WEEKEND EDITION • Delhi, sunday, december 6, 2015

www.thehindu.in Weekly Edition Regd. DL(ND)-11/6110/2006-07-08 RNI No. TNENG/2012/49939 ISSN 0971 - 751X Vol. 5 No. 49 CITY EDITION 26 Pages Rs. 8.00 ●

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Printed at Chennai, Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Madurai, Noida, Visakhapatnam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Vijayawada, Mangaluru, Tiruchirapalli, Kolkata, Hubballi, Mohali, Allahabad, Malappuram and Mumbai

Hindu groups plan to “purify” Dadri village with cow urine

Javadekar backs Jaitley’s liberal view on homosexuality

Farooq calls for converting LoC into International Border

Dia Mirza says people make a big difference in wildlife conservation

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Sunday Magazine

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Army teams say they have become directionless, are requested to rescue relatives of VIPs

Two more naval ships arrive with relief and rescue material and seven lakh litres of packaged water

PM announces Rs. 2 lakh to the kin of those killed in the floods

With no logistical help, relief teams face bumps Unruly elements try to make political capital out of relief work

BACK HOME AFTER HARROWING DAYS: People of Thideer Nagar, near Greames Road, in Chennai were fortunate to return home after the floodwaters receded in their locality on Saturday. — PHOTO: R. RAGU

pists who headed to relief camps in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Cuddalore were confronted allegedly by unruly political elements who sought to hijack their relief efforts. Social media went into a rage about complaints from volunteers

that some ruling party functionaries forced them to stick the photographs of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on relief parcels. In some places, the volunteers were allegedly not allowed to distribute the aid until they agreed to allow some politicians to “inaugu-

rate” the relief camps. The ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam asked people to lodge complaints about such activities, and promised party-level and criminal action against such elements. People rescued from ma-

rooned localities complained that they were not adequately warned by the local administration before releasing water from the Chembarambakkam reservoir on December 1. A list of areas that would be inundated was not issued. INS Shakthi and INS Sa-

hyadri arrived at the Chennai port from the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam on Saturday carrying 100 tonnes of relief materials and seven lakh litres of packaged water. The ships carried aircraft, 25 inflatable boats and a rescue team of 108 divers.

The Army deployed 60 rescue and relief teams. On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs. 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those killed in the floods.

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AIADMK WORKERS SEEK TO HIJACK AID | PAGE 6

Israel is systematically Bajrang Dal renews killing Palestinians: Abbas Ram temple campaign STANLY JOHNY

REPORT BY G. ANANTHAKRISHNAN ON PAGE 14

BRIEFLY CALIFORNIA KILLINGS Soldiers of caliphate behind attack: IS BEIRUT/WASHINGTON: The Islamic State on Saturday hailed the perpetrators of a mass shooting in the U.S. state of California as “soldiers” of its caliphate, without explicitly claiming the attack. WORLD PAGE 14

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SUNDAY MAGAZINE — 6 Pages

CLASSIFIEDS — On Pages 6 & 7

VIKAS PATHAK NEW DELHI: Bajrang Dal will observe the 23rd anniversary of the Babri mosque demolition on Sunday as “Shourya Divas” (Valour Day). While the organisation has been observing the day all these years, the context of the recent death of Ashok Singhal, leader of the VHP, its parent organisation, and the Sangh Parivar’s reiteration of its commitment to build a Ram temple as the “true” tribute to him, has made the event, otherwise “routine”, acquire greater symbolic importance. There will be programmes

across the country, including at Karsevakpuram in Ayodhya, where the mosque stood till December 6, 1992. Fireworks, processions, recitation of Hanuman Chalisa and a pledge in support of the temple are part of the celebration, VHP leader Vinod Bansal said. Mr. Bansal said “Shourya Divas” had helped the organisation “pay tribute” to those who contributed to the Ram temple movement and inform the youth about it to have a future supply of sympathisers for the cause.

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‘LeT plans suicide bombings in Delhi, other cities’ SHIV SUNNY NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police have

been tipped off that the Lashkar-e-Taiba is planning to carry out suicide bombings in Delhi and some other cities. The news on Saturday led to some panic in the NCR region, with many people cancelling their weekend plans and staying home. A few offices in Gurgaon shut early. The police said the targets included some “high-profile personalities” in the city. The Special Cell has registered an FIR at their Lodhi Colony office. “The inputs were received by a special cell officer on Tuesday evening. We are not taking the information lightly as the policeman has claimed that it came from one of his credible sources,” a senior Delhi Police officer said on Saturday.

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Red tape holding up Underworld ties run deep in Mumbai politics $41-bn U.S. investment JOSY JOSEPH, SHARAD VYAS & GAUTAM S. MENGLE

ARUN S

MUMBAI: Criminalisation of

ing U.S. companies from going ahead with a $41-billion investment in India, and an investment treaty to settle disputes with the States needs to be in place to speed up overseas funds, said an official of an advocacy group, set up to strengthen trade ties between the two nations. U.S. firms are planning to

politics has long been a concern, especially in Maharashtra where the flourishing underworld has been part of its political milieu for several decades. A detailed investigation by The Hindu establishes that several State-level politicians have long-standing, or newly established, ties with the Dawood gang, with the criminal-politician network developing significant muscle and money power in what appears as a resurgence of the syndicate. Documents and intercepts show that fugitive dons Dawood Ibrahim and his aide Chhota Shakeel used their close links in local politics to influence key redevelopment schemes in South Mumbai in the past few years, without even the operators of the project knowing it. Poll funding In return, the duo not only helped fund elections of certain candidates but also got their men installed on impor-

CM YK

NEW DELHI: Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas has said the recent eruption of violence in Jerusalem and West Bank is a “reaction to the violence and atrocities committed by Israeli security forces and settlers” against Palestinians. “This spontaneous movement was launched by Palestinians, Muslims and Christians in Jerusalem, as a result of the Israeli sanctions against them, including confiscation of their land, disallowing them to build their homes, and im-

posing huge taxes,” Mr. Abbas told The Hindu in an email interview. However, these protesters, who in his view are on their own, are being targeted by the Israeli Army through systematic killings. The attacks that began in mid-September show no signs of relenting. “The individual actions on the Palestinian side are being faced by systematic killings by the Israeli Army which do not even spare women and children under the pretext that this individual was allegedly carrying a knife or was intending to run someone over by car,” he said.

STAFF REPORTER NEW DELHI: A day after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s decision to introduce a plan for odd-even number vehicles on alternate days to check growing pollution in the city, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday that it would be “tried out for a limited period and will be stopped if there are problems galore.” “Many things are yet to be thrashed out” including exemption for certain private vehicles. “In principle, a decision has been taken. Many things are yet to be thrashed out...We will experiment with it for some time, maybe for 15 days. If there are problems, it will be stopped,” Mr. Kejriwal said at the HT Leadership Summit here. He said that while the government had planned to introduce the system at a later stage after strengthening the public transportation, it was “forced to take this drastic step” following panic in the wake of High Court’s observation likening Delhi to a “gas chamber.” However, Mr. Kejriwal said his government “will not allow the people to be inconvenienced”.

TAMIL NADU BUREAU CHENNAI: As the armed forces and the National Disaster Response Force continued operations to rescue marooned people in Chennai and its surroundings for the third day on Saturday and volunteers from various agencies rushed relief material, ground-level irritants emerged as a challenge to them. A section of Army personnel complained that they were directionless in reaching people who needed them most as local logistical support was not available in full measure. Also, they had to handle requests to rescue relatives of VIPs at the cost of the commoner. In the absence of a coordinated flow of relief materials to the affected areas through a State nodal agency, volunteers of non-governmental organisations and philanthro-

Will stop odd-even scheme if there are problems: Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: Red tape is hinder-

EXCLUSIVE

tant statutory panels such as the Standing Committee of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The panel is empowered to clear key construction and redevelopment schemes and major infrastructure works across city. It has 27 members as representatives of various political parties elected to the country’s richest municipal corporation.

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invest in infrastructure, defence, pharmaceutical, healthcare, e-commerce and renewable energy, president of the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) Mukesh Aghi told The Hindu. The companies have expressed their concern to the Centre and some States as well as the parliamentary panel on ease of doing business, over slow approvals, opaque processes, tax uncertainties, judicial delays and regulatory inconsistencies. The Indian government recently hiked foreign investment in insurance from

26 per cent to 49 per cent, and U.S. companies are unlikely to invest more in the sector till the Indian government removes the rider in the insurance law that mandates Indian ownership and control in the sector. The USIBC, its website says, is the premier business advocacy organisation for strengthening economic and commercial ties between the U.S. and India. Mr. Aghi declined to reveal details of the planned $41 billion investment.

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NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU

CM YK

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

ND-ND

CITY

NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

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D E L H I

Dec 06, Sun

Dec 07,Mon

Dec 08, Tue

RISE 07 00 SET 17 25

RISE 07 01 SET 17 26

RISE 07 02 SET 17 26

RISE 03 05 SET 14 50

RISE 03 56 SET 15 27

RISE 04 49 SET 16 07

Security stepped up after terror alert Social networking accounts are being scouted to identify and monitor any potential suspects

NHRC notice on relief for wrongful confinement

STAFF REPORTER

MOHAMMED IQBAL

NEW DELHI: A terror alert has been sounded in the city after the Delhi Police received a tip-off about terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba planning suicide bombings at crowded locations in the national Capital. While a slew of security measures have been put in place, the special cell is particularly on the lookout for any suspected “LeT sympathisers” in the city. Social networking accounts are being scouted to identify and monitor any such suspects. “One of our primary aims is to negate any possibility of mischievous elements obtaining help from people in the city,” said a senior police officer, adding that the slew of security measures do not mean the public should panic. Police personnel have been told to keep an eye on used vehicle markets to identify any suspicious elements. Police have also been visiting hotels, guesthouses and cyber cafes to tell the owners to keep them informed if they come across any suspicious activities. Ever since the warnings were received on Tuesday, security has been heightened at the city’s popular and crowded markets such as Sarojini Nagar, Chandni Chowk, Paharganj, Sadar Bazar, Karol Bagh, etc. Senior police officers of different districts have been told to activate the “eyes and ears scheme” to rope in the locals for better information on suspicious people and activities. A senior police officer said that all district DCPs have been told to exercise great discretion in granting leave so that surveillance in the city is not affected due to poor man-

Special vigil on the borders; vehicles from Haryana, UP are being thoroughly searched power. Police have told the railway police and staff at stations and tracks to maintain vigil. With buses often being the main mode of transport for criminal elements entering the city, security has been heightened at the inter-state bus terminals. The main focus, though, is the borders Delhi shares with other States. Special vigil is being maintained on the borders and all vehicles entering the city from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh are being thoroughly searched, police said. Many of these measures are adopted by the police, though on a relatively smaller scale, a few weeks prior to Republic day and Independence Day every year. The latest threats, which the police are not taking lightly given certain specific inputs, have led to security being tightened a month in advance this time.

NEW DELHI: Nearly four years

after the release of a man following his wrongful incarceration for 14 long years on false charges of being a terrorist, the National Human Rights Commission on Friday issued notice to the Delhi government asking why a monetary relief of Rs.5 lakh should be not recommended to be paid to him. Mohammed Aamir, who was arrested from Old Delhi on February 27, 1998, when he had just turned 18, spent the next 14 years in jail as an accused in 20 low-intensity bomb blasts executed in Delhi and nearby towns. He was later acquitted in as many as 17 cases, including one by the Delhi High Court. Aamir was released on January 9, 2012, after “long and arduous sufferings” that destroyed his youth, said the Commission. “The damage caused to him by

NEW DELHI: In the fourth arrest in

the alleged ISI-run espionage racket, the Delhi Police on Saturday nabbed a schoolteacher from Jammu & Kashmir’s Rajouri district. High drama unfolded during the arrest as the accused, identified as Sabar, tried to dodge the Delhi Police’s Crime Branch team when they reached his village on Saturday morning. “We faced some resistance

from the locals and had to call our counterparts there to deal with them. We suspect Sabar was informed of the raid well in advance,” said a senior Delhi Police officer. When police finally went to his house, they allegedly found it locked from outside. Even as police were scanning the surroundings, Sabar suddenly emerged on his house roof and jumped into his backyard. “The accused injured his leg in

Imprisonment for passport officers NIRNIMESH KUMAR NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has

awarded different terms of imprisonment to three employees of the Regional Passport Office, New Delhi, for issuing passports on non-existent addresses, forged signatures and different photographs between 2000 and 2004. According to the complaint lodged with CBI, the accused in conspiracy with private persons and a Delhi Police Assistant Sub-Inspector had been able to obtain various passports in the name of various persons by this modus operandi. In one case, a passport was issued in the name of a woman who travelled abroad on this

The accused issued passports on fake addresses, forged signatures and photographs basis. The investigating agency alleged that the Sub-Inspector had filed a false verification report in this case. But, the court acquitted him as the prosecution could not prove the charges against him. The court convicted Bibianus Toppo, Superintendent, Harbhajan Yadav and Ram Chander, clerks, and a private person Anil Dhawan. “The prosecution has succeeded to bring home the guilt of accused Bibianus Toppo,

the conduct of the State authorities is immense and exemplary. In the circumstances, the State must compensate the damage caused by its employees to the victim,” stated the Commission’s order. The NHRC, which had earlier taken suo motu cognisance of the case, gave six weeks to the Delhi Chief Secretary to respond to its notice. NHRC Member Justice D. Murugesan said the life ahead of the victim from this point “does not seem to be a smooth one as he has lost his parents, his career, his hopes, dreams and everything.” The Commission observed that the execution of duties to

Harbhajan Yadav and Ram Chander for the offence punishable under Section 13 (2) read with Section 13 (1) (d) (iii) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 beyond the shadow of all reasonable doubts, accordingly, I hereby hold them guilty thereunder,” Additional Sessions Judge Pawan Kumar Jain said in his order. Anil Dhawan was held guilty for cheating and forgery. The court awarded one-year imprisonment to the three public servants and three years of imprisonment to Anil Dhawan. “I sentence the convict Bibianus Toppo, Harbhajan Yadav and Ram Chander to rigorous imprisonment for a period of one year…” the court said.

Accused is alleged to have received crucial information about Indian Army’s troop movement the process and collapsed. When we rushed to capture him, the locals tried to obstruct us,” said the officer, adding they had the local police for assistance at that time. Sabar has been booked

under provisions of the Official Secrets Act. Before Sabar, three men, including a serving BSF hawaldar, have been arrested from different parts of the country, in connection with the alleged espionage racket, busted by the Crime Branch last week. Sabar is alleged to have received certain crucial information about Indian Army’s troop movement along the borders in case of a war-like situation between India and Pakistan.

Man arrested for duping students STAFF REPORTER NEW DELHI: A man has been arrested for cheating over 100 students of more than Rs.50 lakh on the pretext of providing diploma certificates, said the police on Saturday. The accused Praveen Mehta was running a computer education centre at south Delhi’s Satya Niketan. Police said Mehta was providing fake certificates in the name of the computer education centre, APTECH Centre without any

permission from them. Mehta was nabbed on the complaint of one Vinay Kumar, a resident of RK Puram, who told police that he had paid Rs.40,000 as fee for a one-year diploma course in computer training. “After completion of the course, Vinay was not provided the certificate and Praveen kept him waiting for three months,” said Prem Nath, DCP (South). Vinay finally contacted APTECH’s head office in Noida but was shocked to learn that the computer centre run

and Jharkhand Police on Saturday rescued an 11-year-old girl in a raid at an alleged fake placement agency in Shivaji Enclave. According to the police, a woman, who is said to be the owner of the agency, ‘Adivasi Rozgar Sewa Kendra’, has been arrested while “important” documents have been seized, which hint at trafficking of hundred other girls from Jharkhand in the last

STAFF REPORTER NEW DELHI: Promising to solve her problems through spiritual powers, a man allegedly raped an aspiring Afghani model several times over the past few months, police said on Saturday. The accused was nabbed from Palwal in Haryana on Friday evening, after over a week the woman approached the Amar Colony police station in South-East Delhi. The 24-year-old complainant has been an aspiring and struggling model living in Delhi for the past three years. She told the police she was advised by one of her neighbours to visit a Guruji in Pal-

The accused promised to remove all obstacles from the woman’s life

The accused was tracked down to Palwal and arrested on Friday. —PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

wal for a solution to her woes. Accompanied by her sister, she visited the man in June this year. The accused man Guruji

alias Tara Chand, 46, promised to remove all the obstacles in order to help her achieve a successful career in modelling. Initially he called

her a few times to Palwal where he performed certain rites. The next month, however, the accused visited her home in Amar Colony where he allegedly spiked her water at the first opportunity. “The woman was asked to drink the water for career benefits. She claims she fell unconscious after drinking the water after which he raped her,” said the officer. When the woman protest-

month. According to the police, the girl from Jharkhand, was allegedly lured by one Jagat Pahan with the offer of a job in Delhi. She was handed over to Ilani Munda alias Sheela, the owner of the agency. A missing case was registered at Khunti in Jharkhand on November 26. Following investigations, the Jharkhand police managed to arrest Pahan, who told them about the girl’s whereabouts, the police said. —PTI

DELHI TODAY Exhibition: “Hungarian Visions” an exhibition of photographs by Illés Tóth at Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre (HICC), 1-A, Janpath, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Exhibition: “Folk Strangers” - a solo art show of grotesque heads (sculptures) by Neeraj Gupta at Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre (IHC), 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Music: An evening of Ghazals by Shakeel Ahmed at Habitat World, India Habitat Centre (IHC), 7 p.m. Dance: Bharatanatyam recital by Swati Biswas at Habitat World, India Habitat Centre (IHC), 7 p.m. Discussion: ‘Ayodhya: A symbol of Syncretic Culture’ by Dr K.M. Shrimali Maxfort School, Sector 7, Dwarka, 3 p.m. Talk: “The Language of the Heart” by Prashantji at Ramana Kendra, 8, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, 10 a.m. Screening: Polish Film Festival: Screening of “Dostoevsky’s Travels”, 7 p.m. and “Tripping With Zhirinovsky”, 7:50 p.m. at Habitat World, India Habitat Centre (IHC). (Mail your listings for this column at [email protected])

by Praveen was unauthorised and not affiliated to APTECH. A case of cheating and criminal breach of trust was subsequently registered against Praveen. “The computer centre was being run from a rented premise. A police team visited the premise, but it was locked,” the DCP added. A raid was conducted at Praveen’s rented house in Faridabad Sector-19. He was arrested and three fake certificates were recovered from his possession, said the police.

‘Baba’ held for ‘raping’ aspiring Afghan model

Girl from Jharkhand rescued in Shivaji Enclave raid NEW DELHI: A joint team of Delhi

ensure security was strictly subjected to the mandate of relevant statutes and procedures established by the Supreme Court. “In other words, the entire set of actions of the State must be regulated by the Rule of Law.” “It transpires from the case record that the victim was subjected to State action only on suspicion. Not an iota of evidence was produced in the court to connect Aamir with any of the alleged crimes,” said the Commission. The Commission also took note of the excesses committed by the police officials on Aamir. “While Aamir suffered incarceration silently, his conduct in the prison was found [to be] very satisfactory and praiseworthy by the Jailor of Ghaziabad District Jail,” it said, adding that all reports were unanimous about violation of the victim’s human rights.

Security has been heightened at the city’s popular and crowded markets such as Sarojini Nagar, Chandni Chowk, Paharganj, Sadar Bazar and Karol Bagh. —FILE PHOTO

Schoolteacher arrested in espionage racket STAFF REPORTER

Mohammed Aamir spent 14 years in jail on false charges of being a terrorist

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ed the crime upon gaining her consciousness, the accused warned her of death in her family if she revealed the incident to anyone. He allegedly went on to rape her several times over the next few weeks and also extracted Rs.10 lakh from her by threatening her with dire consequences. When there was no change in her fortune, she approached the police on November 27 upon which a rape case was registered. “We put the accused person on surveillance and raided his possible hideouts. He was tracked down in Palwal and arrested after laying a trap,” said the officer.

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NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

Vacuum cleaning on all Public Works Department roads will begin from April 1, grass will be planted on side kerbs of all the arterial roads to remove dust

Odd-even scheme is just the beginning PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Can the Metro handle more? CITY BUREAU NEW DELHI: Come January, the ri-

dership in the Delhi Metro is set to increase owing to the Delhi government’s latest pollution control measures. Although the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation claims that its train continue to run below its capacity, commuters have mostly complained of overcrowding, especially in the busiest lines like Dwarka-Noida/Vaishali and Dilshad garden-Rithala. From an average ridership of 80,000 per day in 2002 when the Metro was introduced in Delhi, the numbers have drastically risen to 26 lakh per day now. According to officials, in the past five years itself metro’s ridership has increased by a mammoth 156 per cent. Reacting to the Delhi government’s comment of asking it to increase the frequency of trains, the DMRC said, “We have already reduced the average frequency of trains from 3.35 minutes to 3.10 minutes by pushing 210 extra trips and adding 20 more trains in the network. Things would clearly ease out once Phase III is operational next year as there would be multiple routes to reach a particular destination. We still would do whatever best is possible,” said a senior official. Meanwhile, Transport Min-

The Chief Minister said Euro VI emission norms will be implemented in Delhi from 2017 instead of 2019. PHOTO: AFP STAFF REPORTER

T

he Delhi government’s plan to start an odd/even number vehicle rationing scheme is one of the major steps to counter the city's severe pollution levels. The scheme, however, is part of a slew of measures that the government has planned. Talking about other initiatives taken by his government on Friday to tackle pollution, Mr. said vacuum POISON IN Kejriwal cleaning on all Public THE AIR Works Department (PWD) roads will beDesperate steps gin from April 1 and grass will be planted on side kerbs and central verges of all the arterial roads to remove dust. Dust is one of the major contributors to the pollutants that choke Delhi. In its emergency meeting on Friday, the government had noted that dust arises also from kuccha parts of the

Entry timings for trucks will be pushed up to 11 pm instead of the current deadline of 9 pm road berms, central verges and open spaces falling within the right of way of the roads. The government has promised that extensive horticulture works shall be undertaken by the PWD from January 1, 2016 with the objective to ensure that open areas prone to generating dust are greened and do not contribute to the dust. The Chief Minister said Euro VI emission norms will be implemented in Delhi from 2017 as against Centre’s plan to make it mandatory from 2019 even as his government had decided to shut down the Rajghat and Badarpur thermal power plants. While trucks and other heavy commercial vehicles entering Delhi would be checked at vari-

ous entry points, timings for their entry would also be pushed up to around 11 pm instead of the current deadline of 9 pm. A large number of outside trucks that enter into Delhi are found to be polluting the air as they do not meet the Delhi government's ‘Pollution Under Control’ norms. “We will ensure stricter enforcement in ensuring issuance of pollution under control certificates at petrol pumps through use of a computerised system,” Mr. Kejriwal said. He also added that people burning garbage would be fined as part of measures to control pollution. The government has also decided to crowd-source complaints that are related to visibly polluting vehicles and of burning of bio-mass, garbage, leaves, etc. using IT technology. It also noted that there are many civic body parking lots on PWD roads that create chaos, it was discussed that these lots will be closed.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai said more buses and trains will be added to take the extra load ister Gopal Rai told reporters that the public transport system would be strengthened by introducing more buses and frequency of Metro trains to accommodate the rush due to its decision. Mr. Rai said the DMRC and Delhi Traffic Police will be approached in this regard and a strategy worked out early next week. “I have called a meeting with officials from Transport Department, Public Works Department Delhi Traffic Police and environment department on how to execute the government’s decision,” Mr. Rai said. A senior government official said that transport department does not have sufficient staff to execute the new decision on its own and it will approach Traffic Police for cooperation with the government. Sources in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) said that it is difficult for the public-owned bus authority to include more buses in its fleet. The public transporter is trying to procure around 2,000 new buses for almost two years but to no avail and must make do with its fleet of 4,500 buses.

The DMRC says it is running under capacity but the most common complaint of commuters is overcrowded trains. PHOTO: V. SUDERSHAN

Carpool, radio taxis can ease clogging

Govt’s move needs public support: CSE

SIDHARTHA ROY

BINDU SHAJAN PERAPPADAN

NEW DELHI: For Delhi’s air to be-

come pollution free and its streets to get unclogged, it is necessary that most people eventually shift to public transport. There is, however, another part of the transport sector that promises to bring some relief if it becomes better organised – car-pools and better para-transit facilities. Para-transit includes vehicles that can be hired for moving from one point to another. In Delhi, this sector mainly includes auto rickshaws and radio taxis. Ashok Bhattacharya, former Director of the Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning & Engineering) (UTTIPEC), said that though car pooling cannot have an impact as ef-

Many mobile apps now exist to facilitate car-pooling. PHOTO: AFP

fective as using public transport, it is definitely one of the solutions to reduce the number of cars on Delhi’s roads. “I remember car-pooling with my friends way back in 1985 when there was not so

much traffic in Delhi,” said Bhattacharya. The concept of car-pooling, however, never really took off. The biggest reason of course is inability to find people using same routes at a similar time every

day and also the reluctance of many to travel with others. Mr. Bhattacharya said that many mobile applications have now come out that make car-pooling easier. “These apps help in fixing routes by aggregating them. Many companies are now also promoting such apps,” he said. Mr. Bhattacharya also added that auto rickshaw sharing system, such as the ones in Kolkata, could also be introduced in Delhi. But the onus is not on individuals, “Car-pool is a very good solution but it is the government that should take a lead role in promoting it by introducing software and security features that will help make car-pooling more organised,” said Transport expert Anil Chhikara.

NEW DELHI: The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has welcomed the Delhi government’s decision to cut down traffic volume, eliminate emissions from coal-powered plants and push for tighter emission standards to curb air pollution in the city. Anumita Roychowdhury, CSE’s executive director, research and advocacy, and head of its air pollution control unit, said: “Alarming trends in air pollution levels in the city and its devastating impacts on public health have made the city desperate for urgent solution. Small incremental steps will not help. If the public demand for clean air has merited this action, this needs even stronger public support to make it work as well,” she added.

Most productive House session ever: Speaker

Mega traffic enforcement drive by Revenue Dept

STAFF REPORTER

NEW DELHI: With the aim to make

NEW DELHI: The Legislative As-

sembly’s winter session, which concluded on Friday, was the longest in the history of the House. Speaker Ram Niwas Goel said that 11 sittings were held and business was conducted for over 43 hours against the scheduled limit of 38 hours. The House saw the introduction and passage of 15 Bills, including the historic Delhi Jan Lokpal Bill 2015. A total of 253 question notices were received while 244 notices for Special Mention and 42 notices for Short Duration discussions were also received during the sittings. Issues such as increasing pollution in the Capital and the shortage of night shelters were also raised through 42 Calling Attention Motions in the House, while 21 notices CM YK

Over 43 hours of business was conducted, against the scheduled limit of 38, and 15 Bills were passed. PHOTO: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA

were received for Private Members’ resolutions and two days were earmarked for taking them up. However, nearly 80-82 percent of the questions asked Under Rule 280 remained unanswered by concerned officials, Mr. Goel said may calling the officials in the House to explain the reason for not submitting answers.

“Just 20 per cent of the questions asked were answered. We will act against officials for failing to give replies,” he said. Referring to the conduct of the legislators in the House and incidents involving BJP MLA Om Prakash Sharma and Aam Aadmi Party’s Pankaj Pushkar, the Speaker said that he exercised “increased strictness” in such matters.

STAFF REPORTER

the Capital’s streets safer and its drivers more disciplined, the Revenue Department said it successfully conducted the second 'Mega-traffic Enforcement Drive' at over a hundred locations across Delhi on Saturday. The drive consisted of checking violation of permit conditions by commercial vehicles including violations of permit route, overloading of passengers, unauthorised parking, wrong side driving, which most commonly cause inconvenience and pose security and safety threat to the public, the department said. Many young volunteers from civil society, including Civil Defence volunteers, helped the joint police-magistrate teams. By the end of the day, the department said that more than 3,000 vehicles of various categories including auto rickshaws, tempos, e-rickshaws,

Over 3,000 vehicles were inspected for violation of permit conditions, 295 challans issued buses, Gramin Sewa vehicles were inspected and 851 notices were issued for violation of permit conditions. In addition, 295 challans were issued by the traffic police personnel supporting and assisting the teams of SDMs. To augment its enforcement capability, the department said that , the Transport Department had recently delegated powers of suspension of permits of commercial vehicles for violations under the Motor Vehicles Act section 66/192 to Magistrates of the Revenue Department. In the first drive, which was conducted on November 21, 660 vehicles were put on notice and several permits suspended.

Draft report by IIT-Kanpur shows vehicles are the second largest emitter followed by industry and power plant “The city has little choice when there is at least one death per hour due to air pollutionrelated diseases and the lungs of every third child is impaired,” noted CSE in a statement released on Saturday. Praising the government’s orders to allow personal vehicles bearing odd and even registration numbers to ply on alternate days from January 1, 2016, the CSE noted: “We urged the Delhi Government to detail out an effective implementa-

tion strategy and organise public outreach for glitch-free implementation.” “Curbing the traffic volume and cutting coal power emissions will have significant impact on pollution. The draft report on source apportionment submitted by IIT-Kanpur to the Delhi Government has shown that vehicles are the second largest emitter followed by industry and power plant. “The strategy of odd and even number plates for alternate days is a first-generation car-restraint measure practiced globally, especially during smog episodes. Delhi needs urgent steps to reduce traffic volume on the road. The next generation restraints include congestion charging and road pricing like systems,’’ said the CSE. However, cautioning that the

move should have been a more multi-pronged approach to cope with bad air quality in the city, Dr. Anuradha Shukla, chief scientist, Central Road Research Institute, said: “This is a welcome step, but vehicular pollution isn’t an isolated pollutant. We have to look at the major pollutants and bring in robust traffic and transport planning and ensure decongestion. If the public transport isn’t good how will this move work?” Prof. Dinesh Mohan, emeritus fellow IIT-Delhi, echoed Dr. Shukla’s doubts. “CNG buses and gensets in Delhi also generate pollution, but do we have the exact figures for the harm they cause and why isn’t there any control on them. This move is well-intentional, but we have to see if we will be able to pull it off.’’

‘Centre, L-G and police interfering in our affairs’ Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal says bureaucrats happy with AAP govt STAFF REPORTER NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday slammed the BJP-led Centre for its “constant interference” in his government and said some problems are political while some are Constitutional. Speaking at the HT Leadership Summit, Mr. Kejriwal also took a jibe at PM Narendra Modi’s visits to several foreign Capitals saying that at least he “stayed in Delhi”. “You need your space to be able to govern. Some problems are political and some are Constitutional,” he said. Asked about his experience in government, Mr. Kejriwal said, “Governance is not rocket science. But day-to-day interference completely saps you. All I want is freedom to

You need your space to be able to govern… all I want is freedom to take my decisions Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Chief Minister take my decisions. I don’t even want credit for it. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi can take all the credit.” On bureaucracy, he said they used to face lot of difficulties earlier but were happy now. “People in bureaucracy are good. They are happy with our government. They’re happy now that their is no interference,” Mr. Kejriwal said.

The CM also said that Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung was creating hurdles in the functioning of his government. “The LG is sitting like a headmaster and saying I declare your order null and void.” The Delhi Chief Minister also slammed the Delhi Police, saying they don’t cooperate with the Aam Aadmi Party government. ND-ND

CITY/STATE

NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

City schools wake up to diabetes threat

WEATHER WATCH (City-wise reading yesterday) For metros highlighted, readings show max temperature

BINDU SHAJAN PERAPPADAN

NEW DELHI: Schools across the Delhi | 27.6 ° C

Kolkata | 29.2 ° C

Mumbai |34.8 ° C Hyderabad | 31.0 ° C

Bengaluru | 27.1 ° C

Chennai | 28.6 ° C

Image & Data: India Meteorological Department

Forecast for Sunday: Heavy rainfall would occur at isolated places over Tamil Nadu & Puducherry, Kerala and Lakshadweep. Moderate to dense fog would occur at isolated pockets of Assam & Meghalaya and Nagaland,Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura. Max Min Agartala Ahmedabad Allahabad Aizawl Bengaluru Bhopal Bhubaneswar Chandigarh Chennai Coimbatore Dehradun Gangtok Goa Guwahati

27.4 31.4 27.0 24.3 27.1 28.1 32.2 25.0 28.6 29.1 25.0 15.6 34.0 25.5

15.3 13.8 13.6 9.50 17.9 11.6 20.4 10.8 22.3 21.8 10.2 9.50 23.0 15.0

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

31.0 31.0 23.5 30.0 18.5 29.2 33.8 35.9 33.0 25.3 28.6 34.2 34.8 28.1

18.0 18.7 8.50 10.1 6.20 20.7 25.6 25.0 19.6 11.4 23.4 21.6 18.0 19.4

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

27.6 27.1 28.6 30.9 26.4 32.3 26.1 14.5 20.0 12.5 31.8 30.3 32.3 27.3

10.1 15.5 23.2 14.8 23.2 19.1 15.5 7.00 11.2 -0.4 21.1 23.2 25.0 23.7

Capital have finally accepted that diabetes is an urban reality and a sharp rise in the number of children with the problem has prompted them to become “more health-conscious and supportive of them”. Teachers from 15 schools participated in the 2.5-year pilot project conducted by the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), HRIDAY (Health Related Information Dissemination Amongst Youth) and AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Science) with support from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and Sanofi. This project, which concluded last month, highlighted the need to “ensure that every child with diabetes has an individual healthcare plan in school and that education is provided around healthy living and prevention of type 2 diabetes”. The findings were presented at the IDF World Diabetes Congress from pilot studies of the project “Kids and Diabetes in Schools (KiDS)”. “The KiDS project also resulted in the creation of school medical rooms with blood sugar monitors for children with diabetes. There was also an increased focus on physical activity, including the introduc-

A project has highlighted the need to ‘ensure that every child with diabetes has an individual healthcare plan in school’. — FILE PHOTO

tion of yoga. Overall meal quality and access to healthy choices was reported to have increased, and some schools also took steps to prohibit consumption of junk food,” noted a release issued by the group. “Students have become aware of diabetes and feel concern for their fellow students with diabetes”, said a teacher, observing a positive mind-set change among students. In Delhi, 921 teachers and 27,937 students were trained in 15 schools (government and private). The project also trained an additional 228 teachers over three centralised trainings conducted by the State Council for Educational Research and Training. “The KiDS project has received a positive response from both government and pri-

vate schools. This indicates that the school setting is highly conducive for altering attitudes people towards diabetes and its management,” said Dr. Monika Arora, director-Health Promotion, PHFI. “Developing systems of social support and inclusion for children with type-1 diabetes, as well as general health promotion at the school, family and community levels are critical to developing a public health response to tackle diabetes,” Ms. Arora added. “India has a high prevalence of young people with diabetes: about one in every 5 children with type 1 diabetes is an Indian. Further, the onset of type 2 diabetes at a younger age is a matter of concern” said Dr. Nikhil Tandon, Professor at the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism in All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Following the positive outcomes of the project, KiDS project partners have launched a campaign calling on governments in India and Brazil to develop compulsory legislation and guidance on management of diabetes in schools. Information on KiDS advocacy toolkit and KiDS information packs can be found on www.idf.org/education/kids and www.epresspack.net/sanofi-diabetes-globalhealth/.

|5 Projects in Noida skip pollution check AKANKSHA JAIN NEW DELHI: Hundreds of under-

construction or ready residential and commercial projects in Noida and Greater Noida seem to be giving pollution checks a miss. In fact, they are being granted completion certificates and are handing out possession to buyers and investors without any agency ensuring that they are complying with all environmental norms. It is said that the Noida authority has been issuing completion certificates, while the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) is report-

edly being side-stepped with its mandatory consent — a pre-condition for giving possession — being done away with. According to RTI activist Vikrant Tongad, 244 projects in Noida and 100 in Greater Noida did not seek environmental clearance (EC) from the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) or consent of the UPPCB. The UPPCB has now written to the Noida authority asking them to check the practice as projects are not being assessed for compliance of pollution norms before people are

given possession. UPPCB Regional Officer Atulesh Yadav, who has written to Manoj Rai (Officer on Special Duty, Noida authority), said: “It is mandatory for all housing and commercial projects to obtain environmental clearance from SEIAA and a no-objection certificate from UPPCB. Once construction is complete, they should come back to the Board for consent. Only when they come to us can we inspect the project for compliance of pollution norms. Only after we give consent should the Noida authority issue a completion certificate.”

Govt. creates over 9,000 schoolteacher posts STAFF REPORTER NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has created around 10,000 additional teaching posts for schools in the Capital. The idea, which was proposed by the Directorate of Education (DoE) in order to achieve the desired student-teacher ratio, has been cleared by the Cabinet. A total of 9,623 additional posts, including that of 25 for principals, 365 for vice principals, 4,940 for PGT, 2,933 for TGT, 860 for Physical Education Teachers, 256 for drawing teachers, 38 for liThe move is aimed brarians and 206 for at improving the Lab Assistants have been created. teacher-student “This decision will ratio at schools in help in achieving the the Capital desired teacher-student ratio as per the RTE Act,” a Delhi government official said. “Age relaxation and additional weightage will be given to candidates who have served as guest or contract teachers under the DoE,” said the official. The department had been working on the proposal after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal issued directions that fair opportunity be given to eligible guest teachers and contractual teachers under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan (SSA) to enable them to appear for the open recruitment test without compromising on quality. Teachers will now be recruited online by the Educational Consultant India Limited (EdCIL) on behalf of the Directorate of Education. The budget for the additional posts has been fixed at Rs. 540 crore.

Man hurt at metro station STAFF REPORTER NEW DELHI: A 22-year-old commuter was injured after three steel plates fell on him at the Kashmere Gate Metro station on Saturday evening. The victim was rushed to Aruna Asaf Ali Hospital where he was treated and discharged later. Police said the victim, Jitender Kumar, suffered minor injuries to his hand.

CM YK

The incident took place around 6 p.m. when Kumar, a resident of Mori Gate, was walking towards the platform. There steel plates, 6 x 4 in size and weighing around 10 kgs each, dismantled from above and fell on him. The injured person has not lodged any complaint in this connection, said a senior officer, while adding they were looking into the matter.

