approached the Bench headed by Justice PC Ghose to know the fate of the judgement. The judge asked Dave to wait for a week giving indications that

Transcription

1 C M Y K an Muslims enjoy the ben- of minority commu- Cefits nity in Jammu & Kashmir despite being in majority there? On the controversial issue, the State Government s response is a resounding yes while the Centre has chosen to remain silent despite being slapped a fine of 30,000 by the Supreme Court on Monday. Not happy with the manner in which an important Constitutional question was getting dragged, the apex Bench of Chief Justice JS Khehar and Justice NV Ramana decided to give one last opportunity to the Centre to file its response. The court was hearing a PIL filed by a Jammu-based lawyer Ankur Sharma. On the last hearing, the SC had imposed a fine of 15,000 on the Centre for not submitting its response. The Centre s silence contrasted the upfront response of the State Government, which said that singling out benefits doled out to Muslims in the State was not fair on part of the petitioner as similar situation exists in Punjab (with Sikhs in majority), Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Lakshadweep. Any decision passed by the court must be holistically and uniformly be made applicable to all the States he CRPF on Monday said disciplinary pro- will be initiated against 59 trainee Tceedings commandos involved in mass bunking. The incident occurred on Sunday at the Mughalsarai Station when the commandos, on the way from their training centre in Jammu & Kashmir s Srinagar after their 5-week basic training, apparently decided to abandon their forward journey and leave en masse to go to their homes or some undisclosed location. Officials said the jawans also did not inform their contingent commander on board the train as they made their daring escape bid in the night. Shocked by the utter disregard to rules by these constable-rank jawans recruited in the country s largest paramilitary in 2011, the CRPF ordered a Court of Inquiry into the incident, termed as a case of unauthorised absence by the force. Senior officials of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and CRPF said the jawans were scheduled to report at the headquarters of the 205th CoBRA unit in Gaya in Bihar on Monday for their onward deployment for conducting special anti-naxal operations in Bihar. A full Inquiry has been ordered by the force headquarters in Delhi. Continued on Page 4 pping the ante against Umuch-touted car-bandi plan of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), traders in Connaught Place will down their shutter on Tuesday from 12 to 3 pm. We will not let NDMC plan happen since it is the question of our livelihood, said Atul Bhargava, New Delhi they Traders Association (NDTA) s president. Questioning motive behind the illogical decision to restrict entry of vehicles into the Inner and Middle Circles of CP, Bhargava said, Not only traders in the Inner and Middle Circles, traders in Outer Circle will also join the protest. They are also opposing the move, because banning entry of vehicles in Inner and and UTs, said the State in its reply. Since Hindus are a minority in J&K, the petitioner had objected to Muslims cornering benefits under national minority schemes available in the State. The petition prayed for a direction to National Minorities Commission to determine afresh the religious and linguistic minority communities in the State. It requested for an independent commission of experts to identify minorities in the State. Till such time, it wanted to stop all benefits flowing to Muslims under state minority schemes. Explaining the law on this subject, the State cited Section 2(c) of the National Minority Commission Act 1992 under which minorities are to be notified. Although the Act does not extend to Jammu & amil Nadu Governor C TVidyasagar Rao on Monday accepted the resignation of O Panneerselvam as Chief Minister and asked him and the Council of Ministers to function till alternate arrangements are made. Panneerselvam has cited personal reasons for his decision to quit. Though hectic preparations are going on at Madras University Centenary Auditorium for the swearingin of VK Sasikala as Chief Minister, there is no information about the date and time of Middle Circles will also create chaos in front of their shops. NDTA also invited all the traders for opinion exchange on pedestrianisation idea of the council. Former NDTA president Manoj Mohan Agarwal said, We will gather in large numbers and will decide the next course of action. We will fight this impractical idea tooth and nail and will ensure that it never takes off. On the other side, sources in NDMC said that the action plan is still under discussion as no decision has been taken yet. Traders can do whatever want. There is no confirmation of the execution of the said plan, they added NDTA members have argued that the other stakeholders like Delhi Traffic Police have no sufficient workforce. the event either from the Government or Raj Bhavan. The party remained tightlipped on media reports about Sasikala taking over as Chief Minister on Tuesday. Officials, however, indicated that the Governor was unlikely to return to Tamil Nadu before February 9. That means, the swearing-in ceremony will have to wait till then. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday indicated that the judgement in the disproportionate assets case against Sasikala and two others could be pronounced after a week. The apex bench of Justices PC Ghose and Amitava Roy has reserved judgment on the appeals filed by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging the acquittal of late J Jayalalithaa, the former TN Chief Minister in a disproportionate assets case. Sasikala and two others were also accused in the case and were acquitted by the same order passed by the HC in May On Monday, senior advocate Dushyant Dave Kashmir, yet the State Government simply acts as a channelising agency to implement all Centrally-Sponsored Schemes for minorities. On the prayer that the State should have its own State Minority Commission, the affidavit said, It is for the State legislature to consider in its wisdom as to which laws are required to be made considering the circumstances prevailing in a State. The State blamed the petitioner for approaching the court with unclean hands and a hidden agenda as the petition made no mention of States having a similar problem where an identified minority community is a majority. Interestingly, the affidavit quoted Clause 7 of the Prime Minister s 15-point programme which talked of welfare programmes targeted for minority communities such as Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis. This clause further stated that where one of the above minority communities was in majority. The earmarking of physical/financial targets under different schemes will go to other notified minorities in the State. But since this is not part of any law, it cannot be enforced. And it neither serves the cause of the petitioner since Hindus who are a minority in J&K cannot be entitled to minority benefits till they are so identified in the State. n the wake of the positive Iresponse that the Samajwadi Party and Congress alliance has been getting in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister and party president Akhilesh Yadav said on Monday that the SP-Congress alliance will not be confined to the State alone and it would fight communal forces which are spreading politics of hatred. Hitting back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his BJP storm remark against him, Akhilesh said during a rally in Sitapur that the Samajwadis know how to ride a cycle through a storm. Meanwhile, in New Delhi, dispelling all rumours of being unhappy with the SP-Congress tie-up for the UP Assembly elections, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav said he will start campaigning for the alliance from Tuesday. I am confident the alliance will win UP Assembly polls. Akhilesh will be the Chief Minister if the alliance wins, he told reporters in Parliament on Monday. Mulayam also brushed aside statements by his brother Shivpal Yadav that he will break away from the SP and form a new party. How will he form a new party? He must have said that in anger, Mulayam said. Akhilesh Yadav had a busy day on Monday and addressed seven elections meetings covering seven Assembly segments out of eight in Sitapur district. In all the meetings, Yadav was accompanied by senior Congress leader and former Deputy Speaker of UP C M Y K CP is an important traffic junction of the city catering to vehicles moving from one side to another. If CP is closed for crossing traffic, the vehicular movement of the city will come under tremendous pressure, said an NDTA member. approached the Bench headed by Justice PC Ghose to know the fate of the judgement. The judge asked Dave to wait for a week giving indications that the decision was being given final touches. For the moment, Sasikala has an order of acquittal in her favour. he team of doctors led by TDr Richard Beale from Britain which took care of late J Jayalalithaa during her hospitalisation at the Apollo Hospital said here on Monday that the speculations and rumours surrounding the death of the former Chief Minister were baseless and unsubstantiated. In a hurriedly convened Press meet at Chennai by Apollo Hospital, Dr Richard Beale, the specialist from Britain who led the team of doctors, said the former Chief Minister was given the best treatment and she died following a cardiac arrest on December 5. Dr Babu Abraham, critical care consultant, Apollo Hospitals, said the former Chief Minister was diagnosed with respiratory failure due to infection when she was admitted to the hospital on September 22, Continued on Page 4 Assembly Azam Rizvi. The Chief Minister in his meetings introduced SP candidates as representatives of the SP- Congress alliance and canvassed for support. Visibly elated over the fresh endorsement of SP-Congress alliance by his father, the SP president said, Netaji s blessing is with us and there was no discord at any level in the party. The sole agenda of every partymen should be victory of the party candidates so that the SP- Congress coalition could form the next Government in UP with a comfortable majority. The SP president also countered Modi s jibe at Aligarh that the BJP storm in the State, forced the SP to seek alliance with the Congress. Akhilesh retorted, The Samajwadis are in the habit of facing the storm. We formed the Government in UP in 2012 after fighting the storm. We will also face the BJP storm as we know how to pedal the cycle against the wind. His barb came at a series of election meetings in Sitapur and adjoining Lakhimpur Kheri a day after Modi said in Aligarh on Sunday that,...when the wind is so strong, even a young leader cannot face it and seeks help of anything...even a pole...but this time BJP aandhi (storm) is so strong that the Chief Minister fears that he might be blown off... He said, If he (Modi) feels storm in UP, he might have felt some strong winds in Punjab also. Akhilesh charged Modi with misrepresenting facts and figures about UP. he Supreme Court on Monday attached TSahara s prime property Aamby Valley in Pune and directed the company to submit a list of properties for public auction to raise 14,000 crore to be deposited with and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Not satisfied by the blueprint submitted by Sahara chief Subrata Roy, who gave the timeline of July 2019 to pay up the principal amount of 14,779 crore to the SEBI, the Bench of Justices Dipak Misra, Ranjan Gogoi and AK Sikri said, Don t be under the impression that we will accept your roadmap. Either you speed up or we will go for public auction of your properties. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal who appeared for Roy said he was cooperating with the court s order in making periodic payments but cited demonetisation as a cause for low liquidity in market for buyers to come up with good offers. The Bench said it wished to get the entire money at a go and sought a list of those properties which face no legal hurdle or are not mortgaged in order to fetch a good price in public auction. To ensure compliance of its order, the Bench decided to attach the prime property of Sahara located at Aamby Valley, Pune which is a substantial property worth over 38,000 crore. The Bench said, If you have got Aamby Valley why Continued on Page 4 n Air India flight from ABhopal to Delhi was diverted to Jaipur on Monday after it hit a bird. All the 122 passengers and crew members deboarded the flight safely. The incident took place minutes after the Delhi-bound flight took off from Bhopal airport. The aircraft has been grounded. Air India officials have yet to assess the damage. "We are looking into the matter and checking the aircraft for any damage," a senior Air India official said. RNI Regn. No. MPENG/2004/13703, Regd. No. L-2/BPLON/41/ The Delhi-bound Air India flight with 122 passengers and crew on board was diverted to Jaipur due to a bird hit after its take-off from Bhopal airport on Monday. "AI 436 suffered a bird hit after the take off (in morning). The pilot and the co-pilot were watchful of the impact during the journey and upon feeling vibration in the engine, decided to land at Jaipur airport," Air India Spokesman Dhananjay Kumar said. "The impact damaged seven blades of the engine and the aircraft has been grounded for three-four days," he said. All the passengers were deplaned safely after the aircraft landed at Jaipur, the official said. The passengers who had to urgently reach their destination were provided alternative flights while international travellers have been provided with taxis to reach Delhi. The remaining passengers were accommodated in a coach for the completion of their journey, Kumar said. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Prabhat Jha, who was on the flight, has appreciated the efforts of the pilot in handling the emergency situation. "The pilot dealt with the situation adroitly by handling the passengers in a proper manner. He only informed that the plane will be landing in Jaipur. After the plane landed safely, he informed about the fuel leakage mid-air," he added. However, the pilot reportedly breached security protocols when he decided to fly to Delhi after the bird hit. But the aircraft was denied permission to land for not adhering to the security rules and diverted to Jaipur instead. According to rules, the pilot should have contacted the nearest air traffic controller to seek priority landing. Reacting to Modi s remark on poor law and order situation in the State, Akhilesh said, God knows from where the PM obtained figures (about UP)...The Prime Minister Continued on Page 4

2 C M Y K tudents are future of our Scountry and they have potential and strength to change country into a developed nation facing pervaded situations and challenges. It is unfortunate that our country which got freedom 7 decades back is still among the developing countries. Governor Om Prakash Kohli said this while addressing the convocation ceremony at Barkatullah University, Bhopal. Former Union Minister Murli Manohar Joshi, Principal Secretary to Governor M Mohan Rao and Vice Chancellor Barkatullah University Prof MD Tiwari were present on the occasion. Governor Kohli conferred Former Union Minister Dr. Joshi with DSc degree and meritorious students with PhD, Graduate and Post Graduate degrees. Kohli said that several schemes have been started by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the Make in India campaign to make the country a developed nation. Universities and students should play their role actively to make these schemes successful and to provide benefit of these schemes to the public. Then only our country will become a developed old jewelry worth Gand 2000 cash were burgled from Saket Nagar under Govindpura police station area on Sunday. According to the police, the victim Vidhyasagar Tripathi nation. Besides, Kohli said that universities should pay attention towards quality of higher education so that universities of our state can gain position in the list of world standard universities. He said that we will have to understand the changes which are being experienced in the education field. We are living in globilisation era, where there is more competition. If we wish to ensure our identity at global level then our youths will have along with his family had gone to attend a marriage function and when he returned the locks of the door were found broken and on entering the house it was found ransacked. A complaint was lodged with the Govindpura police and in his complaint he stated to make innovations and develop creativity as per these competitions. Former Union Minister Murli Manohar Joshi said that progress of any country depends on its civilization and culture. Today s scenario is different. Small countries of the world is moving forward speedily in the way of development. The countries which got freedom with us have moved ahead in development. This is the subject for concern and deliberations for us. He told the students to make efforts in such a manner so that our country will attain its position once again as Vishva Guru. Vice Chancellor Prof MD Tiwari welcomed the guests and threw light on the activities of the University. Programme was conducted by Registrar Prof UN Shukla. Goevrnor Kohli also released the souvenir of the University. Large number of Students, Teachers, Parents and Eminent Citizens were present on the occasion. that in the evening on Saturday he along with his family had gone to attend a marriage function at Akansha marriage garden in Patel Nagar and when they returned on Sunday the locks of the door were found broken. In the burglary gold jewelry worth and 2000 cash were found burgled. The total loss in the burglary was around Other valuables were remained intact which suggest that the miscreants were aware of the whereabouts of the valuables. ine Brilliant Student of NCampion School, Arera Colony Bhopal brought laurels to Bhopal and Madhya Pradesh by holding nine ranks in top hundred and 25, within the State. The National Talent Search Exam (NTSE) statelevel examination was conducted on November 6, 2016, wherein around 87,058 students participated. On the basis of merit list among these students, 284 students have qualified for national level examination and among those brilliant students; Nine Students of Campion school cracked the State-level examination. uelled with old enmity two Fmen were attacked with sharp-edged weapons by eight miscreants at New Market under TT Nagar police station area on Sunday. According to the police, two men were rushed to a nearby hospital after they were attacked by were attacked by a group of miscreants at a tea stall at around 6 pm. In the initial investigation The students names with their marks and state rank are- Moin Ahmed marks 133, State rank 49; Abhilash Dutta marks 132, State rank 71; Anamaya Shastri marks 131, State rank 81; Tejas Dutta marks 131, State rank 85; Rishabh Sahu marks 130, State rank 98; Kartikey Anand the victims were identified as Dileep Lajiwaar and Anil Naagar while the assailants were identified as Ram Sagar, Mahendra, Vishal, Vipin, Manish, Rahul and Akash. The victim is a resident of Priyadarshini Apartment in TT Nagar. The police have registered a case under section 147, 148, 149,307 of the IPC and section 25 of Arms Act and have search for the accused. In his complaint the victim told the police that he along marks 129, State rank 117; Aviral Singh marks 129, State rank 119; Hasan Koser marks 129, State rank 121 and in Reserved category Maqbool Hasan marks 100. In State-level examination, objective type questions were asked including mental ability, mathematics, English, Hindi and history with his brother Rahul were at a tea stall in TT Nagar and when they were at the tea stall the accused Ram reached with his accomplices and started abusing him and when he opposed Ram and his accomplices attacked with sharp edged weapons and escaped the spot. Meanwhile, a 38-year-old man was shot at by two brothers at Delta Homes under Shahjehanabad police station area on Sunday. subject questions. NTSE examination is a Scholarship Exam conducted by NCERT. NTSE was constituted in 1963 by NCERT. It is one of the most prestigious scholarships in India and is also considered one of the toughest scholarship exams in India. Police said that the victim Aasim Khan alias Shahab was shot thrice by the accused Khalid after his brother Bilal had a fight with the victim but the victim escaped the fire. The accused had a fight over parking of vehicles as they run a marriage hall and the victim owns a shop near their marriage hall. The police have registered a case under section 307 and 506 of the IPC and have started search for the accused. C M Y K

