First India-Ahmedabad Edition-10 December 2020

AHMEDABAD l THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00

PM MODI TO LAY FOUNDATION STONE OF NEW PARLIAMENT BUILDING TODAY OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, AHMEDABAD & LUCKNOW

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the New Parliament Building at Sansad Marg today. The new building is an intrinsic part of the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and will be a land-

RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208 l Vol 2 l Issue No. 16

mark opportunity to build peoples’ Parliament for the first time after independence, one which will match the needs and aspirations of ‘New India’ in the 75th anniversary of independence in 2022. The function

17°C - 35°C

will be attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Venkatesh Joshi, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Hardeep S Puri, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan

Singh. Around 200 dignitaries, including Union Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, Secretaries Ambassadors/High Commissioners will attend the function, which will also be webcast live.

www.firstindia.co.in | www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia | instagram.com/thefirstindia

13 agitating farmer unions unanimously reject draft proposal sent by Centre; Govt assures registration of all pvt mandis to strengthen AMPC; Adamant farmers to block Delhi-Jaipur NH by Dec 12; call for nationwide sit-in protest on Dec 14

A serious threat to Modi & Shah’s good governance New Delhi: Farmer unions on Wednesday rejected the government’s proposals on changes in three farm laws and said they will intensify their protest for the repeal of these laws.

“We reject the government’s proposals,” said Darshan Pal, President of Krantikari Kisan Union at a joint press conference of farmer unions at Singhu border between Delhi and Haryana. The farmer union leaders said that there will be sit-ins at BJP offices and protest demonstrations will be held in many parts of the country on December 14.

They said that DelhiJaipur highway will be blocked on December 12

TOMAR MEETS SHAH AS FARMERS REJECT GOVT’S PROPOSAL

A farmer smokes hookah during the protest against farm bills at Delhi Ghaziabad border, in Delhi on Wednesday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

and added that they are also giving a call to farmers from other parts of the country to

CABINET APPROVES ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT ROJGAR YOJANA

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad addresses a press conference on Cabinet decisions, in New Delhi on Wednesday.

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday gave a nod for Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY) to boost employment in the formal sector and incentivise creation of new employment opportunities during the COVID-19 recovery phase under Atmanirbhar Bharat Package 3.0, said Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

The Cabinet has approved an expenditure of Rs 1,584 crore for the

current financial year and Rs 22,810 crores for the entire scheme period from 2020 to 2023.

The scheme will provide subsidy for two years in respect of new employees engaged on or after October 1, 2020 and upto June 30, 2021, Prasad said in a press briefing here.

The government will pay both 12 per cent employees’ contribution and 12 per cent employers’ contribution i.e.

Turn to P6

reach Delhi.

The proposals were sent to farmer union leaders after they at-

tended a meeting called

by Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday.

Turn to P6

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Wednesday met Union Home Minister Amit Shah after farmer leaders rejected the Centre’s draft proposal to amend the new agriculture laws. Minister of Railways, Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal was also present in the meeting. The meeting likely took place to discuss the next course of action.

Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, CPI Gen Secy D Raja and CPM Gen Secy Sitaram Yechury speak to media after meeting President Ram Nath Kovind over farm laws, at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on Wednesday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

Opposition meets President, seeks repeal of farm laws New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and leaders of some other opposition parties including NCP, DMK, CPI-M on Wednesday met President Ram Nath Kovind and urged him to persuade the government “not to be obdurate” and accept demand of

Centre to send extra vax storage equipment to states from today New Delhi: Starting from December 10, the Centre will send additional vaccine storage equipment to states and union territories, as the preparation for starting the vaccine drive is going on in full swing.

Three vaccine candidates, including that of Pfizer, Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech, have applied for emergency use authorisation. While the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation reviews the applications, the Centre is readying the ground work for vaccine delivery.

According to health ministry, the present cold chain system consists of 85,634 equipment for storage of vaccine at about 28,947 cold chain points across the country. The number (85,634) includes all auxiliary equipment as well like walk-in cool-

—PHOTO BY ANI

DON’T PUT POSTERS OUTSIDE HOMES OF COVID +VES: SC

Foreign envoys take a tour of Bharat Biotech facility where Covaxin is being developed, in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

ers, transport box etc.

The Centre had already asked the states and UTs to assess their cold-storage requirement, if they need extra walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers, deep freezers, ice-lined refrigerators etc., as the present equipment are also used for other immunisation programmes.

The supply will start from December 10, the ministry has said.

The current cold chain is capable of storing additional quantity of Covid-19 vaccine required for first 3 crore people — health care workers and frontline workers, the ministry has said.

Health care workers will get vaccine shots in the beginning followed frontline staff. Then people with co-morbidities will be given priority. —ANI

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said putting up posters or signs outside the homes of Covidpositive patients, to indicate they were suffering from the disease, was no longer required unless there was direction from a competent authority.

The apex court said posters could be affixed in specific cases by authorities under the Disaster Management Act. The remarks were made by a bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, R Subhash Reddy and M R Shah, Turn to P6

protesting farmers for repeal of 3 farm laws.

Talking to the media after submitting a memorandum to the President, the leaders said farm bills were passed “without proper discussions and consultations”. Apart from Gandhi, Nationalist Congress Party chief

Sharad Pawar, Communist Party of IndiaMarxist leader Sitaram Yechury, DMK’s TKS Elangovan and CPI’s D Raja met the President.

Rahul said they informed the President that it is “absolutely critical that these antifarmer laws are taken back”.

Turn to P6

BCCI bosses Ganguly, Shah to continue as SC lists hearing for Jan New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday posted hearing for a bunch of petitions to January next year, including one filed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for an amendment in its Constitution which may decide the tenures of its president Sourav Ganguly and secretary Jay Shah.

A Bench headed by Justice L Nageswara Rao disposed of a number of interlocutory applications, filed by state cricket associations, noting that these applications need not be adjudicated by this court. The BCCI had filed an application before the top court urging it to revise a rule in its new Con-

stitution which mandates that administrators have to go through a three-year cooling-off period after six successive years in the BCCI or any state association.

The cooling-off was a major recommendation by the Justice RM Lodha Committee to reform cricket administration in the country.

—ANI

Appoint administrators till elections in February next year: SC The apex court also directed the govt to submit a report on fire incidents at COVID-19 hospitals across the state First India Bureau Ahmedabad: The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued directions to the Gujarat government regarding two issues.

Firstly, it instructed the state to appoint administrators for local civic bodies till elections are held. And secondly, the court sought an inquiry report on the fire inci-

dents at designated COVID-19 hospitals in the state. Meanwhile, the state election commission informed the apex court that it plans to conduct civic body, nagarpalika, panchayat elections in February next year.

Last week, the state government had filed a civil application before the Supreme Court

ONLY FILLERS Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said, “Chief Executive Officers of 51 nagarpalikas will act as administrators till the general election results are out, but they will not be empowered to make policy decisions.” Also, the Supreme Court allowed Shrey Hospital fire victim Vishnu Sindhi to place appropriate material regarding the hospital on record, to assist the court in its queries. seeking its direction on the appointment of administrators for local bodies or extending terms of incumbent elected representatives.

Clearing the air about the ‘dilemma’ faced by the state government, the Supreme Court said, “Our constitution and laws clearly

state that once the term of any government official concludes, it cannot be extended.” The court then advised the government to appoint

administrators in local bodies to perform duties expected of an incumbent official. Therefore, taluka panchayat officers will act as an

administrator of taluka panchayats, district development officers will run respective district panchayats and municipal commissioners will oversee the administration of their respective civic bodies.

During the hearing, the state election commission submitted to the court that it plans to hold elections of all local bodies in February next year. On October 12, the commission had postponed elections of six municipal corporations, 55 nagarpalikas,

31 district panchayats, 231 taluka panchayats citing 29% increase in COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, the court has initiated suo motu in the fire accidents that occurred at designated COVID-19 hospitals in the state. During the hearing on Wednesday, the court sought an inquiry report, following which, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court that the government had nothing to hide and requested for some time to prepare the document.

NEWS www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

02

FIERY BLAZE LEAVES 3 CHEMICAL FACTORIES GUTTED IN AHMEDABAD As of now, no fatalities have been reported in the incident that occurred in the wee hours of Wednesday morning

First India Bureau Ahmedabad: A major fire broke out at a chemical company in the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) near Vatva-Vinzol railway crossing at around 12.30 am on Wednesday morning.

Fortunately, no casualties have been reported in the incident so far, despite the fact that the massive blaze that could be seen by residents in the five kilometre radi-

us of the factory.

Around 40 fire trucks arrived at the scene accompanied by two ambulances to tend to the blaze.

The fire started at Matangi Enterprise and then spread to Jakshay Chemical Company, after which it engulfed four other nearby units. “The fire occurred in a closed factory so there is a possibility that a chemical like a solvent or some other flammable sub-

stance caused it,” said Rajesh Bhatt, Additional Fire Officer of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC).

As many as 20 huts were gutted in the blaze, along with a truck.

Workers asleep in the huts managed to escape unhurt but all their belongings were burnt to ashes.

Due to the massive scale of the incident, around 40 firefighters and 100 emergency services personnel were

Govt orders closure of GIDC Vatva fire chemical factories

rushed to the spot to control the fire. After a three-hour struggle, the flames were brought under control.

According to reports, the fire was so potent that its flames were visible from afar. It also caused several explosions inside the chemical units that could be heard as far as Isanpur.

This caused a lot of commotion among local residents in the area, who were woken from their slumber by the fire.

Hospitals a priority for dept, fire audit of industrial units later: Addl CFO Bhatt First India Bureau

One of the factories gutted in the fire incident on Wednesday.

First India Bureau Ahmedabad: On behalf of the government, the state Labour and Employment department issued a closure order to three chemical industrial units in Vatva Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) Phase 2 area of Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

The order comes after a massive fire broke out and left the three industrial units gutted at around 12.30 am on Wednesday. Following the incident, the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH), which functions under the Labour and Employment department, issued a closure order under Section 40(2) of the Factories Act. Vipul Mittra, ACS, Labour and Employ-

ment department, directed DISH to step up and undertake necessary steps to ensure worker safety in all manufacturing facilities, on top priority.

According to the primary report of DISH officials, a fire broke out in the unit of Jagson Colorchem Ltd and Matangi Industries LLP and spread to Bhavin Industries’ office. All firefighter units tending to the blaze in the Vatva GIDC Phase 2 area have managed to bring the fire under control. No casualties or injuries have been reported in the incident so far.

“Necessary instructions have been issued to the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH) to act swiftly. As mandated by the Factories Act, DISH

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

ensures that there is no compromise with the safety aspect of human life. We have issued closure orders to the units following an inspection

by DISH officials” said Mittra.

DISH Director PM Shah said, “The state government had issued a resolution on November 26 this year, and stipulated that factories will now be required to seek No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the fire department under the Gujarat Fire Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act, 2013.”

