’s “The Great Influenza :
The Story of the Deadliest
Pandemic in History”, which
not only chronicles how the
Spanish flu of 1918-20 dev-
astated a world already laid
low by years of war, revolu-
tions and other upheavals,
but also shows how the po-
litical handling is as impor-
tant as the medical mea-
sures.
A contemporary look at
this aspect can be found in
legendary journalist Bob
Woodward’s “Rage”, his sec-
ond book on the maverick
presidency of Donald Trump.
An Indian perspective is
provided by “The
Coronavirus: What you Need
to Know about the Global
Pandemic” by Dr Swapneil
Parikh and Maherra Desai,
and“Till We Win: India’s Fight
Against The Covid-19 Pan-
demic”by by Dr Chandrakant
Lahariya, Dr Gagandeep
Kang, and AIIMS Director Dr
Randeep Guleria.
But with the virus mutat-
ing into new variations and
universal vaccination still a
long way off, the last word on
coronavirus is still to be said.
But some signposts can be
found in Fareed Zakaria’s “10
Lessons for the Post-Pan-
demic World”and the prolific
Kiran Manral’s “Raising Kids
with Hope and Wonder in
Times of a Pandemic and Cli-
mate Change”
The coveted Nobel Prize
for Literature was won by
American poet Louise Gluck,
who draws on classical my-
thology, family life and na-
ture in her precise and spare
rendition of certain trau-
matic facets of the human
conditions such as pain and
loss — both personal and
public — but also longing
and self-realisation, while the
Booker went to debutant
Scottish-American writer
Douglas Stuart’s “Shuggie
Bain”, a semi-autobiographi-
cal story of a young boy
maintaining a fraught rela-
tionship with his alcoholic
mother.
The world of literature
was also left poorer with a
galaxy of veterans bidding
adieu including controversial
English philosopher and
writer Roger Scruton, 75, Brit-
ish academician Christopher
Tolkien, 95, the son of the
great fantasy novelist J.R.R.
Tolkien and the one who
drew the maps for “The Lord
of the Rings”, American
“Queen of Suspense” Mary
Higgins Clark, 92, Clive
Cussler, 88, known for the
“Dirk Pitt” series of marine
adventures, Urdu poet Rahat
Indori, 70, Hindi poet
Manglesh Dabral, 72, Soviet/
Russian writer and satirist
Mikhail Zhvanetsky, 86, Brit-
ish spy novelist John le Carre,
89, and Urdu author and lit-
erary critic Shamsur Rahman
Faruqi, 85, known for his pen-
etrating analysis of the po-
etry of Mir Taqi Mir.
Some of the year’s no-
table offerings included
former US President Barack
Obama’s “A Promised Land”,
an account of his eventful
first term, J.K. Rowling’s non-
Harry Potter world “The
Ickabog”, a cautionary fairy
tale about inept leadership
and demonisation of the‘en-
emy’, Hari Kunzuru’s“The Red
Pill” and the irrepressible
Moni Mohsin’s “The Impec-
cable Integrity of Ruby R”,but
there was much more.
While it is virtually im-
possible to make a list of
books that could even ap-
proach a representative sec-
tion let satisfy each palate,
some suggestions/recom-
mendations in various
genres can be attempted.
In non-fiction, there is
astrophysicist Janna Levin’s
“Black Hole Survival Guide”,
which not only seeks to
demystify one of most per-
plexing celestial objects, but
also shows the unflattering
role of humans in the cos-
mos, Tim Harford’s “How to
Make the World Add Up: Ten
Rules for Thinking Differently
About Numbers”, an engag-
ing guide to avoid getting
bamboozled by statistics,
and Michiko Kakutani’s “Ex
Libris”, a personalised intro-
duction to 100 key books, old
and new, for those without
inclination/opportunity to
read the originals in full.
On the humanities side,
Richard Eaton’s “India in the
Persianate Age: 1000-1765”
seeks to show how the
country’s pre-colonial his-
tory was not a binary con-
struct as long politically
propagated, Anne
Appelbaum’s self-explana-
tory but disturbing“Twilight
of Democracy: The Failure of
Politics and the Parting of
Friends”, and the very vital
“Bad News: Why We Fall for
Fake News” by Rob
Brotherton, who’s earlier
“Suspicious Minds” ex-
plained why conspiracy
theories have a receptive au-
dience.
In fiction, consider Curtis
Sittenfeld’s “Rodham: What if
Hillary hadn’t married Bill?”
exploring this tantalising
premise, Mieko Kawakami’s
“Breasts and Eggs”, an ac-
count of the female life expe-
rience (and commodification
thereof) , and former ISI chief
Lt Gen Asad Durrani’s
“Honour Among Spies”,
about the dangers of asking
inconvenient questions
about issues the establish-
ment would prefer to be for-
gotten.
For aficionados of
whodunnits, two authors
take them to places which
were long ripe for the genre
- Mark McCrum in “The Fes-
tival Murders” (literary festi-
vals) and Kiran Manral in
“The Kitty Party Murder”. For
a rarely-invoked locale,
there is Sujata C. Sabnis’
“Blood on the Sands”, set in
Kutch.
If Rick Riordan, whose fi-
nale to “Trials of Apollo” se-
ries came out or even
Roshani Chokshi’s Aru Shah
series (third out now) are
not to your taste, Anuja
Chandramouli, who has a
penchant for a lyrical but
contemporary refashioning
of Indian mythology, had
“Mohini:The Enchantress”.
We can only hope that 2021
is as abundant. —IANS

We need a new focus on talent, enable

data and bandwidth: Chandrasekaran
NEW DELHI,
Mr N Chandrasekaran,
Chairman, Tata Group said
that the impact of COVID on
innovation has been all-per-
vasive and models of work-
ing from home are making
all companies rethink the
future of work.
Addressing a session
on Inspired India: A Business
Leader’s Perspective, during
FICCI’s 93rd Annual General
Meeting, Mr
Chandrasekaran said, “My
roots that are embedded in
technology make me see
the COVID pandemic and its
impact on India in a very
positive frame of mind. The
2020s belong to India.”
Elaborating further, Mr
Chandrasekaran said that
self-evident trends- ad-
vancement of digital data by
almost a decade during the
pandemic; decoupling of
China on the United States
that signifies that countries
and companies will need to
de-risk and balance their
supply chains on a market-
ing basis for the future, for-
tify this belief.
“In all these trends I see
tremendous, limitless op-
portunities in India. We have
often struggled to grow
manufacturing as a percent-
age of our GDP. We usually
highlight issues like power,
logistics, and labour. We
have pointed out high-inter-
est rates and have also un-
der stood regulatory over
reach and interference,” he
said.
But in the future, if we
put this behind us and as an
industry start acting by vi-
sionary scale, we will be-
come a pivot to the new
world order. We need a new
focus on talent, enable data
and bandwidth and we
need to be a part of the new
regulatory standards, Mr
Chandrasekaran added.
We need to also
reimagine the whole tech-
nology blueprint nation-
wide. To do this it is vital that
technologies like Robotics
and AI become part of the
mainstay of manufacturing.
We need to recognize the
fact that tech manufactur-
ing and energy are converg-
ing in the creation of new
platforms, on new ecosys-
tems, he said.
Mr Chandrasekaran fur-
ther stated that if India’s first
plank for the 21st century’s
growth is digital; the second
plank is the new approach
to global poly-chains. India’s
strength is our North East-
ern talent pool and we can
leverage this to become a
key player in global value
chains. The third plank for
India is environmental resil-
ience. Within two decades
nearly 20 new energy
sources could likely be pow-
ering the global economy.
Energy efficiency in mobil-
ity, solar manufacturing, and
rethinking our food supply
chain or areas to focus on as
we emerge from the pan-
demic. Mr Uday Shankar,
President-Elect, FICCI said
that FICCI’s Annual Conven-
tion is taking place at a cru-
cial time.While on one hand,
we must keep going while
facing the challenges, we
need to also encash oppor-
tunities to show courage
and leadership at the global
level to put brand India at
new heights. “We should
look at the models of invest-
ments,” he said. Mr Sanjiv
Mehta, Vice President, FICCI
said that it is now the right
opportunity to dream about
a new India and an inspired
India.
Pak’s dangerous double game exposed
By Ateet Sharma
New Delhi,
Kabul has once again
exposed Islamabads double
standards on playing a
peacemaker in Afghan con-
flict by severely condemn-
ing the presence of Taliban
fighters on Pakistani soil.The
emergence of recent video
footage disclosing the exist-
ence of all Taliban leaders in
Pakistan has shocked the
Afghan government which
was expecting Pakistani PM
Imran Khan to play a con-
structive role towards
achieving its goal of ending
the decades long violence
in the country through the
Afghan-Taliban peace talks.
A delegation of the
Taliban Political Commis-
sion had visited Pakistan at
the invitation of the Imran
Khan government last week
– a trip which was suppos-
edly a part of efforts to
strengthen the process of
national peace and recon-
ciliation in Afghanistan but
ultimately turned out to be
a huge farce.
Afghanistan’s hopes of
constructive negotiations
resulting in immediate re-
duction of violence, com-
prehensive ceasefire and
lasting peace were dashed
when details about the
overt presence and activi-
ties of insurgent elements
and their leaders in Pakistani
territory emerged a few
days ago.
“Following the Taliban
leaders’ meetings with Paki-
stani officials, a series of
video footages emerged in
which the Taliban appeared
among their followers, dis-
closing the existence of all
Taliban leaders in Pakistan
and acknowledging their
continued activities in Paki-
stani territory. It is with
deepest regret and concern
that some Taliban leaders
were seen in the videos vis-
iting training camps,” a
statement released by the
Afghanistan’s Ministry of
Foreign Affairs said.
Country’s leading news
channel, TOLOnews said
that the ministry’s remarks
came in response to a video
of Taliban deputy leader
Abdul Ghani Baradar which
showed him addressing
some members of the mili-
tant group in Karachi. The
channel stated that Baradar,
after meeting with the
“wounded members” of the
group, has revealed that all
decisions about the Afghan
peace process are being fi-
nalized in consultation with
the Taliban’s leadership
“which exists in Pakistan”
and the Taliban’s cleric
council in Pakistan.
“When we conduct par-
tial or general negotiations
there (Doha), we share the
whole process with the
leaders and the Ulema
council here (in Pakistan).
We receive back their guid-
ance and act upon it,” the
channel quoted Baradar as
saying from footage shared
on social media showing
him with Taliban supporters
in Karachi.
Afghan foreign ministry,
which was hoping for prac-
tical steps being taken to-
wards stopping the blood-
shed and bringing about
sustainable peace in Af-
ghanistan, says the develop-
ment comes as a “cause of
great concern” especially af-
ter all the promises made by
Imran Khan with regard to
the Afghan-Taliban peace
talks during his visit to Kabul
in November.
“The overt presence and
activities of Afghan insur-
gent elements and their
leaders in Pakistani territory
clearly violate Afghanistan’s
national sovereignty and
continue to cause crisis and
instability in the region, pos-
ing a serious challenge to
achieving sustainable peace
in Afghanistan. We urge the
Pakistani Government not
to allow its territory to be
used by insurgents and ele-
ments who insist on con-
tinuing the war and blood-
shed,” the ministry said.
It reminded Pakistan
that it had assured the Af-
ghan government of em-
ploying all available means
and potentials towards re-
ducing violence, establish-
ing a ceasefire, and paving
the ground for a peaceful
resolution of the Afghan cri-
sis. “The Government of Af-
ghanistan considers the clo-
sure of insurgent and terror-
ist sanctuaries and the ces-
sation of their activities vital
for the peaceful resolution
of the Afghan crisis and en-
suring regional peace and
stability. Afghanistan calls
once again for the continu-
ation of sincere cooperation
and genuine fight against
terrorism and common
threats.”
Expecting “sincerity”
from Pakistan would be a
tough ask though. It is for
the second time in the last
four months that the Taliban
has visited Islamabad to
hold talks with the Pakistani
leadership. They had taken
similar strategic advice be-
fore the start of peace talks
with the Afghan govern-
ment in Doha on September
12. The latest revelations
may dent the next round of
intra-Afghan dialogue due
to begin on January 5.
A lot would also depend
on the incoming Joe Biden
administration. While the US
President Donald Trump an-
nounced on November 17
its decision to withdraw
thousands of troops from
Afghanistan by January 15,
there is a strong possibility
of Biden slowing down the
exit. The ongoing peace ef-
forts being made under the
Afghan-Taliban peace talks
have already suffered a ma-
jor setback due to an alarm-
ing increase in violence over
the past few months in the
war-torn country. The latest
target was the Bagram Air-
field, a major US airbase in
Afghanistan, which was at-
tacked with five rounds of
rockets recently.