3 F ollowing Madhya Pradesh Human Rights Commission s (MPHRC) recommendations the Health Department of the state would soon launch special drive against the quacks. Commissioner Health Madhya Pradesh following MPHRC recommendations wrote to all the Collectors and Superintendents of Police (SP) to take strong action against the quacks and those medical practitioners who do not have any recognized medical degree. With this letter it has been cleared that strong action would be taken against those who are doing illegal practice of medicine posing as doctors. Commissioner Health has written to the Collectors and SPs to constitute special team in their respective districts to launch drive against the quakes and after identifying them effective action should be taken against them. The Commission has made recommendations to the health department keeping in view the dangers looming over lives of people due to the flourishing illegal medical trade in the state. Special drive should be launched against the quack medical practitioners so that precious human life could be saved from the danger, it added. Commission recommended that serious strict action should be taken against all those so called or quack medical practitioners who do not have any recognized medical degree. Following all these recommendations of the MPHRC the Commissioner Health has asked all the Collectors and SPs to take action against the quacks by constituting special team and launching special drive against them. Commissioner Health has written letters in to the Collectors and SPs on earlier occasion also. ome were dressed as a SMaharashtrian, while some as Gujrati; spreading the colours of Indian tradition, the students of Maharani Laxmi Bai (MLB) College enjoyed third day of their annual fest Ananya. The students participating students from all the branches are giving outstanding performances leaving the audience mesmerized. On Monday the students participated in Inter college debate competition, Group Song Competition, Solo song competition, solo dance and group dance competitions. The exciting performance was the l-asr academia school at AKohe-e-Fiza celebrated their third annual day function at Ravindra Bhawan Bhopal. Maulana Faizur Rahman Nadwi, director Jamia Islamiya institute was Chief Guest of the programme. School director Athar khan and principal Naila durani were also present in the function. Nadwi has completed his education from Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, he police officials are still Tclueless as how many people psycho killer Udyan Das has killed. Several mobile phone numbers of the young women he had come in contact are switched off and his sister is also missing. The investigation conducted so far has revealed that Udyan had killed a 28-year-old woman of West Bengal whose body was recovered from his Saket Nagar house and around six years ago killed both of his parents in Raipur. Their bodies have also been recovered from Sunder Nagar house in Raipur two days ago. After four days of investigation and revelation of three murders by the accused, the question remains as how many persons he has killed so far. SP Bhopal (South) Siddhartha Bahuguna said that there are several aspects which are under investigation and details have to be verified before confirming as revelations has been made by the accused. The key to the revealing of crimes and killings by the accused is the search of the places where he had lived and Lucknow. He has experience of teaching in Arabic and Persian school. He is master in educating kindergarten children. Function started with few important lines from holy kuraan. Thereafter students of nursery performed colourful programs with nursery rhymes. In their programs students tried to give patriotic and social issues related messages to the audience. An Urdu skit was the attraction for all. Thereafter Director Athar Khan presented was staying at the time of the arrest and possibly his close aides whom he had shared secrets, he added. In the investigation it was found that Udyan was in relationship with a girl which remains missing. The girl was among the last persons who remained in contact and was said to be close to the accused. Police suspects that the girl was acquainted with Udyan for long and had rejected his proposal of marriage and due to which Udyan has planned to kill her but details of the girl could not be ascertained at the moment as the details are yet to be verified. After the details of the death of deceased s mother surfaced investigation into the fake death certificate has been started. The accused obtained death certificate of her mother from Municipality of Itarsi. Police have recovered a passport which was made in the year 2014 but it was not having any details of foreign trips which suggest that Udyan might have obtained a fake passport. Meanwhile, Bankura police have accompanied the accused to West Bengal for further investigation. school annual report. All meritorious students were awarded for their outstanding academic and all round performance. Parents who participated in Quiz were also given awards. All parents enjoyed the annual day function they encouraged the students and appreciated the school admin efforts they are putting in for the overall development of the children. Function was concluded with the vote of thanks by director Athar khan. ramp walk with traditional outfits. The students participated showing a great enthusiastic spirit. The third day of the weeklong annual fest got underway with the inter college debate competition. The fest then was followed with Group Song Competition under which the students performed various musical genres. Genres like devotional songs, Patriotic songs, pop songs, Bollywood tracks, Bagheli and other folk songs were presented under this segment. This was followed with solo singing competitions. Students with much confidence performed the tracks of Bollywood on stage while the audience inisters, State Ministers Mand Vidhan Sabha Speaker will be the Chief Guests in the programme to be held in district headquarters on February 8 in the second phase of the Nagarodaya Abhiyan. The State Government has allotted districts to the guests for this purpose. Benefits will be distributed to the listed beneficiaries besides foundation of development works will be laid and the works will be dedicated to the public. Minister Jayant Malaiya will be the chief guest at the district level programme in Damoh, Gopal Bhargav in Sagar, Gaurishankar Shejwar in Raisen, Narottam Mishra in Datia, Omprakash Dhurve in Dindori, Kunwar Vijay Shah in Khandwa, Gaurishankar Bisen in Narsinghpur, Rustum Singh in Morena, Archana Chitnis enjoyed their magnetic performances. The annual fest Ananaya at MLB College is a gala fest for the students. The students are not only enjoying various competitions but are also learning the essence of friendship. The charm to the day was added with the ramp walk. The students were dressed up in traditional outfits. The students showcased the colours of different traditions through their costumes. Walking on ramp with much confidence each participant wore panache. The creativity of the participants enthralled the judges as well as the audience. The event concluded on a grand note. in Burhanpur, Umashankar Gupta in Indore, Kusum Mehdele in Panna, Paras Jain in Ujjain, Rajendra Shukla in Rewa, Antar Singh Arya in Badwani, Rampal Singh in Sehore, Gyan Singh in Shahdol, Maya Singh in Shivpuri and Jaibhan Singh Pawaiya at Gwalior. State Minister Deepak Joshi will be the chief guest during the district level programme to be held at Dewas, Lal Singh Arya at Bhind, Sharad Jain at Chhindwara, Surendra Patwa at Neemuch, Sanjay-Satyendra Pathak at Katni, Lalita Yadav at Chhatarpur, Vishwas Sarang at Bhopal and Suryaprakash Meena in Vidisha. Vidhan Sabha Speaker Sitasaran Sharma will conduct the programme in Hoshangabad and in the remaining districts collector will conduct the programme by local MP, MLA and elected people s representatives. T he students of Indian Institute Forest Management (IIFM) enjoyed the celebrations of sixth foundation day observed on Monday. The day was filled with excitement with various splendid performances at IIFM. The day was marked by Kalptaru Night, the night full of cultural activities and jovial performances. The students extremely enjoyed the day with the musical and dance extravaganza at IIFM. The special guest for this event was Ramesh Chandra Shah. The Kalptaru night was all about the feet tapping instrumental performance by Band of IIFM students Dhwani. As the band began its electrifying performance on stage, the audience present at auditorium could not stop themselves dancing to the tunes and waving their hands in the air. The entire hall at IIFM was filled with joyous faces as the musical tunes added charisma in the atmosphere. Later, the stage was taken by extremely talented kids. The tiny tots gave scintillating dance performance on stage making everyone go gaga over them. The kids were associated with one of the city s NGOs Aranya. Fantastically choreographed the kids of Aranya enthralled each present in the hall. The series of fun filled performances were followed with the one act play Khol Do. The play was performed by the artists of Pratibimb dramatics club. This was further followed with various singing and dancing competitions. Prior to the celebrations a lecture was delivered by Arvind Kumar Jha, IFS (Retd.), Former PCCF Maharashtra. He was also present as the chief guest on the occasion. The faculty members of the institute celebrated their achievement and rededicate themselves for further growth of the institute. he students of the city Tlearned about the nature and it amazing connection with the nature through various experiments. A Nature Study Camp is being organized for the school students of the city. On Monday, the students visited Van Vihar to explore the nature at its best. During their visit to Van Vihar, the students calculated the height of the trees through two pen measurement experiment. Notably, the nature camp is being organized with a view to enrich the knowledge of students about science and nature. The camp is being organized in collaboration with Regional Museum of Natural History and Vigyan Parisar along with Madhya Pradesh Science Centre, Gwalior. Students from various schools of the city have participated in the event. As a part of various activities, the students also collected the samples of soil, leaves, flowers and water from the area. This was not all, but to make the experiments and the visit of school students exciting and enjoyable, an activity zoo construction was organized. Through the collection of leaves, flowers and soil the students excitedly created a miniature of zoo at Van Vihar. They made fish pond, butterflies, tiger, penguins and other animals which made their visit more fun filled. Later, learning about the different facts, the students performed activities like pigmentation from the flowers, learned about the advantages of soil and the rare facts of nature and science.

4 he female boxers of TMadhya Pradesh exhibited an impressive show at Madhya Pradesh State Female Boxing Championship 2017 with bagging 16 gold medals, six silver medals and one copper medal. The championship was held at Jabalpur on February 3 and 4. The boxers of Madhya Pradesh Boxing Academy bagged 23 medals showcasing an outstanding performance at the championship. omforting levels of weath- conditions would Cer change in the next 24 hours as state capital and state would witness thundery activities, light showers and foggy conditions according to forecast of Met department. With clouding and cold winds in the early morning hours cold conditions were witnessed in the city and later weather conditions turned normal during the day. The evening was witnessed with cold conditions. The day temperatures recorded dip on Monday after the wind direction was northerly and further clouding helped the dip in the day temperature. Under the changed weather conditions light showers and thundery activities are likely to occur in Rewa and Shahdol divisions, Raisen, Bhopal, Hoshangabad, Dewas, Indore, Tikamgarh, Chattarpur and Panna districts in the next 24 hours. In the next 24 hours foggy conditions are likely to occur in Morena, Bhind, Gwalior, Datia, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur and Panna districts. Clouding maintained the lower temperatures by restricting sunrays which prevented temperature from rising high. Moisture incursion from Arabian Sea had induced thundery activities and light showers in the past 2-3 days. City recorded day temperature at 26 degree Celsius and night temperature at 12.7 degree Celsius which was 2 degree Celsius above the normal temperature. Among the major cities Gwalior recorded night temperature 7 degree Celsius above the normal temperature at 15.2 degree Celsius while Jabalpur recorded night temperature 4 degree Celsius above the normal temperature at 15.8 degree Celsius. Indore recorded day temperature at 25.5 degree Celsius which was 3 degree Celsius below the normal temperature while Gwalior and Jabalpur recorded day temperature at normal temperature at 24.5 and 27 degree Celsius respectively. Day temperatures decreased significantly at few places while several places recorded slight dip in day temperature on Monday. Ujjain and Mandla recorded the lowest night temperature at 8 degree Celsius on Sunday. According to the forecast the day temperature and night temperature would be witnessed around 26 and 10 degree Celsius. The championship was neck-to-neck among the boxers. Mini Singh Gaur was awarded with the Best Boxer of the boxing championship Under senior player category Kamla Roka, Shreya Gupta, Nisha Yadav, Upasana Pandey from Madhya Pradesh won gold medals. While under junior category boxers Anjali Sharma, Divya Pawar, Mani Singh Gaur, Deepa Kumari, Nancy Piyasi, Shruti Yadav and Payal won the gold medals. Showcasing highly impressive show, boxers Anshu Yadav, Hansika Agarwal, Bhoomi, Ayushi Awasthi and Maahi Lamba won gold medals under sub-junior category. On the other hand, boxers including Ayushi Kshetri, Vidushi Sharma, Pragati Diwedi, Jigyasa Rajput, Pratibha Dhote and Kumari Pratibha bagged the silver medals. Boxer Anmol Mahavar won the bronze medal under the championship. Notably, all the boxers were trained by coach of Madhya Pradesh Boxing Academy Roshan Lal, Deepak Mahajan, Adnan Qureshi and Nitish Yadav. Expressing content over the outstanding performance by the boxers, Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare Yashodhara Raje Scindia congratulated all the boxers. She said that boxers should perform with same enthusiasm in each match and wished them luck in all the future endeavours. From Page 1 Dr Beale said Jayalalithaa was admitted to the hospital with sepsis. She had co-morbidities and uncontrolled diabetes. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body s response to infection injures its own tissues and organs, said the doctor who was specially flown in for attending to the former Chief Minister immediately after her hospitalisation. Dr Abraham said Jayalalithaa was diagnosed with respiratory failure due to infection when she was brought to the hospital on September 22 at pm. We gave critical and supportive care to the Chief Minister immediately after her admission to the hospital. Dr Beale also rejected the contention of certain people that the former Chief Minister s legs had been amputated. There was no amputation or transplantation, said Dr Beale. From Page 1 should have honestly put up correct figures before the people. Continuing his diatribe, the Chief Minister said, If there be the worst States in country in terms of law and order on number 1, number 2 and number 3 slots, these are the BJP-ruled States. Akhilesh listed the achievements of his Government and said that more development will take place if SP returned to power. Attacking the BJP, he said, This party made people stand in queues outside banks...many poor people lost their lives but the BJP did not come to their rescue. It was the SP Government that announced a financial aid of Rs 2 lakh for the families of such people. No one got Rs 15 lakh after all the money was deposited into bank accounts (during the demonetisation drive). Now, they are not telling us how much black money... How much ill-gotten money is there. On the SP-Congress poll n a bid to improve the sur- chances of the three 40- Ivival days-old orphaned tiger cubs, the Bandhavgarh tiger reserve authorities have placed a cuddly dummy toy tigress as their substitute mother. While talking to The Pioneer, Director of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve Mridul Pathak said, After the death of their mother the cubs were initially hand-fed milk and required medicines by the forest department staff. However, later it was decided that the human interference should be reduced and hence the dummy toy mother was placed. The specially-designed toy tigress, which the cubs consider as their real mother, has been kept in an enclosure in the forest and is fitted with synthetic nipples and a milk bottle to feed the baby tigers. The mother of the three cubs was found dead on January 19 in a non-forest area in Shahdol district. Five people had been arrested for allegedly electrocuting the tigress. The cubs were born about 40 days back. After locating the strayed cubs following the killing of their mother, we placed them in an enclosure in the forest area, where this specially-designed dummy toy tigress was kept, Director of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve Mridul Pathak said. The dummy tigress has been fitted with artificial nipples and milk bottle hidden in the foam and cotton wool. After the initial hiccups, the cubs started to suckle as if they are having it from their own mother, he said. The cubs were initially hand-fed milk and required medicines by the forest department staff. However, the administration later decided to reduce the human interference. In a bid to reduce the human interference, we decided to keep the cubs with the dummy toy tigress, Pathak said. He said the cubs now play with the dummy just as they would play with their mother. Surprisingly, the cubs consider the dummy tigress as their mother. They not only get food through this dummy tigress, but they also play with it. But, more is required to reduce human interference further and we are thinking in this direction, Pathak said. Moreover, the toy is made to smell like a realtigress with the use of some grass and tiger stool, Pathak said. The toy tigress is being modified to further reduce the human interference, he said adding, Presently, we have to remove the dummy tigress to fill the milk bottle attached to it, but we are now planning to fix this bottle through a pipe so that levels of milk in the bottle could be maintained without human interference. When asked about whether this was the first such experiment in which nursing care is being offered to tiger cubs through a dummy tigress, Pathak declined to comment. alliance, the Chief Minister said, It has accelerated the pace of SP s cycle...we did not act like a miser friend. We gave a good number of seats to Congress. Explaining the nitty gritty of the alliance, Yadav said that the SP Government during its five year tenure accelerated development in the State. Vote for Samajwadi Party for taking this process to the logical conclusion where every citizen will be covered by the benefits of development and prosperity, said Akhilesh. The SP chief s prestige is at stake in Sitapur as he had denied ticket to sitting MLAs Rampal Yadav and Mahendra Singh Jheen Babu in the district. Both are contesting and giving a tough fight to the SP candidates.besides, the Yadav community in Sitapur is also sore with SP and Akhilesh over denial of ticket to Rampal Yadav. He was expelled by Akhilesh in January last year and later readmitted by former state SP chief Shivpal Yadav and also given a party ticket. tate Congress filed defama- case against Chief Stion Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Madhya Pradesh president and MP Nandkumar Singh Chouhan. Chief Minister Chouhan had allegedly said in an election rally that Congress hand is with the terrorists. MP Congress Committee (MPCC) on Monday filed a criminal defamation case against Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and state BJP president Nandkumar Singh Chouhan in a local court for the chief minister's statement linking the Congress with the alleged Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) operatives, who were killed by police in an encounter in November, The petition has been filed by MPCC chief spokesperson KK Mishra on behalf of Congress party in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Bhu Bhaskar Yadav and the next date for hearing has been fixed for March 1. Mishra while talking to am Aadmi Party on AMonday filed a complaint with the Election Commission regarding alleged breach in strong room where electronic voting machines (EVMs) of Gill assembly segment have been kept. The complaint has been filed against the returning officer (RO) of Gill constituency Gagandeep Singh Virk. At the same time, the party maintained that it would visit all the strong rooms across the state to check their status. Party s senior leader and renowned Supreme Court lawyer HS Phooka alleged that Returning Officer Gagandeep Singh Virk, along with five-six men, entered the strong room breaching the two-tier security at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana. Phoolka alleged that Virk and other men spend nearly half an hour in the strong room where the EVMs of Gill constituency were kept at around 11am. AAP volunteer spotted Virk along with other men entering the strong room in PAU and informed AAP leader Darshan Sharnkar, Suresh Goyal and candidate Jiwan Singh Sangowal. When AAP leaders gathered at the spot, Virk along with other men left the scene stating that they had left some valuables inside the strong room, said Phoolka. Phoolka, who also contested state polls from Dakha, maintained that so far, they have no clue of the whether the seals have been tempered with. The Election Commission and Police have been informed about the incident and AAP is proceeding a criminal trespass case against Virk, he added. Phoolka said that in the wake of such a development, I have decided to visit all the strong rooms across the state to check its status. Security of strong room is utmost important. The EVM machines of Gill constituency are kept in strong rooms in PAU. To enter the strong room is against law, he said adding that a complaint has also been submitted to the police regarding criminal tresspass. No procedure was followed by RO and the candidate was not informed. I challenge the Badals to mend their ways, he added. The concerned Returning Officer Virk said that they are supposed to ensure that everything is intact in the strong room. And during every entry, it is not mandatory to take along the candidates, he added. The Pioneer said that CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan had said during a poll rally in Shahdol where by-elections to the Lok Sabha seat were being held in November last year that the Congress was with the SIMI operatives. The chief minister during a rally had allegedly said, Congress ka haath, aatankwadiyon ke saath (Congress s hand is with the terrorists). Mishra further said that the Congress party authorized me to take legal action against the chief minister for defaming the party. In the process the Chief Minister was first asked to tender an unconditional apology for his remarks through a notice failing that the party had warned him that a defamation case would be filed. Since the chief minister did not apologise for his remarks, a case has been filed, he added. Senior counsel Vijay Chaudhry appeared for the Congress party in the court. Incidentally, both KK Mishra and the CM have filed a number of defamation cases against each other in the past. From Page 1 The trainers and the havildar who was accompanying these commandos have got in touch with some of those who vanished from the train without informing seniors. Some have promised to report by tomorrow, senior officials said. It is to be ascertained as to how all of the men decided to make the slip en masse, they said, adding the jawans were not armed. They added that maximum of the commandos who undertook this mass bunk hail from the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. From Page 1 do we require a list of properties. But Sahara objected to which the Bench attached the said property in order to secure a list of other properties for auction.

