CYMK
Vaccination compulsory for priests, 'dhakis'
in Kolkata housing society Durga Pujas
PAGE-2
VOL III • ISSUE NO 50
Golay insists on public hearing
before developmental projects
Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang addressing the wildlife board meeting
GANGTOK, AUGUST 23/--/ The 23rd
meeting of the State Board for Wildlife
(SBW) was chaired by Sikkim Chief
Minister Prem Singh Tamang, who is also
the Chairperson of the Board at Samman
Bhawan on Monday. Minister for Forest and
Environment Department, Shri Karma
Loday Bhutia, who is also the Vice-
Chairperson of SBW, ACS-cum-PCCF M.L.
Srivastava, Secretary to the Chief Minister
S.D. Dhakal, Board members including
MLAs, heads of various departments,
retired Forest officials and representatives
of the army and paramilitary force in the
State were present.
The meeting reviewed various agendas
about the conservation of the wildlife and
rich diversity of the State that were put
forward during the 22nd meeting of the
SBW held on November 25, 2020. In-depth
analysis and discussions were deliberated
upon by the concerned officials and board
members during the open discussion with
the main focus on the overall health of the
ecosystem and the need for convergence of
conservation measures and developmental
requirements.
The Chief Minister stressed the
importance of bringing a balance between
biodiversity conservation and
infrastructure development in the State as
both of these factors are equally important
Sikkim South District is holding awareness programmes against drug and
substance abuse. Events are being held in Melli, Sikkim, Temi and Yangyang and
in rural areas of the district
Sikkim incentives for fisheries
DICHEN ONGMU
GANGTOK, AUGUST 23/--/ Sikkim
Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture,
Animal Husbandry and Veterinary
ServicesLok Nath Sharma in a news
conference on Monday highlighted the
recent developmental initiatives taken up
in the fisheries sector.
He said how the government had been
successful in connecting electricity in the
trout fish farm cum hatchery of
Menmoitso lake after 47 years of its
establishment. "This is indeed a historic
milestone for us in strengthening the
fisheries sector in Sikkim", said Sharma.
He further announced the launch of online
e-portal of Pradhan Mantri Matsya
Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Itwouldhelp
farmers interested in fish farming availing
the schemes initiated by the government.
"Through this e-portal the fish farmers
can submit online applications which will
be approved if they fulfil the criteria and
then within a week the district officers will
verify their field after which the funds will
be approved as per the scheme", informed
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PAGES 12
for the overall growth of the nation as a
whole. Speaking on the national security
and territorial integrity concerning the
State of Sikkim, the Chief Minister urged
the army and paramilitary force to work in
tandem with the State Forest Department
towards strengthening the ecological task
force while facilitating integration in
various aspects of development.
The Chief Minister urged all concerned
to hold public hearings before initiating any
developmental project for getting clarity of
the ground reality through consultations
from the stakeholders. He further directed
concerned departments and the army to
appoint nodal officers for immediate
address of confusion, if any.
During the meeting, it was also decided
to enhance the incentive granted to the
members of the NGOs and independent
organizations attending the board meeting
under the Forest Department to Rs. 3000 per
day from the existing Rs. 1500 per day.
Minister for Forest Kar ma Loday, also
addressed the meeting wherein he
extended gratitude to all for their active
participation in the board meeting and also
applauded the efforts and enthusiasm of
the NGOs and independent organizations in
the proper implementation of various
environmental policies for wildlife
conservation in the State. (IPR)
——EOIC
Lok Nath Sharma addressing a news conference
Minister Sharma. He mentioned about the
launch of Fish Farmers Producers
Organisation (FFPO) where farmers could
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GANGTOK• TUESDAY • AUGUST 24, 2021
Surprise check on Gangtok hotels, fine
for violating pandemic protocols
EOI CORRESPONDENT
GANGTOK, AUGUST 23/--/ A team of
officials from Sikkim Tourism and Civil
Aviation Department along with police
personnel from Sadar Police Station carried out
a surprise inspection of hotels and restaurants
in and around MG Marg, Gangtok, on Monday.
The main purpose of the inspection was to
ensure compliance of the guidelines of the
provision of Sikkim Public Health and Safety
(Covid-19) Regulations within the State of
Sikkim, and to check, whether the hotels,
homestays, resorts and other tourist
destinations are following the pandemic
protocol respectively.
The officials informed the hoteliers that the
Standard Operating Procedures of Covid-19
should be strictly followed by the hotel staff
and guests. About 15 hotels were fined for not
observing the SOP.
Among these were: Occupancy of hotel
guests should be 50 per cent, guests should
have the certification of complete Covid-19
vaccination, updation of the guest list
regarding the RT-PCR Report is mandatory and
only 50 per cent of hotel staff were allowed to
work. And also, complete vaccination of the
staff is compulsory; besides availability of
mask andsanitizer.
The officials informed the hoteliers that,
every employee should get vaccinated. They
Lockdown in Sikkim, with some relaxations
The deserted entry gate to Sikkim at Rangpo
SANJAY AGARWAL
RANGPO, AUGUST 23/--/ While
extending the lockdown in Sikkim till
August 31, the State government has
provided some more relaxations.
According to the, gates of temples have
been opened. Devotees can now go to the
temple to pray but cannot crowd around.
Social events can be held with up to 50
people attending. It is necessary to take
prior permission from the office of the
Deputy Commissioner or the Sub-
Divisional Magistrate.
Entry is allowed for those with double
dose of vaccine. Tourists with single-dose
vaccine or tourists who are below 18 years
benefit from the facilities in Agriculture
and Horticulture sectors. Sharma said the
government had implemented Centre's
East Bengal, Shree Cement part ways;
CM disappointed with development
8509968116 / 8637530557
facebook.com/theechoofindia.digital“
Officials checking observance of Covid protocols
also stated that the guidelines about the rules
and regulations for the isolation rooms in hotels
should be followed. The surprise inspection of
hotels, restaurants, homestay and resorts would
of age are allowed to enter the state only
with RTPCR negative report not more than
72 hours old.
Tourist vehicles are also allowed to
enter Sikkim, but according to the
notification, double dose vaccination of the
driver is very necessary.
Educational institutions are still closed.
Commercial establishments can remain
open till 8 pm. Night curfew will continue
from 10.30 pm to 6 am. Even now, all types
of vehicles in the state will continue with
the odd-even formula, but goods vehicles
have been exempted from this restriction.
Pubs,disco cinema halls are still closed but
gyms, spas, salons and parlours can open
with 50 per cent capacity.
scheme of carp and trout framing where
the selected beneficiaries would receive
assistance like fish tanks, pipes, feeds and
seeds. At present a total of 363 fishermen
from Sikkim had been registered under
NFDB-PMMSY- Group Accidental
Insurance Scheme.
"We have also started off with manual
training for fish farming which will be of
great help to the farmers for quality
production. We also aim to provide
incentives to the farmers including
measures to export the fish produced from
the State", said Sharma. He highlighted
government assistance through insurance
coverage, urged the farmers to get their
crops insured against wildlife menace and
natural calamities. He also informed about
insurance coverage being extended in
fisheries sector and urged the fish farmers
to avail such facilities.
Sharing how the First Fisherman of
the State will get 60 per cent subsidy loan
from a support scheme, the Minister urged
the youths, entrepreneurs and existing
farmers to come forward and be a part of
farming culture.
PAGE-12
Rs 5.00
be a continuous process, it was informed. The
surprise inspection team was led by Joint
Secretary (Legal) Marcus P. Rai, along with
Joint Director (Hospitality) N.T. Bhutia.
Sikkim Covid toll
climbs to 367
GANGTOK, AUGUST 23/--/ Sikkim reported two
fresh Covid -19 related deaths on
Monday, 26 new positive cases
and 99 new recoveries. As per the
data released by the health
department, the total number of
active cases is 1507. With two fresh
fatalities, the death toll has climbed up to 367.
——DICHEN ONGMU
Nizamuddin Markaz
Delhi HC directs police to hand
over keys of residential portion
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 23 /--/ The Delhi High Court
today directed the city police to handover the keys of the
residential portion of the Nizamuddin Markaz to its
occupants after it was locked by the authorities in the
wake of an FIR in connection with the Tablighi Jamaat
congregation there last year.
Justice Yogesh Khanna, who was hearing a plea by the
mother of Jamaat leader Maulana Saad, directed that the
keys be handed over to her within two days and clarified
that for now, the occupants cannot enter any non-
residential portion of the proper ty. T he court issued
notice on the plea challenging a trial court order denying
access to the petitioner, a senior citizen, to her residence
and sought a status report from police on the existence of
any order on the locking of the residential premises. In
the meantime, let the keys of the residential premises be
provided within two days from today. The petitioner is
directed not to enter any other portion of the markaz
premises till further orders, the judge said.
Admittedly there is no order of sealing or seizure of
the premises and since April 1, 2020, the residential
premise is lying locked, observed the court. The court
noted that the petitioner was living in the premises with
eleven family members and said that they cannot be
allowed to stay in guesthouses. We cannot allow people to
reside in guesthouses or any other place other than their
own house, said the judge who further stated that
preservation of site pursuant to a criminal proceeding did
not mean locking up the place. What is section 60 (of
Evidence Act on oral evidence), section 310 (Code of
Criminal Procedure on local inspection)? What sections
have you put? Preserving a site does not mean you lock.
Take photos and move from the site. What was recovered?
Case was only that people were residing there, the court
added.
Senior advocate Rebecca John, appearing for the
petitioner, said that these sections were not applicable to
the present case and that her client's residence could not
be snatched away. Counsel for the prosecution, advocate
Amit Ahlawat said that the residents were, at the relevant
time, living in violation of the COVID-19 protocols. (PTI)
 THE ECHO OF INDIA GANGTOK
2 Eastern & N-E Region


Tuesday 
August 24, 2021

Vaccination compulsory for priests, ‘dhakis’ No instant solution on whether to reopen

schools amid pandemic: Amartya Sen
in Kolkata housing society Durga Pujas KOLKATA, AUG 23/--/There is no instant
answer to the debate over the opening of
school campuses amid the COVID-19
pandemic, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen
knowledge comes first. There are reasons to
believe that the issue should be seen from
different sides and perspectives," he said.
"When we learn something for the first
KOLKATA, AUG 23/---/Large vaccine or carry Covid-19 negative norms. Only a certain number of society, there are more than 700
housing complexes of Kolkata are certificate, he said. "But we may puja committee members will have children. They were depressed for said. time, when we first comprehend the
gearing up to organise the Durga have to make changes in the plans access inside the pandal, he said. the past several months. The Speaking in an online discussion matter....is that linked with evaluation? We
Puja this year, albeit in a low-key occasion of khuti puja on August 15 organised by Pratichi -- an organisation have to see. Evaluation will be certainly of
manner amid the Covid-19 broke that gloom," Sil said. founded with his Nobel endowment to use, but how much and in what way? We have
pandemic, making vaccination The organisers are not taking promote education and alleviate poverty, to see if there is a link between evaluation
compulsory for priests, 'dhakis' any chances. They have made Sen said on Sunday that and real education," Sen
(drummers) and everyone vaccination compulsory for all children are suffering a lot as pointed out.
associated with the four-day involved, keeping in mind the schools are closed but also Asked about the threats
festival to be held in October. situation and the threat of the third concerns over their health to the environment, he said
Though several housing wave, he said. cannot be ignored if that either the world is aware
societies have completed the 'khuti "Entry of outsiders will be campuses reopen. of the problems and knows
puja' - a ritual of worshipping a regulated and everyone present will "In America, there is an the solution but not
pole before putting up Durga puja have to wear masks. The puja will be ongoing debate between two proceeding in the right path
pandals, they may have to alter held but the scale of celebrations groups on the same issue. In or there need to be
some plans later as the threat of a will be decided later keeping in India, there are different threadbare discussions to
possible third wave of the mind the situation in October," an opinions. But, what may be find the directions to solve
pandemic is there. organiser of the Central Enclave applic able in the east of the crisis.
"Priests, dhakis, pandal makers, said. At Durganagar Government Birbhum may not work in the "Environment is an
electricians, those who will go Housing in the northern fringes of west of Bankura. There cannot be a integral part of every work, every step
through the nitty-gritty - all the city, the cultural soiree has been readymade reply, an instant reply at hand, taken by us," he reasoned.
associated with the puja have to be scrapped like last year. the situation is not so," Sen said.On the Sen, who is currently a Thomas W
inoculated with at least one dose of The Durga Puja was held in a evaluation model in the present scenario, Lamont University Professor, and Professor
vaccine," Silver Spring housing similar fashion in all these housing the economist said acquiring and sharing of Economics and Philosophy at Harvard
complex secretary Indranil in case we are hit with the third Preparations for the puja, which complexes last year when the knowledge is more important. University, also stressed on tapping
Choudhury said. wave (of the pandemic)," said the will be held on a small scale, are in pandemic struck. The Calcutta High "Even if we put emphasis on the alternative energy resources such as solar
Entry of visitors from outside secretary of the housing society in full swing in Urbana Housing Court last year declared all puja evaluation we must remember it is not the and nuclear to protect the environment.
during the puja will be regulated East Kolkata where the "khuti puja" Complex of south Kolkata, said its pandals across West Bengal no-entry last thing. Acquiring and sharing (PTI)
and it has been made mandatory for was held on Raksha Bandhan day resident, film-maker Arindam Sil. zones to prevent the surge of Covid-
them to get at least one jab of the on August 22 following covid "Of the 3000 residents in our 19 cases. (PTI)
Jan Bhagidari activities by I&B Ministry
HC concludes hearing of misappropriation Two get life term for raping
girl in Jharkhand under the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav
case against Suvendu, reserves order SIMDEGA, AUG 23/--/A Jharkhand court on Monday
GANGTOK, AUG 23/--/ to encourage children to series of books celebrating
The Publications Division know more about India's the Azadi ka Amrit
KOLKATA, AUG 23/--/The sentenced two persons to life imprisonment for raping a 10- of the Ministry of freedom fighters as they Mahotsav over the next year
Calcutta High court on year-old girl in Simdega district in June 2019. Information and draw their "Favourite and will be crowd-sourcing
Monday concluded hearing The court of District and Sessions Judge also imposed a Broadcasting is coming up Freedom Hero", and at the for the cover designs of
a petition by Leader of the fine of Rs 50,000 each on the two convicts. with several competitions to same time explore their these prestigious and
Opposition in West Bengal The incident took place in Kasiarpaani village in Kurdeg engage young minds in the creative instinct. The last collectible titles. The
assembly Suvendu police station area when the girl was sleeping in the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav date for submission is 29th participants of the Book
Adhikari of the BJP and his courtyard of her relative's house where she had come to activities. Under the spirit August 2021. Cover Design Competition
brother in connection with a attend a marriage function. The duo had kidnapped the girl of Jan Bhagidari (public The winning entries will be able to submit the
case of alleged and took her on a motorcycle to Jharanmore forest, where participation), these online will be awarded suitably by original designs according
misappropriation of relief they raped her. (PTI events aim to connect the the Publications Division. to the theme of the books on
materials against them. participants with the To participate in the MyGov and this
Justice Kausik Chanda
reserved the judgement on
their petition seeking
misappropriation of relief
materials at Contai in Purba
Medinipur district,
appointed as the Leader of
the Opposition in the state Monsoon birds census freedom struggle and
making of New India.
competition, log on to:
h t t p s : / / w w w. my g ov. i n /
competition will be open to
all.
assembly. The first is a Drawing task/draw-your-favourite- Also in line are Online
quashing of proceedings
against them in the matter
following conclusion of
following which they
moved the high court.
Lawyers for the
Suvendu, a former
minister in the previous
Mamata Banerjee
begins at Bhitarkanika Competition for children
inviting them to draw their
'Favourite Freedom Hero'.
freedom-hero/
A book is often judged
by its cover and what better
Quizzes on India's freedom
struggle and growth story.
Participants will be able to
pleadings by the petitioner
and the state.
Suvendu Adhikari and
Adhikaris have claimed
that Suvendu has been
falsely implicated because
government, had joined the
BJP leaving the Trinamool
Congress in December 2020
National Park in Odisha This event hosted on MyGov
platform starting today is
open to participants of the
opportunity could the
readers get to design one by
themselves. Publications
test their knowledge and
awareness of the Amrit
Mahotsav and win prizes.
his brother Soumendu have he has joined a rival ahead of the assembly KENDRAPARA, AUG 23/--/The Bhitarkanika National age group 7-15 years. It aims Division is bringing out a (PIB)
been named in an FIR in political party and has election held earlier this Park in Odisha on Monday launched a week-long census of
connection with alleged subsequently been year. (PTI) seasonal monsoon birds which throng the wetland sites for
nesting every year, an official said.
Four teams comprising 10 ornithologists and wildlife
Bihar Industries Minister distributes personnel of the national park in Kendrapara district are

financial aid to 250 weavers

BHAGALPUR, AUG 23/--/Bihar
Industries Minister Shahnawaz
Hussain distributed financial aid to
250 weavers of Silk City Bhag alpur
here. The minister handed over cheques
of Rs 10,000 each to 250 weavers at a
function organised at Resham Bhavan
here on Sunday.
Shahnawaz also handed over
cheques of six months salary to 287
workers/nominees/claimants of
Bihar Spun Silk Mill (Bhagalpur).
Addressing the weavers and
workers of Bihar Spun Silk Mill, the
minister said, "Bihar Industries
department will always work for the
welf are of weavers and workers
working at the Spun Mill. I know there
are some workers at the Spun Mill,
who have not been paid their salary for
last 30 years".
"I have fulfilled my promise and I
will do everything to get the balance
salary paid as well. This is the
government of double engine. Whether
it is the Central government or the state
gover nment, we remain heartily
committed to help the needy and are
always ready to help them", said the
minister. A total of Rs 55,42,014 was
paid to the workers of the mill. The
Bhagalpur Spun Silk Mill has made a
name for itself in the list of top silk
suppliers of India.
The workers were jubilant after
receiving their salary almost after 30
years. Some workers, after receiving
the cheques, told media persons that
"the minister has given Raksha
Bandhan gift to weavers and workers of
the Spun silk mill".
The minister also distributed
financial aid to weavers of the Banka
district. Bihar Industries department is
also financially supporting Khadi
institutions in the state.
The minister said that Khadi
institutions in Bhagalpur have received
working capital of Rs 45.91 lakh in the
last three months. (PTI)
conducting the headcount of these avian species.
Over a dozen types of local residential birds congregate
at the heronries, in and around the national park, for
nesting, and breeding every year, Forest Range Officer
Manas Das said.
The species are open bill stork, little cormorant,
intermediate egret, purple heron, darters, white ibis and
others, he said.
Their arrival at the marshy wetland spots in
Bhitarkanika National Park got delayed this year as the
rainfall was not uniform during the monsoon. Still, an
impressive congregation of monsoon birds has been
spotted.
The enumerators will cover all the major congregation
zones, both in and outside the national park, Das said.
Besides the core area, peripheral wetland sites are also A health worker administring COVID-19 vaccine dose to a girl at a vaccination centre
being taken up for the census programme. (PTI) in Patna

Union minister stresses railway India shouldn't get militarily involved in

infra in Odisha's Kalahandi
BHAWANIPATNA, AUG
23/--/Union Minister
Ashwini Vaishnaw Sunday
said that his primary
objective is to better the
railway infrastructure in
Kalahandi district and
other backward regions of
Odisha.
Announcing that a
railway project from
Junagarh to Ambaguda in
the district will begin soon,
the Railway minister said,
pending works along with
the expansion of the
railway line from Junagarh
to Dharmagarh will be
expedited.
Vaishnaw said this after
reaching Kalahandi district
on the fourth and last day of
BJP's Jan Ashirwad Yatra in
the state.
The Railway ministry
will also start working on
the proposed loco
periodical overhauling
(POH) workshop at Narla in
Kalahandi district as soon
as the state government
provides the required land,
he said.
Locals claimed though
the ministry had
sanctioned the project in
2017-18, it was yet to be
implemented.
Of the 300 acres
required for the POH
workshop, the state
government has so far
provided only 141 acres.
The demand for the
extension of the 19 km long
railway line from Junagarh
to Dharamgarh will also be
considered, the minister
said.
"I have asked the DRM
concerned to take up
modernisation of certain
railway stations in the
region soon," he told
reporters.
The local residents also
drew the attention of
Vaishnaw, who is also the
Union Communication
Minister, on the poor
internet connectivity in the
region. They demanded the
setting up of more mobile
towers, and a Software
Technology Park (STP) at
Bhawanipatna, which was
sanctioned in 2014.
Referring to the
demand for the introduction
of new trains, Vaishnaw
said suitable steps will be
taken.
He said his priority will
be to extend rail links and IT
services to the interiors of
Kalahandi district and
other backward regions.
Without naming any
political party, Vaishnaw
said at a meeting, people
who have not experienced
the pangs of poverty cannot
realise the miseries of the
masses.
Our Prime Minister
Narendra Modi ji
understands the plight of
people. The PM has been
giving thrust on
connectivity which will
pave the way for
development, he said.
After completing his
programmes in Kalahandi,
Vaishnaw, who started the
party's outreach
programme on August 19,
went to Bolangir and held
roadshows there. He held
several programmes in
Titlagarh, Kantabanji, and
Bolangir towns. (PTI)
Afghanistan: Ex-IAF chief Arup Raha
KOLKATA, AUG 23/--/India
should not get militarily involved
in Afghanistan, former IAF chief
Arup Raha said today, warning that
China and Pakistan will burn their
fingers by cosying up to the
Taliban.
The former Indian Air Force
(IAF) air chief marshal said that
the Taliban policy of China and
Pakistan will backfire on them as a
result of their "dishonest purposes"
for getting involved in
Afghanistan.
"I don't think India should put
the boots on the ground there and
get into trouble. Military
involvement in Afghanistan is
dangerous, and India should not be
a part of any such future move of
the Americans or NATO forces,"
Raha told PTI in an interview.
Reminding the adage about
Afghanistan that it is the
"Graveyard of Empires", the
former IAF chief said that the
United States of America (USA)
had lost more than 2,000 troops in
the country between 2001 and 2021.
Raha, who led the IAF from
January 1, 2014, to December 31,
2016, said that with the USA having
vacated strategically important
Afghanistan, which shares borders
with several central Asian nations,
countries like China, Pakistan and
even Russia feel that they will "have
a nice time" in the region.
"There is
no possibility
of that
happening as
the Taliban is
not going to
listen to any of
them. China is
trying to
appease them
by offering
them money in
the name of
development," Raha, a former
chairman of the Chiefs of Staff
Committee of the three wings of
the Indian Armed Forces, asserted.
He said that the Chinese are
wary of the possibility of the
Taliban getting involved in
Xinjiang province and infiltrate its
Jihadi culture there, where the
communist country has allegedly
"mistreated the Uyghur Muslims
and suppressed and oppressed
them". "Within two to five years,
China will feel the heat of Jihadi
movement in Xinjiang, which
shares its borders with Afghanistan. during its talks with the Chinese
China will face huge trouble; they Foreign Minister Wang Yi, had
already have problems in Tibet, promised not to permit the Uyghur
Hong Kong, and Taiwan. They will Muslim militant group from
have their hands full. In two to five Xinjiang, the East Turkistan Islamic
years, there Movement (ETIM), to operate from
will be utter Afghanistan.
chaos as far as Within hours of Kabul's fall on
the Taliban is August 15, Pakistan Prime Minister
concerned," he Imran Khan said the Afghan people
s a i d . had "broken the shackles of slavery".
Dismissing the Raha said that with organisations
T a l i b a n like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan
leadership's being active in the country, the
claims that establishment in Islamabad is likely
they have to face a challenge if the Taliban
changed and consolidates in Afghanistan. He said
are a softer that the Afghan people have good
version of their previous self, Raha strength and weaponry but are not
said they are "barbaric and will do ready to fight back against the
what they have been taught to". Taliban.
Soon after the blitzkrieg "I don't think outsiders should get
takeover of Kabul by the Taliban involved too much, let the Afghans
following the exit of US forces, fight for their freedom and decide
China was among the first countries what they want to do and how they
to say that it stands ready to develop want to live," he said. Questioning
good neighbourly, friendly and why the western world should
cooperative relations with decide their way of life, Raha said it
Afghanistan. is not right and claimed that the West
A Taliban delegation, led by the got involved in Afghanistan for their
chief of its Political Commission own interest, including business,
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, industry, and the powerful ar ms
which visited China last month lobby in the USA. (PTI)
 THE ECHO OF INDIA GANGTOK • TUESDAY • AUGUST 24, 2021 • PAGE-3

