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- 5 Army soldierskilled in militant ambush in J&K

- SC says cancellation of NEET-UG 2024 is ‘extreme last resort’

- ADGP A. Arun appointed as Chennai Police Commissioner

- NHAI submits proposal for felling trees near Maduravoyal flyover for port expressway

- GCC identifies 40 low-lying areas for monsoon preparedness

- Metrowater labourers’ union demands permanent jobs

- Chennai Customs arrest man for smuggling over 400 baby iguanas

- Over 85 doctors from hospitals across Tamil Nadu honoured

- Improve amenities at Thideer Nagar: CPI(M)

- Airports Authority of India plans structural audit for Chennai airport

- First batch of women students enrol in courses at Nandanam Arts College

- Child undergoes procedure to treat fused skull bones

- IIT-Madras to offer certificate course in water quality

- Annual combined NCC training camp held

- Six men held for murder near Avadi

- Workshop on anaesthesia held at MMC

- T.N.’s Idol Wing CID seizes six antiques worth ₹22 crore

- HC seeks State govt.’s stand on rehabilitation of tea plantation workers at Manjolai

- 97-year-old freedom fighter receives pension arrears

- Consul-General of Japan in Chennai calls on CM Stalin

- Training programme held to help 213 sanitary workers

- Will talk to criminals in the language they understand, says new police commissioner

- Vengaivayal case: How long will you take to catch the culprits, HC asks CB-CID

- Campaigning for Vikravandi byelection draws to a close

- CM issues orders for farmers, potters to take silt, clay from waterbodies free of cost

- Govt. appoints panel to suggest State amendments to 3 new criminal laws

- Transferring police officers will not change law and order situation: EPS

- PMK complains of cash distribution to voters in Vikravandi

- Annamalai backs Mayawati’s demand for CBI investigation

- 'Probe those linked to Arudhra Gold’

- ADGP A. Arun posted as Greater Chennai City Police Commissioner

5 Army soldierskilled in militant ambush in J&K

Peerzada Ashiq

JAMMU

Five personnel injured as convoy comes under fire from two sides at Badnota in Kathua ; Army paratroopers airdropped to tighten cordon; this is the fourth terror incident in 48 hours in J&K

One of the Army vehicles that came under the fire of militants at Badnota village in Kathua on Monday. SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTSPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Five Army soldiers were killed and five injured in an ambush by militants in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday.

Following the attack, the Army engaged the attackers in a gunfight.

Preliminary reports said an Army patrol, comprising light and heavy vehicles, came under fire from two directions when the convoy reached Jenda Nallah in Badnota village, which is 124 km from Kathua town. The attackers also lobbed grenades on the convoy. The incident took place around 3.30 p.m. The vehicles were from the Army’s 9 Corps (Rising Star Corps).

The militants, whose number is not known, mounted the attack at a place that has a hill on one side and a steep slope on the other. Initial reports suggested the attackers came down from the hillside. One truck bore the brunt of the militants’ fire.

Reinforcements have been rushed to the site “to ensure the militants do not flee”. Paratroopers of the Army were airdropped near the encounter site to further tighten the cordon. The critically injured soldiers were shifted to a hospital in Kathua. A few were treated at a local health centre.

The attack came on the death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen ‘commander’ Burhan Wani, who was killed in an encounter on July 8, 2016, in south Kashmir.

The attack is also worrying as it coincided with the visit of Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi just four days ago.

Krishnadas Rajagopal

NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court on Monday said the cancellation of the undergraduate National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2024 in its entirety was an “extreme last resort” as it affected the lives of over 23 lakh students who wrote the exam for medical admissions.

However, Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud concluded that the fact that questions were leaked, and the sanctity of the exam was compromised was “beyond question”.

“One thing is very clear, the leak has taken place. The fact that the sanctity of the exam is compromised is beyond question. Now how wide is the leak? We have to determine the nature of the leak… Before we order a retest, we have to know the extent of the leak. We do not live in an ideal world where there is no leak. But a retest affects the lives of 23 lakh students. The cancellation of the NEET-UG exam is the extreme last resort. It would be done only if we have no other go... If we cannot separate the wheat from the chaff, retest would have to be directed,” Chief Justice Chandrachud observed in court.

ADGP A. Arun appointed as Chennai Police Commissioner

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI

The State government on Monday posted Additional Director-General of Police (Law & Order) A. Arun as the Commissioner of Police, Chennai, replacing Director-General of Police Sandeep Rai Rathore who has been posted as DGP, Police Training College, Chennai.

He will hold additional charge as Director, TN Police Academy. Mr. Arun, earlier served as Additional Commissioner of Police, North, Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic, in Chennai Police.

The transfer comes in the wake of criticism over the law and order situation in the State following the murder of Bahujan Samaj Party Tamil Nadu president K. Armstrong.

NHAI submits proposal for felling trees near Maduravoyal flyover for port expressway

Geetha Srimathi

Chennai

T.D. Babu, trustee of non-governmental organisation Nizhal, and member of the District Green Committee, asks why a dense green cover was created in an area where further development was anticipated. The Forest Department has to stop undertaking pay-and-remove-trees activities, he says

Facing the axe: The trees near the Chennai bypass were planted by the Forest Department with funds from the National Highways Authority of India under the Green Highways Policy, 2015. M. VEDHAN M. VEDHAN

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has submitted a proposal to the Chennai District Green Committee to cut down nearly 2,200 trees near the Maduravoyal flyover for the Chennai Port-Maduravoyal Elevated Expressway Project.

The young, dense trees were planted by the Forest Department with funds from the NHAI, which identified the stretch along the Chennai bypass for afforestation at an outlay of ₹6.64 crore, under the Green Highways Policy, 2015, of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

In a memorandum of understanding signed by the NHAI and Forest Department in 2018, it was specified that the former may resume developmental or widening activities on the land even before the end of the contractual maintenance period, and the NHAI can harvest the trees.

This prompts the question of why dense green cover was created in the area, given that a widening project was anticipated, says T.D. Babu, trustee of environmental non-government organisation Nizhal, and a member of the District Green Committee.

“In such a case, the Forest Department should have gone for planting shrubs instead of trees. The NHAI should not have allowed the planting of trees in large numbers, especially within the ramp area. The technically sound Forest Department should not have created the dense green cover,” he says.

Meeting on July 10

V.A. Saravanan, District Forest Officer, says the proposal is still under the consideration of the District Green Committee and a final decision has not been taken. “The NHAI is ready to provide funds for the trees in a 1:10 ratio. If the Committee approves, they will pay the Forest Department,” he says. A site inspection was recently done, and the proposal will be discussed in an upcoming meeting on July 10.

Mr. Babu says the Forest Department has to stop undertaking pay-and-remove-trees activities.

“Agencies that remove trees must take full responsibility in creating compensatory greening with maintenance. Only then will they realise the difficulties in creating green spaces. This will make them cautious while making decisions in removing trees in their future projects,” he adds.

GCC identifies 40 low-lying areas for monsoon preparedness

The Hindu Bureau

Chennai

Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Commissioner J. Radhakrishnan on Monday announced a comprehensive plan to manage the challenges posed by intense rain during the monsoon in the city.

He said the city had been experiencing high rainfall in short bursts — Sholinganallur received 12.5 cm of rain within one to two hours and north Chennai recorded 9 cm during the same period in June. Despite heavy rain, all subways in the city have remained operational, he pointed out. Rainwater is being efficiently drained into the four major outflow routes: the Kosasthalaiyar, Cooum, and Adyar, and the Kovalam basin. However, certain low-lying areas faced temporary waterlogging during the rain, Mr. Radhakrishnan said.

To address these issues, the GCC has identified 40 low-lying areas through disaster management initiatives. Water accumulating in these areas is being promptly pumped out using motor pumps, he told the press. “Additionally, various ongoing projects by other departments within the GCC’s areas contribute to waterlogging and slushy roads. Task forces have been established to address and remove water accumulation swiftly,” he added. The expanded areas of the city, such as Perungudi, Pallikaranai, and Madipakkam, face significant challenges due to ongoing civil work. These include drinking water and sewage projects and storm-water drains.

The GCC’s Public Health Department is also holding medical camps in several areas to address health issues, Mr. Radhakrishnan said. “With the high incidence of dengue in Karnataka, the GCC has taken proactive measures to intensify mosquito control activities in areas where there is water stagnation,” he said.

The fourth case of amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare brain infection caused by a free-living amoeba — Naegleria fowleri — found in contaminated waters, has been reported from Kerala. Regarding this, Mr. Radhakrishnan said preventive measures, as recommended by the Directorate Of Public Health And Preventive Medicine, would be taken.

Metrowater labour union submits plea demanding permanent jobs

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI

The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage (CMWSSB) Board Labourers’ Union has recently submitted a 11-point charter of demands to the CMWSSB and Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department.

The Union has demanded that contract workers employed for over three years be provided permanent jobs. Some of them have been waiting for nearly 15 years.

Old pension scheme

G. Beem Rao, the union’s president and former Maduravoyal MLA, said the State government should allow labourers to switch to the old pension scheme and stop private participation in the operation and maintenance of Metrowater facilities. The water agency must provide direct employment to workers. The government must form a separate department to protect and maintain waterbodies from further degradation to ensure water resilience in the city, he said.

The water agency should ensure that all field workers engaged in sewer maintenance work are provided with safety gear and take steps to eliminate manual scavenging, Mr. Rao said.

Man arrested for smuggling over 400 iguanas at airport

The Chennai Customs arrested a person who tried to smuggle an exotic wildlife species at the airport. Ateeq Ahmed, a passenger who arrived from Bangkok on July 5, was intercepted based on an intelligence input, a press release said. On opening the cartons he had with him, they found 402 baby iguanas. Of them, 67 were already dead. Doki Adimallaih, Wildlife Inspector, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), examined the iguanas. The iguana carcasses were incinerated with the help of the Blue Cross on July 6. The live iguanas were seized and deported to Bangkok. Investigation on to trace others involved in the case.

Over 85 doctors from various hospitals in T.N. honoured

Over 85 doctors from hospitals in the State were honoured during the Doctors’ Day celebrations held recently. Apoorva, Principal Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, participated. Krish Suthanthiran, president, Team Best Group of Companies, and founder, Best Cure Foundation, and Vijay G. Prabhakar, a physician from the U.S., were also present. The Best Cure Foundation, T.N. Agricultural University, and GSA Global Foundation signed an MoU for a free cancer screening unit, a press release said.

Improve amenities at Thideer Nagar: CPI(M)

The Hindu Bureau

Chennai

The CPI(M) petitioned Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) Commissioner J. Radhakrishnan on Monday, demanding improved amenities in the housing board complex at Thideer Nagar in Purasawalkam. They asked the GCC to ensure every household had piped water and sewer connections and public toilets were maintained properly.

Airports Authority of India plans structural audit for Chennai airport

Sunitha Sekar

CHENNAI

A team from IIT-Madras will carry out the study, which will examine the infrastructure on the premises . In the last week of June, one person died and six persons were injured when a canopy fell on them at the international airport in Delhi

Twin purpose: At the Chennai airport, canopies have been raised outside the terminals to not only enhance its look but also to provide shelter to waiting passengers. File photo B. VELANKANNI RAJ

Following the recent canopy collapses at airports in Delhi and Rajkot, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to carry out a structural audit at Chennai airport. In the last week of June, one person died and six persons were injured in a canopy collapse amid heavy downpour at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. The next day, a canopy collapsed at the Rajkot airport too.

According to AAI officials, several airports across the country, including the one in Chennai, will be subjected to a structural audit soon.

“We have been directed to do an audit due to the incident in New Delhi. This has been planned as a precautionary measure to ensure that passengers are safe. The study is likely to go on for about 15-20 days,” an official said.

At the airport here, the audit will begin in a few days, with a team of engineering experts from the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) carrying it out, another official said.

Canopies have been raised outside the terminals at the city airport to not only enhance its look but also to provide shelter to waiting passengers.

The audit will examine all infrastructure at the airport and determine whether any structures need strengthening. This report will be submitted to the AAI, after which it will take necessary actions, he added.

“When the old domestic terminals had issues of glass panels breaking, an extensive study was carried out. The faults were rectified. We no longer have those problems in both domestic terminals and the newly constructed international terminal. Even during the recent Cyclone Michaung, there was no damage to the airport infrastructure,” the official said.

The AAI plans to do periodic inspections and audits of the airport infrastructure in the future, officials said. “It is not clear whether these will be half-yearly or annual audits, We will get to know once the first audit is completed,” a source said.

First batch of women students enrol in courses at Nandanam Arts College

R. Sujatha

CHENNAI

Jothi Venkateswaran, principal, Nandanam Arts College, speaking at the counselling session on Monday. R. RAGU R. RAGU

The first batch of women students were admitted to undergraduate programmes at the Nandanam Arts College on Monday. The government had declared it a co-educational institution recently.

On Monday, around 200 women students from various parts of the State were invited for counselling, said Jothi Venkateswaran, principal, Nandanam Arts College, said.

E. Oviya, who chose B.Sc in plant biology and biotechnology, said she was fulfilling her father’s wish. The national-level volleyball player hailed from Santhavaasal village in Tiruvannamalai district. K. Sharumathi, who studied at a government school in Cheyyar in Tiruvannamalai, has enrolled in the B.Com course. “I am a first-generation learner. My uncle chose the college,” she said.

V. Yamuna, who has been admitted to the B.Com course, said: “There is a college in Kundrathur but the teaching quality is better here. I want to study chartered accountancy. If I studied here, I could go to a coaching class in T. Nagar.”

The college offers 16 undergraduate and 13 postgraduate courses. It has 4,251 students and 160 teachers. Mr. Jothi Venkateswaran said that in the first round of counselling, six women had been admitted. Women students would be admitted only in the first shift currently. “We have been admitting women in postgraduate programmes since 2003-04. There are women pursuing part-time Ph.Ds as well,” he said.

Each class will have at least 10 women students. The sanctioned student strength is 1,192. In the first phase 2,336 women have applied, and in the second phase, 641 applications were received, he said. The decision to admit women helped fill the vacancies arising from male students who could not join despite being given admission.

“Once we admit them, they have to take the receipt to the welfare hostel. The hostels are run by the Welfare Department, which takes two months to admit them. This uncertainty forces students to leave. Every year, we get around 300 vacancies because of this,” Mr. Jothi Venkateswaran said.

Child undergoes procedure to treat fused skull bones

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI

Doctors of SIMS Hospital addressing mediapersons at an event held in Vadapalani. B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

A three-year-old girl from Madhavaram recently underwent a procedure to treat Pfeiffer syndrome. This condition results in premature fusion of skull bones, preventing brain development. Doctors of SIMS Hospital in Vadapalani opened the fused parts to enable brain growth.

The surgeons said Pfeiffer syndrome occurred in one in one lakh children. When the bones fuse before the brain develops fully, it puts pressure on brain tissues, which descend into the spinal canal. Such children present difficulty in performing daily tasks. Parents often seek treatment very late, doctors said.

Normally, brain development is fast in the first two years of a child’s life and slows down by the age of 20. Often, parents seek medical treatment only when the child is aged three or four, doctors said.

Neurosurgeons at the hospital used an advanced minimally invasive method called posterior cranial vault distraction to expand the posterior part of the skull and create room for the brain to develop. “This method reduces complications and the risk of relapse by preventing a full separation of the skull from the brain,” said Suresh Veeramani, senior consultant, Institute of Craniofacial Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery at the hospital.

The procedure relieves the pressure on the brain and helps it to develop. Patients with such conditions often present with headaches and bulging eyes. The child will later undergo a cosmetic plastic surgery as well.

IIT-Madras to offer certificate course in water quality

The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras has partnered with Tel Aviv University, Israel, and KMCH-Research Foundation, Coimbatore, to offer a course in water quality in hybrid mode. The aim is to make students water-literate. The last date to register for the four-month course in hybrid mode is July 20. Students will build water quality map of India and the world and in the process will be trained to become water quality professionals, according to a institute statement. The course will be offered through NPTEL online platform and is ideal for final-year science and engineering students and anyone with a technical background, interested in water quality. Students will be given a detailed introduction to fundamental aspects of water quality, alongside practical tests and surveys. They will receive a certificate on completion, which may be credited as part of their degree programme through their institution. Registration began on June 29 and interested candidates may register at https://bit.ly/3zgpkMy.

Annual combined NCC training camp conducted

CHENNAI

CHENNAI: The 1(TN) Medical Unit NCC conducted the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Combined Annual Training Camp between June 27 and July 6 at St. Joseph’s College of Engineering in Chennai. Over 350 students from 15 institutions participated in the programme, in which cadets participated in a variety of instructional sessions and activities. The training programme covered essential skills such as firing, drills, health and hygiene, field craft, battle craft, and map reading exercises. In addition, several special events were organised to widen cadets’ knowledge and their community engagement. These events included road safety and traffic awareness, tree plantation, waste management, and fire safety.

Six men held for murder near Avadi

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI

The Avadi police on Monday arrested six persons for allegedly murdering a youth over a monetary dispute following a drunken brawl near Avadi.

On Monday, the police personnel were informed that a body had been discovered at a house in Nandavanam Mettur, near Avadi. The police recovered it and identified the victim as Kaja Moideen, 26. They also determined that the house belonged to S. Karthikeyan, 23, an autorickshaw driver, and interrogated him.

Karthikeyan admitted that Kaja Moideen had been staying with him for the last 10 days, and they had a monetary dispute.

When Kaja Moideen threatened to kill Karthikeyan, the latter called his friends to the house. Following a drunken brawl, they murdered Kaja Moideen with knives.

Workshop on anaesthesia held at MMC

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI

The Institute of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Madras Medical College (MMC), held a continuing medical education (CME) workshop on the recent advances in anaesthesiology for postgraduates. A handbook for anaesthesiology residents was also released on the occasion.

A press release said a workshop on airway management was held for 300 participants from various medical colleges. They had access to various airway equipment. They also had simulation training. The quarterly anaesthesiology newsletter was also published. MMC dean E. Theranirajan, A. Chandrasekaran, director, Institute of Anaesthesiology, and professors M. Vellingiri and D. Sudhakaran participated.

T.N.’s Idol Wing CID seizes six antiquities worth ₹22 crore

R. Sivaraman

Chennai

Police said those carrying the idols claimed they had found them during the construction of a house in Mayiladuthurai five years ago; police are now trying to find out the origin of the idols

The six idols that were seized in Thanjavur district recently. Special Arrangement Special Arrangement

The Idol Wing CID of the Tamil Nadu police has seized six antique idols worth an estimated ₹22 crorefrom illegal dealers in Thanjavur district.

Director-General of Police, Idol Wing CID, Shailesh Kumar Yadav told The Hindu, “An investigation is being carried out to find out which temples these idols originated from, to trace the ownership of idols and the involvement of other culprits, if any.”

Following the receipt of information on the smuggling of idols to foreign countries, 13 teams were formed, headed by range inspectors, to conduct searches in various locations of the State.

The special team in Tiruchi succeeded in intercepting a car at the bus stop near Periyar Samathuvapuram in Thanjavur on the Thanjavur-Tiruchi National Highway on the evening of July 6. On searching the vehicle, police uncovered gunny bags and found metal idols of Hindu deities: Tripuranthakar, Veenadhara Dakshinamurthy, Krishna Rajamannar, and three others of Amman/Devi.

The car driver was identified as G. Rajesh Kannan, 42, ofKonganapuram, Salem, and his accomplices as V. Laxmanan, 64, of Korukkai village, Mayiladuthurai district and his son in law S. Thirumurugan, 39.

Police said that during an interrogation, Laxmanan admitted that while diggingat Korukkai village, Mayiladuthurai five years ago for the construction of a house, heunearthed six idols at the site. He did not inform government authorities, and hid them in his house and passed on the information to Rajesh Kannan, who subsequently came to Korukkai village, along with Tirumurugan, and saw the idols. The three conspired to sell these antique idols at the right time to a buyer abroad for a good price, said police.

Recently, after Rajesh Kannan reportedly found a buyer, he and Thirumurugan went to Laxmanan’s house and all six idols were loaded in the car. The trio was proceeding to Chennai via Tiruchi to sell the idols when they were caught.

HC seeks State govt.’s stand on rehabilitation of tea plantation workers at Manjolai

The Hindu Bureau

Madurai

The court was hearing a batch of PIL petitions filed by Puthiya Tamilagam leader K. Krishnasamy and workers. ASHOK R

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday sought the State government’s stand on rehabilitation of Manjolai tea plantation workers. The court observed the status quo ordered earlier would continue.

A Division Bench of Justices R. Suresh Kumar and G. Arul Murugan directed the State to file a detailed report.

The court was hearing a batch of public interest litigation petitions filed by tea plantation workers and Puthiya Tamilagam leader K. Krishnasamy. Earlier, the court heard the petitions filed by P. Amutha and A. John Kennedy. Both were tea plantation workers at Manjolai tea estate. Two more petitions were filed by E. Rosemary and Dr. Krishnasamy.

Ms. Amutha sought a direction to the authorities to frame a scheme for the rehabilitation of the families of Manjolai tea plantation workers, grant free house site pattas and construct houses for the families on special consideration. She also sought a direction to the authorities to provide employment to the family members and provide free higher education to the children.

Mr. Kennedy said the Tamil Nadu Tea Plantation Corporation (TANTEA) has created plantations in Coonoor, Kotagiri, Gudalur and Valparai to rehabilitate the Tamils who migrated from Sri Lanka. Representations had been made to the authorities urging the State to take Manjolai and other nearby estates under the control of TANTEA and safeguard the livelihood of the workers, he said.

Ms. Rosemary sought a direction to the State government to take over the tea estate under TANTEA, and provide four hectares of land to the workers. Dr. Krishnasamy sought the cancellation of the voluntary retirement scheme offered by Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation to the workers as a one-time settlement.

The company told the court that 25% of the amount under the voluntary retirement scheme was deposited and the remaining 75% would be deposited in a week. However, the counsel for the petitioners submitted that the applications were made not voluntarily but under compulsion.

The workers have been living in Manjolai for at least four generations and their livelihood would be affected if they were vacated. The court posted the matter to July 22.

97-year-old freedom fighter gets pension arrears from 2008 to 2021

Mohamed Imranullah S.

Chennai

The Madras High Court on Monday closed contempt proceedings initiated against the Additional Secretary, Public (political pension) department after the officer credited the pension arrears, from 2008 to 2021, in the bank account of a 97-year-old freedom fighter.

Justice Anita Sumanth recorded the submission of Additional Advocate General P. Kumaresan that a Government Order was issued this weekend sanctioning the arrears and that the amount was credited to the freedom fighter M. Velu’s bank account on Monday afternoon.

Since Mr. Velu’s counsel V. Nandagopalan also confirmed the receipt of the amount, the judge disposed of the contempt of court petition.

She had, last week, issued a non-bailable warrant against the Additional Secretary and directed the Greater Chennai Commissioner of Police to execute it.

Thereafter, when the matter was listed before the judge on Monday morning, the AAG submitted that the Additional Secretary was present in the court and that a G.O. had also been issued sanctioning the payment of the entire pension arrears due to the freedom fighter.

The AAG told the court that the amount would get credited in the petitioner’s bank account within a day or two. However, the judge refused to grant an adjournment and insisted that the money should be credited on the same day and a compliance report should be filed by 4 p.m.

Accordingly, when the matter was taken up in the forenoon session, the judge was informed of the money having been credited in the petitioner’s account.

Mani, a former member of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose led Indian National Army, had filed a writ petition in 2021 stating that the State government had granted freedom fighter’s pension to him only from that year though he had been making repeated applications since 1987.

Consul-General of Japan in Chennai calls on CM Stalin

Consul-General of Japan in Chennai Takahashi Muneo called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the Secretariat on Monday. Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena and senior officials and representatives of the Consulate General of Japan in Chennai were present on the occasion.

Training programme held to help 213 sanitary workers

A training programme for 213 sanitary workers, who were encouraged to turn into entrepreneurs, was organised at Chennai Metrowater’s training centre, Kilpauk on Monday. The programme was aimed at training the workers to handle sewer cleaning machines, vehicles and help maintain sewer network in the city and urban local bodies in the city’s periphery, including Avadi, Tambaram and Sriperumbudur. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department and Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI).

