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Full text of "IE September 29 2023
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DAILY FROM: AHMEDABAD, CHANDIGARH, DELHI, JAIPUR, KOLKATA, LUCKNOW, MUMBAI, NAGPUR, PUNE, VADODARA
$The IndianEXPRESS
JOURNALISM OF COURAGE
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023, NEW DELHI, LATE CITY, 28 PAGES SINCE 1932 77.00 (78 BIHAR & RAIPUR, #12 SRINAGAR) WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
EXT IAS
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27-B, Pusa Road, Metro Pillar No. 118, Plot No. 46, A-1, Lion's Colony, Sitabari, ®© www.nextias.com y
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WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
THE INDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
pany
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OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
VOICE OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE |
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Cooperation, Government of India $ =G 555) 55 2023 Former Chief Justice of India
Shri Hardeep Singh Puri REEE : |
Hon'ble Union Minister of Petroleum General Manoj Pande
} and Natural í Gas and Housing & = PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC
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as Pant fe
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(02:30 pm - 03:30 pm) (03:30 pm - 04:30 pm) | (04:30 pm - 05:30 pm)
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President, PHDCCI
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023, NEW DELHI, LATE CITY, 28 PAGES
His evergreen
revolution: Rise in
productivity, but
no ecological harm
y |
M S SWAMINATHAN
1925-2023
HARISH DAMODARAN
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
NORMAN BORLAUG may have
been the Father of the Green
Revolution, but its architect in
India was undoubtedly
Mankombu Sambasivan
Swaminathan.
The agricultural scientist,
who passed away Thursday af-
ter turning 98 on August 7, was
hardly 30 in 1955 when he heard
from Hitoshi Kihara, the well-
known wheat geneticist from
Japan, about Norin-10, a semi-
dwarf variety bred at an experi-
mental station in that country’s
Iwate Prefecture.
Swaminathan had, in late-
1954, joined the Indian
Agricultural Research Institute
(IARI) at New Delhi as an assis-
tant cytogeneticist. This was af-
ter a PhD from Cambridge
University, UK and a two-year
postdoctoral stint at Wisconsin,
US, where he worked on potato
THE WORLD
z.
STUDENT GUNMAN
HELD AFTER KILLING
TWO IN ROTTERDAM
UNIVERSITY PAGE 19
GOVT & POLITICS
COMMUNAL SLURS IN
HOUSE: COMPLAINTS
GO TO PRIVILEGES
COMMITTEE PAGE12
EXPLAINED
MALDIVES POLLS
AND INDIA PAGE 20
BUSINESS AS USUAL
By UNNY i
genetics and breeding of frost-
and disease-resistant varieties.
At IARI’s Botany Division,
which he was to later rename as
Division of Genetics,
Swaminathan’s focus shifted to
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
MORE REPORTS
PAGE 16
Protect worship places, properties |
DAILY FROM: AHMEDABAD, CHANDIGARH, DELHI, JAIPUR, KOLKATA, LUCKNOW, MUMBAI,
§ The IndianEX
JOURNALISM OF COURAGE
SINCE 1932
NAGPUR, PUNE, VADODARA
RESS
77.00 (78 BIHAR & RAIPUR, #12 SRINAGAR) WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
of displaced: SC panel to Manipur
Direction in wake
of vandalism;
police say 386
religious places
were targeted
APURVA VISHWANATH
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
WITH PLACES of worship being
vandalised in the ethnic clashes
that have roiled Manipur since
May, a three-member commit-
tee of former judges, constituted
by the Supreme Court, has asked
the state government to “imme-
diately identify” all religious
buildings in the state and protect
them from damage, destruction
and encroachment.
The panel has also asked the
state to ensure “the protection of
the properties of the displaced
persons as well as the properties
which have been destroyed/
burnt in the violence and pre-
vent their encroachment”.
“The Government of
Manipur should immediately
identify all religious buildings in
the State (which would include
Churches; Hindu Temples;
Sanamahi Temples; Mosques
and any building of any other re-
ligion) whether existing at pres-
ent or vandalised/ damaged/
burnt in the violence which
started on 03.05.2023,” the com-
mittee recommended in its
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
MOB BID TO STORM
CM’S HOUSE FOILED
PAGE 16
m
Naorem Roshibina Devi won the silver in the women's 60-kg wushu on Thursday. PTI
Wushu player from Manipur breaks
down, dedicates silver medal to state
1 Fi T
AT
d m GAMES
MIHIR VASAVDA
HANGZHOU, SEPTEMBER 28
MINUTES AFTER winning a
wushu (martial arts) silver, tears
flowed down Naorem Roshibina
Devi's face. These, however,
weren't tears of joy.
While in Hangzhou, her
mind was on the ethnic violence
back home in Manipur.
In digital Bill, Govt may ban some
new tech citing user harm, security
SOUMYARENDRA BARIK
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
THE CENTRE is planning to reg-
ulate the deployment of emerg-
ing technologies and could cat-
egorically prohibit some of these
new age technologies where it
sees a risk to the user, or a na-
tional security risk, The Indian
Express has learnt.
“But, whatever the govern-
ment decides, its reasons for bar-
ring any technology will be
recorded in writing,” a senior
government official said, re-
I
On Govt
radar
EXPLAINED
THE MOTIVATION is to
preempt technologies
that could have a “disrup-
tive impact” on users.
While the government is
still considering the
emerging technologies,
solutions like blockchain
and metaverse could be
on its radar.
questing anonymity since the
draft of the Digital India Bill is yet
to be finalised, and deliberations
are private.
The Digital India Bill, which is
the imminent successor to the
Information Technology Act,
2000, is a key part of a compre-
hensive legal framework which
encompasses various legislative
measures such as the recently-
notified Digital Personal Data
Protection Act, 2023, the draft
Indian Telecommunication Bill,
2022, and a policy addressing the
governance of non-personal data.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Punjab arrests Cong MLA, party tells
MANOJCG
& NAVJEEVAN GOPAL
NEW DELHI, CHANDIGARH,
SEPTEMBER 28
SUKHPAL SINGH Khaira,
Congress MLA from Bholath in
Punjab and chief of the All India
Kisan Congress, was arrested
Thursday morning from
Chandigarh by Punjab Police in
connection with a 2015 narcotics
case.
AAP: Not done, not within
vf F Khaira was
TE arrested in
m age a2015
y e narcotics
« ee case
This drew an angry response
from the Congress which told the
AAP, the ruling party in Punjab,
that constituents of the INDIA
bloc should not be employing
“the BJP’s tool” of “vendetta pol-
INDIA bloc
itics” against each other.
Congress president
Mallikarjun Kharge, who was in
Chhattisgarh for a state govern-
ment event, told reporters: “A
person who does injustice does
not last. Aur koi anyay hamare
upar karega, toh anyay sahan
karne wale log bi hum nahin hai
(And if someone is unjust to us,
we are not the kind who will
bear it quietly).”
The Congress leadership,
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Untold story of a rescue op: A transport
aircraft, an unlit runway and 90 minutes
PAGE 1
AMRITA NAYAK DUTTA
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
THE LIGHTS of the C-130] Super
Hercules transport aircraft twin-
kled in the inky blackness of the
night. Without navigational aids
or guiding lights, the pilots were
almost blindsided as the aircraft
approached the narrow, dam-
aged airstrip at Wadi Seidna in
Sudan. The weather had deteri-
orated too — the aircraft hit tur-
bulence as it encountered severe
icing. The risks were high. The
The IAF Super Hercules engines were kept running, in case
the aircraft had to take off at short notice. Indian Air Force
epaper Ban Wia i .com
wreckage of an aircraft lay off the
airstrip. Had it been shot at? No
one knew.
Yet, for the pilots and Garud
Commandos on board the C-
130], the call of duty — to rescue
a group of stranded Indians — far
outweighed any sense of risk.
Hours after the grey turboprop
craft touched down on the bumpy
airstrip, the Indian Air Force had
pulled off one of the most daring
operations it has ever conducted
— rescuing 121 Indians stuck in
and around the Sudanese capital
of Khartoum as part of Operation
Kaveri in April this year.
This is the story of that mis-
sion.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Hailing from Bishnupur dis-
trict, one of the epicentres of eth-
nic clashes between the Meitei
and Kuki communities that have
kept the state on the boil for
months now, Devi, a Meitei, said
she’s spent sleepless nights wor-
rying about her parents.
“I dedicate this medal to
Manipur,” she said, flashing the
silver minutes after going down
to China’s Wu Xiaowei in the fi-
nal. “I want to dedicate this
medal to those who have been
protecting and fighting for us.”
The silver was an improve-
ment on the bronze she won five
years ago in Jakarta. And when
she stepped off the podium at the
Xiaoshan Guali Sports Centre,
Devi spoke from the heart.
She recounted how her father,
Naorem Dhamu, has had to step
out in the middle of the violence
to “protect the village”; mother
Romila Devi takes part in night
vigils; and siblings have been con-
fined to their room for months
because they are too young.
“There have been times
when I have wondered if] will be
able to talk to them again,” Devi
said. “I don't know what will
happen to us. Abhi pura dar ke
baitha hua hai (We are living ina
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
—
TEAM INDIA |
p
|
E
o]
Hama
Goo dsavaar!
daCumh al ABs
Aizawl ignores Delhi:
Won't do biometrics
of Myanmar refugees
SUKRITA BARUAH
GUWAHATI, SEPTEMBER 28
IN A significant decision, the
Mizoram government has de-
clared that it will not be collect-
ing biometric data of Myanmar
refugees in the state, ignoring a
direction by the Centre.
In April this year, the Union
Ministry of Home Affairs had di-
rected the governments of both
Mizoram and Manipur, which
share borders with Myanmar, to
capture the biometric and bio-
graphic details of “illegal immi-
grants” in their states. In June, it
directed the states that the cam-
paign be completed by the end
of September and directed both
to prepare a plan and initiate the
process.
The government of Mizoram,
W unacademy
Apolitical
issue, Says
Zoramthanga
government
which is headed for elections by
the end of this year, has opened
its doors to refugees fleeing the
army crackdown in Myanmar
and has earlier too ignored the
Centre's orders to close the bor-
der. The Chin people in
Myanmar share a common
ethnicity with the Mizos.
Now, while the
Zoramthanga-led Mizo National
Front (MNF) government has
said it won't be collecting the
biometric data of refugees, the
Manipur government too has
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
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Today's top news
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FROM PAGE ONE
Lepress Stroam P Treh ai
f F = F k a E r F
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SC panel on Manipur
meeting with state government
officials on September 8. It is
learnt that a recommendation
was also made to protect such
buildings “from encroachment”
and “damage/destruction.”
In a statement earlier this
month, the Manipur Police had
stated that 386 religious struc-
tures in the state had been van-
dalised through arson during the
course of the ongoing violence.
Of these, police said, 254 were
churches and 132 temples. These
religious structures were among
5,132 recorded cases of arson.
The Supreme Court had ap-
pointed a three-member com-
mittee headed by former Jammu
and Kashmir High Court Chief
Justice Gita Mittal to lookinto the
humanitarian aspects of the vio-
lence in Manipur. The commit-
tee also comprises former
Bombay High Court judge
Shalini P Joshi and former Delhi
High Court judge Asha Menon.
It is learnt that the commit-
tee looked into contents of a writ
petition filed before the
Supreme Court alleging that
“that 240-247 churches stand
vandalised, looted and burnt
down in the violence which
started on 03.05.2023 and
church property including furni-
ture, valuable and parish church
register and title documents ei-
IN MEMORY
Col KE Patankar
1945-23023
Asoldies, a husband, a father and a friend,
With cur hearts bull. of love and our minds full olmenaries. we fondly remember
Col. EE. Patankar (etd). patriotic soldier of the 6/11 Gorkha Biles who taught
wa bo love life, honour the call of duty always be reach to help salllesshi An ayid
gotter he will bean the golf courres of heaven everyone.
The Patenear Fandy | kenupat4ecgmallenm
FGRSSaTo Ti
‘Classifieds
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to Library
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Contact for Advt. Booking: M/s Friends Publicity Service
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Ph: 9999946748
ther looted or deliberately
burnt.” The writ petition was
filed by Meitei Christian
Churches Council, Manipur.
In June, Dominic Lumon, the
Archbishop of Imphal, had writ-
ten a letter claiming that 249
churches belonging to Meitei
Christians had been destroyed
within 36 hours since the start of
the violence.
The Supreme Court commit-
tee had also directed the state
government to conduct a survey
“of all properties in Manipur and
those destroyed in the violence
on 03.05.2023 and thereafter be
separately identified.”
“The Government of Manipur
should ensure the protection of
the properties of the displaced
persons as well as the properties
which have been
destroyed/burnt in the violence
and prevent their encroachment.
In case any property has been en-
croached, the encroachers be di-
rected to forthwith remove their
encroachment,” the committee
told the state government.
In its note to the Supreme
Court, the committee recom-
mended that the Court pass “or-
ders to this effect”, “failing which
the person concerned would be
liable for contempt of court for
non-compliance of the orders of
the Supreme Court of India.”
April 27. It had been days since
India launched Operation Kaveri to
evacuate its nationals stuck in Sudan,
where a conflict had broken out be-
tween the Sudanese Armed Forces
and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF),
rival factions of the country's mili-
tary government. The Indian gov-
ernment pressed the IAF's transport
aircraft, the C130J Super Hercules
and the C17 Globemaster, and naval
ships INS Sumedha and INS Tarkash
into action. With the airfield at
Khartoum not open for operations,
those stranded were brought from
various parts of the country to Port
Sudan. Over 3,800 Indians were
eventually brought back.
But around 200-odd people, in-
cluding the embassy staff, were still
stuck in Khartoum and the journey
to Port Sudan was too risky to beun-
dertaken. That’s when WadiSeidna,
a World War-II era military base
IE
ENTERTAINMENT
2 THE SECOND PAGE
The IndianEXPRESS
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
THE ‘MISCHIEVIOUS’ GIRL WHO BECAME RELUCTANT ACTOR AFTER FATHER’S DEATH;
REFUSED TO SING WITH MOHAMMED RAFI OVER ROYALTY ISSUES
On Lata Mangeshkar’s 94th birth anniversary, we revisit her illustrious career and life. Lata started working at
the age of 13 to take care of her family after her father’s sudden demise. She sang over 20,000 songs.
ART & CULTURE
FU
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
‘PYAR, UMEED
AUR ROSHNI’
Poet Ashish Bagrecha’s
latest work is bound to
enthral poetry lovers
e Won't do biometrics of Myanmar
refugees: Mizoram ignores Centre
sought an extension.
Manipur started the process
on July 29, with assistance of offi-
cials from the National Crime
Records Bureau, but Chief
Minister Biren Singh said last
week that he would ask the
Centre to extend the timeline by
ayear, as the ongoing strife is de-
laying the exercise.
Mizoram Minister of
Information and Public Relations
Lalruatkima told The Indian
Exress that the state has not col-
lected the biometric data of any
immigrant till date, and that they
have decided not todo so on “hu-
manitarian grounds”. He placed
the number of refugees in the
state from Myanmar and the
Chittagong Hill Tracts in
Bangladesh at around 60,000.
Like the Chin state in
Myanmar - with which Mizoram
has a 510-km border - the Chin-
Kuki tribals in Chittagong Hill
Tracts also share a common eth-
nicity with the Mizos.
Refugees have been entering
Mizoram from Myanmar since
the February 2021 military coup
in the country. The Centre has re-
peatedly told the state to stop the
flow, pointing out that state gov-
ernments do not have the power
to grant “refugee” status to any
“foreigner”.
about 40 km north of Khartoum,
emerged as an alternative evacua-
tion point. Despite a 72-hour cease-
fire between the warring Sudanese
forces, the airbase had been report-
ing sporadic firing and fighting.
The final go-ahead for the Wadi
Seidna mission came on the after-
noon of April 27. The IAF team sta-
tioned in Jeddah to coordinate the
rescue operations moved to the air
base, located an hour from their ho-
tel. A detailed briefing was carried
outin the minutes before the launch
and team members were assigned
specific tasks they were to under-
take on landing.
“We knew that the situation on
the ground was tense and there
were no resources. While the
Sudanese army had access to the
airstrip, the rival RSF fighters were
on the fringes. So, there was always
the riskofbeingcaughtin the cross-
Referring to the ethnic bond
with the refugees, Lalruatkima
said the state government would
not collect the biometric data as
the Centre, “after taking it, will
push themout”. “The people who
have come from Myanmar are
our relatives. When borders were
drawn during the time of the
British, some of our brothers and
sisters got left on the other side.
This is the condition of the Mizo.
When the military coup hap-
pened, they came to take shelter
here,” he said.
The minister admitted that
the issue has been taken keeping
into mind the coming Assembly
elections, where it will play a role.
“This is a political issue. We can-
not make any move on this mat-
ter till the elections are done,” he
said.
While the BJP is not a part of
the MNF-led government in the
40-member Assembly, the MNF
isa part of the NDAat the national
level.
In the last few years,
Zoramthanga has cultivated the
image of a leader of the Mizos, in-
cluding of the broader Kuki-Chin
people. Apart from Myanmar, his
government has opened its doors
to the Kukis fleeing the violence
in Manipur, with their numbers
estimated at more than 12,000.
= anny a TF — een
sources said, is miffed especially since the
party went out of its way to support the
AAP in Parliament over the Delhi serv-
ices Bill brought by the Modi govern-
ment, and raised its voice against the sus-
pension of AAP MPs Sanjay Singh and
Raghav Chadha from Rajya Sabha.
“It is an old case... It is nothing but
vendetta politics. We have clearly told the
AAP leadership it cannot be employing
aBJP tool to target one of our leaders. We
all have been attacking the BJP over
vendetta politics. And if we end up doing
the samein states ruled by us... then what
is the difference between us and the
BJP?” a Congress senior leader told The
Indian Express.
Apart from being an irritantin ties be-
tween the AAP and Congress at the na-
tional level, Khaira’s arrest will further
rile the Punjab Congress leadership
which has strongly opposed any electoral
association with the AAP. Adelegation of
the Punjab Congress, led by state unit
chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and
Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh
Bajwa, submitted amemorandum to the
Governor Thursday evening. The Punjab
Congress accused the AAP government
of “unleashing a political witch-hunt”.
Khaira has been questioning the
“Aam Aadmi” credentials of the Arvind
Kejriwal-led party and its poll promise of
bringing “badlaav” (change) in the state.
His rivalry with Mann is not new. When
Khaira was AAP MLA from Bholath, he
was removed as Leader of the Opposition
in 2018. He had led a dissident group
seeking overhaul of the AAP in Punjab.
Mann, who was the then MP from
Sangrur, had called him an “e-Neta”,
pointing to his presence on social media.
Armed with videos and news reports,
Khaira would take to social media to at-
tack the AAP leadership, often calling
them “farzi inquilaabi” (fake revolution-
aries). This month, he targeted the AAP
leadership over what he called the “ex-
travagant and lavish” wedding of Raghav
Chadha and actor Parineeti Chopra.
Khaira said AAP leaders had earlier
described the same FIR on the basis of
which he had been arrested as “false”.He
also hit out at the BJP, accusing it of bring-
ing aPMLA case against him on the basis
of the FIR “as I used to fight UAPA cases
and participated in the farm agitation”.
BJP national secretary Manjinder
Singh Sirsa said: “AAP is hell-bent to take
Punjab to the dark times of 80s/90s.”
The Punjab AAP hit back at both the
Congress and BJP. AAP leader Malvinder
Singh Kang said action against Khaira had
been taken according to law. He said the
arrest was made after a police SIT found
new facts in the narcotics case.
The case was registered in March
2015 at Jalalabad in Fazilka. Nine persons,
including Gurdev Singh, who was al-
legedly a close aide of Khaira, were
booked and later convicted under the
NDPS Act. Khaira’s name had come up
during the police probe. In 2017, the
Supreme Court stayed the trial court pro-
ceedings against Khaira who had been
summoned as an additional accused.
He was arrested by the ED in 2021 on
the charge of money laundering linked
to the 2015 case but was granted bail in
2022. In February this year, the Supreme
Court quashed the summon order
against Khaira in the 2015 case.
After his arrest Thursday, Khaira was
produced in a Jalalabad court. While po-
lice sought his custody for seven days, the
court granted a two-day police remand.
fire. And we knew the airfield was in
bad shape - it was completely unlit
with no navigational aids or radio
contact - and that the weather
wouldn't hold up,” one of the pilots
who flew the C130] to Wadi Seidna
told The Indian Express.
Yet, the IAF team in Jeddah de-
cided to stick to their plans. If they
took offimmediately, they would be
able to make it with about four hours
left for the fragile ceasefire between
the two Sudanese groups to end —
a tiny window within which the
evacuation had to be carried out.
Around 8 pm, the C130] took off
from Jeddah with two pilots, the
standard crew — a navigator, a flight
gunner, a flight engineer and two-
three technical staff — and eight
Garud Commandos, the IAF's crack
team of special forces.
On the two-hour flight from
Jeddah to Wadi Seidna, the officers
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EXPRESSU
GDP vs employment, athletes
try to outrun dope testers,
and September rains
In 3 Things, we discuss the prevalence of
performance-enhancing drugs in state
athletics, why an increase in GDP may not
necessarily result in more jobs, and the
impact of September rain on farming
e Productivity without ecological harm: Evergreen revolution
wheat. He was convinced of the
need for breeding semi-dwarf va-
rieties responsive to fertiliser ap-
plication. Traditional wheat vari-
eties were tall and slender. Their
plants grew to 4.5-5 feet height
with long and weak stems. When
their ear-heads were heavy with
well-filled grains, they “lodged” or
bent over, even falling flat on the
ground. Yields were low at 1-1.5
tonnes per hectare.
Swaminathan had in mind
new varieties whose plants were
non-lodging and could “tolerate”
higher fertiliser doses. Producing
one tonne of wheat required 25
kg of nitrogen. If grain yields were
to be raised to 4 tonnes per
hectare, it was necessary to apply
100 kg of nitrogen, whereas the
existing tall cultivars couldn’teven
take 40-50 kg!
He knew that the solution lay
in changing the “architecture” of
the wheat plants to enable them
to absorb more nutrients and con-
vert them to grain. The new vari-
eties had to be semi-dwarf with
strong stems that held the grain-
bearing ear-heads or panicles up-
right even when heavily fertilised.
But the panicles themselves
needed to be large enough to bear
more grains.
Swaminathan initially sought
to develop semi-dwarf wheat va-
rieties through mutagenesis — ex-
posing plants to radiation to intro-
duce desirable modifications in
their DNA. The strategy didn’t
work, as the lowering of plant
height led to a simultaneous re-
duction in the size of the panicles.
Norin-10 wheat,
Swaminathan was told by Kihara,
had semi-dwarf plants of 2-2.5
feet height and also with large
panicles. He further learnt that
Samuel Cecil Salmon, an agrono-
mist attached to the US occupy-
ing forces under General Douglas
MacArthur in Japan after World
e Wushu player from Manipur
state of fear),” she said.
Her emotional breakdown
was an outpouring of feelings that
she had kept suppressed as she
remained cut off from her family,
while not letting her focus waver
from her target: a second consec-
utive Asian Games medal.
Neither did she stop training, nor
did she go home.
With wushu national camps
usually being held in Srinagar, one
of the sport’s biggest hubs in India,
Devi said she hasn't been able to
visit her home in Kwasiphai
Mayai Leikai village in nearly a
year. First, because of her training
schedule, and later, due to the vi-
olence which broke out in May.
She said she went to Imphal
in May, but her parents advised
her not to travel to her district.
Instead, her father travelled to
Imphal to meet her. She had to be
content with speaking tothemon
the phone - that too just on
Sundays.
“To make sure that she didn’t
get distracted, her phone was
with the coaches. That’s usually
the policy we follow for all play-
ers. They are given the phone only
craft
touc
gers
War-lI, had taken the seeds of
Norin-10 with him in 1949 and
given them to Orville Vogel. The
latter, a US Department of
Agriculture breeder at the
Washington State University in
Pullman, had in turn crossed
Norin-10 with locally-grown US
wheats. From those crosses, Vogel
selected one variety in 1956; it
yielded 25% more grain and was
released as ‘Gaines’.
Swaminathan wrote to Vogel,
asking him for the seeds of
‘Gaines’. Vogel was willing, but
told him that ‘Gaines’, being a win-
ter wheat, may not flower in
Indian conditions. He advised
Swaminathan to approach
Norman Borlaug, who was with
the Rockefeller Foundation’s
Mexico Agriculture Program.
Vogel had shared the seeds of
Norin-10 along with his original
cross with Borlaug, who then
crossed these with the spring
wheats grown in Mexico. The re-
sultant high-yielding varieties in-
corporating the dwarfing genes of
Norin-10 in a spring wheat back-
ground - Sonara 63, Sonora 64,
Mayo 64 and Lerma Rojo 64A -
were better suited for cultivation
in India.
Swaminathan next wrote to
Borlaug and also suggested to the
then IARI director B P Pal to invite
him to India. Borlaug had agreed
to send the seeds of his newly-
bred material, but only after
studying the growing conditions
here. The government machinery
being what it was, the invitation
requesting the Rockefeller
Foundation for the services of
Borlaug went only in 1962.
Borlaug finally arrived in
March 1963. After visiting major
wheat-growing areas of North
India, he sent about 100 kg of
seeds of the four Mexican varieties
in October 1963. These were sown
in the 1963-64 rabi season at IARI
on Sundays,” said wushu coach |
Raghubir Singh. “We were regu- |
larly keeping a tab on her family |
but did not want her to worry |
about anything.”
“The coaches don'tlet me talk |
tothem daily because it will cause ;
me distress. So they take my :
phone away. I talk to them on |
Sundays for a short time. Even |
then, they don't talk about the |
problems there,” said Devi.
The circumstances, she said, |
helped her to persevere and strive |
for a medal. i
In Hangzhou, Devi, who com- |
petes in the 60-kg weight class, ;
first defeated Kazakhstan’s Aiman |
Karshyga by a points gap, andthen |
defeated Vietnam’s Thi Thu Thuy |
Nguyen in the semi-finals. |
Butin the final, the heightad- :
vantage enjoyed by China’s |
Xiaowei and the consequentlong ;
reach gave Devinochanceofeven |
mounting a challenge.
After winning the silver, Devi |
had just one plea: “I wish the sit- |
uation goes back to normal... gets |
better than what it was before. |
Seeing everything burning down, |
it doesn't feel good.”
and also trial fields in Pantnagar
and Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh),
Ludhiana (Punjab) and Pusa
(Bihar).
Encouraged by the results,
Swaminathan proposed that the
performance of the high-yielding
strains be tested in actual farm-
ers’ fields. In November 1964,
farmers of Jaunti village in Delhi
planted Sonora 64 and Lerma
Rojo 64A wheat. Most of them
harvested 4 tonnes and some
even 4.5 tonnes per hectare. The
Green Revolution was truly
seeded! As Borlaug was to ac-
knowledge, “a great deal of credit
must go (to Swaminathan) for
first recognizing the potential
value of the Mexican wheat
dwarfs. Had this not occurred...
there would not have been a
Green Revolution in Asia”.
The real Green Revolution
happened following two consec-
utive drought years in 1965-66
and 1966-67. As foodgrain pro-
duction fell to 72-74 million
tonnes (mt) during these two
years, from an average of 83 mtin
the previous five years, India had
to rely on imports, mainly of
wheat from the US under the lat-
ter’s PL-480 programme. These
imports peaked at 10.36 mt in
1966.
The “ship to mouth” situation
then forced a political decision by
the governmenttoimport 18,000
tonnes of seeds of the Lerma Rojo
64A and Sonora 64. The rest was
history. The planting of those
seeds by farmers led to India’s
foodgrain production surging to
95 mt in 1967-68 and 108.4 mt by
1970-71. Wheat output alone rose
from 11.4mtin 1966-67 to 16.5 mt
in 1967-68 and 23 mt in 1970-71.
The Green Revolution didn’t
end there: By the late sixties,
Indian scientists had also bred
their own Kalyansona and
Sonalika wheat varieties through
“Some emerging technologies
may be prohibited if there is asig-
nificant likelihood of harm to
users which cannot be mitigated,
| if the technology poses a risk to
national security or public order,
and if its deployment is likely to
discriminate against people on
grounds like their sexual orienta-
tion or political leanings,” the offi-
cial said. While the governmentis
: still considering the emerging
technologies that it wants to reg-
ulate, solutions like blockchain
' and metaverse are understood to
be on its radar.
Some of the parameters the
government could use as a yard-
stick include the principal purpose
for whichit is being developed, its
: nature, design and operation,
complexity and interconnected-
ness, and promotion of innova-
tion, research and development,
among other things.
The Bill, which is likely to pro-
pose a regulator called the Digital
India Authority, could empower
the body to penalise developers of
emerging technology if their de-
ployment violates the proposed
i principles. The regulator may also
e Untold story of a rescue operation: A transport aircraft, an unlit runway and 1.5 hours
selection of segregated lines from
the Mexican lines. These pro-
duced amber-coloured grain with
better chapati-making quality
than the imported red wheats.
The planner and master
strategist behind all this was, of
course, Swaminathan. All through
this, however, he wasn’t ignorant
of the adverse side effects of the
Green Revolution. As early as
January 1968, addressing the
Indian Science Congress at
Varanasi, he spoke of the dangers
of “the rapid replacement of nu-
merous locally adapted varieties
with one or two high yielding
strains in large contiguous areas”,
“intensive cultivation of land
without conservation of soil fer-
tility (that could)... lead ulti-
mately to the springing up of
deserts”, “indiscriminate use of
pesticides, fungicides and herbi-
cides” and “unscientific tapping of
groundwater”. Nobody could
have been more prophetic.
It was the prelude to his sub-
sequent focus on converting the
Green Revolution into an
“Evergreen Revolution”, which he
defined as “improvement of pro-
ductivity in perpetuity without
ecological harm”.
That same passion and con-
cern about Indian agriculture has
extended to Swaminathan’s
championing the cause of crop
producers. When the National
Commission on Farmers that he
headed in 2004-06 recom-
mended that the minimum sup-
port prices for crops be at least 50
per cent more than the weighted
cost of production, it caught on the
imagination. Most farmers in
India today know of the
“Swaminathan formula”, even if
they may not know of the leg-
endary agricultural scientist's stel-
lar role in ushering in the
Revolution that made the country
self-sufficient in foodgrains.
| e Govt may ban some new tech
direct the Centre to block access
to any software or application
built by such developers.
To foster innovation, the
Central Government may estab-
lish a regulatory sandbox to facil-
itate the development, testing,
validation or deployment of any
emerging technology or business
model before it is made available
to the public. The Bill also plans to
regulate the deployment of artifi-
cial intelligence (AI) models by of-
fering users of social media plat-
forms and other companies the
right to be informed of a signifi-
cant technological decision
through automated means.
This means that the next time
platforms like Instagram or
Facebook decide to deploy anew
algorithm-based news feed to
their users, they would be re-
quired to offer an explanation of
the rationale behind the algo-
rithm, along with the criteria and
user characteristics processed by
their automated decision-making
process. Users will also be allowed
an option to opt out if they do not
want a platform to impose a ma-
jor algorithm change on them.
went over their SOPs. “Having prac-
tised for such contingencies, it was
just a question of adapting our pro-
cedures to the situation,” said one of
the Garud officers involved.
Trouble began soon after the air-
entered Sudanese airspace. The
weather started deteriorating and
the aircraft hit turbulence. Defence
sources Said the approach to the
airstrip was made using night vision
equipment such as electro optical-
infrared sensors, night-vision gog-
gles and heads-up display cues.
Around 10 pm, the aircraft finally
hed down on the runway.
While the Garud team leader
and three commandos took control
of the ground operations, the pilots
and four Garud commandos stayed
back in and around the aircraft to
monitor communications, deal with
possible threats and to help passen-
with formalities required to
board the aircraft.
The unmarked ‘evacuation
point’ was a few metres away from
the airstrip. On their way there, the
Garud commandos crossed two
temporary checkpoints manned by
the Sudanese army. “This checkpoint
was about 600 metres away from
the aircraft. We quickly scanned the
crowd to see if we could spot any
Indians,” the Garud officer recalled.
Around 300 m ahead, there was
another checkpoint, with over 1,200
people of different nationalities
Waiting over a2-sq kmarea. “The sit-
uation was chaotic, with hundreds
jostling to be evacuated. We spotted
the Indians here,” said the officer.
The team got down to the labo-
rious task of locating, authenticat-
ing and frisking each of the evacuees.
The process got streamlined once
the Defence Attache to the Indian
Mission in Sudan, Lt Col Gurpreet
Singh, introduced himself. Among
those waiting to be evacuated were
two pregnant women, several chil-
dren and senior citizens.
The minutes kept ticking by.
Though there was still some time left
for the ceasefire to run out, the team
had another worry. The engines of
the C130] had to be kepton through-
out the operation — a quick-re-
sponse strategy in case the aircraft
had to take off at short notice —
which meant they had enough fuel
for only an hour-and-a-half.
The team was now ready to es-
cort the evacuees to the aircraft. The
passengers stood in a file, shuffling
along as they moved towards the
aircraft. Finally, the C130] took off
around 11.45 pm, plunging the run-
way into darkness.
Minutes later, a Turkish plane
that attempted to land at Wadi
Seidna was shot at.
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM 3
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4 ‘THECITY
BRIEFLY
2020 riots:
Court orders
charges
against two
New Delhi: A sessions
court here has ordered
framing of charges
against two accused ina
case of 2020 northeast
Delhi communal riots. It,
however, rapped the
Delhi Police for "incom-
plete investigation" of
three additional com-
plaints that were clubbed
with the case, and re-
ferred the matter to the
Deputy Commissioner of
Police (DCP) concerned to
make an appraisal of the
"moonshine investiga-
tion" conducted by the
Investigating Officer (IO).
Additional Sessions Judge
Pulastya Pramachala was
hearing a case against
Firoz Khan and
Mohammed Anwar, who
were accused of being
part of a riotous mob that
committed vandalism
and loot at a godown in
Karawal Nagar on
February 24, 2020. They
were also accused of at-
tempting to set the
godown on fire. PTI
Gurgaon:
Driver robbed
of car, wallet
Gurgaon: A driver was
robbed of a car, wallet,
and phone at gunpoint
and assaulted by four
men in Gurgaon Sector
29 on Wednesday, police
said. According to police,
they received informa-
tion on Thursday that a
man, Sandeep Kumar, a
Najafgarh resident, was
robbed at gunpoint anda
car was stolen. Based on
his complaint, an FIR un-
der various sections was
registered at DLF SEC 29
police station. ENS
Will you resign if nothing
comes of CBI enquiry:
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI,SEPTEMBER 28
DAYS AFTER the Central Bureau of
Investigation (CBI) registered a
Preliminary Enquiry into the al-
leged irregularities in the con-
struction and renovation of
Arvind Kejriwal’s official resi-
dence, the Delhi Chief Minister
challenged Prime Minister
Narendra Modi to resign if noth-
ing came of the enquiry.
“This is not the first time that
something like this has happened.
It shows that the PM is nervous,”
Kejriwal said on the sidelines ofan
event on Thursday.
“Till date, they have started
over 50 enquiries. They say there
has been a liquor scam, a bus scam
or a school or road scam. They
have filed over 33 cases against
me and conducted investigations
over the last eight years since Ibe-
came the Delhi Chief Minister.
They have not found anything so
far so they have started a new en-
quiry now. We welcome this but
they will not find anything, just
like they didn’t find anything ear-
Delhi CM said enquiry
against him started as he
was ‘not willing to bend in
front of the BJP government.’
lier,” Kejriwal said.
Kejriwal said that the enquiry
against him was started because
he was not willing to bend in front
of the BJP government.
“They want me to capitulate in
front of them, they want to break
me. That will not happen, Kejriwal
will not bend. They are free to start
as Many enquiries as they want,”
he said.
Issuing a challenge to the PM,
he said, “If nothing comes of this
CM to PM on house row
enquiry, just like in the previous
enquiries, will you resign?”
Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) president Virendra Sachdeva
said Kejriwal's “challenge” was
symptom of his nervousness af-
ter having understood that it was
“his turn to go behind bars” after
his former cabinet colleagues
Manish Sisodia and Satyendar
Jain.
Terming the CM's statement
as absurd, Sachdeva said, “Arvind
Kejriwal feels that by speaking
against the Prime Minister he will
get public sympathy but he
should note that every time he
opens his mouth against the PM,
he loses whatever little public
support he had.”
On Tuesday, a letter was sent
to the Public Works Department
(PWD) of Delhi government, ask-
ing them to provide all the docu-
ments showing that the existing
structure at the CMs residence in
Delhi is a load-bearing structure,
besides the recommendation, ap-
proval, and request from the client
to execute “work of superior spec-
ification” related with the con-
struction and renovation.
Only govt vends for now as excise
policy is extended for 6 more months
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
THE DELHI government has ex-
tended the existing Excise Policy
for another six months. The de-
partment will issue an official no-
tification by Friday, asking the li-
censees to renew their licenses on
pro-rata basis, said an official.
The proposal for extension of
Excise policy was moved to Chief
Minister Arvind Kejriwal on
Monday and then sent to the
Lieutenant Governor for further
approval. Officials said that the LG
approved the policy and wrote
bd
The old regime, currently in
operation, will expire Sept 30
"seen" on the file.
Now, as the policy has ex-
tended, the private shops will not
be allowed to open vends. Like
earlier, only government vends
will operate in Delhi under the
=
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pov ga
ATH pa ahotsa
WORLD HEART DAY
29th September, 2023
USE Y KNOW Y
Let’s unleash the Power of Knowledge to stop
the World’s Biggest Killer: Cardiovascular Disease
&
=
four government corporations,
DTTDC, DSIIDC, DCCWS, and
DSCSC.
After scrapping the new pol-
icy, the government brought back
the old policy, on the condition
that only government vends
would operate in the capital. The
policy was initially implemented
for six months, till the Excise de-
partment prepared a new policy
for 2023-24. The old regime, cur-
rently in operation, will expire
September 30. In the next six
months, the excise department
will work on the new Excise
regime for the next
fiscal.
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
THE INDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
Uninterrupted footpaths, cycle tracks and
table-top crossings: The new Mathura Road
MAKING THE PATH PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY
UPASIKA SINGHAL
NEW DELHI, 28 SEPTEMBER
UNINTERRUPTED FOOTPATHS,
cycle tracks and table-top cross-
ings — the Mathura Road be-
tween ITO and Sundar Nagar will
soon be safer for pedestrians in
the city.
While it has been smooth
sailing for motorists since the 16-
kilometre stretch was made sig-
nal-free, concerns have been
raised about the safety of those
on foot.
In the works are continuous
footpaths along the stretch,
table-top or raised crossings in
place of intersections, and a con-
tinuous cycle path along the road
through dedicated cycle tracks,
pop-up cycle tracks, and shared
pathways.
Table-top crossings are
meant to ensure that cars slow
down before approaching the
crossing, making it easy for the
elderly and differently-abled
persons to use the pathway. Pop-
up cycle lanes are temporary
bike lanes often utilised as a pilot
ITPO
Complex
Towards ITO
4
Bhagwandas Road _
Proposed pop-up cycle track
ITPO Gate
Proposed dedicated
cycle track
—— Bhairon Marg
athura Road __
Purana
Qila Road
Purana Qila
Proposed shared
space for cyclists
& Pedestrians
Towards
Nizamuddin
-— — y
La
Shershah Road
Existing cycle track
The continuity of cycle tracks is maintained through the provision of dedicated cycle tracks, pop-up
cycle tracks and shared pathways as per the site conditions
or trial phase for testing new in-
frastructure for cyclists. If the
trial is successful, these interven-
tions can be implemented per-
manently. Shared pathways, on
the other hand are designed
pathways for pedestrians and
cyclists.
Lieutenant Governor VK
Saxena has granted approval for
the walkability plan in the area
that houses the Purana Qila,
Pragati Maidan and Delhi Zoo.
At meet in Amritsar, L-G
highlights initiatives to
‘revive’ Delhi ambience
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
FROM GROWING bamboo plan-
tations to desilting the Yamuna,
Lieutenant Governor Vinai
Kumar Saxena showcased sev-
eral initiatives being under-
taken in the capital at the re-
cently-concluded meeting of
the Northern Zonal Council
(NZC).
Held in Amritsar, Punjab,
Saxena made a presentation on
the good practices across vari-
ous sectors at the 31st meeting
of the NZC; these, L-G House of-
ficials said, ranged from steps
taken to alleviate pollution in
the Yamuna to interventions at
dumping sites for Municipal
Solid Waste among others.
Saxena, highlighted the
practices conducted across var-
ious sectors, ranging from steps
taken to alleviate pollution in
the Yamuna to interventions at
dumping sites for municipal
solid waste among others, L-G
House officials said.
According to officials, Saxena
stated that about 3.15 lakh bam-
boo trees — 2.9 lakh by the Forest
Department and 25,000 by the
DDA - had been planted across
the city, including at ‘Baansera’
on the Yamuna Bank.
Addressing the gathering
Saxena Said that bamboo trees
emit 30 percent more oxygen
than other plants, consume less
water, thereby raising the wa-
ter table.
The turning from
Subramaniam Bharti Road --
leading from Khan Market and
into Mathura Road will also be
revamped.
Two footover bridges (FOB)
were suggested in the initial
plans - one on Gate 7 and an-
other on Gate 6 of the Bharat
Mandapam. However, one at
Gate 7 was scrapped due to se-
curity concerns, officials from
the LG office said. Another FOB
was suggested near the Sher
Shah Road junction.
According to the LG office of-
ficials, “Despite attaching esca-
lators, people do not use foot
over bridges. However, taking in-
spiration from the FOB near the
School of Planning and
Architecture, the LG suggested
raising the height of the me-
dian’s railings so that people can-
not cross the road and that rail-
ings be made of sturdy material.”
BJP-backed body wins
DU teachers’ elections
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
BJP-BACKED NATIONAL
Democratic Teacher’s Front
(NDTF) candidate AK Bhagi was
elected as Delhi University
Teacher’s Association president on
Thursday. Bhagi won by a margin
of 395 votes. Nearly 85.5% of 9,500
voters participated in the election
on Wednesday.
The poll witnessed a straight
fight between Bhagi and Aditya
Narayan Misra, representing the
Democratic United Teacher’s
Alliance (D.U-T.A), a collection of
teacher’s organisations, who have
joined forces to take down the
NDTE. As many as 4,182 votes
were polled against Bhagi and
3,787 votes against Misra.
“The polls were held in the
MIST NH ATT S
Bed GY AR AGT T
Heal
k aa |
AK Bhagi(centre) won bya
margin of 395 votes. Express
middle ofa significant number of
displacements like serving ad-hoc
teachers, corruption and political
cronyism influencing many inter-
views for permanent teaching
posts,” said elected Academic
Council Member, Assistant
Professor Maya John, part of the
DUTAalliance.
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Producers Union Ltd.”
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* Avoid usage of Alcohol & Tobaccoin any form + Create stress-free home & work environment
PEOPLE WITH HEART DISEASE
Diabetic patients are twice at risk to develop CVD and must be followed-up for
diabetes management and medical examination
THE BALLABGARH COOP. MILK PRODUCERS' UNION LTD., BALLABGARH
MILK PLANT, BALLABGARH, DISTT. FARIDABAD, HARYANA-121004
Phone No.:0129-2242376, 2244494, Fax No.:0129-2213899, E-mail: vitablb(a gmail.com
sites aaae È fee gan farala aR A woe ade: -
a aaa gan, uA (Raoa), Aes tre Acetate (A:- 9968604703)
sit. asiria unm, aes tole aeeraste (At:- 7011102911)
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Health Department, Haryana
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WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
THE INDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
OMRON
Could you please provide a compre-
hensive overview of OMRON's re-
markable journey in the develop-
ment of blood pressure monitoring
devices? What milestones have
characterised this incredible voy-
age?
OMRON's odyssey in the realm of blood
pressure monitoring devices commenced
with the unveiling of our inaugural prod-
uct, back in 1973. As we commemorate
our 50th anniversary in this field, it's es-
sential to reflect upon how far we've
come. Initially, blood pressure measure-
ment was predominantly confined to hos-
pitals and clinics. However, we had a vi-
sion that extended beyond hospital walls -
we saw the potential of enabling individu-
als to monitor their blood pressure in the
comfort of their homes.
In the mid-1980s, we embarked on a
pivotal journey in Japan. This study
(Ohasama) was a significant turning
point as it underscored the critical role of
home blood pressure measurements in
predicting strokes. The results illuminated
the path toward a future where individu-
als could proactively manage their car-
diovascular health through regular moni-
toring.
Over the decades, we've witnessed a re-
markable shift in awareness surrounding
home blood pressure monitoring. Today,
we proudly celebrate the achievement of
surpassing 350 million units sold world-
wide. This milestone signifies not only our
success but also the growing recognition of
ADVERTORIAL | An initiative yO Q O` .
Read. Engage. Deliver.
iT
ADVERTORIAL
mpowering India's Heart Health: Tetsuya
Yamada on OMRON's 50-Year Journey
creasing adoption of home blood
pressure monitors in India, ulti-
mately reaching 20% penetration
by 2030?
Our strategy to achieve this ambitious
goal involves two primary directions.
Firstly, we are dedicated to enhancing
awareness, particularly among healthcare
professionals and patients alike. To facili-
tate this, we have conducted significant
clinical studies within India, exemplified
by the "Grand Study. "The objective of
these studies is to recommend inclusion
of home blood pressure monitoring in hy-
pertension guidelines. By securing recog-
nition and endorsement from the medical
community, we aim to instil confidence in
patients regarding the importance of reg-
ular blood pressure monitoring at home. In
essence, we want doctors to not only
recognise but also recommend home
blood pressure monitoring to their pa-
tients.
Secondly, expanding our coverage
across the country is pivotal. While India
boasts approximately 600,000 pharmacy
retail shops, our current presence extends
primarily within metropolitan areas and
tier 1 cities. Recognising that accessibil-
ity plays a critical role in adoption, we are
actively working on expanding our reach
in tier 2 ,3 cities and beyond in coming
years.
This expansion strategy ensures that
our products are readily available to a
broader population, including those re-
siding in rural and remote regions. It's im-
perative that individuals across the coun-
try have easy access to the tools
necessary for proactive cardiovascular
health managementand achieve 20%
penetration of home blood pressure mon-
itoring."
Our message is clear: home blood pressure
monitoring is of paramount importance. While
doctors play a vital role in healthcare, regular
monitoring at home can empower individuals
to take charge of their well-being. Recognizing
changes in vital signs and understanding the
significance of these changes is crucial.
the importance of monitoring one's blood
pressure at home.
In India, where the current penetration
of home blood pressure monitors stands
at a modest 2%, we are ona mission. Our
vision for 2030 is ambitious - to elevate
awareness and increase adoption to an
impressive 20%. This endeavour aligns
with India's significant hypertensive pop-
ulation, estimated at a staggering 220
million.And it also syncs perfectly with our
vision of "Going for Zero" promoting
home blood pressure monitoring as one
of the key preventive healthcare practices
to significantly reduce hypertension-led
diseases such as stroke and heart failure.
Our journey exemplifies our commit-
ment to advancing cardiovascular health
and preventive care. We envision a future
where every individual, regardless of their
location or access to healthcare facilities,
can actively participate in safeguarding
their heart health through home-based
monitoring.
How do you plan to achieve this
goal of raising awareness and in-
groper T a a
What's the ratio between online
and offline sales of your products,
especially in the context of the In-
dian market?
In India, our current sales distribution
from online channels is showing a rise.
With the growing digital penetration, on-
line channels are gaining prominence
rapidly. As more and more Indian con-
sumers embrace online shopping, we an-
ticipate that the role of online channels
will significantly expand in the future. The
evolving consumer buying pattern and
behaviours will also add to this rise. The
buying patterns are changing regardless
of the tier of the cities they belong to.