Talibs roaming in Kabul, Audio clip confirms Ajoy Edward is leaving GNLF
EOI CORRESPONDENT childhood friends and were me by the party president. India Gorkha League general
considered inseparable. It was on However, without my knowledge he secretary S.P. Sharma who had gone

firing wherever they wish: DARJEELING, AUGUST 23/--/ In

what could be a major blow to the
Gorkha National Liberation Front,
the second in command of the
Ghisingh's insistence that Edward
who is a prominent businessman,
joined the GNLF in 2007.
In the audio message which is
(Ghisingh) made appointments," he
said.
During the recent Assembly
election, differences had started to
on a fast added fuel to fire. "All these
rumours are coming out from his
(Ghisingh's) office. I am involved in
social work and extend help to

Darjeeling youth on return party, Ajoy Edward, has decided to

PRASHANT ACHRYA Recounting the scenes of horror in
the streets of Kabul, Thapa said: "If
SILIGURI, AUGUST 23/--/ As we were not evacuated in time we
countries scramble to evacuate their could have died of starvation. The
citizens out of Afghanistan following Talibs are roaming the streets
the Taliban takeover, Rajesh Thapa carrying guns and firing in the air or
from Darjeeling who returned safely at wherever they wish, anyone can be
Bagdogra airport on Monday recalled killed or hurt."
horror in Taliban-controlled According to Thapa, there were
Afghanistan. around 200 Indians who were
evacuated by the Indian Air force and
brought back to New Delhi airport on
Sunday morning at around 8 am. He
said many were also being brought to
India via Kazakhstan.
Thapa declined to narrate how
Indians were being evacuated from
Kabul so that the security of these yet
to be evacuated was not
compromised. He said around five
persons from the Darjeeling hills
landed at Bagdogra airport during the
Rajesh Thapa speaking with day. Another Darjeeling resident, also
newspersons at Bagdogra airport rescued from Kabul, arrived in Delhi
before leaving for his hometown in via a civil flight at Delhi Terminal 3
Darjeeling airport on Monday. Recounting the
catastrophe, Kaushal Rai said: "We
Thapa, a resident of Gayle Tea were five factory workers who had
Estate of Darjeeling, was working in travelled for eight days to get to the
Kabul in a security related job. The
company had booked a ticket for
August 16, but due to rush in the
airport flights were unable to land.
airport. It was almost a nightmare for
all of us. We left everything behind in
Kabul, only brought a small backpack
with us."
Darjeeling health department tableau on HIV
SANCIHTA AICH BAG District Chief Health also be distributed to create
Officer Dr Praloy Acharya awareness. The tableau will
SILIGURI, AUGUST 23/-- inaugurated the tableau at cover all the wards of
/ The Darjeeling district the office of the Siliguri Siliguri Municipal
health department on Mahakuma Parisad. It is Corporation and the hills as
Monday inaugurated a known that there is still a well.
tableau to make pregnant lack of awareness about Darjeeling District TV
women aware of HIV and HIV. If a pregnant woman Officer Devjani Basu
AIDS. The tableau will becomes HIV positive, Mallick said besides
visit entire Darjeeling there is a risk to the baby, raising awareness through
district. the baby could also be born this tableau, 24 street plays
On Monday, Darjeeling HIV positive. Leaflets will had also been organized.
severe ties with the party.
In an audio message to party
workers in a social media platform,
Edward said on Monday he was
betrayed and used by Mann
Ghisingh, the GNLF president and
long-time friend of over 35 years. "I
retrospected (introspected) about
my relationship and friendship
with him (Ghising) and came to the
conclusion that I was used and
betrayed by my best friend," he is
heard saying.
Edward is presently taking a
break and is in Ladakh with his
wife Namrata. Edward did not take
calls or message to comment on the
audio clip, but a few leaders who
had earlier resigned from the party
confirmed Edward had left the
GNLF. "I resigned about one and
half months back. He (Edward) has
brought positive changes in
politics and showed us how it
should be done. His decision is not
sudden but was expected. He has
left the party," said GNLF
Darjeeling town committee, vice
president Ravi Arora.
Edward and Ghisingh are
Bimal Gurung stands by Gorkha issues, waiting for PPS
YOWAN MOTHAY
KALIMPONG, AUGUST
23/--/ Gorkha Janmukti
Morcha president Bimal
Gurung said on Monday he
had not forgotten the issues
of the Gorkhas. "But I have
come to an agreement with
the Bengal Government for
a permanent political
solution for the Gorkha
community. Chief Minister
Mamata Banerjee has said
she will provide a home,
permanent political
solution for the hills, Terai
and the Dooars region of
just above 35 minutes, Edward
pointed out a number of event and
factors that had led him to believe
he had become the enemy of his
childhood friend in just 10 days.
Edward was in Delhi earlier this
month to organize a meeting with
Union Ministers on the directive of
Ghisingh. However, he was left out
of the six-member delegation that
had met Union Home Minister Amit
Shah.
The delegation included
Darjeeling MP Raju Singh Bista,
Darjeeling MLA Niraj Zimba,
Communist Party of Revolutionary
Marxists president RB Rai, BJP
Kurseong MLA BP Bajgain, BJP
District president Kalyan Dewan
and Mann Ghisingh himself.
Suspicion further arose when
Ghisingh on August 15 appointed
Zimba as the party's general
secretary and a few others vice
presidents, by-passing Edward.
Edward who is the GNLF
Darjeeling sub-division president
enjoys mass following across the
hills and is considered the
backbone of the party. "I was in
Delhi overseeing the work given to
Bimal Gurung speaking to youths from Samsing at his Patleybas residence
creep in. Against popular wish and
demands of party workers,
Ghisingh allowed Zimba to contest
for the MLA seat, with a BJP ticket.
The decision met with
resentment and opposition from
within the party and Edward had to
intervene to pacify party workers
and diffuse the situation. "He
(Ghisingh) had earlier confided to
me that Zimba was not the right
candidate. But he changed his stand
after meeting BJP leaders in Delhi.
In fact, we gave away our winning
seats to the BJP putting our party in
the back foot," he said.
The GNLF-BJP combine won
the Kurseong and Darjeeling seats
but lost Kalimpong. However,
eyebrows were raised on the
GNLF's decision and allegations
surfacing that the winning seats
had been sold. "I gave our friendship
priority on many occasions. Now I
regret it and felt used," Edward says
in the audio message.
Rumours of Edward expected to
join the Anit Thapa group,
extending financial help to the
Bimal Gurung camp during the
pandemic and backing agitating All
everyone. But I know that this is a
conspiracy to side- line me from the
party," Edward said.
Edward said he would continue
to be involved in politics and social
work more fervently. "There are
several things that I have to expose.
I have been hurt. And forced out of
the party," he said.
Zimba when contacted said the
party had not received any
resignation or official
communication from Edward. The
other side of the story also needed to
be heard before forming an opinion,
he said. "We have heard the audio
clip but it cannot be authenticated.
It is not fair to hear just one side of
the story. Besides, we are yet to hear
from him (Edward)," he said.
Spokesperson for the Thapa
faction of the GJM Keshavraj
Pokhrel, while asserting it was an
internal matter of the GNLF said
time had come to introspect. "People
need to introspect why and for whom
they voted and what is the outcome.
This is clear from Edward's
statement why the GNLF and its
partners made Bista the MP. It is not
for our issues " he said.
he would guide them.
He said many parties
had done politics with
Samsing in the past but after
the arrival of Bimal
Gurung, Samsing had
accepted Gurung him as the
guardian. In the past, even
when they were in trouble,
two trains had been
arranged at the initiative of
Gurung for them to return
home.
Earlier, while staying at
they did not
understand the issues of the
Gorkha community, but now
after living in expatriation

Over 55K Indian students and exchange Jalpaiguri," he said.

Gurung was talking to a
group of youths from
by youths in the hills.
Many youths who had
future. They want to become
self-reliant. They also want
to the president on a
number of issues, including
they had realized the issues
of the community.
Gurung advised the

visitors travelling to US: Embassy Samsing in Kalimpong who

NEW DELHI, AUG 23 /--/ Over 55,000
Indian students and exchange visitors are
travelling to study in the US this year and
it is "an all-time record", the US embassy
said today. It said more visa applications
were approved in the current year than
ever before notwithstanding the
coronavirus
pandemic. "The US
mission in India is
pleased to
announce that its
embassy and
c o n s u l a t e s
approved more
student visa
applicants in 2021
than ever before,
despite the global
C O V I D - 1 9
pandemic," the embassy said. "Through
these efforts, more than 55,000 students and
exchange visitors are boarding planes to
study in the US, and more students are
being approved every day," it said in a
statement. In a tweet, the embassy
described it as an all-time record. "Huge
congratulations to our hardworking
consular teams across the U.S. Mission in
India. This year, more than 55K students are
boarding planes to study in the United
States, an all-time record in India. Wishing
all students a successful academic year!" it
said. Ambassador Atul Keshap, the Charge
d'Affaires at the US embassy, lauded the
staff involved in the issuance of visas and
said Indian students enrich US society,
achieve high levels of academic success,
and deepen the bonds of friendship
between the two countries. "Studying in the
US is a unique and often life-changing
experience for Indian students, granting
fresh, global perspectives and frequently
leading to invaluable career opportunities,"
he said. "Indian
students also enrich
US society, achieve
high levels of
academic success,
and deepen the
bonds of friendship
between our
countries. The many
hard-working women
and men of the US
Mission to India are
proud to facilitate
their travel and study," Keshap added. The
embassy said the US missions typically
begin interviewing fall semester students
for a given year in May, but the second wave
of COVID-19 forced a delay in the
commencement of the student visa season
by two months. "In July, as soon as
conditions allowed for the resumption of
visa services without endangering
applicants' health and safety, consular teams
worked not only to match, but surpass, their
pre-Covid workload," it said. It said the US
embassy and consulates opened additional
hours for visa appointments and made
every possible effort to ensure timely
arrival for academic programmes for as
many students as possible. (PTI)
went to meet the GJM
president at his Patleybas
migrated to other states for
employment are now back
home with no job in the
to do something for their
village society.
The Samsing youths,
the need to improve
Samsing's condition and
system. One of them, Prayas
youths they should not
forget the issues of the
Gorkha community. They
party office in Darjeeling to pandemic situation. They who have retur ned home Dewan, said that they went should try to uplift the
discuss the problems faced are worried about the due to the lockdown, talked to meet Gurung in the hope society and the community.
Army selection board clears Forest parks and gardens open in
way for promoting 5 women
officers to Colonel rank north Bengal for vaccinated visitors
NEW DELHI, AUG 23 /--/ An Army selection board has
SANCIHTA AICH BAG been hired to increase surveillance inside
cleared the way for promotion of five women officers to
the park. A total 32 parks and garden have
Colonel rank after they completed 26 years of "reckonable
SILIGURI, AUGUST 23/--/ All the parks reopened in north Bengal. Last year too,
service", the Defence Ministry said today. This is the first
and gardens under the West Bengal Forest these were closed due to Covid. In between
time that women officers serving with the Corps of Signals,
Department reopened from Monday after the parks had reopened for a few days but
Corps of Electronic and Mechanical Engineers (EME) and
being closed for six months due to the they have been closed again from March
the Corps of Engineers have been approved to the rank of
pandemic. But entry to the parks is 2021. Divisional Forest Officer,
Colonel, the ministry said.
prohibited without vaccination. Horticulture and Orchard Department,
"A Selection Board of the Indian Army cleared the way
Those who have completed both the North Bengal Anjan Guha said Covid rules
for the promotion of five women officers to Colonel (Time
doses of coronary vaccination would be and hygiene would be strictly maintained.
Scale) rank, post completion of 26 years of reckonable
given priority in entering the parks. People Officials and doctors of the nearest health
service," it said in a statement. Previously, promotion to the
who have taken only the first dose will be centre or hospital would make surprise visit
rank of Colonel was only applicable for women officers in
allowed entry only if the parks have less to monitor the situation.
the Army Medical Corps (AMC), Judge Advocate General
people inside. None will be allowed to enter Range Officer, Siliguri Manab
(JAG) and the Ar my Education Corps (AEC). The five
the park without even a single dose of Chakraborty said the parks had already
women officers selected for "Colonel Time Scale" rank are
vaccine. been cleaned and sanitized two days ago.
Lt Col Sangeeta Sardana from the Corps of Signals, Lt Col
Health officials will pay surprise visits For now, tourists or visitors beyond 50 per
Sonia Anand and Lt Col Navneet Duggal from the Corps of
to the parks to ensure safety of children. cent of the capacity of the parks would be
EME, and Lt Col Reenu Khanna and Lt Col Ritcha Sagar
There will be thermal checks at the allowed entry. "We will regularly sanitize
from the Corps of Engineers. The move to grant Colonel
entrance, wearing a mask has been made the entire parks and gardens. And will
rank to five women officers came days after the Supreme
compulsory. Additional foresters have maintain the Covid protocols," he added.
Court allowed women candidates to sit for the National
Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exam scheduled to be
held on September 5, in an interim order. "The widening of
promotion avenues to more branches of the Indian Army is
a sign of increasing career opportunities for women
officers," the ministry said. (PTI)

BJP leader Chauthaiwale calls on Nepal's PM Deuba

KATHMANDU, AUGUST Sharan Mahat told PTI. after Prime Minister Deuba parties in both countries. "We Prime Minister of Nepal last
23/--/ The Bharatiya Today I was honoured to took charge of the office. had a good meeting with month, a day after the
Janata Party's Foreign call on the Prime Minister of During the meeting Chauthaiwale... we look country's Supreme Court
Affairs Department chief Nepal H E @SherBDeuba ji Deuba and Chauthaiwala forward to strengthening ties overturned the dissolution
Vijay Chauthaiwale on in Kathmandu. I mainly discussed with BJP, India. I am of the House of
Sunday called on Nepal congratulated him for his strengthening the confident that this meeting Representatives and said
Prime Minister Sher election as PM and also relationship between the will be a new beginning," that he must be appointed as
Bahadur Deuba and greeted him on the ruling parties and utilize said Mahat. Chauthaiwala is the Premier. President Bidya
discussed ways to auspicious occasion of that relationship for the also expected to hold Devi Bhandari administered
strengthen bilateral Janeu Purinama and benefit of two countries, said meetings with senior the oath of office to Deuba at
relations. Chauthaiwale is on Rakshabandhan. We both Mahat, who is also a former political leaders of Nepal, a ceremony held at her Siliguri Police Commissioner Gaurav Sharma on Monday inaugurated the new office
a four-day visit to agreed to strengthen party foreign minister of Nepal. including CPN-Maoist office. Deuba, 75, president of Bagdogra Traffic Guard at the premises of Bagdogra police station. With the
Kathmandu at the invitation to party dialogue," Chauthaiwale also held talks centre chairman of the Nepali Congress, was strength of 19 officers, 15 constables, 52 civic volunteers and other staff, the office will
of Nepali Congress party, Chauthaiwale tweeted. This with Mahat on Nepal-India Pushpakamal Dahal sworn in as the Prime control traffic from Chandmooni to Kestopur and in the south till Church More along
Nepali Congress joint is the first visit of a high- relations and the expansion Prachanda' during his visit. Minister for the fifth time. Kolkata highway. Swapan Roy has been appointed as officer in charge of Bagdogra
general secretary Prakash ranking leader from India of ties between the ruling Deuba took oath as the (PTI) traffic guard. --- PRSHANT ACHARYA

