cmyk
THE ASIAN AGE
NATION| 3
3rd World Hindu Congress
renounces word Hinduism,
embraces term ‘Hindutva’
www.asianage.com RNI No. 57290/94, Regd No: DL-SW-05/4189/15-17
WINDOWS
Congress leader Priyanka
Gandhi Vadra at a rally in
Husnabad on Friday, ahead of
the Telangana Assembly polls.
— PTI
Violence erupts in
Dublin after knife
attack near school
Dublin: Protesters on Thurs-
day fought running battles
with the police, torched
vehicles and looted shops in
Dublin, after three young
children were injured in a
knife attack outside a sch-
ool. The police in riot gear
stood guard on the streets
in the Irish capital as crowds
taunted them with chants
and set off fireworks. The
unrest, the worst in Dublin in
years, comes after a five-
year-old girl sustained seri-
ous injuries in a suspected
stabbing. Rumours on social
media about the nationality
of the assailant, who police
only described as a man in
his fifties, helped fuel unrest
following the attack. — AFP
Full report on Page 6
Afghan embassy in
Delhi ends operations
New Delhi: Afghanistan’s
embassy in India on Friday
announced its permanent
closure, citing “persistent
challenges from the Indian
government”. This comes
after the Afghanistan
embassy had announced
on September 30 that it
is ceasing its operations
from October 1.
Full report on Page 4
Modi in B’luru today
to review HAL work
New Delhi: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi will visit
Bengaluru-based defence
PSU Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited on Saturday and
review the ongoing work
at its manufacturing facility,
officials said. Mr Modi
has been pushing for
indigenous production of
defence products.
Full report on Page 3
COUNTERPOINT
WEATHER
Max : 26OC
Min: 11OC
RH: 57%
Rain: Nil
Forecast: Cloudy
ASTROGUIDE
Shobhakrut: Dakshinayana
Tithi: Karthika Shukla
Triyodasi till 5.24 pm
Star: Ashwini till 2.57 pm
Varjyam: 11.07 am to 12.39
pm; 12.13 am to 1.45 am
Durmuhurtam: 6.30 to 7.59 am
Rahukalam: 9 am to 10.30 am
SUNSET TODAY 5.24 PM
SUNRISE TOMORROW 6.51 AM
MOONRISE TOMORROW 3.51 PM
MOONSET TODAY 4.30 AM
Modi to speak
at UN’s COP28
climate talks
in Dubai Dec. 1
New Delhi, Nov. 24:
Prime Minister Naren-
dra Modi will attend the
UN climate talks in
Dubai on December 1
and deliver a national
statement highlighting
India’s climate action,
sources said on Friday.
The Prime Minister
will reach the UAE on
November 30, deliver
India’s national state-
ment during the United
Nations’ World Climate
Action Summit on
December 1 and return
the same day, a source
told PTI.
The World Climate
Action Summit on
December 1-2 will see
heads of states and gov-
ernments, leaders from
civil society, business,
youth, indigenous peo-
ples’ organisations,
frontline communities,
science and other sec-
tors discussing actions
and plans aimed at scal-
ing climate action.
Mr Modi has been
championing the Life-
style for Environment
(LiFE movement), urg-
ing countries to adopt
planet-friendly living
practices and move
away from deeply con-
sumerist behaviours.
Recognising the criti-
cality of this decade
(2021-2030) for climate
action, there’s a call for
rebalancing consump-
tion patterns between
the Global North and
South.
Differences in historic
emissions and contribu-
tions to global warming
across nations are evi-
dent.
For instance, while the
US accounts for only
four per cent of the cur-
rent global population, it
contributed 17 per cent
of global emissions
between 1850 and 2021.
In contrast,
India, representing 18
per cent of the world’s
population, has con-
tributed only five per
cent of greenhouse gas
emissions to date.
■ Turn to Page 4
Delhi’s AQI rises to 415,
becomes ‘severe’ again
BHASKAR HARI
SHARMA
NEW DELHI, NOV. 24
The air quality in Delhi
turned “severe” again on
Friday, with a dip in
temperatures and slow
wind speed at night
allowing the accumula-
tion of pollutants. Delhi
has been witnessing a
gradual increase in AQI
levels after a marginal
improvement on
Sunday. Delhi environ-
ment minister Gopal Rai
directed all agencies and
departments to ensure
strict implementation of
the curbs on polluting
vehicles and check the
increasing incidents of
biomass burning.
Hamas frees 13 Israelis, 12 Thais
as truce begins in Gaza; aid flows
Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip,
Nov. 24: Hamas released
the first batch of hostages
under a ceasefire deal
that began on Friday,
including 13 Israelis who
have been held in the Gaza
Strip since the militant
group staged a raid on
Israel nearly seven weeks
ago, according to officials
and media reports.
Twelve Thai nationals
were also released, accor-
ding to Thai Prime Mini-
ster Srettha Thavisin.
Dozens of Palestinian
prisoners are also expect-
NEW DELHI SATURDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2023
A view of the setup outside the entrance of the Silkyara Tunnel during the rescue
operation of 41 workers trapped inside the under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi
district on Friday.
■ Rajasthan votes today to elect new Assembly
Cong, BJP ‘panuati’ jabs
escalate into poster war
AGE CORRESPONDENTS
with agency inputs
NEW DELHI/JAIPUR, NOV. 24
A day before Rajasthan
votes for 199 seats out of
the 200-member state
Assembly, the high-
pitched campaign on
Friday got shriller with
the political slugfest over
Rahul Gandhi’s “panauti”
barb at Prime Minister
Narendra Modi escalating
into a poster war on social
media. The Congress
referred to Mr Modi as
“PANAUTI-E-AZAM.”
Hitting back, the BJP
called the Gandhi family
the “real panauti” of the
country.
“Panauti”, a Hindi slag,
loosely refers to someone
who brings bad luck. The
poster battle comes a day
after the Election
Commission (EC) issued a
show-cause notice to Mr
Gandhi for his panauti,
“pickpocket” and “loan
waiver for the super rich”
jibes at Mr Modi. The EC
has asked the Congress
leader to respond by
Saturday.
The BJP had approach-
ed the poll panel against
the former Congress pres-
ident, saying it was “unbe-
The city’s Air Quality
Index (AQI) stood at 415
on Friday. The 24-hour
average AQI, recorded at
4 pm every day, was 390
on Thursday, 394 on
Wednesday and 365 on
Tuesday.
Recent data shows veh-
icular emissions acco-
unt for about 36 per cent
of the city’s air polluti-
on. While stubble-burn-
ing has reduced, bio-
mass burning at differ-
ent places in Delhi-NCR
is responsible for 31 per
cent of the air pollution,
Mr Rai said. The MCD
and the revenue depart-
ment have been instruc-
ted to check the incide-
nts of biomass burning.
■ More on Page 2
◗ THE DEAL offered
some relief for Gaza’s
2.3 million people, who
have endured weeks of
Israeli bombardment
and dwindling supplies
of basic necessities
ed to be freed by Israel.
The ceasefire between
Israel and Hamas began
Friday, setting the stage
for the exchange and
allowing sorely needed
aid to start flowing into
Gaza.
There were no reports of
WORLD| 6
UK PM Sunak gets small
bump in opinion polls after
crowd-pleasing tax cuts
EVMs and other election materials kept at a distribution
centre in Jaipur on Friday, the eve of the voting for the
Rajasthan Assembly elections.
◗ POLLING WILL be
held from 7 am to 6 pm
in 199 out of 200 con-
stituencies amid tight
security arrangements.
As many as 1,862 candi-
dates are in the fray.
coming” of a “very senior
leader” to use such lan-
guage. Doubling down on
Mr Gandhi’s panauti barb
at the Prime Minister, the
Congress on Friday put
out a poster on X in which
Mr Modi is shown behind
a curtain with the words
“PANAUTI-E-AZAM”
written on it.
In a ray of hope, Qatar’s appeals court
admits plea by 8 Indians on death row
SRIDHAR
KUMARASWAMI
NEW DELHI, NOV. 24
In a ray of hope, Qatar’s
Court of Appeal has
accepted for hearing and
decided to examine the
legal appeal filed against
the verdict delivered last
month by a Qatari Court
of First Instance sentenc-
ing eight former Indian
naval personnel to death,
sources have confirmed.
The decision to examine
the appeal filed by the
eight Indian nationals
was taken at a hearing
earlier on Thursday and
the next date of hearing
will be decided in due
course. India had last
week said it “hopes for a
fighting after the truce
began. The deal offered
some relief for Gaza’s 2.3
million people, who have
endured weeks of Israeli
bombardment and dwin-
dling supplies of basic
necessities.
Under the deal, Gaza’s
ruling Hamas group
pledged to free at least 50
of the about 240 hostages
it and other militants
took in the October 7 raid.
In exchange, Hamas said
Israel would free 150 Pal-
estinian prisoners. — AP
■ More on Page 6
— PTI
— PTI
Hitting back at the
Congress, BJP spokesper-
son Shehzad Poonawalla
put out a poster that men-
tioned the names of
“Priyanka, Rahul, Sonia,
Rajiv, Nehru, Robert and
Indira” written and the
term “PANAUTI” high-
lighted using the letters of
the names of the Gandhi
family members men-
tioned in the poster.
“Ye hain Bharat ke liye
asli Panauti (these are the
real Panautis for
Bharat),” the BJP poster
read.
In another post on X
■ Turn to Page 4
positive outcome” on its
legal appeal and had
added that the appeals
process was “underway”.
New Delhi had also reit-
erated that the judgment
in the case has been made
confidential “from the
Qatari side” and had ear-
lier said the judgment has
been shared with the legal
team representing the
eight Indians. India had
last month reacted with
“deep shock” at the ver-
dict delivered on October
26 and had said it attaches
high importance to the
case, is in touch with fam-
ily members of the eight
Indians, exploring all
legal options, and will
continue to extend all con-
sular and legal assistance.
MEA spokesperson
The bereaved father of martyred Capt. Shubham Gupta, who was killed in an encounter
with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, salutes his mortal remains in
Agra on Friday.
DELHI AGE| 16
Fame, fortune are ephemeral,
should be used for a good
purpose, says Pankaj Tripathi
■ 2nd setback in 2 days; 1-hr work on Fri
■ 41 trapped over 13 days, and counting
Fresh obstacles delay
tunnel rescue efforts
PRITHVIRAJ SINGH
with agency inputs
DEHRADUN/UTTARKASHI,
NOV. 24
Drilling at the collapsed
Silkyara tunnel to rescue
41 men trapped inside for
12 days was halted again
on Friday. Officials said
the auger drilling
machine faced a hurdle,
apparently a metal object,
soon after drilling
resumed on Friday, a day
after officials had put the
operation on hold follow-
ing a technical snag.
That snag was set right
earlier in the day and the
25-tonne auger machine
was pressed into drilling
through the rubble.
However, within an hour
after the drilling resumed,
it had to be stopped again
because of another obsta-
cle.
The officials said that
this was the second set-
back in two days.
According to officials, a
ground penetrating radar
(GPR) system was
employed to detect block-
ades under the debris
across which an escape
tunnel is being built.
The GPR had indicated
that there were no metal
hurdles up to five metres
HC allows Shah’s Kolkata rally
RAJIB CHOWDHURI
KOLKATA, NOV. 24
Rejecting the West Bengal
government’s objections,
the Calcutta high court
has allowed the BJP to
organise Union home
minister Amit Shah’s
rally in the heart of the
state capital on November
29.
The venue of the rally is
in front of the Victoria
House at Dharmatala,
where the Trinamul
Congress supremo and
◗ THE CHARGES on
which the eight Indians
have been given the
death sentence have
still not been spelt out
officially by Qatar and
New Delhi too has not
stated these in public
Arindam Bagchi had said
earlier that an appeal was
filed after the Court of
First Instance of Qatar
passed an order on
October 26 in the case
involving eight Indian
employees of Al Dahra
company and had “urged
everyone not to engage in
speculation considering
the sensitive nature of the
case”. India is already in
touch with the tiny oil-
rich Gulf nation at vari-
Vol. 30 No. 279 | 16
International tunneling expert Arnold Dix at the under-
construction Silkyara Tunnel in Uttarkashi district on
Friday.
◗ A GROUND penetrat-
ing radar system was
employed to detect
blockades under the
debris across which an
escape tunnel is being
built, officials said
ahead of the passage
drilled so far, Neeraj
Khairwal, the state’s
nodal officer for the multi-
agency rescue effort, said.
According to officials
involved in the opera-
tions, the drilling effort to
build a rescue passage
had, till Thursday after-
noon, reached up to 48.6
chief minister Mamata
Banerjee addresses her
party’s annual event, the
Shaheed Diwas rally, on
July 21 every year.
Earlier this month, the
BJP announced its mega
rally at the same venue.
However, the Kolkata
police denied permission.
The BJP moved the Cal-
cutta high court. On Nov-
ember 20, Justice Raja-
sekhar Mantha allowed
the party to hold its rally.
The state government
challenged the single
ous levels following the
death penalty announced
last month on the eight
Indians, reportedly on
espionage charges.
The charges on which
the eight Indians have
been given the death sen-
tence have still not been
spelt out officially by
Qatar and New Delhi too
has not stated these in
public while only saying
earlier that the charges
levelled by Qatar against
the eight Indians were
first presented as part of
the hearings. But accord-
ing to media reports in the
past several months, the
eight Indians had been
accused by the Gulf
nation of spying for Israel
on a secret Qatari
■ Turn to Page 4
— PTI
cmyk
PAGES | `5.00
— PTI
metres out of the estimat-
ed 57 metres of rubble
that blocks the tunnel.
However, soon after the
drilling resumed on
Friday, the auger
machine faced a big hol-
low steel pipe, obstruct-
ing the rescue efforts.
“The obstruction had di-
srupted the auger machi-
ne launch platform and
narrowed down the cir-
cumference of the escape
passage created earlier.
As a result, nearly 1.5
metres of the 800 mm tun-
nel had to be removed by
us, bringing the net
■ Turn to Page 4
bench order before the
high court’s division
bench of Chief Justice
T.S. Sivagnanam and
Justice Hiranmay
Bhattacharya, who heard
the matter on Friday.
The state government
argued that the Victoria
House is not a designated
place for rallies. The
bench, however, warned
that if it is not a designat-
ed venue, all political ral-
lies should be banned
there.
■ More on Page 4
Watch kept on
outbreak of flu,
H9N2 in China;
India’s risk low
AVINASH PRABHAKAR
NEW DELHI, NOV. 24
Amid reports of clus-
tering cases of respira-
tory illness in chil-
dren in northern
China, the Union hea-
lth ministry on Friday
said it is closely moni-
toring the outbreak of
H9N2 and clusters of
respiratory illness.
The health ministry
said: “There is low
risk to India from
both the avian influe-
nza cases reported
from China as well as
the clusters of respi-
ratory illness”. India,
the ministry said, is
prepared for any kind
of exigency that may
emerge from the cur-
rent influenza situa-
tion in that country.
The ministry said
an increase in the
incidence of respira-
tory diseases in China
has been reported in
the past few weeks.
“The usual causes of
respiratory illness in
children have been
implicated and there
has been no identifi-
cation of an unusual
pathogen or any unex-
pected clinical mani-
festations,” it added.
WHO had said Wed-
nesday the Chinese
authorities had
reported an increase
in respiratory dis-
eases and influenza-
like illnesses.
■ More on Page 4
 CITY
THE ASIAN AGE | SATURDAY | 25 NOVEMBER 2023 | NEW DELHI
pg 2

IN BRIEF ■ Rai asks officials authorities to ensure strict of curbs ■ MCD, revenue dept asked to check biomass burning

