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ANALYSIS 7
BUDGET 2022-23:
AVOID A DEBT TRAP
DELHI'S RAMLILA MAIDAN HOSTED
QUEEN ELIZABETH II IN 1961
ueen Elizabeth II, the first British monarch to celebrate a
Q platinum jubilee, was given a rousing reception in Delhi in
January 1961 at the historic Ramlila Maidan where she also
had addressed a massive gathering of people during her first royal
visit to India. On Sunday, the 95-year-old Queen completed 70 years
of her reign, after having ascended the throne on February 6, 1952,
on the death of her father King George VI, who also was the last
emperor of India. Queen Elizabeth II's coronation took place in June
1953 and she had undertaken her first royal visit to India, along
with her consort Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in 1961.
Santishree
Dhulipudi
appointed first
woman VC of JNU
PNS n NEW DELHI
The Ministry of Education on
Monday appointed Santishree
Dhulipudi Pandit as the vice-
chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru
University, making her the first
woman to hold the post.
She is currently a political sci-
ence professor at the Department
of Politics and Public
Administration at Savitribai Phule
University in Maharashtra.
2 priests welcomed him with poor-
Mulugu Tribal University
awaits Centre’s approval
PNS n HYDERABAD
Reacting to the TRS government
which is criticising the Centre
for no progress in estab-
lishing a tribal universi-
ty in TS, the Centre on
Monday said, “The
proposal has been
submitted for the
approval of the Union
Ministry of Finance.”
The Andhra Pradesh
Reorganisation Act 2014
inter-alia provides for the
establishment of a Central Tribal
University in Telangana. The Site
Selection Committee constituted
Groundwater levels declining: Govt
PNS n NEW DELHI
About 30 per cent of wells mon-
itored in the country have regis-
tered a decline in groundwater
level, whereas the remaining have
recorded a rise, the government
said on Monday.
In response to a question in the
Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for
Jal Shakti Bishweswar Tudu said
the Central Ground Water Board
(CGWB) is periodically monitor-
ing groundwater levels across the
country on a regional scale,
through a network of monitoring
TODAY
ALMANAC
Month & Paksham:
Tithi: Ashtami: Feb 08 06:16 AM to
Feb 09 08:31 AM
Nakshatram:
Bharani: Feb 07 06:58 PM to
Feb 08 09:27 PM
Krithika: Feb 08 09:27 PM to
Feb 10 12:23 AM
Rahukalam: 3:20 PM to 4:45 PM
Yamagandam: 9:40 AM to 11:05 AM
Varjyam: 10:55 AM to 12:43 PM
Gulika: 12:30 PM to 1:55 PM
Amritakalam: 04:09 PM to 05:55 PM
Abhijit Muhurtham: 12:07 PM to
12:52 PM
HYDRABAD WEATHER
Forecast: Mostly sunny
Temp: 31oc
Humidity: 52%
Sunrise: 6:49 AM
Sunset: 6:10 PM
Updated: February 07, 2022 5:00 PM
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Finishing touches to Yadadri
Chief Minister KCR makes aerial survey and inspects the renovation works
NAVEENA GHANATE
n HYDERABAD
TS Chief Minister
Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday
K Monday launched a no-holds-
gave finishing touches to the mas-
sive renovation works taken up at
the Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy,
Yadagirigutta (Yadadri), which is
scheduled to be inaugurated
towards the end of March 2022.
The Chief Minister held a review
after making an aerial survey of the
refurbished, centuries-old temple
complex as well as infrastructure
and amenities provided in the
vicinity of the temple, being devel-
oped as a major pilgrim spot.
The CM reached Yadadri by hel-
icopter on Monday afternoon.
After aerially sizing up the works
nearing completion, he inspected
the surroundings of the main tem-
ple complex.
Upon KCR's arrival, the temple
by the Union Ministr y of
Education had finalised a site in
Mulugu (erstwhile Bhupalpally) in
Telangana.
It may be mentioned here
that the proposed Tribal
University continues to
hang in the balance
even after the TS gov-
ernment provided
335.04 acres of land at
Jakaram and the need-
ed infrastructure.
Approximately, 169.35
acres of vacant land was hand-
ed over to the Project Officer, ITDA.
2 and the people of Telangana will
wells.
In order to assess the long-term
fluctuation in groundwater levels,
the data collected by the CGWB
during November, 2021 have been
KTR, BJP leaders fight it out on Twitter
Manikonda Jagir belongs to Telangana: SC
NAVEENA GHANATE
n HYDERABAD
The Supreme Court has ruled in
favour of the Telangana govern-
ment stating that 1,654 acres and
32 guntas of land whose title was
challenged by the Manikonda
Dargah belonged to the
Government/TSIIC and is free of
all encumbrances.
The case was between the state
government and its allottees, Lanco
Hills, ISB, Emaar Properties and
the Manikonda Dargah supported
by the Waqf Board and the Waqf
Tribunal.
The Supreme Court observed,
“Land dedicated for religious pur-
poses is not immune from takeover
by the State,” and quoted the
Khajamian Wakf Estates Vs State
of Madras order.
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MONEY 8
FM ASKS INDUSTRY TO JOIN
HYDERABAD, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022; PAGES 12 `3
nakumbham and offered him
prasadam. The CM spent some
time praying at the shrine of
Lakshminarasimha Swamy in
It is a move against Dalits and STs
KTR blasts Centre’s plan to sell SCCL
NAVEENA GHANATE
n HYDERABAD
Industries Minister KT Rama Rao
has lashed out at the Centre for con-
spiring to privatise the Singareni
Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).
“The coal of Singareni Collieries is
a big asset of Telangana. The people
of Telangana will give a befitting reply
to the BJP if they privatise Singareni
Collieries,” he said. KTR said that
SCCL is not just a coal mine but a
gold mine that is giving employment
to thousands in Telangana.
“The employees of Singareni
compared with the decadal mean
of November, 2011-2020, the
minister said.
"Analysis of water level data
indicates that about 30 per cent of
the wells monitored have regis-
tered a decline in groundwater
level whereas 70 per cent wells
have registered a rise (in ground
water levels)," he said in a written
response.
According to the data, a total of
14,275 wells were analysed, out of
which, 7,043 wells registered a rise
of 0-2 metres and 3,338 registered
a fall of 0-2 metres.
2 motherly treatment".
The bench comprising Justices
Hemant Gupta and V.
Ramasubramanian pronounced
the judgement on Monday.
The SC said, “These provisions
do not take away the right of the
CHAHAL REVEALS ROHIT TOLD HIM TO FOCUS
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WHITE HOUSE: TOP SCIENTIST
MISTREATED STAFF, APOLOGISES
White House review found credible evidence that top scientist
A Dr. Eric Lander violated its Safe and Respectful Workplace
Policy," but the administration plans to keep him on the job after
giving him counselling. An internal review last year, prompted by a
workplace complaint, found evidence that Lander, the director of the
Office of Science and Technology Policy and science adviser to
President Joe Biden, bullied staffers and treated them disrespectfully.
That put him at odds with Biden's day-one directive that he expected
honesty and decency from all who worked for his administration and
would fire anyone who shows disrespect to others on the spot.
Balalalayam. The priests gave bless-
ings to KCR.
Later, KCR went round the
temple areas on foot. He inspect-
show their strength in New Delhi
if the BJP continues its attempts to
privatise the company. This will be
much bigger than the protests
against the three farm laws,” he said.
The Minister stated that the BJP
is planning to push Singareni into
losses and then privatise it.
“In Andhra Pradesh, the iron ore
mines required for the Vizag Steel
Plant were not provided to it. This led
to losses and that plant will be pri-
vatised soon. About 27 requisition
letters regarding the steel plant are still
pending with the Centre,” he said.
2 ule, the first year
SPECIAL CATEGORY STATUS TO AP
‘Centre's reasons untenable’
PNS n NEW DELHI
The Centre's reasons for not grant-
ing special category status to
Andhra Pradesh is
"flawed, unreasonable,
unjustified and unten-
able", said YSRCP
Rajya Sabha Member
V Vijayasai Reddy on
Monday.
Speaking on the
Motion of Thanks to the
President's address, he also
termed the reduction of borrow-
ing limits of the state as "step-
The Supreme Court
observed, “Land dedicated
for religious purposes is not
immune from takeover by the
State,” and quoted the
Khajamian Wakf Estates Vs
State of Madras order.
State to acquire property belong-
ing to religious denominations.
SPORTS 12
Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao
during his inspection of Yadadri on
Monday, after an aerial survey.
ed the headquarters and the sanc-
tum sanctorum.
2 The Prime Minister said the
Reddy alleged the Centre was
taking advantage of the Andhra
Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014,
which was "loosely drafted" by the
previous Telugu Desam Party
(TDP) government with
"many anomalies and lacu-
nae" in it.
Andhra Pradesh lost
Hyderabad as its capital
when it was bifurcated. But
when the BJP bifurcated
Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and
Madhya Pradesh, none of the
residual states lost their capital cities,
he said.
2
Those denominations can own,
acquire properties and administer
them in accordance with the law.
That does not mean that the prop-
erty owned by them cannot be
acquired.”
As per the judgement, 90 per
cent of the gross basic sum referred
to in Section 4 of the Commutation
Regulation is payable to the Dargah
within six months.
An errata notification was issued
in the year 2006 on behalf of the
Waqf Board declaring 1,654 acres
and 32 guntas as Wakf property.
But the state government argued
that Dargah Hazrat Hussain Shah
Vali, owned only an acre and not
1,654 acres. The united AP govern-
ment’s APIIC and later the TSIIC
challenged it in the High Court
which dismissed the petition in
2012.
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Page 11
LEADERS MEET AROUND THE GLOBE
HOPING TO CALM UKRAINE CRISIS
nternational efforts to defuse the standoff over Ukraine
I intensified Monday, with French President Emmanuel
Macron set to hold talks in Moscow and German Chancellor
Olaf Scholz in Washington to coordinate policies as fears of a
Russian invasion mount. The concentration of an estimated
100,000 Russian troops near Ukraine has fuelled Western
worries that it heralds a possible offensive. White House
national security adviser Jake Sullivan warned Sunday that
Russia could invade Ukraine any day, triggering a conflict that
would come at an enormous human cost.
Congress strengthening
separatism, has become
‘leader of tukde-tukde’
PNS n NEW DELHI Congress "crossed all limits" dur-
ing the COVID pandemic.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on During the first wave, when peo-
barred attack on the Congress, say-
ple were following lockdowns and
COVID norms, the Congress was
ing the Britishers have gone but the
party has made the "divide and
standing at Mumbai Station and
scaring innocent labourers into
rule" policy its character
and has become the
fleeing to their native states,
he said. "You have com-
"leader of the tukde-
tukde gang".
mitted a big sin," he
added.
Replying to the During his near-
debate in Lok ly 100-minute
Sabha on Motion speech, he also
of Thanks to accused the oppo-
President Ram sition party of
Nath Kovind's indulging in "blind
address to the opposition" and
Parliament, Modi said strengthening sepa-
the Congress' "arrogance" ratism.
has not gone away despite multi- It is true that criticism is the
ple electoral defeats and its "mis- ornament of a vibrant democracy,
deeds" seem to indicate that it has but "blind opposition" is an "insult
made up its mind not to come to to democracy", he said.
power for the next 100 years.
2
34 mines of Singareni
incurring losses: Centre
The Centre has said that 34 mines
of Singareni Collieries suffered
losses in 2020-21. Of the 34
Inter exams
mines, 17 are in Mancherial, nine
in Peddapalli, five in Jayashankar
Bhupapally, two in Badradri
from April 20th
PNS n HYDERABAD
Kothagudem, and one in
Komarambheem Asifabad. “In The Intermediate Public
Coal India Limited (CIL), 231 Examination 2022 will be
mines incurred losses in FY 2020- conducted across the state
21. However, the profits from from April 20, officials of the
profitable mines are more than the TS Board of Intermediate
losses incurred by Education said on Monday.
loss-making mines. 2 As per the Board's sched-
Intermediate examinations
will be held from April 20 to
KCR to go
May 2. The second year
Intermediate examinations
will be held from April 21 to
May 5. Practical examina-
tions will be held from
for BJP March 23 to April 8.
According to the Board,
jugular Ethics and Human Values
examination as well as
Environment education will
Page: 4 be held on April 11 and April
12 respectively.
Congress MPs demand
treason case against KCR
o Stage dharna on Parliament premises
K VENKATESHWARLU
n HYDERABAD
TPCC President Revanth Reddy
reiterated the demand that a case
of treason should be booked
against Chief Minister K.
Chandrasekhar Rao for demand-
ing that the Constitution should be
changed.
Revanth, along with Nalgonda
MP Uttam Kumar Reddy and
Bhongir MP Komatireddy
Venkatreddy, staged a dharna in
front of Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s stat-
ue on the premises of the
Parliament House in New Delhi on
Monday.
Speaking to the media, Revanth
said that Congress MPs were stag-
ing a dharna to bring the statement
made by KCR demanding a change
in the Constitution to the attention
of President Ramnath Kovind and
Prime Minister Modi.
2
HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022
Budget reflects long-term objectives of the Modi government
rime Minister Narendra
P Modi has focussed his
entire attention on devel-
opment, just as Arjuna of the
Mahabharat concentrated on
the bull's eye (eye of the bird),
if the Budget proposals for the
year 2022-23 are any indication.
The budgets that were pre-
sented during the past eight
years by the Modi government
suggest that the PM is not for
announcing sops in the Budget
with an eye on elections and
disbursement of money at will
to various sections of society.
He always speaks about the
country's future and devises
schemes with a long-term
objective.
Modi has gone on record that
the Budget has been designed to
inspire awe across world as the
nation would be observing the
centenary of its Independence 25
years from now.
Creation of world-class infra-
structure, providing employ-
ment for all, and implementa-
tion of sustainable constructive
activities should be the basis for
the development of the coun-
try. The Union government had
KTR, BJP leaders fight it out on Twitter
PNS n HYDERABAD
Industries Minister KT Rama
Rao is engaged in a twitter war
with BJP leaders including
Union Minister Kishan Reddy.
BJP leaders came down
heavily on KTR’s tweet on
Modi in which he called the
PM, an ‘Icon of Partiality.’
Responding to this, Union
Minister Kishan Reddy said, “If
the police is removed for 15
minutes, we Muslims will fin-
ish 100 crore Hindus. CM
KCR & KTR endorse such
statements by aligning with
Owaisi & MIM. They valorise
Nizam whose Razakars army
massacred Hindus at will. He
then abuses the PM whose only
dharma is ‘Sab Ka Saath Sab Ka
Vikas.”
Responding to it KTR said,
“Kishan Reddy Garu, while my
comment was about the NDA
Government’s apathy towards
Telangana and how this partial-
ity is hurting several states, you
are resorting to the same obfus-
cation again by bringing in
irrelevant issues. Care to clar-
ify on any of 19 issues showing
union government’s apathy
towards Telangana.”
To this Kishan Reddy
replied, “Those preaching
Hyderabadi
Anil figures in
‘Forbes 30
Under 30’ list
PNS n HYDERABAD
The founders of DonateKart,
Sandeep Sharma (26), Anil
Kumar Reddy (26), and
Sarang Bobade (26), have
figured in the ‘Forbes 30
Under 30 Asia’ list.
Industries Minister KT
Rama Rao congratulated
them on making it to the
Forbes list. “You have truly
revolutionised the crowd-
funding industry,” he said.
While Anil is based out of
Hyderabad, the remaining
two are in Mumbai. They
were part of T-Hub’s Lab32
programme.
This trio of 26-year-olds
built an eCommerce site for
giving, where you don't
donate money but 'shop' what
NGOs list as their require-
ments.
DonateKart procures and
delivers it, providing the giver
with delivery details.
CHICKEN
RATES `/KG
Dressed/With Skin `215
Without Skin `200
Broiler at Farm `130
EGG
RATES `/100
HYDERABAD 410
VIJAYAWADA 445
VISAKHAPATNAM 440
RETAIL PRICE `4.10
(IN HYDERABAD)
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earmarked Rs 10 lakh crore in
the Budget for creation of
infrastructure. This is 35 per
cent more compared to the
allocations made in the last
year's budget under this head
of account. It will facilitate
development of roads, railway
lines, airports, sea-ports; imple-
mentation of various projects;
creation of transport facilities,
and grounding of construction
activities.
The Budget facilitates fast
movement of goods to save
thousands of crores of public
money. This will help achieve
greater coordination between
government departments and
agencies. Digital technology,
GIS serve as backbone to e-Gati
Sakti programme. Under the
PM Gati Sakti Plan, 100 cargo
terminals would be developed
and 25,000-km-long national
highways built.
Allocations to the railways
and highways have been
stepped up by 50 per cent.
Twenty per cent additional
funds have been earmarked in
the Budget for the creation of
basic amenities in urban areas,
virtues should realise that their
dynastic rule is tainted with the
history of supporting AIMIM
who’ve destroyed hundreds of
Hindu Temples in the Old
City of Hyderabad. It’s a trav-
esty to politicise an event
attended by the PM to honour
the epitome of equality.”
Responding to this accusa-
tion, KTR said, “Even if ITIR
is not given by Centre, we
brought in iconic IT compa-
nies. Even if national status is
not given, we are going about
with the Kaleswaram Project.
If Kazipet Coach Factory is not
given, we are going ahead with
the private coach factory. If we
are support to the state, you are
the looter of the country.”
KTR also replied to former
MLC Ramchander Rao and
said, “Dynasty isn’t half as bad
as Nasty Bigotry.”
Ramchander Rao said, “You
are not anywhere near the
reality KTR. The IRONY is that
now BHAGYANAGAR will be
recognised globally for the
Statue of Equality & not your
peoples’ Charminar! And
what’s more disgusting is that
the "Ambassador" of dynast
politics is speaking about
equality!”
Responding to this KTR
Congress MPs demand treason...
Continued from page 1
He said KCR's demand
amounts to treason and there-
fore legal action should be
taken against him. He also
demanded that Modi should
respond to KCR's remarks.
Revanth said that the
Constitution has empowered
Dalits, Tribals and Backward
Classes by providing them
reservation in education and
employment. He said that SCs
and STs enjoy reservation in
Parliament and State
‘Centre's reasons...
Continued from page 1
The YSRCP MP asserted that
when Andhra Pradesh was
bifurcated, the state was
promised special category
status by then Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh.
"The Centre (now) has
given six reasons for not
granting special category
status, which are totally
flawed and unreasonable,
unjustified and untenable,"
Reddy said.
Reasons such as econom-
ic status of the state, no men-
tion of 'special category sta-
tus' in the Andhra Pradesh
Reorganisation Act, 2014,
and "politically not possible"
cannot be the basis for deny-
ing the promised status to the
state, he argued.
"We have absolutely no
objection if the Central gov-
ernment is willing to grant
special category status to
Odisha and Bihar. But that
can't be the reason for not
granting special category sta-
tus to the state of Andhra
Pradesh," Reddy said.
The Budget also allocated Rs 1 lakh crore to
fund states in creating urban infrastructure,
executing irrigation projects, and
implementing programmes in health and
education sectors. Compared to the
allocations made in the budget last year
under this head of account, the allocations
have gone up by Rs 85,000 crore.
urban housing, and ports.
The annual spending on
development of infrastructure
would be Rs 20-22 lakh crore,
going by the allocation of Rs
111 lakh crore in this regard for
the 2020-25 period.
Of the total spending for
infrastructure across the coun-
try, the Centre's share would be
45 per cent.
The Budget also allocated Rs
1 lakh crore to fund states in
creating urban infrastructure,
executing irrigation projects,
and implementing pro-
grammes in health and educa-
tion sectors. Compared to the
allocations made in the budget
last year under this head of
said, “Sir, I know it’s difficult for
Godse worshippers to compre-
hend words such as communal
harmony & plurality. It’s a pity
that even after ruling the coun-
try for 8 years, the only fallback
for you is 80-20, Us Vs Them
blah. By the way, dynasty isn’t
half as bad as Nasty Bigotry.”
The twitter war continued
between KTR and BJP leaders
till Monday night. KTR says
"day before yesterday... We
brought top IT companies
though the Centre didn't give
ITIR
Yesterday... We constructed
Kaleswaram project though
the Centre not given national
status..
Today... We set up private
Legislatures due to the present
Constitution.
He said KCR wants the
Constitution to be changed to
end the reservation for Dalits,
Girijans and BCs in jobs, edu-
cation and legislatures. He said
that KCR wants to impose a
dictatorial form of government
by changing the Constitution.
The TPCC Chief said that
KCR's demand was part of a
larger conspiracy hatched by
the BJP leadership. He said
KCR has acted as a spokesper-
son of the BJP by floating the
Santishree Dhulipudi...
Continued from page 1
The 59-year-old Pandit is also an
alumna of JNU where she pursued
her MPhil as well as PhD in
International Relations. Her the-
sis was on ' Parliament and Foreign
Policy in India -- The Nehru years'.
"President Ram Nath Kovind,
who is Visitor to the University,
has approved the appointment
of Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit
as JNU Vice-Chancellor. Her
appointment is for five years," a
senior Ministry of Education
official said.
Pandit began her teaching
career at Goa University in
1988 and moved to Pune
University in 1993. She has
held administrative positions in
various academic bodies.
She has also been a member
of the University Grants
Commission (UGC), the Indian
Council of Social Science
Research and Visitor's nominee
to central universities.
In her career, she has guided
29 PhDs. She said that her
focus would be the implemen-
tation of the National Education
account, the allocations have
gone up by Rs 85,000 crore. The
amount would be given as
interest-free loans to states for
repayment in 50 years.
The 'National Bank for
Financing Infrastructure and
Development' has been set up
to encourage private invest-
ments in infrastructure and
promote private-public part-
nerships.
Several tax concessions have
been offered to promote infra-
structure development. To raise
funds for pharma, agro-tech-
nology, and other sectors; green
bonds and other types of bonds
would be issued.
Confident of achieving pol-
coach factory... Though the
Centre not given Kajipet coach
factory...
If we want to say in a single
word... We stand by the state...
You are waste to nation... ".
KTR tweeted above one
reacting to Kishan Reddy's
tweet
"Those preaching virtues
should realise that their dynas-
tic rule is tainted with a histo-
ry of supporting MIM who've
destroyed several hundreds of
Hindu Temples in the Old
City of Hyderabad.
It's a travesty to politicise an
event attended by PM to hon-
our the epitome of Equality".
KTR also Retweeted to
Ramachnder Rao's tweet say-
idea of a change in the
Constitution to start a debate
and create a favourable atmos-
phere.
He said Modi and KCR want
to follow the examples of
Vladimir Putin of Russia, Kim
Jong-un of North Korea and Xi
Jinping of China by imposing a
dictatorship on the country by
bringing in a new Constitution.
Revanth said that Congress
MPs would give notice for an
adjournment motion on the
issue in the Lok Sabha on
Tuesday.
Policy and to provide a gender-
sensitive environment for aca-
demic excellence.
"As vice-chancellor, JNU, I
thank both the prime minister
and the Minister of Higher
Education for giving me this
opportunity as the first woman
and alumnus of this esteemed
university from the state of Tamil
Nadu," she said in a statement.
Pandit said she is looking forward
to working with students and fac-
ulty members. "The immediate
focus of this administration
would be to provide clean admin-
istration, students-friendly and
gender-sensitive environment
for academic excellence."
M Jagadesh Kumar, who was
holding the charge of acting
vice-chancellor at JNU after
his five-year term ended last
year, was appointed as the chair-
man of the UGC last week.
"It gives me pleasure to inform
you that Santishree Dhulipudi
Pandit from Savitribai Phule
Pune University has been
appointed as the next Vice-
Chancellor of JNU. She is the first
female Vice-Chancellor of JNU.
Y SATYA KUMAR
BJP National Secretary
icy reforms outlined in the
Budget, the Union govern-
ment the target rate of growth
of the economy at 9.2 per cent.
The IMF commented that the
Budget has been introduced
"after a lot of foresight".
A sum of Rs 40 lakh has been
earmarked in the Budget for
development of highways and
for implementing affordable
housing for the homeless.
IMF Managing Director
Kristalina Georgieva lauded
the Budget stating that the
Modi government had
ing that "Sir, I know it's diffi-
cult for the Godse worshippers
to comprehend words such as
communal harmony & plural-
ity
It's a pity that even after rul-
ing the country for 8 years, the
only fallback for you is 80-20,
Us v/s Them blah
By the way, Dynasty isn't half
as bad as Nasty Bigotry".
Earlier Ramchander Rao
tweeted saying "You are not
anywhere near the reality
@KTRTRS!
The IRONY is that now
BHAGYANAGAR will be rec-
ognized globally for
#StatueOfEquality & not "Your
peoples" Charminar!
And what's more disgusting
is that the "Ambassador" of
dynast politics is speaking
about equality!".
Earlier KTR tweeted against
Kishan Reddy saying that
"Kishan Reddy Garu, While
my comment was about NDA
Govt's apathy towards
Telangana and how this par-
tiality is hurting several states,
you are resorting to the same
obfuscation again by bringing
in irrelevant issues. Care to
clarify on any of these issues
Down pointing backhand
index".
Mulugu Tribal...
Continued from page 1
It consists of 115.09 acres of
assigned government land
and 50 acres of forest land. On
Monday, the Union Minister
of State of Education, Dr
Subhas Sarkar said, “The
Detailed Project Report has
been prepared and inter-min-
isterial consultations are also
over. The proposal has been
submitted for approval by the
Union Ministry of Finance.”
Congress strengthening separatism...
Continued from page 1
The Prime Minister noted that
if the BJP loses one election its
ecosystem works on it for
months and slammed the
Congress, saying that after so
many defeats, "neither your
arrogance goes away, nor your
It is a move against Dalits and STs
Continued from page 1
KTR alleged that the BJP
Government is conspiring to
kill Singareni in a similar way
by refusing to allocate coal
mines.
He said that Telangana lead-
ers will stand by SCCL employ-
ees in their fight against the
BJP.
KTR also expressed anger
over asking SCCL to partici-
pate in the auction for JBROC-
3, KK-6, Shravana Pally OC,
and Koyagudem coal mines
instead of allocating it direct-
ly to the company.
The Centre is expected to
allocate coal mines to strength-
en the SCCL which is generat-
hyderabad 02
focussed on spending funds to Services are being implement- income tax slab rates for var-
create infrastruc-
ture required to
revive the TRULY
ed. Similarly, e-Shram is
meant to benefit the
workers in unorgan-
ious domestic companies. He
gave relief to them from pay-
ment of minimum alternative
economy and ised sectors. A map- tax. Disinvestment of PSUs
create jobs. The SPEAKING ping facility will be reached its crescendo during
Budget would introduced for owners his time. He only increased
fuel large-scale devel- and employees to find better the ceiling on foreign invest-
opment in the coun- talent and placements. Tax ments and reduced customs
try, she remarked. concessions will be introduced duties. He introduced volun-
There is no doubt that the for start-ups. Drones would be tary disclosure of income
objective of the Budget is to deployed in the agriculture scheme to save the wealthy
achieve multi-faceted and sector. Startups would be from income-tax, wealth tax
multi-sector development in encouraged in the agricultural and FERA.
the country. There is no doubt sector through the NABARD. The GDP of the country rose
about it. The Budget's other Mission Sakti would be to Rs 230 lakh crore, as against
objectives are to revive the launched to promote self-help Rs 110 lakh crore seven or eight
rural economy, improve ameni- groups among women. The years ago. Does it not mean that
ties in tier-II and tier-III cities, Budget has allocated Rs 2.37 the Modi government has been
continue development in urban lakh crore to provide MSP to initiating measures to expand
areas, and create opportunities the farmers. the economy?
for women and youth. The objective of the Modi The network of national
The priority given to the ser- Government is to remove highways had been extended up
vices sector in the Budget indi- poverty and put the country on to 90,000 km in the past 70
cates that employment oppor- part with developed nations. It years, while the Modi govern-
tunities would increase. To was surprising to note that for- ment has built 50,000-km-long
encourage youth, several incen- mer Finance Minister national highways in seven
tives have been introduced to Chidambaram called the bud- years. Is it worth ignoring?
improve their skills and pro- get as "the budget for capital- We cannot expect meaning-
ductivity. As a result, over 60 ists". ful criticism from the
lakh will get jobs in 14 sectors. In fact, under the regime of Opposition. Wisdom is yet to
To create jobs in the MSME Chidambaram as the Finance dawn on them, though they
sector the National Career Minister, he reduced the fared poorly in the elections.
KCR spoke about changing Constitution
to divert attention from corruption: Sanjay
PNS n HYDERABAD and family rule oriented, he oath on the Constitution,
said. wanted to see that others do
The BJP is getting ready to Sanjay alleged that the not become Chief Ministers
wage a legal fight against Chief Chief Minister stated with the same
Minister K. Chandrasekhar the Constitution Constitution and hence
Rao for his comments on the must be changed KCR has been saying
Constitution. only to divert that there is a need to
On Monday, Telangana BJP public attention rewrite the
Legal Cell had a meeting in from the cor- Constitution.
which Telangana BJP Chief ruption of the Sanjay alleged that
Bandi Sanjay Kumar discussed TRS government. KCR doesn't need to
the possibilities of taking legal It is a big conspir- give jobs, unemploy-
action against KCR. acy to divert public ment allowance and dou-
Addressing the meeting, attention from the KCR gov- ble bedroom houses if the
Sanjay alleged that KCR didn’t ernment’s corrupt practices. Constitution is rewritten.
like Ambedkar’s Constitution He said KCR ignored KCR’s new constitution will
and that he wanted to bring in Telangana Liberation Day as be written in a manner that
a Kalvakuntla Constitution. part of it. no one can question him
KCR’s aim is to make the He alleged that KCR who about his assurances, Sanjay
Constitution reservation-less became Chief Minister taking pointed out.
Demand down for high-rise Finishing touches...
Continued from page 1
apartment complexes in Hyd The Chief Minister was
PNS n HYDERABAD In Hyderabad, of the 140 accompanied by Chief
projects launched in 2021, 57 Secretary Somesh Kumar,
In Hyderabad, the demand for were high-rises. Principal Secretary Narsingh
high-rises is declining while As per the latest research by Rao, MLA Marri Janardhan
the demand for independent Anarock, vertical growth, one Reddy, Finance Secretary
houses has been increasing of the most defining character- Ramakrishna Rao and TRS
due to the Covid-19 pandem- istics of Indian urbanisation in state general secretar y
ic. Many developers have over a decade, has become the Shravan Kumar Reddy.
begun focusing on plotted Indian real estate's latest While inspecting Kalyana
development projects. Covid-19 'casualty'. Katta and Pushkarini, the
In Hyderabad, while the The latest Anarock research CM made several sugges-
share of high rises in the report reveals that among the tions to the Ministers and
housing projects launched in
2019 and 2020 was 51 per cent,
in 2021 it fell to 41 per cent,
new projects launched after
2019, the share of high-rises
had shrunk to 52 per cent in
officials accompanying him.
The prospects of conducting
the Sudarshana Yagna over a
says Anarock.
In its report, Anarock says
2021 against 63 per cent in the
pre-Covid year.
sprawling 75-acre site were
examined. He took stock of
that in the three southern
cities of Bengaluru, Chennai
Of the 1,178 projects
launched in the top seven
the construction
Annadanam Satram and RTC
of
and Hyderabad, approximate-
ly 383 housing projects were
cities in 2021, approximately
614 were high-rises of G+10
bus stand. The CM made
enquiries as to whether sep-
launched in 2021. Of this, floors or more. In 2019, 603 of arate bathrooms/changing
118 projects (31 per cent) the 960 projects were high- rooms were being built for
were high rises. In 2019, of the rises. The newly launched men and women, considering
approximately 307 projects projects include apartment that most devotees make it
launched, 109 (36 per cent) complexes, villas, row houses point to take a dip in the
were high-rises. and independent floors. Pushkarini before offering
prayers at the shrine. The
CM also inspected the con-
struction of vrata mandapas
and deekshaparulu.
Following his survey, the
ecosystem allows your arro- Modi said, "Sometimes a CM held a review. Ministers
gance to go away".
Modi said it would have
been good if the Opposition
thought comes to my mind,
with their statements, their
programmes, their misdeeds,
Jagadish Reddy, Vemula
Prashant Reddy, MLAs
Sunita Mahender Reddy,
would have accepted and wel- the way you speak and connect Pillai Shekhar Reddy, Gadri
comed with an open heart with issues, it seems you have Kishore, Chirumarthi
whatever the country has made up your mind of not Lingaya, Collector Pamela
achieved by 'Sabka prayas'. coming back to power for 100 Sathapathy and others were
Hitting out at the Congress, years. Nobody does this." present at the meeting.
for Telangana. Is Telangana not
34 mines of Singareni incurring losses: Centre in India?” he asked.
KTR said that this was not
During 2020-21, 34 mines were also incurring losses in Singareni just discrimination against
Collieries (SCCL),” Union Minister Prahlad Joshi said on Monday. In
SCCL, but discrimination
ECL, Sanctoria, in West Bengal 60 mines are incurring losses. In BCCL against Telangana and its peo-
Dhanbad in Jharkhand 23 mines, in CCL Ranchi in Jharkhand 37 ple. The people of Telangana
mines, in WCL Nagpur in Maharashtra 43 mines, in SECL Bilaspur in
will teach BJP a lesson if they
Chattisgarh 58 mines, in MCL Sambalpur in Odisha seven mines and don’t stop this, he said.
in NEC Margherita in Assam three mines are incurring losses. “Coal is KTR said the Centre is auc-
the most abundant fossil fuel in India and accounts for 55 percent of tioning not just the four mines
the country's energy. Commercial primary energy consumption in of SCCL, but the lives of its
India has grown by about 700% in the last four decades. workers too. He expressed
concern that SCCL will com-
ing profits. Instead, they are coal mines were not allocated pletely disappear soon if priva-
asking the company to take to SCCL directly the way lig- tised.
part in the auction for mines. nite mines were allocated to the On Monday KTR wrote a
This is nothing but creating Gujarat Mineral Development letter to Union Minister
hurdles for Telangana’s devel- Corporation in Gujarat. Prahlad Joshi strongly
opment, KTR said. “Under BJP, there is one rule demanding the allocation of
He asked the Centre why the for Gujarat and another rule coal mines directly to SCCL.
HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022 hyderabad 03

