DELHI, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

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AMARAVATI FOUNDATION CEREMONY TOMORROW ‘There is no safer place to invest than India and no better State than Andhra Pradesh’

Naidu reminds Centre of its ‘moral commitment’ Likens A.P. to a baby that needs to be nurtured Y. Mallikarjun & S. Sandeep Kumar

land was not used to attract investment and brushed aside the concerns raised by VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister green activists. Asked if the grand scale of N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday said it was the “mor- the foundation ceremony al responsibility” of the Cen- was a ploy to bring atmotre to handhold Andhra spheric pressure on Prime Pradesh, which he likened to Minister Narendra Modi, the a “sixteen-month-old baby” chief guest, to announce a that needed nurturing to rise hefty special financial packto the level of its sibling age for Amaravati, Mr. Naidu said, “I don’t want to comsouthern States. In a wide-ranging inter- ment on that. There is the view with The Hindu on (Andhra Pradesh ReorganiTuesday, the Chief Minister sation) bifurcation Act. spoke of his passion for the There are some provisions in State’s new capital, the foun- the Act. There are some dation ceremony of which he promises on how the Govis organising on a grand scale ernment of India is going to on October 22. He also ex- help us.” plained why he was looking Pressed to elaborate, the east rather than west for Chief Minister referred to funds for his Amaravati pro- the symbolism-laden cereject, asserted that develop- mony he is organising, with ment cannot be achieved if soil and water samples being

brought from holy places all over the country to be consecrated at the capital ceremony site stone, and said, “All powers I am bringing to reinforce Amaravati so that attraction will be there. I am making Amaravati a very dynamic place. Even if you come here, you have to do something.” Asked whether this was a nudge to the Prime Minister to announce a handsome financial package like he did

for Bihar, Mr. Naidu said, “I don’t want to comment on all these things.” He, however, said Andhra Pradesh was facing problems and needed everybody’s cooperation, especially more funds from the Centre. “I am seeking their intervention and help,” he said.

Strategic plan Asked to explain why his investment attraction efforts have been concentrated on

heft. He said he would not rule out turning to the west for investment but after examining the offers made by eastern nations. “This is strategic,” he said, adding “there is no safer place to invest than India and no better state than Andhra Pradesh.” Asked why he was concentrating all his energies on the upcoming capital, he said Andhra Pradesh needed a capital to be the driver of its economy and was an essenSingapore, Japan and China, tial part of building a State in despite the slowdown of the league of Tamil Nadu, their economies, the Chief Karnataka and Telangana, Minister said this was a stra- each of which had a metrotegic ploy: he seeks associ- politan city as capital. On the controversy suration with Singapore because environmental he admires that city-state’s rounding work ethic and adherence to clearances for Amaravati, best practices; Japan and Mr. Naidu asserted that the China are both going through clearances would come autoa recession and therefore matically. needed to invest in promisEXCERPTS | PAGE 13 ing locations to grow out of it, and each had investible surTIGHT SECURITY FOR CAPITAL pluses and technological CEREMONY | PAGE 13

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Open to new norms for collegium, says CJI Krishnadas Rajagopal NEW DELHI: Faced with the historic admission from his own court that the collegium system of judicial appointments was flawed, Chief Justice of India H.L. Dattu on Tuesday broke his silence on the issue and told The Hindu that the judiciary was open to “consider” guidelines that may be framed by a Constitution Bench to improve

EXCLUSIVE the system. “All of us, the government and the judiciary, work for the common man. We will wait for November 3 to see what the Constitution Bench decides. We will see what kind of suggestions comes from different quarters and how the Constitution Bench will frame its guidelines for the collegium. If the Bench gives us some suggestions, we will consider them,” Chief Justice Dattu said in a phone interview. The Justice J. S. Khehar-led Bench, which struck down the National Judi-

cial Appointments Commission as “unconstitutional,” pushed for reforms to the collegium system followed in the past 21 years. Judge after judge on the Bench had agreed that the system required a revamp to sustain the faith of the common man in the judiciary. Speaking for the Bench, Justice Khehar has now scheduled a hearing for November 3, inviting leaders of the Bar and the government to suggest ways to improve the functioning of the system. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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INSIDE 쑽

BCCI bowing to extremists: Shahryar Khan Toddlers charred to death

ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Suhasini Haidar & Vijay Lokapally NEW DELHI: The Board of Con-

NEW DELHI: The flamboyant Virender Sehwag on Tuesday announced his retirement from international cricket and the Indian Premier League.

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PUNJAB ON THE BOIL

Chandigarh: Punjab remained on the boil on Tuesday as one more incident of sacrilege of a holy book was reported, prompting the government to deploy paramilitary forces.

NEWS | PAGE 16

trol for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the government are bowing to extremists who oppose the India-Pakistan cricket series, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Shahryar Khan has said. Mr. Khan, whose meeting with BCCI president Shashank Manohar was cancelled in Mumbai on Monday after Shiv Sena protesters stormed the BCCI office, said he was returning to Pakistan a “disappointed man.” Speaking to The Hindu in

New Delhi, Mr. Khan denied BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur’s contention that his visit to India was a “courtesy call” on Mr. Manohar. “Mr. Thakur is seemingly unaware of my conversation with Mr. Manohar, in which he asked me to come and resolve the issues. That’s why I came,” Mr. Khan said. “In Pakistan, they are upset at the treatment we have been given. Let India is reneging on alone rescheduling or telling the 2014 MoU, says us they want to amber-light the PCB chairman. the series, I haven’t even got — PHOTO: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA a phone call. So I can do nothing but go home.” ries off? “Well, yes, I have Has the Pakistan govern- had an inkling… they are sayment told you to call the se- ing, surely enough is

enough.” Mr. Khan was particularly critical of the BCCI for putting off the talks, and the decision of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to withdraw umpire Aleem Dar from the India-South Africa series, accusing them of “playing into the hands of extremists.” He said the government had failed to maintain “law and order,” by allowing Shiv Sena activists to “break into the BCCI office and threaten people.”

쐍 CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 쐍 RAVI TO REPLACE ALEEM DAR | PAGE 21

Nuclear deal not on Sharif’s agenda Varghese K. George WASHINGTON: Ahead of Pakis-

tan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s three-day tour of the United States, both countries ruled out a nuclear deal between them, but Pakistan went a step further to emphasise that they were not even discussing any such deal. Mr. Sharif arrives in the U.S. on Tuesday. “No ‘deal’ is being discussed between the two countries. Nor has the U.S. made any demand on Pakistan,” the spokesman of Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in Islamabad on Monday. The comments appeared to be not in accord

Nawaz Sharif and Barack Obama will meet on Thursday. with the White House’s view. A White House spokesman said a deal would “not come to fruition” during the visit, but nuclear security remained a topic of conversation. “About the sort of reports

allow Pakistan access to civilian nuclear technology and material in a regulated manner in exchange for more transparency and restriction in its nuclear programme, has been around for a while. A recent newspaper article said such a deal was under discussion, drawing strong Nuclear security opposition from India, which Mr. Earnest had said last reminded the U.S. of Pakisweek that the U.S. and Pakis- tan’s bad non-proliferation tan were “regularly engaged record. in a dialogue on the imporIncidentally, in 2008, the tance of nuclear security,” then External Affairs Minisand the topic would figure in ter, Pranab Mukherjee, had conversations between the welcomed such a deal. leaders. The idea of a U.S.-Pakistan CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 civil nuclear deal, which will that the United States and Pakistan were planning a [civil nuclear deal]…. I would significantly reduce your expectations about that occurring on Thursday,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said. Mr. Sharif and Mr. Obama will meet on Thursday.

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Uber cab driver convicted for rape Nirnimesh Kumar NEW DELHI: A Fast Track court here convicted an Uber cab driver on Tuesday for sexually assaulting a young woman executive last December. “Accused Shiv Kumar Yadav is convicted under Sections 376 (2) (m) (while committing

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rape, endangering the life of a woman) 366 (kidnapping a woman to cause her defilement), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the IPC,” Additional Sessions Judge Kaveri Baweja said in her judgment. Ms. Baweja fixed October 23 for arguments on the quantum

of sentence. According to the prosecution, 32-year-old Yadav drove to an isolated placed and raped the woman in his cab on the night of December 5 last year. The woman had hired the cab to return to her home in Inderlok, North Delhi. The court held Yadav guilty on the basis of evidence given

by the prosecution witnesses and the victim herself and medical and forensic examination reports. All the 28 prosecution witnesses supported the case. The victim identified the accused while recording her evidence.

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as Dalit family set afire Ashok Kumar FARIDABAD: A Dalit family of four, including two children, was set afire inside their house allegedly by members of the Rajput community in Sun Perh village in Ballabgarh, Faridabad district, in the early hours of Tuesday. While Vaibhav (2 years) and Divya (10 months) died before reaching the Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, their mother Rekha (22) was admitted to the ICU with serious burns. Rekha's husband, Jitender (26), a medical attendant at a hospital, escaped with minor burns on his hands. The police have booked 11 persons in the case and arrested three so far. “A case has been registered under the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Act against 11 persons and three -- Balwant, Dharam Singh and Kartar -- have been arrested,” said

Jitender, father of the two children, escaped with burns on his hands. PHOTO: MANOJ KUMAR Assistant Commissioner of Police (Prithla) Vishnu Dayal. The attack on the Dalit family has its history in the murder of three persons of the Rajput community on October 5 last year following an altercation over a mobile phone. Eleven members of Jitender’s

Backed by survey, Kejriwal demands control of police Maria Akram

Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government gets NEW DELHI: A day after a control over the two key survey pointed out that departments. corruption in Delhi In a series of tweets, Police was high, Chief Mr Kejriwal pilloried Mr Minister Arvind Kejriwal Modi’s “capabilities and attacked Prime Minister intentions” and blamed Narendra Modi and the Centre and reiterated his demand for Lieutenant-Governor for control over the police corruption and and anti-corruption ‘lawlessness’ in the city. branch. He asked the PM to DETAILS ON PAGE 8 “stop being stubborn” and vowed to “set things BASSI HITS BACK PAGE 8 right in one year” if the

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family were named in the case and are currently in jail. Two weeks ago, the accused had allegedly threatened Jitender’s family with dire consequences if they did not leave the village.

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Justice Khetrapal to be Lokayukta NEW DELHI: Former Delhi High

Court Judge Reva Khetrapal will be the new Lokayukta, a post lying vacant since 2013. She was chosen unanimously on Tuesday by a fourmember panel comprising Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Justice of High Court G Rohini and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Vijender Gupta.

쐍 DETAILS ON PAGE 4 EMPOWER — On Page 9

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Boy abducted in broad daylight, rescued Interrogation of the suspects has revealed that they had no concrete plan

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THE HINDU WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

We kept her away from court proceedings, says victim’s father Shiv Sunny

Shiv Sunny NEW DELHI: The family of the NEW DELHI: A class X student,

while on his way back home from school on Monday, was abducted from a busy road in broad daylight. The kidnappers later demanded a ransom of Rs.15 lakh for his safe release. The parents informed police who took the couple into confidence and laid a trap to successfully rescue the boy before midnight. The three suspects were also nabbed while on the job. Pushpendra Kumar, DCP (West), said the kidnappers were desperate for money as they had borrowed from several persons and were being pressurised to return it. Interrogation of the arrested suspects has revealed that they had no concrete plan or target. The trio just wanted to kidnap anyone who studied at a private school and “appeared” to be well-off. The victim Rishi, 14, was walking back home from Mira Model School around 2.15 p.m. on Monday when the kidnappers decided to abduct him. Rishi said he was lured towards a car by the men inside who said they needed help to open the jammed door of their vehicle which they

Rishi, who was rescued by the police along with his mother; (right) the three accused at the Rajouri Garden Police Station on Tuesday.— PHOTOS: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR claimed had met with an accident. “As soon as I approached the car’s gate, one of them came out and pushed me inside. I was sandwiched between two men on the backseat and the driver took off,” Rishi told The Hindu. Meanwhile, the boy was threatened with a knife even as he was driven through Sahibabad in Ghaziabad before the car was brought to a halt

Of stories, ragas and poetry

outside a mall in UP’s Vaishali. The kidnappers then took his parents’ phone number and called his mother. “The caller demanded Rs.15 lakh. When I said we can’t arrange the money, the caller pleaded with me for the money and said he would return it later,” said Rishi’s mother. She and her husband, who deals in supply of crockery, gathered whatever little

— PHOTO: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

their instance, police tracked down the car and broke open the vehicle’s windows to disarm an abductor who was wielding a knife. Rishi was rescued unharmed. The three men were identified as Sumit, Ankit and Ashish, all in their mid-20s and residents of West Delhi. None of them was known to the victim. So far, they have not been found to be involved in any previous crime, said police.

Businessman shot at home Staff Reporter

A singer performing at the ‘Expressions of Muharram’ at IIC on Tuesday.

money they had before approaching Hari Nagar police station with a complaint. “We convinced the parents to place trust in us and asked them to agree to the kidnappers’ demand. They were subsequently given a location for delivering the ransom,” said the DCP. Police first nabbed two suspects from a location in Ghaziabad where money was supposed to change hands. At

facie, the attack appears to be the result of a dispute between NEW DELHI: A South Delhi busi- the victim and his Haryananessman was shot at by a group based relatives. However, the of men at his home in Neb Sarai attempt to murder case had area during the wee hours of been registered against uniTuesday. The victim sustained dentified persons as of now as two bullet injuries after the as- no suspects have been identisailants fired several rounds at fied yet. him. His condition is serious. The victim has been identiWhile fleeing from the crime fied as Praveen Kumar, a 29spot, the assailants happened year-old businessman who to drop a country-made pistol. lives with his family in Devli Police have seized the weapon area. According to the police, and have begun the probe after there were four assailants who registering an FIR in this con- first looked around in the nection at Neb Sarai police sta- neighbourhood for the victim’s tion. Investigators said, prima house before attacking him.

“The men rang the door bell and the door was opened by Praveen’s wife Pooja. She was asked to inform Praveen about their visit,” said a police officer. As soon as Praveen arrived at the door, the assailants opened fire at him. The sound of the gunshots drew Pooja and their neighbours to the spot, forcing the assailants to flee. The victim, meanwhile, had collapsed on the floor. He was rushed to a hospital even as police were informed. CCTV footage from the locality is being scanned for clues into the suspects’ identities.

Uber rape victim demanded life imprisonment for driver Shiv Kumar Yadav, who was convicted for rape by a Delhi Court on Tuesday. “I am happy with the verdict and hope that the punishment is also severe. He deserves nothing less than life imprisonment,” the victim’s father told The Hindu . The victim’s father claimed that he had not shared the news with his daughter till Tuesday evening. “I will reveal it to her later tonight,” he said, adding, she was deliberately kept away from any news related to the case. “We have taken care to ensure she is not repeatedly reminded of the horrific incident,” her father said. He tried his best to keep his daughter out of the court proceedings and took it upon himself to make rounds of the court. “We have stopped discussing the incident and the court proceedings with her. She does not have much idea of how the case has been progressing,” her father said. Soon after the court judgement, DCP (North) Madhur Verma took to Twitter to laud the verdict as “justice delivered”. He also posted an old but much discussed picture of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Shweta Singh Chauhan holding the accused Shiv Kumar soon after his arrest. Back then, he had termed the scene as “poetic justice” drawing applauds from most quarters but also flak from some. Speaking to The Hindu on Tuesday, Verma recounted that the picture was reassuring that women cannot be targeted. He, however, said that was not the intention when the woman officer held the accused. “She was the supervisory ACP in the case.

Uber rape case accused Shiv Kumar Yadav at the Tees Hazari Courts on Tuesday.— PHOTO: R. V. MOORTHY Since the accused was also under physical threat from an angry public, Chauhan had taken it upon herself to protect him.” He said it was rewarding for the investigating team to see justice being delivered in a time-bound manner. “Shiv Kumar was accused in two previous rape cases but had gone scot-free in one of them. It would have set a bad example if he escaped punishment this time.” “A woman was raped in a cab often hired by many in the city. We were under severe pressure due to the expectations from the public,” said Mr. Verma, adding that personally the incident had left him tremendously stressed. Police said it was a challenge to gather strong evidence against Shiv Kumar as there were no eyewitnesses and the accused had tried to tamper with evidence. “For the last 10 months, we followed the case on a day-to-day basis,” said Mr. Verma. He said initially there was not much support from Uber as their support system is based in the US. “But, later

they helped the probe by providing necessary inputs such as the routes taken by the driver,” said the officer.

Uber Speaks Taxi service provider Uber, whose driver was found guilty of raping a passenger, welcomed the court verdict and said they were pleased that the accused Shiv Kumar Yadav was brought to justice. In a statement, Uber India said, “Sexual assault is a terrible crime and we’re pleased he has now been brought to justice.” They claimed that they have made improvements since the incident. “Safety is a priority for Uber and we've made many improvements in terms of new technology, enhanced background checks and better 24/7 customer support as a result of the lessons we learned from this awful case,” said Amit Jain, President, Uber India. “That said, Uber can always do better, which is why we are continually looking for ways to improve safety before, during and after the ride,” Mr. Jain added.

Jaideep Deo Bhanj

in the month of Muharram. The performance was an inNEW DELHI: As the evening timate affair, almost as if the progressed, the “wah wah” singers had welcomed the got louder applauding the audience into their own singers. The audience was homes. taken on a musical journey The evening began with a through the traditional Soz, Salaam, a salutation to the Marsia and Salaam, sung/re- martyrs and continued with cited during Muharram that presentation of Soz and Marare centred on the Tragedy of sia written by poets and Karbala that took place al- shayars. The poetry was most 1,400 years ago. mostly in Urdu, Awadhi and The performances were Farsi and was presented in a not by a professional troupe manner in which they but by members of a family emerged in the Ganga-Jamufrom the qasba of Mustafa- na soil of Awadh. Each perbad in the heart of Awadh formance told a story about who presented it to an audi- the battle fought by a tiny ence at the India Interna- band of 72 men, women and tional Centre on Tuesday for children in the harsh terrain the first time. The family has of Karbala. It told the story honed its skills over gener- through a wealth of ragas and ation under the watchful poetry about Muharram and eyes and direction of their el- why the month is ders and performs every year commemorated.

DELHI TODAY Art: “Artopsy” - a group art exhibition by Sumer Raj Chadha at Galerie Romain Rolland, Alliance Francaise De Delhi, 72, Lodhi Estate, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Paintings: Recent paintings by Vijay Chokakkar at All India Fine Arts & Craft Society (AIFACS), 1 Rafi Marg, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Exhibition: Inaugural exhibition of 19th Century Oleographs from the Raja Ravi Varma Press at Crayon Art Gallery, 560, 1st Floor, Lado Sarai, MG Road, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Photography: “My Take” - fine art photographs of Delhi’s monuments, landscapes and its people by Mumbai based photographer Sanjay Marathe at Delhi O Delhi Foyer, India Habitat Centre (IHC), 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Music: Music & Dance as part of ninth Delhi International Art Festival: Performances of Rudaad-e-Shireen Multimedia Musical Journey of Dilli Gharana celebrating Womanhood; Sarod recital by Joydeep Kathak; World Music by Sudhir Yaduvanshi & Jhhoom at Habitat World, India Habitat Centre (IHC), 7 p.m. Screening: Film Festival on Art and Culture presents screening of Bengali film Tasher Desh at Habitat World, India Habitat Centre (IHC), 7 p.m. Culture: Navarathri Music Festival: Bharatnatyam by S.N. Shreya, Harini Murali and Vocal by Rajalakshmi.N. and Somya.N at South Indian Samaj, Ram Mandap, Y-Avenue, Institutional Area, Sarojini Nagar, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (Mail your listings for this column at [email protected])

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TRAGEDY STRIKES EARLY

TWO CHILDREN CHARRED TO DEATH AFTER THEY WERE ALLEGEDLY SET AFIRE IN THEIR HOUSE IN BALLABGARH

Scuffle over mobile triggered caste war Ashok Kumar

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hat started off as a minor altercation between two groups of teenaged boys over a mobile phone a year ago has escalated into a bloody war between the Jatavs and the Rajputs in Sun Perh village in Ballabgarh, claiming lives of five persons, including two children, so far. Recalling the incident that led to the killing of three Rajput men, sexagenarian Bijender Singh, a member of the Rajput community, said it was a petty fight between some Jatav and Rajput boys over a mobile phone that fell into a drain. “A Rajput boy jokingly asked a boy from the Jatav community to pick up the phone from the drain. The Jatav boy refused and a fist-fight broke out between the two groups. Soon the older members of the two communities got embroiled into it,” recalled Mr. Singh. “Three Rajputs were brutally murdered in the incident. They were stabbed all over the body and their heads were crushed with bricks,” alleged Dharmender, another Rajput. The police registered a case and arrested 11 members of the Jatav community. The Jatavs, however, accused the police of framing their men in a false case. “It was an internal matter of the family whose members were murdered. We had no role in it. They fought among themselves and stabbed each other. We were implicated in the case because we are poor and downtrodden,” said Rakesh, whose brother’s family was attacked on Tuesday. The Rajputs, however, claimed that the present attack is stage-managed. “How come 11 persons barged into the house of a family of the rival community and set the members on fire,” asked Vikas, a Rajput boy. The Dalits blamed their social status for the attack. “Attacks on the Dalits in Haryana are not new. There have been several such instances like the Gohana attack, Mirchpur attack, Palwal attack and so on. Dalits have no rights in this country,” said Suresh, a Dalit. Rakesh, a Rajput, claimed that the dispute is between a few families of both communities and it was wrong to involve the entire village in it. “It is a Rajput-dominated village with over a thousand Rajputs and just 400 Jatavs. We have been living in harmony for hundreds of years and there has never been any such incident. Even the Rajput families involved in the dispute do not command much respect in their community. It is wrong to say that it is a dispute between the two communities; it is a fight between a couple of families of the two communities.” Some blamed the media and politicians for the hype. “See what happened in Dadri. The matter was blown out of proportion by the politicians and the media. The same thing is go- National Bureau ing to happen here,” said 50-year-old NEW DELHI: The head of the NaSatbir Singh, a Rajput. tional Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), former MP P L Punia said that the policemen stationed outside the home of the Dalit family, four of whose members were burnt alive last night in Faridabad, should be charged with dereliction of duty, and that the BJP-led government in Haryana

People gather outside the house of the Dalit family in Sun Perh village in Ballabgarh in Faridabad district on Tuesday; and (right) the room where the fire broke out. — PHOTOS: MANOJ KUMAR

Mother of burnt kids fights for life Bindu Shajan Perappadan NEW DELHI: Two children – 10-month-old Divya and two-year-old

Charge cops with dereliction of duty: Punia “should side with the oppressed”. He had rushed to Sun Perh village in Faridabad as soon as news of the tragedy of two Dalit children, two-and-ahalf-year-old Vaibhav and his 11-month old sister Divya, being burnt alive surfaced. “While it is true that there was an old dispute between this family and another nonDalit family that led to this tragedy, the fact remains that

Jitendra had written to all concerned in January itself that he apprehended danger to his life. A PCR van and constables, including a lady constable had been deputed. It is strange therefore that the incident took place. Either the police wilfully looked away or were neglectful,” he said. Mr Punia, who had protested over violence against Dalits in Mirchpur in Haryana when his own party, the

Justice Reva Khetrapal to be Delhi’s new Lokayukta

Go ahead to Grand Masti

ATTACKS ON DALITS IN HARYANA ARE NOT NEW. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SUCH INSTANCES LIKE THE GOHANA ATTACK, MIRCHPUR ATTACK, PALWAL ATTACK AND SO ON. DALITS HAVE NO RIGHTS IN THIS COUNTRY

Relief from HC for DUTA head Kritika Sharma Sebastian NEW DELHI: Acting on St. Ste-

phen’s professor Nandita Narain’s plea, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday restrained Delhi University from taking any action against her. The Delhi University Teacher’s Association (DUTA) president had on Monday sought a stay on a fact-finding committee constituted against her. The committee, which was investigating complaints received from three DU colleges against her, had asked Ms. Narain to appear before it on Monday, but she went ahead and challenged it in the court. Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw issued notice to the outgoing DU Vice-Chancellor, Dinesh Singh, St. Stephen’s principal Valson Thampu, and three colleges on the plea which contended that ‘arbitrary and illegal’ inquiry proceedings have been initiated against Ms. Narain by the university at the behest of others as she has been a vocal critic.

Jatin Anand NEW DELHI: The government, in accordance with a unanimous decision taken by an unlikely panel, paved the way for the appointment of a former lady judge of the Delhi High Court at the helm of the office of the State’s antigraft ombudsman on Tuesday. In fact, Delhi might actually be the first Indian State to have elevated a woman to the post, senior government functionaries hazarded a guess. Justice (Retd.) Reva Khetrapal was named the Delhi Lokayukta in a unanimous decision taken by a panel consisting of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung, Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta and the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court G. Rohini. A notification announcing

Ms. Khetrapal’s appointment to the office of the Lokayukta – a post which has remained empty for two years after being vacated by Manmohan Sarin in November 2013 – is expected to be issued by Dr. Jung as early as Wednesday after a go-ahead from the office of President Pranab Mukherjee. Sources privy to developments related to her appointment stated that the decision to name her as Lokayukta was taken “within five minutes” of the fourmember panel having sat down for deliberations on the topic at Raj Niwas on Tuesday evening. “The Delhi government has suggested her name for the post as early as July this year; but our recommendation was deliberately struck down by Mr. Gupta who went to town claiming that he had not been consulted

and that the government was acting in a dictatorial manner,” said a senior government official. Following the episode, in addition to being dragged to court over the issue by the Delhi Congress, the Delhi Government recommended two more names: Bilal Nazki and Jasbir Singh who retired as Chief Justices of the Orissa and Punjab and Haryana High Courts, respectively, to its list of recommendations. Mr. Kejriwal, who had been on the receiving end of much flak from both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress for ‘allowing’ the post of the anti-corruption ombudsman to remain vacant for several months after forming government earlier this year – wrote to Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to set the ball rolling on the appointment earlier last week.

Congress government was ruling the state, said that his only request from chief minister M L Khattar was that “he should take the side of the oppressed.” “The impression in Haryana is any government that comes to power takes the side of the rich and powerful. That has to end, and the poor and the oppressed need to be supported. That is my only request to Mr. Khattar,” he said.

Nirnimesh Kumar NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday gave its go ahead to the telecast of Bollywood movie, Grand Masti, on television after as many as 218 cuts. On August 21, the court had stayed its telecast on television. A Division Bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath vacated the stay, stating that the film would be exhibited ‘in strict compliance with requirement of the endorsement of a caution in terms of provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952’. The Bench vacated the stay on the plea of a media group seeking permission to telecast the movie on one of its channels. The court had stayed the telecast of the film on a public interest litigation by Edara Gopi Chand. The petitioner alleged that the movie was replete with double meaning dialogues along with highly objectionable content.

Vaibhav – and their mother -- Rekha (22) -- were brought to Safdarjung Hospital with severe burn injuries on Tuesday morning, hours after they were allegedly set afire in their house in Sun Perh village in Ballabgarh in Faridabad district. While the children were declared brought dead, their mother had suffered thermal injuries (heat injuries) and was admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital. The post-mortem of the children has been conducted and the report will be handed over to the investigating agency. “Rekha will stay under observation for the next 24 to 48 hours. If there is an improvement in her condition she will be shifted to a step-down intensive care unit. She has suffered injuries on her face and has problems in her lungs due to inhalation of smoke,” said Poonam Dhanda, a Safdarjung Hospital spokesperson. The children’s father, Jitender (26), a registered medical practitioner, has suffered minor injuries on his hands. Asked about Jitender’s condition, Ms. Dhanda said: “He was in obvious shock when we told him about the condition of his wife and the death of his children. He was treated at the out patients department and did not require hospital stay.” According to preliminary reports, the fire started in the house around 3 a.m. Relatives of the family at Safdarjung Hospital refused to speak to the media, but nodded when asked if the attack was part of some community/caste clash. “The fire broke out early in the morning and while the parents managed to escape with injuries, the children were badly burnt. They were brought dead to the hospital. The woman is stable, but critical,” added a senior Safdarjung official. The police have registered a case under the provisions of Indian Penal Code and Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and launched a hunt for the attackers.

Jung takes stock ahead of India-Africa summit Jatin Anand

Fumigation of hotels and venues connected to event and plugging of pot holes in their vicinity, according to a senior government official, figured in the L-G’s review

NEW DELHI: Lieutenant Gover-

nor Najeeb Jung on Tuesday convened a meeting to review the preparedness of government agencies for the coming India Africa Forum Summit, which the Capital will host between October 26 and 29. With the city currently in the throes of dengue, fumigation of hotels and venues connected to the event and plugging of pot holes in their vicinity, according to a senior government official, figured in Mr. Jung’s review, in addition to the setting up of a round-the-clock call centre for coordination. Uninterrupted power supply and tight security at the venues as well as tourist spots were also discussed. Law and order, traffic, health, cleanliness, sanitation, and repair and beautification of roads were

discussed with various stakeholders, including the chief secretary of Delhi, vice-chairman (DDA), joint secretary (Union Ministry of Health), Commissioner of Police, and the representatives of the Delhi International Airport Limited . “The emphasis of the L-G was on the security arrangements for foreign delegates. He said he was apprised that the Delhi Police had already made arrangements beginning August 8, which were further enhanced on October

6,” said a senior government official. According to the police, each hotel where delegates connected to the summit will be lodged, will be under the charge of a DCPrank officer while the Indira Gandhi International Stadium has been divided into eight zones with each under the supervision of a DCP. Nodal officers for all the venues have also been earmarked. One DCP shall be in-charge of contingency arrangements, including mass evacuation and aerial surveillance, while hit teams and sniper teams from the National Security Guard are being deployed. “Repair and beautification of roads, particularly in the New Delhi area, pruning of trees, proper street lighting, and view cutters in the vicinity of dhalaos were directed to be taken up immediately, ” the official said.