4 Nation
Delhi HC grants time to EC to respond to EAM Jaishankar to brief leaders of
plea for debarring candidates from poll political parties on developments
campaigning on COVID norm violations
NEW DELHI, AUG 23 /--/
The Delhi High Court today
granted time to the Elec-
tion Commission to file re-
ply on a petition seeking to
debar campaigners and
candidates from campaign-
ing in assembly elections
for repeatedly violating the
mandatory guidelines, in-
cluding wearing masks, is-
sued by the poll panel in
view of the COVID-19 pan-
demic.
The EC submitted that
the petition is now
infructuous as it was re-
garding campaigning in the
assembly elections in As-
sam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
West Bengal and
Puducherry which got over
in April. A bench of Chief
Justice D N Patel and Jus-
tice Jyoti Singh granted
time to the EC to file its re-
sponse to the petition and
listed the matter for further
hearing on October 18.
The court was hearing a
petition by Vikram Singh,
the former DGP of Uttar
Pradesh and also the chair-
man of think tank Centre
for Accountability and Sys-
temic Change (CASC), con-
tending that despite the or-
ders and guidelines of the
Centre and EC, "election
campaigning is going on in
full swing, without any re-
gard to the COVID-19 regu-
lations". Advocate Virag
Gupta, appearing for the
petitioner, said the poll
panel cannot say that the
petition has become
infructuous and his appli-
cation is also pending in
the matter.
Advocate Siddhant
Kumar, representing the
EC, said the petitioner was
seeking fishing and roving
enquiry as no elections
were being held in Delhi
where the plea has been
filed. He further said the
EC cannot supplant state
government and it was only
concerned with holding of
free and fair elections. The
Ministry of Home Affairs,
in its reply filed in the peti-
tion, had earlier said that it
had in March this year
asked all state govern-
ments and union territories
(UTs) to ensure compliance
of COVID-19 appropriate
behaviour in all gatherings.
In the affidavit filed
through central govern-
ment standing counsel
Anurag Ahluwalia, the
MHA had said that it has
made provisions in the
guidelines issued to states
and UTs under the Disaster
TALENT HUNT
in Afghanistan
Management Act 2005 for
enforcement of COVID-19
appropriate behaviour and
strict adherence to stand-
ard operating procedures
(SOPs). The petitioner had
told the court that while an-
nouncing the elections, the
EC in its notification man-
dated that every person
shall wear a face mask dur-
ing every election related
activity , but the same were
"flouted with impunity" by
the political parties, their
leaders and campaigners
during the rallies, public
meetings and roadshows
conducted during the ongo-
ing pandemic. He, subse-
quently, moved two more
applications, through advo-
cate Gaurav Pathak, seek-
ing directions to EC to take
action like imposing pen-
alty and lodging FIRs
against "star campaigners"
and leaders of all political
parties for allegedly violat-
ing COVID-19 norms during
the assembly polls in West
Bengal and for ensuring
that masks are worn
mandatorily by everyone
involved in poll campaigns
during the elections in
various states and union
territories.
Singh, in one of his ap-
plications, has also sought
directions to EC to widely
publicise the guidelines is-
sued by it and the ministry.
The plea has further con-
tended that "the lackadaisi-
cal action of EC in imple-
menting its own guidelines
and non-cancellation of
permission given for
roadshows and rallies is
evident from the number
of campaigners catching
COVID". "The Election
Commission had guide-
lines for conduct of general
elections/bye-elections
during COVID-19 pub-
lished in August 2020, but
failed to implement the
same," Singh has said and
sought prosecution of ECI
officials "who failed to en-
force their own mandatory
COVID guidelines". The as-
sembly elections in Assam,
Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West
Bengal and Puducherry
were held in various
phases. The polls started on
March 27 and concluded on
April 29. The petitioner has
claimed that there is an "in-
direct discrimination"
against the general public
as fines are collected from
them for violating COVID-
19 norms, but no action is
taken against politicians.
(PTI)
NEW DELHI, AUG 23 /--/
External Affairs Minister S
Jaishankar will brief par-
liamentary leaders of vari-
ous political parties on Au-
gust 26 on the develop-
ments in war-torn Afghani-
stan. Parliamentary Affairs
Minister Pralhad Joshi said
the physical briefing will
take place at 11 AM on
Thursday in the Parlia-
ment House Annexe. "Floor
Leaders of Political Parties
would be briefed by EAM
@DrSJaishankar on the
present situation in Af-
ghanistan, on 26th August,
11am in Main Committee
Room, PHA, New Delhi. In-
vites are being sent
through email. All con-
cerned are requested to at-
tend," Joshi tweeted.
Jaishankar said Prime
Minister Narendra Modi
instructed the Ministry of
External Affairs (MEA)) to
brief the floor leaders of
the political parties. "In
view of developments in
Afghanistan, PM
@narendramodi has in-
structed that MEA brief
Floor Leaders of political
parties. Minister of Parlia-
mentary Affairs
@JoshiPralhad will be inti-
mating further details,"
Jaishankar tweeted earlier.
The government's briefing
is expected to focus on its
evacuation mission from
Afghanistan as well as its
assessment of the situation
in that country. The
Taliban swept across Af-
ghanistan this month, seiz-
ing control of almost all
key towns and cities, in-
cluding Kabul, following
the withdrawal of the US
forces from the country.
As part of its evacua-
tion mission from Afghani-
Afghanistan, a lesson on how
religious fundamentalism can
burn down nations: Kerala CM
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,
AUG 23 /--/Afghanistan is a
lesson for mankind that com-
munal disharmony in the
name of religious funda-
mentalism can burn down
people and nations and there-
fore, we should uphold hu-
manity above caste and reli-
gion, Kerala chief minister
Pinarayi Vijayan said today.
Speaking at the virtual
inauguration of the 167th
birth anniversary of spir-
itual leader and social re-
former Sree Narayana Guru,
the chief minister said in
many parts of the world "rac-
ism, sectarianism, and blood-
shed were rampant" and the
situation was extremely dire
in Afghanistan, one of India's
neighbours. In India too
communal hatred has raised
its head and all this can be
put to an end by embracing
Guru's message that all hu-
man beings should be
treated as one and not dis-
criminated against on the
basis of caste or religion.
"Afghanistan is a lesson to
mankind. A lesson on how
communal disharmony due
to religious fundamentalism
can burn down people and
nations," Vijayan said in his
speech.
He said what was happen-
ing in Palestine, in the case
of Rohingya refugees and in
Kashmir were examples of
divisive religious funda-
mentalism. "The ultimate
cure for such social ills is the
Guru's message of unity in
the name of humanity be-
CHANGE OF NAME/
SURNAME
I MD KYAMUDDIN S/O ESHA
MOHAMMAD R/O
MANEY GUMBA 2 SINDIBONG
KHASHMAHAL WEST NENGAL
SHALL HENCEFORTH BE
KNOWN AS MD KYAMMUDIN.
VIDE AFFIDAVIT SWORN
BEFORE THE NOTARY PUBLIC
SILIGURI ON DATE 20/08/21.
CHANGE OF NAME
I. Md. Saiqual S/o Md Saiquil
R/o 11/H/3, Alimuddin Street,
Kolkata-700016 will
henceforth be known as Md.
Muzaffar as per affidavit
before the Notary public
Kolkata on 21 August, 2021
both Md. Saiqual and Md.
Muzaffar is the same and
one identical Person.
External Affairs
Minister S Jaishankar
stan, India has already
brought back around 730
people including members
of the Afghan Sikh and
Hindu communities. India
on Monday brought back
146 of its nationals in four
different flights from
Qatar's capital Doha, days
after they were evacuated
from Afghanistan by NATO
and American aircraft in
view of the deteriorating
security situation in the
war-torn country. On Sun-
day, 392 people including
two Afghan lawmakers
were evacuated in three
different flights under the
evacuation mission. The
Taliban seized control of
Kabul on August 15. Within
two days of the Taliban's
capture of Kabul, India
had evacuated 200 people,
including the Indian envoy
and other staffers of its em-
bassy in the Afghan capi-
tal. The first evacuation
flight brought back over 40
people, mostly staffers at
the Indian embassy, on Au-
gust 16. The second aircraft
evacuated around 150 peo-
ple including Indian diplo-
mats, officials, security
personnel and some
stranded Indians from Ka-
bul on August 17. (PTI)
Kerala Chief Minister
Pinarayi Vijayan
yond caste and religion," he
added. Earlier in the day, in
a Facebook post on the occa-
sion of the Guru's 167th
birth anniversary, Vijayan
said, "It is time to stand united
in overcoming the chal-
lenges posed by communal,
political and capitalist ide-
ologies that undermine broth-
erhood and equality. Only
then can the current crisis be
resolved and a new world
full of peace and prosperity
be established." He said that
Sree Narayana Guru's mes-
sages proclaiming humanity
over caste and religion need
to be understood and sin-
cerely followed in the pre-
vailing times "more than
ever" for the "betterment" of
society. In his message,
Kerala Governor Arif Mo-
hammed Khan said, "My
humble pranams to
#SreeNarayanaGuru on his
167th Jayanti. (PTI)
CHANGE OF NAME
I, Mehrun Nesha W/o Late
Azahar Ali R/o Vill. Sripur,
P.O. Sripur, P.S. Ratua,
District-Malda, Pin-732139,
West Bengal will henceforth
be known as Taslema Bibi.
As per affidavit before the
Notary Public Kolkata on 19
August, 2021 both Mehrun
Nesha and Taslema Bibi is
the same and one identical
Person.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, Anita Sapankumar Goswami
(Old Name) D/O Brajendra
Kumar Chakraborty, W/O
Goswami Sapankumar
Disinkumar R/o Sushma
Sadan, 123/3, Raibahadur
Road, P.O. Behala, P.S. Behala,
Kolkata- 700034, West
Bengal, India I have changed
my name to (shall henceforth
be known as) Anita Goswami
(New Name) vide an affidavit
sworn before Notary public at
Kolkata on 19-08-2021.
'Taliban gunmen made us sit in open space
for 5 hrs.. thought they might kills us'
SHAHJAHANPUR, AUG
23 /--/ Jeet Bahadur Thapa
shudders to recall how he
and other Indians thought
they might be killed by the
Taliban gunmen any mo-
ment after they were made
to sit on ground in an open
area at Kabul airport for
five hours by the militia be-
fore they could leave for In-
dia. Thapa, 30, a native of
Chinore village here, was
working as a supervisor in
a consultancy company in
Afghanistan for two and a
half years and was among
those evacuated after the
Taliban took over Kabul.
As many as 118 people
from India worked in the
company and all of them
started on foot for the Den-
mark embassy, which was
30 km away, hoping that
they will get a safe passage
to India. There was the fear
of the Taliban. Some rob-
Ultras will be welcomed back with open arms if they
accept their mistake: Northern Army commander
MANASBAL , AUG 23 /--/
The Army today appealed
to the local youth who have
joined militant ranks to sur-
render, saying the force be-
lieves in giving a second
chance and the ultras will
be welcomed back with
open arms if they accept
their mistake. General Of-
ficer Commanding-in-Chief
(GoC-in-C) of the Army's
Udhampur-based Northern
Command, Lt General Y K
Joshi made the remarks at a
function at Manasbal Lake
Park here in central Kash-
mir's Ganderbal district.
The function was organ-
ised to celebrate the 23rd
anniversary of the home-
coming of 23 boys who were
forced to pick up arms, but
were rescued by the Army
in the Gurez sector and
handed over to their fami-
lies later in 1998. They were
felicitated by the Army at
the function. The Army
commander said over the
last few months, it has been
observed that the families
of young people -- who have
Delhi HC asks police to give latest status of
pending north east Delhi riots cases
NEW DELHI, AUG 23 /--/
The Delhi High Court today
asked the Delhi Police to
place before it the latest po-
sition of cases relating to
north east Delhi riots of
2020, pending before trial
courts here.
The high court said the
police shall disclose in its
report the status of the cases
as to in how many of them
charge sheets have been
filed, charges have been
framed and how many pros-
ecution witnesses exam-
ined. Respondents (police)
request to file counter affi-
davit bringing on record the
latest position on filing of
charge sheets and position
of trial going on in the crimi-
nal courts. Time granted.
List on October 8, a bench of
Chief Justice D N Patel and
Justice Jyoti Singh said.
The high court was hearing
a batch of pleas related to
the last year violence and
alleged hate speeches by
leaders which led to erup-
tion of violence related to
the Citizenship (Amend-
CHANGE OF NAME
I Kamal Khatod, S/o Mishari
Lal Khatod R/o Royal
Enclave, Flat No. 404, 4th
Floor, 21 Dr. A.N. Pal Lane,
Dis-Howrah-711201 W.B. will
henceforth be known as
Kamal Kishor Khatod. As per
affidavit before the Notary
Public Kolkata on 19 August,
2021 both Kamal Khatod and
Kamal Kishor Khatod is the
same and one identical
Person.
AFIDAVIT
I,SHAKIR AHMADSIDDIQUIR/
O, VILL-SRIPUR, PO-SRIPUR,
PS-RATUA, DIST-MALDA,
PIN-732139. WEST BENGAL,
MY DECEASED FATHER
SULTAN-AHMED SIDDIQUI
AND AZAHAR ALI BOTH
SAME AND ONE IDENTICAL
PERSON INDICATING
MY FATHERS ONLY VIDE
AN AFFIDAVIT BEFORE
THE NOTARY PUBLIC AT
KOLKATA DATED 19/08/2021.
bers stopped us and robbed
us of about Rs one lakh and
all the other belongings.
"Some Taliban members
accosted us shortly
before we arrived at
the embassy and
asked if we were
Hindus. They let us
go after we intro-
duced ourselves as
Indian citizens,"
Thapa said. When
the Indians told
them that they were
robbed, the Taliban mem-
bers claimed that local
criminals might be in-
volved and that the
Taliban were not involved
in such activities, accord-
ing to Thapa. "Many people
were injured after walking
for so long in the dark," he
said.On August 18, they
reached the airport area in
Kabul where lakhs of peo-
ple had gathered in a des-
joined the militant ranks --
are pleading with them to
leave gun culture and cycle
of violence, and come back
to their families. "It is heart-
breaking to see this happen-
ing. We make all-out efforts
to ensure that we seek sur-
renders and facilitate sur-
renders even when we are in
the midst of intense opera-
tions. We want the youth to
come back to the main-
stream and we will always
welcome them with open
arms, he said.
The GoC-in-C said the
Army and the civil adminis-
tration will facilitate not
only their surrender but also
ensure that they are well in-
tegrated back into the main-
stream. "The Indian Army is
there to give a second
chance to any youth who ac-
cepts his mistakes and
wants to surrender and
come back to the main-
stream. We, the uniformed
forces, are here to save lives
and not to take lives. The
system, the entire adminis-
tration, will facilitate not
ment) Act.
The plea sought lodging
of FIRs on the violence
which has left at least 53 peo-
ple dead and around 700 in-
jured, and against political
leaders for allegedly mak-
ing hate speeches. Another
plea had alleged that Con-
gress leaders, including
Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gan-
dhi and Priyanka Gandhi
Vadra, as well as AAP lead-
ers Manish Sisodia and
Amanatullah Khan, and
AIMIM MLA Waris Pathan
also gave hate speeches. The
court was also hearing a PIL
by Delhi resident Ajay
Gautam seeking NIA probe
under the Unlawful Activi-
CHANGE OF NAME
I, Manzoor Alam S/o Md.
Manzoor Alam R/o 20/1 Tanti
Bagan Lane, Kolkata-
700014 will henceforth be
known as Md Aquib as per
affidavit before the Notary
Public Kolkata on 21 August,
2021 both Manzoor Alam and
Md. Aquib is the same and
one identical Person.
CHANGE OF NAME
In my driving license no.
WB2520160231968 my name
has been wrongly recorded
as ABHIK BHATTACHARYA S/
O BABULAL
BHATTACHARYA by vide
affidavit at Barrackpore JM
court on 09/04/21 I have
changed my name from ABHIK
BHATTACHARYA S/O
BABULAL BHATTACHARYA
to ABHIK BHATTACHAJEE S/
O BABULAL BHATTACHAJEE
perate bid to escape from
the country. They spent
three days there with
barely any food. "The
Back home
and
still terrorised
Taliban gunmen present
there made all the Indians
sit on the ground in an open
space for about five hours.
We sat silently in fear
that the Taliban who had
modern weapons might kill
us," he said. "When an
Army plane arrived, we all
left for Delhi on August 22
morning," he said. Thapa
said there is an undeclared
curfew in Afghanistan.
"All companies and of-
GoC-in-C Northern
Command, Lt General
Y K Joshi
only their surrender but also
ensure that they are well in-
tegrated back into the main-
stream, he said.
Lt Gen Joshi said the In-
dian Army gives a lot of im-
portance to observing hu-
man rights when conduct-
ing counter-terrorist opera-
tions. "We ensure that we use
minimum force and that
there is minimum collateral
damage, he added. The
Army commander said in
the last 32 years of violence,
the dreams of thousands of
parents have been de-
ties Prevention
Act (UAPA) into
the violence.
The petition
has urged the
court to direct
the Centre to
order the Na-
tional Investi-
gation Agency
(NIA) to find
out the "anti-na-
tional forces" behind the
agitations and to probe the
role of People's Front of In-
dia (PFI) which is allegedly
"funding, motivating and
supporting the protests".
Apart from seeking action
against those who allegedly
gave the hate speeches, the
pleas have also sought other
reliefs, which include set-
ting up of an SIT, FIRs
against police officers who
were allegedly involved in
the violence and disclosure
of persons arrested and de-
tained. In its response to
these prayers, police had
said it had already created
three special investigation
teams (SIT) under the crime
branch and there was no evi-
dence till now that its offic-
ers were involved in the vio-
lence. It had added that the
families of people arrested
and detained in connection
with the riots had been in-
formed. The police, in its af-
fidavit earlier, had said that
investigations into the
AFFIDAVIT
I,Mrs.Romi Lepcha,W/O –No-
5 8 5 2 2 2 9 K , H AV. A n d r e w
Lepcha,Permanent resident of
Mission Compound, Jorbunglow, P.O-
Ghoom, Dist-Darjeeling, Pin-734102
and Presently Residing at HQ 17
Mountain Division Camp, Gangtok,
East Sikkim, do hereby solemnly
affirm and declare that I have
changed my name from Mrs. Romi
Lepcha to Mrs. Romi Subba and my
date of birth is 15/11/1989 due to
updating of documents. That both
name Mrs Romi Lepcha and Mrs.
Romi Subba is same and one
identical person i.e. myself. Vide
affidavit before the Learned Oath
Commissioner at Gangtok, East
Sikkim on 23.08.2021.
THE ECHO OF INDIA GANGTOK
Tuesday August 24, 2021
fices are closed. No one is
leaving their house...
Women and children in Af-
ghanistan are very afraid
and that's why no women
are seen on the roads," he
said. Replying to a ques-
tion, he said he did not see
the Taliban committing
atrocities on women but
people fear them due to
their past actions. "The
Taliban are on the streets
due to which there is an at-
mosphere of fear. The
Taliban are constantly ap-
pealing to the people of the
country that no person
should leave Afghanistan
and that that they won't let
anyone cause any trouble,"
he said. The Islamic militia
seized control of Kabul on
August 15 after taking over
almost all key towns and
cities, in the backdrop of
the withdrawal of the US
forces. (PTI)
stroyed and the force is
pained to see that. "The en-
emies of peace showed false
dreams to the innocent chil-
dren and traded their fu-
ture. It is regrettable that
few people from our own
country got involved in this
conspiracy, he said. "As far
as possible, every Kashmiri
youth, who has taken the
wrong path, has to be
brought back to the way of
peace by offering him to sur-
render (his arms), he said.
The GoC-in-C said be it the
fight against terror, the cam-
paign of development, or
sports or natural disaster,
the way the youth of Kash-
mir have worked shoulder-
to-shoulder with the Army,
the society and their coun-
try, is appreciable. "I can say
proudly that the Indian
Army by giving innumer-
able sacrifices, and brick by
brick, has built peace in
Jammu and Kashmir and
the youth are working
shoulder to shoulder with us
to give it a new shape, he
added. (PTI)
northeast Delhi riots have
not revealed any evidence
till now that political lead-
ers instigated or partici-
pated in the violence. It had
said that it "acted promptly,
vigilantly and effectively
without any fear or favour as
a result of which violence
could be contained in a few
days and could be confined
to a limited area". It had said
its prima facie investigations
revealed that this was not a
case of any sporadic or spon-
taneous violence "but ap-
pears to be a part of a well
thought of conspiracy to
destabilise the harmony in
the society".
The police had said the
investigation conducted so
far "is pointing towards a
wider and a larger con-
spiracy and concerted at-
tempts of creating disrup-
tion of law and order situa-
tion in the national capital
territory of Delhi through
violent means by disrupting
communal harmony in the
state and to perpetrate chaos
in the society." (PTI)
CHANGE OF NAME/
SURNAME
I IMTAJ ANSARI S/O SARAFAT
ANSARI R/O CHAMURCHI
GODAM LINE, CHAMURCHI TEA
GARDEN, PS BANARHAT,
JALPAIGURI, WEST BENGAL PIN
735207 SHALL HENCEFORTH BE
KNOWN AS INTAJ ANSARI .
VIDE AFFIDAVIT SWORN
BEFORE THE NOTARY PUBLIC
SILIGURI ON DATE 20/08/21.
CHANGE OF NAME
I MAMATA GHOSH W/O
1493786L CHM SUNANDAN
GHOSH resident of 527/A
Suthir Math, P.O - Berhampur,
Murshidabad, West Bengal
742101 have change my
name from MOMATA GHOSH
as per service document to
MAMATA GHOSH vide
affidavit dated 21/08/2021
before Notary public
Barrackpore.
THE ECHO OF INDIA GANGTOK
Nation 5


Tuesday August 24, 2021



More than 300 schools

reopen in Mizoram
AIZAWL, AUG 23 /--/ More than 300 schools in COVID-19
free areas in Mizoram have been allowed to reopen for the
new academic session 2021-2022, an official of the School
Education department said. The new COVID-19 guidelines
issued by the state government on August 8 had allowed the
re-opening of schools in areas outside the Aizawl Municipal
Corporation's jurisdiction where there is no coronavirus
case, the official said on Sunday.The school education
department had on August 9 issued an order allowing re-
opening of schools for primary to higher secondary level
in COVID-19 free towns and villages subject to prior
consultation with deputy commissioners.A standard
operating procedure (SOP) issued by the department shall
be strictly followed, the order had said.
School Education department director James
Lalrinchhana told PTI that at least 376 schools in seven
districts, including Aizawl district, have been allowed to re-
open for the new academic session 2021-2022.Majority of
the permitted schools have already started regular classes,
while 27 more schools in Khawzawl district will be re-
opened from Monday, he said.He said that the School
Education department is currently undertaking
identification of schools in COVID-19 free areas and more
schools will be re-opened in the next few days.
At least 49 schools have so far been allowed to re-open
in Aizawl district, 151 in Champhai, 74 in Serchhip, 47 in
Lawngltai, 11 in Siaha, 20 in Saitual and 27 in Khawzawl
district, he said.Of the 11 districts, four districts - Lunglei,
Kolasib, Mamit and Hnahthial are yet to submit list of
COVID-19 free villages where re-opening of school can be
allowed, according to Lalrinchhana.He said the schools,
which have been permitted to re-open, are mostly located
in remote rural villages where internet connectivity is very
poor. The re-opening of school in such villages has
immensely helped students, who could not get good
internet access, he said.Online classes are still going on for
schools in COVID-19 areas, he said.So far, no student has
been infected with COVID-19 in such villages where schools
were re-opened, he said.Unlike previous years, the new
academic session (for 2021-2022) was delayed by a month
due to COVID-19 and the academic calendar commenced
from May. Schools and other educational institutions have
been closed for about 15 months starting from March last
year due to the spread of COVID-19.Following the dip in
COVID-19 cases from around November last year, schools
were reopened for certain classes on January 22 this year
but have been shut again since April with the onset of the
second wave of COVID-19. (PTI)
News In Brief
Morphine recovered
in Assam, 2 arrested
DIPHU, AUG 23 /--/ One kilogram of morphine was
seized from a bus in Karbi Anglong district of Assam
today and two persons were arrested in this connection,
police said. The recovery was made during routine
checking of vehicles at Laharijan outpost checkpoint at
around 12.30 pm.The morphine was recovered from two
packets belonging to two passengers.The two persons,
one hailing from Bihar and the other from Nagaland,
were arrested, the police added. (PTI)
50 fall ill after having
prasad' in Assam village
GUWAHATI, AUG 23 /--/ More than 50 people were
taken ill and treated for suspected food poisoning after
having prasad', comprising gram and fruits, at a religious
function in Assam's Charaideo district, a police official
said today. A villager organised the event at his house
and distributed prasad' among the neighbouring
households on Sunday afternoon.Soon after consuming
the prasad', people complained of stomachache and
vomiting.Over 50 villagers were admitted to the Geleki
Block Primary Health Centre since Sunday night with
similar symptoms of food poisoning and their condition
is stable now, the official said. A team of Food and Civil
Supplies Department visited the village under Geleki
police station on Monday morning and seized the
remaining stock of gram from the shop from which the
villager had procured it. An investigation has been
started to determine how the food poisoning had been
caused, the official added. (PTI)
NHRC issues notices to Centre,
Assam, Mizoram on border clash
GUWAHATI, AUG 23 /--/ The
National Human Rights Commission
(NHRC) issued notices to the Centre,
Assam and Mizoram over the deadly
border clash between the two
Northeastern states in July, stating
that "grave violation of human rights"
took place.
Acting on a complaint by one Md
Injamul Haque of Assam, the NHRC
on Sunday issued notices to the Union
home secretary and the chief
secretaries of Assam and Mizoram,
and asked them to file their reports
within four weeks. "The Commission
has considered the matter. Facts of
the case are disturbing. The
allegations made in the complaint are
serious in nature involving deaths and
injuries to the public servants. "The
case therefore involves grave
A Dog race was organised by the Fire and Fury Corps to commemorate Swarnim Vijay Varsh at
Col Sonam Wangchuk Stadium Leh to celebrate the nation’s resounding victory in the 1971 War
Gauhati HC grants 45 days to finish
work of Goalpara detention centre
GUWAHATI, AUG 23 /--/ The
Gauhati High Court gave 45 days to
the Assam government to finish the
construction of a detention centre,
now renamed transit camp,
in Goalpara district.
Hearing a writ petition
filed by Santanu Borthakur
and several other pleas,
Justice Kalyan Rai Surana
accepted the government's
request to grant six weeks to
complete the construction of
the detention centre at
Matia in Goalpara."...the
Court is inclined to grant 45
days time as prayed to the
State as to complete the
construction of the proposed
detention centre and to shift the
detenues to the said centre," the court
stated in its August 11 order.
The court was informed that at
present there are around 177
detainees in various detention
violation of Human Rights of the
deceased and injured. Such types of
cases are viewed very seriously by
the Commission. In these
circumstances, let a Notice be sent," as
per the details of the proceedings.
Accordingly, notices were issued
and the matter will be put up before
the full commission after four
weeks.At least six Assam Police
personnel and one civilian were
killed and more than 50 people
injured as the festering border dispute
between the two Northeastern states
erupted into a bloody conflict on July
26. The NHRC said that it had
received the complaint from Haque
on July 30, alleging attack on senior
police officers of Assam, officers of
the Cachar district administration
and others by a mob and Mizoram
centers in the state and the majority of
those have not been able to provide
the necessary documents, which are
needed for releasing them."...the State
envisaged that the construction of
detention centre at Matia, Goalpara
would be completed by September,
2021," the court said.
The advocate general submitted
that although steps are being taken to
complete the construction work
within one month, he prayed for
allowing six weeks time.After
completion of the construction, all the
detainees lodged at various
detention centers will be
shifted to the upcoming
camp at Matia, the court was
informed by the
government.The high court
has fixed September 9 for
the next hearing of the case.
The upcoming Goalpara
detention centre, the only
dedicated place to put
suspected and declared
foreigners found in Assam,
will have a capacity to house
3,000 inmates, including 400
females.Assam at present has six
detention centres, which were
created by marking a part of the
existing jails at Goalpara, Kokrajhar,
Jorhat, Silchar, Dibrugarh and Tezpur.
(PTI)
Police."The petitioner has also given
details of the incident that occurred
on 26.7.2021 on the Assam Mizoram
border wherein public servants lost
their lives, got injured in the firing
and has prayed for intervention by
the Commission in the matter," it
added.
During a meeting on August 5 in
Aizawl, representatives of the two
state governments had agreed to
maintain peace and amicably resolve
the border dispute through dialogue.
The situation along the border has
been tense since June 29 when both
states accused each other of
encroachment. Assam's Barak Valley
districts of Cachar, Karimganj and
Hailakandi share a 164.6 km long
border with Mizoram's three districts
of Aizawl, Kolasib and Mamit. (PTI)
Mizoram to not take legal action against
Assam cops after filing theft case
AIZAWL, AUG 23 /--/ Mizoram police will not initiate
legal proceedings against their Assam counterparts in a case
of alleged theft of construction material, a senior official
said today, a day after the things were handed back. Kolasib
district Superintendent of Police Vanlalfaka Ralte said the
construction material meant for a bridge was handed over
to the Mizoram police in Bairabi on Sunday around 6
pm.Although the case cannot be withdrawn now, there will
be no further legal proceedings or investigation against the
accused, he told news agency PTI.In a fresh escalation of
tensions between the two neighbouring states, the Mizoram
government had accused Assam officials of stealing
construction material from a bridge construction site in its
territory and filed a case of theft after the Friday incident.
Kolasib deputy commissioner H Lalthlangliana had
claimed on Sunday that Assam police personnel entered
Zophai near Bairabi town and stole construction
material.The incident happened when work was underway
to construct a bridge to connect the main road with the
paddy field belonging to Mizoram's first chief minister Ch.
Chhunga, he said.Mizoram's Zophai shares border with
Assam's Kachurthal in Hailakandi district.Lalthlangliana
had also written to his Hailakandi counterpart on Saturday,
urging him to take necessary action.
In his letter, Lalthlangliana said the incident or bridge
construction should not be linked to the boundary dispute
between the two states as the work was undertaken just to
connect an existing road within Mizoram's territory to the
paddy field of the former chief minister.Assam police had
rejected the allegation of theft and claimed that Mizoram
officials entered Assam and started constructing a
bridge."The allegation of any theft by a disciplined force
like Assam police is absolutely concocted, baseless,
malafide and devoid of fact, and is an attempt by the
Mizoram administration to divert the attention from main
issue which is illegal construction by Mizoram authorities
on Assam's soil, Hailakandi SP Gaurav Upadhyay had said
on Sunday.
The officer in-charge (OC) of Ramnathpur police
station, under which falls Kachurthar, and his patrolling
team had immediately reached the site on Friday and
stopped the construction work, calling it a "trespass" by
Mizoram.Mizoram's three districts- Aizawl, Mamit and
Kolasib share about 164.6 km interstate border with
Assam's Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj.The situation
along the border has been tense since June 29 when both
states accused each other of encroachment. Tension
snowballed into a full-blown armed conflict on July 26
when police personnel of the two states, backed by local
residents, opened fire and clashed, leaving at least seven
people from Assam dead. The deceased included six Assam
police personnel.During a meeting on August 5 in Aizawl,
representatives of the two state governments had agreed to
maintain peace and amicably resolve the border dispute
through dialogue. However, simmering tension still prevails
in the area following incidents of bombing of a school
building and firing on civilians after the July 26 clash. (PTI)
Plea in SC against Uttarakhand
HC order to resume physical
hearing of cases from Aug 24
NEW DELHI, AUG 23 /--/ A plea has been filed in the
Supreme Court against an order of the Uttarakhand High
Court that physical hearing of cases, which were suspended
in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will resume from