5 he Government on Monday Tasserted that the schemes and programmes initiated by it had been a grand success and hailed by the country even as the Opposition castigated it for its decisions like demonetisation and surgical strikes as well as low allocations of funds to MGNREGA and not delivering on high promises. Participating in a debate in the Lok Sabha on Motion of Thanks to the President s Address, Union Minister Mahesh Sharma said the schemes and programmes initiated by the Government had been a success. The entire nation had stood with PM Narendra Modi on the bold decision aimed at curbing black money, ending corruption and cutting off funds to terrorism, he added. In a stinging attack on the Opposition amid ongoing poll campaign, Sharma said politics should not be played with religion and security forces and charged netaji and behanji with playing the minority card. Sharma said it was shameful that proof was sought by the Opposition for patriotism after the surgical strikes. For the first time, rashtra bhakti ka saboot dena pada (proof of patriotism had to be given), Sharma said while referring to the Opposition demanding evidence for the surgical strikes carried out by the forces last year to destroy terror camps across the border. The Minister said it needs not only a 56 inch chest but also a beating heart, along with firm commitment, to take up developmental works under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Amid criticism over the demonetisation move affecting many people and its overall benefits, Sharma claimed that while the whole nation stood with the Prime Minister, the Opposition chose to be with the corrupt people. Leader of Congress Mallikarjun Kharge targeted Modi, who was present in the House, saying he should apologise to the nation for the demonetisation decision which caused a lot of troubles to all sections of the people. Taking a dig Modi, another Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said, There was a cold drink ad, aaj kuchh toofani karte hain, the PM took decision of demonetisation based on that. Kharge said the BJP Government first joked about the MNREGA initiated by the UPA Government only to realise its substance later. He rejected the Government claim that allocation for the scheme has increased during the Modi Government. The Congress leader said the Government was misleading the countrymen by claiming that the nation is progressing fast. You can fool some of the people for some time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time, he said, quoting Abraham Lincoln adding There is failure on all fronts. So what are you talking about? Surgical strikes did not happen for the first time. These have happened in the past, it will happen in future too till our nation is troubled, said Kharge. He said, Woh (Modi) bhashan mein tez hain, bolne mein tez hain, par bhashan se pet nahi bharta (he is great in delivering speeches but speeches do not feed people). As about demonetisation, Kharge said, All the economists have said the decision to ban notes was bad. What steps did the government take before rolling out the plan? he Opposition attacked the TGovernment in Rajya Sabha on Monday for ignoring the woes of the common man hit hard by demonetisation and attacked the BJP Parliamentarians for only painting a rosy picture to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as they were scared. Participating in a debate on the Motion of Thanks for President s address, Congress member Rajeev Shukla said it was a disappointment as there was nothing new in it. He said every speaker from the ruling BJP was only painting a rosy picture to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the demonetisation move as everyone is scared. CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechur y attacked the Government on a variety of issue, including demonetisation and religious intolerance and said the President s address had failed to mention a single word on over 100 lives lost during the demonestisation move. Congress leader Ahmed Patel charged the Government with indulging in vendetta politics and acting with a revengeful mindset towards the Opposition. Observing that the President s address had referred to the cross-border surgical strike, Shukla said three such operations were carried out during the Congress-led rule which were spoken about only by a former Army chief and the Foreign Office. Even when Indira Gandhi fought the 1971 war, there was no such publicity, said Shukla. Shukla s contentions received support from other Opposition members, including Sanjay Seth (SP) and Sharad Yadav (JD-U). Yadav spoke of the affects of demonetisation on the poor people and said land of tribals was being taken away and the government remained unresponsive. He also spoke on the Kashmir issue and said the government should talk to various sections to ensure that the state does not face problems again. Invoking Guru Ramanuja and Sikh Guru Gobind Singh, Yechury attacked the government for building an atmosphere of fear and religious intolerance in the country. If you do not believe in my god, you are not part of India. That is what has been happening in the country, he said. He called the demonetisation drive of the government as the biggest disruption which has affected the normal existence of the vast majority of people and their livelihood. Attacking Modi for terming SP, Congress, Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati as SCAM, he said: SCAM is battle against the Scheduled Castes and the minorities. This is what the PM and his government are doing in the country. he Congress and Left par- on Monday continued Tties protests over the doubtful circumstances in the death of Muslim League MP E Ahamed in Lok Sabha, leading to adjournment of the House till noon. As soon as the House took up the Question Hour, Congress and Left members, mainly from Kerala raked up the issue of Ahamed s death at RML hospital here following a cardiac arrest. The Opposition members have been demanding a probe into the manner in which the death of Ahamed was handled by the Government, alleging that he had died soon after being rushed to the hospital but it was announced much later. When the Speaker disallowed the issue from being raised during Question Hour, the protestors said it was against democratic norms. The members then rushed to the Well holding placards which read Parliamentarians for dignified life and death and he Opposition on Monday Texpressed concern in the Rajya Sabha over alleged discrimination against female stu- Centre is giving final dents in Banaras Hindu Ttouches to an ambitious plan University (BHU) who were not being allowed to eat nonvegetarian food and use mobile and internet after 9.00 pm and claimed it reflected the highhanded attitude against students in Central Universities. The Elders also claimed political vendetta behind the disappearance of Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU) student Najeeb Ahmed and demanded a CBI probe. The JNU authorities were not sensitive to the issue, they said. Ahmed is missing since October last year. to link all existing mobile phone subscribers with their Aadhaar accounts in order to avoid misuse of SIM cards for criminal and anti-national activities. The plan, expected to roll out in a year, makes Aadhaar a requirement for purchase of a new mobile connection. For existing users who are pre-paid customers, constituting a base of over 90 per cent of mobile users, Aadhaar will be mandatory for getting recharge of the calling card. By this method, the Centre intends to make verification process of all mobile Among other issues to figure in the Upper House were foolproof. phone users more robust and the plight of former sportspersons, This plan was revealed by police atrocities against Attorney General of India tribal people in Chhattisgarh Tapan Sen(CPM), Sharad security forces. Mukul Rohatgi in the Supreme and jawans of para-military Yadav(JD-U) and Anand Minister for Information Court on Monday during the forces taking to social media to Sharma(Congress) associated and Broadcasting M Venkaiah hearing on a PIL filed by NGO air their grievances. with Ansari, who also raised Naidu countered the charges Lokniti Foundation. Raising the BHU issue, Ali the issue of situation prevailing in JNU alleging high- allowed to be used to make raising this issue in public inter- saying Zero Hour cannot be Commending the petitioner for Anwar Ansari(JD-U) said while boys can eat non-vegetarian food in hostels, the dents were suspended for defaming forces who are Khehar and Justice NV Ramana, handedness when 15 stu- sweeping statements and est, a bench of Chief Justice JS girls cannot do so. He also protesting against a notification. doing a difficult job by stak- recorded the undertaking of claimed that female students Minister of State for ing their lives. Kurien said for the Centre to implement its were not allowed to use Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar have been initiated to trace discussion on the issue. the misdemeanors of some mobile phones and internet Abbas Naqvi said the the missing student. The Deputy Chairman P J individuals, the entire force facilities after 9.00 pm. They were not even allowed to enter Government does not interfere in day-to-day functioning of TMC leader also demanded a CBI probe. Kurien also expressed concern over the fate of sportspersons. cannot be blamed. Partap Singh the hostel after 8.00 pm, Ansari said and quipped the universities and the issue should not be politicised. Drawing the attention of the House to the plight of former The House witnessed heated exchanges between the Bajwa(Congress) sought urgent steps by the Government to University orders were Trinamool Congress sportspersons who Opposition and Treasury address the issues flagged by Trump-like. The JD-U leader further said the girl students had to take a written undertaking to follow these restrictions at the time of (TMC) member Vivek Gupta said political vendetta was behind Ahmed s disappearance following a clash with some students on October brought laurels to the country, Nadimul Haque (TMC) highlighted the poor financial condition of several players. Almost the entire Rajya Sabha benches after Congress member B K Hariprasad demanded dismissal of the Chhattisgarh Government over alleged atrocities against tribals and some para-military force jawans in social media. He said security personnel were performing their duties in tough conditions and took to seeking admission. 16 and asked the Government backed his assertion and Prem locals, including rape and social media as their grievances Several MPs including whether any special measures Chand Gupta (RJD) sought a molestation, committed by were not heard. espite strong opposition by Dseveral states and UTs including Delhi, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has directed State Governments and all UTs to implement fee hikes of driving licence, and vehicle registration fees. In a letter to Principal Secretaries (Transport), the Secretaries (Transport) and first of its kind convention Transport Commissioners of Aconnecting over 10,000 college girl students from across the all states and UTs, Abhay Damle, Joint country with women policy he National Green Tribunal Secretary of the makers and social and corporate T(NGT) on Monday sought Ministry of Road leaders will held from February reports from the Environment Transport & Highways 10 to February 12, 2017 in Ministry, Tamil Nadu clarified that the Andhra Pradesh s Amravati, the Government and other revised rates for delay State s upcoming new capital. Government agencies, on the fee can be changed at To be attended by eminent with policy makers, leaders Technology YS chaudhary Chennai oil spill within 24 hours. aquatic animals have become the new rates from the date of personalities like spiritual guru and other women of eminence emphasized on women s It has called for facts of the oil victims to the widespread disaster publication of the notification Dalai Lama, Speaker of about grass root challenges empowerment for positive spill and the measures being caused by the two vessels on December 29, 2016 and not Bangladesh Parliament S being faced by their brethren in changes in the society. taken to clear up the sludge. as a result of their negligence, retrospectively. Sharmin Chaudhury, nobel the country, said M Renuka, The NWP is a non-political A Bench headed by NGT said the plea, filed last week.in According to officials, Delhi laureate Muhammad Yunus coordinator of the NWP, here platform for women from chairperson Swatantar Kumar another plea filed on Monday, and several other States have besides 401 women legislators at a press conference. diverse background like politics, issued notice to the Ministry the counsel sought a direction to opposed the new rates hiked by and 91 women MPs, the She was flanked by AP education, sports, industry, the central and state pollution the authorities to follow nation- the Ministry of Transport. The National Women s Women and Child Minister P media, cinema, arts and culture, control boards, the Ministry of al and international protocol in Delhi Government has also Parliament-2017 will be inaugurated Sujata and MPs like K Geeta judiciary and young aspir- Shipping and the Tamil Nadu dealing with the disaster. written to Union Road by Prime Minister and Lakshmi Seetharama (AP), ing girl students to share their government through its On January 28, 2017, two Transport and Highways Narendra Modi through video Moon Moon Sen and Dr experiences and knowledge in through its Chief Secretary. merchant vessels -- MV Maple Minister Nitin Gadkari to withdraw conferencing. Andhra Pradesh Mamtaz Sanghamita (WB) and the area of women s social economic This is following a petition in Galaxy, owned by Tokio the new rates as transport Chief Minister Chandrababu Ramadevi (Bihar). and political empower- this regard, where they had Marine Holding Inc. and under unions have threatened to go on Naidu will also be present on The women MPs felt that it ment, summed up T Srinivas been named offenders along charter party contract with strike on this issue. the occasion. was a long way to go for their Rao, OSD to the State CM with the errant vessels. Indian Oil Corporation, collided As per the Transport The event aims to help fraternity to be really politically (Media Affairs). The event is The bench asked the with vessel MT Dawn Ministry notification, a learner ignite and strengthen the sense empowered in the male-dominated being organized by the Andhra respondents to appear before it Kanchipuram, operated by licence which was earlier issued of social responsibility among society. Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Tuesday to file their unknown persons near the with a fee of Rs 30, has been women particularly young girls TDP leader and Minister of in association with MIT School response. Port of Kamarajar in Ennore, increased to Rs 150 with an who will have direct connect State for Science and of Government, Pune. The fish and all the other Tamil Nadu. extra charge of driving test fee Mobile Phone Subscriber Verification Programme, and on this hope disposed the PIL. A-G Rohatgi said that this verification is being made mandatory for any new user but for existing customers, there are some rough edges to be smoothened before the final rollout. The bench quoted A-G as saying, Each prepaid card holder has to per force renew his card periodically by making a deposit for further user. Its pointed out that these over 90 per cent existing subscribers can also be verified by putting in place a mechanism adopted for new subscribers. An effective programme will be completed at the earliest and the process will be completed within one year as far as possible. Although the Court was in favour of implementing the scheme forthwith, Rohatgi submitted that with the coming of smart phones, a mobile connection not only helps in making calls but acts as a payment gateway for making payments and transfer of funds. It is for this reason we do not intend to take customers by surprise, the A-G added. of Rs 50. Charges will be higher if the driving licence is a smart card and in those states whose Governments have opted for automation and are using technology to conduct driving or vehicle fitness tests. According to the notification, the fitness certificate fee has been increased from Rs 300 to Rs 600. If a vehicle owner fails to get a fitness certificate before it expires, he or she will have to pay an additional fee of Rs 50 for each day of delay besides the regular charge. T h e Ministry has also imposed a fine of those failing to renew their licence on time will have to pay Rs 300 and an additional fee of Rs 1,000 for each year of delay. As per notification, annual fitness test of a heavy vehicles will cost Rs 600, the fee for an automated test will be Rs 1,000.For cars, the charges are Rs 400 and Rs 600 respectively. The notification says that in case of delay in submission of NOC for change of ownership, vehicle owners must pay Rs 300 and Rs 500 per month as additional fee for motorcycles and other vehicles respectively. If vehicle owners fail to get fitness certificates in time, they will have to shell out an additional fee of Rs 50 for each day of delay in addition to the regular charge. We are Ahamed Sahib. As the slogan shouting continued for a while, an upset Speaker Sumitra Mahajan rose to say that such talk should not take place. She then adjourned the proceedings till noon. Earlier, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi led the MPs protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament. Treasury and Opposition benches were largely empty with most members apparently concentrating on electioneering in Uttar Pradesh. Trinamool Congress members were present in the House, but unlike on Friday, did not protest the arrest of their MPs in the chit fund scam by the CBI.

6 The suspicion of many salaried professionals that successive Governments have extracted unduly high taxes from those considered sitting ducks (persons in the formal economy with no escape routes), was vindicated, but not ameliorated, in Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley s Budget speech of February 1. A reconsideration of income tax slabs to redeem the Prime Minister s campaign pledge to reduce the burden of honest tax payers would be in the fitness of things. Since independence, when income tax was first imposed upon citizens, tax evasion has been a way of life for many. Demonetisation was to bring all sectors of the economy into the banking sector, and the tax net. While it is premature to expect the figures of those who should be paying taxes post-demonetisation to reflect in the Budget speech (which would have been under finalisation while demonetisation was underway), a much wider tax base is expected to materialise during the financial year Hence, a more generous tax structure was a legitimate expectation. Some information that has recently come into the public realm deserves notice. The Finance Minister pointed to discrepancy between rising car sales and growing number of Indians travelling abroad, and the paltry number of high income taxpayers. He observed, Of the 76 lakh individual assessees who declare income above five lakh rupees, 56 lakh are in the salaried class. The number of people showing income more than 50 lakh in the entire country is only 1.72 lakh. We can contrast this with the fact that in the last five years, more than 1.25 crore cars have been sold, and the number of Indian citizens, who flew abroad, either for business or tourism, is two crore in the year It follows that the number of assessees in the financial year must rise from 76 lakh to at least two crore, which too is paltry for a country of India s size and economy. Unless the entire population is below poverty line, it is a safe bet that at least five per cent should be high net worth individuals (annual income above 50 lakh), at least 30 per cent middle income bracket and at least 30 per cent entry level tax bracket (at existing exemption levels). That leaves roughly 35 per cent, which Sir This refers to the report, Joginder Singh leaves for his heavenly abode (February 4). The sad demise of former Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director and senior columnist, Joginder Singh, is a deep loss to the nation. During his 11-month stint with the CBI, he faced several hostilities from politicians, bureaucrats and the media. However, the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sadbhavana Awardee remained unfazed and shouldered his responsibilities with conviction. During his brief tenure, he displayed exemplary courage by initiating action in the fodder scam. Singh s lead articles on good governance, counter-terrorism, bureaucratic reforms and selfdevelopment in The Pioneer engaged the readers in meaningful debates and helped shape their opinion. His books Make A Way Where There Is None, 50 Days to Top, Inside CBI, Police Ki Kahani Meri Zabani are a rich source of inspiration for people of all walks of life. His words, Nothing will change unless you change the laws, will echo in the corridors of power. Shreyans Jain New Delhi includes the poor and marginal, unemployed, youth/students and the exempted farm sector (including rich farmers). Financial planning that does not think in such broad strokes will never control or kill the black economy. The Finance Ministry will have to dig deeper, collate data from each sector, to make us a truly tax compliant economy. Jaitley s observations are well known. Complaints about the growing number of Government employees, whose families were taking tour packages to destinations like Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai, and returning laden with goods, had prompted the then Finance Minister P Chidambaram to put such persons on a watch list. Things do not seem to have improved much since, but the postdemonetisation scenario must change dramatically. Revenue secretary Hasmukh Adhia has revealed that over two-thirds of the demonetised currency deposited in banks, roughly crore, came from deposits of over two lakh rupees. As Government had initially said the income tax department would not trouble people depositing up to 2.5 lakh into their bank accounts, many made deposits of around 2.25 lakh, in multiple accounts. Many accounts were operated against a single PAN number. However, the exemption limit of 2.5 lakh per individual was mainly intended to cover the genuine savings of housewives. A far greater scrutiny of shell companies is warranted. Recently, a cash deposit of six crore rupees in a bank account unearthed a huge Internet scam by a Noidabased firm. As Uttar Pradesh police arrested three top employees of the company, who had duped nearly seven lakh persons by promising handsome returns for clicking on certain web links, tax authorities discovered that the firm was not doing any real business, but was luring investors (who paid thousands of rupees to join the scheme) and rotating their money. The firm s turnover jumped to 3,700 crore in , from just 26 crore the previous year. There would be thousands of such companies across the country, which can be Sir This refers to the report, Joginder Singh leaves for his heavenly abode (February 4). It is disheartening that Joginder Singh, who has written numerous articles for The Pioneer, expressing his anguish and ire against corruption in various walks of public life, is no more to enlighten us with his revolutionary views and suggestions. Singh had always been bold and forthright in his crusade against corruption. The way he rose up from the deplorable state of life to create a distinct niche for himself in every coveted post that he held, is a matter of great inspiration for all. If we have a handful of such brave and sincere persons, who are determined to fight corruption and raise voice for the upright, corruption in politics can be rooted out to a large extent and the nation can achieve great progress, surmounting the hurdles that the dishonest and greedy politicians use to create. TT Sakaria New Delhi Sir This refers to the editorial, Riding high on education (February 4). It is fact that time unearthed with due diligence. The Budget has reduced tax on income between 2.5 lakh and five lakh rupees from the present 10 per cent to five per cent, and slashed the rebate of 5,000 on income between 2.5 lakh to 3.5 lakh to 2,500. Thus, for income up to three lakh rupees, tax would be zero and those earning 3.5 lakh would pay 2,500. Those earning above 3.5 lakh would save 12,500 in tax a niggardly concession. Ideally, the exemption limit should have been raised to five lakh rupees, as suggested by some columnists, and subsequent slabs revised upwards. This would put more purchasing power in the hands of citizens, stimulate spending, and bring some much-needed buoyancy into the market. At a time when all citizens are being coaxed into the tax net, a tax of 10 per cent for income up to 20 lakh, 20 per cent for income up to 50 lakh, with surcharge for income over one crore rupees, would better meet the needs of the economy and be fair to compliant citizens. The reduction of presumptive income tax for small and medium trades/businesses with a turnover of up to two crore rupees, from eight per cent of turnover to six per cent in respect of turnover received by non-cash means, is needless nitpicking. Bifurcating turnover into cash and non-cash will inconvenience traders and customers. Instead, market associations should ensure that every shop makes sales by computerised billing only. Finally, the Finance Minister promised to cut corporate tax from his first Budget. But in the fourth Budget, tax has been cut from 30 per cent to 25 per cent only for companies with a turnover of 50 crore (this reportedly benefits 96 per cent companies). Yet it is the remaining larger companies that pay the bulk of taxes and were looking forward to the promised reform. This exemption could have been shared across the board as one objective was to enable Indian firms to compete with their Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) peers. Presently, companies benefitting from the reduction do not typically compete with Asean firms. Overall, an unexciting Budget, whose most redeeming feature is the absence of nasty surprises. (The writer is a political analyst and an independent researcher) demands that the focus be on educational output because of the abysmal quality of education that is being imparted at schools. Undoubtedly, infrastructure and improved teaching learning are essential, but a balance must be made. Muhammad Waseem Kanpur Sir This refers to the editorial, Riding high on education (February 4). The oil spill along the Chennai coast line is indeed tragic. Now that the damage has been done, the Indian Coast Guard must not only thoroughly probe this incident, but also make the owners of Dawn Kanchipuram pay for the shoreline cleanup and damages that it has caused to marine life. Hopefully, the Tamil Nadu Government will intervene into the matter and ensure that pollutants are removed from the sea at the earliest. Post the death of J Jayalalithaa, Tamil Nadu is indeed having a tough time amidst all the political churning. Bal Govind Noida