Published by N. Ram at Kasturi Buildings, 859 & 860, Anna Salai, Chennai-600002 and Printed by S. Ramanujam at HT Media Ltd. Plot No. 8, Udyog Vihar, Greater Noida Distt. Gautam Budh Nagar, U.P. 201306, on behalf of KASTURI & SONS LTD., Chennai-600002. Editor: Malini Parthasarathy (Responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act).

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New hospital has no fire clearance: Cong NEW DELHI: Not even a

week after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley inaugurated underconstruction Purnima Sethi Multispecialty Hospital in Kalkaji, Congress in South Delhi Municipal Corporation has alleged that the hospital did not have mandatory clearance from the fire department. The hospital also lacked a pathology lab, X-ray facilities and construction was still on in some floors, the party claimed. Of the 568 sanctioned posts for the staff only 50 had so far been hired and the hospital was “very unsafe” for patients, the Congress said. “Patients are unsafe in the building, it is structurally not strong. BJP has inaugurated the hospital even before its completion just to gain political mileage,” said leader of Opposition, Farhad Suri. After two stone foundation laying ceremonies, the 100bed Purnima Sethi Multi-Speciality Hospital is the first hospital for the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, which took over the project

Congress alleged that Purnima Sethi Multispecialty Hospital in Kalkaji was inaugurated to gain political mileage

THE HINDU WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

City set for first car-free day as logo hits the road Maria Akram NEW DELHI: Delhi transport minister

Staff Reporter

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Gopal Rai launched a logo for ‘Ab Bus Karein’ campaign — the Capital’s first car free day on October 22 — at Delhi Secretariat on Tuesday. The campaign aims at reducing congestion and pollution in Delhi, which is considered to be the most polluted city after Beijing in the world. The car-free day will be observed on any one stretch of the road on the 22nd of every month. The stretch identified for the campaign this month by the transport de-

partment is between India Gate and Red Fort, which, otherwise, is one of the most congested stretches in the Capital. “Additional fleet of DTC buses will be deployed on this route to facilitate commuters. Some auto drivers will provide free service to support the campaign,” Mr Rai said. Apart from chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia, a number of Delhi legislators will also participate in a cycle rally between Red Fort and Bhagwan Dass Marg parking lot, on the day.

The stretch identified for the campaign this month by the transport department is between India Gate and Red Fort “We held interactive sessions with various NGOs, market associations, all MLAs, representatives of NCC and NSS and corporate sector in the past few days to make the event successful. Another interaction was held with

students at Khalsa College recently where they evinced a lot of interest in spreading the message of car-free day and promised participation,” Mr. Rai said. Mr. Rai added that the AAP government had taken several steps in the past few days to strengthen public transport in the city. Apart from inviting expression of interest from global companies to supply CNG and electric buses to Delhi, the DTC is also in the process of procuring 1,000 private buses under cluster scheme to strengthen its service.

The transport department has also identified land to construct three depots for cluster buses. Connecting pollution checking centres with a central server, re-launch ‘Poochho’ app for auto and taxi drivers and deputing marshals in DTC buses are some more steps to ensure public transport facilities. “Trial run of Wi-Fi and CCTV cameras in buses, with the help of Delhi Dialogue Commission, will be carried out by December to identify the suitable technology and implementation,” Mr. Rai said.

from the erstwhile Municipal Corporation of Delhi. The Standing Committee of the MCD had first cleared the project in 2005 and it was supposed to have been completed in three years. However, construction started in 2010 and the cost went up from the initial estimate of Rs.31 crore to Rs.52 crore. During the construction of the hospital, water from an aquifer at the site had been filling the basement and going down the drain. But, now officials said the water has been diverted through a system of channels and sent to a pit, from where it is being used by the hospital. But Mr. Suri alleges that seepage in the basement is still a problem. “The foundation of the building is weak and corporation didn’t take any proper measures.”

ABVP wins in executive committee polls from Moti Lal Nehru (Eve) College, Vishal UpNEW DELHI: BJP-backed Ak- adhyay from Moti Lal hil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Nehru College, Deepak Parishad (ABVP) has won Rose from Shivaji College seven out of 11 seats in the and Sanju Khari from elections for the Execu- Deshbandhu College were tive Committee of Delhi elected as Executive University Students Council Members of DUUnion. SU,” officials said. The central panel of the The remaining four positions in the DUSU EC DUSU members was polls were bagged by Con- elected in September gress-affiliated National when ABVP had bagged Students’ Union of India the four crucial posts of president, vice-president, (NSUI). The elected presidents secretary and joint secreof the college unions along tary for a second consecwith the members of DU- utive year. As per the DUSU ConSU central council vote for the executive council. stitution, the committee The role of the Execu- should have 11 members tive Committee is to de- and not less than two out of these members should cide policies for DUSU. “Vineet Bidhuri from be girls. AAP’s Student PGDAV (Eve) College was Wing CYSS, which conelected as the Chief EC. tested its debut DUSU Manish Barthwal from polls this year and failed ARSD College, Tushar Ya- to open the account, had dav from Venkateshwara not fielded any candidates College, Monika Yadav for the EC elections. Staff Reporter

Labourer attempts to rape minor, caught Staff Reporter

ter being kidnapped from Ramlila in west Delhi’s NEW DELHI: A labourer alleg- Nangloi. edly abducted a five-yearThe accused in the latold girl who had gone to est case has been identisee Ramlila in south-east fied as Bablu. He was seen Delhi’s Amar Colony and by some children picking attempted to rape her on up the girl from SrinivasMonday night. puri in Amar Colony. The accused, however, They raised an alarm was caught before he and a hunt was subsecould sexually abuse the quently launched. girl. He has been booked The suspect was caught and arrested. near railway tracks in the Only a few days ago, a area and the girl was restoddler was gang-raped af- cued.

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REALITY BITES

FOGGING INEFFECTIVE IN DENGUE. DOES MORE HARM THAN GOOD: CSE

No sting in the fog Bindu Shajan Perappadan

T

he fogging drive carried out by the Delhi Government is ineffective against mosquitoes which are responsible for causing the dengue outbreak, according to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Fogging is one of the solutions offered by the Delhi health department to control the spread of dengue in the city. As on October 17, the city has reported over 12,531 dengue cases and 32 deaths. The rise in cases from 778 in August to 6,775 in September and 4,925 by mid-October alone indicates the negligible effect of fogging. “Working with the community members and as per our observations and experiences we have found that fogging is ineffective in containing dengue and has a harmful effect on the health of people,” said Chandra Bhushan, deputy director general, CSE. According to the CSE, fogging knocks down only the adult mosquito, and not the larvae that are the source of breeding. Larvicide measures, on the other hand, are recognised as an important intervention to prevent large-scale spread of dengue. Targeting adult mosquitoes offers temporary control and that, too, in limited settings and under ideal conditions. “For example, in the case of outdoor fogging the mist most often does not attain the required concentration and reach in order to be effective. Pre-conditions like wind speed and direction as well as air

THE FOGGING MIX USUALLY CONTAINS HUGE AMOUNTS OF DIESEL TO THE TUNE OF 95 PER CENT ALONG WITH AN INSECTICIDE, MOSTLY MALATHION. AT TIMES, PETROL IS ALSO ADDED

BJP flays Kejriwal for ‘politicising’ rape

Fogging knocks down only the adult mosquito, and not the larvae that are the source of breeding. — PHOTO: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR temperature influence the concentration. Indoor fogging, on the other hand, is a challenge due to reluctance of residents/ owners in allowing fogging into their premise. Besides the limitation of resources, there are practical limitations in covering all houses/premises across the city,” said a release issued by the green non-government organisation. The frequency of fogging is another determinant. It is recommended to be repeated after 3-4 days which is far from the reality across the city. “Unless repeated frequently, fogging cannot control the next batch of adults out of the larvae. This is why, source control through larvicide measures is

considered effective,” said Amit Khurana, head of Food Safety and Toxins Programme at CSE. The release also noted that fogging mix usually contains huge amounts of diesel to the tune of 95 per cent along with an insecticide, mostly Malathion. At times, petrol is also added. “This means a vehicle-mounted container typically has 95 litres of diesel (is known to contain carcinogens) which is used up in one round of fogging. Several rounds by the vehicle in a day could mean several hundred litres of diesel per vehicle,” said Mr. Bhushan. Meanwhile, the municipal corporations of south and east Delhi have already spent about Rs.70 lakh on diesel for fogging

Tuesday criticised Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for “politicising” sensitive issues like rape. In a letter written to the CM, Delhi BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana questioned him as to why the Delhi government never offered compensation to the minor victims’ families who were raped in the city. “Like after every unfortunate incident involving police, your reaction after the recent incidents of three minor children rapes has been on expected lines of creating a hue and cry against the Central Government and Delhi Police. This reaction may serve your political purpose but as a CM you are fast losing ground as people now well understand that you only play to the gallery and never perform,” the letter read. Mr Khurana has demanded that Delhi Government provide best of medical attention for the affected children and bear their education expenses.

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till Oct 10, 2015. Considering the total area of Delhi, the remaining days of the fogging season and the price of diesel, the estimated total diesel use could go over 4.5 lakh litres this year. Keeping a 100-day fogging-intensive season, this is about 4,500 litres of diesel per day, which is equivalent to diesel used by over 2,000 cars in a day. Medical experts suggest that direct inhalation of diesel fumes, combined with insecticides, can exacerbate asthma or bronchitis among those with respiratory ailments. For feedback, please mail us at [email protected]

Exchange strategy saves discoms Rs.200 crore Sweta Goswami NEW DELHI: While there has

been no response from the Ministry of Power on surrendering expensive electricity in Delhi as yet, power utilities have come up with an alternative to avoid buying it. The distribution companies are now engaging in “power banking” which is helping them save as much as Rs.200 crore. Power banking, which means exchange of electricity between different States is turning out to be a popular means to avoid purchase from old and ailing generation stations. Under this arrangement, discoms in Delhi have begun to export power to various States during the off-peak winter months of October to March and the same is imported back during the summer months of May to September.  In the Capital, discom Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) has entered into power banking arrangements with at least three States, including Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya and Odisha among others. “Almost 200 MW to 250 MW of power is exported by TPDDL during the off-peak months and the same is imported back during the peak summer months. There is no money involved in this. It is plain barter system,” said Praveer Sinha, CEO and MD, TPDDL. Costs of NTPC plants and

Delhi Genco’s have increased by nearly 50 per cent to 160 per cent during the last five years. Most of these plants are now supplying in the range of Rs.5 to Rs.11 per unit leading to increase in consumer retail tariffs. Hence, the move besides helping in maintaining reliability and consistency in supply will also enable power utilities to save substantial amount. Between October 2014 and March 2015, the discom which supplies power to North Delhi areas exported approximately 400 Million Units (MU) of power which it got back in the summer months from May to September, 2015. “Had these 400 MUs been purchased by a discom then the same would have resulted in financial outflow of Rs.200 crore, assuming the per unit cost of power

purchased as Rs.5,” said an official. For the period of October 2015 to March 2016, discoms have already tied up banking export of around 1200 MUs, mainly with States like Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Return banking against the same shall be received from May 16 to September 16. Subsequent to the banking of power, discoms have initiated the reallocation of costly power as well which resulted in additional savings of Rs.400 crore. The Delhi government has already written several letters to Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal for surrendering or reallocation of costly power procured to the tune of 2255 MW from NTPC stations. But, the Centre is yet to respond on the issue.

‘Govt scheme will rob vendors of livelihood’ Staff Reporter

side the residence of Chief Minster Arvind Kejriwal protesting against what they claimed NEW DELHI: The Delhi Congress, on Tuesday, was his government’s failure to prevent the claimed that the scheme for street vendors increasing number of sexual assaults on small notified by the Aam Aadmi Party-led (AAP) children. Delhi Government would rob over five lakh President of the party’s Delhi chapter Ajay street vendors of their livelihood, instead of Maken alleged that the scheme formulated by protecting their trade. the government for street vendors gave ‘all This, even as the newly sworn-in president the powers to officials’ and would only inof the Delhi Pradesh Mahila Congress, Barkha crease corruption in the future in addition to Singh, and several party cadre descended out- fostering red-tapism.

‘There’s no concerted effort in giving back honours to the Sahitya Akademi’ S. Ravi

Vikram Seth was speaking at the launch of his latest collection of poems, Summer Requiem. He referred to the title poem Summer Requiem as the most curious in the collection because he could not quite understand it himself

Staff Reporter NEW DELHI: The Delhi BJP on

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NEW DELHI: Be it the Tiananmen Square massacre or criminalisation of homosexuality, writer Vikram Seth has always taken a stand. Last evening was no different when he came out strongly in support of fellow writers who have returned their awards to the Sahitya Akademi. “It is difficult to give up an award because it is a mark of honour that you get in an isolated professional life that shows that your colleagues and compatriots think well of you. “To give it up is no easy thing and perhaps that is why it has bewildered the powers that be at the Sahitya Akademi so much so they have brought forward their scheduled meeting to October 23. “I think and I hope that they will come up with something robust in defence of free speech, reason and at least the right to life of people who speak their minds.” Mr. Seth was speaking at the launch of his latest collec-

tion of poems, “Summer Requiem”, published by Aleph. He hinted that the Akademi was under pressure. Responding to a question, he said, “History is full of instances where writers have suffered. They have been imprisoned like Tulsidas. They have been impoverished like Firdausi. (Osip) Mandelstam was killed by Stalin. One cannot expect them to be molly-coddled or put on a pedestal but to be insulted in a gratuitous manner is a bit unnecessary.

However, our power lies in convincing and not haranguing and heckling. “The good thing about writers is that they do not speak in one voice. That is our strength. Our isolation is our strength because no one can accuse us of being conspirators.” Mr. Seth said that he did not create an artificial bifurcation between the writers as writers and writers as citizens because it was seamless. “I do not think there is a concerted effort in giving back honours to the Sahitya

Akademi. I have not spoken to any writer. I spoke a couple of days ago about the events and how disappointed and shocked I was by the fact that an institution that has such a wonderful history, which provides refuge to creative people who lead such lonely lives, did not speak on their behalf.” The book was launched by Mr. Seth’s parents with the event coinciding with former Justice Leila Seth’s birthday, the poet’s mother. Mr. Seth referred to the title poem Summer Requiem as the most curious in the collection because he could not quite understand it himself and is contrary to his idea of poetry and the kind of poems he likes to write. Talking about love and longing, the poet said for most people love is one of the elements in life besides work and food on one’s table. “But love makes us human beings.” He said the poems which were the most difficult for him to put in words were the ones which resonate the most with the readers.

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Bassi announces reward for evidence against corrupt cops Shiv Sunny NEW DELHI: The verbal duel be-

tween chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and police commissioner Bhim Sen Bassi turned ugly with the police chief telling the chief minister to mind his own business. After chief minister Arvind Kejriwal yet again questioned the Delhi police’s capabilities and demanded control over it to “set the things right”, Mr. Bassi said the chief minister and his council of ministers had failed to check corruption in the State. “I am thankful to him (Arvind Kejriwal) for his concerns about the Delhi Police. But I want to convey that the Delhi Police will take care of itself. He should instead bother about his own problems which are in plenty. The government has not been able to stop corruption despite having six ministers,” said Mr. Bassi. “So, they Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi after meeting should mind their own work Lieutenant Governor in New Delhi on Tuesday. and we will mind ours.” — PHOTO: V: SUDERSHAN Mr Kejriwal’s comments in the forms of tweets came in the wake of a survey pub- registration of FIR now,” in the number of cases now lished in newspapers that said Mr. Bassi, drawing at- registered as against twocalled Delhi police worst tention to the high increase three years ago. among the government departments in terms of corruption. Countering allegations of being the most corrupt force, the Delhi Police Commissioner Mr. Bassi announced cash rewards for anyone who would provide audio or video government’s proposal Maria Akram evidence against government for setting up ‘special poNEW DELHI: Aam Admi Par- lice stations’ as “absoluteservants including his own ty, on Tuesday, called Del- ly wrong” and instead personnel indulging in corhi Police a “frontal outfit asked Delhi CM Arvind rupt practices. of the BJP” and Police Kejriwal to concentrate “With an aim to totally end Commissioner, BS Bassi, on governance. corruption in the Delhi Poits “unofficial spokesperlice, today I announce a cash The party also targeted son (of BJP)” over his re- the Delhi Police over a reward of Rs.25,000 for anymarks against setting up survey by a private agency one who brings audio or vidparallel police stations in which claimed it to be eo evidence of corruption against any Delhi Police perthe city. ‘corrupt’. sonnel,” said Bassi on Responding to Mr BasA delegation of AAP Tuesday. si’s letter to Delhi Govern- leaders met Home MinisHe said presenting eviment, in which he showed ter, Rajnath Singh, to apdence against any other govhis concern over the edu- prise him of the ernment servant would be cation system and advised deteriorating law and orrewarded with Rs.10,000. inclusion of moral educa- der situation in the city People can send the audio tion for students, partic- and transfer of VAT Comand video clips on WhatsApp ularly boys, AAP said that missioner, Vijay Kumar, helpline number Police personnel instead without the government’s 9910641064. need to be taught moral consultation. The senior-most officer education as they have a Demanding an inquiry made the announcements in poor record. into the transfer of Mr. the face of a new survey sug“Most of the police per- Kumar, party leader Ashgesting high corruption in sonnel don’t know how to utosh, asked, “Why was the Delhi Police. deal with women complai- such an honest officer Though he said he was unnants and some of their transferred within a week aware of the parameters on acts are barbaric in na- of him swooping down on which the survey was conture,” said Dilip Pandey, a big hawala racket? Why ducted, he refrained from party’s State unit head. did the LG not consult the questioning the survey. “Is Mr. Bassi more wor- State government or even “Though I know nothing ried about his post-retire- the Centre?” about the parameters of the ment gains? Such type of a Dilip Pandey said that survey, I won’t like to chalstatement against a pop- the delegation has catelenge it,” he told the media. ularly elected government gorically asked for investiHe said that if the survey does not suit him.” gation. was true, then there was a Citing cases of custodial “The matter should be further challenge to totally rapes, murders and mo- investigated and also end corruption in the police lestations, he said police made it clear that we have force. personnel rape women at serious doubts about the He said many steps have gunpoint, they pour hot L-G’s role.” Deputy chief already been taken in this boiling oil on vendors who minister, Manish Sisodia, direction. refuse to pay bribe, he wrote to L-G accusing him “There were a lot of hassaid, “And they give us lec- of ‘unlawfully’ shooting sles in registering a FIR earliture on morals and eth- down a government proer. There were many ics.” posal to appoint IAS officomplaints that people had Mr Bassi earlier on cer Ankur Garg as the new to pay to get a case registered. Tuesday slammed Delhi VAT Commissioner. We have ensured the truthful

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Backed by survey, Kejriwal demands control of police Maria Akram

led Delhi government gets control over the two key departments. In a series of tweets, Mr Kejriwal NEW DELHI: A day after a survey pointed out that corruption in Delhi Police pilloried Mr Modi’s “capabilities and was high, Chief Minister Arvind Kej- intentions” and blamed the Centre riwal attacked Prime Minister Na- and Lieutenant-Governor for correndra Modi and reiterated his ruption and ‘lawlessness’ in the city. “Shocking findings CMS survey demand for control over the police and anti-corruption branch. He 2day—Del police (under Modiji n his asked the PM to “stop being stub- LG) most corrupt— scathing attack born” and vowed to “set things right on Modiji’s capabilities n intentions in one year” if the Aam Aadmi Party- [sic]”; “Second finding— corruption

has come down in delhi govt —it proves AAP govt’s neeyat n admn capability [sic]”; “Modi ji stop being stubborn, work with us. Hand over ACB and police to Delhi Government. We will deliver in a year [sic]”, the CM tweeted on Tuesday morning. Quick to take credit for bringing down corruption, Mr Kejriwal said that even the survey findings support his claim. The survey, conducted by

the Centre for Media Studies (CMS), India Corruption Study 2015, shows 45 per cent of residents surveyed found reduction in corruption across departments of Delhi government as compared to those of central government. However, ever since voted to power, Mr Kejriwal has been demanding full-statehood and control over the police, which currently reports to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.

Delhi Police a frontal outfit of BJP: AAP

‘Put scams of Delhi govt on fast track’ Staff Reporter NEW DELHI: The three BJP

MLAs led by Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, met Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung and Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi on Tuesday demanding that the on-going inquiry into five scams of Delhi Government be put on fast-track. In addition, they also urged that “upright officers” like Anti-Corruption Branch Chief M.K. Meena be protected against Delhi chief minister’s “vendetta.” “Mr. Meena is conducting indepth inquiry into scams of onions, sugar, CNG, adver-

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tisement and water vending machines apart from a number of other controversial matters. But, Arvind Kejriwal has threatened an inquiry against him and also charged me. It appears that CM doesn’t want that the ACB chief should do his work independently and fairly,” said Mr Gupta. The delegation included MLAs O.P. Sharma and Jagdish Pradhan. The delegation rued that had this amount of money put into development works; “it could have changed the face of Delhi.” “Mr Kejirwal has announced formation of a parallel police force. He even goes beyond the limits

of Constitution and doesn’t know his jurisdiction. ACB Chief reports to the Home Ministry at the Centre. Delhi Government, therefore, has no right to order an inquiry against ACB Chief. It has been clarified in the Ordinance recently issued by the Central Government,” he added.

Disclaimer: Readers are requested to verify & make appropriate enquiries to satisfy themselves about the veracity of an advertisement before responding to any published in this newspaper. Kasturi & Sons Limited, the Publisher & Owner of this newspaper, does not vouch for the authenticity of any advertisement or advertiser or for any of the advertiser’s products and/or services. In no event can the Owner, Publisher, Printer, Editor, Director/s, Employees of this newspaper/company be held responsible/liable in any manner whatsoever for any claims and/or damages for advertisements in this newspaper.

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THE HINDU WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

FOR JOB LISTINGS & ARTICLES, VISIT www.thehindu.com/jobs

Start-ups let new hires find out if they fit in with the company’s culture These companies understand that in a competitive marketplace where talent is in short supply, a well-designed onboarding strategy is a differentiator in attracting and retaining employees n an overtly competitive marketplace where talent is in short supply, some start-ups have introduced a “free look” period wherein all new hires have the right to leave or stay based on a deeper understanding of the company’s working culture. In a start-up ecosystem, engaging with the employee for the first 30 days is extremely crucial, as some employees sometimes choose to work in a start-up because of the fat paycheque, but delivering according to the requirement often seems difficult, as compared to an established corporate. Education technology company Simplilearn has a ‘Free Look policy’, which applies to hires at all levels, including senior management and across divisions. Under this, new hires are

I

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In a start-up ecosystem, engaging with the employee for the first 30 days is extremely crucial, as some employees choose to work in a start-up because of the fat paycheque, despite being out of sync with its culture required to focus primarily on their training and familiarising with Simplilearn’s process and culture. “Similar to the free look policy in the insurance sector, we give liberty to new hires to judge our culture, understand the job profile and let them assess if they would be a cultural fit considering personal and professional parameters,” Simplilearn COO Gerald Jaideep said. According to experts, in an overtly competitive marketplace where talent is in short

supply, a well-designed onboarding strategy is a differentiator in attracting and retaining employees. “The onboarding programme has been found to be valuable for all employees and has made us confident that doing this well would give them a great launchpad and keep them engaged. One of the direct impacts of this is reduction in our first 90 days attrition,” Rohit Hasteer, chief human resource officer, PropTiger.com and Makaan.com said. According to property por-

tal Housing.com CAO Ajay Nair, this trend is here to stay. “When you compare this cost of engagement against the traditional onboarding, there might be a slightly higher monetary impact on the forefront, but it has a longer retention value which compensates for the other unwarranted/ unexpected costs that companies incur during the stage of employment,” Nair added. Online marketplace IndiaMART director Dinesh Gulati said earlier start-ups lacked a structured engagement process for new hires but, with time they have realised that they need to adopt strategies for dissolving their staff with the company goals and objectives. “Predominantly startups such as e-tailers and e-shopping companies are intro-

ducing upgraded tech-savvy innovative ideas fastening the engagement pace of new hires. This trend has arisen due to bulk hiring practices in such firms,” Genius Consultants CMD R.P. Yadav said. These industry players typically recruit new heads during extravagant festive times and celebration season like Ganesh Chaturthi, Durga Puja, Diwali and New Year. “In a start-up, individuals have to don different hats, work more than the normal shifts and be ready to be promoted or fired any moment. To hire and manage such dynamic workforce, HR needs to be one step ahead in dynamism,” Manu Jolly, CEO & founder, Digiperform, a digital marketing Start-ups are introducing upgraded tech-savvy innovative ideas to assess training company said. PTI

and promote employee engagement.

PHOTO USED FOR REPRESENTATIONAL PURPOSE ONLY

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STATE EDUCATIONAL

NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU

EDUCATIONAL

ACB chief Meena threatens Kejriwal with ‘appropriate action’ Jatin Anand

011- 43579738, 43579797

NEW DELHI: Lieutenant Governor-ap-

pointed chief of the Delhi government Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) Mukesh Kumar Meena, on Tuesday, challenged a note from Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal seeking a reply on allegations of negligence in performing his duty and intimidating his subordinates threatening Mr. Kejriwal, instead, with ‘appropriate action’ if he did not ‘withdraw it immediately.’ On October 9, Mr. Kejriwal had, in a note, sought an explanation regarding the allegations against him within 10 days and warned of initiating an inquiry if his reply was not found satisfactory. In response to the Chief Minister’s note, Mr. Meena sent him a letter seeking the withdrawal of the memorandum failing which he, instead, would be “constrained to initiate appropriate action as per law”. “At this juncture, by issuing an illegal memorandum with false charges that too by overreaching your jurisdiction, many provisions of law have been violated by the CM,” Mr. Meena said in the letter further challenging the issuance of the memorandum by

EDUCATIONAL

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

SITUATIONS VACANT

‘the incompetent authority’ with the argument that it was in violation of the fundamental rights of the ACB chief who is governed by the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. Questioning Mr. Kejriwal’s jurisdiction over the government’s antigraft unit, and arguing that he was ‘not the competent authority’ to issue a memorandum or to institute disciplinary proceedings against him, Mr. Meena stated that the terms and conditions of his service were governed by the Centre instead of the Delhi government. Mr. Kejriwal, in his note, had mentioned a number of charges against Mr. Meena, which included the deployment of paramilitary personnel at the offices of the ACB located in north Delhi in addition to alleged attempts to intimidate his subordinates. Apart from these, Mr. Meena is also alleged to have forcefully snatched the FIR register, which belongs to the ACB police station with a view to screening the “illegal acts” and with the “mala-fide intention” of saving “corrupt officials” from legal proceedings by interfering with the due process of law.

PUBLIC NOTICES

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THE HINDU WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

HARYANA LAND ROW

SUCH A STEP HAS BEEN TAKEN WITH REGARD TO ‘ALL DEFAULTERS’, SAYS CM

‘Notice to Vadra’s firm not vindictive’

H

aryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday insisted that the notice issued to a company owned by Sonia Gandhi’s sonin-law Robert Vadra was not any act of vindictiveness, saying such a step has been taken with regard to “all defaulters” and not him alone. He told reporters here that it is not an issue of “Vadra or no Vadra” but his BJP government would carry out probe wherever any wrongdoing has been committed and set the things right. “Look, it is not just one company. All the defaulters have been sent the notice,” Mr Khattar said when asked about the notice by Haryana government to Mr Vadra’s company Skylight Hospitalities, seeking details of a land deal in Gurgaon with realty major DLF, for the purpose of imposing tax. There is no question of targeting anyone in particular or act of vindictiveness, the Chief Minister said. “Vadra or no Vadra is not the issue. Our target is to set the things right wherever any wrongdoing has taken place,” he said addressing a press conference here ahead of the completion of one year of his government on Oc-

“WE DON’T INTERFERE IN THE PROBE PROCESS, AS SOON AS THE GOVT. RECEIVES THE REPORT, WE WILL ACT ACCORDINGLY”

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BJP demands action against SP leader for alleged booth capturing LUCKNOW: The BJP on Tuesday

accused Uttar Pradesh government for “not” taking action against SP leader Totaram Yadav, against whom a case has been lodged for allegedly capturing a polling booth during Panchayat elections in the state. “While Yadav’s gunner has been suspended, village chowkidar has been removed and action is being taken against others, no action has been taken against the Chairman of Processing and Construction Cooperative Limited (PACCFED),” BJP spokesman Vijay Bahadur Pathak said.