ND-ND

6|

NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU

MALAYALAM

TAMIL

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

TAMIL

MUDALIAR very fair Kettai 30/165 BE SWE project lead MNC Bangalore, upper middle class seeks suitable groom [email protected] 09986566019

IYER KOWSHIKA Magam 29yrs BE MBA Fincl Advicer to Family concern Seek Boy upto 32yrs educated & well places prfrd Chennai/B’lore. 9790996674

VANNIYAR ASWINI Mesham 26/180 B.Tech MBA MNC Seeks Groom Army / Merchant Navy Officers / Engineers with good profession Ct : NADAR CHRISTIAN, Rich 24/165cm 9443782773 [email protected] MBA, Fair Good Looking Girl’s Par- SC AD Bharani 29/165 BE MBA Asst. ents Seeks Alliance From Affluent Mgr Nationalised Bank seeks suitBusiness Family Only Contact: able / groom. 09003088411 09894024433 9444458112 CSI NADAR Chennai 29/157 V.Fair VANNIAR− C.Govt Off Hyd based MBBS MS Rich seeks suitable Groom seeks alliance from Well qlfyd MS Doctor IIM IIT Contact 8056214998 MBA ACA & setled Abroad/India for Email: [email protected] daughter 27/160 B.Tech Moolam(3rd Padam). 09959157522, gbshanker812@ CSI CHRISTIAN Wheatish colour, 25 gmail.com years Charming, M.Sc. CS and IT employed as SAP consultant in a re- SC AD 26/162 Magaram Thiruvonam ME puted firm in Chennai earning 2.3 Seeks Qlfd & Well Empld 9940189236 lakhs PA seeks groom with clean 9840381406, habits. Send biodata. Box No−MA− [email protected] 325,THE HINDU,Madurai−625020.

34 Female Iyer,Vadama,Avittam,Slim & Fair,PHD,seeks Bramin Groom,Age difrnce 4yrs or less.Ct− 09940486517

30/158 good looking christian girl, employed 25K Bangalore. Seeks employed christ realised spirit filled christian boy from Bangalore. Contact : 08220712872 RC VELLALAR 155/26 PG emplyd nationalised bank fair slim seeks educated emplyd christian groom. 9524019597 MUDALIAR/PILLAI 31 fair girl 156 MS Ph.D. employed in Newyork Punarpoosam Mithunam Caste no bar.Ct: 09894692416. b.charumathy@ GOD FEARING CSI Nadar Christian gmail.com girl,32/153 cm,BTech,MS,Manager, Technopark Trivandrum. 09446361455 ARCOT MUDALIAR Girl Fair G/L BE SWE 163 9/1986 Wrg N Setld B’lore BUSINESS SELLING HINDU CHERAMER (Pulaya), SC, 30/ Bharani Mesham Seeking Suitable Al155cms, MBBS doing PG in Govt. Med- liance Diff 2 yrs Educated Settled Pharma CO requires Superstockist GENERAL ical College Trivandrum, seeks Employment Cleanhabits from Good Franchisee Distributor PCD Salessuitable alliance. 09605537105, Family Ct: [email protected] man Managers :9051234045 09964884973 ERNAKULAM−KAKKANAD 8 cent 12000 08606893491 [email protected] SQFT Building 8137866787 NAIR GIRL 41 Pooyam Msc Phd SC PR 29 BE Asst.Manager SBI CoimBioChem Asst Prof. Chicago Green- batore Rohini Rishapam Seeks Well & Qualified Groom. card USA Residents. Caste Nobar. Placed CHETTIAR 25−10−81 Uthiram BE (BITS 09443720345 09895824803 Pilani) S/E Bgr, 25L pa, seeks Engineer/Doctor groom.CNB. VISWAKARMA GIRL, 29/145, Bank Man- ✔ NAGERCOIL VELLALAR Pillai, Aswi- Ct:9843962906 ager, Pooruruttathi,1 Dosham, seek ni,Settled in Chennai,Girl slim well qlfd, below 35 Malayalee wheatish 24/156 B.E,MBA. Seeks YADAVA 36 MA, MPhil divorcee own Well Settled Suitable groom Below flat bank clerk Sal 30000 seeks PG Groom.Contact:08891567321, 29. Ct: +919445488678 09895582080 job Chennai Ct: Murugan 9486322683

COSMOPOLITAN

ALLIANCE INVITED for highly qualified South Indian Brahmin girl, 40, based in USA from vegetarian boys less than 45, India/overseas based. Reply to [email protected]

CONSULTANTS

COMPUTER - IT IT JOBS Register ourjobagency.com

at

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US Healthcare from filling job work earn 20000−40000 Pmonth by filling simple form Part/Full Time simple & easy work Toll free 18602334488

CSI NADAR Chennai 29/157 V.Fair MBBS MS Rich seeks suitable Groom Doctor IIM IIT Contact 8056214998 Email: [email protected]

MBBS FACULTY MDS Expo Print, Engr.Mktg.office exec.Req. 8527710489

SEEKING ALLIANCE from Kamma Catholic Doctor (MD in Radiation Oncology) 28yrs/158 cms; Fair Beautiful, well brought up girl working in a reputed hospital invites proposals from highly qualified professionals of similar background. Send full details to: [email protected]

MEDICAL ANDHRA ONGOLE: Specialists, Super Specialists of all branches of Medicine,Surgery,Supportive,Para Allied Health Care Personals required immediately for the newly built High end Tertiary Care hospital to be part of the Chain Hospitals through out India by ARMA. [email protected] 09176733931 www.armaindia.com

TAMIL YADAVA Girl 28/155 Poosam/ MBBS/Private Hospital/Parents from Sivakangai Dist. settled in Chennai, seeks same caste MD/MS/MBBS groom from descent family. Send Horoscope/Biodata & Photo to Email ID: [email protected] (or) Box No.WW−57191, THE HINDU, Chennai− 600002.

PACKERS

KANNADA CHETTIAR KANNADA Devangar, Doctor bride MBBS DMRD(final) fair 25/155 cm seeks suitable MBBS/MD/MS Doctor groom from the same community. Ct: 09943918194. sammira2559@ gmail.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS DR & Mrs Raman regretfully announce that the marriage reception of Ramya and Surakshan scheduled for today (Sunday, 6 December 2015) stands cancelled due to natural calamity in Chennai.

WANTED SUITABLE Professionally emp groom,preferably Chennai for Tamil Muslim 27/157/ graduate.7358653778 PROTESTANT CHRISTIAN DKV 27/166 B.Tech MNC, Chennai 6L/pa seeks God fearing suitably gualified groom. Caste no bar. 044−23630828/ 9840466309

PUBLIC NOTICE General public is hereby informed that we Ram Dhani Patel S/O Sh. M P Patel & Smt. Chandrawati R/o House # 1309, Sector−8, Faridabad have disowned our son Sunil Patel and his family from our movable and immovable property. We are not responsible for their actions

CM YK

COSMOPOLITAN

BENGALI namasudra fair good looking 22/160 MSc in Blre seeks proTHANKSGIVING fessionally educated settled Holy Spirit, You who make me see groom. M−9880549493/ sm270455@ everything and showed me the way gmail.com to reach my ideals, You who gave me the divine gift to forgive and EDUCATED, INDEPENDENT, polite womforget the wrong that is done to me and You who are in all in- an, 25/177 from progressive South stances of my life with me, I want Indian family seeks tall, educated to thank You for everything and (Master’s min), liberal, refined confirm once more that I never man, 26−31. [email protected] 95001 want to be separated from You no 59916 matter how great the material desire may be. I want to be with You Prof. Edu. Caste No Bar for Smart, and my loved ones in Your perpetu- Educated 42y, I’less Div., Banker, al glory. Amen Email−[email protected]

TAMIL RC Christian Adi Dravidar Girl 34 (Caste no bar) B.Sc− Nursing−Unmarried. Working in Chennai Salary 20K PM, Send: [email protected], 09444676361 / 09994723150 CSI, CHRISTIAN girl fair good looking BE SWE top MNC Chennai 6L PA 28/152 seeks Professionally qualified any Christian groom in India/ abroad with clean habits 9443896196 / 9443896033 [email protected]

CSI NADAR 28/172 M.V.Sc Scientist (Central Govt) Andaman. Seeks qualified govt employed groom. Ct: SUNNI−MUSLIM MBA 29/150 Job @ Tele- 9894374267, 9489291991 com−Industy Coimbatore Seeks Educated, Well−Employed Groom. CHRISTIAN− CSI Age 07/04/1990/ 08189915480 165cm/55kg Medium Fair M.Sc/ M.Phil/ M.Ed., (Maths) Working as PALAKKAD MUSLIM Sunni Girl 23/150 a Teacher, as per Govt Pay. ParB.Tech IT Officer Nationalized ents Intercast (BC) Parent Income Bank Seeks Suitable alliance 18Lacs (PA) Settled in Chennai. 09496666959 Seeks God Fearing with clean habits, working in Chennai with RCSC ANCIENT Upper middle class fi- Teacher/ Prof/ Doctor or any good nancially sound NRI Parents, Er- Profession , age below 30yrs nakulam Diocese, seek proposals Groom. Ct: 08056094288. Mail Id: for their daughter 28/155, moder- [email protected] ate fair, MBBS, Doing PG Opthalmology (DOMS−Final Year) from PG Doc- TAMIL CSI 26/153 ME CSE goodlooktors, Engineers and CA’s of simi- ing, fair, born again, seeks born lar family background. Contact: again smart educated groom. 00971554805695/ 07259279404, 09884891912/ 09962735668/ Email: [email protected] [email protected]

MALAYALAM

AGAMUDAYAR 34/164 Fair MCA Software 12L/A Moolam / Dhanush Mukkalathore / CNB. CT: 9840493875

THONDAIMANDALA SAIVA Mudaliar, 27/ 165 Pooram, MBA, BA CTS, Bangalore seeks groom contactranjith46@ MUDALIAR ASVINI Fair 29/157 MA MEd gmail.com (PhD) StateGovt BT Teacher 41k DHARMAPURI HINDU SC AD MBBS 29/ seeks alliance from similar Educa165, Thiruvonam Handsome Dr. Seeks tional&with Govt employment Caste nobar Ct: 9840136141 / dskflats@ Reputed Malayalee family seeks al- Groom Age 30−34, MBBS /MD. gmail.com liance for their highly qualified 09488842900 daughter, BTech, MBA (IIM−Lucknow) WELL EMPLOYED Groom for Meenavar working in an investment Bank, 29 HINDU NADAR 25/157 Chennai BE MBA Girl, fair 26/157, B.E, MIT Campus years, 168cm, looking for well SWE Specialist 7.60L PA Seeks Suit- working Reputed MNC 9L M: qualified & settled boy (girl Hin- able Professional Groom. Call: 09884082125 du−Thiyya) Contact: 09746792982, 9442126376 [email protected] VANNIAR 1978/160 Kiruthigai MCA 0495−2384464 TAMIL YADAVA 26/150 fair BE, Government Bank seeks well placed Kadagam/ Punarpoosam working in MALAYALA BRAHMIN Girl, 25/158 cm. CTS seeking employed BE/ ME/ Doc- groom Contact : 94890 42676 Content Editor MNC, Bangalore seek- tor, 26−30 yrs, Chennai based. Ct− HINDU VALLUVAN SC 24 BE Software ing suitable alliance. Profsnl seeks same profession [email protected] 9037068911 9884474473 groom from Chennai. 9600003809/ SENGUNTHA MUDALIAR EDUCTD Parents 8870390038 Seek Suitable Boy frm Good Family HINDU YADAVA 39 MA,Dip computer EdNEPALI for their Daughter Uthiratadhi 26/ WANTED NEPALI Kshatriy Bride Groom 155 BE & Journalism−ACJ, Job @ ucated & Well Settled family Chenfrom Software Engineers / Doctors Chennai. 09841281331, thanga1960@ nai Seeks Suitable Groom Ct− 9710450744 / Business Management in India / gmail.com America (preferbly working in New HINDU NADAR Age 25,160CM, Btech(IT) Jersey and age 30−35) for beauti- HINDU VANNIAR Poosam Kadagam 33/ , TCS, 40000 PM K.A.RAMANNADAR, ful Nepali bride working as Soft- 165 Cm BE(IT) Team Leader MNC Chen 9380791999, ramannadar2004@ ware Engineer in New Jersey, usa. 8L/pa seeks Qualified / Clean yahoo.co.in Cont: 08686886060/ juddapaudel@ Habits / Good Looking employed gmail.com Groom. Caste nobar. Send BHP to: MUDALIAR POORAM 41/160 BE/Chennai [email protected] OR Ct: Divorcee− No Issues seeks Empld any Hindu Groom below 47yrs Mob 0−9962755759 PUNJABI 09941352273 A PUNJABI Good looking Girl born HINDU NADAR, 35/165 BE,SWE Chennai, VANNIYAKULAKSHATRIYAR / 35/ in 1987, height 163 cms, Govern- 18LPA, need SWE, PHD, MBBS below Swathi/ Thulam /MBA, B.L/ seek ment Bank Officer settled in South 37. Also any FC/BC Ct−9751410435. lawyer, advocate professional India. Wanted well settled Bridegroom 9176060231 groom preferably bank employee/ HINDU VELLALA PILLAI 24 MBA Magam looking professional PILLAI SWATI Nov 86 BTech MBA DeGovernment Employee/ MNC. Contact: Wheatish Groom decent family Ct: 9840154383 troit .Parents seek well educated 09491222863. US employed grooms Contact arry59@ SAIVAPILLAI/ BE/27/153 Nation- 9486300147/9159772891 TAMIL alised Bank Officer in Chennai/ gmail.com Sathayam/ Kumbam/ Divorce (Diss23YRS / 170cms /M.COM(CA) /FAIR / HINDU, F−Pillai, M−Gounder, Kovai, TAMIL LABBAI. Parents seek profes- solved the Marriage by the way of BE 23/165 Rohini, Fair Talented− sionally employed religious boy. Divorce) seeking suitable Groom Girl Seeks Good Qualified & Emph: 9487070317, jinna.sab@ Send BHP to maymarriage2016@ ployed Boy from Pillai/Gounder. gmail.com 094980 59815 gmail.com 09600771490

CSI CHRISTIAN Nadar Girl Fair, Good Looking, 03−04−1986 born / 152cm / M.Sc M.Phil , working as Assistant Professor in a Reputed Women’s College, Mount Road, Chennai. Both Parents Doctors (Private) , Suitable Alliance, Employed / Settled in Chennai / With Clean Habits from Same Community. Contact: 9841182514 HINDU TAMIL Yadava girl 28/162 Aswini MBBS Govt Service seeks MD/ MS/MBBS groom from the same caste. Send BHP to: [email protected]

IYER 23/156/BTech−IT, SWE MNC, Ch seeks groom with any graduation, age 25 to 28 yrs from Tamil Hindu family background. Caste no bar. Ct: +91 9940589641 FAIR, BEAUTIFULL, Iyer girl, Revathi 42/168, B.Sc, seeks well educated & placed clean habited Veg Iyer grooms 43−46 yrs in India. First Marriage, send BHP to [email protected], Ct: 09591101155 VADAMA IYER Koundinyam 43 divorced, Childless, Veg, Professionally employed in California, US Citizen, seeks well qualifed&settled Tamil Iyer, Iyengar/speaking Tamil Madhava groom either in Calfornia/ West Coast of USA or transfer to USA. Only Veg/Vegan,No Child, age43−48. Ct:9944611765/life [email protected] IYER KARTHI Srevatsa May 1974 born 173 CM tall.BA(Bglore Univ)MS,MBA (USA), Employed in US. Seeks well educated employed grooms from India (earningRs12+ laks pa),US,UK, Canada etc.Girl Coming to India January 3rd.Contact 09847523554,amn [email protected] Very fair,Mumbai based,Tamil Iyer Vadamal 32/167,Visakam,innocent divorcee,No issues.Completing MS in Physiotherapy from USA in May 2016.Seeks alliance from well educated,well employed,unmarried/divorcee without issues,below 35 years working in Mumbai/abroad. Send BHP Box No HB−3193 The Hindu Chennai 600002/ramkunj1507@ gmail.com

NAIR PARENTS invites proposal for VANNIYAKULA KSHATRIYA 25/160 BTech their only daughter, 29 years, MBA SWE− L&T Chennai seeks well brought up outside Kerala, di- settled groom. Caste no bar. d_dayalan19@ vorced,no issues.Bank Employee. Ct:9790767928/ yahoo.co.in Cont:09440822737

CASTE NO BAR Gazetted officer 38/ 163 Uthram, fair ,Trivandrum Ph DIVORCEE 08893749928 email pooram1001@ PILLAI 36/165 Anusham V.fair MCA gmail.com SWE Chennai 1Lpm Divorcee unable to bear child Ct 9710512765, NAIR GIRL MBBS MD Gen Medicine 29/ 165 Chithira. Proposals from MBBS/ 9940265950 MD doctors ISRO scientists, Govt Engineers. 0471 2753234. 09447890938

ALLIANCE FOR our daughter presently employed with leading organisation (IT) in Dubai. Tall, fair, post−graduate Tamil Brahmin. Divorced in 2011, no children. Willing to relocate with the right partner; who should be Brahmin divorcee without children and based outside India. Parents visiting Chennai from 9th December. Contact 9566155637 (Chennai) 971−56− 6445460 (Dubai) Email ativan2015@ gmail.com.

TAMIL

Tamil Yadava 33/158 Anusham M.SC ADIDRAVIDAR, 26, B.E, PVT, 35,000/ seeks suitable groom. Email:guna195 − Fair Wellsettled, Wants suitable [email protected] / 8754826833 Groom 044−24347949 / 08122289871

BORN AGAIN 29/155 Malayalee B.Sc Nursing Ornamental wearing, professionals preferred. Mob: 09003658182.

VADAKALAI SRIVATSAM − Uthirattathi − 1976, Doctor Chennai Wants Iyengar Groom with Good Habits. Ct: [email protected] Iyer 25/153 Wheatish Tiruvadirai, PhD US, Seeks Suitable Groom from Same Community below 30 Ct:9444330187

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STATE

NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

Is Delhi prepared for an earthquake, asks HC MOHAMMED IQBAL NEW DELHI: Raising a question about the

Capital’s disaster preparedness in case of an earthquake, the Delhi High Court has sought a clarification about the administrative control over municipal corporations. The court also said that an action plan was required to minimise the damage earthquakes can cause. Earlier this week, a Division Bench of the High Court had said that the position on administrative control over the municipal corporations be clarified in order to decide which body would be entrusted with the responsibility to formulate an action plan to enforce the National Building Code and, thus, ensure disaster preparedness. The Bench, comprising Justice B.D. Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, was hearing a PIL filed by lawyer Arpit Bhargava. The petition asked how safe buildings in the Capital were if an earthquake of the intensity that rocked Nepal in April this year, hit Delhi. The Union government informed the court through an affidavit that officers of the Centre, Delhi government, the three municipal corporations, the New Delhi Municipal Council, the Delhi De-

The court also sought a clarification about the administrative control over municipal corporations. — FILE PHOTO velopment Authority, the Delhi Fire Services, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) had met on November 18 to deliberate on the city’s preparedness in case of an earthquake. The affidavit said that all local bodies were directed to refer to the NDMA and BIS guidelines. However, a statement in the affidavit caught the attention of the Bench. It was stated that the municipal corporations fall under the Delhi government’s control and that the latter should formulate a plan of action to ensure buildings comply with the National Building Code. The Bench has now sought a clarification in this regard.

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‘Defence Services Enclave a special case of allotment’ MOHAMMED IQBAL NEW DELHI: The Delhi government’s proposed regulations for regularisation of unauthorised colonies may not apply to the Defence Services Enclave in the posh Sainik Farms area of South Delhi as it was a special case of allotment of land, the Delhi High Court has said. Hearing a petition moved by the defence personnel earlier this week, a Division Bench observed that the allottees were given land by the Union government and the general process of regularisation could not be applied to them. The Bench, comprising Justice B.D. Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, asked if the Defence Services Enclave could be termed an unauthorised colony when the Union government had allowed defence personnel to purchase land there. The counsel for the Delhi government, however, said the new regulations should be applicable to all Sainik Farms residents and that they would have to pay Rs.9,000 per sq. metre for regularisation. The petitioners, meanwhile, have contended that they were not required to pay a single rupee towards regularisation as they were given land under a government scheme for the Armed Forces personnel. The court has said it would pass orders on December 16.

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NATION

‘Intolerance issue’ takes centre stage For the first time, rationalists were physically eliminated for their views: Ramachandra Guha K. V. ADITYA BHARADWAJ BENGALURU:

The thematic threads of freedom of expression and intolerance ran through various events on the first day of the Bangalore Literature Festival (BLF) inaugurated here on Saturday. Historian Ramachandra Guha called the present BJPled government the “most anti-intellectual” since Independence, while writer Shashi Deshpande said it reminded her of the repressive McCarthy Era in American history. In her spirited inaugural

address at the two-day event, attributed political motives, Ms. Deshpande said that targeted and the creative writers were being ridiculed, community was finding it-

self deeply polarised as during the McCarthy era. Mr. Guha said that while threats to freedom of expression existed even earlier, it had for the first time come to a state where three rationalists had been physically eliminated for their views, mostly critical of Hinduism. “These acts were mostly carried out by Hindu fundamentalists. We are fast becoming a sad copy of Bangladesh where atheists and rationalists are being killed,” he said. From columnist Aakar Patel to ad man Piyush Pandey,

most authors who took stage discussed the intolerance issue.

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THE HINDU

A soulful poem in defence of Ghulam Ali, from Kerala S. ANANDAN KOCHI: The sordid stench of

hate over Ghazal singer Ghulam Ali’s nationality is a Social media role throwback to 1984 when poet Chullikkad While the latter blamed Balachandran the nature of social media put out one of his most memfor growing intolerance, the orable poems, Ghazal — an former said that social intricate but sonorous uttermedia only provided a plat- ance of the musical, experiform to the existing intoler- ential, cerebral, and worldly life caught in a well-crafted ance. In the days preceding the assortment of culture, polifestival, a section of authors tics, and history. If a morose Shiv Sena belhad pulled out citing the views of one of its organis- lowing the ‘sons of the soil’ ers, Vikram Sampath, over slogan in Maharashtra had award wapsi and Leftist his- unleashed a hate campaign against Ali then, holding torians. aloft his Pakistani origin, the campaign was revitalised two months ago to force cancellation of Ali’s concerts in Mumbai and Pune. The Shiv Sena was a non-entity in the Kerala of the 1980s. But a burwho visits the village, wants geoning crowd of its mato talk about the cow’s killing. cabre foot-soldiers in the Now that ten persons are in State are now bracing to vanjail, will you also talk about dalise the concerts of Ali, the cow which was slaughter- slated to be held in Thiruvaed?” asked an agitated Kumar, nanthapuram and Kozhian electrician with a shop kode on January 15 and 17 as a means of protest against culnext to the temple. While talking to people on tural bigotry. the streets and in their homes in Bishahra, one can feel the sense of injustice of the villagers as the subtext in their narrative. The media has been ignoring the “cow slaughter” and reporting a “completely R. KRISHNA KUMAR one-sided story” is the popular complaint. Villagers MYSURU: As many as 15 think that the arrest of ten elephants were persons and the fact that electrocuted in Karnataka many others are on the run this year and there has not has vitiated the atmosphere in been a single conviction. the village. And in the absence of any Kumar strongly feels that deterrence, elephants the purification ceremony is continue to be electrocuted. “necessary” to atone for the The latest was the villagers’ failure to prevent suspected electrocution of a the “cow slaughter.” “Till the 15 year-old tusker at time it is not done, the shadHaadanuru in the Hedyala ow of trouble and bad luck range of Bandipur on won’t leave us,” he added.

‘Purification’ function in Dadri to ‘atone’ for cow killing The dominant view in Bishahra is that an animal was indeed slaughtered MOHAMMAD ALI DADRI: It is the memory of the cow, allegedly killed by Mohammad Akhlaq in September this year, that troubles the villagers of Bishahra to this day. To atone for the “cow slaughter” through an expression of collective regret, the residents of the village in Dadri will undertake a “purification” of the village by sprinkling gau mutra (cow urine) all over. The villagers believe that a cow was indeed killed by Akhlaq even though prima facie there was no evidence to back their claims. The first veterinary doctor’s report had declared that the meat seized from Akhlaq’s house by the police on the fateful night was mutton. Most of the villagers, however, allege the connivance of the local administration in hiding the “fact” of cow slaughter. The ‘shuddhikaran’ ceremony will be performed by

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

poem turned out to be an intricate carving of musical, intellectual and real-life emotions,” Chullikkad has recalled his tryst with Ali in the latest edition of Ezhuthu magazine. “Three decades hence, the Hindu communal fascist organisation of Shiv Sena has made its way to Kerala also. Its politics has taken the centre stage again by questioning Ali’s nationMUSIC SANS BORDERS: Grief has no ality. Love has no country. Grief has no country. Even country; even music has no music has no country. Therecountry, says Balachandran fore, Ali will continue to sing Chullikkad in the hearts of music lovers. Chullikkad has now been No Sena can stop that,” invited by Swaralaya, the col- writes Chullikkad. lective of music aficionados On December 8, at a meetorganising the Ali recital, to ing in Thiruvananthapuram, sew up the torn pages of cul- a committee to firm up the tural resistance with a dash plans for the concerts will be of poetry at the Ali recitals in formed. Chullikkad is atthe State. tending the meeting, said “The Shiv Sena cam- M.A. Baby, CPI (M) Polit Bupaigned against him in 1984 reau member and a patron of for being a Pakistani. The Swaralaya. Sena’s politics then was root“We are seeing if the souled not just in Hindu commu- ful poem, translated into Ennalism, but in Maratha na- glish by K. Ayyappa Panicker, tionalism and sons of the soil can be translated into Urdu contention in equal measure. from the original to be ofIt was in this creative context fered as a memento to the that I wrote Ghazal. But the singer,” he said.

15 elephants electrocuted this year in Karnataka

Bishahra residents feel that the arrest of 10 people and the fact that many others are on the run has vitiated the atmosphere in the village. — PHOTO: PRASHANT NAKWE

Sadhvi Harshita Giri, the new priest of the temple which was allegedly used by BJP leader Sanjay Rana’s son Vishal Rana to announce and spread rumours about the alleged cow slaughter by Akhlaq, leading to his public

lynching. “Not many want to say it in the open but the fact is that the skin of a cow was found by a mob which led to the angry crowd beating him. We remember a small calf which used to roam around the village but was not seen

anywhere after that day,” said Om Kumar who stays a few houses from the temple. His two sons are accused in Akhlakq’s murder case and are in jail. “Everybody is talking about Akhlaq’s death. No outsider

Friday. The scourge of human-elephant conflict is rampant around the Bandipur-Nagarahole-BRT sanctuary belt comprising the Mysore Elephant Reserve under Project Elephant. While 15 elephants were electrocuted this year, four died in 2009-10, four in 2013-14 and none during 2010-11, 2011-12, and 2012-13. More than 95 per cent of the cases were reported from

Mysuru-ChamarajanagarHassan-Madikeri belt. While FIRs have been filed and cases booked, there have been no follow-ups and near zero convictions due to failure of authorities to build up evidence. Chief Conservator of Forests (Project Elephant) Dilip Kumar Das admitted that the conviction rates were poor mainly due to lack of evidence that could be supported in the court.

Samajwadi Party comes up with campaign song in praise of Akhilesh

S. ANANDAN

PSLV bags two more US launch orders

KOCHI: Bankruptcy, it is learnt,

To lift PlanetiQ’s first two weather satellites next year

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls are more than a year away but the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) is already in election mood. The party has come up with a campaign song, which centres on Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. This is a marked shift from the party’s previous poll song, Mann se hai Mulayam, irade loha, which praised Mr. Yadav’s father and SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The jingle, which is to be officially released later this month, is an indication that the 2017 elections would be fought by the SP around the personality of the junior Yadav, who faces a tough challenge as he battles anti-incumbency, a resurgent Bahujan Samaj Party and an aggressive Bhartiya Janata Party. The latest song, composed and sung by Bollywood singer Javed Ali, portrays Mr. Yadav as the torchbearer of development, purveyor of “change” and a synonym for “prosperity.” Tarakki ka shubharambh, pragati ka sriganesh...Akhilesh, Akhilesh, sathi sabka Akhilesh, the chorus says. Like previous SP anthems, the song is penned by 84-

Navy’s cadet training plans go for a toss has forced the ABG Shipyard to stall the construction of two purpose-built cadet training vessels for the Navy, dealing a severe blow to the force’s training arrangements. “The cash-strapped yard has halted the construction of the vessels for three months now. Slated for delivery in the last quarter of 2016 as per a revised schedule, they are now unlikely to be ready for induction around that time,” said a senior Navy officer. The Navy was hoping to take delivery of the two ships as replacements for the already-decommissioned INS Krishna and the antiquated INS Tir — both forming part of the Navy’s Kochi-based First Training Squadron. Left with no other option, Tir has now been given a fresh lease of life. Along with that, landing ship Shardul and patrol vessel Sujata have also been customised to meet the ‘afloat’ training requirements in the interim. Besides these, the squadron also comprises sail training ships INS Tarangini and Sudarshini and Coast Guard ship Varuna. The ABG Shipyard was contracted for the Rs. 970-crore project as far back as June, 2011, but delays in freezing detailed design held up the project for some time.

MADHUMATHI D.S.

ment of the contract. The global launch market scene BENGALURU: Two more US satel- for small satellites and Planelite launch contracts have tiQ’s keenness for the Indian come the way of ISRO’s PSLV launcher may well bring its rerocket, this time from com- maining weather fleet also to mercial weather satellite com- the PSLV, said ISRO Chairman A.S. Kiran Kumar on Friday. pany PlanetiQ. Antrix has bagged nine A couple of space industry observers noted this as an in- such US launch orders for evitable trickle of business, if 2015-16. The PlanetiQ satellites are not a flow yet, from a top space market such as the US small bites for the PSLV, which to the now proven Indian play- can launch up to 1,200 kg to er. PlanetiQ , the Maryland- medium distances (36,000 based commercial weather km) and 1800-kg satellites to satellites operator, recently low-Earth (below 2,000 km) signed a deal with Antrix Cor- orbits. poration, ISRO’s marketing Until about a year ago, US arm, for launching its first two satellite operators could not weather satellites. Its final conceive of launching from fleet totally will have 12 to 18 India because of a longstandsatellites. ing US policy bar. In recent years, established US launch Secondary passengers companies have moved on to The two spacecraft, just 10 lifting far heavier satellites kg each and carrying a special [ten tonnes and beyond], leavsensor to glean weather data ing a demand for launchers globally, are planned to be put that can put smaller satellites in space in the last quarter of in space. In September, US operator 2016 as secondary passengers of a PSLV, according to the Spire Global became the PSLV’s first US customer by company. PlanetiQ quoted its Chair- getting four 4-kg-each Lemur man and CEO Chris McCor- satellites from Sriharikota. mick mentioning “the stellar Antrix, which has won around track record of the PSLV” in its 55 foreign launch orders to Thursday night’s announce- date, a bulk of them small

ones, prefers to get bigger foreign satellites to launch from here. Susmita Mohanty, co-founder and CEO of Earth2Orbit, the country’s first space startup, who is familiar with the Indian and US space industry scenes, said: “[US] companies can benefit tremendously now that PSLV has been added to their portfolio of international launch options. This has been made possible by the companies themselves lobbying for access to the PSLV, the export control reforms introduced by the Obama administration and the efforts of “NewSpace companies” such as hers. Russia’s converted missile launcher, Dnepr, Soyuz and the newer European vehicle Vega are in the same category as the PSLV. Space industry tracking agency Euroconsult estimated in February this year that by 2020, governments and private operators would launch a total of 510 small satellites. The biggest number of small satellites is foreseen to come from the US in the next five years. That country has also launched almost half of 600plus smallsats in the last decade, the report says.

OMAR RASHID

This is a marked shift from the 2014 poll song, which praised Mulayam Singh

The song portrays Akhilesh Yadav as the torchbearer of development, purveyor of “change” and a synonym for “prosperity.” Photo shows Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh celebrating his 76th birthday with Akhilesh in November. — PHOTO: RAJEEV BHATT

year-old Uday Pratap Singh, chairman of the UP Hindi Sansthan. Over the years, Mr. Singh has composed over 40 songs for the SP, including the Mann se hai Mulayam, Irade Loha chorus (2014 Lok Sabha) and Yeh Samajwadi Jhanda anthem (2012 Assembly polls). Mr. Singh said the focus of his song was to highlight the “development achievements” and “vision” of Mr. Yadav. “He is a young CM, with a vision for all-round development and is known for his commitment and hard work,” said Mr. Singh, a former MP and member of the

National Backward Commission. The jingle, though yet to be officially released, is being widely circulated on social media by SP cadre. The song would be played in every party meeting and campaign rally. The video for the song is being recorded, an SP leader said. While the new chorus is a paean to Mr. Yadav, it does not mention either his father or his party even once. This has given the BJP an opportunity to taunt the SP. The SP’s agenda is “confused,” said BJP spokesperson Vijay Bahadur Pathak . “On one hand, Akhilesh Ya-

For Meerut’s ‘love jihad’ couple, 3-year courtship ends in ‘nikah’ MOHAMMAD ALI MEERUT: Their relationship had

virtually shaken entire western Uttar Pradesh last year. Kaleem and Shalu Tyagi who gained national spotlight in August last year when their love affair was turned into a case of “Love Jihad” by Hindutva groups became husband and wife on Friday night. The two lovers of Meerut, 22-year-old Shalu and Kaleem, her boyfriend of over three years from Uldhan village, got married in a ‘nikah’ ceremony in Meerut. “This is what I wanted. I am happy to be with the person I love,” Shalu told this correspondent, adding she did not want to revisit the “painful” past. Painful journey Asked about the arduous journey of her love story, spanning an year and half, CM YK

which involved a court case of gang rape, going to jail, she said, “Yes, the journey of our courtship till marriage was painful. But it was worth the pain both of us took. We were confident that we will be united and by the grace of god and the court indeed we are.” The ‘nikah’ ceremony was attended by Kaleem’s parents. Shalu’s parents stayed away. “My parents were opposed to our relationship. But I am sure that I would be able to convince them one day. I would just say that had we been allowed to do what made us happy, it would have saved us from lots of pain and torture, but I have no complains,” said Shalu, who used to teach English in a madrasa in her village. Asked about the ‘love jihad’ charge, she said, “I would suggest people to mind their own business. It is a free country and they are also free

“This is what I wanted. I am happy to be with the person I love,” says Shalu

There are enormous challenges before him and his wife, says Kaleem. — PHOTO: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

to fall in love with whosoever they wanted.” Surrounded by his relatives and friends who were greeting him after the ‘nikah’, Kaleem told The Hindu that there were “enor-

mous” challenges before him and his wife to rebuild their lives from scratch. ‘No love jihad’ He said, “Love jihad doesn’t

exist. It was created by people to polarise and for political gains.” “Our lives were destroyed and we had to go through hell. Local Hindi newspapers and news channels turned me into a dreaded terrorist who headed a love jihadi group in western U.P. The girl I love became my rape victim. We as adults had full freedom to decide for ourselves the kind of life we wanted but now that we are together, I would like to forget the bitterness and move on to new things in life,” he said. When Shalu’s parents got to know about her relationship with Kaleem last year,

her father Narendar Tyagi allegedly forced her to file a case of gang rape and forced conversion. Hours after the case was filed and carried prominently by the vernacular Hindi press, it sent western Uttar Pradesh on the boil, as it came just on the heels of communal riots in Saharanpur. The Sangh Parivar and affiliated groups took up the case as a textbook example of “love jihad” — the headlinegrabbing term used by Hindutva activists to allege it as an Islamist conspiracy to lure and convert Hindu women. Right-wing Hindu groups launched an elaborate campaign in the State against “love jihad” in which they claimed Muslim men lured Hindu girls, tricked them into marriage and forced them to accept Islam. Charge against father But two months later, in

October last year, Shalu ran away from her house and claimed that her father had pressured her to file the case against her Muslim boyfriend because he had taken money from a local BJP leader, a fact which was reported by The Hindu. She had also claimed that the case against her lover was done on behalf of the party leader to politicise and polarise people on communal lines. Kaleem was granted bail by the Allahabad High Court in April this year, while Shalu was staying in government’s custody since last October. Her marriage became possible, thanks to the intervention of the High Court Asked about his daughter’s wedding, Mr. Tyagi said he had already “disowned” her. “I have nothing to say. I had disowned her when she had filed a case of threat to her life against me and my wife, her very own parents,” he said.

dav says he is ready for an alliance for the 2019 Lok Sabha (with Congress) if Mulayam is declared the PM candidate. On the other hand, his party leaders say they are ready for a coalition with the BSP (for the Assembly polls). And now the party’s first jingle does not feature its national president. There is utter confusion in its ranks,” Mr. Pathak said. Mr. Singh, however, said it would be erroneous to say that the theme song ignored Mulayam Singh or his party. “All songs written by me in the past have focused on Mulayam Singh. This time I have tried something new, keeping up with the times and form,” he said. Election songs and catchy slogans are a key part of campaigning for political parties in the hinterland, and during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the SP purchased the copyright to the iconic song We Didn’t Start the Fire by Billy Joel and adapted it into Hindi as Mann se hai Mulayam.

SAD, Congress ‘nurtured’ only their families: AAP CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi

Party on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Congress, accusing both the parties of “nurturing” their own families and said they will face “humiliating” defeat in the 2017 Assembly polls. “Both SAD and Congress have nurtured their own families and indulged in corruption. Mr. Badal family had amassed huge properties while the names of family members of Captain (Amarinder Singh) having accounts in Swiss banks has also come to the fore,” Sucha Singh Chhotepur, AAP’s Punjab convener said here. Asserting AAP will contest Assembly polls to save Punjab, Mr. Chhotepur alleged both SAD and Congress would contest to “escape jail” and “hide their corrupt practices”. - PTI ND-ND

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NATION

NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

Road to recovery

World War II ‘Seep’ to the rescue of scores in Chennai

Five students held in Bengal for ragging, abduction

Ford GPA, deployed on Normandy Beach in 1943, delivers food to the stranded

Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology at Haldia in West Bengal's Purba Medinipur district were arrested on Saturday on charges of ragging and abducting a junior, the police said. “Ankit Kumar, a first year student at the institute was abducted by some persons. On the basis of his complaint the five students have been arrested on charges of physical assault,” Superintendent of Police, Purba Medinipur Alok Rajoria told The Hindu. According to reports the first year student complained to the institute authorities of ragging following which the seniors assaulted him allegedly with the help of hired men. The student was found with injuries at Mecheda, around 45 km from Haldia on Friday. The police rescued him later in the evening and he was admitted to Haldia Sub-Divisional hospital. The student named his seniors who are from the second year and third year respectively. As per the number of complaints lodged at the University Grants Commission ragging helpline, West Bengal ranks seconds only to Uttar Pradesh in the number of complaints registered.

