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New Delhi/METRO/GURGAON n Vol. XCIII No. 120 n Price ₹5.00/with Hindustan ₹ 8.00/with Mint ₹ 9.50 n 22 pages + 6 pages of HT City. Area specific pages extra.
AHEAD OF PM VISIT, HARDIK AND PATIDAR YOUTHS TONSURE HEADS
LOAN WAIVERS ALONE CAN’T SOLVE FARMER WORRIES: AGRI MINISTER
>>htnation p9
>>htnation p9
PakSpeakercalls forunityonJadhav
INDIANORIGIN MAN FOR IRISH PM?
GAY MINISTER LEO VARADKAR FRONTRUNNER IN RACE >>htworld p14
MUMBAI ARE IPL’S SUPERGIANT KILLERS
HAGUE BATTLE Don’t do politics over a terrorist, says Sadiq
n
[email protected]
ISLAMABAD: The government of
Pakistananditsarmywilljointly fight the Kulbhushan Jadhav caseattheInternationalCourtof Justice, the speaker of the country’sparliamentsaidonSunday. It is “time to be united instead of doing politics on the issue of a terrorist,” National Assembly speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said whiletalkingtomediapersonsin Lahore. Relations between the Pakistanimilitary and civilian establishment have been uneasy recently,withfissuresappearing over the Panama Papers revelations and prime minister Nawaz Sharif’smeetingwithIndiansteel tycoonSajjanJindal—adevelopment that was part of track-two diplomacy, Sharif was reported to have told the army. The Opposition has slammed the Pakistan government’s handling of the Jadhav case at the ICJ. The legal points of the case should be discussed but there shouldbenopoliticsontheissue, he said, according to a report by state-run Radio Pakistan. ThespeakeralsosaidPakistan would not take any dictation on the issue and will take a decision as per its interests. This was the same message given earlier by several government officials. On Saturday, Pakistan's advisor to the PM on foreign affairs said the choice of lawyer
MUMBAI MAN ARRESTED FOR ‘ILLEGALLY ENTERING’ PAK HT Correspondent n
[email protected]
ISLAMABAD:An Indian national has been arrested in the Pakistani capital for not possessing travel and visa documents, Samaa TV reported. According to the police, the man, identified as Sheikh Nabi Ahmed, is a resident of Jogeshwari East in Mumbai. He was detained during routine
patrol in F-8 area of Islamabad on May 19. When the police demanded to check his visa documents after he told them that he was an Indian, he could not produce any document and was taken into police custody. He has been booked for illegal entry and stay in the country under the Foreigners Act, 1946 and sent to jail on judicial remand.
morestories 3 jawans killed in Nowgam
Cop decamps with 4 rifles
Four militants were also killed in the operation which began on Saturday; weapons recovered
A manhunt has been launched for constable, who was congratulated by Hizbul Mujahideen ››P8
from Pakistan’s side had been donebyconsensusofallquarters concerned. In this, say analysts, he also meant the Pakistan army. Sartaj Aziz also said the ICJ had not given any ruling on providingconsularaccesstoJadhav. “Therewasnooperativeorderon consular access,” he said. Interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said Jadhav’s case would be taken to its
“logicalconclusion”accordingto Pakistan’sConstitutionandlaws. Pakistan’s stance at the ICJ wouldbebasedalongtheselines, he told reporters. Amid criticism of Pakistan’s legal team after the ICJ stayed Jadhav’sexecutiononThursday, attorney general Ashtar Ausaf Ali said he would represent the countryinfuturehearingsatThe Hague-based court. CONTINUED ON P 6
mustread
campus calling HT GUIDE TO ADMISSIONS
CENTRE RAISES REAL ESTATE ACT DILUTION WITH HARYANA GOVT
20 DETAINED OVER LYNCHING
University makes online registration process for its minority colleges, such as St Stephen’s and SGTB Khalsa, easier by linking it with centralised form. ››P4
Suspects allegedly involved in Kolhan lynching, Jamshedpur violence have been held ››P8
CAPITAL COOLDOWN
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Mumbai Indians snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a onerun win over Rising Pune Supergiant in the IPL final in Hyderabad on Sunday. Mitchell Johnson held his nerve to bowl a tight final over after Pune captain Steve Smith nearly took his side home. >>P16 BCCI
AAP hits back as Mishra levels fresh allegations HT Correspondent
[email protected]
NEW DELHI: A scam-tainted busi-
nessman sponsored the Russia trip of Aam Aadmi Party leaders Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh, sacked water minister Kapil Mishra alleged on Sunday. Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal hit back, saying he doesn’t need to comment on Mishra’s “baseless allegations” as people and even opponents don’t believe the charges. His remarks at a party convention in Punjabi Bagh are the first on his former colleague’s tirade. Mishra’s allegation is his latest attack on the ruling party in New Delhi after he was fired on May 7 for accusing Kejriwal of taking a ~2-crore bribe and shielding people linked to a scam over the supply of water tankers. He questioned the integrity of the AAP leader, who rode to power in 2015 with the promise to weed out corruption. He posed nine questions to the chief minister, asking if he was aware that the foreign trip’s
[email protected]
Faizan Haidar
NEWDELHI: The Centre is unhappy
CONTINUED ON P 6
alleged sponsor, Sheetal Singh, is associated with a company facing investigation for a “~400crore high-security number plates scam” that happened during the AAP’s 49-day rule between 2013 and 2014. Also, he asked why no action was taken against the company after the AAP returned to power two years later. For his part, Sanjay Singh called the charges a comedy and said Sheetal Singh was the whistleblower, not the scamster, because he exposed the irregularities to the Delhi government. Sheetal Singh too clarified that “he had nothing to do with the company and HSRP business since 2004”. The AAP government hired a company for high-security number plates during its short rule, but the contract was terminated after a probe committee wrote a negative report. Delhi government spokesperson NagenderSharma dismissed the allegation, saying Mishra is reading from a “horribly wrong script”. CONTINUED ON P 6
›
theysaid
I want to apologise to Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav
› ›
KAPIL MISHRA
Even opponents are not believing the allegations
Trump called on Arab leaders to do their fair share to “drive out” terrorism from their countries on Sunday in a speech that put the burden on the region to combat militant groups. Trump, who generated controversy with his push to ban manyMuslimsfromenteringthe UnitedStates, described the fight against terrorism as a battle between good and evil rather than a clash of civilisations. “America is prepared to stand with you in pursuit of shared interests and common security. But nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them,” Trump told leaders of 55 Muslim majority countries representing more than a billion people. “The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their countries and frankly for their families and for their children,” he said. “It’s a choice between two futures and it’s a choice America cannot make for you. A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and drive out the extremists. “Drive them out! Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities. Drive them out of your
‘radical Islamic extremism’; instead, condemns ‘Islamists’ & ‘Islamic terror of all kinds’ ■ Says ‘terrorists do not worship God. They worship death’ ■ Trip serves as a reset with region after presidential campaign, which was punctured by bouts of anti-Islamic rhetoric
holy land and drive them out of this earth,” he said. Trump, who is struggling to contain a brewing political scandal at home, made clear in his address that Washington would partner with the Middle East but expected more action in return. “Terrorism has spread across the world. But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land,” he said in Saudi Arabia, the first stop on a nine-day tour that includes Israel, Italy and Belgium. The speech is part of an effort to redefine his relationship with the Muslim world after Trump frequently attacked Muslims on the campaign trail last year and tried to ban many from entering the US. CONTINUED ON P 6
let’stalkaboutracism
P13
Racism is a constant and cruel reality in India. It is all around us — our movies, our art and culture, and our history. In a special series, Hindustan Times focuses sharp attention on why our skin prejudices lead us even to violence. In the sixth of an eight-part series, journalist Anna MM Vetticad on being a southerner living in the North
ARVIND KEJRIWAL, Delhi CM
If apology is out of remorse, he should apologise to thousands of party workers YOGENDRA YADAV, Swaraj India founder
■ Backs away from term
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Join us in having an open conversation. Share your views with us at
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Delhi airport is most inaccessible in India
Moushumi Das Gupta
with the states, including BJPruled Haryana, over complaints from homebuyers that safeguards in a central law were diluted to favour real estate developers and for delaying notification of the rules. The government enacted last year the landmark law designed to protect millions of homebuyers facing harassment because of limited legal options at times of dispute. Besides, the law is tough on realtors, who are accused of cheating clients and hitching their fortunes to illicit funds. The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act covers all ongoing projects that have yet to receive a completion certificate. But Haryana has tweaked its draft rule to keep out the majority of such projects from the law’s purview. Also, the state allows developers to withhold mandatory details such as their PAN, annual income declaration, and land ownership. Rao Inderjit Singh, junior minister in the housing and urban poverty alleviation (HUPA) ministry, cautioned chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar in a letter last week that the changes breached the law and will be “open to legal challenge and liable to be struck down by the courts”.
Trump talk
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RIYADH: US President Donald
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DU links minority college forms with centralised ones
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Trump to Muslim nations: Take lead in curbing terror Reuters
Imtiaz Ahmad n
MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017
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A heavy downpour and hailstorm brought relief to Delhiites on Sunday, at the same time causing traffic jams and RAVI CHOUDHARY/HT waterlogging in several areas. >>P2
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NEWDELHI: Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Internationalairport,thebusiest inthecountry,isalsotheworstto access by a car. A study by the School of Planning and Architecture on ‘accessibility to airports’ finds that reachingDelhiairportisfarmore difficultcomparedtoothercities. Of the 60 airports surveyed, Delhifinishedatthebottomwhen itcametovariationintimetaken toreachtheairport“underdifferent circumstances” due to slow speed. The study calculated the time taken to reach the airport from the city centre. The difference between the minimum time and themaximumtimewasnotmuch in smaller cities. In metro cities, thedifferencewasalmostdouble. “In Delhi, we took Chandni
WITH CHANDNI CHOWK AS CENTRE, IT TAKES 31 MINS TO REACH THE AIRPORT WITH NO TRAFFIC, BUT 76 MINS IF THERE IS TRAFFIC Chowkasthecitycentre.Withno traffic,ittook31minutestoreach the airport. In traffic, it took 76 minutes.Thevariationwashighestamongthemetrocitiesandas aresult,airtravellersdonottake chances and leave early for the airport.Thisisalsooneofthereasonsforcongestioninsidetheairportasmanyatimes,passengers reachearly,”saidSewaRam,professor,transportplanning, SPA. The study also states that the averagecarspeedin25kmradius of the airport is lowest in Delhi. CONTINUED ON P 6
ANOTHER HIGH
Arunachal woman scales Everest twice in 5 days morestories
Rahul Karmakar n
[email protected]
GUWAHATI: Arunachal Pradesh mountaineer Anshu Jamsenpa has become the world’s first woman to scale Mt Everest twice in five days. Her ascent of the world’s tallest peak at 7.45am on Sunday was her fifth overall, and the second after May 16. The 32-year-old mother of two had started her fifth ascent on May 19, climbing almost non-stop from Everest Base Camp at 17,500ft till 10pm. Dawa Sherpa Lama of Himalayan Adventures Private Limited that conducted Jamsenpa’s expedition said she began climbing Saturday
Haryana cop scales peak from China side Anita Kundu becomes the first Indian woman to climb Everest from Chinese side
American climber dead, Indian missing Indian was heading down following successful ascent
Hillary Step collapses n
Anshu Jamsenpa unfurled the tricolour on the mountain’s crest HT PHOTO on May 16 at 9am, and at 7.45am on Sunday.
morning and stopped briefly before the final push Sunday morning. Her husband and All
Arunachal Pradesh Mountaineering and Adventure Sports Association president Tsering Wange said, “God
Collapse of rocky outcrop makes climb tougher ››P14
has answered the prayers of her admirers in Arunachal Pradesh and elsewhere...” CONTINUED ON P 6
CO PY R I G H T A N D P R OT E C T E D BY A P P L I C A B L E L AW
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hindustantimes
HINDUSTAN T IMES, NEW DELHI MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017
htmetro
DELHI MUST LOOK BEYOND DDA FOR HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT
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Monstercloudtriggersrain, expectmoreshowerstoday RELIEF Met says there were about six cloud cells, the entire system measured 150 km in length and 50 km in breadth HT Correspondent n
[email protected]
NEW DELHI: Darkness descended over Delhi as a monster cloud standing nearly eight kilometre thicktriggeredrainandthundershowerin the city on Sunday afternoon. Eventhoughthecitycametoa near-standstillforafewminutes, the rain and gusty winds helped to bring down both the pollution and mercury levels drastically. With more such rain in store for Monday, experts predicted that Delhiites cannot only hope forsomerespitefromthescorching heat but also from the high pollution levels at least for the next two days. “There were at least six cloud cells, which entered from the south of the city. The main cloud cell was at least 8-km thick. The entire system measured around 150 km in length and around 50 km in breadth covering almost the entire city. It was a huge system, moving pretty fast. In just one and half hour the system reachedMeerut,”said anofficial of the regional weather forecast centre in New Delhi. Met officials blamed it on two systems—awesterndisturbance andacycloniccirculation—that converged over the north western states. This gave rise to the cloudwhichthenmovedtowards Delhi-NCR. The system triggered strong windssometimesgustingupto90 km per hour. The rain, however, wasshort-lived.Whileareassuch as Safdarjung received around 2.2 mm of rain, Palam and Ridge areas received less than 0.4 mm. AyaNagarreceivedaround8mm of rain. Reports of hail also poured in from some places. The rain and thundershower helped improve the air quality.
Airport travel ‘unreliable’ despite direct Metro line n
[email protected]
NEWDELHI:Despite having a dedicated high-speed Metro link to the airport, Delhi is rated fourth among the six metro cities when it comes to reliability of public transport for fliers. A study by the School of Planning and Architecture on ‘accessibility to airports’ found that rail-based system is absent or unconnectedformanyofairports inIndia,includingthreeofthesix in metros. The connectivity of airports through public transportisbetterinMumbai,Hyderabad and Bangalore compared to Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai. “Reliabilityofa modeis a very important factor for the users’ choice of travel. Hyderabad and Mumbaitopthechartforreliabilityofprivatemode(car)andpublic transport. In India, 38% airportsdon’thavepublictransport accessibility. All accessible public transport systems to airports currently provide drops farther to the passenger entry facilities
A study by the School of Planning and Architecture on ‘accessibility to airports’ shows how public transport has made the commute to Delhi airport difficult n
Vehicles wade through the water that accumulated on Delhi roads after the rain on Sunday evening.
TheAirQualityIndexofDelhi maintained by System of Airquality-weatherForecastingand Research (SAFAR) improved from‘VeryPoor’to‘Good’within just 30 minutes. Both PM10 and PM2.5 levels dropped by at least five times. Branches of trees were found brokeninmanyplaces,including IndiaGate.Wiresalsosnappedat several places across the city. Whilethecity’scivicbodycontrol room received about 15-20 calls about broken branches blocking roads, the telephone lines ofthe local met department conked off.
How reliable is a drive (car) to reach the airport in time
VIPIN KUMAR/HT PHOTO
Downpour brings Delhi to its knees HT Correspondent n
[email protected]
NEWDELHI: TherainfallonMonday exposed civic bodies’ claims of desilting the drains as waterlogging was reported from many parts of Delhi. It also lead to massive traffic jams in several parts of the national capital especially on MadhubanChowkonouterRing Road, Badrinath Mandir road nearDilshadGarden,NewAshok Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, India Gate
Circle, and various other places leading to people being stuck for long hours on the roads. The waterlogging was reported in several neighbourhoods including Krishna Nagar, Gulabi Bagh, Lakshmi Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, Panchkuian Road and Rani Jhansi Marg. “Several parks in our area got floodedbecausemunicipalcorporation officials did not do desilting on time,” said Pawan Arora, president of residents’ welfare association, Lajpat Nagar.
1 2 3 4 5 6
L-G COMMITTEE Lieutenant governor Anil Baijal on Sunday constituted a highlevel committee to look into desilting of drains and open manholes in the city. The decision was taken to prevent waterlogging — a problem faced during every monsoon. The committee comprises agenciesincludingPublicWorks Department,thethreemunicipal corporations, Delhi Cant, Delhi Metro,andtheNewDelhiMunicipal Council, among others.
Hyderabad Bangalore Mumbai New Delhi Kolkata Chennai
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[email protected]
and five others injured when the SUV they were travelling in first hit a vegetable cart and then a divider before toppling. The accident was reported from Najafgarh-Bahadurgarh road in southwest Delhi on Saturday night. All men were reportedly in their early thirties. The men from Jind in Haryana, were reportedly on their way to Gurgaon in a Nissan Terrano, to attend a wedding when
the accident occurred. According to the police, the driver, Ajay, was speeding as they were getting late for the wedding. When they reached an empty stretch near the Essar petrol pump, he reportedly tried to speed up and almost hit a cart. In order avoid an accident, he took a sharp turn but lost control over the vehicle and rammed a divider. The car skid for over 100 metres before hitting a tree. It then toppled and skid for another 50 metres before coming to a halt, police said. “The driver and the car
owner, Shiv Raj, sitting on the front seat were killed on the spot. Luckily, when the car hit the tree, the rear seat of the vehicle came off and the door opened. The men fell outside the car and sustained injuries on their hands and legs,” a senior police officer said. A passerby, who was on his way to office, saw the accident and informed police. Three of the other five men were admitted to Rao Tula Ram hospital and are recuperating. Raj, police said was the sarpanch of Julana village in Jind.
Reliability of public transport to reach the airport 1 2 3 4 5 6
1.65 1.79 2.28 2.4 2.61 2.63 1
Mumbai Hyderabad Bangalore New Delhi Kolkata Chennai
1
Overall accessibility and ranking
Radius from the IGI airport
Average speed of a car
1 2 3 4 5 6
Rohini Paschim vihar
5 km radius
Chandni Chowk CP
DELHI
Dwarka
16.1 kmph
Patparganj
India Gate GK
IGI AIRPORT
NOIDA
Saket
19.4
10 km radius
GURGAON
21.3
15 km radius
21.4
20 km radius
FARIDABAD
23.5
n
25 km radius
The Terrano SUV in which the five men were travelling on Saturday night. Police say the driver was speeding. HT PHOTO
1.91 1.92 2.22 2.23 2.43 2.8
Index value is considered best
The most congested circle
2 dead, 5 hurt due to speeding on way to wedding NEW DELHI:Two men were killed
thantobedoor-to-doorservices,” said Sewa Ram, professor of Transport Planning in the SPA. As per the report, all Indian airports, particularly metro airports, are far from the standards of accessibility compared to global airports. In other countries, speed of publictransportforaccessingthe airport is higher compared to road-based systems whereas in Indiaitistheopposite.Asaresult, modal share of access in terms of public transport is less as compared to South-East Asian countries (60%), Europe (30%) and evenUS(16%). Indiahasamodal share of 23%. The only place, where Delhi wasonthetop,wasintermsofair
accessibility, which means passengerscanfind flights toalmost anywhere from Delhi airport. The report also says that the regional connectivity scheme won’tsolvetheproblemmuchas passengers spend more time changing flights than flying. Asperthestudy, presentlyfor one interchange, approximately 76% is non-flight time and only 24% is the flight time. For one interchange in China, non-flight timeislessthan30%,inEuropeit is 39% and in the US it is 32%. “Government has announced different policies of scheme to improve connectivity. Due to this, air sector is expected to boom. Our study finds that there shouldbemoretiersandclassifications of the airports,” he said. “Based on the classification, differentbenchmarkingparameters are to be maintained and budgetary allocation made. For example,Lucknowhasthepotential of becoming a metro hub in UPprovidedairportsinthevicinity and distance band of 150-200 km come up,” he said.
The fight to catch a flight
KILLER ROADS
HT Correspondent
THE CONNECTIVITY IS BETTER IN MUMBAI, HYDERABAD AND BANGALORE COMPARED TO DELHI, KOLKATA AND CHENNAI
Faizan Haidar
New Delhi Mumbai Chennai Kolkata Hyderabad Bangalore
Over all accessibility comprises of: Air accessibility, network accessibility, land accessibility, reliability, travel time, speed, and distance
Overall air accessibility 1 2 3 4 5 6
New Delhi Mumbai Hyderabad Bangalore Chennai Kolkata
Uncertain commute time to the airport
Rank City airport
1 2 3 4 5 6
Bangalore Hyderabad Mumbai Chennai Kolkata New Delhi
City Centre
Distance (in km)
Shivaji Nagar Secunderabad Chor Bazar Nungambakkam Chittaranjan Ave. Chandni Chowk
33 36 20 14 15 18
18.4 18.0 15.3 15.0 14.8 14.6
Minimum time - Maximum time to reach airport (in minutes)
39-57 42-68 29-55
21-43 27-62 31-76
8.76 8.13 7.24 7.04 6.99 6.91
% Difference
46.2 61.9 89.7 104.8 129.6 145.2
RACKET BUSTED
Busted gang may have smuggled ₹600-cr worth of gold, says DRI Faizan Haidar n
[email protected]
NEW DELHI: The Directorate of
Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 52kg of gold, worth ₹15 crore, from a consignment imported from Dubai by a Delhibased firm at Mundra port in Gujarat on Sunday. The Delhi DRI held alleged kingpin Harnek Singh last weekend on charges of smuggling over 300kg of gold bars into the country over the past two years. On May 13, Delhi DRI confiscated 44kg of gold, concealed in rod-type poultry incubators and trucked in a container from the port of Mundra in Gujarat allegedly to Singh’s factory in Delhi. “After this seizure, we had alertedthe ports across the country since we had information that Singh’s consignments are on the way. We are expecting more seizures in the coming days. The Gandhidham unit of DRI seized 52kg of foreign-mark gold on Sunday. It was concealed in a metallic frame used as packing material for poultry egg incubator,” said a DRI official. This is suspected to be India’s biggest gold smuggling syndi-
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Delhi DRI seized 44kg gold bars on May 13.
HANDOUT
cate in recent history. Officials try egg brooder panels from dealsuspect that this syndicate may ers in Dubai. His brother alleghave smuggled about 2,000 kg of edly sends the consignment, foreign-mark gold bars worth hiding around 50kg of gold bars ₹600 crore from Dubai via sea. in the metallic incubator case . Singh allegedly operates with “We will book him under the his brother-in-law in Dubai and Conservation of Foreign transfer’s money through haw- Exchange and Prevention of ala. Investigators say he doesn’t Smuggling Activities Act. We use flights and sticks to the time- will ensure duty on 2,000kg gold is recovered,” the official him. tested formula of the 1970s — The DRI reportedly recovered ship the merchandise on merWhatsApp messages exchanged chant vessels. Themodusoperandiissimple. between Singh and his relative Singh allegedly buys a single which allegedly confirm that incubator and a few other devi- gold has been smuggled in India Printed and distributed by PressReader at least 24 times in two years. ces, such as disassembled poulP r e s s R e a d e r. c o m +1 604 278 4604 • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY •
CO PY R I G H T A N D P R OT E C T E D BY A P P L I C A B L E L AW
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HINDUSTAN T IMES, NEW D ELHI MO NDAY, MAY 22, 2017
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Would have been in jail if allegations were true, Kejriwal tells volunteers CRISIS CM terms Kapil Mishra’s charges ‘so baseless that even opponents aren’t believing’ HT Correspondent n
[email protected]
NEW DELHI : Delhi chief minister
Arvind Kerjriwal termed the corruption allegations levelled by his former cabinet colleague Kapil Mishra as ‘baseless which even the opponents are not believing’ and said that had there been any substance in the allegations, he would “have been in jail till now”. The AAP national convener was addressing party volunteers at a state-level convention at Punjabi Bagh, which was organised to launch a renewed outreach programme, both to connect with the voters besides consolidating the party cadre at the
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Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal
booth level. “Our movement has been under attack over the past few days. It’s good because its shows they feel threatened by us. Had there been even an iota of truth (in the allegations), I would have been in jail… What can I speak against such baseless allegations...people are not believing
it, even opponents are not believing (the allegations)” Kejriwal was quoted saying by the party’s Twitter handle, in his address to volunteers at a state-level convention at Punjabi Bagh on Sunday. Without taking names, Kejriwal, however, said that he has the courage the corrupt and mighty, but it hurts “when you are betrayed by one of your own” As part of the party’s strategy to renew the ‘connect’ of the party with the people, the party has decided that party legislators and ministers will be meeting people at 10 am on a daily basis. People can meet their elected representatives and the ministers without appointment.
The convention was organised by the Delhi unit to launch the ‘mera booth sabse majboot’ initiative aimed at restructuring the AAP at the booth level. The move comes following a ‘realisation’ in the party that it failed to reach out to people with its government’s achievements and that was one of the reasons for party’s loss in the municipal elections. The AAP legislators had also complained of ‘inaccessibility’ of ministers and the chief minister as one of the reasons for the loss. Kejriwal announced at the meeting that he will be interacting with party volunteers at 8 pm on the first Sunday of every month through Google hangout.
Mishra apologises Sacked AAP MLA to Yadav, Bhushan is ‘misguided’: Govt N U M B E R P L AT E R O W
HT Correspondent n
[email protected]
NEWDELHI:The Delhi government
on Sunday said former minister Kapil Mishra was ‘misguided’ on the alleged ‘₹400 crore high security number plate scam’. AAP government spokesperson Nagendar Sharma took to Twitter to respond to Mishra’s allegations that the Russia tour of AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Ashutosh was funded by a person related to a firm facing probe in the scam. He said a probe into the scam was first ordered by then-minister Saurabh Bharadwaj of the 49-day AAP government, but the decision was reversed by former lieutenant governor Najeeb Jung. “Probe into High Security Number Plates scam was ordered by @Saurabh_MLAgk in 49 days govt in Feb 2014 Then LG Jung reversed the decision. In Jan 2016, Delhi government again sent the HSNP file to Delhi ACB despite LG having sent the case for arbitration on company’s request (sic.),” Sharma said in a series of tweets. “BJP had tried to rake up this issue in June last year but went silent when it came to know that
file was lying with its ACB since months,” he added. Addressing a press conference at his residence, Mishra alleged that while the Arvind Kejriwal government itself had ordered cancellation of contract to the company Sheetal Singh was associated with during its 49-day rule, it took no action against the firm after returning to power in 2015. Objecting to the allegations of Mishra over foreign trip of AAP leaders, Sanjay Singh had named Sheetal Singh as the one who had sponsored the Russia trip. “Sheetal Singh comes from my home district. His brother is settled in Russia for the last 30 years. Singh had invited me and Ashutosh for his nephew’s wedding. It was he who sponsored our trip,” Singh said. Speaking to reporters, Sheetal Singh said besides the two AAP leaders, he had also bought tickets of 30 others who went attend the wedding even as he rubbished charges of the scam saying he is out of the HSRP business since 2004. “Three of us started Utsav Safety Systems in 2000. But since 2003-2004,I am not even involved as a peon in that firm,” Singh said.
vides on.
to do ed 2018. TJEE’s
e
Inclusive of Service Tax
revenge even as he advised him to seek apology not from him, rather from volunteers. “I would like to know if this apology is out of remorse or revenge. If remorse, then I would like him to apologise to the thousands of party workers whom he feels mayhave been let down and reveal the gospel truth about the internal politics that were twined into the party when I left it,” Yadav said, and also advised Mishra to hold ‘maun vrat’ and reduce the number of press conferences. Yadav and Bhushan were expelled from AAP in April 2015 for “anti-party activities”. Mishra, then a close confidante of Kejriwal, had played an instrumental role in their ouster as he ran a signature campaign against the duo. Mishra was also alleged to be most ‘vocal’ and ‘aggressive’ at the venue of the national council where the decision to oust the AAP leaders was taken. Reiterating that he would remain in AAP and cleanse it by getting rid of few ‘corrupt’ leaders who have hijacked the party, Mishra launched a campaign calling on all former party members and people to join the HTC endeavour.
#
NEW DELHI: Reaching out to ex-AAP leaders Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, suspended AAP legislator and former water minister Kapil Mishra apologised to the two leaders for his ‘conduct, language and his role in their ouster from AAP’. Addressing reporters at his residence, Mishra called upon all former India Against Corruption volunteers, who left the movement and the AAP, to join hands to ensure a ‘Kejriwal-free’ and ‘corruption-free’ Delhi. Mishra launched a ‘Lets Clean AAP Campaign’ and issued a mobile number, requesting people to join the campaign by giving a missed call on the number. “I have realised the wrongdoings in the party now. Many people realised these things before and left. But we have to ensure that the party is not left to some corrupt people…I especially want to apologise to Prashant Bhushan ji, Yogendra Yadav ji and to all those who raised their voice against brewing corruptions in the party but I did not pay heed,” Mishra told reporters. Yadav asked Mishra to decide if his apology is out of remorse or
General Admission Test :
Sunday, 4th June 2017
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HINDUSTAN T IMES, NEW DELHI MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017
p s a g htcampuscalling DUlinksminoritycollege formswithcentralisedone
ADMISSION St Stephen’s to start online registration process from today with other colleges
KNOW YOUR COLLEGE SHRI RAM COLLEGE OF COMMERCE Maurice Nagar, Delhi
ABOUT THE COLLEGE:
Guru Teg Bahadu Road
Vijay Nagar Marg
Shri Ram College of Commerce Shri Ram College started in 1920 when 7 of Commerce businessmen in Delhi Daulat Ram established the Commercial College Delhi Chhatra Education Trust. In 1926, the Marg commercial college got St Stephen’s affiliated to Delhi University. Six College years later, it was upgraded to Ramjas the status of a degree college. College SRCC strives to achieve and sustain excellence in teaching and research, and enriching local, national and international www.srcc.edu 2766 2319 communities.
PROGRAMME:
B. Com. (Hons.), B. A. (Hons.) Economics, M. Com and Post Graduate Diploma in Global Business Operation
Vishwavidyalaya Metro
Maurice Nagar
OTHER FEATURES FACULTY STRENGTH: 120 TOTAL SEATS: 624 (501 Bcom, 123 Eco) QUOTA: SC/ST: 22.5%, OBC: 27%, sports: 5%, physically handicapped: 3%. HOSTEL FACILYTY: College has two hostels for boys and girls. 150 seats for Boys and 55 for Girls. PLACEMENT CELL: SRCC has a placement cell which has attracted employers such as Nielson, HSBC, Infosys, Nestle, Hindustan Lever and
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Till last year, students had to fill up a separate form for admission to minority colleges of Delhi University.
campus calling HT GUIDE TO ADMISSIONS Heena Kausar n
[email protected]
NEWDELHI:DelhiUniversity’sStStephen’s islikelytostartitsonlineregistrationfor admission to undergraduate courses from Monday with other colleges. Sources from the college said applicants can start filling the online form fromMonday5pmwhentheuniversity’s centralised registration form will also open for candidates. DelhiUniversityhasmade onlineregistrationprocessforitsminoritycolleges, such as St Stephen’s and SGTB Khalsa, easierbylinkingitwiththevarsity’scentralised registration form. The religious minority colleges of
DATES TO REMEMBER May 22: Online registration process for admissions to around 54,000 seats in undergraduate courses to start June 12: Last date to fill online forms for undergraduate courses May 31: Online registration to begin for nine courses whose admission is based on entrance tests
Delhi University are St Stephen’s, Jesus and Mary, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa,Sri GuruNanakDevKhalsaand Sri Guru Gobind Singh College of Commerce. Tilllastyear,studenthadtofillthecentralisedregistrationform,taketheregistration number and fill up the form for minority colleges separately. Thisyearonwards,however,theapplicants will be directed to college specific forms when they fill their centralised forms. All details in the centralised form
SAUMYA KHANDELWAL/HT FILE
will automatically be updated in the college specific form. “Everystudentwillhavetofillthecentralized online form. Suppose you want admission in St Stephen’s, then the centralizedformwillhaveahyperlinkusing which you can directly go to Stephen’s college form. All the details filled in the centralized form will be automatically updated to Stephen’s college form,” said a member of the admission committee. DUofficialssaidthemovewillhelpstudentsastheywon’thavetofillformsseparately.“Onlythespecificdetailsaskedby minoritycollegewillhavetobefilled.The remaining details will be the same as those in the centralized one,” an official said. DUwillstarttheonlineregistrationfor admissions for around 54,000 seats in undergraduatecoursesfromMay22.The university is starting the online process almost two weeks ahead of schedule, for courses in which admission is based on cut-offs. The last date to fill admission form has not been finalized yet.
ST STEPHEN’S COLLEGE University Enclave, North Campus
Chhatra Marg
ABOUT THE COLLEGE: The college began with just five students and three teachers in a small house in Katra Kushal Rai, near Chandni Chowk in 1881. It was first affiliated to Calcutta University then to Panjab University and in 1922 became one of the three constituent colleges of Delhi University.
St Stephen’s College
Sud hir B ose Mar g Hindu College Kirori Mal College Shri Ram Marg
PROGRAMME:
www.ststephens.edu
BA Programme, BA (Hons) in Economics, English, History, Philosophy and Sanskrit, BSc (Hons) in Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, BSc Programme Physical Science
Kamla Nehru Ridge Delhi
2766 7200
Vishwavidyalaya St Stephen’s Metro College bus stand
OTHER FEATURES Pricewaterhouse Coopers. FESTIVAL: Crossroads is most sought-after mega students’ festival wherein students showcase their talents. SPORTS FACILITIES: The College has extensive playing grounds, a swimming pool, tennis court, gymnasium, indoor badminton court, basketball court, lawn tennis court, etc. CANTEEN: SRCC has an air-conditioned and well-furnished canteen for the students with a seating capacity of 100.
