First India-Ahmedabad Edition-12 November 2020

AHMEDABAD l THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00 RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208 l Vol 1 l Issue No. 348

P5

JAVADEKAR HOPEFUL OF NEW AIR QUALITY COMMISSION REDUCING POLLUTION

CHIRAG BURNT HIMSELF WITH HIS OWN ‘CHIRAG’: HAM CHIEF MANJHI

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR, AHMEDABAD & LUCKNOW 16°C - 33°C

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A JUBILANT MODI ENDORSES NITISH’S CANDIDATURE AS CM

Thanking JP Nadda, PM said mantra for party’s victory was Sabka saath, sabka vikas & sabka vishwas; results endorsed the way we tackled COVID

Aditi Nagar

New Delhi: Addressing enthusiastic BJP workers following the victory of NDA in Bihar and impressive show in the bypolls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the saffron party now had its footprint across the country and the results had made it clear that people would now support only those who work honestly for development.

“Polls results have endorsed the way we have tackled Covid-19 pandemic. No re-polling and peaceful conduct of voting were the distinctive features of Bihar elections. Earlier there used to be news of booth capturing,” Modi said. The PM, Turn to P6

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flanked by senior BJP leaders Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Rajnath Singh during the celebrations following the victory of NDA in Bihar Elections, at BJP headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday. —PHOTO BY ANI

P6

BIHAR ASSEMBLY

243

125 NDA

110 MGB

1

LJP

7

OTHERS

NITISH KUMAR @NITISHKUMAR The people decide. I bow to them for giving the NDA a majority.

I also thank PM Modi for his support.

Thank you, not just because people voted for us but because we all celebrated this festival of democracy with great enthusiasm...

The election may have been held in only some parts of the country but entire country’s attention was focused on news channels, Twitter and the election commission’s website —Narendra Modi, PM

Nitish salutes people for giving NDA majority Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Wednesday “saluted” people for giving majority to the NDA in Bihar and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support.

“I salute people for the majority they have given to the NDA. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support,” Kumar tweeted in his first reaction after the ruling coalition won majority in Bihar. The NDA won 125 seats in the 243-member Bihar as-

sembly against 110 clinched by the opposition Mahagathbandhan to pave the way for a fourth successive term for Kumar in the office.

Meanwhile, Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Modi reiterated that Nitish will be CM of Bihar.

More on P5

Suicide case: SC grants Govt to regulate online space, social sites interim bail to Arnab The court expressed concern over state govts targeting “individuals on the basis of ideology, difference of opinion” New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted interim bail to journalist Arnab Goswami in the 2018 abetment to suicide case, saying it will be a “travesty of justice” if personal liberty is curtailed”.

The apex court also expressed concern over state governments targeting individuals on the basis of ideology.

The court granted interim bail to two others in the case—Nitish Sarda and Parveen Rajesh Singh—on personal bond of Rs 50,000 each and directed that they shall not tamper with the evidence and shall cooperate in the probe.

A vacation bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Indira Banerjee, which ordered that the accused shall not try to meet any witness in the case, said their

release should not be delayed and the prison authorities should facilitate this.

The bench said personal bonds are to be furnished to Superintendent of Taloja jail instead of the magisterial court.

During the day-long arguments, the top court said if state governments target individuals, they must realise then that there is

apex court to protect the liberty of citizens.

Observing that it would be a travesty of justice if personal liberty of a person is curtailed like this, the bench also expressed concern over state governments targeting some individuals on the basis of ideology and difference of opinion.

We are seeing case after case where high courts Turn to P6

New Delhi: The government has brought OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar besides other online news and current affairs content under the ambit of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, giving it powers to regulate policies and rules for the digital space.

So far, there was no law or autonomous body governing digital content in India.

PM TO INAUGURATE AYURVEDA INSTITUTES IN JAIPUR, JAMNAGAR New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) at Jamnagar in Gujarat and National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) at Jaipur in Rajasthan on the fifth Ayurveda Day on November 13 via video conferencing, a statement said on Wednesday.