SRUTHISAGAR YAMUNAN

A flood-affected family returns home at Sadayankuppam in north Chennai on Saturday (top); the Chennai Central railway station is deserted as train services are yet to resume from there. — PHOTOS: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM AND R. RAGU

CHENNAI: Seventy-two years after it was first produced, the 1943 Ford GPA Amphibious Seep, which helped put thousands of Allied troops on the Normandy beach during World War II, came to the rescue of Chennai residents when a businessman used the vehicle for extensive relief work. When Vinayak Shankar of Krishna Mines realised the gravity of flooding in Chennai, he called up his men in Tirunelveli to transport the Ford GPA on a truck to the city. When the ‘amphibious seep’ finally arrived on Tuesday, Mr. Shankar rushed to Kottupuram and met officials, offering to help in rescue and relief efforts. By March 1943, Ford had built 12,778 Seeps which marked its presence by dropping Allied troops on Normandy in ‘Operation Neptune’ on June 6, 1944. The landing is considered the most decisive military operation that quickened the destruction of the Nazi regime. While the officers in Chennai first hesitated, they quickly realised how efficient the

Farmers turn to floriculture to earn SHANKAR BENNUR

Market at the doorstep

MYSURU: Farmers in villages

around Kollegal have found an alternative way to improve their earnings and turn their area into a hub for floriculture. Thanks to the poly house technique employed for floriculture, over 15 farmers are growing about 60,000 sticks of gerbera flower every month. Each stick is sold for Rs. 6 to Rs. 7 in the booming market for ornamental flowers in Bengaluru. “Temperature and humidity can be controlled in the naturally ventilated poly houses. By this way, farmers can achieve expected yield and returns. More farmers are getting motivated by those who are already into floriculture and setting up poly houses,” Deputy Director of Horticulture H.M. Nagaraj said. Speaking to The Hindu, he said the market for ornamental flowers was encouraging and the demand for flowers such as gerbera peaked during wedding and festival seasons. The Department of Horticulture provides a subsidy of Rs. 16.88 lakh for estab-

CM YK

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT MYSURU: The

A poly house where gerbera flowers are cultivated in Kollegal.

lishing a poly house on one acre. “Each farmer may spend between Rs. 35 lakh and Rs. 40 lakh to develop the poly house. After three months of planting, flowering begins. Each plant can survive for 3 to 4 years and flower depending on how they are nurtured,” explains Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture Shashidhar. He told The Hindu that the farmers were motivated to take up floriculture and were helped by stakeholders for establishing the needed infrastructure besides supporting them with

technical knowledge. Mr. Shashidhar said there were already 15 farmers who were into floriculture and five more were setting up poly houses. The gerbera seedlings were sourced from a Punebased company. About 4,000 flowers can be harvested from one acre, he said, adding that a few farmers from Mudugunda, Kunagali, Bhootabalu and Cheluvanahalli were into gerbera farming. Importantly, farmers get spot payment for their produce at the Bengaluru market.

Department of Horticulture is exploring the possibility of establishing market linkage for gerbera growers in Kollegal. If traders are assured of over 60,000-70,000 sticks of gerbera in one place, they will come to the doorstep of farmers, instead of farmers going to the market. With this in mind, the department is trying to organise growers and establish a forum for marketing the flowers under one platform. “Besides saving money, this saves their time too since they visit Bengaluru every alternate day to sell flowers,” Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture Shashidhar said.

OLD IS GOLD: Vinayak Shankar on his 1943 Ford GPA Amphibious Seep with which he helped in

rescue services during the recent rain in Chennai. — PHOTO: SRUTHISAGAR YAMUNAN

‘amphibious’ jeep was in manoeuvring in deep waters. In Kotturpuram area, Mr. Shankar braved strong currents of the Adyar river, which was in spate, to distribute food packets to stranded residents. “At one point, the current was so strong that I swirled with the vehicle. I had to hook the vehicle to a building and

then distribute the food packets,” he said. Mr. Shankar has a special mechanic, Udhayasuriyan, who has been with his family for 30 years and takes care of the ‘Seep’, which runs on petrol. “After World War II, the British brought a few of these vehicles to be put to use in the Brahmaputra. When they were leaving India, some

were sold off to locals. My grandfather bought one,” he said. Mr. Shankar was so much in demand on Saturday that much of the food distribution to the flood-affected colonies happened on his ‘Seep’. “When I looked at how the people were stranded, my conscience did not let me stay idle,” he said.

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT KOLKATA: Five students of the

Giving unclaimed bodies a decent farewell

Maoist leader on fast shifted to hospital

S. HARPAL SINGH

BERHAMPUR: Arrested Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, who had started hunger strike in Berhampur circle jail of Odisha, was shifted to MKCG medical college and hospital in the city on Saturday. He had started fast in jail from December 3. According to jail officials, he had been shifted to the hospital as his health had deteriorated due to hunger strike. Speaking to newsmenl, Sabyasachi said he had started the fast o protest attempt by the government and police to delay trial of cases pending against him.

ADILABAD: Manava Seve Madhava Seva (Service to man is service to god). This is the name by which a group of half a dozen friends in Adilabad town go about doing social service, whoch includes burying unclaimed bodies. Police and authorities in Adilabad town, located on the northern end of Telangana, contend with an unusually large number of destitutes who often die of hunger on the roads. The group has buried bodies of about 40 castaways in the last 8 years. “Over the years, we have observed that old abandoned people reach Adilabad town in passenger trains coming from Maharashtra which terminate here. They move around

aimlessly for a few days until their body gives in to hunger,” points out Paspula Raju, a senior group member, as he reveals some shocking details of such incidence. “We are contacted by authorities at the mortuary of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences and Two Town police whenever an unclaimed body is found,” disclosed Sripadwar Srinivas, another member of MSMS. “We pool in about Rs. 2,500 for the funeral,” Sripadwar Srinivas, a senior member of MSMS said. Like Srinivas, the other members Kanaka Narsing, Naitham Sukhlal, Ganesh Reddy and Mutyala Bhagwandlu are employees in private firms. “We manage to find two or three hours which takes for us to perform the burial,” says Raju.

STAFF REPORTER

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PAIN RELIEF

Begin a conversation on palliative care Palliative care is not about caring for the terminally ill, but the patient’s well-being…

W

hen 50-year-old Thangam* of Theni in Tamil Nadu followed her doctor’s advice on having a check-up in Madurai, she underwent one readily. She did so because the pain she was experiencing was unbearable. In Madurai, doctors suspected that it was cancer. Her family lost no time in bringing her to Chennai and visiting the Cancer Institute. Here, she underwent investigations that returned positive for advanced stage sarcoma. The shattered family rallied around Thangam. “The doctor said she would need at least a dozen chemo sessions but success is not guaranteed,” recalls her relative Ilayaperumal*. Her son resigned from his new job in the United States to be with his mother. “We told her a little of what she was going through. She was in the hospital for a month submitting to medications. But she refused chemo and one day decided to return to Theni. We could not counsel her. A simple village woman, she believed the stories of one losing one’s hair and beauty. Talking about her condition, of pain and struggle, was taboo for her,” Ilayaperumal adds. The medication she was put on in the hospital helped her for a month but things became worse soon. She was admitted to a private hospital in Madurai hoping for a miracle or at least be relieved of pain. “But doctors gave up on her within a couple of days. The last 15 days were extremely painful for her,” he says with regret. Four months on, Thangam’s shattered family members are rebuilding their lives. “Theni has a government hospital but no facilities to treat cancer. We did what we could for her but the family is now coping with emotional and financial stress,” Ilyaperumal rues. Thangam’s family lacked the support structure of palliative care that could have helped not only her but also her loved ones. She is among the thousands of patients who go R. Sujata through the same experience, says Anantapurbased radiation oncologist G. Durga Prasad. He is a trainer in palliative care at the MNJ Institute of Oncology, a regional centre of excellence in Hyderabad. He founded a pain clinic and a hospice in the city before moving to Anantapur Medical College. Different support requirements “Only 20 per cent of patients require end-of-line care. For the rest of them, the support requirements differ, from emotional to psychological or even rehabilitation. You need a support structure not only for the patient but also for the family after the death of the patient,” he says. “Cancer has brought recognition to palliative care but those with chronic ailments need it too. In palliative care, the role of a doctor or [a] physician is minimal, initially, as patients are battling psychological, emotional and financial disturbances. You need a dedicated team of nurses and social workers who will help them overcome their shock at discovering that they are ill,” he explains. R. Sundararajan, who runs Stoma Care, a centre that trains people who have undergone ostomy to take care of themselves, sums up the grim situation of people on palliative care. “They are literally awaiting their end and not even in a position to con-

COMPREHENSIVE: “We have always maintained that palliative care begins at the time of diagnosis…” Picture shows a care specialist at a pain and palliative care centre in Chennai. — PHOTO: K. PICHUMANI

verse. Their families battle every day with stigma, the despondency of having to see their loved one[s] go through agony. A small act such as dressing their wounds brings tears of gratitude on their face,” he says. But the positive side is targetted focus on training which has finally paid off. Now, with the concept of hospice[s] taking root in at least the metro cities, in rural areas, the government authorities must pitch in, said Chennai-based Mallika Tiruvadanan, life member of the Indian Association of Palliative Care, and founder of the Lakshmi Pain and Palliative Care Trust. “We have come a long way from denying the use of morphine for pain relief to being able to stock morphine tablets and provide them to patients. Currently, less than two per cent of needy patients receive palliative care,” she says. “What we need is trained palliative care providers in at least district and taluk level hospitals. If doctors are not aware of palliative care, then blame it on the curriculum,” Dr. Mallika says. Though pharmacology is a subject in the MBBS curriculum, palliative care gets only a passing mention. For several years now she has been training doctors who volunteer for her programme. “The speciality developed in the 1960s in western countries and now the World Health Organization

Cancer has brought recognition to palliative care but those with chronic ailments need it too... (WHO) has begun addressing the subject as non-communicable diseases are on the rise. We have always maintained that palliative care begins at the time of diagnosis. A patient who has had a serious injury after a fall and takes [time] to recover also requires help, to treat pain and the emotional upheaval caused by the injury. We have been reiterating that palliative care is not about caring for [the] terminally ill but wellbeing of the patient and the family,” says Nagesh Simha, president of the Indian Association of Palliative Care. Need for change Physicians like him would like to see more changes, he says. The Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 or NDPS Act has been amended several times and the best thing that has happened in the country is the compulsory, singlewindow clearance for procurement of drugs, according to Dr. Nigam. A group of six medicines used for pain relief specifically can be purchased only through the single window clearance. In each State, the State

SUMMING IT UP: A street play in Chennai to create awareness on palliative care. — PHOTO: M. VEDHAN

drug controller has discretionary powers. This kind of control has helped in ensuring that the drugs are not only available but are also not misused. It has been an arduous journey for palliative care specialists. For decades, morphine was difficult to access even to treat cases of genuine pain. Now, registered medical institutions are being given licences to stock a specific amount of morphine tablets. Annual stocks are replenished on written request from the institution. “Though in 2014, the Government of India amended the NDPS Act, not all State governments have implemented it. We had, in Tamil Nadu, conducted several meetings with the Drug Controller, after which the government modified the rules in 2007. Now, the struggle is to ensure that we can get injectible morphine too,” she says. WHO’s boost Palliative care, as a speciality, received support from WHO when, at the 67th World Health Assembly in May 2014, it was resolved to integrate palliative care into national health services. At the assembly, it was decided that doctors and nurses could be trained in palliative care until the subject was incorporated in the curriculum for undergraduate and postgraduate medical and nursing courses. Ilayaperumal, who watched his relative die a painful death, says when the doctors in Madurai realised that Thangam had not undergone even one chemo session, the intensity of care fell drastically. “The nurses were around and basic care was given but we could see she was suffering and we were helpless. A hospital staff told me that doctors knew hers was a hopeless case. If only she had received professional counselling to go through with the chemo, it would have been different. We are rallying around the family but it is far from adequate. We see them struggling with the loss but we don’t know how we can help,” he says, angst lacing his voice. *(Names changed on request) [email protected]

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

CARE IN CONFLICT

Notes from South Sudan Dr. Bhavna Chawla, a surgeon, recently returned from her first mission with Médecins Sans Frontières in Lankien, South Sudan. In this letter, she recounts her experience of delivering emergency surgical care in a conflict situation. In the beginning, my struggles were different. A strange, but extremely resilient, people for whom cattle is riches, and you can only marry if you have cattle. A strange language and an even stranger, hard-to-decipher body language. I couldn’t make out if people were laughing at me or with me. “But then, isn’t it the same everywhere?” I asked myself. The tukuls, though basic, looked as charming as a print ad for an au-naturel rural resort. It’s another thing to be with 10 different species of insects in huge numbers and stridulating all night long. But this letter is neither about the rhythms of the swamps nor is it a study about the culture in Lankien, South Sudan. The facility South Sudan, the newest country of the world. The euphoria of independence would be disrupted soon and the country would break into turmoil less than three years after its independence. The team in Lankien showed extreme reserves of courage and resourcefulness when the war-wounded started coming in, initially on their own and later brought in by other medical actors in planes. In a matter of hours, the surgical facility, which consisted of 25-odd beds, expanded to more than 80. And we were ready for more.

Bhavna Chawla

There were gunshot wounds everywhere — extremities, the chest, the abdomen, the head. We had an inflatable operation theatre (OT) set up with one fully functional OT and one minor OT. Patients kept coming in by the score every day. Triage [the evaluation and categorisation of the sick or wounded when there are insufficient resources for medical care of everyone at once] had become a function of habit, prioritising and re-prioritising every few hours. The only prayer on my lips was this: “Oh God! Please don’t let them die once they reach us. Help me and my judgment!” For my judgment is all I had to depend upon besides my extremely capable team. No fancy investigations, not even X-rays. In the beginning, there was no time to investigate a proper clinical history or the history of events. We had to assess the injury and the anticipated damage within minutes to decide when the patient went to OT. On the evening rounds, most of the male patients appeared angry and the female patients upset. They had been evacuated from other parts of the country to Lankien as it was the only functional, resourced and safe surgical facility left. Some of them had walked with assistance or had been brought by their relatives on stretchers, made out of bamboo, wood and rope. They were without money, food or caretakers and with minimal articles of clothing and no ways or means to communicate with their families left behind. No wonder they were angry. The crickets and their ‘relatives’ in my tukul didn’t matter anymore, nor did the bats or the threat of a flooded OT. These seemed minor inconveniences as compared to the physical and mental agony of the wounded patients. “I was in my tukul with my older sister,” said a 20-year-old girl in the sixth month of her third pregnancy. “They

Dr. Chawla (right) operating on a patient. — PHOTO: MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES

made us all lie on our bellies on the floor — me, my two children, my sister and her three children — and shot us all in the back, shot us all to death. I pretended to be dead and was later found[by medical aid workers],” she recalls. The deeper questions There were many such stories. “What about the war wounded in my ward?” I would often wonder when I was on my rounds of the ward. They must have also committed acts like these! So, who am I treating? The victims or the perpetrators? Can I even begin to understand why this is going on? Do they understand why this is going on?” These questions always faded into the background. There was work to do. And that’s all that mattered. As the patients got better, more questions arose. How and where would they go after being discharged? There are no roads from Lankien except muddy trails. The patients fit to be discharged still needed follow-up but we couldn’t keep them in the hospital for long. We needed to economise our resources as there was news of another influx of patients. Once more, MSF rose to the occasion in negotiating with the civic authorities and roping in neighbouring humanitarian agencies to resettle patients who were discharged. MSF set up camps for them to stay and provided non-food item kits while other agencies catered to food requirements. The only thing that kept us going without getting fatigued was patients getting better and being eventually discharged. The surgical team worked as one body and in synchrony, the goal being doing whatever was best at whatever given hour, with whatever resources we had. Every single team, be it logistics, security or the medical team, contributed to easing the pressure. Besides keeping up with the routine work of the hospital without compromise, almost a hundred of the war wounded were treated over a span of a few days. Moments such as these sparked off joy in our hearts during the days that followed. Some patients would come back to the ward, even after getting discharged, to spend the night in the ward. It was their sanctum — a cozy bed, friends in the ward, food and extremely caring nurses. I wouldn’t want to go out into the world outside if I were a war survivor. In a few weeks I saw the worst and the best of mankind, the ones who would kill for reasons that are difficult to understand and the ones who leave the comfort of their families to do something for those that no one cares for. What do they seek? What do we seek? Gratification? The cost of staying away from our families to seek gratification for our service is too high a price to pay. Gratitude? To be able to help someone, for the lives we have, to be able… may be. The experience, if anything at all, is humbling. I may never find some answers. Meanwhile, there is work to do. (Dr. Bhavna Chawla is a surgeon.)

HEALTH WATCH

Every breath they take

that they do not work out outdoors in the evenings. More importantly, whether you exercise indoor or outdoors, it is important to do some breathing exercises,” says Dr. Rajesh Chawla, Respiratory Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals.

While mega cities experiment with radical measures to deal with crippling air pollution, many people are beginning to change their exercise routines Spread over 197 acres, Cubbon Park is one of the green lungs of Bengaluru. On any given day, joggers, runners and children are out enjoying the pleasant nip in the air. But now, one might see them sporting a “fog mask”.

Tanu Kulkarni & Vidya Krishnan

In what seems to be like a synchronised switch, but far away, joggers at New Delhi’s Jehanpanah forest and the famous Lodhi gardens can be seen doing the same thing. Wearing protective gear while exercising is now an everyday reality for those who like the outdoors. According to a scientific officer with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), which runs monitoring stations in the Bengaluru, the highest pollution levels are recorded between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. “During the day, because of CM YK

the heating up of the city, there is [a] vertical movement of polluting gases. It tends to move upwards and dissipate. In the night, due to cooling, the distance the gases travel is halved and most of the gases get concentrated on the surface of the city,” he said. The president of the Cubbon Park Walkers’ Association, S. Umesh, has noticed a drop in the number of people, especially among senior citizens, using the park to exercise. The irony is that many people are discovering that working out indoors is healthier or at least easier on their lungs, he says, commenting on a trend that has been observed by doctors, gym instructors and yoga teachers. Global comparisons According to a study conducted in May by Plume Labs, a Paris startup that debuted earlier this year, Paris is twice as polluted as San Francisco while Beijing is 10 times more polluted than London. And, topping this chart is New Delhi, which is twice as worse as Beijing. In the same study, Kanpur, Ludhiana, Delhi, Lucknow and Indore are the worst polluted cities in India. Given the circumstances, doctors are advising their patients to exercise in-

NEW STEPS: “Doctors are beginning to note that many of their patients are shifting their

routine from outdoor to indoor activities.” Picture shows a jogger in New Delhi on his rounds. — PHOTO: RAJEEV BHATT

doors as the polluted morning air can cause long-term damage to the lungs. “Most people get updates on apps about the levels of pollution these days. [The]

Best [thing] is to check that and exercise at a time when the particulate matter in the air is lesser. Mornings are better. I am in fact, recommending to my patients

Carbon dioxide levels While air pollution levels in Bengaluru are not at as high as in Delhi, the figures are still cause for concern. The average annual values of air pollutants during the 2014-2015 show that the Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) has exceeded the national limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3) in 13 out of 15 neighbourhoods. KSPCB, which released these figures, attributes the high RSPM levels to vehicular movement, road dust and construction activities. A study last year by the Indian Institute of Science, which collated data between 2008 and 2011, found that the carbon dioxide levels reach 490 parts per million (ppm) between 5-7 a.m. The evenings recorded levels of 395 ppm. (The study was published in the international journal, Environmental Science and Pollution Research.) Acknowledging the rising pollution levels in the city, the Horticulture Department along with the Bengaluru city police, in a recent initiative, has banned vehicles from entering Cubbon Park on Sundays and every second Saturday. The park authorities have also written to KSPCB urging it to analyse the benefits of traffic-free days in the park. B.R. Ramesh, consultant pulmonolo-

gist at a Bengaluru-based private hospital says that patients living in the centre of the city, where pollution levels are high, are more at risk. “Walking or jogging on the roads in not advisable. Locating a park where pollution levels are low has also become difficult,” he said. Asthmatics and people who suffer from bronchitis are particularly vulnerable to the combination of early morning winter mist and high pollutants. He has also noticed that over the past two years, many of his patients have shifted from outdoor to indoor activities because of pollution-induced allergies. As always, it’s people from lower income backgrounds who suffer the most as they are unable to afford memberships to gyms, fitness and yoga centres. The good news is that those living in Bengaluru’s suburbs, which, for the most part, remain free from high vehicular traffic and have green lungs, can exercise outdoors. Delhi has already started exploring ways to breathe more freely. Last week, after the Delhi High Court called the city a “gas chamber”, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in a drastic measure, has decided to experiment with restrictions on cars from January 1, 2016; cars with even and odd registration numbers are to ply on alternate days. Such experiments have been conducted in Beijing and Delhi will be the first Indian city to try this. With mega cities experimenting with radical measures to deal with crippling air pollution, for now, doctors say that it is time to revisit basic ideas of exercise. [email protected] [email protected] ND-ND

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

BOOK SCAN

The art of profitable giving Not too long ago, public opinion was against philanthropy. A new book explains how attitudes have changed, and why we must scrutinise them

O

nce upon a time, there was charity. The haves gave some to the have-nots, and that was that. Sometimes the giving impulse was religious, sometimes guilt-induced. But charity was more about the soul of the giver than the welfare or rights or dignity of the receiver. This is why there can be no charity between equals. For all these reasons, charity had for long remained an activity rooted in the personal-private, quasi-religious, sphere. Then came philanthropy. Jeremy Beer, in his The Philanthropic Revolution: An Alternative History of American Charity, argues that the displacement of charity by philanthropy was “the result of a re-conceptualisation of voluntary giving as primarily a tool for social change.” And today we have ‘philanthrocapitalism’. The term gained currency after The Economist carried a report in 2006 on ‘The birth of philanthrocapitalism’. Noting that “the need for philanthropy to become more like the for-profit capital markets is a common theme among the new philanthropists”, the article explains why philanthroG. Sampath pists “need to behave more like investors.” Two years later came the book that today’s biggest philanthropists swear by: Philanthrocapitalism: How the Rich can Save the World by Matthew Bishop and Michael Green. The title is not intended to be ironic. It is an earnest argument: in a world of rich men and poor states, who better to save the poor than the rich themselves? The advent of philanthrocapitalism may have finally brought to the fore what is tacitly understood but rarely made explicit — the symbiotic relationship between capitalist excess and philanthropic redress. When philanthropy was shunned It is no accident that the first great philanthropists — John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, Andrew Mellon — remembered today by their philanthropic legacies, also figure in Wikipedia’s list of “businessmen who were labelled robber barons”. If one is to make sense of the recent surge in the quantum of philanthropic funds — the Bain & Co. Indian Philan-

A strong case for philanthropy is a way of making a strong case for lowering the taxes on the rich — it’ll leave them with more money to spend on the poor

ILLUSTRATION: SATWIK GADE

thropy Report 2015 notes that foreign philanthropic funding in India more than doubled from 2004 to 2009, jumping from $0.8 billion in FY‘04 to $1.9 billion in FY’09 — then one needs to go beyond the numbers and look at the economic underpinnings of philanthropic initiatives. This is precisely what sociologist Linsey McGoey sets out to do in No Such Thing as a Free Gift: The Gates Foundation and the Price of Philanthropy, which released last month. No Such Thing… kicks off with a quick reminder of the shady origins of philanthropy. How many of us know, for instance, that not too long ago public opinion was against philanthropy in general, and corporate philanthropy in particular? In the early 20th century, philanthropic foundations were “viewed as mere outposts of profit-seeking empires… a convenient way for business magnates to extend their reach over domestic and foreign populaces.” McGoey quotes the U.S. Attorney General George Wickersham, who had observed that they were “a scheme for perpetuating vast wealth”. Yet what was common sense in 1910 would sound blasphemous in 2015. While no self-respecting economist today can deny the obscene economic in-

equality that characterises our age, not many would willingly acknowledge the connection between concentration of wealth and philanthropy. That is to say, an equitable society would suffer neither a club of the super-rich that seeks selfexpression through philanthropy, nor a class of the super-poor that is dependant on philanthropic charity for survival. If philanthropy is thriving in this age of extreme inequality, it is because it serves a dual purpose: one, to make inequality more acceptable ideologically and morally; and two, to define poverty as a problem of scarcity rather than of inequality. Hence, the ultimate argument in favour of philanthropy, deployed when all else fails, is the one based on scarcity: ‘something (from a foundation) is better than nothing (from the government)’. Philanthropy is the palliative that makes the pain of capitalism bearable for those fated to endure it. Philanthrocapitalism, on the other hand, is about transcending this palliative function to represent capitalism itself as a philanthropic enterprise. In Bishop and Green’s formulation, such a philanthropic capitalism would drive innovation in a way that “tends to benefit everyone, sooner or later, through new products, higher quality

and lower prices.” As McGoey reveals in her book, no one does philanthrocapitalism better, or bigger, than Bill Gates, who helms the world’s largest philanthropic foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (henceforth Gates Foundation), with an endowment of $42.3 billion. For this very reason, the Gates Foundation is an ideal case study for understanding the social impact of philanthropic foundations. Problems McGoey enumerates three obvious problems with philanthrocapitalism, illustrating each with reference to the Gates Foundation. The first is the lack of accountability and transparency. McGoey points out that the Gates Foundation is the single largest donor to the World Health Organisation (WHO), donating more than even the U.S. government. While the WHO is accountable to the member governments, the Gates Foundation is accountable only to its three trustees — Bill, Melinda, and Warren Buffet. It is not unreasonable to wonder if the WHO’s independence would not be compromised when 10 per cent of its funding comes from a single private entity “with the power to stipulate exactly where and

Ode to bookshops how the UN institution spends its money.” Second, “philanthropy, by channelling private funds towards public services, erodes support for governmental spending on health and education.” With governments everywhere slashing their budgets for public goods such as education and healthcare, the resultant funding gap is sought to be filled by philanthropic money channelled through NGOs. But with one crucial difference: while the citizen has a rights-based claim on government-funded social security, he or she can do nothing if a philanthropic donor decides to stop funding a given welfare project. At the same time, even as it facilitates government withdrawal from provision of social goods, philanthropy paves the way for entry of private players into the same space. McGoey details how the Gates Foundation orchestrated this brilliantly in the American education sector, where it helped create a whole new market for private investment: secondary and primary schools run on a for-profit basis. Third, the same businessmen who made their money through unhealthy practices that worsened economic inequalities are now, in their philanthropic avatar, purporting to remedy the very inequalities they helped create. In the case of the Gates Foundation, Microsoft’s illegal business practices are well documented in the U.S. Department of Justice anti-trust case against the company. Of course, none of this should detract from the undeniably good work that philanthropic bodies have done. The Gates Foundation has saved countless lives, especially in Africa, through its funding of immunisation programmes and outreach projects. Its several achievements, therefore, have been deservedly celebrated. Nonetheless, critical scrutiny lags far behind the lavish accolades. Even the three issues discussed above barely scratch the surface. McGoey goes on to raise several more. To mention just one, for instance, she suggests that the Gates Foundation’s financial ties with Monsanto and investments in Goldman Sachs “may be compounding food insecurity rather than mitigating it”. History has shown that progressive taxation is the most efficacious route to social welfare. But a strong case for philanthropy is another way of making a strong case for lowering the taxes on the rich — after all, it’ll leave them with more money to spend on the poor. The Economist’s report on philanthrocapitalism quotes a young Indian philanthropist, Uday Khemka, who predicts that “philanthropy will increasingly come to resemble the capitalist economy.” That was in 2006. Nine years later, the publication of McGoey’s No Such Thing… marks the first systematic attempt to document this phenomenon. [email protected]

The debate about e-books versus their deadwood variants will continue, but the fears about the era of print ending ebbed somewhat recently after ebooks registered slower sales growth. There are many reasons why the possibility of the end of printed books keeps me up at nights, but the most important of them concerns retail. Securing the future of paper books is intimately tied to the viability of bookshops. Books are one of the few commodities for which the manner of retail has a direct impact on the kind of books that are ultimately published. Nothing can replicate the discovery of books that happens in an oldfashioned bookshop — left to only online bookstores, for all the convenience and chance to sample chapters that they offer, what is recommended to us would be just a function of what we previously bought or sampled or said we liked. It’s why we need to periodically spin through many, many bookshops to get a proper update of the world of fiction and ideas. Moreover, without the possibility of discovery in a bookshop, without the possibility of readers chancing upon new subjects and writers that are not immediately of interest to the media and review pages, many book proposals may not be viable for publishers to commission. That’s not all. The place of a bookshop in a society holds importance for freedom of expression. Through time, bookshops have offered the strongest resistance to the censor, with sellers quietly stocking books officially banned or targeted through customs curbs. Some of my favourite books about bookshops: ● The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop: A

Memoir, a History by Lewis Buzbee — Buzbee, a former bookseller, paints a 360-degree profile of the special civilisational place of the bookshop, and makes a case for his claim that “a bookstore is the city where our fleshed-out inner selves reside”. ●

This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett — This collection of essays by the bestselling author of Bel Canto and State of Wonder has a lovely description of her effort to prove wrong the prediction that “bookstores were dead” by starting one of her own. ● The Most Dangerous Book: The

Battle for James Joyce’s Ulysses by Kevin Birmingham — A biography of Joyce’s masterpiece, it integrates the role played by Sylvia Beach’s iconic Paris bookstore Shakespeare and Company. — MINI KAPOOR

INTERVIEW: RATIKA KAPUR

Manish Tewari I am reading Neither a Hawk Nor a Dove by Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri. I started this after finishing Path of Blood: The story of Al Qaeda’s War on the House of Saud by Thomas Small and Jonathan Hacker, and ISIS Exposed by Erick Stakelbeck. Mr. Kasuri’s book is interesting from the Pakistani perspective, and not so much vis-à-vis India. The amazing insights into the Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence make it interesting. I am halfway through the book. There are more books waiting to be read — Don’t Think of an Elephant by George Lakoff is on top of the list. (Manish Tewari was Information and Broadcasting Minister in the UPA government.)

Kajol I’m into fantasy fiction; I like werewolves and vampires. I like mythology too — the last book I read was the Prince of Ayodhya by Ashok K. Banker. It is the Ramayana, but told in a very interesting manner. The plot is the same as the epic, but what is amazing is that it is written from another point of view. The characters are not wimpy, wishy-washy, and they are not gods. They are mortals, flawed human beings. And it’s us, the flawed humans really, who turn out to be gods because we are able to face adversities. (Kajol is a Bollywood actor.) CM CM YK YK

‘I wanted to collapse that distance between the English writer and her Hindi-speaking subjects’ Ratika Kapur, in her debut novel, Overwinter, had probed South Delhi’s posh and seemingly orderly domesticity. Her second book, The Private Life of Mrs. Sharma, announces her as a unique and original new voice in Indian English fiction. Kapur, who previously worked in publishing as a fiction editor, turns her gaze on urban, middle class India, and imagines a protagonist who lives a life balanced between tradition and decorum, independence and desire. Kapur spoke to The Hindu about the character of Mrs. Sharma, feminism, and more.

Swati Daftuar

How did the idea for The Private Life of Mrs. Sharma take root? I spent nine to 11 months going on these long metro rides because my father-in-law was unwell. I’d go from south Delhi to Rohini on the metro every day, so I spent close to three hours on it. I’d sit there in the ladies compartment and watch the women around me — women I may not necessarily interact with on a day-to-day basis. I’d spend my time watching them, peering over, wondering what they were thinking, doing and writing. Where did they come from, what did they do? This got me thinking about the kind of English writing that we have in India right now. Most of it is either about the elite — and I am guilty of that too, with my earlier book — or it’s about the exotic: the elephants and the mango orchards. But what about the ordinary, middle-class population, women in particular,

going about their ordinary lives? I wanted to explore that domesticity. Wondering what this Hindi-speaking middle class are thinking is how I got started. The problem was the prose.

And yet, now, what elevates your book is this original prose you have used. It is just right… I spent probably two years trying to get the voice right. I was basically trying to create a specific kind of prose aesthetics that would give voice to lives whose intimacies are coloured in Hindi, but whose ambitions are articulated in English. So, my challenge was to create an idiom that captures the Indian urban middle class without parodying it or claiming to speak for it. I didn’t want to do that quaint, cutesy…

And sometimes patronising…

Yes, patronising prose. I wanted to collapse that distance between the English writer and her Hindi-speaking subjects. The idiom of this book doesn’t actually exist. Ever since Raja Rao, we have been grappling with that question: how do you capture in English an experience that has been lived in another language? And I didn’t want to prove a theoretical point about this. It was simply that the character and her situations demanded this of me.

At points in the book, Mrs. Sharma seems to be holding up an image, as if writing for a reader she wants to impress. Slowly, though, that changes into frank intimacies. Is she addressing a reader? Or is she writing to, and for, herself? You know, it is as if she is speaking to someone with whom she is developing an intimate relationship. I remember reading something somewhere that the authority of the narrative voice is something that you earn. You write the first sentence, the reader is not going to maybe take your word for it, but then you write the second, the third, and that’s how you develop authority. I think it’s the same with intimacy. I think there is a sense of

BALANCING ACT: “Feminism in India becomes an elite thing, but here I wanted to show how an ordinary person, who has certain impulses, is able to balance that with this kind of tradition that she is steeped in, but also respects.” Picture shows Ratika Kapur. — PHOTO: BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

I was basically trying to create a specific kind of prose aesthetics that would give voice to lives whose intimacies are coloured in Hindi, but whose ambitions are articulated in English. growing intimacy. In the beginning, there are a lot of things she is uncomfortable with. So she lies, and in some sense she is an unreliable narrator. At one point she says one thing, then she contradicts herself. She dithers and wavers, but it was important for me to bring all that out…

Mrs. Sharma is exactly the kind of character who would blend into the backdrop of another story. You draw her forward, get under her skin.

incredibly difficult one in the kind of issues it deals with, and the honesty with which it handles them. Mrs. Sharma’s brand of independence is very real. I think, often, feminism in India becomes an elite thing, but here I wanted to show how an ordinary person, who has certain impulses, is able to balance that with this kind of tradition that she is steeped in but also respects. She is not one to dismiss it. She is very proud of the fact that she is a good wife, a good mother-in-law, a good mother — she always wants to be that. And at the same time she is terribly deluded person. On one hand, she has committed the most violent of acts, but she is also thinking of how the food needs to be on time.

While writing the book, though, were you consciously weaving in certain topics?

You have certain questions, but ultimately, I’m not a sociologist, I’m not going to theorise. I remember There is a lot of shared experi- what Saul Bellow once said, that no ence being in a metropolis. Some- amount of assertion will make an thing like the metro is a great levell- ounce of art. Our business should er. Whether you are going to your rest on perception, on storytelling. job in a fortune 500 company in Of course, one has questions, but as Gurgaon or to your job as a recep- an artist you attempt to answer tionist at a gynaecologist’s, every- them through this story you tell. A one is sharing the same compart- lot of it comes retrospectively. The ment. But yes, there were things questions are really subliminal. We that I would have to observe. I think are dreaming up these stories but that’s a writer’s job — observation clearly they come from some— much more than theory. You where. They kind of shape your spend a lot of time quietly watching story but that is not necessarily people. You are constantly doing conscious. We spend years and that. One reason I am asocial is be- years thinking and wondering cause when I meet people, it’s al- about these questions, and these most like work, because I’m always are the forces that shape the story. listening and watching and And sometimes, it’s not so much finding answers as much as posing observing. further questions. It’s a very easy book to read, but an [email protected] ND-ND

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the international law.” He appreciated India’s support for the Palestinian cause. Recalling President Pranab Mukherjee’s recent visit to Ramallah when he reiterated New Delhi’s support for the establishment of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, Mr. Abbas said India’s position “will be a strong support to us. This position is also reiterated by the statements and decisions adopted by BRICS countries.” He said Israel did not abide by its commitments under the bilateral agreements such as the Oslo Agreement. “When one party disrespects its commitments stipulated by any agreement, this means that this party is not willing to keep the agreement, or that it is keeping what suits his interests and violates the rights of the other party.” At the U.N. General Assembly in September, Mr. Abbas said Palestinians would “no longer continue to be bound” by the Oslo accords unless they received “international protection” from Israel. Elaborating on his comment, Mr. Abbas told The Hindu that the transitional period for the self-determination rule, under the Oslo accords, was five years, “which were supposed to end in 1999”.

U.N. recognition Asked about the failed attempt to get U.N. recognition for statehood, the President said the Palestinians “will continue our efforts” in this regard. “We will also continue to join more U.N. organisations and other organisations such as the International Criminal Court. We are also studying the possibility of going to the General Assembly in order to bypass the hurdle created by the American veto at the Security Council.” As regards the division between Hamas and West Bank, Mr. Abbas said the Hamas, which controls the Gaza strip, believed that “their immediate interests are superior to the national interest of the Palestinian people”. “Our position is clear. Despite our differences with Hamas, they remain part of the Palestinian people. The only way forward is to go back to the people and hold democratic presidential and parliamentary elections, preceded by the establishment of a national unity government to organise these elections. Hamas has not accepted this path yet.” (Full interview can be accessed at http:// thne.ws/1XJ7KGZ)

Red tape stalls U.S. investment Mr. Aghi said U.S. e-commerce firms are seeking consistency across India on taxation and a proper mechanism on sourcing.In e-commerce, for instance, companies such as Amazon (which is planning an investment of $5 billion) are troubled by the proposed State-level taxes (including in Karnataka) on payments by buyers to sellers on e-commerce platforms, he said. Mr. Aghi said several U.S.based multinationals and pension funds are considering multi-billion dollar investments in India in sectors such as infrastructure, but are concerned about “inadequate” protection of their investments under the current laws in case of any dispute. Therefore, they want India and the U.S. to expeditiously sign a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with specific clauses on Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) as well as provisions limiting governments from expropriating (or the act of government forcibly taking private property citing public interest) the investments made by foreign investors when there is a dispute, Mr. Aghi said. These companies and pen-

U.S.-based multinationals are not confident of Indian laws, says Mukesh Aghi

sion funds also want provisions in the BIT to enable quick payment of adequate compensation in case of any expropriation, he added. Judicial delays He said an effective BIT will also enable more direct investments from the U.S. into India instead of their being routed through Mauritius and Singapore (for tax and other benefits). The U.S. companies are reluctant to commit investments due to judicial delays in India and therefore want the government to promote out-ofcourt settlements through arbitration, he added. India and the U.S. have been holding talks on a pro-

posed BIT since 2008, but the progress has been slow owing to differences, including on ISDS provisions, under which investors can move an international arbitration tribunal against the government in case of disputes. India wants companies to exhaust the local administrative and judicial remedies before going in for international arbitration. Welcoming the recent initiatives of the government to ease foreign investment norms in defence, Mr. Aghi said India needs to equally focus on U.S. small and medium enterprises in the sector, instead of giving complete attention to big firms. Defence investment in the U.S. is driven also by SMEs which supply to big companies like Lockheed Martin and Boeing, and it is important for the Indian government and companies to move that supplier network into India as part of the ‘Make In India’ initiative, he said. Emphasising the importance of competitive federalism, Mr. Aghi said those States which are aggressive on reforms, including labour and land, will attract the maximum investment.

