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National

- At least 38 killed in 3 militant strikes in Balochistan province

- Amid rising Statehood demands, Shah announces 5 new districts for Ladakh

- Centre yet to list violation of ground rules by Kuki-Zo groups: KNO leader

- BJP warns Kangana for comments on farmers’ agitation

- Ploughing through

- Fresh charges of harassment roil Kerala’s film industry

- More allegations surface of sexual harassment in Kerala film industry

- Bengal has not set up new courts for rape cases: Centre

- Bengal police anticipate large-scale violence at march demanding Mamata’s resignation

- Bail should not suffer due to one’s inability to find people to stand surety: SC

- JNU to release data on caste-wise break-up of students in a few days

- Rape threat against minor: rights body takes suo motu case

- NMR portal registration leaves doctor confused

- 14 arrested for selling banned e-cigarettes, button knives in NCR

- Protests force BJP to pare down J&K candidates’ list

- Unified Pension Scheme brings the focus back to Old Pension Scheme in Punjab and Haryana

- National Conference, Cong. announce seat-sharing deal for J&K Assembly poll

- Rahul Gandhi says running Jammu and Kashmir from Delhi does not make sense

- Veteran Congress leader and Nanded MP Vasantrao Chavan passes away at 70

- POCSO court sends accused in Badlapur assault case to judicial custody for 14 days

- Champai will join BJP on Friday, says Himanta

- RJD MP slams Manoj Tiwari for his remark on Rahul

- Rain lashes Gujarat, 3 dead as tractor-trolley swept away

- Education Ministry defines ‘literacy’, ‘full literacy’ in push for adult literacy

- Foreign rebels plan to use Mizoram as training ground, suspect agencies

- 14264

- Modi, Biden discuss Ukraine situation, crisis in Bangladesh

- Krishna, the ultimate guru

- Bombay High

- Assam govt should act against communal groups: AIUDF

At least 38 killed in 3 militant strikes in Balochistan province

Associated Press

Quetta

Attacks take place in Musakhail, Qalat and Bolan districts; at least 21 militants were killed by security forces while 14 security personnel were ‘martyred’ during the attacks, says Pakistan military; it vows to bring the perpetrators to justice

Deadly strike: The mangled remains of a bus whose passengers were killed by gunmen on a highway in Musakhail district of Balochistan province, Pakistan, on Monday. APRahmat Khan

Gunmen in southwestern Pakistan killed at least 38 people in three separate attacks on Monday, officials said, while the military said security forces killed 21 insurgents, marking one of the deadliest days of violence in the restive Balochistan province, with reports of other shootings and destruction in the area as well.

Twenty-three people were fatally shot overnight after being taken from buses, vehicles and trucks in Musakhail, a district in Balochistan, senior police official Ayub Achakzai said. The attackers burned at least 10 vehicles before fleeing.

In a separate attack, gunmen killed at least nine people, including four police officers and five passersby, in Balochistan’s Qalat district, authorities said. The bodies of six people were found in Bolan, where insurgents also blew up a railway track. They also attacked a police station in Mastung and attacked and burned vehicles in Gwadar, all districts in Balochistan. No casualties were reported in those attacks.

The military said 14 security forces personnel were “martyred” while responding to the attacks. Those appeared to be included in the overall toll. “Sanitisation operations are being conducted and the instigators, perpetrators, facilitators and abettors of these heinous and cowardly acts, targeting innocent civilians, will be brought to justice,” the military said in a statement.

Sarfraz Bugti, the Chief Minister in Balochistan, told reporters in Quetta that operations against the insurgents are under way, and “those who killed our innocent civilians and security personnel will be dealt with a full force.”

Balochistan has been the scene of a long-running insurgency in Pakistan, with an array of separatist groups staging attacks, mainly on security forces.

Amid rising Statehood demands, Shah announces 5 new districts for Ladakh

Vijaita Singh

NEW DELHI

Amit Shah-

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday that five new districts — Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang — would be created in the Union Territory of Ladakh for “bolstering governance in every nook and cranny”. Ladakh now has two districts — Leh and Kargil — with autonomous hill development councils.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it was a step towards better governance and prosperity and the districts would “now receive more focused attention, bringing services and opportunities even closer to the people”.

The decision comes days before the September 1-October 2 padayatra to Delhi planned by the Leh Apex Body (LAB), an influential civil society group in the region.

The LAB, along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), has been demanding Statehood since 2020.

‘Not giving up’

Cherring Dorjay Lakruk, co-chairman, LAB told The Hindu, “There is no giving up on our march to Delhi. Our struggle will continue. The decision to create the new districts does not change our demand for a Sixth Schedule status. While there were demands from Zanskar and Nubra to create new districts, there was no such demand from the other three districts.”

Echoing this, Sajjad Kargili of the KDA said, “Ladakh should be given an Assembly, the creation of seven districts validates the demand.”.

“If there is no Assembly and if it is only being done for bureaucratic control, then it should not be a reason to divert our demand for Sixth Schedule and Statehood,” Mr. Kargili added.

The inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution (protection of tribal areas), job reservation for locals and two Lok Sabha and one Rajya Sabha seat for the region have also featured in their demands.

The Union Home Minister said the new districts would take the benefits meant for the people to their doorstep by bolstering governance in every nook and cranny.

People have hit the streets on several occasions demanding protection of their culture, identity, land and jobs from “outsiders”

Questioning intent

The Congress questioned the intention behind the move and asked whether the new districts would have elected councils on the lines of Leh and Kargil.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress general secretary (communications), said on social media platform X: “The elected Autonomous Hill Development Council for Leh was established in 1995. The elected Autonomous Hill Development Council for Kargil was set up in 2003. Now 5 new districts have been formed in Ladakh in addition to Leh and Kargil. Will there be elected Autonomous Hill Development Councils for each of the 5 new districts as well? ”

Centre yet to list violation of ground rules by Kuki-Zo groups: KNO leader

Vijaita Singh

NEW DELHI

Seilen HaokipSPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Union Home Ministry is yet to list and convey the violations of ground rules committed by Kuki-Zo insurgent groups, Seilen Haokip, spokesperson and senior leader of the Kuki National Organisation (KNO), said in an interview with The Hindu.

He said the Kuki-Zo-Hmar groups were not “secessionists”. Their demand for a political solution of a separate administration in Manipur was within the framework of the Constitution, and they should not be labelled “anti-India”, he said. “Pre May-3, our demand was for autonomous territorial councils within Manipur but that has been thrown out of the window by the events that started on May 3 (2023). There is a paradigm shift in our demands, taking into consideration the ground realities. In May, our MLAs submitted a representation to the Home Minister that we want separate administration (SA). In July, August, and September, we concluded that SA is now being defined as Union Territory with legislature. We have defined SA as UT, we will be like Delhi,” he said.

SoO agreement

Earlier this year, the Manipur Assembly passed a resolution abrogating the suspension of operations (SoO) pact with the United People’s Front (UPF) and the KNO — umbrella organisations of 25 insurgent groups — blaming the groups for instigating violence in the State.

The tripartite agreement that was signed between the Manipur government, the Home Ministry, and the insurgent groups in 2008 is under review following the refusal of the State government to extend the pact in February.

Mr. Haokip said the reasons for reviewing the ground rules had not been revealed to them.

“There are seven camps each with KNO and UPF. The approved list of cadres are 2,200. The weapons (with cadres) are mostly automatic,” he said.

“The State is proposing a new mechanism to deal with the violation allegations. When things were normal, these matters would be dealt by a joint monitoring group, chaired by Home Ministry, with participants from the State. Since May 3, these meetings have not taken place,” he noted.

“There is no mechanism to deal with these ground rules violations. The violations have not been listed, itemised yet, it is not revealed to us yet, because the platform is not there,” he said.

‘State against peace’

Mr. Haokip, who held talks with A.K. Mishra, adviser (northeast), Home Ministry, in Delhi last week said Home Minister Amit Shah wanted “SoO for peace” and by unilaterally abrogating the pact, the State government was acting against peace. “Centre wants to talk, for which SoO has to be extended. The State did not send its representative (to extend the tripartite pact),” Mr. Haokip said.

BJP warns Kangana for comments on farmers’ agitation

The Hindu Bureau

NEW DELHI

Kangana Ranaut ANI

The BJP on Monday distanced itself from the controversial remarks on the farmers’ agitation made by its MP and actor Kangana Ranaut, declaring that she was not authorised to make such statements on behalf of the party.

At a recent event, Ms. Ranaut had alleged that the farmers’ agitation against the now-scrapped three farm laws was a build-up to a “Bangladesh-type situation in India”, and that “dead bodies were hanging and rapes were taking place” at the protest sites.

In a statement released by the BJP, it said the MP’s comments in the context of the farmers’ movement “is not the opinion of the party. Kangana Ranaut is neither permitted nor authorised to make statements on party policy issues”. “[She] has been directed not to make any such statements in future. The BJP is committed to following the principles of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas and social harmony,” the party said.

The BJP’s strong admonition came after a backlash from the Opposition and farmers’ groups over her remarks, and in the backdrop of the Assembly election in Haryana.

Despite the BJP reprimand, the Congress alleged that Ms. Ranaut’s comments reflected the BJP’s anti-farmer mindset. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi slammed Ms. Ranaut.

In a post on X, Mr. Gandhi said: “The BJP MP calling farmers, who sacrificed 700 of their comrades during the 378-day marathon struggle, as rapists and representatives of foreign forces is another proof of the BJP’s anti-farmer policy and intentions.”

“These shameful anti-farmer statements are a gross insult to the farmers of the entire country which cannot be accepted under any circumstances,” he added.

Painful, says SKM

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the umbrella organisation of about 400 farmers’ outfits, said the remarks were “extremely painful but not surprising”. “It is not surprising that this MP is making such utterances because it has been the long-standing policy of the BJP to insult, denigrate and discredit the historic anti-corporate farmers’ movement led by the SKM at the borders of Delhi,” the SKM said in a statement.

It added that “not a single person was killed in any violence caused by the farmers’ movement during the entire period of farmers’ struggle around the capital city but 736 farmers sacrificed their lives.

The SKM demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself apologise to the farmers of India for the “reprehensible and untruthful” comments made by an MP of his party.

Ploughing through

Making a dash: A farmer and his team of oxen plough through the mud at the Nangarni Spardha — a traditional race held at the peak of the rainy season — at Dervan village in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra. Rajanish KakadeRajanish Kakade

Fresh charges of harassment roil Kerala’s film industry

S.R. Praveen

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Amid the allegations of sexual harassment roiling the Malayalam film industry, more women have come forward and levelled charges against prominent figures. They also expressed their willingness to give evidence to the Special Investigation Team probing the allegations.

More allegations surface of sexual harassment in Kerala film industry

S.R. Praveen

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Members of the Mahila Congress during a protest demanding probe into the allegations in Thiruvananthapuram. Nirmal Harindran The Hindu

Amid the allegations of sexual harassment roiling the Malayalam film industry following the release of the Hema Committee report, more women have come forward and levelled charges against prominent actors and a filmmaker.

They also expressed their willingness to give evidence to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the State government on Sunday to probe the allegations.

On Monday, actor Minu Muneer alleged that some of the big names in the industry subjected her to physical and verbal abuse. Those named included ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) MLA and actor M. Mukesh, actor and producer Maniyanpilla Raju, actor and former general secretary of Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) Edavela Babu, actor Jayasurya, and a production controller.

Protests against MLA

Mr. Raju denied the allegations while the others are yet to react. The allegations against Mr. Mukesh led to protests by the Mahila Congress and Yuva Morcha at his house in Kollam.

Ms. Muneer wrote about her experience on Facebook. “In 2013, I was subjected to physical and verbal abuse by these individuals while working on a project. I tried to cooperate and continue working, but the abuse became unbearable. As a result, I was forced to leave the Malayalam film industry and relocate to Chennai. I am now seeking justice and accountability for the trauma and suffering I endured,” the post read.

Mr. Raju, speaking to the media, said many such “fake allegations” were likely to come up from “people looking to wring money or those disgruntled at not getting a chance” in films. These allegations should be investigated, else even innocent persons would be trapped, he said. AMMA joint secretary and actor Baburaj also echoed similar sentiments, after a junior artiste, who chose to remain anonymous, accused him of raping her at his home in Aluva. The junior artiste will also be giving evidence to the SIT.

A young female writer, who also chose to be anonymous, accused a prominent filmmaker of making advances towards her in 2022 after calling her to a hotel in Kollam for a story discussion session.

Actors Geetha Vijayan and Sridevika accused filmmaker Thulasidas of knocking on her doors at night during the shooting of a film in 2007, an accusation the filmmaker denied. Ms. Sridevika said she was ready to give a statement to the SIT, and demanded that the AMMA leadership open its eyes and act on these issues.

Complaints filed

Actor Sreelekha Mitra, who had accused filmmaker Ranjith of inappropriate behaviour, lodged a formal complaint on Monday.

Actor Siddique, who quit as the general secretary of AMMA following allegations of sexual abuse by Revathy Sampath, filed a complaint against her with the State Police Chief, accusing her of criminal conspiracy to fabricate and spread false allegations against him.

Amid the criticism over the silence of the male superstars on these issues, actor Prithviraj criticised AMMA for its failures and said the allegations should be treated with utmost seriousness and exemplary punishment handed out, if found true.

Bengal has not set up new courts for rape cases: Centre

The Hindu Bureau

New Delhi

Union Minister says State has failed to establish such courts under a Centrally sponsored scheme , adds that such initiatives to tackle crimes against women falls within the ambit of the States

1 of 2

2 of 2 You would appreciate that the existing legislative framework is stringent enough to tackle the violence and crimes against women Annpurna Devi Union Women and Child Development Minister

Asserting that implementation of various initiatives of the Centre to tackle crimes against women falls within the ambit of the States, the Union Women and Child Development Ministry on Monday faulted the West Bengal government for failing to establish courts to hear cases of rape and those charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act under a Centrally sponsored scheme.

In a letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Union Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi listed various provisions of the recently implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which provide strict punishment for crimes against women.

“You would appreciate that the existing legislative framework is stringent enough to tackle the violence and crimes against women. However, you would agree that effective implementation of these provisions of law as well as various initiatives of the Central Government for women’s safety falls in the ambit of the State Government,” the Union Minister said.

Ms. Devi was responding to Ms. Banerjee’s August 22 letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a stringent Central law to combat crimes against women in the wake of the rape and murder of a doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, which had led to widespread protests.

The August 25 letter by the Union Minister said it was imperative that the State machinery was fully sensitised and geared up to take full advantage of the legal and schematic provisions made by the Union government for ensuring safety and security of women and girls in West Bengal.

Pendency of cases

She pointed out the West Bengal government’s alleged failure to implement crucial safety measures for women and girls, including setting up of fast-track special courts (FTSC) allocated to it under a Centrally sponsored scheme, in spite of a pendency of 48,600 rape and POCSO cases.

The FTSC scheme, launched in October 2019, was designed to expedite the trial and disposal of pending cases related to rape and the POCSO Act.

Under this scheme, the Union government allocated 123 FTSCs to West Bengal, including 20 exclusive POCSO courts and 103 combined courts for both rape and POCSO cases. However, as of mid-June 2023, none of these courts had been made operational, she said.

Ms. Devi also criticised the State government for failing to implement key emergency helplines such as the women and child helplines and the emergency response support system.

The Union Minister also urged the West Bengal government to take immediate and effective measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls.

Bengal police anticipate large-scale violence at march demanding Mamata’s resignation

The Hindu Bureau

Kolkata

Raging on: A protest being held against the rape and murder of a doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata. DEBASISH BHADURIDEBASISH BHADURI

After more than two weeks of protests over the rape and murder of a doctor at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, tensions prevailed in the administrative and political circles of West Bengal on Monday over the call for a “March to Nabanna” on Tuesday, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The West Bengal Police held a couple of media interactions during the day, calling the march “illegal” and “politically motivated”, and said the organisers had not sought permission from the police to organise it in areas where prohibitory orders are still in force.

The march was announced by thePaschimbanga Chattro Samaj, a student organisation.

“We have concrete information that a section of miscreants, taking advantage of the emotions of people and well-intentioned citizens, will try to create large-scale violence, create chaos to an extent that the police are compelled to use force,” Additional Director-General of Police (South Bengal) Supratim Sarkar told presspersons at the Secretariat.

BJP role alleged

Earlier in the day, Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh and Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya held a press conference alleging that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh were trying to foment trouble.

Meanwhile, protesting resident doctors on Monday held a convention at Medical College, Kolkata where many eminent citizens expressed solidarity with them. Nearly 10,000 resident doctors in the State are on strike since August 10.

A video of the seminar hall of the R.G. Kar college, the scene of the crime according to investigators, was aired by some television channels on Monday. In the video, a group of people including doctors and police officers, are seen crowding the seminar room on August 9.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday conducted a second round of polygraph tests on the former principal of R.G. Kar college Sandip Kumar Ghosh.

Krishnadas Rajagopal

NEW DELHI

The court said that only a very few people would take the risk of standing surety for a person.SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

For Girish Gandhi, the problem was too much bail and too few people to stand surety for him.

Gandhi got bail in 13 separate cases of criminal breach of trust, cheating and criminal intimidation, but could only get two pairs of people to stand surety for his bail. He faced the prospect of staying behind bars for his inability to find 22 others to sign as surety for the remaining 11 First Information Reports (FIRs).

Understanding the man’s quandary, a Bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan, in a recent judgment, said the same two pairs of people were enough to stand sureties for all the 13 cases in which he got bail.

Justice Viswanathan, who authored the judgment, said Gandhi must not continue to stay behind bars for his inability to find enough people to stand surety for him. He had a physically handicapped wife, a young son and an aged mother to care for.

The Supreme Court said judges could not shut their eyes to the “hard realities of life”. One of them being that only a very few people would take the risk of standing surety for another person. The choice would be still narrower in a criminal proceeding.

“The circle may get even more narrowed as the normal tendency is to not disclose about the criminal proceeding to relatives and friends in order to protect one’s reputation. These are hard realities of life in our country and as a court of law we cannot shut our eyes to them,” Justice Viswanathan pointed out.

In cases like that of Gandhi, the Supreme Court said, judges should pass a “reasonable and proportionate” order which would both protect the person’s fundamental right under Article 21 (right to life) of the Constitution and at the same time guarantee his presence. As to what such an order should be, will again depend on the facts and circumstances of each case.

“To grant bail and thereafter to impose excessive and onerous conditions is to take away with the left hand what is given with the right... Sureties are essential to ensure the presence of the accused, released on bail. At the same time, where the court is faced with the situation where the accused enlarged on bail is unable to find sureties in multiple cases, there is also a need to balance the requirement of furnishing the sureties with his or her fundamental rights under Article 21,” Justice Viswanathan explained.

JNU to release data on caste-wise break-up of students in a few days

Ashna Butani

NEW DELHI

Two weeks after Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students started an indefinite hunger strike, the administration on Monday agreed to fulfil several demands of the protesting students, such as including representatives of the JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) in the Academic Council meetings.

Regarding the students’ demand for a ‘caste census’ on the campus, a senior official said, “The data is already there in the public domain as we keep a record during admissions. Since the students have demanded a caste census, we will release the consolidated category-wise data in a few days.”

The demands

A total of 17 students, including JNUSU office-bearers, launched the strike on August 11, demanding the reinstatement of the in-house entrance exam, the reopening of Barak Hostel, more merit-cum-means scholarships, the reinstatement of the Gender Sensitisation Committee Against Sexual Harassment, and the revocation of the Chief Proctor Office’s manual, which stipulates stringent fines on protesting students.

While many protesters dropped out over the past few days owing to their deteriorating health, some students, including the students’ union president Dhananjay, said they will continue the strike till they receive a signed document from the officials accepting all their demands.

An official said, “We have assured the students that we are working on the demands that are within our ambit. Some demands, such as reopening the gate to Parthasarathy Rocks, have already been fulfilled. We will also conduct caste and gender-sensitisation workshops.”

Other demands, including increasing the merit-cum-means scholarships, are under consideration, said the official. “We are writing to the University Grants Commission. If we get the funds, we will increase the scholarships,” the official added.

The Hindu Bureau

Kolkata

The West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights on Monday registered a suo motu case after a video of a man calling for the rape of the daughter of Trinamool Congress MP and party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee went viral.

The clip shows him announcing a ₹10-lakh reward for the said act.

The commission said in a statement that it “has taken suo motu cognisance of a video on social media where in a demonstration against the R.G. Kar rape case, a person announces a reward to anyone who rapes the minor daughter of Mr. Banerjee while some other participants cheer on”.

The commission said this comment amounted to a crime under the POCSO Act, Juvenile Justice Act and UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Commission Chairperson Tulika Das said the miscreant in the video had been identified as “a resident from Malancha village in the Minakhan CD block”.

The commission asked the Superintendent of Police, Basirhat to “examine and review the safeguards for the protection of child rights; inquire into violation of child rights and recommend initiation of proceedings”.

The commission has asked the police to “furnish” an action-taken report within two days and to take further steps in the case.

Reacting to the video, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien posted on X, “Fight us politically with your filthy tricks. You have done it before. But today you have crossed the line. Stop threatening kids. No words enough to condemn the gutter level threats to our National General Secretary’s daughter.”

NMR portal registration leaves doctors confused

NEW DELHI

The Health Ministry’s National Medical Register (NMR) portal launched recently is creating confusion among doctors about whether they need to re-register themselves in the new system to be able to work in the country.

The Union government, as per the latest provisions, has said that all MBBS doctors who are already registered on the Indian Medical Register (IMR) must register again on the NMR of the National Medical Commission (NMC).

“To start the registration, the doctor needs a digital copy of the Degree (MBBS) Certificate, the Registration Certificate of the State Medical Council/Medical Council of India, where the doctor got first-time registration. The doctor must also have the Aadhaar number ready to start the process,” noted the Ministry.

Speaking to The Hindu, Indian Medical Association (IMA) president R.V. Asokan said: “Yes, they want us to enter our data anew, but we don’t know if it’s called re-registration. I had a talk with NMC and the only benefit seems to be that we can obtain a licence to practise in more than one State. What the Central government is asking us to do is registration, and the registration in the State council is called licence. ”

Explaining the need to bring in NMR, the Ministry maintained that data on doctors has been stored in a scattered form and needed urgent revision. “Till date, there was a lack of comprehensive data that could provide a detailed and holistic picture of aspects like total numbers of doctors in the country, those that have left the country, those who have lost their licence to practice, or the numbers and details of doctors that have lost their lives. The launch of the NMR will ensure the provision of data of its more than 13 lakh doctors,” the Ministry maintained.

14 arrested for selling banned e-cigarettes, button knives in NCR

The Hindu Bureau

New Delhi

At least 14 people have been arrested from Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh for the alleged sale, storage, transport and purchase of banned e-cigarettes and button-actuated knives in the Delhi-NCR area with around 2,700 e-cigarettes and 700 knives recovered from them, Crime Branch officials said. The delivery of e-cigarettes was being done by delivery companies in parcels.

The accused persons have been involved in sale, supply, storage, transport and distribution of e-cigarettes without authorisation in the national capital area.

Further, on their instance, the police also arrested three other individuals.

The Crime Branch received an input regarding some persons selling e-cigarettes in Delhi, and some other suppliers storing e-cigarettes in bulk quantity in the Old Delhi area, the police said.

The sellers were identified and it was established that they would come along with their associates in vehicles after receiving the stock from their known suppliers.

Protests force BJP to pare down J&K candidates’ list

The Hindu Bureau

NEW DELHI

Full list of 44 candidates released after meeting attended by Modi , but following vocal dissent at Jammu office, party releases names for only first phase after revising list twice in quick succession

Fight within: Angry BJP workers staging a protest at the party office in Jammu on Monday after the party released the first list of candidates for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election. ANI ANI

Amid protests at its Jammu office, the BJP on Monday revised its list of candidates for the Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir twice in quick succession after withdrawing a first list of 44 candidates. The party has now named 16 candidates — 15 in the first revised list and one in the second — for the first phase of polling.

The initial list had the names of 15 candidates for the first phase, 10 for the second and 19 for the third. The names for the second and third phases have been removed.

The BJP had held a meeting of its Central Election Committee on Sunday night in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and on Monday morning, released the list of 44 names. Disappointed ticket aspirants and those upset by the omission of the names of the BJP State unit chief, Ravinder Raina, and senior party leader Kavindra Gupta staged a protest at the party’s Jammu office, leading to the scrapping of the list.

The initial list covered 36 constituencies in the Jammu region and eight in the Kashmir Valley. It named nearly a dozen prominent leaders, including several former Ministers who have joined the party in the past five years. Ten former MLAs, including former Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh and former State party chief Sat Paul Sharma, had been dropped.

Sources in the party said that fresh lists of candidates for the second and third phase would be out soon. “Today, we have released the list for the first phase seats, along with a list of star campaigners. We will be releasing the rest of the names by and by,” a source said.

The list now includes the name of Shagun Parihar, 29, whose father Anil Parihar and uncle Ajit Parihar, a senior BJP leader, were killed in a terror attack in Kishtwar five years ago.

In the Chenab Valley of the Jammu region, the BJP has fielded former Ministers Sunil Sharma (Padder-Nagseni constituency); Shakti Raj Parihar (Doda-West); Daleep Singh Parihar (Bhaderwah); Shagun Parihar (Kishtwar); Tariq Keen (Inderwal); Gajay Singh Rana (Doda); Rakesh Thakur (Ramban); and Salim Bhat (Banihal).

Neelam Kumar Langeh, who won the Ramban seat in the 2014 election, was dropped this time.

In the Kashmir Valley, the BJP has fielded its vice-president Sofi Yousu (Srigufwara-Bijbehara); Syed Showkat Gayoor Andrabi (Pampore); Arshid Bhat (Rajpora); Javed Ahmad Qadri (Shopian); Mohammad Rafiq Wani (Anantnag West); Syed Wazahat (Anantnag); Veer Saraf (Shangus-Anantnag East); and Choudhary Roshan Hussain Gujjar (Kokernag).

Employees, pensioners in Punjab and Haryana dismiss UPS, call for implementation of OPS

Vikas Vasudeva

CHANDIGARH

Government employees from across the country gathered at the Ramlila Maidan to demand the restoration of the OPS. File photo

Several State government employees and pensioners in Punjab and Haryana, who have been demanding restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), have dismissed the Union government’s latest Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)

In Punjab, where the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government announced the restoration of the OPS in 2022, its implementation is yet to see the light of day.

As the delay in the release of standard operating procedures (SOPs) following the OPS notification continues, employees and pensioners under the banner of the Old Pension Scheme Restoration Sangharsh Committee have expressed their anguish on different occasions. With the Centre’s UPS announcement, employees have only grown more anxious. Employees currently under the National Pension System (NPS) have asked the State government not to consider implementing the UPS, and instead, implement the OPS in Punjab without further delay.

‘Not in our interest’

“We are against the Centre’s UPS as it is not in the interest of the employees or pensioners. We urge the AAP government to not consider the UPS. In fact the Punjab government had in 2022 announced the restoration of the OPS, but we are still waiting for its implementation. The State government issued the OPS notification in 2022. Later, it constituted a committee to formulate the SOPs for implementing the OPS, but it’s going to be close to two years now and yet the Punjab government has not come out with the SOPs or details about the scheme,” Jasvir Singh Talwara, State convener of the joint employee-pensioners’ front, told The Hindu.

“To step up our struggle, we will stage a march towards Punjab State Assembly on September 3, during the ongoing session of the Assembly. We want the AAP government to immediately implement the OPS,” Mr. Talwara said.

