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CHENNAI I FRIDAY 3 I JANUARY 2020

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Rahukalam: www.facebook.com/deccannews, www.twitter.com/deccanchronicle, www.deccanchronicle.com Vol. 15 No. 278 Established 1938 | 32 PAGES | ` 3.00
10.30 am to 12 noon
Yamagandam:
3.00 pm to 4.30 pm
PRAYERS
Fajar: 5.15 am
■ Final results of local body polls only on Friday Expose Pak, don’t oppose
Indian Parliament: Modi
Dravidian parties in seesaw
Zohar: 12.17 pm
Asar: 3.28 pm
Maghrib: 5.53 pm Tumakuru, Jan. 2:
Isha: 7.09 pm Lambasting Congress and
SUNSET TODAY 5.54 PM its allies for opposing the

battle as counting stretches

Citizenship Amendment
SUNRISE TOMORROW 6.32 AM
Act, Prime Minister Nare-
MOONRISE TODAY 12.16 AM ndra Modi on Thursday sa-
MOONSET TOMORROW 11.54 PM id the ongoing protests

High Court takes up were against the Parlia-

ment and called on the agi-
issue of Mahabs tators to raise their voice
against Pakistan's atroci-
monuments’ upkeep As per the latest
FROM YOUNG TO OLD
J.V. SIVA PRASANNA ties on its minorities for
KUMAR | DC reports, DMK is the last 70 years.
Chennai: The Madras high court CHENNAI, JAN. 2 leading in both The Prime Minister said
has directed the state govern- protecting and supporting
Panchayat Unions
ment to give the list of the
recognised NGOs, recognized
The counting of votes for
the Tamil Nadu rural WINNERS Preethi Mohan, a
22-year old second
wards and District
Panchayats. By
minorities of neighbour-
ing countries who have
guides working at the tourist civic polls which, com- sought refuge in India was
Riya, a 30-year old year postgraduate
places and other recognized
volunteers, who can undertake
menced at 8.00 am on
Thursday, from 315 transwoman of the DMK student won as union
about 4 p.m, AIADMK
had established a
our cultural and national
responsibility. DRDO establishes
the review system for counting centres amidst was declared elected union councillor from Salem clear lead and was "Those who are protest-
maintaining cleanliness and
upkeep of the monuments and
tight police security, is
expected to go all through
councillor in Namakkal
district’s Tiruchengode
District’s
Ayothiapattinam
surging ahead ing against the Parliament
of India, I want to tell them
five young
other places in Mahabali-
puram. ■ P3
the night. The final resu-
lts may be announced
Panchayat Union. She is the
first transwoman to win a
Panchayat Union.
district.
that the need was to expose
Pakistan's deeds on the
scientist labs
only on Friday. In Madurai's world stage. If you want to DC CORRESPONDENT
Firefighter dies The initial trends saw a local body election in
Tamil Nadu on the
Sandyarani Jayasarathi, a
21-year old woman and a
Arittapatti, 79-year-old protest, protest and raise BENGALURU, JAN. 2

during rescue
seesaw battle between Veerammal has been voice against Pakistan's
ruling AIADMK and the ticket of a recognised student was elected vil- announced the winner in deeds for the last 70 years, Five 'Young Scientists'
op in Peeragarhi opposition DMK, which
accused the ruling party
political party,
according to local
lage panchayat presi-
dent of KN Thotti in
the local body election for
Village Panchayat presi-
you should have that guts,"
he said.
Laboratories' established
by Defence Research &
New Delhi: A fire-fighting of deliberately withhold- Krishnagiri district. dent post — perhaps the Addressing a gathering at Development Organisati-
ing results. By the end of
officials. oldest contender in the Siddaganga Math near he- on (DRDO) in five cities
operation in northwest Delhi's
Peeragarhi turned deadly after Thursday, DMK local body elections, re, he said, "If you want to across the country, with
a portion of the building that appeared to take the lead. while in Krishnagiri dis- shout slogans, shout again- an intention to leapfrog in
housed the manufacturing unit The marathon count- Several from humble background were successful, including trict, 21-year-old indepen- st the way in which atroci- advanced technologies
of inverter batteries collapsed, ing process that made Saraswathi, a former sanitary worker who was elected as a dent candidate Jai ties are happening against which are critical for
killing a 28-year-old fire ser- political parties restless village panchayat president from Virudhunagar district. Sandhaya Rani has won minorities there; if you wa- futuristic defence sys-
vice personnel and injuring his has proved momentous K.N. Thoti panchayat. nt to hold rallies, hold it in tems and could change
14 colleagues. for a few independents Also, in districts including Ramanathapuram a number She is pursuing BBA at a favour of dalits and down- the way wars are fought,
The accident happened in less
than one month of the Anaj
who romped home the of elderly women ranging between 70 and 80 years private college. trodden who have come were inaugurated by
winner in some seats. were elected to civic posts and these were allocated An independent candi- from Pakistan (to India). If Prime Minister Narendra
Mandi fire that killed 45 peo-
As per the latest to women. date Selvarani created a you want to do dharna, do it Modi in this tech hub on
ple.
reports, DMK is leading flutter at a counting cen- against Pakistans deeds." Thursday.

Taiwan’s top military

in both Panchayat tre in Langudi in Modi was speaking after pa- Each of these DRDO Yo-
Unions wards and of DMK candidates, espe- tory in Sathankulam, Tiruchy, alleging that the ying respects at the 'Gad- ung Scientists' Labora-
officer killed in District Panchayats. By
about 4 p.m, AIADMK
Panchayat
Unions wards too the
cially in the constituen-
cies of the Chief Minister
Paramathi
Nainarkoil areas win-
and symbol allotted to her did
not figure in the ballot
duge' (final resting place) of
Shivakumara Swamiji at
tories, or DYSL in short,
would provide opportuni-
chopper crash had established a clear
lead and was surging
opposition party was
clearly in the lead in 1,177
and Deputy Chief
Minister. Denying any
ning Panchayat Union
Ward Member seats. The
paper.
She was, however,
Siddaganga Math, a promi-
nent Lingayat seminary
ties for scientists aged
below 35 years to carry
Taipei: Taiwan's top military ahead. wards. irregularities, State ruling AIADMK's candi- evicted by the police pre- here. out research in advanced
officer was killed in a heli- Hours later, it was the DMK chief M. K. Stalin Election Commissioner date has won the post of sent at the centre. At Pointing out that few technologies such as Arti-
copter crash on Thursday, the DMK's turn to take the in his complaint to the Palaniswamy said the Panchayat Union Ward Edappadi in Salem dis- weeks ago the Parliament ficial Intelligence (Benga-
defence ministry said, just lead. DMK remained in State Election counting process might Member in Karur district trict, the DMK members passed the CAA, Modi said, luru), Quantum Techno-
days before the island goes the lead in 162 district Commission (SEC), extend till Friday with- and the post of Panchayat observed a fast condemn- however, the Congress and logy (Mumbai), Cognitive
to polls to elect a new presi- panchayats wards and alleged that the officials out any break. Union Ward Member in ing the delay in announc- its allies and the ecosystem Technologies (Chennai),
dent. The chief of the general AIADMK trailed just and AIADMK cadre were The DMK has regis- ward 5 of Aravakurichi ing their party candidate created by them are stand- Smart Materials (Hydera-
staff, Shen Yi-ming, was amo- behind and in the withholding the results tered an impressive vic- panchayat town in the as winner. ■ P4 ing up against the Indian bad), and Asymmetric
ng eight senior officers -- inc- Parliament. Technologies (Kolkata).
luding three major-generals --
who died when their Black
PLEA BY BHARATHI
Hawk helicopter smashed
into mountains near Taipei.
HC directs SEC 58 persons held during Case registered
against BJP’s
COUNTER POINT to file detailed
affidavit on anti-CAA stir released Raja, cadre
DC CORRESPONDENT
counting DC CORRESPONDENT
with agency inputs
Act and the NRC nearly
two weeks ago. Their 14-
CHENNAI, JAN. 2

Chennai: The Madras NEW DELHI/LUCKNOW, month-old baby was all Chennai police have reg-
high court has directed JAN. 2 over the news and the istered cases against 311
the state election com- child had taken ill in the BJP workers, including
mission to file a detailed
The additional sessions past few days. party's national secretary
and comprehensive affi-
davit as to the manner court in Varanasi, Uttar “I didn”t think it would H Raja, following a
in which the counting Pradesh, on Thursday take so long,” an emo- protest they held in front
process is going on and released on bail 58 per- tional Ekta told the of the Gandhi statue in
recording through CCTV sons arrested during the media as she hugged her Marina Beach. They had
cameras, declaration of anti-CAA protests in the daughter after two demonstrated demanding
results as well as state. weeks. “Main bata nahin the arrest of Tamil orator
request for recounting if Actor-activist Sadaf sakti (I can’t put it in Nellai Kannan over his
any made by 4 pm Jafar and several others, Sadaf Jafar words),” she said when controversial speech
Friday. Justice M.Sathy- however, remained in asked how it felt. A mother waits for treatment of her child at the JK Lone against Prime Minister
anarayanan gave the jail while Bollywood amended citizenship law The bail application of hospital, in Kota district, Thursday. At least 100 infants Narendra Modi and Home
directive on a petition celebrities like Mahesh had gone violent. Mahesh the couple — nabbed have died at the government-run hospital in Kota in the Minister Amit Shah.
filed by R.S.Bharathi, Bhatt, Swara Bhaskar Bhatt said that without along with other protest- past month. — PTI The leaders and party
Market report the organising secretary and Sushant Singh liberty, “free institutions ers from Left groups workers on Wednesday

GOLD
24 ct (1 gm): `3,923.00
of DMK, after hearing
elaborate arguments
demanded her release.
Jafar, who is also a
are a sham”.
Among those granted
from Beniyabagh and
nearby localities for vio-
KOTA TRAGEDY had made their way to the
beach, where protests
22 ct (1 gm): `3,736.00
from senior counsel
SILVER
INDICES
Bar (1 Kg): `50,400.00

Sensex 41,306.02 pts

Nifty 12,182.50 pts
P.Wilson for the peti-
tioner and senior coun-
sel A.R.L.Sundaresan for
Congress spokesperson,
was arrested in Lucknow
on December 19 while
live on Facebook from
bail were environmental
activists Ekta and Ravi
Shekhar, who ended up
in police custody while
lating prohibitory orders
under Section 144 CRPC
— was initially cancelled
by a lower court and the
Maya, Yogi slam Priyanka have been banned by the
Madras High Court. The
party workers including
H.Raja, Pon Radhakris-
EXCHANGE US$: `71.22 Euro: 79.85
the state election com-
mission. ■ P4 the spot where the
protests against the
protesting against the
Citizenship Amendment
next hearing fixed for
January 1. ■ P7 over 100 baby deaths hnan, CP Radhakrishnan
and L Ganesan were bo-
oked under IPC Section
SREEPARNA if like Uttar Pradesh, she 143 (Punishment - Whoev-

India has most babies on January 1 CHAKRABARTY

NEW DELHI, JAN. 2

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's

enthusiastic campaign
would have met the moth-
ers of the children who
have died in the hospital,
due to the apathy of the
government of her party in
er is a member of an un-
lawful assembly, shall be
punished with imprison-
ment of either description
for a term which may
United Nations, Jan. 2: year and a new decade is an half of these births were 2018, 2.5 million newborns against the CAA and NRC the state," Ms Mayawati extend to six months, or
India recorded the highest opportunity to reflect on estimated to have taken died in just their first mo- in Uttar Pradesh has led to tweeted on Thursday. with fine, or with both),
number of babies born our hopes and aspirations place in eight countries - nth of life; about a third of some political heartburn The BSP chief began by Section 145 (Joining or
worldwide on New Year's not only for our future, but India (67,385), China them on the first day of life. for BSP chief Mayawati claiming that the attitude continuing in unlawful
Day with the world's sec- the future of those who will (46,299), Nigeria (26,039), Among those children, who on Thursday sought of the Ashok Gehlot gov- assembly, knowing it has
ond most populous country come after us,” UNICEF Pakistan (16,787), Indonesia most died from preventable to target the Congress over ernment in Rajasthan was been commanded to dis-
registering an estimated Executive Director Hen- (13,020), United States of causes such as premature the deaths of 100 children condemnable as it has mis- perse) and Section 341
67,385 births out of the rietta Fore said. “As the America (10,452), Democra- birth, complications during in Kota in party-ruled managed the situation of (Punishment for wrong-
nearly 400,000 babies born calendar flips each Janua- tic Republic of Congo delivery, and infections like Rajasthan and asked as to the 100 children deaths in ful restraint). ■ P2
globally on that day, the UN ry, we are reminded of all (10,247) and Ethiopia sepsis. In addition, more why the "woman Congress Kota and still remains
children's agency said. the possibility and poten- (8,493). Each January, than 2.5 million babies are General Secretary" was irresponsible and unsym-
An estimated 392,078 babi- births. The babies born will tial of each child embark- UNICEF celebrates babies born dead each year. UNI- not visiting the states and pathetic to the situation.
es were born around the add to the world's current ing on her or his life's jour- born on New Year's Day, an CEF said over the past three the victims' mothers. The BSP supremo fur-
world on New Year's Day, population of about 7.8 bil- ney-if they are just given auspicious day for child decades, the world has seen "It is very sad that the ther asked the people of
according to UNICEF. Of lion – a population that the that chance.” Fiji in the birth around the world, it remarkable progress in child Congress General Uttar Pradesh to keep alert
this, an estimated 67,385 UN expects could peak at Pacific most likely deliv- said. However, for millions survival, cutting the number Secretary is keeping mum about the political oppor-
babies were born in India, nearly 11 billion around ered 2020's first baby, while of newborns around the of children worldwide who on the deaths of 100 chil- tunism of the Congress,
the most globally. China co- 2100. the US, the last of the New world, the day of their birth die before their fifth birth- dren in the Kota hospital. specially the Ms Gandhi
mes in second with 46,299 “The beginning of a new Year's Day. Globally, over is far less auspicious. In day by more than half. It would have been better Vadra. ■ P7
Special
Tamil tradition
PAGE
The DMK’s threat to launch an agitation to uphold Tamil tradition in
celebrating ‘Pongal’ has led PM Narendra Modi to change the date for his 2
nationwide students interaction programme to Jan. 20, said M. K. Stalin
DECCAN CHRONICLE FRIDAY I 3 JANUARY 2020 | CHENNAI

■ Tamil orator arrested at private lodge in Perambalur WINTER WEAR WOOS KIDS
Nellai Kannan sent to Salem
Centre should roll
back the hike in
jail after judicial remand
railway fares M ARULOLI | DC check-up. Palayamkottai Central

immediately
TIRUNELVELI, JAN 2 The Melapalayam
police have booked him
prison, where he was
initially lodged.
Writer arrested for
— T. R. Baalu,
The elderly Tamil orator
Nellai Kannan, arrested
for his alleged provoca-
under three sections--
504, 505 and 505(2) under
IPC initially, also added
However, as the
Congress lawyers led by
advocate T Kamaraj
hate speech
DMK MP
tive remarks against up two more sections along with advocate FROM P1
Prime Minister Sri IPC 153 (A), indulging in Amalraj of the MDMK Meanwhile, on Wednesday
Narendra Modi and wanton vilification of a lawyers’ wing, raised night, the Tamil writer was
IN BRIEF Union home minister,
Amit Shah at an SDPI-
religion and section
506(1), intentionally
slogans against the state
and central govern-
arrested in Perambalur on
the charges of making hate

Vellammal School
party organised anti- making a statement like- ments within the court speech against PM and
CAA meeting here last ly to cause, fear to a sec- premises and obstructed Home Minister. Based on
Sunday was remanded tion of the public that the police vehicle taking multiple complaints filed by
student receives to judicial custody till
January 13 and later
may induce people
against the state and dis-
Nellai Kannan to the
prison by staging a road
BJP leaders, Kannan was
booked under sections 504
award directed to be taken to
Salem central prison.
turb public tranquility.
After having an exten-
roko for a while, block-
ing public traffic on the
(Intentional insult with
intent to provoke breach of
Chennai: A Vellammal School Arrested at a private sive health check-up, T i r u n e l v e l i - the peace), 505(1)(b) (with
student has received ‘Young lodge at Perambalur on Nellai Kannan was pro- Thoothukudi highways, intent to cause, or which is
Scientist Master award in 27th Wednesday night, Nellai duced before the police found it inad- likely to cause, fear or alarm Different varieties of muffler put up for sale on New Avadi Road in Chennai on Thursday.
National Children’s Science Kannan was brought to Tirunelveli district visable not to keep to the public, or to any sec- —DC
Congress, Kerala. K. Rudhayan, Tirunelveli by the spe- Judicial magistrate Nellai Kannan in tion of the public whereby
Class 9, has received award in cial police party led by court-1 around 11 am. Palayamkottai prison. any person may be induced
the 27th National Children’s inspector, Barnabas on Hearing the case, the Hence, according to an to commit an offence against
Science Congress held at Mar
Ivanios, Vidya Nagar, Kerala
between 27 and 31, 2019. K.
Rudhayan won the best proj-
Thursday morning at
around 7 am and was
taken to Tirunelveli gov-
ernment medical col-
judicial magistrate Mr.
Babu remanded Kannan
to judicial custody, fol-
lowing which the police
official source,
police approached the
court which ordered to
shift Nellai Kannan to
the the State or the public tran-
quillity), and 505 (2) (state-
ments which create or pro-
mote enmity, hatred or ill-
CMRL inaugurates two-tier
ect for his excellence in invent-
ing light weight paper using
nanotechnology. He was
selected one among the 10
lege hospital for health took him to Salem Central prison. will between classes) of IPC.
two-wheeler parking lot
best young scientists by the DC CORRESPONDENT
panel of experts. The 27th
NCSC was organised by the
CAPTIVATING POSE CHENNAI, JAN 2

department of science and The Chennai Metro Rail

technology, Central govern- Limited has inaugurated
ment. two-tier two-wheeler park-
ing lot in Meenambakkam
Solar-powered Srikala Bharath
performing an
metro station on Thursday.
CMRL Director (Systems

ferry service ashtapadi

during a solo at
and Operations)
Narasim Prasad inaugurat-
L.

launched Indian Fine Arts ed the facility that can

accommodate five two-
on Thursday.
wheelers at ground level
Tirunelveli: Solar-powered and five at an elevation of 9
ferry service has been feet. A total of 10 two-
launched for the benefit of wheelers can be parked at a
tourists visiting the time instead of five. Two-tier two wheeler parking lot inaugurated at
Manimutharu dam in the dis- The parked vehicles are Meenambakkam metro rail station. —DC
trict, officials said. The oper- lifted to top through
ation of the solar-powered hydraulic power and similar facility in other Products Engineering Pvt.
boat would prevent water brought down through metro stations also. Among Ltd. and other CMRL offi-
pollutionand also protect gravitational force. CMRL others S. Prabhu, manag- cials took part in the pro-
aquaticanimals, they said has planned to introduce ing director, Swift Power gramme.
after the launch of the serv-
ice on Wednesday. The boat
would be used to ferry
tourists around the
Manimutharu waterfalls, the
officials said. The boat has
been purchased at a cost of
New baggage screening system at airport
DC CORRESPONDENT For the first time in-line
`58 lakh, the officials said CHENNAI, JAN 2 scanning will be introduced
adding 24 passengers can in domestic terminal and it
travel in it at a time. —PTI In an effort to enhance will be commissioned
security system at Chennai shortly. The Baggage Hand-
Bank employee
accused of sexually
Activist raises concerns on international airport, in-
line baggage screening sys-
tem with CTX (Computer
ling System (BHS) is also
upgraded with high per-
formance PLC, drives, con-
Tomography X-ray) scan- veyors and control system.

assaulting minor CoP’s comment on Gayatri ners was commissioned at

the departure terminal on
Thursday. The passengers
The complete system at
international & domestic
terminal has been thor-
Coimbatore: A bank employ- DC CORRESPONDENT rights defender (HRD) Indonesia, Malaysia, need not stay in long queue A total of eight state-of- The CTX 9800 DSi scanner oughly tested and certified
ee was arrested on Thursday CHENNAI, JAN 2 currently based in Maldives, Myanmar, and get their registered the-art CTX scanners have is capable of handling up to by Battelle, a TSA approved
on the charge of sexually Chennai. The advocate Pakistan, Sri Lanka and baggage scanned before been deployed at interna- 1,800 bags per hour, making agency based in USA, for its
abusing a minor girl at her A human rights activist had interned with Vietnam. The study was dropping at the check-in tional (4) and domestic (4) the screening process faster performance and through
house here, police said. has raised serious con- People’s Watch for a few conducted in association counters. This would terminals at a cost of Rs.58 and more efficient. The sys- put as per TSA protocol and
Ramkumar, working in a cerns over the statement months in 2013. She had with the Asian Forum enable faster passenger pro- crore. At international ter- tem can process more than also has obtained the
nationalised bank, had made by City Police worked with the Asian for Human Rights and cessing, minimum queuing minal, the old EDS scanner 75,000 bags in each terminal approval of BCAS, the apex
entered the 14-year-old girl’s Commissioner A.K. Forum for Human Rights Development (FORUM- time, and less congestion at has been replaced with the per week in domestic and regulatory body for civil
house a couple of days ago Viswanathan relating to and Development (FOR ASIA), Global Partners check-in area. CTX scanner. international terminal. aviation security in India.
when she was alone and sex- Gayatri Khandhadai, UM-ASIA), an interna- Digital and the
ually assaulted her, the police booked for drawing tional human rights Association for
said. Also, he threatened her
of dire consequences if she
revealed the incident to any-
one, they said. However, the
ninth standard student nar-
rated the incident to her
kolam during anti-CAA
protest on Sunday, about
her association with
Bytes for All (B4A), a
human rights organisa-
tion in Pakistan.
organisation based in
Geneva and Bangkok.
She is now associated
with the Association for
Progressive Communica-
tions (APC).
Progressive Communica-
tions (APC).
The study showed how
states legitimized vio-
lence against religious
minorities and those
Ooty invites more tourists
B. RAVICHANDRAN I DC visited Ooty in the summer
mother who lodged a com- The police commission- He said B4A is a human who raised their voices OOTY, JAN.2 months of April and May
plaint, they said. er while addressing the rights organisation and against injustice. The alone.
A case has been registered media on Wednesday a research think tank study highlighted the Nearly three million Meanwhile, tourism
under Pocso (Protection of made these comments on based in Pakistan focus- need to have mutual tourists visited Ooty, the stakeholders here have
Children from Sexual detaining a few anti-CAA ing on information and respect and acceptance queen of hill stations, in pleaded for better infra-
offences) Act and Ramkumar protesters and about communication tech- to ensure the co-exis- the year 2019, a good incre- structure facilities to han-
arrested, they added. —PTI investigating Gayatri’s nologies (ICTs) to pro- tence of people practis- ase compared to 2018. dle more flow of tourists. N.
‘Pakistan connection’. mote the use of technolo- ing various religions. The Government Chandrasekhar, secretary
CM making incorrect He also claimed that she
has the support of local
gy for sustainable devel-
opment, democracy and
She was critical about
restriction of freedom of
Botanical Garden(GBG)
here was the main attrac-
of the Nilgiris Hotels and
Restaurants Association,
statements on SEC organisations
named
and
“Arappor
social justice.
Gayatri, in collabora-
expression in Islamic
countries.
tion with 29.72 lakh
tourists, a jump of 99,826
said that more importance
should be given to bolster
appointment: Bedi Iyakkam” in a defamato-
ry manner.
tion with B4A, filed a
report on “Desecrating
HRDA has urged the
police commissioner to
more visitors than in 2018.
The tourist inflow to GBG
infrastructure in the hills
by improving the condition
In a statement, Henri Expression: An account restrain from any in 2017 was 30.37 lakh, of roads and footpaths,
Puducherry: Lieutenant Tiphagne, National Wor- of freedom of expression actions impinge upon which dropped to 28.72 lakh removal of encroachments,
Governor of Puducherry king Secretary, Human and religion in Asia”. the personal liberties in 2018 and rose again in better rest room facilities
Kiran Bedi on Thursday said Rights Defender’s Alert - The report focused on and fundamental free- 2019. Out of 29.72 lakh Tourists at Government Botanical Garden in Ooty. and parking facility to han-
Chief Minister V. India (HRDA), stated nine countries in Asia - dom of Gayathri and tourists who visited GBG in —DC dle the increased flow of
Narayanasamy was issuing that Gayatri is a human Bangladesh, India, Arappor Iyakkam. 2019, a little over 10 lakh tourists to the hills.
allegedly incorrect state-
ments by saying she has no
authority to appoint or quash

Monsoon keeps date with city, Margazhi chill missing

the appointment of the state
election commissioner (SEC).
The Chief Minister had said at
a press conference on
Wednesday that neither the
Lieutenant Governor nor the
Union Home Ministry has any B.Vijayalakshmi TDS level. Metro water
reduced supply and pri-
to 6-7 per cent. Though
water levels in the reser-
against the normal 75 cm
between October and
power to cancel the appoint- vate water tankers fleeced voirs did not see any sig- December. The city also
ment of the the SEC to con-
duct the civic polls. “The
Viewpoint residents with exorbitant
rates. Multi-storied apart-
nificant improvement, the
SW monsoon rain helped
has got the maximum
rains during the last three
appointment is fait accom- ments resorted to in preventing groundwater months thus filling reser-
pli,” he had said. The Chief rationing of water. levels from plummeting voirs and water bodies.

