MUMBAI/METRO

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

n VOL. XVII NO. 177

Maha floods toll

209; 8 still missing
Surendra P Gangan
[Link]@[Link]

MUMBAI: The death toll in the

flood-ravaged districts of
Konkan and western Maharash-
tra on Tuesday rose to 209 after
addition of 17 more deaths, offi-
cials said. Eight people are still
missing. The state is expected to
announce a relief package for
flood-affected people after the
cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
According to preliminary esti-
mates, losses to public and pri- NDRF personnel rescue people from Shiroli village in
vate properties are over ₹4,000 Kolhapur. AFP
crore. Losses due to flooding in
Kolhapur and Sangli are ₹700 given waiver in GST and electric- meeting with senior officials on
crore. Electricity infrastructure ity bills, besides helping them in Monday. “The broader outline of
worth ₹1,200 crore has been getting the losses recovered from the package has been finalised.
damaged, while damage to insurance coverage. The traders The relief for losses of crops,
roads and bridges is over ₹1,500 may also be given loans from domestic structures and belong-
crore. Crops across 338,000 hec- district cooperative banks at low ings will be compensated at a
tares have been damaged in interest rates,” an official said. higher rate than the set norms of
western Maharashtra and CM Uddhav Thackeray held a the National Disaster Response
Konkan. The state relief is meeting with deputy CM Ajit Fund,” said an official from the
expected to cover all affected ele- Pawar, relief and rehabilitation relief and rehabilitation depart-
ments by widening the scope of minister Vijay Wadettiwar, agri- ment.
the set norms. “The traders who culture minister Dadaji Bhuse on continued on →10
have suffered losses may be Friday. He had held a review →POLITICS OVER ‘FLOOD TOURISM’, P3

2 more cases of PEGASUS ROW:

TWO JOURNALISTS
MOVE TOP COURT
Delta Plus Covid SEEKING INQUIRY
NEW DELHI: Journalists N Ram

variant in Mum and Sashi Kumar have

approached the Supreme Court
to seek an inquiry by a retired or
sitting judge of the top court into
Rupsa Chakraborty ‘MOST COVID-19 the alleged surveillance of Indian
[Link]@[Link] DEATHS FROM citizens using Israeli Pegasus
60-69 AGE GROUP’ spyware and to identify the enti-
MUMBAI: Two more cases of Data revealed that those in ties responsible for it.
Delta Plus variant have been the 60-69 age group were In their petition, the two jour-
identified in Mumbai, which the worst hit by Covid-19 nalists said the alleged snooping
takes the total number to three during both waves in “prima facie constitute an act of
in the city and 23 in the state. Mumbai. A total of 3,177 or cyber-terrorism” and asked the
Both the patients were women 28% of the deaths were court to view the snooping alle-
healthcare workers, one of from this age group. →P4 gations with seriousness since it
whom was fully vaccinated impacts the right to privacy and
while the other was not vacci- free speech. They said the gov-
nated, said officials of the Bri- the state during the second ernment has not categorically
hanmumbai Municipal Corpora- wave. The Union Health Minis- ruled out obtaining Pegasus
tion (BMC). The Delta Plus (AY.1) try categorised the Delta-plus licences to conduct surveillance.
is a mutation of the highly trans- variant of Covid-19, as a ‘variant This is the third petition to be
missible Delta variant of Sars- of concern’. filed in the top court to seek a
CoV-2 (B.1.617.2) and detected in continued on →10 probe into the Pegasus row. →P6

Feud raged in shooting

camp in Tokyo run-up
hey went to Tokyo 2020

T heralded as India’s
brightest medal
prospects. On Tuesday,
after India’s air rifle and air pis-
tol shooters ended their cam-
paign not just without a medal,
but also with only one out of
eight shooters in six events man-
aging to enter a final, the lid blew
off a controversy over fractious Manu Bhaker; and coach Jaspal Rana, with the inscribed shirt. PTI
player-coach relationships
within the shooting squad. “We
are going to see an overhaul of BILES PULLS OUT FOR MENTAL HEALTH
Indian coaching staff, for sure. American gymnastics superstar Simone Biles cited
We are no longer going to be “mental health concerns” as her reason to pull out
held at ransom,” National Rifle of the women’s team final on Tuesday. →P14
Association of India president,
Raninder Singh, said immedi-
ately after the 10m air pistol rifle mixed pair. “There was for India’s elite shooters. “But
mixed pair event, only one person who this performance is not Rana’s
where teenagers was a negative factor fault,” Singh said. Though Rana
Manu Bhaker and in the whole thing, was with the Indian Olympic
Saurabh Chaudhury and I’m calling it out shooting contingent for a two-
exited in the qualify- right now, it was Jas- month preparatory camp in Osi-
ing stage. A few Avishek Roy pal Rana,” said jek, Croatia, he has not travelled
hours later Divyansh
Panwar and Elavenil
HT In Tokyo Singh, referring to to Tokyo. According to Singh, the
the four-time Asian problems began during the ISSF
Valarivan bowed out Games gold medal- shooting World Cup in New
in the qualifying list who is now one Delhi in March.
round of the 10m air of the pistol coaches continued on →10

Blinken arrives in India POLICE FORM SIT

TO PROBE TWO
FIRS AGAINST
PARAM BIR SINGH
MUMBAI: The Mumbai Police
has formed a Special Investiga-
tion Team (SIT) to probe the two
First Information Reports
(FIRs) registered against former
Mumbai police commissioner
Param Bir Singh and others.
One FIR is related to a com-
plaint filed by a builder Shyam-
sunder Agrawal alleging ₹15
crore extortion by Singh and his
subordinates. The other is
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Delhi on
related to Juhu police’s MCOCA
Tuesday. He is scheduled to meet PM Narendra Modi, external
case against Agrawal for his
affairs minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval. PTI
alleged links with underworld
gangster Chhota Shakeel. →P4
 MUMBAI
WEDNESDAY
JULY 28, 2021

Number Theory
How the pandemic
and lockdown have
hit labour markets
By Abhishek Jha and Roshan Kishore
The 2019-20 Periodic Labour Force Survey Does this mean that there was no
(PLFS), which was released last week by distress in labour markets during the
the National Statistical Office (NSO), shows lockdown?
a fall in the unemployment rate from 5.8% An HT analysis suggests that the
in 2018-19 to 4.8% 2019-20. Since PLFS headline employment numbers in the
follows a July-June timeline rather than latest report might be misleading, and a
the fiscal year (April-March) period, the careful reading of the report and the unit-
2019-20 report includes the 68-day-long level data does show signs of pandemic-
hard lockdown. driven distress in labour markets.

1 What do the headline numbers show?

The three most important numbers in the
PLFS report are labour force participation rate
(LFPR), work participation rate (WPR) and
unemployment rate (UR).
Unemployment rate, labour force
participation rate, and WPR
2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 Figures in %
LFPR is the share of population in a given age
group which is either working or looking for a Unemploy- 6.1
job. WPR is the share of population which is ment rate 5.8
actually working. UR is the percentage of
4.8
unemployed persons in the labour force. Labour force 36.9
There have been three PLFS reports so far, the participation 37.5
latest one covering the period from July 2019 rate 40.1
to June 2020. A comparison of the three Worker 34.7
reports shows that LFPR was the highest in population 35.3
2019-20 and unemployment rate the lowest ratio 38.2
But these numbers hide more than they Source: PLFS reports
reveal. Here is why. Note: Data for usual status (based on status in last 365 days)

2 Covid forced a distress-driven rise in rural jobs

Images of thousands of migrant workers walking back to villages after the lockdown are among the most graphic
memories of economic distress during the pandemic. The 2019-20 PLFS offers the first official proof of this distress.
In keeping with established wisdom on economic transformation, the share of agricultural employment in India
has been falling gradually. But 2019-20 was an exception to this trend when agricultural employment actually
increased from 42.5% in the 2018-19 PLFS to 45.6% in the 2019-20 PLFS. A comparison of absolute number of jobs
by sectors shows that agriculture more than compensated for the job losses in all other sectors of the economy
in the April-June 2020 period.

Sector-wise change in employment (Between April-June 2020 and April-June 2019)

-44.2 Mining and quarrying Figures in %
-26.7 Construction
-16.0 Financial, real estate & professional services
-8.9 Manufacturing
-8.7 Trade, hotels, transport, storage & communication
-8.3 Public administration, defence and other services
Electricity, gas, water supply & other utility services 16.7
Agriculture, forestry, & fishing 25.2
Source: Unit-level PLFS 2018-19, 2019-20 Note: Data for current weekly status (based on status in last 7 days)

The picture becomes even clearer once we look at the quarterly numbers for April-June 2020 and April-June
2019. On a year-on-year basis, urban India saw a reduction of 11.05 million jobs in the April-June 2020 period and
rural India saw the addition of 14.7 million jobs.
However, the unemployment rate – or the share of people looking for jobs who didn’t find one – increased in
both rural and urban areas. As is obvious, unemployment rate increased more sharply in urban areas (from 8.9%
to 20.8%) than in rural areas (from 8.7% to 12.2%).
The reason unemployment numbers did not increase on an annual basis despite a sharp rise during the
lockdown months is simple. They decreased sharply in the July-September 2019 and the October-December
2019 quarters, and to a lesser degree even in the January-March 2020 quarter.
That there was distress in urban job-markets was obvious from the quarterly PLFS report for April-June 2020,
released in March this year which covers only urban areas. Where the annual report really offers an insight is
the rise in what seems to be distress-driven rural employment.
People in different status of employment (Between April-June 2020 and April-June 2019)
Not in labour force Employed Unemployed Figures in million

April-June 2019 483.8 247.8 23.6

RURAL April-June 2020 487.1 262.4 36.5

April-June 2019 209.4 108.1 10.6

URBAN
April-June 2020 218.5 97.0 25.5
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800
Source: Unit-level PLFS 2018-19, 2019-20 Note: Data for current weekly status (based on status in last 7 days)

3 What happened to wages during lockdown?

The short answer is they fell
sharply. PLFS gives wage data
for three kinds of employment
categories: regular wage/sala-
Change in real wages between
April-June 2020 & April-June 2019
Regular wage/salaried Casual labour Self-employed
Figures in %

ried, casual workers and

self-employed. Rural Urban Rural + Urban
5
The self-employed were the
worst hit during the lockdown, 3.3 1.9
while regular wage workers 0
suffered a contraction in -0.5
-1.5
incomes only in rural areas. -5
-4.1
The plight of self-employed -5.6
workers was the worst in urban -10 -7.5
areas, where real wages fell to
75% of what they were a year
ago. While regular wage workers -15
do show an increase in wages at -16.0
the national level, they only -20
account for about a quarter of -23.1
the total workers in the data -25
from Periodic Labour Force
Survey. Source: PLFS reports; CMIE Note: Data for current weekly status (based on status in last 7 days)

4 Underemployment increased as well

To be sure, both employment and wage
statistics do not capture the actual stress
in labour markets after the pandemic. This
is borne out by another statistic in PLFS;
Percentage change in average
number of hours worked
(Between April-June 2020 and April-June 2019)
the average number of hours for which Self-employed Regular wage/salaried Casual labour
work was available to different kind of
workers. Rural Urban Rural + Urban
0
An average worker worked for 46.5 hours in -0.7 -1.4
a week in the April-June 2019 period. This -10
came down to 37 hours in the April-June -7.9
2020 period. Urban areas reported a bigger -12.4
-20
reduction because both regular wage and -19.8
self-employed recorded a big decrease in
hours worked (on account of the hard -30 -27.4
lockdown). The self-employed were biggest
-34.8
losers in urban areas, while regular -40
wage-earning workers were the biggest -39.7
losers in rural areas.
-44.6
-50
“An unprecedented increase in share of agricultural employment underlines the rise in distress-driven
employment during the pandemic,” said Himanshu, an associate professor of economics at Jawaharlal Nehru
University. “It is a well-known fact that more people join the workforce during periods of economic distress to
compensate for the loss of incomes and the situation must have become worse given the fact that the
government offered very little in terms of direct support during the pandemic.”
All numbers except annual numbers are based on current weekly status (based on a 7-day recall period). The annual numbers are based on 365-day recall.
[Link] MUMBAI/METRO
f @hindustantimes t @httweets i @hindustantimes l @hindustantimes
n VOL. Wednesday, July 28, 2021
XVII NO. 177 n PRICE ₹4.00 n 16 PAGES + 4 PAGES OF HT CITY (FOR MUMBAI ONLY). AREA SPECIFIC PAGES EXTRA.

Assam raises pitch in Basavaraj Bommai to

PM SHOULD CALL
ALL-PARTY MEET
ON PEGASUS: DIDI
AFTER MODI MEET be new Karnataka CM
Mizoram border row
Biswa Kalyan Purkayastha
NEW DELHI: “The Lok Sabha
election is a long way from now
— but the planning has to be
done in advance,” West Bengal
chief minister and Trinamool
Congress chief Mamata Banerjee
Arun Dev
letters@[Link]

BENGALURU: Basavaraj Bom-

mai, 61, will replace BS Yediyur-
and Neeraj Chauhan said on the second day of her appa as the chief minister of Kar-
five-day visit to the national capi- nataka, the Bharatiya Janata
letters@[Link]
tal, explicitly stating what many Party’s legislative party decided
SILCHAR/NEW DELHI: Assam see as one of the main objectives on Tuesday, with Bommai set to
and Mizoram were locked in a of her visit, the first after her be sworn in on Wednesday, two
political standoff on Tuesday party returned to power in the days after the 78-year-old
over a violent showdown at the state. announced his resignation at an
interstate border that killed Amid protests over the hack- event to commemorate two
seven people and injured 41 oth- ing of phones of journalists, poli- years of his government.
ers as the Union home ministry ticians, activists, businessmen, Bommai, a Lingayat like Yedi- Basavaraj Bommai (third from left) being congratulated after the
rushed troops to the troubled and others using military grade yurappa, was minister for home BJP Legislature Party meeting in Bengaluru on Tuesday. PTI
region and called an urgent spyware, Banerjee said after her affairs, law, parliamentary
meeting to defuse tensions. meeting with the PM that the affairs and legislature in Yedi- minister Dharmendra Pradhan, “The new leader’s proposal
Assam said it will deploy government should call an all- yurappa’s council of ministers, who was one of the two central was made by senior leader BS
4,000 commandoes to guard the party meeting and supported which was dissolved on Monday, observers for legislative party Yediyurappa and was supported
164.6km border and approach calls for a Supreme Court moni- and is considered close to the meeting held at Capital Hill, a by Govind Karjol, R Ashok, KS
the Supreme Court to stop Miz- tored probe. “I sought time from former chief minister. hotel in Central Bengaluru. Eshwarappa, B Sriramulu, ST
oram from building roads on its the PM after winning for the “The legislative party has Union minister G Kishan Reddy Somashekar and Poornima Srin-
side. In response, Mizoram said third time with the blessings of elected Bommai ji as its chief,” was the other central observer at ivas,” he added.
it bolstered its security forces the people,” she said. →P7 announced Union education the meeting. continued on →10
and blamed Assam Police for
the 30-minute-long gunbattle
on Monday. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma pays tribute to the five police personnel who were
{ DHOLAVIRA } 40TH FROM INDIA
“People have sacrificed their
lives but the boundary has been
killed in the July 26 Assam-Mizoram border clash, in Cachar on Tuesday. ANI
VACCINE DRIVE
protected which we will con-
tinue to do at any cost. There is
very strong deployment of
Of 7 border disputes, STANDOFF, STONE
PELTING: HOW THE
Unesco declares Harappan city FOR KIDS LIKELY
BY SEPTEMBER,
police inside our border and not
an inch of land will be allowed
to be encroached,” Assam chief
Assam in 4, Parl told CLASH UNFOLDED
LAILAPUR(ASSAM): On Sunday,
in Gujarat a world heritage site SAYS MINISTER
NEW DELHI: Union health minis-
minister Himanta Biswa Sarma HT Correspondent Nityanand Rai also mentioned Mizoram chief minister Zoram- NEW DELHI: The United Nations unique cultural significance by ter Mansukh Mandaviya on
said. seven such interstate border dis- thanga’s convoy passed through Educational, Scientific and Cul- Unesco, which provides “emer- Tuesday told Bharatiya Janata
letters@[Link]
Mizoram rejected the allega- putes, four of which involve national highway (NH 306), tural Organisation (Unesco) on gency assistance for World Heri- Party MPs that the Covid-19 vac-
tions. “Yesterday’s incident was NEW DELHI: The Centre acts as a Assam (with Arunachal Pra- which connects Mizoram and Tuesday added Dholavira, a Har- tage sites in immediate danger”. cination drive for children is
unfortunate, but Assam Police facilitator for amicable settle- desh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Assam. On his return journey, appan-era city in Gujarat, to its “Dholavira: A Harappan City, likely to begin by September.
should not have entered Mizo- ment of interstate border issues Meghalaya). “The approach of Zoramthanga halted briefly list of world heritage sites, mak- in India, just inscribed on the Speaking at the party’s parlia-
ram forcibly and remove resi- but the dispute can be resolved the central government has con- along the route on the Assam ing it the 40th such Indian loca- @UNESCO #WorldHeritage List. mentary panel meeting, chaired
dents,” said state home minister only with the cooperation of the sistently been that interstate dis- side and was greeted by deputy tion on the list. Congratulations!” Unesco by Prime Minister Narendra
Lalchamliana. respective states, the Union putes can be resolved only with commissioner of Cachar district Gujarat now has four world tweeted on Tuesday. Modi, Mandaviya said the gov-
Uneasy peace prevailed at the home ministry told Parliament the cooperation of the state gov- in Assam, Keerthi Jalli, and the heritage sites — Dholavira, According to Unesco, today ernment has sanctioned ₹900
border between Cachar dis- on Tuesday. The statement came ernments concerned and that district superintendent of police Champaner near Pavagadh, Rani what is seen as a fortified quad- crore to undertake research on
trict’s Lailapur village and a day after violent clashes at the the central government acts only VC Nimbalkar. Less than 24 ki Vav in Patan and the Historic rangular city set in harsh arid the vaccines, officials said. “He
Kolasib district’s Vairengte Assam-Mizoram border left as a facilitator for amicable set- hours later, violent clashes, City of Ahmedabad. land was once a thriving metrop- (Mandaviya) said the vaccina-
town on Tuesday as central for- seven people dead. In a written tlement of the dispute in the killed seven people including six World heritage sites are pro- olis for 1200 years (3000 BCE- tion drive for children will roll
ces patrolled the area. reply in the Lok Sabha, Union spirit of mutual understanding,” policemen and injured 41 others, A view of Dholavira in Kutch tected under international con- 1800 BCE) and had an access to out by September,” officials said.
continued on →10 minister of state for home affairs the statement said. including Nimbalkar. →P5 on Tuesday. ANI vention and selected for their sea prior to decrease in sea level. →FULL REPORT, P5
02 MUMBAI
WEDNESDAY
JULY 28, 2021

Page One Plus Tokyo Olympics

WATCH OUT Deepika Kumari returns to the archery range to kickstart her individual event, while boxer Pooja Rani begins her Tokyo campaign. In
FOR TODAY the pool, the second act of Ariarne Titmus v Katie Ledecky will play out, while world record holder Kristof Milak will eye butterfly gold.

A Starting gun ARCHERY

Deepika Kumari
EVENT: WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL 1/32
ELIMINATIONS
After crashing out in the mixed
doubles quarter-finals, the
BOXING
Pooja Rani
EVENT: WOMEN'S 69-75KG ROUND OF 16
The 2021 Asian Championships gold
medallist has form and confidence on
her side in Tokyo, and should be
SWIMMING
Ariarne Titmus
EVENT: WOMEN’S 200M FREESTYLE FINAL
After going one up over Katie
Ledecky in their 400m duel,
Ariarne Titmus will look to do an
Kristof Milak
EVENT: MEN’S 200M BUTTERFLY FINAL
World record holder in the event, Kristof
Milak has made the final being ahead by
more than two seconds over his rivals. A
gold medal for the Hungarian is almost a
world No. 1 will be eager to put confident of a win against Algeria's en core in the 200m event, where given. Can he lower his own record?
on an improved show in the Ichrak Chaib in her opening bout. the 20-year-old Australian has the
singles campaign that begins second-fastest time in the world.
against Bhutan's Karma.

{ DOUBLE DUTY } MORE THAN JUST ATHLETES

Ma Long of China in action against India’s Sharath Kamal at Tokyo 2020 on Tuesday. REUTERS

The G.O.A.T. in From Covid heroes to Olympic stars

Several athletes competing in Tokyo were at the forefront of the battle against the world’s long fight
against the Covid-19 pandemic back home. They served as doctors, nurses and ambulance drivers,

dragon’s clothing helping and comforting people all the while training on the side. A look at some of these heroes.
RACHAEL LYNCH,
AUSTRALIA (NURSE)
JAVAD FOROUGHI, Iranian shooter Javad Foroughi spent his nights caring for gravely ill
IRAN (NURSE ) patients as he served as a nurse in Covid wards before the Games. Now
he is an Olympic champion. On Saturday, Foroughi earned gold in the
Kunal Pradhan STOPPING GOALS, THE GOLD men’s 10m air pistol, also setting a world record in the process. In
the year in the run up to the Olympics, the nurse contracted
AND COVID MEDALLIST Covid-19 twice, but never let it stop his training. He tested

T
he first memory of quality table tennis for Indians of my vin-
tage was the 1987 world championships in Delhi – an event so When she’s not saving goals,
Australian women’s team hockey
COVID NURSE positive the first time in 2020, where he contracted the
infection on the job. But as soon as he could, he resumed
noteworthy that Doordarshan telecast it live across the coun- training. “During preparations my test was positive again. I
try. So, every evening, for 10 days in late February, the biggest goalkeeper Rachael Lynch doubles up
a nurse in her hometown of Perth. left training for more than one month and then again
form of entertainment became tuning in to the action from The 35-year-old has spent the last started training for the Olympics," he said.
the Indira Gandhi indoor stadium. This was, to set the larger year being a part of nurses deployed
context of mass entertainment at the time, a month after Ramanand in western Australia with a mining Australian kayaker Jo Brigden-Jones is not new
Sagar’s Ramayana started airing on Sunday mornings.
JO BRIGDEN-JONES,
company, whose staff need regular to Olympics – she represented Australia in
The tournament took India by storm, particularly in places where chil- testing. “I honestly feel like it makes
AUS (PARAMEDIC)
2012, and her team narrowly missed out on
dren had access to table tennis tables in their local clubs or community me a better athlete, having that time
away and doing things to help other
RACING KAYAKS qualification for Rio. However, kayaking,
she says, is not her main career – she has
centres. It was the long rallies, the ferocious smashes, the unbelievable
blocks; the Chinese penhold grip vs the European shakehand; and the people that aren’t about me,” she AND AMBULANCES been working as a paramedic for New
told Time magazine. “It’s important South Wales Ambulance since 2016.
lanky, expressive Jiang Jialiang vs the burly, relentless Jan-Ove Waldner. for me to take every opportunity I “Sometimes I would do three training
When Jiang Jialiang won that final, India believed he was, he must be, can to give back – especially during sessions and then go to do my night
the greatest table tennis player of all time; though Waldner might have these challenging times.” shift,” the 33-year-old told Time
had something to say about that. magazine. She says working as a
The following year, in the industrial city of Anshan in northeastern paramedic helps takes some of the
China, the man who would go on to become the greatest, Ma Long, was pressure off during competitions.
born three weeks after the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
Surrounded by iron, steel and concrete, Ma Long picked up a paddle PAULA PARETO
when he was five, and was winning local tournaments before he was 10.
GABBY THOMAS
ARGENTINA (DOCTOR ) UNITED STATES (EPIDEMIOLOGIST)
By 11, his game had outgrown his factory town. He first moved to Shen-
yang (the largest city in his Liaoning Province), and was then scouted by A CHAMPION AND A DOCTOR THE WORLD’S FASTEST
a club in Beijing that was also home to Zhang Yining, arguably the best
women’s player in history.
Argentina’s Paula Pareto, a two-time Olympic medallist
in judo (gold in Rio 2016 and silver in Beijing 2008), was
EPIDEMIOLOGIST
Ma Long started winning at the world stage in his late teens, but truly on the front line of the battle against Covid in her On the face of it, Gabby Thomas is a
stamped his style in his 20s. To describe his game today is to describe country. Nicknamed ‘La student weeks away from completing
what modern table tennis aspires to be. He has a vicious all-attack fore- Peque’ or ‘The small one’, her master’s degree in epidemiology
she works as a trauma at the University of Texas. A part of
hand. He can unleash power from close to the table, not just from a cou- Team USA at the Tokyo Games, she
doctor when not training.
ple of feet away. His smoldering topspin allows him to relax, explode, Most of 2020 and 2021, has also been dubbed by the media as
relax, and explode again, sometimes in the same rally. And he throws in she was engaged almost the “world’s fastest epidemiologist”. But her
an occasional backhand chop-block to completely unsettle his opponent. full-time on Covid duty. sights are on a much bigger label – she wants
World No 1 for a record 64 months, including 34 in a row between 2015 While training for Tokyo the to become the world’s fastest woman... and
and 2017, Ma Long has won three world champion- past few weeks, she has she’s almost there. During Olympic trials, she
ships, two world cups, and the Rio Olympics gold. continued with her shifts at clocked the second-fastest women’s 200m
He is called The Dragon, and more popularly, The her hospital. sprint time ever recorded at 21.61 seconds.
Dictator.
On Tuesday, this legendary force of nature was
across the table from Sharath Kamal at Tokyo.
Sharath Kamal was born in Chennai, six months
before the 1982 Asian Games, into a table tennis
{ A ROUGH DAY FOR SUPERSTARS }
family (his father and uncle were both coaches). It A BATTLE OF
was impossible for him to stay away from the paddle
with that pedigree, and he embraced the millstone
around his neck.
THE ‘LEGENDS’
Sharath Kamal faced a
strange proposition on
Simone Biles exits citing Disbelief, support in
Sharath Kamal is a nine-time national champion,
the world No 32, a regular in the German Bundes-
liga, a multiple Commonwealth Games gold medal-
Tuesday – he knew he
would lose, but he also
knew he must banish that mental health concerns Japan as Naomi Osaka
list, twice Asian Games bronze medallist, and the
only Indian to win a singles title on the international
pro tour.
knowledge from his mind.
So, even if for a 15-minute
stretch, he decided to
Associated Press knocked out of Games
letters@[Link]
However, such is the lot of the Indian Olympic believe. It’s matches like Associated Press
sportsperson that the country has hardly ever this one – history will TOKYO: Simone Biles came to
letters@[Link]
watched him play. On Tuesday, because he was up record it as just another Tokyo as the star of the US Olym-
against the great Ma Long at Tokyo 2020, we did. regulation 4-1 win for Ma pic movement and perhaps the TOKYO: The host country’s
And Sharath Kamal, now in the winter of his career Long – that make the Games themselves. She con- superstar is out of the Tokyo
and in perhaps the last of his four Olympics, showed Olympics special. vinced herself she was prepared Olympics.
why he always deserved more attention. for the pressure. That she was Naomi Osaka lost to former
There was a phase in the match – between games ready for the spotlight. French Open finalist Marketa
two and three – when the Indian rattled Ma Long, matching him stroke Only, as the women’s gymnas- Vondrousova of the Czech
for stroke, topspin for topspin; and pushed the Chinese champion to cor- tics team final approached, Republic 6-1, 6-4 in the third

w
ners of the table he did not want to go to. something felt off for the Ameri- round on Tuesday.
Ma Long had said before the Games that if he lost a single game, it can superstar. So rather than The second-ranked Osaka,
would be letting his country down. In the second of seven games, Sharath push through the doubts that who was born in Japan and grew
Kamal raced to an 8-4 lead, and just when Ma Long was clawing his way crept into her head as she’s done up in the United States, struggled
back, pulled off a series of forehand angles to make it 1-1. so many times before, she throughout her final match. Naomi Osaka AFP
In the third game, he fought hard again, coming back from 8-10 to decided enough was enough. Osaka, who lit the Olympic
10-10, before Ma Long pulled away, and didn’t look back again. Biles withdrew from the com- cauldron in the opening cere- lous Japan reacted to the news.
Sharath Kamal faced a strange proposition on Tuesday – he knew he petition, a stunning decision that Simone Biles watches gymnasts perform after withdrawing from mony, won her opening two And people quickly turned to
would lose, but he also knew he must banish that knowledge from his opened the door for the team the women’s gymnastics team final on Tuesday. AP matches in straight sets after a an outpouring of sympathy.
mind. So, even if for a 15-minute stretch, he decided to believe. Russian Olympic Committee to two-month mental-health break. “Watching you gave me courage.
READ: To be a It’s matches like this one – history will record it as just another regula- land gold. Her American team- Biles posted on social media pic Games than have it happen Shortly after the match was You don’t have to win a medal.
legend, defeat tion 4-1 win for Ma Long – that make the Olympics special. For Sharath mates held on for silver after the Monday that she felt the weight at any other time. But, you know, over, organisers said that Osaka Watching you play is enough for
a legend Kamal will remember, and so will all those who watched the battle of 24-year-old realised following a of the world on her shoulders. It with the year that it’s been, I’m had left the venue and would not all your fans,” said Yuji Taida, a
two legends from different contexts. shaky vault she wasn’t in the affected her practice. It affected really not surprised.” be talking to the media. novelist. Japanese media relayed
right headspace to compete. her confidence. And when she Biles is scheduled to defend Her loss comes after she urgent reports on her loss, with
“I didn’t want to go into any of stepped onto the vault runway, it her Olympic title in the all- announced in May going into the “masaka” in the headlines.
the other events second-guessing finally found its way to her per- around final on Thursday. She French Open that she wouldn’t “Her mother’s motherland.
myself,” Biles said. “So, I thought formance, too. said she will regroup on speak to reporters, saying those Her dream to stand at the pinna-
it would be better if I took a step Biles was scheduled to do an Wednesday before deciding interactions create doubts for cle, with the rising sun on her

A olympicquiz back and let these girls go out

there and do their job.”
Biles spent the final three
“Amanar” vault that requires a
roundoff back handspring onto
the table followed by 2 1/2 twists.
whether to continue.
Biles’ abrupt absence forced
the Americans to scramble a bit.
her. Then, after her first-round
victory in Paris, she skipped the
mandatory news conference.
heart, was not to be,” reported
Sports Hochi, a Japanese daily
sports newspaper.
When did Usain Bolt start At which Olympics was rotations serving as head cheer- Biles instead did just 1 1/2 twists The finals are a three-up/three- Osaka was fined $15,000 and Japanese media made a point

1 his iconic flash-of-lightning

victory pose?
Who holds India’s record
4 the awarding of medals
for the top three finishers
introduced?
leader while Grace McCallum,
Sunisa Lee and Jordan Chiles
carried on without her.
with a leap forward after landing.
She sat down and talked to the
team doctor, then headed to the
count format, meaning each
country puts three of their four
athletes up on an apparatus,
— surprisingly — publicly repri-
manded by those in charge of
Grand Slam tournaments.
to say Osaka had answered “hai,”
or “yes” in Japanese, when asked
a question by reporters in Japa-

2 for most Olympic appear-

ances, and how many?