“We will review the fire and other related safety aspects before allowing resumption of manufacturing operations. Units shall remain closed till all necessary compliances meet the expected standards,” he added.

—PHOTOS BY HANIF SINDHI

Firefighters battling the blaze on the scene on Wednesday.

Ahmedabad: After a massive fire engulfed three chemical factories in Vatva area of the city in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, concern regarding fire safety has risen. Several fire incidents have been reported in hospitals, factories, commercial and residential buildings across the state over the past few months. In order to conduct inspection of all such places, the state government has formed a fire audit committee, to ascertain the level of fire safety and deploy necessary equipment

AMC Additional Chief Fire Officer Rajesh Bhatt (Centre) conducting an inspection at an A’bad hospital, along with officers of the fire and police department. —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

and training, wherever necessary.

According to officials of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC),

the city fire department team has prioritized audits of hospitals, in view of the ongoing pandemic. “After the

Shrey Hospital fire tragedy, our focus has been screening hospitals. As part of the state fire audit team, we have screened 40 hospitals so far. The inspection of industrial units will take time,” said Rajesh Bhatt, Additional Fire Officer, Fire and Emergency Services of Ahmedabad.

He added that post the screening of Ahmedabad hospitals, the department plans to inspect the ones outside city limits. “With limited manpower, there is only so much we can do at once. The inspection of industries will have to wait for now. A few of

the hospitals that we have audited, there are underlying issues with building structure as well as fire safety equipment,” asserted Bhatt.

Meanwhile, PG Brahmbhatt, Chief Fire Officer of Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), said that their team has conducted an audit of industrial units and factories. “Inspection of factories, hospitals, and other high-rise buildings has been completed. We have served notice to a few, which lacked proper fire safety equipment or No Objection Certificates (NOCs),” he said.

BRTS bus rams into underpass, splits into two First India Bureau Ahmedabad: A BRTS (Bus Rapid Transit System) bus got into an accident at the Akhbarnagar underpass on Wednesday afternoon. The bus rammed into one of the columns of the underpass, splitting the vehicle into two. The accident left two people injured with the driver barely escaping with

his life.

According to reports, a two-wheeler vehicle was hit by the BRTS bus while near the Akhbarnagar underpass. Fortunately, there were only two to four people onboard the public transportation vehicle at the time of the incident.

Police and 108 emer- The bus lying split in two at the Akhbarnagar underpass in Ahmedabad. —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI gency ambulance services rushed to the spot All those injured were on the scene and the Hospital for medical following the accident. administered first aid driver was sent to Civil assistance.

GUJARAT AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

03

set for leopard that Primary school teachers to get Traps killed two kids, injured one `4,200 salary grade: Nitin Patel First India Bureau

Dy CM, Union Minister for Roads Transports and Highways Nitin Gadkari reviewed NH progress First India Bureau Gandhinagar: The state government has decided to revoke the Education Department’s circular that had become a hindrance to the pay scale of primary schoolteachers. Now, these teachers’ first increment pay grade would be Rs4,200 and not Rs2,800. This was announced by Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama.

Patel said that the state has decided to scrap the circular dated June 25, 2019 which fixed the initial pay grade for primary schoolteachers at Rs2,800.

Several teachers had called for this circular to be scrapped, Patel noted, adding that the government’s decision would benefit roughly

REVIEW MEET

Dy CM Nitin Patel and Roads and Building Secretary Sandip Vasava participated in a video conference meeting on Wednesday with Nitin Patel, Union Minister for Roads Transport and Highways.

65,000 teachers across the state. The state’s decision will come into effect in a retroactive manner.

Earlier in the day, Deputy Chief Minister Patel, who also holds the state’s Roads and Building Department portfolio, held a meeting through video con-

ferencing with Union Minister for Roads Transports and Highways Nitin Gadkari, in which the duo reviewed the progress on the Delhi-Mumbai Corridor, Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway, Shamlaji-Delhi Expressway, the Signature bridge connecting Dwarka

and Bet-Dwarka, the Khavda-Dharamshala highway and other important national highways. Patel also informed the Union minister that highways that had been washed out due to heavy rains in the state are being repaired.

In a separate devel-

opment, Patel has suspended Deputy Executive Engineer (R&B) Darshnaben Goswami for negligence of duty for failing to begin repair work on the road connecting Kotda and Kukma in the Bhuj taluka, which had been washed out by heavy rains in Kutch.

Godhra: A local team from the forest department has set traps to catch a leopard that has killed two children and injured another.

Godhra District Conservator of Forest ML Meena confirmed that the leopard had killed Mehul Nayak (8) and Nilesh Batriya (5) on Tuesday and injured another little girl that night. Meena added that the department has placed five cages with prey to trap the leopard, and that 45 forest officials are currently in the field to trace the leopard. The forest department is also planning to install cameras in the areas around Kataveda and Goysundal villages in Ghoghamba taluka to track down the leopard.

Mehul was killed while he was grazing cattle on Tuesday morning, while Nilesh was killed in the evening. As the village head

As many as 82 leopards attacked humans in 2019.

informed the forest department, the forest and police team had reached these villages and had started tracing the leopard. Another girl was attacked at night, while trying to fetch water from a well. However, she was lucky and escaped with minor injuries.

These villages are just 41km away from the wildlife sanctuary in Jambughoda, which—according to a

2013 census—was home to 37 leopards.

In February, the state forest minister in a reply in the state Assembly had stated that 442 leopards had entered into revenue areas in 2019. Of these, 82 had attacked and killed humans. Leopards that kill humans are not released back into the forest once caught. As per the 2016 wildlife census, there are 1,395 leopards in the state.

Man disposes of daughter’s State’s daily jump in nCoV cases dips to 1,318 body without informing the police about her suicide First India Bureau

Gandhinagar: Gujarat has recorded another slight fall in the number of daily cases of COVID-19, with 1,318 fresh cases of infection being reported on Wednesday from the 1,325 registered on Tuesday.

First India Bureau A h m e d a b a d : Meghaninagar Police have picked up Jagdish Rajput from Etawah of Uttar Pradesh and arrested him for destroying evidence after he attempted to dispose of his daughter’s body without informing the police that she had committed suicide here in Ahmedabad.

The case came to the police’s notice when Meghaninagar police found the half-burnt body of a girl, aged between 15 and 20, near the metre-gauge railway line connecting Kalupur to Himmatnagar. A single gold earring was found with the corpse.

The police used this earring to identify the victim in by showing to people who lived in the area.

Once the police traced the girl’s resi-

The daily COVID-19 bulletin issued by the government’s health department said that the new cases take the state’s total tally to 2,22,811 cases since March. With 13 patients succumbing to the infection during the day, the death toll due to the pandemic reached

1,318 cases, 13 fatalities take state tally to 2,22,811 cases, toll to 4,123

4,123, it added.

Eight of Wednesday’s deaths occurred in Ahmedabad, while Surat

Jagdish Rajput and the Meghaninagar police team that arrested him.

dence, they found it locked. Neighbours told the police that the Jagdish Rajput, who lived there, had hurriedly packed his bags and left for this hometown in UP two days ago. The police unlocked the house and found a photo of the deceased.

Meghaninagar Police dispatched a team to

Etawah and picked the accused father Jagdish and brought him to the city on Wednesday.

During primary questioning, Rajput told the police that his daughter had hanged herself after he had scolded her for her relationship with a youth in the area.

After he found that daughter has committed suicide, he took petrol out of his bike, poured on her and set on fire.

Later with the help of two other associates he dumped the body near the railway track.

Madhur (13), Dhruv (10) and Uttam (8) Saniya in happier times.

First India Bureau Moinbhai takes his horse for a ride in Ahmedabad’s Maninagar, on Wednesday, one of the few auspicious dates for weddings according to the Hindu calendar in December.

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

GEARING UP

Rajiv Satav holds meeting on local body polls BJP CHINTAN BAITHAK ON DEC 12-13

Marathon meetings planned with district leaders to firm up plans during his 10-day visit to Gujarat First India Bureau Ahmedabad: Congress state in-charge Rajiv Satav has begun to meet with district representatives to take the stock of the situation before the local body polls, as part of his 10-day visit to Gujarat.

The aftermath of the

Patidar agitation had given the Congress considerable gains in the last elections, which allowed them to win 23 of 31 district panchayats and 113 of 193 taluka panchayats. However, experts believe that the party will likely have to struggle this time around, especially since the state body has not

Gujarat state in-charge for the Congress, Rajiv Satav —FILE PHOTO

been formed and given the party’s dismal per-

There are now 14,027 active cases, with 75 patients on ventilators.

Meanwhile, potential disaster was averted when staff fixed an oxygen leak at the Little Flower hospital located in Ahmedabad’s Maninagar area, where four patients are on ventilator support.

Bodies of 3 missing children fished out from Vadodara lake

TROTTING ALONG

Jagdish Rajput admitted to burning daughter’s body after she hanged herself

saw two deaths and Rajkot, Banaskantha and Amreli each had one.

While 280 new cases were registered in Ahmedabad, cases also emerged in Surat (212), Vadodara (177 ), Rajkot (135), Gandhinagar (57), Mehsana (52) and Banaskantha district (41) among others.

formance in the recent bypolls for the eight va-

cant Assembly seats.

However, the party is now gearing for the polls and marathon meetings have been organized with various district leaders. “The meeting will decide on the strategy for the local body elections. In

Gujarat, the Congress suffered a crushing defeat in the recent assembly by-elections. With that, the party has now begun a series of meetings with leaders to decide plans for the upcoming elections,” one Congress leader said.

Vadodara: The dead bodies of three brothers, who had been missing since Tuesday morning, were fished out of the Koliyad lake in Vadodara’s Karjan taluka on Wednesday morning.

The police have sent the bodies for postmortem. Although the police have registered the case as accidental death, it will still investigate if there was some reason for the deaths.

Madhur Saniya (13), Dhruv Saniya (10) and Uttam Saniya (8) went missing from Koliyad village on Tuesday morning. When they could not find their children, the boys’ parents informed the police and lodged a missing person complaint.

However, before the police could begin their search for the boys, a

The boys, who went missing on Tuesday, are believed to have drowned in the lake villager passing near the Koliyad Lake on Wednesday morning noticed three bodies floating in the water.

This person informed the family, and later went to the police.

Suresh Saniya, the boy’s father, fished out their bodies with the help of some villagers.

The police then sent the bodies for postmortem and later handed them to the boys’ family.

The Karjan Police Station Officer said prima facie, the boys appear to have died by drowning.

However, the police will investigate further if anything suspicious appears in the postmortem report.