Fake ghee making

factory busted
New Delhi: The Delhi police
has busted a factory making
artificial or counterfeit ghee
and branding in the name of
reputed brands of Patanjali
ghee, Mother Dairy ghee,
Amul ghee and Naksh Dairy
products, an official said on
Friday. Sharing the details,
the official said that the DIU
(district investigation unit)
and vigilance unit of Dwarka
district has been entrusted
with duty to conduct raids in
copyright and trademark
cases on the complaints of the
right holder companies. ‘“A
raid was conducted on
November 19, by combined
teams of DIU and vigilance
branch of Dwarka at Dichaun
Kalan. During the raid, one
factory was to be operating in
preparation and packaging of
counterfeit ghee,” said the
DCP M. Harsha Vardhan. “One
aluminum tubs containing
ghee like substance, electronic
weighing machines, burning
stove, and tetra pack boxes
(500ml & 1000ml) of Mother
Dairy, Amul, Milkfood, Naksh
Dairy, etc. were found along
with Vanaspati ghee of differ-
ent brands,” said the DCP. A
case has been registered and
efforts are being made out to
nab the owner of the factory,
Sumit,” said the DCP.
1,200 jail inmates to
get skills training
New Delhi: As many as 1,200
inmates in the Delhi prisons
will get skill training in hospi-
tality sector to start a new
life post-incarceration, offi-
cials said on Friday. The
duration of the National Skill
Qualification Framework
level 4 course training pro-
gramme will be 340 hours.
Delhi Prisons joined hands
with Max hospital for this
project. Director-general
(prisons) Sanjay Beniwal
said, “Do something for
those who have been forgot-
ten by the country, offering
them a chance to live and
work with dignity and
respect.” If individuals are
empowered to generate
income, there's no turning
back. “Everyone deserves a
second chance, and we pri-
oritise safeguarding personal
data to ease the restart
process, Mr Beniwal said.
The program is designed to
reform and rehabilitate
undertrial inmates for minor
crimes, they said.
Sanjay Singh moves
local court for bail
New Delhi: AAP leader Sanjay
Singh, arrested in a money
laundering case
linked to the alleged
Delhi excise scam,
on Friday moved a
Delhi court seeking
bail, his lawyer said.
The application was
filed in the Rouse Sanjay Singh
Avenue Court’s reg-
istry and is likely to come up
for hearing on Saturday,
advocate Mohd Irshad said.
Special judge M.K. Nagpal,
meanwhile, extended Singh’s
judicial custody till December
4. The judge also noted the
submission of the investigat-
ing officer that the charge
sheet against the accused is
likely to be filed shortly and
within prescribed time.
Govt plans to install
10K CCTVs in schools
New Delhi: A proposal to
install 10,786 CCTV cameras
in 786 MCD schools across
Delhi will be tabled in the
next House meeting, an
official statement said on
Friday. The proposal further
plans to appoint around
3,000 security guards at
the MCD schools through
GeM portal, the statement
added. The CCTV cameras
will be installed in Shahdara
North, Shahdara South,
Civil Lines, City SP, Karol
Bagh, Narela, Keshavpuram,
Rohini, Southern, Western
and Central and Najafgarh
areas. According to the
statement, the erstwhile
southern and eastern cor-
poration had installed 15
CCTV cameras in each of
the 399 schools.
Delhi’s air severe again, brief relief likely next week
AGE CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI, NOV. 24
Air quality in Delhi
turned ‘severe’ again on
Friday with a dip in tem-
peratures and slow wind
speed at night allowing
accumulation of pollu-
tants. A scientist at the
India Meteorological
Department (IMD) pre-
dicted a brief relief due to
a likely improvement in
meteorological conditions
under the influence of a
western disturbance
expected to affect north-
west India starting
November 27.
Delhi has been witness-
ing a gradual increase in
AQI levels after a margin-
al improvement on
Sunday.
City environment minis-
ter Gopal Rai, meanwhile,
Give 5 names to AAP govt Welcome stabbing: ‘Accused showed no
to pick CS, SC asks Centre remorse, was having dinner when caught’
AGE CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI, NOV. 24
The Supreme Court on
Friday asked the Centre
to suggest names of five
senior bureaucrats to be
considered for the post of
new Delhi chief secretary
by 10.30 am on November
28 and said the Delhi gov-
ernment will have to
respond the same day to
facilitate adjudication on
the vexed issue.
During the proceedings,
the apex court asked why
the L-G V.K. Saxena and
chief minister Arvind
Kejriwal cannot meet to
amicably discuss the
names for appointment of
the chief secretary.
A bench headed by Chief
Justice D.Y. Chandrachud
and comprising justices
J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj
Misra was hearing a plea
of the Delhi government
against any move by the
Centre to appoint, without
any consultation with it,
the new chief secretary or
extend the tenure of the
current incumbent
Naresh Kumar, who, oth-
erwise, is set to demit
office on November 30.
The Delhi government
has questioned how the
Centre could proceed with
the appointment of the
chief secretary without
Quantum of sentence in Soumya case today
AGE CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI, NOV. 24
A city court on Friday
reserved for November 25
its order on the quantum
of punishment for those
convicted for killing TV
journalist Soumya
Vishwanathan in 2008.
Additional sessions
judge Ravindra Kumar
Pandey reserved the order
2 kids killed in
wall collapse
in Jaitpur Extn
New Delhi, Nov. 24: Two
children were killed and
another was injured
after a wall collapsed in
the Jaitpur Extension
area of southeast Delhi
on Friday evening, the
police officials said.
On receiving informa-
tion about the incident
around 6.30 pm, a police
team was rushed to the
spot. They got to know
that three children were
injured when the old
wall collapsed and they
have been taken to dif-
ferent hospital, a senior
official said.
Later, Alsifa Hospital
informed police that an
eight-year-old child was
brought there but was
declared dead. A five-
year-old was brought
dead at AIIMS, the offi-
cer said. — PTI
directed concerned agen-
cies and departments to
ensure strict implementa-
tion of curbs on polluting
vehicles and check the
increasing incidents of
biomass burning.
The city’s air quality
index (AQI) stood at 415
on Friday. The 24-hour
average AQI, recorded at
4.00 pm every day, was 390
on Thursday, 394 on
Wednesday, 365 on
Tuesday, 348 on Monday,
and 301 on Sunday.
Recent data shows that
vehicular emissions
account for about 36 per
cent of the capital’s air
pollution.
Though stubble burning
has reduced, biomass
burning at different loca-
tions in Delhi-NCR is
responsible for 31 per cent
of Delhi’s air pollution,
Why can’t the L-G and the CM meet? Last
time we said that for the appointment of
DERC chairperson and they never
agreed...,” the CJI said, adding, “So, why doesn’t
the L-G and the Centre propose a panel
of names? The ultimate choice will be
from a panel made by you. You suggest
a panel. Then they (the Delhi govt.) will
pick up one name”.
— D.Y. Chandrachud, CJI
any consultation with it
while the new law is
under challenge.
“Why can’t the L-G and
the CM meet? Last time we
said that for the appoint-
ment of DERC chairperson
and they never agreed...,”
the CJI said, adding, “So,
why doesn’t the L-G and
the Centre propose a panel
of names? The ultimate
choice will be from a panel
made by you. You suggest a
panel. Then they (the Delhi
government) will pick up
one name.”
Senior advocate
Abhishek Singhvi, appear-
ing for the Delhi govern-
ment, contended that the
law dealing with services
is under challenge before
the apex court and “there
cannot be unilateral exer-
cise of power by the L-G”.
Solicitor-general Tushar
Mehta, appearing for the
Centre, said the stand has
always been that the chief
secretary was appointed
after noting that the argu-
ments on the sentencing
had been completed. The
court had on November 7
adjourned the matter after
noting that the verifica-
tion of the affidavits filed
by the convicts was not
complete.
The judge had on October
18 convicted Ravi Kapoor,
Amit Shukla, Baljeet
Malik, and Ajay Kumar
Father, son, electrician die of electric
shock in private hospital’s water tank
Deceased went inside tank to repair motor of pump and got electrocuted
New Delhi, Nov. 24: A 40-
year-old man along with
his son and an electrician
died of an electric shock
reportedly while carrying
out some repair work at a
private hospital in outer
Delhi’s Ranhola area on
Friday, the police said. A
senior police officer said
the exact cause of the
death will be determined
after autopsy reports.
“We got a PCR call at 2.48
pm saying three men were
trapped in a private hospi-
tal water tank due to elec-
tric shock and urgent help
was required.
Immediately, a team from
Ranhola Police Station
was rushed,” the officer
said.
The police found the bod-
Mr Rai told the media.
Delhi BJP chief
Virendra Sachdeva, how-
ever, lashed out at the
AAP government. He
alleged that due to the
AAP government’s negli-
gence, Punjab farm fires
continue to be the biggest
source of pollution.
The Punjab government
has not given any incen-
tive or technical support
resulting in over 36,000
farm fires in the state.
Earlier during the day,
Mr Rai chaired a meeting
with senior officials of
various departments to
review the air pollution
situation.
He said the transport
department and the Delhi
traffic police have been
asked to strictly monitor
the implementation of
curbs on BS III petrol and
by the Union ministry of
home affairs.
On Mr Singhvi’s asser-
tion that the chief secre-
tary has been appointed
on the recommendation of
the chief minister, Mr
Mehta said, “Never. I can
put this on the affidavit.”
Responding to the argu-
ments and counter argu-
ments, the CJI said, “We
must have a modality in
which the government
functions. I am sure both of
you can give us a way out.”
Senior advocate Harish
Salve representing the
office of L-G, said, “I am
very sorry to say that there
is a running commentary
against the chief secretary
and he had to approach the
court against scurrilous
allegations.”
The top court is hearing
a plea challenging the 2023
Amendment Act, claiming
it is in violation of the
2023 Constitution bench
judgment.
under IPC section 302
(murder) and provisions of
the Maharashtra Control of
Organised Crime Act.
Vishwanathan, who was
working with a leading
english news channel, was
shot dead on September 30,
2008, on south Delhi's
Nelson Mandela Marg on
way back to home from
work. The police claimed
the motive was robbery.
ies of the three men inside
the water tank located in
the hospital premises.
The victims were identi-
fied as Sarven Kumar, 59,
an electrical engineer
employed by the hospital,
Kunwar Pal, 40, and his 20-
year-old son Raman, both
plumbers by profession.
“Reason of death will be
established only after
autopsy reports. Bodies
have been shifted to DDU
hospital, Delhi, and fur-
ther proceedings are
being conducted as per
law,” the officer said.
Atul Garg, chief of Delhi
fire service, said that two
fire tenders were immedi-
ately pressed into service
after the DFS received an
emergency call around
BS IV diesel vehicles
under Stage III of the
Centre’s air pollution con-
trol plan called the graded
response action plan
(GRAP).
The MCD and the rev-
enue department have
been instructed to check
the incidents of biomass
burning. “Such cases are
only going to increase as
temperatures dip in the
coming days,” Mr Rai
said.
The minister said air
pollution levels will
remain hazardous for two
days and thereafter a
slight relief is expected
due to anticipated
favourable meteorological
conditions. Mr Rai direct-
ed all concerned depart-
ments to conduct a special
campaign to prevent bio-
mass burning. Akshardham temple amid thick layer of smog in New Delhi on Friday. — G.N. JHA
BHASKAR HARI SHARMA that when the cops went to officer. However, his actual
crime likely hinted at his
NEW DELHI, NOV. 24 nab him, he was found DCP (Northeast) Joy
having dinner remorse- Tirkey said, “We have inclination towards vio-
A day after the ghastly lessly not far from the spot written to the Juvenile lence or “thirst for blood”
video of the Welcome with the money he robbed. Justice Board and the through his social media
Colony murder case, “He, during questioning, magistrate to try him as presence.
another bone-chilling
information was revealed
did not show any remorse
about the incident. He was
an adult having estab-
lished his criminal
The accused shared
videos on his social media
by investigators. having dinner when our antecedents. He is being account, displaying knives,
It was revealed that the team nabbed him,” the interrogated for two other firearms, and footage of
minor, who had recently police said. murders, two snatchings, himself within court prem-
killed a 17-year-old boy after “We swung into action and one robbery.” ises portraying a criminal
stabbing him over 60 times soon after the incident “In 2022, the juvenile was image, possibly fostering a
during a street robbery, had and collected information. sent to a correctional misguided sense of pride.
also killed a man along with Some of the locals identi- home for murder. He came “The minor was inspired
three others for robbing fied him. When we arrest- out of the correction by the infamous Hashim
`100 in the Jafrabad area, ed him, he was not far home after one year while Baba gang of Trans
which is hardly a kilometre from the crime scene and the other three accused Yamuna area and wanted
from the current spot. was having dinner with are still in prison,” to create terror there,”
It was further revealed the robbed `350,” said the sources said. said the source.
Govt releases Afghan embassy shuts down
`415 crore for
permanently, blames Centre
RRTS project
New Delhi, Nov. The SRIDHAR
Delhi government has KUMARASWAMI
released a payment of NEW DELHI, NOV. 24
`415 crore to NCRTC for
the RRTS project, trans- The Afghan embassy in
port minister Kailash the national capital,
Gahlot said on Friday. owing allegiance to the
Earlier in the week, deposed regime of then
the Supreme Court had president Ashraf Ghani,
pulled up the Delhi gov- announced its permanent
ernment for not coming
up with funds for the
closure on Friday and
blamed “persistent chal-
Regional Rapid Transit
System corridors to
lenges from the Indian
government” for it, also
Alwar and Panipat, accusing New Delhi of
warning it if the dues pressurising it to “relin-
were not paid within a
week, the funds allocat-
quish control.”
It said it had already Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi on Friday. — PTI
ed by the AAP govern- shut down on Thursday.
ment for ads will be Mr Ghani was deposed “technical team” in place properties, bank accounts,
transferred to the proj- as president over two there at the Indian vehicles, and all other
ect. years ago when the embassy which monitors assets located in New Delhi
“The payment of `415 Taliban militia swept to distribution of Indian on an urgent basis, adding
crore has been made to power in Kabul in August humanitarian assistance that “a detailed list of
the National Capital 2021 aided by Pakistan to the Afghan people. assets in 110 pages has
Region Transport with whom its ties subse- Citing the Vienna already been shared with
Corporation (NCRTC) quently soured. Convention, the Afghan the ministry of external
by the transport depart- Although it does not offi- embassy asked India to affairs (MEA), including
ment today,” Mr Gahlot cially recognise the immediately “assume cus- details of approximately
told PTI in a message. Taliban regime in Kabul, todial responsibility of the US$ 5,00,000 in the bank
— PTI New Delhi now has a Afghan diplomatic mission accounts of the mission.”
about the incident from
◗ VICTIMS WERE iden- media reports only... We
tified as Sarven Kumar, are with the family mem-
59, an electrical engi- bers of the victim and will
neer employed by the help them financially
hospital, Kunwar Pal, too.”
40, and his 20-year-old Kunwar Pal’s wife said
son Raman she was stopped from
entering the hospital
2.56 pm. when shed there to check
“We got to know that what had happened with
there was current in an her husband.
underground water tank “My husband Kunwar
made for fire. Three per- Pal and my son Raman
sons went inside the water had left for the hospital. At
tank to repair the motor of around 5 pm, I got a call on
the pump and got electro- my mobile phone and I
cuted,” Atul Garg said. was asked to reach the
Lakhan Singh, a relative hospital soon. When I
of the hospital owner, went near the main gate of
said, “The incident is very the hospital, I was
tragic. I was away from stopped. No one told me
the hospital when all this what had happened,” said
happened and got to know Raj Kumar. — PTI