According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat on Tuesday night and signed by President

Ram Nath Kovind, the decision has been taken in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (3) of article 77 of the

Constitution, by amending the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 and it will come into effect immediately.

“These rules may be called the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Three Hundred and Fifty Seventh Amendment Rules, 2020. They shall come into force at once.

With this, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has the power to regulate poli-

cies related to news, audio, visual contents and films available on online platforms.

The decision came in less than a month after the Supreme Court sought the Centre’s response on a PIL for regulating the Over The Top (OTT) platforms by an autonomous body.

Now, the OTT platforms, which were hitherto unregulated, are expected to come under rules and regulations.

Turn to P6

Proactive CEC transforms ECI for better election management Aditi Nagar New Delhi: The 2020 Bihar Assembly elections and bypolls in ten states will go down in the history of India’s democracy as one of the finest moments for the Election Commission of India. For, in these few months, ECI, head-

Sunil Arora

ed by Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora has proved that challenges, how so ever gargantuan, can be overcome through sheer will and hard work.

With Corona proving to be a major hurdle to the democratic process, ECI was faced with a tough task of making

right decision and in these tough times, Arora proved to be a resilient pillar devising new ways to counter problem as well as ‘reinventing’ election process. Whether it was Rajya Sabha election, bypolls in ten states, or Bihar election, ECI has done an exemplary work.

Turn to P6

Schools and colleges to reopen from November 23, says Guj govt SOP should be strictly followed by schools and colleges First India Bureau Gandhinagar: The state government has decided to reopen schools and colleges, which have been shut since March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, from November 23. All educational institutions will have to abide by the Centre’s standard operating procedures.

Announcing the state

government’s decision on Wednesday, Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said, “Only school students of Classes IX through XII and finalyear college students will be asked to attend classes in person. That too is optional. Any student who wishes to attend school will need a permission letter from their parents.”

He stressed that

PARENTS PROTEST Parents and guardians in Surat are protesting the state’s decision to reopen schools on November 23. “Why should only parents be held accountable? The state is asking us to sign permission letters but is not willing to take responsibility for our children,” stated Umesh Panchal. Rekhaben Miteshbhai Rathore, another guardian, said, “The medical fraternity has also said it is unsafe to send kids to school, so why is the government taking such a decision? If school administrators give a written guarantee, then I will consider it.”

Education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama

—FILE PHOTO

while attendance is “not compulsory,” parents are expected

to pick and drop their children in personal vehicles and not any

mode of mass transportation--not even school vans.

Chudasama went on to explain that schools will have to follow an odd-even system. “So, students of Classes IX and XI will attend school for three days in a week, and students of Classes X and XII will attend classes the other three days,” he said, adding that students will have to maintain social distancing norms by staying at least 2m apart.

The management of schools and colleges, in-

cluding medical and paramedical colleges, will have to ensure that students and staff are not allowed entry without a mask. In addition, they will have to make ample amounts of sanitizers and hand-washing facilities available to staff and students, and also check their temperature using a thermal gun while entering and exiting the campus.

Chudasama also said that these institutes cannot hold any public prayers and sports activities.

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AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020

02

Amdavadis confused between regular and ‘green’ fireworks

—PHOTOS BY HANIF SINDHI

Packaged in similar boxes, Diwali shoppers buying crackers are having a hard time telling them apart

First India Bureau

THE SPIRIT OF

Ahmedabad: The festival of lights, Diwali, will be celebrated all across the country from November 14 onwards this year. One of the most popular festivals in Hinduism, it symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil. The five-day festival begins with Dhanteras and ends with Bhai Dooj. It is widely associated with Goddess Lakshmi but is also connected to the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya accompanied by his consort Sita and brother Lakshmana, after killing demon king of Lanka Ravana and completing 14 years in exile.