M
Minister had said theSECwas oderate rainfall on Chennai Metropolitan further. The crippling As 2019 drew to a close,
appointed by the govern- January 1 in Water Supply and Sewer- water crisis drove corpora- Tamil Nadu recorded two
ment in July last year Chennai and other age Board identified quar- tion and metro officials to per cent surplus rainfall
through a notification issued surrounding areas was the ries, lakes and farm wells check the status of rainwa- while Chennai recorded 17
as per the then directions of icing on the cake as the to draw water. Meanwhile, ter harvesting structures per cent deficit. Driven to
the Speaker on the floor of city had faced severe water the government decided to in all houses and multi-sto- the edge, Chennaiittes and
the House in response to a crisis six months ago. build one more reservoir ried buildings. authorities learnt the need
plea by members belonging Consecutive monsoon fail- on the fringes to augment The northeast monsoon to harvest rainwater and
to both the ruling and oppo- ures, lack of summer drinking water supply to set in over TN, early, on safeguard water bodies the
sition parties. In the wake of showers, unchecked Chennai and neighbouring October 16. Chennai and hard way.
the Speaker’s ruling, the gov- urbanisation and poor areas. other districts witnessed The showers, before NE
ernment appointed a former maintenance of water bod- However, Chennaiites heavy rainfall in isolated monsoon withdraws in
IAS officer of the territorial ies had pushed the city heaved a sigh of relief areas for several days. NE next few days, are likely to
government T. M. close to Day Zero. A brimming Red Hills lake after Chennai received enough rains during last three when sudden showers in monsoon had been better cut this deficit by one or
Balakrishnan as the SEC While four reservoirs months. —DC June-end broke the dry for Chennai than the previ- two per cent. However,
whose post was vacant for that supply water to spell. It recorded 56 per ous years. Met department with monsoon still around,
some years.—PTI Chennai went dry, ground- between March-May. With ple began sinking However, some places cent above normal rainfall officials said Chennai has the city is missing the nip
water levels also receded open wells drying up, peo- borewells up to 700 feet. yielded water with high and city’s deficit dropped received 63 cm of rainfall in the air.
Umasankar
City
Withdraw case
PAGE
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K. S. Azhagiri urged Chennai police
commissioner A. K. Viswanathan to immediately withdraw the case against 3
research student Gayathri regarding ‘kolam’ protests in the city
DECCAN CHRONICLE FRIDAY I 3 JANUARY 2020 | CHENNAI

■Give list of NGOs, guides, volunteers, HC tells government

Court takes up upkeep of

Nobody can drive a
wedge between
AIADMK and PMK
Mahabs monuments
DC CORRESPONDENT the Assistant Inspector the knowledge. However,
— D. Jayakumar, CHENNAI, JAN. 2 General of Police submitted the Mamallapuram Town
that in compliance to the Panchayat concerned was
TN minister The Madras high court has direction of the court, directed to peruse the
directed the state govern- the Superintendent of issues and address the gen-
ment to give the list of the Police, Kancheepuram uine concerns of this
SHORT TAKES recognised NGOs, recog-
nized guides working at
District had stated in his let-
ter that a separate wing
court, firmly deal with the
violations, if any, in letter

Man held under

the tourist places and other
recognized volunteers, who
can undertake the review
comprising one
Inspector of Police and 4
other ranks that were
Sub- and spirit, to ensure the
beauty and to safeguard the
ancient monuments, he
RAIN-BATTERED ROAD
Pocso Act system for maintaining
cleanliness and upkeep
well versed in English has
been formed and the same
added.
He said the Town Pancha-
of the monuments and town panchayat, they would was functioning in Mahabal- yat has been taking steps
Chennai: The Secretariat other places in be in a better position for ipuram police station exclu- to identify suitable lands for
Colony All Women Police on Mahabalipuram. undertaking such mainte- sively to deal with com- earmarking exclusive
Thursday arrested a 23-year- A division bench compris- nance works in the said plaints from foreigners. vehicle parking, with a hope
old man for sexually harassing ing Justices Vineet Kothari tourists places of Mahabal- Besides, police personnel to bring the parking issues
a minor girl in the city. The and R.Suresh Kumar gave ipuram. Assistant Solicitor well versed in English to an end. Totally 290 shops
accused has been identified the directive on a suo motu General G.Karthikeyan have been posted to the which had permanently
as Abdul Basir (23) of Otteri, proceedings initiated by it appearing for ASI prays aforesaid police station for encroached the public
who is known to the victim’s on the basis of a note pre- some time to give the statis- guiding foreigners properly places were evicted in coor-
father. Police said he used to pared by Justice tics with regard to the rev- and for dealing with their dination with revenue
visit her house and allegedly N.Kirubakaran to preserve enue received from the complaints effectively, he and police departments.
torture her sexually. On the beauty and safeguard tourists in the last three added. The eviction drive was con-
Wednesday too he had beha- the monuments and to pro- years. The aforesaid infor- In his counter, S.Raman- ducted at regular intervals.
ved inappropriately with the tect the tourists visiting the mation and lists may be sub- athan, Deputy secretary to As regards the issue of
girl, following which she con- town. mitted before the next date government, MAWS depa- food safety was concerned,
sumed poison thinking that The bench said Advocate of hearing so that an inte- rtment the ASI-Chennai cir- the Sanitary Supervisors of
her father would not believe General Vijay Narayan grated approach can be cle has already declared Town panchayat were given
her. She was admitted to the expressed the paucity of made by directing the ward nos. 8, 9, 12 and 13 of additional charge till the
Kilpauk medical college hos- funds with town panchayat authorities concerned, the Mamallapuram, as monu- year 2011.
pital for treatment. Based on to undertake various munic- bench added and posted to ment sites and any construc- Thereafter, a separate wing
a complaint by the victim’s ipal work by the town pan- January 22, further hearing tion or renovation was of Food and Drug
sister, the Secretariat Colony chayat and he submitted of the case. subject to the scrutiny of Administration (Food
police booked Abdul under that the ASI was collecting Meanwhile, counter affi- the said competent autho- Safety) under the health
Pocso act and lodged him in major revenue from davits have been filed on rity. The violations have department has been estab-
Puzhal prison. the tourists at the rate of `40 behalf of the DGP and Mun- been dealt with under appro- lished to deal with the same.
per Indian and `600 per for- icipal Administration and priate rules as and when The said Food safety wing
Farmers stage eigner and therefore, if they
can do some funding to the
Water supply department.
In his counter, E.T.Samson,
the same was found by
the authorities or brought to
was taking care of the same,
he added.
Due to continuous rains, Aavin road at Industrial estate in Ambattur lies
damaged on Thursday. —DC

road roko for

compensation
Chennai: Around 50 farmers
from six villages in Thirukazh-
Cop told to pay `50,000 for CISF officer on bike falls into canal, dies DC CORRESPONDENT dent of Vigneshwara he allegedly slipped and spot and fished his body
ukundram staged a demon-
stration blocking the
Kalpakkam-Thirukazhukun-
dram road demanding that
foisting false case on victim CHENNAI, JAN. 2

A CISF personnel died after

he lost control of his two-
Nagar in Soorapattu was
working as Assistant
Superintendent of Police
with Central Industrial
fell into the canal on the
roadside and drowned to
death.
Police sources said that
out.
The body was sent to
the Stanley govern-
ment hospital for post-
the government provide com- DC CORRESPONDENT the bike and took him to charges. Hence, he sought wheeler and fell into a Security Force (CISF), Raj a round 8 a.m. on Thursday, mortem. Police have
pensation for crop losses due CHENNAI, JAN. 2 the police station and action against the cop. canal in Soorapattu near Bhavan in Guindy. the locals spotted his informed the family of per-
to the heavy rains on Tuesday assaulted him. C.Subb- In the reply, R.Rajesh, SI, Puzhal. The body was On Wednesday night after body floating in the canal sonnel.
night and Wednesday morn- State Human Rights uraj sustained injuries on denied the allegation and recovered from the canal on work, Saravana Raj was and alerted the police. Upon A case has been registered
ing. According to sources, the Commission has directed his left shoulder, back, left stated that many criminal Thursday morning. heading home in his two- receiving information, by the Madhavaramn traf-
farmers from Veerapuram, a cop in Virudhunagar hand, left leg, and stom- cases were registered According to the police, wheeler and when he Madhavaram Traffic inves- fic wing and investigations
Aminjikarai, Vitilapuram, district to pay a compen- ach. Rajesh claimed that against the complainant Saravana Raj (53), a resi- was near Madhanakuppam, tigation police reached the are underway.
Nerumbur and Vayalur vil- sation of `50,000 to a resi- Subburaj was involved in in various police stations
lages in Thirukazhukundram dent in the district for sand theft. from 2014. While escaping
blocked the Kalpakkam- detaining him by foisting He was kept in the lockup from him Subburaj fell
Thirukazhukundram road near a false case against him. and a false case registered down and sustained
Vitilapuram. They said their In the complaint against him. The cop also injuries.
lands were waterlogged and C.Subburaj of threatened him not to SHRC judge D
their peanut crops were Anaikkaraipatti village inform the magistrate Jayachandran said
destroyed due to the rainfall in Virudhunagar district about the torture. On R.Rajesh had violated the
coupled with a hailstorm. submitted on January 8, instruction from the mag- human rights of the com-
They raised slogans demand- 2018, that he and his rela- istrate he was taken to the plainant. The judge
ing compensation. On being tive Mugar Agustina hospital for treatment. directed the cop to pay
informed, village administra- were going to the hospital Later, he was detained him a compensation of
tion officials arrived at the on his two-wheeler. under judicial custody. `50,000 and recommend-
spot and held talks, after R.Rajesh, SI, Ammapatti Stating that he was inno- ed the government to ini-
which the protesters police station, Virudhun- cent, he said the cop had tiate disciplinary action
dispersed. agar district, intercepted detained him on false against him.

Man holds wet EB post, electrocuted

DC CORRESPONDENT
CHENNAI, JAN. 2

A day after two TNEB work-

ers were electrocuted
while fixing a faulty trans-
former in Sowcarpet, a 26-
year-old man was electro-
cuted in the suburbs
when he came in contact
with an electric pole in
the small hours of
Thursday.
The deceased was identi-
fied, G. Senthil, a resident G. Senthil
of Railway Quarters in
East Tambaram. Sources city and suburbs on The electric pole in East Tambaram which claimed victim’s
said Senthil’s parents had Wednesday, water had life. —DC
died recently and he had stagnated on the roads.
been living with his brother While walking on jolt and was thrown off electrocution was not the
Vigneshwar in East Tambaram-Velachery road, and died instantly. Based on reason behind the death
Tambaram while working Senthil attempted to jump an alert, Selaiyur police since the pole was in good
for a private company in over stagnated water just recovered the body and condition. Police said pre-
the city. opposite the Selaiyur sent it to the Chrompet gov- liminary reports from the
The incident happened at police station when he ernment hospital for post- hospital say the man had
around 1.30 am on reportedly lost control and mortem. died due to an electric
Thursday when Senthil held on to an electric pole Police called upon TNEB shock.
was returning home from nearby. officials to repair the elec- A case has been registered
his friend’s place. Owing to The electric pole was tric pole. and investigations are
heavy rainfall in the wet and Senthil received a The workers alleged that underway.

HC dispenses with Stalin appearance

DC CORRESPONDENT of the petition filed by issued summons to the the SC community.
CHENNAI, JAN. 2 Murasoli Trust represented DMK president to appear in Otherwise, whenever one of
by its trustee R.S.Bharathi, person. The trust was only the parties to a property
The Madras high court has challenging the jurisdiction a tenant and the owner has dispute belongs to the SC
dispensed with the person- of the NCSC to hear the validity purchased the community, they can sim-
al appearance of DMK complaint of R.Srinivasan, land. The owner of the land ply approach the NCSC
President M.K.Stalin before BJP state secretary alleging was Anjugam Pathipagam instead of a Civil court of
the National Commission that Murasoli Pathipagam and the titled can be traced competent jurisdiction.
for Scheduled Castes on was constructed on back to more than 70 years. J.Jayalalithaa, the then
January 7 in connection Panchami land. In fact, even the revenue Chief Minister of Tamil
with the proceedings Senior counsel P.Wilson, department has accepted Nadu on the floor of the leg-
initiated based on the com- appearing for the petitioner the title of Anjugam islative assembly has
plaint given by BJP state submitted that the NCSC Pathipagam, he added. informed there were no
secretary alleging that the does not have the jurisdic- In his petition, Bharathi “Panchami sites” in
office of the Tamil daily tion to hear matters per- submitted that the Chennai city. Therefore, the
“Murasoli”, a party organ, taining to title of proper- Constitution of India does allegation that the property
has been illegally con- ties. Despite, trustee not confer powers of adju- in which the petitioner was
structed on a Panchami R.S.Bharathi appearing in dication of any kind, much running his newspaper, at
site. person and explaining that less adjudicatory powers of no stretch of imagination,
Justice C.V.Karthikeyan the Tribunal does not have the title over properties on be called as “Panchami
permitted any representa- jurisdiction to hear such the Commission. In fact, site”. Except for the bald,
tive of the Murasoli Trust matters, the Vice Chairman only the Civil Courts can frivolous and vexatious
can represent Stalin. of the Commission perform such adjudicatory allegation, there were no
The judge adjourned to L.Murugan was continuing function, even if the com- documents referred in the
January 21, further hearing to abuse his office and plainant was a member of complaint, he added.
Politics
Jaya statue
PAGE
A bust of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has been
installed at the residence of AIADMK coordinator Deputy Chief 4
Minister O. Panneerselvam as a mark of respect to ‘amma’
DECCAN CHRONICLE FRIDAY I 3 JANUARY 2020 | CHENNAI

Police lathi-charge clashing groups

■ Row over results
DC CORRESPONDENT
CHENNAI, JAN.2
commission’s counting
officials to make the anno-
College girl elected 1st woman
Centre should not uncement immediately or
deny funds for
Cauvery river
Police resorted to a mild
‘force’ to quell two clash-
ing groups during count-
take up re-counting.
As they could not obtain
a favourable reply, they
<<<<<
Counting of
votes going
president of K’giri panchayat
ing in Thirumangalam resorted to a sudden road SANJEEVI ANANDAN I DC
clean-up here on Thursday. roko in front of the count- on for
Villivakkam
KRISHNAGIRI, JAN.2
According to police, the ing centre. This provoked
— Dr S. Ramadoss, supporters of two inde- the supporters of the rival panchayat Thanks to the state elec-
pendents – Thavamani and candidate and they enter- in tion commission changing
PMK founder
Munishwari, who have ed into an argument. Tiruvallur the K.N. Dhoodi village
contested for the post of Soon the wordy duel district at panchayat president post
OTHER STORY panchayat union president
– entered into an argument
between the two groups
ended in a clash and
Ambattur.
—DC
to one reserved exclusively
for women, a 21-year-old
over the final tally of the the police who were college girl broke a male
votes taken up for count- deployed at the counting preserve to become the vil-
TN cops draw flak ing. Intially, Thavamani’s
supporters questioned the
centre, lathi-charged them
to control the situation.
lage panchayat head.
J. Sandhya Rani (21), now
for being soft on delay in announcing the
‘victory’ of their candidate
Sources said Thavamani
was later announced the
studying BBA final year in
a private college of the
and demanded the election winner. R.Palaniswami, neighbouring Karnataka
BJP leaders State Election state, on Thursday was
J. Sandhya Rani
M. ARULOLI I DC DMK resorting to violence, says AIADMK Commisioner
takes a look at
declared elected as pan-
chayat president of K. N. Sandhya was among two
TIRUNELVELI, JAN. 2 Dhoodi village in other women candidates in
Chennai:The ruling an met the State Election the trend of Shoolagiri panchayat the electoral fray after
The Tamil Nadu police that AIADMK on Thursday Commissioner R. Palanis- results union in Krishnagiri dis- the final list was
acted swiftly to arrest the 74- accused the DMK of atte- wamy on Thursday night displayed on SEC trict, defeating her oppo- released by the election
year-old popular Tamil orator mpting to thwart the coun- and petitioned him, in this website at its nent by a margin of 210 commission. She is the
Nellai Kannan for his alleged ting process by indulging regard. headquarters in votes. The girl student youngest candidate when
hate speech at an anti-CAA in violence and prevailed Earlier in the day, Chennai on polled 1,170 votes against compared to her rivals R.
meeting, however, came under upon the State Election Co- Chief Minister Edappadi Thursday her rivals’ tally of 950 Radha (41) and V. Anitha
strong criticism for not being mmission to take appro- K. Palaniswami Deputy morning. —DC votes. (31).
tough against the virulent priate steps and ensure the Chief Minister “I could not have contest- Sandhya smelt victory
statements of some BJP lead- counting of votes takes O. Panneerselvam visited ed the elections and right from beginning, as
ers. place. the party office and con- become our village’s first her villagers believed that
Pointing to a specific incident, A delegation of AIADMK ferred with the party sen- women president if not for an educated young woman
when Nainar Nagendran, the office bearers led by for- iors and cadres, over the the SEC’s decision,” a smil- could run its administra-
vice-president of the BJP state mer Minister C. Ponnaiy- counting trends. —DC ing Sandhya told reporters. tion better. “I congratulate
unit, made a public call to be The girl added, her for getting elected as
ready to kill those who speak ill “my father would have con- our panchayat president.
of Hinduism, at a public meet-
ing organised by the Aandaal
Bhaktha Sabha at Palay-
Wild gaurs
trigger panic at
Poll results delay: DMK complains to SEC tested again who was the
former president of our
panchayat. I should also
Sandhya became the peo-
ple’s choice because of her
education. She will prove
amkottai on January 2018 D. SEKAR I DC DMK president thank my mother for with- her talent by running the
against Tamil poet and lyricist CHENNAI, JAN. 2 MK Stalin drawing her nomination administration efficiently,”
Vairamuthu for his statement
on Aandaal, Usman Khan of
counting centre With initial trends in
speaks to the
media after
after coming to know my
decision to test the polls.”
R. Radha, one of the losing
candidate said.
TMMK said that the Palayamk- DC CORRESPONDENT counting in the rural local meeting
ottai police did not show so COONOOR, JAN.2 bodies elections on Chief Election
much interest to make an
arrest while they chased the
elderly Nellai Kannan.
A herd of wild gaurs
which strayed into the
Thursday indicating a
lead for the opposition
DMK, the party leader M
Commisioner.
Party treasurer
and veteran
Cop on duty, candidate
“The state police is reluctant road near the counting K Stalin led a delegation
to act against BJP state func-
tionary Kalyanaraman against
whom some of the Muslim out-
centre for local body polls
here on Thursday morn-
ing created panic among
of senior party func-
tionaries to the State
Election Commissioner
Durai Murugan
and DMK
parliamentary
die of heart attack
party leader FROM P1
fits lodged a complaint for his the candidates and their (SEC) and complained to elect 655 district ward
slanderous tweet against agents. that the official declara- T R Baalu are panchayat members, 6,471
Islam,” noted Mr Khan. Large number of candi- tion of results was being seen. —DC Meanwhile, a candidate panchayat union ward
Mr . Vaiko, MDMK general dates and their agents "delayed" in many of the who had contested for the members, 12,524 village
secretary and Rajya Sabha MP, had assembled at the districts in "a bid to stall he alleged that the poll to DMK and its allies, the Dindigul and Minjur. post of panchayat presi- panchayat presidents, and
responding to media on the counting centre at the DMK’s victory by the officials were ‘colluding’ ruling AIADMK sought Mr. Stalin said since the dent in Tiruchendur in 99,324 village panchayat
arrest of Nellai Kannan, in St.Antony’s Higher ruling AIADMK". with the AIADMK. the help of officials and SEC was not taking any Thoothukudi district ward members, covering 27
Tirunelveli on Thursday, Secondary School in Mr Stalin, who was Speaking to reporters police in various places, action, he had directly passed away on Thursday districts.
expressed a similar Coonoor, next to accompanied by party after meeting the SEC, Mr. particularly in Salem dis- come to meet the state morning following a Counting got delayed in
opinion, adding that Nellai Sim’s Park here. Treasurer and veteran Stalin said that the DMK- trict including Edappadi election commissioner heart attack. In another Pattukottai in Thanjavur
Kannan’s local slang had been Suddenly wild gaurs from Durai Murugan and DMK led front was leading in 85 union, the Chief and complain to him. tragic incident, a police district due to delay in
wrongly interpreted by the the nearby jungle walked parliamentary party per cent of the posts in Minister’s home turf, and "He has assured action constable on duty outside a preparatory work and in
police. Mr Vaiko also con- into the Sim’s Park road, leader T R Baalu, handed rural local bodies at the were delaying the declara- and on that assurance we counting station in Othiyathur panchayat in
demned the police action triggering panic among over a petition to the SEC, district panchayat and tion of results, charged are going back," Stalin Tiruvannamalai district Villupuram district, the
against Nellai Kannan stating the people. However, Mr. Palanisamy, explain- panchayat union coun- Mr. Stalin. The other said, but added the also died due to cardiac counting of votes was halt-
that it was against freedom of the cops managed to ing the "irregularities" at cilors’ levels, which were places where such irregu- DMK was also moving arrest. ed for about 30 minutes due
speech ensured by Indian send the animals back the counting centres in held on party basis. But in larities were taking place the Madras High court in The two-phase elections - to the absence of seal on
Constitution. into the jungles. various districts, where a bid to deny the ‘victory’ included Thooothukudi, this regard. on Dec. 27 and 30 - was held two ballot boxes.

NY GREETINGS SEC refutes DMK charge, says no PRO-CAA DEMO

irregularities in counting of votes
DC CORRESPONDENT counting is taking place As to the reasons for the
CHENNAI, JAN.2 peacefully, fair and trans- protracted counting, he
parent manner," he said said each voter casts four
State Election and added that in the past votes. These are segregated
Commissioner R. too, the counting process and sent to the counting
Palaniswamy refuted a got extended to the next tables. "The entire process
charge by Opposition DMK day. of counting is happening
president M. K. Stalin that "Verify the record of civic under CCTV surveillance.
the commission was biased elections held in the past. We have installed 16,000
and asserted that the com- Counting of votes invari- CCTVs in 315 counting cen-
mission is conducting itself ably got over the next day. tres for the purpose. Also, a
in an impartial manner. Only in Melpuram union in three-tier security cover
"There is no truth in the Kanyakumari district, the has been put in place at the
allegation. There were no counting was completed counting centres," he said.
irregularities in the count- and result announced in Counting would go on
ing of votes in rural local the evening as Electronic uninterrupted in the night
bodies," Palaniswamy said Voting Machines (EVMs) and the result would be
on Thursday Speaking to were used for the first time announced on Friday,
reporters, he replied when in the rural local bodies’ Palaniswamy said.
J. Jeyaseelan, president of the Indo-American Chamber of his attention was drawn to elections on a pilot project Stalin had alleged that
Commerce, calls on Chief Minister the DMK chief ’s charges, basis. the announcement of
Edappadi K. Palaniswami at the secretariat in Chennai to that "there has been no Counting was completed result was being "delayed" BJP state secretary K. T. Raghavan, during a pro-CAA demonstration in the city, tells the
extend new year greetings. Other office-bearers of the wanton delay" on the part at Melpuram union at 3.30 in many districts in "an media on Thursday that the Citizenship Amendment Act will not affect Muslims or any
chamber including vice president V.N. Parthasarathy, for- of the election commission. pm, thus making it the first attempt to stall the DMK’s Indians. —DC
mer president Dr A.Sakthivel and zonal director "We are conducting in an union to declare the results victory by the ruling
Sujatha Ravishankar are also seen. impartial manner and the in Tamil Nadu. AIADMK."

CAA: Stalin gives notice for private

Substandard yarn for free saris, CM: Pondy will adopt
dhotis: DVAC told to take action anti-CAA resolution member’s resolution in TN House New Delhi, Jan.2: The breach of privilege motion
DC CORRESPONDENT
CHENNAI, JAN.2
"shall give 15 clear days
notice of his intention to
legislation opposed by the
people at large as it
DC CORRESPONDENT Weavers Co-operative ed and more so, whether Congress government in against the BJP MP con- move the resolution and excludes the Muslims
CHENNAI, JAN.2 Societies. such materials were actual- Puducherry is planning to cerned can be moved for dis- The DMK president and shall, together with the and Sri Lankan Tamils,
In his petition, ly got from the dying facto- adopt a resolution in the respecting the House and its opposition leader, notice submit the text of brings in a religious
The Madras high court has Govindaraj submitted that ries attached to the firms, next Assembly session seek- sovereignty". M K Stalin on Thursday the resolution which he criterion for citizenship
directed the Directorate of while supplying the yarns which were awarded with ing scrapping of the contro- He said the Kerala submitted a letter to the wishes to move." Mr. Stalin which is against the basic
Vigilance and Anti- to the weavers societies for contracts. Had it been tested versial Citizenship Assembly had jurisdiction State Assembly Secretary, in his notice has urged that structure of the
Corruption to consider and manufacturing of dhoties properly, good quality of (Amendment) Act as the one to adopt the resolution on giving notice urging that this rule be relaxed to take Constitution and which
pass orders within 3 months and sarees for the said gov- yarn with proper dying adopted by Kerala, Chief the new legislation. The 140- requirement under Rule up this important resolu- could sow the seeds of dis-
on a representation which ernment project, sub-stan- could have been procured Minister V Narayanasamy member Kerala Assembly 172 of the ‘Assembly Rules’ tion demanding withdraw- cord and hatred among the
sought to take action dard materials were being by the department and said on Thursday. on Tuesday adopted a reso- be relaxed to take up his al of CAA in the forthcom- people, Stalin’s proposed
against those who involved supplied. Due to the same, thereby good dhoties and "Soon I will hold discus- lution seeking scrapping of private member’s resolu- ing session. resolution said.
in malpractice and corrup- the manufacturing of sarees with adequate num- sions with the representa- the CAA as it was "illegal tion to press the Central As per the resolution Mr. The independent MLA,
tion in the supply of sub- dhoties and sarees were bers could be manufac- tives of all political parties and unconstitutional". government to withdraw Stalin intends to move, the Tamim-un Ansari in a let-
standard materials of yarn totally affected as the yarn tured, he added. and take further action on However, the lone BJP MLA the controversial CAA, followed by the ter to the Chief Minister,
to all weavers’ co-operative got cut. Because of the He alleged that by commit- my plans to adopt an anti- in the House opposed it by Citizenship Amendment Centre’s moves on updating Edappadi K Palaniswami
societies for manufacturing same, the production got ting malpractices and cor- CAA resolution as the saying that the Act was Act (CAA) in the forthcom- National Population has also sought a Kerala
sarees and dhoties for the reduced every day. For pro- ruption by paying excess Assembly is scheduled to being "misinterpreted" and ing Assembly session Register (NPR) or for Assembly type of resolu-
“free saree and dhoti’ proj- curement of yarns, tenders amount more than the mar- meet by this month end," lies were being spread by beginning on January 6. preparing National tion to be passed by the
ect. were floated and contracts ket rate, the officials were Narayanasamy told PTI the Left Democratic Front Mr. Stalin’s communica- Registry of Citizens (NRC), Tamil Nadu Assembly urg-
Justice M.Dhandapani were awarded only to specif- misappropriated around Rs over phone. and the UDF for "narrow tion was handed over to the sought to divide the people ing the Centre to repeal the
disposed of the petition ic 5 or 6 firms in the past 10 21, 31, 21,250 and thereby On a BJP MP’s letter to political gains". "Like Assembly secretary, Mr. of India on religious/eth- CAA.
filed by T.Govindaraj, presi- years. caused heavy loss to the gov- the Rajya Sabha chairman Parliament’s decisions are Srnivasan, by a team of nic lines that could under- However, official sources
dent of E.H.194, Muthur Though inspection report ernment. At the same time, seeking action against not questionable, what is DMK MLAs’ led by Ma mine the unity and integri- that Mr. Stalin’s private
Powerloom Weavers co- was obtained through tech- substandard materials were Kerala Chief Minister happening inside the Subramanian and P K ty of India. member’s resolution was
operative society in nical officials working in provided to the weavers’ co- Pinarayi Vijayan for his Assembly also can’t be chal- Sekar Babu. The Tamil Nadu unlikely to be taken up at
Tiruppur district and also the department of operative societies and anti-CAA statements, lenged. Who can question Under rule 172 of the Assembly should press the short notice as the first ses-
the chairman of Federation Handloom and Textiles, the thereby caused severe loss Narayanasamy said "even their privileges?" House, a member who Centre to withdraw the sion of the Assembly would
of Tamil Nadu Powerloom quality of yarn was not test- to them, he added. in the Kerala Assembly, a Narayanasamy said. —PTI wishes to move a resolution CAA, a controversial be only for a week.
State
Award for Edappadi
PAGE
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami
has been chosen for the ‘2019 Best Governance 5
Award’ by Hello FM radio station
DECCAN CHRONICLE FRIDAY I 3 JANUARY 2020 | CHENNAI

