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Regional

- Trump survives assassination bid at U.S. poll campaign rally

- Accused in BSP leader Armstrong murder case killed in encounter

- CRPF constable killed, two injured in Manipur firing

- Three die of asphyxiation at coal mine in Gujarat

- Modi, other world leaders decry attack

- Shifting of cab pick-up point to multilevel car park at airport causing problems: passengers

- Karpaga Swasalaya Charity Trust to offer free asthma care

- Banana waste to be processed into biodegradable utilities

- CMDA floats tenders for beautifying Velachery flyover

- International meet on mental health to start from July 23

- Applications invited for temporary teaching posts at Adi Dravidar primary schools in city

- Woman gives birth to baby on train near Perambur

- T.N. Language Atlas brings out the State’s varied linguistic typology and distribution

- ‘Police encounter of Armstrong murder accused suspicious’

- DMK has lost credibility to govern the State, says G.K. Vasan

- Killing key accused will seal the truth behind BSP leader’s murder: Annamalai

- PMK president Anbumani seeks CBI inquiry into death of Thiruvengadam

- ‘Taking steps to bring more women under Urimai Thogai scheme’

- Strengthen fever surveillance, health facilities instructed

- Accused in BSP leader Armstrong murder case killed in encounter

- NEET: Cong. fighting for justice, Rahul tells Stalin

- GCC prepares for tax reforms as govt. starts talks with economists

- A serene ecosystem that lies adjacent to a busy road at Mogappair

- When getting those coveted seats gets tougher

- A passion and a murder that led to the downfall of hotel chain owner

- From history to future, the many hues of Madras Literary Society

- No more juicy

- A portion of the footpath turns into a garden on GST Road service lane

Trump survives assassination bid at U.S. poll campaign rally

Reuters

Pennsylvania

Former U.S. President shot at during an election programme in Pennsylvania ; FBI identifies 20-year-old shooter, U.S. Secret Service says he was shot down; one attendee at the rally killed and two other spectators injured in the incident

Close shave: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents following the shooting at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday. APEvan Vucci

Former U.S. President Donald Trump was shot at during a campaign rally on Saturday after a major security lapse, an attack that will likely reshape this year’s presidential race.

Mr. Trump, 78, had just begun a campaign speech in Butler, Pennsylvania, about 50 km north of Pittsburgh, when shots rang out, hitting the former President’s right ear and streaking his face with blood.

“Fight! Fight! Fight!” Mr. Trump mouthed to supporters, pumping his fist, as Secret Service agents rushed him away. His campaign said he was doing well and appeared to have suffered no major injury.

The FBI identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, as the suspect. He was fatally shot at by Secret Service agents, the agency said, after he opened fire from the roof of a building about 140 metres from the stage where Mr. Trump was speaking.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday appealed for the country to “unite as one nation” and said he was ordering an independent security review of the lead-up to the attack.

Accused in BSP leader Armstrong murder case killed in encounter

The Hindu Bureau

Chennai

The spot at Madhavaram in Chennai where the encounter occurred in the early hours of Sunday; and (inset) Thiruvengadam.

A history-sheeter who was among the 11 persons arrested in connection with the murder of BSP leader K. Armstrong was killed in an encounter in Chennai on Sunday.

A team of police personnel fired at K. Thiruvengadam, 33, when he tried to escape by opening fire on them.

A senior official of the city police said that Thiruvengadam played a key role in planning the murder of Armstrong, along with the main accused, Ponnai Bala, the brother of murdered history-sheeter Arcot Suresh. Thiruvengadam, of Kundrathur, had five criminal cases pending against him, including three cases of murder, notably the killing of Thennarasu, a close confidant of Armstrong, near Thamaraipakkam Koot Road in 2015. Besides, he was an accused in a robbery case registered at the Mangadu police station.

The Sembium police, who were probing the Armstrong murder case, had secured a five-day custody of the 11 accused who were lodged in a prison in Poonamallee. A police team from Kodungaiyur had taken Thiruvengadam to Manali in the early hours of Sunday, reportedly to recover the weapons used in the murder.

When the vehicle reached a market near Red Hills, the accused requested that he be allowed to answer nature’s call. On being given the permission, he escaped and hid in a tin-roofed shed on Vegetarian Street in Madhavaram.

Abhinay Lakshman

NEW DELHI

A village volunteer stands guard at a bunker set up in Manipur. PTIInbaraj R _11953@Chennai

A Central Reserve Police Force constable was killed and two personnel of the Manipur Police were injured in a gunfight at Mongbum village in Jiribam district on Sunday morning. The exchange of fire began around 9.30 a.m. when a joint team of the Manipur Police and the CRPF entered the village, the police said.

The CRPF paid tributes to its 43-year-old constable in a condolence post on X. “On 14 July 2024, during an ambush by militants on a joint party of 20 Battalion CRPF and State Police at Jiribam, Manipur, brave Constable Driver Ajay Kumar Jha sacrificed his life in the line of duty. CRPF salutes our brave soldier’s indomitable courage, valour and devotion to the motherland,” it said.

The Manipur Police added that one Sub-Inspector of the Jiribam station and another employee of the force were injured in the firing. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh too condoled the death of the CRPF constable in a post on X and held “suspected Kuki militants” responsible for it.

Three die of asphyxiation at coal mine in Gujarat

Mahesh Langa

Ahmedabad

Three labourers died of asphyxiation at an illegal coal mine in Surendranagar district of Gujarat on Saturday. They were working in the mine without any safety gear, said officials.

It is the fourth such incident to have been reported this year in which 10 people have lost their lives while digging for low-grade coal in illegal mines in several parts of the district. The police have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against four people.

Modi, other world leaders decry attack

The Hindu Bureau

NEW DELHI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday joined world leaders in condemning the assassination attempt at former U.S. President Donald Trump.

“Deeply concerned by the attack on my friend, former President Donald Trump. Strongly condemn the incident. Violence has no place in politics and democracies. Wish him a speedy recovery,” said Mr. Modi.

Shifting of cab pick-up point to multilevel car park at airport causing problems: passengers

Sunitha Sekar

CHENNAI

The most common complaint that is raised is the long walk from the domestic terminal to the parking lot, with some people also pointing out that the elevators do not function. Currently, the shifting is on a trial basis, but it is set to become permanent soon, says Airports Authority of India

Put to hardship: Passengers say the roof does not cover the entire walkway to the multilevel car park, causing difficulty during rain. B. VELANKANNI RAJ B. VELANKANNI RAJ

Many passengers at the airport here are unhappy that they are being sent to the multilevel car park to board their cabs.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to move the cab pick-up point permanently to the multilevel car park soon. Currently, it has been sending batches of passengers to the parking lot for cab pick-ups on a trial basis. This has not gone down well with passengers, and many of them say it is particularly difficult to walk from the Terminal 4 (T4) of the domestic airport to the parking lot while carrying heavy luggage.

Satish Galley, a passenger, said he was disappointed that he and his wife had to take a tiring walk from T4 to the multilevel car park.

“The worst part is, on both occasions when we went, the lift was not working,” he added.

Vasanthi Kannan, a senior citizen, said she and her husband struggled to push the trolley up the ramp of the walkway. “When my niece arrived at the airport too, the elevator in the parking lot was not functional,” she added.

Vidyasagar Jagadeesan, a frequent flyer, said another inconvenience of going to the multilevel car park was that the walkway was not completely covered by a roof. “Chennai is already experiencing sporadic rain. Since some areas of the walkway does not have a roof, passengers can get drenched. I experienced this on Friday night,” he added.

“The multilevel car park has been built for both parking and cab pick-ups. Very soon, all passengers will have to take their cabs from there. If you look at other privately-managed airports in India, they are following the same rule. But we will ensure there is roofing over the entire walkway,” an official said.

Also, they are in the process of adding more buggies to transport passengers from the terminals to the parking lot, he added.

Karpaga Swasalaya Charity Trust to offer free asthma care

The Hindu Bureau

Chennai

Treating asthma is becoming increasingly expensive. The costs of medicines and inhalers have risen significantly R. Sridharan Asthma specialist and allergy consultant

The Karpaga Swasalaya Charity Trust, established and led by R. Sridharan, asthma specialist and allergy consultant, was inaugurated at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on Sunday.

The event primarily focused on raising awareness on asthma and allergies. Dr. Sridharan has been in medical service for 45 years and has conducted awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, and towns. He has now formalised the centre with a new structure, logo, and trustees. It will offer free-of-charge treatment to asthma patients. A documentary listing services available to patients at the trust was also screened.

Dr. Sridharan said: “Treating asthma is becoming increasingly expensive. The costs of medicines and inhalers have risen significantly, and have now become unaffordable to many. Moreover, many do not understand the seriousness of asthma. Every human deserves the same level of treatment and care, which is the purpose of this trust.”

Most of the centre’s trustees were once asthma patients themselves, now eager to support those suffering from the condition. Kevin, a second-year MBBS student, shared his struggles with asthma since the age of three, and how Dr. Sridharan introduced him to inhalers. He said: “I was once an asthma patient but now can treat them, thanks to Dr. Sridharan’s support.”

Marabin Maindan Muthiah, Tamil orator and poet, spoke on the occasion.

Banana waste to be converted into biodegradable products

M. SRINATH M. SRINATH

The banana-plant waste from the Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex (KWMC) in Chennai will soon be converted into biodegradable products for use and sale. The Market Management Committee (MMC), which maintains the markets under the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), has issued an ‘Expression of Interest’ (EoI) notice to companies. This notice is for the collection and processing of the waste on a revenue-sharing basis. The bids are expected be finalised after July 29. This is to manage the roughly 70 to 75 tonnes of banana waste, mostly leaves and peduncles, generated daily at the complex, according to the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The waste can be processed into products such as garments, cups, plates, vermicompost, and biodegradable fuel. Established in 1996, the KWMC, which occupies 86 acres with 3,855 shops that stock vegetables, fruits, flowers, and grains, sees a daily footfall of about one lakh and accommodates around 15,000 vehicles daily, according to the CMDA.

CMDA floats tenders for beautifying Velachery flyover

The Hindu Bureau

Chennai

The ₹4.5-crore project includes the development of a park and a bus stand in the area near the flyover. A children’s play area, an open-air gym, and walking tracks have also been proposed

Set for facelift: Murals will be painted on the pillars and the space below the Velachery flyover.B. VELANKANNI RAJB. VELANKANNI RAJ

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) recently floated tenders for the beautification of the space under the Velachery flyover.

The flyover, which has 15 spans and located about 190 m before of the Mass Rapid Transit System bridge, comprises a second-level that connects Taramani Link Road and Velachery Bypass Road. This level is 1,200 m long and has 32 spans.

The ₹4.5-crore project includes the development of a park and a bus stand in the area near the flyover. The proposed bus stand will have six bus bays and amenities such as a passenger waiting area, a pedestrian footpath, and separate toilets for men, women, and persons with disabilities. For enhanced passenger safety and convenience, the bus stand will be equipped with closed-circuit television cameras and a public address system. Adequate illumination will be provided by way of LED high-bay fittings at the bus bays and LED light fittings at other places. A children’s play area, an open-air gym, and walking tracks have been proposed in the median area. A dedicated walking track with pavements will be created under the entire stretch of the flyover.

Additionally, artwork and sculptures made from powder-coated mild steel and e-waste will be set up in the park area. The park area will have a boundary wall, and footpaths will have LED lighting and post-top lanterns (PTL) to enhance pedestrian safety.

The entire park will have landscaping with various trees, flowering plants, and lawns. A sprinkler system, complete with necessary pumping arrangements and sprinkler heads, will be installed to maintain the lawn and trees.

Murals will be painted on the pillars and the space below the flyover as part of the facelift.

Other projects

According to the CMDA’s policy note, the beautification project extends to four more flyovers in Retteri, Villivakkam, Padi, and Vadapalani.

These flyovers will be beautified at a total cost of ₹11.2 crore, covering a total stretch of 3,086 m.

The project aims to enhance the urban landscape, foster a sense of civic pride, and create visually appealing spaces that improve the overall quality of life for residents and visitors.

Facilities will include parking, walking tracks, landscape structures, pergolas for partial shading, an open-air theatre, gazebos, railings, ramps, and more, as outlined in the policy note.

International meet on mental health to start from July 23

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI

The Banyan and Banyan Academy of Leadership in Mental Health will hold its fourth international conference on mental health, homelessness, and inclusive development from July 23. The three-day conference will have local and global thought leaders and discuss holistic person-centred approaches and innovations in adaptations within inclusive ecosystems for persons with long-term care needs.

The Banyan’s emergency care and recovery centres integrated with the public health systems in the State, in partnership with the National Health Mission, will be discussed. Models and experiences from The Banyan’s Home Again programme and initiatives, such as the housing-first model, developed in the United States in the 1990s, and the Trieste Initiative, developed in Italy, will also be showcased.

Senior experts and bureaucrats will participate in the conference, a press release said. Senior academicians from institutes including the New York University Silver School of Social Work, Boston University, University of Glasgow, and Southampton University will participate.

Applications invited for temporary teaching posts at Adi Dravidar primary schools in city

The Hindu Bureau

Chennai

The Adi Dravidar primary schools in the city will be recruiting secondary-grade teachers to vacant posts through school management committees.

Three vacancies

The Chennai Collectorate has invited applications for the three posts in two schools in Valsarvakkam and Perumbakkam. The last day to apply is July 19.

Teachers will be recruited on a temporary basis on a salary of ₹12,000.

Applicants must have qualified in the Teacher Eligibility Test and participated in the qualifying exams for secondary-grade teachers conducted by the Teachers Recruitment Board.

Woman gives birth to baby on train near Perambur

CHENNAI:

CHENNAI: Metha Khattun, 28, gave birth to a baby girl while travelling to Patna on the Sangamitra Express near Perambur railway station on Saturday.

The Perambur Government Railway Police admitted them to the Egmore Maternity Hospital.

Both of them are doing good, they added.

T.N. Language Atlas brings out the State’s varied linguistic typology and distribution

Dennis S. Jesudasan

CHENNAI

About 18.49% of the total population in Tamil Nadu could speak English, the Language Atlas of Tamil Nadu, 2011, has revealed.

Published recently by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RG&CCI), under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the Atlas has pointed out that 2.11% of the total population in the State could speak Hindi.

It further pointed out that 96.20% of the total population in the State could speak Tamil; 8.05%, Telugu; 2.59%, Kannada; and 1.40%, Malayalam – either as their mother tongue or as their first or second subsidiary language. The Atlas has used the 2011 Census data for Tamil Nadu for its analysis, and puts the population of the State at 7,21,47,030.

Five major languages

The five major languages, classified on the basis of the total number of speakers in the State, are – Tamil (6,37,53,997), Telugu (42,34,302), Kannada (12,86,175), Urdu (12,64,537), and Malayalam (7,26,096). Besides, there are 8,81,923 speakers of other languages. Over 24 lakh persons in the State could speak three languages. Excluding the trilinguals, over 1.79 crore people in the State could speak two languages.

The first version of the country’s Language Atlas was published in 2004, using the 1991 Census data. Subsequently, the Language Atlas of India, 2001, and the Language Atlas of India, 2011 (using the 2001 and the 2011 Census data) were published. The first State-wise Language Atlas published was that of West Bengal (using the 2011 Census data) in October 2023. The Language Atlas of Tamil Nadu, 2011, is the second State-wise language Atlas to have been released. It represents the typology of language, its geographical distribution, bilingualism, and trilingualism, among others.

The Tamil Nadu Language Atlas has language family-wise maps – Dravidian, Indo-European, Austro-Asiatic and Tibeto-Burman – and the distribution of Scheduled and Non-Scheduled Languages. Of the 17 Dravidian languages, speakers of 14 languages were found in Tamil Nadu, while those of Jatapu, Kolami and Koya were not present in the State. There were 10 major Indo-Aryan languages spoken in the State – Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Konkani, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sindhi and Urdu. English is categorised under the Germanic branch of the Indo-European family.

The RG&CCI had earlier published a report of the Linguistic Survey of India-Tamil Nadu (LSI-TN), conducted on the basis of the field data of 2021-22.

According to the report, there are 60 million Tamil speakers, mainly in south India, and 68 million Tamil speakers worldwide.

‘Police encounter of Armstrong murder accused suspicious’

The Hindu Bureau

VELLORE

Palaniswami questions the urgency shown by the police in taking the accused to his hideout , where he was shot early in the morning; they didn’t take adequate security measures, he contends

Raising doubts: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami addressing mediapersons in Vellore on Sunday. Special Arrangement

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Sunday said that the killing of K. Thiruvengadam, one of the 11 persons arrested in connection with the murder of BSP leader K. Armstrong, in a police encounter was suspicious.

Around 5. 30 a.m., Thiruvengadam was taken to his hideout near Madhavaram in Chennai, where he had allegedly stashed the weapons that were used to murder Armstrong. He was killed when he tried to escape by opening fire on the police personnel, according to the police.

It appears as though the police team did not have adequate security measures in place before taking a murder accused to his hideout, he told journalists here. There are standard procedures to be followed while taking an accused out of custody.

“Based on media reports, it appears that the police personnel did not adhere to them. Moreover, Thiruvengadam had himself surrendered to the police after Armstrong’s murder. Considering these events, the police firing looks suspicious,” he said.

“Why was it so urgent for the police to take the murder accused so early in the day to his hideout, without having adequate security measures in place,” the AIADMK leader asked.

Cauvery water

On Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s assertion that his State was not in a position to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, Mr. Palaniswami said the Supreme Court had clearly stated in its orders that a certain quantum of water from the Cauvery should be released by Karnataka to lower riparian States such as Tamil Nadu every month. “Being a member of the INDIA bloc, the DMK should urge the Congress government in Karnataka to release the water due to Tamil Nadu,” he said.

DMK has lost credibility to govern the State, says G.K. Vasan

C. Jaisankar

TIRUCHI

TMC (Moopanar) president G.K. Vasan and other political leaders at the public meeting in Tiruchi on Sunday. Special Arrangement

TMC (Moopanar) president G.K. Vasan on Sunday said that the DMK government failed to deliver the goods on all aspects of governance in the State.

Presiding over a function held here to mark the birth anniversary of late Congress leader K. Kamaraj, he said that the crime rate had been increasing at an alarming rate in the State. Murders, dacoity, chain-snatching and group clashes have become an every day ordeal. Anti-social and rowdy elements have the upper hand. “They have no fear. There is no safety for the people in this DMK government,” he added.

He further said that the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, which claimed over 65 lives, was an example of worst governance. The hands of the police have been tied. They are unable to act independently. The DMK, run by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has lost its credibility to govern the State, Mr. Vasan added.

Taking a dig at the DMK government over its handling of the Cauvery issue, Mr. Vasan said that the Cauvery was a lifeline of the people of Tamil Nadu.

The government should have accorded top priority to get water from Karnataka. In a federal set up, the State governments had to obey the orders of the court and the statutory bodies. But, despite the order of the Cauvery Water Management Authority, the Karnataka government had refused to release water to Tamil Nadu. It was the duty of the ruling dispensation in the State to get water released from Karnataka. But, it has miserably failed to do this, he said.

BJP president K. Annamalai said there was a strong need for a political transformation in the State. Parties that are a part of the National Democratic Alliance should put up a united fight to bring about a change, he said.

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss, AMMK general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran and senior leaders of the NDA participated.

Killing key accused will bury the truth behind BSP leader’s murder: Annamalai

The Hindu Bureau

TIRUCHI

1 of 2

2 of 2 CM M.K. Stalin promised that the motive and the conspiracy behind the murder will be brought out. Now, Thiruvengadam has been killed in a police encounter. How will the police solve the case now? K. Annamalai BJP Tamil Nadu president

The killing of Thiruvengadam, a key accused in the murder of BSP leader Armstrong, would bury the truth behind the case, BJP Tamil Nadu president K. Annamalai said on Sunday.

Addressing reporters here, Mr. Annamalai said the State government continued to conceal facts in the case and the police had claimed that Thiruvengadam was a prime accused in, and the conspirator of, the crime. Several leaders, including the allies of the DMK, had been urging the State government to find out the “real motive” for the murder and nab the “real culprits”. “Chief Minister M.K. Stalin promised that the motive and the conspiracy behind the murder would be brought out. Now, Thiruvengadam has been killed in a police encounter. How would the police solve the case now?,” he asked.

Questioning the police’s theory on the circumstances that led to Thiruvengadam’s death, Mr. Annamalai asked how a man who had surrendered to the police could carry a gun with him. Where was the need for the police to take Thiruvengadam to a secluded place in the morning? Several points of the theory are devoid of logic, he said.

Several theories were being floated over the murder. If Thiruvengadam was alive, several questions would be answered. “Where was the need for the police to close the case abruptly when several questions remained unanswered?,” he asked.

He further said that the encounter did not inspire confidence that the State government was trying to bring out the real facts behind the murder.

The BJP president said that the Union Home Ministry had sent a letter to the State government, seeking a report over the case. The Ministry’s action was in response to the demand for a CBI inquiry into the case. The police should not have resorted to killing a key accused by encounter, he added.

PMK president Anbumani seeks CBI inquiry into death of Thiruvengadam

The Hindu Bureau

Chennai

Anbumani RamadossVELANKANNI RAJ

PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Sunday sought a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the killing of Thiruvengadam, a key accused in the BSP leader K. Armstrong murder case, in a police encounter near Madhavaram here. In a statement, he said that the doubts surrounding Armstrong’s murder had only increased with the death of Thiruvengadam.

“Allowing law and order to deteriorate, and showing that it has been restored by firing at a few rowdies is a condemnable,” Dr. Ramadoss said, adding that the government should clear the doubts and suspicions surrounding the case.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he said that the reason provided by the police for opening fire on Thiruvengadam was not credible.

“There was no need to take a prime accused in a high-profile murder case early in the morning to a place to seize weapons [allegedly used in the murder of Armstrong],” Dr. Ramadoss said.

‘Taking steps to bring more women under

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI

The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday said it was taking steps to cover more women heads of families under the Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai ThogaiThittam. So far, about 1.15 crore women are covered under the scheme, launched in September 2023, and a monthly aid of ₹1,000 is being provided to each of them.

A government release listed many of its achievements. Under the Pudhumai Penn Thittam, launched in September 2022, a monthly aid of ₹1,000 each was being provided to over 2.73 lakh girls pursuing higher education. The Tamil Pudhalvan scheme is set to be launched soon to cover boys, it said.

It pointed out that while the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education at a national level stood at 26%, the State’s figure was 52%. Under the Vidiyal Payanam initiative, women were able to save ₹888 every month. The Naan Mudhalvan scheme for developing the skills of school and college students, launched in March 2022, has benefited about 28 lakh students, the release said.

It further said that ‘Thozhi’ women hostels in Tiruchi, Guduvancheri and Tambaram had come to the aid of working women, and new such hostels were being constructed in Hosur, Tiruvannamalai and St. Thomas Mount.

A financial aid of ₹1,047 crore had been provided for weddings of over 1.26 lakh women, the release said. Besides, a monthly pension was being provided to 1,482 transpersons.

After the DMK came to power, foundation stones had been laid for 45 industries, and 27 of them had been inaugurated, bringing jobs to over 74,700 youths, the release added.

The State government said it provided aid to fishermen during the fishing ban period, and to farmers to aid agricultural production.

Strengthen fever surveillance, health facilities instructed

The Director of Public Health, T.S. Selvavinayagam, has instructed health facilities in districts bordering the neighbouring States to strengthen fever surveillance. Special cleaning campaigns should be conducted, and measures should be taken to improve general sanitation. Vacant plots should be cleaned, and all breeding sources of mosquitoes should be removed, he said. Entomological indices and vector control activities should be monitored in areas with high vector density. Water sources must be chlorinated, and government hospitals and offices must be made mosquito-free. Besides, hospitals have been advised to increase the number of beds in fever wards and ensure sufficient stock of diagnostic kits, essential drugs, and plasma separators for platelet transfusion. The DPH has advised officials to coordinate with their counterparts in the bordering States.

Accused in BSP leader Armstrong murder case killed in encounter

The police team, bolstered by additional forces, identified the hideout where, they claimed, the plan to murder Armstrong was hatched.

As they approached him, Thiruvengadam started firing at them and they returned fire, sources said.

Thiruvengadam was shot in the abdomen and the chest. The police team rushed him to a private hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Case registered

The Puzhal police registered a case and sent the body to the Government Stanley Hospital for a postmortem.

NEET: Cong. fighting for justice, Rahul tells Stalin

Press Trust of India

Chennai

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has told Chief Minister M.K. Stalin that his party is fighting to get justice for students taking NEET, the State government said on Sunday.

Writing to Mr. Stalin, Mr. Gandhi said that he had met thousands of students who had been affected by the “huge failure” of the Centre and the National Testing Agency. “Twenty-four lakh students should expeditiously get justice,” Mr. Gandhi was quoted as saying. He said that the test had exposed “apparent deficiencies” in the higher education structure.

The Congress leader thanked Mr. Stalin for his letter dated June 28, 2024 on the NEET issue, the government said.

Citing irregularities in NEET, Mr. Stalin had also written to the Chief Ministers of Opposition-ruled States, requesting them to pass resolutions in the Assembly against the test.

GCC prepares for tax reforms as govt. starts talks with economists

Aloysius Xavier Lopez

The civic body is expected to focus on rationalisation of tax rates and increasing reassessment and its own sources of revenue to fund infrastructure development. It is set to cross ₹2,000 crore in property tax collection as against less than ₹1,000 crore a few years ago

1 of 2 Under-assessed: Shanthi Colony at Anna Nagar has a large number of residential buildings being used for commercial purposes. Akhila Easwaran The Hindu

2 of 2 We have no facilities. What is the benefit of increasing the tax for members of the public? I have been a secretary for 50 years. Civic infrastructure has not improved. J. Nagabushanam, secretary, Venkatraman Nagar Residents’ Association, Korattur.

As the Tamil Nadu government has started discussions with world-class economists to explore the feasibility of property tax reforms, the Greater Chennai Corporation is expected to focus on rationalisation of tax rates and on increasing reassessment and its own sources of revenue to fund infrastructure development.

Corporation Additional Commissioner (Revenue and Finance) R. Lalitha says the civic body is set to touch ₹2,000 crore in property tax collection, thanks to a series of initiatives to increase its own sources of revenue. The property tax collection in 426 square kilometres of the Corporation used to be less than ₹1,000 crore a few years ago.

World Bank report

The Corporation has made efforts at increasing its own sources of revenue following reports by the World Bank and the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. But the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the main Opposition party, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, have been cautious about increasing property tax rates in Chennai in the past few decades because of the likely impact on elections.

As the AIADMK revised property tax rates a few years after the demise of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, residents opposed the decision, and the revision was rolled back before the 2021 Assembly election. However, Chennai voters defeated the AIADMK in the election because most of the residents’ welfare associations opposed the revision.

J. Nagabushanam, secretary, Venkatraman Nagar Residents’ Association, Korattur, says residents have started questioning the rationale behind the increase in the property tax rates after the floods. “We objected to the increase. The AIADMK government raised the tax rates. We objected. So, it was rolled back. However, the DMK government increased the tax by a smaller percentage. The DMK government should be careful not to cast any burden on the residents by increasing the property tax rates. After the rise in the property tax rates, Metro Water tax was increased. We will be happy if they don’t increase the taxes any further in the name of reforms.”

‘Very high for new buildings’

“The tax assessment for new buildings is very high now. For the new building, they are charging very high. But DMK councillors will not talk about this at the Corporation Council. They say it is a policy decision of the government,” says Mr. Nagabushanam.

“We have no facilities. What is the benefit of increasing the tax for members of the public? I have been a secretary for 50 years. Civic infrastructure has not improved. Flooding was a problem last year. We went in a boat as the floodwater stood 3-4 feet high. The Chief Secretary was visiting some areas the other day to improve flood preparedness. We will be happy if the projects are completed, with funds allocated for the right projects,” he says.

‘Residents not happy’

AIADMK councillor J. John says the Mayor blamed the Union government for the tax increase. “The Chief Minister [M.K. Stalin] opposed the property tax increase when the AIADMK was in power. Now, the tax has been revised, and the court has also supported the revision. But the residents are not happy,” he says.

Former AIADMK floor leader V. Sukumar Babu says, “In 1998, a resolution was passed for revision of property tax. But it was shelved because of the Lok Sabha election. Later, the Corporation started collecting property tax arrears after 2003. The residents are angry. They will vote against the DMK in the city in the 2026 Assembly election, if property tax remains high.”

Residents have also pointed to the problems in getting assessment orders for new houses and flats in the city, claiming that the councillors have asked officials to bring the new applications to their notice before assessment. This has been causing a delay in assessing property. Residents also accuse a few councillors of demanding bribes.

Velachery resident S. Kumararajaa says the residents have suffered because of the increase in the residential and commercial tax rates. They have demanded reintroduction of self-assessment of property tax, which has been stopped by the Corporation. Other cities in the country have been permitting self-assessment of tax for buildings.

Use of property

Another issue is the change in the use of property from residential to commercial. As the metropolitan area is expanding, the core city of Chennai has witnessed a rapid change in the use of property. A large number of properties in the 15 zones of the Corporation are classified as commercial. But the Corporation’s estimates point to an increase in the use of residential properties for commercial purposes, accounting for 60% of the total assessees in some of the developed areas of the city.

Currently, the city has 11.45 lakh residential properties, one lakh commercial properties, and one lakh mixed-use properties. Once the correct use is identified, the Corporation is expected to generate a huge revenue by updating its database suitably. The use of technology has also been promoted in property tax assessment and collection, and resurvey. It has led to an increase of 60% in online collection. However, the technology has not yet been used for improving the civic body’s own sources of revenue because of local political issues.