Michael Phelps tied

5
Which country holds
the record for most
gold won at a single
ROC, however, never
wavered. And they erupted
when 21-year-old Angelina Mel-
nikova’s score assured them of
back while her teammates moved
to uneven bars without her.
When Biles returned later, she
hugged her teammates and took
with all three scores counting.
The Americans — without
Biles and her otherworldly tum-
bling — needed to be near perfect
The next day, Osaka withdrew
from Roland Garros entirely to
take a mental health break,
revealing she has dealt with
nese and noted that tears were
running down her cheeks. Sho-
taro Akiyama, a university stu-
dent who loves to play tennis,

3 whose mark for most

medals in a Games, in 2004
and 2008?
Olympics?

Answers on page 14
the top spot on the podium.
This marked the first time in
11 years the US found itself look-
ing up at the scoreboard at
off her bar grips. And just like
that, her night was over.
“It’s very uncharacteristic of
me,” Biles said. “So it just sucks
to close the gap. It didn’t happen.
As Chiles stumbled to the mat at
the end of her second pass, and
any chance the US had of chasing
depression.

‘No way!’
“Masaka” — or, in English, “No
said he hoped Osaka wouldn’t
give up. “The opponent just
played a smarter game this
time,” he said. “She will have
someone else. that it happens here at the Olym- down ROC went away. way!.” That’s how an incredu- another chance at the gold.”
MUMBAI
WEDNESDAY
JULY 28, 2021 03
My Mumbai
MU staff to get paid for online exams
Stop flood tourism: MVA MEETING PEERS
OFFLINE BETTER:
70% FIRST-YEAR
MUMBAI: University of Mumbai
(MU) will pay the staff, both
engaged in online exam work.
An item was placed before Board
Paper setters will be paid ₹7
per question, proof readers will
leader of Opposition is necessary nor and said, “Yesterday tour the teaching and non-teaching, of its of Examination and Evaluation get ₹100 per paper. The exam
Swapnil Rawal and
Faisal Malik
because their presence gives a
sense of comfort to the affected
Governor told me that he was
directed by the President to hold
IIT-B STUDENTS affiliated colleges for their work
in online exams. “Many requests
(BoEE) members where it was
resolved that remuneration will
panel will be paid ₹10 per stu-
dent. Chief and joint chief exam
[Link]@[Link] families. But now there is a trend a visit to the areas hit by floods have been received regarding be paid,” said a circular signed conductors will get ₹400 and
Priyanka Sahoo
where many [politicians] visit and landslides. To ensure it is a remuneration to be paid to staff by BoEE director, Vinod Patil. ₹250 per day. SHREYA BHANDARY
[Link]@[Link]
MUMBAI: As leaders from the the affected areas and these vis- non-political tour, he invited one
ruling and opposition parties its hamper the relief operations.” legislator from all the four par- MUMBAI: Over 70% first-year
made a beeline to visit flood-af- Koshyari in Raigad said that ties (BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP and students of the Indian Institute
fected area and express their the state and the Centre will Congress). I don’t know why oth- of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B)
sympathies with the affected jointly work to rehabilitate the ers didn’t go with the Governor.” would have liked meeting their
people, politics over “flood tour- families. “It is an unprecedented Meanwhile, relief work con- classmates in person instead of
ism” has heated up. disaster. This may be the first tinued on Tuesday. The Navi the online introductions, con-
The Shiv Sena on Tuesday incident in Maharashtra where Mumbai Municipal Corporation ducted owing to the Covid-19
said that “political tourism” the entire village was washed (NMMC) has rushed two relief pandemic. A survey of 238 engi-
should not hamper the relief away. We, including the Prime teams to Mahad and one medi- neering students, who com-
work, while Nationalist Congress Minister (Narendra Modi) are all cal team to Chiplun with essen- pleted their first year in the
Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar Citizens pack relief material sad. CM, too, has visited the tial supplies. In Kalyan, Gan- online mode, was released as
urged politicians in Maharashtra for the flood-hit, at Wadala on place. Both the governments will dhari Bridge was reopened on part of the Freshers’ Newsletter
to avoid visiting the flood-af- Tuesday. ANSHUMAN POYREKAR/HT make joint efforts to rehabilitate Tuesday around 6.30pm by PWD on Sunday. The survey found
fected areas and that only those those who survived the tragedy after it found no crack on it. that 168 of the respondents said
who are directly related to an and put pressure on the admin- and provide them with all the Around 138 families from three they wanted to meet their peers
affected area should visit it. istration. “Globally, wherever possible help,” said the governor. buildings in Mumbra’s Thakur- in person. Around 19% of the
The statements from the alli- such disasters occur, there is no Pawar said he is hoping that pada were evacuated late on respondents said they feared
ance partners came ahead of hindrance to the relief work. In Koshyari’s visit will help in get- Monday night after a pillar of a they would not be as good at
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Maharashtra, when such inci- ting more funds from the Centre. nearby building started sinking. interpersonal interactions on
Singh Koshyari’s visit to Chiplun dents happen, there are allega- On Tuesday, an editorial in text, according to the newsletter
and Taliye, along with Bharatiya tions, counter-allegations and Saamana said relief work can be Pawar to meet Mamata? issued by the first-year students.
Janata Party (BJP) legislator attack on administration; politi- expedited if political visits stop. Pawar said that he is likely to The new batch of engineering
Ashish Shelar, on Tuesday. cal tours should be stopped, as While CM Uddhav Thackeray meet All India Trinamool Con- students was inducted online
Opposition leader Devendra far as possible... This is not a bat- was sitting in the state secretar- gress (TMC) chief and West Ben- and almost all academic activi-
Fadnavis hit back saying that tle for credit, and if somebody iat and instructing the adminis- gal CM Mamata Banerjee on ties, barring research work, have
Koshyari was directed by Presi- thinks it is, then they are devoid tration, Opposition leaders Wednesday in Delhi. Meanwhile, been held online.
dent Ram Nath Kovind to visit of humanity... I will say this that Pravin Darekar and Girish Raut on Tuesday said that Maha- IIT-B’s deputy director S
the affected villages. politicians should exercise Mahajan attempted to reach rashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray is Sudarshan said, “There is no
Sena leader Sanjay Raut said restraint [during such times] as Mahad but were stuck due to capable of leading the country immediate plan for reopening
that incidents of natural disas- their visit cause a hindrance in heavy rains and had to be res- and will do so one day. the campus to undergraduate
ters should not become a battle the relief work,” said Raut. cued through boats by authori- students. However, we will
for credit. He said that opposi- Pawar said, “Visits of the chief ties, said the editorial. Inputs from G Mohiuddin Jeddy, review the situation towards the
tion must not visit such spots minister (CM), deputy CM and Fadnavis backed the Gover- Sajana Nambiar, Ankita G Menon middle of the semester.”

Kundra earned ₹1.1cr from app in 5 months: Cops

Manish K Pathak and money from Play Store users as tion himself through WhatsApp later, the company developed a used to be transferred to Kenrin
Charul Shah the number of Android phone groups. mobile phone app, Hotshots, and from where the obscene content
users is much higher. The police also sought exten- then sold it to Kenrin Ltd, a Lon- used to be uploaded on Hot-
[Link]@[Link]
Claiming that they have seized sion in custody of Kundra’s IT don-based entity owned by Kun- shots.
MUMBAI: Actor Shilpa Shetty’s huge data from Kundra’s Juhu support provider Ryan Thorpe. dra’s relative Pardeep Bakshi for The police claimed that it was
husband Ripu Sudan aka Raj residence, the property cell of A metropolitan magistrate court, USD 25,000 (around ₹18.62 through three WhatsApp groups
Kundra – arrested in connection the Mumbai Police crime branch however, remanded both of lakh). – HS Accounts, HS Take Down
with a pornographic film racket had sought an extension of six them to judicial custody after In December 2019, Kundra and HS Operations – that Kun-
– earned over USD 158,057, valu- days of his remand for question- which they were shifted to resigned from Arms Prime dra used to monitor the content,
ing around ₹1.17 crore, from sub- ing him on the data they Arthur Road jail. Kundra has Media, after which a man named payments to artists and revenue
scribers of his Hotshots app on retrieved. The police said they applied for bail, which will come Sanjay Tripathi, who is now a generated through the app and
Apple’s App Store between have seized many electronic gad- up for hearing on Wednesday. witness in the case, took over it, issue payments instructions and
August and December 2020, gets and storage devices, and a Both, Kundra and Thorpe said the police. details. Bakshi made the pay-
Mumbai Police revealed in their digital forensic auditor has been were arrested by the property The mobile phone app, availa- ments based on Kundra’s
remand application, while seek- appointed to analyse the data cell on July 19 in connection with ble only to paid subscribers, was instructions, the remand appli-
ing the extension of his custody. collected from Kundra’s resi- an alleged pornography racket used to upload pornographic cation added.
The police are yet to get details dence. that the police had busted in content shot in Mumbai and the The police’s application stated
of the 45-year-old businessman’s The crime branch had in its February. surrounding areas, the police that three bank accounts – two of
earnings from the subscribers of earlier remand applications According to the police in claimed. The remand applica- Arms Prime Media Pvt Ltd and
the mobile phone app on Google revealed that Kundra had got a February 2019, Kundra set up a tion added that the other one account of Avalanche Tech-
Play Store. However, police offi- mobile app developed for run- company, Arms Prime Media accused and witnesses in the nology Pvt Ltd, having a total
cers believe that the business- ning a pornographic film racket Pvt Ltd, along with one Sourabh case have revealed that the por- balance of over ₹1.13 crore – have
man might have received more and controlled its entire opera- Kushwah. About six months nographic films shot in Mumbai been debit-freezed.
04 My Mumbai
MUMBAI
WEDNESDAY
JULY 28, 2021

{ BMC DATA } ANALYSIS OF MORTALITY DATA

‘60-69 age group worst-hit in both waves’

Jyoti Shelar
[Link]@[Link]
ing the second wave, despite
more cases,” he said.
Another important trend
Only 3 containment zones in city
MUMBAI: An analysis of mor- seen in BMC’s age-wise death ond wave in the city in the sec- breathe easily once we say that
tality data has shown that sen- analysis is the drop in the num- Mehul R Thakkar ond week of April 2021, when 70% of the city’s population is
ior citizens in the 60-69 age ber of deaths among children. [Link]@[Link] around 10,000 cases were being fully vaccinated. Currently, we
group were the worst hit by The civic body recorded 18 reported, the city had 80 active can say that around 50% of the
Covid-19 during both the waves deaths in the 0-9 age group and MUMBAI: As the city is report- containment zones, 800 sealed total population in the city has
in Mumbai. 35 deaths in the 10-19 age group ing a drop in the number of buildings and more than 9,000 taken at least one dose.”
Most experts consider the between March and December cases, the data from the Bri- active sealed floors, where a On Monday, 297 cases were
period between March and 2020. Between January and July hanmumbai Municipal Corpo- population of around two mil- reported, the lowest number
December 2020 broadly as the 15, these numbers dropped to ration (BMC) shows there are lion was residing with several since April 2020. Of the over
first wave, even as the number zero and five, respectively. only three containment zones restrictions. 17,600 beds in dedicated Covid
of cases sharply declined by One must note the civic data in the city at Kandivli, Chem- However, with the number centres and hospitals, only
November. Mumbai recorded is constantly under reconcilia- bur and Bhandup. Moreover, of cases starting to fall from 2,755 are occupied.
over 293,436 cases and over tion and there is often a mis- 60 buildings and 1,730 floors April-end, the number of con- Further, the weekly growth
11,116 deaths during this period. match between the BMC and are completely sealed in the tainment zones, sealed build- rate in the city on an average is
The city is currently experienc- state government’s numbers. city. ings and sealed floors also has 0.05% and the doubling rate is
ing a receding second wave. For example, even as the 0-9 age A containment zone covers gone down. 1,025 days, according to the
During the period between Jan- group shows zero deaths, some areas of slums and chawls. Currently, 64,000 citizens civic data.
uary and July 15 this year, the hospitals have recorded deaths As of July 25, in the three are under home quarantine, Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the
city has recorded 48% more in this group, which may be active containment zones in compared to over 610,000 dur- city reported 344 cases, five
cases (436,359), however, the under review and yet to be rec- the city, there is a population of ing the peak of the second deaths, taking the city’s tally to
number of deaths dropped to onciled. The civic-run BYL Nair 25,000, 19,000 in the 60 sealed wave. 734,759 and toll to 15,850. The
4,551. Hospital has recorded three buildings in the city and Dr Mangala Gomare, chief of city’s mortality rate is 2.15%
Of the 11,159 deaths analysed infant deaths and the SRCC 218,000 in over 1,700 sealed the BMC’s public health depart- and recovery rate is 96.59%
by the civic body between Children’s hospital has recorded floors. ment, said, “The containment with 709,753 recoveries. There
March and December last year, one death this year. This is the lowest number of zones and sealed buildings are are 6,783 active cases in the
nearly 3,177 or 28% deaths were The BMC’s mortality data containment zones and sealed going down as the cases are city.
in the 60-69 age group. Even as may present a positive picture, buildings in a long time in the also going down. We have to On Tuesday, 28,058 tests
the absolute number of deaths but the true impact of the pan- city, said civic officials. continue testing, tracing and were reported resulting in a
decline this year, the trend has demic can be analysed only by During the peak of the sec- taking precautions. We can daily positivity rate of 1.24%.
remained the same. Of the 4,490 considering the all-cause mor- Senior citizens wait to get vaccinated at ESIS Hospital, in Navi Mumbai, on Saturday.
deaths analysed between Janu- tality and the excess deaths in BACHCHAN KUMAR/HT PHOTO
ary and July 15 (the second the city.
wave), 1,142 or 25% were among
the 60-69 age group.
This age group falls under the
In 2018, the city recorded
88,892 deaths due to all causes,
according to the statistics BMC data on the two Covid waves
STATE SEES DIP IN
ACTIVE CASES;
Contractor gets BMC
high-risk category. Medical
experts say age and presence of
updated on the BMC website.
The number rose by 2.6% to MUMBAI
11,116 4,551
RECORDS 6,258 notice for delay in
co-morbid conditions such as 91,223 in 2019.
NEW CASES
diabetes, hypertension and obe-
sity, among others, have been
linked to severe forms of Cov-
In 2020, the year when the
pandemic hit Mumbai, its all-
cause death toll jumped by 23%
First wave
● FromMarch to
deaths
Second wave
● From January
deaths
Naresh Kamath
work on 16 O2 plants
December 2020 to July 15, 2021
id-19.
“The high mortality is the
result of high risks carried by
to 111,942. Taking into account
an average of 3% yearly rise in
deaths and adding the Covid-19
293,436 cases 436,359 cases
[Link]@[Link]

MUMBAI: The number of Cov-

id-19 active patients is now on a
Mehul R Thakkar
[Link]@[Link]
nine civic-run hospitals
wherein two each will come up
in BYL Nair Hospital, LTMG
● The first wave peaked in September ● The second wave peaked in April
senior citizens or those with toll (11,116 deaths) to it, Mumbai decline in Maharashtra. On MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Hospital, GTB Hospital, Cooper
● The city’s case-fatality ratio stood at 3.7% ● The city’s case-fatality ratio dropped to 1%
underlying ailments,” said Dr has recorded at least 5,000 Tuesday, the active case tally Municipal Corporation (BMC) Hospital, Shatabdi Hospital in
Rahul Pandit, member of Maha- excess deaths in 2020. stood at 82,082, while the state on Tuesday said that it has Kandivli, and one each at
rashtra’s Covid-19 task force. “It is hard to say that all Age 18 MUMBAI recorded 6,258 new Covid-19 issued a notice to the contrac- Bhabha Hospital, Kasturba Hos-
“A lot of thought is being excess deaths are due to Cov- 0-9 0 Mar-Dec 2020
MAHARASHTRA cases. On Monday, the active tor, warning of penalty for alleg- pital. VN Desai Hospital, and
given to reducing deaths in this id-19, but one must not simply cases had dropped to 88,729 edly delaying the work of setting three at KEM Hospital. These
First wave
category. The push to speed up
vaccinations and introduction
of monoclonal antibody cocktail
attribute these deaths as non-
Covid,” said Soumitra Ghosh,
associate professor at the Cen-
10-19
35
5
Jan-July 2021* (July 15)
● FromMarch to
December 2020
49,521 deaths
from 94,985 on Sunday. Simi-
larly last week, the active cases
on July 19 dropped to 96,375
up oxygen plants in the city,
amid the anticipation of the
third Covid-19 wave.
plants will work on the pressure
swing adsorption (PSA) tech-
nology.
132
drug are some of the measures tre for Health Policy, Planning 20-29 from 1,03,486 on July 18. P Velrasu, additional munici- For this, the BMC had
36 ● The state’s
aimed at reducing the mortality and Management, Tata Institute case-fatality On Tuesday, Mumbai clocked pal commissioner of the BMC appointed Highway Construc-
in the high-risk category,” he of Social Sciences. 371 344 new Covid-19 cases with 5 confirmed issuing a notice to tion Company last month and
30-39 ratio stood
said. “A deeper analysis of this 178 deaths. The case tally in Mumbai the contractor. handed over to them the above
at 2.5%
Mumbai’s death numbers data is needed. Ideally, the gov- 1,051 has reached 734,759, while the In the notice, the BMC has sites between June 16 and June
indicate the second wave was
handled in a better way by the
ernment authorities should
commission an institution to
40-49
445
2,444
1,932,112 cases
toll stands at 15,850. There were
181,593 tests done on Tuesday
said, “Considering the work
progress sites, the period of
25, 2021, giving them a month to
complete the work.
civic administration. Mumbai’s study this,” he said. and 12,645 recoveries. completion .i.e. 30 days was Romin Chedda from High-
50-59
Case Fatality Ratio (CFR) – the The stringent lockdown, 873 State’s case tally has reached already expired. You are hereby way Construction Company
proportion of deaths among mainly during the first wave, Second wave 6,276,057, while the death toll is instructed to complete the work said, “It is not a notice but I have
3,177
identified confirmed cases –
stood at around 1% in the sec-
ond wave, while Maharashtra’s
made it difficult for many to
access hospitals. Elective proce-
dures and treatment for existing
60-69
1,142
2,590
● From January
to July 15, 2021 77,039 deaths
1,31,859. There are currently
82,082 active patients across the
state of which Pune tops with
immediately without fail, other-
wise, a penalty will be levied to
you, as per terms and condi-
received a letter from the BMC.
The majority of work at all the
sites is completed and I will
CFR was at 1.8%. ailments were delayed which 70-79 15,344 patients followed by tions of the tender.” hand over the plants soon in the
1,107
“Mumbai saw a lot of deaths led to severe health implications Thane with 9,510 active patients. The civic body has planned to coming days to the BMC.”
during the April-May period in patients. Experts also point 1,184 Dr Subhash Salunkhe, set up 16 oxygen plants at nine Meanwhile, the BMC is also
80-89
607
last year, when the medical fra-
ternity knew little about the
infection and its management,”
that accident-related deaths
came down substantially during
the lockdown. “It is important 90-99
156
94
4,257,145 cases
advisor, government of Maha-
rashtra on Covid management,
said, “Active cases are directly
locations in the city at the cost
of around ₹90 crore that will
generate an estimated 43 metric
in the process of setting up its
own oxygen bottling plant to fill
jumbo cylinders in the city at
said Dr Avinash Supe, head of to analyse the cause of excess *Age wise analysis carried related to the decline in the tons (MT) of oxygen daily, on Mahul at the cost of ₹21 crore.
the Covid-19 death audit com- deaths to come closer to reality. 1 out by the civic body is ● The state’s case-fatality ratio is 1.8% number of new cases.” Mean- the site. This plant will fill around 1,500
100-109
mittee. “The average of city’s These deaths cannot be 3 15,649 deaths. (Source: BMC) while, 5,68,575 vaccine doses The nine locations where 16 oxygen cylinders with a capac-
deaths is definitely better dur- ignored,” said Ghosh. were administered on Tuesday. plants will be set up includes ity of 7.1 cubic meters daily.

A
l ‘Foreign travel likely to Vistadome coach in other trains soon: CR ‘ROAD MISHAPS
Marathi film IN CITY UP BY 15%
producer gets bail
MUMBAI: Marathi film
rise in coming months’ Aroosa Ahmed “The response from the pas-
sengers travelling between the
IN 6 MONTHS’
[Link]@[Link]
producer Swapna Neha LM Tripathi Overall, recovery within the two cities has been overwhelm- Vinay Dalvi
Patker, arrested for international travel segment is MUMBAI: After receiving an ing. The coach has been full-on
[Link]@[Link] [Link]@[Link]
using a fake PhD degree picking pace progressively. The overwhelming response from many days. We are planning to
to secure a job as MUMBAI: After few countries scope and pace of recovery in passengers travelling in the introduce more Vistadome MUMBAI: Road accidents in the
psychologists at a have opened their borders for international travel after the sec- 44-seater Vistadome coach on coaches in other outstation city have increased by 15% dur-
Bandra Hospital, was Indians, enquiries for travel to ond wave is definitely higher as Deccan Express running trains on the route,” said a sen- ing the past six months, as com-
granted interim-bail by international destinations have compared to the period post the between Mumbai and Pune, the ior Central Railway official. pared to the number of accidents
Bombay high court on seen an average increase of first wave because of the global Central Railway is now plan- The Mumbai-Pune Deccan during the corresponding period
Tuesday. HTC 80-85% in July as compared to vaccination roll out,” said Vipul ning to introduce a similar Express with the Vistadome last year. Deaths due to accidents
June. Maldives, Switzerland, Prakash, chief operating officer, coach in other trains on this coach halts at Dadar, Thane, in the state have increased by
Man held for Russia, Ukraine, Qatar, Turkey, MakeMyTrip. route. Kalyan, Neral, Lonavala, Tale- 22% between January and June
Iceland, Costa Rica, Nepal, and Ixigo said it expects more The glass-roofed Vistadome gaon, Khadki and Shivaji Nagar 2021, as compared to last year.
raping fruit seller France have opened travel for countries to gradually lift restric- coach has wide window panes railway stations. As per statistics compiled by
PALGHAR: Manickpur non-essential travel. tions in the coming months. and seats that rotate to 360 The coach also has 12 LCD the Maharashtra highway police,
police have booked a MakeMyTrip said that inter- “With India seeing an overall degrees to provide passengers television screens for entertain- Nashik tops in deaths by acci-
28-year-old vendor, national travel is picking up decline in the number of active with a better sightseeing expe- ment, a mini-fridge, automatic dent, while Mumbai tops in peo-
Dipu Prasad Pandey, for slowly as countries have eased Covid-19 cases, countries are rience. sliding compartment doors, an ple injured in accidents. How-
raping and travel restrictions and quaran- evaluating and reconsidering The Vistadome coach that oven, juicer grinder and toilets ever, the police said that the
impregnating a 23-year- tine regulations for Indian out- their current travel restriction was introduced in June, has an fitted with ceramic tiles. Ear- number of accident cases as
old fruit seller under bound travellers. policies for Indian travellers. occupancy of more than 95% in lier, the coach was introduced compared to pre-Covid levels is
the pretext of marriage. “We’ve seen a 35% jump in Recently the US state depart- one month. on Mumbai-Goa railway route 37% less in the city and 20% less
The accused is searches for international lei- ment has lowered its Covid-re- The coach has been com- in 2017 for passengers to get a The Vistadome coach has wide window panes, and seats that in the state.
absconding. RAM PARMAR sure packages for July as com- lated travel advisory for India to pletely booked for 12 days in view of the Western Ghats in rotate to 360 degrees to provide passengers with a better As per statistics, for the period
pared to the previous month. ‘Level 3 – Reconsider Travel.’ June. the Jan Shatabdi Express. sightseeing experience. of January to June 2021, there
24-year-old killed were around 14,245 accident
cases reported in the state. In the
by friend same period, 6,708 accidental
MUMBAI: A 24-year-old
man was allegedly
stabbed to death by his
SIT to probe 2 FIRs linked to Singh TENDULKAR
COMES TO MED
Close aide of gangster death were reported, while
10,879 people were injured.
“Mumbai contributed around
friend in Dahisar, on
Sunday, for intervening
in a fight between his
Vijay Kumar Yadav
[Link]@[Link]
case, an SIT would ensure a
transparent, fair and time-
bound investigation. The SIT
STUDENT’S AID Ravi Pujari arrested 6.7% cases, with 956 accidents,
131 deaths and 809 people
reported injured,” said a police
friends. The accused MUMBAI: Mumbai Police have will directly report to CP Mum- Manish K Pathak portedly found two pistols and officer from the state highway
Govind Parkhe, 35, has formed a special investigation bai Hemant Nagrale and joint 15 live rounds from his posses- police department. From Janu-
[Link]@[Link]
been arrested along team (SIT) to probe the two CP, law and order, Vishwas sion. ary to June 2020, the city had
with his three aides. HTC first information reports (FIR) Nangre Patil,” another police MUMBAI: The anti-extortion Bengali revealed that he seen around 809 accident cases,
registered linked to former officer said. cell (AEC) of the Mumbai brought the weapons to sell in which around 141 people had
Navi Mumbai cop Mumbai Police commissioner Singh is facing three FIRs; Police on Tuesday arrested a them to someone, as he died and around 822 people
(CP) Param Bir Singh and oth- one is of Marine Drive police Dipti Vishvasrao with father notorious criminal and a close required money. were injured.
climbs Mt Elbrus ers. station, while two FIRs are Dasharath. aide of gangster Ravi Pujari Bengali is a sharpshooter However, the accident cases
NAVI MUMBAI: Navi The SIT will probe two FIRs, Param Bir Singh. being investigated by the and allegedly seized two pistols and is attached to Pujari’s gang last year were less due to strict
Mumbai-based one of which is registered at Thane police. MUMBAI: Legendary cricketer and 15 live cartridges from him. for more than a decade. Covid-19 lockdown.
assistant police the Marine Drive police station case, Singh and his subordi- The Maharashtra criminal Sachin Tendulkar has come to The accused, identified as He was also arrested in a Most numbers of the fatalities
inspector, Sambhaji against Singh, a crime branch nates extorted money from him investigation department (CID) the aid of medical student Dipti Sadique Bengali, 44, was also murder case of Devidas Chau- in accidents happened in Nashik
Gurav, finished his Mt deputy commissioner of police at the behest of his former is probing multiple allegations Vishvasrao, 19, who was finding arrested for the 2007 firing at gale, a brother of a former Navi Rural jurisdiction with around
Elbrus, Europe, summit (DCP) and five other police- business partner Sanjay Puna- against Singh on the complaint it difficult to meet the expenses film-maker Mahesh Bhatt. Mumbai-based corporator, said 454 deaths, followed by Pune
on Monday. RAINA SHINE men, by a Bhayander-based miya, who is presently in the of cricket bookie Sonu Jalan for her course at the Govern- However, he was acquitted in a crime branch officer. Rural with 418 deaths. Ahmed-
builder Shyamsunder Agrawal custody of Marine Drive police. and other two alleging extor- ment Medical College, Akola. the case. In 2018, an officer of unit 9 nagar reported 367 deaths, Jal-
Auto driver dies alleging ₹15 crore extortion by “A DCP-rank officer would tion at the hands of Singh and Tendulkar, through his foun- The officers said that Bengali had arrested him with four pis- gaon 267, Solapur 255, Satara
Singh and his subordinate offi- head the SIT and an assistant his subordinates while Singh dation, along with Seva Sahyog was allegedly involved in over tols and 29 live rounds from 243 and Nagpur 242 deaths.
in accident cers. commissioner of police (ACP) was heading the Thane Police Foundation (SSF) officials, 10 serious offences registered the Santacruz area. Bhushan Kumar Upadhyay,
NAVI MUMBAI: A 55- The other is the Maharash- rank officer would be the chief department. ensured that the funds were in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and He had bought the weapons additional director general of
year-old auto driver, tra Control of Organised Crime investigation officer of the two Singh is also facing multiple arranged in a short span of time. Pune. from Uttar Pradesh, but he has police, traffic, Maharashtra said
Viswash Patil, died after Act (MCOCA) case registered cases linked to Singh,” said a enquiries after he was shunted “I’m thankful to Sachin Ten- Following a tip-off, officers not revealed the exact area and they have trained 1,000 locals,
his vehicle rammed by the Juhu police against senior Indian Police Service out from the post of Mumbai dulkar Foundation for the schol- of the AEC laid a trap at Air name of the supplier, added like garage owners, toll booth
into a road divider in Agrawal for his alleged links (IPS) officer. Police commissioner in March arship,” said Vishvasrao, who is Force Road in Cotton Green officer. staff, puncture shop owners and
Sanpada on Monday. with the underworld gangster “Since senior police officers this year, for improper han- on course to become the first (East) area and intercepted He was produced in court even some dhaba staffers to pro-
PRANAB JYOTI BHUYAN Chhota Shakeel. Agrawal had and some powerful and influ- dling of the Antilia bomb scare woman doctor from her Zarye Bengali. and remanded in police cus- vide immediate relief and medi-
alleged that based on this false ential people are linked to the case. village in Ratnagiri. HTC During search, police pur- tody till July 30. cal attention to accident victims.
MUMBAI
WEDNESDAY
JULY 28, 2021 05
My India
{ DAY 6 OF MONSOON SESSION }