Underworld ties run deep in politics Over the past two decades, charges and allegations have flown thick and fast over a thriving criminal-political nexus in the State. Several politicians have been alleged to have close links with the gangs, while some successfully transformed from underworld operatives to mainstream politicians. The catalyst, however, was the 1993 Bombay blasts soon after which the N.N. Vohra committee submitted its report on the criminalpolitician nexus, naming and shaming some big names from State politics. But not much has changed since, sources and intercepts accessed by The Hindu reveal. They clearly establish the underworld’s close links with local politicians. In a conversation in June, a close aide of Dawood enquired about an influential and powerful politician from Talegaon in Pune. During the conversation, Dawood’s aide in India told his UAE counterpart that the politic-

ian could get a lot of works done. “Merey dost ka koi kaam hai,” he said in reference to the politician. In January 2013, Chhota Shakeel discussed with his aide in Dubai an unknown redevelopment scheme in Mumbai, a work that could fetch Rs. 15-20 crore for the syndicate and “could only be done by the Mayor of Mumbai”. In April 2014, a civic corporator is heard pleading with the “bhai” for funding for the upcoming elections in the State being fought by his party in some areas of South Mumbai. Going by the details that have emerged in The Hindu investigation, in March 2014, Dawood and company attempted to install two politicians on the Standing Committee, using the direct influence of Chhota Shakeel. An aide suggested that Shakeel ask the councillors to become members of the panel that had a two-and-a-halfyear term left. But he was in-

formed they would never like to become members with his support as the duo thought he would come on top and kick them out when he felt like. A third corporator from Govandi (there are five corporators in Govandi and it is not clear from the intercept who is being referred to) was helped in getting a seat on the prestigious Standing Committee, and by March 2014, the same corporator was being pushed to fight the Assembly elections later. Names of some other politicians also have figured in the most dependable intelligence inputs into the activities of the D-company. The D-company used the influence of politicians not only to settle matters in redevelopments schemes but also in the development of old bungalows in Bandra and Mahim, Dargah property in some areas, and land deals at Jogeshwari and Andheri, The Hindu investigations show.

LeT plans suicide bombings Some other cities are also on its radar, the police said, adding the plan was to carry out attacks beyond Jammu & Kashmir. “The LeT handlers have already infiltrated some terrorists into India through J&K and other international borders,” the officer said. While much of the information received by the police is imprecise, they have received specific inputs on two CM YK

suspected LeT operatives, Dujana and Ukasha, leading the alleged operation. A senior investigator said the two suspects could be Abu Dujana, a senior LeT leader, and his main aide Abu Ukasha. Their names had emerged during the interrogation of two LeT operatives arrested in Jammu last month. The police said the duo was active in southern parts

THE HINDU

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

23 YEARS LATER

Israel systematically killing Palestinians, says Abbas The Israeli military said four Palestinians wounded several Israeli soldiers in separate attacks on Friday before they were shot and killed by Israeli forces. Violence erupted over tensions at a sensitive holy site in Jerusalem, sacred to both Jews and Muslims, and quickly spread to the occupied territories and Israel. The Israelis call the Palestinian attackers “terrorists”. However, Mr. Abbas said the root causes for violence “are the continuous Israeli occupation and Israel’s rejection of all international decisions”. Since October 1, 112 Palestinians have been killed along with 21 Israelis, an American, and an Eritrean. Despite the violence, Mr. Abbas said his administration was committed to the peace process. “I fully understand those who say the two-state solution is dead. However, I will continue with my efforts to keep it alive as all the alternatives will be more difficult and some are even impossible to implement.” The international community has failed to implement the two-state solution and resolve the Palestinian cause because “they deal with Israel as a state above

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of Kashmir for some time. Police sources said Dujana and Ukasha were in touch with some LeT militants to carry out the attacks. The special cell has alerted its sources across India, especially in J&K, to launch a technical surveillance of Dujana, Ukasha and other LeT militants who are learnt to be using aliases like Noman, zaid and Khursheed.

Pleas on Ayodhya lie frozen in time Case records date back to the 16th century and are in several languages, including Arabic

KRISHNADAS RAJAGOPAL

puzzled.

NEW DELHI: As voices for build-

Leap of faith The apex court Bench of Justices (retired) Aftab Alam and R.M. Lodha described the High Court judgment fixing Lord Ram’s birthplace as a sheer “leap of faith”, transgressing into the mythological realm. But the High Court Bench seemed to have anticipated such a reaction from the apex court, saying that just because there is no evidence to something does not mean that something does not exist. The Supreme Court would now have to decide how much of mythology it will ould accept as evidence on Lord Ram’s birthplace. The SC Bench had in 2011 also stayed the partition of the disputed site while questioning the wisdom of the Lucknow Bench to go ahead and order it without anyone asking for it. “The suits have been for declaration (of titles), possession or injunction. None of the parties had prayed for partition. This is surprising,” Justice Lodha had remarked.

ing a Ram temple gain momentum, chances appear slim that an overburdened Supreme Court will speed up and start hearing a batch of appeals on Lord Ram’s exact birthplace in the volatile Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi dispute. The most pertinent problem the Supreme Court faces in the case is neither mythological nor legal. It is practical and time-consuming. The litigation has records dating back to the 16th century and written in several languages, including Arabic and Per- A shopkeeper dressing up mannequins in black to observe December 6 as 'Black Day,' on the eve sian. All these have to be of the 23rd anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, in Hyderabad on Saturday.— PHOTO: PTI translated into English for The third judge, Justice Sunni Waqf Board, Nirmohi the court. The Allahabad concluded in their separate High Court judgment itself judgments that Lord Ram, S.U. Khan, said his finding Akhara and Ram Lalla, on the son of King Dashrath, was was an “informed guess” hope that a decree for partiruns to 8,000 pages. But the apex court is in no born within the 1,482.5 based on “oral evidences of tion and separate possession hurry. In a recent hearing this square yards of the disputed several Hindus and some of the land would prevent Muslims” that the precise further litigation in the Ayodyear, a Bench led by Justice Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri premises over birthplace of Ram is under hya dispute. T.S. Thakur (now Chief Jus- Masjid In May 2011, during a pretice of India) said it would 900,000 years ago during the the central dome. The appeals also question liminary hearing of the approbably take another 10 Treta Yuga. Justice Sharma years for the matter to come added that the “world the High Court’s decision to peals, everything about the up. “Someday or the other, knows” where Ram’s birth- order the partition of the dis- Allahabad High Court judgputed site equally among the ment left the Supreme Court the case (civil appeal) will be place is. heard. Even after 10 or 15 years whenever matter comes up, one has to proceed in a methodical manner. We don’t have any policy (particular line of opinion) in the VIKAS PATHAK government should pass a create strife and keep the case,” Justice Thakur had obBill in Parliament or bring temple issue alive. They served. The SC has currently an ordinance for the same,” are acting as an extraNEW DELHI: The Vishwa over 55,000 pending cases. VHP joint general constitutional authority. Hindu Parishad has The appeals filed by the secretary Surendra Jain They know that the BJP reiterated that the Centre Sunni Waqf Board and other told The Hindu. “This government is fast getting should get a law passed by parties five years ago chalunpopular and want to Parliament or promulgate would be a true homage to lenge the September 30, 2010 an ordinance to pave the the late Ashok Singhal,” he push through their divisive verdict of a three-judge LuckHindutva agenda quickly,” way for a Ram temple at said. now Bench of the Allahabad CPI leader D. Raja told The Ayodhya. High Court that Hindus have Left to protest today “Four rounds of talks Hindu. “We will remember the right to the makeshift have failed as the rival this day both as Babri The Left parties, which temple under the central party ran away from them. are observing a week-long mosque demolition day dome of the Babri Masjid. Now the one way out is to protest against intolerance, and the death anniversary The Bench had relied on Hinbuild a Ram temple the of Dr. Ambedkar, who gave will stage a protest across du faith, belief and folklore to way the Somnath temple us our progressive India on Sunday. pronounce its verdict. was rebuilt after Constitution whose values “The RSS has become Justices Sudhir Agarwal Independence. The we have to uphold.” desperate and wants to and Justice D.V. Sharma on the High Court Bench had

VHP wants law to build Ram temple RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat recently said he was confident a Ram temple would come up in Ayodhya during his lifetime. This had led to protests in Parliament by the Samajwadi Party, which accused the Sangh of disturbing social harmony. The Ayodhya title suit has been pending before the Supreme Court after the parties challenged the Allahabad High Court’s decision to divide the site among the litigants.

V.K. Singh’s remarks may cast shadow on House SMITA GUPTA NEW DELHI: The demand for an

apology and resignation of Union Minister of State for External Affairs Gen. (retd.) V.K. Singh for his controversial remark following the murder of two Dalit children will cast its shadow over Parliament in the coming week, Opposition sources told The Hindu. Commenting on the killings in Haryana, he had said: “If someone throws stones at a dog, the government is not responsible.” The government may be forced to assuage the Opposition or face the prospect of a delay in taking its legislative agenda forward — especially the controversial Goods and Services Tax Bill on which the government conceded some ground to the Congress on Friday. Parliament’s winter ses-

sion began with a government-sponsored two-day discussion on “Commitment to the Constitution” to mark Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary, apparently both to claim the Dalit icon’s legacy as well as to ensure attendance in the two Houses in the wake of a disastrous electoral showing in Bihar. But, ironically, the disruptions Parliament faced related to the condition of Dalits. First, an anecdote related by Congress MP and the former Union Minister Kumari The Congress and the BSP Selja — who is a Dalit — about have sought the ouster of how she was asked her caste General (Retd) V.K. Singh. while entering a temple in Gujarat in 2013 was dredged Party (BSP) supremo Mayup two days later by the gov- awati’s call to sack Gen. Singh, ernment: the latter first con- a demand that the Congress tested her contention and was quick to seize upon. Rethen made amends with a calling the parliamentary reshalf-hearted apology the fol- olution passed after the Conlowing day, after several stitution debate, Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi hours were wasted. Next came Bahujan Samaj Azad said: “.. the Prime Minis-

Javadekar backs Jaitley’s stand on homosexuality VIKAS PATHAK NEW DELHI: Just before leaving

for Paris for the ongoing climate change talks, Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar said that while India wanted to be part of the solution to global warming, “it (India) wasn’t part of the problem”. In a chat with The Hindu, Mr.Javadekar underlined the need for action with justice, cautioning developed nations that the world economy would grow only if developing nations grew. He also discussed domestic politics, backing Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s view that homosexual acts should not be criminalised and said the BSP’s protests in Parliament over Union Minister General V.K. Singh’s dog analogy on the death of Dalit children were staged with an eye on the Uttar Pradesh polls, scheduled for 2017. Mr. Javadekar supported Mr. Jaitley’s contention that the Supreme Court should reconsider its verdict setting aside a Delhi High Court judgment that decriminalised homosexual acts.

We should not further marginalise those on the margins, says Javadekar.

“It was progressive. Mr. Jaitley has presented a very strong argument,” he said. “We should not marginalise the already marginal.” The climate talks at Paris haven’t made much headway yet because of differing positions, he said. While developed nations want commitments on emission cuts from developing nations — which are now emerging as major polluters as they industrialise — the latter say that the onus is more on historical polluters to help contain the global rise of temperatures to under 2 degrees Celsius of the pre-industrial levels. Mr. Javadekar expressed the hope that some agree-

ment would be possible, underlining that French President François Hollande had said that “if developed nations do not fulfil their commitments, then Paris can fail.” “We are giving alternative ideas, alternative formulations. And though we are not part of the problem that created climate change, we want to be part of the solution,” Mr. Javadekar said. “And, therefore, we are positive, proactive. Now, the developed world will also require India to grow because, if India and developing world do not grow, the world economy doesn’t grow.” He referred to an Oxfam report which says that the 10 per cent rich produced half of the world’s emissions. “The Oxfam report and many other such reports clearly point out that the developed world is responsible for today’s emissions, today’s climate change and needs to act more. Climate justice will then happen.” On the BSP’s protests in the Rajya Sabha against Gen. Singh’s statements, Mr. Javadekar said: “U.P. election politics is now playing out.”

ter .. cannot just take the lead by passing a resolution, he should also take some action… I request the government to not just remove V.K. Singh from the Cabinet but also from Parliament.” Quota for Dalits If this was not enough of a nightmare for the government’s parliamentary managers, the BSP leader — to quote a prominent Dalit MP from the NDA — “played a master stroke” by making a pitch for reservation for Dalits in the private sector. It is, clearly, an issue that the BSP leader will deploy in the all-important polls in 2017 in U.P., but as the Congressled UPA — that tried for a decade and failed to implement this 2004 manifesto promise — knows, it is not something that goes down well with the corporate sector. Of course, the govern-

ment’s astuteness in pegging the discussion on the first two days to Ambedkar’s 125th birth anniversary as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s conciliatory speech during this debate ensured almost full attendance on the first three days, thus setting the tone for the session. Discussions on intolerance and the floods in Tamil Nadu and A.P. also made the cut. According to PRS Legislative Research, in the first six days of the session — till Thursday — the Lok Sabha’s productivity stood at 113%, while that of the Rajya Sabha — where the government is outnumbered — was 76%. In the coming week, a hopeful government has listed a slew of key legislation relating to GST, Real Estate and Prevention of Corruption, but the Opposition — especially the Congress — is unlikely to smoothen its path.

‘Govt. should not act as lawyer for industrialists’ VIKAS PATHAK NEW DELHI: Accusing the Centre of working against the interests of labour, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Saturday that the government should not act as a “lawyer for industrialists.” “Partnership between industry and labour will happen if the government acts like the judge and not like the lawyer for industrialists,” he told workers of the INTUC here at its 31st plenary session. “The Prime Minister thinks that the Indian worker is corrupt, lazy and can’t be made to work by sparing the rod. He believes labour laws should be weakened and workers disciplined to force them to work. He thinks hire-and-fire policies and weakening labour will lead to better work,” he said. “But the Indian worker is neither weak nor indisciplined. He is scared of losing his job. Show him a bright future for his children and see where he takes India. Address this fear and he will beat China.” He said ‘Make in India’ would fail unless workers had regular jobs, unions and

Former PM Manmohan Singh and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi at the INTUC plenary in New Delhi. — PHOTO: SANDEEP SAXENA

‘Indian worker is scared of losing his job... Address this fear and he will beat China’ basic facilities. Reiterating that the Congress would stand by the poor, Mr. Gandhi credited its 45 MPs with stopping the Modi government from acquiring farmlands without consent. Mr. Gandhi accused the Centre of moving from one catchphrase to another — be it Achhe Din, Swachh Bharat, Smart Cities, Make in India or Digital India. The focus on growth also obfuscates the central question who this growth was for, he added. ND-ND

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THE HINDU

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

TRIBUTES TO NC FOUNDER

Turn LoC into border, says Farooq ‘Those who think borders can be redrawn need to realise realities of this conflict’ PEERZADA ASHIQ SRINAGAR:

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday called for converting the Line of Control (LoC) into an international border to resolve the Kashmir issue. Speaking at a public gathering here on the 110th birth anniversary of party founder Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, Dr. Abdullah said: “Converting the LoC into an international border is one viable option rooted in realism. People on both sides of the LoC cannot continue to suffer for ever for want of a lasting political solution to the issue.” Defending his earlier remarks that “India cannot take away Pakistan-occupied Kashmir from Pakistan,” the former Chief Minister said: “Both India and Pakistan are nuclear powers and a war is not the answer. Those who think that borders can be redrawn need to realise the realities and dimensions of this conflict.” But he added: “While this is one such solution, we are open to any other viable solution that is acceptable to both India and Pakistan, and primarily to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.” “It’s time to end this perpetual suffering as the costs of this conflict cannot be borne by the people of Jammu and Kashmir till eternity,” he said.

Dangerous drift Calling for a “political engagement,” Dr. Abdullah said: “Complete lack of a political direction and narrative vis-à-vis the Kashmir issue is dangerous.” Dr. Abdullah and his son Omar welcomed Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj’s forthcoming visit to Pakistan. “We hope Ms. Swaraj’s visit will improve relations and help to carry forward the dialogue process…” Dr. Abdullah said. Welcoming the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his

CM YK

Former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah paying tributes to his father and National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in Srinagar on Saturday. - PHOTO: NISSAR AHMAD

Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Paris last week, he said: “We do not know what they talked, but let us hope they find some way of resolving this [Kashmir] issue.” However, Dr. Abdullah said, there was no talk of the issue in the State and in New Delhi. “Both the PDP and the BJP entered into an agreement to sideline this core issue. The NC has always en-

couraged both New Delhi and Islamabad to address the issue and we will continue to make this crucial demand.” After offering fateh (prayers for the departed soul), Mr. Omar Abdullah, NC working president, said: “Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s legacy of selfless leadership and commitment to the timeless ideals of pluralism and secularism need to be

emulated today to defeat forces out to divide the people of the State for political dividends.” Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, in an official statement, showered praise on Sheikh Abdullah, though without mentioning his title Sher-i-Kashmir. “Sheikh Sahab was the tallest visionary leader of his times. His significant contribution shaped the political landscape of the State in tune with its multi-cultural ethos. He pioneered land reforms and delivered the unique concept of single line administration,” he said. BJP targets NC Accusing the NC of “preaching secessionism,” BJP spokesman Khalid Jehangeer said: “The people of Kashmir still remember former rulers Bakshi Ghulam Mohammad and Mir Qasim for remaining firm on their stand. They had never worked up any false dream. However, NC leaders have always misled the masses for serving their own interests.”

Parts of Srinagar observe bandh PEERZADA ASHIQ SRINAGAR: Normal life was disrupted in parts of Srinagar, where traders rolled down their shutters on Saturday against alleged “excessive use of force during protests by the police” on Friday. A shutdown call was issued by the Jamia Masjid Traders (JMT) on Friday after the police personnel allegedly lobbed teargas shells inside their shops, immediately after a demonstration broke out in the area after the prayers. There was a clash between security forces and stone-throwing youth after the prayers on Friday. Most shops remained closed in and around Jamia Masjid in the old city. Hurriyat chairman Sayed

Traders protest against the alleged high-handedness of the police and security forces at Nowhata Chowk in Srinagar on Saturday. - PHOTO: NISSAR AHMAD

Ali Geelani alleged that the Jamia Masjid was desecrated by “lobbing tear smoke shells into the holy place.”

The police have refuted the allegations. “The police only chase miscreants,” said a police official.

LeT strategy now to prolong encounters PEERZADA ASHIQ SRINAGAR: The militant Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) has claimed to have changed its strategy in Kashmir as the security forces hunted for the second day on Saturday for the group’s militants holed up in the Handwara forest range. A spokesman for the group, Abdullah Ghaznavi, quoted the organisation’s chief, Mehmood Shah, as saying that the group had changed its tactics in the Valley. “The LeT has changed the strategy after Abu Musa alias Hafiz took over the reins of the outfit,” said the spokesman. The militant organisation would focus on prolonging operations against the security forces from now on, he said. Referring to the ongoing stand-off between militants and security forces in Kupwara, which entered the 23rd day on Saturday, the spokesman claimed that its men had been engaging the Indian Army for more than a month.

18 soldiers killed “During this period, eight gun battles erupted in which 18 Indian soldiers, including Col.Santosh Mahadek, were killed while a Lt.Colonel is still in coma,” claimed the LeT. However, the Army refuted the claims made by the LeT but confirmed the death of an Army officer.

| 13 Madhesi leaders to seek India’s mediation during Delhi visit KALLOL BHATTACHERJEE NEW DELHI: The Nepali agita-

tors, who have enforced an economic blockade on the Nepal-India border, will arrive in Delhi to present their case to the Indian leadership during a short visit starting on Sunday. It will be the first time that the top leaders of the United Madhesi Democratic Front (UMDF) will visit New Delhi together since the beginning of the blockade more than three months ago. Sources in Nepal told The Hindu that the visit by the UMDF delegation was necessitated by the “framework agreement” that was earlier agreed to between the Nepal government and UMDF to end the blockade which has triggered a humanitarian disaster especially for the impoverished sections of the Nepal society. “The Nepali Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa has discussed the ‘framework agreement’ with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. It is our turn to discuss the agreement with them and make our position clear to the Indian government so that we are fully informed of the discussions being held between the governments of Nepal and India,” said Mahant Thakur, chairman of Tarai Madhes

The economic blockade enforced by the Madhesi agitators has led to severe shortages in Nepal. - FILE PHOTO: AP

Loktantrik Party, who will head the delegation. Apart from Mr. Thakur, the delegation will include Upendra Yadav of the Sanghiya Samajwadi Forum; Rajendra Mahato of the Sadbhavna Party; and Mahendra Yadav of the Tarai Madhes Loktantrik Party. The importance of the UMDF delegation’s visit stems from the fact that this is the same group of leaders who have been discussing the solution package with the Nepal government led by Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli. The delegation will also hold meetings with a cross section of Indian parliamentarians. The delegation mem-

The delegation is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the visit bers are also expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their visit. The visit is also a sign that the government of Nepal and the Madhesi leaders are close to a declaration to end blockade. UMDF sources said the visit would give its leadership a chance to seek guarantees from India about securing a long-lasting solution to their demands..

Four hurt in Guwahati twin blasts GUWAHATI: Four persons, including a six-year-old girl, were injured in two explosions that rocked the city’s commercial hub Fancy Bazaar on Saturday. “The explosions have not been caused by an IED or a grenade and the nature indicates to be a low intensity one with the possibility of fire crackers being used not ruled out,” Guwahati Police Commissioner Mukesh Agarwal told reporters here. A boy of about 14-15 years was seen at the spot near a garbage dump in front of a sweet shop in the Old Jail

Road of Fancy Bazar area around 3:30 pm immediately after that the explosions took place with the boy fleeing from the spot, he said. The boy was being questioned, Mr. Agarwala added. Kamrup (Metro) Deputy Commissioner M. Angamuthu, who also rushed to the spot, also ruled out the possibility of a grenade blast. Four person, including a six-year-old girl, were injured in the blasts and were admitted to the nearby Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital and were stated out of danger. BJP’s Guwahati MP Bijoya

Chakraborty, who rushed to the spot, blamed the Congress government for “failing” to ensure safety and security of lives and property to the common people. “Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi holds the Home portfolio and it is his duty to strengthen the police and security network in the State,” she said. Meanwhile, security in the Fancy Bazaar area, which also witnessed a devastating fire on Diwali night, has been strengthened with additional police forces deployed in the area. - PTI

ND-ND

WORLD

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NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU

Obama repeats call for stronger gun control

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

Proposal to achieve zero emissions by 2060-80

Those on the government’s no-fly list should be forbidden from buying a gun, reiterates the President GARDINER HARRIS

‘IS turning to child soldiers’

P

resident Barack Obama edged closer on Saturday to declaring the shooting in San Bernardino, California, that killed 14 people a terrorist attack, but stuck to his prescription that the answer to preventing such tragedies was gun limits. “It is entirely possible that these two attackers were radicalised to commit this act of terror,” Mr. Obama said in his weekly radio address, broadcast a day after the FBI declared that it was treating the massacre as an act of terror. “And if so, it would underscore a threat we’ve been focused on for years — the danger of people succumbing to violent extremist ideologies.” Obama noted that investigators must be allowed to complete their work. But he specifically cited the efforts of the Islamic State to inspire people in Europe and the United States to stage terror attacks. “We know that GUNS ISIL and other terrorist groups are acon the tively encouraging street people — around the world and in our country — to commit terrible acts of violence, oftentimes as lone-wolf actors,” the President said. “And even as we work to prevent attacks, all of us — government, law enforcement, communities, faith leaders — need to work together to prevent people from falling victim to these hateful ideologies.” Military-style firearms Whatever their motives, Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, the husband and wife who the authorities say walked into a conference centre and killed 14 people, most of whom were Farook’s co-workers, had military-style firearms, Mr. Obama noted. “We know that the killers in San Bernardino used militarystyle assault weapons — weapons of war — to kill as many people as they could,” he said. “It’s

10 injured in bomb attack on Bangladesh temple

WASHINGTON: The Islamic

Mourners in San Bernardino, California, visit a makeshift memorial near the Inland Regional Center on Saturday. — PHOTO: AFP

another tragic reminder that here in America it’s way too easy for dangerous people to get their hands on a gun.” Mr. Obama repeated his administration’s insistence that Congress pass a law forbidding those on the government’s nofly list from being able to buy a gun, a measure that was voted down in the Senate on Thursday 54-45. ‘We will not be terrorised’ “Right now, people on the nofly list can walk into a store and buy a gun. That is insane,” Mr. Obama said. “If you’re too dangerous to board a plane, you’re too dangerous, by definition, to buy a gun. And so I’m calling on Congress to close this loophole, now. We may not be able to prevent every tragedy, but — at a bare minimum — we shouldn’t be making it so easy for potential terrorists or criminals to get their hands on a gun that they could use against Americans.” Mr. Obama also called on the country to uphold its values, which administration officials have said do not include efforts to discriminate against Muslims. “We are strong. And we are resilient. And we will not be terrorised,” he said. — New York Times News Service

Iraq asks Turkey to withdraw ‘illegal’ troops BAGHDAD: Baghdad demanded on Saturday the immediate withdrawal of forces it said Turkey illegally sent into Iraq, which is struggling to assert its sovereignty while receiving foreign assistance against the Islamic State (IS) group. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu played down the military activity as “routine rotation activity” and “reinforcement against security risks”, while also labelling any misinterpretation as a “provocation”. The Kurdish regional government — which has forces in the area where the Turkish troops deployed and close ties with Ankara — indicated that Turkey aimed to expand a camp near the main IS hub of Mosul.

Turkish border The troops, which Baghdad said had tanks and artillery, were sent to the camp in Nineveh province, some 80 km from the Turkish border, where Ankara’s forces have been training Sunni fighters hoping to retake

Mosul from the jihadists. Turkey has other camps in Iraq, but they are inside the official borders of the autonomous Kurdish region, while the site near Mosul is in an area claimed by both Kurdistan and Baghdad. Facing political pressure as a result of statements by U.S. officials, Prime Minister Haider alAbadi has taken an increasingly hard public line on foreign forces in Iraq, terming the deployment of ground combat forces a “hostile act”. “The Iraqi authorities call on Turkey to... immediately withdraw from Iraqi territory,” a statement from Mr. Abadi’s office said. The deployment “is considered a serious violation of Iraqi sovereignty,” it added. A local Kurdish commander described the deployment as a routine rotation by Turkish trainers, but a subsequent statement by the Kurdish regional government pointed to increased Turkish activity. — AFP

State is increasingly filling its ranks with child soldiers to replace thousands of its fighters killed in U.S.-led coalition air strikes, a U.S. military spokesman said Friday. Colonel Pat Ryder of the U.S. military’s Central Command said that the number of boy soldiers — some as young as 10 — had been growing steadily, and that some are even being used to put prisoners to death. “We’ve seen this trend continuing to increase for a while now, where they are having to, through forced conscription, recruit children as young as 10 to go fight,” Col. Ryder said, calling the practice “obviously disgusting and illegal across the board”.

Replacing losses “This again is an indication that they are scraping to replace the losses that they’ve experienced on the battlefield,” he said. The U.S. military issues no official counts of enemy dead — it was criticised during the Vietnam War for using “body counts” as a metric of progress — as it leads the multinational coalition conducting air strikes against IS fighters in Iraq and Syria. But Pentagon estimates suggest the number of slain jihadists is between 23,000 and 33,000. Col. Ryder’s comments came the day after the IS group released a horrific video showing six of its child soldiers killing Syrian security forces captured by the jihadists. When the six boys are chosen by an instructor to “send a message” to IS’s opponents, five of them shoot and kill Syrian captives, while the sixth slits a prisoner’s throat. — AFP

LONDON: The details of the story

PASSAGE RESTRICTED: A child walks after crossing the Greece-Macedonia border on

Friday. Macedonia has restricted passage to northern Europe to only Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who are considered war refugees. All other nationalities are being deemed economic migrants and asked to return. Over 1,500 people, mostly Indians, Moroccans, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis, are stuck on the border. — PHOTO: AFP

‘Boko Haram’ attack kills 27 in Chad

bombing on an island in Lake Chad on Saturday killed at least 27 people and left more than 80 wounded, a Chadian security source said, in another apparent strike by

Boko Haram Islamists despite a regional offensive to stop the insurgency. “Three suicide bombers blew themselves up in three different places at the weekly market on Loulou Fou, an island in Lake Chad,” the source in the capital N’Djamena told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. He said the explosions had killed 30 people including the three attackers, and injured more than 80 others. — AFP

Pressure on Taliban over Mansour's fate KABUL: Pressure mounted on the Afghan Taliban on Saturday to offer proof of life for their leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour after sources said he was critically wounded in an internal clash that signalled dissension in top insurgent ranks. Speculation about Mansour’s fate reached a fever pitch after unconfirmed media reports on Friday claimed that he had died,

CM YK

PARIS: The final draft of the Paris Climate agreement, which will be taken up for discussion in the high-level segment of Ministers beginning Monday, was released by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change on Saturday. French President Francois Hollande said instituting a review mechanism to monitor compliance on carbon emissions by countries, and transfer of climatefriendly technologies to developing nations continue to be hurdles, but they could be resolved by “pushing ahead”. Future generations will be “very strict when they judge what was done by heads of state here” to avert dangerous climate change, he said. The draft text has several optional provisions and amendments for consideration by various parties, as the French Presidency and the member nations of the UNFCCC thrash out differences and try to arrive at a consensus. The unresolved issues are placed within square brackets in the text. Informed sources confirmed that India felt that a transparency and accountability regime should not treat rich and poor nations alike. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had conveyed as much to President Barack Obama during their meeting in Paris for the Leaders Event. For example, India does not have the capacity to measure automotive emissions based on vehicle use accurately, while the U.S. does that every year.

The overall goal of the Paris agreement, to keep global temperature rise to a specified quantum compared to pre-industrial levels, is pegged at either “below 1.5 degrees C”, or, as “well below 2 degrees C.” Many contentious issues remain to be resolved in the draft, starting with long-term quantified emissions reduction for a 2050 target, finance for developing countries, updated targets for countries based on stocktaking of carbon dioxide, equitable distribution of the remaining carbon budget for the world, and making explicit the responsibility of developing countries versus developed nations. Options included in the text talk about developed countries and others “in a position to do so” engaging in economy-wide carbon emissions cuts. There is also a clear option which says the extent to which developing countries would effectively implement their commitments would depend on developed countries living up to their own commitments on financing, technology transfer and capacity building. This reflects India’s position. On peaking of greenhouse gas emissions, the discussion is on making it “as soon as possible” with the caveat that peaking requires deeper cuts of emissions by developed countries and longer periods for developing countries. Achieving zero GHG emissions growth by 2060-80 is proposed.

Aravindan Balakrishnan, sentenced to life for rape, created a controversial commune PARVATHI MENON

N’DJAMENA: A triple suicide

G. ANANTHAKRISHNAN

The tyranny of ‘Comrade Bala’

In search of a home

DHAKA: At least 10 people were

injured on Saturday in a crude bomb attack by unidentified assailants in the premises of a medieval-era temple in northern Bangladesh where thousands of people had gathered for a Hindu religious festival, the latest incident amid a series of attacks by Islamists. Over 5,000 people were witnessing an open-air show organised to mark the Rash Mela festival when three crude bombs exploded on the premises of Kantaji Temple in northwestern Dinajpur. At least 10 people were injured and most of them suffered splinter injuries, police said. Officer in-charge of the local Kahrol police station, Abdul Gafuradded, said that investigations are on and “it could be an act of extremists”. Kantaji Temple is a government-maintained archaeological site and thousands of people, both Hindus and Muslims, gather during the annual Rash Mela. The temple is also a tourist attraction for its brick and terracottastyle architecture. — PTI

French President Francois Hollande (right) and Foreign Affairs minister Laurent Fabius, President-designate of COP21, at the climate conference in Paris on Saturday. — PHOTO: REUTERS

even as the group vowed to release an audio message from the leader. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid acknowledged it would take some time to provide evidence that Mansour was alive. — AFP

of Aravindan Balakrishnan — the 73-year-old leader of a bizarre Maoist cult who was on Friday sentenced to life imprisonment for rape, sexual assaults, cruelty to a child, and false imprisonment — are being unravelled in the British media after two members of his collective broke the silence and secrecy that bound them for the last several decades. The first is his 30-year old daughter, with the pseudonym “Fran” who was born into captivity; and the second is Josephine Herival, the woman who helped his daughter escape but still insists that Balakrishnan is innocent. In the time between his arrival in the U.K. in the 1970s as a young student from Malaysia to study at the London School of Economics to the wizened old man shuffling to the courts accompanied by his wife, Balakrishnan created an alternative world for a group of people who came under his tyrannical control. The Brixton-based Workers’

Aravindan Balakrishnan, who has been found guilty of various offences, including cruelty to children and rape. — FILE PHOTO: REUTERS

Institute of Marxism-Leninism Mao Zedong Thought, established by him, was one of the many splinter groups that emerged in the radicalism of the late 1960s and 1970s in Britain. The revolutionary attracted followers, including Sian Davies, Fran’s mother. The group set up office in Brixton, and in 1978 it was raided by the police in search of drugs that were not found. Several of them were arrested, including Balakrishnan. After this, a number of people left and a remaining core slowly shut themselves out from the

outside world and retreated into a small cult that revolved around a single leader who became increasingly crazed and despotic, ‘Comrade Bala’. For these people, all women, the leader apparently imposed stringent rules about what they could and could not do or say. Comrade Bala frequently invoked the wrath of a universe-controlling machine called Jackie that would wreak hell and damnation on them if they fell out of step. In 1983, Comrade Bala and Ms. Davies had a daughter. In unclear circumstances, in 1996 Ms. Davies fell from the bathroom window of a commune house after apparently becoming mentally ill. Fran was 13 at the time. She had never been sent to school and was taught to read and write at home, becoming as she grew up a keen diarist. She described herself as a “fly caught in a web” and a “bird in a cage with clipped wings” in an interview to the BBC. She said her father used to regularly abuse and beat her and the other women and tell the little girl, who longed to go out, with

China’s ‘world bank’ makes the U.S. balk JANE PERLEZ BEIJING: As top leaders met at a lush Bali resort in October 2013, President Xi Jinping of China described his vision for a new multinational, multibillion-dollar bank to finance roads, rails and power grids across Asia. Under Chinese stewardship, the bank would tackle the slow development in poor countries that was holding the region back from becoming the wealth centre of the world. After the presentation, the U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, caught up with Mr. Xi in the corridor. “That’s a great idea,” Mr. Kerry said of the bank, according to Chinese and U.S. aides briefed on the encounter. The enthusiasm didn’t last long, as the Obama administration began a rear-guard battle to minimise the bank’s influence. But the administration suffered a humiliating diplomatic defeat last spring when most of

its closest allies, including Britain, Germany, Australia and South Korea, signed up for the bank. Altogether 57 countries have joined, leaving the United States and Japan on the outside. The calculation for joining is simple. China, with its vast wealth and resources, rivals the United States at the global economic table. It was a position confirmed this week when the International Monetary Fund blessed the Chinese renminbi as one of the world’s elite currencies, alongside the dollar, euro, pound and yen. While many countries had similar doubts as the United States, they figured they could shape the organisation from the inside. The Chinese-led institution, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, is picking its first projects. The choices, which are expected to be announced in the coming months, will provide critical insight into how China plans to wield its power.

Chinese President Xi Jinping with delegates at the signing ceremony of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in Beijing in October 2014. — PHOTO: AP

Either China is serious about taking a leadership role in the global economy and prioritising projects that broadly benefit Asia, or it has a more selfish mission and plans to use the bank to further its own ambitions. So far, China appears to be navigating between the two extremes. It is assuaging critics by compromising on touchy issues like board makeup, project oversight and procurement. But China is hardly yielding control, raising con-

cerns about where the bank will land on major issues like climate change and labour rights. The bank, for example, is still weighing whether to approve coal-fired power plants. China is taking direct aim at the current development regime, the Bretton Woods system established under U.S. leadership after World War II to help stabilise currencies and promote growth. Beijing officials say they want to take a faster approach

than their counterparts at the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank. As a complement to the new bank, China is rolling out the “One Belt, One Road” program for the construction of a network of roads, rails and pipelines along the old Silk Road route that runs through Central Asia to Europe. A maritime equivalent calls for building ports from Southeast Asia to East Africa to the Mediterranean. “The U.S. risks forfeiting its international relevance while stuck in its domestic political quagmire,” Jin Liqun, the president-designate of China’s bank, wrote in a chapter for a recently released book, Bretton Woods: The Next 70 Years. He added, in reference to the United States: “History has never set any precedent that an empire is capable of governing the world forever.” — New York Times News Service

other children that lightning would strike her dead, or she would spontaneously combust. Fran made an unsuccessful attempt to escape when she was 22. It was in October 2013 that an opportunity presented itself again. Learning of a charity that rescued women, Fran, who believed she was desperately ill with diabetes, and another commune inmate, Josephine Herival, called the charity, which rescued her. The lid on the commune and its activities was lifted. Comrade Bala’s hold, nevertheless, continues. Speaking to Channel 4 TV on Friday, Ms. Herival, a 40-year long member of the commune, insisted he was innocent. “I know Aravindan Balakrishnan…he is such a good person,” she said, adding that the evidences given against him are “outrageous allegations”. Fran has integrated herself into society well, according to her caregivers, starting formal studies and even becoming a member of the Labour Party — living a life that she was denied for 30 years.