In neighbouring Haryana, where the Assembly election is due on October 1, the restoration of OPS for government employees has emerged as a key poll issue. Members of the Pension Bahali Sangharsh Samiti (Haryana) are travelling across the State in support of their demand to restore the OPS. They too have dismissed the latest UPS.

“We are against the UPS and it’s only the OPS that we want to be restored. We are going across the State in a phased manner with our OPS Tiranga march and are urging people and political parties to extend support to our demand of restoring the OPS,” Vijender Dhariwal, president of the front, said.

INDIA reaches deal: 51 seats for NC; 32 for Congress; friendly fight in five

Sandeep Phukan

New Delhi

Done deal: Congress leader K. C. Venugopal with NC President Farooq Abdullah and others on Monday. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

After hectic negotiations, the National Conference (NC) and the Congress on Monday announced a seat-sharing formula for the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly election.

While the National Conference will contest 51 seats, the Congress will field candidates in 32 seats. One seat each has been allotted to the CPI(M) and the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party.

Tuesday is the last day for filing of nomination for the 24 Assembly constituencies that go to the polls in the first phase on September 18. While 16 of these seats are in the Kashmir Valley, eight are in the Jammu region.

The formal announcement was made at a joint press conference at National Conference president Farooq Abdullah’s residence. A “friendly contest” will be held in five seats.

Friendly contest

Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Tariq Hamid Qarra said “a friendly contest” would be held in five seats as they could not arrive at an agreement.

However, the Congress leader was quick to add that it would take place in a “cordial and disciplined manner”. Though the Congress and the National Conference had announced an alliance last week during the visit of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, serious differences emerged between the two parties over seat-sharing.

The breakthrough came after Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal and senior leader Salman Khurshid were rushed to Srinagar to talk to the top leadership of the National Conference.

Along with Jammu and Kashmir in-charge Bharat Solanki, Mr. Venugopal and Mr. Khurshid arrived at the residence of Farooq Abdullah and National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah in the Gupkar area to break the deadlock before the last day of filing of nomination ends on Tuesday for the first phase seats.

Leaders of both the parties said the list of seats each party would be contesting, as well as the names of the candidates, would be issued soon.

Election to the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Assembly will be held in three phases on September 18 and 25 and October 1. The results will be announced on October 4.

Rahul Gandhi says running Jammu and Kashmir from Delhi does not make sense

The Hindu Bureau

New Delhi

Special interaction: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the meeting the women of Kashmir during his visit to Srinagar. ANI

Reiterating the demand for the restoration of Statehood for Jammu and Kashmir, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has said it does not make sense to run Jammu and Kashmir from New Delhi.

Mr. Gandhi made these remarks at an interaction with Kashmiri women during his recent visit to Srinagar, a video of which was released on Monday.

“My problem with the Prime Minister [Narendra Modi] is that he does not listen to anyone. I have a problem with someone who from the beginning believes that they are right. Even if he sees something that is showing him that he is wrong, he will not accept it. So then that type of person will always create some problem or the other,” Mr. Gandhi said.

“It comes from insecurity, it does not come from strength. It comes from weakness,” the Congress leader added.

In the video, Mr. Gandhi talked about the coming elections in Jammu and Kashmir, and mentioned how Statehood had been taken away for the first time in Indian history.

“We are clear, the way it was done, we did not like. But, now for us the principle is to get the Statehood back and that includes representation for the people of Jammu Kashmir, and Ladakh. This status of running Kashmir, running Jammu from Delhi does not make any sense,” Mr. Gandhi said.

Systemic issues

In a message, accompanying the video on his YouTube channel, Mr Gandhi said, “These girls are enrolled in various colleges, studying subjects like Law, Physics, Journalism, and Political Science — I understood their expectations and challenges deeply. We spoke about the Kolkata incident and its broader implications, particularly regarding the harassment of women.”

Mr. Gandhi said that the students had shared their concerns over how such incidents reflect systemic issues that need addressing, and how they impacted women’s safety and dignity across regions.

“The women of Kashmir have strength, resilience, wisdom, and a lot to say, but are we are giving a chance for their voices to be heard,” Mr. Gandhi added.

Veteran Congress leader and Nanded MP Vasantrao Chavan passes away at 70

The Hindu Bureau

MUMBAI

Vasantrao Chavan

Vasantrao Chavan, veteran Congress leader and Nanded MP, passed away at 70 on Monday after battling a prolonged illness.

He had been unwell for several days and was undergoing treatment in a hospital in Hyderabad.

In the Lok Sabha election, Mr. Chavan secured a big victory over the BJP’s incumbent MP, Prataprao Patil Chikhalikar. He had won the seat despite ill health and big desertions, including that of former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who joined BJP ahead of the polls.

Soon after the election results were out, the Congress veteran had thanked Mr. Ashok Chavan for defecting to BJP. Born in Naigaon in Nanded district, Mr. Vasantrao Chavan was a gram panchayat member for a long time and later became a zilla parishad member in 1990 and 2002. He was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Council in 2002 and as an independent MLA in 2009 from Naigaon Assembly seat (after it was formed in 2009). Mr. Vasantrao Chavan was re-elected to the State’s Lower House as Congress’s candidate in 2014 elections and was also the chairman of Nanded District Central Cooperative Bank from 2021 to 2023.

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole and Leader of the Opposition in the State Vijay Wadettiwar offered condolences.

“The news of the demise of a senior leader of the Congress party, MP of Nanded Lok Sabha Constituency Vasantraoji Chavan is very shocking. He always remained loyal to the Congress party even in adverse conditions and brought the idea of the Congress party home...The entire Congress party is with the Chavan family in this grief,” Mr. Patole said in a post on social media platform X.

AICC Maharashtra incharge and former MLA S.A.Sampath Kumar called on the family members of Nanded MP

He paid tributes to the late leader and spoke to the family members.

POCSO court sends accused in Badlapur assault case to judicial custody for 14 days

The Hindu Bureau

Mumbai

The accused in the Badlapur child sexual abuse case was sent to 14 days of judicial custody by a special Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Kalyan on Monday.

The Special Investigation Team probing the case presented the accused before the court at the end of his five-day police custody.

The SIT also sought the court’s permission to hold an identification parade involving the suspect who allegedly sexually assaulted two minor girls in their school’s washroom. In the First Information Report (FIR), Sections 6 (aggravated penetrative sexual assault) and 21 (failure to report or record a case) of the POCSO Act have been invoked, the police informed the court.

Massive protests

The accused, who worked at the school as a cleaner, was arrested on August 17.

A fast-track trial was ordered on August 20 after a massive protest erupted over the incident.

An SIT was formed to investigate the case, after allegations of delay in FIR registration and police negligence.

Maharashtra Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar, citing the report drafted by the Women and Child Welfare Department and the Education Ministry after investigating the case, said, “Since the two female attendants, who were supposed to assist girls to the washroom did not turn up for interrogation, we have considered that they have no explanation to give. The principal and class teacher were informed on August 14 about the incident but did not report it. So, they should be charged under POCSO Act’s Section 19(2) and 21(2).”

Champai will join BJP on Friday, says Himanta

The Hindu Bureau

Patna

Champai Soren, former Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and former Chief Minister of Jharkhand will join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Ranchi on Friday.

The information was shared by Himanta Biswa Sarma, Jharkhand Assembly election in-charge and Assam Chief Minister, on social media platform X late night on Monday. He also posted a photo of senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah with Mr. Champai during the meeting in Delhi.

“Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and distinguished Adivasi leader of our country, Champai Soren ji met Union home minister Amit Shah ji a short while ago. He will officially join BJP on August 30, in Ranchi,” Mr. Sarma said.

Mr. Champai had earlier announced that he would float a party. On August 18, Mr. Champai had shared an X post saying that he was “insulted” by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha while he was the Chief Minister.

Earlier, Mr. Sarma had said that he personally wanted Mr. Champai to join the BJP.

RJD MP slams Manoj Tiwari for his remark on Rahul

The Hindu Bureau

Patna

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Buxar MP Sudhakar Singh on Monday slammed BJP MP Manoj Tiwari over his statement on Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. While speaking to media in Patna on Sunday, Mr. Tiwari had said that Mr. Gandhi required a mental check-up.

Attacking Mr. Tiwari over his statement, Mr. Singh said that he has maligned the name of Bihar by singing vulgar Bhojpuri songs.

Mr. Singh said that the BJP had plenty of leaders who take pride in insulting the Congress leader but are actually insulting themselves and becoming the laughing stock.

“He should also apologize for his statement against Rahul ji,” the RJD leader said.

Rain lashes Gujarat, 3 dead as tractor-trolley swept away

The Hindu Bureau

AHMEDABAD

Incessant showers inundate low-lying areas in over a dozen districts as officials shift over 18,000 people to safety; IMD has predicted heavy rain for next three days; CM holds reviews meeting

In full force: Tapi river in spate after water was released from the Ukai Dam following heavy rains in Surat, Gujarat on Monday. The State government has advised people to not venture out. PTIASHOK MUNJANI

At least three persons were killed and seven went missing after their tractor-trolley was swept away in floodwaters amid heavy rain in Gujarat on Monday.

The incessant rainfall inundated low-lying areas in over a dozen districts while officials shifted over 18,000 people to safety.

The administration geared up for battling extreme weather with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting heavy rain in the State for the next three days. It announced a holiday for all primary schools in the State for Tuesday and asked people to not venture out.

Officials said 13 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 22 teams of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were deployed across the State to deal with potential flooding and disaster-like situations.

The NDRF teams have been positioned in Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Amreli, Banaskantha, Bhavnagar, Dwarka, Gir Somnath, Junagadh, Kutch, Morbi, Narmada, Navsari, Surat, Surendranagar, and Valsad to tackle all sorts of emergencies, they said.

Taking stock

On Monday, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a review meeting at the State Emergency Operation Centre with top officials, and also held a virtual meeting with District Collectors, Superintendents of Police, and senior civic officials of all major cities.

In rain-related incidents, three persons were reported dead while seven persons were missing after the tractor-trolley they travelled on was allegedly swept away in an overflowing causeway in Halvad taluka of Morbi district. The missing persons could not be traced despite a long search operation involving the NDRF and SDRF personnel. There were 17 persons on the tractor-trolley but 10 managed to get out.

“While three persons died in rain-related incidents in the last 24 hours, the total death toll for this season stands at 99,” State Commissioner of Relief Alok Kumar Pandey said in a statement. “As many as 1,653 persons have been rescued so far with the help of the NDRF, SDRF and Coast Guard. Apart from this, 17,800 persons have been shifted to safer places as a precautionary measure so far,” he said.

In another incident in Sabarkantha district, a car with two persons was washed away in the strong currents of a causeway near Katwad village.

Education Ministry defines ‘literacy’, ‘full literacy’ in push for adult literacy

Maitri Porecha

New Delhi

New India Literacy Programme (NILP) aims to onboard 1 crore learners per year. Getty ImagesDRAGONIMAGES

In a letter to all States, the Education Ministry has defined ‘literacy’, and what it means to achieve ‘full literacy,’ in light of a renewed push for adult literacy under the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), a five-year programme (2022-27) that aims to onboard one crore learners aged above 15 every year across all States and Union Territories.

Union School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar, in the letter, has stated that literacy may be understood as the ability to read, write, and compute with comprehension, that is to identify, understand, interpret and create along with critical life skills such as digital and financial literacy. Full literacy (to be considered equivalent to 100% literacy) will be achieving 95% literacy in a State or Union Territory.

Mr. Kumar further writes that a non-literate person may be considered as literate under the NILP, as per the aforementioned definition when he/she has been declared literate after taking the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT).

According to data accessed by The Hindu, in 2023, 39,94,563 adult learners appeared for FLNAT in March and September, out of which 36,17,303 were certified ‘literate’.

In 2024, FLNAT was conducted on March 17, in which 34,62,289 learners appeared.

However, only 29,52,385 (85.27%) were certified as literate. While the pass percentage in FLNAT hovered between 89.64% and 91.27% in 2023, in 2024 it has dropped lower to 85.27%.

In 2024-25, the Ministry has allocated a budget of ₹160 crore for NILP. According to the latest Union Budget document, only ₹76.41 crore was actually utilised towards the scheme in 2022-23.

In 2023-24, the allocation was hiked to ₹157 crore, but later brought down to ₹100 crore in the revised estimates of the Union Budget.

Significant challenge

According to the 2011 Census, India faces a significant literacy challenge with 25.76 crore non-literate individuals in the age group of 15 years and above, comprising 9.08 crore males and 16.68 crore females.

Despite the progress made under the Saakshar Bharat programme, which certified 7.64 crore individuals as literate between 2009-10 and 2017-18, an estimated 18.12 crore adults in India remain non-literate. The letter says non-literate individuals face disadvantages in various aspects of life such as financial transactions, job applications,understanding of rights and participation in higher productivity sectors.

Foreign rebels plan to use Mizoram as training ground, suspect agencies

Rahul Karmakar

GUWAHATI

The purported letter sent to Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma with the request. Special Arrangement

A purported letter from an organisation of a small ethnic community in Bangladesh seeking to establish a training camp in Mizoram has made security agencies suspect that the State could be used by foreign rebel groups to plan their fight or civil war in their countries.

In its letter addressed to Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on March 5, the Khumi National Democratic Party (KNDP) requested his support and advice for the construction of a Khumi National Army (KNA) training centre in the border area of Lawngtlai. The KNA is the KNDP’s armed wing.

Lawngtlai is one of the three districts of Mizoram bordering the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh. The other two districts sharing the 318-kilometre border are Lunglei and Mamit.

Also called Khami or Kami, the Khumis are concentrated in three areas of CHT and number fewer than 5,000. They have more than 1 lakh members in Myanmar.

The KNDP said the Khumi people have been facing a lot of difficulties and oppression from the Bangladesh armed forces and nationalist groups, necessitating a strong resistance force to “protect our motherland”. Promising not to create problems for the locals and the government, the outfit said a camp in Mizoram would help its fighters train without worrying about enemy attacks.

The Mizoram Chief Minister’s Office denied any connection with the KNDP, and said the letter could have been planted to show the Zoram People’s Movement government in a poor light. “I have not received such a letter,” Mr. Lalduhoma told The Hindu.

Security and intelligence agencies, however, said they have found no reason yet to doubt the content of the letter — retrieved from Bangladeshi nationals — as waves of indigenous peoples have fled persecution or adverse situations in Bangladesh beginning with the Chakmas in the 1960s. The last group to take refuge in Mizoram after fleeing violence in the CHT was the Kuki-Chin people in November 2022.

The Khumi and Kuki-Chin people are members of the Zo ethnic group, to which the dominant Mizos of Mizoram belong.

“The letter is being seen in the context of the movement of foreigners in Mizoram and meetings held in (State capital) Aizawl and other parts of the State by Myanmar-based insurgent or resistance groups. These meetings were facilitated by some civil society organisations,” an officer of a security agency said.

(set by Karaoke)

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2 of 4

3 of 4

4 of 4 Scan to play

Across

1 Honeytrap portals camouflaging friendship (7)

5 Crazy fruits (7)

9 Old-fashioned seed is broken (5)

10 Split amount by word of mouth? Good for you! (9)

11 Wish to delve into book of maps over time after enormous delay (2,4,4)

12 Dish cooked with masala, lentil tips (4)

14 Organized crime cannot be associated with magical powers (11)

18 He acts for the country using guns, et cetera killing ultras primarily (6,5)

21 Young woman's heart for advocate (4)

22 How about angry Andersen boycotting senate today? (4,3,3)

25 He initiated improvised regimen (9)

26 Display hint, once for all (5)

27 Following soldiers at the back of detachment near base (7)

28 Popular feature goes without a check (7)

Down

1 Cycling aversion, part of cardinal's habit (3,3)

2 Original Peter Pan comes up in brightly-coloured parts of flower (6)

3 Authoritative rules by Republican in a second modification (10)

4 Too well to trim edges for wiper (5)

5 Reserves shot down in retail outlet (4,5)

6 Call for press, I say (4)

7 They open school for one who is learning (8)

8 Private eye recovers her locker contents to some extent (8)

13 They mix and serve beers and porter heartily (10)

15 Fierce battle around Red Sea in truce period (9)

16 Maybe Cayman says aye to go on lunar spacecraft (8)

17 Thorough check of papers put up in a court (4,4)

19 Tipsy nurse swallows drugs heartily in two minds (6)

20 Most refined model brought down in comments on X (6)

23 Funny bunnies skinned in depression (5)

24 Essentially, customer is right (4)

Modi, Biden discuss Ukraine situation, crisis in Bangladesh

Suhasini Haidar

NEW DELHI

This is the first conversation between the two leaders since the protests in Bangladesh. PTI -

India and the United States have “shared concern” about developments in Bangladesh, particularly over the safety of minorities, said the government after U.S. President Joseph Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to each other over the telephone on Monday.

The two leaders also discussed the situation in Ukraine, and Mr. Modi “briefed” Mr. Biden about his visit to Kyiv last week. In addition, they discussed the U.S.-India-Japan-Australia Quadrilateral, hours after Mr. Modi spoke in a telephone call with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the Quad, indicating New Delhi’s keenness to set a date for the Quad summit that it is meant to host this year, and has been attempting to schedule next month around the U.N. Summit of the Future on September 22 and 23.

“The two leaders expressed their shared concern over the situation in Bangladesh. They emphasised restoration of law and order and ensuring safety and security of the minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release, referring to the call that Mr. Modi received from Mr. Biden, and said they had discussed progress in the India-U.S. bilateral relationship and strategic partnership.

This is the first such conversation between the two leaders since the protests in Bangladesh forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign, flee the country and arrive in Delhi to stay indefinitely. In statements in the past, Ms. Hasina had blamed the U.S. for instigating protests against her.

Meanwhile, after speaking to Mr. Albanese on Monday, Mr. Modi said in a social media post that they had taken stock of “progress in the bilateral relations and cooperation in the multilateral fora, including the Quad.”

Krishna, the ultimate guru

Lord Krishna is the ultimate guru, who offers His protection to all those who pray to Him with bhakti, said Damal S. Ramakrishnan. Vasudeva and Devaki thought they were blessed when Lord Krishna was born to them, while being imprisoned by Kamsa. However, the Lord Himself explained why He chose to be born to Devaki.

When Krishna was born in the middle of the night, under the Rohini star, He appeared with four arms, with His weapons, bejewelled and sporting a yellow silk cloth. Seeing Mahavishnu in all His glory, Vasudeva exclaimed, “Thou art the Supreme Being Himself, the Lord of All, incarnated in my house for the protection of the world. The evil-minded Kamsa will be coming, weapon in hand, to slaughter you.” Devaki too beseeched Him saying, “Madhusudhana. The timid one that I am, anxiety for your safety makes me afraid of Kamsa. Therefore, withdraw this transcendental form.”

Krishna informs her that in her previous birth she had undertaken severe penance and focused on the Lord. When Mahavishnu asked her to choose the boon of her liking she asked for a son like Him, three times, which He granted.

When the couple bowed to Him, Krishna removed the shackles foisted by Kamsa and freed them, as testimony that He will always protect those who seek Him, before assuming the form of a newborn. The prison doors opened, the sentries were rendered senseless. Vasudeva spirited away the Lord, whom Adi Sankara hailed as Krishnam vande jagadgurum, to safety.

Bombay HC grants interim relief to U.S. fast-food giant

The Bombay High Court on Monday granted an interim relief to American fast-food giant Burger King Corporation in a trademark infringement lawsuit filed by the company against a Pune-based eatery carrying the same name. The High Court granted an interim stay on a July 16 order passed by a Pune court in favour of the Pune-based eatery. A Division Bench of Justices A.S. Chandurkar and Rajesh Patil said the ad-interim stay order will operate till September 6, the next date of hearing. The Burger King Corporation has sought a permanent injunction from the High Court to restrain the eatery from using the trademark ‘Burger King’.

Assam govt should act against communal groups: AIUDF

The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) on Monday submitted a memorandum to Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya, seeking action against several organisations that have asked migrant Muslims to leave the eastern Assam districts or face consequences. At least 30 outfits claiming to represent indigenous communities had set a week’s deadline for Bengal-origin migrant Muslims, derisively referred to as Miya, to leave the ‘ujoni (upper)’ part of the State. The deadline was set a day after a 14-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped in central Assam’s Dhing on August 22. The AIUDF also asked the BJP-led State government to take a stand against these organisations.

Regional

- The Phogat family dangal is likely headed towards a political bout in poll-bound Haryana

- Chhattisgarh govt. to transfer betting app cases to CBI

- Communal tension in Tripura over alleged defacement of idol, houses burnt and shops looted

- ‘Batenge to katenge’: U.P. CM invokes Bangladesh unrest; spreading fear, says Akhilesh

- 35-foot-tall Shivaji statue unveiled by PM last year collapses

- 25 Maoists, with bounty of ₹28 lakh, surrender in Bijapur

- Yashwant Sinha likely to float party ahead of Jharkhand poll

- HC imposes costs on T.N. govt. for appeals

- Tension roils Bhilwara after ‘cow’s tail’ found near temple

- Darshan case: 9 jail officials suspended; three cases filed

- Beachgoers taken aback as sea recedes in Vizag

- Modern-day Krishna

- My father had always been a friend, philosopher, and guide: Kanimozhi

- SIT may find it tough to collect legally acceptable evidence

- Inmates flaunting proximity to actor exposed illegalities

- Assamese girl refuses to return to parents in Kerala capital city

- A.P. govt. identifies 10 focus areas for development

- Cong. leaning towards BC leader as next TPCC chief

- Walayar girls’ mother slams Kerala govt. for honouring SP

- Gold fraud: Crime Branch in search of account holders

Ashok Kumar

GURUGRAM

The golden girls: Vinesh Phogat (middle, second row) with her cousins and uncle Mahavir Phogat. Samuel/AkhadaVithushan

A recent social media post by wrestler Geeta Phogat — the eldest of the four daughters of Dronacharya awardee Mahavir Phogat — has reignited talk of the rivalry among the famous Phogat sisters and their cousin Vinesh Phogat, who all rose from the obscure Balali village in Haryana’s Charki Dadri to earn accolades as internationally acclaimed grapplers over the past decade.

“Chhal ka phal chhal, aaj nahin toh kal (Sooner or later, deception is paid back with deception),” the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Although the cryptic post left many guessing, a few construed it as a veiled attack on Ms. Vinesh, who was slated to return from the Paris Olympics a day later on August 17, after her disqualification from the women’s 50 kg final for being overweight by 100 gm. Making her intentions clear, Ms. Geeta soon reposted her husband Pawan Saroha’s post, this time taking a direct dig at her cousin for not mentioning her uncle, Mr. Mahavir, in a post acknowledging the contributions of her mother, husband and the support staff in her long journey as a wrestler. “Vinesh, you wrote really well, but probably forgot your uncle Mahavir today. He had started your career as a wrestler. May good sense prevail upon [Vinesh],” read Mr. Saroha’s post.

Coinciding with Ms. Vinesh’s grand welcome event at Delhi’s IGI Airport, live-streamed on several TV channels, and her felicitation by khap panchayats, Ms. Geeta’s younger sister and wrestler-turned-politician Babita, in a social media post, remarked that success aimed at humiliating others was actually a failure.

Deepening differences

The subtext in the posts, however, became clear when both Ms. Geeta and Ms. Babita, on whose lives Aamir Khan-starrer Bollywood film Dangal is based, chose to stay away from Ms. Vinesh’s felicitation.

However, their younger sister Sangeeta’s husband Bajrang Punia, an Olympic medallist, was at the forefront of the event. Mr. Punia also stood by Ms. Vinesh after her disqualification from the Olympics and launched a campaign for silver medal to her. He, along with Ms. Vinesh, travelled on top of an SUV as part of a cavalcade from IGI Airport to Balali, to express his solidarity. His wife too posted a heartfelt message after Ms. Vinesh was disqualified.

At the felicitation event, Mr. Mahavir too showed up and hugged his niece who touched his feet.

The rivalry between the Phogat sisters was first talked about in public space, albeit in whispers, when Ms. Vinesh opened a front against then Wrestling Federation of India president and former Bharatiya Janata Party MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in 2023, accusing him of sexually harassing women wrestlers. The sit-in demonstration at Jantar Mantar, with support pouring in from the Opposition and the police action on the women wrestlers, the pictures of which went viral, caused much embarrassment to the BJP.

Though Mr. Punia and Ms. Sangeeta stood firmly by the protesting wrestlers, Ms. Babita, who had contested the Dadri Assembly poll in 2019 on the BJP symbol, chose to keep a distance insinuating that the agitation was politically motivated and held at the behest of Haryana Congress leaders.

Having joined the BJP along with Ms. Babita in 2019 after quitting the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP), Mr. Mahavir, too, was not very vocal in his support for the wrestlers. Ms. Geeta and her husband had, however, supported the agitation.

With the protesting wrestlers, including Ms. Vinesh, Mr. Punia and Sakshi Malik, accused of having orchestrated the agitation for political gains at the behest of the Congress in the run-up to the Lok Sabha poll, the Phogat sisters, who had started their wrestling journey together under the same coach and from the same village, found themselves divided politically.

The growing closeness of Ms. Vinesh to the Congress, reaffirmed by the presence of Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda at IGI Airport on her return, seems to have deepened the differences between the Phogat sisters, with Mr. Mahavir and his daughters holding former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda responsible for denying them their rightful due after they won medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Mr. Mahavir reacted sharply to Mr. Bhupinder’s suggestion for a Rajya Sabha berth to Ms. Vinesh calling it a “political stunt”.

Personal vs political

Although the villagers are reluctant to comment on what they term as a “personal matter” of the Phogat family, many see the differences between the Phogat sisters through the prism of professional rivalry, with Ms. Vinesh being more popular and successful as a wrestler compared with her cousins. “No doubt, Vinesh started her wrestling journey under Mahavir. She should have acknowledged this in her post. But Geeta and Babita should have refrained from talking about it on social media and participated in her felicitation. It is unfortunate that personal ambitions have driven a wedge between the Phogat sisters, who are the torchbearers of women wrestling,” said Raju Sangwan, a resident of Jhojhu Kalan.

In the politically charged atmosphere in poll-bound Haryana, speculation is now rife of a possible political contest between Ms. Babita and Ms. Vinesh in the Dadri Assembly seat. Though Ms. Babita, having already contested the poll last time, is again in the race for the party ticket, Ms. Vinesh has not made any comments on entering the political arena so far. If the Phogat sisters are pitted against each other in the ensuing political contest in Haryana, it is only likely to worsen the rivalry between the siblings irrespective of the outcome.

Chhattisgarh govt. to transfer betting app cases to CBI

The Hindu Bureau

RAIPUR

70 cases related to the ‘scam’ lodged in State and one with EOW to be bundled and handed over to Central probe agency, says Deputy CM

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2 of 2 No leniency will be shown and strict action will be taken. I believe [the accused persons] based abroad will be brought back Vijay Sharma Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma on Monday said the State government would transfer cases related to the Mahadev betting app ‘scam’ to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

According to Mr. Sharma, 70 cases related to the scam were lodged at different police stations in Chhattisgarh and one case is with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), which would be bundled and handed over to the CBI. A notification regarding the same had been issued last week, he added.

Corruption allegations against the then Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government had emerged as one of the main themes in the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) campaign in the Assembly election in late 2023, and the alleged Mahadev betting app scam was key among those allegations.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had been probing money laundering cases linked to the Mahadev app scam and days before the election, the ED had issued a statement that it was probing an alleged payment of about ₹508 crore by the Mahadev betting app promoters, who are facing serious criminal charges, to Mr. Baghel over a period of time. The latter had dismissed these allegations.

The ED projected the proceeds of crime at ₹6,000 crore.