This shift aligns with the government's
"Digital India" initiative, which has ac-
celerated digital adoption across the
country. It's not just about urban areas;
rural India, too, is witnessing increased
internet accessibility. As we aim to make
our healthcare solutions accessible to a
broader Indian population, we are ac-
tively adapting to this changing land-
scape by expanding our online presence
and distribution networks. Our goal is to
OMRON Complete - the
digital BP Monitor with
ECG measuring feature
In an exclusive interview, we sat down with
Tetsuya Yamada, the Managing
Director of OMRON Healthcare India, to delve
into the transformative journey of OMRON in
the realm of blood pressure monitoring
devices. With the world celebrating the 50th
anniversary of their first blood pressure
monitor, Mr. Yamada sheds light on the
company's remarkable evolution.
OMRON's journey began with the launch of
the blood pressure monitor in 197 3, marking
half a century of dedication to improving
cardiovascular health. This pioneering journey
has had a profound impact on healthcare in
India, as OMRON's innovative technologies
have emerged as game-changers in preventive
care. As we explore OMRON's contributions,
Mr. Yamada discusses how these innovations
are poised to reshape the landscape of
cardiovascular health and preventive
care in India.
In India, where cardiovascular diseases are a
significant health concern, OMRON has set its
sights on a transformative goal: to raise
awareness and significantly increase the
adoption of home blood pressure monitors.
Currently, with only 2% penetration, their
! mission is to elevate this figure to an
Í ambitious 20% by 2030.
ensure that OMRON products are readily
available to consumers across India,
whether they prefer the convenience of
online shopping or the trust and accessi-
bility of offline retail outlets.
Can you share your insights into
the future of home-based health
monitoring technology, with a par-
ticular focus on cardiovascular
health, considering the unique de-
velopments and challenges in the
Indian context?
Certainly, when discussing the future of
home-based health monitoring technol-
ogy, we must take into account India’s dis-
tinct healthcare landscape. The potential
for growth in this field within India is sub-
stantial, and it holds the promise of trans-
forming healthcare delivery, especially
concerning cardiovascular health.
India's ambitious "Digital India” initia-
tives have significantly accelerated the
adoption of digital technologies across the
nation. This includes the widespread avail-
ability of smartphones and increasing in-
ternet penetration, even in remote areas.
As a result, digital health solutions are be-
coming more accessible to a broader pop-
ulation.
The key insight into the future lies in pre-
ventive care. Home-based health monitor-
ing empowers individuals to take charge
of their well-being. Regular monitoring of
vital signs, including blood pressure and
ECG, provides valuable data that can de-
tect anomalies early. This data can serve as
a critical tool for preventive healthcare,
helping individuals and their healthcare
providers make informed decisions.
At OMRON Healthcare India, we are ac-
tively collaborating with innovative com-
panies like Tricog. Tricog, a Bangalore-
based startup, is at the forefront of digital
health solutions. Its CEO, Dr. Charit
Bhograj, himself a cardiac surgeon, recog-
nised the need to extend medical exper-
tise beyond urban centres. This aligns per-
fectly with our mission to reach the
farthest corners of India with our health-
care solutions. Our investment in Tricog
and partnership with them hold signifi-
cant implications for cardiovascular
health. Tricog specialises in remote ECG
monitoring, and together, we are creat-
ing services that can save lives, especially
in areas where access to cardiologists and
specialised care is limited.
Atrial fibrillation (Afib)is a silent yet se-
vere risk factor for strokesas many of
them don't come to know that they have it
because of lack of symptoms.Hyperten-
sion patient have around 3.8 times higher
OMRON Connected
Digital BP Monitor (with
Bluetooth)- HEM 7140T
regardless of their medical background, to
easily and regularly monitor their blood
pressure in the comfort of their homes.
Central to our mission is raising aware-
ness about the importance of home-based
health monitoring. In a country as diverse
as India, where healthcare resources can
be unevenly distributed, being proactive
about one's health is not a luxury but a ne-
cessity. Through our awareness campaigns
and collaborations, we aim to educate
both healthcare professionals and con-
sumers about the life-saving potential of
home blood pressure monitoring.
What we often forget is that heart
health is not just about heart attacks; it's
about identifying and managing risk fac-
tors early on. Many cardiovascular condi-
tions, such as hypertension and atrial fib-
rillation, can lurk silently, unnoticed until
a catastrophic event occurs. Our products
In India, there's significant potential for growth
in home-based health monitoring. Monitoring
vitals at home can provide valuable insights
into one's health, facilitating preventive care.
We're collaborating with companies like Tricog,
focusing on remote patient monitoring to
bridge the gap and save lives."
risk, and Afib patients have 5 times higher
risk of stroke. Hence,In India, where hy-
pertension and Afib are prevalent, early
detection is crucial.
Our collaboration with Tricog aims to
precisely address this issue. Our devices
not only monitor blood pressure but also
incorporate ECG monitoring. By using
ECG data, we can detect AF with high
sensitivity and specificity. This means that
even asymptomatic individuals can be
alerted to potential risks. Early detection
allows for timely medical interventions
that can save lives.
Looking ahead, community healthcare
workers, equipped with digital tools and
training, will play a pivotal role in ex-
panding the reach of home-based health
monitoring. These workers can provide
assistance to individuals in rural and un-
derserved areas, facilitating regular
check-ups and data collection. This data
can then be remotely accessed by health-
care professionals, enabling timely inter-
ventions and reducing the burden on the
healthcare system.
What message would you like to
convey to healthcare professionals
and consumers about the impor-
tance of your products in promot-
ing heart health and well-being?
Our message is crystal clear: home
blood pressure monitoring is of para-
mount importance in the pursuit of heart
health and overall well-being. While
healthcare professionals undoubtedly play
a vital role in the medical ecosystem, we
firmly believe that individuals themselves
must become active participants in safe-
guarding their health. This belief underpins
our commitment to delivering innovative
products that empower people to take
charge of their well-being.
Our suite of home blood pressure moni-
toring devices serves as an invaluable tool
for individuals and families. These devices
are designed with user-friendliness and
accuracy at their core. They enable anyone,
f 000 ( READ. ENGAGE. DELIVER.) IS THE MARKETING SOLUTIONS TEAM OF THE INDIAN EXPRESS GROUP
are designed to break this cycle of igno-
rance. By regularly monitoring blood pres-
sure, individuals can detect abnormal
trends and patterns, even before they
manifest as symptoms.
Early detection is synonymous with
early intervention. When individuals are
armed with data showing irregular blood
pressure or signs of atrial fibrillation, they
can promptly consult healthcare profes-
sionals for further evaluation and guid-
ance. This proactive approach can lead to
timely adjustments in medication, lifestyle
changes, and other interventions that can
significantly reduce the risk of cardiovas-
cular events.
Our message is simple yet profound:
your heart health is in your hands. Our
products are not mere devices; they are in-
struments of empowerment. We urge
healthcare professionals to champion the
cause of home-based health monitoring
and encourage their patients to take
charge of their well-being. To consumers,
we say this: invest in your health. Regu-
larly monitor your blood pressure, detect
anomalies early, and partner with your
healthcare provider for a healthier heart
and a brighter future.
At OMRON Healthcare India, our com-
mitment to heart health and well-being is
unwavering. As we celebrate 50 years of
pioneering blood pressure monitoring, we
look forward to a future where every indi-
vidual in India is not just a patient but an
informed guardian of their own heart
health. Together, we can build a heart-safe
nation.
Scan to know more about
OMRON Complete Device
THE INDIAN EXPRESS,FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
6 [HE CITY @
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ANANDVIHAR
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CASES UNDER-REPORTED EARLIER, COVID LOCKDOWN HIT DETECTION
From 6 to 543: What is behind surge
in reported measles cases in Capital?
YOUR RIGHT
TO KNOW
AN EXPRESS RTI
APPLICATION
ANKITAUPADHYAY
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
UNDER-REPORTING OF cases
along with Covid lockdown in
the last couple of years is the rea-
son why the Capital is now wit-
nessing a significant spike in the
number of measles cases along
with fatalities, an RTI query by
The Indian Express has revealed.
The response provided by the
state health department has
shown that 2022 witnessed a to-
tal of 543 cases, a massive surge
in the numbers compared to the
last four years when they re-
mained in single and double dig-
its. Along with this, eight deaths
were reported due to the viral in-
fection.
In 2019, a total of 25 cases
were reported with zero fatality.
In 2020, 15 cases were reported
with two deaths. In 2021, six
cases were reported with one
death.
According to an official from
the Directorate of Family Welfare,
which comes under the state
health department, the surveil-
Significant jump in reported cases
8 DEATHS IN 2022 | pe
E Cases
E Reported fatalities
(0 fatalities in 2019)
© 0
2019 2020 2021 2022
WHAT IS MEASLES?
E It is a highly contagious
viral infection that causes
fever, cough and rashes, and
complications such as
encephalitis or swelling of
lance for measles was strength-
ened in 2022 before which, case
detection took place only if a pa-
tient reported fever, rashes and
cough, coryza, and conjunctivi-
tis.
The official said that during
Covid lockdown in 2020 and
2021, the infections were rising
Two crocodiles sneak
out of zoo enclosure,
brought back by staff
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
WITHA breach in their enclosure,
two crocodiles at the Delhi zoo
made their way out on
Wednesday and had to be
brought back. The enclosure
houses three crocodiles, two of
which wandered out, according
to zoo officials.
Delhi zoo director Akanksha
Mahajan said, “An agency was
working through the Civil
Construction Unit (CCU). They
were laying down aline for water
supply for gardening and other
purposes. They dug a trench be-
hind the crocodile enclosure and
made a gap in the wall. They did
this without informing us. If any
work is being done in an enclo-
sure, permission is usually taken
from us. They should have told the
zoo Officials and asked for permis-
sion first.” She said that action will
be taken against the agency that
was involved.
“The gap was enough for the
crocodiles to get out...The keeper
who was on rounds early in the
morning found them missing,
saw the tracks and realised they
had gone out of the enclosure.
They didn’t go far and were
brought back. One was found in
an adjacent area with trees. The
second one had gone into a water
channel and was brought back
from there. The staff was
equipped to quickly bring them
back. The incident took place early
in the morning,” Mahajan said.
Gurgaon bans sale, use of
firecrackers from Nov 1
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
GURGAON, SEPTEMBER 28
AHEAD OF the festival season, the
Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner
has imposed a banon the sale and
use of firecrackers to control pol-
lution. Deputy Commissioner
Nishant Kumar Yadav issued or-
ders on Thursday, adding that
green firecrackers will be allowed
only on specific occasions within
a particular time period.
According to the administra-
tion, the ban is applicable to the
manufacturing, sale, and use ofall
types of firecrackers except green
firecrackers. It will be in effect
from November 1, 2023, to
January 31, 2024, under Section
144 of the CrPC, Explosives Act
1884, and Explosives Rules 1884.
Green firecrackers will be al-
lowed on Diwali or other festivals
from 8 pm to 10 pm. While on
Christmas and New Year's Eve,
these are allowed only from 11.55
pm to 12.30 am. The administra-
tion officials added that E-com-
merce companies such as Flipkart
and Amazon will not accept or-
ders for any type of fireworks.
Moreover, regional authorities
such as the Haryana State
Pollution Control Board Gurgaon
have been directed to regularly
monitor air quality and upload
data on the relevant websites as
per the directions of the Supreme
Court and the Central Pollution
Control Board.
An official said surveillance had weakened as the ‘entire
machinery was busy in handling Covid pandemic.’ Archive
the brain that can lead to
death.
E Measles is also linked with
secondary infections like
pneumonia and diarrhoea.
internally and the surveillance
had weakened as the “entire ma-
chinery was busy in handling
Covid pandemic.” However, in
2022, any patient reporting fever
and rashes was being tested for
measles which resulted in a high
positivity rate, said the official.
Earlier, only when five or
Most cases reported from
four Delhi districts
ieee Northeast
Shahdara
East
South east
more cases were reported from
an area, it was flagged as epi-
demic-struck and officials would
visit the spot.
“Now we are investigating
each and every case. Case-based
surveillance has strengthened
and by December, we have to
eliminate measles...” the official
RAHUL AT FURNITURE MARKET
said.
The measles campaign man-
dated by the central government
which runs in schools had halted
due to a court case on informed
consent from parents. However,
with increasing cases in 2022, the
health department opted to vac-
cinate children only through its
hospitals and dispensaries to cir-
cumvent the issue of informed
consent.
According to Dr Jugal Kishore,
Director Professor and Head of
Community Medicine
Department, Safdarjung
Hospital, often parents forget or
don’t want to vaccinate their chil-
dren because of a lack of aware-
ness. He said that “even the most
elite people” sometimes refuse
to get the vaccine for their chil-
dren. “Possibility of the occur-
rence decreases with the help of
vaccines. But, we all know that
vaccination is not 100 per cent
and many people don't want to
take it. Due to this, infections
keep occurring and bouts of out-
break take place in congested ar-
eas,” said Dr Kishore.
He said due to lack of avail-
ability, Vitamin A, which is the
first dose before the measles vac-
cine, is not provided resulting in
malnourishment. “Vitamin A
and measles go hand in hand.
Vitamin A is very crucial before
the measles vaccine is provided
to children,” he added.
DTU
| Moderate
130
"i AQI
PM10
500
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
ITO SKYWATCH
Moderate
FORECAST: September 29
Partly cloudy sky.
d CY Mist inthe morning.
14
AQI
PM10 500
At 7pm
MAX: 35
0.3°C above normal
| MIN: 22
1.30 C below normal
Turned into ‘canal’ ahead
of G20, Bhairon Marg
drain back to its old self
Abefore (left) and after view of the drain. Saman Husain/Abhinav Saha
SAMAN HUSAIN
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
BARELY A few weeks after it was
revamped and given a “canal-
like” appearance before the G20
summit, the Bhairon Marg drain
near Pragati Maidan's Bharat
Mandapam Convention Center
has once again gone back to its
old state, thanks to lack of regu-
lar desilting and sanitation.
Ahead of the G20 Summit, a
240-metre section of the drain,
which had overflowed during
the floods in Yamuna river this
year, had gone through a com-
plete transformation. The
Municipal Corporation of Delhi
(MCD) had cleared overgrowth,
laid decorative rocks, dotted the
sides of the drain with potted
plants, and set up a selfie point.
The drain had first been
cleaned using machines over
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi visited the Kirti Nagar furniture market Thursday and interacted with carpenters. “Today I went
to Asia's largest furniture market located in Kirti Nagar, Delhi and met the carpenter brothers. Apart from being hard
workers, they are also amazing artists — experts at carving durability and beauty,” Gandhi said in a post on X. Gandhi had
met fruit and vegetable vendors in Azadpur Mandi in August and porters at the Anand Vihar station last week. PTI
Mukherjee Nagar fire: MCD orders survey of PGs in all
wards of Civil Lines Zone; case of negligence lodged
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
THE MUNICIPAL Corporation of
Delhi on Thursday issued direc-
tions to conduct a survey of all
paying guest accommodations
in Mukherjee Nagar, after a mas-
sive fire broke out inside aPG on
Wednesday night.
The MCD has now issued di-
ENROLS IN PSYCHOLOGY COURSE IN NORTH CAMPUS
52-yr-old trader all set to relive his college days, courtesy unique DU scheme
VIDHEESHA KUNTAMALLA
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
IT WAS in 1999 that businessman
Rakesh Kumar Jain last set foot in
acollege asa student when he fin-
ished a diploma course in Export
Marketing from the Indian
Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT).
Twenty-four years later, Jain, now
52, is all set to relive his college
days, this time as a student of
Psychology.
Jain is the oldest student to
have recently enrolled himself in
Delhi University’s Competence
Enhancement Scheme (CES).
Launched this year as part of
Delhi University's centennial year
celebrations, and under the
Institute of LifeLong Sciences
(ILLL), the scheme is aimed at
making “higher education more
accessible, as envisaged under the
New Education Policy 2020”.
As per the university’s official
website: “The Scheme shall pro-
vide opportunities to people from
all walks of life to enhance their
knowledge/competence by regis-
tering for any one or two courses
offered in a semester in the
College and Departments of the
University. Such candidates shall
get the flavour of studying in the
S E ss. con
rections for the Zonal building
department to conduct a survey
of PGs in all wards of the Civil
Lines zone.
Thirty-five girls who were
trapped in the building were res-
cued by fire officials. The MCD
said that due to suffocation
caused by fire, three girls includ-
ing a two-year-old who were
trapped, were rescued and hos-
pitalised. All three girls are out of
Scheme aimed at giving candidates “the flavour of studying in
the University,” according to varsity website. Archive
University along with the regular
students of such courses without
having to enroll for a Programme
of study.”
danger now.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police
said they have now registered a
case in the matter. They have
lodged a case of negligence
against the building owner and
the PG owner. The building is
owned by a man named
Kulbhushan, who rented it to an-
other person, Amit Kumar, who
ran the PG.
Police said no arrests have
A businessman dealing in ex-
port of home textiles, Jain hails
from Uttar Pradesh’s Baghpat and
has been living in Delhi’s Anand
Vihar for more than two decades
now.
Remembering his college
years, Jain said, “I finished
Bachelors in Science from Meerut
University in 1991. There were not
many options back then, so I chose
to do BSc and then started work-
ing at the very young age of 17.”
On his decision to join the CES,
he said, “There is no set age for ed-
ucation. One is a student at all
phases of life.”
Speaking to The Indian Express,
been made yet and the matter is
under investigation. FIR has been
lodged under IPC sections 336
(act endangering life or personal
safety of others), 337 (causes
hurt to any person by doing any
act so rashly or negligently as to
endanger human life or the per-
sonal safety of others) and 338
(causing grievous hurt by act en-
dangering life or personal safety
of others).
Professor Sanjoy Roy, Director of
ILLL, said, “So far, three students
have enrolled in this course.
Students can choose the subject
of their choice and pick two pa-
pers to study, and get a certificate
under this scheme at the time of
their completion.”
On his decision to choose
Psychology, Jain said, “I have cho-
sen Psychology so that it can help
me deal with people in my work
area better than before... Jam not
here for a certificate or a qualifica-
tion, I am only here to update my
knowledge and am looking at this
experience as a value addition to
my life.”
more than four days. After this,
sanitation workers were hired
to manually clear the drain of
any silt residue in order to en-
sure that water from Yamuna
river which is connected to the
drain flows through the struc-
ture once again.
Less than 20 days after the
summit, the drain has stagnated
once more because of silt
buildup while several potted
plants nearby have died as a re-
sult of improper care. A security
guard stationed nearby claimed,
“The plants are only watered
once every three days, causing
them to be on the verge of dy-
ing...Many other plants stand
stolen by the residents of the
area.”
Currently, in addition to the
silt accumulation, plastic pack-
aging, bottles, and used rags can
be seen thrown down the drain
along with stray mosquito nets.
Signs of vegetation can once
again be seen around the drain
with wild plants growing in be-
tween the decorative rocks. Piles
of G20 construction and demo-
lition waste have also been
dumped around the
drain.
Following the facelift, a
number of fish could be seen in
the drain but now, their num-
bers have also significantly di-
minished. Fisherman Shah
Alam, who was seen catching
fish next to the drain, claimed:
“I used to catch fish at the
Yamuna earlier, but after the
drain was cleared, I started
catching the fish that had trav-
eled to the drain. In the last
week, the number of fish com-
ing to the drain has
decreased.”
MOD and the Delhi govern-
ment did not respond to queries
on the issue.
On hunt for suspect,
police team probing
Jangpura jewellery
heist lands in Bengal
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
DAYS AFTER the Capital wit-
nessed its biggest heist at a jew-
ellery shop in Southeast Delhi's
Jangpura in which robbers de-
camped with valuables worth Rs
25 crore, sources revealed that
the Delhi Police is close to mak-
ing its first detention/arrest in
the case. A team of Delhi Police
is said to be camping in West
Bengal looking for their suspect
-- an employee at the store.
The unknown accused, at
least 4 men, broke into the store
on Sunday night and decamped
with gold and diamond jew-
ellery. Police said the biggest
heist in Delhi was “well planned”
and executed within five to six
hours. The police is yet to iden-
tify the vehicle which the ac-
cused used to escape from the
crime scene. The men allegedly
drilled a hole in the strong room
and entered the store. They
managed to take at least 3,000
jewellery pieces, the police said.
A Delhi Police source said,
“We have sent a team to West
Bengal. They are camping
there...looking fora man who is
called “Bangali”. This person
works at the jewellery store and
had taken a one-week leave
prior to the heist. As his phone is
not reachable, multiple teams
have been sent to trace his loca-
tion. Based on technical surveil-
lance and his Aadhaar card, a
team left for the state and is now
close to nabbing this person. We
don’t know if he is still there but
are hoping to catch him.”
Jain has been married for 23
years and has two sons, 21 and 17.
While one of his sons is pursuing
a degree in law and the other is
preparing for Medicine, Jain's wife
is ahomemaker.
“My family has always priori-
tised education...although my
parents studied only till Class 10,
they made sure all their children
had a good education,” he said.
Jain's firm deals with clients
from countries like the USA, South
Africa, and Germany. He also
holds around 8-10 exhibitions of
his textile manufacturing business
across the world around the year.
“This is exactly where I can use
— = saN Si pimam n a
r ee —
— an "i iis i F
Robbers had decamped
with valuables worth Rs 25
crore. Express
Another officer said the em-
ployee, who’s now a'prime sus-
pect’ in the case was hired a
month back at the jewellery
store. “He used to repair defec-
tive jewellery pieces on the third
floor,” said the officer.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police
said that more than 12 teams are
working round the clock on the
case. From CCTV, phone dump
data, and manual surveillance, to
checking records of old criminals
on bail—the police are pushing
all its staff to make an arrest and
crack the case.
The theft was carried out after
apossible recce of several weeks
so the police are now checking if
any old/known criminals are in-
volved in the case. Police has
recorded statements from all six
permanent staff members em-
ployed at the 75-year-old jew-
ellery shop. Their addresses, join-
ing details, and shift timings have
also been collected.
the skills of Psychology, to stay up
to date on how todeal with people
in my field across the world,” he
added.
Jain said he would prefer us-
ing the Delhi Metro for his com-
mute from his Anand Vihar home
to North Campus. “It is just a 30-
minute commute,” he added.
In his absence, Jain said his
team would manage things at
work. “It is only a matter of six
months,” he added.
Besides education, Jain is also
looking forward to reliving his col-
lege life. “I will go to the class, pull
my chair and sit in front of the
board and listen to teachers...”
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
THE INDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
he human heart, pumping 1.5 gal-
lons of blood in a single minute
and beating on an average
100,000 times per day, can be rightly
deemed as the engine that powers our
lives from the cradle to the grave, dri-
ving focus on prioritizing heart health.
The emphasis on taking care of heart
health cannot be overstressed, espe-
cially at a time when Cardiovascular dis-
eases (CVDs) - disorders of the heart or
blood vessels - have become the lead-
ing cause of death globally. With CVDs
claiming more than 20.5 million lives
every year and affecting over 523 mil-
lion people, which represents double the
number of people who suffered from it
two decades ago, the observance of
World Heart Day (WHD) on September
29 every year assumes significance of
epic proportions.
UNITING GLOBAL EFFORTS TO
BRING CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
TO THE FOREFRONT
Since more people die from CVD world-
wide than from any other cause, WHD -
with its goal to stop the world's biggest
killer - has been essaying a defining role
in raising public awareness of cardio-
vascular diseases as well as their im-
pact, to ensure a steady reduction in the
global burden of deaths and diseases
stemming from cardiovascular issues.
As aglobal campaign initiated by the
Geneva-based non-governmental orga-
nization, World Heart Federation (WHF),
WHD, since being observed for the first
time in the year 2000, has emerged as
one of the biggest, most recognized and
most effective awareness-raising plat-
forms for CVDs.
Mobilizing global action against car-
diovascular diseases, WHD brings to-
gether people from diverse backgrounds
and from all over the world through par-
l, Dian i
Promoting heart health for
everyone, everywhere
World Heart Day serves as a crucial reminder to prioritize heart health and take proactive
steps to reduce the risk of heart-related issues by leading a heart-healthy lifestyle.
ticipation in a wide spectrum of activi-
ties that underscore heart health and
various measures for averting and con-
trolling CVDs. Scores of World Heart
Federation (WHF) member organiza-
tions drive the multi-lingual campaign
spanning six continents along with the
cardiology community and various gov-
ernmental and non-governmental orga-
nizations by educating and uniting peo-
ple in the global fight against
cardiovascular diseases. Educational
programs on heart health, public talks,
podcasts, fund-raising and sporting
events, poster-making competitions,
concerts and free health check-ups
alongside meetings of international car-
diovascular research organizations and
medical societies mark WHD's obser-
vance every year.
In a day and age where the dark side of
modern-day life - sedentary lifestyle, un-
healthy diets, and mounting stress levels
- is spelling doom for heart health, the
steadily growing and rapidly increasing
reach of the WHD campaign, from 1.7 bil-
lion in 2020 to 7.9 billion in 2021, bodes
well for attaining WHF's vision of cardio-
vascular health for everyone.
KEEPING THE HEART HEALTHY BY
MAKING HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
CHOICES
Against the backdrop of the hard-hitting
reality that 80% of premature deaths re-
sulting from CVD can be prevented and
that over 75 % of CVD deaths occur in
low and middle-income countries, which
includes India, the road map for ensuring
heart health entails having unhindered
and unbiased access to accurate infor-
mation, timely detection, care and
treatment alongside a proactive ap-
proach to heart health involving im-
pactful healthy changes in overall
lifestyle.
In light of prevention being better
than cure, the importance of having a
balanced and healthy diet, maintaining
an ideal weight and engaging in age-
appropriate regular physical activity
cannot be overemphasized for keeping
the heart beating, stronger, healthier
and for longer. Additionally, managing
stress, avoiding smoking and excessive
alcohol consumption and keeping in
check blood pressure, cholesterol and
blood sugar play a key role in keeping
CVD at bay and ascertaining heart
health. Evidently, to reduce the risk of
CVD significantly, it is imperative to
make healthy lifestyle choices a habit.
Pivotal to empowering people's indi-
vidual choices concerning leading heart-
healthy lifestyles is the support of the
government and policymakers, wherein
they facilitate access to ways that pro-
mote and make it easier to live a healthy
life. Bringing about health policies that
not only create environments where
embracing healthy choices is easily
available and affordable plays a crucial
part in encouraging people to lead and
sustain healthier lifestyles.
Year after year, the WHD campaign -
engaging individuals, organizations and
communities to increase awareness and
espouse universal access to the preven-
tion, detection and treatment of CVD -
keeps on gaining momentum worldwide
and continues to inspire and steer
greater international involvement in
promoting a lifestyle that is healthy for
the heart. As a day dedicated to driving
home the message of keeping the heart
healthy by taking care of it and leading a
lifestyle that fosters heart health while
encouraging others to do the same,
World Heart Day is empowering people
in the global fight against cardiovascular
disease and helping them champion
heart health.
T IS common these days to hear
about the sudden death of
young adults in their30s and
40s or even earlier. This is due to a
sudden cardiac arrest, in persons
who were otherwise ‘healthy’ and
even athletic’. It spares no one, in-
cludingcelebrities likethe popular
singer- KK and TV actors- Sidharth
Sukhla and Raju Shrivastav.
Also,the former Miss Universe-
Sushmita Sen, luckily survived a
massive heart attack with about
95% blockage in one of her arter-
ies.
Incidentally, Cardio-Vascular
Diseases (CVDs) or heart disease
are the leading cause of mortality
globally as well as in India, killing
nearly 48 lakh people, about 28%
of all deaths, in India every year.
Compared to the western popula-
tion, Indians are affected by CVDs a
decade sooner and have poorer
outcomes. Key risk factors for CVDs
include hypertension or high blood
pressure, diabetes, poor lipid profile,
unhealthy lifestyle practices like
smoking, alcohol abuse, obesity and
sedentary lifestyle.
Latest reports by WHO and ICMR
reveal that 52% CVD deaths in India are
caused by hypertension and an estimated
31 crore Indians suffer from hypertension,
of which only 37% know of their diagnosis.
Further, Diabetics are found to be twice
more likely to get heart disease, and India is
infamously known as ‘the Diabetic capital
of the world’, having nearly 10 crore dia-
betics and an additional 13 crore pre-dia-
betics.Over 21 crore Indians have abnor-
mal lipid profileand over 25 crore are
obese.
Like all Non-Communicable (NCDs) or
Lifestyle Diseases,heart disease results
from an interplay of genetics, lifestyle and
environmental factors. However, the Euro-
pean Society of Cardiology and several
others have concluded that poor lifestyle
ADVERTORIAL | An initiative YAQ OQO
EART DAY.
Controlling Heart Disease - the number
one killer in India
(Honorary) Brigadier Dr Arvind Lal
Padma Shri Awardee,
Executive Chairman, Dr Lal PathLabs Ltd,
Chair, FICCI Swasth Bharat (Public Health) Task Force
is a greater contributor to heart disease
than genetics, especially in case of young
people. Therefore, adopting a healthy
lifestyle should be the first priority for re-
ducing heart disease.
The second most important aspect is
‘early diagnosis’. With advancements in
modern medicine, especially in diagnostics,
doctorscan comprehensively assess heart
health, identify the risk of heart disease
and accurately detect heart attacks.One of
the most crucial tests for heart health is a'-
CompleteLipid Profile'that includesTotal
Cholesterol, Triglycerides, HDLCholesterol,
LDLCholesterol, VLDL Cholesterol, Non-
HDL Cholesterol, Apolipoprotein A1 and B,
Lipoprotein(a), HSCRP and Homocysteine,
which catches lipid and lipoprotein abnor-
ADVERTORIAL
malities. The good news is that
nowadays a Non-Fasting Lipid Pro-
file is possible wherein one need
not fast for twelve hours, which
was usually a deterrent for many
people to get tested. The Lipid As-
sociation of India (LAI) has opined
that LDL Cholesterol should now
be kept below 70 mg/dL, instead of
the earlier level of 100 mg/dL. High
Sensitive C-Reactive Protein
(HsCRP) is also an important test
for assessment of coronary arter-
ies to identify changes due to
plaque formation and inflamma-
tion.
Further, there are biomarkers
that assist doctors in diagnosis,
prognosis, and guiding therapy in
different cardiovascular diseases.
Biomarkers like Troponin can even
detect a heart attack that may be
missed in an ECG. High Sensi-
tiveTroponin | (hsTrop |) is also rec-
ommended for accurate cardiovas-
cular risk assessment.
If someone hasa family history of
heart disease or high Cholesterol, or
suffers from hypertension or dia-
betes, they should start getting
tested at the age of 20 years, with a
‘Complete Lipid Profile’. If the results are
normal, the tests should be repeated every
year. If the results are abnormal, seek ad-
vice from a physician cardiologist and re-
peat the tests every three months to moni-
tor progress. For people with no family
history of heart disease or no pre-existing
medical conditions, a Complete Lipid Profile
is recommended every year, starting at the
age of 30 years.
| appeal tothe Government of Indiato in-
clude Total Cholesterol in addition to glu-
cose, as a screening testunder the National
Programme for control of NCDs. | must em-
phasise here that our country's GDP can
increase by about 2% if we are able to ar-
rest the advent of NCDs, which account for
nearly 65% of deaths in India.
ADVERTORIAL
Advancements in Cardiac Surgery: A Conversation with Dr. Sushant Srivastava
Can you share your journey and expe-
rience in the field of cardiac surgery, and
what inspired you to specialise in this
area?
Two individuals played pivotal roles in shaping
my journey in cardiac surgery. Firstly, my mother
kindled my early aspirations by reading stories
about the renowned cardiac surgeon, Doctor Den-
ton Arthur Cooley, to me when | was just six or
seven years old. These stories instilled dreams and
inspired me to envision a future where I, too,
could perform heart operations like him.
Secondly, during my tenure at the All India In-
stitute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi, |
had the privilege of being guided by Doctor P
Venu Gopal, the pioneer of cardiac surgery in India.
He achieved a significant milestone by conducting
the first successful heart transplant in India on Au-
gust 4th, 1994, a day | was fortunate to be a part
of. Doctor Venu Gopal's vision and leadership pro-
pelled cardiac surgery from its rudimentary be-
ginnings to the advanced state it has reached to-
day. AIIMS played a crucial role in this
transformative journey.
In essence, these two individuals-my mother
and Doctor Venu Gopal-stand as the most influ-
ential figures in my pursuit of a career in cardiac
surgery.
My journey started in 1992 at the All India In-
stitute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), where | be-
gan as a resident trainee. At AIIMS, | was exposed
to the highest calibre of cardiac surgery in India.
During my time there, | had the privilege of wit-
nessing groundbreaking achievements in the
field, including the first successful heart transplant
and the implantation of the first mechanical heart
in the country. In 1994, after completing my resi-
dency, | joined the faculty at AIIMS as an assistant
professor. This period allowed me to operate on
thousands of patients and learn from pioneering
seniors and teachers who were at the forefront
of cardiac surgery. The experience at AIIMS trans-
formed my thinking and provided the essential
exposure needed to excel as a cardiac surgeon.
Upon entering private practice, | encountered
numerous rewarding experiences. One notable
case involved performing bypass surgery on a 96-
year-old gentleman in 2014, who miraculously
survived. Remarkably, he lived until the age of 99
before succumbing to stomach cancer. Addition-
ally, | had the privilege of conducting the first su-
tureless, or stitchless, valve surgery in India.
Throughout my career, | have undertaken com-
plex surgeries, and met with successful outcomes.
It has been an incredibly fulfilling journey, and my
passion for cardiac surgery continues to drive me
forward.
What are some of the most common
cardiac conditions or procedures you
can't encounter in your practice, and how
have treatments evolved over the years?
Coronary artery bypass surgery, commonly
known as bypass surgery, holds the distinction of
being the most frequently performed cardiac op-
eration worldwide. This prevalence is attributed
to the high incidence of coronary artery disease,
particularly in India, which has earned India the
unfortunate title of "the world capital of coro-
nary artery disease. "
Shockingly, approximately one out of every ten
adults in India suffers from this condition.
The management of coronary artery disease
varies, with some patients undergoing medical
treatment, while others opt for angioplasty. How-
ever, as the disease progresses, many individuals
eventually reach a stage where bypass surgery
becomes the only viable option. This scenario is
not unique to India but resonates globally, making
bypass surgery a ubiquitous procedure.
eae
AAR G IO acer
Gi
§
ORE SPFPECIALITT IS FOU
EHI
iT Lal |
Dr. Sushant Srivastava,
Chairperson of Cardiac Surgery and
Heart,Lung Transplant at Artemis
Hospital, is a distinguished figure in the
field of cardiac surgery. With an
illustrious career marked by expertise
and innovation, Dr. Srivastava has
consistently pushed the boundaries of
cardiac surgery. His journey is a
testament to unwavering dedication and
commitment to advancing heart surgery.
In this exclusive interview, Dr.
Srivastava shares insights into the
*@@O [ READ. ENGAGE
Eg E
evolving landscape of cardiac surgery,
the importance of heart health, and the
strides made in ensuring patient safety.
Join us as we delve into the world of
cutting-edge cardiac care with a
visionary leader.
In developing countries like India, cardiac sur-
geons are also confronted with heart valve dis-
eases, often stemming from conditions like
rheumatic fever, particularly affecting young pa-
tients. Additionally, congenital heart defects in
children necessitate surgical interventions. Sur-
geons may also address issues related to major
vessels, such as the aorta, which can develop con-
ditions like aneurysms or dissections. Further-
more, patients with heart muscle diseases may
require procedures like heart transplants or me-
chanical assist devices like LVADs to support failing
hearts.
The field of cardiac surgery has witnessed re-
markable advancements over time. For instance,
the introduction of beating heart surgery has re-
duced the reliance on the heart-lung machine in
specific procedures, facilitating faster recovery for
patients. Despite the increasing complexity of
cases due to patients presenting with multiple co-
morbidities, continuous improvements in tech-
niques and technology empower surgeons to ef-
fectively manage these challenges.
And what about the safety of these
surgeries? Many people are concerned
about the risks associated with them.
What steps do you take to ensure the
safety and well-being of your patients be-
fore, during, and after surgery?
Ensuring the safety of cardiac surgery is of ut-
most importance, and | want to emphasise that
the success rates are excellent. For routine bypass
surgery, the mortality rate is typically below 2%,
meaning a success rate of approximately 98-
99%. It's crucial to recognise that while all surg-
eries carry some risks, including cardiac proce-
dures, these risks are generally outweighed by the
benefits of treating heart disease. However, it's
worth noting that the presence of other health
conditions can increase these risks, such as un-
controlled diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney
disease, or a history of smoking. Nevertheless,
even in patients with multiple health issues, the
risks can be managed, and most individuals re-
cover well and lead healthy lives. Age alone is not
a significant risk factor, and cardiac surgery is rou-
tinely performed on patients in their 70s and 80s as
long as their overall health is good.
What role does lifestyle play in heart
health, and how can individuals make
positive changes to reduce the risk of car-
diac problems?
. DELIVER.) IS THE MARKETING SOLUTIONS TEAM OF THE INDIAN EXPRESS GROUP
Lifestyle is pivotal in maintaining heart health.
Positive changes can significantly diminish the
risks of cardiac issues.
Here's how:
m Diet: Prioritise a heart-healthy diet. Avoid fast
food, fried items, and excess unhealthy fats. Em-
brace fruits, veggies, whole grains, and low-fat
dairy.
m Exercise: Regular physical activity is crucial.
Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exer-
cise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise
weekly.
m= Smoking: Quit smoking immediately if you do.
[t's a major heart disease risk.
m Alcohol: Limit alcohol intake. Excessive drink-
ing can harm the heart.
m Weight Management: Maintain a healthy
weight through balanced eating and exercise.
Obesity is a heart disease risk.
m Stress Management: Manage stress with
techniques like meditation or yoga. Chronic stress
negatively affects heart health.
m Regular Check-ups: See your healthcare
provider for check-ups and screenings. Early de-
tection of high blood pressure and high choles-
terolis vital.
m Medication Adherence: If prescribed med-
ications for conditions like high blood pressure or
high cholesterol, take them as directed.
m Sleep: Ensure adequate, quality sleep. Poor
sleep can contribute to heart problems.
These changes reduce cardiac risks and en-
hance overall well-being. Prevention and early in-
tervention are keys to heart health.
Thank you, doctor, for sharing that
valuable information. Now, is there any-
thing else you'd like to add or any final
advice you have for our readers regard-
ing heart health or cardiac surgery?
Promote heart health through lifestyle
changes: diet, exercise, stress management. Con-
sult healthcare professionals for concerns/family
history. Trust cardiac surgery when needed; bene-
fits outweigh risks.
Living The Best Life! Devices In
The Heart Failure
Ai
K
Dr Manish Kumar Sharma
Consultant Cardiologist with experience
of 12 years. Consultant Cardiologist,
Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi
= m EART failure is a chronic (lifelong) con-
dition that must be treated. It is a seri-
ous condition which may limit physical
activities of the person and also may be re-
sponsible for reduced survival. However, with
proper treatment, a person can feel better,
may have reduced risk of going into or being
readmitted to the hospital. A person can also
live longer by taking care of the self.
Thanks to recent advances in medical
treatment, the symptoms of heart failure can
be relieved and the progress of heart failure
can be slowed, stopped, and in some cases
even reversed. Still, the progress of heart fail-
ure is different for each person, so it can be
hard to predict what the future holds.
Sometimes more help is needed to ad-
dress some of the symptoms of heart failure.
This is especially true when problems with
the ways the heart beats (also known as ir-
regular heartbeats, or arrhythmias) are an is-
sue. In many such cases, an implanted surgical
device may be the answer.
Most common are:
Implantable cardioverter defibrilla-
tor (ICD):
An ICD is like a pacemaker but is im-
planted just under the skin of the chest. It has
wires that connect through veins into the
heart. ICDs can speed up the heart rate if it's
beating too slow, and can correct dangerous
heart rhythms by shocking the heart back to
normal. ICDs are sometimes used along with
pacemaker function to keep the heart beating
as normally as possible.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy
(CRT):
This small device is implanted just below
the collarbone. It helps the heart pump better
by sending electrical signals to the heart's
lower chambers, so they beat together the
way they're supposed to.
Heart Failure Clinics
Dr Sumeet Sethi
DM (Cardiology) Associate Director
International Cardiology In Max Super
Speciality Hospital, Delhi
the heart failure clinic cares for people
whose heart is not pumping blood
around their body as effectively as it
should be. The causes can be many like post vi-
ral infection, heart arteries blockages and dis-
ease of the heart valves etc.
How does a person getsreferred to
a heart failure clinic?
If your GP suspects, you might have heart
failure they will often do some blood tests to
look for signs of weakness or strain on the
heart. Following this, they will then refer you
to the heart failure clinic manned by a Cardiol-
ogist.
What happens at the heart failure
clinic?
A thorough clinical examination is done
and you will be sent for an ECG , blood tests
and an echocardiogram . If required more
tests may be needed.
What tests will | have at my ap-
pointment?
Itis likely that you will require a number of
other different tests which may include:
mCT scan
mMRI scan
m Coronary angiogram
m Holter monitoring
Treatment modalities
Based on test reports , a treatment plan
is finalised and medical treatment started
with advise for regular OPD followups.
What care will I receive at home?
Patients with heart failure often require
treatment with a number of different med-
ications. This will be supervised by specialist
community teams with guidance from the
hospital consultants.
If your condition is stable, you will be
cared for by your GP. However, you will con-
tinue to have access to hospital and commu-
nity teams if needed.
Cardiac rehabilitation
If you have heart failure, you will benefit
from supervised exercise regimes and may
require healthy lifestyle changes. Therefore,
we might refer you to the cardiac rehabilita-
tion teams for support.
Additional treatment
You might need more advanced cardiol-
ogy treatments such as:
mA pacemaker or implantable defibrillator
mAngioplasty
mAblation procedures for rhythm distur-
bances
mSurgery for heart valve problems.
Your cardiologist will advise if they think
any of these procedures are necessary or ap-
propriate.
What happens If I become unwell?
If you become unwell with heart failure
and need admission to hospital you will usu-
ally be managed by the heart failure specialist
team till fit enough for discharge.
Long term prognosis
With advanced treatment it is now possi-
ble to manage heart failure effectively with
long term beneficial results and good qual-
ity of life.
Heart Diseases. Myths and Facts
à
Dr Rajeeve Kumar Rajput
Senior Consultant Cardiologist &
Interventionist Coordinator Heart Failure
Service, Indraprastha Apollo
Hospital, Delhi
Myth 1. Heart Diseases do not occur in
young persons
Fact 1. In our country more than one
third of patients with heart attacks are
less than 45 years of age and Heart at-
tacks occur a decade earlier than the
western population .
Myth 2 Heart disease is common only
in big cities and in affluent people .
Fact 2 Heart diseases are equally
common in rural/ urban and rich and poor
Myth 3 Heart diseases can not be
prevented
Fact 3. By heathy life style and by
controlling risk factors most of the heart
epaper od p dianexpress.com
attacks can be prevented
Myth 4. Fat rich diet is not harmful
Fact 4 High cholesterol is a strong
risk factor for Heart attacks and the risk
can be reduced by life style management
and by drugs . Statins are very safe and
very beneficial and prevent heart attacks .
Myth 5 Angiography is very painful
and risky
Fact 5 Angiography is a very safe test
, painless , usually done through hand
and most of the patients can be sent
home same day.
Myth 6 Stents are temporary solution
and always fail .
Fact 6 Currently available Drug Ellut-
ing Stents are very good and In more than
95 % cases stents provide long term re-
lief .
Myth 7. Bypass is end of life ; you can
not do anything after bypass
Fact 7 The technique and the results
of bypass surgery have improved a lot and
all patient can go back to their routine
work within few weeks and lead a healthy
and productive life .
Myth 8. If you start high BP medica-
tion your body will get used to it and u
will have to take it life long
Fact 8 . High BP is very important risk
factor for brain stroke , heart failure ,
heart attack and kidney failure . You will
tolerate BP medication only as long as
they are needed .
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
THE INDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 THEINDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
Physical Activity In Heart Failure
= ne of most important ways that
people with heart failure can main-
tain their sense of well-being is by
keeping themselves active. Activity can help
you feel better, may decrease your symp-
toms, and may improve your heart's func-
tion. Be sure to talk to your doctorbefore
starting an exercise program.
BECOMING MORE ACTIVE
To become more active,always start
with light exercise then slowly and gradually
build it up.Pick a simple aerobic activity like
walking, swimming or cycling. Walking is a
good choice for many people because it is
easy to start, does not require any special
equipment, and can be done round the year
anywhere.
If you are going to start more vigorous
n today's fast-paced world, where
sedentary lifestyles have become the
` norm, it's crucial to recognize the ex-
traordinary benefits of regular exercise in
safeguarding our cardiac health. While
cardiovascular diseases continue to claim
countless lives worldwide, we possess the
means to minimize this risk through in-
formed action.
Regular exercise is nothing short of a
lifesaver for your heart. It elevates your
cardiovascular fitness, fortifying your
heart's capacity to pump blood efficiently.
Simultaneously, it aids in weight manage-
ment, shedding excess pounds and reduc-
ing the stress placed on your heart, conse-
quently lowering the risk of heart disease.
Furthermore, exercise takes charge of
blood pressure regulation, a pivotal factor
in the prevention of hypertension.
Despite concerns about exercise-re-
Dr Y K Arora
MD. DM Sr. Consultant Cardiology
in NHI Hospital, Delhi
exercise then talk to your health care
provider,they would like to do some exer-
cise test to see your effort tolerance before
permitting you for such a programme.
The goal of most of the people with
heart failure is to do 30 minutes of activity
every day (At least 5 days in a week). This
does not mean that one has to exercise
continuously for 30 minutes in one go,in
case you are uncomfortable then you can
do in 3 blocksof 10-minute each to get your
goal of 30-minute.
WHEN NOTTO DO EXERCISE
mHaving shortness of breath at rest or
more symptoms than usual.
Feeling exhausted.
mHaving fever or some other evidence of
infection.
mHaving chest pain.
Be Active - Love Your Heart!
A
Dr Gaurav Minocha
Director And Unit Head Of Cardiology,
Max Superspeciality Hospital, Vaishali
lated risks, it's imperative to emphasize
that these risks are minimal, especially for
Diet In Heart Failure
Dr Devendra Kumar Agrawal
Senior Consultant Interventional
Cardiologist, Max Super Speciality Hospital,
Shalimar Bagh
= AKING positive lifestyle
a/ changes is almost always
-| necessary for people with
heart failure. Eating a healthy diet is a
vital part of the treatment plan. Health
care provider will work with the per-
son with heart failure to explain what
is required to adopt a healthier diet.
Following tips are often recom-
mended:
Eat less salt (sodium)
Sodium retains water in the body.
That can cause the heart to work
harder and contribute to edema and
shortness of breath. Sodium intake is
often limited to 2,000 mg per day.
Clinician will recommend to limit
sodium intake. It's important to stick
with that number. Be on lookout for
"hidden" salt in processed and pre-
pared foods, which often have salt
added to them. Reading food labels
can help. When eating out, ask for nu-
tritional information of the dishes be-
ing served. At home, herbs, lemon
juice, and spices can add lots of
flavour to recipes and help to limit
salt.
Limit alcohol and fluids if in-
structed to do so.
Alcohol can weaken heart muscles
and increases the risk of heart rhythm
problems. Attending physician will
advise how much fluid should be
taken each day.
Eat lean meats and poultry.
Avoid adding salt, saturated fat,
or cholesterol to the recipe. Also,
watch the portion sizes. Keep the
(MSNo
A Per Aa ees Lene
serving at 4 to 6 ounces-about the size
of the fist.
Eat oily fish (salmon, trout,
herring) at least twice a week.
These types of fish contain omega-
3 fatty acids, which can help reduce
the risk of coronary artery disease.
Avoid processed and pre-
pared foods.
These can be high in sodium and
tend to have saturated or trans fats in
them.
When dining out, request lit-
tle or no salt be added to the
dish.
Choose baked or steamed dishes,
when possible, over fried options.
those who maintain a consistent exercise
routine. Understanding the warning
signs, including chest discomfort, unusual
shortness of breath, dizziness, or irregu-
lar heartbeats during exercise, is crucial.