Thanjai Big temple gets new SAVING TURTLES

bell before consecration
G. SRINIVASAN | DC embedded on it. Now in
Severe IPC sections THANJAVUR, JAN 2 view of the
Kumbabishekam, it is to
slammed on Nellai A `2 lakh worth new bell be renovated.
The new brass
Kannan very cruel was installed at Big tem-
ple here on Thursday bell that has
For this 'Balalayam' was
done to the flag mast on
— Vaiko, ahead of the been installed Thursday.
Mahakumbabishekam to at the Big tem- Applying of ‘Ashta-
MDMK leader. be held on February 5. ple in Thanjavur bandhana Marunthu (a
The bell was cast at on Thrusday paste prepared using var-
Nachiyarkoil, famous for after complying ious articles by pressing
with all the
SHORT TAKES bell metals and wick
lamps, using copper, zinc, Shaiva Agama
in ural)’ started on
Thursday to various
bronze etc. The bell was injunctions. deities, Shiva Lingas and
Ayyakannu, donated
Padmanabhan
by T.
in
—DC sculptures.
Hon Justice
supporters begin Thanjavur.
According to temple
Sivagnanam, district
judge, Mr. Velumani,
week-long fast in officials, a bell was func-
tioning for the past 100
Revenue Divisional offi-
cer, Thanjavur, Durai
Tiruchy years at the entrance of
the sanctum sanctorum Padmanabhan came for- flag mast was installed in
Thiurugnanam,
man, ‘Sadhaya Vizha
chair-
To keep the eggs laid by Olive Ridley turtles that visit the shore from January to March
Tiruchy: Members of the in the temple. ward to donate a bell. 1814 CE by then Maratta committee’, were among safe from strays, forest department officials have enclosed an area in Besant Nagar
Desiya Then India Nathigal As it outlived its utility, The flag mast before the King Rajah Serfoji-II. those who participated beach. Similar enclosures have been made in Kovalam and Pulicat. While 50,000 turtle
Inaippu Vivasaayeegal it was decided to install a sanctum sanctorum is to Later, it was renovated in the simple function eggs were laid last year, it is expected that 70,000 eggs will be laid this year.
Sangam led by their state new bell and be renovated. The 28-ft in 2003 with copper here. — DC
president P. Ayyakannu
began a novel protest here

Rotarians gift super school to flood-hit community in Chennai

on Thursday, observing a
day-long fast for a week in
half-naked attire and spor
ing ‘Namams’ on their
foreheads near the central DC CORRESPONDENT Sholinganallur on the and justifiably proud",
bus stand. Chennai, Jan 2 OMR. Bhat said.
According to Mr. Addressing the gather- The 29,800 sq ft school on
Ayyakannu they are From a rescue mission ing, Rtn Mehta said the 1.2 acres of land has 14
demanding among other using boats to evacuate outstanding work by the classrooms and six labs.
things write off all farm the huge flood-stranded Rotary Club of Madras to The Tata Foundation has
dues as per the Supreme population in the 2015 provide the children of been a major support
court’s directions, to pro- deluge to building a the flood-ravaged Perum- donating `four
vide suitable compensa- state-of-art higher second- bakkam with top-class crore while the
tion to the farmers family ary school, the Rotary education "is praise wor- Anuja Foundation of the
of those who committed Club of Madras has car- thy". USA and the Rotarians
suicide due to poverty and ried the Perumbakkam President of the Club Dr from the Club contributed
drought during 2016, prof- population on its shoul- Vijaya Bharathi the balance.
itable price for agricultural ders through multiple wel- Rangarajan explained Rtn. Ashok Thakkar ,
produce, and to start work fare and infra inputs over how the school evolved Chairman, Perumbakkam
on the proposed linking of the years. from the 2015 rescue mis- School Project Committee
Cauvery Gundaaru-Vaigai Rotary International sion. , Rtn , R . Ravi Shankar,
rivers immediately. President nominee Elaborating, Rtn Satyan Director, Community
Shekhar Mehta, only the Bhat said the 2015 floods Service, Rtn. Anil
Saplings planted fifth Indian to be chosen to
head the prestigious glob-
had completely washed
away the Perumbakkam
Srinivasan
Rtn. Mohan Raman spoke
and

at toll gates on al position, cut the ribbon

a couple of days back for
area and once the water
receded, the Club began State-of-art higher secondary school at Perumbakkam
on how the project
was conceived after the

highways
the Rs.7 crore school to working on a plan to in Chennai. —DC floods and how it slowly
dedicate the critical facili- reconstruct some of the grew to becoming a state-
ty for the 500-plus families lost infrastructure. "We school. From the drawing one crore rupees to ulti- of-the-art school, crediting
Coimbatore: The alumni of living around the fast- first thought of building a board to the execution mately settle at seven the Tamil Nadu govern-
IRTT Engineering College, developing area close to few houses but the govern- stage, the budget kept crore. It was a huge effort ment, particularly the
Erode, under the ‘Vidhai’ the IT cluster at ment suggested we do a growing from an initial and we are mighty happy education department.
initiative, on Thursday
planted saplings at toll
gates across the State to
make state highways
‘green’ . Ravi and
Ramakrishnamoorthy, for-
mer students of the col-
Railway hospital nurse’s
lege, took the lead in
Coimbatore by planting
saplings near the Kaniyur
toll plaza. As many as 500
house burgled; gold stolen
saplings were planted by DC CORRESPONDENT brate Christmas and New The ICF police have reg-
volunteers. “Across the CHENNAI, JAN. 2 Year. istered a case.
state around 10,000 According to sources, The police were check-
saplings measuring up to Around 22 sovereigns of when they returned home ing footage from CCTV
eight feet were planted at gold jewellery were bur- on Wednesday night, the cameras in the area.
50 tolls gates on gled from the locked family noticed the lock on Police suspect the burglar
Thursday.” Ravi said. house of a staff nurse at the front door of the could be from the locality
Around 250 volunteers par- Railway Colony in house had been broken. and might have noticed
ticipated in the initiative in Ayanavaram. They rushed inside and that the house was locked
Coimbatore. The burglary came to found the bureau forced for the last few days and
light when the family open and contents strewn planned the heist.
Grand finale of came home on Wednesday
night.
around. At least 22 sover-
eigns of gold jewellery
Investigations are on.
In July 2018, at least 70

national spell bee The burglary took place

when Viji (48), a resident
were missing.
Viji complained to the
sovereigns of gold jew-
ellery worth 20 lakhs and

contest in Kovai
of Railway colony in ICF ICF police station that cash were burgled from
who works in the someone had entered the the locked house of a
Perumbur railway hospi- house in their absence Central government doc-
Coimbatore: The grand tal, had gone to Kerala and decamped with jew- tor at the Railway quar-
finale of the national Spell with her family to cele- ellery and cash. ters in Ayanavaram.
Bee contest was hosted at
the Kumaraguru Institutions
in the textile city recently.
Around 1,800 students from
class one to XII from across
the country participated in
the school level, inter-
Home-grown fish’s
b’day in Rameswaram
school and state-level
examinations that included
written and oral rounds that
were conducted during aca-
demic year 2018-19. The
participants were divided SP. LOGANATHAN | DC
into six categories and RAMESWARAM, JAN. 2
were tested on their oral
skills as the first part. Heard of people celebrat-
Pronunciation was tested in ing the birthday of fish?
the second part. The top Even the fish-eyed
ten winners in each catego- Goddess Meenakshi in
ry were awarded cash Madurai, not far from
prizes, national rank certifi- here, would blush at this.
cates and trophies. A family staying in the
old police lines in
Tiruchy woman Rameswaram has aston-
ished one and all here by

takes home precisely doing that, cele-

brating the “21st birth-
Sudalai cuts cake to celebrate 21st b’day of his fish.
—DC
`25L prize money
day” of his pet fish
‘sweaty’ whom the family Her squinted eye was a go out on work out of
head, one Sudalai has great attraction for Rameswaram, Sudalai
Tiruchy: Mahalakshmi, a been nurturing for the Sudalai and so he chris- says he asked his neigh-
36-year-old homemaker past 20 years. tened her ‘Sweaty’. bour to take care of the
from Tiruchy, won the prize The family members He then added few more fish.
money of `25 lakh in the including the lady of the fish to his tank so that the “Like this, 20 years have
popular women game show house Vasantha and their one may become many. flown and it is unbeliev-
‘Kodeeswari’ organised by children merrily cut a Sudalai says the 'one able,” sighs Sudalai with a
the Colors Tamil TV Channel cake on Thursday to mark became four' and "I was tear in his eyes.
and hosted by Ms. Radhika the memorable occasion. thrilled seeing them div- “We thought we should
Sarathkumar. Sudalai has not been just ing and dancing in water." celebrate our 20 years
Ms Mahalakshmi played the rearing the choicest of From then on, for the journey with these fish
game comfortably till the fish at his home, but he sheer delight that his pas- and hence decided to cele-
13th question and became wants to convey to society sion for fish generated, he brate their 21st birthday
the first contestant to win a larger point - love should systematically reared today,” said Sudalai, after
`25 lakh, official release said go beyond humans to them, cared for them with cutting the cake.
at Tiruchy on Thursday. embrace the whole of regular feeds, washing the In days when people fail
A jubilant Ms. Mahalakshmi nature, plants, animals fish tank periodically to to remember the birth-
said, “I have always felt infe- and fish included-. ensure clean water and days of their own near
rior and never had opportu- Sudalai says he started “virtually conversing and dear ones, Sudalai's
nities to pursue my dreams. fish rearing as a hobby in with them on a daily passion for fish has made
I participated in a small way back in the basis.” Rameswaram citizens to
‘Kodeeswari’ not only for the year 2000 with a small Sudalai then bought a stand up and take notice.
money I won but also to fish-tank and began to bigger fish tank and mem- And as luck would have it,
prove that self-confident domesticate a spotless bers in his family also his tank of fish is far from
women can achieve the white fishling of a mild became friendly with the tense waters of Palk
best”, the release added. shark species. them. Whenever he had to Straits.
Nation
Visit agenda
PAGE
Former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says
Narendra Modi visited the state only to 6
launch his political propaganda
DECCAN CHRONICLE FRIDAY | 3 JANUARY 2020 | CHENNAI

Giriraj rakes up issue of eating beef

Minister says missionary students eat beef after going abroad, thus advocates teaching Gita
NAYEAR AZAD | DC ture and traditional values save our culture and tradi- has been unease in the statements. In September the population growth in
We will try to PATNA, JAN. 2 and for that Bhagavad tions. I have no hidden JD(U) after Union minis- last year, he had created a
flutter in the state politics
the country but since an
announcement regarding
Gita should be taught in agenda but people often ter gave the statement on
complete the Union minister Giriraj schools. We hear about misunderstand me and Thursday. Party leaders by expressing desire to the issue has already been
Ambedkar Memorial Singh has stoked a fresh
controversy by saying that
missionary school stu-
dents qualifying in IIT
think that I am a funda-
mentalist,” he added.
said that “the JD(U)
believes in building infra-
retire from active politics.
In a statement, he had
made I think my motive
has now been fulfilled”.
work by April 2022 most of the missionary
school students eat beef in
exams and becoming engi-
neers. But they start eat-
He gave these statements
while addressing a gather-
structure and doing work
for the people but he keeps
said that he didn’t join pol-
itics to become MLA or
Recently while criticis-
ing the Congress for
— Ajit Pawar foreign countries because ing beef once they get a ing at an event in giving statements like MP but his motive was to opposing the Citizenship
they are not being taught job in foreign countries,” Begusarai, his Lok Sabha these to remain in the remove Article 370 and Amendment Act and
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister about Indian culture and Union minister Giriraj constituency. headlines”. 35A from Jammu and National Register of
traditions. Singh said. His statement is likely to The Opposition HAM Kashmir. Population, he said that
He also said that shlokas “Democracy in this coun- snowball into a controver- and the RJD also criticised “Since Article 370 and the party wants to “divide
SHORT TAKES of Bhagavad Gita should
be made compulsory in
try is only due to sanatan
dharma which I follow
sy in a state like Bihar
where the BJP’s alliance
him for his controversial
statement and termed it as
35A have been removed at
the beginning of the
the country” by spreading
lies and confusion over the

DESK FOR
schools in order to teach strictly. I talk about teach- partners JD(U) and LJP “a communal stunt”. Narendra Modi’s second issue. He said that “If
students about the coun- ing Bhagavad Gita and have been uncomfortable This is not the first time term, I feel that I should Rahul Gandhi has love for
try’s traditional values. Hanuman Chalisa to chil- with issues like these. when Giriraj Singh stoked retire from politics. I have infiltrators, he can take

AYODHYA “We have to save our cul- dren in schools only to Sources said that there a controversy with his also been concerned about them to Italy”.

SET UP IN MP, 1,000 Delhi factory fire leaves one dead COMMON AIR
New Delhi, Jan. 2: The gov-
ernment has set up a dedicat-
MED COLLEGE A firefighter was
DEFENCE
ed desk, headed by an addi-
tional secretary, to look after TEACHERS QUIT killed and 14
others injured
COMMAND SOON
all matters related to the when a battery PAWAN BALI | DC
Supreme Court verdict on the RABINDRA NATH NEW DELHI, JAN. 2
Ayodhya issue. CHOUDHURY | DC factory collapsed
In an official order, the BHOPAL, JAN. 2 in northwest Chief of the Defence Staff
Union home ministry said Delhi’s Peera (CDS), Gen. Bipin Rawat
Ayodhya matters and related Around 1,000 teachers of Garhi following an has set out to create a
court judgements will be han- six government medical common Air Defence
dled by three officers, headed colleges in Madhya explosion due to a Command to secure the
by additional secretary Pradesh have resigned fire that broke out country from aerial
Gynesh Kumar. in the last 48 hours early on Thursday attacks.
The move bears significance demanding the state morning. Also, he has directed
in the wake of November 9 government to that efforts be made to cut
judgement of the Supreme announce a clear-cut ■ As many as 18 out infructuous ceremoni-
Court which allowed construc- promotion policy for al activities, which are
tion of a Ram Temple in the them.
people were manpower intensive.
disputed site in Ayodha. The protesting facul- rescued from the Currently while Air
The apex court also ordered ties, who have been building, including Force is primarily respon-
handing over of a 5-acre plot demanding to address two caretakers sible for air defence,
to Uttar Pradesh Sunni Waqf anomalies in pay and and a security Army and Navy too have
Board and setting up of a trust perks under 7th Pay their own air defense sys-
for construction of the Ram Commission, would stop guard. tems.
temple. Now, this new wing of reporting to their duty Gen. Rawat held a meet-
the home ministry, headed by from January 9, Rakesh ■ A large portion ing with functionaries of
Kumar, will look after all mat- Malavya, president of of the two-storey Integrated Defence Staff
ters related to the Ayodhya state unit of Central building collapsed and directed various
issue. Medical Teachers’ following an branch heads to come up
There have been reports that Association told with recommendations
the Uttar Pradesh government reporters here on
explosion when for inter-service synergy
has sent a proposal to the Thursday. firefighters were and jointness in a time
home ministry suggesting He said that 2,300 more dousing the blaze, bound manner. He direct-
three plots in Ayodhya, one of teachers of other med- an official said, ed that a proposal to cre-
which can be given to UP ical colleges in MP adding that fire ate Air Defence Command
Sunni Waqf Board. would join the stir and be prepared by June 30.
department had
MAHA R-DAY
will resign to press for He also set out priorities
the demand for a ‘clear- received a call at Smoke billows from a battery factory after a blaze led to the collapse of the building where firefighters were dousing fire for execution of synergy
cut promotion policy’ 4.23 am. at Peeragarhi in New Delhi on Thursday. — PTI by June 30 and December

TABLEAU
for the teachers of med- 31. Some of the areas iden-
ical colleges in the state. tified for jointness and
Medical services were It is with deep sadness I inform you that one of our firemen was martyred while saving people from fire. Our firemen save synergy among Army, Air

REJECTED going to be hit following

the stir the faculties of
other people’s lives by putting their lives under extremely risk in difficult circumstances. May his soul rest in peace Force and Navy include
creation of common logis-
medical colleges. — ARVIND KEJRIWAL, Delhi Chief Minister tics support pools in sta-
DC CORRESPONDENT tions where two or more
MUMBAI, JAN. 2 services have their pres-
ence.
The Centre’s decision to deny
permission to Maharashtra’s
tableau for the Republic Day
parade has ignited a contro-
JD(U) poster Hearse van denied TENDERS / NOTICES
versy, with the Shiv Sena and
the NCP slamming the move.
While Sena MP Sanjay Raut
has alleged political vendetta,
asks RJD to give to ferry body
NCP MP Supriya Sule has said
that the Centre is acting in a
prejudiced manner against
non-BJP states.
account of its rule AKSHAYA KUMAR
SAHOO | DC
Raut tweeted, “Maha-rash- NAYEAR AZAD | DC ■ THE OPPOSITION BHAWANIPATNA, JAN. 2
tra’s tableau has always been PATNA, JAN. 2 parties feel that the
the country’s attraction at the Family members of a
parade on Rajpath. We have Ahead of the Assembly
NDA’s confidence in Bihar deceased woman on
won the award for it most of polls that are scheduled has been shaken by the Wednesday night carried
the times. By denying later this year, posters Jharkhand election her body on shoulder for
Maharashtra, which state the comparing the 15 years of results five kilometres from
Centre wants to promote? Had RJD’s governance with Odisha’s Kalahandi
it happened in the Congress that of the ruling JD(U) dence in Bihar has been District Headquarters
regime, the Maharashtra BJP have been put up in shaken by the Jharkhand Hospital (DHH) to their
would have made a much hue Patna. election results where the village after the hospital
and cry about it. Why are they The Opposition RJD united Opposition com- authorities allegedly
keeping their mouth shut feels that the poster has prising the JMM, the denied a hearse van, The hospital rushed an ambulance after they came to
now? (sic)” been put up by the ruling Congress and the RJD reports said on Thursday. know that the relatives were carrying the body on
Reiterating that the denial of party in order to mislead registered a resounding According to reports, their shoulders.
permission to from the people. victory against the BJP. Kuni Nayak of Barapali
Maharashtra and W. Bengal as The poster which has In Bihar, the Assembly village under Lanjigarh they did not get the Hospital authorities
a prejudiced decision, Sule been put up near the busy polls are expected in block of the district was hearse van. With no alter- were yet to comment in
said that the two states had Income Tax crossing in November. Nitish Kumar admitted to the DHH on native, Nayak’s family connection with the inci-
played a major role in the free- Patna say, “Hisab do who is also JD(U) presi- Tuesday after she com- members carried Kuni’s dent. It may be noted that
dom movement and the denial Hisab lo. 15 years versus dent has already been plained of high fever. body on their shoulders like all state-run health
amounted to an ‘insult’ of the 15 years”, (Give an declared the face of NDA However, she died while and walked towards the institutions, the DHH
people of the two states. account of your work and in the state. undergoing treatment village. After DHH have been brought under
we will give ours). While reacting to RJD’s last night. authorities came to know Mo Sarkar or My

VAISHNO DEVI
According to RJD lead- statement on the poster’s Subsequently, the about the incident, they Government initiative
ers, the poster shows issue, BJP spokesperson bereaved family mem- immediately sent an for better and timely
“JD(U)’s desperation” as Nikhil Anand said that bers requested the hospi- ambulance. But, as delivery of services. In

FOOTFALL the party is losing popu-

larity in Bihar due to its
“Any political enthusiast
may have put up the
tal authorities to provide
them a hearse van to take
Nayak’s family members
had already covered a dis-
October last, transforma-
tion and initiatives

DROPS IN 2019
failures on many fronts poster comparing 15 the body to their village. tance of 5 kilometres, department secretary
which includes deterio- years of RJD rule with However, Nayak’s family they denied taking the had also visited the hos-
rating law and order sce- NDA government in members alleged that vehicle to transport her pital in October to review
Jammu, Jan. 2: The cave nario, AES deaths, flood Bihar but it signifies the despite a prolonged wait body home. the healthcare system.
shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, and drought. fact that RJD regime was
situated at the Trikuta Hills in “It seems that Chief known for misrule, chaos,
Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi,
recorded its lowest arrival of
pilgrims in three years in 2019
Minister Nitish Kumar
and his party is trying to
establish a new tradition
confusion while NDA
regime is known for cor-
ruption-free development
No info on OIC
with less than 79.5 lakhs devo-
tees visiting the temple,
Shrine Board officials said on
in politics by asking the
Opposition to give an
account of their work
and good governance. We
had growth rate of 3.2 per
cent during the RJD era
meet on J&K: MEA
Thursday. instead of going before while the present NDA SRIDHAR CAA provides for “expe-
“As many as 79,40,064 pil- the masses with the rule is registering 13.2 per KUMARASWAMI | DC dited consideration” of
grims paid obeisance at the report card of their own. cent growth rate”. NEW DELHI, JAN. 2 citizenship to “persecut-
cave shrine in 2019 as com- Everybody knows that The JD(U) also attacked ed minorities”, adding
pared to 85,86,541 in 2018,” said JD(U) has been in power the RJD for raising ques- India reached out to that it also does not affect
an official of the Shri Mata for the last 15 years in the tions on the good gover- countries across the existing means of
Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, state,” senior RJD leader nance policy of Nitish world including neigh- acquiring citizenship
popularly knows as Shrine Shivanand Tiwary said. Kumar and the state gov- bouring countries such available to other com-
Board. He also sought an expla- ernment. as Bangladesh to explain munities.
There has been a decrease of nation from the state gov- In a statement JD(U) its view point on the The obvious reference
6,46,477 pilgrims last year as ernment for not releasing spokesperson Rajiv Citizenship Amendment of course was to convey
compared to 2018, and a its performance report Ranjan Prasad said, “the Act (CAA), saying it is that Muslims from other
decrease of 2,38,254 pilgrims card after it returned to 15 years of RJD’s rule in the “internal matter of countries can also be
as compared to 81,78,318 in power in 2015. Bihar was like a night- India”, that it “does not conferred Indian citizen-
2017, officials said. “He (Nitish Kumar) had mare. The party will seek to strip anybody of ship as per other provi-
The arrival of pilgrims at the started a tradition of never return to power in citizenship”, and that it sions of law.
shrine was the highest in 2018 releasing the report card Bihar. Nitish Kumar’s “does not alter the basic In response to a ques-
in the five years since 2014. of his government at the vision has benefitted structure of the tion, the MEA also said
In 2014, it had dropped to beginning of every New every class in the state. Constitution,” the min- India was “not aware” of
78.03 lakh from 93.24 lakh the Year. But this has not Bihar has progressed in istry of external affairs any Organisation of
previous year. The numbers been done for the last four the field of education, said on Thursday. Islamic Cooperation
were 77.77 lakh in 2015 and years. Why?, Tiwary said. industry and the state The Indian government (OIC) meeting designed
77.24 lakh in 2016, the officials The Opposition parties government is working to also conveyed to foreign to specifically discuss the
added. feel that the NDA’s confi- generate employment”. governments that the Kashmir issue.
Nation
Big loss
PAGE
Senior NCP leader D.P. Tripathi
passes away after a prolonged 7
illness at the age of 67
DECCAN CHRONICLE FRIDAY | 3 JANUARY 2020 | CHENNAI

Anti-CAA stir: Two given

bail on medical grounds
From Page 1
There is no
constitutional or legal
“I didn”t think it would
take so long,” an emotion-
CPM objects to Aysha
validity to Kerala’s
anti-CAA resolution
al Ekta told the media as
she hugged her daughter
after two weeks. Main
Rena’s presence in rally
bata nahin sakti (I can’t GILVESTER ASSARY | DC “We could not have post-
— Arif Mohammed Khan put it in words),” she said THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, poned the meeting.
when asked how it felt. JAN. 2 Because of opposition
Kerala Governor The bail application of from CPM, we had to
the couple — nabbed Aysha Rena who became exclude Aysha. The event
along with other protest- the face of Jamia agita- was a big success with
SHORT TAKES ers from Left groups from
Beniyabagh and nearby
tion, was excluded from a
joint protest rally and
huge participation,”
Jameela told this news

5-DAY RSS
localities for violating meeting organised by paper.
prohibitory orders under Vazhakkad panchayat in The 22 year old student
Section 144 CRPC — was Malappuram district in of Jamia Millia

MEETING initially cancelled by a

lower court and the next
hearing fixed for January
North Kerala
Thursday following objec-
tions by the ruling CPM.
on University who along
with Ladeeda Farzana
had shot into fame after
BEGINS 1. In their absence, their
baby was cared for by her
grandmother Sheila
Hundreds of people cut-
ting across political and
ideological differences
visuals of them question-
ing the police brutality
against one of their col-
RABINDRA NATH Infants undergo treatment at the JK Lone hospital in Kota district on Thursday. At least 104 infants have died at a Tiwari, uncle Shashikant took part in the rally that leagues went viral.
CHOUDHURY | DC government-run hospital in Kota in the past month. — PTI and her aunts. was organised jointly by While the CPM at the
BHOPAL, JAN. 2 In Delhi, the lower the ruling LDF and UDF. national and state level