Drugs for 4 rare diseases get cheaper, India-made product launched

AGE CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI, NOV. 24
The Union health ministry
on Friday said that four
made-in-India drugs for
rare diseases have been
launched in the country. As
the drugs for rare diseases
are being imported at
expensive cost, these made-
in-India drugs will slash
the cost by up to a hundred-
fold, said the ministry.
The health ministry has
prioritised 13 rare diseases
along with sickle cell dis-
ease in the country for
which India-made drugs
are to be developed.
A senior official said that
out of the total 13 priori-
tised rare diseases, six rare
diseases were identified as
‘low hanging fruits’ and
work began last year to
develop eight drugs for
them.
The official said, “Out of
eight drugs for six rare dis-
eases, four drugs have been
approved and are available
in the market and the other
four drugs are under
process for approval.”
The generic drugs have
been made available for
rare diseases Tyrosinemia
Type 1, Gaucher’s disease,
Wilson’s disease, Dravet,
and Lennox-Gastaut
Syndrome.
Tyrosinemia Type 1 is
characterised by jaundice,
liver failure, and liver can-
cer in which untreated
patients die after 10 years.
The imported drug for the
disease currently costs `2.2-
6.5 crore per year, which
will now be brought down
to `2.5 lakh per annum.
Like this, the imported
drug for Gaucher’s disease
currently costs `1.8- 3.6
crore, but the drug
launched in India has been
priced at `3-6 lakh per
annum.
The cost of drugs for
Wilson’s disease, whose
symptoms include copper
deposit in the liver, brain,
and cornea, currently costs
`1.8-2.1 crore per annum
but the generic versions
will bring down the cost to
`2.2 lakh per annum.
For sickle cell disease,
which is a genetic disorder,
an Indian pharma company
has developed an oral sus-
pension form of the drug
Hydroxyurea.
Earlier, capsules were
used to treat the disorder,
which often created hur-
dles for children to swal-
low. The cost of oral sus-
pension will bring down
the cost to `400 from the
current cost of `70,000 per
100 ml after getting the
approval.
 NATION
THE ASIAN AGE | SATURDAY | 25 NOVEMBER 2023 | NEW DELHI
SHORT
Dhaka, New Delhi
TAKES
review bilateral ties
New Delhi: India and
Bangladesh on Friday held
comprehensive discussions
on a wide range of issues
including border and securi-
ty, trade, connectivity and
the power and energy sec-
tors. The discussions hap-
pened during the “India-
Bangladesh Foreign Office
Consultations,” between the
two countries, with India
being represented by foreign
secretary Vinay Mohan
Kwatra and the Bangladesh
by foreign secretary Masud
Bin Momen. The Indian side
appreciated its neighbouring
nation’s participation in the
recently held virtual G-20
summit and the Voice of
Global South summit 2.0, a
statement issued by the min-
istry of external affairs said.
Both sides held discussions
on people to people ties and
development cooperation in
Bangladesh, the statement
said. The two countries also
exchanged views on sub
regional, regional, and multi-
lateral issues, it said. — PTI
Shinde govt will fall
by Dec. 31: Aaditya
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT)
leader Aaditya Thackeray on
Friday claimed that the
forthcoming winter
Assembly session of the
Maharashtra Legislature will
be the last session of the
Eknath Shinde government
as it will not exist after
December 31. “This is an
unconstitutional govern-
ment… It has a few days left,
this government will not
exist after 31 December,
2023,” he said. “The ensuing
winter session of
Maharashtra legislature (in
Nagpur) is going to be the
last for this ‘khokhe’ (boxes)
government (MahaYuti) and
it would be the last for us as
Opposition,” he added. The
young leader has been on a
tour of coastal Konkan dis-
tricts of Raigad, Ratnagiri
and Sindhudurg, which are
considered as strongholds of
the Shiv Sena.
Saurabh Kumar new
envoy to Belgium
New Delhi: Senior diplomat
Saurabh Kumar has been
appointed as India’s ambas-
sador to Belgium, a state-
ment issued by the ministry
of external affairs said on
Friday. Mr Kumar, a 1989-
batch Indian Foreign Service
officer and presently secre-
tary in the ministry, will also
be accredited as ambassa-
dor of India to the European
Union. He is expected to
take up the assignment
shortly. In another appoint-
ment, Robert Shetkintong, a
2001-batch Indian Foreign
Service officer and presently
ambassador of India to
Ethiopia, has been appoint-
ed the next high commis-
sioner of India to the
Republic of Mozambique. He
is also expected to take up
assignment shortly. — PTI
ODISHA LEADERS
CROSS SWORDS
IN KOSHALI
AGE CORRESPONDENT
BHUBANESWAR, NOV. 24
In an interesting develop-
ment, senior Congress leader
Narasingha Mishra was seen
on Friday asking his ques-
tions in Koshali language
and state industry minister
Pratap Keshari Deb replied
in the same language during
the question hour of the
ongoing winter session of
the Odisha Legislative
Assembly. The Congress law-
maker Mr Mishra raised a
question on the state gov-
ernment’s initiatives in set-
ting up industries in
Bolangir, his home district.
The question was put in
Koshali. This appeared quite
unusual for the treasury
bench members as well as
Opposition lawmakers, as Mr
Mishra usually puts his ques-
tion in English
and Odia. Not to lag far
behind, the industry minister
Pratap Keshari Deb also took
everyone by surprise as he
replied in Koshali. The ques-
tion-and-answer session
between Mr Mishra and Mr
Deb generated a lot of
curiosity as well as amuse-
ment in the House. Adding
more spice to the interac-
tion, ruling Biju Janata Dal’s
Rairakhol MLA Rohit Pujari
started asking a question in
Koshali. The interaction
among lawmakers in Koshali
set tongues wagging in the
political corridors. Many
viewed it as a planned exer-
cise by the leaders to
impress the Koshali-speaking
voters of western Odisha.
Candidates hire guards to Hindu Congress renounces
watch strong rooms in MP ‘Hinduism’, adopts Hindutva
EVMs in 3-tier security, yet parties keep close watch
RABINDRA NATH
CHOUDHURY
BHOPAL, NOV. 24
Even as the Election
Commission (EC) has pro-
vided three-layer-security
around the electronic vot-
ing machine (EVM)
strong rooms in Madhya
Pradesh, many candidates
trying their luck in the
just-concluded Assembly
elections in the state have
hired security guards to
keep the round-the-clock
vigil at these places, leav-
ing nothing to chance.
Security guards hired by
the candidates were seen
guarding the EVM strong
rooms in Khandwa,
Gwalior, Jabalpur,
Narmadapuram, and
Morena, reports reaching
here on Friday said.
Madhya Pradesh went to
Assembly elections on
November 17.
Results of the elections
are scheduled to be
declared on December 3.
Heavy security arrange-
ments were made at all
the EVM strong rooms set
up in all the 52 district
headquarters in the state
with deployment of state
police, home guards and
■ Ensure assets of public at large secured: MPs to banks
MPs raise alarm on cybersecurity
New Delhi, Nov. 24:
Parliamentarians on
Friday raised concerns
over cybersecurity in the
new Parliament building
and called upon banks to
take adequate steps to
secure the financial
assets of the public at
large. The MPs also
stressed on the need to
increase cyber security
awareness in the country
and called for developing
a “cyber consciousness
index” to gauge it.
Addressing a meeting of
the committee on infor-
mation and communica-
tion technology manage-
ment in the Rajya Sabha
in the Parliament House
Annexe Building, the
members heard top offi-
cials of the ministry of
electronics and informa-
tion technology (MeitY)
and the public sector
Modi to visit
HAL’s B’luru
facility today
New Delhi, Nov. 24:
Prime Minister
Narendra Modi will visit
Bengaluru-based
defence PSU Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited on
Saturday and review the
ongoing work at its man-
ufacturing facility, offi-
cials said. “The Prime
Minister will review and
visit the HAL’s manufac-
turing facility, including
the facility for Tejas
jets,” a source said.
Mr Modi has been
pushing for indigenous
production of defence
products and has high-
lighted as to how his
government has boosted
their manufacturing.
Several countries have
shown interest in buy-
ing Tejas, a light combat
aircraft, and US defence
giant GE Aerospace had
inked a pact with HAL to
jointly produce engines
for the Mk-II-Tejas.
Defence minister
Rajnath Singh had noted
in April this year that
India’s defence exports
have reached an all-time
high of `15,920 crores in
FY 2022-2023. — PTI
■ Vaishnaw shares video as bullet train project achieves milestone
Bullet train: 100 km of viaducts, 230 km pier work done
Mumbai, Nov. 24: The
National High Speed Rail
Corporation Limited
(NHSRCL), which is
building the Mumbai-
Ahmedabad bullet train
corridor, has said that 100
kilometres of viaducts
and 230 kilometres of
pier work had been com-
pleted for the ambitious
project. The milestone of
construction of 100 km of
viaducts has been
achieved through launch-
ing of 40-metre long ‘full
span box girders’ and
‘segmental girders’, the
NHSRCL said on
Thursday.
◗ SECURITY GUARDS Many Congress candi-
hired by the candidates dates in Khandwa and
Gwalior districts have
were seen guarding the deployed the hired securi-
EVM strong rooms in ty men at the EVM strong
Khandwa, Gwalior, rooms in their respective
Jabalpur and Morena. areas”, Pradesh Congress
MP went to Assembly Committee (PCC) general
poll on November 17 secretary Ramdin
Chaurasia said on Friday.
Results of the elections Sources said the candi-
are scheduled to be dates who consider that
declared on December 3 the poll battle in their
respective Assembly con-
Central Para Military stituencies may witness a
Forces (CPMFs). nail biting finish have
CCTVs have been hired security guards to
installed at all the EVM deploy them at the strong
strong rooms and LED rooms in their respective
screens, installed outside areas as an extra-security
the strong rooms, beamed measure.
the view of sealed EVMs Meanwhile, a case has
kept inside the strong been registered against 17
rooms, round-the-clock. voters for allegedly cap-
Besides, the political turing images with EVMs
parties particularly the and disseminating them
Congress and Bahujan on social media platforms
Samaj Party (BSP) have during the voting process
deployed their agents at in Sironj constituency of
the strong rooms to keep a Vidisha district in the
round-the-clock vigil on
them.
state. Prompted by a
social worker’s complaint,
“Despite such security
arrangements, several
the sub-divisional magis-
trate of Sironj took cog-
Congress candidates have nizance of the matter and
hired security guards to initiated actions for vio-
keep a watch on the strong lating the Election
rooms, leaving nothing to Commission’s regula-
chance. tions.
Punjab National Bank. ◗ MEASURES BEING
The committee had met
under the chairmanship
put in place to enhance
of AAP member N.D. cybersecurity of
Gupta, where the secre- Member Services and
tary, MeitY gave a presen- to secure the new
tation to the members on building of Parliament
issues of cybersecurity were also listed
and the manner in which
the ministry and organi- present to express their
sations under it are views on the regulatory
addressing the same. framework and the meas-
Measures being put in ures being taken by them
place to enhance cyberse- on implementing mecha-
curity of Member nisms for cybersecurity
Services and to secure
the new building of the
and digital identity/digi-
tal payment mechanisms
Parliament were also list-
ed during the presenta-
and the steps being taken
to enhance the same.
tion and panel members Sources said panel
raised their concerns members told top offi-
and queries to the offi- cials of the bank to
cials. ensure that the financial
Secretary, the depart- assets of the public at
ment of financial large are secured and
Services (DFS) and repre- raised several queries to
sentatives of the Punjab them on the issue.
National Bank were also Amid growing cases of
India & EU join hands for
semiconductor ecosystem
AGE CORRESPONDENT ◗ The MEA said, “the
NEW DELHI, NOV. 24
co-chairs reviewed the
India and the European progress achieved in
Union (EU) on Friday the working groups
inked a Memorandum of since the first ministe-
Understanding (MoU) on rial meet and discussed
semiconductors at a vir- the future action plans
tual meeting of the of working groups”
India–EU Trade and
Technology Council
(TTC). “The MoU aims at
European side. The MoU
was signed by Mr
increasing resilience of
semiconductors value
Vaishnaw and Thierry
Breton, European com-
chain in India and EU
and covers cooperation
in wide areas covering
missioner for internal
markets.
The MEA said, “During
research and innovation, the virtual meeting, the
talent development, part- co-chairs reviewed the
nerships and exchange progress achieved in the
of market information”, working groups since
New Delhi said. the first ministerial
The TTC meeting was meeting and also dis-
co-chaired on the Indian cussed the future action
side by external affairs plans of these working
minister S. Jaishankar, groups. The co-chairs
Minister of commerce & provided strategic guid-
industry Piyush Goyal ance to the working
and minister of electron- groups on strategic tech-
ics and information nologies and digital con-
technology Ashwini nectivity; clean and
Vaishnaw while the EU’s green energy technolo-
executive vice-president gies; and trade, invest-
Valdis Dombrovskis and ment and resilient sup-
vice-president Vera ply chains; towards
Jourova chaired the achieving the objectives
meeting from the set out for TTC during
Railway minister of 50 kilometres of
Ashwini Vaishnaw viaduct on April 22, 2023
uploaded a video on X to and, thereafter, in six
give information about months 100 kilometres of
the feat. viaduct were completed,”
The viaducts include the NHSRCL said.
bridges over six Gujarat “The full span launch-
rivers, namely Par and ing technique (FSLM),
Auranga in Valsad dis- where 40-metre long box
trict, as well as Purna, girders are launched by
Mindhola, Ambika and state-of-the-art equip-
Venganiya in Navsari dis- ment, is being used along
trict. with span-by-span
“The first girder of the launching of segments.
project was launched on FSLM is 10 times faster
November 25, 2021, while than the span-by-span
the first kilometre of method, which is normal-
viaduct was ready in six ly used to build metro
months on June 30, 2022. viaducts,” it added.
It achieved construction According to the NHSR-
Connect with fellow Hindus and world, conquer hearts: RSS chief Bhagwat
Bangkok, Nov. 24: The
World Hindu Congress on
Friday renounced the
word Hinduism, contend-
ing that the term reflected
oppressive and discrimi-
natory and embraced
Hindutva and Hindu
Dharma to refer to the
“eternal” religion.
The third World Hindu
Congress (WHC) adopted a
declaration here asserting
that the word Hindutva
was more accurate as it
includes the gamut of all
that the word “Hindu”
implies.
“In the term ‘Hindu
Dharma’, the first word,
i.e, ‘Hindu’ is an unbound-
ed word. It signifies all
that is Sanatan or Eternal.
And then there
Dharma, which means
‘That, which sustains’,”
read the declaration
adopted at the end of the
first day of deliberations
of the WHC.
It said that in contrast,
Hinduism is totally differ-
ent because it is suffixed
with an “ism”, which is a
term defined as an oppres-
sive and discriminatory
attitude or belief.
cybersecurity breaches
and frauds coming to the
fore, the panel is likely to
call top officials of pri-
vate banks in the near
future and members
would soon undertake
field visits to bank head-
quarters in Mumbai to
check the steps taken by
banks in this regard, the
sources said.
So far, the panel has
called officials of the
State Bank of India and
the Punjab National
Bank and raised their
concerns on the issue.
Steps taken to ensure
the security of the mem-
bers of Parliament at the
new Parliament building
by the National
Informatics Centre (NIC)
were also listed by offi-
cials and they replied to
the members’ concerns
on the issue. — PTI
its establishment at the
highest levels.”
It added, “The
co–chairs expressed sat-
isfaction at the progress
achieved in the working
groups till date, particu-
larly in the areas of
semiconductors, high
performance computing,
digital public infrastruc-
tures, EV batteries and
its recycling, waste to
energy, resilient supply
chains and FDI screen-
ing. The co–chairs
stressed on taking the
collaboration through
research and innovation
to the next phase of
implementation in
terms of practical proj-
ects, through more
stakeholder consulta-
tions before the next
TTC meeting and
India–EU summit.”
It may be recalled that
the TTC was launched by
Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and
President of the
European Commission
Ursula von der Leyen
during the latter’s visit
to India in April last
year.
CL, apart from the
viaduct work, 250 kilome-
tres of pier work has also
been completed for the
project, while installation
of noise barriers has
begun along the con-
structed viaduct.
“Besides this, the laying
of the first reinforced con-
crete (RC) track bed for
the Mumbai Ahmedabad
high speed rail corridor
track system as used in
the Japanese Shinkansen
has also started in Surat,”
the NHSRCL said.
The total cost of the
Mumbai-Ahmedabad
High Speed Rail Corridor
pg 3
India will show the are criticising Sanatan
Dharma, or Sanatan with
path of happiness increasing regularity and
and satisfaction to vitriol,” it added.
the world which is The WHC condemned
stumbling from such attacks and urged
Hindus worldwide to unite
experiments with to overcome those who are
materialism, commu- engaging in such bigotry
nism and capitalism. and emerge victorious.
Earlier, addressing the
— Mohan inaugural session of the
Bhagwat WHC, RSS chief Mohan
Mohan Bhagwat RSS chief Bhagwat said India will
show the path of happi-
“It is for such reasons that “Others have used the ness and satisfaction to
many of our elders pre- alternative ‘Sanatan the world which is stum-
ferred the term “Hindutva” Dharma’, often abbreviat- bling from experiments
over Hinduism as the for- ed as ‘Sanatan’. Here the with materialism, commu-
mer is a more accurate term ‘Sanatan’ works as nism and capitalism.
term since it includes the an adjective indicating He appealed to Hindus
gamut of all that the word Hindu Dharma’s eternal across the world to reach
‘Hindu’ implies,” the decla- nature,” it said. out to each other and con-
is ration read. The declaration noted nect with world together.
The assertion in the dec- that many academicians “We have to reach out,
laration came against the and intellectuals portray connect with every Hindu.
backdrop of a row that Hindutva as the antithesis And Hindus together will
erupted after DMK leaders of Hindu Dharma, out of connect everybody in the
made certain controver-
sial remarks about
ignorance.
“But most are anti-
world. As Hindus are con-
nected in more numbers,
Sanatan Dharma at a sym-
posium with the theme
Hindutva because of their
visceral hatred and biases
the process of connecting
with the world has also
“Abolition of Sanatana”. against Hindu Dharma. started,” Mr Bhagwat said
The declaration said that Many politicians driven at the gathering of
Hindutva was not a com- by political agendas and thinkers, activists, lead-
plicated word and simply personal prejudices have ers, and entrepreneurs,
meant Hindu-ness. also joined that group, and from the world. — PTI
AAP candidate’s
poll dance goes
viral in MP
AGE CORRESPONDENT
BHOPAL, NOV. 24
An old dance video of
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
candidate from Damoh
Assembly constituency
in Madhya Pradesh
Chahat Pandey, who has
acted in many TV seri-
als, has gone viral on
social media, putting
her in the spotlight.
In the clip, she was
seen dancing to the tune
of “Oh ladka aankh
maare’, a popular num-
ber from the Bollywood
movie “Tere Mere
Sapne”.
A local politician
tagged the video in his
social media network
site attracting com-
ments. While the politi-
cal activist targeted the
AAP for fielding a non-
serious candidate like
her, a number of social
media buffs have praised
her for her bold dance.
KCR indulged
in scams, says
Shah in T’gana
Hyderabad, Nov. 24:
Stepping up the attack on
BRS president and
Telangana chief minister
K. Chandrasekhar Rao
ahead of the Assembly
polls, Union home minis-
ter Amit Shah on Friday
said the BJP, if elected to
power, would investigate
those who indulged in
corruption and put them
behind bars.
Mr Shah, who
addressed an election
rally at Armoor and
later held roadshows
here, accused the chief
minister of corruption
to the tune of thousands
of crores of rupees, and
said KCR should not rest
easy, thinking nothing
would be done about it.
“KCR, don’t sleep
soundly, your time is
over,” Mr Shah said,
adding, “Whatever
scams were done, the
BJP government will
investigate and send
those who indulged in
corruption behind
bars.” — PTI
project is pegged at `1.08
lakh crores.
As per the shareholding
pattern, the Union gov-
ernment will pay `10,000
crores to the NHSRCL,
while Gujarat and
Maharashtra are to pay
`5,000 crores each.
The rest of the cost is by
way of a loan at 0.1 per
cent interest from Japan.
The foundation of the
bullet train project was
laid in Ahmedabad in
September 2017. The
train is expected to cover
a distance of more than
500 km in around two
hours. — PTI
 NATION
THE ASIAN AGE | SATURDAY | 25 NOVEMBER 2023 | NEW DELHI
pg 4

SHORT TAKES
HC junks WB’s appeal, allows
■ Prepared for any kind of exigency: Ministry

Israel pays tribute to

26/11-attack victims
New Delhi: Paying tributes
to the victims of 26/11
Mumbai terror attacks ahead
of its 15th anniversary, Israeli
envoy Naor Gilon says the
recent attack of October 7
on Israel reminds all of the
need to jointly fight terror.
“This week, we commemo-
rate 15 years of the horrific
Mumbai terror attack. The
tragic events of Mumbai
26/11 and the recent October
7 massacre underscore the
urgency of standing togeth-
er against terrorism. Join us
in wearing the yellow band
— a symbol of our unwaver-
ing commitment to stand
together against terrorism,”
the Israeli Ambassador said.
This week ahead of the 15th
anniversary of 26/11 attack,
Israel had listed the
Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-
Taiyaba as a terrorist organi-
sation. This also came in the
wake of reports last month
which claimed Israel seeking
India to declare Palestinian
militant group Hamas a ter-
rorist organisation.
India monitoring flu cases Shah’s Nov. 29 rally in Kolkata
in China; risk to India low
AVINASH PRABHAKAR
NEW DELHI, NOV. 24
Amid the reports of clus-
tering cases of respirato-
ry illness in children in
northern China, the
Union health ministry on
Friday said that it was
closely monitoring the
H9N2 outbreak and clus-
ters of respiratory illness.
The health ministry
said, “There is low risk to
India from the avian
influenza cases reported
from China, as well as the
clusters of respiratory ill-
ness. India, the ministry
added, is prepared for any
kind of exigency that may
emerge from the current
situation in that country.”
In a statement, the min-
istry said that based on
available information, an
increase in incidence of
respiratory diseases in
◗ SINCE OCTOBER, north-
ern China has reported an
increase in influenza-like
illness compared to the
same period in the previ-
ous three years
China has been reported
in the last few weeks.
“The usual causes of res-
piratory illness in chil-
dren have been implicated
and there has been no
identification of an
unusual pathogen or any
unexpected clinical mani-
festations,” it added.
The World Health
Organisation (WHO) on
Wednesday had said,
“Chinese authorities from
the National Health
Commission reported an
increase in incidence of
respiratory diseases in
China. Chinese authori-
ties attributed this
increase to the lifting of
Covid-19 restrictions and
the circulation of known
pathogens such as
influenza, mycoplasma
pneumoniae (a common
bacterial infection which
typically affects younger
children), respiratory syn-
cytial virus (RSV), and
SARS-CoV-2 (the virus
that causes Covid-19).”
The global health body
said that since mid-
October, northern China
has reported an increase
in influenza-like illness
compared to the same
period in the previous
three years.
The ministry also held a
meeting recently under
the Directorate General of
Health Services to discuss
the preparedness meas-
ures against human cases
of avian influenza in the
country.
Warns of banning rallies at Victoria House after TMC calls it too small a space
RAJIB CHOWDHURI
KOLKATA, NOV. 24
Rejecting the West Bengal
government’s objections,
the Calcutta high court on
Friday has allowed the
BJP to organise Union
home minister Amit
Shah’s rally in the heart of
the city on November 29.
The venue of the rally is
in front of the Victoria
House at Dharmatala
where the Trinamul
Congress supremo and
chief minister Mamata
Banerjee addresses her
party’s annual event,
Shaheed Diwas rally on
July 21 every year.
Earlier this month, the
BJP also announced its
mega rally at the same
venue. But the Kolkata
police denied the permis-
sion. The BJP moved to
called the Victoria House
not a designated place for
rallies due to lack of
space. The division bench,
however, warned of ban-
ning all political rallies at
the same venue if it was
not a designated place.
Pulling up the TMC gov-
ernment over its argu-
ments, the two judges
later dismissed its plea
and upheld the single
bench-order. Leader of
Opposition Suvendu
Union home minister Amit Shah being received by Adhikari welcomed the
Union minister and Telangana BJP president G. Kishan high court order and took
Reddy upon his arrival at Begumpet airport in potshots at the CM.
Hyderabad on Friday. — PTI Mr Adhikari wrote on X,
“Justice prevails. The con-
HC, and was allowed by division bench of chief certed unholy efforts of
Justice Rajasekhar justice T.S. Sivagnanam Mamata police under the
Mantha on November 20 and Justice Hiranmay orders of Pishimoni and
to hold its rally. Bhattacharya of the Bhaipo to stifle democracy
The state government Calcutta high court who gets snubbed by the
challenged the single heard the matter. hon’ble chief justice of
bench-order before the The state government Calcutta High Court.”