7 The Opposition kept on waiting for an angry mob to march to the capital to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi s demonetisation decision. On the other hand, Modi, on November 8, 2016, smoothly announced one of the most aggressive economic and social policy in recent history. There were some concerns raised about the implementation of the programme but that did not stick. People believed that regardless of the final outcome of rooting out black money, our Prime Minister had the right intent. Others were amazed about how the Prime Minister pulled off something as major as demonetisation without a major public pushback. The Prime Minister s success on demonetisation is worth examining. In fact, when you follow Prime Minister Modi s career closely, the answer to his success becomes obvious. The reason why he could do so well on demonetisation was because he consistently executed a handful of strategies. Specifically, the Prime Minister was brilliant at constructing messages in a simple and succinct way that resonated with the common man. He kept on repeating his message until it sinked into the minds of the public. He ensured to identify a core value that drives his actions. Modi has been consistent in weaving these components in all his major announcements. Let s examine the pattern closely. A simple message: When the Prime Minister addressed the nation on television on November 8, 2016, he shook the country with a simple message. He said that black money is sinking the economy. To combat this, let s join hands and exchange old 500 and 1,000 notes. He asked the public to go to the closest bank and be a part of a change. Every word that he uttered was basic and so was the content of the speech. What makes a message simple is that it has one or two points to communicate that is explicitly stated from the beginning. Each of Modi s speeches are simple. He begins by identifying a problem to which we can relate (black money or lack of sanitation), then he moves on to propose a solution (remove 500 and 1,000 currency or make India clean through Swachch Bharat Abhiyan) and then finally, he asks the citizens to actively participate (go to the bank and replace notes or keep your community clean by picking up a broom). Most people understand the construction of such simple messages. The Opposition, on the other hand, is yet to master this art. From failure in implementation; to the economic consequences of demonetisation; to the Prime Minister intent there lacked one cohesive and straightforward message that the Opposition could represent. For example, the Opposition could have said that demonetisation is bad because poor people use cash the most (problem). Demonetisation should, therefore, be cancelled (solutions) and Modi should apologise to the public (follow-up action). But there was too much being thrown at the public. And in the process, nothing stuck. Repeating message: Even when you have a simple message, it is not adequate to be able to just mention it once and then move on. Senior leaders in the BJP were strong in maintaining a consistent narrative. From Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to Union Minister for Home Affairs Rajnath Singh, every senior BJP leader communicated the same position in the weeks following the announcement of demonetisation. Demonetisation is good for India because the Government is rooting out black money. Even as circulars were being issued to course-correct, the message remained the same. People eventually believed this message because it was repeated enough times. This is not the first time that team Modi has employed repeated messaging. In fact, brand Modi was built similarly. The narrative about Prime Minister Modi being a chai wala, a person of humble beginning, an unmarried patriot who is committed to the country, was also engrained through repetition. Prior to the election, BJP leaders made sure to announce this on every platform. From his own rally speeches to foreign biographies, Modi s patriotism and lack of family was always mentioned. Today, we have so successfully accepted this fact that even when demonetisation was announced, very few questioned the Prime Minister s intent. The Opposition is abysmal and has maintained a consistent narrative. This is one of its weakest points. When demonetisation was first announced, the Congress decided to oppose it. They had problems with its implementation. However, the Trinamool Congress took a different route and challenged its merit. It seemed like there was no cohesive front. Subsequently, the public got confused about what the Opposition stood for and all voices were drowned. Value-driven decision: Finally, Modi ensured that each of his messages has a value backing. In the case of demonetisation, it was that the poor should have access to resources and money just like the rich. During the surgical strikes, his value was patriotic duty towards the country and defending our soldiers. And finally, with the launch of Swachch Bharat Abhiyan, the Prime Minister pushed forward our Gandhian values. Prime Minister Modi ensures that each of his policies are rooted in the very fundamentals that the public appreciates. And almost every time this value is also focused towards combatting a common enemy: The rich who hoard money or foreign enemies who are against our country. While Modi s stance on most issues are clear, it is still difficult to decipher the Oppositions moral ground. There is often discourse about seculars in the country, but it is not well-defined on who they are. If the Opposition wants to be able to compete in putting out a strong message, it needs to find its values as well. Political support aside, there is brilliance in Modi s political messaging through demonetisation. He was able to convince the entire nation that there was an urgency to replace notes. He disrupted businesses and workers lives but always pointed towards the larger goals. The Opposition wasn t able to do much through this. If it wants to do more in the future, it needs to think critically and analyse its own inability to communicate well. (The writer is working with parliamentarians and also on a book about youth entering politics) T he Union Budget, presented by Minister for Finance Arun Jaitley on February 1, brought with it both, new and modified policies and tax reforms that can be beneficial for the Indian small and medium enterprises (SME) sector in the longrun. Despite the fact that the Budget was heavily focused on rural and agriculture sectors, it also contains several policies that can help small businesses upgrade their capabilities and compete at par with the established ones. While there are several factors that needs to be considered before these policies are executed, certainly, the Budget proves that the Government is undertaking all efforts to provide for a comprehensive infrastructure to help the SME sector grow. Let us explore the various provisions/benefits for small businesses according to the just presented Budget. Being one of the most anticipated expectation from this Budget, the relaxation in income tax for the micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) received positive feedback from most industries. The benefit comes in the form of five per cent tax reduction from the current income tax applicable rate of 30 per cent on companies that have an annual turnover of up to 50 crore. The revised 25 per cent tax will benefit close to 96 per cent, ie approximately 6.67 lakh businesses across the country. This is also suggestive of the fact that the Government will be forgoing up to 72,000 crore in tax revenues with this tax reduction in order to help small businesses grow, which is commendable. Crucially, the Budget threw some light on some key points regarding the much-anticipated Goods & Services Tax (GST) Bill, which, if implemented, can create a uniform tax system by eliminating multiplicity of taxes. In his Budget, the Finance Minister informed that the GST Council has finalised its recommendations on almost all the issues based on consensus of all those involved. They are expected to put forth their final decision on the new taxation system across all industries by April 1. Furthermore, despite protests by some tax officers against GST, the Central Board of Excise and Customs will continue its efforts to eliminate State control over taxes, and is expected to play a key role in ushering in the GST that can significantly benefit small businesses. Typically, companies have to pay a minimum tax of 18.5 per cent (excluding cess and surcharge) on book profits. This means, even SMEs or start-ups, that receive 100 per cent tax benefits, have to pay the Minimum Alternative Tax (MAT) that can be credited from future taxes after a period of 10 years. However, after observing the inability of most SMEs to pay this tax, after the designated period, the Government decided to introduce some provisions within MAT that can benefit such ventures. As per sections 44AA of the Income Tax Act, 1961, a person engaged in business is required to maintain regular books of account under certain circumstances. However, to relieve small taxpayers from this tedious work, the Act has framed the presumptive taxation scheme under sections 44AD and 44AE. Under this scheme, a presumptive income of eight per cent on gross receipts is calculated upon which the tax is computed for businesses that are run by entrepreneurs and/or partnership firms (excluding limited liability partnership), provided the turnover does not exceed two crore rupees. In this Budget, the current rate of eight per cent has been reduced to six per cent for gross receipts that have been received via non-cash means. This provision will help improve the overall SME sector, as it can bring more transparency within the system. The Budget has certainly managed to give some hope to the SMEs sector, especially, the start-ups. It has doled out lucrative incentives for going digital in an attempt to achieve a cashless economy. Be it the cashback scheme, announced for merchants using the BHIM mobile wallet, or allocating benefits worth 2,500 crore for unified payment interface and other digital payments, the Government is certainly leaving no stone unturned when it comes to creating a digital economy. While it is too early to determine whether each of these policies will be implemented in time, it can be said that the benefits announced in the Budget for SMEs, will play a key role in propelling their growth in future. (The writer is founder and director, ExportersIndia.com)

8 UTTARAKHAND MANIPUR UTTAR PRADESH ill the Rashtriya Lok Dal W(RLD) emerge to prominence in West UP nicknamed as Jatland? Fifteen districts namely Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Bagpat, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Hapur, Bulandsahar, Aligarh, Mathura, Hathras, Agra, Ferozabad, Etah and Kasganj are going to polls on February 11. The poll issues are exodus of Hindus, beef debacle, conversion and local issues related to development and connectivity of roads, trade and business. In the last Assembly election, the RLD had nine seats in its kitty while the Samajwadi Party had 24, the Bahujan Samaj Party 23, the Bharatiya Janata Party 12 and the Congress 5. The Congress-SP alliance has stitched a poll equation while RLD which was an ally in the previous election is contesting the election all alone this time. The fielding of contestants of different political parties has made the Assembly election 2017 as a triangular contest in some districts of West UP while a four-cornered fight in some other districts. While the main battle is between the SP-Congress alliance, BSP and the BJP, at about two dozen of seats, RLD s strong presence (traditional votes) had made the battle four-cornered. This time RLD had fielded contestants at most of seats in West UP. Presently, there is no wave in favour of any political party and all the rival parties are campaigning keeping in their mind to influence floating votes while not losing its traditional votes. Barring the BJP, all the contesting parties had kept their eye to woo Jat, Muslim and Yadav voters to upset apple cart of their rival party while gaining a mileage out of the political processing. In West UP, Jats make up around 17 per cent of the population of western Uttar Pradesh. Out of total population, per cent is Hindu and per cent is Muslim. Although Hindus are in a large majority, the percentage of Muslims in Western Uttar Pradesh is higher than in Uttar Pradesh as a whole. Out of total Assembly seats in this region, Muslim candidates won 26 seats in the 2012 Assembly elections. The population of Western Uttar Pradesh is composed of a varied set of communities and tribes, including Ahirs, Brahmins, Dalits, he flip-flop by Mulayam Singh TYadav regarding the Congress- SP alliance has raised many questions - whether the Samajwadi patriarch has lost plot the way Congress-SP alliance has picked up campaign and has become talk of the town or issuing conflicting statements without giving a thought. In the last 10 days between January 29 when Mulayam Singh Yadav had issued first statement opposing the SP- Congress alliance and February 6 when he declared Akhilesh will be the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and will start electioneering soon, much water has flown down the river Gomti. In between Mulayam s younger brother Shivpal Singh Yadav declared that a new party will be formed after March 11 (the day elections results are declared) and Lok Dal president Sunil Singh he poll campaign in the Assembly Tsegment of Kairana that came to limelight for allegations of Hindu migration from the region has not become a polarising factor as development remains the main issue here. The BJP MP from Kairana Hukum Dev Singh who floated the theory of Hindu migration is focusing on issues of development in the region and even claims to have support of Muslims for her daughter Mrigyanka Singh, a BJP candidate from Kairana. The constituency has around two lakh Hindu Jats, Gujjar, Kashyaps and Thakur and around one lakh Muslim voters. Besides Mrigyanka Singh (BJP), there are three strong candidates Nahid Hassan (sitting SP MLA), Diwakar Kashyap (BSP) and Anil Chauhan (RLD). Though the BJP MP does not want to talk about Hindu exodus, his supporters claim many shops are bearing board of dukan bikau hain (shop is for sale) and refer to alleged migration from Kandla (Shamli) and Kairana on account of goodnagardi of illiterates and protection given to them by the State administration. Kairana Assembly seat has been with the BJP from 1996 to 2102 when Gujjars, Jats, Jatavs, Kurmis, Rajputs, Rohilla Pashtuns, Chamars and Tyagis. The Jats are the best placed in terms of official connections and literacy. It is because they controlled this social capital with their might with people of castes like Gujjars and Sainis, in the neighbourhood, came to them for favours. There is a common myth that if you are in trouble, only a Jat worthy could help you out. The areas like Meerut, Muzaffarnagar and Bijnor belonged to the Jats or Jat dominant. Party insiders find RLD s decision to go all alone this time a well-calculated move. They said the RLD leadership harped on family feud in the SP and then on the dissenting SP leaders who did not toe to the party order after being denied ticket and decided to blow the bugle even as an Independent candidate. West UP being a Jatland, the RLD had strongest hold once until the Jat Muslim divide. made Mulayam Singh Yadav his party s star campaigner. All these developments were linked to the antipathy shown by Mulayam against the SP-Congress alliance. When Mulayam made this statement in Delhi there was no firework in UP or distribution of sweets in party headquarters in Lucknow as workers generally do in politics to score points with senior leaders. Does this mean workers are not that enthused with this announcement? We are busy with Bhaiya s (Akhilesh s) campaign. We have his face and work he has done that could take us to victory, a leader in SP s war room said. Here is what happened exactly in last 10 days: On January 29, he called a reporter of private news channel and gave an interview saying he was against the SP-Congress alliance. It was the day when Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav had held a joint Press conference and followed it up with a roadshow which passed through three Assembly segments dominated by minority community. He said the Congress has failed the people. The Congress has ruled the country for long and has never worked for the development of masses. If India is backward today it is because of the Congress, he had said in his statement. He even asked the SP workers to contest 105 seats which are being given to the Congress as an agreement. The Congress and SP workers were stunned. There was a feeling if Mulayam starts talking against alliance in the Yadav-dominated constituencies in central UP it will be a requiem for the tie-up. Two days later on February 1, the first flip-flop came when ll is not well for the BJP in Athe West UP districts where as many as 73 Assembly seats go to polls in first phase of the State Assembly elections on February 11. Even the largely attended election meeting by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Meerut on February 4 has not made much of a difference as the core voters of the BJP are either alienated or indifferent. Before the Prime Minister s meetings, BJP president Amit Shah had to call off a roadshow in Meerut. Shah had cancelled the roadshow as a mark of respect for a businessman who was shot dead it was consistently held by Hukum Dev Singh on the BJP ticket before he became an MP in Prior to Singh, the seat was won in 1991 and 1993 by Janata Dal s Manawar Hassan. In 2014 bypoll, SP s Nahid Hassan won from the Kairana Assembly seat defeating BJP s Anil Chauhan (Hukum Dev Singh s nephew) who is now a candidate on the RLD ticket. Law and order and security, besides development of the area are the main issue, says the BJP MP adding Muslims also want security. He says main contest is between the BJP and the SP as BSP is out of contest. He claims that Muslims would also substantially vote for the BJP and plays down migration plank. Singh, however, goes on to quote Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh Palayan karne walon Mulayam said he has his blessings for the Congress-SP alliance. I am not against the alliance. I want the candidates fielded under agreement should be victorious, he said in a statement but did not say a word about earlier statement when he had asked the SP leaders to file papers in 105 constituencies which have been given to the Congress. Under the agreement, the Congress will contest 105 seats while the Samajwadi Party will field candidates in 298 constituencies. On February 3, Mulayam Singh again came up with a statement said he will go for campaigning. I will campaign for Shivpal Singh Yadav first and then if time permits I will campaign for other Samajwadi Party leaders, he said. The statement again had tongues wagging about Mulayam giving preference to his brother over his son Akhilesh Yadav. And on Monday (February 6) Mulayam said he will start campaigning for all leaders of the SP- Congress alliance. There is no division in party and family. Akhilesh Yadav will be the next Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, he told reporters in New Delhi. Why this flip-flop? Is this because he realised that Akhilesh Yadav has come out of his shadow and was now negotiating of his own? Probably he knows that the Samajwadi Party is clawing back in alliance with the Congress and will be reduced to non-entity if the alliance manages to form next Government. Juhie Singh, the Samajwadi Party spokesperson said it is good news that Netaji has agreed to go for campaigning. He has been a big support for party and will remain so. We need his guidance and we are happy that he will start campaigning very soon, she said. by a gang of dacoits who had raided his business premises. Political observers say if the perception and the mood prevailing in the region right now are anything to go by then it appears that the BJP is facing an existential crisis. The fledgling Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance seems to be head and shoulder above at the level of perception. What has added to the woes of the BJP is its inability to publicise its election manifesto where it has promised the waiver of crop loan of small and marginal farmers and interest-free crop loan in future. The small and marginal farmers account for over 90 per cent of the farming Lucknow: Questioning why could Prime Minister Narendra Modi not waive farmers loans if he could do the same for his 50 top industrialist friends, Rahul Gandhi advocated a separate manifesto for youths. The Congress vice-president was addressing a huge rally in support of the SP-Congress alliance in Mathura on Monday. To ensure livelihood to every family, I advised Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav as to why could we not come up with a separate manifesto for youths as it could change the face of the biggest State of the country. I have two issues in my mind one to ensure job for youths and second, to remove fear and hatred from their minds, said Rahul. The Congress poster boy attacked Narendra Modi on farmers loan issue. PNS ko Palayan Karna honga (Those forcing migration will have to migrate). Asked about the communal scenario, Mrigyanaka says, Maximum riots took place during the tenure of Akhilesh Yadav, no industry came during his term his is a votebank politics. Does development pays off? Development does not fetches vote but creates atmosphere, she signs off before hitting the road in the constituency with his father. Kairana Lok Sabha constituency comprises five Vidhan Sabha segments including Nakur, Gangoh, Kairana, Thana Bhawan and Shamli. (Kairana is a part of the Shamli district and one of the five Assembly constituencies in Kairana). In Shamli, Congress MLA Pankaj Malik is pitted against Tejender Nirwal (BJP), Vijender Malik (RLD), Ch Mohmd Islam (BSP) and Mansingh Chauhan (Independent - a Gujjar). The seat seems to experience a tough triangular contest between two Jats and a Muslim with an Independent Gujjar thrown in the battle. In Thana Bhawan, BJP s hot head and an accused in communal riot Suresh Rana is party s candidate. community in the State. According to a political analyst in Meerut, right now the BJP is seen fighting for the third and fourth spots along with Choudhary Ajit Singh s Rashtriya Lok Dal. For, most of the 73 Assembly constituencies that go to polls on February 11 are likely to witness a direct contest between the SP-Congress alliance and the BSP. Even former State BJP president Lakshmi Kant Bajpai is locked in tough triangular contest where the BSP has fielded local Sindhi trader Pankaj Jolly, who is cutting into his Hindu vote base while the Muslims are consolidated behind Rafiq Ansari of the SP-Congress alliance. snippets