190 TSWREIS students bag MBBS seats

PNS n HYDERABAD
The Telangana Social Welfare
Residential Educational
Institutions Society
(TSWREIS) created history
by enabling 190 of its students
to bag MBBS seats in the
recently concluded first
round of counselling for
MBBS seats.
"The credit for this goes to
Chief Minister K. Chan
drashekar Rao and Minister
SCDD Koppula Eshwar as
they sanctioned funds for
conducting NEET coaching
on par with corporate insti-
tutions and helped the poor
students achieve their
dreams," said TSWREIS
Secretary Ronald Rose.
The Secretary congratu-
lated the successful students
and said, "This is a milestone
for the TSWREIS as never
before have such a large num-
ber of first-generation learn-
ers from humble back-
grounds made it to medical
colleges."
The TSWREIS had sent
513 marginalised students to
medical colleges in the last six
years, a remarkable achieve-
colleges, IITs, NITs, and other
"The credit for this goes to Chief Minister
premier higher educational
institutions.
K. Chandrashekar Rao and Minister Koppula Eshwar as B. Saani from Gowlidoddi
they sanctioned funds for conducting NEET coaching on College who secured a seat in
par with corporate institutions and helped the poor
students achieve their dreams," said TSWREIS
the Gandhi Medical College
of Hyderabad said, "My father
is a sanitation worker and
mother a labourer from
Secretary Ronald Rose. Husnabad in Karimnagar. If
not for the free NEET coach-
ment in itself. dents from villages, tribal ing, I wouldn't even have
The Secretary praised the areas and urban slums to dreamt of preparing for the
teaching staff for their hard achieve their long-cherished NEET exam due to my fam-
work in guiding poor stu- dreams of joining medical ily's poverty. I am indebted to
the Government of Telangana
and to my teachers. I want to
become a nephrologist and
want to be remembered as a
poor people's doctor."
Spandana from
Cherlapalem village in
Mahbubbad district, who
secured admission in the
Osmania Medical College of
Hyderabad said, "I am thrilled
beyond words at the thought
of becoming a doctor. Our
teachers helped me a lot and
I am very much indebted to
them. I want to pursue
Nephrology."
Neha, a semi-orphan who
hails from Nagarkurnool dis-
trict and who got admission
in the Kakatiyma Medical
Flyover at Nagole to be
College of Warangal said, "I
decided to become a doctor
when I lost my father at a
young age. He died when I
was in Class V. It was this
tragic incident that made me
pursue medicine. Poverty
taught me several lessons in
readied in about six months
PNS n HYDERABAD said over the years, LB Nagar
life and I want to see that no In LB Nagar and its has turned into a busy local-
one dies due to lack of money. With the aim of preventing vicinity, 14 SRDP ity with many dwelling units,
My mother is a daily wage traffic jams and to ease vehic- office spaces and commercial
labourer, from Singotam vil- ular traffic on Uppal-LB projects at an establishments. With this, the
lage in Nagarkurnool dis- Nagar road, the Greater estimated cost of traffic density has been
trict." Hyderabad Municipal Rs.448 crore were increased on the road.
Corporation (GHMC) is In additional to that, LB Nagar
building a six-lane and two- proposed. Among is also one of the major entry

HP CS studies TS schemes
PNS n HYDERABAD
Himachal Pradesh Chief
Secretary Ram Subhag is in
Hyderabad on Monday. He
met some higher officials of
Telangana state. He said that
they were here to understand
the development and welfare
schemes being implemented
in Telangana state.
Subhag said they are study-
ing schemes in various states so
as to implement them in
Himachal Pradesh. IT Secretary
Jayesh Ranjan and Medical,
Health Secretary S.A.M. Rizvi,
Safexpress launches Logistics Park
PNS n HYDERABAD
Supply Chain and Logistics
Company, Safexpress,
announced launch of its ultra-
modern Logistics Park in
Hyderabad. This state-of-the-art
facility is strategically located on
Nagpur Hyderabad NH - 44. As
per the company, the new
Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Ram Subhag holding discussions with TS Logistics Park will serve as a
officials in Hyderabad on Monday nodal point for logistics and to
provide transitional connective
Panchayati Raj, Rural of Himachal Pradesh. The facility with all Indian states,
Development and Education meeting was attended by especially with nearby districts
Secretary Sandeep Kumar Additional Secretary, and manufacturing hubs.
Sultania briefed on the states Department of Protocol, Safexpress Logistics facility in
initiatives to the Chief Secretary Arvinder Singh and others. Hyderabad, Telangana is spread
over a land area of 3 lakh
square feet, enabled with ultra-
modern transshipment and 3PL
facilities, which will boost stor-
age & warehousing needs of this
region while providing faster
connectivity. The new Logistics
Park is cross-dock, equipped
with loading and unloading of
over 50 vehicles simultaneous-
ly. It has a column-less span of
over 80 feet, which facilitates
uninterrupted movement of
goods within the facility. To
enable all-weather loading &
unloading of goods, the facili-
ty is equipped with 16 feet wide
Cantilever Shed.
way flyover at Nagole at an
estimated cost of Rs 67.97
crore. It is expected that the fly
over would be completed by
July end this year.
The vehicular traffic coming
from Uppal and moving
towards LB Nagar via Nagole
and vehicles going towards
Uppal from LB Nagar via
Nagole will flow more
smoothly once the construc-
tion of flyover is completed.
The flyover is being built
under the State government's
ambitious Strategic Road
Development Plan (SRDP)
and is 990 metres long and 24
metres wide.
As of now, 50 per cent of the
flyover works have been com-
them, Chintalakunta
Checkpost junction
underpass, LB
Nagar Right Hand
Side (RHS)
underpass were
completed.
pleted and all the 23 founda-
tions have been laid and
erection of girders is under
progress. According to
GHMC sources, the benefits
of the project include a
smooth commute on Uppal-
LB Nagar stretch and substan-
tial saving in terms of travel-
ling time. The GHMC officials
and exit points for people
coming to city from
Vijayawada and those going
from city to Vijayawada (in
both ways).
To address these traffic issues
in LB Nagar and its vicinity, 14
SRDP projects at an estimat-
ed cost of Rs.448 crore were
proposed by the GHMC.
Among them, Chintalakunta
Checkpost junction under-
pass, LB Nagar Right Hand
Side (RHS) underpass have
already been made available to
people in addition to the
existing Kamineni Left Hand
Side (LHS) Flyover, LB Nagar
LHS Flyover, Kamineni RHS
flyover and Bairamalguda
RHS flyover.

Couple flees with Rs 2.5 cr chit amount Two held: 1.5 kg opium, other substances seized 5-member gang held with hash oil
CRIME CORNER

PNS n HYDERABAD: The city police PNS n HYDERABAD: Personnel of

have registered cases against a woman
and her husband living in Suraram local-
ity for the past 20 years for duping over a
100 people of over Rs 2.5 crore. The
accused collected the money as chit
amount from the victims. . The accused
couple, Maddirala Padma and Vijay
Kumar, have been collecting chit amounts
from the people in surrounding areas for
the past some years. Thus, they collected
money from over 100 persons and all of a
sudden fled from the area with the collect-
ed money. The couple were running a
kirana store in the same area, where they
managed the monthly chit investments.
They gained people's trust by returning
the money from time to time. Recently,
the couple's neighbours became suspi-
cious as they did not turn up for some
days. When the victims called them over
phone, their mobiles were switched off.
Each victim has their sad tales: one was
saving money for her husband's treatment
while another was saving it for her daugh-
ter's marriage next month. Police have
registered a case in this regard, and are
now on the lookout for the accused.
PNS n MEDCHAL MALKAJGIRI:
Police arrested two persons who
are involved in supply of illicit
narcotic contraband substance.
Personnel of Special Operations
Team, LB Nagar Zone, along with
Uppal police, seized 1.5 kg of
opium and other narcotics, all
worth Rs.12,15,000/- from the
arrested persons. Rakshita
K.Murthy, Dy. Commissioner of
Police, Malkajgiri Zone said that
the accused are identified as
Mangi Lal (22) and Om Prakash
(26), resident of Boduppal and
native of Rajasthan. The culprits
were held near Uppal Bus Stop
when the narcotic substance was
being supplied. At the time, one
accused was handing over a par-
cel to another accused. Police reg-
istered a case under NDPS Act.
And further investigation is in
progress. During interrogation,
accused Mangi Lal disclosed that
he came in contact with one Rahul
two years ago. He disclosed that
Rahul brings contraband sub-
stance from Rajasthan to
Hyderabad and further supplies it
in and around Hyderabad. The
arrests were made under the direct
supervision Mahesh M Bhagwat,
Commissioner of Police,
Rachakonda, under the guidance
of Yadagiri, Deputy Commissioner
of Police Crimes, Shyam Prasad
ACP Malkajgiri Division, Uppal
police station team and staff of
Special Operations Team, LB
Nagar zone.
the Rachakonda Police Special
Operations Team, along with the
Chaitanyapuri police, nabbed a drug
peddling racket and arrested five
persons in the city on Monday.
Police seized 140 ml of hash oil,
three bikes and six mobile phones,
all worth Rs.6.8 lakh, from the
arrested persons. The arrested per-
sons were Shaik Mahamood Basha
(29), a fashion designer from
Kondapur, M.Omkarnada Reddy alias
Nani (23), a hotel management professional from Hafeezpet, K.Vijay
Kumar (42), a businessman from Musheerabad, Suresh Goud (24), a food
delivery executive from Kukatpally and B.Manikanta Reddy (26), a private
employee from Bolarum. The absconding suspect is K.Laxman Rao from
Visakhapatnam.According to the police, Basha confessed that he procured
the hash oil from Laxman Rao at Rs.1,000 per litre and with the help of
his associates sold it for Rs.1,500 to Rs.2,000 to customers in Hyderabad.