Will talk to criminals in the language they understand, says new police commissioner

R. Sivaraman

CHENNAI

A. Arun says he will focus on issues such as law and order, crime prevention, traffic bottlenecks, controlling rowdyism , and preventing corrupt practices in the police and kangaroo courts. He says Chennai is not new to him, and he has served in various positions in the city police earlier

A. Arun hinted at stern action to curb the rowdy menace. R. Ragu RAGU R

Senior IPS officer and Additional Director-General of Police (ADGP) A. Arun, who took charge as Greater Chennai City Police Commissioner on Monday, said that he will talk to criminals in the language they understand, hinting at stern action to curb the rowdy menace.

Sandeep Rai Rathore, an officer in the rank of Director-General of Police (DGP), was transferred from the post of City Police Commissioner following criticism from political parties over the failure of the police in preventing the murder of BSP State president K. Armstrong.

Mr. Arun, a 1998-batch IPS officer, was earlier holding the post of ADGP, Law and Order. He took charge as City Police Commissioner in the presence of Additional Commissioners at the Commissionerate in Vepery on Monday.

Addressing the media, Mr. Arun said that Chennai was not new to him, and that he had served in various positions in the city police earlier. Listing his priorities, he said that he will focus on issues such as law and order, crime prevention, traffic bottlenecks, controlling rowdyism, and preventing corrupt practices in the police and ‘katta panchayat’ (kangaroo court).

“If you say that law and order has deteriorated, there should be some basis for that. There should be specific statistics. Time and again, crime continues to occur, and we are engaged continuously in preventing it. Only based on statistics can anyone say that crime has increased. As per statistics, be it in Chennai or Tamil Nadu, murders were very few in 2022 and 2023. Anybody can see those statistics,” he said.

He said that he will take action if it turned out that no action had been taken on any specific threat to the life of Armstrong prior to his murder. He declined to comment on the BSP’s demand for a CBI probe.

Mr. Arun was promoted as ADGP in 2022. He served as Superintendent of Police of Karur, Kanniyakumari and Tiruppur. He was also Deputy Commissioner of Police of Anna Nagar and St. Thomas Mount; Joint Commissioner of Police, South; Joint Commissioner of Police, Traffic; Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic; and Additional Commissioner of Police, North, in the Greater Chennai City Police. He also served as Commissioner of Police of Tiruchi and Avadi.

Vengaivayal case: How long will you take to catch the culprits, HC asks CB-CID

Mohamed Imranullah S.

CHENNAI

The overhead water tank in Vengaivayal where human faeces was found.

The Madras High Court on Monday asked the Crime Branch-Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) why it was unable to catch the culprits even 18 months after human faeces was found in an overhead tank that supplied drinking water to Scheduled Caste residents of Vengaivayal village in Pudukottai district.

Acting Chief Justice R. Mahadevan raised the question while presiding over the first Division Bench along with Justice Mohammed Shaffiq to hear a couple of public interest litigation petitions that sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incident.

Additional Advocate-General J. Ravindran and Additional Public Prosecutor R. Muniyapparaj told the court that the police had narrowed it down to three suspects and issued notices to them under Section 41A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which mandates that police officers summon suspects for an inquiry before arresting them without a warrant.

Hopeful of achieving a breakthrough in the case within two weeks, the law officers urged the court to grant them a fortnight’s time to report progress. They also informed the judges that their predecessors had appointed a one-man inquiry commission, headed by retired High Court judge M. Sathyanarayanan, to conduct an inquiry, and the latter had filed only an interim report so far.

“The interim report has already been placed before this court. The final report is awaited,” the AAG said, and requested that the CB-CID be granted more time. The Division Bench accepted the request and adjourned the PIL petitions by two weeks, with a rider that the investigating agency should not keep seeking further adjournments without reporting substantial progress.

Campaigning for Vikravandi byelection draws to a close

The Hindu Bureau

VILLUPURAM

Poll pitch: Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin campaigning for DMK candidate Anniyur Siva on Monday. S.S. KUMAR

The curtains came down on the month-long campaign in the Vikravandi Assembly constituency in Villupuram district on Monday, ahead of the byelection on July 10. Key leaders of the DMK, PMK and NTK went on a whirlwind tour of the constituency, trading barbs, charges and counter-charges.

The DMK deputed a battery of Ministers, MLAs and MPs to the constituency, while the PMK tried its best to engage all alliance leaders of the NDA in the campaign.

The DMK’s campaign was centred on the implementation of welfare schemes over the last three years, while the PMK focused on the alleged failures of the DMK on the law and order front, especially the hooch tragedy, and its delay in providing 10.5% internal reservation for Vanniyars and conducting a caste census.

While the DMK’s campaign was led by Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, the PMK’s campaign was led by its founder S. Ramadoss and his son and party president Anbumani Ramadoss.

Mr. Udhayanidhi campaigned for the second day from Thumbur and visited Nemur and Radhapuram before ending his campaign in Vikravandi. He appealed to the voters to ensure the victory of the DMK candidate by a margin of 1 lakh votes to continue the good work done by former MLA N. Pugazhenthi.

Canvassing votes for PMK candidate C. Anbumani at Soorapattu, party president Anbumani Ramadoss asked voters “not to waste their vote on the DMK” as the party lacked a roadmap for the development of the State.

The NTK’s Seeman held rallies at Orathur and Vikravandi, campaigning for party candidate Abinaya.

CM issues orders for farmers, potters to take silt, clay from waterbodies free of cost

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin distributing orders for free collection of silt and clay, at the Secretariat in Chennai on Monday. Special Arrangement

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Monday launched the distribution of permission letters to farmers and potters to take clay and silt free of cost from waterbodies under the control of various departments.

As the storage capacity of the waterbodies in the State has considerably reduced due to silting over a period of time, allowing farmers and potters to take silt from these waterbodies free of cost is expected to help in the restoration of the waterbodies.

Last month, the Natural Resources Department issued orders to simplify the process by delegating the powers vested with the Collectors to the Tahsildars of the jurisdictions concerned to grant a longer period, i.e., 30 days, for the removal of clay and silt.

Minister for Water Resources, Duraimurugan, Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena and senior officials were present during the event held at the Secretariat in Chennai.

Govt. appoints panel to suggest State amendments to 3 new criminal laws

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI

The Tamil Nadu government has decided to appoint a one-man committee under retired Madras High Court judge K. Sathyanarayanan to examine the three new criminal laws and suggest State amendments to them.

The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the Secretariat in Chennai on Monday.

The committee would examine, among other things, the “change in nomenclature" of the new laws at the State level, and submit its recommendations to the State government, an official press release said.

The committee would also hold consultations with various stakeholders, including lawyers’ associations, and submit its recommendations to the government within a month.

Minister Duraimurugan, Advocate-General P.S. Raman, Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena, Director-General of Police Shankar Jiwal and senior officials were present during the meeting.

The new criminal laws, replacing the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Evidence Act, were enacted by Parliament and came into force from July 1.

However, in June, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister wrote to the Union Home Minister requesting him to keep these laws in abeyance till the States’ concerns were addressed.

Last week, various associations of lawyers called on the Chief Minister and requested him to urge the Union government not to implement the new criminal laws, flagging various concerns.

They also held demonstrations against the new laws in various parts of the State.

Transferring police officers will not change law and order situation: EPS

The Hindu Bureau

Salem

Former Chief Minister and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Monday said that transferring IPS officers would not bring about a change in the law and order situation in the State.

The Leader of the Opposition made the remark against the backdrop of the transfer of Greater Chennai Commissioner of Police Sandeep Rai Rathore in the wake of BSP State president K. Armstrong’s murder in Chennai.

Addressing the media in Salem, Mr. Palaniswami pointed out that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin held the charge of the Police Department.

“Due to a poor administrator ruling the State, the police are not able to act freely,” he alleged. Hence, the drug menace was rampant in Tamil Nadu, there were murders every day, and “local thugs roamed freely”, he alleged.

There was no protection for women, children, the general public or leaders of political parties, Mr. Palaniswami said.

As for BSP leader Mayawati’s demand for a CBI inquiry into Armstrong’s murder, Mr. Palaniswami said that the killing of the leader of a national party was well planned, and therefore, Ms. Mayawati was demanding a CBI investigation.

Meanwhile, Tamil Maanila Congress (Moopanar) president G.K. Vasan alleged that law and order had deteriorated over the past three years of the DMK regime.

In a statement, he alleged that the cadre of the DMK, AIADMK, PMK, Congress and other parties had been murdered; government officials had been attacked and threatened; and such incidents had become a common occurrence.

PMK complains of cash distribution to voters in Vikravandi

The Hindu Bureau

VILLUPURAM

The PMK on Monday submitted a complaint to Vikravandi Returning Officer M. Chandrasekhar alleging distribution of cash to voters by the ruling DMK ahead of the byelection.

PMK spokesperson K. Balu alleged that the DMK had been distributing cash to voters for the past few days. Though complaints were submitted to the Returning Officer a week ago, no action was taken, he said.

The DMK had distributed ₹1,000 per vote to all voters in the constituency, totalling ₹23 crore in the first phase, he claimed.

However, the Returning Officer said that he had not received any such information so far.

Mr Balu alleged that Ministers and elected representatives of the ruling party had started distributing the second instalment of ₹1,000 to voters, fearing a defeat in the byelection. Cash to the tune of over ₹50 crore had been distributed to voters, he alleged

The PMK alleged that the DMK transported residents from villages across the constituency and confined them at various places during Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development Udhayanidhi Stalin’s visit to Vikravandi on Sunday. They were given ₹500 per vote, he alleged.

The DMK candidate’s election expenses had exceeded ₹5 crore, breaching the limits set by the Election Commission of India. The DMK candidate should be disqualified and the election may also be countermanded as the process had been seriously vitiated, Mr. Balu said.

Annamalai backs Mayawati’s demand for CBI investigation

BJP State president K. Annamalai on Monday backed BSP leader Mayawati’s demand that the Tamil Nadu government hand over to the CBI the probe into the murder of her party’s Tamil Nadu unit president K. Armstrong. Addressing the media after meeting the family members of the deceased, he said that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin should take responsibility and hand over the case to the CBI to ensure a transparent investigation. He said that senior party leaders, including Union Minister of State L. Murugan, would meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah and seek a CBI investigation into Armstrong’s murder.

'Probe those linked to Arudhra Gold’

The Hindu Bureau

Chennai

TNCC president K. Selvaperunthagai on Monday said that the killers of Tamil Nadu BSP president K. Armstrong should be arrested.

When asked about one of the accused having allegedly been photographed with a senior DMK leader, he said that the person in question was not in the DMK.

“When I was at the funeral, everybody was talking about the company Arudhra Gold (it is alleged that Armstrong’s murder was connected to history-sheeters who had links with Arudhra Gold, which had gone bust after collecting deposits)...and why, despite being named in the first information report, they (those linked to the company) were inducted into the BJP,” he claimed.

He said that the police should investigate from various angles, including the Arudhra Gold link.

ADGP A. Arun posted as Greater Chennai City Police Commissioner

ADGP, Headquarters, S. Davidson Devasirvatham was transferred and posted as ADGP (Law & Order). Soon after the DMK returned to power in May 2021, Mr. Devasirvatham was posted as Chief of Intelligence. Later, he was posted as ADGP, Headquarters.

Awaiting posting

The State government is yet to give a posting to DGP-rank officer Rajeev Kumar, who was heading the Police Training College, and Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal, the ADGP who was transferred from the Crime and Enforcement Bureau in the aftermath of the Kallakurichi spurious liquor tragedy.

National

- A.P. would be different place had YSR been alive: Rahul

- Railway Board’s pitch for European system put off Kavach rollout

- CID files chargesheet in Neha murder case

- Trouble over ‘permitting’ liquor at a political event

- Ahead of talks with Putin, PM says will ‘back’ peace in region

- Mahua flags ‘beef passes’ by Union Minister; routine affair, says BSF

- Main accused in Mumbai car crash elusive; police issue look-out notice

- Campaigning concludes for tomorrow’s Assembly bypolls in 13 constituencies

- Cancellation of NEET-UG will be last resort: SC

- Will PM take up cause of Indians stuck in war: Cong.

- Cannot force accused to share Google Map pin: SC

- NEET-UG probe: CBI arrests one in Maharashtra

- ‘Modi govt. a disaster for J&K security situation’

- 4 Army soldiers killed in militant ambush in J&K

- ‘Congress is strong in all Assembly segments in Haryana, can form government on its own’

- Listen to people of Manipur, Rahul tells PM after visiting State

- Hemant wins trust vote, inducts 11 Ministers into Jharkhand Cabinet

- Firing reported near Jiribam district, two persons arrested

- EC allows Sharad Pawar’s party to accept donations from public

- ED moves SC against grant of bail to Jharkhand CM

- Downpour from Sunday snaps lifelines of Mumbai

- Hurdles in importing diamonds pose a quantum block to research ambition

- Centre set to tweak criteria for according classical language status

- 14222

- Films should not misrepresent people with disabilities: SC

- Wise and virtuous men

- Murmu urges citizens to take proactive measures for nature

- Flogging survivor complains against CPI(M), BJP leaders

A.P. would be different place had YSR been alive: Rahul

The Hindu Bureau

VIJAYAWADA/Hyderabad

The LoP in LS pays tribute to former CM on his 75th birth anniversary and calls him a leader of masses; he says Y.S. Sharmila will take forward her father’s legacy; Sonia calls him a true patriot

Honouring leader: A. Revanth Reddy visits an exhibition on Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in Hyderabad. Special Arrangement

Paying tributes to Andhra Pradesh’s former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR) on the occasion of his 75th birth anniversary on Monday, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, called him a true leader of the masses who lived for the people, adding his death was a tragedy.

In a message on ‘X’, Mr. Rahul said he was absolutely certain that if Rajasekhara Reddy was alive, Andhra Pradesh would have been a completely different place and “it would not be facing the tragedies and difficulties it is going through today”.

He stated that he got to know YSR’s daughter Y.S. Sharmila (A.P. Congress Committee chief) well and exuded confidence that she would take forward her father’s legacy.

Mr. Gandhi said he personally learnt a lot from Mr. Rajasekhara Reddy and that his Bharat Jodo Yatra from Kanniyakumari to Kashmir was inspired by Mr. Reddy’s Praja Prasthanam Padayatra.

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi said in a message that Rajasekhara Reddy was a towering leader for whom she had the highest regard, “both as a fine human being and a valued colleague”. She called him a true patriot who served the country.

‘Rejoin party’

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka urged the former Congress leaders, who have left the party for various reasons, to return to the party to strengthen the Indiramma Rajyam.

Mr. Vikramarka first made this appeal while participating in the 75th birth anniversary celebrations of Rajashekhar Reddy at Gandhi Bhavan on Monday. Mr. Reddy said he approved Mr. Bhatti’s appeal and asked the Congressmen to return to the party.

V. Geetanath

HYDERABAD

Safety first: The Kavach Version 3.2 has so far been implemented in about 1,465 km of the South Central Railway. File PhotoARRANGEMENT

The slow roll-out across the Indian Railways of Kavach, the indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), was due to the Railway Board’s decision to opt for the expensive European Train Control System (ETCS), sources said. The COVID-19 pandemic put a brake on this move subsequently, senior officials in the Railways said.

They said the Kavach system, despite being extensively tested during trial runs under various conditions, including on automatic signalling routes, and having obtained the highest Safety Integrity Level (SIL)-4 in 2017-18 itself, was not allowed to be deployed quickly for reasons that were not explained. The original design team was sidelined after the decision to opt for ETCS, the sources said.

The Kavach Version 3.2 has so far been implemented in about 1,465 km of the South Central Railway, covering 133 stations, 29 level crossing gates, and 150 locomotives.

The latest Kavach Version 4 is currently under testing and deployment over 3,000 km in the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata sections.

The system was conceived by the Indian Railways’ own Lucknow-based Research Design and Standards Organisation, after the Anil Kakodkar Committee of 2012 recommended an “advanced radio based signalling system similar to level ETCS ‘level 2’ for the entire trunk route length of 19,000 km within five years”.

The proposed new system was to provide safety and enhance existing line capacity, based on which it was decided ETCS-2 or equivalent was preferable. Kavach was originally cleared for field concept trials back in 2012, and field trials for the development of the “full-fledged SIL 4 compliant multi-vendor interoperable version” started in 2013 between the Tandur-Kurgunta section in Karnataka for 32 km. This was later followed by extended trials up to 265 km in Sulehalli in the Wadi-Vikarabad-Sanatnagar-Bidar section.

CID files chargesheet in Neha murder case

The Hindu Bureau

Hubballi

The Karnataka CID, which is probing the Neha Hiremath murder case, filed a chargesheet in a local court here on Monday.

Neha, an MCA student, was stabbed to death by her classmate, Fayaz, on the campus of a college in Hubballi on April 18. He was arrested on the same day. The case was subsequently handed over to the CID. The chargesheet was filed at a Hubballi court.

Niranjan Hiremath, Neha’s father, expressed confidence that he would soon get justice in the case. “According to my information the chargesheet has been filed and I have applied for a copy of it. After getting the copy I will be able to know if more arrests have been made and other details of the case,” he said.

Row over allowing liquor at public rally

The Hindu Bureau

Bengaluru

Officials of the Karnataka Excise and Home Departments are in the dock for “allowing” liquor to be served to people attending a public rally on Sunday to celebrate BJP leader K. Sudhakar being elected as Chickballapur MP in the recently concluded polls.

A video of trucks carrying liquor cartons and people in long queues to collect the bottles in the presence of the police has gone viral on social media.

Senior police officials said permission was denied for serving liquor at the programme.

However, the organisers went ahead with the programme after obtaining a temporary CL4 license from the excise officials concerned, sources confirmed.

Ahead of talks with Putin, PM says will ‘back’ peace in region

Suhasini Haidar

MOSCOW

The PM’s message will be that the solution to Russia-Ukraine war will not be ‘found on the battlefield’; several agreements are expected at 22nd India-Russia Summit; issue of Indians ‘misled’ into joining the Russian military to be at top of wish list

Warm welcome: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin during an informal meeting at Novo-Ogarevo state residence, outside Moscow, on Monday.AP

The solution to the Russia-Ukraine war will not be “found on the battlefield” is the message Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to deliver, even as he and Russian President Vladimir Putin meet on Tuesday for structured talks and the 22nd annual bilateral summit. The two leaders met on Monday night for a personal dinner hosted by Mr. Putin at his Dacha in the Moscow suburb of Novo-Ogaryovo to set the tone for the visit, embracing each other and discussing Mr. Modi’s return to office for a third term. In formal talks on Tuesday, economic issues and the issue of discharge of Indians “misled” into joining the Russian military on the Ukraine warfront will be at the top of India’s agenda.

Mr. Modi arrived in Moscow on Monday, and was received at the Vnukovo-II VIP airport by Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, indicating the importance of his visit.

It will be the first time the leaders will hold the annual summit in three years, and it is Mr. Modi’s first bilateral visit abroad after re-assuming office in June.

“We expect economic issues to be the driver of the agenda,” a government source said here, explaining that two years of the Russia-Ukraine conflict have led to many geo-economic changes that the two leaders would have to “take stock” of. “It is clear that no solution can be found to the conflict on the battlefield — and this is also the view of the global south. Both parties must be on the table to find a solution through dialogue and diplomacy,” the source said, about the stance Mr. Modi is expected to take. While officials have dismissed comparisons on the timing of the summit, it will take place even as NATO leaders gather in Washington for a special summit where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Asian countries backing western sanctions against Russia are invited.

In a departure statement before leaving for Moscow, Mr. Modi had said that he looked forward to a full review of bilateral ties and perspectives on global and regional issues with his “friend President Vladimir Putin”. “We seek to play a supportive role for a peaceful and stable region,” Mr. Modi added, indicating that India may not mediate, but remains ready to support the key stakeholders in resolving their issues.

According to sources, India and Russia will sign “several” documents at the end of the talks on Tuesday, including a comprehensive joint statement, a vision statement, the future course on energy and trade, cooperation on investments in Russia’s Far East and a number of MoUs. The two sides are also discussing India’s desire to open new consulates in Russia, the sources said. The two sides are expected to announce an agreement on facilitating trade, while officials are hopeful they will see more predictable long-term commitments on the issue of energy supplies from Russia.

On the military front, no new agreements are expected to be announced.

Signing enabling MoUs to take forward the 2019 agreements on cooperation in Russia’s Far East, that were inked during the 20th Annual Summit in Vladivostok is expected to be a priority as well

Mr. Modi will begin the day on Tuesday with an address to the Indian community.

Mahua flags ‘beef passes’ by Union Minister; routine affair, says BSF

Vijaita Singh

NEW DELHI

Border Security Force personnel patrol through a paddy field near the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal. File photOPTI

After Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra alleged on Monday that Union Minister Shantanu Thakur issued passes to “smugglers” along the Bangladesh border to transport “beef”, Border Security Force (BSF) officials said public representatives were authorised to endorse such passes for local residents, and consumption of beef was not illegal in West Bengal.

Ms. Moitra shared on X an image of a letter issued by Mr. Thakur on July 2 requesting the BSF company commander to allow a person named Jiyarul Gazi, a resident of Hakimpur, to transport 3 kg of beef.

“After Union Minister has printed forms on official letterhead to @BSF_India 85BN issuing “passes” for smugglers on Indo-Bangla border. In this case for allowing 3 kgs of Beef. Hello @HMOIndia, Gau Rakshak Senas, Godi Media,” she posted on X.

A senior BSF official said public representatives, including panchayat and ward members and councillors, routinely issued such passes and trade permits for residents of Hakimpur and Tarali, located ahead of the BSF check post but on Indian territory. “As the BSF is deployed to stop cattle smuggling along the Bangladesh border, to regulate the movement of such items and not to cause inconvenience to the locals, a system was devised about two decades ago where local representatives could issue such letters,” the official said.

The official said eight Trinamool councillors at Hakimpur in the Swarupnagar area of North 24 Parganas, which Ms. Moitra mentioned in her post, issue 80 such passes every day, requesting the BSF to let the residents carry beef. The area falls in the Bongaon Lok Sabha constituency, which is represented by Mr. Thakur.

“The passes are issued so that a person who has purchased beef or any other item from the market and is going home is not inconvenienced as the BSF guards the border gates. Every time they cross, the residents are frisked and a record of the items they are carrying is made,” the official said.

Another official added that the matter was challenged in the Calcutta High Court in 2013 but the court ruled in the BSF’s favour.

The court, while dismissing a petition in Habil Hossain Gazi and Another versus the Union of India and Others, ruled on December 18, 2013, “in the interest of protecting the borders and the security and integrity of the country, the BSF has the mandate to impose reasonable restrictions at or around the border area. The restrictions that have been imposed pertain only to the trade in the two border villages of Hakimpur and Tarali to ensure that cross-border smuggling is arrested”.

Main accused in Mumbai car crash elusive; police issue look-out notice

The Hindu Bureau

Mumbai

Rajesh Shah, father of the main accused, leaves after appearing before a court in Mumbai.

A day after a woman was killed in a hit-and-run incident here, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday directed the City Police Commissioner to crack down on drunk driving, and asked the civic body to act against establishments that violate regulations on serving alcohol.

A luxury car driven allegedly by Mihir Shah, 24, son of Rajesh Shah, Shinde-led Shiv Sena’s deputy leader in Palghar district, hit a two-wheeler, killing Kaveri Nakhawa and injuring her husband, Pradeep Nakhawa, in Worli.

“I am deeply alarmed by the rise in hit-and-run incidents in Maharashtra. It is intolerable that the influential misuse their status to manipulate the system. Such miscarriages of justice will not be tolerated by my Government,” Mr. Shinde posted on X.

After the car hit the two-wheeler, the rider fell on the road but the deceased woman landed on the car’s bonnet. The vehicle dragged her for a distance and then drove off. Mr. Mihir and his driver Rajrishi Bidawat abandoned the car a few kilometres away and fled.