Standoff, stone pelting: How the Oppn protests

continue to
Assam-Mizoram clash unfolded disrupt House
Biswa Kalyan Purkayastha MIZORAM, ASSAM HT Correspondent PRESIDING
letters@[Link]

LAILAPUR(ASSAM): On Sunday, a
The low-down on the dispute LOCK HORNS OVER letters@[Link]

NEW DELHI: Parliamentary pro-

OFFICERS OF THE
TWO HOUSES
day prior to Monday’s violent
The Assam-Mizoram border dispute has its origin in British-era notifications, the oldest of
which was issued 146 years ago that created two borders, leading to the persistent conflict
BORDER CLASHES ceedings continued to be dis- EXPRESS THEIR
clashes along he Assam-Mizoram rupted for the sixth day on
border, Mizoram chief minister Utpal Parashar Tuesday after opposition parties
DISPLEASURE AT
Zoramthanga’s convoy passed letters@[Link] continued to block proceedings THE CONDUCT OF
through national highway (NH to demand that the government THE MEMBERS
306), which connects the two GUWAHATI: Mizoram home min- agree to a discussion on the Peg-
states. He was returning to Aiz- ister Lalchamliana said on Tues- asus snooping controversy, pro-
awl a day after attending a meet- day that the violent clash along voking presiding officers of the escalate their protests over the
ing of Union home minister Amit the border between both states two Houses to repeatedly alleged use of Israeli firm NSO’s
Shah with chief ministers of all on Monday that claimed seven express their displeasure at the software on Indian citizens and
states in the Northeast at Meghal- Assam lives and injured 41 others (on conduct of the members. the three farm laws.
aya’s capital Shillong. On his the Assam side) was the out- “All of you should introspect “If the opposition members
return journey, Zoramthanga Karimganj come of provocation by the if this is what we make of our have even the slightest regard
Meghalaya
halted briefly along the route on Hailakandi neighbouring state, rejecting exalted parliamentary democ- for the farmers, they should sit
the Assam side and was greeted Lailapur Cachar Assam’s version of events. racy. I will never accept any in their places peacefully. You
by deputy commissioner of Manipur Assam maintains that Mizo- such dictation by anybody. Dic- should raise your issue through
Cachar district in Assam, Keerthi Vairengte ram police were the first to start tation or dramatics are not these questions and listen to the
Jalli, and the district superintend- Mamit firing at its (Assam’s) police per- going to be accepted by the reply of the government,” Union
Kolasib
ent of police VC Nimbalkar. sonnel and civilians, but Lal- Chair, whoever is in the Chair,” agriculture minister Narendra
Tripura
Less than 24 hours later, vio- chamliana stated that his state’s Rajya Sabha Chairman M Ven- Singh Tomar said on the opposi-
lent clashes, which both Assam Mizoram security forces responded to fir- kaiah Naidu said amid slogan- tion strategy of disruption.
Aizawl
and Mizoram claim to have been ing initiated by the Assam side. eering when ministers were lay- The din in the House not only
started by the other side, killed 7 “Yesterday’s incident was ing down government notifica- hurts the dignity of the house
people including 6 policemen and 1875 1933
In the first exercise The British
1987 2018 2019 2020 unfortunate, but Assam police tions on the table of the House but also reveals the true charac-
injured 41 others on the Assam Mizoram is declared a state; Nearly 50 persons The 2 states Skirmishes in should not have entered Mizo- in the Rajya Sabha. ter of the opposition parties in
side. Superintendent of police to demarcate further refine Mizo tribal leaders raise the are injured in agree to October leave several injured ram forcibly to remove resi- In the Lok Sabha, speaker Om the context of farmers, he said.
present day the demarcation. border dispute with Assam police action by maintain a on both sides and result in a
Nimbalkar, who sustained griev- dents,” the home minister said Birla told Opposition MPs: The BJP’s deputy leader in
Mizoram, the The trifurcation Assam police status quo blockade of NH 306, the lifeline to
ous bullet injuries on his lower refuting the comments of “Don’t compete for sloganeering Rajya Sabha Mukhtar Abbas
body, was airlifted to Mumbai by
British demarcate
the area under the
leads to some
part of the area
1995
Major skirmishes reported
after some Mizo
civil society
and treat
the
Mizoram, for 12 days
Assam chief minister Himanta in the House. You should com- Naqvi later told reporters that
an Indian Air Force aircraft on Biswa Sarma. pete to raise the problems of the the government held talks with
Tuesday for treatment.
Bengal Eastern
Frontier Regulation
going to
Manipur. Assam
along the Assam-Mizoram
border when Mizoram govt
groups try to set
up a travelers hut
disputed
area as
2021
Violent clashes along the disputes
On Tuesday, Sarma said that people. But you are competing the Opposition on Monday
Assam shares 164 km of border of 1873. Mizoram follows the 1933 on the disputed no man’s Assam administrative and police in sloganeering. Remember, the night and Tuesday morning to
with Mizoram and though both tries to settle people as per area leave six dead officials who went to the border people are watching you”. resolve the issue. “Government
follows this border. demarcation. the 1875 demarcation area land.
states have a long pending dis- on Monday to request the Mizo- The reprimand, however, did is ready for discussion. But the
pute regarding their boundary it ram side to maintain status quo not have much of an impact on opposition is not ready, they are
intensified last year when some
miscreants bombed a govern-
ment school in Khulicherra area
in Assam’s territory. Local resi-
char Medical College and Hospi-
tal (SMCH) in Assam.
Several journalists from Assam
who were covering the develop-
Discontent brewing since of the disputed area were first
attacked by a mob of miscreants
and then fired upon by Mizoram
police personnel.
the Opposition which intends to
work closely with each other to
running away from a discus-
sion.”

dents claimed that it was done by

Mizoram, which, in turn, claimed
that Assam government person-
nel had forcefully constructed
ments were injured , but not by
bullets. Internet and phone con-
nections remained disrupted at
the site for several minutes and
Oct escalated on Monday “One shouldn’t believe all
statements made by the Assam
chief minister. It was Assam
police personnel and civilians
schools and RCC bridges on their the place felt like a war-zone. Utpal Parashar who entered Mizoram’s territory
land. Mizoram also stopped sev- The Mizoram version of how on Monday and created prob-
letters@[Link]
eral top officials of Assam govern- the events unfolded is different. lems...,” said Lalchamliana.
ment and the central government “Upon learning of the arson GUWAHATI: Monday’s violent
from visiting those places. committed by Assam Police, resi- clash along the Assam-Mizoram
On Monday morning, Assam dents of Vairengte town, Kolasib border that claimed seven lives,
police officials captured a camp
near Lailapur border which was
District proceeded to the site to
inquire. These unarmed civilians
including those of six policemen,
and left 41 others injured on the
MEGHALAYA’S
reportedly built last year by India were assaulted by Assam Police Assam side was the culmination RESPONSE HELPED
Reserve (IR) battalion of Mizoram by lathi charging them and firing of simmering discontent between
Police. According to locals on the tear gas, thereby causing injuries the two states since October 2020, DEFUSE A CONFLICT
Assam side, the number of Assam to several civilians,” read a Mizo- when skirmishes left several
police personnel was much larger ram government statement. Talk- injured on both sides and resulted David Laitphlang Leaders of 10 parties during a meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday. ANI
than the IR battalion. But when ing to HT over phone from Aizawl in a blockade of NH-306, the life- letters@[Link]
the news about presence of
Assam troops broke in Vairengte
in Mizoram, hundreds of locals
on Tuesday, Mizoram home min-
ister Lalchamliana reiterated that
Assam police personnel and civil-
line to Mizoram, for 12 days.
Though it wasn’t the first time
violence has erupted along the
Clashes at the disputed Assam-Mizoram border on Monday. ANI SHILLONG: A timely response by
the Ri-Bhoi district administra-
10 parties meet to form
started gathering at the spot. As
per Assam government officials,
around 11:30am, a group of people
ians entered Mizoram and forci-
bly removed residents.
Mizoram information and
164km boundary between both
northeastern states, Monday’s
incident was the bloodiest till
Mizoram) from the plains of
Cachar (in Assam) and also intro-
duced the inner line permit
guns.
Earlier in the day, Mizoram
chief minister Zoramthanga and
tion of Meghalaya thwarted off
what could have been another
border clash with Assam on
Pegasus issue strategy
started pelting stones from Mizo- public relations minister Lalruat- date. The border dispute between regime (ILP) that regulates entry his Assam counterpart Himanta Monday. HT Correspondent Kerala Congress, Communist
ram’s side. kima who was stationed at the both states is nearly five decades of outsiders to the area, now Miz- Biswa Sarma indulged in a blame What began as a mere civic Party of India (Marxist), Revolu-
letters@[Link]
According to journalists border, “The bloody clash could long and started after Mizoram, oram, even today. Assam follows game on Twitter. It ended with amenity project by the Meghal- tionary Socialist Party and
present at the site on the Assam have been averted had CRPF pre- which was earlier a part of a 1933 notification through which intervention of Union home min- aya Energy Corporation Limited NEW DELHI: Ten opposition par- Indian Union Muslim League.
side of the border, stone pelting vented Assam police from enter- Assam, was declared a UT in 1972 delimitation of the earlier bound- ister Amit Shah, after which the in Iongkhuli village, almost ties, at meeting on Tuesday, The Pegasus row erupted last
continued from both sides for sev- ing Mizoram territory.” and gained statehood in 1987. ary between Lushai Hills and the two CMs talked over phone, snowballed into a physical con- decided to move “joint adjourn- Sunday before the beginning of
eral hours till the firing started. On Tuesday, Assam chief min- While Assam claims Mizoram former princely state of Manipur agreed to maintain status quo and frontation between Assam ment notices in the Lok Sabha” the current monsoon session
Cachar DC Jalli along with SP ister Himanta Biswa Sarma has encroached its “constitutional was modified. work for peace. police and officials and members as a part of a united strategy to after an international investiga-
Nimbalkar and other Assam offi- visited Silchar and met those boundary”, the latter maintains As expected, there have been Besides Mizoram, Assam has of the public in the area. counter the government on the tive consortium reported that
cials were at the camp near Laila- injured in Monday’s attack. He the area belongs to it. allegations and counter allega- border disputes with Meghalaya, According to Meghalaya offi- Pegasus snooping row. many politicians, activists, busi-
pur border. also paid tribute to the police per- Three districts of Assam, tions on what ignited Monday’s Nagaland and Arunachal Pra- cials, while the work was going “We have now decided that nessmen and journalists were
Around 4:00 pm, superintend- sonnel killed. Sarma reiterated Cachar, Hailakandi, and Karim- clashes. Mizoram’s home minis- desh. on, at around 11am, a large posse there will be better coordination potentially targeted by Israeli
ent of police of Kolasib district in the claim that firing started from ganj, share borders with three dis- ter Lalchamliana issued a state- Monday’s incident came two of Assam government officials among all of us as the govern- company NSO Group’s phone
Mizoram came to the camp and Mizoram side and announced tricts of Mizoram, Kolasib, ment in the evening accusing days after Amit Shah interacted and senior police officials ment doesn’t want to discuss the hacking software, Pegasus.
Jalli gave him her chair. But 20 compensation for family mem- Mamit, and Aizawl. The main Assam police personnel of enter- with CMs of all eight northeastern arrived at the scene and disman- matter at all. We will now be giv- Earlier in the day, Mallikarjun
minutes later, as the officials of bers of those killed and injured. bone of contention is a 509 square ing the state and indulging in vio- states in Shillong where the pend- tled the erected poles. The act ing joint adjournment notices in Kharge, the leader of the Opposi-
the two states were discussing Lalchamliana said that the situa- mile stretch of the inner line lence. The statement added that ing interstate border disputes was not received well by the resi- Lok Sabha,’’ said one of the lead- tion in Rajya Sabha, speaking to
the issue, three tear gas canisters tion along the border was peace- reserve forest on the interstate Mizoram police retaliated after were also deliberated upon. The dents who offered stiff resistance ers, who attended the meeting, the reporters outside the Parlia-
fell on the road on the Assam ful and there have been no new boundary that Mizoram claims tear-gas canisters and grenades Union home minister urged all which almost led to fisticuffs. requesting anonymity . ment, said “The Telegraph Act
side; soon the place was full of developments on Tuesday. He as its own. The origin of the dis- were hurled by Assam’s security states to resolve their issues On Tuesday, the Chief Execu- The meeting was attended by says permission is needed for the
toxic smoke. Few minutes later informed that on Wednesday, pute lies in two different notifica- forces. before the 2024 general election. tive Member (CEM) of the Khasi Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi surveillance and added that a
there was the sound of guns being chief secretaries and police chiefs tions issued during the British Late at night, Assam Significantly, during the 4th Hills Autonomous District Coun- and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Supreme Court monitored probe
fired. Police personnel, local resi- of both states would meet union era. responded by issuing a statement NEDA conclave held in Guwahati cil (KHADC) Titosstarwell Chyne Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham’s should be carried out so that the
dents and journalists ran for home secretary Ajay Kumar Mizoram wants delineation of that blamed Mizoram of breach- in September 2019, Shah urged all expressed concern over Assam’s TR Baalu and Kanimozhi, truth about the alleged hacking
cover. Few people sustained inju- Bhalla at New Delhi to discuss the border based on a 1875 notifi- ing existing agreements and sta- chief ministers of the region to intentions. “Iongkhuli village has Nationalist Congress Party’s could finally come out.”
ries and were rushed to nearby Monday’s incident and the border cation framed under Bengal East- tus quo on the border and accus- address all border disputes in a never been in any of the disputed Supriya Sule, Shiv Sena’s Arvind The government has neither
government health centre , dispute. ern Frontier Regulation of 1873 ing police of the neighbouring timebound manner before India areas with Assam. I am sur- Sawant, Hasnain Masoodi of confirmed nor denied whether it
according to eye-witnesses. They that sought to demarcate the state of firing on its security forces celebrates 75 years of Independ- prised how it has happened like National Conference, Bahujan has purchased the spyware but
were immediately referred to Sil- With PTI inputs) Lushai Hills (the earlier name of and civilians using light machine ence in 2022. this,” he wondered. Samaj Party’s Ritesh Pandey, has rejected reports of snooping.

MHA seeks six more PARL PANEL CALLS

GOVT STIMULUS
BJP members boycott PM Modi tells party to ‘expose
months for CAA rules ‘INADEQUATE’ IT committee meeting Oppn’ over House disruptions
HT Correspondent into force w.e.f. January 10, 2020,” NEW DELHI: A parliamentary Deeksha Bhardwaj the panel is set to discuss the
letters@[Link] the minister said.
“The Committees on Subordi-
panel has dubbed the central
government’s stimulus package letters@[Link]
controversial Pegasus Project
with the government. He said
Smriti Kak Ramachandran
letters@[Link]
P of the black farm laws, despite
repeated notices,” he tweeted
NEW DELHI: The ministry of home nate Legislation, Lok Sabha and for economic revival as “inade- NEW DELHI: Members of the that the agenda for the meeting A second BJP functionary said
affairs (MHA) informed Parlia- Rajya Sabha have been requested quate” and recommended that Bharatiya Janata Party on was not discussed with the NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Nar-
Covid vaccination Union health minister Mansukh
ment on Tuesday it has sought six to grant further extension of time the Centre should immediately Tuesday staged a walkout from members beforehand. endra Modi on Tuesday told his drive for children Mandaviya told MPs that India is
more months to frame rules for up to January 9, 2022 to frame the come out with a “larger eco- a meeting of the information The person mentioned party colleagues to “expose” the on track to begin vaccination for
the Citizenship Amendment Act rules under the Citizenship nomic package”. technology standing committee above, however, said that all Congress-led Opposition for dis- will roll out children. “He said the vaccina-
or CAA, a law which seeks to grant (Amendment) Act, 2019,” Rai said. The government announced led by Congress lawmaker procedures and protocols were rupting Parliament in, what he by September. tion drive for children will roll
Indian citizenship to persecuted The manual on Parliamentary Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, a Shashi Tharoor, people famil- followed before the meeting said, was their attempt to derail out by September. He also said
minorities belonging to the Hindu, Work states that in case ministries ₹20 lakh crore package for eco- iar with the matter said. was scheduled. the government’s efforts to dis- MANSUKH MANDAVIYA, that India was among the coun-
Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and or departments are not able to nomic revival. It included ₹3 “When the House is func- The Pegasus project reports cuss important issues such as Union health minister tries that were at the forefront of
Christian communities from Paki- frame the rules within the pre- lakh crores collateral free auto- tioning, how can meetings be claim that the Israeli spyware the Covid-19 pandemic, and to the war against the pandemic;
stan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan scribed period of six months after matic loan, ₹20,000 crores Sub- scheduled at the same time? It was used to infiltrate the explain to people that the oppo- asked BJP lawmakers to publi- India sanctioned ₹900 crore to
who entered India on or before the President signs off on a law, ordinate Debt for Stressed is our job as MPs to help the phones of activists, journalists, sition hadn’t contributed to cise it. The first week was a near- undertake research...,” he said.
December 31, 2014. “they should seek extension of MSMEs, ₹50,000 crores Equity Parliament function,” BJP MP opposition leaders and even the fighting the pandemic, people complete wash-out, mostly over BJP president JP Nadda also
This is the fifth extension time from the Committee on Sub- infusion for MSMEs through Nishikant Dubey said. “I had government’s own ministers. familiar with the matter said. protests over the Pegasus snoop- said that over the course of the
sought by the government for ordinate Legislation stating rea- Fund of Funds and a corpus of raised the issue during the last The Centre has denied the “The PM told the MPs that the ing controversy and farm laws, next one month, 750 million
framing rules for a controversial sons for such extension” which ₹10,000 crores. session as well,” he said. charges, with Union minister onus is on us to fight the chal- but the government managed to people will be administered Cov-
law that resulted in widespread cannot be more than for a period In its report, the House panel BJP MPs came to the meet- for electronics and information lenge as the opposition is only get Lok Sabha to pass two bills id-19 vaccines, said the second
protests after it was passed in of three months at a time. on industries said: “The stimulus ings to lodge their protests and technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, interested in disruption and how amid the din. person. India has so far vacci-
December 2019. It came into effect Human rights activist, Harsh package announced by the Gov- left without signing the regis- whose name was on the list, even after the house is adjourned Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jai- nated over 345 million people.
from January 2020. Mander said, “It’s quite apparent ernment for the economic ter, said one of the persons saying that reports were com- they resort to abusing,” a senior ram Ramesh blamed the govern- Meanwhile, Modi also urged
In response to a question from that BJP passed this law in such a revival from the pandemic... has quoted above. “Over nine mem- pletely devoid of facts. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ment for not taking up impor- all MPs to think of innovative
Congress member of Parliament hurry without knowing how to been found to be inadequate as bers were present, which is the opposition has sought a probe. lawmaker said after Modi tant issues. “The entire Opposi- programmes to mark the 75th
Gaurav Gogoi, Union minister of implement it. They know they will the measures adopted were base number needed for quo- The panel will hear from the addressed the party’s parliamen- tion is united. Parliament isn’t a year of India’s Independence. He
state (home affairs) Nityanand Rai be angering large number of peo- more of loan offering and long- rum and for meetings to con- minister of home affairs, elec- tary party meeting on Tuesday. forum to pass Govt Bills without has instructed them to ensure
said in Lok Sabha: “The Citizen- ple in the north east if they imple- term measures instead of tinue,” the person added. tronics and information tech- This is the second time since debate and discussion. This is that at least two people from the
ship (Amendment) Act, 2019 ment it, and if they don’t, they will improving the cash flow to gen- Dubey added that BJP mem- nology and communications on the monsoon session began on happening because Govt is just party spend 75 hours in 75 villa-
(CAA) has been notified on lose the vote-bank of Bengali Hin- erate demand as immediate bers will not attend Wednes- Wednesday regarding the Pega- July 19 that Modi has blamed the not ready to discuss urgent pub- ges of each assembly constitu-
December 12, 2019 and has come dus.” relief.” HTC day’s meeting either, wherein sus issue. Opposition for disruptions and lic issues like Pegasus and repeal ency to reach out to the people.
06 My India
MUMBAI
WEDNESDAY
JULY 28, 2021

Newly anointed K’taka CM HC HALTS PROBE IN

JARKIHOLI CASE AS
SIT CHIEF ON LEAVE
2 journalists move SC for
a Lingayat leader, BSY aide Arun Dev
letters@[Link]
inquiry into Pegasus row
BENGALURU: The Karnataka Abraham Thomas THE JOURNALISTS, were potentially targeted world-
During this term as the home high court on Tuesday ordered a wide by the NSO Group’s phone
Arun Dev
minister, Bommai made head- special investigation team (SIT) letters@[Link] N RAM AND SASHI hacking software.
letters@[Link]
lines over his October 2019 formed to probe the alleged sex- NEW DELHI: Journalists N Ram KUMAR, SAID The government has denied
BENGALURU: For the Bharatiya announcement to create Karna- for-job scandal involving former and Sashi Kumar have THE ALLEGED the allegations in Parliament.
Janata Party, Basavaraj Bommai taka’s own National Register of minister Ramesh Jarkiholi to approached the Supreme Court Communist Party of India
is the ideal candidate to replace Citizens (NRC) on the lines of the stop its probe after it transpired to seek an inquiry by a retired or
SNOOPING ‘PRIMA (Marxist) member in the Rajya
BS Yediyurappa as the Karna- one in Assam even before the that the SIT chief has been on sitting judge of the top court into FACIE CONSTITUTES Sabha John Brittas and lawyer
taka chief minister. The 61-year- Union government issued any medical leave since May 1. the alleged surveillance of Indian AN ACT OF CYBER- ML Sharma filed the other two
old is a Lingayat, loyal to the cen- orders. However, following a The bench, which also barred citizens using Israeli Pegasus petitions. The three petitions
tral leadership and a close asso- backlash, he claimed that it the SIT from submitting its final spyware and to identify the enti-
TERRORISM’ have not been listed for a hear-
ciate of the outgoing CM. would only be a survey of for- report, said it must first examine ties responsible for it. ing or admitted by the top court
According to party insiders, all eigners overstaying in India and the legality of the investigation In their petition, the two jour- gress government in West Ben- yet. “Such mass surveillance
groups within the BJP are happy no NRC. conducted in the absence of Sou- nalists said the allegations gal was the first state to appoint using a military-grade spyware
with the decision and believe He was also a trusted lieuten- mendu Mukherjee, the senior “prima facie constitute an act of a commission of inquiry com- abridges several fundamental
that the change of power, which ant of Yediyurappa and often officer who was designated to cyber-terrorism” and asked the prising former Supreme Court rights and appears to represent
could have affected the party spoke in the assembly on behalf lead the SIT in March. court to view the charges with judge, justice (retd) MB Lokur an attempt to infiltrate, attack
adversely, has culminated well of the government. Jarkiholi resigned from the BS seriousness since it impacts the and retired chief justice of Cal- and destabilize independent
with Bommai’s appointment. “Even though he was the Yediyurappa cabinet on March 3 right to privacy and free speech cutta high court, justice (retd) institutions that act as critical
Unlike Yediyurappa, who was home minister, he knew about after a video emerged in which a protected under the Constitu- Jyotirmay Bhattacharya to pillars of our democratic set-up,”
part of the BJP from its incep- developments in all depart- person resembling him was seen tion. The two journalists also inquire into the row. the fresh petition filed by N Ram
tion, Bommai started his politi- ments. You would find him often with an unnamed woman. A said the government has not cat- This is the third petition to be and Sashi Kumar through law-
cal career with the Janata Dal. in the assembly, answering ques- self-proclaimed activist accused egorically ruled out obtaining filed in the Supreme Court to yer Shadan Farasat said.
He worked with senior leaders, tions on behalf of several depart- the minister of sexually exploit- Pegasus licences to conduct sur- seek a probe into the controversy It added that the alleged
including former prime minister CM-designate Basavaraj Bommai, in Bengaluru on Tuesday. PTI ments with clarity,” pointed out ing the woman. The Gokak MLA veillance and sought a specific over Pegasus software that snooping has several “grave
HD Deve Gowda and Rama- a BJP leader on condition of ano- insisted he was innocent. response from the Centre on this erupted last Sunday after an political and security ramifica-
krishna Hegde during this time. mai was instrumental in the Jan- Rule on states with unfriendly nymity. On Tuesday, the bench of point. It also noted that no steps international investigative con- tions, especially considering that
In 2008, he left the Janata Dal ata Party forming a government governments. He had moved Political analyst and faculty at chief justice Abhay Shreeniwas have been taken by the Centre to sortium reported that phone the devices of government min-
(United) and joined the BJP. in the state for the first time in court against the governor’s the Azim Premji University, A Oka and justice NS Sanjay ensure a credible and independ- numbers of many Indian minis- isters, senior political figures
A graduate in mechanical 1983 and became the chief min- refusal to provide him the Narayana, said the appointment Gowda said it couldn’t find any ent investigation. ters, politicians, activists, busi- and constitutional functionaries
engineering, Bommai was ister in 1988, after Ramakrishna opportunity to prove majority on of Bommai was a win-win situa- order that empowered another On Monday, the Mamata nessmen and journalists were which may contain sensitive
elected as a member of the Kar- Hedge had to resign over snoop- the floor of the House. tion for all stakeholders in the officer to lead the probe. Banerjee-led Trinamool Con- among the 50,000 numbers that information have been targeted.”
nataka legislative council in 1998 ing charges. The selection of junior Bom- party. “First of all, he is a Linga-
and 2004 from Dharwad. He was However, his socialist father is mai comes after several pontiffs yat, which takes care of the
thrice elected to Karnataka legis- best remembered for a landmark from Lingayat mutts in the state party’s biggest vote bank. He is
{ SOCIAL MEDIA EXEC } NEW IT RULES
lative assembly from the Shig-
gaon constituency in Haveri dis-
battle in the Supreme Court —
SR Bommai versus Union of
had warned the BJP central
command against removing
close to Yediyurappa, which
makes the veteran leader less SC slams Bengal over
trict in 2008, 2013 and 2018. India — that he fought for five Yediyurappa, a tall leader of the disgruntled about the new
Same person appointed
in 2 posts: Twitter to HC Covid orphan figures
This is the second time in the years after his government fell Lingayat community. The Linga- appointment. For Modi and
state’s political history that a following defections in 1989. The yat community forms close to Amit Shah, he is someone who
father-son duo has held the chief 1994 judgment in that case laid 16% of the state’s population and would be obedient, and since he
minister’s post -- after HD Deve down certain guidelines against has been a loyal vote base for the doesn’t have a strong ideological Abraham Thomas children who lost one parent,
Gowda in 1994 and HD Kumar- the misuse of Article 356 of the BJP. His appointment is expected background, even the RSS can NEW DELHI : Twitter has day; he was designated as resi- and 247 who were abandoned.
letters@[Link]
aswamy in 2006 and 2018. The Constitution by the central gov- to appease the community, push their agenda through him,” appointed the same person as dent grievance officer. West Bengal reported 27
incoming CM’s father SR Bom- ernment to impose President’s according to BJP leaders. he said. the resident grievance officer Twitter, in a separate affidavit NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court orphans, 1,020 children who lost
(RGO) and the chief compliance filed on July 13, told the court on Tuesday said it was not pre- a parent, and three who were
officer (CCO) in India, the social that they have appointed an pared to believe that in a big abandoned. Additional solicitor
media company told the Delhi Indian resident as the CCO and state such as West Bengal, only general KM Nataraj termed this

Sidhu calls on Amarinder to flag ‘key issues’ high court in an affidavit filed
earlier this month.
After being asked for it by the
RGO whose services have been
taken via a third party contrac-
tor. The official, the company
27 children lost both parents due
to Covid-19 since April 1, 2020,
and called for a response by the
figure “unrealistic”. A bench of
Justices L Nageswara Rao and
Aniruddha Bose said, “The infor-
Press Trust of India Separately, Sidhu’s PPCC told the newly constituted state HC in a hearing on July 8, Twit- added, would perform functions secretary of the state women and mation that is filtering to us does
released a letter it handed over Congress leadership that all the ter’s Vinay Prakash filed his per- and duties as per applicable law. child welfare department to give not appear to be credible and
letters@[Link]
to the chief minister at the meet- key issues of concern raised by sonal affidavit on July 13 disclos- The company added it would the correct particulars. reliable. We are not prepared to
CHANDIGARH: Newly appointed ing, reminding him also of the them were already in advanced ing that he is the resident griev- require two weeks to appoint a The figure came to light in an believe this figure that in a big
Punjab Congress president Nav- need for a “decisive” leadership stages of resolution by his gov- ance officer as well as the chief nodal contact officer (NCO) affidavit filed by National Com- state like West Bengal, only 27
jot Singh Sidhu and the four in the state. ernment, which had been work- compliance officer for Twitter – through a third party. mission for Protection of Child children were orphaned.”
working presidents met chief The Congress state unit ing on them in close coordina- an appointment mandated Twitter asked for eight weeks Rights (NCPCR) in a suo motu Advocate Sayandeep Pahari,
minister Captain Amarinder sought “immediate action” on tion with the party,” Amarinder under the Information Technol- to appoint the CCO, RGO and petition heard by the top court appearing for Bengal, said it was
Singh on Tuesday, demanding Navjot Singh Sidhu and the 2015 desecration of the Guru Singh’s spokesperson said. ogy (IT) Rules, 2021. NCO as a direct employee and on for identification and rehabilita- an ongoing exercise. The bench
action on five ‘key issues’, only to Captain Amarinder Singh Granth Sahib and the police fir- The newly appointed state Prakash submitted that he is a permanent basis. tion of children who lost either said, “If you are steadfast in say-
be told by him that they are ing on protesters, arrest of the Congress chief was accompanied not an employee of Twitter and Advocate Akash Vajpai, for or both their parents during the ing 27 children became orphans
already in “advanced stages of following a long tussle between “big fish” in drug rackets, cancel- by working presidents Sangat had been engaged as a “contin- the petitioner, said that since the Covid-19 pandemic. in such a big state, we can order
resolution”. Sidhu and the chief minister. lation of power purchase agree- Singh Gilzian, Sukhwinder Singh gent worker” through a third new Rules do not mention or The NCPCR pointed out that an enquiry from an outside
This was the first meeting of Along with a statement on the ments, rejection of Centre’s new Danny, Pawan Goel and Kuljit party. In his affidavit, Prakash state in as many words that sep- from April 1, 2020 till July 23, agency.” Later, advocate Suhaan
the top Punjab Pradesh Congress meeting, the chief minister’s farm laws and demands by gov- Singh Nagra when he met the said that he was appointed as arate officers have to be 2021, the special portal of NCPCR Mukherjee appeared for the
Committee (PPCC) team since office also released a picture of ernment employees. chief minister at the Civil Secre- chief compliance officer by Twit- appointed, Twitter has taken called ‘Balswaraj’ obtained state and sought an opportunity
the revamp in the organisation, the two shaking hands. “However, the chief minister tariat. ter on July 6 while on the next advantage of this grey area. HTC details of 6,855 orphans, 68,218 to come with updated figures.