TS BJP demands CBI probe
into SCCL ‘irregularities'
PNS n HYDERABAD
Telangana BJP has demanded
the TRS government to release
a white paper on the Singareni
Collieries Company Limited
(SCCL) immediately and also
demanded the state govern-
ment to order a CBI inquiry
into the conditions prevailed
in the SCCL and the irregular-
ities took place in it if the
Chief Minister K will not allow open cast min-
Chandrasekhar Rao is sincere.
While addressing the media
on Monday along with Dr
Prakash Reddy through virtu-
al, BJP SC Morcha national
secretary S Kumar alleged
that KCR has the credit of
making Singareni fall into
bankruptcy by diverting
Rs.20,000 crore. He alleged
that the TRS leaders are try-
ing to provoke the Telangana
sentiment on coal mines auc-
tion as the Singareni elections
are nearing.
Finding fault with the KTR
for writing a letter to the
Centre on Singareni, Kumar
said that TRS raking up the
Singareni issue only to divert
the KCR's comment on the
Constitution as it attracted
severe criticism. He alleged
that KCR, who stated that he
ing in Singareni before
becoming the Chief Minister,
allowed 17 open cast mining
after coming to power. He
alleged that KCR made
Singaren into bankruptcy. He
alleged that there were 62,000
employees in Singareni before
TRS came to power, however,
KCR reduced the number to
40,000 by cutting 22,000
employees.
SCR upgrading existing railway lines at Moula Ali
PNS n HYDERABAD
Moula Ali railway station, locat-
ed on the suburbs of
Secunderabad and Hyderabad,
is emerging as a crucial hub due
to its geographical position.
Keeping this in mind, the South
Central Railway is extensively
modifying and improving the
existing railway lines for
enhanced train operations for
transportation of freight and
passengers.
Accordingly, this railway sta-
tion has been given a facelift by
converting the previous siding
(freight) lines into loop lines.
Further, the length of both the
lines has been extended to
make them capable of handling
full-length passenger trains.
The loop lines will also help
increase the number of plat-
forms at the station from exist-
ing two to three. The conver-
sion of the second line will give
the flexibility of using it either
for stabling/operating passenger
trains or for loading/unloading
goods lines as well.
As part of signalling works,
existing panels have been
replaced with advanced ones
having 63 routes in B cabin and
41 routes in A cabin along
with interlocking which are
located on either side of the sta-
tion. All these measures will
improve the train operations
immensely at Moula Ali station.
Sanjeev Kishore, General
Manager, SCR has compliment-
ed the Secunderabad Division
officials and staff for their
meticulous planning and effi-
ciently carrying out the works
without hindrance to train
movements. He also opined
that these works will ease the
train handling operations in the
section, while providing addi-
tional platform facility to the
passengers.
4 lakh digital membership for
party in Nalgonda L S seat: Uttam
PNS n HYDERABAD
Nalgonda MP N Uttam Kumar
Reddy stated that he complet-
ed 4 lakh digital membership
in his Lok Sabha constituency
for Congress party. The num-
ber is not only highest in the
state but also highest across the
nation. The Nalgonda Lok
Sabha constituency has 7
Assembly constituencies and
the Congress did 4,00,920 dig-
ital membership. With this, the
Nalgonda Lok Sabha con-
stituency stood in number one
place. However, Suryapet
Assembly stood in first place in
Nalgonda Lok Sabha con-
stituency with 86,270 and
Huzurnagar stood in second
place with 82,590 members.
Nagarjuna Sagar stood in
third place with 64,062.
Miryalaguda with 46,459,
Deverakonda with 46,022 and
Nalgonda with 12,126 mem-
bership stood next places.
However, the total member-
ship did so far in the Telangana
state is 29 lakh. After Nalgonda
Lok Sabha constituency,
Peddapally Lok Sabha con-
stituency with more than 3
lakh stood in second place and
Malkajgiri Lok Sabha with 2.77
lakh stood in third place till
date.
The party's target is 30 lakhs
and it will be completed if it has
done 1 lakh more. However,
party leaders said that it will do
more than 35 lakhs though its
initial target is 30 lakh only.
The digital membership drive
was started on December 9th
on the day the birth day of
AICC Chief Sonia Gandhi.
The party initially decided to
complete the 30 lakh target by
January 26. However, state
party requested the high com-
mand to give few more days to
complete the target.

MEDARAM SAMMAKKA-SARALAMMA JATARA Union Home Minister Amit Shah

to visit Ramanujacharya statue
Endowments Dept offers door delivery of Prasadam
PNS n HYDERABAD who are not in a position to services. The devotees have
PNS n HYDERABAD

Union Home Minister Amit

The Medaram Sammakka-
Saralamma Prasadam will
be delivered to the homes of
devotees through the RTC's
parcel services and the
postal service, Endowment
Minister Indrakaran Reddy
said in a statement here on
Monday.
Devotees who order the
Prasadam will get it from
February 12 to 22. He said
the door delivery service will
be provided through the
RTC, postal and IT depart-
ments.
Indrakaran Reddy said
the RTC would also provide
the service of taking jaggery
(Bangaram Prasad) from
devotees to offer it to
Sammakka-Saralamma as
per the orders of devotees
go to the Medaram Jatara.
He said that RTC staff will
come to the residences of
devotees and collect the jag-
gery (Bangaram Prasadam)
and will take it to Medaram
and offer it to Ammavarlu.
Indrakaran Reddy said
that those who want these
ser vices have to book
orders through Mee-Seva
or T App-Folio (This has to
be downloaded from play
store).
He said that they will
deliver the Prasadam at the
doorstep of devotees who
book orders through postal
to pay Rs 225 for a
Prasadam packet for door
delivery.
The Minister said that
those who want the RTC
parcel service will have to
approach the RTC. The
RTC will charge as per the
distance involved. He said
the Endowment Depa
rtment will deliver 200
grams of jaggery, turmeric,
saffron powder and
Ammavari photos to devo-
tees at their doorstep. He
urged the devotees to use
online services from Feb
ruary 12 to February 22.
Shah will be coming here to visit
the Sri Ramanujacharya statue
at Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar
Swamy Ashram at Muchintal on
Tuesday. Amit Shah will be
arriving at the Guest House
between 5-5.15 pm. He will be
going to the view room next to
the ticket counter and will be
inaugurating it at the Ashram.
He will visit the premises
inside under the statue. After a
couple of programmes at the
statue venue, Shah will reach the
Purnahuthi at Yagashala by 8
pm and he will leave for Delhi
at 8.45 pm.
It is also reported that Mohan
Bhagwat will be visiting
Muchintal on February 9,
Rajnath Singh on February 10,
Nitin Gadkari on February 11,
Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu
on February 12 and President of
India Ramnath Kovind on
February 13. The other central
ministers and chief ministers
will also participate in the fes-
tivities.
HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022 04

KCR to go for BJP jugular Siddipet Police

crack robbery ‘Dalit Bandhu to empower
Chief Minister is preparing to go to people to expose Centre’s partiality case at Sub- most backward Dalits’
SNCN ACHARYULU to Telangana. KCR had almost
Registrar office PNS n MAHABUBNAGAR

n HYDERABAD
'The roaring lion is preparing
to go to the people flicking its
mane. Chief Minister K.
Chandrasekhar Rao had
declared a political war against
the BJP a week ago and that
was heard by the nation.'
KCR has decided to go to
the people to expose the BJP's
step-motherly attitude towards
Telangana. For this, KCR has
decided to visit the districts.
KCR will launch his tour of
TS districts on February 11
from Jangaon district. The
idea of the CM touring the
districts had been pending for
a long time. Due to the Covid
pandemic and elections the
district tours of KCR was
postponed several times. Now
elections are over and the
Covid pandemic is under con-
trol.
Keeping this in view KCR
has decided to tour the dis-
tricts continuously. The dis-
trict tours of KCR are a mix of
official and private pro-
grammes. During his tours
KCR will address public meet-
ings also.
In Jangaon district TRS
leaders are planning to hold a
public meeting of one lakh
people. During his district
visits KCR will inaugurate
integrated collectorate com-
plexes as well as district TRS
offices.
The CM will also hold
review meetings with offi-
cials on development pro-
grammes.
The TRS leadership had
appointed district party pres-
idents recently. Except in a few
districts the new district party
presidents have no offices to
take charge. Once KCR inau-
gurates district TRS offices
which are ready in all districts
the new TRS district presi-
dents will have a chance to
occupy new offices.
In almost all districts the
construction of integrated col-
lectorate complexes and dis-
trict TRS offices has been
completed and are ready for
inauguration.During his tour
KCR will intensify his attack
on the BJP. KCR who is deter-
mined to defeat the BJP in the
next Lok Sabha elections has
decided to launch an anti-BJP
campaign from TS.
The CM had blasted the
BJP-led Central government's
"partiality" in allocating funds
declared a war against the BJP
and is determined to topple it
in the next Lok Sabha elec-
tions.
West Bengal Chief Minister
Mamata Banerjee and Tamil
Nadu Chief Minister MK
Stalin have also lashed out at
the BJP along with KCR.
Mamata has given a call to all
regional parties to jointly fight
the BJP in the next Lok Sabha
elections.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
MK Stalin has taken up the
fight against BJP in the name
of 'social justice' and has
launched the All India
Federation for Social Justice.
Stalin said the Federation will
create a roadmap to take for-
ward the battle for social jus-
tice in India.He has written to
37 political parties other than
the BJP which includes the
Congress, the TRS, YSR
Congress, the Telugu Desam
and Left parties asking them
to nominate their representa-
tives in the Federation.
One after another anti-BJP
political parties are taking up
the fight keeping an eye on the
next Lok Sabha elections in
2024 based on the seed plant-
ed by KCR.
PNS n SIDDIPET
Siddipet police on Monday
cracked the mystery behind
sensational robbery case at
the Sub-registrar office on
January 31. A gang of robbers
fired at the driver of a van
belonging to realtor V
Narasaiah and snatched away
a bag containing Rs 43.5 lakh
cash from inside the vehicle.
It may be recalled that
Narasaiah went to the Sub-
Registrar office to sell a piece
of land. After registering the
land, he took the money
from the buyer and kept the
cash bag in his vehicle. The
alleged gang of robbers fired
at the driver, named
Parushuramulu, and took
away the cash bag. Police
Commissioner N Swetha
formed 15 police team to
trace the culprits and arrest
them. On a tip-off, the police
took a person, named Edama
Sai Kumar, and during inter-
rogation he spilled beans,
the Police Commissioner
said. Based on the confession
by Sai Kumar, the police
arrested Gajje Raju,
Balipuram Karunakar and
Bigulla Vamsikrishna.
The Dalit Bandhu scheme
would help the most backward
Dalits become rich, according
to Minister for Excise V
Srinivas Goud on Monday.
He was holding a review
meeting with the officials and
people's representatives at the
MLA camp office on Dalit
Bandhu scheme.
The Dalits are still leading a
miserable life even 75 years Minister for Excise V Srinivas Goud at a review meeting in
after Independence. Against Mahabubnagar on Monday
this backdrop, Chief Minister
K Chandrasekhar Rao had ensure that the implementa- the government lands to help
introduced Dalit Bandhu for tion of Dalit Bandhu scheme in beneficiaries establish poultry
the financial empowerment the district should become a farms. Apart from it, he
of Dalit, he said. He promised role model for the entire State. directed the officials to ensure
to ensure that the Dalits in He suggested that the benefi- that the beneficiaries, who
coming years travel in cars. ciaries identify dairy, poultry, would choose to take fertilis-
Telangana State was the only fertiliser s, super bazaars busi- er dealerships, secure licences
State in which Dalit Bandhu ness, residential schools, steel, without paying fees.
scheme is being implemented, cement and bricks dealership District S Venkata Rao,
he said. and groceries retailing busi- Additional Collector Tejas
The Minister suggested to ness. It should be ensured that Nandlal Pawar, Municipal
the officials that the most each beneficiary earns not less Chairman K C Narasimhulu,
backward among the Dalits than Rs 1 lakh a month, he Scheduled Castes Corporation
should be identified to secure said. Managing Executive Director
benefits under the scheme. Srinivas Goud directed the Yadaiah, District Revenue
"Identify those Dalits who officials to identify govern- Officer Yadaiah, Social
have not so far secured any ment lands at Christianpally Welfare Deputy Director,
help from the government to and Obulayapally villages and District Agriculture Officer
help them gain financial build sheds to enable the ben- Venkatesh, District Animal
empowerment," Srinivas eficiaries to set up dairy and Husbandr y Officer
Gound told the officials. He cattle farming units. He also Madhusudhan Goud and oth-
further asked the officials to stressed the need to identify ers were present.

Two dead in Officials told to dredge sand Dharani help

Collector, MLA review
developmental works
PNS nNALGONDA
District Collector Prashant
Jeevan Patil and Nalgonda
MLA Kancharla Bhopal Reddy
on Mondayy reviewed with
officials concerned on the
progress of Nalgonda town
development works.
The District Collector
directed the Public Health
authorities to set up an inte-
grated vegetable and non-veg-
etable market in Beat Market
and start works immediately.
The officials said the works
would start from Tuesday. The
progress of road development
works in the town was also dis-
cussed at the review meeting.
Officials explained that a
tender had been issued for the
development of Pedda Banda
Satyavati Rathod takes part in
special pujas at Ayyappa temple
PNS nMAHABUBABAD
Minister for Women and
Child Welfare and Tribal
Welfare Satyavati Rathode on
Monday went on record stat-
ing that people of the State are
road from the Vivekananda
statue Via Clock Tower centre.
The Collector directed the
officials to speed up develop-
mental works on other roads.
The Municipal officials said
arrangements were being made
to invite tender for the con-
struction of Rythu Bazaar on
the campus of the government
boys' junior college. The Rythu
Bazaar would be set up at a
cost of Rs 50 lakh.
Similarly, the construction
of Nilgiri Kalabharati and
Udaya Samudra Tank bund
was also reviewed. The meet-
ing was attended by Municipal
Chairman Y Saidi Reddy, Vice-
Chairman Abbagoni Ramesh,
RDO Jagadishwar Reddy,
Municipal Commissioner
Ramana Chary.
tanker explosion
in Suryapet
PNS nSURYAPET
In ghastly accident, two per-
sons were killed when a
diesel tanker exploded at
new bus station on
Hyd e r ab a d - Vij ay aw a d a
national highway on
Monday. A loud explosion
created panic in the area Two
persons, who were working
at the gas welding work,
died in the explosion. Two
more persons suffered griev-
ous injuries. The dead were
identified as Palvai Arjun
(36), welding workshop
owner, and Gattu Arjun (45),
driver. The injured were
rushed to Government
Hospital. District
Superintendent of Police
Rajendra Prasad visited the
scene of accident.
downstream Annavaram barrage desk set up at
PNS nJAYASHANKAR
BHUPALAPALLY
ject engineering officials and
Groundwater Department
District Collector Bhavesh
Misra has directed the irriga-
tion engineers to take steps to
dredge the sand, deposited in
the downstream of Annaram
barrage due to flash floods
triggered by the heavy rains,
with the help of the TSMDC.
He was addressing a meeting
of the district level sand com-
mittee here on Monday. He
responded thus when his
attention was brought to the
sand deposited by the rains-
triggered flash floods recent-
ly.
He asked the engineers to
inspect the sand deposited
along with Mines and Geology
Department, Kaleswaram pro-
Collectorate
officials before taking any
action.
Similarly, he asked the com-
mittee to ensure uninterrupt-
ed supply of sand to the 2BHK
houses and irrigation projects
under construction.
Mines and Geology
Department Additional
Director Ravinder, district
Groundwater officer Srinivasa
Rao, Annaram barrage
Executive Engineer Yadagiri,
Medigedda barrage Deputy
Engineer Suresh, Mahadevpur
Tahsildar Srinivas,
Bhupalapally Tahsilar Iqbal,
Collectorate office
Superintendent Saibabu,
TSMDC officials and others
took part in the programme.
PNS nNALGONDA
District Collector Prashant
Jeevan Patil said that a Dharani
Help Desk has been set up at
the District Collectorate to
provide advice and suggestions
to the farmers on resolving
land issues through the
Dharani Portal.
He said the Dharani help
desk was set up in front of the
Collector's chamber on the
ground floor of the District
Collectorate.The Help Center,
set up for the convenience of
farmers, will be open from
10.30 am to 5 pm. The super-
intendent of the District
Collectorate office and two
computer operators will be
present at the Dharani help
desk to know the problems of
the farmers and how to apply
for pending land issues, he said.
The Collector urged the
farmers to avail this opportu-
nity to clear their doubts
through the Dharani Portal,
especially on issues like muta-
tion of survey lands, survey
numbers, acreage, removal of
prohibited inventory, check
the website for resolving issues,
which module should be
applied for, which documents
should be attached, and other
issues.
Sub-Inspector Soumya Reddy addressing girl students in Peddapally
on Monday
Keep away from voices,
girl students advised
PNS nPEDDAPALLY
Under the guidance of SI
Soumya Reddy, police officials
have conducted awareness
programme to girl students at
Bellampalli Government
Junior College on Monday. In
the meeting, girl students were
advised on factors like main-
taining discipline, fixing tar-
gets to complete academic
studies, leadership qualities,
evils due to excess use of cell
phones, against conduct of
ragging, eve teasing, online
frauds, avoiding minor girl
marriages and how to make
use She teams of police in case
of emergency.
Soumya Reddy asked the
girls to educate their parents
not to become victims to
cyber crimes. The persons
who were cheated due to
online crimes have to com-
plain to police immediately by
dialing 155260 or 100. The
police would strive to get back
the lost money. If any injustice
is done to their parents, or rel-
atives, they can call the toll free
number, she said.
While pursuing education,
the girl students have to fix tar-
gets for their studies so that
they can excel in examina-
tions, Students should give
respect to their parents, teach-
ers and elders. Similarly, the
girl students should be very
careful with unknown persons
and if they are in any trouble,
they can dial to 100 without
delay in the form of messages,
the SI said.

Provide better services to farmers: Collector

fortunate to have K
Chandrasekhar Rao at the
helms of affairs as he is well
aware of the woes of the peo-
ple and problems of the
region.She was taking part in
the Ayyappa idol installation
ceremony and offered special
pujas at Kesamudram in the
district on Monday.
She said she prayed to the
Almighty to give more
strength to KCR who is
implementing several pro-
grammes to ensure happi-
ness and prosperity in the
lives of the people of the
state.
As people's representatives
hailing from this region, she
said that she and other repre-
sentatives would work hard
for the welfare and develop-
Minister for Women and Child Welfare Satyavathi Rathod at the Ayyappa idol
installation ceremony in Mahabubad on Monday
ment of the people.
She thanked all those who
are behind building the 18-
step Ayyappa temple, model-
ling it on the lines of the tem-
ple at Sabarimala, with the
help of donations from pub-
lic. Mahabubabad MP Kavita,
MLA Sankar Naik, Markfed
Director M R anga R ao,
Bayyaram PACS chairman M
Madhukar Reddy, party lead-
ers and others were present
on the occasion.
Collector exhorts
youth to practise
yoga
PNS nKAMAREDDY
District Collector Jitesh V
Patil on Monday exhorted the
youth to practise yoga for
healthy living. Participating in
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
programme at Sarswati Sisu
Mandir school here, the
Collector said yoga is for
physical and mental well-
being. He expressed happy
over a good number of peo-
ple coming forward to partic-
ipate in Surya Namaskar (sun
salutations) programme.
PNS nSURYAPET
District Collector T Vinay
Krishna Reddy gave a call to
the agriculture officials and
members of Rythu Bandhu to
conduct frequent awareness
programmes to farmers on
the agricultural processes of
various crops and thus they
have to provide better services
to the farmers in the district.
Collector Vinay Krishna
Reddy, along with District
Rythu Bandhu president S A
Razack, Additional Collectors
S Mohan Rao and Patil
Hemanth Keshav, District
Agriculture Officer Rama Rao
Suryapet District Collector T Vinay Krishna Reddy and officials unveiling Rythu
Bandhu calendar in Suryapet on Monday
Naik, inaugurated annual cal-
endar of Rythu Bandhu
Samithi. The programme was
held at Collectorate here on
Monday.
Addressing a meeting on the
occasion, Vinay Krishna
Reddy stated that the state gov-
ernment has been giving top
priority for the growth of agri-
culture. The Rythu Bandhu
members and agriculture offi-
cials have to be available to the
farmers and conduct aware-
ness programmes regularly on
cultivation of different crops.
He said that state Rythu
Bandhu Samithi has supplied
2,340 calendars to the district.
These calendars have to be
given to all the agriculture and
other offices in the district.
Similarly, the calendars have to
be supplied to all mandal level
and village level offices, besides
Rythu Bandhu coordinators,
he added.