After 104 deaths, Centre

courts granted bail to four The Congress-led UDF had hailed them as
The crucial five-day-meet of persons over last month’s which rules Vazhakkad valiant fighters, Rena
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Seelampur anti-CAA panchayat was keen on became a persona non
Sangh (RSS) began in Indore protests. While allowing getting Aysha for the grata for the Marxist after
on Thursday to specify role of the bail applications by meeting. However, the she criticised Kerala

readies team for Kota

the Sangh activists in the Sajid Ali and Daniyal, the seven elected members of Chief Minister Pinarayi
ongoing nationwide campaign judge said there was noth- the panchayat belonging Vijayan at an anti-CAA
in support of Citizenship ing on record yet to show to CPM threatened that meeting in Kondotty in
Amendment Act (CAA), the involvement of the their party would boycott Malappuram district on
besides giving shape to its two accused in any violent the event if she were to be Saturday.
plan to strengthen its base in mobs. Two others — Yusuf invited. The Jamia student had
poll-bound West Bengal. and Moinuddin — were Following pressure from stated that like the deten-
RSS supremo
Bhagwat, who arrived in
Mohan Experts team from Jodhpur to visit Kota hospital given bail on medical
grounds.
the CPM, the panchayat
president Jameela K.M.
tion of her colleagues by
Delhi police, the Pinarayi
Indore in the morning, held Meanwhile, protests had to withdraw the Government had also
discussions with senior lead- From page 1 ■ MAYAWATI’S COM- always kept itself politi- Birla, who is an MP from took place in Miami, invite given to Aysha. taken several students
ers of the outfit in the city to cally equidistant from the Kota, had also expressed Florida, where Indians Earlier, the organisers and youths into custody
set the agenda for the meeting. The Centre has decided to
MENTS right after Vadra Congress and the BJP. concern. read out the Preamble of had printed posters and in Kerala and they should
“The agenda for the meet has send a high-level team made some aggressive UP Chief Minister Yogi Rajasthan Chief the Constitution in the pamphlets with Aysha’s be released with immedi-
been finalised in the meeting comprising experts from visits to UP after the anti- Adityanath, targeting the Minister Ashok Gehlot streets opposing the CAA- name. ate effect.
of senior RSS leaders that last- AIIMS, Jodhpur, and CAA protests and made Congress over the Kota said the deaths should not NRC-NPR. Students of However, subsequently This led to protests from
ed nearly five hours. The exec- health economists to Kota. efforts to meet the fami- deaths, said: “The deaths be politicised and invited Jamia Millia Islamia and they came out with a CPM workers who
utive body of the RSS will The BSP chief said that lies of the victims may of 104 innocent children is Union health minister several artists painted revised poster in which it accused her of trying to
finalise the activities for the the attitude of the Ashok indicate her political inse- extremely saddening and Harsh Vardhan to visit the streets outside Delhi was categorically men- draw a parallel between
organisation for the current Gehlot government was curity. The BSP has heart-wrenching. The hospital and see the “best” University to protest tioned “Aysha Rena is not Prime Minister Narendra
calendar year, besides deliber- condemnable as it has death of children is a blot facilities offered there. against the CAA/NRC. participating.” Modi and Vijayan.
always kept itself politi- Gehlot said his govern-
ating on crucial issues such as mismanaged the situation on a civilised society,
CAA, removal of Article 370, of the 104 children deaths cally equidistant from the human values and feel- ment is sensitive to the
construction of Ram temple at in Kota and still remains Congress and the BJP. ings... It is extremely sad issue of death of sick
Ayodhya and economy of the
country”, a senior RSS leader
indicated to this newspaper.
irresponsible and unsym-
pathetic to the situation.
The BSP supremo fur-
one seat — that of Sonia
Gandhi in Rae Bareli.
that Congress president
Sonia Gandhi and general
secretary Priyanka
infants at the Kota hospi-
tal.
“There should no poli-
tics over the issue. Infant
New dates for Japan meet
to be announced soon
Sources said the Sangh lead- ther asked the people of It might be recalled that Gandhi Vadra, despite
ership was also worried over Uttar Pradesh to remain Vadra was launched into being women, are not able mortality at this hospital
erosion of base of BJP in alert about the Congress’ politics and made the to understand the sorrow is steadily decreasing. We
Jharkhand leading JMM- political opportunism, AICC general secretary in of the mothers.” He said it will try to reduce it fur-
Congress coalition to ride to and especially of Vadra. charge of eastern UP bare- would have been better ther. It is our top priority SRIDHAR December due to the CAA had been made to hold it
power in the State in the “If the Congress general ly months before the Lok “had Priyanka met and that mothers and children KUMARASWAMI | DC controversy, India had there.
recently held Assembly polls. secretary does not go and Sabha polls. Then consoled the aggrieved remain in good health,” NEW DELHI, JAN. 2 announced cancellation of On Thursday, MEA
meet the Kota families Congress president Rahul mothers instead of Gehlot tweeted in Hindi. its annual summit with spokesperson Raveesh

WARIS PATHAN who are affected by the

tragedy, then her outreach
Gandhi had said her long-
term goal was to revive
indulging in politics in
UP”.
Gehlot claimed that the
first ICU for children in
After cancellation of its
annual summit with
Japan that was to have
been held in Guwahati
Kumar said, “We are in
touch with the Japanese

NAMED AIMIM
towards victims in Uttar the party ahead of the Union minister Mukhtar Rajasthan was established Japan that was to be held from December 15 to 17. side through diplomatic
Pradesh would be consid- 2022 UP Assembly polls. Abbas Naqvi, Rajasthan by the Congress govern- in Guwahati from With that, Japanese channels. We do hope that
ered political oppor- Mayawati’s comments BJP president Satish ment in 2003. “We also December 15 to 17, India Prime Minister Shinzo very soon, we will come to

SPOKESMAN tunism, from which the

public of Uttar Pradesh is
advised to stay alert,” she
right after Vadra made
some aggressive visits to
UP after the anti-CAA
Poonia have also criticised
the Congress-led govern-
ment in Rajasthan over
established an ICU for
children in Kota in 2011,”
he added.
on Thursday expressed
confidence that the new
dates for the same would
Abe’s scheduled visit to
India for the Summit had
also been cancelled.
the finalisation of the
date. It is an annual mech-
anism, the Summit that
DC CORRESPONDENT said. protests and made efforts the functioning of the “We are ready to be finalised very soon in While the dates had then was supposed to be held in
MUMBAI, JAN. 2 While the BSP aligned to meet the families of the state-run JK Lone hospital improve medical services consultation with the been officially announced December, that is the one
with the SP and the RLD victims may indicate her in Kota, where 104 infants in the state through dis- Japanese side. by India, Guwahati had that is getting postponed.
AIMIM chief Asaduddin for the general election, political insecurity about have died since the begin- cussions and cooperation It may be recalled that never been announced as All these matters will be
Owaisi announced the the Congress fought sepa- the new woman leader on ning of December. with an expert team from due to the violent protests the venue officially in discussion with the
appointment of Dr Ghaffar rately and had won only the horizon. The BSP has Lok Sabha Speaker Om the Centre,” he said. that rocked Assam in although preparations Japanese side.”
Quadri as working president
of the Maharashtra unit and
former Mumbai MLA Waris
Pathan as national spokesper-
son of the party.
Owaisi tweeted about the
Broadband net restored
in 80 hospitals in Valley
appointment of Dr Quadri
even as Pathan said that he
will become the voice of the
country’s minority communi-
ties as the party’s newly-
appointed spokesperson and DC CORRESPONDENT fixed on priority”. night. Airtel, Jio and
carry forward AIMIM’s ideol- SRINAGAR, JAN. 2 The authorities had on other service providers
ogy. Tuesday announced that failed to implement the
“I am very happy as the Jammu and Kashmir Internet service through government directive,
party has shown confidence government on fixed broadband lines in citing technical issues.
in me. I will pitch my voice for Thursday claimed that all government-run hos- The sources said that
the minorities and my party, broadband internet pitals and Short- these companies could
and will also see to it that I service has been fully Messaging-Service not restore the facilities
take my party’s ideology for- restored in 80 govern- (SMS) facility on all as majority of their staff
ward,” Pathan said. ment-run hospitals post-paid mobile phones was away to celebrate
It may be recalled that across the Valley. in Kashmir Valley New Year eve with their
Pathan, a lawyer by It also said that the would be restored from families and friends.
profession, represented the service providers have December 31 midnight An official of one of
Byculla constituency in been asked to restore but the service these companies had
Mumbai and contested the this facility to the providers failed to do so said that the services
incumbent seat in the remaining government- in most cases. would be made available
Maharashtra Assembly elec- run hospitals “where Only the BSNL was by Thursday morning.
tions but lost to Shiv Sena’s local bottlenecks like able to make SMS facili- However, some of the
Geeta Gawli, daughter of connectivity status, ty partially available to service providers had
gangster Arun Gawli. billing problem, etc. are its post-paid mobile cus- not been able to do it till
being worked out and tomers from Tuesday late Thursday evening.

Iltija Mufti detained, cops deny

YUSUF JAMEEL I DC ■ ILTIJA SAID OVER the this place nor is any one Anantnag police could not
SRINAGAR, JAN. 2 allowed to enter.” give its clearance on such a
phone that her ‘detention’ short notice. But Iltija
The People’s Democratic
Iltija Mufti, daughter of reveals the government’s Party has filed an applica- accused the police officer of
incarcerated former “nervousness” in dealing tion before Anantnag’s dis- lying to media.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief with the dissent and also trict court seeking permis- “The matter of the fact is
Minister Mehbooba Mufti negates its claim that sion for holding a prayer that he asked my driver and
on Thursday claimed that situation in the meeting near Sayeed’s other staff members and
she had been detained at Valley has returned grave on his death anniver- even my (police) personal
her Gupkar Road residence to normal. sary. security officer not to come
in Srinagar, blocking her Additional director gener- to my residence today. I
visit to her grandfather al of police (law and order have been in the Valley for
Mufti Muhammad Sayeed’s the government’s “nervous- and security) Munir Khan over a week and was being
grave in Anantnag district. ness” in dealing with the rejected claims that Iltija allowed to move around
Though the police said dissent and also negates its has been detained. He said, only after I would inform
that Iltija was not detained, claim that situation in the “The Anantnag police did the security team at our
they refused her permis- Valley has returned to nor- not give clearance to her residence about my day
sion to visit Sayeed’s grave mal. visit. She is among the peo- plan. Today I was told that I
at a short notice, the She said that she wanted ple protected by the Special need to get prior permis-
sources said that she was to pay obeisance at her Services Group (SSG) and if sion from the police if I
not allowed to move out of grandfather’s grave ahead such a person plans to visit want to come out of my
her Srinagar home on of his fifth death anniver- any place, clearance from home even for five min-
Thursday. sary falling on January 7 the local police is needed.” utes,” she said.
This correspondent saw a and oversee the prepara- The officer said that Iltija, The authorities are
police vehicle placed at the tions being made for the earlier during the day, unlikely to grant the PDP
main entrance to block the event. She said over the informed the police about permission to hold a rally
access. phone, “I have been her intention to visit her or even a large prayer (fate-
Iltija said over the phone detained here. I am not grandfather’s grave in ha) meeting at the grave of
that her ‘detention’ reveals being permitted to leave Bijbehara and that the its patrol Sayeed.
Edit
MIND POWER
HIPPOCRATES ALBERT CAMUS PAGE
Healing is a matter of time, but it is I should like to be able to love
sometimes also a matter of opportunity my country and still love justice
8
DECCAN CHRONICLE FRIDAY | 3 JANUARY 2020 | CHENNAI

3 JANUARY 2020

Kerala resolution on Subhani

CAA is a trendsetter
T
he resolution passed by the Kerala Assembly earlier this week
against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, in the backdrop of
fierce protests across the country against this law, is a historic
step whose epochal significance we may overlook at our peril.
Above all, the resolution cautions us that the country shall be composed,
and run on quasi-federal lines as envisaged in the Constitution, if and only
those who rule at the Centre are wise enough to be mindful of the sensi-
tivities of every religious, linguistic and ethnic group in the country.
In formal terms, it is true of course that as per the constitutional scheme,
the question of citizenship is in the Centre’s domain and there is no legal
ground on which a state may refuse to implement a Central law, which the
CAA is. However, if the Kerala example were to be emulated by others, the
damage to the spirit of the Constitution will be incalculable.
This will not be a vote of no-confidence in the Constitution but an indict-
ment of the value systems of those with a comfortable parliamentary
majority making laws which the states of the Union are uncomfortable
with. Since our states were formed on a linguistic basis, resolutions of
rejection of a Central law by states is like rejection of the Centre’s intent
by language groups which make up the diversity-filled mosaic that India
is.
India gets CDS at last: LETTERS
BOOK WORMS GET READY
The Chennai book fair, which
attracts lot of bibliophiles, is
The parallel may not be exact, but we will do well to remember that
America’s Civil War began with dissonance over a single over-arching
idea between the northern states and those that made up the Confederacy.
The issue turned grave enough to be resolved on the field of battle. We are,
fortunately, nowhere near there. But it is a dangerous sign that state leg-
islatures should begin to pass a resolution against a Central law.
A role that will evolve to be held from January 9 for
close to two weeks. With the
sale of books keep increasing
every year, the fair only unde-
rlines the fact that there will be
It is sobering to remember that while Kerala (so far) is the only state to the three service head- chief may be called upon no dearth of physical books in
pass a resolution against the CAA, the chief ministers of nine states have quarters. That means the to render more opera-
financial allocations will tional details, contin-
Indian market. It is said that this
declared they wouldn’t enforce the CAA and/or its companion idea con-
tained in the thought behind the National Register of Citizens, that Union be his responsibility, and gent upon the type of year around 5,000 students
home minister Amit Shah vociferously spoke about before the anti-CAA
protests erupted. These include Bihar, run by the JDU-BJP, and BJD-run
Syed Ata Hasnain that is where his power
will largely lie.
operation and the ser-
vice primarily involved.
from various schools in Chennai
and suburbs will assemble at
Odisha. An additional aspect is Second, if and when the the book fair and read books,
If the Centre was genuinely compassionate about “persecuted” people, it the three-year leeway integrated theatre com- showcasing the importance and
could have passed a law that offered succour to those persecuted for any given to the first CDS to mand system is in place,
reason — political, religious, or for exercising anyone’s right to dissent. prepare the ground for none of the service the value of reading. The other
That would have attracted no protests. an integrated theatre chiefs will have opera- attraction during this year’s fair

T
But the government chose to single out Hindus (and some others) while o the credit of emerged may, of course, command system. Thus, tional control over their is ‘Keeladi-Eeradi’, where
expressly leaving out Muslims in passing the CAA, giving a religious bias the govern- not meet every aspira- it is clear that the cur- forces; it is the theatre Thirukkural and the significance
to the idea of Indian citizenship. This was low-grade politics meant for ment, the tion but a fairly exhaus- rent CDS system is evo- commanders who will of Keeladi excavations will be
electoral gain, and to advance the Hindutva agenda, which privileges the P r i m e tive communiqué has lutionary and will pro- enjoy that. In that situa- highlighted. Said Dr. APJ Abdul
seriously unconstitutional idea that India is for Hindus. M i n i s t e r clarified much. As a four- gressively adopt more tion, the CDS will be the
The foundational principle behind Indian citizenship cannot be religion- announced the intent to star officer the CDS will means of integration one-point adviser to the Kalam, “One best book is equal
based, as in Islamic Pakistan. While people of every faith were passion- create the post of a Chief the “first among equals”, and joint functioning government after the to hundred good friends; one
ately involved in the freedom movement, those with Hindutva leanings of the Defence Staff but by virtue of his retir- until an integrated the- consultations with the good friend is equal to a
stayed away. (CDS) on August 15, ing age being 65 will atre command system integrated theatre com- library.”
2019, and a communiqué mostly be senior in ser- emerges something akin mander have been con- R. Sivakumar, Chennai
was issued on the nuts vice seniority to all the to the American model, ducted. There is nothing
and bolts related to the
adoption of the CDS sys-
three service chiefs. He
will exercise no opera-
where the theatre com-
mander reports directly
sacrosanct about this,
and a unique system
WAKE UP CALL FOR BJP
While BJP focused on inclusive deve-

India’s space decade tem. That is in contrast

to the 18 long years it
took after the Kargil
tional command over the
three constituent ser-
vices, but will be the per-
to the President through
the defence secretary.
Interestingly, an issue
suited to Indian condi-
tions may well emerge
over the next few years.
Lastly, there is a ques-
lopment and maximum governance
and introduced some people-friendly
schemes in its first tenure during 2014-
Review Committee manent chairman of the has been raised political- 19, though it fell short of fulfilling sev-

E
xcellence in planning and execution in space matters has been one (KRC) and the Group of chiefs of staff committee ly about a relative lack tion being raised about eral promises made during election
of India’s brightest spots. The Indian Space Research Organisation Ministers (GoM) had (CoSC), giving that of clarity about the “first the newly-created campaigns, it shifted its focus in 2019
has won laurels and earned cash with its expertise in launching recommended the cre- appointment stability for among equals” system; department of military after winning second sweep of power,
satellites for many countries. While satellite launches are now routine ation of a CDS and the up to three years for the on who exactly will ren- affairs, which the CDS on abrogating Section 370 and 35A in
business, where Isro has really been facing challenges is in its big-ticket integration of the present, as against the der one-point strategic will head with the status respect of Jammu and Kashmir,
missions. defence ministry. This short tenures which had military advice to the of a secretary. It is to be changing the very status and demogra-
The prospect of an Indian astronaut taking off for space from Indian soil delay is not something become a characteristic government since the seen whether this will phy of the state, and promulgating
propelled by an Indian rocket and returning safely to earth in an Indian unusual as most coun- of the CoSC. There is CDS has no authority the precursor to a more CAA, 2019 to pave the way for imple-
spaceship would have been laughable just decades ago. It’s not that far tries which have adopt- some criticism about over the three service integrated MoD if the mentation of NPR and NRC, which
back, from the 1960s, when an early rocket was taken to Thumba on the ed the joint military appointing a CDS with chiefs. In fact, it is heart- HQ IDS acts as the core have caused unrest and distress
back of a bicycle! security model have only four-star rank; the ening to note that after a of the DMA with some among minority community and led to
If we can forget for a minute that 2019 saw two glitches in a lost satellite done so riding perception prevails that long time a critical deci- inducted civilian bure- widespread protests. Students on front
and Chandrayaan-2 lander Vikram braking too hard in its descent to the roughshod over opposi- equivalence of rank does sion relating to the mili- aucracy. The defence lines: What protests portend. Even peo-
moon, what we have is a saga of memorable achievements in space, some tion from within the not carry the stamp of tary is being debated secretary will obviously ple from Assam are protesting, though
like the Mangalyaan rover, done in an admirably economical manner. armed forces and civil- authority. However, this within political circles. remain the coordinator the alleged infiltration of Bengalis in
The new decade will unveil some of the nation’s most ambitious mis- ian bureaucracy. The is generally the rule in Even in the service com- between different Assam was the starting point to the
sions — Aditya (Sun mission), Chandrayaan-3 and a humanoid mission United States, which most other nations, and munity this doubt has departments of the MoD, implementation of NRC in Assam and
test before Gaganyaan with an astronaut on board — and the account- considers itself a model the physical seniority been raised, and consen- but the CDS will have meant to be extended to whole of India.
ability factor goes up manifold. Also, many moon landing missions failed of integration today, did consideration would give sus appears on the fact the power to send files There is mismatch between the state-
earlier before achieving success, which makes us marvel at the move rapidly into the authority as per norms of that in the interim the directly to the Raksha ments of Amit Shah and the Prime
Americans who sent Neil Armstrong to the moon 50 years ago. Only 100 joint theatre concept the uniformed services. CDS and the three ser- Mantri (RM), thus cir- Minister outside the Parliament.
per cent accuracy in a lunar landing will help wipe Isro chief K. Sivan’s after 1986 but till then its The CDS will exercise vice chiefs will all be cumventing the bureau- Today's youth are tomorrow's leaders
2019 tears. four services (including authority over the only invitees to the Cabinet cracy. A long-pending and the government needs to unde-
Given the sentiments that get played up and faith that drives Isro chiefs the Marines) resisted it conventional joint com- Committee on Security anomaly also needs cor- rstand their sentiments and act judi-
to seek divine blessings before missions, treating failure with equanimity tooth and nail. Only leg- mand — the Andaman & (CCS); a virtual four- rection when such ciously, before it is too late.
is much harder. The space programme’s most admirable attribute is that islation, famously called Nicobar Command point advice as the CDS momentous decisions M.Y. Shariff, Chennai
we have managed elite science and technology without letting politics the Goldwater Nichols (ANC) and also the exercises no operational have been taken. It is
ruin it, much as it has with many other aspects of Indian life. Act, saw implementa-
tion of the integration
Strategic
Command (SFC), where
Forces command and control
over the component ser-
time the defence of India
devolves on the RM. By a KOLAM PROTESTS
vices and only com- flawed understanding, Your headline, Why this Kolam Veri
under President Ronald the nuclear launch
mands the resources this still remains the Chennai police? was very apt and its
DECCAN CHRONICLE Reagan after the failed resources of all three
directly under him. Two responsibility of the impact would be what tons of words
Grenada operation and components are integrat-
points of significance defence secretary, who cannot make. The case may not stand
ADITYA SINHA T. VENKATESWARULU the earlier disastrous ed for a nuclear
Editor Printer & Publisher here. First, that this is a is neither experienced the legal scrutiny, if pursed, as it is a
rescue operation of hun- response. The latter will
R. MOHAN
work in progress and nor empowered enough very silent form of protest against
dreds of hostages at the make him the nuclear
Resident Editor
much depends on how to execute it. CAA/NRC. There was no violence, no
DECCAN CHRONICLE offices are located at: US embassy in Tehran adviser to the PM,
the CDS system pro- Much more debate on distraction of public property, slogan
Chennai: SP 3 Developed Plot, Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai 600032. Phones: (044) 22254747, in 1980. although the actual com-
22254748 gresses from here; per- the CDS will follow in shouting etc and a peaceful protest
In India, Kargil 1999 mand and control of the
Coimbatore: 77 Vivekananda Road, Ramnagar, Coimbatore 641009. Phone: (0422) 2231255, 2231256
haps only the CDS may due course, but for now guaranteed by the constitution. The
triggered the need for a nuclear forces may have
Hyderabad: 36, Sarojini Devi Road, Secunderabad 500 003. Phone: (040) 27803930-4. Fax: (040)
be consulted by the gov- we need to celebrate a only catchy point is its novelty which
27805256. CDS. The need was felt several other layers. The
ernment and a service sound decision taken involves womenfolk who may other-
Bengaluru: 5th Floor, BMTC Commercial Complex, 80 Ft. Road, Koramangala, Bangalore-560095. Ph: for a single-point strate- CDS would also take
08043460500; Fax: 080-22960551/52/55 after years of political wise adorn their house with Kolams
gic military adviser to under his wing the three
Visakhapatnam: Survey No. 1/3A Beach Road, Near Kailasagiri Ropeway, Sector-9 MVP Colony, and bureaucratic pro- particularly in Margazhi. Mr Pandia-
the government. Even special agencies involv-
Visakhapatnam - 530 017. Phones: (0891) 2552333/2552334, Fax (0891) 2755285
Vijayawada: No. C 3 & 4, Patamata, Industrial Estate, Auto Nagar, Vijayawada (A.P.). Phones: (0866) after the KRC and GoM ing domains of cyber, Much more debate crastination. rajan, is a well-informed minister but
on the CDS will he objects to the “content” in those
2555284/ 2555287, Fax (0866) 2555234 recommendations, the special forces and space,
Kolams, meaning the anti CAA/ NRC
Rajahmundry: Vemagiri, Dhawleswaram Rd, Rajahmundry 533125. Phones: (0883) 2417208, 2417618
Anantapur: Thapovan Colony, Bangalore Bye-Pass Road, Anantapur 515004. Phones: (08554) 276903,
government seemed rel- and all other systems follow in due The writer, a retired
political slogans. How he could inter-
uctant and moved less relating to innovative lieutenant-general, is a
Fax: 08554-276904
technology. The 15-year
course, but for now former commander of pret that it is against the constitu-
than halfway to create a
Nellore: Survey No. 527/2, Burranpur Village, Venkatachalam (M), Chemudugunta Panchayat, Nellore.
Phone: (0861) 2348581/ 82, Telefax (0861) 2348580 HQ Integrated Defence Long Term Integrated we need to the Srinagar-based 15 tionally guaranteed provisions. One
celebrate a sound Corps. He is also can only feel sorry for the minister
Karimnagar: Survey No. 1341, Vavilalapally Colony, Jagityala Road, Karimnagar 505 001. Staff (IDS), headed by a Perspective Plan (LTIPP)
for his desperation to defend the
Phone: (0878 ) 2228908; Telefax (0878) 2220433
Kochi: No. 3-B, 3rd Floor, DD TRADE TOWER, Kaloor-Kadavanthara Road, Ernakulam, three-star officer, to add- will also evolve under decision taken associated with the
arrests of “Kolamists”. Importantly
Ph: 0484-4039408 ress joint aspects. HQ him as will modernisa- after years Vivekananda
International the police action on kolams may car-
Kozhikode: No 6/1002 E, First Floor City Mall, Opp. YMCA Kannur Road, Kozhikode - 673 001 IDS was to be the CDS’ tion, and he will be the
Fax : 0495 4019018 domain, but awaited its one allocating priorities of political Foundation and the ry negative fallout for the AIADMK
Thiruvananthapuram: St Joseph Press Thycaud post, Cotton Hills, Thiruvananthapuram-14, Ph: 0471-
true head for 18 years. after taking into account and bureaucratic Institute of Peace and on the eve of local body elections.
2735105/6/7, Fax: 0471-4016112 Gram: CHRONICLE Postal registration no: No. H/SD-348/2006-08ss V.N. Gopal, Chennai
What has finally the recommendations of procrastination Conflict Studies.