The various FIRs registered are under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 201, and 120 of the erstwhile Indian Penal Code, 1860, and Sections 7 and 7-A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1958 (amended in 2018), Sections 4,7,8, and 11 of the Gambling Act, 1867 (amended to the Public Gambling MP Amendment Act, 1976) in police stations ACB (Anti Corruption Bureau)/EOW of Raipur district, the government’s notification states.

Mr. Sharma, who handles the State Home portfolio, said the scam was a multi-State matter and not restricted to Chhattisgarh. “No leniency will be shown and strict action will be taken. I believe [the accused persons] based abroad will be brought back,” he said.

Communal tension in Tripura over alleged defacement of idol, houses burnt and shops looted

Syed Sajjad Ali

Agartala

A vehicle set ablaze during the clash in West Tripura on Monday.ANIANI

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Tripura State Rifles platoons were deployed after violence broke out in two localities in Jirania subdivision of West Tripura on Monday due to an alleged defacement of an idol of goddess Kali. State Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury, the local MLA, reached the area to contain the situation.

Twelve houses were burned down, three shops looted and a place of worship was damaged. Some vehicles were also torched. Around 15 displaced families were given shelter in a government school.

West Tripura District Magistrate Vishal Kumar said the police were working to identify the culprits and the situation is under control due to the heavy presence of security forces. Mr. Kumar and the District Superintendent of Police attended a peace meeting on Monday afternoon with members of different communities, where he assured an investigation and financial assistance for those affected.

Muslim organisations have also appealed for peace and called for a thorough investigation to identify the troublemakers as well as demanding compensation for the victims. TIPRA Motha has been the only party in the three-party coalition government of the State to speak out about the incidents in Jirania.

‘Religious politics’

“When our State is facing a natural disaster (floods) and so much stress, there are some elements who are only playing religious politics,” TIPRA founder and royal scion Pradyot Kishore Manikya commented on social media.

The main Opposition party CPI(M) described the tension in Jirania as a result of a conspiracy to disturb communal harmony in the State.

Anuj Kumar

Ghaziabad

The ongoing strife in Bangladesh made an entry into Uttar Pradesh politics on Monday as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath stressed the virtues of unity by avoiding the mistakes made in the neighbouring country.

Slamming the Opposition parties for being silent on the attacks on Hindus and temples in Bangladesh, Mr. Adityanath accused them of indulging in “appeasement politics”. Responding to the charge, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav accused the Chief Minister of spreading fear and nursing prime ministerial ambitions.

Addressing a public meeting in Agra on Monday, Mr. Adityanath said, “Aap dekh rahe hain Bangladesh mein kya ho raha hai? Wo galatiyan yahan nahi honi chahiye. Batenge toh katenge... (Are you seeing what is happening in Bangladesh? Those mistakes should not take place here. Divided, we will be slaughtered).”

Mr. Yadav said the statement reflected Mr. Adityanath’s prime ministerial ambitions. He said relations with a foreign country come under the domain of the Centre and the PM. “We know he wants to be the PM. I wish his colleagues in Delhi would make him understand not to meddle in the matters of Delhi,” the SP chief said. Later, in a post on X, Mr. Yadav said the job of the responsible is to protect people from fear, not to spread it.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi accused Mr. Adityanath of delivering hate speeches against Muslims and said under the Chief Minister’s watch, Muslim homes were being demolished with bulldozers.

Assembly bypolls

The CM’s remark assumes significance as it comes ahead of the upcoming Assembly bypolls on 10 seats. After the poor performance in the Lok Sabha poll, the bypolls are expected to be a litmus test for the BJP as they will set the tone for 2027. Political observers said that bringing Bangladesh into the Brij region seemed like a studied move as the CM, while participating in Krishna Janmashtami celebrations in Mathura on Sunday, said those who speak for Palestine were silent on Bangladesh.

35-foot-tall Shivaji statue unveiled by PM last year collapses

Abhinay Deshpande

Mumbai

The statue, inaugurated in December last year, lies broken near its pedestal at a fort in Sindhudurg on Monday.Special Arrangement

A statue of Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4 last year at a fort in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district, collapsed on Monday. The 35-foot-tall statue fell at 1 p.m. at Rajkot Fort in Malvan.

While experts are set to determine the exact cause, officials noted that the district experienced heavy rain and strong winds over the past two to three days.

Opposition leaders criticised both the NDA government at the Centre and the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra, accusing them of corruption even in matters related to the statue of the warrior king.

They said while the forts built by Shivaji Maharaj have stood till date, the statue unveiled by the Prime Minister, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has vanished.

“It is disgraceful that this government has allegedly siphoned off funds even in the construction of the statue,” said Leader of the Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar. He called the incident a “shameful example” of a government mired in corruption and demanded a thorough investigation.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Vinayak Raut said, “Maharaj, please forgive us… We cannot bear to witness your humiliation at the hands of traitors.”

25 Maoists, with bounty of ₹28 lakh, surrender in Bijapur

Press Trust of India

Bijapur

Twenty-five Maoists, five of them carrying a cumulative bounty of ₹28 lakh on their heads, surrendered in Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh on Monday, a senior police officer said.

The 25 ultras, who were active in Gangloor and Bhairamgarh area committees of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist), include two women, the officer added.

“The two women, Shambati Madkam and Jyoti Punem, and Mahesh Telam were active in company no. 2 of the Maoists and carried rewards of ₹8 lakh each on their heads. Madkam was active since 2012 and was allegedly involved in the 2020 Minpa ambush in Sukma in which 17 persons lost their lives. She was also involved in the Tekalgudem (Bijapur) attack in which 22 security personnel were killed in 2021,” said Bijapur SP Jitendra Kumar Yadav.

“Punem and Telam were allegedly involved in an encounter in Bijapur in May this year in which 12 Maoists were gunned down. Vishnu Kartam alias Monu, section deputy commander of platoon no. 16 ‘B’, and Jaidev Podiam, Mirtur local organisation squad PLGA member, were carrying rewards of ₹3 lakh and ₹1 lakh, respectively,” he said.

They surrendered citing disappointment with the ‘hollow’ Maoist ideology and atrocities on tribals by the leaders of the outlawed movement, he said, adding those who laid down down arms were provided an assistance of ₹25,000 each.

Yashwant Sinha likely to float party ahead of Jharkhand poll

Former Union Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha is likely to launch a new political party ahead of the Jharkhand Assembly election later this year. The proposal to float the new party was discussed during a meeting at the Atal Sewa Kendra in Hazaribag with his supporters on Sunday evening. Before leaving for Delhi on Monday, Mr. Sinha told reporters, “A final decision on forming the Atal Vichar Manch will be made soon after consulting various sections of society.” The supporters expressed enthusiasm for the new party, viewing it as a potential alternative for Jharkhand’s electorate. PTI

HC imposes costs on T.N. govt. for appeals

The Hindu Bureau

MADURAI

Dismissing a batch of appeals preferred by the Tamil Nadu government, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court imposed a cost of ₹50,000 on each appeal. A Division Bench of Justices R. Subramanian and L. Victoria Gowri observed, “All these 10 writ appeals are frivolous appeals arising out of the atrocious game played by the State on its citizens.”

The court said, “We hope that this order will at least serve as a deterrent, and the government will avoid filing such writ appeals at least in the future. It is open to the government to recover the cost from the officers responsible for filing them.”

The petitioners were appointed as assistant professors. Though the appointments were made as early as 2009, the Joint Director of Collegiate Education, Tirunelveli Region, approved them only in 2020, with effect from 2009. However, the approval was recalled the very next day. The court directed that in each appeal, ₹25,000 should be paid to the writ petitioner, and the remaining ₹25,000 to Cancare Foundation.

Tension roils Bhilwara after ‘cow’s tail’ found near temple

Shopkeepers downed shutters on Monday after communal tension erupted in Rajasthan’s Bhilwara city, a day after a chopped portion of a “cow’s tail” was found near a temple, the police said. The police used batons to disperse a crowd that hurled stones at them. Additional forces were summoned to prevent violence from flaring up. On Janmashtami, a large demonstration was held in the city’s Parshuram Circle demanding the arrest of the culprits. People in the crowd asked traders to shut their shops. The police said they are trying to identify the people behind the attempt to create communal disturbance. PTI

Darshan case: 9 jail officials suspended; three cases filed

The Hindu Bureau

Bengaluru/Belagavi

Chief Superintendent among those suspended after video clip shows actor getting preferential treatment in prison; Karnataka CM says report sought on shifting accused to different jails

The photo shows actor Darshan sitting on a lawn with a rowdy-sheeter, having a cigarette in jail. Special Arrangement

Rushing in to damage control mode after a photograph and a video of jailed actor Darshan getting preferential treatment inside Parappana Agrahara Central Prison went viral on Sunday, the Karnataka government on Monday suspended nine prison officials, filed three cases, and is mulling over shifting the actor to another prison.

Home Minister G. Parameshwara, who visited the prison on Monday, conceded to irregularities in the prison. He said that based on an inquiry by a senior IPS officer on Sunday, the government had suspended nine prison officials.

The suspended officials include Chief Superintendent and Superintendent of Parappana Agrahara Central Prison Sheshamurthy and Mallikarjunaswamy, respectively, apart from two jailers and two assistant jailers, among other lower rung officials. The Minister said that these officials would be replaced by those “with integrity”.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that stringent action would be taken against officials who were found complicit. “The officers and inmates will be warned to stick to the rules and guidelines,” he added. Mr. Siddaramaiah also said that the Home Minister had sought a report on shifting the accused to different prisons and a call would be taken on the issue soon.

Meanwhile, the city police have registered three FIRs in connection with alleged irregularities at the prison. Darshan, other prison inmates seen with him, and prison officials have been named as accused in these cases.

Malini Krishnamoorthy, Director-General of Police, Prisons and Correctional Services, said that the three FIRs were filed based on complaints by Deputy Inspector-General of Prisons Someashekhar about the use of mobile phones, source of cigarettes and other violations of the prison manual.

Raid by officials

A team of over 100 officials from the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the city police raided the prison complex to check for irregularities and contraband items at 3 a.m. on Saturday. But the officials did not find anything illegal.

The officials found the prison unusually clean and well-maintained on Saturday, giving rise to a suspicion that prison authorities and inmates were probably tipped off about the raid.

Beachgoers taken aback as sea recedes in Vizag

V. Kamalakara Rao

Visakhapatnam

Visitors standing on the rocks that surfaced on the RK Beach in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on Monday. V. RAJU

The sea receded by around 150 metres along RK Beach here on Monday due to low tide, offering a rare glimpse of the rocky seabed as well as the mounds of waste discarded by the beachgoers.

“We noticed that the seawater receded by more than 100 metres from the shore along RK Beach and in other places like Rushikonda, Sagar Nagar, Tenneti Park and Lawson’s Bay,” said Marupilli Naveen, a beach lifeguard working for the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC).

As word spread about the water receding, a large number of visitors made their way to the beach. Many people walked out on to the seabed, clicking pictures and strolling around.

“We are used to witnessing the impact of erosion here. But this time, we were taken aback to see the opposite. For the first time, we walked for such a long distance into the seabed. This was quite a memorable experience for us,” said K. Sirisha, a GITAM University student.

‘Dangerous sign’

Arjili Dasu, general secretary, National Fisherfolk Forum, sounded a note of caution. “Our experience indicates that if the seawater recedes, there are chances of abnormal weather conditions such as depression, low pressure, cyclone or tsunami. Generally, a receding sea is a danger sign. One way or the other, the water comes back.”

However, authorities at National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) said this was due to the shifting of ocean currents (flow of water) from north to south, which usually occurs during August and September.

Velamala S. Naidu, retired Senior Principal Scientist (NIO Mumbai), and Research Expert in Coastal Processes & Marine Pollution, said, “A change in tidal patterns or a change in ocean current direction, or fluctuations in sea temperatures, could be the reason behind the receding of the sea.”

Speaking to The Hindu, V.V.S.S. Sarma, Chief Scientist, National Institute of Oceanography (for East Coast), Visakhapatnam, said, “The receding of the sea could be due to the change in direction of ocean current from north to south. This could be an indication of a low pressure forming for cyclones during the post-monsoon period.”

When contacted, India Meteorological Department-Amaravati Director S. Stella said, “There is an indication of a low pressure over East Central and adjoining North Bay of Bengal on August 29. It is too early to predict further stages (possibility of cyclone) of the weather system. However, there will be a heavy rainfall warning across Andhra Pradesh from August 29 to 31.”

New-age Krishna

Stylish pose: A boy participating in Shobha Yatra held as part of the Sreekrishna Jayanti celebration in Palakkad on Monday. K.K. Mustafah

My father had always been a friend, philosopher, and guide: Kanimozhi

The Hindu Bureau

VELLORE

MP Kanimozhi, VIT founder-chancellor G. Viswanathan, and Minister Duraimurugan during a function at VIT. C. Venkatachalapathy C. VENKATACHALAPATHY

DMK MP Kanimozhi on Monday said that her father, the late DMK leader and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, had always been a friend, philosopher and guide in her political journey, as she had the opportunity to observe him at close quarters as a daughter.

She was addressing the valedictory of the centenary celebrations of Karunanidhi, organised by VIT.

Be it a poll campaign or a literary event, the years she spent with the late DMK leader taught her much-needed life lessons to take her political and literary career more seriously, Ms. Kanimozhi said. “Our leader (Karunanidhi) never let down his cadre even during electoral failures. He was always inspiring,” she said.

Referring to the former Chief Minister’s pro-poor welfare schemes, the MP said that Karunanidhi will be remembered for introducing the Public Distribution System (PDS), a separate welfare board for slum-dwellers (first in the country) and allowing women to join the police force. Farmers have always been grateful to the late DMK leader for providing free electricity for them as it not only helped to increase agricultural productivity but also drew many youngsters into farming, she said.

On the uplift of marginalised sections of society, Ms. Kanimozhi said that transpersons had been subjected to various kinds of discrimination for many years. It was Karunanidhi who introduced special welfare schemes for them. In fact, the late DMK leader was responsible for giving a separate gender entity for transpersons, she said.

Ms. Kanimozhi requested VIT founder-chancellor G. Viswanathan to ensure that VIT sets up a new branch in her parliamentary constituency of Thoothukudi for the benefit of rural youth.

SIT may find it tough to collect legally acceptable evidence

K.S. Sudhi

KOCHI

An uphill task of gathering legally acceptable materials to prove allegations of sexual harassment raised against movie actors awaits the special investigation team (SIT) constituted by the Kerala government.

The government on Sunday formed a seven-member team headed by AIG G. Sparjankumar to look into the complaints of sexual harassment raised by a few women in Malayalam cinema.

Though fresh allegations of misbehaviour were raised against some more prominent actors on Monday in the media, only one complainant has formally filed a police complaint.

The SIT, which has four women IPS officers, need not wait to receive any complaint to seek information from the women, who had aired them in the media. However, refusal to file complaints can hamper the inquiry process as no case can be booked in the absence of a complaint or evidence pointing to the commission of the offence. It will have to formally file a preliminary inquiry to kick-start the fact-finding mission to look into the complaints, sources said.

Complainants can provide information on the commission of a cognisable offence from anywhere in the world through electronic mode too as Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has laid down provisions. The task for the SIT is to conduct an inquiry into the complaints and ascertain whether any cognisable offence can be made out from them, they said. The details provided will be relevant in the inquiry as the information on the alleged sexual harassment will be mostly in their exclusive knowledge and information. The gathering of evidence admissible under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam to prove the allegations will also be a daunting task, they said.

Inmates flaunting proximity to actor exposed illegalities

Shreyas H.S.

Bengaluru

In a photograph and a recording of a video call that went viral on Sunday, actor Darshan is seen with accused in criminal cases.

A preliminary probe has now revealed that these accused and their family members, while trying to flaunt their proximity to the actor, unwittingly exposed illegalities at the Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. Both the photograph and the video were recorded on August 22, the probe has now revealed, sources said.

In the photograph, Darshan is seen sitting on a lawn with Wilson Garden Naga. The photo was taken by another inmate from a distance allegedly at the instance of Naga himself.

The accused sent the photo to his wife, who happens to be a fan of the actor, sources said. His wife circulated the photograph among her close contacts and it went viral from there, sources in the Prison and Correctional Services Department said.

Naga, who enjoys considerable influence within the prison, had grown close to the actor and had been helping him get several facilities such as food from outside, cigarettes, and mobile phone, sources said.

A 25-second recording of a video call in which Darshan is seen speaking to a youth also went viral on Sunday. The youth in the video has now been identified as Satya, son of another accused Dharma.

Satya is a fan of the actor and Dharma made Darshan speak to his son briefly over a video call. Satya recorded the call and put it up as a WhatsApp status, following which it reportedly went viral.

Many of Satya’s associates and later the actor’s fans also shared it on WhatsApp, the probe has now revealed.

Assamese girl refuses to return to parents in Kerala capital city

The Hindu Bureau

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

A 13-year-old Assamese girl, who had run away from her family a week ago to return to her hometown, refused to go back home with her parents on Monday.

The child, who was brought to Thiruvananthapuram by the police from Visakhapatnam a day ago, has expressed her wish to remain under the care of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).

CWC Chairperson A. Shaniba Beegum said the girl wished to continue her education with the committee’s support. “She has made it clear that she wants to stay in Kerala. Her parents found it difficult to come to grips with her decision, but her mother later agreed,” she said.

Ms. Beegum said the girl had left home due to alleged mistreatment by her mother, including being forced to do household chores. “This led her to decide to leave for Assam after taking ₹150 from her mother’s bag,” she added.

After a medical examination, the CWC took the girl to its counselling centre, where she will receive counselling. The CWC and the police would investigate the girl’s allegations of mistreatment.

A.P. govt. identifies 10 focus areas for development

The Andhra Pradesh government has listed out 10 focus areas to take the State to heights of progress in the next five years. The construction of the capital city in Amaravati tops, inter-linking of rivers, skill census, industry and services, and demographic management are some of the key focus areas. People-Public-Private- Partnership (P4), another focus area is considered to play a key role in bridging economic disparities.

Cong. leaning towards BC leader as next TPCC chief

Ravi Reddy

HYDERABAD

By all indications, the Congress party’s central leadership seems to be leaning heavily towards making a Backward Classes leader as the next Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) chief, in an effort to strike a caste balance as incumbent Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is an OC (other castes) leader.

After in-depth consultations that All India Congress Committee (AICC) chief Mallikarjun Kharge had with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, the possibility of a BC leader as TPCC chief has brightened.

Walayar girls’ mother slams Kerala govt. for honouring SP

The mother of the two Walayar girls, who had been found dead in mysterious circumstances in their home in 2017, has accused the government of making a mockery of justice by giving integrity certificate to Superintendent of Police M.J. Sojan, who had investigated the case initially. She accused the State Home Department of ‘exonerating’ Mr. Sojan even when a case against him was pending in the High Court. “The move to support him and the apathy towards the Hema Committee report shows the State government’s negative attitude towards women,” she said.

Gold fraud: Crime Branch in search of account holders

A special squad of the District Crime Branch has collected details of around 20 personal bank accounts which were used by Madha Jayakumar, the bank manager suspected to be involved in the Vadakara gold fraud case, in Tamil nadu, to avail gold loan with the stolen ornaments worth ₹17 crore. Sources said that the suspect and his business partner used multiple bank accounts for facilitating benami transactions.

Science

- Pragyan rover reveals signs of magma ocean on ancient moon

- The DAILY QUIZ

- SpaceX to test new tech in risky private spacewalk

Pragyan rover reveals signs of magma ocean on ancient moon

Karthik Vinod

Vikram’s landing spot is about 300 km from the solar system’s largest impact crater, the South Pole-Aitken Basin, which is around 8 km deep; scientists theorise that a powerful meteor strike created the depression, excavating material from deep inside the moon and splashing it around the surface

1 of 2 The Pragyan rover rolls out to the lunar surface, as seen by the Vikram lander’s Lander Imager Camera on August 23, 2023. PTI PTI

2 of 2 Ferroan anorthosite rocks are very common on the earth...what we are finding matches very nicely in terms of the prediction of a magma ocean, plus the impact theory Santosh Vadawale Principal investigator of Pragyan’s APXS instrument

A long night awaited the Pragyan rover on the moon as it bid farewell to operators at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) one last time. The subzero temperatures proved too low for the suitcase-sized rover. Fourteen days after landing on the moon as part of India’s historic Chandrayaan-3 mission, the rover went to sleep forever.

But in this window, the machine had already met all of ISRO’s expectations and completed its scientific goals. It had spent two weeks studying the lunar soil and relayed valuable scientific data back to the earth in anticipation of a slew of discoveries — from recording the presence of sulphur to confirming the presence of certain small rock fragments around crater rims near Shiv Shakti point, the place where the Chandrayaan-3 lander descended.

Now the Chandrayaan-3 team may have reported its most significant finding thus far, one that sheds light on the moon’s origins.

In a study published in the journal Nature on August 21, the research team has reported finding the presence of a rock type called ferroan anorthosite in the lunar soil. The sighting is important because it confirms what the U.S. Apollo missions and the erstwhile Soviet Union’s Luna missions saw from the lunar equator in the 1960s; Pragyan operated in the lunar south pole region. The consensus among scientists is that these anorthosite rocks could be the remains of an ancient ocean of magma that blanketed the moon’s surface some four billion years ago. Data from Pragyan builds support for this idea.

The moon’s origins

“Ferroan anorthosite rocks are very common on the earth,” Santosh Vadawale, the principal investigator of Pragyan’s Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) instrument and the first author of the study, told this reporter. In fact, the earth contributed all the anorthosite found on the moon today.

As the consensus goes, the moon was born from the remains of a headlong collision between the early earth and some rogue planetary body aeons ago. The moon’s rocky surface was initially molten. The minerals in there slowly crystallised as the lava cooled to form rocks of various kinds, including ferroan anorthosite.

Meteorites raining down on the moon beat these rocks down to fine dust over many centuries. Similar weathering phenomena occur on the earth but the moon has a very thin atmosphere and lacks volcanic activity, so all meteors reach the surface and the surface is not replenished with new rocks over time.

The Vikram lander onboard the Chandrayaan-3 mission landed on the moon just past 6 p.m. IST on August 23, 2023. The Pragyan rover rolled out a few hours later and gingerly moved about 100 metres from Vikram over the next two weeks.

The slow pace was to make sure Pragyan did not stumble over any stray rocks or ridges, jeopardising the high-stakes mission.

During its journey, the rover occasionally stopped to observe moon dust with its instruments — from some 23 locations around Statio Shiv Shakti. Its APXS instrument, mounted close to the rover’s navigation cameras, affirmed the dust’s chemical and mineral composition by firing X-rays and alpha particles at it produced from a radioactive mass of curium.

Pragyan also stopped for a few minutes to around two hours to scan the soil. This is because the dust particles often deflected the alpha particles in some direction away from the APXS detector. Its stops allowed the detector to collect enough readings.

In these readings, Dr. Vadawale & co. identified evidence of ferroan anorthosite as well as debris from another ancient relic strewn on Pragyan’s path.

Deciphering the dust

Vikram’s landing spot, Statio Shiv Shakti, is about 300 km from the largest impact crater in the solar system: the South Pole-Aitken Basin. It is around 8 km deep and 2,500 km wide. Scientists have theorised that a powerful meteor strike created the depression, excavating material from deep inside the moon — perhaps from the upper mantle — and splashing it around the surface, probably all the way up to Statio Shiv Shakti.

Subsequent meteor strikes on the moon created a pretty uniform mixture of this magnesium-rich content and the anorthosite dust. Dr. Vadawale said he was relieved when the team found Pragyan’s data affirmed the unusually high magnesium content.

“What we are finding matches very nicely in terms of the prediction of a magma ocean, plus the impact theory,” he said. Such a feat would not have been possible with a typical orbiter mission, he added. Orbiters can only identify elements in the soil, not their abundance. A closer look also helps elicit details that an orbiter might miss simply because a certain part of the surface is not lit by the Sun. “You do not have full control over it in a typical orbital scenario.”

“That is why it is important to have actually landed on a surface and [conducted] a very close analysis there.”

Doing so, Pragyan established “ground truths” in the lunar south pole region, gathering data of a higher quality than an orbiter could manage. But the findings need to be replicated using data from other instruments. The researchers have done so using data from the instruments onboard the Chandrayaan-1 and Chandrayaan-2 missions, and are now analysing data from other space missions as well. “All our teams are already working on it, and then we will continue with that, and will get those right.”

While the rover itself has signed off, the data from its APXS and LIBS instruments live on and could lead to more science. “We do expect to get some science from APXS data itself. I mean, there are still some aspects of it which … teams are working on,” Dr. Vadawale said. “For example, the present paper is based on the overall bulk composition and all the major elements, but we do have observations of many minor elementsand their concentrations. The changes in their concentration [from] what is expected also holds a certain key, so those aspects are still being worked on.”

In general, he added, the data from the rover’s payloads as well as from instruments fit to the lander and the orbiter “hold up good progress. And I think … the string of the results will continue in future.”

After the August 23 feat last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi designated the date India’s new ‘National Space Day’. According to Dr. Vadawale, the paper’s publication just ahead of its first commemoration is not a “surprise”. He said he had suggested to Nature’s editorial team that the paper be published before Vikram Sarabhai’s birth anniversary on August 12.

Dr. Vadawale is with the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad. His coauthors include his colleagues at PRL as well as the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru and the ISRO Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad.

(Karthik Vinod is a freelance science journalist and co-founder of Ed Publica. He has masters’ degrees in astrophysics and science, technology and society. krtvin18@gmail.com)

Weaving wonders: the science of textiles

A. Siva Shakthi

1 of 2 Visual question: This is an image of burrs of the Burdock plant under a microscope. It inspired Swiss electrical engineer George de Mestral to design a fastening system popularly called what? Secret Disc (CC BY-SA 3.0)

2 of 2

Question 1

In the weaving process, when strands skip several threads before crossing over, the resulting fabric acquires a glossy finish as a result of ________ light reflection, which occurs due to the variations in the surface texture. Fill in the blank.

Question 2

Apart from their aesthetic appeal, what specific purpose do velvet panels serve in enhancing the acoustic clarity in spaces like theatres and recording studios? They achieve this by their soft texture and their thick, dense build.

Question 3

Name the action by which moisture-wicking clothing draws moisture away from the skin. The result is that sweat evaporates faster and the body’s temperature is easier to maintain during intense physical activity, rendering a comfortable wear. Hint: Many plants use this action to move water to their branches from their stem.

Question 4

Which material was discovered accidentally in 1965 by Stephanie Kwolek while researching synthetic materials for tyres and was eventually used in bulletproof vests, thanks to its durability and strength?

Question 5

How are the cellulose molecules oriented with respect to each other within the fibrils of cotton fibre? This particular alignment contributes to the strength and durability of the cotton material but also causes it to wrinkle.

Answers to August 22 quiz:

1. Transport project that completed 30 years in 2024 – Ans: Channel Tunnel

2. Park built with earth reclaimed in Channel Tunnel construction – Ans: Samphire Hoe

3. Longest undersea tunnel with an underwater portion – Ans: Seikan Tunnel

4. Inspiration for Marc Brunel to build Thames Tunnel – Ans: Shipworms

5. Istanbul tunnel with first Asia-Europe standard gauge rail line – Ans: Marmaray

Visual: Harley Dalrymple-Hay

First contact: K.N. Viswanathan | Seema Das | Anmol Agrawal

(Siva Shakthi is a science communicator in Pondicherry and runs the ‘No Nonsense Science Club’ through which she debunks myths and misinformation using science)

SpaceX to test new tech in risky private spacewalk

Reuters

Jared Isaacman at Kennedy Space Center ahead of the private human spaceflight mission. APJohn Raoux

SpaceX’s attempt at the first-ever private spacewalk will be a test of trailblazing equipment, including slim spacesuits and a cabin with no airlock, in one of the riskiest missions yet for Elon Musk’s space company.