9 UTTARAKHAND MANIPUR UTTAR PRADESH Patna: Even as Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar is keeping away from UP, his ally and RJD chief Lalu Prasad will campaign for the Samajwadi Party candidates on February 8. He will begin stumping in Sikandarabad constituency where his son-in-law Rahul Yadav in contesting. He will address three meetings there on Wednesday. Rahul is married to Lalu s daughter Ragini and lives in Ghaziabad. Earlier, he was in the Congress. Lalu said he would also campaign at other places too and his second phase of campaign will be finalised by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. We taught a lesson to BJP in Bihar and now in UP BJP will meet its Waterloo. The saffron party is losing an all five States going to polls. Its fate has already been sealed in Punjab and Goa and now the party will be humiliated in UP, Uttrakhand and Manipur, Lalu said. PNS n his election rallies in IUttarakhand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hammering home the point that similar Governments needed at the Centre and the State for real development. Uttarakhand needs a double engine (similar Governments at the Centre and the State) to pull it out of the rut, thunders Modi in his rallies. His logic seems right when one realises that in 16 years of existence the people of the Himalayan State have experienced friendly Governments both at the Centre and the State for about four years only. In most of the elections, the people of the State have selected a Government which antagonises one ruling at the Centre. In the f i r s t Assembly elections held ighly motivated members Hof the hit and run squad possibly trained by the Pakistan Rangers are desperately trying to target BSF jawans deployed on forward posts along the International border across Jammu frontier. In the last one week two back to back incidents have been reported where a group of heavily armed men came close to the International border and aimed at BSF jawans using automatic weapons. Both these incidents were reported in the Samba sector. The members of the hit and run squad managed to evade distant eye of long range cameras fitted atop observation posts due to thickly vegetated terrain across the border and professional training. It was sheer luck BSF men escaped unhurt on both these occasions. This is the new tactic deployed by the Pak rangers to target BSF patrols and sentry positions along the IB. Senior BSF authorities on ground zero claimed they have been regularly spotting movement of armed men in the area and possibly these men are targeting our forward posts to inflict maximum damages. On Monday morning alert BSF troops foiled another fierce stand-off attack on duty mound at International Border from Pakistan side in Samba sector of Jammu frontier. According to BSF spokesman, at about 8:45 a.m, a group of heavily armed terrorists reached close to International boundary in Pakistan side taking advantage of undulating ground. Terrorists resorted to heavy fire on forward BSF troops deployed on duty mound from automatic weapons. Alert BSF troops on duty points swiftly organized coordinated effective fire over them, not only to suppress their fire but forced them to retreat. Thus, alert BSF sentries foiled the ferocious standoff attack from heavily armed terrorists from Pakistan by giving them a befitting reply added BSF spokesman. BSF troops very narrowly escaped during this fire. This fire was fully supported by heavy fire from Pakistan posts but same was responded in befitting manner. Earlier, senior BSF authorities had claimed small arms fire was reported around 8.45 a.m from Pak side in Samba sector. After a brief gap small arms firing and 51 mm mortars were fired towards the forward Indian posts from the Pak side around 9.35 a.m. BSF troops retaliated the fire suitably without suffering any losses, the senior BSF officer claimed. Earlier, a similar attempt was made on February 2 when at least three under barrel grenades were lobbed by the highly trained infiltrators to target BSF men. ujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Monday visited Indian GArmy s martyr Sunil Patel s residence at Orwada in Panchmahals district and paid condolence to the bereaved family. Rupani also handed over a cheque of Rs 2.51-lakh to his wife as the State Government s assistance from the Chief Minister s Relief Fund. He handed over a cheque of another Rs 1 lakh collectively raised by the community. The Chief Minister said the 51 Rashtriya Rifles jawan Sunil Patel s martyrdom in the avalanche while on the onerous duty of protecting our borders in the Kashmir-Siachin sector should instill patriotism among the youth. with my family but whenever I go allowed me to contest elections, to my village in Fatehpur Sikri I see she added. fter waiting long for develop- at her native village in lack of basic amenities. All this date, Vandana had to do the cam- my relatives face difficulties due to Being an Independent candi- Ament Fatehpur Sikri, an undergraduate student Vandana Sharma has entered into the electoral fray this time. She has pledged not to get married until her village gets developed. BA second year student Vandana (25), has filed nomination papers as Independent candidate from Fatehpur Sikri constituency even after facing denial from the family members. My friends used to tease me saying tere gaon mein to namak khareedne bhi 8 kilometre inspires me to contest polls for bringing development in the constituency, said Vandana while talking to The Pioneer. She added due to some personal reasons, my study was stopped for some time. Before elections I had a word with my family for contesting polls but they did not allow me to do it. Still I filed the nomination papers. For the security money, I used my savings and kept the news of nomination secret paigning work on her own and not much people are seen with her expect some family members and friends. She had opted for door-todoor campaigning and is telling people that how much development is needed in the constituency. When asked about her view on major political parties, she said at present the sitting MLA is from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party jana padta hai. I am living in Agra from my family. (BJP) but none work for Once the nomination was com- stituency. Even the development in the conpleted, I Samajwadi Party and informed them. the Congress alliance Even then they does not seem to be a were not ready fruitful thing for the to allow me and constituency. In such I remained at case, one has to come home for a week. forward, contest election But now they have and carry out development. nxiety has started grip- the students of the Aping private Kerala Law Academy Law College at Thiruvananthapuram who have been agitating for almost the past one month demanding mainly the resignation of principal Lekshmi Nair with the management remaining unprepared for any compromise and the State Government and the Kerala University under which the college comes showing no willingness to take action against the Academy. The students, whose agitation completed 27 days on Monday, have also started to feel that it was perhaps a big mistake on their part to take the support of political parties like the Congress which also have joined the stir at the college gates transforming a problem of academic administration limited to the college into one of the biggest political issues of the State. in the year 2002, the State gave a verdict in favour of the Congress even though there was the NDA Government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the Centre. This verdict of the people was a setback for the BJP which was hoping to form Government in the State as Vajpayee was instrumental in creating the new State of Uttarakhand. Five years later, in the Assembly elections of 2007, the people of the State voted BJP to power even though there was a Congress Government headed by Manmohan Singh at the Centre. However in the Assembly elections of 2012, the Congress managed to form Government in the State, at this time Manmohan Singh-led UPA Government was at the Centre. This partnership was soon broken in 2014 as the BJP riding high on Modi wave swept to power at the Centre. If one takes a look at the results of the Lok Sabha elections then again the disagreement of the people with the ruling party in the State is reflected. t least 20 students were Ainjured in violence between Indian and foreign students on Parul University campus in Waghodia town near Vadodara. The police detained 18 students including eight foreign nationals and filed two FIRs against them. The injured were treated at a hospital at the campus. The incident occurred late in the night on Sunday. According to police the incident happened when Indian students were passing by the international hostel. It began with verbal altercation between two groups that led to huge mobs from both the sides gathering near the hostel and it transformed into clash. The police claimed that situation came under control as soon as cops swung into the action. On a safer side, the police decided to call additional force to avoid any untoward incident. A large contingent of police personnel remain stationed as uneasy calm prevailed on the campus till Monday. The university authorities on their part have shut down the hostel facilities and closed down the campus. Among those injured include six Afghan students, two from Uganda, one from Congo and the remaining are Indian students. This is a very serious incident and we will take stringent action. We are yet to identify miscreants but one thing is sure that they will all be behind bars at the earliest irrespective of their nationality, police official said, adding that the police would also inform the respective embassies about the incident. ven as Telangana Govern- was gearing up for the Ement official centenary celebrations of the establishment of Osmania University in Hyderabad, the State BJP chief K Lakshman announced that he will make his best efforts to bring PM Narendra Modi to the celebrations. The State Government recently decided to organise grand gala anniversary of the University and set up a high level committee for its preparations. Addressing the meeting of the Forum for Nationalist Alumni of Osmania University at the Tagore Auditorium Lakshman said the celebrations should be organised in a manner befitting the past glory of the university. He recalled that the former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao and several other top political leaders, doctors, engineers, legal luminaries and experts of different fields were the alumnus of the University. great section of Bengal Acivil society is worried about the deletion of Rabindranath Tagore and Sarat Chandra s works from the Bangladesh school syllabus, thanks to intense pressure from some fundamentalist forces active in that side of the border. With Tagore works getting alt-control-deleted from school syllabi Bengali writers like Sirshendu Mukherjee have expressed their displeasure saying, religious considerations should not remote-control education. Famous poet from Kolkata Srijata was dismayed at the way some poems were removed from the syllabus that were once recited with pride whenever he went to that country. A Government can introduce changes in syllabus but it is unfortunate if the step is taken to appease fundamentalist forces. A senior professor at prestigious Jadavpur University said it is the duty of a secular Government to protect secular ideas and prevent reactionary forces from striking root. One hopes Bangladesh will consider the concerns raised by the civil society in both the countries. Another professor of Presidency University said it is not enough to politically confront reactionary forces but to counter them ideologically and culturally is also important. Literary works that teach us to dream of a purely liberated society is one way to promote such culture. One is sure people of Bangladesh will never succumb to pressure from such fundamentalist forces. Among the noted Tagore poems taken off the school syllabus is: Aaji Bangladesher Hriday Hote which was included in Class VI syllabus. However Tagore s Sonar Tori have been retained in the syllabus. Besides other works deleted from the syllabus are Sarat Chandra s Lalu, Sanjeev Chattopadhyay s Palamau, S. Wajed Ali s Ranchi Bhraman, Uepndra Kishore Roychowdhury s Cheleder Ramayan, Sunil Gangopadhyay s Sankota Dulche. wo days after the Election TCommission of India allotted whistle as election symbol to Peoples Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA), party convener Erendro Leichombam on Monday announced that Human rights activist Irom Sharmila will contest from Thoubal Assembly constituency represented by Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh in the State Assembly elections scheduled for March 4 and 8. Ending her 16-year-long fasting demanding repealing of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) on August 9 last year, she had announced her decision to enter politics, contest elections and continue her fight against AFSPA through political means. Popularly known as the Iron Lady of Manipur, Sharmila also declared that she wants to become the Chief Minister so that she could press for repeal of the contentious AFSPA. While launching her party PRJA in October last year, Sharmila said she will contest from two seats Thoubal and Khurai. However, no official announcement has been made so far whether she is also contesting Khurai, the Assembly constituency in which Sharmila belongs. Erendro said the party has already started campaigning in Thoubal for Sharmila. The PRJA is likely to field altogether 10 candidates for the Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday refused to be dragged in the controversy involving Sanjay Leela Bhansali s Padmavati in which his two Ministers are already wading through. Asked about his stand on the offer of Deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav to Bhansali for shooting in Bihar and Industries Minister Jai Kumar Singh s strong resistance, Nitish attempted to steer clear by saying that he has not gone through the statements of his two Ministers. But he hastened to add that any attempt to create social disharmony should be discouraged. My knowledge on films is not good nor do I have time to ponder over such controversies, said Nitish as the Industries Minister looked on. The CM was talking to media on conclusion of his Lok Samwad programme where he and his Ministers and bureaucrats listen to the suggestions by the selected common people on various issues for good governance. Assembly elections, he added. On party symbol, Erendro said the main reason behind choosing the image of whistle is to awaken the people to end corruption. He added the whistle signifies many things whistle to announce the Peoples Resurgence for Justice, whistle to neutralise the oppression linked with the sound currently used by the Indian Army under AFSPA, whistle to tell the corrupt lots in Manipur that their time is up and whistle to awaken the youth of Manipur and to take things in our own hands to change. When the party wins, they will blow the whistle to celebrate people s victory, he added. The newly floated party, which is making debut in this election, has been running Ten4Change campaign to raise funds and interact with the youth about the need to bring a change in Manipur. In Ten4Change campaign, the party is generating funds from participants by urging them to voluntarily donate Rs 10 each. he biological and medical Tresearch in Hyderabad got a big shot in the arm with the State Minister for Industries and Commerce K Taraka Rama Rao laying foundation stone for a Medical Devices Park and Biological Special Economic Zone in Genome Valley today in the city outskirts. The Medical Devices Park will come up over an area of 400 acres and 70% of its production will be exported. A vaccination manufacturing center as part of the Special Economic Zone of the Biological E Ltd will be constructed at a cost of Rs 300 crore, the minister said adding that it will give a big boost to Hyderabad as a hub of research and development in the field of knowledge sciences. Rama Rao lauded the plans of Biological E company to expand is vaccination facility and said that it will go a long way in developing Hyderabad into an industrial hub in India.