FACULTY STRENGTH: 83 TOTAL SEATS: 410 QUOTA: 50% seats for Christians, supernumerary 5% seats for sports category and 3% for person with disability HOSTEL: Six hostel blocks, 3 each for male and female students
annual festival of the college SPORTS FACILITIES: Facilities such as basketball court, two synthetic tennis courts, a cricket ground, shooting range, football field, squash court and a gymnasium , indoor courts for badminton and squash.
PLACEMENT CELL: Student run placement cell. In 2015-16, students were recruited by around 80 companies FESTIVAL: ‘Harmony’ is the
LINK TO TECH:Computer labs, campus is wifi enabled. CANTEEN: The college café is famous for its thalis and offers Indian, Chinese and continental food.
courseprofile
AMPLE CAREER CHOICES FOR STUDENTS OF ENGLISH HONS At the outset, I must clarify English (honours) is a literature based course, and is not a language development course. Doing Sanam Khanna English Hons will not improve your ‘English’ in the conventional sense. The course is a fairly demanding one, and it requires both, intensive and extensive reading. The course is a broad ranging curse, covering literatures in English from all over the world. It is an engaging course which covers a wide range of genres and authors. Translation, Popular Fiction, Indian Writing in English are some of the exciting areas of study included in
this course. Of course students must also study compulsory papers which trace the growth and trends in English Literature by studying British authors. However, the focus is not just on Literature originating in England and America; literatures from Latin America, Africa, the Indian subcontinent and the Caribbean are also included. Under CBCS , each student studies 14 core papers in the Honours syllabus. In the final year they also study four optional papers in which they can pursue their chosen areas of interest, such as World Literature, Travel Writing, and Detective Fiction, to name just a few. The fourteen compulsory core papers familiarize students with the movements which characterize English literature, as
well as post colonial literature. Thus, a student, upon completion of this course , has an understanding of the various literatures in English, and the varied trends in literary movements , as well as the various approaches to studying Literature. Coursework entails continuous evaluation, which is based on written work, assignments and projects, and therefore the student develops the power of self-expression. This equips students to pursue a career in humanities and social sciences. Students of English (Hons) find employment in the media- especially in journalistic fields and publishing, or content creation and editing. Sanam Khanna is an assistant professor in the department of English at Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi
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hindustantimes
HINDUSTAN T IMES, N EW D ELH I MO NDAY, MAY 2 2 , 2 017
Delhi must look beyond DDA Reception triggers row in Delhi BJP for housing redevelopment METRO MATTERS
HT Correspondent n
SHIVANI SINGH Last week, Delhi moved a step ahead in enforcing the landpooling policy by notifying 89 rural villages as urban. The residents here will now be able to pool their farmlands and partner with private developers to build and sell homes. This could be good news for those looking for a legitimate residential address in Delhi. Despite rising incomes, many city dwellers have already been priced out of Delhi into the National Capital Region. Many others have settled for “cheaper” illegal homes in the city’s unauthorised colonies. Clearly, Delhi Development Authority, the primary landowner and developer of the city, failed in its basic duty of providing affordable housing. The agency’s policy of locking up huge tracts of land and not developing them held up the housing supply. A study by senior DDA official K Srirangan in 1997 found that this forced buyers to shift to the illegal market where they could pick plots in different sizes, at cheaper rates, in desired time and on flexible payment and construction terms. To make matters worse, from 2001 onwards, the DDA stopped building big projects despite a boom in the property market. According to a 2014 working paper by Jatinder S. Bedi for the National Council ofAppliedEconomicResearch (NCAER), local builders, who didn’t have the sanction to acquire and develop large plots like their counterparts in the NCR, converted single or double storey houses into multi-storey buildings. This again helped property dealers more than the final users. While the share of selfowned households increased from 67.4% in 2001 to 69.2% in 2011, property prices increased more than 10 times in a span of fewer than 10 years, the study found.
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DDA flats in Vasant Kunj. The houses under the landpooling policy may not be “affordable” either. “It would have been better for the government to have kept the main supply in its hands and allowed private sector participation to accelerate the development process,” the NCAER paper stated, adding that “the land in these zones had already changed hands before the land pooling policy was made public. The real advantage will not be given to farmers or final users, but will go to large operators.” For many years, the DDA was criticised for being too controlling. It now draws flak for becoming too market-oriented. A panel constituted by the NDA government for restructuring the DDA (its report is yet to be made public) recommended that its key functions be handed over to other agencies.This would not only bring back focus but also open up areas for redevelopment. Unlike common perception, Delhi doesn’t have too much vacant land to develop new housing units. At least 60% of the city’s area is already built-up. Of the rest, sizeable portions are natural conservation zones and not available for urbanisation. Much of Delhi has, anyway, spilled over to the NCR towns. But suburbanisation is problematic if most residents are commuting long distances for work and education. It demands heavy investments in flyovers, expressways and mass-transit, and also leads to increased dependence on private cars.
VIPIN KUMAR/HT FILE
The zones identified for land-pooling are also on Delhi’s periphery. Some of these areas are not connected to the mass-transit yet. Many others are already waterstressed. Not so long ago, the DDA built Vasant Kunj and Dwarka, which got their piped water supply much after they got inhabited. Narela remained a ghost town in the absence of connectivity and other civic facilities. To counter suburbanisation, many cities are opting for redevelopment and densification. The current Master Plan also calls for transit-oriented development, dense commercial and residential growth along the new metro corridors, so that people work, live and shop in the same neighbourhoods. This could cover 40% of Delhi’s housing and commercial needs. Similarly, illegal colonies and urbanised villages could create 15% additional housing if made liveable. At least 40% of Delhi’s housing needs could be met through the renewal of old areas that are long past their expiry. Reviving Delhi is a professional’s job. Instead of leaving it to DDA, the restructuring panel suggests hiring experts and appointing a special purpose vehicle. Now that the land agency is itself in withdrawal mode, it’s time the government made some bold administrative overhaul. Unless it believes that the good, old promise of Roti, Kapda aur Makaan has lost political currency. n
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NEW DELHI: The infighting in the Delhi unit of Bharatiya Janata Party intensified on the weekend with state party president Manoj Tiwari threatening action against a group of newly elected municipal councillors who attended the “felicitation function” organised by Union sports minister Vijay Goel, former state unit chief, on May 16. Sources said an explanation will be sought from councillors who attended the programme despite instructions from Tiwari not to go. “They may not be nominated to positions in the new MCDs. This is one reason why there has been a delay in announcement of names for Leader of House in the three civic bodies,” a party leader said, adding that the felicitation was held without consulting Tiwari. “For me, the organisation is supreme. No leader should run a parallel party. This practice should be discouraged and we should work to strengthen the party,” Tiwari told HT. Vijay Goel reacted saying that seeking explanation from coun-
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Four ‘namaste gang’ members arrested NEW DELHI: The Delhi Police on
Saturdayarrested fourmembers of ‘namaste gang’ allegedly involved in more than 100 armed robberies. With the arrests, the police also recovered some jewellery and two pistols.
The men— Javed Malik, the kingpin and his associates, Wasim Malik, Iqrar Ahmed and Mohammad Shahid, all wanted in over 51 cases, were arrested from Road number 57 in east Delhi. The police started hunting
for the men after a spate of such incidents using the same modus operandi was reported from trans Yamuna area. The men used to greet the victim before robbing them off at HTC gunpoint.
Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari
cillors was not a sensible thing to do. “It was a programme organised at my residence under the banner of Nehru Yuva Kendra, which is part ofmy ministry. The idea was to work for the welfare of slum dwellers. The councillors were invited so that they could also contribute to efforts being made by the ministry. I don’t find hosting reception a bad idea, especially when senior party leaders were also present there,” Goel said. At least 50 councillors were present at the event but the party has identified 26 councillors. Sources said Tiwari has withheld nominations for important positions in the three corporations. On May 12, Tiwari in a tweet named Shikha Rai as a nominee to the position of Leader of the House in SDMC.
4 held for stealing truck carrying 7,600 phones HT Correspondent n
[email protected]
NEWDELHI:The police on Sunday arrested four persons for allegedly robbing a truck carrying 7,600 Karbonn mobile phones worth ₹1.07 crore from north Delhi’s Burari area. The matter came to fore when truck driver, Santosh, made a PCR call and informed the police about the incident. “He stated that late on Thursday night, he loaded 7,600 Karbonn mobile phones from Okhla Industrial area to be delivered to Zirakpur. When he reached outer Ring road near Burari flyover, a tempo waylaid his truck. After covering a little distance, the tempo rammed into a divider and two persons stepped out of the tempo, pretending to be an accident. They then started asking for help and stopped Santosh.
When he got down, they overpowered and abducted him. They tied his hands and dumped him in their tempo,” a senior police officer said. “One of their associates took control of his truck loaded with phones and drove away. Around 6 am, they dumped Santosh in Mundka and left his truck abandoned in the nearby area,” he added. The police then registered a case and began the investigation. The registration number of the truck was shared with the police at all borders. The investigators then received an information about the men trying to arrange for a transport to ferry the stolen mobiles. Raids were conducted and the men — Sanjay, Mohammad Salman, Sarvan Kumar and Salman — were arrested. The police also recovered the robbed phones and the tempo.
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HINDUSTAN T IMES, NEW DEL HI MO NDAY, MAY 22, 20 1 7
htsudoku
thecrosswords CRYPTIC CLUES
QUICK CLUES
ACROSS 1 Rise in prices left Paris ruined (6) 4 A scent is elusive; not much being worn (8) 9 Put in orders (6) 10 Notice in flight a lark (8) 12 Enjoys some antiquarian research (4) 13 Floral decoration in plate manufacture (5) 14 Sounds a good player give up (4) 17 Marvellously impressed? (6-6) 20 They need money to pursue their hobby (12) 23 Time to reflect? (4) 24 Scatterbrain child (5) 25 Hang around for food (4) 28 One can’t sleep through it (8) 29 No rise is evident in older generation (6) 30 High spirits (8) 31 A gentleman prefers one who is fair (6) DOWN 1 One way to get a rate reduction (4,4) 2 Poor ending it might make (8) 3 The pin of a revolver? (4) 5 Odd thing to say (6,6) 6 Ordered without water (4) 7 Is the first murder victim a girl? (6) 8 City investments (6) 11 Drops from hard work (12) 15 Lacking a roadway site (5) 16 The alternative in France is grave (5) 18 Unorthodox saint one found in a Baltic state (8) 19 See Corfu anyway even if you have to fight (3,5) 21 Coming to a conclusion (6) 22 Mix us some pudding (6) 26 Tree-climbing boy (4) 27 Upright fellow (4)
ACROSS 1 Small restaurant (6) 4 Credulous (8) 9 An imagined perfect place (6) 10 Perpendicular (8) 12 Sacred (4) 13 Israel’s chief port (5) 14 Advertise insistently (4) 17 Suffer effects of poverty (4,3,5) 20 In irresponsible manner (4,3,5) 23 Secluded place (4) 24 Cheerful and good-humoured (5) 25 Scoff derisively (4) 28 Country of East Africa (8) 29 Sphere of control (6) 30 Art of clockmaking (8) 31 Free of charge (6) DOWN 1 Curt dismissal (5-3) 2 Undertake responsibility for (8) 3 Complain in abusive terms (4) 5 Easy to operate (4-8) 6 Much (4) 7 Give way under pressure (6) 8 High praise (6) 11 Be about to get due deserts (4,2,6) 15 Wander away (5) 16 To climb (5) 18 An agreement (8) 19 Sense of one’s orientation (8) 21 Fragment of talk or song (6) 22 Skilled worker in wood (6) 26 To shadow (4) 27 Reach a high level (4)
PUZZLE 14676 © Gemini Crosswords 2012 All rights reserved
Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the 9X9 squares contains all the digits from 1 to 9. DIFFICULT LEVEL
YESTERDAY’S SOLUTIONS (14675) CRYPTIC QUICK
SUDOKU>> SCAN THIS SUDOKU UNIT FOR THE SOLUTION AND MANY MORE PUZZLES
NHAI invites objections for land acquisition of Dwarka e-way HT Correspondent n
[email protected]
GURGAON: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has invited objections for acquisition of land for construction of the Northern Peripheral Road, which is also known as Dwarka Expressway. The objections can be filed by June 5. A senior NHAI official said, “Within 21 days of notification of land acquisition one has to file objections. NHAI is trying to acquire land as early as possible to complete the construction of Dwarka Expressway.” The development was welcomed by thousands of home buyers of the NPR in Gurgaon, who have been waiting for the much hyped road project to become operational at earliest. An 18-km portion of the 28km road falls in Gurgaon and rest in Delhi. The total length of NPR is 28 Km. The lands falls in Bij-
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We are tracking every inch of development of the Dwarka Expressway. Once the expressway becomes motorable it will bring relief to lakhs of homebuyers who booked flats in projects along the expressway. GAURAV PRAKASH, Dwarka Expressway Welfare Association
wasan and Bamnauli villages bordering Gurgaon. The NHAI will acquire 24 hectares of private land required in the Delhi portion for the completion of the expressway. The expressway plan in 2007-08 was chalked out by Haryana government to connect Delhi near Dwarka and NH-8 near Kherki Daula in Gurgaon. The construction of the project began in 2011 and it was supposed to be completed in April 2012. The Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda) completed 15km while the remaining portion of the project got
"Shrimati Indira Pasricha” (wife of Late Shri P.L. Pasricha) passed away peacefully on Sunday May 21, 2017. Chautha will be held on Tuesday May 23 at Golf Links Community Centre, New Delhi from 5 to 6 pm.
In Grief:
Pasricha & Sahni Families
held up in litigation leading to delays. In October 2016, the expressway project was handed over to NHAi to extend it to Shivmurti in Mahipalpur. “The development is important for us. We are tracking every inch of development of the Dwarka Expressway. Once the expressway becomes motorable it will bring relief to lakhs of homebuyers who booked flats and apartments in projects along it. Now, NHAI has taken over it so we are hoping for faster construction,” said Gaurav Prakash, founder member of Dwarka Expressway Welfare Association.
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Real estate He said the state’s draft rules will deprive homebuyers of ongoing projects the benefits the law is supposed to provide. “…any dilution of the act would not be appreciated by millions of homebuyers in the state who have been waiting for long to get relief under the act,” wrote the minister, the BJP’s Gurgaon parliamentarian. Hundreds of homebuyers in Haryana’s two boomtowns,Gurgaon and Faridabad, have alleged that property developers were not delivering flats on the promised time. Many of them have filed suits. Junior information and broadcasting minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was among the plaintiffs after he was sold an “uninhabitable” flat in Gurgaon last November. The Supreme Court ordered Unitech last October to refund ~16.5 crore to 39 buyers, who have invested in the realty firm’s much-delayed Vista project in Gurgaon. The real estate sector, which contributes about 9% of India’s gross domestic product, was an unorganised business until the central law was enacted. But to make it operational, states and Union territories were asked to notify their rules by April 30 this year. Only 18 states and Union territories have done so, some in diluted forms. This includes
BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Union housing minister M Venkaiah Naidu asked chief ministers this April to implement the law in its “letter and spirit”. This May, at a review meeting in Lucknow, he discussed with Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath about the state allegedly diluting provisions in the law. The central rules that act as a template for the states allow 10% of the project or apartment cost as “compounding fee”. The Haryana rules put it between five and 10%, while UP didn’t mentionany. UP began redrafting the rules after Naidu’s intervention.
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Delhi airport
AAP hits back
“At least 60 airports were consideredfortheoverallrankingof average speed of cars from the citycentretotheairport.Average speed in Delhi is 20 kmph, lowest among all metro cities in India,” he added. The average speed in 5 km radius of Delhi airport is 16.1 kmph and it increases after 12-13 km and then it remains constant till 20-22 km. Beyond that, the speed increases. Accordingtothestudy,Hyderabad airport has better speed of approach network because of a dedicatedlink.Withinanetwork radiusof5-10km,Indianairports have speeds around 15 kmph while in London and Tokyo the speedsareashighas30kmphand above 45-50 kmph after 15 kms of distance. Even in New York, whichhasahigherratioofcarper personascomparedtoIndiancities, the speed in the adjacent network of 5 km is 30 kmph and it increases to 40 kmph as one goes farther. The study analysed different parametersforairportintermsof airconnectivity,groundaccessibility, reliability, access travel timeandspeedsoftheinfluenced networks, the professor said. “While air travel reduces the travel time, we tend to spend more time in accessing the airport and this increases overall traveltime.Thechoiceofmodeof travel is decided on the basis of total travel time, total cost, comfort, and reliability,” Professor Ram said. He added that apart from investing in airport infrastructure,authoritiesmustalsoinvest in ground access transport systemtoenablepassengerstoreach the airport in the desired time with high reliability. Airports in the US, Europe and South-East Asian countries have identified the network to the airport and kept them unclogged, Professor Ram said. Accordingtoa20-yearforecast of International Air transport Association (IATA), India will displace the United Kingdom for the third spot in the total passenger traffic in 2027. After China, Indiaisgoingtobethesecondbiggestmarketforaviationindustry by 2035.
“Probe into High Security Number Plates scam was ordered by @Saurabh_MLAgk in 49 days govt in Feb 2014. Then LG Jung reversed the decision,” he tweeted. He said the BJP took up the case last June but didn’t pursue as the anti-corruption branch is looking into files. “Poor fellow has no clue of what he’s speaking. Who is misguiding him?” The embattled AAP has been accusing Mishra of doing someone else’s bidding in a political conspiracy to tarnish the party’s image. The AAP is battling internal feuds after losses in the Punjab and Goa assembly elections this April and the municipal polls in New Delhi, considered the party’s stronghold. Mishra apologised to former colleagues Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, who were expelled from the AAP in 2015 for “anti-party activities”. He said he regretted his role in their ouster, which he allegedly did on Kejriwal’s advice. He launched a “Let’s Clean AAP” campaign and invited former India Against Corruption volunteers to help him make Delhi “corruption-free” and “Kejriwal-free”. Yadav advised Mishra to seek an apology “from the volunteers if he was remorseful of his act”. The AAP is an offshoot of the India Against Corruption, which led a popular anti-graft movement in 2012. Mishra’s alleged exposé has riveted the city’s politics. Other than accusing Kejriwal of bribery and links with hawala operators, he was on a six-day hunger strike in protest against the AAP’s alleged refusal to disclose details of foreign trips of five party leaders.
Mt Everest The couple is based in Bomdila, the headquarters of West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. This was not Jamsenpa’s first ‘double ascent’ of Mt Everest. On her first attempt in 2011, she had conquered the 29,029 ft peak twice in 10 days between May 12 and 21. Her third successful
attempt was on May 18 two years later. Prior to starting her second ascent, Jamsenpa said via her Guwahati-basedpublicrelations manager: “My only aim now is to unfurl the national flag once again atop Mt Everest and pay homage to Lord Buddha. I seek blessings and support from my fellow countrymen.” Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu, in Gangtok for a strategic meeting of Himalayan states bordering China, congratulated Anshu for a “fantastic feat” and doing India proud.
Trump speech Trump’s signature phrase “radical Islamic terrorism” was not included in the speech, according to excerpts released in advance by the White House. Instead, he used the term “Islamist extremism”, which refers to Islamism as political movement rather than Islam as a religion, a distinction that he had frequently criticised the administration of his predecessor Barack Obama for making.
Pak speaker calls for unity on Jadhav The ICJ ordered Pakistan to stay Jadhav’s execution over allegationsofspyinguntilitsfinal decision on India’s petition to annul his death sentence. It rejected Pakistan’s argument that it had no jurisdiction in the matter and acknowledged the urgency of Jadhav’s case. ChidingthePakistanmediafor presenting a “wrong impression ofthecase”,AzizsaidIndia’sperceived victory was “like air in a bubble”. ThegovernmentofPrimeMinisterNawazSharifisunderpressure over the ICJ order, with many quarters insisting the choiceoflegalteamanditstactics were wrong. Syed Khursheed Shah, the Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly, described theorderasasetbackandsaidthe government’s negligence is evident.
hindustantimes
HINDUSTAN T IMES, N EW D E L H I M ONDAY, M AY 22, 20 1 7
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MCD bypoll: 46.3% turnout in Sarai Pipal Thala ward CIVIC ELECTIONS Results on May 23; polling was postponed due to death of SP candidate HT Correspondent n
[email protected]
NEW DELHI: The polling in North
Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) ward Sarai Pipal Thala concluded on Sunday with 46.3% voter turnout. The polling in the ward was postponed after the death of Samajwadi Party candidate DineshSingh.His son Himanshu has now beenfieldedbytheparty now. The results for the polling at Sarai Pipal Thala and Maujpur is on May 23. Elections in Maujpur were held on May 14. Voting for remaining 270 wards in three municipal corporations — North South and East — was held on April 23 in which the BJP had got majority in all the civic bodies. “This is not an encouraging trend but people do not come out in large numbers during bypoll, especially when the result will not have any impact on the overall politics of corporation,” he said. The voting, which started at
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People wait to cast their vote in Sarai Pipal Thala ward on Sunday.
8am and concluded at 5.30pm, remained peaceful. Dhanajay Kumar, a resident of the area said, “Sanitation is a major issue here. When it rains, most of the roads get flooded. There has hardly been cleaning of drains in the localities on time in past five years.” A total of 24,739 voters, comprising 13,116 males and 11,623 females, exercised their fran-
chise in the poll, said a senior official of the Delhi State Election Commission. The ward has over 53,000 voters. The voting percentage of the ward was even low than what it saw in 2012 corporation elections when 60.6% people had come out to vote. Besides, the voting percentage was also affected reportedly due to power failure at around 57
BURHAAN KINU/HT PHOTO
polling booths because of dust storm and rain in the final hour of polling. Delhi witnessed heavy rains during evening hours on Sunday. The main contenders in the election include Mohammad Sarif (BSP), former leader of opposition in NDMC Mukesh Goel (Congress), Mangat Ram (BJP) and Rajeev Bansal (AAP).
SAHARANPUR VIOLENCE
Dalits defy Delhi Police ban to protest at Jantar Mantar
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Dalits staged a protest at Jantar Mantar on Sunday against alleged atrocities on their community in Saharanpur. RAVI CHOUDHARY/HT
Abhinav Rajput n
[email protected]
NEW DELHI: Despite being denied
permission by Delhi Police to hold a rally, thousands of Dalit youths, led by Bhim Army Ekta Mission, gathered at Jantar Mantar on Sunday to protest against alleged atrocities against thecommunityin Saharanpurin Western Uttar Pradesh. Bhim Army Ekta Mission is an outfit formed by 30-year-old lawyer Chandrashekhar to fight against “oppression” by people from upper castes. However, several smaller organisations such as Dalit Sangarsh Morcha, Yuva Shakti Dal and youths from different parts of Western UP and Delhi had also gathered to register their support. The protest comes after the recent violence involving Dalits and Thakurs in Saharanpur during the birth anniversary celebrations of Maharana Pratap. The skirmish took place on May 5, when a mob, allegedly from the Thakur community, ransacked and burned down 25 houses belonging to Dalits, and injured 15 members of the community in
Saharanpur. Chandrashekhar, who is wanted for his alleged involvement in the clashes between the police and the protesters on May 9, also addressed the gathering. “We have come here to fight oppression. If you kill one Chandrashekhar, thousands more will rise. The RSS and Hindu right organisations have been oppressing us for centuries, but we are not weak,” he said. He also gave out phone numbers to protesters to call for help if they were being oppressed. He also said he was willing to surrender to police. Sonu Paliwal, 28, a resident of Shimlana village in Saharanpur, said, “We are here because there had been repeated incidents of violence against Dalits. The administration in Saharanpur allows the Rajputs to hold march on Maharana Pratap Jayanti but Dalits are not allowed to celebrate Ambdekar Jayanti.” The protestors demanded that cases be registered against those who had perpetrated violence against Dalits on May 5 and affected families be awarded a compensation of ₹10 lakh.
Revive all the water bodies of Delhi: NGT HT Correspondent n
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NEW DELHI: The National Green
Tribunal has directed the Delhi government and the corporations to revive and restore all the water bodies across the city. According to estimates provided by the state environment department there are more than 600 water bodies spread across the city in the form of village ponds, lakes, marshes and step wells. The direction came in the wake of a proposal floated by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to revive a water body at Rajokari. The bench observed that even though the water body at Rajokari resembles a dumping site at present, it would look like a garden once the project is completed. The green body, while granting permission to the DJB for reviving the Rajokari water body, said, “Similar approach should be adopted by all the public authorities including Delhi Development Authority, corporations, state irrigation department, DJB and Uttar Pradesh irrigation department to restore and revive the water bodies,” the bench said. At least 476 water bodies are
under the jurisdiction of the state irrigation department followed by the Delhi Development Authority which has around 118 such water bodies. The NGT has, however, made it clear that there should be no use of concretes, cement and brick and should not result in changing the natural geomorphology of the area. A senior officer of the Delhi parks and garden society under the state environment department said that the orderto revive the city’s water bodies was passed by the high court a few years back. Work is in progress and an action plan also been prepared, he added. While the NGT has directed the authorities to preserve the catchment zones of the water bodies and prevent dumping of waste and erosion to ensure a healthy water body rich in aquatic life and biodiversity, officials claimed that there are several hurdles which need to be addressed before the sites could be restored. “In spite of a survey conducted in 2001 some doubts persist with regards to the precise number of water bodies. It is not possible to rejuvenate all water bodies or service each of them with water supply,” the official said. CO PY R I G H T A N D P R OT E C T E D BY A P P L I C A B L E L AW
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HINDUSTAN T IMES, NEW DE L H I M O NDAY, MAY 22, 2017
VADIVEL
SOME GIRLS DECIDED TO QUIT STUDIES. HOWEVER, WE WERE DETERMINED TO FIGHT BACK.
> POOJA CHAUHAN, student of Rewari public school which was upgraded
Abusedbutundeterred,Gothra girlsforcedstatetobendrules STIR Students claimed they were harassed on way to a neighbouring school to pursue higher studies Leena Dhankhar n
[email protected]
REWARI: Overcoming fear and pressure from family members and fed up with authorities that allegedly remained unmoved despite repeated complaints of sexual harassment, the Rewari girls launched a weeklong agitation that forced the Haryana government to tweak its rules and upgrade the school in their own village. The girls of Gothra village, 90 km from Gurgaon, had to undergo immense pain, hardship and face difficulties during their 8-day ordeal under the sun, but they did not flinch till victory was achieved. It was the resilience shown by the schoolgirls in the face of extreme hardship that alerted the media to their cause and forced authorities in Chandigarh to sit up and take notice. On May 10, around 80 girls of Gothra village decided that they would not go to the school in the neighbouring Kanwali village to pursue higher education, claiming they were subjected to sexual harassment and abuse by boys on the way to the school. “During 20 days of attendance at the school in Kanwali, we faced humiliation and abuse from miscreants. When we complained to our parents, they refused to help us. They told us to give up studies and stay at home,” Sujata Chauhan(15), a student of class 11, said. Recalling their harrowing experience, the girls said it could have prompted them to succumb to pressure from their kin and give up studies altogether. But they weren’t to be deterred. Another student, Pooja Chauhan(15), said, “A group of boys tugged at our dupattas, touched us inappropriately. They even made fun of us. Some girls couldn’t take this harassment
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The victorious Gothra girls with the village sarpanch Suresh Chauhan.
after a point and broke down. They later decided to quit studies. However, we were determined to fight back.” Roshan Lal(62), a former member of the panchayat, said, “We took the panchayat members to Kanwali and had requested their sarpanch to look into the matter. We also had met the school principal, but to no avail. The girls used to cry and beg for support from the school authorities. We were helpless as the youths were aggressive and even assaulted a few villagers who tried to intervene.” Suresh Chauhan, the village sarpanch said, “The girls sought our support. Initially, I told them not to sit on a hunger strike as I thought it would be of no use. But
later, I joined them. I was with them for as long as they continied with the hunger strike.” Moments after state education minister Ramvilas Sharma announced that the school will be upgraded to class 12, on Wednesday, the girls erupted with joy. The victory of the Gothra girls has also rubbed off on fellow students across Haryana who launched similar agitations to get their schools upgraded. The headmaster of the Gothra school, said, “We are very happy. However, it will take some time to set up a laboratory and put the required infrastructure in place. This movement and the success at the end of it will ensure a secure future for our girls.”
SANJEEV VERMA/HT PHOTO
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The government school in Haryana’s Rewari has now been upgraded to class 12. SANJEEV VERMA/HT PHOTO
pacenotes
Books, music, road safety discussed in Gurgaon and Faridabad schools
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GBN SCHOOL, FARIDABAD GBN School, Faridabad held an inter-house vocal music competition conducted in junior and senior categories in classical, semi-classical and light music. The participants, from classes 3 to 10, garnered applause and impressed the judges with their performances. Kritika Kaushik of Class 7 came in first, Pranjal Bisht of Class 9 came in second and Ritik Nalwa of Class 9 came in third. The principal congratulated the winners and appreciated the hard work put in by them. She said that musical competitions provide an opportunity for students to unravel
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(Clockwise from top) GD Goenka Public School, Sector 48, GBN School, Faridabad, Jiva Public School, Faridabad and Suncity World School, Gurugram.
their potential. JIVA PUBLIC SCHOOL, FARIDABAD Jiva Public School, Faridabad, hosted an awareness programme where parents raised awareness about traffic rules and informed other parents and guardians about its benefits and the hazardous consequences of
not following them. The chief objective of the programme was to create a conscious awareness regarding preventive measures against road accidents. The student participants highlighted the importance of wearing a helmet through an activity and informed about the irreparable harm of not wearing one. Maneka Nirmal shared her experien-
ces and discussed the need for such programmes. Brijesh Kumar, Sonu Singh, student Amog Parashar’s parents, and Aashi Singh’s parent Maneka Nirmal actively participated in the programme. Rishi Pal Chauhan, managing director, said, “Following traffic rules on the road for personal safety is our foremost duty.”
HT Correspondent n
[email protected]
GURGAON: Police have formed five
teams to nab the accused in the road rage incident where a 49-year-old doctor was allegedly shotdeadafteranargumentwith a teenager driving a Tata Safari in Farrukhnagar on Saturday. The accused, Ravi Kumar, who was the brother of the teenager, had been jailed twice on murder and attempt to murder charges. The five teams are searching for hideouts in Gurgaon and Farrukhnagar. The mobile call lists are also being scrutinised to getmore information about the accused. “We will soon be able to nab him. Investigation is on and we are trying to find out more about his accomplices if any,” said Devi Charan, SHO, Farrukhnagar police station. The incident took place as the teenager, who was learning to drive, allegedly hit a motorcycle that Yadav was riding. Yadav and the teen then got into an argument and matters soon came to a boil. The youth called his elder brother, Kumar, who rushed to the scene flashing his gun and pumped four bullets into Yadav. While Yadav died on the spot, a stray bullet hit the teenager. He is currently admitted at a private hospital in Gurgaon. Yadav was a resident of Jhajrola village and ran a clinic at Ghumarpur village near Pataudi. His body was handed over to family members after the postmortem examination in Gurgaon. “According to the postmortem report, Yadav died of gunshot wounds,” said Charan. A murder case was registered against Ravi Kumar at Farrukhnagar police station on Saturday. The incident evoked fresh concerns over rising road rage incidents in the city.
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MCG officials said Gurgaon generates 700 tonnes of construction and demolition waste daily. SANJEEV VERMA/HT FILE PHOTO
City a step closer to getting its own C&D waste plant Kartik Kumar n
[email protected]
GURGAON: After several delays and deadlines, the city’s wait for a Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste plant seems about to end as the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) will carry out a foundation laying ceremony on Monday at Basai village, the plant site. The foundation ceremony will be overseen by MCG commissioner V Umashankar. MCG officials said the move holds importance as owing to rapid urbanisation and infrastructure development, Gurgaon generates 700 tonnes of C&D waste daily. The volume of this waste has increased by 10% annually. In the absence of a processing system it is either being dumped roadside, in the Aravalis or mixed with other waste at the defunct Bandhwari waste plant. The unplanned dumping of construction waste is choking drains, polluting water, and causing respiratory illness among residents.
In addition, the dust from construction activities and waste is also increasing particulate matter (PM 2.5 & 10) and raising air pollution to alarming levels. “High air pollution levels and health-related problems owing to C&D waste is a major concern and the plant will help improve the situation through recycling of waste,” SS Rohilla, spokesperson, MCG, said. Based on the modalities of the Burari plant at New Delhi, the C&D plant is being set up by the same concessionaires IL&FS on the basis a public-private partnership. As per the agreement with MCG, IL&FS will be responsible for processing 300 tons of C&D waste daily and will also draw up the project’s design and ensure investments for building the plant. C&Dwastewillbetransported fromdesignateddumpingsites of MCG and recycled into ceramic, cement bricks, stones and sand. MCG officials also said the plant will help reduce sand mining in Gurgaon and conserve resources.