E
ighty years ago, at the lished order, from Black Lives to placate Lebanese protesters. A Sanders’ popularity is highest regard for posterity, insidious
beginning of World War II, Matter to the pussyhat protests, desperate, brutal response to among the youth. Young women, in inequality and erroneous ethno-
W.H. Auden famously con- #MeToo and the articulate anger of protests in Iraq and Iran has sowed particular, have been sparkling nationalism, a resurgence in reli-
demned the 1930s as a “low the Parkland students, who chal- the seeds of future rebellions. The repositories of hope in recent years gious fanaticism and racist fan-
dishonest decade”. In some ways lenged the right to bear arms after war in Yemen drags on, with the — from Malala Yousafzai and Ahed tasies, rude awakenings and sleep-
that description fits the 2010s, yet it a devastating mass shooting at Saudi-led coalition facilitated by Tamimi to Emma Gonzalez, walking into catastrophe.
Mahir Ali feels inadequate. While the past 10
years have provided numerous
their school. But the US also threw
up the Tea Party. And Donald
the US and Britain.
The previous decade began with
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan
Omar and Greta Thunberg, among
Thunberg recently summed up in
five words the times we live: “Our
occasions for despair, they were Trump. broadly left-wing revolts against so many others. Thunberg’s cause house is on fire”. It’s particularly
peppered throughout with signs of Halfway across the world, mass the established order in various is overwhelmingly significant in easy to appreciate that sentiment
hope. Inevitably, much of the good, youth unemployment and parts of the world, and a few the decade ahead; unless man- in Sydney, where the sun seldom

As 2020 dawns, the bad and the ugly will carry over
into the 2020s.
Large parts of the world erupted
WikiLeaks revelations about cor-
ruption combined with a self-
immolation of a desperate
instances of popularly propelled
regime change, but ended with the
widest panoply in living memory
made climate change is ameliorat-
ed in the next 10 years, most other
nightmares (and dreams) are pret-
blazes yellow but instead casts a
red glow. That, in turn, serves as a
reminder of the choice Rosa
in protests in the early years of the Tunisian street vendor sparked an of far right or authoritarian (and ty much academic. Luxemburg pinpointed a century
a better world last decade, following the shock of
the global financial crisis and the
subsequent use of public funds by
Arab Spring that was largely
nipped in the bud. A few tyrants
fell, only to be replaced in short
often both) regimes. The counter-
points are not irrelevant. Ethiopia
may yet succeed in establishing a
The 2010s are likely to be remem-
bered as the decade of smartphones
and dumb regimes, the prolifera-
ago between a regression into bar-
barism and a transition to social-
ism. A better world remains

is implausible, all too many Western governments

to rescue private enterprises. The
Occupy Wall Street movement
order by others — or by anarchy.
The occupation of Iraq earlier in
the century and then the unre-
model of reconciliation in strife-
torn Africa. New Zealand under
Jacinda Ardern puts Australia to
tion of social media alongside anti-
social attitudes, seismic rebellions
and ruthless repression, working-
implausible but not impossible.
There is, as Leonard Cohen put it, a
crack in everything — that’s how

not impossible inspired copycat protests in sever-

al countries.
The US was also the breeding
strained brutality of the Syrian
regime led to the terrorist Islamic
State’s “caliphate”.
shame. In Britain, had the vote
been restricted to under-40s,
Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party
class indignados and ruling-class
insouciance, monumental techno-
logical advances and their misan-
the light gets in. Here’s wishing all
readers, and everyone else, a crack-
ing new year.
ground for various other manifes- More recently, a half-hearted would have won a landslide. thropic misuse, profoundly damag-
tations of rage against the estab- reshuffle on the top deck has failed Likewise in the US, Bernie ing austerity combined with a dis- By arrangement with Dawn
Oped
Word SPY
CROP DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY PAGE

A gathering where several people meet A new product or service that disrupts an industry 9
to build and discuss scrapbooks and eventually wins most of the market share
DECCAN CHRONICLE FRIDAY | 3 JANUARY 2020 | CHENNAI

Huawei in India: The Chinese, finally, get their way

irreparable damage might be In India, with 90 per Hardly any critical apprecia- South Africa to Nigeria, Egypt state-owned enterprises, equiv-
inflicted on India’s internal cent of its telecom tion, not to speak of criticism, to Zambia, China has emerged alent to India’s public sector
systems and national security, appears in India’s leading the master of survey, surveil- undertakings like ONGC, Bhel,
equipment imported, lance and security threats to BEL, Air India? Beijing also
Abhijit Bhattacharyya
exposing and allowing access news media.
to a country that simply the possibility of In this delicate scenario, it both coastal and landlocked steadfastly maintains its
doesn’t inspire an iota of foreign surveillance is certainly cannot be the sole states, capturing the land, strong presence in “pillar
confidence. Huawei’s a reality. Among all responsibility of the soldiers of labour and capital of Africa industries” like “equipment
shenanigans across the globe the state or intelligence agen- through slow, steady and sur- manufacturing, auto-making,
has already reached high foreign players, none cies or a handful in the govern- reptitiously destructive meth- electronics, construction,
levels, and the United States can beat the Chinese ment to be held accountable for ods. steel, non-ferrous metals,
certainly cannot be faulted for simply as India was, is, the safety, security, unity, In India, with 90 per cent of chemicals, surveying, and sci-

T
he Chinese Who wouldn’t want to enter keeping it in check, given the and will continue to be integrity and sovereignty of its telecom equipment import- entific research”.
seem to have the Indian market with an “L-1 corporation’s suspected the nation. All Indians have ed, the possibility of foreign What China is today is
finally succeed- tender” offer? In a market military intelligence links and
their prime target. some responsibility to save the surveillance is a reality. because of its own initiative,
ed in pushing where quantity trumps quali- unlimited propensity for nation from the dangers of However, among all foreign with determination to first
H u a w e i ty? Lower and cheaper prices espionage, on behalf of its intention to learn Mandarin China’s avowed long-term players, none can beat the make the country strong sin-
through the are always seen by Indian con- Communist Party masters. language as it is hugely time- game to break India into 30-32 Chinese simply as India was, gle-handedly, taking help
Indian heart- sumers as the best option. The history of Chinese spying consuming! pieces. is, and will continue to be their strictly on its own terms, even
land to bid for Now, what is “L-1”? It is the goes back to Sun Tzu and Mao The Chinese are truly on a A glimpse of how Huawei prime target. This was clearly if isolated and ostracised to
the multi-billion-dollar hear- lowest (or cheapest) bid, which Zedong. Just read Brig. John P. “revenge spree”. Revenge for operates might be an eye-open- spelt out in my book China in start with. The end results are
ing-device 5G telecommunica- stands on top in a list of multi- Dalvi’s Himalayan Blunder the Opium War of the nine- er. It has been reported that India, and I will be only too there for all to see. China overt-
tions system? Indeed, it speaks bidders, vying for the slot of once again. teenth century, which had its “Chinese firms are driving happy for it to be proved that ly considers India an inferior
volumes for the tenacity, chosen supplier. That is far too Indians need to understand ops headquarters in India Artificial Intelligence (AI) my fears were misplaced. power and walks, talks and dic-
resilience and perseverance of lucrative for China to let go, as the intrinsic multi- under the aegis of the East across Africa”. That, “at least Let Indians face reality, and tates from a position of
the Communist Party of China the supplier to world’s second dimensional long-term India Company, backed and 75 out of 176 nations surveyed not build castles in the air strength, taking full advantage
and its leaders in convincing biggest telecommunications strategy of the Communist supported by the British globally are actively using AI about China. Huawei’s entry of India’s innate inability to
the Indian establishment about market in India. Beijing, Party government in Beijing. Crown. Large parts of China’s tech for surveillance, and the will be projected as a “sign” of stand up for itself.
their reliability and quality for which already is far ahead in That it is a party which is “all coastal towns and provinces leading vendors are Chinese Indo-Chinese “convergence” India had, quite rightly,
service to India’s 1.3 billion bilateral trade, will mint more in one”. It is the government, got addicted to “cheap” opium. firms, led by Huawei, which for India’s modernisation. refused to be a part of China’s
heads. Realistically, it wasn’t cash, and India as the mega- the State, the military. The Today, in a reversal of roles, supplied tech to at least 50 Territorial disputes, on the Belt and Road Initiative and to
only a matter of prestige, consumer will continue to Chinese Communists truly the vast majority of Indian con- countries”. other hand, are a “divergence”. join RCEP. But China has,
image and credibility for the empty its coffers, and thus face believe that their “time has sumers have got addicted to The Chinese are the fastest But why is India forgetting, through Huawei, decided to
Chinese, but it reflects their a double-whammy — financial come”, and given the fact that “cheap” Chinese gadgets. penetrators in the African despite it being pointed out, penetrate deep inside India,
desperation too. The objective uncertainty enmeshed with a the West is in virtual China has found the knob, and market, as they offer soft loans that China will never, ever, thereby nullifying this coun-
was to enter into a ready-made turbulent polity. withdrawal, caught up in its India’s establishment seems for governments to purchase allow any foreigner, however try’s sovereign actions.
consumer market of at least The unfolding scenario own problems, wants to rule helpless in the face of a deter- their equipment and promise friendly, to get anywhere near
800 million people, more than doesn’t augur well for India’s the waves, air, land. The mined Chinese onslaught to set up and manage these sys- their “defence, electricity, oil, The writer is an alumnus
that of the whole of Europe, or future. It is more than a Chinese are well aware that which deftly combines psy war tems. Does one need to explain petrochemicals, telecommuni- of the National Defence College
of the rest of Asia, minus possibility that by allowing the rest of the world has with influencing a sizeable what this means? From cations, coal, aviation, and and the author of China in
China. Huawei to compete, neither the time, inclination or chunk of opinion makers. Algeria to the Ivory Coast, shipping”, all of which are India

Rebellious, poetic New Year seen at As in the song Little

Boxes, music, as said
Jamia, but despair continues in UP often, is like magic
A settlement may well tional reason why the citizen- vanguard, in occupation of
ship issue was urgently spaces of progressive politics
be taking place
Hajrah Mumtaz
required to keep up the com- is a heart-warming trend.
somewhere near the munal temperature. But a How New Delhi proposes to
Saeed Naqvi base because one is great miscalculation attends firm up the Citizenship
hearing stories of this move. Ram Register in Assam without
Janmabhoomi had been an upsetting the warm relations
students arguing with
Wide Angle parents before
issue since the 19th century,
given a boost by the idols
with Dhaka is something of a
puzzle. Does the lack of anxi-
trooping out to join a

M
being placed inside Babri ety on Sheikh Hasina’s brow usic has, of course, lament about love or infatua-
hostel here, a college Masjid in 1948. The “Shila” indicate back channel assur- been described as a tion in older years — irre-

O
ne of the contribu- vigil interspersed with a processions in 1989, the carry- ances? Will Muslim distress mathematical equa- sistible, yet pointless, in the
there, to merge in the ing of bricks consecrated in across the border not provide context of the movie — no less
tions of the 20 days series of cultural programmes tion, a creation and
of sit-in at Jamia’s reminiscent of Indian nationwide protests thousands of village temples a handle to the Opposition in an endeavour that is precise — so. Meanwhile, the song cre-
Shaheen Bagh may Peoples’ Theatre of the 1960s all the way to Ayodhya was a Bangladesh? The authors of absolutely perfectly calculated, ates bridges across continents,
well result in a and 1970s. marketing strategy that the CAA and NRC probably if you will — if it is to work and cultures, and the ages, to which
large-scale revival of Habib Yes, the atmosphere was the elderly and women, pick- would leave Madison Avenue had two simultaneous ends in endure. But also, as not enough many of us, multilingual and
Jalib’s “Dastur”, or custom, electric. A settlement may ing up the youth (not always gasping. Even more spectacu- mind — keep the people dis- people understand it, it can be cross-cultural as we are, can
as the voice of India’s youth. well be taking place some- without an eye on ransom lar was L.K. Advani’s Rath tracted from their abysmal a dialogue, a speech, a diatribe heed.
“Phool shakhon pe khilne where near the base because money), in brief, inviting Yatra, carrying a replica of economic lot and focused — and yes, I’m stating the per- Going on from there, music in
lage, tum kaho, one is hearing stories of stu- “skull caps and beards” onto Ram’s carriage from Somnath mindlessly on Hindu consoli- fectly obvious. the dialogue form has taken so
Jaam rindon ko milne lage, dents arguing with conserva- the street to provide visuals to Ayodhya, generating suffi- dation. A couple of weeks ago, on many shapes. Pink Floyd are
tum kaho, tive parents before trooping for a gleefully complicit cient saffron to boost the BJP The expanding protests Dawn was discussed the age- often taken as having come up
Zakhm seenon ke silne lage, out to join a hostel here, a col- media. But focus on the parti- from a mere two seats in 1984 have given heart to various old debate of whether song with the idea of a concept
tum kaho, lege there, to merge in the san media must not obscure to power under Atal Behari groups. The traditional met- lyrics were counted as poetry, a album, where the music/songs
Is khule jhoot ko, zehn ki loot nationwide protests. These the oases of courageous, bal- Vajpayee in a little over a ropolitan elite, distanced debate that was fairly conclu- are not single-standing entities
ko, are “ostensibly” against the anced journalism with the decade. from power with the consoli- sively put to rest in 2017 when but a unified whole that is self-
Maen naheen manta, maen Citizenship Amendment Act likes of Ravish Kumar of Narendra Modi had this dation of the Modi-Shah duet, the Nobel Prize for Literature reliant and speaks in and of
naheen manta” (CAA) and the National Hindi NDTV in the lead. advantage. Further, there has already pulled out its cal- went to Bob Dylan. The ques- itself. The albums Dark Side of
(Proclaim, they insist, that Register of Citizens (NRC). It was bad enough that the was the tailwind of post 9/11 culators, working out the tion, though is, does the poetry the Moon and more famously
flowers are blossoming every- “Ostensibly”, because a mass protests erupted with the sud- global Islamophobia to which electoral mathematics for the come first or the music? How The Wall were path-breakers in
where upsurge does not possess the denness of revelation, what is Mr Modi added his own future. The habitual quest for does that magical melding their own way, and set a bar for
Proclaim, all glasses are full precise comprehension of a worse for the government is “Mian Musharraf” rhetoric “connections” causes them to work that builds and trans- many others to follow, such as
All wounds have healed complicated issue nor its geo- the fact that they have taken (grinding his teeth) in the dream dreams of an implausi- forms? Prince, or Eminem.
These are outrageous lies metric lines. It proceeds on place against the backdrop of Gujarat elections and the sky- ble two-party system. The Consider, for example, Musicology is an academic
With which they vandalise the basis of an intuitive grasp electoral decline — reverses high communalisation after emerging reality is much Allama Iqbal’s absolutely beau- discipline because of a reason.
our minds. of a larger reality — some- in Madhya Pradesh, the 2002 Gujarat pogrom. more federal. Delusory tiful poem on the Mosque of Greats across the ages have
We shall not accept these thing evil is afoot. What is at Rajasthan, Maharashtra, The citizenship issue, dreams are in any case pre- Cordoba; unmatchable though spent their life’s blood, and pro-
falsehoods, question is something as Jharkhand, a narrow shave though loaded with commu- mature because the BJP is not it is, a portion was immor- duced inspiration that has
Never, Never) basic as citizenship and own- in Haryana. nal intent, has resonated quite disappearing in a hurry. If the talised even further as the song seared so many a soul. Lest one
The mood was tinged with ership of whatever little they Even though the Supreme differently with the youth — party ever has its back Silsilae roz-o-Shab in the duet get confused, though, one must
the kind of self-assurance possess. From Jamia, the Court gifted a judgment to the of all denominations. The citi- against the wall, there is still between Malika Pukhraj and underline the distinction that
which can be easily mistaken protests have spread out to BJP affiliates enabling them zenship issue terrifies the that willingness to surpass Tahira Syed (poetry that in this actually, there is really not
for rebellious fervour in campuses across the nation. to build a Ram Temple in Muslim but the image of petri- Balakot by yards. day in this country might be much distinction in this field
which the New Year was In a nation where 65 per cent Ayodhya, the political conse- fied Muslims has, contrary to considered worthy of approba- in terms of “high brow” or oth-
wrung in by the Jamia Millia of the population is under 35, quences of this outcome are Hindutva expectations, The writer is a senior tion, him being our national erwise. In an interview with
Islamia students, neighbours this could be unsettling. negative for the party. touched a soft Hindu chord. journalist and commentator poet notwithstanding — con- Rolling Stone magazine some
and youth from other col- The mood at Jamia, howev- Communal polarisation bur- Women, with students in the based in New Delhi sider Shikwah, Jawab-i- years ago, vocalist and gui-
leges. There were magical er, is at a sharp variance from geoned when the temple was Shikwah). In setting the poetry tarist Arlo Guthrie — who ren-
moments when poetry min- the bleak reports coming out an issue, with Muslims pitted to music, the professionals cre- dered the classic Alice’s
gled with music. Since the from UP. Are the unspeakable on the other side. For the ated an entity that goes beyond. Restaurant — talked about how
December 13 and 15, the brutalities of the UP police faithful, a temple exactly on The dialogue between the his father told him, learn to
police high-handedness some sort of rearguard action the spot where Ram was born mature voice lamenting the play an instrument and learn
(watched by the nation on TV) on the government’s part to is a matter of supreme satis- progression of life, and a music: it will be your friend in
against peaceful protests protect the key bastion? All faction. But by the same token degree of cynicism, and the life. His lovely song has
demanding withdrawal of the fangs bared, psychologists the politician has lost an issue younger voice replying in hope endured now for over half a
Citizenship Amendment Act, will tell you, is a sign of fright. — the goose that laid the saf- and belief, is fairly unmatched. century, though not played that
the demonstrations had set- The police barging into fron egg is dead. The point is that what was often (given that it refers to the
tled down in an unbroken Muslim mohallas, terrorising This may have been an addi- ‘So much for the parties’ tree-planting pledge.’ already beautiful — glorious — Vietnam War). But lest the
was rendered even further so. reader bridle, the world has not
(Aside: since I am rather par- yet forgotten The Beatles, or
tial to Malika Pukhraj’s work, Elvis, or Tan Sen.
another absolute gem is Mujhe As written earlier, inspira-

All you need is common sense! yaad karne walo, in addition to

so many others.)
As a thought experiment,
from here it is possible to cross
towards the idea that music
tion comes from so many direc-
tions. In a random trawl, join
this to the work on someone
such as Australian film direc-
tor Baz Luhrmann, who has
have to live our own lives. It because we are unable to obligatory duties assigned to also speaks a dialogue of its often talked about being
is not possible to live the life change anyone. us. We are unable to perform own, not actually or necessari- inspired in his professional life
of another person. This Having understood this properly and on time, even ly requiring words and lan- by the music and spectacle of

Swami Tejomayananda seemingly simple statement simple point, we will no those duties regarding which guage. This is, of course, an Bollywood — showcased in the
has far reaching implica- longer meddle in the affairs there is no confusion. So, age-old concept, and there is fairly spectacular 2001 Moulin
tions. The corollary to this is of others. The concentration when difficulties come, we only a plethora of examples Rouge. While being in English,
that we must take responsi- or focus will shift to changing are confused and do not from around the world, of course, it draws upon tropes
bility for our lives and learn or improving our own lives. understand what to do. This through the ages. Beethoven’s that anyone from this part of
to mind our own business. The only life we can change is the simple, straightfor- Ode to Joy, or Dmitri the world is well familiar with,
Generally, we do not hold is our own and the greatest ward truth. Shostakovich’s Waltz No. 2, or circularity and all (in cinemat-
ourselves account- service anyone can Vedanta sums it up by say- Itzhak Perlman’s Tango, or ic terms).

C
onflicts between life show that we want to live able for the sorrows do to this world is ing, “Avichara krito bandha Maurice Ravel’s Bolero, spring And so, to the title of this
communities and happily, collectively and of our life. We shift to mind his or her vicharane nivartate” (All our immediately to my mind, at piece. “Little Boxes” is a song
religions result in together. A little thinking on the blame onto own business and bondage and suffering is least (but everyone has their by Malvina Reynolds (d: 1978),
various questions the subject shows that the somebody, some change him or her- caused by lack of right think- own preferences, obviously — American blues / jazz song-
arising in the mind. Despite only thing required for this place or event, as it self. This is the ing). Life is very simple. Let a hundred, several thousand writer, singer, guitarist and
the awareness that all reli- is common sense! To apply or is much easier to path to happiness. us learn not to unnecessarily from around the world, more political activist. This particu-
gions teach the same thing, use common sense in life, we pin the cause of our Also remember complicate it. could be referred to). lar gem was revitalised when
we are painfully aware of the do not have to belong to any unhappiness on that — if we do Inspiration breeds inspira- employed as the title theme of
differences and divisions. particular philosophy or reli- something other what we need to do, Swami Tejomayananda is tion. Consider, for example, the the show Weeds, centring on a
Without taking recourse to gion. Speaking on this rare than ourselves. We spend then one day we will be able from Chinmaya Mission. To rather wonderful fact that the woman’s determined suburban
any religious theology, ideol- phenomenon, Swami Vivek- our time wanting and trying to do what we want to do. Our find out more about Bollywood song Dil to Bacha existence and need to keep the
ogy or philosophy let us ananda opined, “Common to change the people we minds are confused because Chinmaya Mission hai Ji, picturised so memo- family going after her hus-
think of the simple truth, of sense is the most uncommon encounter in life and also the we want to do multiple and Swamiji, visit rably on the inimitable band’s death.
the underlying oneness and thing in this world!” world itself! However, our things. We are unable to www.chinmayamission.com. Naseeruddin Shah in the film The music, as said often, is
harmony. Let us understand that we best intentions and efforts do achieve great things because © Central Chinmaya Mission Ishqiya is, essentially, the magic.
The various experiences of are born in this world and not meet with much success we shirk at even our simple, Trust. Bolero. The cadence is com-
pelling, and the songwriter’s By arrangement with Dawn
World
Monetary support
PAGE
Pete Buttigieg’s campaign has raised more than
$24.7 million, a show of financial and organisational 10
strength heading into the presidential primaries
DECCAN CHRONICLE FRIDAY | 3 JANUARY 2020 | CHENNAI

IRAQ ASSURES
SAFETY OF US
PERSONNEL
Baghdad, Jan.2:
Secretary of State
Right now, some Michael Pompeo on
Thursday said that Iraqi
2,50,000 migrants Prime Minister Adel
Abd al-Mahdi has
are moving towards assured security of US
our borders personnel, amid violent
protest outside US Orthodox Jews sing and dance during the 13th Siyum
embassy in Baghdad. HaShas celebration in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
— Recep Tayyip Erdogan “Spoke today with Security was tightened at the event. — AFP
Iraqi Prime Minister al-
Turkey President Mahdi, who agreed that

IN BRIEF
Iraq would continue to
uphold its responsibility
to keep US personnel
secure and would move
Anti-Semitism in
US consulate in
Mexico on alert
the Iran-backed attack-
ers away from US
Embassy in Baghdad.
We'll continue coopera-
NYC suburbs up
Mexico City: The United tion to hold Iran and its Monsey (NY), Jan.2: ...in Rockland County I
States consulate in Mexico’s US Army paratroopers from 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd proxies responsible,” Ultra-Orthodox Jewish have seen a rise in
border city of Nuevo Laredo Airborne Division were activated and deployed to the US central command area of operations in response to recent wrote Pompeo in a families pushed out of hate rhetoric, and I was able
issued a security alert on events in Iraq. — AFP tweet. increasingly expensive to foresee it would end in
Wednesday, warning against Earlier in the day, US Brooklyn neighbour-
violence. You have seen on

US-Iran tension high

gun battles and urging gov- Secretary of State post- hoods have been turning
ernment employees to take poned his visit to to the suburbs, where social media where the
precautions. Gun battles Ukraine, after its they have taken advan- Orthodox community has
have killed at least three embassy in Iraq was tage of open space and been called a cancer..
people this week in the besieged by Shiite pro- cheaper housing to estab- — ARON WIEDER
testers after airstrikes lish modern-day versions

after militiamen’s exit

northern city bordering the
Texas city of Laredo, media in Iraq and Syria. of the European shtetls
Victim
have said. “U.S. government Pompeo also said that where their ancestors
personnel are advised to legitimate efforts of lived for centuries before sentatives of the commu-
shelter in place,” the con- Iraqi protesters since the Holocaust. nity going door to door,
sulate said in a Twitter post. October last year The expansion of offering to buy homes at
Tension over drug cartels against corruption in Hasidic communities in Brooklyn prices.
intensified in November
when suspected cartel mem-
Rising unrest could give way to further violence in ME Iraq should not be con-
fused with “the Iranian
New York’s Hudson
Valley, the Catskills and
And on Saturday, a man
rushed into a rabbi’s
bers massacred three Baghdad, Jan.2: Iran- The U.S. blamed the mili- regime orchestrated northern New Jersey has home in Monsey, New
women and six children in
the northern part of the
backed militiamen with-
drew from the U.S. IRAN NOT HEADING TO WAR tia for a rocket attack on
an Iraqi military base in
attack, conducted by ter-
rorists against the US
led to predictable spar-
ring over new housing
York, during a Hanukkah
celebration, hacking at

BUT NOT AFRAID OF CONFLICT

country. Embassy compound in the northern city of embassy in Baghdad." development and local people with a machete.

Turkey to send
Baghdad on Wednesday Kirkuk last week that State Department political control. It has Five people were wound-
after two days of clashes killed a U.S. contractor. spokesperson, Morgan also led to flare-ups of ed, including one who
with American security Dubai, Jan.2: A top tions at the U.S. embassy The protesters set up a Ortagus said, “The situ- rhetoric seen by some as remained hospitalized on
troops to Libya forces, but U.S.-Iran ten-
sions remain high and
Iranian commander said
on Thursday that Iran
in Iraq on Tuesday. Iran
has rejected the accusa-
tent camp overnight and
on Wednesday set fire to
ation around embassy in
Baghdad has improved,"
anti-Semitic.
Now, a pair of violent
Tuesday. Federal prosecu-
tors said the man charged
Ankara: Turkey's parliament could spill over into fur- was not moving towards tion. the reception area and but that effort by Iraqi attacks on such commu- in the attack, Grafton
passed a bill on Thursday ther violence. a war but was not afraid “..we are not afraid of hurled stones at U.S. forces "to clear militia nities, just weeks apart, Thomas, had handwritten
approving a military deploy- The withdrawal followed of any conflict, the semi- any war and we tell Marines guarding the members from the area worry many that intoler- journals containing anti-
ment to Libya aimed at calls from the government official Tasnim news America to speak cor- compound, who respond- immediately surround- ance is boiling over. Semitic comments and a
shoring up the UN-backed and senior militia leaders. agency reported after rectly with the Iranian ed with tear gas. There ing the embassy contin- On Dec. 10, a man and swastika and had
government in Tripoli. The It ended a two-day crisis U.S. President Donald nation. We have the were no injuries on either ue." — ANI woman killed a police researched Hitler’s
beleaguered Tripoli govern- marked by the breach of Trump said Tehran was power to break them ..” side and no American officer and then stormed hatred of Jews online.
ment has been under sus- the largest and one of the behind anti-U.S. protests Revolutionary Guards staff were evacuated from into a kosher grocery in ''In the last few years in
tained attack since April by most heavily fortified U.S. in Iraq. Commander Brigadier the compound. Jersey City, fatally shoot- Rockland County I have
military strongman General diplomatic missions in the Trump accused Iran of General Hossein Salami The Popular ing three people inside seen a rise in hate rheto-
Khalifa Haftar, who is backed world. orchestrating demonstra- said. — AP Mobilization Forces — before dying in an hours- ric, and I was able to fore-
by Turkey's regional rivals — The attack and its which is supposedly allied long gunfight with police. see it would end in vio-
Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the volatile aftermath prompt- Asian trip. area, smashing windows to Iran — an umbrella The slayings happened in lence,'' said Aron Wieder,
United Arab Emirates. Egypt ed the Pentagon to send In an orchestrated and spraying graffiti on group of state-allied called a neighbourhood where the legislator targeted in
strongly condemned the hundreds of additional assault, hundreds of mili- walls to protest U.S. on its supporters to with- Hasidic families had a video ad. ''You have seen
Turkish vote, saying it troops to the Middle East tiamen and their support- airstrikes against an Iran- draw in response to an recently been relocating, on social media where the
amounted to a “flagrant vio- and U.S. Secretary of State ers broke into the backed militia over the appeal by the Iraqi gov- amid pushback from Orthodox community has
lation of international law Mike Pompeo to delay a embassy compound, weekend that killed 25 ernment. some local officials who been called a cancer,
and Security Council resolu- European and Central destroying a reception fighters. — AP Mike Pompeo complained about repre- leeches...” — AP
tions on Libya”. President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke
with his US counterpart
Donald Trump by phone on
Thursday to discuss the situ-
ation in Libya. Hundreds arrested in Jumbo feed

Macron firm on
pension reforms
HK New Year protests
Hong Kong, Jan.2: Hong ■ The arrests take the
Paris: French President Kong police arrested total to about 7,000 since
Emmanuel Macron vowed to about 400 people in New protests in the city escalat-
see through controversial Year’s Day protests after
pension reform in his New what started as a peaceful ed in June over a now-
Year address to the country- pro-democracy march of withdrawn extradition bill.
men on Thursday. On tens of thousands spi-
December 5, France saw the ralled into chaotic scenes
beginning of the indefinite with police firing tear gas Police detain a group of
national strike against to disperse the crowds. people after a pro-democ-
Macron's initiative which will The arrests take the racy march in Hong Kong
take away a number of privi- total to about 7,000 since on January 1. — AFP
leges and special retirement protests in the city esca-
conditions from certain cate- lated in June over a now- testers formed human protesters indiscriminate-
gories of workers, including withdrawn bill that would chains to pass them vari- ly.
those working in transport. have allowed extradition ous supplies including Police told media on
As a result of the strike, the to mainland China, and bricks, forcing police to Thursday they had arrest-
work of the country's trans- will highlight the appar- bring in their own rein- ed 420 people over the New
portation networks has been ent absence of any forcements. Year holiday, most on New
thrown into chaos. “Must we progress towards ending Police then asked organ- Year’s Day, with 287 of
give up? ... The pension the unrest. isers to call off the march them in one sweep for ille-
reform that I have taken will The tension on early and crowds eventu- gal assembly, including a
be passed," the President Wednesday rose after ally dispersed as a water 12-year old.
said. some arrests were made cannon truck and scores Police said they only
in the Wan Chai bar dis- of police in riot gear made the arrests on
trict near a branch of patrolled the streets late Wednesday after they