A video went viral on October 16 showing him allegedly stamping ballot papers He said, “Not only the government is keeping mum on the issue, Yadav shared the dais with a powerful minister in Akhilesh government.” Mr Pathak alleged that the government machinery was making all efforts to “save” Yadav. Totaram Yadav and 14 others

were booked for allegedly capturing a polling booth in the district during second phase of panchayat elections. A video went viral on October 16 showed him allegedly stamping ballot papers in bulk at Raipur polling booth in Bewar block as poll staff, with police remaining a mute spectator. FIR was registered against Yadav along with 14 named and 15 unidentified persons, SO Bewar Narendra Singh said. However, Yadav denied the accusation and said there were several “discrepancies” in the video. - PTI

DEATH ANNIVERSARIES

DEATH

“Vadra or no Vadra is not the issue. Our target is to set the things right wherever any wrongdoing has taken place”, says Manohar Lal Khattar. tober 26. He said in all 213 cases had been filed through Vigilance Bureau in past one year that included 25 against public servants. Various probes pertaining to the alleged acts of ommission and commission and wrongdoings which took place during the tenure of the previous government are underway, he said. Asked if the S. N. Dhingra Commission which is mandated to probe all land and other deals in Gurgaon including those involving Robert Vadra’s company has sought any information from the state government, Mr Khattar replied, “we have made available the

information which was sought”. The Chief Minister said the Commission was conducting an independent probe and “we don’t interfere in the process. As soon as the state government receives the report, we will act accordingly.” The Justice Dhingra Commission of Inquiry was set up by the Haryana government earlier this year to investigate the conditions under which licenses for the development of colonies in Gurgaon were granted to some entities which resulted in loss of revenue to the public exchequer. The commission probing the grant of licenses to entities in Sec-

tor 83 of Gurgaon had recently said its mandate was to probe whether their was any revenue loss during the transactions and that all the deals will be looked into including those involving Robert Vadra’s company. Mr Khattar made a mention of the Vigilance inquiry ordered by him in May this year to look into the allotment of 11 industrial plots by previous Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress government in Industrial Estate, Panchkula, in December 2011 to alleged “undeserving candidates”. “We have received its report..law will take its course in the matter,” he said.- PTI

Punjab woman accused of sacrilege thrashed LUDHIANA: The woman, arrested on charge of desecrating the Sikh’s holy book, was thrashed by villagers on Tuesday while police escorted her to the crime scene in Ghwaddi village here.

A team of police had taken accused Balwinder Kaur to the scene in the course of investigations. Seeing the accused, the villagers attacked and started beating her,

Ludhiana Commissioner of Police (CP) Parmraj Singh Umranangal said. She was rescued by the police later. Kaur, working as a sweeper at village gurdwara, was arrested on Monday along with a granthi

For metros highlighted, readings show max temperature

SANGRUR An Army jawan on

Tuesday killed four members of his family and injured as many in indiscriminate firing before shooting himself dead at Hassanpur village, some 20 km from Sangrur, police said. Jawan Jagdip Singh, who was on leave, gunned down four family members and injured four others, including his neighbours, Sangrur Senior Superintendent of Police Pritpal Singh Thind said. The jawan, who used his licensed gun to commit the

Delhi | 36.2° C

Kolkata | 33.1° C

Mumbai | 37.5° C Hyderabad | 33.8° C

Chennai | 33.7° C

Image & Data: India Meteorological Department

Agartala Ahmedabad Allahabad Aizawl Bengaluru Bhopal Bhubaneswar Chandigarh Chennai Coimbatore Dehradun Gangtok Goa Guwahati

34.5 38.2 37.5 27.9 31.0 36.5 34.4 32.6 33.7 33.1 30.5 21.8 33.0 33.0

22.6 22.3 21.4 13.6 21.5 20.8 23.6 19.7 26.9 23.5 16.9 14.8 26.0 19.3

CM YK

Max Min Hubballi Hyderabad Imphal Jaipur Kohima Kolkata Kochi Kozhikode Kurnool Lucknow Madurai Mangaluru Mumbai Mysuru

32.0 33.8 29.6 38.1 23.4 33.1 32.6 36.2 35.4 35.1 33.2 34.4 37.5 30.9

21.0 20.4 16.8 22.4 11.4 25.9 25.0 26.2 24.2 20.5 23.7 24.8 24.2 20.0

IEDs unearthed in Chhattisgarh RAIPUR: Security forces on

Forecast for Wednesday: No forecast warning Max Min

Max Min New Delhi Patna Port Blair Pune Puducherry Raipur Ranchi Shillong Shimla Srinagar Vijayawada Visakhapatnam Thiruvananthapuram Tiruchi

Please contact: 011-43579797 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m

Jawan kills 4 family members, shoots himself dead

WEATHER WATCH (City-wise reading yesterday)

Bengaluru | 31.0° C

(priest) of the shrine for the alleged desecration. Kaur and Sikander Singh (granthi) were produced before a local court which sent them to two—day police custody.- PTI

36.2 34.5 32.3 33.9 34.5 33.8 32.5 20.6 20.8 11.8 34.9 32.2 32.3 34.1

22.9 23.0 24.7 18.2 25.8 23.3 18.8 13.5 10.3 7.7 24.2 26.4 25.1 25.0

Tuesday recovered three powerful Improvised Explosive Devices, allegedly planted by Maoists, from Chhattisgarh’s insurgencyhit Sukma district, police said. A joint team of security forces recovered the explosives, weighing 20 kg each, while carrying out an antiNaxal operation under Kistaram police station area, Sukma Additional Superintendent of Police Santosh Singh said. - PTI

offence, killed himself after he was surrounded by police, which was asking him to surrender, the official said. Mr. Thind had earlier said Singh was shot dead by the police after he did not heed their request for surrender.

Injured in serious condition The deceased were identified as Labh Kaur, Karnail Kaur, Gurprit Kaur and Harman Singh, and the four injured were referred to a Patiala hospital in a serious condition, police said. - PTI

Criminal nabbed LUCKNOW: The Special Task Force of Uttar Pradesh arrested a notorious criminal, carrying a cash reward of Rs 1.50 lakh, in Noida. On a specific tip-off, STF arrested Mukim alias Lala and his associate Sabir also carrying a cash reward of Rs 50,000 at the Noida gate while they were on their way to Delhi, STF spokesman said here on Tuesday. On the information provided by the duo, an AK 47 with magazine was recovered. - PTI

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NATION SHOCKING ACT IN DHARWAD

DEATHS ARE LIKELY TO REVIVE DEBATE ON THE NEED TO CURB SUPERSTITIOUS PRACTICES

2 boys killed; sacrifice suspected Dinesh Nayak

T

wo boys have been brutally killed in what is suspected to be a case of human sacrifice at Shirakol village in Navalgund taluk of Dharwad district of Karnataka. The victims are Nagaraj Shirasangi, 13, and his brother Akash Shirasangi, 9, children of farmer Irappa Shirasangi. The crime came to light on Tuesday morning when the bodies were found near a stream. While the head of one body was missing, both legs had been severed off the other. The children had gone missing on September 26. After searching for them for two days, Shirasangi lodged a complaint with the Navalgund police. Dharwad SP C. Vamsi Krishna said it had not been established whether it was a case of murder. But the manner of killing led to a suspicion that they could have been ‘sacrificed’. The killing of the two children is likely to revive

Kannada filmmaker passes away

Santhemarahalli beheadings accused ‘mentally unsound’ Laiqh A. Khan

Akash Shirasangi and Nagaraj Shirasangi the debate on the need for stern steps to put an end to the superstitious practices in the State. The Karnataka government, which had drafted a Bill in this regard, had backtracked following uproar over the proposed law being “anti-Hindu.” Social activists here believe that such superstitions are widely prevalent in the region, although very few incidents come to light. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has recorded two deaths due to human sacrifice in the State in 2014.

Writer urges Akademi to condemn intolerance B. Kolappan CHENNAI: Tamil writer and

K.S.L. Swamy had a 49-year celluloid career Muralidhara Khajane BENGALURU: Filmmaker Kikk-

eri Shamanna Lakshminarayana Swamy passed away on Tuesday. He was 77. He is survived by his actor-wife, B.V. Radha, and daughter Dhanalakshmi. In his 49-year celluloid career, Mr. Swamy, who was also known as Ravee, directed 37 films. Tugudeepa, released in 1966, was his debut film and Saavira Mettilu (2006), which he co-directed, was his last film. Mr. Swamy was suffering from respiratory problems and was hospitalised for 42 days. As he showed some improvement, Mr. Swamy was brought home on Monday. He, however, breathed his last in the early hours of Tuesday. Mr. Swamy belonged to the filmmaking tradition of G.V. Iyer and M.R. Vittal. He also worked closely with Puttanna Kanagal, iconic Kannada filmmaker. Mr. Swamy completed Saavira Mettilu and Masanada Hoovu which Kanagal left halfway. He was among the first ones to make experiments in commercial framework with films such as Aaru Mooru Ombattu (1970). He was a writer, producer, director, actor and even singer. His film Jamboo Savari won the National Award for the Best Children’s Film in 1989. He has the credit of directing the 100th film of both Rajkumar (Bhagyada Bagilu) and Bharathi Vishnuvardhan (Bhagya Jyothi).

CM YK

The most recent case in the region, suspected to be human sacrifice, was the murder of six-year old boy Nikhil by treasure hunters at Navalur village, near Hubballi, in 2006. His decomposed body was found on a railway track near the village. Police eventually succeeded in arresting four persons for the crime, including that of the boy’s paternal uncle. Similarly, in 2011, 18-year-old Basavaraj Kademani was allegedly sacrificed at Tirumaladevarakoppa village, near Ranebennur, in Haveri district.

Sahitya Akademi award winner Indira Parthasarathy on Tuesday urged the Akademi to adopt a strongly-worded resolution condemning “the shameful atmosphere of communal intolerance in the name of religion” in the country. In his letter to the Akademi president Vishwanath Prasad Tiwari, Mr. Parthasarathy said the resolution could be passed at meeting of the Executive Board on October 23. “This is the golden opportunity for the writers to express themselves in unequivocal terms. I request you as the president of the Akademi to write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing the collective opinion of all writers,” said Mr. Parthasarathy, who won the Sahitya Akademi award in 1997 for his novel Kuruthipunal, depicting the struggle of peasants in East Thanjavur districts and its culmination in the killing of Dalits in Keezhavenmani. “I also spoke to Akademi vice-president Chandrasekara Kambar requesting him to place my letter at the meeting,” Mr. Parthasarathy told The Hindu. He said no purpose would be served by an individual writer returning his or her award. “Instead there should be some collective action. Let us see what the executive board is going to decide. After that we can chalk out the next course of action,” said Mr. Parthasa-

rathy, who was a member of the high-powered review committee under the chairmanship of P.N.Haksar in 1988-89. In his letter he had asked whether a writer could be a mute witness when violence ruled the roost in the name of religion and people were killed for their beliefs and eating habits. He pointed out how former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who was also the president of the Sahitya Akademi, wrote a letter to Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev protesting denial of permission to Boris Pasternack to visit Sweden to receive Nobel Prize for Literature. “Nehru wrote the letter in his capacity as a writer and president of Sahitya Academy and not as the Prime Minister of India. He, thus, created a precedent for the rest of the presidents of Sahitya Akademi to follow,” Mr. Parthasarathy said. He said everyone in the country had his own faith and food habits, as guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. The government must convincingly prove that it will not tolerate violence in the name of religion, and if there are groups of people interfering with this sacred right of freedom of speech and faith, they should be severely punished,” Mr. Parthasarathy said.

The killings had sparked protests by orMYSURU: The accused in ganisations, which susthe beheading of two la- pected human sacrifice. bourers at SanthemaraThe backward district halli in Chamarajanagar of Chamarajanagar’s district, reported in notoriety for wideMarch this year and sus- spread practice of pected to be human sac- witchcraft had fuelled rifice, is undergoing suspicion that the killtreatment for mental ings could be human illness at the National sacrifice. Institute of Mental Health and Neuros- ‘No evidence of ciences ever since he human sacrifice’ There was no eviwas arrested. The accused, Maha- dence of human sacrideva, was arrested soon fice in the preliminary after the headless torsos investigation, said Suof Nanjaih and Krishna- perintendent of iah, both Dalit labour- Chamarajanagar disers, were found in a trict police Kuldeep banana plantation in Kumar Jain. Santhemarahalli. The case, however, The severed heads of has been transferred the victims were found to the Criminal Invesconcealed in a gunny tigation Department. bag nearby.

NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

No students’ vehicles on campus in Kerala: HC Special Correspondent KOCHI: The High Court of Ker-

ala has restricted students from taking their vehicles to college campuses. In his judgment, Justice V. Chitambaresh observed that the college and the hostel campuses were not the places for the students to show off their material possessions, which could cause distraction to others. The college authorities should be allowed to slap fine or confiscate the vehicles that violated the restriction. The court suggested that the entry of vehicles shall be restricted by setting up a pole barrier near the parking area. It shall be regulated by a security guard appointed by the college. Only the vehicles of the teaching and non-teaching staff shall be permitted to go beyond the pole barrier for access to places near their departments, the court held. The order was issued on a batch of petitions filed by 25 students of the College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, who were suspended from the college for alleged misdemeanour in connection with the Onam celebrations at the college. The suspended students contended that they were roped in into the issue due to inter-union rivalries and they

College authorities should be allowed to slap fine or confiscate the vehicles were mere onlookers to the events. Following the events, the State government had framed guidelines restricting the celebrations and ordered that vehicles of students shall not be brought beyond the designated parking areas. Upholding the guidelines issued by the State government, the court held that it could be effectively implemented only when an area close to the compound of the campus immediately after the entry gate was earmarked as parking lots. The court held that the circular issued by the State should not remain on paper and was meant to be strictly enforced by all the colleges. The students are often let free after 9 p.m. without any supervision and the efforts of the State government to regulate their activities was laudable, it said. Declining to interfere with the petition of the students, the court held that disciplinary actions should be best left to the college administration.

Non-essential plastic products face ban in Karnataka

Rajiv Gandhi ushered in IT revolution, says Sam Pitroda

Nagesh Prabhu

MUMBAI: Satyanarayan Gan-

Rini Mukkath garam Pitroda, popularly as Sam Pitroda, launched his book Dreaming Big – My Journey to Connect India here on Monday evening. Present at the event were stalwarts from the IT industry and Mukesh Ambani of Reliance Industries was the chief guest. Alluding to his personal and professional closeness to the Gandhi family, he spoke of the work he did in India during the Congress era, “It pains me to hear things like the Congress has not done anything for the past 50 years and their work is being questioned. I can give you several examples of how much they have done,” said Mr. Sam Pitroda. Mr. Pitroda launched the Center for the Development of Telematics (C-DOT), and served as the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Technology Missions.

BENGALURU: All non-essential known

plastics that can be replaced with eco-friendly materials will soon be banned across Karnataka. The State Cabinet on Tuesday took a decision to ban manufacture, sale and use of plastic carry bags, irrespective of its thickness. In 2011, the country had banned use of plastic carry bags of less than 40 microns thickness.

Ban on more items

Taking the fight against polluting with plastic a step further, the Cabinet has decided to ban plastic carry bags, glasses, plates, cups, flags, buntings, flexes, banners, sheets used on dining tables in marriage halls, and plastic used for sale of food items, such as chips. However, it has not banned plastic for water bottles, milk sachets, plastic bags used for growing nurs- ‘Not a novel concept’ ery plants, and for medical On the Digital India camdrips. paign by Prime Minister NaIndiscriminate use rendra Modi, Mr. Pitroda Speaking to presspersons, said, “When Rajiv Gandhi Law Minister T.B. Jaya- decided to set up National chandra said the decision Informatics Centre that was was taken following indis- the time when seeds were criminate use of plastic planted— to computerise government, to collect data bagsable.

Sam Pitroda at the launch of his autobiography in Mumbai on Tuesday. — PHOTO: VIVEK BENDRE and to bring that data ginnings in a Gandhian famthrough satellite to the ily in Titlagarh, Odisha, to planning commission and becoming the Founder and then technology was made Chairman of C-SA. available for G-to-G applica“I was the first one in the tions, now it is on the family to go to college, I ground so connectivity is grew up in a simple Gujarati there. When the PMO talk- household that believed in ed about his ‘Digital India’ Mahatma Gandhi’s teachcampaign, it is not a novel ings of love, sacrifice and concept. Things don’t just simplicity,” said Mr. happen overnight, work for Pitroda. this has been going on for ‘Great dreamer’ years.” Mr. Ambani said, “India Humble beginnings can take forward the legacy The book, written as an created by great dreamers autobiography, is an ac- like Sam and this book can count of the life and work of inspire the minds of milMr. Pitroda, his humble be- lions of youth.”

Another case of ‘moral policing’ in Mangaluru Raghava M MANGALURU: In yet another

case of “moral policing” in the city, two persons allegedly assaulted two youths from another community on Monday. Their objection was that the youths were working along with two women from another community at a store at Baikampady, near here. The assault led to the two youths, along with others from their community, beating up the two activists in retaliation later in the evening. Altaf (23) and Shamsuddin (21), who are working with a mobile recharge store at Baikampady, have been admitted to hospital. Meanwhile, Pushparaj (22) and Bharat (21) — who have been accused of the assault — have been admitted in another hospital in Surathkal. According to Mr. Altaf, he and Shamsuddin have been working in the store for nearly two months. Two women from the other community also worked in the store. A fortnight ago, a group of people with right wing affiliations threatened the shop owner if he continued to employ the youths . Mr. Altaf said Pushparaj and Bharat came to the shop on Monday at about 2 p.m. when they were leaving for lunch. “They abused us and rained blows without any reason,” he alleged. Pushparaj admitted to The Hindu that they had cautioned the shop owner about a possible attack on the duo for being colleagues of the girls and they should not give scope for it. Pusharaj claimed that he and Bharat were initially assaulted by Altaf and Shamsuddin near the shop. A few hours later, a few more men way laid them and further rained blows, he claimed. Both the groups filed complaints of assault against each other. But in the complaints they did not mentioned anything about women working in the store. Police Commissioner S. Murugan said: “When one section got admitted to a private hospital, the other group members did the same.” The two have exchanged blows and no weapons of any kind were used, he added. The police have registered complaints filed by the two groups under sections of rioting, hurt, insult intended to provoke breach of peace and criminal intimidation.

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THE HINDU

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

Tight security for new State capital ceremony 1.5 lakh people are expected to attend it

The Prakasam Barrage is illuminated with colourful lights, on eve of the foundation stone laying ceremony for the construction of the capital city at Amaravati on Tuesday. — PHOTO: CH. VIJAYA BHASKAR Rajulapudi Srinivas VIJAYAWADA/GUNTUR:

Arrangements are in place to accommodate 1.50 lakh people during the foundation ceremony on October 22 at Uddandarayunipalem, Director-General of Police (DGP) J.V. Ramudu said on Tuesday. He added that officers and bullet- proof vehicles taken on loan from Telangana State had been deployed at the venue.

Security beefed up Simultaneously, security has been beefed up at Tirupati where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the airport terminal and the IT Incubation Centre and visit the Lord Venkateswara temple at Tirumala on October 22, he said.

Traffic diversions, contingency plans, emergency exits and separate routes for VVIPs, VIPs and the general public have been planned. Traffic will be diverted in Nalgonda district, Prakasam, Krishna and West Godavari districts. No vehicle will be allowed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Prakasam Barrage on October 22, and vehicles will be allowed on Kanakadurga Varadhi. Traffic will be allowed only in one direction on all roads leading to Uddandarayunipalem from 8 a.m. to 12 noon (to enter the village), and after 1.45 (to leave the village). Parking lots have been arranged for ‘AAA’, ‘AA’ and ‘A’ visitors and for the general public, and vehicle owners have been directed

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NATION

NOIDA/DELHI

to park vehicles in parking lots only, Mr. Ramudu said. With crowds thronging the venue, police said restrictions would be placed on the movement of people in view of security concerns. Inspector-General of Police, South Coastal Zone, N. Sanjay said that rush of people had been hampering works at the venue and sought their cooperation in ensuring that the event was a success.

Out of bounds Keeping in view the visit by several high profile visitors, including the Prime Minister, Special Protection Group personnel and Central intelligence personnel will keep the main stage out of bounds for the public and the media, the IGP said.

INTERVIEW N. CHANDRABABU NAIDU

World-class A.P. capital is the aim Y. Mallikarjun & Sandeep Kumar VIJAYAWADA: With just 36

hours to go before the foundation ceremony for Andhra Pradesh’s new capital, Amaravati, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was in an expansive mood as he laid out the road map for it. Not normally a man to wax lyrical, he says Amaravati is a “city of the centuries”, that encapsulates all the nuances of the Telugu culture as well the dreams of the Telugu people. In a wide-ranging interview with The Hindu, Mr. Naidu explained his strategy for raising the finances required to build a capital that is said to cost upwards of Rs. one lakh crore, and the clarity of purpose required to carry it Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu during through. an interview with The Hindu at his residence in Vijayawada on Excerpts: Tuesday. — PHOTO: K.R. DEEPAK

• You talk of nothing else than Amaravati these days. What does it mean to you?

At present, we are in a crisis. People are disturbed and demoralised after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. It is my responsibility to protect their interests and show them a direction. Not only the lack of a capital, I have to visualise what resources we will need and track the developments taking place across the world. I have to put the State on the global map. That is my agenda.

• How different is this from the experience of building Cyberabad in the 1990s?

I’m more mature now, but I am working with more intensity. There is some inner realisation to be remembered forever. People

should remember me for what I have done. That is the inner energy which is driving me every second.

• So you want to make history. I like to create new things. I am a reasonably good organiser, but I may not be the best. But I am quick to adopt new ideas. If there is something good, I will follow and implement it. I adopted information technology in 1985. And I work hard. If I work hard everybody will fall in line and automatically results will come and people will benefit. That is my inspiration. I want to convert our problems into opportunities. We are now looking east because we are an eastern State. Our sea coast is our biggest asset. We have the best sea coast on the eastern side. I plan to

use this as an advantage. That is why I want to build a capital that will drive our economy and take advantage of the opportunities on our sea coast. Our other big problem is availability of water, especially in Rayalaseema. We plan to tackle that problem by linking the Godavari and Krishna basins to end drought in Rayalaseema. My aim is to make Andhra Pradesh a drought-proof State. If I can do all this, it will be history.

from Srikakulam and five hours from Chittoor. There were many opinions against it such as the recommendations of the Sivaramakrishnan Committee and some objections by vested interests as well. But I took a logical decision. Amaravati is geographically central place from Srikakulam to Kuppam. There is a social infrastructure here. We have cities like Vijayawada, Guntur, Tenali and Mangalagiri. If there is no social infrastructure, there will be no impact. It will remain as a small city. Second I announced series of developmental activities in all districts, decentralisation of institutions. Third, I called for land pooling and there was a lot of criticism but wisdom prevailed with the farmers. They came forward to give us land. Now, the land value donated by farmers has to increase, it is my responsibility. Singapore delivered all the three master plans within six months.

• Why do Singapore

authorities believe in you?

It is my credibility. Even when I was in opposition, they called me and said they believed in me because of my credibility.

• Of late you are approaching

• How did you come to choose

the east and west seems to be sidelined? Any reasons?

I wanted the capital to be accessible to all parts of the state, and Amaravati was the ideal location. It is five hours

First I want to complete all investment plans then I will go the West. I went to Singapore for plans. Then I went to Japan for investments and technology and they are looking for destinations for

Amaravati as the location for your capital? What factors weighed with you on that decision?

investments. People are looking at India and I want to attract their investments. I am looking towards China for scale, skill and speed.

• How much investments are you expecting? Once promotion starts, investments flow. So many States were divided but no new capital foundation ceremony became international event. Prime Minister is coming, Japan and Singapore Ministers are coming. You are talking about investments and I am taking about relationships. Once relationships are built automatically investments will come. I want to make Andhra Pradesh next to Silicon Valley.

• Many cities have come up in smaller areas but you pooled 33,000 acres. Why? Is it sufficient? One should have vision. We all have agenda and vested interests but farmers don’t, they have better knowledge. Singapore is saying Amaravati will be a beautiful city, roads, infrastructure, green and planned city better than Singapore. All this requires land-- 33,000 acres is nothing, we need more lands.

• Explain us about funding. Funding will come automatically. I have ideas, lands and opportunities. I will bring Amaravati development partners, they will bring funds and they will market. In return, they will give us back in something. (The full interview can be read at: http://thne.ws/ NaiduInterview)

Students refuse to accept ‘honours’ through Irani Peerzada Ashiq SRINAGAR: Eleven students of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, have decided to stay away from the university’s first-ever convocation for which Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani was invited, to protest against the “growing communalism in the country.” The university has now

Police custody for Hardik Special Correspondent AHMEDABAD: A Surat sessions court on Tuesday night sent Patel agitation leader Hardik Patel to police custody till October 23 in a sedition case filed by police for his alleged advice to a distressed Patel youth to “kill 3-4 policemen.” “The court has sent him in police custody till October 23. Police had asked for sevenday custody,” said a lawyer from Surat. Seeking his custody, the police argued that a detailed custodial interrogation was required to know what prompted him to suggest to the youth that he “kill policemen instead of committing suicide.”

Father moves HC Meanwhile, Hardik’s father Bharat Patel filed a petition in the High Court here seeking to set aside the sedition charge. Mr. Patel contended that “no offence can be made out against Hardik based on the video.”

postponed the convocation, scheduled for October 20, without citing any reason. “Our decision to abstain from the convocation is just to awaken the people at the helm of affairs about growing communalism. This protest is not against the Union Minister per se, but against all communal forces, irrespective of their religion,” Khursheed Majid, who has completed masters in business administration

from the varsity, told The Hindu. Khursheed, along with 10 other students, wrote to the Vice-Chancellor, IUST, declaring their protest. “We register our protest against the current state of uncertainty and insecurity in J&K, by staying away from the maiden convocation of the University, for which the Union HRD Minister has also been invited,” read the letter.

The letter was shot off on Monday when Zahid Rasool Bhat, a Kashmiri trucker who died in an attack by a mob in Udhampur, was laid to the rest.

‘Appalled, anguished’ “As conscious citizens, we are appalled and anguished to see the innocent citizens being attacked by extremist elements that are associated with particular political and religious groups, or en-

joy their patronage,” said the letter. The students accused the Central government of “adopting an ambiguous stand towards this insecure atmosphere prevalent in almost the whole of India.” “Since the HRD Minister is a representative of the Central government, we deem it unjust and inappropriate to receive our academic honours through her,” it added.

Smriti Irani was scheduled to attend the convocation of the Islamic University of Science and Technology.

‘No rift among FTII students’ Reports of coercion on the campus are false, say students Special Correspondent MUMBAI: The Film and Televi-

sion Institute of India Students’ Association said on Tuesday that there was unanimity among students on the strike and reports about fear and coercion on the campus were false. On Monday, advocate Vineet Dhanda filed a PIL before the Bombay High Court saying that some students wanted to resume classes but fear for their safety. The petition urged the Pune police to provide them protection. Denying the claims in the PIL, FSA spokesperson Yashasvi Mishra told The Hindu, “The student body is unanimous on the strike. We deny reports about students living in fear. Please come to our campus and see for yourselves. Such reports are false and present incorrect facts. If the person who filed the petition claims that 18 stu-

Delhi talks inconclusive Shoumojit Banerjee PUNE: The much-awaited talks between the students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and the Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry ended on an inconclusive note in New Delhi on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, a seven-member student delegation met Minister of State Rajyavardhan Rathore to

dents need police protection, why has he not given the names of the students? Everything is in the public domain. Why are they hiding? The FTII is not a secretive place.” The High Court has sent notices to the student body

iron out a compromise over the controversial appointment of BJP leader Gajendra Chauhan as FTII chairman. This is the fifth such meeting in less than a month between the two parties aimed at breaking the deadlock. While the Minister and I&B authorities heard the problems of the students during a threehour meeting, they refused to give a clear commitment on the course of action. and the State and Central governments calling for their replies to the PIL. Mr. Mishra said that the students were yet to receive the court notice. They are in the process of engaging a lawyer to represent them at the High Court.

Court gives time to Sohrabuddin’s brother to make up his mind Special Correspondent MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday granted a month’s time Sohrabuddin Shaikh’s brother Rubabuddin to reflect on his decision to withdraw his petition challenging BJP resident Amit Shah’s discharge in the alleged fake encounter case. “The court was not sure if he wanted to withdraw his petition willingly. It wants to ascertain his complete willingness,” CBI counsel Sandeep Shinde said. Rubabuddin reiterated his stand on withdrawing the petition. He has not spoken CM YK

to his lawyers about the reasons for the change of heart. “I want to take back my application. I am not well. I have a tumour in the stomach,” he urged Justice Anuja Prabhudessai. The court decided to hear the matter in the chamber. Upon his lawyer’s request, Rubabuddin met Justice Prabhudessai in her chamber alone for around 25 minutes. However, he remained tight-lipped about what transpired in the chamber. Early this month, Rubabuddin took everyone by surprise when he told the court about wanting to with-

draw his plea without informing his lawyers. He later told The Hindu he was under tremendous mental tension.