Khattar to set up panel to probe hospitals' negligence in treating Covid patients

CHANDIGARH, AUG 23 /--/
Haryana chief minister M L
Khattar today told the state
assembly that his government will
set up a panel to probe possible
negligence by hospitals in treating
Covid patients.
The chief minister made the
announcement while seeking to
assure the House that no death due
to oxygen shortage had been
recorded in the state. Khattar
sought to assure the assembly
after the opposition Congress,
during Zero Hour, raised the issue
of deaths in parts of the state
allegedly due to oxygen shortage
during the peak of the second
Covid wave earlier this year.
Former Haryana chief
minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda,
while training guns on Khattar,
alleged, Leader of the House has
misled the Assembly. He said not a
single death took place due to lack
of oxygen. He said it had been
widely reported in the media
earlier that deaths in hospitals in
Gurgaon, Rewari and Hisar did
take place due to oxygen shortage.
Arguments took place over the
issue for nearly half an hour
between Hooda and the chief
minister after which the latter
offered a detailed reply.
Hooda demanded from
the chief minister to
withdraw his Friday
statement in the assembly
that no death took place due to
lack of oxygen and form a
high-level panel to ascertain
how many people died on
this account. In response,
Khattar said despite
challenges, the government
had ensured adequate
oxygen supply in the state
during the peak of the second
Covid wave. As Congress
repeatedly kept attacking the
treasury benches on the
issue, Khattar said that a
committee will be formed to probe
any negligence. Strict action will everywhere and even arranged
be taken against such hospitals
which are found negligent, he
added.
Reeling out official figures,
Khattar told the House that about
13,000 people died due to COVID-
19 in hospitals across the state. Of
these, about 9,500 were Haryana
residents, while about 3,500 were
from other states. There are about
Haryana chief minister M L Khattar
3,000 to 4000 hospitals in Haryana
and oxygen was supplied
from the nearby cities, when
needed, during the second wave,
he said. He told the House that in
some hospitals of Hisar, Rewari and
Gurugram districts, some
irregularities were reported and a
magisterial inquiry had been
conducted for all such complaints
received from the hospitals of
these three districts. In two reports
on Rewari and Gurgaon
hospitals, it was stated that no
death was reported due to
lack of oxygen, he said.
In the investigation report
of Hisar district, a matter of
negligence of a private
hospital was highlighted and
the said report has been sent
to the Superintendent of
Police for necessary action.
He said during the peak of
the second COVID-19 wave, it
was noticed that some
hospitals admitted more
patients than their capacity.
In the case of Hisar's private
hospital where the matter of
negligence came to light, the
consumption had reached 80
cylinders per day while only 20
cylinders were available with the
hospital, Khattar said.
Earlier as Hooda kept insisting
that the government should clarify
whether there had been any death
due to oxygen shortage, Speaker
Gian Chand Gupta told him that
under the rules of Zero Hour, he
cannot compel the government to
give a reply immediately. You
must know this, you have been a
Lok Sabha member, he told the
former chief minister. Hooda
repeatedly said he is not seeking
an answer from the government
but wants a high-level committee
to probe how many deaths
occurred due to lack of oxygen.
Leader of the House (Khattar)
must assure House of the reality as
to how many deaths took place
due to lack of oxygen, he said.
Imagine what those families who
lost their near and dear ones due to
oxygen shortage must be going
through when the government
tells on the floor of the assembly
that no one has died due to oxygen
shortage, said Hooda.
Negligence may have been on
anyone's part, but the question is
have there been deaths due to lack
of oxygen or not, the senior
Congress leader said. (PTI)
August 24. A notification was issued by the Re gistrar
General of the High Court on August 16 which also
contained detailed
guidelines to be
followed after the
resumption of
physical hearing of
cases. The plea filed
by lawyers body All
India Jurists
Association sought
quashing of the notification which also said that no request
for virtual hearing will be entertained.
Access to virtual courts and conducting cases through
video conferencing by resorting to usage of information,
communication and technology is a fundamental right
available to every lawyer under Article 19(1)(a) and (g) of
the Constitution. "Being a fundamental right it cannot be
defeated or dispensed with on procedural grounds of lack
of technology or infrastructure or inconvenience of the
courts in handling them," the plea said.
The petition stated that the High Court order is against
accessible and affordable justice being propagated by the
e-committee of the apex court. It has also sought directions
that no lawyer in ordinary circumstances should be denied
access to virtual courts or any category/class of
proceedings before the High Courts. (PTI)
6 Editorial THE ECHO OF INDIA GANGTOK


Tuesday August 24, 2021



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New electricity bill is ill-timed and wrongly designed

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Diplomac y is the art
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of saying 'Nice
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REFLEX ACTION
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Whoever may be behind the preparation of The Electricity consumers are made to pay among the highest electricity
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Doggie' until you can
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(Amendment) Bill, 2021, the initiators have ignored a
simple logic that India should first strive to generate
tariffs in the region, including those in countries such as
Malaysia, Vietnam and China. According to global
12345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234 enough electricity for its people before recasting its consultant Wood Mackenzie, the levelised cost of
find a rock
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distribution policy. The aspect of cost of electricity to electricity generation from fossil fuel at around $44.5 per
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consumers should also guide the lawmakers in formulating Nantoo Banerjee MWh (Rs 3.05 per unit) in India is the cheapest in the
Will Rogers
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any new electricity policy. While the Bill fails to recognise
the first thing first — the need for a rapid increase in the nearly 5,000 kWh as against India’s less than 1,000 kWh.
region. In China, it is $48.5 per MWh (Rs 3.33 per unit) and
Australia $50.9 per MWh (Rs 3.49 per unit) among other 12
generation capacity — it is more concerned with selective China is by far the world's largest producer of electricity, countries in the region. The same is for solar power. In

Postponing change distribution through private participation

The document seems to have been designed in a
manner that benefits a select group of private distributors
(Discoms) more than electricity generators, in general. This
generating a significant portion of its 7,503 TWh of power
in 2019 through coal and hydro-power, as against India’s
only 1,559 TWh. China also tops the world in electricity
consumption, using more than 6.3 trillion kilowatts of
India, the cost is estimated at around $38.2 MWh (Rs 2.62 per
unit), the lowest. In Australia, it is $52.7 per MWh (Rs 3.62
per unit) and China $61.2 per MWh (Rs 4.2 per unit). India’s
levelised cost of onshore wind power generation, estimated
in Cong leadership is more so when, in the government’s own admission in the
Economic Survey, the share of private sector in power
capacity addition is dwindling. The survey noted that
energy per hour annually. The country is the world’s largest
producer and consumer of coal. Of late, China has partly
shifted its focus to natural gas and renewable sources. The
at $48.9 per MWh (Rs 3.36 per unit), is also the cheapest in
the region. Much of the credit should go to India’s
government-controlled power generating firms, led by
The Congress has announced that till the installed generation capacity addition in the power sector State Grid and the China Southern Power Grid are the NTPC Limited.
next general elections, that is, till 2024, was entirely driven by the government in 2019-20, while country’s two wide-area synchronous grids. The country has accomplished two landmarks in rural
Sonia Gandhi will remain the party the private sector failed to add even a single unit. In this context, a new electricity bill in India would electrification arena — 100 percent village electrification
Technically, the union government is free to enact any law have been highly welcome if it sought to give a gigantic under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Joyti Yojana and
president. Earlier, the party had announced with regards to power generation and distribution as the push to power generation and had set generation targets for universal household electrification under ‘Pradhan Mantri
that organizational elections will be held in area falls under the concurrent list of the constitution (List the country’s public sector, state sector and the private Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana’ (Saubhaagya) — solely under
June this year. June passed, July passed III in the Seventh Schedule). sector. To increase demand for electricity, the bill could public utility services. However, these pro-poor schemes
A good number of non-BJP ruled states are, however, have also dealt with the power pricing aspect by fixing hardly pushed up the demand for power. Though India is
and now in August the party says it will upset. Under the constitution, the legislature of any state targets for maximum retail distribution rates for various the world’s third largest producer of electricity after China
continue to force an aging and ailing Sonia also have power to make laws with respect to any of the types of consumers, including rural, agricultural, and the US, it ranks far below in terms of per capita
matters under the concurrent list. Some of the states have domestic, export and general industrial users. The consumption.
to bear the cross till 2024. The Grand Old demanded that the Bill be sent to the select committee of electricity bill offers little to restrain high retail power At the current high tariff levels — mostly under the
Party of India’s freedom struggle is now Parliament. The Bill appears to be wrongly designed as the tariffs, especially by private sector Discoms, led by the influence of some of the private sector Discoms — India’s
facing another “no-changer, pro-changer” opposition states have been kept out of the loop on an issue Adanis, Reliance Infra, CESC and Tatas. power demand is unlikely to increase substantially to
as important as power generation and distribution. Going The high retail power tariffs in India have little energise its future economic growth. Maybe, the
tussle in the twenties of the last century, a by India’s per capita consumption of electricity, in terms connection with the country’s low generation cost. In fact, government should rework on the bill to provide a big push
tussle that split the Congress and led to the of kilowatt hours, the country ranks lowly at the 13th India is the cheapest producer of electricity from coal, solar to power generation and consumption. It mustn’t be
birth of the Swaraj Party. The no-changers position in the community of nations. Today, India’s and wind sources in the entire Asia Pacific region. It is the forgotten that power consumption is the single most
population is almost the same as China’s at 1.4 billion only country in the region where solar power costs almost important indicator of a country’s economic strength and
in the party are today hastening the doom people. The per capita power consumption in China is 14 percent less than that of ther mal power. Yet, Indian prosperity. (IPA)
of the party. To take two recent instances,
Sushmita Dev resigned as the president of
the Mahila Congress. Now the president of
the Tripura Congress Committee has also
resigned. Ms. Dev has formally joined the
Trinamool Congress while the Tripura ex-
Congress chief is expected to follow suit.
Those in the Congress who are striving
for an all-in unity of opposition forces to
oust the BJP from power in 2024 should
realize the simple fact that the opposition
parties will not accept Rahul Gandhi as the
leader of the combined opposition. Sonia
Gandhi is still acceptable to a large section
of the opposition, but not her son. The best
thing for the party would have been to elect
a new and young leader and fight the next
elections under his leadership. The
Congress wants to see that if the opposition
wins, Rahul Gandhi will be the Prime
Minister. This is in sharp contrast to the
stand of Mamata Banerjee who says that
she is not – and nobody should be – worried
about who the leader will be. The first task
is to defeat the BJP by uniting the
opposition. After the poll results are out,
someone will be elected.
A new party president may have been
able to stop the steady hemorrhage of the
Congress. It is quite likely that if the
organizational elections in the Congress
are postponed indefinitely, more and more
frustrated Congressmen will leave the
party. Any living organism constantly
adapts itself to its environment. Those who
fail become extinct. The progressive
debilitation of the Congress is unfortunate
because the need of the hour is for the force
of democracy and secularism to close their
ranks to defeat the forces of
authoritarianism and communalism.
There is time yet for the Congress to shake A boy sits on the Soviet monument to a friendship between Ukrainian and Russian nations, in central Kyiv, Ukraine
off the organizational paralysis. ---REUTERS

Naidu’s hurt feelings: He was himself not above blame

FOCUS
Any decent individual would feel
extremely hurt at the Rajya Sabha
Chair man M Venkaiah Naidu breaking
down and narrating his battered emotion
that he could not sleep because of the
sacrilege in the "temple of democracy" by
some opposition MPs who had climbed on
the table in the House.
Naidu has been a senior national
player in the BJP politics. Perceptibly he
ought to be aware when the rot into the
system crept in; from when the opposition
started desecration of the sanctum
sanctorum of the house. It was his leader L
K Advani who had encouraged his
colleagues in the Lok Sabha and Rajya
Sabha to disrupt the proceedings and show
disrespect to the houses. This was
promptly supported by the then BJP leader
in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley. Our great
leaders, who firmly believed in secularism,
were described as pseudo-secularists by
Advani. But they had maintained the
dignity of not violating the sanctity of the
house and endangering the democratic
functioning. They knew that if they
resorted to this kind of behaviour the next
generation would further endanger the
institutions.
No one can deny, more precisely a
person like Naidu, that the current
situation has been the creation of Narendra
Modi and Amit Shah. These two leaders do
not have any respect for democracy and
also do not respect parliamentary ethics.
They behave like dons and believe that
they are above the law and Constitution.
For them their words are the law. If Modi
had agreed to have a debate on Pegasus, this
situation would not have been created. It is
Arun Srivastava
really a matter of shame that the house
could not function for nearly 15 days.
Incidentally the Supreme Court only a
couple of days back had made some curt
observation on the government response to
Pegasus issue. Naidu should have done
some introspection and by virtue of being
senior leader who at this stage of age has
nothing to lose, should have asked one
straight question to the government why it
was reluctant to order a probe into the
Pegasus snooping. Who was the Modi
government was trying to protect? It is
widely known that Naidu commands
immense respect from the opposition
members. In this backdrop any such move
from his side would have strengthened their
trust in him and probably responding to his
directive they would have refrained from
disrupting the house.
Naidu blames the opposition for
tarnishing the image and sanctity of the
house, but the fact is he owes some
explanations to the people of the country:
why he allowed the three laws which
farmers describe as black laws to be passed
by Rajya Sabha that too only in nine
minutes; second, why he did not allow the
members to vote on these bills: thirdly, is it
due to the fact that on that particular day
the government did not have adequate vote
to pass the bills?”
No tears rolled down Naidu’s eyes at the
humiliation and insult inflicted on the
farmers by the BJP cadres and leaders. He
even did not speak against the goons
threatening the farmers. He did not lament
the manner in which the parliamentary
procedure and practice were trampled
inside the Rajya Sabha for adopting the
bills.
Question also arises that at a time when
the farmers are on Satyagrah for last eight
months and have been seeking withdrawal
of the controversial farm reform
legislations why he allowed the Modi
government to play with their sentiment by
permitting a discussion on agricultural
problems? Why was he unmoved by the
plight of farmers? Why he did not prevail
upon the Modi government to come clean on
Pegasus? It is the right of the government to
place the subject it wants to discuss before
the house. But as Pegasus has acquired the
dubious character of snooping on the
citizens and related to the security of the
country, he could have used his discretion to
direct the government to clarify the
situation.
This is the usual norm. Even if the
subject is not mentioned in the list of
Business, the chairman can use his
discretion and direct the government to
make a statement. The fact cannot be
ignored that after the debate once the issue
was put on approval of the house, the
opposition would have lost and the BJP
enjoying an upper hand would have pushed
through the bill. This would have got the
parliamentary sanctity. This was enough to
bulldoze the farmers’ agitation. This would
have virtually sealed the fate of the farmers
and their movement would have tur ned
futile. The prime issue was not of members
going on record with their positions on all
issues relating to the plight of the famers.
The issue was reluctance of the
government to concede to their demand to
scrap the black laws. The opposition was
wary that the Centre would pass this off as
a debate on the 8 months-long farmers’
agitation.
Recently, when the Chair announced a
discussion on farmers' issues, Congress
chief whip Jairam Ramesh cited a ruling by
the Chair in 2015 and said his notice for
calling attention motion was converted into
a short duration discussion without taking
the sense of the House. This, he said, was a
unilateral decision. The Opposition had
smelt “mischief ” on Monday night itself.
Late on Monday night, Congress leader
Jairam Ramesh had tweeted: “Tomorrow, in
a too clever-by-half move, the Modi
government has scheduled a discussion on
‘The agricultural problems and solutions’
and added my name to it. The discussion
has NOTHING to do with my notice given
on July 23rd on the ongoing farmers’
agitation.”
Naidu should have taken a firm stand and
DISCLAIMER
not allowed the Modi government to play The views in the articles published here are absolutely
mischief. This would have averted the views of the author and The Echo of India does not
transgression of the sanctity of the house. (IPA) stand liable for them.
THE ECHO OF INDIA GANGTOK
International 7