A billionaire entrepreneur, a retired military fighter pilot, and two SpaceX employees are poised to launch on Tuesday aboard a modified Crew Dragon craft, before embarking on a 20-minute spacewalk 700 km into space two days later.

Until now, walking into the empty expanse of space has only been attempted by government astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS), 400 km up.

SpaceX’s five-day mission, dubbed ‘Polaris Dawn’, will swing in an elliptical orbit, passing as close to the earth as 190 km and as far as 1,400 km, the farthest any humans will have ventured since the end of NASA’s Apollo programme in 1972.

Retired NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman said in an interview that the crew is going to “a much higher altitude, with a more severe radiation environment than we have been to since Apollo.”

Crew members will don SpaceX’s new spacesuits in a Crew Dragon vehicle modified to open its hatch door in the vacuum of space, an unusual process that removes the need for an airlock.

The mission has been bankrolled by Jared Isaacman, the founder of electronic payment company Shift4. He has declined to say how much he has spent but it is estimated to be over $100 million.

Joining him will be mission pilot Scott Poteet, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, and senior SpaceX engineers Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon.

Far outside the protective bubble of the earth’s atmosphere, the electronics and shielding on Crew Dragon and spacesuits will be tested as they pass through parts of the Van Allen belt, an area where charged particles streaming mainly from the Sun can disrupt satellites’ electronics and affect human health.

The Polaris spacewalk will take place on the mission’s third day but preparation will begin about 45 hours in advance.

Crew Dragon’s cabin will be depressurised and exposed to the vacuum of space. While only two of the astronauts will float outside, tethered by an oxygen line, the whole crew will depend on their spacesuits for life support. Days before the spacewalk, the crew will begin a “pre-breathe” process to fill the cabin with pure oxygen and remove any nitrogen from the air.

While astronaut safety on NASA missions is rigorously overseen by the agency, there are no such U.S. standards or laws for spaceflight safety in private missions like Polaris.

SpaceX officials and the Polaris crew said during a Monday news conference they have planned for an array of contingency scenarios if something during the mission goes wrong, such as an oxygen leak or failure to reseal the hatch door, but they didn’t detail what those were.

Edit

- The heavy shackles of fear and vigilance

- Crime, health-worker safety and a self-examination

- No more delays

- Unending war

- letters to the editor

- A proper probe alone can ensure timely justice

- Rethinking violence in healthcare

- Reclaiming streets is not enough

- Goods at Railway yards must be cleared in 7 days

- Jaffna sympathy

- On the unrest in the Balochistan region

- The working behind some simple medical tools one sees in a doctor’s office

- A quiz to celebrate the 116th birthday of Sir Donald Bradman

- Know your English

The heavy shackles of fear and vigilance

1 of 3 Faiza Nasir Lecturer, Directorate of Education, Delhi

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The brutal rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata has led to the country finding itself, once again, engaged in a deep conversation on the safety of women in India. Women across the country face a spectrum of aggressive behaviours and violence — from sexual harassment and dowry-related deaths to rape and domestic violence. While the physical impact of violence against women is acknowledged by both the state and society as visible and tell-tale signs on women, there is considerably less focus on its psychological and behavioural consequences. This oversight means that while the physical and explicit acts of violence may provoke immediate and visible responses and draw public attention, the enduring psychological impact remains difficult to measure and often goes unnoticed and unaddressed.

An ingrained state of alertness

In the absence of adequate structural protection by the state and the society, the onus of one’s safety often falls on women themselves. As a result, women in India are forced to live in a state of perpetual vigilance, constantly evaluating their surroundings for potential threats in public and private spaces. This state of constant alertness, deeply ingrained in the psyche of women, learnt and imbibed from a young age, then becomes both necessary and exhausting.

What makes this situation even more troubling is that this vigilant state has become so deeply embedded in daily life that it is often perceived to be the norm, to an extent that women often struggle to find the language to articulate the discomfort and mental labour it entails. Women become accustomed to living in this heightened state of awareness, and the psychological strain it creates often goes unrecognised — by themselves and by society.

This unspoken burden profoundly shapes how women interact with the world, perceive themselves, and engage with society. This constant need to assess and anticipate potential threats curtails her freedom to explore new places, to take risks, and to connect with others. This strips women of simple pleasures such as leisurely observation, spatial connection, and the ability to dwell in the moment. It even impacts career choices to personal relationships. Many women, for instance, decline job opportunities that require late-night travel or hesitate to move to new places without ensuring a strong support system. The simple pleasure of a leisurely walk in the park is overshadowed by a constant awareness of potential threats. These decisions, though grounded in rational concerns for safety, can significantly restrict their personal, material and psychological growth.

There are also intergenerational effects as this burden is often passed on from mother to daughter, who is taught to be cautious and adjust her behaviour to stay safe. This reinforces the idea that individual women are responsible for their own safety, rather than society taking collective action to create safer environments. As a result, women are expected to adapt their behaviour. These protective measures, thereby imposed by families and communities, which restrict a woman’s mobility and freedom, also become violence. The vigilance also creates a dissonance between how women live and how they wish to live. As a woman and a teacher, I find myself grappling with this conflict daily. I encourage my young female students to be brave, to challenge patriarchal limitations, and to live freely. Yet, I find myself waiting for a male family member or friend to accompany me on a late-night trip, for example, a choice that feels at odds with the empowerment I advocate. Women are frequently forced to navigate this duality: advocating for empowerment while simultaneously adapting their behaviours to mitigate risks associated with their safety.

It is worse for the disadvantaged

Caste, class, and religion add complexity to the burden of vigilance women must bear, with marginalised women facing intensified discrimination and prejudice. For them, threats are not only gendered but also rooted in societal hierarchies. While women from privileged caste and class backgrounds may have access to relatively safer environments, such as gated communities and private transportation, they are still not immune to harassment and violence. However, women from disadvantaged groups face more immediate and pervasive dangers, often lacking institutional support to address safety concerns. These women, therefore, have no choice but to navigate environments where exploitation and abuse are constant threats, highlighting vulnerabilities often overlooked by society and the state.

Impact on society

When women are forced to prioritise safety over curiosity, and vigilance over exploration, they are denied the full spectrum of the human experience. The world, instead of being a place of wonder and discovery, becomes one of danger and caution. This not only limits their experiences but also deprives society of the contributions and innovations that could flourish if women were free from this constant burden.

The unseen and unspoken burdens that women carry; the emotional strain, psychological fatigue, and the loss of joy and freedom are as significant as any physical injury. Recognising and addressing this burden therefore is essential for building a more equitable society where women are not only safe but also free to live without the constant shadow of fear. However, to challenge this requires a fundamental shift in how we think about safety and violence. In a society that often equates violence against women solely with visible, physical harm, it is crucial to broaden our understanding to include the less tangible, yet equally damaging, forms of violence.

Women should not have to choose between their safety and their freedom. State and societal measures should not restrict women’s freedom any further under the guise of ensuring safety. The challenge is not merely about liberating women from the constraints of fear and vigilance. It is about unlocking the full potential of half our society. To achieve this, we must acknowledge that the burden of perpetual vigilance imposed on women is not a natural or acceptable state but a form of violence in itself. This shift in perspective will allow everyone to live, thrive, and contribute equally, free from the constraints of safety concerns.

Crime, health-worker safety and a self-examination

1 of 2 Dr. Soham D. Bhaduri a public health specialist and an independent researcher

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The year 2017 saw heated protests by resident doctors in Maharashtra, following a series of vicious attacks on medical personnel in rather quick succession — as is invariably the case with sensationalised criminal offences. Despite the magnitude of the problem, the solution was straightforward and run-of-the-mill. It meant bolstering security in public hospitals and strengthening legal instruments to bring the malefactors to rapid justice. Similar incidents came and went, with much happening during the COVID-19 pandemic. The knee jerk responses too continued. One is hard-pressed to recall any conspicuous precedents of swift justice.

There lies a deeper problem

It is the case of the grisly death of a promising resident doctor in Kolkata that has taken the country by storm and that has spurred the Supreme Court of India to take suo moto cognisance of the happening. However, emerging answers to the issue continue to remain reflexive and simplistic, and possibly reflect an incomplete understanding of the malady beneath. In its proceedings on August 20, the Court decreed the constitution of a national task force to work out measures to strengthen hospital safety. Improved infrastructure and closed-circuit television surveillance, a greater security presence at hospitals, and safe night transport are reportedly some areas that will receive attention.

In the same vein, the West Bengal government has announced the ‘Rattierer Saathi (night companion’) programme aimed at improving the safety of women working in night shifts, particularly in medical colleges and hospitals. While such initiatives are critical, they implicitly conflate this issue with archetypal health worker violence, which is initiated by disgruntled patients due to perceived poor health-care services, or women’s safety at large. What lurks underneath is the much more insidious problem of corruption of criminal proportions.

Conventional answers to health worker violence, such as improving hospital security and newer legislation, have miserably failed in tackling the problem over the years. These include reasons such as underfunding which are no different than why our health systems continue to remain frail in general. But the extent to which corruption contributes to the overall loss of lives has been vastly under-appreciated. If emerging accounts are anything to go by, there is a strong likelihood of deep-rooted, organised corruption having contributed to the gruesome crime in question, not to mention other incidents and the steady erosion of public health services that may have hitherto gone unheeded. The fact that this concerns an apex health-care institution in an already underfunded state public health system is acutely disconcerting.

WHO estimates

The World Health Organization estimates that corruption claims nearly $455 billion annually worldwide, more than what it would cost to extend universal health coverage to all. In a good part of the developing world, corruption rather than a lack of funds is what majorly contributes to health-care crises and poor health outcomes. While often sensationalised, the discourse on medical corruption in India has largely concentrated on private losses and malfeasances, while its criminal dimensions have been largely underappreciated. Human resource-intensive health-care systems provide rapid breeding grounds for expansionary corruption, including the worst forms of sextortion, particularly in political systems where underfunding and poor oversight run rife.

In such circumstances, it is hard to conceive how much help would realistically accrue from merely improving the state of health workers’ security and hospital infrastructure, even if they are somehow adequately implemented. Being painfully galvanised to the fact that medical corruption can claim the lives of health-care workers in addition to that of patients serves to indicate that the public health system and its drivers may be up for a rigorous self-examination.

Speedy delivery of justice in the Kolkata case is inarguably paramount, for nothing else said or done can ever serve as a consequential deterrent. Needless to say that we have traditionally fallen short in this respect, and the ramifications are for all to see.

The steps that are needed

But the national task force has a job that is arguably more monumental than simply recommending safety measures — which is to devise a potent road map to prevent and arrest medical corruption, particularly in the public sector. Certainly, this cannot be approached solely by a team of medical doctors. It requires expert inputs from public health, medico-legal, and other allied competencies, besides meriting the participation and the sanction of the larger governing and administrative community. And, the strategies so devised have to look much beyond instituting yet another novel legislative tool.

Apart from reforms centering on administrative transparency, accountability, and oversight, effective whistle-blower reporting and protection mechanisms and thorough digitalisation of public management systems are crucial. The need for ombudsmanship and other instruments to minimise political intrusion and manoeuvring cannot be overstated. Inspiration may be drawn from how fellow nations such as Brazil continue to battle political corruption in medicine.

Much also remains to be done in the way of modernising the typical ‘control and command’ Indian public hospital, which remains steeped in anachronistic ways. While efficiency reasons for such a modernisation abound, their pressing moral and regulatory bases have glaringly presented today and can no longer be overlooked.

No more delays

Caste enumeration should not hold the Census from being undertaken quickly

In what can only be a case of muddying the waters, the Union government is reportedly mulling the expansion of data collection in the long-delayed Census to include caste enumeration. That caste may be one of the variables in the Census could be an outcome of the strident demand for a caste census by several political parties. But considering the incomplete and poorly constructed nature of the Socio-Economic and Caste Census of 2011, which resulted in data that were unwieldy, inaccurate, and hence unusable, the government must not hurry into utilising the office of the Registrar General and other agencies to tabulate caste. There must first be a definite time frame to conduct the Census on a war footing. If the delay is deliberate, in order to allow for delimitation to be conducted first in 2026, this will be harmful not just to public policy but also to relations with States. As of June 2024, out of 233 countries, India was one of 44 not to have conducted the Census this decade. The ostensible reason provided by the Union Home Ministry was delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but 143 other countries conducted the Census after March 2020, which marked the onset of the pandemic. India shares this dubious distinction of not having a Census with countries affected by conflict, economic crises or turmoil such as Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Sri Lanka and in sub-Saharan Africa.

There remains little excuse to continually delay the decennial Census, an exercise that has been conducted without fail from 1881 to 2011. Yet, the deadline to freeze administrative boundaries of districts, tehsils, towns and municipal bodies — a prerequisite before the conduct of the Census — lapsed on June 30 this year. This deadline has been extended 10 times since 2019. Several public schemes such as the National Food Security Act, the National Social Assistance Programme and the delimitation of constituencies are dependent upon the Census being conducted. Besides, statistical surveys that go into setting policy such as those related to household and social consumption, the National Family Health Survey, the Periodic Labour Force Survey, and the Sample Registration System, among others, use the Census to set their sampling frames. With the 2011 Census data getting increasingly out-dated and phenomena such as migration across and within States, the urbanisation of Indian societies, and the suburbanisation of cities becoming increasingly prominent in recent years, the lack of a Census is telling. The reliance on a bevy of sample surveys to fill in the gap is only resulting in debates over methodology and conclusions based on cherry-picking according to one’s political choice. Clearly, the Union government must stop being derelict in its duties and should proceed with the Census quickly.

Unending war

Escalatory risks in West Asia will remain without a ceasefire in Gaza

Israel’s “pre-emptive” strike on Lebanon on August 25 and Hezbollah’s rocket and drone attacks on Israel underline the complexities and escalatory risks of the raging multi-party war in West Asia since October 2023. While the main theatre is Gaza, which Israel has been mercilessly pounding since the October 7 Hamas attack, the conflict has effectively spread to Israel’s northern border and southern Lebanon. Over the past 10 months, Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese Shia militia, has launched hundreds of rocket attacks towards Israel, “in solidarity with the Palestinians”. Israel has responded with air strikes on Lebanon, killing Hezbollah operatives and civilians. The trigger for the latest flare-up was the Israeli killing of Fuad Shukr, a senior commander of Hezbollah, in a strike in Beirut on July 31 — the day Israel killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. On August 25, after striking hundreds of Hezbollah targets, Israel said the Shia group was planning to carry out a large-scale attack and that its assault was defensive. But the massive strike did not deter Hezbollah from launching over 300 katyusha rockets and drones towards Israel, killing at least one soldier and wounding several.

After Sunday’s pre-dawn bombardments, both sides have signalled a de-escalation. Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah says his group achieved its targets, while Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said his country does not want a regional war. Yet, neither side is ready to back off from escalatory cycles. It is clear that Israel is not in a hurry to wrap up its devastating offensive in Gaza, which has killed over 40,000 Palestinians. The U.S. supports and mediates a ceasefire, but backs Israel’s war efforts through defence supplies and diplomatic protection. Hezbollah says it will not stop attacking Israel as long as the Gaza war continues. By bombing Hezbollah and taking down its commanders, Israel is trying to change the reality on the ground, but Hezbollah’s continued attacks, which have turned northern Israel into a depopulated furling zone, suggest this approach is not very successful. When Israel began attacking Hamas, it vowed to dismantle the group. Today, even the Israeli Defense Forces doubt whether it can be destroyed. While the war on Hamas still continues, the conflict with Hezbollah is escalating. By destroying Hamas, Israel wanted to strengthen its security in the south, but the widening war has heightened its insecurity in the north. And Israel does not have any easy military solution for Hezbollah. As long as the war in Gaza continues, the path towards a wider regional war will remain open.

Hema report, ICC’s role

With the publication of the Justice K. Hema Committee report, the putrid state of the Malayalam film industry has come to the fore. The onus is on the State government not to fail to see the wood in its entirety. The Internal Complaints Committee, despite its weaknesses, would still be a bulwark to stall atrocities against women. What is needed is to calibrate this to a foolproof level.

Ayyasseri Raveendranath,

Aranmula, Kerala

The issue of ‘favours’ solicited from women in return for roles in films was an open secret. But then, society in Kerala was not willing to accept it. The report should lead to structural changes where ‘gang’ assent should be replaced by selection on the basis of talent and abilities alone.

Cijo Joseph,

Kozha, Kottayam, Kerala

The report’s push for transparency and accountability could disrupt power dynamics, potentially facing resistance from those benefiting from the status quo. Although it emphasises the need for stronger legal frameworks and survivor support systems, the real challenge lies in fostering a cultural shift toward respect and equality. Without sustained pressure from within and outside the industry, these reforms may remain on paper.

Narayanan Kizhumundayur,

Thrissur, Kerala

I am a person in his nineties and one who spends his waking hours reading, writing, listening to music and watching Malayalam movies. Unfortunately, the revelations of the report have damaged the level of my enjoyment of these films. In a particular scene in a film, a young actor embraces an old man with much emotion on hearing the news about the passing of a girl character. After going though details in the report, I felt ill as the report has also hinted at how the young actor, in real life, had tried to harm the older actor’s career. I, like others, wish to see Malayalam movies as beautiful flowers on a boxwood shrub.

V. Babusenan,

Thiruvananthapuram

A proper probe alone can ensure timely justice

Rakesh Goswami

The annual number of reported rapes in India is a reflection on the failure of the police, the prosecution, the courts, and the prisons

1 of 2 Doctors protest at the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital against the rape and murder of a female doctor. DEBASISH BHADURI

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Amid national outrage over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata and the sexual abuse of two kindergarten girls in Badlapur, Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken twice in 10 days on crimes against women. In his 78th Independence Day address, Mr. Modi said that crimes against women should be investigated without any delay, and that it was important to instill fear among culprits of committing such crimes. “There should be a wide discussion about the criminals who get punished so that even those who commit such sins fear the consequences including hanging to death. I feel that it is very important to create this fear,” he said. Then, while addressing the Lakhpati Didi Sammelan in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, on Sunday, Mr. Modi said that committing a crime against women was “an unpardonable sin”, adding that the guilty should not be spared.

Incidents and changes to law

Protests erupted after a postgraduate trainee doctor was found dead after 36 hours of duty at Kolkata’s R.G. Kar Hospital on August 9. Forensic reports stated that she had been raped. Furious at persistently high level of sexual violence despite reforms in the criminal justice system, women gathered on streets across India. The Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of probe of the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Later, the Supreme Court took suo motto cognisance of the case.

Following the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman in New Delhi in December 2012, the government brought about several changes in the criminal justice system. The definition of rape was widened to include non-penetrative acts, fast-track courts were set up, and the age threshold was reduced so that even 16-year-olds could be tried as adults in sexual offences.

However, little seems to have changed. According to a government report, on average, one woman reported a rape every 15 minutes across the country in 2018. There were more than 31,000 reported rapes in 2022, the latest year for which data are available. Around the time of the 2012 Delhi case, data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) showed that there were 25,000 recorded rapes a year across India.

A collective failure

The fact that the annual number of rapes is largely above 30,000 is not just a cause for concern, but also a reflection on the four components of the criminal justice system: the police, the prosecution, the courts, and the prisons. It is a collective failure of these four components that there is no fear of punishment in the minds of people who commit these heinous crimes. The police, which are the investigative agency, have to ensure that there are no infirmities in the investigation procedure. For this, the first step is to preserve the scene of crime so that experts can gather evidence in the best possible manner. A botched job in the early stages of investigation has serious ramifications and often leads to acquittal. A botched job also gives some rapists the confidence that they can get away with their crime. Early-stage botching begins with delay in the registration of the crime. There was a delay of 14 hours in registering an FIR in the Kolkata case. In the Badlapur case too, the police sprung to action only after public outrage. The Bombay High Court slammed them for the delay in filing the FIR and recording statements.

After the registration of the FIR, proper investigation needs to be done. This includes collection of vital evidence from the scene of crime. The role of the investigators, therefore, is of paramount importance. Police being a state subject, the State governments have a bigger role to play in ensuring delivery of timely and fair justice. Why should all highly publicised cases be transferred to the CBI after an outcry by the media and the public? Lack of confidence in state investigative agencies is a major cause for concern.

If the investigation is improper, the prosecution finds it difficult to pursue the case in a court of law. This creates problems in trials, appeals, and every step of legal proceedings, often ending in rapists getting away. As per the NCRB data, conviction rates for rapes were 27%-28% from 2018 to 2022. This means that almost 70% of rape cases in India end in acquittal. But even in cases where the prosecution manages to get conviction, inordinate delays in execution of the sentence makes delivery of justice a long process. In the 2012 Delhi case, even though the fast-track court which tried the case held the accused guilty of gang rape and murder in less than a year, the guilty were hanged after seven years.

Revamped justice system

In the revamped criminal justice system of India, forensic examination has been made mandatory in cases with offences that are punishable with imprisonment of seven years or more, which are categorised under heinous offences. The maximum punishment for rape in India is life imprisonment and death penalty in the case of the victim being below 12 years of age. The forensic examination is aimed at enhancing the criminal investigation by ensuring that a team of experts conduct an on-site examination and gather evidence. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2024, which has replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, also makes it mandatory to video-tape the forensic examination. The revamped criminal justice system of the country has also fixed timelines for enforcement agencies to take cognisance of complaints and mercy petitions, for filing of charge sheets and e-FIR for women, along with timelines for hearings to address contemporary challenges.

But these legal reforms will yield the desired results only when the investigating agency does its job thoroughly. Often, failure in preliminary investigation and incomplete or delayed collection of forensic evidence leads to botched-up investigations that ultimately make it more difficult for the victim to get justice. It is important that the investigating agency preserves the scene of crime and collects forensic evidence to build a watertight case so that the accused persons get convicted. It is equally important to ensure that the appellate courts, such as the High Court and the Supreme Court, dispose of the appeals quickly and in a time-bound manner for sentences to be executed.

These steps may not prevent atrocities against women, but they will at least instill the fear of consequences in the minds of the perpetrators, and ensure that the victims and their families don’t have to wait endlessly for delivery of justice.

Rakesh Goswami is Professor of Journalism at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi

Rethinking violence in healthcare

In the World Report on Violence and Health, the World Health Organization defines violence as “the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either result in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation”. Healthcare setting broadly refers to the array of services, interactions and places where healthcare occurs.

Over the past four years, we at the Association for Socially Applicable Research have been working on research and advocacy related to violence against healthcare workers. We have collected and collated data, highlighted the problem of violence, and engaged with grassroots workers and policymakers. Last year, noting the systemic nature of the problem and how it impacts all healthcare workers, ASAR released an online petition demanding that the Central government pass the Healthcare Service Personnel and Clinical Establishments (Prohibition of violence and Damage to Property) Bill, 2019, along with better implementation of State laws. The petition has received over 1,70,000 endorsements.

How we see violence

At this pivotal moment, we believe that it is time to fundamentally rethink how we look at violence. Healthcare spaces and interactions are about healing and are not just physical spaces such as hospital wards. For example, when an ASHA worker goes to a village to conduct an awareness campaign about COVID-19 vaccination, she carries a healthcare space with her. Violence includes physical, sexual, mental and emotional violence of differing severity.

Our healthcare settings are spaces of varying vulnerability for those providing as well as seeking care. People belonging to different socio-demographic groups have different risk profiles. Being young, female, and from a marginalised social group, for instance, can increase the risk of facing violence. Patients from poor economic backgrounds who do not have too many options for care are treated not just unfairly but at times violently in healthcare settings. Psychiatric patients are stripped off their dignity and rights. Violence against the elderly is not uncommon in crowded hospitals. Rich, upper caste men, who dominate the doctor cadre among providers, seek care in urban private multi-speciality hospitals where they are best protected from the violence.

The perpetrator-victim relationship can be complex to navigate. Data from decades along with narratives of the last few weeks have demonstrated that there are instances of violence against healthcare workers initiated by patients, visitors, and other healthcare workers. There are also instances of violence against patients from workers and other people in healthcare spaces. For instance, women healthcare workers and patients almost exclusively face sexual violence from men, regardless of the role of men in healthcare spaces. Healthcare workers lower in the power hierarchy, such as ASHA workers, midwives, and ambulance workers, might face a greater risk of violence due to lack of security. Young trainees and resident doctors are at greater risk of physical and mental violence from patient attendants and their seniors owing to more workload, long hours of duty, limited power, and a toxic work culture.

Violence is systemic and structural thereby mirroring the violence prevalent in society. Aspects of healthcare systems and broader societal structures including cultural elements, legal frameworks, and political influences facilitate such violence. This view makes it apparent that certain groups such as lower caste women are more vulnerable to violence than others in healthcare since they are at greater risk of injustices and violence in society.

Shift in perspective

We strongly believe that the problem at hand is not just violence against doctors or even healthcare workers; it is violence in healthcare. This shift in thinking is not exactly new, but it is much needed for India. Our view is supported by the international humanitarian law (IHL) that provides a universal legal framework for the rights and obligations of a country in cases of international and national armed conflicts. The IHL mandates the protection of health establishments, healthcare personnel, and the wounded and sick, in case of any violence. It is imperative that this protection is extended generally beyond conflicts where violence is systemic. It is essential that healthcare remains safe and protected, in all circumstances.

Many countries recognise that violence can impact everyone in healthcare. In 2017, Taiwan enacted legislation to protect all healthcare workers and the rights of patients. This also involves stringent prosecution of anyone in the healthcare setting hindering the provision of healthcare services. For accreditation, hospital administrations are required to identify high-risk areas for conflict, such as the emergency department, and ensure strict security. Patient safety takes utmost importance and is a core responsibility of the medical institutions. Anyone found causing harm to a patient is liable to a fine that amounts to ₹70,000- 1,30,000. Violence against healthcare workers is punishable by a fine of up to ₹7,00,000 and imprisonment of up to three years, or may be subject to life imprisonment if the act leads to death of the worker. Learning from such precedents could highly benefit Indian healthcare.

Although violence is a nuanced problem, it is unequivocal that healthcare spaces are a place for healing and there should be no tolerance to any kind of violence that is counterproductive. While the end goal should be to solve social problems, strong formulation and implementation of policies and laws that protect everyone within the healthcare spaces are the starting point.

Reclaiming streets is not enough

Deeksha, Aravind Unni

The way we plan, design, build and use our cities needs to change

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The recent rape and murder of a resident doctor in India’s “safest” city, Kolkata, is yet another example of how crimes against women continue unabated — whether in places of work, at home, while commuting, or in public spaces.

In response to the outcry following the gang rape and murder of a young woman in Delhi in 2012, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, made several changes to sexual crime laws and investigative procedures, including broadening the definition of rape and enhancing punishment. Fast-track courts were strongly recommended as a measure to ensure speedy justice. The Nirbhaya Fund was announced with a ₹1,000 crore corpus, to implement initiatives to ensure women’s safety. However, it has primarily been used for installing CCTV cameras and deploying more police personnel.

It is clear that legal protections have limited impact on crimes against women. It is important then to rethink how the state of our urban spaces inhibit women’s safety, and why episodic outrage and over-dependence on laws alone will continue to fail women and their right to spaces.

India’s cities have traditionally been designed for and by men. This is made clear by the fact that there is more concern for car parking than for toilets or feeding rooms for women. The female labour force participation rate in urban areas is an abysmal 25.2% (April-June, 2024). Despite skills and education, many women struggle to enter the formal job market. With the current policy focus on women-led development, it is crucial to emphasise that our cities are in dire need of infrastructure to support and facilitate women’s labour in its diverse forms.