ROLE PLAY
GD GOENKA PUBLIC SCHOOL, SECTOR 48 GD Goenka Public School, Sector 48, Gurugram, organised a number of activities for Book Week to instil the reading habit among students. During the week, students of the Junior Wing from Nursery to Grade 2 made a flip rulebook about the proper ways of handling a book, designed a book cover and enacted their favourite characters. The Senior Wing students engaged in book reviews, book talks, story writing sessions, and diary entries based on books and their heroes. A book fair was inaugurated by principal, Anuradha Handa, in the presence of junior wing headmistress, Srishti Bajaj, and middle and senior wing in-charge, Shalini and Irina, respectively. SUNCITY WORLD SCHOOL, GURUGRAM Suncity World School, Gurugram, organised a SPICMACAY programme with a performance on ragas by veteran instrumentalist Pandit Bhajan Sopori. “Music has been my passion. It is a pleasure to perform before students of Suncity World School,” he said. Hailing from Sopore in Kashmir, Pandit Bhajan Sopori belongs to the Sufiana gharana of Indian classical music and has several accolades to his credit. “At Suncity School, we strive to strike a balance between academics and extra-curricular activities. We will continue in our endeavour to organise such events to instil appreciation about Indian culture among students,” said Rupa Chakravarty, principal, Suncity World School.
Road rage: Police teams formed to nab youth who shot doctor dead
Performers enact a play during a function organised on the occasion of Anti Terrorism Day by the National Security Guard (NSG) at Ambience Mall in Gurgaon on Sunday. SANJEEV VERMA/HT PHOTO
Raahgiri resumes, residents try to reclaim roads
Buyers perform ‘Hawan’ for divine help in RERA battle
GURGAON: Raahgiri Day was restarted in the city this Sunday with residents participating in a number of outdoor activities to reclaim the roads. People from various parts of the city were seen taking active interest in events such as photography sessions, tent pitching and hiking workshops. Residents were also motivated to use sustainable ways of commuting such as walking and cycling and adopt a healthy lifestyle. Raahgiri is a joint initiative of the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG), Gurgaon police and the Raahgiri foundation. As road accidents have increased over the years, the initiative aims to encourage pedestrians and cyclists to reclaim the roads and reduce usage of cars, organisers said. With cars not running in the area demarcated for Raahgiri event, it also aims to lower air pollution. “Today was the first day of Raahgiri, but we found that people were eager to take up multiple activities,” said Anubhav Rai, one of the organisers of the event. HTC
Dhananjay Jha n
[email protected]
GURGAON: Agroupofhomebuyers
conducted a hawan ceremony on Sunday morning at Leisure Valley Park in Gurgaon’s Sector 29. The homebuyers resorted to holding the ritual after weeks of protests demanding that the state’s rules under the Real Estate Regulation and Development Act (RERA) be on the lines of the ones drafted by the Centre. After sending their objections to the Haryana government on the RERA draft, the homebuyers are now hoping that the state will take note of their concerns and introduce the necessary amendments to the draft. The deadline to submit the suggestions and objections ended on May 15. The town and country planning department is authority to implement the final RERA rules after a scrutiny of the feedback it received from across the state. “We have now turned to the Almighty to help us in this battle. Lakhs of homebuyers across the state are worried over the
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Homebuyers held the ritual after weeks of protest against alleged dilution of RERA draft rules. SANJEEV VERMA/HT PHOTO
alleged dilution of the RERA We hope the government will be rules by the TCP officials in Har- transparent in the matter and yana. We dearly wish the govtell us what changes they are ernment will consider our considering bringing to the demand and make the necessary RERA draft.” changes to the RERA draft,” “Suggestions have been sent Mridul Babbar, a homebuyer to the TCP and now we are praywho performed the hawan, said. ing to the Almighty to ensure jusHarinder Pal Singh, another tice is done. We also wrote to the homebuyer, said, “Homebuyers chief minister seeking his interwho invested in 20 realty pro- vention in ensuring strong jects across the city gathered RERA rules,” said Abhinav Trivtoday to perform this ritual. We edi, a homebuyer, said. are hoping for divine intervenA senior TCP official said, tion in our quest for ensuring “The department is considering Printed and distributed by PressReader strong RERA rules in Haryana. around 50 suggestions.” P r e s s R e a d e r. c o m +1 604 278 4604 • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY •
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A culture that nurtures, aids entrepreneurs I LOVE GURGAON’S SPIRIT Starting a venture in Gurgaon is a great learning experience. From giving free business tips to moral support, everyone wants to help URVASHI YADAV who lives in a ₹3 crore house and travels in a SUV, had to start selling chhole-kulche on the roadside after her husband met with an accident. The 34-year-old former school teacher runs a small restaurant in Sukhrali.
TOMORROW Sangeeta Kumar Murthy, an awardwinning artist and researcher, writes on what appeals to her about Gurgaon as an artist and how it reflects in her work
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M
yjourneywhichbeganona push cart selling chholekulche on the roadside in sector 14 in June last year has led to a small restaurantinSukhrali.Andallthisbecamepossible because of the support and help giventomebythepeopleofGurgaon.The load has been tough, and there were many moments when it seemed that the end was near, but each time someone came to the rescue and helped my business to survive,and also thrive a little. The experience made me fall in love with Gurgaon. The way people support entrepreneurship,thefreebusinesstips, and solutions to day-to-day problems given to me were a great learning experience. My journey started on June 16, 2016 when I, along with an employee, pushed the food cart from our house in Sector 17 to the Sector 14 road near Gulab Sweets. It was a very testing time — an experiment that very few supported. Forthefirstfewdays,saleswerenegligiblesoweshiftedtothespotoppositethe sweet shop and here we started finding some clients. While the business was slow, some auto drivers from UP helped me in perfecting the imli-base needed to preparethechhole—Iwaswronglyusing lemon juice. The business really took off when a
I saw determination in her eyes, and passion for venture. The response given by people was phenomenal not only online but on the ground.
SUNALI GAUR, blogger, Soul-stirrings by Sunali
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Urvashi Yadav, who started selling chholekulche to sustain her family, shot to fame after her story went viral on social media.
blogger wrote a post about my struggle, and it went viral. After that, a number of media houses published articles about myventure,whichnotonlybroughtmore customers but also corporate executives andprofessionals,whoofferedhelp.This turned out to be a game-changer for me. People from across Delhi, NCR and even Chandigarh came to eat at my stall. However, what made me survive was theimmensesupportgivenbyacompany that made available peas and masalas at concessional rate, and other firms that placed a large number of regular orders. Each order, word of support, and contribution by the people reiterated faith in myself and also reinforced the resolve to make the cart successful. My husband Amit Yadav, who was
I have known Urvashi since she worked in our school. She has always been hardworking and committed and we have been with her throughout.
SARIKA BHARANI, director, Little Millennium playschool
unwellandmyfather-in-law,WingCommander (retd) NK Yadav, stood by me. There were a number of times when I felt the business has collapsed, but at every instance a saviour came in one form or the other. Post-demonetisation, the sales nosedived and it was almost a miracle that just to support me, large orderswereplaced by well wishers.This also led to redoubling my faith in Gurgaon’s professionals, self-made men and topbusinessmen,whowerereadytogive a chance to a woman who had less business experience and little resources. Even the commuters, workers from nearby factories and auto units empathised with me, and supported my endeavour. What else does one need? Myparentsandmydaughterwereini-
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tially not convinced but with time they realised I meant business and they also came to my side. The journey of the last oneyearhasbeendifficultastheweather canbeextremeandtheglareofsomecustomers can be even more piercing. When construction began at Maharana Pratap Flyover in December, the business went for a toss again. I paid money to get a cart from the Municipal CorporationofGurgaonbuttherewasno assuranceofthelocation. Iboughtafood cart out of the money that I earned from the push cart, but it is lying unused. The flyover construction proved disruptive for business and I had to start afresh. But, by now, I had the confidence tosetupasmallfoodbusinessinSukhrali village. I have also set up a website, and
She is an example of how women can be successful if they are motivated. But she still has to go a long way and maintain consistency in her business. MANAV DIWAN, entrepreneur
HT PHOTO
putmybusinessonWhatsApp,Facebook andothersocialmedia.Iknowit’sastruggle,butIhavefaithinGurgaontogiveme another chance. Looking back, I must say that I am in a far better position than I was last year. I have been able to support my family and learnt to be a far better human being. Ihadsetupthefoodcartaftermyhusband had an accident and needed a hip replacement,buttodayhisconditionhas improved,andhehelpsinthebusiness.In thisjourneyIhavemadeseveralfriends, who taught me never to give up and always have faith in God and Gurgaon’s ecosystem. I wish the city will keep helping other strugglers like me to make this an even better place to live.
moreonweb Do you love Gurgaon too? Share with us your experiences of living in the Millennium City. @HTGurgaon
HTGurgaon
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HINDUSTAN T IMES, N EW DE L H I M O N DAY, M AY 2 2 , 2 0 1 7
htnation tooningin
JAYANTO
THEY (PAKISTAN) ARE SUFFERING FROM PARANOIA THAT INDIA IS HELL BENT ON PLAYING MISCHIEF, INDIA ONLY WISHES PAKISTAN BEST OF LUCK
> BRIGADIER (RETD) PK SEHGAL, Defence expert
TMCpicksGorkha leaderforRSpolls
GRIP ON THE HILLS Mamata nominates exGNLF leader Shanta Chettri from the hill seats she lost in civic elections Pramod Giri and Saubhadra Chatterji n
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SILIGURI/NEW DELHI: Trinamool
shortstories EXSERVICEMEN WANT KALIA CASE MOVED TO ICJ
SAUDIBOUND
DHARAMSALA: The Himachal Pradesh chapter of an ex-servicemen league has urged the Centre to move the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case of Army Captain Saurabh Kalia. During the 1999 Kargil conflict, Kalia was tortured by his Pakistani captors who later handed over his mutilated body to India. The Indian ex-servicemen league’s HP chapter chief, Major (retired) Vijay Singh Mankotia said Kalia’s case must also be taken to the UN’s highest judicial body, to get justice on the lines of Kulbhushan Jadhav. Mankotia said they had made this demand to previous governments but did not hear anything positive about it.
Police claim no knowledge of Naik’s Saudi citizenship MUMBAI:The city police have said they have no confirmation on reports that controversial televangelist Zakir Naik was granted citizenship by Saudi Arabia. A source close to the IRF said that Naik had refuted the reports of his getting Saudi citizenship. He quoted the website report and said it was not true and added no country in Middle-East had made such an offer to him. But authorities said they are unaware if the latest reports are authentic.
Moderation, grace marks to continue for Assam exams GUWAHATI: Students passing out from Class X in Assam would continue to benefit from moderation in marks as well as grace marks, a committee has recommended. The issue led to a controversy this month after education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that the Board of Secondary Education, Assam manipulated marks in the high school leaving exam. It was also recommended that up to 5 marks as grace be given to students who fail to score the pass mark in a particular subject.
Ulhasnagar township on Saturday night. Their parents lodged a police complaint based on which, arrests were made.
Bihar mom sets afire son for refusing to serve water MUZAFFARPUR: In a fit of rage, a mother killed her three year old son, after he refused to serve her drinking water in Bagwara village of Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district, around 105 km north of Patna, late on Saturday. An ill-tempered Puja Devi, 28, strangulated her son Nandan and then doused him with kerosene oil before setting the child on fire. The police have arrested the accused.
2 Indian peacekeepers to be honoured posthumously UNITED NATIONS: Two Indian peacekeepers will be among 117 military, police and civilian personnel to be honoured with a prestigious UN medal awarded posthumously for their courage and sacrifice in the line of duty. Rifleman Brijesh Thapa who served with the UN Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and Private Ravi Kumar who was deployed with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) will be honoured with the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal on on May 24.
Man held for raping child, grandmother for killing her NASHIK: A five-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her father and then killed by her grandmother at Javulake- Vani village in the district, the police said on Sunday. The man and his mother were arrested on Saturday, they said. According to the Nashik rural police, the incident took place on Friday night when the accused, Sachin Shinde, returned home in an inebriated condition and allegedly raped his five-year-old daughter. Shinde’s mother, Anusaya, witnessed the act and killed the child by strangling her, Deputy Superintendent of Police Devidas Patil said.
Two Thane kids stripped, paraded for ‘stealing’ food THANE: Two minor boys were stripped and paraded with garlands of slippers for allegedly stealing a food item from a sweet shop, police said on Sunday. The shop owner and his two sons were arrested after the incident in
webpoll POLLOF Pak says ICJ can’t nullify Jadhav's death sentence: THEDAY Does this reduce his chance of a reprieve?
45% Yes
37%
18%
No
Don’t know/ Can’t say
Total votes till 9.00 pm: 707
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NEWDELHI: Congress leader Jyoti-
raditya Scindia on Sunday said that party vice-president Rahul Gandhi “can definitely match” Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is perfectly capable of leading the party and the nation. Speaking at the Aaj Tak Editors Round-table, Scindia said: “Rahul Gandhi has tremendous capability, he has a deep core understanding of grassroot issues...” “Rahul Gandhi can definitely match Modi. He will challenge Modi and the Congress will go to people with the blueprint that the party and Rahul Gandhi are working on... I feel that we should move ahead under his leadership...” In response to a question on Scindia taking over as leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha he said: “What fate has in store..., what strategy party has, is something I am not privy to.”
Press Trust of India n
Nasa names bacterium in space after Kalam Press Trust of India n
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LOSANGELES: In great news
for India, scientists at Nasa have named an organism discovered by them after the popular APJ Abdul Kalam. To date, the new organism — a form of a bacteria — has been found only on the International Space Station (ISS). Researchers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the foremost lab of Nasa for work on interplanetary travel, discovered the bacteria on the filters of the ISS and named it Solibacillus kalamii to honour the late President, who was a famous aerospace scientist. Kalam underwent his early training at Nasa in 1963 before he set up India’s first rocket-launching
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Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.
facility in a small fishing village of Kerala. “The name of the bacterium is Solibacillus kalamii, the species name is after Dr Abdul Kalam, and genus name is Solibacillus, which is a spore-forming bacteria,” said Kasthuri Venkateswaran, senior research scientist, Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group at JPL. The filter on which the new bug was found remained on board the ISS for 40 months.
BJP YET TO PICK PREZ CANDIDATE, SAYS AMIT SHAH n
[email protected]
NEW DELHI: The BJP has not
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Supporters of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha party celebrate their victory in Kurseong last week AFP
civic body last week. While the Trinamool announced its nominees, the CPI(M) and the Congress are yet to decide on a pact for the sixth seat which is currently held by CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury. In case a pact fails to materialise between the two, TMC may win the last seat also. Chettri’s nomination also comes ahead of the crucial polls for the Gorkhaland Territorial
Manoj Choudhary n
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NEWDELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has urged a special court here to award the maximum punishment of seven yearstoformercoalsecretaryHC Gupta for cheating and criminal conspiracy in allocation of a coal block to a private firm. SpecialCBIJudgeBharatParashar,whohasheldGuptaguilty in the case, will pronounce his judgmentonthequantumofsentence on July 22. Gupta,whowasthecoalsecretary from December 31, 2005 to November 2008, then joint secretaryKSKrophaandthendirector KC Samaria in the coal ministry were held guilty by the court for irregularities in allocation ofthe Thesgora-BRudrapuricoalblock in Madhya Pradesh to Kamal Sponge Steel and Power Ltd (KSSPL). Senior public prosecutor VK Sharma told the court that the convicts had committed an economic offence and urged it not to grant any leniency to them. Theconvicts,however,sought leniency, citing old age and no previous convictions. On May 19, the court had convictedGupta,Krophaand Samaria. It also held the firm and its managing director Pawan Kumar Ahluwalia guilty of the offences, including cheating. Thecourt,however,acquitted chartered accountant Amit Goyal in the case.
Amit Shah
Kumar Uttam
Administration (GTA), the administrative body for the hills. “People always exploit the Hills... I am happy that I have been able to give back something to the Hills,” Banerjee said. Critics however pointed out that winning GTA will be an uphill task. She earlier fielded former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia as a Lok Sabha candidate but failed to draw votes.
CBI seeks 7yr jail Police detain 20 over term for excoal Jharkhand lynchings secy HC Gupta
TRIBUTE TO THE SCIENTIST
‘Rahul can match Modi, capable of leading nation’ Indo Asian News Service
Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee nominated a Gorkha leader for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls, after her party won a Darjeeling hills civic body first time in 32 years last week. The West Bengal CM has also re-nominated party’s Rajya Sabha leader Derek o’Brien for another term. Out of the six Rajya Sabha seats up for grabs, Trinamool is sure to win five. “I will also try for the sixth seat,” Banerjee recently told HT. She lost the Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong civic bodies to Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) and the BJP. She has chosen to field Shanta Chettri from Kurseong and Darjeeling for the Rajya Sabha polls next month, in what is being seen as a political investment for the future polls. Chettri was a former MLA of Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), the group that originally stoked the fire for a separate Gorkhaland under the leadership of Subhas Ghising. However, she switched over to the TMC and emerged as its key face in the hills. Banerjee’s party became the first ruling party of the plains to win an election in the hills that had been a fiefdom of the Gorkha outfits, when it won the Mirik
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JAMSHEDPUR: Police on Sunday
detained 20 suspects allegedly involved in the Kolhan lynching and for sparking tension in Jamshedpur on Saturday. The situation was under control on Sunday in Jamshedpur city and other parts of Kolhan, with no cases of violence or clashes between groups reported. A three-member team led by inspector general (operations) Ashish Batra primarily relied on CCTV footage and pictures clicked on mobile phones to identify the culprits, sources said. Furious villagers killed seven people on Thursday after a WhatsApp message cautioning
them of child lifters prowling in the region went viral. On Friday and Saturday, the news of the killings spread like wildfire, causingtension andlawlessness. “Six companies of Jharkhand State Police and two companies of Rapid Action Force have been deployed on the streets. Twenty have been detained and the situation is under control,” Batra said. He said rumours about childlifting sparked the mob violence in East Singhbhum and Seraikela-Kharsawan, but anti-social elements took advantage of the situation and created tension in Mango and Dhatkidih localities. Meanwhile, police have issued a WhatsApp number seeking information from general public on rumours and updates.
decided its candidate for the July presidential election yet, but it rejected ally Shiv Sena’s suggestion of fielding RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for the top post. “Even if I have a name on my mind, it has to be discussed within the party first,” Shah said while speaking to a TV channel. He also rejected the Shiv Sena's proposal regarding Bhagwat, saying that the party itself had ruled it out. A lot of speculation has been doing the rounds about the ruling side’s presidential candidate as the NDA appears to be a position to get its man elected to the Rashtrapati Bhawan. While veterans like LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi are still active in politics, names of relatively junior leaders such as Jharkahand governor Draupadi Murmu, Lok SabhaspeakerSumitraMahajan and others have been doing the rounds. The opposition too is trying to cobble up numbers and put up a joint candidate against the treasury bench’s nominee. Former West Bengal governor Gopal Krishna Gandhi and former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar are seen as possible contenders.
Kerala woman who bobbitised ‘godman’ let off Ramesh Babu n
[email protected]
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala
police decided to drop charges against the 23-year-old woman who gashed the genitals of a selfproclaimed godman when he tried to sexually assault her on Friday,assupportpouredinfrom various quarters. Initially, police planned to charge the woman, a final year law student, under sections of self-defence,butdroppedtheidea when women’s bodies raised their voice, saying this will put more pressure on the victim. Meanwhile, a local court has remandedtheaccusedinjudicial custodytillJune3.Sinceheisnot fully recovered he will be confined to a cell in Thiruvananthapuram medical college hospital for some more days. The police have shifted the woman to a safer place. “We haven’tregistereda case against her,” said southern range IG Manoj Abraham. Thegirl’sparentsclaimedthat theywerenotawareofthesexual assault on the daughter and the godmanalsotookaround₹30lakh from them under various pretexts. “We will get a clearpicture after questioning him and girl’s parents. We have recorded the victim’s statement,” a senior police officersaid. Policebegana separateinvestigationtofindout antecedents of the godman. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayanalsolaudedher,sayingit was“acourageousstep”,andthe governmentwoulddoeverything
A LOCAL COURT HAS REMANDED THE ACCUSED IN JUDICIAL CUSTODY TILL JUNE 3. SINCE HE HAS NOT FULLY RECOVERED, HE WILL BE CONFINED TO A CELL IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL FOR FEW DAYS to support her. Legal experts said a case againstthesexualabusevictim— she told the police the godman Ganeshananda Theerthapada alias Srihari sexually exploited her since class 10—who resorted to action in self-defence, won’t stand much in a court of law. The state women’s commission has pledged all support to her.CommissionmemberPrameela Devi said the young woman was forced to take such an extreme step. The woman had attacked the godman around 11.30 pm on Friday when he forced oral sex at knifepointatherhousehere.She snatched the knife and severed hispenisandranoutofthehouse. Shethencalledthepolicecontrol room and said she feared he would kill her. Admittedinseriouscondition, plasticsurgeonsandurologyspecialists did two surgeries on him When he was admitted, hospital sources said, his penis was almost severed.
FAMILY’S TRIBUTE TO RAJIV
n
Congress President Sonia Gandhi, party vicepresident Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi pay tribute to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 26th death anniversary at Vir Bhumi in New Delhi on Sunday. PTI
3 jawans among 7 killed in Nowgam encounter HT Correspondent n
[email protected]
SRINAGAR: Four militants and three soldiers were killed in an operation in Nowgam sector in North Kashmir, the army said on Sunday. A Srinagar-based army spokesperson said, “Total four terrorists killed. Three soldiers attained martyrdom.” He added that four weapons and other warlike stores were recovered and sanitisation operations were on. The operation had begun on Saturday after militants tried to infiltrate along the Line of Control (LoC). Hindustan Times had reported that by Saturday night two soldiers and two militants were killed in the gunbattle. “#JKOps Two terrorists attempting infiltration in Naogam Sect, Kashmir eliminated. Two soldiers martyred in ongoing op @adgpi,” Indian Army’s Northern Command tweeted on Saturday. This has come a day after defence minister Arun Jaitley met with the senior commanders and troops at a forward post along the LoC, where he reviewed the security situation. He said that Indian Armed Forces were fully prepared to deal with the militants coming from across the Valley. “Our troops and our Army are fully ready to check any form of infiltration. Under no cost will India’s territorial sovereignty be allowed to be infringed,” Jaitley said Earlier on Saturday morning, militants had managed to flee after security forces challenged them in Badi Behak area of Handwara. The militants managed to slip after a brief encounter. A search operation was launched. (With inputs from agencies)
KASHMIR IS OURS, SAYS RAJNATH, PROMISES ‘PERMANENT’ SOLUTION
n
Officials display the confiscated arms and ammunition that was found along the IndoPak border on Sunday. HT PHOTO
PELLING(SIKKIM): “Kashmir is ours, Kashmiris are ours and Kashmiriyat is also ours,” home minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday, asserting that the Modi government will find a “permanent solution” to the Kashmir problem. The home minister’s assertion came amid continued unrest in the Kashmir valley. Addressing a public reception here, Singh accused Pakistan of trying to “destabilise” India by fomenting trouble in Kashmir. But I want to tell all of you that our government will find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue,” he
said. Kashmir is in a vice-like grip of violence since the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in an encounter in July last year. Though there was a brief lull, violence erupted again on April 9 this year when the bypoll to Srinagar Lok Sabha seat was held. Eight people were killed in firing by security forces on the polling day. Meanwhile, BJP president Amit Shah said on Sunday the problem in J&K was not widespread but centered around just “three and a half districts”. He added the government was making efforts for peace. AGENCIES
Terror module busted along border, 2 held HT Correspondent n
[email protected]
AMRITSAR: In a joint operation, the
Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police busted a terror module with links to Canada and Pakistan after arresting two suspected Khalistani terrorists from the border region in Ajnala. “Those arrested have been identified as Mann Singh from Sri Hargobindpur in Gurdaspur district and Sher Singh from Kartarpur in Jalandhar. They had come to collect the consignment of arms on the instructions of Canada-based terrorist Gurjivan Singh Kadiyan, said BSF officiating DIG, Gurdaspur sector, Gurpal Singh and senior superintendent of police (SSP), Amritsar (rural), J Elanchezian. On interrogation, the BSF and police recovered four pistols
This vehicle was seen moving in the jungle area along the embankment near the BOP,” Sources said he might said the BSF DIG. The BSF have escaped to join a militroops and station house officer, tant outfit. Ramdas police station, Vipin Militant outfit Hizbul Kumar searched the vehicle and Mujahideen congratulated recovered a 315-bore rifle, a Naveed for snatching the revolver and two magazines. weapons. Their operaDuring preliminary interrotional spokesperson Burgation, the suspects said their hanuddin said on Sunday module was raised and indoctrievening, “We salute the nated by an Ontario- based Sikh hardliner Gurjivan Singh, who valour of Naveed. He is a had made two trips to Punjab in true soldier of freedom struggle and we salute the past six months, and him.” ABHISHEK SAHA arranged the arms and ammunitions for their operations, the officials said. Their aim was ammunition of different calibre recruiting new members, said the officials. buried close to the border. Subsequently, Gurjivan had “The BSF troops at the administrative base of border out post promised to arrange the arms Kamalpur observed a suspicious through his Pak-based KhaliPrinted and distributed by PressReader stani contacts. movement of a Toyota Innova. P r e s s R e a d e r. c o m +1 604 278 4604
COP DECAMPS WITH 4 RIFLES SRINAGAR:A manhunt has been launched in Jammu and Kashmir after a constable decamped with four rifles in Budgam on Saturday ostensibly to join militant ranks. Confirming the decamping, deputy IGP, central Kashmir, Ghulam Hassan Bhat told Hindustan Times constable Syed Naveed Mushtaq took away four self-loading rifles.
(7.62mm) with nine magazines, one 9mm pistol with two magazines, an AK-47 assault rifle with three magazines, a modified rifle with two magazines, five hand grenades and over 450 rounds of
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hindustantimes
HINDUSTAN T IMES, NEW D E LH I MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017
‘Loanwaivernotenough, needtobuildcapacityalso’ FUTURE PLAN Minister says need to focus on bringing down farm input costs facetoface RADHA MOHAN SINGH, Agriculture minister NEWDELHI: The Narendra Modi
government has set an ambitious target of doubling farm income by 2022 — the 75th year of the country’s Independence. With farmer suicides continuing to haunt the country, agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh told HT’s Kumar Uttam that loan waivers alone cannot solve farmers’ problem and focus should be on bringing down input cost of farming and providing market to farmers. Excerpts from an interview.
Your government has promised to double the income of farmers by 2022. How do you plan to achieve that?
About 48% of India’s population is engaged in agriculture. 22.5% of the farming community is below the poverty line. Farming has to be made productive and profitable. We need to decrease input cost, increase production
and ensure proper remuneration. Farmers need to be insulated from situations such as natural calamity and bad crop through insurance.
Has your government been able to improve the condition of farmers in the th last l t three th years?? Certainly, situation ing. Credit for sho crop loan — at c sional rate — h increased fro lakh crore in 2014-15 to ~10 l crore for 2017A record outp 273 million me tones of foodgr and 287 mmts o fruits and ve has bee in 2 M
production has also been at a record level. All this was possible because of a methodical planning of schemes and their proper and timely execution. But, we have a long way to go.
on the platform. We have a target to reach a total of 585 markets by March 2018.
But, the non availability of market and proper remuneration remain a matter of concern. How is the gov ernment dealing with it?
It is a decision of the Yogi Adityanath government. We do not have any such plan at the national level.
We are committed to creating a unified national agriculture t. The Prime Minister -NAM in April last As against the tarf 400, as many as arkets have ady joined this form across 13 es and Union rritories. 18 lakh tonnes arious comdities, valued 19,196 crore, traded
Mumbai man held in Pak sends police on wild goose chase
India, Israel set to enlarge web of ties
Manish K Pathak
Shishir Gupta
n
[email protected]
MUMBAI:ThenewsofMumbai res-
ident Sheikh Nabi Ahmed being arrestedinPakistansentthecity police in a tizzy on Sunday. Ahmed was a resident of 755, Bandra Plot in Jogeshwari East.While the police were still trying to trace the exact address and location of his family, antiterror agencies were ascertainingthereason forhispresencein Pakistan. Locals in the area told HT that Ahmed’s family did stay in the area but had sold their room and left the locality years ago. “The familystayed hereyearsago and left after selling everything. I do not know about their present location,” said a local resident. The Indian national was arrested in Islamabad for overstaying without travel and visa documents, a media report said on Sunday. Ahmed, was taken into custody on May 19. Police said he was walking alongNazimuddinRoadinSector F-8 when he was stopped at a checkpost.Policesoughttocheck his visa documents after he told themthathewasanIndian.However, Ahmed could not produce anydocumentandwastakeninto custody, the report said.
n
[email protected]
NEWDELHI :With National Cyber-
Security Coordinator in the Prime Minister’s Office Dr Gulshan Rai bound for Tel Aviv this week, India and Israel are all set to institutionalise cyber-security cooperation in the run-up to PrimeMinister NarendraModi’s maiden visit to Jerusalem in July. Israeli and Indian diplomatic sources also confirmed that Secretary (Industrial Promotion and Policy) Ramesh Abhishek, along with Invest India team, reached Tel Aviv on Sunday, a day after Foreign Secretary S,. Jaishankar left for India after meeting Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu last Friday. Abhishek will hold talks with his Israeli counterpart to promote investment in India under Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative besides the defence sector. Despite India and Israel being close partners in defence and security for the past two decades, the two countries have still to institutionalise cyber-security dialogue. Israel is a leading global power in offensive and defensive technologies, and is one of the very few countries to have the capability of intercept-
INDIA, ISRAEL ARE SET TO INSTITUTIONALISE CYBERSECURITY COOPERATION IN THE RUNUP TO PM MODI’S MAIDEN VISIT TO JERUSALEM IN JULY ing Net-based communication platforms. Given that terror and extremist groups world over communicate through Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP), India looks toward Israeli cooperation in this vital area. Although it is early days yet, India and Israel would like to exchange notes on protecting national databases from malware and hackers. The two sides are preparing to set up a dialogue or a joint working group where cyber-experts from both sides could exchange information or technologies for mutual benefit. Israel is also reaching out to chief ministers of key Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Maharashtra for one-on-one dialogues with agriculture, irrigation, water and sanitation majors over the coming months in order to cooperate on specific state-related problems.
Does the Centre have any plan to replicate a UPlike farm loan waiver at the national level?
F Farm loan waivers alone cannot solve problems of farmers n n the long run. On the one in h hand, you spend crore of rupees o on waiving off loans and on the other you have 99 big and small o irrrigation projects pending for want of resources. Can such a w ssituation be appreciated? We need to build capacity, make n agriculture remunerative and a p provide market to farmers. Farmers need cheap credit in F tiime, so as it can invest it properly and get good return. p That will serve the cause T much better than farm loan m waiver. w
Criminals should leave UP or go to jail, says CM Yogi MORADABAD: Facing criticism
over the law and order situation, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said criminal elements, who had a free run over the last 15 years, were trying to create “mischief” and warned of strict action against those taking the law into their hands. Addressing afunctionhere,he claimed that the crime graph had come down after his government took charge and the situation will improve further in the coming days. He said those violating the law will not be spared, regardless of their political affiliation. “Our main priority is to establish rule of law in the state. I want to assure the people of the state that if someone tries to take the law into their hands, the government and the administration will deal with them firmly. Some people have been spoilt over the last fifteen years, and their habits will not change in a day. They are still trying to do mischief in some areas,” he said. “I want to warn them again that they should mend their ways or be ready to face the consequences. We will not let any farmer, labourer, trader or daughter suffer,” the chief minisPTI ter added.
‘MARCH FOR JUSTICE’
Hardik tonsures head before PM visit HARDIK PATEL AND 50 OF HIS COMMUNITY YOUTHS TONSURED THEIR HEADS TO KICK START TWODAY NYAY YATRA ON SUNDAY
Hiral Dave n
[email protected]
AHMEDABAD: On the eve of Prime
Minister Narendra Modi’s twoday visit to his home state, Patidar quota stir leader Hardik Patel and 50 of his community youths tonsured their heads on Sunday to kick start Nyay Yatra. The two-day Nyay Yatra (march for justice) began from Lathidal in Botad and will cover 51 villages before concluding in Bhavnagar on Monday. “Nyay Yatra is for pressing our demands for justice against police atrocities on agitators in 2015 that left 13 youths dead,” said Patel. “We are starting yatra from Botad where the PM inaugurated an irrigation project
n
Patidar quota stir leader Hardik Patel along with his community members tonsure their heads in Gujarat on Sunday. HT PHOTO
during his previous Gujarat visit.” Patidars, a financially and politically influential commu-
nity and BJP supporters for three decades, are up in arms against the state government seeking OBC status. Patel, 23,
who was jailed for nine months and exiled for another six in two sedition cases, has emerged as the face of the stir. Modi will begin the Gujarat visit on Monday from Kutch where he will inaugurate projects at Kandla and dedicate Narmada Water pumping station at Bhachau. On Tuesday, he will inaugurate the annual meeting of the African Development Bank in Gandhinagar.