A serene ecosystem that lies adjacent to a busy road at Mogappair

N. Sai Charan

1 of 2 For all ages: People across age groups gather for their morning walk in the Mangal Eri Park, where the pond has ducks, cormorants, and colourful fishes.M. VEDHAN The Hindu

2 of 2

For Rahul Adikesavan, 23, the day starts at the Mangal Eri Park, also called Arignar Anna Park, in Ward 92 of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), abutting the Anna Nagar-Ambattur Road at Mogappair.

Before starting his regular walk along the walkway around the pond, fed by a network of storm water drains from the adjacent areas, Mr. Rahul checks his weight in the machine near the entrance.

Like him, people across age groups gather for their morning walk in the park to experience the cool breeze and the chirping of birds. “I bring my children to this park daily as the thick vegetation here offers clean air. They enjoy seeing ducks, cormorants, and colourful fishes swim in the pond,” says R. Lalitha, a resident of Collector Nagar.

Space for yoga

Children also enjoy having their hands on the equipment in the play area. There is a dedicated space, too, for people to do yoga and meditation. While many walk or jog along the walkway, some exercise in the open gymnasium in the park. A few sit on the benches under the thick canopy of large trees and flowering plants to discuss politics and philosophy. They also enjoy a cup of soup or tender coconut sold near the entrance.

Some years ago, the GCC desilted the pond, which was filled with hyacinth and other weeds. It also gave a facelift to the entire ecosystem by facilitating access to more visitors. The 520-metre-long walkway was widened to 4.5 metres. It also draws people from Ambattur, Anna Nagar West, Padi, and Nolambur.

Youngsters from nearby localities play volleyball at the court here. Apart from being a point for nature-lovers to converge, the park plays a vital role in recharging the groundwater table in the nearby areas, say locals.

Saplings planted

According to R.V. Thilagar, councillor, Ward 92, the park was developed as a ‘model park’ by the GCC. Given the large footfall, eight workers have been appointed to clean the park daily. With the help of college students and non-governmental organisations, various species of fruit-bearing saplings have been planted. He says the GCC has planned to construct a gymnasium for women in the park.

When getting that coveted seat gets tougher

R. Sujatha

New start: C. Jothi Venkateswaran, principal of Nandanam Arts College, interacts with the first batch of girl students. It has started admitting girls to undergraduate programmes from this academic year after it was made a co-educational institution. R. Ragu The Hindu

Just how tough is the competition for higher education became obvious at Nandanam Arts College on Monday last. The institution has started admitting women to undergraduate programmes from this academic year. It has 1,192 seats, for which it received over 21,000 applications. After the government permitted colleges to call for more students in the first week of July and the order confirming that the college is a co-educational institution, around 2,000 women applied between July 3 and 5. The college will admit 10 students per class. But this will be at the cost of male students.

A third-year student of an arts programme said the college could have added more seats. “A student who has taken the science stream in school will get admitted to any discipline, but students who have taken the arts stream have fewer choices. With girls being admitted, our chances are slim. Earlier, we were assured of a seat; now that is gone,” he said. A woman who had accompanied her daughter for admission said she had chosen a discipline for which she was rejected by the college at Chengalpattu because of insufficient marks. “She wants to study, so I gave in,” she said.

Challenges for teachers

For the first-year students, the struggle to get that seat is tough, but for teachers a new year poses many challenges. They must prepare the students for the future when they complete graduation. Some colleges offer motivational speeches by professionals, giving freshers an opportunity to shape their aims. At Presidency College, the students are exposed to people from various walks of life, including activists and political leaders. Students may have no idea what their future holds, despite choosing a discipline either by choice or owing to parental pressure. The teachers then hone their skills and guide them.

It is the same for students even at engineering colleges. The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras opens its portals to aspiring students. They can visit the campus and apprise themselves of the facilities. Parents are also invited. A decade ago, the institute’s image was dented after student suicides rocked the campus. There were protests by activists who alleged high-handedness and callousness on the part of the authorities. Since then, much has changed. More interaction has been taking place between members of the public and the institute. But the same cannot be said for other engineering colleges.

No more segregation

It was during the tenure of Anil D. Sahasrabudhe as the chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education in 2015 that some changes happened. Professor Sahasrabudhe wanted the colleges to keep their laboratories and libraries open after the college hours. He advised the colleges to encourage interaction between the students of both genders. Until then, some well-performing colleges segregated male and female students and punished them if they were found talking to each other. Professor Sahasrabudhe’s suggestions did bring about some change, academics say.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts

is available on the State’s health helpline 104,

Tele-MANAS 14416, and Sneha’s suicide prevention

helpline 044-24640050. Helplines across

the country can be accessed here.)

A passion and a murder that led to the downfall of hotel chain owner

R. Sivaraman

P. Rajagopal, owner of Saravana Bhavan Hotels, coveted Jeevajothi, wife of Santhakumar. He hatched a nefarious plan to get her. He bumped him off with the help of his hatchet men and suppressed the evidence. But he could not escape the long arm of the law

Found guilty: P. Rajagopal with his lawyers on the Madras High Court premises before going to the Esplande police station on March 23, 2009. R. RAGU The Hindu

Nearly 23 years ago, Santhakumar, 30, an assistant manager at Saravana Bhavan Hotels, was abducted and murdered in Kodaikanal. The main accused was none other than his boss P. Rajagopal, owner of the chain of hotels. Rajagopal was desperate to take Santhakumar’s wife Jeevajothi as his third wife. To achieve his end, Rajagopal used to help her, her family, and her husband financially. He would talk to her on the phone frequently and gifted her jewellery and silk saris. He even paid her medical bills. When she was ill, Rajagopal shifted her to a hospital of his choice, where he advised her not to have sexual relations with her husband and made her undergo a series of tests. Santhakumar was asked to get himself tested for AIDS, but he refused.

On October 1, 2001, Jeevajothi and Santhakumar were abducted by Rajagopal and his men from Velachery to Ashok Nagar. Then, Daniel, a manager, told her that he regretted these events and asked her to file a police complaint. The manager posed as a well-wisher of the couple and asked her to tell her husband to come alone to a Sai Baba temple to meet a reporter to expose Rajagopal’s wrongdoings.

Forcibly taken away

On October 18, she and her husband went to the temple. Soon, two cars and an SUV came and halted behind the car in which Jeevajothi and her husband were sitting. Three men, armed with knives, got out of one of the cars and forced her and her husband to board a vehicle. They took them to Chengalpattu. At 8.30 p.m., a luxury car, belonging to Rajagopal, arrived with the parents of Jeevajothi and Rajagopal. The mother of Jeevajothi informed her that Rajagopal was in the car and asked her to leave her husband and meet him in the car. As she resisted, three men forcibly took her to the car, and she was taken to Tiruchi.

The next day, she was taken to a person at Parappadi in Tirunelveli district to “ward off” the influence of black magic, alleged to be the cause of her being in love with Santhakumar. From there, she was taken to Veppankulam to seek the advice of an astrologer, where Janarthanam, an employee of Rajagopal, informed her that her husband had escaped the clutches of the henchmen of Rajagopal and his whereabouts were unknown. After spending the night at a hotel in Tirunelveli, she and her family, along with four men of Rajagopal, returned to Chennai by train.

₹5 lakh for murder

Two days later, Santhakumar spoke to Jeevajothi on the phone and said Daniel had told him about being given ₹5 lakh by Rajagopal to kill him, but he let him go unharmed and asked him to escape to Mumbai. However, Santhakumar returned to Jeevajothi in Chennai on her request. On October 21, the couple approached Rajagopal for his mercy. Later that day, Daniel told Rajagopal a false story: he and the other men had killed Santhakumar and destroyed the evidence. At that time, Santhakumar and his wife entered the room, taking their cue from Rajagopal. Disgraced and feeling betrayed, Daniel started assaulting Santhakumar. He was joined by two others. On October 24, they took the couple to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police to withdraw the complaint of abduction filed earlier that month. They were also made to sign a few blank papers. On the same day, two men of Rajagopal took Santhakumar, Jeevajothi, and her family in a vehicle again to Tirunelveli to remove the influence of black magic on Jeevajothi.

Handed over to killers

At 6.30 a.m. on October 26, one of Rajagopal’s men came to the room in which Jeevajothi and her family were staying in Tirunelveli and told them that Rajagopal had instructed Santhakumar to be brought to him. Unwilling to send him alone, Jeevajothi went along. Rajagopal made the couple get into his vehicle and Santhakumar was seated in the middle of the car, which was followed by another vehicle. On reaching a landmark, the other vehicle stopped, and four men alighted. Rajagopal got out, grabbed Santhakumar by his shirt collar, and dragged him out. He pushed Santhakumar down and handed him over to the four men and ordered them to “finish him off”. The other car, carrying Santhakumar and other men, went towards Dindigul, while Rajagopal and others brought Jeevajothi back to Chennai.

Thereafter, at the instance of Rajagopal, she and her family members were taken to an astrologer and later, she was made to undergo certain rituals conducted by a priest in the presence of the second wife of Rajagopal at K.K. Nagar. Jeevajothi later learnt that these rituals would be conducted by the wife after the death of her husband. Therefore, she lodged a complaint on November 20, 2001, that Rajagopal and his henchmen had murdered her husband. It was registered as Crime No.1047 of 2001 at the Velachery police station.

On October 31, the forest guards of the Kodaikanal Forest Range found the body of a man near the Tiger Chola forest area. As the body remained unidentified, the Kodaikanal police buried it in the Hindu burial ground of the Kodaikanal municipality. Meanwhile, the accused surrendered and confessed to murdering Santhakumar. A police team went to Kodaikanal. The body was exhumed and identified by Jeevajothi. The prosecution presented these facts in the trial court and the Supreme Court confirmed them in full. The Velachery police filed a charge sheet against Rajagopal and eight others for abduction and murder of Santhakumar and suppression of evidence.

Sentenced and fined

In April 2004, the Additional Sessions Judge at Poonamallee sentenced Rajagopal to 10-year rigorous imprisonment and fined him ₹55 lakh. However, on appeal, the Madras High Court in 2009 enhanced the sentence of Rajagopal and five others to life imprisonment and confirmed the three-year term awarded to the three others. The Supreme Court upheld the sentence and stymied the last-minute effort to help Rajagopal escape incarceration on health grounds. On July 9, 2019, he was brought in an ambulance to the sessions court for surrendering. However, Rajagopal was shifted to a hospital as he had cardiac and other ailments. Ten days later, he died of a heart attack at another hospital.

From history to future, the many hues of Madras Literary Society

Sahana Mira S.

An underrated library: The Madras Literary Society, founded in 1818, is one of the oldest public libraries in India. It has been on College Road at Nungambakkam since 1906.file photo The Hindu

The Madras Literary Society (MLS), founded in 1818, is one of the oldest public libraries in India. It has been on College Road at Nungambakkam since 1906, and houses around 55,000 books, published over two centuries. Yet, it remains relatively underrated.

The heritage building reflects the Indo-Saracenic style with Rajasthani influences in its jharokhas (false balconies), jallis, and red exposed bricks. Among the oldest books in this Chennai’s oldest subscription library is Aristotle’s Opera Omnia from 1619.

A coding system of its own

Uma Maheshwari, the full-time librarian, has been with the MLS for three decades, knowing all the members by name, besides their reading and genre preferences. “Our subscribers can borrow two books a month, and they can become members in the long run. And when it comes to cataloguing, we have our MLS coding system, which is a way to put books in order by genre,” she explains.

Even though some know about the MLS for its old-school books, it offers much more, like the events that go down on the second Saturday of every month. “Volunteers play a crucial role in many aspects of our library, like MLS Saturdays that include rare book displays, authors meet-and-greet, book launches, the heritage walk committee, the CSR committee, and 17 ongoing projects. Our passion for books and heritage unites all the members, patrons, and volunteers,” says Thirupurasundari Sevvel, general secretary of the MLS, who joined as a member more than a decade ago, when she was a third-year architecture student. She praises the grade 1 stable structure of the library.

Strong and stable

“Many architecture students and people from the Heritage Conservation Committee visit the MLS to study its structure and see how the building endures. It is a structurally stable and strong building, but whenever there is any requirement, renovation is done. The manner in which the librarian showed me around the building for the first time made me come back again and again,” she remarks.

“How can we contribute more?” is what the senior members are discussing when it comes to developing the library and its membership, says Ms. Thirupurasundari. She also encourages everyone to check out the MLS anytime, even while underscoring the importance of visiting local libraries, an ecosystem which makes you grow. An interaction with Team MLS revealed that a large number of books were falling apart because of age, dust, and humidity. They required restoration before it was too late. The heritage building is maintained by small donations, grants, and the members’ subscriptions; so, it requires sustainable sources of funds to thrive.

If you wish to contribute to or participate in the MLS events, now is the time. With Madras Day coming up next month, the MLS has lined up events for every Saturday in August and curated a list of Madras-themed books.

No more juicy

Rotting in the rain: Lemons go unsold because of the rain, which also damages them. The damaged fruits being dumped in the Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex on Sunday. M. VEDHAN THE HINDU

A portion of the footpath turns into a garden on GST Road service lane

Threat to safety: Pedestrians are forced to walk on the service lane, where they run the risk of being hit by vehicles.

A portion of the footpath of the service lane of GST Road, near the Chennai airport, is unusable as it has been occupied by a small garden, established in front of a private caterer to the airport.

The pedestrians are forced to walk on the narrow service lane, where they run the risk of being hit by speeding vehicles.

The garden seems to have been aimed at preventing illegal parking of vehicles and the place from being used as a public convenience. Senior citizens are the worst affected by the encroachment.

The restaurant employees say that the Highways Department has only barricaded the portion and grown the plants, though the plants are watered by the restaurant. Barricading the footpath is not correct as it endangers the lives of pedestrians.

M.B. Sampath Kumar,

West Tambaram.

Official responds:

A senior official of the Highways Department says gardens have been established in some portions of the service lane. Steps will be taken to either remove this garden or reduce its width.

12-car coaches needed

Recently, Southern Railway introduced a daily special train to Tiruvannamalai from Chennai Beach by extending the Arakkonam service. This service has been welcomed by commuters. But the train, which takes six hours to reach Tiruvannamalai from the Beach station, is jam-packed.

Since the Chennai Division is using the old eight-car mainline electric multiple unit (MEMU), with no toilets and phone-charging points, passengers, especially women, are put to hardship. We request Southern Railway to operate a 12-car or 16-car MEMU for this service.

M. Ashok Kumar,

Thiruninravur.

(Readers can write to

this column at readersmailchennai @thehindu.co.in)

National

- Karnataka to release 8,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu

- Rescuers unable to trace sanitation worker missing for over 30 hours

- Karnataka govt. orders probe into MUDA scam

- Naidu, Shinde hold talks on inter-State cooperation

- 1 more BRS MLA may join Cong.

- Treasury of Jagannath temple in Puri opened after 46 years

- After Army officer’s death, spouse is rightly entitled to pension: officials

- Mother of IAS officer told to reply to notice on misuse of pistol

- CRPF constable killed, two policemen injured

- Donald Trump survives assassination bid

- Nuptial celebrations continue for Anant Ambani, Radhika

- CUET-UG retest for over 1,000 candidates on July 19: NTA

- Two Indian nationals arrested in Italy for labour exploitation

- Modi, other world leaders decry attack

- Overconfidence denied BJP a better result in LS polls in U.P.: Adityanath

- Gogoi reappointed Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha

- West Bengal BJP leaders stage demonstration against post-poll violence

- AAP leader hits out at BJP over Kejriwal’s health, alleges conspiracy to kill him in jail

- Rooting for gold

- Cong. says corporate tax cut put ₹2 lakh cr. in billionaires’ pockets

- Former M.P. High Court judge joins BJP

- BJP says Rahul encourages violence against Modi

- Three die of asphyxiation at illegal coal mine in Gujarat

- When trees and trade flourished along the southern Silk Route

- A celebration of indigenous seeds sows change in the farm landscape

- 14227

- Product information made mandatory on bulk packages

- Azhwar nonpareil

- Modi crosses milestone of 100 million followers on X

- 3 militants killed in ‘Operation Dhanush’ near LoC, says Army

Karnataka to release 8,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu

The Hindu Bureau

Bengaluru

The CWRC has ordered the State to discharge 11,500 cusecs of water till July 31 ; the CM says cumulative water storage in Cauvery basin reservoirs stood at 63% of capacity, and State is expected to receive good rainfall between July 17 and 24

Siddaramaiah, D.K. Shivakumar meet BJP leader R. Ashok and D.V. Sadananda Gowda in Bengaluru on Sunday. Sudhakara Jain Sudhakara Jain

Karnataka on Sunday decided to release Cauvery water at the rate of 8,000 cusecs daily to Tamil Nadu following a direction from the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC). The panel had directed that the State release 11,500 cusecs of water. The State also decided to go on an appeal to the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) against the CWRC order.

“After a discussion at the all-party meeting and based on legal advice by advocates, it has been decided that water as per the [CWRC] direction can be released only after good rain. Otherwise, we will release only 8,000 cusecs. Besides, we will appeal against the CWRC order,” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said. He insisted that the government’s decision should not be seen as “adamance” on the part of Karnataka.

While Karnataka had appealed to the CWRC to wait till July 25 before deciding on water release, the committee on July 11 directed the State to ensure flow of 11,500 cusecs of water at Biligundlu daily from July 12 to 31. The total outflow to Tamil Nadu should be 20 tmcft of water in this period, the panel had said.

Water storage

The Chief Minister said that the cumulative water storage in all the four reservoirs in the Cauvery basin stood at 63% of the total capacity.

Providing the breakdown of water storage, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that storage at Kabini, Harangi, Hemavathi, and Krishnaraja Sagar stood at 96%, 76%, 56%, and 54%, respectively. Karnataka had so far released 5 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu this season, he said.

“In the normal year, Karnataka has to release 9.4 tmcft of water in June and 31.24 tmcft of water in July, bringing the total to 40.43 tmcft. Owing to the distress year in 2023, he said Karnataka could release only 81 tmcft last year as against 177.25 tmcft.

As far as the Kabini reservoir was concerned, he said: “Over the last two days, 20,000 cusecs and 19,000 cusecs of water had been released, and on Sunday 13,000 cusecs had been released. Water is being released in the interests of dam safety as the reservoir is full.”

The Chief Minister said: “There is an indication from the Met department that the State will receive good rainfall between July 17 and 24. In case there is more rainfall, we will release what has to be released and in case rainfall is reduced, we can cut down the water flow,” he added.

Mr. Siddaramaiah also said that the July 12 meeting of Ministers and legislators from Cauvery basin had decided not to release water and convene an all-party meeting.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said: “Normally, the CWRC would conduct its meeting by the end of July or August. This time, the CWRC conducted the meeting early. We have a 30% deficit in water inflows.”

Rescuers unable to trace sanitation worker missing for over 30 hours

S.R. Praveen

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM

Rescue workers search for the missing worker in a canal in Thiruvananthapuram. S. MahinshaMAHINSHA S

Thirty hours after a sanitation worker went missing in the Amayizhanjan Canal in Thiruvananthapuram, search and rescue operations continued unsuccessfully with no trace of the worker.

The extended rescue effort, which riveted the attention of the State, also brought into focus the risks that a large majority have to take to earn their daily bread. It also shined an unpleasant light on waste management systems and the lack of upkeep of canals and drains, clogged with years of waste.

Joy, 42, the sanitation worker who went missing, was put on the job by a private agency, which was contracted by the Railways to clean a section of the canal, which passes through the railway property under the rails near the Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station.

For the past few days, a group of three workers had been involved in the clean-up of a 140-metre-long section of the canal.

As the rain intensified, the flow inside the canal increased, and Joy was unable to get out on time.

On Sunday, the rescue efforts were restarted with a 30-member NDRF team joining the Fire and Rescue Services personnel.

The scuba diving team that approached the narrow section from both sides were hampered by the solidified waste that had accumulated inside the canal over the years.

“What we encountered inside was a bed of waste which was several metres thick. We could move only in the little space under this, through which the water flows. But when the water level falls, we are also under the risk of getting caught under this,” Jeevan, a scuba diver, said.

Railways stance

M.R. Viji, Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Southern Railway, denied the Mayor’s allegation that the Railways did not allow the civic body to clean up the part of the canal which passes through its property. She claimed that the Corporation, which used to clean up the section until a few years ago, has since the past year been demanding that Railways take up the work.

Mayor Arya Rajendran said that the Corporation had over the past few months sent reminders to the Railways to clean this section as the Corporation workers were not allowed inside. The sanitation worker went missing while carrying out this work.

Shashi Tharoor, MP, posted in X that he was dismayed by the incompetence and irresponsibility of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) registered a suo motu case and issued notices to the Thiruvananthapuram Collector and the Corporation Secretary.

Karnataka govt. orders probe into MUDA scam

The Hindu Bureau

BENGALURU

The Karnataka government has constituted a one-man judicial commission, headed by former judge of the High Court P. N. Desai, to look into the alleged irregularities in the allocation of sites by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).

The commission has been given six months to complete its inquiry and submit a report to the government.

The order on the constitution of the panel comes ahead of the commencement of the Monsoon Session of the State legislature on July 15.

The departments concerned and the MUDA officials will have to cooperate with the investigation by providing the necessary documents and information to Justice Desai, the order said.

The Opposition BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) have alleged that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s wife Parvathi had been illegally allotted 14 alternative sites for her 3.16 acres of land that has been acquired by the MUDA.

However, the State government’s order on the judicial probe does not refer to any individual case and broadly refers to “allegations regarding allocation of sites by MUDA”.

Mr. Siddaramaiah categorically rejected the allegation, and said the MUDA “illegally” took over four acres of land belonging to his wife and formed a layout without her permission. The Chief Minister said MUDA compensated them by providing them alternative plots.

The BJP has raised doubts about the claim saying how can the MUDA touch such a “high-profile” property. The party has pegged the size of the scam at around Rs 3,000 crore.

The BJP staged a demonstration over the matter in Mysuru on Friday.

(With PTI inputs)

Naidu, Shinde hold talks on inter-State cooperation

The Hindu Bureau

Mumbai

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday met his Maharashtra counterpart Eknath Shinde in Mumbai.

The two Chief Ministers discussed the prevailing political landscape and collaboration across sectors such as infrastructure and economics between the two coastal States.

Mr. Shinde’s office posted on ‘X’ that the leaders “deliberated on enhancing State cooperation for mutual progress”.

Union Civil Aviation Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader K. Rammohan Naidu, Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Dada Bhuse, and Kalyan MP and Mr. Shinde’s son Shrikant Shinde were also present at the meeting.

Mr. Shinde and Mr. Naidu, whose parties are part of the BJP-led NDA, had discussions for about 30 minutes to explore avenues for social and cultural exchange, and bolstering cooperation between their States.

They spoke about matters concerning infrastructure development, expanding digital opport- unities and other subjects.

1 more BRS MLA may join Cong.

The Hindu Bureau

HYDERABAD

BRS MLA Gudem Mahipal Reddy met Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy at his residence late on Saturday, fuelling speculation of shifting loyalties.

Satyasundar Barik

BHUBANESWAR

As per 1978 inventory, the has 128.38 kg of gold and 221.53 kg of silver ornaments; the ornaments in outer chamber have been shifted to a strongroom inside the temple complex

Long wait: Special boxes being brought to the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri ahead of the reopening of the Ratna Bhandar on Sunday. ANIANI

After 46 years of legal battles, controversies, and debates, the Ratna Bhandar, or sacred treasury, of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri was opened on Sunday.

“In accordance with the divine will of Lord Shree Jagannath, the Ratna Bhandar was opened today after 46 long years. I sincerely hope for the success of this monumental endeavour,” Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on X.

The process took over four hours. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, chief administrator of the temple, said, “We have opened both chambers. Since the locks of the inner chamber of Ratna Bhandar could not be opened, they had to be broken. We followed all the standard operating procedures given to us.”

“We have shifted ornaments of the outer chamber to a temporary strongroom inside the temple complex. Subsequently, we have sealed the strongroom. Though we saw almirahs and trunks containing jewellery in the inner chamber, the ornaments could not be shifted to another temporary strongroom due to paucity of time,” said Mr. Padhee.

“On another designated day, the remaining work will be completed. Inventory of the inner chamber’s jewellery will be compiled at the same place following its renovation,” he added.

The work began at 1.28 p.m. on Sunday. After a series of rituals, two different teams entered the temple to oversee the opening of the sacred chambers. They were joined by snake catchers, a medical team, and disaster response personnel.

As per the inventory last made in 1978, the Ratna Bhandar comprising Bahar Bhandar (outer chamber) and Bhitar Bhandar (inner chamber) has a total of 454 gold articles with a net weight of 12,838 Bharis (128.38 kg) and 293 silver articles weighing 22,153 Bharis (221.53 kg).

These chambers contain the jewels of the three sibling deities — Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath, and Devi Subhadra.

In 2008, the Archaeological Survey of India, following instructions from the Orissa High Court, performed a structural inspection of the Ratna Bhandar but could not enter the inner chamber.

For some reason, during its 24 years of rule, the Naveen Patnaik government had not made any attempts to open Ratna Bhandar although concerns were raised about its structural stability and safety of ornaments.

On July 4, a month after the declaration of the Lok Sabha election results, the Majhi government constituted a high-level committee under the chairmanship of former Orissa High Court judge Justice Biswanath Rath (retd.) to supervise the process of cataloguing the valuables.

The committee decided to open the Ratna Bhandar on Sunday and suggested different standard operating procedures and cataloguing of ornaments and safety of valuables.

After Army officer’s death, spouse is rightly entitled to pension: officials

Dinakar Peri

NEW DELHI

Smriti Singh

Amid allegations made by the parents of the late Captain Anshuman Singh against their daughter-in-law Smriti Singh, Army sources have clarified that the Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF) of ₹1 crore was split between his wife and parents while the pension goes directly to the spouse. In addition, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had announced ₹50 lakh in aid, of which ₹35 lakh went to his wife and ₹15 lakh to his parents.

The officer’s wife is receiving certain benefits as she was nominated in the will, sources said, also noting that Captain Singh’s father is a retired Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) in the Army and is a pensioner himself and also avails himself of other benefits as ex-servicemen. As per policy, once an officer is married, his wife is the nominee for pension, an Army source explained.

Captain Anshuman Singh was commissioned into the Army Medical Corps in March 2020. He joined the 26 Punjab Regiment as a medical officer for the Chandan Complex on Siachen glacier. On July 19, 2023, Chandan dropping zone witnessed a major fire and the officer rescued four or five individuals and later rushed to the medical investigation room that was engulfed in fire to retrieve the medical aid box, where he lost his life. For his gallant act, he was posthumously conferred the Kirti Chakra. This was presented by President Droupadi Murmu to his wife and mother Manju Singh at a defence investiture ceremony held in the Rashtrapati Bhavan on July 5.

Days after the award ceremony, his parents Ravi Pratap Singh and Ms. Manju Singh alleged that they did not even get to touch the Kirti Chakra and sought changes in the Indian Army’s Next of Kin (NoK) criteria for financial assistance. Ms. Singh has not made any comments on the allegations.

“Nomination is absolutely the officer’s choice. The spouse has no role in it. She is entitled as a grieving wife,” a senior officer said on condition of anonymity.

Execution of will

Explaining the process, officials said that an officer when commissioned into the Army executes a will nominating the NoK for insurance from the Army Group Insurance Fund (AGIF), Provident Fund, and any other movable or immovable properties that one has. While there can be multiple nominees for all these, there is no such option given for pension. As officers are mostly unmarried when commissioned, parents are nominated and after marriage, officers are asked to update it, when for AGIF, PF and other assets the percentage of division between the wife and parents can be defined. “The Army disburses funds and pension accordingly,” one official said.

“If Anshuman’s wife is receiving the benefits, it’s because he designated her in his will. For instance, in the case of Captain Singh, the percentage of AGIF was 50% [between his wife and parents] and for PF it was 100% to his wife.”

Mother of IAS officer told to reply to notice on misuse of pistol

The Hindu Bureau

Pune

The luxury car used by Pooja Khedkar was confiscated by the police in Pune on Sunday.

The Pune Police have issued a show-cause notice to the mother of controversial IAS probationer Pooja Khedkar over the alleged misuse of a licensed gun.

Pune Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar issued the show-cause notice to Manorama Khedkar, who is the sarpanch (head) of Bhalgaon village in Ahmednagar. She was seen brandishing a pistol at a farmer during a heated dispute over a plot of land in a viral video clip reportedly from 2023 which surfaced recently.

Pune Rural Police sources said the show-cause notice had been pasted on the door of the Khedkar residence as no one turned up physically to receive the notice.

Ms. Manorama Khedkar has been given 10 days to respond to the notice as to why her gun licence should not be cancelled, said sources.

A case has also been registered against her under the Arms Act by the Pune Rural Police, who have finally acted on a complaint made by the farmer who alleged that Ms. Manorama Khedkar and others had reportedly threatened him over a land dispute.

The video clip, which surfaced, shows Ms. Manorama Khedkar verbally browbeating the farmer with a pistol in her hand.

‘Special privileges’

Meanwhile, the Pune Police have confiscated the private luxury sedan used by Ms. Pooja Khedkar on which she had stuck a ‘Government of Maharashtra’ sticker and illegally installed a red-blue beacon.

A 2023-batch IAS officer, the 32-year-old Ms. Pooja Khedkar hit the headlines after it emerged that she had sought special privileges before taking charge as an Assistant Collector — perks not given to trainee officers.

Most damaging were allegations of her faking mental illness to secure a disability certificate and appearing for the UPSC exam under the visually impaired category.

The revelations prompted the Union government to form a committee to examine the controversy around Ms. Pooja Khedkar’s candidature.