Data reveal that most women, in the absence of resources, depend overwhelmingly on walking and accessible public transport for commuting. Women make multiple trips a day, tied to their care responsibilities, navigating the hostile urban infrastructure. Wider roads and flyovers are increasingly prioritised in cities, neglecting women’s needs for safe streets, sidewalks and public transit. Even metro systems, touted as the panacea to all urban woes, exclude the vulnerable, especially working class women. Women, particularly those living independently, often struggle to find affordable and safe housing in cities, which hinders their pursuit of urban livelihoods. The impact of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban on access to housing and shelter for women is minimal. The lack of care infrastructure in cities forces women to shoulder the burden of childcare, elderly care, and care of the sick, restricting their ability to fully participate in city life. While the Swachh Bharat Mission has made some difference in providing services to women, a lot more must be done. Lack of access to water and sanitation translates to an additional burden on women.

From a policy perspective, engendering urban planning is key. To ensure cities which work for women, it is essential to review planning laws. Women don’t want cities to be merely friendly, they want cities to be efficient, just, safe, and rightfully theirs to use. Ministries must take the lead in broadening the policy frameworks from an urban inclusion perspective and not just from the perspective of women’s welfare. Governments need to formalise women-dominated informal work, create livelihoods closer to homes, and invest in care infrastructure. Any radical re-imagining of the urban space is impossible without women’s participation and representation in policy and decision-making. Allocation of resources to support cities for women remains dismal. It is essential to promote and review gender budgeting mechanisms to benefit women, using it for women-centric cities that safeguard their rights, and not to be diverted to other use. The designated physical spatial allocations must be made in city plans to provide space for women’s livelihoods, care, housing and leisure. For a scalable city-level implementation, gender inclusion frameworks along with a new national scheme for women in urban areas should offer actionable steps for gender mainstreaming.

Women’s access to their haq (right) and hissa (share) in the urban is a definite step to build cities where women live, work and thrive, without fear. The notions of safety and protection, and the oft-used language of ‘daughters’, ‘sisters’ and ‘mothers’ do little to enable women to achieve empowerment. The way we plan, design, build and use our cities, in brick and mortar, in policy and practice, in labour and leisure, needs to change.

Reclaiming the streets in protest is not enough. We must reclaim cities in their entirety.

Deeksha is a social researcher and Aravind Unni is an urban practitioner and a member of the National Alliance for People’s Movement-SHRAM (Urban Forum)

Goods at Railway yards must be cleared in 7 days

New Delhi, Aug 26: The Railway Minister has asked the State Governments either to take over the goods that have accumulated in the railway yards under the Essential Commodities Act or sell them to super markets, if they are not cleared by the traders within 7 days (Previously the limit for clearance of goods was 22 days.) Similar instructions have been issued to the Director of Civil Supplies, Delhi.

This was disclosed to-day in the Lok Sabha by Mr. Mohd. Shafi Qureshi, Deputy Railway Minister, while replying to a calling attention notice on the large number of railway wagons containing essential consumer goods awaiting unloading at New Delhi, Ghaziabad, Bareilly, and Varanasi railway stations. The notice has been tabled by Mr. A.B. Vajpayee (JS), Mr. S.M. Banerjee (CPI) and some members of the ruling party. Mr. Qureshi said he had talked to the State Governments on the telephone and had told them that under the Essential Commodities Act they could take over the goods.

The Deputy Minister received warm praise from members of the ruling party and Mr. Banerjee for his courage in taking the decision to reduce the period for clearance of goods from 22 to 7 days.

Jaffna sympathy

The Hony. Secretary of the South Indian Flood Relief Committee, Jaffna, writes under date Aug. 18: At a public meeting held in Jaffna in the Central College Hall on Thursday the 14th instant, and presided over by Sir Ambalavanar Kanagasabai the following resolutions were passed. 1) That the inhabitants of Jaffna in meeting assembled express their sympathy with their brethren across the sea in the various parts of South India, in their suffering brought on by the devastating floods, and that an appeal be made to all people for liberal contributions towards a fund to be raised for the relief of the distressed, and to all public organisations and institutions to co-operate with the movement.

On the unrest in the Balochistan region

Sanjay Pulipaka

The recent protests constitute an important episode in Balochistan’s long history of political turmoil. It is indicative of the challenges that Pakistan is encountering in building a nation-state purely based on religion

In protest: People from the Baloch community demand greater rights in Gwadar of Pakistan’s Balochistan province on July 28. AFP-

In the past few weeks, Balochistan, in Pakistan, has witnessed large-scale protests. Balochistan is a region with a distinct cultural and historical identity that is now divided between three countries mainly Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) had called for a ‘Baloch Raaji Muchi’ (Baloch National Gathering) in the Gwadar port city to highlight human rights violations, resource exploitation, and the government’s inability to provide basic amenities to people in the province. Consequently, there were clashes between the protestors and the security forces, resulting in fatalities and detentions. The security forces’ crackdown and blockade of major thoroughfares in many towns and cities, such as Gwadar, Hub, Mastung and Quetta, resulted in a sharp increase in the prices of necessities such as food, medicine, and petrol.

While there were reports that the BYC called off protests in Gwadar after negotiations with the government, previous experiences suggest that more protests may resume soon. For instance, last December, protesting custodial killings and fake encounters, the Baloch protestors marched from Turbat to Islamabad, where they were subjected to a violent crackdown by the police. Subsequently, the protests continued in various parts of the Balochistan.

In a country with many restrictions on women’s rights, the demonstrations in Balochistan have witnessed a proactive participation from women, which indicates a deep resentment of the violent tactics of security forces. Women like Mahrang Baloch, who lost her father to custodial killings, are leading the protests.

Causes and reasons

The recent protests constitute an important episode in Balochistan’s long history of political turmoil. In 1947, the Khan of Kalat announced the formation of an independent state in Balochistan. After sustained coercive tactics by Pakistan’s leadership, the Khan of Kalat signed the instrument of accession in 1948. Interestingly, at the time of Pakistan’s independence, Gwadar was part of the Sultanate of Oman. After prolonged negotiations with Oman, Pakistan was able to purchase Gwadar in 1958. This history of independence, resistance, and incorporation of territories through coercion continues to define Balochistan’s political trajectory.

Additionally, in 1955, various provinces and ethnic areas in West Pakistan were subsumed into a single province under the One Unit scheme. The scheme resulted in considerable centralisation of power and negated the basic principles of federalism. After much opposition, it was abolished in 1970 leading to the emergence of provincial assemblies, including in Balochistan. However, this did not usher in an era of genuine federalism. The provincial governments were routinely dismissed, and Islamabad continued to have a significant say in the governance of the province. The lack of provincial autonomy aggravated the discontent in Balochistan, which often became the site of multiple insurgencies and protests.

The economic neglect of Balochistan also contributed to the disgruntlement in the region. Balochistan, accounting for 44% of the country’s landmass — with significant mineral resources, such as copper, gold, coal, and natural gas — continues to be one of the most backward regions in Pakistan. The exploitation of these resources has not resulted in substantive economic benefits for the local population. According to the 2018-19 UNDP report, Balochistan accounted for 4.5% of Pakistan’s GDP, 14% of the national road network, and 4% of its national electricity consumption. Despite being a mineral-rich region with a long coastline, poor economic indicators have fuelled the disappointment in Balochistan against Islamabad’s policies. The region’s performance is less than satisfactory even with respect to child, youth, and labour development indicators.

There is considerable resentment in Balochistan with the government’s counter-insurgency strategy. The security forces, as a part of their counter-insurgency operations, reportedly resort to enforced disappearances, which implies that the whereabouts of individuals detained/abducted by government officials are unknown. Quite often, enforced disappearances have ended in extra-judicial killings and fake encounters. The government-constituted Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances recorded approximately 2,752 cases. On the other hand, civil society groups such as the Voice of Baloch Missing Persons contend that there were over 7,000 cases of disappearances between 2002 and 2024. Various human rights organisations have also highlighted the phenomena of enforced disappearances of the Baloch people. However, security forces’ attempts to use enforced disappearances to subdue Baloch nationalist sentiment have failed spectacularly. Instead, enforced disappearances have deepened discontent in Balochistan, which will also have an impact on the broader region.

China’s role in the region

Today, China has emerged as a major player in Balochistan and has invested in mining, energy, airports and expressway projects as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The CPEC begins in Kashgar, China, traverses through the length of Pakistan and ends in Gwadar. Because of its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping route that witnesses substantive oil transportation, Gwadar often figured in geopolitical discussions even during the Cold War.

A Chinese firm has taken the Gwadar port on a 40-year lease and is involved in constructing and operating it. While Pakistan officials often insist that Gwadar will remain a commercial port, the apprehensions regarding a possible militarisation of the port continue to persist. A Chinese naval presence will enhance its ability to project power into the Persian Gulf and to protect its energy supplies via the Strait of Hormuz. The possible militarisation of the port, fencing and other infrastructure development has raised concerns among the locals that they would lose access to large parts of the coastline, which would negatively impact their livelihoods. Additionally, the presence of Chinese trawlers close to Gwadar prompted protests from the local fishing community that demanded an end to illegal fishing and freedom to operate in the sea without restrictions.

Many in Balochistan contend that even a decade after the initiation of the CPEC, there have been no tangible gains for their people.

Instead, there is growing anxiety that the province’s demography is changing rapidly as non-locals have moved into Balochistan to work on infrastructure projects. Overall, the CPEC has not addressed the perception of neglect among the Baloch people.

The way forward

Parallel to the political movement led by women, which is contesting Islamabad’s policies, an armed insurgency has been raging in Balochistan.

There has been a steady uptick in the attacks by Baloch insurgent groups on security forces, CPEC projects, including other targets, such as on the Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi. The Pakistan government is responding to these events by scaling up security tactics. Perhaps the Pakistan establishment should listen to voices calling for a prudent approach to address the challenges in Balochistan. The Dawn, in its recent editorial, noted: “those who wield power must listen to Balochistan’s aggrieved voices with compassion, and work to solve the province’s burning issues, chief amongst which are the missing persons and socio-economic disparity.”

Moreover, Islamabad’s approach of building a few big-ticket infrastructure projects with external assistance and without adequate local stakeholder participation has exacerbated the Baloch grievances.

The strife in Balochistan is indicative of the challenges that Pakistan is encountering in building a nation-state purely based on religion. Movements based on ethnic identities not defined solely by religion have often, sometimes successfully, contested Pakistan’s nation-building project.

To compound the challenges, prolonged military rule in Pakistan with intermittent semi-democratic regimes ensured that provinces rarely enjoyed autonomy to be partners in defining their destiny.

In addition to Pakistan, the experiences from other parts of the subcontinent, such as Sri Lanka and Myanmar, demonstrate that the failure to address provincial aspirations tends to result in political turmoil.

Sanjay Pulipaka is the Chairperson of the Politeia Research Foundation. The views expressed here are personal.

The working behind some simple medical tools one sees in a doctor’s office

Vasudevan Mukunth

How do thermometers, stethoscopes, weighing scales, and sphygmomanometers work? A sphygmomanometer is a device that monitors blood pressure. The manual version consists of an inflatable cuff and a manometer, the part that measures pressure

Getty ImagesRoman Valiev

When you visit your doctor for a consultation, they need to get a sense of how well your body is. Thanks to the thermometer, the stethoscope, the weighing scale, and the sphygmomanometer, you only need a few minutes to acquire this data.

What is a thermometer?

A thermometer is a device to measure the temperature of an object. Every thermometer has a part that is sensitive to changes in temperature and another that shows these changes as numbers.

In the once-ubiquitous mercury thermometer, a small amount of mercury in a glass bulb is the temperature sensor. Its rise and fall in response to temperature changes happens in a glass capillary marked with numerical values. When the mercury bulb is brought in contact with a warmer object, the liquid expands and rises up through the capillary. The number next to its level is the object’s temperature.

This relationship between the temperature and the mercury’s level requires mercury thermometers to be carefully calibrated such that the capillary’s width, the mercury’s temperature, and the markings on the scale match each other. It’s also important that the volume of the material in the bulb varies linearly by the temperature. That is, if it expands by 1 unit for every 1ºC change in temperature, it should do so by 10 units for a 10ºC change.

Researchers have developed thermometers today that use digital components to infer the temperature. For example, thermal guns of the sort used to check the temperatures of people entering malls and supermarkets during the COVID-19 pandemic contains a detector that interprets the radiant power of a warm body as changes in the voltage or resistance in a circuit, and uses that to produce a temperature readout.

Another common type of thermometer is the thermistor: a semiconductor whose resistance is sensitive to changes in temperature. Thermistor-based thermometers have become a common sight in clinics and hospitals.

What is a stethoscope?

The stethoscope consists of a diaphragm at one end and an earpiece at the other, with a tube connecting the two. When the diaphragm is placed against the skin, sounds inside the body near that area cause the diaphragm to vibrate, creating pressure waves in the air filling the tube that are transmitted via the earpiece to a listener.

The piece that holds the diaphragm has a bell-shaped opposite side. The diaphragm is better to pick up high-frequency sounds while the bell is suited for low-frequency ones.

Stethoscopes also have electronic versions with additional features. A particularly important one is sound amplification, to help the listener interpret sounds too faint to hear in an acoustic stethoscope.

Some companies have developed stethoscopes that can collect sound data, analyse it for signs of certain heart conditions, and transmit the results wirelessly to a smartphone.

How do weighing scales work?

Perhaps the simplest of (today’s) weighing scales is the spring scale, a common sight in clinics, houses, and grocery stores.

The centrepiece of this device is a spring. When the spring is placed under a plate and an object is placed on top of the plate, the device is calibrated to measure the force exerted by the object based on how much the spring is compressed. Alternatively, the spring can be attached to a hook at the bottom from which an object can be suspended. The object’s force is calculated based on how much the spring is stretched.

The operator needs to make sure the spring works as expected at regular intervals and to calibrate the weighing scale at the location where it’s going to be used, rather than somewhere else, to account for local variations in gravity.

An analog weighing scale translates the spring’s deformation to a weight measure by a straightforward calibration. An electronic weighing scale uses a force transducer instead. Two common ones are load cells and strain gauges. A load cell is a circuit that, when a voltage is applied, transmits different amounts of current depending on the weight acting on it. A strain gauge is a conductor whose resistance changes depending on its length.

What is a sphygmomanometer?

A sphygmomanometer is a device that monitors blood pressure. The manual version consists of an inflatable cuff and a manometer, the part that measures pressure. The cuff is strapped around an individual’s arm, at roughly the same height as the heart. The pressure inside the cuff is increased by pumping a bladder of air. The doctor or nurse keeps track of the cuff pressure by its link to the manometer, which measures pressure as the level of mercury in a capillary (like in a mercury thermometer). The worker also places a stethoscope over the brachial artery, the main artery bringing blood to the upper arm.

When the pressure in the cuff reaches a suitably high value, the artery will be pinched off and blood flow will stop. The worker then slowly releases the pressure in the cuff. When the pressure in the artery drops enough to allow blood to flow, a whooshing sound is heard via the stethoscope. The manometer reading at this point is the systolic pressure. When the whooshing sound stops altogether, the manometer reading is the diastolic pressure. The whooshing is called the Korotkov sound, for the physician Nikolai Korotkov, who discovered it in 1905.

Electronic sphygmomanometers automate this process with a slight difference. When the pressure in the cuff is neither too high to stop blood flow nor too low to let it flow unimpeded, and partly restricts flow, the cuff pressure will oscillate over a small range in sync with the expansion and contraction of the artery. The device uses this oscillation to calculate blood pressure.

Electronic sphygmomanometers require less skill to operate but they are also less accurate than the mechanical, mercury-based version, which are preferred during clinical trials. In particular, electronic devices may not provide accurate readouts when the individual has a pulse-related abnormality such as pulsus paradoxus or arrhythmia.

A quiz to celebrate the 116th birthday of Sir Donald Bradman

V.V. Ramanan

Visual question: Name the two Indian cricketers flanking the Don.THE HINDU ARCHIVESUNKNOWN

Question 1

Though he was born in Cootamundra, his family moved to a town 265 miles away and that is where he grew up. Because of this he was called ‘The Boy from _____’. Fill in the blank.

Question 2

Of the 52 Tests he played, 37 were against England and five against India. Against which other countries did he play the remaining 10 Tests?

Question 3

The prolific batter, who scored 29 centuries, holds the record for the most double centuries or more. How many did he notch up?

Question 4

Why are the West Indies’ Ivan Barrow and England legend Wally Hammond special in Bradman lore?

Question 5

It is well-known that if the Don had got four runs in his final Test innings, his career average would have been a perfect 100. Who denied him the feat by dismissing the Aussie for a duck?

Question 6

Which Indian bowler achieved the distinction of dismissing the Don ‘hit-wicket’?

Question 7

About which legend did Don say to his wife that his ‘batting reminded me of my own batting’ and termed the cricketer ‘Little Bonzer’?

Questions and Answers to the previous day’s daily quiz: 1. Name this great who claimed the men’s singles crown in 1968, in the first ever U.S. Open. Ans: Arthur Ashe

2. Two of the three main show courts at the U.S. Open. Ans: Louis Armstrong Stadium and the Grandstand

3. These players hold the record among men and women for most titles won across events at the U.S. Open. Ans: Bob Bryan (9) and Martina Navratilova (16)

4. This champion has the distinction of being the only player to win the U.S. Open on three different surfaces. Ans: Jimmy Connors

5. This athlete beat Gabriela Sabatini to complete the first calendar Grand Slam since Margaret Court in 1970. Ans: Steffi Graf

6. The connection between Martin Damm, Lukas Dlouhy, Radek Stepanek, Cara Black and Martina Hingis. Ans: They were the partners of Leander Paes when he won four men's doubles and two mixed doubles crowns at the U.S. Open

Visual: Name this former champion. Ans: Althea Gibson

Early Birds: Nobody got all the answers correct.

Know your English

K. Subrahmanian

1 of 2

2 of 2

“You’re late today.”

“Sorry. I went to listen to our local MLA’s talk on family planning.”

“He talked about family planning! But he has nine children!”

“I know.”

“Poor chap. The crowd must have given him a raspberry as soon as he began his speech.”

“I don’t know about raspberries. But they sure gave him a lot of rotten tomatoes.”

“Did they?”

“Yes. But why did you mention raspberries? Nobody throws raspberries at politicians.”

“That’s true. They are probably too small to be thrown anyway! I wasn’t talking about throwing raspberries, but giving or blowing someone a raspberry.”

“Giving someone a raspberry? What does it mean?”

“Put your tongue between your lips.”

“Why?”

“Just do it”

“Like this?”

“Yes, that’s it Now blow as hard as you can. Good. That sound you just made is called a raspberry.”

“That terrible sound is a raspberry! But that’s the kind of sound infants make.”

“Don’t adults make such sounds?”

“Of course, they do. I would make such a sound if I wanted to express my dislike or contempt for someone.”

“Good. You normally give someone a raspberry when you want to insult or make fun of the person. It is also done when you want to express your dislike or contempt for someone. By the way, it’s not ‘rasberry’, but ‘razberry’. The ‘s’ in the word is pronounced like the ‘z’ in words like ‘zip’ and ‘zebra’. The ‘a’ is pronounced like the ‘a’ in ‘path’ and ‘bath’. The stress is on the first syllable. And although there is a ‘p’ in the spelling of raspberry, it is not pronounced.”

“By the way, Sunitha and I are planning to see a film tomorrow. Care to join us?’

“Certainly not! I wouldn’t want to play gooseberry to you and Sunitha.”

“Playing gooseberry?”

“Ever heard the expression, two is company...”

“Three is crowd. I know all about that”

“And if you are playing gooseberry, then you are the unwanted third person.”

“I see. But the third person would be unwelcome only if the other two wish to be alone, right?”

“Yes, that’s right”

“And what people like to be alone?”

“Newly married couples and lovers.”

“Right again.”

“Well in that case, you don’t have to worry about playing gooseberry to me and Sunitha. She and I are good friends.”

“Only good friends, eh?

“She and I are just good friends. That’s all. So if you are coming to the movie with us, you wouldn’t be playing gooseberry”

“It’s not ‘gusberry’, but ‘guzberry’. The ‘oo’ is pronounced like the ‘oo’ in ‘foot’. The ‘s’ is pronounced like ‘z’ in ‘zip’ and‘zero’.”

“Please stop talking about gooseberries and raspberries. The fruits are driving me nuts! I am in a hurry to go. Goodbye.”

Published in The Hindu on March 2, 1993.

Business

- Jobless dole helps Karnataka youth, but falls short for many

- ‘PV stock: FADA may tell financiers to stop overfunding dealers’

- New mining levies can raise consumer power bills: ICRA

- BRICS: India may mull proposal on currencies if ‘non-binding’

- New platform to transform lending soon, says Das

- BHEL bags ₹11,000 cr. Adani power projects

- New promoter draws Kothari revival plan

- SEBI slaps notice on Paytm on ESOPs given to CEO Sharma

- Ucal, Blaer sign pact on motor controllers

- Sharma joins Raymond Lifestyle board

- Dates changed but those with offer will join: Infosys CEO

- Tata Sons said to have repaid ₹20,000 crore to avoid listing

- Darkening global outlook, central bank pivots signal more turbulence

- After war with yuan bears, China keen to avert sharp gains

- Clean up act

- ‘100% pure N. Zealand’ dairy firm busted for using Indian butter

- Railways eyes nuclear energy

Jobless dole helps Karnataka youth, but many find it insufficient

Darshan Devaiah B.P.

Bengaluru

Welcome but deficient: Jobseekers welcome the dole, but say skill enhancement would be more meaningful. Special arrangement

Prasanna Kumar, a resident of Davanagere in central Karnataka who completed his Commerce degree eight months ago and is still searching for a job, receives a ₹3,000 allowance as a beneficiary under the Yuva Nidhi scheme for the last four months. “While the money I am receiving may not be enough to sustain me for a month, it covers my travel expenses to Bengaluru, allowing me to attend job interviews at least twice a month,” he told The Hindu.

Launched on January 12, the birth anniversary of youth icon Swami Vivekananda, by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Karnataka government’s Yuva Nidhi scheme is the fifth poll guarantee of the Congress for educated unemployed youth in the state.

Mr. Kumar’s is a lower middle class family. His parents run a grocery shop in Davanagere. He helps them at the shop, as he has been unable to find a suitable job.

“With this money at least my parents are no longer burdened with additional expenses on my account while I am unemployed. I am committed to securing a job this month. So far, I have attended five interviews. I was offered a position in one of them, but the salary was only ₹12,000, and the job was in Bengaluru, which made it impractical for me to accept given the living expenses in a city.”

Since the scheme was introduced until end of July, 1,20,604 beneficiaries had registered across Karnataka.

Insufficient allowance

While the scheme provides some benefits to unemployed youths, the allowance has proven insufficient for many, according to beneficiaries, particularly those from poor families. Degree holders receive ₹3,000 per month, while diploma holders receive ₹1,500.

Nithin K.S., a Bengaluru-based beneficiary raised by a single-parent low income family, said his mother was a street-vendor selling fruits. He finds the allowance insufficient to enhance his skills to enable better job prospects.

“I have completed a BA in History, Economics, and Political Science, but when I started looking for a job, I learnt that my arts degree alone holds little value. To improve my prospects, I decided to enroll in skills development courses and spoken English classes, but the allowance is not enough to cover these expenses. The course costs ₹10,000 per month for three months.”

Mr. Nithin also noted that while the Yuva Nidhi scheme initially promised skill development component, that part has not yet been implemented. “If the government were to make skill development courses and other educational programmes free of cost under this scheme, it would be greatly beneficial to us,” he added.

Student associations say that while the initiative is commendable, the amount provided may not serve its intended purpose effectively. Speaking to The Hindu, Lekha Adavi, State Convenor of the All India Students Association (AISA), said, “Given the current inflation rates, the amount provided is insufficient for anyone to sustain themselves. There needs to be a logical basis for the amount fixed.”

She also believes the government should prioritise the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and the Urban Employment Guarantee Act, ensuring their effective implementation to support unemployed individuals in a sustainable and structural manner.

On skill development, Ms. Adavi suggested that the State government focus on integrating skill development courses into the State Education Policy, emphasising their importance during students’ studies rather than offering them after graduation. “The government should also focus on creating jobs and filling permanent vacancies in government positions, rather than offering contractual roles,” she added, emphasising the importance of systemic remedies.

1.2 lakh beneficiaries

As of July, approximately ₹38.55 crore has been disbursed to 1,20,604 beneficiaries of the Yuva Nidhi scheme, according to data obtained by The Hindu. The allowance will be available till the applicant gets a job, or for a maximum of two years. Applications can be submitted at Karnataka One, Grama One, Bapuji Seva Kendra or Seva Sindhu portals. An applicant must possess Aadhaar card, bank passbook, ration card, mark sheets of SSLC, PUC, degree or diploma.

According to Karnataka Skill Development Minister Sharan Prakash Patil, financial assistance is provided six months after an unemployed candidate completes their degree. On including skill development courses as part of the scheme, he assured a review of the scheme to include more benefits.

The government’s data shows OBC category has having the highest number of beneficiaries of 77,550 people. 20,485 beneficiaries were Dalits, while 8,435 were Adivasis. 14,134 beneficiaries were from the general category.

‘PV stock: FADA may tell financiers to stop overfunding dealers’

Aroosa Ahmed

Mumbai

The ideal inventory at the dealer end is up to three lakh vehicles.KAMAL NARANG

The Federation Of Automobile Dealers’ Association (FADA) is planning to approach financiers asking them to stop overfunding automobile dealers. Dealers claimed they had passenger vehicle (PV) inventory worth ₹70,000 crore.

According to FADA, the passenger vehicle inventory is between 67 and 72 days, the highest recorded in a year. The dealers stated they have not been able to make profit with passenger vehicle inventories beyond 30 days.

“We plan to approach financiers to stop overfunding dealers, in the interest of the automobile dealers as it is expensive; we have to take measures to reduce the inventory levels.

Rotating stocks

“The dealers are not able to rotate stocks in 60 days. We have also approached SIAM to intervene,” said a senior official.

The association has also approved the vehicle manufacturers to increase production of the cars in demand.

“The ideal inventory at the dealer end is up to three lakh vehicles. We are at the lowest point in the industry and the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are burdening us. Manufacturers must align wholesales with retail.

‘Long waiting period’

“Every OEM has three models that are popular among consumers and have a long waiting period. However, the waiting period issue is not addressed by the manufacturers. The OEMs should immediately recalibrate and realign production to the vehicles that are in demand from the customer’s end,” Manish Raj Singhania, President of FADA, had earlier told the businessline.

Flag ‘slowdown’

Analysts have flagged a slowdown in the passenger vehicle segment during the year. “We are concerned about slowdown in the PV industry, underperformance at its small car segments and over-dependence on the SUV segment,” mentioned LKP Securities.

Festive factor

FADA had earlier written to financiers asking them not to overfund the automobile dealers in November 2023 with passenger vehicle inventories of up to 66 days.

While the festival season is expected to reduce the inventory levels and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) have started to align vehicle production, the impact on the passenger vehicle industry is expected to continue.

(The writer is with The Hindu businessline)

New mining levies can raise consumer power bills: ICRA

The Hindu Bureau

New Delhi

Pricier coal to raise power producers’ costs; ICRA sees steel, aluminum players margins shrink depending on the rates the States set for the new cess permitted by the Supreme Court

Fresh mining levies by States, enabled by a recent Supreme Court verdict, could trigger a rise in power tariffs for consumers, thanks to a 0.6% to 1.5% surge in costs for coal-fired thermal power producers, while margins of domestic steel and aluminium players could face a significant dent, rating agency ICRA said.