09
Gujarat retains the first spot in marine fish catch n
Fishing in deep waters
Matthunny Mathews
MATHEWS, MAN WHO RESCUED INDIANS DURING GULF WAR, DIES
Marine fish catch registered a slight increase of 6.6% in 2016 compared to previous year
Total marine fish landings mn tonnes in 2016
3.63
21.5% Total share of Gujarat
Press Trust of India n
Why is the Centre averse to fund ing farm loan waiver nationally? in
nation
[email protected]
Four majors
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:Prominent
Indian businessman in Kuwait, Matthunny Mathews, who was instrumental in the safe evacuation of stranded Indians during theIraqiinvasionin 1990,passed away in Kuwait. 81-year-old Mathews, who hailed from Kumbanad in Pathnamthitta district, was ailing for some time and passed away on Saturday, media reports said. Expressing his condolence, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayansaidduringthe1990Gulf war Mathews had helped thousands of Indians flee the gulf nation and his services would always be remembered. Bynottakingeffortstosavehis own life and property, Mathews haddoneyeomanservicetobring his countrymen, who had lost everything in the war, safely back,Vijayansaid. “Heprovided food and drinking water to the strandedIndiansandweremember it with gratitude,” Vijayan said. The VP Singh government hadin1990carriedoutthebiggest evacuation during the gulf war when over 1.50 lakh standard Indians had been safely brought back by flight. At that time Mathews had functioned as the Central Government’s “unofficialrepresentative”inKuwaitto coordinate the evacuation process, the chief minister said. Popularly known as ‘Toyota Sunny’, Mathews was said to be the inspiration of Akshay Kumar’scharacterinBollywood film ‘Airlift’. Mathews, left for Kuwait 1956 at the age of 20 in searchofjob.Hejoinedasatypist in the Toyota company and rose to become its managing director when he retired in 1989.
Figures in million tonnes
.77 .71
Gujarat Tamil Nadu Karnataka Kerala
.53 .52
n According
to CMFRI’s estimate, Gujarat remained at the top for the fourth consecutive year.
Five top varieties
48,381
n Mackerel
crore
n Sardine n Ribbon fish
Mackerel
Sardine
Source: Annual report of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi
Ramesh Babu n
[email protected]
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Gujarat has retained the first position in marine fish landing in the country. Among the fish varieties, mackereltoppedthecatchlistbut sardine declined considerably. There was also some good news for Bengalis — their favourite fish hilsa recorded a high catch. Thecounty’smarinefishcatch registered a slight increase of 6.6% in 2016 compared to the previous year, said the annualreportonfishlandingprepared by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in Kochi. According to CMFRI’s estimate, the total marine fish landingsfor2016was3.63million tonnes, with Gujarat remaining at the top for the fourth consecutiveyearfollowedbyTamilNadu. Kerala,withitsvastcoastline,for the first time dropped out of the top three and ranked fourth
behind Karnataka. Mackerel, the national fish, stoodfirstamongallthevarieties afteralongintervalwithanoverallproductionof2.50lakhtonnes ahead of sardine (2.44 lakh tonnes). A huge difference of 32.8 % was recorded in the landing of sardine, known as poor man’s fish that contains good quantity ofOmega3fattyacidthatpropels HDL (good cholesterol). A hike in the production of hilsa helped West Bengal increase its marine fish production to 2.72 lakh tonnes. The upsurgeinhilsacatchhelpedthe stateincreaseitsmarinefishproductionto2.72lakhtonnesin2016 from a 1.18 lakh tonnes in 2015.
MACKEREL STOOD FIRST AMONG VARIETIES WITH OVERALL PRODUCTION OF 2.50 LAKH TONNES, AHEAD OF SARDINE
Mumbai-Lucknow Express derails at Unnao rly station Manish Chandra Pandey n
TEJAS TRAIN TO BE FLAGGED OFF IN MUMBAI TODAY
[email protected]
LUCKNOW:Passengersonboardthe
Mumbai-Lucknow Lokmanya Tilak Express had a miraculous escape on Sunday after 11 of its bogies derailed in Unnao, 20km from Kanpur. A few passengers suffered minor injuries in the mishap. Policeand railways officialssaid theaccidentmayhavehappened asboltswerefoundmissingfrom thetrackonwhichtheLucknowbound train was travelling. Arelieftrainwasrushedfrom Lucknowtobringthepassengers to the state capital. Aninquiryhasbeenorderedto find out how the unfit track was cleared for movement. The NorthernRailwaysgeneralmanagerandseniorofficialswerealso on their way to the accident site. A team of the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) was dispatchedtothesitetoascertain if there is a terror link to the derailment,whichcouldhaveled to casualties had the train not sloweddownasitapproachedthe Unnao railway station. Unnao superintendent of policeNehaPandeyconfirmedto HTthatboltsfromthetrackwere found missing. The accident threwrailtrafficoutofgear,with
Estimated value of marine fish landings in 2016, an increase of 20.67% from 2015
n Cephalopod n Prawn
MUMBAI : The Tejas
n
HT
Officials said the accident may have taken place as bolts were missing from the tracks. HT
railwayscancellingseventrains on the route. Sunday’s derailment comes six months after 142 people were killed and more than 200 injured when 14 bogies of the IndorePatna Express had derailed in Kanpur Dehat district. In January, a freight train heading from Lucknow to Kanpur derailed nearShuklaganjrailwaystation. Of the 11 coaches that derailed, ninewereAC. Eyewitnessestold HT that a major tragedy was avertedasthetrainsloweddown as it approached Unnao railway station. The derailment threw railtrafficoutofgearonthebusy route with railways cancelling seven trains on the route.
Express — India’s first semi-high speed full AC train — arrived in the city on Saturday. The luxury train, which boasts of several modern facilities on-board like LED TV and tea/coffee vending machine, will be flagged off by railway minister Suresh Prabhu from CST for Goa on Monday at 3.25am. According to estimates, it will reach Goa in 8 hours 30 minutes. Equipped with CCTV cameras besides smoke and fire detection system, the 19-coach Tejas train will have bio- vacuum toilets and GPSbased passenger information display system. However, passengers will have to shell out a fare 20% more than that of a Shatabdi Express for the journey to Karmali.
The catch dropped significantly in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha due to cyclone that reduced fishing days. Theestimatedvalueofmarine fish landings in 2016 at the landing centre level in the country was ₹ 48,381 crore,registering an increase of 20.67% compared to 2015. At the retail level, the estimated value was ₹73,289 crore with an increase of 12.44%over the previous year. Marinescientistssayfisheries sectorisexperiencingmorepressure and there is an urgent need toimplementcontrolmeasuresto maintaintheharvestatsustainable level. “Wehavetoexploretheutilisation of untapped and unconventional resources to quench the demand. Further, climate change,particularlytheincrease of sea surface temperature and mean sea level rise are factors affecting the marine fisheries,” CMFRI director Dr A Gopalakrishnan said.
NSG likely to meet next month, slim chance of India’s entry into group Press Trust of India n
[email protected]
NEWDELHI : The next plenary ses-
sion of the Nuclear Suppliers Group(NSG)islikelytobeheldin Swiss capital Bern next month, but the chances of any breakthrough on India’s entry into the elite group still look slim, given China’s persistent opposition to it. India had officially applied for membership of the grouping whichcontrols exportofnuclear materials, equipment and technology in May last year. Themattercameupfordiscussion at the Seoul plenary session of the NSG in June last year, but yielded little result with Beijing scuttling India’s bid on the groundthatitwasnotasignatory to the non-proliferation treaty (NPT). AheadofthenextNSGplenary session,officialsourcessay,India hasreneweditseffortstobecome a member of the 48-nation group by engaging with all member countries, but resistance from China still remains despite the pro-India push from other key players such as the US, the UK, HTC France and Russia. China has been pressing for a two-stepprocess which includes settingupcriteria-astandardfor admission - for the inclusion of countriesthatarenotsignatories to the NPT. Beijing also equates India’s case with Pakistan, which, too, has applied for the NSG membership. The issue of India’s membershipisexpectedtobediscussedat parties demanding a paper trail have a legitimate fear about the Bern meet, but the “status quo” still remains, a senior offimachines. But simply expecting thecountrytomoveovertopaper cial says. Indicating that there wasnochangeinChina’sposition ballotsisselfish,outrageousand towardsIndia’sNSGbid,Chinese narrow-mindedasitignoresthat ambassador Luo Zhaohui at an India cannot endlessly absorb event last month said, “On the environmental abuse. Nuclear Suppliers Group issue, Considerthesheerpaper.One we do not oppose any country’s estimate puts it at 10,000 tonnes forthegeneralelection.Thenwe membership, believing that a standardforadmissionshouldbe have several other elections. Evenifweaccept10,000tonnesof agreed upon first.” India has repeatedly said paper,itcomestocuttingdownof 170,000 mature trees. Even if the Chinaisthe“onecountry”which has been blocking its bid. wood pulp is not directly from trees, it is still a significant footThe two sides conducted two rounds of talks between China’s print. We can stack up a loads of nuclear negotiator Wang Qun additional environmental costs, andIndia’sthensecretaryfordisbut the real issue is simply that armamentAmandeepSinghGill the elections had made efforts to on September 13 and October 31, go green and losing that will be last year. The NSG consultative a pity. (The writer is the founder and group’s meeting in November director, Chintan Environmental lastyearalsoendedliketheSeoul Printed and distributed by PressReader Research and Action Group) plenary session. P r e s s R e a d e r. c o m +1 604 278 4604
Aadhaar-linked payments in rural jobs yet to succeed Must work to reduce election footprint Saubhadra Chatterji n
[email protected]
NEWDELHI: AmidtheCentre’srush
to expand the scope of Aadhaar, the unique identity-based payment system in rural job scheme is yet to taste success. The Aadhaar details of 8.58 crore out of10.2 croredaily wage labourers are available with the rural development ministry. However, only4.5 crore workers (or,44%)getdailywagesthrough the system till April 2017. Thefiguresarepartoftheministry’s latest report on digital transactions, which focuses on pushingcashlesstransactionsin rural sector as a part of the government’s overall strategy. Governmentsourcesclaimthe problem is at the level of the banks which do not have infrastructure to link the Aadhaar numbers in time to the payment system. “For linking the Aadhaar number with bank account, a
worker has to go through an entireprocessinthebank.Unfortunately, in most of the banks, there are just one or two people doingthislinkage.Weareintalks withthebankstoimprovethesituation,” said rural development secretary Amarjeet Sinha. Theactivists,however,arenot amused. “NREGAworkershadtomake surethattheirjobcarddetailsare aligned with their bank account details as well as Aadhaar card details.Now,theyareaskedtogo backtothebankswiththeiroriginal identification documents so thatAadhaarseedingcanbeverified. What next - BHIM maybe?” said noted social scientist Jean Dreze. The government claims that the situation is better from the UPA-era when only 22.69 lakh workers, as against 4.5 crore in Apri l2017, were covered under the Aadhar-based payment system. Dreze alleges that constant redesign of wage payment proc-
LOOPHOLES IN THE SCHEME
green piece
n The Aadhaar details of 8.58
n
The Aadhaarbased payment system promises transparency, faster disbursement, and an easier verification process. HT FILE
ess has affected the daily wage labourers. “MNREGAworkershavebeen tortured for years on end by the constant redesign of wage paymentsystems.Manyofthemhad
to go through three or four rounds of opening of accounts: first with the post office, then with a bank, then with a specific bank,thenwithabusinesscorrespondent. Each step is an ordeal
crore out of 10.2 crore daily wage labourers are available with the rural ministry n While 8.58 crore workers have voluntarily given their Aadhaar number, only 4.5 crore people are being paid their daily wages through the system n Government sources claim that the problem is at the level of the banks which do not have infrastructure to link the Aadhaar numbers in time to the payment system.
that can last for weeks and hold up their wages. When bank paymentswerefinallysettlingdown, anotherround ofredesign began withthedrivetowardsAadhaarbased payments,” he said.
Bharati Chaturvedi n
[email protected]
So, now, we will have a Hackathon for EVMs. Mind you, I am not against it, but regardless of what political parties believe, India has to consider how to lower its election footprint. Is it that paper ballots were never tampered with? Anyone with someunderstanding ofelections will point out how, in remote parts of India, strongmen would stand inside the voting booths and direct voters to vote as per their instructions. You can do thateitherways—viaanEVMor ballot. You can also capture a booth.Itisn’tthatpaperisparticularly superior orfoolproof. The
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After Rohingyas, ethnic minorities flee Myanmar INFLUX About 300 people crossed over from the country to Khaikhy and Lungpuk villages of southern Mizoram’s Saiha district on May 19 Rahul Karmakar n
[email protected]
After Muslim Rohingyas, it is now the turn of ethnic minorities to flee communalviolenceandintimidation in Myanmar. Officials of the paramilitary Assam Rifles said some 300 people,mostlywomenandchildren, crossed over from Myanmar to KhaikhyandLungpukvillagesof southern Mizoram’s Saiha district on May 19. The district borders Chin and Rakhine states of Myanmar.Therefugees,belongingtothesameethnicstockasthe Mara tribe inhabiting southern Mizoram, hadfledatrocitiesbya Myanmar-based ethnic insurgentgroupcalledArakanArmy. “The refugees said they are from Ralie village in Myanmar’s Chinstateacrosstheborder.The insurgents drove them out but held back most of the males,” a Major in the unit said. Another unconfirmed report said more than 100 people also crossed over into Nagaland to escape a battle between the Myanmar army and the mining mafia. Nagaland adjoins Myan-
GUWAHATI :
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Because of poor road network, two teams of Assam Rifles personnel reached the villages early morning on May 20. The villagers had provided refugees food and shelter. We counted more than 200 during profiling, but another 77 came to Khaikhy in the afternoon. A SENIOR OFFICER
mar’s Sagaing Division where ethnic minorities, mostly Christians, allegedly face persecution by majoritarian Buddhist groups. The Maras, also called Miram, are one of the 53 ethnic groupsinMyanmar’sChinstate. The Arakanese have been in a state of conflict with the Rohingyas since 2012, resulting in more than 200,000 Rohingyas fleeingMyanmartobecomerefugeesinothercountries,including
India.Chinatoohasbeenbearing theburdenofethnicconflictsand intermittent wars between the Myanmararmyandmorethan20 armed insurgent groups. Joseph Lalchhuana, the deputyinspectorgeneralinchargeof southern Mizoram, confirmed the influx. “There is a lot of disturbance across the border and the local administration is dealing with the refugee issue on humanitariangrounds,”hesaid. Officers of the Assam Rifles said the Saiha civil administration informed them about the arrivaloftherefugees. “Because of poor road network, two teams of Assam Rifles personnel reached the villages early morningonMay20.Thelocalvillagers hadprovidedthemfoodandshelter. We counted more than 200 peopleduringprofilingoftherefugees, but another 77 came to Khaikhy village in the afternoon,” a senior officer said. Headdedthatthecommander of the Assam Rifles post at Zokhawthar on the Myanmar border has interacted with his counterpartatRikawdhar,nearest unit of the Myanmar Army, forthesafereturnoftherefugees.
HINDUSTAN T IMES, N EW DE L H I M ON DAY, MAY 22, 20 17
‘Pak mystery caller’ offers ₹50 crore to youth for killing PM HT Correspondent n
[email protected]
BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh police registered a case against unknown people on Saturday after a youth in Satna district received a call from a man who allegedlyofferedhim₹50croreto jointhemin killingPrime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally. Thecallerclaimedhewasfrom Pakistan and used the number +79651219. According to Satna police, the caller told Kushal Soni that he would be offered ₹50 crore if he joined them to kill Modi during a rally in Mumbai. He said they had selected two people and needed a third person. They also offeredhimasmuchmoneyashe wanted for the job. Though initially Soni didn’t take the call seriously, given the sensitivity of the matter, he later complained to the local police in Satna whoforwarded the matter to the crime branch. During investigation, police found that the number belonged to Kazakhstan. Soni also handed over the call recording to the police. Reacting to the development, superintendent of police Mithlesh Kumar said, “We are investigating the matter. Things will be clear after the probe reveals if it was a hoax call.”
ALIGARH CLASH
Dalits say cops biased, threaten to convert to Islam Pradeep Saxena n
[email protected]
ALIGARH: To protest against the allegedone-sidedpoliceactionin therecentThakur-Dalitclash,49 Dalit families of Keshopur-Jafri villageinAligarhdistrictdecided to embrace Islam on Sunday. They also immersed idols of deities kept in their homes in the
village pond. However, the administration assured impartial action in the case and persuaded them not to convert . Tenpeoplewereinjuredinthe caste clash in the village on May 17 during a dispute over a drain. FIRs were lodged by both sides and 11 people were arrested. However, the Dalits accused the police of being biased, saying
they failed to arrest the named accused because of which the Thakurswerethreateningthem. Chandra Veer Jatav, a Dalit, toldHT:“AftertheThakur-Dalit confrontation,thepoliceareharassing Dalits. They favour Thakurs due to the influence of the gram pradhan. The named accusedareroamingfreeandare threatening Dalits.”
JOBSEEKERS RANSACK JALPAIGURI RAILWAY STATION
However, SSP Rajesh Pande said, “Threatening to convert to another religion has become a tactic to exert pressure. Some people are also misguiding these Dalits for political advantage. The allegation of biased action is not correct... As for the IPC sections imposed, if any application is submitted, impartial action will be taken.”
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Railway workers and police personnel extinguish a fire lit by protesting candidates at New Jalpaiguri railway station in Siliguri on Sunday. AFP PHOTO
Thousands of candidates from Bihar appearing for recruitment test for Group-D positions in West Bengal government vandalised New Jalpaiguri railway station on Sunday. Police said trouble started at 6am when jobseekers returning to Bihar started boarding even reserved compartments of the Avadh-Assam Express. As passengers complained, the aspirants climbed onto the engine of the train, forcing the RPF to resort to mild baton charge. The vandals responded by blocking rail tracks, throwing stones and damaging property.
‘Our EVMs robust unlike those in West’ Smriti Kak Ramachandran n
[email protected]
NEWDELHI: Beginning June 3, the Election Commission (EC) has invitedpartiestoprove thatelectronic voting machines (EVMs) can be tampered with. Several parties, led by Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party, have claimed that the BJP’s victory in a string of elections was a result of manipulation of EVMs and not a reflection of the voter sentiment. The BJP and the EC have both denied the charge. Thepollpanel,whileannouncing the EVM challenge on Saturday, again said the machines were tamperproof and comparingthemwiththeonesdiscarded byseveralwesterncountrieswas unfairasthesystemsweredifferent. “EVMs used in The Netherlands,IrelandandGermanywere privatelymanufacturedandhad noindependentcertificationsystemunlikeaveryrobustverificationandcertificationsystem…in caseofECIEVMs,”chiefelection commissioner Nasim Zaidi said.
VOTING MACHINES IN NETHERLANDS, IRELAND AND GERMANY HAD NO INDEPENDENT CERTIFICATION SYSTEM, SAID CEC ZAIDI WHAT SETS INDIA APART Datafromthe NEDAPmachines used in the Netherlands is transferred through CDs but Indian electronicvotingmachinesstore datainternally.IndianEVMsare standalone, direct-recording machines with no possibility of network connectivity with citizens casting their votes at assignedpollingstation.Itmeans the machine can’t be accessed remotely or be hacked into. This feature,officialssay,makesthem impossible to manipulate. Chips weresodesignedthatiftampered with,machinesbecome inoperable, officials said. THE NETHERLANDS Information provided by the EC
shows that the machines used in The Netherlands between 1990 and2007weremanufacturedbya privateDutchcompany,NEDAP (NederlandseApparatenFabriek NV). In 2006, the government ordered an independent test of the machines. Two independent commissions were also asked to review security and reliability features.Themachineswerediscontinuedafterthecommissions saidtheministryresponsible for holdingpollsdidn’thave enough technical knowledge about the machines, forcing officials to dependonexternalactorstoconduct elections. Technology vendorsbecamepart ofthe decisionmakingprocessandtheministry couldn’t exercise oversight. GERMANY Theywereusedbetween2005and 2009.TheBundesverfassungsgericht,orthefederalconstitutional court of Germany, discontinued themin2009,sayingtheyviolated the principle of public nature of polls.Theconstitutionlaidoutall steps in the process were subject
topublicscrutinyunlesssaidotherwise, the court said. IRELAND Ireland used NEDAP machines from 2002 to 2004. Two independent commissions concluded that the machines could not be used because of inadequate safeguards,insecuretransfer ofdata throughCDsandinconsistencies inphysicalsecurityofmachines. THE USA In 2000, the voting method was reviewed and direct recording electronic (DRE) systems introducedafteradisputeinthepresidentialelection.DREsystemsuse “one of three basic interfaces (pushbutton, touch screen or dial)” through which “voters record their votes directly into computer memory. As many as 27 states use direct recording machines. Fifteen of these use paper audit trails. The other votingmethodsinclude:opticalscan paper ballot systems, ballotmarking devices and the punch card ballot.
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GST lists strike a fine balance The challenge will be to keep prices and inflation in check
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ndia moved a step closer to its tryst with financial destiny with the GST Council slotting thousands of products and services into the five different tax slabs. The government has sought to balance two different sets of objectives. One is to tax enough products at sufficiently high rates so that
the revenue base expands as the larger economy does. The other was to try to keep prices and inflation from spiking
HINDUSTAN T IMES, NEW DE LHI MONDAY, MAY 2 2 , 2 017
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as a number of sectors are set to experience higher rates. The rates announced indicate the latter goal has dominated government thinking. Politically it is the impact on prices that matters. Almost every country that has introduced a GST-type tax reform has seen prices increase initially. Some governments, such as in Canada, have fallen as a consequence even though the reform was later hailed as a macro-economic success. There is an additional policy concern. With the Reserve Bank of India already skittish about inflation, a GST price spike would make it even more unwilling to consider reducing interest rates. On the face of the preliminary tax lists released, the government seems to have tilted the balance in favour of holding down prices. Almost all primary food articles attract no tax at all. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley says 60% of the items presently
straightforward SHASHI SHEKHAR
The right cause but the wrong way Owing to its opposition to development, the Maoist movement seems to be on the wane
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ne morning, while going to school in Allahabad, I saw a slogan in Bengali reading: “Aamar badi, tomar badi, Naxalbari Naxalbari.” It means, my home, your home, Naxalbari.” Many years later, while passing through Almora, I again noticed slogans propagating the message of rebellion. What was common both times was the symbol of hammer and sickle next to the slogans. A question came to my mind: Down the generations, which milestones has the Maoist movement crossed? It is the right time to discuss this subject because May 25 will commemorate 50 years of the violent uprising of Naxalbari. Let me inform the younger generations that during a meeting in West Bengal’s Naxalbari area in March 1967, a decision was taken to embark on an armed rebellion in order to bring in a regime that would uphold the rights of peasants and workers. The brain behind this rebellion was Charu Mazumdar. On May 23, during a meeting called with this objective, the police and the revolutionaries clashed with each other. A policeman was killed in the violence. This was just the beginning of the turmoil. Two days later, on May 25, the police laid siege to a mammoth farmers’ gathering in which nine women and children lost their
lives. Jyoti Basu, who was the state’s home minister those days, asked the police to strictly carry out the orders. Earlier this month, after the killing of 26 CRPF personnel on April 24, some people thought the Maoist movement was still going strong. But the truth is that the movement, which began in the name of fighting exploitation, has lost its way. On March 17, 2017, Union home minister Rajnath Singh told the Lok Sabha that the number of districts affected by Maoist violence hadreduced from 106 to 68. Before that, its influence was spread over 20,000 square kilometres. It has now shrunk to one-fourth of this. It has been an incremental decline over the years. In 2009, the then home minister told Parliament that around 223 districts of the country were affected by Maoist violence. In 2011, this number stood at 203. Of these, 84 districts were witnessing violence and 119 districts were influenced by Maoist ideology. Three years later, 80 % of Maoist-related violence was taking place in only 26 districts. Still, seven states of the nation were affected. At present, just six districts are said to be extremely affected by Maoist depredations. Some experts give the credit for this to MGNREGA. Also, some state governments assisted by the Central government paid attention to development, along with launch-
FORMFITTING
replacing – will be reduced at four percentage points less. Almost
taxes has not occurred with many sectors being taxed lower than the existing service tax. The government is nervous that industry will not pass on tax benefits to consumers, instead pocketing the gains – hence the enforce primarily due to the sheer multiplicity of rates. GST will also result in enormous restructuring of national supply chains and industry will have to offset that cost. The impact on the economy will unfold over many years and is likely to be immensely positive. Its impact on the nation’s politics, however, will be immediate and revolve around how it plays out at the shop level.
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A bharatnatyam performance now lasts for only 30 minutes when it once did for 23 hours, just like the IPL reduced the cricket match to 20 quick overs MANOJ PATIL/ HT PHOTO
The long and the short of IPL and bharatnatyam Could agility be getting the better of artistry in the modern versions of both cricket and classical dance? SHARANYA CHANDRAN
thought of as committing marital rape? With this question, the Delhi High Court has reopened the debate on
making a crime which is considered to have the sanction of marriage punishable under the law. Many Indian women suffer from sexual violence at the hands of their husbands and take it as their lot. Since it does not come under the ambit of rape, reporting of this is rare so there are no real statistics on this. Following the gang rape in Delhi in 2012, lawyer Indira Jaising as amicus curiae had stressed the need to make marital rape a criminal offence under Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code by deleting the exception given to a man who has sexual relations with his wife over the age of 15. Under Section 376, it is an offence for a separated man to force himself on his wife and it was sought to extend it to women who are not separated. In India there is a strong traditional patriarchal belief that a woman must acquiesce to her husband’s demands within marriage and if he is violent, she has no right to complain. The advice given to the woman is invariably to ‘adjust’ to her circumstances even though her life may be in danger. The exception in Section 375 could be considered violative of the right to equality guaranteed to women under Article 14 as it decriminalises rape if the man is the husband. India is out of sync
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letters @hindustantimes.com
With the companies making losses, the only people to have benefited from appbased cabs are passengers
anti-profiteering clause in the GST law. This could be difficult to
A
Shashi Shekhar is editorinchief Hindustan
Are Uber and Ola good models for Indian cities?
below. Even the expected sting in the GST tail of higher service
re Indian men so culturally superior that they cannot be
ing anti-terror operations. Maoists appear to oppose all kinds of development work. Apart from inflicting damage on all projects carried out by the government machinery, they consider roads to be their greatest enemy. The CRPF soldiers attacked in Sukma were supervising road construction. The way the imperial Roman armies did it, Maoists, too abduct innocent children. The Romans used to train children to be gladiators even as Maoists glorify them by anoint-
R SUKUMAR
everything that the average Indian uses will be taxed at 18% or
TheDelhi HCopensthedebateon criminalisingmaritalsexualabuse
It was in Naxalbari in March 1967 that the seeds of armed rebellion were sown MINT
pulp-it
taxed at 32% – a composite of the several taxes that GST will be
Marriage cannot be a sanction for rape
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ing them ‘soldiers of the people’s revolution.’ Those innocent children, who are oblivious to the theories of ‘people’s awakening’ and ‘people’s war’, are made to indulge in violence and carry out spying work . Beating up people, in a way, is part of the training regime of Naxalites. The boy who first participates in a massacre is applauded. The advocates of a violent struggle provoke these children to become bloodthirsty: If you don’t have the instinct to kill enemies of the class, then you are not fit for the movement, they are told. No wonder the number of comrades disenchantedby this movement is rising. If 394 Left wing extremists surrendered in 2011, the number rose to 1,442 in 2016. Similarly, 1,840 persons associated with Maoist organisations were arrested last year. A surrendered Maoist militant told the police that he wanted to get married, have children and lead a normal life. He said his dreams had been shattered and he was disillusioned by the leadership. Just this month, two area commanders have given up arms. This is the other face of the Maoist slogan: Jal, jangal, zameen, izzat aur adhikar (Water, forests, land, respect and rights). That is the kind of logic which gives peaceniks the assurance that despite Sukmalike attacks, violence is the last stop in a oneway street. Why don’t the Maoist guerrillas understand that they are waging a war for right cause in the wrong manner?
C
lassical dance and cricket – is there indeed anything in common among the two, apart from the fact that they both start with the letter ‘C’? I was watching an Indian Premier League (IPL) match after almost two years and observed uncanny similarities in the way cricket has evolved (devolved?) over the past decade and thechangingtrendsinIndianclassicaldance. Thefirstobvioussimilarityisthatbothare shorterthaneverbefore.Atraditionalbharatnatyam performance, previously performed at a leisurely pace for 2-3 hours, now lasts for only 30 minutes (50 if you are lucky), and is quiteoftensandwichedbetweenamusicperformance or another short dance performance.Similarly,withtheT20format,onefinds atypicalmatchcompletedinjustafewhours, where a one-day match would actually be spread over a full day. Moreover, these few hours are not dedicated to cricket alone. There’s a DJ playing music, cheerleaders dancing, and Bollywood celebrities waving . These trends are perhaps a reflection of the fast pace of urban living where everyone is perpetually in a ‘what’s next’ mode. You also see a frenzied approach: a cricket match is a do-or-die situation in which you
find aggressiveplaying –youeither hit outor getout!Asimilar frenzy isapparentinclassical dance today, where you find dancers desperately trying to fill their short performanceswithleaps,jumpsandcircles(chakkars)to capture the attention of the audience. Consequently, fitness and body training is not an option any more, it’s a selection criterion for entering – and staying the course – in both these professions. This is good because players have become fitter. This is good for the sport. And the same holds true for dance. This increased athleticism in cricket and dancehasthepotentialtocreateanenhanced visualexperienceforaudiences,butthisoften doesn’t happen because it is most often not complimented with a better use of the mind. This was not how classical Indian dance used to be a decade or two ago. There used to be moreimprovisation,withsubtlenuancing that came with spontaneity. As a result of changing trends, we find certain art forms dying.Forinstance,indance,whileagilityhas energised the nritta orpure dance, the subtle abhinaya or art of expression, is languishing for want of creative sustenance. We must inspire Gen-Next to enjoy the process of learning these creative pursuits. We should look at building institutions, formats and frameworks to help students build their skills and talent and most importantly, help them innovate, while still retaining the core elements of these beautiful forms. Sharanya Chandran is a bharatnatyam dancer and developmentpolicy professional The views expressed are personal
T
hat’satoughquestiontoanswer becauseIndian citieswerecongestedevenbeforeUberandOla (ANI Technologies Pvt. Ltd) launched their services. It is also the question many city planners and administrators around the world are wrestling with; and there’s no clear answer. A recent report by Schaller Consulting suggests that cab aggregation services might be responsible for an increase in congestion in New York City althoughthecompanieshavedisputedthis. Still,itisafactthattheonsetofcabaggregationserviceshasresultedinanincreasein thenumberofcabs.Forinstance,NewYork hadlessthan14,000yellowtaxisinJanuary 2017andover45,000app-basedtaxis,according to a report in the The New York Times. Closer home, the National Capital Region (Delhi and its environs), has over 125,000 app-based taxis (and less than 10,000 blackand-yellow ones). That’s125,000more taxis ontheroadthantherewereafewyearsago. TheNCRhasaround2.5to3millioncars. Not all of these are on the road everyday (indeed, a small proportion may never be driven), but there is no data on the number of cars on the roads of the NCR on a typical day.Still,125,000isalotandbasedpurelyon theanecdotalevidenceofhoweasyitwasto negotiatethecommutetoofficeinmid-February when cab-based taxis went off the roads, they do seem to have contributed to the NCR’s traffic woes. Withnorealregulationonthenumberof taxis on the roads, their numbers have swelled.Ithasn’thelpedthecauseofthetaxi drivers,though.Thereasonapp-basedtaxis went off the roads in February was to protest,demanding anincrease inrates.When Uber and Ola started their services, they attracted drivers by offering them extraordinarily generous incentives and facilitatingloansforcars.Attractedbythecharmof owningtheirtaxis,andblindedbytheincentives, many of the drivers did not question
RECOGNISING DRIVERS AS EMPLOYEES WILL DENT THE ASSETLIGHT MODEL OF THESE COMPANIES. AS WILL EXPERIMENTS TO BUY CARS AND LEASE THEM OUT TO DRIVERS IN AN ATTEMPT TO BUY LOYALTY
the sustainability of the tariffs they were madetooffer.Nordidtheyquestionthelongevity of the incentives. Over time, with enough taxis on their apps, the companies have withdrawn most incentives. Tariffs, though, remain low (although they have risen a bit). Giventhe sheer numbers –doestheNCR need 125,000 app-based taxis? -- some of the drivers will eventually have to stop plying their taxis, dashing their entrepreneurial dreams.Already,somehavestarteddefaulting on theirloans,prompting some lenders to stop new loans to drivers wanting to buy carsandjointheapp-basedtaxi revolution. With the companies themselves making losses – then, they are funded by venture capitalandexpectedtomakelosses,itwould seem – the only people to have benefited fromthisarepassengers.Sure,driverswho got in early have benefited too, having almost paid off their loans (the early incentives were really generous). The companies have other problems as well.AttheheartoftheFebruaryprotestby their drivers is a problem that has dogged them (and continues to) in every market in whichtheyoperate:shouldtheirdriversbe recognisedasemployeesorcontractors.The companies see them as contractors. The drivers want to be considered employees. This is true in India too; so much for the whole entrepreneurship thing. IntheUK,a court has ruled that Uber should recognise itsdriversasemployees.Therearecaseson in other parts of the world as well. Recognisingdriversasemployeeswould dentthemuchvauntedasset-lightmodelof thesecompanies.Aswillexperimentstobuy cars and lease them out to drivers in an attempt to buy loyalty (many drivers use multiple apps). Stretchingthingsabit(likeallarguments aremeantto),thisraisesquestionsaboutthe veryviabilityofasset-lightbusinessmodels in India. The other company with a much-hyped asset-lightmodel,OyoRooms(OravelStays Pvt.Ltd),describedbyIndia’sPrimeMinister as the country’s largest hotel company that doesn’t own a single hotel, has started leasingentirehotels,followingthemodelof manyofthelargehotelchains.Itwasforced to doso becauseit found it difficulttooffer a standardisedandhigh-qualityexperienceto customers otherwise. R Sukumar is editor, Mint n
[email protected]
in this regard with many other countries which consider marital rape a criminal offence, among them the US, UK, South Africa
Atul Sehgal
and Canada. Unlike other rape victims, a married woman who suffers sexual abuse has little recourse to counselling facilities and has to go through the nightmare of being in close proximity with her abuser each day of her life. The observation by the court must be taken forward if we are serious about addressing the issue of sexual violence against women. The culture argument is an insult to women trapped in abusive marriages.