CRPF constable killed, two policemen injured

The Opposition Congress party said, “As violence continues in Manipur... [Prime Minister] Narendra Modi is not bothered by this. He is happy in his own world.”

Top sources in the security establishment told The Hindu that a checkpost of the Assam Rifles near the entrance of the village had been taken down about three days ago as part of routine trust-building efforts. The local administration and the police had been informed of this development.

One source said that the police were asked not to venture beyond the municipal limits without intimating the Assam Rifles, adding that the unit was not made aware of the movements of the joint team.

Superintendent of Police, Jiribam, M. Pradip Singh told The Hindu, “A small team of Manipur Police and CRPF were already stationed in the part of Mongbum where Meitei people live — Mongbum (Meitei) — which is slightly lower than the location of Mongbum (Kuki) on the hilltop. The AR is stationed inside Mongbum (Kuki) and we seldom go there.”

“On July 13 night, this team inside Mongbum (Meitei) reported firing in the area. On July 14, around 9 a.m., a small team of Manipur Police commandos and CRPF personnel were making a visit to Mongbum (Meitei) in bullet-proof vehicles to check on this report of firing. There was no operation being conducted. This is when the team came under fire from five or six directions and a firefight ensued,” Mr. Pradip Singh said. Security officials confirmed that no civilians were injured in the firing on Sunday. The deceased CRPF constable, Mr. Jha, was driving the police vehicle in which the team was moving in.

Initial medical examination has determined Mr. Jha’s cause of death to be from a bullet injury through the right forehead, whereas the two injured Manipur Police personnel were found to be injured by pellets.

Security sources told The Hindu that in the gunfight that was going on, as the bullet-proof vehicle drove out with some of the personnel, some injured personnel were left behind. These personnel were then pulled out of the area by the Assam Rifles as more bullet-proof vehicles were also being sent to rescue them. Officials said the firing stopped within an hour.

Police sources said that the firing allegedly began from the hills and that suspected cadres of underground groups may have been involved in the fight.

“There is a report that one man injured in this firefight was brought to the Silchar Medical College in neighbouring Assam and he is believed to be a cadre of the KLA [Kuki Liberation Army] from Kangvai in Churachandpur,” a source said.

Donald Trump survives assassination bid

Mr. Biden delivered brief remarks from the White House after receiving a briefing on the investigation in the Situation Room. He said he has directed the probe to be “thorough and swift,” and asked the country not to “make assumptions” about the perpetrator's motives or affiliations.

Gun recovered

An AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle used in the shooting was recovered near the shooter’s body, according to sources.

Authorities identified a rally attendee who was shot and killed as Corey Comperatore, 50, of Sarver, Pennsylvania, who Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro told reporters was killed when he dove on top of his family to protect them from the hail of bullets. At least two other spectators were injured.

Law enforcement officials said they had not yet identified a motive for the attack.

The shooting occurred less than four months before the November 5 election, when Mr. Trump faces an election rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden. Most opinion polls including those by Reuters/Ipsos show the two locked in a close contest.

Mr. Trump said he will be travelling to Milwaukee for the GOP convention on Sunday afternoon after the assassination attempt.

Nuptial celebrations continue for Anant Ambani, Radhika

Press Trust of India

Mumbai

Parmarth Niketan president Swami Chidanand Saraswati gives blessings to Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant on Saturday.ANI

Global celebrities, business tycoons, cricketers, filmstars, and politicians of all hues attended the wedding of Anant Ambani, the youngest son of Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani, and pharmaceutical heiress Radhika Merchant at the Jio World Centre at Mumbai’s BKC on Friday and a “blessing ceremony” for friends and family members titled “Shubh Ashirwad” the following day.

A wide range of guests — from employees to business associates — were invited to another reception, titled “Mangal Utsav”, on Sunday at the same venue. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the venue on Saturday to bless the couple.

Superstars Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan, American reality TV stars Kim Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian, and actor couple Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor were among those who attended the blessing ceremony.

CUET-UG retest for over 1,000 candidates on July 19: NTA

Press Trust of India

New Delhi

Some of the grievances include time loss due to distribution of wrong question paper.-

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has decided to conduct a retest for over 1,000 candidates of CUET-UG on July 19.

The NTA had on July 7 released the provisional answer key of Common University Entrance Test (CUET)-UG 2024 and announced that it will conduct a retest for candidates between July 15 and 19 if any grievance raised by students about the conduct of the exam is found to be correct.

While the agency notified the retest schedule on Sunday, it remained silent on the declaration of the result which has been delayed by over two weeks with the final answer key not yet notified.

According to NTA sources, the distribution of question papers in language not opted by the candidates is one of the reasons for the retest. The 1,000-odd candidates are spread across six States. “Some of the grievances include time loss due to distribution of wrong question paper,” a source said. A total of 250 candidates of the 1,000 aspirants for whom the NTA is conducting the retest are from Oasis Public School in Hazaribagh, which is also under scanner for the alleged leak of the NEET-UG question paper.

“Based on these grievances, a re-examination will be conducted for those affected candidates on July 19, 2024, in the Computer-Based Test mode,” an official notification said.

Two Indian nationals arrested in Italy for labour exploitation

Press Trust of India

Rome

Two Indian nationals have been arrested for allegedly enslaving 33 farm labourers, all from India, in Italy’s Verona Province, weeks after the country was shocked by the tragic death of a Sikh farm worker, according to a media report.

Finance police also seized assets worth 4,75,000 euros from the suspects, who own two agricultural sector companies with no employees on the books and are allegedly total tax evaders, ANSA news agency reported. The two alleged gang masters were arrested on Saturday and are under investigation for crimes, including enslavement and labour exploitation, it said.

The issue of modern forms of slavery in Italy recently came to the fore following the case of 31-year-old Sikh farm labourer Satnam Singh, who bled to death after a strawberry wrapping machine severed his arm in Lazio, last month.

On June 26, India asked Italy to take prompt action against those responsible for Singh’s death.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that Singh, one of thousands of Indian immigrants who work the fields in the country, was the victim of “inhuman acts”. “I hope that this barbarity will be punished harshly,” she said.

Gangmastering and the often violent exploitation of migrant farm labourers is a chronic problem in Italy, especially in the south of the country.

Latina hosts thousands of immigrant labourers, many of them Sikhs, picking fruit and vegetables for the local ‘agro-mafia’, according to Italian media reports.

Modi, other world leaders decry attack

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi also condemned the attack on Mr. Trump.

Mr. Gandhi wished President Trump a “swift and complete recovery.”

Condemning the incident, President Joe Biden said, “There is no place for this kind of violence in America.” Former U.S. President Barack Obama also commented on the alarming development that came in the backdrop of a bitter political campaign.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has also responded to the attack on former President Trump and said, “It cannot be overstated — political violence is never acceptable”

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has said he was “shocked by the apparent attack on President Trump”.

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni said she was “following with apprehension” updates from Pennsylvania and wished Trump a speedy recovery.

(With AFP inputs)

Overconfidence denied BJP a better result in LS polls in U.P.: Adityanath

Mayank Kumar

Lucknow

Taking stock: U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and BJP chief J.P. Nadda during the working committee meeting on Sunday. PTI

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that overconfidence had kept the Bharatiya Janata Party from achieving the desired success in Uttar Pradesh in the Lok Sabha election. However, he expressed confidence that the party would win the 2027 Assembly election.

“Under Prime Minister Narendra Modiji’s leadership, we maintained constant pressure on the Opposition and achieved desired success in Uttar Pradesh, be it in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls or the 2017 and 2022 Assembly elections. The BJP managed to secure a similar percentage of votes in 2024 as in previous elections. However, the shifting of votes and overconfidence hurt our expectations. As a result, the Opposition, which was decimated in the previous elections, is able to do chest-thumping today,” the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said, addressing the BJP State Working Committee meeting in Lucknow.

Accusing the Opposition of dividing society along caste lines ahead of the Lok Sabha election, the Chief Minister asked party leaders and workers to remain vigilant of such divisions. He stressed the need to utilise social media platforms effectively.

“Opposition parties and foreigners successfully used social media to conspire against us. The BJP workers must monitor social media, counter rumours immediately, and highlight the party’s respect for Scheduled Caste leaders. In 2019, we defeated the largest alliance in Uttar Pradesh,” Mr. Adityanath said, urging every worker from MP to Councillor to immediately start preparations for the Vidhan Sabha byelections to 10 Assembly segments and the 2027 elections.

The working committee, meeting for the first time after the Lok Sabha election results, was attended by BJP president J.P. Nadda, several Union and State Ministers, MPs, MLAs, MLCs, and Lok Sabha candidates.

Nadda flays Congress

Mr. Nadda, in his address, targeted the Congress, saying the party could not surpass the BJP’s numbers even by adding the number of Lok Sabha seats it won in three elections.

“In 13 States, the Congress failed to win a single seat. In States such as Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, where Congress faced direct competition from the BJP for 64 seats, they won only two seats, while the BJP secured 62,” he said.

He said the BJP was committed to the principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas”, adding that the BJP’s strength was in nurturing dedicated workers as leaders.

Mr. Nadda accused the Congress of undermining the Constitution and democratic values.

“The Congress talked about the Constitution extensively in polls; it is essential to remind everyone who really undermined it. They (Congress) toppled elected governments 90 times. They talk about the Ram Temple but for the BJP, it’s not just an election issue but a matter of faith,” he added.

State BJP president Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary, and Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak also addressed the gathering.

Gogoi reappointed Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha

The Hindu Bureau

NEW DELHI

Kodikunnil Suresh to continue as chief whip ; Virudhunagar MP Manickam Tagore, Kishanganj MP Mohammad Jawed appointed whips

Post retained: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi speaking in the Lok Sabha during a Parliament session in New Delhi. ANI

Gaurav Gogoi, the three-term Congress MP for Jorhat in Assam, will continue to be the party’s deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, while senior Kerala MP Kodikunnil Suresh will continue as the party’s chief whip, the party announced on Sunday.

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi constituted its leadership team for the Lower House ahead of the Budget session beginning on July 22, and has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to inform him of these decisions. She appointed Virudhunagar MP Manickam Tagore and Kishanganj MP Mohammad Jawed as the party’s whips.

All India Congress Committee general secretary and MP K.C. Venugopal announced the appointments on X. “Guided by LoP Rahul Gandhi ji, the Congress and INDIA parties will energetically champion the people’s causes in the Lok Sabha,” Mr. Venugopal said.

Mr. Gogoi expressed his gratitude to Ms. Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, and Mr. Gandhi for their trust and faith in his abilities. “Our aim will be to raise the voice of the people of India inside Parliament and strengthen democracy,” Mr. Gogoi said. Mr. Tagore said that together, the new team would champion the people’s causes with renewed vigour.

A controversy had erupted in the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha when Mr. Suresh, an eight-term MP, was not appointed pro-tem Speaker.

Seven-term Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab of the BJP was named for the post.

West Bengal BJP leaders stage demonstration against post-poll violence

The Hindu Bureau

Kolkata

Taking a stand: Suvendu Adhikari and other BJP leaders during a protest near the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata on Sunday.PTI

Hundreds of BJP supporters joined Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, and other leaders of the party’s State unit in a demonstration outside the Raj Bhavan on Sunday in protest against post-poll violence.

The protesters carrying photographs of the victims were joined by BJP MLAs Agnimitra Paul and Ashim Kumar Sarkar, former MP Arjun Singh, and other senior leaders such as Tathagata Roy, Tapas Roy and Rudranil Ghosh.

The Calcutta High Court gave permission for the demonstration after Mr. Adhikari moved the court, citing the precedent of October 2023, when Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee staged a similar protest at the same spot. The agitation comes after a humiliating defeat for the BJP in all four constituencies in the June 10 Assembly byelections. “Hundreds of people from these constituencies who could not vote and had no ink mark on their fingers because of intimidation of the Trinamool Congress will assemble outside the Raj Bhavan,” Mr. Adhikari said.

July 19 stir

On July 19, a protest will be held in these constituencies, where BJP leaders including MLAs will visit the residences of party workers, he said. He also called for a demonstration outside the Kolkata headquarters of the Calcutta State Electricity Corporation in protest against the rise in power tariffs in the Kolkata Metropolitan Area.

In the latest incident of post-poll violence, a Trinamool Congress worker was killed at Islampur in Uttar Dinajpur district. Bapi Roy, 35, was shot by unidentified people at an eatery in the Srikrishnapur area of Islampur along the National Highway. He was declared dead at a health facility.

Mohammad Sajjad, another youth who sustained bullet injuries, has been shifted to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital.

AAP leader hits out at BJP over Kejriwal’s health, alleges conspiracy to kill him in jail

The Hindu Bureau

New Delhi

1 of 2

2 of 2 Arvind Kejriwal ji’s health is deteriorating slowly. If his condition becomes serious, then the BJP alone will be responsible for it Atishi Senior AAP leader

The Aam Aadmi Party continued to attack the Bharatiya Janata Party over Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s health, and alleged a conspiracy to kill him.

“Arvind Kejriwalji’s health is deteriorating slowly. If his condition becomes serious, then the BJP alone will be responsible for it. In the past few weeks, his blood sugar levels dangerously plummeted below 50 multiple times at night, posing the risk of a coma or brain stroke,” senior AAP leader Atishi said at a press conference.

“BJP’s conspiracy is not just to put Arvind Kejriwal in jail. It is a conspiracy to kill him,” she said.

However, the BJP hit back saying desperate AAP leaders were repeating the same lines daily to press the case for Mr. Kejriwal’s bail. “Delhiites are witness to how Kejriwal, who was out on bail before the election, campaigned every day, and no one saw him going to the hospital even once. Now, what [AAP leader] Sanjay Singh said yesterday is being repeated by Ms. Atishi today,” Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said.

Mr. Kejriwal was granted interim bail on Friday by the Supreme Court in a money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the alleged excise policy scam.

However, he will have to remain in jail till the Delhi High Court decides on his bail plea in another related case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The CBI arrested the Chief Minister on June 26, a day after the High Court stayed the statutory bail granted to him by the trial court in the ED case.

Ms. Atishi said that it was not the first time in history that dictators had imprisoned their opponents and tried to harm their health or even take their lives behind bars. “This has happened again and again in history, it is repeatedly talked about... how dictators put Opposition leaders in jail and try to take their lives by harming their health,” she said.

The AAP has been making similar statements and on Saturday, Mr. Singh had alleged that the BJP-led Centre was “playing with the life” of Mr. Kejriwal by keeping him in jail despite severe weight loss and fluctuations in his blood sugar levels.

Rooting for gold

Best foot forward: Participants at an ‘Olympic Awareness Run’ as part of the ‘Bharat in Paris’ event, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI

Cong. says corporate tax cut put ₹2 lakh cr. in billionaires’ pockets

Press Trust of India

New Delhi

Jairam Ramesh

With the personal income tax collections exceeding the corporate tax collections, the Congress on Sunday alleged that the corporate tax cut had put over ₹2 lakh crore in the “pockets of billionaires”, while the middle class continued to bear the weight of heavy taxation.

The attack on the government came a day after data released by the Central Board of Direct Taxes showed that the net direct tax collection of ₹5,74,357 crore (as of July 11, 2024) included corporation income tax at ₹2,10,274 crore and personal income tax at ₹3,46,036 crore after excluding the refunds.

“As we head towards the Budget on July 23rd, data has just been released that gross personal income tax collections amounted to ₹3.61 lakh crores during April 1-July 1 2024 while gross corporate tax collections were ₹2.65 lakh crores ... This reconfirms and re-establishes the point we have been making for quite some time that individuals are paying more tax than companies,” Mr. Ramesh said in a post on X.

“When Dr. Manmohan Singh left office, personal income tax was 21% of total tax collections, while corporate tax was 35%. Today, the share of corporate taxes out of total tax collection has dropped sharply to its lowest level in a decade, at just 26%,” Mr. Ramesh said.

Meanwhile, the share of personal income tax in total tax collection has shot up to 28%, he added.

Former M.P. High Court judge joins BJP

The Hindu Bureau

Bhopal

Barely three months after retirement, former Madhya Pradesh High Court judge Rohit Arya on Saturday joined the BJP.

Justice Arya (retired) joined the ruling party at an event of the BJP State unit’s legal wing. A senior advocate in the Madhya Pradesh High Court since 2003, he was elevated as a judge in 2013 and was sworn in as a permanent judge in 2015. Justice Arya retired on April 27.

While many of Justice Arya’s judgments were in the limelight over the years, he made headlines in 2021 for denying bail to comedians Munawar Faruqui and Nalin Yadav, who were arrested in Indore for allegedly hurting religious sentiments.

Justice Arya had observed, “It was the constitutional duty of every citizen of the country and the States to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood irrespective of religious, linguistic, section and regional diversities, and to value and preserve the rich heritage of the country’s composite culture. The State must endeavour to ensure that this ecosystem and sustenance of coexistence in our welfare society is not polluted by negative forces.”

Earlier, West Bengal High Court judge Abhijeet Gangopadhyay resigned as a judge and joined the BJP.

Rahul backs violence against Modi: BJP leader

Press Trust of India

New Delhi

The BJP on Sunday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of encouraging violence against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as it targeted the leader following the assassination attempt on former U.S. President Donald Trump.

On Mr. Gandhi’s condemnation of the attack on Mr. Trump, the BJP’s IT department head, Amit Malviya, said these were insincere words.

“Third Time Fail Rahul Gandhi has often encouraged and justified violence against Prime Minister Modi, who he has lost election to, several times now. How can India ever forget how Punjab Police, then under the Congress, deliberately compromised PM’s security, when his convoy was left stranded on a flyover,” he said on social media platform X.

Mr. Malviya said that Mr. Gandhi had used similar rhetoric against Mr. Modi, such as calling him a “dictator”, much like Mr. Trump’s critics, including U.S. President Joe Biden.

Three die of asphyxiation at illegal coal mine in Gujarat

Mahesh Langa

AHMEDABAD

It is the fourth such incident reported this year and 10 people had lost their lives; the police in Surendranagar district have registered a case against four, including a BJP panchayat member

The FIR said the accused failed to provide essential safety gear to the labourers, who died after inhaling toxic gas in the mine. AFP SAM PANTHAKY

Three labourers died of asphyxiation inside an illegal coal mine in Surendranagar district of Gujarat on Saturday.

It is the fourth such incident reported this year in which a total of 10 people had lost their lives while digging for low-grade coal in illegal mines found in several parts of the district. The coal is used to fuel factories in the State and elsewhere.

The deceased have been identified as Lakshman Dabhi, 35, Khodabhai Makwana, 32, and Viram Keraliya, 35. They were working in a mine near Bhet village in Thangadh taluka without helmets, masks, or any other safety equipment, said officials.

The police have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against four people, but are yet to make any arrests.

Kalpesh Parmar, a BJP taluka panchayat member, and Khimji Saradiya, whose wife is a district panchayat member of the BJP, are among the accused.

The first information report (FIR) said the accused failed to provide essential safety gear to the labourers, who died after inhaling toxic gas in the mine.

In February, three workers had died after inhaling toxic gas that emanated after a blast triggered by gelatin sticks during an illegal mining operation in the district. As per the details, the workers were digging a pit for an illegal coal mine in Devpara village. All of them hailed from Rajasthan. In January, three labourers died after being buried due to unstable soil conditions, while one labourer died last month.

Surendranagar District Collector K.C. Sampat acknowledged the recurring incidents in which workers had died.

“We had launched a special movement against such mining operations and as many as 2,100 such mines were closed and mining wells were completely buried. But it seems, some of them have been reopened,” Mr. Sampat told The Hindu, adding that “the local administration takes this issue very seriously.”

“Our main concern is the unscientific method that’s used for mining,” Mr. Sampat added.

Revenue and police officials in the district are silent about the involvement of local politicians of the ruling party but privately admit about the nexus between the mining operators and local politicians.

“There have been frequent incidents of deaths in Surendranagar district where illegal mining of coal is rampant with involvement of local politicians of the ruling party,” Gujarat Congress spokesman Manish Doshi said. On Sunday, AAP leaders held a press conference in Surendranagar, demanding strict action against those responsible for running illegal mines in the district.

Sources said the proliferation of unregulated coal mines has become a death trap for impoverished workers who get paid ₹500-₹700 a day to work in pits that are 80 to 100 feet deep to extract coal using gelatin sticks for blasting.

When trees and trade flourished along the southern Silk Route

Shiv Sahay Singh

Kolkata

The Windamere palm was a key flowering tree found along the route.Special Arrangement

A recent publication by the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) documents the flora and landscapes of one of the oldest trading routes of South Asia — the Silk Route, meandering through Kalimpong and Sikkim in the eastern Himalayas and going to Lhasa in Tibet.

The book, A Southern Silk Route: Sikkim and Kalimpong Wild Flowers and Landscapes, not only documents 1,137 flowering plants, a host of butterflies, insects, birds, and mammals but also the historical significance of the route and the link between botany and politics of the region.

A key flowering plant documented in the publication and found along the Silk Route is the Windamere palm (Trachycarpus latisectus). It is a wild palm species which is facing the threat of extinction with only a few trees left in the Kalimpong region.

Rhododendron niveum, the State tree of Sikkim, is endemic to the eastern Himalayas and found in the Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary along the Silk Route.

A threatened balsam species, Impatiens sikkimensis, and Daphne ludlowii, which was used to make paper for Buddhist manuscripts, are also among the important flora found along the route.

Scientists involved in the publication have documented several such species along the 210-km route from Siliguri in Darjeeling to Kalimpong, Nathu La, and Gangtok.

Rajib Gogoi, the lead author of the book and head of the Sikkim Himalayan Regional Centre, said the idea for the book came while working on an environmental impact assessment of a road in Sikkim.

“We realised that it was the road which was used in ancient times as the Silk Route. The trade between medieval Bengal and Lhasa was carried out along multiple routes. The shortest of all these routes from India to Lhasa was the one through Sikkim and Kalimpong. The merchandise reached Tamralipti (now Tamluk) port in Bengal and was relayed through sea route to Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and the far East,” Mr. Gogoi said.

History of botany

The publication also throws light on the history of botany in the country by highlighting the contributions of British botanist J.D. Hooker.

He studied the flora of Sikkim as early as in 1848 and his major contributions include the discovery of 32 species of rhododendrons in the State.

“The botanic history of Sikkim is also connected with the politics of the region as these botanists opened Sikkim, a little-known Himalayan Kingdom, to the world. Later, in 1903-04, Col. Francis Younghusband led the first expedition to conquer Tibet by any European Army along the same route,” said J.H. Franklin Benjamin, another author of the BSI publication.

A celebration of indigenous seeds sows change in the farm landscape

Mohammed Iqbal

JAIPUR

Tribal farmers take part in a seed festival held in Banswara district of Rajasthan. Special Arrangement

A popular movement to preserve indigenous seed varieties — many on the verge of extinction — in the tribal-dominated regions of southern Rajasthan is helping to promote not just crop diversity but also climate resilience.

Thousands of tribal people, from nearly 1,000 villages and hamlets in the tribal belt at the tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, took part in a series of Beej Utsavs, or seed festivals, held in the last week of June. Some 90 such events were held, giving participants a chance to learn the techniques of preserving indigenous seeds for use in different crop seasons.

At Sera Nagla village in Banswara district, members of the Bheel community gathered around a few tables on which indigenous millet seeds were displayed. The seeds, brought by some women farmers, were taken in small amounts by others who needed them. The participants were encouraged to tell other farmers in their villages about what they had learned at the event and also share a few seeds with them. At the end of the interactive assemblies, the farmers took a pledge to protect and save indigenous seeds by developing the habit of using them in their regular agricultural practice.

“Indigenous seeds are an important legacy preserved by tribal communities in the midst of the increasing influence of multinational companies in the agriculture sector. Beej Utsav forms part of our campaign to promote the use of seeds matching the local environment and presenting it as a practice that can be replicated elsewhere,” Jayesh Joshi, secretary of the Banswara-based voluntary group Vaagdhara, said.

Vaagdhara, which works on tribal livelihood issues, was the main organiser of the Beej Utsav events, which were facilitated by other tribal rights groups, such as Krishi Evum Adivasi Swaraj Sangathan, Gram Swaraj Samooh, Saksham Samooh, and Baal Swaraj.

Mr. Joshi said the indigenous seed varieties were “inherently compatible” with the local farming conditions and were economically practical and environmentally more sustainable.

Over 50 indigenous seed varieties were displayed at the Beej Utsav events, catalogued as grains, pulses, vegetables, and others.

Those farmers who have diligently worked to preserve seeds in their respective areas were honoured as Beej Mitra and Beej Mata.

(set by Afterdark)

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Across

1 Somehow lets tour America for competition (6)

4 Grain stalks found on road was crushed beyond recognition basically (6)

9 Plan to apply rule upfront (4)

10 Manage bills to purchase small batteries essentially (10)

11 Say, in Tamil Nadu we can find a bar (6)

12 Dealer of special beers has money to buy article (8)

13 A period of discharge is reversed with double force and speed essentially (4,5)

15 Vehicles' velocity? A nanosecond (4)

16 At that time, he was in Tennessee (4)

17 Producers have endless stock at leading store (9)

21 Deeply involved to maintain demand subdued (4-4)

22 Father let mother, perhaps... (6)

24 ...get undergarments with money, say that is, at stores offering 50% discount (10)

25 Instrument found in plant (4)

26 Marine creature has power reportedly (6)

27 Grown-ups are almost uninterested to be in talkies lacking substance (6)

Down

1 Star featuring in Tamil falls short to create huge waves (7)

2 Yes, we devotees are surrounding Bjorn Borg, say (5)

3 Salaried person backs Latin student (7)

5 Bonefish provided at mess (6)

6 Helper's a fool, is primarily torturing worker (9)

7 Notices as cocooned wife swings (7)

8 Perhaps upmarket means Disneyland, say (9,4)

14 Meal for a side along with white of eggs (9)

16 Weird to back tense worker with temper (7)

18 On display in fair, selenium diode at the front (7)

19 Athletes change side in channels (7)

20 Small dog? Say it eats first (6)

23 BIMARU rally showcases countryside (5)

Product information made mandatory on bulk packages

The Hindu Bureau

New Delhi

The Department of Consumer Affairs has decided to amend the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 to ensure mandatory declaration of all information on pre-packaged commodities used for retail sale.

The decision comes in the wake of information that packaged commodities above 25 kg are available for retail sale without mandatory declarations on the packages.

The Centre said on Sunday that the amendment will bring clarity among manufacturers, packers and importers of packaged commodities of any quantity to make declarations if these are for retail sale.

The rules, however, are not applicable to the packaged commodities meant for industrial or institutional consumers.

Promoting fairness

“This revised provision will help in establishing uniform standards/requirements for packaged commodities, promoting consistency and fairness across different brands and products and will help consumers in making informed choices,” the Centre said in the release. The department has also invited comments from stakeholders on the amendments, which they can send up to July 29.

The Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 mandate declaration of information such as name and address of the manufacturer, packer and importer; country of origin; common or generic name of the commodity; net quantity; month and year of manufacture; maximum retail price; unit sale price; best-before or use-by date; and consumer care details on all pre-packaged commodities.

Packages of commodities containing quantity of more than 25 kg or 25 litres; cement, fertilizer, and agricultural farm produce sold in bags above 50 kg; and packaged commodities meant for industrial consumers or institutional consumers are exempted from this Rule. “It is observed that the packaged commodities above 25 kg are available for retail sale, which is not as per the intention to make all declarations on pre-packaged commodities meant for retail sale,” the Centre said.

Azhwar nonpareil

Rishis tower over ordinary mortals like a mountain as they are able to rise over earthly concerns and focus on God. However, rising tall above all of them are azhwars, the Vasihnavie saints since God himself identified them and through them guides devotees to realising Him, said Tirukkudanthai Dr. Venkatesh in a discourse.

Among the azhwars, Periazhwar is hailed as a nonpareil for many reasons. Born as Vishnu Chittar in Srivilliputtur in the Tamil month of Ani, under the Swati star, he was graced by the sight of Perumal and Thayar on the skies of the street he was walking. An average devotee would seek riches or relief from poverty or ill health. Even evolved souls might seek moksha, if Perumal were to appear in front of them. However, this azhwar was more worried over evil eyes falling on the divine entourage, and sought to protect them from the same. He immediately sang, “Pallandu Pallandu” rendering a protective shield as it were, and seeking nothing for himself.

A staunch devotee with overflowing bhakti and love as Manavala Mamunigal summed it, Periazhwar re-lived every moment of Lord Krishna’s life, celebrating as though He were his own child, in his works. His bhakti resulted in his daughter Andal entering into a celestial wedding with Perumal, thereby making him Permal’s father-in-law.

Modi crosses milestone of 100 million followers on X

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has crossed the milestone of 100 million followers on the social media platform X. His X handle recorded a sharp increase of about 30 million followers in the past three years. The Prime Minister has more followers than some active athletes in the world, such as Virat Kohli (64.1 million), footballer Neymar Jr. (63.6 million), and basketball player LeBron James (52.9 million). On YouTube and Instagram, he has nearly 25 million subscribers and over 91 million followers, respectively. The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has about 26.4 million followers on X.

3 militants killed in ‘Operation Dhanush’ near LoC, says Army

Three unidentified militants have been killed in an ongoing anti-militancy operation near the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir’s Kupwara on Sunday. “Three terrorists have been eliminated in the ongoing anti-infiltration operation on the LoC in Keran Sector, along with recovery of weapons and other war-like stores,” an Army spokesperson said. This comes at a time when militant attacks on security forces have increased in the Jammu region. The Army said the anti-militancy drive in Kupwara, which is named ‘Operation Dhanush’, is aimed at countering the infiltration bids from across the LoC to send militants into the Kashmir Valley.