PERSPECTIVE AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

DON’T PINCH THE SOLDIER’S PENSION

IN-DEPTH

CENTRE, FARMER AGITATION ENTERS CRITICAL JUNCTURE

MAJ GEN CP SINGH, RETD

C

entre’s attempt to mollify farmers by proposing some amendments in the three statutes came as a cropper as the agriculturists rejected the proposal sent by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Farmers were firm on not settling for anything less than the repeal of the contentious new agricultural marketing laws. The government says these laws are much needed for reforming the farm sector and is equally adamant about rejecting the demand for scrapping them. The farmers have now threatened to escalate their agitation with a blockade of the Delhi-Jaipur Highway on December 12. From December 14 the protests would extend to the entire country and would include gherao of Delhi and BJP offices, the capture of toll plazas, and boycott of Reliance malls and Jio. They said one by one they will block all roads leading to Delhi. Farmers felt there was no commitment from the government on their demands and found Centre’s offer “vague”.

Concerned at the turn of events, the government went into a huddle with Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar rushing to Amit Shah’s residence.

The government’s proposals said, “Written assurance that the existing minimum support price regime for procurement will continue.” The government also agreed to give a written assurance that no buyer can take the loan against farmlands and was “open to making an amendment to provide for an appeal in civil courts”. On the farmers’ fears over Agriculture Produce Market Committees, the proposal said cess and tax will also be levied on traders operating outside mandis.

The protests, which have remained peaceful so far, have come as a shot in the arm for political parties which extended their support to the farmers. A delegation comprising Sharad Pawar (NCP), Rahul Gandhi (Congress) Sitaram Yechury (CPM), and D. Raja of the CPI met President Ram Nath Kovind and gave him a memorandum with the request to repeal the new farm laws. The President said that he’ll look into their request.

Their meeting with President Kovind was more a symbolic exercise as the opposition leaders’ plea is unlikely to have acceded.

More important was Rahul Gandhi exhorting farmers to continue their struggle and that the entire Opposition was with them.

He urged them not to give up their fight at this juncture.

While rejecting Shah’s offer, the farmers said that they were open to another proposal from the government but not on the terms proposed by Shah.

This leaves the government with a few options. It can either repeal the laws or crush the agitation when it starts on December 12.

The first measure will be a big loss of face for a strong leader like Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The second option could, however, hurt BJP’s popularity. Another option is to tire out the agitators. Which option will the government choose? Let’s wait and watch.

The writer is a scholar soldier accredited with MA, MSc, LLB, MBA, M Phil (Def Mgt) and M Phil (International Strategic Affairs) “Our God and soldier we adore , At the brink of danger; not before.

The danger passed, and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier slighted.”

E

Recently, the country has witnessed a multidimensional onslaught on the pension and privileges of the defence veterans.

The citizens are made to believe that they are a burden on the taxpayer and state exchequer.

There has been a clamor to cut the pensions and privileges on the name of increasing pension share of defence budgetcutting into the modernization

xpenditure on defence should be taken as insurance on growth and prosperity or a premium to be paid for unhindered growth. Defence forces are disciplined forces that never resort to strikes and unruly behaviour to express their demands, howsoever justified. They look up to their officers and leadership at all levels to stand up for the rights and privileges of the soldier and be counted. Certainly, the Govt is expected to know and meet their demands of operational readiness, welfare, and safety of their families back home.

EYE ON DEFENCE PENSIONS Recently, the country has witnessed a multi-dimensional onslaught on the pension and privileges of the defence veterans. The citizens are made to believe that they are a burden on the taxpayer and state exchequer. There has been a clamor to cut the pensions and privileges on the name of increasing pension share of defence budget-cutting into the modernization. However, no such proposal has been made for the civilian pensioners. It’s prudent to flag the following issues on this aspect:z Rising Defence Pensions. The

big noise is being made about ballooning defence pensions, which is barely 0.75% of GDP. Certainly the nation can absorb less than one percent of GDP as pension payments to valiant soldiers, who gave the best years of their lives to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation.

z Other Pension Beneficiaries.

The MP and MLAs get pension and perks for life, by serving for just one day. They be beyond compare, even most of the Central Govt Employees (Officers), other than the Armed forces, re-

tire with Maj Gen equivalent Pay/ Pension and but only 07% of the defence officers reach that level.

Cost-benefit analysis of having a bloated population of employees at assured higher pay scales indicates that pension to soldiers is minuscule expenditure.

IF INDIA ASPIRES TO BECOME A SUPERPOWER IN THE 21ST CENTURY, WE MUST LEARN FROM MAJOR SUPERPOWERS AS TO HOW THEY RESPECT AND TREAT THEIR SOLDIERS AND WAR VETERANS. THE TWO ESTABLISHED SUPERPOWERS TODAY ARE THE USA AND CHINA

z Reducing Defence Budget.

Candidly speaking, the share of military spending to its GDP actually fell over the last decade from 2.7 % to 2.04%. if one excludes the pension component, it’s just 1.5 percent the country’s GDP. A country having an unstable and hostile neighbourhood of nuclear-armed countries and having thousands of km of disputed borders can really ill afford to neglect it’s defence forces. To also include the civilians and pensions in defence budget is prima facie incorrect planning and indicates inflated defence budget, which most of the countries in the world are not doing.

z Defence Civilians are Actual

Drain on Defence Budget Approx 40% of the defence pension budget goes to civilian defence employees which are about 22% compared to approx 78% military pensioners. It’s interesting to know that there are 5.85 lakh civilian-defense employees, who are paid from defence budget.

Need for civilian support in the ratio of 1:4 needs introspection. However, this will never be questioned or reduced because of unions, bureaucratic support and political patronage. Additionally, Rs 1000 crore annually goes on attached MoF personnel.

z Priority to CAPF over De-

fence Forces. While the defence budget has reduced over the last six years in comparison to overall Govt expenditure, the CAPF budget has increased by 12% over the defence budget.

Unfortunately, Giving priority to CAPF over defence forces, lead to the 1962 debacle.

SUPERPOWER’S TREATMENT OF VETERANS If India aspires to become a superpower in 21st century, we must learn from major superpowers as to how they respect and treat their soldiers and war veterans. The two established superpowers today are the USA and China.

Major policies of pension and perks to veterans in these countries are highlighted below:USA. In India, our Defence Expenditure is barely 2.04% of GDP in FY 2019-20 and 15% of total Central Govt expenditure.

Santa was a lady once — is it time to bring her back?

C

an Christmas be about gender? Apparently so, if the paucity of female Santas is anything to go by.

There have, in fact, been cases of Australian women donning the secular red and white Santa attire as far back as 1930 — and there is no reason why we couldn’t have more female Santas today.

In 1935, Queensland’s Daily Mercury reported on aviator Nancy Bird Walton, “The Angel of the Outback”, piloting a female Santa Claus into the northwestern corner of New South Wales.

Bird was a volunteer with the Far West Children’s Health Scheme, flying nurses to remote parts of Australia, and transporting patients. “A girl was the first Father Christmas for the isolated area,”

04

the article noted.

Before Bird, in 1930, the Daily Pictorial had published a photo titled: “Sydney’s Woman Santa”. The caption described, “Mrs Thelma Lewis, of Randwick, believed to be Australia’s only woman Santa Claus”, filling a role she adored.

These cases from 1930s Australia provide a glimpse of women breaking the rules of socially accepted female behaviour.

(Bird was temporarily suspended from flying in 1935 when a state politician pronounced ladies were not “biologically suited” to the activity).

A ‘SLIMMER, SMALLER’ WARTIME SANTA During the second world war, as with the first, women assumed male roles out of necessity. This included donning a Santa suit. In

the war years, often with little protest.

1942, Perth’s Daily News reported: “Female Santa Claus this Year”. The article read: There will be a subtle change in the person of Santa Claus this year. He will probably be slimmer and smaller, and he probably won’t talk, because his voice won’t be quite as

deep as it should be. Mother will have the difficult job of deputising for Santa Claus this year, as most fathers in camp and on ships will not get leave.

Women stepped in during wartime in the United States too, although the response was not as pretty. A 1941 article in the St. Louis

Star-Times, insisted There is one male domain, however, that should be defended at all costs … A woman Santa Claus? Heaven forbid! That would be stretching the credulity of guileless little children too far.

Despite the grumbling, American women continued to play Santa during

RESISTANCE In the final decades of the 20th century, there was more resistance to female Santas. In Australia, Santa became a bloke again. In the US, the few women Santas working in department stores were either sacked or encouraged to seek alternative employment.

In 1999, a female Santa sued a Walmart in Louisville for unfair dismissal after a customer complained it was a man’s job. She lost.

But the tide may be turning as we settle into the new millennium. In 2018, in Gisborne, New Zealand, Santa was a “female, regional, Maori, queer”. Also in 2018, in Park City Mall in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, “Tranta Claus” (a transgender Santa) came to town.

The same for the US is 3.2% of its GDP & 16% respectively. The USA does not include these in defence budget and plans for pay and pensions separately with different ministries.

CHINA. China is the other superpower in the world today.

China has passed a new law aimed at providing better support for the country’s 57 million military veterans.

The law stipulates that it is the common responsibility of the whole society to respect and care for demobilized military personnel, and the veterans can enjoy the benefits of preferential financing policies such as discount interest on loans, tax benefits, and subsidized vocational training

CONCLUSION There is a cost of maintaining battle-worthy army as “Force of Deterrence” and the nation must bear that. A defense budget including pensions and large civilians cadre into it, with an allocation of less than 3% of GDP is unrealistic and highly unjustified. History bears testimony to the fact that when nations do not pay enough attention to the defence of the country, they have been subjugated by others. The policymakers will do well to remember what ‘Chankya’ said The day when the Mauryan soldier has to demand his dues or, worse, plead for them,…. It will be the beginning of the end of Mauryan Empire”!!.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Top

TWEET Piyush Goyal @PiyushGoyal Govt led by PM @NarendraModi ji approves Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana at an expenditure of `1,584 crore for the current financial year & `22,810 crore for the entire scheme period i.e. 2020-2023. This will benefit around 58.5 lakh employees.

Mallikarjun Kharge @kharge Land Reforms bills that has been passed in state assembly is very unfortunate. Our State land reforms has great history of struggle & Lakhs of people had fought for the farmers & ensured their rights were not diluted.

These bills rub salt into the wounds of farmers.

Spiritual SPEAK

It is better to live in your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else’s life with perfection.

—The Bhagavad Gita

SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION

Vol 2 Issue No.16 RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Planet Survey No.148P, Changodar-Bavla Highway, Tal. Sanand, Dist. Ahmedabad.

Published at D/302 3rd Floor Plot No. 35 Titanium Square, Scheme No. 2, Thaltej Taluka, Ghatlodiya, Ahmedabad. Editor-In-Chief: Jagdeesh Chandra. Editor: Anita Hada Sangwan responsible for selection of news under the PRB Act

To Receive Free Newspaper PDF Daily Whatsapp: http://bit.ly/whatsappahm

Telegram: https://t.me/firstindiaahmedabad Click the above link� & subscribe us on your preferred platform.