innervoice
YOUR MIND IS EVERYTHING: WHAT YOU THINK, YOU BECOME
The human mind is errant. It goes out of control every now and then. Being the driver of our cognitive and physical senses, it is a very powerful entity in the human organism. Its proper functioning steers the human being in the right and progressive direction, backed by enlightened intellect. But the mental impulses often hold sway and we are unwittingly driven in the wrong direction and end up landing in
marshy soil. The above situation is commonplace and every human individual experiences it. The mind must be controlled to fall in line with what we think is right. That is the key. How to control or regulate this excitable mind? The mind is a physical or material entity made up of the five primordial elements of nature which are — air, water, fire, earth and ether. The way to do it is through lifestyle regulation. Moderation in eating and sleeping, intake of fresh food including fruits and
vegetables and regular physical activity keeps the mind healthy. The other way to control the human mind is by worshipping the almighty creator and meditation. The mind is the gateway to heaven and also the doorway to hell. How we regulate it is the most important thing. This is the beautiful, yet the tumultuous journey called life. Inner Voice comprises contributions from our readers. The views expressed are personal n
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hindustantimes
HINDUSTAN T IMES, NEW D E LH I M O N DAY, MAY 22, 2017
let’stalkaboutracism
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SIXTH OF EIGHTPART SERIES
‘Dark skin could only be for a southerner’ THE ‘OTHER ONE’ Common comments on oilyhaired Madrasis are relatively innocuous manifestations of a problem so deeprooted that most of us scarcely notice it BY INVITTA
ANNA MM VETTICAD
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aptohsouthIndiandikhtihai paraapkibehenIndiandikhti hai.” (You look like a south Indian but your sister looks Indian.) These words from a decades-old conversation with a Delhi beautician came back to me when Tarun Vijay, a former BJPMPandex-editoroftheRSSpublication Panchjanya, recently tried to defend India against charges of racism. “If we were racist,” he said, “why would have all the entire south [India] which is complete… you know Tamil, you know Kerala, you know Karnataka and Andhra… why do we live with them? We have blacks, black people around us.” (sic) Many south Indians revealed their own white-skin fixation when they protestedagainstVijay’scommentbyobjecting to being termed black. It is just as telling that most north Indians would be aghast if they knew that the racial descriptor “black” is usedby Europeans and Americans not for people of African origin alone but for Indians too, and not just the dark-skinned among us. The offensive aspect of Vijay’s statement is not in these sensitivities though, but in his condescension, the implication that the north can choosewhetherornot to “live with them”, and in the othering of the south. It was an attitude echoed all those years back by that woman who blurted outinshockondiscoveringthatmycomparativelylight-complexionedcompanion was my sibling: “You TOMORROW look like a south Indianbutyoursister Are Indians living abroad looks Indian.” racist? Saeed Khan, Because in her view, US-based lecturer has thestandardIndianis some answers gora and from the
north, a dark skin like mine could only belongtoasoutherner,andasoutherner is, of course, ‘the other’. Being a Malayali born and living in Delhi, I am used to such remarks. In my schoolyears,IrememberareaderofThe Statesman writing to the editor: “south Indians are our guests” and“we” should be kind to “them”. “You southies have brains, we north Indians have looks,” said a neighbour to Mum one day. These comments, like the oily-haired, aiyyaiyyo-spouting, vibhuti-sporting ‘Madrasi’ stock character in old Hindi cinema, are relatively innocuous manifestations of a problem so deep- rooted that most of us scarcely notice it. Historical happenstance has situated India’s capital in the north. The further concentration of political power here (thanks to an electoral system that gives youmoreseatsinParliamentifyourstate sucks at population control) has given north India a major advantage over the rest of the country. As a result, studying the north has become a compulsion for otherIndians,butthelackofareciprocal effortfromthemajorityinthenorthindicatesabarelydisguisedsenseofsuperiority.Whatelsebutignorancebornofindifferenceexplainsthevaguecollectiveconviction here that the ‘south’ is somehow just one state, ‘Madras’? Language,forme,isatoolofcommunication, not ego. I speak Malayalam and Hindiwithequalaffection.ButIamtired of bigots who demand that every Indian ought to know Hindi. An audiencemember at the Taj Literature Festival 2013 slammed me and screenwriter Mushtaq Shiekh for conversing in English on stage,likespeakersbeforeusdid.“Thisis Agra, speak Hindi,” he raged. “What if a Kerala audience demanded that you speak only Malayalam?” I replied in Hindi, before lecturing him at length in my mother tongue just for kicks. Such arrogance is fuelled by the ‘Hindi is India’s national language’ lie that has beenperpetuatedbyGoebbelsianpropagandists,ill-informedjournalistsandcitizensunawareofourlanguagemovement and Constitution. Isayallthisbeforementioningthesub-
NORTH INDIANS, WHO TEND TO CONSIDER THEMSELVES UNIVERSALLY ‘GORACHITTA’, BOMBARD LIGHTSKINNED ‘MADRASIS’ WITH THE INEXPLICABLE QUESTION, ‘HOW CAN YOU BE SOUTH INDIAN?’, AND ARE CRUEL TO ‘KALLUS’ AMONG THEIR OWN
Illustration: MALAY KARMAKAR
jectofthisseries,#LetsTalkAboutRace, because racism intheIndiancontextisintertwinedwithlanguage,colour,caste,economics, politics, history and more. Take colour, for one, in the Indian mindscape. White is a reminder of our colonisers, black the colour of African slaves; white is the dominant colour of today’s superpowers, black we associate with a poverty-stricken wilderness; white is linked to Brahmins i.e. those who work in the shade, black to lower castes i.e. those who work under the sun. It’s complicated and convoluted.
North Indians,whotend to consider themselves universally‘gora-chitta’, bombard light-skinned ‘Madrasis’ with the inexplicable question, “How can you be south Indian?”, andarecruelto‘kallus’amongtheirown. Priyanka Chopra once spoke to me in aninterviewoftheordealofbeingdarkin a Punjabihousehold.SouthIndians too deem light lovelier than dark. Meanwhile, suicides have been reported in bothregionsbyvictimsofcolour-related oppression.
Here, though, is a twist in my tale. My experience of colour prejudice pales in comparison with the crushing taunts thrown at one of my closest friends, also a fellow Malayali, all his life. ‘Kaala kauwa’, ‘kaala bhoot’, ‘kaala kaloota’ (blackcrow,blackghost,blacky),blackas coal—hehashearditall,fromclassmates (in a respected Delhi school, mind you), neighbours,strangers,evenrelativesand friends.Isawhisshoulderswiltinhumiliation as a child, and each time my heart broke a little for him. While writing this piece, I asked him why I was not similarly traumatised.
Stressinghisconvictionthattheepithets would have remained unchanged if he hadbeennorthIndian,heremindsmetoo thatmostIndianswouldnotconsiderme asdarkasheis.True.OntheAsianPaints Shade Card of Complexions in every Indian’s head, I am 3.946 ‘shades fairer’ than my friend and 5.217 ‘shades darker’ than my sister. In the vocabulary of our contemptible version of racism, then, he is a ‘kaala kauwa’ deserving ridicule, I merit sympathy, and my sister is crowned an ‘Indian’. So, do I face discrimination as a south Indian living in the north? The answer, like I said, is complicated. It would be naïve, however, to ignore the country’s systemic pro-north bias and skewedbalance of political power; the so-called ‘national’ media’s Bollywood obsession, tothevirtualexclusionofourotherthrivingfilmindustries;ajournalismscenein whichthemolestationofamajorMalayalamactressthisyearreceivedlittleattention, though a similar assault in north India would have attracted wall-to-wall coverage;andthedeeplypoliticalimport of that woman’s words from so long ago, “Aap toh south Indian dikhti hai par aapki behen Indian dikhti hai.” (Anna MM Vetticad is a journalist, social commentator, and journalism teacher based in Delhi. She is the author of The Adventures of an Intrepid Film Critic)
moreonweb From Bollywood actor Abhay Deol to a Nigerian student living in India, read first-person accounts of dealing with racism at www.hindustantimes.com/interactives/lets-talk-about-racism/. Send us your stories at
[email protected] or with #LetsTalkAboutRacism
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IF IT’S TRUE THAT (DONALD TRUMP) WOULDN’T BE PRESIDENT IF IT WEREN’T FOR TWITTER, THEN YEAH, I’M SORRY.
> EVAN WILLIAMS, Twitter co-founder, lamenting social media role in Trump’s election
Trump’sexcampaignaidetotestify
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RUSSIA LINKS PROBE Congress calls on Michael Caputo to submit to interview HT Correspondent n
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Photo bomb: Justin Trudeau’s official photographer on Sunday tweeted a picture of the Canadian Prime Minister jogging in shorts past students of a Vancouver high school standing in full formalwear during their prom photoshoot. TWITTER/ADAM SCOTTI
shortstories TEENAGER SPITS ON MUSLIM CLASSMATE, TRIES TO YANK OFF HER HIJAB IN US NEW YORK: A 16-year-old Muslim girl was spat upon and abused by her classmate who even tried to pull her hijab off in a city school in the US. The 15-year-old boy was on an elevator with the victim inside the High School for Law Enforcement and Public Safety in Jamaica in the New York City when he called her a Muslim followed by a slur, and spit on her, police said. He then tugged on her hijab in an attempt to rip it off her head, they said. The girl then told school officials, who reported the incident to police. Police questioned the teen and charged him with aggravated harassment and disorderly conduct, New York Daily reported. He will be charged as a juvenile and PTI so his name was not released.
After US walkoff from trade deal, hopes still up
North Korea fires ballistic missile in latest test
HANOI: The US ruled out returning to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal and said on Sunday it only wanted bilateral agreements in Asia, as Japan and other members agreed to more talks on pressing ahead themselves. Turmoil over global trade negotiations was laid bare at a meeting of Asia-Pacific Cooperation countries, which failed to agree the usual joint statement after US opposition to wording on REUTERS free trade.
SEOUL: North Korea on Sunday fired a ballistic missile from an area near its capital, Pyongyang, South Korea’s military said, in the latest weapons test for a country speeding up its development of nuclear weapons and missiles. The missile was fired from an area near Pukchang, in South Phyongan Province, and flew eastward about 500 kilometers, said South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff. It didn’t immediately provide more AP details.
British university removes Muslim prayer space
German and Afghan killed, Finn kidnapped in Kabul
LONDON: Ahead of Ramzan, a top United Kingdom university has decided to remove the prayer space available on campus for Muslims, citing a “lack of space” during exam season as the reason behind its move. The only daily prayer space available on campus of the University of East Anglia (UEA) is to be permanently removed and replaced with a corridor to the university library, the Independent reported. PTI
KABUL: A German aid worker and an Afghan guard were killed and a Finnish woman kidnapped as gunmen stormed an international guest house in central Kabul, officials said Sunday. The attack late on Saturday was on a guest house run by Swedish charity Operation Mercy. No group AFP claimed responsibility.
Freed Nigerian schoolgirls meet families after 3 years ABUJA: The 82 Nigerian schoolgirls recently released after more than three years in Boko Haram captivity reunited with their families on Saturday as anxious parents looked for signs of how deeply the extremists had changed their daughters. Brightly dressed families rushed through the crowd and embraced. AP
Mexican mob attacks Russian man in Cancun
inthenews
MICHEL TEMER
Embattled Brazilian president demands suspension of corruption probe against him
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WASHINGTON: As US President Donald Trump signed deals and swayed with dancers among the gilded opulence and the red carpet rolled out for him in Riyadh, an investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 US elections and the alleged collusion by his campaign continued, with a former aide called by a congressional committee to testify before it. The House intelligence committee, which is conducting one of several investigations into Russian meddling, asked Michael Caputo, a one-time Trump campaign aide, on Saturday to submit himself to a voluntary interview and also turn over documents that could be relevant to the probe. Caputo, who was with the campaign for a few months as a communications adviser, had worked in Russia in the 1990s and is said to know many officials in the Kremlin well. He also worked for Gazprom Media, a Russian company that is known to have supported Russian president. The committee has said the voluntary interview could be about “Russian cyber activities directed against the 2016 US election, potential links between Russia and individuals associated with political campaigns, the US government's response to these Russian active measures, and related leaks of
Temer tried to defuse demands for his resignation on Saturday by claiming that the central piece of evidence against him in a corruption probe had been tampered with. He demanded the probe be suspended and refused to quit The dramatic claim came during his second public appearance and release of a secret recording in which he can allegedly be heard giving the green light to paying hush money to a jailed politician Temer also appealed to the Brazilian elite, saying that his leadership is needed to see through austerity reforms aimed at fixing Latin America’s biggest economy.
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On his first foreign tour as the US president, Donald Trump joined in a traditional sword dance welcome ceremony ahead of a banquet at the Murabba Palace in Saudi Arabia. Video of the event shows Trump, surrounded by Saudi officials, bopping back and forth with a smile on his face. The traditional men’s sword dance is known as the ardah. The performance combines dance, drumming and chanting poetry, and it signifies the start of notable occasions like religious holidays or weddings. REUTERS
classified information”. In a written response to the committee, Caputo has said he plans to testify and that he never had any contacts with Russian government or employees during his time on the campaign: “The only time the president and I talked about Russia was in 2013, when he simply asked me in passing what it was like to live there in the context of a dinner conversation.” The summons came on top of heightened activity in recent
days regarding the Russia probe, including the appointment of former FBI director Robert Muller as special counsel to head the investigation, separately from those being run by intelligence committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate. James Comey, the sacked FBI director, is expected to testify at on open hearing of the Senate committee the week after, around the time President Trump returns from his nine-
day foreign tour, at which he is likely to speak about attempts by the president to influence FBI’s investigation of Russian meddling. According to notes Comey kept of his conversations with the president that have been leaked since his sacking, the president told him once,“I hope you can let this go … I hope you can see your way clear to letting this go, to letting Flynn go … He is a good guy. I hope you can let this go.”
BEIJING: Chinasystematicallydis-
mantledCIAspyingefforts inthe countrybeginningin2010,killing or jailing more than a dozen covert sources, in a deep setback to US intelligence there, The New YorkTimesreportedonSunday. TheTimes,quoting10current and former American officials who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the intelligence breach as one of the worst in decades. It said that even now intelligence officials are unsure whether the US was betrayed by amolewithintheCIAorwhether the Chinese hacked a covert systemusedbytheCIAtocommunicate with foreign sources. Of the damage inflicted on what had been one of the most productive
President Trump has cast the elusive pursuit of peace between Israelis and Palestinians as the “ultimate deal.” But he will step foot in Israel having offered few indications of how he plans to achieve what so many of his predecessors could not. Trump has handed son-inlaw Jared Kushner and longtime business lawyer Jason Greenblatt the assignment of charting the course toward a peace process. Kushner and Greenblatt were to accompany Trump on his two-day visit starting Monday that include separate meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Trump also planned to visit the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem and the Western Wall, an important key Jewish holy site.
LONDON: Mountaineershavecon-
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KATHMANDU: Pushpa Kamal
Dahal ‘ Prachanda’ will step down as Nepal’s Prime Minister this week, paving the way for formation of a new government led by Nepali Congress president Sher Bahadur Deuba as per a pact made last year. Nepali Congress, the largest party in parliament and the CPN(Maoist Center), which Prachanda chairs, had reached a deal that he would step down once local elections are concluded. Nepal has successfully held the first phase of elections on May 14 in three provinces and second phase is taking place on June 14. Deuba will hold the second round of local polls as per the understanding made last August. The parliament is set to convene on Monday, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, a senior leader of the Maoist party, told HT, adding Prachanda will address the House and put in his papers by Wednesday. NC and the Maoists together enjoy simple majority to form the next cabinet led by Deuba, a former three-time prime minister. But main opposition CPNUML is opposing the power transfer, citing the elections code of conduct.
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USspynetworks,however,there wasnodoubt:atleastadozenCIA sources were killed between late 2010andtheendof2012,including one who was shot in front of colleaguesinaclearwarningtoanyoneelsewhomightbespying,the Times reported. In all, 18 to 20 CIA sources in China were either killed or imprisoned, according to two formerseniorAmericanofficials quoted.Itwasagravesetbacktoa network that, up to then, had been working at its highest level in years. Those losses were comparable to the number of US assetslostintheSovietUnionand Russiabecauseofthebetrayalsof two infamous spies, Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen, the AGENCIES report said.
IN ISRAEL, TRUMP SEEKS ‘ULTIMATE DEAL’
Anil Giri
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meeting and an unnamed US official. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov denied that Comey had come up during the meeting, according to Interfax news agency.
Mt Everest becomes much more dangerous for climbers after collapse of famous ‘Hillary Step’
Prasun Sonwalkar
It is not clear if the US was betrayed by a mole in CIA
US President Donald Trump raised the firing of his FBI director in a meeting with Russia’s foreign minister to explain why he had been unable to find areas of cooperation with Moscow, the White House national security adviser said on Sunday. “The gist of the conversation was that the president feels as if he is hamstrung in his ability to work with Russia to find areas of cooperation because this has been obviously so much in the news,” HR McMaster said in an interview on ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos. Reports that Trump boasted to Russian officials of firing former FBI director James Comey to relieve “great pressure” from a law-enforcement probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election engulfed his administration in turmoil just as Trump left for his first foreign trip as president on Friday. “I just fired the head of the FBI. He was crazy, a real nut job,” Trump said during a May 10 meeting with Russian officials, according to a report by The New York Times that cited a document summarising the
WASHINGTON:
American climber dies, Indian man missing on Everest
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firmed that a famous rocky outcrop near the peak of Mt Everest hascollapsed,potentiallymaking the climb more dangerous. The Hillary Step, named after Sir Edmund Hillary who, along with the sherpa Tenzing Norgay , was the first person to climb the mountainin1953,mayhavebeen destroyed during the 2015 Nepal earthquake . The 12-metre-high rocky outcrop was a nearly vertical climb on the south-east ridge of the mountain. There had been rumours from climbers on earlier expeditions that the step had beendestroyed,butsnowyconditionsmade itdifficult to confirm. The British expedition leader Tim Mosedale, who reached the summitlastweek,postedaphotograph on Facebook and confirmedthedestructionoftheHillaryStep.“It’sofficial–theHillary Stepisnomore,”wroteMosedale. “Itwas reported last year, and indeed I climbed it last year, but we weren’t sure for certain that ‘the Step’ had gone because the areawasblastedwithsnow.This year, however, I can report that thechunkofrocknamed‘theHillary Step’ is definitely not there any more.” Last year reports of the step’s destruction began circulating after photographs were published by the American Himalayan Foundation . Snow cover in the pictures made it hard to tell.
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crats hope to win the support of a large number of people who voted for Britain to remain in the European Union, and 14 Indianorigin candidates are part of its appeal. The party was in a coalition with the Conservative government of Prime Minister David Cameron in 2010-2015, but lost heavily in the 2015 election. Its strength was reduced to 8 MPs from 57 in 2010. It now hopes to recover by being the only party to promise another referendum on Brexit. Dadabhai Naoroji was one of the first MPs of the party in its earlier incarnation as the Liberal Party. He was elected from Finsbury Central in 1892, but has struggled to enlist substantial support from the Indian community in Britain. The party fielded 14 Indian-origin candidates in the 2015 election also. The Conservatives fielded 13 Indian-origin candi-
dates for the June 8 election, while Labour has 14 from the community, which had voted largely to remain in the EU. Positioning itself as the party of “Remainers”, it has also held out the prospect of reinstating the post-study work visa popular with Indian students. The visa allowed Indian and other non-EU students to work for two years after completing studies, but was abolished in 2012. Party leader Tim Farron told Hindustan Times: “It is ludicrous that we take in Indian students, train them, and then as soon as they are skilled and ready to work, the Conservatives boot them out of the country.” “British universities are world leaders that attract some of the most talented individuals from India to the benefit of the UK economy. “But instead of encouraging them to stay here and contribute to keeping Britain at the forefront of cutting-edge research, this Conservative Brexit government forces them out.”
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Mosedale, who reached Everest’ssummitforthesixthtimeon 16 May, posted a photograph of what remains of the Hillary Step when he returned to base camp after the climb. The photograph shows the topography has changed significantly compared with photographs taken a few years ago. Located at 8,790 metres, the HillaryStepisasteepandnarrow sectionconsideredbyclimbersto be the last obstacle before the summit,whichisat8,848metres. Its destruction may make the ascenteasier–asitwillnolonger involve a vertical rock climb – or more dangerous because there may be limited paths up the section,meaningclimberswillhave to wait for long periods in cold temperatures and at a high altitude while others attempt it.
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ROHTAK :Haryana police sub-in-
spector from Hisar, Anita Kundu, 29, on Sunday created history by becoming the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest from the China side. Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar confirmed the achievement and congratulated Kundu through Twitter. “Congratulations to Haryana’s Anita Kundi for becoming the first Indian woman to climb Mt Everest from the China side. More power to you!” the CM tweeted.
Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron with supporters
AFP
List of candidates of Indian origin fielded by Britain’s Liberal Democrats Party for the June 8 elections JOE NAITTA Derby South
VICTOR BABU Clwyd West
RABI MARTINS Luton North
ISABELLE PARASRAM Walsall North
NIGEL BAKHAI Ealing Southall DAVE RAVAL Hackney South and Shoreditch
HARRISH BISNAUTHSING Leicester South GITANJALI GORDON South Shields MARISHA RAY Chipping Barnet
Kundu had started climbing the Everest from the China side on April 11, but had lost contact with outside world on April 26, leaving her family members worried. It was informed on Saturday night that she was only 1,100-ft away from the peak, which she scaled to hoist the Indian Tricolour on Sunday. This was her second attempt to climb the Everest from the China side. Two years ago, she had to return midway due to bad weather. She had earlier scaled the Everest from Nepal side in May 2013.
American climberhasdiednearthesummit of Mount Everest and an Indian climber is missing after heading down from the mountain following a successful ascent, expedition organizers said Sunday. Roland Yearwood, 50, from Georgiana,Alabama,diedonthe mountain on Sunday but other details were not immediately known, said Murari Sharma of the Everest Parivar Expedition agency, based in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital. IndianclimberRaviKamarfell sick on his way down from the summit on Saturday and did not make it to the nearest camp, while his accompanying Nepalese Sherpa guide made it to a camp, said Thupden Sherpa of Arun Treks and Expedition. The guide also fell sick, but he wasabletodraghimselftothelast campatSouthCol,locatedat8,000 meters, Sherpa said, adding that the guide had frostbite and was hooked to oxygen bottles. ArescueteamofthreeSherpas flewbyhelicoptertoCamp2,from wheretheywereclimbingupthe mountain to help search for the missing climber.
Ireland likely to get Indian-origin gay PM
INDIANORIGIN CANDIDATES
ANITA PRABHAKAR Mansfield
(Left) A file picture of the Hillary Step near the peak of Mount Everest; (above) Anita Kundu after she scaled the mountain. AGENCIES
Haryana cop makes history with climb from China side
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PRACHANDA TO RESIGN AS NEPAL PRIME MINISTER THIS WEEK n
MEXICO CITY: A mob of angry Mexicans attacked a Russian man in the Caribbean resort of Cancun with sticks and rocks over his repeated insults against locals, and the 42-year-old man was accused of fatally stabbing a youth in the melee, authorities said on Saturday. Police rescued the Russian, identified as Aleksei Makeev, after the crowd stormed his apartment on Friday night, REUTERS authorities said.
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NSA HR McMaster defends Trump’s firing of FBI chief
SHWETA KAPADIA Arundel and South Downs ANITA DAY Grantham and Stamford PARMJIT SINGH Birmingham, Perry Barr REETENDRANATH BANERJI South Basildon and East Thurrock
LONDON : Leo Varadkar, son of a Mumbai-born doctor and Ireland’sfirstopenlygayminister,is in the forefront to succeed Enda Kenny as the country’s prime minister. If elected, the Irish welfare ministerwillbecomeyetanother Indianoriginheadofstateorgovernment. Varadkar, 38, is the youngest child of Ashok Varadn Leo Varadkar is said to enjoy kar,whomethisfuturewifeMirmuch support in the ruling Fine iam,anurse,whileworkinginthe Gael party. National Health Service in REUTERS England in the 1960s. Varadkar, who was a practis- hope to a battered and bruised Ireland in 2011…His dedication ing doctor before joining politics and being elected in 2007, made and determination gave Fine newsin2015whenhecameoutas Gael a landslide in that year’s agay,anannouncementthatwas general election.” “But more importantly, he initially met with some shock by his father, but who he said was brought this country back from the brink of economic collapse, later “very supportive”. He faces housing minister and offered political stability SimonCoveneyinthecontestfor when countries across Europe the next prime minister, to be were staring into the abyss.” decided by June 2. About the top job, a cautious Kennysteppeddownthisweek VaradkartoldSkyNews:“I’mnot as leader after six years as the countingmychickens.I’mreally prime minister. Varadkar is humbled at the level of support I reported to enjoy much support have received from my colin the ruling Fine Gael party and leagues and I am really looking ministers.AfterKennyresigned, forward to the hustings and the Printed and distributed by PressReader debates.” Varadkar said he had “given HTC P r e s s R e a d e r. c o m +1 604 278 4604 • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY •
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Reserve Bank of India Governor Urjit Patel MINT/FILE
URJIT PATEL TO BRIEF PANEL ON DEMONETISATION ON JUNE 8 NEW DELHI: RBI Governor Urjit Patel’s appearance before a parliamentary panel for a second briefing on demonetisation has been put off from May 25 to June 8, as work on framing the monetary policy would be underway at that time. The Standing Committee on Finance, which had questioned Patel on January 18 on the move to ban ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes, allowed him to appear at the later date after he issued a request expressing his inability. Patel had been asked to appear on May 25 after former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh prevailed over the BJP MPs in the panel, who were opposed to summoning the RBI governor again. People privy to developments said the panel is now likely to question Patel on how much money has come back into the banking system.
LIC investment income at ₹1,80,117 crore in FY17 MUMBAI:Insurance behemoth Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India earned a total investment income of ₹1,80,117 crore during financial year 2016-17. For LIC, also the largest domestic institutional investor in the country, the income was earned through investment in government bonds and state development loans, interest, corporate bond interest, dividend income and profits on sale of equity. The market value of LIC’s total investment grew 17.08% at the end of FY17 to ₹24,69,589 crore (provisional) from ₹21,09,253 crore a year ago. “During the year (2016-17), LIC invested ₹2.6 lakh crore in Central and State government securities with an average annualised yield of 7.65% during the year,” people with knowledge of the matter told PTI.
Govt starts work on shifting financial year to JanDec NEW DELHI:The government has initiated the spadework for shifting the start of the financial year to January, from April at present, to align it with the agriculture production cycle. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had backed the idea of JanuaryDecember financial year last month, while addressing chief ministers at the Governing Council of NITI Aayog. Preliminary work has started and it will gather momentum as year progresses, sources said. The GST implementation from July 1 is also an indication in that direction, sources said, adding that it is being implemented beginning second half of the calender year. COMPILED FROM AGENCIES
GSTCounciltonowfocuson pricebehaviourofcompanies CONSUMER BENEFITS Whether firms pass on tax reduction to consumers is key, says Kerala FM Gireesh Chandra Prasad n
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NEWDELHI: After having fixed the
rates of the goods and services tax (GST) on almost all commodities and services, the GST Council is trying to ensure that businesses pass on any tax reduction benefit to consumers when the new indirect tax regime comes into force on July 1. The most important issue related to the implementation of GST is whether the tax cuts will be passed on to consumers, Kerala finance minister Thomas Isaac said, adding that the council, which debated it prior to bringing in the anti-profiteering clause in the GST law, will discuss this matter further. “Union finance minister Arun Jaitley has assured that we may even have a special session (of the council) on this. It is noteworthy that no industry has come forward and said maximum retail prices will be reduced in line with tax reduction,” Isaac said in an interview. For the government, which insists that GST rates are not inflationary, it is essential for consumers to feel a cooling of prices to make the most radical tax reform since Independence politically acceptable. The Council has to recommend to the Centre whether a separate authority is needed or the Competition Commission of India (CCI) could be authorised to ensure that the reduced tax incidence on commodities has resulted in price cuts. Revenue secretary Hasmukh Adhia had told reporters after the two-day meeting of the council in Srinagar that even if the anti-profiteering mechanism is set up three months from now, it will have the power to question corporate behaviour since the finalisation of GST rates. Competition law experts doubted whether the CCI would get into price regulation. They say the anti-profiteering clause in the Central GST Act is a “political message”. The GST rate on a large section of services will fall into the 18% slab, which is three percentage points more than what is levied now, but both Jaitley and Adhia clarified last week that the efficiency in GST that eliminates the cascading or tax-on-tax effect of the current system will reduce the effective incidence of tax on services to a level much lower than the “headline” rate of 18%. The government believes the same will apply to goods as well. According to consulting firm EY, the proposed GST rates imply reduction in tax incidence
With the goods and services tax rates fixed for almost all items, the GST Council, tax officers, companies and traders now have six weeks to make the transition to the new indirect tax regime. They face different challenges in the run up to 1 July rollout of GST. GST Council The council is to decide the GST rate on lotteries, the only service left to be fitted in a tax slab. Among goods, the council has to decide rates on a few contentious items like bidis, gold jewellery and footwear. It also has to ensure tax cuts result in lower prices for consumers. GST Network The company that manages GST returns and invoices filed by businesses has to make sure IT systems match invoices and give tax credits smoothly to over 6 million taxpayers. Businesses Companies have to make sure the interface of their software systems and that of the GST Network works smoothly and that they can avail of tax credits without hassles. Traders To install computer software for managing books and filing returns.
on items like mobile phones, processed food, energy drinks, contact lenses and utensils, while there is an increase in the case of items such as watches, air conditioners, washing machines and perfumes. CCI mostly regulates corporate behaviour such as cartelisation and abuse of dominance and leaves pricing to be determined by the market, intervening only if the market is distorted, explained Subodh Prasad Deo, a partner at law firm Saikrishna and Associates and former additional director general at CCI. Actual price regulation is limited to sectors such as power and pharmaceuticals. A part of the pharmaceutical industry is regulated under the Essential Commodities Act. CCI’s mandate to look into unfair pricing is in the limited context of a dominant market player imposing unfair conditions on pricing. “Prices are not regulated, least of all by competition authorities as it is generally determined by the market. Competition regulators are reluctant to get into the issue of unfair pricing as they do not have a yardstick to determine what a fair price would be,” said Deo. In the market economy, what is seen is that prices are determined by the top players, said Kerala finance minister Isaac. “The state is reducing taxes on the condition that the benefit may be transferred to consumers. If businesses do not respond, the government has to intervene,” he said. Jammu & Kashmir finance minister Haseeb Drabu, who hosted the 14th meeting of the GST Council in Srinagar, also said the most important GST implementation issue is making sure that the benefit of tax reduction reaches consumers.
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12%, 18% and 28%, announced along with a list of goods in each slab over the two-day period. “There are pockets of benefit as some FMCG goods have been moved from 28% to 18%, but a bulk continues to be at 28%,” Panchal of PricewaterhouseCoopers said. “Oral care will benefit because rates will come down”. However, Panchal said that products such as chocolates, aeratedwaterandshampoos will all be taxed at 28%. “The government policy has been to keep GST revenue-neutral (meaning the overall tax revenue collected remains the same) and have tried to keep goods of mass consumption at lower rates,” he said. While GST rates will reduce prices of low-margin, high-volume goods like soap bars and toothpastes, it may affect sales of more premium products thatare now placed in the 28% tax slab. HUL, the country’s largest packaged goods firm, stands to benefit from the lowered tax on soap bars and detergents: home care and personal wash are two of the biggest business segments.
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NEW DELHI :DBS Bank India
WHAT IS OPEN ARCHITECTURE? Usually banks tie-up with one insurance company and sell their products through their
Premium products have been put in the 28% tax slab MINT/FILE
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SANFRANCISCO: Uber is expanding
In its 2015 regulations on corporate agents, Irdai has allowed corporate agents to sell policies of up to three insurance companies in the same line of business ISTOCKPHOTO bank branch network. This is called bancassurance. According to regulations notified in 2015, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) has allowed corporate insurance agents like banks to sell policies from multiple insurers, which is called open architecture. What insurance agents follow is a tied agency model, wherein an agent or a corporate agent sells policies of only one insurer from the same line of business. In its 2015 regulations on corporate agents, Irdai has allowed corporate agents to sell policies of up to three insurance companies in the same line of business. This means a bank can either con-
tinue to sell policies of one insurer or up to three insurers. As composite corporate agents, banks under open architecture can sell policies of up to three life insurers, three non-life insurers and three health insurers too. WHAT IT MEANS Open architecture—though limited to three insurers— means more choice for you. For banks, it means more products to understand, explain and sell. Vishal Dhawan, certified financial planner and founder Plan Ahead Wealth Advisors, said that investors should take note that even though three is better than one when it comes to making
all financial services transactions will attract a higher rate as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) increased the rate of taxation from the current from 15% to 18%. This includes banking transactions, mutual funds, insurance and stock market transactions which were earlier taxed at 15% including krishi kalyan cess and swachh bharat cess. “GST applies to all services where this a supply for consideration. So, in banking transactions such as credit card payments, fund transfer, ATM transactions, processing fees on loans etc where the banks are levying charges increased tax rates would apply. This would have a slight inflationary impact,” said Saloni Roy, Partner, Deloitte Haskin & Sells. The Central Board of Excise Commission, the nodal body for indirect taxes, would issue notifications clarifying exemptions from the flat 18% tax rate. Interest on fixed deposit, bank account deposits etc which do not attract a charge would continue to so even under the new regime. The government on May 19 finalised the tax rates for the services sector. 90% of the services were placed in 18% bracket, which in absolute terms is a marginal increase but is expected to reduce complexity in transaction and ease in availing input credit. Of the total services, 63 have been put in a negative list, that is exempt from tax. In 2016-17, service tax collection jumped to ₹2.54 trillion from ₹2.11 trillion a year ago.