Edit

- There is only some good electoral news

- The problem with the Karnataka gig workers Bill

- letters to the editor

- Restoring a verdict

- Unprincipled alliances

- Which topics are India’s researchers publishing papers on?

- The resurgence of the Samajwadi Party

- In the line of fire

- World mango trade: threat to India’s leading position

- In China

- On the jurisdiction of the CBI

- The Union government’s rein on financial transfers to different States

- A quiz on the Golden Jubilee of India’s first-ever men’s One day International (ODI) played on July 13, 1974

- I was jealous of his ability to dance

There is only some good electoral news

Shashi Tharoor the fourth-term Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (Congress) for Thiruvananthapuram, a former Under Secretary-General of the United Nations and the Sahitya Akademi award-winning author of 25 books, including ‘Pax Indica: India and the World of the 21st Century’

The contrasting recent election outcomes a month apart in India and the United Kingdom tell a complicated story. As I pointed out mischievously on social media, “ab ki baar 400 paar” happened — but not in the country whose Prime Minister predicted it. It was Britain’s Labour Party that crossed that formidable threshold to record its most impressive win at the expense of the Conservatives, while in India the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, which had brashly run on that slogan, lost its majority and is now dependent on allies to have a government. In both elections, the voters had a decisive say in cutting the pretensions of ruling parties down to size.

By the end of this year more than 60 countries, with some four billion people, will have held national elections, and pundits are at a loss to discern any common patterns among them. The broad narrative of 2023 was that of “democratic deconsolidation”: governments around the world were seen as becoming more authoritarian, less respectful of individual and media freedoms, more unfriendly to autonomous institutions and less restrained by checks and balances on their power.

What Samuel Huntington had described as the “third wave” of democracy — the heady global expansion of democratic governance that took place around the world from the end of the Second World War to the conclusion of the Cold War — had ebbed over the past decade and a half. Freedom House, the American think-tank that studies the state of democracies, announced that global freedom declined for the 17th consecutive year in 2023. The organisation’s annual report cited everything from coups against elected leaders in Africa to assaults on journalists in a number of countries (including India).

Results that are reassuring

Freedom House was not alone. The Economist’s Democracy Index told a similar story, while Sweden-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) , claimed that “across every region of the world, democracy has continued to contract”. And yet, voters in India — which Sweden’s Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute, had downgraded to an “electoral autocracy” — surprised the doomsayers by cutting autocrats down to size, while those in the United Kingdom and France confirmed that the health of the oldest democracies remained robust.

Thanks to its two-phase electoral system, France produced a mixed result in its parliamentary elections, making a xenophobic far-right party its largest in the first phase and then producing a “hung Parliament” in the second phase, failing to give any of the three main party coalitions a majority to form a government. Tactical arrangements by the left and the centrist forces to prevent a right-wing government by withdrawing candidates in the second phase so that the strongest non-rightist might win each seat, ensured a very different outcome in the second phase from the first.

There is much to be said for an electoral system that brings the self-correcting mechanisms of democracy so visibly alive by insisting that voters are entitled to be represented by someone who commands 51% of the electorate in his or her constituency. But the democracy that invented the term “cohabitation”, to reflect the uneasy co-existence of a President and a Prime Minister from opposing political groups, was now left scratching its head as to the nature of the government that would follow.

The spotlight on America

The nation that claims to be the very oldest of modern democracies, the United States, worries observers for other reasons as it heads into a presidential election in four months with an unappealing choice that I had prefigured in this column a year ago. That the world’s richest and most advanced country must choose between a septuagenarian felon (who tried to orchestrate a revolt against the last election results) and an octogenarian whose incoherent debate performance has raised serious questions about his mental decline — a contest cruelly described as “dementia versus the demented” – is depressing enough. But a new poll says that Republican voters are now more sympathetic to the rebels who stormed the U.S. Capitol in January 2021, with over a third of Americans saying Joe Biden’s 2020 election win was not legitimate, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

What does this say about the health of democracy in the U.S.? Could another disputed election result provoke violence in the streets again?

Interestingly, it is the newer democracies of the non-western world whose elections this year have given more cause for democratic reassurance. Bangladesh, Bhutan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Senegal, South Korea, India, South Africa and Mexico (in chronological order) have held elections which many feared would lead to uncertain outcomes and prolonged disputes. Yet, all have concluded peacefully and largely uneventfully, and all except one have witnessed a transition to either a new ruler or a new governing arrangement. The one exception is Bangladesh, where Sheikh Hasina has returned to office after an election boycotted by the principal Opposition party.

Pakistan does not figure in this list because of the undemocratic circumstances in which its election took place, with the principal contender jailed and his party outlawed, candidates representing him winning as Independents, allegations of ballot-rigging made even by election officials, and the military overtly calling the shots behind a hapless civilian government. If more countries’ elections were like Pakistan’s, global fears of a “democratic recession” would indeed be borne out.

A Pew poll

Still, for all the good electoral news, a Pew poll in 24 countries found support for “representative democracy” sliding, with some 59% respondents “dissatisfied with how their democracy is functioning”, three-quarters of those polled feeling that elected officials “don’t care” what they think, and mounting support for alternatives to democratic rule: “In 13 countries,” noted Pew, “a quarter or more of those surveyed think a system in which a strong leader can make decisions without interference from parliament or the courts is a good form of government.”

As columnist Ishaan Tharoor (in the interests of full disclosure, this writer’s son) wrote in The Washington Post earlier this year, “In society after society, illiberal values and politicians who embrace them are gaining ground. Numerous elected governments seem bent on undermining core tenets of the democratic project, from the freedom of the press to the independence of institutions such as the judiciary to the ability of opposition parties to fairly compete against the ruling establishment.”

Democracy’s future is far from assured.

The problem with the Karnataka gig workers Bill

Kingshuk Sarkar a faculty member at the Goa Institute of Management and former Labour Administrator with the Government of West Bengal

Last month, Karnataka introduced a new Bill, called the draft Karnataka Platform-based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2024, seeking to provide social security and welfare measures for platform-based gig workers in the State. The government shared the draft on July 9. In the recent past, a similar law was also enacted by Rajasthan called the Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act, 2023.

The Karnataka Bill has a distinct similarity with the Rajasthan legislation in the sense that both are based on a welfare board model. This model does not address employment relations as such and is more appropriate for self-employed informal workers. In the case of gig work, addressing employment relations is the need of the hour.

The rise of gig work versus work issues

The number of gig and platform workers is on the rise, more so in the last decade with developments in the app-cab and retail delivery sectors. In its working policy paper on the gig economy, NITI Aayog has made projections of the gig workforce expanding to 23.5 million workers by 2030. Given the overall depressed employment generation scenario, gig work is one sector that is providing a livelihood to an increasingly large number of job-seekers. Such trends are also visible in other countries.

In the recent past, India has seen protests and agitations by gig workers on the issue of revenue sharing, working hours and various other working conditions and terms of employment. It is difficult to solve these issues within the existing legal framework as employment relations in the gig economy are non-existent at worst or complicated at best. The legal framework in labour laws is inherently based on employer-employee relation.

However, in the gig economy, employment relations are subject to demystification as well as complication. Those who run the platform prefer to call themselves as aggregators and consider gig workers as independent contractors/workers. Aggregators believe that they are providing the technology and bringing together independent workers and consumers. Independent workers are masters of their own work, according to aggregators.

On the other hand, workers in the gig economy consider aggregators as their employers as the conditions of service and terms of employment are set by the aggregators. For example, in an app-cab operation, the price of the ride is determined by the app/aggregator and the entire ecosystem of working conditions and terms for the ride are decided by the app company only. In this context, gig workers seek fair treatment, improved working conditions, and access to social security as legal entitlement.

U.K. ruling

In a similar kind of a situation, in Britain, the United Kingdom Supreme Court ruled that Uber is an employer and that the existing labour laws of the U.K. do apply to Uber drivers. In India, gig and platform workers are included in Code on Social Security 2020 as a kind of informal self-employed workers but no mention of such workers has been made in the other three new labour codes, namely Code on Wages, Industrial Relations Code and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code. The Rajasthan and Karnataka pieces of legislation are recent additions to this legal landscape.

Like the Rajasthan Act, the Karnataka Bill has also skirted the issue of defining employment relations in gig work. It has preferred the term ‘aggregator’ for app companies rather than employer. Without the recognition of employment relations, protective labour laws that ensure a minimum wage, occupational safety and health, working hours and leave entitlements, and the right to collective bargaining cannot be applied. These important issues remain unresolved in gig work.

There is no guarantee on minimum earnings from gig work even when a worker is available for the greater part of the day. There is no regulation on working hours also. There are regular incidents of overworked app cab drivers being involved in accidents late in the night or early in the morning, jeopardising their own lives along with that of passenger.

Employment relations do exist in gig work, and regulations should acknowledge this. Aggregators are the de-facto employers as they set the terms and conditions of employment. While they may present the platform as a tool connecting workers and consumers, they are responsible for designing it and establishing its terms. The platform is merely a tool, and is not an independent entity, making the aggregators the actual employers.

Core issues

The welfare board model adopted by Rajasthan and Karnataka provides some welfare schemes for gig workers, but it does not replace institutional social security benefits such as provident fund, gratuity, or maternity benefits, which regular workers are legally entitled to. Historically, welfare board models have been poorly implemented, as evidenced by the Construction Workers Welfare Act of 1996 and the Unorganized Workers Social Security Act, where funds were available but inadequately used.

The Karnataka Bill does not address the issue of minimum wages or working hours for gig workers. Section 16 discusses income security regarding payment deductions but does not guarantee a minimum income, wage entitlements, or revenue sharing between aggregators and gig workers. Section 16(2) only requires weekly payments, without specifying a minimum amount.

The proposed Karnataka Bill, like the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the Rajasthan Act 2023, fails to address the employment relationship in the gig economy. This oversight confuses employment relations and absolves employers of legal obligations, making it difficult to fully protect workers’ rights.

Assassination bid

The former President of the United States, Donald Trump, is fortunate to have had a narrow escape. History is replete with attempts being made on the lives of U.S. Presidents. Other national leaders elsewhere too have been targeted, but for differing reasons. In the Trump incident, political observers have highlighted an increasing and consistent effort at polarisation in the U.S., fed by hateful political rhetoric in the past few years. Mr. Trump, as serving President, would refuse to concede defeat in his bid for a re-election in 2020. He not only stuck to a theory of conspiracy but also created a partisan following that would recklessly storm into the seat of democracy.

The Pennsylvania incident must carry a larger and universal lesson. As a leader grows tall, his onus to public propriety becomes exponential. Else it stands to rapidly fray the sociopolitic fabric of a nation.

R. Narayanan,

Navi Mumbai

The U.S. has suffered a dent to its image as a non-violent democracy. The attempt is also an attempt on the inviolable spirit of democracy. The bullet that grazed the ear of Mr. Trump may have actually scored a hit on Joe Biden by possibly killing the prospects of his re-election.

R. Ramakrishnan,

Chennai

I am no expert in security matters. But even as a layman, I can very well say that there was a huge lapse on the part of the secret service. There are supposed to be drones hovering above and CCTV cameras watching the entire area. If it is an insider job, it is a dangerous situation.

T. Anand Raj,

Chennai

Amoebic encephalitis

I write this letter as a retired (and first) Dean of the Kanyakumari Government Medical College, Tamil Nadu. Amoebic encephalitis is a dangerous communicable disease and causes damage to the brain. As a water-borne disease it can spread while bathing in polluted water bodies. Children are more vulnerable as their resistance is poor. The government must take preventive steps by chlorinating drinking water sources and advocating safe water use. The cases in Kerala should not be taken lightly. There is a need to protect people who live near water bodies

Dr. Arunachalam,

Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu

Wimbledon king

Carlos Alcaraz shrugged off his indifferent form at the right time to beat Novak Djokovic. His class and brand of tennis were matchless as he despatched Djokovic with ease. Here is a champion who is bound to win a substantial number of Grand Slam matches. He is young, immensely powerful and ruthlessly precise in every facet of the game. The lopsided Wimbledon finals, and one of the most disappointing, showcased his dominance. One feels sorry for Djokovic who could do nothing right against an opponent who meant business. As one celebrates the versatility of Alcaraz, Djokovic’s days could be numbered.

V. Lakshmanan,

Tirupur, Tamil Nadu

Restoring a verdict

Opportunistic defections will likely be punished by the voters

INDIA bloc parties won 10 of the 13 Assembly seats across seven States where by-polls were held on July 10 and the results were announced on July 13. The popular verdict broadly echoes the recent Lok Sabha election results that signalled a fatigue with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The by-poll results indicate that the BJP’s politics is encountering some resistance on the ground. Of particular note is Himachal Pradesh where the Congress won two of the three Assembly seats which fell vacant after three independent legislators joined the BJP after resigning their seats. The government of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had teetered on the brink in February after six Congress MLAs, along with these three independents, had voted in favour of a BJP candidate in a Rajya Sabha contest. They were later disqualified from the Assembly after Congress candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi lost the Rajya Sabha poll. This had brought down the party’s tally to 34 in the 68-member House. With its victories in Dehra and Nalagarh, the Congress has returned to its original strength of 40 MLAs. The Sukhu government had won a majority on June 4 when the Congress won four of the six seats that had by-polls alongwith the 2024 Lok Sabha election. By restoring the numbers of the Congress, the electorate of Himachal Pradesh has rejected the opportunism of the defectors and the overreach of the BJP.

Something similar happened in Uttarakhand too, as the Congress retained the Badrinath seat. The sitting MLA from the seat, Rajendra Singh Bhandari, who had defected to the ruling BJP, was defeated by Congress’s Lakhapat Singh Butola. It is not that all defectors are being rejected by the people. The Congress continued to suffer losses in Madhya Pradesh where Kamlesh Pratap Shah, who had switched sides to the BJP, won a tough contest against his former party. The continuing decline of the Congress in the State is a clear message to the party that it needs to look beyond the current local leadership. While the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s win in Tamil Nadu’s Vikravandi seat further reinforced its position, in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) continued to reign supreme by wresting three seats from the BJP, in Raiganj, Ranaghat Dakshin and Bagda. In all the three seats, MLAs of the saffron party had switched sides to the TMC, which is the ruling party in the State. The TMC also retained the Maniktala seat. In Punjab, the Aam Aadmi party got its pound of flesh from the BJP as it trounced the sitting MLA in Jalandhar West who had defected to the BJP and sought a re-election. All the parties should heed the voice of the people, seek consensus and reduce conflict, and eschew opportunistic defections.

Unprincipled alliances

There seems to be no end to the instability of coalitions in Nepal

The adage that there are no permanent enemies and no permanent friends, only permanent interests in politics could explain many a twist in shifting political alliances across the democratic world. But it would only be an understatement in Nepali politics, where the art of coalition making has for long been a farce. On Saturday, incumbent Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) predictably lost a trust vote, after only 63 of the 275-member House of Representatives backed him, while 194 lawmakers voted against the motion of confidence. The loss was a foregone conclusion after the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) led by Khadka Prasad Oli — he has been made the Prime Minister again — withdrew support from the CPN(MC)-led government and joined hands with the opposition Nepali Congress, led by Sher Bahadur Deuba. Mr. Dahal had managed to hold his post for close to two years, and after surviving three trust votes — all necessitated by his decision to change partners. The CPN(MC) had formed the government after the November 2022 elections, despite finishing a distant third and Mr. Dahal had managed to do so by exploiting the differences between the Deuba-led NC and the Oli-led CPN(UML). These two parties won 89 and 78 seats, respectively, in 2022, and have now formed a coalition government with the arrangement that Mr. Oli and Mr. Deuba will share the post of Prime Minister, each for half of the remaining term.

Ever since Nepal transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional one in 1990, and then to a full-fledged republic in 2008, its democratic polity has been marked by instability and constant changes in power, leading to poor governance. Despite the institution of constitutional reforms related to federalism and guaranteed representation for marginalised forces following a civil war and the overthrow of the monarchy, the outcomes have been a perpetuation of the country’s status as a “least developed country”. It is quite evident that the leadership of the three major parties have shown more interest in sticking to power by any means irrespective of whether they are driven by pre-poll coalitions or not. Besides, the inherent instability in a parliamentary system that reflects social fissures in the country has led to a form of coalition politics that is driven less by ideological or principled considerations and more by a hankering towards power. Such instability and an unprincipled pursuit of power will only result in more disillusionment among the Nepali people with the democratic process. Nepal can perhaps be better off with a presidential system that allows for a directly elected head of state.

Which topics are India’s researchers publishing papers on?

Suryesh Kumar Namdeo, Avinash Kumar, Moumita Koley

While India, like the rest of the world, focuses on coronavirus, deep learning, and photocatalysis, it also pays significant attention to nanotechnology

Research publications are widely used as a measure of scientific and technological progress. Analysing trends in research also helps guide policy. A brief comparative study of the most researched topics in the Web of Science, a scholarly publication database, over the last 20 years and the last five years highlights the research focus of scientists in different countries.

The chart-topper

‘Coronavirus’ was the most published research topic in the world in the last five years and in the last two decades. The sheer volume of papers on this subject shows the capacity of the global scientific community to produce relevant scientific knowledge that will help people respond quickly to a crisis.

‘Coronavirus’ was the most researched topic in India in the last five years and among the top five research topics in the last two decades. It was the most published research topic in the U.S. over the last five years and in the last two decades. But it was conspicuously absent from China’s top research topics. This is surprising for two reasons: the SARS-CoV-2 virus was first reported from this country in late 2019; and China, which has emerged as a global scientific superpower in the last two decades, has been contributing an increasing share of the world’s papers on several research topics.

Some of the other topics that are widely researched are deep learning, and clean and green energy topics such as photocatalysis, supercapacitors, and oxygen reduction reactions. Deep learning refers to a class of artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms characterised by the use of multiple ‘layers’, where each layer transforms and/or manipulates the input data in specific ways. Engineers have built facial recognition on phones, speech recognition in digital assistants, and recommendation engines on streaming services using deep learning.

The focus on AI-related research worldwide corresponds to the increasing importance of AI technologies in various sectors. Chinese researchers have produced more than twice as many papers on the topic of AI as have researchers in the U.S., and more than 45% of the world’s research output on this subject in the last five years. India’s share remains low even if the topic features among the country’s top five.

Photocatalysis refers to the acceleration of chemical reactions using light. Scientists are studying it to make new materials and generate clean energy; a particularly important contemporary focus area is green hydrogen. Supercapacitors are energy storage devices that trap and hold energy as electrostatic charge. In contrast, conventional batteries store chemical energy. Supercapacitors are super-powered batteries that can store much more energy and also release it faster. Their applications include electric vehicles, where fast charging is required, and the renewable energy sector. The oxygen reduction reaction is an important process in electrochemistry with a starring role in next-generation energy conversion devices such as fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Research on these topics is evidently driven by researchers in China.

Comparing the U.S. and China

Overall, China has focused significantly on high-impact technological fields and on the development of new materials. In contrast, the U.S. appears to be facilitating a more diverse approach, addressing health and social well-being through research on topics such as parenting, the human immuno-deficiency virus, the SARS-CoV-2 virus, gut microbiota, and programmed cell death (PD-1). Research on PD-1 has the potential to revolutionise how we treat cancer and other diseases by understanding, and then manipulating, the immune system’s response. The U.S. National Institute of Health provides more funding for life science and health research than all other civilian research funding agencies of the country. U.S. researchers are also devoting attention to astronomy and astrophysics, presumably because they enjoy greater access to the data produced by NASA missions.

India’s nano focus

The single largest fraction of India’s research output is focused on nanotechnology. In particular, nanofluids have applications in heat transfer; silver nanoparticles have applications in antimicrobial and anticancer therapy; and zinc oxide nanoparticles are essential semiconductor materials with applications in electronics, optoelectronics, ceramics, and cosmetics.

The large volume of papers about nanotechnology can be attributed at least in part to the success of the Nano Mission that the Indian government launched in 2007 with the aim of making the country a top research destination on this topic. Other research focus areas are deep learning, photocatalysis, and coronavirus.

India’s significant focus on nanotechnology is a sign of a concentrated allocation of resources in areas that may not directly address the immediate needs in health or climate change — at least not yet. Policymakers may examine the agenda-setting process in Indian research or, alternatively, guide nanotechnology towards solutions more closely related to India’s Sustainable Development Goals and energy-transition targets.

Suryesh Kumar Namdeo is a Senior Research Analyst, Avinash Kumar is a Project Scientist, and Moumita Koley is a Research Associate at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru

The resurgence of the Samajwadi Party

Syed Kamran a Lucknow-based independent journalist and political commentator

The Samajwadi Party (SP), forged on October 4, 1992, by Mulayam Singh Yadav, arose from the shards of a schism within the Janata Dal. After its peak in 2012, the party faced a steady decline. In the 1993 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the SP allied with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), audaciously challenging the hegemony of the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This coalition succeeded and Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav became Chief Minister, marking the rise of backward caste politics in U.P.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the SP grew stronger, winning 110 seats in the 1996 Assembly polls. Despite internal conflicts, Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav returned as Chief Minister in 2003 through coalitions. However, in 2007, the SP lost to the BSP under Mayawati. The party rebounded in 2012, winning 224 seats and making Akhilesh Yadav the youngest Chief Minister.

The 2017 Assembly elections were challenging, with the SP winning only 47 seats amid internal strife, most notably the acrimonious spat between Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav. The 2019 general elections saw a failed alliance with the BSP. In the 2022 Assembly polls, the SP saw a modest recovery, winning 111 seats under Mr. Akhilesh Yadav’s leadership, focusing on alliances, unemployment, and lawlessness.

Defying predictions

As the 2024 Lok Sabha polls unfolded, the SP and its leader were largely consigned to the political periphery by most commentators. The scepticism only deepened when the SP renewed its alliance with the Congress, a partnership that had floundered spectacularly in the 2017 elections. However, the results defied all prognostications, leaving both the BJP’s and SP’s supporters incredulous.

The SP won 37 of 62 seats it contested, while the Congress secured six of 17 seats. The coalition, including one Trinamool Congress seat in Bhadohi, polled 43.52% of the vote share. The BJP won 33 of 75 seats, with its allies, the Rashtriya Lok Dal and Apna Dal (Soneylal), winning two seats and one seat respectively, together polling 42.67%. The BJP’s vote share declined from 2019, while the vote share of the SP-led alliance increased. Significantly, the BSP, led by Mayawati, the tallest Dalit leader and four-term Chief Minister, failed to secure any seats, mirroring its 2014 performance. More alarmingly for the BSP, its vote share diminished to a single digit.

The resurgence of the SP surprised many pollsters and analysts. In Bundelkhand, a former BSP stronghold where the BJP had gained ground since 2014, the SP performed unexpectedly well. Under Mr. Akhilesh Yadav’s leadership, the party also reclaimed the Yadav belt, winning back Kannauj, Etawah, and Badaun. He notably regained the prestigious Kannauj seat.

A particularly astonishing outcome was the Faizabad result. The BJP’s political strategy in U.P. has been inextricably linked to Ayodhya, yet the party suffered a complete rout in the Ayodhya division. The SP won in Faizabad, Ambedkar Nagar, and Sultanpur, while the Congress clinched Barabanki and Amethi — a seat widely dismissed from the Congress’s tally once Kishori Lal Sharma’s candidacy was announced. Political pundits had predicted an easy victory for the BJP’s Smriti Irani, who ultimately suffered a staggering defeat.

Several prominent BJP figures faced ignominious defeats in the State, including Ajay Mishra Teni from Kheri, Sanjeev Kumar Balyan from Muzaffarnagar, Niranjan Jyoti from Fatehpur, Maneka Gandhi from Sultanpur, and Kaushal Kishore from Mohanlalganj. The electoral margins for top leaders, including the Prime Minister and Defence Minister, diminished.

Furthermore, the BJP’s victory margin over the SP-Congress alliance is narrower than the votes garnered by the BSP in 16 additional constituencies — Akbarpur, Aligarh, Amroha, Bansgaon, Bhadohi, Bijnor, Deoria, Farrukhabad, Fatehpur Sikri, Hardoi, Meerut, Mirzapur, Misrikh, Phulpur, Shahjahanpur and Unnao. In constituencies such as Amroha, the BSP siphoned off a portion of Muslim votes and retained a segment of its traditional support, which inadvertently aided the BJP.

The SP’s resurgence can be attributed to its emphasis on social egalitarianism and its pledge to ‘Save the Constitution’. By transcending the traditional Muslim-Yadav vote bank image, the party made significant inroads among non-Yadav Other Backward Classes (OBCs), a feat that even Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav struggled to achieve without BSP collaboration. Mr. Akhilesh Yadav’s PDA (Pichda, Dalit, and Alpsankhyak) strategy proved efficacious, particularly in attracting Jatavs and Kurmis along with the traditional Muslim-Yadav support. Acknowledging that the Muslim-Yadav demographic comprises roughly one-fourth of the State’s population and recognising the imperative to broaden their coalition to counter the formidable BJP, the SP adeptly recalibrated its electoral strategy for a renaissance in U.P.

A formidable contender

The BJP’s aura of invincibility in U.P. now stands questioned. The SP has demonstrated its prowess, posing a formidable challenge to the BJP’s dominance. If it can sustain this amalgamation of Muslims, Yadavs, and a significant cohort of Dalits and Kurmis along with some other OBCs, it will be a formidable contender in the 2027 elections. This coalition could very well position the SP as a serious contender for victory. While the BJP might hope for a resurgence of the BSP in the State, the SP will aim to consolidate and entrench its position with the newfound PDA combination.

In the line of fire

S. Vijay Kumar

Investigation of the Armstrong case should be handed to an independent agency

Extra-judicial killings may be seen as acts rendering instant justice to appease public outrage and the political opposition following a sensational crime. But these deaths in custody, which the police often claim are acts committed in self-defence, raise serious questions about ‘punishments’ that are not established by the rule of law and violations of the constitutional right to life, guaranteed under Article 21.

On July 5, armed men posing as food delivery agents hacked the Tamil Nadu president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), K. Armstrong, to death. Armstrong, 52, was a leader representing the interests of the Scheduled Castes.

Soon after the incident, 11 suspects, eight of whom had surrendered, were arrested by the police. A previous enmity was attributed as the motive for the murder. However, suspecting a larger conspiracy in the crime, supporters of the leader and some political parties demanded investigation by an independent agency.

After the murder drew sharp criticism from civil society on the efficacy of the intelligence machinery and maintenance of law and order, the State government transferred Chennai Police Commissioner Sandeep Rai Rathore and replaced him with Additional Director-General of Police A. Arun.

Early on Sunday, the city woke up to the news that Thiruvengadam, one of the accused taken into custody by the police for interrogation, was shot dead in an ‘encounter’. The police stated that Thiruvengadam was being taken to his house so that they could recover the weapons used in the murder. When the escort personnel stopped the vehicle, he allegedly escaped.

The police conducted a search and found Thiruvengadam hiding in the locality. When they tried to arrest him, he opened fire and the police retaliated in self-defence, the police said. It is not clear how Thiruvengadam escaped from a team of armed police personnel and managed to get a gun.

Hours after the incident, CCTV footage of Thiruvengadam and his associates brutally hacking Armstrong to death were shown in various television channels. The footage was released for the first time after the murder.

Deaths in custody are not uncommon in Tamil Nadu. There have been instances of prisoners in remand being gunned down for allegedly attacking the police and trying to escape. In April 2003, two Tamil nationalist ideologues, Rajaram and Saravanan, were shot dead in an ‘encounter’ by the police. When Rajaram was being escorted from a court to prison in a convoy of vehicles, a private vehicle came to rescue him. After an armed suspect, later identified as Saravanan, opened fire, the escort police retaliated in “self-defence”, killing both of them. The police dismissed allegations that the shootout was staged and Saravanan was already in police custody and maintained that the ‘encounter’ was genuine.

In November 2010, a driver, Mohanraj, who was accused of kidnapping and murdering two young siblings in Coimbatore, was taken into police custody for questioning. When he was escorted to the crime scene for reconstructing the sequence of events, Mohanraj allegedly snatched a revolver and opened fire, injuring two police personnel. In “retaliation”, the police shot him dead. The murder of the two children triggered public anger. After Mohanraj was killed, posters were put up welcoming the police action.

In recent months, there have been at least a dozen ‘encounter killings’ across the State. Though magisterial inquiries and criminal investigations follow such incidents, the police have not been held guilty.

Rights activists say every extra-judicial killing should be thoroughly investigated in compliance with the guidelines of the National Human Rights Commission as well as the Supreme Court in Peoples Union for Civil Liberties v State of Maharashtra (2014). The Court in that case had observed that Article 21 of the Constitution guaranteed the right to live with dignity. “Any violation of human rights is viewed seriously by this Court as the right to life is the most precious right guaranteed by Article 21... The guarantee... is available to every person and even the State has no authority to violate that right,” it said.

The State should hand over investigation to an independent agency and cooperate in a fair and transparent probe. Else, the police force will be left with the dubious distinction of being trigger-happy.

World mango trade: threat to India’s leading position

New Delhi, July 14: India is in danger of losing its pre-eminent position in the world mango trade, a national seminar of mango breeders and experts has cautioned.

Poor efforts at improvement of the varieties of mangoes and lack of modern handling and processing technology are stated to inhabit the popularity of Indian mangoes abroad. Already countries like South Africa, East Africa and Mexico are fast catching up with the world mango market at the expense of India’s established position.

The U.K. is reported to have started importing raw mangoes from third countries for processing ‘chutney’ indigenously.

The seminar — the first all-India seminar on mango and mango culture — jointly organised by the Union Agriculture Ministry and the U.P. Government at Lucknow recently, has suggested immediate measures for the varietal improvement of Indian mangoes to maintain its pre-eminent position in the international market.