U’khand: India-Nepal
military drill kicks off
New Delhi: The 17th edition
of joint military exercise
“Surya Kiran” between India
and Nepal started in
Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand
on Friday. The annual exer-
cise, which is conducted
■ ‘Bilateral ties between two nations span from sea to space’ DGCA warns airlines of threat to SC reserves
navigation system over W. Asia order over
Jaishankar hails India-Australia trust AGE CORRESPONDENT
NEW DELHI, NOV. 24
pling with uncertainties
due to new threats and
probe into
AGE CORRESPONDENT reference towards Chinese flight, in addressing chal- reports of GNSS jamming
lenges to the maritime’s
NEW DELHI, NOV. 24

External affairs minister

alternately in the two
countries, will conclude on
December 7, 2023, the
defence ministry said. The
two-wee long exercise is
aimed at enhancing interop-
erability in jungle warfare,
counter-terrorism operations
in mountainous terrain and
humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief under the UN
charter on peace keeping
operations, the ministry said.
It will provide a platform for
soldiers from India and
Nepal to exchange ideas and
experiences, share best
practices and foster a deep-
er understanding of each
other’s operational proce-
dures. — PTI
S. Jaishankar on Friday
hailed the “bridges of
bharosa (trust)” between
India and Australia, say-
ing the bilateral ties
between two nations span
from the seas to space.
In his remarks at the
sixth edition of the
“A u s t r a l i a - I n d i a
Leadership Dialogue” in
Melbourne in virtual
mode, the EAM said, “It is
this trust in bilateral ties
that helps efforts for a
‘free, open and prosperous
Indo-Pacific region’ with
rule-based order,” in what
is seen as a veiled-critical
military assertiveness in
the region.
Speaking just days after
the 2+2 dialogue at the for-
eign and defence ministe-
rial level in New Delhi, the
EAM said, “This has been
a ‘defining year’ for the
‘dosti’ (friendship) of the
two nations.”
The EAM referred to the
strong ties between India
and Australia in various
sectors, including defence,
trade, cyber domain, edu-
cation and people to peo-
ple ties, and the frequent
top-level meetings
between the two nations.
Earlier this week, in a
joint statement of the two
nations, that contained a
S. Jaishankar
veiled indication towards
China without naming it,
India and Australia had
“expressed the need to
have safe and professional
behaviour in all domains
to ensure peace and stabil-
ity”, and also expressed
support for the “freedom
of navigation and over-
rule-based order”, includ-
ing those in the East and
South China Seas.
The two nations had also
“welcomed the positive
and increased momentum
of the India-Australia
comprehensive strategic
partnership (CSP)”, and
had “agreed to continue
aircraft deployments from
each other’s territories to
build operational famil-
iarity and enhance mar-
itime domain awareness
and consolidating mar-
itime domain awareness
cooperation by enhancing
interoperability and infor-
mation sharing to consoli-
date mutual access”.
Considering the reports
of Global Navigation
Satellite System interfer-
ence over airspace in the
West Asia in the recent
past, the Director General
of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
has released an advisory
circular on GNSS inter-
ference in airspace.
The circular highlights
the emerging threats of
GNSS jamming and spoof-
ing, the various geo-
graphical areas where it
has been observed, and its
potential impact on air-
craft and ground-based
systems.
“This circular, which
comes at a time when the
aviation industry is grap-
and spoofing, provides
much-needed guidance
and clarity to all con-
cerned with a practical
road map and action plan
to deal with the threat of
GNSS interference in air-
space in an effective
manner,” said officials.
Following the recent
reports of the navigation
systems of civilian air-
craft being spoofed when
they fly over parts of the
West Asia, the DGCA
formed an internal com-
mittee on October 4, 2023
to look into the matter.
Since then, the commit-
tee has taken stock of the
situation, sensitised oper-
ators.
Adani row
RAKESH K SINGH
NEW DELHI, NOV. 24
The Supreme Court on
Friday reserved order
on PILs seeking probe
into allegations of
manipulation and fraud
against Adani Group,
following the accusa-
tions by the Hindenburg
— an American firm
engaged in short-selling.
During the hearing, a
three-judge bench of CJI
D.Y. Chandrachud
brushed aside the allega-
tions raised by petition-
ers against the members
of the panel constituted
by the SC to examine if

UN conducts course
for 17 world armies
New Delhi: The Centre for
United Nations
Peacekeeping-India
conducted a course for mili-
tary officers of 16 friendly
countries and Indian Army to
enhance leadership skills,
tactical thinking and opera-
tional effectiveness, accord-
ing to a statement. The
United Nations Pre-
Deployment Course
(Training of Trainers) was
conducted under the aegis
of the Indian Army from
November 6-24, it said. The
course, themed on the UN
framework and designed as
an empowering and collabo-
rative training programme,
was organised jointly in col-
laboration with the ministry
of external affairs, a defence
statement issued on
Friday said. — PTI
Farewell to martyrs Ultras killed in Rajouri may
have been ex-Pak soldiers
YUSUF JAMEEL
SRINAGAR, NOV. 24
Indian Army on Friday
said the militant duo
gunned down by it during
the recent encounter in
Jammu and Kashmir’s
frontier district of
Rajouri seems to have
been trained in
Afghanistan, Pakistan
and other countries.
However, their killing is a
major setback to “terror-
ism and its eco-system” in
the border belt of Rajouri-
Poonch, it added.
Army’s Northern
Command chief Lt. Gen.
Army personnel pay their last respect to the five Armymen killed in the Rajouri Upendra Dwivedi, while
encounter with terrorists at a Military Hospital on the outskirts of Jammu district on speaking to reporters
Friday. — PTI after paying his last
respects to the five Army
personnel including two
captains and a junior com-
missioned officer who laid
down their lives in the
encounter earlier this
week, said, “No doubt,
there have been martyr-
doms in the joint action of
the jawans of 9 Para
(Special Forces), but we
have eliminated dreaded
terrorists”.
He said the slain mili-
tants were involved in a
series of terror acts claim-
ing lives of unarmed civil-
ians in the region, and
therefore, it was impor-
tant to eliminate them. He
added, “It is possible they
were trained in several
countries including
Pakistan and Afgha-
nistan. They were highly
trained terrorists, and
that is why it took some
time to exterminate them,
but our brave soldiers
without caring about
their own lives carried out
this perceptible task.”
Meanwhile, the Army
sources in the garrison
town of Udhampur said
the identities of the slain
militants, one of whom
was known to the locals by
his assumed name or alias
“Qari”, were being ascer-
tained. “It is, however,
already known that both
were Pakistani nationals
and there is possibility of
them being ex-Pak sol-
diers,” the sources said.
there was any regulato-
ry failure in the matter.
“Is it proper for a court
without any proper mate-
rial to say that we don’t
trust Sebi and we will
form our own SIT? This
has to be done with much
calibration,” the CJI told
advocate Prashant
Bhushan, when he men-
tioned facts about panel
members O.P. Bhatt and
S o m a s e k h a r
Sundaresan.
Appearing for the the
Sebi, solicitor-general
Tushar Mehta told the
bench, “Out of the 24
cases of suspected trans-
actions, the investiga-
tion of 22 was over and
two are awaiting.”
At this, the CJI
quipped, “What is Sebi
planning to do for this
kind of volatility in the
investor market? What
is it planning to do to
protect investors?”

Cong, BJP ‘panuati’ jabs escalate
■ Continued from Page 1
tagging the Congress poster,
Mr Poonawalla said, “Bharat
ki asli PANAUTI — P-
Parivarvaad (dynastic poli-
tics), A-Aatankwaad (terror-
ism), N-Nepotism, A-absolute
corruption, U-
Underperforming economy,
T-Tushtikaran (appease-
ment), I-Ignoring national
interest for votebank.”
Rajasthan is all set to vote
on Saturday, with the BJP
aiming to unseat the ruling
Congress, which is fighting
hard to change the trend of
voting out the incumbent gov-
ernment in the state.
Polling will be held from 7
am to 6 pm in 199 out of 200
constituencies amid tight
security arrangements, chief
electoral officer Praveen
Gupta said. Due to the death
of Congress candidate in
Sriganganagar’s Karanpur
seat Gurmeet Singh Koonar,
also the sitting MLA, election
in this constituency has been
adjourned.
The Congress is focusing
mainly on the works and per-
formance of the Gehlot gov-
ernment, its schemes and
programmes and also bank-
ing on the promise of seven
guarantees if the party
retains power. The BJP
attacked the Congress on
issues such as crime against
women, appeasement, cor-
ruption and paper leak scam.
As many as 1862 candidates
are in the fray, with the num-
ber of voters being
5,25,38,105. These include
1,70,99,334 voters in the age
group of 18-30, and of them,
22,61,008 are new voters in the
18–19 age group.
Mr Gehlot, state Congress
chief Govind Singh Dotasra,
Speaker C.P. Joshi, several
ministers and former deputy
chief minister Sachin Pilot
are among the Congress lead-
ers contesting the elections.
For the BJP, Leader of the
Opposition Rajendra Ra-
thore, deputy Leader of the
Opposition and former state
president Satish Poonia, for-
mer chief minister Vasundh-
ara Raje, MPs Diya Kumari,
Rajyavardhan Rathore, Baba
Balaknath and Kirodi Lal
Meena are in the fray.
Gurjar leader late Kirodi
Singh Bainsla’s son Vijay
Bainsla is also contesting as a
BJP candidate.
Qatar’s court admits
plea by 8 Indians
■ Continued from Page 1
programme related to stealth sub-
marines. The eight Indians were report-
edly employees of an Oman-based compa-
ny Dahra Global Technologies and
Consulting Services, a company advising
on a Qatari programme aimed at obtain-
ing high-tech Italian-made submarines
that could evade radar detection and pro-
viding training for Qatar’s Navy. They
were all reportedly picked up from their
residences in Qatar in August last year
for questioning and subsequently
detained.
The eight former Indian Navy personnel
in Qatari custody were earlier identified
as (former naval personnel) Navtej Singh
Gill, Birendra Kumar Verma, Saurabh
Vashisht, Amit Nagpal, Purnendu
Tiwari, Sugunakar Pakala, Sanjeev
Gupta and Ragesh. Most of them were of
officer rank of captain or commander.
Dhami shifts office near tunnel
to keep eye on rescue operation
AGE CORRESPONDENT
DEHRADUN, NOV. 24
Seeing the need to monitor
Silkyara tunnel rescue opera-
tion cosely on the ground,
Uttarakhand chief minister
Pushkar Singh Dhami Shifted
his camp office at nearby Indo-
Tibet Border Police (ITBP)
center, 45 kilometers from the
accident site.
State officials informed that
Mr Dhami had to shift camp
office temporarily to track res-
cue operation himself. Besides
this, he is also required to
have first hand information to
brief PM Modi, as latter con- Family members of Rajendra Bediya, one of the workers trapped
sistently wants updates on res- in the Silkyara tunnel, in Khirabera village in Ranchi. —PTI
cue operation.
Talking to PM on Friday

Fresh obstacles delay PM to speak at UN’s COP28 climate talks afternoon, Mr

tunnel rescue efforts
■ Continued from Page 1
drilling size to 46.5 metres,” said Mr
Khairwal.
Further elaborating on the multi-
agency efforts since Thursday, Mr
Khairwal stated that the NDRF and the
SDRF technicians worked hard to cut
and clear large steel girdles and iron
rods from the path of the auger
machine.
A special safety canopy was also
developed through pre-cast RCC box
culverts and pipes to support the safe
evacuation of rescuers working inside
the escape passage during emergen-
cies.
Notwithstanding the setbacks, offi-
cials involved in the rescue operations
assured this newspaper that drilling
for escape passage will resume soon as
the removal of obstacles is in the final
stage.
■ Continued from Page 1
According to Oxfam
International, a group of
charitable organisations, the
world’s wealthiest 10 per cent
were responsible for half of
global emissions in 2015.
Mr Modi had attended the
Glasgow climate talks in 2021
and announced India’s strate-
gy to combat climate change.
In August last year, India
updated nationally deter-
mined contributions or nation
action plan to achieve the
goals set in the 2015 Paris
Agreement, especially the tar-
get of limiting global warm-
ing to well below 2 degrees
Celsius and preferably to 1.5
degrees Celsius.
India’s updated NDCs aim to
reduce emissions intensity of
gross domestic product by 45
per cent by 2030 from 2005 lev-
els and achieve 50 per cent
cumulative electric power
installed capacity from non-
fossil fuel-based energy
resources by 2030.
Union environment minister
Bhupender Yadav will also
participate in high-level
events and roundtables of the
28th session of the annual cli-
mate talks (COP28), including
on finance for climate goals,
emissions reduction, adapta-
tion to climate impacts, and
transitioning to a green econ-
omy with inclusivity.
COP28, scheduled to take
place from November 30 to
December 12 in Dubai, UAE,
will see the conclusion of the
first-ever “global stocktake”, a
periodic review of collective
progress to meet the Paris
Agreement goals. This assess-
ment will shape forthcoming
climate action plans by 2025.
The climate conference may
see hectic negotiations on how
the fund meant to provide
financial support to develop-
ing and poor countries for cli-
mate impacts should operate,
and funding for adaptation.
The global south would
demand the global north to
undertake rapid decarbonisa-
tion and massively scale up
finance and technology sup-
port to limit global warming
to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Discontent among developing
countries regarding unful-
filled promises of financial
aid, particularly the yet-to-
materialize $100 billion
pledged by rich countries by
2020, is expected. — PTI
informed him that besides
Dhami
monitoring ongoing relief and
rescue operations directly on
the ground, he has also tem-
porarily shifted CM camp
office at Matali based ITBP
centre. Prime Minister in turn
sought detailed update about
the obstacles and hindrances
arising in the rescue work.
The CM informed Mr Modi
that Silkayara tunnel is being
constructed in accordance
with New Austrian Tunnel
Method. However heavy Iron
rods, steel girdles, pipes
trapped under debris have
caused reoccurring hurdles
leading to frequent halt of
auger machine work, Mr
Dhami said.
The chief minister told
Prime Minister that as the
efforts to resume eacape pas-
sage work was in progress, a
safety shotcrete canopy was
Kin of more trapped Odisha
workers on way to U’khand
Bhubaneswar, Nov. 24: The
Odisha government is sending
family members of three of
the five Odia workers who
were trapped inside the col-
lapsed under-construction
tunnel in Uttarakhand for 13
days, an official said on Friday.
The kin of the two other
labourers are already in
Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi dis-
trict where the incident
occurred.
Besides, labour com-
missioner N. Thirumala Naik
said, one more official of the
department will travel to the
also developed through pre-
cast RCC box culvert and
hume pipe to support the oper-
ation.
site where two others are
camping and providing all
updates about the rescue oper-
ation to the government.
A total of 41 workers were
trapped inside the Silkyara
tunnel, as the operation to
evacuate them continued to
get disrupted for one reason or
another.
“While family members of
two workers are already in
Uttarkashi, family members of
another three workers will
travel there on Saturday
morning,” the labour commi-
sioner said. — PTI
He stated this will also help
safe evacuation of people
engaged in rescue operation in
case of emergency.
 EDIT
THE ASIAN AGE | SATURDAY | 25 NOVEMBER 2023 | NEW DELHI
pg 5