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MUMBAI
WEDNESDAY
JULY 28, 2021 My India 07
Mamata calls on PM, seeks Recall Maha governor:
Congress to Centre
Homage
all-party meet on Pegasus
IN LOVING MEMORY
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra Con- favour of the Bharatiya Janata
gress has raised a strong objec- Party (BJP). If he has political
tion to the statements by Maha- aspirations, he should first
rashtra governor Bhagat Singh resign from the constitutional
Saubhadra Chatterji asked him to expedite the Koshyari on former prime min- post. The Centre should recall
change in name of West Bengal ister late Pandit Jawaharlal him immediately,” said Patole.
letters@[Link]
(to Bangla) since the proposal Nehru. Terming Koshyari’s Maharashtra BJP vice-presi-
NEW DELHI: “The Lok Sabha has been pending for more than remarks as an insult to the peo- dent Madhav Bhandari said,
election is a long way from now three years.” The two leaders ple of the country, Maharashtra “Patole’s demand to recall the
— but the planning has to be also discussed the Pegasus issue. Congress chief Nana Patole honourable governor is a politi-
done in advance,” West Bengal While the PM-CM meeting demanded that the Union Minis- cal stunt. It’s an attempt to show-
chief minister and Trinamool was more about the state’s try of Home Affairs call him case loyalty towards the Gandhi-
Congress chief Mamata Baner- development issues, Banerjee’s back immediately. Nehru families. There is nothing
jee said on the second day of her Delhi visit is also aimed at con- Koshyari on Monday had crit- wrong in criticising Nehru.”
five-day visit to the national solidating her position in the icised Nehru. “I admire Pandit Patole has also demanded the Late SHRI P. GOPALAKRISHNAN
capital, explicitly stating what Opposition camp and to explore Nehru, but he had the biggest Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi First Anniversary
many see as one of the main the possibilities of more Opposi- weakness. He wanted to become (MVA) government to go for a A visionary who looked into the future
objectives of her visit, the first tion unity with an eye on the a messenger of peace and release judicial probe in the Pegasus DEPARTED FROM US ON THIS DAY
after her party returned to 2024 general election. pigeons. Due to this weakness, case. “The Centre has failed to
power in the state, defeating the “I am always hopeful of an the nation has become weak and order an inquiry into the Pega- “A man is not dead while his name is still
Bharatiya Janata Party. Opposition unity. We will defi- remained in the same position sus row even after it came to the spoken and let us not say in grief that he
On Tuesday, she met three nitely have a meeting of all for a long period,” he remarked. light that hundreds of influential has gone but let us thank that he was ours
senior Congress leaders, Kamal opposition parties but only after “Nehruji’s contribution to the people were under surveillance. and forever a leader of this winning team.”
Nath, Anand Sharma and Covid-19 subsides. Soniaji has country after independence The MVA should initiate an With Memories
Abhishek Singhvi. Party general called me tomorrow over tea. helped India in becoming self-re- inquiry by a retired high court Smt. Ramalakshmi Gopalakrishnan,
secretary Abhishek Banerjee West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee meets Prime We will have chai pe charcha,” liant in the world. The hatred judge on the lines of the probe Muthu Subramanian G (Son),
and poll strategist Prashant Kis- Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday. PTI the Bengal CM said, riffing off toward him is the preaching of announced by the Mamata Navaneetha G (Daughter), Family
hor were also present in some the series of events Modi held the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Banerjee government in Bengal. Members, Directors &
of the meetings. According to jee said after her meeting with said that Modi even asked under that branding ahead of Sangh (RSS) and reflects in the “I think the state should admit Employees of TVM Signalling &
Transportation Systems Pvt Ltd
one of the leaders who met her, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Banerjee if she is still walking the 2014 polls. governor’s remarks. The gover- Patole’s demand. A probe should
the meetings were primarily that the government should call 20km a day, to which the chief Banerjee will not go to the nor is expected to act as a consti- also be conducted into Patole’s
focused on ways to strengthen an all-party meeting and sup- minister replied that she now Central Hall of Parliament as tutional head of the state by ris- allegations that his phones, too,
Opposition unity. She is sched- ported calls for a Supreme walks only 18km a day. reported in some quarters, but ing above politics. However, were being tapped,” remarked
uled to meet Congress president Court-monitored probe. During her interaction with she is expected to meet Shiv Koshyariji’s statements exhibit Bhandari, hinting at Patole’s
Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday for “I sought time from the PM the Prime Minister, Banerjee Sena leaders, the NCP’s Sharad the ideology of a particular orga- allegations that he was kept
what she called “chai pe char- after winning for the third time sought more Covid-19 vaccine Pawar and other opposition nisation. He has been acting under surveillance by allies Sena
cha” (a conversation over tea). with the blessings of the peo- doses for her state. The TMC leaders. When reminded about against the government and in and Nationalist Congress. HTC
Amid furious protests over ple,” she said, adding that the claims that as against a quota of how personal aspirations have
the hacking of phones of jour- two chatted for “more than half 7.5 million doses, Bengal, with a often ruined grand alliances,
nalists, politicians, activists, an hour” and that Prime Minis- population of 110 million people, she evaded talk of leadership
businessmen, and others using ter Modi was in a “good mood”. has received only 2.3 million issues and quipped, “The coun-
military-grade spyware, Baner- A Trinamool Congress leader doses thus far in July. “I also try will lead.”

India sees you with pride: Prez

HT Correspondent “The whole of India is
watching you with admiration
letters@[Link]
and pride. Kashmiri youth are
SRINAGAR: President Ram scaling new heights in a variety
Nath Kovind on Tuesday said of sectors, from civil service
that democracy has the capac- exams to sports and entrepre-
ity to reconcile all differences neurial ventures,” he said, add-
and bring out the best of citi- ing that he wishes to see the
zens’ potentials, and that the Valley as paradise on earth.
people of Kashmir were “hap- “I am squarely banking on
pily” realising this vision. President Ram Nath Kovind the younger generation of
The President also asserted Jammu and Kashmir to realise
that Kashmir is bound to this dream which I am sure
acquire its rightful place as the racy lets you build your own will come true sooner than
crowning glory of India and future, a peaceful and prosper- later. Kashmir is bound to
the younger generation will ous tomorrow. The youth and acquire its rightful place as the
slowly realise this dream. women especially have high crowning glory of India,” he
Speaking at the 19th annual stakes in it, and I am sure they said.
convocation of University of will not let go of this opportu- The President, who arrived
Kashmir at Sheri Kashmir nity to rebuild lives and in Srinagar on Sunday for a
International Convocation rebuild Kashmir.” four-day visit to the Union Ter-
Centre (SKICC), Kovind said: Kovind also said exciting ritory, also urged the younger
“Kashmir, happily, is already new possibilities are opening generation to learn from Kash-
realising this vision. Democ- up in the region. mir’s rich legacy.

NORTH CENTRAL RAILWAY, PRAYAGRAJ

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08 MUMBAI
WEDNESDAY
JULY 28, 2021

Opinion

{ OUR TAKE }
E STA B L I S H E D I N 1 9 24
Liberal democracies
Covid-19: The must stand up
economic costs Develop norms on
surveillance, nudge
authoritarianism. latory restrictions”. That the list of
An assault on civil liberties any- over 55 countries, presumably,
where erodes the freedoms enjoyed excludes at least some of the 10 fea-

It pushed people from a more productive urban partners, take on by people everywhere. For this rea- tured in the revelations invites atten-
son, anyone concerned about their tion. Pegasus should mark the tipping point in the debate that started after the
economy to a less productive rural sector dictatorships, and hold basic freedoms has a stake in the Israel is the second and equally 9/11 terror attacks on the extent to which the civil liberties can be sacrificed
issue. However, leadership on this important actor on ground zero. The in the name of national security. Terrorism remains a potent threat, but it
Israel and NSO issue will have to be provided by lib- report claims that an agency of has been overshadowed by different forms of authoritarianism AFP

T
he Indian economy experienced an unpre- accountable eral democratic forces. Governments, Israel’s ministry of defence “strictly
cedented contraction of 24.4% in the quarter world leaders, political parties, orga- restricts the licensing of Pegasus”, The most insidious aspects of Pega- authoritarian forces and assert that

A
s revelations from Proj- nisations and citizens committed to independently analysing potential sus appear to be its “zero-click” constitutional governments that guar-
ending June 2020 due to the 68-day-long ect Pegasus continue to 21st century ideas of human freedom buyers from a “human rights perspec- attacks and the near-absolute effi- antee and verifiably ensure human
lockdown that was imposed on March 24 to make global headlines, need to step up. tive”. On witness here is a compli- ciency with which it compromises the freedoms are valuable, desirable and
curb the spread of Covid-19. That employment one is reminded of a What can be done? cated terrain; a sovereign State has targeted device, exposing unsuspect- preferable.
term the former and late Start by building a norm. Prioritise used its privilege as an international ing citizens to vulnerabilities. Pegasus Over the past decade, as they have
suffered during this period is a given. The urban United States (US) secre- a frank and decisive conversation actor to regulate the business of a should mark the tipping point in the confronted authoritarian major pow-
unemployment rate increased from 8.9% in April- tary of defense, Donald Rumsfeld, around the impact of tech- niche private product meant global debate that started after the 9/11 ers such as China and Russia, liberal
June 2019 to 20.9% in the same period in 2020, as per used in 2002 — “unknown nologies such as Pegasus on exclusively for use by other terror attacks on the extent to which democracies have accommodated
unknowns”. human freedoms. A start sovereign States but with a the civil liberties of citizens can be authoritarian centralisers of various
the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) for the We don’t know what we don’t know can be made on ground high risk of abuse that could sacrificed in the name of national hues across Europe, West Asia and
April-June 2020 period released in March. But since about the extent of the surveillance zero. There is a case for mar inter-State relations, security. Two decades ago, the defin- South Asia. They have praised the
the quarterly PLFS numbers do not include rural undertaken using the Pegasus spy- ascertaining the accounta- harm civil liberties and ing challenge before the progressive democracy of their strategic partners,
ware and the damage it has done to bility of the NSO Group. On Atul encourage authoritarianism. world was terrorism. Terrorism but hesitated to draw attention to
areas, they did not reveal the entire employment the lives and dignity of its unsuspect- June 30, it released its first- As a responsible member remains a potent threat, but it has eroding civil liberties within partner
story. The annual PLFS report for July 2019-June ing targets. But there is enough now ever Transparency and Mishra of the international commu- been overshadowed by different democracies. They have, thus, played
2020, released last week, gives a better idea of the in the public domain for everyone Responsibility Report in nity, Israel will be expected forms of authoritarianism. To meet their part in creating a worldwide cul-
concerned about civil liberties glo- which it showcases its com- to explain the alleged lapses, this challenge, liberal democratic for- ture of impunity in which authoritar-
lockdown’s impact on employment, and corrobo- bally to abandon hand-wringing and mitment to human rights and privacy and not merely to France. And as a ces need to reclaim the ground that ian aids such as Pegasus are enabled
rates anecdotal accounts of reverse migration to attempt a meaningful pushback. as it sells what is reportedly the most beacon of democracy and human they have conceded. and deployed.
rural areas in distress. Urban jobs fell by 11.05 It is easy to be lost in the specifics of invasive spyware currently on the sur- rights in West Asia, it must feel obli- In the near term, they must push The revelations present an oppor-
the regimes that are suspected to have veillance market. gated to revisit the arrangement for a norm against surveillance tech- tunity to liberal governments to push
million between April-June 2019 and April-June used Pegasus against targets that The report is candid in many between its sovereign authority and nologies — which effectively are back against authoritarianism, firstly
2020, while rural jobs increased by 14.67 million in were or are, evidently, neither “major respects, but also interesting. For Pegasus. weapons — that cause unjustifiable of friends and partners, and draw a
the same period. The share of employment in agricu- criminals” nor “terrorists” — two cat- instance, it says that the company The problematic nature of the NSO and irreversible harm to human line on unaccountable surveillance.
egories of actors that the developer of rejected over $300 million in sales Group-Pegasus-Israel linkage should beings. There is precedent for this in They mustn’t squander it.
lture increased in 2019-20. This is unprecedented. Pegasus, NSO Group, claims it is opportunities after vetting its poten- be seen as an illustration of the global the realm of chemical, biological, and
Real wages fell for most workers, the highest for the meant for. Regardless of whether a tial customers — “states and state challenge that liberal democratic for- even nuclear weapons. But this norm- Atul Mishra teaches international
self-employed category during April-June 2020 regime was democratic or authoritar- agencies” — on human rights and has ces need to confront — the need to setting agenda must be backed by a relations at Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-
ian, the fact is that the gratuitous use decided to not do business with over draw a line on unaccountable surveil- political reorientation. Liberal demo- NCR. His book, The Sovereign Lives of
period. Average number of hours worked of Pegasus has fatally harmed civil lib- 55 countries for reasons such as lance technologies that have unprece- cratic governments need to abandon India and Pakistan, will be out in August
fell across categories. erties and deepened the hold of “human rights, corruption, and regu- dented invasive power. their diffidence in dealings with The views expressed are personal
In short, the labour market faced a multi-pronged
squeeze. It is easy to miss these nuances if one looks

Learn to tackle China’s

at the headline employment numbers for 2019-20.
They show an improvement in labour force { RAM NATH KOVIND } PRESIDENT
participation rate and a decline in the unemploy-
P
ment rate, creating a misleading picture of labour
markets. The latest PLFS findings have brought to
the fore the fact that vulnerabilities in Indian labour
‘discourse power’ Democracy…. has within it the
markets might not reflect themselves in the most n China’s strategic lexicon, might is right vis-a-vis the contentious border dispute. New
capacity to reconcile all
commonly tracked statistic — the unemployment
rate. In a country which has little in terms of social
security, staying unemployed is not an option. The
pandemic pushed people from the more productive
I but might is essential to earn the “right to Delhi has understood that China will leave no
speak”. President Xi Jinping’s message to stone unturned to show that it was on the
Chinese citizens and the world, as the Chi- right side of history, given the emphasis the
nese Communist Party (CCP) celebrated its CCP’s centenary celebrations have placed on
march to the next century, seemed to stress “correct” versions of its deemed successes.
differences and also the capacity
to bring out the best of the
citizens’ potential. Kashmir,
on this theme repeatedly. Aside from the dei- Yet, looking at China’s efforts from a nar-
urban economy to the less productive rural sector. happily, is already realising

A
fication of the Xi era and CCP, if one breaks row propaganda lens would be a folly — for
This is also reflected in the per worker output in down the centenary’s themes to, say, bumper the stakes for India are much higher, more
agriculture in real terms, which went down from stickers, the following would sum it up — we nuanced and across multiple domains. this vision.
have arrived; we will not be bullied; the party First, India is an open society where Chi-
₹1.18 lakh in 2018-19 to ₹1.02 lakh in 2019-20 (July- is always right/the party is forever. nese officials have always had the opportunity
June period). A rise in demand for work under the In Chinese frameworks, a country’s huayu- to push their narrative in a vibrant and noisy
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment quan or right to speak or the power/ media environment. Often, there is

The vaccination drive is

authority to speak is essentially a no reciprocity given the absence of a
Guarantee Scheme also tells the same story. form of power equivalent to military level-playing field on the Chinese
PLFS numbers after the April-June 2020 period and economic power, “with dis- side as they wield an iron fist with
are not available. Even quarterly reports will not course as its carrier”. Yet, for all of their State-controlled information
have information on rural labour markets. But PLFS
numbers suggest what to expect. Restoring growth is
not going to be enough to revive the econom. Covid-
China’s gains in hard power and
material strength, it has always felt
lacking in “discourse power” relative
to the West.
Shruti
Pandalai
flow. This awareness is yet to be
internalised in India and requires
constant calling out.
Two, unlike earlier perceptions
entering a challenging
19 distributive consequences are equally adverse.
That the Centre has not offered much in terms of
So, China has invested heavily in
telling “an overwhelmingly positive”
that India does not occupy mind-
space in China, Galwan proved Bei-
story of its history. Purged of failures, this his- jing’s India policy is not monolithic. Scholar-
tory credits the party for China’s strides and ship has highlighted a trend of growing antag-
phase. Change strategy
direct fiscal support and its tax burden has become
leading the Chinese people “from one victory onism and a pessimistic outlook regarding the espite improvements in daily vacci- Such incentives are relevant only for a class

D
more regressive will only worsen the situation. to another on an unstoppable march towards future of India-China relations. An enduring nation numbers and the promise of that perhaps doesn’t even require such incen-
national rejuvenation”. This narrative is portrayal of “an obstructionist India”, an inev- increased supply, challenges persist tives. The vast rural and poor sections, if any-
essential to maintaining the infallibility of the itable rivalry, “successor of a colonial order”, in India’s vaccination drive. First, thing, receive subtle disincentives to get vacci-
party-State and is seen as central to its domes- “hegemon with a Monroeist doctrine towards there is a rural-urban disparity (which, to be nated and cliched health education messages

Assam-Mizoram: A tic legitimacy. South Asia” and “peddling the US-Indo Pacific
But Xi has also wanted China’s discourse Strategy” have taken root and are important
power to resonate externally — China’s story, markers of China’s framing.
sure, is narrowing) in per capita vaccination aimed at reducing vaccine hesitancy. The
numbers, and second, there are intermittent immediate implication of this is the need to
“dry” days in some parts of the country when reduce the private sector’s share in total man-

systemic breakdown on China’s terms, and Chinese ideas setting Three, when China speaks of dominating
the global agenda. From the 19th party con- the information domain, it also means
gress in 2017 onwards, Xi has consistently supremacy over the electronic and cyber
lack of supplies brings the vaccination proc- ufactured vaccines that stands at 25%. This
ess to a halt. will only become more important with time
But India may be headed for a more serious since private vaccination will only grow inac-
demanded that Chinese discourse power domain. Reports of repeated cyber attacks on problem. Vaccination is indeed a function of cessible and irrelevant as the size of the well-
n Monday, Assam and Mizoram clashed over a underwrite the promotion of the “China India’s critical infrastructure, including in the vaccine supplies. However, there is no reason off beneficiaries shrinks relative to that of the

O disputed boundary. Five policemen and one

civilian (all from Assam) were killed and 50
others were injured. The bloodiest-ever incident
model”, and project its ability to “influence banking, defence and the financial sector, and
global values, governance, and even day-to- the high-profile alleged targeting of the Maha-
day discussions on the world stage”. rashtra electricity grid during the ongoing
Within China’s borders, discourse power is boundary crisis are not coincidences.
to assume that the relationship is
linear. With time, despite the
increase in supplies, the relative
returns in the form of increasing
poor, hesitant, and hard-to-reach
beneficiaries.
However, there is no reason to
believe that all will be well with pub-
between the two states was the culmination of the a potent tool of the State, but when expanded Four, despite India maintaining that it can vaccination numbers may diminish. lic sector vaccination either. The
to the international system, there are long- no longer delink peace and tranquillity on the This is due to the interplay of multi- Inverse Care Law applies, albeit
discontent that had been simmering since 2020 over term repercussions. The emphasis here is not border from other aspects of the relationship, ple factors. In mass public health weakly, to the public sector as well.
Soham D
incidents of violence and Assam’s residents blocking on dialogue, but on the “contestation of ideas” China’s insistence on compartmentalising the campaigns, initial returns are often Government services by default also
which have underwritten widely accepted relationship while keeping multiple fronts on high on account of governments Bhaduri reach easily accessible and affluent
NH-306, the lifeline to Mizoram, for 12 days.
universal values and norms, institutions, and the Line of Actual Control alive exemplifies reaching the easily accessible sec- areas first, and subsequent accre-
Mizoram has accused Assam Police of entering its governance models. There is no space for coercive tactics. China’s psy-ops over “Aruna- tions quickly, and rapid coverage of tions often follow the same pattern.
territory, indulging in violence, and claimed that it reform or consensus in this narrative. It is chal Pradesh’s slow pace of development” in the affluent and the non-hesitant population. Further, governments are swift in rolling
only retaliated after tear gas canisters and grenades about proving that all prior methods for solv- comparison to the development of model vil- The rate of gains diminishes as the challenge out negative incentives (such as penalties for
ing the world’s problems have failed while lages and the first electric train close to the of reaching the inaccessible and hesitant sec- non-vaccination) rather than positive incen-
were hurled by Assam’s forces. Assam has blamed China offers one with better solutions which border on its side, and publicising the decision tions increasingly looms large. For India, this tives (such as rewards), since the former are
Mizoram for breaching existing agreements and it has applied successfully domestically. to build a controversial multibillion dollar is particularly crucial to avoid this since such more feasible administratively and economi-
status quo, and accused the Mizoram Police of firing China’s discourse power represents the hydropower dam on the Brahmaputra river in a decrease could be coterminus with the cally. Such negative incentives, unless
party-State as the righteous leader in the Tibet, are all par for the course. emergence of newer variants and fresh waves designed carefully, can adversely affect the
on its forces and civilians using light machine guns. international space. Concepts such as a “com- Finally for India, while managing the China of Covid-19. acceptance of vaccines by communities.
A clash of this nature between two states represents munity of shared future”, Made in China relationship will be guided by its policy of In such circumstances, incentives to pro- Nonetheless, they are destined to remain
a constitutional breakdown. And the fact that the 2025’s goal of dominating global science and building its internal capacity, diversifying and mote vaccination (in addition to free or subsi- important tools in the arsenal owing to their
tech, and the creation of international finan- leveraging external partnerships and keeping dised vaccines) could become crucial to speed relative simplicity. Additionally, throwing in
clash played out on Twitter, with chief ministers of cial institutions aim to project the ability to channels of dialogue open, the CCP’s show of up the vaccination drive. In 1971, Julian Tudor some positive incentives for vaccination
both states sparring and urging home minister Amit deliver an alternative solution to global needs. strength is also a reminder to heed the advice Hart wrote in The Lancet about the “Inverse would be necessary to ensure a judicious mix.
Shah to intervene, represents a political and institu- With a military budget of $209 billion, and of practitioners and invest in capabilities to Care Law”, which describes a inverse relation- It will be imperative to remember, however,
massive investments in the grand Belt and understand China better. From language ship between the need for health care and its that even government incentives will be far
tional failure. Mizoram’s border dispute with Assam Road Initiative as well the Health Silk Route, training to understanding what the CCP’s availability. In other words, those who most easier to extend to the easily accessible and
goes back to 1972 when the former was first carved China’s national rejuvenation is showcased as “weapon of influenc” United Front Work need medical care are least likely to receive it. well-off sections than the poor and margina-
out as a Union Territory (it became a state in 1987). adding value to global governance. Department, can do to affect Indian interests, Conversely, those with the least need of health lised, and careful planning must ensure that
However, beyond persuasion, Chinese dis- we need to dig deep. care tend to use health services more (and the latter are not left out. The fight against
Assam also has border disputes with Meghalaya, course power is all about the power to prevail China’s discourse politics will target multi- more effectively). Covid-19 is a long-drawn-out battle, and so is
Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. With states in the across the diplomatic, economic, military, ple fault lines in India. To prevail, New Delhi A similar analogy can be drawn to the Cov- the endeavour to vaccinate a huge population.
region either ruled by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cyber and technological domains. It has mani- must create awareness and shore up its defen- id-19 vaccination. It is well-known that the The closer we draw to the finishing line, the
fested in the People’s Liberation Army tactics ces to push back against the renewed Chinese private market allocates vaccines inequitably, more challenging it will become. Tackling this
governments or, as in the case of Mizoram, by of information warfare across the spectrum, ambition to dominate mind games and with the rich getting vaccines more easily will entail ingenuity and responsiveness on
constituents of the North East Democratic Alliance, a including on the China-United States (US) project its power. than the poor. However, the private market the part of policymakers.
BJP-led platform, there were expectations that the split, Taiwan, aggression in the South China also inequitably allocates incentives for vacci-
Sea, technology wars and deflection on the Shruti Pandalai is a fellow at the Manohar Parrikar nation. This is visible today: Gyms, pizza out- Soham D Bhaduri is a physician, health policy
issues would get resolved. Monday is a wake-up call Covid-19 crisis. Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses lets, and big corporate employers are increas- expert, and chief editor, The Indian Practitioner
for the Centre and the states in the region. For India, this has been especially visible The views expressed are personal ingly offering incentives to get vaccinated. The views expressed are personal

RNI No. MAHENG/2005/15186, Air Surcharge : Ahmedabad, Nagpur and beyond by Rail or Road - Rs. 2 /-.
Printed and published by DINESH MITTAL for and on behalf of HT Media Ltd., 9th Floor, Tower 3, Indiabulls Finance Centre, Senapati Bapat Marg, Elphinstone Road (West), Mumbai-400013 at
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MUMBAI
WEDNESDAY
JULY 28, 2021 My India 09
{ INTERVIEW } MANOJ SINHA, J&K LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
C’GARH MINISTER
WALKS OUT OF
ASSEMBLY OVER
Bill to acquire C’garh COVID 2ND WAVE
NOT OVER: CENTRE
ISSUES WARNING People must have faith in
ALLEGATIONS OF
ATTACKING MLA college triggers row HT Correspondent
letters@[Link] govt’s promise of statehood
Ritesh Mishra Chaubey said this wasn’t true. NEW DELHI: With 22 districts in
Ritesh Mishra “The aim is to benefit people seven Indian states reporting an n the run-up to the second lakh crore last year and ₹90,000