Address people's grievances without delay: Collector Sridhar Babu wants sand quarries
PNS n MAHABUBNAGAR
District Collector S Venkat
Rao instructed the officials that
they should strive to address
the grievances received from
the people in Praja Vani pro-
gramme without delay. As part
of Praja Vani programme, the
Collector, along with other
officials, received grievances
from people at the Revenue
Conference Hall here on
Monday.
The Collector first received
petitions from physically chal-
lenged persons and interacted
with them. He directed con-
cerned officials to resolve their
problems promptly. Later, he
received grievances from peo-
ple at Revenue Conference
Hall.
Addressing officials on the
occasion, he directed them to
take steps to resolve the griev-
Mahabubnagar District Collector S Venkat Rao receiving petitions from people at Praja Vani programme in Mahabubnagar on Monday
ances without delay. The com-
plaints relating to other depart-
ments, have to be sent to the
respective departments.
Similarly, the mandal and
gram panchayat level officials
have to strive to solve the
problems of people promptly,
he said.
On Monday, 67 petitions
were received from public dur-
ing Praja Vani programme
and most of them are land
related issues. Some of them
relate to pensions and Double
Bed Room Houses.
The Collector presented
three-wheeler to a physically
challenged person from
Ankilla village of Koilakonda
mandal. He also distributed
essential commodities donat-
ed by Red Cross to the family
members of the disabled per-
son.
He congratulated Gopika,
Haritha who got MBBS seats in
Gandhi Medical College and in
Mahabubnagar Medical
College. Financial assistance
will be given to the students
through Red Cross, Venkat
Rao said.
RDO Padmasri, DRDO
Yadaiah, Deputy CEO
Mogulaiah, Red Cross presi-
dent Nataraj and district offi-
cials were present.
shut till Medaram festival ends
PNS nJAYASHANKAR
BHUPALAPALLY
Manthani Congress MLA D
Sridhar Babu addressed a let-
ter to Chief Minister K
Chandrasekhar Rao on
Monday and urged him to
order closure of sand quarries
in Bhupalapally and
Peddapalli districts till
Medaram festival is conclud-
ed as there is risk of accidents
taking place with thousands
of vehicles, including sand
lorries, choking the roads in
the region.
He said that thousands of
sand-laden lorries run at high
speed in Bhupalapalli and
Peddapalli districts. At the
same time, devotees are vis-
iting Medaram and
Vemulavada chocking the
roads in the region, increas-
ing the risk of taking place of
road accidents.
He also addressed letters
simultaneously to the dis-
trict collectors of Bhupalapalli
and Peddapalli, TSMDC
Managing Director.
He asked the authorities to
take precautionary measures
to rule out any accidents as
sand quarries in River
Godavari in Mandhani con-
stituency and rush of devotees
to Medaram and Vemulavada
lead to operation of several
vehicles. Also, several Mini-
Medaram festivals are under
way in mandals.
Therefore, he reiterated his
demand to put in place for
precautions. He demanded
the authorities to order
repairs to the damaged
Manthani-Bhupalapalli road
due to plying of lorries with
overload. The TSMDC sand
quarries operation is resulting
transportation of sand even
by tractors. Daily sand is
transported to various places
from Manthani region.
Moreover, there is operation
of sand lorries in the region.
the road accidents are almost
a daily affair.
The people of the region
are living in fear. Many peo-
ple travel to Medaram
through Mandhani. He
demanded suspension nof
the operation of lorries and
undertake repairs to close
the ditches on Mandhani-
Bhupalapalli road.
Also, he sought closure of
the quarries for the safety of
the people.
HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022 nation 05
Cong fields turncoat Ashish Shukla 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts case Lata Mangeshkar's demise 'irreparable
INDIA CORNER

against BJP's Sanjay Sinh in Amethi judgement likely to day loss' to Indian music industry: Speaker
he Congress on Monday nominated BJP turncoat Ashish Shukla against the saffron party special court is likely to pronounce its judgement on Tuesday in the case related to he Indian music industry has suffered an "irreparable loss" in the 75th year

T nominee, Sanjay Sinh from the high-profile Amethi assembly seat in the upcoming Uttar
Pradesh assembly polls. Shukla left BJP and joined the Congress in the national capital
earlier in the day. The BJP had on Sunday declared former Congress MP Sanjay Sinh, who had
A the 2008 Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts that claimed 56 lives and for which nearly
80 accused were put on trial, a senior public prosecutor said on Monday. The court
had concluded the trial in the more than 13-year-old case in September last year. Senior
T of Independence with the passing away of 'melody queen' Lata
Mangeshkar, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said on Monday and adjourned
the proceedings of the House for an hour as a mark of respect to her. When
given up his Rajya Sabha seat and joined BJP in 2019, as its candidate from the constituency. public prosecutor Sudhir Brahmbhatt said the verdict is likely to be pronounced on the House met for the day at 4
Sinh's wife Amita Singh and his first wife Tuesday as special judge AR Patel, pm, Birla mentioned that the
Garima Singh were in the race for the who presided over the trial court, has singer had passed away on
BJP ticket, but the party settled the resumed work after recovering from February 6 at the age of 92.
matter in favour of the husband. While COVID-19. The trial court had set "With profound grief, I want to
Garima Singh is the sitting BJP MLA, February 1 as the date for the inform the House about the
Amita Singh, who had unsuccessfully judgement, but the matter was demise of former member of the
fought the last state polls on a Congress deferred to February 8 after the judge Rajya Sabha and Bharat Ratna
ticket, had crossed over to the BJP along contracted coronavirus and went into Lata Mangeshkar. She was
with her husband. The Samajwadi Party home isolation. At least 56 people famous as 'melody queen'
(SP) has fielded the wife of its former were killed and over 200 injured in 21 (suron ki malika) both within the
minister Gayatri Prajapati from Amethi bomb blasts that rocked Ahmedabad country and outside," Birla said
seat, while BSP supremo Mayawati has city within a span of 70 minutes on reading out the obituary
nominated Ragini Tiwari from here. July 26, 2008. reference.

‘Modi turned pandemic into Dera Sacha

Sauda chief ‘K’taka won’t compromise
granted 21-day on river-linking projects’
an opportunity for India’ furlough
PNS n CHANDIGARH
PNS n NEW DELHI

Karnataka Chief Minister

PNS n NEW DELHI
Prime Minister Nare ndra
Modi has made it clear that the
new India cannot be stopped
by obstacles and negativity,
and has changed the scale of
thinking of the country that
has turned the century's biggest
pandemic into an opportuni-
ty, Union Home Minister Amit
Shah said on Monday.
Posting a link on Twitter of
the Prime Minister's speech,
delivered in Lok Sabha, while
replying to the debate on
Motion of Thanks on
President' address at the begin-
ning of the Budget session, the
home minister appealed to
everyone to listen to Modi's
speech.
"@NarendraModi Ji made it
clear that the new India will
not stop due to any obstacle
and negativity. Modiji has
changed the scale of thinking
in the country, due to which
India has turned the biggest
pandemic of the century into
an opportunity and laid the
foundation of a golden self-
reliant tomorrow. Must listen
to this speech," Shah tweeted in
Hindi.
The prime minister, in his
speech, said the way India
handled the COVID-19 pan-
demic is an example for the
world. He also tore into the
Congress for questioning his
government's 'Make in India'
initiative and accused the party
of instigating separatism and
indulging in "blind opposi-
tion". Modi said 'Azadi Ka
Posting a link on
Twitter of the Prime
Minister's speech,
delivered in Lok
Sabha, while replying
to the debate on
Motion of Thanks on
President' address at
the beginning of the
Budget session, the
home minister
appealed to everyone
to listen to Modi's
speech.
Amrit Mahotsav' is the perfect
time to think about how India
can play a global leadership
role in the coming years.
Post COVID-19 pandemic,
the world is moving fast
towards a new order and India
should not miss this opportu-
nity, he said.
Dera Sacha Sauda chief
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh,
who is serving a prison sen-
tence in a Haryana jail, was
granted a three-week fur-
lough on Monday, a reprieve
that Chief Minister Manohar
Lal Khattar said had nothing
to do with elections. The 21-
day furlough comes just days
ahead of the assembly polls in
neighbouring Punjab, where
the sect has a large number of
followers, particularly in
Bathinda, Sangrur, Patiala
and Muktsar. Questioned by
reporters, the Haryana CM
denied any link between the
sect leader's release from
Sunaria jail in Rohtak district
and the Punjab elections on
February 20. "I think it is a
coincidence and has no con-
nection with the polls, he
said. The sect chief is serving
a 20-year jail term for raping
two women disciples at his
ashram in Sirsa.
Basavaraj Bommai on Monday
said his government has a
"clear view" on the proposed
river-linking projects related to
the Krishna, Pennar and
Cauvery, and that it will take
all steps to get the state's share
of water and not compro-
mise.
Bommai, who is in the
national capital on a two-day
visit, also told reporters that
the central government has
asked the Karnataka govern- Karnataka. Asked about the ment has demanded its share
ment to discuss with the states three projects related to the of surplus water, Bomai said
concerned before finalising a state, the Karnataka chief min- the issue of surplus water and
detailed project report (DPR). ister said, "In river linking pro- river linking are different.
Union Finance Minister jects, our view is very clear and "It is linking of Himalayan
Nirmala Sitharaman, in her will take all steps to take the and peninsular rivers. We have
2022-23 budget speech, had share of Karnataka." clarity on this. The same wiil
proposed five river linking The state government has be conveyed," he added.
projects in the country -- taken the matter seriously as Bommai had at the recent-
Godavari-Krishna, Krishna- Krishna and Cauvery are the ly held Southern Zonal
Pennar, Pennar-Cauvery, main rivers that are the lifeline Council meet at Tirupati said
Dharmaganga-Pinjal and Par- for the state, he said and peninsular rivers should not be
Tapti-Narmada. Of these, noted, "We will not compro- interlinked before the state's
Krishna, Pennar and Cauvery mise on this issue." share of surplus water is
projects are of concern to Asked if the state govern- finalised.

Shah requests Owaisi to accept Z AAP leaders

want to loot
category protection, cites security threat Punjab: Channi
PNS n NEW DELHI
PNS n LUDHIANA
Home Minister Amit Shah on
Monday requested AIMIM Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit
president Asaduddin Owaisi to Singh Channi on Sunday
accept Z category protection, attacked the AAP, alleging that
offered by the government its leaders have come from Delhi
after a recent attack on his car, to loot Punjab. He also hit out at
saying he still faces security Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
threat. national convener Arvind
‘Create Ahir regiment or nix Making a statement in Rajya
Sabha, Shah said the
Kejriwal, saying how can he call
himself an 'aam aadmi' (com-

all those based on castes’

Hyderabad MP has refused to
take the CRPF protection.
The minister said that
mon man) while staying in
expensive hotels whenever he
visits Punjab for the February 20
Students hold protest
PNS n NEW DELHI

Samajwadi Party MP in Rajya

Sabha demanded that the gov-
ernment should create Ahir
regiment or abolish all caste
based regiments that exist in
the Indian Army.
While speaking on motion
of thanks on the President's
tioned the role of the BJP and
RSS in the freedom struggle of
India. 'We were there. The
communist were there. But
you were saying that this
struggle is a political battle and
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh
has nothing to do with politics.
You were claiming in those
days that RSS is a cultural
Owaisi had been offered secu-
rity in the past too and a gov-
ernment assessment has found
that he still faces security
threat.
"We have reassessed the
security of Owaisi. We have
provided him in Delhi a bul-
let-proof car under all India
level Z category security of
Central Reserve Police Force
on the basis of assessment,'' he
said. "As per the verbal infor-
mation sent by Owaisi to us, he
has refused to take security. I
request Shri Owaisi through
this House to take the securi-
ty immediately and address
our concern (about his safety),"
Shah said in the Upper House.
He also told the House that
the Ministry of Home Affairs
has received a report from the
state government on the attack.
state assembly elections.
Addressing a virtual rally here,
Channi, who was declared as the
Congress' chief ministerial face
by party leader Rahul Gandhi,
alleged that the AAP gave tick-
ets to at least 40 people who were
denied a ticket by other parties.
outside DU VC's office
PNS n NEW DELHI
Scores of students held a protest
outside the office of Delhi
University's vice-chancellor on
Monday demanding immediate
reopening of the campus, days
the student body.
Over 53 departments across
the university observed a com-
plete boycott of online classes,
claimed the SFI.
"Many of us are not in Delhi
right now so we could not join

HC extends interim stay on channel by one day

Address, the SP's Chaudhary
Sukhram Singh Yadav said
there has been numerous gal-
lantry saga of Yadav commu-
nity be it war with Pakistan
and China.
He said that it is frequently
discussed that when there is a
Jat regiment, Rajput regiment,
Sikh regiment etc., then why
Ahir Regiment is not being
created. "Yadav community
has received several gallantry
awards. Like there are other
regiments, similarly create
Ahir regiment. Otherwise end
the tradition of regiments
based on caste," Yadav said.
He also demanded that the
government should conduct a
caste based census, especially
that of other backward castes.
CPI MP Binoy Biswam
opposed the motion and ques-
organisation, only of culture,"
he said.
Viswam said that RSS leader
MS Golwalkar in a book said
that there is a lot of things for
India to learn from Adolf
Hitler led Germany and
indentified Muslim, Christian
and communists as internal
threat to the nation.
Bisawm said that the wealth
of the nation- Banks, LIC, GIC
and Air India are being
thrown to the profit monger-
ing people.
BJP MP GVL Narasimha
Rao objected to allegations lev-
elled in the Biswam's speech
and demanded that he should
lay documents in the House to
substantiate his remarks oth-
er wise they should be
expunged from the
Parliamentary records.
PNS n KOCHI
The Kerala High Court on
Monday extended for one
more day its interim order
putting on hold the imple-
mentation of the Centre's bar
on Malayalam news channel
MediaOne's telecast.
Justice N Nagaresh while
extending the interim order
also reserved judgment on
the pleas moved by
Madhyamam Broadcasting
Ltd -- which operates
MediaOne -- its employees
and a journalists union chal-
lenging the Centre's decision
to bar telecast of the news
channel. The court said it will
pronounce the verdict on
Tuesday, February 8.
The Centre, during the
arguments on Monday, con-
tended that a security clear-
ance once issued cannot con-
tinue forever. Assistant
Solicitor General V Manu also
opposed in the court the pleas
moved by the trade union and
the employees, saying that the
issue was between the central
government and the company.
He contended that the pleas
by the employees and the
trade union were not main-
tainable.
The central government
had previously told the court
that the Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA) denied securi-
ty clearance to MediaOne over
national security concerns
based on intelligence inputs.
The channel, on the other
hand, contended that MHA
clearance was only required at
the time for fresh
permission/license and not at
the time of renewal.
after the Delhi Disaster
Management Authority gave its
nod to resumption of offline
teaching in the capital. The stu-
dents hung an ''Out of Service''
placard on the gate of the VC
office. The demonstration was
organised by the Students'
Federation of India (SFI). The
SFI said over 400 students took
part in the "gherao".
"The frustration of students
is quite evident. You can see it
on their faces, hear it in their
voices. The VC must address
the situation in the next two
days or else we would have to
break the locks on our class-
rooms ourselves," said Ankit
Birpali, SFI Hindu College
Secretary.
Other student and teacher
organisations also extended
support of the protest, claimed
the protest called by SFI. But we
decided that we must take
action to send a message that
students, in general, support the
demand of re-opening the cam-
pus. Hence, we boycotted
online classes today," said
Arushi Sharma, a student of
Miranda House.
Despite the DDMA giving a
go-ahead to the reopening of
higher educational institutions
from Monday, the DU has not
issued any notification for the
reopening of the campus.
Officials have said the univer-
sity will open in a few days and
they will formulate a strategy in
this regard.
The SFI has announced the
commencement of ''Sadak pe
Kaksha'', -- ''Classroom on the
street'' from February 9 until
the university reopens.

Ex-PM decries decline in allocation for agriculture
PNS n NEW DELHI
Former prime minister and
JDS leader H D Devegowda on
Monday raised his concerns
over the "decline" in the over-
all allocation for agriculture in
the Budget and said it has dis-
appointed those expecting an
increase in the outlay for the
sector.
Replying to the motion of
thanks on the President's
speech, he said the govern-
ment's promise to double farm
income by 2022 has no men-
tion in the Budget.
"The allocation (for agricul-
ture) out of the total Budget for
FY 2022-23 has declined by 3.8
per cent," Devegowda said
and alleged that an appeal to
remove GST from all farm
inputs was left unheard.
The subsidy on food and
petroleum products was
decreased which would impact
the cost of cultivation and
cost inputs, he said, adding the
budget allocation for agricul-
ture and allied sectors has dis-
appointed all those who were
expecting an increased outlay.
"The budget allocated for
MSP (minimum support
price) has been reduced
instead of increasing it to
cover a large number of crops."
This will adversely impact
the food production and
income of the farmers, the for-
mer prime minister told the
Rajya Sabha.
Over promoting natural and
organic farming, Devegowda
said it needs to be thoroughly
debated to meet the demand of
the growing population of the
country. He questioned the
government's schemes in the
budget such as the use of
drones in agriculture for chem-
ical spraying and said it was
"totally inappropriate" as 82 per
cent of farmers are marginal
and small with an average
landholding of 1.08 hectares.
"It can be most used to col-
lect data on crop surveys for
planning a profitable market-
ing of farm products," he said
adding chemical spraying
using drones is also antitheti-
cal to organic farming.
Devegowda, however, wel-
comed the government's move
to declare 2022-23 as
'International Year of Millets'
terming it the "prime attrac-
tion" of the budget.
India implementing largest immunisation
programme globally: Mandaviya
PNS n NEW DELHI
India is implementing the
largest inoculation drive glob-
ally where annually over 3
crore pregnant women and 2.6
crore children are covered
through the Universal
Immunisation Programme,
Union Health Minister
Mansukh Mandaviya said on
Monday.
The minister launched the
Intensified Mission
Indradhanush (IMI) 4.0 virtu-
ally in presence of health offi-
cials of various states and
Union Territories. The IMI 4.0
will have three rounds and will
be conducted in 416 districts
(including 75 districts identi-
fied for Azadi ka Amrit
Mahotsav) across 33 states
and UTs, a health ministry
statement said.
"India is implementing the
largest immunisation pro-
gramme globally where we
annually cover more than 3
crore pregnant women and 2.6
crore children through the
Universal Immunisation
Programme (UIP)," he said.
Mandaviya noted that while
the pace of routine immuniza-
tion has slowed down due to
Covid pandemic, IMI 4.0 will
immensely contribute in filling
the gaps and make lasting
gains towards universal immu-
nization.
 HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022

06
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It’s time to revive

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PAPER WITH PASSION

Young stress
As schools and colleges reopen, there’s need
to first evaluate the anxiety levels of students the glory of Bengal PRAFULL GORADIA

S
chools and colleges reopened in several States on Monday in the hope that the
last wave of the Coronavirus pandemic has subsided. Millions of students will
try to pick up the offline threads of their education from where they left them
As India celebrates Netaji Subhas Bose, let West Bengal also tide over
over 600 days ago. It is a tough time for reopening because annual board examina-
tions are round the corner for class X and XII students. They will not only have to com-
its trials and tribulations and go back to being the golden land it was
ear Prof Sugata Bose,