Subhani

25 NOVEMBER 2023

Why elections in Rajasthan,

T’gana likely to be historic
T
he final phase of the five-state Assembly elections, the last of this year,
and the penultimate polls before the 2024 general elections to elect the
next Lok Sabha, will roll out in Rajasthan and Telangana on September
25 and 30, respectively. And every outcome in each of these two states will
make history.
In Rajasthan, like Kerala for a long time (before the Left buckled the trend in the
last elections) and Punjab (before the Akalis-BJP alliance retained power a
decade ago), people have been booting out the government without exception. No
government has been able to retain the trust of people based on performance and
delivery to get a second term.
If Rajasthan continues with the trend, and the BJP wins, it will prove that yet
again a government has failed to fulfil the aspirations of people. It would be dis-
appointing because more than what power would mean to political parties,
democracy must mean success for people. The BJP is rather certain of a win, and
it would be politically amazing, because they would
If the Congress do so without portraying the former chief minister
retains Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje Scindia as the CM face in the state.
Like in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, the BJP
it would be a chose to sacrifice the option of projecting a former

India in a bind at Brics &

trend-buster of a CM with more than a term in their resume and fight
win and, given the the elections without a concrete promise of who the LETTERS
Ashok Gehlot- chief minister would be. This would in turn imply a
Sachin Pilot high possibility that, irrespective of the poll out-
come, two veterans are on their political swansong.
FINAL HARD KNOCK
face-off marking If the Congress retains Rajasthan, it would be a

G-20 over Gaza waffling It is laudable that the

most of the term, trend-buster of a win and, given the Ashok Gehlot-
an incredible Sachin Pilot face-off marking most of the term, an Supreme Court has come
feat incredible feat, even if highly unlikely.
In Telangana, there are strong winds seeking out with the most wel-
change, as per most reports, and if the Congress Party succeeds in unseating the come verdict making it
ruling BRS led by chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, it would be an amazing It’s not a coincidence egation of Muslim nations,
political story of a turnaround against odds, because less than a year ago, the officials and organisations abundantly clear to the
that China’s tilt seeking a “ceasefire”.
pink party looked like driving its car to power again. If, against such reports of governors that when a bill
severe anti-incumbency, the BRS can hold on to power, even if in an alliance with K.C. Singh towards the That word has been avoid-
passed by a state As-
the MIM if it falls short, would be a spectacular fightback. Palestinian and Arab ed by India in public state-
Incidentally, it would make history because no single leader or party has won narrative is a deliber- ments, exactly like the sembly and sent for their
three consecutive state elections in south India ever. The BRS is trying to seek a United States. Implicit in
hat-trick term for CM KCR based on their track record of a combination of devel-
ate move to choose that omission is the mes-
assent, being titular heads
opment and welfare, including a pension scheme for senior citizens and Rythu the 57-member sage that Israel has the free- of states, they don’t have
Bandhu, a land owner cash transfer scheme aimed at bringing investment into Organisation of Islamic dom to uproot Hamas, what- the power to veto it or sit
agriculture, besides the refashioning of Hyderabad into a major metropolis with Conference and the ever the material damage or
indefinitely on it. The

T
its rising status one of India’s most investor-friendly cities. he Government of
Opposition parties, both Congress and the BJP, blame the BRS government for India had planned
having been dictatorial, corrupt and dynastic. Several members of the KCR fam- diplomatic ascen-
ily have enjoyed plum positions, at a time when there are strong headwinds dancy in 2023 as
against the BRS, especially for failing to deliver on key promises like free land for its chairmanship
dalits, 2BHK homes for all poor families and jobs for youth even after a decade in of the G-20 began. The aim
power. was to consolidate its rising
The Congress hopes several factors, including the leadership of its charismatic international stature and
new PCC president A. Revanth Reddy and the Bharat Jodo Yatra by Rahul employ it for domestic polit-
Gandhi with its appeal to voters, especially womenfolk, would help them do what ical marketing months
seemed most unlikely not too long ago. before crucial state
Assembly elections and
then the 2024 Lok Sabha
polls. The cricket ODI
World Cup was to be the
India must clear air with US icing on the cake, which
melted in Ahmedabad.
But the Israel-Hamas war
ment. No joint statement
could be issued due to the
differing perceptions but
the Chair’s summary and
the statements of Brazil,
China and Russia conveyed
the drift. Brazilian
President Lula balanced the
condemnation of Hamas’
attack on Israel by seeking
the release of hostages and
an end to the “human cata-
strophe”. China’s Xi argued
that the root cause had been
ignored, which was the “the
right of the Palestinian peo-
ple to statehood, their right
to existence, and their right
22-member Arab
League over Israel
Brics-Plus is now in danger
of being nudged, if not guid-
ed, by the China-Russia
partnership. It is hardly a
coincidence that China’s tilt
towards the Palestinian and
Arab narrative is a deliber-
ate move to choose the 57-
member Organisation of
Islamic Conference (OIC)
and the 22-member Arab
League over Israel. As it is,
China’s ties with the US
loss of innocent lives. Even
in the US, public opinion
amongst younger voters has
turned against President
Joe Biden over what is seen
as his blind support to
Israel.
Surprisingly, no peaceful
demonstration has taken
place near the Israeli or US
missions in India. This has
not happened even in the
Opposition-ruled states.
One reason could be sympa-
thy with Israel due to India
itself having been a victim
of terrorism sponsored by a
neighbouring state.
apex court also made it
clear that when a bill
which has been returned
by the governor is re-
enacted by the Assembly
and returned to him with
or without any amend-
ments, the governor has
no other option but to
give assent to the bill. The
top court has also con-
firmed that it is Speaker’s

T
he case of an alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani sympathiser and dual in Gaza that began on Oct. 7
US-Canadian citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York has pre- this year and the polarisa-
sented India with its biggest diplomatic challenge in the wake of its vast- tion earlier between the US-
ly improved relations with the US. led Nato and Russia, with
Having displayed indignation at a similar charge made about a possible mounting convergence with
Indian hand in the June killing of Khalistani Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British China over the Ukraine war
Columbia in Canada, India’s response to reports that the US had thwarted a since February 2022, created
plot to eliminate Pannun was very subdued. major distractions. In addi-
If not deferential, India’s measured reply — “The US side shared some inputs tion, China’s economic
pertaining to nexus between organised criminals, gun runners, terrorists and slowdown and domestic pre-
others… and they (India) decided to take necessary follow-up action” — occupation also impinged
showed that it cannot and will not risk damaging ties with the US as it had
with Canada.
on the functioning of the
Brics and G-20.
The Canadian charge of extrajudicial killing was blatantly conveyed with Against this backdrop, the
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau airing the charge in the Canadian Parliament meetings of these two
first. Mr Trudeau did not go on to substantiate the charge with tangible proof groups earlier this week
and India could assume its harsh retaliatory action regarding Canadian diplo- hold important lessons. The
mats in India had not done too much damage to its ties with the US. South African presidency of
No country would accept that it uses targeted killings as an instrument of Brics convened a virtual
state policy though history is known to be pockmarked with dark deeds done summit on November 21 on
in the shadowy world of espionage, involving spies, agents, operatives and “the Middle East situation”.
paid assassins. Truth to tell, the world’s most powerful nations, including South Africa has been
democracies, may have used assassination plots to get rid of inconvenient aggressively criticising the
“enemies” on foreign soil but such “Dark Ops” are never carried out without Israeli bombings in Gaza,
“plausible deniability”. which have caused a heavy
It is not improbable that India may have acted, at least indirectly, in neigh- civilian toll of over 11,000
bouring countries regarding taking on “enemies”, but never has it been and counting. South Africa
known to attempt gangland type of killings in faraway places like North withdrew its ambassador to
America, charges over which are cropping up now. Israel and its Parliament
How official India clears the air privately with their counterparts in the US has passed an Opposition
may define how much closer India gets to the US at a time when it is being
actively wooed by the West as a counterweight to balance China’s aggressive
motion to shut down the
Israeli embassy in Pretoria.
posturing in world affairs. Prime Minister Narendra
Modi skipped the meeting,
pleading preoccupation
with electioneering. The
Presidents of the other three
THE ASIAN AGE original members -- Russia’s
Vladimir Putin, China’s Xi
KAUSHIK MITTER K. SUDHAKAR Jinping and Brazil’s Luiz
Editor Printer & Publisher
Lula da Silva attended. Also
THE ASIAN AGE office is located at: invited were the leaders of
New Delhi: Jawaharlal Nehru National Youth Centre, 219 Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, New Delhi-110002. Phone: Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia,
(011) 23211124. Iran, Saudi Arabia and the
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Ethiopia, like India, was
◗ London: Quickmarsh Ltd, 8th Floor, Block 2, Elizabeth House, 39 York Road, London, SE1 7NQ. represented at a level lower
RNI Registration number: 57290/94 than the head of govern-
to return”. Russia’s
Vladimir Putin sought de-
escalation, ceasefire and a
political solution. He felt
Brics could play a key role
in resolving the conflict.
The Chair’s summary pro-
pounded that forced dis-
placement of people
whether within Gaza or to
neighbouring states “consti-
tuted grave breaches of the
Geneva Conventions and
war crimes and violations
under international human-
itarian law”.
South Africa has gone a
step further and alongside
Bangladesh, Bolivia and
Comoros has approached
the International Criminal
Court at The Hague to take
action against Israel. It has
even sought international
warrants against Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu. South Africa’s
evangelism against the pur-
ported Israeli war crimes
can only be explained as
their angst against Israel for
its extreme closeness to past
apartheid governments.
India has been caught in a
bind. The minute it allowed
Brics to be expanded to
admit the likes of Iran and
Saudi Arabia, it opened the
door to the agenda getting
hijacked by countries hold-
ing extreme positions in an
increasingly polarized
world. Next Pakistan is
apparently applying to join
Brics. Its entry will further
vitiate the economic agenda
of the organisation.
Clearly, the expanded
were already on a competi-
tive if not an outright con-
frontational path.
India is stuck in the mid-
dle of these two camps. The
BJP’s traditionally Islamo-
phobic orientation and
Prime Minister Narendra
Modi’s making relations
with Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu
intensely personal caused
instinctive voicing of soli-
darity with Israel after the
October 7 attack. The min-
istry of external affairs was
blindsided and it took some
days to guide India back
into a more balanced posi-
tion. But the flip-flops dur-
ing UN votes, the reitera-
tion of traditional Indian
support to a two-state solu-
tion were aimed to project
India as neutral. But good
care was taken to not con-
demn Israeli ignoring of
civilian safety and even hos-
pital infrastructure while
going after Hamas. The new
coinage, that external
affairs minister S.
Jaishankar espouses, is the
“need for restraint and
immediate humanitarian
support”. He also advocates
“peaceful resolution
through dialogue and
diplomacy”.
But the irony is that India,
which has sought to be the
voice of the Global South,
does not figure in the “diplo-
macy” being undertaken.
Qatar is at the heart of the
humanitarian pause and
hostage release. China host-
ed earlier in the week a del-
Another could be the man-
agement by the Union gov-
ernment of social media
posts of horrible carnage
caused by Israeli bombing,
including the death of over
4,000 innocent children. It
could also be a reflection of a
BJP-envisioned Bharat that
does not empathise much
with sufferings in a distant
Muslim society.
Whatever the reason, this
will diminish Indian stand-
ing globally as a rising
power that has an indepen-
dent voice based on morali-
ty and humanitarianism.
Therefore, it is not sur-
prising that the final event
of India’s G-20 presidency, a
virtual summit, was left
colourless with the
Presidents of the US and
China skipping it. India’s
desire to be seen as the
cheerleader of the Global
South also stands compro-
mised in a world that looks
different at the end of 2023
than at its beginning. China
has by its strong anti-Israel
positioning stolen the thun-
der, while gathering sup-
port for its acceptance as the
second pole in a bipolar
world. The lesson for India
is that running sometimes
with the hare and at others
hunting with the hound
leaves you diplomatically
dangling between two
stools.
The writer is a former
secretary in the external
affairs ministry. He tweets
at @ambkcsingh.
call to adjourn or pro-
rogue the House and the
governors cannot poke
their nose into the powers
of the Speaker either.
Tharcius S. Fernando
Chennai
A BREAKTHROUGH?
THE GLIMMER OF HOPE for the
release of the hostages in Gaza must
not be allowed to extinguish. The
death of more than 13000 people and
many more injured has proved that
the humans cause more harm to
other humans than nature does.
Almost the entire world is universal
in its condemnation of Israeli action.
There have been protests in Israel
too. However, it is definitely strange
that the Hamas action of taking
hostages and their attack on Israel is
not equally condemned.
Anthony Henriques
Mumbai
VINDICTIVE DIDI
WEST BENGAL CM Mamata
Banerjee lashed out at the BJP and
the CPI(M) over allegations of cor-
ruption and warned the saffron camp
that if the central agencies could
arrest four of her MLAs, she would
arrest eight rival MLAs on charges
lodged against them. It betrays her
vindictive attitude. Instead of threat-
ening the Opposition, she would do
well to move court with irrefutable
evidence of corruption against the
Opposition leaders, seeking the
court's order to investigate them.
Sankar Paul
Chakdaha, West Bengal

Farrukh “Why not accept that trees can sing

When autumn winds blow through their leaves?
Dhondy Mocking the silent buds of spring
This shedding oak constantly grieves.
Cabbages & Bachchoo, you know it’s just the air
Vibrating — not a song or sigh.
Kings Logic and science are so unfair,
Sentencing poetry to die…”
From Allowed-In Killjoy — A History by
Bachchoo
Focus on Boris,
I
n the UK in 2021 alone 77,727 people died of the
Covid-19 pandemic; in 2020 the number was
69,771 while in 2022 the figure was 46,000. These
two scientific and epidemiologist experts, Chris
Whitty and Patrick Vallance, were recruited for
day-to-day discussions and the formulation of poli-
cy. The advisory panel was called SAGE — the
Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies — and
had perhaps 50 professors and medical experts
doing their research and forwarding their results.
Now, after a period of criticism and examination
in the media, including all manner of denials, the
main one being vaccine-scepticism and even
lunatic conspiracy theories about the anti-Covid
vaccine being infused with mind control drugs to
reduce human beings to robots in the service of Bill
Gates, the inquiry is in progress. It is questioning
the key policymakers.
senior adviser to Prime Minister Boris “Pinocchio”
Johnson, whom BoJo subsequently dismissed and
made a bitter and vengeful enemy of. Mr
Cummings testified that Boris Johnson had, when
the pandemic hit and the scientists suggested that
the nation should be shut down and people isolated
so as not to relay the contagion, argued against a
lockdown in order to keep the economy active. He
is supposed to have said “let the bodies pile up in
their thousands”.
Now, he may have said this or he may not have.
Another unsubstantiated anecdote alleges that
BoJo claimed his favourite film character was the
mayor in Jaws who refused to close the beaches
and so allowed the sharks to kill more reckless
So, double hearsay — and on the innocent-until-
proven-guilty principle we mustn’t think of Hedgie
as the second horseman of the Apocalypse.
What is in the public domain is that Hedgie, when
he was chancellor during the Covid-19 epidemic,
announced a scheme called “Eat Out to Help Out”.
Under this scheme, designed to save the hospitality
and restaurant economy, the public’s eating-out
bills were subsidised by the government when they
ate a meal at a restaurant.
Sir Patrick now says that this scheme was not dis-
cussed before it was activated. What he meant and
means is that the reckless encouragement to step
out and walk into the public environment of a
restaurant caused the avoidable spread of the virus

Rishi as Britain deaths would have been seen in, say a plague
year in Britain (three of these raged in
Shakespeare’s lifetime) as an act of God. Not today.
A proportion of these excess deaths are certainly
examines how it seen as the consequences of the stupidity of some in
the population and, much more seriously, as fail-
ures of government policy.
The purpose of the inquiry is not to lay the blame
for the deaths or misjudgments at anyone’s door.
There can be no official recriminations, holding to
account or bringing charges against anyone. The
purported aim of the inquiry is to prepare for
future pandemics by examining the handling of
this one.
swimmers and surfers. The truth is that BoJo did
hesitate to impose the second lockdown during the
epidemic and certainly was against the third. The
and, in his calculations, increased the number of
subsequent Covid-19 deaths.
“Eat out to Die out?” Who cares — we only paid
bodies did, as noted in my first paragraph above, half the bill that lovely Mr Sunoch paid the rest out
pile up in their thousands. BoJo is of course famous
for his sense of choosing the most appropriate joke.
(Wonder what a giggle he’s having over events
of taxpayers’ money. No surprise then that both
BoJo and Hedgie say the economy suffered not
because of 13 years of Tory financial f-ups but

handled Covid Which government is now compelled to launch a

public inquiry into the entire handling of the epi-
demic and the government’s reaction or failure.
The inquiry is entrusted with finding out precisely
how the virus spread and what the government of
the time did or did not do.
When Covid struck BoJo was the PM, Hedgie
Sunoch was the chancellor of the exchequer,
Dominic Cummings was chief adviser to BoJo and
Even so, the witnesses to the inquiry have pro-
duced some damning statements against other
players in the top team of handlers. The inquiry
uses testimony from the witnesses, recorded and
verbal recollections, diaries, WhatsApp and other
media messages between members, etc.
As I hinted, gentle reader, two sensational
remarks have been widely reported in the press.
The first was from Dominic Cummings, the
from and in Gaza?)
The second outrageous statement following this
first, comes from the diaries of Sir Patrick
Vallance, disclosed to the inquiry. In October 2020,
as a debate raged in the government about whether
to have a second lockdown, Sir Patrick recorded
that Dominic Cummings told Boris Johnson in the
meeting: “Rishi says just let people die and that’s
okay.”
because of the Ukraine war and the “inevitable”
Covid-19 lockdowns. There are headbangers in the
Tory press who say that lockdowns were not neces-
sary, and they point to Sweden where there were no
lockdowns but proportionally fewer deaths
through all through the Covid-19 pandemic. That
could, of course, simply mean that the Swedish pop-
ulace are socially responsible and don’t swarm to
rock concerts and religious melas.
 WORLD
THE ASIAN AGE | SATURDAY | 25 NOVEMBER 2023 | NEW DELHI
pg 6