Social Media Pakistan 0345-6738217

In the news
Modi unveils pillars of Indian civilizational state in 3 back-to-back speeches
New Delhi,
In three major addresses
this week, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi has laid bare
the rise of India as a
civilizational state, which
has begun to exercise global
leadership in key areas such
as renewable energy and
arresting Climate change.
The triology of speeches
had a common theme - the
idea of a “new India,” which
has indigenous roots that is
anchored in the stirrings of
its deep civilization. Implic-
itly, PM Modi’s utterings re-
ject westernization as the
way forward for India’s rise
in the digital age, without
closing the door for suitable
ideas from abroad.
During his address on
Monday at the Indo-Japan
Samwad conference PM
Modi pointed to India’s con-
tinuous role in spreading
the message of Buddha to
reinforce India’s credentials
as a civilizational state. He
announced that India will
host a world-class digital li-
brary on Buddhism, which
will become the fount for
the evolution of Buddhist
thought in the 21st century.
The new library will not
only contain archival mate-
rial related to Buddhism, but
would also become a centre
for research to address con-
temporary global problems,
based on Buddhist values,
Modi said during his ad-
dress.
He added: “The library
will collect digital copies of
all such Buddhist literature
from different countries. It
will aim to translate them,
and make them freely avail-
able for all monks and schol-
ars of Buddhism. The library
will not only be a depository
of literature. It will also be a
platform for research and
dialogue - a true Samwad
between human beings, be-
tween societies, and be-
tween humans and nature.”
Analysts point out that
India’s latest initiative docks
with its role in far history to
study and spread Buddhist
values from foundational
centres such as the famed
Nalanda University and
Sarnath.
The address also ac-
quires significance as there
has been a campaign in key
intellectual circles, including
in China and Pakistan, to
deny India the status of a
civilizational state, by point-
ing out that historically, In-
dia did not have administra-
tive unity. In Chinese aca-
demic circles, there has also
been a conscious effort to
raise the profile of Buddhist
sites in Taxila and the Swat
valley, implicitly undermin-
ing the importance of key
Buddhist founts in India.
In an effort to appropri-
ate leadership and globalise
Buddhism, the Chinese are
developing Lingshan as the
“Vatican” for the spread of
Buddha’s teachings. China
has also begun to regularly
host the World Buddhist Fo-
rum, which draws scholars
and monks from across the
world.
Taking the cue from
Buddhist values, the Prime
Minister said that the con-
pillar of our existence.”
In his address to Visva-
Bharati on the centenary of
the famed university
founded by Rabindra Nath
Tagore in Shantiniketan, PM
Modi also sought a reinter-
pretation of India’s past, urg-
ing his audience to seek the
roots of modern Indian na-
tionalism prior to the 19th
and 20th centuries.
“When we talk of free-
dom struggle, the idea of 19-
20th century comes directly
in our mind. But it is also a
fact that the foundation of
these movements was laid
long ago. India’s indepen-
dence movement got en-
ergy from many movements
that were going on since
centuries.”
In identifying the roots
of Indian nationalism, the
Prime Minister especially fo-
cused on the contribution of
AHMEDABAD SUNDAY 27/12/2020
ing its peak between the on the right track to meet
15th and 17th century. the Paris Accord’s environ-
“Bhakti movement was the mental goals.”
door that filled the strug- But Indian national unity
gling India with collective based on an inclusive doc-
consciousness and confi- trine was essential for India’s
dence for centuriesÂ… (it) advancement at the next
strengthened the spiritual level. In an address to the
and cultural unity of India.” Aligarh Muslim University
Institutions such as the (AMU) on Tuesday, PM Modi
Visva-Bharati and other uni- invited the Muslim commu-
versities that had mush- nity to join the on-going
roomed throughout India movement to build a “new
during British rule provided India,” based on the inclu-
the intellectual and ideo- sive tradition of Sir Syed
logical feedstock for mod- Ahmad Khan, the founder of
ern Indian nationalism, the University.
which had evolved from its “I would love to hear
civilizational past. from you all at Aligarh Mus-
PM Modi stressed that lim University on how to
the “new India” in-the-mak- make India self-reliant and
ing was already scaling glo- how to work on successfully
bal heights in advanced do- taking ‘local to global’. Your
mains such as renewable ideas and suggestions are
energy and battling climate always welcome and is
change. “India is playing a greatly valued,” Modi said
huge role in the world for during his centenary ad-
3
During his address, PM Modi
rubbished the campaign
that the government was
pursuing religious
majoritarianism, at the cost
India’s minorities.
“The plans that the
country is making today are
reaching every section with-
out distinction of religion,”
the Prime Minster asserted.
“Bank accounts of over
40 crore poor opened with-
out any discrimination.
Without discrimination,
more than 2 crore poor were
provided pucca houses.
More than 8 crore women
got gas without discrimina-
tion,” Modi stressed.
“I assure that nobody
will be left out and not dis-
criminated against on reli-
gious lines. Everyone will
move forward by enjoying
the Fundamental Rights
given in the Constitution,”

Diane Warren: I love working duct of international rela-

tions must be based on“hu-
manism”. “We must make
with new, upcoming artistes
harmonious co-existence
with nature as the central
the Bhakti movement. The
movement originated in
South India in the 8 th cen-
tury. It then spread north-
wards and eastwards, reach-
environmental protection
through the International
Solar Alliances. India is the
only major country in the
world which is moving fast
dress to AMU.
“I want you all to think
about how we can build an
Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-re-
Modi observed. Modi was
only the second Prime Min-
ister to address an AMU
function after Lal Bahadur
liant India),” he observed. Shastri 56 years ago. —IANS

New Delhi,
Singers like Celine Dion,
Cher, Beyonce, Lady Gaga,
Demi Lovato and Justin
Bieber have breathed life
into her words. Veteran
American songwriter Diane
Warren says she is working
with some of the best
artistes in the world, and
that she loves collaborating
with new talent.
In her nearly four-de-
cade career, she has penned
songs for some of the great-
est singers. Asked how dif-
ferent it is to team with
young artistes, Warren told
IANS: “I just think that I am
working with another
singer. It’s no different. A
great artiste is a great artiste
whether they are 20 or 40
years old. I love working
with new and upcoming
artistes — keeps it fun and
fresh.”
Without revealing
names, she said some of
them are difficult to work
with, but most artistes are
“cool”. “I am working with
some of the best artistes in
the world right now,” she
said with a smile.
A while ago, she had
played a guessing game
with her fans on Instagram
where she had posted a
photo of her with an artiste
whose face was covered
with a mask.
Asked if that was AJ
McLean of the popular band
Backstreet Boys,Warren said:
“Yes, that’s AJ. I am not sup-
posed to talk about it till the
song comes out, but there
might be more than one
(Backstreet Boys member
singing the song).”
She didn’t share details
about the song, but said it
won’t be part of her upcom-
ing album “Diane Warren:
The Cave Sessions Vol. 1”,
which is scheduled for re-
lease in 2021.
“It’s not on my album
yet. I’d do a song with them
(Backstreet Boys). I think
they are great,” said the
iconic songwriter.
Her upcoming album in-
cludes vocals of stars likes
John Legend, Celine Dion,
Mary J. Blige, Jason Derulo
and Darius Rucker.
Warren’s hits like “I don’t
want to miss a thing”
(Aerosmith), “Can’t fight the
moonlight” (LeAnn Rimes)
and “There you’ll be” (Faith
Hill) have been featured in
Hollywood films.
Asked about the process
of writing songs for films,
she shared: “It’s all about
writing a great song.
Whether it’s for a movie or
writing a song on my own,
it comes down to writing
the perfect song.”
“You want that song to
be right for that movie like I
wrote ‘Free’ that Charlie Puth
sings (for the film ‘The One
and Only Ivan’). That’s one of
my favourite songs I have
written in my life. It is prob-
ably my favourite movie
song and I am really proud
of it. I wrote it like a theme
song for animals. I love ani-
mals, and I am a big animal
activist,” she added.
In addition to the new
Disney movie, she also had
a song in the 2020 film “The
Life Ahead”.
“I did a song (‘lo Si’) for
Sophia Loren movie ‘The
Life Ahead’. It’s another fan-
tastic movie. I got lucky. I got
to write for some of the
great movies,” said Warren,
whose songs have made it
to over 100 movies.
Bigg Boss: Pool of high drama Bidita Bag: ‘Good actors are getting
Mumbai,
The pool has traditionally been one area in the Bigg
Boss house where some of the most dramatic incidents
their due because of OTT platforms’
have happened. Season 14 is no exception, with pool drama Mumbai,
taking centrestage was between Arshi Khan and Vikas Actress Bidita Bag re-
Gupta. Arshi was seen bullying Vikas in the show and he turns on screen in the OTT
retaliated by pushing her into the pool. Arshi has previously series, The Missing Stone,
shared she is phobic of water. However the next day after her third digital show this
the incident, she was seen leisurely swimming. year after
She also made headlines in the 11th season, when she Bhaukaal and
ditched her usual swimwear and chose to wear a red saree Abhay 2.
paired with a black blouse and plunged into the pool to Bidita is
give ‘desi’ sassy a whole new twist. happy with
The pull of the pool has never diminished, over the sea- the visibility,
sons. In season 13, it was girl power galore in the water. though she
Shehnaaz Gill, Mahira Sharma, Arti Singh and Devoleena says her
Bhattacharjee had temperatures soaring as they frolicked steady flow
in the water. Right from the first season of“Bigg Boss”, which of perfor-
is now hosted by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, the mances in
pool area has been very popular among the contestants. the web do-
On season one, smitten by each other, Anupama Varma main is
looked sizzling in hot bikinis, striking chemistry with Aaryan something
Vaid. Rahul Mahajan and Payal Rohatgi, who were a part of that has been
the second season were mostly seen cosying up in the pool. happening
Their picture, where Rahul hugged Payal from behind in by chance over the past
the pool went viral for weeks. One of the most unforget- months.
table pool outings have to be of Sunny Leone in the fifth “I have been working on
season. She made her debut in Indian showbiz with Bigg these projects over the last
Boss. Although her pole dance in the show made headlines, one year, and it is a coinci-
Sunny, coming into the Bigg Boss house from the world of dence that one by one these
adult films, grabbed them by the eyeballs whenever she have all released this year.
took a dip in the pool. Yes, I have gained visibility
because of so many shows
released within a short span
of time,” she told IANS.
She notes how OTT plat-
forms have emerged as a
boon for industry outsiders
like her.
“For actors like us, digi-
tal entertainment is actually
way safer a place to prove
our talent, so that we get
more work. We are outsiders
and before investing money
in us, naturally, producers
will think twice. There is a
risk factor on returns, and
the number of screens we
newcomers get. OTT plat-
forms give us a chance, and
many good actors are get-
ting the due they deserve
because of these platforms,”
she said.
About her new show,
The Missing Stone, Bidita
added:“The story starts with
happy couples and then
slowly gets into a space
where it explores layers of
relationships. Every indi-
vidual is like an onion, with
many layers. Each of them
has a different equation
with another human being.
Things go to a different level
with elements that are said
and unsaid.”
Directed by Vishal Furia
and Alok Naik, The Missing
Stone also features Rashi
Mal, Saqib Ayub, Vitthal Kale,
Pallavi Patil, and streams on
MX Player.

A H M E D A B A D * M A R K E T * G U I D E

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4 AHMEDABAD SUNDAY 27/12/2020