MUMBAI: Fast moving consumer
goods (FMCG) companies’ attempts to move their consumers to more premium brands may be hurt by the decision to place pricier products in the highest goods and services tax (GST) slab of 28%, said Dharmesh Panchal, partner, indirect tax at audit firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. Under GST, which takes effect on July 1, items of daily use such as tooth pastes and hair oils will be taxed at 18%, while products such as shampoos and hair creams, chocolates, and instant coffee will be taxed at 28%. A report by equities brokerage Nirmal Bang titled GST— Impact of New Rate Structure said “too many goods” were placed in the highest tax bracket. “We see a positive (impact) for commonly used FMCG goods like soap, toothpaste and hair oil (but this was largely expected) but negative one for others that are not commonly used where tax incidence seems to have increased from 24% to 28% (not expected)”, the report said, adding the impact will be “marginally negative” for the largest consumer packaged goods companies like Hindustan Unilever Ltd, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd, Marico Ltd, Emami Ltd, and Gillette India Ltd. The government appointed GST Council headed by finance minister Arun Jaitley decided goods and services rates under five tax slabs during a two-day meeting on May 18-19 at Srinagar. These tax slabs were nil, 5%,
a choice, there still are a lot of alternatives available beyond this. While the open architecture will provide more products to choose from to customers of a bank, make sure that you are buying a product that suits your requirements. “But many times an inappropriate product was being bought because the investors did not spend enough time in reading and understanding the fineprint,” Dhawan said. You should know that IRDAI does provide for a free look period. “So either be sure about what you are buying, or if you are forced to buy a product, make use of the free look period to understand the limitations,” he said.
into a new field with a version of its on-demand ride application that lets truckers book cargo hauls with simple taps on smartphones. Uber Freight rolling out in the US was touted by the company as an app that matches truckers or trucking companies with loads, and streamlines payments. “We take the guesswork out of finding and booking freight, which is often the most stressful part of a driver’s day,” Uber said in a blog post available online on Friday. “What used to take several hours and multiple phone calls can now be achieved with the touch of a button.” US-based Uber made no mention of its efforts in self-driving vehicles, particularly trucks for cargo or deliveries. Uber acquired commercial transport-focused tech startup Otto late last year as the company pressed ahead with its pursuit of self-driving technology. Some $7.7 billion in funding was pumped into supply chain and logistics companies last year, according to industry tracker CB Insights. Uber Freight offered to spare truckers from needing to go through brokers or other middle-men for cargo-hauling jobs. A video ad online showed Uber smartphone apps being used to sign-on for loads, track cargo in real-time, and get paid.
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MUMBAI: Starting July 1
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Shaikh Zoaib Saleem
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More options for customers as banks plan tieups with multiple insurers has announced the introduction of its open architecture platform, wherein it will offer life insurance products from three different companies. While the bank was already in partnership with Aviva India Life Insurance, it has now also tied up with Tata AIA Life and Birla Sun Life. Traditionally, if you are a customer at a bank, the bank has a tie-up with only one insurance company and offers its products through their network. DBS Bank is now offering all the life insurance products from these three companies, and is also exploring tieups in general and health insurance space. Going forward, more banks are likely to have similar tieups with multiple insurers. Anuraag Sunder, director-insurance, PwC India, said that both large public and private sector banks are looking at such tie-ups. “But the effect of this will be seen only 12-18 months after the deal is done. It is not going to be an easy process,” he said. We take a look at how should you approach this new system .
Jayshree P Upadhyay
Sales of premium brands at FMCG firms may take a hit
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GST: What next?
UltraTech, Jaypee looking to complete cement deal by July Deborshi Chaki and Kalpana Pathak n
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The Aditya Birla group’s UltraTech Cement Ltd’s ₹16,189 crore acquisition of the cement business of Jaiprakash Associates Ltd is expected to be completed soon, a top group executive said in an interview. “The Jaiprakash Associates acquisition is on track and should get done sooner than later,” group CFO Sushil Agarwal said, without giving details. On completion, the purchase will increase UltraTech’s cement capacity by almost a third to 90.7 million tonnes per annum and give the company access to the markets of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh (east), Himachal Pradesh and coastal Andhra Pradesh. UltraTech had in July last year said it would acquire Jaiprakash Associates’ cement plants, with a total capacity of 21.2 million tonnes per annum, in one of the largest deals in the cement sector in India. Both firms are looking to complete the deal by July, which is within the estimated time frame, said two people directly aware of the merger process, speaking on condition of anonymity. In a regulatory filing in July 2016, UltraTech said that the acquisition was expected to be completed in the “next 9-10 months after getting all regulatory and shareholders’ approv-
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On completion, the purchase will raise UltraTech’s cement capacity to 90.7 mt MINT/FILE
als”. In March, Jaiprakash Associates received the National Company Law Tribunal’s approval for transfer of its cement plants to UltraTech Cement. The deal got the Competition Commission of India’s approval in August and shareholders’ nod in October. UltraTech reported an 11.3% drop in March-quarter profit at ₹726 crore against ₹819 crore a year earlier. Revenue rose 3% to ₹7,020 crore from ₹6,819 crore. “Deals of such nature require approvals from multiple regulatory approvals. We understand that while UltraTech Cement has received several necessary approvals, it is still in the process of getting ownership of mining leases transferred to its name,” said Mangesh Bhadang, cement and infrastructure analyst at Nirmal Bang Securities Pvt. Ltd.
Gitanjali, Titan, PC Jeweller in top 50 global luxury firms list Press Trust of India n
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NEWDELHI: Three Indian compa-
nies—Gitanjali Gems, Titan and PC Jeweller—have been named in the list of top 50 luxury goods firms globally that was topped by Louis Vuitton. Gitanjali Gems Ltd was placed in the 30th rank, followed by Titan Company (31st) and PC Jeweller (44th) in the fourth annual Global Powers of Luxury Goods report. Among the top 10 companies globally, three are luxury conglomerates participating in multiple sectors of the luxury good market. The top three companies are LVMH Moet Hennessy-Louis Vuitton SA (Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Emilio Pucci, DonnaKaran, TAGHeuer), Compaigne Financiere Richemont SA (Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Montblanc, Chloe), and The Estee Lauder Companies Inc (Estee Lauder, M.A.C., Aramis, Clinique, Aveda, Jo Malone). On the economic outlook of luxury market in India and the potential impact it may have on brands, a Deloitte India spokes-
person said: “A rapidly rising urban middle class with increasing disposable income is expected to drive sales of luxury goods. The demand for luxury goods is expected to remain strong, and India remains the bright spot among Asian and BRIC countries, despite the tax on luxury goods.” Emerging consumer markets continue to drive luxury market growth. In China, Russia and the UAE, that are categorised as emerging luxury markets, 70%of consumers claimed to have increased their spending in the last five years as compared to 53 per cent in the more maturemarkets (EU, US and Japan). The report noted that the world’s 100 largest luxury goods companies generated sales of $212 billion in 2014-15. The average luxury goods annual sales for a top 100 company stood at $2.1 billion. The fourth annual Global Powers of Luxury Goods report, titled ‘The new luxury consumer’, examines and lists the 100 largest luxury goods companies, based on publicly available data for consolidated sales of goods in 2014 -2015.
SoftBank raises $93 b in first close of fund for technology firms, start-ups Mihir Dalal n
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BENGALURU: Japan’s SoftBank
Group Corp. said it has received $93 billion in cash for its new $100 billion fund for technology firms and start-ups in the US, Europe and Asia, including India. Investors in the fund, called the SoftBank Vision Fund, include SoftBank, the Public InvestmentFundoftheKingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mubadala Investment Co. of the United Arab Emirates, Apple Inc., Foxconn Technology Group, Qualcomm Inc. and Sharp Corp. The Vision Fund, which is the largest ever vehicle created for technology investments, will be headed by Rajeev Misra, a veteran 54-year-old Wall Street finance executive, who joined SoftBank in 2014 after spells with UBS, Deutsche Bank and Merrill Lynch. SoftBank said the fund will get the balance $7 billion within six months. The Vision Fund will be deployed over five years, while its exit timeline is over 10 years. It will invest in and acquire both listed and private technology firms and start-ups in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, mobile applications and computing, consumer Internet and financial technology. These bets will be finalised by an investment panel which will include Misra and Masayoshi Son, SoftBank chairman and chief executive. The investment panel will not have representatives from the Fund’s investors. “Technology has the potential to address the biggest challenges and risks facing humanity today,” Son said in a statement.
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SoftBank Group chairman Masayoshi Son
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“The businesses working to deal goes through. SoftBank, solve these problems will also the largest shareholder in China’s Alibaba Group, has falrequire patient long-term capital and visionary strategic invest- tered in India. One of its portfolio firms—Housing—imploded just ment partners with the resoursix months after SoftBank ces to nurture their success. SoftBank has long made bold invest- invested $90 million in it in late ments in transformative 2014. Housing was eventually sold technologies and supported disruptive entrepreneurs. The Soft- to bigger rival PropTiger in JanBank Vision Fund is consistent uary at a price that was less than the capital it raised. If the sale of with this strategy and will help build and grow businesses creat- Snapdeal goes through, it will happen at a fraction of its peak ing the foundational platforms of the next stage of the Information valuation of $6.5 billion. SoftBank has also been in a Revolution.” In October 2014, Son pledged publicity storm over the past one $10 billion in Indian start-ups year. Nikesh Arora, a former Gooover a decade. SoftBank declined to comment on how much of the gle executive who joined SoftVision Fund, which was Bank in 2014 as chief operating announced last October, will be officer and the designated successor to Son, abruptly left Softdeployed in India. The firm has already invested Bank last June after Son decided close to $4 billion across seven he would remain CEO for some Indian start-ups, including more time. Arora was cleared by Paytm, Snapdeal, Ola and Gro- SoftBank of charges of wrongdofers. It is trying to arrange a sale ing regarding its India investof Snapdeal to Flipkart and will ments and conflicts of interests Printed and distributed by PressReader regarding some other matters. invest more in the buyer if the P r e s s R e a d e r. c o m +1 604 278 4604 • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY •
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LastballthrillergivesMIthirdtitle FINAL TWIST Scales were tipped heavily in Pune’s favour after they restricted Mumbai to 129, but Johnson’s lastover heroics turned it around
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India captain Mithali Raj hit PTI an unbeaten 62.
INDIA WOMEN BEAT SA, WIN QUADRANGULAR CRICKET SERIES NEW DELHI: India capped their brilliant run to clinch the women’s quadrangular cricket series on Sunday by defeating hosts South Africa by eight wickets in the final played at Potchefstroom. India warmed up in great fashion ahead of next month’s World Cup, to be played in England, finishing the tournament with a 7-1 win-loss record, the only reverse having come against the hosts at the fag end of the league phase. In the final, India dismissed South Africa for 156 and then chased down the target in 33 overs, reaching 160 for two. Poonam Raut was unbeaten on 70 and skipper Mithali Raj was 62 not out. Pacer Jhulan Goswami, who holds the record for most ODI wickets, claimed three for 22 and leg-spinner Poonam Yadav took 3/32 to wrap up South Africa’s innings in 40.2 overs. Poonam Raut and Mithali Raj gave another exhibition of India’s strong batting effort in this series, sharing in an unbeaten 127-run partnership for the third wicket. Zimbabwe and Ireland are the other two teams in the tournament.
Anderson misses county action due to groin injury LONDON: England spearhead James Anderson missed the whole of Saturday’s play in Lancashire’s Roses clash with Yorkshire because of a groin injury and may take no further part in the match. Anderson, England’s all-time leading wicket-taker in Tests, has not been in action at Old Trafford since limping off clutching his groin on Friday’s first day. The bowler had been scheduled to play in Lancashire’s next four Championship matches. However, as he is no longer involved in international whiteball cricket, Anderson does have time to recover before England’s first Test of their home season against South Africa on July 6.
todayontv FOOTBALL SERIE A
12.15am (Tuesday): Pescara v Palermo, live on Neo Prime & Ten 1 HD
Dhiman Sarkar n
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HYDERABAD:JaydevUnadkat’soffcutterssentMumbaiIndians(MI) off-kilter so much they almost keeled over in Sunday’s IPL 10 final against Rising Pune Supergiant.AndthenMitchellJohnson producedalastoversobrimming with hostility that despite conceding a first-ball four, MI managedtowinthetitlebyonerunoff the last ball. Chasing 130 for their first IPL title, Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) seemedto bein controlbut the famed MI bowling attack neverreallyletthembreakloose. 23 was needed off the last two oversandRPStook12offthe19th bowled by Jasprit Bumrah with an inside-outsix helpingskipper SteveSmithbringuphishalf-century. Manoj Tiwary then hit Johnson for four but just when all seemed lost, the Australian pace acestruckoffsuccessivedeliveries. Tiwary holed out to Kieron Pollard and Smith, having anchored the chase so well, was caught by Ambati Rayudu at the point boundary. Inhisdisappointment,theRPS skipper didn’t cross and that meantWashingtonSundarhadto face Johnson. He managed to scoot a bye and then Dan Christian took a two after Hardik Pandya dropped a stiff chance. The last ball saw a misfield but RPS were never going to run three to force a tie. After a case of never giving up despite putting up a low score --RPS hit their first six in the 16th over --- MI players huddled so hard after Sundar was run out thatitseemedsomeonewouldget hurt. They are the only team to have won three IPL titles and Rohit Sharma the only player to have won this four times. AjinkyaRahane(44)andSmith had stabilised RPS’s chase after RahulTripathi’searlydismissal, adodgydecisionbecausereplays showed Bumrah’s delivery would have missed the stumps. AfterRahanewent,skipperspast and present, MS Dhoni and Smith, couldn’t take RPS home and then the jitters jeopardised chances of bowing out on a high. It also meant that Pandya
MUMBAI INDIANS 3 (8)
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P Patel c Thakur b Unadkat
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A Rayudu run out
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R Sharma c Thakur b Zampa 24 (22) 4x4
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K Pandya c Rahane b Christian 47 (38) 4x3, 6x2
BWF TOUR
K Pollard c Tiwary b Zampa
KABADDI PRO KABADDI AUCTION
6.00pm: Live on Star Sports 3 & HD3 For latest in sports, go to www.hindustantimes.com/ sport-news
7 (3) 6x1
H Pandya lbw Christian 10 (9) 6x1 K Sharma run out
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M Johnson not out 13 (14) 6x1 n Extras (b 1, lb 2, w 5) 8 n Total (8 wkts; 20 ovs) 129 n FoW 1-7, 2-8, 3-41, 4-56, 5-65, 6-78, 7-79, 8-129. n Bowling Unadkat 4-0-19-2, Sundar 4-0-13-0, Thakur 2-0-7-0, Ferguson 2-0-21-0, Zampa 4-0-32-2, Christian 4-0-34-2.
Kumble bats for big hike in salaries HT Correspondent n
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NEW DELHI: India team captain ViratKohliandcoachAnilKumblehavedemandedahikeof150% inannualretainershipforGrade A players, according to a report in PTI. The BCCI had doubled the retainership of Grade A players from ~1 crore to ~2 crore earlier this year. However, the players were unhappy and instead cited the money being earned by Australian and English players like Steve Smith and Joe Root --reportedly between ~8 crore and ~12 crore. They are now demanding ~5 crore for players in the top bracket.GradeAhassevenplayers – Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni, R Ashwin, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja and Murali Vijay. KumblemetofficialsinHyderabadwhileKohlijoinedthemeeting viaSkype.TheBCCIofficials will prepare a report and hand it over totheCommittee ofAdministrators (CoA) which will take the final call. TheCoAhasbeenempathising withtheplayersanditremainsto
Needing 11 runs to win from Mitchell Johnson’s last over, Pune Supergiant fell short by a run to hand Mumbai Indians an unprecedented third IPL title in Hyderabad on Sunday.
brothers, Hardik and Krunal, wouldn’t eventually be vilified for dropping catches. And that Krunal’s47andhiseighth-wicket stand of 50 with Johnson would makethedifferencebetweenvictory and defeat. RPS bowlers got everything rightandencapsulatingtheeffort wasSundar,concedingonly13in his four overs after opening the bowling with Unadkat. They were backed by some tigerish efforts on the field with Smith leading from the front. Smith ran out Ambati Rayudu when he and Rohit seemed to be rebuilding the innings after Unadkat had sent back Lendl SimmonsandParthivPatelinthe space of three balls.
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be seen if they’ll agree to this demand. It had played a key role indoublingplayerretainerships. Kumble & Co have also been demanding a hike in fees for the support staff and put forward a demand tothateffectonSunday. NOC TO IRFAN PATHAN, RP SINGH REVOKED The BCCI withdrew the No Objection Certificate to Irfan Pathan and RP Singh to participate in a T20 match that was part of the Bahrain Cricket Festival. It is learnt that the match between Irfan Falcons and Misbah Falcons was to have taken place on Friday, but BCCI withdrew the NOC before the game, allowing the former India internationals to only support the match from the sidelines. Sources say invitations to banned players, India’s S SreesanthandMohammadAshrafulof BangladeshpromptedtheIndian board to revoke the NOC. The BoardrarelyallowsIndiancricketerstofeatureinforeigndomestic T20 leagues and games. The organisers had reportedly gone overboardwiththepromotionof the event, which came to everyone’s notice.
A Rahane c Pollard b Johnson 44 (38) 4x5 R Tripathi lbw Bumrah
3 (8)
S Smith c Rayudu b Johnson 51 (50) 4x2, 6x2 MS Dhoni c †Patel b Bumrah 10 (13) 4x1 M Tiwary c Pollard b Johnson 7 (8) 4x1 D Christian run out
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W Sundar not out 0 (1) n Extras (b 1, lb 5, w 3) 9 n Total (6 wkts; 20 ovs) 128 n FoW: 1-17, 2-71, 3-98, 4-123, 5-123, 6-128. n Bowling: K Pandya 4-0-31-0, Johnson 4-0-26-3, Bumrah 4-0-26-2, Malinga 4-0-21-0, Karn 4-0-18-0. Mumbai Indians beat Pune Supergiant by 1 run
Unadkat, Sundar tie Mumbai in knots to set up thrilling end Siddharth Vishwanathan n
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HYDERABAD: Mumbai Indians were thrice upstaged by Rising Pune Supergiant ahead of Sunday’s IPL final, but they still would not have bargained for the suffocating start inflicted on them. In the end, MI pulled off a thrilling one-run win as the lowest total in an IPL final was defended, but till then two RPS bowlers seemed to have done the job. Left-arm paceman Jaydev Unadkat and off-spinner Washington Sundar, 17, the youngest to feature in an IPL final, combined to reduce Mumbai Indians to 11/2 in four overs. The former champions were denied a boundary in the first five overs, sucking all positivity. Unadkat continued his love affair with the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium. He took 5/30 against Sunrisers Hyderabad in a league game. In that match, Unadkat became the first Indian bowler totake two five-wicket hauls in IPL, and the third player in this edition to take a hat-
trick. Unadkat, 25, opened the bowling and promptly gauged the right areas to bowl. He bowled with a scrambled seam and found purchase from the deck, giving two runs in the first over. Sundar beat Ravindra Jadeja’s mark of 19 years as the youngest in an IPL final, for winners Rajasthan Royals in 2008 . In the pre-match press conference on Saturday, captain Steve Smith had lavished praise him. “For a 17-year-old to come out and perform against some quality players is outstandn
Jaydev Unadkat removed the MI openers to raise hopes. BCCI
ing. The young guys have been a real big part of our success throughout this tournament.” Sundar again relied on his strengths, accuracy and right pace. Thanks to his economical first over, pressure mounted on MI and Unadkat capitalised by removing Parthiv Patel and Lendl Simmons in his second over. Unadkat’s (2/19) second wicket was a beauty. Lendl Simmons looked to work it to leg, but popped a return catch. The bowler dived full length to his left and plucked a one-handed catch inches off the turf. Unadkat ended with 24 wickets in 12 games, only behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s record haul of 26. Sundar’s 4-0-13-0 helped him end with an economy rate of 6.16, the best in the league.
Rishabh Pant’s highest in this IPL was a 43-ball 97 against Gujarat Lions but in terms of audaciousness, it will always come second to the 36-ball 57 he hit against Royal Challengers Bangalore just two days after losing his father. Delhi still lost but Pant won hearts.
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RPS were unsuccessful in their bid to beat the same team for a record fourth time.
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RPS spinner Washington Sundar, 17,, became the youngest to play in an IPL final.
129/8
MI made the lowest first innings total in an IPL final, defending it.
Steve Smith picks his India moments in this collage.
in the Final. Thank you to everyone here in India that has made thistripsounforgettable.#grateful #opportunity (sic),” Smith wroteonInstagram,postingacollage of four photos as well. Thephotosperfectlyreflecthis four-month stay in India. The first photo shows Smith
RISHABH WINS HEARTS
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With the 10th edition winding down, HT looks at some of the standout moments through the 46 days of action:
Mumbai Indians are the first team to win the IPL for the third time.
HT Correspondent MUMBAI: Rising Pune Supergiant skipper Steve Smith bid a fond farewelltoIndia,thankingeveryone who helped him enjoy an unforgettablestayinthecountry. The Australia captain arrived in India for the four-Test BorderGavaskar Trophy series which began in February, and then stayed on to play in the IPL. Now, four-months on, Smith willplaythelastmatchofhislong stayinIndiawhenheleadsRising PuneSupergiantagainstMumbai Indiansinthefinalofthe2017IPL. Sensing that he would only haveafewmorenightsinthesubcontinent, Smith took to Instagram to bid adieu. “The last 4 months here in Indiahavebeenincredible.There has been some ups and downs alongthewaybutI’velearntsuch agreatdeal.TheTestsweretough but so enjoyable to be a part of. I’ve met some wonderful people, and I’ve made some new friends. TheIPLandplayingwithPune hasbeenaterrificexperienceand Ilookforwardtospendingmylast night here in India battling it out
TOP IPL MOMENTS
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with MS Dhoni, who he replaced as Rising Pune Supergiant skipper at the start of IPL 2017. Smith and Dhoni have shared the plauditsfortheirleadershipskillsthat helped RPS reach the final. ThesecondphotoshowsSmith rubbing noses with the Dalai Lama, a ritual, when the Austra-
lia players met the Tibetan spiritual leader ahead of the fourth and final Test against India in Dharamsala. The third photo shows Smith sprawled on the ground with wicketkeeperWriddhimanSaha inanimagefromthethirdTestin Ranchi where Saha tried to ‘catch’ the ball stuck in Smith’s pad and appealed. The struggle saw both on the ground, leaving Indian and Australian players as well as match officials in stitches. It was a rare light moment that eased the tension in the series. The last image is that of Smith celebrating a century. The Australian skipper was the top rungetter in the series, scoring three centuries in the four Tests; at Pune, Ranchi and Dharamsala. Smith took part in the festivities and blended in the RPS set-up, playing winning knocks onseveraloccasions.Hehasbeen one of the outstanding contributors in the campaign and is the team’s top run-getter (15 games, 421 runs). While many expected clashes with Dhoni, the two worked in unison to guide RPS’ younger players.
HERE’S YOUR SHOE, MATE David Warner had no reason to take a pause against a team losing the plot. He halted, albeit for a moment, picked up Gujarat Lions pacer Basil Thampi’s shoe and handed it to him before completing his run.
DHONI NOT DONE YET
DAY OF HATTRICKS Hattricks are rare feats. An exception however was made on April 14 when RCB spinner Samuel Badree (against Mumbai Indians) and Gujarat Lions pacer Andrew Tye (against Rising Pune Supergiant) took hattricks in consecutive matches.
MS Dhoni continues to be magical behind the stumps but fans needed to see his batting hadn’t waned. His unbeaten 34-ball 61 that helped Rising Pune Supergiant win a last-ball thriller against Sunrisers Hyderabad did the job. With the Champions Trophy closing in, Dhoni once again showed the finisher in him wasn’t finished.
RCB HIT ROCK BOTTOM Rishabh Pant’s highest in this IPL was a 43-ball 97 against Gujarat Lions but in terms of audaciousness, it will always come second to the 36-ball 57 he hit against RCB just two days after losing his father. Delhi still lost but Pant won hearts.RCB hit rock bottom. Printed and distributed by PressReader
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Redsintopfour,Gunnersmissout ECSTASY AND AGONY Liverpool qualify for Champions League; Arsenal fail to make it for first time in Wenger’s reign Reuters n
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RESULTS
LONDON :Arsene Wenger’s torrid
year reached a calamitous climax as Arsenal failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years after Manchester City and Liverpool wrapped up the remaining top four places on the final day of the Premier League season. Wenger’s side won 3-1 against Everton, but Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough and Manchester City’s 5-0 demolition of Watford pushed Arsenal out of Europe’s elite. After reaching the Champions League for the last 19 seasons, Arsenal will spend next term trekking around the unglamourous outposts of the Europa League. That indignity will cost Arsenal an estimated £50 million in revenue and increase the pressure on Gunners boss Wenger, who has endured a miserable season filled with fan protests and calls for his resignation. The Frenchman, who has yet to reveal if he will sign a new contract to extend his 21-year reign, could still finish the season with silverware as Arsenal face Chelsea in the FA Cup final next Saturday. But even that won’t be enough to quell the mutinous atmosphere among Arsenal supporters who believe Wenger has lost his edge. Arsenal finished fifth as Liverpool crushed relegated Middlesbrough to reach the Champions League for the first time since 2014-15. Georginio Wijnaldum put Liverpool ahead in first half stoppage-time, Philippe Coutinho struck in the 51st minute and Adam Lallana kept the party mood going with the third five minutes later. Liverpool finish fourth and will enter the Champions League play-off round next season as they look to make the group stages. At Vicarage Road, City wrapped up third place and automatic entry into the Champions League group stages. Vincent Kompany headed home in the fifth minute and Sergio Aguero doubled the lead in the 23rd minute.
Arsenal 3
Everton 1
Burnley 1
West Ham 2
Chelsea 5
Sunderland 1
Hull City 1
Tottenham 7
Leicester 1
Bournemouth 1
sport
17
Juventus clinch sixth successive Serie A crown
Liverpool 3 Middlesbrough 0 Man United 2 Crystal Palace 0 Southampton 0
Stoke City 1
Swansea 2
West Brom 1
Watford 0
Man City 5
STANDINGS TEAM
P W D L GD PTS
Chelsea
38 30 3
5 52 93
Tottenham 38 26 8
4 60 86
Man City
6 41 78
38 23 9
Liverpool
38 22 10 6 36 76
Arsenal
38 23 6
9 33 75
Man United 38 18 15
5 25 69
Everton
38 17 10 11 18 61
S'hampton 38 12 10 16 -7 46 B’mouth
38 12 10 16 -12 46
West Brom 38 12 9 17 -8 45 Relegated: Hull City, Middlesbrough, Sunderland n
Chelsea skipper John Terry (centre) celebrates with teammates after lifting the Premier League trophy on Sunday.
newstracker
GOLDEN BOOT FOR KANE
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Tottenham’s Harry Kane (right) with manager Mauricio Pochettino after he is awarded the Golden Boot. GETTY IMAGES
TOP SCORERS Harry Kane Romelu Lukaku Alexis Sanchez Diego Costa Sergio Aguero
20 20
25 24
29
MOST ASSISTS Kevin De Bruyne Christian Eriksen
13 12 Alexis Sanchez 10 Gylfi Sigurdsson
GETTY IMAGES
15
18
Cesc Fabregas
Top three enter Champions League Fourth-placed team Champions League play-offs
KANTE NAMED EPL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
SKIPPER TERRY EXITS TO GUARD OF HONOUR
LONDON:Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante was named Player of the Year by the Premier League on Sunday, adding a third individual accolade to a list of achievements this season that includes winning a second consecutive Premier League title. The 26-yearold Frenchman, who joined champions Chelsea from last year’s title winners Leicester City in July, has already been named Player of the Year by the Football Writers Association and the Professional Footballers Association. Kante fended off competition from teammates Eden Hazard and Cesar Azpilicueta, Tottenham Hotspur trio Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen, Everton’s Romelu Lukaku, and Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez.
LONDON:Chelsea legend John Terry’s final appearance at Stamford Bridge ended with his teammates forming a guard of honour as he exited in the 26th minute of the Premier League clash with Sunderland. The 36-year-old — the time of his premature departure chiming with his shirt number — looked visibly moved when he was replaced by Gary Cahill, who has also stepped in and skippered the team on the pitch to the title this season. Terry — who leaves Chelsea at the end of this season after 22 years with them — also exited to a standing ovation from the fans who despite some off the pitch scandals is revered by them. Terry returned to the pitch after the match to lift the trophy.
Fifth and sixth Europa League Seventh Europa League play-offs
›
It is a long season and when our timing got better we were unbelievably dangerous. I am really happy about this. I think people deserve this opportunity for us to be able to qualify for the Champions League. A club like Liverpool needs to be in the Champions League. JUERGEN KLOPP, Liverpool coach
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Juventus’ Juan Cuadrado (left) sprays coach Massimiliano Allegri with vanishing foam after they secured the Serie A title. REUTERS
Reuters n
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RESULTS
MILAN: Juventus became the first
team to win Serie A six times in a row when they beat Crotone 3-0 onSundaytoclinchthetitle with one game to spare. Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala,withastunningfreekick, andAlexSandrosharedthegoals as the Turin side also won a league and cup double for the third time in a row and stayed on course for a treble. Atalanta clinched fifth place and a spot in the Europa League group stage by winning 1-0 at Empoli and AC Milan made sure of sixth place, and a place in the Europa League qualifiers, by beating Bologna 3-0. Juve’s win over their relegation-threatened opponents,took them on to 88 points from 37 games,fourclearofASRomawho won 5-3 at Chievo on Saturday. Napoliareafurtherpointbehind in third, the Champions League playoff spot. Juventus,whoareItaly’smost successfulsideindomesticterms with33leaguetitles,willfaceReal MadridintheChampionsLeague final on June 3 when they will attempt to complete the treble. “The sixth consecutive title is something extremely significant,” said Juve’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who has won eight Serie A titles at the club.”We have written indelible pages in the history of football.”
AC Milan 3
Bologna 0
Empoli 0
Atalanta Bergamo 1
Genoa 2
Torino 1
Juventus 3
Crotone 0
Sassuolo 6
Cagliari 2
Udinese 1
Sampdoria 1
On Saturday Chievo Verona 3
AS Roma 5
Napoli 4
Fiorentina 1
STANDINGS Team
P W D L GD Pts
Juventus AS Roma Napoli Lazio Atalanta
37 37 37 36 37
28 27 25 21 20
4 3 8 7 9
5 7 4 8 8
49 51 53 27 20
88 84 83 70 69
Crotone had won five and drawn two of their last seven games as they made a late bid to escapethedropbutwerefacinga Juventussidewhohavedropped only two points at home all season. The visitors were able to resist for only 12 minutes until Mandzukic got in front of his marker to turn in Juan Cuadrado’s low cross at the far post. Dybala curled in a stunning 25-metre free kick six minutes before halftime andAlexSandro completedthescoringinthe83rd minute with a header which hit the underside of the crossbar, bounced down and crossed the goal line by centimetres.
Justin Gatlin struggles to victory in Japan was beaten into fourth in Doha earlier this month. “Not only is Usain going to show up for his last run, he’s a great competitor so you know he’s going to show up to race. “But you also have so many young athletes who are ready to fill that void,” added Gatlin.