Consultation with a physician before em-
barking on a new exercise regimen is ad-
visable for individuals with a history of
heart disease or multiple risk factors like
diabetes high BP , high cholesterol and
smokers . For newcomers to exercise,
starting slowly with moderate activities
like brisk walking is a prudent
approach.Undue physical exercise can
cause musculoskeletal injuries and even
precipitate heart events So go slow and
stop early in case of symptomms like
chest discomfort or undue breathing
problems
Incorporating exercise into daily life is
more achievable than one might think.
mGoing through a major change in your
medication regimen.
mHaving persistent muscle aches & pains
after exercising.
AVOID OVER EXERTION
Signs of overexertion include:
mShortness of breath that prevents you
from completing a sentence.
m Shortness of breath that does not get bet-
ter when you reduce or stop your activ-
ity.
mDizziness or light-headedness.
mChest pain or tightness. Pain in your arms,
shoulders, neck, or jaw.
m Unusual fatigue or presence of palpita-
tions.
mPresence of Nausea, vomiting& profuse
sweating.
Strive for a minimum of 30 minutes of
moderate exercise daily, be it through
brisk walking or a home workout routine.
If time constraints are a concern, break
your exercise into shorter, 10-minute ses-
sions scattered throughout the day. Small
changes such as opting for stairs over ele-
vators and walking short distances in-
stead of driving can contribute signifi-
cantly to your overall physical activity.
Remember that the key to reaping the
rewards of regular exercise lies in taking
the first step. By making physical activity
an integral part of your daily routine and
adhering to necessary precautions, you
possess the power to significantly reduce
your risk of heart disease. Prioritize your
cardiac health today through regular exer-
cise, and rest assured, your heart will
thank you with a longer, healthier life in
the years to come.
Increase Physical Activity
And Reducing Stress In
Heart Failure
Dr Nityanand Tripathi
Director And HOD - Cardiology And
Electrophysiology , Fortis Hospital,
Shalimar Bagh
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Exercise is critical for people with heart
failure. However, talk with the clinician
about how often and when to exercise.
Physician may recommend to avoid phys-
ical activity on days when fluid has built
up and a person is not feeling well. Clini-
cian can help to make a plan for when and
how often person should exercise. Pay at-
tention to how you feel, and rest when you
get tired.
Most people should aim to get at least
30 minutes of physical activity per day,
most days of the week. Try to exercise
every day. Keep in mind that person don't
have to get all 30 minutes at once. It is
good to break exercise into 5- to 10-
minute segments. Plus, there are other
ways to add physical activity.
Consider:
m Going out for a walk. Invite friends and
family members to join.
m Walking instead of driving.
Parking car farther from destination and
taking a walk.
m Getting off the bus or subway a stop or
two earlier and walking rest of the way.
REDUCING STRESS
Dealing with too much stress can
make many health conditions worse, in-
cluding heart failure. But you can keep
stress at bay by exercising and taking
time to relax.
Consider:
m Enjoying your favourite hobbies
m Spending time with friends or family
m Doing deep-breathing exercises
m Practicing yoga or tai chi
m Taking a nap
m Reading a book
m Listening to music
m Taking a warm bath
There are many ways to relax-those
listed above are just a few ideas.
GETTING SUPPORT
As heart failure progresses, it can be-
come isolating for the person who has it.
But it doesn't have to be. Doing everything
you can to manage your health is impor-
tant. Talk with healthcare provider about
support options available to you.
Managing Your Stress In Heart Failure
æ tress is a normal part of life.
Getting diagnosed with heart
ee failure can cause a strain on
your emotional health. It can cause
more stress than usual at times.
It is important to take positive
steps to handle stress. Follow these
tips and talk to your doctor if you
need more ideas about how to handle
stress.
Don't turn to food and alco-
hol to cope. Eating and drinking
too much can actually lead to more
stress. Drinking alcohol can cause
heart failure and make the condition
worse.
It is ok to say "no" to people.
Assert yourself and set limits for
yourself. You do not have to meet the
Dr Rameshwar Bishnoi
Senior Consultant -Cardiac Science, Max
Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh
demands and expectations of others.
Practice standing up for yourself
while being respectful of others.
Don't smoke or use nicotine
products. Nicotine is found in all to-
bacco products including cigarettes,
E-cigarettes, and "vaping" systems.
Nicotine is an addictive drug. It
causes more symptoms of stress and
causes your heart to work harder
than normal. In addition, smoking
leads to many other problems, includ-
ing cardiovascular disease.
Get regular exercise. Regular
exercise can help reduce stress. Choose
an enjoyable activity and set reason-
able goals. Talk to your doctor about an
exercise program that is safe for you.
Take action to reduce stress.
Stressors are the things that cause us
to feel stress. You can help eliminate
stressors by practicing good time
management and setting priorities
and realistic goals and expectations.
You cannot be 100% successful at
everything all the time.
Relax. Take time every day to re-
lax. Help your body recover from the
effects of stress.
Take responsibility. You can-
not control everything that happens in
life. Control what you can and accept
that you need to let some things go.
Take a self-inventory. When
you feel overwhelmed, take a few
minutes to remind yourself of the
things you do well. A healthy self-es-
teem helps reduce your stress level.
S WORLD HEAR
9
DAY-
Adjusting Fluids In Heart Failure
Roles Of The Caregiver Of Individuals With Heart Failure
ROLE CATEGORIES
Support with activities of daily
living
mPersonal Care - Assist with bathing,
dressing, toileting, movements
m Managing the home - Ensure rent/mort-
gage and utilities are paid; cleaning,
laundry
mLogistical support - Transportation and
planning of errands and activities
Psychosocial support
mg Emotional and mental support - Provide
support through touching, listening, at-
tention, humor, pragmatism, stoicism; as-
sist with referral to mental health serv-
ices.
mSocial and spiritual support - Respect and
support of spiritual needs; empathy
m Coping with symptoms and medication
side effects - Support to cope with fa-
tigue, exercise intolerance, breathless-
ness, anxiety, depression, anorexia.
Dr Naveen Bhamri
Senior Director And HOD, Cardiac
Sciences, Cardiology, Cardiac
Electrophysiology-Pacemaker, Max
Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh
Improving and maintaining self-
care
mHealthy nutrition - Assist with planning,
shopping, preparation, and cooking of
heart-healthy meals; encourage ade-
quate energy intake; monitor unexpected
decline in body weight
mPhysical activity - Encourage disease-
stage—appropriate activities, including
walking, balance and strengthening exer-
cises
Smoking cessation and tailored alcohol
intake - Support and encourage smoking
cessation and tailor alcohol advice to
pathogenesis of heart failure; eg, absti-
nence in alcoholic cardiomyopathy
mManagement of medications - Obtain
prescription medications from the phar-
macy; prepare weekly tablet organizers;
reminder of and management of refills
Left ventricular assist device manage-
ment- Left ventricular assist device drive-
line dressing changes; ensure adequate
power source; troubleshoot alarms
m Monitor and treat heart failure symptoms
- Weigh daily to monitor fluid retention;
monitor for shortness of breath and fa-
tigue; adjust diuretic dose; assist with de-
cisions about the need for emergency
care
Navigating the healthcare sys-
tem
mCommunication - Communicate with
healthcare providers about treatment
plan; advocate for patient
mHealth insurance and social services ben-
efit management - Pay health insurance
claims; apply for disability benefits
m Coordination of appointments and visits
- Manage schedule related to routine vis-
its for heart failure and comorbidities; ac-
company to healthcare visits
m Transition of care between healthcare in-
stitution and home - Organize care after
hospital discharge; provide assurance of
continuity of care
mw End-of-life care - Advocate for patient;
communicate patient preferences; pro-
vide decision support for palliative and/or
hospice care.
Living the best life! Devices in the heart failure
m 5 eart failure is a chronic (lifelong)
condition that must be treated.
It is a serious condition which
may limit physical activities of the per-
son and also may be responsible for re-
duced survival. However, with proper
treatment, a person can feel better, may
have reduced risk of going into or being
readmitted to the hospital. A person can
also live longer by taking care of the
self.
Thanks to recent advances in med-
ical treatment, the symptoms of heart
failure can be relieved and the progress
of heart failure can be slowed, stopped,
and in some cases even reversed. Still,
Warning Signs Of Heart Failure
Dr Subroto Kumar Datta
MD, DNB(Medicine) DM, DNB (Cardiology)
Director Cardiology, Venkateshwar
(e:
Dr Santosh Kumar Agarwal
Sr Interventional Cardiologist Kailash
Hospital, Noida
one week
m Unusual swelling in
the legs, feet, hands,
or abdomen
BA persistent cough
or chest congestion
(the cough may be
dry or hacking)
m Increasing fatigue or
a sudden decrease in
your ability to do nor-
mal activities
BA loss of appetite
or nausea
BA feeling of full-
or stomach
the progress of heart failure is different
for each person, so it can be hard to
predict what the future holds.
Sometimes more help is needed to
address some of the symptoms of heart
failure. This is especially true when
problems with the ways the heart beats
(also known as irregular heartbeats, or
arrhythmias) are an issue. In many such
cases, an implanted surgical device may
be the answer.
Most common are:
Implantable cardioverter de-
fibrillator (ICD):
An ICD is like a pacemaker but is
implanted just under the skin of the
chest. It has wires that connect through
veins into the heart. ICDs can speed up
the heart rate if it's beating too slow,
and can correct dangerous heart
rhythms by shocking the heart back to
normal. ICDs are sometimes used along
with pacemakers to keep the heart
beating as normally as possible.
Cardiac resynchronization
therapy (CRT):
This small device is implanted just
below the collarbone. It helps the heart
pump better by sending electrical sig-
nals to the heart's lower chambers, so
they beat together the way they're sup-
posed to.
Understand Heart Failure: What Does It
Means To Be At Risk
5 any people mistakenly believe that heart fail-
ure means that the heart has stopped func-
| | tioning. Heart failure simply means that the
heart is not pumping enough blood to various
organs/parts of the body.
Common symptoms of heart failure:
m Shortness of breath during daily activities
m Having trouble breathing when lying down
m Weight gain with swelling in the feet, legs, ankles,
m Generally feeling tired or weak/bloating
As the heart's pumping action weakens, blood
backs up into blood vessels around the lungs and
Hospital, Dwarka, New Delhi nee apna ABEP
ing in your age of fluid
stomach into the
What is heart failure? m Confusion or restlessness M S N 0 lungs. The
Heart failure is different from These symptoms may be — fluid causes
a heart attack. Heart failure isa early signs that fluid is build- — eatin dad lung con-
malfunction in the heart thatpre- ing up and your heart failure gestion and
vents the heart muscle from filling is getting worse. If you have M EI AERES AN makes it
or pumping blood well enough these symptoms, let your hard to
to keep the body working prop-
erly.It is different from heart at-
tack, which happens when blood
flow is blocked in one of the ves-
sels that supply to the heart itself.
While some signs and symp-
toms of heart failure may not be
an emergency, they can worsen
if you do not take action imme-
diately. If you have any of the fol-
lowing symptoms, call your doc-
tor or healthcare provider and let
them know:
Em Shortness of breath
m Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
m Weight gain of three or more
pounds in one day
m Weight gain of five pounds in
any people mistakenly believe
-| that heart failure means that the
heart has stopped or is about to
stop. Heart failure simply means that the
heart is not pumping blood through the
body as well as it should.
Common symptoms of heart fail-
ure:
m Shortness of breath during daily activities
mHaving trouble breathing when lying
down
Weight gain with swelling in the feet,
legs, ankles, or stomach
m Generally feeling tired or weak
As the heart's pumping action weakens,
blood backs up into blood vessels around
the lungs and causes seepage of fluid into
the lungs. The fluid causes congestion and
makes it hard to breathe. Many people with
heart failure also have swollen legs and
doctor or nurse know as
quickly as possible.
Take immediate action if
following situation arises
m Chest discomfort or pain that
lasts more than 15 minutes
(that is not relieved with rest or
nitroglycerin)
m Severe or persistent shortness
of breath
m Fainting or passing out
m A fast or irregular heartbeat,
palpitations or a racing heart
that does not go away
m A need to sleep sitting up on
more pillows than usual
m Frothy or pink tinged sputum
when coughing
management.
ticularly when a patient lies down. Many people with
heart failure also have swollen legs and feet.
Medical conditions which increasesrisk of
heart failure:
m Coronary artery disease and heart attacks
m Diabetes æ High blood pressure
m Obesity æ Valvular Heart Disease
m Chronic Kidney Disease
Unhealthy behaviors can also increase risk
of heart failure:
m Using tobacco in any form
m Eating foods high in fat, cholesterol, and sodium
m Not getting enough physical activity
m Excessive alcohol intake
In most cases, heart failure can't be cured, but its
symptoms can be brought under control with careful
breathe, par-
Dr Hemant Gandhi
MBBS, MD(Medicine), DM (Cardiology)
FESC (Europe), Associate Director - Cardiol-
ogy, Max Healthcare Hospital, Gurgaon
Careful management means a person with heart
failure should:
m Take all of the medicines as ordered by the doctor.
m Control BP & Blood sugar levels.
m Stop using tobacco/limitalcohol
m Remain physically active, but avoid strenuous exer-
tion.
m Lose weight if obese.
m Limit salt in diet (No Added Salt)
m Eating balanced diet
m Should also check every day for signs of worsening
heart failure like sudden increase in body weight or
sudden swelling in the body.
Heart failure is a serious illness that can affect how
long a person can survive. Some people may die sooner
because of heart failure; but with proper medications in
the right doses and careful management, a person with
heart failure canfeel better and live longer.
Moreover, with recent advances in the treatment
of patient with heart failure, like newer drugs, device
therapy & heart transplant, life expectancy of heart fail-
ure patients has increased.
Understand Heart Failure:
ris
Dr Rahul Ramteke
Intervention Cardiologist
NMH Hospital & Heart Centre
What Does It Means To Be At Risk
feet.
Medical conditions which increas-
esrisk of heart failure:
m Coronary artery disease and heart attacks
mDiabetes
High blood pressure
wObesity
m Valvular Heart Disease
Unhealthy behaviors can also in-
crease risk of heart failure:
m Using tobacco in form
mEating foods high in fat, cholesterol, and
sodium
mNot getting enough physical activity
mExcessive alcohol intake
In most cases, heart failure can't be
cured, but it can be brought under control
with careful management.
Careful management means a
person with heart failure should:
m Take all of the medicines ordered by your
doctor or nurse.
mFollow a low-sodium (salt) diet.
mStop using tobacco
mRemain physically active.
mLose weight if you are overweight.
mShould also check every day for signs of
worsening heart failure like sudden in-
crease in body weight or sudden swelling
in the body.
Heart failure is a serious illness that can
affect how long a person can survive. Some
people may die sooner because of heart
failure; but with proper medications in the
right doses and careful management, a per-
son with heart failure canfeel better and live
longer.
Dr Nishant Tyagi
Senior Consultant Cardiologist, Max Super
Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, Delhi.
ongestion, or fluid overload, is a clas-
sic clinical feature of patients present-
wing with heart failure and its presence
is associated with adverse outcome. There-
fore, controlling the intake of fluid is impor-
tant in heart failure.
Why is it important to control flu-
ids?
Water and salt retention leads to an in-
creased amount of fluid in the blood. Heart
has to work harder to push this increased
amount of blood around the body. This ex-
cess fluid may get accumulated into the
lungs making it harder to breathe. Excess
fluid can be also retained in the abdomen
and in the legs.
How can you control your fluids?
You may be prescribed tablets such as
diuretics to help you get rid of any extra
fluid. However, you should take care not to
replace this water through drinking extra
fluids. Your doctor may recommend an
amount that you should be drinking every
day.
Weigh yourself in the morning, before
eating and after using the bathroom, and
write down the amount. Sudden increase in
body weight may indicate accumulation of
fluid in the body.
If you are advised to reduce the fluid in-
take, here are some suggestions:
Top tips for limiting the amount
you drink:
Muse small cups instead of mugs
mitry to spread your daily allowance over
the whole day
mitry drinking very cold or hot fluids
mif it is very hot or you have a fever or diar-
thoea, you should drink an extra 100-300
ml.
Top tips for when you are thirsty:
msuck an ice cube
mlimit caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea and
fizzy drinks)
milimit alcoholic drinks
muse lemon and glycerine mouth swab
sticks
m chew gum or hard candies
meat frozen fruits
madd lemon juice to tea or mineral water
mitry rinsing mouth with cold water and
spitting it out
Make Healthy Heart Your Goal
Dr Vinayak Agrawal
Director and Head of Clinical Cardiology
and cardiac imaging Fortis Gurgaon
yy any people mistakenly believe that
heart failure means that the heart
-| has stopped or is about to stop.
Heart failure simply means that the heart is
not pumping blood through the body as well
as itshould.
Heart related diseases also called as car-
diovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading
cause of death and disability in both devel-
oped and developing countries. These dis-
eases are also a reason for heart failure.
Therefore, prevention is the key to keep our
heart in healthy condition.
7 Strategies to Live a Heart-
Healthy Lifestyle
Healthy behaviors can lead to lower risk of
heart disease. It also preventing other seri-
ous chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes
and some kinds of cancer.
1 Learn Your Health History
Know your risks and talk to your family
and doctor about your health history.
2 Eat a Healthy Diet Make healthy
foodchoices like more fruits, vegetables,
whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy
products. Eat less salt,saturated fat, and
added sugar.
3 Move More, Sit Less
Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-in-
tensity aerobic activity every week, plus mus-
cle-strengthening activities at least 2 days a
week.
4 Quit Smoking
Take the first step on your journey to
healthy lifestyle.
5Take Medicines as Directed
If you take medicine to treat high choles-
terol, high blood pressure, or diabetes, follow
your doctor's instructions carefully. Always
ask questions if you don't understand some-
thing. Never stop taking your medicine with-
out talking to your doctor.
6 Choose Your Drinks Wisely
Substitute water for sugary drinks to re-
duce calories. If you drink alcohol, do so in
moderation by limiting consumption to no
more than 1 drink a day for women (2 for
men) on days that alcohol is consumed.
7 Monitor Your Blood Pressure at
Home
Self-measured blood pressure monitors
are easy and safe to use, and your doctor can
show you how to use one if you need help.
What Causes Heart Failure?
Dr Karan Chopra
MBBS, MD, DM (Cardiology) Senior
Consultant &unit head Cardiology,
Venkateshwar Hospital, Delhi
f you have heart failure, chances are you
have (or had) one or more of the condi-
tions listed below. Some of these can be
present without your knowing it.
Coronary artery disease
When cholesterol and fatty deposits build
up in the heart's arteries, less blood can reach
the heart muscle. Coronary artery disease can
also contribute to having high blood pressure,
which may lead to heart failure over time.
Heart Attack (myocardial infarc-
tion)
A heart attack occurs when an artery that
supplies blood to the heart muscle gets
blocked. The damaged heart tissue does not
contract as well, which weakens the heart's
ability to pump blood.
High blood pressure (hyperten-
sion)
Uncontrolled HBP is a major risk factor for
developing heart failure.
Abnormal heart valves
Heart valve problems can result from dis-
ease, infection (endocarditis) or a defect pres-
ent at birth. When the valves don't open or
close completely during each heartbeat, the
heart muscle has to pump harder to keep the
blood moving. If the workload becomes too
great, heart failure results.
Heart muscle disease
Any damage to the heart muscle -
whether because of drug or alcohol use, vi-
ral infections or unknown reasons - increases
the risk of heart failure.
Congenital heart disease
If the heart and its chambers don't form
correctly, the healthy parts have to work
harder to compensate.
Severe lung disease
When the lungs don't work properly, the
heart has to work harder to get available oxy-
gen to the rest of the body.
Diabetes
Diabetes increases the risk for develop-
ing heart failure.
Obesity
Obesity can cause the heart to work much
harder than for a non-obese person.
Sleep Apnea
Pauses in breathing can contribute to se-
vere fatigue during the day, increase your
safety risks and make it difficult to perform
tasks that require alertness.
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Know Your Heart To Save Your Heart
most reliable test for early detection is CT
CORONARY CALCIUM SCORINGAND CT
CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY. Therefore
we at SSB hospital have included CT cal-
cium scoring in most of our preventive
health checkup packages.
ADVERTORIAL
for coronary artery calcium scoring and
coronary CT angiography which is a very
safe and noninvasive OPD test. It should
be done in all appropriate candidates. It
can detect even mild to moderate heart
disease which no other test including
TMT, stress Echo or thallium or PET -CT
can pick up. On CT Coronary angiography
if mild to moderate disease is detected,
statin group of medicine is required to
control the progression of disease and as-
pirin tablet is additionally required for
moderate to significant disease is present
on CT angio. Radial angiography should
be done in patients with moderate, sig-
nificant or critical disease detected on CT
angiography to assess and treat the sig-
nificant or critical block by timely angio-
plasty and stenting along with required
medicines. This is the surest way to pre-
vent death from this silent killer. Screening
of all individuals for the presence of major
risk factors like high blood pressure, dia-
betes mellitus and high cholesterol lev-
els should start at the age of 20 years.
Those who have family history of heart
disease and high cholesterol level, lipid
profile should be checked at the age of
13 years. All should be encouraged to quit
smoking and adopt healthy life style
which includes eating healthy food like
fruit, vegetables, almonds, pulses, brown
bread and rice. Avoid full cream dairy
products, fried items, sweets, fast food,
hydrogenated fats, excess salt and red
meat. Consume right amount of calories
and protein to maintain ideal body
weight. Regular exercise for at least 30
minutes is essential for heart. Brisk walk-
ing, Cycling, swimming, yoga or playing a
game of badminton or tennis etc. de-
pending upon your suitability and
strength are all useful to maintain a
healthy heart.
On 29th September, we celebrate
World Heart Day each year since 2000. It is
a part of an international campaign to
spread awareness about Heart disease.
In 2012 leaders all over the World de-
cided to decrease the disease by 25% by
2025 because 1.7 core people die of
heart attack every year in the world out
of which maximum deaths take place in
India. This is happening all over the world
despite the availability of advance diag-
nostic and treatment modality in most
parts of the world. This can be easily pre-
vented by early detection and timely
treatment of heart disease. People need to
Á be educated about the importance of reg-
bi- ular health checkups because of the silent
nature of the disease and its risk factors.
around lacs of deaths in India every year
due to heart attack, 16 % die within 1
hour of heart attack even before victim
of heart attack or his family members re-
alize that he or she is having a heart at-
tack. This happens sometimes even during
sleep before the diagnosis of heart attack
is made. Sudden death may be the first
thing to happen without any symptoms.
Cholesterol block builds up over years in
human hearts silently till the block
reaches 70% or more. In around 30 to
40% persons with heart disease espe-
cially in those with diabetics, critical
blocks of more than 90% also may not
cause any symptoms or discomfort. How-
ever heart attack can occur even with a
50% block which may get ruptured due
to vigorous physical activity or sudden in-
crease in exercise. That is why early de-
tection by most reliable test is the key to
prevent death from this silent killer. The
Incidents of heart attack have
increased in all age groups.
At SSB Heart and Multispecialty, our
youngest heart attack patient was a
school going boy of just 19 year old and
oldest patient was 107 year old. Both
were saved by timely emergency angio-
plasty and stenting. Though more com-
mon in men but women are also not
spared. It can happen at any age in
women also. The best way to prevent sud-
den death from this silent killer is to iden-
tify the cholesterol deposition in heart ar-
teries at early stage by doing heart
screening on special CT scan machines
Dr S S Bansal, Senior Heart Specialist,
Cmd SSB Heart & Multispecialty Hospital
Faridabad
Sudden and Silent nature of Heart at-
tacks and delay in diagnosis are the main
reasons of death and sufferings. Out of
In this illuminating conversation, we en-
gage with the esteemed Dr. Rakesh Sapra,
a distinguished figure in the field of cardiol-
ogy. With over two decades of experience
and a distinguished career at Marengo Asia
Hospitals, Faridabad, Dr. Rakesh Sapra is at
the forefront of cardiac care in the region.
His extensive expertise spans various cardiac
interventions, including coronary angioplas-
ties, balloon valvotomy, peripheral angio-
plasties, and congenital interventions. Ad-
ditionally, he is well-versed in
electrophysiology and radiofrequency abla-
tions.
Join us as Dr.Rakesh Sapra shares his pro-
found insights into the evolving landscape
of cardiac care and the critical role he plays in
improving patients’ lives.
Life-Saving Expertise
Dr. Rakesh Sapra's Trailblazing Career in Cardiology at Marengo Asia Hospitals
lation tends to develop heart disease at a
younger age compared to their Western
counterparts.
The reasons behind this predisposition are
twofold. Firstly, there's a genetic tendency
among Indians and South Asians, reflected
in our cholesterol profiles. Cholesterol pro-
files encompass LDL (low-density lipopro-
tein) cholesterol, often referred to as "bad"
cholesterol, HDL (high-density lipoprotein)
cholesterol, considered "good" cholesterol,
and triglycerides, which are less directly as-
sociated with heart disease. It's been scien-
tifically established that elevated LDL cho-
lesterol is linked to heart disease and
cholesterol deposits in blood vessels.
Surprisingly, Indian populations with heart
disease don't typically have high LDL choles-
on social media, reinforcing these habits. All
these detrimental practices collectively
worsen our risk of heart disease.
Dr. Sapra, could you elaborate on
the steps individuals can take to miti-
gate these risks?
To address these risks, the most effective
change must come through education. Peo-
ple need to understand the advantages of
healthy eating and living. This understand-
ing should start from childhood. Trying to al-
ter the habits of individuals who are already
in their 30s or 40s is challenging because
cholesterol deposition in arteries begins as
early as the first decade of life. If we don't
educate children about the importance of
healthy lifestyles during their formative
main largely consistent across age groups.
However, disease presentation can differ. In
younger patients, cholesterol deposits are
typically softer and more prone to clot for-
mation. In contrast, elderly patients may
have harder, calcified blockages. This variation
influences the techniques we use for treat-
ment. For younger patients, we focus more
on addressing clots, while in elderly patients,
we may need special tools to break calcified
deposits.
Regarding healthcare systems, a shift in
education is vital. We need to prepare the
younger population to make healthier
choices early in life. This includes school-
based education on nutrition, physical activ-
ity, and stress management. Preventive mea-
sures should be the cornerstone of our
terol levels, but they lack sufficient HDL cho- larerce ie years, we risk missing a critical window. healthcare system.
Dr. Sapra, let's delve right into the lesterol, the protective kind. Thus, our genetic < Healthy eating, regular physical activity,
interview. Can you elucidate the key makeup, particularly our lipid profile, predis- %. N i and stress management should be instilled Lastly, as we focus on India's
factors contributing to the surge in poses us to heart disease more than West- » y from a young age. Physical activity, in partic- younger generation on World Heart
heart attacks among younger gener-
ations? How do these risk factors dif-
fer from those traditionally associ-
ated with older, sicker individuals?
Indeed, there are several facets to this
question. Firstly, it's crucial to acknowledge
that our population is genetically predis-
ern populations. Moreover, our lifestyle
choices exacerbate this genetic predisposi-
tion. Unhealthy dietary habits are rampant;
we often consume unhealthy foods like piz-
zas, burgers, and fried dishes like chole bha-
ture with pride. We showcase these as mark-
ers of affluence, prioritising them over
Ay
ular, has diminished significantly in our daily
routines. We must reintegrate it into our
lives. Education is the key to fostering these
changes.
Are there any recent medical ad-
vancements or treatment ap-
Day, what message would you like to
convey?
My message is clear: Health is genuine
wealth. Instead of relentlessly pursuing fi-
nancial success, which often leads to stress
and unhealthy lifestyles, people should pri-
oritise their well-being. Happiness and con-
posed to heart disease. Research hasshown healthier options like salads and fruits. This Dr Rakesh Rai Sapra proaches tailored to addressing heart tentment are invaluable. Acquiring skills and
that diseases like this manifest in the Indian choice of unhealthy foods and a lack of reg- Director and Head attacks in younger patients? Howcan leading healthier lives should be the goal,
population, and more broadly, in the South ular physical activity worsens our predispo- Department of Cardiology healthcare systems better educate rather than striving to be number one in a
Asian population, approximately a decade
earlier than in Western populations. This ge-
netic predisposition implies that our popu-
sition to heart disease.
We engage in unhealthy behaviours like
public smoking, which we often glamorise
Marengo Asia Hospital, Faridabad
and prepare this changing demo-
graphic of heart attack sufferers?
Treatment methods for heart attacks re-
high-stress environment. A balanced ap-
proach to life can significantly reduce the risk
of heart disease.
Unlocking the Heart's Secrets
Dr. Aditya Batra's Journey in Interventional Cardiology
Meet Dr. Aditya Batra, a distinguished
Chief Interventional Cardiologist
renowned for his expertise and dedication
in the field of cardiology. Dr. Batra serves
as a beacon of hope for heart patients,
specialising in interventional cardiology
at the Holy Heart Advanced Cardiac Care &
Research Centre in Rohtak. With a com-
mitment to cardiac health and a wealth
of knowledge, he has made remarkable
strides in the realm of heart care.
Let's delve into the world of cardiac ex-
cellence with Dr. Aditya Batra.
Dr. Batra, could you please share
your journey and experience in the
field of cardiology, particularly in-
terventional cardiology, and what
inspired you to specialise in this
area?
After my days of training in Medicine, |
observed a lot of people suffering from
heart diseases and especially the increas-
ing number of young people also getting
affected. | entered into this field of cardi-
ology in 2008. My specialisation lies in the
field of cardiology and interventional car-
diology. To elucidate, cardiology involves
the clinical examination of patients with
cardiac concerns. It entails conducting di-
O nex .con
agnostic investigations such as electro-
cardiography (ECG) to assess the heart's
electrical activity, echocardiography for
ultrasound imaging of the heart's struc-
ture and function, and non-invasive pro-
cedures like treadmill tests to evaluate
coronary artery disease and rhythm ab-
normalities. In cases where significant
blockages are suspected, we perform
coronary angiographies in the catheteri-
zation laboratory, followed by interven-
tional procedures like angioplasty and
stent placement to address blockages.
Moreover, cardiology encompasses
congenital heart conditions, heart failure,
and heart rhythm disorders, presenting a
wide spectrum of cardiac issues that we
encounter in our day-to-day practice.
Dr. Batra, could you provide in-
sights into key advancements and
breakthroughs in cardiology, par-
ticularly interventional cardiology,
and how these have improved pa-
tient outcomes? This is especially
significant in a country like India
where a substantial portion of the
population grapples with heart-re-
lated conditions.
Absolutely, India faces a significant
+ 1
Dr Aditya Batra
Director and Chief Interventional Cardiologist
Holyheart Hospital, Rohtak
burden of heart diseases, and it's unfor-
tunate that we're predisposed to develop
these conditions, often a decade earlier
than Western populations. Several factors
contribute to this predisposition, includ-
ing our evolving genetics and detrimen-
tal lifestyle choices such as unhealthy eat-
ing habits, insufficient exercise, and
heightened stress levels. These factors
contribute to conditions like diabetes, hy-
pertension, and obesity, all of which esca-
late the risk of heart disease.
Newer diagnostic and treatment
modalities are evolving everyday in the
field of interventional cardiology. Newer
generation of stents, pacemakers, valves
and other devices are helping more and
more patients in a better way. Imagining
modalities like IVUS and OCT are really
helpful to get better outcomes during an-
gioplasty.
But remember that prevention is para-
mount. Individuals should be aware of
their family history, especially if there's a
history of heart disease at a young age
(below 50 years) among immediate family
members. To reduce the risk of heart dis-
ease, adopting a healthy lifestyle is cru-
cial. This includes consuming a diet rich in
fruits and vegetables, staying hydrated,
n 060 ( READ. ENGAGE. DELIVER.) IS THE MARKETING SOLUTIONS TEAM OF THE INDIAN EXPRESS GROUP
reducing intake of fats and refined sug-
ars, engaging in regular aerobic exercises
such as brisk walking, cycling, jogging, or
swimming, abstaining from smoking and
excessive alcohol consumption, and man-
aging stress through practices like yoga
and meditation. Maintaining a healthy
body and mind plays a pivotal role in
averting heart-related ailments.
What message would you like to
convey to the global community,
and specifically to Indians, on
World Heart Day, which falls on
September 29th? As we're working
on a story for this occasion, your
views would be invaluable.
On World Heart Day, my message to
everyone is straightforward: Health is true
wealth. Rather than relentlessly pursuing
financial success, which often leads to
stress and unhealthy lifestyles, prioritise
your well-being. Happiness and content-
ment are invaluable. Focus on acquiring
skills and leading a healthier life, instead of
constantly striving to be number one ina
high-stress environment. A balanced ap-
proach to life can significantly reduce the
risk of heart disease and lead to a happier,
healthier, and more fulfilling life.
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
THE INDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
:
Unveiling the World of Congenital Heart Defects with
Dr. Bhushan Shah: Causes, Symptoms, and Intervention
In an informative discussion with Dr.
Bhushan Shah, Assistant Professor of Car-
diology at AIIMS Bhopal, we explore the
intricate realm of congenital heart prob-
lems. Dr. Shah sheds light on the common
types of congenital heart defects affecting
individuals from infancy to adulthood, the
vital signs and symptoms for early detec-
tion, and the latest advancements in diag-
nosis and treatment.
Join us in unravelling the complexities
of congenital heart issues and the impera-
tive importance of early intervention for
improved patient outcomes.
Dr Bhushan, could you give us an
overview of congenital heart prob-
lems and the common types that af-
fect patients from infants to adults?
Congenital heart disease (CHD), also
known as a birth defect, refers to one or
more structural abnormalities in the heart
that are present from birth. In India, an
alarming statistic reveals that approxi-
mately 9 out of every 1,000 infants are
born with a heart defect. This equates to
approximately 240,000 cases of birth de-
fects annually, which poses a significant
challenge to families, society, and the
healthcare system as a whole. CHD com-
prises a wide array of conditions, some-
times occurring in combination with each
other.
COMMON TYPES OF CONGENITAL
HEART DEFECTS
Atrial or Ventricular Septal Defect
(ASD/VSD): This condition involves a hole
between two of the heart's chambers.
Coarctation: It refers to the narrow-
ing of the main large artery (aorta) that
carries blood from the heart to the body.
Pulmonary Valve Stenosis: In this
condition, the valve in the heart responsible
for controlling blood flow from the lower
right chamber to the lungs is narrower
than normal.
Transposition of Great Arteries:
This anomaly entails the main arteries sup-
plying blood to the body and the lungs be-
ing in swapped positions.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA): In
Dr. Bhushan Shah
Assistant Professor, Department of
Cardiology, All India Institute of Medical
Sciences, Bhopal
some cases, the main large artery supplying
blood to the whole body (aorta) may be
connected to the main artery supplying
blood to the lungs (pulmonary artery) by a
connection known as PDA.
What are the key signs and symp-
toms that parents should watch for
identifying congenital heart issues,
and how important is early diagno-
sis and intervention?
Congenital heart disease (CHD) can
manifest a range of symptoms, primarily
in infants and children, which parents
should remain vigilant for. These symp-
toms include a rapid heartbeat, acceler-
ated breathing, a bluish tint to the skin or
lips, pronounced fatigue and weakness in
comparison to peers, swift breathing during
feeding, inadequate weight gain, and
swelling in the legs, abdomen, or around
the eyes. Timely diagnosis, ideally during
prenatal care or immediately after birth,
plays a pivotal role in directing affected in-
dividuals to specialised centres equipped to
deliver prompt treatment. Such early in-
tervention is critical to avert potential
complications that can span from mild to
severe disabilities, and in some cases, even
loss of life.
Could you discuss the latest ad-
vancements in the diagnosis and
treatment of congenital heart prob-
lems, including any minimally inva-
sive procedures or surgical tech-
niques that have emerged in recent
years?
Recent advancements have transformed
the diagnosis and treatment of congenital
heart problems. Foetal echocardiography,
conducted while the baby is in the
mother's womb, enables early detection.
For complex cases, cardiac CT with an-
giography provides a comprehensive di-
agnostic approach. Treatment options now
Span minimally invasive techniques, in-
cluding device closure of defects, stenting
to address narrowed arteries, percuta-
neous valve replacements, and intricate
cardiac surgeries. These innovations offer
improved outcomes with reduced inva-
Siveness.
How does the management of
congenital heart problems differ for
paediatric patients compared to
adults, and what long-term care
considerations should patients and
their families be aware of as they
navigate this condition?
Managing congenital heart problems
significantly differs between paediatric
and adult patients. Paediatric cases are of-
ten more complex, compounded by low
birth weight, necessitating early surgical
intervention for survival into adulthood.
Conversely, adults newly diagnosed with
congenital heart disease may have simpler
defects or be inoperable cases. We are now
seeing an emerging group of grown-up
congenital heart disease patients who un-
derwent corrective surgeries during child-
hood. It's imperative for patient families
to recognize that congenital heart issues
require lifelong medical care and ongoing
monitoring for optimal long-term out-
comes.
Use Heart for Every Heart
World Heart Day on September 29,
serves as the biggest awareness-raising platform
for cardiovascular diseases
he heart has taken centre stage in
myriads of idioms and poetic ex-
pressions since time immemorial,
alluding to its vital role in human exis-
tence as the first and the last sign of life.
Roughly the size of a closed human fist,
the heart, is known to pump 1.5 gallons
of blood in a single minute and beats an
average of 1,00,000 times per day. It
works day in and day out until the un-
welcome and stealthy arrival of the
dreaded cardiovascular diseases (CVDs),
which, as per the findings of the World
Health Organisation, “are the leading
cause of death globally.”
Cardiovascular diseases is a medical
epeper bb A
term used to indicate conditions and dis-
orders that affect the human heart or
blood vessels. CVDs can be detected as
coronary heart disease, rheumatic heart
disease, cerebrovascular disease, con-
genital heart disease, peripheral arterial
disease and in the form of other condi-
tions of the heart and the blood vessels.
As per the World Heart Federation
(WHF), a Geneva-based NGO that cham-
pions heart health and is the principal
representative body of the global car-
diovascular community, “CVD is the
world’s number one killer, causing over
18.6 million deaths per year.”
In light of the harsh reality that CVDs
are accountable for nearly half of all
deaths resulting from non-communica-
ble diseases, the annual observance of
World Heart Day on September 29, initi-
ated by the WHF, serves as the biggest
awareness-raising platform for cardio-
vascular diseases by mobilising action to
educate and unite people in the global
fight against CVDs. The purpose of ob-
serving World Heart Day is to inspire and
drive global involvement aimed at pro-
moting a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Every year on September 29, people from
different backgrounds around the world ac-
tively engage in a range of public talks, ed-
ucational programmes, podcasts, fund-rais-
ing and sporting events, poster-making
competitions and a variety of activities to
raise public awareness of CVDs and their
global impact. The day witnesses people, or-
ganisations and governments highlighting
the measures that are instrumental in avert-
ing and controlling cardiovascular diseases.
Free health check-ups are set up and leaflets
containing vital information regarding the
prevention of deaths and life-threatening
conditions caused by CVDs are distributed.
There is strong evidence that most
cardiovascular diseases can be pre-
vented by addressing behavioural risk
factors — unhealthy diet, use of to-
bacco, physical inactivity, obesity and
the harmful use of alcohol. That is why
early detection of CVDs, along with ac-
cess to adequate information, proper
medical assistance, counselling and af-
tercare assume paramount importance
in the global battle against CVDs.
The theme of this year’s World Heart
Day, decided by the WHF, is ‘Use Heart
for Every Heart’. The message of WHF
sums up the essence of World Heart Day
— "Beating CVD is something that mat-
ters to every beating heart.”
IEART DA
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Unlocking Insights:
Dr. Aviraj Choudhary on Preventing
Young Cardiac Deaths
Dr. Aviraj Choudhary, a renowned
Cardiologist at Sarvodaya Multi-Spe-
ciality Hospital in Hisar, specializes in
complex coronary interventions and ad-
vanced cardiac procedures. In this in-
terview, we delve into the rare occur-
rence of cardiac issues in young
individuals, exploring common risk fac-
tors and emphasizing the pivotal role of
early detection and preventive cardiol-
ogy in averting young cardiac deaths.
Dr. Choudhary sheds light on ad-
vanced techniques and treatments for
young cardiac patients, highlighting
their evolution over the years. Success
stories illustrate the transformative im-
pact of timely interventions, and valu-
able insights are shared to guide young
adults in prioritizing heart health and
reducing the risk of premature cardiac
issues.
Can you explain why young in-
dividuals sometimes experience
cardiac issues and even deaths,
and what are the common risk
factors associated with these oc-
currences?
Young individuals experiencing car-
diac issues and even deaths is uncom-
mon but can be attributed to various
risk factors. These factors encompass
genetic predisposition, structural heart
abnormalities, medical conditions like
congenital heart disease or arrhyth-
mias, drug abuse, and lifestyle choices
such as poor diet, lack of exercise,
smoking, or excessive alcohol con-
sumption. Psychological factors like
chronic stress and anxiety may also
contribute. Consulting a medical pro-
fessional is essential for understanding
individual risk factors.
What role does early detection
and preventive cardiology play in
reducing the incidence of young
cardiac deaths, and what warning
signs should young people be
aware of?
sw? -
Dr Aviraj Choudhary
MBBS MD DM(Cardiology)
Interventional Cardiologist,
Sarvodya Multi Speciality Hospital,
Hisar, Haryana
Early detection and preventive cardi-
ology play a pivotal role in reducing
young cardiac deaths. Identifying risk
factors and potential cardiac issues
early allows for interventions and
lifestyle modifications. Young people
should be vigilant about warning signs,
including chest discomfort, shortness of
breath, palpitations, dizziness, fainting,
and extreme fatigue. Regular check-
ups, especially for those with a family
history of cardiac issues, aid in early de-
tection and preventive care. Embracing
a healthy lifestyle with exercise, a bal-
anced diet, avoidance of tobacco, lim-
ited alcohol, stress management, and
adequate sleep significantly reduce car-
diac risk in young individuals.
As a cardiology interventionist,
what are some of the advanced
techniques and treatments avail-
able to address cardiac issues in
young patients, and how have
these interventions evolved over
the years?
Advanced techniques and treatments
for young cardiac patients have seen
significant progress. Percutaneous
Coronary Intervention (PCI) opens nar-
rowed arteries with balloons and
stents. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Re-
placement (TAVR) replaces aortic valves
minimally invasively. Left Ventricular As-
sist Devices (LVADs) aid severe heart
failure patients. Electrophysiology Stud-
ies and Ablation treat abnormal heart
rhythms. These interventions have
evolved with improved technology,
safety, and efficacy, emphasizing mini-
mally invasive procedures, advanced
materials, imaging, and navigation
tools. Research explores gene therapy,
regenerative medicine, and Al, offering
promising treatments.
Could you share some success
stories or cases where timely in-
tervention made a significant dif-
ference in the lives of young pa-
tients facing cardiac challenges?
Success stories underscore the im-
portance of timely intervention. For ex-
ample, a 26-year-old patient with acute
myocardial infarction underwent pri-
mary angioplasty within the “golden
hour," preserving both heart muscles
and life.
In your experience, what are
the most important steps individ-
uals, especially young adults, can
take to prioritize their heart
health and reduce the risk of car-
diac issues that could lead to pre-
mature death?
Prioritizing heart health and averting
premature death involves regular phys-
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weight, reduce blood pressure, choles-
terol, and blood sugar levels. A healthy
lifestyle helps normalize these factors,
reducing the risk of heart disease and
heart attacks.
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THE INDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
PRESENCE ON RECORD
THE SUPREME Court witnessed an interesting exchange dur-
ing the hearing of a PIL that challenged the rules of Delhi mu-
nicipal council elections. The bench presided by Chief Justice
of India D Y Chandrachud was not inclined to entertain it and
asked the petitioner to approach the Delhi High Court. As the
counsel for the ECI was present at the hearing, the CJI asked if
it should record his presence in the order. In a lighter vein, the
CJI added that he would then be able to charge his client. The
ECI counsel said he had given word not to charge for an ineffec-
tive hearing. The court appreciated the gesture and went on
to record his presence, saying “we have been there too and
know how important these things are”.
CANNES AGAIN
AFTER WALKING the red carpet at the Cannes film festival in
May this year, MoS for Information and Broadcasting LMurugan
will lead the Indian delegation to the Tashkent International
Film Festival this weekend. The festival was started in 1968, and
Indian film ‘Amrapali’ was screened in its opening edition. The
minister had turned heads at Cannes when he walked the red
carpet in the traditional ‘veshti’, with the national flag pinned on
the left side and the G20 logo on the right.
GUESSING GAME
THE BUZZ in BJP circles is that Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh
Chouhan is not sure whether he will be projected as the BJP's
face for the Assembly polls. Sources in the party say that
Chouhan’s team was taken aback after seeing seven MPs, in-
cluding three Union ministers, being fielded by the party while
his name did not figure in the list.
Indians now make
up over 10% per cent
of US visa applicants
1 million visas issued this yr: Embassy
DIVYAA
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
THEUS Embassy has issued over
a million non-immigrant visas to
Indian travellers so far this year,
achieving ahead of time a target
it set for this year after opening
up weekend slots to clear the
pandemic-related backlog.
The millionth visa, the US
Embassy said in a statement
Thursday, was personally
handed over by US Ambassador
to India Eric Garcetti to Ranju
Singh, who is visiting the US
along with her spouse to meet
their son, a student.
Non-immigrant visa cate-
gories include those for business,
travel, student visas and crew
visas.
Describing it as one of the
most robust travel relationships
in the world, the US Embassy
said over 1.2 million Indians vis-
ited the country last year.
Indians now represent over
10 percent of all visa applicants
worldwide, including 20 percent
of all student visa applicants and
65 percent of all H&L-category
(employment) visa applicants,
the statement said.
“Our partnership with India
is among the most important bi-
lateral relationships, and in fact,
one of the most important rela-
tionships in the world. The ties
between our people are stronger
than ever, and we will continue
our record-setting volume of
visa work in the coming
months,” said Garcetti.
Early next year, the US plans
to implementa pilot programme
that will allow domestic visa re-
newal for qualified H&L-cate-
gory employment visa appli-
cants, the statement said.
The move will significantly
benefit Indian tech workers, who
will be able to get their visas
processed while being in the US,
it said. Indians receive more than
three quarters of the H-1B visas
annually, while the L1 visa facil-
ity is also used by a large chunk
of Indian citizens.
In January, the US embassy
opened up special interview
slots on Saturdays for faster pro-
cessing of visas for first-time ap-
plicants, in what it called a
“multi-pronged initiative” to ad-
dress the backlog in processing
of visa applications due to the
Covid-19 pandemic. The Mission
has also extended interview
waiver eligibility to new visa
categories.
Love her, hate her,
HAMZA KHAN
JAIPUR, SEPTEMBER 28
IT IS amply clear that the BJP will
not be declaring a chief minister
face for the Assembly elections
in Rajasthan later this year, and
that it has no favourites either.
If there were still any doubts,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
repeated at a rally in Jaipur on
Monday, “I want to tell every BJP
worker that our identity and
pride is only the lotus.”
While women remained the
highlight of the event — other
than the PM himself — former
CM Vasundhara Raje was con-
spicuously not given an oppor-
tunity to speak. Nor did the PM
mention her government and
contrast it with the incumbent
Congress government of CM
Ashok Gehlot even once during
his half-an-hour address.
Moreover, the anchoring of
the event by BJP MP Diya Kumari
and BJP National Secretary Alka
Gurjar gave the impression that
the party wants to
bring in new leaders,
and new women lead-
ers at that.
While there was
speculation that the BJP
might change course in
Rajasthan following Karnataka,
where the party's loss, for a large
part, was blamed on its sidelining
of state satraps, particularly former
CMBS Yediyurappa, the party has
again opted for the central leader-
ship to lead the campaign in
Rajasthan while sidelining ar-
guably its biggest asset and the
EXPLAINED
12 fai (3 POLITICS
COMPLAINT AGAINST BIDHURI, BJP’S COUNTER AGAINST ALI
Communal slurs row: Privileges
panel to look into all complaints
LIZ MATHEW
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
ALL COMPLAINTS around BJP
MP Ramesh Bidhuri’s use of
communal slurs against BSP MP
Danish Ali, on the floor of Lok
Sabha a week ago, have been re-
ferred to the Privileges
Committee.