‘No merger of Northern and Eastern Provinces’ T. RAMAKRISHNAN COLOMBO: Sri Lankan Finance

Minister Ravi Karunanayake has rejected the idea of merger of the Northern and Eastern Provinces for economic reasons. To a question why the merger should not be allowed to achieve cost reduction — considering the fact that the Northern Province accounted for four per cent of the Sri Lanka’s gross domestic product (GDP) and the East — six per cent, Mr. Karunanayake told The Hindu on Friday that “at this moment, we are trying to embrace all races, all religions together. I do not think we should segregate it geographically.” On the proposed donor conference for the North and the East, the Minister said Japanese had come forward to take part in the event, which, he said, could take place by June or July next year. ND-ND

THE HINDU SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

Apollo Tyres starts operations at Oragadam plant

OnePlus in pact with Ola

Apollo Tyres said it had resumed operations at its manufacturing plant located at Oragadam near Chennai. There is no damage to equipment, he company said in a BSE filing. — PTI

OnePlus has partnered with Ola to enable users to purchase its OnePlus X handset through the taxi aggregator’s platform. The offer will go live on the Ola mobile app on December 8 across seven cities between 1000 hours and 1900 hours. — PTI

Tirupati temple may move stash to Centre’s Gold scheme, cut imports T India’s imports of the precious metal accounted for 28 % of its trade deficit in 2012-13 he richest Hindu temple in the world could soon come to the rescue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's plan to recycle tonnes of idle gold and cut economy-hurting imports. The gold monetisation scheme, aimed at persuading individuals, institutions and rich temples to deposit some of their gold stash with banks to recycle, has only attracted about one kg in a month out of a total hoard of over 20,000 tonnes. But the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, popularly known as the Tirupati Temple that is believed to have been the abode of Lord Vekateswara for 5,000 years, may become the biggest contributor with more than 5.5 tonnes of gold. “It's a good scheme,” said Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, the finance minister of Andhra Pradesh, where the temple is located. “We have already isYELLOW sued a directive to go METAL for the scheme.” India is the world’s gold bonds second-biggest consumer of gold after China and the country's insatiable appetite meant imports of the precious metal accounted for 28 percent of India’s trade deficit in the year ending March 2013. Seeking divine blessings, devotees have offered billions of dollars worth of jewellery, bars and coins to temples over the centuries. Most temples are secretive about their stash and their gold is often stored in subterranean vaults. Tirupati has already deposited most of its gold with banks under previous monetisation schemes that offer interest of about 1 percent, said D. Sambasiva Rao, executive officer of the trust that manages the temple. “They (temple investment com-

Suzuki unveils two all-terrain vehicles NEW DELHI: Suzuki Motorcycle India on Saturday launched two all terrain vehicle (ATV) models, priced up to Rs.8.50 lakh (ex showroom, Delhi). While the Ozark 250 model is priced at Rs. 5.45 lakh, the Quadsport Z400 model will cost Rs 8.5 lakh, according to a company statement. “With the goal of expanding our product line in India, we have decided to launch two of our popular ATV models in the market,” Suzuki Motorcycle India, Managing Director, Masayoshi Ito said in the statement. The company intends to make a strong foothold in this growing marketIn the first phase, Suzuki will sell their ATVs through authorised dealers in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Kolkata, Jodhpur and Hyderabad. While the Ozark 250 model is apt for leisure activities, the Quadsport Z400 is the sporty ATV for high-performance off-roading with sporty chassis, torque loaded performance. — PTI

| 15

BUSINESS

NOIDA/DELHI

The richest Hindu temple gets offerings of almost one tonne of gold every year

Tirupati has already deposited most of its gold with banks under previous monetisation schemes that offer interest of about one per cent, said D. Sambasiva Rao, Executive Officer of the trust that manages the temple.

mittee) will evaluate and whichever scheme is beneficial we are going to do that,” he said, adding the temple will move its entire hoard to Modi's programme if convinced. The new scheme offers annual

interest of up to 2.5 percent. Mr. Rao said the temple would take a final decision in the next 1015 days. The temple gets offerings of almost one tonne of gold every year and all of that could also be depos-

ited under the new scheme once a decision is made, he added. But Mumbai’s two-century-old Shree Siddhivinayak temple, which is devoted to Lord Ganesha, remains unconvinced as banks accept deposits only after gold is melted down, leading to a potential loss in weight due to impurities. The government remains hopeful individuals and institutions will participate in the scheme under which banks will melt the deposited gold and loan it to jewellers. The scheme “will help in reducing our gold imports and save foreign exchange and deal with the problem of current account deficit”, the finance ministry said in a statement on Friday. India's DNA newspaper reported on Friday that India is planning to ban imports of 24-carat gold jewellery in an attempt to curb the misuse of free trade agreement with Asian countries. — Reuters

India may ban imports of 24-carat gold jewellery MUMBAI: India is planning to ban imports of 24-carat gold jewellery in an attempt to curb the misuse of free trade agreements (FTAs) with Asian countries, a newspaper reported on Friday. The world's second biggest gold consumer raised the import duty on the metal to 10 percent in 2013 to curb demand

but that has boosted smuggling and prompted some importers to use India's FTAs with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to import 24-carat gold jewellery at just two percent import duty. The imported jewellery is then melted to make coins and bars and sold in the local market, industry officials said.

The government is now planning to change existing rules to allow imports of only lower-quality 18 and 22-carat jewellery, the newspaper said, citing unnamed government officials. Finance ministry officials were not immediately available for comment on the report. — Reuters

Foreign investor may get 5,000 acres on lease in Sri Lanka: FM T. RAMAKRISHNAN COLOMBO: SRI LANKA MAY LEASE

land to a foreign investor up to a maximum of 5,000 acres and relax the criteria in respect of projects which are “labour intensive with the focus on job creation,” Finance Minister, Ravi Karunanayake, told The Hindu. “Earlier, the lease tax was very stiff,” Mr. Karunanayake said. A foreign firm can do business without paying 100 per cent tax on leasing of land, though they would not be able to buy land in the island nation. The only stipulation for the investors getting 99-yearlong lease would be that they should not “indulge in buying land” and their investments should be active. For the purpose of foreign investments, the government had identified many thrust areas, each having a potential of two billion dollars. Asked whether foreigners would be allowed for projects proposed under the publicprivate partnership (PPP) mode in respect of the dairy sector and the construction of 100,000 houses in five years, Mr Karunanayake replied in the affirmative and said the term “private” would mean a local or a foreign investor while the term “public” would refer only to citizens of the country.

Bullion Rates December 05 rates in rupees with previous rates in brackets

Chennai Bar Silver (1 kg) 35,050 (34,050) Retail (1 g) 37.50 (36.40) 24 ct gold (10 g) 25,980 (25,450) 22 ct gold (1 g) 2,429 (2,380) Delhi Silver 34,950 (34,100) Standard gold 26,000 (25,560) Sovereign 22,300 (22,200)

SBI to offer more products to take on competition KOLKATA: State Bank of India (SBI) will become more aggressive in taking on competition arising from new payments banks, small finance banks and other entities, its Chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya said on Saturday. “There will be a host of small finance banks, payments banks, foreign banks and two new universal banks which together will heat up competition in the banking sector in the country”, Ms. Bhattacharya said at an ICC interaction here. To take on competition, she said SBI would offer more digital products and ramp up the business correspondents’ model. “As the country moves from being under-banked to properly banked, competition will hot up and it is better to become offensive”, Ms. Bhattacharya said. Regarding payments banks, she said “whether such banks will have viability only on transactions is a question.” She justified the bank’s joint venture with Reliance Industries’ telecom arm for payments banks. The venture will leverage the spectrum of the telecom company and the banking expertise of SBI and had the potential to become a profitable entity, Ms. Bhatta-

There will be a host of small finance banks, payments banks, foreign banks and two new universal banks which together will heat up competition in the banking sector in the country Arundhati Bhattacharya Chairperson, SBI

U.S. employment report a green light for Fed interest rate rise WASHINGTON: U.S. employment increased at a healthy pace in November, in another sign of the economy's resilience, and will most likely be followed by the first Federal Reserve interest rate rise in a decade later this month. Non-farm payrolls rose 2,11,000 last month, the U.S. Labor Department said on Friday. September and October data was revised to show 35,000 more jobs than previously reported. The unemployment rate held at a 7-1/2-year low of 5.0 per cent, as people returned to the labour force in a sign of confidence in the jobs market. The jobless rate is in a range many Fed officials see as consistent with full employment and has dropped seven-tenths of a percentage point this year. “The employment report should remove the final doubts about a rate hike at the December meeting. The clear message from the labor market to the Fed is: ‘Just do it!’” said Harm Bandholz, Chief U.S. economist at UniCredit Research in New York. The closely watched em-

The unemployment rate held at a seven-and-a-half year low of 5 per cent, as people returned to the labour force in a sign of confidence in the job market.

ployment report came a day after Fed Chair Janet Yellen struck an upbeat note on the economy when she testified before lawmakers, describing how it had largely met the criteria the U.S. central bank has set for the Fed's first rate hike since June 2006. Yellen said the economy needs to create just under 1,00,000 jobs a month to keep up with growth in the working age population. A Reuters survey of banks that deal directly with the Fed showed all but one of the socalled primary dealers expect the Fed will hike rates at the

December 15-16 meeting. They see only a gradual pace of monetary policy tightening through 2016. The U.S. dollar firmed against the euro after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said in New York that the ECB could deploy more stimulus if needed. U.S. Treasury debt yields initially rose, but later fell after OPEC failed to agree an oil production ceiling. U.S. stocks ended higher. Broad gains The second month of strong job gains should allay fears the economy has hit a

soft patch, after reports showing tepid consumer spending in October and a slowdown in services industry growth in November. Manufacturing contracted in November for the first time in three years, according to one business survey. A strong U.S. dollar and spending cuts by energy companies have been headwinds to the economy. A separate report from the U.S. Commerce Department on Friday showed the international trade deficit widened in October as exports hit a threeyear low. Though wage increases slowed last month, economists say that was mostly payback for October's outsized gains, which were driven by a calendar quirk. Anecdotal evidence, as well as data on labour-related costs, suggest that tightening job market conditions are starting to put upward pressure on wages. “Payroll gains were despite continued weakness in manufacturing and energy sectors, suggesting little spillover into the rest of the economy,” said Samuel Coffin, an economist

at UBS in Stamford, Connecticut. Average hourly earnings increased 4.0 cents, or 0.2 per cent from 0.4 per cent in October. That lowered the yearon-year reading to 2.3 per cent from 2.5 per cent in October. The average workweek, however, dipped to 34.5 hours from 34.6. Other labor market measures watched by Fed officials were mixed. The labour force participation rate, or the share of working-age Americans who are employed or at least looking for a job, rose to 62.5 per cent from a near 38-year low of 62.4 per cent. But a broad measure of joblessness that includes people who want to work but have given up searching and those working part-time because they cannot find full-time employment rose one-tenth of a percentage point to 9.9 per cent. That reflected an increase in part-time workers. Employment gains in November were broad-based, though manufacturing shed 1,000 positions. Factory employment has declined in three of the last four months.

charya said. Regulatory guidelines were so stringent that it was impacting banks across the globe, she said. “It was due to the regulations that banks are not being able to help the weaker units and so they were left out from the formal banking system.” Because of this there was a threat from the emergence of shadow banking, like the NBFCs, which were not highly regulated. “However, there is a connection between formal banking system and shadow banking which has the potential of creating the next crisis”, she said. Till the shadow banking system played with equity, there would be no problem. “The moment they start to leverage, there will be a problem”, Bhattacharya said. Affirming that banks would require around Rs.4.6 lakh crore to meet Basel-III norms, she said that SBI did not require capital immediately. “If required, SBI has the option to go to the market, approach the government, leverage real estate among others”, Ms. Bhattacharya said. About listing of subsidiaries, she said that SBI Cards and SBI Life Insurance were the two probable entities. — PTI

Manufacturing has been crippled by dollar strength, efforts by businesses to reduce bloated inventory and investment cuts by energy companies scaling back well drilling and exploration in response to the sharply lower oil prices. Mining purged 11,000 jobs, with oil and gas extraction losing 2,400 positions. Mining employment has dropped by 1,23,000 since reaching a peak in December 2014. Three quarters of the job losses over this period have been in support activities for mining. Oilfield services provider Schlumberger this week announced another round of job cuts in addition to 20,000 layoffs. Construction payrolls increased 46,000 last month, the largest gain since January 2014. Retail jobs rose 30,700 and transportation and warehousing employment rebounded after two straight months of declines. Professional services added 27,000 jobs and government payrolls increased 14,000 last month. — Reuters

Essar Oil to delist from local bourses NEW DELHI: Essar Oil Ltd., India’s second biggest non-state oil refiner, has issued a public notice to delist the company from local bourses by buying out the non-promoter shareholding of 28.54 per cent at Rs.146.05 per share. Delisting the company would give billionaire brothers, Shashikant and Ravikant Ruia, greater flexibility and less regulatory scrutiny. Essar Oil has signed an agreement to sell 49 per cent stake to Russia’s OAO Rosneft. Shares will be bought in a reverse book building, beginning December 15 and ending on December 21, according to the notice. “The proposed delisting of equity shares from the stock exchanges is to achieve complete operational or financial flexibility in furtherance of the company’s business or financial needs and enable promoter shareholders and the promoter to pursue strategic opportunities in respect of its investments,” the offer notice said.— PTI

Workers win historic victory in U.S. with vote at Volkswagen plant DETROIT:

The United Auto Workers union won its first organising vote at a foreignowned auto assembly plant in the U.S. South on Friday, in a groundbreaking victory after decades of failed attempts. About 71 per cent of skilled trades workers who cast ballots at Volkswagen AG’s factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee voted to join the UAW, according to the company and the union. The skilled trades workers account for about 11 per cent of the 1,450 hourly employees at the plant. If the UAW victory, as expected, survives an appeal by Volkswagen to the National Labor Relations Board, the 164 skilled trades workers will be the first foreign-owned auto assembly plant workers to gain collective bargaining rights in the southern U.S.. While the unit of skilled trades workers who maintain the assembly machinery are a fraction of the hourly work CM YK

force, observers said the victory was significant and could serve as a launching pad for the union's efforts to organize other foreign-owned plants in the south. “It gives the UAW a significant new tool in trying to organize the foreign automakers in the south. Symbolically, it's going to be huge," said Dennis Cuneo, a former automotive executive who has dealt with the UAW in past organising campaigns. Gary Casteel, UAW Secretary-Treasurer and head of the union’s organising efforts, downplayed the significance of the vote and its influence on the UAW’s attempts to organise workers at southern plants including those owned by Nissan Motor Co and Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz. “To the overall grand plan of the UAW it”s probably not monumental, but to those workers, it’s a big deal,” Casteel said in an interview on

Casteel and Chattanooga UAW Local 42 President Mike Cantrell says the election was a result of the ‘frustration’ of skilled trades workers at Volkswagen not having collective bargaining rights for wages and benefits.— PHOTO: AP

Friday. Casteel and Chattanooga UAW Local 42 President Mike Cantrell, in a separate interview on Thursday said the election was a result of the ‘frustration’ of skilled trades workers not having collective bargaining rights

for wages and benefits. “Every case has to be built on the circumstances” at each plant, Casteel said. “We are not filing on Nissan or Mercedes tomorrow, but if our evaluation proved that there was a unit that was

ready and strong enough to have an election, certainly we would explore it.” The union narrowly lost a February 2014 ballot in which all of the Chattanooga plant's hourly workers were eligible to vote. During that vote, Re-

publican U.S. Senator Bob Corker, whose hometown is Chattanooga, said, "I've had conversations today and based on those am assured that should the workers vote against the UAW, Volkswagen will announce in the coming

weeks that it will manufacture its new mid-size SUV here in Chattanooga.” The UAW’s current President, Dennis Williams, and its president in 2014, Bob King, said Corker’s comment as well as ‘interference’ from anti-union groups, including one led by small government advocate Grover Norquist, tainted the earlier election. VW has since announced plans to build the midsized SUV at Chattanooga, and it plans to gradually add as many as 2,000 plant workers for production that will ramp up from its December 2016 start. Casteel said the UAW maintains a narrow majority of support among VW Chattanooga hourly workers, but did not pursue a vote by all hourly workers now because of concern of “facing the same outside pressure that we faced last time.” “We have said from the beginning of Local 42 that there

are multiple paths to reach collective bargaining. And we believe these paths will give all of us a voice at Volkswagen in due time, Cantrell said after Friday's vote. Officials at VW have publicly declined to say whether its relationship with the UAW has soured since 2014, when it was clearly the most open to the union among foreign automakers in the south. But it has appealed the decision by an NLRB regional official to allow election in Chattanooga on grounds that all of the plant's hourly workers should be included in any labor representation vote. VW also said the timing of the vote was bad, considering its ongoing scandal over diesel emissions. Casteel and Cantrell pointed out that the UAW filed for the vote in August, more than a month before Volkswagen’s emissions scandal came to light in mid-September. — Reuters ND-ND

16 |

BUSINESS

OPEC fails to agree on production cap after Iran pledges output boost Developments set up the fractious cartel for more price wars in an already oversupplied market

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embers of OPEC failed to agree an oil production ceiling on Friday at a meeting that ended in acrimony, after Iran said it would not consider any production curbs until it restores output scaled back for years under Western sanctions. Friday’s developments set up the fractious cartel for more price wars in an already heavily oversupplied market. Oil prices have more than halved over the past 18 months to a fraction of what most OPEC members need to balance their budgets. Brent oil futures fell by 1 per cent on Friday to trade around $43, only a few dollars off a six year low. Banks such as Goldman Sachs predict they could fall further to as low as $20 per barrel as the world produces more oil than it consumes and runs out of capacity to store the excess. A final OPEC statement was issued with no mention of a new WORLD production ceiling. ECONOMY The last time OPEC failed to reach a deal oil was in 2011 when Saudi Arabia was pushing the group to increase output to avoid a price spike amid a Libyan uprising. “We have no decision, no number,” Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zangeneh told reporters after the meeting. OPEC's secretary general Abdullah al-Badri said OPEC could not agree on any figures because it could not predict how much oil Iran would add to the market next year, as sanctions are withdrawn under a deal reached six months ago with world powers over its nuclear programme. Most ministers left the meeting without making comments. Badri tried to lessen the embarrassment by saying OPEC was as strong as ever, only to hear an outburst of laughter from reporters and analysts in the conference room. ‘Everyone welcome’ A year ago, Saudi Arabia pushed though an OPEC decision to defend market share instead of cutting output, ultimately hoping to drive high-cost producers such as U.S. shale firms out of the market. Many poorer OPEC members have said the group’s largest producer was effectively twisting their arms, prompting the Saudi oil minister, Ali al-Naimi, to say he would listen to everyone this time.

Tata Sons to buy 0.22 per cent more stake in Titan NEW DELHI: Tata Sons, the promoter of major operating companies of the Tata group, will acquire an additional 0.22 per cent stake in Titan Company at an estimated price of over Rs.66 crore, taking its total holding to 19.80 per cent. Tata Sons will acquire 0.22 per cent stake from Tata International as part of restructuring its investment portfolio, according to a BSE filing. In August, Tata Sons acquired 2.18 per cent stake in the Titan at an estimated price of over Rs.680 crore taking its total holding to 19.59 per cent. Titan on Saturday said the proposed date of acquisition is on or after December 11, and the shares are proposed to be acquired at the prevailing price on the date of acquisition. However, the acquisition price will not be more than 25 per cent of Rs.346.44 per share. — PTI

CM YK

overproduction we will run out of onshore storage in the first quarter," said Gary Ross, a veteran OPEC watcher and the founder of PIRA think-tank.

Nigeria's Oil Minister and OPEC president Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu (left) and OPEC Secretary General Abdullah al-Badri arrive for a news conference after a meeting of OPEC oil ministers in Vienna, Austria on Friday— PHOTO: REUTERS

Iran has made its position clear ahead of the meeting with Zangeneh saying Tehran would raise supply by at least one million barrels a day — or one per cent of global supply — after sanctions are lifted. The world is already producing up to 2 million bpd more than it consumes. Mr. Naimi earlier had said he hoped growing global demand could absorb an expected jump in Iranian production next year: “Everyone is welcome to go into the market”. He made no comment after the meeting. At the meeting, OPEC welcomed back

The world is already producing up to 2 million bpd more than it consumes. returning member Indonesia, its 13th member. The cartel accounts for about a third of world oil output and does not include Russia or the United States, which rival Saudi Arabia as the world’s biggest producers. “The pressure will build on OPEC and oil prices. At this rate of

‘Dysfunctional family’ Initially, on Friday there was no indication of a repeat of the 2011 meeting, which Mr. Naimi had called the ‘worst ever’. OPEC sources told Reuters the ministers had agreed to roll over existing policies during the first couple of hours of deliberations. That involved raising the collective ceiling, excluding new member Indonesia, to 31.5 million bpd from the previous 30 million — effectively bringing it in line with real production numbers. But later, all decisions appeared to have been overturned, leaving the group with no official policy. It was not immediately clear what happened behind closed doors. “Now the Viennese OPEC family gathering is over, the music has stopped and they’re sweeping up, but nothing has changed — the oil production remains unchanged, the oil production quota remains divorced from real-world oil production, and the slightly dysfunctional OPEC family —like most families — has gone its separate ways,” said Christopher Wheaton, Energy Fund Manager and Analyst at Allianz Global Investors. — Reuters

Brent crude oil futures fall 84 cents NEW YORK: Oil prices fell on

Friday after news that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was planning to maintain its production near record highs despite depressed prices, as OPEC continued to guard its share of an oversupplied market. The producer group failed to agree on a new production quota, allowing member countries to continue pumping more than 31 million barrels per day of oil, further swelling a global glut that has depressed oil prices for over a year. OPEC's announcement sent ripples through wider markets and dented shares of U.S. energy drillers already suffering from low prices, but losses in oil futures were

limited as prices hit support around $40 a barrel. Brent crude oil futures fell 84 cents, or nearly 2 per cent, to settle at $43, after rising in early trade. The benchmark was within cents of August’s 6-1/2year trough. U.S. crude futures fell $1.11, or nearly 2 percent, to settle at $39.97. “There was some short covering before the

announcement in case there was a production cut. “When we found out that wasn’t the case, we gave up the gains," said Gene McGillian, analyst at Tradition Energy in New York. "It shifted the market back to fears of oversupply.” “The heavy pressure on non-OPEC producers, especially U.S. shale, is going to be kept up,” said Paul Horsnell, head of commodities research at Standard Chartered. Energy company shares, including those of U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil Corp and oil service companies Baker Hughes Inc and Halliburton Co fell after the OPEC news. The S&P Energy index fell on Friday, limiting gains in the wider stock market. — PTI

NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

Solar capacity crosses 5,000 MW G. BALACHANDAR CHENNAI: India’s total installed

capacity of solar power has crossed the 5-GW-mark. The total commissioned utility solar capacity in the country stands at about 4.7 GW, while rooftop capacity is 525 MW, according to Bridge to India, a solar energy consulting firm “Solar sector has got great momentum with capacity addition in 2015 more than doubling up over last year and total pipeline of over 15 GW of projects under bidding-cumdevelopment,” Vinay Rustagi, Managing Director, Bridge to India, said in a report. During last fiscal, a total capacity of 1,112 MW of grid connected solar power projects and 44.5 MW of rooftop projects were installed. For the current fiscal, 827 MW of solar capacity has been added so far. “While the central government has laid down the ambitious target of 100 GW by 2022, states have taken the lead over central government schemes in the last year. Encouraged by falling costs and growing need for green energy, states like Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have all announced sub-

During last fiscal, a total capacity of 1,112 MW of grid connected solar power projects and 44.5 MW of rooftop projects were installed. For the current fiscal, over 800 MW of solar capacity has been added so far.

stantial policy initiatives,” he added. Rajasthan, Gujarat and MP have historically been the front runners in solar power capacity addition, but the four southern Indian states are expected to dominate the market over next two years. As of today, the country has a solar project pipeline of 15.7 GW. The fiscal year 2016-17 will be Indian solar market’s transition year: annual capacity addition could top 6 GW with India becoming one of the leading solar nations globally. “Consumer awareness has improved significantly in the

rooftop segment and both business and residential consumers are keen to tap into rooftop solar. “We expect the rooftop market to grow at over 50 per cent rate in the next few years,” said Mr.Rustagi. Solar Energy Corporation of India is engaged in implementing a number of renewable energy projects including setting up of 2,750 MW solar power projects under VGF (viability gap funding) schemes, solar Park schemes, roof-top projects and projects in association with other organisations.

Leather sector sales target set at $27 bn N. ANAND CHENNAI: The Council of Leath-

er Exports (CLE) along with other agencies has devised a plan to more than double sales revenue in next five years to $27 billion. Last year, leather sector reported total sales of nearly $13 billion, of which exports accounted for $6.5 billion. By 2020, the export target is $15 billion. As per the plan, CLE along with Footwear Design and Development Agency and Central Leather Research Institute plans to hold road shows, business-to-business meetings and conferences in different countries to attract foreign direct investment, introduce new technologies, designs and concepts and showcase India’s potential to the outside world. “The target has been set in consultation with the Commerce Ministry by bringing in the leather sector under the purview of Make in India scheme. Our first target is to double the total sales by 2020. We are working out on capacity building, road shows for attracting foreign direct in-

During 2014-15, leather industry posted 10.5 per cent growth at $13 billion. vestment,” said Council for Leather Exports Chairman, M. Rafeeque Ahmed. The first round of road shows and business-to-business meetings were held in China, Taiwan and Germany. The next round will be held in New York in December, followed by Sao Paulo in Brazil and Italy during January. A two-day buyer seller meet is also scheduled to be held in Dubai on December 15-16. Exports to these countries account for nearly 45 per cent. During 2014-15, this sector posted 10.5 per cent growth to end at $13 billion. However, the leather sector posted negative growth of 9.5 per cent during the first seven months of the current fiscal ended October 2015-16 due to declining international demand for Indian products coupled with less unit value realisation. During this period under re-

view, leather products accounted for three to five per cent growth, while finished leather sector was down by 24 per cent. For the first time, the Leather Council will be holding Designers Fair in Chennai on February 2 and 3, in which leading world designers from Italy, Spain, the U.S. and Far East are expected to take part and exhibit their products new collections. “We expect Indian manufacturers to enter into new collaborations, sign memorandum to upgrade the products and revolutionise the product line to take the leather sector to the next stage,” Mr. Ahmed said. Financial constraints, high interest rates and lack of infrastructure facilities are some of the key factors that made this sector uncompetitive. Euro zone crisis, economic sanctions by EU and Russia, intense competition from neighbourhood countries and depreciating rupee are the other factors. “But we are determined to overcome these hurdles to increase our market share,” Mr. Ahmed said.

Samsung to pay Apple more than $548 mn for infringing patent, designs NEW YORK: Samsung fought un-

til the bitter end to avoid paying Apple, but the company now says it will finally hand over the more than $548 million it owes for infringing the patents and designs of its biggest smartphone rival. In papers filed in federal court in San Jose, California on Thursday, Samsung Electronics Co Ltd said it will make the payment by December 14 if Apple Inc sends an invoice on Friday. Asked if it had done so, Apple declined to comment on Friday. The payment comes after a U.S. appeals court last May reduced a $930 million judgment against Samsung by $382 million, stemming from a 2012 verdict for infringing Apple patents and copying the look of the iPhone. Another trial over remaining damages relating to some

Samsung said it will make the payment by December 14 if Apple Inc sends an invoice on Friday.

The payment comes after a U.S. appeals court last May reduced a $930 million judgment against Samsung by $382 million, stemming from a 2012 verdict for infringing Apple patents and copying the look of the iPhone.

of Samsung's infringing products in the case is set to go ahead next spring. Even though the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C. had authorized damages to Apple in May, Samsung again appealed the final figure to the same court, and was rebuffed twice more. Now agreeing to pay, Sam-

sung told the San Jose court that it expects to be reimbursed if it eventually succeeds in a forthcoming appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court over its liability for copying the patented designs of the surface, bezel and user interface of the iPhone, which accounted for $399 million of the total award. South Korea-based Sam-

sung also said it reserved the right to be reimbursed in the future if a decision by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office invalidating one of the Apple patents in the case, related to touchscreen gestures, is upheld. Apple intends to appeal that ruling and said in court documents it “disputes Samsung’s asserted rights to reimbursement.” — Reuters

ND-ND

SPORT

NOIDA/DELHI

THE HINDU

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

TV Schedule India 1 쏹 vs South Africa 2 9.30 a.m. ONWARDS

쑺

STAR Sports 2, 3, HD2 & HD3

| 17 Zero doubt

Feel-good factor

I am very happy that India is ahead in this series by 2-0 and have zero doubt in my mind about India 쑺 winning the series 3-0.

Obviously, feeling good that both me and Ashwin are bowling well in tandem. We interact a lot during net sessions. We understand each others’ strengths and weaknesses.

— Harbhajan Singh

— Ravindra Jadeja

India tightens the noose around South Africa Kohli and Rahane’s unfinished 133-run stand is the first century partnership in four Tests Y.B. SARANGI NEW DELHI: The Ferozeshah Kotla has witnessed some firsts in the Freedom Series. On the third day of the fourth and final Test, the decently-filled Kotla saw the first century partnership in four matches, thanks to diligent efforts from Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, as India tightened the noose around South Africa by inflating its lead to a mammoth 403 runs. Also for the first time in four matches, a Test is certain to see the fourth day’s action. It is a pleasant variation considering that the last five Tests played on Indian soil, barring the one in Bengaluru last month, have ended inside three days. India benefitted from an unfinished 133-run stand between its captain Kohli (83 batting) and Rahane (52 batting) to post 190 for four in its second innings and virtually push the touring side out of the contest. When the host started its second essay after securing a first innings lead of 213 runs, it faced the challenge of negotiating the spirited South African pacers in the conducive morning conditions. Under the leadership of an incisive Morne Morkel, the visitors bowled to a good plan. Morkel and Kyle Abbott stuck to an impressive line and length and enjoyed whatever movement they got off the surface.

Double blow Morkel dealt a double blow in his fourth over. The lanky pacer claimed Murali Vijay’s wicket with an accurate bouncer with wicketkeeper Dane Vilas jumping high to complete a smart catch. An unhappy Vijay indicated that the ball might have brushed his elbow guard. In the very next delivery, Morkel hit a perfect length to rattle Rohit Sharma’s stumps. His lazy foot work left Rohit disappointed as the Mumbai batsman, who was promoted to No. 3, again failed to realise his potential in the longer form. The circumspect pair of Shikhar Dhawan (21) and Cheteshwar Pujara (28) showed a lot of pragmatism to hang in there.

Not enforcing the follow-on, a sensible decision JAVAGAL SRINATH

I

MORALE-BOOSTING KNOCK: Virat Kohli gathered runs all around the ground to score a fifty after eight innings.— PHOTO: R.V. MOORTHY

Dhawan adapted well by curtailing his shots. Pujara also showed patience as the slow pitch with low bounce made strokeplay a difficult task. The two added 45 runs in about 23 overs before the South African bowlers returned with renewed vigour. In the third over of the middle period, Morkel, bowling round the wicket, bamboozled birthday boy Dhawan with a stunning yorker and spoilt his hopes of getting a good score in his first Test in his backyard. In the following over, Pujara lost his off-stump to Imran Tahir as India was reduced to 57

for four. The situation was similar to that of the first innings, where India was 66 for three, and the Kohli-Rahane duo was again up to the task of rescuing the home side. Kohli survives a scare Kohli survived a scare when he saw Tahir overstepping on the television screen after umpire Bruce Oxenford had given him caught behind. A sulking Kohli, making no effort to hide his displeasure by staying out in the crease, overcame that episode to fight a bigger battle along with the manin-form Rahane.

The test this time was tougher though as the Proteas bowlers sustained pressure for a longer period of time. Making the old ball to deviate prodigiously with the help of some reverse swing, the penurious Morkel looked unplayable at times. The Indians thrived with their application. Kohli valued his wicket, playing late and reaching out to the pitch of the ball. He rotated the strike well and never missed a chance to steal a boundary. The Indian captain gathered runs all around the ground and

achieved his first half-century at the Kotla and 12th overall early in the final session. A 50 after eight innings boosted Kohli’s morale and he stepped up the scoring rate as India kept inflating its lead over South Africa. First innings centurion Rahane, who survived several difficult moments with superb determination, gathered most of his runs square of the wicket on either side. He must have been pleased with his industrious stay that fetched him a memorable halfcentury if not high in terms of quality.

SCOREBOARD India — 1st innings: 334 South Africa — 1st innings: 121 India — 2nd innings: M. Vijay c

Vilas b Morkel 3 (15b), Shikhar Dhawan b Morkel 21 (86b, 2x4), Rohit Sharma b Morkel 0 (1b), Cheteshwar Pujara b Tahir 28 (79b, 3x4), Virat Kohli (batting) 83 (154b, 10x4), Ajinkya Rahane (batting) 52 (152b, 5x4); Extras (lb-2, nb-1): 3; Total (for four wkts. in 81 overs): 190. Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Vijay), 2-8 (Rohit), 3-53 (Dhawan), 4-57 (Pujara). South Africa bowling: Morne Morkel 17-6-29-3, Kyle Abbott 17-638-0, Dane Piedt 18-1-53-0, Imran Tahir 21-4-49-1, Dean Elgar 8-1-19-0.

t was no surprise to see Virat Kohli choose not to enforce the follow on when he had the option of doing so. That has become something of a trend in the last few years. Perhaps, the origin can be traced back to that Kolkata Test in 2001 when India staged an astonishing turnaround against Australia. Virat’s was a sensible decision because it gave India the chance to completely bat South Africa out of the contest. That’s precisely what India have done now. Even though he has spoken to the contrary, I am sure Virat must have been hurting at not being able to make a substantial contribution to the team with the bat for most of the series. To be still sitting on a series win would have been extremely satisfying, but the proud man that he is, he must have been desperate to leave his imprint. That he has done so with great panache again reiterates, like it did in Ajinkya Rahane’s case through his first-innings hundred, that while form might be temporary, class is permanent. Virat was positive without being reckless, dominant without taking undue chances. The let-off in the shape of a dismissal off a no-ball steeled him further, and some of the strokes he played on a surface that wasn’t encouraging of strokeplay were breathtaking. In Rahane, he found the per-

The Kotla mess VIJAY LOKAPALLY NEW DELHI: Embarrassment for

The longer they bat, the better for us: Abbott SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Kyle Abbott.— FILE PHOTO a crack at us tonight, maybe an hour or so. But they want to drag it out. If that’s the case, it's going to take more overs out for us to bat in the end.” Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja said the host’s plan was to set a big target so that its bowlers could bowl freely. Jadeja said the team performed well in all departments to break the notion that it could excel only on spinner-friendly tracks. “I don’t think there’s anything special in this pitch. We batted well in the first innings and got a lead of 213. I think this is a far better pitch than the one at Nagpur,” said Jadeja.

Anand draws with Adams

SHOOTING

LONDON: Five-time world cham-

KAMESH SRINIVASAN

pion Viswanathan Anand failed to press hard with his white pieces and had to settle for a draw with Michael Adams of England in the first round of the London Chess Classic here. Giri emerged the early leader in this final edition of the Tour that will decide the top three winners. As of now, Anand shares the sixth spot in the tour rankings and needs a big win here to match higher ranked players like Topalov and Aronian who occupy the top two spots. The results: Round 1: V. Anand (Ind) drew with Michael Adams (Eng); Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Fra) drew with Magnus Carlsen (Nor); Alexander Grischuk (Rus) drew with Hikaru Nakamura (Usa); Veselin Topalov (Bul) lost to Anish Giri (Ned); Fabiano Caruana (USA) drew with Levon Aronian (Arm). — PTI CM YK

VIJAY LOKAPALLY NEW DELHI: It was lethal. The ball

NEW DELHI: South African pacer

Kyle Abbott said good batting by Indian batsmen put the touring team in a more difficult position on the third day of the fourth and final Test at the Ferozeshah Kotla here on Saturday. “We threw everything at them today morning. With all due respect they batted incredibly well. We were unlucky not to pick up a few wickets,” said Abbott addressing media persons. “If you look at heir partnerships, they were going at only a strike-rate of 40. “If there is not much happening and they are not going to take risks, it gets even harder. They batted within themselves and were sheltered. Even when we were trying to tempt them, they left it or patted it back which was quite frustrating,” said Abbott, who had captured five wickets in the first innings. Abbott said South Africa would love to see India bat longer on the fourth day. “To be honest, I thought they will have

The art of uncorking fast and fatal yorkers crashing into the stumps even as Shikhar Dhawan scampered out of the missile’s path. Morne Morkel had produced a ball that has become a rarity in modern cricket. The yorker, a most valued possession of a fast bowler, was on display in all its glory. Contemporary game demands the cricketers to be smart in terms of skills and temperament. It also asks them to be realistic, preserve the energy and stoke the ambitions to achieve the maximum. Yorker is a weapon that has to be hurled sparingly and effectively for various reasons but primarily because it results from a combination of strength and speed. Diffcult to bowl “It is the most difficult ball to bowl,” avers former speedster Javagal Srinath. “It has to be nurtured over a period of time and can be used as a wicket-taking ball by bowlers at their peak. But slight inaccuracy can also cost you runs.” Performers like Waqar Younis perfected the art of bowling

TOE-CRUSHER! Shikhar Dhawan's reflexes were no good against

this accurate yorker from Morne Morkel on Saturday. — PHOTO: AP the yorker and was literally unplayable during the days of rampant reverse swing. “The yorker is not everyone’s cup of tea. You have to set up the batsman and it comes mainly from experience,” said Zaheer Khan, who was good at unsettling the batsmen with one that hit the bottom of the stumps. Morkel has been outstanding. Stepping out of the shad-

Indian Air Force (IAF) beat Olympic silver medallist Vijay Kumar to the gold in men’s air pistol in the 59th National shooting championship at the Dr. Karni Singh Range, Tughlakabad, on Saturday. Amidst growing confusion, as the score display system malfunctioned and failed midway through the final, the 21year-old Shahzar, kept his cool to shoot close to his best as he beat Vijay Kumar by 1.4 points for the gold. Before the last two shots, Shahzar had a 0.7 point lead over Vijay Kumar. Shahzar who had won the silver in the last edition in Pune, shot 10.0 and 9.2 that nailed it, as Vijay responded with 9.3 and 9.2. “I came to win the gold, even

international cricketers is common at the Ferozeshah Kotla. This time they found themselves in the line of fire upon being invited for a felicitation function to honour them at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Saturday. Some part of the Kotla, at least the field of play, remained out of bounds for them. And rightly so. Once the Test commenced on Thursday, no activity other than the game could have been permitted on the field. Sadly, the Delhi Government was unaware of the ground realities even though it claimed that prior permission had been secured. Virender Sehwag was told on his way that the event was off while Bishan Singh Bedi was escorted into the venue only to discover that the function had been cancelled. The point of contention was the location. The Government officials insisted it be held inside the boundary even as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) offered three alternate spots. According to a Board official, they had no intimation about the event and in any case it could not happen on the field of play. “The International Cricket Council would not have allowed it,” said the official. The onus

was on Justice Mukul Mudgal who had been entrusted with the job to oversee the conduct of the India-South Africa Test. Among the various issues was an important one concerning the security aspect since the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was said to be keen to visit the block where school kids had been seated. The police was averse to this move and had advised on the same lines. “It is therefore requested that the visit of the CM and Deputy CM (Manish Sidodia) may kindly be restricted to the designated function area within the prescribed time limit before commencement of play,” said Chinmoy Biswas, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Central District. Justice Mudgal presented an exasperated posture as he tried his best to convince the Delhi Government officials to hold the event outside the field of play. “I am sorry that I have tried my best but since DDCA is an affiliate of the BCCI it is bound by its directive and I am not in a position to change the location of the event directed as the Test match is a BCCI event. However, I have made suitable arrangements to ensure a location in the ground befitting the occasion. Please do come and do the event,” Justice Mudgal pleaded. The Delhi Government chose not to add another chapter to its ongoing feud with the DDCA.