Popular Builders: Owners get bail in Corporates propose to bear Check ‘textile’ definition : HC to Centre
one case
Ahmedabad,
The Gujarat high court on Thursday granted bail
cost for vaccinating workforce
Surat/Ahmedabad,
to owners of Popular Builder, Raman and Dashrath
Patel, in connection with an offence registered against Even as the government
is preparing for mass vacci-
them for not vacating a rented premise in Thaltej area.
The brothers have been ordered to be released nation drive against
coronavirus, some corpo-
on furnishing Rs 15,0-00 bail bond. However, they can-
not come out of jail because they are facing various rate companies have of-
fered to bear the cost of in-
other offences, which include charges of attempt to
murder and criminal conspiracy as levelled against oculate their workforce in
Gujarat.
them by Raman Patel’s daughter-in-law, Fizu.
After the allegations of domestic violence, the The companies willing
to vaccinate employees on
brothers were booked in several other offences re-
lated to land grabbing and cheating. their own cost are Ajanta
Oreva Group, Pratibha Tex-
tile, Dharmanandan Dia-
Efforts on to trace two UK returnees mond Ltd, Shree
Rajkot, Ramkrishna Export and
The district health department is keeping a close Laxmipati Textile Group.
As responsible corpo-
watch on people who have returned from the UK in
the last one month in wake of the new coronavirus rate entities, these compa-
strain. nies want to contribute to
the mammoth Covid-19
Three people who returned have competed their
mandatory 14-days incubation period, while health vaccination programme
teams are tracing addresses of two others. Of the and share within their ca-
pacity the burden of execut-
three, one was from Dhoraji and two from Shapar-
Veraval. ing this challenging effort.
Sources said that the department has got the list Morbi-based wall clock
electronic and electrical
of people who arrived in Rajkot district from Novem-
ber 23 till date. The officials have asked the govern- products maker Ajanta
ment to provide specific addresses of two others who
have recently come to Rajkot.
Oreva Group has already
written to the Gujarat gov-
ernment expressing the
District health officer, Manish Bhanderi, said, “As
per the guidelines , we keep all those who returned
from the UK under observation and home isolation.
company’s intention to bear
the vaccination cost for its
If anybody develops symptoms, we have to collect employees and has also
sought the state’s guidance
and send their samples for testing to NIC, Pune.
on taking the company’s
proposal forward.
2 virus mutations per mth, no need for “Ajanta Oreva Group has
alarm: Guleria workforce of around 3,000
employees and we have
Pune,
proposed to vaccinate each
Delhi AIIMS director and member of the national
task force on Covid management, Dr Randeep Guleria,
said here on Friday that the coronavirus had under-
gone several mutations, an average of two per month,
and that new strains should not warrant unnecessary
concern.
Man who abused NCW chief arrested
Ahmedabad,
“The mutations have not led to any change in The cyber crime police
symptoms and treatment strategy. According to cur- on Thursday arrested a man
rent data, the vaccines in the trial phase (which are from Vadodara for allegedly
up for emergency authorization) should also be ef- using abusive language
fective against the new (UK) strain,” he told. against the national com-
He added that the next six-eight weeks were cru- mission for women (NCW)
cial in India’s battle against the virus as cases and fa- chairman in July on a social
talities have been declining. media platform. The ac-
Guleria said the UK strain was red-flagged solely cused had vented his anger
because the mutated virus was more infectious. “It, on the NCW chief for not
however, does not require extended hospitalization. taking cognizance against a
Neither does it cause more deaths. There have been stand-up comic who had
many mutations during the last 10 months and it is abused his follower.
quite common,” he said, while ruling out the impact The accused identified
of the mutations on the vaccines. as, Akash Jain, 25, a resident
employee by bearing the
vaccination cost. The gov-
ernment is well capable of
meeting every challenge,
but we would like to partici-
pate a bit in this gigantic
task,” said Jaysukh Patel,
managing director, Ajanta
Oreva Group.
Surat-headquartered
Pratibha Textile Group, too,
wants to provide free vac-
cine to its employees. “I have
sent a letter to the Prime
Minister’s Office stating that
we are ready to provide
coronavirus vaccine free-of-
cost to more than 2,000
workers in our factory at
Pandesara GIDC,” the
Group’s chairman Pramod
Chaudhary added.
Hitesh Patel, Managing
Director of Dharmanandan
Diamond Private Limited
told,
“We have seen diamond
workers getting Covid-19 in
huge numbers. If there is a
vaccine, we will bear the en-
tire cost of vaccinations for
our 1,500 employees includ-
ing the diamond workers. It
is our request to the govern-
ment that if we are buying
the vaccine in bulk quantity,
we are entitled for discount
for vaccinating the employ-
ees on the mass scale.”
According to the opera-
tional guidelines for Covid-
of Lakshmidham society in
Gorwa area of Vadodara,
was arrested on Thursday
from his home after he con-
fessed of writing obscene
comments on Twitter.
According to officers of
the cyber crime, Jain, on July
15 had posted objection-
able comments against
NCW chairman Rekha
Sharma. “In his comment on
Twitter, tagging the NCW
chairman, he used exple-
tives against her asking on
why she did not register a
19 vaccination issued by the
Union health ministry re-
cently, the vaccine will be
offered first to frontline
workers, including
healthcare professionals,
people above 50 years, and
those below 50 but with as-
sociated comorbidities. Fi-
nally, the remaining popula-
tion will be immunized
based on the disease epi-
demiology and availability
of vaccine.
Industry experts said
that the workers and staff
employed in the industries
should be vaccinated along
with the frontline workers,
so that there is a smooth
working of the units in the
coming days.
Sanjay Saroagi, manag-
ing director of Laxmipati
Textile Group said,“We have
a staff of 5,000 people in
the company. We feel it is
our responsibility to vacci-
nate every workers and em-
ployee in our company on
our own expense.
The survey of the resi-
dents in the city is going on,
but we would like to pur-
chase the vaccine in bulk
quantity to administer to
our employees. The gov-
ernment must give us the
vaccine on subsidized rate,
if we purchase it in bulk
quantity.”
case against the stand up
comic Kenneth Sebastian --
who abused one of his fol-
lowers on twitter,” states a
statement issued by cyber
crime police.
“Sebastian, in one of his
videos, abused one of Jain’s
follower which did not go
well with Akash who had
made an appeal before the
NCW to file a complaint
against Sebastian. But NCW
did not act, Jain in anguish
posted abusive statements
against NCW chairman,”
City-State
Ahmedabad,
In an important order,
the Gujarat high court has
directed the Centre to check
its definition of ‘textile’ for
the purpose of levying ex-
cise duty after the revenue
authority treated agro
shade net and geo-grid as
plastic material.
The issue reached the
HC after the central excise
commissioner in
Ahmedabad issued notice
in June 2020 to one CTM
Technical Textiles Ltd to
shell out Rs 3.65 crore duty
and penalty of equal
amount for manufacturing
agro shade nets and geo
grids since 2007. It said
these goods could be
termed as articles of plastics
because both the products
are made of the HDPE strips
of less than 5mm width.
They hare not made out of
textile material. The central
government relied on a cir-
cular issued in 1992 by the
Central Board of Excise and
Customers and a 1994 trade
notice issued by the
Ahmedabad district collec-
tor.
The company argued
that both the items were
exempted from excise duty.
Moreover, it is the only com-
pany out of hundred others
producing these materials
to have been asked to pay
duty.
The bench of Chief Jus-
reads the statement.
An FIR regarding this
was filed at the cyber crime
police station reads that the
NCW chief on July 15 had
written a latter on then
Gujarat DGP Shivanand Jha
about the comments and
cops were directed to file a
complaint against the ac-
cused. The cyber cell took
around five months to file a
complaint and nab the ac-
cused who is a commerce
graduate from MS Univer-
sity in Vadodara.
tice Vikram Nath and Justice The high court ordered
J B Pardiwala noticed that
the excise commissioner re-
fused to believe that the
the Union of India to re-look
into its definitions with ob-
servation,“Prima facie, it ap-
material was textile even af- pears that the understand-
ter the department chemi- ing of the word :’textiles’ in
cal examiner’s opinion that common parlance has not
agro shed net is knitted fab- been considered by the
ric and geo grid fabric are Board as well as by the
woven fabric and polyster Ahmedabad Collector while
yearn is used for the weav- issuing the impugned Order
ing. and the Trade Notice re-
The court further said spectively. Instead of con-
that the raw materials used sidering the method of
for the products include weaving as a relevant factor,
High Density Polyethelene the nature of the raw mate-
(HDPE) strips, which is a rial seems to have been
plastic material. But, plastic
is used in textile fabric --
taken into consideration
while issuing such Order
polyester, telelene, nylon and Trade Notice.”
fabrics etc.The HC reminded The high court pulled up
the revenue authority that it the revenue authority for
is not the material that is seeking to levy duty only on
used that defines textile, but one company and that too
it is the process of manufac- by not following proper pro-
turing that defines what is cedure. It quashed the no-
textile. The HC cited the tice and ordered the excise
definition of textile as made commissioner to take a
by the Supreme Court for fresh decision on the issues
the purpose of taxation. after hearing the company.
PPEs better now but skin
issues persist, say doctors
Ahmedabad,
Hundreds of citizens, who work in close office settings,
use the double masks -- one made of fabric and another
triple-layer or N-95 mask. What does it do to the skin?
Dr Anshul Warman, a city-based dermatologist, said,
“Prolonged use of masks has resulted in bacterial infection
in several patients. Skin rashes, contact dermatitis around
the areas of the strap, itching are also common complaints,”
she said, adding that use of the right mask for the right set-
ting is important.
Experts pointed out that N-95 mask is not required in
all the settings. Even when wearing such masks in non-
medical settings, regular break -- approximately every three
to four hours -- is recommended.
Dr Vineet Mishra, director of IKDRC, said that PPE kits
have been like a second skin for the doctors working with
Covid-19 patients for the past nine months. “We still re-
member that the earliest PPE kits were literally like a rain-
coat. As they are made of non-woven polypropylene, they
are not breathable. A lot of colleagues reported skin is-
sues, especially in areas where the sweat gets accumulated
including the masks, but now we have found ways to cir-
cumvent issues,” he said. Dr Warman said that those wear-
ing face shields and protective gears have also reported
hair loss in some cases due to constant pressure and fric-
especially gloves -- which results in skin diseases,” she said,
adding that about a quarter of the parents with skin issues
could be identified as healthcare workers.

MIL alleges assault with iron rod

Ahmedabad,
A 56-year-old woman from Gota, a heart patient,
on Sunday filed a complaint of assault alleging that
her daughter-in-law had attacked her with an iron rod
over a domestic quarrel in August.
Usha Brahmbhatt, a resident of Setu Vatika Soci-
ety in Gota, stated in her FIR with Sola police that her
son Vicky had married a woman from Mehsana, Dhara
Brahmbhatt, in 2016. After their wedding, Dhara of-
ten quarrelled with her son and left their home for
her parents’ place in Mehsana.
She had on August 24 overheard Dhara talking
to her parents on the phone and abusing Vicky. When
Usha told Dhara not to abuse her son, she began ar-
guing with her and threatened to kill her. Dhara al-
legedly then began hitting her and pulling her hair.
She then took an iron rod and began hitting her. Vicky
rushed in on hearing her screams. He had called the
police at the time, but as Dhara threatened to lodge a
false case against them, Usha did not file a complaint.
She underwent treatment for around four months
and after fully recovering, she filed a complaint.
Infight against Covid, healthcare
workers losing skin health & hair
Ahmedabad,
Doctors and nurses engaged in war against Covid-
19 pandemic, working in ICUs and wards for long
hours clad in stifling PPE kits and N-95 masks, are los-
ing their hair literally.
The life-saving face shields, hand gloves and
masks have become a source of skin disease and poor
hair health as wearing them hours on end is leaving
medical personnel grappling with rashes, acne and
skin pigmentation, said city-based experts.
In fact, a survey carried out by the dermatology
and venereal diseases (DVD) department of the BJ