I
[Link]@[Link]
letters@[Link] of the entire state of Chhattis- increase in Covid-19 cases when anniversary of the abroga- crore before that... Despite this,
RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh health garh. Secondly, to open a new compared to last month, NITI tion of Article 370, and 970 villages do not have road
minister TS Singh Deo on Tues- RAIPUR: A controversy has medical college, we need around Aayog member (health) Dr VK against the backdrop of connectivity, many places don’t
day walked out of the legislative erupted in Chhattisgarh over the ₹500 crore only for infrastruc- Paul on Tuesday warned that the recent outreach efforts by the even have grid electricity. We
assembly demanding that his Bhupesh Baghel government’s ture. This college has got permis- second wave of the pandemic Union government, Jammu & haven’t been able to organise
government issue a “clear state- plan to acquire a privately run sion of Medical Council of India was not over. Kashmir Lieutenant Governor clean drinking water for many.
ment” addressing accusations medical college, with the opposi- and they have already got infra- “There are some districts that Manoj Sinha spoke to Hindu- This is the misfortune of J&K.
that he was behind an attack on tion Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) structure hence we are acquiring have seen an increase in cases stan’s Shashi Shekhar on his We launched a ‘Back to the Vil-
fellow Congress legislator Bri- alleging that the decision, high- it at half its actual price.” over the last four weeks. It may administration’s plans and strat- lage’ programme and kept a tar-
haspat Singh, triggering a crisis lighted in a media report on Bhupesh Baghel Dev Chandrakar, who is on be an aberration but it is a cause egies, during a long conversation get of identifying two young peo-
for the ruling Congress party in Tuesday morning, was designed the college’s board of directors, of concern. There is still a vul- at the Raj Bhawan in Srinagar. ple from every panchayat and
the state. to bail out the loss-making col- family into which Baghel’s said the family of the chief min- nerable population across our Edited excerpts: providing them self-employment
Tuesday was the second day lege because it was run by a daughter is married. ister’s son-in-law was not linked country. This is not the time for and offered a loan of up to ₹10
of the monsoon session, which board that has one of the chief The Opposition alleged the with the college in any way. mass gatherings and large festi- My tongue fumbles as I try we completed over 16,000 pro- lakh at a subsidised rate. We
has witnessed sharp exchanges minister’s relatives as a member. government was pushing the The board only asked the gov- vals. The second wave is not to say ‘Lieutenant Gover- jects and this year, this number were able to provide loans to
between the treasury and oppo- Chief minister Baghel on deal to help the loss-making col- ernment to acquire the college over,” he said at the health min- nor.’ When would I be able will reach 30,000...We are mov- 19,873 people. Of these, 4500 are
sition benches over the alleged Tuesday tweeted his rebuttal, lege. since “we were not able to run istry briefing. to address you as Mr Gov- ing towards a new J&K. women. We have a target of pro-
attack that occurred on July 24 insisting that his only aim was to BJP spokesperson Gauri it”, he said, declining to elabo- Of the 22 districts that are still ernor? viding loans to 50,000 people for
in Surguja district. Singh, the leg- save the medical college and Shankar Srivas said public inter- rate. reporting a surge in cases, seven I will try to give a direct What about Kashmiri Pan- self-employment.
islator from Ramanujanj, alleged benefit the state’s students. “By est clearly wasn’t driving the Baghel, who put out a string of are in Kerala, five in Manipur, answer. You want to know when dits…
that a vehicle in his convoy was acquiring [it], we will save the government’s hand. tweets in defence of the decision, three in Meghalaya and Aruna- it [Jammu & Kashmir] will get Let me share two facts about There are complaints that
attacked by three people, includ- time to open a new medical col- “This is a serious issue… We did not give details of the bill but chal Pradesh each, two in Maha- the status of statehood? Home Kashmiri Pandits with you. The announcements have been
ing a relative of the health minis- lege and we will get 150 doctors will raise the issue in the state underscored that if the govern- rashtra, and one in Assam and minister Amit Shah has given a Government of India promised made for MSMEs, but the
ter. Singh Deo had denied the every year,” he said. assembly and knock on the ment concludes that something Tripura each. clear assurance in Parliament to create 6,000 jobs and build banks don’t disburse
charge and said that he had Chhattisgarh health minister doors of the high court if needed. is in the public interest, it will “There is an increase being that statehood will be 6,000 houses. Today, except 164 loans…
instructed the police to take TS Singh Deo is slated to intro- This government is benefitting acquire a private medical college noted in other countries of the announced at the appropriate posts that are vacant, everybody There is no such complaint in
strict action against the perpe- duce a bill in the state assembly their relatives which is a matter as well as the plant in Nagarnar, world as well. Our neighbours time. The Prime Minister also else has got a job. As far as Jammu and Kashmir. Secondly,
trators. “Yesterday (Monday), the on Wednesday that seeks to of concern.” a reference to his government’s like Malaysia and Thailand are said this when he addressed the accommodation is concerned, we are setting up youth clubs in
chief minister (Bhupesh Baghel) acquire the privately-owned Janata Congress Chhattisgarh offer to buy the National Mineral also reporting high number of nation. Recently, when repre- 1,800 flats are being built quickly the panchayat. Through these,
had called us to his chamber and Chandulal Chandrakar Memo- president Amit Jogi claimed the Development Corporation-run cases, so we cannot relax. We sentatives of various political as one-room sets that will be we are initiating skill develop-
a discussion took place [on the rial Medical College (CCMH) in college has an outstanding debt steel plant if the Centre wants to may be tired, the virus is not,” parties met in Delhi on June 24, complete in six, seven months... ment at a very rapid pace, in
alleged rift]. Even after that, a Durg district. of ₹125 crore and was not recog- divest its share. said Agarwal. the question was raised again. But I believe just jobs and association with Tata Technol-
limited statement (from the According to its website, the nised by the Medical Council of “As far as benefiting family Dr Paul said that the guard Even there the home minister accommodation are not enough ogy. Children are being provided
home minister) came before the college, named after senior Con- India since 2017. members is concerned, I want to must be kept up even as more repeated that statehood will be to rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits. 360-degree training in financial
House,” Singh Deo said. “I do not gress leader and five-time Mem- ”If after all this, the govern- tell the people of the state, and more people are getting vac- given at the appropriate time. We have taken a number of deci- services along with the Bombay
believe that I am in a position to ber of Parliament Chandulal ment is acquiring the college, it Bhupesh Baghel is accountable cinated because it doesn’t always You will understand the signifi- sions that will create a conducive Stock Exchange.
attend the House till the govern- Chandrakar, was set up in 2013 is because of the chief minis- to them and always done politics prevent infection. cance of something said in the atmosphere for their return and
ment presents a clear reply on and is run by a 59-member ter’s relative,” Jogi said. of transparency...When the deal Till July 26, 105.6 million national parliament. I believe the rehabilitation. Secondly, we are Now drones are being used
the issue… I do not consider board. Among those on the Government spokesperson is done, everything will be clear,” doses of vaccine were adminis- people of the nation and Jammu going to take many other admin- for attacks. Why haven’t we
myself eligible to participate in board is a member of the joint and senior minister Ravindra he added. tered this month. and Kashmir must trust them. istrative decisions that will make been able to thwart the
the proceedings of this House till it convenient for them to return. conspiracy being hatched
the time the government does A number of promises You will see the results in the by foreign agencies to
not put out a clear reply in my were made to the people of next six months. worsen the situation in
context,” he said. { AHEAD OF COP26 } MEETING ON PARIS CLIMATE DEAL ISSUES J&K. You have even prom- Kashmir?
ised the homecoming of The unemployment rate in Drones have been seen in the

India skips key meet on climate crisis Kashmiri Pandits. When

will be the proper time for
their return?
Kashmir is almost double
the rest of the country.
How will you address this
last few months. A few drones
were shot down by BSF person-
nel, some were captured, partic-
Jayashree Nandi mate accord) ahead of the 26th On an official level we wanted to and concluding the Paris rule- I will come to the Kashmiri imbalance? ularly those being used for
UN Climate Change Conference participate virtually but we book.” The Paris rulebook is Pandit question later, but I Our unemployment rate was smuggling of arms and narcot-
letters@[Link]
of the Parties (COP26) in Glas- couldn’t because of various tech- basically the implementation would like to draw your atten- at 19.3 in March, which went up ics... As far as the international
NEW DELHI: India failed to attend gow this November. nical issues” said Gaurav Khare, guidelines to execute the Paris tion to the promises that were during the pandemic but the scenario is concerned, the minis-
a two-day meeting of 51 coun- The meeting was called by spokesperson, ministry of envi- Agreement. made and fulfilled in the last few new statistic for this month is try of external affairs and the
tries where key issues regarding COP26 president-designate, Alok ronment, forest and climate According to a note issued by years. A programme runs under 10.3 or 10.4. We are better than Centre will worry about it. What-
the Paris climate deal were dis- Sharma and India was invited change. the UK government on Monday, the name of Prime Minister Goa, Delhi and Rajasthan. ever needs to be fixed here is our
cussed over the weekend and following the G20 joint ministe- On the outcome of the minis- Sharma was quoted saying: “We Development Fund (PMDP). responsibility and we will do it
through Monday, according to rial on energy and climate last terial meeting, Sharma’s office made progress over these two After the bifurcation, develop- Why didn’t you name Uttar without any delay.
officials who cited technical dif- week. said: “Climate ministers have days. And there was a clear spirit ment projects worth ₹55,000 Pradesh?
ficulties. “We attended the G20 minis- taken a step forward towards a of cooperation. However, the crores are being run as part of It didn’t occur to me. If you Do you see any impact of
The meeting was closed-door terial and made our stand clear. successful COP26, as a con- issues we have discussed are this programme... Today J&K want to understand J&K, you the developments in
ministerial conference which The UK Climate ministerial was structive meeting in London complex. There are still signifi- has an IIT, an IIM, two central must know one fundamental Afghanistan here?
was meant to take stock of global right after that. It was being held concluded with countries com- cant differences that persist. We universities, and two All India fact: The population of J&K is 13 I have already made it clear
efforts to fight the climate crisis in the middle of the Parliament ing closer together on key issues have moved closer together. But Institutes of Medical Science are million and the budget passed by that we won’t wait for things to
and the efforts to limit warming session so it was decided that such as actions to keep the 1.5C still, on these vital issues we are being set up... Here I am talking Parliament is to the tune of ₹1.08 happen… whatever needs to be
to 1.5°C (as part of the Paris cli- this time we cannot be present. goal alive, adaptation finance not yet close enough.” about just one region. Last year lakh crore. The figure was ₹1 done, will be done.

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10 MUMBAI
WEDNESDAY
JULY 28, 2021

World
OVER AND OUT, AFTER 18 YEARS
US President Joe Biden and Iraqi PM Mustafa al-Kadhimi sealed a
deal to wrap up the US combat mission in Iraq by the end of
Mask up: CDC set A
l
to tell Americans
2021. It comes as America pulls its forces out of Afghanistan.
Here’s a look at what it means and what lies ahead

has warned that the US is mov- Beijing calls on WHO to

Officials likely to ask ing in the wrong direction in probe Fort Detrick lab A July 6, 2020 photo of
teachers, students, combating a new Covid wave China hit back at the US over the Tong Ying-kit. AP/FILE
spurred on by Delta. investigation into the origin of
staff at K-12 schools to CDC director Rochelle Walen- the Covid-19 virus, with Zhao First person tried
wear masks indoors sky is planning a press briefing Lijian, spokesperson of the coun-
under security law
where she’ll discuss break- try’s foreign affairs ministry,
regardless of Covid through infections in vaccinated suggesting on Monday that if found guilty in HK
vaccination status people and using masks to pre- labs are to be investigated, then HONG KONG: The first
vent further outbreaks in areas the World Health Organization person to be tried under
Agencies of substantial and high transmis- (WHO) should also probe Fort Hong Kong’s national
sion. Detrick, which is a military base security law was on
letters@[Link]
A growing number of public- in Maryland, US. Tuesday found guilty of
WASHINGTON/BEIJING : US health experts have urged the “If labs are to be investigated, secessionism and
health officials will return to agency to recommend that even then the WHO experts should go terrorism. Tong Ying-
tighter guidelines for the use of fully vaccinated people wear face to Fort Detrick. The US should kit, 24, is accused of
masks, advising that fully vacci- masks in public amid the resur- act transparently and responsi- driving his motorcycle
nated individuals wear them in gence of cases fed by the Delta bly as soon as possible and invite into a group of police
A girl sits near the headstones of those killed during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan public indoor settings in places variant of the coronavirus. WHO experts for an inquiry into officers while carrying a
at Arlington National Cemetery on May 31, 2021 in Virginia, US. AFP where the coronavirus is spread- Fauci said new recommenda- the Fort Detrick lab. Only in this flag bearing the slogan
ing rapidly as part of a response tions on face masks were under way can truth be revealed to the “Liberate Hong Kong,

2,500
Number of American troops
currently based in Iraq who to the spread of the Delta variant active consideration on CNN on world,” Zhao tweeted. The revolution of our times”
THE NEW DEAL THE ROAD EYE ON of Covid-19. Sunday. remark came in response to calls on July 1 last year. AP
AHEAD ELECTIONS are trying to counter the
Biden and Kadhimi The US Centers for Disease for a second round of investiga-
remnants of the Islamic
met in the Oval Office As per the deal, Biden extended US Control and Prevention (CDC) is China: Nanjing sealed off tion into the origin of the virus.
for face-to-face talks the new US role in support for elections to
State group in the country Koreas restore
expected to recommend that The city of Nanjing in eastern
as part of a strategic Iraq will only be be held in Iraq in teachers, staff, students and visi- China has been virtually sealed With inputs from hotlines, agree to

2003
The year when a US-led
dialogue. They sealed to train and October, saying that
coalition, under the watch of tors to K-12 schools wear masks off and residents advised to stay Sutirtho Patranobis improve relations
a deal for US combat advise the Iraqi Washington is working indoors regardless of vaccina- indoors after 31 new Covid-19 SEOUL: South and North
forces’ exit from Iraq President George W Bush,
military on closely with Baghdad, tion status, according to a pre- cases were reported on Tuesday Korea announced on

w
by the year end. No invaded Iraq, claiming that
defending itself Gulf Cooperation view of the guidance. Children in the past 24 hours, pushing the Tuesday that they have
exit date has been Saddam Hussein's govt had
against terrorist Council and UN to should return to full-time, total number of infections up to restored their once-
finalised yet weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). Saddam was ousted
organisations ensure polls are fair in-person learning in the fall 112 in the ongoing outbreak. severed hotlines as part
and then executed in 2006. But no WMDs were found READ: Unicef
with prevention strategies in Authorities said genetic sequen- of efforts by the two
place, the preview said. cing of the virus from the cluster says schools countries’ leaders to
“OUR ROLE IN IRAQ WILL BE… TO CONTINUE TO TRAIN, TO ASSIST, TO HELP AND TO DEAL WITH ISLAMIC STATE, AS IT Anthony Fauci, the nation’s turned out to be of the Delta vari- need to reopen, education at risk rebuild strained ties.
ARISES. BUT WE’RE NOT GOING TO BE, BY THE END OF THE YEAR, IN A COMBAT MISSION.” — Joe Biden, US President top infectious-disease expert, ant. South Korean President
Moon Jae-in and North
Korean leader Kim
Jong-un exchanged
{ SWEEPING FINANCIAL SCANDAL } TOP CARDINAL INDICTED
CAPITOL RIOT SAW
Pentagon chief: China’s ‘MEDIEVAL’ SCENES, Vatican in the dock: Biggest criminal
multiple letters since
April, agreeing to
rebuild trust. AGENCIES

RECOUNTS COP AS
SCS claims have no basis HEARING OPENS
WASHINGTON: The January 6 US
case in its modern history underway
57 migrants die
in shipwreck off
Libyan coast: UN
Agence France-Presse LLOYD AUSTIN’S which trillions of dollars in ship- Capitol attack by a mob of then Agencies that. Becciu, 73, is charged with GENEVA: At least 57
ping trade passes annually, with president Donald Trump’s sup- embezzlement and with press- people drowned on
letters@[Link] REMARKS ABOUT competing claims from Brunei, porters trying to overturn his letters@[Link]
ing a monsignor to recant infor- Monday after a boat
SINGAPORE: Pentagon chief CHINA CAME AS HE Malaysia, the Philippines, Tai- election loss featured harrowing VATICAN CITY: A trial opened on mation he supplied to prosecu- capsized off the Libyan
Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday UNDERTOOK HIS wan and Vietnam. violence resembling a “medieval Tuesday, within Vatican City’s tors about the handling of a dis- coast near Khums, the
that Beijing’s expansive claims in Beijing has been accused of battlefield”, a police officer hurt imposing walls, of 10 defendants astrous Vatican real estate latest tragedy in the
the South China Sea (SCS) have
FIRST TRIP OF deploying a range of military in the melee told a congressional including a once powerful cardi- investment in London. Becciu Mediterranean where
“no basis in international law”, SOUTHEAST ASIA hardware including anti-ship panel on Tuesday. nal in a case based on a sprawl- has denied any wrongdoing. more than 1,100 have
taking aim at China’s growing AS U.S. DEFENCE missiles and surface-to-air mis- At the Democratic-led House ing probe into the allegedly The presiding judge, Giuseppe perished this year, the
assertiveness in the hotly con- siles there, and ignored a 2016 of Representatives investigatory criminal management of the Pignatone, is a retired chief pros- UN’s International
tested waters.
SECRETARY international tribunal decision committee’s first hearing, the Holy See’s portfolio of assets, ecutor of Rome who earlier in Organization for
Austin’s broadside came at that declared its historical claim officer, Aquilino Gonell, including donations by countless his career took on the Mafia and Migration said. REUTERS
the start of his first trip to South- with several Southeast Asian over most of the waters to be described being pummelled by Catholics from the pews. economic wrongdoing in Sicily.
east Asia as US defence secre- states. without basis. rioters fired up by Trump’s Among the defendants is an To accommodate the largest Israeli minister to
tary, as he seeks to rally allies in “Beijing’s claim to the vast Tensions have escalated in claims that the election was sto- Italian prelate, Angelo Becciu, a criminal trial in the Vatican’s
the region as a bulwark to China. majority of the South China Sea recent months between Beijing len from him. long-time Vatican diplomat The dome of St. Peter's Basilica modern history, the hearings are discuss Pegasus
US President Joe Biden’s has no basis in international and rival claimants. “What we were subjected to whom Pope Francis raised to in Vatican City. AP being held in a large hall con- on visit to France
administration wants to reset law,” he said in a speech hosted Austin said that the US “will was like something from a medi- cardinal’s rank in 2018. After a verted into a courtroom in the JERUSALEM: Israeli
relations with Asian countries by the International Institute for not flinch when our interests are eval battlefield. We fought hand- web of scandals started unravel- a cardinal to be in the dock in Vatican Museums. Defendants defence minister Benny
and build alliances to face Bei- Strategic Studies think tank. threatened” - but he insisted to-hand and inch-by-inch to pre- ling during a two-year investiga- Vatican City state, which has its are alleged to have had various Gantz will meet his
jing, after the turbulence and “That assertion treads on the Washington does “not seek con- vent an invasion of the Capitol by tion, Francis gave Becciu the own justice system and even a roles in actions that effectively French counterpart in
unpredictability of the Donald sovereignty of the states in the frontation” with China. “I am a violent mob intent on subvert- boot last year as chief of the jail. But Francis had a Vatican cost the Holy See tens of millions Paris this week for talks
Trump era. region,” he said, adding that the committed to pursuing a con- ing our democratic process,” Catholic church’s saint-making law changed so that Vatican- of dollars in donated funds that will include an
Speaking in Singapore, Austin US would support countries in structive, stable relationship said Gonell, one of four police office. Francis also has removed based cardinals and bishops can through poor investments, deal- “update” on the Pegasus
criticised China’s actions in the defending their rights. with China, including stronger officers to testify. “The physical Becciu’s rights as a cardinal. be prosecuted and judged by the ings with shady money manag- spyware scandal, his
disputed sea, where Beijing has China claims almost all of the crisis communications with the violence we experienced was Less than three months ago, it Holy See’s lay criminal tribunal ers and purported favours to office has said. AFP
overlapping territorial claims resource-rich sea, through People’s Liberation Army.” horrific and devastating.” REUTERS would have been impossible for as long as the pontiff signs off on friends and family.

{ }
2 MORE... lems with the transportation of The district administrations and 4 in Sangli. Though water try is looking into it,” Union law SHOOTING CAMP ing in three events was part of round in mixed team at the
Swab samples of the health- the US-made machine. It will have been directed to identify level in most of the rivers in minister Kiren Rijiju said. “Both sides [Rana and Bhaker] the disagreement with Rana, Olympics.
care workers were sent for reach the city this week and we land for the rehabilitation of the western Maharashtra has The decades-old border dis- were not willing to work because who was not in favour of it. “It was our first Olympics.
genome sequencing to Council will be able to start genome villages that were devastated receded, Panchaganga river in pute sparked violent clashes on of various instances they cited,” “I have been competing in Sometimes you don’t have con-
of Scientific and Industrial sequencing at Kasturba Hospital because of the landslide. At least Kolhapur is still flowing at 45 Monday, prompting a public Raninder said. “The girl cited three events regularly and the trol over things when you try
Research-Institute of Genomics by the first week of August,” said 11 landslides were reported in feet against its danger level of 43 spat between the two CMs and something, parents said some- other event is completely differ- way too hard or expect things.”
and Integrative Biology (CSIR- Suresh Kakani, additional Raigad, Ratnagiri and Satara, feet. an intervention by Union home thing, and Jaspal in his defence ent. I am already preparing for The two teenagers stood
IGIB) in the first week of July municipal commissioner, BMC. claiming several lives. “Funds Districts in Konkan are on minister Amit Shah. cited something. I tried twice (to it,” said Bhaker. Her father said staunchly next to each other out-
after they contracted the infec- In June, the union health would not be the problem for the orange alert for Thursday and in Violence broke out on Mon- intervene) during the World Cup that she did not sound confident side the shooting range, answer-
tion in June. One is 28-year-old ministry announced that 48 rehabilitation of these villages as the wake of the alert, the NDRF day morning over allegations of in Delhi, and once after that.” when he spoke to her on Tues- ing questions.
who was diagnosed with Cov- patients were identified with the we have decided to utilise CSR teams are expected to be stay put encroachment. Civilians on Things came to a head when day. “I asked her to move on. Indian shooters still have
id-19 on June 28 after she had Delta Plus variant in the country, funds of the corporate houses, for a few more days as a precau- either side of the border hurled Rana arrived at the range for a She has two days to recover from three more events coming up.
fever and headache. She hasn’t of which Maharashtra led the along with the central funding. tionary measure. “In the wake of stones and charged at each practice session during the this loss,” Ram Kishan said. Bhaker and Rahi Sarnobat in
taken a single dose of Covid-19 chart with 21 cases. The patients The identification of the land for the orange alert for the Konkan other and security personnel March World Cup wearing a Since 2019, Bhaker, 19, has 25m pistol, Sanjeev Rajput and
vaccine. The second fully vacci- were from Ratnagiri, Jalgaon, the relocation of these villages on Thursday, teams of NDRF with sticks. Visuals showed shirt in which he had inscribed been one of the top shooters in Aishwary Pratap Tomar in 50m
nated patient aged 57 tested pos- Thane, and one each from Mum- would be a challenging job as will be kept stationed in the policemen firing tear-gas shell an angry text that Bhaker had the world, winning nine gold rifle 3 positions men’s and
itive on June 29, but was asymp- bai, Palghar and Sindhudurg dis- many parameters need to be affected districts. Similarly, the and air pellets as people torched sent him. Singh said that no dis- medals at world cups, the Asian Anjum Moudgil and Tejaswini
tomatic. As per the BMC, she tricts. A total of nine patients complied with, to ensure that the people who have been evacuated vehicles and huts. ciplinary action was taken after Shooting Championship in 2019, Sawant in 50m rifle 3 positions
had taken both the doses of Cov- were identified from Ratnagiri, villages do not meet with a simi- to safer places will not be The gunbattle came two days the incident. the 2018 Commonwealth Games women’s.
ishield. the highest in the state. lar fate in future,” an official allowed to go back to their after the chief ministers shared “It was called out. But please gold, and the 2018 Youth Olym-
“Both the patients were hospi- The health department has from the CMO said. respective homes for few days.,” a stage with Shah and spoke of understand when you are in the pics gold.
talised, but didn’t require any been instructed by the govern- Among the 209 deaths, the said an official from Mantralaya. resolving the border dispute build up to the Olympics, as head These medals all came while BASAVARAJ...
oxygen on admission. They have ment to send around 3,000 sam- highest (95) are from Raigad, Deputy chief minister Ajit amicably. The Bharatiya Janata of the family you have to keep working with Rana: he was in After the announcement,
completely recovered without ples for genome sequencing. which has witnessed three land- Pawar announced to constitute a Party (BJP) is in power in Assam everyone together,” he said. “But charge of the junior develop- Bommai said he will work
any health complications,” said More samples have been col- slides, followed by 45 in Satara committee under retired and Mizoram is ruled by the this performance is not Rana’s ment programme before being towards completing the projects
Dr Mangala Gomare, executive lected from the districts that and 35 in Ratnagiri. Three peo- bureaucrat Eknath Patil to study Mizo National Front, a part of fault.” drafted into the senior team last initiated by the former chief
health officer, BMC, adding that recorded ‘Delta plus’ variants of ple are still missing in Satara, the measures needed. the North East Democratic Alli- Rana did not respond to mul- year. minister. “It is a big responsibil-
both didn’t have a travel history. the coronavirus considering the while one each is missing in Rat- ance headed by the BJP. tiple calls and messages seeking Rana was also in charge of ity in the given situation… BS
“As samples of their f four variant is more transmissible. nagiri, Sindhudurg, Kolhapur, ASSAM... Assam’s Barak Valley dis- comment. Bhaker’s father Ram Chaudhary, who became India’s Yediyurappa has worked for
close contacts came positive for But so far, the state health Pune and Thane. tricts of Cachar, Karimganj and Kishan Bhaker, who manages youngest gold medallist at the more than 40 years to build this
Covid-19, we sent their samples department has not observed 434,181 people from eight-af- “Five companies (close to 500 Hailakandi share a 164.6km her career, said he did not want 2018 Asian Games when he was party. He has taken the state
too for genome sequencing. any spike in Covid-19 cases from fected districts have been shifted personnel) have been deployed long border with Mizoram’s to comment on the controversy. 16. He went on to win eight through two Covid-19 waves and
Their results are awaited,” said the pockets where it was to safer places. Among them and another two are on Aizawl, Kolasib and Mamit dis- “Whatever the federation head is world cup golds before making floods. The directions given by
Dr Gomare. reported in May in the state. 211,808 are from Sangli , 162,564 standby...the current situation tricts. Mizoram was a part of saying is right,” he said. the Tokyo squad. him will help me work for the
Genome sequencing is an “We have sent 177 samples for are from Kolhapur, 49,149 from is peaceful,” said CRPF director Assam till 1972 when it became Former shooter Ronak Pandit In his first senior world cup in Dalits, farmers, backwards com-
exercise to study the changes in genome sequencing. So far, we Satara and remaining from general Kuldiep Singh. a Union Territory. It became a was appointed as Bhaker’s coach 2019, Chaudhary shot a world munities, women and young.”
the structure of the virus over haven’t been informed about other districts. 251,304 of them The border checkposts are state in 1987. The territorial dis- after the World Cup. record score in the men’s 10m air “This (fulfilling Yediyurappa’s
time. A combination of changes any positive case of Delta plus have been put up at the shelters manned by central forces as pute has festered since then and After her second setback in pistol final and won a second projects) will be a priority. Sec-
in the ribonucleic acid of the from the laboratory,” said Dr erected by the government and they fall in the no man’s land fuelled clashes, the latest of Tokyo — she got out in the indi- gold, pairing with Bhaker in the ondly, we are facing Covid-19,
virus can give birth to a new var- Sanghamitra Gawde, civil sur- NGOs, while remaining have between the two states. While which rocked the region in vidual 10m pistol qualification mixed team event. and floods as well. This will
iant. In April, the state signed a geon from the district. “Also, the been staying at their relatives’ there were attempts by some August 2020 and February 2021. round on July 25 after losing The two then won gold in remain a priority as well,” Bom-
memorandum of understanding positivity rate which was 17.32% homes. Minister of state and Rai- locals on the Assam side to The dispute stems primarily time due to a jammed weapon — mixed team in all four world mai said. Yediyurappa resigned
(MoU) with CSIR-IGIB to under- between May 26-June 1 has gad’s guardian minister Aditi block NH 306 that leads to Miz- from a difference in perception. Bhaker appeared to address the cups that year before the pan- on Monday, exactly two years
take genome sequencing of dropped to 6.1% in the last seven Tatkare has said that she had oram, the border between both Mizoram goes by an 1875 border controversy. “I didn’t choose to demic cancelled out the 2020 after taking charge, “on health
4,000 positive swab samples. days,” she said. requested the government to states was open during the day. agreement but Assam follows a change my coach,” she said. shooting calendar. When shoot- grounds”, even as dissent
A civic health official said consider compensation to the In Delhi, Union home secre- 1933 demarcation. When asked whether she ing resumed again in 2021, against him was growing within
identification of the variants in MAHA... next of kin of the people who tary Ajay Bhalla summoned top Assam declared three-day wanted to train under Rana, she Bhaker and Chaudhary won gold the BJP in Karnataka. He has
the city is likely to increase fur- “The state had given addi- have gone missing. NDRF has bureaucrats and police officers state mourning and announced said, “It’s not about me wanting. and silver in the only two world vowed to work for the party in
ther as the BMC is in the process tional compensation by keeping called of the search and rescue of both states on Wednesday, an assistance of ₹50 lakh each It’s that he didn’t seem right at cups preceding the Olympics. Karnataka and said he will not
of starting genome sequencing the norms aside during the Nis- operation from all the landslide said ministry officials on condi- to the kin of the deceased. “I the moment.” This kind of dominance on take a central government
at its affiliated Kasturba Gandhi arga and Tauktae cyclones in the sites and has also withdrawn a tion of anonymity. “North East called Mizoram CM six times Bhaker is also the only the global stage made them responsibility. Basavaraj Bom-
Hospital from next month. The past two years. Apart from it, the few more companies on Tues- MPs Forum has made an appeal when firing was taking place. shooter in the contingent com- favourites going into the Olym- mai is son of former Karnataka
main machine for genome state is also expected to grant a day. After withdrawing 12 of the to people of Mizoram and He said ‘sorry’ and invited me peting in three different medal pics, especially in the mixed chief minister SR Bommai, who
sequencing will arrive in the city relief package to traders and total 34 companies on Monday, Assam, particularly people liv- for talks in Aizawl. No one can events — her last event, 25m pis- team. was removed as the Janata Dal
next week which will help con- labourers who have sustained six more companies were with- ing in border areas, to maintain take even an inch of our land. tol precision, is on July 29 (quali- “It doesn’t matter whether we chief minister in 1989 following
duct more tests and timely deliv- losses due to the flooding,” said drawn on Tuesday. 16 NDRF peace and harmony. We must We’re committed to securing fying), with the final the next believe it or not but it has hap- large-scale defections without
ery of reports. an official from the relief and teams are still deployed with ensure complete peace all along our territory. Police are on the day. pened already,” Bhaker said being given the opportunity to
“We have sorted out the prob- rehabilitation department. highest, six , being in Kolhapur with border areas. Home minis- border,” Sarma said. It appeared that her compet- about their exit in the qualifying prove majority.
MUMBAI
WEDNESDAY
JULY 28, 2021 11
Business
Powered by