The seminar noted the urgent need for breeding new varieties with high pulp-stone ratio for the canning industry’s requirement, and for strengthening the post-harvest handling arrangements, keeping in view the demand for Indian mangoes abroad.

It also suggested the setting up of Mango Boards on the pattern of the Coffee Board to take up the integrated development of mango production, storage, processing, transportation and marketing.

In China

Peking, July 14: The Foreign Office has issued the texts of two Sino-German agreements by which the German bank’s property in Peking and Hankow will be restored and the bank will be compensated for the liquidated property elsewhere in China and reinstated on a pre-war footing. China will release German private property of seventy million dollars. Germany will pay China half the value of the released property and as final compensation all of the Government’s claims arising from the war.

On the jurisdiction of the CBI

Aaratrika Bhaumik

Is the Central Bureau of Investigation an independent agency or does it come under the control of the Union government? Does the CBI need the permission of the State to carry out investigation in its territory? Which are the States that have withdrawn general consent to the central agency?

Getty Imagesdrogatnev

The story so far:

The Supreme Court on July 10 upheld the maintainability of the West Bengal government’s suit accusing the Union government of “constitutional overreach” by employing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register and investigate cases in the State despite its withdrawal of general consent on November 16, 2018. A Bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Sandeep Mehta rejected the Centre’s preliminary objections that it was wrongly made a defendant in the suit as it did not control the CBI, which was an “independent agency.” Perusing various provisions of the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946, under which the CBI functions, the Bench concluded “the very establishment, exercise of powers, extension of jurisdiction, the superintendence of the DSPE [Act], all vest with the Government of India.” Accordingly, the Court ruled that the suit discloses a valid cause of action and must be heard on merits. It posted the next hearing on August 13.

What is general consent?

Under Section 6 of the DSPE Act, the CBI is required to obtain consent from the concerned State government before initiating an investigation within its jurisdiction.

This permission is crucial since “police” and “public order” are subjects that fall within the State List under the seventh schedule of the Constitution. However, no such prior consent is necessary in Union territories or railway areas. General consent is given by States to facilitate the agency’s seamless investigation into corruption charges against Central government employees in their territories. However, since 2015, several States such as Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Mizoram, Punjab, Rajasthan, Telangana, Meghalaya and West Bengal have revoked their general consent alleging that the Centre is misusing the federal agency to unfairly target the Opposition. “In the absence of such an omnibus consent, the CBI will be unable to register any fresh cases in these States without the explicit permission of the respective State governments,” P.D.T. Achary, former Secretary General, Lok Sabha told The Hindu.

What does the case filed by the West Bengal government allege?

In August 2021, the West Bengal government filed an original suit under Article 131 of the Constitution arguing that the actions of the Union government and the involvement of the CBI in the State infringed upon its sovereignty. The suit highlighted that despite the withdrawal of general consent for CBI investigations by the Trinamool Congress government on November 16, 2018, the agency proceeded to register 12 new cases. Deeming this to be a “constitutional overreach,” the State sought the annulment of these 12 cases and a restraint on the agency from lodging any further cases.

The framers of the Constitution envisioned such conflicts between the Centre and the States owing to the existing quasi-federal structure and dual polity. As a result, they conferred original and exclusive jurisdiction upon the Supreme Court to address such disputes, under Article 131. For a suit to be maintainable under this provision, two conditions have to be satisfied — it should relate to a dispute between the Government of India and one or more State Governments (or) between one or more State Governments, and it must involve a question of law or fact crucial to the determination of legal rights.

In State Of Karnataka vs Union Of India (1977), the Supreme Court observed that Article 131 is a feature of federalism and should be “widely and generously interpreted” to advance the intended remedy. Similarly, in State Of Rajasthan & Ors. vs Union Of India (1977), the top Court cautioned against taking a very “restrictive or a hyper-technical view of the State’s rights.”

What was the Union government’s argument?

Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union government, pressed the Court to dismiss West Bengal’s suit by raising preliminary objections to its maintainability. He pointed out that original suits under Article 131 of the Constitution exclusively involve the Union and States as parties. “It is the CBI which has registered the cases in question. But the CBI is not a defendant in this suit, and it cannot be made one, as the CBI is not a ‘State’ under Article 131,” Mr. Mehta contended.

He further argued that the CBI was an “independent agency” since it did not function under the direct control of the Union government. “The Union does not supervise the registration of offences or investigation or closure or filing of chargesheet or conviction or acquittal of cases by the CBI,” he reasoned. However, later in the proceedings, Mr. Mehta finally conceded that the agency cannot initiate any investigation without the express authorisation of the Union government under Section 5 of the DSPE Act.

On the contrary, senior advocate Kapil Sibal highlighted that the case extended beyond the Centre’s control over the CBI to the fundamental question of whether the agency could disregard a specific notification issued by the West Bengal government in 2018, withdrawing its consent. Mr. Sibal asserted that once a State grants and then withdraws its consent, the CBI lacks jurisdiction to exercise its powers within that State.

What did the verdict state?

The Court observed that a bare perusal of the provisions of the DSPE Act reveals that right from the constitution of the CBI, the classes of offences which are to be investigated by it, to its administration and powers, it is the “Central government that it is vitally concerned with.”

“Under Section 4 of the DSPE Act, except the offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, in which the superintendence will be with the Central Vigilance Commission, the superintendence of the DSPE in all other matters would vest with the Central government,” Justice Gavai, who authored the verdict, noted. The judge also reminded the Centre that Section 6 of the DSPE Act mandates the prior consent of the State government to a CBI probe within its jurisdiction.

While the Court recognised that the CBI would always be entitled to investigate offences independently, it underscored that this autonomy “would not water down” its administrative control and superintendence that vests with the Centre. It thus proceeded to conclude that the Solicitor General’s argument that the CBI is an “independent agency” holds no water.

The verdict, however, clarified that these observations were only made to meet the preliminary objections raised by the Union government and would not have any bearing on the merits of the suit.

What are the implications?

According to Mr. Achary, if the CBI is permitted to initiate investigations in States that have revoked their general consent, it would be an affront to federalism. “This could strain Centre-State relations, particularly since the police is a State subject under the Constitution. Allowing the CBI to register cases would effectively confer upon it the same powers as the State police forces,” he adds. While the Supreme Court has so far only addressed the preliminary objections to the maintainability of West Bengal’s suit, the constitutional expert pointed out that the final ruling on its merits will have a significant bearing on other similar pending cases.

Another Bench of the top Court is tackling a similar question of law related to the State of Tamil Nadu in the case of Ankit Tiwari, an Enforcement Directorate (ED) officer against whom the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption had launched a criminal prosecution for bribery. A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and K.V. Viswanathan had recommended judicial oversight over the cross-fire of criminal cases filed between Central agencies like the ED and the police in Opposition-ruled States to protect innocents from prosecution.

The Union government’s rein on financial transfers to different States

J. Jeyaranjan

One of the reasons for the States’ share in gross revenue declining is that the net tax revenue is arrived at after deducting the revenue collections under cess and surcharge, revenue collections from Union Territories, and tax administration expenditure

Getty ImagesDmitrii Guzhanin

On July 11, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin alleged that the Union government was withholding funds for the State’s Metro rail completion and other vital projects. In this article, dated February 7, 2024, J. Jeyaranjan and R. Srinivasan explain how the government’s tax policies reduce aggregate financial transfers to States, weakening cooperative federalism.

Ever since the start of the Fourteenth Finance Commission award period (2015-16), the Union government has been reducing financial transfers to States. This is particularly strange given that the Fourteenth Finance Commission recommended devolving 42% of Union tax revenues to States, which is a clean 10 percentage points increase over the 13th Finance Commission’s recommendation. The Fifteenth Finance Commission retained this recommendation of 41%, excluding the devolution to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh, which were recategorised as Union Territories. If we include the shares of J&K and Ladakh, it should be 42%. The Union government not only reduced the financial transfers to States but also increased its own total revenue to increase its discretionary expenditure. The discretionary expenditures of the Union government are not being routed through the States’ Budgets, and, therefore, can impact different States in different ways.

Some basic math on tax revenue

The Finance Commissions recommend the States’ share in the net tax revenue of the Union government. The difference between the gross and the net tax revenue includes collection costs, tax revenue to be assigned to Union territories, and cess and surcharges. Though the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Finance Commissions recommended 42% and 41%, respectively, of the net tax revenue to be the shares of States, the share of the gross tax revenue was just 35% in 2015-16 and 30% in 2023-24 (Budget Estimate). While the gross tax revenue of the Union government increased from ₹14.6 lakh crore in 2015-16 to ₹33.6 lakh crore in 2023-24, the States’ share in the Union tax revenue increased from ₹5.1 lakh crore to ₹10.2 lakh crore between these two years. In other words, the gross tax revenue of the Union government more than doubled while the share of States just doubled. Grants-in-aid to States is another statutory grant recommended by the Finance Commission. The grants-in-aid to States declined in absolute amount from ₹1.95 lakh crore in 2015-16 to ₹1.65 lakh crore in 2023-24. Thus, the combined share of the statutory financial transfers in the gross tax revenue of the Union government declined from 48.2% to 35.32%.

One of the reasons for the States’ share in gross revenue declining during this period is that the net tax revenue is arrived at after deducting the revenue collections under cess and surcharge, revenue collections from Union Territories, and tax administration expenditure. Among the three factors, revenue collection through cess and surcharge is the highest and increasing. The cess and surcharge collection in 2015-16 was 5.9% (₹85,638 crore) of the gross tax revenue of the Union government, and this ratio increased to 10.8% (₹3.63 lakh crore) in 2023-24. This calculation is excluding the Goods and Services Tax (GST) cess that is collected to compensate for the revenue loss of the States due to implementation of GST till June 2022. The Union government is increasing tax collection under cess and surcharge categories mainly to implement its own schemes in specific sectors, and at the same time, the revenues so raised need not be shared with the States.

More centralisation of public expenditure

When the financial transfers to States either as tax devolution or grants-in-aid decline on the one hand, or do not increase at least proportionately to increase in gross revenue of the Union government on the other, the resultant effect is the availability of larger discretionary funds for the Union government to spend. This could affect the equity in distribution of financial resources among States. The Union government has two other routes of direct financial transfers to States, that is, Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and Central Sector Schemes (CSec Schemes). The Union government influences the priorities of the States through CSS wherein the Union government provides partial funding and another part is to be committed by States. In other words, the Union government proposes the schemes and States implement them, committing their financial resources as well. Between 2015-16 and 2023-24, the allocation for CSS increased from ₹2.04 lakh crore to ₹4.76 lakh crore through 59 CSS. Thus, the Union government compels the State to commit more or less an equivalent quantum of financial resources. Moreover, the actual financial transfers to States under CSS is only ₹3.64 lakh crore (2023-24), retaining nearly ₹1.12 lakh crore of CSS allocation for other expenses.

An important aspect of CSS shared schemes is that the States that can afford to commit matching finances from the State budgets alone can avail of the matching grants. This creates two different effects in terms of inter-State equity in public finances. Wealthy States can afford to commit equivalent finances and leverage Union finances inwards through the implementation of CSS. Less wealthy States will have to commit their borrowed finances in these CSS, thus increasing their own liabilities. These differential trajectories of the public finances of States accentuate inter-State inequality in public finances, the major reason being CSS.

The CSec Schemes are fully funded by the Union government in sectors where the Union government has exclusive legislative or institutional controls. The allocation for CSec Schemes increased from ₹5.21 lakh crore in 2015-16 to ₹14.68 lakh crore in 2023-24 to implement more than 700 schemes. Thus, it is clear the Union government allocates a larger share of the finances to CSec Schemes. It is quite likely that the Union government can allocate financial resources with a motive to benefit specific States or constituencies through the CSec Schemes. Since the CSec Schemes are directly implemented by the Union government, only ₹60,942 crore is devolved to States under this scheme in 2023-24. The combined allocation for CSS and CSec Schemes in 2023-24 is ₹19.4 lakh crore and only ₹4.25 lakh crore is devolved to States.

Scope for anti-federal fiscal policies

The financial transfers through CSS and CSec Schemes are non-statutory transfers as they are based on neither any legal provisions nor any formula determined by the Finance Commission. This non-statutory grant forms 12.6% of gross tax revenue. Together with statutory grants, the total financial transfers as a proportion to gross tax revenue were only 47.9% in 2023-24. Further, the non-statutory grants are tied grants, that is, they have to be spent on specific schemes for which the grants are allocated. This reduces the freedom of States in conducting public expenditure. In addition to retaining more than 50% of gross tax revenue, the Union government incurs a fiscal deficit to the extent of 5.9% of GDP. Thus, the Union government wields enormous financial powers with limited expenditure responsibilities.

Further, the Fifteenth Finance Commission noted that the Union government had argued for the downward revision of States’ share in Union tax revenue from 42% and the Commission retained the share at 41%. Citing higher expenditure commitments, the Union government may repeat the argument before the Sixteenth Finance Commission. So much for cooperative federalism!

J. Jeyaranjan is Vice-Chairman of the State Planning Commission, Government of Tamil Nadu. R. Srinivasan is Member, State Planning Commission, Government of Tamil Nadu.

A quiz on the Golden Jubilee of India’s first-ever men’s One day International (ODI) played on July 13, 1974

V.V. Ramanan

Visual question: Name this Englishman who won the Player-of-the match against India. Incidentally, he was also the player-of-the-match in the first-ever ODI in 1971.Getty ImagesADRIAN MURRELL

Question 1

Where did India make its debut in ODIs, against whom, and what was the result?

Question 2

Though India suffered a reverse, it had two batters who scored a half-century. One was the skipper Ajit Wadekar (67). Who was the other?

Question 3

Two players who figured in the match, which was played for the Prudential Trophy, were members of the side that would lift the Prudential World Cup nine years later. Name these two Indian greats.

Question 4

Which two members of the fabled ‘Spin Quartet’ played in the match?

Question 5

Being the first match, all the 11 Indians who played were debutants. The lone Englishman to make his first appearance was incidentally born in Shimla as his father was a Major with the 2nd Gurkha Rifles. Name the cricketer.

Question 6

India lost its first two ODIS and its first success came in the 1975 Prudential World Cup against a team which is not a regular International team now. Name the opponent.

Question 7

The India men have so far played 1,055 ODIS, winning 559 of them. As of June 2024, against which full member of the ICC has India played the most matches (168).

Questions and Answers to the July 12 edition of the daily quiz: 1. The reason why world population day falls on July 11. Ans: It was on July 11, 1987, that the world population count touched five billion

2. The year in which the last Indian Census was conducted. Ans: 2011

3. In the 200 years or so, since the world hit the magic number of one billion in terms of population, it grew ______. Ans: sevenfold

4. The fertility rate for India as of 2021. Ans: 1.9

5. The top three most populous countries in the world. Ans: United States is at 3. India is at no. 1, and China at no. 2

Visual: This continent has the highest rate of population growth. Ans: Africa

Early Birds: K.N. Viswanathan| Tamal Biswas| Jyot Prakash

I was jealous of his ability to dance

S. Upendran

He was able to reach this position at such a young age as he came from a moneyed family

1 of 2

2 of 2

“Heard your friend Rajesh has got a great job in Delhi.”

“Yes, he has. He’ll be making nearly double what he’s making here. Also, he…”

“Double? Wow! He must be thrilled!.”

“I don’t think he really cares about the money. I’m told he comes from a moneyed family.”

“Moneyed family? What are you talking about? What does the family have?”

“What many people desire most. Money! When you say that someone is moneyed, what you’re suggesting is that the person has a lot of money.”

“I’d like to marry someone from the moneyed class. That way I won’t have to work anymore.”

“Good luck with that! Some of the small towns along the coast depend on the moneyed tourists who visit them during winter. By the way, there are two ways of spelling the word. It can be spelt m..o..n..e..y..e..d, or m..o..n..i..e..d. Dictionaries list both.

“I see. In school, I never thought your neighbour Vikram would amount to anything. He was bad at everything — studies, sports, making conversation, etc. Look at him now!”

“He’s an example of a late bloomer.”

“Late bloomer? What is that?”

“He’s like a flower that blooms much after most others. When you say that he is a ‘late bloomer’, what you’re suggesting is that he became good at something long after he’d been expected to.”

“In other words, he becomes good at something much after those around him have become proficient. He’s one of the last in his group to become proficient.”

“Yes, that’s right! This individual’s talents are rather slow to develop. Here’s an example. As a writer, Shanthi was a late bloomer. She published her first book of poems at the age of 60.”

“When he was in school, Yogi’s parents worried about him. What they didn’t realise was that he was a late bloomer.”

“That’s a good example! It’s also possible to say, ‘late developer’. It has the same meaning as ‘late bloomer’. It took Sandeep time to figure out what he wanted to specialise in. He was, what I’d like to call, a late developer.”

“And look at him today! A lot of people are very jealous about his success.”

“That’s true. Some of his close friends are jealous of his unbelievable success.”

“Jealous of? You mean jealous about, don’t you?”

“No, I don’t! One is usually ‘jealous of something’ and not ‘jealous about something’. When you’re jealous of someone, you are unhappy because the other person has something that you wish to have. Here’s an example. When I was in school, I used to be very jealous of my cousin’s intelligence.”

“Shoba was jealous of her mother’s good looks.”

upendrankye@gmail.com

Business

- Insurance of bank balance: some useful perspectives

- How EV, motor cover differ

- Understand Information Ratio

Insurance of bank balance: some useful perspectives

Joydeep Sen

The basis of safety or comfort with a bank should not be DICGC cover but overall fundamental quality of the bank; preferably bank with institutions where you would not require this coverage

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2 of 3 Your money is safe up to ₹5 lakh per bank, which is known as deposit insurance which is administered by Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation

3 of 3 The ₹5 lakh for insurance purpose includes all your money with the bank e.g. savings deposit, term deposit, recurring deposits, et al

We all go to banks for safe keeping money. The banking system in India is generally robust. As long as you are keeping money with a leading bank, your money is safe. However, on paper, your money is safe up to ₹5 lakh per bank, which is known as deposit insurance. This is administered by Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC). Today we will look at the scenario on deposit insurance in India.

Overall scenario

In 1962, deposit insurance limit was ₹1,500. It went up in stages and in 1993, it was increased to ₹ 1 lakh. In February 2020, it was raised to ₹5 lakh and it stands there. The insurance premium, which the bank pays, was 5 paisa per ₹100 in 1962. It has risen to 12 paisa now. The amount of claims settled by DICGC, from inception till 2020-21 was ₹5,763 crore.

In 2021-22, DICGC paid out ₹8,517 crore as compensation to depositors of Punjab and Maharashtra Cooperative Bank (PMC) was relatively higher. As of March 2024, the number of banks covered by DICGC was 1,997, including 140 commercial banks and 1,857 co-operative banks.

As much as 97.8% of the deposit accounts (289.8 crore) are fully insured. Of the total assessable deposits of ₹218 lakh crore, 43.1% was insured. The extent of coverage, as a percentage of total deposits of ₹218 lakh crore, is 43.1%, due to the ₹5 lakh limit.

Insured deposits ratio

The insured deposits ratio i.e., the ratio of insured deposits to assessable deposits is higher for cooperative banks (63.2%) than commercial banks (42%), as the deposit size in cooperative banks is relatively smaller. Within commercial banks, public sector banks have a higher coverage ratio (48.9%) than private sector banks (32.7%) due to the same reason.

Enhancing coverage?

The ₹5 lakh includes all your money with the bank e.g. savings, term deposit, recurring deposits etc. Under DICGC, there are ways to enhance your coverage. You may spread deposits across banks, since the coverage is per bank and not across the banking system. For example, ₹25 lakh spread across five banks as ₹5 lakh with each bank is insured. Different branches of the same bank are considered together, therefore spreading money across branches will not help. You may also open multiple accounts in different capacities. For example, you may open accounts as self, jointly with your spouse, as a partner in a firm, as guardian of a minor child, etc. Though one person can have only one PAN number, the accounts are separate and even in the same bank, these will be treated as separate accounts.

In a joint account, there is combination of multiple persons. If you have comfort level with the services of certain banks, you may open more than one account in different capacities with those banks.

Need for protection

Once in a while, we hear about unfortunate incidents at bank depositors’ money being at stake. The finger pointing is aimed at the regulator, Government, etc. While the ‘system’ has a responsibility, every stakeholder has a responsibility, including the depositor. ‘Responsibility’ of the depositor means understanding what s/he is getting into, what is the risk, and if something goes wrong, who is supposed to bear the loss beyond ₹5 lakh.

This is important, because we tend to get swayed when we see the board of a ‘bank’ written in big fonts, hanging outside the office. As an anecdote, reportedly, the event at PMC did not spare even people at the RBI. Reportedly, the Reserve Bank Officers’ Co-operative Credit Society Ltd., with about 3,500 members, had an FD of ₹105 crore with the PMC.

Guidance to readers

The basis of safety or comfort with a bank should not be the DICGC cover but the fundamental quality of the bank. Preferably you should bank with institutions where you would not require this coverage. If you are placing your money with a bank due to reasons like high interest rate or proximity, you should think again. When you are opting for the simplest and most basic of investment options, you should have peace of mind. Public sector banks are safe. Though not a stated guarantee, it is an implied responsibility of the Government, which is beyond the ₹5 lakh discussed earlier. When it comes to cooperative banks, you have to be careful about DICGC cover and check with their website if your bank is covered.

(The writer is a corporate trainer (financial markets) and author)

How EV, motor cover differ

Nitin Kumar

Monsoon season has arrived. There was recently the news of roof collapse at Delhi Airport which led to damage of vehicles and also one death. Even otherwise, waterlogged roads and basements are a common sight after the heavy rains during the monsoons, posing major risk to vehicles.

Knowing all the risks, it is essential to protect your vehicle through a comprehensive motor insurance cover, especially during the monsoon season. After all, a car is one of the biggest investments one makes during lifetime. With monsoons just having set in, it is the right time to re-evaluate your vehicle insurance, particularly if you own an electric vehicle (EV).

As per NITI Aayog, about 30% of all vehicle sales in India will be EVs by 2030. While the EVs are top-notch examples of modern technology, they come with vulnerabilities, especially during the rainy season. Electric cars and bikes have many electric parts and a high-capacity battery. The parts are extremely sensitive to water damage. In fact, the vehicle may be rendered inoperable by mere water ingress. A small accident or defect can make the vehicle susceptible to water ingress leading to severe damage and expensive repairs.

EV vs. regular motor Insurance

Because EVs face additional risks, it is imperative to have a comprehensive cover. The tricky part is, unlike petrol and diesel vehicles which have well-documented risks, EVs are relatively new to the market and have unknown risks associated with them. Insurers do not have historical data to predict and manage the risks. Over time, they will collect extensive data on the long-term performance of EVs and the associated risks. But while this understanding evolves, they have come up with specialised insurance products to cover EVs. And given the inherent differences between EVs and traditional vehicles, these insurance products also differ. Let’s understand:

Battery coverage: The primary distinction between EVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles lies in power source: EVs use batteries instead of fuel. So, EV insurance focuses more on battery coverage. Given EV batteries can constitute 40- 60% of the vehicle cost, policies includes protection against battery degradation and damage, reflecting the high replacement costs involved. It is also recommended to get the Battery Protection Add-on which fully covers battery for damage due to water ingress, power surge or mishap.

Charging equipment cover: A critical part related to EVs is the charging equipment that comes with it. These may include charging cables, home charging stations, and other accessories. Most insurers provide add-on covering equipment against damage — which is a possibility during monsoons. The policies also cover these against theft.

Roadside Assistance: Many EV policies come with enhanced roadside assistance. After all, the vehicle may unexpectedly run out of charge. Given the EV charging station network is not yet as extensive as the petrol pump network, having a policy that includes towing services to the nearest charging station can be a lifesaver.

Cost factor: EV vehicles generally have a wider range of risks and higher repair costs due to advanced electrical components. For instance, the motor in an EV can cost anywhere between ₹20,000 and ₹1,00,000 depending on the model. The labour costs are also higher. Therefore, it is highly recommended to purchase insurance covering against the high costs associated in case of any damage.

EV insurance premiums generally exceed those for petrol and diesel vehicles. However, the good news is the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has taken cognizance of this and has mandated a 15% discount on third-party premiums for EVs. While the idea behind this is to promote the adoption of green mobility, it has also made EV premiums a little more affordable by balancing out some of the higher costs associated with comprehensive EV insurance.

While buying an EV cover, it is a good idea to mull Zero Depreciation Cover to get full claim amount without deduction for depreciation.

(The writer is Head, Motor Insurance, Policybazaar.com)

Understand Information Ratio

Venkatesh Bangaruswamy

The volatility (fluctuation) of alpha is considered as a risk measure; if you divide a fund’s alpha by the volatility of its alpha, you get IR; the ratio could help individuals with their investment choices

SEBI’s recent consultative paper on risk-adjusted returns recommends that asset management companies (AMCs) disclose information ratio (IR) of their funds. In this article, we discuss how IR could help individuals with their investment choices.

Uniform metric

The number of AMCs has increased over the years. With availability of multiple products comes the difficulty of making meaningful choices. It is in this context that you must weigh IR.

An active fund is expected to generate alpha or excess returns over its benchmark index. Every active manager must take risks to generate alpha. Typically, you want to invest in a fund that generates consistent alpha. So, the volatility (fluctuation) of alpha is considered as a risk measure. If you divide a fund’s alpha by the volatility of its alpha, you get IR.

You must consider two arguments before applying IR as a risk-adjusted metric. One, the objective is not to select a fund with the highest IR. Rather, the intention is to select a fund that has statistically significant IR. This requires an analyst to conduct a t-test. It is moot if individuals will conduct such a statistical test. It will, therefore, help the investors if funds disclose their IRs over one-, three-, five- and 10-year periods. In addition, funds existing for more than 10 years must be required to report their IR since fund inception. This will enable investors to gauge the consistency of a fund’s IR. Typically, the more consistent an IR, the greater the confidence that the fund will be able to sustain its alpha in the future.

Two, the usefulness of IR depends on an accurate determination of alpha, which depends on the validity of its benchmark. In effect, you are determining if the fund is investing within its benchmark index. Current regulation allows equity funds to drift from their benchmark. A large cap fund, for instance, can invest up to 20% outside of large caps. So, alpha, measured as the difference between the fund and its benchmark, cannot be considered as global best practice measure. The disclosure of IR will be more meaningful if the benchmark truly reflects a fund’s complete investment universe.

Conclusion

IR as a metric is meaningful when you want to invest surplus savings in an equity fund. It is more appropriate to use Sortino Ratio if you are investing in a fund to achieve a life goal. But that is best left for a later discussion.

(The author offers training programmes for individuals to manage their personal investments)

Foreign

- Trump shooting may derail Biden’s bid to rally party base

- Uruguay pips Canada on penalties, takes third spot

- European leaders condemn Trump assassination attempt

- Anahat and Shaurya advance to the fourth round

- K.P. Sharma Oli appointed Nepal Prime Minister

- Kenya police say eight women’s bodies found in Nairobi dumpsite

- Imran, wife, handed over to graft watchdog on remand in new case

- Nepal retrieves more bodies from buses swept away by landslip

- Hamas is pulling out of Gaza truce talks after deadly Israeli strike

Trump shooting may derail Biden’s bid to rally party base

Varghese K. George

Trump has always claimed that he is a victim of a deep state conspiracy that undermined his first presidency and re-election bid; he is likely to use the assassination bid to amplify his narrative

Safety blanket: Donald Trump surrounded by Secret Service agents as he is taken off the stage in Pennsylvania.AFPREBECCA DROKE

As he survived an assassination attempt by a whisker in Pennsylvania on Saturday evening, Republican Donald J. Trump’s image underwent an abrupt makeover. From defending charges of being an instigator and an authoritarian-in-waiting, he will now be seen as a target of political violence.

Mr. Trump’s defiant response in the face of death with his fist raised against the backdrop of an American flag could blunt his Democrat rival Joe Biden’s strategy of a counter polarisation, and reinforce his messianic claims. The bid on Mr. Trump’s life could derail the wobbly script that Mr. Biden struggled to put together after his meltdown in the presidential debate on June 27.

Mr. Trump is seen as a divisive figure of U.S. politics, but Mr. Biden’s re-election bid is also premised on polarisation. With the Democrat base itself conflicted over his politics, Mr. Biden has raised the decibel on rhetoric on domestic and international questions to unify his party. All that adds up to a very elementary claim that Mr. Trump would be worse.

On two polarising domestic questions that can unite the progressives, Mr. Biden has raised the stakes since the debate — gun control and abortion decontrol. The Biden campaign has sought to corner Mr. Trump on both questions. The battleground States that turned by narrow margins in 2016, and 2020, are being addressed on these two questions which would not only charge up the Democrat base but also potentially swing women voters from the Republican side too. Against the backdrop of his accelerating gaffe train, Mr. Biden amplified his messaging on these two questions, contrasting himself with Mr. Trump in stark terms.

‘Washington Playbook’

But this has not stopped the chatter about his fitness to run for another term. In fact, it is growing into a clamour, being repeated by Democrat seniors and American strategists across the political divide. Mr. Biden has sought to talk up the Russia-China axis in recent weeks — though he mistook Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for ‘President Putin’.

Mr. Trump’s first term had significantly disrupted what former President Barack Obama had described as ‘Washington Playbook,’ — the standard, usually militarised response to most global events. By confronting China and appearing friendly to Russia, Mr. Trump’s first term had disrupted this playbook.

Mr. Trump’s first term institutionalised rivalry with China in U.S. strategy, and Mr. Biden turned it into a new cold war by talking up the danger of an axis between Russia and China. This focus on Russia and China also helped Mr. Biden skirt two foreign policy setbacks under his watch — the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan without achieving the stated strategic goals and Israel’s war on Gaza that has scattered the Democrats.