Tuesday August 24, 2021



Gunfire kills 1 amid Troop withdrawal from Afghanistan was

chaotic evacuations
at Kabul airport logical, rational and right decision: Biden
KABUL, AUG 23 /--/ A firefight just outside Kabul's WASHINGTON, AUG 23 /--/ come under criticism, especially Taliban has not taken any action
international airport killed at least one Afghan soldier Facing criticism over his policy on the Opposition Republican Party, against US forces, by and large
earlier today, German officials said, the latest chaos to engulf Afghanistan, US President Joe for the withdrawal of the US forces following through what they said
Wester n efforts to evacuate those fleeing the Taliban Biden has defended his move to from Afghanistan as the Taliban in terms of allowing Americans to
takeover of the country. The airport shooting came as the withdraw American troops from captured power, resulting in chaos I think that history is pass through."I'm sure they don't
Taliban sent fighters north of the capital to eliminate pockets the war-torn country, saying and deaths. However, the US control all of their forces. It's a
of armed resistance to their lightning takeover earlier this history will record this as a President stood by his decision."I going to record this ragtag force. And so, we'll see...
month.The Taliban said they retook three districts seized by "logical, rational and right think that history is going to record whether or not what they say turns
decision". this was the logical, rational and was the logical, out to be true," he said.
The Taliban seized power in right decision to make," he told Biden said that in a 36-hour
Afghanistan on August 15, two reporters in an interaction at the rational and right span, the US has lifted about
weeks before the US was set to White House on Sunday. 11,000 people out of Kabul."In a
complete its troop withdrawal Indian-American politician
decision to make little over 30 hours this weekend,
after a costly two-decade war.The and former US envoy to the UN we've evacuated an extraordinary
insurgents stormed across the Nikki Haley said earlier in the ——Joe Biden number of people, as I will detail
country, capturing all major cities day: "They (the US administration) in a minute: about 11,000
in a matter of days, as Afghan have surrendered the American individuals. That number will
security forces trained and people and actually withdrew our change day to day as the air and
equipped by the US and its allies troops before they withdrew the ground operations in Kabul vary,
melted away.Thousands of Afghan American people."They have the Taliban going to attempt to be will see whether they mean it or he said.The first priority is getting
nationals and foreigners are abandoned our Afghan allies who able to unite and provide for the not -- they're seeking legitimacy... Americans out of the country as
fleeing the country to escape the kept people like my husband safe wellbeing of the people of to determine whether or not they quickly and as safely as possible,
new Taliban regime and to seek while they were overseas Afghanistan, which no one group will be recognised by other he said."At my direction, the State
asylum in different nations, deploying. So, no, there was no has ever done?"And if it does, it's countries. They have told other Department continues to reach out
opponents the day before and had surrounded Panjshir, the including the US and many negotiating. This was a complete going to need everything from countries as well as us that they to the remaining Americans we
last province that remains out of their control.Afghanistan's European nations, resulting in and total surrender and an additional help, in terms of don't want us to move our have identified by phone, e-mail
security forces collapsed in the face of the Taliban advance, total chaos at Kabul airport and embarrassing failure, she said. economic assistance, trades and a diplomatic presence completely. and other means to ascertain their
despite 20 years of Western aid, training and assistance. Tens deaths. Biden said the Taliban has to whole range of things," he All of this is all just talk now, whereabouts and their plans," he
of thousands of Afghans have sought to flee the country The Biden administration has make a fundamental decision."Is said."The Taliban has said -- we Biden said. He said that so far, the said. (PTI)
since, fearing a return to the brutal rule the Taliban imposed
the last time they ran Afghanistan. That has led to chaos at
the airport in Kabul, the main route out of the
country.Gunfire broke out near an entrance to the airport,
Hope Afghanistan doesn't
where at least seven Afghans died a day earlier in a panicked
stampede of thousands of people. The circumstances of the become epicentre of terrorism'
shooting, which occurred around dawn, remained unclear.
The German military tweeted that one member of the
Afghan army was killed and three others were wounded by
again: Singapore PM Lee
unknown attackers. An Italian humanitarian organization SINGAPORE, AUG 23 /--/ Singapore Prime Minister Lee
that operates hospitals in Afghanistan said it had treated six Hsien Loong today said Afghanistan is a key battlefront in
patients with bullet wounds from the airport. The US the global fight against terrorism from where extremist
military and NATO did not immediately acknowledge the ideas have been exported to the region, hoping that the
shooting. There was no comment from the Taliban.The tragic country does not become an epicentre of terrorism after
scenes around the airport have transfixed the world. Afghans the Taliban seized Kabul. Lee, at a press conference here
poured onto the tarmac last week and some clung to a US along with visiting US Vice President Kamala Harris, said
military transport plane as it took off, later plunging to their that America's intervention
deaths. At least seven people died that day, in addition to the in the region 20 years ago has
seven killed Sunday.The Taliban blame the chaotic stopped terrorist groups from
evacuation on the US military and say there's no need for any using Afghanistan as a safe
Afghans to flee. They have pledged to bring peace and base. For this, Singapore is
security after decades of war and say they won't seek grateful. We hope
revenge on those who worked with the US, NATO and the Afghanistan does not
toppled Afghan government. become an epicentre for
Addressing a conference of Muslim clerics, Taliban terrorism again, he
spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid urged them to push back said.Singapore has sent
against Western propaganda about the Taliban and said the personnel to Afghanistan
US was undermining the their rule by sending planes and because it is a key battlefront
offering Afghans asylum.Despite their promises, the Taliban in the global fight against
have violently suppressed protests and beat people with Singapore PM extremist terrorism, Lee
batons as they try to control the crowds outside the airport Lee Hsien Loong said, noting that extremist
perimeter. There have also been reports in recent days of the ideas and capabilities have
Taliban hunting down their former enemies. It's unclear if been exported from there to the region.
Taliban leaders are saying one thing and doing another, or The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan on August 15,
if fighters on the ground are taking matters into their own US Airmen and US Marines guide qualified evacuees aboard a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III two weeks before the US was set to complete its troop
hands. German defense minister Annegret Kramp- at Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) ——REUTERS withdrawal after a costly two-decade war. This forced
Karrenbauer told the Bild newspaper that the main obstacle Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to flee the country to the
to getting people out was the crowds outside the airport."We UAE.The insurgents stormed across the country, capturing
must switch much more to picking people up, so to speak, all major cities in a matter of days, as Afghan security
and we are doing that, Kramp-Karrenbauer said.Asked
about Taliban assurances of safe passage to the airport she
said: So far, I can say that what we need is being granted; the
Taliban assure it won't allow TTP to use forces trained and equipped by the US and its allies melted
away.Thousands of Afghan nationals and foreigners are
fleeing the country to escape the new Taliban regime and
danger comes more from these uncontrollable crowds of
people. As the airlift continues, the US government asked for
18 aircraft from American commercial carriers to assist in
Afghan land against Islamabad: Pak govt to seek asylum in different nations, including the US and
many European nations, resulting in total chaos at Kabul
airport and deaths. Lee's statement came as the Biden
transporting Afghan refugees to their final destinations after ISLAMABAD, AUG 23 /--/ Pakistan's taking over the war-torn country, and Besides, Afghan Taliban chief administration has come under criticism, especially from
their initial evacuation. The request fell under the Civil interior minister today said that the it is in "full contact" with the Taliban Haibatullah Akhundzada has the Opposition Republican Party, for the withdrawal of the
Reserve Air Fleet program, which was born in the wake of Afghan Taliban have assured the on the issue."The related (Afghan) reportedly set up a three-member US forces from Afghanistan as the Taliban captured power,
the Berlin airlift and can add to the military's capabilities government that it would not allow authorities there have been told to commission to investigate Islamabad's resulting in chaos and deaths.President Ashraf Ghani, who
during crises. (AP) their soil to be used against it by control those who have done terrorism complaints that the TTP was using fled as the Taliban advanced on Kabul, has taken refuge in
Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan militants, in Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban Afghanistan to plot cross-border the United Arab Emirates which welcomed him and his
Russia won't intervene amidst reports that several hardcore
TTP terrorists have been released in
have reassured (us) that Afghanistan's
land will not be allowed to be used in
terrorist attacks.Pakistan destroyed
the infrastructure of the TTP through
family on humanitarian grounds. (PTI)

in standoff with Taliban

MOSCOW, AUG 23 /--/ Russia says it will not interfere in
Afghanistan after the insurgents
seized Kabul.
The TTP, commonly known as
the stand-off between the Taliban and their opponents in
Afghanistan. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today
Pakistani Taliban, is a banned
militant group based along the
that leaders of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation Afghan-Pakistan border. It has carried
member states discussed the standoff and its implications of out a number of major terror attacks
another civil war in Afghanistan".He says, Of course, no one across Pakistan and reportedly been
is going to intervene in these events. Taliban spokesman said using Afghan soil to plot terrorist
today the group's forces have surrounded Panjshir, the only attacks in this country.Addressing a
one of Afghanistan's 34 provinces that has not yet fallen to press conference, Pakistan interior
the Taliban. Several Taliban opponents have gathered in minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said
Panjshir.They include Amrullah Saleh, the Vice-President that the government has taken note of
in the toppled government who claims to be the acting the reports that the Afghan Taliban
President, and Ahmad Massoud, son of the slain commander have set free some TTP militants,
of the Northern Alliance militias that partnered with the US including its leading commander
to drive the Taliban from power in 2001. (AP) Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, after
any case by the TTP," he said.
The minister's remarks came
amidst a media report that Pakistan
has handed over to the Afghan
Taliban a list of most wanted
terrorists linked to the TTP, who were
still active in Afghanistan.According
to The Express Tribune report, the list
was shared with the Afghan Taliban
leadership recently after they took
control of Kabul."We have taken up
the issue with them (Afghan Taliban).
We have given them a list of wanted
TTP terrorists operating from
Afghanistan," the report said, quoting
an unnamed senior Pakistani official
familiar with the development.
successive operations in the tribal
areas since 2014. It is believed that
most of the operatives ran across the
WHO head calls for two-month
border to Afghanistan and still live
there and also use the Afghan soil to
vaccine booster moratorium
plan and launch cross border attacks. BUDAPEST, AUG 23 /--/ The head of the World Health
According to a report prepared for Organisation today called for a two-month moratorium on
the United Nations Security Council administering booster shots of COVID-19 vaccines as a
in July, the TTP has about 6,000 means of reducing global vaccine inequality and
trained fighters on the Afghan side of preventing the emergence of new coronavirus variants.
the border and the Afghan Taliban WHO Director-General
despite their distrust carry on with Tedros Adhanom
relations mainly as before.The TTP Ghebreyesus told reporters
had supported the Afghan Taliban in in Hungary's capital,
their fight against the previous Budapest, that he was really
Afghan government backed by the disappointed with the scope
United States. (PTI) of vaccine donations
worldwide as many
countries struggle to

Threats against Indians in South Africa do exist, but provide first and second
doses to more than small
fractions of their

govt doing all it can to counter this: Ela Gandhi
JOHANNESBURG, AUG 23 /--/
Threats against the Indian-origin
community in South Africa do
exist after the recent violence, but
the government is doing
everything in its power to counter
it, Mahatma Gandhi's
granddaughter Ela Gandhi said
today.
Protests against the
incarceration of former
president Jacob Zuma on July 7
rapidly devolved into orgies of
looting and arson in the two
provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and
Gauteng. Zuma has been
sentenced for contempt of court
after he repeatedly refused to
testify at the Commission of
Inquiry into State Capture, where
several witnesses have implicated
him in corruption.
Some media reports on the
violence which wracked the
provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and
Gauteng last month said that
Indian-origin South Africans bore
the brunt of the attack, some
even stating that many' of the 330
people killed as looters went on
the rampage were of Indian
origin. "This is not quite correct.
Certainly, there were a
number of Indian-owned
businesses that were looted or
burnt down, but they were
among the scores more, many
owned by national chain-
store groups, that were raided
by the looters. There were
also no direct attacks on any
Indians that we are aware of.
"As far as deaths go, we
believe that only two or three
of those killed were of
Indian-origin, Gandhi said."What
I said was that terrorist attacks by
anyone anywhere in the world
could occur at any time, not just
against any particular
community in South Africa only,
Gandhi said, reacting to some
reports in the Indian media
quoting her as saying that attacks
could happen anytime anywhere.
"We can't deny that such threats
do exist, especially advocated by
some people on social media, but
our government is doing all in its
power to address this, she said.
Ela Gandhi
The community leader, who
heads up the Gandhi
Development Trust based at the
Phoenix Settlement started by
Mahatma Gandhi during his
tenure in South Africa, also
commented on reports that there
was an increased number of
applications by South Africans of
Indian origin for OCI cards."The
Indian missions would be in a
better position to answer that, but
we know that there are people
who have already migrated to
places such as Australia who have
been trying to get their
relatives in South Africa to
join them. But the recent
violence should not be used as
an excuse for that.
"We should also consider
that hundreds of thousands of
fourth and fifth generation
Indians who consider
themselves to be South
African citizens are still here,
many of them doing their part
to assist in reconciliation and
rehabilitation projects after the
violence, Gandhi said.
Officials at the Indian
consulates in Durban and
Johannesburg confirmed that
there has been an increase in both
applications for and enquiries
about the OCI card.Gandhi
herself, together with other
community leaders in the Indian
and black communities, is
involved in various projects
aimed at reconciliation. "Inciting
calls by some people, including
political leaders, which get
circulated widely on social media,
unfortunately do not help,
Gandhi said, in an apparent
reference to a statement by the
leader of the Economic Freedom
Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema,
who has often made anti-Indian
remarks.
"What those Indians did there
in Phoenix is unforgettable, we
will never forgive them for what
they did to our people. And those
are Indian criminals, they must
be called exactly that. We are not
going to make any apology about
that, Malema had said in an
interview with radio station
Khaya FM after the recent
violence.There were 22 Black
people killed in Phoenix,
allegedly at the hands of Indian
vigilantes, many of whom are
now facing murder and
manslaughter charges. (PTI)
populations while wealthier
nations maintain growing
vaccine stockpiles.
Tedros called on WHO Director-General
countries offering third Tedros Adhanom
vaccine doses "to share what Ghebreyesus
can be used for boosters with
other countries so (they) can increase their first and second
vaccination coverage. Several countries including the
United States, Israel, and Hungary, as well as others in
Europe, the Middle East and Asia, are already offering or
planning to offer their populations COVID-19 booster shots.
In early August, Hungary became the first country in
the 27-member European Union to allow residents to sign
up for a third dose, and more than 187,000 people have
received a booster so far, according to government statistics.
Last week, US health officials announced plans to dispense
COVID-19 booster shots to all Americans in an effort to
shore up protection against a surge in cases attributed to the
delta variant and signs that the vaccines' effectiveness is
slipping.
Yet the UN health agency has repeatedly called for rich
nations to do more to help improve access to vaccines in the
developing world. TOday, Tedros said that of the 4.8 billion
vaccine doses delivered to date globally, 75% have gone to
only 10 countries while vaccine coverage in Africa is at less
than 2%.Vaccine injustice and vaccine nationalism increase
the risk of more contagious variants emerging, Tedros
said.The virus will get the chance to circulate in countries
with low vaccination coverage, and the delta variant could
evolve to become more virulent, and at the same time more
potent variants could also emerge, he said. (AP)
 THE ECHO OF INDIA GANGTOK
8 Economy & Business


Tuesday 
August 24, 2021

Renault India presents new KIGER TCL launches new online brand store
to Saikhom Mirabai Chanu EOI CORRESPONDENT along with this has also
announced the launch of
meaningful milestone for
the brand but a fresh start
EOI CORRESPONDENT at the core of Indian automotive market. The NEW DELHI, AUG 23/--/ several other programs and also. A start to the new
stunning design of Renault KIGER is To mark the celebrations of initiatives for the journey with an aim to
KOLKATA, AUG 23/--/Renault, which is in exemplified by a host of sporty and muscular the 40th anniversary, TCL customers. achieve higher goals, by
its 10th year of operations in India, presented elements which make Renault KIGER stand has announced the launch TCL on the occasion of delivering customer-centric
Renault KIGER to the Ace weightlifter and of their updated e- their 40th anniversary has products and services. In
#TokyoOlympics2020 Silver Medalist commerce website. TCL a thanked the customers for addition to his statement, he
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu for her stunning leading consumer their trust and support. The said that Indian customers
performance on the world stage and making electronics brand has made brand plans to come up with have always bestowed their month. It has also The company also said
every Indian proud of her feat. Hailing from a mark in the industry by many programs that would support to us and now it's the announced that the period that the celebrations would
a village in East Imphal, Mirabai not only launching some of the be focusing on customer perfect time to give back. from August 3, 2021, to not stop here and will
lifted the spirits of the entire nation but with products featuring the welfare. According to Mike We at TCL would soon be August 6, 2021, would mark further continue with the
her dedication and commitment, she also latest technological Chen, General Manager, coming up a 'Mega-Indian' the first-ever 'TCL Super launch of the 'TCL Rights
became an inspiration for other athletes. Her innovations. It gladly TCL India, "The primary UGC campaign around Member Days', where the and Benefits' program on
journey finds resonance with a billion Indians invites the customers to visit goal to redesign the website Independence Day customers would be August 9, 2021. The plan
who aspire to break out of their humble their new online brand was to provide the exclusively for the Indian entitled to special discounts would be live on TCL Home
backgrounds. Renault is proud to celebrate store for updates on the customers with a new and consumers". and offer on their range of App. The members after
her journey with the Stunning, Smart and latest products, events, user-friendly experience. TCL has named the QLED, Mini LED, 4K TVs, downloading the app can
Sporty KIGER. Sudhir Malhotra, Vice upcoming launches and He further adds that the 40th month of August to be the P715, P615, smart ACs Elite enjoy exclusive rights and
President - Sales & Marketing, Renault India much more. The brand anniversary is not only a 'Giving Back to Customers' series and Ocarina series. benefits.
handed over the keys of the brand new

Finology announces premium Neuberg Diagnostics partners with MS Dhoni

Renault KIGER to the #TokyoOlympics2020 out as a true SUV. On the inside, Renault
Silver Medalist, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu. KIGER's smart cabin combines technology,
Renault KIGER is a brand-new sub four metre functionality and roominess. This high
compact SUV designed and developed for
India. Loaded with several smart attributes
performance, modern and efficient engine
ensures a sporty drive and is complemented
services under Finology One To send the message of health and wellness
and powered by a sporty, world-class by multi sense drive modes which offer the EOI CORRESPONDENT EOI CORRESPONDENT
turbocharged 1.0L petrol engine, Renault flexibility to best suit the customers driving KOLKATA, AUG 23/--/ Investing in the Indian stock market
KIGER is a breakthrough product targeted preferences. KOLKATA, AUG 23/--/
has never been this easy and Finology is making that
Neuberg Diagnostics,
Lenovo announces Smart Learning Solution 'Lenovo Aware'
happen. Empowering Indian investors to initiate their
India's fourth-largest
investment journey, Finology - India's biggest financial
diagnostic lab chain, today
education and one-stop investment platform, has launched
EOI CORRESPONDENT The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the announced that it has
a line of premium services
education sector, by enforcing social distancing partnered with ace
under a subscription-based
KOLKATA, AUG 23/--/Lenovo, the global and implementing online methods of teaching cricketer, MS Dhoni, for
model, Finology One.
technology leader, recently announced its and evaluation. Lenovo conducted a survey creating awareness about
An affordable solution,
'Lenovo Aware' smart learning solution for on virtual education which revealed the main Neuberg's health and
especially crafted by experts,
consumers, which will come pre-bundled with challenges parents face: Doubts regarding wellness campaign and
Finology One is an
the latest generation of IdeaPad Slim 3i and effectiveness of online learning, Constant conveying its ef forts
amalgamation of financial
IdeaPad Slim 5i laptops. Lenovo Aware monitoring required for kids, Excess use of towards empowering every
planning tools, namely
software aims to support a superior remote Laptops leading to excessive screen time and citizen with better and
Recipe, Quest, and Ticker.
learning experience by addressing a few of body posture issues. Lenovo Aware addresses affordable healthcare.
Not only will it make the
the digital challenges brought to light this past these issues by using the PC's built-in camera Dr. GSK Velu, Chair man
users' financial journey
year during lockdown, such as how to keep to detect a person's body language and eye and Managing Director,
easier, but they also won't
young students focused and motivated while contact with the device. The software can be Neuberg Diagnostics, said,
have to pay extra for accessing
engaged in online classes and improve their activated within Lenovo Vantage and all the "MS Dhoni complements
the different tools. With just
digital well-being. As part of Lenovo's Back- features have to be manually activated by opting our growth mindset, and
one subscription, users can
To-College offer, the Lenovo range of PCs will in through the settings in Lenovo Aware. The thus is a strategic fit during
get access to all the premium
come with an additional warranty of 1 year, software reminds the user to sit back from the our g rowth years. We are
tools at a minimal price of Rs 499 a month.
3 years of premium care and a Lenovo 100 screen, straighten up their posture, take a break excited about this
Pranjal Kamra, Spokesperson & CEO of Finology, said,
Stereo Analog Headset. The offer provides from the screen to rest their eyes, with the help association and are honored with our mission and will me and it's a pleasure to be
"Financial planning and learning has been needlessly
benefits worth up to Rs 11,089 at just Rs 2099. of pop up notifications and audio alerts. to have him on board as our remind people to prioritize associated with the team and
expensive and complicated in India. We want our users to
evangelist and global brand their health. Dhoni's their various programs
have a seamless investing experience. Hence, we have given
ambassador. We are keen to backing will enable us to aimed at providing access to
South City Projects joins hands them access to tools that are affordable and hassle-free.
Finology One can be used effortlessly by anyone - from a
beginner to an expert - to achieve their financial goals."
take our plethora of
diagnostic services across
communicate about our
commitment and services
quality and affordable
healthcare. Amidst the
the country and convey our more effectively." Covid-19 pandemic, they
with Carnoustie Group With a motive of providing clever solutions to its
investors' financial needs, Finology One has been carefully
crafted to give users a seamless experience. The platform's
efforts towards empowering
every citizen with better
MS Dhoni, Former India
Skipper and Captain of
have taken up the campaign
to raise awareness about
and affordable healthcare. Chennai Super Kings, said, health and wellness across
To promote wellness tourism in West Bengal clever financial planning tool, Recipe helps align
investments with individual financial goals. It's an
Furthermore, Dhoni's "The leaders at Neuberg are age groups. I personally feel
commitment towards committed to providing that these efforts are
EOI CORRESPONDENT Kerala . South City Ayurvedic Wellness integrated financial planner that aims to empower investors
maintaining good health affordable healthcare across important and deserve to be
Centre in partnership with the Carnoustie through its intelligent technology and expert
and fitness resonates well India, and that really struck advocated."
KOLKATA, AUG 23/--/South City Projects group would provide remedial and curative recommendations.
Ltd , one of the leading residential and treatments including lifestyle diseases like
commercial real estate consortiums in
eastern India has announced its collaboration
Diabetes and other ailments. The centre of
excellence would heal body, mind and spirit
iLEAD to produce
with the Carnoustie Management (India) Pvt. with its wide range of treatments like Detox
Ltd. an internationally recognized brand in therapies and Relaxation treatment from commercial Hindi movie
the luxury hospitality and wellness space Kerala. Guests can be healed with its wide EOI CORRESPONDENT
to set up the state of-the -art Carnoustie Centre range of healing programmes including Stress MinTemp. Max Temp. Weather
of Excellence in South City Ayurveda and Management, Weight loss Programme, KOLKATA, AUG 23/--/ iLEAD in a first ever initiative is
Wellness Retreat. Designed by acclaimed Rejuvenation Programme, Immune Care, providing an opportunity to the media and film students to GANGTOK
architect designed by Vivek Rathore, of Spine care, Hair and skin care, eye care. The experience and learn every aspect of filmmaking 24-Aug 18.0 22.0 Generally cloudy sky with a few spells
Salient Designs, South City retreat houses centre will also provide special therapies to practically on the floor. The institute, which is recognized of rain or thundershowers
30 luxurious rooms of international standard heal neuromuscular disorders. as the 4th best media college in India as per KPMG, will be 25-Aug 18.0 21.0 Generally cloudy sky with Heavy rain
along with the Carnoustie Centre of We hope our wellness centre would producing a feature length Hindi commercial film titled as 26-Aug 17.0 20.0 Generally cloudy sky with Heavy rain
Excellence. capture a sizeable pie of the market in east" 'Before You Die' with students who 27-Aug 17.0 21.0 Generally cloudy sky with Heavy rain
Carnoustie Director, Randeep Waraich as explained by south city, Director, Sushil will be taking admission in the 2021 28-Aug 18.0 22.0 Generally cloudy sky with possibility of
was also present on the occasion said, The Mohta, further added, "West Bengal as a batch of media science and film
rain or Thunderstorm
centre will bring, its expertise from the tourist destination holds unlimited potential. courses. Pradip Chopra, Chairman
29-Aug 18.0 21.0 Generally cloudy sky with possibility of
This is the only state that is of iLEAD, said, "The entire creative
industry of India, whether its film
rain or Thunderstorm
blessed with a crucible of
snowcapped mountains, making, animation, script writing, GANGTOK-TADONG
plateaus, dense forest, music, costume designing, is
24-Aug 21.0 26.0 Generally cloudy sky with a few spells
sanctuary and the sea. It has dominated by the people from
of rain or thundershowers
been our passion to recreate Bengal. However Bengal is not a
significant player in this industry
25-Aug 21.0 26.0 Generally cloudy sky with Heavy rain
happening tourist 26-Aug 20.0 25.0 Generally cloudy sky with Heavy rain
destinations in Bengal with apart from being a substantial
resource base as there is a lack of 27-Aug 20.0 26.0 Generally cloudy sky with Heavy rain
a view to catapult the state
spirit of entrepreneurship, 28-Aug 21.0 26.0 Generally cloudy sky with possibility of
to the global tourism map as
leadership and risk taking appetite. rain or Thunderstorm
the most preferred one spot
tourist destination. Our This is a gap we want to fill thus we
are venturing into production of GYALSINGH
proposed South City 24-Aug 18.0 23.0 Generally cloudy sky with a few spells
Ayurveda retreat is gateway full length Hindi commercial film.
We want to involve our students because they are extremely of rain or thundershowers
Carnoustic Ayurveda and Wellness Resort to the Sundarbans making it more attractive
talented. So we want to use the talent of our institute to 25-Aug 18.0 24.0 Generally cloudy sky with a few spells
, Kerala which cures major health ailments tourist destination for both domestic and
following the age old Ayurveda and other international travellers. Our wellness retreat make world class cinema in the process they will get the of rain or thundershowers
Indian scriptures. The wellness centre would can be welcome stopover for the tourists who kind of hands on experience and industry exposure which 26-Aug 18.0 23.0 Generally cloudy sky with a few spells
attract national and international tourists can unwind and relax at the serene resort and will enable them to evolve as true professionals as they of rain or thundershowers
from across the globe for its unique the therapeutic wellness centre. I hope The pursue their studies. Our goal is also to make Kolkata a good 27-Aug 18.0 24.0 Generally cloudy sky with a few spells
therapeutic and healing treatments based on South City Retreat and the Ayurveda Centre production centre, a hub of film making in times to come, of rain or thundershowers
authentic ancient practices of Yoga , of Excellence would attract in bound traffic he added." The film is to be directed by Suvendu Raj Ghosh. 28-Aug 18.0 24.0 Generally cloudy sky with possibility of
Ayurveda and Marma Therapy. The wellness from all across the globe with its serene It will star veteran actors like Mukesh Rishi, Zarina Wahab rain or Thunderstorm
centre would combine curative Ayurvedic ambience and curative spa", said Mr Mohta. and Mushtaq Khan. The film will witness the debut of
healing yoga, meditation and Pranik healing. "We are investing Rs 100 crore for the actors Puneet Raj Sharma and Kavya Kashyap, who will be MANGAN
The centre would be supported with a proposed ayurvedic retreat to be built up and playing the male and female protagonists in the movie. 24-Aug 18.0 26.0 Generally cloudy sky with Heavy rain
team of experienced wellness professinals, the total project outlay is Rs 500 crore. The Toshi Sabri, The movie is to go on floors from August 22nd 25-Aug 18.0 25.0 Generally cloudy sky with Heavy rain
Yoga experts, Meditation guru and Ayurveda retreat will be ready by December end," 2021 and is scheduled for a Valentine's Day special release 26-Aug 18.0 26.0 Generally cloudy sky with a few spells
doctors from the team of Carnoustie from signed off Mr. Mohta. on February 14th 2022. of rain or thundershowers
27-Aug 17.0 27.0 Generally cloudy sky with a few spells
Kolkata entrepreneurs recommend Ascent Foundation to cope biz challenges 28-Aug 17.0 27.0
of rain or thundershowers
Generally cloudy sky with possibility of
EOI CORRESPONDENT entrepreneurs from across troubled waters. In such peer-to-peer groups' that is a difficult task. From a rain or Thunderstorm
India. At ASCENT, the times, instead of looking for leverage the "power of the functional standpoint, sales is
KOLKATA, AUG 23/--/ composition of members is support from their collective" enabling a slightly difficult area for us, NAMCHI
ASCENT Foundation, a not- quite diverse with a 46:54 immediate advisors, entrepreneurs to share and and it gets even more 24-Aug 19.0 26.0 Generally cloudy sky with a few spells
for-profit, peer-to-peer split between Manufacturing entrepreneurs looked exchange experiences, ideas, challenging when you operate of rain or thundershowers
learning platform founded and Services Industries; 44% towards learning from their insights and learn from each out of Kolkata instead of 25-Aug 19.0 27.0 Generally cloudy sky with a few spells
by Harsh Mariwala, Family Businesses; 8% fellow peers & their other in a healthy and non- cities like Bengaluru, Delhi or of rain or thundershowers
Chairman, Marico Ltd has Women Entrepreneurs and in experiences of adapting to competing ecosystem. Mumbai where the market 26-Aug 19.0 26.0 Generally cloudy sky with a few spells
registered over 17% all about 65+ diverse unprecedented changes. Having grown up with a size and dynamics allows for of rain or thundershowers
members from Kolkata industries represented. The With the pandemic-induced family business, venturing better access and quicker 27-Aug 19.0 26.0 Generally cloudy sky with a few spells
based founders and leaders aggregate annual turnover of covid push and subsequent into the business industry was scale-up . Despite being a tier- of rain or thundershowers
in its All India Chapter. The the ASCENT members is adoption of technology, not difficult for Ravi 1 in terms of population, 28-Aug 19.0 27.0 Generally cloudy sky with possibility of
Foundation is aimed at more than Rs. 53,000 crores ASCENT Foundation Churiwala, Director, Creative- Kolkata comes with its rain or Thunderstorm
ensuring entrepreneurial with individual member launched its All India Info Link Pvt Ltd- an ICT challenges. While there are a
ecosystem in India turnover ranging from Rs. 1 chapter extending peer solution integrator and lot of trading activities here, DARJEELING
upscaling towards growth crore to Rs. 2500+ crores. In learning through 62 infrastructure service most of the businesses are 24-Aug 16.0 20.0 Generally cloudy sky with one or two
while adapting to the drastic the last 9 years, ASCENT has operational Trust Groups provider. While having 10 focused locally or regionally. spells of rain or thundershowers
changes of the business selected over 700 spread across various cities years of professional There are fewer large-scale 25-Aug 16.0 20.0 Generally cloudy sky with Heavy rain
economy. ASCENT entrepreneurs as members like Kolkata, Varanasi, experience and knowledge of businesses in Kolkata with 26-Aug 15.0 19.0 Generally cloudy sky with Heavy rain
Foundation supported peer (from more than 2500 Udupi, Hyderabad, Finance helped him national presence. But this is 27-Aug 14.0 19.0 Generally cloudy sky with Heavy rain
learning method has gained applications received) who Bangalore, Dharwad, Indore, understand the business, where Trust Groups like
28-Aug 14.0 19.0 Partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain
traction amongst city are part of 62 operational Raipur, Ludhiana, Jaipur, scaling up through sales was ASCENT provide the much-
or Thunderstorm
budding entrepreneurs to Trust Groups in Mumbai, Chandigarh, Guwahati, a new challenge. "Family-run needed experiential learning
help them cope with unique Chennai and All India Sonipat, Cochin and businesses have their own set andotherresourcesthatwecan
29-Aug 15.0 18.0 Partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain
business challenges arising Chapters. Mirzapur. These "Trust of challenges as they come implement in our businesses or Thunderstorm
of the Kolkata market while The pandemic had left Groups" are 'unique, with a legacy culture and and achieve exponential Source: IMD
learning from a diverse set of many entrepreneurs in powerful and self-facilitated integrating it with the future growth."
THE ECHO OF INDIA GANGTOK
Tuesday August 24, 2021 Nation 9