IMF slashes India’s FY22 GDP outlook Small contractors,

security cos create
Citing the 2nd Covid and revised up forecasts for sell-offs.

wave, IMF reduces

India’s projection
Different strokes
While IMF kept its global growth forecast unchanged at 6% for 2021, it marked down prospects
advanced economies due to
divergence in vaccine rollout.
“In countries with high vaccina-
tion coverage, such as the UK
“Central banks should avoid
prematurely tightening policies
when faced with transitory
inflation pressures but should
bulk of jobs in May
to 9.5% from 12.5% for emerging market and developing economies. and Canada, the impact would be prepared to move quickly if Prashant K. Nanda
IMF growth projections for 2021 (Year-on-year, in %)
be mild; meanwhile, countries
lagging in vaccination, such as
inflation expectations show
signs of de-anchoring. Emerg- prashant.n@[Link] Payroll trend
Asit Ranjan Mishra Earlier/Now
14
India 12.5/9.5 India and Indonesia, would suf- ing markets should also prepare NEW DELHI: Many of the new Expert services added
asit.m@[Link]
12 fer the most among G20 econo- for possibly tighter external jobs created in India’s formal more than 50% of formal
China 8.4/8.1 mies,” it said. financial conditions by length- sector are low-paid and tempo- sector jobs in May.
10
NEW DELHI: The International US 6.4/7 Madan Sabnavis, chief econo- ening debt maturities where rary work, offering little job
Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tues- mist at Care Ratings, said manu- possible and limiting the security or upward mobility, Formal job creation in the
8 World 6/6
day slashed India’s economic facturing is getting back into buildup of unhedged foreign official payroll data showed, 18-28 age group
growth projection for FY22 to 6 EU 4.4/4.6 action in India while the servi- currency debt,” it said. raising questions over its long- Job additions in expert services
9.5% from 12.5% estimated in ces sector trails. “Agriculture is India’s overall fiscal deficit, term socio-economic implica- Other top 9 sectors
4
April, citing a slow recovery in assumed to do well, given the including both the Centre and tions. Total
consumer confidence because IMF growth projections for 2022 (Year-on-year, in %)
Earlier/Now monsoon forecast. But there can states, is projected to marginally Employees’ Provident Fund 528,943
of the ferocious second wave of 9 be a downside with the infec- narrow to 11.3% of GDP in FY22 Organisation (EPFO) data for
India 6.9/8.5 454,355
the pandemic and a tardy vacci- tion spreading into rural areas from 12.8% in FY21, while the May showed that maximum 230,695
nation programme. China 5.6/5.7 in April-May. We had forecast gross debt-to-GDP ratio is esti- jobs were created in the ‘expert
“Recovery has been set back
7
GDP growth at 8.8-9% for FY22 mated to rise to 90.1% in FY22 services’ category comprising 193,988
World 4.4/4.9
severely in countries that expe- and would be holding on to this from 89.4% in FY21. manpower agencies, private
rienced renewed waves—nota- 5
US 3.5/4.9 estimate as of now in the The multilateral lender said security firms and small con-
298,248 260,367
bly India. Growth prospects in EU 3.8/4.3 absence of a third wave. Infec- fiscal policy should continue to tractors, while established sec-
India have been downgraded tion levels are stable and cer- prioritize health spending, tors such as engineering, finan-
3
following the severe second tainly not deteriorating,” he including on vaccine produc- cial establishments, and con- Apr 2021 May 2021
Covid wave during March-May Graphic By Sarvesh Kumar Sharma/Mint added. tion and distribution infrastruc- struction sectors lagged behind. Source: EPFO
and expected slow recovery in For India, 2021 and 2022 stand for FY22 and FY23, respectively. Source: IMF IMF cautioned that growth ture, personnel, and public In the 18-25 age group, almost
confidence from that setback,” could disappoint relative to the health campaigns, to boost 59% of net payroll additions in
IMF said in the latest update to baseline if financial conditions take-up. May came from expert services. labour market. He said the gov-
its bi-annual World Economic including India comes because forecast, there is still an impor- rural demand. The Reserve were to tighten abruptly, for “In emerging markets and Of the net addition of 345,000 ernment and its statisticians
Outlook. of the Delta variant and the ris- tant downside risk, depending Bank of India also expects the instance, if inflationary pres- developing economies with new hires across 10 top industry need to take note of the chang-
Gita Gopinath, chief econo- ing number of cases that we are upon how this evolves in the economy to grow at 9.5% in sures persist longer than more limited fiscal space, reori- segments, the category contrib- ing nature of work and its long-
mist at the IMF, said the Delta seeing in many parts of the future,” she added. FY22. expected and lead to another enting spending away from uted over 200,000, with the rest term impact on the economy,
variant is dominant around the world, including in Indonesia Most professional forecasters While IMF kept its global reassessment of the monetary untargeted subsidies and recur- spread across the other nine poverty alleviation and con-
world right now, and it has and Malaysia. In the US also, we have reduced their growth pro- growth forecast unchanged at policy outlook, particularly in rent expenditures and toward sectors. sumption.
already affected IMF’s growth are seeing cases going up again. jections for India after the viru- 6% for 2021, it marked down the US; corporate bankruptcies health, social, and infrastruc- While the expert services cat- “The data shows two key
forecasts. So, that is an important con- lent second wave of the pan- prospects for emerging market tick up markedly, or price cor- ture outlays can help create egory added 83,903 people in aspects of the labour market as
“For instance, the downgrade cern, and even though we have demic hit the economy, damag- and developing economies, rections in segments such as some of the needed room,” it the 29-35 age group, the ‘trading well as the broader economy
that we have for emerging Asia incorporated some of it in our ing consumer confidence and especially for emerging Asia crypto assets trigger broader added. and commercial establish- —stunting of the conventional
ments’ category added 8,500 employers in core sectors and,

A
l employees in the same age
cohort, textiles sector 5,800
two, the growth of new-age ser-
vices and allied service sector

Flipkart moves SC
against Karnataka
SC asks Kirloskar brothers to consider mediation employees and building and
construction firms added 7,478
workers. In this age bracket, the
contribution of expert services
jobs managed and supplied by
manpower agencies,” he said.
Arup Mitra, professor of eco-
nomics at the Delhi University’s
high court verdict Abraham Thomas Atul Kirloskar before a Pune retired judge to mediate. You can ries had stated before the high La Gajjar Machineries Private was slightly more than 60% of Institute of Economic Growth,
NEW DELHI: Walmart’s court was referred to arbitration. suggest names as mediators. You court that they are not bound. Limited. The DFS provides that the total payroll additions of said manpower agencies, small
letters@[Link]
Flipkart has appealed in The bench of Chief Justice of are a reputed business house. Despite this categoric submis- no member in the family will 139,532. The trend is a continua- contractors and private security
the Supreme Court NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court India (CJI) NV Ramana and Jus- There must be common family sion by the non-parties to DFS, compete with any other member tion from April when expert guards are largely hiring young
against a high court on Tuesday maintained status tice Surya Kant issued notice on friends and business people who the high court erred in noting in business. Since Sanjay and his services contributed 101,349 out people because of the nature of
decision that allowed an quo on the family dispute related the petition and said, “It is better can help.” To facilitate the medi- that the parties had agreed to firm was already in the business of the total of 173,797 people the job. It helps principal
antitrust probe into the to assets of the Kirloskar group that you sort out the dispute ation, the court directed “status arbitration. of manufacturing pumps, he joining formal work in the 29-35 employers lessen human
e-commerce firm and and asked the members of the through mediation in the inter- quo to be maintained on all pro- Sibal said, “How can a party challenged the competing busi- age group. resource headaches and eases
[Link] Inc to 130-year-old corporate entity to est of the company. You will ceedings.” say that (I) agree to be in arbitra- ness interest by his brothers. The trend is almost similar the process of firing, compared
continue, three sources try and settle the dispute unnecessarily go on litigating in For Sanjay and KBL, senior tion but cannot be bound by it.” Sanjay, in his petition, said, across several age groups, with those who they hire
told Reuters. The through mediation rather than the trial court. Why continue to advocates Kapil Sibal and The dispute in the proceed- “Since all the parties to the suit prompting labour economists to directly, Mitra said. “But it has
Karnataka high court pursue litigation. fight through litigation.” Abhishek Manu Singhvi ings arose after KBL filed a suit are not signatories to the DFS say that decent, well-paid jobs three long-term implications—
last week dismissed The apex court was hearing a The bench issued notice on appeared and informed the before a Pune court seeking and the arbitration agreement, it are missing from the market, the new recruits at the lower
cases filed by Amazon petition by Sanjay Kirloskar and the appeal and posted the matter court that the order of the high ₹750 crore damages against his was not open to the high court to and the formal sector additions end of the value chain don’t
and Flipkart which his company—Kirloskar Broth- after six weeks. It said, “Media- court was wrong as it allowed brothers Atul Kirloskar and have made an arbitral reference, may be happening in low-paid have bargaining power; decent
sought to quash the ers Limited (KBL) which had tion is the best solution. Let all parties who were not signatories Rahul Kirloskar for violating the without determining the exis- and contractual works. salary is missing for a majority
Competition filed an appeal against a Bombay counsels appearing on both to the Deed of Family Settlement terms of the DFS. tence of a binding arbitration K.R. Shyam Sundar, a labour of them; and the idea of upward
Commission of India’s high court decision of May 3, sides sit and decide on media- (DFS) to join arbitration. The Sanjay accused his brothers of agreement by and between all economist and professor at mobility for the poor and lower
2020 investigation. 2021 by which a suit pending tion. If you need any external DFS contained an arbitration acquiring 75% stake in a pump the parties, whether signatories XLRI Jamshedpur, said the sec- middle class gets stymied,” said
between Sanjay and his brother assistance, we can provide a clause to which the non-signato- manufacturing company called or not.” toral details indicate a changing Mitra.
Cairn arbitration:
Freeze order on

IndiGo posts its highest

assets confirmed { THE CROSSWORDS }
NEW DELHI: The
SHARECHAT
CRYPTIC CLUES PUZZLE 15957
government on Tuesday
confirmed that Cairn
PARENT RAISES Across
©Gemini Crosswords 2018 All rights reserved

Energy Plc has secured

an order to freeze
certain Indian assets in
Paris in connection with
ever loss at ₹3,174 crore $145 MILLION IN
FUNDING ROUND
1 Beast of burden given first aid (6)
4 Bent over twice (6)
9 Bar and a club (7)
10 Not all isolated? (5)
a dispute with the Rhik Kundu Tarush Bhalla
British explorer. 11 Turning point (5)
rhik.k@[Link] tarush.b@[Link] 12 Woolly couple (7)
The government has
appealed against the NEW DELHI: InterGlobe Aviation BENGALURU: Mohalla Tech, the 13 No sign of a settlement? (11)
arbitration award Ltd, the parent of India’s top parent company behind Moj and 18 Many on past performance would appear to
secured by the company domestic airline IndiGo, posted ShareChat has raised an addi- toe the line (7)
last December, junior its biggest-ever quarterly loss, hit tional $145 million as an exten- 20 Floral decoration in plate manufacture (5)
finance minister Pankaj by the devastating second wave sion to its Series F round led by 22 I object to the subject of discussion (5)
Chaudhary said. of the pandemic and continued Singapore state investor Tem-
23 Arched and jumped (7)
restrictions on air travel. asek, Moore Strategic Ventures
Foreign exchange losses and (MSV) and Mirae-Naver Asia 24 Call attention to 24-hour period of
Hyundai calls for lower interest income also con- prosperity (6)
Growth Fund.
import duty tributed to IndiGo’s weak earn- This is an additional invest- 25 A small department’s skilled personnel (6)
reduction on EVs ings in the three months through ment beyond the $502 million
Down
QUICK CLUES
GURUGRAM: Any duty June. It was the airline’s sixth the company raised in April.
1 Brave father put up with pain (6) Across Down
rate cut by the consecutive quarterly loss. The carrier’s consolidated total revenue increased by 177% to With the current fundraise,
government on Loss widened to ₹3,174.20 ₹3,170.25 crore in the first quarter of the current fiscal. HT PHOTO Mohalla Tech is currently valued 2 Battle for the chairman’s seat? (5) 1 Actually (2,4) 1 Wickedness (6)
imported electric crore in the June quarter from at $2.88 billion, up from the $2.1 3 He may make nurse go out with him to the 4 Calm (6) 2 Reduce to silence (5)
vehicles would be very ₹2,844.3 crore a year earlier. a consolidated revenue of ₹33.4 crore in the June quarter billion in April. theatre (7) 9 Move abruptly in
3 Maintain in argument (7)
beneficial as it would Total revenue, however, ₹3,581.40 crore in the June quar- from ₹19 crore in the March “This additional investment 5 A wild animal but it’s all right, a quiet one (5) anger (7)
help automakers surged 177% to ₹3,170.25 crore, ter. quarter amid a sharp contrac- for Series F is a validation of our 5 Become void (5)
6 Sabre is brandished in club (7) 10 Outspoken (5)
generate much-needed mainly because scheduled flight “Needless to say, we are tion in passenger traffic. market leadership and a reflec- 11 Amalgamate (5) 6 Hire on contract (7)
7 Eastern country producing tea or rubber for
volumes and reach services were banned between deeply disappointed with the IndiGo’s revenue during April tion of investor trust in our exe- 7 Small sailing boat (6)
instance (6) 12 Fastest land animal (7)
some viable scale, auto March and May last year by the results,” said IndiGo’s chief exec- stood at ₹1,540 crore, which cution capabilities. We are
major Hyundai said. government to contain the pan- utive Ronojoy Dutta in a post-re- more than halved to ₹670 crore immensely proud of what we 8 First thing to make when composing a 13 Poor consolation (4,7) 8 Freedom from worry (5,2,4)
The automaker, which demic’s first wave. sults call with analysts. He said during the peak of the second have been able to achieve with spoonerism? (7,4) 18 Provisional (7) 14 Best (7)
inaugurated its new Expenses climbed 59% to the airline incurred a foreign wave in May before recovering Moj and ShareChat in the last 12 14 Community centre for retired ladies (7) 20 Easy elegance (5) 15 Combat aircraft (7)
corporate headquarters ₹6,344.43 crore in the June exchange loss of ₹290 crore dur- to ₹960 crore in June, Dutta said, months. We have been very for- 15 Take possession of £1000 (7) 22 Express succinctly (3,2)
in Gurugram, supported quarter, with fuel costs surging ing the quarter and lost an addi- adding July revenue is expected tunate to attract a bunch of very 16 A cherry brandy (6)
16 Stop and have a drink (6) 23 Interconnected
the demand of Tesla 854% to ₹1,215.9 crore. tional ₹150 crore on lower inter- to be identical to April. high quality names in our series 17 Slips things under the microscope (6)
17 To estimate (6)
system (7)
which sought lowering The results missed analysts’ est income. “In the near term, our primary F and the list just got longer with 19 Drive back (5)
19 Work time entertainment (5) 24 Unpretentious (6)
of duties on imported estimates. A Bloomberg poll of The second wave greatly focus is on adding capacity. We Temasek, MSV and Mirae-Naver
EVs. four analysts estimated a consol- impacted the quarterly perform- are hoping that the government joining hands with us,” said 21 Infant raised to do sums (3,2) 25 Source (6) 21 As a companion (5)
COMPILED FROM AGENCIES idated loss of ₹1,935 crore, and ance, Dutta said, adding IndiGo’s would do away with the cap (on Ankush Sachdeva, chief execu-
AND REPORTERS five forecast the carrier to report daily cash burn increased to capacity),” Dutta said. tive officer, Moj and ShareChat. SOLUTIONS FOR 15956
Cryptic Quick
{ BIG GAMBLE } IN APRIL, NASA HAD ASKED SPACEX TO BUILD A SPACECRAFT TO TAKE ASTRONAUTS TO THE MOON BY 2024

Bezos offers $2 bn in exchange for moon mission contract

Agence France Presse each other. He added that the company
feedback@[Link] He added “this offer is not a would test its lander in orbit
deferral, but is an outright per- around the Earth at its own
WASHINGTON : Blue Origin manent waiver.” cost.
owner Jeff Bezos wrote an open Since losing the award, Blue “We stand ready to help
letter to NASA on Monday offer- Origin has been frantically lob- NASA moderate its technical
ing a $2 billion discount to allow bying to have the decision risks and solve its budgetary
his company to build a Moon reversed, leading the Senate to constraints and put the Artemis
lander. pass a bill agreeing to add $10 Program back on a more com-
Nasa in April awarded Spa- billion to the human lander sys- petitive, credible, and sustaina-
ceX, owned by rival billionaire tem. But the legislation is still ble path,” Bezos concluded. { WEATHER } ALMANAC TEMPERATURE IN
Elon Musk, a $2.9bn contract to being debated in the House, and It is unclear whether Bezos’ TEMPERATURE HIGH LOW
Today is FOUR METROS
28th July 2021
build a spacecraft to bring has been branded a “Bezos Bail- last-minute intervention will
17 Dhul Hijjah 1442 Delhi
astronauts to the lunar surface out” by critics. sway the outcome of the award. l

Shravana, Krishna
as early as 2024, rejecting bids Bezos wrote that an advan- Bezos’ offer came six days
l
28°c I 25°c
Paksha, 5
from Blue Origin and defense Bezos said an advantage of Blue Origin’s lander was its use of tage of Blue Origin’s Blue Moon after he flew alongside three l Samvat 2078 Mumbai
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY 32°c I 26°c
contractor Dynetics. Blue Origin liquid hydrogen for fuel, which can be mined from lunar ice. AFP lander was its use of liquid crewmates to the edge of space Generally Generally Generally
Sunset: Wednesday
at 07:15 p.m. Kolkata
had partnered with Lockheed hydrogen for fuel, which can be aboard Blue Origin’s rocket- cloudy sky with cloudy sky with cloudy sky with
moderate rain moderate rain heavy rain Sunrise: Thursday 32°c I 28°c
Martin, Northrop Grumman using the lessons learned to pre- the offer would “bridge the mined from lunar ice in line and-capsule New Shepard, a at 06:14 a.m.
and Draper in the bid. pare for a crewed Mars mission funding shortfall” that led to the with NASA’s plans to use the milestone for the company’s bid Moonrise: Thursday Chennai
36°c I 26°c
The United States is seeking in the 2030s. space agency picking just one Moon to refuel rockets for oper- to become a major player in an 32°c I 26°c 32°c I 26°c 32°c I 26°c at 11:12 p.m.
Moonset: Friday
to return to the Moon by 2024 In his letter to NASA Admin- contractor, instead of two ations deeper into the solar sys- emerging space tourism mar- at 11:43 a.m.
under the Artemis program, istrator Bill Nelson, Bezos said which would then compete with tem. ket.
12 MUMBAI
WEDNESDAY
JULY 28, 2021

Sport Tokyo Olympics

AFTER AUSTRALIA EVEN AFTER TWO
DEBACLE, INDIA WINS, INDIAN PAIR
BOUNCE BACK FAILS TO EMERGE
WITH 3-0 WIN FROM DOUBLES’
AGAINST SPAIN GROUP OF DEATH
Sandip Sikdar
HT Correspondent letters@[Link]
sportsdesk@[Link]
NEW DELHI: Chirag Shetty and
NEW DELHI: After their worst Satwiksairaj Rankireddy won
loss in the Olympics --- a 1-7 two of their three badminton
defeat to Australia --- India doubles Group A matches in the
needed a confidence booster. Olympics. So did Indonesia’s
And men’s hockey team led by Marcus Gideon and Kevin Suka-
Manpreet Singh got exactly that muljo, and Chinese Taipei’s Lee
with a 3-0 win against Spain, Yang and Wang Chi-lin. Despite
who are world No. 9, at the Oi the same number of wins (2),
Hockey Stadium on Tuesday. losses (1) and points (2), the
With the win, India jumped to Indian pair was ousted while the
second position—behind Austra- other two progressed to the
lia but above New Zealand, quarter-finals.
Argentina, Japan and Spain—in The reason: Group stage qual-
Group A with six points (two ification.
wins) from three games. In the Since the format was intro-
day’s other games in the group, duced in London 2012, changing
Australia thrashed defending from a straight knockout, it has
champions Argentina 5-2 and worked for some, but not for
hosts Japan drew 2-2 with New others such as the world No.10
Zealand. Indian pair, eliminated in Tokyo
Forward Simranjeet Singh via game difference—like goal
(14th) scored his first goal at the difference in football. They fin-
Olympics to get India off the ished third in the group of four.
mark. That was followed by a The world No.1 Indonesian
brace from drag-flicker Rupin- pair topped the group with a +3
der Pal Singh (15th, 51st)—one game difference (games won
via a stroke and the next through minus games lost) and the world
a penalty corner. No.3 Chinese Taipei combine,
India started aggressively, stunned by Shetty and Rankir-
dominating possession and cre- eddy in the opener, advanced
ating goalscoring opportunities. with a +2 difference. The Indians
They forged ahead through Sim- Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary during the 10m air pistol mixed team shooting qualification at the Asaka shooting range in Tokyo on Tuesday. PTI were at +1.
ranjeet’s quickfire field goal fol- On Tuesday, Shetty and Ran-

Under pressure and off the mark

lowing a pass from the right kireddy earned a 21-17, 21-19 win
flank. One minute later, India in 42 minutes over Britain’s Ben
won back-to-back penalty cor- Lane and Sean Vendy at the
ners, resulting in a stroke which Musashino Forest Sports Plaza,
Rupinder converted easily. their first victory in two meet-
The second and third quarters ings against the world No.18. By
went goalless with India goal- then, the qualifiers from the
keeper PR Sreejesh denying aurabh Chaudhary, 19, has made the final as the top quali- ished fourth in 50m rifle prone are very aware now. But were group was clear.
Spain a number of times.
India downed hatches in the
initial minutes of the final quar-
ter but soon pressed forward to
earn a short corner which was
S never left an international
event without a medal
since he started shooting
at the senior level in 2019. On
Tuesday, Chaudhary, left the
fier but finished 7th. The next at London 2012. “Saying that it
day, the shooters in the 10m air was one bad day in office doesn’t
rifle men’s and 10m air rifle cut it when that day happens in
women’s also stumbled in the the Olympics. Because there is
qualification rounds. no guarantee you will be back.
the players trained to peak at the
right time? Coaches need to
know and work on that,” he said.
“Create hunger, get into the flow
state phase where you come
Bhaker’s gun manufacturer in
a spat with shooting federation
It was a tough group with
three top 10 pairs but it was the
straight games loss against Gid-
eon and Sukamuljo on Monday
that cost Shetty and Rankireddy.
duly converted by Rupinder to Asaka shooting range in Tokyo Yet, there was promise. Yes, they are young but they closest to cutting out all the Avishek Roy functioned, Repich posted A lot depended on the match
make it 3-0. having ended his Olympic cam- Chaudhary and Manu Bhaker, earned the quota place on merit noise. Even the best will fail if that he spoke to a judge of between Gideon/Sukamuljo and
[Link]@[Link]
“Better result today but a lot of paign without a podium finish. who is also 19, have fighting with older that is not done. Most shooters, the event and he was sur- Lee/Wang as the Taipei pair los-
things to work on from an It was a day when tension been the most domi- players. When you including Manu Bhaker today, NRAI has issued a show- prised that the weapon was ing would have led to Shetty and
improvement perspective,” said gripped the Indian shooting con- nant pistol mixed stand in the lane found the pressure of an Olym- cause notice to Francesco not taken to the company’s Rankireddy’s qualification.
India coach Graham Reid. “The tingent, turned to disappoint- team pair in the there are no kids, no pics final suffocating. I think a Repich, owner of the Swiss repair area. But minutes before the Indian
fact that we gave too many cor- ment, and then morphed into world since the event elders, only competi- high performance coach has a gun manufacturing com- “Who is he? What is his pair stepped on to the court, Lee
ners, that’s always a concern anger, as coaches, administra- was introduced in tors.” big role to play. For Paris, that pany, Morini, for his critical intention? Why is he giving and Wang won in three games
when that happens. But the team tors and players revealed the global competitions
Avishek Roy Coaches with the coach can be appointed maybe comments on the perform- such posts? Is it to disturb over the Indonesians, rendering
did really well in terms of cracks in the team. The shooters in 2019, and on Tues- HT In Tokyo team in Tokyo said one year prior to the Games but ances of Indian shooters in the Indian contingent?” Pan- the match inconsequential.
defending the PC. went into the Games projected day, hopes were high that one of the prob- the coach has to help get the ath- Tokyo and on Sunday’s dit said. “We knew the moment Lee
“The first quarter was very as India’s strongest medal con- that they would leave lems is that between lete to work with robotic effi- weapon malfunction that He pointed out that going Yang and Wang Chi-Lin won, we
well, we could move tenders. Not just because a their disappoint- the personal coaches ciency.” marred Bhaker’s qualifica- to the Swiss pistol-maker’s didn’t stand a chance,” Shetty
the ball and it shooting medal has come from ments in individual and the national Bhaker, after the mixed team tion chances in air pistol. repair area meant Bhaker, in said. “They won in two games
was what we every Olympics, barring Rio events behind them with a coaches, there are too many con- event, admitted that she was not Bhaker shoots with a Morini her competition shoes, and we won in three. We feel
planned to do. 2016, since Rajyavardhan medal in their strongest event. flicting inputs for the shooters. in the right zone, even as she and pistol. Following the notice, shooting in an air-condi- sad. Unfortunately, even after
2-0 is the Rathore’s silver in 2004, The morning began well for “You can’t start working with a Chaudhary answered questions Repich has removed his tioned hall and required to winning two matches in the
worst score in but also because this them. Bhaker and Chaudhary shooter on the day of the Olym- with great poise. “Sometimes comments on Facebook. keep heart rate under check, group, we don’t go through. That
hockey because was a team with topped the first stage of qualifi- pics,” said one coach who did not you don’t have control over The posts have left Indian would have had to step into is badminton and we have to live
after that we young talent that cation (30 shots by each person wish to be named. things when you try way too shooting officials and Ronak the harsh sun and walk with it.”
were relaxed had international in 30 minutes) with a score of There is also the issue of no hard or expect things,” Bhaker Pandit, Bhaker’s coach more than a 100 metres. The result was akin to London
and we medals by the 582; Saurabh fired 296, Manu psychologist travelling with the said. When asked how the Olym- who salvaged the situation Repich also claimed in his 2012, where Jwala Gutta and
struggled a bit handfuls. 286. They were eighth among 20 team. “There was a psychologist, pic experience was different for by repairing her weapon post that Bhaker had not Ashwini Ponnappa were elimi-
in the second and The disappoint- teams who advanced to the sec- physio and all the coaching staff them, Chaudhary said “I’ve par- to resume shooting, asked for sighting shots (to nated in women’s doubles as
third quarter to get ments began from the ond stage (40 shots in 20 mins). in Osijek (in Croatia, where the ticipated at the Youth Olympics annoyed. check the weapon after they finished third despite win-
back in the game. first day when Elavenil Chaudhary had a good run, but team prepared for two months),” before this. There’s nothing dif- Repich’s Facebook post repairs). “We had asked for ning two matches with the top
We managed to do Valarivan and Apurvi Bhaker shot four 8s, and the duo said Raninder Singh, the presi- ferent here. Games Village hai, on July 24, after India’s sighters but officials were two going through.

w
that in the fourth quar- Chandela, who have were out of the final. A few hours dent of the National Rifle Associ- wohi range hai, target hai, pistol other pistol shooter Saurabh taking time to put the sight-
ter and tried to play both held later, Divyansh Panwar and Val- ation. “It is not possible to get hai, hum hai, goli hai. (there is a Chaudhary finished seventh, ers on screen, so we had to
simple hockey and world No 1 arivan made early exits in the everyone here because of Covid Games Village, a range, a target, read: “If you want to know start because time was run-
that’s what we ranks in the rifle mixed team, as did Anjum restrictions.” pistols, bullets, and us).” how to destroy a potential ning out,” Pandit said.
ended up doing,” he last two years, Moudgil and Deepak Kumar. Karmakar said that the lack of But the results suggest there gold medal team, please call A technical official at the READ: Olympic
said. failed to move out of “This has been a disappoint- medals pointed to the prepara- may be something to extra to the Indian shooting federation. range confirmed that the medallist
qualification in 10m air ment. Barring Saurabh (Chaud- tions not being right. “The prob- Games that got overlooked. They’re going to advise you.” Indian team had asked for Mirabai Chanu accorded hero’s
Rupinder Pal rifle. On the same day, in hary), no one put up a fight,” said lem is not technical. We have After Bhaker’s gun mal- sighters. welcome in Manipur.
Singh. AP 10m air pistol, Chaudhary Joydeep Karmakar, who had fin- good coaches and the players too With inputs from Dhiman Sarkar