While Ali and other
Opposition MPs had sought ac-
tion against Bidhuri, BJP MP
Nishikant Dubey had asked
Speaker Om Birla to constitute
an inquiry committee to probe
instances of “unsavoury re-
marks” made by Opposition
leaders.
“The Privileges Committee
will look into all the complaints
regarding the incident,” a source
inthe Lok Sabha Secretariat said.
The 14-member Privileges
Committee has eight members
from the BJP, including its head
Sunil Kumar Singh.
The remarks by Bidhuri, ex-
punged by the Speaker from the
records, were made during a dis-
cussion on the Chandrayaan-3
mission in the special session of
Parliament last week.
In his letter to the Speaker, Ali
Gehlot slams
Dhankhar trips
to poll-bound
Rajasthan
HAMZA KHAN
JAIPUR, SEPTEMBER 28
RAJASTHAN CHIEF Minister
Ashok Gehlot has lashed out at
Vice President Jagdeep
Dhankhar over his frequent vis-
its to the poll-bound state.
Gehlot has attacked
Dhankhar on two occasions in
the past two days. At a pro-
gramme in Neemrana on
Thursday, Gehlot said,
“Politicians should come but
please do not send the Vice
President, it is a Constitutional
post. We respect the President
and the Vice President. Yesterday
the Vice President came and vis-
ited five districts. Kya tuk hai bhai
(Is there any logic)? It is election
season. If you come now it will
send all kinds of message which
is not good for democracy.”
He said that there was atime
when the Presidents and Vice
Presidents used to enquire with
the Chief Minister if a particular
programme in their state suits
the stature of their post. “Nowall
that system has stopped,” he said.
Earlier, addressing a pro-
gramme in Jaipur on Wednesday,
Gehlot had said, “The Vice
President is doing up-down (be-
tween Delhi and Rajasthan).
Whether it is the Governor or the
Vice President, we respect
them... but elections are here.
Main chahunga ki Up-rashtrapati
Rashtrapati ban jaayein tabhi hum
unkaswagat karenge. Kripa karke
apni meherbani rakhein. Ab ye
baar baar subah shaam aa rahe
hain, daure kar rahe hain, koi tuk
nahi hai. Kya tuk hai? (I wish the
Vice President becomes the
President and only then will we
welcome him. Have some mercy.
He visits and tours the state day
and night, is there any logic?”
“It is election season in
Rajasthan. If you keep visiting re-
peatedly what would people
think of you?” he said.
BJP’s Bidhuri (left) targeted BSP’s Danish Ali on the floor of
the Lok Sabha last week
said Bidhuri, BJP’s South Delhi
MP, had called him “bhadwa"
(pimp), “katwa” (circumcised
one) and “Mullah aatankwadi"
(Muslim terrorist).
Defence Minister Rajnath
Singh, who was present in Lok
Sabha during the exchange, had
apologised to the House for
Bidhuri's remarks soon after.
However, Dubey said Ali had
“instigated” Bidhuri into making
the communal slurs.
The Opposition had closed
ranks behind Ali, with Congress
leaders Rahul Gandhi and K C
Venugopal visiting the BSP MP,
and the party, the DMK,
Trinamool Congress and NCP
seeking a Privileges Committee
probe into Bidhuri's remarks.
The BJP had issued a show
MLL
mf
cause notice to Bidhuri, seeking
a reply within 10 days. Sources
said BJP leaders, including Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, were
upset over Bidhuri’s remarks,
particularly as the controversy
threatened to overshadow the
landmark women’s Bill passed
during the session.
But earlier this week, the BJP
gave Bidhuri the charge of Tonk
district in poll-bound Rajasthan,
which covers four Assembly
constituencies and has a sizeable
Muslim population.
Ali called this akin to “re-
warding” hatred, and said the
BJP’s true character had been
“exposed”.
Thanking the Speaker for “in-
vestigation in the Danish Ali
case”, Dubey posted on social
media Thursday that this was
due to the “majority” enjoyed by
the BJP in the House. “It was pos-
sible today because the BJP has
the majority in the Lok Sabha...
otherwise it would have been
like... the RJD-Congress-JD(U)
fight for mike and shoes in 2006,
the assault by Sonia Gandhi in
2012 or the physical scuff over
the issue of Telangana formation
in 2014 in which MPs were in-
jured -that neither a committee
would have been formed nor
would anyone get punished.”
In his speech during the
women's quota Bill debate too,
Dubey had raised these inci-
dents of violence in Parliament.
The Parliament Privileges
Committee makes recommen-
dations “as it may deem fit” af-
ter examining the cases referred
to it. It can summon the people
concerned as part of the exami-
nation and look at records. There
is no fixed timeline for its report.
Recently, the Privileges
Committee recommended the
revocation of suspension of
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan
Chowdhury over his remarks
targeting Prime Minister Modi
during the no-confidence mo-
tion debate.
x
BRS LEADERS JOIN CONGRESS
Telangana MLA Hanumanth Rao (2nd from left) with Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge as
he joins the party along with former MLA leader Vemula Veeresham, in New Delhi on
Thursday. The move comes as Congress seeks to dislodge Chief Minister K Chandrashekar
Rao-led BRS in the coming Assembly polls. Anil Sharma
Bengal Gov orders police removed
from his residence: ‘Being tracked’
Writes to MHA and state for jammers, seeks de-bugging
ENS & PTI
KOLKATA, SEPTEMBER 28
EXPRESSING FEAR that he was
being “tapped and tracked”, West
Bengal Governor CV Ananda
Bose in a letter to the Union
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
and the state government has re-
quested enhanced security at the
Raj Bhavan, including the instal-
lation of jammers and de-bug-
ging of the premises, and ordered
an immediate removal of Kolkata
Police personnel from his official
residence.
The city police personnel will
be removed from all the floors of
the residential and office sec-
tions of the Governor’s House
and replaced with his personal
security guards drawn from the
CRPF, officials said.
The Governor wants the
West Bengal
Governor
CV Ananda
Bose
Kolkata Police to guard only the
entrance and exit points, gardens,
and surrounding areas of the Raj
Bhavan complex, they added.
“Bose has also directed that
there should be frequent shuf-
fling of policemen posted at the
Raj Bhavan. Kolkata Police per-
sonnel were earlier during the
last Governor's term confined
only to the ground floor of Raj
Bhavan," an official said.
In January, Bose was ac-
corded Z-plus security provided
by the Union Home Ministry,
which entitles him to personnel
drawn from central forces.
In the wake of the Governor's
recommendation, the Kolkata
Police held a joint security meet-
ing with the CRPF and a decision
was taken to deploy two of their
officers outside the Governor's of-
fice and library on the first floor of
the building, a senior officer said.
Currently, around 60 Kolkata
Police personnel are deployed at
the Raj Bhavan.
The ruling TMC was quick to
trainits guns on Bose over the lat-
est move. “He is creating anewis-
sue every now and then. Even his
predecessor Jagdeep Dhankhar
never made such recommenda-
tions. If he is feeling so insecure,
he should sit at the BJP office,” said
TMC MP Santanu Sen.
The BJP slammed the TMC for
targeting Bose. “Governor is in his
right to make such recommenda-
tions," said BJP state spokesper-
son Samik Bhattacharya.
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
Tobacco warnings on
OTT: Amid pushback
from platforms, Govt
looking for a solution
May relax rules for existing content
and licensed foreign programmes
DIVYAA
NEW DELHI SEPTEMBER 28
FACING A strong pushback from
streaming giants such as Netflix,
Amazon and Disney Hotstar, the
Government is working to find
“pragmatic solutions” to the OTT
industry's concerns over the
practicability of the order man-
dating display of anti-tobacco
warnings, The Indian Express has
learnt.
Under the new rules, which
came into force September 1,
OTT platforms are required to in-
sert static health warnings dur-
ing smoking scenes, besides dis-
playing anti-tobacco disclaimers
at the start and in the middle of
programmes, much like those
for theatres and TV.
It sparked concerns in the
OTT industry, with platforms ar-
guing it would require millions
of hours of existing content to be
edited, diminish user experience
and hamper creative freedom.
The notification empowers the
government to enforce compli-
ance through legal means.
Sources said the Government
may grant the OTT platforms a
relaxation in terms of existing
content and licensed foreign
content. As of now, the rules, no-
tified in May, apply to all content
hosted by OTT platforms, even
retrospectively. Incorporating
the warnings in the existing con-
tent was something the OTT in-
dustry flagged as a major issue,
even as it was amenable to edit-
ing new content.
The Government's relook is in
line with its commitment to OTT
platforms, which had flagged
“practical issues” in implement-
ing the order, during a meeting
on August 28, three days before
the order came into effect.
Chaired by Union Health
Secretary Sudhansh Pant and co-
chaired by Union I&B Secretary
Apurva Chandra, the meeting,
sources Said, was inconclusive
and ended with the OTT plat-
forms putting their foot down
and the Government offering to
find a solution.
With the rules coming into
force nonetheless, several OTT
platforms such as JIO, Amazon,
Voot and Netflix have since
started to display anti-tobacco
warnings on some of their con-
tent, fearing legal repercussions.
A senior representative of a
major streaming firm, who was
among those present during the
talks with the Government, said
the platforms are awaiting a
word from the Government.
“To date, there has been no
further word on the final rules,
whether a new notification will
be issued, or if another meeting
will be held,” the OTT represen-
tative said.
According to sources, after
the meeting, the Health Ministry
issued two versions of the min-
utes of the meeting to the atten-
dees. The initial version stated
that OTT representatives “ac
knowledged the devastating im-
pact of tobacco depiction on TV,
cinema and OTT and also com-
mitted to supporting the cause
by conducting workshops for
creating greater awareness”.
The revised version, which su-
persedes the earlier one, added
that “the participants... also com-
mitted to supporting the cause by
displaying a disclaimer at the be-
ginning of the content, inclusion
of tobacco in the content descrip-
tors, no advertisement /market-
ing/promotion of tobacco prod-
ucts on OTT platforms, as well as
conducting workshops for creat-
ing greater awareness”.
Both the versions recorded
that the OTT industry “sup-
ported the 2023 Rules in spirit
and highlighted certain chal-
lenges in implementing the
same in letter”.
Afghanistan embassy
in New Delhi may shut
down its operations
SHUBHAJIT ROY
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
THE AFGHANISTAN embassy in
New Delhi is learnt to be looking
at shutting its operations, sources
have told The Indian Express.
Sources in the Indian govern-
ment said that the Afghan
Embassy in New Delhi has “pur-
portedly issued a communica-
tion on this issue”. A source said
that the authenticity of the com-
munication and its contents are
“being examined”.
“This is in the context of the
Ambassador being out of India
for the past many months, steady
departure of diplomats to third
countries reportedly after receiv-
ing asylum, as well as reports of
infighting amongst Embassy per-
sonnel,” the source said.
This comes months after a
power struggle was underway at
the Afghan embassy in Delhi as
Ambassador Farid Mamundzay,
appointed by the previous Islamic
Republic of Afghanistan, was bat-
tling to stay on in office in defi-
ance of the Taliban-run Ministry
of Foreign Affairs in Kabul.
The Taliban regime has taken
control of at least 14 missions
abroad where it has posted its
own nominees, but Delhi is not
yet one of them.
Aware of the infighting at the
embassy that erupted at the end
of April, the MEA has not taken
sides. Sources said it had con-
veyed to both sides that it was an
internal matter that they needed
to settle by themselves.
In June this year, the Ministry
of External Affairs’ official
spokesperson had said in re-
sponse to questions, “From our
perspective, this is an internal
matter of the Afghan embassy
and we hope that they would re-
solve it internally.”
India had closed down its em-
bassy after the Taliban took over
the country, and the Ashraf Ghani
government collapsed in August
2021. But, now it has a technical
team to coordinate humanitarian
assistance in Afghanistan.
but can’t ignore her: Raje in BJP’s Rajasthan conundrum
only leader to have a following
across the state, Vasundhara Raje.
Almost as if by mutual agree-
ment, the party has kept Raje at an
arm’s length from its programmes,
while she too has maintained her
distance. The anti-Raje camp says
that she should have
contributed more to the
party in the last four
years and a half, while
those close to her say she
@ — wasneverinvited forthe
programmes she is ac-
cused of skipping.
This applies to the nine by-
polls, the Jan Aakrosh Yatra last
year, and more recently, the
Parivartan Sankalp Yatra, among
others.
Of the nine bypolls since
2018, the Congress won seven
and the BJP one, while one was
Almost as if by mutual agreement, the BJP has kept Raje at
an arm’s length and she too has maintained distance. File
bagged by the RLP backed by the
BJP. Of these seats, the Congress
wrested three and retained four,
while the BJP and the RLP re-
tained one each.
Similarly, the Jan Aakrosh
Yatra in December last year was
led by then state president Satish
Poonia. Eventually, BJP Rajasthan
in-charge Arun Singh said the
Yatra was being suspended
“keeping in mind the Covid proto-
col”, though one reason was be-
lieved to be poor response. Raje
was missing from this Yatra.
More recently, the BJP's just
concluded Parivartan Yatras did
not receive the response the
party was hoping for. While Raje
had participated in the launch of
the Yatra, from four places, she
had maintained her distance
thereafter.
Those close to Raje refute that
she is deliberately avoiding BJP
events. According to a party
leader, “If the state leadership
doesn’t invite her or give her a
schedule for an event, why
would she join?” Another leader
asked why she would lend her
weight to such programmes. “If
she does not campaign, it is ulti-
mately the party's loss as is evi-
dent through Jan Aakrosh yatras
or the bypoll results.”
Raje was earlier not named
to the BJP's manifesto and poll
Management committees, with
the explanation floated that the
panels didn't suit her “stature”.
While Raje has never had very
warm relations with the Modi-
Shah leadership, and had run-ins
with the Sangh during her tenure
as CM, she had made changes to
appeal to them, right from tem-
ple runs to dropping aide Yunus
Khan from her inner circle.
However, the attempts to curry
favour may have been for nought.
In the last few years, the BJP
has also expelled her loyalists,
Rohitash Sharma and Devi Singh
Bhati, and recently, suspended
former Assembly Speaker
Kailash Meghwal. Late on
Thursday, Bhati was re-inducted
into the party, almost 24 hours
after Raje had a meeting with
Union Home Minister Amit Shah
and BJP president J P Nadda in
Delhi.
Calling the party divided
“from top to bottom”, a bitter
Meghwal says: "Vasundharaji’s
supporters were singled out, re-
moved and belittled... Now if
she doesn’t agree and still at-
tends meetings, what can I do?”
The BJP, meanwhile, has been
careful not to push her to the
edge, and occasionally gives the
illusion that things just might
turn out right for her. A party
leader said: “The leadership in-
tentionally stretched the
Vasundhara matter. So right now,
she has no time left to play any
moves, if at all...” FULLREPORT
Wwww.indianexpress.com
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THE INDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
CRPF constable
killed, inspector
injured in IED
explosion in
The injured CRPF inspector
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
RANCHI, SEPTEMBER 28
ACENTRAL Reserve Police Force
(CRPF) constable was killed and
an inspector sustained injuries
in an Improvised Explosive
Device (IED) blast in West
Singhbhum district of Jharkhand
during a combing operation on
Thursday. This is the third such
incident and fourth casualty of a
security personnel in less than
one-and-a-half months.
In Thursday’s incident, police
identified the deceased as
Constable Rajesh Kumar and the
injured as Inspector Bhupendra
Kumar — both from CRPF’s 209
Battalion.
“In this sequence, a joint oper-
ation was being conducted on
September 28 in the border area
of village § Sarjomburu,
Tumbahaka under Tonto police
station. Two IEDs dug in the road
were detected and destroyed.
However, around noon, three IEDs
were detonated in the forest area
due to which two personnel were
injured,” said a press release.
Constable Rajesh Kumar later died
during treatment, it said.
Two more incidents had oc-
curred under the same police
station: on August 14 two two
Jharkhand Police personnel
were killed during an encounter
with members of the banned CPI
(Maoist); and on August 11, Head
Constable Sushanta Kumar
Khuntia of CRPF’s 80th Battalion
was killed in the same area.
Jharkhand Police and CRPF
are currently combing the area
as the top CPI (Maoist) leader
Misir Besra and other cadres are
said to be ‘roaming’ in the area.
ANAND MOHAN J
BHOPAL, SEPTEMBER 28
THE UJJAIN police on Thursday
arrested an autorickshaw driver
for the rape of a minor girl, who
was seen in CCTV footage going
door to door seeking help from
people three days ago. The ac-
cused has been identified as
Bharat Soni (24).
After his arrest, Soni was
taken to the crime spot when he
“tried to flee, pelted stones at
several police officers and fell
into a pit while running away”,
said Superintendent of Police,
Ujjain, Sachin Sharma.
Madhya Pradesh Chief
Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan
said the state government will
spare no effort in ensuring the
strictest punishment for the ac-
cused. “I have been constantly
monitoring the situation. These
kinds of criminals are not fit to
live in society. He has injured the
spirit of Madhya Pradesh. She is
a daughter of Madhya Pradesh
New Delhi: The National
Commission for Protection of
Child Rights (NCPCR) on
Thursday issued an appeal to
leaders of all political parties to
“show sensitivity” and not
crowd the hospital where the
minor rape victim from Ujjain
is undergoing treatment.
The appeal comes in light of
its member coming across a
political party worker who was
stationed at the hospital.
“We had sent a member of
and we will take care of her in
every way possible,” said the CM.
Police said they made the ar-
rest based on a tip-off.
According to the police, Soni,
the sole accused in the case, is
named in two previous criminal
cases. The first case was regis-
tered in 2019 under sections 279
(rash driving or riding on a pub-
lic way) and 337 (causing hurt by
Show sensitivity: NCPCR to parties
the commission for an inquiry
into the incident. Even that per-
son was not allowed to meet
the victim. The attending doc-
tor told the member that the
victim was in severe trauma. At
the time, the member found a
representative from a political
party sitting in the hospital,
waiting to meet the victim,
along with television person-
nel. That is why we have made
the appeal,”said NCPCR chair-
person Priyank Kanoongo. ENS
act endangering life or personal
safety of others) of the Indian
Penal Code at Madhav Nagar po-
lice station. The second case was
registered against Soni at
Nanakhekda police station un-
der sections 294 (obscene acts
and songs), 323 (punishment for
voluntarily causing hurt), 506
(punishment for criminal intim-
idation) and 34 (acts done by
EXPRESS NETWORK 13
Cops crack Ujjain rape case: Auto driver Matter of great
grabbed minor when she was out alone
several persons in furtherance of
common intention) of the IPC.
The police have also tracked
the girl's family to Satna district
and have contacted her grandfa-
ther.
According to the police, the
girl, who is recuperating from
her surgery, will be looked after
by the MP police as a local police
officer has volunteered to take
care of her education and ex-
penses.
“The officer will adopt the
girl. Her education and other liv-
ing expenses will be taken care
of...We will do character verifi-
cation of all the autorickshaw
and e-rickshaw drivers in Ujjain
and create a database,” SP
Sharma said.
The police had formed a 28-
member team to probe the case.
They said they checked over a
1,000 CCTV footage of the city,
questioned over 100 known
criminals in the area, besides
rickshaw pullers, e-rickshaw and
autorickshaw drivers, bus oper-
ators, and people at railway sta-
tions and bus stands.
According to the police, the
girl was wandering alone in the
area when Soni allegedly caught
hold of her and sexually assaulted
her. The police had detained at
least five auto drivers. One of
them was picked up after blood-
stains were found at the back of
his autorickshaw. It was later
found that he saw the girl after
she was raped and gave her a ride,
but did not inform the police. He
was booked for not reporting the
incident, the police said.
The police traced the girl's
grandfather to Satna district. He
had filed a missing persons re-
port on September 25 at a local
police station. He said his grand-
daughter went missing on
September 24 when he left home
to graze the goats around 10 am.
“I searched for her in the lo-
cality and the relatives also did
not see her,” the complainant
said in the FIR, adding that his
granddaughter was mentally
challenged and could not even
tell the name of her village.
Nine-day Himalayan Challenge begins; rally to take
participants to breathtaking lan
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
CHANDIGARH, SEPTEMBER 28
HARYANA GOVERNOR Bandaru
Dattatreya inaugurated the
Himalayan Challenge on
Wednesday, marking the begin-
ning ofa thrilling nine-day expe-
dition. Motorsports enthusiasts
from various parts of the coun-
try gathered in Chandigarh to
embark on the journey.
The Himalayan Challenge
follows the route of the
Himalayan Rally of 1982, taking
participants to some of the most
breathtaking landscapes — such
as Leh and Pangong Tso lake —
and culminating at the highest
motorable road in the world, the
Umling La pass which is located
at an altitude of 19,300 feet.
The participants will traverse
at a a F
|) | Shean
“4h i ak
During the flagging off of the rally
through five high mountain
passes, each presenting its own
set of challenges. Among the
notable passes on this scenic
route are the Rohtang La (3,978
metres), BaraLacha La (4,850 me-
tres), Tanglang La and Shunkula
Pass, each offering a unique blend
of adventure and beauty. The
route will also cover places like
Sonamarg and Kargil in Kashmir,
apart from Hanle and return to
Manali on October 4.
The non-competitive expe-
dition, organised by Firefox, is an
opportunity for motorsport afi-
cionados to come together for
their shared passion for adven-
ture and speed.
Along with the thrill of driv-
ing on challenging routes, partic-
ipants will be treated to
panoramic vistas. As the expedi-
tion progresses, the participants
are likely to face unpredictable
weather conditions in the region.
Temperatures drop as low as six
degrees Celsius during nighttime
with the average around 16 de-
grees Celsius during the day.
dscapes in Ladakh
“This is the third Himalayan
Challenge and it is being held on
some of the most challenging
routes in the Himalayas. While the
first two editions were held on the
route of the Himalayan Rally, this
edition is being staged on the re-
verse great Himalayan rally route,”
said Rajan Syal, director of Team
Firefox and a former rallyist.
The rally is witnessing the
participation of three classic cars
manufactured between 1955
and 1996 and 61 Sports Utility
Vehicles (SUVs).
“More than 180 persons, in-
cluding rallyists and their fami-
lies, are taking part in the chal-
lenge. There are 55 women and
16 foreigners in the convoy. We
will be ensuring that the health of
all the participants is monitored
every day and the cars too are in-
spected every day,” said Syal.
concern: Gujarat
law panel flags
custodial deaths
PARIMAL DABHI
GANDHINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 28
FLAGGING INCREASING inci-
dents of custodial death in
Gujarat as “a matter of great pub-
lic concern”, the Gujarat State Law
Commission (SLC) has recently
submitted a report to the state
government making several sug-
gestions. It has also pointed out
that not a single case registered
against police personnel has re-
sulted in conviction in 2021.
Inthe report submitted tothe
government in July, SLC chair-
man, Justice (retired) M B Shah,
has suggested the need for re-
forms to sensitise the police to
function within the constitutional
framework, to promote trans-
parency by installation of video-
audio enabled CCTV cameras at
police stations and prisons, to
take strict legal action against po-
lice personnel who misuse their
official position, to conduct regu-
lar health check-ups of prisoners
and to have exclusive interroga-
tion teams specialising in the
process of gathering evidence
from those detained.
The report titled 'Suggestions
to have proper control on the law
enforcing agency for prevention
of unwanted instances of custo-
dial death’ was submitted to the
state legislative and parliamen-
tary affairs department. Justice
Shah, a former Supreme Court
judge, has headed acommission
of inquiry to probe illegal mining
in Goa and a special investigation
team to probe black money.
In February, the Rajya Sabha
was informed by the Ministry of
Home Affairs that between 2017
and 2022, Gujarat reported high-
est cases — 80 — of custodial
deaths across the country.
In its report, the SLC cited re-
ports of various publications, in-
dicating increasing trend of cus-
todial death in Gujarat. As per a
report published by The Indian
ADVERTORIAL | An initiative ORIEL DS
Read. Engage. Deliver.
IEART DAY
Express, based on NCRB data —
which has also been cited by the
SLC in its report — Gujarat re-
ported the highest number of
custodial deaths, 23, for the sec-
ond consecutive year in 2021. In
2020, it had recorded 15 such
cases — a rise of 53 per cent.
The SLC also cited the chap-
ter on custodial crimes and
complaints against police per-
sonnel from the 'NCRB - Crimes
in India: 2021' report.
“ „Statistical data relating to
deaths in police custody/lock-up
(persons not on remand)... 22
people reportedly died in Gujarat
in 2021 during police custody
(though not on remand). In nine
cases, magisterial inquiries were
ordered, while judicial inquiries
were ordered in 11 cases. Further,
four cases were registered, of
which chargesheet (was filed) in
two... Moreover, 12 policemen
were arrested and nine were
chargesheeted,” the report said.
It added that as per data re-
lating to deaths in police cus-
tody/lock-up among persons in
remand, one person reportedly
died in Gujarat in 2021 anda
magisterial inquiry was ordered.
The report said in all, 23 peo-
ple reportedly died in Gujarat in
police custody or lock-up in
2021. Citing the cases registered
against police personnel, the SLC
said that among the 209 cases
lodged against state police per-
sonnel in 2021, seven were
quashed /stayed by courts, while
the police filed chargesheet in
182 cases and in 878 cases, final
report was submitted.
The SLC said, “...it is a matter
of great public concern that the
incidences of custodial death are
increasing day-by-day in Gujarat,
which is quite atrocious.”
“It... needs to be accepted that
the doubts on the functioning of
the police are raised rampantly
because many of the policemen
are trying their best to misuse
their power...,” it said.
orld Heart Day is observed every
year on 29th September with the
aim of increasing awareness re-
garding cardiovascular disease.
Healthy heart makes a healthy life, healthy
life makes a Healthy Nation. It is important to
take care of the health of our heart which
beats around 72 times per minute through-
out our lifetime. Neglecting the health of our
heart may lead to cardiovascular disease,
stroke and sudden heart attacks.
Cardiovascular Disease is a class of disease
that affects heart or blood vessels.
Cardiovascular Disease is considered as
the No.1 Killer in the World.
Over 8.6 million deaths occur every year
globally due to cardiovascular disease.
Love your
Heart
Keep it strong
RISK FACTORS
E Family history
H Smoking
E Diabetes
E High Cholesterol
E Unhealthy diet
E Physical inactivity
E Excessive Alcohol
E Obesity
E Stress
World Heart Day is observed annually on
29th September with the aim of increasing
awareness of cardiovascular disease and
how to control them.
COMMON SYMPTOMS
Cardiovascular disease is a silent killer. Most
of the time it remains asymptomatic. The pa-
tients may present with:
E Pain or discomfort in the center of the
wort
D HEART
99 SEPTEMBER
Diy
chest
seen.
DISEASE
day.
age of 40.
mind.
E Pain or discomfort in left shoulder, left
arm, back and neck
E Difficulty in breathing
Earlier, it was thought that cardiovascular
disease is seen among elderly persons only.
However, it is seen that even at the young
age of 30 to 40 years., the disease can be the
PREVENTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR
H Modification of life style
E Avoid smoking and tobacco consumption
H Control diabetes and hypertension
E Healthy Food habit: - eating fiber rich diet,
fruits, vegetables and low calories diet.
Love your
Life
Live for Long
H Avoid fatty and carbohydrates rich diet
H Regular exercises, preferably brisk walk-
ing, 40 to 50 minutes per day
E Proper continuous sleep - 6 to 8 hours per
E Regular Cardiac check-up especially
Blood Pressure and Blood sugar after the
THEME OF THIS YEAR
The World Heart Federation has adopted the
following Theme for World Heart Day 2023:
"USE HEART FOR EVERY HEART"
This Theme has a philosophical meaning con-
veying that one has to be empathetic, helpful
and courteous towards others. Such behavior
will provide a soothing effect to our heart
and thereby reduce the stressful effect on our
Greeting from Indian Medical Association on
the occasion of World Heart Day.
It is important to take care of our heart
which takes care of us throughout our life.
Healthy Heart enables us to lead a healthy and
productive life. The World Heart Day is ob-
served mainly to disseminate information
among the general publicregarding health
and disease of the heart.
Heart Diseases are preventable to large ex-
tent. Smoking, tobacco consumption, exces-
sive alcoholconsumption, unhealthy diet,
physical inactivity, diabetes and obesity are
the main risk factors.
Healthy diet, modified lifestyle, regular
physical activity and avoiding stressful envi-
ronment will prevent the cardiovascular dis-
eases.
With this, | heartily wish all the readers
happy, healthy and joyful life.
Thanking you,
With regards,
DR. SAHAJANAND PRASAD SINGH
Immediate Past President, IMA
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[HE EDITORIAL PAGE
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
WORDLY WISE
IF AGRICULTURE GOES WRONG, NOTHING ELSE WILL
HAVE A CHANCE TO GO RIGHT.
— M S SWAMINATHAN
TheIndianEXPRESS Man of science & humanity
RAMNATH GOENKA
EVERGREEN REVOLUTION
Most fitting tribute to MS Swaminathan would be to restore
centrality of science — and scientists — in agriculture
S SWAMINATHAN MAY not have developed the high-yielding wheat va-
rieties that ushered in India's Green Revolution during the mid- and late-
Sixties. The varieties that farmers sowed were originally bred in Mexico by
the legendary Norman Borlaug. Even the subsequent blockbuster vari-
eties such as Kalyan Sona and Sonalika that produced amber-coloured grain with better
chapati-making quality than the red Mexican wheats were bred by men -- the likes of VS
Mathur, SP Kohli and DS Athwal — not as well known in the popular imagination.
Swaminathan's key role was in recognising the potential of the new genetic strains or “plant
type” responsive to increased fertiliser and water application, and devising a coherent strat-
egy for their introduction and large-scale planting by farmers. He was a rare combination
of someone who was abreast with the latest developments in agricultural sciences — includ-
ing the deployment of the dwarf Norin-10 wheat genes by American researchers — and
someone who could also work through the bureaucratic and political establishment for
translating his strategic vision into farmers’ fields.
Indian agriculture today lacks achampion pursuing strategic objectives for the sector with
missionary zeal like Swaminathan. It equally lacks committed ministers and civil servants
like C Subramaniam and B Sivaramakrishnan, who valued scientific opinion and could take
bold decisions — such as importing 18,000 tonnes of seeds of Borlaug's Mexican wheats in
1966. Contrast that informed resoluteness with the current procrastination over genetic
modification and new breeding technologies — a dawdling based not on science as much
as unsubstantiated fears of the unknown. The most fitting tribute to Swaminathan would
be to restore the centrality of science — and scientists — in agriculture and, like him, to trust
the wisdom and ability of the Indian farmer to adopt and adapt to new technologies.
The Borlaug-Swaminathan Green Revolution strategy basically relied on breeding va-
rieties that would produce more grain with more fertiliser, especially nitrogen, and water
application. That simple “more input, more output” strategy has probably run its course.
Today, the challenge is breeding for climate change (short winters, temperature spikes,
fewer rainy days and extreme precipitation were relatively unknown phenomena during
Swaminathan’s time) and improving water and nutrient use efficiency. In other words, “less
input, more output”. Swaminathan was right about the Green Revolution; it turned India
from a “ship to mouth” importer to a country that became self-sufficient in foodgrains. He
was equally right about aiming for an “Evergreen Revolution”, which, in his words, was an
“improvement of productivity in perpetuity without ecological harm”.
A PREVENTABLE TOLL
Lancet report on cancer should lead to greater urgency in
deploying gender-sensitive methods for screening, treatment
NEW LANCET Commission report on gender inequity in cancer care lays out
in stark numbers what has long been known anecdotally. While women have
approximately the same burden of cancer as men, with 48 per cent of new
cases and 44 per cent of deaths worldwide, the toll it takes on them is dis-
proportionately higher. The authors of the “Women, Power and Cancer” commission’s re-
port have examined how asymmetries of power in relation to cancer play out in terms of
decision-making, knowledge and economics in 185 countries. The findings are dispiriting:
Not only is cancer one of the top three leading causes of premature deaths among women
worldwide, but women are less likely to find the care they need once diagnosed, due to a
lack of knowledge and decision-making power. They are also more likely to experience “fi-
nancial catastrophe” due to cancer. In India, nearly two-thirds of the cancer deaths in women,
the authors found, were preventable and 37 per cent were treatable if only they had been
caught in time and received optimal care.
These findings show how gender dynamics play out when it comes to health: Globally,
when women remain primarily valued for and defined by their reproductive role, women’s
health too gets reduced to maternal and reproductive health. Combine this with the fact
that, from lack of autonomy to little or limited access to education, employment and health-
care, a range of factors ensures that women — especially from marginalised communities
and in nations that rank low on the human development index — rarely go in for the tests
and screenings that can help with early detection and treatment. These structural asymme-
tries play out in other ways too. Consider, for example, the under-representation of women
in the oncology workforce as leaders and decision-makers. It is no coincidence that even as
the most common cancer among women around the world is breast cancer, very little is still
understood aboutits causes and the occupational and environmental hazards that could lead
to cancer in women are woefully under-researched.
Given that a lack of understanding of how women are systematically disadvantaged
when it comes to cancer care is at the root, measures that fill these gaps must be a priority,
including the collection and updation of sociodemographic data in cancer healthand more
research on risks that impact women. Also needed is greater sensitivity and responsive-
ness to the challenges that lie at the intersections of power, status and identity by all stake-
holders — right from institutions and policy — and decision-makers at the top to those who
raise awareness and are involved in the treatment and care of the affected women.
TASTE OF TOGETHERNESS
IIT-Bombay’s call for food segregation is a let-down,
shrinks spaces for spontaneous inclusivity
ONTHS AFTER A canteen in IIT-Bombay exhibited posters declaring por-
tions of the communal eating space off-bounds for non-vegetarian stu-
dents, an email from the mess council has formalised its legitimacy: Six ta-
bles of a total of 80-100 will now only accommodate vegetarian diners. Of
course, with the preponderance of savarnas among those who make it to these institutions,
the vegetarian hegemony is not a new or unusual phenomenon across IITs. As early as 2014,
the HRD ministry had sought proposals from the IITs and IIMs on having separate canteens
for vegetarian and non-vegetarians students. In 2018, an IIT Madras canteen had designated
different entrances wash basins and utensils for the two groups, which was later rescinded.
Informal segregation has existed in other campuses of the premier institute.
The myth of India as a vegetarian nation has gained momentum since 2014, gathering
heft with each vegetarian banquet that the central government hosts for visiting dignitaries
and with the more vigilante enforcements that rear up ahead of festivals such as Navratri.
But data tells a different story. The NFHS-5 showed that more people are eating non-vege-
tarian food than ever before. And yet, calls for food segregation at educational institutions
persist, toeing imaginations of caste purity.
In essence, academic institutions are meant to be level playing fields, a world that of-
fers a first glimpse of who people can be when they are not circumscribed by families or com-
munities. It allows them the liberty to be bewildered — at the diversities that exist in food
and customs, rituals and sensibilities, clothes and ideas. A meal ata community table is a les-
son in shearing off layers of prejudice. Lifetimes of friendship have been forged over wilful
ignorance of what has gone into the delicious pulao in a friend's tiffin or the momo on the
canteen menu that one was told to give a wide berth to. Perhaps, the gatekeepers of IIT-
Bombay would do well to remember the unexpected joys of true inclusivity.
Challenge is to honour M S Swaminathan’s legacy,
improve farmers’ profitability in times of climate crisis
ASHOK GULATI
M S SWAMINATHAN is no more. But his
legacy remains with every student and scien-
tist of agriculture. He is most widely known
for working with Norman Borlaug to usher
in the Green Revolution in India in the mid-
1960s when India was facing back-to-back
droughts. Millions would have died of star-
vation if the country had not experienced the
Green Revolution. India was already termed
as a “ship to mouth” economy, as the coun-
try was importing 10 million tonnes from the
US under P.L.480 scheme. And India had no
foreign exchange to pay for it. I can recall the
days when the then Prime Minister Lal
Bahadur Shastri had given a call to the nation
to “skip a meal in a week”, and how wheat
products, including wheat chapatis, would
not be served at wedding parties.
It was at that time that Swaminathan
worked hard to convince our political lead-
ership to import 18,000 tonnes of seeds of
high-yielding dwarf wheat varieties, Lerma
Rojo and Sonora-64, from Mexico. This was
the biggest seed shipment in history at that
time. The seeds had to be indigenised to lo-
cal conditions. With Kalyan Sona and
Sonalika, the new indigenised wheat vari-
eties, India changed its agriculture paradigm
under Swaminathan’s leadership. It was so
inspiring that many people in the country,
including me, named their children after
these wheat varieties.
His contribution had a far-reaching im-
pact. India experienced a wheat and rice rev-
olution. This gave the country much-needed
respite and confidence to turn the tables on
food security in a short time. Who could be-
lieve that one day India will emerge as a sig-
nificant exporter of cereals. In the last three
years, 2020-21 to 2022-23, India exported
85 million tonnes of cereals contributing to
global food security. Forty per cent of global
His contribution had a far-
reaching impact. India
experienced a wheat and rice
revolution. This gave the
country much-needed
respite and confidence to
turn the tables on food
security in a short time.
Who could believe that one
day India will emerge as a
significant exporter of
cereals. In the last three
years, 2020-21 to 2022-23,
India exported 85 million
tonnes of cereals
contributing to global food
security. Forty per cent of
global exports come from
India. The seeds of this
transformation were sown
by Swaminathan and his
team of Indian agri-
scientists, working closely
with Norman Borlaug.
They deserve all the credit
and our gratitude.
exports come from India. The seeds of this
transformation were sown by Swaminathan
and his team of Indian agri-scientists, work-
ing closely with Borlaug. They deserve all the
credit and our gratitude.
Itis well known that Swaminathan was a
geneticist as well as an administrator. He
headed the Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICAR), and later became the
Director General of the International Rice
Research Institute in the Philippines. He was
rightly awarded the first World Food Prize in
1987, which incidentally was set up by
Norman Borlaug, who had received the
Nobel Peace Prize, as there is no Nobel Prize
for Agriculture. Borlaug then set up an insti-
tution to recognise contributions to agricul-
ture - the World Food Prize is a product of
his endeavours. No wonder Swaminathan,
who worked with him most closely, was the
first recipient of the World Food Prize.
Swaminathan was also conferred the Padma
Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan
for his outstanding contributions. He also re-
ceived several other awards like the Shanti
Swarup Bhatnagar Award, Lal Bahadur
Shastri National Award and the Indira Gandhi
Prize. Listing them all here in this obituary is
simply not possible.
I had the privilege of visiting him at his
home and sharing the dais with him on sev-
eral occasions. One thing was clear: Even in
his late 80s, Swaminathan was brimming
with energy and inspired students and sci-
entists alike. Most of them would surround
him for selfies! And, he was always gener-
ous and smiling. The last time I saw him was
perhaps in Pune, when he was wheelchair-
bound and giving a power-point presenta-
tion to Sharad Pawar and Venkaiah Naidu.
One could see the fire in his belly and his pas-
sion for agriculture. He was a hero who could
bring science and humanity together. With
his demise, an era has come to an end.
I would be amiss if I didn’t mention the
National Commission on Farmers (NCF)
which he chaired and submitted five reports
from. His efforts to improve productivity and
profitability in agriculture went beyond tech-
nology. One of NCF's key recommendations
was to have minimum support prices (MSP)
for farmers based on the cost of production
plus 50 per cent return. The right cost later
became a matter with different govern-
ments. One view was interpreting it as the
comprehensive cost, which includes not only
out-of-pocket expenses of farmers (Cost A2)
but also imputed wages of family labour (FL),
imputed rent on owned land and imputed
interest on owned capital. The UPA govern-
ment did not accept that. The NDA govern-
ment went halfway and accepted at least a
50 per cent return over Cost A2+FL. But we
still hear that market prices do go below even
that in many parts of the country at harvest
time. The government does not have the
wherewithal to ensure that all those com-
modities get MSP. But it's also debatable to
what extent the policy of restricting markets
(export controls, stocking limit) for farmers
is justified.
So, some dreams of Swaminathan remain
unfulfilled - as with many of us. I am sure the
younger generation would conduct more re-
search not just in technologies to raise pro-
ductivity but also on pricing policies to im-
prove farmers’ profitability. The challenge is
bigger with climate change and depleting
natural resources. May Swaminathan’s in-
spiration guide us all.
The writer is Distinguished Professor, Indian
Council for Research on International
Economic Relations
-e 7 A | AOS
HA URI
RISH K P
EARLY IN HIS life, Bhagat Singh seemed to
have been fascinated by the imagination of
vasudhaiva kutumbakam, dreaming of the
world as one family, bound by love and mu-
tual respect. In an essay, ‘Vishwa Prem', in
the Hindi weekly Matwala in November
1924, he reflected upon the social and polit-
ical challenges in the realisation of the
dream. The theme of India’s G20 presidency
— vasudhaiva kutumbakam — makes it rel-
evant to look into Bhagat Singh’s thoughts
on the subject on his birth anniversary,
which was on Thursday.
The success in achieving a consensus in
G20’s joint declaration was hailed as the mo-
ment of India’s rise on the world stage. It was
also a moment of glory for Prime Minister
Narendra Modi, who reiterated that India’s
vision was “not just a slogan, but a compre-
hensive philosophy, derived from our cul-
tural ethos.” “The world is already taking note
of India’s human-centric model of develop-
ment, an inclusive development, which
guided the government’s outlook within
India and towards the world too,” PM Modi
said. Given the country's complex social and
political realities, one cannot help but ask if
the PM was really honest about such an egal-
itarian transformation in the outlook and
politics of his government and party.
Bhagat Singh raised such a question in
‘Vishwa Prem’. He asked: “Looking at the
existing conditions, could anyone believe
that such an imagined time will come.” In
several articles, he grappled with the prob-
lems of communalism, hatred and violence,
oppression, poverty, untouchability and
casteism. The reality, as he stated, was that
“merely to belong to a religion is now con-
sidered enough reason to be the enemy of
another religion.” There should be no divi-
HIS VASUDHAIVA KUTUMBAKAM
Bhagat Singh’s message of universalism is more relevant today
We are witness to an
uninhibited demonisation of
the ‘other’. The use of terms
like ‘termites’ for migrants,
the inflammatory messages
at a Dharam Sansad of
sadhus and sants and the
impunity enjoyed by them
raise doubts about the
sincerity of our resolve
towards ‘vasudhaiva
kutumbakam’. Do we realise
that the weaponisation of
nationalism and the project
of making India a Hindu
Rashtra goes against the
grand theme of G20?
sion such as we have between touchable
and untouchable, “but the Sanatan Dharma
is in favour of this discrimination,” Bhagat
Singh said. Does this ring a bell?
Bhagat Singh elucidated his rational and
critical approach in the essay, ‘Why I aman
Atheist’. He suspected, rightly, that several
so-called social reformers took a superficial
political position. He ridiculed stalwarts like
Madan Mohan Malviya for not being honest
about removing untouchability and asked:
“Vey log jo ‘vishavbandhuta’ ka ghor naad
kiya karte hain, kya vastav mein usey laaney
ke ichhuk hain? (Do those who are beating
the drums of universal brotherhood, really
want to bring about such an order?)”
Today as we remember the great mar-
tyr, can we ignore the harsh reality that the
Indian society is riven by communal and
caste hatred, fear and violence? The corpo-
rate capitalist path of economic develop-
ment has created more inequality in addi-
tion to the deeply entrenched inequality of
caste. We have not paid heed to the sharp
warning delivered by Babasaheb Ambedkar
on November 25, 1949 — a day before the
Constitution was adopted.
The fault lines in our country are deep. A
vitriolic and provocative attack on Sanatan
Dharma (not the Hindus) was made by a
Tamil leader. A call was then given by the
Prime Minister to prepare “to fight” such
“forces” “who are pushing the country into
a thousand years of slavery.” These two ac-
tions point towards a condition of civil strife.
So do the references by highly-placed lead-
ers to “tukde tukde gangs” and calls like
“desh ke gaddaron ko”. We are witness to an
uninhibited demonisation of the “other”.
The use of terms like “termites” for mi-
grants, the inflammatory messages at a
Dharam Sansad of sadhus and sants and the
impunity enjoyed by them raise doubts
about the sincerity of our resolve towards
vasudhaiva kutumbakam. Do we realise that
the weaponisation of nationalism and the
project of making India a Hindu Rashtra
goes against the grand theme of G20?
To win over the hearts and minds of peo-
ple who have diverse and conflicting inter-
ests, we need Gandhian dedication towards
love, compassion and non-violence. The
G20 declaration “deplored all acts of reli-
gious hatred” and asserted “it was time to
end trust deficit and herald an era of coop-
eration”. It’s time to align lofty thoughts
with practice on the ground.
Denouncing hypocrisy, Bhagat Singh
wrote; “Aye vishvbandhuta, vishvabandhuta,
chillanewale! Kya tum uskey liye tayyar ho?
Yadi nahin to aaj sey is dhong ko chhor do!
(O’ you who shout cries of world brother-
hood! are you really determined to strive
for that? If not, then stop this hypocrisy)”.
Hypocrisy is said to be a tribute that vice
pays to virtue.
After entering the new Parliament
building on September 19, PM Modi de-
clared: “We are starting a new chapter, we
should forget all past bitterness.” He said,
“Sirf dil chahiye, desh ke liye chahiye (we
should dedicate our hearts to the country)”.
If that could lead our government, leaders
and the people to be honest and sincere,
shedding hypocrisy and making a begin-
ning towards vasudhaiva kutumbakam, it
may be the most appropriate tribute to
Bhagat Singh.
The writer is retired professor of political
science and head, B R Ambedkar Chair, Guru
Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
EF INDIAN EXPRESS jf
win pired:
iip dirmi ri
ATTEMTIOS. |
FOUNDAY MEM |
SEPTEMBER 29, 1983, FORTY YEARS AGO
PLEA To DISARM
PRIME MINISTER INDIRA Gandhi made anim-
passioned plea for complete disarmament and
urged the creation of an “international order,
where power is tempered with compassion,
knowledge and capability are at the service of
all humanity.” She warned that the global sit-
uation had reached unprecedented crisis,with
major powers stockpiling nuclear arms.
DISMAL IMF TERMS
INDIA LASHED OUT against “retrograde” steps
like scaling down access to IMF facilities,
which, its delegation leader Manmohan Singh
said, would only strengthen “contractionary
impulses” in the world economy. Singh told
the IMF and World Bank that India could not
endorse the proposal for scaling down of pres-
ent access limits because developing coun-
tries were already in a dismal situation.
THE DOGRA TREASURE
THERE IS A lot of mystery behind the disclo-
sure of the treasure in the basement of the
Kashmir government treasury. The treasure,
a property of the Dogra rulers, is believed to
be valued at Rs 1,000 crore and includes
priceless jewellery, rubies, emeralds and
gold. It belongs to the toshkhana, which till
1948, was a personal department of the late
Maharaja Hari Singh.
INDO-PAK TEST
A STUBBORN BUT chancy unbeaten 121 by
opener Anshuman Gaekwad and his unbro-
ken 70-run stand for the fifth wicket with Ravi
Shastri (batting 21) failed to redeem a dull
fourth day’s play in the second Test between
India and Pakistan. Replying to Pakistan’s first
Innings score of 337, India had crawled to 201
for four at the end of the day’s play.
| |
THE INDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
[9 THE IDEAS PAGE
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
WHAT THE OTHERS SAY
“Will a Saudi-Israeli deal promise a viable Palestinian state, with a guaranteed
right of return, no more settlements and East Jerusalem as its capital? If the
Saudis can pull it off, hats off to them. But history points to a darker reality —
that the Palestinian nightmare will likely continue...”