While most States are yet to decide on the new mining cess rates, a 2004 law in mineral-rich Odisha permits a cess of about 15% on iron ore and coal mining. Enforced fully, this could result in an almost 11% rise in the landed costs of iron ore, impacting steel firms’ competitiveness, ICRA estimated in a note.

The Jharkhand government has imposed a modest rise of ₹100 a tonne on iron ore and coal, which will have a minimal impact of 30-40 basis points (bps) on steel industries’ operating margins. If other States adopt similar steps, the overall impact would remain modest, ICRA reckoned.

However, the possibility of States applying the cess retrospectively introduces additional uncertainty, potentially burdening firms with past tax liabilities though the SC has allowed staggered payments over 12 years starting April 1, 2026, with no interest and penalties for past dues.

BRICS: India may mull proposal on currencies if ‘non-binding’

Amiti Sen

New Delhi

With most BRICS countries strongly pushing for use of national currencies for trade and financial transactions within the bloc in an attempt to ‘de-dollarise’ economies, India may consider the proposal favourably provided the decision is non-binding and it is free to choose the members with whom it wants to do currency settlement with while ignoring some others such as China, sources have said.

The BRICS grouping, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, will hold its next summit level meeting on October 21-22 in Kazan, Russia, where the proposals for use of local currencies and creation of a common BRICS currency are likely to prominently feature in the agenda, an official tracking the matter told businessline.

“New Delhi is examining an appropriate response based on the extent to which it would benefit economically and diplomatically from the proposals without raising vulnerabilities vis-a-vis China.

“The BRICS currency will be a notional currency. The issue is how does one peg the value for it. Naturally, the value will derive from the value of all the currencies in the basket put together. Notionally, one gets the impression yuan is a dominant currency. So, it will have a greater weightage. India has to see whether that will be acceptable to it,” the official said.

(The writer is with The Hindu businessline)

New platform to transform lending soon, says Das

The Hindu Bureau

MUMBAI

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das on Monday said a technology platform called Unified Lending Interface (ULI), currently at a pilot stage, would enable friction-less credit while delivering banking services to farmers and MSME borrowers.

“This platform facilitates seamless and consent based flow of digital information, including even land records of various States, from multiple data service providers to lenders,” Mr. Das said speaking at a global conference on digital public infrastructure and emerging technologies in Bengaluru.

“This cuts down time taken for credit appraisal, especially for small and rural borrowers. The ULI architecture has common and standardised APIs, designed for a ‘plug and play’ approach to ensure digital access to information from diverse sources,” Mr. Das added.

He said, this will reduce the complexity of multiple technical integration and enable borrowers to benefit from seamless delivery of credit and quicker turnaround time without extensive documentation.

“By digitising access to customer’s financial and non-financial data that otherwise reside in disparate silos, ULI is expected to cater to large unmet demand for credit across sectors,” Mr. Das said, adding a nationwide introduction of the ULI in on the anvil.

BHEL bags ₹11,000 cr. Adani power projects

The Hindu Bureau

Hyderabad

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) has secured orders valued more than ₹11,000 crore for two thermal power projects planned by Adani Power in Rajasthan and another by its subsidiary Mahan Energen in Madhya Pradesh.

The contract is to supply boiler, turbine and generator and associated auxiliaries along with control and instrumentation and supervision of erection and commissioning for the three power projects - 2x800 MW each, based on supercritical technology, State-owned BHEL said on Monday in a filing upon signing the contract with Adani Power and Mahan Energen on August 25.

Rajasthan and M.P.

While the two projects of Adani Power will be in Rajasthan’s Kawai (Phase-II and Phase-III), its subsidiary’s project will come up in Mahan (Phase-III), Madhya Pradesh.

BHEL said the supplies would be completed in 49 and 52 months for Kawai Phase-II and III respectively; and 55 months for Mahan Phase-III.

New promoter draws Kothari revival plan

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI

J. Rafiq Ahmed N. Anand

City-based Kothari Industrial Corporation Ltd.’s (KICL) new promoter J. Rafiq Ahmed has set his sights on reviving the firm.

As a first step in this direction, he has pumped in funds to keep KICL afloat and relisted it on the BSE after a gap of 20 years.

His stake is set to increase to 73% from 47% post the completion of the proposed open offer.

“We have drawn up aggressive plans,” VC and MD Ahmed told the media.

He would be focusing on sectors such as fertilizers, footwear, synthetic textiles, food, drones and setting up training centres.

“We will complete major projects in these areas in the next two years. Overall investment will be around ₹16,000 crore,” Mr. Ahmed added.

SEBI slaps notice on Paytm on ESOPs given to CEO Sharma

Markets regulator SEBI issued a notice to fintech firm One97 Communications, which owns the Paytm brand, in the March quarter on employee stock options given to MD and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma, according to a company filing. In response to a query from stock exchanges, Paytm said it is in regulatory contact with SEBI to make required representations. As per Paytm’s FY24 annual result filing, it issued 2.1 crore employee stock options (ESOP) to Mr. Sharma in FY22. PTI

Ucal, Blaer sign pact on motor controllers

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI

Ucal Ltd. has signed an MoU with Blaer Motors Pvt. Ltd. for collaborative product designing and development of electric components for motor controllers ranging from 500 watts to 2 Kilo watt.

The MoU was signed by Ucal Whole Time Director Ram Ramamurthy and Blaer Motors Co-Founder & CEO Abinesh Ekambaram, said Ucal.

The partnership will explore opportunities for the development of motor controllers focusing on consumer needs to develop electronic products that align with future market demands.

Sharma joins Raymond Lifestyle board

The Hindu Bureau

MUMBAI

Raymond Lifestyle Ltd. (RLL) has announced the expansion of its Board of Directors with the appointment of Rajiv Sharma, as the Non-Executive Director of the company.

Mr. Sharma brings over three decades of global multi-industry leadership experience.

He has previously worked with the Coats Group, a British multinational company, for more than 14 years, including seven years as its Group Chief Executive Officer, the company said.

Dates changed but those with offer will join: Infosys CEO

Infosys CEO Salil Parekh indicated job offers made to freshers will be honoured by the company and followed by joining, although there had been some change in dates. The comments by the Infosys top honcho assumes significance amid reports the company delayed onboarding 2,000 fresh engineering graduates from the 2022 batch. “Every offer that we have given, that offer will be (for) someone who will join the company,” Mr. Parekh toldPTI to a question. PTI

Tata Sons said to have repaid ₹20,000 crore to avoid listing

Tata Sons Private Ltd. reportedly surrendered its certificate of registration to the Reserve Bank of India by repaying a debt of about ₹20,000 crore to avoid a listing as mandated by the regulator. Tata Sons did not offer any comment. Whether the application has been made or the money has been repaid would be known when the company publishes its annual report within the next three weeks. The company’s annual general meeting (AGM) is scheduled for September 16.

Darkening global outlook, central bank pivots signal more turbulence

Reuters

JACKSON HOLE

New research presented at Jackson Hole showed the U.S. economy may be near a tipping point where a continued drop in job openings will translate into faster increases in unemployment; adding to gloom is China with prolonged property crisis, surging debt, weak consumer/business sentiment

1 of 2 Let’s start: Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Friday endorsed an imminent start to interest-rate cuts.REUTERSJIM URQUHART

2 of 2 Policymakers already had a taste of what may come when weak U.S. jobs data stoked recession fears and triggered a market rout aggravated by the BOJ’s surprise rate hike in July

Growing signs of lacklustre growth and risks emerging to the job market overshadowed a gathering of global policymakers at the U.S. Federal Reserve’s annual Jackson Hole conference, highlighting the changing trajectory of monetary policy as U.S. and European central banks eye cutting interest rates.

Even as the focus of U.S. and European central bankers shifts from high inflation to softening job markets, the Bank of Japan reaffirmed its resolve to wean its economy off decades of monetary support amid growing signs of sustained price growth.

The divergence in policy direction, coupled with lingering weakness in China, the world’s second-largest economy, point to turbulent times for global economy and financial markets.

The policymakers already had a taste of what may come when weak U.S. jobs data earlier this month stoked recession fears and triggered a market rout aggravated by the BOJ’s surprise rate hike in July.

So far, many analysts agree with the International Monetary Fund’s projection that the global economy will achieve modest growth in coming years as the U.S. achieves a soft landing, Europe’s growth picks up and China emerges from the doldrums.

But such rosy projections rest on shaky ground with doubts emerging over prospects for a U.S. soft landing, euro-zone growth and China suffering from sluggish consumption.

Early moves

While major central banks are veering towards rate cuts, it remains too soon to say whether the moves could be categorised as a “normalisation” of restrictive policy or first steps to prevent growth from faltering further. The uncertainty could leave global stocks and currencies susceptible to volatile swings.

“We could see other episodes of market volatility as markets are in a little bit of an uncharted territory,” as central banks enter monetary-easing cycle after tightening policy to deal with burst of inflation, IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said.

“Japan is on a slightly different cycle. The markets have to figure out what it all means, and markets overreact. So, we will have further volatility,” he said.

Growth risks

In his much-anticipated speech Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Friday endorsed an imminent start to interest rate cuts, declaring further job-market cooling would be unwelcome.

It was a significant shift from Mr. Powell’s comments as inflation surged in 2021 and 2022, and cemented the view the Fed was making a pivot from a policy that pushed its benchmark rate to a quarter-century high and held it there for over a year.

New research presented at Jackson Hole showed the U.S. economy may be near a tipping point where a continued drop in job openings will translate into faster increases in unemployment.

European Central Bank policymakers are converging on a September rate cut, partly on moderating price pressures but also because of a notable weakening of the growth outlook.

The euro zone economy barely grew last quarter as Germany, its biggest economy, contracted, manufacturing remains in a deep recession and exports have faltered, due largely to weak demand from China.

“The recent increase in negative growth risks in the euro area has reinforced the case for a rate cut at the next ECB monetary policy meeting in September,” ECB rate-setter Olli Rehn said.

Even in Japan, recent inflation data showed a slowdown in demand-driven price growth that could complicate the BOJ’s decisions on more rate hikes.

While consumption rebounded in the second quarter, there is uncertainty on whether wages would rise enough to compensate households for the rising cost of living, analysts say.

“Domestic demand is very weak,” said Sayuri Shirai, a former BOJ board member. “From an economic perspective, there’s little reason for the BOJ to raise rates.”

China worry

Adding to the gloom is China. The world’s most populous country is verging on deflation and faces a prolonged property crisis, surging debt and weak consumer and business sentiment. Weaker-than-expected second-quarter growth forced China’s central bank to make surprise interest rate cuts last month, and heightens the chance of a downgrade in the IMF’s growth projections for the country.

“China is a large player in global economy. Weaker growth in China has spillovers to the rest of the world,” said IMF’s Gourinchas.

Further signs of slowing of U.S. and Chinese growth would bode ill for manufacturers across the globe already feeling the strain from tepid demand.

Private surveys showed factories struggled in July across the U.S., Europe and Asia, raising the risk of an underpowered global economic recovery.

For resource-rich emerging economies like Brazil, China’s slowdown could hit metal and food exports, but help alleviate inflationary pressure through cheaper imports.

Brazilian central bank Governor Roberto Campos Neto, speaking at Jackson Hole, said: “The net effect depends on how much the deceleration is.”

After war with yuan bears, China keen to avert sharp gains

Reuters

SHANGHAI

Currency undercurrents: PBC is worried about unwinding of speculative short yuan positions. REUTERSFLORENCE LO

Having spent all year putting a floor under the tumbling yuan, China’s central bank is suddenly faced with the opposite problem and is turning to subtle ways to stop the currency from appreciating sharply.

The usually restrained yuan has strengthened 1.3% against the dollar in August, recouping nearly all its losses in the first half of the year. On Friday, it looked set for its fifth straight weekly gain, the longest winning streak in more than three years.

While none of the underlying drivers at home — a weak economy and capital flight has changed, the yuan has been helped by growing bets for Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, which are weakening the dollar, and by a rally in the Japanese yen.

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have worked behind the scenes to ensure the currency doesn’t spike abruptly, which could roil fragile domestic financial markets and hurt exporters. They surveyed the market to gauge the pressure, and quietly relaxed restrictions on gold imports and trading positions in the yuan for some banks.

‘Wary of volatility’

“The government is less concerned about depreciation but remains wary of FX volatility,” said Gary Ng, senior economist for Asia Pacific at Natixis.

“While the pressure on the yuan may ease as the Fed may finally cut interest rates, there may be sudden and significant movements in capital flows.”

One reason for the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) to be worried is the build-up of speculative short yuan positions during the currency’s steady decline since early 2023, which could be unwound messily if the currency rises fast.

Foreign firms operating in China, domestic exporters and investors have swapped yuan for dollars to earn better returns in what is known in the markets as yuan carry trade.

Analysts at the Macquarie Group estimate exporters and multinational companies have accumulated foreign currency holdings of more than $500 billion since 2022.

“As the yuan appreciates... concerns about the potential unwinding of yuan carry trade and shocks to financial markets may arise,” said Zhu Chaoping, global market strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management.

China’s currency regulator, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), and the PBOC have not yet responded to Reuters requests for comment.

Prevent stampede

Possibly to get an idea of pent-up yuan buying that could come as the currency appreciates, SAFE surveyed banks about their clients’ FX conversion ratio — the proportion of revenues exporters convert into yuan — last week, two people told Reuters.

“FX settlement is the issue that everyone in the market is mostly concerned about, besides the Fed rate cut,” said Liu Yang, general manager of the financial market business department at minerals exporter Zheshang Development Group.

“After all, exports are the only major driver of China’s economy among its traditional ‘troika’ (traditional growth engines), and regulators do not want the yuan to appreciate rapidly and substantially weaken the competitiveness of export products.”

Also, guidance given to banks last year banning them from keeping short yuan positions at the end of a day’s trading has been relaxed for some banks, two people told Reuters.

Chinese banks have also been given new gold import quotas by the central bank. Gold imports are usually curtailed when the yuan faces depreciation pressures. The steps are subtle, analysts said, and together with the trend in the PBOC’s daily benchmark guidance setting for the yuan, simply point to a desire to contain volatility, rather than thwart gains.

Clean up act

IT’s happening: The IBM logo (right) is seen as a cleaner works outside the company’s China System Center building in Beijing. U.S. computer giant IBM will eliminate over a thousand jobs in its research and development arm in China, multiple employees told AFP. AFPPEDRO PARDO

‘100% pure N. Zealand’ dairy firm busted for using Indian butter

Agence France-Presse

Wellington

Undermining confidence: New Zealand’s agriculture-driven industry prides itself on high-quality dairy exports.Company websiteCompany website

A Kiwi dairy company has been busted for falsely claiming its products were “100% pure New Zealand”, despite using butter imported from India.

Dairy firm Milkio Foods Limited was fined $261,452 on Monday after New Zealand’s Commerce Commission took it to court for making false claims about the origin of its butter products.

Misleading claims

The Hamilton-based firm misled customers about where its ghee products came from, with “claims like ‘100% Pure New Zealand’ despite importing the core ingredient from India”, the Commerce Commission said in a statement.

New Zealand’s agriculture-driven industry prides itself on high-quality dairy exports, with overseas customers hungry for milk and butter from its rich pastures.

“Milkio took advantage of this reputation to promote their own products,” according to Commerce Commission Spokesperson Vanessa Horne.

The company also presented false and incomplete information to get approval to use the FernMark logo — a trusted symbol to identify New Zealand-made products.

‘No authorisation’

Milkio pleaded guilty to 15 breaches of New Zealand’s Fair Trading Act for making false representations and admitted using the FernMark logo and licence number without proper authorisation. “This conviction should serve as a warning to others who may be looking to falsely claim the New Zealand brand,” Ms. Horne added.

Railways eyes nuclear energy

Abhishek Law

New Delhi

Power guzzler: Railways, the largest power consumer, spends ₹20,000 cr. a year to run trains, establishments.AFPR.SATISH BABU

The Indian Railways is exploring the possibility of using captive nuclear power as it seeks to cut fossil fuel use and step up renewable resources.

The Railways aims at achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030. To reach this goal, it estimates requiring 30,000 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2029-30.

Apart from nuclear power, the Railways is already in the process of commissioning solar and wind-based power units. Hydel power would also be tapped. In all cases, the public sector behemoth would look at having captive power generating units.

Senior officials told businessline discussions would be taken up with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) shortly. For renewable power, the Railways is exploring partnerships with Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), NTPC, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), among others.

“In each case, we will look to have our own captive use power plants, small reactors, captive power generating units and so on. Work is going on on the revenue model, or purchase pact. Obviously, we will look at a lower cost model so that operating costs come down,” the official said.

“The Railways plans to procure renewable energy via different power procurement modes for its energy requirements,” the official said.

The Railways is the largest consumer of electricity and spends close to ₹20,000 crore annually to run trains and its establishments.

In 2023, about 147 MW solar plants and about 103 MW wind units were commissioned, with another 2,150 MW renewable capacity tied up.

(The writer is with The Hindu businessline)

Foreign

- India should extradite Hasina: BNP leader

- Colombo port welcomes Indian, Chinese warships

- Judiciary vs Government

- Moscow targets Kyiv’s power grid yet again in ‘vile’ attack

- Japan scrambles jets after Chinese aircraft ‘violates’ its airspace

- Scholz says knife attack was an act of terrorism directed at everyone

- Pak. court acquits man held for fake info that caused riots in U.K.

- Dozens missing in Sudan as dam collapses due to heavy rainfall

- Flash floods caused due to heavy monsoon rains kill 22 in Thailand

- Beijing and Manila have a run-in near disputed reef

- Ending the war on Gaza would relieve Israel’s struggling economy, say experts

- Frequent accidents could hit Nepal’s tourism sector amid economic woes

- ‘Great responsibility’

- Sri Lankan Marxists pledge to welcome foreign capital

- Media groups call on EU to suspend treaty with Israel

- Australia gives millions of workers ‘right to disconnect’

India should extradite Hasina: BNP leader

Kallol Bhattacherjee

DHAKA

The former PM is highly unpopular in Bangladesh at present and India should help the country seek accountability from her , said BNP general secretary Alamgir; he also raised doubts about the electricity trade deal with the Adani group that was reached during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure

Charred legacy: A defaced mural of first President of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Dhaka University.PTI

India should extradite former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh, demanded Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, general secretary of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Monday. Speaking to The Hindu in an interview at the BNP’s office in Gulshan neighbourhood here, Mr. Alamgir expressed optimism for engaging with India, and said his party will protect those Indian investments that are helping the country.

“Frankly speaking, we will seek extradition of Sheikh Hasina as already a large number of cases, including cases of murder, have been filed against her,” Mr. Alamgir said. He elaborated that Ms. Hasina is highly unpopular in Bangladesh at present and therefore India should also take cognisance of the public mood. “In that case, India should help Bangladesh seek accountability from her as she has evidently done great deal of harm to Bangladesh.”

Mr. Alamgir, who is among the senior-most leaders of the BNP, was imprisoned on October 29, 2023 and spent four-and-a-half months in prison and was freed only after Ms. Hasina had won the January elections this year.

Mr. Alamgir’s party has been campaigning for a white paper on the projects and initiatives that were undertaken during the Hasina years, indicating that the BNP would re-evaluate several high-value projects in the energy and infrastructure sectors that Bangladesh had signed with India. “We will definitely protect those agreements with India that have helped Bangladesh, but there are a few agreements, especially the one about electricity trade with Adani that have given rise to tremendous doubt among the people,” said Mr. Alamgir.

He indicated his party’s position on the ambitious Indo-Bangladesh plans that were taken up during Ms. Hasina’s last Prime Ministerial visit to India in June when the two sides proposed to connect Gede crossing of West Bengal to Hasimara-Dalgaon near Indo-Bhutan border through Chilahati-Haldibari in the north Bengal delta region. “There are many connectivity projects that have done great deal of good to us. But we do not think there is any logical explanation for the latest agreement that Sheikh Hasina concluded during her June visit to India,” said Mr. Alamgir.

He said issues like border killings and sharing of water can be dealt with effectively if relationship remains on track. Mr. Alamgir said the BNP had reached out to India on multiple occasions in the past, including ahead of the January 2024 election, but those initiatives did not work out. “India had kept all its fruits in a single basket. Now we need to restart relation with India at a fast pace. We always wanted a functional relationship with India.”

“Unfortunately, there has been no direct communication from the Indian side so far,” Mr. Alamgir said.

Colombo port welcomes Indian, Chinese warships

Meera Srinivasan

COLOMBO

The indigenously built destroyer INS Mumbai, on its first port call in Sri Lanka, will stay in Colombo for three days.news.navy.lk

Sri Lanka’s main port in capital Colombo on Monday welcomed India’s frontline war ship INS Mumbai, as well as three warships of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, piquing interest in the island nation that is familiar with the two powers’ strategic contest.

The indigenously built destroyer INS Mumbai, on its first port call in Sri Lanka, will stay for three days. The 163-metre-long destroyer is manned by a 410-member crew, and its commander Captain Sandeep Kumar called on the Commander Western Naval Area Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe, a statement from the Sri Lankan Navy said. The ship’s visit marks the eighth visit of Indian Navy ships to Sri Lanka this year, according to the Indian High Commission in Colombo.

Meanwhile, Chinese PLA war ships Hefei, Wuzhishan and Qilianshan, too, arrived in Colombo Monday morning. “To strengthen the camaraderie between the two navies, crew members of these ships are set to participate in a series of programmes organised by the Sri Lanka Navy,” an official statement said, adding that the vessels’ commanders would meet Sri Lanka’s Western naval commander. Both crews are scheduled to visit tourist attractions, the Sri Lankan Navy said.

Indian concerns

The concurrent visit of Indian and Chinese naval warships has drawn attention in Sri Lanka, as India’s reservations on port calls by Chinese research vessels are well known. In the last few years, India has voiced concern with the Sri Lankan government on multiple occasions.

Following frequent messages from New Delhi and Washington objecting to the visit of Chinese research vessels, Sri Lanka banned the visit of foreign research vessels beginning January 2024.

However, speaking to Japanese media in July 2024, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry hinted at possibly lifting the ban on foreign vessels next year. “We cannot have different rules for different countries and only block China. We will not do that. We will not take sides,” Mr. Sabry said in an interview.

Last month, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo hosted a reception to mark the 97th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Earlier in August, the Sri Lankan Navy welcomed three US naval warships that were on a replenishment visit.

Judiciary vs Government

Judicial branch workers, judges, and magistrates during an indefinite strike in Tijuana in Mexico on August Sunday. They held the protest against a controversial constitutional reform with which the leftist government seeks to have them elected by popular vote. AFPGUILLERMO ARIAS

Moscow targets Kyiv’s power grid yet again in ‘vile’ attack

Associated Press

KYIV

Field day: Ukrainian firefighters extinguish a fire following an air attack in the Odesa region on Monday.AFPOLEKSANDR GIMANOV

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday condemned Russia’s overnight and early morning barrage on his country as “vile” and said it involved over 100 missiles of various types and about 100 “Shahed” drones.

Ukraine’s leader said there were deaths and dozens of injuries and that the attack caused a lot of damage to Ukraine’s energy sector.

“Like most previous Russian strikes, this one was just as vile, targeting critical civilian infrastructure. Most of our regions — from the Kharkiv region and Kyiv to Odesa and our western regions,” Mr. Zelenskyy said.

The barrage began around midnight and continued beyond daybreak in what appeared to be Russia’s biggest attack against Ukraine in weeks.

Russian forces fired drones, cruise missiles and hypersonic ballistic Kinzhal missiles at 15 Ukrainian regions — more than half the country, Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Monday morning.

“The energy infrastructure has once again become the target of Russian terrorists. Unfortunately, there is damage in a number of regions,” Mr. Shmyhal said, adding that Ukraine’s state-owned power grid operator, Ukrenergo, has been forced to implement emergency power cuts to stabilize the system.

He called on Ukraine’s allies to provide Kyiv with long-range weapons and permission to use them on targets inside Russia.

Counting on allies

“In order to stop the barbaric shelling of Ukrainian cities, it is necessary to destroy the place from which the Russian missiles are launched,” Mr. Shmyhal said. “We count on the support of our allies and will definitely make Russia pay.”

According to Ukraine’s air force, there were multiple groups of Russian drones moving toward eastern, northern, southern, and central regions of Ukraine, followed by multiple cruise and ballistic missiles.

The Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement that the attacks used “long-range precision air- and sea-based weapons and strike drones against critical energy infrastructure facilities that support the operation of Ukraine’s military-industrial complex. All designated targets were hit.”

Explosions were heard in the capital, Kyiv. Power and water supplies in the city have been disrupted by the attack, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

Japan scrambles jets after Chinese aircraft ‘violates’ its airspace

Agence France-Presse

Tokyo

A Chinese military Y9 intelligence-gathering aircraft that Japan's defence ministry said "violated" Japanese airspace.AFPHANDOUT

Close U.S. ally Japan said it scrambled fighter jets on Monday after a Chinese military aircraft “violated” its airspace in a further escalation of regional tensions.

The two-minute incursion into Japanese airspace by the Y-9 surveillance aircraft at 11:29 am (0759 IST) was the first by a Chinese military plane, local media reported.

The aircraft “violated the territorial airspace off the Danjo Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture”, prompting Japan to deploy “fighter jets on an emergency basis”, Japan’s Defence Ministry said. It said steps such as “issuing warnings” to the aircraft were taken. Broadcaster NHK reported that no weapons, such as flare guns, were used as an alert.

The Defence Ministry released a photograph of what it said was the plane.

Deputy Foreign Minister Masataka Okano summoned China’s acting Ambassador late on Monday and “lodged firm protest”, as well as calling for measures against a recurrence, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The Chinese diplomat said in response that the matter would be reported to Beijing, according to the ministry. There was no immediate official comment from Beijing.

Beefed up

China’s growing economic and military clout in the Asia-Pacific region and its assertiveness in territorial disputes — in particular Taiwan — has alarmed the U.S. and its allies.

Japan, staunchly pacifist for decades, has ramped up defence spending with U.S. encouragement, moving to acquire “counter-strike” capabilities and easing rules on arms exports.

Tokyo is also providing funding and equipment such as patrol vessels to countries across the region and agreed in July on a deal with the Philippines allowing troop deployments on each other’s soil.

Japan and South Korea have also moved to bury the historical hatchet. Tokyo is also part of the Quad alliance with the U.S., Australia and India, a grouping seen as a bulwark against Beijing.

Japanese and Chinese vessels have been involved in tense incidents in disputed areas, in particular the Senkaku islands in the East China Sea known by Beijing as the Diaoyus.

Scholz says knife attack was an act of terrorism directed at everyone

AFPINA FASSBENDER

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called last week's knife attack an act "terrorism against us all" and pledged action to tighten weapons controls. The violence at a street festival in western Germany's Solingen, which killed three persons was allegedly carried out by a 26-year-old Syrian man with links to the Islamic State (IS) group. afp

Pak. court acquits man held for fake info that caused riots in U.K.

APK.M. Chaudary

A Pakistani judge acquitted a man who was charged with spreading misinformation that helped spark riots in the U.K. earlier this month. The decision came less than a week after Farhan Asif, a 32-year-old web developer, was arrested in a raid on his home in Lahore and charged with cyberterrorism. ap

Dozens missing in Sudan as dam collapses due to heavy rainfall

AFP-

Arbaat dam in Sudan's eastern Red Sea state, sending water flooding over nearby homes, the country's Health Ministry said. Local media said dozens of people are missing. Official figures indicate four died in the floodwater but local officials say at least 60 were dead. More than 100 people were reported missing. ap

Flash floods caused due to heavy monsoon rains kill 22 in Thailand

AFPHANDOUT

Flash floods caused by heavy monsoon rains in Thailand have killed 22 people in recent days, disaster officials said on Monday, as they warned of further sudden flooding this week. Nineteen others were injured and more than 30,000 households have been affected in 13 provinces over the past 10 days. afp

Beijing and Manila have a run-in near disputed reef

Agence France-Presse

Beijing

China said it took “control measures” on Monday against two Philippine Coast Guard ships that had entered waters near the disputed Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea.