D
plete their syllabus by this month’s end but also choose career options and prepare
Give West Bengal a
for the entrance tests. Students in the lower classes have the tough task of re-learn- chance, especially
ing what they were taught online; most of it forgotten by now. The students will need when a glorious hon-
a few days to settle down in class, rekindle their friendships and re-acquaint them- our is being bestowed upon it.
selves with offline teaching. In this period of transition school authorities, parents and The 74 years since Partition have
been years of trial and tribula-
Governments must collectively check the students’ trauma and stress levels. No com- tion. When, in September 1945,
prehensive study has been done about the mental health of millions of students. Many our train streamed across the
children suffer from common behavioural issues like depression, stress and anger. borders of United Bengal, we
Many more have developed eating and sleep disorders. Family tensions and home iso- had arrived in Sonar Bangla.
The streets of Calcutta, now
lation would have anyway added to their mental burden. There could also be addition- Kolkata, were washed with
al attributes, among older children, like substance piped water twice a day. Park
abuse, violence, disobedience, peer pressure, and self- Street could be mistaken for a
learning difficulties. In many cases, teenagers have pathway in London. Then the
Great Calcutta Killing of August
developed a fear of vulnerability, self-management and 1946 showed how much blood
the failure to accept virtual learning. could be spilled in the golden
In Delhi, the Government has announced a large- land first on its western side and,
scale survey to get a picture of how many students come 1948, also in the east. I was
told that people were Bengalis
are still normal and how many need serious or psy- first and religion took a back-
chiatric intervention to resolve their psychological and seat, but this was not so. Over
emotional blockages. It means studying the mental sta- the years, three-fourths of the
tus of their parents, too, because that has a direct bear- minority in the east has had to intellectual reformers like mukhya mantri nor a murkha reverse whether to win elec-
come away to West Bengal. Vidyasagar, Michael (foolish) mantri; I am only a tions, score brownie points or
ing on their children. School authorities will need to From being India’s premier Madhusudan or leaders like thutho Jagannath (of Puri).” regain popularity with people.
quickly assess to what extent online teaching impacted the students’ ability to grasp industrial State, Bengal today Banerjee or Surendra Nath Jyoti Basu was a gentleman, However, times are not the
what they were being taught. Some private schools are considering education mod- gropes for the wheels of produc- Pal, or excellent clerks or like any Marxist anti-capital- same as in Gopalkrishna
els that focus on the mental health of students, and not their marks. The negative aspects tion to turn. farmers. They were not entre- ist but once confessed to me Gokhale’s days when what
You have said in His preneurs or even traders. that the State cannot manage Bengal thought today, India
of the children’s addiction to digital devices, especially among urban children, during Majesty’s Opponent (page 324) Even sons of zamindars industries. would think tomorrow.
the pandemic like online bullying, peer pressure, gaming and inferiority complex need that Habibur Rahman, Netaji’s would rather choose trade Yet his Finance Minister Today, Bengal has a huge
to be assessed as well. On the other hand, the magnitude of troubles that children from companion on his final journey, unionism than buy out going was Ashok Mitra, a dyed-in- debt, its people need to earn
poor families, particularly in rural areas, have faced is yet to be calculated. Lack of fought for Pakistan in the concerns sold by departing the-wool Marxist, who dis- more and the State has to
Kashmir war. The Prime industrialists. Yes, Bengalis TIMES ARE NOT played a portrait of Marx develop rapidly.
electricity or internet or money to purchase smartphones or tablets has impacted these
children the most. In some cases, it has led to student suicides. One of the first such
Minister then was Netaji’s cho-
sen elder brother and a Left lib-
are also excellent lawyers and
doctors, like the genius Dr
THE SAME AS IN larger than I have seen any-
where. Mitra was recom-
For it to develop rapidly,
a committee of, say, five per-
cases was reported in Kerala’s Malappuram district, where a bright student immolat- eral, Jawaharlal Nehru. Should Bidhan Chandra Roy who GOPALKRISHNA mended to Basu on the plea sons should be appointed, of
ed herself because she failed to attend online classes for want of a TV set at home. you not cancel your disapproval could predict from a dis- that he had been the chief whom at least three should be
about the Right honouring tance that a person had jaun- GOKHALE’S DAY economic advisor to Prime with industrial experience. If
This is quite serious. In the US, pandemic stress is reportedly behind the increasing
incidents of high school shootings. Any time a teacher notices a student behaving in
Subhas Babu? If we do not con- dice coming or bad kidneys. WHEN WHAT Minister Indira Gandhi. a few of these members are
fuse the future of 10 crore peo- When it came to business, Jyotida’s successor was from outside the State, so be
an unlikely manner, it must be recognised for what it is — a cry for help. ple with ideology, a lot of India they felt it was the function of BENGAL THOUGHT Buddhababu, a refined, edu- it. So long as they have imag-
will come to support Bengal to baniks like the Sahas, Lahas, TODAY, INDIA cated gentleman who visited inative minds which under-
rebuild its economy. A great Dahas et al, who are OBCs in China while being Chief stand Bengal from all view-
PICTALK many people, even of West the caste hierarchy. This was WOULD THINK Minister; he came back points, it should be fine.
Bengal, believe that it was the unlike northern and western mightily impressed. He tried Remember, entrepreneurs
Left which converted its garden India, where banias are con- TOMORROW. to copy China, rather Sinofy from outside, whether Indian
of industry to a graveyard. I have
been an active witness to this
sidered twice-born and wear
the sacred thread.
TODAY, BENGAL Bengal without understand-
ing. He overlooked the fact
or foreign, would come to
invest in Bengal because they
conversion. It can revive to its The Congress did pro- HAS A HUGE DEBT, that his was a province of see prospects of profit and not
pristine glory; I will hasten to duce upright and competent India and not an independent because they are invited. West
claim that the people of Bengal Chief Ministers, Dr Bidhan ITS PEOPLE NEED country. He shouldn’t have Bengal has the potential to
are as skilful as any. Roy (same as the doctor), TO EARN MORE used sale proceeds of land to bloom as brightly as any
Even at Independence, Prafulla Sen, Siddhartha partly revive the loss-making flower can. Just quarrel less
Bengal was more an agrarian Shankar Ray but economic AND THE STATE PSUs. But he is an upright and smile more, certainly for
economy than an industrial development was more saint- HAS TO DEVELOP gentleman of a high order, the supreme honour done to
one. Nearly all the industries ly than political. One CM was nevertheless. its greatest political son,
had been set up either by the so fed up of his United Front RAPIDLY In the light of these cir- Subhas.
British or a few Indian entrepre- Ministry that he sat on a cumstances, the State (The writer is a well-
neurs, but all from outside the dharna opposite the Writers Government should opt to be known columnist, an author
province. Bengalis were either Building, the Secretariat. normal and civil in its behav- and a former member of the
saints like Sri Ramakrishna, Upon a journalist asking him, iour with the Centre. Lately, Rajya Sabha. The views
Aurobindo, Vivekananda or he retorted, “I am neither a the policy has been the expressed are personal.)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SOUNDBITE

PTI
OWAISI MUST ACCEPT Z-CATEGORY SECURITY I am anguished
An exhibit themed on ‘Samudra Manthan’ on display at Gurukul Vedrod, in Surat
Sir — Given the continuing threat per-
ception to his life, AIMIM chief PM’s reply on President’s address beyond words.
The kind and
Asaduddin Owaisi should not have

Breaking news-men
from the Government, with the result that caring Lata didi
spurned the Union Government's offer no one now has to go to open spaces for has left us... She
of providing the parliamentarian with Z- defecation. The Ayushman Bharat medical leaves a void.
category security because it was the sec- scheme has proved a revolutionary step; a
ond time he faced an attack on his life.
Yet another report underlines the increasing That’s why Home Minister Amit Shah
poor family can now receive free medical
treatment up to `5 lakh.
Prime Minister
himself had requested the AIMIM leader —Narendra Modi
attacks on media by the State, or on its behalf to accept the enhanced security arrange-
Crores of bank accounts were opened
and the Government assistance is being cred-
ment. Parliamentarians and legislators,

A
democracy is stable only when its four pillars — the legislature, executive, judi- despite not being on the same page of
ciary and press — are balanced. All these have to work in unison to make democ-
political ideologies, are mass leaders and
racy vibrant. But it looks like the fourth pillar, the press, is wobbly. The scribes,
who work to expose the weeds, are now being hounded. The Rights and Risks Analysis
Group (RRAG) has come up with shocking statistics that unequivocally state that scribes
hence their lives matter. In case of any
untoward incident, the loss of their
health or life could trigger serious social
as well as political unrest.
in India are facing threats. The freedom of press is under attack. India has ranked 142nd
The lives of such mass leaders are not
among 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index for two consecutive years. theirs alone but dedicated to public wel-
The RRAG data proves that scribes in India are being targeted for their work and they fare. Owaisi is endowed with impressive
oratorical skills, besides being a political
live in constant fear of State action should they report leader who enjoys a high public persona
lapses in governance or dare to criticise those in power.
of a ‘man of stern rectitude’ with an
The RRAG-prepared ‘India Press Freedom Report 2021’ immaculately clean record. His acceptance
documents that at least six journalists were killed and of the Home Minister’s offer of Z-securi-
ty with a bulletproof vehicle in the nation-
121 journalists/media houses were targeted, includ- al Capital will be in public interest as well
ing 108 journalists and 13 media houses/newspapers. in view of the adage “Jaan hai toh jahaan
hai”. Even his public service is subject to
The report states that the State of Jammu and Kashmir
committed 25 cases of violation of press freedom, and his living healthily. Hence, the Centre’s
offer indeed merits a mature reflection.
targeted the highest number of journalists/media organ- Azhar A Khan | Rampur
isations. Uttar Pradesh targeted 23 journalists/media
organisations while Madhya Pradesh targeted16. HYUNDAI CHALLENGES NATIONALIST PRIDE
Moreover, the report mentions the disturbing trend Sir — South Korea’s Hyundai Motor
company faced calls for a boycott of its cars
of targeting women. Eight female scribes faced arrest, summons and FIRs. This is apart from Indians incensed over a tweet from
from the troll armies that abuse them with sexist remarks. The report also takes into the account of its Pakistani ‘sister concern’
account other measures like the use of Income Tax Department and Enforcement Directorate which expressed solidarity for the people
of the “disputed territory” of Kashmir. The
by the Governments to muzzle freedom of speech. In 2021, the ED and I-T Department row erupted when Pakistan marked its
raided Newsclick, Dainik Bhaskar, Bharat Samachar and Newslaundry. At least 34 jour- annual Kashmir Solidarity Day and the
nalists/media houses faced attacks from non-State actors, mainly political party activists, posts on behalf of Hyundai’s partner
mafia and online trolls. Of these, six journalists were killed and at least 28 journalists/media Nishat Group appeared on Twitter,
Facebook and Instagram commemorating
houses were physically attacked or harassed online. FIRs against 44 journalists were the sacrifices of Kashmiris struggling for
registered in multiple States during the year. Besides, at least 24 journalists were alleged- self-determination. The whole of Kashmir
ly physically attacked, threatened, harassed and obstructed from discharging profes- is an integral part of India and Hyundai
sional duties by public officers. Of the 24 journalists, 17 were allegedly beaten up by must apologise for being insensitive to
India’s position on the decades-old dispute.
the police. Such reports do nothing more than document the state of affairs in a democ- Many Indians posted their intention
racy and, if not heeded in time, there might not be a democracy left to report about. to cancel orders for Hyundai cars in order
hile speaking on the motion of
W thanks to the President’s address, the
Prime Minister clarified many issues
raised by several Opposition parties. He clar-
ified how the incumbent Government showed
the vision which could have been shown by
the previous Governments, too. When
18,000 villages were without electricity, the
previous regimes should have taken care of
these but ultimately this Government got
down to electrifying these villages. This
Government built lakhs of houses for the
homeless and the underprivileged. Lakhs of
latrines were built with financial assistance
to punish the company while urging sup-
port for homegrown brands like Tata
Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra.
Hyundai, India’s second-largest car sell-
er after Maruti Suzuki, sold close to half
a million vehicles in the country last fis-
cal year and exported over a million units,
making it India’s largest car exporter.
India and Pakistan have twice gone to war
over Kashmir and the Government is
pursuing an aggressive policy to fight
insurgency in J&K. Hyundai’s cars must
be boycotted till they apologise.
Bhagwan Thadani | Mumbai
SHOW LOVE & TOLERANCE, NOT FANATICISM
Sir — In a country where a top leader
holding a constitutional post can scan-
dalously announce that “criminals can be
identified by their dress”, thereby demon-
ising a large section of Indians who are as
much nationalists as diehard saffronites
claim to be; there is no surprise that hijab-
clad girls are being forced to stay out of
ited directly with no possible chances of leak- It's my sincere
age or bribery. Every farmer is being provid- wish that, when
ed an assistance of `2,000 every four time comes,
months. The Mudra loans have been dis-
bursed to crores of beneficiaries without any
guarantee. Due to Coronavirus, the nation had
Camilla be
known as Queen
Consort.
to face many problems but it successfully
overcame these and successfully achieved the
huge vaccination target. Even during the pan- British monarch
demic, India successfully maintained econom- —Queen Elizabeth II
ic growth which is evident from GST collec-
tions and the stock market index. Another case
Lataji once said
in point is the increasing exports. So, the
nation is definitely progressing in spite of the my voice is
COVID-19 challenges. original. It was
Yash Pal Ralhan | Jalandhar like goddess
Saraswati
blessing me.
their college classes in Karnataka. What’s
the “crime” of these girls in wearing a dress
of their choice or culture? In contrast, New Singer
Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern —Udit Narayan
ensures promotion of a dress associated
with people who are basically settlers there. It was disappoint-
When sporting of hijab is being pro- ing to miss the
hibited or frowned upon by India and T20 WC. But there
many non-Islamic countries, New are two WCs in the
Zealand has proved to be a bright next 18 months.
exception and shown to the world the
essence of democracy by deciding to
induct hijab as part of its police uniform. Indian spinner
All believers of a majoritarian mindset —Washington Sundar
should learn from New Zealand and
The whole world
Ardern. It is called humanity, compas-
sion, solidarity with fellow citizens, and is sad. Can't
respect towards diversity and cultural, believe you have
religious rights. India must learn to left us, Lataji.
choose its leaders well. Praying your soul
Kajal Chatterjee | Kolkata be in peace.
Actor
Send your feedback to:
letterstopioneer@gmail.com —Dharmendra
 HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022

07
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FIRSTCOLUMN
KEN-BETWA PROJECT:
Budget 2022-23:
WATER AT ANY COST?
The project impacts the tiger’s
habitat and food security
Avoid a debt trap UTTAM GUPTA

‘Demand recession’ is inevitable if Government does not reform taxation,

subsidy administration, unshackle farmers and ruthlessly tackle corruption

T
he Union Budget for 2022-23
KOTA SRIRAJ provides for capital expenditure
of `750,000 crore which is a

T
he 14 districts of Bundelkhand region spanning over Uttar Pradesh jump of over 35 percent from the
and Madhya Pradesh have always had a perennial problem of water budget estimate (BE) of `554,000 crore
scarcity. The population has to buy water to manage the most for 2021-22 (revised estimate (RE)for the
difficult summer months. This is exacerbated by the gradual disap- current year is `604,000 crore which is
pearance of 10,000 ponds that were once a reassuring source of water more or less close to the BE when we
exclude `50,000 crore given to Air India
supply.Government solutions were never long-lasting.The water woes Asset Holding Company Limited AIAH-
have teamed up with erratic electricity supply issues to create a dou- CL where the debt of now divested Air
ble whammy for the delicate agri-economy. Crops die premature deaths- India resides).
for want of irrigation. The recent Union cabinet nod to the Ken-Betwa Considering that the BE for current
River Interlinking Project has brought a fresh wave of optimism in this year was 26 percent higher than the RE of
situation. The euphoria comes with skepticismabout the full impact of `439,000 crore during 2020-21, this sounds
the initiative and the collateral damages it can cause. The project with impressive. However, when seen in juxta-
position with over `100,00,000 crore
`44,605 crore funding is a new year’s gift for Bundelkhand. It is slat- investment needed to build infrastructure
over five years-for catapulting the Indian
economy to $5 trillion by 2024-25 - (this
roadmap was laidby Nirmala Sitharaman
in her maiden budget for 2019-20), these
numbers are still inadequate.
As per the roadmap, 39 percent each
of this amount was to come from the
Centre and States and the balance from the
private sector. This works out to Centre’s
contribution of around `40,00,000 crore
over five years or `800,000 crore per
annum. For three years (2020-21, 2021-22,
2022-23) put together, this comes to
`1700,000 crore (this is subject to all of the
`750,000 crore allocation for 2022-23
materializing) which is `700,000 crore
short of the proportionate amount required
ed to be completed in 8 years, benefitting the districts of Panna, for this period or `2400,000 crore. The cap-
Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Sagar, Damoh, Datia, Vidisha, Shivpuri and ital spend by states too has been far lower
Raisen of Madhya Pradesh, and Banda, Mahoba, Jhansi and Lalitpur thanthe amount expected of them.
of Uttar Pradesh. But going by the study published in “The Current The Modi government expects private
sector to partner with it in giving the
Science” titled “The inter-linking of rivers and biodiversity conserva- required boost to economic growth; in
tion: a study of Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh”, the environ- fact, of the `100,00,000 crore, `22,00,000
mental and wildlife cost of the project seems to have been lost in the
crore was to come from the latter.
excitement of announcing the project. This is strengthened by the fact To make it happen, the Government
that the requisite environmental, forest and wildlife clearances for the hadalso given a plethora of incentives - the
project are still not properly in place. As per the study report, the imple- mother of all being steep reduction in cor-
mentation of the project will submerge nearly 58 sq. km of the core porate tax rate to 15 percent for new enter-
prises (22 percent for existing enterpris-
area of the Panna Tiger Reserve. The Panna Tiger Reserve is includ- es down from 30 percent) given in
ed in the global network of biosphere reserves by the United Nations September 2019. It has alsounveiled the
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 2020.
much-trumpeted PLI (production linked
For the tiger which is a protected species that is already fighting extinc- incentive) scheme.
tion the project could not have come at a worse time as it not only These allurements have so far failed
translates to loss of habitat but also loss of food security as the pro- to yield the desired results. The crucial
ject threatens the habitat of Chital and Sambar, the natural prey of the point is investment by private sector is
governed primarily by the fundamentals
tiger. These wildlife setbacks are in addition to the environmental impact of demand and supply.
of losing over 2 million trees which would either be felled or get sub- For several years, industries have
merged. Unfortunately, as pointed in the report, the soon to be sub- been operating at low-capacity utilization
merged area shows rich tree density and diversity as compared to other due to proliferation of capacity on the one
areas of the Reserve. Moreover, by observing the regeneration pat- hand and demand limitation on the
tern it is apparent that the seedling diversity, richness and sapling den- other thereby impacting investment and
sityare high in the submerged area.Clearly, such widespread ecolog- growth. During 2019-20, GDP growth
plummeted to a decade low of 3.7 percent.
ical and wildlife devastation could not have been missed by the experts During 2020-21,it contracted by 6.6 per-
who cleared the project, but yet the project has received a go ahead. cent, courtesy, COVID.Things are look-
The project to interlink Ken and Betwa rivers surely has people’s ing up during 2021-22 with the budget
welfare as its core objective and that is appreciable, but the fact that estimating growth at 9.2 percent, but sur-
the initiative turns a blind eye to environmental and wildlife collater- plus capacity remains.
al damage is disconcerting. The project architects could have done During 2022-23, even as the govern-
ment is hoping to consolidate withGDP
well to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)exercise
growth estimated at 8 - 8.5 percent, it
for the project and made the EIA report public in order to assess accu-
rately the perceived damage to the flora and fauna of the region on
account of the project implementation. Local population and
Bundelkhand environmental experts could also have been consult-
ed before green flagging the project, this in turn would have provid-
ed ownership of the project to the local indigenous people. THIS ELECTION IS FOR THE FUTURE OF FARMERS
Bundelkhand needs a break from water scarcity, but not at the cost AND YOUTH. DEFEAT NEGATIVE FORCES TO KEEP
of the wildlife and environment. There is still time to consider this GANGA-JAMUNI CULTURE ALIVE.
before the project takes off. —SP PRESIDENT
(The writer is an environmental journalist. The views
AKHILESH YADAV
expressed are personal.)
THE VISION AND
ACTION PLAN OF
TEAM MODI WITH would be naïve to expect private
firms add to fresh capacity as they
OVERARCHING will be focused mostly on enhanced
FOCUS ON utilization of the existing capacity.
BUILDING INFRA; Yet, unmindful of the ground real-
ities and bolstered by a so far untest-
INTER-LINKING ed notion that massive sustained
RIVERS; BOOST push by public sector investment
will result in so called ‘crowding in’
TO TECHNOLOGY- of privateinvestment, it continues to
DRIVEN AGRI ride on the incentive spree.
WITH FOCUS ON In the 2022-23 budget, the eli-
gibility of 15 percent corporate tax
SMALL FARMERS; has been extended to new entities
NURTURING which get incorporated before
March 31, 2024 - against the exist-
MSMES AND SO
ing threshold of March 31, 2023.
ON IS LAUDABLE. The start-ups get one more year
BUT THERE IS NO (those set up before March 31, 2023)
CLEAR VISION to avail of tax holiday. The FM has
also reduced surcharge on profits of
ON FUNDING cooperatives from 12 to 7 percent.
THESE These incentives result in loss
of revenue but there is no certain-
INITIATIVES IN
ty regarding the outcome in terms
A ‘SUSTAINABLE’ of investment. Yet, they have a
MANNER. FOUR strong destabilizing effect on
AREAS NEED Centre’s finances.
The RE of fiscal deficit (FD)
ATTENTION during 2021-22 is about `15,90,000
crore or 6.9 percent of GDP
(against BE: `15,07,000 crore).
Slippagesin welfare schemes aggra-
vate the stress. On fertilizer subsidy,
against BE of `80,000 crore, the RE
is `40,000 crore. We cannot also be
oblivious of the escalating burden
of interest payments - courtesy high
FD/borrowings year after year -
which takes away nearly 50 percent
of Centre’s net tax revenue.
The FM has kept FD for 2022-
23 at around `16,60,000 crore
(The writer is a policy which works out to 6.4 percent of
analyst. The views GDP. She has described this as
expressed are personal.)
‘advancing on the road to fiscal
POINTCOUNTERPOINT
consolidation’ citing the target of
4.5 percent to be achieved by
2025-26. This is amusing.
A committee on Fiscal
Responsibility and Budget
Management (FRBM) Act under
Dr NK Singh set up by the Modi
government (2016) had asked it to
aim at FD of 2.5 percent during
2022-23. While, presenting the
budget for 2021-22, the finance
minister brushed aside this recom-
mendation; instead, she dished
out a revised trajectory of FD
aiming at 4.5 percent and that too
in 2025-26. Having changed the
goal post then to argue that we are
on track to fiscal consolidation is
anomalous.
The vision and the action plan
ofTeam Modi with its overarching
focus on building infrastructure;
inter-linking rivers; boost to tech-
nology driven agriculture with
focus on small farmers; nurturing
MSMEs and so onis laudable. But
there is no clear vision on funding
these initiatives in a ‘sustainable’
manner. Four areas need attention.
First, Centre’s gross tax to
GDP ratio has been stagnating
around 10-11 percent for years
(10.8 percent during 2021-22).
This is despite unconscionably
high tax incidence on petroleum
products (about 50 percent of
retail price on petrol and diesel).
The government’s efforts to curb
evasion especially in GST are
commendable. However, there is a
lot of untapped potential in direct
taxation.
Secondly, at present,direct and
indirect taxes contribute almost
equally to Centre’s tax kitty. This
implies disproportionately high
THEY WORSHIP JINNAH. WE ARE WORSHIPPERS
OF SARDAR PATEL…WE WILL SACRIFICE OUR
LIFE FOR MAA BHARATI.
—UP CHIEF MINISTER
YOGI ADITYANATH
burden on millions of those who
earn little. If, only the indirect tax
share is lowered to say 1/3rd,
imagine the extra money it will
leave with them and resultant
boost to aggregate demand and
growth.
Third, the existing subsidy
regimes for fertilizers and food are
prone to misuse. Curbing leakage
of urea (possible only when sub-
sidy is given directly to farmers)
alone can save up to `35,000 crore
annually. Mammoth sums can be
saved by curbing pilferage in
administration of food subsidy.
The budget has mooted ideas
such as’organic farming corridor’
along the banks of River Ganga,
use of drones in agriculture etc.But
thesecan’t provide a substitute for
‘overhaul of the flawed systems’.
Fourth, the government
should ensure that the benefits of
state support systems viz. subsi-
dized credit, sovereignguaran-
teeetc actually reachthe MSMEs.
As for farmers, mere offer of guar-
anteed purchase of their produce
at MSP won’t suffice. The way for-
ward is to give them more choic-
es to sell their produce by freeing
up agri-markets.
To conclude, the budget has all
the ingredients for building on the
good growth seen during 2021-22
and laying the foundation for sus-
tained growth in the medium to
long-term. However, the govern-
ment needs to guard against falling
into a ‘debt trap’ and ‘demand
recession’ - inevitable if it doesn’t
play hard ball by reforming taxa-
tion, reforming subsidy adminis-
tration, unshackling farmers and
ruthlessly tacklingcorruption.