— DAWN, PAKISTAN
Parliament to workplace
Increased political representation of women can help loosen
supply-side constraints to women’s labour force participation
Wi
FARZANA AFRIDI
JUXTAPOSE TWO FACTS: First, India is
among the countries in the world where
women’s representation in politics is the
lowest. According to the Election
Commission of India, women accounted for
only 10.5 per cent of all members of
Parliament in 2021, lower than in sub-
Saharan Africa (26 per cent), and our neigh-
bours such as Nepal (34 per cent) and
Pakistan (20 per cent). Second, Indian
women’s engagementin the labour market
(the labour force participation rate) is
abysmally low at about 25 per cent, relative
to the global average of almost 50 per cent
(as per World Bank estimates). Only 11
countries such as Yemen, Iran and Iraq show
lower female labour force participation rates
than India. The recent landmark legislation
mandating the reservation of a third of par-
liamentary and assembly seats for women is
potentially a game changer for attaining
gender equity in political voices in the coun-
try. But, does increased political represen-
tation of women also have implications for
women’s labour force participation? What
are the channels through which women’s
participation in the political arena can trans-
late into their economic empowerment?
As a first step, let’s lay out the factors
that have kept women’s economic engage-
ment low in India. The gendered division of
labour within the household, which places
a disproportionately high burden of domes-
tic work on women; the social norms that
emphasise marriage rather than careers for
women; the lack of safety and perceived
high risk of sexual violence compounded
by an absence of reliable and safe public
transport infrastructure that restricts
women’s physical mobility — have been
highlighted as some of the more salient fac-
tors constraining women from supplying
their labour. On the other hand, recent re-
search points out that the ongoing struc-
tural shifts away from agriculture and
changes in agricultural technology have
pushed women out of farms — a sector that
has historically accounted for the largest
share of women’s labour. The absence of al-
ternative opportunities in the non-farm
sector implies that these women drop out
of the labour market entirely.
Increased political representation of
women has some immediate implications
for loosening the supply-side constraints to
women’s labour force participation in India
— both directly and indirectly. Political reser-
vation of women has a direct effect on mak-
ing political and administrative careers for
women more viable in the longer term.
More women are likely to enter the politi-
cal fray — potentially rising from engaging
with local issues to a seat in the state and na-
tional legislature. Evidence from the reser-
vation for women sarpanches in Gram
Panchayats indicates that women political
decision-makers are more likely to empha-
sise and prioritise issues that align with the
preferences and concerns of the electorate —
sanitation, education (anganwadis) and
health. The resulting increased emphasis on
the provision of such essential public serv-
ices can potentially reduce women’s time in
the drudgery of daily domestic work (for ex-
ample, collecting water, firewood, and child
Y j
Ny 5 n
SRI SRI RAVI SHAN
THECENTRE OF every culture is love; the very
core of humanity is love. Harmony in sound
is music. Harmony in movement is dance.
Harmony in mind is meditation. Harmony in
life isa celebration! And, culture through art,
music, dance, food, and dress is the thread
that can weave harmony in a community.
Our knowledge and communication are
growing, while our world is shrinking. We
have no other choice than to honour diver-
sity. It is now a necessity, not an option. Ina
world with rapid advancements in science
and technology, a bigger spotlight must be
thrown on culture. Every culture is a part of
the world heritage and we have to preserve
and protect all of them, if we want humanity
to survive. This alone can bring a well-bal-
anced development in the world. We need
to water our cultural roots and broaden our
vision to include one and all.
The polarisation and mistrust in the
world today call for a humanistic approach,
one that includes the well-being of all. This
can only happen when every child knows a
little about the wisdom from different cul-
tures. Then the world would bea happier and
more peaceful place. A sign of evolution is
when we feel that all cultures, all civilisations,
and all the different schools of philosophy,
truly belong to us.
Nowis the time to expand our vision, and
care) enabling them to take up productive
work opportunities from within or outside
the home. Similarly, ifwomen political lead-
ers vocalise concerns related to public safety
and law and order, besides emphasising
policies that bring a gender lens to urban in-
frastructure and transportation planning, it
can potentially improve women’s physical
mobility and thereby access to work oppor-
tunities further away from their homes.
Women’s reservation in Parliament and
state legislatures is also likely to have indi-
rect impacts on increasing women’s labour
supply in the longer term. Evidence from
gender quotas in panchayats suggests that
exposure to women political leaders weak-
ens traditional gender stereotypes of their
role in society and within the home. Greater
public visibility of women creates a role
model effect for younger women, raising
their aspirations. They too can enter and be
successful in male-dominated fields; and
be decision-makers, and it is not just ac-
ceptable but also possible for women to
have visibility outside the home. Quotas for
women in assemblies and Parliament can
amplify the visibility of women political
leaders as policymakers, potentially raising
the intrinsic value of having a girl child and
thereby parental investments in their hu-
man capital — education, skills and health.
An entirely new generation of women with
not just higher aspirations but also the req-
uisite credentials could then enter India’s
labour market.
Can increased political representation of
women also influence the demand for
women’s labour in our economy, increasing
the opportunities for “decent” work for
women in the formal, non-farm sector?
‘Women’s reservation in
Parliament and state
legislatures is also likely to
have indirect impacts on
increasing women’s labour
supply in the longer term.
Evidence from gender quotas
in panchayats suggests that
exposure to women political
leaders weakens traditional
gender stereotypes of their
role in society and within the
home. Greater public
visibility of women
creates a role model effect
for younger women, raising
their aspirations.
A larger we
It is time that we bring down the walls between cultures and civilisations
our sense of purpose and connect to some-
thing bigger. Now is the time to recognise the
universality of human values across cultures.
Now is also the time to acknowledge what is
unique to each culture and country. It is time
to celebrate the differences.
You love to have food from every part of
the world. You listen to music from all over
the world. You don’t need to be a person of
Chinese origin in order to eat Chinese food.
You don’t need to be an Italian to go toa
pizzeria and eat pizzas, nor a Danish to eat
Danish cookies. One doesn’t have to be an
Indian to listen to bhajans or sitar music.
Similarly, we need to learn to accept knowl-
edge and wisdom from every part, and this
is what has been lacking in the world.
We have to preserve our ability to
assimilate all the cultures.
Unfortunately, prejudice stemming from
limited understanding has been the greatest
impediment to embracing diversity. The
problem is one of limited and fragmented
identification that has led to the prolifera-
tion of hatred, violence and war. Many are
willing to go to extreme lengths to protect
this identity, at the cost of humanity. We
need to bring about an understanding in all
people that they are, firstly, part of the
universal spirit, and, secondly, human.
Fanaticism fails to recognise that the di-
vine loves variety and diversity; and that
many different schools of thought can coex-
ist in this world. The only way to get rid of fa-
naticism in the world is through spiritual ed-
ucation that is broad-based, multicultural
and multireligious: that which creates a rev-
erence for diversity in nature. It is when a
child grows up considering other religions
or cultures as bad or with the notion that my
idea of God is the only idea of God, that he or
she is ready to give up his or her life for that
cause; but when a child grows up learning a
little bit about all other religions, cultures and
customs, then there is a sense of belonging
with everybody. I feel that when every child
in the world learns a little bit about every
other religion or culture, the child will not
have inhibitions or hatred towards other
religions or cultures.
You have to communicate and embrace
people from all communities and diverse
cultures and religions as your own and cel-
ebrating each other’s cultures and practices
is a beautiful way to make that
communication happen.
Spirituality has always united people of
all cultures and religions - it helps one tran-
scend the differences to find common
ground. It is the quality of the spirit that
makes you more alive and beautiful: when
the spirit gets uplifted, the body becomes
CR Sasikumar
There is much less empirical evidence avail-
able to provide a convincing answer to this
question. However, extrapolating from
what we know from quotas in Panchayats,
women political leaders may be more
amenable to introducing legislation that en-
forces gender parity in pay and work con-
ditions in the formal sector, besides stress-
ing policies that expand work opportunities
for women in the manufacturing sector.
An anecdote from a senior woman bu-
reaucrat summarises this issue well. She re-
called that as a District Collector posted in
central India in 1982, she would have weekly
meetings at the district headquarters with
the panchayat leaders (invariably men) on
local issues facing them. On one of her occa-
sional visits to a panchayat, she noticed that
the village handpump had not been working
for several months. This is a rather serious
matter since this was the only source of
drinking water, but one that concerned only
the village women who trudged miles daily
to collect water. The men who did not have
to do this chore were oblivious to the issue
and did not mention the breakdown of the
handpump at all in their weekly interactions
with the collector.
Needless to say, if women’s political
representation engenders heightened sen-
sitivity and brings a gender perspective to
everyday decision-making by policy-mak-
ers, it has the potential to transform not just
the social but also the economic lives of
India’s women.
The writer is Professor of Economics at
the Indian Statistical Institute (Delhi) and
Head, Digital Labor and Women’s Economic
Empowerment Programme
stronger and free from disease; the mind is
more focused and energised; the intellect is
free from prejudice; and love blossoms in
every heart. When the mind is open and the
heart is free, hate cannot exist there.
When people come together in an at-
mosphere of togetherness and love, preju-
dices disappear. It is the starting point for
any powerful transformation to take place
in society. From regional consciousness to
national and then to universal conscious-
ness, this is the growth that the human race
is looking for.
Today itis said “Sanghe Shakti Kaliyuge”—
the power in this age lies in coming together.
When many bristles are put together to make
a broom, they are far more effective in
sweeping a large hall than they would have
been individually. If we move together, we
can do something big.
Itis time that we bring down the walls be-
tween cultures and civilisations across the
world and recognise that we are a one-world
family and come together in a spirit of cele-
bration, spirit of love, compassion, and serving.
The writer is a spiritual leader and
founder of the Art of Living Foundation,
which is holding a three-day World Culture
Festival at the National Mall in Washington
DC from September 29 to October 1
Shrinking the
safety net
Cuts in MNREGA budget, refusal to acknowledge
problems with Aadhaar-based payment system,
risk pushing rural workers into extreme poverty
ZERO HOUR
BY DEREK O'BRIEN
“My political instincts tell me that MNREGA
should not be discontinued because it is a liv-
ing memorial to your (Congress ) failures. After
so many years in power, all you were able to
deliver is for a poor man to dig ditches a few
days a month.”
— Prime Minister Narendra Modi in
Lok Sabha, February 2015.
THE PM BAD-MOUTHED previous govern-
ments on the floor of Parliament. But, now,
even he has to acknowledge that MNREGA,
with 26 crore workers on its rolls, is a key
driver of alleviating poverty in rural India. In
Parliament, the Union government was
questioned on the reduction in the budget
estimate of MNREGA from Rs 98,000 crore
in FY 2022 to Rs 60,000 crore in 2023. The
government answered that MNREGA is a
demand-driven employment scheme and
the ministry seeks additional funds only
when it is required to meet the demand for
work on the ground. Is the Union
Government suggesting there is a lack of de-
mand for MNREGA in the country?
MNREGA as a Safety net: The job mar-
ket is facing a major crisis, with the unem-
ployment rate hovering around 8 per cent.
MNREGA has been pivotal in providing em-
ployment opportunities to rural house-
holds, especially landless labourers, minori-
ties and women, working as a shield against
a life of penury.
The Situation Assessment Survey of
Farmers reveals that 40 per cent of Indian
farmers do not consider farming to be their
principal source of income and stated that
they dislike farming as a profession. Farmers
are more likely to transition from farming to
rural non-farm (RNF) jobs to mitigate the
risks associated with agriculture.
Decline in real wages: According to
NSSO, RNF employment can be classified
into manufacturing, construction, whole-
sale and retail trade, and other services.
Studies reveal that it is the construction
sector which is acting as one of the major
drivers of RNF employment since 2011-12.
The latest data from the Centre for Labour
Research and Action reveals that the
growth rate of real wages in the construc-
tion sector between 2014-15 and 2021-22
was less than 1 per cent per year (even neg-
ative in some years) which raises concerns
about the type of employment generated
within the RNF sector.
NSSO further defines the type of em-
ployment that the RNF generates under
three broad categories such as self-employ-
ment, regular salaried employment and ca-
sual wage employment. In India there has
been a decline in self-employment and a
gradual shift towards casual wage employ-
ment which is non-agricultural wage labour
driven by the construction sector. The tran-
sition from agricultural to non-agricultural
employmentaligns with the latest findings
in the RBI's Handbook of Statistics of Indian
States. The gradual shift in employment
from wage labour in the agricultural sector
to non-agricultural wage labour in rural ar-
eas is explained by the significant decline
in real agricultural wages.
Institutional barriers: Ascheme such as
MNREGA, which provides regular salaried
employment to rural households, is a choice
between starvation and work stability for
landless people. Currently, problems relat-
ing to the number of workdays going down
from 100 to 31 days, along with poor ad-
ministrative rationing of jobs among job
seekers, and delays in wage payments act
as institutional barriers for the rural poor.
Decisions such as using the National
Monitoring System App to monitor atten-
dance and Aadhaar-based payment system
(ABPS), when nearly 11 crore (40 per cent)
workers do not possess Aadhaar-linked
bank accounts, have further pushed the ru-
ral poor into extreme vulnerability.
However, the Union government does not
even acknowledge the problem associated
with ABPS. In reply to a question in
Parliament, the government stated that no
workers have been denied wage payment
due to ABPS and it is neither open to
technical glitches nor prone to misuse.
The latest Periodic Labour Force Survey
report states that agriculture continues to
remain the largest employer of the rural
workforce. This implies that the mobility of
the workforce from the rural agrarian sec-
tor to the RNF sector has failed. Rural house-
holds often consider the RNF casual wage
employment as a last resort for their sur-
vival. That is why itis essential to strengthen
MGNREGA and end the perpetual cycle of
casual wage employment and extreme
poverty faced by workers.
Economic blockade of states: One of the
key schemes which relies on Union-state
synergy is MNREGA. States run by non-BJP
governments have been penalised by the
Union government, which creates an
economic blockade.
In the 2021-22 fiscal, West Bengal
topped the list of states in terms of the
number of people employed under the
scheme (over one crore) and in terms of
person days generated (36 crore). However,
funds to the state have been stopped by the
Union government under extended impo-
sition of Section 27 of MNREGA since
December 2021. This, in spite of all
compliances being met.
The Union government owes Bengal a
whopping Rs 7,000 crore under MNREGA.
Data tabled in Parliament reveals the dras-
tic fall in employment since the embargo
of funds; the number of person days gen-
erated has shrunk to three crore, one-
twelfth of what it was. Unfairly stopping
wages leads to victimisation of workers
and may push them to the brink of starva-
tion. The state government has been fund-
ing the scheme from its own budget for the
rural poor. Persons with job cards have also
been subsumed into work under state
government schemes.
The Union government has also with-
held over Rs 8,000 crore owed to Bengal un-
der the PM Awas Yojana (Grameen); over
one million people have been deprived of
housing benefits.
After letters and countless reminders
have failed, a contingent of MPs and other
ministers from the state will be in Delhi on
Gandhi Jayanti. A satyagraha at Raj Ghat
and other demonstrations have been lined
up. Rightful wages under MNREGA have
been denied to 1.4 crore workers in Bengal.
Is anybody listening?
The writer is Member of Parliament and
Leader, All India Trinamool Congress
Parliamentary Party (Rajya Sabha).
Additional research by Mallika Bhowmick
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
CREATE BETTER JOBS
THIS REFERS TO the editorial, ‘The em-
ployment puzzle’ (IE, September 28).
GDP growth is important for economic
development, but it is not the only fac-
tor. India has the world’s largest youth
population, and this demographic divi-
dend presents an opportunity for signif-
icant economic growth. However, the
government must develop the formal
sector to create suitable jobs for educated
youth. Proper implementation of the
NEP 2020 can equip young people with
the skills and knowledge they need to
succeed in today’s technologically ad-
vanced economy. The government
should also support entrepreneurial pro-
grams and foster self-resilience and
growth among youth.
Zaid Wazi, Varanasi
NO CREDIBLE REASON
THIS REFERS TO the article, ‘Who's afraid
of elections?’ (IE, September 28). Is the
Modi government pushing its One
Nation, One Election agenda justified?
The former election commissioner has
meticulously explained that in the ab-
sence of credible data for issues like ex-
penditure, diversion of staff and disrup-
tion of developmental work, which are
raised for justifying simultaneous elec-
tions, the ONOE idea lacks credence. In
the last nine years, it has neither shown
any inclination nor taken any measures
towards reducing election expenditure
by candidates or parties. On the contrary,
the BJP has acquired more funds and
spent more on elections than its rivals.
LRMurmu, New Delhi
INEQUALITY PERSISTS
THIS REFERS TO the article, ‘Numbers
that matter, and don’t’ (IE, September
28). The genuine progress of a country’s
economy should be reflected in the qual-
ity of life enjoyed by its average citizens,
rather than the aggregate value of its
GDP. Even if we congratulate ourselves
on being the fifth largest economy in the
world, when it comes to per capita in-
come and Human Development Index
(HDI), we rank 128th and 132nd respec-
tively. Moreover, what real benefit would
arise in GDP bring to common people if
the increase in their income is not pro-
portional to inflation? The fact that our
government still provides free monthly
rations to over 80 crore individuals
speaks volumes about our economy.
Kamal Laddha, Bengaluru
THE INDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
EX
NETWORK
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
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TEINA FAVOUR
Girgaon Chowpatti swarmed by devotees on the last day of Ganesh Chaturthi, in Mumbai on Thursday. Amit Chakravarty
2 Odisha MLAs
throw ‘dal’ at
Speaker podium,
suspended
SUJIT BISOYI
BHUBANESWAR, SEPT 28
THE ODISHA Assembly on
Thursday suspended two BJP
MLAs—Mohan Charan Majhi
(Keonjhar) and Mukesh Mahaling
(Loisingha)—for the rest of the
monsoon session after they al-
legedly threw ‘dal’ towards the
Speaker’s podium.
The two legislators, however,
denied that they threw ‘dal’ atthe
Speaker Pramila Mallik’s podium.
Mahaling said they presented ‘dal’
to the Speaker and didn’t throwit.
On what was the rationale be-
hind “presenting” ‘dal’ to the
Speaker, Mahaling said Mallik had
resigned as the women and child
development minister in 2011 in
the wake of a Rs 700-crore scam
in the purchase of pulses for mid-
day-meal scheme.
Farmers start 3-day rail roko across
Punjab to press for their demands
RAAKHI JAGGA
LUDHIANA, SEPTEMBER 28
FARMERS DEMANDING a finan-
cial package for losses caused by
recent floods and a legal guaran-
tee for MSP among others began a
three-day rail blockade Thursday
at 12 locations in Punjab.
The rail roko is being organ-
ised by 19 farmer unions from six
North Indian states to seek the im-
plementation of their demands.
Out of the six farmers’ unions
from Punjab, the main organisa-
tion is the Kisan Mazdoor
Sangharsh Committee (KMSC),
which has received support from
the unions of Haryana, Himachal
Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar
Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
Among their main demands
are a Rs 50,000 crore flood relief
package for flood victims in af-
fected North Indian states, an MSP
guarantee law, 300 days of em-
ployment under MGNREGA, and
control of drug addiction, espe-
cially in Punjab.
According to Satnam Singh
Pannu, president, KMSC, they are
blocking trains at Moga,
Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, and Batala
railway stations in Gurdaspur,
Jalandhar Cantonment in
Jalandhar, Tarn Taran railway sta-
tion in Tarn Taran, Sunam in
Sangrur, Nabha in Patiala, Basti
Tankwali and Mallanwala in
Firozpur, Rampura in Bathinda,
and Devidaspura in Amritsar.
From the 16 farmer unions
from six states, their number has
risen to 19, said Sarwan Singh
Pandher, who is from KMSC and
is the convener of the 19 farmers
unions. Pandher was at
Devidaspura in Amritsar where
farmers are squatting on the
tracks until September 30.
Farmers from Haryana,
Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh
are also marching towards Punjab
to sit on tracks along with their
counterparts in the state.
Suresh Koth, president, Kisan
Mazdoor Union of Haryana, said,
“We were to start the protest on
August 22 in Chandigarh but
much before that the Punjab
Police arrested over 400 farm
union leaders from Punjab and
Haryana to prevent us from reach-
ing Chandigarh. Not only this, one
farmer Pritam Singh had also
been crushed under the tyres ofa
tractor in the Longowal area of
Sangrur district of Punjab when
farmers were on their way to atoll
plaza to protest”.
Koth was referring to the scuf-
fle between protesting farmers
and the police on August 21 in
Longowal when Pritam Singh was
killed. Koth said, “We are warning
the Punjab government not to
mess with us again, they need to
remember that Punjab farmers
are not alone but their Haryana
brothers are with them”.
Mob of ‘500-600 tries to storm
= Manipur CM's private residence
SUKRITA BARUAH
GUWAHATI, SEPTEMBER 28
AMID HEIGHTENED tensions in
Manipur’s valley areas, a group of
people attempted to storm Chief
Minister N Biren Singh’s personal
residence at Heingang in Imphal
East on Thursday night. The CM
and his family were not there at
the time.
By around 10.30 pm, the at-
tempt was foiled by security per-
sonnel. A security official said the
crowd initially numbered “around
500-600”, and added that RAF
personnel present at the site de-
ployed retaliatory force. The crowd
was dispersed before it could enter
the premises. Heingang, where
Singh's personal residence is lo-
cated, is the Assembly con-
stituency that he represents.
The state’s Meitei-dominated
valley areas have been on edge,
and have seen intense, wide-
spread protests since Tuesday.
The protests came after two pho-
tographs were circulated that
seemed to show two Meitei
youngsters — Hijam Linthoingami
(17) and Phijam Hemjit (20) -
who had been missing since July
6, were killed by militants.
On Wednesday, protesting
students tried to march towards
the CM Bungalow and Raj Bhavan.
Security personnel had resorted
to heavy tear gas shelling to dis-
perse them, but representatives of
the students were allowed to
meet the Governor and the Chief
Minister. Later that afternoon, a
mob torched the BJP Khongjom
Mandal office in Thoubal district.
Meanwhile, the Centre has or-
dered the repatriation of
Manipur-cadre officer Rakesh
Balwal currently serving as Senior
Superintendent of Police, Srinagar.
The 2012-batch officer was on
deputation in J&K under the AG-
MUT cadre.
Ka inte
ie
ita RN mi ahi
ia | bi
Students protest against the killing of two youngsters, in Imphal on Thursday. PTI
As protesting students end up in
hospitals, security forces face heat
SUKRITA BARUAH
GUWAHATI, SEPTEMBER 28
FROM 60 foreign particles
lodged in a 17-year-old’s shoul-
der to eye damage that could
lead to another teenager losing
his vision — these are among in-
juries sustained in the last few
days by those protesting against
the killing of two Meitei stu-
dents. The nature of wounds has
led to allegations of use of exces-
sive force by security personnel
against protesters, largely stu-
dents, in Manipur’s capital
Imphal and valley areas.
In response, Manipur DGP
Rajiv Singh Thursday constituted
a two-member committee
headed by IGP (Adm) K Jayanta
Singh to look into such com-
plaints and allegations and sub-
mit a report.
The state’s Meitei-dominated
valley areas have been on edge
since Tuesday, after two photo-
graphs surfaced indicating that
two youngsters — Hijam
Linthoingami (17) and Phijam
Hemjit (20) — who had gone
missing since July 6 have been
killed. Their last phone location
was traced to Churachandpur.
Schools were shut and mobile
internet services suspended once
again as hundreds of students hit
the streets in protest, while the
police and CAPF, including RAF
and Assam Rifles, were called in
to control the situation.
The face-off has left many in-
jured. Among them is 17-year-old
LKishan - on Wednesday, photos
had emerged showing the top of
his right shoulder torn off. “Doctors
operated on him and removed 60
small particles of foreign body
from the injured area. A forensic
examination can reveal the nature
of these, we cannot comment on
it as of now,” said an official from
Imphal’s Shija Hospital.
Another patient at the same
hospital is another Johnson, also
17. “He may lose vision in his
right eye. It is grievously injured
- whether by splinter, rubber
bullet, or something else, we
cannot ascertain... We have not
operated on his eye... We are
waiting for a neurosurgeon’s
consent to proceed with the sur-
gery,” said the hospital official.
On Thursday afternoon, an-
other youth who had been injured,
Uttam Soibam (17), underwent
surgery at Raj Medicity. X-ray im-
ages showed dozens of “foreign
particles” lodged in his skull.
An official at Jawaharlal
Nehru Institute of Medical
Sciences, Imphal, said they had
received 14 patients with in-
juries. “Of these, four had injuries
with pellets lodged near the eye
or the chest,.. None of them were
very major injuries and all have
been discharged,” he said.
The injuries sustained by mi-
nors also prompted the Manipur
Commission for Protection of
Child Rights to issue an appeal
that the strategies used to con-
trol young protests should differ
from those applied to adults.
FROM PUNJAB TO KERALA, M S SWAMINATHAN’S GROUNDBREAKING WORK TRANSFORMED LIVES OF MILLIONS, ENSURED INDIA’S FOOD SECURITY
Kerala’s Mankombu - a farming village inextricably
linked to M S Swaminathan by name and familial ties
Swaminathan’s
indelible mark
in Odisha
SUJIT BISOYI
BHUBANESWAR, SEPT 28
AGRICULTURAL SCIENTIST M S
Swaminathan, who passed away
on Thursday at the age of 98, hada
strong association with Odisha —
over the past two decades, his or-
ganisation, the MS Swaminathan
Research Foundation (MSSRF), has
actively worked in Koraput dis-
trict’s Jeypore region. After com-
pleting his PhD from Cambridge
University, Swaminathan had
joined the Cuttack-based Central
Rice Research Centre, a unit of the
Indian Council of Agricultural
Research.
MSSRF’s regional centre, the
Biju Patnaik Tribal
Agrobiodiversity Centre at Jeypore,
helps tribal farmers protect their
intellectual property rights.
“Professor's (as Swaminathanis re-
ferred to) guidance and values will
always remain our guiding light.
Koraput had a special place in his
heart. Wherever he went, he men-
tioned Koraput and its rich biodi-
versity,” Prasant Kumar Parida, di-
rector, BPTADC, told The Indian
Express. Swaminathan had last vis-
ited BPTAbC in 2011.
Swaminathan also worked in
mangrove restoration and preser-
vation of coastal land in
Kendrapara district of Odisha for
around 12 years beginning 1994.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik
also recalled his association with
Odisha, saying that Dr
Swaminathan started his early
days of research in the state and
was always available to help its
farmers in every possible manner.
“His foundation is closely associ-
ated in improving farming activi-
ties in tribal areas of Odisha. His
death has created a huge void in
the field of agricultural science,”
said Patnaik.
Jeypore was once known tobe
the home of the largest number of
rice varieties in India, which were
vanishing fast. Concerned about
this, the MSSRF undertook re-
searchin 1998 to improve the con-
dition of farmers while revitalising
the vanishing rice varieties.
The MSSRF has also been
working on conservation of biodi-
versity, promotion of sustainable
livelihoods through micro-level in-
terventions, and establishment of
community-managed gene, seed,
grain and water banks.
SHAJU PHILIP
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,
SEPTEMBER 28
AS RENOWNED agricultural sci-
entist Mankombu Sambasivan
Swaminathan came to be re-
garded as the father of India’s
Green Revolution, a small village
in Kerala saw its name gaining
wide recognition.
Swaminathan, who died in
Chennai on Thursday at the age of
98, carried Mankombu village in
his name. His father M K
Sambasivan lyer was born in this
village, where a few members of
their family, known as the
Kottaram family, continue to live.
The village is in Alappuzha dis-
trict and is part of the Kuttanad re-
gion, knownas Kerala’s rice bowl.
Before Swaminathan’s birth in
1925, his father left the village of
paddy fields to go to
Kumbakonam, in what was then
the Madras Presidency, to workas
ageneral medical practitioner. He
was the first doctor from his fam-
ily, which belonged to the Tamil
Brahmin community. The
Kottaram family was originally
from Kumbakonam, before they
settled down in Mankombu and
took up farming.
“Inthose days, we were farm-
ers with large tracts of land, in-
cluding paddy fields. After
Sambasivan obtained his medical
degree, he wanted to move out.
He had five other siblings, and
each one then looked for their
own professional turf,” recalled M
K Parameswaran, a member of
the Kottaram family.
In Kumbakonam, Sambasivan
led a mosquito eradication mis-
sion, and went on to become the
city’s first municipal chairman.
Swaminathan was born in
Kumbakonam, but when he was
just 11 years old, he lost his father.
He was then brought up by his fa-
MSSwaminathan’s father M K Sambasivan Iyer was born in
Mankombu. A few members of the family still live here. Express
ther’s youngest brother M K
Narayanaswami, who had also
moved to Kumbakonam after
studying radiology.
Swaminathan maintained a
strong relationship with
Mankombu village, and retained
close ties with his relatives who
lived there.
The house where his father
was born, a traditional nalukettu
Jaunti, where seed of Green Revolution
was sown, remembers agriculture icon
ABHINAYA HARIGOVIND
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
FAR FROM Chennai, where M S
Swaminathan passed away on
Thursday, Northwest Delhi's Jaunti
village remembers the agricultural
scientist for having brought the
‘Green Revolution’ to it first.
High-yielding varieties of
wheat were first planted in 1964
on around 70 acres in the village,
which lies close to the national
capital’s border with Haryana. “He
was a gentle, hardworking man,
who did good for us and for the
world,” said Hukum Singh
Chhikara, who was among the
farmers on whose land the wheat
was first sown. On Thursday, he
had not heard yet of
Swaminathan’s death.
Rammehar Singh, 93, whose
father Chaudhary Bhoop Singh,
was also among the first farmers
from Jaunti to have the high-yield-
ing variety sown in his field, said,
“Gehun se bhar diya desh ko. And
he chose our village to begin with.
Farmers from other places would
come here to buy seeds, and a lot
was sold at that time.”
The seed processing centre
is now a Delhi government
dispensary. Express
In 1965, the Jawahar Jounti
Seed Cooperative Society was set
up and the farmers who were a
part of it sold wheat seeds.
Swaminathan having got
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to
the village in 1967 to inaugurate a
seed-processing centre of the co-
operative society is also a matter
of pride, said Master Radh Singh,
73. “He would visit the village al-
most every year,” said Singh. The
seed-processing centre is now a
Delhi government dispensary, a
fading board marking its history.
For Om Prakash Chhikara, the
grandson of Chaudhary Bhoop
Singh, Swaminathan felt like fam-
ily. “He has given a lot to the vil-
lage. With the new varieties, the
yield shot up and so did prosper-
ity,” said Om Prakash, a retired
school teacher whose family
owns 16 acres of land.
Arya Kuldeep, 60, who owns
around 14 acres of land, said, “Our
village is known because of Dr
Swaminathan. The 'Green
Revolution’ began here and his
work is still a matter of discussion
among those of my generation
and those who are older.”
In the years since, much has
changed. Amarjeet Chhikara, 52,
the son of Khazan Singh who was
also among the first farmers to
have the wheat grown onhis land,
said, “A canal used to bring water
to irrigate the fields then and the
area was very fertile. The canal has
stopped bringing water, and
groundwater levels here are low.
People here are now moving to-
wards jobs, taking the focus away
from agriculture. Since the admin-
istration doesn't focus much on
agriculture, we don't get much in
terms of subsidies or implements.”
structure, still stands in the village.
The family still has a stake in
paddy cultivation in the region,
and Swaminanthan too had a
share in his ancestral property.On
his visits to Mankombu, he lived
with his relatives.
His family’s legacy in the vil-
lage also includes a temple that
was later handed over to the
Devaswom Board, and a school
that was given over to the state
government. The school, now
known as the Avittam Thirunal
Government Higher Secondary
School, celebrated its platinum ju-
bilee in 2012 and invited
Swaminathan as the chief guest.
“Swaminathan was then a
member of the Rajya Sabha. At the
platinum jubilee celebration, he
announced Rs 50 lakh from his
MPLocal Area Development fund
for the school,” the school’s then
PTA president Jayan
Chambakulam recalled.
Swaminathan and his re-
search foundation had also been
actively involved in attempts to re-
vive the Kuttanad region, where
his forefathers had toiled over
generations. He was behind the
preparation of the Rs 1,840-crore
Kuttanad package, a Union gov-
ernment scheme for the revival of
the wetland system of the region
and for ensuring sustainable liveli-
hood for people there.
An undated photo of Nobel laureate Norman Ernest Borlaug
and M S Swaminathan. Photo credit MSSRF
Since the sculpture was installed in 2019, thousands of
farmers have visited it, said Manjit Singh Gill. Express
He was everything for
us, Says farmer who
erected the scientist’s
sculpture in his field
DIVYA GOYAL GOPAL
LUDHIANA, SEPTEMBER 28
IN 2019, farmer and sculptor
Manjit Singh Gill erected a sculp-
ture in his field at Ghal Kala village
in Punjab’s Moga district. Since
then, thousands of farmers from
different parts of the state have
visited the field to see and take
selfies with itin a mark of respect
for the sculpture’s subject - Dr M
S Swaminathan.
The legendary agricultural sci-
entist, known as the father of
India’s Green Revolution, died on
Thursday atthe age of 98. Gill (48)
remembered Swaminathan,
whom he never met, as someone
who “actually thought about us
more than anyone did. He gave
away his entire life thinking how
the life of farmers can be im-
proved, how they can be given
what they deserve”.
“For us farmers, he was our
everything. Though farmers in
Punjab knew him by name since
his report (widely known as
Swaminathan report) is always
cited in every matter related to
farming and agriculture... Hence,
I have paid this unique tribute to
him by installing his statue in my
village,” Gill said, adding, “Since
the sculpture was installed, thou-
sands of farmers have visited it.”
The sculpture depicted
Swaminathan as a farmer’s true
friend, standing next to a Sikh
farmer with one hand placed gen-
tly on his shoulder and the other
holding a copy of the National
Commission on Farmers report —
better known as the
Swaminathan Report - released
in 2006. Behind the sculpture is a
board that details the main rec-
ommendations of the report.
“During election time, all political
parties talk about implementing
the Swaminathan Commission
report, but nobody actually does.
Do you know what the
Swaminathan Report really is?
And how can farmers benefit
from it?” it asks readers.
“Ask any farmer, he will tell you
about the Swaminathan Report
without knowing what it really is.
All they knowis that it put forward
the suggestion for the minimum
support prices of crops to be at
least 50 per cent more than the
cost of production...,” Gill said.
On the reason behind his deci-
sion to erect the sculpture, Gill said,
“I decided to do this after seeing
my 70-year-old father, who has
spent his lifetime tilling the fields,
not being able to recognise the per-
son whose report and work as a
scientist has made such a differ-
ence to our lives. My father did not
even know what Swaminathan
saab looked like. Many people here
thought he was a turbaned man
who wears a dhoti,” Gill added.
Responding to Gill’s tribute,
Swaminathan had told The Indian
Express in 2019: “Please convey my
best wishes to this Punjab farmer.”
He also gave some advice: “The
groundwater situation in the state
isn’t good. Free electricity should
be avoided, as it promotes exces-
sive pumping of water.”
THE INDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
17 SPOR Tovo
INDIA SQUAD
Pocket of tricks,
Axar injury help
Ashwin break
into team
VENKATA KRISHNA B
SEPTEMBER 28
RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN has replaced
Axar Patel in India’s World Cup squad as the
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)
sent its updated list of players to the
International Cricket Council on Thursday.
The Indian Express understands that Axar,
who suffered a quadriceps injury during the
Asia Cup, will take another couple of weeks
before he resumes bowling and following
discussions with the team management, the
selectors decided to include Ashwin, who
alongside Virat Kohli, will play his second
World Cup on home soil and third overall.
Although the injury to Axar has made the
switch easy, India have been keeping their
tabs open on Ashwin. Even when the selec-
tors met the team management that includes
skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul
Dravid before naming the squads for Asia
Cup and World Cup, Ashwin’s name was dis-
cussed at length as they felt an off-spinner
will be needed in home conditions.
When Ashwin was included for the three
ODIs against Australia, it was evident that India
were looking to bring him into the squad,
more so because all the three spinners they
picked were left-armers.
“Ashwin has the class, he's got experience
of playing the sport and handling the pres-
sure. It's just that he hasn't played ODIs for a
year or so. But you cannot take away the class
and the experience that the individual has
over the years,” Rohit said in Rajkot. “In the
last couple of games (against Australia), we
saw how well he bowled. He's got a lot of vari-
ations up his sleeves,” he added.
It is understood that even as early as July,
the Indian team management was in touch
with Ashwin, who featured in the Tamil Nadu
Premier League and First Division matches in
Chennai. By the time the Asia Cup com-
menced, an SOS was sent to Ashwin to report
at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru,
where the trained for a few weeks to get into
the white-ball grove. Although Ashwin has
played only seven ODIs since the 2017
Champions Trophy final, a period where India
shifted their allegiance towards wrist-spinners
in limited-overs format, he has featured in each
of the last two white-ball ICC events for India
in the T20 World Cups in the UAE and Australia.
While Axar is unfortunate to miss out, as
his batting would be badly missed, there
were always question marks around his
place in the squad especially with Ravindra
Jadeja around. With Kuldeep Yadav being
their lead spinner in the format, in case India
decide to play three spinners, accommodat-
ing both Jadeja and Axar would have ren-
dered the attack one-dimensional. In a for-
mat where teams seek edge in every
department, fielding two left-arm spinners
could a handicap in limited-overs.
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Labuschagne, injured
Head make the cut
Melbourne:Marnus Labuschagne
broke into the 15-member squad
at the last possible moment on the
back of his strong recent form
while injured opener Travis Head
was also included. Labuschagne
had been left out of the provisional
squad but strong displays in South
Africa and India forced his recall.
Head is set to miss early matches
after breaking his hand in SA but
was included in place of left-arm
spinner Ashton Agar. REUTERS
Squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Sean
Abbott, Alex Carey, Cameron Green,
Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh
Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell
Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith,
Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David
Warner, Adam Zampa
As the World Cup caravan is set to roll, a question arises:
Could Virat Kohli have been the same player were he bor
to Kuldeep Yadav had he been from Colaba in Mumbai? We find out over = next re ee
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
Illustration: Suvajit Dey
Kanpur’s chalaak Chinaman
Like the sharp-tongued and quick-witted vibe of his city, Kuldeep Yadav embodies the smarts and con of Kanpur. His targeting
of a batsman in company of his teammates has the guile and humour of his home town’s favourite pastime - Chikayi
SANDEEP DWIVEDI
WELL-KNOWN political cartoonist Manjul
is in the business of unpeeling complex na-
tional issues to their basic core with subtle
and cutting humour. He left the place of his
birth, Kanpur, in the 1990s. But despite the
parting, distance and the decades, the chaotic
city with an unfair share of comics and wry
one-liners continues to in-
fluence his work.
Manjul likes to talk
about his city and its char-
acter that is true to the re-
gion’s rail route - it’s be-
tween Delhi and Lucknow.
“We are not overly polite
like Lucknow, nor as brash
as Delhi. Kanpur’s humour
has humility. It isn’t too di-
rect or toxic, itis...” he trails
off, searching for the right
English word.
Eventually, itis Kanpur’s
lovingly-preserved lexicon
that comes handy. “Our
favourite pastime is something called
Chikayi, it sums up our self-deprecating city
of closed mills, load-shedding and traffic
jams where humour helps one to survive,”
he says.
Chikayiisn’t bullying. It broadly means ‘leg-
pulling’ but even that doesn’t capture the nu-
ance of the banter and repartee heard at
Kanpur’s many gumtis — small kiosks lining a
marketplace — where every evening some
poor pre-decided target faces the sarcastic
barbs of many. The bakra of the day cornered
MANJUL
STATE ATHLETICS MEET FIASCO
Why Delhi athletes dope: Govt jobs, college admissions, Rs 16 lakh ‘assistance’
ANDREW AMSAN
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
A CHANCE to get an annual “financial assis-
tance” of up to Rs 16 lakh, college admissions
and job opportunities — these are the incen-
tives on offer at the Delhi State Athletics
Championship. However, if a beneficiary fails
a dope test, he/she will have to return the
funds received from the Delhi government in
the past.
This explains the hide-and-seek between
athletes and National Anti Doping Agency
(NADA) officials at the state meet at
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium earlier this week.
As reported by The Indian Express, the sud-
den appearance of anti-doping officials on
Tuesday, the final day of the event, resulted
in mass withdrawal of athletes - only one
sprinter turned up for the men's 100 metres
final; the Under-20 boys’ 100m final saw just
three finalists; and the Under-16 boys’ ham-
mer throw event too had just one participant.
Asteeplechaser kept running after cross-
ing the finish line, trying to scoot out of the
stadium before being caught by a dope-test-
ing official, and many of the winners didn't
even show up for the medal ceremony.
A doping athlete at a Delhi meet has the
chance of qualifying for the national level,
where if one finishes among the top eight,
they become eligible for the big financial as-
sistance and chance for admissions in Delhi
colleges and government jobs. In the case of
junior athletes, the financial assistance to-
wards their food and nutrition, sports equip-
ment and kits, and travel within the country
could go up to Rs 2 lakh for those up to 14
years of age, and Rs 3 lakh for those up to 17.
Misuse of incentives
The Delhi government has two major
schemes — “Play and Progress” and “Mission
Excellence” — to provide support to promis-
ing athletes. “A sportsperson will be sup-
ported for his needs related to food/ nutrition,
sports equipment, sports kits, training and
Our favourite pastime is
something called
Chikayi, it sums up our
self-deprecating city of
closed mills, load-
shedding and traffic
jams where humour
helps one to survive”
CARTOONIST BORN IN KANPUR
at an adda.
The other day during the Asia Cup, the
pitch in Colombo had the feel of a Kanpur
gumti with the boy - Kuldeep Yadav - from
the city leading the Chikayi. He had for com-
pany wicketkeeper KL Rahul, close-in field-
ers Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubhman Gill
and Ishan Kishan. Their target that evening
were the Lankan batsmen.
Kuldeep is a rarest of rare bowler. Left-
arm spinners mostly use
their fingers. They are called
orthodox. A few, like
Kuldeep, use their wrists.
His repertoire is exten-
sive, each of his
stock balls has
many versions
and variations.
He mixes his }
balls, plays with
the mind of the
batsmen.
Like the sharp-
tongued and quick-witted
people from his home-
town, ‘Kuldeep the
bowler’ can be trusted to come up with a
stinging retort. If a batsman plays a boom-
ing drive through extra-cover, the counter
would be a mean turner, disguised as a
loopy delivery pitched outside the right-
hander’s off-stump that would shut him
up for the day.
At the Asia Cup game against Sri Lanka,
India needed a win to confirm a place in the
final. At the crease was the dangerous
Sadeera Samarawickrama.
When Kuldeep came on to bowl, some-
thing seemed to be cooking. Rahul put his
arm around the left-arm spinner. They
seemed to be hatching a conspiracy.
In the next over, Kuldeep, bowling from
over the wicket, would amble close to the
stumps. Inside his cocked wrist, hard-wired
to his ever-ticking brain, he hid the ball. He
unleashed his takia kalaam, his catchline -
the well-flighted ball outside off that was
pregnant with possibilities.
The previous ball,
Samarawickrama, while
rooted to the crease, had
looked shaky while defend-
ing a turning ball.
Kuldeep knew the
batsman would
dance down the
track. He did.
It is a folly. By
the time he re-
“For the ulti, |would use
my wrist, not my finger.
Does Kuldeep have the
same chalaaki? “Bilkul,
bilkul”. Does his bowling
have a bit of Kanpur in
him? “Bilkul, bilkul,
Strikingly blonde hair, larger-than-life
persona; with Warne you knew danger was
always lurking around. Kuldeep doesn’t hype
his skills, he doesn’t come with a forewarn-
ing. That’s again a Kanpur trait. Arguments
here are won by subtle and smart turns of
phrase and a sly sally.
Over the years, Kanpur, in its obsession
with one-upmanship, has ended up glorify-
ing the cunning and the con.
The city’s most famous
sweet shop goes by the
name of Thaggu ke Laddu
and prides itself on cheat-
ing even their relatives. Aisa
koi sagaa nahi, jisko humne
thagaa nahi, is their tagline.
National award-winning
film Katiyabaazis about the
country’s load-shedding
capital’s hack of stealing
alises it, it’s too late. bilkul, bilkul ... electricity. Bollywood’s hat
Kuldeephascutdown GOPALSHARMA tip to the city was Bunty aur
the pace and dropped the FORMER INDIA INTERNATIONAL Babli, a movie about a con
ball short. Rahul stumps
Samarawickrama, the field-
ers cackle. This was leg-
pulling of the cricketing type, this was Chikai.
Kuldeep had that trademark naughty grin on
his face. This World Cup, India would join the
adda, they are hoping to cackle when
Kuldeep smiles.
Subtle art
Kanpur’s Chinaman is expressive but
temperamentally very different from his role
model - the great Shane Warne. They used
to call the late Aussie legend Hollywood, he
loved drama.
Lalit Kumar, the only sprinter, at the start line of the men’s 100 metre final.
travel, boarding and lodging (within the
country as well as outside) and medical
needs. The quantum of support shall be de-
mand-linked and not exceeding Rs 16 lakh,”
says a Delhi government circular.
Both the schemes carry a clause that pe-
nalises those who fail the dope test. “If at any
stage, a sportsperson receiving assistance
couple directed by local boy
Shaad Ali.
Much before Kuldeep, Kanpur had Gopal
Sharma, the OG. A cricketer of the 1980s, he
played over 100 first-class games, but just
five Tests. In his hometown, he is a living leg-
end. When Sharma played Tests, cartoonist
Manjul was a young man. He recalls the off-
spinner’s popularity. “He was a local hero.
People would say, ‘Look, the shop, that’s
where Gopal Sharma gets his milk from’,”
says Manjul.
from the government is found guilty of age
fraud or indulging in doping or getting assis-
tance from any other state/ UT, the assistance
will be stopped with immediate effect.
Recoveries will also be made of the assistance
already provided,” it says.
It specifies that assistance will be provided
“initially for a period of two years”, after
which “the continuation will be extended on
yearly basis”, based on an annual review of
the athlete's performance.
Dinesh Rawat, former international ath-
lete and Delhi state coach, linked the athletes’
behaviour to the financial incentives. “This is
the reason why they didn’t turn up for the fi-
nals. Itreally hurts me to see the state of affairs
right now. These people take shortcuts to get
financial assistance, and deserving athletes
miss out,” he said.
Although a Delhi state medal doesn’t
make an athlete eligible for a government or
PSU (public sector unit) job, Rawat said that it
is the first step. “This is the first stage.
Selections for the nationals happen on the ba-
Sharma, 63 now, is in the habit of saying
‘Bilkul, bikul’ whenever he wholeheartedly
agrees with anyone. Did Kanpur influence
your game? Is it because of the city you were
known as a chalaak spinner? “Bilkul, Bilkul,”
he answers promptly.
Sharma’s ‘chalaaki’ was seen in his varia-
tion, the ball that went away. This was much
before the word ‘doosra’ was coined. “Back
in the day, it was called ‘leg-cutter’, in Uttar
Pradesh we would call it ‘ulti’. It would be
bowled with the same action like an off-spin-
ner but would go away from the right-han-
der,” he says.
He gives a short precise explanation of his
special ball. “For the ulti, [would use my wrist,
not my finger. The spinning finger would not
be used at all but the wrist would give a tweak
and the ball would float and go the other way,”
he says. Does Kuldeep have the same cha-
laaki? “Bilkul, bilkul”. Does his bowling have a
bit of Kanpur in him? “Bilkul, bilkul, bilkul,
bilkul...”
They say it is the city that makes a man,
Manjul says it’s more localised. He shares a
couplet by late Pramod Tiwari, a reputed
Kanpur poet, to make his point. “Mere ghar
ke aage jo mod hai, meri zindagi ka nichod hai,
use hai pata mai kidhar gaya, mai jidhar gaya
woh wahan gaya,” he says.
Paraphrasing Tiwari, it would translate to:
It’s the immediate surroundings, the turn that
takes you home, that define one’s core char-
acter. Life’s journey can take one places but
the turn never leaves you. Kanpur’s serpen-
tine lanes and sharp turns foster cleverness
and one-upmanship. Cricket keeps Kuldeep
far away from home but his turn gives him
company, it reflects in his skill and spin.
sis of state performances. If they don’t per-
form well here, how will they reach the na-
tionals, and try to win a medal there and se-
cure ajob? The state meet opens the first door
for an athlete,” said Rawat, who represented
India at the 1998 Asian Games.