Intervention Meanwhile, a Mumbaibased businessman and NGO member Rajesh Kamble filed an application seeking to intervene in the matter. In light of Rubabuddin’s wish to withdraw, the intervention urged the court to take suo motu cognisance of the trial court’s order discharging Amit Shah. “Looking at the history of the matter and facts in-

volved in the matter it would be in the interest of justice to inquire and look into the aspect of any pressure is being exerted upon the applicant. If the proceedings are allowed to be withdrawn it would give a wrong signal to society that powerful people can manipulate the justice system,” the intervention application urged. The court will decide on the maintainability of the application on Wednesday. Mr. Shah’s lawyer S.V. Raju and Rubabuddin’s lawyer Mihir Desai both opposed the intervention. ND-ND

EDITORIAL

14 |

NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

Obama, nearly a statesman Srinivasan Ramani

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

Beyond the blackening ymbolic acts without immediate tangible consequences can sometimes hold long-term implications when appropriated as a signifier in a political struggle. By itself, the ink-and-oil attack on Engineer Rashid, an independent member of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, might appear to be little more than a copy-cat act by the Hindu Sena following last week’s paint attack by the Shiv Sena in Mumbai on Sudheendra Kulkarni. Both were meant to appeal to the core Hindutva constituency that remains deeply suspicious of both India’s Muslims and Pakistan. For the Shiv Sena, it was an attempt to regain some of its hardline supporters who had moved over to its ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party. For the lesser-known Hindu Sena, this was its moment in the sun. However, in the context of the unrest in J&K over the ban on beef, and a ‘beef party’ organised by Mr. Rashid, the attack will doubtless be seen as an act of grave provocation in the Kashmir Valley. After the Jammu and Kashmir High Court upheld the validity of an old, hardly implemented law banning cattle slaughter, and protests broke out across Kashmir, Mr. Rashid, no doubt to provoke the Hindutva elements and make political capital, organised a ‘beef party’ to draw attention to the opposition to the ban in Muslim-majority Kashmir. The Hindu Sena seems to have obliged Mr. Rashid by feeding into the discontent in Kashmir over the issue. The result is the front-staging of the sense of political alienation among Kashmiris. The J&K High Court, whose decision to uphold the beef ban law first led to pro-beef protests, did well to later refer the decision back to the executive; the issue is not one of any infirmity in the legislation, but of its need and practicality. What Mr. Rashid sought to achieve by hosting the ‘beef party’ was only helped along by the Hindu Sena when it threw ink at him. To treat this attack as another instance of the lunatic fringe makes no sense as it was the BJP that first targeted the independent MLA. Indeed, the attack must have seemed a minor irritant for Mr. Rashid, who had earlier been beaten up by BJP members in the State Assembly. Neither the Sena nor the BJP in J&K would qualify as the fringe; and without the acceptance of such violence by sections of the ruling establishment, many of the fringe groups would not have mustered the courage to carry out these brazen attacks. Clearly, Hindutva elements have a vested interest in fomenting unrest in the Kashmir Valley. In this, they are a mirror image of the jihadists in Pakistan, unsettling relations between India and Pakistan at every available opportunity. Unless such elements are put down with a heavy hand, the consequences would be far greater than ink and oil on someone’s face.

S

A word that we hear less and less today is ‘statesmanship’. Statesmanship is after all the quality of a politician who could utilise the legitimacy accorded by the state and his/ her charisma to achieve ends selflessly and impartially. In the 20th century, what the eminent historian Eric Hobsbawm termed ‘the Age of Extremes’, the milieu produced a number of statesmen. The struggle against colonialism produced an M.K. Gandhi, a Ho Chi Minh and a Mao Tse-tung; the postcolonial nation state produced a Jawaharlal Nehru, a Fidel Castro, and many others. Even in the developed countries, exceptional situations produced exceptional leaders. The U.S.’s Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Martin Luther King Jr. and France’s Charles De Gaulle come to mind. What of the 21st century? In a globalised world, where nation states are on par and in many cases, subordinate to global, financial/industrial enterprises in terms of power, it has been difficult to find a statesman or a stateswoman. For a statesman to emerge must mean the subordination of the interests of finance/enterprise to those of the democratically elected state. It is pertinent here to refer to the hub of global capital and military/industrial power — the U.S. to explain this.

President Obama has partially succeeded in rising above partisanship to promote progressive causes on the domestic front and the cause of peace externally. However, in an age of extremes, his moderation has not allowed him to rise up to be a statesman base and his opposition while enacting policy, Mr. Obama only managed to alienate both to varying degrees. His signature achievement — the Affordable Care Act — was a compromise. It was a legislation that mandated market provisions for health insurance, as opposed to more robust arrangements such as the single-payer health insurance system or the presence of a public option in providing health care insurance. The latter alternatives, which could have lessened the healthcare cost burden on U.S. citizens were abandoned in order to garner Opposition support, but the Republican party, which had moved far to the right wing

gime change only played into the hands of extremists who paved the way for Frankensteins like the Islamic State (IS) to emerge. Relations with other world powers did improve to some extent. Surprisingly, Mr. Obama has come into his own in his second term, especially on what could betermed as lame-duck years of a twoterm presidency. Domestically, his ability to further a liberal democratic framework of governance and economic policy has remained constrained by a strident Republican-controlled Congress. Unlike other Democratic predecessors such as Lyndon B. Johnson, he has been unable to use the art of

Obama’s moves and proclamations in the second term have emboldened a dormant left-wing to assert its presence, enabling a self-proclaimed democratic socialist like Bernie Sanders to become a strong challenger

Noble promises, great expectations For years since the 1970s, when the era of deregulation and the age of finance-led globalisation began, nation states such as the U.S. have seen their leaders acting in the interests of the elite, rarely rising above them. In the aftermath of the global financial crisis in the late 2000s — itself a consequence of the deregulated nature of finance capital — President Barack Obama came to power, heralding hopes for change. At that time, the world expected a statesman. The Nobel Committee, in fact, awarded President Obama the Nobel prize merely on the hope of change despite no actual achievements by him. Seven years hence, has Mr. Obama lived up to those expectations? Has he lived up to the hopes of those among his domestic constituency, and also among the international community, both of whom watched with awe when, for the first time, an African-American became the most powerful person in the world? Mr. Obama’s first four-year term was a case of belied expectations. Domestically, in his endeavour to ‘triangulate’ his support

space, was in no mood for reason. Mr. Obama finally managed to pass the Act despite the strident opposition from the Republicans. Three years hence, the Act has ensured that a large chunk of those who were uninsured in the U.S. are no longer so. However, health costs have remained high. Other policy moves such as stimulus programmes to lift his country out of recession were indeed somewhat successful. But, the malaise of deregulation having been left largely uncorrected, the next financial crisis seems to have merely got postponed. On the foreign policy front, Mr. Obama did move away from the rashness and the imperial world view of his neo-conservative predecessor George W. Bush. Mr. Obama withdrew troops from a devastated Iraq and promised to reduce the military presence in Afghanistan, but the stigma of interventionism persisted. An ill-advised North Atlantic Treaty Organization-led- bombing campaign in Libya devastated and later plunged that country into anarchy. Covert interventions in Syria aimed at bringing about a re-

negotiation (a euphemism for pork-barrel politics) to break the united opposition to his efforts. That said, his administration has pushed the frontier of social liberalism further by arguing for causes like women’s emancipation, LGBT rights, and greater diversity through executive decisions and appointments to important judicial posts. There have been black spots too. The Obama presidency’s response to whistleblower revelations of many large-scale intrusive surveillance programmes by the National Security Agency (NSA) has been to demonise whistleblowers and to offer a defensive posture. Six years of relentless use of drones against perceived and real insurgency has only brought about more civilian casualties, with little moderation forthcoming from the President. These drone attacks have not moved his domestic constituency much as U.S. citizens are more concerned about loss of their fellow citizens’ lives in over-seas conflicts. Yet, in foreign policy, the U.S. government has made significant progressive changes.

CARTOONSCAPE

Resume the engagement he latest escalation of violence in East Jerusalem and parts of the West Bank has led to the question whether a third intifada is on the way. Over the past month, more than 30 Palestinians and at least eight Israelis have been killed. While the eruption of violence between Israelis and Palestinians is in itself not new, its pattern, and the increasing support among Palestinians for armed resistance against Israeli occupation, build into a familiar cycle. During the previous intifada rounds, the Palestinian leadership and security troops supported the uprising. But this time, President Mahmoud Abbas has been repeatedly calling for calm while young Palestinians carry out lone-wolf knife attacks and shootings. The underlying message of such attacks is triggering more violence in the occupied territories. Israel’s response has expectedly been lethal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says there won’t be any peace talks until “terror is stopped”. He has deployed troops in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Meanwhile, the Israeli right is urging citizens, particularly the settlers in the West Bank, to carry weapons. These responses appear to be triggering even more violence. While it is clear that violence will hardly help Palestinians take their cause of statehood forward, most of the youth taking up weapons are frustrated by the deteriorating situation in the occupied territories. There are no peace negotiations currently on. Israel has established checkpoints throughout the West Bank, severely hindering the movement of Palestinians across towns even in areas that are technically controlled by the Palestine National Authority. Jewish settlements in the West Bank are only expanding. The blockade of Gaza is continuing, practically isolating the strip. President Abbas’s bid to get UN recognition for the Palestine state has failed. In fact, as Mr. Abbas remains in office six years after his term expired, his inability to take the statehood cause forward has made him unpopular among Palestinians. It is against this background that the latest wave of violence broke. Anyone following the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would understand that a single spark could trigger a conflagration. The latest cycle of violence, given its context, could well be one such turning point. Both sides, aided by the international community, should act immediately to prevent any further escalation. The best way to do so is to re-engage in serious negotiations to find a way forward. Talks should be supplemented by meaningful and earnest moves by Israel to respect the fundamental rights of Palestinians in the occupied territories, and simultaneous efforts by the Palestinian leadership to resolve their own differences and make a united and peaceful bid for statehood. The current situation will only lead to a further cycle of violence, which will be in nobody’s interest in an already troubled West Asia.

T

CM YK

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Towards a multi-polar world order Mr. Obama has followed a truly liberalinternationalist, outcome-oriented approach toward foreign policy recently. If the initiatives taken by the administration continue, it will only benefit the world by bringing in a new multi-polar world where competition will be subdued and avenues of cooperation will increase. It could be said that Mr. Obama has finally lived up to the expectation that the Nobel committee placed upon him by pre-emptively awarding him with the Nobel Peace Prize. But has he proven to be a statesman? Has he decisively advanced the U.S. state apparatus to be a truly democratic institution that is responsive to the concerns of the electorate and the world at large rather than to select special interests and the powerful military-industrial-finance complex in that country? The substantive answer is ‘No’. That said, his presidency has definitely moved the needle in raising public consciousness about the power of the elite. The hold of the right wing power establishment in the U.S. has been made possible through the unleashing of a culture war that paints liberals and progressives as dangerous agents out there to subvert the superpower’s edifice. It is this culture war, being played out by media establishments such as the Fox News network; a commentariat featuring social conservatives; and the new McCarthyists that feeds into the native bigotry among the U.S. citizenry. Mr. Obama has tried in his own way to rise above the fray and promote constitutional values of secularism. This was recently exemplified by a prompt tweet that invited a young Muslim student, arrested in a Texas school for making an electronic clock that was mistaken for a bomb, to show his creation in the White House. These and other efforts and proclamations in his second term have emboldened the dormant left wing in the U.S. to finally assert its presence. A long-serving senator, Bernie Sanders, who openly proclaims himself as a “democratic socialist”, is running an effective and popular campaign in the Democratic presidential primaries, posing a strong challenge to the presumptive and powerful candidate Hillary Clinton. His ascent is surely an outcome of the shifts in the U.S. political spectrum made possible due to interventions by the Obama presidency. These were in response to an upsurge that resulted in Mr. Obama coming to power. In a recent Democratic primary debate, the candidates were discussing progressive solutions to issues such as climate change and curbs on Wall Street, including radical solutions such as breaking up of big banks, considered anathema to the interests of the plutocratic class in the U.S. In sum, President Barack Obama will go down in the U.S. history as a remarkable person, who did his mite to bring about progressive changes to a regressive state apparatus. His qualities as a leader, especially as a speaker and a communicator, will be remembered forever. Perhaps, if he was born in another era and in different circumstances, he would have had the institutional wherewithal to be a statesman. [email protected]

Letters emailed to [email protected] must carry the full postal address and the full name or the name with initials.

remember the golden quote “Your rights stop where my nose begins”.

revival of cricket series between India and Pakistan. Sports should The apology forced out of an S. Pitchumani Subramanian, be insulated from politics. Cricket Australian youth for sporting a Coimbatore diplomacy has its own intrinsic value in promoting good tattoo of a goddess (“All over a tattoo,” Oct. 20) was a We congratulate your forthright neighbourliness. It is refreshing to note that the condemning the demonstration of the spread of editorial and ill-conceived BJP, major coalition partner in religious intolerance even to a tech unworthy hub as Bengaluru. Given the kind of behaviour of the Sangh Parivar Maharashtra government, has violence being witnessed in the members. Why should they assume assured security for matches if the country, the 21-year-old Matthew and arrogate themselves the sole two teams agree to play in Mumbai. Gordon from Melbourne must guardians of India's culture? How The BCCI should go ahead with thank his stars as well as the bunch will tourists and investors think of plans to resume cricketing ties with of bigots, for whom the tattoo on his our country? It is not only bringing Pakistan, skipping Mumbai, if shin was a sacrilege, for having dissensions internally but also necessary. Surely, this will pave the discomfiture and shame to our way for smoothening bilateral been spared the skinning. Such incidents in India's Silicon nation. Indian culture is multi- relations. P. K. Varadarajan, Valley are symptomatic of the dimensionsal, multi-religious and Chennai larger social malaise of multi-lingual. What these Hindu communalism and they cannot be fundamentalists claim is nothing overlooked or dismissed as ‘stray but Hindutva which stands for one The Shiv Sena which had almost incidents’. It would be a lose-lose religion, one language, one culture; sheathed its claws after the demise situation if the foreign tourists fear they want to convert India into of its founder Bal Thackeray seems to have clawed its way back into the for their safety. The right-wing ‘Hinduia’. K. Veeramani, reckoning with a series of protests, ruling dispensation cannot go on Chennai one more ugly than the other. Now chanting the ‘development’ mantra it has stymied the talks between the and giving tacit support to the soBCCI and the PCB by gatecrashing called protectors of Indian culture at the same time, masking its Shiv Sena knows that sport unites; into the BCCI office, threatening that is why it vehemently protests everyone in sight. And imagine, all duplicity. G. David Milton, and wants to disrupt talks on the these are acts of a party that shares Maruthancode, Kanyakumari resumption of cricketing ties. The power in the state with elder most unfortunate episode is pulling brother, the BJP. The BJP CM Devendra Fadnavis Not long ago the Australian Prime out of the most respected umpire minister declared in parliament Aleem Dar by the ICC for South continues to blow hot and cold and that the immigrant population Africa-India ODIs. It sends out a is clearly unable to call the Sena’s must adhere to the prescribed dress wrong signal to the cricketing bluff. The Sena’s methods of protest, which borders on codes and added that people not nations. wanting to follow these are free to A V. Narayanan, hooliganism, can only result in go back as Australia didn't invite Tiruchi alienating it further from the Mumbaikars. them.The same should apply to an Australian national when he visits It is unfortunate that the Shiv C. V. Aravind, other countries. All must Sena's protest has stalled talks for Bengaluru

Trouble over tattoo

Rapprochement between the U.S. and its longstanding neighbour-cum-adversary Cuba was encouraged by the Pope and brought to fruition by Mr. Obama. The Iran nuclear deal, under the aegis of the P5+1 (a grouping consisting of U.S., U.K., Russia, France, China and Germany) could not have been possible without Mr. Obama’s commitment. This deal has the potential of transforming geopolitical equations in a volatile West Asia for the better. His administration is now leaving no stone unturned to achieve a consensus with China and India on fruitful steps to mitigate climate change. Relations with Latin America have improved; there is a bit more of realism in the U.S.’s West Asia policy and, despite frosty relations with Russia, there are some avenues which could broaden engagement in between the Cold War adversaries, such as in finding a solution to the Syrian crisis.

Sena’s disruptions

The landmark judgment to strike down NJAC has validated our faith It is not right to equate the in the independence of judiciary. Constitution with the subjective The higher courts have always kept perception about it Parliament in check, especially (“Constitution’s will upheld,” when they have tried to sneak laws Oct.20) . The four Judges, out of past the “judicial review” part and five, who gave this order also had hamper the structure of the their own reasons. The presiding Constitution (recalling the judge had serious doubts about the Kesavananda Bharati case). So collective intelligence of the civil saying that the courts have undone society. The Constitution derives the people's will (NJAC judgement its strength from the democratic ignored basic structure of credentials and the power of Constitution: Jaitley , Oct 19.) is suffrage. The axis of both these somewhat untrue. With a high rests on the people of India. The percent of “legal illiteracy”, are the article was partisan. The same logic people and Parliament mature of incompetency can be thrown at enough to decide? I think both, the the ‘blunders’ committed by the assertive judgement and the presumed citadel of Justice in past. reason, comply with the structure Niraj Kumar, of the Constitution. New Delhi Hanpreet Singh Dua, Shahjahanpur (U.P.) One of the principles of natural justice is that no one shall be a judge in his own cause. Is this The authors have rightly said that principle not violated when the democracy is irrelevant without Supreme Court Judges gave their right to privacy (“Aadhaar and the judgement on the constitutional right to privacy,” Oct. 20). The validity of the NJAC as they were Attorney General’s claim that poor deciding on an issue in which they should surrender their right to were an affected party? Similar is privacy for welfare schemes is naïve the case when the and arbitrary. In our Constitution Parliamentarians decide on issues all citizens have equal rights. The relating to their on salaries and Supreme Court judgment to not allowances. Some checks and make Aadhaar card mandatory for balances are required in a various programmes and schemes democratic system and no one is very right. Interfering in the should have unbridled powers to privacy of an individual is a threat decide on issues relating to to liberty which is the foremost themselves. principle of our Constitution.

Battle for supremacy

Aadhaar and privacy

P. Venugopalan,

Gagan Pratap Singhy,

Malappuram, Kerala

Noida ND-ND

THE HINDU WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

WORLD VIEW

Time to refresh Afghan relationship

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PERSPECTIVE

NOIDA/DELHI

More punishment is not less crime Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s efforts to ensure a safer city ignore issues of teenage sexuality and are mired in the rhetoric of extreme punishment the trauma faced by a child during a trial. By all accounts, however, both institutions have improved in Delhi, and Mr. Kejriwal is being unfair by placing the entire onus of reform at their door. Some of this criticism is harmful as repeatedly castigating the police for rising reported crime creates an incentive to artificially suppress registration.

Rukmini S

Anand Arni and Pranay Kotasthane The geopolitics of Afghanistan, Central and West Asia has witnessed several important changes over the last six months, which makes the time right for a fresh Indian initiative that reaches out to old friends in northern Afghanistan along with anti-Taliban elements in the southern parts. Two changes have given rise to this opportunity. The first is the changing equations of balance of power in Afghanistan; the second deals with the current status of Taliban’s capacities in southern Afghanistan. The geopolitical situation on Afghanistan’s borders is rapidly evolving, following Taliban’s takeover of Kunduz. What has really set the alarm bells ringing for Afghanistan’s neighbours is that the Taliban in Kunduz comprised not only Afghans, but an ensemble of Uzbeks, Tajiks, Turkmen, Kyrgyz, Kazakhs, Uighurs, Chechens, Dagestanis along with the Al Qaeda and Pakistanis. An immediate outcome of this mobilisation has been to bring Russia into the picture at a scale not seen since 2001. The Russian government is concerned that local Daesh (Islamic State) elements, comprising mainly Central Asian jihadis, could, along with the Taliban, further fuel instability. There is also fear that the Daesh could retaliate against Russian targets in response to the happenings in Syria. Moreover, Russia loses 50,000 youth to narcotics, which makes its way through the porous Central The geopolitical Asian border. Consequently, Russia is changes around actively considering the movement of its forces to man the Afghanistan-Tajikistan Afghanistan and the border. The U.S., on the other hand, in search of organisational an honourable exit from Afghanistan, has struggles within the been shaken by the Kunduz incident. The Taliban make the Taliban operation makes it clear that the optimism generated by Pakistan-led round time right for India of talks was misplaced. The halt in troop withdrawal until 2017 is meant to buy time to reassess its role until the U.S. finds a better roadmap to in Afghanistan peace in Afghanistan. While the U.S. and China still continue to place their bets on Pakistan-backed efforts, there is a growing realisation that the price Pakistan demands will never be acceptable to large sections of Afghans. Nevertheless, the U.S. is said to be examining various other possibilities for securing peace.

Tehran’s concerns A resurgent Iran is also an important factor to reckon with. Tehran’s concerns are threefold. One, it is worried that instability in Afghanistan could give a boost to the Daesh. Second, an unstable Afghanistan will also lead to an increase in the illicit drug trade on Iran’s eastern border. Third, Iran is also worried that instability could lead to an influx of refugees. All these issues have motivated Iran to provide sanctuary to a few important segments of the Taliban. One such group is led by Mullah Zakir, hitherto the Taliban military commander inside Afghanistan but who has since broken away after Mullah Akhtar Mansour was anointed the new Taliban chief. Along with these geopolitical movements in the aftermath of the Kunduz attacks, the second important change has been the inability of the Taliban to regain control of major cities in its traditional stronghold of southern Afghanistan. While Kunduz was meant to legitimise the new Taliban under Mansour’s leadership, its operations in the south give the appearance of not being as robust. In fact, there have been persistent reports of the presence of ‘Punjabi’ advisors who, it is speculated, are there to ensure that the Taliban cadres do not splinter on ethnic lines. An unstated tenet of Afghan history is that the march for control of Kabul and the country is predicated on wresting control of Kandahar, the Taliban’s traditional base. In recent times though, ever since General Abdul Raziq was appointed police chief of the province, the Taliban have not tasted much success in Kandahar. Raziq has singularly been responsible for the relative peace in the province. Similarly, Jalalabad remains out of Taliban control. In recent times, Nangarhar province has seen clashes between the Taliban and groups flying the black Daesh flags, perhaps in search of a new identity. There are also others, who for tribal and other reasons remain opposed to Taliban. These tribal differences will exacerbate in the days to come as Mullah Mansour, a Durrani from the Ishakzai sub-tribe, tries to consolidate his hold over those from Mullah Omar’s Hotak (Ghilzai) subtribe. There is also significant internal Taliban opposition to Mansour in the south. Apart from Mullah Zakir’s opposition, Mansoor Dadullah and his supporters have taken on Mullah Mansour’s commanders in southern Zabul province. Mutasim Agha Jan and Tayyab Agha are among some of the other senior Taliban political figures that have distanced themselves from Mansour. The geopolitical changes around Afghanistan coupled with the ongoing organisational struggles of the Taliban provide an opportunity for Russia, Iran and India to reassess their roles in Afghanistan. Of course, this will materialise only in co-ordination with the Afghanistan unity government for which it will first need to convince itself that over-reliance on a Pakistan-led solution is a non-starter. India played a pivotal role in the resistance against the Taliban through the Northern Alliance, two decades earlier. That role was predicated on the existence of facilities and friends in the region. Now, India needs to re-establish contact not just with the old friends in the region but also factions within the Taliban and the anti-Taliban forces in the south, to help Afghanistan gain strategic autonomy. It is also imperative for India that Afghanistan’s south-eastern regions are prevented from exporting terror into India. Unlike the last time, India now has the financial muscle to do a lot more. What it needs is renewed vigour and a fresh initiative on Afghanistan. (Anand Arni and Pranay Kotasthane work at the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru.)

FROM THE ARCHIVES (dated October 21, 1965)

Failure to adhere to rules The Department of Social Security has castigated the Indian Council for Child Welfare for its failure to adhere to the terms and conditions of the grants given to it by the Department and to render accounts in time. The Council, the largest recipient of the Department’s grants to voluntary organisations, got about Rs. 12 lakhs in grants during 1963-65. The Department’s experience is that the “Council is not a good and timely account rendering organisation. It also does not adhere to the terms and conditions attaching to the sanctions in spite of the fact that these are accepted by the Council in writing.” The detailed accounts of grants sanctioned to the Council during 1962-63 and 1963-64 for the Bal Sevika training programmes were received by the Social Security Department in March and May 1965. Scrutiny of the accounts revealed that the Council for Child Welfare incurred expenditure in CM YK

excess of the ceiling prescribed for various items by the Social Security Department, and admitted nonsponsored candidates for the Bal Sevika training schemes whereas it had been laid down that only candidates sponsored by the various agencies with assurance of re-employment should be admitted to the courses.

6 rats consume a man’s food A rat consumes foodgrains as much as its own weight every day and six rats consume one man’s food. This was stated here [Baroda] to-day [October 19] by Mr. T.A. Pai, Chairman of the Food Corporation of India, quoting from a research report from the U.S. Mr. Pai, who was addressing a “Common meet on our food problems,” said in India the population of rats was growing rapidly. Serious measures should be taken to eradicate more than 2,480 million of these rodents which were responsible for the country’s food shortage to some extent, he said.

Two weeks before Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s press conference on Monday, outlining his proposals to counter sexual crime against minors, a young man was released from jail after four years as an undertrial in Delhi. The charge he had faced was grave: of kidnapping a 16-year-old girl to force her to have sex with him. In court, the judge finally accepted what the girl had said since his arrest in 2011: that she was an adult, that she was in love with him and had run away with him to escape the marriage her father was forcing her into and that her husband be released immediately. In the last two weeks, Delhi’s district courts have also acquitted four men who were (separately) charged with rape for going back on a promise of marriage and 19 men in cases in which the complainant — some of them minors — denied having charged the accused with rape. . The Aam Aadmi Party’s sincerity in wanting a safer city would appear to be beyond question, but the party and its leader are relying on a set of beliefs not grounded in fact, and seem destined to deliver outcomes that are not just suboptimal, but harmful. Mr. Kejriwal backed jail terms of life imprisonment and death sentences for the rape of minors, as well as a move to try children aged 15 and above as adults if accused of rape. Both propositions are dangerous and misguided. In 2014, the number of reported rapes in Delhi grew to 2,096, but the rate of increase declined sharply, after the spike between 2012 — the year of the December 16 gang rape — and 2013. Of the 2,102 reported victims, 1,008 (or less than half) were under the age of 18. Among these child victims, over 80 per cent were teenagers. These numbers become important given the way family honour and teenage sexuality play out in India. Last year, The Hindu investigated all 600 cases of sexual assault decided by Delhi’s district courts in 2013. The largest proportion — a full third of all completed cases — involved the parental criminalisation of consenting young couples, many of whom had eloped and were often inter-religious or inter-caste relationships. In the majority of these cases, the FIR mentioned the girl’s age as between 13 and 16, even as the courts invariably found her to be an adult. This is because a girl’s consent to sex becomes legally immaterial if she is a minor; to charge and incarcerate her partner with abduction and rape, terming her a minor

Age factor

was essential. A study by the leading feminist lawyer Flavia Agnes in Mumbai found similarly. The outrage over the December 16, 2012 gang-rape in Delhi led to the passage of a criminal law amendment which, among other things, raised the minimum sentence in the case of sexual assault to ten years. This took discretion away from judges; discretion which though problematic, was also used in cases of statutory rape involving a consenting underage girl, to reduce the sentence of her partner with whom she confessed to being in love, or had often even married and had a child with. By proposing to further extend the sentence to life or even death following the current outrage over the gang-rape of children, Mr. Kejriwal could turn consensual underage sex from a technical crime in the eyes of the law to a crime worthy of hanging.