5 FISHERMEN global banking group

HSBC (0005.HK), which
into the evening.
Jimmy Sham, one of the
notified the march organ-
isers and gave sufficient

FEARED DEAD
has been the target of pro- leaders of the Civil time for demonstrators to
tester anger in recent Human Rights Front that leave. Four officers were
weeks. organised the march, crit- injured during the day,

IN ALASKA When scuffles broke out,

large numbers of black-
clad protesters rushed to
icised the police decision
to get the crowd to dis-
perse at such short notice
they said. Organisers esti-
mated that just over one
million people took part
Elephants eat fruits and vegetables during the Chitwan Elephant Festival in Sauraha Chitwan, some 150 kms south-
west of Kathmandu. The ongoing festival is celebrated with elephants, horses, and bullock cart races as well as
elephant soccer games and an elephant beauty pageant. — AFP)
Anchorage, Jan. 2: Five com- the scene while other pro- and said they had arrested in the march. — Reuters
mercial fishermen were
believed to have died after
their crabbing vessel sank on
SAFE | FLIGHT ■ 534 lives were lost in 13 fatal accidents in the year gone by
New Year’s Eve in the Gulf of
Alaska, the U.S. Coast Guard Crash ends Taiwan
Global air crash deaths fell by 50%
said after ending a search and
rescue operation amid high
winds and heavy seas.
There were two survivors:
crewmen who took refuge in a
lifeboat and were rescued by a Washinton, Jan. 2: The basics that make civil avi-
military chief’s life
Taipei, Jan. 2: Taiwan’s
Coast Guard helicopter. The number of people killed in ■ Boeing’s board had fired Chief Executive ation so safe: well- top military official was
two were taken to a hospital in large commercial airplane Dennis Muilenburg after a pair of fatal crash- designed and well-built among eight people killed
Kodiak and were reported to crashes fell by more than es involving the 737 MAX forced it to aircraft flown by fully in an air force helicopter
be in stable condition, the 50% in 2019 despite a high- announce it was halting output of its best- informed and well-trained crash in mountainous ter-
Coast Guard said. profile Boeing 737 MAX selling jetliner. crews.” rain outside Taipei on
But after scouring a 3,600 crash in Ethiopia in The Aviation Safety Thursday, the defense
square km area for 20 hours March, a Dutch consulting ■ The 157 people killed in March on Network said on ministry said. Five others
with helicopter and fixed-wing firm said on Wednesday. Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 accounted for Wednesday that, despite survived.
aircraft in the air and a cutter Aviation consulting firm more than half of all deaths last year world- the MAX crash, 2019 “was As chief of the general
at sea, the Coast Guard called To70 said there were 86 wide in passenger airline crashes. Coupled one of the safest years staff, Gen. Shen Yi-ming
off its search for five missing accidents involving large ever for commercial avia- was responsible for over- Gen. Shen Yi-ming
with the Indonesia crash, 346 were killed. tion.” The 157 people
crew on Wednesday night. commercial planes — seeing the self-governing
The wreck appeared to be the including eight fatal inci- killed in March on island’s defense against with 13 people on board
worst Alaska commercial fish- dents resulting in 257 flights, a significant in service, including the ed since March after an Ethiopian Airlines Flight China, which threatens to dropped from the radar
ing accident in nearly three fatalities last year. In 2018, improvement over 2018. Cessna Caravan and some October 2018 crash in 302 accounted for more use military force if nec- screen 10 minutes after
years. In February of 2017, there were 160 accidents, The fatality numbers smaller turboprop air- Indonesia and the crash of than half of all deaths last essary to annex what it takeoff from Songshan
another crabbing vessel, the including 13 fatal ones, include passengers, air planes, according to To70. a MAX in Ethiopia in year worldwide in passen- considers part of its terri- air force base around 7:50
F/V Destination, sank and all resulting in 534 deaths, the crew such as flight atten- On Dec. 23, Boeing’s March killed a total of 346 ger airline crashes. tory. a.m., Taiwan’s defense
six aboard perished. firm said. dants and any people on (BA.N) board said it had people. Over the last two The helicopter was fly- ministry said. It went
“The decision to suspend an To70 said the fatal acci- the ground killed in a fired Chief Executive To70 said the aviation decades, aviation deaths ing from Taipei to the down in the mountain-
active search and rescue case dent rate for large air- plane accident Dennis Muilenburg after a industry spent significant around the world have nearby city of Yilan for a ous, heavily forested
is never easy, and it’s only planes in commercial pas- Large passenger air- pair of fatal crashes effort in 2019 “focusing on been falling dramatically. New Year’s activity when Wulai area southeast of
made after careful considera- senger air transport was planes in the study are air- involving the 737 MAX so-called ‘future threats’ As recently as 2005, there it crashed. The victims the capital. Shen, 63, had
tion of a myriad of factors,” just 0.18 fatal accident per craft used by nearly all forced it to announce it such as drones.” But the were 1,015 deaths aboard included other senior mil- taken over as chief of the
said Rear Admiral Matthew million flights in 2019, or travelers on airlines was halting output of its MAX crashes “are a commercial passenger itary officials and the two general staff in July after
Bell, commander of the Coast an average one fatal acci- worldwide but excludes best-selling jetliner. The reminder that we need to flights worldwide. pilots. serving as commander of
Guard’s Alaska district. dent every 5.58 million small commuter airplanes 737 MAX has been ground- retain our focus on the — Reuters The UH-60M Blackhawk Taiwan’s air force. — AP
World
Top contender
PAGE
Keir Starmer, Brexit spokesman for Labour Party, has
emerged as the early front runner in the race to succeed 11
Jeremy Corbyn as leader, according to a poll of members
DECCAN CHRONICLE FRIDAY | 3 JANUARY 2020 | CHENNAI

EU focus on climate change, Brexit

European Union has some massive challenges lined up to tackle in 2020
I hope this new year Brussels, Jan. 2: Dece-
will be a year free of mber served up a warning
of the massive challenges
disasters, peaceful ahead for the European
and good for all of Union.
Freak storms wreaked
you havoc on parts of southern
Europe, showing how the
— Naruhito
impact of extreme weath-
Japan Emperor er will drive the bloc’s
thinking and climate
IN BRIEF change policy over the
coming years. The EU has
already said it wants to
Bird flu kills 25K spend effort and money to
remain the global driver of
turkeys in Poland measures to fight climate
change. All these chal-
Warsaw: Authorities in east- lenges will need a strong
ern Poland say bird flu is coordinated response from A helicopter drops water on a bushfire outside of
responsible for the deaths of the EU's soon-to-be 27 Batemans Bay in New South Wales. — AFP
at least 25,000 turkeys in nations if they want to live
poultry farms near the coun- up to their goal of having a
try’s borders with Ukraine
and Belarus. Polish veteri-
nary authorities on Thursday
bigger global impact.
“Europe must raise its
voice more strongly in the
Fire-ravaged towns
asked to evacuate
were planning to cull tens of world,” German Chance-
thousands of birds in the llor Angela Merkel said.
Lubartow area, a major poul- In many ways, 2020 could
try farming region. Police mark a bright new dawn
were blocking access to the for the EU. A new regime Sydney, Jan. 2: Australia
affected area to non-resi- is in place, with ordered residents and ■ NEW SOUTH WALES
dents. The chief veterinarian Germany’s Ursula von der tourists out of the path of premier declared a
for Lublin province, Pawel Leyen taken over as raging bushfires on seven-day state of
Piotrowski, confirmed that European Commission Thursday as the country emergency that allows
the deadly H5N8 virus was president and Belgium’s braced for a weekend heat- for forced evacuations,
responsible for the turkey Charles Michel the new wave expected to fan the for the third time in
deaths in two farms in the Council President. This satellite image released by Copernicus Sentinel imagery shows wildfires burning across Australia. — AP/ PTI deadly inferno.
village of Stary Uscimow, The Brexit will-they-or- Catastrophic blazes rip-
Australia’s most
which lies 45 kilometres won't-they drama has also new laws aiming to curb ped through the country’s populated region this
from the borders.

5.8 magnitude
turned a corner. The UK is
set to leave on Jan. 31 and
while the following trade
pollution. An EU summit
had to go through linguis-
tic contortions to claim a
Oz bushfire smoke turns south-east on New Year’s
Eve, killing at least eight
people and stranding holi-
fire season

“tourist leave zones”

New Zealand glaciers brown

talks will be tense and deal on an overall commit- daymakers. stretching almost 300 kilo-
quake jolts Iran exacting, it’s hardly the
stuff that will liven up
ment to achieve carbon
neutrality by 2050.
New South Wales (NSW)
premier Gladys Berejik-
metres from the town of
Nowra along the pictur-
Tehran: A 5.8 magnitude newspaper headlines. Ten- Outside EU borders, the lian declared a seven-day esque coast to neighbour-
earthquake jolted the north- sions still could arise US has gone from a trusted Wellington, Jan. 2: Smo- ing on the thickness of the the Franz Josef Glacier — state of emergency that ing Victoria state, where
eastern Iranian province of between EU nations with ally under former Pres- ke from Australia’s bush- haze. “Smoke which has more than 2,000 kilome- allows for forced evacua- people are also being
Khorasan-e Razavi on widely disparate economic ident Barack Obama to an fires has created a haze travelled around 2,000km tres (1,240 miles) away — tions beginning Friday, for urged to flee. Residents
Thursday, the Iranian interests in trading with unpredictable partner across New Zealand thou- across the Tasman Sea can with its usual pristine the third time in Aust- and visitors in two inland
Seismological Centre said. Britain. EU policies on cli- under Donald Trump, who sands of kilometres away clearly be seen,” New white taking on a brown ralia’s most populated reg- areas — which include
The tremors were registered mate change, the pre-emi- pulled out of the Paris cli- with normally white gla- Zealand’s official forecast- hue. “Near Franz Josef ion this fire season. popular holiday resorts in
at 04:29 GMT, with the epi- nent issue where the EU mate accord that the EU ciers turning a shade of er MetService tweeted. glacier. The caramelised' “We don’t take these the Snowy Mountains —
centre located at the depth wants to lead the world, was instrumental in bro- caramel, according to “Visibility in the smoke snow is caused by dust decisions lightly but we were also told to leave,
of eight kilometres (about are facing domestic chal- kering. The EU is still a social media posts on haze is as low as 10km in from the bushfires. It was also want to make sure with people given less
five miles). There are no lenges. Coal-burning Pol- staunch defender of multi- Thursday. the worst affected white yesterday,” she said. we’re taking every single than 24 hours to evacuate
reports about any victims or and is resisting calls to lateralism and seeking The acrid-smelling smo- areas.”A Twitter user A caption read, “All the precaution to be prepared before a heatwave brings
damages caused by the move more quickly in fig- global compromise. That ke first appeared in the called Miss Roho tweeted: way over in NZ the for what could be a horri- gusting winds and temper-
earthquake. Iran is located in hting climate change and approach is being tested country early Wednesday “We can actually smell the Australian bushfire smoke ble day on Saturday,” she atures above 40 degrees
a seismically active zone and farmers and workers in daily, as China and the US when in many areas the burning here in Christ- in the atmosphere giving said. Celsius. That weather will
often suffers from powerful the Netherlands, France vie for economic and mili- sun appeared as either a church.”Another woman, us this strange sun.” It came as the NSW rural create bad conditions, offi-
earthquakes. The deadliest and beyond have protested tary supremacy. — AP red or golden orb, depend- Rachel, posted a photo of — AFP fire service declared two cials say. — AFP
earthquake in the country’s
history occurred in 856 AD,
killing some 2,00,000 peo-
GERMANY TO
Sri Lanka extends
ple.
Indonesia flood Afghanistan gets first snowfall
PROBE DEATHS
free tourist visas
Colombo: Sri Lanka on
Thursday extended the free
deaths touch 21 OF MONKEYS
Berlin, Jan. 2: Three
women are under inves-
visa-on-arrival scheme till Jakarta, Jan. 2: Tens of tigation in Germany for
April 30 for the citizens of thousands of people were
■ THE FLOODING, launching paper sky
48 countries, including India, evacuated in Indonesia’s among the deadliest in lanterns for the new
tourism minister Prasanna capital Jakarta on Thu- years, caused chaos in year which apparently
Ranatunga said, as the coun- rsday after flash floods parts of Southeast ignited a devastating
try tries to revive the tourism and landslides in the area Asia’s biggest city with fire that killed more
sector which was hit by the killed up to 21 people, train lines blocked and than 30 animals at a zoo.
Easter Sunday bombings. with more heavy rain power outages in some The three local women
In April, Sri Lanka suspended forecast, authorities said. areas — a mother and her two
its plans to grant visa-on- The flooding, among the daughters, ages 30 to 60
arrival to citizens of 39 deadliest in years, caused ■ Swathes of Jakarta — went to police in the
countries after the devastat- chaos in parts of and nearby towns were western city of Krefeld
ing bombings that killed 258 Southeast Asia’s biggest inundated after heavy on New Year’s Day after
people. In July, the island city with train lines rain fell on Dec. 31 and authorities held a news
nation added more coun- blocked and power out- into the early hours of conference about the
tries, including India and ages in some areas. blaze, criminal police
China after it re-launched Swathes of Jakarta and
New Year’s Day chief Gerd Hoppmann
the free visa on arrival nearby towns were inun- said.
scheme, which was imple- dated after heavy rain fell ing. He said some projects The women are being
mented from August 1. “We on Dec. 31 and into the have been delayed since investigated on suspi-
have decided to extend this early hours of New Year’s 2017 due to land acquisi- cion of negligent arson,
facility due to requests from Day. tion problems. prosecutor Jens Frobel
the stake holders. A Cabinet Social affairs ministry Some of the victims had said. The offense can
paper would be submitted spokesman said in a mes- drowned, while others carry a prison sentence
for this purpose,” Ranatunga sage that the death toll were killed in landslides. of up to five years.
said. had now reached 21, while Four were electrocuted, Many Germans wel-
the disaster mitigation while three died of come in the new year
agency said it was 19. hypothermia. legally with fireworks at

BAJWA TERM: As of Thursday, over

62,000 people were evacu-
Indonesia’s cabinet sec-
retary said, citing the geo-
midnight. Sky lanterns,
however, are both illegal

PAK SEEKS
ated in Jakarta alone, dis- physics agency, that ex- and unusual in Germ-
aster mitigation agency treme weather may con- any. The mini hot-air
spokesman Agus Wibowo tinue across Indonesia balloons made of paper

STAY ORDER said, twice as many as a

day earlier.
Thousands of livestock
until Jan. 7 and warned
people to remain on alert
for further flooding or
have been used in Asia
for centuries. The fire
started in a corner of
SHAFQAT ALI | DC were reported missing landslides. the ape house’s roof in
ISLAMABAD, JAN. 2 and thousands of houses Dwikorita Karnawati, the first minutes of the
damaged in neighbouring head of the geophysics new year and spread
Pakistan on Thursday request- province of Banten. agency, said heavy rain- rapidly. The zoo near the
ed the Supreme Court of Indonesia’s President fall may continue until Dutch border says the
Pakistan to form a five-mem- Joko Widodo told repo- mid February. A man shovels snow from the roof of his house in Kabul on Thursday. The Afghan capital Kabul city had its first ape house burned down
ber larger bench in case per- rters on Thursday that Umar Dani, 52, and his snowfall of the winter on Wednesday. — AFP and more than 30 ani-
taining to army chief ’s exten- evacuation and safety family were evacuated mals. — AP
sion. procedures should be pri- overnight from his home
The government has filed oritised, and called for in East Jakarta on a rub-
two miscellaneous pleas seek-
ing a stay order over the previ-
more coordination bet-
ween city administra-
ber boat after water levels
rose up to his neck. GLOBAL | WARMING ■ Study: Warming of earth could cause loss of ice on river
ous decision and to form a tions and the central gov- “It has not flooded for so

River ice cover decline soon: Study

larger bench following the ernment. long here. We didn’t have
review petition which was On his Twitter page, the chance to bring any-
filed earlier. Widodo blamed delays in thing,” he said. “I have to
The government has request- flood control infrastruc- live on the streets now.”
ed the apex court to suspend ture projects for the flood- — Reuters
the implementation of the Washington, Jan. 2: The said Xiao Yang, a postdoc- ing from 9-15 per cent in
decision of November 28 till annual river ice cover will toral scholar at the Comparing river ice the winter months, and 12-
the review petition’s verdict is decline by about six days University of North Caro- cover from 2008-2018 68 per cent during the
announced. for every one degree lina at Chapel Hill (UNC- spring and fall.
The top court had allowed Celsius increase in global Chapel) in the US. and 1984-1994, the team The Rocky Mountains,
extension/reappointment of temperatures, posing eco- “We detected widespread found a monthly global northeastern US, eastern
Army Chief General Qamar nomic and environmental declines in monthly river decline ranging from 0.3 Europe, and Tibetan
Javed Bajwa for another six consequences, according ice coverage. And the pre- to 4.3 percentage points Plateau are expected to
months and asked the govern- to a study. dicted trend of future ice take the heaviest impact,
ment to determine the tenure, The research, published loss is likely to lead to eco- the researchers said.
terms and conditions of the in the journal Nature, is nomic challenges for peo- future. Comparing river river ice is likely to contin- “Ultimately, what this
service of the army chief the first to look at the ple and industries along ice cover from 2008-2018 ue with predicted global study shows is the power
through legislation within the future of river ice on a these rivers, and shifting and 1984-1994, the team warming,” the rese- of combining massive
period. global scale. seasonal patterns in found a monthly global archers found. amounts of satellite
Meanwhile, the PML (N) par- “We used more than greenhouse gas emissions decline ranging from 0.3 to For the future, the team imagery with climate
liamentary committee decided 4,00,000 satellite images from the ice-affected 4.3 percentage points. compared expected river models to help better proj-
to back federal government’s taken over 34 years to rivers,” Yang said. The greatest declines ice cover through 2009- ect how our planet will
Army Act amendment bill in measure which rivers sea- The team also looked at were found in the Tibetan 2029 and 2080-2100. change,” said UNC-Chapel
National Assembly to grant A family walks their son through a flooded neighbour- sonally freeze over world- changes to river ice cover Plateau, eastern Europe, Findings showed month- Hill Associate Professor
extension in service to army hood in a bucket in Tanggerang on the outskirts of wide, which is about 56 per in the past, and modelled and Alaska. ly declines in the Nor- Tamlin Pavelsky.
chief Qamar Javed Bajwa. Jakarta, Indonesia on Thursday. — AP cent of all large rivers,” predicted changes for the “The observed decline in thern Hemisphere rang- — PTI
Body blows Bosch to cut India jobs
Dollar’s rally in 2019 was snuffed
out as the Fed cut three times Bosch Ltd., the Indian unit of the
■ Federal Funds Target Rate-Upper Bound (R1)

■ Bloomberg Dollar Spot (L1)

largest auto-parts supplier, plans to
join its parent, Robert Bosch GmbH,
1280 in cutting jobs. The German compa-
1260
ny will cut “a couple of thousand”
1240
jobs in India in the next four years,

Index Points
2
1220
India MD Soumitra Bhattacharya
1200
said. About 10% of 3,700 white-collar
1180
jobs and a slightly higher percentage
1160
of 6,300 blue-collar jobs will be cut,
1140 1
1120
he said in an interview to Bloomberg.
1100
“There is a transformation happening across the industry,”
2017 2018 2019 Bhattacharya said. “We looked at that as an opportunity to
FRIDAY | 3 JANUARY 2020 | CHENNAI Figures in per cent Source: Federal Reserve, Bloomberg transform the company even before the downturn started.”

quick Nearly 10,000 jewellers face tax recovery action

BITES
SANGEETHA G tion as to why their December 31, 2019 to Bullion and Jewellers Punjab, Haryana, Commissioner of Income
CHENNAI, JAN. 2 incomes had risen post- explain the income rise. Association. Rajastan, Gujarat and Tax rules against them,
demonetisation. The Those who were not able According to him, these some parts of Madhya they have options to move
Around 10,000 jewellers increase was considered to explain the rise have to jewellers might have Pradhesh. to the appellate tribunal
are facing income-tax as their income and they pay 117 per cent of the recorded an average “Most of them had taken as well as the High Court.
recovery procedures after were asked to pay tax on increased income as increase of Rs 1 crore the matter lightly. Some However, Mehta feels that
the deadline to explain the it. Gold jewellery sales penalty. Now they can each in income after could not explain the businesses of most of
INDICATORS % increase in their income
post-demonetisation
had risen post-demoneti-
sation when customers
appeal to
Commissioners of Income
the demonetisation. Mehta
assumes that the
income rise properly.
Around 35 per cent of the
these jewellers would
have gone bust by then, as
Sensex 41,626.64 0.78 expired on December 31. bought gold in exchange Tax, but will have to pay increased income can run jewellers might win an the lower demand for jew-
Nifty 50 12,282.20 0.82 These jewellers had of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 20 per cent of the penalty into thousands of crores appeal. Others will have ellery in recent times has
received notices from the notes. before that,” said of rupees. These are both to cough up the penalty,” affected the business and
S&P 500 3,239 0.25 Central Board of Direct “These jewellers had one-and-a-half year back Surendra Mehta, national organised and un-organ- he said. viability of most jew-
Dollar (`) 71.37 0.09 Taxes, seeking explana- received notices around and were given time till secretary of the Indian ised jewellers in Delhi, Even if the ellers.
Pound Sterling (`) 94.39 -0.41
Euro (`) 80.18 0.03
Gold (10gm)* (`) 39,892▲38 0.09
■ Phase-wise increase in rates also on govt’s agenda
Brent crude ($/bbl)* $66.05 0.05
Factory Tata moves apex court
Centre keen to cut
IN 10-Yr bond yield 6.502 0.001

against NCLAT order

US 10-Yr T-bill yield 1.884 -0.026
* As of 9:30 pm IST activity
picks up
Bank credit
GST slabs to three
New Delhi, Jan. 2: Tata
Group filed a petition in
Bengaluru, Jan. 2: the Supreme Court, seek-
grows 7.10% to India’s factory activity
expanded at its fastest
ing to quash the appellate
tribunal’s order that
pace in seven months in directed the company to
MADHUSUDAN SAHOO exploring ways to manage December as a jump in rehire the chairman it
NEW DELHI, JAN. 2 a possible revenue short- new orders prompted fired in 2016.
Banks' credit and deposits grew age and consequent GST companies to ramp up Tata Sons Ltd filed the
by 7.10% and 10.09% to Rs Amid conflicting reports of compensation to the states production, a private petition on Thursday, its
99.47 lakh crore and Rs 130.08 an impending restructur- from the next fiscal. “The business survey showed lawyer Abhishek M
lakh crore, respectively, in the ing of the goods and servic- finance ministers of state on Thursday. Singhvi said in New Delhi.
fortnight ended Dec. 20, RBI es tax (GST) slabs, it is governments are also Business optimism It sought an urgent hear-
data shows. In the year-ago learnt that the central gov- expected to meet the fell to an almost three- ing for a stay on the previ- Cyrus Mistry
fortnight, advances stood at Rs ernment is keen to have finance minister after the year low, however, as ous order, according to a
92.87 lakh crore while deposits three different slabs of Union Budget to discuss companies worried document seen by Friday hearing on a plea of
were at Rs 118.16 lakh crore. In GST from the existing four. the overhauling of GST about challenging mar- Bloomberg. the registrar of companies
the previous fortnight ended Besides, the government slabs,” the source said. ket conditions. The latest move by the (RoC0), seeking modifica-
Dec. 6, credit had grown by is also mulling a marginal Revenue secretary Ajay The Nikkei Manufac- Tata Group aims to reverse tions in its judgement that
7.91% to Rs 99.34 lakh crore. increase in the current Bhushan Pandey is learnt turing Purchasing the shock defeat in reinstated Mistry.
GST rates for some key to have scheduled a meet- Managers’ Index, com- December when the appel- A two-member NCLAT
items phase-wise to boost ing with the tax commis- piled by IHS Markit, late tribunal instructed bench, headed by Chair-

DoT demands the tax mop-up.