{ SHARATH KAMAL } INDIAN TABLE TENNIS ACE

‘Happy that I got Ma Long to earn every point’ Plucky Borgohain a

Rutvick Mehta
letters@[Link]
just go out there, play my game
and see what happens. No pres-
sure”. I was in a zone where I
win away from medal
NEW DELHI: “Third game, third didn’t want to give him a head HT Correspondent
game. That was the one,” Shar- start even before the match
sportsdesk@[Link]
ath Kamal said, hammering his began.
point about the pivotal moment TOKYO: There was a bright spot
in his third-round singles match Before going to Tokyo, you for India at the Olympics on
against reigning Olympic cham- said you were feeling better Tuesday when boxer Lovlina
pion Ma Long in Tokyo on Tues- than ever. Did you feel you Borgohain, making her Olympic
day. The 20th-seeded Indian lost played like that too? debut, defeated German veteran
1-4 (7-11, 11-8, 11-13, 4-11, 4-11), but Yes, this is my best (show). Nadine Apetz to enter the quar-
not before an intense duel. The Maybe not result-wise, although ter-finals in the 69kg category. If
39-year-old—up against a a third-round entry is still my Borgohain wins her next bout to
“jinxed” draw in singles and best result at the Olympics. But I enter the semis, she is guaran-
mixed doubles (Sharath-Manika would say this performance was teed at least a bronze.
Batra pair faced the third seed better than any of my previous Borgohain prevailed over
Chinese Taipei pair in its first- Games, because of the way that I Apetz 3-2 in what was a tense,
round exit)—dissected his game played here and the level that I closely fought match.
against arguably the greatest played here. It was my best not The 23-year-old from Assam
male paddler in the world. just at the Games, but maybe is a two-time World and Asian German Nadine Apetz (L) fights with Lovlina Borgohain. AFP
Sharath Kamal in action against Ma Long in their third round match on Tuesday. REUTERS even on any of my Pro Tour or championships bronze-medal-
In your last three matches World Championships or Asian list and is the first from the Mohammed Ali Qamar told PTI. months, she tested positive for
against Ma Long, you
couldn’t win a game. You P lonia, in the second round) and
today. The last time I beat Tiago
I also missed a few. Of course,
looking back, we can say, “yaar
Cup outings. nine-strong Indian boxing con-
tingent to move into the quar-
“ Early on, when she was going
for attack, Lovlina was getting
Covid-19. She had to be hospital-
ized in New Delhi.
managed one in Tokyo and was 15 years ago. With both woh ball thoda aaram se khelta Does it only reinforce your terfinals. hit, then we told her to play on Borgohain began boxing
ran him close in the first
I did better than those players, I can’t play my toh point aa jata (I could have belief that there is more Apetz, 35 is the first German counter and keep her guard up.” when she was 14. At that time,
three... any of my previous game, because they’re better been a bit more patient on a high-level table tennis left woman to qualify for a boxing Borgohain had reached the she was training in Muay Thai,
If I were to break down this than me. Generally, my game is point). But if I had played defen- in you? event at the Olympics. She is a semis and won a bronze in suc- but a coach convinced her to try
match, it was more mental than Games because of to get the touch closer to the net, sive, the ball could have landed More than me, I think it rein- two-time world championship cessive world championships out for the Assam sub-junior
tactical. I went with the intent to the way that I let the opponent come in, and on my face! That’s exactly what stalls a lot of belief in the people bronze medallist, a former (2018 and 2019) but, team for the boxing
try and win; put pressure on then push him back and try and happened at 11-11. I played safe, who watched it. India’s overall European champion and is pur- like most amateur national champion-
him; make him feel that he needs played and the level take control. In that game, Tiago into his body, and he just table tennis campaign too had suing a PhD in neuroscience, boxers, she has had a ships. She got picked,
to win every point—I’m not
going to give him anything for
that I played here. is quicker than me and Ma Long
is, well, Ma Long. So I had to go
whacked the hell out of me. positives: Batra entering the
third round, Sutirtha Mukherjee
which she put on hold to pre-
pare for Tokyo.
long break from com-
petitive boxing
and with bare mini-
mum training, she got
free. That’s exactly what you saw out of my comfort zone and When you’re to face such winning her maiden Olympic Borgohain began with a because of the pan- a gold there.
until the last point. Even when I “You can be the boss, you can be make them play the kind of style an indomitable force in the match. flourish by going on the attack demic. She has had to The lanky boxer
was 0-6 down (in the fourth the best in the business. But they don’t like to play. I did that Olympics, what is in your A lot of people watched my first in the opening round, but overcome training will face Chinese Tai-
game), I told myself, “Don’t give today, you need to show me that and I was successful. Tactically, mind the night before? match today only because Man- changed tactics after that, wait- disruptions too—first pei’s Nien-Chin Chen,
up, don’t give him the breathing you’re the best”. This gives belief my strategy was to push them It was all about preparing to ika had won her matches, Sut- ing for Apetz to make her move due to the lockdown last year, who is seeded fourth and a
space. It’s OK, let him kill you. to the Indian table tennis frater- away from the net, defend the be positive. It’s how I irtha won her debut match, I had and then slipping in with strong when training in all sports had former world champion, on
But let him earn it”. And that is nity that we can look at the best first ball and then take over. It’s a approached even the Tiago won a match. It shows that left hooks. come to a halt. July 30. On Wednesday, Asian
why everyone loved watching it. in the eye. little bit like how G Sathiyan match. If you want to win, you Indian table tennis is heading in “There was no point in being Then, hours before she was champion Pooja Rani (75kg)
It was not because I matched plays. That’s the new-age style, have to be better than me. Just the right direction. Now, the too offensive, Lovlina was smart to board the flight for Italy for will square off against Algerian
him stroke for stroke on some You were going for winners and I’m happy that I could adapt that with Ma Long, he is better pressure will be on us to take it enough to keep the score ticking the European tour in October, youngster Ichrak Chaib. The
points. But it was that attitude, rather than rallies… to that. Against Ma Long, I had than me (laughs). I didn’t want to higher in the next Olympic by hitting on the counter-at- which would have marked her 30-year-old Rani is also making
the way I stood there and said, Yes. Both against Tiago (Apo- my chances. I took them too, but think, “OK, he is Ma Long, so I’ll Games. tack,” national women’s coach competitive return after seven her Olympics debut.
MUMBAI
WEDNESDAY
JULY 28, 2021 Sport 13
{ SHORT PASSES }

Hundred: Playing catch up

INDIA HAS CENTRE
WICKET TRAINING;
RISHABH PANT Krunal tests
Having never rivalled cult. But this is the Hundred,
with a shorter Powerplay (25
BATS IN THE NETS
positive, 2nd
the success of the IPL
or the Big Bash, ECB
are heavily banking
balls) and a rider that five
balls can easily stretch to 10
if the captain wants to keep
pressure. And with the ends
T20 postponed
changing every 10 balls (or two Agencies is obviously out of the series and
on their new product sets of fives), the only way a sportm@[Link] will not be able able to return
to woo audience batsman can get off strike is to with rest of the squad,” a BCCI
take a run. NEW DELHI: The second T20 source told PTI on conditions of
Somshuvra Laha Bowlers, as a result, have a International between India and anonymity.
distinct edge. Now consider the Sri Lanka in Colombo on Tues-
[Link]@[Link]
reverse, where a bowler Rishabh Pant day was postponed by a day Former England cricketer
KOLKATA: Cricket has always has been spanked for two con- after Krunal Pandya tested posi- Mike Hendrick dead at 72
been a complicated game. We secutive boundaries and is Agencies tive for Covid-19, forcing him LONDON : Former England
have had overs of four, five and struggling to find his length. out of the series with seven days bowler Mike Hendrick has died
sportm@[Link]
eight balls at various points in One ball fewer than the conven- of isolation. aged 72, his old county Derbysh-
time before six-ball overs tional set here and the bowler DURHAM: Ahead of the gruel- As per Sri Lanka’s health ire announced Tuesday.
became the standard from knows he has a better chance ling five Test match series safety protocols, Krunal will not A renowned seamer, Hen-
1979-80. And now we have The of getting out of it with minimal against England, the Indian Test be able to travel back to India drick had been suffering from
Hundred, with sets of five balls damage. team led by skipper Virat Kohli, with other members of the con- bowel and liver cancer for some
that can be stretched to 10, with Interestingly, both the one- had a centre wicket training at tingent on July 30 as he will time. Renowned for his accu-
20 balls the maximum quota of day (Gillette Cup) and T20 for- the Durhan Cricket Club here now have to undergo manda- racy, Hendrick took 87 wickets
each bowler. The average run- mats (T20 blast) originated in on Tuesday. tory isolation and obtain a nega- in 30 Tests at an average of
time of a Hundred game is England, triggered by the need Aggressive wicket-keeper tive RT-PCR report. The third 25.83 from 1974 to 1981.
about 150 minutes, the length of to keep the game relevant to the Rishabh Pant, who had joined and final T20 is scheduled to be
a standard Bollywood movie, masses as well as sponsors. the Test team after recovering held on Thursday. Aussie bowlers shine in
with similar drama to boot. Both were born out of necessity, from Covid-19, also batted in the “The second T20I between Sri win over West Indies
At a time when cricket shunned at first before becom- nets. Lanka and India originally BRIDGETOWN: Australia’s varied
ought to have been simplifying ing money-spinners for the “TeamIndia back at it and scheduled to be played on July bowling attack once again
itself to find more global International Cricket Council having a centre wicket training 27 has been pushed forward dominated a suspect West
appeal, The Hundred is further (ICC) and cricket boards like at Durham Cricket Club ahead by a day and will now take place Indies batting line-up on the
messing with minds. Talk India and Australia. of the five-match Test series on Wednesday, July 28,” BCCI way to a series-clinching six-
of how this might revolutionise There wasn’t perhaps a need against England,” the BCCI said secretary Jay Shah said in a wicket victory in the decisive
cricket the way T20 or one- to overcomplicate a well-re- in a tweet. media statement. final fixture of the three-match
day did is already gaining trac- ceived format like Twenty20. The BCCI also posted pictures “Following the Rapid Antigen ODI series at Kensington Oval
tion. But instead of jumping to Especially as the T10 has been of Test specialist Cheteshwar Tests conducted ahead of on Monday.
conclusions, let’s discuss the Manchester Originals' Harmanpreet Kaur (right) celebrates taking a catch to dismiss Oval around for some time as well. If Pujara, flamboyant batsman KL the match on Tuesday morning, The tourists bundled out the
main talking points of the Invincibles' Fran Wilson during The Hundred match at The Oval. ACTION IMAGES VIA REUTERS T10 eventually finds acceptance, Rahul, his Karnataka teammate Krunal Pandya was found to home side for 152.
new league as it completes its cricket’s viewing time can be and opener Mayank Agarwal be positive. The Medical
first week. Dane van Niekerk bossed it with Superchargers’ Jemimah Rod- off, that has become a rage in slashed to 75 minutes, less than and skipper Kohli batting in the Teams have identified eight Verstappen’s British GP
To kick off a new format with her all-round skills in the inau- rigues who is hitting the right the English press. But there has that of football, making it a nets. members as close contacts,” crash to be reviewed
a women’s game—a thriller gural game (only 16 runs con- notes with scores of 92 (against also been considerable criticism competitive alternative in the Similarly vice-captain the release added. PARIS: Red Bull has successfully
between Oval Invincibles and ceded from 15 balls followed by Welsh Fire) and 60 (against of the Old Trafford pitch as an global market. Ajinkya Rahane and experi- However, all his eight close asked for a review of the inci-
Manchester Originals at the a 42-ball 56), there has been a Trent Rockets). aftermath, Ben Stokes leading The Hundred, on the other enced opener Rohit Sharma too contacts, who were isolated, dent at Silverstone between For-
Oval—was a brilliant move. deluge of fine performances, Here’s the thing about T20 the charge with this tweet: hand, is somewhere between batted in the nets, as per the pic- have tested “negative” in the mula One leader Max Verstap-
With equal prize money and the especially in spin bowling. Bir- cricket: if shifted from a feather- “What a horrific wicket at Old T20 and T10, a slightly different tures tweeted by the Board. RT-PCR tests but as a precau- pen and seven-time champion
same branding reserved for mingham Phoenix’s slow left- bed to a turner, the format can Trafford”. version with the tagline of Earlier, the team played a tionary measure won’t be able Lewis Hamilton. The FIA will
both the men’s and women’s armer Kirstie Gordon was a rev- be quite exhilarating. Ask Matt Cut to Monday, where on a “Every Ball Counts” that will three-day warm-up game to take field on Wednesday. hear from Red Bull via video
teams, The Hundred is already elation with her 3/14 against Parkinson, who took 4/19 to set dry but better Nottingham take some time for audiences to against County XI here as a part Since the close contacts are conference on Thursday ahead
setting new goals for the Originals, while Scottish Abtaha up Originals’ six-wicket win at pitch, Stokes skies a ball from warm up to it. The ECB are of their preparation for the Test mostly players, India might of the Hungarian GP. The team
Women’s Big Bash and espe- Maqsood promised more after home against Birmingham off-spinner Matthew Carter heavily banking on it. Having series. The game ended in a have to field a depleted side. has been fuming since contact
cially the Indian Premier taking 2/14 in the same match. Phoenix. There was this ball, a while trying to clear extra cover. never rivalled the success of the draw. The third and final T20 is between Verstappen and Hamil-
League. Harmanpreet Kaur (Originals) leg-break that pitched outside With very little pace offered off IPL or the Big Bash, this seems The first Test starts at Trent scheduled to be held on Thurs- ton on the first lap of the British
The quality of cricket too has too has got off to an encourag- Chris Cooke’s leg stump and the hand or the pitch, spinners another attempt by the English Bridge, Nottingham from day. “Krunal is symptomatic GP caused Verstappen to crash
been top-class. If South African ing start but it’s Northern spun square to hit the top of his make stroke-making very diffi- board to play catch-up. August 4. with cough and throat pain. He hard into a barrier.

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{Wednesday}
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14 MUMBAI
WEDNESDAY
JULY 28, 2021

Sport Tokyo Olympics

HOW THE INDIANS FARED SAILING BADMINTON medalstally
HOCKEY Women's Solo Dinghy Men's doubles Group A
Laser Radial Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag
COUNTRY
SHOOTING Men's Group A India beat Spain 3-0
Nethra Kumanan Race 5: Shetty beat Ben Lane /Sean Japan 10 3 5 18
10m Air Pistol mixed 32nd; Race 6: 38th Vendy (GBR) 2-0 (failed to USA 9 8 8 25
team qualification TABLE TENNIS qualify for quarter-finals) China 9 5 7 21
Manu Bhaker/Saurabh Men's singles Round 3 ROC 7 7 4 18
Chaudhary and Yashaswini Sharath Kamal lost to Ma Long
Deswal/Abhishek Verma (CHN) 1-4 Great Britain 4 5 4 13
failed to qualify for the Republic of Korea 3 2 5 10
medal rounds Men's Solo Dinghy Australia 3 1 5 9
Laser
Vishnu Saravanan Race 4: Canada 2 3 3 8
10m Air Rifle mixed
team qualification 23rd; Race 5: 22nd; Race 6:12th France 2 2 3 7
Elavenil Valarivan/Divyansh Germany 2 0 3 5
Panwar and Anjum BOXING Men's Skiff - 49er Kosovo 2 0 0 2
Moudgil/Deepak Kumar Women's (64-69kg) Round Ganapathy Kelapanda
of 16 Lovlina Borgohain beat (Helm)/Varun Thakkar Italy 1 5 6 12
failed to qualify for the
medal rounds Nadine Apetz (GER) 3-2 (Crew) Race 1: 18th Chinese Taipei 1 2 3 6
Brazil 1 2 2 5
Switzerland 1 2 2 5
INDIA 0 1 0 1

Biles out, US dethroned Alaskan teen Jacoby

shocks King for gold
Soviet banner of “Unified Team”
Russia ends United won in 1992, but faltered in the
States’s decade of decades after. Associated Press
Though the history books
dominance in a final may mark Tuesday’s victory with sportsdesk@[Link]

headlined by their an asterisk due to Biles’ early TOKYO: Alaska is renowned for
withdrawal, the Russians’ daz- its majestic natural beauty. The
talisman pulling out zling performance is the result of snowy peaks. The glistening gla-
a concerted transformation ciers. The sparkling fjords.
Associated Press since they finished a distant sec- An Arctic paradise, for sure.
sportsdesk@[Link] ond to the American team at the Swimming? That’s never been
2019 World Championship. much of a thing in the 49th US
TOKYO: Angelina Melnikova, a They became the first team in state. Until now.
celebrated gymnast from Russia, 11 years to beat the Americans in Seventeen-year-old Lydia
was gliding around the parallel any event. Jacoby pulled off a stunning vic-
bars when breaking news “We still can’t believe it’s hap- tory in the women’s 100m
started rocketing around the pening,” Melnikova said. “The breaststroke on Tuesday, upset-
world: Her competitor, Ameri- impossible is possible now.” ting American teammate and
can superstar Simone Biles, was The first sign that they could defending champion Lilly King.
scratched from the competition. topple the American power- Alaska — of all places — has a USA’s Lydia Jacoby (left) celebrates with compatriot Lilly King
Melnikova stuck the landing. house came at qualifying on champion at the pool. (centre) after winning the 100m breaststroke gold. REUTERS
She clenched her fists near her Sunday. The Americans wob- “I was definitely racing for a
heart. They weren’t yet halfway bled while the Russians per- medal. I knew I had it in me,” Americans. Through the first head in the country.”
through one of the most antici- formed close to perfectly. said Jacoby, who hails from Sew- three finals, US had only man- Jacoby’s unique journey has
pated events of the Games, and Each member of the Russian ard (population: 2,733). “I wasn’t aged a pair of bronze medals, also added intrigue to a swim-
the result had become a near team was so good that reigning really expecting a gold medal, so losing a men’s backstroke race at mer who is heading into her sen-
certainty: The team from Russia European champion Viktoria when I looked up and saw the the Olympics for the first time ior year of high school. “She
would soon dethrone the Ameri- Listunova will have to sit out the scoreboard it was insane.” since 1992. practically swims in
cans, who just days before all-around finals this week; two Only a handful of Alaska Then the high schooler iced-over lakes in
seemed unbeatable. of her teammates, including swimmers had even qualified for came through. Jacoby Alaska,” teammate
A tearful Biles said later Melnikova, scored higher. Mel- the US Olympic trials. Jacoby was third at the turn, Gunnar Bentz said.
“mental health concerns” were nikova, at 21, is the veteran of the was the first to ever make the trailing Schoenmaker That’s a bit of a
behind her shock withdrawal. “I team. She was part of the 2016 team. When she touched the and King. But, the teen- stretch, but Jacoby did
feel like that’s all been going team that took home the silver wall first, it set off a giddy cele- ager surged past King had to deal with
really well but then whenever medal in Rio. She was joined by bration back home. and glided to the wall just her local pool closing
you get in a high stress situation first-time Olympians 24-year-old “A lot of big-name swimmers ahead of the South African. during the pandemic, forcing
you kind of freak out. You don’t Liliia Akhaimova and two come from big, powerhouse Looking at the scoreboard her to train about 2 1/2 hours
really know how to handle all of 16-year-olds, Listunova and clubs,” Jacoby said. “Me coming with a bit of disbelief, Schoen- away in the state’s biggest
those emotions, especially being Vladislava Urazova. from a small club, in a state with maker reached across the lane city, Anchorage.
at the Olympic Games,” Melnikova said that such a small population, really rope for a hug when the enor-
Biles said. “Once I step they learned of Biles’ shows everyone that you can do mity of her accomplishment
up onto the mat it’s just withdraw but tried to it no matter where you’re from.” finally hit. Then it was King ANSWERS
me and my head, deal- stay focused. “This did Jacoby’s winning time was bounding over from two lanes
ing with the demons in not distract us,” she 1:04.95 seconds. Tatjana Schoen- away to congratulate America’s 1. 2008 Beijing
my head.” said. “We wanted to do maker of South Africa claimed new breaststroke queen. 2. Leander Paes. 7 (1992-2016)
In the end, the Rus- the upmost, so we tried the silver in 1:05.22, while King “I’m so excited for Lydia,” 3. 8. USSR gymnast Aleksandr
sians beat the US by not to think about this.” took the bronze in 1:05.54. King said. “I love to see the Dityatin (1980 Moscow)
nearly 3.5 points, a size- Their performance Jacoby’s shocking win sal- future of American breaststroke 4. 1904, St. Louis
able margin in the sport. wasn’t perfect: two of vaged what had been a bit of a coming up like this and to have 5. US (83—1984 LA Games)
The night before, they had them, back to back, fell off the Simone Biles was pulled out of the final after a disappointing opening vault. REUTERS disappointing morning for the somebody to go at it head-to-
huddled together in one of their balance beam. Still, the Ameri-
rooms at the Olympic Village cans could never catch up.
and watched the Russian men Melnikova was the last to per-
claim the victory in their team form. “I tried not to think,” she
finals. They were inspired by the said. When she walked off the
triumph, the women said. floor after a flawless routine, she
“We knew it was possible,” and her teammates knew they’d
16-year-old Viktoriia Listunova won gold. “I knew that it was
said through an interpreter. “We depending on me and I was feel-
did not waste our chance.” ing overwhelming happiness
With the women’s victory on and I knew I did it,” she said. “I
Tuesday, the ROC — barred at knew I had done my job.”
the Olympics from using its They hugged as they waited.
name, flag or anthem over a sys- The score flashed on the screen
temic doping scandal — swept — enough to sail easily past the
the gymnastics team gold med- Americans — and Melnikova
als, among the most coveted at bent over, put her hands on her
the Summer Games. knees and wept. Biles and the
The women stood on the rest of the American team came
podium and hung gold medals to congratulate them. They
around each other’s necks, then hugged and high-fived.
the Russian composer Tchaikov- The team has many more
sky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 chances to collect even more
played. medals. Melnikova and Urazova
It was the first time either will compete later this week in
Russian team won gold at the the individual all around compe-
Olympics since shortly after the tition. The Russian team will
fall of the Soviet Union. Both the also be strong contenders in the
men and women under the post- individual event competitions.

Indiansinactiontoday
HOCKEY ARCHERY
6:30am 7:30am
WOMEN'S GROUP A MEN'S INDIVIDUAL ROUND OF 64
India vs Great Britain Tarundeep Rai vs Oleksii Hunbin
(UKR)

BADMINTON 12:30pm
7:30am MEN'S INDIVIDUAL ROUND OF 64
WOMEN'S SINGLES GROUP MATCH Pravin Jadhav vs Galsan Bazarzhapov
(ROC)
PV Sindhu vs Ngan Yi Cheung (HKG)
2:30pm 2:15pm
MEN'S SINGLES GROUP MATCH WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL ROUND OF 64
B Sai Praneeth vs Mark Caljouw (NED) Deepika Kumari vs Karma (BHU)

ROWING 8am LIGHTWEIGHT MEN'S DOUBLE SCULLS

SEMI-FINAL A/B 2: Arjun Lal Jat/Arvind Singh

SAILING BOXING
8:35am MEN'S SKIFF 49ER 2:30pm WOMEN'S (69-75KG)
Ganapathy Kelapanda (Helm)/Varun ROUND OF 16
Thakkar (Crew) Race 2, 3 and 4 Pooja Rani vs Ichrak Chaib (ALG)
Wednesday, July 28, 2021 n4 PAGES. f @HTCITY t @HTCITY i @HTCITY y /USER/HT. ENTERTAINMENT & PROMOTIONAL FEATURES

We are Sonu Nigam

says artistes
selfish are always
and relied on when

City
there’s a need
forget for fundraisers,
but the last one
that we and a half
can’t year has been
completely
keep Mumbai despairing
for them
abusing
nature, ‘WHAT ABOU
says
ARTISTES W T
Bhumi
H
ARE SUFFER O
Juhi Chakraborty
[Link]@[Link]

A
s a climate warrior, the state of
the planet and how people are
casual about nature, worries
actor Bhumi Pednekar. On the
our control and if we don’t set things
right, and then the future is not going to
be good,” cautions Pednekar.
The 32-year-old says it’s unfair to all
children and young adults to not have
the kind of life that she and others have
had like “not having the freedom to
various people, the Pati Patni Aur Woh
(2019) actor says that there are many
challenges that she faces, especially
about educating people on the
seriousness of conservation of nature.
“The difficult thing is when you tell
people about it and they say, ‘Oh climate
I
AT HOME?’NG
occasion of World Nature Conservation breathe clean air and drink clean water change isn’t real, and it’s all made up.’
Day, the actor says she strongly believes or enjoy nature the way we did”. My response to them is that they’re so
that our generation has to be the She adds, “Today is about realising comfortable in these lies that they don’t
generation that regenerates and that what we are left with needs to be want to face the truth. They don’t want a Kavita Awaasthi feel protected. Vaccinations help
restores our planet. protected and regenerated. That’s our life of inconvenience,” she adds. [Link]@[Link]
reducing the mortality rate. Of
“We’ve reached a brink where we’ve
pushed our planet to a point where
duty towards future generations. We
were born in an abundant planet and
However, Pednekar is optimistic and
feels that there has been a shift and
STOP PRESS e have to learn to live
course, practising all safety
protocols — be it wearing a mask,
things have gotten out of control. If you
see what’s happening around — the
flash floods in Germany, parts of
Maharashtra and China — it’s all bad.
There are forest fires in the US, there’s
heat wave in Canada. It’s important to
understand that we’ve pushed it beyond
now we’ve reached this point… We need
world leaders and the general public to
acknowledge that what we’re doing
right now isn’t okay. Humans are so
selfish. We forget that we cannot keep
abusing nature and its resources.”
Working at the ground level with
change in the way people look at it.
“In the last two years of the pandemic,
we’ve learnt a lesson. It came at a heavy
cost but people are discussing the topic.
They are being compassionate towards
nature, but it’s not enough, we need a lot
more,” she stresses.
W with Covid-19,” says
Sonu Nigam, who has
been recording songs
and rehearsing in
“safe places” like regularly sanitised
recording halls. The singer hopes
that the live scenario opens soon as
social distancing or sanitising is
important too.”
No vaccines for kids in India is
another cause for concern, Nigam
reveals that his son, Neevan, 9, got
vaccinated in Dubai.
He shares, “Many of my sister’s
there are no concerts happening friends came to Dubai to get the
and many musicians, artistes and Pfizer vaccine for their kids as it is
technicians went through a tough available there. Vaccines for kids
time in the last one and a half year. should be allowed and I hope it is
Nigam is worried for them as “not available soon in India as well. In

I don’t judge those who earning anything for such a long

period is really a tough”. He says, “I
would request the government to
fact, schools should open as should
local trains. We can’t stay at home
and be confined. Log kaam nahin
According to
choose porn: Somy Ali
(Left to think about the music industry. karenge toh ghar pe bhooke mar
right) Shilpa When there is a need to raise funds, jaayenge!”
sources, actor Shetty Kundra, artistes are relied on and are the The singer who’ll turn 48 on July
Shilpa Shetty Raj Kundra
and Sherlyn
first ones to come forward, but now
the same artistes have been
30, admits that now he has started
understanding gratitude better.
Kavita Awaasthi in web series, and a major Kundra broke Chopra suffering at home. We need to be “People say they don’t want to feel
reason why censorship on the there for them.” old but I don’t mind growing old as I
he recent arrest of web has become a talking
down when her PHOTOS: PRODIP
The singer feels that while feel age and experience have taught

T
GUHA/HT AND
entrepreneur Raj Kundra point. Ali, who has turned a husband Raj INSTAGRAM the third wave is a me many things. Ab toh akal aayi
for his alleged
involvement in production
humanitarian with her NGO,
No More Tears, reiterates that Kundra was P concern, getting
vaccinated and
hai, zindagi ka matlab samaj aaya
hai. Pehle jawani ke nashe mein tha
to
brought home by I’d like he
and distribution of it’s time we give importance to stepping out for and now I know how wonderful life
pornographic content, sex education in the country. work is also the is. I realise what gratitude is. I feel
tt
shocked the entertainment
industry. Former Bollywood
“It is a cinematic and
artistic progression. Intimate
police for a search. reques ent to need of the
hour.
that I am aging gracefully,” he says.
He has been busy recording for
Kundra has been m
actor Somy Ali, too, was love has no meaning without govern out the He explains, two projects and has made songs for
b
sent to judicial think a dustry.
surprised, she wonders why a intimacy, hence, kissing or “Worrying corporates but rues that, “There is
country, where Kama Sutra depicting scenes of won’t help. nothing happening for now but
i n
originated, would ban porn. passion should and must custody for 14 music ,
Vaccine is an independently there is a lot of work.
Expressing her views on the be a norm. In 2021, we
days while the NIGAM important step. Any creative mind can be as busy as
issue, she says, “The mere should be more realistic SONU sician After both jabs, I you want to be.”
Mu
taboo of talking about sex or when it comes to the Bombay High
porn ignites more curiosity. normalcy of humans
Personally, I don’t judge those being sexual creatures. Court has granted
who choose porn as their The more nonchalant
profession as long as no one is our attitude is towards
anticipatory bail to
hurt or sexually trafficked. something; the less people model-actor
There shouldn’t be any sort of will have to hide from wanting
coercion. Otherwise, what to admit to what they like or Sherlyn Chopra.
anyone chooses to do sexually dislike such as watching porn.
is none of my or anyone’s I must be emphatic that while
business. We have no right to I don’t judge anyone, it is
judge anyone. I have nothing absolutely unacceptable to me
against people who engage in if the artiste is being harmed
pornography or those who in any pornographic ventures.
make it their profession.” Other than that, I’ve
Meanwhile, of late, bold absolutely nothing against
scenes have become common porn,” she concludes.