Agence FrancePresse n
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KAWASAKI,JAPAN: AmericanJustin
Gatlin, so often the pantomime villain of men’s sprinting, returned to winning form with a pedestrian100mvictoryinJapan on Sunday. Theveteran35-year-old,atwotime doping offender, recovered from a poor start in Kawasaki to win the Golden Grand Prix in 10.28 seconds into a slight headwind as he pipped Japan’s Aska Cambridgebythreehundredths. Japanese hope Abdul Hakim Sani Brown struggled home in fourth in 10.42 behind Shuhei Tada (10.35), while China’s Su Bingtianfailedtobuildonvictory inShanghaiearlierthismonthas he slumped to fifth. “I’ve been a little injured so I haven’tbeenabletotrainashard
THOMPSON WINS 200
KINGSTON: DoubleOlympiccham-
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Justin Gatlin (centre) leads Japanese runners Aska Cambridge (left) and Shuhei Tada during their 100m event at the Golden Grand Prix meet in Tokyo on Sunday. AFP
as I want to,” Gatlin told reporters.“ButI’vebeenworkingonmy top-end speed and my finish and that helped me out today.” After the race, Gatlin predictedthatsprintkingUsainBolt might not have it all his own way
Bengaluru FC win Federation Cup on Vineeth double
INDIA ROUNDUP
Press Trust of India
BANGKOK: Rattanon Wannasri-
n
[email protected]
CUTTACK: CK Vineeth showed his
predatory skills with double strikeinthe extratimeasBengaluru FC beat MohunBagan2-0to win the 38th Federation Cup. Bengaluru FC also booked their berth for next year AFC Cup by virtueofwinningtheblueriband tournament. For Mohun Bagan, it was a caseofso-nearyetsofarfinishing second best in both I-League and Federation Cup. Only couple of days back, Bagan had defeated a scond string Bengaluru FC but the southernoutfithadthelastlaugh when it mattered most.Call it irony, Vineeth produced a magical performance just days after Kerala’s state Audit department where he was employed decided to terminate his services for low attendance percentage. Ontheday,hewasquietforthe better part of the match but did theneedfulinthe107thand119th minute to seal the issue for AlbertoRoca’smen.Hewaslurkinginthestrikingzonetakingfull advantage of a defensive lapse from Eduardo and Anas to slot it past Debjeet Majumdar. He sealed the deal a minute before theendofextratimetoenditona happy note for the ‘Blues’ who played without Sunil Chhetri.
inhisswansongatthissummer’s world championships in London. “Man,it’sgoingtobeexciting,” said Gatlin, who helped the United States to victory at the IAAF World Relays in April but
pionElaineThompsoncruisedto a world leading equalling 22.09 seconds to win the 200m at the Jamaica International Invitational meeting on Saturday. Thompson, the fifth fastest woman over the distance with 21.66, took control of the race comingoffthebend,createdsome separation, then cruised to the finish line ahead of Shericka JacksonandAmericanShalonda Solomon.
Kapur, Bhullar share 2nd spot COACHES DEPOSE DURING VIKAS HEARING
Agencies n
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chan clinched his first Asian Tour title on Sunday with a twoshot win at the Thailand Open, delightingthehomecrowdwitha cool-headedroundthatparrieda late Shiv Kapur challenge. Rattanon wobbled slightly on the18th,droppingashottofinish on 67 for the day, setting up a nervyfinishwithKapur,whohad rattled in the birdies all day for a fourth round 63. But Kapur fell twoshotsshort,undonebyapair of bogeys. That left him level in second place with compatriot Gaganjeet Bhullar whose title challenge was undone by a stutteringfrontnineonthefinalday.
INDIA WIN TEN GOLD AT ASIAN JUNIOR TT NEW DELHI: India added six more gold on the final day to win all 10 gold medals on offer in the South Asian Junior Table Tennis Championships at Mount Lavinia, near Colombo. In addition,theyalsoclaimedfoursilver for a total of 14 medals from the regional championships. VAISHALI WINS GOLD IN ASIAN BLITZ
NEWDELHI: India’s R Vaishali won
the women’s title with eight points from nine rounds in the Asian Continental Blitz Chess Championship in Chengdu, China. She was at her best in the
NEWDELHI: The disciplinary hear-
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Shiv Kapur stayed level with Gaganjeet Bhullar. GETTY IMAGES
Blitzeventandwonsevengames andpostedtwodrawsinthenineround event. Vaishali drew her final round game against Uurtsaikh Uuriintuya of Mongolia to finish half-apoint ahead of Iran’s Sarasdat Khademalshariehandclinchthe gold medal. HARINDER PAL SANDHU BAGS SQUASH TITLE MAKATICITY(PHILLIPINES): Following his success in Malaysia, Indian squashplayer Harinder PalSandhu bagged another PSA title whenhebeatMohdSyafiqKamal in the final of Makati Open here. Sandhu stormed past his Malaysianopponent11-5,11-7,11-7.The Indian had moved into the final late on Saturday night after accounting for fourth seed Tang Ming Hong of Hong Kong 11-5, 11-7, 11-6.
ing into boxer Vikas Krishan’s forfeitureofhisAsianChampionship semifinal bout continued with national coaches deposing before inquiry committee. A day afterVikasgavehisversion,chief coachesShivSinghandSRSingh, along with assistant coach NarenderRana,gavetheiraccountof the circumstances leading to the forfeitureinTashkent.“Nowthe panel will meet on May 30 and 31 andrecordstatementsofofficials who were with the team,” said Asit Banerjee, who heads the panel. SUDIRMAN CUP
GOLDCOAST(AUSTRALIA): PVSindhu-
spearheaded India face a tough testastheybegintheircampaign in the Sudirman Cup mixed badmintonteamchampionshipwith a match against Denmark at the Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium here on Monday. PlacedinGroup1D,Indiahave a hugetask at handto advance to thenextround,asbothDenmark, two-timerunners-up,andformer champions Indonesia boast of strong all-round teams. WhileSindhuisaguaranteein the women’s singles given that Saina Nehwal has pulled out of the tournament, the management will have to pick one between Ajay Jayaram, P Kashyap and H.S. Prannoy for the men’s singles.
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HINDUSTAN T IMES, N EW DE L H I M O N DAY, MAY 22 , 2 0 1 7
Zverev blows away Djokovic to win dream Roman final ITALIAN OPEN Zverev claims maiden ATP Masters title in final that lasted less than an hour Agencies n
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ROME:German AlexanderZverev blew Novak Djokovic away on the eve of the World No.2’s 30th birthday away to claim his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title with a flawless performance in the Internazionali BNL d’Italia final on Sunday. Long been billed as one to watch, the 20-year-old German looks ready to realise his potential after dismantling 12-time grand slam champion Djokovic 6-4, 6-3 in his first Masters final in Rome. Djokovic had not dropped a set en route to the final at the Foro Italico, but the second seed did not have a solitary break point as the unflappable Zverev excelled to claim the biggest title of his fledging career Zverev struck the ball with incredible power and showed maturity beyond his years, dominating the Serbian by backing up his outstanding serve with majestic backhand and forehand winners to deny him an early birthday present. It took less than an hour for Djokovic to hammer Dominic Thiem – conqueror of Rafael Nadal – in the semi-final on Saturday, but it was a very different story on a glorious day as the
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Alexander Zverev (right) poses with Novak Djokovic after beating him 64, 63 in the final of the Italian Open meet in Rome on Sunday. This is Zverev’s first ATP title. AFP
16th seed rose to the occasion to ensure he will move into the top 10 in the rankings. AGASSI TO COACH DJOKOVIC AT FRENCH OPEN Novak Djokovic has announced thatAndreAgassiwillcoachhim
at the French Open, which starts next Sunday. “I spoke to Andre the last couple weeks on the phone, and we decided to get together in Paris,” Djokovic said. “So he’s going to be there. We’ll see what (the) future brings. “We are both excited to work
together and see where it takes us. We don’t have any long-term commitment. It’s just us trying to get to know each other in Paris a little bit,” Djokovic added. “He will not stay the whole tournament. He’s going to stay only to a certain time, and then we’ll see after that what’s going to happen.” The second-ranked Djokovic split with longtime coach Marian Vajda and two other team members — fitness coach Gebhard Phil Gritsch, and physiotherapist Miljan Amanovic — at the start of the month. Agassi, who retired in 2006, won eight Grand Slam titles. Djokovic has won 12 Grand Slams. “Andre is someone that I have tremendous respect for as a person and as a player,” Djokovic said. “He has been through everything that I’m going through. On the court he understands the game amazingly well. I am enjoying every conversation that I have with him. “But also, on the other hand, he’s someone that nurtures the family values, philanthropy work. He’s a very humble man, is very educated. He’s a person that can contribute to my life on and off the court a lot. I’m very excited to see what is ahead of us.”
QUICKONES
Indy driver breaks pelvis in fiery crash Agencies n
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LONDON :Sebastien Bourdais was
transported to hospital for surgery after the French driver suffered fractures to his pelvis and right hip from a crash during qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 on Saturday, officials said. The former Formula One driver was to be operated on at Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital, IndyCar said in a statement. The 38-year-old Bourdais, who was driving for Dale Coyne Racing, slammed head-on into the safety barriers when his Honda-powered car lost control
at Turn 2. Two-times pole winner Ed Carpenter had the fastest car in Saturday’s qualifying for the May 28 race with a four-lap average of 230.468 mph, while double Formula One champion Fernando Alonso was seventhfastest in his debut race. EBRAHIM THIRD NEWDELHI: Indian racer Armaan Ebrahim continued his good run in the Super Trofeo Asia Series to clinch a second successive podium despite engine problems at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram (Thailand) on Sunday. Spearheading the FFF Racing team in the company of
Briton Jack Bartholomew, Armaan did well in Race 2 to take second place in qualifying. PODIUM FOR MAHAVEER CHENNAI: Mahaveer Raghunathan clinched his third consecutive podium finish in the BOSS GP 2017 championshipin the Netherlands on Saturday. Chennai-based Mahaveer finished second in Race 1 at Zandvoort circuit in the Netherlands. The 18-year-old, who represents Italian team Coloni Motorsport and drives a Lola Gibson Tech 3.4 V8 car in the Formula class, is currently second in the championship standings.
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F1 racer Fernando Alonso had the seventh fastest time in Indy 500 qualifiers. USA TODAY SPORTS
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American model Kendall Jenner cut a spectacular figure on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet, wearing a mini dress with a long, billowing train. Paired with nude socks and blush-coloured heels, the look was as youthful as it was elegant. A pitch perfect style decision by the 21-year-old model.
Kendall sweeps Cannes off its feet
>> More from Cannes on page 6
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Gadar’s Jeetey returns to the big screen as Genius Himika Chaudhuri
T
his is the most important film of my life,” says filmmaker Anil Sharma, who has made blockbuster hits such as Gadar (2001) and Veer (2010). And why wouldn’t it be, because Genius, the shoot for which begins today, will launch his son Utkarsh Sharma as a hero in Bollywood. However, this is not Utkarsh’s debut on the big screen. He is the talented child artist you saw as Charanjeet, Sunny Deol’s son in Gadar. “Yes, Utkarsh, whom you saw as Gadar’s
Jeetey, is now coming back as Genius,” says Anil. So, was Utkarsh always sure that he wanted to be an actor? “He was always a good student, so after he finished Class XII, he went to the US to study film production,” shares Anil. He returned to India equipped with skills of filmmaking. “It was around the same time that I was planning a film for which I needed a fresh face of 23-24 years. So, I asked Utkarsh if he would want to work with me as an actor,” adds Anil. But, Utkarsh still wanted time. He took one whole year to work on himself and build
his body. “He is a vegetarian and it took time and intense workouts for him to naturally get the lean body that we wanted,” says Anil. So, what’s the film about? “It’s an action-packed intense love story. It took me 19 months to write the film. However, it isn’t a mass kind of film; it is an intelligent film. That is why I have chosen the title, Genius,” says Anil, who isn’t willing to share more about the film right now. However, he says that the film has become a mission for the entire unit. “Everyone is doing the best for the project,” he says.
PHOTOS: HTCS
Utkarsh, who is a handsome hero now (left), is seen with dad Anil Sharma on the sets of Gadar as a child (inset)
TOUGH TIMES AND TOUGHER DECISIONS PHOTOS: ERIC GAILLARD /REUTERS
With the blockbuster Baahubali films under his belt, Prabhas recalls his total dedication
Prashant Sin Singh nghh
E
ver since Baahubali 2: The Conclusion hit the theatres, lead actor Prabhas has literally had the entire nation swooning over his act. Even as filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s epic drama started breaking one boxoffice record after another across all the segments and markets, the reel Baahubali sneaked out of the country for
am uch h-ne neede eded d d brea b reak k. much-needed break. We caught up with the media-shy actor for one of his first interviews after the success of Baahubali 2. When we remind Prabhas that during the film’s promotions, he spoke about wanting a “break at any cost”, he laughs and replies, “Yes, it’s true. After I completed the shooting, the first thing that I wanted to do was to go for a vacation, and I’m happy that I am on a holiday right now.” About the success of the Baahubali franchise — the first film was a big hit and the second has become simply massive — the actor says that the film team knew it would be something special, but still, “the kind of love and appreciation that the audiences have been bestowing upon us has been totally overwhelming”. Will there be a Baahubali 3? Prabhas says that he’d love to return to the character. That prompts us to bring up the fact that he didn’t work at anything else when shooting
for Baahubali Baahu Ba ahub h bal bali li — an and d th tthe he he for second film took five years to make. “I’d have given even seven years of my life for a film like this,” says the actor. “I realised that this is one film that would require all my dedication and determination. Imagine, only the action portions of the film took 300 days to complete. The schedules were extremely tough, as different portions [of the film] needed me to look different. So, if anything, I have only gained immensely as an actor from the Baahubali series.” The lengthy shoot and the total dedication that Baahubali required put him in financial difficulties. “At first, the movie was supposed to be shot in two years, so yes, circumstances were tough back then, and it wasn’t an easy phase,” says Prabhas. “My friends and family asked me to take up other work, but I had my full faith in Rajamouli sir. Tough times call for tougher decisions.” ■
STOP PRESS
Pooja Bedi and Aamir Khan in Jo Jeeta
JUSTIN THEROUX SUES NEIGHBOUR ctorJustin Theroux and his wife, actor Jennifer A Aniston, are suing their
neighbour for $350,000 after the man allegedly threatened to make life “unpleasant” for them. According to TMZ, the row began when the couple refused to shell out a huge sum on sound-proofing their walls while carrying out some renovation. PTI
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Art is not a commodity, says the circle Ruchika Garg
T
he Goods and Services Tax (GST), which aims to create a uniform taxation structure across India, is painting a sad picture for the art market in the country. After implementation, it will bring artworks in the slab of 12% tax slab, making them rather more expensive. So far, barring a few states, art was exempted from tax. This has naturally upset the art community, which fears that the already struggling art industry will suffer more, and that budding artists will now find even fewer buyers. Art curator Erum Khan
says, “Art is not a requirement, but a choice. If a show is held, only 2-5% of the works are sold. There are no schemes, no governmentdriven initiatives, and no incentives for artists. On top of that, GST will lead to higher prices. What artists need is motivation and not a push back.” Curator Ina puri believes that due to demonetisation, the whole industry is already facing a crisis and taxes will affect it severely. Puri says, “Sixty auction houses have already stopped working across India after demonetisation. GST will make it more difficult for us.
Even if GST adds `10,000 to the price of an artwork, an art lover won’t shy away from buying it. The market for art is niche
PRIYANKA’S KHICHDI GETS ROASTED!
GOPI GAJWANI, ARTIST Look at China. It gave a tax holiday of 10 years to artists.” On the contrary, curator Sushma Bhel supports the decision, saying, “The art industry’s documentation is not proper and GST will bring in a system, simplify it.”
elebrity chef Gordon C Ramsay has roasted the food made by actor
And painter Gopi Gajwani believes that for real art collectors, the additional cost of the tax won’t be a hurdle. ■
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>> Bollywood unhappy with GST, on page 2
PHOTOS: SAUMYA KHANDELWAL/ HT
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Priyanka Chopra. On a chat show, he was asked to roast dishes made by other celebs. When a picture of khichdi and chicken soup made by Priyanka was dispayed. Ramsay said, “Sh*ttttt…I mean it looks like a dog’s dinner.” HTC
Wohi Sikander
AAMIR WAS A PRANKSTER, SAYS VERONICA OF BOLLYWOOD Monika Rawal Kukreja
I
t was a cult film, became a classic, and remains one of the most-loved films in Bollywood. Today, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander turns 25. Released on May 22, 1992, it was about the love affairs and rivalries of students, played by Aamir Khan, Ayesha Jhulka, Pooja Bedi and Deepak Tijori. In a chat with us, Pooja (right) recalls some exciting anecdotes. The best part, she says, was that the very young cast played very young characters. “We got to be exactly who we were at that age and stage in our lives. It was very Archie comics. There was me being Veronica, Ayesha as Betty, Aamir being Archie, and Deepak was Reggie,” says Pooja. Her craziest co-star? Pooja quips, “Of course, Aamir. He was the real prankster on the sets. When someone was about to sit on a chair, he’d pull it from behind and make them fall. He made me have naariyal paani, which made my tongue turn blue. He was full of masti.” The 47-year-old adds that it was such a fun experience, because even the director Mansoor Khan and choreographer Farah Khan were so young.
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Soni Razdan says she is not a paranoid mother and believes in giving her daughters, Alia and Shaheen Bhatt, enough space
PHOTO: YOGEN SHAH
Shreya Mukherjee
A
ctor-director Soni Razdan (far right) seems to be the best mother that one can ask for. She lets her daughters, Alia Bhatt (24) and Shaheen Bhatt (29), be the way they want and isn’t worried about the men in their lives or their plans to get married. Rather, Soni gives more importance to the fact that both her daughters are content with what they are doing. “Like every mother, I also want Alia and Shaheen to be happy. Whatever they do, they should feel satisfied doing it. I’m not a paranoid mother, who will push them to settle down. Marriage will happen, when they are ready to take the plunge. They are grownup enough to decide what would work best for them. I want them to be happy and settled as individuals first. They should find their groove in life, especially at a time when so much is happening all around,” she says, adding that she and her husband, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, are always there for their daughters. On rumours that Alia is
Work hard and party harder
Actor Varun Dhawan posted a picture with co-star Jacqueline Fernandez during the shoot of their upcoming film. “It’s a london sched wrap for @jacquelinef143. My partner in crime and she just loves to say FUN(inside joke) @shaanmu”
QUOTE HANGER EXPECTING US TO COMMENT ON EVERY POLITICAL AND HISTORICAL MOMENT IS UNFAIR
I’M NOT SCARED OF FASHION POLICE. IF I THINK ABOUT EVERYONE, I CAN’T DO WHAT I WISH TO
KALKI KOECHLIN, ACTOR
AMY JACKSON, ACTOR
HAVE YOU HEARD
Baahubali 2 in 1500-crore club I
n three weeks since its release, filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s magnum opus Baahubali 2: The Conclusion has broken every record at box office. The movie’s official Twitter handle shared the news of the film crossing the magical figure of `1500 crore at global box office. They captioned it, “It’s getting Bigger and Bigger... SUCH A REMARKABLE MILESTONE!! THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT! #1500CroreBaahubali.” Filmmaker Karan Johar, one of the producers of the movie also took to Twitter to share the news that the film’s Hindi dubbed version has created history as it has earned more than `450 crore at the domestic box office.
Shaheen Bhatt and Alia Bhatt dating Student of The Year (2012) co-star Sidharth Malhotra, Soni says, “Alia is big enough to take her own decisions. Alia now lives in a separate house. She can make her independent choice. Also, I am not someone who will grill them about everything. There are some nice boys around and they can be with anyone. Varun (Dhawan) and Sidharth are both so lovely. If
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PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/SHRADDHAKAPOOR/
Actor Shraddha Kapoor posted an adorable throwback pic with mother Shivangi Kolhapure and wrote, “My mommy. My best friend. The wind beneath my wings. My everything. I love you more than words can express.”
TWITTER TWATTER @SrBachchan: Since the media has put out a leaked picture of ‘102 not out’ .. might as well give you the real one.. @aliaa08: It all starts with a small step in the right direction. Together we can save the planet! #LetsCoExist @taapsee: When the aim is to go all the way up... a door will always open for u.
@RahulBose1: With 3 time Olympic gold medalist @ ItsStephRice @TCSWorld10K #Bangalore True champion. Candid, charismatic, eloquent, funny.
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ctor Deepika Padukone (left), who walked the red carpet at the 70th Cannes Film Festival this year, says though Indian cinema has gone beyond song-dance saga, for a large international audience it is still about the cultural reflection of larger than life characters. “I think internationally the perception of Indian cinema is about colour, culture, song, dance, that grandeur and scale. For them, it is still about larger than life characters. Having said that, there are movie lovers who are well versed with our cinema which is beyond that,” she says. Deepika walked the red carpet at Cannes on May 17 and 18. Since there is no Indian film screening at the festival, She says: “It is unfortunate that this year there is no Indian film to show. But I’m sure it will happen in the future for sure.”
READ
Like mother, like daughter
@mojorojo: If your friend uses the word “bird” in a sentence and you do not immediately start yelling BA BA BA BA BIRD IS THE WORD then why are you?
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Internationally, perception of Indian cinema is grandeur: Deepika Padukone
ANI
LOOKBACK
Pehla Nasha made me akin to Marilyn Monroe of India
PHOTO: PRAMOD THAKUR / HT
Alia is really close to them, then there shouldn’t be any problem.” Soni, who has been a part of films such as Saaransh (1984), Sadak (1991), Sir (1993) and Love Breakups Zindagi (2011), also feels that falling in love is very common and healthy. “Two single, young souls can fall in love, what’s the big deal? Rather it’s a good thing,” she adds.
Amitabh Bachchan PHOTO: TWITTER/SRBACHCHAN
@iHrithik: Dear Tiger,u hv bn a notable asset 2d industry owing 2 d discipline n dedication. HRX salutes d unsurpassable spirit! @ iTIGERSHROFF #RAMBO @humasqureshi: Mental buoy @Saqibsaleem love him to bits
GST rate of 28% is a huge setback for the film industry: Siddharth Roy Kapur T
he government’s decision to put cinema tickets under the 28% tax bracket in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime is unfortunate for the film industry, feels Siddharth Roy Kapur (right), President of The Film and Television Producers Guild of India. “The GST rate of 28% announced on cinema tickets is a huge setback for the film industry. The industry had proposed a rate of 5% in our representations to the government, in order to revive a business which has been struggling from lack of fresh investments in new cinema screens and a significant increase in online piracy,” Kapur said in a statement. The GST Council on Friday decided a four-slab tax rate for services that will roll out from July 1. “In the existing tax regime, the cinema exhibition sector was exempted from service tax and state VAT (value added tax), and entertainment tax was the only tax imposed on cinema tickets by states and local bodies. The average entertainment tax collected nationally by the government across all states and languages was in the range of 8-10% of gross box office revenue. Hence, logically the
It is unfortunate that this year there is no Indian film to show at Cannes. But I’m sure it will happen in the future for sure DEEPIKA PADUKONE, ACTOR
E
ven now, after 25 years, whenever Pooja Bedi walks into an event, her song, Pehla Nasha is played. “It’s remembered over and over again. People sing it to me, romance me with the song. This film not only changed my life but enhanced my career in every possible way. The song Pehla Nasha, which appealed to audiences of all age groups and is still evergreen,” says Pooja. Believe it or not, but Pooja’s infamous recreation of Marilyn Monroe’s iconic flying skirt moment in the song that went on to become the iconic shot was the toughest to shoot and Pooja reveals that it was shot as a mistake. She says, “It was hilarious because every time they would make the fan go full speed, the dress wouldn’t fly. And when I threw my hands with exasperation and say ‘it’s not flying’, at
that point, the dress would fly right above my head. No matter how much we tried, we couldn’t get the shot right. Once during the shoot, due to some technical hitch my hair got stuck on a chain and I turned my head in a certain way and the dress happened to fly at that moment. That is the only usable shot in the entire sequence. It was a fluke shot. But it made history and made me akin to Marilyn Monroe of India.” On whether her 19-yearold daughter, Aalia has seen the film, Pooja laughs, “Yes, my daughter has seen the film and she cracks up laughing every time she sees it. She teases me endlessly about my acting skills, the role in the film and my dress flying.” Aalia, who studies in the US has sent a video to Pooja, where she along with her friend is seen playing the iconic song on radio and singing it. ■
[email protected]
The actor who has an impressive filmography in Indian cinema with films like Piku (2015), Bajirao Mastani (2015) has won international acclaim with xXx: Return of Xander Cage earlier this year. “I would have loved to show Piku here. I am really proud PTI of the film,” she adds. PHOTO: RAAJEESH KASHYAP/HT
EVERY ACTOR SHOULD EXPLORE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF THEIR CRAFT: TIGER
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GST rate should not have been more than 12%, in order to avoid any exchequer loss,” Kapur said. He termed the decision as “disheartening”.
IANS
The industry had proposed a rate of 5% in our representations to the government, in order to revive the business SIDDHARTH ROY KAPUR, PRODUCER
ctor Tiger Shroff (left) says he does what he believes in and doesn’t care for what is trending and what is not. “I am not trying to set any kind of trend. I am only doing what I believe in. I don’t want to start a trend or follow a trend. I want to make my own path and if people choose to follow that, it’s okay,” says the actor, who has worked in only dance and action based films. Asked about his choice of films and genres, he says: “I would like to do different sort of cinema. Right now, I am young and strong so, I am just taking some advantage of that aspect,” he says. He adds, “When my legs will get a little shaky, then I will minimise work. I feel every actor should explore different aspects of their craft.” In his next film he will be seen with actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui for the first time. Tiger says, “It’s been a fantastic experience to work with him. He is very supportive as a co-star and I [have] learnt a lot from him. I hope people will like our work in the film. We all have worked very hard for this film and I am quite happy with its P r i n t eoutcome.” d a n d d i s t r i b u t e d b y P r e s s IANS Reader P r e s s R e a d e r. c o m +1 604 278 4604 • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY • ORIGINAL COPY •
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HINDUSTA N TIM ES , NEW D E L H I MONDAY, M AY 22, 20 1 7
EVENT GG
PHOTOS: AMAL KS/HT
TRAVEL
WELLNESS
Shibani Kashyap
uirk, creativity and some inherently-Delhi wit ran amok at this book launch in the Capital on Friday evening. The event began with candid conversations with author Anuja Chauhan, followed by her reading an excerpt from her latest book. She also expressed her love for the city. “I love the Delhi I grew up in... the ’80s were a great place,” she says. About Bollywood’s
fascination with literature, Chauhan added in her trademark toungue-in-cheek style that a movie adapted into a book expands its reach to a wider audience, and also gives it “street cred”. Many from the literary, media and academic circles were present at the do, including singer Shibani Kashyap, authors Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan and Vinod Bhardwaj. Etti Bali
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Entertainment & Promotional Features
This book launch was a witty affair Q
Anuja Chauhan with Niret Alva
LIFESTYLE htcity
FOOD
Shefali Sapra
Nikhil Chandra and Ajay Kapur
Vinod Bhardwaj
Caught on Insta Making the most of the weekend was interior designer Gauri Khan who hosted a party for her friends. The gang of pretty women, including Sussanne Khan, Neetu Kapoor and Reema Jain had a night high on glamour and revelry. Now, how’s that for #squadgoals? PHOTOS: INSTAGRAM/GAURIKHAN
PHOTOS: INSTAGRAM/NEETU54
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04
htcity TIME OUT
TODAY’S SPECIAL
MOVIES
MOVIES IN TOWN
EXHIBITION
ENGLISH MOVIES
THE CIRCLE
CAST: Tom Hanks, Emma Watson SOUTH: PVR Vasant Kunj: 10.30am,3.30pm,8.30pm; PVR Select Citywalk: 11.20am,6.30pm
TELEVISION
HOROSCOPE
HINDUSTAN TIMES, NEW D ELHI MO NDAY, M AY 2 2 , 2 017
EVENTS
SMS MOVIES to 542420
REVIEWS AND RATINGS BY
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BOLLYWOOD
THE SENSE OF AN ENDING (A) CAST: Jim Broadbent, Charlotte Rampling, Harriet Walter SOUTH: PVR Vasant Kunj: 1pm,6pm,10.55pm; PVR Director’s Cut: 4.20pm,11.20pm; PVR Select Citywalk: 1.50pm,11.15pm; Gold:5.40pm NOIDA: PVR Logix: 12.30pm5.45pm,10.55pm
15TH COLLAGE ART CARNIVAL Group exhibition by Delhi College of Art at Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhawan, Copernious Marg. 11 am to 6:30pm. Till May 25. VARIETY A group art show at Gallery SKE, A-4 Green Avenue Street, Vasant Kunj. 11am to 7pm. Till June 24.
EAT
SEEDS OF IDENTITY Group show by Ariadna Cuadriello and Juan Pablo Cardona, at IIC, 40, Max Mueller Marg. 11am to 7pm.
ENJOY
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY : VOL 2 3D CAST: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista SOUTH: Inox Nehru place: 1pm; PVR Vasant Kunj: 2.40pm,11.20pm; PVR Director’s Cut:9am; PVR Select Citywalk: 7.50pm WEST:; Movietime raja garden: 9.25 pm; PVR Pacific: 9am,8pm NOIDA: Wave: 9.50am; PVR Logix: 4.30pm,12pm,5.30pm; 4DX: 9.40am,2.55pm,8.10pm,10.55pm: DT MOIN: 12.20pm,8.35pm,, Spice Cinemas, 8.25pm. GURGAON: PVR Ambience: 3.15pm; PVR MGF: 9am,8.30pm: PVR Citey Centre: 12.30pm; PVR Megamall: 3.50pm GHAZIABAD: PVR Mahagun: 5.15pm;
KING ARTHUR : LEGEND OF THE SWORD 3D SOUTH: PVR Vasant Kunj: 5.30 pm; PVR Director’s Cut: 6.40pm; PVR Select Citywalk Gold: 3.50 NOIDA: PVR Logix: 8.30pm: DT MOIN: 3.15pm GURGAON: PVR MGF: 2.50pm; PVR Ambience:8.15pm
HINDI MOVIES HALF GIRLFRIEND LOVE FOR FOOD Food festival at The Clock Tower, Golf Course Road, DLF Phase 5 (Rapid Metro Pillar 141), Gurgaon. 12.30pm to 12.30am. Till May 31. NUKKAD MOCKTAIL FEST At C 23-24, SDA market complex. 12pm to 12am.
TALK
AN ENGROSSING WEEK A music festival at The Piano Man Jazz Club, B 6-7/22 Safdarjung Enclave. At 9pm. OPEN MIC NIGHT A laughter show at The People and Co. Premises No. 5, Building 8, Tower-B, Cyber City, Gurgaon. At 7.30pm.
WATCH
THE GOODS AND SERVICES TAX: THE ROAD AHEAD Talk by Arun Goyal at Main Building, IIC, Lodhi Estate. At 6.30pm.
HABITAT FILM FESTIVAL Film screenings at Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road. At 6.30 pm.
CAST: Arjun Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor NORTH: NORTH: Movietime Pitampura: 9.45am,12.10pm,2.45pm,5.30pm,7.55pm, 10.30pm; PVR Prashant Vihar: 9aam,11.35 am,2.30pm,5.25pm,8.20pm,11.15pm; PVR Shalimarbagh: 10am,11.20am,12.55pm,2.15p m,3.50pm,5.10pm,8.05pm,10.55 SOUTH: PVR Director’s Cut: 9am,12.55pm,3. 50pm,7.45pm,10.40pm; PVR Select Citywalk: 9am,11.40am,2.35pm,5.30pm,8.25pm,11.20 pm; GOLD: 10am,12.55pm,6.45pm,10.55pm Inox Nehru Place: 9am,11.40am,2.30p m,3.50pm,5.20pm,8.10pm,9.45pm,11 pm; PVR Vasant Kunj: ATMOS 10am,11 .20am,12.55pm,2.15pm,3.50pm,6.45pm, 8.05pm,9.40pm,10.55pm; PVR Anupam: 8am,9am,12pm,2.55pm,4.45pm; PVR Priya: 12.30pm,6.55pm;PVR 3Cs: 9.40am,7pm; PVR Sangam: 10am,1.50pm,4.25pm,7.35p m,10.50pm CENTRAL: PVR Plaza: 1.30pm,10.50pm; PVR Rivoli: 9.40pm,7pm WEST: Wave Raja garden: 9.30am,12.1 0pm,2.50pm,5.30pm,8.10pm,10.50pm; Movietime Raja Garden: 9.25pm,10.15am, 12pm,12.50am,3.25pm, 5.10pm,6pm,7.45p m,8.35pm,10.30pm,11pm; Inox Janak Place: 9am,10am,11.40pm,2.30pm,3.40pm,5.20pm ,8.10pm,11pm; WEST: Inox Patel Nagar: 9.05am,10.35am,1 1.55am,2.45pm,4.25pm,5.35pm,8.25pm,11.1 5pm; PVR Naraina: 8am,9am,12pm,2.55pm,4 .45pm,5.50pm,8.45pm,11.40pm; PVR Pacific:
HINDI MEDIUM
HALF GIRLFRIEND
A couple from Chandni Chowk aspire to give their daughter the best education and thus help her become accepted by the elite of Delhi. 9am, 10.15am,11.30am, 1.10pm,2.55pm,4.0 5pm,5.20pm,7pm,8.45pm,9.55pm,11.40pm; PVR Vikaspuri: 9am,11.35am,2.30pm,5.25pm ,8.20pm,11.15pm NOIDA: Movietime: 9.45am,12.05pm,2.45pm ,8.05pm,10.40pm; Movietime Gr Noida: 9.45 am,12.05pm,2.45pm,8.05pm,10.40pm Wave: 9.30am,12.10pm,2.50pm,5.30pm,8.10pm,8. 55pm,10.50pm,11.25pm; PVR Logix: 9am,10 am,10.35am,11.35am,11.55am,1.30pm,2.50 pm,4.10pm,4.25pm,5.45pm,7.20pm,8.40pm, 10.20pm: GOLD: 11.15am,5.05pm,10.15pm; DT MOIN: 10am,12.55pm,2.15pm,3.50pm,5 .10pm,6.45pm,8pm,9.40pm,10.55pm, Spice Gold:10,3.30,9,11.30pm. Spice Studio, 1, 6.30pm, Spice Cinemas: 9,10,12.40,2.30,3.20, 6,7.40,8.40,10.20,11.35 GURGAON: SRS Omaxe: 9.30am,12.05pm ,2.40pm,8.20pm,10.55pm; SRS Celebration: 9.30am,12pm,5.40pm,8.15pm,10.50pm: PVR Ambience: 9am,9.30pm,11.35pm,12 .55pm,2.30pm,5.25pm,8.20pm,11.20pm: GOLD: 10.45am,1.30pm,4.30pm,7.25pm ,10.50pmPVR MGF: 9am,10.15am,1.10p m,2.55pm,4.05pm,7pm,8.45pm,9.55pm,1 1.40pm: PVR Sahara: 10am,12.55pm,3.5 0pm,6.45pm,10.20pm: PVR Citey Center: 10am,1.35pm,4.25pm,8pm,10.50pm: PVR Megamall: 10am,12.55pm,4.50pm,6.45pm,9. 40pm: PVR Starmall: 10am,12.55pm,4.20pm, 7.20pm,10.20pm FARIDABAD: SRS Cinemas: 9.50 am,12 pm,12.30 pm,3 pm,5.35 pm,8.10 pm,10.45 pm; SRS Eldeco: 9.30 am,12.05 pm,2.40 pm,5.15pm,7.50,10.25pm; SRS Shubham: 10am,3.40pm,9.20pm; SRS Pristine: 9.50 am,12.25 pm,3pm,5.35pm,8.10pm,10.45pm; PVR Crown Plaza: 10am,12.55pm,3.50pm,6. 45pm,10.20pm GHAZIABAD: Big Cinemas Kaushambi: 10.15am,11.45am,2.30pm,3.30pm,5.15pm,8 pm,9.30pm,10.45pm; PVR EDM: 10.15am,1. 10pnm,4.05pm,7pm,9.55pm; PVR Mahagun: 9am,11.35am,2.30pm,5.25pm,8.20pm,11.15 pm; PVR Opulant: 9.05am,1.30pm,4.25pm,7.2 0pm,10.15pm; SRS Aditya: 9.50am,11am,12. 25pm,1.35pm,3pm,5.35pm,6.45pm,8.10; SRS Jaipuria: 9.50am,12pm,12.30pm,3pm,5.35pm ,8.10pm,10.45; Wave Kaushambi: 9.30am,12 .10pm,2.50pm,5.30pm,8.10pm,8.45pm,10.50 pm; Wave Raj Nagar: 9.30am,12.10pm,2.50p m,5.30pm8.10pm,10.50pm
HT CITY SUDOKU
HINDI MEDIUM
Madhav meets a girl named Riya and falls in love. After he struggles to convince her to be his girlfriend, she agrees to be his half girlfriend.