INDIA AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

05

Cabinet clears proposed MoU PM Modi wishes Sonia Gandhi long, healthy life between SEBI and Luxembourg The Union Cabinet was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the MoU is likely to strengthen cross-border cooperation in the area of securities regulations

Govt approves setting up public WiFi under ‘PM-WANI’

Union Minister for Environment, Forest & Climate Change Prakash Javadekar addresses a press —PHOTO BY ANI conference on Cabinet Decisions, in New Delhi on Wednesday.

New Delhi: The Cabinet on Wednesday approved the proposal of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to sign a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Financial and Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), Luxembourg.

The Union Cabinet was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The MoU is likely

Govt wants to get rid of democracy, alleges RaGa

Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a swipe at the government, alleging that it wants to get rid of democracy.

Taking to Twitter, he claimed that under the regime of PM Modi reform equals theft.

“Under Mr Modi, reform equals theft. That’s why they need to get rid of democracy,” Gandhi said, using the hashtag “TooMuchDemocracy”.

Gandhi’s tweet came after Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Tuesday. “Tough reforms are very difficult in the Indian context, we have too much of democracy. You needed political will to carry out these reforms and many more reforms still need to be done,” Kant had said.

—PTI

to strengthen cross-border cooperation in the area of securities regulations, contribute towards efficient performance of the supervisory functions aid in imparting technical domain knowledge and enable effective enforcement of the laws and regulations governing the securities markets of India and Luxembourg, an official statement said. In addition to

media here on Wednesday, Information Technology (IT) Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “Cabinet has taken a decision to launch PM- Wi-fi Access Network Interface-to unleash a massive Wi-Fi network in the country.”

Cabinet has also approved optical fibre cable connectivity between Kochi, Lakshadweep Islands. “No licence fee for providing broadband internet services using public Wi-Fi hotspots will massively encourage its proliferation and penetration across length and breadth of country. —ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Priyanka greets Sonia Gandhi on her birthday

Sonia Gandhi alongwith Priyanka Gandhi.

New Delhi: Congress General Secretary incharge of Uttar Pradesh Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday wished party interim President and her mother Sonia Gandhi on her birthday.

Vadra while sharing a Facebook post in Hindi wished her mother.

IN THE COURTYARD

HC asks Prasar Bharati to treat as rep plea seeking to resume AIR units New Delhi: The Delhi High Court asked the public broadcaster Prasar Bharati to treat as a representation plea seeking to resume all channels, stations, services and units of All India Radio (AIR) discontinued during the Covid-19 pandemic.

With these directions, a division bench of CJ DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan disposed of the public interest litigation filed

by All India Radio Casual Announcers and Comperes Union and AIR Broadcasting Professionals Association.

The PIL, filed by through advocate Akash Vashishtha, was moved against the closing down of the National Channel of All India Radio and its Re-

‘PM’s entourage can’t be brought into public domain’ New Delhi: Security apparatus and the entourage of the Prime Minister of India cannot be brought into the public domain for security reason, said the IAF challenging a CIC order in the Delhi HC for its disclosure under RTI Act. The IAF said that the

IAF ASKS NETFLIX TO WITHDRAW SCENES FROM ANIL’S ‘AK VS AK’ Mumbai: The Indian Air Force on Wednesday asked the makers of Anil Kapoor-starrer AK vs AK to withdraw some scenes where the actor is seen using foul language while dressed in the force’s uniform. “The IAF uniform in this video is inaccurately donned & the language used is inappropriate,” the IAF said in a tweet,

contributing towards strengthening the information sharing framework leading to effective enforcement of securities laws.

“The technical assistance programme would benefit the authorities by way of consultations on matters relating to capital markets, capacity building activities and training programmes for the staff,” it added. —ANI

New Delhi: The Cabinet on Wednesday approved the proposal of the Department of Telecommunications for setting up of public Wi-Fi networks by Public Data Office Aggregators (PDOAs) to provide public Wi-Fi service through Public Data Offices (PDOs) across the country.

The Union Cabinet was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This public WiFi access network interface will be known as PM-WANI and there will be no licence fee for providing broadband Internet through these public Wi-Fi networks. Addressing

New Delhi: Extending birthday greetings to Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished her a long and healthy life.

“Birthday greetings to Smt Sonia Gandhi Ji. May God bless her with a long and healthy life,” PM Modi tweeted.

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari also wished Gandhi on her birthday.

“Birthday greetings to the President of the Indian National Congress party Smt Sonia Gandhi Ji. May you be blessed with good health and long life,” Gadkari also said in a tweet.

According to top sources in the party, the Congress general secretary has communicated to all the in-charges and PCC presidents of the states that amid the ongoing farmer’s agitation, Gandhi has decided not to celebrate her birthday this year. Sonia Gandhi turned 74 today. She is the longest serving president of the party, having been elected in 1998. —ANI

attaching a teaser of the film. “This does not conform to the behavioural norms of those in the Armed Forces of India.

The related scenes need to be withdrawn.” The IAF tagged Netflix, Anurag Kashyap. On Wednesday evening, Netflix released a statement saying that the scenes were not intended to be disrespectful.

CIC has failed to consider that the information sought by the RTI applicant can’t be disclosed as it is extremely sensitive in nature and since it relates to part-II of SFR, official records of functioning and working of the security apparatus of the Prime Minister of India. —ANI

gional Academies at Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Shillong and Thiruvananthapuram, without conducting any assessment. —ANI

HEARING ON PLEAS SEEKING MORATORIUM ADJOURNED SC on Wednesday adjourned to December 14, the hearing on the pleas seeking an extension of the loan moratorium period and waiver of interest on interest on term loans in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier, a three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan, fixed the matter for further hearing on Wednesday. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Centre, said he has already filed his submissions.

SC to hear Maratha quota case on Jan 25 New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday posted for January 25, 2021, the hearing of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of a Maharashtra law that grants reservation to the Maratha community in education and jobs.

A five-judge Constitution bench of the apex court, comprising of Justices Ashok Bhushan, L Nageswara Rao, S Abdul Nazeer, Hemant Gupta and Ravindra Bhat, also asked Attorney General KK Venugopal to assist the court on the issue.

“We are of the view that issues raised in these Civil appeals and consequence, which follows is necessary that civil appeals be heard finally and concluded as early as possible,” the bench said. —ANI

SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT DEATH

Court sends accused Regel in 2-day custody Mumbai: In the latest development in the drugs case, a court in Mumbai sent alleged drug peddler Regel Mahakal to two-day NCB custody. He is accused of supplying drugs to Anuj Keshwani.

Mahakal, an absconding accused in a drugs case linked to

OPERATION TIKEN IN J-K ENDS; THREE KILLED, ARMS SEIZED Pulwama: Three terrorists affiliated with Al-Badre outfit were eliminated in the Tiken area of Pulwama district here on Wednesday, informed the Northern Command, Indian Army. The security forces have seized one AK rifle and two pistols from the encounter site. “Update: Operation Tiken, Pulwama. Three terrorists killed. 1 AK and 2 Pistols recovered,” the Northern Command wrote on Twitter. The operation has been called off, it added. One civilian was shot at his leg when terrorists opened fire in the wee hours. —ANI

Regel Mahakal

actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death was arrested by the NCB. “He used to supply drugs to (another accused) Anuj Keshwani who further supplied it to others,” an NCB official said.

The central anti-law enforcement drug agency conducted raids at

TELANGANA CM TO JOIN PM FOR CENTRAL VISTA FDTN STONE LAYING Hyderabad: Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Wednesday wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that he will join the latter with a sense of pride on the occasion of laying of the foundation stone for the grand project of Central Vista. This comes as PM Modi is slated to lay the

foundation stone and perform ‘Bhumi Pujan’ for the construction of the new Parliament building on December 10, which is a part of the Rs 20,000 crores Central Vista project. The project was long overdue, as existing government infrastructure in the national capital is inadequate,” Rao said in his letter to PM Modi.

Milat Nagar, Lokhandwala in Mumbai and seized a contraband ‘Malana cream’, worth Rs 2.5 crore .

Earlier, Keshwani, an alleged drug peddler was arrested by the NCB in connection with a drug case related to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

—FILE PHOTO

“Happy Birthday, Mother,” she said in the post.

Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal, in a letter, has asked all state heads of the Congress to avoid all celebrations, including cake cutting, on Gandhi’s birthday. —ANI

Maha’s ‘Shakti Act’ awards death penalty for rape Mumbai: In a bid to curb heinous crimes against women and children in Maharashtra, the state cabinet on Wednesday approved a draft bill that has provisions for stern punishment, including the death penalty, life sentence, and hefty fines, for perpetrators, speedy trial.

The draft bill seeks to amend relevant sections of the IPC, CrPC and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for the proposed law’s application in the state.

The cabinet approved the draft bill at a meeting here and it will be tabledin the state legislature during its upcoming winter session, HM Anil Deshmukh tafter meeting.

Two-day winter session of legislature begins in Mumbai from December 14. He said bill, to be called “Shakti Act”, will come up for discussion and approval in the both houses of the legislature. —PTI

KARNATAKA PASSED ANTI-COW SLAUGHTER BILL AMID OPPN Bengaluru: The Karnataka Assembly passed the anti-cow slaughter bill on Wednesday amid opposition from the Congress. The bill, named as the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Bill 2020, was tabled by the ruling BJP government led by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. It provides for a total ban on slaughter of cows in the state and stringent punishment to those who indulge in smuggling, illegal transportation, atrocities on cows and slaughtering them.

INDIA AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

BJP puts Nadda in charge of WB polls Nadda arrived in Kolkata, criticised “dynastic politics” of the ruling TMC party, & said “BJP is family” Political party misusing the Constitution: Mamata

BJP National President JP Nadda addresses the media conference at the inauguration of the state election office, in Kolkata on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)

Kolkata: BJP Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Jagat Prakash Nadda is scheduled to arrive in Kolkata on Wednesday noon for a two-day visit to West Bengal as part of his 120-day nationwide tour.

After inaugurating the party’s West Bengal election office at Hastings, Kolkata and virtually opening party offices in nine districts, Nadda will join a janasampark (public outreach) rally, “Aar noi

annay (injustice no more)” in Bhawanipur Vidhan Sabha seat in the city. He is also scheduled to hold a meeting with representatives from nearby slums today, a BJP statement revealed.

“The programmes are the BJP’s mission against the hegemony and the goonda raj of the TMC (Trinamool Congress),” the party statement said. At 4 pm, Nadda will hold a “chai pe charcha” meet-

ing with Bhawanipur Assembly election team, after which he will offer prayers at the Kalighat Temple.

On December 10, the BJP president will address a press conference at Diamond Harbour in neighbouring South 24 Parganas district. He will address the party cadres and interact with members from fishermen community. Besides, Nadda will offer prayers at Ramakrishna Mission.

Hitting out at the BJP without naming it, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday alleged that a political party was misusing the Constitution and urged everyone to pray together to save it as well as the country.