But a state medal does help in securing
admission in Delhi University. “You get points
for each podium finish certificate at state
meets. At one point, for a sports quota college
admission, the ratio was 50:50 -- half for the
certificate, and half for college selection tri-
als,” said Sandeep Mehta, Delhi State Athletics
Association Secretary and an associate pro-
fessor at Dyal Singh College.
Aleading voice in sports medicine in India
talks about the perils of short-term benefits.
“The incentives in sports are huge - jobs,
prize money, scholarships. Many athletes take
to doping to avail these benefits even at the
cost of harming their health. They feel re-
wards are waiting for them,” said Dr PSM
Chandran, a senior member of NADA’s ap-
peals panel.
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
THE INDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
1 China |
2 Republicof Korea 86
3 Japan 78
4 Uzbekistan 31
5 India 25
6 Thailand 18
7 Hong Kong 32
INDIA’S DAY 5 HAUL:
1GOLD
SHOOTING
10m Air Pistol (Men’s Team):
Sarabjot Singh, Arjun Singh Cheema,
Shiva Narwal
1SILVER
WUSHU
Women’s 60kg: Roshibina Devi
1 BRONZE
EQUESTRIAN
Individual Dressage: Anush
Agarwalla
ASIAD CAPSULE
Hockey: India beat
defending champs Japan
Young striker Abhishek fired two
goals as India beat defending
champions Japan 4-2 to register
their third consecutive victory and
take a giant step towards semi-
final of the men's hockey
competition. Abhishek (13th, 48th
minutes) scored two field goals,
while Mandeep Singh (24th) and
Amit Rohidas (34th) were the
other scorers.
Swimming: Women’s relay
team ends 8th, men 6th
The young Indian women's 4x200m
freestyle relay rewrote the 'Best
Indian Time' twice as it finished
eighth. Teenagers Dhinidhi
Desinghu (13), Vritti Agarwal (17),
Hashika Ramachandra (15) and 20-
year-old Shivangi Sarma first
obliterated the ‘Best Indian time' by
swimming the heats in 8:39.64s.
The quartet then rewrote the record
by clocking 8:37.58s for a last-place
finish in the final. The Indian men's
4x100m team comprising Srihari
Nataraj, Tanish, George Mathew and
Vishal Grewal clocked 3:21.46 to
finish a sixth in the final.
Tennis: Ramkumar-Saketh
inmen’s doubles final
Ramkumar Ramanathan and
Saketh Myneni reached the men's
doubles gold medal round and the
mixed doubles pair of Rohan
Bopanna and Rutuja Bhosale
assuring itself of a medal. The
second-seeded team of Ramkumar
and Myneni downed the Korean
pair of Seongchan Hong and
Soonwoo Kwon 6-1 6-7(8) 10-0.
Squash: Men’s, women’s
teams assured of medals
Indian men's and women's teams
assured themselves of medals at
the Asian Games after progressing
to the semifinals of the squash
events on Thursday. While the
men's team blanked Nepal 3-0 in
its final pool tie, the women were
handed a 0-3 loss by Malaysia in
their last pool B fixture.
Football: India lose to Saudi
Arabia 2-0 and bow out
Saudi Arabia warded off a gutsy
challenge from India winning their
pre-quarterfinal match 2-0 in the
men's football competition here on
Thursday. There was no doubt
about Saudi Arabia's supremacy as
forward Mohammed Khalil
Marran's opportunistic twin
strikes in the 51st and 57th minute
ended India's campaign. AGENCIES
BOXING: NIKHAT ONE STEP CLOSER
TO PODIUM
Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen
has been in fine form so far and is one step
away from reaching the semifinals, which
would assure her a medal. She’d want more,
of course.
NIKHAT ZAREEN (QF, 4:45 PM), PARVEEN HOODA
(R16, 12:00 PM), LAKSHYA CHAHAR (R16, 1:45 PM)
Se ne rt
al E nii
ASIAN GAMES 18
Anush and his horse sense
The individual bronze winner in dressage moved to an Olympic champ’s training facility in Germany
”
=
ag
India’s Anush Agarwalla, who was astride Etro, is congratulated by a team member after TTE a bronzea in the individual dressage event on Taed PTI
EXPRESS AT
ASIAN GAMES
MIHIR VASAVDA
HANGZHOU, SEPTEMBER 28
ONE HAS an elegant walk, an expressive trot
and an easy canter. The other is creative,
compassionate and supple.
One, a horse of great pedigree. The other,
a rookie rider with a family history in the
business of warehousing.
Bay Stallion Etro and Anush Agarwalla
met at an Olympic champion’s barn a year
ago. Since then, they’ve been inseparable.
“They have a connection,” declares Doris
Schmidt, the wife of former Olympic cham-
pion Hubertus, who trains Anush.
The German horse and the Indian rider
scripted more history in China on Thursday.
Two days after Agarwalla, astride Etro, won
the team dressage gold medal at the Donglu
Equestrian Park, the 23-year-old galloped to
an individual bronze to mark another first
for Indian equestrian at the Asian Games.
“It feels unreal,” Agarwalla says. “I knew
I had a good partnership with my horse.
Today, my horse was amazing.”
Agarwalla and Etro showed immaculate
grace and harmony to deliver an impressive
test and posted 73.030%, a culmination of
scores across a series of movements that are
marked out of 10.
Agarwalla was judged on the coordina-
tion with his horse and harmony, the two as-
pects he spectacularly failed at six years ago.
When he left the comforts of his home in
Kolkata and moved to a sparsely-populated
municipality in Germany, Borchen, to be-
come an elite rider, Agarwalla couldn’t even
get on the back of a horse properly. “He was
bouncing a bit and that isn’t good either for
the rider or for the horse’s back,” Doris, who
trails Agarwalla along with Athens Olympics
gold medallist Hubertus, says.
The Schmidts have been running a
renowned riding school in a remote corner of
Borchen for decades. Agarwalla hadn’t seen
anything like that before.
He was introduced to riding by his parents
at the age of 3, when they took him to the
Tollygunge Riding Club every Sunday. “He de-
veloped animmediate interest,” says Anush’s
mother Priti. “By the time he was 10, Anush
was travelling to Delhi every weekend.”
That’s the first time he moved his base -
to Delhi. Agarwalla, who was riding only
ponies, soon realised he needed better
coaches, horses, shows and infrastructure to
raise his level. And that wasn’t going to hap-
pen by staying put in India. He contacted
Schmidt, after being rejected by many train-
ers, and the German invited him for trials.
“He was 17 at the time and since then, he’s
been based in Germany,” Priti says.
Moving to Borchen turned out to be alife-
altering decision for Agarwalla. Back then, it
didn’t feel like that. “It’s not acommon thing
to do,” Priti says. “(But) The most important
decision was to take our son out of school
when he was in Class 12 and send him
abroad.”
Out of his comfort zone
Fleyenhof, the facility Schmidt owns, is
located in an area so remote that when the
Agarwallas first went there, they couldn’t
even find it. The decades-old farm is cosy and
comfortable, and home to champion riders.
But the lifestyle was more mundane than
glamorous. “It sounds fancy that you are liv-
ing in Europe butit’s a village,” Priti says. “The
total population would be like a thousand
people and he has to do everything alone.”
Agarwalla now speaks fluent German
and is completing a degree in business ad-
ministration. But when he landed in
Germany, he lived in a tiny room at the sta-
ble, where he cooked, slept, studied and took
care of the horses. Occasionally, he had to fly
back home to appear in exams to complete
his open schooling. “It was a huge struggle
but he was determined to carry on. But it was
definitely not easy,” Priti says.
The struggle wasn’t limited to adopting
anew lifestyle. After riding ponies for years,
Agarwalla wasn’t even able to get on a horse.
“So we trained him to sit a bit heavier in
the seat and to get more involved in the
European style of riding,” Doris says, refer-
ring to a style that demands more control
and the horse is ridden in a shorter, upright
frame. “I taught him to not bounce, keep the
legs long, whip (the horse) in the hip and to
follow the steps of the horse.”
During his early years, Agarwalla - ‘a
quick learner’ - rode different horses and
HOW DOES A HORSE TRAVEL?
How does ahorse travel from one
country to another? They fly.
E Horse board stalls, which then
get loaded into cargo holds of large
cargo airplanes. The stalls are
equipped with hay or haylage and
water so that the steed is well
nourished.
@ The horses fly two per pallet (a
flying stable) which is the
equivalent of business class. In fact,
while humans may not be able to
eat their in-flight meals during the
entire duration of their flight, the
four-legged passengers can chomp
on their meal all through flights.
E While the riders don’t fly in the
same planes as the horses,they are
accompanied by grooms, whose
job it is to take care of horses, and
veterinarians, in case they get sick
mid flight.
E As for passports, horses do have
passports, but theirs has details of
markings and where the horse was
born among other things. The
passport also has to list the
vaccines the horse has taken, from
flu vaccines, to tetanus shots.
ENS
GLOSSARY
What does trot, gallop and canter
really mean in dressage.
TROT: An active, two-beat gait.
CANTER: A controlled, three-beat
gait.
GALLOP: A fast, four-beat gait.
WALK: A gentle, four-beat gait.
struggled on a few of them. Then, he decided
to purchase Etro, who is a ‘really good mover’
and ‘fit him perfectly because he isn’t tall’,
Doris adds.
“The father of this horse competed up to
the Grand Prix level and also international
shows. He was in the German team too,” Doris
says about the horse’s pedigree. “We know
the father and know this horse as well. They
are good in the head, not spooky or running
around; they have good movement and char-
acter, which is what you need for dressage.”
Doris and Agarwalla both talk about their
horses just like they would talk about a hu-
man partner. The fate, after all, of the rider
and the horse are intertwined. They both
have to exhibit a series of predetermined
movements, like in gymnastics. The horse
has to walk, trot, gallop and canter to the mu-
sic that plays in the background. And the
rider has to ensure obedience, precision and
camaraderie.
No wonder that after he collected his sec-
ond medal in three days, Agarwalla credited
his horse while reflecting on his journey. “My
horse was amazing. This is what I have al-
ways wanted and visualised,” he says. “It’s
not come overnight. It’s been a long, long
journey and alot of times, I thought I was not
good enough. But holding this medal today,
it’s all worth it.”
Brothers win two gold: Shiva in Hangzhou, Manish in Lima
SHASHANK NAIR
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
DILBAUGH SINGH Narwal has not been able to
sleep through the night. At first it was because
two of his sons were participating in major
shooting competitions on opposite sides of
the globe. Then the actual competitions be-
gan and the nervousness of watching both his
children attempt to win medals for India
swept through him.
As both sons won gold medals, Dilbaugh
heaved a sigh of relief.
On Thursday, his son Manish, 21 won
gold at the P1-Men's 10m Air Pistol SH1 at
the Para Shooting World Championships in
Lima. And Shiva, 17, at the Hangzhou Asian
Games, along with Sarabjot Singh and Arjun
Singh Cheema in the men’s 10m air pistol
team event.
“I might not be satisfied with Shiva’s per-
formance but if we look at it from our coun-
try’s point of view, then India got another
gold medal and that is very good,” Dilbaugh
told the Indian Express.
Manish's consistency had resulted in high
standards within the Narwal family. He has
a habit of winning medals at every event that
BADMINTON: TEAM MEDALS
AT STAKE
Indian shuttlers will be hoping to assure a
place on the podium but have tasks of differ-
ing difficulties in front of them.
TEAM QUARTERFINALS: MEN VS NEPAL (2:30 PM)
& WOMEN VS THAILAND (6:30 AM)
SHOOTING: MORE PISTOL ACTION
In 10m air pistol, Esha Singh will be back
in action after her sliver in the 25m event.
Four more medal events in shooting on
Friday. Women’s 10m air pistol (Individual &
Team) - Divya TS, Esha Singh, Palak; Men’s
50m rifle 3-position (Individual & Team) -
Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Swapnil
Kusale, Akhil Sheoran
6:30 AM, FOLLOWED BY MEDAL EVENTS
TENNIS: MEN’S DOUBLES FINAL
R Ramkumar and Saketh Myneni vs
Chinese Taipei.
TIME: 7:30 AM
Gold medal-winning Indian men’s 10m air pistol team of (Lto R) Shiva Narwal,
Sarabjot Singh and Arjun Singh Cheema in Hangzhou. (Right) Manish.
he has gone to. Manish also earned a Paris
Paralympics quota spot in Lima.
“The way Shiva’s practice was before the
Asian Games, by those standards this hasn’t
TODAY'S SCHEDULE
been his best showing. The problem also is
that Manish has got us parents into the habit
of seeing him win gold at every tournament,
and that too individual medals. For Shiva,
INDIA WATCH FOR DAY 6
that first card of 92 was not good. Even a 99
card later in the qualification couldn’t cover
that bad start.”
Shiva has already gone to two ISSF World
Championships for India and has recently
won the mixed team gold at the Worlds - an
Olympic event. He didn’t have the best of
performances individually at the Fuyang
Yinhu Sports Center Shooting
Range. The team event is not an
Olympic medal winning cate-
gory but has medals at the ISSF
level and at the Asian Games this
time onwards as well.
“They were in good spirits be-
fore the match but I think Shiva
was at a big platform and some-
times that can mean pressure.
Even we parents don’t have any
peace when the match is going
on," Dilbaugh said about Shiva's
performance.
“Manish did well because his score was
good by para shooting standards and then
had a good final as well. Now I’m hoping
Shiva can also get his Olympic quota at the
Asian Championship.”
Prior to these Asian Games, Shiva was at
the World Championships where he was not
CHESS TEAM EVENTS BEGIN
Here’s a look at the other main Indian events to track on Friday at the Hangzhou Asian Games
TABLE TENNIS: SINGLES AND
DOUBLES FURTHER ROUNDS
8:15 AM ONWARDS
ESPORTS: DOTA GROUP MATCHES
VS KGZ AND PHI
11:30 AM ONWARDS
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:
INDIAVS MONGOLIA
5:30 PM
WOMEN’S HANDBALL:
INDIAVS CHINA
3:30 PM
MEN’S 3X3 BASKETBALL:
INDIA VS CHINA
5:20 PM
Srihari Nataraj. File
SWIMMING
(ROUND 1 TO FINALS):
SRIHARI NATARAJ, ARYAN NEHRA, KUSHAGRA
RAWAT, NINA VENKATESH, VRITTI AGARWAL,
ADVAIT PAGE, SAJAN PRAKASH, ANEESH
GOWDA, 4X100 WOMEN’S MEDLEY (7:30 AM
ONWARDS)
GOLF
(ROUND 2):
ADITI ASHOK, AVANI PRASHANTH, PRANAVI URS
(4:00 AM ONWARDS), ANIRBAN LAHIRI,
SHUBHANKAR SHARMA, SHIV CHAWRASIA,
KHALIN JOSHI (4:00 AM ONWARDS)
CHESS:
MEN’S AND WOMEN'S TEAM EVENTS BEGIN
(ROUND 1 FROM 12:30 PM)
at his best after contracting conjunctivitis a
week before his competition.
“Days before he was supposed to fly to
Baku for the Worlds, he got eye flu and it was
so bad both his eyes were bloodshot. He
couldn’t practice and then when the camp
started, he got unwell again and was recu-
perating at the hostel. He was struggling to
stand and shoot for 30 minutes
the way he is used to,” Dilbaugh
said.
Overcoming tragedy
Back then he was also mak-
ing a comeback after his eldest
brother died in an accident near
their home in Faridabad.
Dilbaugh had told this paper
then, “A water tanker hit him
while he was driving. All three of
them (including sister Shikha)
were in their camps at the Dr
Karni Singh range. I didn’t tell them the en-
tire day. The next day I called an official from
India’s Paralympics team and told them to
bring the children with him back home.
Shikha and Manish cried for days when they
found out. But Shiva was angry and inter-
nalised it."
SQUASH: MEDALS ASSURED
Saurav Ghosal and Co, Joshna
Chinappa and Co will be both be in semi-
finals action, already assured medals by
having reached this far. A spot in the final
at stake.
SQUASH (SEMIFINALS): WOMEN’S TEAM
SEMIFINAL (8:30 AM ONWARDS), MEN'S TEAM
SEMIFINALS (4 PM ONWARDS)
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THE INDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
= TOPOFTHE _
WORLD
Li Shangfu has been
missing from public
eye since August 29.
CHINA
Notaware, says
Defence ministry
amonth after Li
went missing
Beijing: AChinese Defence
Ministry spokesperson
said Thursday that he was
“not aware of the situa-
tion” in the ministry's first
public comments on the
disappearance of the de-
fence minister from public
about a month ago. Wu
Qian, the director of min-
istry's information office,
said it was “not aware of
the situation” when asked
whether Li Shangfu is un-
der probe and if he is still
the defence minister. Li
hasn’t been seen since
giving a speech on August
29. He is the second sen-
ior official to disappear
this year. AP
NORTH KOREA
Constitution
amended on
nuclear policy
Seoul: North Korea has
adopted a constitutional
amendment to enshrine its
policy on nuclear force,
state media reported
Thursday, as its leader
vowed to accelerate pro-
duction of nuclear
weapons to deter what he
called US provocations. The
The Supreme People's
Assembly unanimously
adopted the revision that
states North Korea “devel-
ops nuclear weapons to
ensure” its “rights to exis-
tence” and to “deter war”,
state agency KCNA re-
ported, after the conclusion
Wednesday of a two day-
meet of North’s rubber-
stamp House. REUTERS
FRANCE
State faces
action for police
racial profiling
Paris: France's highest ad-
ministrative court will
Friday consider its first
class action against the
state, alleging racial pro-
filing by police. Six human
rights organisations argue
that the police systemati-
cally discriminate, espe-
cially against young Arab
and Black men, when de-
ciding who to stop on rou-
tine patrols. If successful,
they could open the way
for similar broad legal
challenges in a country
where activism has tradi-
tionally taken the form of
direct protest, and where
class actions only became
possible in 2014 and re-
main rare. REUTERS
THAILAND
Cops seize meth,
heroin worth
over $8 million
Bangkok: Police in
Thailand said Thursday
they made one of coun-
try’s biggest ever seizures
of illicit drugs, a haul in-
cluding methampheta-
mine, crystal meth and
heroin, with a total esti-
mated value of about 300
million baht ($8.2 million).
They were seized during a
night raid on a house in
Nakhon Pathom, west of
Bangkok, in which four
men were arrested for
possession of illegal drugs.
The seized drugs included
15 million methampheta-
mine tablets, 443
wrapped packages of
heroin, 420 kilograms of
crystal meth. AP
19 THE WORLD
At a sidewalk, near the medical center, after Dutch police arrested the suspect in Rotterdam. Reuters
Student goes on a shooting spree
in Rotterdam, kills two, arrested
Gunman opened fire in university hospital, also set a house on fire after attack
PIROSCHKA VAN DE WOUW
THE HAGUE, SEPTEMBER 28
DUTCH POLICE said a gunman
killed a teacher and a local
woman after opening fire in a
classroom at a university hospi-
tal campus in Rotterdam and a
nearby house on Thursday.
The 32-year-old suspect, a
university student, fatally shot a
39-year-old woman living in his
neighbourhood and seriously in-
jured her 14-year-old daughter,
police said in a televised news
conference.
After setting the woman's
house on fire, the gunman went
to the Rotterdam Medical Centre
university hospital, where he en-
tered a classroom and fatally
shot a 46-year-old teacher.
The man was arrested near
the hospital, where he also set a
fire. His motive was unknown.
"We have been shocked by a
horrible incident. Shots were
fired in two different places in
the city. Many people witnessed
it," Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed
Aboutaleb said. "Emotions in the
city are very high. My condo-
lences go out to the victims."
U.S. FDA RECEIVED 265 CASES
Weight-loss drugs face
scrutiny after reports of
suicidal thoughts emerge
ROBIN RESPAUT
& CHAD TERHUNE
SEPTEMBER 28
DAWN HEIDLEBAUGH felt
trapped in a disturbing pattern
while taking Ozempic, the popu-
lar drug for diabetes and obesity.
Each Sunday for more than a
year, the 53-year-old Ohio real es-
tate agent took her weekly injec-
tion to help control her blood
sugar. Then every Tuesday, she felt
lethargic, depressed and some-
times suicidal, thinking her hus-
band and four children might be
better off without her. These feel-
ings would last a few days, and the
cycle repeated every week — ex-
cept when she skipped a dose.
“I knew it was the drug,” said
Heidlebaugh, who said she had
not previously suffered from de-
pression.
Heidlebaugh is one of four US
patients who told Reuters about
experiencing suicidal thoughts
while taking Novo Nordisk’s
popular Ozempic drug, ap-
proved to treat type 2 diabetes,
or Wegovy, another Novo top-
seller approved for weight loss.
A fifth patient said he experi-
enced depression and suicidal
thoughts after taking Mounjaro,
asimilar diabetes medicine from
Eli Lilly, which is used for weight
loss. All three drugs are GLP-1 re-
ceptor agonists, which slow di-
gestion and reduce hunger.
The US Food and Drug
Administration has received 265
reports of suicidal thoughts or be-
havior in patients taking these or
similar medicines since 2010,
Reuters found in an examination
of the agency's adverse-event
database. Thirty-six of these re-
ports describe a death by suicide
or suspected suicide.
Accounts of suicidal thoughts
linked to this class of drugs are
drawing scrutiny, including an
investigation by European regu-
lators announced in July.
In astatement to Reuters, the
FDA said it is evaluating such re-
ports and will decide on what ac-
tion to take after a review.
Many beneficial drugs have
rare and sometimes dangerous
side effects that have to be care-
fully assessed by regulators and
managed by physicians, making
clear warnings essential in such
cases, said Thomas J. Moore, fac-
ulty associate at the Johns
Hopkins Bloomberg School of
Public Health, who has studied
the incidence of rare psychiatric
side effects. REUTERS
Apolice personnel secures
the area near medical center
after the attack in Rotterdam,
Netherlands. Reuters
"The suspect was known to
law enforcement and in 2021 he
was prosecuted and convicted
for animal abuse,” said Hugo
Hillenaar, Rotterdam's chief
prosecutor.
Videos posted online showed
police instructing students,
some wearing medical gowns, to
run outside as heavily armed ar-
rest teams arrived at the scene.
One video showed a man in
handcuffs wearing what ap-
peared to be camouflage pants.
Police said there were no in-
dications of a second shooter.
REUTERS
DEADLINE JUST HOURS AWAY
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
COURT HEARS PLEAS AGAINST LAW LIMITING REMOVAL
NETANYAHU FACES A CHALLENGE
Israel Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday against a law limit-
ing conditions for removal of PM Benjamin Netanyahu from office, in
latest crisis among government branches to grip the nation. REUTERS
US Senate, House to
MOIRA WARBURTON
WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 28
THE US Senate and House on
Thursday were due to push ahead
with conflicting government
funding plans, raising the chances
of the fourth partial shutdown of
federal government in a decade
beginning in just three days.
The Senate planned a proce-
dural vote on a stopgap funding
bill that has broad bipartisan
support in the chamber, while
the House of Representatives is
set for late-night votes on four
partisan appropriations bills that
have no chance of becoming law
and would not alone prevent a
shutdown even if they did.
Congress must pass legisla-
tion that Democratic President
Joe Biden can sign into law by
midnight Saturday (0400 GMT
on Sunday) to avoid furloughs of
hundreds of thousands of federal
workers and halting a wide range
of services, from economic data
releases to nutrition benefits, for
the fourth time in the last decade.
House Republicans, led by a
faction of hardline conservatives
inchamber they control by a221-
212 margin, have rejected spend-
ing levels for year 2024 set ina
deal Speaker Kevin McCarthy ne-
gotiated with Biden in May.
The agreement included
$1.59 trillion in discretionary
spending in fiscal 2024. House
Republicans are demanding an-
other $120 billion in cuts, plus
tougher legislation that would
stop the flow of immigrants at the
US southern border with Mexico.
Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh
will cease to exist from January 1
FELIX LIGHT
GORIS, SEPTEMBER 28
ETHNIC ARMENIANS in Nagorno-
Karabakh said on Thursday they
were dissolving the breakaway
statelet they had defended for
three decades, where more than
half the population has fled since
Azerbaijan launched a lightning
offensive last week.
Ina statement, they said their
self-declared Republic of Artsakh
would "cease to exist" by January
1, in what amounted to a formal
Ethnic Armenians flee
69,036
people had crossed into
Armenia by Thursday
morning, authorities said.
capitulation to Azerbaijan.
For Azerbaijan and its presi-
dent, Ilham Aliyev, the outcome is
a triumphant restoration of sov-
ereignty over an area that is inter-
nationally recognised as part ofits
territory but whose ethnic
Armenian majority won de facto
independence in a war in 1990s.
For Armenians, it is a defeat
and a national tragedy.
Armenia said that by Thursday
morning, 65,036 people had
crossed into its territory, out of an
estimated population of 120,000.
"Analysis of the situation
shows that in the coming days
there will be no Armenians leftin
Nagorno-Karabakh," Interfax
quoted Armenian PM Nikol
Pashinyan as saying. REUTERS
Trudeau apologises after Canada
House speaker hails Nazi veteran
DAVID LJUNGGREN
OTTAWA, SEPTEMBER 28
CANADIAN PRIME Minister Justin
Trudeau on Wednesday formally
apologised after the speaker of the
House of Commons praised a Nazi
veteran in the chamber while
Ukrainian President Volodymyr
Zelenskyy was present.
Trudeau also said Ottawa had
already reached out to Kyiv and
Zelenskyy through diplomatic
channels to apologise. "On be-
half of all of us in this House, I
Reached out
to Kyiv via
diplomatic
channels to
apologise:
Canada PM
4
would like to present unreserved
apologies for what took place on
Friday and to President Zelenskyy
and the Ukrainian delegation for
the position they were put in,”
Trudeau told the House.
Anthony Rota, who acknowl-
edged veteran Yaroslav Hunka in
the House last Friday and called
him a hero, quit as speaker
Tuesday and said he bore sole re-
sponsibility. Hunka, 98, was a
Ukrainian who served in one of
Adolf Hitler's Waffen SS units
during World War Two.
"For all of us who were pres-
ent to have unknowingly recog-
nized this individual was a terri-
ble mistake and a violation of the
memory of those who suffered at
the hands of the Nazi regime.”
The Kremlin said the whole
Canadian parliament should pub-
licly condemn Nazism. REUTERS
McCarthy is facing intense
pressure from his caucus to
achieve their goals. Reuters
What is the
stopgap
@ measure?
EXPLAINED
THE SENATE'S stopgap
funding measure would
extend federal spending
until Nov. 17, and author-
izes roughly $6 billion
each for domestic disas-
ter response funding and
aid to Ukraine to defend
itself against Russia.
The funding fight focuses ona
small slice of the $6.4 trillion US
budget for this fiscal year.
Lawmakers are not considering
cuts to popular benefit programs
like Social Security and Medicare.
McCarthy is facing pressure
from his caucus to achieve goals.
Several hardliners have threat-
ened to oust McCarthy from lead-
ership role ifhe passes a spending
bill that requires any Democratic
votes to pass. REUTERS
hold procedural votes
as shutdown looms
E
Republican US
House opens
its first Biden
impeachment
inquiry hearing
MAKINI BRICE
WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 28
The Republican-led U.S. House of
Representatives held its first hear-
ing on Thursday in its impeach-
ment inquiry against Democratic
President Joe Biden, less than
three days before the government
will partially shut down without
congressional action.
The hearing is not expected to
reveal new information about
Biden's financial ties to his trou-
bled son Hunter Biden, 53, who
pursued international business
ventures while struggling with
drug and alcohol addiction.
As the hearing got underway,
Republicans leading the probe al-
leged that Joe Biden had lied about
family members’ business deal-
ings and had not taken steps to
wall them off from his duties
when he served as vice president
between 2009 and 2017.
Republicans have yet to un-
cover evidence after months of
probe that have produced thou-
sands of pages of financial records.
Lawmakers were due to hear
from a forensic accountant, a for-
mer US Justice Department offi-
cial and two professors. REUTERS
At the launch event of Narwhal, Taiwan’s first domestically
built submarine, in Kaohsiung on Thursday. Reuters
Taiwan reveals its first
locally built submarine
as China threat grows
WALID BERRAZEG
& SARAH WU
KAOHSIUNG, SEPTEMBER 28
TAIWAN UNVEILED its first do-
mestically developed submarine
on Thursday, a major step ina
project aimed at strengthening
the island's defence and deter-
rence against the Chinese navy,
though it won't enter service for
another two years.
Taiwan, which China claims
as its own territory, has made the
indigenous submarine pro-
gramme a key part of an ambi-
tious project to modernise its
armed forces as Beijing stages al-
most daily military exercises to
assert its sovereignty.
President Tsai Ing-wen, who
initiated the plan when she took
office in 2016, showed off the
first of eight new submarines on
Thursday in city of Kaohsiung.
Tsai said the Narwhal will en-
ter service in 2025, joining two
existing submarines purchased
from Netherlands in the 1980s.
China's defence ministry, re-
sponding at amonthly press brief-
ing about the submarine and how
it could prevent China surround-
ingisland, said Taiwan was “over-
rating itself and attempting some-
thing impossible”.
The indigenous programme
has drawn on expertise and tech-
nology from several countries —
a breakthrough for diplomati-
cally isolated Taiwan. REUTERS
FROM THEATRE TO BIG SCREEN, HE DONNED MANY HATS; KNIGHTED IN 1998, HE CALLED IT A ‘NICE LITTLE PRESENT’
Michael Gambon, Harry Potter’s Dumbledore No. 2, dies at 82
REUTERS
LONDON, SEPTEMBER 28
BRITISH-IRISH actor Michael
Gambon, best known to global
audiences for playing the wise
professor Albus Dumbledore in
the Harry Potter movie franchise
and whose career was launched
by his mentor Laurence Olivier,
died aged 82 on Thursday.
He died peacefully in hospi-
tal, PA Media reported citing a
family statement.
Gambon began his acting on
the stage in the early 1960s and
later moved into TV and film.
Notable film roles include a psy-
PSS. COM
chotic mob leader in Peter
Greenaway's The Cook, the Thief,
His Wife & Her Lover in 1989 and
the elderly King George V in Tom
Hooper's The King's Speech in 2010.
But his best-known role was
as Dumbledore in the Harry Potter
franchise, a role he took over from
the third instalment in the eight-
movie series after he replaced the
late Richard Harris in 2004.
Gambon played down the praise
for his performance and said he
simply played himself "with a
stuck-on beard and a long robe”.
Michael John Gambon was
born on October 19, 1940, in
Dublin to a seamstress mother
and an engineer father. The family
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Gambon retired from stage in 2015 after suffering memory
problems but continued to act onscreen until 2019. File
moved to Camden Town in
London when Gambon was six as
his family sought work.
Gambon left school aged 15 to
begin an engineering apprentice-
ship and by 21 he was fully quali-
fied. However, he was also a mem-
ber of an amateur theatre group
and always knew he would act, he
told The Herald newspaper in
2004. He was inspired by
American actors Marlon Brando
and James Dean, who he believed
reflected angst of teenage boys.
In 1962 he auditioned for the
great Shakespearean actor Olivier
who made him one of the found-
ing members of the National
Theatre at the Old Vic, alongside
young emerging greats like Derek
Jacobi and Maggie Smith.
Gambon built his reputation
on the stage over the following
years, making his name in partic-
ular with 1980 portrayal of Galileo
in John Dexter's Life of Galileo.
The 1980s brought attention
with the lead role in 1986 TV show
The Singing Detective, in which he
played a writer suffering from a
skin condition whose imagination
provided the only escape from his
pain. The performance won him
one of his four BAFTAs.
Gambon was made a
Commander of the British Empire
in 1992 and knighted for services
to drama in 1998, something he
called "a nice little present”, al-
though he did not use the title.
Amischievous personality, he
often made up stories. For years
he showed fellow actors a signed
photograph of Robert De Niro
which he had inscribed himself
before ever meeting the actor.
He revealed in an episode of
The Late Late Show in Ireland that
he convinced his mother he was
friends with the pope.
Gambon retired from stage in
2015 after suffering memory
problems but continued to act on-
screen until 2019. He told an in-
terviewer in 2002 that his work
made him feel "the luckiest man
in the world". REUTERS
20 E.
INDIA'S HIGHEST FILM HONOUR, FOR
A LEGEND OF BOLLYWOOD
In Mumbai in December 2022, (from left) Asha Parekh, director Ramesh
Sippy, Saira Banu, and Waheeda Rehman. PTI
ARUSHIBHASKAR
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
VETERAN BOLLYWOOD actress Waheeda
Rehman, 85, has been conferred with the
Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2021.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote
on X (Twitter), “Her journey in Indian cin-
ema has left an indelible mark. A beacon
of talent, dedication and grace, she em-
bodies the best of our cinematic heritage.”
The Phalke award
India’s highest recognition in the field
of cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
is given for “outstanding contribution to
the growth and development of Indian
cinema” by the Union Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting’s (I&B)
Directorate of Film Festivals.
The award is named after Dhundiraj
Govind Phalke( 1870-1944), affectionately
called Dadasaheb. Phalke was a producer-
director-screenwriter who has been re-
ferred to as “the Father of Indian cinema”.
His debut film Raja Harishchandra (1913)
was India’s first full-length feature film.
The award was instituted in 1969,
with actress Devika Rani being the first
recipient. The award comprises a Swarna
Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl,
and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh.
The winner of 2021
Born on February 3, 1938, Waheeda
Rehman has been part of the Indian film
industry since 1955, when she made her
debut as a dancer in the Telugu social
drama Rojulu Marayi. It is during the cel-
ebrations of the film’s success that she
met the legendary Guru Dutt, and subse-
quently travelled to Bombay.
She was cast in Raj Khosla’s CID(1956),
in which she played the role of a “vamp”
against matinee idol Dev Anand. The film
became the highest-grosser of that year.
Her next film Pyaasa (1957), directed
by Guru Dutt and with him in the lead role,
won her critical acclaim in her role as a
courtesan. She would go on to become one
of the most sought-after leading ladies of
the 1950s and 60s, a period often referred
to as the golden age of Hindi cinema.
In 1971, she won the National Award
for Best Actress for Reshma Aur Shera, di-
rected by and co-starring Sunil Dutt. She
won Filmfare Awards for Guide (1965)
and Neel Kamal (1968).
Among her other films are: Kaagaz Ke
Phool (1959), Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam
(1962), Teesri Kasam (1966), Ram Aur
Shyam (1967), Khamoshi (1969), and
Kabhi Kabhie (1976).
Past winners
Some of India’s tallest film personal-
ities have won the Phalke, including
Prithviraj Kapoor (1971), Satyajit Ray
(1984), Raj Kapoor (1987), Lata
Mangeshkar (1989), Bhupen Hazarika
(1992), Majrooh Sultanpuri (1993), Shivaji
Ganesan (1996), Dev Anand (1992), K
Balachander (2010), Amitabh Bachchan
(2018), and Rajinikanth (2019). Asha
Parekh won the award for 2020.
ed BN D] CLIMATE
MELTDOWN: SWISS GLACIERS LOST
10% OF VOLUME IN WORST 2 YEARS
SWITZERLAND'S GLACIERS suffered their
second worst melt rate this year after
record 2022 losses, shrinking their over-
all volume by 10 per cent in the last two
years — as much ice in two years asin the
three decades before 1990 — monitoring
body GLAMOS said on Thursday.
“This year was very problematic for
glaciers because there was really little
snow in winter, and the summer was
very warm,” Matthias Huss, who leads
Glacier Monitoring Switzerland
(GLAMOS), told Reuters.
More than half of the glaciers in the Alps
YOUR GO-TO INSTITUTE FOR
GENERAL STUDIES PREPARATION
Prelims cum Mains
10 Months
JAN 2024
Prelims cum Mains
2 Years
Ath NOV 2023
are in Switzerland, where temperatures are
rising by around twice the global average
due to climate change. This year, low win-
ter snowfall combined witha longer sum-
mer melt season dealt heavy losses.
In the peak melt month of August, the
Swiss weather service said the elevation
at which precipitation freezes hit a new
record overnight high, measured at 5,289
meters (17,350 ft), an altitude higher than
Mont Blanc’s summit.
Swiss records go back to at least 1960
and as far back as 1914 for some glaciers.
REUTERS
(72) VAJIRAM & RAVI
Institute for IAS Examination
Optionals
5 Months
OCTOBER 2023
4%, 080-6220-6330 www.vajiramandravi.com
THE INDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
EXPLAINED
@ieExplained
#ExpressExplained
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
If there are questions of current or contemporary relevance that you would like
explained, please write to explained@indianexpress.com
Maldives elections and India
As President Solih, seen as friendly to India, faces a tough re-election and the pro-China Opposition fuels
an ‘India-Out’ campaign, New Delhi is watching the strategically important Indian Ocean country closely
SHUBHAJIT ROY
MALDIVES GOES to runoff polls this Saturday,
after no candidate secured more than 50% of
votes in the first round on September 9.
The electoral system of the Maldives is sim-
ilar to France's, where the winner has to secure
more than 50% of votes. If no one crosses the
mark in the first round, in the second round,
the top two candidates go head to head.
In the first round, President Ibrahim Moh-
amed Solih of the Maldivian Democratic Party
(MDP) got 39% of the vote; the Opposition al-
liance candidate Mohamed Muizzu got 46%.
The first round had eight candidates — the
highest so far. Maldives has a population of
only 5.2 lakh, with 2.8 lakh eligible voters, ac-
cording to the Election Commission.
History, from Naseer to Solih
Maldives has followed a system of Exe-
cutive Presidency since 1968. It had a single-
party system till 2008, and the President was
elected for five years through a referendum.
The first executive President, Ibrahim Na-
seer, was in power from 1968 to 1978. After
protests erupted in 1978, he did not contest for
a third term, and Parliament chose Maumoon
Abdul Gayoom President. Gayoom ruled for
30 years till 2008, famously defeating a coup
attempt with India’s help in 1988.
Amid protests by various groups, Gayoom
undertook political reforms in 2004. Political
parties were registered in 2005 and a new
Constitution adopted in 2008. That charted
the path towards Presidential elections every
five years with a multi-party system.
Since 2008, no incumbent President has
been re-elected. In the last elections in 2018,
Solih defeated the incumbent Abdulla Yameen.
Maldives’ Presidents and India
India’s experience with Maldives politics
has been a mixed bag, with Solih’s govern-
ment being the most favourable so far.
India worked with Abdul Gayoom closely
for three decades. When Mohamed Nasheed
came to power in 2008, then Vice President
Hamid Ansari attended his oath-taking cere-
mony, signalling New Delhi's support.
While initially there was bonhomie be-
tween India and Nasheed, he soon began
courting China. The Maldives government
cancelled the GMR contract for the Maldives
airport in 2012, a major setback to ties.
After Yameen came to power in 2013, he
courted China much more aggressively.
Under him, Maldives joined President Xi
Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative.
When India and Western lenders were un-
willing to offer loans to Yameen’s administra-
tion due to allegations of human rights viola-
tions, Beijing offered him money without
conditions.
So, when Solih won the 2018 elections,
New Delhi heaved a sigh of relief. Prime
Minister Narendra Modi went to Maldives to
attend the swearing-in ceremony.
Over the past five years, the relationship
has strengthened, and India has reached out
to Maldives on various occasions — from pro-
viding vaccines to building infrastructure to
helping with debt relief assistance.
Aid, trade, and pushback
According to Indian officials, India’s swift
dispatch of 30,000 doses of measles vaccine
in January 2020, and the rapid and compre-
hensive assistance during the Covid-19 pan-
demic, has reinforced India’s credentials of
being Maldives’ “first responder”.
In the past, India was the first to assist
Maldives during the 2004 tsunami as well as
the water crisis in Malé in December 2014.
India’s recent projects in Maldives include
water and sanitation on 34 islands, roads and
land reclamation under the Addu develop-
Rashtrapati
Bhavan in
2022. Tashi
Tobgyal (Above)
Muizzu, the
challenger.
X/@MMuizzu
ment project, a cancer hospital, a port proj-
ect, a cricket stadium, two airport develop-
ment projects, the Greater Malé connectivity
project with bridges, causeways and roads,
social housing projects, renovation of a
mosque, building the national college for po-
lice, among others. Estimates suggest that be-
tween 2018 to 2022, Indian aid was over Rs
1,100 crore, more than double the previous
five year-term (about Rs 500 crore).
Trade between the two countries was about
Rs 50 crore last year, of which India exported
commodities worth Rs 49.5 crore — from daily
essentials including rice, spices, fruits, vegeta-
bles and poultry produce to medicines and ce-
ment. India imports primarily scrap metals, and
is exploring seafood products.
Maldives’ proximity to the west coast of
India and its position at the hub of commercial
sea lanes running through the Indian Ocean
imbues it with strategic importance for India.
As aconsequence, the defence ties between
India and Maldives have grown, especially
since the 26/11 attacks, for coastal surveillance
and maritime cooperation. India has trained
over 1,500 Maldivian defence and security per-
sonnelin the last 10 years, meeting around 70%
of their defence training requirements.
India has also gifted two helicopters in
2010 and 2013 and one small aircraft in 2020.
This has led to claims of Indian military per-
sonnel being stationed in Maldives to oper-
ate and maintain the aircraft, though Delhi
has said the planes are for search and rescue
missions and medical evacuations.
“While India’s role as a development part-
ner has been appreciated by many, a large
section of Maldivians, particularly the youth,
are getting attracted to the ‘India Out’ move-
ment propagated by the [Opposition]
Progressive Alliance. As a result, India is an
agenda in this year’s election campaign,”
Gulbin Sultana of the Manohar Parrikar
Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses,
wrote earlier this month.
How this election stands
The current political landscape has Solih
facing a challenger in the Progressive Allia-
nce’s candidate Mohamed Muizzu. Muizzu,
who was the Mayor of Malé, emerged as a
consensus candidate of the coalition after for-
mer president Abdulla Yameen was barred
from contesting elections following his con-
viction in a money laundering case.
But Solih’s other challenge has been de-
sertions from the ruling alliance — most
prominently of former president Nasheed,
who fell out with Solih.
Muizzu is being seen as a proxy of
Yameen. And his statements have given India
plenty of reasons to worry. He has threatened
to terminate agreements with foreign coun-
tries and expel foreign companies if they are
not beneficial to Maldives and its people — all
thinly-veiled references to India.
He has said the withdrawal of Indian
troops from Maldives will begin from the first
day of his government, through the “beauti-
ful principles of diplomacy”.
He has hailed Yameen for the Chinese-
funded projects. “President Yameen’s govern-
ment maintained very close relations with
China. That is in the best interest of this coun-
try. That country did not cross our boundaries.
They did not meddle with our freedom,”
Muizzu has said.
Solih, although he won praise for his han-
dling of Covid-19, is battling anti-incum-
bency. His campaign has focussed on the
achievements of his government.
One of the concerns about this election in
Maldives has been the low turnout — 79% in
the first round, “the least since its democratic
transition in 2008, when previous elections in
2008, 2013, and 2018 had a turnout of 86%,
87%, and 89 % respectively,” Aditya Gowdara
Shivamurthy, Associate Fellow with ORF’s
Strategic Studies Programme, said.
New Delhi is watching the polls with keen
interest as Solih trails in the first round.
Much will depend on whom the smaller
parties support, including Nasheed’s The
Democrats. Interestingly, in the first round,
Nasheed’s party got 7% — the gap between
Solih and Muizzu was seven points.
Jewar is DXN: How do airports get codes?
ARJUN SENGUPTA
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
THE UPCOMING Noida International Airport
(NIA) in Jewar has been awarded the unique
international code ‘DXN’ by the International
Air Transport Association (IATA).
NIA CEO Christoph Schnellmann said
‘DXN’ signifies Delhi-Noida and its connectiv-
ity tothe world through this airport. “The D in
DXN signifies Delhi, and N stands for Noida,
which shows our presence in the Western UP
area. X, we think, signifies connectivity within
India and the world,” he said on Wednesday.
Phase 1 of the airport, 65 km from Botanical
Garden, Noida, is proposed to open by the end
of 2024 with one terminal and a 3.9-km-long
North Runway. The airport will initially havea
capacity of 12 million passengers annually.
What are airport codes?
Anairport code is a unique identifier that is
assigned to each airport. While most people
are familiar only with the codes assigned by
b ar
Mihi
Binanon dept
#NiAunveiilsDXN
Noida International Airport CEO
Schnellmann and COO Jain in Greater
Noida on Wednesday. PTI
IATA, a Montreal-based international aviation
trade association, each airport actually has two
unique codes — the other is assigned by In-
ternational Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),
an arm of the UN. Both are used to accurately
identify airports, but in different contexts.
The three-digit IATA codes are used for pas-
senger facing operations — on tickets, boarding
passes, signages, etc. The four-digit codes as-
signed by the ICAO are used by industry profes-
sionals such as pilots, air traffic controllers,
planners, etc. For instance, for Indira Gandhi
International Airport in Delhi, the IATA code is
DEL whereas the ICAO code is VIDP.
Airport coding began in the 1930s, in the
very early days of commercial aviation. At the
time, airlines and pilots typically chose their
own two letter codes to identify destinations.
However, by the 1940s, as the number of air-
ports grew exponentially, a system of three
letter codes was devised (allowing for a far
higher number of combinations) and even-
tually standardised in the 1960s by the IATA.
“This is one of our major milestones as an
airport operator, the identity of our airport.
The code is for infinity, it’s not going to
change (as long as the airport remains),” said
Kiran Jain, Chief Operating Officer, NIA.
How does IATA assign airport codes?
While many airport codes intuitively make
sense (like DEL for Delhi or BOM for Mumbai,
previously Bombay), others seem to be more
random (like [XR for Ranchi). This is what de-
termines the IATA code for any airport:
E How the airport wishes to identify itself.
Airport authorities lobby for a code that they
deem meaningful in some way. City names,
airport names, and location names are some
common bases for codes.
E Availability of said code. The codes are
meaningful only because they are unique;
no two airports can have the same IATA code.
This is one of the reasons why Ranchi airport
is not RAN (taken by Ravenna, Italy).
E Certain common conventions, which de-
pend on the country. The other reason why
Ranchi airport is IXR is a convention followed
in India where military airports extended for
civilian traffic are assigned codes beginning
with ‘IX’. So, Agartala airportis IXA, Chandigarh
airport is IXC, and Leh airport is IXL.
Similarly, in Canada, all airport codes be-
gin with ‘Y’ — Toronto has YYZ, Vancouver
YVR, and so on. In the US, all codes starting
with N are reserved for the US Navy.
The assignment of these codes is gov-
erned by IATA Resolution 763 and are pub-
lished twice each year in the IATA Airline
Coding Directory.
India in JP Morgan bond index, economy set to get dollar inflow boost
(GEORGE MATHEW 6
HITESH VYAS
JPMORGAN Chase & Colast week became the
first global index provider to include Indian
government bonds in its emerging markets
index (GBI-EM), setting the stage for billions
of dollars ofinflows into the Indian economy.
Other global investment majors are said to be
ina watch-and-wait mode to bring India into
their investment index baskets.
Views are divided on when the expected
dollar inflows might start. However, there
is unanimity that a surge in flows will bol-
ster India’s fiscal and balance of payments
dynamics. Higher inflows could also help
keep the rupee strong, but could have an
impact on retail inflation.
How will India’s local bonds be
included in the JP Morgan debt index?
The inclusion of eligible bonds in the index
will be staggered over a 10-month period
from June 28, 2024 through March 31, 2025.
Global investors allocate funds to vari-
ous countries depending on their weigh-
tage in leading indices. JP Morgan GBI-EM is
a widely tracked debt index — and analysts
estimate this inclusion could result in in-
flows of around $25-30 billion into the gov-
ernment securities market.
In a note, Goldman Sachs said foreign
funds may start flowing into the country
“immediately”. “Given that several EM
(emerging market) dedicated funds are al-
ready set up on India, we think the flows will
be front-loaded, beginning immediately, as
investors pre-position for inclusion next
year,” the note said.
Are more index inclusions on the way?