CAST: Irrfan, Saba Qadar, Deepak Dobriyal NORTH: Movietime Pitampura: 12.20pm,2.45pm,8.25pm,10.55pm;; PVR Prashant Vihar: 11.10am,2pm,8.20pm,11.10pm; PVR Shalimarbagh: 10am,1.30pm,7.10pm,9.55pm; Gold: 2.10pm,8pm SOUTH:; PVR Select Citywalk: 9am,5pm,10.45pm; Gold: 2.50pm,8.05pm; 2.40,8.20 pm; Inox Nehru Place: 9.25am,2.15pm, 5.05pm,7.55pm,10.45; PVR Vasant Kunj: 10am,1.50pm,4.50p m,7.30pm,11.20pm; PVR Director’s Cut: 9.05am,2.30pm,8.15pm,11.10pm; PVR Anupam: 10.55am,1.50pm,7.40pm,10.35pm; PVR 3Cs: 4.05; PVR Sangam: 11am,4.45pm CENTRAL: Wave Raja garden: 9.40am,2.4 5pm,5.25pm,8.50pm,10.55pm; Movietime Raja Garden:11.55am,2.25pm,4.55pm,8.15p m,10.45pm; PVR Plaza: 4.24pm; PVR Rivoli: 12.35pm WEST: Inox Janak Place: 11.30am,5.30pm,8.20pm,11.10pm; Inox Janak Place: 9.40am,1.30pm,3.1 5pm,7.20pm,10.15pm: PVR Naraina: 10.55am,1.50pm,7.40pm,10.35pm; PVR Pcaific: 9am,12pm,2.25pm,5.50 pm,8.15pm,11.10pm; PVR Vikaspuri: 11.10am,2pm,8.20pm,11.10pm NOIDA: Movietime: 12.15pm,5.45pm; Movietime Gr Noida: 12.15pm,5.45pm; Wave: 9.40am,12.20pm,3pm,5.40pm,8.20pm,11pm; PVR Logix: 1.10pm,4pm,6.50pm,1.15pm,9.1 0pm,11.15pm: DT MOIN: 10am,11pm,1.50p m,4.40pm,7.30pm,10.20pm,11.30pm; Spice Studio, 10.30, 9pm; Spice Cinemas, 9,10,11.4 0,12.40,3.20,5,6,8.40,11.20pm. GURGAON: SRS Omaxe: 12.20pm,5.55pm10.55pm; SRS Celebration: 9.15am,3.50pm,8.10pm; PVR Ambience: 9am,3.50pm,6.40pm,10.30pm: GOLD: 1.40pm,8pm: PVR MGF: 9am,12pm,5.40pm,7.40pm11.20pm: PVR Sahara: 10am,4pm: PVR Citey Center: 10am,3.20pm,8.45pm,11.35pm;PVR Megamall: 10am,2pm,7.45pm,10.35pm: PVR Starmall: 1.30pm,7.10pm FARIDABAD: SRS Cinemas: 10.30 am,2.40pm,8.20pm,10.55pm; SRS Eldeco: 12.10pm,5.45pm,8.15 pm,10.45pm; SRS Pristine: 10.05 pm,2.40pm,8.20pm,10.55pm; PVR Crown Plaza: 10am,4pm
GHAZIABAD: Big Cinemas Kaushambi: 9am,11.30am,5.15pm,7.50pm,10.30pm ;; SRS Aditya: 9.30am,12.05pm,2.40pm, 4.10pm,8.20pm,10.55pm; SRS Jaipuria: 9.30am, 2.40pm,8.20pm,10.55pm; Wave Raj Nagar: 9.40am,2.45pm,5.25pm,8.45p m,10.55pm; Wave Kaushambi: 9.40am,3 pm,5.35pm,8.15pm,10.55pm; PVR EDM: 10am,1.50pm,8.10pm,11pm; PVR Mahagun: 9am,2.20pm,8.05pm,10.55pm; PVR Opulent: 10.50am,1.40pm,8pm,10.50pm
JATTU ENGINEER
CAST: Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan, Rajesh Insan,Ashok Insan SYNOPSIS: A teacher works hard to better a village that has poverty, unemployment, and a drug problem. NORTH: Movietime Pitampura: 9.45am; WEST: Inox Janak Place: 9am; Inox Patel Nagar: 9am; Movietime Raja Garden: 9.15pm,5.45pm; PVR Naraina: 8.10am NOIDA: Movietime: 5.15pm; Movietime Gr Noida: 5.15pm; PVR Logix: 9am, Spice Cinemas, 9am. FARIDABAD: SRS Eldeco: 9.30am; GHAZIABAD: Big Cinemas Kaushambi: 9.10am; PVR EDM: 10.20am: PVR Opulent: 10am
BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION CAST: Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Anushka Shetty NORTH: Movietime Pitampura: 9.45am,12.55pm, 4.05pm,5.15pm,7.15pm,10.25pm; PVR
Shalimar Bagh: 10am,12.30pm,4pm,7.30pm, 9.40pm,10.55pm; PVR Prashant Vihar: 8am, 9pm,12.30pm,4pm,4.50pm,7.30pm,1055pm; PVR Logix: 9am,9.45am,11.30am,1.15pm,3 pm,4.45pm,6.30pm,8.15pm,10pm,11.45pm; IMAX: 9.30pm,1pm,7.30pm,11pm; GOLD: 10.30am,12pm,2pm,3.30pm,5.30pm,7pm,9 pm,10.30pm SOUTH: Inox Nehru Place: 9.50am,12.15pm ,3.40pm,7.05pm,10.30pm; PVR Vasant Kunj: 10.20am,11am,12.50pm,2.30pm,4.20pm,6p m,7.50pm,9.30pm,10.20pm; PVR Director’s Cut: 9.15am,12.10pm,4.05pm,7pm,10.55pm; PVR Anupam: 8am,9am,11.30am,3pm,4pm ,6.30pm,1pm,11pm; PVR Select Citywalk: 9am,12.30pm,4pm,7.30pm,10.55pm; Gold: 11.20am,9.40pm; PVR Priya: 9am,3.25pm,9.50pm; PVR 3Cs: 12.35pm,9.55pm; PVR Sangam: 12.55pm,7.20pm,10.30pm CENTRAL: PVR Plaza: 10am,7.20pm; PVR Rivoli: 3.30pm,9.55pm WEST: Inox Janak Place: 10.10am,12.45pm,2 .05pm,4.10pm,6.30pm,7.35pm,9.55pm,11pm; Inox Patel Nagar: 11.30am,12.25pm,3.55pm, 6.05pm,7.25pm,9.30pm,10.55pm; Movietime Raja Garden: 10am,12.15pm,1.15pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm,4.30pm,6.45pm,7.45pm,10.40pm,11 pm; Gold: 10.45,1.55,5.05 pm; PVR Naraina: 8am,11.30am,3pm,4.30pm,6.30pm,10pm,10 .55pm; PVR Pacific: 9am,11.15am,12.30pm, 2.45pm,4pm,6.15pm,7.30pm,9.45pm,11pm; PVR Vikaspuri: 8am,9am,12.30pm,4pm,4.5 0pm,7.30pm,10.55pm; Wave Raja Garden: 9.45am,12.30pm,1pm,4.15pm,7.30pm,10.45 pm,11.20pm NOIDA: Movietime: 9am,2.35pm,7.50pm; Movietime Gr Noida: 9am,2.35pm,7.50pm;
Wave: 9.45am,12.05pm,1pm,2.30pm,4.15p m,5.45pm,7.30pm,8pm,10.45pm,11.15pm: DT MOIN: 10.10am,11.20am,12.30pm,1.40p m,2.50pm,5.10pm,6.20pm,7.30pm,8.40pm, 9.50pm,11pm, Spice Gold: 12.30,6pm; Spice Studio: 3.30, 11.30pm, Spice Cinemas: 9.30, 11.05,12.40,2.15,3.50,5.25,7,8.35,10.10, 10.55, 11.30pm GURGAON: SRS Omaxe: 9.15am,2.50pm,5.15pm,8.25pm; SRS Celebration: 12.45pm,2.35pm,5.20pm,10.55pm; SRS Omaxe: 9.15am,2.50pm,5.15pm,8.25pm; SRS Celebration: 12.45pm,2.35pm,5.20pm,10.55pm; PVR Ambience: 9.20am,10.20am, 12pm,3.30pm,7pm,9.55pm: GOLD: 10am,4.30pm,10.20pm:PVR MGF: 9am,11. 30am,12.30pm,3pm,4pm,7.30pm,10pm,11 pm: PVR Sahara: 12.30pm,6.50pm,9.40pm: PVR Citey Centre: 10.05pm,12.55pm,4.30pm ,7.20pm,10.55pm: PVR Megamall: 10.30pm, 12.30pm,4pm,7.30pm,11pm: PVR STarmall: 10am,3.50pm,10pm FARIDABAD: SRS Cinemas: 10am,1.10pm,4 .20pm,5.15pm,7.30pm,10.40pm; SRS Eldeco: 10.10am,1.15pm,3.15pm,4.20pm,7.25pm,1 0.30pm; SRS Shubham: 12.35pm,6.15pm; SRS Pristine: 10am,1.10pm,4.20pm,5.15 pm,7.30pm,10.40pm: PVR Crown Plaza: 12.30pm,6.50pm,9.40pm GHAZIABAD: Big Cinemas Kaushambi: 9.30am,12.45pm,2pm,4pm,6.15pm,7.15pm ,10.30pm; SRS Aditya: 10am,1.10pm,4.20 pm,5.15pm,7.30pm,9.20pm,10.40pm; SRS Jaipuria: 10am,1.10pm,4.20pm,5.15pm7.30p m,10.40pm; Wave Kaushambi: 9.45am,11.4 5am,1pm,2.55pm,4.15pm,7.30pm,10.45pm, 11.15pm; Wave Raj Nagar: 9.45am,11.45pm ,1pm,2.55pm,4.15pm,7.30pm,10.45pm,11.15 pm; PVR EDM: 12.30pm,4pm,4.40pm,7.30pm: PVR Mahagun: 9am,10.45pm,12.30pm,2.15 pm,4pm,5.45pm,7.30pm,9.15pm,11pm; PVR Opulent: 12pm,3.30pm,4.30pm,7pm,10.30pm
SARKAR 3 CAST: Amitabh Bachchan, Yami Gautam SOUTH: PVR Vasant Kunj: 5.10pm; PVR Director’s Cut: 5.25pm; PVR Anupam: 7.30pm; PVR Select Citywalk: 2.10pm; WEST: Wave Raja Garden: 10am,6.20pm; PVR Naraina: 1.40pm; PVR Pacific: 11.40am NOIDA: Wave: 9.25am,3.15pm,5.20pm; PVR Logix: 12.10pm,11pm: DT MOIN: 4pm, Spice Cinemas, 11.35, 10.55pm.
MERI PYAARI BINDU
NORTH:; PVR Shalimar Bagh: 4.20pm SOUTH: Inox Nehru Place: 11.40am; PVR Vasant Kunj: 12.05pm; PVR Director’s Cut: 11.35am; PVR Anupam:12.30pm; PVR Select Citywalk: 9am; WEST: Inox Janak Place: 1.20pm; Movietime Raja Garden: 2.35pm; PVR Naraina: 11.05am; PVR Pacific: 9am,2.30pm; Wave: 12.20pm NOIDA: Wave:2.50pm; PVR Logix: 9.35am,5.30pm; DT MOIN: 10am,6pm GURGAON: PVR Ambience: 7.20pm: PVR MGF: 12pm: PVR Citey Centre: 6.10pm GHAZIABAD: Big Cinemas Kaushambi: 1pm; Wave Kaushambi: 9.15am; Wave Raj Nagar: 12.20pm: PVR Mahagun: 11.30am
DESIMARTINIRATINGMETER
Cinema halls may send their movie schedule to
[email protected] every Wednesday by 4 pm DIAL: Amba: 23826000 Batra: 27654202 Big Cinemas: 95120-3989404 Delite: 23272549 Delite Diamond: 23272802 DT Cinemas: 39895050 Eros One: 24324642 Fun Cinemas: 39895050 Galaxie: 95120-6526391 Golcha: 23265192 Janak: 25551115 Liberty: 28714836 Milan: 25101014 Movie World: 9213510290 M2K: 27942944 MMX: 0120-4388669 Paras: 55602263 PVR Cinemas: 27944194 Regal: 23362245 Sangam: 26172442/1 Sapna: 26431787 Satyam Cineplexes: 25893322 Sheila: 23672100
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CALVIN AND HOBBES
Bill Watterson
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
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MOVIES ON TV
0720 Hum Hain Kamaal Ke 0938 Qayamat 1228 Laadla 1544 Vishwatma 1913 2-Headed Shark Attack 2100 Time Story
STAR GOLD 0920 Heyy Babyy 1230 Ishq 1605 Tere Naam 1900 Gangaajal 2215 Phir Ek Most Wanted
ZEE ACTION
DID YOU KNOW?
SONY PIX 0824 The Chronicles of Riddick 1057 Total Recall 1329 Men in Black 3 1516 Goosebumps 1727 Jurassic World 2015 Fast Five 2300 Ghost Rider
Fill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, column and each of the 9X9 squares contains all the digits from 1 to 9.
HT CITY MATHDOKU Place numbers into the puzzle cells so that each row and column contains each of the digits from 1 to 5. No number is to be repeated in any row or column. Each bold-outlined cells contain a hint of a number and one of the mathematical symbols + x - /. The number is the result of the operation represented by the symbol to the digits contained.
STAR MOVIES 0730 Hitman: Agent 47 0930 The Amazing SpiderMan 2 1230 The Hills Have Eyes II 1430 Kung Fu Panda 3 1600 Tomorrowland 1900 Anaconda 2100 Predator 2330 Life of P
0741 Anyay Hi Anyay
DAILY HOROSCOPE ARIES
(MAR 21 - APR 20)
You may have to hold the fort in someone’s absence at work. You will manage to manoeuvre in a strong position for bargaining. Unwavering focus on the academic front is the need of the hour. Cutting corners and tightening belts will help you save a lot. You may have to turn a bit harsh to have your way at home. You may have to make efforts to remain fit. Lucky No: 17 Lucky Colour: Lavender
SAGITTARIUS
(NOV 23 - DEC 21)
LEO (JULY 23 - AUG 23)
Your slow pace may annoy those close to you, so get your act together and pick up pace. An immovable asset may come to you by way of inheritance. Travelling to a picnic spot with friends is possible and will be fun. Getting a personal job of a senior done cannot be ruled out today. Eat right to remain healthy, but for you it is easier said than done!
Lucky No: 3 Lucky Colour: Golden Brown
SCRAMBLE - 2349 Solve the four anagrams and move one letter to each square to form four ordinary words
TAURUS (APR 21 - MAY 20)
Getting used to your surroundings will make you a happy person. Office work may keep you busy and make it difficult to seek your personal time. You derive immense satisfaction on the academic front through your performance. A windfall can be expected on the financial front. Remaining in touch with the one you love is important at this juncture.
Lucky No: 11 Lucky Colour: Violet
Your total dependence on someone may become irksome for him or her. There is something affecting you personally that needs to be addressed urgently. Someone may seek you out for monetary help, so keep some excuse ready if you are not in the mood for charity. At work, you may be left guessing by higher ups about a request you had tendered. Lucky No: 22 Lucky Colour: Indigo BrownYellow
CAPRICORN (DEC 22 - JAN 21)
VIRGO (AUG 24 - SEPT 23)
Relentless pursuit will make things work for you in both personal and professional spheres. A situation that is beyond your capability may arise at work, but you will manage it well. Elders may initiate talks for getting a suitable match for you. You may find your financial front brightening up. Health remains perfect, as you take all the measures to remain fit. Lucky No: 2 Lucky Colour: Peach
Now arrange the letters marked with an asterisk (*) to form the answer to the riddle or to fill in the missing words as indicated.
S E TAE CTAOR B EODHT I M NU F F
Live your life that the _______ ____ ___________can never enter your heart. - Tecumseh (4,2,5)
Astrologer Prem Kumar Sharma can be contacted at: Delhi: 91-11-26449898, 26489899 (Sat to Mon): Panchkula: 91-172-2562832, 2572874 (Tues to Thurs); Mumbai: 91-22-26398641 (Last week of every month)
MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017
Getting things in order is likely to keep you engaged today. Your devotion to a family elder will help in bringing him or her back to health. At work, some delay is foreseen in getting a sanction. You will need to do some financial planning before putting money in your dream project. Family may not support your idea, but you’ll manage to get around them. Lucky No: 1 Lucky Colour: Light Yellow
Rajesh Khanna’s debut hit film Aakhri Khat (1966) was selected for the Oscars in the Best Foreign Language entry 1967. However, it failed to make the final cut.
SCRAMBLE 2349 : Tease, actor, hotbed, muffin Answer: ILive your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. - Tecumseh
ZEE CINEMA
1051 Dildaar: The Arya 1156 Eena Meena Deeka 1451 Mr. and Mrs. Ramachari 1741 Bumper Offer 2000 Manjulika Returns 2247 Age of Dinosaurs
GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 21)
Acknowledge someone going out of his or her way for you. You are in need of guidance on the academic front, though you may deny it! Rethink your investment options, especially for those schemes which are not giving good returns. A family member may seek your help, so find time for him or her. Repair work at home may keep some busy. Lucky No: 7 Lucky Colour: Peach
AQUARIUS
(JAN 22 - FEB 19)
NAOMI CAMPBELL: This super model and actor, who has walked the ramp for Gianni Versace, Azzedine Alaïa, turns 47 today.
YOU SHARE YOUR BIRTHDAY WITH
Don’t let things get out of hand, as you may be blamed for them at a later date. On the job front, you may be in the run for a prestigious appointment or assignment. Some good investment opportunities may catch your fancy and prompt you to park your money in them. You may find it difficult to attend an event or a function today due to prior commitments. Lucky No: 9 Lucky Colour: Saffron
LIBRA (SEPT 24 - OCT 23)
It is better to focus on a few essentials, than to take everything on your shoulders. You will need to spend more time on something to make it a success. On the social front, you will manage to make all the right moves to win people over. Something you only fantasise about on the romantic front is likely to happen soon! Your spirit of adventure may take you places. Lucky No: 18 Lucky Colour: Sandy Brown
SOLUTION MATHDUKU
0709 Ip Man 3 0919 Transformers: Dark of the Moon 1200 Final Destination 5 1336 Kung Fu Panda 1510 The Hangover Part II 1655 13 Hours 1917 Due Date 2100 Terminator Genisys 2319 The Departed
SOLUTION SUDOKU
HBO
Go into the financial details of a project you are awarding someone. If you are planning to start a new venture or buy a major item, today is the day. Your efforts on the academic front will accomplish much. A deal is likely to work out in your favour. Health wise, you are likely to feel fit and energetic. With CANCER mutual give and take, love life promises to cruise (JUNE 22 - JULY 22) along smoothly. Lucky No: 8 Lucky Colour: Parrot Green Getting to know someone better may waste time, but it will be well worth it in the long run. Chance to get the better of those who discredit your achievements is here, seize it with both hands! You may travel to attend a wedding or a function happening out of town. Some positive developments are likely to take place on the property front. Lucky No: 6 Lucky Colour: Light Red
PISCES (FEB 20 - MAR 20)
SCORPIO (OCT 24 - NOV 22)
Gaining the trust of someone influential is important. Today, a lot of travel is foreseen in your official capacity. Many thoughts may enter your head for the betterment of workplace, but it is best to analyse the present set up before going ahead. There is not much sense in straining relations with a person, just because someone close doesn’t like him or her. Lucky No: 15 Lucky Colour: Cream Printed and distributed by PressReader
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RELATIONSHIP
Feared, your situation seems to be all about timing. According to yourself, she shows interest in you at certain times; let’s say, between 2 pm and 3 pm. Other times, she shows no interest; let’s say between 4.30 pm and 5.30 pm. Clearly, you need to make your case between 2 pm and 3 pm then. Don’t confess anything to her or the C.B.I. Just use the time when she’s more friendly to your advantage. Love belongs to the tortoise, though hares breed more.
O
n the opening night of the Cannes film festival, model Bella Hadid was seen chilling with her father, American real estate developer Mohamed Hadid,
who is originally from the Middle East. The fatherdaughter duo took a break from all the seriousness and enjoyed a scoop of ice cream together.
SAY IT RIGHT
Ambrosia (am-broh-zhah)
I have a crush on a girl from my class. Two of my friends also have a crush on her. She is an introvert. A lot of things about her come to my mind. How do I clear my mind of all these things? Psy You are asking to eat your chocolate cake and lose weight at the same
time. Be true to yourself, Psy. Do you want her in love or not? If you just want to be her friend, why did you write in? There are no long queues to be friends. It looks like you have fallen for her. You better move fast, you have two competitors, who might both be taller than you, and may wear better shoes. Don’t worry about her being shy, and figure out what ‘you’ really want. Move fast, or lose the ‘Belle of the Ball’.
I broke up with my ex because he was a pervert. My new boyfriend loves me. I am unable to tell him that I had kissed my ex because he would get hurt. How do I reveal the truth? CV In my book, “truth is the biggest lie”. I’ve answered your query beautifully. But please don’t read the sequel “lies are sometimes lies”. That may confuse you no end. Stop these ‘filmi’ revelations at once. Enjoy your new boyfriend, who, I take it, is not yet a pervert. And please stay away from your not-so-golden oldie, okay?
PHOTO: ISTOCK
JUST WRITE TO UNCLE CY AT CYRUS @HINDUSTANTIMES.COM AND I’LL GIVE YOU SOME RELIEF…. ERR… THAT IS, PROVIDED, I’M NOT DOING A HEADSTAND AT THE TIME. I have feelings for my senior in college. He is in a relationship. We have even gone on two movie dates. During one of the outings, we got very close to each other. I think he too has feelings for me. When I confronted him about it, he asked me to forget him. He feels I will get hurt if I don’t. Do you think he loves me or has feelings for me? Ms Anonymous Ms Anonymous, how much senior is he to you? I hope not 25 years. Oh no, that’s the wife of the new French President. Prima facie, on the evidence presented, it looks like he is at least, mildly interested. Two movie dates, not something to be scoffed at. Why no third movie date? Well, there could be all kinds of factors, including the fact that the last movie was absolutely awful. But why do you have to confront people in such a hurry? I think he has feelings for you, but you scared him. Back off a bit, tell him to go back to casual dates, and build the bridge. And choose a good movie.
Top: Georges Prosper Remi, aka Hergé; and (above) Tintin and Snowy
On this date in 1907, Hergé arrived in the world, making it a far more enjoyable place
BLISTERTING BARNACLES! 110 CANDLES! BOOKS
K
mbrosia originated in A early 19th century in Greece. It can be defined as
a sweet variation of fruit salad. The main ingredients used are sweetened pineapple, fresh oranges and marshmallows. Coconut, maraschino (preserved, sweetened)
cherries, bananas, strawberries, peeled grapes or crushed pecans are also used. The fruit is mixed with whipped cream, cheese, pudding, and yoghurt. This mixture is refrigerated overnight. Ambrosia is usually served as a dessert.
STYLE JUGAAD
Remove stains from leather shoes PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
ational Museum has now added the Korean language to its audio tour service to help the museum in making a deeper connect of Korean tourists with Indian heritage, history and culture. The launch ceremony was attended by South Korean Ambassador Cho Hyun along with National Museum Director General BR Mani. Until now, the audio tour had been available in Hindi, English, German, French and Japanese. Cho Hyun said that the two nations have developed a trustworthy relationship, adding that the audio guide will further help in strengthening the relation.
He appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tweet congratulating the new Korean government and exploring further possibilities of bilateral exchanges. Kim Kum-pyoung, Director of Korean Cultural Centre India, said, “I hope more Korean tourists visit India and have a deeper understanding of the culture of India through the audio guide.” Hereafter, Korean visitors can enjoy a 75-minute tour that includes selected 64 masterpieces among many national heritages, from the dancing girl statuette made in 2500 BC to the sword of Tipu Sultan. IA NS
THE SOUTH KOREAN AMBASSADOR APPRECIATED PRIME MINISTER’S TWEET CONGRATULATING THE NEW KOREAN GOVERNMENT AND EXPLORING FURTHER POSSIBILITIES OF BILATERAL EXCHANGES
HERGÉ TRIVIA Hergé was inspired by the works of the French writer Jules Verne, who wrote such classic adventure novels as Around the World in Eighty Days.
■
He created the pen name by reversing his initials G and R (Georges Remi), making it RG or Hergé.
■
Tintin explored the moon in 1954, i.e. 15 years before Neil Armstrong.
■
Hergé created two other well-known series, Quick & Flupke (1930–40) and The Adventures of Jo, Zette and Jocko (1936–57).
■
us even more
stains is not easy but this quick hack should work well. Spray some baking soda on the stain and rub it gently
with a damp cloth. After that, dip a cotton swab in some nail polish remover. Gently rub the cotton swab on the stained spot. And your leather shoes will soon be stain-free.
N
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National Museum adds Korean to its audio guide
nown by the pen name Hergé, the Belgian cartoonist Georges Prosper Remi is the man behind the cult cartoon series The Adventures of Tintin. On his 110th birth anniversary today, let’s open our favourite Tintin comicbook and remember its creator. Hergé was born on May 22, 1907, in Brussels, Belgium. In his childhood, he loved to draw and was adept at it, without any training. His schooling happened during World War I. After the war, he got to publish his first cartoon: The Adventures of Totor for the magazine Le Boy-Scout Belge. It was in 1930 when Hergé published the first Tintin
book, titled Tintin in the Land of the Soviets. Over the next five decades, Tintin became one of the most popular cartoon characters of the 20th century, accompanied by the always swearing Captain Haddock and the absentminded, hard-of-hearing Professor Calculus, and, of course, the trusty dog Snowy. Tintin travelled across the world, from China in the East to America in the West. The brilliant wit of the comics’ dialogues and characters’ amusing quirks made this series a universal favourite. By the time Hergé died, on March 3, 1983, he had written 23 Tintin comics, leaving the world a far more enjoyable Henna Rakheja place.
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Tarot Cards Palmistry Numerology Vastu
Astrology
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SERIOUSLY CYRUS I like a friend, who was earlier my classmate. At times, she shows an interest in me, but sometimes, she pays no attention. I want to confess to her that I like her. What should I do? Feared
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PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/BELLA HADID
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LEARN For More Information Contact: Acharya Sunder Lal Garg
International School of Astrology North Delhi - 9811199989, 9999749498 On Demand Morning/Evening, P r i n t e d a n dcrash d i s t rcourses i b u t e d also b y Pavailable ressReader P r e s s R e a d e r. c o m
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06
htcity ENTERTAINMENT
BOLLYWOOD
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CANNES DAY 4: OF POSES AND THREATS
HINDUSTAN TIMES, NEW D E LHI MO NDAY, M AY 2 2 , 2 017
MUSIC
After split, Jolie to move into $25 million mansion A
ctor Angelina Jolie (left) is reportedly ready to move into her new mansion after her split from actor Brad Pitt. Large moving trucks were spotted outside Jolie’s new $25 million (`162.5 crore approx ) mansion on Thursday. The luxurious residence was once owned by legendary filmmaker Cecil B DeMille. In a photograph that surfaced online, several men were seen loading in boxes and crates into the mansion. Along with a swimming pool, large gardens and a tea house, the property reportedly has six bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. It also features a stunning library and an old farmhouse kitchen. As per sources, Jolie bought the house to make it easier for her six children to see Pitt, who lives just two miles away. “Brad and Angelina both agree that living close to each other would make the transition easier for the kids. Neither of them want the kids being shuffled back and forth between long distances, and Malibu is just too far away,” a source said.
From bomb scare to bold appearances, day four at Cannes was action-packed
D
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Ais
PHOTO: ALBERTO PIZZOLI /AFP
PHOTO: JEAN-PAUL PELISSIER /REUTERS
Terry Notary (above) at the screening of The Square; Arnold Schwarzenegger (left) at the beach during the photo shoot; Clint Eastwood (right) at the screening of the restored copy of Unforgiven
Agencies
PHOTO: JEAN-PAUL PELISSIER /REUTERS
PHOTO: MATT SAYLES/INVISION/AP
ay four at the 70th Cannes Film Festival 2017 was all about film screenings, glamour and fun. Actor Kristen Stewart stunned all with her bleach blond buzz cut that made her almost unrecognisable. The Twilight actor introduced her 17-minute-long short film Come Swim at the fiesta, saying, “‘It speaks for itself ! I don’t have to do anything. But thank you for letting me be here. I’m on the floor. I can’t believe it.” The screening of Robin Campillo’s 120 Battements Par Minute was attended by celebs such as Pamela Anderson, Kendall Jenner, Araya Hargate and Lucie Lucas. But it was actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who stole the show in her red gown. Even actor Terry Notary grabbed attention when he bent down on the red carpet to pose for photos. The screening of the film Redoubtable at the Debussy cinema was affected due to security scare. What led to the suspicion was a bag at the Palais entrance that made security staff call for bomb expert. However, it turned out to be no threat.
IANS
Kristen Stewart PHOTO: VALERY HACHE/ AFP
Pamela Anderson PHOTO: VALERY HACHE/ AFP
PHOTO: VALERY HACHE/ AFP
‘I reached 100 million Instagram followers’
PHOTO: BRENDON THORNE/GETTY IMAGES
PHOTO: JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX /AFP
R
eality TV star Kim Kardashian (left) has joined the likes of singers Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift and Beyonce Knowles by becoming the sixth person to reach 100 million followers on Instagram. Kim reached the milestone on Thursday and thanked her fans and followers. “Can’t believe I reached 100 million Instagram followers, all thanks to you! Get the stories behind my top pics,” Kim wrote alongside a link to her web site with a breakdown of her top five photographs. Gomez, currently the most followed person on Instagram with more than 120 million devotees, was first to reach the milestone in September 2016. She was later joined by Grande, Swift and Knowles, and Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo. Instagram’s own account, meanwhile, remains by far the most followed account overall, with 223 million.
VADIVEL
IANS
Amber Rose beefs up her security M
odel-actor Amber Rose (above) has reportedly hired armed guards to protect her home after an intruder broke in and stayed for four hours while she was asleep. The 33-year-old has enlisted several off-duty policemen to guard her $4 million (`25 crore approx) mansion here round the clock after a man
entered by smashing a kitchen window in the wee hours of Wednesday. While some of the guards have been tasked with walking the perimeter, one of them will reportedly be in her house at all times. Rose is also fearful that she now has a stalker and wants one of the guards to accompany her wherever she goes.
Rose, her mother, son, assistant and bodyguards were all in the house asleep and nobody heard the intruder. She got to know about the intruder on Wednesday afternoon when she saw the broken window in the kitchen and checked the surveillance footage.
IANS
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