Referring to the Constituent Assembly meeting for the first time on this day in 1946, Banerjee paid her tribute to all its members who gave shape to the country’s Constitution.

On this day in 1946, the Constituent Assembly had met for the first time in New Delhi in the Constitution Hall, now known as the Central Hall of Parliament. —ANI

‘Mamata Banerjee Synonymous with Intolerance’ Kolkata: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda, accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of being synonymous with "intolerance", & exuded confidence about forming the next government in the state with more than 200 seats.

"Today, I want to recollect what Syama Prasad Mookherjee had said about discipline and tolerance...it is very pertinent in the present situation in Bengal. For West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.... thy name is intolerance," he said after inaugurating nine party offices across various districts of the state.

Mr Nadda accused the Trinamool Congress gover nment of "minority appease-

New Delhi: Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the national capital to discuss the proposed International Airport at Purandar, a sub-district in Pune, Maharashtra.

Rajya Sabha member from Maharashtra, Pawar said in the meeting with Rajnath Singh, he insisted on the need to expedite work of the airport. "Met Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Defence secre-

Rajnath Singh with Sharad Pawar.

tary & Civil Aviation secretary in New Delhi to discuss the proposed International Airport at Purandar. —ANI

A

of Finance statement.

The release said this has been made possible as the central government has strengthened the hands of the states through multiple meas-

ures for mobilisation of financial resources in view of the challenges posed by pandemic.

“The measures include grant of additional borrowing permission of 2

noted that guidelines related to wearing masks and maintaining social distancing were not being followed in almost all of the States & had sought their suggestions over the same.

The bench sought their affidavits by Friday and posted the matter for further hearing on December 14. It was

tre and State governments to file detailed affidavits on fire safety in hospitals after incidents of fire in COVID-19 dedicated hospitals.

The Centre and State governments were asked to file detailed affidavits on steps taken by them with regard to the top court's December 3 order where it

WHO WANTS THE EXTENSION TO CEO RAILWAY BOARD?

If sources are to be believed, a peculiar situation has arisen in the Railway Board. It is said that PMO reportedly wants to give six months extension to V K Yadav, CEO, RB but it is said that this time he is not interested. The government, however, wants the unfinished task to be finished by the official who is involved since beginning.

RESIGNATION OF IAS OFFICER WITHDRAWN AFTER SEVEN MONTHS

NO REGULAR SECRETARY, DOPT SINCE OCT 1 ment".

He asserted the saffron party will come to power in 2021 polls with more than 200 seats ousting the TMC "lock, stock and barrel".

"When the entire country was watching the 'Bhoomi Pujan' (of Ram temple in Ayodhya), Mamata Banerjee imposed a lockdown in West Bengal on August 5 to prevent people from being part of the occasion at the local level," he said. —ANI

per cent of the Gross State Domestic Product in year 2020-21.

This has enabled the states to mobilise additional financial resources to fight the pandemic and maintain the standards of service delivery to the public. However, to ensure long-term debt sustainability and prevent any adverse impact on future, a part of the additional borrowing was linked to the states carrying out reforms in the sectors critical for service delivery to the citizens,” the release said. —ANI

SC seeks replies on aspects of COVID-19 guidelines New Delhi: The Supreme Court ordered State governments and Centre to file detailed affidavits on the steps taken by them with regard to guidelines on wearing of masks and ensuring social distancing by the public.

A bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan, also directed the Cen-

POWER Gallery

An IAS officer has been allowed to withdraw her resignation. Rani Nagar who submitted her resignation about seven months ago, has withdrawn her resignation and got the posting in the cadre state Haryana as Additional Secretary in Info department. She is a 2014 batch IAS officer.

Pawar meets Rajnath to ‘9 states have successfully completed discuss proposed Intn’l One Nation One Ration Card system’ ` 23,523 CR ISSUED TO NINE STATES airport at Purandar New Delhi: As many as nine states have successfully completed reforms in Public Distribution System and implemented the ‘One Nation One Ration Card System’, under which a beneficiary will be able to buy subsidised foodgrains from any Fair Price Shops across the country. The states, which have implemented ‘One Nation One Ration Card System’ are Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, Tripura & Uttar Pradesh, said a Ministry

hearing a suo motu case pertaining to the management of COVID-19 crisis and mishandling of corpses.

The bench also expressed displeasure at the repeated constitution of the committee to probe Rajkot fire incident at a private COVID-19 hospital in which many people lost their lives. —ANI

The Government of India is yet to appoint a regular Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Home Secretary, has been looking after an additional charge of this post since October 1, 2020 after the retirement of incumbent Dr C Chandramouli.

TENURE OF NHRC CHAIRMAN ENDS?

Tenure of the Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission Justice H L Dattu has ended early this week.

ED IN SEARCH OF EIGHT JOINT DIRECTORS

The Enforcement Directorate is seeking officers on deputation for eight posts of Joint Director.

WHO IS THE MOST POWERFUL BUREAUCRAT IN ANDHRA PRADESH?

In the bureaucratic circles, it is said that Principal Secretary to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Praveen Prakash is the most powerful person in the state. He is 1994 batch IAS officer.

ANIL SINGHAL GETS FULL CHARGE OF SPECIAL COMMISSIONER, AP BHAVAN

Anil Kumar Singhal, Principal Secretary, Health, Medical & Family Welfare Department, has been placed on full additional charge of Special Commissioner, AP Bhavan, New Delhi. He is a 1993 batch IAS officer of AP cadre.

BHADU TO JOIN NORTH DELHI MUNICIPAL CORPORATION

Sunil Bhadu will join the North Delhi Municipal Corporation as Addl Commissioner on deputation basis. An ITS officer is presently posted as Director, Technology, Delhi LSA. TENURE OF ABHAY KUMAR SINGH AS PS TO MINISTER FOR ELECTRONICS & IT EXTENDED

The tenure of Abhay Kumar Singh as Private Secretary to the Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, has been extended upto August 30, 2022. He is a 2004 batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre.

CENTRAL DEPUTATION TENURE OF RAJINDER KUMAR KASHYAP EXTENDED

The central deputation tenure of Rajinder Kumar Kashyap working as Joint Secretary, Department of Justice, has been extended for a period of one year beyond December 27, 2020. He is a 1989 batch IPoS officer.

TWO IPS OFFICERS GET NEW POSTINGS IN MP

Manoj Kumar Rai has been appointed as Assistant IG, PHQ, Bhopal and Suraj Kumar Verma was made SP, Neemuch in Madhya Pradesh.

By arrangement with: http:// whispersinthecorridors.com

FROM PG 1 A serious...

The farmers are on protest on borders of Delhi against three farm laws. The government, in its proposal circulated among the farmer leaders on Wednesday, offered to amend 7-8 issues, including providing a written assurance of minimum support price. It also appealed to protesting farmers to end the agitation that’s been going on nearly two weeks now at various border points of the national capital.

Opposition meets...

“Couple of points we mentioned to the Pres-

ident. The first was the manner in which these bills were passed without any discussion, without a conversation with the opposition parties and certainly without a discussion with the farmers of this country who have built this country,” he said.

“So, the way the bills were imposed, we see it as an insult to the farmers of this country. The Kisan has lost faith in the government. The Kisan does not believe that the government is acting in their interest and that is why lakhs

of them are on the streets, non-violently, compassionately on the streets. They are struggling in cold weather with complete respect,” he said.

The memorandum said that more than twenty different political parties, including many parties running state governments, have extended their solidarity “with the ongoing historic struggle of the Indian peasantry” and had extended wholehearted support to their call for a Bharat Bandh yesterday demanding the repeal of the “retrograde

agri-laws and the Electricity Amendment Bill”.

Pawar, a former union agriculture minister, said they informed the President that there was a request from all opposition parties for an in-depth discussion on farm bills and that it should be sent to select committee, “but unfortunately, no suggestion was accepted and bills were passed in hurry”.

—ANI

Cabinet approves...

24 per cent of wages towards EPF in respect of new employ-

ees in establishments employing upto 1,000 employees for two years.

It will pay only employees’ share of EPF contribution i.e. 12 per cent of wages in respect of new employees in establishments employing more than 1,000 employees for two years.

“An employee drawing monthly wage of less than Rs 15,000 who was not working in any establishment registered with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) before October 1, 2020 and did not have

06

a Universal Account Number (UAN) or EPF Member account number prior to October 1, 2020 will be eligible for the benefit,” as per an official release.

Any EPF member possessing Universal Account Number (UAN) drawing monthly wage of less than Rs 15,000 who made exit from employment during COVID pandemic from March 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020 and did not join employment in any EPF covered establishment up to September 30, 2020 will also be eligible to avail benefit, it added.

Moreover, EPFO will credit the contribution in Aadhaar seeded account of members in an electronic manner.

—ANI

Don’t put... which was hearing a plea against different state governments for putting up posters outside homes of patients in isolation. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta pointed out that although the Centre had not prescribed this action, some states were doing it on their own, perhaps to prevent inadvertent contact.

37 DDC constituencies to go to polls in fifth phase in J-K Jammu : A total of 37 constituencies will witness polling in the fifth phase of District Development Council (DDC) elections in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.

Polling will also be held for 58 vacant sarpanch and 218 vacant panch seats on Thursday. State Election Commissioner (SEC) KK Sharma said the polling will be held between 7 am and 2 pm in 37 constituencies - 17 in Kashmir and 20 in Jammu divisions.

TALKING POINT AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

07

Agriculture Is India’s Ray of Hope in Time of Crisis The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that agriculture could be the unlikely sector that spurs economic growth in India Devinder Sharma

A

s India completes 73 years of independence, agriculture has emerged as a mainstay of the economy. Despite the COVID-19 crisis, Indian agriculture is poised to grow by an estimated 3% in 2020-21.

Shaktikanta Das, the governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), has acknowledged that agriculture remains a “beacon of hope” at a time the economy is shrinking.

The government has announced a new agricultural policy that has drawn both supporters and detractors.

Farmer protests have broken out in parts of the country. About 50,000 have marched to New Delhi from the agrarian state of Punjab, objecting to the loosening of price, storage and sales regulations that have traditionally shielded India’s farmers from the free market forces.

As of August 25, the International Monetary Fund projected India’s real GDP growth to be 4.5% in 2020.

This shrinking of the economy in a country with a growing population could lead to a major crisis. Already, jobs are scarce, industrial production has declined, services have suffered and demand has plummeted. Even after decades of independence, agriculture remains “the largest source of livelihoods in India.” As India gears up to celebrate Mahatma Gandhi’s 151st birthday, there is no better time than now to achieve the Gandhian vision of rural self-reliance.

A farmer in Haryana

BLESSING IN DISGUISE

AIM FOR AN ECONOMIC NEW NORMAL

T

C

OVID-19 has made rural areas more important than ever. On March 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown. It took the country by surprise. Millions of urban migrant workers were left with little choice but to walk home to their villages. Carrying their meagre household possessions and with their small children in tow, many walked hundreds of kilometres, suffering thirst, hunger and pain. Some died en route.