Missing childcare centres To ensure that laws to protect children from sexual abuse do not become tools to criminalise teen sexual activity, some countries have age proximity clauses; the difference between the age of the girl and the boy becomes a factor in the case of consensual underage sex or statutory rape. Mr. Kejriwal and his party do not talk about this nor does his party ever acknowledge the reality of young love and sexuality. Not all sexual assault of minors is stat-

What is most needed, say victims’ mothers, is childcare support, better street lighting, more supervised neighbourhood play areas and community centres and not more policing utory rape. In the sub-set of cases that involved sexual assault as it is more commonly understood, I found that men preying upon their neighbours’ children in slums was the most common category. Mr. Kejriwal is right in picking the two recent gang-rapes of extremely young girls as cases deserving of special attention. However, having analysed the circumstances of dozens of these cases and having spoken to the mothers of victims, I believe that what is most needed is childcare support for working parents, better street-lighting, more supervised neighbourhood play areas and community centres, and not more policing. To be sure, the police and judiciary are not blameless. While registration of sexual assault cases has improved in Delhi, the city’s poorest residents continue to have a hard time negotiating the police machinery without having to pay bribes. Judges are not yet sensitive enough to

Mr. Kejriwal’s second proposal, to reduce the age of juvenility from the current 16 to 15 is similarly distanced from facts. In 2013, the proportion of reported IPC crimes in which the accused was a juvenile was under two per cent, and fell further in 2014. The fact that one of the accused in the December 16 gang-rape was a juvenile sent some of Delhi’s media and politicians into a tizzy over juveniles in conflict with the law, and the age of juvenility was reduced from 18 to 16 by the Modi government, despite a standing committee’s recommendations to the contrary. Now Mr. Kejriwal is once again reacting to the suspicion that the alleged rapists of the toddler are 16 and 17 by proposing to further reduce the age of juvenility. In combination with his push for tougher sentencing this could, hypothetically, leave a 15-year-old boy who has a consensual sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl (since the age of consent was raised by the UPA government to 18) eligible for the death penalty. In addition, by ignoring the socio-economic profile of juvenile offenders — the majority come from extremely poor families — Mr. Kejriwal is pushing one of the country’s most marginalised groups further away from the mainstream. Finally there is the matter of the casualness with which life terms and death sentences are proposed as solutions. In a bid for competitive toughness on crime, Mr. Kejriwal has dismissed 10 and 14 year sentences, jail terms which in India’s sordid prisons, can break a man sooner than reform him, as trifling and raised the stakes for what is to be considered proportionate. In its report on the death penalty, the Law Commission noted that we as a society must help the families of victims of crime not to see the death penalty as the only or the only fair punishment. Appealing to the latent violence in Indian parents who are truly worried for their daughters’ safety will not be much of a hard sell, but Mr. Kejriwal would do well to take a hard look at his own beliefs on the safety of women and girls and decide whether raising the rhetoric is the best solution,, facts and real life consequences be damned. [email protected]

A silly point scored from cricket While the Shiv Sena’s position is obviously extreme, in some way it reflects the roller-coaster ride of Indo-Pak cricket over the past 68 years Ayaz Memon With apologies to Gabriel García Márquez, that the Shiv Sena would disrupt talks between BCCI president Shashank Manohar and PCB chairman Shahryar Khan was a chronicle foretold. The party, which keeps it cadres in a state of readiness through prickly parochialism interspersed with dollops of xenophobia, has hardly ever sought strong reason to erupt into protest. Of course, nothing it has done has been as dire as the Dadri lynching or the murder of writers but it has certainly increased the frequency of its protests, with Mumbai as playing ground and visiting Pakistanis as target. After the Ghulam Ali concert cancellation and the Sudheendra Kulkarni inkdousing episodes, to believe that the Sena would allow the heads of the cricket boards of India and Pakistan to hold talks was hopelessly misplaced. The Sena uses the patriot-versus-Pakistan card whenever it wants to score brownie points, and its target at the moment seems to be its ally in the Maharashtra government, the Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJP’s massive win in the Lok Sabha and assembly elections has shrunk the political space of the Shiv Sena, inducing perhaps a sense of paranoia. In the prevailing circumstances, whether the BCCI could not have scheduled the Indo-Pak cricket talks in some other city is a moot point. It also begs the question why the BJP, given its inability to prevent the Sena from creating a law and order issue, did not advise the BCCI against Mumbai. But these questions are necessarily imbued with a sense of poignant sadness for cricket lovers. Mumbai has long been the nursery and bastion for Indian cricket. To see it become the epicentre of dissent rather than progress is dismaying. Ironically, the family and senior functionaries who have controlled the Shiv Sena since its inception have been avowed cricket lovers, none more so than the late supremo Balasaheb Thackeray. In fact, Thackeray senior was open in his appreciation of Pakistani cricket stalwarts and once even hosted Javed Miandad at home. But the Shiv Sena has also exploited cricket’s massive appeal as a medium for rabble-rousing and protest, particularly

cricket ties to be resumed. In the interim, India and Pakistan went to war twice. When play was restarted, the fervour and passion of fans on either side showed what the cricket world had missed: it also defined Indo-Pak cricket as the biggest blockbuster in the sport. Off-shore cricket, notably in Sharjah between 1982 and 1999, and subsequently Canada, not only kept the turnstiles ringing for promoters and offered livelihood to the players, but also ensured the survival of Indo-Pak cricket against the vagaries of the political relations between the two countries. In between, India and Pakistan also collaborated twice to host the World Cup, in 1987 (when England’s hegemony over the tournament was broken) and 1996 (along with Sri Lanka). At least where cricket politics is concerned, the two Boards have been more or less in sync for a long while. Interestingly, ‘hardline’ politicians have been at the forefront in promoting Indo-Pak cricket. In 1978, the ice was JANUS-FACED: “Shiv Sena’s leaders have been cricket lovers but broken by dictator Zia-ul-Haq and Jan have also exploited cricket’s massive appeal for rabble rousing.” Sangh’s Atal Behari Vajpayee, foreign File photo shows Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray and minister in Morarji Desai’s government. In 2004, it was L.K. Advani of the NDA former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar walk through the World Cup who signalled the resumption of bilateral cricket gallery in Mumbai. — PHOTO: VIVEK BENDRE cricket ties that had been suspended vaged these relations from nose-diving to since the Kargil War in 1999. The Sena uses the patriot- a point of no return. There has been no bilateral Test series versus-Pakistan card In the 1950s, Indo-Pak cricket was dull between the two countries since 2007, attritional. Neither country wanted though the teams have met in a one-day whenever it wants to score and to lose, so few risks were taken. These series in 2013 and played each other in matches became vehicles for chauvinism, ICC tournaments everywhere. The 26/11 brownie points, and its one-upmanship and mutual suspicions. terror attack on Mumbai was obviously a target at the moment Allegations of cheating abounded. In major setback and administrators in the 1955, when India was touring Pakistan, BCCI and PCB have been striving since to seems to be the BJP Abdul Hafeez Kardar, who was captain- set the ball rolling again. Given the exing the home side and Lala Amarnath, traordinary history of the two countries, against Pakistan. In this aspect the party manager of the Indian team, almost came this is always difficult, dependent entirehas been solidly consistent. In 1991, Sena to blows in the foyer of their hotel in ly on the mood and compulsions of the activists dug up the Wankhede Stadium Karachi because of allegations that the political dispensation in power. pitch to prevent Pakistan from playing in umpires had been fixed. Amarnath, who On current evidence, it appears that Mumbai, and their stand hasn’t changed had been born in Lahore, and Kardar, Pakistan — both the government and for a quarter of a century. If anything, it who had played for India before Parti- cricket board — is eager to resume crickhas hardened and become almost a call- tion, were chums-turned-adversaries. et. The Indian political establishment has ing card for the party’s politics. Some years later, they were on back-slap- waxed and waned. While back channel While the Sena’s position is obviously ping terms. In 1961-62, when Pakistan diplomacy continues, it is unclear whethextreme, in some way it reflects the roll- toured India, opening batsman Hanif er there are enough signals for the BCCI er-coaster ride of Indo-Pak cricket over Mohammed had his hand slashed by a fan to take a major step. Secretary Anurag the past 68 years. It is unlike sporting who saw him as the biggest threat to Thakur has said there can be no progress relations between two countries any- India. in cricket till the governments talk while where in history: complex and captivatIn the half century since, relations be- senior functionary Rajiv Shukla has said ing, frustrating and fascinating tween players from either side have im- that talks between the two Boards will The burden of Partition, with its deriv- proved enormously without any of the continue irrespective of the Sena. To paratives of national identity and religion, intensity of beating the ‘arch rival’ being aphrase a popular song, their stands are has played out to the orchestra of jin- lost, leading to some memorable per- clear as mud. goism, with sentiment and tension run- formances by players and teams from Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena gloats in ning high on either side every time the both countries. misconstrued triumphalism while a city two countries have met on the field. But the frequency of cricket engage- and Indian cricket are besmirched. (Ayaz Memon is a Mumbai-based seThe fragility of relations has seen ment has been volatile, depending on the cricket being played in fits and bursts, but prevailing political mood. For instance, it nior journalist who writes on cricket, polever so often, it is cricket that has sal- took 16 years after the 1961-62 tour for itics and other issues.)

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NEWS

16 | FROM PAGE ONE

this kind of anger,” he said. Earlier, Mr. Khan had met IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla here and was due to meet Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. However, he said none of them could speak for the BCCI, and accused the Indian administrators of using excuses to put off the series. “I would say the BCCI is hesitant to play Pakistan, even more than the government. They have shown no commitment to follow through on their own MoU, signed last year,” Mr. Khan said. Referring to the 1999 series in India and 2004 in Pakistan, Mr. Khan said he believed cricket “could cre-

ate the atmosphere for better relations between both countries,” and that the decision to revive the series now rested on the political leadership. He said the PCB would explore the possibility of complaining to the ICC about India’s decision against talks on the series, which he claimed had negated the MoU signed by India in early 2014 to play Pakistan six times in eight years. “It looks pretty bleak for the series, and we may have to start all over again. We have signed an MoU, but it is falling flat… It seems we will not have the series, and India is reneging on its commitment,” he added.

Open to new norms, says CJI Asked whether the highest judiciary has received any negative vibes from the government after the NJAC judgment, Chief Justice Dattu said: “Except certain voices from here and there, I have not come across a single word written against the judgment. We know the government will take it in the right spirit,” he said. Asked how he envisions the road ahead with the revival of the collegium system, Chief Justice Dattu said the “road ahead is crystal clear”. “With over 40 per cent ju-

take care of pendency.” Asked whether the government’s recent approval of the collegium’s recommendation to extend the term of 24 additional High Court judges was a signal that both could work together and leave the NJAC judgment bedicial vacancies due to the hind, the CJI said there was pendency of the NJAC case, “no confrontation to start the workload has increased with.” “These are only stateconsiderably for judges. ments made in some quarThere is also an increase in ters. We, I mean both the filings. But now with things government and the judiciclear after the judgment, we ary, know what we are doing. will go ahead. The process We are doing the best for the will start soon and more people, and neither of us will judges will come. We will take it in any other way.”

“There is no confrontation. These are only statements made in some quarters”

No nuclear deal on Sharif’s U.S. agenda After the conclusion of the Indo-U.S. 123 Agreement, he had told a press conference in Washington: “In respect of civil nuclear cooperation between Pakistan and the U.S., we would like to encourage civil nuclear cooperation — its full use of nuclear energy — as we believe every country has its right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.” Strategic affairs expert

Stephen P. Cohen feels India should support a deal with Pakistan and Pakistan must restrict its nuclear programme. “The question is what limits Pakistan agrees to on its own programme, something to be negotiated with Pakistan. But with India as a participant in everyone’s calculations, I would imagine that this is vital to India. The problem is that India and Pakistan seem to be guided by different theo-

ries of nuclear arms racing, but it is not in the interest of either to engage in an openended nuclear arms race,” he said. While Pakistan has always sought a deal similar to the Indo-U.S. civil nuclear deal, recent reports that the Obama administration is negotiating a restriction on its nuclear programme has triggered a domestic reaction, forcing the government to harden its posturing.

2 kids die as Dalit family is set on fire Jitender, who has been given police protection since October last year, said he had informed the local police about the threat, but no action was taken. “The Rajputs had threatened my wife of dire consequences. We gave a written complaint to the Station House Officer, Sadar police station, Ballabgarh, on October 6, but the police did not take congnisance of it. Had they taken our complaint seriously, the lives of my children could have been saved,” said Jitender, demanding action against the police for

their inaction. Recalling the attack, Jitender said he, his wife and two children were sleeping on a bed near a window that was kept open. The other members of the family had gone to attend a jagran, a religious function, in the neighbourhood. “Around 3 a.m., a few men poured petrol on us from the window. I felt some liquid on my hands and got up. It was dark in the room. Even before I could figure out anything, somebody threw a lighted match stick inside and we were engulfed in flames,” said Jiten-

der The three policemen in-charge of Jitender family’s security were at the jagran when the incident took place. All three — constables Bali Mohamad, Vikas and Sandeep — have been suspended for dereliction of duty. Inspector Anil Kumar, Officer-In-charge of Sadar police station, has also been suspended for not taking action on Jitender’s compliant. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced Rs.10 lakh to Jitender’s family.

Mirwaiz lauds Pakistan Peerzada Ashiq SRINAGAR:

Hurriyat faction chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Tuesday discussed the issue of “the rise of divisive and communal forces in Jammu and Kashmir” with Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit in New Delhi. The Mirwaiz praised Pakistan for “its continued political

and diplomatic support for the resolution of Kashmir issue.” “Islamabad has always initiated the process of dialogue with New Delhi for the resolution of Kashmir issue,” the Hurriyat spokesman, in a statement issued in Srinagar, quoted Mr. Basit as saying. Mr. Basit reportedly told the Hurriyat leader that Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s

Telangana CM examined by CBI team in 2006 case S. Vijay Kumar

Anti-Corruption Branch registered a case in 2011. CHENNAI: The CBI on Mon- Relying on a report of exday examined Telangana perts from one of the IITs CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao that the construction had in a case relating to the resulted in a loss of at least award of a contract when he Rs. 5 crore, investigators was the Union Minister of began an in-depth probe. Labour, Employment and Suryanarayana, ExecuTraining in 2006. tive Engineer of the Andhra A special team examined Pradesh Fisheries DepartMr. Rao at his Hyderabad ment’s Engineering Wing, residence to know why the was named in the First Inproposal for allotting the formation Report. contract to the National The then Director-GenBuilding Construction Cor- eral of the Employees State poration (NBCC), a Central Insurance Corporation, agency, was cancelled and R.I. Singh, and the then awarded to the Executive Controller of Finance, PepEngineer of the A.P. Fisher- per Singh, both IAS offiies Department. cers, and the then Private The contract was for the Secretary to Mr. Rao were construction of ESI Hospi- examined, the sources said. tals across the State, CBI Based on their statements, sources told The Hindu on the CBI decided to examine Tuesday. Mr. Rao. One of the quesSuspecting substandard tions raised by the agency quality of work, the ESI was: Why the contract was Corporation initiated a awarded to a State agency probe in 2007-08. Howev- by overlooking the NBCC er, based on the source in- and the Central Public formation report, the CBI’s Works Department. CM YK

THE HINDU

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

AGAINST HATE SPEECH

‘BCCI bowing to extremists’ Commenting on a spate of threats and attacks on Pakistani celebrities in India by the Shiv Sena, Mr. Khan said they had led many in Pakistan to wonder if they should “risk their players’ safety” here. “What has happened to Ghulam Ali or Kasuri or Aleem Dar, or what might happen to us if we come here is a big question,” he said. “Previously, [the BCCI] used to say the border crossfire was the problem, or the situation in Pakistan was not good and it’s not conducive for India to play there. Now, Pakistan is saying, how can it be conducive to playing in India, if there is

NOIDA/DELHI

four-point agenda on Kashmir “was a step in the direction for the resumption of dialogue process.” The Hurriyat spokesman said Islamabad saw New Delhi’s politics as “rigid” to keep the Kashmir resolution pending. The Pakistan High Commissioner said Mr. Sharif would raise the Kashmir issue with the U.S.

Jaitley pleads for ‘civilised debate’ ‘There are issues which impinge on our relations with our neighbours’ Nistula Hebbar NEW DELHI: Just two days after

BJP president Amit Shah served a gag order on leaders of his party accused of making questionable statements with regard to the Dadri lynching incident and cow slaughter, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley called for a “civilised mode” of discussing and debating issues. Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Mr. Jaitley spoke out strongly against what he termed an “extremely disturbing trend” of intolerance and vandalism. His remarks were addressed mostly to NDA ally, the Shiv Sena, whose members had forced their way into the office of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to prevent talks between the boards of India and Pakistan on a possible series, and to a certain extent his own party men, who have been accused of making insensitive statements on the Dadri lynching case. Referring to the Shiv Sena’s protest on Monday at the BCCI office and the blackening of former BJP member Sudheendra Kulkarni’s face for hosting former Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, Mr. Jaitley said it was quite possible that in a large country like India there may be “divergent views” on many subjects. “But we had a tradition of

KOLKATA: A former member of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) has launched a new party in an effort to revive the Gorkha homeland movement in north Bengal on Tuesday. Announcing the decision, Amar Rai, the former leader of the GJM, said: “The aim of our party is to fight for the demand of the State of Gorkhaland.” The new outfit of Mr. Rai, Gorkhaland Prajatantrik Dal, will be formally launched at a public rally in Darjeeling after Diwali. Mr. Rai severed links with the GJM after the murder of All India Gorkha League president Madan Tamang, a popular leader in the hills in 2010, but later withdrew his resignation. Mr. Rai was considered an important trade unionist at one point and served as the president of the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF)-backed Hill Employees Union. Legendary

Gag order And yet, the Finance Minister could not escape questions on the conduct of his own party men even as he decried the behaviour of allies. He said, despite some evidence to the contrary, that the gag order against his own party men, served by Mr. Amit Shah, would be the end of incendiary comments

firmly told them that their statements are not appreciated by the party at all. They have been put on notice. Therefore I am sure that they corrected themselves,” he said. “Within the political space, there will be some people who rely on some kind of sensationalism in the media to create a constituency for themselves. Now, we have been able to identify people from their tactics and, thereArun Jaitley described fore, the party has already the recent incidents put these people on notice. If of vandalism as somebody has made an error in the past, I am sure he will ‘extremely disturbing.’ correct himself,” he said. from that quarter. That hope had seemed a “You see, after the Prime little weak even on the day Minister’s comment, the par- Mr. Shah spoke to Mr. Som, ty president had called the Mr. Sakshi Maharaj and Mr. three gentlemen. He very Sanjeev Balyan. Mr. Som had

Alok Deshpande MUMBAI: At odds with the

BJP, despite being its ally at the Centre as well as in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena is preparing to launch yet another tirade against the BJP at its annual Dasara rally in Mumbai on Thursday. According to party sources, Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray’s speech at the rally will give a call to party activists to work towards

grabbing power on its own, without the BJP. “Total saffronisation of the State will be the agenda and he will guide us how to work towards that aim in future,” a senior leader told The Hindu on the condition of anonymity. Traditionally, the Dasara rally is considered one of the most important events of the Sena, as it tells the activists of the party’s future course. When in the Opposition, Thackerays

Josy Joseph NEW DELHI: The worsening security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir is mostly a domestic creation as infiltration of militants from Pakistan has remained dramatically low, while communal tension and locally brewed militancy continue to flare up. “The overall situation in the State has deteriorated. It has to be blamed on internal issues, not much to do with Pakistan,” a senior official in the security establishment said on Tuesday. He said the State has not witnessed such level of uncertainty in recent years. The security scenario, both on the militancy and communal fronts, has officials worried. “Violence and strife are going up, not infiltration,” a senior Army officer said. Another officer said, “Simmering tensions have emerged in public since the change of governments.” The State is witnessing a surge in communal incidents that in turn seems to be a key factor contributing to the new wave of local militancy, driven by youngsters from the Kashmir Valley. “A fresh cycle [of violence] it is, something we have not witnessed in recent times,” one senior official said. He said such communal strife was last seen in J&K during the 2008 Amarnath land controversy. Over the last few months, while most of the violence has been related to militancy, communal incidents in both

leader of the homeland movement in the hills -- Subash Ghising founded the GNLF nearly four decades back. “The demand for separate Gorkhaland has now taken a back seat as none of the parties in the hills is keen on taking up the issue with the State government,” Mr. Rai said.

GJM, a house divided The development comes at a time when the GJM, the major political force in the hills, is going through uncertainty. The party, founded exactly eight years ago, is challenged both internally and externally. Many of the top leaders have either left the party or are questioning the leadership of the GJM’s chief, Bimal Gurung. The intra-party feud came to the fore when party MLA and a popular leader, Harka Bahadur Chetri, left the GJM last month accusing the party leadership of indulging in “undemocratic” acts.

claimed that there had been “no talk of any dressingdown”, while Mr. Balyan had told The Hindu that he had met Mr Shah on Sunday for an appointment “fixed many days ago.”

Political compulsions According to a senior office-bearer in the party, the BJP’s political compulsions in Uttar Pradesh especially make it difficult to put a complete lid on such statements emanating from leaders of the party from that State. “There are political rivals like Azam Khan who leave no stone unturned to polarise the atmosphere. We need people who can take him and other Samajwadi Party leaders and their minority politics on,” he said.

At Dasara rally, Sena may target BJP again

J&K faces trouble from within

Ex-GJM leader floats new party Staff Reporter

civility in conveying those different opinions. Also particularly because some of these issues are extremely serious. There are issues which impinge on our relations with our neighbouring countries and, therefore, there has to be a proper civilised mode of discussing and debating these issues,” he said.

used this platform to launch a severe attack on the successive Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) governments. Now a part of the ruling alliance and battling with issues of farmers’ suicides, price rise and drought, the Sena leadership is putting the onus on the BJP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign trips and failure to give financial package to Maharashtra’s suffering farmers is also on

Sena’s agenda, this Thursday. “His speech will revolve around our stand against Pakistan. We did what we had to and there is no remorse,” said the leader. Mr. Thackeray had felicitated his party’s activists a day after they threw black paint on Sudheendra Kulkarni of the Observer Research Foundation, for inviting the former Foreign Minister of Pakistan Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri to India.

‘Communist Party of China values ties with CPI(M)’ Atul Aneja

JKLF supporters throw stones at the police in Lal Chowk, Srinagar on Tuesday after the detention of their chairman Yasin Malik. — PHOTO: PTI while some parts of south Kashmir were shut for the second day on Tuesday. Separatist leaders have been placed under house arrest. Besides the communal tensions, what is contributing to the new scenario are the efforts of some local elements to desperately step up miliProtests continue tancy-related violence. The latest flare-up of tenOfficials say the infiltration sions in the State started with is almost negligible and the killing of Zahid Rasool, a weapons with militants are Kashmiri truck conductor, on also suspected to be very low, October 9 near Udhampur. because recently they have Rasool died in Delhi on Sun- tried to snatch weapons from day, triggering a fresh wave of security men repeatedly. “So unrest and street protests in it is clear that what we are witKashmir. On Monday, the en- nessing now is all domestic tire Valley was shut down, creation,” one official argued.

the Valley and Jammu region are further complicating the scenario. “We find it increasingly difficult to segregate communal incidents and militancy,” one official summed up, talking about the new reality of Kashmir.

BEIJING: China has signalled that it is according top priority to its engagement with the Indian Left parties, after Sitaram Yechury, the CPI (M) general secretary, called on President Xi Jinping and Vice-President Li Yuanchao. Mr. Yechury, who was in the Chinese capital to participate in an international conference of Asian political parties, met Mr. Xi last Thursday. In a conversation with The Hindu, following the meeting, Mr. Yechury said that Mr. Xi conveyed to him that the Communist Party of China (CPC) highly valued its relations with the CPI(M). Mr. Xi added that the CPI(M) was a strong votary for driving the relationship between China and India, including people-topeople ties. Mr. Yechury said his conversation with Mr. Li Yuanchao focused on the ongoing economic transition in China. Mr. Li pointed out that the CPC was developing ties with all Indian political parties, including the CPI(M). Highly placed sources told The Hindu that the Chinese Vice-President, without mentioning Pakistan, told Mr. Yechury that Beijing’s ties with other countries would not stand in the way of the development of Sino-Indian ties. Mr. Li is expected to visit

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury calling on Chinese President Xi Jinping. — PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

India next month at the invitation of Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari. At the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), which had China’s Silk Road connectivity projects as its core theme, Mr. Yechury had advocated convergence between China’s Maritime Silk Road (MSR) concept and India’s Maritime Spice Route. He stressed that China’s “one belt one road” concept, of which the MSR is a part, cannot “comprehensively realise the inherent potential of the region unless the Maritime Spice Route is simultaneously revived.” During his intervention, he had also counselled a visiting Pakistani delegation led by the chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto, to refrain from internationalising the Kashmir issue at the conference.

Central forces rushed to Punjab The deployment of Central forces was prompted by another incident of sacrilege of the holy book at Gurusar Mehraj in Bathinda district. Central forces carried out flag marches in various parts of the State. Sikh activists continued to stage dharnas and took out protest marches in different cities, including Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur, throwing normal life out of gear. In Tarn Taran, a man was caught and beaten up by agitated community members for allegedly trying to commit sacrilege at a gurdwara in Nagoke. The man identified as Malkit Singh (34) of village Bule Nangal was taken away by three youths who are not traceable.

Vijaita Singh NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH: As Punjab continued to simmer over the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib — the holy book of the Sikhs, Central forces were rushed to take bring the situation under control. A senior Home Ministry official said social media was used to spread rumours of desecration in the State and they had asked the State police to keep an eye on such messages. The Home Ministry official said they would ask the Punjab government about the reported intelligence failure as tension had been building up in the State since June when a holy scripture was stolen from a gurudwara in Faridkot district. Around 1,000 personnel were deployed in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Bhatinda and Jalandhar to contain the violence. Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal held an emergency Cabinet meeting

at his residence and took stock of the situation. The Cabinet adopted a resolution condemning the acts of sacrilege and described it as a “deep-rooted” conspiracy to disturb the hard-earned peace, brotherhood and communal harmony in the State.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Mr. Badal on Monday and offered all assistance to the State. Punjab goes to the polls in early 2017 and the incidents are being seen as attempts to derail peace in the State, a Punjab government official said.

World Kabbadi Cup cancelled In view of the situation, the sixth edition of the World Kabaddi Cup scheduled to be held in the State from November 14 to 28 was cancelled. (With inputs from PTI) ND-ND

NEWS

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THE HINDU

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

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I’m the most misunderstood 5,800 tonnes of hoarded pulses seized MLA, says Engineer Rashid Finally, pulse price is Gargi Parsai

Mehboob Jeelani NEW DELHI: A day after Hindu

Sena activists blackened his face with paint, Engineer Rashid, Independent MLA from Langate in Jammu and Kashmir, narrated the ordeal of having to scrub off the stains with nail polish remover. Sitting cross-legged on a sofa at a government guest house here on Tuesday, Mr. Rashid faced several TV cameras and criticised the government for turning down his request to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for “pushing Kashmiri people against the wall,” and for not recognising his “love for the Indian Constitution”. Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Rashid said Indian news channels had reduced him to a separatist masquerading as an MLA, while in Kashmir, the separatist leaders abhorred him for “embracing” the Indian Constitution. “I think it’s fair to say I’m the most misunderstood MLA of this country,” said Mr. Rashid. “People [Indian TV

“People [Indian TV anchors] call me a traitor, a separatist. But what I really talk about is realism” anchors] call me a traitor, a separatist for my views. But what I really talk about is realism.” Mr. Rashid feels caught between Kashmiri separatists and rightwing Hindutva forces. The former, he said, were “baying for my blood” and the latter were watching how “Engineer will be lynched in public”. Mr. Rashid said he had a per-

sonal story of extraordinary suffering that was inflicted upon him by both sides — the Indian state and militants. In 2006, he said, a motley group of counter-insurgents that worked closely with the State police detained him at an offthe-books interrogation centre, where he was “beaten, water-boarded and made to undergo electric shocks.” After five months of torture, he negotiated his release, paying up Rs.1.5 lakh in ransom. “I sold some land and a cow to raise that money,” he said. Mr. Rashid had worked as an engineer at government-sponsored construction projects for over a decade and he often found himself at odds with militants. The Army also required him to report frequently at their camp. To bring an end to all his miseries, he thought of a way out: fight the 2008 Assembly elections. He won defeating the bigwigs from the leading political parties. Since then, he’s gridlocked with the police, the counter-insurgents and the Army.

‘Give attention to agriculture’ Varghese K. George WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statements on poverty eradication and agriculture sector indicate good intentions but they have not been translated into action on the ground yet, said M.S. Swaminathan, agriculture scientist and chairperson of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai. “A lot has been said and the Prime Minister himself is the biggest spokesman of the government. His focus on irrigation is good. But we don’t see action on the ground that matches these statements,” Mr. Swaminathan said, speaking on “Synergy between science and public policy for achieving the zero hunger challenge” at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

Governments should have strong political will to implement policies that tackle hunger, says Swaminathan “More attention must be paid to agriculture and more autonomy must be given to science,” he said, on the immediate moves that the government must make. Mr. Swaminathan said a unified national agriculture market

Charges against IPRS to be probed: Ministry Special Correspondent NEW DELHI: The Copyright Di-

vision under the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development has appointed an official to probe allegations of irregularities in the administration of the Indian Performing Rights Society (IPRS). According to the Ministry, it has received “many complaints” from authors and composers, who are members of the IPRS. Y.P.C. Dangey, a former Joint Secretary and legal advisor in the Ministry of Law and Justice, will conduct the inquiry. The allegations in-

clude non-payment of royalties to authors and composers and illegal transfer of mechanical rights and ringtone royalties to Phonographic Performance Limited, a copyright society to manage sound recording rights. The inquiry will also examine complaints of signature forgery, misrepresentation by the IPRS administration to the Ministry and reasons for non-compliance with the Copyright Rules, 2013, for its re-registration. According to a notification issued by the Ministry, the inquiring official will also suggest measures to improve the IPRS administration.