The police have issued a look-out circular and formed six teams to trace Mr. Mihir. Mr. Bidawat and Mr. Rajesh were arrested by the Worli police for allegedly assisting the accused to flee. The Sena leader owns the car. The police have registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

“There is a possibility of Mihir Shah fleeing India, hence, we have issued an LOC against him,” a senior police officer said. While Mr. Rajesh was remanded in judicial custody for 14 days and later granted bail, Mr. Bidawat has been sent to police custody.

The accident has taken a political turn with the Opposition targeting the ruling Mahayuti alliance.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said, “The egos of ruling party leaders have become big. They think they can do anything and get away. Law and order has deteriorated. Police and administration are not in a frame of mind to work. Had they [accused] feared the law, these incidents [Mumbai car incident] would not have happened after the Pune case.”

Campaigning concludes for tomorrow’s Assembly bypolls in 13 constituencies

The Hindu Bureau

New Delhi

Campaigning ended on Monday for the Assembly byelections to be held on Wednesday in 13 constituencies across seven States — Bihar, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh.

The byelections will be keenly watched, especially in Himachal Pradesh, where polling will be held for the Dehra, Hamirpur, and Nalagarh seats, vacated by Independent MLAs who joined the BJP.

Though the Congress has crossed the majority mark of 35 seats in the Assembly by winning four of the six seats in the byelections held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha election, the BJP is hoping for a windfall in these three.

In Dehra, Kamlesh Thakur, the Congress candidate and wife of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, is contesting against the BJP’s Hoshiyar Singh, one of the three Independents who switched sides from the Congress.

The Vikravandi Assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu saw key leaders of the DMK, the PMK and the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) hit the campaign trail trading barbs, charges and counter-charges.

The DMK campaign mainly centred on the implementation of welfare schemes over the past three years, while the PMK focused on the failures of the DMK on the law and order front, especially the recent hooch tragedy, and its delay in conducting a caste-wise census in the State.

In West Bengal, bypolls were necessitated in three of the four seats after the BJP MLAs switched sides to the Trinamool Congress. It remains to be seen whether the BJP is able to retain the Raiganj, Ranaghat Dakshin and Bagda seats.

The fourth seat, Maniktala, fell vacant with the death of Trinamool MLA Sadhan Pande. His wife, Supti Pande has been fielded by the Trinamool.

In Punjab, the Jalandhar West Assembly seat fell vacant after Sheetal Angural resigned as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator and joined the BJP.

In Bihar’s Rupauli, Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan, alias Pappu Yadav, announced “full support” to RJD candidate Bima Bharti whom he had defeated in the Lok Sabha election.

Counting will take place on July 13.

The three-judge Bench, also comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, chastised the Union government and the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the exam, to come out of the “self-denial” and aid the court in finding out the extent of the leak.

Chief Justice Chandrachud said it was vital to know the nature and extent of the leak to decide if the NEET-UG 2024, held on May 5, ought to be cancelled. The court is examining if there is any possibility of segregating the wrongdoers to spare students the trauma of a re-test.

‘Systemic fraud’

But petitioners who are seeking a re-test, represented by advocates Mathew Nedumpara and Charu Mathur, argued that the credibility of the exam was lost. They said it was not possible to bifurcate the frauds from the innocents. The fraud was conducted at a systemic level.

Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, for the Centre, said the leaks were an instance of local malpractice. He countered the “unprecedented” phenomenon of 67 candidates scoring perfect 720/720, saying the top 100 candidates were distributed among 95 sectors, in 56 cities spread out in 18 States and Union Territories. The NTA argued that the NEET syllabus in 2024 was comparatively easier than the previous four years when there was a total of only seven perfect scorers.

The Chief Justice said the law on whether re-test was needed or not was based on settled principles of law. “On the basis of the data on record placed before it, a court has to see if the breach is systemic; whether it has affected the integrity of the entire exam process; whether it is possible to segregate the beneficiaries from the untainted students. In case segregation is not possible, it would be necessary to order re-examination. On the other hand, if the breach is confined to specific centres, it may not be appropriate to order a re-examination, especially when it involves over 23 lakh students,” the CJI explained.

The Supreme Court demanded the NTA make a “full disclosure”. It said the time had come for the Centre and the NTA to use whatever technology, common sense and knowledge of law to identify the wrongdoers.

The court ordered the NTA to file a reply before Thursday, the next date of hearing, on pointed questions from the Bench, including when and where the leaks were noticed first; the manner in which the questions were leaked and disseminated; the duration between the conduct of the leak and actual conduct of the exam on May 5; the steps taken so far to identify the beneficiaries of the leak; the modalities followed to identify these candidates.

Will PM take up cause of Indians stuck in war: Cong.

The Hindu Bureau

New Delhi

The Congress on Monday asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi would take up with Russian President Vladimir Putin the issue of Indian nationals fighting for the Russian Army.

In a social media post, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh posed a series of questions to the Prime Minister on the safety of Indian nationals and bilateral trade relations.

“At least two individuals have already been confirmed as fatalities of the war. Many others have been ‘duped’ into fighting a war where they have no stake, aside from a chance to escape the poverty and unemployment crisis that the non-biological Prime Minister has perpetuated domestically. Will the non-biological Prime Minister take up the cause of these youth? Will he ensure their safe return to India as soon as possible?” he asked.

“Is a rectification of trade imbalance on the agenda for the Prime Minister’s talks with President Putin? What is his vision to improve the trade balance between the two countries?” he asked.

Cannot force accused to share Google Map pin: SC

The Hindu Bureau

NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court on Monday held that requiring an accused to share his or her Google location pin with the investigating officer to facilitate tracking of movement is a violation of the right to privacy.

A Bench of Justices A.S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan said a condition for bail should not defeat the very purpose of grant of bail. “There cannot be a bail condition defeating the purpose of bail. We have said Google PIN cannot be a condition. The police cannot peep into the private life of an accused on bail,” the court observed.

The verdict came in an appeal filed by Frank Vitus, who is an accused in a drugs case, challenging a Delhi High Court order of 2022, mandating him to share his Google Map location with the probe officer as a condition for his bail.

NEET-UG probe: CBI arrests one in Maharashtra

Press Trust of India

New Delhi

The CBI has arrested a person in connection with alleged “manipulation” in the NEET-UG examination in Latur in Mahrashtra, taking the total number of arrests by the agency to nine, officials said.

The accused identified as G. Nanjunethappa was took into the custody by CBI in connection with the Latur case, which was earlier probed by the Maharashtra Police, they said.

It is alleged that two government school teachers in Latur had demanded over ₹5 lakh from NEET-UG aspirants to ensure their success in the examination, they said.

‘Modi govt. a disaster for J&K security situation’

The Hindu Bureau

New Delhi

Condoling the death of five soldiers in a terrorist attack in the Kathua region of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the Narendra Modi government is a “disaster” for the security situation in Jammu & Kashmir.

Mr. Kharge added that the security situation is on a downward spiral. “We unequivocally condemn this cowardly terror attack on the Army in the strongest possible terms. This is the fifth terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir in a month,” he said in a post on X.

5 Army soldiers killed in militant ambush in J&K

General Dwivedi was also briefed by the Rising Star Corps, which is in charge of Kathua.

It’s the fourth militancy-related incident in the past 48 hours in J&K. Six militants and two soldiers were killed in south Kashmir on July 6 and 7 in two separate encounters. One soldier was injured in an attack in Rajouri on Saturday morning. Earlier, two militants and a CRPF jawan were killed and six security personnel were injured in twin encounters on June 11 and 12. Three non-local militants were killed in Doda on June 27. Nine pilgrims were also killed on June 9 in an ambush by terrorists.

‘Congress is strong in all Assembly segments in Haryana, can form government on its own’

Sobhana K. Nair

Party leader says there is a high level of anti-incumbency against the BJP government in the State ; AAP does not have any ground presence in State, and the alliance with it for the Lok Sabha polls was part of a national-level understanding

The Haryana Assembly election is three months away. The Congress is going into this election riding high on the Lok Sabha poll results. Deepender Hooda, senior party leader in the State and MP, speaks on lessons from the Lok Sabha election and the expectations ahead of the Assembly election. Excerpts:

The Congress won five of the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana. Will this trend hold till the Assembly election, a few months from now?

People of Haryana have spoken loudly and unequivocally that change is coming. There are a few important takeaways from the Lok Sabha polls. We got a 47.6% vote share, which is the highest that the Congress got since 1984 in the State. If we were to project the Lok Sabha results onto the Assembly seats, we led in 46 Assembly segments. This is a huge leap from the 2019 results when a similar extrapolation showed the Congress leading merely in 10 Assembly seats. Another significant trend is that we led in all 10 Lok Sabha seats. Even in the seats we lost, our vote share has gone up and the BJP’s vote share has dipped across the State irrespective of the caste or class profile of the seat. This clearly illustrates that there is a high level of anti-incumbency against the BJP-led State government. This will manifest itself in three months down the line and the Congress will form the government with a thumping majority.

You fought the Lok Sabha polls in alliance with the AAP, but there are indications that you will be going solo in the Assembly polls. Why?

The AAP does not have any ground presence in Haryana. Our alliance for the Lok Sabha seat was part of our national understanding. The Kurukshetra seat was given to them as part of the bargain where the AAP conceded three seats in Delhi and the Chandigarh Lok Sabha constituency. In retrospect, there is a growing sentiment in the party that had the Congress retained the Kurukshetra seat, we could have won it. The Congress is strong enough in all 90 Assembly segments and we are capable of forming a government with a decisive majority of our own.

What will be the key focus of the Congress campaign?

The double engine government has failed the people of Haryana. In the past, we have recorded the highest growth rate. In contrast, today, we top the charts in terms of unemployment, inflation and crime. They [Haryana government] have failed to fulfil the aspirations of our people and derailed the Haryana story.

(For full interview, go to:

bit.ly/deependerhooda)

Listen to people of Manipur, Rahul tells PM after visiting State

The Hindu Bureau

GUWAHATI

He meets displaced Kuki-Zo, Meitei people at relief camps ; Cong. leader expresses disappointment with the lack of progress in the peace process

Ground zero: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his visit to a relief camp in Churachandpur district of Manipur on Monday. PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Manipur to understand the ground situation.

He underscored the need for the Prime Minister to listen to the people of Manipur, after he met the displaced Kuki-Zo and Meitei people at relief camps across the State.

“It is important that the Prime Minister comes here, try and understand what is going on here. After all, Manipur is a proud State of the Indian Union,” he told presspersons in Manipur’s capital Imphal.

“…I request him to take one or two days of his time and just come and listen to the people. It will comfort them,” he said.

Mr. Gandhi said he was disappointed that the situation in Manipur had not improved as he expected, after more than a year of violence. “I came to listen to the people, build confidence in them, and try to put pressure on the government so that it acts,” he said.

“The need of the hour is peace. Violence is hurting everybody. Thousands of families were harmed, properties destroyed, and family members killed. I have never seen anywhere in India what is going on here. The State is completely split in two,” he said.

“I want to tell all the people of Manipur that I came here as your brother, as somebody who wants to help you, work with you to bring back peace. I am ready to do whatever I can. Congress is ready to do whatever it can to bring back peace,” he said.

He said he met Governor Anusuiya Uikey to express his disappointment with the lack of progress in the peace process.

“My intention is not to politicise this issue further. I understand Manipur is in pain and it needs to get out of the suffering as soon as possible,” he said.

Mr. Gandhi met Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi and Security Adviser Kuldiep Singh. He was accompanied by former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, State Congress president Keisham Meghachandra, and other party leaders.

Mr. Gandhi visited relief camps in Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts of central Manipur and Jiribam district bordering Cachar district of Assam.

He later travelled to a flood-relief camp in the Dholai area of Cachar in Assam.

Hemant wins trust vote, inducts 11 Ministers into Jharkhand Cabinet

The Hindu Bureau

PATNA

Fresh start: Jharkhand Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan being greeted by Chief Minister Hemant Soren in Ranchi on Monday. PTI

Eleven Ministers were inducted into the Cabinet of Chief Minister Hemant Soren soon after he won the floor test in the Jharkhand Assembly with 45 votes on Monday.

Six of the Minister are from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), four from the Congress and one from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan administered the Oath of Office and Secrecy to them.

The JMM Ministers are Champai Soren, Baidyanath Ram, Deepak Biruwa, Mithilesh Kumar Thakur, Hafizul Hasan and Baby Devi, whereas the Congress Ministers are Rameshwar Oraon, Banna Gupta, Irfan Ansari and Deepika Pandey Singh.

RJD MLA Satyanand Bhokta has been inducted into the Cabinet. Mr. Irfan Ansari and Ms. Deepika Pandey Singh are first-time Ministers.

Mr. Irfan Ansari’s name was making the rounds from the Congress ever since Alamgir Alam was sent to jail in a commission scam. Badal Patralekh of the Congress has been dropped from the Cabinet.

With an eye on the Assembly election due later, Mr. Soren has given a strong message by dropping his younger brother Basant Soren, who was earlier part of the Cabinet. He has also not given a Cabinet post to his wife, Kalpana Murmu Soren, a first-time MLA.

The Cabinet has a balanced representation, including tribal persons, Muslims and Other Backward Classes (OBC).

Earlier, the Hemant Soren government won the trust vote on the floor of the Assembly. Forty-five JMM-led alliance legislators voted for the motion and there were zero votes against the Motion after the Opposition walked out and did not take part in the voting.

Ahead of Congress leader’s visit, firing reported in Jiribam

The Hindu Bureau

New Delhi

Hours before Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi reached Manipur’s Jiribam district, firing was reported near Phaitol village along the boundary of Jiribam and Tamenglong districts.

Security forces responded to the firing and apprehended two individuals. They seized a cache of locally made arms, ammunition and explosives in the combing operations.

Following the firing early on Monday, tensions began escalating in the district once again, with security sources saying miscreants tried to torch three thatched houses of Kuki-Zo people near Phaitol and one house belonging to a person from the Meitei community at Lalpani, 6 km south of Jiribam town. The houses were occupied, the police said.

Following the firing, security forces arrested two Kuki-Zo residents of Phaitol, Lunjakap and Kaplal, who local people identified as village volunteers. The forces faced a blockade by women of the village who protested against the arrests, showed videos circulating on social media. The forces faced another blockade by Meitei women, who insisted on checking their vehicles. Security sources said the attempts were dealt with swiftly, without using force.

Police officials told The Hindu that the firing was reported around 3 a.m. near a police outpost close to Phaitol village, which was undergoing repair and construction work following an attack in the previous weeks. “First, there was a report of a fire at the location of this police outpost. When the Manipur Police reached the spot with fire tenders, the police party was fired upon from the hilltop across the road,” one of them said.

M. Pradip Singh, Superintendent of Police, Jiribam, told The Hindu, “The firing came from the direction of adjoining Tamenglong district. The Manipur Police returned the fire and a successful operation was soon conducted with Assam Rifles and the CRPF together, following which two individuals with arms were apprehended. These two individuals have been arrested by the Tamenglong police.”

The police said no injuries were reported in the firing.

EC allows Sharad Pawar’s party to accept donations from public

The Hindu Bureau

New Delhi

The Election Commission has accepted a request by the Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) to allow it to accept voluntary contributions from the public in view of the Assembly election in Maharashtra.

The Sharad Pawar-led party had requested the commission to issue a communication or certificate recording the status of the party for the purpose of accepting voluntary contributions.

The EC, in its communication to the party on Monday, authorised it “to accept any amount of contribution voluntarily offered to it by any person or company other than a government company” in compliance with Sections 29 B and 29 C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which govern the contribution to all parties. An eight-member delegation of the NCP-SP led by its working president Supriya Sule met the commission earlier here.

The NCP split in July last year after Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs joined the Eknath Shinde government. The EC gave the party name and ‘clock’ symbol to the Ajit faction, while the Sharad group was allotted the symbol of ‘man blowing turha’.

ED moves SC against grant of bail to Jharkhand CM

The Hindu Bureau

NEW DELHI

The Enforcement Directorate appealed the Supreme Court on Monday against grant of bail to Chief Minister Hemant Soren by the Jharkhand High Court in money laundering charges linked to a land scam.

It argued the High Court decision was erroneous and challenged its finding that there was no prima facie evidence that Mr. Soren was guilty under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Earlier, opposing interim bail sought by Mr. Soren in the apex court, the ED had claimed he was guilty of the offence of money laundering for which he was arrested in January.

Downpour from Sunday snaps lifelines of Mumbai

The Hindu Bureau

MUMBAI

Rail tracks and roads under water ; 50 flights cancelled; holiday declared for schools; CM says highest priority being accorded to helping citizens in distress, all systems are on a 24-hour alert

Maximum trouble: A waterlogged road at Kings Circle in Mumbai on Monday.

The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Mumbai after the financial capital received between 267 mm and 300 mm of rainfall in a heavy downpour from Sunday night.

The rain disrupted life, with severe waterlogging on important routes and low-lying areas leading to traffic jams across the city. Many railway tracks were submerged and train services disrupted. Some 50 flights had been cancelled till 11 a.m. on Monday.

“Heavy rain in some low-lying areas led to waterlogging and disruption of suburban train services. Heavy rain is also expected today (Monday),” the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said in a statement. Andheri, Kurla, Bhandup, Kings Circle, Vile Parle and Dadar are facing significant water accumulation. Vehicles could be seen drifting in rainwater, and pedestrians were wading through knee-deep water on the streets.

At 8.35 a.m., a National Disaster Response Force team rescued two girls following a landslip at the Vikhroli Park site.

Highest priority was being accorded to helping citizens, and all systems were on a 24-hour alert, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said.

Mr. Shinde held a meeting with multiple agencies, including the State Disaster Control Cell, the BMC, and the railway administration, to review the situation. Teams at the district level were working in coordination to resolve issues, he said.

“About 5,000 places in Mumbai are being monitored from the BMC control room. A flood gate is being installed at the Mithi river so that seawater will not enter the city during high tide. Accumulated water is being pumped into the river. Pumping stations have been set up at seven places in Mumbai,” Mr. Shinde said.

The Railways and the BMC have installed pumps to drain the accumulated water in and around the city. “For the first time in the country, an experiment like micro-tunnelling is being used to help in drainage,” Mr. Shinde said.

All schools and colleges in the city will remain shut on Tuesday. The civic authorities have appealed to the citizens not to panic during an emergency and contact the Disaster Management Cell of the BMC on 1916.

Hurdles in importing diamonds pose a quantum block to research ambition

Jacob Koshy

NEW DELHI

Unlike gemoloigists, quantum researchers focus on the ‘defects’ of the diamonds. Getty Images/iStockphoto

The Customs Department’s decision on who can and cannot import diamonds is taking some of the lustre off the National Quantum Mission (NQM), a ₹6,000-crore initiative, which may help India take the lead in the emerging field of quantum technologies.

Quantum technology is a broad term applicable to multiple avenues of research. It hinges on being able to exploit the “quantum-mechanical” properties of matter inside the atom and develop entirely new kinds of computers, sensors and encryption systems that, proponents say, will make our existing devices primitive in comparison.

However, this also means that much knowledge on harnessing quantum technology is still being unearthed and requires trained scientists conducting intricate experiments on many things, including diamonds.

While gemologists may be concerned with the cut, clarity, colour and carats of diamonds, quantum researchers are interested in their “defects”. It is the unique arrangement of carbon atoms in a diamond which gives it the properties of hardness, electrical conductivity and manipulation of light. However, the atomic structure of some diamonds sometimes have two missing carbon atoms. They are substituted by a nitrogen atom as well as a “hole” or what is called a “nitrogen-vacancy” centre.

These “centres’ are sensitive to the slightest variations in magnetic fields and thereby open vistas of investigation. An electron at such a centre can be individually tweaked and made to behave like a qubit. Qubits — analogous to the bits and bytes of classical computers — are the logic states of quantum computers and in theory allow calculations, beyond the capacity of existing supercomputers, to be done in a trice.

Researchers can also use lasers at room temperatures to manipulate these centres. However, unlike the diamonds in jewellery shops, scientists prefer their diamonds grown in a lab, customised with the ‘defects’ of their choice.

In the Union Budget 2023, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a scheme to promote research and development of lab-grown diamonds. India, despite being a formidable industry in cutting and polishing diamonds, has only just begun manufacturing them. Indian diamantaires are not yet equipped to make diamonds with quantum-research-ready “defects”. And this is a problem for scientists.

The Science and Technology Ministry has announced plans to make quantum computers of 50 to 1,000 qubits by the decade-end. But, quantum computers globally are far from being useful devices because maintaining electrons — like in the ‘defect diamonds’ — in their qubit like states is a daunting challenge.

Centre set to tweak criteria for according classical language status

Sreeparna Chakrabarty

New Delhi

Amid demand for classical status for many languages, the Union government has decided to tweak the criteria for giving the special tag.

The Linguistics Expert Committee of the Culture Ministry submitted a report on October 10 last year, suggesting changes, sources in the Ministry told The Hindu.

The sources said the Centre had asked the panel to reconsider the rules. The issue was taken up first at a meeting on June 21, 2023. A Gazette notification of the new criteria will be issued after Cabinet approval.

This, in effect, means that classical language status for certain languages, chiefly Marathi, which is under consideration of the government, may have to wait for the notification.

Over the years, some States and literary circles have been demanding classical status for languages such as Marathi, Bengali, Assamese and Maithili.

In 2014, then Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan constituted a committee of Marathi language experts chaired by Ranganath Pathare, and the report was submitted to the Centre. The Pathare committee had concluded that Marathi fulfils all parameters to be recognised as a classical language.

Mr. Chavan had written to then Culture Minister Shripad Naik requesting that the demand be met.

The issue has been raised time and again by MPs from Maharashtra in Parliament, and the Centre has given assurances at least three times in the past 10 years that Marathi was being considered. Then Union Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy informed Parliament in February 2022 that “the proposal for according classical status to Marathi was under the active consideration of the Ministry of Culture”.

Once a language is notified as a classical language, the Education Ministry helps promote it, which includes instituting two major annual international awards for scholars of eminence in the language. Apart from this, a centre of excellence for studies in the language is set up, and the University Grants Commission is requested to create a certain number of Professional Chairs in Central universities.

With Assembly election due in Maharashtra in October, the demand in support of Marathi has gained momentum. Recently, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posted on X: “For the last ten years, the demand for declaring Marathi as a classical language has been pending with the Modi Sarkar”.

The Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra too upped the game by forming a “persuasion” committee, led by former diplomat Dnyaneshwar Muley, four months ago. The mandate of this committee is to liaison and pursue the matter with Union government officials.

Lakhshmikant Deshmukh, a committee member, told The Hindu: “Maharashtra is a rich State. We do not need any funds for the promotion of the language. It is just a matter of pride for us.”

(set by Incognito)

1 of 4

2 of 4

3 of 4

4 of 4 Scan to play

Across

8 Note with Bird and Bird (4)

9 Mali's organised religion (5)

10 Assist that guy having record (4)

11 Reduces height for dangerous manoeuvres (6)

12 Praise, "European Union record is followed by commencement of exhibition" (8)

13 Shame girl in damaged side-car (8)

15 Top criminal from London rides important animal (6)

17 6 taking possession of model weapon (7)

19 Stuck poster at this place at start of day (7)

22 Charlie's bird is cowardly (6)

24 Rude claim to be famous poet having large sex appeal (8)

26 Perhaps, Central American hound ran excitedly (8)

28 Copper gets scarce poison (6)

30 Perhaps, Tom returned with love for a tortilla with filling (4)

31 Support for painter from Chelsea selector (5)

32 Orient seat wrongly (4)

Down

1 Left right in vessel (4)

2 Tall gin served around the beginning of the hour from dusk till dawn, perhaps (3-5)

3 Yes, this in Spain is a brief nap (6)

4 Claims limb is put into drinks (7)

5 Burst inwards throwing mild dope (8)

6 Japanese ruler shot endlessly with firearm (6)

7 Animal found in whelk shells (4)

14 Choir performed "Blood of the Gods" (5)

16 Throw out head of crew in English type of aircraft (5)

18 Shattered even urns? Disturbs mental peace! (8)

20 Blows up generals on tour (8)

21 Fifty-one on ship surrounding one female animal (7)

23 Animated media by operating system (6)

25 Select the French condiment (6)

27 Perhaps Sharif, First Officer stands on top of central part of submarine (4)

29 Gunners with special tool (4)

Films should not misrepresent people with disabilities: SC

Krishnadas Rajagopal

NEW DELHI

The Supreme Court on Monday held that creative freedom did not include the liberty to lampoon, stereotype, misrepresent or disparage persons with disabilities in films and visual media.