“With the exclusion of Russia and the
troubles in China, global debt investors now
have fewer options. Hopefully rating agen-
cies will respect investors’ viewpoint, and
give up their moody and poor standards,”
Nilesh Shah, MD, Kotak Mahindra Asset
Management Company, said.
FTSE Russell, another major index
provider, has Indian bonds on index watch
for inclusion in its emerging market gauge.
The FTSE Emerging Markets Government
Bond Index-Capped (EM GBI-
Capped) oversaw total funds
(AUM) of $1,477 billion at the
end of August, making it more
than six times bigger than JP
Morgan Government Bond Index-Emerging
Markets Global Diversified (JPM GBI-EM GD).
Soumya Kanti Ghosh, Group Chief Econo-
mic Adviser, State Bank of India, said choosing
JPM GBI-EM could be a “deliberate move on
the part of the government and RBI to ensure
future developments have a natural progres-
sion, evolving and maturing organically to
mitigate possible points of friction”.
In a note, IDFC First Bank said India’s
chances of inclusion in the Bloomberg
Global Aggregate Index has risen after the
inclusion in the JP Morgan EM bond index.
“In case India is included in the
Bloomberg Global Aggregate Index, it could
result in inflows of $15 billion to $ 20 billion
with India’s weight ranging from 0.6 per
cent to 0.8 per cent,” the note said.
What will be the impact of this
development?
INTEREST RATES:
E X P L A l N E D Analysts say high inflows could
"MONEY
put downward pressure onin-
terest rates. The foreign de-
mand for government bonds
will push down yields, which in turn, will ease
pressure on interest rates in the financial sys-
tem. This will happen much earlier than June
2024.
CORPORATES & MARKETS: Most cor-
porate bond yields are benchmarked to
yields on government bonds. “Therefore,
yields will decline pan India, across indus-
tries. The decline in the cost of capital will
translate into higher profits for the corpo-
rate sector, which in turn, will boost stock
DBE E
prices...” V KVijayakumar, Chief Investment
Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, said.
RUPEE: Higher inflows will likely keep
the rupee strong, but put pressure on retail
inflation. However, the RBI has various in-
struments to keep the rupee stable and
maintain the liquidity position at a comfort-
able level. Strong inflows have the potential
to push up retail inflation.
MACRO: Foreign exchange reserves are
expected to get a boost in 2024 and 2025.
Positive sentiments around the JP Morgan
index inclusion could lead to some inflows
in the remainder of FY23 as well. With cur-
rent account deficit (CAD) expected in the
range of 1.5-1.6% of GDP, these flows will
help to augment India’s balance of payments
(BoP) surplus. This is important because
India’s CAD in FY25 is expected to reach 2%
of GDP amidst a pickup in global and domes-
tic growth, and higher commodity prices,
according to a Bank of Baroda report.
Are there any major concerns?
A heavy flow of foreign debt comes with
its macro-prudential risks. There is a risk of
retail inflation rising; besides, foreign port-
folio investment flows tend to be volatile
and highly dependent on exogenous fac-
tors. “In the case of any adverse external
shock, investors tend to move away from
riskier markets like India, which can lead to
acapital flight. This will leave India’s finan-
cial markets prone to heightened volatility.
Both bond markets and the domestic cur-
rency will be impacted,” the BoB report cau-
tioned.
The sudden exit of foreign investors can
also impact the stock markets, leading to
losses for investors.
Historically, there have been a few in-
stances wherein capital outflows have re-
sulted in a rapid depreciation of the rupee.
In short, inclusion in such indices makes
the country susceptible to higher financial
sector volatility. This would require robust
monitoring and intervention by the RBI and
government. As such, RBI will have its task
cut out to ensure stability in the financial
markets and prevent spillovers from finan-
cial markets in the real economy, the BoB
report said.
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
THE INDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
EXPRESS NETWORK 2}
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with US Secretary of
State Antony Blinken in Washington, Thursday. AP
Jaishankar meets US
NSA, talks progress
in bilateral relations
LALIT K JHA
WASHINGTON, SEPTEMBER 28
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Minister S
Jaishankar on Thursday met US
National Security Advisor Jake
Sullivan and US Trade
Representative Katherine Tie
and discussed the progress in bi-
lateral relations, including the
trade and economic cooperation
and ways to take it forward.
Jaishankar, who arrived here
from New York on Wednesday
after addressing the 78th
General Assembly session of the
United Nations on Tuesday, will
meet US Secretary of State
Antony Blinken later in the day.
"Began my Washington DC
visit with a meeting with NSA
@JakeSullivan46. Recognised the
tremendous progress in our bi-
lateral relationship this year and
discussed taking it forward,"
Jaishankar said in a post on X.
The White House was not
immediately available for com-
ments on the meeting.
Jaishankar also met the US
Trade Representative Tie and
discussed the growing economic
ties between Washington and
New Delhi.
The minister also engaged
with think tanks here and held
an "open and productive" con-
versation, discussing India's ex-
panding role in the global world.
"An open and productive
conversation with Think Tanks
in Washington DC this morning.
Discussed transformations un-
derway around the world and
India's growing role," he said.
Jaishankar will meet Blinken
at the Foggy Bottom headquar-
ters of the State Department
later in the day.
This is the highest-level
meeting between the two coun-
tries after the recently concluded
G-20 summit in New Delhi and
amidst the India-Canada diplo-
matic row. PTI
RE-EMPLOYMENT, ARREAR TO STAFF
SC allows SpiceJet to seek
modification in HC order
INVESTORS SUMMIT
Uttarakhand
inks deals worth
Rs 3,000 crore
Dehradun: Investment MoUs
worth Rs 3,000 crore were
20-yr-old dies by suicide in Kota
Jaipur: A 20-year-old student al-
legedly died by suicide in Kota on
Wednesday. The exact reason
behind his action is not yet clear,
said officials on Thursday.
According to the police, the
student's body was discovered
tified as Mohammad Tanveer
Khan. He is a native of Uttar
Pradesh’s Maharajganj and was
livingin Kota with his father and
sister...The student was upset at
this as the family is facing finan-
cial difficulties,” sub-inspector
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
THE SUPREME Court has allowed
SpiceJet to approach the Bombay
High Court to seek modification
in the HCorder asking it to provide
employment/wages to workers
whose services it allegedly termi-
nated, after the airline reasoned
that its operations had been sig-
nificantly affected by the Covid-
19 pandemic. The airline’s stand
is that these employees were on
“fixed-term contracts” and their
employment came to an end on
expiry of the contract period.
A bench of Justices J K
Maheshwari and K V
Viswanathan, which heard the
appeal filed by SpiceJet challeng-
ing the May 3, 2023 order of the
HC, noted that the documents re-
lating to the period of service put
in by the employees and the ones
on reduction in number of flight
operations, be brought to the no-
tice of the HC.
“,..atthe first instance, it is im-
perative on petitioners to bring all
those documents to the notice of
the High Court and seek modifi-
cation of the order impugned.
In view of above facts, learned
senior counsel appearing for the
petitioners seeks permission to
withdraw this Special Leave
Petition with liberty to approach
the High Court seeking modifica-
tion of the order impugned,” the
bench said in September 22 order.
By its order dated January 10,
2022, the Central Government
Industrial Tribunal-2 (CGIT-2),
Mumbai, had directed SpiceJet to
WEST BENGAL SCHOOL JOBS CASE
ED summons TMC MP Abhishek, his parents ||
SWEETY KUMARI
KOLKATA, SEPTEMBER 28
THEENFORCEMENT Directorate
(ED) has summoned Trinamool
Congress general secretary
Abhishek Banerjee and his par-
ents — Amit Banerjee and Lata
Banerjee — for questioning in
connection with its probe into the
school jobs scam in West Bengal.
Abhishek, the Diamond
Harbour MP, said that he had
been asked to appear by the cen-
tral agency on October 3, the day
he was scheduled to participate
inthe TMC's protest in New Delhi
Ina first, Kerala Cabinet led by CM on
month-long yatra to talk of govt schemes
SHAJU PHILIP
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,
SEPTEMBER 28
THE KERALA Cabinet led by Chief
Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is about
to take aleaf out of the playbook of
non-Communist parties and
launch a yatra across Kerala, to
spread the word on the Left gov-
ernment's developmental initia-
tives, interacting with a cross-sec-
tion of society and personalities.
The month-long tour, named
“Nava Kerala Sadas (New Kerala
Assembly)”, organised by the state
government, will begin from the
state's north on November 18.
While parties are known to
undertake such state-wide tours
in Kerala, itis the first time an en-
tire Cabinet is slated to move
from one Assembly constituency
to another over the period of a
month. The official tour, which
will include party conventions,
is aimed at gathering feedback
from the people on the progress
in key areas the CPI(M)-led LDF
Governor nod
to Gujarat
Common
varsities Bill
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
AHMEDABAD, SEPTEMBER 28
GOVERNOR ACHARYA Devvrat
Thursday assented to the Gujarat
Public Universities Bill 2023,
which was passed by the
Assembly amid opposition from
the Congress on September 16.
Sources in the government re-
vealed that the Governor has
signed the Bill on Thursday and
the same has been communi-
cated to the education depart-
ment. However, the department
is yet to receive the file.
The Opposition Congress had
opposed the Bill both inside and
outside the Assembly citing curb-
ing of autonomy of the 11 state
universities that have been
brought under the common Act
along with an attempt of
"sarkarikaran" (governmentalisa-
tion) of education in the state.
From the oldest Maharaja
Sayajirao University of Baroda in
Vadodara and Gujarat University
Ahmedabad to recent Bhakt Kavi
Narsinh Mehta University
Junagadh and Shri Govind Guru
University Godhra formed in
2015, the Act brings under its
purview 11 universities.
A major bone of contention
has been the replacement of all
elected bodies with a board of
management at the universities.
The board will become the prin-
cipal executive and final decision-
making of the universities.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan
government has made over the
last seven years, plus popularis-
ing its representatives.
Addressing the media on
Wednesday, CM Vijayan said the
government has made several
strides towards creating a new
Kerala.
Slamming the programme,
senior Congress legislator and
Leader of the Opposition (LoP) V
D Satheesan called Nava Kerala
Sadas a government-sponsored
poll campaign. “The LDF should
conduct the election campaign at
its own cost. The CPI(M) has no
right to squander taxpayers’
money on a poll campaign. This
is meant for an overhaul of the
state government. The UDF will
boycott the programme,” he said.
Earlier this year, CPI(M) state
secretary M V Govindan had car-
ried outa similar Kerala yatra, the
“Janakeeya Prathirodha Jatha
(People’s Defence Journey)”, cov-
ering all 140 Assembly con-
stituencies in the state.
Govindan’s yatra was geared at
sensitising people against central
policies of the BJP government
that are "detrimental" to the
state, besides exposing the Sangh
Parivar's "communal agenda”.
As a precursor to the Cabinet's
state tour, the CM is conducting
a regional review of all projects
and flagship schemes. The first
such review was done in
Thiruvananthapuram on
Tuesday; the second will be held
in Thrissur on Friday. In addition,
the government will showcase
its achievements in a seven-day-
long extravaganza titled,
“Keraleeyam 23”, in the first
week of November at
Thiruvananthapuram.
Abhishek
Banerjee
against the BJP governmentat the
Centre over alleged non-transfer
of central funds to the state.
This is the first time that his
parents Amit Banerjee and Lata
Banerjee, directors in Leaps and
Bounds, the company which is
under the ED’s scanner in the re-
cruitment case, have been sum-
moned in the case.
provide employment to over 350
of these former employees.
The HC modified this and di-
rected the airline to provide em-
ployment or back wages to 60
employees as undertaken by the
operator earlier and work and
back wages to those of the re-
maining who had not yet resigned
and were willing to work.
The SLP filed against this
through Advocate Nupur Kumar
said the courts below had “erro-
neously failed to consider that the
case of all the employees seeking
permanence of employment can-
not be similarly placed. . .as all em-
ployees...had not putin an equal
number of years of service”.
The plea pointed out that of
the total 371 employees, only 26
had put in service of five years or
more while 120 had resigned.
The agency, which is probing
the money-laundering angle in
the alleged irregularities in the
appointment of staff in govern-
ment schools, had questioned
Abhishek at its Kolkata office for
nearly nine hours on September
13, the day the TMCleader was to
attend the coordination meeting
of the Opposition's INDIA bloc al-
liance in the national capital.
Hitting out at the BJP govern-
ment at the Centre over the lat-
est summons, the MP wrote on
X, “Earlier the ED summoned
me on a day coinciding with an
important coordinating meet-
ing of #INDIA in Delhi. I dutifully
X SUSPENDS ACCOUNT
Bengaluru doctor barred
from posting messages
against ‘Himalaya Wellness’
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
BENGALURU, SEPTEMBER 28
ACIVIL court in Bengaluru issued
a temporary injunction against a
Bengaluru-based doctor and ra-
tionalist Cyriac Aby Philips, bar-
ring him from communicating
messages on his social media han-
dle or publishing against products
of Himalaya Wellness Company.
The court ordered social media
service X Corp (formerly Twitter)
to block the handle of Dr Phillips.
The civil court passed the or-
der on September 23 after the
Himalaya Wellness Company ap-
proached the court stating that
posts and messages by Dr Philips
onalternative medicine products
by the company were damaging
sales and benefiting competitors.
“In the facts and circum-
stances issue ad interim ex parte
temporary injunction order re-
straining Defendant No.1 from
tweeting, making or publishing,
re-tweeting and re-publishing
defamatory remarks against the
plaintiff company and /or the
products of the plaintiff company
till next date of hearing,” the civil
court said while posting the case
for hearing on January 5, 2024.
X Corp has suspended the ac-
count of Dr Philips since the
September 23 order.
The Himalaya Wellness
Company has accused Dr Philips
of "posting derogatory statements
and materials against the prod-
ucts" of the company leading to
the substantial reduction of busi-
ness. It has alleged that the social
media messages of the doctor are
intended to push products of
pharma firms Cipla and Alchem.
The courtruled that an urgent
injunction has to be issued in the
matter without serving notices to
the defendants to state their case.
KUVEMPU UNIVERSITY
State University Recognised by UGC, Accredited by NAAC with 'A' Grade
Ranked 86 by NIRF, ‘3rd Rank’ in KSURF Ranking-2020
DIRECTORATE OF DISTANCE EDUCATION
Jnana Sahyadri, Shankaraghatta-577 451, Shivamogga Dist., Karnataka
Ph: 08282-256450, Email: admissions.kuolp@gmail.com
No. KU/DDE-PS/2023-24/
Admission Notification
for Online Education PG & UG Programmes (Courses)
These Programmes are UGC entitled Programmes as per provision 3(B)(a) of UGC (Open and Distance
Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020. UGC Notification No.F.No. 39-2/2023 (DEB-I), 7th July 2023
M.A. (04 Semesters)
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e Kannada e English e Economics e Political Science
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Last date for Admissions : 30-09-2023
All admission registrations are through online only
Visit Website
Click the link-DDE Online Program July-2023 Session at
www.kuvempu.ac.in OR www.kuvempu.ac.in/eng/DistanceWeb/index.php
e Perspective Learners (Candidates) across the Country and Abroad can take admission to Kuvempu University
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è Programmes listed above will be offered subject to the minimum admissions requirement - 50 students per
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eligible; otherwise their fee will be refunded.
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Sd/- REGISTRAR
Navalkishor Sharma on
Thursday. ENS
signed with two companies on
Thursday, the third day of Chief
Minister Pushkar Singh
Dhami’s visit to Britain, during
a meeting organised for the
Global Investors Summit in
London. Dhami is in the UK to
attract investments for the in-
vestors summit scheduled in
Uttarakhand in December.
on Wednesday afternoon.
“The student has been iden-
qera ara
aari Reor eq aides amaa (mfe)
ma fem. ear were, aaa vee eer geri eee 4 sh eal
While meetings continued] | 773 Pashemaa, mama + ma ye mi m fain aie effec go e i ay era
with several global investors ,| | ai= $g ws @firtwa shifty @efefeer Shi wart tq antes siR fea ort 2) gags
an MoU worth Rs 2,000 crore} | gef fete saoo à Pate 11102009 qat ao wA ae well wes ier ee,
was signed with Agar
Technology and another qari eee 6 fees (betes) ete anbea we aad 2) feat wie 21 SH 7
worth Rs 1,000 crore with Fira
Barcelona. Agar Technology
has agreed to invest in lithium
battery plants in Uttarakhand.
Fira Barcelona is a presti-
gious group in Europe that
deals in convention center and
events management. ENS
ated & art 4 aa are fier — afer eh ag E i
oo | ds mame | ode |) ee ao] die) | l epee
wrt a
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iff wedi
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+ a)
lza ale
mimea dyn ad} ome if
rear, wall
et)
šan avi ae Uf BETO TAT?
ma deaa
ahii Se
(e m)
iadi cami
Hyaa g uima al 3
Hee
asa a) wha
sel wear wee sere ser aera Ft feo ails Stee oe A
mire wy ape E j
Bree aie m et gl Tay ga a] Wl a arpa ina aiia y agan wa w in af
appeared and complied with
the summons...today yet again
they have served me another
summon to appear...when the
agitation for West Bengal's
rightful dues is scheduled in
Delhi on 3rd Oct...”
TMC spokesperson Kunal
Ghosh also criticised the BJP for
allegedly targeting Banerjee.
Reacting to the TMC's allega-
tions, BJP leader Rahul Sinha
said, “He (Abhishek) wouldn't
have reacted this way if he had
nothing to hide. Every time he is
called... he moves the
court..There is something
wrong here.”
Regional Office Samastipur :
Panchvati Complex, Mohanpur
Road, Samastipur (Bihar)-848101
afaterat das (fJ) Union Bank | POSSESSION NOTICE
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21482/HAY war, ere
of indit
(For immovable property)
| Whereas:
|The undersigned belng the authorised officer of Union Bank of India, under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of
(Financial Assets and Enforcement Security Interest Act, 2002 and in exercise of powers conferred under Section 13(12)
read with rule 3 of the Security Interest (Enforcement) Rules, 2002 issued a demand notice calling upon the following
borrowers and guarantors to repay the amount mentioned in the notice and as stated below, The borrower/quarantor
having failed to repay the amount, notice is hereby given to the Borrowenguarantor and the public in general that the
[undersigned has taken possession of the property described herein below in exercise of powers conferred on himlher
lunder Section 13/4) ofthe said Act read with rule dof the said rules,
The borrower guarantor Im particular and the public in general is hereby cautioned not to deal with the property and
lany dealings with the property will be subject to the charge of the Union Bank of India, for an amount mentioned as stated
below and interest thereon. The borrowers attention is invited to provisions of sub-section (3) of section 13 of the Act, in
respect of time available, ta redeem the secured assets
| Name of the Borrower
Name of the
Mortgagor Guarantor
1.Borrower: Mis Sriman Srimatl (Jhanjharpur
RS), Propoetor- Sanjay Kumar Ray, Situated at
Jhanjharpur RS Bazar Near ICICI Bank Bahat,
Jhanjharpur, Madhubani, Bihar-&47403 2.
Borrower: Sanjay Kumar Ray, Sia Mahadev
Prasad Ray, (Prop of Mis Sriman Srimati
(Jhanjharpur RSJ) Rio-Ward No. 6, Pathrahi Tol
Behat,Jhanjharpur RS , Madhubani, Bihar-
B47d03 3.Guarantor Manoj Kumar , Sio-
Baidyanath Yadav, Rio-Ward No. 4 vill Motanjay
Post Thengaha, Darbhanga, Bihar-847405
| Place : Madhubani
ngs 1. Amount of Demand
Description of Notice
the Secured Assets 2. Date of Demand
Land & building inthe name of Mr|_ Notice
Sanjay Kumar S/o-Late Mahadev 2- Date of Possession
Prasad situated at Mauza Behati 1, Rs. 11,13,302.3T I-
Parathi Tola Thana-Lakhnaur,
Jhanjharpur, District- Madhubani, = saa
Bihar bearing land detail as under:-L— :
Thana No. 238, Tauzi Mo. 6424, Khata No, 283, Khesra No.-
4429 4430 (old) 9569 9570 (New), Area 12 Dhur. Boundry:
N- Yadubir and Uday, $- Subendra Jha, Sebak, E- Anil
Singh, W-Fulendra Jha
| Branch
Hame
Jhanjharpur Branch
Authorised officer
Ear to SE:
a
Atal Medical & Research University, H.P.
E (A State Govt. University)
(SLBS Govt. Medical College & Hospital Campus,
Ner Chowk, Mandi, H.P.)
www.amruhp.ac.in, WhatsApp No.94591-39364, Phone No. 01905-243967
Admission Notice
Counselling and Admission for MD/MS
Ayurved courses for Academic Year 2023-2024
Online applications are invited from interested
candidates who have qualified AIAPGET 2023, for
counseling and admission in MD/MS Ayurved courses
for academic year 2023-24, of Govt./private Ayurved
colleges situated in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
Interested candidates can apply online through
https://erpamruhp.in/ from 29th September 2023
(Friday) to 4th October 2023. For details, please visit
Atal Medical & Research University, HP website
www.amruhp.ac.in and for enquiry contact on
WhatsApp No. 9459139364 and Email Id
amruhelpdesk.ayush@gmail.com aa
Controller of Examinations
GOVERNMENT OF ASSAM
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ENGINEER, PWD (ROADS)
ASSAM, CHANDMARI, GUWAHATI-3
No-CE/STBR/MMPNA/08/2022-23/1
PRESS NOTICE INVITING TENDER
The Chief Engineer, PWD, (Roads), Assam, Chandmari, Ghy-3 on behalf of the Governor of Assa
invites Bids online for Roads & Bridge projects in Tamulpur, Borkhola, Katigorah, Lakhipur, Silchar,
Sonai, Udarbond, Sonari, Mangoldoi, Dhubri, Gauripur, Golokgonj, Goalpara West, Jaleswar, Khumtai,
Algapur, Hailakandi, Katlicherra, Jamunamukh, Jorhat, Boko, Dispur, Ratabari, Jagiroad, Lahorighat,
Batadrava, Nagaon, Borchola, Patacharkuchi, Barama, Baghbor, Abhayapuri South, Bijni, Sidli,
Sipajhar, Bilasipara West, Nahorkatia, Haflong, Kamalpur, West Guwahati, Bokajan, Badarpur,
Karimganj West, Karimganj South, Patharkandi & Nazira LACS of Assam from eligible registered
Contractors for 117 (one hundred seventeen) Nos. of Repair/Rehabilitation of Steel BUG Bridges unde
Mukhya Mantrir Path Nabikaran Achani (MMPNA) for 2023-24 for an amount of Rs. 2714.39 Lakhs
(approx). Details may be seen at website http://assamtenders.gov.in and also at the office of the
undersigned (State Bridge Design Branch) during office hours.
Note:
1. The Scheme is not yet being sanctioned from competent authority. In the event of non-sanction of the
Scheme, the bids may be cancelled and no claim what so ever on this account shall be entertained fro
the bidders.
2. The approximate N.I.T. Value is inclusive of GST, L.C. etc.
Chief Engineer, PWD (Roads)
Assam, Chandmari, Guwahati-3.
Janasanyog/CF/2883/23/29-SEP-23
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
THE INDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
22, CALENDAR
OEE (ORD aE DAY TODAY BY PETER VIDAL
—— - j ITKNOW! AD
SPIDERS ARE IT'S MY 5 HOW DO Y A
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brings a steadily increasing
pace. Friends and partners
may put demands on your
time, and everyone will
potential, are
becoming ever more complex.
Busy times lie ahead
and routine chores will
therefore mount up. Social
introductions should be
interesting, and you may fall
powerful planetary influences
to push you in the right
direction. Status may be more
important than monetary
benefit from a touch of your rewards right now.
; distinctive humour.
Ai SCORPIO (Oct 24 - Nov 23)
ae TAURUS (Apr 21 - May 21) As a Scorpio you are
Your business and by nature deeply
financial activities, motivated by your
| whether real or beliefs. Partners will
be impressed if you share your
profound insights and ideas,
and keep them up to date with
your plans for the future. The
weekend’s arguments could
focus on money - and who
owes whom what.
acho DOWN PA TRAP, AND SHE DOESNT SHOW UP? BNI me on LET {| AMBUSH To HER. under someone’s spell. SAcervAinits (Nev 34 Dee 2)
f at i i! ARIUS (Nov 24 - Dec
ee AUBIN Temun otoicaia) GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) Even though it may
, 2 Why anote goes astray Romantic affairs be out of character,
4 Interrupt one’s rest (5) in transit (2,3,3) still figure strongly plotting ways to
7 As far as could be from the 3 Lie in an open sort of in your calculations, earn more money
Mount of Olives (4) way (6) although today’s has become one of your
8 He has a burning desire to
destroy (8)
4 Kind of loaf some prefer
to make toast? (5,5)
influences in this respect
may catch you by surprise.
Unfortunately, partners who
favourite activities, even if
your ideas seldom move
beyond the planning stage.
10 A blow thatis 5 It’s a bad thing to be l ; .
3 envy your success may be in If you’re spending cash
sustained (6,4) overthrown (4) i a fault-finding mood. You today, gadgets to help with
12 Disgraced bogus 6 Cut the top off drawings of may have to play the martyr, a healthier lifestyle could
journalist (6) boats (7) just to placate them. be a good buy.
13 First impressions of a 9 Groundless rumour that
photographer (6) there’s unemployment? (4,6) y lOmaAr mstron g CANCER (June 22 - July 23) | CAPRICORN (Dec 23 -Jan 20)
, Partners who are in Even if you're ina
15 One match should last hima 11 Command a slave to serve an argumentative secretive mood
lifetime (10) one first (8) mood will be out today, as |
y, as long as
18 Pedestrian way of choosing 12 Meetings that raise the STOP TRYING TO MAKE ` of step today. If the Moonis
candidates (8) spirits (7) FETCH HAPPEN. IT’S NOT anyone in your vicinity is aligned with romantic and
19 A travel pass is required in 14 Make a spring comeback (6 H upset then be quick to cheer creative sectors, social and
Virginia (a) 16 see ee ichas (6) : = | : GOING TO HAPPE N them up, settling disputes romantic opportunities
20 Fight to getrid of been adapted (5) i f į E if and freeing the way for abound and you'll appreciate
something (5) i [3 RE J | everyone to move on to considerate and loving
8 17 Othello was said i i more constructive avenues. behaviour from partners.
21 They transmit power in to be so securein | Once you are sure of your Take the lead and show how
genes perhaps (7) Venice (4) | j next step, please seek support generous you can be now
3 from partners. that you’re so much
Solutions Crossword 5168 Across: 1 Good weather, 9 Outpost, 10 Ariel, 11 Pine, 12 i more experienced.
Riparian, 14 Ringer, 16 Athene, 18 Mainland, 19 Bent, 22 Noose, 23 Tension, 24 Fell f LEO (July 24 - Aug 23) .
through Down: 2 Often, 3 Drop, 4 Entail, 5 Tea party, 6 Edifice, 7 Compartment, 8 F Professional issues AQUARIUS (Jan 21- Feb 19)
Clandestine, 13 Well well, 15 Noisome, 17 Snatch, 20 Eking, 21 Undo g are brought into Mercury’s
N) focus by a series of relationship with
planets aligned the foundation of
with your tenth and sixth solar your horoscope
houses, especially if you are in means that changes in the
J U M B LE D W e) R DS the habit of overworking and home may require more
Difficulty Level 1s
tiring yourself out. Take iteasy thought, although you'll
Instructions if you want to make the most probably be impatient with
Given below are four jumbled words. Solve the jumbles to make proper words and move them to To solve a Sudoku puzzle, . : .
the respective squares below. Select the letters in the shaded squares and jumble them to get igi of posve and daring anybody who stands in
P PA AM q J g Te) every digit from 1 to 9 romantic trends. your way.
the answer for the given quip. ree) must appear in each of the
The day whichwe___is but the birthday of eternity. - Lucius Annaeus aa nine vertical columns, in VIRGO (Aug 24 - Sep 23) PISCES (Feb 20 - Mar 20)
SOPTA LEENA Ww each of the nine horizontal ae e A epee
k
GALEA ANULST a = Baa O aene he O) relationship with (X) enjoyable day and
i i x nine boxes. Venus and Jupiter you will be tempted
= in suitably ambitious sectors by diversions and distractions.
of your solar chart creates The time for improvements
WAORR EEFFSU =) Difficulty Level brilliant and idealistic to your home environment is
Hmmm EE | V) 1s = Very easy; 2s = Easy; possibilities today. It is up still with you, so press on
3s = Medium; 4s = Hard: to you to set the pace and regardless. In love, give
5s = Very Hard: turn events to your own partners the first choice, and do
edauas snaeuUY snpn]- b- Caie unique advantage. your best to fulfil their wishes.
‘AMUI Jo Aepyy.tiq əy} Mq S1 JS] INO se ILIZ ƏM YPYM Aep ƏY L -lamsuy
ISNA ‘NVIINS ‘MONAY “AVOTV :NOILNTOS
MoU— ONGC AWARD - GOA SHIPYARD LTD
ONGC inked MoU with NTPC Green Energy Ltd. to realize its NM Wagh, PRO,
Renewable energy objectives towards energy transition on 27 Sept. GSL honoured with
2023. The MoU will primarily explore the feasibility & setting up of
Renewable Energy Projects in various domains. The MoU envisages
collaboration of the two mega entities in Renewable Power Projects in
India & Overseas through offshore wind projects.
PRCI "Promising PR
Person of the Year"
Award during the
Chanakya Award
Ceremony at Public
Relation Council of
India's 17th Global Communication Conclave: “Building Trust Digitally”
at Delhi. Jual Oram, MP & Chairman, of the Parliamentary Standing
Committee on Defence & Vinod Zutshi, Former Secy. of Tourism,
E2 YA os | presented the award in the presence of of MB Jayaram, PRCI Chief
ati a f as Mentor & Chairman Emeritus, Ms Geetha Shankar, National President,
eT
PRCI, & Dr T Vinay Kumar, Secy., GC, PRCI, Rajesh Sahgal, Conclave
Chairman, PRCI & a large number of PR, Corporate Communication &
ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING —NAFED a Media Professionals. A very seasoned PR Professional Nikhil Wagh
The 66th Annual General Body Meeting of the NAFED took place in New Delhi at the NCUI Auditorium, Hauz has completed Master of Arts in Mass Communication & Journalism,
Khas. Approximately 558 delegates representing various Member societies and state federations, such as Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication & Journalism.
RAJFED, MARKFED-Punjab, BISCOMAUN- Bihar, BUNKUS, Delhi State Co-op Federation, & Ahilya Co- os
operative Society Federation, graced the event with their presence. In his welcome address, Dr Bijender Singh,
Chairman NAFED thanked PM Modi, Union Minister for Home & Cooperation, Amit Shah, Union Minister of
Agriculture, Narendra Singh Tomar, & senior officers of the Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare and Department of Consumer Affairs for their continued guidance & support to NAFED over
the yrs & also for the faith & trust placed in the abilities of the Federation.
CSR— INDIANOIL
Ms. Sukla Mistry, Director (Refineries), IndianOil, presented a water
canon-fitted vehicle for rescue operations to National Zoological Park,
New Delhi under CSR as part of the World Rhino Day celebrations
observed on Sept. 22, 2023. The vehicle shall play a crucial role in
rescue-related functions within the premises & help avoid any man-
animal conflict in a manner which is safefor animals.
FOUNDATION DAY—RAILTEL
RailTel commemorated its 24th Foundation Day at the Airforce Audi-
torium,New Delhi. Smt. Jaya Varma Sinha, Chairman & CEO of the Railway
Board, Shobhan Chaudhary, GM/NRs, Arun Saxena, Advisor to M/o Railways,
Sanjai Kumar CMD, V. Rama Manohara Rao, Dir. Manoj Tandon, Dir. POM, YS
Tomar, Dir. NPM, Dr. Chandramani Sharma, CVO & other senior officials from
RailTel, Railways, different Ministries were present on the occasion.
pe Gut
mie he |
ANNUAL REPORT—THDCIL
THDCIL presented its Annual Report for the FY 22-23,
marking a yr of exceptional success & transformative
progress. RK Vishnoi CMD, THDCIL while addressing
informed that, during the FY 22-23, we achieved a {
cumulative energy generation of 4,935.48 (MU),marking Fa 3
the highest level of output in the past nine financial yrs.
VISIT — DMRC kai Pa
A bunch of youngsters who bravely fought Cancer visited the Delhi Metro l tnan
Museum. As part of the Childhood Cancer Awareness month in Sept., these
enterprising boys & girls enacted a play at the Metro Museum to raise
awareness about the disease. DMRC in association with the NGO Cankids.
Kidscan organised the event. DMRC's MD, Dr. Vikas Kumar kindly graced
the occasion & interacted with these 'warriors'. The event was aptly named
‘Udaan' to symbolise their unwavering fight to stand against the odds.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING- IRFC
The 36th AGM of the Indian Railway Finance Corporation Ltd. was held
under the chairmanship of Smt. Shelly Verma, CMD (Additional Charge)
& Director (Finance) of the company. While addressing the AGM, Smt.
| Shelly Verma said: “IRFC reported a strong financial performance during
| the yr under review, with all-time high revenue & profits. The net profit of
IRFC for FY23 stood at Rs.6,337.01 cr, an increase of 4.06% against
Rs.6,089.84 cr inthe last fiscal.” Smt. Verma further informed that the
total revenue from operations grew by 17.70%, year-on-year, amounting
to Rs. 23,891.28 cr against Rs.20,298.27 cr in the last fiscal year.
EVENT — NBCC
CM of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik inaugurated NBCC built Ra-
venshaw Uiversity in Cuttak . The event was also attended by
Bhartruhari Mahtab, MP Cuttak, Ranendra Pratap Swain MLA,
Athagarh, Souvic Biswal, MLA, Chandra Sarathi Behera, MLA,
Sadarother, MLA & senior officers of District Administration,
Raneshaw University & NBCC were also present.
ye le |
mn ‘Lia a
INDIA TAKES THE HELM: G20 2023 PRESIDENCY STEERS TOWARD A GLOBAL
FUTURE OF PROGRESS—TIA MATHUR
As India assumed the presidency of the G20 in 2023 — the eighteenth meeting
of the Group of Twenty — the world looked to the most populous democracy, an
emerging economic powerhouse & a potential global superpower, with high
expectations, hope and anticipation. The significance of India’s leadership in this
global forum cannot be overstated, as it is not only the first G20 summit to be
held in India but also came at a critical juncture in history when the world is
grappling with multifaceted challenges spanning climate change to escalating
geopolitical tensions. Chaired by the visionary leader of the most populous nation,
the Indian PM, Narendra Modi & centered on the motto, “Vasudhaiva Kut-
umbakam”, India’s presidency began on 1 December 2022 and will continue until 30 November 2023;
wherein India’s leadership in the G20 reflects the country’s growing economic and geopolitical influence
on the world stage. With a population of over 1.3 billion and a thriving economy, India has become a key
player in the global arena. Its presidency provides an opportunity to shape global policies through a
human-centric development approach, foster economic growth with a focus on women-led development,
and address pressing issues such as climate change, debt restructuring, and regulation of global
cryptocurrencies. Amidst the pressing challenges facing the world, India’s G20 presidency holds immense
significance due to the country’s economic stature and global influence, placing it in a leadership position
to drive positive change and foster international cooperation for making meaningful strides toward a
more equitable and sustainable future. In this digital age of evolving connectivity and global awareness, the
assumption of India’s presidency in the G20 for the year 2023 not only marks a pivotal moment for the
world but resonates profoundly with the millennial generation. As the younger demographic of India
Spreads its wings, aspirations soar, and pride for the nation amplifies, the impact of this momentous
responsibility cannot be underestimated. The influence of India’s G20 leadership on the collective dreams
& ambitions of young teenagers carries a promise of shaping a future where global cooperation and
sustainable growth take centre stage, inspiring a generation to dream bigger & reach higher. For Indian
millennials, the recent G20 summit hosted by India holds notable implications. Despite the ongoing
conflict in Ukraine, India orchestrated a successful G20 summit, enhancing its global standing. The
extensive negotiations and diverse discussions over the two-day event showcased India’s diplomatic
prowess. On the global stage, the G20 declaration tactfully balanced interests.
IRCTC On its 24 th Foundation Day on 27 th September which was also
coinciding with the World Tourism Day, IRCTC is offering a slew of
attractive offers to the customers to book air tickets with it. Customers
can avail this offer by booking their tickets through IRCTC’s air ticketing
portal www.irctc.co.in as well as IRCTC Air mobile app. Along with Zero
Convenience Fees, IRCTC has also launched other offers on this
occasion with discounts up to Rs. 2000/- on air tickets on card
transactions of different banks. With the festive season shortly
beginning from October onwards, customers can now avail these
special offers from IRCTC by booking their air tickets for their planned
vacations and the New Year which is less than 100 ca ave
AGREEMENT — ONGC wy. SEE sah 7 TF
ONGC has inked the Crude Oil Sales Agreement with : :
Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd. which is the largest
single-location PSU refinery in the country. The agreement
has been signed by the two entities for the sale and purchase
of crude oil. ED Marketing ONGC S Kumar & Chandermani
GGM (Impex and Shipping) MRPL signed the agreement.
MoU — REC
REC signed an MoU with PNB on Tuesday to jointly explore the
possibility to fund the Power Sector & Infrastructure & Logistics
Sector projects under the consortium arrangement. T.S.C Bosh,
ED (Infra & Logistics), REC & Rajeeva, CGM (Corp. Credit
Division), PNB signed the MoU in the presence of Ajoy Cho-
udhary, Dir., REC; VK Singh, Director, Projects, REC.
PFCw would like to share the new hte from the Asia Transition Finance
Study Group, where PFC has been a core member since July, 2023.
The ATF Study Group, a private-led initiative whose core participants
are Financial Institutions with operations in Asia, has published a report
to help Asian economies achieve a just and orderly transition toward a
more sustainable future. The ATF Study Group was set up in 2021 in
recognition of the important role that transition finance (TF) will play in
helping Asian economies move toward net-zero emissions and the
challenges they will face. In 2022, the ATF Study Group published the
ATF Guidelines to provide TF practitioners with practical guides to
assess transition projects and the ATF SG Activity Report to share the
challenges and suggested support measures to accelerate TF in Asia.
These outcomes were introduced at Asian Green Growth Partnership
Ministerial Meetings (AGGPM) in Sept. 2022.
CONCLAVE— PRSI
The 17th Global Communication Conclave, organized by the Public
Relations Council of India, in association with the Public Relations
Society Delhi, successfully unfolded recently. The inaugural
ceremony witnessed an illustrious gathering of industry leaders &
dignitaries, including Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, former Minister of
Minority Affairs, & KC Tyagi, Ex-Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha.
epaper gi gipnegp == con
THE INDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
23 ECONOMY
SENSEX: 65,508.32 W 610.37 (0.26%) NIFTY: 19,523.55 ‘W 192.90 (0.98%) NIKKEI: 31,872.52 W 499.38 HANG SENG: 17,373.03 V 238.84 FTSE: 7,601.85 A 8.63 DAX: 15,323.50 A 106.05
Ready to bring 28% GST on e-gaming from
Oct 1, says Centre; all states yet to pass laws
AANCHAL MAGAZINE
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
WITH ALL states yet to pass legal
amendments for the 28 per cent
Goods and Services Tax (GST) on
face value at entry level for on-
line gaming, casinos and horse
racing, a senior government offi-
cial Thursday said the Union
government is fully prepared to
implement the amended legal
provisions from October 1.
Asked if the move could get
delayed given that not all states
have passed the required
amendments, Central Board of
Indirect Taxes and Customs
(CBIC) Chairman Sanjay Kumar
Agarwal declined to comment.
On recent show-cause no-
tices being sent to the online
gaming companies, he said
those are being sent as per legal
provisions. He declined to put a
number on the tax amount for
which notices could be sent to
the companies, which some es-
timates have pegged to be
E GST Council on July 11
decided on 28% tax on full
face value for online gaming,
casinos and horse racing.
E After some states and
industry raised concerns,
the council decided to levy
the tax on face value at
entry level.
around Rs 1 lakh crore.
On GST, Agarwal said: “We
are fully prepared to bring it into
effect from October 1. As per the
decision in the last meeting of
the GST Council, related notifi-
cations are under process. It is
necessary for all states to pass
the (required) law or bring out
an ordinance. Every state needs
to give approval because all
states’ laws will need to bring in
the required provisions... those
(states) who are left will have to
Tackling tax evasion
& counterfeiting key to
safeguarding economic
stability: CBIC chief
AANCHAL MAGAZINE
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
STATING THAT the challenge of il-
licit trade looms larger than before,
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and
Customs (CBIC) chief Sanjay
Kumar Agarwal Thursday said
tacklingissues such as counterfeit
products, smuggling and tax eva-
sion is fundamental to safeguard-
ing India’s economic stability.
At the release of a report by
industry body FICCI — ‘Hidden
Streams: Linkages Between Illicit
Markets, Financial Flows,
Organised Crime and Terrorism’
— Agarwal said these issues have
“socioeconomic implications and
undermine national security”.
“The recent decisions in suc-
cessive GST Council meetings to
make suitable changes in return
filing are in that direction only so
that the menace of fake ITC (in-
put tax credit) can be cut. This
will meet the long standing de-
mand of trade and industry, es-
pecially sectors like iron, steel,
which are impacted by fake ITC
to a large extent,” he said.
Agarwal said the solution to
deal with fake ITC generation is
complex and the department
has received various suggestions
regarding rates. “It is being dis-
Drugs
Non-renewable resource crimes
Flora and faunacrimes
Arms trafficking
Human trafficking/smuggling
Overall illegal economy
Organised Crime Index 2021
INDIA’S ILLEGAL ECONOMY
Global avg score lM India score
Source: FICCI report ‘Hidden streams: Linkages between illicit markets,
financial flows, organized crime and terrorism’, TARI Research; Global
cussed. It’s not just iron and steel
but other sectors also,” he said,
adding that the GST Council's re-
cent decision on the return filing
and registration process would
help in solving the problem of
fake ITC and fake businesses.
Thereport by FICCI (Federation
of Indian Chambers of Commerce
&Industry) estimated the score of
illegal economy in India at 6.3,
which is higher than the average
score of 5 of other 122 countries.
The report stated that although
there are fewer criminal actors,
they are widespread and engage
in a variety of unlawful activities,
including drug and human traf-
ficking and the illegal trade in
wildlife products, mainly due to
the efficacy of criminal networks
in India, which has enabled them
to generate substantial illicit finan-
cial flows despite small numbers.
The presence of significant il-
legal markets in India increases
the country's vulnerability to ter-
rorism and criminal activities, it
said. “The relationship between
the profits generated from the
drug trade and the establish-
ment of assets within Punjab
serves as a reminder of the finan-
cial motivation driving such il-
licit enterprises,” it said.
FULL REPORT ON
Wwww.indianexpress.com
STATES KEY TO IMPLENTING DECISION
E With the new provisions
supposed to be
implemented from Oct 1,
states are required to give
their approval by passing
amendments or ordinances.
E So far, around a dozen
states are learnt to have
passed these amendments.
complete the exercise,” he said.
The GST Council is slated to
meet on October 7. It is expected
to take an update on the rollout
of the online gaming provisions
across States, along with likely
rate proposals for milled health
drinks and insurance products.
On the recent tax notices,
Agarwal said: “Showcause no-
tices are going as per legal provi-
sion. ..the government has taken
a uniform stand in terms of in-
terpretation of law and accord-
ingly notices have been issued.”
On the tax amount overdue,
he said: “It is difficult to say as
there are many companies and
in that case data is being col-
lected. Wherever data has been
received, the department has is-
sued showcause notice.”
Agarwal, who was speaking
on the sidelines of an event by in-
dustry body FICCI, said any re-
quired notification for the rollout
of the last meeting’s decision for
GST on online gaming would be
fulfilled. “This decision was taken
inthe GST council meeting thatit
will come into effect from
October 1. So if there's any re-
quirement for it (notifications and
rules), all those will be fulfilled,”
he said, adding that a review will
be taken six months after imple-
mentation and the difficulties will
be looked at that time.
The GST Councilin its meeting
on July 11 had decided to levy a
uniform 28 per cent tax on full
face value for online gaming, casi-
nos and horse racing. However, af-
ter concerns raised by some states,
the Council in its 51st meeting on
August 2 had decided to levy 28
per cent tax at face value at entry
level. The Council gave some re-
lief by deciding not to impose the
tax levy on the amount entered
into games/bets out of winnings
of previous games/bets in online
money gaming or on total value of
each bet placed, as would be the
case in casinos.
Last month, the Centre
passed the required legal
amendments in the Central GST
(CGST) and Integrated GST
(IGST) laws in the Parliament to
give effect to the Council’s deci-
sion. States are also required to
make the corresponding legal
changes in their State GST laws
to bring it into effect. So far, close
to a dozen states are learnt to
have passed the required
amendments or ordinances.
Some states, like Goa, Madhya
Pradesh and Maharashtra, have
passed ordinances. Karnataka is
reported to have deferred its de-
cision to approve the ordinance
to the next Cabinet meeting
Housing sales in seven
cities touch a record
Robust demand and a stable mortgage rate drove a 66%
rise in quarterly housing sales across seven major cities
to arecord high, as per
realty consultant Anar
11% ~~!
Annual increase in housing prices
Of total sales were from Mumbai
Metropolitan Region and Pune
UNITS SOLD (JUL-SEPT)
2022 2023
88,230 1,20,280
(66% rise)
HOUSING SALES IN
MAJORCITIES
Delhi-NCR
2022 pee 15,865
2023 ga 14970
(6% rise)
Mumbai Metropolitan Region
2022 pees 26,400
2023 Gees 38,500
(46% rise)
Bengaluru
2022 oo 12,690
(29% rise)
E Jul-Sept2022 E Jul-Sept 2023
Hyderabad
2022 pee 11,650
2023 m 16,375
(41%rise)
Chennai
2022 5 3,490
2023 5m aA
(42% rise)
Pune
2022 mem 14,080
2023 cz | 22,885
(63% rise)
Kolkata
2022 we 4,950
2023m © 5,320
(7% rise)
@ Sales momentum is at least
partially attributable to the repo
rate pause maintained by the RBI
in the 2 recent monetary policies,
said Anarock Chairman Anuj Puri
@ This has kept home loan interest
rates stable, keeping housing
purchase sentiment high, he said.
CAD in QI narrows from last
year but widens sequentially
ENS ECONOMIC BUREAU
MUMBAI, SEPTEMBER 28
INDIA’S CURRENT account
deficit (CAD) narrowed to $9.2
billion (1.1 per cent of GDP) in the
first quarter (April-June) of
2023-24 from $17.9 billion (2.1
per cent of GDP) in the same pe-
riod last year. But it was higher
than the $1.3 billion (0.2 per cent
of GDP) in the preceding quarter.
A deficit in the current ac-
count indicates that a country’s
imports (including goods, serv-
ices and investments) are greater
than its is exports.
The widening of CAD ona
quarter-on-quarter basis was
primarily on account of higher
trade deficit coupled with a
lower surplus in net services and
decline in private transfer re-
Ministry finalising policy on civic
waste use in road building: Gadkari
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
UNION ROAD Transport and
Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari
on Thursday said his ministry is fi-
nalising a policy on the use of mu-
nicipal waste in road construction.
Addressing a press confer-
ence, Gadkari further said the
government is considering offer-
ing incentives to construction
equipment manufacturers for
not using fossil fuels.
"We are finalising the policy
for using municipal waste in
road construction,” he said.
Gadkari said his ministry has
formulated a draft policy that
will promote use of alternative
fuel in construction equipment
to reduce cost and dependence
on fossil fuels.
The road ministry is in talks
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin
Gadkari with MoS V K Singh in New Delhi on Thursday. PTI
with the finance ministry for ap-
proval, he said.
"Incentives like interest sub-
vention scheme can be worked
out so that concessionaires or
contractors can invest in con-
struction equipment running on
alternate fuels instead of fossil
fuels,” the minister said.
Gadkari said his ministry has
taken several initiatives to decar-
bonise the transport sector.