Experts warn of imminent 3rd wave of Covid in Sept-Oct
NEW DELHI, AUG 23 /--/
An expert panel, set up by
an institute under the minis-
try of home affairs (MHA),
has predicted a third wave
of COVID-19 hitting the
country anytime between
September and October and
suggested significantly
ramping up vaccination
pace.
The committee of ex-
perts, constituted by the Na-
tional Institute of Disaster
Management (NIDM), also
said that children will have
a similar risk as adults since
paediatric facilities, doctors
and equipment like ventila-
tors, ambulances, etc. are
nowhere close to what may
be required in case a large
number of children become
infected. The report, which
has been submitted to the
Prime Minister's Office
(PMO), observed that only
around 7.6 percent (10.4 cr)
people are fully vaccinated
in India and if the current
vaccination rate is not in-
creased, India can witness
six lakh cases per day in the
next wave. Leading experts
have repeatedly war ned of
an imminent third COVID-
19 wave in India. Epidemi-
ologists predict a series of
CHANGE OF NAME
I, Sheikh Pappu S/o Sk
Khalique R/o 30/H/4 Dr.
Suresh Sarkar Road,
Kolkata-700014 will
henceforth be known as
Sheikh Shahid. As per
affidavit Notary Public
Kolkata on 21 August, 2021
both Sheikh Pappu and
Sheikh Shahid is the same
and one identical Person.
KAITI GRAM PANCHAYAT
KAITI GRAM PANCHAYAT,
KAITI- PURBA BURDWAN
surges till we achieve herd
immunity through infection
or vaccination and the dis-
ease becomes endemic, the
report said. The NIDM re-
port quoted the prediction
of experts from IIT Kanpur
which suggested three
likely scenarios for the third
wave based on the level of
unlocking. In scenario one,
it said that the third wave
could peak in October with
3.2 lakh positive cases per
day.
In scenario two, with the
emergence of new and
more virulent variants, the
third wave could peak in
September with likely five
lakh positive cases per day.
In scenario three, the ex-
perts predicted that the
third wave could peak in
late October with two lakh
positive cases per day. Ac-
cording to the report, earlier,
it was proposed that if 67
percent of the population
became immune (a few by
infection and rest through
vaccination), herd immu-
CHANGE OF NAME
I, Mala Madhyani W/o
Kailash Kashwani R/o 17,
Bedia Danga 1 st Lane,
Corporation School Kasba,
Kolkata-700039, W.B. will
henceforth be known as
Neha Kashwani. As per
affidavit before the Notary
Public kolkata on 23 August,
2021 both Mala Madhani and
Neha Kashwani is the same
and one identical Person.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, Ashoke Roy S/O Late Jugol
Kishore Roy R/O 114,Harisava
Road,P.O-Nona Chandan
Pukur,P.S-Titagarh,Dist-North
24 Parganas,Pin-700122.That
my actual and correct name is
Ashoke Roy which was
recorded in my Adhar card no-
nity could be achieved. But
this has now been compli-
cated by the new and more
virulent mutated variants
of SARS Cov-2 that have the
ability to escape immunity
from earlier infections and
in some cases even the
prevalent vaccines, it said.
This has pushed the tar-
get immune population for
achieving herd immunity
to 80-90 percent. Hence, our
health system and vaccines
are caught in a race against
the virus and are trying to
catch up with risks that are
evolving every day creating
uncertainty all over the
world, it said. The NIDM is
now taking a clue from sev-
eral warnings indicating an
imminent third wave, trying
to understand them and pre-
pare for the third wave. With
this backdrop, it engaged
with multiple stakeholders
from diverse backgrounds
in an attempt to formulate
consolidated recommenda-
tions for actions that can
prevent or mitigate an im-
pending surge. (PTI)
Chandernagore Municipal
Corporation
Marie Park. P.O. Chandernagore,
Hooghly-712136 Phone: 033-26835297 :
Fax: 26835068.
1)e-Tender No. WBMAD/CMC/
COMMISSIONER/XVI/WS/2T-I/2021-22/5
Dt.23/08/2021.
Memo No.3133/Water/Tender/2021-22/05
dt.23.08.2021
Sub : Sinking of 2 Nos.Deep Tube wells.
For details please visit the website : http://
wbtenders.gov.in & www. chandernagore
municipalcorporation.in
Sd/-
Secretary
Chandernagore Municipal
Corporation
NIQ, Govt. of West Bengal.
Tender is hereby invited by
the Executive Engineer, PWD,
Kolkata IT Division, Main Block,
Ground Floor, Writers’ Build-
ings, Kolkata-700001 from
the eligible contractors for the
following works.
1. Emergency VoIP
ED files chargesheet against Gujarat HC: Can a woman be forced to
Anil Deshmukh's aides in name father of child born out of wedlock?
money laundering case
MUMBAI, AUG 23 /--/ The
Enforcement Directorate
(ED) today submitted its
prosecution complaint
(equivalent to chargesheet)
against two aides of former
Maharashtra home minister
and NCP leader Anil
Deshmukh in connection
with a money laundering
case before a special court
here.
The chargesheet was
filed before the special court
assigned to hear matters re-
lated to the Prevention of
Money Laundering Act
(PMLA) against Deshmukh's
private secretary (an addi-
tional collector-rank officer)
Sanjeev Palande and per-
sonal assistant Kundan
Shinde. The duo was ar-
rested in the case by ED in
June this year and are pres-
ently in jail.The ED had
launched a probe against
Deshmukh and his associates
after the CBI filed an FIR
against the senior National-
ist Congress Party (NCP)
leader on April 21 on charges
of corruption and misuse of
official position. The ED's
chargesheet against Palande
and Shinde was submitted
along with documentary evi-
dence. Shinde's advocate
Ejaz Khan on Monday said
they are yet to receive a copy
of the chargesheet. "Shinde
has been in judicial custody
since July 6 but not ques-
tioned yet. He has been sim-
ply detained. Today a
chargesheet has been filed,"
Khan said. Deshmukh was
summoned by the ED five
times in the past for question-
ing but he failed to appear.
The ED's case is that
while serving as state home
minister, Deshmukh misused
his official position and
through assistant police in-
spector Sachin Waze, who
has been dismissed from
service after his arrest in the
'Antilia' bomb scare and
Mansukh Hiran killing
cases, collected Rs 4.70 crore
from various bars in
Mumbai. The money was
laundered to Nagpur-based
Shri Sai Shikshan Sansthan,
an educational trust control-
led by the Deshmukh family.
Both Palande and Shinde
had played an important role
in circulating and launder-
ing the unaccounted money,
according to the anti-money
laundering agency.
Deshmukh while skipping
the summons had said that
though the Supreme Court
had not granted him any in-
terim relief, the apex court
had given him liberty to seek
appropriate remedy avail-
able under the law, and ac-
cordingly he has decided to
move the appropriate
court.(PTI)
e-NIT
The undersigned invites e-
tender vide No.01/WB/JAL/
MNG/PO.MGNREGA & BDO/
2021-22 (2nd Call to e-NIT-02/
2020-21) for MGNREGA work
under Mayanaguri Block.
AHMEDABAD, AUG 23 /--
/ The Gujarat High Court has
sought to know whether a
woman is under any obliga-
tion to disclose the name of
the father of her child that
she conceived out of wed-
lock. Justice Paresh
Upadhyay also asked
whether one should look for
criminal angle into the case
of a woman who does not
want to disclose the identity
of the father of the child she
has given birth to without
marriage even when she has
not complained of rape. The
court made the observations
on August 19 while hearing
an appeal by a convict against
a lower court order sentenc-
ing him to ten years of rigor-
ous imprisonment for raping
a minor under section 376 of
the IPC and provisions of the
Protection of Children from
Sexual Offences Act
(POCSO). The victim, a resi-
dent of Junagadh, had given
birth to two children of the
convict with whom she lived
without marriage, and nei-
CHANGE OF NAME
I, Laboni Barman W/o Suman
Chandra Barman R/o
4/112/1 Manohar Colony,
Barrackpore, P.O.- Ghughu
Danga P.S.- Dum Dum, 24 Pgs
(N)-700030 shall henceforth
be known as Laboni Saha
Barman by virtue of affidavit
sworn before the notary
public Kolkata on 23-08-2021.
CHANGE OF NAME
I, “ ZAKEERAH FAISAL "
(New Name), previously
ther she nor their father had
disowned them or denied
their paternity. The victim
had said she left her family
on her own will and started
living with the convict after
which she gave birth to two
children, first of whom was
born when she was 16. She is
a poor rural daughter.
If some lady conceives a
child and she is not married,
and if she goes to hospital,
whether the doctor would
ask that you have conceived
from whom? I don't want to
reply. Is it required? Whether
a lady is under obligation to
disclose to the hospital
whose child this is? the court
asked. "If one goes to
Ahmedabad, Delhi or some
other metro to give birth to
a child, would the doctor ask
the name of her father? If
she says, 'Sorry to say, I don't
know.' If she says that, I don't
want to give that name. She
is not complaining that she
has been raped. Shall we be
able to read criminality?
Upadhyay observed while
hearing the appeal.
The judge wondered
which legal provisions
would be violated in such
cases. The pure question of
law would be, if some lady
conceives, and it is her call
that 'I want to have a child but
I don't want to marry'. Then
which provisions would be
violated if she takes this
call? the court asked.
Without marriage, if
somebody gives birth, with
whom she is staying does
not make a difference, the
court further said, adding
such an action is called
'modern' in urban and large
metros, while in rural areas,
several sections may be
slapped for those opting for
this. The judge noted there
are several tribal communi-
ties where marriage is not a
condition to give birth to a
child. He said there is no il-
legality in giving birth to a
child before 18.
The appellant was
awarded rigorous imprison-
ment for 10 years by a court
in Junagadh, which the HC
had suspended during a pre-
vious hearing pendency out-
come of the appeal. The
court had observed that the
victim told the lower court
that she had on her own
walked out of home and
started living with the appel-
lant and with that relation
gave birth to two children -
the first baby was born on
June 29, 2019, and the sec-
ond on January 22, 2021. She
turned 18 on March 24, 2020.
She was scheduled to marry
the convict on March 25, but
the marriage could not take
place due to the coronavirus-
induced lockdown. (PTI)
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given to all concern that
my client Sri Malay Chakladar Son of Late
Ramendra Lai Chakladar, residing at old
Matigara Road, Siliguri Junction. P.O &
PS Pradhannagar Pin No 734003. Dist-
Darjeeling (W.B.), would like to Inform you
that I along with Brother and Sister jointly
became the owner of Land measuring 66
Decimal, appertaining to R.S. Plot No 30
& 94, recorded in R. S. Khatian Nos. 4/1.
4/5. 4/7. 4/9. 4/11, 4/13. 4/15, 4/17 & 4/19
Situated within the Mouza Tumba. J .L. No
78. Sheet no. 01. within the jurisdiction of

2631 7996 3876,Pan card no-

NIT NO.01 OF 2021-22 Last date & time of Bid called SONALI GUPTA (OLD
PS Matigara. District Darjeehng. in the
(Under Raina-II Panchayat Conmectivity for VVIP Office State of West Bengal which they acquired
Samity) Sealed tender are AXZPR8661C,Voter card no- locations in Kolkata : Part 1 ( Office of the Superintending Submission: 01.09.2021 upto NAME), Wife of Mohammad by virtue of law of inheritance left by his
invited by the Prodhan, Kaiti WB/20/134/186181 and Secured VPN) [Job No: KIT/ Engineer (A-M) Midnapore (A- 4.30 PM Faisaluddin, residing at father namely Ramendralal Chakladar. which
Gram Panchayat from others relevant documents RW/59 of 21-22] SHORT NO- M) Circle, Admn. Buildings, Duk For details please visit www. 96, Rabindra Sarani, Top Ramendralal Chakladar acquired in his
bonafied and experience TICE INVITING QUOTATION Bunglow Road, Paschim Floor, P.S. Jorasanko, P.O.
lifetime by virtue of a registered Deed of
Contractor for Concrete and papers.That in my wife’s wbtenders.gov.in Sale Being Document No. 1-5562 for the
Passport no-J7596424,Date (No-75/KIT/Q of 21-22) Medinipur, invites NIT on behalf Sd/- Chittaranjan Avenue, Kolkata- year 1980. recorded in Book No I. Volume
Road, Concrete Road With
Drain from PBGSFC(NIT No- of issue- 19/07/2011,Date of Bid Submission Closing : of the Governor, W.B, from PO&BDO 700073, W.B. India, hereby No 122. Pages from 133 to 138. registered
25.08.2021 up to 3 PM. at the office of Sub-Registrar Office Siliguri
12-20), 15 FC Tied & Untied expiry-18/07/2021 issued eligible, bonafied and Maynaguri Development solemnly declare that I will be
is lost from the custody of my aforesaid
(NIT No-21-25) & Display from Kolkata my name also 2. Emergency VoIP resourceful contractors/Joint known / pronounced as
Block clients and duly reported to the Matigara
Board from MGNREGS (NIT recorded as Ashok Kumar Roy Conmectivity for VVIP Office “ZAKEERAH FAISAL” (New Police Station vide GDE No 745 dated
Venture(JV) for repairing of 1
No-26) Date-19/08/2021, locations in Kolkata : Part 2 ( Name) in all the Government / 14072021. if any person or concern having
instead of Ashoke Roy.That no barge within Tamluk(A-M)
Vide Memo No-362/KGP, Telephone Infrastructure) private documents with
any claims/objection over the aforesaid
Ashoke Roy and Ashok Kumar Div under Non-Plan Prog. Last property may contact the undersigned within
Date-19/08/2021. For fur- [Job No: KIT/RW/60 of 21-22]
Roy both are the same and date of application immediate effect vide affidavit 07 (Seven) days from the date of publication
ther details please Contract SHORT NOTICE INVITING
at GP office. one identical person vide an sworn-in before the Notary of this notice and on failure thereof, the
QUOTATION (No-76/KIT/Q of 31.08.2021,detailed property will be treated as free from all
Sd/- affidavit before the notary Public in CMM’s Court in
21-22) information’s will be available encumbrances
Prodhan public at Kolkata on 21/08/ Bankshall Court, kolkata on
Bid Submission Closing : in the office Notice Board of sd/-
Kaiti Gram Panchayat 2021. 25.08.2021 up to 3 PM. 21.08.2021 Mr. Chinmay Sarkar
the undersigned. Advocate/Siliguri
Corrigendum or Addendum if Sd/-( A.K.Pandey ) Pin-734001
-: Tender Notice :- issued will be published only
Superintending PUBLIC NOTICE Contact: 9832063484 /
West Bengal Police Housing & Infrastructure Develop- on website. 7063307012
Engineer (A-M) , NOTICE is hereby given to all concern that
ment Corpn Ltd having its office at 3rd floor, Araksha Sd/-
Bhawan, Block – DJ, Sector – II, Salt Lake, Kolkata – 91 is Executive Engineer, PWD Midnapore(A-M) my client Smt Swapna Dutta. Wife of Late
Goutam Dutta. & Daughter of Late Sushil
inviting open tender from experienced agency for Kolkata IT Division Circle, Midnapore
Kumar Bose, resident of Thikana Apartment,
works of A) WBPHIDCL/Asst.CE/NIT- 49(e)/2021-2022 (3rd 40 Girish Ghosh Sarani. Hakimpara. P.O.
Call), A) Construction Of Subsidiary Correctional Home At & P.S. Sihguri. Pin No. 734001. Dist-
Chanchal- (Part-2) - Balance Work. Estimated Amount put Darjeeling (W.B.). would like to inform you
to Tender Rs. 11,69,18,120/-, Tender Id: that became the owner of land measuring
2021_WBSPH_341185_1. Last date & time of submission 4 Kathas. in appertaining to R. S. Plot No.
of bids online is 15.09.2021 at 16.00 PM. For further details 10431/14028. Recorded in R.S. Khatian No.
please visit www.wbtenders.gov.in 3348, situated within Mouza- Siliguri.
Pargana- Baikunthapur. J.L No. 110(88).
P.S. Siliguri, Dist- Darjeeling, I, which was
acquired by virtue of law of inheritance left
by her father namely Sushil Kumar Bose,
which Sushil Kumar Bose acquired in his
life time by virtue of a registered Deed of
Sale, being No. 5073 for the year of 1974.
recorded in Book No. I. and the same was
registered at the office Sub Registrar office
Siliguri is lost from the custody of my
aforesaid clients and duly reported to the
Siliguri Police Station vide GDE No. 1628
dated 31.05.2021, if any person or concern
having any claims/objection over the
aforesaid property may contact the
undersigned within 07 (Seven) days from
the date of publication of this notice and on
failure thereof, the property will be treated
as free from all encumbrances.
sd/-
Mr. Chinmay Sarkar
Advocate/Siliguri
Pin-734001
Contact: 9832063484 /
7063307012

IN THE COURT OF THE LD.