India asks Russia to share information on Netaji MOSCOW: India on Tuesday asked Russia to share any information it has on the seven-decade-old mystery surrounding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The development came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement that India would declassify files on Bose beginning January 23 next year. The issue was raised by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during her meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. “The Russian Minister said he would look into the matter and would let India know if there was any information,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said. Bose’s family feels a number of countries including Japan, Russia, Germany and Britain have information on his disappearance. During a meeting with Netaji’s family last week, Mr. Modi declared that “there is no need to strangle history”. He told the family members that he would also urge the foreign governments to declassify files on Bose available with them by writing to them and personally taking it up with their leaders. CM YK

would also go a long way in tackling the hunger challenge in India. Without strong political will, governments would not be able to implement policies that tackled hunger. “Not only at the national level, at the State level, unless there is strong will at the level of the political leadership, even the stated policies will fail,” he said, citing Tamil Nadu as an example for effective implementation of social welfare schemes. Mr. Swaminathan said ensuring assured income for farmers is the most effective incentive and the crucial tool in sustaining and managing agriculture output. “The scientific community must take up the responsibility of more political and public education in order to prompt better public policies,” he said.

NEW DELHI: To discourage hoarding of pulses for speculation, the government on Tuesday intensified its drive against excess stockholding with official agencies seizing over 5,800 tonnes of illegally stored pulses in surprise raids. Union Cabinet secretary P.K. Sinha took another meeting of top officials of departments concerned for the second consecutive day to review the situation. Officially, the average price of tur stood at about Rs. 156 a kilogram, while urad remained at Rs. 138 a kg. Government outlets like the Kendriya Bhandar and Safal have started selling imported dal at Rs. 120 a kg, government sources said. The meeting discussed the action taken by State governments against hoarding under the Essential Commodities Act and reviewed the availability of pulses sold through official outlets to check the high prices of tur and urad. According to the Consumer Affairs Ministry, over 5,800 tonnes of pulses stored in excess of stock limits were

a poll issue in Bihar Special Correspondent PATNA: After reservation,

Cabinet Secretary reviews steps by States to control price of pulses and their availability. — FILE PHOTO: MOHAMMED YOUSUF enforcement of stock limits on pulses. Besides taking measures to de-hoard illegally stored pulses, State governments have begun to withdraw exemption on stock holding limits given earlier to pulse importers, exporters, licensed food Raids on in processors and large departTN, Karnataka mental retailers, in line with “Raids are being carried the Centre’s orders. out in Mysuru and KalabMaharashtra, Karnataka, uragi in Karnataka as also in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu,’’ official sourc- have already issued orders es said. The Rajasthan gov- to this effect, the sources ernment has also intensified said.

seized in five States. Around 2,546 tonnes were seized in Telangana, 2,295 tonnes in Madhya Pradesh, 600 tonnes in Andhra Pradesh, 360 tonnes in Karnataka and one tonne in Maharashtra.

Concern over use of Nepal telecom services

Folk dances, fusion music to mark start of India-Africa summit

National Bureau

Kallol Bhattacherjee

NEW DELHI: The Union Home

NEW DELHI: The third edition of

Ministry is concerned over the use of telecom services of Nepal by locals and security forces along the international borders in Uttarakhand, saying it may compromise the country’s security. Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said he had witnessed this during his two-day visit to Indo-Nepal and Sino-Indian borders in Uttarakhand. “I have discovered that security forces in the forward areas also use mobile telephone services of Nepal. This is a serious issue which may compromise our security,” Mr. Rijiju said here.

the four-day India-Africa Forum Summit, which is expected to be all about diplomacy and trade, will begin here with a spectacular cultural show on October 26. The show, featuring 300 artistes and technicians, is expected to begin with contemporary and folk dances of India. Celebrity dance master Shiamak Davar will choreograph major parts of this segment. The second segment will showcase African dance and music, for which several noted African artistes are being flown in. In the third segment, Indian and African artistes will

NEW DELHI: Even as the sugar-

cane crushing season is about to commence in the country’s northern sugarcane producing States, farmers are keeping their fingers crossed, hoping to get timely payment for their produce from sugar mills. Sugarcane harvesting has started in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana and farmers are preparing to sell their crop. “My cane crop will mature in the next few days. With my past experiences, I’m a little jittery regarding timely payment for my produce,” Pawan Sonti, a sugarcane farmer from Haryana said. He said the government

should ensure all arrangements were in place before the crushing season gathers pace. “Transportation and timely payment for the produce are the most important issues that cane growers usually face and these should be taken care of,” said Mr. Sonti. Framer unions have been raising their voice against the Central and State governments for not being serious in solving the problems faced by sugarcane farmers. They said farmers had to make huge investments in sugarcane farming but were made to wait for several months and or even years, in some cases, for payment for their produce. “Cane farmers in Haryana are likely to face troubles this

year as well. The State government has yet not decided on the payment formula with the private mills” said Gurnam Singh, president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Haryana). He said any further delay in deciding the payment formula with private mills would only aggravate problems for farmers. “Farmers usually start spacing their harvesting once the mills start procuring the produce, but if government is slow on deciding, it will be farmers who will have to suffer,” said Mr. Singh. According to government estimates, sugarcane mills across India, primarily in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, owe Rs.12,000 crore as

dues to farmers for the cane sold during the 2014-15 season. The Union government recently approved Rs. 6,000 crore as soft loan to facilitate cane mills to clear the dues to farmers, but it hasn’t been much successful. In Uttar Pradesh, the sugar mills are likely to start the crushing season next month. Farmers here are concerned and anguished about their pending dues. “The State should ensure that cane mills pay farmers their dues. Besides, timely payment to them during the ensuing crushing season should be a priority,” said Mohini Mohan Mishra, national secretary of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh.

score composed by musicians from Mumbai and will be presented by former Doordarshan newsreader Rini Simon Khanna, who was involved with the NAM summit of 1983. Adding to the colour of diplomacy, the welcoming ceremony outside the main venue will be led by camels brought from Jaisalmer. “The decorated camels are here to showcase the historical fact that camels of Africa have been used since antiquity to transport camphor, spices, salt and incense from India throughout the continent of Africa and into Europe,” said the MEA source. Some sources hinted that ceremonial elephants might also be brought in.

Cong. declines comment on Fotedar’s claim Staff Reporter NEW DELHI: The Congress neither agreed nor disagreed with the claims made by its senior leader M.L. Fotedar that Indira Gandhi wished her grand-daughter Priyanka to be the heir apparent of the party. Mr. Fotedar writes in his upcoming book “Chinar Leaves” that when he accompanied Indira Gandhi to Kashmir, she told him that Ms. Priyanka has the potential to lead the country for a long period. Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma Tuesday said no one in the party is privy to what transpired between Mr. Fotedar and Indira Gandhi in 1984.

Gujarat hospital staff played Garba in ICU Special Correspondent AHMEDABAD: The medical staff of a government hospital in Gujarat played Garba with loudspeakers in the Intensive Care Unit, prompting the Health Department to order an inquiry. “The incident is shocking and I have asked the hospital to act against those involved in it and submit a report to the government,” Health Minister Nitin Patel said, after a video showed the staff playing Garba in the

ICU, which was inaugurated by the Minister on Monday. He said all staff members would be served showcause notice after the veracity of the video was established. The video showed around two dozen staff members playing Garba with loud music, near the beds of patients in the ICU of the Sola civil hospital here. Medical Superintendent H.K. Bhavsar said: “Playing loud music in the ICU is not allowed as per the rules.”

No government in Bihar without my support, says Pappu Yadav

Star appeal

Bose’s family feels a number of countries have information on his disappearance Successive governments have refused to make public these documents, arguing that India’s relations with foreign countries would be jeopardised. Mr.Modi’s office too had stated till August this year that the files could not be declassified as it would adversely affect relations with foreign countries. The demands for declassification of secret files have been growing of late, especially after the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal last month declassified 64 files which were in its possession. The files, running into nearly 13,000 pages, showed some of Bose’s close family members were spied on in independent India but there was no clarity whether he died in an air crash in 1945 as is widely believed. Some of his family members have rejected the theory that he had died in the plane crash in Taihoku in Taiwan on August 18 that year. — PTI

perform in harmony to create a fusion number which will mark the climax. The Indian performers will highlight yoga, bhangra and other “soft power” exports of India. The event has been designed by an organising team consisting of diplomats under Additional Secretary Syed Akbaruddin, and professional event management companies. “The idea behind the programme is to celebrate Africa’s achievements since decolonisation and India’s arrival in the international stage as a major power,” said a source closely involved with the programme. The show will be harmonised by a single background

Sugarcane farmers worried over payment Vikas Vasudeva

Dadri lynching and cowslaughter, the rising pulse prices have now become a poll issue in Bihar, as leaders tried to pin the blame on their rivals. Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh said the Nitish Kumar government did not utilise the special Central fund for price stabilisation. “The Central government wrote to several State governments, including Bihar, to take advantage of the Price Stabilising Fund. But the Nitish government ignored it for political reasons,” he said. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Delhi and West Bengal used the fund and pulses were selling at Rs. 120 to Rs. 130 a kg in retail outlets in these

States. The Price Stabilisation Fund is raised by the State to which the Centre contributes 50 per cent. Earlier, grand alliance leaders Lalu Prasad and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had raised the issue at their poll meetings and blamed the Central government. Mr. Kumar borrowed a statement Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made, to take a jibe at him for the spiralling prices of pulses: “Na khaunga, na khane dunga (won’t eat, won’t let others eat). His alliance partner RJD chief Lalu Prasad did not spare the Centre either. “Pulses have vanished from the plate of the poor, but prices of petrol and diesel have come down... can people eat and drink petrol instead?”

Amarnath Tewary PATNA: Jan Adhikar Party

Actress and BJP leader Hema Malini addresses an election rally at Chakia, East Champaran district, Bihar on Tuesday. - PHOTO: PTI

leader and expelled Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Pappu Yadav said on Tuesday that no government could be formed in Bihar without his support. Addressing poll meetings, he also said there was no Modi wave and the “unholy” alliance between Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad had failed to work. “Without Pappu Yadav, nobody will be able to form a government in Bihar. I will change the life of people of the State within one year if a government is formed with my help,” he said at a meeting in Yadav-dominated Ghoshwari-Baijna area of Mokama. Mr. Yadav, the expelled RJD MP from Madhepura,

Jan Adhikar Party leader Pappu Yadav says there is no Modi wave. has been leading the third front in Bihar poll, along with five parties. “Neither the NDA nor the grand alliance will get clear majority in the Bihar poll and the next government will be formed only with the support of the third front, or either of the alliances should support

me to form the next government,” said Pappu Yadav. “Only I can bring smile on the faces of the poor people and the youth as well,” he said further. Earlier, Mr. Yadav, a fivetime MP, was hoping to ally with the BJP-led NDA but according to BJP sources his “controversial” records forced the BJP to snub his political advances. Later, along with other five parties, including the NCP and the SP, Mr. Yadav formed a third front to contest all the 243 seats in Bihar. Like other senior political leaders, the heavyweight politician from Kosi region of north Bihar, too has been touring the State daily on a chopper to address his pollmeetings.

Irom Sharmila’s crusade sees dwindling interest among the public Iboyaima Laithangbam IMPHAL: Irom Sharmila is today a disillusioned woman. The dogged crusader who has been on fast unto death for a decade and a half demanding repeal of the Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) feels that people are moving

away from her and her unique campaign. The thousands who once gave her a rousing welcome whenever she came out of the security ward at the J.N. Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, are no longer to be seen. Talking to reporters recently, she said that she

wants a plebiscite on whether the people still support her campaign. So far there has been no response from human rights activists or even the members of the Save Sharmila Organisation. The Manipur government will have many reasons to be happy if her fast unto death is

called off. It has been spending about Rs. 80,000 a month on nose feeding her. She is lodged in a room at the J.N. Institute of Medical Sciences since she needs constant medication and doctors’ attention. Sharmila was traumatised by the increasing instances of

“fake encounters” ever since Manipur was declared disturbed and the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 was enforced on September 8, 1980. The last straw was the incident at Mallom, 8 km from Imphal, on November 2, 2000. Ten persons, including a middle aged woman, were

rounded up and shot dead by Personnel of 8 Assam Riles after a homemade bomb explosion in which no one was injured. Some of them were waiting for their buses. Others were pulled out of their homes nearby. Two days later, Sharmila launched her fast unto death. ND-ND

18 |

WORLD

NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

Joe Biden hints again at throwing hat into ring WASHINGTON: U.S. Vice President Joe Biden touted his intimacy with the Oval Office and rival world leaders on Tuesday, as he stepped up his flirtation with a 2016 White House bid. For the second consecutive day, Biden intimated he may challenge Hillary Clinton, a former Secretary of State and strong front runner, for the Democratic presidential nomination. Sounding every bit a candidate, Biden boasted about the countless hours he has spent huddled with Obama in candid deliberation. He also wondered out loud about the relative importance of the vice presidency versus cabinet posts, like the one Clinton once held and has presented as evidence of her qualifications to run White House. “I spend between, depending on the season, four to seven hours a day, every single day with the President,” Biden said. In the carefully scripted world of Washington politics, his remarks are likely to be seen as casus belli by the Clinton camp. On Monday, a U.S. lawmaker said Biden would run for presidency, even as the White House said a decision on the bid would be announced “relatively soon.” “I have a very good source close to Joe that tells me VP Biden will run for Prez,” Congressman Brendan Boyle tweeted. Responding to critics that it is too late for

‘Protect Tibet from global warming’ NEW DELHI: The Dalai Lama on

If Vice-President Joe Biden runs for presidency, he would be pitted against Hillary Clinton in the Democratic presidential primary. — PHOTO: AP Mr. Biden to enter the race, Congressman Brendan, who represents Pennsylvania’s 13th congressional district in the House of Representatives, reminded his followers that Bill Clinton, the former U.S. President, entered the race in October 1992. If Biden decides to run for presidency, he would be pitted against Hillary Clinton in the Democratic presidential primary. The White House indicated on Monday that a decision on this might be coming soon. “The laws of physics will require that this is a decision that would be announced relatively soon because the date of these contests is coming up,” said the White House Press Secretary. — Agencies

Tuesday urged the world to protect Tibet from global warming, saying his Himalayan homeland was crucial to the health of the world. The exiled spiritual leader called on the younger generation to play a more active role in fighting climate change as he launched a campaign by the Tibetan leadership ahead of crunch talks beginning in Paris next month. “This blue planet is our only home and Tibet is its roof. As vital as the Arctic and Antarctic, it is the Third Pole,” he said in a statement. “The Tibetan Plateau needs to be protected, not just for Tibetans but for the environmental health and sustainability of the entire world.”

‘The third pole’ Tibet, the world’s largest and highest plateau, is often called the “third pole” because it stores more freshwater in the form of glaciers than any region on Earth, except the North and South poles. The region is warming at twice the global average, leading to accelerated melting of tens of thousands of glaciers that feed seven major rivers flowing through India, Bangladesh, China and Southeast Asia. — AFP

No proof of sexual favours: Red Cross T. Ramakrishnan COLOMBO: The Sri Lanka Red

Cross Society (SLRCS) on Tuesday said “no credible evidence” was found against its officer, who was alleged to have sought sexual favours from a woman beneficiary of a housing programme funded by the Indian government. Making public the findings of an internal inquiry, which was launched 10 days ago, the SLRCS said the inquiry panel, comprising five persons including women from the SLRCS and the International

Violence continues in West Bank

A Palestinian vehicle runs over an Israeli motorist who reportedly used a club to hit Palestinian protesters and cars on a roadside in the Israelioccupied West Bank on Tuesday. Israeli police said the man, who later died, had stopped his car after stones were thrown at it. — PHOTO: REUTERS

‘Russia can counter any threats’

MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday that Moscow’s intervention in Syria demonstrates it can counter any threats, as the Kremlin flexes its muscles on the world stage. “The operation has

confirmed that Russia is ready to adequately and effectively respond to terrorist and any other threats to our country,” Putin said in a speech to military and intelligence commanders at the Kremlin. Moscow says it has hit some 500 “terrorist” targets since launching a bombing campaign in Syria on September 30 in support of long-standing ally President Bashar al-Assad. — AFP

‘Clockmaker’ Ahmed at White House

WASHINGTON: The Muslim teenager who was detained when his teacher mistook his homemade clock for a bomb visited the White House Monday, after a receiving a very public invite from President Barack Obama. CM YK

Ahmed Mohamed joined a group of students, teachers, scientists, astronauts and celebrities — including the "Myth Busters" and Bill Nye — for White House Astronomy Night. Mohamed had hoped to impress teachers by bringing a clock to his Texas school earlier this year, but was instead reported by suspicious staff who called the police. A photo of Mohamed standing in handcuffs while wearing a t-shirt with NASA's logo was retweeted thousands of times in a matter of hours. — AFP

Gives clean chit to its officer who allegedly sought sexual favours from a woman beneficiary of a housing programme Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), did find that “the allegations had an internal dimension which will be addressed in accordance with the constitution of the SLRCS”. The woman benefi-

ciary had qualified for the grant under the Red Cross Post-Conflict Recovery Programme in Mulakavil, Kilinochchi and early this month, the local unit of the Society received a written complaint from her. As part of the programme, over 14,500 houses were completed, providing permanent housing to more than 80,000 persons. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2015-end. A SLRCS official told The Hindu that even after the inquiry, the woman still stood by her complaint.

Top Bangladesh opposition leader jailed for 13 years DHAKA: A Bangladesh court Tuesday jailed a former mayor of Dhaka for 13 years for corruption in absentia, a prosecutor said, a fresh blow to the beleaguered opposition which called the charges politically motivated. An anti-graft court found Sadeque Hossain Khoka, now living in the U.S., guilty of amassing wealth illegally and of concealing information about his income. “He was sentenced to 13 years in jail in total for the two charges,” said Mosharraf Hossain, prosecutor for the country's Anti Corruption Commission. “The judge also ordered confiscation of 100.5 million taka in illegally acquired property.” Khoka is a vice-chairman of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and was mayor of the capital Dhaka for nearly 10 years until 2011. — AFP

Pomp and protests greet China’s Xi Jinping in U.K. LONDON: China’s President Xi Jinping rode in a gilded carriage to Buckingham Palace with Queen Elizabeth II past protesters on Tuesday at the start of a visit to Britain expected to focus on massive business deals. Thousands of supporters cheered and waved Chinese flags as the elaborate procession rode past, while around 200 campaigners booed and waved placards attacking China’s human rights record. Xi also addressed parliament in a rare honour for visiting dignitaries, promising to lift relations between Britain and China to “a new height.” Prime Minister David Cameron’s office said the visit will secure trade and investment deals worth more than £30 billion and lead to the creation of more than 3,900 jobs. The most keenly awaited deal is an agreement for a new nuclear power plant in Britain in which French business daily Les Echos said China could take a one-third stake together with energy giant

Queen Elizabeth II with Chinese President Xi Jinping in London on Tuesday.— PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES EDF. The Chinese leader also took tea with Prince Charles, a friend of the Dalai Lama and who will not be attending a state banquet for Xi later on Tuesday in what has been widely interpreted as a diplomatic snub. Leading Hong Kong prodemocracy activist Joshua Wong, 19, who attended a protest against Xi near Buckingham Palace, told AFP that the prospect of Chinese cash “has blinded the eyes of David Cameron.” “So many people in China are silenced and cannot stand up.” — AFP ND-ND

THE HINDU

| 19

BUSINESS

NOIDA/DELHI

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

THE SECOND QUARTER SAW THE BEGINNING OF SALES REVIVAL IN THE DOMESTIC MARKET

SENSEX 20-10-15 27307 19-10-15 27365

PAWAN MUNJAL, CMD and CEO, Hero MotoCorp

GOLD 20-10-15 19-10-15

58

POINTS

27,230 27,150

INFLATION

Gap widening between rural and urban India DESPITE TWO SUCCESSIVE YEARS OF DROUGHT, OVERALL FOOD INFLATION IN INDIA HAS REMAINED TEPID Puja Mehra

W

hile inflation has been slowing both in rural and urban areas of the country, there is a widening difference between the two as rural inflation is decelerating at a much slower pace. The resultant gap between rural and urban inflation has more than doubled over the last one year, data analysed by HSBC Global Research show. “Inflation has fallen strikingly over the last several months, but the gains are not equally distributed…Rural inflation is running higher than urban inflation and its underlying trend is higher than the RBI’s target,” analysts at HSBC Global Research wrote in a note. Urban inflation momentum, according to the analysis, has slowed to 4.5 per cent, which is lower than the Reserve Bank of India’s target level of 6 per cent. The trend in price gains in rural India, however, is running at 6.5 per cent.

INFLATION HAS FALLEN STRIKINGLY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, BUT THE GAINS ARE NOT EQUALLY DISTRIBUTED

PRIVATE PLACEMENT

OBC’s bonds issue opens today

EXCHANGE RATES

TT TT Buying Selling 65.18 74.16 100.87 54.49 10.28 68.52 46.96 47.54 50.19 7.87 9.94 44.57 8.41 15.23 216.40 17.75 173.94 17.89 17.37 169.90

Source: Indian Bank

BULLION RATES October 20 rates in rupees with previous rates in brackets

Chennai Bar Silver (1 kg) Retail (1 g) 24 ct gold (10 g) 22 ct gold (1 g) Delhi Silver Standard gold Sovereign

37,155 39.80 27,210 2,544

(37,145) (39.70) (27,130) (2,537)

37,075 (37,100) 27,230 (27,150) 22,400 (22,400)

CM YK

0.25 Rs/$

TCA Sharad Raghavan NEW DELHI: The Cabinet last

week approved a one-time capital infusion by the National Highways Authority of India to get stalled road projects moving. However, according to credit rating agency India Ratings and Research (IndRa), lenders and developers may not be keen on taking advantage of this infusion estimated at Rs.45,000 crore.  “Ind-Ra believes that developers and lenders to the projects however may be hesitant for such funding by NHAI, due to the clause of first charge by NHAI on the toll/annuity receivables of these projects…over the senior lenders’ debt service,” the rating agency wrote on Tuesday.  However, the ratings company added that the government’s recent measures to get stalled projects back on track “may give a fillip to the road sector, as this may push up average daily road construction, which has dropped to 4.1 km in 2014-15 from an alltime high of 7.4 km in 2012-13”.

Yuthika Bhargava NEW DELHI: Telecom services

provider Vodafone on Monday said it will start offering fourth generation (4G) communications service that will make surfing the web on mobile phones and tablets much faster that 3G, in Delhi NCR area by December 2015.

One-time funding may not help all stranded projects, but only those that needed inancing, says credit rating agency Ind-Ra  Earlier this year, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari told The Hindu that road construction was progressing at the rate of 14 km a day. The target was to reach 30 km daily by March-end.  “This infusion of funds would be a one-time dispensation for all such projects that have been languishing as on November 1, 2014. All such cases and the amount of bridge fund required in each case shall be approved by the Authority, on a case to case basis,” the Cabinet brief said.  Bank credit to the infrastructure sector grew at a compounded annual growth rate of 39.5 per cent in the last 14 years, according to the rating agency. The rating agency added

“Key corridors of Delhi/ NCR will be part of the first wave of the 4G rollout, which will be launched across the circle in a phased manner,” the company said. It recently had announced similar timeline for launch of 4G services in Mumbai and Kerala circles. Delhi NCR, with around 30 per cent of data revenues, is

Major ports handle 300 million tonnes in first half CHENNAI: Major ports in the

riers at four metro airports (Bangalore, New Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai) in September, Vistara topped the table with 94.2 per cent, followed by Indigo (91.2 per cent), Air Costa (90.4 per cent) and Jet Airways and JetLite (87.9 per cent). But, Air Costa operates only out of Bangalore and Hyderabad. Indigo stayed as the leader in the domestic carrier segment with about 36 per cent market share, down from 38

Fertiliser was the major commodity handled by ports, followed by coal, break bulk and petroleum, oil and lubricants

country handled close to 300 million tonnes of cargo in the first six months of the current financial year against 288 million tonnes for the corresponding period in 2014. The 299.58 million tonnes handled in the period is against the Shipping Ministry’s annual target of 695 mil- rounded off the top 6 ports. However, in percentage lion tonnes for 2015-16. In 2014-15, the ports handled terms, Mormugao, Kolkata, per cent in the June quarter. 581 million tonnes. V.O. Chidambaranar ports Jet Airways and JetLite toregistered healthy growth, gether garnered a share of Kandla top position while New Mangalore and ViKandla Port occupied the sakhapatnam 22.5 per cent , up from 21.9 posted per cent in June quarter. Air top slot by handling 50 mil- declines. India managed to improve its lion tonnes in the six-month Fertiliser was the major share to 16.2 per cent in Sep- period against 46 million commodity handled by the tember quarter from 15.8 per tonnes a year earlier. ports, followed by coal, break The second and third slots bulk and petroleum, oil and cent in June quarter. During January-Septem- were held by Paradip (36 mil- lubricants. Iron ore regisber 2015, domestic airlines lion tonnes) and JNPT (32 tered a 48 per cent drop in carried 59 million passengers million tonnes). Mumbai (31 exports. as against 49 million passen- million tonnes), VisakhapatFollowing demands from gers in a year-ago period, an nam (28 million tonnes) and power plants, the ports hanChennai (26 million tonnes) dled 63 million tonnes of coal increase of 20 per cent.

against 56 million tonnes in the previous year, marking an increase of 18.25 per cent. POL imports in September came down to 2.40 per cent from 4.46 per cent in August. Last year, POL imports stood at less than one per cent. “For the last 10 months, India’s exports have been posting negative growth due to less demand for petroleum, gems and jewellery items.  However, in the last two months we have seen a declining trend in other major manufacturing export sectors too such as engineering, automobile and spare parts, leather and chemical. Due to this, the volume of cargo handled by ports has come down. Similarly our imports including electronics, electrical, capital goods and project imports also dropped drastically,” said K. Unnikrishnan, Joint Deputy Director General, southern region, of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations.

one of the top data markets for Vodafone and is growing at around 50 per cent yearon-year. “Vodafone India remains committed towards making necessary investments in network expansion and modernisation for enhancing overall customer experience,” it said.

Sensex down by 58 points MUMBAI: The BSE Sensex on

Tuesday settled lower by a marginal 58 points as investors got down to booking profits after three consecutive days of gains. In a trade that remained choppy throughout the day mostly due to profit-booking in metal, oil and gas and pharma stocks, the benchmark index opened higher, but slipped thereafter as it ended the day at 27306.83, down 58.09 points, or 0.21 per cent. The 50-share NSE Nifty ended down 13.40 points, or 0.16 per cent, at 8261.65 after shuttling between 8294.05 and 8229.20.

Rupee loses 25 paise Snapping its four-day winning spree against the dollar, the domestic currency opened sharply lower at 64.95 against Monday’s level of 64.80 at the forex market. It hovered in the range of 64.86 and 65.06 during the day before finishing at 65.05 per dollar, showing a loss of 25 paise. — PTI

Hero MotoCorp posts Rs.772 cr. net in Q2

Sanjay Vijayakumar

NEW DELHI: Hero MotoCorp Ltd on Tuesday reported standalone net profit rose by a marginal one per cent to Rs.772.06 crore in the second quarter ended September 30.  The company had reported a profit of Rs.763.37 crore in the year-earlier period.  With a slowdown in rural markets affecting motorcycles sales in the country, Hero MotoCorp sales declined almost seven per cent to 15.75 lakh units from 16.93 lakh units a year earlier.  Net sales also dropped 1.72

MUMBAI: Mahindra & Mahin-

dra announced a new-age venture which seeks to connect cargo owners and transporter intracity through an online platform. The start up venture named SmartShift has been incubated as a separate independent entity. M&M would provide the seed capital like a venture capital investor and then would be inviting outside investors as it scales up its operations.                       

roads and about millions of transaction taking place every month.  “There is a strong need of disruption in small commercial vehicle market. There are lots of inefficiencies in small load intracity movement,” said Pawan Goenka, Executive Director, M&M.  He also drew inspiration from what new age firms like Uber and Ola have done in the passenger transportation segment. The venture will kick start in Mumbai and the company

$/bbl

that outstanding bank credit to the infrastructure sector stood at Rs.10.07 trillion in March 2015 compared with Rs.95 billion in March 2001.  Further, infrastructure comprises a significant portion of bank advances. The Financial Stability Report of June 2015 by the Reserve Bank of India said that infrastructure made up 15 per cent of total advances of the scheduled commercial banks, and about 30 per cent of total stressed advances. The rating agency made clear that simply pumping in funds will not be enough to get all projects moving. “Funding shortfall may not be the only reason for languishing projects, but also delays in getting the appropriate approvals and clearances from various government agencies. While this has resulted in project deferrals and cost overruns, the same has further increased the stressed loans in the banking system. Hence one-time funding may not help all stranded projects, but only those that needed financing,” the rating agency said.