Experts are, however, of
go but phase-wise, to boost
GST collection for the gov-
meeting,” the a finance
ministry source said.
sioners on January 7 to dis-
cuss ways for streamlining
rose to 52.7 in the final
month of 2019 from
that Cyrus Mistry be rein-
stated as the chairman and
man Justice S J Mukho-
padhaya, directed the

`15K cr from
view that there should not ernment. However, it is up In line with media the GST system and plug- November’s 51.2. called the appointment of Ministry of Corporate
be more than two slabs of to the GST Council to take reports, meanwhile, the ging leakages. “This meet- The reading was the his replacement Natarajan Affairs (MCA) to submit
GST in the system. a final call on the issue and experts have also favoured ing with commissioners of highest since May. It Chandrasekaran illegal. details of the definition of
Talking to Financial the council is likely to the reduction of slabs from state tax and the chief com- also remained above the The ruling effectively private and public compa-
Chronicle on condition of finalise the revised rates the present four. Subhash missioner of central tax 50-mark that separates paralysed the Tata leader- nies under the Companies
anonymity, a member of within a month’s time,” the Varshney, former principal will also deliberate about growth from contrac- ship and its efforts to Act. The bench also asked
the apex body of the indi- source added. chief commissioner of enhancing GST compli- tion for a 29th month, revive growth by selling for clarifications on the
rect taxes, Central Board of A panel comprising cen- GST in the Mumbai Circle, ance by plugging loopholes the longest since July assets, finding partners paid-up capital require-
Indirect Taxes and tral and state government said there should be only and discouraging tax 2013. and cutting costs. ment for change in the cer-
Customs (CBIC), said, “The officials has been formed to two slabs of GST rates. evaders,” the source said. “The uptick in Indian The ruling by the tificate of incorporation of
government is planning to review the current rate He said less number of “Ways to stop tax evasion manufacturing sector National Company Law a company.
reduce the number of GST structure and examine slabs would help taxpayers without any overreach or growth signalled by the Appellate Tribunal The NCLAT was hearing
slabs to three from the ways to boost revenue col- file GST returns easily and harassment to the genuine latest PMI results will (NCLAT) also called the an urgent application
existing number of four. lection. “The government help reduce the tax eva- taxpayers will be discussed be welcomed by policy- actions of Ratan Tata, moved by the RoC, seeking
The final call will be taken is likely review around 150 sion. with the top tax officials makers,” noted group’s chairman emeri- to be impleaded as a party
by the GST Council soon in products that are currently The Centre is planning to and the enforcement Pollyanna De Lima, tus and the one who led in the petitions and dele-
The DoT has slapped a Rs the regard.” exempt from GST and the talk to the state govern- wings,” the source added. principal economist at Mistry’s ouster, as “oppres- tion of the words “illegal”
15,019-crore demand notice on “Also, the GST rates of GST Council is expected to ments after the Union As of now, there are four IHS Markit. sive.” and “with the help of the
Gujarat Narmada Valley some key items are set to discuss the panel’s recom- Budget 2021 presentation GST slabs of 5, 12, 18 and 28 —Reuters The NCLAT has, mean- RoC” used by the NCLAT.
Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd, tak- be increased, if not at one mendations at its next on February 1. It is also per cent tax. while, adjourned till —Agencies
ing the total amount it has
sought from non-telecom firms

Sanjeevani to cover Japan’s Taiho Pharma moves US

to Rs 3.13 lakh crore. The com-
pany said the demand has been
made in respect of financial
years from 2005-06 to 2018-19 AI, Concor,
Ayush sans sub-limits court against Natco over drug
in connection with V-SAT and
ISP licences held by it.
BPCL selloff
Sugar output SANGEETHA G policyholder (including and 65 years while for chil- Hyderabad, Jan 2: Taiho title, and interest of the ter.”
unlikely soon
CHENNAI, JAN. 2 family cover) to transfer dren under Family Floater Pharmaceutical, a Japan- patent. The Japanese com- Under Paragraph IV Mumbai, Jan. 2: In
down 30% in The insurance regulator
the credit gained by the policies, it will be three
insured for pre-existing months to 25 years.
ese pharmaceuticals com-
pany and its group compa-
pany sought the court to
pass an injunction order
Patent Certifications, a
company can seek FDA
what can potentially
hurt the fiscal math for

Oct-Dec: Isma wants the standard health

product—Arogya
eevani Policy—to cover
Sanj-
conditions and time bound
exclusions if the policy-
holder chooses to switch
The product can also be
offered as micro insurance
product subject to the sum
ny have moved a US court
against Natco Pharma,
alleging that the Indian
enjoining Natco from
attempting to manufacture
or sell Lonsurf in the US.
approval to market a
generic drug before the
expiration of patents relat-
the ongoing fiscal, a
senior government offi-
cial said strategic
Sugar production has fallen Ayush systems without from one insurer to insured limits specified by drug maker was attempt- Earlier in November, ed to the brand-name drug divestments in Air
sharply by 30.22% to 7.79 mil- any sub-limits. The policy another insurer. Irdai. It can be distrib- ing to come out with a 2019, through a letter to that the generic seeks to India, BPCL and
lion tonne in the first three is also portable from one “The standard Mini- uted across all dis- generic version of its can- Taiho, the Indian drug copy. Container Corporation
months of current marketing insurer to another health policy mum sum tribution chan- cer medicine 'Lonsurf,' maker notified that it sub- A senior official of a city- are “unlikely” to be
year that began in October, but As per the guidelines will make assured under nels, including before expiration of its mitted ANDA (abbreviated based pharmaceutical completed in FY20.
ex-mill prices have remained issued by the Insurance portability eas- the policy should micro insurance patent. new drug application) to company said patent Work on all these com-
stable, helping mills clear cane Regulatory and Develop- ier as the cus- be `1 lakh and agents, point of In a petition filed in the the US FDA seeking infringement cases in the panies is on and the
payment to farmers on time, ment Authority for the tomer need not sales persons and District Court of Delaware approval to engage in com- US are not uncommon for process is facing delays
maximum,
the Isma said. Ex-mill sugar standard health policy, be worried common public on Dec. 30, Taiho alleged mercial manufacture and generic drug makers and due to “surprises” en-
which has to be mandatori- about what will `5 lakh service centres. that the Indian drug sell the generic version in the lawsuit will not have countered once the
prices have stayed steady in the
range of Rs 3,250-3,350 per ly offered by general insur- be covered and what “This is a plain maker's proposed generic America prior to the expi- any implications on the wheels have begun mov-
quintal in north India. ers and standalone health not in the policy of vanilla health policy and it Lonsurf (trifluridine and ration of the patents-in- performance of the copy- ing, the official from the
insurers, expenses another insurer,” said will increase awareness tipiracil) will infringe on suit, the petition said. cat makers. Department of Invest-
incurred on hospitalisa- Vaidyanathan Ramani, about health insurance the patent and sought the Taiho further alleged Meanwhile, Natco ment and Public Asset
tion under Ayush systems head of product and inno- and it will be priced afford- court to pass an injunction that Natco's proposed Pharma in a filing with Management said.
of medicine shall be cov- vation at PolicyBazaar. ably. However, private order against manufactur- ANDA violates the bourses said it believes The ministry has bud-
HDFC gets nod ered without sub-limits.
The guidelines also pro-
com.
The minimum
insurers will not have
sum much incentive to promote
ing, importing and selling
that drug in the US.
Lonsuf's patents on six
counts.
that it was one of the first
ANDA filers for the prod-
geted to garner Rs 1.05
lakh crore from divest-

to acquire vided clarity in terms of

portable and migration.
assured under the policy the policy as it will give lit-
should be Rs 1 lakh while tle space for differentia-
Taiho Oncology, Inc sells
and distributes Lonsurf in
Natco informed the
Japanese drug major that
uct and could be eligible
for 180 days exclusivity
ments during the fiscal.
The government has

Apollo Munich
Portability means the the maximum should be Rs tion. Public insurers will the United States, while its ANDA will not infringe under certain circum- already breached the
right accorded to an indi- 5 lakh. Minimum and max- end up selling the policy Taiho Pharmaceuticalis the patents through stances. budgeted fiscal deficit
vidual health insurance imum entry age will be 18 more,” said Ramani. the owner of all the right, “Paragraph IV notice let- — PTI gap and the extent of
HDFC Ltd said the company and the gap stands at 115 per
its subsidiary HDFC ERGO have cent with four months
to go.

Raid in Japan, arrests in Turkey over Ghosn

got approvals for acquiring a
majority shareholding in Apollo The official declined
Munich Health Insurance Co Ltd. to comment on the
By the deal, HDFC will acquire impact of such events
the majority stake in Apollo on the fiscal math.
Munich from the Apollo SHINGO ITO & But the disgraced execu- Ghosn was allowed this tigation into Ghosn's footage from his residence his innocence. When asked if the
Hospitals Group for Rs 1,347 ERIC RANDOLPH tive, who has French, French passport so long as apparent transfer between and other places they sus- One of his lawyers also strategic divestment in
crore and will merge the com- TOKYO/ISTANBUL, JAN 2 Brazilian and Lebanese it was kept in a locked case private jets at an Istanbul pect Ghosn travelled to said at the time that he was the Bharat Petroleum
pany with its arm HDFC ERGO. nationalities, managed to with the code held by his airport on Monday. before he fled, NHK said. such a famous face he had Corporation (BPCL)—
HDFC will acquire 50.8% from Officials on Thursday raid- slip out of Japan on lawyers, the source said. Officials questioned Police suspect "several" no chance of slipping away which can alone fetch
the Apollo Hospitals group. ed the Tokyo residence of Sunday despite having There is no emigration seven people, including people accompanied him undetected. the government over Rs
former Nissan boss Carlos handed over his three data showing Ghosn's four pilots, as part of the to help him escape "in an Meanwhile, Lebanon's 60,000 crore if it were to
Ghosn who fled to passports to his lawyers. departure from Japan but probe, news agency DHA unlawful manner," it judiciary has received a sell its entire 53 per cent
Printed & Published by Lebanon to avoid a A court in Tokyo had he entered Lebanon on a reported Thursday. added. red notice from Interpol stake —will be complet-
T Venkateswarlu on behalf of Deccan Japanese trial, while allowed Ghosn to keep a French passport, public Prosecutors, meanwhile, The Japanese govern- for the arrest Ghosn. ed this fiscal, the offi-
Chronicle Holdings Limited. Printed & Turkey detained several second French passport as broadcaster NHK said. raided his former Tokyo ment has yet to issue any France said it "will not cial said, “unlikely”.
Published at Deccan Chronicle Presses people as part of a widen- he needed one to travel Ghosn is thought to have residence Thursday as official statement on the extradite" Carlos Ghosn if “We are not saying
situated at SP-3 Developed Plot, ing probe into the security inside Japan, a source taken a private jet from part of an initial investiga- case. the former Nissan boss, that for ourselves and
Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai. lapse. close to the matter told Kansai Airport in western tion into his escape. When his defence who has French citizen- our timelines are such
Editor: T.Venkatram Reddy, RNI Reg. Ghosn, who faced multi- AFP on Thursday. Japan on December 29, Television footage lawyers were arguing for ship, arrived in the coun- that it should happen.
No. TNENG/2008/25473 Air surcharge Re ple charges of financial "He had to keep this pass- heading for Istanbul. It is showed several officers in bail, prosecutors claimed try. "France never extra- But we know that the
1. © All rights reserved. Reproduction in misconduct that he denies, port" to prove his short- believed Ghosn headed dark suits entering the he was a flight risk with dites its nationals," junior process throws up sur-
whole or in part without written per- won bail in April but with stay status, the source from there to Beirut. property. powerful connections, but economy minister Agnes prises,” the official said
mission of The Editor, Financial strict conditions,including said, "There was permis- Turkey's interior min- Authorities are expected Ghosn himself said he Pannier-Runacher said. speaking on the side-
Chronicle ® is prohibited. a ban on overseas travel. sion from the court." istry has opened an inves- to analyse security camera wanted to be tried to prove —AFP lines of an event here.
DECCAN CHRONICLE
Books+ FRIDAY | 3 JANUARY 2020 | CHENNAI
PAGE

13

Call of the river, of Kashi

INDIAN TOP 10
BESTSELLERS
NON-FICTION
Towards human
liberation through
and the burning ghats spirituality
Varanasi. Known for stench / rises from the the only balance that
their great love for music, silted sands and wooden exist, is in our minds. //
art and literature, the armatures — / fire-aided Young bareheaded bare-
Sudeep Sen family continued the
patronage of the arts.
decomposition of human
flesh — / the offerings
bodied men, draped in
swathes of pure white
Moin Qazi
And the result of this can swiftly lapped up by cotton, / foreheads
Polyphony be seen all over the
family-home-hotel.
roaming animals. / An
emaciated sadhu with
smeared in sandalwood
and vermillion / carrying review
Painted walls, ceilings, wild-knotted dreadlocks, ash-filled earthen pots —
door arches, artworks, / perched precariously on / walk past me towards

W
1 2019 HOW MODI WON

T
alk guests. The hotel is sculptures adorn every a bamboo frame / on the the river-edge with a hese volumes are a
INDIA i n situated on the banks of room. More artworks are edge of the river, / sense of detachment. / As compilation of the
Rajdeep Sardesai, g the river Ganges at Asi stacked waiting to find dreams of alms that the eldest sons in their transcribed and edited
Harper Collins, `699 alo Ghat, which is said to be space. might come his way, even family, Hindu strictures talks of Shaykh Arif
ng one of the five most It is no wonder that a at this late hour. // demand / that they Abdul Hussain in which the
Presiding priests, feed perform the last rites for
2 William
THE ANARCHY
Dalrymple
Bloomsbury, `699
t h
e
gh
sacred places
pilgrimage — Pancha
Tirtha — in Kashi (or
of number of well-known
contemporary artistes,
scholars, photographers,
with ritual ghee / the
burning of wood-and-
the dead. / White-robed
teachers / sitting under
essential message of Islam and
Prophet Muhammad’s message
of God-centricity is presented
ats in Varanasi, along its Varanasi). The river Asi painters, designers, dead — / the constant large circular cane- in a fresh re-evaluation of reli-
ancient living alleyways, used to merge in the filmmakers, writers and flames forming huge parasols on the ghat / gion and human purpose. The
3 A CHEQUERED
BRILLIANCE
Jairam Ramesh,
to the cremation spots, to
the temples, to the food
waters of the Ganges at
this very place marking
poets have gravitated to
this place. On the walls
flares, / fragmented
waves of golden-amber
impart
teachings
philosophical
from the
talks outline the philosophical
foundations of the Quranic
stalls — the boat rides the southern boundary of and in the library — I saw spark, / electrifying Upanishads and Vedas / outlook for humanity, in which
Penguin Viking along the river at dawn the holy city. Local lore a series of stunning helical fire-flurries — a to the young priests-in- religion and prophetic teach-
`999 and dusk, seeing the has it that the saint-poet black-and-white images crematorium. // the-making. // ings are envisioned as a purpo-
spectacular arati — one Tulsidas wrote a part of of Dayanita Singh, books A young boy scratches There are illuminated sive process of continuous

4 Aanchal
REMNANTS OF A
SEPARATION
Malhotra
is transported into a
different realm and time.
It is no wonder that great
his celebrated epic, the
Ramacharitmanas, at
Asi. It is also said that the
by Raghubir
Raghu Rai and Sudhir
Singh,

Kakar, and many others.

his newly-shaven head, /
a pot-bellied man
immerses himself in the
cane lanterns / hung on
long bamboo
curving skywards — /
poles
spiritual growth .The leitmotif
of the book is the role of the
Quranic principle of God-cen- ISLAM AND
Harper Collins Indian seers, thinkers queen of Jhansi, Laxmi Unsurprisingly, my water, / stray dogs bark, homage to the memory of tricity in maintaining univer-
and writers dating back Bai, was born at Asi sojourn there resulted in cows groans, loudspeaker martyrs — / and floating sal equilibrium.
GOD-CENTRICITY: A
`599
to Kabir Das, Ravidas, Ghat. several new creative bray. / Amid so much lamps to light the journey By identifying the core tenets THEOLOGICAL BASIS FOR
Tulsidas Kulluka Bhatt, The hotel itself is pieces of writing and noise, / the business of of the spirit / as they sail of purposive religion, the HUMAN LIBERATION
5 GOOD ECONOMICS
FOR HARD TIMES
Abhijit V. Banerjee,
B h a r a t e n d u
Harishchandra,
housed in a heritage
property of the erstwhile
many art photographs.
One of them that follows,
death being transacted /
carries on, without any
upstream towards its
source. //
author embraces a philosophi-
cally rigorous concept of By SHAYKH ARIF &
Jaishankar Prasad, family of the Muksudpur sums up — Varanasi, the emotion or fuss. // In the super-heated human progress that is ABDUL HUSSAIN
Esther Duflo ancient city of Kashi — Saffron-robed holy men pyre, I hear another
Hazari Prasad Dwivedi, Tekari state of Bihar. Its informed by the teachings of Al-Mahdi Institute,
Juggernaut, `699 Tegh Ali, Kshetresa ancestors immigrated in for me. It is titled, on the ghat steps / sit in ritual pot break, / Islamic sages and mystics. It
“Burning Ghats, yoga postures praying for another skull crack, Birmingham
C h a n d r a Varanasi in the late 19th provides an interpretation of
pp.136, `599
6 INREPUBLIC
SERVICE OF THE

Vijay Kelkar and

Chattopadhyaya,
Acharya Shukla, Munshi
century. In 1870, Dulhin
Radha Dulari Kuwari — a
Varanasi”:
“My back, over-heated
something, / a silent
selfless quest — / what
another soul taking
flight. / I see some shore-
religion that regards humans
as dynamic beings engaged in a
Premchand, Vagish princess of the Sursand by the flaming pyres of does prayer amid all this temples slow-sink into process of achieving greater The different spiritual paths
Ajay Shah Shastri, Baldev state of Bihar, widow of the burning dead, / din and commerce get the swallowing river, / degrees of perfection at both lead to the same human heart.
Harper Collins, `699 Upadhyaya, Sudama Srimant Damodar Dev shields my sight of river you anyway? // effects of unpredictable the individual and communal The vast spiritual heritage is
Pandey, Jagannath Narayan Singh of Ganges — / its fast This medley of bells, tides and climate change levels. This progressive and actually the common treasure
Prasad Ratnakar, Devaki Chainpur State in Bihar muddy currents eddying conch, lamps, chanting, / taking with them both endless process allows religion of all of mankind. Our civilisa-
7 1971: A PEOPLE’S
HISTORY FROM
BANGLADESH,
Nandan Khatri and Vidya
Niwas Mishr have lived
— settled down at Asi and
became involved in
the
bathing
floating
humans,
lamps,
/
fire, water, boat and
people / ceases to be a
the mortals and the
immortals — / ashes to
to keep evolving in accordance
with levels of human develop-
tion’s spiritual prism provides
a kaleidoscopic canvas of
PAKISTAN AND INDIA in this city. philanthropic activities. remains of corpses, and cacophony after a few ashes, dust to dust — / ment. Religion is thus the sina shimmering stars of wisdom.
I was staying at the Local pundits of that flesh-and-bone ash. // hours — / all variant water to heavy water, life qua non of human success. The blazing radiance exuded
Anam Zakaria
beautiful Hotel Ganges time suggested that she In Manikarnika Ghat, a noises melding into a to after-life.” An essential feature of by this constellation is what
Penguin Vintage, `699 mixture of sanctity and drone, a trance — / where keeps the darkness of carnal
View, an intimate reconstruct the Asi Islamic philosophy is the spirit
museum-like complex Madhava shrine and Sudeep Sen of sincere inquiry and continu- impulses from overwhelming
8 Viswanathan
MIND MASTER
Anand
where part of the royal
family still lives. Their
build the
overlooking river Ganga.
ghat [www.sudeepsen.org]
is an award-winning
al learning. The history of
humanity has been punctuated
us.
The spiritual quest is an
Hachette, `599 personal artworks, After the death of the VARANASI THE GANGES poet, translator, by waves of progression and internal journey — it is a psy-
artifacts, books and princess in 1927, her son- editor and regression, both of which are chic path. Very often, priests,
in-law, Kumar Kailash photographer; whose rabbis, imams, and shamans
9 Nitin
R.N. KAO - GENTLEMAN
SPYMASTER
furniture are an organic
part of this place — as is
the exquisite freshly-
Kinkar Narayan Singh,
and her grandson, Kumar
By RAGHU RAI
HarperCollins
By RAGHUBIR SINGH
Thames & Hudson most recent
book is Kaifi Azmi:
the result of either the pres-
ence or absence of the spirit of
sincere inquiry and learning.
are just as consumed by world-
ly ambition as regular seekers
Gokhale pp.162, `3,499 pp.192, `2,100
Bloomsbury, `599 cooked local vegetarian Keshav Kinkar Narayan Poems | Nazms Today, there is no facet of life of material possessions. But all
fare they provide to the Singh immigrated to (Bloomsbury) in which this spirit is lacking; this is generally seen as an
religion being ironically but abuse of a sacred ideal. These
10 DARA SHUKOH: THE
MAN WHO WOULD
sorely the worst casualty.
Fundamental to this process is
power struggles are not what
religion is really about, but an

Nothing beats the romance of luxury

BE KING the examination of the theolog- unworthy distraction from the
Avik Chanda ical assumptions of religion by life of the spirit, which is con-
Harper Collins, `699 their individual adherents. ducted far from the madding
Shaykh Arif founded the Al- crowd, unseen, silent and
Mahdi Institute in Birmingham unobtrusive.

train travel between the world wars

in 1993, and currently serves as We must understand that
its director. For over 20 years, every scriptural book has to be
he has been at the forefront of read, not only with the tongue
training students in Islamic and voice and eyes, but with
theology and equipping them the truest and purest light
with tools that can enable them which our heart and
to address the needs of contem- conscience can provide. This is
the only way we can
Christian porary societies where reli-
gious values permeate entire internalise it. Spirituality
Wolmar cultural systems. Arif ’s spiritu-
al messages are girded in the
springs from the soul, and
permeates the entire being. If
modern lexicon: This is the rea- the soul becomes barren; we
review son why they have found natu-
ral soil in a world where reli-
will continue to practice our
rituals robotically. What is the
gious, spiritual and philosophi- point if our prayers and fasting
cal outlook inform decisions and our rituals can’t clean our
FICTION

T
here may never have and instincts of great leaders in heart and enhance the quality
been a murder on the diverse fields. of our character? In our
1 THE FAR FIELD
Madhuri Vijay
4th Estate, `599
real Orient Express, but
otherwise Agatha
Arif ’s mission is a response
to the need for an institutional
religious journey, we often
mistake the guideposts for the
Christie’s depiction of luxury movement to address chal- final destination. At that point,
train travel was pretty accurate. lenges to religious faith in gen- prayers become mere empty
2 GIRL, WOMAN, OTHER
(BOOKER PRIZE 2019
WINNER)
Cordon Bleu cooking, accompa-
nied by fine vintage wines and
eral and to the Islamic faith in
particular. Similarly, there is
the need for understanding the
words; rituals become routines
and the soul becomes a slave of
habit.
served by immaculately turned
Bernardine Evaristo out waiters, was offered to the ethical and social values The scriptures have not to be
Hamish Hamilton, `799 first class passengers, who often The Trans-Siberian Railway (top), enshrined in the Quran and the just ritualised; they have to be
included members of the aristoc- the Orient Express (bottom) Sunna in the context of mod- applied to our everyday lives.
racy and senior diplomats. ern cultures. These challenges What ultimately matters is the
3 THE TESTAMENTS
(BOOKER PRIZE 2019
WINNER)
The Orient Express was inau-
gurated in 1883, just as the rail-
ways, but while he does venture
abroad at times, citing the most
have been faced largely with-
out the guidance of adequately
purity and chastity of the
conscience and this is the
ways, both in the UK and else- famous foreign examples, there trained scholars. primary attribute of a true
Margaret Atwood where, were starting to realise are some glaring omissions. The core pedagogy at Al servant of God. It is the most
Chatto & Windus, `799 that their more affluent cus- India, for example, had some of Mahdi is centred around its authentic barometer of our
tomers were not only a key the most magnificent trains emphasis on the use of modern piety. Spiritual values are the

4 GENESIS
Robin Cook
Pan Macmillan, `650
source of revenue but also
deserved special attention. As
Martyn Pring puts it: “Higher
under the Raj, great expresses
which connected with incoming
ships to speed the rulers on to
theories in the study of reli-
gion, theology and language.
The aim is to train and prepare
central axis of the chariot of
civilisation As Woodrow
Wilson emphasised, “Unless
society was on the move, requir- their destinations and offered students who will be able to our civilisation is redeemed
ing more opulent and spacious lavish meals that included every- function within Western aca- spiritually, it cannot endure
5 KISS THE GIRLS AND
MAKE THEM CRY
Mary Higgins Clark
modes of transport.”
The railway companies had in
Sutherland, whose “Dunrobin” higher standards of comfort. By
— he was probably oblivious to the Edwardian age, the availabil-
thing from roast sirloin and fish
in butter sauce to strawberries
demic traditions and contem-
porary intellectual discourse as
materially.”
Finding common ground
fact been rather slow to improve the pun — had, according to the ity of gas on trains meant that and cream and bread pudding. participants, not spectators. He among faiths can help us
Simon & Schuster, `599 their services to meet the needs Tatler, “waiting-room, booking meals could be prepared on The Trans-Siberian, too, offered is aiming at the spiritual, bridge needless divides at a
of this growing group of trav- office and other rooms [which] board and there was a “sort of sumptuous carriages, with whole moral, social and cultural time when unified action is

6 AGENT RUNNING IN
THE FIELD
John Le Carre
ellers. Initially, the best way for
the rich to ensure a ride in the
manner to which they were
all comprised a charming pictur- arms race in railway catering”,
esque building
built of the best
with companies on
long-distance
libraries in various languages
for the long journey across the
world’s biggest nation.
development of the new gener-
ation in ways that equips them
better to face modern chal-
more crucial than ever. As a
species, we must embrace the
oneness of humanity as we
Penguin Viking, `599 accustomed was simply to hitch Scots fir”. Trains routes vying with Thankfully, Pring ends on a pos- lenges. Although he belongs to face global issues like pan-
their own carriages to the back would only stop each other to pro- itive note. The apogee of luxury a predominantly Shia school demics and economic and eco-
of an existing rail service. Jay when the Duke or vide the best meals. train travel may well have been and liberally draws on imagery logical crises. At this scale, our
7 GRAND UNION
(STORIES)
Zadie Smith
Gould, for example, who at one
point owned about a seventh of
members of his
household needed
After World War I,
when the Big Four
the interwar period, but there
are signs of a revival, though
from Shia icons for expounding
his thesis, Arif ’s focus is clear-
response must be as one.
Harmony among the major
the American railways, had four to use them. were created largely offered by private compa- ly on the core Islamic creed. He faiths is an essential ingredi-
Hamish Hamilton, through merging nies running special “rail cruis- steers clear of peripheral ent for peaceful coexistence.
coaches, one of which housed a For the ordinary
`699 special cow to produce fresh rich, the early more than 100 com- es” along the Trans-Siberian or thought areas that can generate From this perspective, mutual
milk with just the right propor- days of train trav- panies that had parts of the now sadly defunct sectarian friction and obscure understanding among these

8 BACKLASH
Brad Thor
Emily Bestler
tion of butterfat.
Better still was to have your
own train. Mostly this was the
el were not partic-
ularly agreeable.
Cramped compart-
existed before the
conflict, there was
what Pring calls a
Orient Express route at prices
that exceed $1,000 per day. These
trains tend to use old rolling
his central mission.
The pluralistic world created
by the diffusion of understand-
traditions is not merely the
business of religious believers
— it matters for the welfare of
Books- Atria, `699 prerogative of royalty, exempli- ments with no toi- golden age of luxu- stock that has been refurbished ing of the world’s major faith humanity as a whole.
fied by Queen Victoria, a fre- let facilities — var- ry travel. Even the but, in Japan, according to Pring, traditions has made religion a Preachers like Arif, who com-
quent, if somewhat nervous, pas- ious devices were Southern, which several of its main rail compa- vital resource in the task of bine religious luminosity with
9 THE QUARTER
Naguib Mahfouz
Picador India
senger who did not allow her
train to travel at more than
offered for both
male and female
covered the small-
est geographical
nies are branching out by build-
ing new trains aimed at the luxu-
building a good society, a world
where all can live freely and
modern wisdom and learning,
are a gentle, mindful presence
35mph. The rival companies relief — were the area, launched a ry market, such as the Kyushu pursue visions of the highest in a world where scriptural
`500 operating on the east and west norm until the LUXURY RAILWAY TRAVEL: series of premium Seven Stars and the Mikuzake values. We face a constant principles are being increas-
coast mainlines soon each pro- 1870s. Then mat- A SOCIAL AND BUSINESS services, notably Twilight Express, offering two- struggle with the moral, mate- ingly recognised as fundamen-
10 LOST
James Patterson &
James O. Born
vided her with trains, one of
which was 14 carriages long. Not
ters improved rad-
ically, not least
HISTORY the Brighton Belle
and the Golden
or four-day trips far away from
the hurly burly of the country’s
more famous bullet trains on the
rial, social, cultural and politi-
cal complexities and oddities of
tal to every walk of life.