People observe fasts, decorate their homes with lights, diyas (earthen lamps), rangolis and flowers. Believed to be an auspicious time, guests are also welcomed with dry fruits, sweets, and other snacks into homes.

DIWALI This year, the nation will celebrate the Festival of Lights on November 14

This year, two (tithis) Kali Chaudas and Diwali are falling on the same day, according to the English calendar.

This means that November 14 will be marked as Kali Chaudas and on the same day, the mahurat for Diwali will commence from 2.17 pm.

Businessmen buying chopdas (account books).

Talking about the festival, Ahmedabadbased astrologer Mukund Pandya said, “The festival of Diwali has three elements chaudash, amas and ekam. This year, the Swati Nakshatra has fallen on Saturday which is

PM Modi likely to visit Kutch on November 30 He will lay the foundation of a 30K MW solar park and a desalination plant in Mandvi

‘Green’ firecrackers being sold at a shop in Ahmedabad.

First India Bureau Ahmedabad: With city police restricting fireworks to only two hours this Diwali and banning regular crackers, there is confusion among Amdavadis about the kind of crackers to purchase from shops. The surge in air and noise pollution also prompted Ahmedabad’s lawkeepers to discourage the sale of firecrackers containing harmful chemicals such as gunpowder. But, since both the ‘green’ and regular crackers come packed in similar boxes, it has become difficult for people to differentiate between the two and make an informed choice.

Ahmedabad city police commissioner Sanjay Srivastava has issued a notification according to which police

had banned trading, stocking and bursting of regular crackers. It has allowed only ‘green’ crackers to be burst between 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali.

For customers, the big question is how to identify which crackers are green and which are regular. Although the government has asked firecracker manufacturers to print unique codes on the boxes with QR codes sharing production and emission details, most of the cracker boxes in the market are missing that information.

Ahmedabad’s leading firework traders Ashish Khajanchi of Ambica Fireworks told First India, “Green crackers are manufactured and traded on a large scale.

But, they are packed in regular cracker boxes.

The process of coming up with a separate packaging for ‘green’ crack-

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

ers will take a year or two.”

The difference between regular and ‘green’ crackers is that the former contains gunpowder and other combustible chemicals which cause striking effects and explode when ignited. But, the latter have chemicals such as aluminium, barium, potassium, carbon or others that contain lower or negligible amounts aimed at reducing emission by 15-30%.

These ‘green’ crackers have been developed by the Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (ICSRI) and National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI). A few of them are named ‘Safe Water Releaser (SWAS)’, ‘Safe Minimal Aluminium (SAFAL) and ‘Safe Thermite Cracker (STAR)’.

Trees on Dandi March route to now have heritage importance The spots where Bapu addressed public meetings will be determined by the state government

First India Bureau Gandhinagar: The foundation of the biggest renewable energy park in the country will be laid

by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kutch on November 30. He will also dedicate a desalination plant in Mandvi.

According to sources, the 30,000 MW solar park will be set up by a host of state and central government public sector companies.

It will be established on 60,000 hectares of land at an investment of Rs1.25 lakh crore.

considered an auspicious day. So, the festival of lights will begin on November 14 from 2.17 pm onwards and last until 10.36 am on November 15.”

He added, “Dhanteras and mahurat for Lakshmi Poojan will begin

on November 13 at 5.58 pm and end on November 14 at 5.58 pm.”

For businesses, the period between Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga to Diwali (November 11 and 14) will be extremely auspicious. It may also be very beneficial for a new business ritual.

People looking to buy a vehicle may also go ahead and make the purchase.

Anil Ramrakhiyani, a businessman based in Ahmedabad, said, “We perform Diwali pooja on three days- Diwali, Bestu Varsh (Gujarati New Year) and Bhai Dooj.

On Dhanteras, the male members of the family perform a pooja at our office and home. On Diwali day, we make special haatdis (earthen pots) filled with sweets and other ingredients needed in a ritual for all the male members in the family. We observe this ritual because we believe that it brings us wealth and happiness.”