India’s Economic Survey 2016-17 estimated the “annual inter-state migration [to be] about 5-6.5 million between 2001 and 2011.” In 2020, this migration has been reversed.

People who fled rural areas for urban jobs have returned home. Chinmay Tumbe, a professor of economics at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and an expert on migration, estimates that 30 million migrants might have returned to their villages since the lockdown began. The number could be as high as 70-80 million if reverse intrastate migration is accounted for.

The reverse migration from urban to rural areas might be a blessing in disguise. Over the last few decades, urban migration has led to overcrowding of cities, the proliferation of slums

—Photo © greenaperture / Shutterstock

A family of migrant workers from Maharashtra walk along a National Highway 44 to reach their hometowns during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus on the outskirts of Hyderabad on April 28, 2020.

—PHOTO BY NOAHS EELAM/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

and much misery for poor migrants. In cities, they have lacked community, cultural moorings and social safety nets.

The massive migration to India’s cities was a result of failed economic policies that focused on megacities while neglecting villages. Several studies have found that at least 60% to 70% of the migrant workers who returned to their native places are unlikely to return back to the cities, at least not in the near future. The millions of migrant workers, whom I refer to as agricultural refugees, flocked to cities because the government’s economic policies kept them impoverished.

A recent study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Devel

opment in collaboration with ICRIER, a New Delhi-based think tank, concluded that Indian farmers suffered a cumulative loss of Rs45 lakh crore (over $600 billion) between 2000 and 2016-17 because of such policies. Subsequently, the NITI Aayog, a policy think tank of the government of India, admitted that, between 201112 and 2015-16, the growth in real farm incomes was less than 0.5% every year.

It was 0.44% to be exact.

Since then, the growth in real farm incomes has been near zero. With farm incomes growing painfully slowly and then stagnating, what else could be expected from the rural workforce but migration to cities where menial jobs as daily wage workers give many the only shot at survival?

he coronavirus pandemic has come as a timely reminder of the limitations of dominant economic thinking. Its inherent bias and blind spots stand exposed.

For the last two centuries and more, economics has sacrificed agriculture on the altar of industry. The dominant assumption is that industry drives productivity and growth.

India has never quite managed to industrialize like, for example, the US or China.

Still, it has kept farm incomes low and neglected public investment in agriculture

for many decades. As per the RBI, this investment hovered around 0.4% of the GDP between 2011-12 and 2017-18. It is little surprise that agriculture has floundered in India.

The time has come to change outdated economic thinking. Agriculture matters to India because it employs a majority of the country’s population. It provides food security to 1.3 billion people whose ancestors suffered repeated famines until a few decades ago.

COVID-19 gives the country the opportunity to return not to normal, but to a new

normal.

The return of migrant labour to villages gives India the opportunity to reinvigorate its rural economy. The country must tap the socioeconomic wealth of rural enterprise, its diversity, and the traditional knowledge base.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat—a self-reliant India—can only be achieved through a focus on agriculture. A sharp focus, sensible policies and public investment can unleash growth not only in the sector but also in the country.

DESPITE THE HARDSHIPS

D

espite these hardships, Indian farmers have toiled hard to produce a bumper harvest year after year. This has led to overflowing food stocks. Reports show that this abundance of food grains has come in handy.

The government has been able to provide subsidized rations to over 720 million people during the four months of the post-COVID-19 lockdown. In addition, the government has been able to provide free rations to the needy.

A buoyant agricultural output has hidden a severe agrarian crisis.

Farmers get little money for their produce.

With less money available in their hands, rural demand has

dipped. This had led to a slowdown in the Indian economy even prior to the lockdown. In a country where the agricultural workforce accounts for nearly 50% of the population, the surest way to bolster the economy is to create more rural demand. This involves providing farmers with decent incomes.

The lockdown has increased downward pressure on farm incomes. It coincided with the rabi (winter crop) harvest sea-

son and resulted in a crash in demand for winter produce.

Farmers suffered huge losses in the case of perishables such as vegetables, fruits, flowers, poultry, dairy and fish. Not all news is grim though. On May 15, the United States Department of Agriculture estimated that India is on course to produce “a record 295.7 million metric tons, with estimated record rice, wheat and corn production.”

For the next kharif (monsoon crop) season, the sowing area coverage of summer crops has increased by 13.92% as compared to last year. With rains expected to be normal, and with a much higher area under cultivation, the kharif harvest will be bountiful just like the rabi one. It seems that in these times of crisis, agriculture alone provides a ray of hope in India.

About 50,000 farmers have marched to New Delhi from Punjab, objecting to the loosening of price, storage and sales regulations that have traditionally shielded India’s farmers from the free market forces.

SOURCE: FAIROBSERVER.COM

On Human Rights Day, we all need to be reminded that religion, class and caste apart, we are all humans first.

2ND FRONT

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

COVID-19 UPDATE

WORLD

INDIA

08

GUJARAT

15,69,577 6,89,04,876 1,41,735 97,62,245 4,123 2,22,811 DEATHS

MAHARASHTRA 47,902 DEATHS 18,64,348 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

UTTAR PRADESH 7,967 DEATHS 5,58,173 CASES

DEATHS

CONFIRMED CASES

KARNATAKA 11,880 DEATHS 8,95,284 CASES

DEATHS

DELHI 9,813 DEATHS 5,99,575 CASES

SC livid over Guj’s ‘attitude’ to hospital fires, asks 1 panel to inquire mishaps

CONFIRMED CASES

RAJASTHAN 2,485 DEATHS 2,85,627 CASES

Surat women step into men’s shoes, conduct funeral procession

The apex court orders the Central Govt to submit fire safety data of all States in three days New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday wondered that the Gujarat Government was constituting more than one committee to look into two fire tragedies in Ahmedabad and Rajkot, while it directed the Centre to submit data from all States on fire safety audit within 3 days.

A three-judge bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, Subhash Reddy and MR Shah was hearing the suo moto case regarding fire tragedies in Covid-19 hospitals across the country in the wake of two such incidents in Rajkot and Ahmedabad.

During the hearing on Wednesday, Justice MR Shah questioned the Centre regarding

—FILE PHOTO

Shishir Awasthi

—Justice M.R. Shah, Supreme Court of India

The SC wants accountability for two major fire accidents in Rajkot and A’bad Covid-19 hospitals recently.

the measures adopted to contain such fire tragedies.

“What kind of inquiry will there be by a committee who do not know about the incident in detail? You had already constituted such a committee. Now, this

is the third committee headed by a retired High Court judge. Look at the attitude. Now another committee,” said Justice Shah.

The Supreme Court also directed that the Ahmedabad fire incident be inquired into by

the same Committee that was appointed for inquiring into the Rajkot fire incident. The Centre has been asked to issue directions in this regard. This Committee is headed by retired Justice DA Mehta.

S o l i c i t o r- G e n e r a l

EasyPay knocks doors of cyber cops after being duped of `19 lakh First India Bureau Ahmedabad: Alarmed by the siphoning off of as much as Rs 19 lakh from bank accounts of at least 91 customers, EasyPay has knocked the doors of the Cyber Cell of the Ahmedabad Crime Branch with a complaint of cheating.

The company came to know of the cheating after the banks, with which it has a tie-up, informed it of the same. The complaint by Dharmendrasinh Sodha, a general manager of the company for the last 4 years, states that they have authorised business correspondence with ICICI Bank and Yes Bank.

What kind of inquiry will there be by a committee who do not know about the incident in detail? You had already constituted such a committee.

Now, this is the third committee headed by a retired High Court judge. Look at the attitude. Now another committee.

—FILE PHOTO

The company, through the bank and its agents, offer services like bills pay and money transfer.

Any person can become an agent for EasyPay but needs to

get his Know Your Customer (KYC) done.

This can be done in two ways, either online or in person by providing the requisite identity proofs and they are

matched with UIDAI. While the online process is faster, the inperson system takes three to four days.

The EasyPay agents offer the company’s services to customers. If a customer needs money the EasyPay agent delivers it. But before that, he takes the customer’s Aadhar number and fingerprint and connects the customer’s account with that of the company’s.

The company has its cloud host service in Mumbai which has data about EasyPay application users’ IP log, device IMEI, registered mobile number, location, transaction dates and other things.

Tushar Mehta responded that he has had a discussion with Home Minister Amit Shah and “steps have been taken.”

“We have nothing to hide, the truth must come out. Since one Committee (Rajkot) for inquiring into the fire incident at the covid hospital is headed by Justice DA Mehta, the same may be done for the other committee,” said SG. Referring to its December 3 order, the Court has also asked

States to reply on suggestions to ensure the compliance of its directions to wear masks and adhere to social distancing protocol. This reply should be submitted by the end of the week, the Court said.

Advocate Aparna Bhat appeared for an intervenor who represents the wife of a person who died in a COVID hospital at Ahmedabad.

The case will be taken up for hearing next on December 14.

Women performed a woman’s last rites in Surat.

First India Bureau Surat: In India the funeral rites and rituals of a deceased person are traditionally conducted by men. But this Wednesday, an unconventional incident occurred in Surat where a group of women came out to conduct a funeral procession of a 75-year old woman.

Shantidoot Mahila Mandal of Lambe Hanuman Road of Varachha, works for rehabilitation of old age people. Lalita Rathod, a 75-year-old resident of Ghardaghar (old age home), passed away this Wednesday

morning. The ladies of Gandhinagar Ashram performed her last rites and rituals, even though traditionally only men are allowed to participate in funeral rites.

Here, Madhuben Kheni, president of the Ashram also joined the final rituals.

The deceased used to live in the rehabilitation centre of Shantidoot Mahila Mandal from the past 1.5 years. The people of Ashram took care of her until the very end. This Ashram takes responsibility for doing all the funeral rituals of those who breathe their last here.

Cops nab man on the run for 13 yrs

NO MASKS, NOTHING!

First India Bureau

People merrily celebrated the wedding of priest Harpalsinh in Vasai Village near Bareja in Ahmedabad, as the bridegroom himself stormed the place on a horse. Masks and social distancing, perhaps Covid-19 itself, appeared to be alien words. —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

Surat: Surat Crime branch on Wednesday arrested a man, who was absconding for the last 13 years. He was accused of counterfeiting notes worth 1.91 lakh.

He ran away to Haridwar, Mumbai and then got nabbed in Goa. In 2007, the Crime branch had arrested Ishwar a.k.a. Bhabho for participating in a fake note racket at Eagle Medical store in Varachha area. Here counterfeit notes worth 1.91 lakh were found.

Police confiscated another batch of notes in Palitana as notified by Ishwar. He told police about Ajay Bind of Uttar Pradesh, the mastermind of the racket.