Medical College revealed that seven ut of 10 health
workers faced one or other dermatological issue over
the past nine months which required treatment.
Dr Krina Patel, head of the DVD department at BJ,
said 600-plus respondents were surveyed of which
over 66% were healthcare workers.“The data showed
that the prolonged use of masks caused acne -- we
have coined the term ‘mark-ne’ for the phenomenon.
Its severity was more in the healthcare workers at 80%
as the N-95 prevents air circulation, resulting in accu-
mulation of oily secretion and moisture from breath,”
she said.
GTU will not hold on-line examination
Ahmedabad,
The Gujarat Technological University (GTU) has
declared that it will not conduct its semester exami-
nations on-line and the students will have to appear
in tests in person.
This has led to a major unrest among the students
and parents and they are now thinking of exploring
legal option against the GTU’s decision of not offer-
ing on-line examination to its students, sources said.
University officials said that it had conducted on-
line examination for its final year students and the
university had noticed significant instances of irregu-
larities. This situation forced the university not to give
the on-line test option to students.
There were over 60,000 students who had ap-
peared in on-line examinations.
Karnataka logs 1,005 new Covid
cases; 1,102 recover
Bengaluru,
Karnataka has registered 1,005 new Covid cases
in a day, while 1,102 recovered across the state, said
the state health bulletin on Friday.
“With 1,005 new cases on Thursday, the state’s
Covid tally rose to 9,14,488, including 13,508 active
cases, while 8,88,917 recovered till date, with 1,102
discharged in the last 24 hours,” said the bulletin.
The infection claimed five lives in the day, taking
the state’s death toll to 12,044 since the pandemic
broke on March 8.
Bengaluru recorded 578 fresh cases, taking its
Covid tally to 3,85,586, including 8,819 active cases,
while 3,72,479 recovered so far, with 600 in the last
24 hours.
MP woman raped by Insta friend Spotting cops, 18 couples Man tied to pole,
Ahmedabad,
A 22-year-old woman from Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh
on Thursday filed a complaint of rape against a man, who
flee mass wedding rituals
Rajkot,
thrashed in Aravalli
was her Instagram friend but she did not even know his Palanpur,
name, alleging that he had raped her multiple times in dif- They gathered in Chandgadh village of Amreli to
A 20-year-old man was tied to a pole and mercilessly
ferent guesthouses in Raipur and Khadia between August enter into wedlock on Friday morning. Instead, about 18 thrashed by family members of a girl after her body was
and October last year. couples had to escape from the venue to avoid ending
found from a well in a village of Aravalli district’s Bayad
The woman had first filed her complaint with Ujjain up in police lockup. It was an embarrassing moment for taluka on Friday.
police, which was transferred to Khadia police in the couples and their around 500 guests who had gath-
Tension prevailed in the Pagiya Na Muvada village af-
Ahmedabad. ered for the mass wedding organized by the Koli Ekta ter the woman Minisha Solanki’s body was fished out from
In her FIR, she states that the accused, who has profile Dal.
a well near her house at around 7am. Police officials said
name “Ziddi Ladka” had sent her a friend request in June The ceremony was organized at 11 am and all the that Minisha and the victim Sawan Solanki were in love,
2019 after which she befriended him and they began chat- couples complete in their wedding costumes had taken
but her parents had decided to get her married elsewhere.
ting on Instagram. the stage for tying the nuptial knots. But a team of cops Her betrothal ceremony was also done recently and the
In August, the man, aged around 20, had sent her a pic- reached the spot before the ceremony could begin.
preparations for the wedding were afoot.
ture showing his hand having multiple cut wounds telling Spotting the police, the couples and their relatives On Thursday night, Minisha went missing from her
her to come and meet him in Ahmedabad and threatened sensed trouble and took off from the venue, causing
house. Soon after her body was found, incensed family
to commit suicide if she didn’t come. complete chaos. members of Minisha barged into Sawan’s house, dragged
Scared by this, the woman had come to Khadia to meet The Amreli (rural)( cops who went to the venue said
him outside and tied him with a pole. They brutally beat
him. The man had taken her to a hotel in the Raipur area that the organizers hadn’t taken necessary permissions him up, holding him responsible for her death.
where he raped her multiple times in two days. She states that is a must for organizing any gathering in the wake Meanwhile, a police team led by deputy superintendent
in her complaint that he had promised to marry her then. of Covid 19 pandemic. Sources said that about 500 per- of police Bharat Basiya rushed to the village after being in-
She had then returned to Ujjain and the man had again sons had gathered at the spot to attend the mass wed- formed by Sawan’s father on the phone. However, the ar-
demanded she come and meet him. The woman had again ding ceremony that was organized to support the poor rival of police and their attempt to rescue Sawan angered
came to the city in October and the man again raped her from Koli community. the villagers further and some of them even tried to attack
in a guesthouse. “Due to the organizers’ mistake, the mass wedding the cops.“We had to fire three rounds in the air to disperse
She said that she returned to Ujjain then and the man couldn’t be held properly. Many of the couples had to the violent crowd and save the boy from further thrash-
was in touch with her till October this year. Later, he went bear the burnt of the chaos and return to their villages ing,” said Sanjay Kharat, Aravalli district superintendent of
incommunicado. without getting married,: said Suresh Pansuriya, who police (DSP). He was rushed to a hospital in Bayad town,
After waiting for a month, the woman first approached helped a bride from an economically weaker family in where his condition is said to be out of danger. “Sawan
Ujjain police with her complaint which was transferred to Savarkundla, attend the mass wedding. told us that Minisha had come to his house at around 11pm
Khadia police in city. Sources said that some of the couples completed on Thursday and stayed there till 4pm after which he
Khadia police registered a case of rape and began an wedding rituals back home in their village. dropped her to her house,” Kharat told.
investigation.
Strawberries bloom in dry Kutch, PAAS leader detained for lavish b’day bash
wearing of masks. The party personal invitation to you.
Surat,
farmers hopeful of better harvest
in Reldi village, barely 20km and I believed I will be able
Surat rural police de-
tained six persons including
was organized
Sahjanand Farmhouse
at Those coming to the event,
write their name for the sake
Rajkot, owned by DM Butani. Police of convenience.”
Strawberry, a fruit tradi- off Bhuj town, will surely re- to do it,” said Thacker who Patidar Anamat Andolan
mind you of Beetles’ glori- harvested the first samples Samiti (PAAS) leader Alpesh detained Kathiria, Butani, “We have detained
tionally flourishing in cold Dharmik Malaviya, Sanjay Kathiria, the farmhouse
and hilly places, has won- ous number, “Strawberry last week. Kathiria after a video of his
fields forever’. “What we need is birthday bash went viral on Mavani, Nikunj Kakadia and owner and others who were
derfully adapted itself even Nilesh Kumbhani among present at the party. We
to the harsh and arid ter- While you hum your proper fertilizer and social media on Friday.
way through Anjar high- should not allow evapora- Kathiria allegedly hosted a others. Earlier, an invitation have also initiated a process
rains of Kutch. to the PAAS leader’s birth- to suspend police personnel
A farmer in Bhuj taluka way from Bhujstrict was tion of water. Issued Israeli party at his farmhouse in
hugely surprised la, here’s model of drip irrigation of Kosamada village near day bash circulated widely under whose jurisdiction
of Kutch district was hugely on social media read: “Due the farm house falls,” Surat
surprised last week when who you need to meet -- cultivation,” said Thacker, Kamrej in Surat district on
Haresh Thacker. one of the pioneers in cul- Thursday night. to Covid-19 don’t circulate rural SP Usha Rada told me-
he saw sweet success bud-
ding in the plants that he He brought 30,000 tivation of dragon fruit. He Sources said Kathiria this message and this is a dia persons.
had planted on a trial mode. plants from Lonavala in learned his farming from had organized his birthday
What helped his efforts
was the fact that strawberry
Maharashtra and planted
them in two acre land.
Youtube also.
Many other farmers are
party with dayro (folk song
programme) and DJ Music. Recoveries & new cases neck
In the viral video, many of
requires very less water
compared to other fruits.
While driving past the
“I wanted this fruit in
my farm despite knowing
it grows in a cold area. But
also waiting for Thacker to
get successful so that they
too can start cultivation
Kathiria’s supporters are
seen dancing to music, vio-
and neck in 24 hours in India
vast Kutch strawberry fields the winter in Kutch is cold from next year. lating social distancing and New Delhi,
India on Saturday logged 22,272 fresh Covid-19 infec-
tions in the last 24 hours, when 22,274 people also recov-
NMC extends medical Civic polls likely in 2 phases ered from the virus, the data from Ministry of Health and
Family Welfare showed.
It took the total number of cases to 1,01,69,118, along
admission deadline to Jan 15 Ahmedabad,
The local body elections in the state are likely to be held
with 251 deaths in the past one day. The overall toll is
1,47,343.
Ahmedabad, in two phases. In a meeting held on Thursday, state elec- Total recovered people are 97,40,108.There are 2,81,667
tion commissioner (SEC) told the district collectors to fi-
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has extended active cases.The recovery rate stands at 95.78 per cent while
the deadline for admission in medical courses from Decem- nalize the electoral rolls. the fatality rate is 3,382 cases. Over 70 per cent of the daily
ber 31 till January 15. Elections to six municipal corporations -- Ahmedabad, new cases are being r1.45 as per cent.
This could, however, benefit students of Gujarat little Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara, Jamnagar and Bhavnagar -- along A total of 16,71,59,289 samples have been tested for
with 55 municipalities, 31 district panchayats and 231 taluka
with the admission committee for medical courses already
blocking the admissions for the year. panchayats were scheduled for October-November but
Covid-19 till now. Of these, 8,53,527 samples were tested
on Friday, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Any student who has secured admission in medical or were postponed by three months because of the Covid-19 said.
dental colleges of the state cannot vacate the seat after the pandemic. The SEC asked the district collectors to send
Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit state to the
admission process was declared over by the admission the list of booths for the elections. date with 19,13,382 cases. Over 70 per cent of the daily new
committee. The collectors, corporation officials and the authorities
cases are being reported by 10 states and union territory
Sources said that any student who has secured admis- of all urban bodies have been asked to appoint officials who — Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh,
sion on a seat in a dental college cannot move now to will be responsible for ensuring safety of the polling staff,
Karnataka, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan
Ayurved or homeopathy courses. besides supply of masks, sanitizers, PPE kits, faceshields and and Gujarat.
Moreover, the admission process for the All India Insti- other materials to be use din the elections. The SEC offi-
Over 75 per cent of the deaths are being reported from
tute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) is under way and this could cials said that they have not finalized the dates of the elec- Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal, Kerala, Chhattisgarh,, Uttar
lead to vacant seats from AIIMS, Rajkot. tions, but the decision will be taken soon. “Like in 2015, the
Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh.
If the admission committee does not grant permission local body polls this time are likely to be held in two phases. A new strain of the Covid-19 virus has appeared in the
to cancel admission, the issue can reach court, experts be- This will help the officials to mobilize police force and poll
UK. The mutant is said to be 70 per cent more aggressive,
lieve. Meanwhile, the NCM has ordered the medical colleges staff in a better way for a smooth conduct of the elections,” according to reports. Flights and other forms of transport
to commence academic sessions for freshers from Febru- said an SEC official. The officials said that in the first phase,
to and from the UK are being shut down
ary 1. they plan to conduct.