First India Bureau

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

In December 2019, at a Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry event in Ahmedabad, state Energy Minister Saurabh Patel had shared that a solar park would be established in Kutch and that the state government was planning to add 30,000 MW non-conventional energy production to the state’s energy arsenal by 2022.

PM Modi’s impending visit to Kutch means that the project has received the green light from the Ministry of Defence and will go ahead as planned.

Moreover, a desalination plant to be set up in Mandvi will also be dedicated by the prime minister. Sources added that it was in the tentative programme, and the final schedule is awaited.

Vadodara: In 1930, Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi had led the Dandi March in protest against the tax levied on salt. The roads that fall on the route of the historic march that was conducted 90 years ago were declared heritage roads by the central government in 2004. And now, the state government has decided to declare the trees that fall on the route and under which Bapu addressed

Most of these public gatherings were conducted under the shade of banyan trees.

public meetings as ‘heritage trees’.

According to sources, the entire 384 kilometre stretch from Gandhi Ashram in Ahmedabad to Dandi in Navsari district, passed through six districts. During the march, Bapu used to address meetings either under trees or in playgrounds. The state forest department has identified around 19

trees, where Gandhiji held gatherings. Interestingly, most of them were found to be banyan trees.

“The Bharuch Forest Department has zeroed in on six trees and a house where Bapu halted for a night. The information is backed up by relevant documents.

A few of these trees are around 125 to 130 years old,” said Bhavna De-

sai, Bharuch Forest Officer.

She added, “A team of officials will visit all these sites and corroborate the claims made before sending detailed proposals to the central government, with the recommendation to declare these trees as heritage trees.”

The trees identified in different districts are situated at Sabar-

mati Ashram in Ahmedabad, Kheda Vasna in Matar taluka of Kheda district, Ras Kanpura in Borsad taluka of Anand district, in Vedach, Kareli, Gajera, Ankhi, Bhuva, Tralsa, Mangrol of Bharuch district, Vanaz village in Dindoli of Surat district and Kharadi village of Navsari district.

GUJARAT AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020

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Cops nab Cong leader’s son, 19 others for imbibing alcohol

They have undergone a medical check-up which will show who had, in fact, been drinking First India Bureau Gandhinagar: The Gandhinagar police has arrested 20 people for violating the Prohibition Act during a party at a farmhouse in Santej taluka’s Ranchhodpura village. One of the accused is the son of the Congress party’s Ahmedabad city president Shashikant Patel. Police sources said they have launched an investigation and will try to find out from whom the youths, who are all between 18 and 21 years old, sourced the alcohol.

The arrests followed a raid by senior officers of the Gandhinagar District police, who were tipped off about the private party at Shramdeep farmhouse.

Police officials told First India that, when the raiding team en-

RED-HANDED

The arrested youth, all between 18 and 21 years old, had been celebrating a friend’s birthday.

tered the premises, some of the revellers attempted to dispose of the evidence by throwing two bottles of liquor over the compound wall. However, the police have recovered the bottles as well as the boxes they came in, and have established that alcohol was

being consumed at the party.

According to Kalol Deputy Superintendent of Police VN Solanki, 20 youth—including Shashikant Patel’s son, Dev—from well-to-do families had been celebrating the birthday of their friend, Manus Desai.

The police have impounded seven cars and 21 mobile instruments worth a total of Rs89 lakh from the accused, who have all been sent for a medical check-up at the General hospital.

“The blood alcohol level in the report will tell for certain who

had been drinking.

Right now, they have all been booked under the Gujarat State Prohibition Act,” a police official said.

The police are also investigating who owns the farm house and whether it was leased specifically for the party or not.