M&M rolls out online platform to connect cargo owners and transporters  Cargo owners, both businesses and individual users, can use the SmartShift service through a mobile app available on Android, the website or a dedicated call centre. These users can then connect to transporters in a manner that will save costs and time. The company said they have made sure that the app also works on feature phones. Through the venture, M&M is aiming to disrupt a segment with over 18 lakh small commercial vehicle on Indian

0.44

Vodafone’s 4G services soon in NCR

CHENNAI: Domestic air traffic

posted a 15 percent increase last month as airlines carried 6.67 million passengers when compared with 5.82 million in September 2014, according to an official statement. Still, the passenger load factor (PLF) at 77 per cent, in September, was lower than the 79 per cent seen in August, when domestic carriers transported 6.76 million passengers. Only four carriers – Indigo, SpiceJet, GoAir and Air Costa – reported growth in PLF, while the remaining seven carriers registered declines. SpiceJet continued to top occupancy charts, registering a load factor of 93 per cent, up from 92.1 per cent in August. It also reported an improvement in its market share at 12.3 per cent, up from 11.6 per cent in June quarter and 9.4 per cent in March quarter. When it comes to on-time performance of domestic car-

BRENT OIL 20-10-15 48.68 19-10-15 49.12

Road developers may shy away from capital infusion

N. Anand

Indicative direct rates in rupees a unit except yen at 4 p.m on October 20

64.86 73.79 100.37 54.21 10.20 68.14 46.72 47.30 49.94 7.82 9.89 44.33 8.37 15.13 214.62 17.65 170.68 17.85 17.33 167.92

65.05 64.80

G. Balachandar

NEW DELHI: Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) on Tuesday said its Rs.1,000-crore bonds issue will open tomorrow. The issue of “Basel III Compliant Tier 2 Bonds of Rs.10 lakh each for cash at par aggregating Rs.1,000 crore is slated to open on October 21, 2015 (for one day)”, OBC said in a filing to the BSE. The deemed date of allotment will be October 26, 2015. On Monday, the bank had announced raising Rs.1,000 crore on a private placement basis that would be included in its tier-II capital. — PTI

U.S. Dollar Euro Pound Sterling Jap Yen (100 Units) Chinese Yuan Swiss Franc Singapore Dollar Australian Dollar Canadian Dollar Swedish Kroner Danish Kroner New Zealand Dollar Hongkong Dollar Malaysian Ringitt Kuwaiti Dinar UAE Dirham Bahraini Dinar Qatari Riyal Saudi Riyal Omani Riyal

are harsher, transport networks sparser and distribution channels insufficient…And this relative disadvantage is showing up more so now, as urban India is benefitting from lower global prices while rural India, partly because of its structural ailments, is not being able to partake with equal vigour,” said HSBC. Despite two successive years of drought, overall food inflation in India has remained tepid, as low global prices have made it possible to import food products that are in short supply. Rural Indians, however, do not seem to have benefitted as much from food imports as their urban counterparts, according to the analysis. Vegetables and oilseeds are seeing more stubborn price

Domestic passenger traffic climbs 15% in September

BRIEFLY

Currencies

The ‘excess inflation’ in rural India, HSBC noted, is arising from food, fuel, transportation as well as from core inflation. The difference between rural and urban inflation is most stark for fuel and transportation, followed by core and to a lesser extent food. Consumption data from the NSSO suggests that rural India’s fuel mix is more geared toward domestically produced firewood, chips and biogas inputs, which are not a part of the global deflation cycle. On the other hand, fuel products more widely used in urban India, such as LPG, petrol and diesel, have benefited from lower global prices. “Rural India has some structural disadvantages vis-a-vis urban India: structural bottlenecks

trends in rural areas than they are at urban centres possibly because insufficient distribution channels may be hindering imported vegetables and oilseeds reaching rural areas, HSBC said. “While much of India’s food is produced in rural India, rural Indians seem to be facing higher food price pressures, at least for some items.” Separately, higher inflation for perishables such as meat and fish again point towards relatively worse distribution channels and may have more to do with cold storage, it said. Its analysis of the rural-urban output shows that a steeper decline in the potential growth of rural India is likely driving the excess core inflation. It is possible that insufficient investment, growing bottlenecks and impact of two successive droughts have contributed to lowering rural India’s potential (or trend) growth and the narrow output gap is keeping core inflation from slowing rapidly in rural areas, despite weak growth. “Higher investment in rural infrastructure and meaningful agricultural reforms are needed to make growth weather proof and put it on a higher, more sustainable path” to enable the RBI to meet its 4 per cent inflation target sustainably, the research noted.

80

Rs/10gm

RUPEE 20-10-15 19-10-15

would look to spread out the launching these start up inibusiness to other major cities tiatives, it is best left to folks who are college drop outs. in the coming year. What we feel is if large comKausalya Sreenivasan is panies do it well, they will the CEO have a significant advantage M&M employee Kausalya in this space,” he said. Sreenivasan would be the The company is planning a CEO of the startup firm. An- number of eliciting initiatives ish Shah Group President in the start up space and has (strategy) & Member of the been hiring talents to firm up Group Executive Board of digital presence. M&M explained the logic be M&M recently appointed hind the large group like his Jaspreet Bindra, an angel inlooking at start up ventures. vestor and former CEO of  “You might wonder what is Askme.com, to helm its diga large company doing ital and ecommerce strategy.

Yuthika Bhargava

per cent to Rs.6,745.11 crore from Rs.6,863.50 crore during the same period of the previous fiscal, the company said.  Hero MotoCorp Chairman, Managing Director and CEO Pawan Munjal said the quarter saw the beginning of a sales revival. “We are cautiously optimistic that this trend will continue in the second half of the fiscal year. The festive season could lead to positive sentiment in the market, which may help maintain the momentum in the coming months,” he said.

ND-ND

20 |

BUSINESS

NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

ENERGY SECTOR

SNIPPETS

IT AIMS TO CAPITALISE ON CHEAPER ASSETS AFTER A SLUMP IN OIL PRICES

FIVE-DOOR LUXURY COUPE

ONGC targets $10-12 billion investments outside India

Audi India drives in S5 Sportback CHENNAI: Audi India has announced the introduction of the Audi S5 Sportback. The five-door coupe is reported to be the first and only sportback in its segment. Priced at Rs.62.95 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai and New Delhi), S5 Sportback is powered by a supercharged 3.0-litre TFSI quattro® engine with an output of 333 hp (245 kW). It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/hr in 5.1 seconds and reach an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/hr. “We introduced the first compact luxury open top convertible the Audi A3 Cabriolet, the limited edition Audi R8 LMX, first super sportscar with an Avant body type, the Audi RS 6 Avant, and now the Audi S5 Sportback, a first in its segment, will further strengthen our performance car portfolio in India,” said Joe King, Head, Audi India. — Special Correspondent

RESIDENTIAL SEGMENT

Kone unveils a new range of elevators CHENNAI: Kone has introduced its new range of gearless, compact, machine-room elevators targeted at low and mid-rise residential segment. The new range Kone I MiniSpace is reported to be more energy efficient than the preceding technologies. With a new technology, it will help reduce both operating costs and the building’s carbon footprint. “Vaasthu has been the source of inspiration for our new designs. The new cars represent the five elements of nature - fire, water, wind, earth & space,” the company said in a statement. — Special Correspondent

FILM EXHIBITION VERTICAL

SRS Cinemas set to enter southern cities CHENNAI: As a part of its major expansion drive, SRS Cinemas, the cinema exhibition vertical of SRS group, is infusing Rs.45 crore to Rs.60 crore to set up properties with a special focus on Tier-II, Tier-III and Tier-IV cities in the south market. The film exhibition company has a chain of premium multiplexes across 15 cities and 20 properties with 57 screens. — Special Correspondent

SECOND QUARTER RESULTS

Sify Technologies net up

O

NGC Videsh Ltd (OVL), foreign investment arm of India’s top oil explorer ONGC, is targeting $10-$12 billion of oil and gas asset purchases over the next three years, including more corporate acquisitions, its Managing Director said. It hopes to capitalise on cheaper assets after a slump in oil prices and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomatic efforts to boost the global presence of Indian firms. "Earlier it was an asset-based (strategy) but now we are giving good consideration to M&A," Narendra K Verma, managing director of OVL, told the Reuters Global Commodities Summit. "Our mandate is huge and we can acquire a larger portfolio through the corporate acquisition route," added Verma, who

AFRICA AND LATIN AMERICA ARE LIKELY TO BE THE HOTSPOTS FOR NEW INVESTMENT WITH SOME COMPANIES FINANCIALLY STRESSED DUE TO HIGH CAPEX AND LOW OIL PRICES - NARENDRA K.VERMA,

Managing Director of OVL CHENNAI: Sify Technologies on Tuesday reported revenue of Rs.371.5 crore for the second quarter of 2015-16 against Rs.316 crore, marking an increase of about 18 per cent over the corresponding quarter last year. Net profit was Rs.13.3 crore against Rs.9 crore. During the second quarter, Sify Telecom business grew by 20 per cent, Internet revenue (20 per cent), data centre services (17 per cent), cloud and managed services (86 per cent), applications integration services (9 per cent) and technology integration services (three per cent). — Special Correspondent

Yes Bank cuts interest rate NEW DELHI: Private sector lender Yes Bank on Tuesday slashed interest rate on savings account by one per cent to six per cent. The interest rate for resident and non-resident savings account has been revised from 7 per cent to 6 per cent with effect from November 1, Yes Bank said in a statement. The bank had raised interest rate on savings deposit to 7 per cent in 2011. — PTI

Airtel completes sale of 8,300 towers in Africa

planned with output slumping to 8,000 bpd from an estimated 60,000 bpd. Still, Mr. Narendra Verma said the firm was not put off and was "working on some opportunities where we could see a broader portfolio being available to us." OVL last month concluded a deal to buy a 15 percent stake in Rosneft's Vankor field to secure access to about 66,000 bpd of oil

ACC third quarter net down 40 % Lalatendu Mishra MUMBAI: Holcim Group com-

SAVINGS ACCOUNTS

has overseen $7 billion in deals over four years. OVL, which produces about 175,000-180,000 barrels per day (bpd) from its overseas assets, wants to double output by 2018 and increase it six-fold by 2030. The firm has stakes in 33 oil and gas projects from Venezuela to South Sudan but its first corporate investment in 2008, buying Russia's Imperial Energy for $2.6 billion, did not turn out as

production at the Siberian field. But Verma said Africa and Latin America were likely to be the hotspots for new investment with some companies financially stressed due to high capital expenditure and low oil prices. OVL is also better placed than some of its global peers to invest due to the financial strength of its parent, state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC). The firm was in talks with overseas partners to reformulate exploration and development expenditure as current revenue at oil firms had halved due to weaker oil prices, he said. OVL also hoped to wrap up talks in two months to refinance $1.7 billion in loans at LIBOR plus 120 basis points maturing in 2021, versus the current LIBOR plus 195 basis points running to 2020, he said. ONGC and its Indian partners have submitted a $5-billion revised plan to Iran seeking development rights of Farzad B gas field, Mr. Verma said. The revised contract offered more flexibility and included a mix of production sharing and service contracts, he said, adding investment could double if infrastructure is built to supply gas to New Delhi. — Reuters

pany and cement major ACC for the third quarter ended September 30, 2015 reported consolidated net profit of Rs.115.2 crore compared to Rs.192.6 crore for the same period last year, down 40 per cent. (The company follows the calendar year) Total income during the

period has decreased to Rs.2,808 crore from Rs.2,851.4 crore for the same period last year. On a standalone basis the company reported a net profit of Rs.117 crore compared to Rs.204.9 crore for the same period last year, down 43 per cent. Total income decreased to Rs.2,807.7 crore from Rs.2,863.2 crore for the same

Tata Steel announces job cuts in Europe

Syngene Q2 net profit up 31 %

Indrani Dutta

BENGALURU: Syngene Interna-

period last year.  The tepid performance was due to lack of demand for cement as well as due to pricing pressure, the company said. “With subdued construction activity in most part of the monsoon season, the industry witnessed weak offtake in the July-September quarter. As a result our cement volumes were correspondingly flat. Selling prices

were subdued,” the company said in a statement. It added that the ready mix business witnessed consistent upward trend. On the outlook, the company said the pace of economic revival so far has been slower than expected. However, the trend is likely to reverse in the coming few quarters due various steps taken by the government.  

Federal Bank Q2 net down Oommen A. Ninan KOCHI: Federal Bank’s net

profit dipped by 32.88 per cent at Rs.161.28 crore for the second quarter ended September 30, 2015 compared to Rs.240.30 crore in the corresponding period of previous year.  Its other income was also down by 6.94 per cent at 182.27 crore for the second quarter of current fiscal compared to Rs.195.86 crore in the corresponding period of previous year.    Interest income of the Bank, however, was up by 1.75 per cent at Rs.1,902.26 crore compared to Rs.1,869.58 crore.  Net interest income was marginally up by 0.42 per cent at Rs.608.34 crore compared to Rs.605.80 crore. Net Interest Margin as on September 30, 2015 stood at 3.11 per cent.  The total deposits of the Bank increased from Rs.64,563.86 crore to Rs.73,783.20 crore. Total advances grew from Rs.48,466.14 crore to Rs.50,866.67 crore, up by 4.95 per cent.  NRE deposits of the Bank registered a 28.75 per cent growth from Rs.21,140.14 crore to Rs.27,217.34 crore. CASA deposits grew by 19.16 per cent year-on-year to reach Rs.23,513.17 crore.   The gross NPA of the bank as at the end of second quarter of current fiscal stood at Rs.1,498.73 crore, which as a percentage to gross advances stood at 2.90 per cent.

International Tea Day to boost consumption Indrani Dutta KOLKATA: India has mounted

an effort to mark an International Tea Day in order to boost global consumption of tea while generating increased interest on different aspects of tea amongst youngsters. Led by the Tea Board of In-

dia Chairman, the Indian delegation at a FAO Intergovernmental meeting held in Italy last week mooted the proposal. It was decided that FAO Secretariat will work with the member countries of the Intergovernmental group to place the proposal before the United Nations soon.

Pradeesh Chandran

Yuthika Bhargava NEW DELHI: Sunil Mittal-led

Bharti Airtel on Tuesday said it had completed the sale of 8,300 mobile towers in seven African countries for $1.7 billion. The proceeds, it added, will be used to reduce the company’s debt.   Its debt stood at $10.68 billion at the end of June. The company in its financial results for April-June 2015 quarter had said that gross sale proceeds of the tower disposals during the quarter were $1.34 billion, of which $243 million was received. “The remaining $1,097 million was included in ‘Receivable from Sale of Tower Assets’…and has been netted off in the computation of net debt,” it had said.  Bharti further said that tower sales and lease back shall continue to remain a strategic priority for the company in all its operating countries across Africa and accordingly the balance towers will also be disposed over a period of time.  

KOLKATA: Tata Steel on Tues-

day announced a restructuring and job cuts at its European operations saying that this was due to a flood of cheap imports particularly from China, a strong pound and high electricity costs. In a stock exchange filing on NSE, the company said that as part of its programme to make changes to its long products business in Europe it plans to stop production of steel plate. “The proposed changes would lead to around 1,200 job losses,” the company said, adding that plate mills would be moth-balled and two coke ovens would be closed at one of the steelworks. Imports of steel plate into Europe have doubled and imports from China have quadrupled causing steel prices to fall steeply, according to the release. At the same time a stronger pound has undermined the competitiveness of Europe-bound exports and

It is due to a flood of cheap imports particularly from China, a strong pound and high electricity costs encouraged imports. Karl Koehler, Chief Executive of Tata Steel’s European operations said that the U.K. steel industry is struggling for survival in the face of challenging market conditions. “The European Commission needs to do much more to deal with unfairly traded imports – inaction threatens the future of the entire European steel industry,” the stronglyworded release said. Even as it begins consultation process on these changes with its employees and the trade union representatives, Tata Steel said that it is concentrating on higher value markets with a focus on developing stronger and lighter products.

tional on Tuesday said its net profit for second quarter ended September 30, 2015, stood at Rs.52.3 crore registering an increase of 31 per cent compared to the same period last year. The total income of the company for the July-September period was Rs.261.4 crore against Rs.201.9 crore. This is the Bengaluru-based company’s debut results after it went public in August. Commenting on the company’s performance Peter Bains, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Syngene said, “We are very pleased to report a comprehensively strong set of numbers for HI FY16. We have witnessed sustained momentum in our business across our dedicated centres, discovery and development service platforms.” Syngene appointed Dr Thomas Privette as the head of business development and Dr Gregory Bisacchi as the head of discovery chemistry.

Fiat unveils Punto Abarth, crossover Avventura Yuthika Bhargava NEW DELHI: Fiat Chrysler Auto-

mobiles on Monday unveiled two new models — hatchback Punto Abarth and crossover Avventura, both priced at Rs.9.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), as part of company’s plan to re-establish the brand in the Indian market. “India is a strategic market for us. We are confident that these two new category defining models from Fiat stable would catch the fancy of the car enthusiasts and perk up sales during the festive season,” Kevin Flynn, President and Managing Director, FCA India Automobiles said He added, “All these are part of the jigsaw that we are putting together. We are understanding what is needed for Fiat to be great again in India.” The Abarth Punto comes with a 1.4 litre petrol engine with a power of 145 bhp, eCM YK

nabling the hatchback to touch 100 kmph in just 8.8 seconds. The company said this is the first hatchback to break the 10-second barrier in the country. The Avventura, which is powered by Abarth, will also sport the 1.4 litre petrol engine, generating 140 BHP of power, reaching the 100 kmph mark in 9.9 seconds, making it the fastest cross in the country, Fiat claimed. Stating that India forms “massive part” of the company’s plans, he said, “we are really determined to bring more upmarket products here.” In 2014, Fiat Chrysler had announced plans to launch 12 models in India in five years. In August this year, the company had launched its premium sports hatchback Abarth 595 Competizione priced at Rs.9.85 lakh, while its Jeep model is expected to roll out in the second quarter of 2017.

We are confident that these two new models would catch the fancy of the car enthusiasts and perk up sales during the festive season, says Kevin Flynn, President and Managing Director, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles India, at the launch of Punto ‘Abarth’. — PHOTO: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR ND-ND

SPORT

NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

Dhoni should bat at No. 6… it’s that simple! S. Dinakar CHENNAI: Mahendra Singh Dhoni should bat at No. 6 for India in the ODIs. This is the slot from where he has swung tight matches his team’s way. With a mind that is ticking, equanimity, running between the wickets and brute power, he is the best finisher of this generation. He is invariably alive at the death, reading situations and controlling the flow of the game. Dhoni coming out at No. 4 in the third ODI against South Africa in Rajkot did not suit the side’s needs. India was without a big hitter in the later half of the line-up. And Ajinkya Rahane is not cut out for the job at No. 6. Tactically, the Indian team was found wanting at Rajkot. Simply put, the host got its batting line-up wrong. Ahead of the key game at Chepauk on Thursday, Dhoni has to get his line-up right. It’s at No. 6 that a majority of Dhoni’s runs have come from; he has 3571 runs in 110 ODIs at 45.78. Crucially, he has the ability to bat with the tail and meticulously pick his time to strike. The dynamics of batting in the last 10 overs are different following rule changes this year. Now five fielders are allowed outside the 30-yard circle for the final 60 deliveries of the innings. It has become vital that a side not just has someone who rotates the strike but also clear the ropes during a phase when the boundaries are so well guarded. He may be 34, but Dhoni is still the man for India.

Generate the force What sets him apart is the force he can generate with that

Ravi to replace Aleem Dar CHENNAI: S. Ravi, a member of ICC’s Elite panel of umpires, will replace Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar for the fourth ODI between India and South Africa at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday. The ICC had withdrawn Dar, a distinguished Elite Panel umpire, from the series following threats from Shiv Sena. Due to ‘exceptional circumstances’ the BCCI and Cricket South Africa have agreed to have two Indian umpires for the ODI in Chennai. CM YK

fast bat-speed and powerful wrists. On pitches where there is not much seam movement, it is hard to bowl a line to Dhoni simply because he can pick a delivery from outside off and bludgeon it over mid-wicket. And Dhoni’s range of strokes, the straighter blows over longoff and long-on and the flat-batted hits through covers can make it hard for captains to set a field. Going back to Rahane, he is not of much value to the side at No. 6 since he would struggle to clear the field or find boundaries in the last 10 overs with five fielders outside the ring and the ball becoming older. His batting is a lot about using the pace on the sphere and finding the gaps with rapier-like strokes. Unless Rahane bats in the top-order — the opening slots or No. 3 — his value to the ODI side is limited. But then, this Indian side finds itself in a situation where Virat Kohli has to bat at No. 3. His comfort level at this position is high and India needs to give its premier ODI batsman the slot of his choice to dictate play and guide the innings. It is at No. 3 that Kohli has 4597 runs from 105 matches at a stunning 50.51. India’s problems have been compounded by Suresh Raina’s — he lends much-needed variety to the middle-order with his lefthanded ways — lack of form. So a line-up where Raina surfaces at No 5, followed by Rahane and then a lower order without a trusted heavy-hitter does not inspire confidence. India lacked firepower towards the end of the innings in Rajkot. The skipper has to come in at No. 6 to lend some balance and weight to the line-up.

MUMBAI: Some full members of the BCCI Working Committee have questioned the sanctity of five associations — Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, Bengal, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh — being regarded as permanent Test centres and hence given the privilege of being Committee members. They also wonder why five other associations are part of the decision-making body only on the fact of having staged a Test in two years. There is a proposal to restructure the composition of the working committee and also limit all sub-committees to a maximum of six persons. Clearly, the BCCI is in overdrive, what with the Supreme Court-appointed Justice R.M. Lodha committee breathing down its neck to recommend best practices and reforms.  The 23-member all powerful working committee consists of the office-bearers (president, secretary, jt. secretary and treasurer), five vice-presidents from each zone, five permanent Test centres, five members from each zone on the principle of rotation and four on the basis of a Test match an association has hosted in the preceding two years at the time of the Annual General Meeting. There have been occasions in

Vijender made an immediate impact on his professional debut this month when he destroyed Sonny Whiting in three rounds at the Manchester Arena. The 29-year-old, who will

the recent past when presidents invited members as ‘special invitees’ in order to win their loyalty. The newly-elected president, Shashank Manohar, put an end to this practice by adhering to the by-laws for the reconvened working committee meeting here last Sunday. There were no special invitees. Sources said there was strong opposition to the permanent Test centre category as well as on the basis of having staged a Test in the preceding two years.  With many office-bearers and committee members of the affiliated units of the Board coveting a position in the standing and sub-committees, it had become a practice to nominate jumbo committees. The present marketing committee has a whopping 29 members, museum committee 18, National Cricket Academy Board 17, IPL Governing Council 13 plus all office-bearers of the BCCI, Technical Committee 10, Data Management Committee and Umpires Sub-Committee nine each, Information and Technology Committee eight, the New Area Development Committee and TV production committee eight, the Senior Tournament Committee, Finance Committee, Junior Cricket Committee, Tour Programme and Fixtures Committee and Women’s Committee seven

each, Vizzy Trophy Committee six, Legal Committee two, Affiliation Committee three, Constitution Review Committee four and Disciplinary Committee three. The senior and junior selection committees and the women’s selection committee comprise five each. “There is no museum and hence the museum committee may not exist after the next AGM.  Majority of the committees are likely to be trimmed to six members; there could be a few exceptions,” said an official closely following the developments in the BCCI. There are several proposals to amend the conflict of interest rules for administrators (BCCI and affiliated units), cricketers (current and retired), administrative and support staff and the appointment of an ethics officer (ombudsman) in the AGM notice circulated to all affiliated members on Monday.    What has to be seen is the position the five full members would take at the AGM because their position as ‘permanent Test centre’ will be at stake. What will happen, though, is the BCCI will save on TA/DA expenses should the AGM limit the composition of majority of the committees to six. MCA president Sharad Pawar will host a dinner for the BCCI delegates on November 8.

Quasar claims Golconda St. Leger

RIGHT CREDENTIALS: Given his reputation as the best finisher of this generation, thanks to his running between the wickets and brute power, it is imperative HYDERABAD: The M.Narredu-trained Quasar (Yash Narredu up) won the Golthat M.S. Dhoni wields the willow at his customary position. — PHOTO: PTI

Vijender to face Gillen in second pro bout

Immediate impact

BCCI in overdrive: Proposal to restructure working committee G. Viswanath

BOXING

LONDON: After a knockout debut, star Indian boxer Vijender Singh will face Englishman Dean Gillen in his second professional bout and the part-time firefighter has promised to be a “dangerous opponent” in the bout scheduled for October 30 here.

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be celebrating his birthday a day before his second fight, will face Nottingham’s Gillen over four rounds as he looks to claim the record of his first unbeaten pro-fighter. Gillen made his pro debut in May this year with a points win over Shaun White and followed that up in September with a points win over Lewis van Poetsch. The fight between Vijender and Gillen also represents a Battle of the Badges, with the Indian being a Deputy Superintendent of Police in Haryana and Gillen a firefighter serving

in Nottingham. As an amateur, Gillen’s highlight was winning the 2013 World Police and Fire Fighter Games in Belfast where he knocked out all of his opponents to claim the gold medal and now he aims to extinguish Vijender’s fire in the ring.

‘World class kid’ “I’ve watched him in the Olympics and on his pro-debut, he’s a world class kid and I can’t wait to get in there and put him to the test,” the 33year-old Gillen said.

“He’s an Olympian and that speaks for itself, he’s a hero in his country and he’s idolised by millions of people, but at some point he’ll have to get beaten and that could well be his second fight against me,” he added. Vijender is training in Manchester with coach Lee Beard as he aims to beat Gillen and stay on track to achieve his history-making dream to become India’s first ever world professional boxing champion. “I can’t wait for this fight against Gillen,” said Vijender. — PTI

conda St. Leger, the main event of the races held here on Tuesday. The winner is the property of Mr. Jaydev M. Mody representing M/s. J.M. Livestock Pvt Ltd, M/s. Tanmay A. Agashe & Madhav G. Patankar. 1. CLASSIC STYLE CUP (1,600m), Cat. III, 3-y-o & over, rated upto 50: Victorindiafoxtrot (P.S. Chouhan) 1, South Lake (Deepak Singh) 2, Buckshee (N. Rawal) 3, Big Boss (R.B. Shinde) 4. 8, 1-1/4, 5-1/4. 1m 41.11s. Rs. 6 (w), 6, 8 (p), SHP: Rs. 13, FP: Rs. 12, Q: Rs. 11, Tanala: Rs. 13. Favourite: Victorindiafoxtrot. Owner: Mr.Syed Aminuddin Zohair. Trainer: L.V.R. Deshmukh. 2. S. RANGARAJAN MEMORIAL CUP (1,600m), Cat. II, 3-y-o & over (Terms): Alameda (Kuldeep Singh) 1, Golden Arrow (P.S. Chouhan) 2, Power Planet (A.M. Tograllu) 3, Veloz (P. Trevor) 4. 2-1/2, 3-1/4, 2-1/2. 1m 39.93s. Rs. 9 (w), 5, 9, 11 (p), SHP: Rs. 33, FP: Rs. 67, Q: Rs. 52, Tanala: Rs. 368. Favourite: Alameda. Owner: Mr. M. Ramakrishna Reddy. Trainer: L. D’Silva. 3. TICK TOCK PLATE (D. I), (1,200m), Cat. III, maiden 3-y-o & over, rated upto 50: Strengthandbeauty (P. Trevor) 1, City Of Destiny (K. Sai Kiran) 2, Egyptian Wind (A.M. Tograllu) 3, Professor (Kiran Naidu) 4. 1/2, 5-1/2, 3-3/4. 1m 14.37s. Rs. 8 (w), 5, 7, 13

(p), SHP: Rs. 15, FP: Rs. 18, Q: Rs. 12, Tanala: Rs. 128. Favourite: Strengthandbeauty. Owners: M/s. C.V. Krishna Rao, B.S. Reddy, K. Mallikarjuna Rao & K.S.N. Murthy. Trainer: K.S.V. Prasad Raju. 4. CAMINO CUP (D. I), (1,100m), Cat. III, 3-y-o & over, rated upto 50: Commanding Boy (Kunal Bunde) 1, Bharat King (P. Ajeeth Kumar) 2, Malakeye Ziba (A.M. Tograllu) 3, Lavender (Aneel) 4. 6, 2-3/4, nose. 1m 07.49s. Rs. 7 (w), 6, 7, 7 (p), SHP: Rs. 20, FP: Rs. 23, Q: Rs. 18, Tanala: Rs. 38. Favourite: Commanding Boy. Owners: Dr. G. Lakshmi Prasad & Mr. K.R.K. Raju. Trainer: K.R.K. Raju. 5. GOLCONDA ST. LEGER (2,800m), 4-y-o only (Terms): Quasar (Yash Narredu) 1, Azzurro (P. Trevor) and Tiger Tops (S. Zervan) 2 (dead heat), Dare To Dream (P.S. Chouhan) 4. Not run: Oathofyourdaughter. 2-1/2, dh, hd. 3m 10.79s. Rs. 7 (w), 5, 6, 5 (p), SHP: Rs. 9 & 6, FP: Rs. 10 & 6, Q: Rs. 9 & 5. Favourite: Quasar. Owners: Mr. Jaydev M. Mody representing M/s. J.M. Livestock Pvt Ltd, M/s. Tanmay A. Agashe & Madhav G. Patankar. Trainer: M. Narredu. 6. SMT. MOHANA KUMARI SATYANARAYANA MEMORIAL CUP (1,400m), Cat.II, 5-y-o & over, rated upto 50: Spirited (G. Naresh) 1, Fenway Court (A.K. Pawar) 2, Goldie (Kiran Naidu) 3, Trustful (B. Dileep) 4. Not run: Classic Emerald. 3/4, hd, 1/2.