The Philippine Coast Guard said it sent two vessels to deliver provisions to one of its ships at Sabina Shoal.

As the vessels neared the shoal, they were forced to abandon the mission due to China’s “excessive” deployment of ships and rough sea conditions, Manila said.

Ending the war on Gaza would relieve Israel’s struggling economy, say experts

Associated Press

JERUSALEM

Nearly 11 months into the war with Hamas, Israel’s economy is taking a toll with small businesses hit hard and international trust compromised; as the Army grind ahead with an offensive that threatens to escalate into a wider conflict, economists say a ceasefire is the best way to stop the damage

Collateral damage: A person walks his dog past a closed shop to rent in Tel Aviv, Israel. Some shop owners say business is worse now than during the COVID-19 pandemic.APARIEL SCHALIT

In Jerusalem’s Old City, nearly all souvenir shops are closed. In Haifa’s flea market, forlorn merchants polish their wares on empty streets. Airlines are cancelling flights, businesses are failing and luxury hotels are half empty.

Nearly 11 months into the war with Hamas, Israel’s economy is struggling as the country’s leaders grind ahead with an offensive in Gaza that shows no signs of ending and threatens to escalate into a wider conflict.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has tried to allay concerns by saying the economic damage is only temporary. But the bloodiest, most destructive war ever between Israel and Hamas has hurt thousands of small businesses and compromised international trust in an economy once thought of as an entrepreneurial dynamo. Some leading economists say a ceasefire is the best way to stop the damage.

“The economy right now is under huge uncertainty, and it is related to the security situation — how long the war will go on, what the intensity will be and the question of whether there will be further escalation,” said Karnit Flug, Israel’s former central bank chief who is now the vice-president of research at the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem think tank.

Toll on Gaza

The war has inflicted a far heavier toll on Gaza’s already broken economy, displacing 90% of the population and leaving the vast majority of the workforce unemployed. The fighting has killed more than 40,000 people, according to health officials .

The Israeli economy has recovered from previous shocks, including shorter wars with Hamas. But this longer conflict has created a bigger strain, including the cost of rebuilding, compensating families of victims and reserve soldiers, and vast military spending.

The drawn-out nature of the fighting and the threat of further escalation with Iran and its Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah, have an especially harsh impact on tourism. Though tourism is not a major driver of the economy, the damage has hurt thousands of workers and small businesses.

“The hardest thing is that we do not know when the war will end,” said Israeli tour guide Daniel Jacob, whose family is living off savings. “We need to finish the war before this year’s end. If it is another half a year, I do not know how long we are going to make it.”

Mr. Jacob, 45, returned in April from six months of duty as a reserve soldier to find out that business had dried up. He was forced to shutter the tourism company he spent two decades developing. His only income is aid from the government, which pays him half his pre-war salary every few months.

Meir Sabag, a Haifa antiques dealer whose shop sat empty, said business is worse now than during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On a recent weekday, the formerly bustling port of Haifa, a major hub of Israeli import-export where massive container ships would often stop, was still.

With Yemen’s Houthi rebel group endangering ships passing through Egypt’s Suez Canal, many long-haul ships have stopped using Israeli ports as hubs, said a port official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was sharing internal information.

Renewed U.S.-led ceasefire efforts appear to be sputtering, and Iran and Hezbollah have threatened to avenge the recent assassinations of top militant leaders, raising the threat of a wider regional war. These fears have prompted major airlines, including Delta, United and Lufthansa, to suspend flights in and out of Israel.

Yacov Sheinin, an Israeli economist with decades of experience advising Israeli Premiers and government Ministries, said the total cost of the war could amount to $120 billion, or 20% of the country’s gross domestic product.

Of all 38 member countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Israel’s economy underwent the biggest slowdown from April to June, the organisation had reported. The Israeli GDP was projected to grow 3% in 2024. The Bank of Israel now predicts a growth rate of 1.5% — and that is if the war ends this year.

Status downgraded

U.S.-based credit rating agency Fitch downgraded Israel’s status from A-plus to A earlier this month, following similar downgrades by agencies S&P and Moody’s. The downgrading could raise the government’s borrowing costs.

“In our view, the conflict in Gaza could last well into 2025,” Fitch warned in its rating note, which cited the possibility of “significant additional military spending, destruction of infrastructure and more sustained damage to economic activity and investment.”

In another worrying sign, the Finance Ministry this month said the country’s deficit over the last 12 months has risen to over 8% of GDP, far exceeding the 6.6% deficit-to-GDP ratio the Ministry projected for 2024. In 2023, Israel ’s budget deficit was roughly 4% of its GDP.

The downgrade and the deficit have increased pressure on the Israeli government to end the war and reduce the deficit — something that would require unpopular decisions such as raising taxes or cutting spending.

But Mr. Netanyahu needs to keep his coalition afloat, and his hard-line Finance Minister, Bezalel Smotrich, wants the war to continue until Hamas is decimated.

Mr. Smotrich has maintained that Israel’s economy “is strong” and vowed to pass a “responsible budget that will continue to support all the needs of the war, while maintaining fiscal frameworks and promoting growth engines.”

Meanwhile, many small businesses have closed because their owners and employees were called up for reserve military duty. Others are struggling amid the broader slowdown.

Frequent accidents could hit Nepal’s tourism sector amid economic woes

Sanjeev Satgainya

KATHMANDU

Risky route: According to government data,nearly 24,000 people died on Nepal’s roads in the last decade.REUTERSSTRINGER

Death of 27 Indian pilgrims in a bus accident at Abu Khaireni in central Nepalon Friday has once again put the spotlight on the poor road safety record of the country which is already battling criticism over poor air safety. Concerns are growing that frequent accidents could hit the country’s tourism sector.

The bus, en route from tourist town of Pokhara to the capital Kathmandu, carrying 43 passengers, all from Maharashtra, veered off the highway and plunged into the Marsyangdi river. Police said 26 people were killed on the spot while one succumbed to injury during treatment in Chitwan.

Road accidents in Nepal are so common that many have stopped calling them “accidents”, just as there has been a public outcry with people calling them “murder on the roads.”

Aashish Gajurel,a transportation and traffic professional, said Nepal’s roads are extremely unsafe for multiple reasons, including that a majority of road sections do not even fulfil the basic engineering criteria.

Except for in the plains, Nepal’s winding highways are built by slicing parts of mountains, making them susceptible to landslips.

“Boulders often roll down Nepali mountains and during monsoon, mudslides are common, which make Nepal’s mountain highways even riskier,” said Mr. Gajurel. “Also, our roads are not technology-friendly. For example, had there been roadside barriers along the highway, probably the bus carrying the Indian pilgrims might not have plunged into the river.”

According to government data,nearly 24,000 people died on Nepal’s roads in the last one decade. But there is a lack of will at the political level to investigate these accidents, while accountability never becomes an issue. Despite being too common and killing too many people, road accidents do not get as much attention as plane crashes get.

‘Lack of accountability’

“And Nepal has failed to prevent both road and air accidents,” said Mr. Gajurel, adding that such lack of accountability can have a profound impact on the country’s tourism sector.

Nepal, a country with a struggling economy, is a straggler in manufacturing and exports, hence it heavily banks on tourism.

And Indians account for the highest number of visitors. In 2023, more than 10,00,000 tourists visited Nepal by air, and data shows one third of them were from India. The actual number of Indians visiting Nepal could be much higher because there is no proper record-keeping of those who enter Nepal overland through various border points.

Tourism industry insiders said Friday’s bus accident may have a huge impact on Indian arrivals.

Just last month, mudslides swept two passenger buses into the Trishuli river. At least 59 people were killed, including seven Indians.

In January last year, four Indians were among the 72killed in the Yeti Airlines plane crash in Pokhara.“It is obviously a very serious issue. The message that nothing is safe — neither air nor road — will stick to the traveller,” said Ashoke Pokharel, Director of Shangri La Tours Pvt. Ltd.

The number of visitors from India this year was expected to rise as 6,50,000 foreign visitors have already arrived in Nepal as of July 31, with Indians accounting for close to one-third of the total.

Tourism industry experts say the recent crashes could bring the numbers down.

“There obviously will be some blowback, especially in the next few days and weeks while the news cycle plays out,” said Mr. Pokharel.

Neighbourhood hero

Connecting communities: A man dressed in a Spiderman costume invites commuters to enter a taxibus in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Ethio-Spiderman has become an Internet sensation, inspiring people to engage in community service and make a positive impact. AFPAMANUEL SILESHI

Sri Lankan Marxists pledge to welcome foreign capital

Agence France-Presse

COLOMBO

Anura Kumara Dissanayake ISHARA S. KODIKARA

Sri Lanka’s main Marxist leader and a key presidential hopeful in elections next month pledged on Monday to selectively welcome foreign investors, especially in green energy, if he wins.

Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, a 55-year-old former Agricultural Minister and vocal campaigner against graft, is popular with voters fed up with the endemic corruption he blames for the island’s 2022 economic meltdown.

The September 21 vote will be the first since protesters furious at an unprecedented financial crisis toppled strongman President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Current President Ranil Wickremesinghe, elected by Parliament after the ouster, is seeking a mandate to continue with a $2.9 billion IMF bailout loan to stabilise the economy.

But Mr. Dissanayaka promises to renegotiate that deal — although he has not provided specific changes beyond wanting to cut heavy taxes.

“We will invite foreign companies into sectors like renewable energy, where we do not have the capacity to invest large amounts of capital,” Mr. Dissanayaka said as he launched his manifesto.

There are 39 candidates in the fray, but next month’s contest is viewed as mainly between Mr. Dissanayaka, Mr. Wickremesinghe and the Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa.

Mr. Dissanayaka contested the 2019 presidential election but came a distant third with just three per cent of the vote.

Mr. Dissanayaka is also pledging to scrap Sri Lanka’s presidential system and revert the country to the British-style parliamentary democracy, which existed until 1978.

However, almost all Sri Lankan leaders in the past three decades have promised to scrap the powerful presidency, but failed to deliver.

Media groups call on EU to suspend treaty with Israel

Agence France-Presse

PARIS

The move comes in response to ‘unprecedented number of journalists killed by Israel’ since the war started. AFPZAIN JAAFAR

Some 60 media and rights organisations on Monday urged the European Union to suspend a co-operation accord with Israel and impose sanctions, accusing it of “massacring journalists” in Gaza.

“In response to the unprecedented number of journalists killed and other repeated press freedom violations by the Israeli authorities since the start of the war with Hamas, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and 59 other organisations are calling on the European Union to suspend its Association Agreement with Israel and to adopt targeted sanctions against those responsible”, the groups said in a joint statement.

The call came ahead of a meeting by EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels on Thursday. “More than 130 Palestinian journalists and media professionals have been killed by the Israeli armed forces in Gaza since 7 October. At least 30 of them were killed in the course of their work”, it says.

EU’s association agreements with non-member countries are treaties that govern bilateral relations, including trade. The agreement’s Article 2 stipulates “respect for human rights and democratic principles”, said Julie Majerczak, the head of RSF’s Brussels office.

“The Israeli government is clearly trampling on this article. The EU, which is Israel’s leading trade partner, must draw the necessary conclusions from this and must do everything to ensure that the (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu government stops massacring journalists and respects the right to information and press freedom by opening media access to Gaza,” she said.

Australia gives millions of workers ‘right to disconnect’

Agence France-Presse

SYDNEY

Australia gave millions of workers the legal right to “disconnect” on Monday, allowing them to ignore unreasonable out-of-hours work calls and texts from their bosses.

People can now refuse to monitor, read, or respond to their employers’ attempts to contact them outside work hours — unless that refusal is deemed “unreasonable”.

Unions welcomed the move, saying it gave workers a way to reclaim some work-life balance. “Today is a historic day for working people,” said Michele O’Neil, president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions.

“Australian unions have reclaimed the right to knock off after work,” she said.

In the streets of Sydney, people appeared to welcome the change.

“I have a very hard time disconnecting and even though I may not necessarily be logged on, my brain is constantly working overtime,” not-for-profit worker Karolina Joseski said.

But the reform got a cool welcome from Australia’s top industry body. “The ‘right to disconnect’ laws are rushed, poorly thought out and deeply confusing,” the Australian Industry Group said in a statement.

“At the very least, employers and employees will now be uncertain about whether they can take or make a call out of hours to offer an extra shift,” it said.

The law is similar to those of some European and Latin American countries.

Sports

- Stay humble if you do well, or go back to the drawing board if you don’t

- Manika-powered Smashers get the better of Paltan; Ankur shines again

- Richter to meet Issarangkun in the summit clash

- Ganguly continues to remain on top

- Thiem’s Slam career ends with a loss

- Allround West Indies outmuscles South Africa, seals T20I series

- Women in Blue to begin WC campaign against NZ on Oct. 4

- Healy excited about pace duo Brown and Vlaeminck

- Olympic champion Ko ends eight-year Major drought

- Atletico has it easy against Girona

- ‘We could have gone all the way in Paris’

- Para athletes appreciate the ease of mobility, PCI’s support

- Eriksson, former England coach, passes away aged 76

- Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh play out enterprising draws

- Rudransh gunning for glory

- NEUFC romps past Shillong Lajong, reaches final

- Hashmatullah named skipper, no Rashid in preliminary squad

- Bangladesh and Pakistan fined and docked points

- Pragathi takes the third spot on debut at Rallye des Vallees

- Juventus signs Gonzalez from Fiorentina

- India loses to Bangladesh in SAAF u-20 semifinal

- Jang Kun-Lee and the toll of being kabaddi’s evangelist in South Korea

Stay humble if you do well, or go back to the drawing board if you don’t

Sankar Narayanan E.H.

Coimbatore

It’s necessary to adapt to the conditions well, be one step ahead in the challenging longest format; can’t bat like how you would in a T20 but at the same time, intent is imperative; you can’t go into the game and ponder too much, just have to go out, put your heart into it and enjoy it

Bending over backwards: Suryakumar would give it his all to play in the red-ball format. M. Periasamy

India’s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav is a giant in the format and his astronomical numbers speak for themselves. However, the Mumbai batter is excited and motivated to play red-ball and multi-day cricket. In a chat along the sidelines of the Buchi Babu tournament, he revealed that he was keen to stake a claim in the Test squad. Excerpts:

You’ve made the call to play the Buchi Babu tournament. This shows that you want to get back into the red-ball scheme of things. How much does competing in the longest format mean to you?

Red-ball cricket has always been my priority. When I grew up in the maidans of Mumbai and played a lot of local cricket, I started playing with the red cherry. The love for the longest format began there, and has always been there.

I’ve taken part in a lot of First Class matches for more than 10 years now and I still cherish playing this format. There’s no question about it and that’s why I’m here before the Duleep Trophy.

I will always look for an opportunity to come and play for Mumbai, be it in First Class or a tournament like the Buchi Babu. A lot of international players have played in this competition before and have gone on to represent the country.

Could you elaborate on the experience of playing such events during the season?

We are fortunate to have this tournament because we don’t get many multi-day games back home during this weather. Yes, you can practice for a couple of hours, but standing in the heat for six hours and doing that three or four days in a row is only possible through a game. That’s very important going forward in the Duleep Trophy and, hopefully, in Tests.

You had a short stint in the Indian Test side. There are 10 matches coming up. Some are in spin-friendly conditions at home and the rest are in Australia where your wrist-work will come into play. Do you think you can claim a spot?

There are a lot of people who have worked really hard to earn their place and even I want to earn that spot again. I made my debut for India in Tests.

After that, I got injured as well. There were a lot of people who got an opportunity and have done well too. They deserve that opportunity right now.

Going forward, if I have to play, then I’ll automatically play. That’s not in my control. What’s in my power right now is to play the Buchi Babu tournament, go on to play Duleep Trophy and then see what happens.

But yes, I’m really looking forward. There are 10 Test matches lined up and I’m obviously excited for some red-ball fun.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir wants the team to play a fearless brand of cricket...

I think the way he’s played his game has been amazing for India and he understands each player’s strengths. He knows what the players like to do on the ground or during practice sessions. So, he’s given a free hand to everyone.

How do you adjust your batting style while switching between formats?

It’s necessary to adapt to the conditions well. In Mumbai, you have red soil, but here it’s black soil and the wickets are a bit different.

You have to be one step ahead in the challenging longest format and can’t bat like how you would in a T20. But at the same time, intent is imperative. Everything else will take care of itself when you play.

You can’t go into the game and ponder too much. You just have to go out, put your heart into it and enjoy the game. Stay humble if you do well or go back to the drawing board and start again if you don’t.

The Mumbai squad assembled here has a mix of youngsters along with experienced players like Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan and yourself. How are you learning from each other?

I mean, not only Shreyas or Sarfaraz, the learning also comes from players who have not even played a single game for Mumbai till now.

You can observe them during training and there will be small things you grasp that can be added to your own routine.

There is no senior or junior in learning. It’s all the same when you play this sport.

Manika-powered Smashers get the better of Paltan; Ankur shines again

K. Keerthivasan

CHENNAI

Serving it up: Manika finished on the winning side in both matches, including the one against Ayhika. B. JOTHI RAMALINGAMJOTHI RAMALINGAM B

Bengaluru Smashers scripted its second successive win in Season 5 of the Ultimate Table Tennis league with a 10-5 victory over Puneri Paltan here on Monday.

Paltan’s Ankur Bhattacharjee, rated high by India’s head coach Massimo Costantini, had beaten Lilian Bardet, ranked 90th in the world (102 places above him) the other day. Against Jeet Chandra in the opening men’s singles, Ankur was on fire as he registered a 2-1 win.

The 17-year-old, who plays with a devil-may-care attitude, hits with tremendous accuracy on both flanks. Against Jeet, who is equally aggressive, it was Ankur’s consistency in attack that fetched rewards. However, Ankur’s win turned out to be the only one for Paltan.

Cautious start

The women’s singles contest between Ayhika Mukhjerjee and Manika Batra went the distance. Both started cautiously, gauging each other’s game and waiting for the other to commit mistakes.

After splitting the first two games, it looked like Manika would run away with the third as she took a 4-0 lead.

Ayhika fought back to 4-4 but Manika served well in the middle phase, took a 10-6 lead and it was all over when Ayhika’s forehand sailed long.

Spaniard Alvaro Robles, ranked 30th in singles, displayed his doubles skills as he combined well with Manika to put it across Anirban Ghosh and Natalia Bajor 2-1.

Paltan’s Joao Monteiro, ranked 92, gave a tough fight to Robles ranked 62 places above him.

In an exciting match between the left-handers, who were involved in long exchanges, Robles outlasted the Portuguese 2-1.

Smashers sealed the issue in style as Lily Zhang trounced Paltan’s S. Yashini 3-0.

The results:

Bengaluru Smashers bt Puneri Paltan 10-5 (Jeet Chandra lost to Ankur Bhattacharjee 6-11, 11-5, 7-11; Manika Batra bt Ayhika Mukherjee 8-11, 11-5, 11-6; Alvaro Robles & Manika bt Anirban Ghosh & Natalia Bajor 11-6, 8-11, 11-10; Robles bt Joao Monteiro 11-5, 10-11, 11-8; Lily Zhang bt Yashini Sivashankar 11-9, 11-9, 11-5).

Richter to meet Issarangkun in the summit clash

Ashwin Achal

Bengaluru

Great win: Richter got the better of favourite Powell to make the summit clash.K. MURALI KUMAR

Christian Richter and Lomnaw Issarangkun progressed to the final of the IBSF World under-17 boys’ snooker championship final at the KSBA here.

Germany’s Richter defeated favourite Riley Powell of Wales 4-2 in the semifinal. Powell recorded a huge 101-break in the second frame, but was unable to match the consistent Richter. An error from Powell on the final black in the sixth frame allowed Richter to wrap up the match.

In the other semifinal, Thailand’s Issarangkun took out Poland’s Michal Szubarczyk 4-2. Issarangkun grabbed a 3-1 lead on the back of two clinical clearances. Szubarczyk faltered on safety play in the sixth frame and lost the encounter.

The results:

Under-17 boys: Semifinals: Christian Richter (Ger) bt Riley Powell (Wal) 66-11, 4-101, 80-21, 31-72, 75-40, 68-65; Lomnaw Issarangkun (Tha) bt Michal Szubarczyk (Pol) 58-27, 30-67, 102-16, 86-32, 34-68, 54-34.

Quarterfinals: Richter bt Jabez Naveen Kumar 70-41, 66-20, 91-10; Powell bt Sky Chan (HK) 77-1, 18-72, 93-0, 62-17; Szubarczyk bt Ziyad Alqabbani (KSA) 54-6, 53-57, 71-6, 62-34; Issarangkun bt Parham Kazemimoghaddam (Irn) 66-35, 36-71, 58-32, 63-42.

Under-21 women: Group stage: Chan Wai Lam (HK) bt Shadi Najafi (Irn) 55-4, 76-3; R.T. Mohitha bt Jiya Sehgal 20-56, 71-43, 67-33; Natasha Chethan bt Noot Albalawi (KSA) 32-2, 60-9; Setayesh Amirazimi (Irn) bt Sameeksha Devan 43-4, 19-55, 65-22; Snenthra Babu bt Manar Albalawi (KSA) 51-24, 35-6.

Ganguly still on top

P.K. Ajith Kumar

GURUGRAM

Seven straight wins, followed by three straight draws! Still, Surya Shekhar Ganguly is in the sole lead position going into the final round of the National chess championship.

After drawing with Aronyak Ghosh in the 10th round at the RPS International School, he is on 8.5 points. His younger rival was the only one who could have caught up with him at the top. But Aronyak needed to win against Ganguly, something none has managed here.

The top-board clash between the two Kolkatans ended in a quiet draw in 30 moves after Aronyak adopted Slav Defence. Only the two kings, and pawns — seven of them on either side — remained when the peace treaty was signed.

Important results (10th round): Surya Shekhar Ganguly (PSPB) 8.5 drew with Aronyak Ghosh (RSPB) 8; S.P. Sethuraman (PSPB) 7 lost to Neelash Saha (RSPB) 8; P. Shyaam Nikhil (RSPB) 7.5 Diptayan Ghosh (RSPB) 7.5;

Karthik Venkataraman (AP) 8 bt Ajay Karthikeyan (TN) 7; Sammed Shete (Mah) 7.5 drew with Mitrabha Guha (RSPB) 7.5; Himal Gusain (RSPB) 8 bt Uktal Sahoo (Odi) 7; S. Nitin (RSPB) 7 lost to M.R. Lalith Babu (AP) 8; N.R. Vignesh (RSPB) 7.5 bt Sriram Jha (LIC) 7; Neelotpal Das (PSPB) 6.5 lost to Abhijeet Gupta (PSPB) 7.5;

Sankalp Gupta (Mah) 7.5 bt R.R. Laxman (RSPB) 6.5; N.R. Visakh (RSPBH) 7.5 bt Nihal Swarna .5;

Vignesh Advaith Vemula (TS) 6 drew with Sayantan Das (RSPB) 6; Swapnil Dhopade (Mah) 7.5 bt A. Balkishan (Kar) 6.5; Dinesh Kumar Jaganathan (TN) 7 drew with J. Deepan Chakravarthy (RSPB) 7; Arjun Adireddy (TS) 7 drew with S. Ravi Teja (AP) 7.

Thiem’s Slam career ends with a loss

Agence France-Presse

NEW YORK

Dominic Thiem’s Grand Slam career came to an end at the US Open on Monday on the same Arthur Ashe court where he won his only Major in 2020. The injury-plagued former World No. 3 went down 4-6, 2-6, 2-6 to American 13th seed Ben Shelton, his eighth first round exit at his last 10 Slams.

Thiem had already announced his intention to retire from tennis on home ground in Vienna in October, giving up on his fruitless battle to fully recover from a persistent wrist injury.

Paris Olympics champion Zheng Qinwen rallied from a set down to beat Amanda Anisimova 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 China’s Zheng, seeded seventh, next faces Erika Andreeva of Russia, who beat China’s Yuan Yue 6-3, 7-6(7).

Other results:

First round: Men: 17-Humbert (Fra) bt Monteiro 6-3, 6-4, 6-4; 14-Zverev (Ger) bt Marterer (Ger) 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2.

Women: Yafan (Chn) bt 9-Sakkari (Gre) 6-2, retd.; 12-Kasatkina (Rus) bt Cristian (Rou) 6-2, 6-4; 24-Vekic (Cro) bt Birrell (Aus) 6-4, 6-4; 27-Svitolina (Ukr) bt Carle (Arg) 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Allround West Indies outmuscles South Africa, seals T20I series

AFPRANDY BROOKS

West Indies smashed 13 sixes in its innings to beat South Africa by 30 runs on Sunday and secure the T20I series with a game to spare.

The scores: West Indies 179/6 in 20 overs (Shai Hope 41, Rovman Powell 35, Williams 3/36) bt South Africa 149 in 19.4 overs (Reeza Hendricks 44, Shepherd 3/15, Joseph 3/31). PoM: Romario Shepherd.

Women in Blue to begin WC campaign against NZ on Oct. 4

ANIANI

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be held from October 3 to 20 in the UAE.

India’s fixtures: Oct. 4: vs. New Zealand, Dubai, 7.30 p.m. IST; Oct. 6: vs. Pakistan, Dubai, 3.30 p.m.; Oct. 9: Sri Lanka, 7.30 p.m.; Oct. 13: vs. Australia, Sharjah, 7.30 p.m.

Healy excited about pace duo Brown and Vlaeminck

File Photo: EMMANUAL YOGINI

Skipper Alyssa Healy said she was excited to have pacers Darcie Brown and Tayla Vlaeminck in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad. The other players: Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham.

Olympic champion Ko ends eight-year Major drought

Getty ImagesAndrew Leinster

Lydia Ko said she had enjoyed a “Cinderella” story after ending an eight-year wait for a Major title by winning the Women’s British Open at St. Andrews on Sunday. She finished with a superb birdie on the 18th hole of a windswept Old Course to complete a round of three-under-par 69. “It is surreal,” Ko told Sky Sports.

Atletico has it easy against Girona

Reuters

MADRID

Goals from Antoine Griezmann, Marcos Llorente and Koke secured Atletico Madrid a 3-0 win over Girona in its first home game of the LaLiga season on Sunday. In Serie A, Napoli beat Bologna 3-0 at home on Sunday, securing a first win for new manager Antonio Conte. Humiliated 3-0 at Hellas Verona last week, Napoli provisionally moved up to 11th in the standings

The results: Serie A: Napoli 3 (Di Lorenzo 45+2, Kvaratskhelia 75, Simeone 90+4) bt Bologna 0; Roma 1 (Shomurodov 80) lost to Empoli 2 (Gyasi 45, Colombo 61-pen).

LaLiga: Leganes 2 (Cruz 71, Franquesa 85) bt Las Palmas 1 (Ramirez 90+3); Alaves 0 drew with Real Betis 0; Atletico Madrid 3 (Griezmann 39, Llorente 48, Koke 90+4) bt Girona 0.

Bundesliga: St. Pauli 0 lost to Heidenheim 2 (Wanner 66, Schoeppner 82).