AMC demolishes building over illegal power supply First India Bureau Ahmedabad: The Estate team of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation on Wednesday began the demolition of an illegal seven-storey building near Teacher’s Colony on the Sonal Cinema Road in Juhapura. The building in question—Zoya Residency, which houses both commercial and residential units—came to the notice of the civic body after its builder, Nazir Vora was fined by the electricity company Torrent Power Ltd, for alleged irregularities.

A Torrent Power official had lodged a cheating complaint at the Vejalpur police station, in which the complainant alleged that Vora had been cheating the company by getting electricity directly. An investigation revealed that a 20-me-

An AMC team demolishes Zoya Residency amid police guard.

ter length of wire used for Torrent Power electrical connections was found from Vora’s bungalow-farmhouse “Zubeda Farm”.

Following the police complaint by Torrent Power, as well as from other people who reported illegal electrical connections in their bungalows and shops—all built by Vora—a team of 150 personnel including 50 from Torrent Pow-

RMC issues guidelines on nCoV safety ahead of Diwali

er and DCP Premsukh Delu carried out a raid on Wednesday. The teams found illegal electrical connections which they disconnected by pulling out the wiring.

The AMC team then proceeded to demolish the ground floor of Zoya Residency.

Vora is believed to have charged tenants Rs500-1,000 as “electricity bills” each month for the power from his illegal connections.

OPEN ONCE MORE

First India Bureau

The night-time vegetable market in Ahmedabad’s Chandlodia area was reopened on Wednesday, with social distancing in place, after being shut for six months due to the spread of the Sars-CoV-2 virus.

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI Rajkot Municipal Corporation.

“Traditionally, people meet relatives and friends to wish them and seek blessings.

They usually shake hands or touch feet, which should be avoided this year. Instead, keeping distance and folding hands in a namaskar is best to stay safe. Sanitization of hands also should be a must for every guest who enters the home,” read the press release.

It added, “Masks, sanitizers and pulse oximeters should be given as Diwali gifts.

Coloured mouth fresheners that use artificial

—FILE PHOTO

sweeteners should be avoided and cloves, cardamom, dry fruits, sesame and aniseeds should be served as alternatives.”

RMC also suggested healthier options for drinks served to guests such as turmeric or masala hot milk, green tea, masala tea or coffee, lemon and honey juice, ukala, fresh fruit juice, coconut water or plain hot water.

For snacks, it advised people to prepare dhokla, upma, idli, sprouts or fresh fruit pieces for presenting to visitors.

AMC CAPS MASS TESTING, AMID RISE IN COVID-19 CASES First India Bureau

Gandhinagar: The novel coronavirus is again rearing its head in Ahmedabad, but the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has put a cap on mass testing and has also decommissioned 28 walk-in testing centres, thus going against the prescribed policy of track, test, and isolate.

With the Diwali season and the onset of winter are expected to

—FILE PHOTO

Rajkot: Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) has issued safety and precautionary measures for citizens to safeguard themselves from contracting the deadly virus. In order to ensure that people remain safe while celebrating Diwali, a notification mentioning guidelines to be followed while bursting crackers, meeting family and friends, foods and beverages to serve to guests, has been released by the local civic body.

According to the RMC health department, social distancing, wearing masks and carrying sanitizers is a must when stepping out. But it warned people against having sanitizers on hand while bursting firecrackers, since they contain alcohol, which is highly flammable.

03

The state testing 52,973 samples on Wednesday. There are now 12,245 active cases in Gujarat, with 74 patients on ventilators.

bring an increase in the number of cases of in-

fluenza and other viral fevers, the civic body

1,125 cases, 6 fatalities take tally to 1,83,866 cases and death toll to 3,779 will only be testing patients who show symptoms of fever, disregarding the other symptoms of COVID-19.