Budget figures contradictory, growth off the mark

The 8-9 per cent growth presumption is far from reality. The FM could not count on savings for boosting consumption as people are not spending
high-expectation ambi- 11.1 percent nominal growth. It NINL, with `6600 crore liabili- budget data reveals `7 lakh of 2021-22. The rural develop-

A tious Union Budget has

many contradictions. It
pines too high but may not cre-
ate 60 lakh jobs and boost con-
sumption.
It is a time of crisis. Farmers
and youth are showing their dis-
pleasure. The micro and MSME
sectors are in distress. People in
the public sector are worried
about job losses due to possible
privatisation. The economy hit
by the pandemic has to come
back to health and business
must be on track to boost jobs
and growth. Finance Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman appropri-
ately bites the bullet of increased
public expenditure but curious-
ly cuts down on welfare and
slashes key subsidy by 27 percent.
The 8-9 percent growth pre-
sumption is far from reality.
Total expenses are calculated at
SHIVAJI SARKAR
(The writer is a senior
journalist. The views
expressed are personal.)
is on assumption that retail or
CPI inflation would be at 2.6 per-
cent instead of actual 5.6 percent.
Inflation is global. It means the
total expenditure is inappropri-
ately calculated. Two years back
there was seven percent contrac-
tion; means actual growth is far
less.
Her arithmetic is conflicting.
The government being short on
revenue earning is dependent on
debt. It proposes to borrow
`14.95 lakh crore and of this
`11.6 lakh crore will be raised
from the shaky market. If the
government picks up all the
money, the credit will be more
expensive. As RBI rate rise is like-
ly the cost of borrowings will
increase. For creating jobs pub-
lic sector is needed but it is being
edged out. The market is chop-
py. The disinvestment target is
being reduced as there are fewer
buyers. It has come down to
`65,000 crore for fiscal 2023,
from `78,000 crore in 2022 and
` 1.75 lc in 2020-21. But trans-
ferring even profit-earning 171
public assets, as per
Manmohanomics, to the private
sector seems fashionable. The
Air India deal cost a fortune.
During 2021-22, the Centre
infused equity of Rs 62,057 crore
to clear AI dues before disinvest-
ment. Now another Rs 9259
crore has been allocated to AI
Assets Holding Ltd (AIAHL), a
new PSU, to handle AI’s unset-
tled debt and non-core assets. So,
Government spends over Rs
71316 crore (and plus Rs 51970
crore losses!) to “sell” the mam-
moth AI.The UPA minister,
who drove profit-making AI
and Indian Airlines to losses dur-
ing 2005-07, escapes unscathed.
The first PSU steel plant
ties, is sold for `12,100 crore to
Tatas on budget day. The buyer
profits from a one-million-
tonnes-a-year plant in Odisha,
2500 acres of land and a mine
with 102 million tonnes of prime
iron ore. The LIC and four
banks are on the same sale
block. Such ‘privatisation’ is too
costly.
It has tax revenue of `27.58
lakh crore and wants to have cap-
ital expenses of `7.5 lakh crore,
35.4 percent more from the pre-
sent `5.5 lakh crore but this year
it spent 48 percent less. This can-
not create more jobs. It reduces
allocation on rural develop-
ment, health and other pro-
grammes. The `50,000 crore
for MSMEs is bank credit. The
FM could not count on huge sav-
ings for boosting consumption
as people are not spending. Pre-
crore household savings and
Jan Dhan deposits swelling to
`39,000 crore. But the house-
holds with `18000 crore debts
are not spending.
The kisan expects more.
The farm sector alone has sus-
tained growth of around 4 per-
cent but 86 crore lost their land.
Possibly 52 percent of them
crore were in the informal self-
employed economy till demon-
etization, according to an SBI
study. Except about 15-20 per-
cent, including a chunk of farm-
ers who lost their lands, are now
labourers. Should we not revive
that low-cost people-initiated
informalisation? It is cheaper
than unicorns and employs
more. The nation needs to
rethink. Even MGNREGA allo-
cations have been reduced to Rs
73000 crore from Rs 98000 crore
ment, health and labourers need
more support. So does lowering
of income tax rates to match cor-
porate tax. People need more
cash for consumption boost else
manufacturing industry would
be suffering.
The nation needs more peo-
ple-oriented approach than mere
25000 km roads, airports and
digital connectivity that help
the corporate builders, toll col-
lectors and fee extractors.
Irrationally high tolls and cess-
es ideally be scrapped to keep
prices in check. Taxes are not
“hiked” but devious cess robs
more and hike prices.
The budget cannot have
contradictory projections and
has to be more imaginative to
overcome the difficult days
and help the country sustain-
ably grow.
HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8, 2022
Maruti Suzuki
opens bookings for
new Baleno; launch
later this month
PNS n NEW DELHI
Maruti Suzuki India (MSI)
on Monday said it has com-
menced bookings for the
new version of its premium
hatchback Baleno, which it
plans to launch later this
month.
With the introduction of
the new version of the
model, the company aims to
further strengthen its posi-
tion in the premium hatch-
back segment that currently
accounts for around 23 per
cent of the overall domestic
passenger vehicle sales.
Baleno competes with the
likes of Hyundai i20, Tata
Motors Altroz and
Volkwagen Polo.
"The model comes with a
number of advanced fea-
tures. We have been criti-
cised in the past for having
less features in our cars, but
with the new Baleno, it has
been completely addressed.
We have gone beyond what
is being offered in the seg-
ment, that is the major
change and help in raising
the aspirational quotient of
the model even more," MSI
Senior Executive Director
(Marketing and Sales)
Shashank Srivastava told PTI
in an interaction.
MONEY MATTERS
FM asks industry to join ‘Team
India', step up investments
PNS n NEW DELHI
Finance Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman on Monday asked
the private sector to join 'Team
India' and step up their invest-
ments in line with the govern-
ment's capex push and help the
country retain the tag of the
world's fastest growing major
economy in the years to come.
Asserting that the govern-
ment's capital expenditure
(capex) will rise 35 per cent to
Rs 7.5 lakh crore next fiscal, she
hoped that the emphasis on
public investment in infra-
structure will result in crowd-
ing-in of private investments.
"I would think this is the
opportune time for private
investments to come in, expand
your capacities, build new
capacities, corporate tax
reduced much before the pan-
demic ... I would appeal to you
do not let this opportunity go
away," Sitharaman said at a
PHD Chamber post-Budget
event here.
The government has estimat-
ed that the Indian economy will
expand 9.2 per cent in the cur-
rent fiscal. For the next fiscal,
the finance ministry's
Economic Survey has pegged
the growth at 8-8.5 per cent.
Several agencies have pro-
jected India being the fastest
growing major economy in the
world in the current fiscal and
the next. While International
Monetary Fund (IMF) has pro-
jected India growing at 9 per
cent both in the current fiscal
and FY23, the World Bank has
estimated the growth in these
two fiscals at 8.3 per cent and
8.7 per cent, respectively.
Sitharaman asked the indus-
try leaders to do their "maxi-
mum best" and join 'Team
India' and ensure that the coun-
try is indeed the fastest grow-
ing economy this year, next year
and for several years thereafter.
"If India shall be the fastest
growing economy among the
large economies, I'm sure that
would also be because you
Sebi comes out with new disclosure
Gramophone plans
to double
headcount to 1,000
in 6-8 months
PNS nMUMBAI
Full-stack agri-tech com-
p a ny G r a m op h on e on
Monday said it is planning
to nearly double its head-
count in the next 6-8
months on the back of
growing demand.
The comp any w hos e
current employee strength
is over 450 is planning to
add over 300 professionals
across technology, product,
operations and marketing
i n t h e n e x t s i x - e i g ht
months, Gramophone said
in a statement.
Gramophone co-founder
and CEO Tauseef Khan
The government said, "Building a successful
full-stack agritech busi-
has estimated ness requires a massive
that the Indian deployment of technology
economy will as well as a layer of data
science that provides gran-
expand 9.2 per ular insights on how we
cent in the can be more frugal and
e f f e c t i v e a c ro s s t h e s e
current fiscal stacks."
He added that given the
massive momentum, the
have come forward, I'm sure its company is witnessing on
also going to be because India the business front as well
as a team -- government and as its expansion plans. "We
private -- will have to work
together... It just cannot be just
are looking to hire top of
the line talent across our
the government doing,"
Sitharaman said.
technology, product, and
marketing teams."
Money 08
Dip in India's dependence on import
to meet thermal coal demand
PNS n NEW DELHI
The government on Monday
said the country's dependence
on imports to meet thermal
coal demand has sharply
reduced and stressed that in
the next financial year, this
demand will be met from
Coal India, Singareni
Collieries Company Ltd and
captive mines.
The power ministry has
projected a requirement of
727 million tonnes (MT) of
domestic coal for coal-based
power generation for 2022-23,
Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi
said in a reply to a query in the in January last fiscal. coal stocks came down at
Rajya Sabha. Indonesia, Joshi said, has thermal power plants due to
"India's dependence on relaxed export ban and few evacuation issues, but there
imports for meeting thermal coal vessels have already was adequate coal available in
coal demand has sharply departed in the last days of the country.
reduced. In FY23, this demand January. In 2021-22 (up to January
shall be met from CIL, SCCL The export ban in major 2022), CIL has supplied coal to
and coal production from period of January, has provid- the tune of 441.35 MT (provi-
captive coal blocks," Joshi said. ed an opportunity to supply sional).
Coal India Ltd (CIL) sup- more domestic coal. The total coal stock at the
plied 50.7 MT coal to power The minister further said power plants end has
sector last month, achieving a that there is no shortage of increased from 10.82 MT as
growth of 24 per cent in com- coal in thermal power plants on October 31, 2021 to 25.31
parison to supply of 40.8 MT in the country. Even in 2021, MT as on January 31, 2022.
Sensex nosedives
1,024 pts on rate
hike fears; HDFC
twins top drags
PNS n NEW DELHI

Equity benchmark Sensex

Punjab & Sind Bank reports net profit format for abridged prospectus DCGI grants approval to single- crashed 1,024 points to end
below the 58,000-level on
Monday as investors fretted
of Rs 301 cr in Dec qtr PNS n NEW DELHI shot Sputnik Light Covid vaccine over policy tightening by cen-
tral banks amid elevated infla-
tate-owned Punjab & Sind To further simplify and pro- PNS n NEW DELHI Following its phase III clin- tion.
S Bank (PSB) on Monday
reported a net profit of Rs
301 crore for the quarter ended
vide greater clarity, markets
regulator Sebi has come out
with a new format for disclo-
Dr Reddy's Laboratories on
Monday said the Drugs
ical trial of the single-shot
Sputnik Light vaccine in India,
the Hyderabad-based drug
Unabated foreign fund out-
flows added to the gloom,
traders said.
December 2021 on healthy sures in abridged prospectus, Controller General of India major had submitted its appli- Declining for the third
growth in core income and fall whereby critical information (DCGI) has granted approval cation for approval to the straight session, the 30-share
in provisioning requirement. will be provided in the front to the single-shot Sputnik DCGI in December 2021, in BSE Sensex plummeted
The lender had posted a net page of the offer document. Light vaccine for restricted use addition to data from clinical 1,023.63 points or 1.75 per
loss of Rs 2,376 crore in the Under the rules, every in emergency situation in trials in Russia. cent to finish at 57,621.19.
same quarter a year ago. Sequentially, the net profit was up by 38.1 application form for the pur- India. The standalone Sputnik Similarly, the broader NSE
per cent from Rs 218 crore in the quarter ended September 2021. chase of any securities of a Sputnik Light is a one-dose Light vaccine is the latest vac- Nifty slumped 302.70 points or
Total income rose to Rs 2,042.03 crore, as against Rs 1,973.78 company needs to be accom- vaccine and the same as the cine to be approved by the 1.73 per cent to 17,213.60.
crore in Q3 FY21, PSB said in a regulatory filing. Net interest panied by an abridged first component— recombi- DCGI as part of India's The Sensex has now shed
income was up by 23.1 per cent to Rs 758 crore, from Rs 616 crore. prospectus. share reservations details on has to disclose about indicative nant human adenovirus national inoculation effort 1,937.14 points in three ses-
The net interest margin improved to 3.17 per cent in the December After reviewing the disclo- the front page of the abridged timelines for opening and serotype number 26 (rAd26) against COVID-19. Sputnik sions, with the market capital-
2021 quarter from 2.86 per cent in the year-ago period. Also, the sure requirement, it was felt prospectus (DRHP or RHP). closing of the issue, initiation — of the two-dose Sputnik V Light has been approved in isation of BSE-listed firms
cost of deposits for the bank fell to 4.24 per cent from 4.97 per cent, that due to the multitude of Also, the company is of refunds, credit of equity vaccine, Dr Reddy's said in a over 30 countries around the plunging by over Rs 5.82 lakh
while the cost of funds came down to 3.64 per cent from 4.30 per information which is required required to make disclosure shares to demat accounts of statement. world including Argentina, crore during the period.HDFC
cent. The bank's provisions for non-performing assets (NPAs) fell to to be disclosed, the look and about details of OFS by pro- allottees and commencement In September 2020, the drug UAE, Philippines and Russia. Bank was the top loser in the
Rs 325 crore during the quarter, as against Rs 1,482 crore reserved text on the front page appears moter, promoter group and of trading of equity shares major had partnered with the Earlier this year, an inde- Sensex pack in Monday's ses-
for the same period of the previous fiscal. However, the gross non- to be crowded, Sebi said in a other shareholders. among others. Russian Direct Investment pendent comparative study sion, tumbling 3.65 per cent,
performing assets showed a slight deterioration at 14.44 per cent of circular issued on Friday. In the abridged prospectus The new format is part of Fund (RDIF) to conduct clin- conducted by the Spallanzani followed by L&T, Bajaj
the gross advances as of December 31, 2021, from 12.14 per cent a Under the revised format, a containing salient features of Sebi's effort to further simpli- ical trials of Sputnik V and dis- Institute in Italy showed that Finance, Bajaj Finserv, HDFC,
year ago. But it improved quarter-on-quarter from 14.54 per cent at company will have to disclose the Red Herring Prospectus fy, provide greater clarity and tribute the vaccine in India. Sputnik V demonstrates Kotak Bank and Wipro. Only
the end of September 2021. Likewise, the net NPAs or bad loans about name of the promoter, (RHP), the company will have consistency in the disclosures In April 2021, the DCGI strong protection against the five counters managed to close
rose to 3.01 per cent year-on from 2.84 per cent, but were down details of offer to public -- to disclose about price band across various documents and granted approval to the two- Omicron variant, with over in the green -- PowerGrid,
from 3.81 per cent in the preceding quarter. types of issue, fresh issue and and minimum bid lot under to provide additional but crit- dose Sputnik V vaccine for two times higher virus neu- NTPC, Tata Steel, SBI and
offer for sale (OFS)compo- the revised format. ical information in the restricted use in emergency tralising activity compared to Ultratech Cement, climbing
nent, total issue size -- and Also, the issuer company abridged prospectus. situation in India. the Pfizer vaccine. up to 1.88 per cent.
JSW Group joins World Business
Council for sustainable growth Gold jumps Rs DIAL: Expansion work of arrival terminal done
SW Group, one of the country's
146; silver zooms
J leading business houses, has
joined over 200 forward-thinking
companies as the newest member of Rs 635 on global
PNS n NEW DELHI

Delhi airport operator DIAL

the World Business Council for
Sustainable Development (WBCSD). PNS n NEW DELHI
JSW will be represented in WBCSD by
Seshagiri Rao, Joint Managing Director Gold price in the national cap-
and Group CFO, who also sits on the ital on Monday jumped Rs 146
board of directors of JSW Steel. He will also take part in the WBCSD CFO to Rs 47,997 per 10 grams in
network, which is driving higher ESG performance within companies, and
more effective disclosure to capital markets, JSW Steel said in a filing to
BSE.The JSW Group is a USD 13 billion multinational conglomerate
line with rally in internation-
al precious metal prices,
according to HDFC Securities.
headquartered in India.JSW's innovative and sustainable presence in
various sectors including steel, energy, infrastructure, cement, paints,
venture capital and sports is helping the group play an important role in
In the previous trade, the pre-
cious metal settled at Rs 47,851
per 10 grams.Silver also gained
driving India's economic growth.The group strives for excellence by Rs 635 to Rs 61,391 per kg
leveraging its strengths and capabilities, including a successful track from Rs 60,756 per kg in
record of executing large capital-intensive and technically complex theprevious trade.In the inter-
projects, differentiated product mix, state-of-the-art manufacturing national market, gold was
facilities, and a greater focus on pursuing sustainable growth.With a trading in the green at USD
culturally diverse workforce spread across India, the USA, Europe and 1,812 per ounce and silver was
Africa, JSW Group directly employs nearly 40,000 people. It also has a flat at USD 22.75 per ounce.
strong social development focus aimed at empowering communities "Gold prices traded higher
around its operations.JSW is progressing across markets with with spot gold prices at
innovation, digitalisation and sustainability as its key anchors. With COMEX trading at USD 1,812
efficient integrated operations and a clear vision for the future, JSW is per ounce on Monday. Gold
executing its strategic growth plan in line with the growing steel demand. prices extended gains sup-
ported by weaker dollar
despite of rise in US bond
yields," Tapan Patel, Senior
Analyst (commodities) at
HDFC Securities, said.
Minda Industries raising
stake in subsidiary firm
PNS nMUMBAI
Minda Industries Ltd (MIL),
the flagship firm of the UNO
MINDA Group, on Monday
said it is increasing its stake in
the subsidiary company Minda
Kosei Aluminum Wheels
(MKA) to 77.35 per cent from
70 per cent, with an investment
of Rs 61.2 crore in the ven-
ture.The existing shareholders
and Joint venture partners have
renounced their rights in
favour of MIL, enabling the
company to increase its stake
from 70 per cent to 77.35 per
cent in Minda Kosei, the com-
pany said in a statement.
Minda Industries Ltd said it
is consolidating its stake in four
partnership firms by acquiring
the remaining stake of promot-
ers. A 70:30 joint venture com-
pany between Minda Group
and Kosei International Trade
and Investment Company,
Japan (Kosei Japan), Minda
Kosei is into the development,
manufacturing and sales of
aluminium alloy wheels for
major car OEMs (original
equipment manufacturers) and
aftermarket in India.
on Monday said it has com-
pleted the expansion work of
the arrival terminal at T1 and
is ready for operations.
The work has been done as
part of expansion plans and
once complete, the airport's
total terminal capacity and
airside capacity will increase to
100 million and 140 million,
respectively.
Currently, Indira Gandhi
International Airport's (IGIA)
terminal capacity is 60 million ed arrival terminal, which Terminal 1 would have inte-
and airside capacity is 100 would enable DIAL to take up grated arrival and departure
million. The airport has three the demolition of the existing terminals, a new node build-
operational terminals -- T1, T2 arrival terminal, T1C," GMR ing housing retail and F&B
and T3. Group Dy Managing Director outlets, and a pier building
"DIAL has successfully com- I Prabhakara Rao said in a comprising 22 contact stands,"
pleted expansion work of release. the release said.
arrival terminal at T1 and is According to him, the build- The new arrival terminal at
ready for operations... this ing was the need of the hour T1 has a huge space between
new arrival terminal is anoth- and will help in enhancing the baggage belts for ease of move-
er step towards enhancing the airport's operational efficien- ment and a state-of-the-art
infrastructure and passenger cy. meet and greet gallery, among
experience at Delhi airport. At present, IndiGo and other facilities, the release said,
"The current domestic SpiceJet have their domestic adding that the terminal will
arrival operations will now operations from T1. offer a distinctive experience to
move to the newly construct- "Upon completion, the new flyers.