Social Media Pakistan 0345-6738217

International
M-E nations tighten curbs
AHMEDABAD SUNDAY 27/12/2020

567,000 Covid-19 deaths projected in

5
US by April
due to new Covid-19 strain Washington,
Cairo, A key Covid-19 model has projected that some
Many countries across the Middle East have tightened 567,000 people could die due to the novel
restrictive measure in due to concerns over a new strain of coronavirus across the US by April 1, 2021.
the novel coronavirus. According to the latest projections from the
Authorities in Iraq have imposed new restrictive mea- model run by the University of Washington’s Insti-
sures, including a travel ban to the UK, South Africa, Austra- tute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) issued
lia, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Iran, Japan, and any on Friday, by April 1, 2021, 33,200 lives will be saved
other country the Ministry of Health would recommend, in the country by the projected vaccine rollout while
reports Xinhua news agency. if rapid rollout of vaccine is achieved, 45,000 lives
The authorities have also banned the entry of travel- will be saved compared to a no-vaccine scenario,
lers from these countries, except for Iraqi citizens who must reports Xinhua news agency. Also, under its man-
be quarantined for 14 days until a PCR test proves they are dates easing scenario, the model projected 731,000
not infected with the virus. cumulative deaths on April 1, 2021.“Daily deaths are
Moreover, land border crossings have been shut, except expected to rise into mid-January and then begin
for emergencies and trade exchange, while malls, restau- declining if state governments impose mandates on
rants, and other public facilities will remain closed from 7 gatherings, bar and restaurant openings, and other
p.m. to 6 a.m., for two weeks. major locations for transmission,” the IHME said.
Turkey has made it mandatory for all international trav-
ellers coming into the country by air, land and sea to present
a negative Covid-19 test result starting from next week.
B’desh Covid-19 cases rise to
“The new measures were needed for arrivals from 507,265, deaths reach 7,398
abroad due to the increase in the number of cases across Dhaka,
the world and the acceleration of the pandemic,” Turkish In the last 24 hours, Bangladesh reported 1,163
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced on Friday, add- new coronavirus cases and 20 fatalities, which in-
ing that the new regulation will be effective until March 1, creased the overall infection tally and death toll to
2021. Meanwhile, Palestine has imposed a full lockdown After a year in the making, the historic agreement between Britain and the EU was signed by Boris Johnson and 507,265 and 7,398, respectively, the Directorate Gen-
and curfew, which will remain effective until Sunday morn- Ursula von der Leyen at 2.30pm on Thursday. Five hundred pages long - and not yet published - it sets out the future eral of Health Services (DGHS) said.
ing. relationship between the UK and the continent. Policy Editor DANIEL MARTIN looks at the deal and key provisions. The official data showed that 13,695 samples
were tested in the last 24 hours across Bangladesh,
Xinhua news agency quoted the DGHS as saying.
Abe apologizes over funding misstatements
Tokyo,
Former Japanese Prime
again and again. I gave an-
swers to the Diet to the best
held on the eve of govern-
ment-funded cherry blos-
HK to expand community The total number of recovered patients in the
country stood at 448,803 including 2,113 new re-
coveries on Friday, said the DGHS. According to the
official data, the Covid-19 fatality rate in Bangladesh
Minister Shinzo Abe has
apologized in the Lower
House of Parliament for
false statements he had
of my knowledge at that
time.
“But ultimately, some of
what I said was contrary to
som viewing events during
Abe’s premiership.
As well as being Abe’s
secretary, Haikawa, 61, also
testing, says Carrie Lam
Hong Kong, 20,000 tests a day. increased to about 100,000
is now 1.46 per cent and the current recovery rate is
88.47 per cent. Bangladesh recorded the highest
daily new cases of 4,019 on July 2 and the highest
number of deaths of 64 on June 30.
made earlier regarding an the facts,” the former leader headed the political support Hong Kong Chief Ex- At the request of the city per day.
allegation that a group said. group that organised the ecutive Carrie Lam has an- government, the companies Hong Kong’s Centre for NYC Covid-19 test positivity rate up
managing his political What local media de- parties. nounced that the city gov- have also arranged mobile Health Protection (CHP) re-
funds partially covered the scribed as a “rare correction The parties held over a ernment will expand com- stations in areas with more ported 57 new confirmed to 6.69%: Mayor
costs of dinner receptions of past statements by a five-year period through last munity testing in order to confirmed cases to provide cases on Friday, taking its New York,
for supporters. former Prime Minister”,Abe’s year cost 23 million yen identify silent carriers of the free testing to local resi- total tally to 8,481. New York City’s coronavirus test positivity rate
Sources close to the apology followed a press ($222,000) with the amount novel coronavirus as soon as dents or those who feel The new cases included on a seven-day average has increased to 6.69 per
matter said the lower conference he gave the pre- being higher than revenue possible and break trans- they are at high risk of infec- 55 local infections, with 25 cent in the last 24 hours, compared with 6.29 per
house’s research bureau vious day stating he had no collected from attendees. mission chains. tion. cases of unknown origin, cent a day earlier, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.
found Abe made 118 state- knowledge of any missteps Many of the parties’ Lam made the remarks The community testing while there were also about There were 208 new hospitalisations and 3,012
ments in Parliament that regarding bookkeeping, but guests were voters in Abe’s on Friday while visiting five centres and mobile stations 50 preliminary cases. new cases of the coronavirus in the city, Xinhua news
were incongruous with the apologized for making what constituency in Yamaguchi private laboratories that as- have provided 500,000 tests Currently, 940 Covid-19 agency quoted de Blasio as saying on Twitter on Fri-
facts, reports Xinhua news transpired to be false state- prefecture. sist the city government in since mid-November and patients are being treated day. “I hope you and your loved ones are having a
agency. ments. The indictment said that carrying out the testing, re- identified over 600 con- in public hospitals and the safe and happy holiday — but we need constant
Such lies, reportedly, Japanese prosecutors Haikawa did not record the ports Xinhua news agency. firmed cases. community treatment facil- vigilance against Covid-19. “We’ve made sacrifices
comprise denials by his have decided not to indict income and expenditures According to the gov- After months of con- ity at AsiaWorld-Expo, and this year. The holiday may not feel like it has in the
camp of covering the short- Abe over allegations that his for the opulent dinner par- ernment, the five labs be- certed efforts of the city 54 patients are in critical past. “But this season reminds us that faith in that
fall of the supporters’ dinner support group failed to re- ties held between 2016 and longed to five companies government and the test- condition. guiding star will lead to something better,” The
functions and the need to port spending and revenue 2019. Haikawa admitted he that are currently conduct- ing companies, the maxi- The latest CHP data Mayor added. Since the onset of the pandemic, New
keep financial records. related to annual parties didn’t keep legal records of ing 19 community testing mum testing capability of showed the total number York City, the once epicentre of the disease, has re-
“I want to make a sin- thrown for his supporters at the spending and expendi- centres across the city, with public and private laborato- of Covid-19 deaths rose by corded a total of 396,302 confirmed coronavirus
cere apology to the public high-class Tokyo hotels in its ture related to the parties, in a combined capacity of over ries has been significantly one to 136 in Hong Kong. cases and 24,842 deaths.
and to all members of the political fund reports. violation of Japan’s political
ruling and opposition par- The prosecutors instead funds control law, sources
Africa’s Covid-19 caseload nears 2.6
ties for bringing about this
situation,” Abe told the
lower house’s steering com-
mittee on Friday, but denied
issued a summary indict-
ment for Hiroyuki Haikawa,
a state-paid secretary to
Abe, and will seek to fine
close to the matter said.
The prosecutors did not
indict Abe owing to a lack of
evidence as they said.
France records 20,262 new mn mark
Addis Ababa,
any wrongdoing. “The ac-
counting was done without
my knowledge. I had
him for failing to report in
the group’s political fund
spending and revenue re-
Opposition members,
henceforth, may launch an
investigation that could see
cases, 159 deaths in 24 hours
Paris, numbers of both hospital- the weekly epidemiologi-
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in
the African continent has reached 2,597,090, accord-
ing to health authorities.
checked with my office lated to parties that were Abe give sworn testimony in In its latest update on Friday, the Africa Centers
Parliament. France has recorded ized Covid-19 patients and cal update of Public Health for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said
20,262 new coronavirus those in intensive care France published on Thurs- the death toll stood at 61,432, reports Xinhua news
cases in a 24-hour span, kept dropping, data day evening. agency. A total of 2,177,981 people infected with
raising the cumulative showed. As the world is strug- Covid-19 have so far recovered across the continent
number of confirmed On Christmas day, gling to contain the pan- The most affected African countries in terms of
cases since the start of the 24,392 Covid-19 patients demic, preparing for the the number of positive cases include South Africa,
epidemic to 2,547,771, ac- remained hospitalized in launch of thcountries in- Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia, the Africa CDC update
cording to figures released France, 247 less than a day cluding France, China, Rus- revealed. South Africa currently has the highest con-
by health authorities. before. Among them, 2,625 sia, the United Kingdom firmed cases, which hit 968,563. Morocco comes
Another 159 people were in intensive care, and the United States are next with 425,864 cases, followed by Egypt with
have succumbed to the down by 27 in one day. racing to find a vaccine. 128,993 and Tunisia with 126,752, according to the
disease in the 24 hours, France is preparing for According to the Africa CDC.
bringing the total fatalities the launch of the vaccina- website of the World
in France to 62,427, official tion campaign. Only 40 per Health Organization, as of
data released on Friday cent of French people sur- December 22, there were Travellers to Turkey must have
showed, Xinhua news veyed said “they certainly 233 Covid-19 candidate negative Covid-19 test result
agency reported on Satur- or probably want to be vaccines being developed
vaccinated” against the worldwide, and 61 of them Ankara,
day. Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca an-
A good sign is that the coronavirus, according to were in clinical trials.
nounced that all international travellers flying to the
country will have to present a negative Covid-19 test
result starting from December 28 onwards.
Turkey taking measures against In a statement on Friday, he said that all foreign
travellers will be required to submit negative poly-
merase chain reaction (PCR) test results carried out
large NYE gatherings: Prez villas, or any accommoda- Erdogan said.
within the last 72 hours before boarding a flight to
Turkey, reports Xinhua news agency.
“Those who do not present a negative PCR test
Istanbul,
Turkish President Recep tion facilities, Xinhua news On Thursday, Health result will not be allowed on planes,” he added.
Tayyip Erdogan said his gov- agency reported. Minister Fahrettin Koca had
Members of the League of Parents of the Philippines and Liga Independencia ernment is taking all the “It is not possible that announced said the ship- Iran, US warned against involving
Pilipinas hold a rally in Mendiola, Manila on Saturday, December 26, 2020, as they necessary measures to pre- we would allow these,” the ment of 3 million doses of a
condemn the atrocities perpetrated by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New vent large gatherings dur- President added. Chinese Covid-19 vaccine Iraq in conflict
People's Army-National Democratic Front. ing New Year’s Eve in an ef- The Turkish leader also would arrive on December Baghdad,
fort to curb the further noted that the vaccination 28. Prominent Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sayyid
spread of the novel process in the country The government signed Muhammad al-Sadr has warned Iran and the US
Tunisia extends state of coronavirus.
Speaking to reporters
here after the Friday prayers,
would be carried out with
vaccines from China and
Germany.
an agreement for the pro-
curement of up to 50 million
doses, which would be de-
against involving Baghdad in their conflict.
“Iraq has become a victim to the US-Iranian con-
flict and has been greatly affected as if it is an arena
emergency for 6 more months
Tunis, north of the city of Sousse. Museum in the Tunisian
Erdogan said security forces
would not tolerate New
Year’s Eve parties in hotels,
“When the vaccines ar-
rive, we will be vaccinated
with all our colleagues,”
livered by the end of Febru-
ary 2021, the Minister said.
Koca also added that
for their conflicts,” Xinhua news agency quoted al-
Sadr as saying in a statement posted on Twitter on
Friday.“Therefore, I call on Iran to distance Iraq from
In March that year, 22 capital city of Tunis. Turkey is conducting talks its conflict, and I warn the (US) occupier against con-
A state of emergency in with Pfizer-BioNTech for 4.5
Tunisia which was first de- people, mostly tourists, were All three attacks were tinuing its conflict... “Iraq and the Iraqis are not a
clared five years ago, has
been extended for an addi-
killed when three terrorists
attacked the Bardo National
claimed by the Islamic State
(IS) terror group. African Union warns against million doses of its vaccine
to be obtained by the end of
March.
party to the conflict,” he added. Baghdad-Washing-
ton relations have been strained since January 3
tional six more months,
President Kais Saied an- disruption to CAR elections As of Saturday, Turkey
has reported a total of
when an American drone struck a convoy at the
Baghdad airport, killing Qasem Soleimani, com-
nounced.
“President Saied de- Africa CDC urges enhanced Addis Ababa,
The Peace and Security
ary 2019 between the gov-
ernment, which controls
2,118,255 confirmed
coronavirus cases and
mander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolu-
tion Guards Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis,
cided to extend the state of
emergency in the entire ter- anti-coronavirus measures Council of the African Union
(AU) has urged all armed
only a fifth of the country’s
territory, and 14 armed
19,371 deaths. —IANS
deputy chief of Iraq’s paramilitary Hashd Shaabi
forces.
ritory of the republic for a Addis Ababa, by people that are coming groups and political actors groups.
period of six months, start- The Africa Centers for for a visit, making it all the in the Central African Re- If no presidential candi-
ing from December 26, 2020 Disease Control and Preven- more urgent to strictly fol- public (CAR) to refrain from date receives more than 50
until June 23, 2021,” an offi- tion (CDC) has urged en- low public health measures. any actions that might ob- per cent of the vote, a sec-
cial statement quoted the hanced anti-coronavirus Speaking during a vir- struct Sunday’s legislative ond round of the presiden-
Tunisian leader as saying on public health measures as tual press conference on and presidential elections. tial elections will take place
Friday. The statement did New Year festivities have Thursday, Africa CDC Direc- On Friday, the Council on February 14, 2021.
not provide any further de- started across the continent. tor John Nkengasong said also called on the stakehold- On December 3, the
tails. The state of emergency The continental disease people should celebrate ers to refrain from any ac- CASR Constitutional Court
was first declared on No- control and prevention New Year festivity with care tion or attitude that might accepted 17 candidatures
vember 24, 2015, following agency said that African and safety at hand. hinder the performance of for the presidential elec-
a deadly bomb attack on a people who are celebrating “Diligently following the National Elections Au- tions, including incumbent
bus of the presidential Christmas and the immi- good public health prac- thority (ANE) agents, as well President Faustin-Archange
guards, killing 12 people. nent start of the New Year tices can prevent a spike of as refrain from any measure Touadera.
The measure grants ex- should adhere to public Covid-19 cases in the next that might hamper the free The country has been
ceptional powers to the health measures such as two months in the African movements of the popula- devastated by violence
country’s security forces. avoiding indoor mass gath- continent,. “Covid-19 is also tion and candidates since 2013 when the Muslim
It also allows to “ensure erings and practice social damaging African econo- throughout the electoral Seleka rebels ousted then-
the control of the press” and distancing, reports Xinhua mies and posing serious process, reports Xinhua president Francois Bozize,
for strikes and meetings that news agency. harm to lives and livelihoods news agency. prompting reprisals from
“create disorder” to be The Africa CDC also across the continent. The Peace and Security mostly Christian militias.
banned. called on the people to con- “We need to follow Council has warned that The Peace and Security
Just few months before sistently apply hand hy- good public health prac- whoever insists on doing so Council expressed deep
the state of emergency was giene practices to prevent tices at this unprecedented will be held personally ac- concern over the escalation
declared, Tunisia on June 26, the overall transmission of time,” Nkengasong added. countable and will be liable of violence in the country
2015, witnessed the deadli- and the collusion between The Queen, pictured here centre, delivered her pre-recorded message to the
COVID-19 including the new In its latest update on to legal and political pros- nation yesterday in a year that has been difficult for very many people struggling
est non-state attack in the variants of the virus found in Friday, the Africa CDC said ecution. some armed groups and
country’s history when 38 political leaders that has with issues surrounding Covid-19. Running through it all was the theme of selfless-
Nigeria and South Africa. the number of confirmed Sunday’s polls elect the ness, of what the Queen called 'the kindness of strangers'. And here, on the most
people people were killed The agency said that coronavirus cases in the Af- President and National As- brought about more unjus-
after a gunman opened fire rican continent has reached tified deaths, misery, and important date in the Christian calendar, she was also determined to include all the
one in five Covid-19 infec- sembly are taking place fol- other great religious festivals which have been disrupted this year - including Pass-
at a tourist resort in Port El tions in the continent are 2,597,090, while the death lowing the signing of a desolation to the popula-
Kantaoui, about 10 km toll stood at 61,432. tion. over, Eid, Vaisakhi and Diwali.
reported inside the house peace agreement in Febru-