Ahmedabad topped the list of fresh cases after a gap of nearly three months, with 207 cases, followed by Surat (184), Vadodara (130),

Rajkot (124), Mehsana (70), Gandhinagar (47), Banaskantha (41), Patan (38), Jamnagar (32), Sabarkantha (23), Morbi (22), Surendranagar (21), Bharuch (18), Panchmahal and Junagadh (17 each), Anand and Bhavnagar (14 each), Kheda and Kutch (13 each), Dahod (12), Mahisagar (11), Gir Somanath (7), Narmada (6), Navsari and Tapi (4 each), Devbhumi Dwarka (3), Chhota Udepur and Porbandar (2 each) and Botad (1).

POSITIVE PROGNOSIS

Paediatric nephrologists at IKDRC gift joyful Diwali to Surat kid Ill since he was three years old, the six-year-old boy is now healthy enough to go to a regular school 

First India Bureau Ahmedabad: This year’s festival of lights will be a sparkling one for six-yearold Dhanesh Vasave from Surat. The little boy has won a threeyear medical battle to win back his happy childhood.

Vasave was diagnosed with a congenital ail-

ment of posterior urethral valve which led to kidney failure at the age of three. He was operated upon for corrective surgeries but the resultant kidney failure forced him into dialysis—until a team of paediatric nephrologists at the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC) took up the challenge and overcame

it with flying colours.

“Our team decided to try peritoneal dialysis as per established norms of paediatric nephrology but unfortunately due an infection meant we had to remove the catheter,” Dr Kinnari Vala, Department of Paediatric Nephrology at IKDRC said.

The team then turned to haemodialysis, a procedure designed for adults. The procedure was done around the neck region through a temporary catheter to ensure the proper flow

IKDRC.

—FILE PHOTO

of blood to the dialyzer.

But another infection meant this effort also failed. “Our third attempt to create an AV fistula in the upper arm of an artery to a vein worked and Dhanesh had problem-free dialyses till he received a kidney the transplant through cadaver programme,” he added.

Since the procedure, Dhanesh’s weight has doubled from 10 kg, and he has gained a normal height with good enough cognitive abilities to join a regular school. “

Under the school health programme run

by Government of Gujarat every child diagnosed with any vital organ ailment is entitled to a free of cost treatment at IKDRC irrespective of their socio-economic background,” explained IKDRC Director Dr Vineet Mishra.

“For every 10 chronic kidney disease (CKD) adult patients in India, there is one CKD child,” Dr Mishra said, emphasizing the point that an early diagnosis improves patients’ chances.

PERSPECTIVE AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020

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PAKISTAN ON SELF DESTRUCT MODE

IN-DEPTH

NEXT STOP BENGAL, AS BJP MARCHES ON

W

ith Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal-United having been reduced to a minor status in the NDA, it can be said that Bihar is in Bharatiya Janata Party’s bag. The party got together at its headquarters in Delhi on Wednesday to celebrate the big victory.

Like in his campaign speeches, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed development as he spoke of politics in the 21st century. People will vote for those who work for the country’s progress. Indeed, voters in Bihar found the prime minister’s assurance on the development of the state more credible. The reason why the people keep reposing their trust in the BJP is good governance, Modi said and mentioned all the states where it has returned to power election after election. He recalled how the party operating from two rooms and with a two percent vote share has grown to reach every heart and rise to power in faraway Manipur and other eastern states.

The prime minister attacked family-run parties from Kashmir to Kanyakumari said that they pose a threat to the nation. With elections in Tamil Nadu due next year, the reference to DMK and AIADMK was obvious. With the party engaged in a bitter struggle for power in West Bengal where polls are due next year the prime minister, without naming the state, said that the killings of BJP workers won’t fetch votes.

The celebratory event and the prime minister indirectly mentioning West Bengal will galvanise workers to take on Mamata Banerjee’s challenge.

Having won in Bihar, it is only natural for the BJP to have Bengal in its cross-hairs.