1m 29.44s. Rs. 19 (w), 7, 6, 17 (p), SHP: Rs. 15, FP: Rs. 63, Q: Rs. 317, Tanala: Rs. 317. Favourite: Fenway Court. Owner and trainer: Mr. S.A. Shehzad Abbas. 7. SCINTILLATING PLATE (1,400m), Cat. II, 3-y-o & over, rated upto 75: Columbus (N.S. Rathore) 1, Kireet (Praveen Gaddam) 2, Kohinoor Thunder (Kunal Bunde) 3, Glorious View (Khurshad Alam) 4. 4-1/4, 1/2, 1/4. 1m 27.21s. Rs. 11 (w), 7, 11, 13 (p), SHP: Rs. 41, FP: Rs. 72, Q: Rs. 64, Tanala: Rs. 883. Favourite: Columbus. Owner: Mr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy. Trainer: K. Satheesh. 8. TICK TOCK PLATE (D. II), (1,200m), Cat. III, maiden 3-y-o & over, rated upto 50: Gangadhar (Kuldeep) and Lion Of China (P.Trevor) 1 (dead heat), Gunner (A.M.Tograllu) 3, Jem Star (P.Gaddam) 4. Dh, 1/2, 3/4. 1m 16.32s. Rs. 28 and 5 (w), 9, 6, 7 (p), SHP: Rs. 644292 (carried over), FP: Rs. 73 and 15, Q: Rs. 25, Tanala: Rs. 157 and 33. Favourite: Lion Of China. Owners: Mr. K. Krishna Kumar (Gangadhar), M/s KSN Murthy, K.Malikarjuna Rao, B.S.Reddy & C.V.Krishna Rao (Lion Of China). Trainers: K.V. Srinivas (Gangadhar), Lion Of China (KSV Prasad Raju). Treble (i): Rs. 27 (2056 tkts.), (ii): Rs. 552 (80 tkts.). Consolation: Rs. 66 (3047 tkts.). Jackpot: Rs. 1317 (179 tkts.) & Rs. 117 (2003 tkts.) ND-ND

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SPORT

NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU

NorthEast United gets its first points GUWAHATI: NorthEast United FC scored two quick goals in the dying minutes to down a 10-man Chennaiyin FC 2-0 in the Hero ISL match here at the Indira Gandhi Stadium on Tuesday. The match witnessed unsportsmanlike conduct and frequent altercations between the players and the coaches.

Encouraging result The result was encouraging for the host as it picked up the first points of the tournament. NEUFC’s marquee player Simao Sabrosa, who made his ISL debut coming in as a 74thminute substitute, scored from the spot in the 90th minute. Another substitute, Nicolas Velez of Argentina doubled the lead in the injury-time (90+4 minute). Referee Conger Mathew was the busiest man on the ground, flashing 10 yellow cards and a straight red to Chennaiyin FC midfielder Harmanjot Khabra. There was less action on the pitch as the host, which had the greater share of possession, ran out of ideas in the

The match witnessed frequent altercations between the players and the coaches striking zone while the visitor preferred to play a waiting game. NEUFC clearly missed the services of a quality striker as the front duo of Frenchman Dimonsy Kamara and Ghanaian Francis Dadzie couldn’t breach the opposition defence, manned efficiently by FrenchItalian combination of Bernard Mendy and Alessandro Potenza. But the host managed to get a penalty in the 38th minute when the referee hauled up Potenza for fouling Cedric Hengbert. Kamara messed it up; his feeble spot-kick was saved by Chennaiyin custodian Edel Bete. The match witnessed ugly scenes after the penalty, resulting in Khabra being sent off for violent conduct in the 40th minute.

Tension spills over The tension on the field

spilled over to the technical area as Cesar Farias and Marco Materazzi indulged in heated exchanges before the assistant referees intervened to calm them down. The second session was no exception as there was hardly any improvement on the pitch. The host altered its attack, bringing in influential striker Velez in the 54th minute and Simao, who returned from an injury lay-off in the final quarter of the match. The second penalty happened in the 90th minute when Simao was tackled from behind by Chennaiyin’s Jayesh Rane inside the box. Velez, who was released by a pass from Sanju Pradhan, finished superbly to spark wild celebrations in the NorthEast camp. Playing its second match in four days, the Chennaiyin think-tank rested its regular attacking combination of Colombian Stiven Mendoza and Brazilian Elano Blumer. The duo was introduced in the second half, but couldn’t do much. The result: NorthEast United FC 2 (Simao 90-pen, Velez 90+4) bt Chennaiyin FC 0.

MAKING HIS MARK: Northeast United FC's midfielder Simao Sabrosa (jersey no. 20), making his ISL debut, came on as a substitute and scored off a penalty in the 90th minute. — PHOTO: RITU RAJ KONWAR

Karman Kaur loses

TENNIS

Smooth start for Devvarman

NEW DELHI: Karman Kaur Thandi was beaten 7-6(6), 6-3 by second seed Nadja Gilchrist of the US in the third and final qualifying round of the $50,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament in Quebec, Canada.

S.V. Sriram BENGALURU: It has been a while since Somdev Devvarman reached his career-high ranking of 63; he is currently on 181, though there were signs of a turnaround in fortunes after he won two Challenger singles events early in the year. On the Indian scene too others have overtaken him — he is seeded below Saketh Myneni here — but for the sparse crowd, that had gathered to take in his first round encounter at the $50,000 AirAsia Open ATP Challenger, it didn’t matter. They were fully behind the fourth seed as Devvarman saw off Austrian Maximillian Neuchrist 6-4, 6-3 to get his singles campaign up and running at the KSLTA stadium here on Tuesday. “I had been losing quite a number of close matches. So it is good to get a win under the belt,” said a relieved Devvarman later. Away from the spotlight, Sanam Singh made a mockery of jet lag and a seeded opponent. Landing in the city in the wee hours of Tuesday after playing the doubles final with Myneni at Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday, Sanam walloped eighth seed Germain Gigounon of Belgium 6-4, 6-0.

INDIANS ABROAD The 17-year-old Karman failed to convert a set point in the tenth game of the first set, in which she led 5-3, and eventually lost the way after leading 3-2 in the second set. The results: $50,000 ITF women, Quebec, Canada: Qualifying singles (third and final round): Nadja Gilchrist (US) bt Karman Kaur Thandi

FACILE WIN: Somdev Devvarman began his quest for the title with a straight-set dismantling of Maximillian Neuchrist. — PHOTO: K. MURALI KUMAR Later in the day, Myneni too seemed to be in a similar mood as he cantered to a 6-3 win in the first set against Serb Nikola Milojevic before hitting a speed bump in the second and required a tiebreak to progress. The results: Singles: First round: Sumit Nagal bt Sidharth Rawat 6-4, 6-3; Somdev Devvarman bt Maximillian Neuchrist (Aut) 6-4, 6-3; Sanam Singh bt Germain Gigounon (Bel) 6-4, 6-0; James Ward (G.Br) bt Lakshit Sood 6-1, 6-1; Saketh Myneni bt Nikola Milojevic (Srb) 6-3, 7-6(4); Alessandro Bega (Ita) bt Maxime Janvier (Fra) 6-2, 6-4;

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NEW DELHI: Hsin-Yuan Shih of Chinese Taipei fought her way past fourth seed Natasha Palha 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-5 in the first round of the $10,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament on Tuesday. In a battle of wits that lasted three hours and four minutes, Natasha failed to serve out the match at 5-4 in the decider. Both players dropped serve seven times each though the Taipei girl served better, firing eight aces to three by Natasha, and won three points more — 120117 — than her opponent. Top seed Rishika Sunkara squeezed through to a 6-4, 7-6

Daniel Nguyen (USA) bt Stephane Robert (Fra) 7-6(2), 3-6, 7-5; Egor Gerasimov (Blr) bt Ramkumar Ramnathan 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4; Ilya Ivashka bt Vishnu Vardhan 7-6(5), 6-1; Alexander Kudryavtsev (Rus) bt Michal Konecny (Cze) 6-3, 6-3. Doubles: Pre-quarterfinals: Ti Chen and Dane Propoggia (Aus) bt Arthur de Greef (Bel) & Robert 6-2, 6-2; Bega & Nguyen bt Gigounon & Yannick Mertens (Bel) 6-2, 6-0; Adrian Menendez-Maceiras (Esp) & Gerard Granollers (Esp) bt Ward & Purav Raja 6-4, 6-3; John Paul Fruttero (USA) & N. Vijay Sundar Prashant bt Milojevic & Ramkumar 6-3, 6-2.

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Across 7 Fillet of bass being eaten by kid removed so soon (6) 8 Vixen, being independent, ran hard — foxes on either side (8) 9 Essay on a race taking so long (8) 10 Staunch supporter of CM YK

religious work resisting change (6) 11 Plans backfiring over small hiccup maybe (5) 12 Dust settled on one beneath jack in workshop (6) 14 Amend this, for all fixed returns suffer financially (4,2,4,5)

17 Silver lining over surface (6) 18 Loud cry to be united in attempt (5) 22 Model facing jury stripped in showboat (6) 23 Gift of lace fringe (8) 24 A sweet without filling in medication, say, close to lozenge (8) 25 Regret switching banks for pitiful yield (6) Down 1 Get lost in 'Paradise Lost' — absorbing page! (9) 2 Can't stand sailor on base? Shore, not base (6) 3 Mouth requirement for massage? (5) 4 Only if it's given (8) 5 Our visit touched past masters (8) 6 Standard line behind counter (5) 8 Listen to me: without pass, hard to reach where you live with family (6,3,4)

7-6(6), 6-3. $10,000 ITF women, Antalya, Turkey: Singles (first round): Anna Bondar (Hun) bt Eetee Maheta 7-5, 6-2. Doubles (pre-quarterfinals): Anastasia Detiuc (Mda) & Maria Novikova (Rus) bt Pei-Chi Lee (Tpe) & Eetee Maheta 6-4, 4-6, 10-2. ITF grade-2 juniors, Nagoya, Japan: Boys (first round): Alex Solanki bt Tomoya Ikeda (Jpn) 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. ITF grade-2 juniors, Hong Kong: Boys (first round): Alastair Gray (GBR) bt Shramay Dhawan 6-0, 7-5. Girls (first round): Mihika Yadav bt Hoi Ki Jenny Wong (Hkg) 6-1, 6-1; Nidhi Surapaneni bt NNicole Sin Minq Chu (Hkg) 6-1, 6-1.

Hsin-Yuan rallies to win

VARIETY THE HINDU CROSSWORD 11531 1

Mumbai looks to go all out Nandakumar Marar

Downs Chennaiyin FC 2-0 in an incident-filled encounter Amitabha Das Sharma

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

13 Gross ore up, dug on, can't extract any lead (9) 15 Both sides winning gold, each team's left half-crowned with honour (8) 16 Seen over top of lips, is snort forced through these? (8) 19 Career harmed, life turning inside out (6) 20 Enemy's brief flash attack (5) 21 Burning with absolute passion (5)

O F S A E E B A C L I U A D E N E D A S K T T E F E R E A A C R O P O R P T A X I E G S P O R T E

O U N DM D E E E A V A R R S I MMU G I R O U S L E I S D N C E S G S E U T A N E S D C H E E H L R H O U S

I N E T A T R E N S V A P M P E N N D E

The results (first round): Rishika Sunkara bt Nidhi Chilumula 6-4, 7-6 (4); Damini Sharma bt Shehnaz Singh 6-4, 6-0; Sharrmadaa Baluu bt Sahan Shetty 6-2, 6-1; Hsin-Yuan Shih (Tpe) bt Natasha Palha 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-5; Shivika Burman bt Arushi Bhasin 6-3, 1-0, retd.: Dhruthi Venugopal bt Arantxa Andrady 6-2, 6-2; Sri Vaishnavi Peddi Reddy bt Komal Nagare 6-1, 6-1; Akshara Iska bt Amreen Naaz 6-0, 6-1; Prarthana Thombare bt Vaniya Dangwal 6-3, 6-2; Vasavi Ganesan bt Teertha Iska 4-6, 6-0, 6-2; Snehadevi Reddy bt Moulika Ram 6-3, 6-3.

— Special Correspondent

CRICKET

‘Too premature to talk about World T20’ Nistula Hebbar NEW DELHI: BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has termed as “too premature” the apprehensions raised by ICC president Zaheer Abbas that the Pakistan cricketers may boycott the World T20 to be held in India in 2016. “I think it is premature to make such comments. If you look at the withdrawal of Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar from the India-South Africa series, it was not the BCCI which was responsible. We were more than happy to provide security to him, it was the official who took this decision on his own. I think this kind of protest is not sending the right message,” he

told The Hindu. He added that it was important for India to send the right message across — any team can play on Indian soil — since there were three big events coming up in the next three years. Thakur was, however, was less enthusiastic about the India-Pakistan series. “I said it three months back and I am saying it again: there are many pending issues between the cricket boards of India and Pakistan that need to be resolved. “Secondly, we will take decisions keeping in mind the security of the Indian team and the sentiments of the Indian people,” he said.

TABLE TENNIS

Amalraj, Mouma bag titles MUMBAI: PSPB’s A. Amalraj and Mouma Das bagged the men’s and women’s titles in the West Zone National ranking table tennis tournament here on Monday. Amalraj downed G. Sathiyan 4-3 to bag his second straight zonal title while Mouma rallied to beat Manika Batra 4-3 in the final.

The results (finals): Men: A. Amalraj (PSPB) bt G. Sathiyan (PSPB) 1416, 11-13, 11-7, 11-7, 11-2, 8-11, 11-6. Women: Mouma Das (PSPB) bt Manika Batra (PSPB) 7-11, 6-11, 811, 11-7, 11-6, 12-10, 12-10. Youth: Boys: Arjun Ghosh (WB) bt Sabhya Virmani (AAI) 11-7, 11-5, 911, 11-3, 11-4. Girls: Manika Batra (PSPB) bt Moumita Datta (WB) 11-5, 11-8, 11-6, 11-4.

FAITH

Bojan Krkic sinks Swansea SWANSEA: Bojan Krkic held his nerve to convert the early penalty that gave Stoke City a 1-0 win against Swansea City on Monday. Krkic stroked home a fourthminute spot-kick to settle a dour encounter at the Liberty Stadium after Ashley Williams fouled the former Barcelona forward. The result: EPL: Swansea 0 lost to Stoke 1 (Krkic 4-pen). La Liga: Sporting Gijon 3 (Bernardo 8, Cases 88, Guerrero Martin 90+6) drew with Granada 3 (Piti 21, Isaac Success 41, El-Arabi 74). — Agencies

Manavjit slips in the semifinal NEW DELHI: Former World champion Manavjit Singh Sandhu slipped in the semifinals after a spectacular performance in the qualification phase in men’s trap in the Shotgun World Cup Final in Nicosia on Tuesday. Manavjit slipped in the semifinals, and lost the race for the medals by one point. The results: Men’s trap: 1. Giovanni Cernogoraz (Cro) 14 (14) 122; 2. Giovanni Pellielo (Ita) 13 (14) 122; 3. Alexey Alipov (Rus) 15(23) 13 (123); 4. Massimo Fabbrizi (Ita) 15(22) 13 (120); 5. Manavjit Singh Sandhu 12 (123).

SU | DO | KU

Intercession of grace

Solution to puzzle 11530 A D U L A T O R Y

(4) win over Nidhi Chilumula in the first round.

MUMBAI: Hurting from a home loss against Chennaiyin FC due to defensive lapses, Mumbai City FC has more trouble ahead when it lines up against Delhi Dynamos, which is armed with some of the sharpest strikers this ISL season. Richard Gadze, supported by Gustavo Dos Santos and Florent Malouda has shown the skill and guile to turn defenders inside-out. Mumbai City has not implemented player-cum-coach Nicolas Anelka’s plan of possession football, using an assertive midfield to dictate the flow of play. Three matches into the tournament, his squad is still in the process of settling down. The Frenchman is confined to the dugout due to a groin injury and Brazilian playmaker Andre Moritz has left. Oscar Bruzon, the home team assistant coach, admitted that his midfield is still work in progress. “We are still trying to find our best midfield combination. We are using a new one that all of us think can be the best from now on and will try to control the game in the midfield. Modifications may be needed.” For the attacking role,

Anelka has a wealth of talent — Indian and foreign — to choose from. Selim Benachour, Gabriel Fernandes, Juan Nunez, Ashutosh Mehta to make plays, Sunil Chetri, Sony Norde, Frederik Piquione and Subhash Singh to get the goals. But once the team loses the ball, it get too anxious. Delhi, on the other hand, is bubbling with confidence following two away wins over FC Pune City and Kerala Blasters FC. Dos Santos and Malouda excel on the move, creating their own path to set up goals or score. Robin Singh is on the prowl in the goalmouth, gelling with foreign names in the squad. Raman Vijayan, assistant to head coach Roberto Carlos, touched on the mood within. “We came back positively (after first game loss to FC Goa) and won three in a row. “Now we have got a great level of confidence and understanding in the team. It is important for every team to get three points in away games.” Delhi Dynamos appears ready for a tough contest but Mumbai City will go all out in a home match at the D.Y. Patil stadium.

D R S S L Y N S T H L E S A I S

When God promises “Follow my line; I shall protect all,” the equation between Him and the individual is made clear. The onus is on God to lead the jivatma through karma, jnana and bhakti to salvation, while the individual has to merely follow way of the sastras, pointed out Sri K. Srinivasan in a lecture. Whether it is engaging in action or performance of Swadharma, or in devotion to God, or in meditation, God’s intercession is a must. In the case of a devotee who is united to God in constant thought, God takes up all the burdens and the cares — his ‘Yoga’, the disciplined way of life, and ‘Kshema’, peace, happiness, welfare, well being, etc. All his present and future attainments are made secure by His grace. The law of karma is believed to act in the course of each one’s life and an individual faces the effects of his deeds, good and bad. With regard to good effects of karma, whatever is one’s due will be given to him with the assurance that whatever is thus obtained is also enjoyed by him. Likewise, the effect of bad deeds which have to be faced will be mitigated and made tolerable. God’s role is subtle and it is only through His grace that karma morphs into jnana and bhakti in a person. The case of Jadabharata related in the Bhagavata Purana shows how his devotion met with obstacles. He faced a challenge when he succumbed to attachment to a fawn. This led to his being born as a deer and afterwards again as a man with full enlightenment. The emphasis is on self exertion and self improvement while one surrenders to the Almighty’s supremacy and compassion. Such faith confers the comfort that a child derives from the presence of its mother.

A mind game and a puzzle that you solve with reasoning and logic. Fill in the grid with digits in such a manner that every row, every column and every 3x3 box accommodates the digits 1 to 9, without repeating any. The solution to yesterday’s puzzle is at left. ND-ND

NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

Barcelona players top Ballon d’Or shortlist PARIS: Barcelona tops the FIFA shortlist for the Ballon d’Or World Player-of-the-Year award with six players named in a second 23-strong selection. They include the favourite for the prestigious award, Argentinean Lionel Messi, as well as Javier Mascherano (Argentina), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Neymar (Brazil), Ivan Rakitic (Croatia) and Luis Suarez (Uruguay). They will be up against last year’s winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, and his Real Madrid teammates Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema as well as five players from German giant Bayern Munich. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Zurich on January 11. The shortlist for FIFA World Player of the Year award: Sergio Aguero (Argentina/ Manchester City), Gareth Bale (Wales/ Real Madrid), Karim Benzema (France/ Real Madrid), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/ Real Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium/ VfL Wolfsburg/ Manchester City), Eden Hazard (Belgium/ Chelsea), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden/ Paris Saint-Germain), Andres Iniesta (Spain/ Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Germany/ Real Madrid), Robert Lewandowski (Poland/ Bayern Munich), Javier Mascherano (Argentina/ Barcelona), Lionel Messi (Argentina/ Barcelona), Thomas Muller (Germany/ Bayern Munich), Manuel Neuer (Germany/ Bayern Munich), Neymar (Brazil/ Barcelona), Paul Pogba (France/ Juventus), Ivan Rakitic (Croatia/ Barcelona), Arjen Robben (The Netherlands/ Bayern Munich), James Rodriguez (Colombia/ Real Madrid), Alexis Sanchez (Chile/ Arsenal), Luis Suarez (Uruguay/ Barcelona), Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast/ Manchester City), Arturo Vidal (Chile/ Juventus/ Bayern Munich).

Jindal Panther posts win NEW DELHI: Two goals each by Lokendra Singh, Miguel Saravia and Mahesh Sharma helped Jindal Panther beat Royal Roosters 6-5 in a league match of the Bhopal Pataudi Cup 8-goal polo tournament at the Army Equestrian Centre, Delhi Cantonment, on Tuesday. The results (league): Jindal Panther 6 (Lokendra Singh 2, Miguel Saravia 2, Mahesh Sharma 2) bt Royal Roosters 5 (Gaurav Sahgal 2, Shamsheer Ali 2, Roshan Saharan).

CM YK

Pakistan gets Yasir boost for second Test

SPORT ‘The world of cricket will never see another Viru’

England's Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid during nets. — PHOTO: REUTERS DUBAI: Pakistan will be looking to fit-again leg-spinner Yasir Shah to lift its performance in the second Test against England starting in Dubai on Thursday. Shah, regarded as a wickettaking bowler who anchored Pakistan’s wins over Australia and Sri Lanka in the last 12 months, missed the drawn first Test in Abu Dhabi with a back spasm. But he is back to full fitness and was able to bowl without any pain in the nets. “He (Shah) is back and that’s a good sign for us,” said Misbah. “We missed him a lot in the first Test and his return will give us that boost in the spin bowling.” Pakistan narrowly escaped defeat after its extraordinary collapse saw it slump to 173 all out on the last day to spice up a Test which was heading for a draw until the fifth morning. England was denied the win as, chasing 99 in a possible 19 overs, it fell 25 runs short when bad light forced the umpires to call off the match. Misbah said Pakistan need to improve. “We really need to pull up our socks and the kind of fight En-

gland put we need to match them; I have confidence in my players that they can do that.” Pakistan is likely to miss key batsman Azhar Ali who returned home following the death of his mother-in-law and his inclusion depends on getting a United Arab Emirates visa in time. Pakistan also recalled underscrutiny off-spinner Bilal Asif as cover. He was reported for suspect bowling action in Zimbabwe on October 6 but can still play pending a report on his action which will come in two weeks’ time. Pakistan is likely to bring in Shah in place of paceman Rahat Ali. It will also hope the Dubai stadium pitch helps the bowlers after a flat pitch in Abu Dhabi saw both team piling up 500plus totals in their first innings. England will also look to its leg-spinner Adil Rashid, who took five wickets in the second innings after going wicketless for 163 runs in the first. England captain Alastair Cook, fresh from his 263 in the first Test, hoped his team keeps the fight going. “Over the next 10 days of Test

cricket we need to show the same resilience,” said Cook, praising Adil. “He’s obviously had a tough introduction, the first day-anda-half - not getting a wicket, bowling on probably the worst wicket you’d ever want to make your debut on as a leg-spinner when you lose the toss. “I thought he bowled okay and it was just about hanging in there. We know that leg-spinners come into the game later on. “To get his rewards like he did, and bowl like he did, really sped up the game.” Seamer Ben Stokes had an upset stomach but is fit to play. The teams (from): Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt.), Ahmed Shehzad, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Fawad Alam, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Wahab Riaz, Imran Khan, Rahat Ali, Junaid Khan, Bilal Asif. England: Alastair Cook (capt.), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Samit Patel, Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Taylor, Mark Wood, Chris Jordan. — AFP

Vijay Lokapally NEW DELHI: “I had missed his announcement honestly. When I heard about it I was obviously very sad. I have not felt like discussing his cricket because it makes me sadder to realise that Viru will not play international cricket anymore. Thinking of him evokes memories of his glorious contribution to the game. I have been very attached to him, like my son, and feel proud to say that he is my student,” said Virender Sehwag’s coach A.N. Sharma. “But I would, at the outset, take the opportunity to share my disappointment at the way the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) and the DDCA (Delhi and District Cricket Association) has treated one of the greatest cricketers of all time. I rate Viru above Sachin Tendulkar and not necessarily because

he was my pupil. These two organisations should feel ashamed at the shoddy manner in which they have seen Viru announce his retirement. It could have been better if only the BCCI and the DDCA had shown the concern and vision. “I vividly remember when he came to me as a nine-yearold. The first two days I did not offer him any chance but the third day I thought let me see. And I saw a spark in his batting. There was something different. We soon discovered that this lad could pick the ball much earlier than the rest and find gaps at will. He carried on this quality to the international field too. “I never taught him to restrain himself at the crease. I liked it when he hit the ball hard. I encouraged him to take on the best of the bowlers even at a young age. I would, of course, work on his weakness-

es and try to polish his natural flair. I made it a point never to impose the coaching book on him. His hand-eye co-ordination was astonishing and that was the quality that helped him grow into such a great batsman. “I have wept today. I can’t accept the fact that Viru has decided to retire. True, it would have been tough to make a comeback to the Indian team. But why did he lose his place in the team. He always played for the team. He played to entertain and win matches. “To me, he was the greatest match-winner India has known. The world of cricket will never see another Viru. His greatest gift to me is that he made me known in the cricket circles. “I support his decision to retire. I hope he finds a way to stay connected with the game.”

Valson, Chopra resign as junior selectors Rakesh Rao NEW DELHI: There seems no end to the games that administrators play backstage in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA). On the field, the Delhi teams, both senior and under-19, are doing well but off-the-field, the controversy continues unabated. In a dramatic turn of events on Tuesday, two of the three members of the junior selection committee, Messrs Sunil Valson and Nikhil Chopra, along with convenor Salil Seth, resigned from their posts after being informed, in writing, that two more selectors would be added to the panel. Suresh Luthra, the third member, is likely to follow suit. What irked the committee was the decision of the DDCA bosses on Monday to remove them from the under-16 and under-14 panels without information. The letter, signed by DDCA vice-presidents Chetan Chauhan and C.K. Khanna, proved to be the last straw that broke

the camel’s back. The indignation suffered by the trio began soon after they were appointed in September. This was also the first time that only three selectors, and not the customary five, were named to form the panel. On the field, the team chosen by the panel couldn’t have done any better. Delhi won all four league games in the North Zone with 16 points in the Vinoo Mankad (under-19) competition. “We have suffered inexplicably from the misbehaviour of some Sports Committee members. They have tested our tolerance to the hilt. Now we cannot take the humiliation any more,” said one of the selectors after resigning on Tuesday. In the resignation letter addressed to the DDCA General Secretary Anil Khanna, the selectors pointed out that they were appointed convenor/selectors on September 17 as per the resolution forwarded by the three Government nominees and approved by the Executive Committee.

“We accepted the same considering the uncertainty prevailing in the DDCA regarding participation of the state team in the various tournaments conducted by the BCCI and to ensure that the players do not suffer. Our effort was to ensure that players get an opportunity to showcase their talent. In fact, we selected the under-19 team for the Vinoo Mankad Trophy and full marks to the players that they performed exceptionally well by topping the zone in rather convincing manner. “Now, in the meanwhile, a new lot of selectors for U-14 and U-16 have been announced by DDCA without any intimation to us, which is rather shocking and more importantly in violation of the earlier resolution passed by the same Executive Committee. This leaves us with no choice, but to resign from our appointment as selectors/ convenor for under-14, under-16 and under-19 age groups. This letter may therefore be treated as our resignations.”

| 23 BCCI to look at new Test venues Special Correspondent MUMBAI: The BCCI may award future Tests to venues with a smaller capacity, say between 30,000 and 40,000. The argument is that venues with such a capacity may attract substantial interest from cricket fans as against the followers of the game at traditional Test centres. BCCI president Shashank Manohar has mooted the idea. The grounds at Rajkot, Indore, Cuttack, Ranchi and Visakhapatnam are ICC certified venues for One-Day Internationals and these cities have four-star or five-star hotels and frequent flight connectivity. And teams travel by chartered flights nowadays.

Malhotra is AICS chief NEW DELHI: The Union Sports Ministry has revived the All India Council of Sports (AICS), headed by seasoned sports administrator V.K. Malhotra, to advise the Ministry on matters relating to the promotion and development of sports and games in the country. The AICS, which used to function under the presidency of Malhotra during the tenure of the NDA Government, will have several eminent sportspersons, including Sachin Tendulkar, P.T. Usha, Limba Ram, N. Kunjarani Devi, I.M. Vijayan, P. Gopi Chand, Bhaichung Bhutia and Vishwanathan Anand, as its members among others. The AICS president will hold the rank of a Minister of State. Following the development, Malhotra resigned from his post of the Archery Association of India (AAI) president. “As per the AAI constitution, our senior vice-president Tarlochan Singh will discharge the duty of the acting president till our elections next year,” said AAI treasurer Virendra Sachdeva. AAI had been derecognised by the Sports Ministry for not following the age and tenure guidelines prescribed in the National Sports Development Code and electing Malhotra as its president.

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NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU

CM YK

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

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