Social Media Pakistan 0345-6738217

6 AHMEDABAD SUNDAY 27/12/2020

Basketball Hall of Famer KC Jones

Sport
Moroccan King, Israeli PM hold 1st
dies at 88
Boston,
phone call since normalisation
Basketball Hall of Famer K.C. Jones has passed Rabat/Tel Aviv,
away aged 88 in Connecticut, Boston Celtics informed Since agreeing to the full normalisation of diplomatic
on Saturday. relations earlier this month, Moroccan King Mohammed
He had been receiving care for Alzheimer’s dis- VI and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held their
ease for several years. first official phone call.
One of the most successful players and coaches During the call on Friday, King Mohammed VI wel-
in the history of the franchise, Jones won a remark- comed the reactivation of cooperation mechanisms be-
able 11 championships with the Celtics — eight as a tween the two countries within the framework of peace-
player in the 1950s and 1960s, and three as a coach ful and friendly diplomatic relations, Xinhua news agency
in the 1980s. However, he was even more successful quoted a statement by the Moroccan Royal Cabinet as say-
as a role model and a friend to those who had the ing.
privilege of playing with him and for him. The King also reiterated the constant and unchanged
“K.C. was the nicest man I ever met. He always position of the North African country on the Palestinian
went out of his way to make people feel good, it was issue, the statement added.
such an honor to play for him,” Celtics legend Larry On his part, Netanyahu during the“warm and friendly”
Bird said in a statement. conversation extended an invitation to the King to visit Is-
Jones is the second Celtics legend who has died rael and the two agreed to
in the past month and a half. His former teammate continue contacts in order to advance the
and fellow Hall-of-Famer Tommy Heinsohn passed normalisation agreement in the weeks ahead, The Times
away Nov. 9. of Israel quoted the Prime Minister’s Office in Tel Aviv as
Just two days prior to Jones’ death, the team held saying in a separate statement.
a pre-game memorial for Heinsohn, who, like Jones, “The leaders congratulated each other over the re-
won a plethora of championships with the Celtics newal of ties between the countries, the signing of the joint
both as a player and as a head coach. statement with the US, and the agreements between the
“We’ve had this too much lately with some of our two countries.
greatest winners and greatest people that have been Whisper it quietly, but Manchester United have pieced together a run in recent weeks which has all the hallmarks “In addition, the processes and mechanisms to imple-
part of this organization,” Current Celtics head coach of a team seriously shaping up to have a stab at winning the title. The 15-match mark is about to be reached in ment the agreements were determined,” the statement
Brad Stevens said.“On a day that people always value England's top flight as the festive period beckons, and United are unbeaten in their last seven fixtures, having won six added.
their time with family and friends, obviously ham- of those. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side look to have entered something of a purple patch at the perfect time and, it's On Wednesday, Moroccan Minister of Tourism, Handi-
pered by the year we’ve all had, it’s a real tough blow. important to highlight, they sit only five points off the summit having played a game fewer than rival sides. Jamie crafts, and Air Transport Nadia Fettah Alaoui announced
Our condolences are with his family,” he added. Vardy (inset bottom left) is in the form of his life and Harry Maguire (inset bottom right) has played every single that direct flights between the two countries will begin in
minute this season. Will United's blistering momentum take them through? Or will heavy legs favour the Foxes, who two to three months.
have had four extra days to prepare? Sportsmail examines.
Beijing reports 2 locally transmitted
Covid-19 cases
Beijing,
Beijing has reported two new locally transmitted
SC to hear ex-India goalkeeper Bumrah, Ashwin help India take
coronavirus cases, local health authorities in the Chi-
nese capital city said on Saturday.
One case was a 31-year-old woman who is a con- Kalyan Chaubey’s plea on Jan 4 Day 1 honours of MCG Test Melbourne, aggressively for his 39-ball survived a couple of lbw
venience store worker in Shunyi district, reports New Delhi, things. One, according to the Recently, the AIFF had Indian bowlers, led by 30, helped Australia move to calls and a blow on the hel-
Xinhua news agency. National Sports Code, the also moved an application ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah, 35 before off-spinner met as well, looked all set for
The Supreme Court will Ravichandran Ashwin re- a well-deserved half century
She underwent a nucleic acid test on Thursday on January 4 hear an appeal way AIFF is being run cur- in the Supreme Court to ex- came out with a brilliant
and was taken to the designated Ditan Hospital after rently is not as per to the tend the tenure of the cur- bowling performance on moved him. Wade tried to until got out against Siraj,
from former India goal- take the attack to the bowler just two runs short of the
the result turned out to be positive on Friday, accord- keeper Kalyan Chaubey, rules. AIFF should follow the rent executive committee Saturday to help the team
ing to the Beijing municipal health commission. Supreme Court judgment in beyond December 21, take Day One honours by trying a slog-sweep but milestone.
who has sought elections in instead top-edged it for Skipper Tim Paine and
The other case is a 29-year-old company em- the All India Football Fed- this regard, i.e., hold proper claiming that the court-ap- against Australia in the Box-
ployee who also lives in Shunyi district. elections to run the commit- pointed administrators are ing Day Test being played at Ravindra Jadeja to take a Cameron Green then took
eration (AIFF), a source con- catch at mid-wicket. Australia into Tea at 136/5.
The woman sought medical help after develop- firmed to IANS on Saturday. tee. yet to frame a new constitu- the Melbourne Cricket
ing fever and cough. “Secondly, the AIFF has tion to conduct elections. Ground (MCG). Soon Ashwin had Steve In the final session, the
Chaubey, who played for Smith for 0. Smith tried to visitors didn’t let go off the
She tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday the senior national team put a very strange condition The AIFF in its petition Losing the toss, the In-
and was sent to the Ditan Hospital on Friday. that if anybody wants to has asked the top court to dian team, led by stand-in turn a delivery on the pressure and Siraj was the
from 1999-2006, had moved middle and leg towards first one to get rewarded as
Local authorities are conducting epidemiologic the apex court earlier this contest the federation’s elec- “allow the Executive Com- skipper Ajinkya Rahane, first
investigations and have taken control and prevention tions, he or she has to hold a mittee elected on Decem- bowled out the hosts for a square leg only to find he had Green out lbw at his
month with an appeal to not Cheteshwar Pujara take the individual score of 12. Paine,
measures. extend the mandate of the position in a state associa- ber 21, 2016 in its annual paltry 195 and then ended
No new locally transmitted asymptomatic or sus- tion for at least four years.” general body meeting to the day at 36/1, trailing by catch at leg slip. At that who had earlier survived a
current executive commit- point, India had Australia on close run out call, couldn’t
pected Covid-19 cases were reported in Beijing on tee of the AIFF and hold “What I have asked is continue to hold office till a 159 runs.
Friday, according to the health commission. that if a former footballer new executive committee is For Australia, Marnus the mat at 38/3 stay long at the crease and
fresh elections at an early However, Labuschagne went back to the dressing
The city also reported no new imported con- date. He has also pleaded in wants to contest the elec- formed pursuant to an elec- Labuschagne was the high-
firmed, asymptomatic or suspected Covid-19 cases. tions, he should be given a tion conducted in accor- est scorer as he amassed 48 and Travis Head made sure room after scoring with 13.
the top court to correct the Australia didn’t lose any fur- Towards the end,
The novel coronavirus, which emerged in Hubei election eligibility process chance even if he doesn’t dance with the new consti- runs off 132 balls before be-
province’s capital city of Wuhan in December 2019, fulfil the above criterion.This tution and may be approved coming the first Test scalp of ther wicket going into Nathan Lyon contributed
so that former players can Lunch. with valuable 20 as Austra-
has so far infected a total of 95,460 people in China also contest the elections is because it is football for by the court and /or pass debutant pacer
and killed 4,770 others. whose benefit this commit- such order/orders as the Mohammad Siraj. Resuming the second lia got bundled out for 195
and be part of AIFF’s deci- session at 65/3, inside 73 overs.
sion making. tee is there, and a former court may deem fit and Earlier the hosts, after
electing to bat, lost the Labuschagne and Head Bumrah was the pick of
UN welcomes prisoner swap between Speaking to IANS, footballer can be a part of it,”
said Chaubey, a winner of
proper in the fact and cir-
cumstances of the present wicket of opener Joe Burns shared a 86-run partnership the bowlers as he returned
Chaubey had earlier said, “I
Libyan parties have simply demanded two three SAFF Championships. case”. early with Bumrah having before Bumrah got Head
caught at slips by Rahane at
with figures of 4/56 in the 16
overs he bowled. Ashwin
Tripoli, him caught behind for duck.
Left-handed opener his individual score of 38. was next in line as.
The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) on
Saturday welcomed the exchange of prisoners be-
tween rival parties in the war-torn country.
In a series of tweets, the mission said: “(The)
Former England fast bowler Matthew Wade, who played Labuschagne, who had

UNSMIL welcomes the remarkable success registered

today by the exchange of prisoners from both sides
under the supervision of the Joint Military Commis-
Robin Jackman passes away
London, NatWest Trophy-winning served as a broadcaster.
sion (5+5), and thanks to the good offices of the tribal squad. “So passionate and
sheikhs and elders. Robin Jackman, former
“The Mission takes this opportunity to urge both England fast bowler and “With the news of losing knowledgeable about the
parties to accelerate the full implementation of the commentator, has passed one Surrey great in John game of cricket..such a great
comprehensive ceasefire agreement, signed on Oc- away at the age of 75. He is Edrich and now 24 hours story teller..always willing to
tober 23, 2020 in Geneva, including the exchange of survived by his wife Yvonne later to have Jackers taken help..so many good memo-
all prisoners.” and two daughters. from us too soon is a huge ries R.I.P Jackers,” tweeted
Libya plunged into chaos after the fall of late Born in Shimla, India, blow to the club,” Surrey’s Shaun Pollack.
leader Muammar Gaddafi’s government in 2011, wit- Jackman played four Tests chairman Ricard Thompson “Awoken to the sad
nessing prolonged conflict between the eastern- and 15 ODIs for England, said while paying tribute to news of dear buddy &
based Libyan National Army and the UN-backed Gov- picking up 33 international Jackman. “Robin was a comms colleague Robin
ernment of National Accord in the country’s west. wickets between 1974 and genuine Surrey great. Win- Jackman passing... Blessed
On October 23, the Libyan delegations to the 5+5 1983. His domestic career ning a County Champion- to have had wonderful
Joint Military Commission talks in Geneva signed a began in 1966 and he ship, being a Wisden Crick- times shared ‘Jackers’ RIP
UN-sponsored permanent ceasefire agreement. played nearly 400 games, eter of the Year and taking Rob,” said Danny Morrison.
In November, the Joint Military Commission taking 1402 first-class wick- over 1400 first-class wickets Jackman had under-
agreed on terms for the ceasefire implementation in ets. He was useful with the puts him in a very special gone two surgeries to re-
the country, including the return of forces back to bat too, having scored 5,681 category,” he added. move malignant tumours
their camps and the withdrawal of foreign forces from first-class runs with 17 half- Post retirement, he after being diagnosed with
conflict lines. centuries. settled in South Africa and throat cancer in 2012. MICAH RICHARDS: My seven wishes for 2021 include a first Champions League
The delegations also agreed to exchange all pris- “We are saddened to title for Manchester City. After the disappointment City suffered against Lyon last
learn about the death of leg-
oners, remove landmines in cooperation with the UN
teams and the General Intelligence Service, and com- endary commentator and
former England bowler
Rijiju anchors second season, they will be determined to make amends and I want Sergio Aguero (top
right) leading the charge. People may sniff at my observation that I am expecting
that England (bottom right) go all the way at Euro 2020 but I genuinely believe
bat hate speech.

Over 100,000 New Yorkers suffer from

Robin Jackman, who has
passed away aged 75,” the edition of Fit India Dialogue we are not far away from it all clicking. Every member of Gareth Southgate's squad
is hungry. Meanwhile, Erling Haaland (inset) is tearing things up for Borussia
International Cricket Coun- New Delhi, Dortmund but what an incredible signing he would be for a club in England. This
power loss on Christmas cil (ICC) said in a tweet.
His Test career did not
Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju recently anchored the 20-year-old is breaking records all over the place and looks like he would fit per-
New York, second edition of the Fit India Dialogue where he interacted fectly into our game.
begin until 1981 when he with fitness and sports icons from different age and genres.
More than 100,000 New Yorkers woke up on was 35 and started amidst The dialogue was led by one of India’s oldest sporting
Christmas morning without electricity after a power-
ful storm lashed the northeast of the United States
overnight.
controversy as
Guyanese government re-
the icon Milkha Singh along with Bollywood superstar Anil
Kapoor, ace India woman cricketer Mithali Raj, former In-
Turkey’s appointment of new
voked his visa on his first
Westchester, Rockland, Ulster, Orange and
Dutchess counties were particularly hard hit, with
tour owing to him playing
cricket in apartheid South
dian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia and Indian national bad-
minton coach Pullela Gopichand.
During the dialogue, the panellists not only shared de-
Ambassador
Ankara,
to Israel in bid to fix ties
also appoint an ambassador With the upcoming Joe
73,926 outages reported between the five of them Africa. He was eventually
as of 10 a.m. on Friday, according to PowerOutage.US, tails about their fitness mantra but also spoke in-depth Turkey’s decision to ap- to reciprocate Turkey’s Biden administration in
given go ahead in the Test about how India’s perception of fitness has changed in the move since no announce- Washington, Turkey may
a service that tracks electricity disruptions nationwide, in Bridgetown, where he point a new Ambassador to
Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday. past few decades. While few icons shared tips on how one Israel is in line with its ambi- ment has been made to this have evaluated that it could
took five wickets. can remain fit at any age, others showed few basic exer- date. see itself further ostracized
New York City fared much better with less than Jackman was a Surrey tion of normalising relations
17,000 outages reported across the five boroughs. cises that they perform regularly to maintain peak fitness. with the Jewish state and “It’s an important first if it does not mend ties with
legend and played a part in The first edition of the Fit India Dialogue was hosted by move to fix ties with Israel. Israel, a strong ally of the US,
Staten Island made up the bulk of the Big Apple’s their 1971 County Champi- represents a bid that would
outages, with some 3,500 reported disruptions, ac- Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September, which saw generate geo-strategic ben- Both nations are regional the foreign policy analyst
onship victory and was a Indian cricketer Virat Kohli, fitness icon Milind Sonam, players and restoring a once added.
cording to ConEd. key member of their 1982 efits for both nations, ac-
ConEd, which supplies electricity for the city and among others, interacting with the prime minister. cording to experts. well-working relationship For the part of Israel,
most parts of Westchester, urged customers to report On December 9, along would be a win-win out- however, it is busy cultivat-
outages for faster service resumption. The company with a series of other ambas- come for them,” Hasim ing its newly-found ties with
also warned customers against touching or attempt- sador appointments, Ankara Turker, academic coordina- Muslim states and may not
ing to move downed electrical wires. had announced that Ufuk tor of the Bosphorus Center rush to respond to this rap-
Ulutas, chairman of the Cen- for Asian Studies based in prochement move by Tur-
ter for Strategic Research at Ankara, told Xinhua on Fri- key, a former Turkish ambas-
Death toll in Ethiopia armed attack the Turkish Foreign Ministry, day. sador told Xinhua on the
climbs to 207 had been selected for the A reset of bilateral ties basis of anonymity.
critical post, Xinhua news with Israel may reduce ten- “Israel may prefer to en-
Addis Ababa, agency reported. sions in Eastern Mediterra- hance its ties with Arab na-
The death toll from a recent armed attack in Ulutas, a 40-year-old nean where Turkey has tions first and then turn to-
Ethiopia’s Benishangul-Gumuz regional state has think-tanker, is an expert on maritime disputes with ward Turkey in line with
risen to 207, the country’s federal rights group has Israel and Iran and has writ- other nations, Turker ex- shared regional interests,”
confirmed. ten many papers on the plained. he said, adding a possible
Among the victims were 133 adult men, 35 adult Middle East policy. Turkey’s more assertive normalization of ties would
women, some 20 elderly persons as well as 17 chil- This appointment came foreign policy in recent help reduce hostilities in the
dren, one of them a six-month-old baby, the Ethio- after Turkey had reportedly years has marked a deterio- Mediterranean region.
pian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said in a initiated a series of secret ration of its ties with coun- The current Turkish gov-
statement late Friday. contacts with Israel in an at- tries including Israel, Egypt, ernment under President
The bloodshed took place on Tuesday night and tempt to mend fences amid Saudi Arabia, Greece and Recep Tayyip Erdogan has
was carried out by armed men who set fire and shot years of tension in bilateral some Gulf states. been a strong advocate of
at residents while they were asleep. relations. “Realpolitik is pushing the Palestinian cause.
Efforts are underway to identify the victims with It is worth noting that Turkey and Israel to move “We are having issues
the help of survivors and Identity Cards, the Xinhua there has been no ambassa- closer,” said Turker. with people at the (Israeli)
news agency quoted the EHRC as saying. dor in either country since “Turkey has not the top level,” Erdogan told re-
It added that a committee comprising members After a decade in the shadows, AC Milan are the best they've been in years and
lead the Serie A table as we near the half-way stage. Stefano Pioli's side are the only May 2018, when Turkey luxury of being politically porters in Istanbul on Friday
of police, regional authorities and the General asked the Israeli envoy to and economically alone in “If there were no issues
Attorney’s Office has been set up to monitor the iden- team yet to lose a match in Europe's top five leagues this season and showed their
title credentials once more on Wednesday night with a last-gasp 3-2 victory over leave after Washington’s de- this region, so it has to take at the top level, our ties
tification, registration and burial of victims. cision to move the US em- decisions to end this state of could have been very differ-
A local official also informed the EHRC that two Simone Inzaghi's Lazio. Yet as recently as two years ago, Milan played just a support-
ing role in Italy's top league. They were a side who turned down the chance to play bassy to the disputed holy affairs by reaching out to ent,” he said, adding Israel’s
victims died while receiving treatment in Bulen Hos- city of Jerusalem. nations with whom it has policies on Palestine were
pital on Thursday. Europa League football due to financial worries and were stuck in mid-table with
inconsistent results. It is unclear if Israel will problems.” “unacceptable”.