On all these points, Mr. Biden’s claim of legitimacy has been that he is the most effective counter to Mr. Trump and his instincts. The stark scenarios that Mr. Biden portrays involve a double barrel polarisation — a U.S.-led world order threatened by an authoritarian Russia-China axis and the U.S. democracy threatened by fascism fuelled by MAGA [Make America Great Again] Republicans.

Mr. Trump is a common factor in Mr. Biden’s campaign narrative, which shows the former President as a stooge of Mr. Putin. The gunman in Pennsylvania has not merely dismantled this grand narrative of Mr. Biden’s claim of his own inevitability despite his infirmities but also reinforced the talking points of Mr. Trump.

Trump’s narrative

Mr. Trump has always claimed that he is a victim of a deep state conspiracy that undermined his first presidency, and thwarted his re-election in 2020. He has also, repeatedly, alluded to “a divine plan” in his politics — a theme that got an instant boost in social media chatter after his miraculous escape from the bullet on Saturday. Mr. Trump’s other talking points — American weakness, leftist conspiracies, and his claims of being a fighter and a true patriot, all fall in place for a perfect storm of a campaign for him on the eve of the Republican National Convention that begins on Monday in Milwaukee.

Mr. Trump presents himself as the strong leader and accuses Mr. Biden of being weak. By appearing unruffled and combative with blood dripping from his bullet injury, Trump can claim to have lived up to his boast. In the coming weeks, he is sure to use this to amplify his politics.

Uruguay pips Canada on penalties, takes third spot

Agence France-Presse

Charlotte

Podium pose: Uruguay players with their medals after prevailing over Canada.AP

Luis Suarez rescued Uruguay with an injury-time equaliser before the South Americans defeated Canada 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out to win the Copa America’s third place playoff match on Saturday.

Uruguay looked to be heading to a shock defeat after the Canadians took a 2-1 lead in the 80th minute through a Jonathan David goal at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium.

But Suarez, who came on as a second-half substitute, swept in a crisp finish from Jose Gimenez in the second minute of injury time to make it 2-2 and send the game to penalties.

In the shoot-out, Canada midfielder Ismael Kone saw his spot-kick saved by Sergio Rochet before Alphonso Davies saw an attempted panenka hit the crossbar and bounce out to give Uruguay victory.

It marked a disappointing end to the tournament for Canada, which had been on course for a famous — and deserved — victory before Suarez’s late leveller.

Uruguay had got off to a dream start with Rodrigo Bentancur firing it into the lead after just eight minutes.

Sebastian Caceres outjumped his marker to knock down for Bentancur, who turned and swivelled before rifling a shot into the roof of the net.

The Uruguayans almost doubled their lead soon afterwards when a sweeping counter-attack left Canada’s defence scrambling to cover, only for Maximiliano Araujo’s shot to be blocked by Canada goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair.

That miss proved costly as moments later Kone equalised for Canada with a superb improvised finish.

Jacob Shaffelburg’s corner was met with a header by Moise Bombito, and Kone lobbed the advancing Rochet with a deft flick to make it 1-1.

Uruguay thought it had scored almost immediately when Facundo Pellistri got the ball in the net. An offside in the build-up however saw the goal chalked off.

Canada meanwhile twice spurned golden opportunities to score just before half-time, Tani Oluwaseyi heading wide from close range on 41 minutes before Jonathan Osorio saw an effort cleared off the line in the 43rd minute.

The game seemed to be meandering to a draw until Kone surged forward from midfield 10 minutes from time and unleashed a ferocious shot that Rochet could only parry into the path of David, who tucked away the finish to make it 2-1. But with victory beckoning, Canada continued to press forward, and duly paid the price when Uruguay got in behind the defence to set up Suarez’s equaliser.

The result: Canada 2 (Kone 22, David 80) drew with Uruguay 2 (Bentancur 8, Suarez 90+2) Uruguay won 4-3 via penalties.

European leaders condemn Trump assassination attempt

Sriram Lakshman

LONDON

Timely intervention: Police snipers return fire after shots were fired at Donald Trump in Butler in Pennsylvania on Saturday.APGene J. Puskar

As Europe woke up to the news of the attempted assassination of former U.S. President Donald Trump, its leaders took to social media to condemn the attack.

The U.K.’s new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer said he was “appalled” by the attack.

“Political violence in any form has no place in our societies and my thoughts are with all the victims of this attack,” Mr. Starmer wrote on social media site X.

Macron’s statement

“My thoughts are with President Donald Trump, the victim of an assassination attempt,” French President Emmanuel Macron wrote.

“ It is a tragedy for our democracies. France shares the shock and indignation of the American people,” he said.

Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the attack “despicable”.

“Political violence has no place in a democracy,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“My thoughts and prayers are with President Donald Trump in these dark hours, “ Hungarian Prime Minister and an ally of Mr. Trump, Viktor Orban said.

Anahat and Shaurya advance to the fourth round

Sports Bureau

India’s Anahat Singh and Shaurya Bawa advanced to the fourth round of the World junior squash championships in Houston on Saturday in the girls’ and boys’ sections respectively.

Reigning National women’s champion Anahat defeated Samantha Jaffe of the US 11-7, 12-10, 11-6 in the third round and will meet Japan’s Akari Midorikawa for a place in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Shaurya rallied to beat Rustin Wiser of the US 4-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-6 in the third round and will lock horns with Segundo Portabales of Argentina in the pre-quarterfinals.

Other Indian results:

Boys: 3rd round: Shaurya Bawa bt Rustin Wiser (US) 4-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-6; Yuvraj Wadhwani lost to Javier Emilio Romo Lopez (Ecu) 11-8, 6-11, 11-7, 8-11, 6-11.

2nd round: Ayaan Vaziralli lost to Wasey Maqsood (Can) 3-11, 4-11, 9-11; Arihant K.S. lost to Low Wa-Sern (Mas) 11-9, 7-11, 4-11, 7-11.

Wadhwani bt Ivan Santamaria (Col) 11-6, 11-6, 6-11, 11-4; Bawa bt Altamis A. Sufian (Mas) 11-8, 11-7, 11-8; Avalokit Singh lost to Seojin Oh (S. Korea) 6-11, 5-11, 7-11.

Girls: 3rd round: Tiana Parasrampuria lost to Lauren Baltayan (Fra) 5-11, 3-11, 3-11.

K.P. Sharma Oli appointed Nepal Prime Minister

Press Trust of India

Kathmandu

K. P. Sharma Oli, the leader of Nepal’s largest communist party, was appointed Nepal’s Prime Minister for a fourth term on Sunday to lead a new coalition government that faces the daunting challenge of providing political stability in the Himalayan nation.

Mr. Oli, 72, succeeds Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ who lost the vote of confidence in the House of Representatives on Friday.

President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed Mr. Oli, Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), as the new Prime Minister.

Mr. Oli became the Prime Minister with the support of the Nepali Congress, the largest party in parliament.

Mr. Oli’s swearing-in ceremony is scheduled to take place at 11 am on Monday.

Mr. Oli now needs to secure a vote of confidence from parliament within 30 days of appointment according to the constitutional mandate. Oli will a need a minimum of 138 votes in the 275-seat House of Representatives (HoR).

On Friday night, Mr. Oli staked his claim to become the next Prime Minister with the backing of NC president Sher Bahadur Deuba and submitted the signatures of 165 House of Representatives (HoR) members — 77 from his Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) party and 88 from the Nepali Congress. (NC).

Kenya police say eight women’s bodies found in Nairobi dumpsite

AFPSIMON MAINA

Eight women’s bodies have been recovered so far from a dumpsite in a Nairobi slum, Kenyan police said on Sunday, adding that they were pursuing possible links to cults, serial killers or rogue medical practitioners. The mutilated bodies were dumped in plastic bags in a rubbish tip in Mukuru in the south of the Kenyan capital. afp

Imran, wife, handed over to graft watchdog on remand in new case

REUTERSAKHTAR SOOMRO

A court in Pakistan on Sunday handed over jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to the country’s anti-corruption officials on an eight-day remand for probe in a fresh case of alleged corruption. A district and sessions court on Saturday quashed their conviction in their un-Islamic marriage case. pti

Nepal retrieves more bodies from buses swept away by landslip

PTI-

Nepali search teams retrieved more bodies on Sunday of the roughly 50 people missing after a landslip triggered by rainfall swept two buses into a fast-flowing river. In total, five bodies have been retrieved. One was an Indian citizen. Over 300 officers, were scouring the river for passengers and the two buses themselves. afp

Hamas is pulling out of Gaza truce talks after deadly Israeli strike

AFPEYAD BABA

A Hamas official said on Sunday the Palestinian militant group was withdrawing from Gaza truce talks, following a deadly Israeli strike that targeted militant commander Mohammed Deif more than nine months into the war. Hamas said Deif was nut hurt in the attack. The deadly strike killed at least 92 peple and injured 300. afp

Sports

- Magical Alcaraz leaves Djokovic spellbound

- Samson and Mukesh help Men In Blue sign off with a win and a 4-1 scoreline

- Patten and Heliovaara’s fairytale — from crunching numbers to winning tie-breakers

- SCOREBOARD

- Alcaraz becomes sixth player to do the French-Wimbledon double

- ‘When I was 11 or 12, I said my dream was to win Wimbledon’

- He had it all, I tried to push him but it wasn’t meant to be: Djokovic

- ‘After what I have been through the last four-five weeks, I am satisfied’

- The results

- Sanjay’s counter-attack proves to be the game-changer for Trichy

- Eight is the charm as China’s diving team looks for perfection at Games

- Santissimo claims the Mayor’s Trophy

- Veteran trainer S.K. Sunderji passes away

- Lorenzo critical of extended half-time for Copa final

- Vasanti Shinde wins title with Leonie Kung

- Bhutia calls Spain’s Yamal a potential Ballon d’Or winner

- Minnu Mani to lead India-A in Australia tour

- BCCI releases ₹1 crore for Gaekwad’s treatment

- Dominant Pogacar extends lead in Tour de France

- Lahiri inches closer to maiden LIV series win

- The start of Sri Lanka-India series pushed back by a day

- LiVE TELECAST

- Fabian emerges from the shadows to help Spain shine

- Around THE CITY

- American Ledecky is still the gold standard going into fourth Olympics

- Bishnoi is a rare bird — a leggie that is an electric fielder and an unbelievable catcher

Magical Alcaraz leaves Djokovic spellbound

N. Sudarshan

LONDON

The 21-year-old Spaniard plays one of the matches of his life to cruise past the Serb and defend his title at SW19; the 37-year-old manages to win just 10 games in the summit clash

King Carlos: Alcaraz ruled the day with a dazzling display, hardly putting a foot wrong and overpowering Djokovic in straight sets. APJohn Walton

Lightning never strikes twice. Definitely not in Novak Djokovic’s tennis career one would think. But it did on Centre Court on Sunday as Carlos Alcaraz played celestial tennis to vanquish the Serb 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4) for a second straight time in the Wimbledon final.

The 10 games Djokovic won were slightly better than the seven he managed against Rafael Nadal in the 2020 French Open, his worst in Major finals. But it was a beat-down like no other as Alcaraz reduced him to a relic by handing him his first straight sets defeat in a completed match at SW19 since the 2013 final versus Andy Murray.

Short of breath

Just over five weeks ago, Djokovic had had a surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Though he did not appear in any physical discomfort, he was often short of breath. It would, however, be a disservice to Alcaraz’s excellence to cite the injury, for the 21-year-old played one of the matches of his life to secure his fourth Grand Slam title and complete the coveted French Open-Wimbledon double.

“I am not going to consider myself a great champion yet,” Alcaraz declared. “Not like them,” he said, pointing to Djokovic. The evidence, though, was to the contrary.

The only time Djokovic’s tennis matched Alcaraz’s was in the 13-minute opening game that had seven deuces and finished with an Alcaraz break of serve. For the rest of the contest, the 37-year-old 24-time Slam winner looked like an aged novelist lost for words.

Alcaraz won the first 6-2, showing none of the nerves he had in last year’s final when he lost it 1-6. The serves were big and pin-point, the ground-strokes powerful and sharply angled, and his favourite drop shot was encrypted in plain sight.

The forehand was especially mesmerising, for it was so accurate that it seemed like Alcaraz was controlling it with a string. The Spaniard’s blindingly brilliant athleticism, which got him to many a ball that was on the verge of being swallowed by the court, left Djokovic exasperated.

The second set played out similarly, just that the early break came rather easily, helped by two high-quality blocked returns from Alcaraz and a Djokovic volley gone awry. The missed volley was a recurring theme for the Serb, completely undoing his ploy to play the net-rushing style. “He wasn’t allowing me free points on my serve,” Djokovic said. “He was reading the serve and playing with a lot of variety. And I've never seen him serve that way... 136mph! I’ve never seen him serve that fast.”

In the final set, after some initial pressure, Alcaraz moved decisively in the ninth game. Djokovic withered, allowing a two-fisted cross-court pass on break-point whistle past him without even trying to reach it. But Alcaraz, uncharacteristically, let three match-points slip from 5-4, 40-0. He seemed rattled on the third when a fan cried out mid-rally while he was about to hit a swing volley into the open court. The ball sailed out and, in a flash, Djokovic had stretched the set to a tie-breaker.

The seven-time Wimbledon winner has managed many a jail-break in these parts, the most vivid being the 2019 final after being two match-points down to Roger Federer.

Astonishing drop shot

But Alcaraz quickly refocused and rediscovered his best tennis — a zipping forehand winner, a breathtaking pick up and an astonishing drop shot from mid-court highlighting the tie-breaker. A return error from Djokovic on the fourth match-point sent the Spaniard into seventh heaven.

“I was inferior on the court,” Djokovic admitted. “He played every single shot better. I don’t think I could have done much more. Try to pump myself up maybe, yes. Get the crowd involved. That’s what was happening in the third. That got me going a little bit. Overall, he really outplayed me.”

Samson and Mukesh help Men In Blue sign off with a win and a 4-1 scoreline

Press Trust of India

HARARE

Saviour: Samson’s experience came in handy as he bailed India out of trouble.APTsvangirayi Muikwazhi

Sanju Samson’s well-crafted fifty and Mukesh Kumar’s disciplined spell helped India wind up its Zimbabwe tour with a comprehensive 42-run victory in the fifth and final T20I here on Sunday.

With this win, India clinched the series 4-1.

Samson’s (58, 45b) was central to India’s healthy 167 for six along with Shivam Dube’s flashy 26 (12b).

Doing their bit

Mukesh (four for 22), Shivam Dube (one for 25) and Washington Sundar (one for seven) did their job, bundling out Zimbabwe for 125 in 18.3 overs.

After the early dismissal of Wessly Madhevere, who dragged the third ball of the first over by Mukesh onto his stumps, and Brian Bennett, the pair of Tadiwanashe Marumani (27) and Dion Myers (34) added 44 runs for the third wicket to keep the hosts in the hunt.

Marumani’s switch-hit four off leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who went for a few runs in this match, was quite stunning in its execution.

But such shots were few and far between from the Zimbabwe batters.

The final nail on their hope was the run out of skipper Sikandar Raza (8), which came in a cartwheel of four wickets for nine runs.

Mukesh, who bagged his career-best T20 figures, fittingly ended Zimbabwe innings going through the gate of Richard Ngarava.

Patten and Heliovaara’s fairytale — from crunching numbers to winning tie-breakers

N. Sudarshan

LONDON

It’s ours! Heliovaara and Patten won the Wimbledon men’s doubles crown after a thrilling finale. Getty Images

As far as sporting fairytales go, Henry Patten’s and Harri Heliovaara’s will rank high up.

The Brit and the Finn, who teamed up only in April and were competing in just their second Major as a pair, won the Wimbledon men’s doubles crown late on Saturday with a nerve-wracking 6-7(7), 7-6(8), 7-6(9) victory over the accomplished Australian duo of Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson.

Dream run

Patten and Heliovaara dumped out three top-10 seeds en route and saved three championship points against Purcell and Thompson, the 15th seeds.

Scratch doubles pairs that find quick success abound in tennis. But what makes the Patten-Heliovaara combine remarkable is that they had hardly played the sport full time.

Patten, 28, had never won a main draw match at SW19 and the longest he had stayed at the Wimbledon park area was while working for IBM in 2016 and ’17 collecting stats on the many outside courts.

“My first job at Wimbledon was doing the stats for IBM, which I guess got me familiar with the grounds,” Patten said after the triumph. “It might have given me some advantage. I don’t know.

The better job

“It was basically a summer job for two weeks. It paid pretty well, but it was hard work. Don’t get me wrong, I’m quite glad I’m playing now instead of doing the stats.”

Heliovaara, 35, might have won the 2023 US Open mixed doubles title, but he had quit playing more than a decade ago after failing to make it as a singles player. He then held jobs at the Finnish tennis federation and the Helsinki airport before a trip to Wimbledon as a tourist rekindled the interest.

“I stopped playing when I was 23,” he said. “I won one match in singles qualification at Wimbledon and I am very proud of that. After I finished my first career, I worked at the airport with my wife there. I studied. I worked as a management consultant, at some private equity internships.

“I think this [Wimbledon doubles win] gives me better feelings. Excel sheets in an office can’t compare to this. I never thought I’d be here and it would be this good.”

INDIA

Yashasvi Jaiswal b Raza 12 (5b, 2x6), Shubman Gill c Raza b Ngarava 13 (14b, 2x4), Abhishek Sharma c Madande b Muzarabani 14 (11b, 1x4, 1x6), Sanju Samson c Marumani b Muzarabani 58 (45b, 1x4, 4x6), Riyan Parag c Ngarava b Mavuta 22 (24b, 1x6), Shivam Dube run out 26 (12b, 2x4, 2x6), Rinku Singh (not out) 11 (9b, 1x6), Washington Sundar (not out) 1 (1b); Extras (lb-4, w-5, nb-1): 10; Total (for six wkts. in 20 overs): 167.

FALL OF WICKETS

1-13 (Jaiswal, 0.4 overs), 2-38 (Abhishek, 3.5), 3-40 (Gill, 4.6), 4-105 (Parag, 14.2), 5-135 (Samson, 17.3), 6-153 (Dube, 19.1).

ZIMBABWE BOWLING

Raza 4-0-37-1, Ngarava 4-0-29-1, Akram 4-0-39-0, Muzarabani 4-0-19-2, Mavuta 4-0-39-1.

ZIMBABWE

Wessly Madhevere b Mukesh 0 (3b), Tadiwanashe Marumani lbw b Washington 27 (24b, 5x4), Brian Bennett c Dube b Mukesh 10 (8b, 2x4), Dion Myers c Abhishek b Dube 34 (32b, 4x4, 1x6), Sikandar Raza run out 8 (12b), Johnathan Campbell c Deshpande b Dube 4 (7b), Clive Madande c Samson b Abhishek 1 (4b), Faraz Akram c Samson b Mukesh 27 (13b, 2x4, 2x6), Brandon Mavuta c & b Deshpande 4 (7b), Blessing Muzarabani (not out) 1 (2b), Richard Ngarava b Mukesh 0 (1b); Extras (b-1, lb-2, w-4, nb-2): 9; Total (in 18.3 overs): 125.

FALL OF WICKETS

1-1 (Madhevere, 0.3), 2-15 (Bennett, 2.3), 3-59 (Marumani, 8.2), 4-85 (Myers, 12.4), 5-87 (Raza, 13.4), 6-90 (Campbell, 14.4), 7-94 (Madande, 15.1), 8-120 (Mavuta, 17.5), 9-123 (Akram, 18.2).

INDIA BOWLING

Mukesh 3.3-0-22-4, Deshpande 3-0-25-1, Bishnoi 3-0-23-0, Washington 2-0-7-1, Abhishek 3-0-20-1, Dube 4-0-25-2.

Toss: Zimbabwe.

PoM: Dube; PoS: Washington.

India won by 42 runs to clinch five-match series 4-1.

Alcaraz becomes sixth player to do the French-Wimbledon double

Getty ImagesClive Brunskill

Carlos Alcaraz became the sixth player in the Open era to perform the French Open-Wimbledon double in the same year. The others to do it were Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The 21-year-old Alcaraz is the youngest to achieve the feat.

‘When I was 11 or 12, I said my dream was to win Wimbledon’

Getty ImagesClive Brunskill

Alcaraz was ecstatic after winning his second straight Wimbledon title. “Honestly, it is a dream for me winning this trophy. I did an interview when I was 11 or 12 and I said my dream was to win Wimbledon. For me, this is the most beautiful tournament, the most beautiful court and the most beautiful trophy,” said Alcaraz.

He had it all, I tried to push him but it wasn’t meant to be: Djokovic

AFPANDREJ ISAKOVIC

Novak Djokovic tore his meniscus at Roland-Garros on June 3 and had an operation in Paris two days later. The Serb was hardly at his best on Sunday. “Especially in the first couple of sets, the level of tennis wasn't really up to par on my side. He had it all today. I tried to push him but it wasn’t meant to be,” said Djokovic.

‘After what I have been through the last four-five weeks, I am satisfied’

Getty ImagesFRANCOIS NEL

Despite the loss, Djokovic was content. “I have to be very proud. After what I have been through in the last four-five weeks, I am very satisfied. Wimbledon is always my favourite and I remind myself sometimes how surreal is to be here. Every single time it feels like the first time. I was a child living my childhood dream once again.”

Doubles: Men: Heliovaara (Fin) & Patten (GBr) bt 15-Thompson & Purcell (Aus) 6-7(7), 7-6(8), 7-6(9).

Women: 4-Townsend (USA) & Siniakova (Cze) bt 2-Dabrowski (Can) & Routliffe (NZ) 7-6(5), 7-6(1).

Sanjay proves to be the game-changer for Trichy; Super Gillies tame Dragons

S. Dipak Ragav

Coimbatore

The southpaw inspires turnaround in fortunes through a 77-run stand with Jafar Jamal; Jagadeesan and Aparajith win it for the Chepauk outfit

1 of 2 Impetus: Sanjay’s counter-attack put Spartans on the back-foot. M. PERIASAMYPERIASAMY M

2 of 2 Done and dusted: Jagadeesan celebrates after completing the job against Ashwin’s men.M. PERIASAMY PERIASAMY M

All-rounder R. Sanjay Yadav’s quickfire 68 (33b, 4x4, 6x6) laid the foundation for Trichy Grand Cholas’ impressive 35-run win over SKM Salem Spartans at the Sri Ramakrishna College ground here on Sunday.

Asked to bat first, Grand Cholas’ top-order struggled to hit boundaries and crawled to 58 for three at the halfway mark. Sanjay and Jafar Jamal (32) then turned things around, stitching a 77-run partnership (44b) for the fourth wicket as Cholas amassed 198 for five.

Despite struggling with his hamstring, Sanjay put on an exhibition of clean hitting and was severe against the pacers. The southpaw started by pulling Harish Kumar for a maximum over square-leg and meted out a similar treatment to Sunny Sandhu. He then cut Harish Kumar down to size in the 18th, smashing the pacer for three sixes, the first of which — a stylish flick over fine-leg — took him to his half-century. Cameos from R. Rajkumar and P. Saravana Kumar ensured Cholas finished strongly, plundering 74 off the last four.

In reply, Spartans started well when R. Vivek went after K. Easwaran, collecting a brace of boundaries and sixes in a 22-run fourth over. He then lofted Saravana Kumar (three for 28) for consecutive sixes down the ground, but the bowler had the last laugh when he had Vivek caught at long-on. From there, Spartans lost the way during the middle overs. Muhammed Adnan Khan (40) and Sunny Sandhu (29) tried their best to keep the game alive, but the Trichy side’s bowlers kept getting breakthroughs to bundle out Spartans for 163 and seal its second win.

In the second match of the day, Chepauk Super Gillies defeated Dindigul Dragons by nine wickets in a rain-curtailed seven-over game. Put in to bat, Dragons made 64 for six, riding on skipper R. Ashwin’s unbeaten cameo of 45 (20b, 3x4, 4x6). In reply, N. Jagadeesan (32 n.o.) and skipper B. Aparajith (31 n.o.) made short work of the target as Super Gillies romped home with 13 balls to spare.

The scores: Trichy Grand Cholas 198/5 in 20 overs (R. Sanjay Yadav 68, Jafar Jamal 32, M. Poiyamozhi 3/56) bt SKM Salem Spartans 163 in 18.3 overs (Muhammed Adnan Khan 40, R. Vivek 33, Saravana Kumar 3/28, Rajkumar 2/31, Anthony Dhas 2/33).

Dindigul Dragons 64/6 in 7 overs (R. Ashwin 45 n.o., Abhishek Tanwar 2/15, G. Periyaswamy 2/17) lost to Chepauk Super Gillies 65/1 in 4.5 overs (N. Jagadeesan 32 n.o., B. Aparajith 31 n.o.).

Today’s match: Siechem Madurai Panthers vs. Nellai Royal Kings (7.15 p.m.).

Eight is the charm as China’s diving team looks for perfection at Games

Press Trust of India

Paris

In sync: China has won 27 of 32 diving gold medals since the 2008 Beijing Olympics.AP HASSAN AMMAR

Chinese divers won seven of eight gold medals at the last Olympics in Tokyo, termed one of the greatest performances in Olympic history. Even more is expected this time in Paris.

China has ruled diving for decades. But it’s never pulled off the elusive gold sweep at the Games. The People’s Daily — the official newspaper of the Communist Party — termed this lapse “regrettable” in a recent article.

How’s that for pressure? “I hope that all of us can stand on the top of the podium,” Tokyo gold medallist Quan Hongchan said in an interview on state-run television.

They might, and the record is already staggering.

Starting with the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics where China claimed its first diving gold, it has won 47 of 64 gold medals. Add to that 23 silver and 10 bronze. If you start counting from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China has won 27 of 32 gold.

That’s almost perfection, but someone always spoils the party — like American David Boudia, Australian Matthew Mitcham, Briton Tom Daley or Russian Ilya Zakharov.

The People’s Daily urged the team to “launch an all-out bid this time for gold medals in all diving events.” Eight might be the charm. That number is viewed as fortuitous in Chinese culture. Note the 2008 Beijing Games opened on Aug. 8, 2008, at 8 p.m.

Quan was only 14 when she won gold three years ago on the 10-metre platform. Teammate Chen Yuxi, the gold medallist in synchro on the platform, was only 15. Both are back and probably in a class by themselves.

For the men, Wang Zongyuan was the silver medallist on the 3-metre springboard in Tokyo behind teammate Xie Siyi and should be the favourite in Paris.

Santissimo claims the Mayor’s Trophy

BENGALURU:

BENGALURU: Trainer P. Shroff’s Santissimo (G. Vivek up) won the Mayor’s Trophy, the chief event of the races held here on Sunday (July 14).

The winner is owned by Gainsville Stud & Agri Farm Pvt Ltd rep. by Mr. Gautam Lala, Mr. Kishore Rungta, Mr. Joydeep Datta Gupta & Mr. Saleem Fazelbhoy and Mr. Achuthan Siddharth.

The results

1. TRACK LIGHTNING STAKES (Div. II): RANQUELINO (Akshay K) 1, Amazing Stride (Sandesh) 2, Victor Hugo (G. Vivek) 3 and Nyx (S.J. Moulin) 4. Not run: Zebula. 5, 1-1/2 and Hd. 1m 25.68s. Rs. 47 (w), 13, 16 and 20 (p), SHP: 34, THP: 50, FP: 205, Q: 118, Trinella: 1,783, Exacta: 2,412. Favourite: Nyx.

Owners: Manjri Horse Breed Farm Pvt Ltd, M/s. DT Racing & Breeding LLP, Mr. Mukul A. Sonawala and Mr. S.R. Sanas. Trainer: Darius Byramji.

2. SWEET MEMORIES STAKES (Div.II): THE ATHABASCA (Sai Kiran) 1, Lauterbrunnen (Angad) 2, Super Kind (Sandesh) 3 and Mega Success (Salman Khan) 4. 3/4, 4-1/4 and 3-3/4. 1m 13.74s. Rs. 69 (w), 11, 13 and 12 (p), SHP: 36, THP: 59, FP: 251, Q: 88, Trinella: 373, Exacta: 5,636. Favourite: Super Kind.

Owner: Mrs. Esha N. Hariraj. Trainer: Warren Singh.

3. EPSOM STAKES: GALAHAD (Akshay K) 1, Jade (G. Vivek) 2, Golden Peaks (Sandesh) 3 and Bharat (Dhanu S) 4. Not run: Disruptor. 3-1/4, 3-1/2 and 4-1/4. 1m 25.15s. Rs. 38 (w), 12, 12 and 15 (p), SHP: 42, THP: 42, FP: 101, Q: 32, Trinella: 402, Exacta: 1,253. Favourite: Jade.

Owners: Sarainaga Racing Pvt Ltd, M/s. DT Racing & Breeding LLP, Mr. Mukul A. Sonawala & Mr. S.R. Sanas and Mr. Inderraj Anand. Trainer: S. Attaollahi.

4. SWEET MEMORIES STAKES (Div. I): OSIRIS (Ram Nandan) 1, Measure Of Time (Rayan) 2, General Patton (G. Vivek) 3 and Star Admiral (Vishal Bunde) 4. 1/2, Lnk and 1/2. 1m 14.29s. Rs. 216 (w), 37, 27 and 12 (p), SHP: 89, THP: 46, FP: 2,707, Q: 874, Trinella: 6,561, Exacta: 58,784. Favourite: Oxytocin.

Owners: Mr. M. Lakshminarayana, Mr. M. Venkatarama & Mr. R.N. Vijaya Kumar. Trainer: Rajendra Singh.