SPAM UNLIMITED

Gujarat gets most spam calls but numbers go down in India!

A report by Swedish firm Truecaller says India’s position improved to 9th spot in 2020 from 5th in 2019 in global spam call tally

First India Bureau Ahmedabad: Call it the Gujarati’s penchant for online shopping or conducting business, Gujarat is reported to have received the maximum number of spam calls in 2020 even as India has moved lower to the 9th position in the tally of most spammed nations.

According to a report

by Swedish company Truecaller, India was in the fifth position last

year in terms of the number of spam calls received by users. Brazil continues to stay on top.

Indian mobile users saw a 34% decline in spam calls in 2020, helping the country move lower to the ninth position, according to a report by Truecaller. Within India, Gujarat received the most spam calls in 2020.

The Truecaller report states that “About 98.5% of all spam calls

—FILE PHOTO

in India originate from domestic numbers, which could partly explain why spam calls have been decreasing in India, as strict curfews implemented in the country earlier this year made it impossible for telemarketers to go to work, or utilise the equipment they need to carry out large scale spam campaigns.”

Interestingly, India witnessed calls to emergency services increase by 148% in the first three months of the

lockdown. The Swedish company, which helps users find out caller identity, has over 250 million users globally, of which over 180 million users are in India.

Telemarketing services accounted for 34% share, followed by scam 9% and financial services 5%.

Gujarat emerged as the state that received the most spam calls in 2020, followed by Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, it added.

www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia AHMEDABAD, THURSDAY DECEMBER 10, 2020

INTRIGUING

LOVE?

This Throwback Thursday, City First thrills you with romance and intrigue with the delightful Blackmail by Vijay Anand

ANITA HADA

anita.hada@firstindianews.com

“M

ile… mile do badan” was the song which brought me to Blackmail, the artful fervour of Dharmendra and Raakhee as they hide from villians and villainous barking dogs; the forced physical intimacy with the raw passion spilling across made the movie a must watch for a teenage ‘me’. The love making scene, comes as a surprise in the middle of the climax but the erotica is beautifully handled by Vijay Anand, there is grace and ingenuity and the song remains with me decades after I saw it first

and still tugs at my emotions when I see it today. I believe….

Yeh Zindagi kam hi sahi…koi gam nahin…”

But the most popular number of Blackmail is ‘pal pal dil ke paas…’ the heart-stoppingly handsome, shy, limpid eyed Dharmendra wooing Raakhee through this eternal romantic number is a beckoner for lovers even today. I doubt there is a boyfriend who has not hummed it for his lady love at some time or the other. And of course the sheer cute energy of ‘Sharbati teri aankhon ki’ is enthralling with the debonair Shartughan Sinha and a smarter Raakhee!

Blackmail was actually quite a thriller and justified it’s name and it’s director Vijay Anand.

The machinations of having innocents Dharmendra and Raakhee as the pawns, the scien-

tific discovery – the FORMULA, with the backdrop of the mature developing love amid misunderstandings, soulful inspiring music and of course BLACKMAIL all make the film very much viewable.

I liked Blackmail for Raakhee’s role in it. She plays a hat-wearing woman who is in love with Shatrughan, is heartbroken once, struggles internally, moves on consciously and chooses to marry another (Dharmendra) for happiness and fights for it! I like hindi movies in which heroines fall in love twice and are not tied to one man and a sad life forever.

I did not like Blackmail for the silly international gang and it’s innuendos!

09

ETC www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

M E E D RE GE

AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

10

D E L P E TH

RAINU SINGH

cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

D

eep into the Freedom struggle, Subhash Chandra Bose was searching for an appropriate slogan that would unite all the ethnic & religious groups within the INA (Indian National Army). His brilliant secretary, Zain-ul-Abideen, coined it for him: “JAI HIND”.

This battle cry soon transformed into our National Slogan, a Salutation and a patriotic greeting. Henceforth all official addresses

by Indian leaders ended with “JAI HIND”, and it became an inviolable commitment to India by its citizens.

Then in 1965, our young nation faced the twin danger of foreign enemies at our borders and a severe food shortage caused by recurring droughts.

Luckily for India, the time brought a brave son onto center-stage to face these apocalyptic threats.

He was our brave and profound 2nd Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri.

To tackle this catastrophe he decided to raise the stature of India’s soldier and farmer above all other sections. Therefore, on behalf of the nation, he made a sacred commitment to those guardians of our bor-

FA CE OF TH ED AY

ders and honor.

His clarion call was “JAI JAWAN, JAI KISAN”, and the whole nation cheered this brilliant act of statesmanship leaping across all ethnic, regional and religious divides.

This unwritten pledge of the nation implied that these two Sentinels would take precedence over others.

True to their mettle, henceforth India neither faced a defeat in any battlefield nor had to beg another

YOUR DAY Horoscope by

Saurabbh Sachdeva

American officials.

Let’s not forget that the Green & White revolutions, ribbon-cut by the brave Lal Bahadur, were the biggest miracle stories of the 20th Century in food production.

Our farmers not only restored our Nation’s honour but contributed to peace. A hungry stomach knows no rule of law.

Lastly, let’s not forget that a vast majority of the armed services are constituted by sons and daughters of these very same farmers.

Now that the long-overdue time has come to Honour the Nation’s Pledge of 1965, let’s not make the biggest blunder of the 21st Century by treating farmers as a dispensable community.

Two-thirds of our nation is dependent on farming activity.

Let us REDEEM THE PLEDGE!!

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

Aries You are likely to have fun at work today. A changed lifestyle promises good health. You may not be in the best of financial situations, but things are likely to improve. Much excitement is foreseen on the family front.

You may have to shell out more for some item you have purchased, than you had catered for. You may adopt an exercise routine that suits your lifestyle. A senior may not approve of your style of functioning at work. Family life remains most satisfying.

You may get motivated to shake a leg just to get on the fitness trail. It will be important to keep a tab of your expenses today. Some shuffling on the work front is likely but will not affect you. Peace and tranquillity prevail on the home front and will help you unwind.

A hike in salary or some additional perks cannot be ruled out. Your performance will speak for itself at work. Action taken to keep fit on the health front may be too little, too late. A family member staying separated is likely to return home for a few days. Great fun is in store.

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

Money comes to you from various sources and add to your wealth. Your consistent performance will ensure you are getting ahead in your career. Your resolve will help in bringing physical fitness to your doorstep. You may begin to work towards mending fences in a property.

You will succeed in maintaining stability on the financial front. A senior is likely to favour you regarding something you wish to pursue at the work place. Your decision to look after your health will start to get positive results. Normalcy will be brought on the family front.

Worries regarding money may be laid to rest as you reap rich dividends through past investments.

You can remain involved in some complex problem at work. Health remains satisfactory through own efforts. You can be surrounded by your loved ones today.

You will feel delighted in receiving a payment you had given up as lost.

Someone can go back on his word regarding a professional commitment. You get a chance to discuss health matters with an expert. Something that you wanted to get done is likely to be initiated.

MAR 21 - APR 20

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

APR 21 - MAY 20

AUG 24 - SEP 23

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

You will find yourself financially more secure now, than in the past. You are likely to give a good account of yourself at work. You may take steps to improve your health. Some issues that seem unlikely to get resolved on the family front will begin to move towards a solution.

A happy financial situation promises to keep you in an upbeat mood. Maintaining balance both on the work as well as the family front is likely to do wonders. You may get motivated to come back in shape. Someone in the family can keep you on your toes and even try emotional blackmail.

A good investment opportunity comes your way, and you are likely to make the most of it. Day proves favorable for those in the legal profession. You are likely to enjoy good health. Your ideas and suggestions about something important are likely to be accepted on the home front.

Financial condition of those down in the dumps is set to improve. Your efficiency at work is likely to impress those who matter at work. Your biggest asset is your sense of humor try to use it to cure your not so good health. Some of you may be on the verge of finalizing a property.

NOV 23 - DEC 22

PURABI BHARGAVA, Content Creator

nation for food.

The world’s most professional soldiers and most hard-working farmers not only rose to the occasion but went far beyond their call of duty. India today is a safe and food surplus country, in spite of having one of the longest borders and the second highest population.

As I write this, it is a sad and despairing sight to see one of those two sentinels being brought under the jackboot of our own Govt.

Farmers have left their home, hearth and fields in this severe cold to face water cannons, teargas, and police sticks. Thousands of bustling villages across North India look haunted as families have moved to the forbidding outskirts of their own country’s capital.

“JAI KISAN” was as sacred a rallying cry as was “JAI HIND”. If we forsake one, can we expect permanent allegiance to the other?

Both are intertwined and congruous !!

“Jai Hind, Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” are parallel fate lines on the forehead of Mother India. They are as indelible as the constitution.

Let’s not forget those years of severe drought when shiploads of grain arrived from a patronising, condescending USA and our leaders hung their heads before some sneering

DEC 23 - JAN 20

JAN 21 - FEB 19

FEB20 - MARCH 20

ETC

11

AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

KHLOE

KARDASHIAN NOT PROUD

W

e all know that Khloé Ka rdashian always speaks her mind no matter what the situation. Whether it’s cla pping back to trolls, com menting on Kim’s choice in husbands or just kee pin g her sisters grounded, she never holds back when telling her fam ily members exactly what she think s. However, there’s one family memb er who’s bor ne the brunt of most of Khloé ’s comments/ criticism/shutdowns on camera over the last 13 years, her mom Kris Jenner!

The Kardashian family announced that Keeping Up With the Kardashians would be coming to an end in early 2021 and as a result, many of the Kardashian/Jenners — including Kourtney! — have been feeling sentim ental and nostalgic. So when Khloé was recently asked by a fan about the show’s earliest days, she took the opport unity to open up about reg retting how she’d treated Kris back then.

—Agency

Priyanka’s post

‘Elf on Shelf’

A

ctor Priyanka Chopra on We d n e s d ay jumped on the viral ‘Elf on Shelf ’ trend and gave it ‘Oprah on Chopra’ twist. The trend went viral when scores of Hollywood’s brightest stars including Reese Witherspoon, Mark Ruffalo, Jennifer Garner and more took on the ‘elf on shelf ’ tradition, which is associated with the Christmas

cheer.

Elf on the shelf is a popular holiday tradition, in which parents place a small elf doll in their home and tell their children that the elf watches over them during the day and reports back to the North Pole at night. Each morning, after returning from his “mission”, the elf is placed in a different location in the home.

—ANI

A

s veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha on Wednesday rings in his 75th milestone birthday, daughter Sonakshi Sinha shared an adorable family picture to extend greeting on the platinum celebration.

The ‘Dabangg’ star took to Instagram and shared a picture with the ‘Sholay’ star along with her mom and siblings to mark the special day. In the picture, Sonakshi is seen dressed in a traditional ensemble along with other family members at their home. Along with the photograph, the ‘Holiday’ star added, “Happy Birthdayyyy Papa! (along with a red heart emoji).”—ANI

Sonakshi Sinha’s post

essaying the role of a yesteryear actor, Kashyap plays the role of a disgraced film director in the film.