Social Media Pakistan 0345-6738217

Business
Cloud to fuel 6 key priorities for China’s ban on Australian coking coal to Business Brief
Indian firms in 2021: IBM CTO benefit India’s steel producers: Ind-Ra Cyberpunk 2077 game developer
New Delhi,
While 2020 saw an ac-
celeration in the adoption
of Hybrid Cloud, allowing
organisations to run
workloads on-premises, in
the private cloud and the
public cloud, the next year
will see six key technology
priorities for firms of all
sizes to adopt in the coun-
try, a key IBM executive
said on Sunday.
In 2021, not only will
organisations continue to
focus on ensuring they
make the right technology
choices, they will adopt a
holistic, hybrid multi-cloud
architecture, allowing
them to easily build and
modernise applications
and make their data ready
for their journey to AI
across the company, said
Subram Natarajan, Chief
Technology Officer, IBM In-
dia/South Asia.
“The next chapter of
the cloud demands the
power to quickly innovate
and respond to changing
market and client de-
mands- build once and de-
ploy anywhere. With cloud
investment being key, we
will witness six major tech-
nology priorities enabled
by cloud in 2021,”
Natarajan told IANS.
A recent IBM study
highlighted that
organisations in India will
increase the share of
spend on Hybrid Cloud,
from the current 17 per
cent to about 49 per cent
by 2023.
The Indian
organisations are expected
to be using an average of
10 clouds, however, only 29
per cent of businesses will
have holistic multi-cloud
management strategies in
place by 2023.
As Cloud migration
CHANGE OF NAME
I have changed my name from
YUVRAJ SURESHSINH
BIHOLA to new name
YUVRAJSINH SURESHSINH
BIHOLA
Add.: At.Po.Palaj,
Ta.Dist.Gandhinagar
G209
CHANGE OF NAME
I have changed my name from
MEETKUMAR
PRABHATSINH ADIOL to new
name MEET PRABHATSINH
ADIOL
Add.: B-37, Omkar Flat,
Isanpur, Ahmedabad
2564
CHANGE OF NAME
I have changed my name from
SANDEEP SUMANBHAI
DESAI to new name
SANDEEP SUMANTRAI
DESAI
AND I WILL BE KNOWN AS
MY NEW NAME SO
CONCERNED PLEASE
NOTE
SD/-
SANDEEP SUMANTRAI
DESAI R/O “MANIKUNJ”
MANINAGAR SOCIETY,
TITHAL ROAD,
VALSAD-396001
C010
projects become more and
more mainstream, there
will be a clear drive by the
customers’ IT teams, to
standardise on the tech-
nology enablers.
“Particularly, container
platform decisions will be-
come the focus and cus-
tomers will look for flexibil-
ity, security, openness, and
agility as the main criteria
for this decision,”
Natarajan said.
Xiaomi to launch 3 kinds of
foldable phone in 2021: Report
Beijing,
Chinese smartphone
maker Xiaomi is reportedly
planning to launch three
foldable phones with differ-
ent designs next year.
According to Display
analyst Ross Young, the
brand is expected to unveil
foldable phones with de-
signs such as out-folding, an
in-folding, and a clamshell,
reports GizmoChina.
Young added that the
out-folding foldable phone
from Xiaomi will be like the
Huawei Mate X. Three is a
possibility that the out-fold-
ing device may feature a dis-
play of around 8 inches.
Display analyst Ross
CHANGE OF NAME
I have changed my name from
JITENDRAKUMAR
POPATLAL KORADIA to new
name JITENDRA POPATLAL
KORADIA
Add.: 301/1,
Sector-3/B,Gandhinagar
G209A
The second priority will
be to enable the journey to
Cloud with industry lens,
addressing the roadblocks
regarding security, compli-
ance and regulatory re-
quirement. “Particularly, in
the case of financial ser-
vices and telco which have
extensive regulatory con-
trols that are mandated,
this becomes relevant,” the
IBM CTO added.
Young had claimed earlier
this month that companies
like OPPO, Vivo, and Xiaomi
will together launch four
foldable phones in 2021. He
had also claimed that
Google will also launch a
foldable phone in the com-
ing year. Recently, Xiaomi
filed a patent for a foldable
camera system that rotates
forward for selfies and back
for regular photos.
The smartphone maker
filed the design patent for
an inward bending phone in
China and has also put 48
images to showcase the
handset.
Social Media Pakistan 0345-6738217
New Delhi,
The production cost of
India’s steel producers using
the blast furnace route
would remain contained in
the near term due to China’s
ban on Australian coking
coal, India Ratings and Re-
search (Ind-Ra) said.
Accordingly, the Chinese
move will lead to softer cok-
ing coal prices which shall
directly support EBITDA per
tonne accretion of around
Rs 2,600 over FY21 for com-
panies using the blast fur-
nace route.
“Such companies are
likely to have reduced cost
of steel production by
around Rs 1,800 per tonne
YoY in 2HFY21, supported
by the reduced cost of cok-
ing coal per tonne of around
Rs 7,300,” Ind-Ra said in a
report.
As per Ind-Ra, China’s
ban has led to negative bias
on coking coal prices.
It expects Australia pre-
mium hard coking coal
(HCC) CNF prices would be
around $120 per tonne over
remaining FY21, except for
any weather-related supply
disruptions in Australia.
“Despite China’s healthy
steel production growth of
7 per cent YoY in the first
7MFY21, its coking coal im-
ports have significantly re-
duced by 12 per cent as
against an increase of 14 per
cent YoY in FY20, reflecting
the country’s increased reli-
ance on domestic coking
coal.
“Considering the low
coking coal imports by
China in 7MFY21 and a pos-
sible further reduction amid
China’s ban on Australian
Rupee to end 2020
on a bullish note
By Rohit Vaid
Mumbai,
Consistent foreign fund
inflows along with a Brexit
trade deal will lead further
appreciation in Indian Ru-
pee as the currency ends
2020 on a high note.
However, rupee has
been a laggard in 2020, as
the currency did not appre-
ciate much despite record
inflows.
On the other hand,
India’s forex reserves contin-
ued to rise, indicating, an
active Reserve Bank which
has kept rupee in a check, to
make exports competitive.
AHMEDABAD SUNDAY 27/12/2020
coking coal, an excess sup-
ply would build-up unless
Australian miners reduce
their output considerably.
“Hence, Ind-Ra under-
stands coking coal prices
would remained soft al-
though other major coking
coal importers such as India,
Japan and South Korea’s
production levels have re-
covered them to pre-covid
levels,” Ind-Ra added.
The RBI is known to en-
ter the markets via interme-
diaries to either sell or buy
US dollars to keep the rupee
in a stable orbit.
India’s foreign exchange
reserves rose by $2.563 bil-
lion during the week ended
December 18 to $581.131
billion.
Besides, lesser interven-
tion from the Reserve Bank
is expected after it was
called out by the US Trea-
sury Department to curtail
its market activities.
These factors along with
a continued supply of for-
eign funds will lead.
7
sued over poor performance issues
San Francisco,
CD Projekt, the company behind the disastrous
CyberPunk 2077 game, has been sued by an investor,
alleging that the investors were misled about the
games performance, causing a significant stock price
drop and losses.
Launched earlier this month, Cyberpunk 2077 sold
more than 13 million copies but got poor reviews
from the players — plagued with bugs and prompt-
ing retailers and console makers to offer full refunds,
reports The Verge.
“The plaintiff, Andrew Trampe, is looking to in-
clude other investors in the suit to turn it into a class
action lawsuit,” the report said on Friday.
CD Projekt allegedly failed to convey that the
game was “virtually unplayable,” the lawsuit read.
CyberPunk 2077 became one of the best selling
games of the year with the launch.
Many of those sales came from preorders after a
much-hyped marketing campaign.
Microsoft last week added a warning to its listing
of ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ to alert potential‘Xbox One’ play-
ers to the game’s “performance issues”.
“Users may experience performance issues when
playing this game on ‘Xbox One’ consoles until this
game is updated,” the warning read.
CAIT urges FM to defer
implementation of ‘Rule 86-B’ in GST
New Delhi,
Traders’ body Confederation of All India Traders
(CAIT ) has urged Finance Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman to defer the implementation of ‘Rule 86-
B’ in GST, scheduled to be implemented from Janu-
ary 1, 2021. In a letter to the Finance Minister on Fri-
day, the traders’ body said that the recent notification
of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) incorporating
‘Section 86-B’ which levies a mandatory payment of
1 per cent tax to be deposited, where the monthly
turnover is more than Rs 50 lakh is a counter produc-
tive step. Accordingly, the move will burden traders
with compliance and more financial obligation.
Besides, the traders’ body also urged Sitharaman
CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said
that any amendment in any tax law should be
imple“amending again and again during the in-be-
tween period of the year”.
Ahmedabad, Page 7
 National
CMYK

8 AHMEDABAD SUNDAY 27/12/2020

India-B’desh 2021 focus: Streamline

News in a Nutshell mechanism to curb trans-border crime
By Rajnish Singh
New Delhi,
2 militants killed in Kashmir Indian and Bangladesh border guarding forces will
encounter jointly engage in “streamlining mechanism” in the upcom-
ing year to curb trans-border crimes — a major concern of
Srinagar, the two neighbouring countries that affects security, as well
Two unidentified terrorists have been killed in an as internal system due to the illegal activities.
overnight encounter with the security forces in South India’s Border Security Force (BSF) and the Border
Kashmir’s Shopian district, officials said on Saturday. Guards Bangladesh (BGB) set the target after the 51st Di-
On Friday the gun battle began after security rector General level border coordination conference be-
forces cordoned off the Kanigam area and launched tween them yielded “positive results”.
a search operation on the basis of specific informa- Besides streamlining mechanisms to jointly curb trans-
tion about militant presence. As the security forces border crimes, both forces reiterated their commitment to
zeroed in on the hideout, they came under a heavy work “jointly” for ensuring peace and tranquility along bor-
volume of firing that triggered the encounter. Police ders.
said search operation is going on in the area. The en- India and Bangladesh share a 4,096 km international
counter in Shopian came just a day after two terror- border, the fifth-longest land border in the world, includ-
ists were killed in an encounter with security forces ing 263 km in Assam, 856 km in Tripura, 318 km in Mizoram,
at Kreeri in North Kashmir’s Baramulla district. 443 km in Meghalaya, and 2,216.7 km in West Bengal.
“This conference yielded positive results, many impor-
One dead in Delhi factory fire tant issues and constructive solutions were arrived at and
fruitful discussions led to more streamlining of mechanisms
New Delhi, to jointly curb various trans-border crimes,” a BSF statement
A 45-year-old man died in a mask-making factory said.
in Delhi early Saturday while two others remained Lunch being served to farmers holding protest against the Farm Laws at Singhu border, in Delhi.
injured, police said.
“The Fire Department received a call at around
3.54 a.m. Immediately six fire tenders were rushed to
the spot,” said Atul Garg, director of the Delhi Fire
Service. The machines and raw materials on the third
Kerala: 2 arrested in suspected honour killing case Security beefed-up as over 2K
months ago, Aneesh had Aneesh and even snatched
floor in mask manufacturing factory had caught fire.
Three persons rescued by the DFS staff were rushed
to the hospital, where Jugal Kishore succumbed.
Thiruvananthapuram,
Two people who alleg-
edly attacked a 27-year-old
married Haritha who was
from an upper caste. Their
away his mobile phone the
other day.
farmers reach at Hry-Raj border
man with machete and relationship started while Palakkad district police Gurugram, “Heavy police force has the official.
sickle in Kerala’s Palakkad, they were still in school. The chief Sujithdas said that the In support of the ongo- been deployed at the Delhi- Meanwhile, At the Delhi-
Snow likely in J&K, Ladakh on have been arrested in a sus- girl’s family was never police had acted ever since ing farmers’ agitation Gurugram border and ad- Gurugram border, the Delhi
Sunday, Monday pected case of honour kill- happy about it.
However, police said
Aneesh’s family had lodged
a complaint against
against the three agricul- joining areas like Bilaspur,
Panchgaon, Kherki Daula
Police are checking suspi-
cious vehicles entering the
Srinagar, ing, police said on Saturday. tural laws in Delhi, more
Prabhukumar and that they are yet to ascertain Haritha’s father and her than 2,000 farmers have as- toll, Dundahera-Delhi bor- national capital. They have
The cold wave has been consistent in J&K and Suresh have been taken into whether this was a case of uncle for threatening sembled at the Haryana- der and Haryana-Rajasthan installed barricades at mul-
Ladakh as they go through harsh winter period of custody, as police continue honour killing. Aneesh. Rajasthan border till Satur- border on the National tiple check points.
Chillai Kalan and on Saturday the weather office also to probe complaints of The deceased’s brother He said that the local day, the police said. Highway-48,” a senior police Apart from this, the
forecast light to moderate snowfall on Sunday and harrasment against a num- Arun told the media that police had called up As the number of farm- official said. Gurugram police has
Monday, including in Drass and Zojila among other ber of suspects who had ac- Haritha’s family had threat- Haritha’s parents and ers increases every day, the “We have deployed a claimed they have deployed
areas of the two union territories.“Weather is likely to costed the deceased on sev- ened Aneesh with dire con- warned them that they Haryana police have also large number of police per- more than 1,500 police per-
remain mainly dry during the next 24-36 hours in eral occasion. sequences. should not take the law into deployed a huge force to sonnel across the national sonnel at various points
both the UTs. “Light to moderate snowfall is likely at Police said that the vic- Arun added that their own hands. stop farmers from entering highway in view of the farm- along National Highway 48
scattered to fairly widespread places in Kashmir, es- tim, Aneesh, was on his mo- Haritha’s uncle Suresh had “We are yet to ascertain the state. ers’ decision to move to- to ensure law and order situ-
pecially the higher reaches and Drass, Zojila area of torbike with his brother even barged into Aneesh’s whether this is a case of According to the infor- wards the national capital to ation across the district.
Ladakh during 27th evening to 28th,” Sonam Lotus, Arun on Friday night, when house and issued several honour killing and this can mation, the farmers at the join the ongoing stir in Moreover, police sources
director of the MET department said. Prabhukumar and Suresh death threats. be confirmed only after Haryana-Rajasthan border Delhi. So far, we don’t have said farmer groups from
waylaid and attacked them. Haritha also alleged that statements of all those con- are awaiting other farmer any information that any south Haryana and
NDA ally RLP’s Beniwal threatens to Later, Aneesh died on her uncle Suresh and her fa- cerned with the case includ- associations to intensify farmer group or outfit has Rajasthan may head to-
the way to hospital. ther Prabhukumar had is- ing Haritha, her relatives and their protest and head to- entered Gurugram via wards the national capital
sever ties over farm crisis Sources said that three sued death threats to Aneesh’s. wards the national capital. Rewari or Rajasthan,” said on December 27 to support
Jaipur, the ongoing agitation
Minutes before starting of with thousands of against the three farm laws.
farmers for Delhi, NDA ally and Nagaur MP, Hanuman
Beniwal, made it clear that this was the moment of Covid virus will stay with us for next 10 years: BioNTech CEO “No untoward incident
or road blocking was re-
clarity, the BJP will have to choose and it has to be London, life could return to normal. vaccine can be adjusted for reports. second new variant of the ported across the district so
fast, now that the farmers’ crisis have stretched be- As the world grapples “We need a new defini- the new UK variant in about Sahin said he was con- novel coronavirus in Brit- far. Senior police officers
yond a month. with the pandemic amid the tion of normal. The virus will six weeks. fident that the new variant ain, the UK has reported along with forces have been
Thousands and thousands of farmers were all origin of newer and poten- stay with us for the next 10 “In principle, the beauty of the Covid-19 strain in the highest number of stationed in their areas. We
gathered at Kotputli near Jaipur ready for “Delhi tially lethal strains, BioNTech years,” he told of the messenger technol- the UK would not impact Covid-19 fatalities this have issued an advisory to
Chalo” on Saturday. Beniwal’s Rashtriya Loktanrtik CEO Ugur Sahin has said mediapersons. ogy is that we can directly the efficacy of the vaccine. week, since late April. all officials concerned to
Party is an ally of the BJP at the Centre. that the deadly virus is go- BioNTech’s vaccine, de- start to engineer a vaccine The new strain of Covid Health Secretary Matt take precautionary mea-
“Around 2 lakh farmers are marching with me to ing to stay with us for the veloped with the US phar- which completely mimics is causing worry all around Hancock said that the sec- sures in view of plans to
Delhi and we shall take on spot decision on our alli- next decade at least. maceutical giant Pfizer, has this new mutation - we the world including in In- ond new variant was re- block the expressway and
ance with NDA. If farm bills are not withdrawn, we will In a virtual press confer- been authorised for use in could be able to provide a dia, and it remains to be portedly related to travel- toll plaza,” K.K. Rao,
announce the severing of our ties with NDA,” Beniwal ence this week, Sahin spoke more than 45 countries, in- new vaccine technically seen what effect it could lers from South Africa, and Gurugram police commis-
told IANS about the potential virus cluding Britain and the US. within six weeks,” he was have. two cases have been re- sioner said.
deadline when asked when Sahin also said that the quoted as saying in media After the discovery of a ported so far.