“If the overall message of the work infringes the rights of persons with disabilities, it is not protected speech. However, in appropriate cases, if stereotypical/disparaging portrayal is justified by the overall message of the film, the filmmaker’s right to retain such portrayal will have to be balanced against the fundamental and statutory rights of those portrayed,” the Bench, headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, said in a judgment.

The verdict was based on a petition filed by activist Nipun Malhotra alleging an insensitive portrayal of persons with disabilities in the film Aankh Micholi produced by Sony Pictures.

Often, humour was a powerful tool used in films and visual media to challenge notions of “otherness” or “inferiority” associated with persons with disability, the Chief Justice, who authored the judgment, said.

Comics with disabilities use self-deprecating humour to critique the social order and counter stereotypical images. He also drew attention to how films and visual media tend to perpetuate myths about disabilities. The court noted how persons with certain disabilities were portrayed as “super-cripples”.

The judgment denounced the use of words such as “cripple” and “spastic”, which stigmatise those with disabilities.

The court frowned upon terms such as “afflicted”, “the suffering”, and “victim”. “They contribute to a negative self-image,” the Chief Justice said.

The court advised authorities to involve persons with disabilities as major stakeholders on statutory committees while taking decisions to protect their rights, especially under the Cinematograph Rules.

It reminded the government that the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities required authorities to take in the “lived experiences” of the group concerned.

Wise and virtuous men

The word saandron used in Tamil literature is taken to mean a virtuous man. But initially, in Sangam literature, saandron meant a good warrior, said Malayaman in a discourse.

Purananooru verse 63 says that all the warriors who went to the battlefield in chariots are dead with their shields covering their eyes. Here the word used for warriors is saandror. Padittruppathu also uses the word in the same sense. But the word later came to mean morally upright people, and this change in meaning came about in the Sangam era itself.

In Padittrupathu verse 72, saandror is used in the sense of wise men. An oft quoted verse in the Thirukkural says a mother is happier when her son is praised as a saandron, than when she gives birth to him. In a village called Pisir, there lived a famous man called Aadhan. His father was referred to not by name, but as Aadhan’s father (Aadhan thanthaiyaar). In course of time, Aadhan thanthaiyaar got shortened to Aandhaiyaar. Since the family belonged to the village of Pisir, Aandhaiyaar acquired the prefix of Pisir and came to be called Pisiraandhaiyaar.

So here we have a man known as so and so’s father. Pisirandhaiyaar did not have a single grey hair. One reason for this was he lived in a village filled with saandror.

Murmu urges citizens to take proactive measures for nature

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday called upon people to take proactive measures at their own levels to complement efforts initiated by government and international organisations for protection and conservation of environment. The President shared her reflections as she walked along the beaches of Puri in Odisha. She is in the city to attend the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath. “Let us pledge to make efforts to the best of our capabilities as individuals, at the local level, for a secure future. We must do this for the future generations,” Ms. Murmu mentioned in a post on X. The President also expressed concerns over rising global warming.

Flogging survivor complains against CPI(M), BJP leaders

A survivor of the Chopra flogging incident in West Bengal has filed a police complaint against CPI(M) State secretary Mohammed Salim and BJP leader Amit Malviya for sharing videos of the incident on social media. The video went viral on June 30 and was shared by many, including Mr. Salim and Mr. Malviya. In the video, a local Trinamool Congress leader, Tajmul Haque, alias JCB, is seen beating up a couple, particularly the woman, with a stick as several people watched the torture without trying to stop it. Interestingly, the woman has not filed any complaint against the Trinamool leader. She has even refused to identify the person who was beating her.

Edit

- Indigenous HPV vaccine, the rhetoric and the reality

- A brewing duel amid Manila’s dual engagement

- Resurgent left

- Renewed hope

- letters to the editor

- Share of women in unincorporated sector highest in the south

- A moderate voice for Sri Lankan Tamils

- An unusual Nitish Kumar

- Nuclear energy may be used for oil drilling in Gujarat

- Unknown Panama tribe discovered

- What are new provisions for police officers?

- What are the laws preventing tree felling in Delhi?

- In an electric vehicle, what is regenerative braking?

- A quiz on the cinematic legend Guru Dutt who would have turned 100 today

- Know your English

Indigenous HPV vaccine, the rhetoric and the reality

1 of 2 P. Omkar Nadh a Research Fellow at the University of Queensland, Australia

2 of 2 Y. Madhavi former Chief Scientist, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (CSIR-NISCAIR), New Delhi

India’s public health sphere was subject recently to a one-sided discourse on how vaccination against the human papilloma virus (HPV) prevents cervical cancer and consequent death. Interestingly, it is not proven beyond doubt that HPV causes cervical cancer, as only a couple of strains out of 200 strains that infect humans are somehow ‘associated’ with ‘precancerous lesions’. Most of the women who die of cervical cancer are HPV positive, but most of the men and women who are HPV positive do not get virus-induced cancer, let alone die due to it.

The Population Based Cancer Registries (PBCR) of India and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have acknowledged the declining trends of cervical cancer prevalence in India and the globe, regardless of vaccine coverage or efficacy. Therefore, the timing of the overzealous push for ‘universal’ vaccination of girls against HPV does serious injustice to the more justifiable ‘selective’ vaccination of high-risk groups, considering its sexual transmission, unlike air-borne, water-borne or contagious diseases. An extremely important western assumption behind targeting pre-puberty girls for this vaccine is that teenage girls indulging in promiscuous physical relations and becoming carriers of the virus are a huge risk factor for the entire adult population. This is a huge moral conundrum in Indian society and even reeks of patriarchy, as men can be carriers too.

The path of vaccine manufacture

But this article focuses on the questionable timing, promotion and pricing of indigenous HPV vaccines, assuming some high-risk populations need it. The Serum Institute of India (SII) developed ‘Cervavac’ and promoted it as an indigenous and affordable vaccine. It is pertinent to ask why it took nearly two decades for the ‘indigenous’vaccine after the introduction of a patented HPV vaccine in the United States, Australia and elsewhere in the Global North. Cervavac uses similar techniques, deploying virus-like particles (VLPs) produced using recombinant deoxyribose nucleic acid (rDNA) techniques to generate an immune response against HPV infections. The vaccine against cervical cancer is only the second rDNA vaccine in the world using the techniques of the early 1970s, the first being the vaccine against Hepatitis-B.

Prior to the development of rDNA methods, vaccine manufacture was largely a charitable or public sector enterprise with universal sharing of strains/techniques and little or no place for patenting of vaccines. The whole scenario changed with the amendment of the U.S. Patent Act in the 1980s allowing the patenting of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and life processes, and the introduction of Bayh-Dole Act to legalise publicly funded scientists setting up companies. With the eventual globalisation of U.S. patent laws through the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) since 1995, vaccine development and innovation changed drastically.

Vaccine innovation underwent significant changes in terms of its organisation, patenting strategies and even distribution practices in academia and industry. An important element of this ‘value addition’ is legalisation of the conversion of public ‘research’ into private ‘development’ and its monopolisation by patenting. This facilitated the change of hands in vaccine development and production from the public to private sector the world over, aided by the politics of liberalisation and globalisation. This was elaborated by William Muraskin in his book, The Politics of International Health: The Children’s Vaccine Initiative and the Struggle to Develop Vaccines for the Third World, and, more recently, in a collection edited by Stuart Blume and Baptiste Baylac-Paouly, titled Immunization and States: The Politics of Making Vaccine, that included the Indian scenario. Developed under these new innovation conditions was the first vaccine for cervical cancer marketed as Gardasil by Merck and Cervarix by Glaxo Smithkline, globally.

Impact on India

These developments impacted the Indian pharmaceutical and biotech industry in general and vaccine development in particular. Earlier, the Indian Patent Act (1970) abolished patenting products and allowed only processes, that too excluding agricultural and biological patents. This enabled the growth of domestic industries to become the pharmacy of the world within two decades. They manufactured low-cost generic drugs and vaccines, often within a couple of years after they were introduced in the global north. The first rDNA vaccine produced in India for hepatitis-B not only entered the market within five years under the process patent but also dropped the price to an order of magnitude cheaper than in the global north.

On the other hand, under the current product patent regime, a locally made DNA vaccine against cervical cancer had to wait for two decades till the expiry of the product patents before its indigenous ‘generic’ version was made available. The expiry of key patents of the HPV vaccine was recently reported by the World Health Organization and a highly cited article published in Nature Biotechnology.

While multinational patent monopolies largely explain the delay in developing a local vaccine, what still remains unexplained is the exorbitant current market price of Cervavac. Prior to the domestically manufactured vaccine, two prominent multinational vaccines (Gardasil and Cervarix) were sold in India for ₹4,000 a dose. Even at about half that price, a domestically manufactured vaccine in the private market remains largely unaffordable, keeping the vaccine out of reach for a large section of the target population. What is even more worrisome is the unreasonable pricing strategy itself, as the price does not truly reflect the production costs. First, Indian industry is well equipped infrastructurally to make rDNA products at scale, particularly vaccines. Second, Cervavac development was funded heavily, which included nearly $7 million by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) under its Grand Challenges Fund. Third, the infrastructure used in producing Cervavac was also a part of the production facility for the Covishield vaccine, built with significant support from the Indian government’s Department of Biotechnology.

Such a shared use of resources must have reduced the actual input costs to enable more affordable pricing, thus raising doubts on the pricing strategy of the SII. It seems to be designed to capitalise on high-margins even at low trade volumes, rather than using economies of scale and low margin pricing to boost volume trade. This is essential for public health, as high population coverage is crucial for the success of any vaccine.

Competing vaccines are scant

Another serious concern is the unavailability of other competing vaccines from domestic players, which could have put downward pressure on the current price of Cervavac. This is surprising given the fact that at least four different vaccine candidates were in the pipeline since 2010 from other domestic players. Shantha Biotechnics, Hyderabad, which produced a rDNA Hepatitis-B vaccine at a cheaper price pledged to bring an affordable HPV vaccine to the market by 2015, after it acquired licences from the National Institutes of Health and Johns Hopkins University in the U.S. This may have collapsed after Shanta was acquired by Sanofi Pasteur, Paris, which itself was associated with Merck’s Gardasil in several ways. Nonetheless, Shantha Biotechnics, Indian Immunologicals, and Bharat Biotech, Hyderabad, and Zydus Cadila, Ahmedabad have all announced their HPV vaccines in the pipeline around the same period. Their unavailability despite the expiry of the earlier patent barrier is a matter of concern.

The Cervavac vaccine is currently recommended universally under the government vaccination programme for girls between the ages of nine to 26 at a price of ₹500 for two doses, which is expensive even for the government. For those millions who are left out of the government coverage, the retail price of Cervavac will shoot up four-fold to ₹2,000, in a country that has low insurance penetration and catastrophically huge out-of-pocket health expenditures. Therefore, even as the need for universal HPV vaccination to prevent cervical cancer remains an unresolved doubt, the lack of competition and opaque pricing merits investigation in the larger public interest.

The views expressed are personal

A brewing duel amid Manila’s dual engagement

Atul Bhardwaj a Fellow at the Prime Ministers Museum and Library, New Delhi

With Ferdinand Marcos Jr., affectionately known as “Bongbong”, at the helm in the Philippines, Manila seems ready to confront China head-on. Unlike his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, President Marcos Jr. is assertive and values Manila’s security ties with Washington more than the flow of development funds from Beijing.

The United States-Philippines relationship has seen an upswing since Mr. Marcos Jr.’s landslide electoral victory in 2022, also marking the return of the Marcos family to Malacañang Palace (the official residence of the President of the Philippines) after 36 years.

Mr. Marcos Jr. was in full form in Singapore recently, at the International Institute for Strategic Studies’s Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual defence forum. He sharply criticised China’s “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive actions” in the South China Sea, a region that has been the subject of increasing tensions due to territorial disputes and competing claims.

China, on the other hand, has continued to categorise Mr. Marcos Jr. alongside former President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan as an American lackey, bent on inviting chaos and conflict in the region.

Towards the latter half of 2023, images of the Chinese maritime militia bumping into and using water cannons against Philippine fishing boats raised tensions in the region. Since then, the prospects of a conflict at sea in the region have only gained momentum. From June 15 onwards, China’s Coastguard has planned to start arresting “trespassers” in the areas it claims. In response, Mr. Marcos Jr. has warned that any Filipino killed by the “willful” use of Chinese force would be considered an “act of war”.

American stakes in the Philippines

While the U.S. appreciates Mr. Marcos Jr.’s bravado, it remains cautious. America has had a Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines from 1951. However, it is wary of opening up another front and becoming entangled in a naval battle with China, its peer competitor. America has about 4,00,000 citizens, including many military veterans, residing in the Philippines. The only U.S. Veterans Administration regional office outside the U.S. is located in Manila.

With its geographic location in the South China Sea, the Philippines is an indispensable actor in the U.S.’s Indo-Pacific strategy to counter China.

To meet its security needs, the Philippines is focused on enhancing its surveillance and power projection capabilities. In January, Mr. Marcos Jr. approved a $35 billion acquisition list that the armed forces put out.

It has revived plans to modernise Subic Bay, once a formidable U.S. Navy installation, and the nearby Clark Air Base, formerly the largest U.S. Air Force installation overseas. Manila intends to use Subic Bay for Jose Rizal-class missile frigates, Del Pilar-class offshore patrol ships, and Tarlac-class landing docks. Subic Bay International Airport has been identified as a staging point for “Joint Air-Sea-Land Operations” under the Philippines’ strategic basing plan.

In 1992, the United States withdrew from Subic Bay and Clark Air Base in the Philippines due to local opposition, fiscal pressures, and diminished strategic necessity in anticipation of the Soviet Union’s withdrawal from Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam. However, U.S. military activities in the bay have increased considerably in recent years. The U.S. is not only using the place for rest and recuperation of its sailors operating in the Indo-Pacific but also for the maintenance of its ships.

Quad support

Mr. Marcos Jr. is leveraging the support he receives from Quad partners (India, Australia, Japan and the U.S.) to transform his country’s forces. In April this year, India delivered the first set of BrahMos launchers and missiles ordered by the Philippines as part of a $374.96 million deal signed in January 2022.

India has officially given a statement of full support to the 2016 Tribunal ruling, which had found China guilty of breaching the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and violating the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. China expediently ignored the ruling.

Last year, under Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) military aid scheme, the Philippine Navy received $4 million worth of coastal surveillance radars. Tokyo is also engaged in helping the growth of the Philippines Coast Guard. Japan pledged to fund seven patrol ships, which are in addition to the 12 ships handed over, following a diplomatic visit to Manila in November.

A strong coast guard will help the Philippine Navy to focus more on military missions than enforcing the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone. South Korean shipyards are also being approached for the development of coast guard vessels. Australia is the Philippines’ second largest bilateral grant aid donor.

Ironically, even as the Philippines prepares to confront the PLA (Navy), it remains reliant on Beijing’s financial support. China committed a total of $9.1 billion in state-directed finance to the Gloria Arroyo and Rodrigo Duterte administrations between 2000 and 2022. Notably, Mr. Duterte’s daughter, Sara Duterte, is the Vice-President of the Philippines.

It is uncertain how long this dual engagement, i.e., military assistance from the U.S. and developmental aid from China, will maintain the balance. However, Mr. Marcos Jr.’s increasing friction with China is likely to affect financial flows from Beijing while strengthening U.S.-Philippines military ties as well as its relative importance for Quad operations.

Resurgent left

Macron’s gamble worked to the advantage of the hard-left and far-right

France’s New Popular Front, a coalition of left parties comprising socialists, communists, ecologists and the hard-left France Unbowed, has surprised poll watchers to emerge as the single largest bloc in the snap election called by President Emmanuel Macron last month, following the European parliamentary elections. The NFP garnered 182 seats, putting it in pole position ahead of Mr. Macron’s centrist alliance and its 168 seats. In third place — much to the surprise of their supporters, who hoped to reprise their winning performance in the European parliamentary election — came Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally and allies, although their 143 seats still positioned them far ahead of their 89 seats in 2022. Despite the reasons for celebration that the left and the right might claim in the result, it is Mr. Macron’s prospects for political and economic progress in France along a centrist path that has truly taken a beating from voters this time. Given that no single party has reached the minimum requirement of 289 seats for an absolute majority, France now stares at the gloomy prospect of continuing political uncertainty, the very scenario that Mr. Macron sought to avoid when he called for polls three years ahead of schedule.

At the heart of the present conundrum in France is mainstream concern about the rise of the right across the spectrum of European politics. The National Rally, founded by Ms. Le Pen’s father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, a Holocaust denier who also espoused extreme views on migration, was once considered an “unviable political option”. Now led by its 28-year-old President, Jordan Bardella, the party is actively seeking to transform its public image, perhaps even if broader voter acceptability requires a softening of its stance on questions of migration, minorities, religion and jobs. The broader regional paradigm, whose echoes reverberated through the election, is that the European political right is similarly finding a measure of acceptability in countries such as the Netherlands, Italy and Finland — and in these and other cases, the business of labelling them “far-right” has become relatively tricky as their policies tend to change frequently and vary significantly across the region. In France, the National Rally may have won over as many or more voters for consistently challenging Mr. Macron on the cost-of-living crisis in the country than for its view on immigration. In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently scolded her party’s youth wing for giving fascist salutes. Yet, anti-migration views have won strong support from voters who created unexpected election breakthroughs for Geert Wilders in the Netherlands, Nigel Farage of Reform UK in the United Kingdom and the AfD party in Germany. One thing is clear across Europe: the contest for political dominance, between the right, left and centre, could not be more intense.

Renewed hope

Telangana and A.P. CMs have made a good start by talking to each other

After a decade of acrimony, the return to cordial relations between the governments and Chief Ministers of the two Telugu-speaking States is welcome. At stake are the futures of heavily intertwined and socially cohesive communities of two large economies contributing significantly to India’s GDP and employment numbers. The Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, N. Chandrababu Naidu and A. Revanth Reddy, respectively, not only remained cordial throughout the two-hour long meeting in Hyderabad last week but also proposed a well-thought-out three tier-mechanism to resolve all outstanding issues since the creation of Telangana in 2014. The first tier is a committee of top administrative officials, three members from each State, which would meet at regular intervals and attempt resolutions of as many disputes as possible. There would be sub-groups within this committee to address sectoral issues such as water sharing, assets and liabilities distribution, and the return of the five villages in the erstwhile Khammam district that were merged with Andhra Pradesh as they were expected to be submerged by the Polavaram Irrigation project. The second tier consists of a similar committee of three Ministers from each State, which would attempt to resolve issues that could not be resolved at the bureaucratic level. And, finally, the third tier consists of the Chief Ministers themselves who would intervene on the most hardened positions.

In the first five years since Telangana’s formation, these issues festered to a point of no return, as much bad blood remained over the carving out of the richest part of undivided Andhra Pradesh into a new State, and the political futures of the legatee regional parties – K. Chandrashekhar Rao’s Telangana Rashtra Samithi/Bharat Rashtra Samithi, and Mr. Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) — depended to a degree on public posturing, much to the detriment of the smooth day-to-day governance of the two new States. The abrupt stoppage of power supply by Andhra Pradesh to Telangana in 2017, leading Telangana to enter into expensive power purchase agreements with other neighbouring States is a case in point. But now, with Mr. Revanth Reddy, who looks up to Mr. Naidu as a political mentor — he groomed him from his early days as an independent MLC 17 years ago, and prodded him to join the TDP — there is hope that the two leaders would do what is right by the peoples of their States.

Election results

Though I am not a big fan of right-wing political parties, I feel the election in France was ‘stolen’ by an unholy pact between the left parties and the centrists. The National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, was on course to win as the first round showed overwhelming support for her party. Sensing that they are going to be routed in the election, the Left and Centrist parties withdrew their weak candidates so as to consolidate the anti-right wing votes. Politicians are the same across the world.

T. Anand Raj,

Chennai

The election results in the United Kingdom and in France show that the issues were more issue based than on ideologies.

Dharmarajan A.K.,

Thalassery, Kerala

Maintain law and order

It is distressing and depressing that cold-blooded murders continue unabated in Tamil Nadu. These gruesome murders, committed for reasons of personal enmity and political conflict in our so-called civilised society, fill us with deep unease. They certainly point to the deterioration in the law and order situation in the State. A good governance record on other fronts cannot be cited as an ‘excuse’ for complacency on the law and order front.

Further, gory films that glorify violence seem to be influencing those who are prone to violence.

G. David Milton,

Maruthancode, Tamil Nadu

Ukraine and India’s stand

The Ukraine war is essentially a proxy fight between the United States and its allies and Russia. Therefore, India has hardly any role in trying to convince Vladimir Putin to end this war.

Sushil Prasad,

Hyderabad

Share of women in unincorporated sector highest in the south

Vignesh Radhakrishnan

Gender disparity can be seen among working-owners (more men) and unpaid family workers (more women)

The share of women owners and workers in unincorporated enterprises was relatively high in the southern States, according to the recently released Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector 2022-23. To an extent, in some eastern States too, the share of women in the sector was high; it remained low in the western, northern, and central States.

The unincorporated sector includes jobs that require little to no capital and skills, such as street vending, as well as work that involves considerable investment and expertise, such as tailoring and car repair. The shop may be operated by an individual or a self-employed entrepreneur who may enlist unpaid family members or employ paid workers. They may work from a fixed location or in homes, small shops, and workshops. The survey divides such workers into three broad sectors: manufacturing, trade, and other services and does not include agricultural establishments. The sector excludes establishments registered under the Companies Act and covered under the Annual Survey of Industries, and public sector/government companies.

The chart shows the share of women employed across sectors in various positions such as unpaid family members, informal/formal hired workers, and working-owners in unincorporated enterprises. A circle corresponds to a State. The regions are differentiated by colours. Smaller States were not considered.

Section 1A of the chart depicts the share of women working across all sectors of unincorporated enterprises, including all the classes of workers put together. All the southern States are positioned towards the right of the chart. This means that the share of women in the workforce was relatively high. Section 1A shows that Telangana leads the country, with women constituting 41% of the workforce, which includes working-owners and formal/informal workers and unpaid family members, across all sectors in the State’s unincorporated enterprises. The share in other southern States crossed 30%, closely followed by West Bengal and Odisha at 30%. Sections 1B and 1C depict the same data for the manufacturing and trade sectors separately.

Section 5A depicts the share of women among worker-owners across sectors. Here, too, southern States stand out. This means that in the south, women not only formed a higher share of the overall workforce (including owners), but they also constituted a relatively higher share among worker-owners. West Bengal is the only other State outside south India that featured high on this list.

There was a relatively high share of women in unincorporated enterprises in south India even when the data were sliced and diced across various other types of workers. However, in general, the share of women among unpaid family workers in unincorporated enterprises was much higher than other job-types in every State. Even in Telangana, while 43% was the share of women across worker-owners (Section 5A), 52% among formal hired workers (4A), and 26% among informal hired workers, (3A), it was 59% among unpaid family workers (2A).

Even in States where women did not play a major role in unincorporated enterprises in hired/ownership roles, their share among unpaid family workers was higher. This explains why the circles in Section 2 appear pushed to the right, while in other job types, they are crowded towards the left.

This means women across India play a relatively silent, yet major role in unincorporated sectors. In many cases, they take no payment and have little say in how the enterprise is run.

A moderate voice for Sri Lankan Tamils

T. Ramakrishnan

The recent passing of R. Sampanthan, a veteran leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in Sri Lanka, has created a vacuum in the political leadership of the Tamils, who are yet to exit the trauma of the civil war that ended 15 years ago. Sampanthan may not have been able to achieve great progress in the resolution of the Tamil question, but he was seen as a stabilising force, especially in the post-civil war years. He engaged with everyone, including the Sinhalese leadership.