10 n a new twist of liquor bar- Vijay Mallya s mega loan Iron fraud case, an annual financial inspection revealed that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had instructed some public sector banks (PSBs) in 2008 to provide the extended fresh loans in several rounds to private airline now defunct Kingfisher Airlines (KFA), owned by billionaire Mallya, and further continued the loan sops thereafter to the firm without paying heed to the central bank s asset classifications guidelines, top sources close to the development told The Pioneer on Monday. The case came to the light when an annual financial inspection team found that the airlines firm was falling under the category of sub standard assets - a category which is considered as nonperforming asset or NPA in the bank loan process. The Government has not taken a final decision yet on the concessions being sought by US iphone maker Apple for setting up a manufacturing unit in India, a top official said today. Secretary in the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) Ramesh Abhishek said that Apple has submitted certain demands for the Government s consideration. We had a meeting of all the concerned ministries and departments (on those demands) and we have asked them to look at those issues and take a view. No ministry has yet taken a final decision on any of those. But we are in touch with them, Abhishek told reporters here. He said the Government supports all manufacturing, including value manufacturing, in the country by companies. So we would definitely like to promote this. So we are coordinating response from all the concerned ministries but no final view has been taken yet As per assets classification norms on bank loans, there is no risk in business if any firm is found to fall under standard assets category and if it falls beyond this category, the firm gets declared as an NPA. That means KFA was not fulfilling the banks eligibility norms and fell under sub standard assets category which reflected its poor status of assets classifications and loan repayment for getting next fresh round of loans. As per the sources, the RBI had conducted an Annual Financial Inspection (AFI) of the banks in 2008 at one of inspection wings of a Kolkatabased public sector bank. The move of central bank was to check books and balance sheet of banks and issue follow-up directives to the concerned banks as well as the consortium of lenders led by the largest public sector lender, on any of those, he said. The secretary also clarified that the Government does not take any policy decision for a particular company. Decision is taken for everyone. So no company specific decision can be taken, he said, adding that DIPP has forwarded the requests of Apple to the Department of Revenue also. On January 25, Apple Inc indicated to the Government that it is ready with a blueprint to begin manufacturing iphones in India, but wants fiscal concessions, including Customs duty waiver on import of components. Apple executives made a detailed presentation on its road map for setting up a manufacturing unit in India to an inter-ministerial group headed by Abhishek. With sales tapering in the US and China, Apple is eyeing India -- the fastest growing smartphone market in the world -- and looking to set up a local manufacturing unit to cut costs. Government will come out with an exhaustive list of transactions on which the anti-abuse provision of levying long-term capital gains tax on share transfer in unlisted companies will not be applicable. Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) Chairman Sushil Chandra said the provision was introduced in Budget to plug bogus longterm capital gains being availed by investment in penny State Bank of India (SBI) which altogether had extended loans to the Mallya-owned airlines firm. As per the RBI guidelines, we were conducting a routine exercise and inspecting bank books at one of the centres in a PSB, headquartered in Kolkata. During the AFI, we had observed that the total loan amount of 3,000 crore, which had been provided to Kingfisher Airlines until 2008, was not falling under standard asset category. So we had decided that the airlines firm should have declared as an NPA so as to stop any further financial assistance to be extended to the firm. When asked about the details of PSB where the inspection was held, he declined to disclose the name of the bank but said that it was a routine affair of the RBI at one of the Kolkata-centric ata Group has severed its ties Twith ousted Tata Sons chairman Cyrus Mistry as shareholders of the company voted in favour of his removal as director with requisite majority. So, he is longer in an executive capacity in the Tata Group. The shareholders of Tata Sons Ltd, at the extraordinary general meeting held today, passed, with the requisite majority, a resolution to remove Cyrus P Mistry as a Director of Tata Sons Ltd, the Tata Group s holding firm said in a statement. The development also meant that for the first time in 10 years the Shapoorji Pallonji family, which owns 18.5 per cent stake in Tata Sons, will have no representation on the board. Mistry joined the board in 2006, two years after his father Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry PSBs. Adding further, however the sources said, Even though having agreed in-principle to turn the entire loan as NPA, the then internal team stepped down from the directorship. The senior Mistry was on the board of Tata Sons since 1980 although the family has been a stakeholder since Last month, Tata Sons had called an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to remove Mistry from its board. However, Mistry had legally challenged the move. formed by the central bank, received a directive from the top RBI officials, asking them not to turn the loan as NPA. Then the inspection team who Last week, the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) had dismissed petitions by two investment firms, backed by Mistry family, against holding the EGM. The Mistry camp had moved NCLAT after the Mumbai bench of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had on January 31 refused to were fully involved in the process willy-nilly had acted as per their superiors order. Generally, the RBI inspectors conduct routine financial inspections annually to check bank books if asset classification is in line with the loan repayment and if banks have made provisions adequately. Thereafter, the above loan continued to fall under the category of standard asset which was gateway to get further assistance and thus the Mallyaowned firm remained eligible for the next round of fresh loans by the consortium of lenders led by SBI. As a result, the firm was extended several fresh rounds of loan amounting to total of 6,000 crore over and over again for years, sources said. When contacted about such development which had happened in the past, an RBI official, requesting anonymity stocks and put an end to sham transactions. We are taking information from all stakeholders and we will give a very exhaustive list as to where Section 10(38) will not be applicable. It is absolutely an anti-abuse law which we have brought in and it will be used where the law is abused, he said at a CII post budget meet here. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget for proposed 10 per cent longterm capital gains tax on those who acquired shares in unlisted companies after October 1, 2004, if they had not paid securities transaction tax (STT) at the time of purchase. Chandra said genuine investors in IPO or those which have come in through FDI need not worry as there will be no change in policy with regard to capital gains. We will come out with clarification as to what kind of share transactions will be put grant any relief. Tata Sons had abruptly removed Mistry as its Chairman on October 24 last year and sought his ouster from operating companies like Tata Motors and TCS. Mistry subsequently resigned from the board of six companies, but dragged Tata Sons and his interim successor Ratan Tata to NCLT. After the board meeting of October 24, 2016, Tata Sons had resolved that Mistry shall, notwithstanding his ceasing to be the Chairman, continue as a Director of the company. But his conduct thereafter in levelling unsubstantiated allegations and causing enormous harm to the Tata Group had made his continuation as a Director of Tata Sons untenable and therefore, he should be removed, Tata Sons had said in a notice seeking extraordinary general meeting on February 6. confirmed it. Regretting with a cautionary note of advice of the then inspection team, he said, Had the RBI paid heed to the suggestions of the internal team and turned the already sanctioned loan as NPA, the firm would not have been able to go for fresh round of loans. And thus our banks, which faced with huge NPAs as of today, would have been saved. Most of the loans were granted to KFA between 2006 and 2009, when Vijay Mallya was also a Member of Parliament (MP) and reportedly lobbying the then Governments for his loan restructuring and revival of the KFA. Recently, a huge number communications have also been discovered and under scrutiny too. However sources said, The suspicious s which Mallya sent to mid fresh appeals filed by AAirtel and Idea Cellular against TRAI s clean chit to Jio tariffs, TDSAT today asked the regulator to clarify whether Reliance Jio had informed it and its subscribers of the two free offers - Jio Welcome Offer and Happy New Offer - being distinct. In its latest appeal, Bharti Airtel termed TRAI s January 31, 2017 order as wholly illegal and palpably wrong. The Sunil Mittal led firm accused the regulator of wrongly holding Jio s promotional offer as compliant with the regulatory guidelines, distinct and hence not an extension of the previous offer. The present appeal is filed against the impugned order which suffers from the same vice of arbitrariness, non transparency and failure to comply with the statutory mandate...while in effect and substance the same promotional offer has been continued by RJio, the respondent by the (under this provision) so that there is no harassment, he said. The tax department has found that the route of longterm capital gains in unlisted shares was being misused in the last 2-3 years and estimated that bogus gains availed by khoka (shell) companies last year were 80,000 crore. Chandra said out of 15 lakh companies incorporated under Ministry of Corporate Affairs, only 6 lakh companies file senior company officials, political leaders and bankers, may form a part of the chargesheet by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) - which is expected in the next few months - on the mega loan default by Kingfisher Airlines. Mallya managed to slip out of the country to London in March last year, leaving behind a total outstanding due, in various cases including interest, of close to about 9,000 crore. Now, the issue has got politicised to such an extent that politicians from both UPA and NDA Governments are pointing their fingers at each other to be responsible for this issue. The CBI also arrested 9 key accused in connection with the Mallya s loan default case, including former IDBI Bank Chairman Yogesh Aggarwal and former KFA Chief Financial Officer A Raghunathan along with three other ex-officials of IDBI Bank and four former executives of KFA. impugned order has once again held that the allegedly new promotional offer is compliant, without providing any reason or rationale..., Idea Cellular has said in its latest appeal. Meanwhile, during the hearing on the Jio matter today, the Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) asked the sector regulator to submit by February 15, clarification on whether the service provider had informed TRAI that the offer B (Happy New Year offer) is distinct from offer A (Welcome Offer)...And filed with TRAI as per provisions. Other issues for clarification include whether the provision of the two offers as well as their implementation were in accordance with Telecom Tariff Order and Telecom Consumers Protection Regulation. TRAI has also been asked to clarify whether Reliance Jio informed its subscribers that the two offers were different and whether they took the subscriber s consent. ormer Reserve Bank of F India Governor C Rangarajan on Monday said banks cannot escape from the responsibility of controlling Non- Performing Assets (NPA) in their balance sheets. At a panel discussion on Union Budget-2017, organised by ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Rangarajan also said that though the adverse impact of demonetisation will wear off as the currency availability improves, some affects will not go away even as sectors like real estate will have to rethink their business models. The banking system the is undoubtedly under stress. How to resolve that particular problem is only through capitalisation. Please remember even in good old Basil-I, the capital is 8 per cent of the risk weighted assets. So 10,000 crore (capital infusion to banks in as mentioned in the budget) should not be compared with 1 lakh crore or 2 lakh crore, he said. I think that the general scene is that the capital provided is not adequate...i think this cannot let the banks escape the responsibility for the non-performing assets that they have in their asset portfolio. It is best to take steps to ensure that they collect as much as possible from non-performing assets, Rangarajan said, when asked about 10,000 crore capital infusion for banks next year would be sufficient in the wake of mounting NPAs. Earlier, giving his opinion on the recent budget speech by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the former chairman of Economic Advisory Council to Prime Income Tax returns. Out of these 6 lakh, 2.5 lakh companies show losses or zero income and 2.85 lakh companies disclose income less than 1 crore. Only 36,500 companies file income tax return showing income over 1 crore. Our purpose is everyone should be tax compliant. The big challenge is how to make it happen... Our work is clear, more people should come under tax net, Chandra said. Minister said the budget is well intentioned, and actions should match the intentions. The adverse impact of demonetisation will wear off as currency availability approaches normalcy. But some affects will not go away. Sectors like real estate will have to rethink of how to run their businesses, he opined. Rangarajan said the revenue projections in the budget have been done conservatively and therefore will hold. According to him, the budget acted prudently to keep the fiscal deficit at 3.2 per cent of the GDP in , which is lower than 3.5 per cent during the current fiscal and slightly higher than 3 per cent which was indicated earlier.

11 C M Y K Washington: An irked President Donald Trump has hit out at a US judge who blocked his controversial travel ban on citizens from seven Muslim-majority nations, saying Americans should blame the judge and the courts if something happens. The US President s ire was aimed at San Francisco District Judge James Robart, who last week put a nationwide hold on Trump s executive order barring citizens of seven Muslimmajority countries from entering the US for 90 days, all refugees for 120 days and indefinitely halts refugees from Syria. Just cannot believe a judge would put our country in such peril. If something happens blame him and court system. People pouring in. Bad! Trump tweeted, not just attacking Judge Robart s decision but going after him who may yet make more decisions on the matter this week. At the same time, Trump said that he has asked the Department of Homeland Security to do a very careful check of those entering the country after the court order. C M Y K I have instructed Homeland Security to check people coming into our country VERY CAREFULLY. The courts are making the job very difficult! Trump s criticism comes after the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, in a brief order, denied the administration s request to set aside Robart s ruling that put a temporary hold on the ban. Trump says the 90-day travel ban on citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, and a 120-day bar on all refugees, are necessary to protect the United States from Islamist militants. The travel restrictions have drawn protests in the US, provoked criticism from US allies and created chaos for thousands of people who have, in some cases, spent years seeking asylum. In his ruling, Robart questioned the use of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States as a justification for the ban, saying no attacks had been carried out on US soil by individuals from the seven affected countries since then. PTI Karachi: An Afghan diplomat was on Monday shot dead by a security guard following an altercation between the two inside the Afghan Consulate in this Pakistani port city. Private security guard Hayatullah Khan opened fire on the third secretary, Zaki Adu, in the lobby of the Consulate in the high-security Clifton area after a personal disagreement between the two, according to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Azad Khan. There is no terrorism element in this sad incident, DIG Khan told PTI. This is not a premeditated act neither a terrorist act. The guard opened fire on the spur of the moment after he lost his temper following an argument with the deceased over timings, the police official said. We have checked the CCTV cameras and recorded Beijing: China on Monday said it was pushing India to complete procedures to return a Chinese soldier who is stuck in India for over 50 years, even as its envoy to New Delhi spoke to him over phone and assured all help. Chinese ambassador to India Luo Zhaohui just had a telephonic call with soldier Wang Qi, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told media here on Monday answering questions on the status of the soldier s return to China. In recent years, Chinese Embassy to India had kept in close touch with Wang Qi and made relentless effort to help him return to China including pushing Indian side on exit and entry procedures for him, he said. In 2013, the Embassy issued a 10-year Chinese passport to him and provided living allowance for him every year since then. I believe that with the joint efforts of China and India, and respecting the will of Wang himself, the case eyewitness statements, he said. The diplomat killed was the brother of Mohammad Abdul, an MP from northern Balkh province, Afghanistan s Tolo News reported. Dubai: Shaikha Mozah Al Maktoum, one of the female members of Dubai s ruling family, is claimed to have become the first woman commercial pilot, according to media reports. A few members of the Al Maktoum family took to Instagram to congratulate the young achiever, expressing their pride and joy on her accomplishment. Yesterday, Shaikha Latifa posted on her Instagram account a photograph of her cousin Shaikha Mozah, which said in Arabic: Mozah Marwan. My sister s daughter. The first female pilot in the family, who is on her first assisted flight as a commercial pilot for Emirates. As long as you can dream it, you can achieve it, the Gulf News reported. Other members of the ruling family sent their congratulations on social media to the young royal pilot, with Shaikha Maitha Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum saying: So proud of you cousin. PTI will be properly solved, he said. Wang says he was caught in 1963, a year after India- China war when he strayed into Indian side. After his release from prison in 1969, Wang shifted to Tirodi village in Madhya Pradesh where he married a local woman and settled there ever since. He had three children and grand children. Asked what would happen to Wang s wife and children, Lu referred to the ambassador s phone conversation with Wang. In his conversation, Ambassador Luo expressed sympathy over the suffering Wang underwent over the years. I instructed the Embassy to keep in touch with you, to know your ideas and provide assistance as much as possible, including the replacement of your passport, he said, according to a statement in Chinese language posted on China s embassy website in New Delhi. PTI Islamabad: Pakistan and China on Monday held high level counter-terrorism talks, days after Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief and Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed was put under house arrest in Lahore. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi met Chinese State Commissioner for Counter Terrorism and Security Cheng Guoping who is here on a three-day visit and reviewed all aspects of bilateral relationship, with a special focus on security and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Fatmi said Pakistan viewed its relationship with China as the cornerstone of its foreign policy and the country will continue to support Beijing on all its issues of core interest, including combating evils of terrorism and separatism. The SAPM affirmed that friendship with China was the cornerstone of Pakistan s foreign policy, Foreign Office quoted Fatemi as saying. He said Pakistan supported China on all its core issues, while firmly opposing any attempt to undermine China s sovereignty. PTI London: Robots and artificial intelligence (AI) may replace 250,000 public sector workers, including doctors and nurses, in the UK over the next 15 years and save taxpayers billions, a new report published on Monday said. According to public-services thinktank Reform, websites and AI chat bots could replace up to 90 per cent of Whitehall s administrators, as well as tens of thousands in the National Health Service (NHS) and surgeries, by 2030 saving as much as four billion pounds a year. The report said even nurses and doctors could fall victim to the march of the machines, which can outperform humans at some diagnoses and routine surgical procedures, and are more efficient at collecting information, The Guardian reported. Public services should become more flexible by embracing a gig economy where workers support themselves through a variety of flexible jobs acquired through online platforms, the report said. Public services can become the next Uber, using the gig economy to employ locum doctors and supply teachers, Reform said. Twenty per cent of public-sector workers hold strategic, cognitive roles. They will use data analytics to identify patterns - improving decision-making and allocating The Afghan Consulate is located in the heavily secured and posh area of Clifton and the provincial government has deputed security outside the building. Houston: An 8-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his 5-year-old sister while wounding his 4-year-old brother in yet another shooting incident in the US involving children. The tragic incident occurred when the siblings were alone in an apartment in Jacksonville, Florida, Sheriff s Office Chief Chris Butler said. Their mother had left the three kids by themselves when the shooting happened on Saturday, Butler told The Florida Times-Union. He said somehow the eldest boy got a gun from somewhere and fired a single shot. The bullet hit his sister, killing her, and striking the There are a number of other foreign consulates in the area and also the Bhutto family s residence is situated in the locality. Khan said Hayatullah has London: A teenager has admitted killing a retired Florida teacher and injuring five other people in a stabbing rampage near the British Museum in London Somali-Norwegian Zakaria Bulhan, 19, pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished younger boy who sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound, Butler said. Butler said the 4-year-old is being treated at the hospital, and is expected to make a full recovery. We have no reason to believe this (shooting) was an intentional act...we believe, in the absence of any other information being developed, that unfortunately this is a tragic unfortunate accidental shooting, Butler said. He said the Sheriff s Office is consulting with other agencies including the office of State Attorney Melissa Nelson and Florida Department of Children and Families Child Protection Team in the ongoing investigation. PTI been taken into custody and investigations have begun. The guard was an Afghan national employed by the Consulate. Police cleared the Consulate building for resumption of work after a thorough search. Security of the area has been increased after the incident, a Sindh government official said. Afghan ambassador to Pakistan Omar Zakhilwal was quoted by The Express Tribune as saying that it was not an act of terrorism. It seems to be a personal dispute related criminal act, Zakhilwal said. The Afghan envoy said the firing inside the Afghan Consulate in Karachi at around 12:30 pm was carried out by an Afghan guard inside the compound resulting in the fatality of one of the diplomats. PTI Beirut: The Islamic State group was completely besieged in Al-Bab after forces loyal to Syria s regime cut off a road into the jihadists last major stronghold in Aleppo province, a monitor said on Monday. Al-Bab is now completely besieged by the regime from the south, and the Turkish forces and rebels from the east, north and west, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. It came after the regime s forces and allied militia seized the only and last main road used by the jihadists between Al-Bab and Raqa, Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP, referring to the jihadists de facto capital in Syria. Regime forces were backed by fighters from Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah and by Russian artillery, said the Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a network of sources on the ground for its reports. The town of Al-Bab, 25 kilometres (15 miles) south of the border with Turkey, is seen as a prize by nearly all sides in the complex war. AFP workers most efficiently, the report said. According to the report The NHS, for example, can focus on the highest risk patients, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions. The UK police and other emergency services are already using data to predict areas of greatest risk from burglary and fire, it said. Such a rapid advance in the use of technology may seem controversial, and any job losses must be handled sensitively. But the result would be public services that are better, safer, smarter and more affordable, Alexander Hitchcock, the report s coauthor, said. PTI responsibility in the August 3 slaying of 64-year-old Darlene Horton. He also pleaded guilty to five counts of wounding during a hearing Monday at London s Central Criminal Court. Police subdued Bulhan with a stun gun after the latenight attack in Russell Square. The incident raised fears of terrorism, but police said it was not considered a terrorist attack. Prosecutors said Bulhan was suffering an acute episode of paranoid schizophrenia at the time. AP