5. MANITOU STAKES (Div. II): JERSEY KING (Sandesh) 1, Ebotse (Antony) 2, Magical Bay (G. Vivek) 3 and Cat Whiskers (Neeraj) 4. 3-1/4, 5 and 5. 1m 13.22s. Rs. 17 (w), 11, 10 and 15 (p), SHP: 39, THP: 46, FP: 79, Q: 46, Trinella: 280, Exacta: 348. Favourite: Jersey King.

Owners: Mr. Vikram Sreeram, Mr. Ananth Iyengar, Mr. Shankar Srinivas and Mr. Ashok Ranpise. Trainer: S. Dominic.

6. MAYOR’S TROPHY: SANTISSIMO (G. Vivek) 1, Aralina (Neeraj) 2, Tehani (Akshay K) 3 and Vivaldo (Trevor) 4. 1-1/4, 1 and 5. 1m 24.84s. Rs. 14 (w), 10, 17 and 14 (p), SHP: 58, THP: 37, FP: 100, Q: 58, Trinella: 337, Exacta: 599. Favourite: Santissimo.

Owners: Gainsville Stud & Agri Farm Pvt Ltd rep. by Mr. Gautam Lala, Mr. Kishore Rungta, Mr. Joydeep Datta Gupta & Mr. Saleem Fazelbhoy and Mr. Achuthan Siddharth. Trainer: P. Shroff.

7. BE SAFE CUP: BOURBONAIRE (Suraj) 1, Rodney (B.R. Kumar) 2, Silver Strike (Vishal Bunde) 3 and Xaily (J. Chinoy) 4. Lnk, 1-1/4 and Lnk. 1m 13.54s. Rs. 28 (w), 11, 22 and 52 (p), SHP: 69, THP: 138, FP: 441, Q: 199, Trinella: 8,849, Exacta: 47,603 (carried over). Favourite: Bourbonaire.

Owners: Mr. Teja Gollapudi & Mr. S. Narredu. Trainer: S. Narredu.

8. TRACK LIGHTNING STAKES (Div. I): MANSA MUSA (Trevor) 1, Balmoral (Akshay K) 2, Storm Shadow (Suraj) 3 and Magnetic (Sandesh) 4. Nk, 1-1/2 and 1-1/2. 1m 26.67s. Rs. 15 (w), 11, 22 and 16 (p), SHP: 59, THP: 43, FP: 133, Q: 94, Trinella: 575, Exacta: 1,489. Favourite: Mansa Musa.

Owners: Five Stars Shipping Co Pvt Ltd rep. by Mr. K.N. Dhunjibhoy, Mr. Z.K. Dhunjibhoy & Ms. Anosha Meyers, Mrs. Liane Milan Luthria, Darashaw Bloodstock Pvt Ltd rep. by Mrs. Daisy K.D.B. Mehta & Mr. Dara K. Mehta & Mr. Rama Seshu Eyunni and M/s. DT Racing & Breeding LLP. Trainer: P. Shroff.

9. MANITOU STAKES (Div. I): NEVER GIVE IN (Sandesh) 1, Global Influence (Suraj) 2, La Mcqueen (Antony) 3 and Indian Blues (Kiran Rai) 4. 2, 3-1/2 and 1-3/4. 1m 13.84s. Rs. 24 (w), 13, 12 and 10 (p), SHP: 29, THP: 31, FP: 35, 1: 21, Trinella: 82, Exacta: 526. Favourite: Global Influence.

Owners: Mr. N. Nitin Chengappa, M/s. Rapar Galloping Stars LLP rep. by Mr. Rajendran, M/s. Arun Alagappan Racing LLP & Mr. Adil K. Gandhy & Mrs. Yashika Apana & Mr. Gautam Basapa & Mr. V. Narayanan & Mr. J. Krishnadev Rao & Mr. Ravikanth Badruka & Mr. N.R. Nandan. Trainer: Arjun Mangalorkar.

Jackpot: Rs. 508 (528 tkts); Runner-up: 72 (1,605 tkts); Treble (i): 5,988 (one tkts); (ii): 1,316 (six tkts); (iii): 626 (64 tkts).

Veteran trainer S.K. Sunderji passes away

Racing Correspondent

Pune

S.K. Sunderji.

Veteran trainer Sheraz K. Sunderji passed away on Sunday, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 64-years-old and had recently surrendered his trainer’s licence.

Sunderji began his remarkable horse training career in 1985. Over nearly four decades, he saddled more than 1000 winners. One of his most cherished dreams was to win the prestigious Indian Derby, a goal which he achieved in 2018 with his ward Rochester.

He also made a significant mark in the Pune Derby by securing four victories during his illustrious training career. He saddled his first Pune Derby through Desert Warrior (1989), followed by Desert Carnival (1995), Ocean And Beyond (2010) and most recently Trouvaille (2019).

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Sunderji moved to the Hyderabad Race Club, where he trained for two years.

During his stint there, he continued to demonstrate his exceptional training skills, and won the ‘Trainers’ championship in his first racing season.

Lorenzo critical of extended half-time for Copa final

Colombia coach Néstor Lorenzo was critical of the extended half-time for Copa America’s final to allow a concert by Shakira. “I think it should be like any game,” Lorenzo said. “It should be the 15 minutes according to the regulations. That can actually affect the physical condition of our players because they can cool down too much.” Lorenzo referred to the sanctions from South America’s governing body earlier in the tournament. Numerous organisations and coaches were penalised for their teams’ late return, including Lionel Scaloni and Ricardo Gareca.

Vasanti Shinde wins title with Leonie Kung

Vasanti Shinde and Leonie Kung of Switzerland won the doubles title, beating Matilde Paoletti and Beatrice Ricci 4-6, 6-4, [10-7] in the final of the $75,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament in Rome, Italy. It was the maiden doubles title in the professional circuit for the 27-year-old Vasanti. For the 23-year-old Leonie, it was the 11th career doubles title.

Other results: $15,000 ITF women, Lakewood, USA: Doubles: Final: Carolyn Ansari (USA) & Gabriella Broadfoot (RSA) bt Amelia Honer (USA) & Teja Tirunelveli 6-7(3), 6-3, [10-3].

Bhutia calls Spain’s Yamal a potential Ballon d’Or winner

Former India football skipper Baichung Bhutia heaped praise on young winger Lamine Yamal and spoke on his chances of winning Ballon d’Or in the future. “Yamal’s got age in his side. I think for him, the future is very, very bright. He’s one of the potential, not this time, but in future, I think we’ll hear a lot of his name. And Ballon d’Or is something which I think he’ll definitely be the frontrunner in years to come, if not this year,” Bhutia told ANI.

Minnu Mani to lead India-A in Australia tour

Press Trust of India

Mumbai

Minnu.Srinivas Aditya P 2127@Chennai

Off-spinner Minnu Mani will lead the India-A Women during the multi-format tour of Australia beginning August 7. India is scheduled to play three T20s, three 50-over ties and a four-day clash against Australia-A.

India-A squad: Minnu Mani (Capt.), Shweta Sehrawat, Priya Punia, Shubha Satheesh, Tejal Hasabnis, Kiran Navgire, Sajana Sajeevan, Uma Chetry (wk), Shipra Giri (wk), Raghavi Bisht, Saika Ishaque, Mannat Kashyap, Tanuja Kanwar, Priya Mishra, Meghna Singh, Sayali Satghare, Shabnam Shakeel and S. Yashasri. Standby: Saima Thakor.

Schedule: T20s: August 7, 9 and 11 (Brisbane). 50-over: August 14, 16 and 18 (Mackay); Four-day: August 22-25 (Gold Coast).

BCCI releases ₹1 crore for Gaekwad’s treatment

Press Trust of India

Mumbai

Gaekwad. file photoSTU FORSTER

In a noble gesture, the BCCI on Sunday decided to release ₹1 crore for the treatment of former India coach Aunshuman Gaekwad, who is battling blood cancer at a medical facility in London. BCCI’s decision has come following appeals for support from former captain Kapil Dev and Sandip Patil, who had enjoined the cricket board to help Gaekwad.

“Jay Shah has instructed BCCI to release ₹1 crore with immediate effect to provide financial assistance to Aunshuman Gaekwad,” BCCI apex council said.

Dominant Pogacar extends lead in Tour de France

Tadej Pogacar extended his overall lead at the Tour de France to around three minutes on Sunday with a convincing second straight stage win in the Pyrenees, dropping his key rivals with five kilometres to go after five more Pyrenean peaks. Jonas Vingegaard finished second 1m 07s behind while Remco Evenepoel was third.

Lahiri inches closer to maiden LIV series win

Press Trust of India

Sotogrande (Spain)

Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri inched closer to a maiden win on the LIV golf series as he carded a 5-under 66 in the second round to take a four-shot lead at the LIV Golf Andalucia here.

Lahiri put himself in position for his first win after the second round that included six birdies and no bogeys in his last 13 holes.

The 37-year-old, who opened with a 2-under 69, is 7-under with 18 holes to go. New Zealand’s Danny Lee was his closest pursuer at 3-under. Lahiri is seeking to end his nine-year victory drought. His last win came in his home country in the Hero Indian Open.

The start of Sri Lanka-India series pushed back by a day

The start of a six-match white-ball series between India and host Sri Lanka will be delayed by one day, the cricket board said on Sunday, without giving a reason. India arrives in the island as scheduled on July 22, but will play its first T20I on July 27, a day later than originally planned, Sri Lanka Cricket said. Under the revised plan, the second T20I will be on July 28 and the final in the three-match T20I series on July 30. All three T20Is will be at Pallekele. The ODIs will start on August 2 with the second on August 4 and the final three days later. All ODIs are scheduled at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

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

Fabian emerges from the shadows to help Spain shine

Reuters

Berlin

The midfielder has been one of the uplifting stories of the tournament, becoming a cornerstone of coach de la Fuente’s project after being overlooked by former boss Enrique for nearly two years

1 of 2 Flying under the radar: While focus has been on other players, Fabian has been the metronome that has made Spain tick. AFP

2 of 2

Spanish central midfielder Fabian Ruiz was not on many people’s radar when Euro 2024 began after struggling to hold down a starting place at Paris St Germain and the national team.

But after a string of dazzling performances in Germany, he is finally making fans and pundits take note.

The 28-year-old Fabian, as he is known, has been a motor for Spain during its six-win charge to Sunday’s final.

Fabian has been one of the uplifting stories of the tournament, becoming a cornerstone of coach Luis de la Fuente’s project after almost two years being overlooked by former boss Luis Enrique who left him out of the 2022 World Cup squad.

Admirer

De la Fuente has long admired Fabian, having worked with him for years when head coach of Spain’s academy system.

They won the Under-21 Euros in 2019 together, with Fabian named best player of the tournament.

Fabian was thriving then under the guidance of Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti, who had signed him for €30 million from Betis a year earlier and became fond of the hardworking skinny kid born in a humble Seville suburb.

In Betis’ youth ranks, he managed to secure his mother work as a cleaner for the club, a job that she kept for 14 years.

“There are not many players who can say they have shared a dressing room with their mother,” Fabian told El Periodico de Espana outlet last week.

“Having my mother every day where we worked was a rare thing. I saw her every day cleaning the dressing room where I played ... But of course it was an inspiration and a source of pride. My mother’s signing for Betis is one of the best signings of my career.”

Falling out

Under Ancelotti at Napoli, he became a regular with Spain’s senior squad under caretaker Robert Moreno, but fell out of favour under his successor Enrique.

Even after moving to Paris St Germain, Fabian could not earn a senior call-up until De la Fuente took the reins last year.

“I will never forget what I have been through, where I come from and what it has cost me to get here. When you come from so far down, you value this a lot and that helps you to keep fighting for it,” he said.

Now, as one of De la Fuente’s most trusted soldiers in Germany, Fabian has been the complete package, box-to-box, with a powerful left foot from long distance.

In Germany, he has scored twice, provided two assists, completed 92% of passes, and created three clear chances, making him one of the most effective players in the tournament.

“Fabian is an exceptional player, world class,” De la Fuente said after the 4-1 win over Georgia where Fabian was man-of-the-match with a goal and assist.

“Fabian is a representation of all those players who have been in the shadows and should get media recognition for everything they are doing.”

On top: The triumphant SDAT Chennai team.

SDAT, Chennai, is the overall champ

SDAT, Chennai, won the overall championships with 489 points in the Tamil Nadu State junior swimming on Sunday.

The results (winners only): Boys: Group II: 100m freestyle: E. J. Ronel Retnam (Turtles) 56.63 (NMR) (OR: Jaywant Vijayakumar, Turtles, 56.71, 2008); 200m IM: M.S. Nitheesh (TDSA, Tirunelveli) 02:17.20 (NMR) (OR: Nitheesh 02:18.13, 2023); 400m IM: Nitheesh 04:49.58 (NMR) (OR: Nitheesh 04:54.14, 2023).

Girls: Group I: 50m butterfly: Deeksha Sivakumar (ORCA) 00:30.10 (NMR) (OR: Muktha Mallareddy, ORCA, 00:30.11, 2014); Group II: 200m backstroke: G. Pramiti (SDAT, Chennai) 02:27.56 (NMR) (OR: Nivya Raja (Turtles) 02:30.08, 2013).

Individual championship: Boys: Group I: Kaveeen Raj (Turtles) 35 points; II: Nitheesh & Ronel Retnam 35 each; III: Arya Sathar (SDAT Dolphin) 35.

Girls: Group I: Deeksha 33; II: Shreenithi Natesan (St. Brittos) 35; III: Poshika (SAV Titans) & Sai Meera Janarthan Janani 27 each.

Team championships: Boys: Group I: Aces 113; II: SDAT, Chennai 112; III: SDAT Dolphin 116. Girls: Group I: SDAT, Chennai 107; II: SDAT, Chennai 117; III: SDAT Dolphin 57.

Overall championships: 1. SDAT, Chennai 489; 2. SDAT Dolphin 399.

Wheels India to meet

Apollo Tyres in final

J. Sathish’s four for six helped Wheels India bowl out Samsung India for 90 and win by 37 runs in the semifinal of the Lucas TVS-Thiruvallur DCA Trophy here on Sunday.

In the other semifinal which was reduced to a 24-over match due to overnight rain, R. Abinandh claimed four for 29 and K. Manoj Lal top-scored with an unbeaten 43 as Apollo Tyres beat Lucas TVS by seven wickets.

The scores (semifinals): Lucas TVS 117/9 in 24 overs (R. Abinandh 4/29) lost to Apollo Tyres 118/3 in 18.2 overs (M. Jaya Surya 32, K. Manoj Lal 43 n.o.).

Wheels India 127 in 30 overs (G. Naveen Kumar 3/26) bt Samsung India 90 in 25.1 overs (P. Sedhuraman 31, M. Ravi Teja 3/23, J. Sathish 4/6).

American Ledecky is still the gold standard going into fourth Olympics

Agence France-Presse

Los Angeles

Twelve years on from her stunning 800m freestyle victory at the London Olympics, Katie Ledecky is headed to her fourth straight Games in Paris, aiming to extend an astonishing run of sustained excellence.

The American freestyle great, whose talents were once dubbed “otherworldly” by Michael Phelps’ mentor Bob Bowman, brings an even-keeled approach that doesn’t hide a fierce competitive streak as she vies to add to her cache of 10 Olympic medals — seven of them gold.

“I think it’s kind of the opposite for me,” Ledecky says. “I feel like I enjoy this more and more each year.

“I think it’s a testament to the people that I have around me, the people that I’ve had around me my whole career in Bethesda, Maryland, and out at Stanford, now in Florida, just really great communities that keep me excited about the sport — great teammates that push me every day, great coaches that believe in me and push me to continue to reach for bigger and bigger goals.”

Ledecky has dominated distance freestyle swimming for more than a decade.

She was just 15 when she won the 800m free at the London Games. She repeated in Rio four years later, when her 800m triumph was part of a four-gold haul that included the 200m and 400m free.

At the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics, Ledecky grabbed a third straight 800m free gold and won the 1,500m free when it was added to the Olympic women’s programme for the first time.

Bishnoi is a rare bird — a leggie that is an electric fielder and an unbelievable catcher

R. Kaushik

The 23-year-old has the ability to think quickly and stick to his conviction; he was one of the architects of the come-from-behind series triumph for the Men in Blue in Zimbabwe and — unless things go horribly wrongly — Bishnoi can realistically expect to be one of India’s bowling spearheads, in the shortest format to start with and potentially in ODIs going forward

1 of 2 K. MURALI KUMARMURALI KUMAR K

2 of 2

In the first week of December last year, some six months before the start of the T20 World Cup in the Americas, Ravi Bishnoi scaled the summit, occupying the top spot in the ICC’s list of T20 International bowlers. At the time, it appeared as if the little leggie was a shoo-in for the World Cup squad to complement the left-arm wrist spin of Kuldeep Yadav.

Bishnoi played three games thereafter, at home against Afghanistan, but even though he clinched victory for India in the second Super Over of the final match of the series in Bengaluru — India’s last engagement before the World Cup — he lost his place to Yuzvendra Chahal. That had as much to do with the bucketful of wickets the more experienced and conventional senior leggie picked up for Rajasthan Royals in the first half of IPL 2024 as Bishnoi going slightly off the boil for Lucknow Super Giants.

With India certain to play only one wristie while plumping for the batting depth that left-arm spinning all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel offered, the nod went to Chahal’s experience ahead of Bishnoi’s exuberance as insurance for any injury that might rule Kuldeep out. While it must have been heart-breaking for the 23-year-old, it merely served to reiterate the depth in Indian cricket and provide a window to the resources at the disposal of Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid and Ajit Agarkar’s selection panel.

Like at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, Chahal returned home from the United States and the Caribbean without playing a single game, though he did have the great distinction of wearing a World Cup winner’s medal around his neck. In a clear-cut indication that the planning for the future has already started, Bishnoi was promptly brought back for the T20I series in Zimbabwe, a move that has paid handsome dividends with the younger leg-spinner beautifully fusing economy with penetration.

Unique proposition

Unlike Chahal, who is a master of the game that relies on the conventional — his stock delivery is the looping leg-break to the right-hander that, when it comes out of the hand perfectly, drifts into the batter and breaks away wickedly on pitching — Bishnoi is a unique proposition in the sense that his principal weapon is the ball that turns into the right-hander. Bishnoi is more of a googly bowler than a leg-spinner and that wouldn’t be a secret even if there were no access to data and elaborate video footage. Batters know what to expect from Bishnoi, nine times out of ten. That he has been able to hold his own despite that knowledge is again proof of the truism that to know what one is confronted with is one thing, to be able to negotiate it with dexterity, confidence and authority is another cup of tea altogether.

Masterfully deceptive

Bishnoi is a bundle of energy as he comes into bowl, short quick strides combining with a quick, whippy action to make him appear all arms. The fast arm-action often confuses batters into thinking that the ball will arrive a lot quicker than it actually does, though it can’t be denied that the diminutive fella is quicker through the air than, say, Chahal or Kuldeep. He is adept at changing up angles and pace and therefore shies away from being predictable at a micro level even if his over-reliance on the googly lends a macro-level touch of similarity to his bowling. There was a time when batters around the world tried to play Anil Kumble like an inswing bowler, much to their detriment. If, today, batters believe that Bishnoi is only an exponent of the googly, they have another thing coming.

Bishnoi is an out and out wicket-taker who isn’t great at playing a defensive role, which isn’t something captains expect of their wrist-spinners in any case. For holding jobs and control, their eyes will flit towards finger spinners, left-arm and right. Bishnoi, Kuldeep, Chahal and their ilk are attacking weapons who can provide the cutting edge in the middle overs that can easily lop 20 runs off the batting side’s tally, a monumental figure in the modern T20 landscape.

For a wrist-spinner, it is essential that the harnessing of skills is accompanied by a thickening of the skin, the biggening of the heart. The slightest indiscretion in length or direction is an open invitation to attack-minded batters buttressed with excellent pieces of willow and smallish boundaries to bring their power-game into the mix. It needs no repeating that of all the various forms of bowling, nothing challenges its practitioner more than wrist-spin. Bowlers who pursue this craft rely heavily on support and empathy from their captains, and Bishnoi has been lucky that in Rohit, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill, among others, at the international level and in KL Rahul at his franchise, he has been encouraged to stick to his attacking self even if it is at the expense of a few extra runs.

Bishnoi’s ability to think quickly and stick to his conviction were never more obvious than in Bengaluru in January when Afghanistan needed 12 in the second Super Over for their first T20I win ever against India. Despite the small Chinnaswamy Stadium outfield, Bishnoi backed his skills, tossing the ball up, getting it to dip and turn and dismissing right-handers Mohammad Nabi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz inside three deliveries while conceding just one run. Both holed out to long-off as they were forced to reach for the ball outside off that turned away on pitching and therefore put their timing off kilter. With those two deliveries under pressure, Bishnoi also displayed his versatility; he wasn’t just a googly specialist, he could also get the ball to turn away from the right-hander substantially.

In Zimbabwe, Bishnoi has been a huge asset for Gill, standing in as captain with Rohit retired from T20Is and Pandya rested after his heroics at the World Cup. In the first match, where India slumped to a shock loss after failing to chase down 116 for victory, Bishnoi was at his stunning best. Ninety-nine times out of hundred, his extraordinary spell of 4-2-13-4 would have been enough to fetch him the Player of the Match award and his team a convincing victory. This was the one that got away, India’s batters faring poorly and seized by residual rust after more than a month of inactivity to be bowled out for 102.

That didn’t take any sheen off Bishnoi’s magic. Like always, the wrong ’un was his trusted ally, accounting for all four wickets, three of them bowled and the other trapped leg-before. When Bishnoi falls into a rhythm and begins to attack and harry and hustle batters, he almost doesn’t need any support in taking wickets because he zeroes in on the stumps all the time, threatening either the pads or the furniture behind the batter. The slightest hesitancy culminates in the death rattle, a mode of dismissal Bishnoi has come to enjoy in his fledgling career.

Bishnoi has been one of the architects of India’s come-from-behind series triumph and can realistically expect a longer run going forward. For the time being, he will remain a white-ball specialist when it comes to international cricket, and there are quite a few significant limited-overs tournaments on the anvil, not least the 50-over Champions Trophy early next year (to be hosted by, if not in, Pakistan) and the T20 World Cup in India in 2026. Unless things go horribly wrongly in that period, Bishnoi can realistically expect to be one of India’s bowling spearheads, in the shortest format to start with and potentially in ODIs going forward.

Multiple strings to his bow

Of course, it helps that he is a rarity in Indian cricket, a leg-spinner that is also an electric fielder and an unbelievable catcher. Bishnoi boasts several stunning running catches in the outfield in the IPL, but in Zimbabwe, he has showcased a penchant for the out-of-the-world in the circle too. He is speedy across the turf and, for a small man, has a powerful, accurate arm. All of this mean he has two excellent strings to his bow; if he can use the time ahead of him to brush up on his batting skills too, he will make himself an indispensable member of the white-ball set-ups – at least to the extent that he can control – over the next few months when Pandya and Rohit are expected to helm the 20- and 50-over sides respectively under new head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Gambhir’s presence at the helm of affairs will be particularly reassuring for Bishnoi. During IPL 2022 and 2023, the recently appointed India coach was the mentor of Lucknow Super Giants, and it was during that phase that Bishnoi reasserted himself as a potent force. In IPL 2023, he picked up 16 wickets to make an international comeback in August after being surplus to requirement for 11 months since September 2022.

Gambhir won’t necessarily back Bishnoi because of familiarity, but because he knows what the young man has to offer. With age on his side and the memory of having been the No. 1 T20I bowler too recent for his on-off international appearances to not sting, Bishnoi is perfectly placed to make the step up to white-ball permanency, or at least in the 20-over format. The stage is set optimally; it’s now up to Bishnoi to use it as his grand canvas.

Science

- Scientists find that a bacteria tricked a wasp to get rid of its males

- BIG SHOT

- Palimpsest: a historic emblem of reuse

Scientists find that a bacteria tricked a wasp to get rid of its males

D.P. Kasbekar

Shenyang Agricultural University researchers noticed that in the wild, Encarsiaformosa wasps almost never produced males. In the laboratory, however, they found that if the female wasp was treated with tetracycline, an antibiotic, almost 70% of the progeny were male

1 of 2 Tomato leaf with whitefly nymphs (white) parasitised by Encarsia formosa wasps (black). These wasps were among the world’s first agents of biological pest control. Goldlocki (CC BY-SA 3.0)

2 of 2 Wolbachia bacteria are also present in insect eggs, but they are absent in the sperm. This means females can transmit Wolbachia to their offspring, whereas males can’t

A hundred years ago, two American researchers named Marshall Hertig and Simeon Burt Wolbach discovered that mosquitoes harboured bacteria within their cells. Other researchers later found similar bacteria in the cells of most insects and many other arthropods. The genus to which the bacteria belonged was named Wolbachia.

Wolbachia bacteria are also present in insect eggs, but they are absent in the sperm. This means females can transmit Wolbachia to their offspring, whereas males can’t — from the bacteria’s point of view, an evolutionary dead end. As a result, Wolbachia have evolved ways to manipulate their insect hosts to produce more female than male progeny.

A new study reports that the bacteria may have taken it a bit too far this time. Researchers from Shenyang Agricultural University (SAU), China, published a paper in the June 3 issue of the journal Current Biology showing that Wolbachia bacteria had manipulated the wasp Encarsia formosa to entirely get rid of its males.

The farmer-friendly Amazon

E. formosa wasps are of interest to agricultural scientists because they provide an efficient way to control whiteflies. Whiteflies feed on the sap of plant leaves, causing productivity losses, and are thus a major agricultural pest. Whiteflies belong to the insect order Hemiptera, whereas wasps belong to the insect order Hymenoptera. The wasp seeks out the nymphs (or larvae) of whiteflies and lays its eggs on them. When the eggs hatch, the larvae that emerge penetrate the nymph, feed on its tissues, grow to adulthood, and in the process kill the nymph.

The progeny wasps emerge from the nymph’s carcass. As a parasitoid of whiteflies, the female wasp is in effect a search and destroy weapon. The male wasps are superfluous in this role.

Doubling up with Wolbachia

Generally, among hymenopterans such as ants, bees, and wasps, the eggs fertilised by sperm cells develop into females, while unfertilised eggs develop into males. The males contain only one set of chromosomes, derived from the egg, and are thus said to be haploid. In contrast, the females are diploid because they contain two sets of chromosomes: one set derived from the egg and the other from the sperm.

The females use a specialised form of cell division called meiosis to transmit only one set of chromosomes to their eggs, while the males transmit their single chromosome set to all of their sperm by the more general cell-division process called mitosis. This, in a nutshell, is how haplo-diploid sex determination works.

The SAU researchers noticed that in the wild, the E.formosa wasp almost never produced males.

In the laboratory, however, they found that if the female wasp was treated with an antibiotic (usually tetracycline), almost 70% of the progeny were male.

(They are easy to identify with the eye. The females are tiny — about 0.6mm long — and are black with a yellow abdomen; the males are only slightly larger but completely black.)

The reason for this was that antibiotic treatment reduced the titre, or concentration, of the Wolbachia bacteria. As a result, the chromosome number remained undoubled and the eggs developed into males.

That is, normal titres of Wolbachia bacteria could induce unfertilised eggs to somehow double the chromosome number and enable the development of female wasps. We don’t yet know how the bacteria do this, but again, this action rendered the males superfluous.

The findings are of interest even to scientists whose primary interest is not whitefly control.

A coleoptera gene to the rescue

A gene named tra has an evolutionarily conserved role in promoting female development in insects. (‘Evolutionarily conserved’ means all insects have it.) That is, if the tra gene mutates, cells won’t be able to make a functional Tra protein, and progeny development proceeds along the default mode towards male production.

The SAU researchers found that the tra gene in the E. formosa genome was missing some ‘pieces’ important for its function. How then did the female wasps develop?

The researchers found the genome of the wasp’s Wolbachia bacteria contained a functional version of tra. Ordinarily, bacteria don’t have any reason to possess a tra gene. But the wasp’s Wolbachia acquired one from a distantly related insect, one belonging to the order coleoptera, which includes beetles. That is, the bacteria had acquired the gene through horizontal gene transfer.

Having lost its own tra gene, the E.formosa wasps had to rely on their Wolbachia’s tra gene to allow their eggs to develop into females. This is the first example of a bacterium using a horizontally transferred gene to manipulate female production in an insect.

No males, no species

The males produced by the SAU researchers after antibiotic treatment didn’t mate with females and didn’t inseminate them. This could be because the males were absent from E.formosa populations for so long that they have now lost their ability to mate. An alternative possibility is that the inability to mate was an unintended consequence of antibiotic treatment.

To resolve these two possibilities, scientists will now need to examine those rare naturally produced males to know whether at least a fraction of them can engage in sex with females. If sexual exchange is absolutely missing in the wasp, the species will no longer have the ability to purge bad mutations that accumulate in its genome. In this case, the wasp-Wolbachia duo faces a relatively early extinction.

The Wolbachia bacteria were shown to be smart enough to double the chromosome number in their host’s unfertilised eggs and to supply them with tra. But are they also smart enough to occasionally allow a few males to emerge and enable sexual exchange and thus delay their own extinction?

(D.P. Kasbekar is a retired scientist.)

Two galaxies interact in an image taken by the James Webb Space Telescope using its Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). It was released by NASA on Friday. At left is NGC 2937, an elliptical galaxy that looks like a tiny teal oval and is nicknamed the Egg. At right is NGC 2936, a distorted spiral galaxy nicknamed the Penguin, which is larger. NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI

Vasudevan Mukunth

Many a famous work has survived only as palimpsests, including the Sana’a palimpsest, the Archimedes palimpsest, and Cicero’s ‘De re publica’. Image for representation only. Getty Images Matyas Levente Sipos

For a major part of history, people used parchment to write. Parchment was a writing material made from the untanned skins of animals, especially goats. Since it was expensive in many parts of the world, people often scraped or washed off any existing text on parchment and reused it to write. Any page that has been reused in this manner is called a palimpsest.