BADMINTON

Shahzar Rizvi wins air pistol gold NEW DELHI: Shahzar Rizvi of the

ows of Dale Steyn, he kept the Indians on their toes with his well-thought delivery that made a mess of Dhawan’s innings. The ball was sharp and accurate in finding its goal. There was a bit of reverse swing and the South African exploited it to the hilt. The emphasis on curtailing runs also limits the range of a

fast bowler. “Too many limited overs matches do not encourage one to experiment. The slower one and clever change of pace is more encouraging than a yorker. It also has to come from within,” noted Zaheer. Srinath, who believed in setting up a batsman, found the yorker useful in certain situations. “You have to observe the footwork of the batsman and also his intent of aggression. When a batsman is on the lookout for runs he becomes a target but not when he is watchful. It is important to know when to bowl. But not everyone can command the art of producing a yorker at will.” Not just speedsters. A couple of spinners too were good at surprising the batsmen with a yorker. B.S. Chandrasekhar, whose faster one once rattled the great Viv Richards, and Anil Kumble could whistle the ball into the stumps; sometimes even stun the batsman with a bouncer. V.V.S. Laxman can never forget the first ball he faced from Kumble in a firstclass match. A perfect yorker it was!

fect foil. Generally, a batsman coming off a century in the first innings looks to dominate the bowling in the second. To Rahane’s credit, he assumed the role of the sheet-anchor, happy to bat in Virat’s shadow. Both Virat and Rahane will acknowledge the role of Ravindra Jadeja in putting India in this current position of strength. Question marks have always hung over Jadeja since his Test debut, but with his performances in this series, I am sure those doubts will have been dispelled, at least when it comes to his role in the subcontinent. R. Ashwin has by a distance been India’s best bowler for a while now, and as much as bowlers too operate in partnerships, seldom can two spinners be co-collaborators on Indian soil. Over this series, though, Ashwin and Jadeja have been equal partners-in-crime with 26 and 21 wickets respectively. South Africa’s bowlers bowled their hearts out yet again, especially Morne Morkel and Kyle Abbott. Morkel’s spells at the start of the day and immediately after lunch were outstanding and he was amply rewarded as well, but when you begin the third innings more than 200 behind, as a bowling unit the most you are trying to do is control the damage. There is one final chance for AB de Villiers to weave his magic, one last opportunity for Hashim Amla to redeem a forgettable tour, but I can’t see how either of them can prevent India from winning the series 3-0. Hawkeye/Chivach Sports

though the final score is not great. This was only the national championship, not the Olympics,” said Shahzar. In fact, he promptly opened his diary to show the entry to emphasise that he did expect to win the gold. Sib Kumar Ghosh who had led the field for two days with 580, looked set to upset the calculations of Shahzar, till he shot 6.8 on the 17th shot that dropped him to the bronze medal. “Concentrate on timing and aiming. Mind relax and free” — was Shahazr’s winning formula as he had jotted down in his diary as Plan-A. He executed it to a nicety, after having qualified in the eighth place, and just about squeezing in, by beating Depak Sharma (19x) and Om Prakash (17x) on a better tally of 20 in-

ner-10s, after being tied on 577 with them. Omkar Singh, Rohit Kumar, Jitu Rai, Amit Kumar Pilaniya and Achal Pratap Singh Grewal finished fourth to eighth in that order. Like Jai Singh Rathore in free pistol, Shahzar Rizvi emerged as a new champion in air pistol, triggering fresh dreams, strengthening the faith of thousands of shooters, 3700 of whom have reached this National championship, that it could be their turn some day. The results: 10m air pistol: Men: 1. Shahzar Rizvi 199.6 (577); 2. Vijay Kumar 198.2 (577); 3. Sib Kumar Ghosh 177.2 (580). Juniors: 1. Achal Pratap Singh Grewal 577 (21x); 2. Pawan Yadav 577 (16x); 3. Arjun Das 575. Youth: 1. Saurabh Choudhary 573; 2. Dhruv Pran Singh 572 (18x); 3. Shainki Nagar 572 (17x).

Srikanth a match away from glory MALANG (INDONESIA): Indian shut-

tler K. Srikanth is showing signs of having regained his old form as he entered the men’s singles final of the $120,000 Indonesian Masters Grand Prix Gold with a straight-games victory here on Saturday. The top seed needed just 37 minutes to oust local man Ginting Anthony 21-13, 21-19 in the semifinals. With the win, the Indian levelled his head-to-head to 1-all against the Indonesian. In the final, he will meet another Indonesian, second-seeded Tommy Sugiarto. Sugiarto beat countryman Wisnu Yuli Prasetyo 21-18, 21-18 in the second semifinal. Lately, Srikanth has had one of the worst runs in his international career, having exited five of his last six tournaments in the first round. However, fortunes

seem to have changed as this performance will give him the confidence going ahead. This is his fourth final this year after winning two (India Open Superseries and Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold) and losing one (India Grand Prix Gold). On Saturday, he led from the start in the first game and never lost the lead. He took an early lead of 7-2 and from 12-all, lost only one point in the next 10 points to easily pocket the game. It was the reverse in the second game as Anthony came back strongly to go 7-2 up. But Srikanth turned the tables on the Indonesian to clinch 14 of the next 15 points and go 16-8 ahead. Anthony tried closing the gap but it was a little too late as Srikanth closed the contest on his third match point. — IANS

BACK IN FORM: K. Srikanth, who has had a forgettable run leading

up to the Indonesian Masters GP, entered the final of the event on Saturday. — FILE PHOTO ND-ND

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7 p.m. ONWARDS

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Coach’s favourite FC Goa 쑺

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Sony Norde is a very good player. He can do anything. He is fast and clever and I like him as a player. He just needs to work on the defensive aspect of his game. — Nicolas Anelka, Mumbai FC coach

Distractions

Elano and Wadoo — having being booked four times each — will miss the first leg of the semifinal PUNE: Chennauyin FC heaved a

THE HERO: Jeje Lalpekhlua, who scored Chennaiyin FC's winner, is congratulated by captain Elano.

— PHOTO: ISL/ SPORTZPICS

sigh of relief and celebrated as Jeje Lalpekhlua found the back of the net in the 64th minute to confirm its entry into the semifinals play offs of the Hero Indian Super League match at the Balewadi Sports Complex here on Saturday. It was the seventh defeat for the FC Pune City. With the temperature dipping in these parts — the players of either side may not have felt their energy sapping running the hard yards. With its Colombian star striker Stiven Mendoza — the league’s highest scorer with 11 goals — proving to be visitor’s livewire, it was only a matter of when he would outwit the rival goalkeeper Steven Simonsen by himself or create a chance for a teammate in all white uniform. It so happened nearing midway in the second half when he set off from the right touch line getting the better of a group of defenders. His short pass was

Leicester soars; City stumbles at Stoke LONDON: Jamie Vardy’s record

scoring streak ended but Leicester City’s improbable Premier League title challenge continued with Riyad Mahrez’s hat-trick sealing a 3-0 win at Swansea City that put it top on Saturday. Manchester City’s dismal 2-0 defeat at Stoke City in the early kickoff opened the door for preseason relegation tips Leicester to reach the summit after 15 games and it responded in style in south Wales. Mahrez scored twice in the first 22 minutes and struck again after the break as Leicester moved on to 32 points, two clear of Arsenal which moved above Manchester City with a 3-1 home defeat of Sunderland — Olivier Giroud scoring for both sides. Vardy had scored for 11 consecutive Premier League matches but drew a blank at the Liberty Stadium. Two goals inside the opening 15 minutes from Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic, both created by Xherdan Shaqiri, condemned injury-hit City to defeat at a blustery Britannia Stadium. Manchester United failed to take advantage of City’s defeat, drawing 0-0 at home with West

Ham United to stay fourth, level unbeaten record in Germany’s on 29 points with its neighbour. top tier this season in emphatic Fifth-placed Tottenham Hot- style on Saturday, going down spur drew for the eighth time of 3-1 away to Borussia Monchenthe campaign, 1-1 at West Brom- gladbach. It is only the second time Pep wich Albion, after Dele Alli had Guardiola’s Bayern has lost at given the visitors an early lead. all this season Bottom club after it went Aston Villa EUROPEAN down 2-0 at Ardrew 1-1 at FOOTBALL LEAGUES senal in the Southampton and fellow-strugglers Norwich Champions League in October. It was also Bayern’s first BunCity lost 2-0 at Watford. desliga defeat since losing 2-1 at Gladbach stuns Bayern Freiburg last May as secondMeanwhile, in the Bundesliga half goals by Oscar Wendt, Lars leader Bayern Munich lost its Stindl and Fabian Johnson left

COME TO ME, BABY! Stoke City's Arnautovic and Shaqiri (left) proved a lethal combination as they ran rampant against Manchester City on Saturday. — PHOTO: ALEX LIVESEY/GETTY IMAGES

the Bavarian giant reeling. Franck Ribery scored Bayern’s late consolation goal on his return after nearly nine months out with injury. The results: Premier League: Arsenal 3 (Campbell 33, Giroud 63, Ramsey 90) bt Sunderland 1 (Giroud 45og), Manchester United 0 drew with West Ham 0, Southampton 1 (Romeu 73) drew with Aston Villa 1 (Lescott 44), Stoke 2 (Arnautovic 7, 15) bt Manchester City 0, Swansea 0 lost to Leicester 3 (Mahrez 5, 22, 67), Watford 2 (Deeney 30-pen, Ighalo 90) bt Norwich 0, West Brom 1 (McClean 39) drew with Tottenham 1 (Alli 15). Bundesliga: On Saturday: M’gladbach 3 (Wendt 54, Stindl 66, Johnson 68) bt Bayern Munich 1 (Ribery 81), Hamburg 1 (Djourou 90) lost to Mainz 05 3 (Jairo 16, 51, Clemens 76), Cologne 0 lost to FC Augsburg 1 (Bobdilla 64), Hertha Berlin 2 (Darida 7, Brooks 60) bt Bayer Leverkusen 1 (Hernandez 29), Ingolstadt 04 1 (Roger 66) drew with Hoffenheim 1 (Uth 90+6). On Friday: Schalke 04 3 (Geis 51pen, Huntelaar 73, Di Santo 82) bt Hanover 1 (Saint-Maximin 81). La Liga: Real Madrid 4 (Benzema 4, 16, Bale 35, Ronaldo 38) bt Getafe 1 (Alexis 69). Serie A: Lazio 0 lost to Juventus 2 (Gentiletti 7-og, Dybala 32); Torino 1 (Lopez 90+4-pen) drew with Roma 1 (Pjanic 83). — Agencies

NASSAU (BAHAMAS): “If my mom

had putted, she would have shot (a round of) 65.” These words from Anirban Lahiri brought forth his exasperation after a double-bogey on the final hole undid part of the good work he did through the second round of the $3.5 million Hero World Challenge here. Like on the opening day, Friday produced a series of low scores with Lahiri’s two-under

VARIETY

one. I should have been in double digits and I’m not even close to it. The putts just did not fall. This should have been a 65,” said Lahiri and added, “I need to do some putting drills and need to get that confidence back in it. Although Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama remained the only player in search of a par round, Billy Horschel produced a rare card. The American had a bogeyfree round with eight birdies! However, a double-bogey on the second hole and a quadruple-bogey 9 on the 11th gave him

Gunneswaran asserted his allround game with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over fifth seed Ronit Singh Bisht in the final of the $10,000 ITF men’s Futures tennis tournament at the Harvest Academy, Jassowal, on Saturday. It was the first title of the season from three finals for the 26-year-old Prajnesh, and the third title of his career. The 19-year-old Ronit did get off to a good start, but the crafty left-hander from Chennai, Prajnesh was able to turn the match around, as he converted three of six breakpoints that he forced. Once he broke for an early lead in the second set, Prajnesh cruised home. It was the third match between the two, and Prajnesh took a 2-1 lead in the head-tohead tally. Interestingly, both the players had lost to the eventual champions Ramkumar Ramanathan and JuiChen Hung of Chinese Taipei in the last two tournaments in Gwalior and Raipur. The winner collected 18 ATP points and the runner-up won 10. The result (final): Prajnesh Gunneswaran bt Ronit Singh Bisht 6-4, 6-4.

a card of 70 for the 16th spot. The scores: Jordan Spieth (US) (67, 66), Bill Hass (US) (67, 66), Jimmy Walker (66, 67) 133; Chris Kirk (US) (69, 65), Patrick Reed (US) (69, 65), Bubba Watson (US) (67, 67) 134; Matt Kuchar (US) (70, 66), Paul Casey (Eng) (66, 70), Zach Johnson (US) (66, 70) 136; Dustin Johnson (US) (68, 69), Brooks Koepka (US) (67, 70), Adam Scott (Aus) (67, 70) 137; Rickie Fowler (US) (70, 68), 138; J. B. Holmes (US) (71, 68), Anirban Lahiri (Ind) (69, 70) 139; Billy Horschel (US) (71, 70) 141; Justin Rose (Eng) (71, 72) 143; Hideki Matsuyama (75, 73) 148.

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

THE CLINCHER: Cedric Charlier celebrates after scoring the lone goal of a scrappy match which put Belgium in the final. — PHOTO: IAN MACNICOL/GETTY IMAGES

in the match, in the 10th minute, and it was cancelled on referral by the Belgians. Other than that, there was a lot of unfocused hard work by the host that produced little by way of results. India’s famed midfield was nowhere in the picture. Birendra Lakra had an off-day, failing to even trap or control the ball, let alone creating openings. Sardar Singh pumped in the balls but was not effective. Manpreet

will want the best players not to get injured ahead of the semifinals,” the FC Goa assistant coach Fernando Vannucci said on Saturday. His team, however, will miss the services of Brazilian midfielder Leo Moura, suspended due to four bookings. Obviously finishing first or second would help the side. “We are now looking to be first or second so that we can have the advantage of playing the second game at home. In a tournament like the ISL, which is so well balanced, we cannot choose any opponent. Every opponent is good and we respect all of them. You must not forget that last year, the final was played between the third and fourth placed team,” the FC Goa coach reminded. Dynamos is likely to reserve its best for the semifinal. “Step by step, the team is improving. For the next phase of the league, they will be better because they have spent so much time together. They know each other very well now and that should help them in the next phase,” said Carlos.

Aces lock horns with Marshalls

LUDHIANA: Top seed Prajnesh

UTHRA GANESAN RAIPUR: India’s semifinal woes at major tournaments continued as the host went down to Belgium by a solitary goal in the Hockey World League Finals here in a scrappy encounter on Saturday, a game where two Indian teams turned up on the pitch. The second paid the price for the mistakes of the first. Belgium will now take on Australia in the title clash on Sunday while India has a tough battle for bronze against the Dutch, having already lost to them 1-3 in the league stage. All of India’s old demons came back to haunt the team — holding the ball too long, erratic trapping and passing and failing to spot a teammate ahead. A fifth-minute reverse shot by Cedric Charlier through goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh’s legs after being put through by Jerome Truyens was enough for Belgium to book its maiden final spot in a world-level FIH event. For the first two quarters, it was an unplanned, unstructured Indian team that ran all over the place haphazardly with not a single decent shot at the goal. India got a lone penalty corner

VIJAY LOKAPALLY

Prajnesh triumphs

Singh failed to break past the defence. The attack was all but absent. The defence barely held up but, barring that one error, managed to thwart the Red Lions, else the margin could have been much higher. Strategic coach Roger van Gent kept yelling at the Indians to pass and move on but the players were in their own zone. Coach Roelant Oltmans alternately had a look of

DELHI: Delhi Dynamos would look to sign off in style with a win against FC Goa in a contest that holds promise for the winner to top the table in the 2015 Hero Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The Zico-coached Goa and Dynamos, riding on the strength of Roberto Carlos’ inputs, have the capacity to produce a thriller for the fans. Sadly, the spectator response to the ISL in Delhi has been disappointing. The previous clash in the tournament between these teams had brought Goa a victory. Dynamos, a formidable team on home turf, would have to bring out its best against an opponent that loves to play attacking football. Both have 22 points each but Goa enjoys a superior goal difference. “In our way of thinking, we will field the best players available, although a clear picture will emerge only after the (final) training session. Since the tournament is very short, we

NEW

GAME, SET AND CLICK: Punjab Marshalls and Hyderabad Aces squads pose for lensmen on the eve of

the final of the Champions Tennis League. — PHOTO: V.V. SUBRAHMANYAM V.V. SUBRAHMANYAM HYDERABAD: Hyderabad Aces

takes on Punjab Marshalls in the final of the second edition of the Champions Tennis League at the floodlit LB Stadium tennis complex here on Sunday evening. The general pattern in the CTL so far has been that the men’s singles match — which is scheduled to be the last in the tie — is proving to be decisive. This is where the big-serving Ivo Karlovic played a key role in guiding Aces into the final on Friday night when he outgunned Feliciano Lopez of Orangers in the crucial match which went into a tie-breaker. The Aces bench will look to this tall and athletic Karlovic to come good in the final too. “Yes, I was glad Ivo was in my team especially after the way he fought back to down Orangers last night to clinch the final berth. “But, again, every match is important and every player is key in the team’s fortunes. “I must say even (Martina)

India’s wait for a major final continues

SU | DO | KU

CM YK

Lahiri may have carded a second sub-par round but that did not lessen the disappointment that came after he missed numerous chances. “It was a 70 that felt like an 80,” said Lahiri. Lahiri hit the ball well and fired birdies on first, third and sixth holes to look in great touch. However, a missed birdie-putt from under five feet on the seventh hole and a regulation up-and-down on the ninth, shook his confidence. “I hit the ball as well as any-

A contest that could decide the table-topper

went down sprawling, but in the 66th minute it seemed a genuine fall when Eugeneson Lyngdoh brought him down from behind and picked up his fifth yellow card of the second season. Chennaiyin FC took the field making four changes in the starting line up with Alves, Manuele Blasi, Harmanjot Khabra and Elano as against Pune making five changes bringing in Simonsen, Gurjinder Singh, Fanai Lamrempuia, Lyngdoh and Yendrick Ruiz at the start. Frayed tempers blemished the match in both halves, but eventually what mattered was the goal by Jeje. Elano,Thoi Singh had their chances to increase the lead and Romanian Adrian Mutu for the home team. Chennaiyin FC will not have the services of Elano and Wadoo — both being booked four times — the first leg semifinal. “There was pressure on us. Both the teams played well. In the end the result was good for us,” said Marco Materazzi.

Lahiri slips to tied 14th; Spieth among leaders 70 not proving good enough. He slipped from overnight joint-10 to now tied 14th and six strokes. At the top of the heap, World No. 1 and defending champion Jordan Spieth produced a hattrick of birdies and a 30-foot ‘eagle’ in his 66 to join Bill Hass and Jimmy Walker at 11-under 133. In fact, at one stage, the round saw seven players in the lead. Chris Kirk and Patrick Reed equalled the course record of 65 to share the fourth spot with Bubba Watson, a stroke behind the leaders.

— Antonio Lopez Habas dismissing complacency on Atletico de Kolkata’s part

well controlled by Jeje whose second left footer — the first one having come back towards him of FC Pune City defender Govin Singh — beat a diving English goalkeeper Simonsen to his left. This goal gave Chennaiyin FC the big points of its last league match and took its tally to 22 points with seven wins in 14 games. Inasmuch as the home team pressed hard on occasions to outsmart the Chennaiyin FC defence, they found Alessandro Potenza, Mailson Alves and Meharajuddin Wadoo hard to crack. Clearly Marco Materazzi’s team was on the look out for a goal which would have given it some degree of safety, and on this count Elano Blumer, Thoi Singh and Mendoza were prowling upfront. The Colombian almost got his 12th goal in the 14th minute, but his left foot pile driver was defended well by Simonsen. One may have lost count of the number of times Mendoza

GOLF

RAKESH RAO

I don’t think so. I think it’s mainly due to too much concentration on other things. Too many distractions like the semis and the final.

쑺

Jeje goal takes Chennaiyin into last four G VISWANATH

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

anguish and astonishment but there was little he could do. Post-break, India came out a different team. There were a lot more attacks, there was a semblance of structure and the team tried to get into the striking circle a lot more. In fact, the third quarter was all about Indian domination while the fourth saw a desperate India throw everything it had at the opposition including taking out Sreejesh to add an extra-man upfront. The misfiring strikers were unable to convert those chances into goals as Belgium stuck deep in its own half to defend the thin lead. Credit must also go to its defenders who managed to avoid conceding penalty corners. A day before the game, India had skipped field practice to work on gameplan. On Saturday, there was little by way of execution. In the play off for the 7-8 spot, Germany finally won a match in the tournament, hammering Canada 8-3. The result (semifinal): Belgium 1 (Cedric Charlier) bt India 0. 7-8 playoff: Germany 8 (Christopher Ruhr 2, Moritz Fuerste, Niklas Wellen, Martin Haner, Florian Fuchs, Oliver Korn, Constantin Staib) bt Canada 3 (Gordon Johnston, Matthew Guest, Scott Tupper).

Hingis played some unbelievable tennis so far in this edition,” said Aces captain Thomas Johansson, who will feature in the Legends singles against Marshalls captain Greg Rusedski, the 1997 US Open finalist. Biggest star Apparently, Aces should look to its biggest star and former World No. 1, Hingis, to showcase her famed skills against an opponent who is 14 years younger and also reigning World No. 19, Elina Svitolina.

CHAMPIONS TENNIS LEAGUE “We have been working really hard to be in this position right through. “We know that Punjab Marshalls is a very tough team to beat. But we have had very good preparations,” Johansson said. For his part, Rusedski reminded that they would try to go one further having come thus far.

“Every match is crucial as the format is really exciting. We know what quality of game the likes of Hingis and Ivo can produce. On the given night, who plays be the best will naturally win,” he added. The grey areas of concern for Aces are women’s singles featuring Hingis and the men’s doubles combination of Karlovic and Jeevan Neduncheziyan with the latter clearly not able to raise the bar. And they should be up against the combine of Marcos Baghdatis and the Indian Davis Cupper Saketh Myneni. By all means, the clash between Baghdatis and Karlovic should be exciting and decisive in the final. The 30-year-old Baghdatis, who was the 2006 Australian Open runner-up and also Wimbledon semifinalist the same year, is still regarded one of the dangerous players, at least in these kind of events. Always a huge favourite in the circuit, Baghdatis could well be the trump card for Marshalls in its campaign to clinch the title.

‘We can rectify our mistakes before Rio’ SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT RAIPUR: A top-four finish at a ma-

jor FIH tournament for a team ranked sixth in the world was not a bad result, according to India coach Roelant Oltmans, after the team lost its third semifinal in-arow in the last one year at this level — this time to Belgium 1-0. However, it does indicate a tendency to choke in big moments, something the Indians need to work on. “I am not happy but I am satisfied with the team in this competition. It was a game of two halves today. We did not play well in the first half but we were unlucky to not get a goal in the last 30 minutes,” he said. Main target Two day before, the coach had insisted it was time for India to step up the ladder and get into the final of major events. On Tuesday, he was more realistic of his team’s targets. “We have eight months to go and I know the areas we need to work on. I think we are capable of rectifying our mistakes before Rio, which is our main target in the next one year,” he added. For long, the Indians used to crack under pressure towards a

game’s end. That match situation has been controlled but the continued slip-up in crucial matches is something the team needs to sort out — and the issues are clearly more in the mind than on the turf. India had previously lost 4-0 to Belgium in the previous stage of the competition in Antwerp. A penalty corner sought by the Indians but not given after referral was deserved, according to the Dutchman. His opposite number, Shane McLeod, however, differed. “When I saw the replays, I felt it was not dangerous, there was no player in the vicinity who could have been hit,” he said. Another chance Having won a high-intensity match against the host in front of a packed, hostile crowd, the New Zealander was visibly proud of the team reaching its first-ever major world-level final. “We know Australia (the other finalist) is a completely different monster from India, it is the World No. 1 side for a reason and a tough opposition. “For me, it would be yet another chance for this team to assess itself on the road to Rio and step closer to the top guys,” he said. ND-ND

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SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

Navruzov looks forward to PWL challenge NEW DELHI: Current World cham-

pionship silver medallist Uzbek Ikhtiyor Navruzov, who had lost to Sushil Kumar in the London Olympics quarterfinals, was excited to be part of the Pro Wrestling League (PWL). Navruzov, a member of the Dilli Veer team, was the first foreign wrestler to arrive in India to take part in the PWL. “I am excited to be in India and will try my best to lead my team Dilli Veer to victory in the league,” said the 65kg Uzbek grappler. Navruzov looked forward to meet Sushil during the league. “It is my first visit to India. But I have fought with Sushil in the London Olympics and I am looking forward to meet my friend.” Sushil, who will compete for the Uttar Pradesh franchise, returned the compliments. “Navruzov is a very good and tough wrestler,” said the two-time Olympic medallist. London Olympic bronze medallist Yogeshwar Dutt also welcomed Navruzov. “I am sure the Uzbek wrestler will go back with good memories. But once on the mat we will have a tough competition,” said Yogeshwar of Haryana Hammers. — Special Correspondent

Mumbai well placed MYSURU: Mumbai bowled out

host Karnataka for 180 in its first innings, and in reply had scored 58 for one on the first day of the Cooch Behar Trophy under-19 elite group cricket match at the S.D.N.R. Wadayar Platinum Jubilee University grounds here on Saturday. Vishal scores unbeaten century At Mumbai, K. Vishal Vaidhya scored an unbeaten 105 as Tamil Nadu ended day one at 257 for six in the match against Jammu and Kashmir. The scores: At Mysuru: Karnata-

ka 180 in 68.3 overs (Sujith N. Gowda 64, Shubham Pandey four for 40, Armaan K. Jaffer three for 35) vs Mumbai 58 for one in 19 overs. At Mumbai: Tamil Nadu 257 for six in 90 overs (G.V. Vignesh 44, K. Vishal Vaidhya 105 batting, D. Anchit 33) vs Jammu and Kashmir.

‘Sanchez could have been killed’ LONDON: Arsene Wenger claims

Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez could have been killed when Norwich defender Ryan Bennett pushed him into the Carrow Road camera pit last weekend. Chile international Sanchez landed heavily in the cameraman’s area on the touchline during an incident in the first half of Sunday’s 1-1 draw and was later forced off with a hamstring injury. He is now likely to be sidelined for several weeks and Gunners boss Wenger feels it could have been worse for the former Barcelona forward. “First of all it’s dangerous to have a camera there,” Wenger told reporters on Friday. “He could have killed him. Secondly, he (Bennett) didn’t need to push him like he did. I think the camera position was absolutely dangerous. “When he was pushed into the boards on the side of the field that did not shock anybody. “That injury can come from that as well. I’m not expert enough to know but if you want to blame me I’m okay with it.” — AFP

With Karnataka, TN and Maharashtra eliminated, Mumbai will be firm favourite AMOL KARHADKAR

T

he league stage of India’s premier domestic championship is over. With almost two months remaining for the start of the Ranji Trophy knockouts, to be played from February 3, the focus shifts to the shorter version of the game. As the teams start switching to limited-overs mode ahead of the next week’s Vijay Hazare Trophy, The Hindu looks at the talking points from the Ranji Trophy tournament’s league stage. Early start Thanks to the BCCI’s policy of planning the domestic season to suit India’s international calendar, the league phase began on October 1. Most teams found it tough to deal with the tournament being advanced by nearly a month. The rustiness from lack of preparation apart, the rising mercury in October had the teams facing the heat, literally! Early exit Having won the Ranji Trophy and the Irani Cup two years in succession, Karnataka had been unstoppable. But the champion’s march came to a halt in the league stage this time. A loss to Maharashtra in its last game — its first in 35 firstclass games — meant Karnataka was knocked out of the tournament in the league stage for the first time since 2007-08. It was not just Karnataka; Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu also failed to make the cut. The only semifinalist from the last season to sail into the quarterfinals was Mumbai, and the 40-times champion team is the clear favourite to regain the title. Turning tracks The BCCI deviated from its policy of preparing pitches conducive to pace bowling. It resulted in the Ranji Trophy reverting to its traditional look, with spinners ruling the roost in most matches. As the season trudged along, the spin-friendly wickets turned into dust bowls in the latter half.

It reflected in the stats, with top four wicket-takers being spinners. It also resulted in a plethora of matches finishing in less than three days. The pitches did not have too great an impact on the number of decisive matches, though. Of the 108 league matches across three tiers, 57 produced outright result, just two more than the 201314 season. Also-rans? Not Vidarbha and Assam While bigger teams struggled to make it to the quarterfinals, Vidarbha and Assam continued their strong showing and stormed into the knockouts for the second season in succession. Vidarbha, which had qualified for the knockouts in 2014-15 after a 19-year break, topped Group-A, in fact, with 29 points. Assam dispelled all the notions about the abilities of a team promoted from the lowest tier, by storming into the quarterfinals with 28 points. Andhra, the other promoted team this season, faltered as it was demoted to Group-C along with Haryana. Knockout draw next week With almost two months to go for the knockout stage, the BCCI is in no hurry to finalise the draw for the knockouts. While it formally circulated the list of teams to have progressed to its member associations, according to a BCCI official, the venues and line-up for the knockout stage will be announced next week.

TVS Racing was crowned the MRF MOGRIP FMSCI National supercross champion, in the final round of the championship held here. In the first moto, C.D. Jinan edged out Aravind and Abdhul Wahid to emerge victorious. Aravind then dominated the second moto to claim the championship. The International Open Class 9 SX3 Group A category saw 11 riders from five countries locked in battle. Alexander Ivanyutin from Russia rode a flawless race to finish ahead of Bryce Stewart (USA) and Vitaly Gusev (Russia).

Ruthvika wins title VIJAYAWADA: India’s G. Ruthvika

RACING

Dipa — tumbling her way to success success stories in Indian sports are partly human interest stories. If it is in gymnastics, an obscure sport for Indians to take up, it’s most certainly to be one. The tale of Dipa Karmakar is one such. “Initially people thought gymnastics was circus,” she said. “I come from Agartala, Tripura, which is a very small city. Some people in India are not even aware where it is. Some think it’s in Bangladesh. It hurt a lot.” “Also when I started, there weren’t many facilities in my hometown. I didn’t even know what gymnastics was all about. My father wanted to be gymnast but couldn’t. So he wanted to realise his dream through me. He wanted me to make the nation proud. The last two years has seen her take confident steps towards achieving that. And with every success she has gained visibility. She won a bronze medal at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth games, with perhaps the most difficult of vaults, the Produnova, and as recently as last month, she be-

Dipa Karmakar. — PHOTO: V. SREENIVASA MURTHY

came the first Indian to make an event final at the World Championships before going on to finish fifth. Recognition “Now they feel it is a sporting discipline. They believe we can enter the final round of a World Championship, Commomwealth Games or Asian Games. I think the next generation will be able to even do well at the

SPORTS REPORTER BENGALURU: Delhi’s Dhruv Sarda

Delhi's Dhruv Sarda and Sabeena Athica of Tamil Nadu who emerged the winners. — THE HINDU Maximum number of scores above 200 (women): Sabeena Athi-

ca (5, TN). Highest score in single game

(men): Akaash Ashok Kumar (268,

Kar). Highest score in single game (women): Anukriti Bishnoi (238, Har).

Shivani bounced back brilliantly to defeat top seed Iris Wang of USA 23-21, 19-21, 21-18 in the women’s final of the SunriseYonex Bangladesh Open international badminton challenge at Dhaka on Saturday.

THE TOP PERFORMERS: While Vidharba's Akshay Wakhare (bottom left) and Kerala's K.S. Monish (bottom right) were the leading wicket-takers with 49 each from eight matches, Mumbai's Shreyas Iyer (above) emerged the top run-getter from the league stages with 930. — PHOTOS: PTI

GYMNASTICS

No stopping Dhruv, Sabeena

CM YK

BENGALURU: K.P. Aravind of Team

앫 Leading wicket-takers: K.S. Monish (Kerala) , 8 matches, 49

BENGALURU: In many ways, most

Sudhanshu (124, 161b, 19x4) and S.S. Luvinth (102, 166b, 14x4, 1x6) helped Karnataka score 383 for eight against Kerala on the first day of the second round in the Vijay Merchant Trophy (under-16) cricket tournament here on Saturday.

Aravind crowned champion

runs, 3 x 100s, 71.53 average.

N. SUDARSHAN

HYDERABAD: Centuries by S.S.

Tamil Nadu 291 for seven in 93 overs (Abhishek Selva Kumar 41, S. Aakash 62, Pradosh Ranjan Paul 35, S. Kishan Kumar 77, N. Harissh 31 batting, Hitesh Yadav three for 54) vs Hyderabad. Karnataka 383 for eight in 90 overs (S.S. Sudhanshu 124, S.S. Luvinth 102, M. Shreyas 35, Rohan Nayakar 35, S. Midhun four for 115, Ashwin Anand three for 78) vs Kerala. Andhra 280 for two in 90 overs (Sai Vardhan 139, Sandeep 100 batting) vs Goa.

앫 Leading run-scorer: Shreyas Iyer (Mumbai), 8 matches, 930

wickets, 17.91 average, five-for: 5; 10 wickets in a match: 2. and Akshay Wakhare (Vidarbha) , 8 matches, 49 wickets, 25, 34 average, five-for: 4.

Sudhanshu, Luvinth slam tons

Sai, Sandeep shine In another match, centuries by Sai Vardhan (139, 261b, 27 x 4) and Sandeep (100 batting, 203b, 15x4, 1x6) helped Andhra score 280 for two against Goa. The scores (second round):

RANJI TROPHY IN NUMBERS

BOWLING

and Sabeena Athica of Tamil Nadu won a hat-trick of national titles by emerging the champions of the Accident Relief Care 26th National tenpin bowling championship, which concluded at BluO (Orion Mall) here on Saturday. In the men’s final, Dhruv defeated two-time national champion Shabbir Dhankot of Tamil Nadu with a 236-223, 257-224 scoreline. Aakash Ashok Kumar finished third. Sabeena trounced Anukriti Bishnoi of Haryana 223-56 to claim the women’s title. Kashmira (Maharashtra) took the third spot. Karnataka’s 16-year-old bowler Misam Rizvi was named as the ‘Most Promising'. Special prizes: Most Promising: Misam Rizvi (Karnataka). Maximum number of scores above 225 (men): Shabbir Dhankot (10, TN).

| 19

Olympics.” The remarkable thing about the 22-year-old is that she remains unfazed amidst spotlight. Neither does see seem to be overawed by the fact that she has competed with the finest of gymnasts and managed to make a mark. “Not much,” she said when asked if there is increased pressure now to perform. “It motivates me to achieve things. My target is to win a medal at the Olympics and I’m working really hard towards that.” “It actually feels great to hear people talk about India because there was no one for a long time. I was training with the United States team before the World Championship and their coach was praising me a lot. In fact when I finished fifth, the ones above me were Olympic medallists.” She missed qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympics by a whisker, 0.5 points to be precise. That has placed her in the reserves and her participation is now in the hands of the sport’s international body. Yet, she remains unperturbed. “Rio is 50-50 for me now so my next target is Commonwealth 2018.”

Embarrassing defeat for Windies BRISBANE: Skipper Jason Holder said he expected the West Indies to be heavily criticised after an alarming 10-wicket loss to the Cricket Australia XI on Saturday just days before its opening Test with Australia. In what will only add to concerns about the Windies’ level of competitiveness ahead of the three-Test series, the tourists buckled to an ignominious defeat in their only warm-up game ahead of next week’s first Test in Hobart. The tourists managed to narrowly avoid an innings defeat with Holder scoring 65 off 99 balls to leave the home side with just 10 runs to win. CA XI openers Tim Paine (6) and Jake Carder (7) needed just 17 balls to rustle up the required runs and inflict an embarrassing defeat on the West Indies. The Caribbean tourists were bowled out for 243 and 210 by a rookie CA XI attack that pales in comparison to the Australian line-up waiting for them in Tasmania, albeit without Mitchell Starc (injury) and Mitchell Johnson (retirement). — AFP

Starlet claims Bangalore 1000 Guineas BENGALURU: M/s. Hans Federick & Sanjay Rai’s Starlet (T.S. Jodha up) won the Bangalore 1000 Guineas, the chief event of the races held here on Saturday (Dec. 5). The winner is trained by S. Dominic.

1. NELAMANGALA PLATE (1,400m), rated 00 to 25: Desert Gilt (I. Chisty) 1, Amazing Skill (Suraj Narredu) 2, New Mallet (Afsar Khan) 3 and Mystic Lavenders (M. Prabhakaran) 4. 6-3/4, 3 and 1/2. 1m 27.56s. Rs. 29 (w), 13, 15 and 18 (p), SHP: Rs. 41, FP: Rs. 84, Q: Rs. 36, Trinella: Rs. 220 and Rs. 122, Exacta: Rs. 876 and Rs. 485. Favourite: Desert Gilt. Owners: M/s. K. Narayana & N. Shyam Sunder. Trainer: F. Sirajuddin. 2. NOVICE PLATE (1,200m), maiden 2-y-o only, (Terms): Krieger (A. Sandesh) 1, Top Striker (Sai Vamshi) 2, Aster Rose (Suraj Narredu) 3 and Fabulous Touch (R. Pradeep) 4. 2-1/4, 3 and 1-3/4. 1m 14.56s. Rs. 17 (w), 12, 33 and 13 (p), SHP: Rs. 104, FP: Rs. 106, Q: Rs. 106, Trinella: Rs. 127 and Rs. 79, Exacta: Rs. 1,273 and Rs. 1,224. Favourite: Krieger. Owner: Mr. M.A.M. Ramaswamy Chettiar Trust. Trainer: G. Aravind.