Leader of Tamils

A follower of S.J.V. Chelvanayakam, who founded the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) in 1949, Sampanthan was first elected in 1977 to the Sri Lankan Parliament as one of the 17 MPs of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), which included the ITAK. This coalition swept the parliamentary poll in Tamil constituencies on the plank of a separate state. The 1983 anti-Tamil pogrom led to an exodus of Tamils to India, which drew New Delhi into the ethnic problem. The nature of India’s involvement changed when Rajiv Gandhi succeeded his mother Indira Gandhi as Prime Minister, after her assassination in 1984.

Sampanthan witnessed the shift in the Indian government’s treatment of the TULF. From being the sole representative of the Tamils, the coalition became one of the representatives, as was evident in the 1985 Thimpu talks, which were held to find a solution within the framework of the Sri Lankan Constitution. Later, the Indian government began to engage more with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). When the Rajiv-Jayawardene Accord of July 1987 was signed, the LTTE was not a signatory, but India’s discussions were primarily with the Tigers. This approach displeased the TULF, including Sampanthan. The 13th Amendment, providing for the establishment of provincial councils across the island with limited autonomy, was a major outcome of the Accord, but it was met with a lukewarm response from Tamil leaders. Between 1985 and 2000, the LTTE killed several scholarly and moderate leaders, such as Neelan Tiruchelvam and A. Amirthalingam.

In the 2000s, Sampanthan was among a handful of Tamil leaders left in the scene and grew in prominence. Given his sense of pragmatism, Sampanthan, who was said to be on the ‘hit list’ of the LTTE once, began taking a pro-LTTE stand and supported the “freedom struggle” of the Tigers during the 2001 parliamentary polls. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which included the TULF, came into being in 2001. It nominated the LTTE, which it called “the sole representative” of the Tamils, to negotiate with the Sri Lankan government. Unsurprisingly, the TULF, which secured five seats in the 2000 parliamentary polls, captured 15 seats in 2001. Then, the United National Party won 109 seats and Ranil Wickremesinghe became the Prime Minister. The next year, his regime signed an agreement with the LTTE, facilitated by Norway.

After the LTTE was vanquished in May 2009, Sampanthan guided the TNA cautiously, avoiding an extreme or confrontational approach. There were occasions where the TNA did not go along with the government of the day — for instance, by refusing to join the All Party Representative Committee for arriving at a political solution in 2009. However, in the last 15 years, the TNA has not boycotted any major election. In 2013, it won the polls to the Northern Provincial Council although the performance of Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran (2013-2018), chosen by Sampanthan, proved to be a disappointment. In the 2010 and 2015 presidential elections, the TNA backed the Opposition candidates — General (retd.) Sarath Fonseka, who played a major role in the LTTE’s defeat, and Maithripala Sirisena, who had served as Defence and Health Minister in Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Cabinet. When Mr. Sirisena stunned the world by defeating Mr. Rajapaksa, the TNA’s backing was cited as a major reason.

Economic reconstruction

After the civil war, the Sampanthan camp focused on accountability, truth, justice, and the permanent political settlement of the Tamils rather than on economic reconstruction of the war-hit Northern and Eastern Provinces. They also pursued the unrealisable goals of federalism and self-determination. Before quitting as President in January 2015, Mr. Rajapaksa oversaw the restoration of basic infrastructure in the affected areas. Much more needs to be done, but this has sadly not been a priority for the Sampanthan camp. With the cream of Tamil society having settled in the West and elsewhere, the politically and economically weak sections are in no position to bargain with the Sinhalese leadership for greater devolution of powers. The Tamil youth living in the North and the East prefer to work as unskilled labourers elsewhere in the world and study further. Unless the North and the East become economically strong, the situation will remain the same.

When Sampanthan died, he was apparently isolated within his political formation. Like him, Sri Lankan Tamils too have been cut off from society. This is in large part due to the unwillingness of the Sinhalese political leadership to address their aspirations. It is high time Tamil political players strove for greater space in the economy for the Tamils and motivated the youth to pursue higher studies. India, which has a moral responsibility towards the Tamils, should support any endeavour that will enhance the economic status of the community in “united, undivided, indivisible” Sri Lanka, as Sampanthan said.

ramakrishnan.t@thehindu.co.in

An unusual Nitish Kumar

Sobhana K. Nair

His uncharacteristic behaviour has been a cause of concern

With a tenure of 18 years, Nitish Kumar, 73, is the longest-serving Chief Minister of Bihar. He has an equally stunning record of switching sides. While his ideological infidelity has attracted mockery and ridicule, his ability to tilt the electoral scales in favour of the coalition of which he is a part remains unparalleled.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Kumar proved critics wrong again when the Janata Dal (United), the party he heads, won 12 of the 16 seats it contested. Mr. Kumar is a maverick; he went beyond caste lines to mobilise a constituency of Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs). According to Bihar’s caste survey, this is the largest group constituting 36.01% of the population. The EBCs include 130-odd groups and sub-groups scattered across Bihar. Contrary to various pre-poll predictions, this group largely remained loyal to the Chief Minister.

Of late, however, it is not Mr. Kumar’s political acumen, but his fumbles that have generated headlines. His videos referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “Chief Minister”, scrutiny of Mr. Modi’s inked finger, exhortation to voters to elect “4,000 MPs”, and reference to a JD(U) Rajya Sabha MP as a Lok Sabha MP have all gone viral. While these tickle people on social media, they also raise questions about his mental acuity.

Even if we ignore the occasional slip of the tongue, it is a fact that there have been other uncharacteristic gestures from Mr. Kumar. The man who broke ties of 17 years with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), just a week after Mr. Modi was declared the prime ministerial candidate in 2013, touched the Prime Minister’s feet during the first meeting of the National Democratic Alliance after the 2024 Lok Sabha results.

The JD(U) also settled for merely two berths in the Council of Ministers and for “inconsequential” portfolios without a murmur of protest. Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh is Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Panchayati Raj, and JD(U) Rajya Sabha MP Ramnath Thakur is Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.

This is in sharp contrast to the party’s position in 2019, when Mr. Kumar, arguing for “proportional representation” rather than “symbolic presence”, had insisted that the JD(U) get at least four berths since the BJP then had five ministers from Bihar. It is, of course, another story that in July 2021, Mr. Kumar’s former aide R.C.P. Singh rebelled against him and secured a Cabinet berth for himself. Within a year, he was forced out of Mr. Modi’s Cabinet after the JD(U) refused to renominate him to the Rajya Sabha.

Mr. Kumar’s political fortunes and the JD(U)’s electoral destiny have not run in parallel. Mr. Kumar has continued as Chief Minister despite the JD(U)’s diminishing tally. The last time the JD(U) was the single largest party in the Bihar Assembly was 14 years ago. In 2020, the party was reduced to 43 seats, slipping to the third position in the State Assembly. Mr. Kumar’s presence helps the party scale the limitations imposed by Bihar’s electoral arithmetic.

Party sources claim that no one in the JD(U) can exert the pull with the EBCs as Mr. Kumar can. On June 29, at its national executive meeting in New Delhi, the JD(U) appointed Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Jha, who is Mr. Kumar’s lieutenant, as the party’s working president. He is now effectively the second most important leader in the party. Between July 2021 and December 2023, Mr. Rajiv Ranjan Singh, as the party’s national president, held this position. But neither Mr. Jha, a Brahmin, nor Mr. Singh, a Bhumihar, can be seen as natural claimants for the leadership of a party that is surviving mostly on EBC votes. Speculation is rife that Mr. Kumar might have chosen his heir from the close circle of bureaucrats who have worked with him in the past.

Meanwhile, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has fielded several EBC candidates, keeping an eye on the 2025 Assembly elections. Instead of conceding the Purnea Lok Sabha seat to independent candidate Pappu Yadav, the RJD remained steadfast with a JD(U) turncoat, Bima Bharti. Ms. Bharti lost the elections but is now again in the fray from the Rupauli Assembly seat as a RJD candidate where the bypoll is scheduled on July 10. The bypoll was necessitated by Ms. Bharti’s resignation so that she could contest in the Lok Sabha polls. It has turned into a prestige battle between the JD(U) and the RJD on who holds a greater sway over the EBC vote bank.

Nuclear energy may be used for oil drilling in Gujarat

New Delhi, July 8: India will not go in for a second peaceful nuclear explosion until “we know what we want from it,” Dr. H.N. Sethna, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, told newsmen here to-day. “We are not in this business just to make explosions,” he added.

Dr. Sethna who was briefing newsmen on the meeting of the Consultative Committee of the members of Parliament for the Departments of Atomic Energy, Space and Electronics, said it would take six months to gather data and only after that “we shall think of anything more.”

Answering questions on possibilities of harnessing nuclear explosions for peaceful uses in India, Dr. Sethna said after collecting the data on the nuclear explosion carried out on May 18, the Atomic Energy Commission would think of applying it for oil drilling in Gujarat area.

There is an oil field in Gujarat containing extremely viscous oil which does not flow freely when wells are drilled. The flow perhaps could be accelerated by a heating process and it could be studied whether nuclear explosion could be used for this purpose.

The main problem in respect of nuclear explosions, Dr. Sethna said, was radio-activity. Answering a question, he said that nuclear engineering had to be viewed in this context. The hazard of radio-activity would rule out explosions in populated areas. “I would think twice before trying to build canals through nuclear explosion,” he said.

Unknown Panama tribe discovered

A correspondent writes to the “Manchester Guardian”: While cruising off the coast of Panama in 1922 in the course of their research into the depths of the sea Lady Richmond Brown and Mr. Mitchell Hedges heard of a tribe of Indians in the interior that had never been seen by the white men. The information was given by the Indians on the coast at Cape San Blas whom Mr. Hedges helped with medical attention. The explorers made their way up a river, across a waterless desert, and then through thick bush, and at last found themselves among this strange tribe — the Chucanaque Indians.

What are new provisions for police officers?

R.K. Vij

With the new criminal laws coming into effect, how have basic duties of police officers changed? What are some of the changed provisions with respect to arrests of elderly and infirm people? What about preserving electronic evidence? How can electronic evidence be stored?

Getty Imagesuniquepixel

The story so far:

The new criminal laws have become effective from July 1. SOPs have been issued by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) to guide police officers in implementing the new provisions.

What are rules for registering FIRs?

The officer in-charge of a police station cannot refuse to register an FIR on the basis of lack of jurisdiction or disputed jurisdiction. He is legally bound to register (popularly known as a zero FIR) and transfer such a case to the respective police station. Though this practice was followed earlier too, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) now has a direct provision under Section 173; non-registration of FIRs may attract penal action under various sections.

Additionally, while information can be given orally or in writing as before, it may also be given by electronic means which is to be taken on record by the officer in-charge if it is signed within three days by the person giving it. While no one can stop a police officer from enquiring into the information immediately if it is of a sensitive nature, the electronic mode by which information may be given must be decided by the agencies, such as the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) portal, the police website or officially published email IDs.

What about videography?

The BNSS mandates videography during a search conducted by the police under Section 185; of the scene of crime (Section 176); and of the process of conducting a search of a place or taking possession of any property (Section 105). Since these are mandatory provisions, any negligence on the part of the police may benefit the accused persons. Therefore, investigating officers (IOs) must be provided electronic devices and proper training to discharge such functions.

A cloud-based mobile app, ‘eSakshya’ has been designed by the National Informatics Centre for enforcement agencies, which allows capturing multiple photos and videos. The photographs of witnesses and selfies of IOs may be captured using this app. Each item is geo-tagged and time-stamped to ensure the integrity of data. Since eSakshya is an initiative under the Inter-operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS), this data will be available to other agencies such as the judiciary, prosecution and cyber forensic experts.

What about provisions of arrest?

Information about arrested persons is to be mandatorily displayed in police stations. Section 37 of the BNSS requires a police officer in every police station, not below the rank of Assistant Sub-Inspector, to be responsible for maintaining and prominently displaying information about the arrested persons. Therefore, boards (including in digital mode) containing names, addresses and the nature of the offence must be put up outside police stations and district control rooms.

Some restriction has been imposed on the arrest of frail or sick and elderly persons. Section 35(7) states that the permission of an officer not below the rank of DySP is mandatory for arresting a person charged with an offence punishable for imprisonment of less than three years if such person is infirm or is above 60 years of age. Similarly, though the law now provides for the use of handcuffs in certain cases, the IOs must use them cautiously. The Supreme Court has laid down that handcuffing may be done only when there is a possibility of escaping from custody or causing harm to himself or others.

What about timelines?

In case of medical examination of a victim of rape, the registered medical practitioner is mandated under Section 184 (6) of the BNSS to forward the medical report to the IO within seven days, who shall forward it to the magistrate concerned. Therefore, doctors must be sensitised about the new law. The investigation of POCSO cases is required to be completed within two months of recording the information of the offence. Earlier, this time limit was only for rape cases under the Indian Penal Code.

A new provision under Section 193(3)(h) requires the IO to maintain the sequence of custody of an electronic device. Though maintaining a chain of custody is important for every seizure, emphasis is laid on electronic devices because they are sensitive pieces of evidence and more vulnerable to tampering. While every police officer is required to upgrade his skills about maintaining integrity of electronic records, the task of the (cyber) expert is likely to increase with many of the mandatory provisions coming into effect.

This sub-section also imposes a duty to inform the progress of the investigation within 90 days to the informant or victim.

Section 113 introduced in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) defines what is a ‘terrorist act’ and imposes the duty on an officer, not below the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP), to decide whether to register a case under this Section or the UAPA. Since, no guidelines are given to exercise this discretion, the SP may inter-alia consider factors such as whether the terrorist organisation is notified under the UAPA, approximate time needed to complete investigation, the rank of the IO and the level of scrutiny required, and how dangerous the accused person is.

R.K. Vij is a former Indian Police Service officer. Views are personal.

What are the laws preventing tree felling in Delhi?

Kartikey Singh

What is the extent of the national capital’s green cover? What does Delhi Preservation of Trees Act mandate?

The story so far:

On June 26, a Vacation Bench of the Supreme Court (SC) directed the Delhi government and Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to take effective steps to enhance the national capital’s green cover amidst the extreme heat wave.

What is the extent of the green cover?

According to the ‘India State of Forest Report 2021’ (ISFR) published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI), Delhi has the largest forest cover among seven major megacities, with 195 sq. km, followed by Mumbai (110.77 sq. km) and Bengaluru (89.02 sq. km). Delhi’s forest cover constitutes 13.15% of its geographical area, while its tree cover spans 147 sq. km (9.91%). Despite extensive urban development, the city’s overall green cover (forest and tree cover) has increased from 151 sq. km (10.2%) in 2001 to 342 sq. km (23.6%) in 2021.

What about their protection?

The Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), 1994 provides legal protection to trees in the national capital against actions that could harm their growth or regeneration. According to Section 2 (h) of the Act, “to fell a tree” includes severing the trunk from the roots, uprooting, bulldozing, cutting, girdling, lopping, pollarding, applying arboricides, burning, or any other damaging method. Under Section 8, no tree or forest produce can be removed on any land without prior permission from the ‘Tree Officer’, even on privately owned property. The ‘Tree Officer’ may grant permission after inspection and must respond within 60 days. Any person violating this Act may face imprisonment for up to one year, a fine up to ₹1,000, or both. Furthermore, the Act outlines a ‘Tree Authority’ tasked with conducting tree censuses, managing nurseries, and reviewing government and private construction proposals, among other responsibilities. In addition, Delhi’s Tree Transplantation Policy, 2020 mandates that 80% of identified trees slated for felling must be transplanted. However, an affidavit submitted by the government to the Delhi High Court in 2022 disclosed that out of the 16,461 transplanted trees since the policy’s notification, only 33.33% had survived.

What is the case against the DDA?

The apex court is hearing a contempt petition against DDA’s Vice Chairman Subhashish Panda for the felling of about 1,100 trees, in violation of the SC’s orders, for road expansion in the ridge area, which falls under the eco-sensitive zone around Asola-Bhati Wildlife Sanctuary. On March 4, the DDA submitted an application to the SC seeking permission to cut trees for the construction of the Gaushala Road. However, the court directed the DDA to re-examine the proposal with the help of field experts. During the proceedings, an affidavit from the DDA’s Vice Chairman revealed that tree felling had already begun on February 16 and continued for ten days. So, by February 26, all intended trees were cut down even before the application reached the SC. This material fact was not disclosed when the court heard the application on March 4. Despite knowing no trees could be touched without the court’s sanction, the DDA misled the court and acted in bad faith by seeking permission only after the tree felling work. While probing deeper to set accountability, the Bench pulled up DDA for not providing records of the Delhi LG’s (Chairman of the DDA) February 3 visit to the site, which allegedly led to the tree felling order. The Delhi government was also reprimanded for usurping the Tree Officer’s authority in granting permission.

The apex court has halted the DDA’s work and directed a team from the FSI to assess the number of trees cut and the environmental damage.

What next for Delhi?

Amid an extreme heatwave, rampant tree felling in the world’s second most populous city will only worsen hardships. Urban forests act as carbon sinks, absorbing emissions and filtering pollutants, essential for cities like Delhi with persistently unhealthy air quality indices. Trees reduce the urban heat island effect by lowering temperatures through shading and evapotranspiration. Among other reforms, the government should consider increasing the penalty from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 under the DPTA, 1994, aligning it with current realities.

Kartikey Singh reads law at RGNUL.

In an electric vehicle, what is regenerative braking?

Vasudevan Mukunth

Regenerative braking is a system designed to convert the kinetic energy of the wheels to a form that can be stored and used for other purposes. Here the motor operates as a generator, turning mechanical energy back to electrical energy

1 of 2 Looking forward: On the occasion of World Environment Day, a new fleet of 175 Electric Vehicle (EV) Airport Taxis were introduced on June 5 in Bengaluru.HANDOUT E MAIL

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The impulse to be sustainable — driven by the incessant pressure to lower our emissions — often manifests as lowering consumption and increasing reuse alongside reforms like tweaking consumer behaviour. Electric vehicles are the site of many of these changes, aided by state-led incentives and subsidies. Regenerative braking is an important mechanism in these vehicles that increases their energy use efficiency.

What is braking?

Braking is the mechanism by which an automotive vehicle in motion slows down. A vehicle moving faster has more kinetic energy than a vehicle moving slower, so the process of braking removes (mostly) kinetic energy from the vehicle. The law of energy conservation means this removed energy has to go somewhere.

For example, the disc brake is one type of mechanical brake: it works by pressing brake pads against a disc attached to spinning wheels, and uses friction to convert some of the wheels’ kinetic energy into heat. This is why the discs of disc brakes have holes cut into them, to dissipate heat better.

Another type is the induction brake, often used in trains: a magnet induces circular electric currents in a spinning wheel (made of a conducting material, like metal). These currents produce their own magnetic field, which opposes that of the external magnet. The opposition acts like a drag on the wheel and forces it to slow down. In terms of energy: the metal resists the flow of the circular currents and dissipates heat.

What is regenerative braking?

Regenerative braking is a brake system designed to convert the kinetic energy of the wheels to a form that can be stored and used for other purposes. As such, it creates a process in which at least part of the energy delivered to the vehicle’s wheels can be recovered in a situation when the vehicle doesn’t need it.

Regenerative braking is one type of dynamic braking. In an electric vehicle, of the types becoming common on Indian roads, a battery onboard the vehicle draws electric power from the grid and stores it. When the vehicle moves, the battery powers an electric motor that propels the vehicle, converting electrical to mechanical energy. This motor is called the traction motor.

During regenerative braking, the motor operates as a generator, turning mechanical energy back to electrical energy. In the vehicle, this means an electric current will be produced as the vehicle brakes, which is stored separately in a battery. In some other vehicles, especially trains, the current is fed back into the traction motor. The other type of dynamic braking is rheostatic braking, where the current is sent to an array of resistors that dissipate the electrical energy as heat. It is often necessary for a vehicle to have both regenerative and rheostatic braking in case the electrical energy recovered can’t be stored or used right away.

How does motor become a generator?

A motor has two essential parts: a rotor (the thing that rotates) and a stator (the thing that’s stationary). In a rudimentary design, the stator consists of permanent magnets or electromagnets while the rotor consists of current-carrying wires coiled around in loops. The stator surrounds the rotor.

When a charged particle, like an electron, moves inside a magnetic field, the field exerts a force on the particle called the Lorentz force. Whether the force will push or pull the wire in which the electron is moving depends on the direction of the electric current.

This is when the coiling helps. The current at the coil’s two ends moves in opposite directions, so the magnetic fields imposed by the stator will push on one end of the coil and pull on the other. And these opposing forces will continue to act on the two sides of the rotor until the voltage across the wire is constant. Thus, a motor converts electrical energy to rotary motion.

In a generator, mechanical energy from an external source can be fed to the rotor to induce a current in the stator. Simply speaking, by switching the traction motor between these two configurations, an electric (or hybrid) vehicle can implement regenerative braking.

Does regenerative braking have downsides?

While it is a simple energy recovery mechanism, regenerative braking has some downsides. For example, it alone often doesn’t suffice to bring an electric vehicle to a halt.

It has to be used together with a conventional system that dissipates some of the kinetic energy as heat.

Such a system is also required to prevent vehicles from backsliding downhill, which many regenerative brakes won’t prevent.

Another example is that the amount of energy a regenerative brake can recover drops as the vehicle’s velocity drops as well. This said, a regenerative brake can be beneficial for an electric vehicle’s energy-use efficiency in stop-start traffic.

Are there other ways to recover energy?

The design of a regenerative brake depends on the energy form to which the mechanical energy from the wheels is to be converted. An electric vehicle funnels it into a generator and obtains a current, which is stored in a battery or a supercapacitor. Similarly, the mechanical energy can be used to increase the angular momentum of a rotating flywheel. Flywheels are especially useful because they can receive energy much faster than other such systems.

For every unit increase in speed, they also store exponentially more energy. Engineers have been able to build flywheels with carbon-composites that, in a vacuum, can spin at up to 50,000 rpm. The flywheel can be linked to a reciprocating engine to manage or augment its output, like in Formula One racing, or to a gyroscope to help submarines and satellites navigate.

Recovered kinetic energy can also be fed to a pump that compresses air, which can be useful to start internal combustion engines.

A quiz on the cinematic legend Guru Dutt who would have turned 100 today

V.V. Ramanan

Visual question: Of which Dutt work is this a still and what technical first did it achieve in Indian film history?HINDU PHOTO ARCHIVES

Question 1

What was Guru Dutt’s christened name? He became part of which famous dancer’s team in Almora?

Question 2

How many Hindi films did the troubled genius direct, majority of which are considered classics?

Question 3

Which other icon of Indian cinema became one of Guru Dutt’s closest friends, and featured in the latter’s directorial debut, thanks to their common washerman mixing up their shirts?

Question 4

Dutt’s films are known for their brilliant visual presentation. Name the cinematographer, honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, who cranked the camera in all of Dutt’s directorial efforts.

Question 5

Which classic was based on a story idea called ‘Kashmakash’ written by Dutt when he was about 22?

Question 6

Dutt plays the role of a cartoonist in Mr & Mrs. 55. Who drew the cartoons featured in the flick?

Question 7

It is well known that Sanjeev Kumar replaced Guru Dutt in Love & God after the film-maker’s untimely death. What other coincidence connects the two?

Questions and Answers to the previous day’s daily quiz: 1. The city in which M.S. Dhoni was born. Ans: Ranchi, Bihar (now Jharkhand)

2. The division of the south east Railways where Dhoni was initially stationed. Ans: Kharagpur

3. The only wicket Dhoni has taken in his international career. Ans: Out-bowled Travis Dowlin from West Indies

4. The battalion of the Parachute Regiment where Dhoni is assigned. Ans: 106 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army), Parachute Regiment

5. The cricketer who appears as himself in the biopic M. S. Dhoni: The Untold Story. Ans:Kiran More

6. The resort in which Dhoni got married in is owned by this former Ranji Trophy player. Ans: Michael Dalvi

7. The name Dhoni sported in his jersey on October 29, 2016. Ans: Devaki, his mother’s first name

8. This Indian cricketer made his debut alongside Dhoni on December 23, 2004. Ans: Joginder Sharma

9. The number of Dhoni’s test cap. Ans: 251

Visual: Name the team. Ans: Rising Pune Supergiants

Early Birds: Navtosh Arun| Arpit Kumar| Shashikant Kumar| Bharath Viswanathan| Tamal Biswas

Know your English

K. Subrahmanian

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“Meaning of ‘full of beans’ (Prof. R. Thirunarayanan, St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchi).”