Mutant strain: Over 800 tourists Kerala Guv working on directives of RSS: Baby
Thiruvananthapuram, cial session of the Assembly overstepped his brief.
from UK land in Raj in a week BabySenior CPM leader M.A. on December 23 for passing CPM leader and state
has alleged that Kerala a resolution against the law minister A.K. Balan had
Jaipur, Governor Arif Mohammed farm laws.The Governor had also come out against the
The new corona strain in the UK is keeping the Khan is “acting on the direc- shot down the proposal and Governor stating that he
Rajasthan government on edge as over 800 British tour- tives of RSS headquarters in stated that there was no ur- does not have any right to
ists have entered the 28 districts of the state in the last one Nagpur”. gency for convening a spe- scuttle the recommenda-
week. Tracking them will be a nightmare. The senior CPM leader cial session of the house as tion of a democratically
A bulk of these British (333) visitors have arrived in who was a former education already a special session elected government.
Jaipur which is followed by Jodhpur (73), Ajmer (70), Alwar minister of the state and a was scheduled for January Meanwhile CPI leader
(48), Udaipur (43), Kota (39), Jhunjhunu (24), Ganganagar former Rajya Sabha mem- 8. and state Agriculture minis-
(38), Rajsamand (35) and many more, said health officials. ber said that the RSS head- The state Cabinet had ter V.S. Sunil Kumar and
Rajasthan has been victim of tourists spreading the vi- quarters is giving directives two days ago decided to Balan met the Governor on
rus. The first Covid case in Rajasthan was an Italian tourist, to the Union government approach the Governor Christmas day and tried to
who had come on a tour to India when his country was in which are conveyed to the again with a recommenda- mellow down the situation.
the throes of the pandemic. This first case was reported Governor. He also said that tion for a special session on Both the
on March 2, when this 69-year-old Italian tourist who was the Governor knows the December 31, for passing ministers told media
part of a group of 23 tourists tested positive for Covid-19. ground situation of Kerala the resolution against the that the meeting was “posi-
“The screening and sampling work of these UK tour- and he is feigning ignorance farm laws. Things reached a tive”. Sources in the Kerala
ists have started. We are monitoring all those who have on this following directives major point of friction after Raj Bhavan also indicated
arrived from the UK. In three-four days, we shall be able to of the RSS. the CPI mouthpiece that the Governor was con-
reach out to every single tourist from the UK who entered Khan had disallowed a ‘Janayugam’ lashed out sidering the possibility of a
the Pink City,” said Jaipur’s Chief Medical Health Officer recommendation of the against the Governor in its special session on Decem-
Narottam Sharma. state government for a spe- editorial stating that he had ber 31

Shah reaches Guwahati to kick start
BJP’s Assembly poll campaign
Guwahati,
Union Home Minister
and senior BJP leader Amit
Shah, who arrived in
Guwahati on Friday mid-
night, would formally
launch the ruling saffron
party’s campaign for next
year’s Assam assembly
polls on Saturday.
Braving the cold
weather thousands of
people, Assam Chief Minis-
ter Sarbananda Sonowal,
Finance and Health Minis-
ter Himanta Biswa Sarma,
BJP’s National Vice-Presi-
dent Baijayant Jay Panda,
who is also the Assam in-
Thanka Anki, the attire in gold to be adorned on the idol of Lord Ayyappa on
Mandala Pooja day, being received at Sabarimala temple.
charge for the saffron party,
state party President Ranjit
Kumar Dass among other
leaders received Shah at the
airport.
Over 3,000 artists of vari-
ous communities greeted
Shah after he came out from
the Gopinath Bordoloi Inter-
national (LGBI) airport
shortly after Friday mid-
night. According to Sarma,
after attending the series of
government and party
programmes in Assam, Shah
on Sunday would visit
Manipur and before leaving
Imphal he would lay the
foundation stone for the
Churachandpur Medical
College and meet the civil
society leaders.
He said that Shah during
his three day visit to Assam
and Manipur would also
meet allies of BJP in Assam
including Asom Gana
Parishad (AGP), Gana Shakti
and Rabha Jatiya Aikya
Manch.
Sarma said that the
Union Home Minister dur-
ing a meeting with Assam
Chief Minister would review
the law and order situation
of the state. The Chief Sec-
retary and Director General
of Police.
Delhi AQI improves
slightly as winds pick up Lakhs of Raj farmers set to march
New Delhi,
Air quality in the na- with RLP’s Beniwal to Delhi
tional capital improved
slightly on Saturday and
stood in‘very poor’ category
as surface-level winds
helped in dispersal of pollut-
ants. It is likely to deteriorate
on Sunday.
Delhi’s air quality index
stood at 324 micrograms
per cubic metres at noon.
On Friday, it was 357 micro-
grams per cubic metre and
425, 433, 418, micrograms
per cubic metre the previ-
ous days.
According to the Central
Pollution Control Board
(CPCB), the pollution moni-
toring station in North-West
Delhi’s Jahangirpuri area
logged severe air quality in-
dex reading at 404 micro-
grams per cubic metre,
while 27 others across the
city showed the AQI in ‘very
poor’ category.
“The air quality has im-
proved to middle-end of
very poor category as fore-
casted. Good surface winds
helped to disperse accumu-
lated pollutants,” said the
System of Air Quality and
Weather Forecasting and
Research of Ministry of Earth
Sciences.
The surface winds are
likely to slow down for a
shorter period on Sunday
and marginal deterioration
in air quality is forecast, the
weather forecasting agency
said, adding that it will again
improve on December 28
and 29.
Delhi’s neighbouring re-
gions - Ghaziabad, Greater
Noida and Noida recorded
‘very poor’ quality of air,
leaving aside Gurugram and
Faridabad which have
slightly better AQI.
Ghaziabad and Greater
Noida have the most pol-
luted amongst all at 352 and
335 micrograms per cubic
metre.
SAFAR has issued a strin-
gent warning, asking sensi-
tive groups of people to
avoid all physical activity
outdoors and move activi-
ties indoors. If asthmatic,
keep relief medicine handy.
Meanwhile, the India
Meteorological Department
stated that the cold condi-
tions have persisted in the
national capital as the mini-
mum temperature re-
mained below 5 degrees
Celsius for the fourth con-
secutive day.
Man injured in MIM leader’s firing in Telangana succumbs
Hyderabad,
A man who was injured
in the firing by a leader of
Majlis-e-Ittehadul
Muslimeen (MIM) in
Telangana’s Adilabad town
on December 18, suc-
cumbed on Saturday, police
said. Syed Zameer, 52, a
former councilor from
Tatiguda in Adilabad,
breathed his last at Nizam’s
Institute of Medical Sciences
(NIMS) in Hyderabad.
He along with his brother
Syed Mannan and nephew
Syed Mohtesin were injured
Tourists enjoying horse riding in the pleasant weather at the Ridge in Shimla.
Jaipur,
Responding to a call
given by NDA ally and
Nagaur MP, Hanuman
Beniwal, thousands of farm-
ers are gathering at Kotputli
near Jaipur to march to
Delhi on Saturday.
Beniwal, who is the
convenor of Rashtriya
Loktanrtik Party that has
formed an alliance with the
BJP at the Centre, had
claimed at one of his gath-
erings that over 2 lakh farm-
ers shall march with him to
Delhi.
They will march up to
the national capital and
stand by the protesting
farmers in solidarity of their
demands to withdraw three
contentious farm laws
passed by the central gov-
ernment in September,
when MIM Adilabad district
president Mohammed
Farooq Ahmed opened fire
from his licensed revolver
and also attacked them with
a knife. Zameer and
Mohtesin had sustained bul-
let injuries while Mannan re-
ceived stab wounds. As
Zameer’s condition was criti-
cal, he was shifted to
Hyderabad for treatment.
Mohammed Farooq,
former deputy chairman of
Adilabad municipality, at-
tacked his rivals after a tussle
between two groups playing
which they believe will ruin
their livelihood.
An RLP worker told IANS:
“We shall leave here at 11.30
a.m. for Delhi. Farmers from
different parts of the state
are gathering here. we will
be on Delhi borders to stand
in solidarity with our breth-
ren who have been protest-
ing for a month demanding
the rollback of controversial
farm laws.”
A statement issued by
the RLP on Friday said that
people and farmers from
different districts of
Rajasthan would gather in
Kotputli and would travel
towards Shahjahanpur bor-
der under the leadership of
MP Hanuman Beniwal.
Beniwal then said,
“Annadata (farmers) of our
country are on streets and
cricket in Tatiguda area.
A video of the attack
went viral over social media.
Farooq was seen opening
fire from his weapon while
holding knife in another
hand.
Police had arrested the
accused and booked for at-
tempt to murder. With
Zameer’s death, he will be
booked for murder. Police
also recommended to the
collector and district magis-
trate to cancel accused’s
gun license.
Previous grudge seems
hence PM Narendra Modi
should show a big heart and
withdraw the three farm
laws.”
Beniwal had earlier writ-
ten to Union Minister Amit
Shah threatening he would
reconsider his alliance with
the BJP if the farm laws were
not withdrawn.
There are theories being
floated that Beniwal might
announce to break his alli-
ance with the BJP if the farm
crisis does not get resolved.
On Friday, the Jaipur-
Delhi highway was fully
blocked in the wake of farm-
ers protesting at
Shahjahanpur which is lo-
cated on the Rajasthan-
Haryana border.
In the wake of rising
number of protesters, the
Haryana police.
to be the source of conflict
between the two parties,
police said The families of
Farooq and Zameer are said
political rivals.
Farooq’s wife is the coun-
cilor from Tatiguda. In the
elections held last year she
had defeated a woman rela-
tive of Zameer, who had con-
tested on Congress party’s
ticket.
Following the incident,
MIM dissolved party’s
Adilabad unit and an-
nounced that a new presi-
dent will be announced

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