DISTRICT JUDGE AT KALIMPIONG
Matrimonial suit No.-13/2018
Sri Jagat Shakya ...... applicant
v.s
Smt. Kamala Shakya Pradhan...
responddent
NOTICE FOR PAPER
PUBLICATION
WHEREAS an application Under
Scction 13 of the Hindu Marriage Act
has been filed Sri Jagat Shakya son
of Late P.K. Shakya resident of 10th
mile, Mani Press Building, reshi Road,
in the P.O. P.S. and District
Kalimpong for the grant of
Dissolution of Marriage with Smt.
Kamala Shakya Pradhan, wife of Sri
Jagat Shakya, presently residing at
Jatin Colony, Ward No. 45, Near
Mukti Manch Club, Champasari more,
PS Pradhannagar, Siliguri District
Darjeeling.
AND whereas 25.08.2021 has been
fixed for hearing of the said
application
Notice is hereby given to the above
named Respondent to appear in
person or through lawyer before this
court on 25.08.2021 and file objection
any failing the matter will be heard and
determine EX. Parte.
Given under my hand and seal of this
Court 19th Day of August. 2021.
By order
Bishal Rai
sheristadar
District Judge Court
Kalimpong
 THE ECHO OF INDIA GANGTOK
10 Nation


Tuesday August 24, 2021

 

Central Railway launches Open Web Girders for Nerul/Belapur-Uran Project

A step taken towards connecting Uran with Mumbai held at Lawngtlai
EOI CORRESPONDENT
MUMBAI, AUG 23/--/
Despite the Covid-19
challenges, Central Railway
has launched two 61-meter
open web girders for Nerul/
Belapur - Uran Project
between Jasai& JNPT
operating a block of 3 hours
recently. It is a step towards
connecting Uran with
Mumbai Suburban Network.
These 61-meter open web
girders were fabricated at
Central Railway Engineering
Workshop, Manmad,
transported and assembled at
the launching site. Each
girder weight is 232 MT (220
DLTF meeting
MT girder + 12MT lifting verticality by a specially
beam, holding bracket etc.) developed lifting frame.
The launching of girders During lifting, rotational
is a complex job considering movement was monitored by
the line crossing with Panvel- three inclinometers
Jasai-JNPT line which manufactured for this bridge.
handles heavy container Inclinometers were used for
traffic and Dedicated Freight the first time. Besides,
Corridor line is also under Railway's own structural
construction from JNPT to testing unit was deployed by
Panvel along the alignment. the bridge organization of
These girders were launched Central Railway to capture
by 2 Crawler Road Cranes (1st the launching stresses in
crane= 600MT lifting critical members. Six stain
capacity, 2nd crane = 500MT gauge and two
lifting capacity + 1 additional accelerometers were used for
crane for emergency use of this and the launching was
750MT lifting capacity). carried out without
To ensure safe lifting of overstressing any members.
girders, it was maintained Down track web girder was
successfully launched on 3rd
July 2021 and Up track web
girder was launched on 12th
Aug 2021 taking 03:00 hrs
Traffic and Power block each
on Jasai-JNPT line. With this
launching, the progress of the
Phase-II of this line is in
advance stage.
Backg round - Works
carried out during
Lockdown:
The major construction
of this 4th corridor of
Mumbai Suburban Corridor
were superstructure work of
Cover over Platform at
Rajanpada station,
foundation and sub-structure
work at Nava-Sheva,
Dronagiri and Uran stations, AIZAWL, AUG 23/--/A meeting of District Level Task
subway work at Uran, bridge Force on COVID-19 (DLTF), Lawngtlai District was held
foundation work, stressing today at DC's Conference Hall, Lawngtlai under the
and lowering of U-girder at chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner
bridge. The stretch of Marilyn Rualzakhumthangi.
Kharkopar - Uran will have Guidelines issued by the state government will be
5 stations, 2 major bridges, 46 followed in Lawngtlai District upto August 30. The meeting
minor bridges, 4 Road Under
Bridges and 4 Road Over
Bridges. All precautions are
taken to ensure safety and
health of the available labour.
The project will help to
accelerate the growth of Navi-
Mumbai, by providing direct
access between Uran town and
Nhava-Sheva port and the
newly developed area of
Mumbai Metropolitan Region
as well as Greater Mumbai.

Thieves/criminals NFR officials performing duty as Frontline workers discussed certain issues left to the decision of the District
Level Committee by the guidelines. The meeting decided
Committed to safe operations of trains
apprehended with
to continue to impose partial lockdown within Lawngtlai
town during this period. All shops/stores (selling both
EOI CORRESPONDENT Protection Force (RPF) health care services to the are maintained and essential and non-essential commodities) will be open
every day except Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Night
contributes in a big way by society putting their own inspected on 24x7 basis to

stolen booty by
MALIGAON, AUG 23/--/
The railway staffs of
Northeast Frontier Railway
have been working round
remaining in the forefront
apart from providing safety
lives at risk.
Railways also engage P-
curfew will continue to be imposed every night from 7:00
ensure that every section is
p.m. in the evening upto 4:00 a.m. in the next mor ning.
fit for train operations. The
Detailed guidelines to be implemented within Lawngtlai
P-Way staffs perfor m
District will be issued by the Deputy Commissioner.
critical maintenance works Chief Medical Officer Dr LP Malsawma reported in the

RPF/ER, Howrah the clock to keep the wheels

of economy moving. The
railway workers performing
their duties day and night
EOI CORRESPONDENT
during the heavy rains,
KOLKATA, AUG 23/--/On 20/8/2021, Crime Prevention &
Detection Squad, RPF/ER/Howrah during surveillance
inclement weather or even
during the unprecedented
from CCTV Control Room, Howrah spotted one suspect is situation of Covid-19
roaming around & trying to steal mobile phone of a
passenger at north concourse of Howrah station. Thereafter
the Crime Prevention & Detection Squad flung into action,
pandemic. Due to the
dedication and commitment
of staffs, railways could
relayed this information to other members present in the contribute to the noble
concourse area. After committing the theft the accused cause of nation building.
tried to flee. He was challenged, chased & nabbed with
The railway duty of the
stolen mobile phone.
On being asked, the accused disclosed his identity. On station masters, loco-pilots,
further interrogation he voluntarily confessed his guilt that guards, ticket-checking
he has stealing mobile phone from one passenger while he staff and commercial clerk
was sleeping on north concourse area of Howrah Station revolved around train
Old Complex and also revealed that he has been involved operation. Loco-pilots of the
in many passenger related crimes previously. After passenger carrying trains
thorough interrogation he was handed over to GRP/ drive the engine of trains
Howrah for further needful action. carrying thousands of
On the basis of his leading statement, again a raid was passengers to their
conducted jointly with GRP/Howrah and RPF/ER was able destination safely. Railway
to apprehend two more of his accomplices. Accordingly a
case was registered against the accused persons to GRP/
and security of passengers.
RPF continues to assist
passengers in order to make
their journey comfortable.
Medical workers provide
Way staffs for carrying out
regular maintenance and
improvement works to
enhance safety of train
operations. Railway tracks
such as track and sleeper
renewal, track tamping,
deep screening of ballast,
maintenance of bridge,
points & crossing, patrolling
the railway track, manning
the level crossing gates etc.
Due to sustained effort
of P-Way staffs, N. F.
Railway could carry out
121.42 TKm through Rail
Renewal works from
January to July, 2021. NFR
could achieve ever highest
progress in Through Rail
Renewal in July this year as
42.14 TKm.
Due to such relentless
efforts, average speed of
goods carrying trains in N. F.
Railway increased by 34.2%
from 34.2 Kmph in January
- July previous year to 46
Kmph.
meeting that Lawngtlai District had achieved 44% in 1st
dose and 10% in 2nd dose in the vaccination for COVID-19.
(DIPR)
Commendable
performance of SER RPF
EOI CORRESPONDENT
KOLKATA, AUG 23/--/South Easter n Railway RPF
(Railway Protection Force) personnel are playing a
significant role in providing security of rail travellers as
well as in guarding the railway property and its vital
installations.
RPF personnel of this railway, in the month of July, 2021
have conducted regular drives against miscreants involved
in theft of passenger belongings. Preventive measures have
also been taken to control the theft of railway materials and
booked consignments.
In the month of July, a total number of 53 miscreants
were arrested under RP (UP) Act and Railway property
worth Rs. 1,13,374/- was recovered. Moreover, 1493

WBDC prez meets CID DIG (Ops) Meeraj Khalid

offenders were booked under different sections of the
Howrah for further needful legal course of action. Railways Act and Rs.4,68,640/- was realised as fine. Regular
drives were also conducted by RPF and Commercial
Department and 3309 ticketless travellers were detected
LokJanshakti EOI CORRESPONDENT

KOLKATA, AUG 23/--/The

practice of quackery and
malpractices by the non-
registered fake
BDS (Bachelor's Degree) or
MDS (Master's Degree) are
allowed to practice legally
medicines among these
quacks has proved to be
extremely fatal to the
and Rs 16,06,983/- was realised as fine.
In addition to the above, in July 2021, RPF personnel
rescued 61 minor boys and 61 minor girls and the rescued

Party appoints current prevalence of

quackery in the field of
Dentistry has posed to be an
epidemic in the field of
new Bengal Prez medical
practitioners. A notice has
been issued to all the dental
surgeons registered under
in our state. Current at this
critical situation, we hope
to eliminate quackery
society through decades. A
dental surgeon yearns all
these through 4 years of
minors were handed over to their relatives with proper
verification and acknowledgement.
RPF personnel of S E Railway have taken active part to
WBDC about such from the roots to provide a intensive study, one year

legit
and

degrees
dental
frater nity. People with no
have
EOI CORRESPONDENT
established their own setup
KOLKATA, AUG 23/--/LokJanshakti Party has appointed all over the state and across
Jay Ray as its new President in West Bengal by Union and have been pursuing
Cabinet Minister & National President of LokJanshakti malpractice for decades.
Party and Dalit Sena Pasupati Kumar Paras after the Illegitimate degrees like
untimely and saddened demise of Mira Chakraborty, BDAS, BSMS etc are being
former LJP President on 22nd April 2021. The party was used to fool common public
formed in 2000 by Late Ram Vilas Paswan to work for the leading to serious
development and to be the voice of Dalits and other complications which even
minority people throughout India.
Member of Parliament, Chaudhuri Mehebob Ali
turned out to be fatal in a
few cases. WBDC stands
firmly against these
Kaiser from Khagaria constituency (Bihar) congratulated
Mr Roy, the New Bengal President in the "Abhinandan prevalent quackery all over
the state, sources said.
Samarho" of Mr Paras held at Hajipur, Bihar.
Speaking on his appointment as the State President, Mr. Recently Dr. Raju Biswas has
Ray added "I would like to focus on establishing a stand been elected as the
president of WBDC. He has
point for Dalits and other castes who need a voice to be
raised for their rights. We have pledged to do so and I wish started an initiative that
aims to eliminate the age old
to get full support from all the party members."
quackeries
malpractices immediately
to info@wbdc.org.in along
and
with sufficient evidences. In
such a short span, almost
1000 complaints have been
issued against the quacks
prevalent across the state.
Eventually, the website of
WBDC has been hacked and
some fake registrations
were incorporated under
the state. When it came to
the notice of Dr Biswas, the
entire WBDC was stirred to
the core, sources said.
Dr. Biswas stated:
"Approximately 8000
registered dental
practitioners exist in our
state. Only individuals
with certified degrees like
congenial atmosphere for
the smooth functioning of
registered dental
practitioners. We even
hope to solve out the
ongoing unemployment
problems in the dental
frater nity, but cur rently
we aim to eradicate
quackery for a providing a
better environment to the
registered dental surgeons.
This kind of malpractice
has become a cancer to our
society as it degrades the
standard of health care
provision to the common
sector. Lack of sterilisation
or asepsis, cross
contamination, lack of
anatomical knowledge or
even basic knowledge of
of inter nship, years of
practice and after
spending lots of money to
conduct 235 cleanliness drives and also removed 100
encroachments at various places in SER jurisdiction.
"My Saheli" team of South Eastern Railway has taken
a lead role in all the Divisions to assist lady passengers
hone up his skill. I have
during their journey which has been appreciated in every
already met with Meeraj
level. This special team has been formed initially by SER
Khalid, IPS DIG
in view of the safety and security of lady passengers and
(Operation) of CID, West
their belongings specially when travelling alone. Later this
Bengal to discuss about
initiative has been adopted by other zonal railways.
these ongoing problems.
This endeavour of the RPF team had a positive impact
Steps are being taken and
over the travelling passengers, sources said.
will even be dealt
rigorously in the upcoming
time. Also, legal action will
be taken against the
GM reviews progress of different
registered practitioners
who has lent or loaned out
their registrations to the
on-going Metro Projects
EOI CORRESPONDENT
quacks in lieu of money.
This time this prevalent
epidemic since decades KOLKATA, AUG 23/--/Manoj Joshi, General Manager,
Metro Railway reviewed the progress of different on-going
will be dealt with iron
hands." Metro projects at a high level meeting held today i.e.
23.08.2021.
During this meeting, he instructed all concerned

Changing demographics of the diaspora in New Britain
Manish Tiwari
One of the most redeeming
features of a post-Brexit
Britain is an attempted
retrieval of the eminence of
its Commonwealth citizens.
From street corner shops to
organizations of British pride
like the National Health
Service, it
Commonwealth and more
is the
and in particular London
which had a growing labour
force of the Polish,
Romanians and other Eastern
bloc nationalities. In post-
Brexit Britain, The
Conservatives have claimed
back with intensity what they
had almost lost with time.
The moment of reckoning
of Pakistani and Bangladeshi
origin, as well as various other
South Asian ethnic groups
such as Sri Lankan, Nepalese,
would still possibly not
exceed 5.5 million together,
which is not a significantly
high number as the overall
population of the United
Kingdom is closer to 70
Work visa scheme, popularly
known as the Graduate route
- launched on July 1, 2021 -
would further boost this
demographic mix as it allows
all international students to
stay back in the UK for two
years after completing a
Graduate or Master's degree
(three years for PhD students)
migration of talent in various
fields including some of the
soft creative sectors along
with the technical and high-
skilled sectors.
Despite India's gradual
growth story, job creation has
only escalated in few
technical sectors. Hence, a
lot of Indian students coming
the post-colonial education
system), it is easier for them
to find their way into the
labour market in the UK.
The British society and
business community pride
itself on staying ahead of the
curve and has been a leader
in many sectors with its
trademark innovations and
officials to complete all works within the deadline. Shri
Joshi also took stock of planning for supply of Metro Rolling
Stock and unit exchange spares from ICF.
During this meeting, Mr Joshi has also advised to plan
for giving 2nd dose vaccination to those staff and
beneficiaries who are becoming due and instructed to plan
vaccination camps at various field units of Metro Railway
accordingly.
Regulation of Mail /

specifically the South Asian

diaspora, which is
embellishing this narrative.
The Boris Cabinet is
perhaps the blue-blooded
poster of this inclusiveness,
with fifteen Indian-origin
MPs, out of which three of its
key ministerial berths given
to Priti Patel (Home
Secretary), Rishi Sunak
(Chancellor of the
Exchequer), and Alok
Sharma (President for
COP26).
The new addition to the
list is Sajid Javid, although
comes from a Pakistani
British background, has more
in common with his
colleagues of Indian origin in
the cabinet in the narrative
construct of a liberal
conservative.
A thinly disguised
unease with Eastern
European migrants had made
a section of British society
look at the changing
demographic with suspicion,
came as it dawned on the
Tories, that good old
champions of all things
English: from PG Wodehouse
to Cricket, Scotch Whiskey
to bureaucracy, and the ones
who spend a lifetime
mastering the English
language come only from the
Indian subcontinent.
They also made for
perfect subjects of the Queen
(incidentally Downtown
Abbey and The Crown, you
guessed it, are most watched
in India). Hence, Brexit was
the moment when an untold
pact was etched to keep the
Europeans out and refurbish
Her Majesty's Most Loyal
Subjects in this nation.
The official statistics as
far back as the 2017 ONS
update, estimated the Indian-
origin population to be around
1.7 million, while the
recently concluded Census
2021 (results not yet out) might
put the figure closer to 2.25
million.
The overall South Asian
population, including people
million now.
However, there is a highly
skilled Indian population in
most areas of British life
including doctors, IT
professionals, bankers, as
well as a disproportionately
high percentage of business
owners, in particular, SME's.
The Indians are visible and
the political limelight that the
community enjoys is a well-
constructed narrative of a
new and inclusive modern
Britain.
The new Post Study
to work or to look for jobs of
their liking.
This scheme was
promised by the Boris
government as a way to show
their commitment to the UK's
ailing Education sector. While
the approximate number of
international students in the
UK lingered around the
300,000 figure in 2020-21, the
Home Ministry targets to
escalate the figure to 600,000
by 2030, with the launch of
this scheme.
On one hand, the target to
double the number of
international students in the
UK, and on the other the fact
that international students
pay almost double the fees for
any graduate or master's
degree course as compared to
their British peers, is another
economic sparkle that the
government is looking
forward to.
Graduate route would
surely energise and bring a
boom in the international
student population in a short
while, leading to a healthy
to the UK hope to be absorbed
in the workforce eventually.
According to The
Universities and Colleges
Admissions Service (UCAS),
despite all travel restrictions
in 2021, there has been a 30%
increase in the number of
undergraduate applications
from Indian students to study
at British universities. As of
the June 30, 2021 application
deadline, 9,930 applications
were made by Indian
students, up from last year's
7,640 applications.
Needless to say, the
British education sector
would love this boost, as this
would also ensure that the
economy around university
towns and student centres
stays vibrant.
How will this shape the
United Kingdom in the times
to come?
The students from the
subcontinent have always
proven to be flexible and
hard-working, and along with
their familiarity with the
English language (thanks to
the overall trust in British
brands across the globe.
Infact,withsomanyIndian
companies and businesses
focused on trade between the
two nations, the coming times
must demand more young
people who are comfortable
working across the two
geographies and cultures.
There certainly seems to
be a renewed interest to invest
in Britain, which is at an all-
time high despite the
pandemic. Hence, the
ecosystem required to create
an enduring 'living bridge'
partnership between the two
countries bound by 400 years
of shared history, would
ensure injection of new blood
in the form of student
migrants. (The pioneer of
Multi-Cultural Marketing in
the UK, Manish Tiwari's
company Here and Now 365
UK is an ethnic marketing and
advertising agency in the
UK, which is a member of the
Institute of Practitioners of
Advertising (IPA) and to be
certified by the CPD)
Express Trains
EOI CORRESPONDENT
KOLKATA, AUG 23/--/In view of ongoing Kisan Agitation
in Firozpur Division of Norther n Railway, following
Eastern Railway bound trains are regulated as under:
Diversion:
*02332 Jammu Tawi - Howrah special (Jour ney
commencing on 23.08.2021) diverted via Jalandhar-
Nakodar - Phillaur.
*03005 Howrah - Amritsar special (journey
commencing on 22.08.2021) diverted via Phillaur - Nakodar-
Jalandhar.
?03006 Amritsar-Howrah special (journey commencing
on 23.08.2021) diverted via Jalandhar-Nakodar - Phillaur.
Short termination/Short Origination:
*03151 Kolkata - Jammu Tawi special (jour ney
commencing on 22.08.2021) will be short terminated at
Saharanpur.
*02357 Kolkata - Amritsar special (journey
commencing on 24.08.2021) will be short terminated at
Lucknow Jn..
*03152 Jammu Tawi - Kolkata special (jour ney
commencing on 24.08.2021) will be short originated from
Saharanpur.
*05098 Jammu Tawi- Bhagalpur special (jour ney
commencing on 24.08.2021) will be short originated from
Laksar.
*02318 Amritsar- Kolkata special (journey commenciag
on 24.08.2021) will be short originated from Laksar.
*02358 Amritsar - Kolkata special (journey commencing
on 26.08.2021) will be short originated from Lucknow.
 CYMK