Writers used many methods to remove existing text from parchment. Until the early Middle Ages, they used milk and oat bran. Older text would often reappear on palimpsests washed in this way and such text was called underwriting. Contemporary scholars have often been able to decipher the underwriting to reveal otherwise inaccessible historical texts; they are also beginning to use machine learning to glean more information from it. Towards the late mediaeval period, writers turned to scraping text away with pumice, permanently ‘deleting’ it.

Many a famous textual work has survived only as palimpsests, including the Sana’a palimpsest, the Archimedes palimpsest, and Cicero’s ‘De re publica’.

Other scholars have adopted this word to refer to analogous instances in their fields of study. For example, in astronomy, palimpsests refer to craters on planetary bodies — like other planets and moons — that have become eroded to barely resemble one. A palimpsest in geology is a natural feature created by different structures forming at the same location at different times.

EPBS

- Double the opportunity

- Make the break count

- The way forward

- SCHOLARSHIPS

- Save the date

- Path to college

- Design to delight

- On the tip of your tongue?

- Stop and read

Double the opportunity

R. W. Alexander Jesudasan

A look at the benefits of the recent UGC announcement on allowing biannual admissions in Indian higher education institutions.

Getty Images/iStockPhoto Getty Images/iStockPhoto

Biannual admissions in higher education has been in vogue in educational institutions abroad for some time. Usually this takes place in July/August (fall semester) and January/February (spring semester). In India, the University Grants Commission (UGC) announced last month that universities and colleges will be allowed to offer admissions twice a year from the 2024-25 academic year. The UGC chairman pointed out that not only does this have the potential to increase the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) but will also help make India a global study destination for aspiring overseas students.

Early stage

The concept was introduced in 2022-23 for Open and Digital Learning (ODL) and Online Learning (OL) modes. This resulted in nearly two million enrollments in July 2022 and almost 0.5 million in January 2023. These numbers led to the UGC and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) allow biannual admissions in their recent statutory meetings. However, this is not mandatory. Student admissions will now be possible in July-August and January-February in keeping with international standards for both online and physical modes. The aim is primarily to increase student intake and introduce new programmes in emerging fields. Of course, this will necessitate amendments in the existing rules and regulations.

In a recent communication, the AICTE conveyed its commitment to take measures to substantially increase the GER in higher education by allowing technical institutions to admit students twice annually, as this would enable better utilisation of infrastructure in institutions and also promote employment opportunities. Currently, AICTE does not allow institutions to admit students after mid-September. As a result, many seats in technical institutions go unfilled each year. Also, if those pursuing non-technical programmes desire to switch to technical programmes in a short period of time, they need to wait for a year for admission causing unnecessary stress. Admission to the spring semester will bring a substantial number of overseas students to India, as it will be in sync with their domestic timelines. This new approach also gives students more flexibility and allows them to explore more career options.

Benefits

With biannual admissions, students will not have to wait for a year in case they miss the first cycle due to delayed results or personal reasons. As this system is already being followed globally, its adoption by Indian higher education institutions (HEIs) will also help enhance international collaborations and student exchange programmes. The UGC chairman also pointed out another benefit, mainly, better functional flow within HEIs with proper planning of resource distribution such as faculty, laboratories, classrooms, and support services. The move will also allow industries to conduct campus recruitment twice, improving employment opportunities for graduates.

The primary factors that influence the decision of an institution, whether in India or abroad, include lucrative contemporary programmes with relevance to employment prospects, research possibilities, programme quality, availability of the required facilities and affordability. If Indian institutions will look into and take care of these aspects, the exodus of students is likely to be curtailed.

Way forward

While Central, State, and Deemed-to-be universities can adopt the recommendations with suitable amendments by their respective statutory bodies, affiliated colleges will need directions from the university they are affiliated to after due presentation in the Academic Council, Senate and Syndicate. HEIs considering implementation of biannual admissions must carefully study the nuances of this process such as workforce requirement for admissions in two sessions, infrastructure, faculty requirement, scheduling exams for both sessions, declaration of results, convocations and concomitant activities such as placements and facilitating graduates for advanced study programmes.

The writer is Pro Vice-Chancellor, Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science (Deemed to be University) Padur, Chennai.

Make the break count

Aritra Ghosal

While a gap year helps one grow personally and professionally, it requires careful preparation and meticulous planning

Getty Images/iStockPhoto Getty Images/iStockPhoto

A gap year, traditionally viewed as a break before entering higher education or starting a career, can contribute significantly to personal growth and professional development, especially for those planning to study abroad.

A study by the Indian School Counsellors Association in 2023 found that 72% of counsellors believe students who take a structured gap year return to their studies with increased focus and motivation. This indicates that the effective utilisation of this period requires meticulous planning and careful preparation.

However, before exploring how to optimise a gap year, it is essential to understand why students choose this route. Some students work during this time to gain experience and save money, while others travel to explore new cultures or study for crucial entrance exams.

India’s competitive academic environment often leads students to take a gap year to avoid burnout before entering demanding international programs.

A 2023 study by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) found that 38% of Indian students experience moderate to severe burnout before starting higher education. Therefore, a well-planned gap year allows for a structured yet flexible approach to explore new avenues and expand personal horizons.

Here are some strategies to help students make the most of their gap year:

Goal setting:Determine what you want to achieve during the gap year. Whether it’s acquiring specific skills, exploring new cultures, or preparation for future studies, having clear objectives will guide your activities and help measure your success.

Budget: Investigate opportunities that align with your goals and interests. Consider the costs associated with different options, including travel, accommodation, and daily expenses. Create a budget that accounts for all potential expenditures and include a contingency fund for unforeseen circumstances.

Guidance:Advice and insights from parents, teachers, mentors, or peers who have taken a gap year will provide practical advice and emotional support and help you navigate your options more effectively.

Flexibility: A gap year often presents unforeseen situations. Being flexible and adaptable allows you to seize new opportunities and manage any challenges that arise.

Preparation:Prepare yourself for the range of experiences the time might bring. Emotional resilience and physical readiness are key to overcome challenges and benefit from your year off.

Globally, studies show that students who take gap years are 10% more likely to be accepted into the universities of their choice.

Choosing the right activities can significantly enhance one’s resume and prepare you for future opportunities. Here are some beneficial activities:

Volunteering:Engage in projects that not only enhance your interpersonal skills but also broaden your understanding of global issues. Choose volunteer opportunities that align with your career goals and passions.

Languages:In today’s globalised world, being multilingual is a valuable skill. Learning a foreign language not only boosts your resume but also improves your communication abilities in diverse environments.

Sports: Participating in sports or coaching can help develop leadership and teamwork skills, especially if they involve organising or leading teams in different cultural settings.

Internship:Hands-on work experience is crucial to gain practical skills and insights into potential career paths. Internships provide a deep understanding of industry dynamics and offer networking opportunities.

Develop skills:Digital courses allow you to acquire new skills or deepen existing ones in areas like digital marketing, data analysis, or creative design, which are increasingly important in various professional fields.

Hobbies: Pursuing personal interests such as starting a blog, learning a musical instrument, or developing a tech project can lead to significant personal development and showcase your creativity to potential educators or employers.

When considering a gap year, weigh potential benefits against the costs. Reflect on how the activities you plan will enhance your academic readiness, career prospects, and personal growth. With proper planning and the right mindset, a gap year can be a transformative phase in your life.

The writer is Founder and Director of OneStep Global

The way forward

T.G. Sitharam

In the wake of the question paper leaks for the NEET and NET exams, the focus should be on addressing vulnerabilities and restoring trust in the National Testing Agency (NTA)

K. Murali Kumar MURALI KUMAR K

The leak of question papers for the NEET and NET exams have raised concerns among students, parents and educators, and kept the National Testing Agency (NTA) in the centre of a row. While this is a serious issue, it should be seen as isolated events rather than as a reflection of the agency’s overall performance or the integrity of the entire Indian examination system. The focus should be on addressing vulnerabilities and restoring trust in the agency.

Every system is prone to vulnerabilities, but what distinguishes a robust institution is its ability to learn from mistakes and implement stringent measures to prevent future occurrences. Dissolution of the NTA is not the solution. The uproar over the leaks should galvanise the NTA to strengthen its security infrastructure, adopt fool-proof advanced technologies, collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies, and enhance technological defences against cyber threats.

Before the establishment of the NTA in 2017, there was a thorough consultation with educational experts on the need for a standardised testing body. Despite recent challenges, the NTA has a proven track record of conducting large-scale entrance exams with fairness and precision. By bringing standardisation to various entrance exams, it ensured a level playing field for millions of students across diverse backgrounds.

Strategies

Implementing computer-based tests using emerging technologies and creating a distributed physical state of the computer-based testing centres at premier institutes across the country can significantly enhance the the NTA’s ability to prevent paper leaks. By leveraging advanced encryption methods, the transmission of exam papers can be secured and unauthorised access and tampering prevented. Having these centres at centrally funded technical institutes (CFTI) will also instil trust among students and parents.

Real-time monitoring of the centres using AI-driven systems can detect anomalies and suspicious activities and reduce likelihood of breaches. Further, the integration of AI in the evaluation processes can automate and streamline assessments, minimise human error and ensure fairness.

Together, these technologies not only strengthen the NTA’s security framework but also uphold the trust and credibility of the examination system in India. By implementing secure, transparent, and scalable digital examination platforms, the NTA can uphold the integrity of its testing processes, restore trust among stakeholders, and provide equal opportunities for all aspirants.

The government has also recognised the gravity of the situation and appointed Pradeep Singh Kharola as the new NTA chief. Kharola also heads the National Recruitment Agency (NRA) that will conduct a Common Eligibility Test (CET) for Group C and Group D employee posts in all central government establishments. Further, a committee chaired by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan (former Chairman of ISRO and Chairman, BOG, IIT-Kanpur) has been appointed to recommend reforms to enhance exam processes.

Way forward

The situation must be approached with thoughtful consideration rather than making hasty decisions. First, the agency should be strengthened with a robust infrastructure and man power to conduct large-scale examination. Robust and rigorous procedures should be created and consultations and evaluations conducted to ensure that the NTA operates with efficiency, transparency and accountability. Continuous enhancement of its processes is crucial and gathering regular feedback from students and educators can pinpoint areas that need improvement and drive necessary changes.

Further, It is vital to establish robust support systems for affected students and ensure that their futures are not compromised due to systemic failures.Such measures are essential to maintain the integrity and reliability of the exam system while safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders involved.

The writer is the Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and former Director, IIT-Guwahati.

IDFC FIRST Bank MBA Scholarship

A need-based scholarship programme run by IDFC FIRST Bank.

Eligibility: Indian students enrolled in the first year of a two-year full-time MBA programme for the class of 2024 at select educational institutions. Annual family income should be less than or equal to ₹6 lakhs.

Reward: ₹2 lakhs for two years

Application: Online

Deadline: July 31

www.b4s.in/edge/IFBMS5

Vidyadhan Maharashtra Class 11 and 12 Scholarship

An initiative of the Sarojini Damodaran Foundation

Eligibility: Open to students domiciled in Maharashtra who have completed the Class 10 board exam in 2024 from a recognised school in Maharashtra and have scored at least 85%. Annual family income should be less than ₹2 lakhs.

Reward: ₹10,000 per annum

Application: Online

Deadline: July 31

www.b4s.in/edge/VGPM4

Manchester Humanities International Excellence Scholarship

An opportunity provided by the University of Manchester

Eligibility: Open to students from India who have accepted an admission offer for a full-time PG course and fulfil the specified academic criteria.

Reward: Discount of up to £5,000 for tuition fee

Application: Online

Deadline: Round the year

www.b4s.in/edge/MIES1

Courtesy: Buddy4study.com

Unstop, in collaboration with Flipkart, invites applications for GRiD 6.0, its Engineering Campus Challenge.

Eligibility: Open to students pursuing B.Tech, B.E., M.Tech or M.S or other engineering programmes in India.

Tracks: Software Development Track, Information Security, and Robotics

Deadline: July end

More details at https://tinyurl.com/yckbpd8y

The Nourishing Schools Foundation has launched a three-level Change Catalysts course designed to equip schoolchildren with essential modern-world skills, promote health and wellness, and foster positive social change within their communities. The free modules contain information sourced from WHO and FSSAI and are available to schoolchildren nationwide, with an option to pay for an e-certificate upon completion of all modules. Visit https://t.ly/B2u3e for more details.

Path to college

A timeline for students of Classes 9 to 12 on how to prepare for the journey ahead

1 of 2 FREEPIK

2 of 2 Career Cues Richa Dwivedi Saklani

Getting ready for college might feel like a huge challenge but, with the right plan, it can be a fun and exciting adventure. Whether you’re in Class 9 or 12, it’s never too late (or too early) to start preparing for higher education and your career path. Here’s a simple, easy-to-understand guide to help you along the way.

Class 9: Basics

This year is all about setting the stage for success. Here’s what you can do:

Get involved: Join clubs, sports teams, or volunteer organisations. Explore your interests and start building a list of extracurricular activities.

Focus on academics: Develop good study habits and aim for strong grades.

Build relationships: Get to know your teachers and school counsellors. They will be great resources and future recommender.

Think ahead: Consider what you enjoy and what careers might interest you. There’s no need to decide now; just start exploring.

Career exploration: Take career interest surveys or use professional tools like aptitude tests to understand your strengths and interests.

Class 10: Exploration

Sophomore year is about going deeper into your interests and making preliminary plans.

Take challenging courses: Choose electives, additional subjects that challenge you and align with your interests. Consider pursuing online courses. This shows colleges you’re serious about your education.

Competitive exams: If you’re considering colleges in India, start exploring competitive exams like the JEE (for engineering) or NEET (for medicine) and begin preparation.

Stay involved: Keep up with your extracurricular activities and look for leadership opportunities.

Career exploration: Attend career fairs, shadow professionals, or take a career interest survey. Begin narrowing down your interests.

Seek guidance: Meet your school counsellor or a career advisor to discuss potential career paths.

Class 11: The big year

This is the year when you start putting your plans into action.

Exams: Take the SAT or ACT if you’re applying to colleges abroad. For Indian colleges, focus on JEE, NEET, or other relevant exams.

College search: Start researching colleges. Visit campuses physically or virtually, attend college fairs, and meet with representatives.

Academic focus: Grades matte so stay focused on academics.

Recommendation letters: Ask teachers who know you well to write letters of recommendation. Provide them with your resume.

Extracurriculars: Aim for leadership roles in your activities. Colleges love to see leadership experience.

Career tools: Use career exploration tools like interest inventories or job shadowing programmes to gain more insight into different career options.

Class 12: The final stretch

It’s now time to wrap things up and get those applications in.

College list: Narrow down your college list and make note of application deadlines.

Applications: Start your college applications early. Write your essays and have them reviewed by teachers or mentors.

Competitive exams: For Indian colleges, intensify your preparation for entrance exams.

Financial aid: Apply for scholarships and understand the packages offered by each school.

Academics: Don’t slack off! Colleges will look at your final grades.

Decision time: Once you’ve received your acceptance letters, weigh your options and decide where you want to go.

Career plan: Revisit your career plan and ensure your chosen college supports your aspirations. Seek internships or part-time jobs in your field of interest.

Make summers count

Summers are a fantastic opportunity to get ahead and make your college application stand out.

Internships and part-time jobs: Gain real-world experience in fields that interest you. This not only boosts your resume but also gives you a taste of potential careers.

Volunteer: Get involved in community service. Volunteering demonstrates commitment and compassion — qualities colleges value.

Summer programmes: Enroll in summer courses or camps related to your interests. These can enhance your skills and show your dedication to learning.

Self-led projects: Undertake personal projects or research in areas you are passionate about. This initiative can set you apart from other applicants.

Test prep: Use the summer to prepare for competitive exams like JEE, NEET, SAT, or ACT. Focused study during this time can significantly improve your scores.

General tips

Stay organised: Use a planner or digital calendar to keep track of important dates and deadlines.

Seek help: Don’t hesitate to ask for help from teachers, counsellors, or family members. There are plenty of resources available.

Be yourself: Colleges want to see the real you. Be genuine in your applications and pursue what you’re passionate about.

Self care: Maintain a healthy balance between school, activities, and personal time. Don’t forget to relax and enjoy high school!

Take it one step at a time, stay true to yourself, and enjoy the ride.

With inputs from Anjana Anand

The writer is Founder and CEO, Inomi Learning, a Gurugram-based career and college guidance firm. info@inomi.in

Design to delight

Gregory J. Dunn

Why human-centred approaches to product innovation needs to be integrated into the MBA curriculum

Creating innovative and captivating products is essential for success today. Most MBA programmes, unfortunately, rarely emphasise the crucial intersection between management, technology, and design. While traditional approaches often prioritise functionality over user experience, companies increasingly recognise and value human-centred design. At its core, this approach prioritises people and end-user satisfaction when developing products, resulting in offerings that both meet functional needs and forge enduring emotional connections with consumers.

Putting people first

The foundation for human-centred design is to understand the people who will use the end product. Instead of developing an outcome that begins with the company’s objectives and assumptions, end-user experience is put front and centre in product design. This runs counter to the traditional approach to product development, which starts with the company’s goals and imposes these on consumers. The alternative involves deep diving into real-life situations of the intended users and identifying their needs and preferences and developing solutions that make a difference in people’s lives, and often lead to entirely new product ideas and directions for the company.

Take Apple, as example of a company that follows this approach. Its products, like the iPhone and MacBook, are well-known for their ease of use and intuitive design. This is directly associated with Apple’s dedication to putting human needs first by focusing on user research and iterative testing. Apple’s designers are deeply integrated in the company’s decision-making process, leading to business decisions that arise naturally from user experience and preferences.

Understanding users

User-centred design requires designers to use multiple techniques, such as interviews, observations, and surveys. With the help of these methods, businesses can understand human behaviour patterns when using products; their reactions and psychological states can be determined, along with all the difficulties they experience.

Human-centred design enables designers to “feel” users’ experiences. By simulating their perceptions and reactions, designers can empathise with users’ challenges and desired solutions. This approach requires ongoing testing and refinement. Design engineers make prototypes of the product and later solicit consumer feedback, which they then use to refine and improve the quality of their output.

For instance, Amazon ensures extensive product experimentation and engagement with real customers at each phase of the development process. This approach has resulted in several ideas such as the “One-Click” ordering system and the Alexa voice assistant.

Why it matters

Implementing human-centred design can be lengthy and costly, but it carries many tangible, long-term benefits for businesses. By ensuring that products best represent user preferences, companies are able to both increase their revenue and win customer loyalty and brand recognition. Loyal customers who make repeat purchases comprise the heart of sustainable business and grant these companies a powerful competitive advantage.

Human-centred design also facilitates innovation and opens new markets. When companies understand product user desires and problems, they can tailor products to address user needs, sometimes creating entirely new, previously-unimagined industries in the process. This is referred to as Blue Ocean Strategy, in which companies are able to generate value by identifying markets that had previously not existed. By effectively leveraging human-centred design, product managers and designers are able to escape cut-throat competition and create innovative new products that add tremendous customer value.

Integrating this human-centred product development approach into the MBA curriculum helps students understand the complexities businesses face while also improving their ability to apply creative thinking to real-world business challenges. Students emerge as skilled product managers and business leaders who can assist companies in identifying often-overlooked aspects of product development, and are further able to apply design thinking principles to solve complex business dilemmas. A human-oriented mindset is both rare and valuable to businesses and consumers alike, and the product managers and executives who are able to leverage this skillset are much more likely to succeed in a rapidly-evolving global business environment.

The writer is Dean at Hari Shankar Singhania School of Business (HSB).

On the tip of your tongue?

Shweta Agarwal

Tips to help students while learning a new language

Freepik Freepik

For independent learners, learning a new language can be beset with fear and a lack of motivation. But there are several resources and hacks to get the most out of the process. Here are some tips to help you.

Purpose

One problem is that many language learners do not have a clear purpose. Are you learning French to communicate with colleagues? Or studying Spanish to watch movies without subtitles? Once you have the reason, put it up in your room. This will give you the intrinsic motivation to learn the language.

Routine

Consistency is key. Set aside a specific time to learn the language and stick to it. Having a dedicated time allocated will help you progress and make language learning a part of your routine.

Set goals

A difficult chapter in grammar or vocabulary may make you feel demotivated. The best way to overcome this is to split your learning task into small, measurable goals.

For instance, instead of piling up pronunciation lessons and learning them together, splitting them into parts and spending an hour daily helps.

Monitor progress

Tracking your progress against your goals will help you get a feeling of achievement. Did you crack your goal of learning 100 words a day? You deserve to feel good.

Reward yourself

Treat yourself when you reach a milestone. This keep you on track to complete the rest.

Connections

Online resources, audiobooks, videos are all available but nothing works like a human-to-human interaction. Don’t feel uncomfortable or afraid of talking to native speakers of the language. This will help build your skills.

What works?

With different ways and resources to learn languages, figure out what works best for you!

If you enjoy watching TV shows or movies, turn off the subtitles and see if you can understand the dialogue.

If you are a bookworm, read a book in the new language.

If you love cooking, try a recipe in the new language.

Label the groceries in the language that you are trying to learn. Try to make the process exciting and engaging.

Integrate the learning activities with your favourite hobby, so it doesn’t feel like an extra burden to your routine.

Be flexible

Though it is important to have a disciplined schedule, allow yourself to be flexible.

Don’t beat yourself if you miss an activity or online session. Keep reminding yourself that you can always do it the next day and stay motivated.

Try an online course

Online resources and self-learning work for the basics. When it comes to advanced lessons, you may require expert guidance.

Also, courses offer a structured lesson plan that helps you progress quickly. As they demand a specific time slot, your commitment to learning improves. The assignments and tests will help fast-track your language goals and milestones.

The writer is the Founder of WordBridge Language School

Stop and read

M.S. Mathivanan, M. Balamohan, N. Gokarneshan

Students must be encouraged to use the libraries and find the information required from the books contained in them

Once, libraries in colleges were filled with students and teachers and much of the learning process happened in this place. However, with the advent of the Internet, libraries in colleges are almost empty and students spend most of their time browsing the Web. Apart from a lot of this being not useful or unproductive, it has also affected their attention span.

Browsing the Internet and reading a book in the library are very different from each other. On the web, one tends to get distracted by the many options on display and the suggestions for related sites. Whereas, a library offers a tranquil and serene environment conducive to concentration and focus and stimulates inherent learning skills. Reading the book in a quiet place and taking down important points helps enhance one’s memory and learn effectively. This helps the student’s performance in a test or exam.

Role model

The teacher also has a role to play in encouraging library use. Teachers must serve as role models by using the library for their work. Though most educational institutions have mandated a library hour, students either do not go there or they sit in the room chatting or playing on their mobile phones. Therefore, it is important that gadgets such as mobile phones and laptops are not allowed into the library allowing students to focus on the task in hand.

There is a great difference between studying in the classroom, in one’s home and in the library. The latter offers the greatest impact and teachers need to emphasise the subtle difference to students and encourage them to cultivate the habit of using the library regularly. This can be done by giving assignments that will involve students referring to specific books in library. This will also nurture the habit of reading something that is not on a screen.

Reading need not be confined to the curriculum. Teachers must encourage students to read for their professional requirements and for developing oneself and to spend time in the library after college hours. For those students who are preparing for competitive exams such as the GATE or the UPSC Civil Services Exams, this will be of tremendous help.

Today, there is a general belief that all information is available on the Internet. But the importance of libraries cannot be understated even in this digital age.

The writers are faculty at SSM College of Engineering, Komarapalayam, Tamil Nadu.

Table of Contents

The Hindu Jul 15, 2024

Regional

Trump survives assassination bid at U.S. poll campaign rally

Accused in BSP leader Armstrong murder case killed in encounter

CRPF constable killed, two injured in Manipur firing

Three die of asphyxiation at coal mine in Gujarat

Modi, other world leaders decry attack

Shifting of cab pick-up point to multilevel car park at airport causing problems: passengers

Karpaga Swasalaya Charity Trust to offer free asthma care

Banana waste to be processed into biodegradable utilities

CMDA floats tenders for beautifying Velachery flyover

International meet on mental health to start from July 23

Applications invited for temporary teaching posts at Adi Dravidar primary schools in city

Woman gives birth to baby on train near Perambur

T.N. Language Atlas brings out the State’s varied linguistic typology and distribution

‘Police encounter of Armstrong murder accused suspicious’

DMK has lost credibility to govern the State, says G.K. Vasan

Killing key accused will seal the truth behind BSP leader’s murder: Annamalai

PMK president Anbumani seeks CBI inquiry into death of Thiruvengadam

‘Taking steps to bring more women under Urimai Thogai scheme’

Strengthen fever surveillance, health facilities instructed

Accused in BSP leader Armstrong murder case killed in encounter

NEET: Cong. fighting for justice, Rahul tells Stalin

GCC prepares for tax reforms as govt. starts talks with economists

A serene ecosystem that lies adjacent to a busy road at Mogappair

When getting those coveted seats gets tougher

A passion and a murder that led to the downfall of hotel chain owner

From history to future, the many hues of Madras Literary Society

No more juicy

A portion of the footpath turns into a garden on GST Road service lane

National

Karnataka to release 8,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily to Tamil Nadu

Rescuers unable to trace sanitation worker missing for over 30 hours

Karnataka govt. orders probe into MUDA scam

Naidu, Shinde hold talks on inter-State cooperation

1 more BRS MLA may join Cong.

Treasury of Jagannath temple in Puri opened after 46 years

After Army officer’s death, spouse is rightly entitled to pension: officials

Mother of IAS officer told to reply to notice on misuse of pistol

CRPF constable killed, two policemen injured

Donald Trump survives assassination bid

Nuptial celebrations continue for Anant Ambani, Radhika

CUET-UG retest for over 1,000 candidates on July 19: NTA

Two Indian nationals arrested in Italy for labour exploitation

Modi, other world leaders decry attack

Overconfidence denied BJP a better result in LS polls in U.P.: Adityanath

Gogoi reappointed Congress deputy leader in Lok Sabha

West Bengal BJP leaders stage demonstration against post-poll violence

AAP leader hits out at BJP over Kejriwal’s health, alleges conspiracy to kill him in jail

Rooting for gold

Cong. says corporate tax cut put ₹2 lakh cr. in billionaires’ pockets

Former M.P. High Court judge joins BJP

BJP says Rahul encourages violence against Modi

Three die of asphyxiation at illegal coal mine in Gujarat

When trees and trade flourished along the southern Silk Route

A celebration of indigenous seeds sows change in the farm landscape

14227

Product information made mandatory on bulk packages

Azhwar nonpareil

Modi crosses milestone of 100 million followers on X

3 militants killed in ‘Operation Dhanush’ near LoC, says Army

Edit

There is only some good electoral news

The problem with the Karnataka gig workers Bill

letters to the editor

Restoring a verdict

Unprincipled alliances

Which topics are India’s researchers publishing papers on?

The resurgence of the Samajwadi Party

In the line of fire

World mango trade: threat to India’s leading position

In China

On the jurisdiction of the CBI

The Union government’s rein on financial transfers to different States

A quiz on the Golden Jubilee of India’s first-ever men’s One day International (ODI) played on July 13, 1974

I was jealous of his ability to dance

Business

Insurance of bank balance: some useful perspectives

How EV, motor cover differ

Understand Information Ratio

Foreign

Trump shooting may derail Biden’s bid to rally party base

Uruguay pips Canada on penalties, takes third spot

European leaders condemn Trump assassination attempt

Anahat and Shaurya advance to the fourth round

K.P. Sharma Oli appointed Nepal Prime Minister

Kenya police say eight women’s bodies found in Nairobi dumpsite

Imran, wife, handed over to graft watchdog on remand in new case

Nepal retrieves more bodies from buses swept away by landslip

Hamas is pulling out of Gaza truce talks after deadly Israeli strike

Sports

Magical Alcaraz leaves Djokovic spellbound

Samson and Mukesh help Men In Blue sign off with a win and a 4-1 scoreline

Patten and Heliovaara’s fairytale — from crunching numbers to winning tie-breakers

SCOREBOARD

Alcaraz becomes sixth player to do the French-Wimbledon double

‘When I was 11 or 12, I said my dream was to win Wimbledon’

He had it all, I tried to push him but it wasn’t meant to be: Djokovic

‘After what I have been through the last four-five weeks, I am satisfied’

The results

Sanjay’s counter-attack proves to be the game-changer for Trichy

Eight is the charm as China’s diving team looks for perfection at Games

Santissimo claims the Mayor’s Trophy

Veteran trainer S.K. Sunderji passes away

Lorenzo critical of extended half-time for Copa final

Vasanti Shinde wins title with Leonie Kung

Bhutia calls Spain’s Yamal a potential Ballon d’Or winner

Minnu Mani to lead India-A in Australia tour

BCCI releases ₹1 crore for Gaekwad’s treatment

Dominant Pogacar extends lead in Tour de France

Lahiri inches closer to maiden LIV series win

The start of Sri Lanka-India series pushed back by a day

LiVE TELECAST

Fabian emerges from the shadows to help Spain shine

Around THE CITY

American Ledecky is still the gold standard going into fourth Olympics

Bishnoi is a rare bird — a leggie that is an electric fielder and an unbelievable catcher

Science

Scientists find that a bacteria tricked a wasp to get rid of its males

BIG SHOT

Palimpsest: a historic emblem of reuse

EPBS

Double the opportunity

Make the break count

The way forward

SCHOLARSHIPS

Save the date

Path to college

Design to delight

On the tip of your tongue?

Stop and read