As both Kapoor and Kashyap will be seen having a tussle in the film, both penned down a caption praising the half side of the poster that comprises their respective faces.

“Right side is obviously more photogenic.. @anilskapoor @motwayne @netflix_in @ andolanofficial #AKvsAK,” wrote Anurag Kashyap.

—ANI

HAILEY’S STRUGGLE

A

ctor Kriti Sanon who had been shooting for a new project in Chandigarh, on Wednesday revealed that she has tested positive for COVID-19.

The ‘Heropanti,’ actor shared a statement on Instagram informing about it. “I’d like to inform everyone that I have tested positive for Covid-19,” the statement read.

The 30-year-old actor further assured that she has been feeling fine and has placed herself under quarantine.

“There’s absolutely nothing to worry as I’m feeling fine and

have quarantined myself as per BMC and my doctor’s advice,” she said.

“So I’m gonna ride this tide, rest it out and resume work soon. Till then, I’m reading all the warm wishes and they seem to be working,” she added.

—ANI

H

ailey Bieber is getting honest and candid on social media.

The 24-year-old model revealed she suffers from perioral dermatitis on her skin. The condition is described as a “facial rash in which bumps develop around the mouth. In some cases, a similar rash may

appear around the eyes, nose, forehead, or sometimes the genitals.”

“This is day 3 so it’s calmed down a lot,” she wrote on social media.

“Some things that I noticed trigger it: trying a new product, a product that’s too harsh, weather, masks, sometimes certain SPF,” she added.

—Agency

Kriti Sanon; (inset) Her post

J

ohn Legend recently left a very cheeky comment on wife and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen’s recent Instagram photo. Scroll down to see what he said.

Chrissy Teigen recently shared a photo of herself in her underwear on Instagram and her husband John Legend left a comment that made the fans go crazy. In the photo, the 35-year-old chef is seen sitting in her bra and underwear while getting a kiss from her dog. Chrissy captioned the photo, “f–k it!” John then in-

Hailey Bieber

9 YEARS IN B’TOWN

MAKING IT OFFICIAL

LEGEND’S CRAZY COMMENT

Jeremy Renner

ctor Anil Kapoor and filmmaker-turnedactor Anurag Kashyap on Wednesday dropped the poster of their upcoming Netflix film ‘AK vs AK.’ Both the celebrities took to Instagram to share the poster of the Vikramaditya Motwane directorial. While one half of the poster comprises of Kashyap’s half face, the other half comprises of Kapoor’s half-face to make it into one complete face.

While Kapoor will be

Birthday wishes for Senior Sinha

A

Lady Gaga

A

AK VS AK

Khloe Kardashian

JEREMY WITH LADY GAGA

ctor Jeremy Renner will join singer-actress Lady Gaga in the upcoming Ridley Scott directorial, Gucci. The true-crime drama with a focus on crime is based on the book “The House Of Gucci: A Sensational Story Of Murder, Madness, Glamour, And Greed”.

The film will focus on the murder of fashion trailblazer Maurizio Gucci, with Gaga playing Patrizia Reggiani, Gucci’s former wife who was convicted of orchestrating his death after discovering he had an affair.

Roberto Bentivegna has penned the screenplay for the feature, which will be produced by Ridley and Giannina Scott as well as Kevin Walsh. It is slated to release on November 24, 2021.

—Agency

Poster of ‘AK vs AK’

Parineeti Chopra

A Chrissy and John

stantly took to the comment section and wrote, “Don’t mind if I do.” Chrissy responded to the comment by saying, “hooooooooooly shit dude !!!!!!” Fans are loving the comment so much and just an

... her post

hour after the comment was posted, the comment has over 32,000 likes.

—Agency

ctor Parineeti Chopra expressed gratitude as she completed nine years in Bollywood on Wednesday.

“9 years. THANKYOU. #9YearsOfParineetiChopra,” she tweeted.

The 32-year-old actor also recalled the moment when she was signed by the Yash Raj Films banner for her debut flick Maneesh Sharma’s ‘Ladies vs Ricky Bahl’.

“#9YearsOfParineetiChopra,” Parineeti tweeted as she shared the old tweet.

“Guyssss!! The BIGGEST news!! I am being launched by Yash Raj Films as their new talent and I’m signing a 3 film deal!!!!!!!!! :D :D,” the ‘Ishaqzaade,’ actor’s old tweet read.

Today also marks the ninth anniversary of Parineeti Chopra’s debut flick ‘Ladies vs Ricky Bahl.’

—ANI

CITY BUZZ www.firstindia.co.in I www.firstindia.co.in/epaper/ I twitter.com/thefirstindia I facebook.com/thefirstindia I instagram.com/thefirstindia

BIRTHDAY WISHES!

AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020

12

MISS & MRS INDIA GLAM 2020 LAUNCHED! Jagdeesh Chandra launched the poster of the second season of WEAA Miss and Mrs India 2021 on Wednesday. Seen here with him are (from left) Yogesh Mishra, Ameesha Raj, Harish Soni and Mamta Garg.

Founder Harish Soni mentioned that a total of 40 participants will be selected from 14 cities in the country.

Jagdeesh Chandra greeted Gaurav Gaur, Director, Elite Miss Rajasthan on his birthday at his residence on Wednesday. Also present with them was supermodel Akanksha Bhalla.

SINGING Competition Aaliya, Jodhpur

Kavya, Banswara

T

Jayant, Jaipur

Mahi, Banswara

he team of Baal Mela is eager to show something new every day. Little children are doing unique experiments.

Children of the country became Corona warriors, writing new songs to escape from Corona. Some called the corona, atom bomb of 2020 while some appealed to corona to go in a film trial. The singing competition of Digital Baal Mela talked about making songs or putting old songs in new words to defeat corona so that children can understand all the measures to avoid this pandemic.

Kavya Gadia of Kushalgarh, Rajasthan made a very beautiful song for bringing liberation to India and opening schools soon in, while 8-year-old Alia Naaz, studying in class 2 of Jodhpur, made a remake of the song, Suno Na Suno Na and covered aspects of how to wear a mask, why to stay at home, why it is important to avoid corona in the song.

Mahi Jain of Banswara also made a very beautiful song.

The entries of children to the Digital Baal Mela are increasing every day.

—City First

HAPPY B’DAY!

Pawan Tank with the participants and team of Miss and Mrs India Glam 2020 CITY FIRST

M

iss and Mrs India Glam, a renowned beauty pageant by Pawan Tank is all set to be organised from 29 to 31 December at Heritage Village Resort in the Pink City. Associated with First India, this pageant will take place with the Top 20 ‘Miss’ and ‘Mrs’ finalists (10 in each category).

Co-director, Vishnu Sharma said that all the functioning of the pageant will be according to the COVID 19 guidelines, with no crowd, and the grand finale will broadcast live. Miss and Mrs India Glam aims to give an outstanding platform and empower every courageous and talented girl in our nation to bring out the sparkle they carry within. The wildcard registrations for Miss and Mrs India Glam Season 2 is also open. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Jairangam Theatre Festival

CITY FIRST

Nikki, Simran, Priya and Nagma

Dipti Choudhary

C

o - partnered by 3M Dot Band and Ministry of Culture, Government of India 23 days Online Fringes Jai Rangam is going well and on the fifth day, a play based upon the life of Bogezari - First Woman Poet of Assam, was performed, directed by Barani Mehdi.

The play was about the first female poet of Assam, Bogezari belonged to Rabha Tribes from the 16th Century.

There won’t be any play performance today. The single activity of panel discussion would be conducted through a Panel Discussion - Women on Gender. Raman Jeet Kaur would be talking to various theatre experts. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Trisha

SUCCESSFUL SURGERY CITY FIRST

N

ext to God, sometimes miracles are also done by doctors. One such case recently happened at MGH in Sitapura. Pappu Singh, resident of Laxmangarh, Sikar was suffering from decreased left eye vision for 8 months. He had completely lost his vision from the left

eye and blurring vision in the right eye. MRI brain investigation revealed that a large brain tumour was there causing severe compression over optic nerves. The patient approached Dr Pankaj Gupta, Senior Neurosurgeon and Unit Head at MGH. The patient was diagnosed with the mass lesion as a pituitary tumour.

Dr Pankaj Gupta explained that the patient had a tumour near the pituitary gland which was causing compression mainly on the optic nerve and there was thinning of optic nerves causing the blindness. He said, “surgery was performed under Ayushman Bharat (Bhamashah) Yojna at no cost. The patient was discharged from the hospital just after 3 days of surgery. “ cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN GUJARAT! —PHOTOS BY HANIF SINDHI

KALAM ONLINE SERIES: Kalam is an initiative of Prabha Khaitan Foundation presented

by Shree Cement in association with We CARE and Jaipur Marriott Hotel. Prabha Khaitan Foundation organised the online ‘Kalam’ event series through Zoom Live Show on Wednesday. Well-known storyteller and writer Divya Prakash Dubey was the guest author in conversation with Dr Bhavya Soni. Dubey also narrated a short story- “Parent Teacher Meeting” in his famous style.

A businessman distributed N-95 face masks with a booklet to morning walkers and senior citizens in joggers park during the three-day camp at Ahmedabad’s different gardens, to make the people aware of the pandemic on Wednesday.

IAS (RAJ) Anuprerna Singh Kuntal (from top), IAS (RAJ) Rajesh Kumar Yadav and IAS (RAJ) Gawande Pradeep Keshavrao celebrated their birthdays on Wednesday, 9 December. We wish them all the best!

Members of the Chipa Community and their donators meet for their community Mass Wedding Ceremony to be held on 1 January. The ones who can’t afford their wedding expenses were seen getting themselves registered during a meeting in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

THE WRITE CIRCLE : Acclaimed author, Siddharth Dhanvant Sanghvi joined Write Circle on Monday, in conversation with Mohit Batra, and talked about his new book, Loss. The evening’s host Mita Kapur, welcomed Mohit and Siddharth and talked about how she has seen the book grow into the brilliant piece of work it is. She thanked the sponsors—Shree Cement, Prabha Khaitan Foundation, Ehsaas - Women of Jaipur, Spagia and Siyahi for bringing together the wonderful session.

PROUD MOMENT! : St. Xavier Sr. Sec. School, C-Scheme, Jaipur students cleared the entrance of NCC. Students named CDT. Naman Chaudhary and CDT. Vaibhavi Somra held the First Position in boys and girls category in best cadet competition respectively and bagged Gold medals. Specials thanks were given to Rajasthan Air Sqn. NCC Jaipur Commanding Officer group captain A.S.Gahrawal (IAF) and Entire officers for training them well and for the strong team effort of II/O Nikhil Jose, Dr Ashok Singh and A.B. Pathak.