“This is a colloquial expression meaning ‘very lively, full of vigour, health.’ A person who is full of beans is in good spirits and feels energetic.

After a good night’s sleep, I feel full of beans this morning.

The expression began to be used around mid-18th century. It originally referred to lively and spirited horses fed on a diet of beans. It began as a slang expression and was mainly used in the stables.”

“ Difference between ‘quote’ and ‘cite’ (P.V.S. Vasan, Madras).”

“The two words are often confused. Speakers in general have a tendency to use the word ‘quote’ more often than ‘cite.’ They often say that they are quoting authorities, when in fact they are only citing them. When you quote someone, you reproduce exactly what that person has said or written. In other words, you merely copy the words of the original.

Paul was quoted in the magazine as saying, ‘I am retiring soon.’

In her talk, Vineetha quoted extensively from the Gita and the Bible.

When you quote someone, ‘you refer to it as an example because it gives authority to what you are saying or arguing.’ We normally quote in order to illustrate a point. But when you cite someone or something, you always do so in order to prove or substantiate an argument. When you cite something, you merely mention it as an authority or a source of information. The word is derived from Latin ‘citare’ meaning ‘to put in motion, rouse, summon.’ So when you cite a passage from a book or an incident from history, you are summoning it to bear witness to what you are saying. When you cite somebody’s arguments, you need not reproduce them exactly as they are; you can paraphrase them.

Keshav cited several examples from the book.

Murali cited more than 200 books in his bibliography.

She cited many instances of harassment.

If you are citing while writing, you must provide the reader with the relevant information like title of the book, chapter number, page number, etc. If you are merely quoting someone, then you may or may not provide all this information. All you need to do is to reproduce the words of the author.”

“Meaning of the word ‘boggle’ (T. Sumathi, Madras).”

“It means to ‘start with fright, amazement, be overwhelmed.’ Your mind may boggle at something or something may boggle your mind.

Nithin boggled at the thought of walking over fire.

When you say something boggles your mind or your mind boggles, you mean that something shocks you or amazes you. We can also say, it is mind-boggling. The word ‘boggle’ also carries with it the meaning ‘bungle’ or ‘mess up.’

Ashok is well-known for boggling everything.

Published in The Hindu on August 11, 1992

Business

- Double health budget, says ex-Health Secretary Rao

- Govt. reopens PLI scheme for white goods till October 12

- ‘Citigroup’s employment report not exhaustive’

- Maruti dispatched 2 mn units via rail to boost green logistics

- ‘Restore interest equalisation scheme’

- Welspun One’s Fund 2 raises ₹2,275 crore

- Dvara KGFS raises $10 mn from Triple Jump for fund

- ‘India’s employment grew provisionally at 6% in FY24’

- New business premium of life insurers rose 15% in June

- IFC lends ₹825 cr. to Tata Realty

Double health budget, reduce out-of-pocket spends

Kannuru Sujatha Rao

While 13.4% of rural and 8.5% urban households borrowed money to pay medical bills , rest sought access to free public care or denied themselves healthcare or availed ‘affordable’ substandard care

Unhealthy truth: A paradox of Indian politics is despite all this, health is a non issue for electing governments. The Hindu FARUQUI AM

A goal post that consistently shifts is the one related to raising public health spending to the magical figure of 2.5% of GDP. Current total health spending is about 3.5%. Of this, public health spending is about 1.35%. Low public spending implies high out- of-pocket expenditure by households.

Demonetisation, GST and the COVID pandemic in quick succession adversely impacted millions of households living at the margin with stagnant wages, high prices of food and borrowings, making ‘affordability’ of health care critical. While 13.4% of households in rural areas and 8.5% in urban areas borrowed money to pay medical bills, the rest either sought access to free public care, denied themselves health care or availed substandard care that is within their budget.

Below poverty line

An estimated 60-80 million households are reported to have fallen below the poverty line for availing medical care. What is certainly a paradox of Indian politics is despite all this, health is a non issue for electing governments.

India’s health system is at a crossroads as it needs to, without any further procrastination, build the capacity in all States, particularly the northern States, to cope with the dual burden of disease.

Communicable and infectious diseases are easier to handle in terms of the episodic nature of the disease, though, if neglected, the consequences can be devastating and brutal. Non-communicable diseases on the other hand have to be managed over a lifetime necessitating a steady, routinised, system of care. Tackling both requires a health system that is swift and nimble but also steady and solid. Getting the right balance is the key: the right mix of skills and competencies, technology, infrastructure and supervisory systems. All this needs money.

While most countries have brought in reforms and revamped delivery systems to make them fit for purpose, India has wasted much time, in constantly hemming its budgets at the edges and resorting to knee-jerk responses to every health crisis, such as increasing the sum assured — ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh to ₹15 lakh and so on — under subsidised social health insurance. The increases in sums assured are just meaningless and most lazy of all ways of setting right a deeply flawed system of care.

With the Budget time around the corner, there are huge expectations, despite the past being so uninspiring. Since 2010, India’s public spending, in proportion to the GDP, has hovered around 1.12% to 1.35%. In gross terms, though Central budget allocations certainly improved — up from ₹25,133 crore in 2012-13 to ₹86,175 crore in 23-24 — the proportion to GDP of the central health budget has been around 0.27%. With States averaging a 5% spending of their revenue budgets against the targeted 8%, overall public health spending is not just low but disproportionately low in the poorer States like Bihar.

While overall allocations have been disappointing, a real positive is the loan of $65 million from the World Bank and $175 million from the ADB that has recently been negotiated. Under this the focus is, and rightly, on strengthening the district-level disease surveillance laboratory infrastructure, establishing ICUs in large districts, strengthening primary health care facilities and so on.

While these loans will fill the glaring gaps in health system as thrown up during the COVID pandemic, India, however, cannot stop and needs to invest hugely and quickly in building the basic health infrastructure in the country, particularly in the States of Bihar, U.P., MP, Orissa, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and Assam where shortfall of both facilities as well as human resources is far above the national average of 30%. This disparity needs to be bridged with a dramatically differential package of funding from the Central Government.

Till the supply position improves, demand-side interventions like Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY) are of marginal value, more so, with out-patient care not being insured. Systems in these States must be developed and the Finance Ministry must make a beginning with not only substantially increasing health budgets, particularly for NHM, but in addition, allocate all the money collected under the 4% health cess to the health budget. Of the total of ₹69,063 crore collected so far, only 25% of it has been transferred to the Health Ministry.

In addition to strengthening the public health systems, there is a need to rationalise the GST levies on health products, such as 18% GST on health insurance premiums or 5% GST on insulin and hepatitis diagnostics when the number of diabetics and those prone to hepatitis are increasing. Disincentives also need to be considered for those private entities that are increasing the cost of care despite full GST exemptions and a huge number of other sops being extended from time to time.

The bottom line regarding the health sector, however, is all about the role of the State, the rights of a tax-paying citizenry and the development model proposed. Is health a public good? Is healthy well-being a foundational prerequisite for human development? Is health a part of the social contract that citizens have with the State when they pay taxes? Is there a societal obligation to help those who are sick and ill? If the answer is in the affirmative, then it is time for the government to double the health budget alongside launching a reform agenda to set right a dysfunctional system. This takes time, needs political consensus and not be disrupted or buffeted about on account of an unstable political environment. Other countries have shown the way. India needs to now follow their path to lend credibility to the aspiration of being a developed country by 2047.

[Kannuru Sujatha Rao is India’s former Health Secretary; She was Director General National AIDS Control Organisation before that. She is also the author of a 2017 book - India’s Health System: Do we care?]

Govt. reopens PLI scheme for white goods till October 12

The Hindu Bureau

NEW DELHI

The Centre has reopened the application window for the Production linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for white goods from July 15 to October 12, citing industry appetite to invest more in the scheme originally launched in 2021.

The Commerce and Industry Ministry said the fresh window was an “outcome of the growing market and confidence generated due to manufacturing of key components of air conditioners and LED lights” under the PLI White Goods (PLIWG) scheme.

So far, 66 applicants with committed investment of ₹6,962 crore have been selected as beneficiaries under the PLIWG. The government has retained the terms and conditions for applicants under the new window. But it has decided to switch to a quarterly system of incentive payouts from the current annual one.

“In order to avoid any discrimination, both new applicants and existing beneficiaries of PLIWG who propose to invest more by way of switching over to higher target segment or their group companies applying under different target segment would be eligible to apply,” it added.

‘Citigroup’s employment report not exhaustive’

The Hindu Bureau

New Delhi

The Union Labour Ministry ‘rebutted’ findings of a report by the U.S.-based Citigroup (Citi) and said it failed to account for “comprehensive and positive employment data” available from official sources like the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) and the RBI’s capital, labour, energy, material and services (KLEMS) data.

The statement by the Ministry said Citi’s report did not analyse all official data available publicly. Citi in its report, said India will struggle to create sufficient employment opportunities despite a 7% growth rate and suggested filling one million vacancies in various government posts.

The Congress supported the findings and blamed Centre’s policies for the dip in employment opportunities.

Quoting PLFS and KLEMS data, the Ministry said India generated more than eight crore employment opportunities from FY18 to FY22. “This translates to an average of over two crore employment per year, despite the fact the world economy was hit by COVID-19 during 2020-21, which contradicts Citigroup’s assertion of India’s inability to generate sufficient employment.

“This significant employment creation demonstrates the effectiveness of various government initiatives aimed at boosting employment across sectors,” the Centre said.

Maruti dispatched 2 mn units via rail to boost green logistics

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (MSIL) said it surpassed two million cumulative vehicle dispatches using Indian Railways towards its commitment to green logistics. “This feat makes Maruti Suzuki, India’s first automobile company to attain this eco-milestone,” the company said in a statement. The automaker said it had rapidly scaled up its vehicle dispatches through railways from 65,700 units in FY15 to 4,47,750 units in FY24. Today, it dispatches vehicles to 20 destinations via rail.

‘Restore interest equalisation scheme’

The Hindu Bureau

NEW DELHI

EEPC India, a body representing producers of engineering goods, which constitute a quarter of India’s merchandise exports in recent years, have urged the Centre to restore an interest subvention scheme for all players and raise the benefits offered to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Known as the Interest Equalisation scheme for pre- and post- shipment rupee credit availed by exporters, benefits under the scheme lapsed last month for all exporters, except MSMEs granted these sops for two more months.

Welspun One’s Fund 2 raises ₹2,275 crore

The Hindu Bureau

MUMBAI

Welspun One, an integrated fund and development management platform, has announced the closure of its second fund (Fund 2) totalling ₹2,275 crore, inclusive of co-investment commitments.

Capital was sourced from a diverse pool of approximately 800 Limited Partners (LPs) or investors, including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, corporates, and domestic institutions, the company said in a statement issued here on Monday.

Dvara KGFS raises $10 mn from Triple Jump for fund

Dvara Kshetriya Gramin Financial Services Pvt. Ltd. (Dvara KGFS) has raised Subordinated Debt of $5 million and Senior Secured Debt of $5 million through External Commercial Borrowings from Triple Jump as Portfolio Manager of the Global Gender-Smart Fund. “The proceeds from the fundraiser will be used towards providing micro enterprise loans to women beneficiaries,” said Dvara KGFS MD & CEO L.V.L.N. Murty. “The subordinated debt facility will help fortify our capital adequacy and provide the desired runway for the company to achieve its growth initiatives,” said Dvara KGFS CFO Shilpa Bhatter.

‘India’s employment grew provisionally at 6% in FY24’

India provisionally created 46.7 million jobs in the financial year ended March 2024, taking the country’s total employment to 643.3 million, a Reserve Bank of India report showed on Monday. Employment growth rate stood at 6% in that fiscal year, versus 3.2% in the previous fiscal year, the report on measuring industry level productivity and employment showed. The report, a routine release from the RBI, has traditionally shown historical numbers. REUTERS

New business premium of life insurers rose 15% in June

Life insurance companies in India reported new business premium (NBP) for June rose 14.8% year-on-year to ₹42,433 crore and for the quarter ended the same month rose 22.91% to ₹89,726 crore. NBP of market leader, State-owned Life Insurance Corporation of India climbed 13.6% to ₹28,366.87 crore for the month. For the quarter ended June, NBP was 28.11% higher at 57,440.90 crore, making it the strongest first-quarter performance for LIC since FY23.

IFC lends ₹825 cr. to Tata Realty

The Hindu Bureau

MUMBAI

Tata Realty & Infrastructure Ltd. announced it had secured ₹825 crore loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to refinance Ramanujan Intellion Park, a 25 acre ‘green’ IT park-cum-SEZ located in Chennai’s IT Expressway.

Foreign

- France faces coalition puzzle after left-wing surge in polls

- Freewheeling Spain faces austere French in bid to reach the final

- Russian missile attack on Ukraine kills 31; children’s hospital in Kyiv hit

- Ashwin is co-owner of the American Gambits

- Xi calls for talks on Ukraine war at meeting with Orban

- Japan, Philippines sign defence pact amid China threats

- Myanmar’s ethnic rebels capture an airport in a setback for govt.

- Russian court jails playwright and director for 'justifying terrorism'

- Boeing, U.S. Department of Justice reach deal over MAX crashes case

- PM Starmer meets Northern Ireland leaders on U.K. tour

France faces coalition puzzle after left-wing surge in polls

Reuters

PARIS

President Macron asks PM Attal to stay in office, for now, as no group has won a majority ; Melenchon, leader of the left-wing France Unbowed, rules out any coalition with centrists

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday asked his Prime Minister to stay in the role for now, pending what will be difficult negotiations to form a new government after a surprise left-wing surge in elections that delivered a hung parliament.

The leftist New Popular Front (NFP) emerged as the dominant force in the National Assembly after Sunday’s election, thwarting Marine Le Pen’s quest to bring the far right to power.

However, with no single group securing a working majority, the outcome heralded a period of political volatility just before the Paris Olympics.

“It’s not going to be simple, no, it’s not going to be easy, and no, it’s not going to be comfortable,” Green party leader Marine Tondelier told France Inter radio. “It’s going to take a bit of time.”

The range of possibilities include the NFP forming a minority government or the cobbling together of an unwieldy coalition of parties with almost no common ground.

Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, a centrist and close ally of Mr. Macron, tendered his resignation but the head of state rejected it. “The President has asked Gabriel Attal to remain Prime Minister for the time being to ensure the country’s stability,” Mr. Macron’s office said in a statement.

The left won 182 seats, Mr. Macron’s centrist alliance 168 and Le Pen’s National Rally (RN) and allies 143, Interior Ministry data cited by Le Monde newspaper showed. Other media had slightly different counts, and the final numbers will depend partly on individual MPs joining different groupings.

Talks on strategy

Leaders of the component parties of the NFP met overnight and were due to meet again later on Monday to discuss who should replace Mr. Attal and what strategy the alliance should adopt, said a source at the Communist Party. The NFP, hastily assembled for this election in an attempt to unify the left-wing vote against the far right, has no single leader and did not say before the election who would be its pick for Prime Minister.

Ms. Tondelier, one of several NFP figures seen as potential candidates for the post, said on France Inter radio it could be someone from the hard-left France Unbowed party, the Greens or the Socialists, the three largest parties in the alliance.

Olivier Faure, the Socialist leader, said on France Info radio that he expected the parties to agree on a plan this week.

France Unbowed’s firebrand leader Jean-Luc Melenchon explicitly ruled out any deal with centrists on Sunday, and on Monday his ally Manuel Bompard sounded uncompromising.

“The President must appoint as Prime Minister someone from the New Popular Front to implement the NFP’s programme, the whole programme and nothing but the programme,” he said on France 2 television.

Freewheeling Spain faces austere French in bid to reach the final

Agence France-Presse

MUNICH

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3 of 3 Influential: Yamal and Williams have provided speed and creativity from both flanks for Spain while Mbappe, right, will look to pull his weight for France.AP & AFPANTONIO CALANNI

The battle between the two most successful national sides of the new millennium, Tuesday’s Euro 2024 semifinal between France and Spain also showcases two contrasting styles.

Attacking brilliance

Spain has dazzled in Germany, reaching the final four on the back of the attacking brilliance of wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. By contrast France, one of the pre-tournament favourites which boasts one-man offensive powerhouse Kylian Mbappe, has ground its way to the last four on the back of solid defence, conceding just one goal in five games.

Spain’s 11 goals scored is equal most in the tournament alongside host Germany, the team it beat in extra-time in the quarterfinals. La Roja has won five from five and excluding wins on penalties, no team in Euros history has ever won more than five games in the same tournament.

While veteran striker Alvaro Morata captains Spain, headlining the team’s attacking prowess are young wingers Williams, 21, and Yamal, 16, providing speed and creativity from both flanks.

Williams has scored a goal and laid on an assist. Yamal is yet to find the net — if he does score at this tournament he will break the record for youngest goalscorer at the Euros by almost two years — but has provided three assists, the most at the tournament.

Spain will need that heart and soul considering three players who started the quarterfinal will be absent.

Defenders Dani Carvajal and Robin le Normand are suspended while Pedri is out for the tournament with a knee injury.

Russian missile attack on Ukraine kills 31; children’s hospital in Kyiv hit

Associated Press

KYIV

Unfair move: Rescue workers clear the rubble of the destroyed building of a children’s hospital in Kyiv on Monday.AFPROMAN PILIPEY

A major Russian missile attack across Ukraine killed at least 31 people and injured more than 150 on Monday, officials said, with one missile striking a large children’s hospital in the capital, Kyiv, where emergency crews searched rubble for casualties.

The Russian barrage targeted five Ukrainian cities with more than 40 missiles of different types, hitting apartment buildings and public infrastructure, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a social media post.

Strikes in Kryvyi Rih, in central Ukraine, killed 10 persons and injured 37, in what the head of city administration, said was a massive missile attack.

At the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital in Kyiv, rescuers were searching for people under the rubble of a partially collapsed wing of the facility, Mr. Zelenskyy said, adding that the number of casualties was not yet known.

A senior instructor of a volunteer medical unit said some people had died but he did not say how many or whether they were children or adults.

The attack comes on the eve of a three-day NATO summit in Washington, which will look at how to reassure Ukraine of the alliance’s unwavering support and offer Ukrainians hope that their country can come through Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II.

Building destroyed

At the children’s hospital, a two-story building was partly destroyed. On the hospital’s main 10-storey building, windows and doors were blown out and walls were blackened. Blood spattered the floor in one room.

Medical personnel and local people helped shift the rubble as they searched for children and medical workers who could be trapped underneath. The attack forced the hospital to shut down and evacuate.

Elsewhere in Kyiv, the heaviest Russian bombardment of the capital in almost four months killed seven persons and injured 25, officials said.

Ashwin is co-owner of the American Gambits

Press Trust of India

New Delhi

Ashwin.

India off-spinner R. Ashwin has become a co-owner of the American Gambits, a new team which will feature in the second edition of Global Chess League, a joint venture between Tech Mahindra and International Chess Federation.

The League on Monday unveiled the six franchises for the second edition to be played in London from October 3 to 12.

“We’re thrilled to introduce the American Gambits to the chess world. With a blend of strategic brilliance and unwavering determination, our team aims to redefine the game. As co-owner, I’m excited to witness their journey” Ashwin said in a release.

The five other franchise— Alpine SG Pipers, PBG Alaskan Knights, Ganges Grandmasters, defending champion Triveni Continental Kings and Mumba Masters will return for a second season. The players will compete in a unique joint team format consisting of six players, including two top women and a prodigy per team.

Xi calls for talks on Ukraine war in meeting with Orban

Associated Press

TAIPEI

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on world powers to help Russia and Ukraine resume direct dialogue during a meeting on Monday with Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Mr. Orbán made a surprise visit to China after similar trips last week to Russia and Ukraine to discuss prospects for a peaceful settlement of more than the two-year war. Hungary assumed the rotating presidency of the European Union this month and Mr. Orbán has since embarked on a peace mission, which, however, lacks the endorsement of other European leaders.

“China is a key power in creating the conditions for peace in the Russia-Ukraine war,” Mr. Orbán wrote on X. “This is why I came to meet with President Xi in Beijing.”

Mr. Orbán is widely seen as having the warmest relations with Mr. Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin among European leaders.

Japan, Philippines sign defence pact amid China concerns

Associated Press

MANILA

Japan and the Philippines signed a key defence pact on Monday allowing the deployment of Japanese forces for joint drills in the Southeast Asian nation that came under brutal Japanese occupation in the Second World War but is now building an alliance with Tokyo as both face an increasingly assertive China.

The Reciprocal Access Agreement, which similarly allows Filipino forces to enter Japan for joint combat training, was signed by Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa in a Manila ceremony witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. It would take effect after ratification by the countries’ legislatures.

The officials on both sides “expressed serious concern over the dangerous actions by China” in Second Thomas Shoal, the scene of a confrontation between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea.

Myanmar’s ethnic rebels capture an airport in a setback for govt.

AP

Arakan Army, an ethnic group battling the Myanmar junta, said it captured an airport serving the country’s world-class beach resort, marking the first time resistance forces have seized such a facility. They captured Thandwe Airport, also known as Ma Zin Airport, about 260 km northwest of Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city. ap

Russian court jails playwright and director for ‘justifying terrorism’

APAlexander Zemlianichenko

A Russian military court on Monday sentenced a playwright and theatre director to six years in prison on charges of “justifying terrorism” in a 2021 play about women marrying jihadists in Syria. The judge sentenced director Yevgeniya Berkovich and writer Svetlana Petriychuk following a closed-door trial. afp

Boeing, U.S. Department of Justice reach deal over MAX crashes case

APElaine Thompson

Boeing said it had reached a deal with the U.S. Department of Justice over two fatal 737 MAX crashes. It would see the aviation giant plead guilty to fraud. Prosecutors concluded Boeing flouted an earlier settlement addressing the disasters, in which 346 people were killed in Ethiopia and Indonesia more than five years ago. afp

PM Starmer meets Northern Ireland leaders on U.K. tour

REUTERSALASTAIR GRANT

Keir Starmer made his first visit as U.K. PM to Northern Ireland on Monday, with hopes high that relations will improve after years of Brexit turmoil. He held talks with First Minister Michelle O'Neill of the pro-Irish unity Sinn Fein, and his deputy Emma Little-Pengelly, of the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). afp

Sports

- Fritz fells Zverev in a marathon for a sweet reversal after 2022 heartbreak

- All eyes on Kapp, India’s bowling unit in decider

- Tazmin’s guide to smash darkness to ‘Brits’ and pieces

- Seven different champions shows there’s depth: Gauff

- Yuvraj was happy with my duck, he must be proud now: Abhishek

- Perricard’s ace count seventh in all-time list for first three rounds

- Sun inspired by ‘YouTube greats’ in making history

- Fritz-Zverev match equals record for most five-setters at a Slam

- Svitolina wears black ribbon after Ukraine hospital attack

- The results

- Spartans delight the locals with a seven-wicket win

- Around THE CITY

- Focus on the process of executing your skills, says Abhinav Bindra

- Hopefully, we will be able to win a medal in Paris: Sharath

- Tears are another first for veteran Hamilton

- Gagan replaces Mary as chef-de-mission

- Anderson has made ‘peace’ with Test retirement

- Indian men’s hockey team leaves for Switzerland

- Bayern signs French winger Olise from Crystal Palace

- Jayasuriya named Sri Lanka’s interim head coach

- Nitheesh holds Erode’s innings together

- LiVE TELECAST

- Engagements

- Happy that I have entered the top 25 in the world for the first time

Fritz fells Zverev in a marathon for a sweet reversal after 2022 heartbreak

N. Sudarshan

LONDON

The American was leading two sets to one against a wounded Nadal before losing his way ; Rybakina in cruise mode; Musetti ends Perricard’s run

Redemption: Fritz staged an incredible comeback from two sets down to turn the tables on Zverev.REUTERSISABEL INFANTES

Just over two years ago, Taylor Fritz had left Centre Court a broken man. Against a wounded Rafael Nadal, the American let slip a two-sets-to-one lead to miss out on what could have been a maiden Slam semifinal.