SHORT

JAPAN’S TALLEST
TAKES
BUILDING (330 MT.)
OPENS IN TOKYO
Tokyo, Nov. 24: Japan’s new
tallest building opened in
Tokyo on Friday, taking the
title from an Osaka skyscraper.
The 330-metre-high Azabudai
Hills Mori JP Tower is not
Japan’s highest structure,
which is still the Tokyo
Skytree, a broadcasting and
observation tower in the capi-
tal’s east at 634 metres. The JP
Tower will have an overall floor
area of 861,700 square metres.
OPPN CANDIDATES
REGISTER FOR
Usual pathogens in
flu outbreak: Beijing
Beijing, Nov. 24: Chinese
health authorities have
not detected any unusual
or novel pathogens and
provided the requested
data on an increase in res-
piratory illnesses and
reported clusters of pneu-
monia in children, the
World Health
Organization (WHO) said
on Thursday.
The WHO had asked
China for more informa-
tion on Wednesday after
groups including the
China’s foreign minister Wang Yi (right) shakes hands
with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna prior to
A convoy of Israeli army vehicles manoeuvres near the southern border after leaving Gaza on Friday. — AP
Program for Monitoring
Emerging Diseases
a meeting in Beijing on Friday. — AP

TAIWAN ELECTION
It’s visa-free China
(ProMED) reported clus-

Hamas frees hostages

ters of undiagnosed pneu-
Taipei, Nov. 24: Taiwan’s oppo- monia in children in
sition parties registered sepa- north China.

travel for 5 nations

rate tickets on Friday for As per the rule, China
January’s presidential election responded to the WHO
following the dramatic last- within 24 hours. The WHO

as Gaza truce in effect

minute breakdown of a pro-
posed alliance to topple the rul-
ing Democratic Progressive
Party.
The lead-up to the self-ruled
island’s January 13 poll is
being closely watched —
including by policymakers in
Beijing and Washington.
Beijing, which claims Taiwan
as its territory, is opposed to
the Democratic Progressive
Party.
WORLD’S LARGEST
ICEBERG BREAKS
FREE IN ANTARCTIC
London, Nov. 24: The world’s
largest iceberg is on the move
for the first time in more than
three decades, scientists said
on Friday.
At almost 4,000 square km
(1,500 square miles), the
Antarctic iceberg called A23a is
roughly three times the size of
New York City.
Since calving off West
Antarctica’s Filchner-Ronne
Ice Shelf in 1986, the iceberg —
which once hosted a Soviet
research station — has largely
been stranded after its base
became stuck on the floor of
the Weddell Sea.
The berg weighs nearly a tril-
lion metric tonnes.
VIETNAMESE
TYCOONS HELD IN
FRAUD CASES
Hanoi, Nov. 24: Vietnamese
prosecutors announced char-
ges against a major drinks
tycoon on Friday, the latest in a
Qatar-mediated ceasefire will see more aid delivery to Gaza
Gaza Strip, Nov. 25:
Hamas on Friday freed a
first batch of hostages
seized in the deadliest
attack in Israel’s history
under a deal that saw a
temporary truce take hold
in war-ravaged Gaza.
Thirteen Israeli
hostages captured during
Palestinian militants'
murderous October 7
cross-border raids were
handed over to their coun-
try’s security forces, an
Israeli security source
said. It came after Hamas
sources said the hostages
had been transferred to
the Red Cross to be taken
to the Rafah border cross-
ing between Gaza and
Egypt. Live footage
showed Red Cross jeeps
entering the crossing with
passengers on board,
some of them waving.
The first group of
women and child hostages
were set to return to Israel
under a deal that followed
weeks of talks involving
Israel, Palestinian mili-
tant groups, Qatar, Egypt
and the United States.
Israel is set to release
three times as many
Palestinian prisoners
from Israeli jails —
women and teenage boys.
Key mediator Qatar con-
firmed Hamas had on
Friday released a total of
GLIMMER OF HOPE
●Temporary cease-fire
agreement will see the release
of dozens of people
taken hostage.
● It is the first respite to
war-weary Palestinians in Gaza.
●Those freed by both sides will
be women and minors.
● The deal was brokered by
Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt and
announced on Wednesday.
● Israel holds nearly 7,000
Palestinians accused or
convicted of security offenses.
24 hostages and that Israel
had freed 39 women and
children from its prisons.
“Those released include
13 Israeli citizens, some of
whom are dual citizens, in
addition to 10 Thai citi-
zens and a Filipino citi-
zen,” its foreign ministry
spokesperson Majed Al
Ansari said.
A White House official
said “we do not expect
Americans to be among
the first group released
today but remain hopeful
that there will be
Americans among the 50
released”. — AFP
Members of the Women's International Zionist
Organization and Mothers of Hope gather with
portraits of hostages held by the Hamas mili-
tants, in Paris on Friday.
●Hamas said hundreds of trucks carrying
humanitarian aid and fuel are to be allowed to
enter Gaza every day as part of the deal.
FUTURE PALESTINIAN STATE COULD BE
DEMILITARISED, SAYS EGYPT’S SISI
Cairo, Nov. 24: A future
Palestinian state could be
demilitarised and have a
temporary international
security presence to pro-
vide guarantees to both it
and to Israel, Egyptian
President Abdel Fattah al-
Sisi said on Friday.
“We said that we are
ready for this state to be
demilitarised, and there
can also be guarantees of
had sought epidemiologic
and clinical information
as well as laboratory
results through the
International Health
Regulations mechanism.
The data suggests the
increase is linked to the
lifting of COVID-19
restrictions along with
the circulation of known
pathogens like mycoplas-
ma pneumoniae, a com-
mon bacterial infection
that typically affects
younger children and
which has circulated
since May. Influenza, res-
piratory syncytial virus
(RSV) and adenovirus
have been in circulation
since October. — Reuters
— AP
SUNAK’S TAX
CUTS YIELD
POLLING BOOST
London, Nov. 24:
Support for British
Prime Minister Rishi
Sunak’s Conservative
Party has risen by four
percentage points fol-
forces, whether NATO lowing the announce-
forces, United Nations ment of tax cuts and
forces, or Arab or financial support this
American forces, until we week, the Times newspa-
achieve security for both per reported on Friday,
states, the nascent
Palestinian state and the
citing polling by YouGov.
On Wednesday, finance
Israeli state,” Sisi said
during a joint news con-
minister Jeremy Hunt
announced tax cuts for
ference in Cairo with
Spanish PM Pedro
workers before
expected 2024 election
an
Sanchez and Belgian PM and gave businesses
Alexander D. C. — Reuters incentives. — Reuters
Beijing, Nov. 24: China steps in recent months —
will temporarily exempt including restoring inter-
citizens of France, national flight routes — to
Germany, Italy, the revive its tourism sector
Netherlands, Spain and
Malaysia from needing
following three years of
strict Covid-19 measures
visas to visit the world’s that largely shut its bor-
second-largest economy ders to the outside world.
in a bid to give a boost to The government is also
post-pandemic tourism. looking to re-establish its
From December 1 to image around the world
November 30 next year, after clashing with many
citizens of those coun- Western countries on var-
tries entering China for ious issues including
business, tourism, visit-
ing relatives and friends,
Covid-19, human rights,
Taiwan and trade.
or transiting for no more
than 15 days, will not need
A recent Pew Research
Center survey in 24 coun-
a visa, a foreign ministry
spokesperson said.
tries revealed that views
of China were broadly
China has been taking negative. — Reuters
Wilders’ victory
shocks Muslims
The Hague, Nov. 24:
Dutch Muslims expressed
shock on Thursday at the
election win of far-right
populist Geert Wilders,
who has previously called
for mosques and the
Koran to be banned in the
Netherlands.
Wilders and his
Freedom Party (PVV)
beat all predictions on Geert Wilders
Wednesday night by win-
ning 37 seats out of 150 in
● FAR-RIGHT
POPULIST Geert
the Dutch parliament,
well ahead of a Wilders won the
Labour/Green combina- Dutch Parliamentary
tion and the outgoing elections on Thursday.
Prime Minister Mark
Rutte’s conservatives. ● HE HAS EARLIER
called for mosques and

34 arrested in Dublin riots

wave of arrests targeting top
business leaders accused of
embezzling billions of dollars.
Truong Quy Thanh, the head
of Tan Hiep Phat Group —
which makes some of the coun-
try’s most popular soft drinks
— is to be prosecuted along
with his two daughters for
appropriating $31.5 million.
Authorities in the communist
state have unveiled a string of
prosecutions in recent days
accusing high-profile business
figures of massive fraud.
SARKOZY DENIES
WRONGDOING IN
“These election results
are shocking for Dutch the Koran to be banned
Muslims. We did not in the Netherlands.
expect such a party with a
programme that is
after stabbing of three kids against the basic princi-
ples of the rule of law to
be so big,” said Muhsin
Koktas of Muslim organi-
munity worker in multi-
ethnic Schilderswijk.
Mehdi Koc, a 41-year-old
Dublin, Nov. 24: Irish zation CMO. insulation installer, said
Prime Minister Leo Muslims make up he was shocked by the
Varadkar said on Friday it around 5 per cent of he swing to the PVV, while
was safe to return to Dutch population of Taheri said the vote sent
Dublin city centre after almost 18 million people. different messages,
police made 34 arrests fol- “It was a blow I have to although the overwhelm-
lowing overnight rioting process,” Abdessamad ing emotion was of disap-
that was triggered by the Taheri, a 45-year old com- pointment. — Reuters
Ukrainian soldiers pass by a volunteer bus burning
stabbing of three young
children in the street.
after a Russian drone hit it near Bakhmut. — AP

Imran to be quizzed
Irish police have warned
that further violence
FRENCH COURT could follow after rioters

Paris, Nov 24: Former French

president Nicolas Sarkozy on
Friday “vigorously” denied
any wrongdoing as he appealed
a one-year jail sentence for ille-
gal campaign financing.
Sarkozy has faced a litany of
legal problems since his sole
term in office from 2007 until
2012 and has been charged sep-
arately with corruption,
bribery, influence-peddling as
well as breaking campaign
financing laws. “I vigorously
deny any criminal responsibili-
ty,” the 68-year-old said at the
Paris Court of Appeal.
“I deny, and I hope to demon-
strate, that I ever had any
knowledge of fraud, that I ever
asked for fraud or even benefit-
ed from fraud,” he said.
NO TERROR SIGN
Russia pounds
industrial town
Kyiv, Nov. 24: A third
wave of Russian forces is
attacking the eastern
Ukrainian town
Avdiivka and systemati-
of
cally shelling the centre
of the industrial hub, its
Ukrainian head said on
Friday.
The nearly-encircled
town near the Russian-
held regional stronghold
of Donetsk has faced a
fierce onslaught for more
than a month.
“The third wave (of
assaults) began. They are
attacking from all direc-
MIGRANT FLOW
FROM RUSSIA MUST
STOP: FINNISH PM
Helsinki, Nov. 24: Finl-
and’s Prime Minister
Petteri Orpo said on
Friday an unusually high
inflow of migrants to the
Nordic country from
Russia, for which
Helsinki blames Moscow,
must stop.
“We want to send a clear
smashed shop windows,
set fire to police cars,
buses and a tram, and
clashed with officers in
violence rarely seen in the
Irish capital.
Shoppers and tourists
returned on Black Friday
morning, walking past
police officers guarding
looted stores and
patrolling the area in
large numbers. Burnt out
vehicles were removed.
“Those involved brought
shame on Dublin, brought
shame on Ireland,
Varadkar said.
“Our advice is that it is
safe to come into the city.
The riots that occurred
WOOF | WOOF Fiuto in Rome consults veterinary nutritionists for their menu
Debris being cleared after unrest and rioting hit Dublin
on Friday.
last night only occurred
in a relatively small part
of it, thankfully, and were
contained within hours.”
A five-year-old girl
remained in a critical con-
dition on Friday following
emergency treatment for
serious injuries sustained
in the stabbing, which
happened near a school
and beside the main thor-
oughfare of O'Connell
Street.
Police, who say they
— AP
have not ruled out any
motive including whether
it was terror-related, have
not commented on the
nationality of a man
detained in connection
with the stabbings but
there was immediate spec-
ulation online that he was
foreign. Police blamed far-
right agitators for starting
the violence after a small
group of anti-immigrant
protesters arrived at the
scene. — Reuters
for four more days
Islamabad, Nov. 24: A
Pakistani accountability
court has granted four
Judge Muhammad Bashir
conducted the in-prison
hearing in the high-secu-
more days to the anti-
graft body to interrogate
jailed former prime min-
rity jail on Thursday.
Judge Bashir ordered
the National
ister Imran Khan in the
Al-Qadir Trust corrup-
Accountability Bureau
(NAB) to investigate the
tion case, a media report
said on Friday.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf
(PTI) party chief inside
Khan, 71, has been the high-security jail and
incarcerated in the said he would not be shift-
Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi ed anywhere.
since September 26 in The judge also directed
various cases. the NAB to complete the
Accountability Court investigation. — PTI