Moin Qazi is an author,

to be outdone, the Great Western because the spread By MARTYN PRING Arrow through to an ever-rapidly changing socie-
Century, Railway unveiled its Diamond of capitalism had Paris. Shinkansen. ty. Spiritualism is truly a way columnist and member of the
Pen & Sword
`599 Royal Jubilee Train in 1897. increased the Pring is excellent of setting out and travelling National Commission on
Even better was to have your potential market
Transport on the social con- By arrangement with the paths of the heart, mind Financial Inclusion for Women
Bahrisons, New Delhi own station, like the Duke of for people seeking pp.366, £35 text of the rail- the Spectator and the imaginary. at the Niti Aayog
Spin consultant
Rajasthan Royals on Thursday appointed New Zealand
leg-spinner Ish Sodhi as their spin consultant for the
2020 edition of the Indian Premier League
DECCAN CHRONICLE
Cricket
FRIDAY | 3 JANUARY 2020 | CHENNAI
PAGE

14

To every firefighter,
volunteer to every
family, we are with
Domestic grind
Karnataka skipper Karun says Mayank’s absence Parthiv advices
you. You are the
real heroes. You do
is an opportunity for others to prove themselves young Pant to
us proud.
— David Warner, Australia opener
Mumbai, Jan. 2: Mayank
Agarwal’s absence from their
crucial Ranji Trophy game
with the bat in the last Ranji
game versus Railways which
the domestic giants lost by 10
Karnataka game provides per-
fect platform to find form
before he also departs for New
ignore criticism Sri Lanka skipper Lasith Malinga takes blessings from a
on the bushfire crisis in Australia against Mumbai will be an wickets inside two and half Zealand. Also, Mumbai needs to Kolkata, Jan. 2: Veteran wicket- monk before leaving for India for a three-match T20
opportunity for others to prove days. It will be a good opportu- improve in all departments keeper batsman Parthiv Patel on
after the embarrassing loss series. — Twitter
themselves, said Karnataka nity for the two players to get Thursday advised young Rishabh
SHORT TAKES skipper Karun Nair, who attrib- some runs under their belt. against the Railways at home. Pant to ignore criticism and focus

BCCI to set medical,

uted the India Test opener’s
success to years of consistent
hard work.
This will be the last Ranji
match for Shaw, who departs for
New Zealand with the India ‘A’
The 41-time Ranji champions
will miss the services of India
players Shreyas Iyer, Shivam
on his game, saying dealing with
this constant pressure can help
him emerge as a better batsman.
Lankans arrive in
media team for NCA
Guwahati for T20
Karnataka will miss the serv- team on January 10. The pint- Dube and pacer Shardul Seen as heir apparent to
ices of Mayank as he is set to sized opener got starts but was Thakur, who will be on national Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the 22-
New Delhi: The National Cricket leave for New Zealand with the not able to convert in the last duty. In their absence, it will be year-old Pant has been receiving
Academy, which has often been A team on January 10 and BCCI game, following his double hun- a chance for the likes of skipper flak for his failure to perform con-
criticised for its handling of has requested to exempt him dred in the lung-opener against Suryakumar Yadav, crisis man sistently at the Guwahati, Jan. 2: The Sri 10 and about seven thou-
players’ injuries, is set to get from the upcoming Ranji game. Baroda. Siddhesh Lad and experienced top level. Pant Lankan cricket team, led sand players will partici-
the help of a BCCI medical “Mayank is big player, but it Shaw will have Aditya Tare to make a mark. had an ordinary by veteran pacer Lasith pate,” ACA secretary
panel and a dedicated social (his absence) opens an opportu- to counter Also, if another player outing behind Malinga, arrived here on Devajit Saikia said.
media department as part of its nity for someone else to come Kar nataka’s Sarfaraz Khan, who has been the wickets in Thursday for the three- “It’s now safe as any
overall revamp plan. The need and grab their chance,” said attack in slight- named in the squad, makes the recently- match T20 series against other place in the country.
for a medical panel was dis- Nair, who has played six Test ly windy condi- the playing XI, then it will be concluded series India amid tight security The state government is
cussed at the NCA’s recent matches for India. In his short- tions at the an opportunity for him to a g a i n s t after the city witnessed looking after the security
meeting which was attended by international career, Mayank Bandra-Kurla make it count. Yadav also Bangladesh and widespread protests arrangement and there’s
all the BCCI-officer bearers, has already scored two double C o m p l e x heads for New Zealand the West Indies. against the Citizenship no issue at all.”
including president Sourav hundreds and Nair, who has ground. For with the India A team on “Today’s young- Parthiv Patel Amendment Act (CAA). About 27,000 tickets of
Ganguly and NCA cricket head watched the India Test opener Rahane, who January 10. The bowlers sters have got The Sri Lankan team the 39,500-capacity
Rahul Dravid. The development from close quarters since his has played 63 will be led by Tushar that advantage of playing with the headed straight to the team Barasapra Stadium has
comes after the criticism the fledging days, on Thursday paid Tests, the Deshpande. — PTI big players and sharing the dress- hotel amid thick security already been sold out.
NCA drew for the injury man- glowing tribute. ing room with them. But when you cover. “People were busy with
agement of leading India play- “I think, Mayank has always are struggling for form, you get The members of the the Christmas and New
ers, including W. Saha and been a hard-working cricketer, opinions from all quarters. It’s Indian team are expected Year celebrations. We are
recently Bhuvneshwar Kumar. so I think it was high time that about keeping yourself away from to arrive in batches on expecting a last minute
Hardik Pandya and Jasprit the hard-work paid off,” Nair opinions and focus on your game,” Friday for the series open- ticket rush now,” he said.
Bumrah added to the NCA’s said. “It is just to do with his Patel said. er on Sunday. “Both the The second T20 will be
woes by choosing personal hard-work that he (Agarwal) is “If you play for India, there teams have optional train- played in Indore on
rehabilitation over recovering in doing well now and I don’t would be pressure. Every player ing sessions, Sri Lanka fol- January 7 while Pune will
Bengaluru. “The BCCI will con- think he has changed much at has got pressure of different situa- lowed by India in the host the final match of the
sult a London-based clinic, all. tions. Your skills get honed in such evening,” a official of the series on January 10.
Fortius, for setting up its med- “It is just that with the runs pressure situations. Assam Cricket Association — PTI
ical panel,” a top BCCI official that he got, his confidence also “In the T20 series (against WI) he (ACA) said. Sri Lanka squad: Lasith
said. Head of fast bowling, a improved and then as a bats- did well. You see he’s having a fun Assam had witnessed Malinga (c), Danushka
position which has been lying man confidence plays such a time at the ground as well. He can widespread protests Gunatilleke, Avishka
vacant for a long time, will also big role, it is all down to his become a good player when he against the CAA in Fernando, Angelo
be filled soon. That person will hard work (rather) consistent comes out of such pressure situ- December, which affected Mathews, Dasun Shanaka,
be in charge of setting up a fast hard-work that he is reaping ations,” said the Gujarat skip- Ranji and U-19 matches at Kusal Perera, Niroshan
bowling program at the NCA. the rewards.” per on the eve of their Ranji the domestic level because Dickwella, Dhananjaya de
The board will also hire a nutri- The 28-year-old Mayank has Trophy match against Bengal of curfew. Silva, Isuru Udana,
tion head for the Bengaluru- played nine Test matches so here. — PTI “But situation is Bhanuka Rajapaksha,
based facility. — PTI far, scoring 872 runs, with absolutely normal now and Dasan Fernando, Wanidu
three hundreds and as many tourism is back in the Raja, Kasun Lahiru
If you play for India,
4 Pakistan cities fifties. He has hit two double
hundreds, with a highest there would be
state. We are hosting Khelo
India Games from January
Kumara, Kusal Mendis,
Lakshan Moonakan.
to host entire PSL score of 243 versus
pressure. Every
Islamabad: The Pakistan Cricket
Board has taken another step in
its bid to convince foreign
Bangladesh at Indore. Nair,
himself has a triple hundred
to his name for India but he
last played a Test way back in
player has got pressure of
different situations. Your
Kohli & Co. can win
teams that it’s safe to play in
the country. For the first time,
all the matches in Pakistan’s
March, 2017 against Australia
in Dharamshala.
“For me it is about playing
skills get honed in such
pressure situations.
—PARTHIV
all ICC events: Lara
premier domestic Twenty20 each game at a time and trying New Delhi, Jan. 2: If it’s a quarter-final, semi-
tournament will be held in the to contribute as much as I can PATEL Batting legend Brian Lara final and final,” he added.
country, across four major to Karnataka and try to win believes the Indian cricket Under Kohli’s leadership,
cities. The PCB announced games for Karnataka,” he said. team, under Virat Kohli, is India has reached greater
Wednesday that Karachi, “And that is what I am trying capable of winning all ICC heights in both Tests and
Lahore, Rawalpindi and Multan to do this season and looking tournaments it competes ODIs but has so far failed
will host the 34 Pakistan Super forward to try and contribute in. to win an ICC tournament,
League (PSL) games, starting more with the bat and as cap- The 50-year-old left-hand- fizzling out in crucial
Feb. 20. Lahore has 14 matches, tain, so that we can go on and ed batting icon was of the games. The Men in Blue
including the final on March 22. win games and all of us are view that every interna- last won an ICC event was
The entire first edition of the looking to win the Ranji tional side sort of targets in 2013 when Mahendra
PSL in 2016 was staged in the Trophy, so that’s our ultimate India in ICC tournaments. Singh Dhoni-led side lifted
United Arab Emirates before goal.” “I think they are definitely the ICC Champions Trophy
the PCB held the 2017 final at Asked if he is looking beyond capable of winning all in the United Kingdom.
Lahore. In 2018, four matches that, Nair quipped, “Not really, tournaments that they Regarded as one of the
were organized at Lahore and because it is important for me play. I think what Virat finest batsmen that world
Karachi — with the rest in the first to concentrate on what’s Kohli and company and the cricket has ever produced,
UAE — while last year Karachi happening over here and what- Indian team has to appreci- Lara’s 15-year-old record of
hosted eight matches. A total ever has to happen, I have no ate the fact that every- 400 not out against
of 36 foreign players will play control over it. My only focus is Mayank body sort of target England is still the high-
this year for six local franchises to do well here and contribute Agarwal >>> India,” Lara was est individual score in
— Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad for Karnataka.” quoted as saying Test cricket.
United, Multan Sultans, Karachi by ‘India Today’. However, Lara
Kings, Lahore Qalandars and Focus on Shaw, Rahane as “Everybody feels Kohli, David
Peshawar Zalmi. Those players Mumbai take on Karnataka knows that some Warner and Rohit
include Jason Roy of England, Focus will be firmly on Test point of time one Sharma have the
South Africa’s Dale Steyn and specialist Ajinkya Rahane and team is going to potential to break
West Indies’ Lendl Simmons. young prodigy Prithvi Shaw play that important his record.
Pakistan has long been trying when Mumbai take on match against India. — PTI
to win back the confidence of Karnataka in their Ranji
foreign countries. The doors of Trophy Elite Group B game,
international cricket were shut beginning on Friday.
on Pakistan after an attack on Both Rahane and Shaw failed Brian
Lankans in 2009. — AP Lara

Cricketers to pay tribute to Australia firefighters & victims

Sydney, Jan. 2: Australia
and New Zealand cricketers
will pay tribute to firefight-
ers and bushfire victims
during the third Test in
McGrath not in favour of
Sydney, officials said on
Thursday, as they prepare
for possible delays if air
quality plummets due to
shortening five-day Tests
smoke. Sydney, Jan. 2: Australia how many days its played,
At least 18 people have lost pace legend Glenn To me five I’m actually against it. I
their lives in one of McGrath on Thursday days is very like the way it is.”
Australia’s most devastat- termed himself a tradition- ICC’s proposal to intro-
ing bushfire seasons which alist and said he is dead special and duce four-day Tests
has seen blazes raging against the idea of shorten- I’d hate to received stiff opposition
across the country, includ- ing the five-day game to a from leading Australia
ing on the outskirts of four-day affair as proposed see it get any spinner Nathan Lyon on
Sydney. The match, starting by the ICC. shorter. The Wednesday, who termed it
Friday, will go ahead but The ICC is considering introduction of pink “ridiculous”.
play will be suspended at introduction of four-day Australia chief coach
the umpire’s discretion, Tests as part of the World Tests, day-night Justin Langer is also not in
should smoke significantly Test Championships from Tests is a great way favour of tinkering with
affect air quality or visibili- 2023, an idea which was the traditional format.
ty. supported by Cricket to continue keeping England batsman Jos
Saturday is shaping as of Australia CEO Kevin our game fresh and Buttler, however, feels
most concern, when anoth- Australian team pose for a picture with Glenn McGrath ahead of the third Test against New Zealand in Sydney. Roberts. McGrath, howev- moving forward. cricket must be open to
er heatwave is expected to — Cricket Australia er, said he is completely change and four-day Tests
sweep across the country against the idea of tinker- —GLENN must be looked at as it
and create dangerous fire “It’s unlikely, we believe, and emergency services day matches between published in local media ing with the longer format. McGRATH could be a way to keep the
conditions. “Like rain, the it’ll be there for a full day. workers and wear black Australia and New Zealand Thursday. “I’m very much a tradi- longer format alive.
rules are in place to add “We might see some chal- armbands as a mark of in Sydney in March. “On “We pray the conditions tionalist. I like the game “To me five days is very While England and Wales
time, to suspend play (for lenges across that day, but respect for those who have behalf of Australian crick- improve, the fires ease and the way it is,” McGrath, special and I’d hate to see it Cricket Board has “cau-
Tests). But what we’re find- we’ll play it like rain or died. et, we wish everyone fight- the rains come. And, above who has taken 563 wickets get any shorter. The intro- tiously” supported the idea,
ing is it (smoke) comes in adverse weather. Time can Cricket Australia also ing the fires across all else, we hope all in 124 Tests, told reporters duction of pink Tests, day- BCCI president Sourav
quick but also goes quick,” be added on.” announced a fundraising Australia a safe New Year,” Australians pull together ahead of the Sydney Test night Tests is a great way to Ganguly said it is too early
Cricket Australia’s head of Before play on Friday both drive for the Australian Red Australia coach Justin and help each other between Australia and New continue keeping our game to make any comment on
operations Peter Roach told sides will take part in a Cross Disaster Relief and Langer and captain Tim through this incredibly dif- Zealand beginning here on fresh and moving forward. the matter.
cricket.com.au. minute’s applause for fire Recovery Fund during one- Paine said in a joint letter ficult time.” — AFP Friday. In respects to changing — PTI
Coach quits
The 46-year-old Rafael Dudamel is set to
step down as coach of Venezuela after
nearly four years in charge
DECCAN CHRONICLE
Games
FRIDAY | 3 JANUARY 2020 | CHENNAI
PAGE

15

All set for tennis top flight

I’m going to try to
be even better
than I was last
Novak, Nadal call for merger of ATP and Davis Cup tournaments
Brisbane, Jan. 2:
year. I feel like I Superstars Novak
Djokovic and Rafael Nadal
THIEM CONFIDENT
can surpass them. said on Thursday there
OF SLAM TITLES
was little point in having
— Stefanos Tsitsipas, World No.6 two men’s team tennis
tennis player, on compeiting with
Nadal, Djokovic and Federer
competitions so close
together and suggested the
THIS SEASON
new ATP Cup should Sydney, Jan. 2: World
merge with the Davis Cup. No.4 Dominic Thiem
SHORT TAKES The ATP Cup is about to Thursday expressed confi-
kick off its inaugural edi- dence a new Grand Slam
Kulusevski likely tion, replacing a number
of previous Australian
champion will be crowned
in 2020 outside the big
to join Juventus Open warm-up tourna-
ments.
three of Novak Djokovic,
Rafael Nadal and Roger
Milan: Promising Swedish It comes six weeks after Federer.
teenager Dejan Kulusevski is the revamped Davis Cup, While the Austrian,
poised on Thursday to com- which also has countries Germany’s Alexander
plete a move to Juventus from playing each other in a Zverev, Greece’s Stefanos
Atalanta after undergoing his round-robin format, was Tsitsipas and others have
medical, the Serie ‘A’ champi- held in Madrid. had success at lesser tour-
ons confirmed. Canadian Denis naments, the big guns con-
“The Swedish midfielder Shapovalov suggested tinue to dominate the
arrived at the medical centre Thursday that the two majors.
located at the Allianz Stadium events — one run by the Thiem, in Sydney for the
and began his tests,” the club men’s tour, the Association inaugural ATP Cup team
said in a statement. of Tennis Professionals, event, is one of the men
The 19-year-old has had a and the other by the tipped to make the break-
breakthrough season since International Tennis through, with the first
going on loan from Atalanta to Federation — should com- Grand Slam of the year,
Parma in June, scoring four bine. “It’s a really similar the Australian Open, just
goals and setting up another event and it’s literally weeks away in Melbourne.
seven in 17 games. back-to-back from the He said the younger play-
Maurizio Sarri’s Juve won the other one, so it’s a little bit ers were getting close.
race to sign him ahead of of a weird sensation com- “I think we challenged
Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan, ing from what felt like the them already a lot. We also
who are trying to end their world championships com- beat them especially on
rivals’ run of eight straight Serie ing to play another world Masters 1000 stages and
‘A’ titles. championship,” Shapoval- the ATP Finals and I really
The Swede has reportedly ov said. hope that it’s me, but you
signed for 35 million euros ($39 When asked about the cannot guarantee any-
million) plus nine million euros Canadian’s comments, thing. There are also many
in performance-related bonus- Djokovic, who heads the other very strong guys
es. Kulusevski, who joined ATP players’ council, who can achieve that,”
Atalanta in 2016 from Swedish agreed. said a confident Thiem.
side Brommapojkarna, has “We need to have one Naomi Osaka poses for a photograph after a sightseeing ride in a helicopter at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Brisbane on Thursday. — AFP — AFP
agreed a five-year deal worth Super World Cup event,
2.5 million euros a season, whatever you want to call
according to reports. He could it,” he said.
remain at Parma, who are sev-
enth in Serie ‘A’, four points off
the European places, until the
end of the season. — AFP
“That’s not going to hap-
pen next year as well. But
if the two sides, the ITF,
the Davis Cup, and the
CHARITY FIRE
RAGES AMONG German Zverev
Brighton’s racist
ATP get together very
quickly, it can happen pos-
sibly for 2022. I hope it will
happen because it’s kind of
TENNIS ACES
Sydney, Jan. 2:
in top condition
fan arrested hard to get top players to
commit to play both
Australia’s tennis chief
announced a series of
Brisbane,
Germany’s
Jan.
Alexander
2: tennis a week ago, pretty
much, so I don’t have a lot
London: A Brighton fan was events, the Davis Cup and fundraisers for victims of Zverev said he felt in top of tennis practice yet,
arrested for racially abusing the ATP Cup,” he added. raging bushfires on shape for 2020 Thursday which I will build up. But I
Chelsea players during a “And it’s six weeks apart, Thursday after an appeal despite only starting to hit feel good. I feel pretty fit
Premier League match, and two so they’re not really help- from bad boy Nick balls a week ago after an again. My physical (condi-
other football fans were arrest- ing each other in terms of Kyrgios. off-season curtailed by a tion) was never really my
ed in separate incidents during marketing, in terms of the Kyrgios, often a contro- lucrative exhibition tour. problem. It was in the
the same game for hurling value of the event,” versial figure in the sport, The 22-year-old only won beginning of my career,
homophobic abuse at rival sup- Djokovic said. called for an exhibition one title last year, in but in the last one, two
porters. Djokovic’s concerns were tournament before the Geneva, not quite taking years it’s never been a
Brighton chief executive Paul shared by world number Australian Open Grand the step up that many had problem. I know I can last
Barber called the abuse dis- one Nadal, who also ques- Slam, after blazes that predicted as he slipped matches, I know I can play
gusting” and urged supporters tioned the timing of the have claimed 18 lives and from fourth to seventh in longer than most guys,”
to report wrongdoing at the events. forced mass evacuations. the men’s tennis rankings. Zverev said.
stadium. “Yeah, is confusing to “C’mon @Tennis- But Zverev remains a big While Zverev is confi-
“If the prospect of a life ban have two World Cups of Australia surely we can do drawcard and he finished dent about his on-court
from watching their clubs play tennis in one month. For a pre @AustralianOpen 2019 playing a five-stop stamina, he admitted he
football isn't a strong enough me personally that’s not exho to raise funds for exhibition tour of South could have played better
deterrent, we have to ask the the ideal situation for our those affected by the America and China with last year and wants to put
question as to whether the sport, but that’s how it fires?” tweeted the Roger Federer. that right this season.
courts should be given the works today,” he said in 24-year-old, who Although the tour meant “For me I need to get my
power to hand out more severe Perth. has handed a 16- a shorter off-season than tennis back a little bit and
punishments?” Barber said in a Asked if the two should week suspended normal, Zverev insisted it kind of have a fresh start
statement on Thursday. be combined into one ban in September after a made little difference. as well. Obviously, the last
“Football can only do so world championship, he series of outbursts. “I mean, still I think I year I finished number
much, and we are sick and tired replied: “I think that ten- Tennis Australia CEO had a good off-season. It seven in the world. I had
of the game's reputation being nis deserves something Craig Tiley responded by was a little bit different. It good tournaments, but it
tarnished by these people,” he like this.” France’s Nicolas Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov goes for a dive with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the back- saying fundraisers would was shorter this year, for was still not the year that I
added. Brighton held Chelsea Mahut also said having ground on Thursday. — ATP be held during tourna- sure,” he said at the ATP wanted to have and I hope I
to a 1-1 draw on Wednesday. two men’s team competi- ments. “For weeks we’ve Cup team event in can kind of improve this
During a second division tions was “too much. been watching the devas- Brisbane. year,” he further added.
game on New Year's Day, an
announcement was made in
Huddersfield warning fans to
stop offensive behavior after
Obviously, we don’t need
two competitions the same
way.” — AFP Dimitrov set to take wing tation caused by bushfires
across Australia and the
people affected are con-
stantly in our thoughts,”
“I only started playing — AFP

sectarian abuse was allegedly We need to have one Sydney, Jan. 2: Former Dimitrov said 2019, pace myself in the right said Tiley. — AFP
aimed at Stoke player James Super World Cup event, world number three where he failed to win a way. I’m not in a rush,
McClean. — AP whatever you want to Grigor Dimitrov saw his title, had been “quite a which is also a good
call it. That’s not going ranking slump last year as
he struggled with a shoul-
journey”.
“It’s going to be a year
thing.” The shoulder prob-
lem was Dimitrov’s first
TWEET TALK
to happen next year as Nick Kyrgios
der injury, but the that I remember for the major injury and he said
well. But if the two Bulgarian Thursday said rest of my life,” he said in he plans to limit the num- @NickKyrgios
THOMAS EYES sides, the ITF, the Davis
Cup, and the ATP get
together very quickly, it
he won’t push himself too
hard, too fast to return to
Sydney ahead of the inau-
gural ATP Cup team event,
ber of tournaments he
plays, particularly early in I’m kicking off the
support for those
the top of tennis. his warm-up for the the season,” he added.
TOP SPOT AT can happen possibly for
2022.
The 28-year-old was laid
low early in the season and
Australian Open Grand
Slam.
“I’m not going to force
myself to play too many
affected by the fires.
I’ll be donating $200
HAWAII GOLF — NOVAK
DJOKOVIC
World No.2
was far from his best after
he returned to action,
although he did reach the
“Yeah, the body checks
out pretty good right now.
I’m still monitoring a lot of
tournaments early on and
really look after the body.
That’s the number one
per ace that I hit
across events I play
Los Angeles: Justin Thomas’ all- US Open and Paris my work, a lot that I’m thing,” said Dimitrov, now this summer. Boris Becker (left) and Alexander Zverev ahead of the
tennis player
around game has made him Masters semi-finals. going through. I kind of ranked 20. — AFP ATP Cup tournament in Brisbane on Thursday. — AFP
one of the hottest players on
the PGA Tour and the American

Tributes pour in for NBA mastermind

will try to carry that momentum
into this week’s Tournament of
Champions, the first event of
2020.
JAMES LEADS LAKERS
Thomas, Dustin Johnson and
Jon Rahm are the headliners for Washington, Jan. 2: revealed in 1991 he had Your vision to make our game become WORLD-
TO WIN OVER PHOENIX
the event as the tour returns Magic Johnson and contracted the HIV virus, WIDE was a vision only you could make happen. Los Angeles, Jan. 2: NBA host teams on
from a December hiatus at the Michael Jordan were tweeted he was “devastat- You did just that. Making our game the greatest LeBron James had a Wednesday held a
par-73 Plantation Course in among the NBA legends ed” by Stern’s death, the sport in the world! Was a honor to know you per- triple double with 31 moment of silence to pay
Kapalua, Hawaii. stunned by Wednesday’s 1992 US Olympic “Dream sonally. points, 13 rebounds and tribute to former league
The field, which consists of death of former league Team” star adding, “I 12 assists as the Los commissioner David
only those who won on the tour commissioner David loved and respected him.” — LeBRON JAMES Angeles Lakers built up a Stern, who died
last year, includes just 34 Stern following a brain “David Stern was such a Los Angeles Lakers player big first half lead then Wednesday following a
golfers after several notable hemorrhage he suffered history maker. When I wrote on his Instagram page held on to beat the strug- brain hemorrhage.
winners decided to skip the no- last month. announced in 1991 I had gling Phoenix Suns 117- James posted his eighth
cut event. Stern, who was 77, spent HIV, people thought they James wrote. before. 107 on Wednesday. triple double of the sea-
Top-ranked Brooks Koepka is 30 years as commissioner could get the virus from Stern became the NBA’s Barkley noted the NBA’s The Lakers, who own son and Davis scored 26
out with a left knee injury while before retiring in 2014 and shaking my hand. When fourth commissioner in average player salary the NBA’s second best points and grabbed 11
Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson and oversaw the NBA’s growth David allowed me to play 1984, masterminding the when Stern became com- record behind rebounds as the Lakers
Tiger Woods also qualified but from a league whose finals in the 1992 All Star Game league’s evolution into missioner was $200,000. Milwaukee, had to hold won their third consecu-
opted not to play, as did Justin weren’t televised live to a in Orlando and then play corporate sponsorships “Now the average salary on in the second half tive contest.
Rose, Francesco Molinari and global sport empire with a for the Olympic Dream and global markets. is $7.7 million. That’s after leading at one stage Kyle Kuzma added 19
British Open champion Shane worldwide following and Team, we were able to In this file photo, David “Without David Stern, because of David Stern. by 36 points. points and Avery Bradley
Lowry. That sets the stage for talent. change the world,” Stern (left) congratulates the NBA would not be He was an innovator. He With their reserves finished with 18 for Los
Thomas to take advantage. “The world lost a legend Johnson added. Michael Jordan of the what it is today,” six-time was a great businessman. struggling to maintain Angeles.
Thomas said his goal for 2020 today. He is the greatest Current Lakers super- Chicago Bulls for winning NBA champion Jordan “We all are fortunate, the big lead James and Devin Booker finished
is to get back to the world commissioner in sports star LeBron James posted the 1996 MVP award. said in a statement. "He we've had great lives, Anthony Davis had to with 32 points and Kelly
number one ranking. “All the history, plain and simple,” a tribute to Stern on his — AFP guided the league through because of David Stern. return to the game and Oubre had 26 for the hap-
motivation I need to get to said retired NBA star Instagram page. “Your turbulent times and grew The money these players guide the offense after the less Suns, who lost their
number one in the world is in Charles Barkley. vision to make our game did just that. Making our the league into an interna- are making today is Suns got within seven ninth game in their last
myself. I don’t need to try to Johnson, a five-time become WORLDWIDE game the greatest sport in tional phenomenon, creat- because of David Stern,” points. 11.
prove anybody wrong,” he said. NBA champion with the was a vision only you the world! Was a honor to ing opportunities that few he added. The Lakers and other — AFP
— AFP Los Angeles Lakers who could make happen. You know you personally,” could have imagined — AFP