Higher deficit, lack of clarity on fiscal consolidation Union Bank of India's

PNS n NEW DELHI
Fitch Ratings on Monday said
higher fiscal deficits and lack of
clarity on consolidation plans
in the Budget add risks to its
projection of lowering of
India's debt-to-gross domestic
product (GDP) ratio.
The degree to which
planned higher capex (capital
expenditure) supports GDP
growth and offsets these risks
is an important consideration
for the sovereign rating, the
global rating agency said in a
statement.
Risks around the sustainabil-
ity of the downward debt tra-
jectory were a key factor
behind Fitch's decision to
maintain a 'negative' outlook
on sovereign when it affirmed
India's 'BBB-' rating in
November 2021.
"The higher deficits and
continued lack of clarity on
medium-term consolidation
plans in India's latest Budget
add risks to Fitch Ratings' pro-
jection of a downward trajec-
tory in government debt/GDP,"
Fitch said.
The Budget presented by
the government on February 1
continued to emphasise sup-
port for growth over fiscal
consolidation, Fitch said.
It added that deficit targets
were "slightly higher than we
had anticipated when we
affirmed the rating".
The Budget pegged a revised
deficit of 6.9 per cent of GDP
for the fiscal year ending
March 2022 (FY22), against
Fitch's forecast of 6.6 per cent.
"The planned 6.4 per cent of
GDP FY23 deficit is also high-
er than our 6.1 per cent fore-
cast. "The borrowing allowance
for states, which was main-
tained at 4.0 per cent of gross
state domestic product in
FY23, keeping it above the pre-
pandemic level of 3 per cent,
poses further risk to our fiscal
forecasts," it added.
India's public debt-GDP
ratio at about 87 per cent in
FY21 (ended March 2021) is
well above the median of
around 60 per cent for 'BBB'-
rated sovereigns.
"We revised the outlook on
India's rating to Negative, from
Stable, in June 2020, partly
owing to our assumptions
about the impact of the pan-
demic on public finance met-
rics. "The government has lit-
tle fiscal headroom at its cur-
rent rating level to respond to
possible shocks to growth,"
Fitch added.
Q3 net profit jumps 49
pc to Rs 1,085 crore
PNS n NEW DELHI
State-owned Union Bank of
India on Monday posted a 49
per cent jump in net profit to
Rs 1,085 crore in the third
quarter ended December 31.
The bank had earned a net
profit of Rs 727 crore in the
corresponding quarter of the
previous financial year.
Its total income during the
October-December quarter
of 2021-22 declined to Rs
19,453.74 crore from Rs
20,102.84 crore in the corre-
sponding quarter of the pre-
vious financial year, Union
Bank of India said in a regu-
latory filing.
 Follow us on
@TheDailyPioneer
facebook.com/
dailypioneer

Tuesday
February 8, 2022

Men’s fashion will shatter

boundaries in 2022!
SHIKHA DUGGAL architecture was based on a
modern-contemporary con-
It’s imperative for us to con-
stantly evolve with our designs
cept that complements and and present something people

i
nspiration is usually humanises their story. haven’t seen before. It keeps
just a glance away, Shooting the campaign in the our patrons enthusiastic about
up to the men’s sec- middle of summer was a task our forthcoming collections
tion, where fresh in itself, but the end result was and constantly helps a brand
trends pop up well worth the effort for them. evolve.”

INKED IN GRIEF
everyday. With a There is a romanticism of tra- They mention that men’s
newfound love for shopping dition, but then their label is fashion will make it big this
for menswear in mind, we also very contemporary. year. When asked what are
have taken the liberty of Shantanu talks about how they some of the bravest men’s fash-
speaking to a top fashion duo work to meld the two together, ion trends we’ll see, Nikhil
who are the virtuoso designers saying, “As designers, we are says, “Men haven’t been adher- he past two the ECG report show- terflies, bees, geomet-

of the fashion industry—
Shantanu and Nikhil.
Thefashion label run by broth-
ers Shantanu Mehra and
Nikhil Mehra started in the
year 2000! It was just recently
when Jr. NTR, who maintains
a very low-key private life,
grabbed all the attention from
his fans for his striking good
looks. All because the actor’s
stylist, Ashwin Mawle, shared
a dapper look of the actor, and
we were all hearts for it as well.
He was looking dapper as he
oozed charisma and elegance
dressed in Shantanu and
Nikhil’s Bandgala sherwani.
When we asked Shantanu
whether designing is more
than just a concept for Nikhil
and him, and what their label
is synonymous for these days,
he eagerly replied, “Designing
is a mode of expression. It’s a
powerful tool for us to visu-
alise the world as we see it.”
Shantanu and Nikhil, as a
brand, have always had rebel-
lion at their core. “The objec-
tive has always been to be
“anti-trend” and stir away
from the conventional design
values that may put our
patrons into boxes. From
introducing drape in
menswear to designing neo-
gowns for women, we have
often established new paths for
people to experiment with.
Our bridge to the luxury
brand sets itself on the same
path with draped kurtas and
saree gowns. We hope our
designs will shatter boundaries
and make people embrace
every bit of their identity.”
They share. But what if some-
one tries to emulate their con-
cepts? Does that ever bother
the pair? Nikhil responds to
that, saying “Everyone derives
t
heavily inspired by our Indian ing to the strict traditional years have ing heartbeats. Portrait ric shapes and more.
roots and bask in all the glory. mandate for the ceremonies been tattoos were also very Cover-up
Our creations have always lately. They have been experi- unprece- popular.
been an ode to the historical mental and bold in dented as Those who lost their Several cover-ups of
past, for example our their choices. Covid-19 pets, had the portraits badly done old tattoos
Nehruvian collar or had has wreaked of their furry friends were done during the
the Signature havoc in everyone’s tattooed. Line last year. And people
Bandhgala with lives. It impacted art ver- who didn’t want to opt
buttons everyone and sions of for a bigger cover-up
inspired by many people design opted for a laser
antique lost their removal treatment by
coins! loved Picolaser, the latest
Even ones and most efficient
though due removal technol-
we abide to ogy which
by this makes the tat-
core too disappear
design without leav-
value, dis- ing any scars.
rupting
the same Religious
rhythm helps Religious
us achieve the or Spiritual tat-
anti-trend toos have had a
design that we do. lot of significance
covid- since ancient
Unconventional 19. The times. It was
inspiration from somewhere drop and narrative fur- choices in colours aren’t the world was believed that having
for their art, and we are glad ther impacts the only way they approach engulfed with such a tattoo would
people are able to get inspired effect they try to fashion now. We have sadness and sev- ensure protection by
by us. It puts our work on a achieve via their seen them steering eral people discovered their pets God.
pedestal, but plagiarising it creations. For towards digital prints, tattoos as a medium to too were popular.
discredits it. Reproduction of instance, their metallic detailing, pay tribute to their Geometric
designs is, unfortunately, a previous col- and heavy acces- loved ones. Minimalistic Another tattoo trend
common phenomenon, but we lection, sories for their cer- The tattoo industry Minimal tattoos were that has picked up in
feel honoured when people “Oasis,” was emonial wear. Our witnessed a spike in very popular among the current year and
who admire our work are able shot at collection, Oasis, demand post the sec- those who were getting continues to be a pop-
to differentiate between them. Suryagarh, is an ode to such ond wave in India. inked for the first time. ular choice this year is
It gives us a sense of accom- Jaisalmer, men who are con- While some captured It also helps that these geometric designs. Be
plishment to think that people which pro- fident in their the emotional connec- look aesthetically it a minimalistic geo-
have been following us closely vided the own skin and tion with their loved pleasing and fit all metric design of fine
enough to recognise the differ- collection unafraid to experi- ones by getting a por- budgets. Another rea- lines or big and bold
ence. Thankfully, now we have with the ment, be it with trait tattoo others son for the popularity patterns, these will be
digital platforms that are active anchoring colours, details, or chose to go with mini- of minimal tattoos is in demand. Other
in voicing out such concerns element it prints. In addition, malistic tattoos like that they convey a trends that continue to
and helping out designers with required— men aren’t far behind getting the name or strong message with be popular will be
the same.” they wanted to in sporting jewels signature tattoo. small and fine lines. lighting tattoos, holo-
Rummaging through hun- film the film in a underneath their ensem- The simple and deli- gram tattoos, colourful
dreds of properties and exam- location that bles these days, and the Portraits tattoos, abstract tattoos
cate tattoos often make
ining every set up, they want matched the intensity trend is here to stay. illennial People paid tributes a fashion statement. and more.
to know it all before a cam- of their collection. grooms aren’t afraid to take to their loved ones There are numerous
paign shoot. A strong back- Suryagarh’s design and risks!” with name tattoos, cool designs that one (The writer, Lokesh
birth dates or those of can choose from like Verma, is a tattoo
demise to honour acronyms of names, artist and founder,
them. A few even got flowers, planets, but- Devil’z Tattooz.)

TECHNOLOGIES THAT WILL

CHANGE THE DIALOGUE IN
2022 & BEYOND
ing skills and ultimately help for data management. The
the businesses to experience second major consensus is
an increase in productivity. that data management and
the edge will increasingly
Evolution Of The converge and reinforce each
Security Industry other. We will see a gradual
In the coming times, the rise in these technologies as
security industry will respond AI-powered IoT will deploy
with greater automation and amongst various sectors and
integration. The scanner tools will probably take hold of var-
will bring new updates and ious industries.
provide for a more secure Although I have mentioned
Advancement In storage process of personal that these technologies will

i
n recent years we
have seen how digi-
tization has changed
the face of the world
and helped it to
keep progressing
even when it was hit hard by
the most crucial pandemic of
all time. It was the technology
that enabled its users to keep
up their experiences in their
career, education, or even in
day-to-day life. The result is
now we are living in an era
where we can do anything
from anywhere at the same or
in some cases with greater
efficiency. The advancements
in technology do not end
here. They will continue to
shape the future of work,
transforming every imagin-
able sector for the foreseeable
future. With that in mind,
here are the 5 technologies
that will change the dialogue
in 2022 and beyond.
Artificial Intelligence
Powered Cloud
Applications
After the pandemic, no
one can deny the fact that
Artificial Intelligence has life-
saving potential. The numer-
ous innovations by AI from
chatbots to automating tasks
to virtual assistants and more
will continue to drive insights
and better solutions in 2022
and beyond too. It is expected
to witness a great change in
application infrastructure as
the business organizations
will move towards cloud
applications in order to make
way for more scalable, secure,
and efficient business
processes. With cloud com-
puting and virtualization,
companies would be able to
carry out their processes cost-
effectively by cutting down
hardware. The powerful and
expansive nature of cloud
computing will grow in the
future and likely provide
more extensive security to the
data and ultimately help com-
panies achieve their business
goals.
Internet-5G
The 5th Generation mobile
network is going to be a
game-changer for every sec-
tor in the coming times.
Faster speeds, larger capacity,
and reduced latency on the
internet will open new doors
of opportunities in public
safety and business. Statistics
say that up to 40 percent of
the global population will be
5G holders before 2025. The
modern business world has
shifted a great deal in the past
years. Many businesses have
become more familiarized
with working even outside of
the office. 5G can further
facilitate these remote work-
data. The traditional infra-
structure will integrate with
modern digital innovations to
solve digital challenges with
ease. Since the risk landscape
is getting more and more
complex, security needs to be
reformed from the presently
available basic model to the
intrinsically built advanced
models. Antivirus solutions
and web security extensions
will be evolved and may pro-
vide more real-time protec-
tion and a safe browsing
experience.
Melding Of Physical And
Virtual Spaces
During 2020 and 2021,
many of us realized that tech-
nology is very important for
not only facilitating but also
maintaining communications.
These communications are
not just limited to work but
also real emotional connec-
tions. AI technology and sev-
eral new applications will
drive people closer to each
other even if they are physi-
cally miles apart. The line
which separates physical and
virtual space will blur further
as the users would be able to
accomplish any experience
whether it is participating in
global events or even getting
genuine Astrological reading
from their own homes.
However, merely making
these experiencesavailable
would not be enough. In
order to win the confidence
of customers, data privacy
will have to be prioritized. As
we step into a new era, brands
will make sincere efforts to
provide services to users with
full transparency and control
over their data.
A New Era In IoT And
Edge
IoT and Edge started off as
a vision for future digitization
are now fast becoming the
most potent superpowers of
the technology world. Five
years from now, Edge will
become the new battleground
impact our future, in reality,
we are already witnessing
their impact and widespread
adoption even in the present
day. It is expected to see some
major updates and reforms in
these technologies that will
indeed change the dialogue in
not only 2022 but also in the
coming decade. Being a tech-
nology enthusiast, I am confi-
dent about the impact of
these technologies in shaping
the future and as keen as you
are to witness how these tech-
nology trends will form the
backdrop to drive this
growth.
(The writer, Abhinav
Gupta, is the CTO, Innovana
Thinklabs Ltd)

Hyderabad Tuesday February 8, 2022 what’s brewing?
A SMOOTHIE START
t is said that breakfast,
I the most important
meal of the day, should
ideally never be skipped. In
the pandemic, there has
been a sudden change in
people’s eating habits where
they are opting for healthier
and more nutritious food.
While breakfast looks
different in different parts
of the world, it is most
eclectic in India, where
l Arti Nagpal
there are so many food
choices — from fruits and
juices to oats, Indian staples
PARTY
like poha, idli, dosa,
parathas and more. But
over the last couple of years,
Indians have discovered
‘smoothies’ and ‘smoothie
bowls’, which are packed
with health benefits and are
known to make a person
feel fuller for a longer peri-
od.
Our body needs proteins
and nutrients to function
properly and, when it’s not
provided with healthy food
and fluids, it deteriorates.
Smoothies and smoothie
Photos by SV Chary
l Parvathi Reddy
l Maredu Ramu
bowls are an excellent
l Hema Nalini
source of vitamins, folate,
minerals, dietary fibre, pro-
teins and carbohydrates
besides being a delicious
addition to breakfast.
Eating healthily and
keeping healthy is such an
overrated concept that it
has been made to appear
like a difficult task when, in
truth, it is as simple as
returning to our origins.
We have a body that, like
any other machine, has to
be used to maintain it.
When it comes to food, it’s
the same thing as machine
l Rachana
fuel. The tougher the fuel is
for the body, the more
adulterated (far from natur-
l Bharath
al food) it is. The most sig-
nificant change we need to
make is to eat more natural
foods and avoid manufac-
tured foods.
The simplest way to do
this is by inculcating the
habit of increasing the fruit
intake in all forms, either as
cut fruits or simple blends
such as smoothies. Starting
CITY LIGHTS your day with smoothies
will help detox, recharge
and refresh the body. Fruits
A
n art exhibition titled “2021 Public and vegetables in smoothies
Place” by Maredu Ramu was unveiled act as detoxifying agents
at the State Gallery of Art in Madhapur. and help cleanse the body.
The exhibit is a depiction of the These smoothies have great
l PrasannaJyothi
l Laxma Goud
l Uma Makala
quintessential Indian city as he captures a health benefits due to their
nutritious elements like vit-
city's myriad moods and meanings. His amins, minerals, iron, fibre
bold usage of colour has drawn and proteins. They also
apprciation from many artists. help in weight loss and re-
energise the body to attain
a better immune system.
FUN
ARCHIE CALVIN AND HOBBES
GARFIELD
REALITY CHECK SPEED BUMP CROSSWORD
NANCY
SUDOKU
Yesterday’s solution
GINGER MEGGS
Rules
l Each row and column can
contain each number (1 to 9)
exactly once.
l The sum of all numbers in
any row or column must
equal 45.
10
The best thing about a
smoothie is that you can
include different fruits like
apple, banana, pineapple
and more to create your
flavours. Drinking smooth-
ies makes it easier to absorb
water into our body helping
us stay hydrated through-
out the day.
Fruits like watermelon,
pineapple, date, musk
melon have a lot of water
content in them. These
fruits not only keep you
hydrated but also decrease
your risk of obesity, dia-
betes, heart disease,
increase your energy levels
and keep your cells active.
Bananas and apples are rich
in fibre, protein and help
blood glucose control.
Making your morning
smoothie effective:
Liquids are a must. Water,
juice, non-dairy milk,
coconut water are some of
the low calorie, fewer sugar
options that should be
added to your smoothie.
Add protein and natural
flavours. Avocado is one
option that gives great
flavour to your smoothie.
Fill it with something
fresh. Add some fruits and
vegetables like watermelon,
apple, banana, muskmelon,
carrots, baby spinach to
make it filling and nutri-
tious.
Blend until smooth. Put
all your ingredients into the
blender jug and let it work
its magic till it looks
smooth.
So, just feed your body
with the right nutrition and
your body will love you for
it. Do try replacing your
morning routine breakfast
with a smoothie sometime
and you will know why peo-
ple are making a switch.
Swap your regular break-
fast with a smoothie and
smoothie bowl to turn on
the nutrient powerhouse in
your body. Hydrate yourself
with the abundant fibres in
farm-fresh fruits and vegeta-
bles and stay fit with power-
packed smoothies. Drinking
a smoothie will not only
keep you hydrated through-
out the day but will be bene-
ficial for your body with a
boost of all vitamins and
proteins.
(The writer, Samrat
Reddy, is the founder,
Drunken Monkey, a
smoothie delivery chain
with more than 200
options.)
 11

Hyderabad Tuesday February 8, 2022 tollywood

Fitness helps me stay connected to
peace of mind: Seerat Kapoor
he most crucial component of

fter a short streak of act-
creating the new world of a whacky
ing process happened organically
always wanted to be a storyteller and
t
an actress’s life is her physical
fitness. To stay fit and pre-
serve that figure, an actress
must adhere to a strict diet,
scaling back on junk food and
avoiding delicious treats. Hourglass diva
Seerat Kapoor remains in shape and
gets stronger every day. Thanks to her
daily pilates and Ems strength train-
ing! Fitness does not lead to results
overnight; it requires consistency
and religious dedication. Seerat
and his Kapoor is one of the tolly divas

a
ing in buzzing films like DJ, the director tells, “I stumbled therafter.” Vimal already had a bank don the hat that would give him a charac- that hold fitness in high regard,
Jersey and Bommala upon this idea in 2019 and went of scripts but the one that excited wider reach to his stories and that’s ter and and when it comes to health,
Ramaram, DJ Tillu has onto share it with actor Siddhu. He him the most was the character of how direction happened to him. He Narudi she is very disciplined and pas-
wielded the couldn’t turn down the offer! DJ Tillu! His intention was to create continued about this directional Brathuku sionate. Seerat Kapoor has
megaphone Taking an encouraging step a lot of impact with his debut film venture and penning the whacky DJ, Natana gave revealed some of her fitness
for Vimal Krishna’s ahead, we developed the and DJ Tillu had all the right dosage “In our society, the way we look at it a serious secrets and the importance
directorial debut! script together but to of ingredients— so much so that women always hurts me. The trailer tone, so we of being active to The
The movie has a our surprise, a lock- Vimal had the opportunity to has many men after a woman, and I didn’t want to Pioneer.
lineup of won- down happened. We explore and experiment with a want to tap on to that perspective by go for it. At the She says, “Fitness for
derful actors didn’t let that lock- whacky DJ as much as he would like adding entertainment to it. We must shoot location, me is more of a lifestyle.
including down break our to. But why did he only trip over grab someone’s attention and I there were many It extends beyond the
Siddhu, Neha spirits and instead actor Siddhu Jonalagadda? He experimented there. There is also a challenges, but I training hours at the
Shetty, Prince used that phase to shared, “I’ve known Siddhu since tacit message in the film. It won’t be faced them with a studio or the physical
Cecil, Brahmaji, our advantage by 2012. I know his body language, the too sensitised a subject too but smile. I wanted to transformations
among others and designing each emotions he can portray and the Tillu’s character reacts to everything lead a team since required to play dis-
is slated for a pre- character and scene way he thinks through. So, in all in the film, and anyone can be right childhood and was a tinct characters
valentine’s day to perfection. aspects, Siddhu was the perfect fit from his perspective! There are no captain in cricket as from one film to
release on The for DJ Tillu. Our functioning is simi- judgements involved but it’s rather a well. I never got carried the next. I prefer
February 12. script- lar, we laugh at the most craziest and fictional narrative with strong con- away with challenges and to maintain a
While weird stuff, you’ll see us play devil’s tent.” The intimate scenes of the ensured they didn’t affect consistent fit- mind by bringing about the essence of
advocate to each other. He is very movie has already rowed into multi- the end product as I can’t ness pro- wholeness, clarity, stability, and strength.”
talkative too! He talks a lot during ple controversies and it was time for compromise on the quality. gramme Definitely, we can feel that Seerat has
the script discussions and I used us to hit the hammer on the hot nail! When an actor drops out of a when I’m achieved all her fitness goals with these
to grab something fruitful to We asked the director to give us some day’s shoot, it should not affect not on a mantras, which are highly motivating.
be included in our film bytes on plugging the intimate scenes the end product. So I had my timetable. On the professional front, fans are eagerly
from those conversations. in the film and to which he asserted, checks and measures to avoid It helps anticipating her Bollywood debut in
Moreover, we also have “Based on the trailer, you can’t label it any unforeseen occurrences.” He me stay Maarrich, with renowned actor
the same gravity for as an adult comedy. Intimacy was rel- puts director Rajamouli at the connect- Naseeruddin Shah and the handsome
sarcasm. We watch evant to the film, and nothing is force highest point as his inspiration for ed to Tusshar Kapoor. The actress will also star in
movies with a fitted. Once you watch the film, you the way Rajamouli weaves different my Dil Raju’s forthcoming Telugu film as a
similar thinking, will know the relevance of the scenes. commercial elements in his stories! peace of leading lady!
comedy aspects As I told earlier, I believe in building Vimal grew up watching Pawan
and commer- scenes organically rather than planti- Kalyan’s films at Jagadamba theatre in
cial viability. ng them for thrills. I believe in mak- Vizag. When he watched the star at
If I feel ing films that should not hurt the the Bheemla Nayak shoot, it was
something feelings of anyone. I have a limit and I such a memorable experience for

isn’t work-
ing out, we
immediate-
ly know
how to shun
it off. We know
how to use logical
reasoning to ease out any
difference and that’s the
camaraderie we share.” You
might have not spotted this
debutant director in Jersey
and Bommala Ramaram
but as he speaks, he
reveals, he was actively
involved in production
and part of the direction
department!
Vimal
know how to not cross it.” During his
early days in Hyderabad, he interact-
ed with a lot of DJs and was bowled
over by the conversations, their body
language and attitude. He thought of
using this character when and now
the protagonist is a DJ. This worked
big time for the film and Siddhu took
it to next level with his portrayal!
What about the title though? Well, he
responds, “It was initially titled
Narudi Brathuku Natana, then we
changed it to DJ Tillu. As
the movie was full
of DJ Tillu
SHIKHA
DUGGAL
a
ctor Anand
him that he couldn’t stop gushing Devera
about it. Additionally, he likes Guy konda, who
Ritchie films a lot for their was last
whackiness, and he said that he seen in
wanted to incorporate those Pushpaka
elements in all his upcom- Vimanam along with
ing films too because he Saanve Megghana has
loves action thrillers. announced a new
movie! The Middle class
melodies star is now ready
to shoot for a movie titled
Gam Gam Ganesha. Uday
Shetty is going to helm the pro-
ject, with Kedar Selagamsetty and
Vamsi Karumanchi bankrolling it.
While the lead actress is yet to
overcoming this be finalised, Chaitan
crisis everyday — but more than suffer- Bharadwaj of RX100
ing, at the moment I am on the healing fame will be in
stage of my mental health and that’s how I charge of the
would like to put it. For four consecutive Because a music.
years, I underwent therapy in association big part of
with a brilliant therapist back in England— being an actor is to
including online consultations, and it be aspirational. For
taught me in order to complete your thera- me whenever I’ll be
py process, one must be very consistent playing a new role, it’s not