12 C M Y K B atsman Cheteshwar Pujara today asserted that India would look to continue their winning run in the upcoming one-off Test against Bangladesh but cautioned his team against complacency. The match is scheduled to take place from February 9, and Pujara felt the visitors cannot be taken lightly, considering they shocked England in a Test match last year. "They have been playing well in the sub-continent. So, probably, that is one team that have done well against England. We can't take them lightly. But, at the same time, we played very good cricket in So, probably, we would stick to the same thing. We are number one team in the world at the moment. We would like to maintain that, the way we played our cricket in 2016, we would like to repeat the same thing in 2017," Pujara told reporters here. The Indian team arrived here on a high, having tasted success against England in all the three formats. "When it comes to strategy, we will have a chat about it later on. But I think if we play good cricket, we can definitely beat them," Pujara said. Noting that the playing conditions would not be much of an issue as they are almost similar in the sub-continent, Pujara said the team that played good cricket would win. "I think it will be a fair contest. Because, when we tour Bangladesh, we have a similar experience. When we tour Bangladesh, we get similar conditions. I don't think for them conditions will matter a lot. Whoever plays good cricket, I think they will have an opportunity to win this game. "Probably, we will have the upper hand because the way we played last year in 2016, fast bowlers bowled well, lower order continues to hit and batsmen have been batting well. One thing I believe is that if we play as a team and we play to our potential, we will have the upper hand in this game," he said. Replying to a query, he said hectic scheduling is not an issue as the players are young and fit. "I think it is always good to play cricket. So, whether it is hectic schedule, I always believe that cricketers, all of us are young and we always enjoy playing cricket," Pujara said. Asked about Bangladesh's Mehadi Hassan, Pujara said the youngster did well against England C M Y K lastair Cook resigned as AEngland Test captain after a record 59 matches in the role, saying Monday it was "a sad day" but the right decision for the team. Cook, England's leading scorer in Tests with 11,057 runs, became captain in August 2012 and led his country to Ashes glory on home soil in 2013 and 2015 as well as series wins in India and South Africa. Yorkshire batsman Joe Root is the early favourite to take over with an announcement expected in the next fortnight. "It's been a huge honour to be England captain and to lead the Test team over the past five years," Cook, 32, said in a statement. "Stepping down has been an incredibly hard decision, but I know this is the correct decision for me and at the right time for the team." Cook, who also led England in a record 69 one-day internationals between 2010 and 2014, is the country's most capped Test skipper and has scored more Test centuries than any previous captain. He was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2012 and ICC World Test Captain in He tendered his resignation to England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Colin Graves on Sunday, but intends to continue playing Test cricket. "It's a sad day personally in many ways, but I want to thank everyone I've captained, all the coaches and support staff and, of course, the England supporters and the Barmy Army who follow us home and away and have given us unwavering support," Cook added. "Playing for England really is a privilege and I hope to carry on as a Test player, making a full contribution and helping the next England captain and the team however I can." Cook's decision to stand down follows England's 4-0 series defeat in India at the end of last year. The ECB said a "proper process" had started to appoint England's next Test captain. edged to keeper Desai, while Will Jacks (44) was the eighth batsman to be dismissed. Put into bat, India U-19 posted England's director of cricket Andrew Strauss said Cook had made a "fantastic contribution" and "deserves to be seen as one of our country's great captains". "We now move on with the process of appointing the right successor," Strauss said. "There are a number of established players who are playing formal or informal leadership roles and whilst we've rightly not spoken to anyone in relation to the Test captaincy so far, we can now talk fully and openly within the team. "We expect to be able to make an announcement before the team head to the West Indies on 22nd February." and that he can't speak more on the player until he faced him. "I have seen him bowled little bit against England. Looks like a good bowler but, when I play, I will be able to know much about him. He bowled well against England and that was a different wicket altogether. There was a lot of turn on that particular wicket. Both the Test matches, he bowled well. So, I can't comment much on his bowling just looking at it from television. Once I face him I will be able to comment much," he said. rithvi Shaw and Shubman Gill Pslammed centuries as India U-19 crushed their counterparts from England by 230 runs in the fourth One-dayer to take a 3-1 lead in the five-match series, here on Monday. After posting a mammoth 382 for nine, following centuries by Gill and Shaw, pacers Kamlesh Nagarkoti (4-31), Vivekanand Tiwari (3-20) and Shivam Mavi (2-18) shared nine wickets between them to outplay England U-19 in all departments. Mavi had Harry Brook (0) trapped in front of the wicket in the second over and Nagarkoti removed George Bartlett, also for nought, to leave the visitors struggling at eight for two. Mavi stuck again as he cleaned up Tom Banton (6) with England teetering at 16 for three. Delray Rawlins (9) stuck two consecutive boundaries in the beginning, but was caught at mid-off by Holden (17). In his second spell, first over as he cleaned up Max Mayank Rawat off Nagarkoti. Nagarkoti removed Ollie Pope (59), Leggie Rahul Chahar struck in his the top scorer for England colts, who their second highest total- the best being 425 for three against Scotland U-19 in Dhaka in Gill, who opened the innings with skipper Himanshu Rana, added 83 runs for the first wicket. After Rana (33) departed, Shaw joined Gill and the two smashed the English spinners and pacers. It was an absolute carnage from them as they put up a 231-run stand in just 164 balls for the second wicket. Gill, who has scored an unbeaten 138 in the last game, continued his splendid form. He played a variety of shots like straight drivers, cover drives, sweeps, paddle sweeps, pull shots in his knock of 160 off 120 balls, which was laced with 23 boundaries and a lone six. He completed his 150 in 115 balls. Shaw, who had failed to score big so far, finally played one. He struck 12 fours and two towering sixes, both over the bowlers head, during his knock of 105 off 89 balls. The Mumbai player completed his century with a single towards mid-wicket. ndian heavyweights Mohun Bagan who have a Ione-goal advantage will look to seal the playoff berth when they face a depleted Colombo FC in the return leg AFC Cup South Asia Zone football fixture, here on Tuesday. The Sri Lanka Premier League champions have suffered a huge blow as three of their foreigners in the roster -- defender Nasiru Opeyemi, midfielder Seka Jean Yapo and striker Afeez Olofin -- could not travel with the team because of visa hurdles. "It's a big loss for me. They are integral members of the side manning the defence, midfield as well as the forward line. We have to make our planning afresh," Mohamed Roomy Hassan told a news conference on the eve of their match. "The Nigerian defender is a tall guy with a lot of experience. We will miss him sorely." However the coach, who had played in Kolkata during the 1996 AFC Cup, said the Ivory Coast mideo Yapo would join the side tomorrow morning. "He's got the clearance and he's joining tomorrow morning. The High Commission has laws denying entry to Nigerians, from Sri Lanka," he said. Facing a must-win situation by at least two goal margin, he said: "We need goals to survive in this tournament. We have to press for goals in earlier stages, say by first 25 minutes. Attack is the only option. We have come prepared. Of course we are confident. We are positive to pull off a win." With around 72 hours left for the second leg fixture, Colombo FC suffered the jolt when the trio were denied Visas. "We got to know about this the day before we were scheduled to leave," president of Colombo FC Saif Yusoof said. "We are hopeful of getting visa for Yapo, who is from Ivory Coast, and if we get it he will join the team," Yusoof added. angladesh were at the receiving end for the Bmajority of their sole warm-up game against India A with as many as three home team batsmen slamming hundreds on second and final day of the match that ended in a draw here on Monday. Bangladesh, who are in India for the one-off Test starting here February 9, endured a long day on the field with India A declaring at 461 for eight in response to the visitors' 224 for eight on the opening day. Bangladesh operated with eight bowlers and most of them leaked runs, as the hosts scored at more than five runs per over. Bangladesh were 73 for two in their second innings when play was called off. India's domestic performers picked for the game cashed in on the opportunity with Priyank Kirit Panchal (103 retired out), Shreyas Iyer (100 retired out) and Vijay Shankar (103 not out) making fine hundreds. Panchal, the highest run-getter in Ranji Trophy this season, and Iyer piled on the runs after resuming at an overnight 91 for one. The talented duo shared a 159-run partnership for the second wicket to set the tone for the innings. Bangladesh bounced back after the two set batsmen retired out, running through the middler-order through pacer Subhashis Roy and spinner Taijul Islam, who both picked three wickets to have India A at 287 from seven from a commanding 243 for two. However, that was the only period when Bangladesh had the upper hand as Shankar and Nitin Saini (66) frustrated them with a 115-run stand for the eighth wicket. io Olympics silver medallist PV Sindhu and RLondon Games bronze winner Saina Nehwal have been named in the Indian squad for the inaugural Asia Mixed Team Championships, scheduled to be held in Vietnam from February Sindhu, who clinched the Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold at Lucknow last week and Saina, who begun the new season with a win at Malaysia Masters, will be sharing the responsibility in the women's singles. Besides, there is also Tanvi Lad and Rituparna Das but they are unlikely to get a chance considering that the event will have only one women's singles match, one men's singles, one men's doubles, one women's doubles and one mixed doubles. Syed Modi Grand Prix Gold winner Sameer Verma, who has been in rampaging form with a final finish at Hong Kong Super Series last year, will spearhead the Indian challenge in men's singles. Swiss Open champion H S Prannoy will also be a vital cog in the team which will not have the services of Kidambi Srikanth, who has decided to skip the event. Rio Olympians B Sumeeth Reddy and Manu Attri world ranked 22nd, and young teenage pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will be featuring in men's doubles event. Brimming with confidence after winning their maiden Grand Prix Gold title at Lucknow, Pranaav Jerry Chopra and N Sikki Reddy, will look to give India a win in the mixed doubles event, while Sikki will also be pairing up with Ashwini Ponnappa. The newly-formed duo would take on the more experienced women's doubles combinations during the event. The team will also have the services of K Maneesha. A total of 13 teams will fight for the coveted trophy at the continental mixed team tournament which will also showcase Asian giants -- China, Korea, Japan and Malaysia as the top four seeds.

13 C M Y K E veryone works differently, and no "one style" is the ideal. It is, however, useful to think of your own "working style" as something that has unique strengths and weaknesses, and use that as a basis to analyze and improve upon your own productivity. There is nothing more frustrating than listening to people haggle over different definitions of what constitutes "work." Firstly, help yourself to appreciate not only your own unique working style, but also the working style of others on your team. Doers execute. They come alive when tasks are complete, lists are checked, or projects are tackled. They typically have intense focus and are detailed in their efforts. Doers are usually so focused, however, they may forget to look up and communicate what they're doing. Doers also tend to dive into work with little forethought. They believe that everyone should "Shoot, Fire, Aim" and tend to devalue the important work of planning. Leaders create the vision and inspire others to believe in it. You can't help but listen to, admire, and follow the Leaders. Without Leaders, we would be spinning in a hamster wheel with no real vision. Leaders can be detached from others, not completely understanding all that goes into executing their vision. Because they're out in front, they sometimes forget to check in with the people following them. Lovers are relationship-builders. C M Y K Believing that we're stronger together, they thrive in harmony and work hard to manage relationships and build consensus. People strong in the loving working style are sensitive and empathic. They have an unconscious finger on the pulse of every other person on the team. If you want to know how others on your team are really feeling, ask the Lover. But Lovers can follow through more detail-oriented work. Left to their own devices, they can out-empathize anyone and make people feel great, but not provide "tangible" work. Learners are the researchers. These engineer types love learning and meticulously understanding the nuances of a problem. They are deliberate, disciplined, and tend to think more strategically than most people. Without others, however, Learners wouldn't get much done. In order to execute their best-laid plans, they need a team ready to act. Their strategy is only as good as the problems they actually solve--not in theory, but in reality. Everyone has unique strengths that become super-charged once they're aligned with other people's strengths. Rather than critique someone who you believe "isn't working," make sure you're living out your unique contribution in a powerful and sustainable way. Just do what makes you come alive. Work style or the way we think, structure, organize, and complete our work is the foundation upon which businesses operate, grow, and thrive today. If everyone in your organization had a very linear, analytical, planned approach to completing projects and didn't value the disruption of new ideas, your company's next big, fresh, bold idea is not even a possibility. And if everyone in your organization had a very big-picture, strategic, intuitive approach to completing projects and chafed against the structure of project plans, then you might frequently find yourself over budget and behind schedule. Neither of these situations supports sustained business growth over time. It's time, then, to start thinking about and promoting diversity in the work styles of your team members. Here are three easy, yet bottom-line-valuable ways to start. Now that you are aware of the differences in how your team members work and have a general feel as to which one of the four work styles they gravitate toward respectively, it's time to leverage the unique strengths that each work style contributes to a team and the organization. Your organized, planned, and detailoriented colleague's strengths are in establishing order, structuring projects and tasks, and accuracy. They do not miss a typo and will ensure that work is completed on time. Your supportive, expressive, and emotionally oriented colleague's strengths are in building relationships, facilitating team interaction, and persuading or selling ideas. There is value in the diversity of our work styles. By observing the work style differences in our colleagues, leveraging the strengths of those work styles, and ensuring that different work styles are represented on each and every project, you position your team and your company for innovation, growth, and sustainability. Know thyself. It's some of the oldest advice in the world and still some of the best. Knowing what you can do, what you like to do and how you like to do it is the starting point for finding the right spot for yourself. Understanding how your personality and work style affect you can lead you to an understanding of personalities and work styles, making you a more effective manager. Knowing your own work style and having a vocabulary for thinking and talking about work styles is important. When members of a team, or leaders of an organization, all have the same style, you'll quickly run into trouble. For example, if everyone in your group has a big-picture, strategic, intuitive approach to work and chafes against the structure of project plans, you might frequently be over budget and behind schedule. Or, if everyone has a linear, analytical, and planned approach to work and dislikes disruption, innovative new product development would be impossible. Because work styles are fairly ingrained, recruitment, not development, is the best way to build diversity in a group. If you find that one or two work styles are overrepresented, it's probably time to add some fresh blood to your team. Your organized, detail oriented colleague's strengths are in establishing order, structuring projects, and accurately completing tasks. He will ensure work is completed on time. Your supportive, expressive colleague is most skilled at building relationships, facilitating team interaction, and persuading or selling ideas. She will keep all stakeholders up to date on work and effectively communicate ideas through the organization. Your big-picture, integrative colleague can serve as a catalyst for change, brainstorming solutions to problems and synthesizing disparate thinking. He will drive innovation, ensure variety in both thought and execution and keep you moving forward. Make sure that everyone understands the value each team member brings to the table and give people assignments in which they can use their skills to best effect.

14 J ust as the written word, photographs, cartoons and caricature document election, so too do paintings. One of Ghazali Moinuddin s masterpieces is testimony to this. It portrays the election tussle between parties amongst various states in the landscape genre. My painting summaries the zeal of elections which is celebrated as a festival in the country through the use of elements like kite which represents various political parties and tri-colour in the background which represents India. It appropriately depicts aspirations, hopes, vision, aggression, opportunism, competition and power, explains Ghazali, who has specially crafted the art work, for the ongoing elections. I have always desired to do something for voter awareness since I see that, nowadays, the youth tend to be more interested in cricket and entertainment rather than in politics. With my art I want to show the power of the vote: every citizen, during elections, is a star for one day and it is only through participation that things can be changed, he says. Kun faya Kun, his solo art show will display 45 of his new works along with some of his old paintings. Kun faya kun is an Arabic word and also a Quranic verse referred five times in Quran. It is referred to symbolise God s creative power. It is about God s will and absolute control over every creation. Even my paintings are entirely about my imagination and it merged well with the word, says Ghazali. Since I do not approve of the use of violence, I wondered how I could raise my voice. Election just captured my imagination and I filled it on my canvas, he elaborates. Besides, his other art works capture the many moods of a misty landscape. I don t travel to hill stations much, but all my other paintings displayed at the exhibition are of the exalted mountains, valleys and waterfalls. I am pleasantly surprised when people come up to me and begin comparing the elements of my paintings with some of the places they have visited. My only reaction is, maybe, because I haven t travelled to those places ever, he smiles. Ghazali, a professor of Fine Arts at Jamia Millia Islamia, a believer of self satisfaction which would distinguish an artist from a commercial artist, says, An artist works for his own satisfaction, whereas a commercial artist works for his client s satisfaction. Though his art works are purely based on imagination, few of them are inspired from his travel diaries as well. When I went to Ooty, and also other places, I saw many interesting things in nature, he release of the TIndian movie Raees, which was scheduled to hit Pakistani cinemas on Sunday, was on Monday banned for its inappropriate portrayal of Muslims. Rumours about the Mahira Khan and Shah Rukh Khan starrer releasing in Pakistan were ripe for the past one week. However, according to Dawn News, the Central Censor Board decided not to release the film in Pakistan. Sources in the know of the development told Dawn the reason behind it was that the content undermines Islam, and a specific religious sect, (It also) portrays Muslims as criminals, wanted persons and terrorists. Earlier, the film was in turbulent waters owing to the sour relations between Pakistan and India. Pakistani artistes were banned by certain outfits in India, due to which Mahira was not able to promote the film in India. Last week, Bollywood film Kaabil released in Pakistan after a months-long selfimposed ban by exhibitors was lifted. and I thought, those could be expressed with a lot of freedom, says the artist. His tryst with colours began during his school days. From my childhood, my teachers were convinced about my unconditional interest in painting. His style of painting could be called unique. They are done veryone knows that Kareena Kapoor Khan can ace Eramp walk like a boss. And that s just what she did as the showstopper for the grand finale of LFW. She graced the ramp for designer Anita Dongre. Kareena arrived in the stunning finale ensemble a gorgeous gold flared floor-length jacket in handwoven tissue from chanderi. Anita s signature handcut gota patti with his adept fingers and a tube of paint. I have used only acrylic tube colours in all my paintings, giving bold strokes, but no definite shapes. I can t even duplicate my own painting, because the mood and the way your hand proceeds on the canvas, cannot happen the second time. Since there is no definite shape that I give to my paintings, the minute details become noticeable only when looked at, carefully, and from a certain distance, he adds. Often, the artist has to have that eye to see things differently. I believe someone who can depict old things in a completely new and different way, and doesn t need a reference photograph for the same, is a real artist. When the only thing you have is your majestic imagination, and have no other source to introduce, is when an artist s talent becomes evident, he quips. was intricately crafted with motifs of prancing deer, jungle vines and blooming flowers, embellished with Swarovski crystals. The jacket was paired with a pristine white silk organza gown. Kareena wore custom-made silk shoes with gota patti detailing. lagiarism in the fashion indus- is not a new phenomenon. Ptry In fact, it has been around ever since somebody s design has had a cult popularity. There are many who defend plagiarism saying it is only inspiration, but there are also many experts who feel offended and call it simple, plain copying. Recently, debutant designer Sailesh Singhania was accused of copying the designs of established designer and textile revivalist Gaurang Shah. Gaurang Shah has accused Lakmé Fashion Week (LFW) newcomer Sailesh Singhania of showcasing exact replicas of his 2012 creations. According to Shah s statement, the collection presented by Singhania which ranged from pieces which were identical or extremely similar to his own pieces were a rip-off. Each one of the fashion pieces had striking resemblance to my Calico designs (at the LFW Summer/Resort 2012 show), Gaurang said While I would love many designers to join and accelerate the khadi wave, what is important is to be original and create freshness rather than repeating. What is disheartening is copying, that not only lets us down as a designer but also beats the very purpose of sustainability. The handloom movement or trend will only grow with originality. Our country has lots of avenues to explore and be inspired, he added. Hyderabad-based Singhania showcased his collection titled Actuality of Consonance: Khadi at the just-concluded LFW Summer/Resort 2017 edition on its Sustainable and Indian Textiles Day. Rebutting the allegation, Singhania told us, Handwoven is a heritage of our land, I and the other designers are committed to lend a hand to our weavers to ensure the longevity of our crafts and craftsman. My work in this collection, is khadi jamdani which is a technique that can be traced back to hundreds of years. These khadi saris were woven to highlight the harmony that our choices can bring about in our environment. With the advent of un-eco friendly saris, the need to highlight the sustainability angle of hand-spun, hand-woven one is even greater. I worked on this collection for over one year to bring out various facets of nature that gets affected by fast fashion. The motif of cranes highlight the danger of water getting poisoned by chemical dyes, the trees bring the point of soil getting contaminated with landfills, the deers tell the tale of deforestation to make way for factories etc. Each and every motif comes from this concept of harmony. The cows are inspired by Pichhvais and the gold deers from Ramayan. For my debut show, I wanted to create something close to my heart and belief. I fail to understand how I can be accused of copying. What have I copied? The khadi weave? Jamdani technique? The birds? The flowers? What is in my line that is exclusive to the accusing designer? This sort of behavior by senior designers demoralises us from working in handloom. But I am committed to preserving our craft and sustaining my craftsmen, whatever the challenges may be. The saris have been draped in an ulta palla way, which is the popular preference of wearing saris in urban India. To my knowledge, I am not aware that Gaurang has ever paired his saris in handwoven organza shirts and tops constructed in a Japanese sensibility, he told us.