Italy’s 1st fine dining spot for dogs

IN NIAGARA CAR
WRECK CASE
Niagra Falls, Nov. 24: The FBI
has ended its investigation of a
fiery car wreck that killed two
people at a border checkpoint
in Niagara Falls after finding
no evidence that it was a terror
attack, easing a period of high
tensions as Americans headed
into the Thanksgiving holiday.
The FBI’s decision late on
Wednesday came several
hours after the vehicle raced
through an intersection, hit a
median and was launched
through the air before slam-
ming into a line of booths and
exploding at the Rainbow
Bridge in Niagara Falls. The
case is now a traffic probe.
tions, from the flanks of
the south and north, as
they did before. They are
attacking the industrial
zone,” Vitaly Barabash,
the town’s chief, said.
Avdiivka has been on
the front line since 2014
and is part of the Donetsk
region, which the
Kremlin has claimed to
have annexed along with
three other regions.
“They are attacking
from all sides, using a lot
of infantry. Machinery
went to the industrial
zone, because the asphalt
surface allows them to do
so,” Barabash said.
He said Russian forces
were targeting Avdiivka
with guided air bombs
and cluster munitions
message to Russia: This
must stop,” Orpo told a
press conference. “This is
a question of hybrid
attacks, and of national
security.”. — Reuters
resulting in between 30
and 40 “massive” strikes
each day.
Barabash said 1,350 resi-
dents were remaining in
the town that had a pre-
war population of around
30,000 people, and that 102
people had been evacuat-
ed over the last week.
Under fire since 2014,
the town has been largely
destroyed by shelling, but
has become a symbol of
Ukrainian resistance.
— AFP
Rome, Nov. 24: Pepe’s
meal is so good he licks the
plate clean. In any other
Rome establishment, slob-
bering on one’s chicken
and mashed potato would
be frowned upon — but
this is “Fiuto”, Italy’s first
dogs’ restaurant.
The lighting is soft,
lounge music plays in the
background, attentive
staff show people and pets
to their tables and ask
whether furry, four-legged
customers might fancy a
boiled egg with pureed
peas and fontina cheese?
Or perhaps a simple fish
with ricotta and cour-
gettes? Thirsty pups can
opt for a green apple and
watermelon juice, or go
wild and have a pear,
strawberry or banana one
instead. “We drew up the
menu with a veterinary
nutritionist with whom I
determined the ingredi-
ents, taking allergies into
account, because dogs
have many more allergies
than humans,” said head
chef Luca Grammatico,
who previously worked as
a dog trainer.
Pepe, a four-year-old
Bichon with a naughty
face, licks every last
crumb off his elegant
black bowl, almost taking
the geometric patterns off
too.
Pets “are part of our
family, so why not treat
them like family?” says
Sara Nicosanti, as she
takes a selfie with Mango,
her five-year-old Jack
Russell, in the mirror-
lined area designed espe-
cially for this purpose.
There is not a bark to be
heard: guests focus on
their designer bowls, sit-
ting on blankets next to A dog named Pepe waits for a bone-shaped dessert
their owners’. — AFP served at the Fiuto restaurant in Rome. — AFP
 NEW DELHI | SATURDAY | 25 NOVEMBER 2023
quick
BITES
INDICATORS % in the apparel retail mar-
Sensex 65,970.04 -0.07
Nifty 50 19,794.70 -0.04
S&P 500* 4,555.57 -0.02
Dollar (`) 83.37 -0.024
Pound Sterling (`) 104.47 0.17
Euro (`) 90.94 0.09
Gold (10gm)* (`) 61,347▼275 0.45
Brent crude ($/bbl)* 81.54 0.15
IN 10-Yr bond yield 7.273 0.02
US 10-Yr T-bill yield* 4.461 0.045
* As of 8:30 PM IST
Gati launches
new distribution
warehouse
Express distribution and supply
chain management company
Gati on Friday launched a tech-
enabled surface transhipment
centre and distribution ware-
house (STCDW) at Mayasandra,
Bengaluru. The launch is a part
of the company’s plan to build
21 modern, automated and
environment-friendly STCDWs.
The STCDW is equipped to
deliver daily throughput of
1,600 tonne and monthly
throughput of 40,000 tonne.
MakeMyTrip inks
pact with WEP to
empower women
Travel portal MakeMyTrip has
partnered with the Women
Entrepreneurship Platform
(WEP) to launch ‘Project
Maitri’ that is aimed at empow-
ering women homestay owners
in the North Eastern Region.
As part of the project, select
women homestay owners will
receive specialised training tai-
lored to their business needs,
MakeMyTrip said in a state-
ment. This training will be
given on a wide range of skills.
Fintech Airpay
acquires personal
finance start-up
Integrated financial services
platform airpay on Friday
announced the acquisition of
Finfinity Technologies, a Delhi-
based personal finance man-
agement start-up and the
developer of Finmapp app.
The acquisition would fortify
airpay’s integration play across
the ‘payments to lending to
investing’ ecosystem, the com-
pany said. “The acquisition,
expected to be completed by
March,” the company said.
Prestige Estates
announces two
housing projects
Realty firm Prestige Estates
Projects Ltd has launched a
new housing project, ‘Prestige
Glenbrook’ in Whitefield,
Bengaluru. “The development
comprises 285 apartments
across two high-rise towers
with a developable area of 0.7
million square feet and has a
revenue potential of `550
crore,” Prestige said. It expects
its sale bookings to `20,000
crore in this fiscal.
Printed & Published by
K. Sudhakar on behalf of
Deccan Chronicle Holdings Limited.
Printed at BFL Infotech Ltd, C-9 Sector
3, Noida-201301. Published at 219, N D
Tiwari Bhawan, Deen Dayal Upadhyay
Marg, New Delhi-110002.
Editor: Kaushik Mitter, RNI
Registration number 30074/09,
Air surcharge Re 1. © All rights
reserved. Reproduction in whole or
in part without written permission of
The Editor,
Financial Chronicle ® is prohibited.
US monthly apparel store sales increased 5% to $18.1 billion in October
Apparel exports likely to rise
SANGEETHA G
CHENNAI, NOV. 24
Green shoots are visible
ket of key importers like
the US and the UK.
Indian exporters expect
improved imports during
the holiday season.
Though the imports have
been lower till September
in these key markets,
October retail sales indi-
cate growth in purchases.
This disparity is expected
to translate into better
import of apparel.
In September 2023, US
apparel imports at $7.4 bil-
lion were 23 per cent lower
than in September 2022.
Berkshire sells stake Tata Tech witnesses record 73.5L
in Paytm’s promoter applications for IPO subscription
New Delhi, Nov. 24:
Billionaire Warren Buffet-
backed Berkshire
Hathaway Inc on Friday
divested its entire 2.46 per
cent stake in Paytm's par-
ent company One97
Communications for
`1,371 crore through an
open market transaction.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc
through its affiliate BH
International Holdings
sold more than 1.56 crore
shares of fintech compa-
ny Paytm on the National
Stock Exchange (NSE).
According to the bulk
deal data available with
the NSE, BH Internation-
al Holdings offloaded
1,56,23,529 shares, amoun-
ting to a 2.46 per cent
stake in Noida-headquar-
tered Paytm.
The shares were dis-
posed of at an average
price of `877.29 apiece,
FORTIS MALAR TO
SELL BUSINESS OPS
TO MGM HEALTHCARE
FC CORRESPONDENT
CHENNAI, NOV. 24
Fortis Malar in Chennai,
has signed a definitive
agreement for the sale of
its business operations to
city-based MGM
Healthcare for around Rs
45.5 crore.
Adjunct to this transac-
tion, the OPD and radio
diagnostics business
operations related to the
140-bed Malar Hospital
(including the land and
building) and the adjacent
land parcels are also
being divested by two
wholly owned sub-
sidiaries of Fortis
Healthcare, namely Fortis
Health Management and
Hospitalia Eastern to
MGM. Fortis Healthcare
owns a 62.7 per cent equi-
ty in the company.
The transaction will be
an all-cash deal and is
expected to be consum-
mated by the end of
January 2024, subject to
certain conditions prece-
dent and closing condi-
tions as stipulated in the
definitive agreements
including the approvals
from shareholders of
both companies.
NEW | TECH
Racing body dials AIto detect track violations
Abu Dhabi, Nov. 24:
Formula One’s governing
body is trying artificial
intelligence (AI) to tackle
track limits breaches at
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Paris-based FIA said
it would be using
‘Computer Vision’ tech-
nology that uses shape
analysis to work out the
number of pixels going
past the track edge.
The AI will sort out the
genuine breaches, where
drivers cross the white
line at the edge of the
track with all four wheels,
reducing the workload for
the FIA's remote opera-
For the year
September, imports were
22 per cent lower than in
2022.
till
However, in October, US
monthly apparel store
sales were estimated to be
$18.1 billion which is 5 per
cent more than October
2022 and 6 per cent higher
year-to-date, as per the
data of Wazir Advisors.
Similarly, EU apparel
imports in September 2023
were $7.5 billion which is
29 per cent lower than
September 2022.
On a year-to-date basis,
the imports were 13 per
cent lower than in 2022.
UK apparel imports in
September were 18 per
taking the transaction
value to `1,370.63 crore.
Meanwhile, Copthall
Mauritius Investment
picked up 75,75,529 shares
and Ghisallo Master Fund
LP acquired 42.7 lakh sha-
res, amounting to a 1.19
per cent and 0.6 per cent
stake in Paytm, respec-
tively.
The shares were pur-
chased at an average price
of `877.2 per piece, taking
the aggregate deal value
to `1,039.5 crore.
Details of the other buy-
ers could not be ascer-
tained.
Shares of One97
Communications declined
3.08 per cent to close at
`895 apiece on the NSE on
Friday. It reported the nar-
rowing of consolidated
loss to `291.7 crore in the
second quarter of the cur-
rent fiscal. — PTI
IOC to double LNG PSU insurance companies
capacity at Ennore shine on postive outlook
New Delhi, Nov. 24:
Indian Oil Corp aims to
double the capacity of its
liquefied natural gas
(LNG) import terminal at
Ennore in Tamil Nadu,
Sandeep Jain, the compa-
ny's executive director for
gas business, said on
Friday.
The company plans to
expand capacity to 10 mil-
lion metric ton per year
(tpy) amid the growing
demand for gas in the
country, Jain told
reporters at an industry
event. He did not elabo-
rate the details.
India wants to raise the
share of gas in its energy
mix to 15 per cent by 2030,
up from the current 6.2
per cent, as part of an
effort to cut emissions.
Jain said IOC hopes to
boost local sales of gas to
Foreign exchange reserves touch $596 billion AmpIn Energy plans to
Mumbai, Nov. 24: India's
forex reserves increased
by $5.07 billion to $595.39
billion during the week
ended November 17, the
Reserve Bank said on
Friday.
In the previous report-
ing week, the forex
reserves declined $462 mil-
lion to $590.321 billion.
For the week ended Nov
.17, the foreign currency
assets, a major component
Computer vision to reduce workload for FIA's remote operations centre
tions centre (ROC) and
speeding up the response.
The Austrian Grand Prix
was a high water mark for
the sport with just four
people having to process
an avalanche of some
1,200 potential violations.
cent lower than in
September 2022 and 15 per
cent lower on a year-to-
date basis. However, in
October 2023, the UK’s
monthly apparel store
sales were just 5 per cent
lower than in October 2022
and on a year-to-date
RAVI RANJAN PRASAD
MUMBAI, NOV. 24
Three of the four initial
public offerings closed
with bumper subscrip-
tions on Friday by all cate-
gories of investors with
Tata Technologies attract-
ing over 73.5 lakh applica-
tions, a new record for
IPOs.
Tata Technologies pub-
lic issues got subscribed
69.4 times with qualified
institutional investors
portion getting sub-
scribed 203.4 times, non-
institutional or high net
worth category sub-
scribed 62.1 times and
retail individual category
received bids 16.5 times
shares on offer. Other
Issues of Flair Writing
Industries got subscribed
49.2 times, Gandhar Oil
Refinery final subscrip-
20 million tpy by 2030, a
substantial increase from
the current 6.3 million tpy.
Aside from the Ennore
terminal, IOC has leased
capacity in at least two
local projects operated by
other companies
import gas.
to
Jain said India needs to
sign more long-term LNG
import contracts to
ensure price stability.
IOC recently signed two
agreements for 14-year
LNG import contracts
worth $11 billion (approx
`9 lakh crore), he said.
— Reuters
invest `3,100 cr in 3 states
of the reserves, increased
$4.38 billion to $526.39 bil-
lion, according to the
Weekly Statistical
Supplement released by
the Reserve Bank of India.
It can be noted that in
October 2021, the coun-
try's forex kitty had
reached an all-time high of
$645 billion.
The reserves took a hit
as the central bank
deployed the kitty to
● THE AI will sort
out the breaches,
where drivers cross
the white line at the
edge of the track,
reducing the work-
load for the FIA's
remote operations
centre.
By the title-deciding
Qatar weekend in Oct.
there were eight people
assigned to assess track
limits and monitor 820
corner passes, with 141
reports sent to race con-
trol who then deleted 51
● IMPORTS HAVE
been lower till Sept.
in key markets,
Oct. retail sales
indicate growth in
purchases. This
disparity is expected
to translate into
better import of
apparel.
basis, the sales were 7 per
cent higher than in 2022.
In Q3 2023, UK’s online
sales of clothing regis-
tered a growth of 18 per
cent over Q3 2022.
“The disparity between
imports by major markets
like the United States and
tion stood at 65.6 times
and Fedbank Financial
Services got subscribed
2.2 times.
“The huge appetite for
equities stems from the
confidence that investors
have in the India growth
story and the large uni-
verse of fast-growing,
well-managed companies,
which are expected to
deliver good profits," said
Mahavir Lunawat, manag-
ing director, Pantomath
Capital Advisors.
Reduced listing timeline
for IPOs are also helping
investors apply for more
RAVI RANJAN PRASAD
MUMBAI, NOV. 24
PSU insurance companies
stocks made big gains on
Friday after positive out-
look reports and manage-
ment commentary, new
product launch announce-
ments. Life Insurance
Corporation of India
(LIC)gained 9.69 per cent
on BSE at market close,
General Insurance
Corporation gained 16.70
per cent and New India
Assurance gained 20 per
cent.
LIC shares closed at Rs
677.65 up 9.69 per cent a
touching an intra-day
high of Rs 681.80 on BSE,
General Insurance
Corporation of India
shares closed at Rs 307.55
up 16.70 per cent .and New
India Assurance Shares
defend the rupee amid
pressures caused majorly
by global developments
since last year.
Expressed in dollar
terms, the foreign curren-
cy assets include the effect
of appreciation or depre-
ciation of non-US units
like the euro, pound and
yen held in the foreign
exchange reserves.
Gold reserves were up
$527 million to $46.04 bil-
laps. Some breaches still
went unpunished at US
Grand Prix in Austin,
however.
Stewards said this
month that their inability
to properly enforce track
limits violations at turn
six was ‘completely unsat-
isfactory’ and a solution
needed to be found before
the start of next season.
Tim Malyon, the FIA’s
head of remote operations
and deputy race director,
said the Computer Vision
technology had been used
effectively in medicine in
areas.
“They don't want to use
the United Kingdom and
their retail sales indicates
a significant drawdown
from pipeline inventory. A
demand surge is likely to
be there from these mar-
kets going ahead,” said
Sanjay Jain, managing
director of TT Textiles.
Further, China’s market
share has decreased 5 per
cent in the United States
market and that of
Bangladesh is down 3 per
cent since 2021. In the
European Union market,
China’s share is down 2
per cent and it has
declined 6 per cent in the
United Kingdom market.
This provides an opportu-
nity for Indian exporters.
IPOs.
“Security exchange boa-
rd of India has annou-
nced a reduction in the
timeline for listing shares
on stock exchanges follow-
ing the closure of IPOs.
The regulation has cut the
listing timeframe from the
extant T+6 days to T+3
days. Reduced timeline
means that investor
money would be blocked
for a shorter duration of
time while for a company.
Investors now have the
opportunity for having
early credit and liquidity
for their investment,
which enable investors to
analyse and participate in
more IPOs opening paral-
lel," Lunawat said.
The five main board
IPOs closing this are like-
ly to list by the first week
of December after share
allotments.
gained 20 per cent closing
a Rs 209.40, a new 52 week
high.
Life Insurance
Corporation of India is
planning to launch a new
plan named "Jeevan
Utsav" which is likely to
boost its market share as
its a non-linked, non-par-
ticipating , individual sav-
ings, whole life insurance
plan for which people
from 90 days to 65 years
lion during the week, the
the Reserve Bank of India
said.
The Special Drawing
Rights were up $120 mil-
lion to $18.13 billion, it
said.
India’s reserve position
with the International
Monetary Fund was up
$42 million to $4.83 billion
in the reporting week, the
Reserve Bank of India
data showed. — PTI
the Computer Vision to
diagnose cancer, what
they want to do is to use it
to throw out the 80 per
cent of cases where there
clearly is no cancer in
order to give the well
trained people more time
to look at the 20 per
cent,”he said. “And that's
what we are targeting.”
Malyon said the extra
Computer Vision layer
would reduce the number
of potential infringe-
ments being considered by
the ROC, with still fewer
than going on to race con-
trol for further action.
— Reuters
Govt to act tough on
violations by social
media platforms
New Delhi, Nov. 24: The
government will assist
people in filing FIRs
against social media plat-
forms in case they are
aggrieved by objection-
able content like deep-
fakes that are in violation
of IT rules.
Union minister Rajeev
Chandrasekhar on Friday
said the Ministry of elec-
tronics and information
technology (Meity) will
develop a platform on
which people can notify
the ministry about IT rule
violations by social media
platforms.
Speaking to the media
after a meeting with the
representatives of social
media platforms here, the
minister also said that
social media platforms
have been given seven
days time to align their
terms of use as per the IT
rules.
Further, Chandrasekhar
said it will be acceptable
for the government if
social media platforms
label content as deepfake
instead of taking down
the content.
The ministry will
appoint an officer who
will deal with implemen-
tation of Rule 7 of IT
Rules that were notified in
October 2022.
According to Chandr-
asekhar, the move will
enable people who are
aggrieved by objection-
able content to file First
Information Reports
(FIRs) against social
media platforms.
Meity will put in place a
platform through which
the social media users can
notify the ministry about
the violations. Also, a
mechanism will be
designed to assist them in
age will be eligible, said
an analyst.
"LIC has levers in place
to maintain its industry
leading position and ramp
up growth in the highly
profitable product seg-
ments," said a report by
Motilal Oswal Financial
Services and set target
price of Rs 850.
"Despite muted markets
PSU Insurance shares
LIC, GIC and New India
Assurance surged after a
long haul mainly on the
back of reports stating
industry growth outlook
to “positive” from “sta-
ble”. LIC has also project-
ed double-digit growth
over the last year and
plans to launch new
attractive products," said
Prashanth Tapse, senior
VP (Research), Mehta
Equities.
New Delhi, Nov. 24:
AmpIn Energy Transition
on Friday announced
plans to invest `3,100
crore in states including
Bihar, Odisha and
Jharkhand.
The investments will be
made towards setting up
renewable energy projects
of about 600 MW and a 1.3
GW integrated manufac-
turing facility of solar
cells and modules, the
company said in a state-
ment.
“Significant invest-
ments are planned in West
Bengal, Bihar, Odisha,
Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh
and the Northeastern
states. The investment
reflects our commitment
of accelerating the renew-
able energy transition and
adoption of clean energy
solutions in the Eastern
region,” the company
said.
In the Eastern region,
the company said it
already has the largest
solar open access portfolio
of 200 MWp, the largest
utility power purchase
agreement with CESC for
a 250 MWp of wind solar
hybrid project.
The company is serving
marquee customers in the
pg 7
● MINISTRY OF
Electronics and
Information Technology
will put in place a plat-
form through which the
social media users can
notify the ministry
about the violations.
filing FIRs, he said.
Section 7 of the IT rules
deals with revoking the
intermediary status of
social media platforms
and taking action against
them.
“From today onwards,
there will be a slight
departure in the way
Meity will handle this
(violation of IT rules).
“In the past, we were not