Actress Aditi For every role,

m
ental
health is
an issue
that, until
and diligent.” Taking such assiduous steps
ahead, Shruti wanted her audience to not
perceive a mental health disorder with a
sense of judgement and that’s what she’s
just a ‘character driven role’
but a whole individual’s skin
that I am going to step into.
Atleast, that’s how I like to per-
I do the 16 recently, exactly upto these days. She continued, ceive it. For every role, I do the 16

Shankar turns personality type

people
shied away from
talking about.
While it can be a
“With distress and negativity, the one prag-
matic approach I could witness around me
during this pandemic was mental health
conversations barging in from all the cor-
personality type test and ‘chakra
graphing’ — that's just me getting
into the skin of any role trying to
understand it’s motivations. The psy-

into a singer now test and ‘chakra

graphing’: Shruti
sensitive topic for
people, it is one that
society needs to talk
about. By discussing
ners. I remember I did a film that dealt
with mental health at a mainstream
level but unfortunately we
received some backlash for it. I
chology student in me pushes me to
take this research pathway inter-
estingly.” And, with this live
interaction, Shruti Hassan

a
ctress Aditi Shankar, the mental health, people would like to clarify it today proved that a good mental
daughter of ace director can help raise aware- that it wasn’t dealt with any health is indispensable for
Shankar, has now
turned a singer too.
Haasan ness of the issue. Actress
Shruti Hassan is known
insensitivity but it was the
caricature of the way that film
holistic wellbeing and a poor
mental health shouldn’t be
Yes, the actress, to have an influence on her was picturised. If you pick up the reason of eroding com-
who is also a fans, so when she speaks any film, there will always be munities, and most impor-
qualified doctor, has now about a cause she cares about, a mental health aspect in it! tantly how psychotherapy is
turned a singer by people tend to listen. In a recent live Overtime, actors have portrayed in films should
singing a duet song interaction, we saw the actress advocating become more sensitive but be addressed properly.
titled Romeo Juliet in sir, thank you for mental health awareness and here is misrepresentations via
director Kiran so much for what she said for her viewers! She films also affect an indi-
Korrapati's upcoming trusting me and quipped, “I have been brought up in a vidual’s mental health
Telugu film Ghani, fea- giving me this household where mental illness was and that needs to
turing Varun Tej in o p p o r t u n i t y. never looked upon as a ‘stigma’. My be
the lead. Hope you guys like mum’s best friend was a therapist addressed
The actress took to it.” and she was always around me! in our
Twitter to make the Aditi, who is direc- Right after I hit thirties, I realised industry.
announcement and also tor Shankar’s younger I still have a lot in my kitty to
thank music director daughter, will be making acknowledge about myself.
Thaman for giving her an her debut as an actress in For example, the opinion of
opportunity. director Muthiah’s Tamil film an outsider or the finan-
She said, “My singing Viruman, featuring Karthi in the cial stress should be a
debut! Waited so long to share lead. The film is produced by Suriya’s secondary concern
this with you all. Another dream 2D Entertainment. for me. I am still
come true. Music director Thaman suffering from
anxiety
and

Mohanlal's
Aaraattu to release
on February 18
irector all set to hit theatres world- Shraddha Srinath, the film will

d
Unnikrishnan’s wide from February 18, 2022.” also feature Vijayaraghavan
upcoming It was only recently that the Saikumar, Siddique, Riyaz
Malayalam action team chose to release the trail- Khan, Johny Antony, Anoop
entertainer er of the film, which shows Davis, Rachana
Aaraattu, featuring Shraddha Srinath playing an Narayanankutty, Swaswika,
actors Mohanlal and Shraddha IAS officer. Malavika Menon, Neha
Srinath in the lead, is to The film’s trailer gives away Saxena and Seetha among oth-
release worldwide on February the fact that the film will be a ers. The film, which has music
18 this year. proper commercial entertainer by Rahul Raj, has cinematog-
Mohanlal, who made the with ample amounts of both raphy by Vijay Ulaganath and
announcement on Instagram action and humour. editing by Shameer
on Monday, said, “Aaraattu is Apart from Mohanlal and Muhammed.
HYDERABAD | TUESDAY | FEBRUARY 8 2022
No Benzema, No Problem
Marco Asensio steps up in Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr's absence and scores a
stunner as Real Madrid go six points clear at the top of La Liga table with narrow 1-0
win over relegation threatend Granada in Sunday Sunday night fixture
IANS n MADRID
arco Arsenio's excellent
M 74th-minute goal gave
Real Madrid a 1-0 win at
home to Granada. The
forward's powerful shot into the cor-
ner of the Granada goal gave Madrid
a win they deserved for an improved
second-half display after an even
first 45 minutes, and moves them six
points clear at the top of La Liga.
Real Madrid were without
Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema on
Sunday night and in the first half they
struggled without the Frenchman.
FC Barcelona moved into fourth
place in La Liga after a thrilling 4-2
win over Atletico Madrid in the
Camp Nou Stadium. Atletico opened
the scoring after a neat combination
between Luis Suarez and Yannick
Carrasco saw the Belgian beat Marc
Andre Ter Stegen after just eight
Chahal reveals Rohit Sharma told him to
focus more on googly ahead of first ODI
India leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal revealed
that captain Rohit Sharma had told him to
focus more on bowling googly ahead of the
first ODI against the West Indies
IANS n AHMEDABAD
Ihadndia leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal
revealed that captain Rohit Sharma
told him to focus more on bowl-
ing googly ahead of the first ODI
against the West Indies.
In the match on Sunday, Chahal
took 4/49 in 9.5 overs as West Indies
were bowled out for just 176, which
was chased down by India with six
wickets in hand.
In a post-match video uploaded
by the Board of Control for Cricket
in India (BCCI), Chahal, awarded
'Player of the Match' revealed to
Sharma that how his pre-match
insight helped him plan to bamboo-
zle the West Indies batters, especial-
ly captain Kieron Pollard.
"You had told me before the
match and even I thought I missed
that during the South Africa tour, I
was not bowling a lot of googlies. It
was in my mind that when a hard-
hitter sees the ball in the slot and
decides that he will hit it, I have a
weapon, the googly, which is very
important for a leg-spinner," said
Chahal.
"You had told me that the more
googlies I bowl, my leg-spin will
become more effective. I keep bowl-
ing them to you at the nets and then
I realised that maybe I should try a
bit more of these in the matches. I
wanted to mix up the deliveries I
bowl and like we planned when
Pollard came in, you told me to bowl
Focus on gaining momentum as India take on France
The Indian men's hockey team will focus on ‘gaining momentum’ for a busy year ahead when they play France in the
opening match of the FIH Pro League here on Tuesday.
IANS n POTCHEFSTROOM (SA)
he Indian men's hockey team
T will focus on "gaining momen-
tum" for a busy year ahead when
they play France in the opening
match of the FIH Pro League here
on Tuesday.
After a stellar 2021, when the
men's hockey team won the 2020
Tokyo Olympic Games bronze
medal after more than four decades,
the Manpreet Singh-led side is set to
embark on a new mission in South
Africa with the hosts and France
their first opponents of the year.
The world No. 3 side will play
two matches apiece against South
Africa and France and India vice-
captain Harmanpreet Singh said
they were really excited about the
first assignment of 2022.
"We are really excited for our
minutes, but Barca were quickly level
after Jordi Alba's volley just two min-
utes later.
Adama Traore was enjoying a
happy return to Camp Nou and his
pace was vital as he beat Mario
Hermoso in the 22nd minute to cross
from Gavi to head in Barca's second
and just before halftime Barca
breached Atletico's defence a third
time, Xinhua reports. Gerard Pique
headed against the bar and after
Ferran Torres was unable to turn the
ball in, Ronald Araujo provided the
finish to make it 3-1. Dani Alves rifled
a loose ball home from outside of the
penalty area to make it 4-1 in the 49th
minute after Atletico again failed to
clear a ball into their area. Luis
Suarez then nodded Atletico back into
the game and Atletico's chances of get-
ting a point increased when Alves was
then sent off for putting his studs into
the back of Carrasco's calf.
it a bit fuller. I knew that if the length
was not right, there were 80 per cent
chances of him hitting me for a six,"
added Chahal, who had rattled
Pollard's off-stump on his very first
ball to him.
Responding to Sharma's ques-
tion on the changes he witnessed
while fielding at slip, Chahal dis-
closed that he had brought changes
to his angle while releasing the ball.
"I have changed my angle a bit, espe-
cially when here it is a slow wicket.
When I was not a part of the team,
I was thinking about the improve-
ment I can make. I used to see that
other bowlers used to get a bit side
arm while bowling. I also noticed
while bowling in the nets that the
release is much quicker and there is
more effort from the wrist as well."
Sunday's match was India's
1000th ODI and Chahal made it
more memorable by picking 100
wickets in the format, the second-
fastest Indian spinner to reach the
three-figure mark.
"It feels great. My career has seen
lots of ups and downs in the last five
years. But it's a very good feeling
when you take 100 wickets in any for-
mat. It's a big thing. I had never
imagined I will achieve it this early.
I will continue to do bowling with the
same approach," stated Chahal.
Sharma signed off by telling
Chahal to maintain his right mind-
set and joked about IPL auctions
coming on February 12 and 13.
first assignment of 2022. We begin
our season against two quality sides,
so it's a great thing. Our focus is to
gain momentum, and make a posi-
tive start as we approach this year
step-by-step. These FIH Hockey
Pro League matches will help us pre-
pare for the forthcoming major
events," said Harmanpreet.
The last time India met France
was during the 2015 Fintro Hockey
World League Semi-Final Antwerp,
with the former winning the match
3-2.
Harmanpreet said the match will
be challenging for his team. "We
haven't played against France in a
long time. They are a really good
side, and, no doubt, it will be a chal-
lenging match for us," he said.
"Our focus will remain on play-
ing good hockey, executing our
skills, and making the best out of the
The game got increasingly bad-
tempered with several bad challenges
but Barca held on while Atletico will
be worried about new signing Daniel
Wass who looked to suffer a knee
injury in a bad challenge from Torres.
Villarreal continue their climb up
the table with a 2-0 win away to third-
placed Betis thanks to a Pau Torres
header just before halftime with
Etienne Capoue sealing the win with
seven minutes left to play.
Valencia rested several first-team
regulars ahead of their forthcoming
Copa del Rey semifinal in Bilbao on
February 11 for their 0-0 draw at
home to Real Sociedad in a match that
had more chances than the final
score suggests.
Osasuna goalkeeper S ergio
Herrera saved Ivan Rakitic's 92nd-
minute penalty to hold second place
Sevilla to a 0-0 draw in the El Sadar
Stadium.
Scotland in joint bid to host
Euro 2028 with UK and Ireland
IANS n EDINBURGH
S cotland have joined forces with
England, Wales, Northern Ireland
and Ireland in a bid to land hosting
duties for Euro 2028.
"The football associations of
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland,
Wales and the Republic of Ireland
have agreed to focus on a bid to host
UEFA EURO 2028, the third-largest
sports event in the world," a joint
statement read. A statement from the
five association boards insists a "sim-
ilar return on investment" will be
brought in with a "far lower delivery
cost", thenational.scot, reported on
Monday.
While the bid to host Euro 2028
has been launched, the nations have
agreed not to submit a bid for the 2030
World Cup. "The feasibility study
included an analysis of the
SENEGAL WINS FIRST-EVER AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS TITLE
Senegal are the new kings of African football as the Teranga Lions
won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title beating Egypt in the
final on penalties on Sunday evening.
IANS n YAOUNDE
enegal are the new kings of
STeranga
African football as the
Lions won the Africa
Cup of Nations (AFCON) title
beating Egypt in the final on
penalties on Sunday evening.
The final ended 0-0 after 120
minutes with a major opportu-
nity coming from a penalty for
Senegal that was missed by Sadio
Mane just seven minutes into the
match. After a tense shootout,
Senegal's most precious player
and forward Mane scored the
The world
No. 3 side will
play two matches
apiece against
South Africa and
France and India
vice-captain
Harmanpreet
Singh said they
were really
excited about
the first
assignment opportunities. We are looking for-
of 2022. ward to tomorrow's match. We will
definitely give our 100 per cent, and
hopefully, start the campaign with a
A draw was a fair result as Sevilla
looked flat against a well-organised
home side and the result sees them
lose ground on Real Madrid.
Two goals from Brais Mendez
gave Celta a 2-0 home win against
Rayo Vallecano, who made had sev-
eral changes to their team ahead of
next week's Copa del Rey semifinal.
Two controversial penalties
helped Mallorca to a win in their rel-
egation duel against Cadiz, with the
spot-kicks taken by Silva Sevilla and
new signing Vedat Muriqi overturn-
ing Ruben Alcaraz's seventh-minute
goal for Cadiz.
Elche made it five games without
defeat as they came back from conced-
ing a goal to Joselu to beat Alaves
3-1. Pere Milla netted twice after
the break and Fidel added a third
with five minutes left to play as
Elche extended Alaves winless
run to 11 matches.
economic impact, the political
football landscape, and likely costs of
hosting major international tourna-
ments. On balance, the five associa-
tions have decided to focus solely on
an official bid to host UEFA EURO
2028, and have agreed not to bid for
the 2030 FIFA World Cup," said the
statement.
"It would be an honour and a priv-
ilege to collectively host UEFA EURO
2028 and to welcome all of Europe. It
would also be a wonderful opportu-
nity to demonstrate the true impact
of hosting a world-class football tour-
nament by driving positive change
and leaving a lasting legacy across our
communities. "We believe the UK and
the Republic of Ireland can offer
UEFA and European football some-
thing special in 2028 — a compact and
unique five-way hosting collaboration
that will provide a great experience for
the teams and the fans," it added.
win," the vice-captain added.
The Manpreet Singh-led India
will then square off against South
Africa on February 9. The last time
sports 12
Mohun Bagan aim to stop
Hyderabad FC juggernaut
IANS n BAMBOLIM (GOA)
TK Mohun Bagan will have to be at their best
A when they take on league leaders Hyderabad FC
in the 2021-22 Hero Indian Super League at the
Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Tuesday.
Hyderabad FC are on a three-match winning
streak, sitting three points clear of second-placed
Kerala Blasters FC on 26 points from 14 games. Athletes complain
inedible meals in
Bartholomew Ogbeche has been in the form of his
life, scoring a brace in their 5-0 rout of NorthEast
United FC to take his tally to 14 goals this season and
overall tally to 49 in the competition.
Ogbeche will be aiming for his 50th goal and also
helping Hyderabad in the process. Ogbeche has scored
Beijing leaves their
five goals in his last three matches. A hat-trick in a
4-0 win over SC East Bengal and a brace in the last
game. "ATK Mohun Bagan have good
'bones sticking out'
players in practically every position. IANS n NEW DELHI
They play well in the buildup and are
strong in set-pieces. We know they are ozens of athletes thrown into virus isolation at
a very strong team in the ISL. Will be
very difficult news," Marquez said.
D China's zero-Covid Winter Olympics have laid
bare their misery -- describing 'crying like crazy'
Hyderabad have scored 33 goals after being hauled out of bed at 3 a.m. before being
this season, the most they have fed miserable food in rooms too small for exercise,
managed in any of their Hero ISL sea- Daily Mail reported.
sons. If they win against ATK Mohun Beijing is attempting to hold a virus-free event
Bagan, they will extend their record of in the midst of a pandemic, cutting off competi-
most wins in a row. tors and their teams in a bubble where tests must
For Juan Ferrando's ATKMB,
they have games in hand but will
need to win them to stay in touch
be taken every day, with anyone who tests pos-
itive dragged off to isolation.
But conditions in isolation are reported-
with the top-four pack. The ly dire. Valeria Vasnetsova, a Russian biath-
Mariners are now in sixth place lete, claims she was served the same inedible
with 20 points from 12 games and meal three times a day for five days in a row
the fact that they drew three out - and that it left her so emaciated that her
of their last four matches could 'bones (were) sticking out', the report said.
come back to haunt them. Head of German team Dirk Schimmelpfennig
also blasted 'unacceptable' conditions for his ath-
letes, saying isolation rooms are too small, not
hygienic enough, the food is poor and PCR tests
that athletes must take to free themselves are not
being given, Daily Mail reported. Natalia
Maliszewska, a Polish speed skater, described being
repeatedly moved into and out of quarantine over
successive days due to conflicting Covid test
results, an experience she described as a 'trauma'
that left her 'crying and crying'. During one 'night
of horror' she said officials dragged her out of bed
at 3 a.m. in order to take her back to the athlete's
winning spot-kick as Senegal village after ruling she was Covid-free -- only to later
beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties to say they made a mistake before taking her back into
win their first-ever AFCON tro- solitary. There are currently 387 people from the
phy.
After reaching the AFCON
athletes' bubble in Covid isolation in China,
though this also includes members of their teams
final in 2002 and 2019 and los- and press. The exact number of competitors in soli-
ing, Senegal restored their repu- tary is not clear, but is thought to be in the dozens.
tation on the African football Vincent Zhou, an American figure skater and
scene with the victory at the medal hopeful, was among athletes to test positive
Olembe Stadium in Cameroon's on Monday and was taken to isolation. Austrian
capital city of Yaounde. snowboarder Sabine Schoffmann also tested pos-
Egypt will soon have a itive. Jukka Jalonen, head of Finland's ice hockey
chance for revenge when the two team, said on Sunday that China is violating the
sides meet again next month in human rights of one of his star players by keeping
a two-legged play-off for a spot him in isolation despite team doctors clearing him
at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. to play, Daily Mail reported.
both teams faced each other was stand with regards to their game as
during the final of FIH Men's Series well as training.
Finals Bhubaneswar Odisha 2019, "We have a busy 2022 year, with
which India won 5-1 to seal a spot
for the FIH Hockey Olympic
a lot of important tournaments
lined up in the next 12 months, so
Qualifiers Odisha 2019. The overall we need to ensure that we are fully
head-to-head record since 2013 prepared. I think the FIH Hockey
belongs to the visitors, with India Pro League 2021/22 matches will
winning all three matches. not only help us gain the experience
On facing the world No.10 side, but will also give us the understand-
the 26-year-old Harmanpreet said," ing about where we stand with
South Africa are a quality team. They regards to our game as well as train-
are currently ranked 10th in the ing.
world, and are capable of beating any "You see, there's always room for
team on a given day, so you just can't improvement, so apart from execut-
underestimate them. It will cer- ing our skills and plans, our focus
tainly be a good challenge for us, and will also remain on improving our
we are really excited to face a good game, and that's where I think Pro
team like South Africa." League matches will play a vital
Harmanpreet added that these role." Harmanpreet added.
matches will not only help the team After a two-day break, India will
gain experience but also give them play France on February 12 and
the understanding about where they South Africa on February 13.