On Monday, it was a sweet reversal as the 26-year-old came back from two sets down to oust German fourth seed Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-3 and enter the last eight.

Leap year

The result extended Fritz’s fine 2024 where he has either matched or bettered his best performances at each of the three Majors.

With just an inch separating the two burly men — Fritz at 6’5” and Zverev at 6’6” — it was mostly a battle of serves.

The pair took care of this aspect remarkably well; there were just six opportunities to break and both won more than 80% of their first-serve points. But the difference was in the seconds, where Fritz won 69% (34/49) to Zverev’s 47% (18/38).

In the first four sets, Zverev mostly had an answer to Fritz’s ploy of locking him into extended forehand cross-court exchanges. He broke out of the pattern often and used his double-handed backhand lethally.

But in the fifth, Zverev was troubled by his left knee, on which he had a strapping after hyper-extending it in the previous round. The 27-year-old gave up on many a ball, struggled to get to the low ones and couldn’t really recover from a 1-4 deficit.

“I was on one leg today,” Zverev said later. “[But] he is playing great. I think he is going to be in the semifinals. I expect him to win in the quarters.”

The women’s fourth seed Elena Rybakina fared way better, though, taking a 6-3, 3-0 lead over Anna Kalinskaya in just 53 minutes before a wrist injury forced the latter out.

The abbreviated nature of the contest should take nothing away from Rybakina, the 2022 champion. She won 86% of her first-serve points, hit seven aces and 25 winners.

The Russia-born Kazakh was largely untroubled but for the very first game when Kalinskaya broke. The easy power in her strokes may be soothing to the eye, but they are no less than cannonballs.

Dictating terms

From 1-3 down, the 25-year-old reeled off five straight games, a stretch during which she didn’t allow the 17th seed a single service point. A minor wobble when she went a break-point down while serving for the first set was taken care of with a monstrous ace down the T.

Kalinskaya, a clean-striker herself, came up with a few delectable shots, but the injury, for which she received a medical time-out before the eighth game of the opening set, hampered her. It was not long before the 25-year-old Russian waved the white flag.

Elsewhere, Italian Lorenzo Musetti stopped the stunning run of Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 victory to set up a meeting with Fritz.

The 21-year-old Frenchman — with his penchant for the net-rushing game, the kind of which attracts more eyeballs and draws more footfalls at SW19 than any other place — could have become the first lucky loser in Grand Slam history to make the quarterfinals, but Musetti had his measure.

All eyes on Kapp, India’s bowling unit in decider

Lavanya L

CHENNAI

Work to do: India will have to win the third T20I to tie the series. R. RAGURAGU R

The rain gods teased the 13,000-odd spectators in attendance aplenty with mild showers through the course of the second T20I between India and South Africa at the MAC Stadium here on Sunday. The game’s submission to the elements washed out the fixture.

This makes Tuesday’s fixture a make-or-break affair for the host which needs a win to tie the series. The Proteas, who lead the series 1-0, will look to end the multi-format tour, and their final international stint before the T20 World Cup, on a high.

India made major changes to its XI, with an eye on giving the bench some game time and potentially as a message to the team to get its act together on the field.

Over two high-scoring games, the Indian bowling lineup – the stronger of the two sides – has struggled to contain an often unsteady South African batting pool. Nervy batters were allowed to find their feet, and chokeholds on the runs in the middle phases couldn’t be sustained.

All-rounders like Sajeevan Sajana and Shreyanka Patil did not get to wield the bat with the chase aborted before it even began.

Tazmin Brits finding confidence after a shaky first game and Laura Wolvaardt’s fluency in the PowerPlay have given the visitors a shot in the arm. However, their biggest issue remains the sharpness of their bowling.

With Kapp sitting out, pressure falls on Ayabonga Khaka. Masabata Klaas has sat out both T20Is which means Annerie Dercksen has had to step up to support her. Sune Luus missed yet another game as a precautionary measure and might want to get a game in on Tuesday.

With scattered thunderstorms in the offing around match time, both teams will hope for some solid game time as the women’s international calendar gathers steam in the run-up to the World Cup in October.

Match begins at 7 p.m.

Tazmin’s guide to smash darkness to ‘Brits’ and pieces

Lavanya L

CHENNAI

Brits’s ballerina celebration is in honour of her late father.PTI

“I tried to buy a few runs off Amazon but it didn’t seem to work.”

Humour, South African batter Tazmin Brits will admit, is comforting medicine when the storm has passed, but the first half hour of her 90-minute stay at the crease — from the start to the finish of the South African innings in the first T20I — was painful to say the least.

The 33-year-old desperately swung her bat, clumsily tried to negotiate the ball off the stump line and did everything possible to beat fielders, but in vain. She eventually went on to register a match-winning half-century, a 56-ball 81, but said just one thing — “I am not happy with this.”

The second T20I saw a different side to Brits. She was more confident, despite early nerves from a denied stumping, smashing the Indian spinners en route to her second fifty on the trot, taking the Proteas to 177, which they didn’t need to defend, courtesy the washout.

Resilience comes naturally to Brits. A junior World champion in javelin, she had her sights set on the Olympics, even tattooing the Olympic rings on her right bicep to remind her of target.

However, a horrific car accident left her in a wheelchair with a broken pelvis, dislocated hip and a punctured bladder. Months later, cricket came calling. Brits bit the bullet and didn’t turn back.

Brits’ mother often talks about how her name was inspired by the Tasmanian devil, more known in pop culture as Taz, a devious yet sweet toon whose appetite knows no bounds. The countless obstacles — including the death of her father during the COVID-19 pandemic and her brother’s experiences with drug rehab, all struggles the family had to go through — have, as the saying goes, made her stronger.

From not feeling her body from the hip down to making opponent bowling attacks cramp, Brits has come a long way. She finds gratitude in the small things, earning her good night’s sleep from helping the team in a winning cause.

“You have to be fearless. Everyone always says that but to actually do that in a game is always difficult. You fear getting dropped and play within yourself. You can’t sit in the corner for too long. If you sit in the corner too long, the game might just go by.”

Seven different champions shows there’s depth: Gauff

N. Sudarshan

London

Changing times: ‘In the past you would look at a player and say, ‘she’s guaranteed a quarterfinal spot’. You can’t really say that now.’REUTERSMATTHEW CHILDS

Wimbledon has seen seven different women’s singles champions in the last seven years. There will be an eighth if Elena Rybakina doesn’t go on to win her second title.

Many see it as a sign of flux, but second seed Coco Gauff, who could have been in prime position to add to that eclectic list if not for a 4-6, 3-6 loss to compatriot Emma Navarro late on Sunday, sees it for what it is — depth of the field.

“I don’t want to say that just because I didn’t really watch [tennis] years and years ago, but being on Tour now, I do think there is depth,” the 20-year-old said. “When I look at the past champions of this tournament, you’ll see people winning like three, four times in a row. If you’re Martina [Navratilova], a couple more than that.

“When you see seven different champions, that shows there’s so much depth. In the past you would almost look at a player and say, ‘yeah, she’s guaranteed a quarterfinal spot’. You can’t really say that now.”

Navarro is a good example of that. The 23-year-old American has backed up her maiden Slam fourth-round appearance, at the French Open, with a surge into the quarters here. Gauff admitted to being outplayed but was also mildly critical of her coaching team led by former player Brad Gilbert.

“We had a game plan going in, and I felt it wasn’t working. I don’t always ask for advice from the box, but today [Sunday] I felt like I wanted more direction. They usually give me something, [but] I don’t think we were all in sync. It’s no one’s blame except myself. I’m the player out there and I have to make decisions for myself.”

Yuvraj was happy with my duck, he must be proud now: Abhishek

Press Trust of India

Harare

Blistering century: Abhiskek set the stage ablaze and came back strongly in the second T20I.AFPJEKESAI NJIKIZANA

India opener Abhishek Sharma has revealed that his mentor Yuvraj Singh was delighted when he got out for a duck on his T20I debut against Zimbabwe here as the swashbuckling former all-rounder, for reasons best known to him, felt it was a “good start”.

Making his India debut, Abhishek was out on duck as the Men in Blue lost the first T20I against host Zimbabwe by 13 runs on Saturday. But the 23-year-old came back strong to set the stage ablaze with a blistering maiden century (a 47-ball 100) to fashion India’s 100-run win in the second game a day later.

“I spoke to him yesterday (Saturday) also, and I don’t know why he was very happy when I got out on zero. He said that’s a good start but he must be very happy and proud just like my family,” Abhishek said in a video posted by BCCI.

He credited Yuvraj for not only helping him hone is skills on the cricket field but also supporting him in his life away from the field.

“It’s all because of him as well, the hard work he has put in (shaping) me. (For) two-three years, he has worked really hard not only on my cricket but off the field (life) as well.”

Perricard’s ace count seventh in all-time list for first three rounds

Getty ImagesClive Brunskill

Until the third round, Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard served a whopping 105 aces, ranking him seventh in the all-time list for most aces hit in the first three rounds of men’s singles at the grass Major. Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti ended the remarkable run of Perricard in the fourth round.

Sun inspired by ‘YouTube greats’ in making history

Getty ImagesPOOL

Lulu Sun became the first New Zealand woman to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals on Sunday and hailed the inspiration she found by turning to YouTube to learn from Centre Court.

"For example, Roger Federer, of course. I watched also Steffi Graf versus Martina Navratilova on YouTube."

Fritz-Zverev match equals record for most five-setters at a Slam

AFPBEN STANSALL

The Fritz-Zverev contest was the 35th five-set match at Wimbledon this year. This equals the Open era record for most five-set matches at a Grand Slam alongside the 1983 US Open and the 2024 Australian Open. The previous Open era record for most five-set encounters at Wimbledon was 34 in 1969.

Svitolina wears black ribbon after Ukraine hospital attack

APMosa'ab Elshamy

Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina wore a black ribbon and broke down in tears as she made the Wimbledon quarterfinals on Monday, hours after a Russian missile barrage killed 36 people and ripped open a children’s hospital in Kyiv. She hoped her win would at least provide ‘a small light’ in the aftermath of the attack.

Fourth Round: Men: 13-Fritz (USA) bt 4-Zverev (Ger) 4-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-3; 25-Musetti (Ita) bt Mpetshi Perricard (Fra) 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-2; 9-de Minaur (Aus) Fils (Fra) 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. 12-Paul (USA) bt Bautista Agut (Esp) 6-2, 7-6(4), 6-2.

Women: 31-Krejcikova (Cze) bt 11-Collins (USA) 7-5, 6-3. 4-Rybakina (Kaz) bt 17-Kalinskaya (Rus) 6-3, 3-0, ret.; 21-Svitolina (Ukr) bt Wang (Chn) 6-2, 6-1; 13-Ostapenko (Lat) bt Putintseva (Kaz) 6-2, 6-3. 19-Navarro (USA) bt 2-Gauff (USA) 6-4, 6-3.

Spartans delight the locals with a seven-wicket win

Sankar Narayanan E.H.

Salem

Kavin starts the fireworks for the Salem side while Vivek completes the job with a flurry of lofted shots ; birthday boy Indrajith and Vimal’s partnership goes in vain for Dragons

Giving it the treatment: Vivek’s no-holds-barred approach took Salem Spartans home quite easily. E. LAKSHMI NARAYANAN

There were no Monday Blues for the home fans as they relished host SKM Salem Spartans’ commanding seven-wicket win over Dindigul Dragons in a Tamil Nadu Premier League fixture at the Salem Cricket Foundation Ground.

Spartans were never in trouble while hunting down a target of 150 on a pitch that was a bit two-paced.

Fireworks begin

After R. Kavin (46, 34b, 8x4) started the fireworks, R. Vivek (51 n.o., 28b, 5x4, 3x6) unleashed a flurry of lofted shots in the middle overs to make short work of the chase.

Vivek’s winning shot, scooping a short ball over the wicketkeeper, embodied Spartans’ no-holds-barred approach.

Earlier, opting to bat, Dragons openers Shivam Singh and R. Ashwin were put under duress early through some disciplined bowling. Shivam and Ashwin finally succumbed to pressure as they lost their wickets to Sunny Sandhu (two for 23) and S. Harish Kumar (two for 28) respectively.

Birthday boy B. Indrajith (51, 34b, 4x4, 2x6) and R. Vimal Khumar (47, 32b, 3x4, 2x6) then steadied the ship with a 64-run partnership.

With Dragons looking good at 87 for two, the game saw probably one of the shortest rain delays in cricket with the ground-staff not even getting to cover the square fully before the drizzle stopped.

However, the interruption affected the Dindigul outfit as it lost wickets at regular intervals.

Vimal ran himself out after hitting the ball straight to mid-on before Harish sent back Indrajith to reel things back for the host. S. Dinesh Raj’s cameo (20, 10b) took the total to 149, but it was going to Spartans’ night after that.

The scores: Dindigul Dragons 149/9 in 20 overs (Vimal Khumar 47, B. Indrajith 51, Sunny Sandhu 2/23, S. Harish Kumar 2/28) lost to SKM Salem Spartans 150/3 in 18.1 overs (R. Kavin 46, R. Vivek 51 n.o.). Toss: Dragons.

Tuesday’s match: Siechem Madurai Panthers vs Ba11sy Trichy, Salem Cricket Foundation Ground, 7.15 p.m.

Champions: The title winners in various categories at the State-ranking table tennis tournament. Special Arrangement

Three cheers

for Abhinandh

It was a triple delight for P.B. Abhinandh (Chennai Achievers), who won the men’s and boys’ under-19 and under-17 titles at the third TNTTA-Saveetha State-ranking table tennis tournament recently. In the men’s final, Abhinandh trounced Suresh Raj Preyesh (RTTHPC) 11-8, 11-8, 12-10, 11-7.

In the women’s final, Selena Deepthi (RTTHPC) got the better of Nithyashree Mani (Chennai Achievers) 10-12, 11-8, 12-10, 11-5, 4-11, 11-8. Meanwhile, M. Ananya (Chennai Achievers) clinched a double winning the girls’ under-17 and under-15 events.

Other results (finals): Boys: U-19: P.B. Abhinandh bt Suresh Raj Preyesh 11-8, 8-11, 11-13, 11-5, 12-10, 7-11, 11-6; U-17: Abhinandh bt Nikkhil Menon (MST) 11-8, 11-6, 11-8.

U-15: Akash Rajavelu (Jawahar TTA) bt Vishruth Ramakrishnan (MST) 11-6, 11-4, 11-5; U-13: Sanjay Arawindh (Jawahar TTA) bt M. Sivaganish (LCC- Neyveli) 11-3, 11-4, 8-11, 12-10; U-11: H. Tanish (SK Academy) bt Deepak Murugan (DDL) 11-4, 11-1, 7-11, 11-5.

Girls: U-19: A. Shriya (CTTF) bt N. Sharvani (Mylapore Club) 11-5, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 13-11; U-17: M. Ananya bt B.R. Nandhini (MVM) 11-4, 13-11, 7-11, 8-11, 11-8; U-15: M. Ananya bt B. Varnika (SSA-ERD) 11-6, 11-9, 11-.

U-13: Chinthanya Nandagopal (DTTA) bt Harjani (SK Academy) 4-11, 11-9, 13-11, 11-2.

U-11: D. Prathika (SSA-ERD) bt N. Sahana (Bestshot TTA) 11-7, 11-8, 11-9.

Corporate: L. Vigneshwaran (Topspin TTA) bt S. Sasikumar (SDAT-Chandra) 4-11,11-4, 11-7, 11-4; Veterans: R. Rajesh (LIC) bt N. Senthil (ICF) 12-10, 11-6, 11-6.

Sanjana’s knock in vain

Sanjana Suman’s half-century went in vain as Red Rangers lost to Blue Avengers by five wickets in the TNCA Freyer Trophy women’s one-day tournament on Monday.

The scores:

Silver Strikers 86/9 in 27 overs lost to Purple Blazers 87/3 in 16.3 overs (C. Shushanthika 35).

Red Rangers 119/7 in 34 overs (Sanjana Suman 50, A. Shreya Sharon 3/21) lost to Blue Avengers 120/5 in 32.2 overs.

Jeppiaar varsity

takes title

Jeppiaar University won the State-level women’s volleyball tournament, organised by Johnson Friends Club and Salem District Volleyball Association, which concluded on Sunday. Jeppiar won all its five matches in the six-team event.

The results:

Jeppiaar University bt SDAT Excellence 25-17, 17-25, 27-25; Jeppiaar bt Bharathiyar Attur 25-19, 19-25, 25-17; Jeppiaar bt American College 25-16, 25-22; Jeppiaar bt Dr Sivanthi Club 27-25, 22-25, 25-23; Jeppiaar bt Tamil Nadu Police 25-21, 25-23.

Final standings (top three): 1. Jeppiaar University; 2. Tamil Nadu Police; 3. SDAT Excellence.

Focus on the process of executing your skills, says Abhinav Bindra

Kamesh Srinivasan

NEW DELHI

Positive vibe: The panel that took part in the discussion believes this will be India’s best Olympics yet.SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra optimistically visualised the Indian contingent posting a double digit medal tally in the Paris Olympic Games.

Exchanging ideas in a panel discussion organised by the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IFCCI), Abhinav expressed his admiration for the current generation of athletes and their enormous self-belief.

“There are some similarities to my generation also. You have to show up and perform on the day. It is not easy. But, it is possible, if you cut out the past and the future, and live in the moment. Focus on the process of executing your skills,” said Abhinav.

Ambassador of France in India, Thierry Mathou reminded everyone that France was the runner-up in cricket when the game was part of the Olympics last time, as he looked forward to its return in Los Angeles.

He said the Paris Games would be different in so many ways, starting with the opening ceremony on the river bank, as the prime focus was on innovation, sustainability, solidarity and equality.

Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president, Adille Sumriwalla, stated that a systematic process was followed from 2012 to have the best eco system, and that the enhanced results at all levels. “Master the process and go after it. Results will come,” Sumariwalla said.

The Joint Secretary of the Union Sports Ministry, Kunal stated that the government was doing everything possible to support sports at all levels, even though the support to the elite was more visible.

Tennis player Manisha Malhotra who was associated with the preparation of the country’s two Olympic gold medallists, Abhinav and Neeraj Chopra, through the Mittal Champions Trust and JSW Sports respectively, said that both were “very sorted in their head, going into the Games”, despite pursuing contrasting sports like shooting and throwing.

Hopefully, we will be able to win a medal in Paris: Sharath

Tarun Shastry

Chennai

Sharath.SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The anticipation is high as India’s top paddler, A. Sharath Kamal, and the table tennis squad look to create history at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

This will mark the veteran’s fifth appearance at the Games. What will make it more special is thathe will be India’s flag-bearer (men), a first in his illustrious career.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ‘Go For Gold’ initiative by Timelinks, Sharath was optimistic about India’s chances in Paris.

Match practice

“We played three back-to-back tournaments in Tunisia, Nigeria and Bangkok. We had very good match practice and played doubles as well. We could figure out what was working and what was not... all of us in the team have a good understanding and have been together for close to six years. I have also prepared very well and the results should follow. I am not leaving anything to chance,” said Sharath.

Talking about his strategy for the Olympics, the 41-year-old said: “Doubles will be the first match of the tie and if you can win that, the best player gets to play the singles match with ease. I will concentrate on singles while Manav Thakkar and Harmeet Desai will combine in doubles. But there could be situations, depending on a particular day, where I might also play doubles. We are preparing along those lines and trying out different options.”

As India looks for an elusive table tennis medal at the Summer Games, Sharath said: “If we were able to win a medal at the Asians in 2018, hopefully we will be able to win at the Olympics in 2024 too.”

Tears are another first for veteran Hamilton

Reuters

SILVERSTONE

Hamilton.REUTERS

Of all the Formula One firsts achieved by Lewis Hamilton on Sunday, and there was quite a list, the sobbing over the radio and tears in the arms of his father Anthony will live long in the memory.

The most successful driver of all time has had plenty of standout moments since his sensational debut in 2007 but the long wait for a 104th career victory was something else.

The Mercedes driver’s first win since the controversial 2021 season, a drought lasting 945 days and 56 races, was a record ninth in Hamilton’s home British GP and broke a dam of pent-up emotions.

“I can’t stop crying,” the 39-year-old told Jenson Button in an interview when his compatriot said he had never before seen him so emotional after a race.

“There’s definitely been days between 2021 and here where I didn’t feel like I was good enough or whether I was going to get back to where I am today. “I have never cried coming from a win, it just came out of me and it is a really, really great feeling. I’m very, very grateful for it.”

For the first time, Hamilton stood for the national anthem of ‘God Save the King’, instead of the late Queen Elizabeth, playing for him as a winner.

His parents were there too. “I’ve always had their support but to be able to see them there and share this experience, they wanted to be at my last British GP with this team,” said Hamilton.

Gagan replaces Mary as chef-de-mission

Sports Bureau

KOLKATA

Gagan. File photo: Nagara Gopal

Shooter Gagan Narang, the 2012 Olympic Games men’s 10m air rifle bronze medallist, has been chosen to replace M.C. Mary Kom as the chef-de-mission of the Indian contingent for the 2024 Paris Olympics, beginning on July 26.

IOA president P.T. Usha on Monday said 41-year-old Narang’s elevation from the deputy chef-de-mission position was an automatic choice after Mary’s resignation.

“I was looking for an Olympic medallist to lead our contingent and my young colleague is an apt replacement for Mary Kom,” said Usha.

Sindhu chosen

“I am also delighted to announce that India’s only woman to win two Olympic medals, P.V. Sindhu, as the female flag-bearer alongside table tennis ace A. Sharath Kamal in the opening ceremony.”

Anderson has made ‘peace’ with Test retirement

England great James Anderson said on Monday he had come to terms with his impending retirement. The first Test against the West Indies at Lord’s, starting on Wednesday, will be the paceman’s 188th and final appearance. “I feel like I’m still bowling as well as I ever have. But I knew it had to end at some point. Whether it’s now or in a year or two... I’d love just to be able to contribute somehow this week,” said the veteran pacer. The team features two debutants for this week’s series opener.

The team: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt.), Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, and James Anderson.

Indian men’s hockey team leaves for Switzerland

The Indian men’s hockey team on Monday departed for renowned adventurer Mike Horn’s base in Switzerland which will be followed by a training camp in the Netherlands ahead of the Paris Games. The three-day arduous camp in Switzerland is designed to instil mental toughness. The team will then proceed to the Netherlands to play practice matches before finally heading to Paris. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh said the upcoming experiences will ensure that the players are “in the best state of mind and body before we begin our Olympic journey.”

Bayern signs French winger Olise from Crystal Palace

Bayern Munich has signed French forward Michael Olise from Crystal Palace, the German giant announced on Sunday. German magazine Kicker reported Bayern paid a release clause of €70 million to the Premier League club to secure Olise’s services on a five-year deal.

Jayasuriya named Sri Lanka’s interim head coach

Former captain Sanath Jayasuriya was on Monday named the interim head coach of Sri Lanka’s cricket team ahead of this month’s white-ball home series against India with the country’s board saying that he is “well-positioned” to guide the side till a “permanent solution” is found in the next few months. The Indian team will be touring Sri Lanka for three T20 Internationals and as many ODIs, starting July 27. Jayasuriya will continue in the post till Sri Lanka’s Test tour to England in August-September, comprising three games.

Nitheesh holds Erode’s innings together

V. Nitheesh’s unbeaten 82 helped Erode reach 131 for eight at stumps on day one against Chengalpattu in their two-day semifinal of the TNCA u-14 inter-district tournament in Chengalpattu on Monday.