3. STAR LUMINARY PLATE (1,400m), rated 20 to 45: Spirit And Truth (M. Prabhakaran) 1, Indian Brahmos (Jagadeesh) 2, Top Smiles (C, Henrique) 3 and Diamond Green (Tauseef) 4. Not run: Proudprince and Zaalim. 12-1/2, 3/4 and 1-1/2. 1m 26.21s. Rs. 26 (w), 13, 30 and 89 (p), SHP: Rs. 79, FP: Rs. 236, Q: Rs. 149, Trinella: Rs. 3,143 and Rs. 1,497, Exacta: Rs. 20,019 and Rs. 11,439. Favourite: New Prince. Owner and Trainer: Mr. Neil Darashah.

4. GALLOPING ACRES STUD PLATE (Div. II), (1,200m), rated 60 & above, 4-y-o & over: Madame Sultana (S. Shiva Kumar) 1, Super Queen (Suraj Narredu) 2, Smithsonite (S. John) 3 and Go Lucky Go (S. Kamble) 4. 3/4, 1-3/4 and Nk. 1m 13.36s. Rs. 156 (w), 32, 14 and 20 (p), SHP: Rs. 48, FP: Rs. 450, Q: Rs. 162, Trinella: Rs. 1,852 and Rs. 794, Exacta: Rs. 20,798 and Rs. 5,942. Favourite: Super Queen. Owners: M/s. J.A. Khan & Ravindran T.C. Trainer: Nikhil M. Punna.

5.

KANTEERAVA

CUP

(1,600m), rated 40 to 65: Noble Reward (Adarsh) 1, Sagrada (Irvan Singh) 2, Valiant Spirit (Zervan) 3 and Multi App (I. Chisty) 4. 2, 3/4 and 4-1/4. 1m 38.88s. Rs. 967 (w), 93, 44 and 12 (p), SHP: Rs. 153, FP: Rs. 14,636, Q: Rs. 2,050, Trinella: Rs. 45,730, Exacta: Rs. 53,527

and Rs. 22,940. Favourite: Valiant Spirit. Owner and Trainer: Mr. V. Lokanath.

6. BANGALORE TURF CLUB TROPHY (1,200m), 3-y-o & over, (Terms): Shivalik Star (S. John) 1, Smile Stone (C. Henrique) 2, Sun Divine (Suraj Narredu) 3 and Vivid Impression (Vivek) 4. 1, 1 and 1-1/4. 1m 12.47s. Rs. 58 (w), 21, 27 and 15 (p), SHP: Rs. 69, FP: Rs. 752, Q: Rs. 488, Trinella: Rs. 1,391 and Rs. 587, Exacta: Rs. 8,425 and Rs. 6,190. Favourite: Sun Divine. Owners: M/s. Chitturi Krishna Kannaiah, Ajith Prasad & Benly Abraham. Trainer: Arjun Mangalorkar.

7. BANGALORE 1000 GUINEAS (1,600m), 3-y-o fillies, (Terms): Starlet (Eljohar - Cape Africa) T.S. Jodha 1, Angel Dust (Win Legend - Angelique) D.K. Ashish 2, Let There Be Light (Win Legend Integra) S. John 3 and New Alliance (Burden Of Proof Quiet Storm) A. Imran Khan 4. 1-3/4, Shd and 1/2. 1m 37.61s. Rs. 162 (w), 36, 21 and 88 (p), SHP: Rs. 66, FP: Rs. 1,644, Q: Rs. 676, Trinella: Rs. 23,229, Exacta: Rs. 27,898 and Rs. 8,967. Favourite: New Alliance. Owners: M/s. Hans Federick & Sanjay Rai. Trainer: S. Dominic.

8. GALLOPING ACRES STUD

PLATE (Div. I), (1,200m), rated 60 & above, 4-y-o & over: Kingston Town (Tauseef) 1, Topspot (B. Harish) 2, Virat (Chetan Kalay) 3 and Frenemee (Rayan Ahmed) 4. Nose, 1/2 and 1/2. 1m 13.67s. Rs. 190 (w), 44, 18 and 27 (p), SHP: Rs. 62, FP: Rs. 1,325, Q: Rs. 300, Trinella: Rs. 23,249 and Rs. 14,945, Exacta: Rs. 28,296 and Rs. 18,190. Favourite: West Side Story. Owner: Mr. Peter Caddy. Trainer: Amit Caddy. 9.

DAVANGERE

PLATE

(1,200m), rated 20 to 45, 4-y-o & over: Hapticstar (Chetan Kalay) 1, Feet On Fire (Nazerul Alam) 2, Thejaguar (A. Imran Khan) 3 and Candice (Janardhan Paswan) 4. 2-3/4, 1/2 and 3. 1m 15.09s. Rs. 60 (w), 20, 77 and 35 (p), SHP: Rs. 272, FP: Rs. 1,726, Q: Rs. 2,284, Trinella: Rs. 34,072 and Rs. 2,086, Exacta: Rs. 1,29,368 (carried over). Favourite: Golden Nimbus. Owner: Mr. Poorna Chandra Tejaswi. Trainer: Narayana Gowda. Jackpot: Rs. 4,78,698 (carried over); Treble (i): Rs. 155 (85 tkts); (ii): Rs. 16,279 (carried over); (iii): Rs. 21,991 (two tkts).

Quasar in pink of condition MUMBAI: Quasar, who is in pink of condition, may not find it difficult to win the Deltin Stayers’ Challenge, the main event of the races to be held here on Sunday (Dec. 6). Rails will be placed 4 metres away from its original point from 1600m to 1200m and thereafter 8 metres from 1000m upto the winning post. An amount of Rs. 5,00,000 will be added to the Super Jackpot Pool Collection. 1 ROEDL & PARTNER TROPHY (1,200m), Cl. III, rated 40 to 66, 1-30 pm: 1. Beyond Horizons (7) S.J.Sunil 59, 2. Hunt For Heads (2) P.S.Chouhan 57.5, 3. Samba Warrior (5) J.Chinoy 57.5, 4. Vasco Da Gama (4) V.Walkar 57.5, 5. Barringo (1) Ajinkya 56.5, 6. Monza (6) R.Vaibhav 55.5, 7. Backstreet Bay (9) Merchant 54, 8. Basic Life (8) Vishal 54 and 9. Sindbaad (3) Zervan 51.5. 1. Hunt For Heads, 2. Beyond Horizons, 3. Basic Life 2 HDFC-ERGO TROPHY (1,200m), Maiden 2-y-o only, 2-00: 1. Never Say No (2) J.Chinoy 55, 2. Allora (1) Dashrath 53.5, 3. Comic Timing (3) Yash Narredu 53.5 and 4. Hasta La Vista (4) P.S.Chouhan 53.5. 1. Never Say No, 2. Hasta La Vista 3 HAMBURG AMBASSADOR CUP (1,600m), Cl. V, rated 01 to 26, 2-30: 1. Charging Empress (12) J.Chinoy 61.5, 2. Sir Song (8) Parbat 61.5, 3. Dia (5) Dashrath 61, 4. Midnight Romance (1) Zervan 61, 5. Coya (7) Bhawani 60.5, 6. Dancing Splendour (6) Mosin 59.5, 7. Jester (10) S.K.Jadhav 59.5, 8. Marvel (14) D.K.Ashish 58.5, 9. Zafirah (13) S.Kamble 58.5, 10. Flying Trigger (2) Shelar 57, 11. Royal Wish (9) Sandesh 56, 12. Royal Éclair (11) T.S.Jodha 55, 13. Hugs And Kisses (17) Parmar 54, 14. Secret Flame (4) A.Gaikwad 54, 15. Admission (16) Kuldeep 51.5, 16. Resilient (15) K.Kadam 50 and 17. Pracs (3) S.J.Sunil 49.5. 1. Midnight Romance, 2. Royal Wish, 3. Charging Empress 4 LUFTHANSA SENATOR CUP (1,400m), Cl. II, rated 60 to 86, 3-00: 1. Rule Downunder (1) R.Vaibhav 59, 2. Melinda (4) Sandesh 53, 3. Brahamchari (2) D.K.Ashish 52.5 and 4. Alderley Edge (3) Dashrath 49.5. Melinda

5 METRO MOTORS AUTO HANGAR SIR H.M.MEHTA SPRINTERS’ CHALLENGE (1,000m), 4-y-o & over, 3-30: 1. One Kept Secret (1) D.K.Ashish 59, 2. Zander (8) Yash Narredu 57, 3. Way Out (2) C.S.Jodha 56, 4. Brynhill (7) Zervan 55.5, 5. Dancing Phoenix (6) Sandesh 55.5, 6. Gold Bag (4) Dashrath 55.5, 7. Victorious March (3) P.S.Chouhan 55.5 and 8. Ladybird (5) Suraj Narredu 54. 1. Gold Bag, 2. Brynhill, 3. One Kept Secret 6 BAYER GOOD GOVERNANCE TROPHY (1,400m), Cl. IV, rated 20 to 46, 4-00: 1. Remember The Time (13) Dashrath 60.5, 2. Few Dollars More (11) Parmar 59, 3. Red Bug (1) Sandesh 59, 4. Fireproof (6) S.J.Sunil 57.5, 5. Awesome Knight (7) C.S.Jodha 57, 6. Soul Centric (14) T.S.Jodha 56, 7. Replica (8) Suraj Narredu 55.5, 8. Alfonso (3) Raghuveer 54, 9. Deccan King (12) Merchant 53, 10. Streetjammer (5) J.Chinoy 53, 11. Zephir (10) Yash Narredu 53, 12. Fringe Benefit (4) Prasad 52.5, 13. Baryshnikhov (2) Ajinkya 52 and 14. Sawgrass (9) Zervan 50. 1. Few Dollars More, 2. Replica, 3. Zephir 7 DELTIN STAYERS’ CHALLENGE (2,400m), 4-y-o & over, 430: 1. Quasar (5) Yash Narredu 60, 2. Shivalik Showers (4) Sandesh 56, 3. Highlander (3) P.S.Chouhan 51.5, 4. Azzurro (2) I.Chisty 50, 5. Rodeo (1) Dashrath 50 and 6. Snowing (6) C.S.Jodha 48.5. 1. Quasar, 2. Azzurro 8 IGCC CHRISTMAS FEST TROPHY (1,200m), Cl. IV, rated 20 to 46, 5-00: 1. Schiehaillon (10) Donoghue 60, 2. The Soprano (5) C.S.Jodha 59, 3. Bethpage (3) P.S.Chouhan 58, 4. Troppa Bella (1) Dashrath 58, 5. Lhotse (2) Prasad 56, 6. Cold Play (13) Bhawani 55, 7. Kandinksy (11) Suraj Narredu 54.5, 8. Shivalik Breeze (4) J.Chinoy 54.5, 9. Whitesox (12) Daman 54.5, 10. Cool Runnings (8) Sandesh 54, 11. Captain Abdon (6) S.A.Amit 52, 12. Leothefiercehorse (7) S.J.Sunil 51.5 and 13. Peppercorn (9) G.Amit 50.5. 1. Kandinsky, 2. Schiehaillon, 3. Cold Play Day’s best: Gold Bag Double: Melinda — Kandinsky Jackpot: 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8. Treble: (i) 5, 6 & 7. (ii) 6, 7 & 8. Tanala: All races. Super Jackpot: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8.

City Of Dreams has a good chance HYDERABAD: City Of Dreams runs with a good chance in the first division of the Umraolal Gupta Memorial Cup (1,400m), the main event of the races to be held here on Sunday (Dec. 6). 1 KUNTALA PLATE (1,800m), 3-y-o & over, rated upto 50 (Cat. III), 1-15 p.m.: 1. Strengthandbeauty (1) A. Imran Khan 61, 2. Vijay’s Harmony (2) Deep Shanker 61, 3. Carolina Moon (3) C. S. Vikrant 60.5, 4. Naamdhari (5) K. Sai Kiran 60, 5. Accelerator (6) A M Tograllu 59.5 and 6. Picture Perfect (4) G. Naresh 59.5. 1. Accelerator, 2. Strengthandbeauty 2 BIRTHDAY GIRL PLATE (1,100m), (Cat. II), maiden 2-y-o only (Terms), 1-45: 1. Citi Colors (1) N. Rawal 55, 2. Khan Sahib (5) Akshay Kumar 55, 3. King David (2) Deepak King 55, 4. Lavender Legacy (3) K. Sai Kumar 55, 5. Magna Carta (8) Chary 55, 6. Scooby Dooby Doo (10) A. Imran Khan 55, 7. Ikigai (9) Ravinder Singh 53.5, 8. Preciosa (7) Kiran Naidu 53.5, 9. Rosecoloredglasses (6) Ajeeth Kumar 53.5 and 10. Vijays Wonder (4) Ajit Singh 53.5.

1. Scooby Dooby Doo, 2. Khan Sahib, 3. Vijays Wonder 3 NAWAB ARSHAD ALI KHAN MEMORIAL TROPHY (1,600m), 5-y-o & over, rated upto 75 (Cat. II), 2-15: 1. Jerrell (3) Deepak Singh 60, 2. Noble Citizen (5) M. F. Ali Khan 59, 3. Sarvagnya (2) K. Mukesh Kumar 57, 4. Big Boss (7) Kiran Naidu 55, 5. Graceland (4) C. S. Vikrant 54.5, 6. Sonic (6) Sai Kumar 52.5, 7. Yet Again (8) Akshay Kumar 52.5 and 8. Allianz Arena (1) A. S. Pawar 51.5. 1. Jerrell, 2. Sarvagnya, 3. Graceland 4 BHONGIR PLATE (1,400m), 3-y-o & over, rated upto 50 (Cat. III), 2-45: 1. Bharat Princess (1) C. Henrique 60, 2. Golden Angel (2) Aneel 59, 3. Lethal King (4) A. S. Pawar 59, 4. Gangadhar (6) Deepak Singh 57.5, 5. Masti (3) Ajit Singh 56, 6. Angel Bell (5) K. Mukesh Kumar 55 and 7. Kohinoor Valour (7) Kunal Bunde 50. 1. Bharat Princess, 2. Masti, 3. Lethal King 5 UMRAOLAL GUPTA MEMORIAL CUP (Div. I), (1,400m), 3-

y-o & over (Cat. I), 3-15: 1. Vijay Viraaj (5) Ajit Singh 63.5, 2. Decathlon (4) A. Joshi 62, 3. Golden Essence (6) C. S. Vikrant 60, 4. Black Bolt (2) B. Dileep 58.5, 5. Azaiba (7) Ajeeth Kumar 54.5, 6. City Of Dreams (1) K. Sai Kiran 53.5, 7. Hidden Power (8) Sai Kumar 50.5 and 8. Rubyonrails (3) A. K. Pawar 50.5. 1. City Of Dreams, 2. Vijay Viraaj, 3. Golden Essence 6 CH. V. LAKSHMI PRASAD RAO ‘SIRDESAI’ SIRCILLA MEMORIAL CUP (Div. I), (1,200m), 3y-o & over, rated upto 75 (Cat. II), 3-45: 1. In Reality (7) Kiran Naidu 60, 2. Kohinoor Grace (5) Kunal Bunde 58.5, 3. Rock Baby Rock (3) A. S. Pawar 55.5, 4. Tinsel Town (6) G. Naresh 55, 5. Whispering Pines (8) Akshay Kumar 53, 6. Dublin (1) N. Rawal 51.5, 7. Mount Titlis (2) Ajeeth Kumar 51, 8. True Friend (9) Deepak Singh 51 and 9. Princess Hina (4) C. Henrique 50.5. 1. Whispering Pines, 2. Mount Titlis, 3. Dublin 7 UMRAOLAL GUPTA MEMORIAL CUP (Div. II), (1,400m), 3-y-o & over (Cat. I), 4-15: 1. Ashok

Chakra (5) Md. Sameeruddin 63, 2. C Eleven (2) G. Naresh 61.5, 3. Movie Moghual (3) A. S. Pawar 60, 4. My Star (7) Akshay Kumar 57.5, 5. Atlas Star (6) K. Sai Kiran 54, 6. Laurel Canyon (4) A. K. Pawar 52, 7. Kohinoor Thunder (1) Kunal Bunde 50.5 and 8. Rosemonde (8) Ajit Singh 50. 1. Atlas Star, 2. Kohinoor Thunder, 3. Movie Moghual 8 CH. V. LAKSHMI PRASAD RAO ‘SIRDESAI’ SIRCILLA MEMORIAL CUP (Div. II), 3-y-o & over, rated upto 75 (Cat. II), 4-45: 1. Commanding Boy (6) Kunal Bunde 60, 2. Sprint Legend (1) Md. Sameeruddin 60, 3. Mangalyaan (2) G. Naresh 56.5, 4. Komo Komo Komo (4) Aneel 54.5, 5. Roi’s Cruise (8) Deepak Singh 53.5, 6. Green Striker (9) Ajeeth Kumar 53, 7. Azazil (7) Ravinder Singh 52.5, 8. Western Express (5) Kiran Naidu 52.5 and 9. True Pearl (3) K. Sai Kiran 51.5. 1. Commanding Boy, 2. Sprint Legend, 3. Mangalyaan Day’s best: Commanding Boy Double: Bharat Princess - Whispering Pines Jkt: 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8; Tr: 1, 2 & 3; (ii): 3, 4 & 5; (iii): 6, 7 & 8; Tla: all races. ND-ND

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THE HINDU

CM YK

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

ND-ND

WEEKLY EDITION 2. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015

sundaymagazine I think of myself as a 2 5 children’s bookmaker: Brian 3 6 Selznick .

SLICE OF LIFE

BOOKS & BEYOND

SINDHUJA CAPTURES THE RAGING INFERNO AT JHARIA'S COALFIELDS

HANSDA SOWVENDRA SHEKHAR ON HIS BOOKS AND THEIR CHARACTERS

CULTURATI

JOURNEYS

PALLAVI AIYAR VISITS A CHIMERICAL CHURCH IN SUMATRA

STRAIGHT OUT OF FAIRYTALES: IRISH CHRISTMAS MARKETS

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Lights, camera, conservation Nature lover and founder-member of WTI Club Nature, actor Dia Mirza is moved by how a few special people and organisations are making a huge difference in the wildlife reserve at Kaziranga

CM YK

Kaziranga, much like others in India, is assailed by growing human population, shrinking space for wildlife, and a rise in human wants. What we do not realise is that our quest to progress, industrialise, mine and cut down forests kills our richest natural resources. PHOTOS: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

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he Sky is full with the sun and stars and the World with varied Life. And amongst all that, little ‘I’, have found my place. The sheer wonder of this makes me break out in song!” — Rabindranath Tagore (Akash Bhora Surjo Tara) The Kaziranga National Park World Heritage Site is one of the most dynamic and fascinating ecological strongholds of India. On a recent visit organised by the Wild Life Trust of India, I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the incredible work being done by the Wildlife Trust of India, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Elephant Family and the Assam Forest Department in rescue and rehabilitation, re-wilding rescued animals, protecting flora and fauna and conserving this rich eco-system. It is important to understand the unique environment that Kaziranga National Park exists amidst to appreciate the work being done by these organisations. Flanked by the Brahmaputra river in the north and the Karbi Anglong hills in the south, Kaziranga lies in the river’s flood plain and experiences annual flooding during the monsoons and several unseasonal torrential rains that cause large-scale temporary displacement of animals. This natural annual flooding is as vital to the ecosystem ( it nourishes the grasslands and the tropical forest and regenerates the eco-system) as it is damaging. Many animals are stranded in the rising water levels due to their inability to access high ground on time. They cannot reach high ground on time because of increased encroachment by human settlements, mining, tea plantations, and the speeding highways. Some of these highways block the pathways of the one-horned rhinoceros, and Kaziranga is home to the world’s largest population of these. Besides the annual flooding, the park’s elephants, rhinos, tigers and over 230 species of other fauna face a regular threat from poachers. I was fascinated by the experience that this diverse ecosystem offers and am filled with immense wonder at how incredible nature is. There are so many management systems in the wild that convey profound life lessons — the flora that regenerates with such magnificence year after year, with absolutely no evidence of how millions of bushes, plants, and branches were submerged in the destructive flooding waters. The fauna always know when they have to start moving towards higher ground as the monsoons approach; they adapt to extraordinary conditions and manage to survive despite the many natural challenges they face. It is also apparent that while animals canadapt their sociology to challenges that are natural, it is the man-made hurdles that cripple and often kill them. Animals don’t understand boundaries, they cant read road signs, they can’t smell the danger of a lurking AK-47, they don’t know that homes and plantations are not to be trampled on, they cant tell if cattle is wild or owned by someone. This ‘ignorance’ leads to

damage, loss of life and a struggle of livelihood between humans and animals. This is why I admire what Wildlife Trust of India, International Fund for Animal Welfare, The Elephant Family and the Assam Forest Department are doing in Kaziranga. They are working painstakingly to create a harmonious coexistence between the wild and the human worlds. This service to nature that they perform can be seen in the work being done to create elephant corridors (connecting forests that have been divided by human settlements), and resettling the villagers who inhabited these areas with homes and sustainable livelihoods. And then there is the work being done at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in Kaziranga. The centre is a haven where wildlife is rescued, hand-raised, acclimatised and finally released back into the wild. Established in 2002, CWRC has till date managed to handle over 5,000 birds and animals that have gone back to the wild, minimising the risk of these displaced animals ending up in confinement and zoos. I was one of the fortunate few that had the rare privilege to get access to areas of the

Centre that are otherwise strictly off limits. This, of course, was only possible because I assured Vivek Menon, CEO, Wildlife Trust of India, that I would follow every instruction, starting with washing hands, soaking my shoes in potassium permanganate, and paying close attention to everything the caretakers asked me to do. This opportunity was deeply enriching, to say the very least. As a nature lover, nothing can be more compelling that witnessing first-hand the love and care that goes into helping these animals. The joy I experienced in feeding elephant calves with milk from bottles, being so close to them, is indescribable. The rhino that nuzzled me as I sat on the ground, waiting for her to make her way towards me, the thought of her struggle and eventual rescue that led her here to safety and the knowledge that her journey from here would lead her back home was heartening. As I walked by, these spacious enclosures that had ensured the survival of so many inhabitants breathed gentle life into my veins. And if I could have sung with joy, I would have. This forest, much like many others in India, is assailed by the growing human pop-

As I walked by, these enclosures that had protected so many animals breathed gentle life into my veins. ulation, the shrinking areas reserved for the wild, and the rise in human wants. What we do not realise as human beings is that in our quest to scale up our economic progress, industrialise, mine and cut down our forests, we are killing our richest natural resources. That much of this ‘growth’ will be short-lived. Conserving flora and fauna is critical for the survival of the human species. I don’t mean to over-simplify, but the fact is that these are the

very eco-systems that feed our rivers. Rivers form the crux of the earth’s sustenance. So imagine an India with sprawling urbanised colonies but no water. What will we eat? How will we survive? I am not suggesting that all urban roads lead to hell, but what I do believe is that it is critical to strike a balance. We need to protect and connect with our wild so that nature can repair itself and restore the quality of our lives, which we have so unthinkingly destroyed. It is efforts like those at Kaziranga that help us strike that crucial balance. Kaziranga will always invigorate my spirit and strengthen my resolve to continue finding ways to convey how important it is that we urban dwellers recognise the importance of the relationship between man and nature. I believe that I am a better human being because of these experiences and wish that all of us could benefit from such exposure. Our world is enriched by the work of some very special people, who toil relentlessly, in places and corners of this world that are far away from our homes, with a valour, a passion and a commitment that makes a difference. ND-X

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THE HINDU. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015 NOIDA/DELHI

02

Jharia burning Text and photos: Sindhuja Nearly 70 underground fires have been raging beneath the Jharia coalfields for a century now, engulfing the thickly populated areas in and around Dhanbad district, Jharkhand. With 23 large underground mines and nine open cast mines, Jharia is India’s largest coal producer. These underground fires first started in 1916 as a result of unscientific and ill-conceived mining practices. They could not be put out. They have been consuming coal at an approximate rate of 12 to 15mn tonnes a year. More than seven lakh villagers live in the middle of this ruthless inferno, which is possibly one of the world's largest environmental and human disaster. And yet, strangely, nobody cares. Sindhuja is a freelance photojournalist, who documents human rights violation and environment sustainability issues to advocate for change. [email protected]

Rajoo Itwari (above) migrated to Jharia as a child bride to live in Kali Basti as a coal miner’s wife. She collects coal for cooking. (Right) Deep fissures in the earth have been smoking for decades now.

Sindhuja

Scavenged coal is filled into sacks for sale in the illegal market.

The playgrounds for children in Jharia are literally minefields. They fly kites and play hide-and-seek even as fumes from the burning coal cloud the sky. Picture shows children near the Kusunda mines. Ashfaq and other coal miners at the end of a long day

Extreme poverty forces families to push children to scavenge in the mines despite the hazards.

쮿 HAEMO PHOBIA

쮿 THE OTHER HALF

Is violence the new normal?

Kalpana Sharma is an independent columnist and journalist based in Mumbai CM YK

Chhattisgarh after being picked up in September and July respectively. Apart from “encounter” killings, women in these troubled districts of Chhattisgarh have been targeted. Their stories remain largely unreported and uninvestigated. The report by Women Against Sexual Violence and State Repression that recently sent a team to investigate the impact of the conflict on women, speaks of the violence, rape and sexual assault that the local women live with every day. Their report, about incidents during October 2015, is based on testimonies by dozens of women. One such story was that of a 14year-old girl from Peddagulur village in Bijapur district. According to the report, the girl “was grazing cattle with other women when she was chased by security forces. Overpowered and blind-folded, she was raped by at least three people.” Another tragic story is that of a fourmonth pregnant woman who was stripped by the security forces, “repeatedly dunked in the stream, and then gang-raped.” Other women spoke of being chased, beaten, their houses looted and their property destroyed. Despite this report, the higher ups in the police dismiss the complaints as propaganda. When you divide a population into ‘us’ and ‘them’, and the latter are seen as ‘terrorists’, then anything can be denied. Crimes against humanity become propaganda. And by refusing to even acknowledge that these crimes have occurred, the state seeks to erase them from history. In this case, there are two small factors that give some hope. One, that the women’s group and the local media were able to reach these villages and record the testimonies of the women. And two, that some of these women could travel to the district headquarters and depose before a district collector who was willing to listen and a police officer who was open to filing an FIR.   It is still a long haul from this stage to one where the men involved will be caught and punished. But given that practically no case of this kind has made it even to the FIR stage, it is worth noting. To come back to special days, and activism against gender violence, this is needed, every day, and against all forms of violence. Not just the sexual assaults in our cities, or those that the media choose to highlight. [email protected]

Most women don’t particularly want the freedom to bleed in public. All they are asking for is a little respect. Prayar Gopalakrishnan, board president of the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple, unwittingly sparked the war while musing on the probability of easing the temple’s strict gender rules. “A time will come when people will ask if all women should be disallowed from entering the temple throughout the year,” he told reporters, “These days, there are machines that can scan bodies and check for weapons. There will be a day when a machine is invented to scan if it is the ‘right time’ for a woman to enter the temple. When that machine is invented, we will talk about letting women inside.”  The response was swift. Within hours, a social media campaign hash-tagged #HappyToBleed, led by college student Nikita Azad, went viral on Facebook, accompanied by photos of women flaunting placards, tampons and sanitary napkins. Azad told the BBC “there is no ‘right time’ to go into a temple and that women should have to right to go ‘wherever they want to and whenever they want to’.” Brave words, but perhaps not entirely persuasive, even to progressive sympa-

slice of life

Kalpana Sharma

Has violence against women become so commonplace in India that we have stopped noting it? Do we need anniversaries — December 16 is coming up — to remind us of something that happens every day?  Every year, the United Nations designates 16 days for activism against genderbased violence. So from November 25 to December 10, Human Rights Day, a slew of statements and events focuses on this. Useful as that is, we have to ask why we need specific days to express our concern for something that ought to be part of our daily discourse. Gender violence does not occur occasionally. It happens everyday, everywhere. Yet, we only take note when something out of the ordinary happens, something horrific like the December 16, 2012, gang rape in Delhi. The sheer brutality of that rape and murder is seared into our collective memories. It galvanised people, who had never before been out on the streets, to shout that enough is enough and this culture of violence must end. That was three years ago. Today, that culture of violence remains embedded, throwing up new shoots every day. What is frightening is the ordinariness and the pervasiveness of sexual violence: the acceptance that it is there and will always be there; that women will get beaten up; that girls will be sexually assaulted. It is this ordinariness that makes us immune, almost indifferent to the daily litany of sexual assaults against women. Look at any newspaper. The stories leap out at you. What we read about is but a sliver of the whole. Because the whole of it takes place behind closed doors, in hidden places where there are no eyes to note, no cameras to record. It includes crimes that we don’t read about, because no one goes there to witness them, to listen to the victims, to understand that violence against women is the new normal in some parts of our country. One such place is Chhattisgarh. With deadly regularity, there are reports of encounter deaths. What is not reported is what precedes or follows these encounters. Some of these stories have been reported in local newspapers but barely a word has appeared in the national media. A few brave local journalists have tried to report on some of these stories that would otherwise be forgotten. And they have paid a heavy price for this. Two of them, Santosh Yadav and Somaru Nag, are still in jail in

Makes women see red

Lakshmi Chaudhry

thisers, many of whom were left wondering if Azad had picked the wrong battle to fight a just cause. It is difficult to argue that feminism, however worthy, should run roughshod over religious sentiments of not just male but also female devotees. As fellow journalist Pramod Kumar pointed out in his Facebook response, “Will any woman devotee of Sabarimala ask for a change in its gender policy when it is part of her faith itself? Unlikely.”  Moreover, it seems unfair to pick on Gopalakrishnan who was in his muddled way opening the door to liberalising Sabarimala’s ‘no women’ rule, and that at the very time when the trust in charge of the Haji Ali Dargah were fighting in court to ban women from its inner shrine entirely. The new rule passed by Dargah trustees read, “The trustees are unanimous on the point that entry of women in close proximity to the grave of a male Muslim saint is a grievous sin as per Islam and as such the trust is governed by the Constitution Law and particularly Article 26 of the Constitution of India, which confers upon the trust a fundamental right to manage its own affairs in matters of religion and as such interference is uncalled for by any

third agency.” And, as with Sabarimala, the rule has been embraced by most of the dargah’s women devotees. “Men and women are equal, but for a woman to touch the mazaar [grave] in a dargah; that would be sin,” said retired nurse Tehzeeb Jamal to journalists. . Azad herself admits that hers “is not a temple-entry campaign,” in which case she may have been better off picking a more appropriate context to make her point. Take the example of poet Rupi Kaur, who made waves earlier this year when she posted intimate photos that captured the quintessentially feminine experience: used sanitary napkins, stained clothes and sheets, bloody toilet bowls and showers.  Instagram deleted her images twice for violating community guidelines, and reinstated them only after she created a public stir. More recently, Kiran Gandhi ran the London Marathon “with blood dripping down my legs for sisters who don’t have access to tampons and sisters who, despite cramping and pain, hide it away and pretend like it doesn’t exist.” Both women broke the societal taboos that make menstrual blood not just unclean but also invisible, and they did it in a powerfully personal way.

The irony, of course, is that it is modernity that has made menstruation so wholly invisible. When women were once confined during ‘that time of the month’ — as my own mother was in our traditional Tamil Brahmin household — the fact of menstruation was advertised widely. The humiliation that accompanied such rules is precisely why my urban middle class generation broke with them entirely, preferring instead to make our periods invisible to the outside world. The new freedom did not, however, bring any respite from the shame. We now live in mortal fear of that errant spot of blood or a used sanitary napkin, which may reveal our feminine disgrace. Gandhi, Kaur, and even Azad, however misdirected, are rebelling against that instinctive revulsion, now so fully internalised by our socialised selves. To be clear, most of us do not particularly want the freedom to bleed freely and in public. Many, in fact, would be greatly benefited by better, cheaper access to sanitary pads and tampons which are essential for hygiene — and which greatly reduce the risk of cervical cancer, the leading cancer among Indian women. But surely the first step toward embracing the basic needs of women’s bodies is to stop demeaning them. Furious at Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly for grilling him during the Republican primary debate, Donald Trump infamously took a shot at her menstrual cycle, claiming there was “blood coming out of her... wherever.” It’s the easiest and cheapest shot to take against a woman. Menstruation has been used to define women as not just unclean but also inferior, unfit for power, and incapable of reason. No natural biological function of a man’s body has been so ostracised or used against him. “So what would happen if suddenly, magically, men could menstruate and women could not?” asks Gloria Steinem in her famously witty essay. “Clearly, menstruation would become an enviable, worthy, masculine event: Men would brag about how long and how much… Generals, right-wing politicians, and religious fundamentalists would cite menstruation (‘men-struation’) as proof that only men could serve God and country in combat… occupy high political office… be priests, ministers, God himself…” We less demanding women, however, are willing to settle for a lot less — just a little respect for our bodies and ourselves.  Lakshmi Chaudhry is former executive editor of Firstpost and is based in Bengaluru. ND-X

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THE HINDU. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015 NOIDA/DELHI

쮿 SCREENING ROOM

쮿 PRAYER ISLAND

The queer everyday

The god of all things

Aakriti Kohli and Sandeep Singh, the makers of In The Mood For Love, talk about their documentary on the everyday reality of LGBT living.

A fascinating Catholic Church in a Muslim majority area in north Sumatra is built in the style of a Tamil Hindu temple

The most surprising thing about your film, for me, was that it’s presented by a government agency, Doordarshan. How did they get into the picture?

It was intriguing for us too. In 2013, the Supreme Court put aside the 2009 Delhi High Court verdict, re-criminalizing homosexuality under Section 377. A large population, thus, became “illegal” because of who they are. We were toying with the idea of “illegality” and the LGBT community, when PSBT (Public Service Broadcasting Trust) made a call for film fellowships. We sent in the proposal and were short-listed in July 2014. Doordarshan subsequently disbursed the funds through PSBT. In the last few years, they have funded a few other films on sexuality and gender rights, like Pramada Menon’s And You Thought You Knew Me and Sridhar Rangayan’s Purple Skies — though we are not sure if this has continued post-2014.

raha Maria Annai Velangkanni rises up out of the working class suburbs of the Indonesian city of Medan, like the apparition it is named after. As a Catholic Church in a Muslim-majority area of north Sumatra built in the style of a Tamil Hindu temple, it is, quite literally, chimerical. Father James Bharataputra, the 67-yearold Jesuit Priest who conceived of and constructed this church, rushes to greet me as I enter the compound. Barefoot and dressed in a spotless white habit, Father James recounts his story with dramatic flair. Born in 1938 in a town near Madurai he entered the Jesuit order in 1957 with dreams of serving in a mission abroad. In

Pallavi Aiyar

1966, his goal was realised when he was sent to work with Tamil communities in Malaysia. Shortly after his arrival, however, the Malaysian government passed an immigration law against foreign missionaries and so his superiors dispatched Father James to Indonesia. He has remained in the archipelago ever since, spending several years each in Java, West Papua, and Sumatra. Father James became a naturalised Indonesian citizen in 1989. The majority of his time over the last three decades has been spent among the Tamil diaspora in north Sumatra. There are around 60,000 people of Indian origin on the island of Sumatra, according to Basir Ahmed, the Indian Consul General based in Medan. The majority of these are Tamils, who trace their roots in Indonesia to the second half of the 19th century. At the time, Sumatra was under Dutch colonial rule and several Dutch-run plantations, in particular the tobacco growing company, Deli Maatschappij, began to bring Tamils from Nagapattinam, Madras, and Karaikal, as indentured labourers to work in their estates. Tamilians in Sumatra include large numbers of Hindus and Muslims, and a minority of Christians. When Father James first moved to Medan in 1972, there were around

Were there any conditions, restrictions?

Room for everyone.

Our interface was with PSBT and they never interfered editorially, in terms of content. A lot of their input was technical and related to the length of the film. Barring the use of “abusive” language, they did not have any issue. They are particular about their films carrying a “U” certificate. It’s interesting that In The Mood For Love is about people and couples ( that is, individual voices), as opposed to representing the community as a collective.

PHOTOS: PALLAVI AIYAR

700 Tamil Catholics resident in and around the city. They were, he says , an economically backward and deprived group, with barely 10 per cent completing secondary school and living a ghettoised existence. Father James bought the land that the church currently stands on in 1979 with the aim of persuading Tamil Catholic families to shift there, away from the ghettos that they lived in. But they refused to move and the land lay fallow for the next couple of decades. It was only in 2001 that Father James embarked on the construction of the church, following what he called a “miracle”. The money to build the church had been raised by soliciting donations from the community. Father James had stored these donations in cash at the home of a friend in Medan. But an accidental fire gutted the entire home. The only objects to survive uncharred were the church construction funds, which had been wrapped in plastic, and two copies of the Bible. Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni eventually opened its doors in 2005 and since then has gone on to become a major regional attraction. “The reason I called it graha, or house, rather than a church, is because I want it to be open to everyone,” Father James explains. He says that head-scarved Muslims, photo-snapping tourists and de-

vout Christians are equally common sights on the grounds. The church is named after a Tamil village on the Coromandel Coast called Velankanni, a major centre of pilgrimage for India’s Catholics, in India. It is here that a shepherd boy is believed to have seen an apparition of Mary and Jesus in the 16th century. While the original basilica is constructed in the Gothic style, its Sumatran namesake is architecturally unique. The structure consists of a community hall on the ground floor and a space of worship, designed like a conventional church, on the first floor that is reached by walking up a circular ramp. A seven-storey, multi-coloured tower, in the style of a gopuram tops the building, triangulated by domes that Father James says are inspired by Mughal architecture. Within the fan-cooled church the hush is broken by the keening of a devotee who rocks back and forth at the foot of a statue of Jesus. The high walls have quotations from the Bible painted in four languages: Indonesian, Tamil, English and Chinese (Medan also has a substantial Chinese origin population). As the sun begins to set, Father James retires to a modest chapel to the side of the main structure where he leads the mass. The service is conducted in Indonesian, the Tamil Christian diaspora having largely lost the ability to speak Tamil over the decades.

“I called it graha, or house, rather than a church; it's because I want it to be open to everyone”

We had been watching a lot of Indian documentary films on the LGBT issue. Some are very important films, focusing on suffering and struggle, but we felt that the idea of love, the imagination of queer love, and the representation of queer relationships was missing. This was the driving force behind the film. We wanted to focus on the human element, the everyday reality of living. How did you pick the couples/people?  The idea was to look at different couples, who perhaps bring different experiences of living together, being in love, living their own lives, their expectations from each other, their work, etc. Sometime during the process of filmmaking, we also realised that we need individuals who may not be in a relationship at the moment but can reflect on their own idea of love, which may differ from how couples look at it. For instance, Gourab considers love as solidarity, while Prodipto says that as human beings we cannot be alone, and that need to be with others is perhaps love. 