THE ECHO OF INDIA

ECHO WORLD GANGTOK • TUESDAY • AUGUST 24, 2021 PAGE-11

FM announces
Rs 6 lakh cr asset
monetisation
Govt calls
pipeline
TMC calls it
all-party
‘anti-people’,
demands rollback
NEW DELHI/KOLKATA,
meeting on
Afghanistan
AUG 23 /--/ Union finance
minister Nirmala Sitharaman
today announced a Rs 6 lakh
crore National Monetisation
Pipeline (NMP) that will look

to unlock value in
infrastructure assets across
sectors ranging from power
to road and railways. Mamata
also said the asset
monetisation does not
involve selling of land and it
is about monetising
brownfield assets. Projects
have been identified across
sectors, with roads, railways
and power being the top
segments. "NMP estimates
aggregate monetisation
potential of Rs 6 lakh crores
through core assets of central
government over the four-
year period from FY 2022 to
FY 2025," she said.
"Ownership of assets will
remain with the government
and there will be a
mandatory hand-back." Asset
monetisation will unlock
resources and lead to value
unlocking, she said. Union
Budget 2021-22 had
identified monetisation of
operating public
infrastructure assets as a key
means for sustainable
infrastructure financing.
Towards this, the Budget
provided for preparation of
a 'National Monetisation
Pipeline' of potential
brownfield infrastructure
on Thursday
NEW DELHI, AUG 23 /--/ The Union government has
called an all-party meeting on Thursday on the
developments in Afghanistan. Parliamentary affairs
minister Pralhad Joshi said external affairs minister
S Jaishankar will brief the floor leaders of political
Naval Air Station Sigonella Command Master Chief Anna Wood provides face masks to evacuees from Afghanistan parties on the present situation in Afghanistan in the
disembarking a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, at the Sigonella US air base, in Sicily, southern Italy. Some 662 in-person meeting. The gover nment's briefing is
people fleeing Afghanistan have arrived at the US naval air base in Sicily as Washington tries to ramp up evacuations expected to focus on its evacuation mission from
following the Taliban takeover of the country by using overseas military bases as temporary transit points Afghanistan as well as its assessment of the situation
in the war-torn country in the wake of the Taliban
seizing control of almost all key Afghan towns and
Taliban warns of 'consequences' if Aug 31 deadline cities, including Kabul. "Floor Leaders of Political
Parties would be briefed by EAM @DrSJaishankar on
the present situation in Afghanistan, on 26th August,
for US-led troop withdrawal is extended 11 am in Main Committee Room, PHA, New Delhi.
Invites are being sent through email. All concerned are
requested to attend," Joshi tweeted.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said
China hints at providing financial aid to Afghanistan, calls US ‘perpetrator’ for crisis that representatives of her party, the Trinamool
Congress, will attend the meeting. "We will definitely
LONDON/BEIJING, AUG 23 /--/ mistrust between us. If they are resettle in Western countries to have stepping up financial assistance to be attending Thursday's all-party meeting on
Ahead of an emergency G7 meeting intent on continuing the occupation a prosperous life. It is not about the Taliban controlled Afghanistan, Afghanistan," the TMC supremo told newspersons at
on Afghanistan, the Taliban today it will provoke a reaction," the [being] scared," claimed Shaheen. saying it will play a positive role in the state secretariat in Kolkata. Earlier, Jaishankar
warned that there will be Taliban spokesperson stated. The On reports of door to door knocks to helping the war-ravaged country said Prime Minister Narendra Modi instructed the
"consequences" if the US and UK warning came as British Prime seek out former government amid global pushback to stop ministry of external affairs (MEA)) to brief the floor
sought an extension to the August 31 Minister Boris Johnson convened workers, he added: "All fake news. funding to Kabul until the Afghan leaders of the political parties. "In view of
deadline for the US-led troop an emergency G7 meeting on I can assure you there are many militant group modified its developments in Afghanistan, PM @narendramodi has
withdrawal from the war-tor n Tuesday in his role as current chair reports by our opponents claiming hardline religious policies. In his instructed that MEA brief Floor Leaders of political
country. of the group of seven countries what is not based on realities." On media briefing, Chinese foreign parties. Minister of Parliamentary Affairs
Speaking to a news channel in Canada, France, Ger many, Italy, the issue of women's rights, the ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin @JoshiPralhad will be intimating further details,"
Doha, Qatar, Taliban spokesperson Japan, the United States and the UK. spokesperson claimed that women hit out at the US saying it is "main Jaishankar said on Twitter. As part of its evacuation
Dr Suhail Shaheen stated that the On the agenda for the world leaders under Taliban rule would have the perpetrator" for the Afghan crisis mission from Afghanistan, India has already brought

assets. NITI Aayog in
consultation with infra line
ministries has prepared the
report on NMP. The
aggregate asset pipeline
under NMP over the four-
year period is indicatively
valued at Rs 6 lakh crore.
The estimated value
corresponds to 14 per cent of
the proposed outlay for
Centre under the National
Infrastructure Pipeline (Rs 43
lakh crore). The end
objective of this initiative is
to enable "infrastructure
creation through
monetisation" wherein the
public and private sector
collaborate, each excelling in
their core areas of
competence, so as to deliver
socio-economic growth and
quality of life to the country's
citizens, the finance minister
added. However, the TMC
claimed that the Centre's
National Monetisation
Pipeline is an example of
government getting
privatised by crony
capitalists and demanded the
immediate rollback of the
"anti-people decision". The
party's Rajya Sabha chief
whip, Sukhendu Sekhar Ray,
also said that never before in
the history of independent
India, a "Union government
has so helplessly
surrendered to the
corporate". "This BJP
government is run by the
corporate, of the corporate
and for the corporate. This
government has been
completely privatised by
crony capitalists. "Under the
garb of National
Monetisation Pipeline
(NMP), it is actually a
privatisation programme.
(PTI)
CYMK
month-end deadline was a "red is expected to be a push for the US same rights as elsewhere as long as and Washington cannot leave back around 730 people including members of the
line", as any extension would imply to seek an extension of the August they wear a hijab. "Women are without doing anything for Afghan Sikh and Hindu communities. India today
an extended occupation of the 31 deadline, as time is running out required to have the same rights as Afghanistan's reconstruction. brought back 146 of its nationals in four different
country. Shaheen said the timeline for the evacuation of foreign you have in your country but with Asked for his reaction to comments flights from Qatar's capital Doha, days after they were
had been laid out by US President nationals from the Taliban a hijab," he was quoted as saying. by Afghanistan's exiled Central evacuated from Afghanistan by NATO and American
Joe Biden and threatened controlled region. On the issue of "Now, women teachers have Bank chief stating that the Taliban aircraft in view of the deteriorating security situation
"consequences" if the US and UK desperate scenes at Kabul airport as resumed work. Lost nothing. may go to China and Pakistan to in the war-torn country.
sought an extension to that people risk their lives to flee the Female jour nalists they have replace the US for financial On Sunday, 392 people, including two Afghan
deadline. "It's a red line. President country for fear of Taliban resumed their work. Lost nothing," assistance, Wang said: "I want to lawmakers, were brought to India in three different
Biden announced that on 31 August reprisals, the spokesperson termed he claimed. There have been stress that the US is the main flights under the evacuation mission. The Taliban
they would withdraw all their it as economic migration. "I assure widespread fears of reprisals and perpetrator and biggest external seized control of Kabul on August 15. Within two days
military forces. So if they extend it you it is not about being worried or attacks in Afghanistan on those factor for the Afghan issue. It of the Taliban's capture of Kabul, India had evacuated
that means they are extending scared. They want to reside in perceived as supporting the US-led cannot leave the mess without 200 people, including the Indian envoy and other
occupation while there is no need Western countries and that is a kind NATO operation in the country and doing anything. "We hope the US staffers of its embassy in the Afghan capital. The first
for that," he said. "If the US or UK of economic migration because a regression in women's rights under will match its words with deeds evacuation flight brought back over 40 people, mostly
were to seek additional time to Afghanistan is a poor country and the Taliban, which believe in and shoulder its responsibility to staffers at the Indian embassy, on August 16. The
continue evacuations the answer is 70 per cent of the people of upholding a very strict honour its own commitments in second aircraft evacuated around 150 people, including
no. Or there would be Afghanistan live under the line of interpretation of Islam. humanitarian assistance and Indian diplomats, officials, security personnel and
consequences. It will create poverty so everyone wants to Meanwhile, China today hinted at reconstruction," he said. (PTI) some stranded Indians, from Kabul on August 17. (PTI)
Various organisations come together AT A GLANCE
to express solidarity with Afghans Country’s first
smog tower
NEW DELHI, AUG 23 /--/ Various human rights along with other rights of people of
organisations here came together today to Afghanistan are protected in their nation. Under
inaugurated
express solidarity with the people of war-torn Sharia law, boys and girls will not be able to have
Afghanistan and urge the international co-ed education. "Confidence should be created
NEW DELHI: Chief
community to ensure that their rights are among Afghan women and their children that they minister Arvind Kejriwal
protected. Amid deepening crisis in Afghanistan will be protected," said Annie Raja, general inaugurated the
after the Taliban took over the nation, the secretary of the National Federation of Indian "country's first smog
organisations, including the National Federation Women. Raja urged the international community tower" at Connaught
of Indian Women, had given a call for solidarity to ensure gender equality and gender justice and Place in Delhi, one of the
with Afghans in their struggle for freedom, to save the life and livelihood of people of most polluted cities in the
democracy and human rights. Raising anti- Afghanistan. All India Students' Association world, today and said it
Taliban slogans, the organisers said, "Stop (AISA), Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS), All India will prove to be a path-
atrocities against women and children in Mahila Sanskritik Sangathan (AIMSS) and breaking milestone and
Taliban. We will fight, we will win. We are with Muslim Women's Forum were among the other many such structures can
Afghanistan people in their times of struggle." organisations which took part. Shabnam Hashmi, be installed in the capital
Over 50 representative of various bodies a social rights activist appealed to the Indian if the pilot project yields
results. "This is the first
gathered near the Nepal Embassy here on government to allow all refugees to return India
such smog tower in the
Barakhamba road to press for the rights of irrespective of their caste and religion. "We also
country. It's a new
Afghan nationals. The participants carried want single window for the Afghan students here
technolog y. We have
posters that read 'No to imperialism - No to who are facing trouble from their landlords, their imported it from the US.
Taliban - No to Fascism', "We do not acknowledge visas should be extended and fellowships should The structure will suck
the Taliban as the ruler of Afghanistan', "With be granted to them as well," Hashmi said. polluted air from above
Afghan women in their struggle for freedom Meanwhile, a large number of Afghan refugees in and release clean air from
equality and justice' and 'the government of India vociferously protested in front of the UNHCR TMC leader Paritosh Ghosh offers sweets to Tapas Kundu, who below. It will purify 1,000
India must ensure the safety of all Afghan office here today demanding release of "support cubic metres of air per
worked in Afghanistan as a chef with an American company, after
nationals residing in India'. "We are appealing to letters" from the UN agency to migrate to other second," Kejriwal told
the international community to ensure that the countries for better opportunities. (PTI) he returned home in Taherpur, Nadia ------- Photo : EOI newspersons. (PTI)

Mamata wants EC to announce by-election dates Immediately as Covid situation is ‘under control’
KOLKATA, AUG 23 /--/ Asserting that the COVID-19 situation
in Bengal is "completely under control", chief minister Mamata
Banerjee today insisted that the Election Commission should
immediately announce dates for the pending by-polls to seven
assembly seats of the state. Mamata also said that the EC should
ensure that the democratic rights of people are not curtailed.
"(It's been) Already four months (since the elections got
over), and now with the COVID-19 situation completely under
control, people have the right to cast their ballot... They (ECI)
had asked for the opinion of political parties. "I think the EC
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee chairs a
must announce the by-election dates immediately as we must
meeting of the state's Tribes Advisory“Council,
not curtail the democratic rights of the people," she said at the
at Nabanna on Monday ------- EOI photo
state secretariat. By-polls are due in the seven Assembly
constituencies of West Bengal -- Jangipur, Samshergunj,
Khardha, Bhabanipur, Dinahata, Shantipur and Goshaba.
According to TMC sources, the chief minister, who lost to BJP's
Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram seat, is likely to contest from
her home turf Bhabanipur Assembly constituency, which was
vacated by veteran leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay shortly
after the results were declared. Mamata has filed a case before
the Calcutta High Court, challenging the poll results in
Nandigram. The chief minister today also said schools in the
state will reopen after the puja vacations, provided the
COVID-19 situation does not change for worse. She also said
that a sanitisation drive will be conducted at the
educational institutes before their campuses reopen for
physical classes. "Schools in Bengal will reopen after the
puja (vacations), provided the situation is favourable. If the
third wave does not turn out to be dangerous, we will sanitise
the school buildings and reopen them. We are keen on
restarting schools. We want students to go to schools,"
Mamata told newspersons. Asserting that the COVID-19
situation in the state is currently "under control", the chief
minister further clarified that if the number of cases spikes,
as it did in Maharashtra and Kerala, I am not sure what
decisions would be taken then. (PTI)

CYMK
 CYMK
GANGTOK
12 Sports


Tuesday August 24, 2021

Mark Wood I'm happy people are

ruled out of
third Test due to
shoulder injury
LEEDS, AUG 23 /--/
England pacer Mark Wood
was on Monday ruled out
of the third Test against
India with a "jarred"
shoulder, dealing another
blow to the under-fire
hosts. Wood had hurt his
shoulder while fielding
during the second Test at
Lord's with India going on
to win the game by 151
runs to take 1-0 lead in the
five-match series.
"England seamer Mark
Wood has been ruled out
of the LV= Insurance third
Test against India with a
jarred right shoulder," the
ECB said in a statement.
"Wood sustained the
injury on the fourth day of
the second Test at Lord's
and will not be fit to play
at Emerald Headingley
star ting on Wednesday.
"He will remain with the
squad in Leeds and will
continue his rehab with
the England medical
team.The 31-year-old will
be assessed at the end of
this Test match." Injured
senior pacer Stuart Broad
has already been ruled out
of the series. The team is
also without the services
of speedster Jofra Archer,
who is also injured, and
all-rounder Ben Stokes,
who has taken an
indefinite break from the
game to address his
mental wellbeing. Wood
had bowled well in the
Lord's Test, picking up
five wickets. Seamer Saqib
Mahmood, who was called
up as cover for Broad,
could be handed a Test
debut. The 24-year-old has
played seven ODIs and
nine T20Is. Other seam
options in the squad
include Craig Overton,
East Bengal, Shree Cement part ways; talking about me:
CM disappointed with development Rahane on criticism for
KOLKATA, AUG 23 /--/ The honourable Chief
Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee on
be sorted. So suddenly what happened, that
things changed? What is the mystery behind it?
facilitated the club's move to the Indian Super
League (ISL). They then proceeded to establish a
slow batting at Lord's
Monday, expressed her displeasure over Shree East Bengal have a great legacy. We all want joint venture named Shree Cement East Bengal LEEDS, AUG 23 /--/ India vice captain Ajinkya Rahane
Cement's decision to end the joint-venture with Mohun Bagan and East Bengal to play in ISL. I am Foundation, in which the cement giants held 76 on Monday dismissed criticism he and Cheteshwar
East Bengal at the las moment. The Chief very happy that Mohun Bagan are playing and per cent stakes while the club had 24. After Shree Pujara faced for slow batting during the Lord's Test
Minister acknowledged Cement's arrival, a term sheet ag ainst England, saying they have played long
that she has received a was signed by both parties in enough to know what suits the team's interest.
letter from Shree Cement September 2020 in the presence Rahane even laughed off the flak they faced on social
where the investors have of West Bengal Chief Minister media by saying that only "important people" are
expressed their decision Mamata Banerjee who had talked about. Rahane (61 off 146 balls) and Pujara (45
to end their association played an important role in off 206) took nearly 50 overs to add 100 runs in their
with Indian Super League bringing the company on board partnership. "I am happy that people are talking
(ISL) club East Bengal. as the club's new investor. about me. I have always believed that people talk
Despite expressing Based on the term sheet, the about important people, so I am not too concerned
her displeasure over the club’s sporting rights as well all about that. It's all about contribution for the team,"
decision, she once again its assets and properties Rahane said ahead of the third Test, starting here on
assured that she will to (including intellectual) were
sort things between the reportedly transferred to the
two parties so that a club newly formed joint venture
like East Bengal can play between the two parties. Even
in the country's top-tier though the term sheet was
league which is the ISL. "I signed, the final binding
am no one to take any agreement of the deal is yet to
decision on East Bengal. be signed by the officials
The authorities who were despite multiple reminders.
there earlier has sent me a Shree Cement had already sent
letter to inform me that a revised version of the final
they will not be able to continue with East we all want East Bengal to play in the ISL too. We agreement to the club as well as to the West
Bengal at this very last moment. This is bad will also let them know that we are displeased Bengal Chief Minister on August 16 but the
attitude. They kept the club waiting for so with the situation and we will try to sort this. Time officials did not agree to sign. After multiple
many months and now at the last moment they is very short, let's see." After Quess Corp parted reminders, the investors have now decided to end
are saying they cannot do anything. We are all ways with East Bengal in June 2020 after being the joint-venture with the club and accordingly Wednesday. Asked again if criticism motivates him, he
unhappy with this situation. "They even met me the club's investor for two seasons, Shree Cement they informed the state Chief Minister about said, "Everything motivates me. playing for the
on August 16 and told me that everything will came on board as their new investor which their decision. (Agency) country motivates me. I am not bothered about
criticism." Pujara took 35 balls to get off the mark at
Lord's but his slow innings along with that of
SCL end five-year deal with East Bengal, leave club in crisis Rahane's eventually did not hurt India, with the
visitors winning the match by a whopping 151 runs.
Rahane, in the context of the win, said that he was
KOLKATA, AUG 23 /--/ A peeved West Bengal the last season. Banerjee herself had played a ISL. I am very happy that Mohun Bagan are pleased with the way he played. "I always believed in
chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday key role in the negotiations. playing and we all want East Bengal to play in the contribution and that contribution was satisfying.
announced that Shree Cement have ended their The chief minister said Shree Cement have ISL too. "We will also let them know that we are "You think about your own game but team
five-year deal with East Bengal, leaving the returned the sporting rights but despite the displeased with the situation and we will try to perfor mance is ultimate. You think about your
"short time" she remained sort this out. Time is very short, let's see. I urge methods, your good innings and what suits you but
hopeful of the red-and-gold's everyone in the club management to come ultimately whatever team needs we focus on that."
future in the upcoming ISL forward and deal with the crisis," she added. East Asked about his discussion with Pujara in the middle,
season, starting November 19 Bengal top executive official Nitu Sarkar Rahane said it was all about hanging in there. "The
in Goa. "I've received a letter however said they are yet to receive the letter of communication was all about short targets and build
from the authorities (Shree disassociation from SCL. "We are yet to receive the it on from there. Cheteshwar, we always talk that he
Cement Limited) at the very letter, so can not comment at this point of time. plays slow but that innings was really important for
last moment that will not be But we are hopeful to play ISL," Sarkar told PTI. us. He batted for 200 balls. We back each other.
able to run the show (at East The club management had signed an initial term "Cheteshwar and I have been playing since long,
Bengal)," Banerjee told sheet in September last year as the porting rights we know how to handle pressure, how to handle
reporters at Nabanna, the as well all its assets and properties (including certain situations. Whatever we can't control, we are
state secretariat. "It's a very intellectual) were reportedly transferred to the not thinking about that," he said. The Headingley
bad attitude, to keep the newly formed joint venture "SC East Bengal". It will be an unknown territory for the current Indian
club's fate hanging for several had paved their dramatic entry into ISL last team since none of the players have the experience of
months and then pulling out at season where the Robbie Fowler-coached side playing there. But for Rahane, that is not something
the last moment. We are very had a pathetic ninth place finish with nine losses, which is worrying the side. "When you are playing in
sad and annoyed." The club eight draws and just three wins. But trouble the UK, your line and lengths are very important and
management has been in brewed in the build up to the upcoming season as that's a challenge as a bowling unit. 2014 when we
loggerheads with SCL over the HM Bangur-owned SCL refused to "spend a came here, we were a young unit, the guys were still
the final binding agreement penny" on team-building unless the final learning. Now we are experienced. "All the bowlers
that snowballed into the crisis. agreement was signed. East Bengal club have played all over the world, they know how to bowl
Banerjee revealed that the executive committee had decided not to sign the in ceratin situation. We focussed on bowling in right
East Bengal fans during a protest against managing investors had met her on final agreement claiming discrepancies in the areas." He said in England it's about finding your
authorities of the club in Kolkata ----------- File photo August 16, assuring that the initial term. Shree Cement had already sent a rhythm as a batsman and as a bowler. The Lord's
matter would be sorted soon. revised version of the final agreement to the club Test saw verbal duels from both sides. Asked if mental

James Anderson, Ollie
Robinson and Sam
Curran. India and England
take on each other in the
third Test, starting here
on Wednesday. (PTI)
club in a serious financial crisis ahead of the
upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season.
The cement giants had bought 76 per cent stakes
in a dramatic takeover of the club, days before
"So what happened that things changed so
suddenly, what is the mystery behind it?" she
asked. "East Bengal have a great legacy. We all
want Mohun Bagan and East Bengal to play in
as well as to the West Bengal Chief Minister on
August 16. But the club management upon legal
consultation remained adamant and SCL decided
to end the deal. (PTI)
CYMK
disintegration of rival players is important, Rahane
did not ag ree. "We are not thinking anything like
that. For us it is important to stay in the moment.
Whatever happened in last game we just have to forget
and just take the positives. Every game is important
due to the Championships (WTC)," he said.

Shaili is more or less like me, Bengaluru FC look

will be happy to see her break to end AFC Cup
my record: Anju Bobby George campaign on
NEW DELHI, AUG 23 /--/ Small, frail and not even in top three -- that
was Shaili Singh when Anju Bobby George first saw her but the iconic
winning note
MALE, AUG 23 /--/ Bengaluru FC will
Indian long jumper still decided to mentor her as she found the look to end their AFC Cup campaign on a
youngster to be "more or less like" her with a never-say-die attitude. positive note when they take on
Shaili was 13 at that time and had finished fifth in a national meet. Now Maldivian side Maziya S&RC at the
17, she announced her arrival on the big stage by winning a silver in the National Stadium here on Tuesday.
under-20 world championships, missing out on a historic gold by a mere Although both sides are out of the
1 cm with a 6.59m effort, though wind assisted, in the long jump final in running for the knockout stages of the
Nairobi on Sunday. The Jhansi-born athlete, raised by a single mother competition, there's much to play for with
who worked as a tailor to support her, missed a chance to join the likes a win potentially lifting the Blues to
of Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and star second place in the group, while a defeat
quartermiler Hima Das who won gold medals in 2016 and 2018 will mean a bottom-placed finish.
respectively. She is nonetheless being touted as the next being thing in "It's true that Maziya have played two
Indian athletics. "When I saw her steely resolve and of course her body games and lost both, but we need to
structure and muscle suited for long jump, I knew she would go a long respect them as a team. We need to focus
way," Anju told PTI in an interview. "Later, I found out that she is a fast on our style and do our best against them.
learner, always tries to improve, has a never-say-die attitude. In short, "From the game against Tribhuvan Army
she is more or less like me," added the 44-year-old Anju, who won a FC in April to the one against
bronze in the 2003 senior World Championships in Paris. The event Anju Bashundhara Kings on Saturday, we have
referred to was the National Junior Championships in Vijaywada in made several steps forward. Ours is a
November 2017. Shaili had taken part in the girls (age group 12-14) long young team and we are looking to
jump event and finished fifth with a 4.64m effort. But her steely progress with each game we play," BFC
demeanour and lean frame attracted the attention of Sports Authority coach Marco Pezzaiuoli said. The Blues
of India (SAI) High Performance coach Robert Bobby George, Anju's fell 2-0 to ATK Mohun Bagan in their
husband. Anju, the only Indian to win a World Athletics Championships opening group stage clash before a
medal, came down to Visakhapatnam a few days later during the goalless draw against Bangladesh
National Inter-State District Junior Athletics Meet (NIDJAM) and saw Premier League champions Bashundhara
Shaili's potential. Shaili, who used to run barefoot and had blisters on Kings on Saturday. Despite the stalemate
her feet as her mother could not afford shoes for her, finished fifth but confirming their elimination from the
Anju was impressed with the girl and decided to mentor her. "Robert told tournament, Pezzaiuoli maintained that
me about her (Shaili) though she finished at a lower rank (in Vijaywada). his side was eager to finish on a high. "In
Then I myself went (to Visakhapatnam) and noticed that she would go football it's not always about winning. Yes,
a long way," Anju said. She decided to bring Shaili under Robert at the we wanted to do well in the AFC Cup but
SAI Centre in Bengaluru and later the youngster was included in the it wasn't to be. "It was tough to accept, but
developmental group of Target Olympic Podium Scheme which took we trained this morning and I saw good
care of her training and other financial needs. Sports NGO Olympic team spirit and mentality from my
Gold Quest (OGQ) also supports Shaili. (PTI) players. We are eager to do well and
finish on a good note against Maziya," the
Italian added. The Blues' boss confirmed
that winger Ashique Kuruniyan would
continue to miss out, having suffered an
ankle injury in their playoff clash
against Club Eagles. In a bid to give
minutes to different players across
positions, Pezzaiuoli handed debuts to
summer signings Danish Farooq,
Bidyashagar Singh, Rohit Kumar, Jayesh
Rane, Alan Costa and Sarthak Golui in
the first two group stage games. Their B
Team graduate Sivasakthi Narayanan
also clocked his first minutes for the
senior team. Maziya, who began their
AFC Cup group stage with a 2-0 loss to
Bashundhara Kings, fell 3-1 to ATK
Mohun Bagan on Saturday, confirming
their elimination from the tournament.
(PTI)

CYMK