The scores (semifinals, day one): At Chengalpattu: Erode 131/8 in 68.5 overs (V. Nitheesh 82 batting, G.D. Sachin Balaji 3/17) vs Chengalpattu. At Tirunelveli: Thiruvallur 148 in 74.2 overs (V. Dharshan 40, S. Kiran Raj Yadav 37, Anish Saran 3/44) vs Tirunelveli 54/3 in 27 overs.

Wimbledon: SS Select 1, 2 (SD & HD) & Hotstar, 3.30 p.m. onwards

India Women vs South Africa Women: 3rd T20I, Sports 18-1 (SD & HD) & JioCinema, 7 p.m.

TNPL: Star Sports 1 (SD & HD) & FanCode, 7.15 p.m.

Cycling: Tour de France, Eurosport (SD & HD), 7.30 p.m.

Football: Euro 2024, Sony Sports Ten 2, 3, 5 (SD & HD) & LIV, 12.30 a.m. (Wednesday)

Cricket: India vs South Africa, third T20I (MAC Stadium), 7 p.m.; XL1 Super Sports GRYT U-14 & U-16 inter-school (Sumangali Arch ground, Medavakkam), 7.30 a.m. & 12.30 p.m.

Happy that I have entered the top 25 in the world for the first time

K. Keerthivasan

My aim is to play my best, to be able to implement what I’ve planned and practised; everybody says, ‘you will feel the pressure once you enter the Stadium’ but despite the pressure, I should be able to implement my plans and do what my coach said

1 of 3 Getty ImagesVCG

2 of 3 The key is to stay injury-free at Paris. I had many sessions with mental coach Gayatri Vartak doing different breathing exercises. I did quite a few counselling sessions to ensure that I stay confident during the match

3 of 3

Along with Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula will carry India’s hopes on her shoulders for women’s table tennis at the Paris Olympics. The 25-year-old recently overtook Manika to become India’s top-ranked female paddler in the world ranking charts.

After a fine performance in the World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender tournament in Lagos last month, where she won the singles and doubles (with Archana Kamath) titles, Sreeja jumped to her career-best World ranking of 24 (now she has now dropped a spot to No.25). She thus became the first Indian woman to claim a Star Contender title.

That Sreeja’s peak performance came a week after she honed her skills at the National camp in Bengaluru with national coach Massimo, alias Max, Costantini keeping a close watch indicates that the 2022 Commonwealth Games mixed doubles gold medalist is peaking at the right time.

Somnath Ghosh, Sreeja’s personal coach, attributed her success to "meticulous hard work” put in by his ward.

“This year has been Sreeja’s year, where she won three singles titles: two WTT Feeder crowns and a WTT Contender title. We have worked on several areas,” said Somnath.

“She was unstable in backhand block. So, we changed her grip a bit. That way, powerful shots from her opponents she can block well. We have worked on deceptive top spins and forehand receives. Sreeja is now almost a complete player.”

In this exclusive interview, Sreeja – supported by the Dream Sports Foundation – talks about what being India No. 1 means and her expectations at the Paris Olympics.

You are ranked India No. 1 in International rankings and it is your best-ever ranking at 24 in the world. What do you make of it?

I am happy that my world ranking has improved. I was India No.1 in March too but that was just for a week. I am happy that I have entered the top 25 in the world for the first time. Ranking is just a number. My focus is to keep improve my game and skills. It is not just on rankings. If I think only about rankings, it might add up to my pressure. My next aim is to be in world’s top 20.

Will we see a new Sreeja at the Paris Olympics?

Ha ha ha (laughs). There are no major changes in my game. I just want to play my best.

Recently, five Indian women paddlers — Sreeja (WR 25), Manika (28), Sutirtha Mukherjee (78), Yashaswini Ghorpade (80) and Ayhika Mukherjee (90) — have entered the top 100 in world rankings. How do you see the growth of women TT players?

It is a very positive growth for India. It is something really great. And I think we can expect more from girls in the future. The juniors are doing well in domestic tournaments. In fact, juniors are producing upset wins over senior players and winning the tournament. And there is a healthy competition between junior and senior paddlers. Moreover, everybody is getting exposure thanks to TOPS and other private sponsors.

How did the National camp in Bengaluru go?

It was a 10-day camp. I was happy that Somnath sir was there. Foreign coach Max was there. When Somnath sir is there, I am happy. He will accompany me to Germany and Paris. I tried hard to get Field of Play (FOP) access for him at the Paris Olympics, but we only managed to get accreditation for him to get in at the training hall only. At the National camp in Bengaluru, we tried out different combinations for doubles.

Can you tell us how was it playing doubles and winning the title with Archana Kamath?

I was very comfortable with Archana. However, in the Olympics, we will decide our combinations based on our opponents. It also depends on the draw, too. We have to give the composition of the team two hours before the match.

You are off to Saarbrucker in Germany on July 11 (and leave for Paris on July 21 from Saarbrucker) for the next National camp. What is the plan?

I don't know much about the plans. I am happy that Somnath sir is with me. We hope we will get good sparring partners. This is my first visit to the city. All I know that there is a big Olympic Centre in Germany.

What are your expectations from the Paris Olympics?

Frankly, it depends on the draw. But my aim is to play my best, to be able to implement what I’ve planned and practiced. Everybody says, ‘you will feel the pressure once you enter the Stadium’. Despite the pressure, I should be able to implement my plans and do what my coach said.

Massimo Costantini, India’s foreign coach, has been in the National camp in Bengaluru. What has been your experience with him?

It’s been only a month since he came to India. We had a 10-day camp in Bengaluru. His vast experience of training several International paddlers will come in handy in Paris. I cannot tell anything now. It is too early to say something. I believe Max will be of great help in team events.

This is your first title at the WTT Contender level. How was it?

Actually, in the singles quarterfinals and semifinals I had to play against Indians, Yashaswini and Sutirtha respectively, which you all know, is tricky as each knows the other’s game really well. If two Indians are playing, coach cannot sit and give instructions. So, we have to think for ourselves, plan during the match and play. I was confident as I have played them so many times. For the final against China’s Ding Yijie, Somnath sir helped me strategise the previous night. Max was there to help in the final as well.

What were the key learnings at Lagos?

Mainly, I learnt that when I am confident, I can implement what I’ve planned. I have to be mentally strong, positive and focus hard. Against Sutirtha Mukherjee in the semifinals, I was 7-10 down in the decider. I was able to pull off the comeback. That has given me lots of confidence that whatever the scores I can come back.

This is the first time you were seeded (fourth) in a WTT Contender tournament. How was the feeling?

I felt happy. But it really doesn’t make a difference whether you are seeded or not seeded. Each match is tough. In fact, I played against Indians which was tougher. But I think the title came at the right time before the Olympics.

At the camp, did you discuss about the other countries’ strength and weaknesses at Paris Olympics. Can you share it with us?

We did not discuss anything. Actually, anything can happen in Olympics. If you see the way we played against China in the World team championships in Busan early this year, you will know why I say this. The toughest teams are China, Japan and Korea. But we should be able to give our best.

What you think are the improvements you made for the Paris Olympics?

There has been a clear focus on strength and conditioning. The key is to stay injury-free at Paris. I had many sessions with mental coach Gayatri Vartak doing different breathing exercises. I did quite a few counselling sessions to ensure that I stay confident during the match.

There was special concentration on my forehand, especially the first ball attack and ways to give variations to it. I am focusing on defence.

Is there a change in mindset now that you are India’s top paddler?

There is no change in mindset whatsoever. Whatever match I play, I have to focus on my game and not focus on whom I am playing.

Science

- Scientists find proof pain-sensing cells are either male or female

- Remembering science’s need for a guiding light

- World's oldest cave painting was created at least 51,000 years ago

Sanjukta Mondal

To understand sexual dimorphism in nociceptor sensitisation, researchers investigated how easily pain receptors in the dorsal root ganglion could be excited. They took samples from three male and female mice, two macaque monkeys, and donor nerve cells from four men and three women

1 of 2 Pain is an essential component of our body’s warning system that directs our attention to potential external or internal harm. Getty Images/iStockphoto Rasi Bhadramani

2 of 2 Scientists have suspected for some time now that the perception of pain might be sexually dimorphic: that is, different between men and women. But the particulars have been a mystery

You finally got your hands on a new novel you’ve been wanting to read. You’re turning the crisp paper of the pages when suddenly you get a paper cut. Pain erupts on your finger. A discomfiting sensation surges through your entire body yelling out, “Brain, we have a problem!”

This unwanted yet necessary sensory experience most living beings share is pain. It is an essential component of our body’s warning system that directs our attention to potential external or internal harm.

The International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as, “An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage.”

The way people perceive pain is highly personal and subjective in nature. In fact, scientists have suspected for some time now that the perception of pain might be sexually dimorphic: that is, different between (biological) men and women. But the particulars have been a mystery.

A study led by University of Arizona Health Sciences researchers, recently published in the journal Brain, demonstrated for the first time functional sexual dimorphism in nociceptors, the nerve cells responsible for perceiving pain.

Why do we perceive pain?

Nociceptor cells have bare nerve endings, and they are found across our skin, bones, joints, and muscles. The receptors detect extreme pressure, temperature, and chemical signals released by the body when it is injured, turn them into electrical signals, and relay them to the brain via the spinal cord. The brain finally reads the message and perceives pain.

In the new study, the researchers investigated how the nociceptors first light up. “Activation of nociceptors likely produces the same perception of pain in men and women. What is different is how the nociceptors are activated.

“While the nociceptors are normally activated by high-intensity stimuli, under some circumstances the threshold for their activation may be decreased, allowing low intensity and normally physiological stimuli to activate them and produce pain,” Frank Porreca, associate head of the Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, told this author in an email.

The nociceptor response threshold

Previous studies have reported that the nociceptor response threshold in females is lower than that in males. One possible biological mechanism underlying this difference could be peripheral nociceptor sensitisation: a phenomenon in which the threshold for pain is lowered by external factors, causing the receptors to respond to stimuli that they’d otherwise ignore. But researchers still needed to know how this variation in sensitisation arises.

To understand sexual dimorphism in nociceptors sensitisation, the research team investigated how easily pain receptors in the dorsal root ganglion — a cluster of nerve cells located near the spinal cord — could be excited. They collected the samples from three male and female mice, two macaque monkeys (one of each sex), and donor nerve cells from four men and three women.

Dr. Porecca’s lab has been exploring the relationship between sleep and chronic pain. In an April 2022 study, the team found that prolactin, a hormone responsible for the growth of breast tissue, also selectively promoted pain responses in female rodents.

Later, the researchers found receptors for prolactin were expressed more in female-specific pain disorders such as endometriosis.

Their studies of sleep and chronic pain also established that orexin B, a neurotransmitter that regulates wakefulness, produced sensitisation in male rodents but not female rodents.

‘Differentially sensitised’

In the new study, the researchers studied how prolactin and orexin-B affect nociceptor activation thresholds in the nerve cell samples they had. They cultured the nerve cells overnight in the presence of mouse prolactin for the mice and human prolactin for both the monkey and the human samples. For orexin-B, they applied the neurotransmitter to cultured nerve cells of all three species.

In the mice cohort, a technique to separate and identify proteins revealed prolactin had increased the firing-up of nociceptors in females and orexin-B had done the same thing in males. Immunohistochemistry analyses of monkeys and humans also revealed similar effects.

The team’s observations here were consistent with the older findings. “Our paper showed that nociceptors from male and female animals or humans can be differentially ‘sensitised’, i.e., have a lowering of their activation threshold,” Dr. Porecca, the corresponding author of this study, said.

The devil’s in the differences

When doctors prescribe medicine to help manage pain, they typically overlook the sex of the patient. In fact, other than certain female-specific hormonal therapies, health workers generally treat pain the same way among both men and women — even though we also know the rate at which different pain conditions occur differs between the sexes.

For example, pain arising from conditions not linked to visible tissue damage, such as irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, and painful bladder syndrome, is more common in women, alongside female-specific issues such as endometriosis and dysmenorrhea.

On the other hand, cluster headaches and gout are more common in men, together with male-specific ailments like prostatitis.

Unravelling the different mechanisms that drive nociceptor sensitisation and activation will bring us a step closer to understanding qualitative sex differences in pain perception, which in turn is essential to designing precise and sex-specific pain therapies.

“We studied multiple species because we were aware of some data in rodents and human cells of differential expression of the transcript for proteins, and we didn’t know if this could translate into functional differences in sensitisation or activation,” Dr. Porecca said.

Dr. Porecca said the widespread existence of these mechanisms across species suggests they’re evolutionarily relevant.

In addition, the activation or sensitisation interfering ability of these mechanisms holds the potential to be exploited for the development of highly targeted therapeutics.

The study presents a unique concept: nociceptors are either male or female. The researchers expect their findings to have two implications for medical research.

First, it will encourage medical practitioners to factor in the sex of a patient when making decisions about pain therapies.

Second, in clinical trials of therapies with new pain treatment mechanisms, researchers will have to be more careful about the number of men and women in the trial so that they might be alerted to effects that may only occur in one sex.

Dr. Porecca also said it might be time to revisit some ‘failed’ clinical trials to check if there might have been a sex-specific effect to a drug.

(Sanjukta Mondal is a chemist-turned-science writer with experience in writing popular science articles and scripts for STEM YouTube channels.)

Remembering science’s need for a guiding light

Vasudevan Mukunth

1 of 2 Exactly five years after the first Conference (in Q1), the U.S. conducted history’s largest nuclear test in space (shown here as seen from 1,450 km away through clouds). What was the test called? PUBLIC DOMAIN

2 of 2

Question 1

On July 9, 1955, British philosopher Bertrand Russell issued a manifesto that subsequently became the founding charter for the _______ Conference. Fill in the blank. The Conference later won a Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts towards nuclear disarmament.

Question 2

If it weren’t for the breaking out of the Suez Crisis in 1956, the Conference (in Q1) would have been held in India thanks to the efforts of __________ _____. Fill in the blanks.

Question 3

An important contributor to the Russell-Einstein manifesto was X, famous as the only scientist to have quit the Manhattan Project on moral grounds. Name X.

Question 4

Of the 11 original signatories to the Russell-Einstein manifesto, only two were not Nobel laureates. One was X (in Q3). Name the other.

Question 5

At the first Conference in 1957, there was only one woman present: ____ _____. She was widely considered to be more learned than the Conference’s other participants even though she wasn’t a scientist. Fill in the blanks.

Answers to July 4 quiz:

1. The earth’s acceleration through space due to the Sun – Ans: 0.001 m/s^2

2. What ‘1 kg’ stands for vis-a-vis an object in the absence of acceleration – Ans: Mass

3. Threshold in terms of g beyond which humans experience dizziness – Ans: 5 g

4. Officer who frequently participated in extreme acceleration tests – Ans: John Stapp

5. G-force that flight records are required to withstand – Ans: 3,400 g

Visual: Kenny Bräck

First contact: Anmol Agrawal | Seema Das

Answers to July 5 quiz:

1. Electrolyte often lost through sweat – Ans: Sodium

2. Rare genetic disorder causing individuals to feel very thirsty, drink excessive amounts of water – Ans: Polydipsia

3. Common hydrating beverage that can lead to dehydration – Ans: Coffee

4. Percentage of human brain composed of water – Ans: 75%

5. Condition caused by quickly drinking lots of water, leading to sodium levels in blood – Ans: Hyponatraemia

Visual: Pituitary

First contact: Seema Das | Pratyush Shukla | Vijayram Ganasala | Dishanta Adhikari | Phunka Boro

World's oldest cave painting was created at least 51,000 years ago

Reuters

A painting created at least 51,200 years ago in the limestone cave of Leang Karampuang in the Maros-Pangkep region of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi portrays three human-like figures interacting with a wild pig, in this undated handout image. Reuters Reuters

On the ceiling of a limestone cave on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, scientists have discovered artwork depicting three human-like figures interacting with a wild pig in what they have determined is the world's oldest-known confidently dated cave painting — created at least 51,200 years ago.

The researchers used a new scientific approach to determine the minimum age of the newly disclosed painting inside the Leang Karampuang cave in the Maros-Pangkep region of South Sulawesi province by using a laser to date a type of crystal called calcium carbonate that formed naturally on top of the painting.

“The method is a significant improvement over other methods and should revolutionize rock art dating worldwide,” said Maxime Aubert, a specialist in archaeological science at Griffith University in Australia and one of the leaders of the research published on Wednesday in the journal Nature.

The scene, dominated by a representation of a pig measuring 92 cm by 38 cm that is standing upright along with three smaller human-like figures, is painted in a single shade of dark red pigment. There are other images of pigs in the cave as well.

The researchers interpreted the painting as a narrative scene, which they said would make it the oldest-known evidence of storytelling in art.

“The three human-like figures and the pig figure were clearly not depicted in isolation in separate parts of the rock art panel,” said Griffith University archeologist Adam Brumm, another of the study leaders.

“Rather, the juxtaposition of the figures - how they are positioned in relation to each other - and the manner in which they are interacting were clearly deliberate, and it conveys an unmistakable sense of action. There is something happening between these figures. A story is being told. Obviously, we don't know what that story was,” Brumm added.

The researchers used the same dating method to reassess the age of another Sulawesi cave painting from a site called Leang Bulu' Sipong 4, also depicting a narrative scene, this time depicting apparent part-human, part-animal figures hunting pigs and dwarf buffalo. It turned out to be at least 48,000 years old, upwards of 4,000 years earlier than previously thought.

“We, as humans, define ourselves as a species that tells stories, and these are the oldest evidence of us doing that,” Aubert said.

In the Leang Karampuang painting, the interaction between the human-like figures and the pig, a species still inhabiting the island, is somewhat cryptic.

“Two of these figures are holding objects of some kind, and at least one figure seems to be reaching towards the pig's face. Another figure is positioned directly above the pig's head in an upside down position,” Brumm said.

Table of Contents

The Hindu Jul 09, 2024

Regional

5 Army soldierskilled in militant ambush in J&K

SC says cancellation of NEET-UG 2024 is ‘extreme last resort’

ADGP A. Arun appointed as Chennai Police Commissioner

NHAI submits proposal for felling trees near Maduravoyal flyover for port expressway

GCC identifies 40 low-lying areas for monsoon preparedness

Metrowater labourers’ union demands permanent jobs

Chennai Customs arrest man for smuggling over 400 baby iguanas

Over 85 doctors from hospitals across Tamil Nadu honoured

Improve amenities at Thideer Nagar: CPI(M)

Airports Authority of India plans structural audit for Chennai airport

First batch of women students enrol in courses at Nandanam Arts College

Child undergoes procedure to treat fused skull bones

IIT-Madras to offer certificate course in water quality

Annual combined NCC training camp held

Six men held for murder near Avadi

Workshop on anaesthesia held at MMC

T.N.’s Idol Wing CID seizes six antiques worth ₹22 crore

HC seeks State govt.’s stand on rehabilitation of tea plantation workers at Manjolai

97-year-old freedom fighter receives pension arrears

Consul-General of Japan in Chennai calls on CM Stalin

Training programme held to help 213 sanitary workers

Will talk to criminals in the language they understand, says new police commissioner

Vengaivayal case: How long will you take to catch the culprits, HC asks CB-CID

Campaigning for Vikravandi byelection draws to a close

CM issues orders for farmers, potters to take silt, clay from waterbodies free of cost

Govt. appoints panel to suggest State amendments to 3 new criminal laws

Transferring police officers will not change law and order situation: EPS

PMK complains of cash distribution to voters in Vikravandi

Annamalai backs Mayawati’s demand for CBI investigation

'Probe those linked to Arudhra Gold’

ADGP A. Arun posted as Greater Chennai City Police Commissioner

National

A.P. would be different place had YSR been alive: Rahul

Railway Board’s pitch for European system put off Kavach rollout

CID files chargesheet in Neha murder case

Trouble over ‘permitting’ liquor at a political event

Ahead of talks with Putin, PM says will ‘back’ peace in region

Mahua flags ‘beef passes’ by Union Minister; routine affair, says BSF

Main accused in Mumbai car crash elusive; police issue look-out notice

Campaigning concludes for tomorrow’s Assembly bypolls in 13 constituencies

Cancellation of NEET-UG will be last resort: SC

Will PM take up cause of Indians stuck in war: Cong.

Cannot force accused to share Google Map pin: SC

NEET-UG probe: CBI arrests one in Maharashtra

‘Modi govt. a disaster for J&K security situation’

4 Army soldiers killed in militant ambush in J&K

‘Congress is strong in all Assembly segments in Haryana, can form government on its own’

Listen to people of Manipur, Rahul tells PM after visiting State

Hemant wins trust vote, inducts 11 Ministers into Jharkhand Cabinet

Firing reported near Jiribam district, two persons arrested

EC allows Sharad Pawar’s party to accept donations from public

ED moves SC against grant of bail to Jharkhand CM

Downpour from Sunday snaps lifelines of Mumbai

Hurdles in importing diamonds pose a quantum block to research ambition

Centre set to tweak criteria for according classical language status

14222

Films should not misrepresent people with disabilities: SC

Wise and virtuous men

Murmu urges citizens to take proactive measures for nature

Flogging survivor complains against CPI(M), BJP leaders

Edit

Indigenous HPV vaccine, the rhetoric and the reality

A brewing duel amid Manila’s dual engagement

Resurgent left

Renewed hope

letters to the editor

Share of women in unincorporated sector highest in the south

A moderate voice for Sri Lankan Tamils

An unusual Nitish Kumar

Nuclear energy may be used for oil drilling in Gujarat

Unknown Panama tribe discovered

What are new provisions for police officers?

What are the laws preventing tree felling in Delhi?

In an electric vehicle, what is regenerative braking?

A quiz on the cinematic legend Guru Dutt who would have turned 100 today

Know your English

Business

Double health budget, says ex-Health Secretary Rao

Govt. reopens PLI scheme for white goods till October 12

‘Citigroup’s employment report not exhaustive’

Maruti dispatched 2 mn units via rail to boost green logistics

‘Restore interest equalisation scheme’

Welspun One’s Fund 2 raises ₹2,275 crore

Dvara KGFS raises $10 mn from Triple Jump for fund

‘India’s employment grew provisionally at 6% in FY24’

New business premium of life insurers rose 15% in June

IFC lends ₹825 cr. to Tata Realty

Foreign

France faces coalition puzzle after left-wing surge in polls

Freewheeling Spain faces austere French in bid to reach the final

Russian missile attack on Ukraine kills 31; children’s hospital in Kyiv hit

Ashwin is co-owner of the American Gambits

Xi calls for talks on Ukraine war at meeting with Orban

Japan, Philippines sign defence pact amid China threats

Myanmar’s ethnic rebels capture an airport in a setback for govt.

Russian court jails playwright and director for 'justifying terrorism'

Boeing, U.S. Department of Justice reach deal over MAX crashes case

PM Starmer meets Northern Ireland leaders on U.K. tour

Sports

Fritz fells Zverev in a marathon for a sweet reversal after 2022 heartbreak

All eyes on Kapp, India’s bowling unit in decider

Tazmin’s guide to smash darkness to ‘Brits’ and pieces

Seven different champions shows there’s depth: Gauff

Yuvraj was happy with my duck, he must be proud now: Abhishek

Perricard’s ace count seventh in all-time list for first three rounds

Sun inspired by ‘YouTube greats’ in making history

Fritz-Zverev match equals record for most five-setters at a Slam

Svitolina wears black ribbon after Ukraine hospital attack

The results

Spartans delight the locals with a seven-wicket win

Around THE CITY

Focus on the process of executing your skills, says Abhinav Bindra

Hopefully, we will be able to win a medal in Paris: Sharath

Tears are another first for veteran Hamilton

Gagan replaces Mary as chef-de-mission

Anderson has made ‘peace’ with Test retirement

Indian men’s hockey team leaves for Switzerland

Bayern signs French winger Olise from Crystal Palace

Jayasuriya named Sri Lanka’s interim head coach

Nitheesh holds Erode’s innings together

LiVE TELECAST

Engagements

Happy that I have entered the top 25 in the world for the first time

Science

Scientists find proof pain-sensing cells are either male or female

Remembering science’s need for a guiding light

World's oldest cave painting was created at least 51,000 years ago