The congregation is a mixed one, with several local Sumatrans in attendance. As Father James leads them in prayer, loudspeakers from the neighbouring mosque begin to blare the azaan, momentarily drowning out the Jesuit’s words. But the call and response of the mass proceeds without interruption. Later, the lights are turned on and the church’s gopuram set ablaze in coloured fairy lights, dazzling against the night sky. As I drive away, I see a young Chinese woman in skin-tight jeans snapping a selfie in front of the structure. Pallavi Aiyar has spent over a decade reporting from China, Europe and Indonesia and is a Young Global Leader with the World Economic Forum. [email protected] 

They all seem to be from the Delhi/ metro area.

We began looking for couples through friends and other networks. Due to logistical reasons (we had a limited timeline for shooting), we restricted ourselves to filming in Delhi. Barring Pradipto, everyone in In The Mood For Love is from Delhi. Baradwaj Rangan And that is actually a

쮿 AUCTION REPLAY

criticism voiced in the film, when Shabnam Shaikh says, “The LGBT is The Hindu’s community fighting, at cinema critic the forefront, belongs to a particular class, speaks a certain language, and has a presence in the media but you will not find any representation of rural India.” Her point is emphasised doubly because it’s made in Hindi.

Coin, going, gone One of the pieces that came under the hammer at Todywalla’s 100th auction last week was a pure gold coin that Krishnadevaraya dropped into Tirupati’s hundi

Ramya Sarma

time, but today has antique and rarity value rather than intrinsic worth.  One of these precious souvenirs was on offer recently at the 100thauction at Todywalla Auctions. “This is only the second time we have a very, very historically significant coin coming up,” said Malcolm Todywalla. The milestone event featured 200 lots that included copper, gold, silver, cupro-nickel and stainless steel coins, medallions, paper currency and tokens from India and abroad, dating back The golden Balaji coin was snapped up for Rs. 27.5 lakh; while the currency to about 100 AD. The Vijayanagara coin note went for Rs. 6.4 lakh. weighed about 7.77 grammes and is a double pagoda with one side showing Lord Venka- teshwara standing under an ornamental arch man, his steed with one hood held up as if it was composed of makaras, or mythical creatures. drawn in mid-gallop.  Another very special offering is a banknote, The deity was exquisitely detailed, the shankha, chakra, gadha and padma in His hands Todywalla pointed out, “It is an Indian note clearly defined and His hands in varadamudra, with two and a half rupees written on it. It was dispensing boons. The other side had Sri Krish- printed when India was experimenting with nadevaraya in Devnagari script, the lines im- shifting from the rupee-anna denomination to maculate, straight and clean. The coin was the dollar. So they came out with this one, which priced between Rs. 25-30 lakhs. Along with this is equivalent to one dollar. In the public space it particular treasure, the auction offered a num- did not work, so circulation had to be withber of other gems, such as a couple of square drawn, which is why the note is very rare ingold mohurs from Emperor Akbar’s time, a deed.” The collation of notes in the auction is coin from that period with poetry talking practically a record of British rule in India, with about zameen (earth) and asmaan (sky), a few each showing images of the various reigning from the 1880s showing the torso of Queen Vic- monarchs – King George V, King George VI, et toria and a personal favourite, a gold dinar from al. The notes are usually rectangular, and area the period of Kumaragupta 1 depicting a horse- specific, from Hyderabad, Goa and French InCM YK

dia (Pondicherry). The star of the auction was the Vijayanagara coin, which “came from a collector in South India. Invariably these are solid gold.”  Gold has been prized since it was first discovered, but there have been many attempts to deviate from its purest form. Figuring out whether a coin like this rarity – or even a note or medallion - is genuine or not comes “just through experience”, Todywalla explained, with the confidence of someone who has been working in the family business for over 14 years, with academic qualifications to back it up. “When we see a coin we know it is genuine from various aspects – the strike, the colourand the finish, everything about the coin.” Looking at it with an eyeglass of high magnification confirms that knowledge. Testing for gold weight is done only if there is a doubt. “When you see a fake, it is all wrong. It is very scientific, not emotional in any way. With today’s technology, they still cannot replicate exactly what was struck 300 years ago, they cannot get the finesse and cannot reproduce this finish even with the best machines. They used to do a flawless job, but today it is not possible. In jewellery and painting it is easier to forge. In painting, in particular, there are shades and lines that can be replicated, so it is very difficult to tell which is a fake and which is not. It is rather easier to tell a fake coin from the real thing.” The fact that it is in the Todywalla catalogue guarantees its authenticity, he explained. “With antiques and paintings, because there are so many fakes, people want to know about provenance, but when it comes to coins, there are no shades of grey, so the typical coin buyer is not looking for provenance. It can come from a collector or a jeweller or a family.” A coin needs care, stored in a plastic flip case and put away safely. Notes can be put between the pages of books, affected only by the local climate and contact with skin oils and chemicals.  Coin collectors are a mixed bunch – it could be a salaried person with humble resources, buying coins worth Rs.1,000 a month, or industrialists and professionals who could spend much more. Todywalla Auctions offers pieces from Rs.500 to many lakhs. And guidance is always available, on how to start and build a collection. “The idea is to nurture a collector. We do not believe in hard-selling what we have.” Ramya Sarma is a writer-editor who works from home on almost anything interesting, as long as there is a steady supply of chocolate and green tea by her side. [email protected]

We were very specifically looking for couples and individuals who are out of the closet, which is why finding stories from smaller towns and cities was not entirely possible. We met a couple from Meerut, but they didn’t want to reveal their identities on screen. Also, the LGBT movement is elitist in a way. It exists in the bigger cities, and it’s populated by educated people. The movements in the smaller towns deal with things at a more grassroots level, like AIDS awareness. Why a documentary instead of a fictionalised feature that might be seen by more viewers? 

This is a theme that can work well in both formats. As documentary filmmakers, creative representation of “reality” was our first choice. The genre of the documentary afforded us a more languid pace. We could juxtapose news reports with voiceovers. We could use live-action footage to make the kind of arguments we wanted to make. Perhaps the research that we’ve done for the documentary can work as the springboard for a screenplay. Such films are usually screened to audiences already sensitised to (and sensitive about) these issues. Did you do anything to go beyond preaching to the choir?

culturati

It makes for a good story. About 500 years ago, in 1516 AD, the ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529 AD) dropped in at the Balaji shrine in Tirupati. He had with him his two wives, Tirumala Devi and Chinnama Devi. It was a visit to give thanks to the Lord after the defeat of Gajapati Prathapa Rudra Dev and his army at Udaygiri. Balaji was evidently pleased with the king, since Krishnadevaraya went on after his holy visit to beat the forces of Prince Virabhadra, son of Gajapati emperor Utkal Gajapati Prataprudra Deva at Kondavidu. But as part of the thank-you celebrations, the king gave orders for new coins to be minted for a kanakabhishekham, where the gold currency was showered at the feet of the deity. The pure gold coins were exquisitely made, devotion and gratefulness poured into the precious metal and crafted into each curve. It would have been used as currency at that

With today’s technology, we still cannot replicate exactly what was struck 300 years ago

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Yes, that does happen. In The Mood For Love was premiered at the India International Centre, New Delhi, which is as safe as a space can be. That’s why we have made efforts to engage with the students and faculty members of colleges (University of Delhi colleges, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Ashoka University). Audiences with no background/ prior knowledge of LGBT politics and issues have found the film revealing in its representation of queer love and relationships. For seasoned audiences, there has been a deeper engagement with the idea of love and the depiction of intimacy. The way the film represented the ‘queer everyday’ was widely appreciated. There were interesting discussions on the LGBT movement in India and the question of inclusivity/exclusivity. Finally, why this title, which recalls the famous heterosexual romance by Wong Kar-wai?

We went through a couple of titles, but the idea of “mood” beautifully communicates a state of mind. It is subtle, transient. One reason for this title was to appropriate the title of a very popular hetero-romance film and suggest that queer love is much the same, and quite different at the same time. The second, also to subvert existing notions of love that occupy our minds, to use a very familiar film title to make unfamiliar things (LGBT issues, queer love) more familiar. ND-X

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THE HINDU. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015 NOIDA/DELHI

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literaryreview

fineprint

쮿 CABRET ARTIST

the

The marvellous world of Brian Selznick

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Juggernaut books announced its inaugural catalogue recently. The catalogue includes names like that of the Nobel laureate, Svetlana Alexievich, Rajdeep Sadesai, William Darymple, Arshia Sattar, Aman Sethi and several more, with 25 debut authors. Juggernaut has also tied up with Tulika Publishers as its digital co-publisher for a selected number of children’s books.

In conversation with the man who wrote and illustrated the story that became the charming and whimsical movie Hugo Brian Selznick’s new book, The Marvels (Scholastic), is a heady journey. More than 600 pages long, the book is a big bundle of magic, more than half of it covered in full page, wordless, breathtaking black-and-white illustrations that play with shadow and light. The story that the pictures and words that follow them tell is complex, a saga that pulls together threads of fantasy and reality, truth and fiction and doesn’t shy away from difficult questions with no one right answer. The Marvels cooks up a kind of magical feast, to be devoured hungrily, with the hope of more to come. Excerpts from an interview:

Children’s book The Fox and the Star by Coralie Bickford-Smith was declared the The Waterstones Book of the Year 2015. The title, published by Particular Books was inspired by William Blake’s Eternity and the graphic work of William Morris.

British publisher Lord George Weidenfeld, who was born a Jew in Vienna, was helped by Quakers and Plymouth Brethren to escape Nazi persecution. Lord Weidenfeld is now helping fund 2,000 Christian Syrians fleeing ISIS through the Weidenfeld Safe Havens Fund, which offers 12-18 months’ paid support for refugees.

Could you talk about the genesis of the book — the “foundational bedrock” that is the Dennis Sever’s House and the way it led to the creation of The Marvels? 

 I’d visited the Dennis Severs House many years ago and was swept up in its magic. The House is kept as if it’s still the 18th and 19th century so you feel like you’ve fallen back in ‘I try to make the best story I can, because kids deserve the best,’ says Brian Selznick. PHOTOS: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT time. I wanted to create a book that was, in part, a homage to this house and the man  I based much of the book on the real life in The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Wonwho created it. Could you talk about creating a book that’s not one of the man who created the Dennis Severs derstruck. But it’s The Marvels where I When you begin creating, in which form does the or the other, isn’t a graphic novel, not just prose?   idea first come to you — words or pictures?   The first book I tried this with was The House, as well as his friend who now is the found a way to really delve deeply into all  I think in pictures, but I always write Invention of Hugo Cabret. At first I was go- curator, David Milne. David told me stories these thoughts around stories and fact and ing to tell the story like a regular novel with about coming to the house for the first time fiction and how we can help ourselves surall words, but then I thought about how the when he was young, meeting Dennis, orga- vive through making the pain of our lives book is about the history of cinema. Movies nising Dennis's funeral when he died, and I into art. Swati Daftuar are a visual medium, which we mostly look wanted to put all that into my story. Yes, Albert finds stories in the objects he surrounds at, and I wondered if there was a way to tell there are many big serious themes in The himself with and he also sees the people around him in the story of Hugo sort of like a movie, where Marvels, and there are people who die and these objects. The Angel boy painted on the theatre’s you look at parts of the narrative and watch there are people who fall in love, but this is ceiling, for example, becomes Marcus Bloom. Is that all a part of life, and it's how you find your stories too?  down my ideas first. Once I have the ideas them unfold... like a movie. I also  Yes. As I mentioned, all my stories begin things that we all think written down I draw quick little pictures to like graphic novels and picture about, children and adults, with things I love, and people I love, and the see what the specific drawings in the book books for younger readers that rely even if we haven’t experi- books I make are the result of trying to find will look like. on pictures to tell their stories, so enced some of these things what happens when I mix different eleAnd how do you decide, or choose, which parts of those influenced me as well. I'd nevdirectly ourselves yet. I ments together. You write about children, but do the story will need words and which will need to be er seen a book that was for older drawn?  wanted to present these big you only write for them? Isn’t this book, with its readers which told part of the story  It depends on the book. For The Inven- in words and part of the story in things in a very straightfor- adventure and stories and reality, for everyone?  tion of Hugo Cabret, I told a single story pictures but it seemed like an inI think of myself as a children’s bookward way, so that there was going back and forth from words to pictures teresting idea so I tried it.  no judgement, and no bias.  maker, but what's strange is that when I’m because I wanted the book to feel like an making my books I don’t think about chilEverything in The Marvels is linked, inAlmost as soon as it begins, The dren. The main characters are always kids, old-fashioned movie. I drew any sequence terconnected through time and realities — Marvels plays with ideas of reality that had action in it, or focused on a face or you’ve created a story that carries more and fiction and the overlapping but I never think “Is this a good idea for an important object. For Wonderstruck, I stories within it. Tell us about choosing the spaces between the two. The kids.” I only think, “Is this a good idea?” I try used the pictures to tell the story of a girl motifs — the ships, Shakespeare, the broken The Marvels; world of theatre and Shakespeare, to make the best story I can, because kids who is born deaf, because her world would watch, Tar, even the books Joseph brings Brian Selznick, Scholastic, the act of “making stories up” in a deserve the best. I write about things that way that they become real. Is that interest me now, as an adult, many of which price not mentioned mostly be visual, and for The Marvels, I used along with him? the pictures to create a kind of collective  Everything is simply based on ..... ........ ........ ....... ........ ........ ........ .... how it is for you? As you write and would be topics you’d think kids wouldn’t be draw, do these boundaries become interested in, like silent movies, the history memory for the characters (and the readers) things I love. I love the Dennis Sevin part two. ers House, and the theatre and The Winter’s more smudged?    of museums, Deaf culture, and 18th century I’ve always been interested in why people theatre. I think kids find my books interest  Your drawings are full of shadow and light, and Tale by Shakespeare, and all the books Josometimes they are striking in their simplicity. A little seph brings with him are my favourites. Part tell stories, and what it means to create a ing because I’m writing about things that I about the art itself and developing this style?  of the work I did over the three years I made narrative. Even if we are telling someone find interesting myself.  I draw very small, about one-fourth the the book was trying to figure out what the about an event that happened to us, we are             I know that children are my main size you see in the book. I work under a connections would be between all these making it into a story and sharing it. And audience, but I love when people of all ages magnifying glass sometimes. When the things. sometimes over time, and over generations, tell me they are reading my stories. So, even drawings are enlarged for the book it makes There are other aspects of the book too that are those stories change and shift. Sometimes though I write knowing kids will be my main the lines bolder and you can see the texture both beautiful and unique in the way they are ad- we also make stories up, we write novels or readers, I think it would be fair to say my of the pencil even better. I like that it em- dressed — the love between Billy and Albert, George short stories, and those fictional stories can books are in fact for anyone who wants to phasises the hand-done quality of the art. and Joseph; the AIDS clinic that Barbara works in, feel true if the emotions are believable and read them, for anyone who might find someI’ve been influenced a lot by artists like death, the way you've handled the idea of broken we identify with the characters. All of these thing true or compelling or meaningful in Maurice Sendak and Edward Gorey, and homes and absent parents. Could you talk a bit about ideas can be found in the real Dennis Severs them, no matter what their age. [email protected] how they tell their stories through pictures. these?  House and I have explored them a little bit

On November 30, Fatima Mernissi, one of Morocco’s most celebrated feminist writers and sociologists, passed away at the age of 75. Mernissi had authored several books, including Beyond the Veil, and The Veil and the Male Elite.

Benjamin Myers won the £10,000 Portico Literature Prize 2015 for Fiction and Richard Benson won the £10,000 Portico Prize for non-fiction. The winner was announced at a dinner on Thursday, 26th November.

In an attempt to extend its reach to the U.S., The Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction has struck a new five-year sponsorship deal with investment company Baillie Gifford. The prize will now be renamed The Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction.

Square Peg will be publishing a book on robins by naturalist Stephen Ross. The book will reveal secrets about what is otherwise known as an apparently familiar bird and also take the readers through the robin’s life cycle.

쮿 OPIUM WORDS

High on history

Bloomsbury won three awards at the 2015 British Book Design and Production Awards held on 26th November, including the Book of the Year award, which went to The Imaginary by A.F. Harold.

The authors on the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature shortlist are R. Meera for  Hang Woman (Translated by J. Devika; Penguin, India); Mirza Waheed for  The Book of Gold Leaves  (Viking/Penguin India); Neel Mukherjee for  The Lives of Others (Vintage/ Penguin Random House, U.K.), along with Akhil Sharma for  Family Life (Faber & Faber, U.K.); Anuradha Roy for  Sleeping on Jupiter (Hachette, India); and Raj Kamal Jha for  She Will Build Him A City (Bloomsbury, India). CM YK

bibliophile

Reading Ghosh’s Flood of Fire is like zooming into a very expansive and detailed miniature painting I’d like to start this review by pointing out that Amitav Ghosh’s trilogy – consisting of the novels Sea of Poppies (2008), River of Smoke (2011) and Flood of Fire (2015) – is a triumph of the creative mind. Yet I must admit that having read and relished all his previous books over the decades, I started on the trilogy in 2008 with some trepidation. The project sounded very ambitious even for a writer of Ghosh’s calibre. But I wasn’t disappointed – the combination of historical discourse and racy action kept me mesmerised and both the first two books ended, cleverly, on a bit of a cliffhanger situation. Given the raised expectations, it was again

Zac O’Yeah

with a certain wariness that I began reading the concluding part, published earlier this year, which in a very scholarly manner details the opium trade between India and China in the 19th century – the various people involved, the particular trading culture that evolved around it, and the ultimate resolution of sorts that came with the Opium Wars. The current book begins with an elaborate description of a military march as a prelude to the first of the Opium Wars, one of the biggest criminal enterprises undertaken by

the governments of various European handsome Zachary, now in the clear, takes countries (primarily Britain) against Asia. up a job of restoring a houseboat in After that description of the Calcutta to clear his debts, but his march to war, the story really boss’s wife is set on curing him of kicks off with a lengthy but Onanism, a potentially fatal semihighly amusing hearing into mental disease; this lends the the events that caused a mutinovel the character of a hilarious ny aboard the ship Ibis (which erotic comedy were various euwe recall having experienced phemisms are used for the… well, firsthand at the end of the the thing. inaugural book of the trilogy), At the same time, in Bombay, here relived through the colthe Parsi lady Shireen Modi is ourful judicial language of codistraught by the news that her lonial Calcutta. The trial businessman husband, Seth Bahresults, eventually, in the ram, a small player in the opium young American sailor Zachary business who gambled big on the Reid (one of the principal Flood of Fire; trade just at the time when protagonists in the story) being Amitav Ghosh, Penguin, Chinese authorities decided to cleared of all charges against Rs.799. crack down on foreign drug deal........ ........ ........ ....... ........ ........ . ers, has mysteriously fallen off his him. From then on the book just ship and drowned in Hong Kong. gets more intricate. Reading it is like She decides to go to China despite the zooming into a very expansive and looming war and see if any of the detailed miniature painting. One striking investments can be recovered. thing about Ghosh’s prose is the utter Meanwhile, one of my favourite characdelight he takes in all things linguistic: ters from the previous books, the disHobson-Jobson type of Indian-English possessed Bengali zamindar who is expressions in popular usage in the 19th ‘besotted with words’, Neel Rattan Halder century, but now fallen out of use, (one thinks that he might possibly be the reverberate throughout the pages of Flood author’s alter ego in this plot), had sailed of Fire. to China as the Parsi seth’s secretary or As we are reintroduced to a host of munshi. He decides to settle in Canton characters, dramas begin to unfold. The and soon finds himself dragged into

portentous happenings as China and Britain gear up for a total showdown. Neel becomes the man who interprets India’s role to the Chinese and watches events – such as naval battles – unfold before his eyes. His story is told in the form of a diary which masterfully evokes life in Canton in the 19th century. The novel also moves rapidly back and forth in time, accommodating fragments of pre-story events that take place even before Sea of Poppies, the first book in the trilogy, especially through the life of the Indian soldier Kesri, who eventually gets pulled into the war. It is typical of Ghosh to narrate, via the lives of ordinary people, momentous happenings and swathes of world history. He takes a motley bunch of characters through the politically most tumultuous and game-changing years in Asian history, at the same time illustrating the multifaceted cultural connections between India and China superbly. This is Ghosh at his best: insightful, wide-ranging, awesome, and very, very witty. Zac O’Yeah is the author of popular comic thrillers. His published works range from bestselling detective fiction to history and travelogue, and he has also translated Indian literature into Swedish. [email protected] ND-X

sundaymagazine

THE HINDU. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015 NOIDA/DELHI

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literaryreview 쮿 IN CONVERSATION

‘Otherwise, I too am invisible' A poor farmer who pours tar over the soil he used to cultivate. The Santhal family that must give up meat when they move to Gujarat. Hansda Sowendra Shekhar tells the story of people whose ordinariness makes them special ow often do we stop to think about the life of a man pouring hot tar on the road under a blazing sun? Or wonder about the back-stories of dancers in a troupe synchronizing their steps before an august gathering of the country’s most powerful people? The characters in the short story collection, The Adivasis Will Not Dance, are people who do not call attention to themselves as they go about the business of their livesHansda Sowendra Shekhar speaks about his journey of writing and his novel,

Fehmida Zakeer

The Mysterious Ailment of Rupi Baskey making it to the longlist of the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award 2016. Excerpts from an interview: When did you seriously start writing? What was your first attempt at writing and who were your first readers and what the reaction to your first pieces?

As an 8- or 9-year-old child, I used to re-write stories like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty in my own words in white dista khata (Is that legal sheets or foolscap sheets? Foolscap, I think), draw my own illustrations (all inspired by those illustrations in Misha,

pointed boots and all), staple the sheets together, draw my own barcodes, and create a book. Of course, I showed those books to no one. I had no readers. At that time, during my childhood and adolescence, I was my own reader. When I published my first short story in The Asian Age, I was 15 years old and a student of Class X. I took the paper to school and showed it to my friends and my English teacher. My English teacher liked that story and praised me. When The Mysterious Ailment Of Rupi Baskey was published, I went to that English teacher’s house and gifted her the first copy.

Why We Love The Way We Do;

Preeti Shenoy, Westland, Rs.250. .. ........ ....... ........ ........ ........ ....... ........ ........ ........ ...

‘In my childhood and adolescence, I was my own reader’: Shekhar PHOTO: K. PICHUMANI

Jharkhand, my lifestyle is that of an ordinary rajya sarkaar ka karmachaari. Do I need to notice all that and imagine and build my stories upon that? Not at all. It’s my life. The people in my stories might be ordinary and invisible, but their ordinariness makes them special. My books might have given me some visibility, otherwise I too am invisible. The story ‘They Eat Meat’ uncannily comes at a time when there is really a controversy going on about meat, what was your inspiration for this story?

None of these stories was a conscious decision. The stories were written over a period of 13 years, so there was, obviously, no planning. Ideas came to my mind and they got written. ‘Getting Even’ was, in fact, an immediate response to difficulties we sarkaari doctors have to face in the peripheries. So there was no conscious decision to have only one or two stories with medical setting. As for more stories inspired by my work, sure, there will be more stories.

Sita Ram: Lord Hasting's Journey from Calcutta to the Punjab, 1814-15;

What do you think is the most important quality a writer should have or cultivate?

J.P. Losty, Roli Books, Rs.2995. ... ........ ....... ........ ........ ....... ........ ........ ........ ....... ...

‘They Eat Meat’ was inspired Humility. Not only in a writer, but in any by a Santhal family's experience human being in any profession. And, to some in Gujarat during 2000 to 2002. extent, discipline. This Santhal family eats non-veg, How long did it take for you to collect How do you feel about Rupi Baskey making it to the the stories? but they have to control their longlist of the IMPAC Dublin? 13 years! The stories in The AdiA friend on Facebook informed me. She non-veg diet once they go to live in Gujarat. vasi Will Not Dance are from 2002 congratulated me on being nominated for The Adivasi Will Not to 2015. Desperation is a recurring theme in the IMPAC Dublin and my first reaction was: the stories and even when the story "Dublin? But I don't even have a passport!" The characters in your stories are not Dance; Hansda winds up there is no respite. Your And then I rushed to the website of the just ordinary people, they are almost in- Sowendra Shekhar, International Dublin Literary Award to see visible, their presence not immediately no- Speaking Tiger, Rs.399. comments... ticed. What made you notice them? How .... .... .... .... .... .... ... .... .... .... .... .... Simple, because there is no if it was true that I had been nominated, and did you go about building the stories? respite in real life. If there is res- for which book. I saw The Mysterious AilI am one of those people so there was no pite, life seems to stop. There is nothing else ment Of Rupi Baskey and was extremely question of noticing. I am one of my charac- to look forward to. So, keep on moving. Be happy and excited. ters. There was also no “building” of stories. desperate one moment, hopeful the next Fehmida Zakeer is an author and poet. You build stories when you do not know the moment. Don't think of an easy respite. Her short stories have been published in setting and characters and so you imagine. Only two stories in the collection have a medical Out of Print, The Bangalore Review, The characters in my stories in The Adivasi setting, ‘Blue Baby’ and ‘Getting Even’, is it a conWill Not Dance are people I sit, stand, eat, scious decision to steer clear of your profession in Quarterly Literary Review of Singapore and drink with every second of my life. I am an your writing or can we expect more stories inspired Linnet’s Wings. Adivasi, I live in a peripheral place (Pakur) in by your work. [email protected]

Like a Pinprick to the Heart; Shujoy Dutta, Speaking Tiger, Rs.299. ....... ........ ........ ....... ........ ........ ........ ....... ........ ......

쮿 LIT FOR LIFE 2016

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Language of love

The lure of the hunt

ENDPAPER

Pradeep Sebastian

PREMA REVATHI is a writer, actor and activist who runs a school for nomadic tribal children at a village in coastal Tamil Nadu. She was a full-time journalist and continues to write articles in English and Tamil. She is also a translator and is working on non-fiction translations from English to Tamil. Along with Krishna Veni, she began Maitri, a feminist publishing house that aims to bring out memoirs of women, books introducing feminist philosophies and literary anthologies on feminist themes. Lakshmi Ennum Payani, a memoir by a woman activist from a small town in Tamil Nadu, is Maitri’s first Book

VINUTHA MALLYA

KANNAN SUNDARAM (S.R. Sundaram) was the proprietor of Kalachuvadu Pathippagam from 1995 to 2010 and is presently the Managing Director and Publisher of Kalachuvadu Publication Pvt Ltd, besides being Editor and Publisher of Kalachuvadu, a monthly journal for culture and politics. He co-organised ‘Tamil In 2000’, a privately funded international Tamil conference on 20th century Tamil writing and was part of the international visitor programme to the U.S. in 2002 and of the Frankfurt Book Fair fellowship programme in 2007. Kannan is on a mission to get the best pieces of literature available in Tamil translated to other Indian and world languages and vice versa, and is attempting, through his magazine, to forge an international Tamil identity that is not abrasive, illiberal and separatist. He has published a few books containing his columns and critical articles on Tamil media and Politics.

CM YK

is an editor and publishing consultant based in Bangalore. She is the principal consultant at LineSpace Consulting, a consulting editor to Mapin Publishing, a contributing journalist to Publishing Perspectives, and an advisor to the Publishing Next industry conference. She has recently co-founded a literary agency to represent authors writing in Indian languages. Vinutha has an MA in Journalism from Goldsmiths College, London, and an MS in Communication from Manipal University. In the past, she has reported and written for newspapers and news sites, developed e-content and was a faculty for the National Book Trust’s publishing course. She has edited illustrated books, environmental research publications, motivational learning books, fiction and poetry.

RUBIN D’CRUZ is an editor and publisher by profession, and has worked for many public sector and voluntary publishing firms since 1987, mainly the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad, Kerala State Institute of Children’s Literature and the National Book Trust of India. He is presently the editor of the Malayalam department of National Book Trust, India (NBT). As Director of Kerala State Institute of Children’s Literature he edited Thaliru, a children’s magazine for the 10-plus age group.

Pradeep Sebastian is a bibliophile, columnist and critic.

A box of truffles for the bibliophilic sweet tooth: 52 scrumptious tales of rare books acquired at bargain prices by collectors, dealers and bibliomaniacs. Sample these: in a box under his bed a man finds a 500-year-old book; an e-Bay auction purchase could possibly contain annotations in Shakespeare’s own hand; a first edition of To Kill a Mockingbird still in an unsoiled dust wrapper from a flea market for $5; and a priceless collection of vintage comics discovered in a closet. These are just a few of the exciting true accounts of book hunting in Rare Books Uncovered by Rebecca Rego Barry, the editor of Fine Books and Collections, a premier magazine for collectors. Barry interviewed several collectors and dealers to shape her absorbing narrative. As editor of Fine Books she is perfectly placed to access bibliophiles of all persuasions with stories about hunting for rare book treasures and snagging them at bargain prices. Rare Books Uncovered fills the gap in titles dealing with contemporary accounts of book collecting, especially collecting done on a small purse, with modest resources at one’s disposal. There are ample accounts — in books, pamphlets, and catalogues — about institutional rare book acquisitions and large rare book collections assembled by wealthy collectors, but there’s precious little about the serendipitous rare book finds made by the common bibliophile trawling for bargains in all kinds of likely — and unlikely — places. The first account here involving that legendary book runner, Martin Stone, is probably the most gratifying story any book hunter can ever hope to hear. Stone is shown an entire floor packed with scarce, sought-after out-of-print editions in near mint condition! I, as well as several modern collectors, will relate to his moment of discovery: pouncing on a book dealer’s bibliographic mistake. In the early 90s, thumbing through an AB Bookman’s Weekly, Bishop comes across an advertisement for a Mosher press book. He is at once alert, and tingling with excitement.

Even the scant description for the book is enough to tell him that this may be the famed edition he has been hunting for many years. A vellum copy of The Germ of which only four copies were printed in 1898 by Thomas Bird Mosher, and done up in a dazzling exhibition binding. But what filled him with trepidation (and wonder) is that this copy was being advertised by what looked like a remote trading post out West than a proper antiquarian bookshop. Could it all be a terrible mistake? Nevertheless he decides to go for it: phones them, buys it, and asks for it to be shipped overnight, paying heavily for priority mailing. Barry writes: “The way he remembers it, he was trembling with excitement…One look at the spine pretty well sealed it. ‘Oh my God! I’m looking at this book, and I am seeing the onlays, the incredible tooling, and all edges gold, bright, shimmering.” When I asked Rebecca Barry if there were any surprises while researching her book, she offered this: “I was ecstatic to receive a letter from Pulitzer Prize winner Larry McMurtry early on in the process. I refer to him as a “spiritual leader” for bibliophiles, and I was hopeful that he might share a story from his scouting days. So I posted a letter to his bookshop in Texas. Within a week or so, a typed reply arrived. I was amazed. It’s not insignificant that several of my interviewees quote the authorbookseller, and having his story in the book means the world to me.” Barry herself made a nice find early on in her book collecting days (something Indian bibliophiles will find interesting): tucked inside a first edition of Death of A Salesman was a ticket that turned out to be a press pass for the 1931 Indian Round Table Conference. I will let you discover the provenance for yourself when you read the book, along with the other 50 odd rare book discoveries uncovered inside its covers! I can easily see a Volume 2 of Rare Books Uncovered, bringing us more appetising tales of book hunting conquests.        

The Letters of John F. Kennedy;

Edited by Martin W. Sandler, Bloomsbury, Rs.499. .. ........ ....... ........ ........ ........ ....... ........ ........ ........ ...

books & beyond

Four writers will talk in Chennai about the challenges of publishing in Indian languages. Catch them at The Hindu Lit for Life in January next year

Dreaming Big; Sam Pitroda, Penguin

Viking, Rs.699. ....... ........ ........ ....... ........ ........ ........ ....... ........ ......

The Tantric Curse; Anupama Garg,

Rupa, Rs.295. ..... ........ ....... ........ ........ ........ ....... ........ ........ ........

ND-X

sundaymagazine

THE HINDU. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2015 NOIDA/DELHI

06

쮿 IRISH DREAM

This Chritmas, go brogue It's that time of the year when Ireland's villages and towns become a wonderland of artisanal food, drink and crafts here’s no disputing the fact that the ‘Emerald Isle’ that is Ireland is a land of unrestrained bonhomie and raucous revelry, all year round. But come Christmas season, there can be no better place to let the yuletide spirit in than at an Irish Christmas market, straight out of a fairytale. From the big cities of Dublin and Belfast to towns like Doonbeg, Galway and Cork, there’s never a dearth of phantasmagorical winter wonderlands to help get your festive cheer on. Be prepared to hear a lot of “Nollaig shona duit!” (pronounced ‘null-ig hun-a dit’) cries — which is the Irish way of wishing you a Merry Christmas — almost everywhere you go, as you chomp down on a slice of Guinness porter cake and wash it down with a tankard of warm whiskey-spiked eggnog. Ah, bliss!

Raul Dias is a Mumbai based food and travel writer who is an ardent devotee of the peripatetic way of life.

Raul Dias

Winter wonderlands, like the one in Galway (above), light up for the season in all the big cities and the tiny towns.

PHOTOS: RAUL DIAS

Cork: In this university city by the River Lee along Ireland’s southwest coast, the

yuletide season is celebrated with not one, not two, but three Christmas markets! The most popular of the three is Glow — A Cork Christmas Celebration — that is on till December 23. For Glow, Bishop Lucey Park and the Grand Parade is magically transformed into a wonderful haven of Irish and international food and crafts stalls featuring top of the line handmade bags, prints, mirrors, wood, jewellery, ceramic, textiles and print gifts along with assorted carnival rides and a huge Ferris wheel. Across the road from Glow is the city’s famous English Market, one of the best covered market attractions in Europe that holds its own Christmas market where artisanal produce like meats, cold cuts, cakes and desserts are sold by the producers themselves. Kick-starting the festivities as early as November 17 is the Cork Art & Design Craft Fair that takes place in the Grain Store in Ballymaloe House in East Cork with 50 art and craft stands and food stalls from all over the country setting up shop.

Doonbeg in County Clare: For a tiny little village perched on Western Ireland’s

Atlantic coast and named after its even smaller fort, Fort Dún Beag, Doonbeg hosts an annual three day Christmas market — from December 9 to 11 — that is as wonderfully quaint as it is popular. Every year, The Doonbeg Lodge hotel lets its courtyard be transformed into an old-world town square, featuring stalls stocked with fine wares, handmade crafts and Christmas treats. There’s a marvellous Christmas atmosphere to be enjoyed here with the many cookery classes, choral recitals and concerts that take place daily in a few of the Market’s 60 stalls. But undoubtedly one of the premier attractions of this Christmas market is the toy train ride from the car park to the market square. And as per tradition, on the Market’s last evening, which always happens to fall on a Friday, there is a fabulous fireworks display played out to the backdrop of the wild Atlantic. Dublin: One of the newest entrants on the Irish Christmas markets’ scene , I Believe is Ireland’s first integrated winter food, drink, craft and horticulture market, housed at Dublin’s famed Custom House Quarter. Poised to become the city’s finest Christmas landmark, this market — that runs right till December 23 and then again from December 30 to January 6, 2016 — offers an authentic Irish Christmas village atmosphere with 50 cozy wooden chalets selling everything from edible goodies like mince pies and gingerbread to handmade, artisanal gifts like Christmas tree ornaments and woolies made and sold by individual traders. This market also houses seasonal pop-up shops, including those by popular Irish brands like Bord Bia and Kilkenny Shop. And, besides the Après Ski Pop Up Bar where spicy mulled wine awaits the adults, Dublin’s iconic Clerys Santa and his elves also set up their workshop here at the kiddie play area. But the piece de resistance at I Believe is the 50ft Irish Christmas Tree, that rivals New York’s famous Rockefeller Christmas Tree.

The Sunday Crossword

Belfast: Every year, Belfast in Northern Ireland plays host to a vibrant Christmas

1 French article with story about apostle endlessly baffling (12) 8 Regret dropping name attached to a love affair (5) 9 Unruffled, tucked into more with second snack (9) 11 Attendant in strange dream is in command (10) 12 Turn around, regarding monster (4) 14 Rough blanket popular officer accepted (7) 15 Retreat after attention becomes intense (7) 16 Driver of vehicle disappeared in conflict (7) 19 Be quiet about meal with lieutenant in secrecy (7) 21 Back in Leyton Orient’s club (4) 22 Bold one in side, Republican figure with illusory power (5,5) 24 Be occupied by translation of term for fanatic (9) 25 Nothing feeble about large bird of prey (5) 26 Feel dry run is unusually easy to handle (4-8)

me (3-4) 5 Take off and cross highest point (4) 6 Decline to go into way to make pasta (7) 7 Babe hag twice changed into butterfly (7,5) 10 Musical set we modified, cautious about it (5,7) 13 Ministry meddles excessively, restricting height and depth (10) 17 Doctor got list to identify part of larynx (7) 18 More prepared and stern, accepting finish (7) 19 Apparition in novel peers around court (7) 20 Support partner in accordance with law (7) 23 Judge at this point in speech (4)

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

Down

1 Ideal university, best in surrounding area (7) 2 Patient managing to catch ball with energy (10) 3 Another malaise partly relating to heat (7) 4 Former love, overall, beginning to irritate © Guardian News and Media Ltd., 2015 CM YK

journeys

Across

Market in the grounds of its impressive city hall, located in the very heart of the city. The hugely popular market attracts traders from all around Europe (and the world, too!) and sees crowds of shoppers seeking distinctive gifts, gourmands gathering exotic foods — like ostrich and emu burgers from Australia — and those just wanting to experience the buzz and warm their cockles with a drink of hot chocolate and a plate of steaming Spanish paella. This year, the market is on till December 20 and promises the usual treats like an audience with the resident Santa and a ride on its famous carousel. Another great option is the St. Georges Market. As one of the city’s oldest attractions, this historic and world-famous market also promises terrific Christmas treats for you to bag, like bottles of ice wine and the beer-saturated Guinness porter cake.

Galway: For the last six years, the month long Galway Continental Christmas Market has been making it its mission to banish those cold, windy winter blues away and replace them with plenty of festive cheer and gaiety! On till December 22, the market sees Galway’s Eyre Square transformed into a winter wonderland with retailers in traditional wooden chalets providing European-style seasonal fare and gifts, while the Spanish Arch area is home to vintage carousels and amusement rides. This year, Christmas on Ice will also be present at the market, alongside everything from Christmas pantomimes, literary trails and puppet shows to school choirs, storytelling and carollers. And, for some edible treats, there are plenty of goodies on offer from local artisan producers like loaves of chestnut bread and endless cups of fragrant Irish coffee ND-X