necessarily going for 100
per cent response to 100
per cent violations but
today onwards, there will
be 100 per cent compli-
ance, zero tolerance for
any violations by any of
the platforms,” minster
said.
Chandrasekhar said that
social media platforms in
the meeting agreed that
the current law has a pro-
vision and if they comply
with it, then the issue of
deepfakes can be dealt
with.
The new platform will be
separate from the current
Grievance Appellate
Committee. — PTI
ANISH SHAH TO
HEAD INDUSTRY
BODY FICCI
New Delhi, Nov. 24:
Industry body Ficci on
Friday said Anish Shah,
Mahindra Group chief
executive officer and
managing director of its
parent firm Mahindra &
Mahindra, will take over
as its president next
month.
Shah is the senior vice-
president of Ficci and
will succeed Subhrakant
Panda as the president of
the chamber at its 96th
annual general meeting
from Dec.8-9.
His focus is on establish-
ing tech leadership, and
enabling value creation
across businesses, Ficci
said.
Shah is a member of the
UK Investment Council,
chair of the automotive
governors council, World
Economic Forum. — PTI
region across diverse sec-
tors such as steel and
cement, IT and data cen-
tre, heavy engineering,
FMCG, utility etc through
its projects.
“Our investment marks
a milestone in our mis-
sion to drive the transi-
tion to renewables in the
region. With the right pol-
icy intervention like
Green Energy Open
Access, the shift to renew-
ables is unstoppable.
“The integrated solar
cell & module manufac-
turing capacity that we
are establishing in the
region, would strengthen
the push to renewables,”
said Pinaki Bhatta-
charyya, managing direc-
tor and chief executive
officer, AmpIn Energy
Transition.
AmpIn is a renewable
energy transition plat-
form with a total portfolio
of 3 GWp spread over 17
states of India.
— PTI
 GAMES
THE ASIAN AGE | SATURDAY | 25 NOVEMBER 2023 | NEW DELHI
SHORT TAKES
Tennis players
will not tour Pak
New Delhi: India’s top two sin-
gles players Sumit Nagal and
Sasi Kumar Mukund have con-
veyed to the national tennis
federation that they won’t trav-
el to Pakistan for the next Davis
Cup tie and the baffled AITA
has decided to discuss the
players’ refusal at its next
Executive Committee meeting.
Nagal is India’s best-ranked sin-
gles player at number 141 in the
ATP chart and Mukund is sec-
ond-best at number 477.
The two players have conveyed
their unavailability for the
World Group ‘I’ play-off tie to
be played in February but have
not specified the reason behind
their decision.
It was known that Nagal did not
want to play because the tie
will be held on grass courts, a
surface that does not suit his
game style. Mukund has opted
out of the matches because of
“personal reasons”.
“Nagal had conveyed to the
team management long back
that he should not be consid-
ered for the tie against Pakistan
because grass court is not his
preferred surface,” said an AITA
source. — PTI
Minnu to lead
India ‘A’ women
Bengaluru: Kerala cricketer C.
Minnu Mani was on Friday
named the India ‘A’ Women
team captain for the three-
match T20I series against their
England counterparts, begin-
ning in Mumbai on November
29.
The 24-year-old off-spinner is
also the first cricketer from
Kerala to lead an India ‘A’
Women side.
Minnu, who hails from
Wayanad, a district in Northern
Kerala, has played four matches
for India taking five wickets.
She made her international
debut during the three-match
T20I series against Bangladesh
at Mirpur this July. Minnu was
also a part of India’s gold
medal-winning women’s team
during the Hangzhou Asian
Games earlier this year.
India ‘A’ Women will play three
matches against England ‘A’
Women on November 29,
December 1 and 3, and all the
matches will be played at the
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. —
PTI
The squad: C. Minnu Mani (cap-
tain), Kanika Ahuja, Uma
Chetry, Shreyanka Patil, G.
Trisha, Vrinda Dinesh, G. Divya,
Arushi Goel, Disha Kasat, Rashi
Kanojiya, Mannat Kashyap,
Anusha Bareddy, Monica Patel,
G Kashavee, Jintimani Kalita,
Prakashika Naik.
WPL auction to be
held on Dec. 9
New Delhi: The players’ auction
ahead of the 2024 edition of
the Women’s Premier League
(WPL) will be held on
December 9 in Mumbai, the
BCCI announced on Friday.
The second edition of the WPL
could take place in February-
March next year.
Mumbai Indians are the defend-
ing WPL champions, as they
had beaten Delhi Capitals by
seven wickets in the final on
March 26 at the Brabourne
Stadium earlier this year.
Mumbai were led by
Harmanpreet Kaur, while the
recently-retired Meg Lanning
captained Delhi in 2023.
The five franchises — Mumbai,
Delhi, Royal Challengers
Bangalore, Gujarat Giants and
UP Warriorz — had retained 60
cricketers, including 21 from
overseas, ahead of the auction.
A total of 29 players were
released from contract from the
existing squads. — PTI
Athlete Rachna
fails dope test
New Delhi: India’s Hangzhou
Asian Games participant ham-
mer thrower Rachna Kumari has
returned positive in a dope test
conducted by international fed-
eration’s Athletics Integrity Unit
(AIU) just before the continen-
tal showpiece and has been
handed provisional suspension.
The 30-year-old Kumari’s dope
sample, taken out-of-competi-
tion, was found to contain
steroids Stanozolol,
Metandienone and
Dehydrochloromethyltestostero
ne (DHCMT).
When contacted, Kumari said
she had given urine samples to
officials working for a foreign
dope testing agency in Patiala
on September 24. “I have not
got any information that I have
failed dope test, though I had
given my urine sample on
September 24 in Patiala,” she
told PTI from her home in Uttar
Pradesh.
An official of the Athletics
Federation of India (AFI) also
confirmed that Kumari has
failed a dope test but refused
to give details as it relates to
the AIU. — PTI
Different strokes
Played without fear, aided by Ishan, says Surya
Visakhapatnam, Nov. 24:
“Fearless” is how middle-
order batter Suryakumar
Yadav described his hurri-
cane knock in the first
T20I against Australia
here and said he felt
“proud” to lead the coun-
try to victory on his cap-
taincy debut.
Suryakumar smashed a
42-ball 80 and shared a 112-
run partnership with
Ishan Kishan as India
chased down Australia’s
massive 208 for 3 off the
penultimate ball of the
match on Thursday for a
two-wicket victory.
Surya had contributed
just 18 runs in the World
Cup final against
Australia on Sunday as
India lost by six wickets
on the big stage.
But playing in his
favourite format and lead-
ing the side in the absence
of an injured Hardik
Pandya, Suryakumar was
menacing, scooping four
sixes and hitting nine
boundaries on way to
overshadowing
Inglis’s 50-ball 110 and
Josh
helping the hosts take a 1-0
lead in the five-match
series.
Asked to describe his
game in one word, ‘Mr 360
degrees’ said, “fearless”.
The skipper compliment-
ed Ishan Kishan for help-
ing the team overhaul the
huge target. Kishan’s 39-
ball 58 following the depar-
ture of opener Ruturaj
Gaikwad for duck had set
the platform for the gutsy
chase. “I think, he (Ishan)
helped me really well. For
me to be fearless, him stay-
ing there and his knock
was very important,” said
Suryakumar, whose strike
rate of 190.47 was the key
to the chase.
Finally, Rinku Singh
drove India to victory with
an unbeaten 22 off 14
deliveries. “I think he
(Rinku) was very calm,
though it was a pressure
situation. When he came
in to bat, he was very calm
and the composure which
he showed, I think, that
was great to see,”
Suryakumar told the
BCCI.
On whether there were
tense moments in the
dressing room after seeing
Australia’s 200-plus total
on the board, the skipper
said: “Little bit. Itna expe-
rience nahin hai dressing
room mein (there isn’t
that much experience in
the dressing room) but all
the boys were excited.”
“When they saw the
score on the board, they
only said one thing, ‘if we
win this game it will be
truly enjoyable’. Very
proud to lead the country
and very happy to con-
tribute in my first game as
captain. Looking forward
to the next game and how
it goes,” added
Suryakumar.
— PTI
Djoker powers Serbia into semis
Mlaga (Spain), Nov. 24:
World number one Novak
Djokovic steered Serbia
into the Davis Cup semifi-
nals as he beat Cameron
Norrie 6-4, 6-4 to secure a
2-0 triumph over Great
Britain in Malaga on
Thursday.
The 36-year-old rebuked
British fans at the end of
the match as they tried to
down out his victory
speech.
After Miomir
Kecmanovic edged Jack
Draper 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (8/6)
in the opening clash 24-
time Grand Slam winner
Djokovic outclassed a
stubborn Norrie to book a
date with Jannik Sinner’s
Italy on Saturday, after
they beat the Netherlands
2-1.
Djokovic, who
Sinner to win the ATP
beat
Finals on Sunday in Turin
before flying to the Costa
del Sol, celebrated his
landmark 400th week at
number one with a
straight sets win over
Norrie, the captains agree-
ing not to play the redun-
dant doubles.
British fans outnum-
bered Serbs at the sold-out
Martin Carpena arena but
the relentless Djokovic
silenced them with his
21st consecutive Davis
Cup singles win.
“Keep going, keep
going,” said Djokovic,
addressing British fans
trying to drown him out
with drums as he spoke
Indian batsman Rinku Singh in action during the first T20 match against Australia at
the Dr YSR ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.
Practice is Kishan’s net profit
Visakhapatnam, Nov. 24:
Spending time on the
bench during the ODI
World Cup meant numer-
ous opportunities for
Ishan Kishan to work on
his game under expert
coaches. He batted and
batted at the nets, visualis-
ing about how to play cer-
tain bowlers in match situ-
ations.
During the first T20
International against
Australia here on
Thursday, the 25-year-old
India batter reaped the
rewards of diligently
doing all the homework a
while back in the company
of the country’s best crick-
eters, including a couple of
all-time greats.
At the receiving end of
his onslaught was leg-
Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball to Britain’s Cameron Norrie during the Davis
Cup quarterfinal at the Martin Carpena sportshall in Malaga on Thursday.
after his win.
“Learn how to respect
people, learn how to
respect players, learn how
to behave
yourselves.”Djokovic said
earlier this week winning
the competition is one of
his “greatest goals” in a
year where he has lifted
seven titles, including
three Grand Slams.
The veteran star was
part of Serbia’s only Davis
Cup triumph in 2010 and
his country eliminated 10-
time champions Britain,
spinner Tanveer Sangha,
off whom Kishan collect-
ed 30 runs off only 10
deliveries.
“During the World Cup,
when I wasn’t playing, I
asked myself before every
practice session What is
important for me now.
What I could do. I prac-
tised a lot in nets. I was
constantly talking to the
coaches about the game,
how to take the game deep.
How to target certain
bowlers.
“Being a lefty against
leg-spinner, I know how
the wicket was as I had
kept for 20 overs. When
you are chasing 209, you
need to target a bowler,
who you can hit. I had a
chat with Surya
(Suryakumar) bhai that
who faced an uphill strug-
gle after Kecmanovic
defeated Draper in two tie-
breaks.
Britain, without the
injured Andy Murray and
Dan Evans, were hoping
Draper could give them a
cushion.
Serbia captain Viktor
Troicki selected
Kecmanovic over the high-
er ranked Laslo Djere and
the world number 55
raised his game in return.
Draper staved off two set
points to hold for 5-5 but
I’m going to take (on) this
guy (Sangha) wherever he
bowls because we need to
get the runs and balls
close,” Kishan said at the
post-match press confer-
ence.
“You can’t leave too
many runs for the batters
at the back. It won’t be
easy for them to play the
big shots straight away. I
had to take my chances
and I believed in myself,”
he added.
Thanks to Kishan’s 58 off
39 balls and Suryakumar
Yadav’s 42-ball 80, India
chased down a target of
209 with a ball to spare,
taking a 1-0 lead in the
five-match series.
Communication with
Suryakumar, who is lead-
ing the team in this series
— AFP
unravelled in the first tie-
break, double faulting
twice and miscalculating
a drop shot to hand the
Serbian the set on a plate.
After composing himself
the second set was even
tighter than the first, with
neither player able to find
a break again.
The near-flawless
Kecmanovic triumphed
when Draper lashed a
forehand wide and then
pushed a return into the
net.
— AFP
DHONI TALK
HELPED RINKU
TO STAY CALM
Visakhapatnam, Nov. 24:
India batter Rinku Singh
credited legendary former
captain M. S. Dhoni for
helping him stay calm in
crunch situations which
he showed in ample meas-
ure during his knock in
the first T20I against
Australia here.
Rinku played the role of
a finisher on Thursday,
hitting the winning runs
in the final over and hand-
ing India a two-wicket vic-
tory. “As for my secret to
calmness, I had discus-
sions with Mahi (Dhoni)
bhai about what he does to
stay calm, especially in
the last over,” Rinku was
quoted as saying in a BCCI
video after Thursday’s
win.
“He (Dhoni) told me to
try to remain as calm as
possible and try looking
straight (at the bowler).
That’s how I tried to stay
calm in the game,” he
said, though he did not
mention when the discus-
sions with Dhoni hap-
pened.
Chasing a stiff target of
209, India were reeling at
154 for 4 in the 15th over
when Rinku walked in.
The 26-year-old Uttar
Pradesh batter remained
not out on 22 off 14 balls,
hitting four fours at a
strike rate of 157.14.
“Feeling good that we
won. My only aim was to
be perfect when I walked
out to bat, and it felt good
out there to be playing
alongside Surya. I was
thinking of doing what I
generally do in crunch sit-
uations and was trying to
stay as calm as possible,”
he added. — PTI
and with whom Kishan
has played a lot of cricket
in the IPL, was the key
after India lost two early
wickets in a big chase.
“We lost two wickets
early and partnership was
very important. I played
with Surya bhai in the
same team in IPL also so I
know how he plays, what
shots he can play... the
communication I think it
was very good today in the
middle,” he said.
Young leg-spinner Ravi
Bishnoi had a difficult day
in the field, gong for 54
runs in his four overs.
“It was not easy for spin-
ners, even when the
Australian spinners were
bowling they went for
runs,” Ishan said.
— PTI
PISTORIUS GETS
PAROLE 10 YRS
AFTER MURDER
Pretoria (South Africa),
Nov. 24: Double-amputee
Olym-pic runner Oscar
Pistorius was granted
parole on Friday, 10
years after shooting his
girlfriend through a toi-
let door at his home in
South Africa in a killing
that jolted the world.
Department of
Corrections spokesper-
son Singabakho
Nxumalo said:
“Pistorius would be
released from prison on
January 5. His parole
will come with condi-
tions, including that he
not leave the area of
Pretoria where he is set
to live without permis-
sion from authorities.
Pistorius, who turned 37
this week, will also
attend a program to deal
with his anger issues
and will have to perform
community service.”
Pistorius’ parole condi-
tions will be in place for
five years, the
Department of
Corrections said.
“Parole does not mean
the end of the sentence.
It is still part of the sen-
tence. It only means the
inmate will complete the
sentence outside a cor-
rectional facility,”
Nxumalo said.
— AP
pg 8
CHINA | MASTERS
Satwik & Chirag
enter semifinals
Shenzhen, Nov. 24: India’s nail. But the Indian com-
H. S. Prannoy made bination soon started
unforced errors galore to dominating the proceed-
make an exit
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy
but ings with an onslaught of
attacking shots to break
and Chirag
stormed into the men’s
Shetty
doubles semifinal at the
off at 14-14.
Chirag made some right
judgements and they
China Masters Super 750
badminton tournament
were 19-16 up soon and
then the Mumbaikar dis-
here on Friday. played his attacking
Top seeds Satwik and intent once again, coming
Chirag dished out an to the front court after
attacking game to outwit serving to quickly close
world no. 13 Leo Rolly out the issue with a quick
Carnando and Daniel return.
Marthin of Indonesia 21- The Indians kept up the
16, 21-14 in 46 minutes. tempo to surge to a 5-2
However, world no. 8 lead early in the second
Prannoy had a bad day in game. A few taps went to
office as he struggled to the net from but they
curb his errors and went ensured a two-point lead
down 9-21, 14-21 against at 7-5 with Satwik
Japan’s world champi- unleashing a stiff return.
onships silver medallist A flurry of smashes
Kodai Naraoka in a lop- took the Indians to a
sided contest later in the healthy 11-6 advantage at
day. the interval.
Satwik and Chirag, who The Indonesians could-
won the Indonesia Super n’t match the attack of
1000, Korea Super 500 and their rivals, who were
Swiss Super 300 this year, relentless from the first
will face Chinese pair He point. The Indians quick-
Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu
next.
ly moved to 17-10. The
longest rally of the match
The former world num-
ber one Indian duo
ensued next with
Marthin producing a pre-
showed coordination. cise smash to end the 48-
They interchanged their shot rally.
positions frequently and A lucky net chord put
also altered the direction the Indians three points
of their stinging attack away and Marthin next
which made life difficult went to the net as they
for their Indonesian grabbed seven match
rivals, who wilted under points. Satwik and Chirag
pressure. squandered one before
The match started on an winning a video referral
even keel with both the to seal their last four
pairs fighting tooth and place. — PTI
Liverpool face
Man City test
Manchester (England),
Nov. 24: Liverpool head to
Manchester City on
INTER, JUVENTUS
Saturday for a clash
between the Premier IN A BATTLE FOR
League’s top two teams,
TOP ITALIAN SPOT
hoping to prove they are
once again genuine title
contenders. Milan, Nov. 24: Inter
The Reds have been Milan and Juventus face
City’s most consistent off on Sunday in a clash
challengers during a dom- between Serie ‘A’s two
inant era for Pep title favourites and his-
Guardiola’s men. toric rivals, as Walter
Liverpool’s first title for Mazzarri begins his sec-
30 years in 2019/20 was ond reign at troubled
the only time City have Napoli.
failed to become champi- Two points ahead of
ons of England in the past Juve after 12 matches,
six seasons.
In 2018-19 and 2021-22,
leaders Inter have had a
dream season so far as
they edged out Jurgen
Klopp’s side by a single
they look comfortably
Italy’s best team and have
point in thrilling title ensured passage to the
races. Champions League
But it was Arsenal who knockouts with two
pushed City close last sea- matches to spare.
son as Liverpool sank to Now they begin a brutal
fifth after coming agonis- run of fixtures against a
ingly close to an unprece- Juve team which has
dented quadruple of tro- become the distillation of
phies the previous year. Massimiliano Allegri’s
Klopp has christened hyper-pragmatic style of
his rejuvenated squad football — hard on the
“Liverpool 2.0” but eyes and even harder to
admits there is a long way break down.
to go before his new-look With Milan and champi-
team reaches the stellar ons Napoli both faltering
levels of his previous
sides at Anfield.
Liverpool trail City by a
single point at the top of
the Premier League table,
Juve are Inter’s closest
challengers and have the
benefit, thanks to last
season’s accounting con-
troversies, of having no
having lost just once in 12
Premier League games
this season, in highly con-
European football clog-
ging up their calendar.
Inter meanwhile take
troversial fashion at on Juve in Turin before
Tottenham in September. travelling to Portugal to
“We decided last year face Benfica and then
we had to change a lot. We move on to Naples, admit-
are at the moment going tedly a less intimidating
in the right direction and prospect than last season,
that’s really important,” with Udinese, Real
said Klopp.
However, they still have
Sociedad and then Lazio
all also coming up in the
to prove they can again
match the relentless City
next three weeks.
Simone Inzaghi’s team
machine over the gru- have the league’s best
elling long haul of 38 attack with 29 goals.
games. — AFP — AFP
CHAMPS BARCELONA
TAKE ON VALLECANO
Barcelona, Nov. 24: Champions Barcelona visit
Rayo Vallecano in Spanish league on Saturday reel-
ing after midfield Gavi’s devastating cruciate liga-
ment injury, which is set to rule him out for the rest
of the season.
Coach Xavi Hernandez has called the 19-year-old
the “soul” of the team on multiple occasions and his
tenacity will be badly missed with the Catalans
already struggling for form. The trip to Rayo’s
Vallecas stadium starts a tough run of fixtures for
third-placed Barca, four points behind leaders
Girona at the top of Spanish league. — AFP
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