n
IITians develop a
app to reignite e
m pu s roman c
ca Sahil Anand
PHOTO:
INSTAGRAM/
Due to the pandemic, Aprajita Sharad SAHILANAND
college students aren’t [Link]@[Link] PICTURE FOR OFFICIAL
able to meet each other REPRESENTATIONAL
PURPOSES ONLY
and hence we saw the hen in college, what’s the one thing that
need for a dating app.
We, therefore, came up
with the idea of coding
W can’t be missed? Campus romance! But in a
virtual campus scenario, dating on campus
hasn’t been easy in the pandemic era. And to beat Sahil says after Sushant’s
College Meets. Since its the challenges posed to social interactions, students
launch we have already have come to the rescue of their peers. death, people are more
got 2,000 downloads. “We have developed an app College Meets,” says
Bholesh Mittal, Bholesh Mittal, co-founder of the app and a student aware, notice everything
co-founder of B Tech from IIT Ropar, adding, “We came up with
the idea of coding College Meets exclusively for Rishabh Suri The 32-year-old had to play
college kids. Since its launch in January we have got [Link]@[Link]
an emotionally intense
2,000 downloads across the country.” The app took character in a short film, and
five months to be coded and is currently being used is last Instagram post while he was able to snap out
by students from Delhi University, Amity University,
Chandigarh University, IITs, NITs, and many more.
It’s difficult to trust an online platform due to
H sent his fans into a tizzy.
Now deleted, Sahil
Anand had written how “the
of it, it got back to him during
post production.
Anand then consulted a
increase in concerns over safety in the cyber world. last couple of months have psychiatrist, and took off to the
“A major problem in dating online is fake accounts. been tough” on him, and it was hills to switch off. People close
To overcome this flaw, our app verifies users with “getting worse” even after to him got scared. “I make
their college identity cards. It primarily shows NOTE TO trying to feel normal. people around me happy. If I
READERS: Some
matches within the chosen college or university of the coverage
We tried to contact him, but post a picture where I’m not
Everyone has some unlike other dating apps that show scattered that appears on he had switched off his phone smiling, they ask, ‘Why are you
love story of their matches in their area,” informs Mittal. “Our app our pages is for two days. He later shared a not smiling?’ After Sushant
college days. It’s the enables two users to match and chat or make an in paid for by the video where he revealed what (Singh Rajput), they are more
ideal time to make the app voice/ video call so that they don’t even have to concerned happened. He tells us: “There aware, and notice every little
most of dating. We share their numbers,” says Jaideep Singh, who brands. No are two reasons why I never thing,” he explains. On his 10
didn’t want the heads the marketing for the app. sponsored expressed this to my friends. year long journey, he says:
pandemic to ruin Chirayu Mittal, another co-founder of the app and content does or I’ve been hearing how people “When you’re doing well, tareef
shall appear in
dating scene for a student of Chandigarh University, says, “College any part of HT
were sad after they lose hoti hai, look test hua, audition
youngsters. is the ideal time to make the most of dating. We without it being someone, but I hadn’t heard hua, and end mein aapko pata
Chirayu Mittal, didn’t want the pandemic to ruin the dating scene declared as such someone being affected like chalta hai ‘koi aur kar raha hai’.
co-founder for youngsters.” to our valued me. I thought if I tell someone, Rejections used to affect me,
readers. they won’t get it.” but now I laugh.”
02 time out MUMBAI
WEDNESDAY
JULY 28, 2021

BREAKS DUE TO Dakota and

Chris enjoy
LOCKDOWNS HAVE vacation
SPOILT ME: MANAV in Spain
Manav Gohil is excited about
his new venture, a Gujarati
film; says he would dream of
shooting during the lockdown Chris Martin akota Johnson and Chris Martin are Dakota
PHOTOS: AP
D spending some downtime in Spain. The
Hollywood star and the Coldplay
frontman were recently spotted together in
Johnson;
(below) with
Chris Martin
Kavita Awaasthi Palma de Mallorca, a resort city that’s located spotted in
[Link]@[Link]
on the south coast of Mallorca, Balearic Islands. Spain
According to a report, at the popular
anav Gohil is excited about his Mediterranean destination, Johnson and

M new venture, a Gujarati film,

penned by popular author,
Kajal Oza Vaidya. Glad to be a
part of a woman centric subject, the
actor believes it’s about time male actors
Martin opted for a dinghy ride in the Bay of
Palma. When the star couple stepped off the
dinghy, photographers at the scene reported
that Johnson and Martin strolled through the
rest of town arm-in-arm.
smash the gender stereotype. Fans had first noticed Johnson and Martin
He shares, “The script of the film were a potential item in October 2017, when the
attracted me. As I had worked with Kajal pair were seen getting sushi together,
ji previously, I was eager to collaborate according to a report. A month later, their
with her again. Her stories empower relationship was almost confirmed when the
women from all walks of life. I have Fifty Shades actor was spotted at a Coldplay
stepped outside my comfort zone with concert in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Since then,
this project. I am happy working with a the couple has been seen together on multiple
promising team.” What also excites occasions.
Gohil is that this film marks his return to In December 2020, eagle-eyed fans
Gujarati cinema after four years.” questioned whether Johnson was engaged
While the actor is thrilled to be part of
a “good script” where he is playing a P so
when she began wearing an emerald ring on
her left hand. The couple did not comment
“strong character”, he reveals that
n e b e comes me on the ring, but according to a report, they
mentally preparing himself to get back to O ho did move into a USD 12.5 million mansion
a set required some effort.
z y b e ing at rojects together in Malibu a month later. ANI PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/DAKOTAJOHNSONLIGHTLY
l a p
ot two me to
“These breaks due to lockdowns have
spoilt me. One becomes so lazy being at i f I g
and required
ously,
home and if I got two projects that
required me to shoot simultaneously, I that l t a n e
simu
shoot t kitna saara
felt kitna saara kaam hai! But the quality
of this script was such that I couldn’t
refuse it. I have rested enough during the I fel hai!
lockdown as I had contracted Covid. I kaam IL,
would dream of shooting and being on V GOH
the sets. It feels good to be back,” Gohil MANAActor
concludes.

{ DAILY HOROSCOPE }

‘An OTT Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Dr Prem Kumar Sharma (Astrologer and Vaastu expert) can be contacted at: Delhi: 011-47033152, 40532026 (Sat
to Mon); Panchkula: 91-172-2562832, 2572874 (Tues to Thurs); Mumbai: 09716145644 (Last week of every month)

release is great, ARIES

MAR 21-APR 20
LEO
JUL 23-AUG 23
SAGITTARIUS
NOV 23-DEC 21

but feels
A L s
Money is likely to come Monetary gains are likely Someone is expecting a
from unexpected sources. for those in medical or helping hand, so don’t dis-
A hike in salary is foreseen legal professions. Acco- appoint. Good returns can
and calls for celebration. lades may pour in for be expected from previous

incomplete’ Health tips may come in handy for

those wanting to come back in shape.
LOVE FOCUS: Love life of those feeling
stagnated is set to improve.
something you have achieved. You
need to become health conscious.
LOVE FOCUS: Mood swings of lover
may put paid to your aspirations.
investments. You will be able to keep
up the pace of your exercise regimen
to enjoy good health.
LOVE FOCUS: Someone you are in love
Sugandha Rawal was like, ‘I don’t even feel that LUCKY NUMBER: 4 LUCKY COLOUR: LUCKY NUMBER: 9 LUCKY COLOUR: with is likely to reciprocate equally.
[Link]@[Link]
it is releasing tomorrow’, ” says Electric Grey Sandy Brown LUCKY NUMBER: 8 LUCKY COLOUR: Rust
the 25-year-old.
ctor Akansha Ranjan The actor further adds,

A Kapoor is enjoying her

journey in the OTT
world, but she does miss the
“[The next day], I went for
lunch with my girlfriends to
celebrate and I bumped into
TAURUS
APR 21-MAY 20
VIRGO
AUG 24-SEP 23
CAPRICORN
DEC 22-JAN 21

T I c
excitement and feeling of a big- people, who were like, ‘Aye! An exciting day is fore- A sensible solution to a A wasteful expenditure
screen debut. Your film is releasing today’. seen, when a lot seems to problem may elude you. can spoil your mood. Con-
Last year, when the That is not a normal release happen on the social front. You will be able to restore sistency on the profes-
lockdown was imposed, she day. Normally, you are busy You can become the centre your health by eating right sional front will help you
made her debut with Guilty, promoting and working, and of attraction in a gathering. Some- and exercising. Money from an unex- achieve much today. Good advice will
which premiered on an OTT I’m just going for lunch. That thing that you have done is likely to pected source may delight you. help a family youngster excel.
platform, and her second feeling was very unnerving. enhance your reputation. LOVE FOCUS: There is no point in being LOVE FOCUS: Those craving for love
project, an anthology series, The feeling on release is LOVE FOCUS: Catching the eye of some- too assertive on the romantic front. may witness a miracle happening.
Ray, also released on the web. supposed to be high but it was one you find attractive is possible. LUCKY NUMBER: 18 LUCKY COLOUR: LUCKY NUMBER: 6 LUCKY COLOUR:
“I am more than happy my just another day for me.” LUCKY NUMBER: 2 LUCKY COLOUR: Blue Dark Purple Forest Green
projects are being released on For Kapoor, it was very
OTT because more people get upsetting “because everything

P to watch it. They can also

watch it 10 years from
that comes with a release — the
fear and excitement — wasn’t
GEMINI LIBRA AQUARIUS
y] MAY 21-JUN 21 SEP 24-OCT 23 JAN 22-FEB 19
e r e l e ase da ay now. So, especially at there”.
d

G l a
[Th a n other
this point of time, I That said, she is grateful that You may have to bide your This is a fantastic day, Financial situation of
s t think releasing on her projects are releasing at time, before you manage when you achieve a break- some is likely to improve.
was ju e... because es OTT is great,” least, and has made peace with to have your way. Some of through or a windfall. You A new office or branch
for m g that com Kapoor admits. the fact that “most of the you may heave a sigh on can expect VIP treatment may prove a cash cow.
hin he However, she projects will continue to relief after hectic activity on the on the social front, as your presence You will be in top physical condition
everyt release — t t — says this release on digital platforms for social front. Your judgement about a is much appreciated by all. An event simply by adopting yoga and aerobic

with a excitemen
experience is another year”. professional issue will prove right in your life may reaffirm your faith in exercises. You are likely to be well
accompanied by “I’m very content with and make things easier for you. religious beliefs. cared for at a relative’s place today.
d
fear an sn’t there. an “incomplete where I am in my life. I am LOVE FOCUS: Your endeavours are LOVE FOCUS: You will put your stag- LOVE FOCUS: Getting engaged or mar-
wa feeling”. excited about where I am today likely to get a positive response. nant love life back on the track. ried is on the cards for the eligible.
ANJAN “I remember everyone and grateful. And when my LUCKY NUMBER: 11 LUCKY COLOUR: LUCKY NUMBER: 17 LUCKY COLOUR: LUCKY NUMBER: 1 LUCKY COLOUR:
SHA R
AKAN OOR, Actor asking me, ‘How excited film opens on the big screen Silver Dark Grey Lemon
KAP are you that your film is toh double excited hungi,” she
releasing tomorrow?’. And I ends on an optimistic note.
CANCER SCORPIO PISCES
JUN 22-JUL 22 OCT 24-NOV 22 FEB 20-MAR 20
John

John Travolta honours C S P

Travolta and This is the best time to There is some scope of A monetary boon from an
Kelly Preston focus your energies on betterment on the aca- unexpected source will be
PHOTO: something that you want demic front. You will not most welcome. A senior is
INSTAGRAM to get done. You will be regret investing in a likely to repose full faith in

late wife Kelly able to complete a task well within

the deadline. Don’t neglect something
that needs to be done for health.
LOVE FOCUS: There will not be enough
scheme that seemed dubious at first.
Your convenience can make you a bit
selfish in chipping in at home.
LOVE FOCUS: You find an ideological
you. Home remedy is likely to work
wonders for a minor ailment and
restore your health.
LOVE FOCUS: Those in love are likely to

Preston’s last film time to be with lover today.

LUCKY NUMBER: 22 LUCKY COLOUR:
White
match for yourself.
LUCKY NUMBER: 4 LUCKY COLOUR:
Violet
have scintillating time.
LUCKY NUMBER: 11 LUCKY COLOUR:
Silver

ollywood movie Off The Rails, Jenny Seagrove, Sally Phillips,

H which marks the final film

performance of the late Kelly
Preston, premiered in the UK and
Elizabeth Dormer-Phillips, Ben Miller,
Franco Nero, and Judi Dench. Off The
Rails narrates the story of a group of
{ CALVIN AND HOBBES I BILL WATTERSON }

Ireland this past weekend. Her women in their 50s recreating a train
husband, John Travolta, fondly journey across Europe to fulfil the
remembered her and paid his respects. dying wish of their longtime friend,
Travolta honoured the movie and bringing her daughter along for the
Preston’s work in a message he shared ride.
with his followers on Instagram. Preston died at the age of 57 in July
Travolta wrote, “Off the Rails is Kelly’s of last year after a two-year battle with
last film -- she was very proud of it and breast [Link] on the UK
of all of the wonderful talent that she talk show, Loose Women, Phillips said
got to work within it. It is available in she and Preston became very close
UK and Ireland theaters starting this while shooting Off The Rails but added
Friday July 23rd!” that her co-star kept her health issues
The movie also features actors a secret. ANI
MUMBAI
WEDNESDAY
JULY 28, 2021
lifestyle 03

MILIND SOMAN SAYS

HE LEARNT TO DO
HANDSTAND AT 54
The actor-model proves age is just a
kout video
number in a shirtless wor
Krishna Priya Pallavi yoga pose to connect his mind

Light-to-moderate [Link]@[Link]
and body. Soman often shares
videos of himself doing

M
ilind Soman proves handstands at home, and

drinking linked to
age is just a number
in a new shirtless
recently, he took to Instagram to
post another. He posted a reel in P
workout video, where which he did a handstand and e, even
he is seen doing a captioned it, “Breathe, even when Breath erything
ev
lower risk of heart handstand. He also revealed in
the same post that he learnt the
pose at 54.
everything looks upside down.
#upsidedown #handstand
#quickfix #reelsinstagram.”
when upside
looks n.
The celebrated supermodel and Dressed in just a pair of neon dow
attack: Study actor prove that age is no big
concern if one is dedicated to
following a fitness routine and
green shorts, he was seen doing
the handstand in the late hours of
Monday. He also revealed in the Acto
,
D SOM
AN
MILINr and model Milind Soman (inset) The actor’s seen doing a
handstand PHOTO: FACEBOOK
ight-to-moderate of death due to any cause. healthy lifestyle. The 55-year-old comments the age at which he

L alcohol consumption is
linked to a reduced risk
of heart attack, stroke and
Drinking higher amounts,
up to an average of 15 grams
of alcohol daily, were linked
and his wife, Ankita Konwar,
often post videos and pictures of
themselves indulging in workout
first learnt to do the pose.
The reel instantly garnered
several likes and comments from
the comments section of the
clip. On the professional front,
Soman has started shooting for
BENEFITS OF DOING
HANDSTANDS
benefits the body by increasing
circulation and lymph flow. By
doing this pose, one can engage
death among those with with smaller reductions in sessions to take care of their his fans. The video amassed 32.3k the second season of the fashion The yoga pose is a great full-body their whole body while using
heart disease, according to a risk. “Our findings suggest bodies in a holistic way. His latest likes and 287k views. The actor reality show Supermodel of the workout. Handstands work the shoulders, arms, core, and back
study published in the that people with CVD video also shows him doing a answered a few fan questions in Year. core, improve balance and muscles.
journal BMC Medicine on (cardiovascular disease)
Monday. The largest benefit may not need to stop
-- a 50 per cent reduction in drinking in order to prevent PHOTO: FACEBOOK
risk when compared with
non-drinkers -- was seen in
people with heart disease
additional heart attacks,
strokes or angina, but that
they may wish to consider
Covid-hit mothers
who drank an average of 6
grams of alcohol per day. (A
standard “unit” of alcohol is
lowering their weekly
alcohol intake,” said study
co-author Chengyi Ding, a
may continue to
8 grams in the UK, whereas
the average drink in the
United States contains 14
research student at
University College London.
She noted, however, “The
breastfeed newborns,
says health ministry
grams.) consumption of alcohol is
People who averaged 8 associated with an increased
grams per day had a 27% risk of developing other
lower risk of death from illnesses.”
heart attack, stroke or The researchers, who woman who has tested Puri, who heads the
angina, compared with
those who did not drink.
Those who drank 7 grams
assessed more than 48,000
patients with heart disease,
found that higher alcohol
A positive for the Covid-19
disease can continue to
breastfeed her baby, but
department of obstetrics and
gynaecology at Lady Hardinge
Medical College in New Delhi,
per day had a 21% lower risk consumption, up to 62 should maintain a physical over several related concerns,
grams per day, was not distance of 6 feet at all other including vaccine hesitancy
associated with increased times, the Union Ministry of and what precautions an
THE ALCOHOL risks of recurrent heart Health and Family Welfare infected woman needs to take
CONSUMPTION attack or death as compared has said. Also, there is no to protect her newborn. Dr
AND HEART
DISEASE
STUDY WAS
with zero alcohol
consumption. REUTERS
‘Playing smartphone evidence yet to suggest that a
foetus may contract the virus
from the mother, but pregnant
women need to take all
Puri said vaccines that are
being administered against
coronavirus do not have any
adverse effect on reproductive
PUBLISHED IN
THE JOURNAL
BMC MEDICINE
games to relieve stress possible precautions to stay
away from being infected, the
ministry quoted a senior
doctor from an interview. The
organs or fertility. Stressing
the importance of inoculation,
Dr Puri said the doses will
help prevent severe diseases in
ON MONDAY.
can cause harm’ PHOTO: INSTAGRAM
ministry spoke to Dr Manju pregnant women. HTC

new study has found awareness of time and space. between 77 and 3,307 play at

A that smartphone gaming

can be harmful to
players who game to escape
“We found that people who
experience intense boredom
frequently in everyday life
various difficulty levels from
too easy, which meant there
was a lack of skill-challenge
their negative mood and were reported playing games balance, low flow and low
feelings of boredom. The to escape or alleviate these arousal, to balanced, which
findings of the study were feelings of boredom,” said was more challenging and
published in the journal Com- Chanel Larche, study lead that caused greater flow,
PHOTO: BLOOMBERG puters in Human Behavior. author and a PhD candidate in arousal, less boredom and a
Researchers at the cognitive neuroscience at stronger urge to continue
University of Waterloo found Waterloo. Larche conducted gameplay.
that bored “escape players”, this study with Waterloo’s This was done to determine
those who have difficulty cognitive neuroscience whether players would choose
engaging with the real professor Michael Dixon. to continue playing a game
environment and sustaining Using the popular where there was a balance of
attention, may seek “flow,” smartphone game Candy challenge and skill conducive
which is a deep and effortless Crush, Larche and Dixon had to flow, rather than an easier
state of concentration in an 60 participants with current game that would generate less
activity linked to loss of level standings in the game flow. ANI

1: H e re a re
Sawan 202
VRAT WALE ALOO
Potatoes are one of the
Sabudana most loved ingredients

st in g
Tikki during this month. This dish

5 lip-smac k in g fa is not only easy to make, but

it is also extremely filling. To
make this dish, you will need
potatoes, tomatoes, green

c a n
chillies, rock salt, black

recipes th a t y o u pepper, green chillies and

coriander leaves. Start by
boiling some potatoes. Heat
some oil in a pan, and then
add carom seeds and

prepar e a t h o m e chopped green chillies.

Saute for a few minutes and
add chopped tomatoes.
Once tomatoes are cooked,
add potatoes and mash
them. Mix well. Add a few
cups of water and spices.
Cook till the gravy turns
thick and garnish with
coriander leaves.

pepper powder, cumin

powder, rock salt, and dry
SABUDANA TIKKI mango powder, and set aside.
he holy month of Sabudana Tikki is another popular dish that is enjoyed by Add the ghee mixture to the
KUTTU KI PURI
Made from gram buckwheat
flour, these puris are quite
popular during the Shravan
month. You will need gram
T Sawan, also known as
Shravan maas, began
on July 25 this year.
During this month, devotees
worship Lord Shiva and often
devotees during this auspicious month. To make these,
start by submerging the sabudana overnight. Next, boil
the potatoes and crush them well. Mix the sabudana with
the mashed potatoes. Add dry mango powder, rock salt,
green chillis and cumin powder. Make small patties and
pan and sauté for a minute.
Cool down to room
temperature. Serve or store in
an airtight container.

buckwheat flour, boiled and observe a fast. On ‘Sawan ka deep-fry till they become golden brown. Serve with mint DATES AND NUTS
mashed potatoes, few somwar’ (Mondays falling in or coriander chutney. LADDOO
pinches of rock salt, black the month of Shravan), Laddoos never go out of
pepper, and oil for frying the devotees observe a special fast fashion when it comes to
puris to make this dish. Sieve and visit Shiva temples. While Food lovers also look and stay healthy. fasting. To make this sweet
the flour in a bowl. Add devotees worship Lord Shiva forward to this month because dish, dry roast nuts for few
boiled mashed potato and on Mondays throughout the of the various dishes made PHOOL MAKHANA minutes on the stovetop and
salt to the flour and mix it year, the Mondays during this during this time to observe the MUNCHIES set them aside to cool. To the
together. Make a soft dough particular month are fasting rituals. There are An incredible snack to eat same pan, add deseeded dates
and keep it aside for 30 considered highly significant plenty of vrat-friendly recipes during the Shravan month, and heat them till they turn
minutes. Cut small balls from and auspicious. The festival is which can be made during Phool Makhana Munchies are soft. Then, add nuts to the
the dough and flatten it in a observed mainly in the North this period. Hence, we thought really easy to make. To make dates mixture and blend them
Kuttu ki puri round shape. Deep fry the Indian states. The auspicious of sharing five simple and this dish, start by dry roasting together. Take small portions
PHOTOS: UNSPLASH poori in hot ghee and serve month of Sawan began on quick recipes you can prepare lotus seeds or phool makhana and roll them to balls. In the
hot. Friday, July 23 and ends on during your fasts to stay on low heat for 8-10 minutes end, roll them in desiccated
Sunday, August 22. satiated throughout the day or till crunchy. Combine ghee, coconut and serve. HTC
04
MUMBAI
WEDNESDAY
JULY 28, 2021

TRAVEL TALES: MUMBAI

JULY 28, 2021

GET CREATIVE ON TRAVEL

THE MOVE!
Immersive experiences of a journey sometimes translate into beautiful tales
that not only capture
on Wednesday
Scan here
to visit
HTTravel

authentic memories but also jolt others to experience and explore

Swati Chaturvedi become a part of the journey. night. Suddenly, the pleasant buzz of
[Link]@[Link]
Be it chronicling the fragrance and fireflies and night insects engulfed the
freshness of the first rain at a hill scene,” he says, adding, “It felt right to pen

T
ravel experiences create destination, or the charm of sun, sea, salt the story around travelling itself, there
memories. And sometimes the and sand from an exotic beach – Mother and then. I hope to weave it into a series.”
charm of a destination becomes Nature has often inspired the best of Moreover, travel writers don’t just bind
so captivating that it inspires one travel tales. “From savants to hermits to themselves to the scenery but develop a
to write down those thoughts, for cinematographers in the tinsel town, relationship with everything that the
them to be preserved and shared. A nature is the first love of every creative place has to offer. “Picturesque places
meticulously drafted travelogue has the person. And being a keen observer, a may be a landscape of beauty but it may
power to transport the reader into a writer always discovers his muse in also be a place full of people. They may be
different world, where they themselves nature — in the shades of seasons, ripples simply going about their everyday lives
of water, surreal sunset, blue moon, and but the beauty of humanity is reflected in
whatnot. They urge a writer to decode their faces. This can be just as powerful as
Documenting their feelings in uncanny words and the arch of mountains and the sweep of
one’s feelings, unforgettable stories,” says Shivaji seas,” says Tim Young, a travel blogger,
stories, and Choudhary, travel writer and influencer. adding that such immersive experiences
thoughts while For travel writer Mohit Goyal, the have their own charm, while nature too,
travelling is also inspiration of his first novel came while inspires many. “The words start to flow
a great way to ‘lazing around’ at a charming country for the writer, the outlines, colours
share that side resort. The evening sky was a appear for the artist, and the sounds
experience with mélange of blue and orange, before the begin to be heard for the musician – that’s
the world disappearing sun gave way to a black the power of the nature,” Young signs off.
PHOTO: ISTOCK

P
A writer always
discovers his muse in
nature — in the shades of
seasons, ripples of water,
surreal sunset and whatnot.
They urge a writer to decode
their feelings in uncanny
words.
SHIVAJI CHOUDHARY, travel When a travel
writer and influencer experience
inspires the
writer within
you, a
travelogue
could be a great
way to express
yourself

PHOTO:
INSTAGRAM/
SINDHURAJASEKAR
(FOR
REPRESENTATIONAL
PURPOSE ONLY)
Kerala Germany Amalfi coast
For Sudanshu Rai, writer, story- Not just natural beauty but For Shivali Bhammer, con-
teller and filmmaker, God’s own often culture or architecture of temporary bhajan singer and
country, Kerala is the perfect a place can also have mystic traveller, Amalfi coast in Italy
destination to inspire creativity. effects. “As a storyteller, I feel encompasses all that she
“Picturesque places comprising inspired differently while visit- needs to be at her creative
of hills and backwaters, can ing different places. Whenever I best. “The food tastes incredi-
inspire any writer or storyteller visit Austria or Germany, their bly fresh, straight from the
to pen a piece on the Indian ancient architecture inspires farm, the sea provides per-
landscape. My other favourite detective stories. As the sun sets spective and peace, the village
Kerala backwaters is a network of scenic would be Rajasthan and its folk- in and the lamps are switched feel is very inviting and
water bodies bordered by the paddy fields lores that act as the right cata- on, it sets the perfect premise romance rests on the wings of Amalfi coast with its small beaches and colourful houses is a
and coconut trees PHOTO: VIVEK R NAIR/HT lyst for writing period stories.” for a mystery thriller,” says Rai. the wind.” popular holiday destination in Italy PHOTO: INSTAGRAM

#inbrief
#theburningquestion PHOTO: SAMIR JANA/HT FILE PHOTO

RT-PCR reports UK to review

Will safety concerns mandatory in India’s red list
redefine the future Uttar Pradesh status?
Taking extra precautions this Due to the deadly second wave of
trends in tourism? Independence Day, the Uttar
Pradesh government has made
Covid-19 test reports mandatory
the pandemic that killed several
people between April to June,
India remains on the United
Being a responsible travel influencer, I know people are for people entering the state Kingdom’s red list for travel.
watching what I do, and also take inspiration from it. So I’ll from high-risk states, between Indian foreign secretary, Harsh
definitely take safety into consideration while planning any August 1 to 15. People coming Vardhan Shringla has briefed the
trip. I think it should be the biggest factor to influence our from areas which have more than UK Foreign Office regarding the
travel plans for the time being. 3% weekly positivity rate require current Covid-19 situation in India,
Considering the same, I’ve kept all my travel plans at hold either negative RT-PCR reports or pointing out that cases have now
for now. I have travelled only once in a long time, and that proof of being fully vaccinated. gone down to a great extent. All
too for work. I have taken the phrase UP’s additional chief secretary measures are also taken to avoid a
‘jaan hai toh jahan hai’ a bit too (health) Amit Mohan Prasad says, third wave. France had earlier
seriously and will abide by it. “The the new rule will apply to cleared fully vaccinated visitors
As of future travel trends, those coming by air, rail or road.” from India.
tourism recovery typically
begins locally. Travellers
would tend to first venture out PHOTO: AP
closer to home. They would
visit their local eateries, stay Delhi zoo to reopen from August 1 Canopy at Kali
local for a weekend getaway or
travel domestically before a After remaining shut for months protocols in place. According to US won’t ease Tiger Reserve
robust demand for international
travel returns.
due to the rise in the number of
Covid-19 cases, Delhi zoo is now all
zoo director, Ramesh Pandey, the
area will be operated in two restrictions
Even for me, whenever I’d travel, I set to welcome visitors from this shifts, 8am till noon and 1pm to
would take safety into Sunday. The authorities have 5pm, as earlier. Visitors can make Citing the highly virulent Delta
consideration and that would decided to reopen the premises online bookings from July 31 on variant and the rising number of
be the biggest factor to from August 1, with all the Covid the zoo’s website. Covid-19 cases in the country, the
determine my PHOTO: SANJEEV VERMA/HT US has decided not to lift any
routes and travel restrictions at this point.
destination. “Given where we are today ... Karnataka’s Kali Tiger Reserve, in
with the Delta variant, we will Uttara Kannada district, is home
Disclaimer: The views maintain existing travel to Royal Bengal tigers and black
expressed here are restrictions,” White House panthers. The reserve got its first
author’s personal. spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on canopy walk four years ago, but it
Monday, reports Reuters. “Driven couldn’t be opened for the public
by the Delta variant, cases are earlier. Built between four large
Md Danish, rising here at home, particularly trees, it hangs at a height of 30 ft,
Travel photographer among those who are and offers a fantastic view of the
unvaccinated and are likely surrounding areas. This is
continue to increase in the weeks something a nature lover cannot
ahead,” Psaki said. afford to miss!

Compiled by: Ruchika Garg