EXTERNAL DEBT
AT $629.1 BILLION
Mumbai: India’s external
debt was placed at $629.1 bil-
lion as of June 2023, record-
ing an increase of $4.7 billion
over its level at end-March
2023. The external debt to
GDP ratio declined to 18.6
per cent at end-June 2023
from 18.8 per cent at end-
March 2023, RBI said. ENS
ceipts, the Reserve Bank of India
said Thursday.
“Current account deficit is
expected to rise on-quarter in
the first quarter of FY24 as mer-
chandise trade deficit has
widened again and the services
trade surplus has moderated a
tad,” said Dharmakirti Joshi,
Chief Economist, CRISIL Ltd.
Madhavi Arora, Lead
Economist at Emkay Global
Financial Services, said the sec-
ond quarter of FY24 will see a
substantial widening of CAD led
by sequential worsening of trade
balance, led by higher oil and
core imports, and slowing serv-
ices exports. All of this will im-
ply that the Q2 CAD/GDP ratio
could be more than double of Q1
FY24, ranging from 2.4-2.6 per
cent, Arora said.
The central bank said net
services receipts decreased se-
quentially, primarily owing to a
decline in exports of computer,
travel and business services. But
these receipts remained higher
on a year-on-year (y-0-y) basis,
RBI said. FULL REPORT ON
www.indianexpress.com
© %8950
a
USD RATE
A ł83.19
Ana
LD W
OIL
© $93.17
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
© 3100
Note: Gold, silver rates at Delhi spot market, gold per 10g, silver per 1 kg; Crude oil (Indian basket) as of September 26
NOMURA REPORT
OMCs incurring
under-recoveries
of over ł7/litre on
petrol, diesel sales
SUKALP SHARMA
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
THE RISE in international crude
oil prices and petrol and diesel
margins over the past few weeks
has pushed into the red the mar-
keting margins of public sector
oil marketing companies
(OMCs), which are estimated to
be incurring under-recoveries of
Rs 7.4 per litre on sales of the two
fuels, according to a recent re-
port by Nomura.
According to industry insid-
ers, high under-recoveries, in ef-
fect, dash the hopes of a cut in
petrol and diesel prices, at least
for the time being.
Under-recoveries refer to the
difference between the retail
price and the international price
of the fuel. As per the pricing
methodology followed by the
OMCs, petrol and diesel prices
should be revised every day
based on the 15-day rolling aver-
age of international benchmark
prices. However, the companies
have not revised prices since
early April of last year, when
global crude oil and fuel prices
had surged in the aftermath of
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Blended marketing margins
declined to -INR 4.7/litre in the
week ended 24 September 2023
from -INR 2.9/litre in the previ-
ous week, with the OMCs now
recording under-recoveries of
INR 7.4/litre on the sale of auto
fuels. Blended marketing mar-
gins have now declined sharply
80% q-q (quarter-on-quarter) to
below normative levels of INR
2/litre in 2Q FY24-TD (July-
September quarter till date), as
crude prices and products
spreads increased, while retail
product prices remained un-
changed,” Nomura said in a re-
port earlier this week.
After incurring heavy under-
recoveries for much of last year,
the OMCs were trying to recoup
their accumulated losses from
2022-23 (FY23) in the current fi-
nancial year. There were indica-
tions from the government and
the OMCs that they could revert
to daily price revisions soon as
most of their last year’s accumu-
lated losses had been recouped.
Till a few weeks back, there was
anticipation that petrol and
diesel prices could soon see acut.
However, with international
oil prices and fuel spreads, or
margins, having risen substan-
tially leading to under-recover-
ies again, the resumption of daily
price revisions in line with global
rates and reduction in fuel prices
may only be a distant possibility.
Insucha scenario, a fuel price cut
can only be achieved if the gov-
ernment cuts taxes on the petrol
and diesel, like it did on two occa-
sions over the past couple of
years, or the OMCs — Indian Oil
Corporation Ltd (IOCL), Bharat
Petroleum Corporation Ltd
(BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum
Corporation Ltd (HPCL) — decide
to bear deeper losses at the gov-
ernment’s behest.
Itis worth noting that the re-
cent Rs 200-per-cylinder cut in
cooking gas prices is, at least for
now, being absorbed by the
OMCs. The government has so far
not said in clear terms if at all it
plans to foot the bill for the cook-
ing gas price cut by compensat-
ing the OMCs at a later date.
FULL REPORT ON
Www.indianexpress.com
International market data till 1900 IST
Oil spoils
market
mood; VIX
rises 11%
ENS ECONOMIC BUREAU
MUMBAI, SEPTEMBER 28
BENCHMARK INDICES ended
lower on Thursday as rising
crude oil prices and weaker
global cues dampened the mar-
ket mood. The market was
dragged down by declines in IT,
technology, fast moving con-
sumer goods, consumer
durables and automobile stocks.
The BSE declined over 610
points, about 0.92%, to close at
65,508.32, while the NSE fell
about 193 points, about 0.98%, to
end the day at 19,523.55.
S&P BSE Information
Technology index fell 1.84% fol-
lowed by S&P BSE FMCG index,
which fell 1.74%. S&P BSE Teck,
S&P BSE Consumer Durables and
S&P BSE Auto indices declined
1.49%, 1.29% and 1.24%, respec-
tively on Thursday.
The fall resulted in investor
wealth declining by %2.95 trillion
to%316.7 trillion during the session.
Ambareesh Baliga, independ-
ent market analyst, said that
along with higher oil prices and
weak global cues, the hawkish
stance of US Federal Reserve,
where there are fears of a rate
hike at the end of 2023, contin-
ues to worry investors. This will
have a negative impact as more
institutional money will flow out.
“Nifty has good support at
19,500-19,600. If the market
cracks from there, then one will
see a sharper correction of about
750-1,000 points on the Nifty,”
said Baliga, adding that this band
is being closely watched.
The fall in Sensex was largely
due to fall in IT stocks.
Meanwhile, the NSE Nifty 50
Volatility Index (VIX), which is a
gauge of expected volatility over
the course of the next 30 days,
rose 11% — the most since March
13, according to Bloomberg. FE
Brent hits $97 amid supply worries
REUTERS
HOUSTON, SEPTEMBER 28
OIL PRICES surged 3% on
Wednesday to the highest settle-
ment in 2023, after a steep drop
in US crude stocks compounded
worries of tight global supplies.
Brent crude futures closed up
$2.59, or 2.8%, at $96.55. It
breached $97 a barrel during the
session.
Ashwin Dani, ex-Asian -— BRIEFLY
Paints chairman, dies
ENS ECONOMIC BUREAU
MUMBAI, SEPTEMBER 28
ASHWIN DANI, the former chair-
man and non-executive director
of Asian Paints, has died, the com-
pany said Thursday. He was 79.
Associated with the com-
pany since 1968, Dani was a
strong force in driving it to tech-
nological excellence. Dani joined
the company’s board in 1970. He
was its vice-chairman and man-
aging director from 1998 to
2009. After 2009, he was non-
executive director and vice chair-
man. Between 2018 and 2021,
US West Texas Intermediate
crude futures (WTI) climbed
$3.29, or 3.6%, to $93.68. The ses-
sion high was over $94.
US crude stocks fell by 2.2
million barrels last week to 416.3
million barrels, government data
showed, far exceeding the
320,000-barrel drop analysts ex-
pected in a Reuters poll.
Crude stocks at the Cushing,
Oklahoma, storage hub, delivery
point for US crude futures, fell by
Ashwin Danii. File
he held the position of chairman.
“.Ashwin Dani, Non-
Executive Director of the com-
pany, left for heavenly abode to-
day, on account of brief illness,”
the company said.
PE, VC firms cash in on market rally
Offers for sale by firms in last five years much higher than fresh issuances
ENS ECONOMIC BUREAU
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 28
OFFERS FOR sale by private eq-
uity (PE) and venture capital (VC)
firms have been significantly
higher than fresh issuances of
capital between 2018 and 2023.
Sales by PEs and VCs amounted
to around $26 billion compared
with about $10.4 billion worth of
capital issuances, according to an
analysis by Kotak Institutional
Equities (KIE). In 2023 so far, PEs
and VCs have sold stock worth
more than %25,000 crore.
Moreover, sales of their hold-
ings by promoters at 787,000
crore or about $10 bn, has been
the highest in the past six years.
Ofthis the promoters of the Adani
Group sold shares worth 737,000
crore or about 40% of the total
promoter selling in 2023. Among
the sectors that have seen the
499
317
2018 2019
(*calender year to date)
2020
bulkof the selling so far in the cur-
rent year are automobiles and
components, capital goods, elec-
tric utilities, IT services and trans-
portation. Companies in the in-
surance and IT services sectors
accounted for a large portion of
promoter selling over 2018-23.
“The sell-down is quite con-
centrated in the case of pro-
moter sales but broad-based
across sectors in the case of PE
|
$10 BN OF STAKE SOLD
Promoter stake sale in NSE-500 stocks (in $ bn)
874
(calender year-ends, 2018-23)
Source: Prime Database, Kotak Institutional Equities
*2023
2021 2022
investors,” the analysts wrote in
anote. They observed that while
the selling by promoters largely
reflects strategic compulsions
such as debt management, the
selling by PE players reflects tac-
tical or price considerations.
PE and VC players have made
exits via the initial public offer-
ing (IPO) route and also sold
share in block deals in the sec-
ondary market. The exits have
accelerated in the current year,
thanks to a strong rally in the
markets. A good appetite from
both foreign and domestic insti-
tutional investors as also retail
investors has helped them sell
stake or pare holdings.
“Domestic investors have ab-
sorbed the bulk of the sell-
downs,” the analysts said.
As a result of promoter sell-
downs, the promoter holding in
the BSE-200 Index has fallen to
48.8% in the June quarter (for
which the data is available) from
50.3% in the December, 2022
quarter. The combined holding of
domestic investors has increased
by 90 basis points to 23.5% at the
end of the June quarter. The hold-
ing of foreign portfolio investors
has increased by a modest 26 bps
to 21.7% over the same period,
while the holding of others (AIFs,
PMS fall under this category) has
increased 31 bps to 6%. FE
943,000 barrels in the week to just
under 22 million barrels, the low-
est since July 2022, data showed.
“The market is being led up
by storage numbers as we are
getting to the minimum opera-
tional inventories at Cushing,”
said Andrew Lipow, president of
Lipow Oil Associates.
Stockpiles at Cushing have
been falling closer to historic low
levels due to strong refining and
export demand.
ICICI Lombard
gets %1,/28 cr
GST notice
Mumbai: The Directorate
General of GST
Intelligence has served a
1,728 crore notice on
ICICI Lombard General
Insurance for non-pay-
ment of tax in certain
supplies between July
2017 and March 2022.
The insurance sector is
pushing for a reduction in
GST on health policies to
bring more people under
the insurance umbrella.
There’s speculation that
the GST Council is likely to
reduce the GST on health
policies from 18 per cent.
The company said the no-
tice refers to matters re-
lating to industry-wide is-
sues, adding that it will
file an appropriate re-
sponse within the pre-
scribed timelines. ENS
Mubadala in
talks for stake
in Manipal
Mumbai: Mubadala is in
talks to acquire less than
10% in Manipal Hospitals,
in what could be the Abu
Dhabi sovereign fund’s
first investment in Indian
healthcare. It is holding
talks with Temasek, which
spent $2 billion in April to
raise its stake in Manipal
to 59% from 18% in the
biggest hospital deal in
India. The talks are at the
same April valuation of $5
billion. REUTERS
————
WWW.INDIANEXPRESS.COM
THE INDIAN EXPRESS, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
24 CLASSIFIEDS & TENDERS
Classifieds
Itis for general information that
|,Basruddin Khan,S/o Sattar
Ahmed, residing at,H.No. C-
20,Defence Colony, Bhopura,
Sahibabad, Ghaziabad,U.P.-
201005,declare that name of
mine has been Wrongly written
as Bashruddin in my sonnamely
Vakil Khan in his Marksheet.The
actual name of mineis
Basruddin Khan,which may be
amended accordingly.
0040691331-10
Singh,R/o H.No.113,Block No.-
K5,Mohan Garden, Uttam-
Nagar,Delhi,inform that Butta
given name Singh Surname, for
all Purposes.
0040691331-6
| Arun Kumar Jha,S/o-Navkant
Jha R/o-Plot No.11, Gali
No.12A,Janta Enclave, Prem
Nagar-3, Kirari,Shivam Model
Public School,Delhi-110086
inform that my name Wrongly-
Written in My-Son(Shivam
Kumar) School-Record as Arun
Kumar instead of Arun Kumar
Jha.
0040691283-1
Narender Kumar Madan R/o C-
88, First Floor, Shakti Nagar
Extension, Near Kali Mandir,
Ashok Vihar Phase-3, Delhi-
110052 have changed my name
from Meenakshi to Meenakshi
Madan for all purposes.
0040691280-1
Pugthala,Pogthala(124)
Sonipat,Haryana-131102 have
changed my name to Nishu
Sharma and shall hereafter
known as Nishu Sharma
0040691338-1
tami sto Shrict
Bhan R/o, A-38/2, Yadav Nagar
Samaypur, Delhi-110042, have
changed my daughter’s name
from Akeera to Arshi for all
future purposes
0040691293-1
I], Ankit Sumitkumar
Shrivastava S/o Shri Sumit
Kumar Virenderkumar
Shrivastava R/o 466, Sector-3,
Shakti Nagar, Bhopal Madhya
Pradesh-462024 declare that
Ankit Sumitkumar Shrivastava
and Ankit Shrivastava are both
names of one and same person.
That, | shall be known as Ankit
Sumitkumar Shrivastava for all
future purposes.
0040691292-1
1, Devender Kumar @ Devender
Arora S/o Jagdish Chand R/o-
12/44, Subhash Nagar, Delhi-
110027 have changed my name
to Devender
0040691371-1
Singh R/o-403/5, Govindpuri,
Kalkaji,New Delhi-110019,
Confirm that in my Daughter
School Record her name has
been wrongly written-as Pari
Solanki instead of Kiara Solanki.
Correct name of my Daughter in
Kiara Solanki.
0040691310-2
I, Kamal Kumar Sharma S/o MF.
S.M.Sharma R/o House No-G
181, Gamma-2 Greater Noida
G.B.nagar Have Changed my
Name From Kamal Sharma to
Kamal Kumar Sharma for all
future purposes.
0040691310-3
l, Karan Kumar S/o Raj Kumar
R/o- House No.219, 3rd Floor,
Sainik Vihar, Pitampura, Delhi-
110034 have changed my name
Karan Kumar to Karan Arora for
all purposes.
0040691281-1
Thithertoknownas =
SUDESH,W/O Late RADHE
SHYAM BATRA,R/O.WZ-3182,
Mahindra-Park Rani-Bagh delhi-
110034,Have changed my name
and shall hereafter be known as
DAYA RANI.
0040691362-6
T,hitherto known as KANWAL >
RAJ GORYAN alias KANWAL
RAJ,S/O RAM CHANDER,R/O
HOUSE.NO-1743/31,CIRCULAR-
ROAD, NEAR-JHAJJAR CHUNGI
CHOWK KAMLA
NAGAR,ROHTAK,HARYANA-
124001,have changed my name
and shall hereafter be known as
KANWAL RAJ.
0040691331-8
TYashica D/o Sh. Raj Kumar R/o
B-370, Jwala Puri, Camp No.4,
Sunder Vihar, Delhi-87 have
changed my name to Yashica
Mahendru for all purposes.
0040691280-2
|,Sanjay Mittal,S/O Om
Parkash,R/O.H.No-667,Urban-
Estate Near-Mangal Bazar,
Sector-5,KARNAL(Haryana)-
132001,Have Changed my
Name to Sanjay Gupta.
0040691349-2
1,Saarthak Subbiah Ravi,S/o
Subbiah Ravi R/o.T4-1101,
Satya The Hermitage,Sector -
103, Daulatabad (53),Gurgaon
(Haryana) - 122006,have
changed my name to Saarthak
Ravi,for all Purposes.
0040691331-7
1,SANYA SINGH SETHI W/o
Sh.Ishpreet Singh Sethi,R/o.J-
5/122, 1st-Floor,Rajouri
Garden,New Delhi-110027, have
changed my name to Sanya
Singh.
0040691331-5
1,Punam Agarwal alias Poonam
W/o Madhav Sharan
Agrawal,R/o H-75,Garhwali
Mohalla Laxmi-nagar,Delhi-
110092,have changed my name
to PUNAM AGRAWAL.
0040691331-1
1,Pradumn,S/o Rajeev
Sharma,R/o 23/72, Gali.No.4
Mahabir Park Bahadurgarh
Distt.Jhajjar,Haryana,changed
my name to Pradumn Sharma.
0040691331-2
I,Kiran D/o,IsShwar
Singh,R/O,Shamnagar 168
Kosli,Rewari,Haryana-
123302,have changed my name
to Kiran Yadav,for all,future
purposes.
0040691349-6
],KANAN JAIN,D/O-AMIT
JAIN,R/O-A-4/328,Sunrise
Apartment,Sector -
13,Rohini,Delhi-110085,have
changed my name to AAMNA
JAIN.
0040691371-3
1, JASPAL SINGH,S/O-UMRAV
SINGH,R/O H.NO.D-242,3RD-
FLOOR,GALI.NO.6, SHANKAR
MARG,MANDAWALI,SHAKAR
PUR BARAMAD,
SHAKARPUR,EAST-DELHI,
DELHI-110092,have changed
the name of my-minor son
YASHVI SAINI aged 08 years
and he shall hereafter be
known as YASHASVI SAINI.
0040691349-3
|,Harpreet Kaur @ Har Preet
Kaur,D/o-Surinder Singh,W/o-
Manjeet Singh,R/o-A-8,Lehri
Colony,near Hedgewar
hospital,East Arjun
Nagar,Shahdara,North East
Delhi-110032,declare that both
names are mine and same
person and hereafter be known
as Harpreet Kaur.
0040691371-6
|,Harish S/o Prabhu Dayal R/o,F-
77, First-Floor,West Jawahar-
Park, Laxmi-Nagar,
Shakarpur,East Delhi-110092,
have changed my name to
Harish Malhotra.
0040691362-2
1,Girish Chandra Sharma,S/o-
Sada Nand Sharma, R/o:D-204,
Bindapur,Uttam Nagar,New
Delhi- 110059, Have Changed
My Name to Girish Chandra,for
all Purposes.
0040691331-4
|,Indra Kumari,W/o Deepak
Sharma,R/o 587, Baba Farid
Puri,New Delhi-8,have changed
my name to Indu Sharma.
0040691362-1
„Blessing Ezinwanneamaka
Kamalu,D/o Kamalu Kingsley
Chinedu,R/o Flat.No-4, H.No-
75/E,Maidan Garhi,Delhi-
110068,Have Changed My Name
To Blessing Kamalu.
0040691349-5
1,Ajeet Singh,R/O-C-142, Beta-
1,Greater Noida, District
Gautam Buddha
Nagar,U.P.,have changed my
son’s name Aadvik Singh to
Vaidik Singh for all future
purposes.
0040691371-4
l, Santosh Kumari W/o Devender
Arora R/o-12/44, Subhash
Nagar, Delhi-110027 have
changed my name to Santosh
Arora.
0040691371-2
l, Puja Kumari W/o Sh.
Shailander Singh R/o Flat
No.202, Plot No.1C-Block, Hari
Vihar, Dwarka, New Delhi-
110078 do hereby solemnly
inform thatin my daughter’s
birth record her name is written
as Pratigya instead of Pratigya
Singh.
l
Methie ig he tët & gwan on behal ef ws
Aka Gupte to genera public that the
Sime Original Sale Deeds dated
24.081555, 020111988 and 04.05.2004
which was regitternd in SA |, New Dehi,
related to the Property bearing Municipal
fo, S683, area measuring 85 sq. yis.,
situated at Ward Wi, in the area of Vilage
Kucha Khan Chand, Mai Sarak, Deihi.
T0006" have been lost misntaced
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anybody found these documents OR
noice ary mise of these documents,
Concemed Person is required f
communicate al the addness. piver rho
Notice i5 henehy green ta public al pat
my chant Kotak Mahindra Bank Lid,
Finer, Ambarees Baiting, K.G. Miara, “Heal
Dehi 110001 chat Original Sale Deed dated
2706-7006 eemail ir M da oan Singa |
m favour of Mr. dasinder Singh Berk i
Document Mo. 15837, Baok Na Vol. Na |
TODAS, Po 25490 SR W, Ghanabad |
Regi on 2305.2006 with respect te)
Second Floor having covered arma of B1)
Sqais. buit on property feel Na 416]
Shakti Khand indir sich |
ULP. wem depasibwid with ING Wasa Barth]
far are Home Losn. The OG Vysss
bank pol am ated woth Kaak Maindra
Bank in Yeer Ajid. After closure of the lo
document & not
tna Bank. FLA. i
further revised online F.LA, has bean igos
aN S309 vide LA Bs. 433141120 3]
Arry persnon|s} Hinis the above mentioned
daumen is requested to aendaubanii at
Kotak Mahindra Bank Lid, 2nd Floor,
Aebadeen Buldi, K.G. Marg, New Delhi
110001 or in the office ef the Pier ew
fy personsiiinstiutn|s) missin
raid document ii any manner shall be atid
for lagal action as par relewant penan
of the Law of ihe tand.
ahd Khairul Hussain (Advecatel)
AES. kalash Colusy, iat a fala
Hew Celt, Mob-2R10A9 TBF?
PUBLIC NOTICE
Ra: Entira Third Floor, with racë righis,
buailt on Property beanng Mo, 97-90,
admeasuring 125.65 sq.ynds. siluaied
at Double Storey New Rajinder Megar,|
New Delhi = 110060; ħereinalles
rafertad as “said property.
Balice is hereby gien fo the genera
public including Banks, Financial)
Inefitutians, ébe, that, 24 informed by gur
Chenl, Mir. Kuddeap Kalana Sia Mr viari
Kumar Katara, he is the sale and
akague maner ol he sad property VEL
Sale Deed execuled by Mrs. Manmea
Keur Arora (601 share), Mra. Vijata
Arora (0, sarei and Mrs. Smiri irora
(20% shara) in his favour in respect o
the Said property, The said gale deed isi
registered as Document No S036, in|
Additional Book No.l, Volume Mo.)
19964, pages 155-167, on 24.05.2024
(SRON, In this eenedion, aur clienti
haz further indomed us that property
Noo? was Owned by Mr Ramesh
Gehan vide Sale Died registered am
Doc Modd? on 2TMAN2: property
Ba, 98 was ganed Er Mr Go, Gehan vide)
Sale Dead regetaned as Doo No. 247
on 2TOQ20 and Terrace rights off
Propet MoS OER wene geed bey Birs. |
Ishwari Dewi Gehani vide Sale Dead)
registered as Gocument Mo. 241 an
E ORZ Alber fer Gealh, het Terrace
Rights of property no. 97-98 were inherited
by her legal heirs namely Mr, Ramesh
Gehani and Mir. G.Gehani, Later on, Mr
G Gahani sold property Mo. to Mr.
Amber Raj Chenvdhry & Mrs, Sangeeta
Chowdbry vide sale deed registered ae
Doc No 3165 on 030M 208; Mr. Remeshi
Gehanl sald the propery No.97 io
Mis. Sangeata Ghowdhry vida Sale
Deed registered as Doc Mo. 3164 an
05042018; and Mr G Gehaniand Mr)
Ramesh Gahani sold the Second foor
urit ion the terrace) with roof rights to
Mr. Anand Sagar Ghosdhre wide Saky
Deed registered as Doc Mo.3513 an
13.14.2048, Thereatier, Mrs. Sangeeta
Chovwdhry, Mr: Amber Ray Chowdhry
and Mr. Anand Segar sold their 60%
Share to Mrs, Mariel Kaur vide salg
dead meqetered as Doo No.Ba09 ony
1662019, 20% share to Mrs. Wijeta
Arora vije Sale heed regislenid ás doe
Mo. 5304 on 16.09.2019 and 20% share
to Smii Arora vide Sale Deed registered
ae doc ne eS on 16.092013. Finally,
Mrs- Manmeet Kaur, Mrs. Vijeta Arora and
Mrs, Seat] Arora aoid the entire Third
Fiag wih roof ighis on property Ho. 97-
GE (sand property) to Mr- Kuldeep Kalane:
(aur chant) as aforesaid, Thus, aur chant
became fhe sole and abectuie owner of
the seid property. Mow our cient iniancs|
[es (rea ngage Pie sa ki graperty with Baa
Finance Lid., for availing loan facility: |
If any person, society, bank, financial)
institution or other institutions hawa any]
chjection against ihe ownershie all
out Chent on the said property asdi
subsequently rightiul mortgage. of thel
sald property in tavour of Bajaj Finance
Lid.: Oy cur chen, may rase hisiherthain
chyection/s, in writing, by Registered AD
pasi, lo the undersigned, wilhim OF
tays, on addrass mentionad bedoe,|
Othenise after expiry of UT daya from
lhe cabe of publication: of is nolre, me
said property shall ba mortgaged bry ou
chent in fawour of Bajaj Finance Lid.,
ard no oteechon shall Ge accapiable
against such mortgage.
Amit Kumar Khurana, Advocate,
For M's intellective Law Offices.
A-74, Lower Ground Floor,
Defence Colony, Mew Delhi-110024 |
MoU- AMITY
It was a historic moment for Amity Education Group as Amity University
PUBLIC NOTICE
Rukna KG, Mar
‘that Orignal SO dated
2306, 2008 re ea
si
Document No. Ta Book
7049, PG 457-490, SRO. Charishad,
114. After closure of the Inan
above mentioned property document is ned
iracéable al Kotak Mahina Bant. Ff in
respect of Lest documents (SD NoASO)
2014 Det Pobee) was lodged onkne vide LA
Wo. 9106912023 dated 20.08.2023 and
turer revised online FLR. has been bdr
on 25.00.2023 vide LA Mo. S929,
ahi.
Any ftsr sored s || Farah: [he abimi miiia
document is requested te send|eubmit ai
Kotak Mahinda Bank Lid, 2rd Fleer,
Ambadeep Building. KG. Mang, Mew Dehi
11O001 oria the office of the ma gr
Any eal ps mesuang De
seid Document in any manner ahak be! inbi
tor legal action as per relevant provisions
af the Lew of the land.
Mohd Hiairal Hussain |Adhoceta}
4-38, Kailash Colany, thaitan À khavtae
New Delish, Monde iiaii
REVOCATION OF SPECIAL
POWER OF ATTORNEY
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
TO ALL PERSONS, that |,
Gaurav Berry, S/o Late Sh.
Ripon Berry, aged about
47 years, residing at Otl Aicher
Allee 1, 89075 Ulm, Germany,
the undersigned Principal, had
executed a Special Power of
Attorney dated 01.07.2022 in
favour of Mr. Vikram Kalra,
S/o Rajesh Kalra, R/o J-66,
Reserve Bank Colony, Paschim
Vihar, New Delhi - 110063
(‘Attorney’) whereby | had
appointed the Attorney to act
on my behalf in civil suit bearing
CS(OS) No. 355 of 2022 titled
Meera Berry vs. Shashi Berry
& Ors. filed before the Hon'ble
High Court of Delhi at New Delhi.
LET IT BE KNOWN THAT | do
hereby REVOKE IN ITS ENTIRETY,
the Special Power of Attorney
dated 01.07.2022 executed in
favour of Mr. Vikram Kalra, S/o
Rajesh Kalra, R/o J-66, Reserve
Bank Colony, Paschim Vihar,
New Delhi - 110063. | hereby
PUBLIC NOTICE
Citi Fue Go HERD? INPORMUD
TAT MY SELPECTABLE CLENTS WAMILT
BIG COL Lb PLA, LATE aH
CHET AA AND DA SUPR WiO: RETO.
DO Li ALAA DOTH AAO OA THRE,
WU CARER, SOHTAR, ooh PL A 1
DEAL
THOM A DO AT pes LAY THA
ar CONT, AME ANO DON MOUIANC OT AND
MY CHONTA SAAL WOT Bi SCRIBE
POA Te ATE AA ANSE A
BARAN À AECL ADVOCATE
ERPIN Desis Coent Cammies Sethi: Ti
that my client Himanshu Sharma W/o;
Rajeev Kumar Sharma or Himanshu
Dutta D/o Sh. K.R Dutta R/o C-7/113
Yamuna Vihar, Delhi- 53 (Aadhar card
No. 4570 7640 3807), wants to change)
her name to Himanshi Sharmaa and
in future she shall be known by the
name of Himanshi Sharmaa in all
aspects. It is further declared that
Himanshu Sharma, Himanshu Dutta
and Himanshi Sharmaa are one and
same person.
ARUN RAGHAV (ADVOCATE)
DELHI HIGH COURT
Ch. No. G-220,
Karkardooma Court, Delhi
PUBLIC NOTICE
[Lost Original Conveyance Deed]
executed
by Land and
Development Office, Delhi
regarding Bunglaw Plot No, 40,
NH-IV, Pockel-1, Lajpal Nagar,
New Deli in favour of Sh. Ravi
Inder Singh and 5h. 4.P Singh,
registered as Document No. 667,
‘Book No. 1, Volume No. 3199, on
Pages 45-47 dated 25.01.2003.
The said property is being
mortgaged with Bank of Baroda,
Ram Nagar, Pahar Ganj, Delhi by
the purchaser Sh. Biswa Ehusan
Dash and Mrs. Reeta Mahey, If
anyone fas an objector found
the Same, plaase contact Bank of
Baroda, Ram Magar, Pahar Ganj,
Delhi and Vandana
mo910553262 within 7 days,
failing which no claim shall be
entertained,
Vandana Sharma and Associates
It is hereby:informed:to-publieatlarge-tratmy clien
S. KULWANT SINGH SON OF LATE SARDUI
SINGH RESIDENT OF FLAT NO. 303, BLOC
AND POCKET-B-9, SECTOR-3, ROHINI
DELHI-110085 who is the sole and absolute ownel
of FLAT NO. 303, BLOCK AND POCKET-B-9)
SECTOR-3, ROHINI, DELHI-110085. has lost al
the original documents with regard to allotment ol
the said property viz Demand Letter, Allotmen
Letter, Site Possession Slip, Payment Slip
Payment Slips/Challan and NOC and to avoid an
misuse of the said title documents my client hag
lodged an NCR vide LR No 901107/2023 PS-Crime
Branch. dated 18/09/2023 If any one finds the
above said original documents then please contac
the undersigned at the address given and ma‘
contact on Mobile No 9582689631 and return the
same It is further cautioned that anybody trying td
make use of such lost title documents will entai
liabilities under the laws of the land and hence dg
so at his own pencil .
VINOD WADHWA (Advocate,
Enrl.No.D/769/2005
PUBLIE NOTICE
fly chent Shri. Brij Mohan So Laie
Shri Ram Gopal Rio Kh. Mo. 283,
Gal nga Glock F, Keshav Nagar
tdobarred him
namai Manah Kumar and tial
daugier-in-taw namely Ashu dit
Asha, from an his movable
anyone = dealing with them ie.)
Manish and Ashu @) Asha will do
that at thoir van msk, cesi ane
cleni shall mot
‘or any of their
Jij. Vira Vihar, Vest Enciave,|
Pitampura, Delhii iiki
LOST THE ORIGINAL DEED
LOST THE ORIGINAL SUB-
LEASE DEED NO 1471 DTD
24.02.2011 OF RESIDENTIAL
PROPERTY, FLAT NO 101
GROUND FLOOR,
‘ORIENTAL APARTMENT’ AT
PLOT NG, C-58/26, SECTOR:
z, NOIDA, DISTT. GAUTAM
BUDH NAGAR (UP)
REGISTERED IN FAVOUR
OF SH ASHOK KUMAR S/O
LATE JAI KISHAN AT SR. NO.
1471 DTD 24.02.2011, BY DY.
REGISTRAR (lst) NOIDA. IF
ANYONE FINDS/HAS ANY
CONCERN, PLEASE
CONTACT NIKHIL KUMAR
OM 0818143481 WITHIN 15
DAYS OF PUBLICATION OF
THIS NOTICE. LOST
ARTICLE INFORMATION
REPORT HAS BEEN
REGISTERED AT ¢-THANA
OF UP POLICE VIDE L.A.R.
NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY Kea
1° CORRIGENDUM
Tender Notice No. NVWR-SC-BKN-
11-2023-24 dated 19.09.2023.
In the above mentioned tender
notice, tender no may please be
read as NWR-SC-BKN-11-2023-24
instead of NWR-SC-BKN-O0-
2022-23.
All other particulars mentioned in
original tender notice will remain
unchanged,
1iar-PR2Z3 Dy. Chief Engineer/Const
= :— ace. E A com
NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY REZA“:
NOTICE OF INVITATION E-TENDER
Divisional Railway Manager, MW Rly.
Bikaner for and on behalf of President]
of India invites sealed open tender for |
ihe following works on the date shown]
as below. Tender No.: S&7/EKN! ET]
262R, Name of Work with its|
Location: “Annual Maintenance
Contract at 02 stations of Electronic
Interlocking System of Medha make at
Satrod À Laigarh station for 02 years
over Bikaner Divisian.”, Approx. Cost}
of Work: T2503176.32, Bid Security: |
£707100.00, Date & Time for}
submission of Tender & opening of|
tender: Up to 15.00 Hrs. of|
18.10.2025, Website from Which
complete Tender details canbe seen |
& download: www reps. goin
Folow os 5 et El oa IN Rael ways: | MWR ways
tla aa. 0141-270270¢
WAH :- WA. B-2/2023-24/8607-36
3 aferet ear
WRIA p WITT Hela Bl sk A Work for Rate Contract of Designing
systems with tubewell under PHED Region-II Jaipur. (With 7 Yrs of O&M)"
Sq OM ERA aR A ud Usa Ga es WG oh apa Wedel
fait ame Ud Gea fazed gen À SAA Ao F dipa Hiari a fA
goa À i-e vlna ert ffae anata at ont 21 foega Aaa ud Afaa
Www.sppp.rajasthan.gov.in Ud www.eproc.rajasthan.gov.in W SIE ẹ |
GOVERNMENT OP HARYANA
EXCISE & TAXATION DEPARTMENT
NOTICE FOR INVITTNG e-TENDERS FROM GENERAL PUBLIC
absolutely and completely revoke
all powers or authority thereby
and thereunder given under the
Special Power of Attorney dated
01.07.2022 executed in favour of
Mr. Vikram Kalra, S/o Rajesh Kalra,
R/o J-66, Reserve Bank Colony,
Paschim Vihar,New Delhi -110063
either expressly or impliedly,
to all intents and purposes. This
Revocation of Special Power of
Attorney is executed on this 28th day
of September 2023 at New Delhi.
Mr. Gaurav Berry
Abhinav Sharma, Advocate
Flat No. 4
24 Feroze Gandhi Road
Authority's official website:
PUBLIC NOTICE
"It is hereby informed to the public at
large that my client Shri Ankit Gupta,
S/o Shri Bansi Lal Gupta, R/o E-64,
Aravali Kunj Apartment, Sector-13.
Rohini, Delhi- 110085, has
purchased a plot of 100 sq. yds.
measuring 16' x 56', in East-Road
15’, in West-Other constructed plots,
in North-Other's plots, in South-200
sq. yds. plot of Sh.Bansi Lal Gupta,
situated in Khasra No.17/22, A-
Block, Gali No.4, Indraprastha
Colony, Amrit Vihar, Burari, Delhi
from Sh. Onkar Singh Tyagi S/o Shri
Mangu Singh Tyagi, (this plot was
purchased from Smt. Sheela Devi
W/o Shri Rattan Lal, R/o G-82,
Vishwas Park, Near Dwarka, Sector-
3, New Delhi on 11.05.2010) R/o.B-
221, Amrit Vihar, Burari, Delhi, on
24.09.2011 for the consideration of
Rs.2,30,000/- and the above said
seller has executed sale/title
documents i.e. Agreement To Sell,
GPA, Affidavit, Receipt, Will,
Possession Letter, Indemnity Bond
and handed over certified copy of site
plan issued by SDM (Revenue), Civil
Lines, Delhi and all the documents
executed and exhibited before SDM
(Revenue), Civil Lines, Delhi in
complaint No.36/SDM/C.L/2010 filed
under Section 145 Cr.P.C. and a Civil
Suit No.563/2022, titled as Ankit
Gupta Vs. Simmi is pending before
the Court of Shri Deepak Dabas,
A.D.J., North-West, Rohini, Delhi,
which is listed on 05.10.2023 and at
the time of selling handed over the
vacant and peaceful possession of
the above said plot to my client
alongwith the previous chain of the 11.00 AM.
documents of the sold plot (B)
mentioned above. The public at large
is warned that nobody should
purchase the above said
property/plot of my client from above
named Sh. Onkar Singh Tyagi or deal
in respect of the above said
property/plot with him, in any way &
manner. If any person deals with
Onkar Singh Tyagi in respect of the
above said plot/property, he/she/they
will/shall do so at his/her/their own
risks, cost, and responsibilities and
my client will not be responsible for
the same in any manner.
(ASHOK KUMAR ARYA)
ADVOCATE
Seat No.63, Central Hall,
Tis Hazari Court,Delhi.
M.9810989682"
Sectors) Noida (Sector-17,
Cost: Rs.26.54 Lacs
| Coast: Rs. 79.66 Lacs.
Cost: Rs.36.97 Lacs
Noida. Cost: Rs. 46.77 Lacs
11.00 AM.
Office Sector-5
SEMINAR- RAU’S IAS
A seminar titled Civil Services: A Promising Career Choice for
Students was held at DU. The event, organized by Abhishek Gupta,
CEO of Rau’s IAS Study Circle, aimed to guide students on
preparing for Civil Services Exam. During the three-hour workshop
attended by more than 800 students, Vaibhav Mishra from Rau’s
Academy explained various aspects of the IAS exam to them.
New Okhla Industrial Development Authority
Administrative Building, Sector-6, Noida-201307 (U.P)
Website : www.noldaa uthorityonline.i in
-= E-TENDER NOTICE
E-Tender are invited from firms/contractors registered with UPLC
Lucknow for the following jobs against which bids can be uploaded |
and same shall be opened/downloaded as per schedule mentioned. 1.
The details and conditions of all tenders are available on NOIDA
www.noidaauthorityonline.in &
http: /etender.up.nic.in. Please ensure to see these websites for
New Delhi ene any changes! amendments &comgenumste
Date: 28.09.2023 M: 981038209 (A)
09/S.M.(JAL)-VE.T./2023-24, Mio Sewerage (Two Year
Annual Repairing and Cleaning of Manholes and Changing
the Damaged Sewer Lines at Different Locations in different
16, 19, 27 and Village-Atta,
Sector-104, 105, 108 and Village-Hazipur) Noida.
10/5.M.(JAL)-VE.T./2023-24, Wo Water Supply (Two Years
Annual Repairing of Bowl Assly. & Tube Shaft Set of Network-
T4, 78, 112, 113, 115, 118 & Village-Sorkha) Noida.
11/35.M.(JAL)-VE.T./2023-24, Mio Wis (Two Years Annual
Repairing of PVC, AGOI Water Lines, Repairing of Sluice
Valves and Reflex Valves, C/o Chambers & Replacement of
Old Chocked Water Lines at Different Locations in Network
Sector-66, 67 and 68, 74, 78, 112, 113, 115, 118 and Village-
Sorkha), Noida. Cost: Rs. 73.72 Lacs
12/5.M.(JAL)AVE.T./2023-24, Water Chlorination (Two Years
Annual Repairing, Operation and Maintenance of
| Chlorination Plants at UGR-78 and 105) Noida,
10/5.M.(JAL)-IWE.T/2023-24,
various WAY Compound (Repair and maintenance work of
| CGR-31 in Sector-31) Noida. Cost: Rs. 54.14 Lacs
Which can be uploaded by date 12.10.2023 upto 5.00 PM. Pre-
qualification shall be opened/downloaded on date 13.10.2023 at
Internal Development of
. | 02/S.M.(JAL)4WE.T./2023-24, Strengthening of Wis (P/F
Non Clog Water Pump and pannel at Uderpass Sector-71),
Which can be uploaded by date 05.10.2023 upto 5.00 PM. Pre-
gualification shall be opened/downloaded on date 06.10.2023 at
CLEAN, GREEN, SAFE & SECURE NOIDA
NO. 20230000544980. FOR REALLOTMENT OF ONE ZONE OF RETAIL LIQUOR
VENDS OF DISTRICT JHAJJAR IN THE STATE
OF HARYANA FORTHE REMAINING PERIOD OF
THE EXCISE POLICY YEAR 2023.2024.
1. Itis notified for the information of general public that e-tenders fo
re-allotment of one zone of retail liquor vends of Country Liquor and
Indian Made Foreign Liquor (L-2/L-14A) of district Jhajjar in the State
of Haryana, as mentioned below, are hereby invited for the remaining
period of excise policy year 2023-24.
Zone Code
ZJHA22
2. The schedule for submission of e-bids for this zone and evalua
tion thereof shall be as under.
Starting date and time for placing e-tenders
Sr. No.| Name of District
Jhajjar
From 3rd October, 2023 (9.00 AM) |
Till 3rd October, 2023 (04.00 PM) |
3rd October, 2023 (5.00 PM) |
Closing date and time for placing e-tenders
~ Evaluation of e-tenders
3. The reserve price of this zone for the purpose of e-tendering ha
been decided as per the provisions of clause 2.17 and other relevant
provisions of the Haryana Excise Policy 2023-24.
The reserve price and quota of this zone shall be displayed in the
excise arrangement.
4. The e-tenders for this zone can be submitted online through the
official website of the department i.e. www.haryanatax.gov.in. The
remaining terms and conditions of e-tenders and allotment of zone
shall be same, as informed vide the Public Notice, published in lead
ing newspapers on 13th May, 2023, for inviting e-tenders for allotment
of retail liquor zones of all districts in the State of Haryana. The cop
of Public Notice dated 13th May, 2023 is also available on the official
website of department i.e. www.haryanatax.gov.in. The detailed pro
cedure of registration for participation in the allotment process and
submission of e-tenders is also available on the official website.
5. The excise arrangement of this zone containing number of vends,
liquor quota, location of vends, command area as applicable and
reserve price thereof, as well as the venue for evaluation of e-tender:
shall be conspicuously displayed in the office of DETC (Excise) and
DETC (ST) of the district concerned. These details shall also be avail
able on the official website i.e. www.haryanatax.gov.in.
6. The re-allotment of this zone shall be done at the risk and cost of
original allottee. The original allottee shall be liable to make up an
deficiency incurred by the state as a result of the re-allotment of thi
zone.
7. The allotment and grant of licence shall be subject to the provi
sions of the Haryana Excise Act, 1914, the rules framed thereunder,
orders/instructions issued by the competent authority and the Excise
Policy for the year 2023-24. Any clarification regarding the procedure
may be obtained from the office of DETCs (Excise) in any of the dis
tricts. The copy of Haryana Excise Policy for the year 2023-24 is avail
able on official website of the department.
7. The allotment shall be subject to the approval of the Excise and
Taxation Commissioner (FC), Haryana. He may reject, without
assigning any reason, any allotment in public interest as the case
may be, within 10 days of the date of allotment.
Excise and Taxation Commissioner,
Haryana.
Dy. General Manager (Jal)
21486/HRY
CORPORATE BRIEFS
EDUCA TION
EVENT- AMITY LAW SCHOOL
Amity Law School, Amity University, Noida campus, organized
“Srijan 2023”, a two-day Youth parliament recently, with the
aim to throw light on the operations and functioning of a state
government and international organisations and to make
students aware of the functioning of the Indian Parliament.
signed an MoU with Sekisho Corporation Japan, marking the beginning
of a new relationship between the two organizations, bearing testimony
to the philosophy of “Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam”. The MoU was signed
0040691333-1 Anurag Thakur, Cabinet Minister, Ministry of Youth Affairs and
Sports and Ministry of IB addressed the law students of alts
[,Virendera Rustagi,S/o Late
Shri Ramavtar Rustagi,R/o-
House No-47, Sector-
13Vasundhara Ghaziabad,U.P-
201012,have changed my name
to Virendra Rustagi.
0040691331-3
[Vijay Kumar Madan,S/o Satish
Kumar Madaan R/o-
Tower.No.12.Flat,No.601,
Sunshine,County Sector-
63,Badhkhalsa (41)Sonipat
Haryana-131029,changed my
name to Vijay Kumar Madaan,
permanently.
0040691331-9
1,Suresh,W/o Bhim
Singh,R/o.H.No-35 Masih-Garh
New Friends-Colony Delhi-
110025,Have Changed My Name
To Suresh Devi.
0040691349-4
| Sanjeev Duggal Father of Nitya
R/O 6-B Pocket A-11 Surya
Apartment DDA flats Kalkaji
Extension New Delhi -110019
have changed my minor
Daughter's (DOB- 14/08/2009)
Name from Nitya to Nitya
Duggal permanently
0040690939-4
LOST & FOUND
|,Deepak Kumar S/o Sawan
Ram have lost my property
original,papers file of property
plot,factory Khasra.No-49
Madanpur, Dabas,Lal
Dora,Kanjhawala Delhi-
110081.File containing,Original
GPA, Sale of Agreement.Lal
dora certificate and complete
chain of documents Finder
with an aim to establish the Japan Desk at Amity University, which
would enable the students to get placements in Japanese companies.
EVENT- AMITY
Amity University, Noida campus, organized the 19th Symposium on the
theme “Smart Tourism and Green Investment”, in collaboration with
Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), to commemorate World
CONVOCATION — JAMIA HAMDARD
Jamia Hamdard organized its 14th Convocation recently at its Campus at
, Hamdard Nagar. LG of Delhi, Vinai Kumar Saxena was the Chief Guest at the
“= Convocation and delivered his speech. The Convocation was presided over by
Janab Hammad Ahmed, the esteemed Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard. Prof.
(Dr.) M. Afshar Alam, VC of Jamia Hamdard, provided exceptional leadership,
setting the tone for an inspiring and impactful ceremony.
CONFERENCE. T ; DENTAL COLLEGE
I.T.S Dental College organized the 20th Annual National
Conference in association with Indian Association of Forensic a’
Odontology under the aegis of Dept. of Oral Pathology & Gi |
Forensic Odontology. The conference aimed at compreh-
ensive understanding of forensic odontology and its ap-
plications. The commencement of the conference was thr-
ough conduction of two preconference hands on workshops.
FUNCTION — AKGEC
Ajay Kumar Garg Engineering College Ghaziabad established in
1998, celebrated the Silver Jubilee function marking 25 yrs of
unwavering commitment to excellence in education recently. As a
tribute to all who have contributed the growth of the college, like Ex
Tourism Day. The Guest of Honour, H.E. Ambassador H. Dillum, Secretary
for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador of Mauritius in India, Embassy of
Mauritius, addressed the gathering.
VC’s, Management Members, Ex-Directors, Professors, Industry
may call upon the no. Given ieee
personnel and alumni were invited.
below-98100-79949.
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|,SivaKama Sundari,D/O
Venkatraman Ramanathan,R/O
1219,B-1,Vasant-Kunj, New-
Delhi-110070,Have Changed my
Name to Ramanathan Sivakama
Sundari.
SCHOLARSHIP — UPES
Shreshth Sinha, a fourth-yrs Industrial Product Design student from UPES, Dehradun, has received prestigious
Charpak Scholarship for a Semester Exchange Program at LÉcole de Design Nantes Atlantique, France. With a
keen interest in model making, material handling, prototyping, core-product concept building and product
research, he is all setto join the autumn session this month, atthe renowned Lecole De Design Nantes Atlantique,
France. Shreshth said, “Being selected for the Charpak Scholarship & Semester Exchange is a dream come
=- "IMPORTANT" |
Whilst care is taken prior to
acceptance of advertising
copy, it is not possible to verify
0040691349-1_
its contents. The Indian
l, Sourav Kumar S/o Ashok Rod foe ones foe cack
Kumar R/o H. No. -F- 9, Shatabdi contents, nor for any loss or