‘We could have gone all the way in Paris’

Uthra Ganesan

New Delhi

Manpreet, the former India skipper and a four-time Olympian, opens up on the regret during the 2024 Games campaign, the change in mindset, the road ahead for him as an individual and for the team, and how relinquishing captaincy has given his career a second wind

Unfinished business: Manpreet is keen to push harder to erase the memories of the heartbreak in the 2024 Olympic Games. REUTERS ANUSHREE FADNAVIS

While most of the spotlight after the Indian hockey team’s second consecutive Olympic medal has been on P.R. Sreejesh, the other four-time Olympian in the squad is in no mood to sign off just yet. The Paris bronze has only made Manpreet Singh more determined.

“It feels great to win back-to-back medals but the way we played in Paris, we know we could have gone all the way. We were very close and we will always think about what we could have done differently in the semifinal. The good thing is we did not carry it into the bronze-medal match because coming back empty—handed would have been more painful. But a part of regret for the semifinals will always be there,” the former India captain told The Hindu in an interaction on Monday.

Since relinquishing captaincy after the Tokyo Olympics, there has been a second wind to Manpreet’s career. “That’s a mindset change. During Graham’s (Reid) time, I had started playing no-risk hockey. When Craig (Fulton) took charge, he said you have full freedom to show your natural game and play the way you want – going up, dribbling and dodging —but do it 100 per cent, no half measures.

“Even if someone makes a mistake, we will cover it as a team. And it’s not just me, it’s for everyone, we have the licence to go anywhere if we see space,” Manpreet explained.

With the players back in camp ahead of the Asian Champions Trophy next month, Manpreet is aware it’s time to get back to the grind.

“There have been several functions so it is still sinking in. The focus now is on the next event. But my family knows how to keep me grounded – the day after I reached home, I was walking my daughter to her school like always,” he laughed.

Challenges

Professionally, Manpreet is aware of the growing challenges and is keen to maintain his fitness standards.

“I want to get back to my fitness regime because you cannot survive in modern hockey without it. I also know that I have to be careful, it gets more difficult every year and I need to be serious about it. When you compete with 18-19 year olds, who are fitter and stronger, you have to be mentally and physically tough and not give up. I have to put in extra effort and be more careful even when not in camp – I know sweets or junk food will affect me more than the other guy,” he signed off.

Para athletes appreciate the ease of mobility, PCI’s support

Sports Bureau

New Delhi

Accessible transport: Bhavina talks about the support from Svayam. Special Arrangement

As the Indian athletes get ready to put up their best performance in the Paralympics, scheduled to be staged in Paris from August 28 to September 8, the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has played its part well to extend them the best support.

The collaboration with Svayam to provide accessible transportation for the Indian contingent from the place of residence of the athletes to the airport, apart from transport during their training, has been widely appreciated.

Special vehicles that can accommodate athletes with their wheelchairs had played a significant role in their transportation, helping avoid any discomfort.

“Svayam has played an important role by providing special vehicles that enhance accessibility and ensure travel comfort. I thank PCI for having an accessibility partner like Svayam on board for both Tokyo and Paris,” said table tennis star, Bhavina Patel.

“The special vehicles provided to us significantly eased our journey, allowing me to focus more on my training and preparation. They made a real difference in my daily routine,” said athlete, Sakshi Kasana.

The president of PCI, multiple Paralympic gold medallist, Devendra Jhajharia lauded the efforts of Svayam.

“Svayam has given a strong message to the nation on the needs of people with disabilities and reduced mobility. Athletes have to travel a lot for their competitions. So, if they are given this kind of ease of transport, it gives them the mental strength and enhances confidence,” Jhajharia said.

Meanwhile, there was plenty of inspiration coming their way for para athletes in the form of the book, Breaking the Barriers, written by Abhishek Dubey and Mahavir Rawat and brought out by Konark Publishers. The book tells the story of the 26 Indian athletes who have won medals in Paralympics so far.

“I have been very close to these para players. It is like one big family for me. These are stories of great inspiration and determination. I hope everyone reads and gets inspired,” said Mahavir. “I hope people read this book to understand our athletes and the people who have shaped these champions,” said Paralympic gold medallist, Sumit Antil.

“This is the first book on para athletes. Some stories about other athletes are very new to me too. I am sure, Breaking the Barriers will be a scintillating and inspiring read for everyone,” said the former president of PCI, Deepa Malik.

Eriksson, former England coach, passes away aged 76

Associated Press

Sunne (Sweden)

Mentor: Eriksson led what was regarded as a “golden generation” of England players, including Beckham.File Photo

Sven-Goran Eriksson, the Swedish football manager who spent five years as England’s first ever foreign-born coach after making his name winning trophies at club level in Italy, Portugal and Sweden, passed away on Monday aged 76.

Eriksson passed away at home surrounded by his family, his agent Bo Gustavsson told The Associated Press. His death followed eight months after he revealed he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had at most one year to live.

That news led to Eriksson receiving a surge of affection and tributes from his former players and clubs, a biographical documentary being made, and a visit to his favorite club Liverpool which invited him to be manager for the day at a charity game.

Fondly known as “Svennis” in his native Sweden, Eriksson had a modest, nine-year playing career before retiring at the age of 27 and embarking on what proved to be a nomadic coaching career that reached its peak when he was hired by England in 2001. Within months, he led an underachieving team to a stunning signature win — 5-1 against Germany in Munich in a World Cup qualifying game.

Eriksson led what was regarded as a “golden generation” of players, including David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, at the World Cups in 2002 and 2006 and got the team to the quarterfinals at both tournaments before elimination by Brazil and Portugal, respectively.

In the only other major tournament under Eriksson — the European Championship in 2004 — England was also ousted at the quarterfinal stage, by Portugal and via a penalty shootout like at the World Cup in 2006.

Eriksson later had brief spells in charge of the Mexico, Ivory Coast and Philippines national teams.

Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh play out enterprising draws

Press Trust of India

ST. LOUIS

Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa navigated his match against the reigning world champion Ding Liren with remarkable ease, holding him to a draw in the sixth round of the Sinquefield Cup, the final leg of the Grand Chess Tour.

World championship challenger D. Gukesh also played out another enterprising draw with France’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave while Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi suffered a shocking loss, going down to Fabiano Caruana of United States in just 25 moves.

No surprises

The sixth round saw no other surprises as the games between Anish Giri of Holland and Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan and Alireza Firouzja of France versus local star Welsey So ended draws.

With just three rounds remaining, Caruana seems determined to give Firouzja a run for his money even though the former still leads the fray on four points.

Caruana and Wesley So are on 3.5 points each.

Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh, Vachier-Lagrave and Liren share the fourth spot on three points each with Nepomniachtchi and Abdusattorov following them a half point behind.

Anish Giri stands last on two points in the $ 3,50,000 prize money tournament.

Trying hard

Gukesh has been trying hard in almost every game.

Playing white against Vachier-Lagrave, he went for the King pawn opening and faced the tried and tested Najdorf Sicilian.

Gukesh came up with a double-edged idea in the middle game that fetched him a pawn in return for a king side attack for Vachier-Lagrave.

For sometime it looked like the Frenchman had a powerful attack but Gukesh always found the best manoeuvres.

In the end, the Indian had an extra pawn but black had counterplay compensating for the same.

The game was drawn vide stalemate after 72 moves.

Solid

Praggnanandhaa did not have to sweat much against Liren, who has been pretty solid in the tournament and is not taking much risk ahead of the World Championship match against Gukesh in November.

The Kings Indian defence by Pragganandhaa as black did not see any serious mistake from either side and the game was drawn without much ado.

The results (sixth round): Ding Liren (Chn, 3) drew with R. Praggnanandhaa (Ind, 3); Alireza Firouzja (Fra, 4) drew with Wesley So (Usa, 3.5).

Anish Giri (Ned, 2) drew with Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb, 2.5); Ian Nepomniachtchi (Fid, 2.5) lost to Fabiano Caruana (Usa, 3.5).

D. Gukesh (Ind, 3) drew with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Fra, 3).

Rudransh gunning for glory

Press Trust of India

New Delhi

Being prepared for any eventuality and remaining confident in his ability is 17-year-old pistol marksman Rudransh Khandelwal’s mantra in life as he embarks on a journey to bring glory from the Paris Paralympics.

Having lost his left leg in a freak mishap when he was just eight-years-old, the teenaged Bharatpur boy never let disability come in his way as he excelled in shooting sport to become the world No.1 in 50m pistol (SH1) and is now aiming for nothing less than a gold in his maiden Paralympics.

To achieve his aim, he is leaving nothing to chance, including taking a spare pistol and a tool-kit for his prosthetic leg, just in case it breaks during competition. Seeing ace shooter Manu Bhaker struggle with a pistol malfunction during the Tokyo Olympics was a “lesson” for Rudransh, who now always carries a spare pistol for both domestic and international competitions.

“It’s happened 15-20 minutes before a match, when my prosthetic leg broke. Now I keep a tool-kit to quickly repair it. And, if it happens again, I am ready for it,” said Rudransh, whose leg got severed while he was watching fireworks during a cousin sister’s marriage in Bharatpur in 2015.

“There was a short-circuit in the electronic gadget controlling the fireworks and a flying metal plate severed my left leg just below the knee.

Life returned to normal after six months but his mother’s biggest worry was Rudransh not falling victim to depression. Rudransh started talking baby steps in the sport with Sumit Rathi, his coach, helping him. “I could not stand on my prosthetic leg for more than 2-3 hours in practice. He (coach) continued to work on me and from 2-3 hours, it became 7-8 hours.”

While Rudransh started with 10m air pistol, it took him seven years to get into the national squad, and that is the time he felt really low.

NEUFC romps past Shillong Lajong, reaches final

Joan Mathew Jacob

Shillong

NorthEast United beat Shillong Lajong 3-0 in the semifinal of the Durand Cup at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Monday.

The Highlanders reached their first-ever final after losing in the same stage last year.

NEUFC took the lead in the 13th minute after Alaaeddine Ajaraie played a decisive back-heel to Jithin MS on the left wing.

Jithin’s precise low cross found Huidrom Thoi Singh, who slid in to score and take the lead, inspiring his team to victory.

Shillong Lajong’s best chance came through Wadajied Kynsai Ryngkhlem’s shot from outside the box, which took a deflection and forced goalkeeper Gurmeet to make a last-second save.

Minutes later, Nestor Albiach found Ajaraie inside the box with a sumptuous ball over the top.

Ajaraie brought the ball down and shot it past the keeper, only to see it fall back to him after striking the left post.

He did not make a mistake this time, firing the ball into the goal, only to have his celebration halted by the offside flag.

The NEUFC players contested the call with the assistant referee, and after a few moments of deliberation, the goal was awarded.

Lacking quality

In the second half, Shillong Lahong failed to find a spark and lacked the quality and sharpness in the final third.

Things went from bad to worse for it after defender Ronney Willson Kharbudon was sent off in the 90th minute for dissent.

Minutes later, Parthib Sundar Gogoi made it three for the visitor with a calm and precise finish after a run down the left flank.

Hashmatullah named skipper, no Rashid in preliminary squad

All-rounder Rashid Khan was a notable omission in Afghanistan’s 20-member preliminary squad for the one-off Test against New Zealand, to be played in Greater Noida from Sept. 9 to 13. Hashmatullah Shahidi was named the skipper.

The preliminary squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (Capt.), Ibrahim Zadran, Riaz Hassan, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ikram Alikhel (wk), Shahidullah Kamal, Gulbadin Naib, Afsar Zazai (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ziaurrahman Akbar, Shamsurrahman, Qais Ahmad, Zahir Khan, Nijat Masoud, Farid Ahmad Malik, Naveed Zadran, Khalil Ahmad and Yama Arab.

Bangladesh and Pakistan fined and docked points

Pakistan and Bangladesh have been fined and docked WTC points over slow over rates during the first Test in Rawalpindi, the ICC said on Monday. “Pakistan were found to be six overs short and lost six WTC points, while Bangladesh were docked three points after being found three overs short of the acceptable rate," the ICC said. Pakistan players were also fined 30% of their match fee and the Bangladesh cricketers 15%.

Pragathi takes the third spot on debut at Rallye des Vallees

Pragathi Gowda, driving a Renault Clio Rally 5 car, made a memorable international debut, finishing third at the Rallye des Valle 2024 in 23:51.8 at Remiremont, France, on Sunday. The 26-year-old Pragathi, along with French co-driver Gabriel Morales, not only blazed to the podium in her category and also finished 37th overall. “It was a challenging rally, but with each passing kilometre, I gained confidence,” said Pragathi.

Juventus signs Gonzalez from Fiorentina

Nicolas Gonzalez signed for Juventus from Fiorentina on Sunday in a deal worth a potential €38 million. Juventus said Gonzalez was signed on a season-long loan for €8 million with an obligation to buy for €25 million plus bonuses of €5 million “subject to achievement of sporting objectives”.

India loses to Bangladesh in SAAF u-20 semifinal

The Indian u-20 men’s football team lost 3-4 on penalties against Bangladesh after the regulation time ended 1-1 in the SAFF u-20 championship semifinal at Kathmandu on Monday. Bangladesh will meet Nepal in the final on Wednesday.

Jang Kun-Lee and the toll of being kabaddi’s evangelist in South Korea

Lavanya Lakshminarayanan

He returns to the Pro Kabaddi League after four years in the dark sidelines of the sport. Now a TV star back home too, Kun-Lee reveals why he still works to be a pioneer for the most unpopular of unpopular sports in Korea — kabaddi

Patna Piratessportstar

The romanticism that comes along with sport greatly glosses over just how heartbreaking and hopeless it can often be. Take Korean kabaddi, for example. For the systems and public of South Korea, kabaddi was among the least known team sports, something to follow at the quadrennial Asian Games and erratic World Cups and then quickly cast out of memory.

Over the last two Olympic cycles, powerhouses India and Iran have made leaps in their development of the sport. Meanwhile, there’s barely been a skeletal system to hold up kabaddi in this part of the world. The services of Indian coaches from the Sports Authority of India were enlisted to work on skill and technique over the past decade. Classes which initially began in car garages slowly moved to the judo hall of Busan University. The nation had around 100-odd registered players pursuing the sport at a given time. In the 2010s, that group of players saw the emergence of a young raider — Lee Jang-Kun.

Strong and agile, Lee made heads turn in the international events leading up to the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

“I played without knowing anything in the 2013 Asian Indoor Games. I just played with confidence and things worked out. This was the first time we won a medal (bronze) in Korean kabaddi history,” Lee told a Korean news channel a few years ago.

“Besides the Indian players, I think I was the best player then. When the game was done, the Indian players came to enquire who I was and get to know me,” he added.

This eventually culminated in a PKL contract, starting what would be a memorable journey with one of India’s oldest sports. He represented Bengal Warriors in the initial seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League.

Lee was a vital part of the Korean national side too, even going on to lead the team. The unit picked up a bronze in the 2014 Asiad.

The winds began to change from 2016. At the Kabaddi World Cup in Ahmedabad, South Korea stunned India with a 34-32 win in the tournament opener. Lee produced a terrific performance in the last two minutes to turn the game in his team’s favour.

Korea also handed India its first-ever loss at the Asian Games, beating the sport’s Goliath 24-23 in Jakarta in 2018. Korea would go on to win silver in the Indonesian capital. Iran took gold, while India had to settle with a place on the lowest step on the podium.

Lee has seen India’s kabaddi assembly line churn out generation after generation of talent. His burst in international kabaddi coincided with the tail end of the reign of legends like Anup Kumar and Rakesh Kumar. Lee was a Korea regular before Rahul Chaudhari and Pardeep Narwal became Team India staples and he is now witness to a new era of all rounders like Pawan Sehrawat and Aslam Inamdar ruling the roost.

Long before Korean pop influences like BTS took India by storm, it was the ‘Korean King,’ as Lee came to be called by his fans, who had the nation wrapped around his finger. The Iranians, the only foil to India’s dominance in the sport, were admired and feared even, but this son of Korean soil excelling in an indigenous sport of a country far from his own endeared him to the audiences here.

That frenzy grew when he moved to Patna Pirates in 2019 to turn out alongside homegrown superstar Pardeep Narwal. However, Lee has been missing in action in PKL since.

Despite being picked by the Pirates in the 2021 edition, he never made it to India.

Hurdles aplenty

“2019, 2020 - COVID became a big issue here in Korea and I got a bit scared to travel halfway across the world. So I decided not to go to India,” Lee told The Hinduin a video conversation .

COVID-19 tightened the noose around an already struggling sport and the irregularities in international competitions outside the Asian Games pushed it further down the priority list for the powers that be.

Players had to make a living picking up odd jobs on the side. The inability to travel to India meant Lee too gave up on a pay cheque worth millions and sought other ways to support himself and his family.

He dabbled in a bunch of side jobs including running deliveries, working as a bodyguard and a gym trainer. He also featured in a few TV shows in Korea including Physical 100 on Netflix and The Gentlemen’s League (also called Let’s Play Soccer).

Wherever he went, Lee was an object of interest. His sport was still alien to most participants and judges he met on shows but he used his platform to make a case for the game.

“People here got to know about me and kabaddi at the same time. I want to be a pioneer for the game in Korea,” he said on The Gentlemen’s League, a show where two former professional footballers, Ahn Jung-Hwan and Lee Dong Guk recruit star athletes from other sports to form a football team.

Football and Lee go a long way. As a child, his early ambitions were to make a name for himself in this sport. Kabaddi was yet to find him then. However, financial struggles nipped those dreams in the bud.

“Soccer costs a lot for camp, off season training and dormitory fees, but my early circumstances were quite difficult. My father's kidneys were bad and he underwent dialysis. So our money was entirely focused on the hospital bills and there wasn't much left for anything else,” he added.

Lee eventually became quite proficient in rowing, judo and martial arts. When he was preparing for a physical entrance exam, he discovered kabaddi. Initially, like most of his compatriots, the ‘silliness’ of a sport played in a far-away country on mud didn’t attract him, but a coach who saw him train asked him to give kabaddi another look.

Lee slowly emerged as the brightest in the bunch of prospective candidates to represent a national kabaddi team. Indian coaches like Ashan Kumar Sangwan, Jaivir Sharma and current technical director of PKL, E. Prasad Rao worked extensively with the nation in the lead up to the Incheon and Jakarta campaigns.

Rao, who played a pivotal role in setting up the Korean Kabaddi Association, bemoans just how much the seasons have changed for the sport in that part of the world.

“The former chief of the Korean Kabaddi Federation, Yoon Yeong Hak, was a very passionate man. He helped us with our efforts in training a generation of players,” Rao recalled.

Funding, however, was still far from where it needed to be.

“Kabaddi here is an unpopular event among unpopular events. When the team participated in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, we didn't receive any support. We didn't even have competition jerseys or award kits,” Lee narrated in his first appearance on The Gentlemen’s League.

One of the other participants, taken aback, pointed out that medals would not be handed out to nations unless the teams came in their official kit, a fact Lee corroborated.

“We couldn't attend the ceremonies at the Games because of this. But the players were confident of winning a medal at the edition and so we all pooled in money to be able to procure those team kits. The clothes we wore when we won those medals were bought with our money,” he remembered as he wiped tears away.

“When we beat India, we had so many reporters come to us and cover our stories. But, on the day of our final, these reporters came to us and said, ‘Sorry we can't attend this, the soccer final is on the same day as the kabaddi final.’ We had no one covering us when we played Iran.”

Those meteoric campaigns would have changed things, one would think. Sadly, no.

The COVID-19 pandemic made the situation worse. Slowly, the Korean presence in the sport’s only steady competitive entity- the Pro Kabaddi League - also waned.

A change in administration saw the game and some of its older players lose favour. Lee was missing from the Korean sides that participated in the Asian Kabaddi Championships in Busan, his hometown, and the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year. In Busan, he met the Indian team and his former coach, Ashan Kumar, as a spectator. The question persisted - “Why aren’t you playing, brother?”

Lee’s return to the PKL after four years, picked by his old team Pirates for ₹17.50 Lakh (Approximately 27.7 million South Korean won), champions of the sport hope, will give the sport a new lease of life in the nation. Hopefully, the ‘one step forward, three steps back’ cycle ends here.

Pioneer first, player second

Being the face of something has its pros and cons. While you become synonymous with the entity, it also takes away some of the simplest parts of the experience. Long before Lee became the Korean King, he was just a player who longed to keep upping the level of his game.

“When I first came to India, more than my career or any big picture stuff, I just wanted to play against competent players and learn from them. The league's best players were in the Indian team so it was a chance to analyse their game and figure out how to beat them,” Lee once told a local broadcaster.

“In Korea, there are no spectators. So it feels like we're playing by ourselves. In India, there are a lot of spectators who record the game and send it to me on Instagram. Or give me good fan art. They genuinely cared for me and I'll always remember that. I am someone who does better when I have people cheering me on so I've always been able to do better there.”

Weeks away from returning to kabaddi’s motherland, in a video conversation with Sportstar while running errands, Lee hopes his fans will give him another chance to win them over.

“In 2019, I was young. Now I am a bit older. But, I still have the same speed and skill. No problem there. I have been watching the seasons of PKL. In the 10th season, I saw that most raiders are really fast but not strong. Only Maninder (Singh) and Sachin (Tanwar) showed some brute strength. In season XI, I hope I can fill that gap. I have speed and strength both,” he said, days after the auction.

“Long time no see, India. I am very fit. Trust me to put on a good show for you.”

Table of Contents

The Hindu

National

At least 38 killed in 3 militant strikes in Balochistan province

Amid rising Statehood demands, Shah announces 5 new districts for Ladakh

Centre yet to list violation of ground rules by Kuki-Zo groups: KNO leader

BJP warns Kangana for comments on farmers’ agitation

Ploughing through

Fresh charges of harassment roil Kerala’s film industry

More allegations surface of sexual harassment in Kerala film industry

Bengal has not set up new courts for rape cases: Centre

Bengal police anticipate large-scale violence at march demanding Mamata’s resignation

Bail should not suffer due to one’s inability to find people to stand surety: SC

JNU to release data on caste-wise break-up of students in a few days

Rape threat against minor: rights body takes suo motu case

NMR portal registration leaves doctor confused

14 arrested for selling banned e-cigarettes, button knives in NCR

Protests force BJP to pare down J&K candidates’ list

Unified Pension Scheme brings the focus back to Old Pension Scheme in Punjab and Haryana

National Conference, Cong. announce seat-sharing deal for J&K Assembly poll

Rahul Gandhi says running Jammu and Kashmir from Delhi does not make sense

Veteran Congress leader and Nanded MP Vasantrao Chavan passes away at 70

POCSO court sends accused in Badlapur assault case to judicial custody for 14 days

Champai will join BJP on Friday, says Himanta

RJD MP slams Manoj Tiwari for his remark on Rahul

Rain lashes Gujarat, 3 dead as tractor-trolley swept away

Education Ministry defines ‘literacy’, ‘full literacy’ in push for adult literacy

Foreign rebels plan to use Mizoram as training ground, suspect agencies

14264

Modi, Biden discuss Ukraine situation, crisis in Bangladesh

Krishna, the ultimate guru

Bombay High

Assam govt should act against communal groups: AIUDF

Regional

The Phogat family dangal is likely headed towards a political bout in poll-bound Haryana

Chhattisgarh govt. to transfer betting app cases to CBI

Communal tension in Tripura over alleged defacement of idol, houses burnt and shops looted

‘Batenge to katenge’: U.P. CM invokes Bangladesh unrest; spreading fear, says Akhilesh

35-foot-tall Shivaji statue unveiled by PM last year collapses

25 Maoists, with bounty of ₹28 lakh, surrender in Bijapur

Yashwant Sinha likely to float party ahead of Jharkhand poll

HC imposes costs on T.N. govt. for appeals

Tension roils Bhilwara after ‘cow’s tail’ found near temple

Darshan case: 9 jail officials suspended; three cases filed

Beachgoers taken aback as sea recedes in Vizag

Modern-day Krishna

My father had always been a friend, philosopher, and guide: Kanimozhi

SIT may find it tough to collect legally acceptable evidence

Inmates flaunting proximity to actor exposed illegalities

Assamese girl refuses to return to parents in Kerala capital city

A.P. govt. identifies 10 focus areas for development

Cong. leaning towards BC leader as next TPCC chief

Walayar girls’ mother slams Kerala govt. for honouring SP

Gold fraud: Crime Branch in search of account holders

Science

Pragyan rover reveals signs of magma ocean on ancient moon

The DAILY QUIZ

SpaceX to test new tech in risky private spacewalk

Edit

The heavy shackles of fear and vigilance

Crime, health-worker safety and a self-examination

No more delays

Unending war

letters to the editor

A proper probe alone can ensure timely justice

Rethinking violence in healthcare

Reclaiming streets is not enough

Goods at Railway yards must be cleared in 7 days

Jaffna sympathy

On the unrest in the Balochistan region

The working behind some simple medical tools one sees in a doctor’s office

A quiz to celebrate the 116th birthday of Sir Donald Bradman

Know your English

Business

Jobless dole helps Karnataka youth, but falls short for many

‘PV stock: FADA may tell financiers to stop overfunding dealers’

New mining levies can raise consumer power bills: ICRA

BRICS: India may mull proposal on currencies if ‘non-binding’

New platform to transform lending soon, says Das

BHEL bags ₹11,000 cr. Adani power projects

New promoter draws Kothari revival plan

SEBI slaps notice on Paytm on ESOPs given to CEO Sharma

Ucal, Blaer sign pact on motor controllers

Sharma joins Raymond Lifestyle board

Dates changed but those with offer will join: Infosys CEO

Tata Sons said to have repaid ₹20,000 crore to avoid listing

Darkening global outlook, central bank pivots signal more turbulence

After war with yuan bears, China keen to avert sharp gains

Clean up act

‘100% pure N. Zealand’ dairy firm busted for using Indian butter

Railways eyes nuclear energy

Foreign

India should extradite Hasina: BNP leader

Colombo port welcomes Indian, Chinese warships

Judiciary vs Government

Moscow targets Kyiv’s power grid yet again in ‘vile’ attack

Japan scrambles jets after Chinese aircraft ‘violates’ its airspace

Scholz says knife attack was an act of terrorism directed at everyone

Pak. court acquits man held for fake info that caused riots in U.K.

Dozens missing in Sudan as dam collapses due to heavy rainfall

Flash floods caused due to heavy monsoon rains kill 22 in Thailand

Beijing and Manila have a run-in near disputed reef

Ending the war on Gaza would relieve Israel’s struggling economy, say experts

Frequent accidents could hit Nepal’s tourism sector amid economic woes

‘Great responsibility’

Sri Lankan Marxists pledge to welcome foreign capital

Media groups call on EU to suspend treaty with Israel

Australia gives millions of workers ‘right to disconnect’

Sports

Stay humble if you do well, or go back to the drawing board if you don’t

Manika-powered Smashers get the better of Paltan; Ankur shines again

Richter to meet Issarangkun in the summit clash

Ganguly continues to remain on top

Thiem’s Slam career ends with a loss

Allround West Indies outmuscles South Africa, seals T20I series

Women in Blue to begin WC campaign against NZ on Oct. 4

Healy excited about pace duo Brown and Vlaeminck

Olympic champion Ko ends eight-year Major drought

Atletico has it easy against Girona

‘We could have gone all the way in Paris’

Para athletes appreciate the ease of mobility, PCI’s support

Eriksson, former England coach, passes away aged 76

Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh play out enterprising draws

Rudransh gunning for glory

NEUFC romps past Shillong Lajong, reaches final

Hashmatullah named skipper, no Rashid in preliminary squad

Bangladesh and Pakistan fined and docked points

Pragathi takes the third spot on debut at Rallye des Vallees

Juventus signs Gonzalez from Fiorentina

India loses to Bangladesh in SAAF u-20 semifinal

Jang Kun-Lee and the toll of being kabaddi’s evangelist in South Korea