15 unday at NSD s Bharat Rang SMahotsav was a full house with various auditoria staging plays spilling over into aisles and recesses. The old and the young never seemed more connected than they were over reinterpetations of classics and interpretations of the contemporary human condition NSD Director Prof Waman Kendre s play Mohe Piya revolves around Bhima s encounter with his demon son Ghatotkacha and his onetime love Hidimba. Though this subepisode of the Mahabharata may have been played out many times, the novelty of the presentation lay in its folksy narrative, sheer physicality of martial dance forms and its quasi-comical elements to convey a serious message. Was Bhima, the madhyam of the Pandava brothers, who is seen to harness the balance of heaven, hell and earth, equally balanced and fair in life? Would he have left Hidimba, the forest tribal demoness, after their brief courtship and union, if she were to the manner born? Would he have abandoned a boy child if she was from a privileged line of Aryans, matching his royalty? Or would he have insisted on his long-lost warrior son joining the fight against the Kauravas as a duty to the motherland had he been a prince? Was it easier for him to use the simpleton and unquestioning Ghatotkacha as a sacrificial lamb for politics? These questions of Hidimba to Bhima, traditionally admired for being the most integrated among the Pandava brothers, raise the age-old issue of the poor and the backward being pawned for the powerplay of the rich. Bhima might have tried to justify his neglect by citing his years in exile and his need to revenge himself against Duryodhona but as a deserter father, he fell short of his towering strength. The story begins with Hidimba ending a fast. She orders her son Ghatotkacha to bring a man from the forest for her meal. Ghatotkacha stops a travelling Brahmin family in the middle of the forest. To save his parents and two brothers, the second son Madhyama gets ready to sacrifice himself. As his last wish, he goes to drink water with permission of Ghatotkacha. When the Brahmin boy is not back at the expected time, Ghatotkacha gets furious and calls out loud, Madhyama Madhyama. Bhima, the Madhyama Pandav who is in that forest at that time, hears the call and responds. He pacifies and promises the Brahmin family to save them from their present agony. He asks Ghatotkacha to take him instead of the Brahmin boy, but only if he is able to defeat him in a trial of strength. Ghatotkacha accepts the challenge and fights with Bhima, who is defeated. He brings Bhima in front of his mother Hidimba. She recognises her estranged husband and asks Ghatotkacha to accept him. The son gives a heart-rending speech on why he couldn t accept some random guy as his father, whose face or stories he has never grown up with. When Hidimba manages to convince him, Bhima appeals to his new-found son s warrior spirit, saying it is needed in the battle of dharm and motherland. Ghatotkacha proves himself in battle but is killed by the trickery of Duryodhana. Hidimba cries on her son s body, proving that she had been used. Yet again. The father-son encounters in the forest were brilliantly conceived with deft use of Kathakali and martial dance rhythms to show the lifting of mountains and uprooting trees. The choreography was perfectly synchronised. The father-son verbal duel was more like a comic interlude to the darker truth that would play out later. But it was the war action scenes which held the audience together as it peaked in a crescendo and fell in a heap, metaphorically crashing Ghatotkacha s hopes. Hopelessness was the theme of another play, Statues, from Afghanistan. It is amazing how the most conflict-ridden countries manage to tell the most universal of all stories. With a mix of all key theatre styles classic, romantic, absurd and comedy Statues is about four pieces of sculpture who bear the imprint of human society and engage in conversation in the workshed while their sculptor walks out to take a break and wonder why his pieces remain unsold. Is it because each piece embodies the worst aspect of men? The gold statue, looking like a royal, behaves and acts all arrogant, ruthless and hierarchical. The silver idol represents intellect, a poet who has lost his glory days and is not heard anymore. The stone figurine is of a girl, a metaphor of a grisly incident in which a girl was brutalised in an act of war. The fourth statue is made of clay, symbolising earth, who is full of love and forever very giving, although ravaged the most. Secretly, they aspire to be human but by the end of their conversation, they realise how soulless human beings have become and they are better off as statues. It is the Earth who holds a lot of love inside her and convinces others that it is better to remain so, inert and as a receptacle of virtue, than be a human. Director Mohammad Zaher Sangar and his multi-tasking crew are academics and have been conveying this probing and self-searching message for around six months. As an Indian, one couldn t help but wonder if the statues had anything to do with the lost statues of the Bamiyan Buddha. The play opened to rave reviews in Kabul and shows why we need to reimagine Afghanistan as a birthplace of ideas. s Sebastiano speaks passion- Simona helps her friend Aately, to complete sentences in English. He speaks half-italian, half- English while Simona acts as his interpreter, translating even his gestures. No wonder then that the two were able to spread their magic in the play Desidera, codirected by both, at the Bharat Rang Mahotsav. Beginning with a simple storyline, the play captures the life of a man who craves to go back to his past and reclaim lost chances. It took almost a year for them to come up with a final script that was gleaned from their thoughts. The task lay in segregating the thoughts they needed for the play, since there was just too much material. Sidera in Latin means stars. The prefix de means loss, an impossibility, an absence. In Desidera, the audience can see the light without shadows which the directors explain as the balancing act of human beings to be optimistic, to see the stars even in the most unfavourable of situations. The duo, who founded the theatre group Teatro nel Baule along with their friend Dimitri Tetta, conceptualised the play in a nonverbal format. We all are from mime school. We studied, decided to work together and formed the company. We love the idea of expressing our emotions without words. Even a gesture can communicate more than a hundred words. Desidera was a vital moment for us; by conceiveing the play we realised where we have reached, says Simona. We wanted the audience to feel the magic of silence, says Sebastiano. Both the directors have acted in the play as well. In fact, you can see a mixture of sound, light and movements on the stage. Sebastiano and I know each other for years. We knew that our thought processes match and we can create something together. The creativity of each member of the group contributed to the play. One of the goals, when we formed Teatro nel Baule, was to make the theatre a place of exchange, open to discussions and to the study of different forms of expression, she adds. We worked a year to develop the story and finally we could make a script. We wanted to keep it simple and were particular that it should be about real lives. We don t like the term experimental much, what is more important for theatre is that it should communicate with the audience. Theatre is our language and our own poetry on human beings. The duo believes that working together helped enrich their vision. It was easy. We really trust each other; our imagination match. We walk on the same path when it comes to theatre. When I am on stage and he is out, he can be sure that everything works well. We argue a lot, challenge each other and exchange ideas, all to reach a common point, says Simona. Sebastiano adds: I would get an innovative idea from her which I wouldn t have been able to discover myself. Simona has been into theatre for the past 17 years whereas Sebastiano began acting during his school days. The directors were unanimous in their expectation, they have come to India to gauge the audience here and know their response; how well they receive the idea of a play without dialogues.

16 C M Y K H olders Barcelona have a fourth consecutive Copa del Rey final in sight when Atletico Madrid visit the Camp Nou on Tuesday with the daunting task over overturning a 2-1 semi-final, first leg deficit. Stunning solo goals from Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi put Barca well in command of the tie before half-time at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday. And both are well-rested for the return as Suarez sat out Saturday's 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, whilst Messi took a rare break for the final 25 minutes after netting his 31st goal of the season. "It is important to realise that to reach our three objectives we need the whole squad," said Barca boss Luis Enrique with his side going for a second treble of league, Cup and Champions League in three years. One key member of the Barca squad will be missing for Atletico's visit, though, as Neymar is suspended. Messi will also have to be careful as a yellow card would rule him out of the final should Barca advance. The hosts are also likely to also be without Gerard Pique and Rafinha. Pique came off at half-time after picking up a groin strain, whilst Rafinha broke his nose in a collision with Barca 'keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen at the weekend. However, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets are close to returning from hamstring and ankle injuries respectively. Atletico were a team transformed in the second-half of the first leg as they roared back into the tie after the introduction of Fernando Torres at the break. Antoine Griezmann halved the arrears, whilst Torres and Kevin Gameiro all came close to levelling near the end. Torres's impact continued as he scored his first La Liga goals since September with a double in Saturday's 2-0 win over Leganes. "We know the game on Tuesday will be extremely difficult, but it is in the hard games where our pride comes out and we hope to experience one of those magic nights on Tuesday," said the former Liverpool and Chelsea striker. However, the size of the task awaiting Diego Simeone's men is underlined by the fact Torres scored twice the last time they won at the Camp Nou during in his first spell at the club in Atletico will also be without suspended captain Gabi. Defender Lucas Hernandez returned to training on Sunday after he was arrested in the early hours of Friday morning on suspicion of domestic violence. However, the Frenchman is unlikely to be involved in Simeone's squad. Tomorrow's other semi-final is more delicately poised at 0-0 between Alaves and Celta Vigo. Celta had the weekend off as their La Liga clash with Real Madrid was postponed after high winds caused structural damage to their Balaidos stadium. Alaves even made a petition to the Spanish Football Federation to have the second leg postponed, claiming Celta's extra time to prepare handed them an unfair advantage. The Basques, though, have home advantage and are full of confidence after virtually securing their place in the top flight for next season with a 4-2 win at Sporting Gijon on Sunday despite resting a swathe of key players. ameroon rose again after Cyears of underachievement to win the African Cup of Nations title on Sunday with a fabulous goal in the 89th minute of the final for a 2-1 come-from-behind victory against mighty Egypt. As the final whistle got nearer, substitute Vincent Aboubakar controlled the ball just outside the area, clipped it over a defender, and then shot past the goalkeeper to clinch Cameroon's fifth African title and first since Egypt's 44-year-old 'keeper, Essam el-hadary, watched the tournament-winning shot slide past him right at the end to deny the Egyptians a record-extending eighth title, and el-hadary a fifth triumph an incredible 19 years after his first. "I cannot describe it. I know it was a wonderful goal. It was a great goal. It was the goal that gave us victory," said Cameroon striker Robert Tambe, the player who was taken off to make way for Aboubakar. "We feel so much joy. We say thanks to Aboubakar." Egypt led through Mohamed el-neny's goal in the 22nd minute but Cameroon's substitutes came to the rescue at Stade de l'amitie as defender Nicolas Nkoulou, off the bench early after an injury to Adolphe Teikeu, equalized with a header in the 60th minute. Aboubakar, the halftime super sub, completed the rally. Cameroon, already chosen to host the next Cup of Nations, will be defending champion for the 2019 tournament. Aboubakar's celebration saw him sprint across the field toward the VIP section, in the process flattening a member of the Cameroon coaching staff who raced out to try and hug him. The Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho has said that clubs in the English Premier League football this season are more defensive and looking to counter attack. He said this after winning 3-0 over defending champions Leicester City. "Look, my team is playing very well. For many years in my career, especially in this country, when my teams were ruthless, phenomenal defensively and very good on the counter-attack, I listened week after week that it was not enough, despite winning the title three times," Mourinho told the club's official website on Sunday after his team's win. "It looks like this season to be phenomenal defensively and good on the counter-attack is an art - it is a big change in England." The Portuguese said he doesn't want his side to be creating a lot of chances but not scoring goals. United had Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Juan Mata scoring the goals that beat big striker was determined to get close to the VIP area to deliver a message. As he approached the enclosure, he stretched out both his arms and pointed to where Cameroon great Samuel Eto'o, one of the African Cup winners in 2002, stood celebrating the goal as a spectator. The message was: We are back. We are champions again. We've done what you did. The final in Libreville was rich in African Cup history, although neither team was tipped to get to the title-deciding game at the end of the three-week tournament in Gabon. Egypt is the record seventime champion but had qualified for the first time since winning a third straight crown in With political turmoil at home, Egypt's team suffered badly and couldn't even qualify for the final tournament in 2012, 2013 and Leicester. "My Manchester United, I don't want to change the profile of our play - this is the way we, the fans and the club want to play. But I don't want to be the manager of a team that plays very well, creates a lot of chances and does not win matches. We need to score goals and today we did." On his star Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic's rich form, Mourinho said, "Normally when strikers score goals we say '22 goals - 14 goals and eight penalties', or '21 goals - 14 goals and seven penalties'. With Zlatan we need to remind ourselves it's 20 goals - 19 and one penalty." Mourinho said there were many individual performances which impressed him. "There were many good performances. Obviously Mkhitaryan with the goal and assist and some amazing actions come into the eye, but I could name many players with very good individual as well as team performances." two years ago. Cameroon, with four titles, was one of two teams with the next-best record after Egypt. But Cameroon hadn't won a game at its last three major tournaments and came to Gabon without a bunch of its big-name players from the European leagues. They decided to turn down selection for the squad, perhaps fearing that Cameroon would fail again. Belgian coach Hugo Broos rebuilt the team with youngsters, took 14 players that had never been to a big event before to Gabon, and focused on team spirit. It clearly worked. Cameroon entered the stadium ahead of the final with players singing and dancing together. They exited in the same way, this time taking the trophy with them. he battle to secure a top four finish and a coveted TChampions League place is warming up in the Premier League. Leader Chelsea is nine points clear and seemingly set for the title in Antonio Conte's first season in charge, so it appears that five clubs are in contention to fill one of the three remaining spots in the continent's showpiece next season. With 14 games left to play, just five points separate Tottenham in second and Manchester United in sixth. Here's a look at the contenders to finish behind Chelsea. Spurs fell away in last season's title race when many expected it to overhaul Leicester. If that was not painful enough, it managed yet again to finish behind bitter rivals Arsenal. Currently three points above Arsenal, Spurs will at least hope it can finally finish above the Gunners for the first time since Spurs marked Mauricio Pochettino's 100th Premier League match in charge with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Middlesbrough Saturday. While the Argentine says he needs "time to try to create a strong team", Spurs appear to be building momentum having gone unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions since defeat at Manchester United on December 11. The signing of livewire Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus appears to have sparked City from its slumber, even if it has led to speculation over Sergio Aguero's future. Jesus, who scored twice in the weekend win over Swansea, has made a huge impact in his short time at the club, his hot form meaning no starting place for Aguero, who has scored more than 150 goals for City since joining in A chastening 4-0 defeat at Everton in mid-january turned the spotlight on manager Pep Guardiola but since then City has drawn with Spurs, picked up league wins over West Ham and Swansea and beaten Crystal Palace in the FA Cup. Arsenal has not won the title since 2004 and the fact that it appears out of the race again is the subject of much debate among its fans, some who feel manager Arsene Wenger should step aside. The 3-1 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday highlighted that Wenger's side lacks the quality to mount a title challenge. If Wenger looked for a response from the surprise 2-1 home defeat by Watford in its previous game then he did not receive one. Without a league win this year and only one victory in its last 10 matches in all competitions, manager Juergen Klopp is facing a tough challenge at Anfield. Klopp said Liverpool "had to change" after the weekend defeat at strugglers Hull. Its defensive frailties start at the goalkeeping position, with neither Simon Mignolet nor Lorius Karius inspiring any confidence. Having missed out on the Champions League twice in the last three years, United will not want to do so again in Jose Mourinho's first season in charge. United, fifth last season after finishing behind Manchester City on goal difference, has momentum having gone 15 league games unbeaten. you look at our matches so far we dium. "We have no complaints. say that it is among the toughest Two key players in Tuesday's have scored plenty of goals. Our This is our home turf and we have tournaments in the world, alongside game will be India's international hen Delhi Waveriders play style is to play aggressive hockey and no issues," D'souza emphasized. major international tournaments." stars Sardar and Rupinder Pal Singh. Whost to Jaypee Punjab we will continue to do that," he said. Warriors coach said, "We enjoy D'souza echoed Singh's view. While Sardar is regarded as one of Warriors at the Shivaji stadium here on Tuesday, it is likely to be an interesting clash of styles. Both teams are occupying the bottom space in the points table, which is not just due to lack of wins but also because of the scheduling of the tournament. The teams at the top have played more matches than those at the bottom which has skewed the points table in their favour. The defending champions Punjab have lost two matches while recording a resounding 7-0 victory over Ranchi Rays. What is reflected in the scorelines is the fact that Punjab have played an all-out attacking game that has resulted in them both scoring and conceding a lot of goals. That approach is set to continue with their coach Barry Dancer making it clear that they won't tinker with their attacking strategy. "If On the other hand Delhi, even though languishing at the bottom, have managed to keep teams at bay on most occasions. Coach Cedric D'souza sees that as a major positive. "We have conceded only four goals so far, so that shows that our defence has been good. I am looking at it as a major positive," sounded a confident D'souza. Cedirc also asserted that he is not too disheartened with the campaign so far. "Our team performance has been good but we didn't convert our chances. I am happy with our structure but disappointed that we didn't win a match yet," he said. "We played to the best of our abilities but failed to put in goals. But I believe in my players and I am confident that they will perform to the best of their ability in their home venue tomorrow," he added. Both coaches also seemed happy with the turf at the Shivaji sta- playing on this pitch and love the atmosphere that we get here." In their last match, Warriors were at the wrong end of a contentious call from the TV umpire which prevented them from drawing the game but their star midfielder Sardar Singh made it clear that it is not a lingering issue. "It is part of the game. We certainly felt that we had a good case, that's why we asked for the referral. But it's behind us now and we are not angry about it now," explained the former Waveriders midfielder. While the coaching staff of the both the teams would be keen to see their sides rise in the points table, they are delighted with the larger impact of HIL on Indian hockey. Jagbir Singh, former India international and one of the coaches of Warriors credited HIL for the resurgence of Indian hockey in the last couple of years. "The success of Indian team in recent past is the direct fallout of HIL. This tournament is much better than other leagues in the world. I would even "HIL has done wonders for Indian hockey. Hat's off to Mr Batra (Former Hockey India president and current president of International Hockey Federation). This league has grown enormously over the past five years and now it is no longer dependant on foreign players. Young Indian players are playing key roles now," he said. They were also of the opinion that the traditional skill of dribbling that defined Indian hockey is being revived through HIL. "The fact that a field goal is counted has two goals, made players use their dribbling skills lot more. Dribbling skills are part of our DNA and now even foreign players are making greater use of it," D'souza opined. Singh too felt the same way. "As a matter of fact the art of dribbling is returning to its earlier key role because of HIL. Individual skills are once again becoming very important," he said. the best midfielders in the game, Rupinder has emerged as a leading drag-flicker. Sardar, who was replaced as the captain of the Indian team a few months ago, said that he is in a good mental space. "I am enjoying hockey at the moment. I am finding the experience of playing in this tournament more enjoyable," he mentioned. Rupinder, who is a key member of the Waveriders' defence, stated that he has good understanding with his current teammates. "I have the same level of understanding with the defenders in this team as I have with V Raghunath when playing for India," he said. The good performance of Warriors' defence testifies to Rupinder's comments. In the end, what to expect from Tuesday's match was best summed up by Dancer, "It will be a battle between our attack and Delhi's defence tomorrow." C M Y K