COVAXINE ENTERS EFFICACY TRIALS

C

lose on the heels of American pharma giant Pfizer claiming 90 percent efficacy of their Covid-19 vaccine, India’s Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research has started the third phase clinical trial of its Covaxin. The trial is being conducted at 25 centres in the country involving 26,000 participants, with the vice-chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, Prof Tariq Mansoor, registering as the first volunteer. The university’s JN Medical College and Hospital is one of the centres where trials will be done.

Pfizer’s claim on the vaccine’s efficacy has raised confidence in nations battling Covid-19. All hopes are pinned on early availability of a vaccine to fight the virus which is still raging in several countries. America reported a two lakh single-day spike, France over 38,000 new cases, and UK 22,885 new cases. India too is witnessing a spurt and 44,000 new cases. The urgency for a vaccine is therefore understandable. The problem with Pfizer’s vaccine is that its availability in India may not be possible because of the requirement of deep freeze, production, storage, and transportation networks to ensure the cold chain does not break. Its production is said to be costly and shelf life short which will make it unaffordable in India.

The start of the third phase clinical trial of Covaxin is a big development. An indigenously developed vaccine will be much cheaper than Pfizer’s and depending on how the government prioritises its distribution, much more easily accessible to the domestic patient. Of course, everything will depend on the vaccine’s efficacy during the trial.

MAJ GEN CP SINGH, RETD

The writer is a scholar soldier accredited with MA, MSc, LLB, MBA, M Phil (Def Mgt) and M Phil (International Strategic Affairs)

I Pakistan was born as an insecure nation and grew up with a revisionist culture, feudalistic mindset, racial and lingual prejudices, and ideological fault lines. Pakistan, on its partition, had over 13 % of minorities residing within an Islamic population of 76 million. Today the minorities have declined to under 2.5 % living life virtually under seize with Blasphemy laws, human rights violations, forced conversions, military oppression, and systemic persecution

ndia and Pakistan were born together and got separated at birth. While India has focused on secular credentials and growth, while Pakistan embraced extremism. Today after 73 years, there is no comparison between the two. In the last 73 years, Pakistan has moved on a self-destruction course steadily with some leaders like President Zia giving it extra push towards death and destruction.

In the past 40 years, its per capita income has suffered almost a 90 percent net deficit relative to India and the gap is rising.

Unfortunately, when it comes to basic human rights and civil liberties, Pakistan is at least 100 years behind the modern world.

It’s a typical “Salim-Javed” type story of Bollywood films where one brother follows the righteous path and prospers while another rebel against society become a terrorist and ultimately dies a horrible death.

RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM Pakistan was born as an insecure nation and grew up with a revisionist culture, feudalistic mindset, racial and lingual prejudices and ideological fault lines. Pakistan, on its partition, had over 13 % minorities residing within an Islamic population of 76 million. Today the minorities have declined to under 2.5 % living life virtually under seize with Blasphemy laws, human rights violations, forced conversions, military oppression, and systemic persecution. Army and Islamist Mullahs are acting as the custodians of this disruptive ideology and defenders of radical Islam while politicians act as stooges. The nexus of the Army, the ruling elite, and the mullahs has turned this country into a place where only one-sided narratives against the world are allowed to live, according to the rules set by this troika.

RECENT CHAOS IN PAKISTAN ARMY POLICE CLASHES: The recent revolt by top police

officers against the Army in Pakistan’s Sindh province was unprecedented and shook the country’s military. A ‘civil war’-like situation developed in Pakistan amid reports of clashes between the Karachi Police and the Pakistan Army in the recent past, challenging the supremacy of Pak Army, for the first time. This was not a protest against an elected government or Prime Minister Imran Khan, but against the Army in Pakistan, which is supreme and never challenged.

UNREST ON THE RISE THE MILITARY-LED: Govt of Islamabad is perpetuating the barbarism, holocaust, massacre, and genocide creating dissension and unrest. Out of the four provinces of Pakistan, three are simmering and the fourth is caught in the division.

Even the so-called autonomous territories of POK and GilgitBaltistan remain a flashpoint with oppression and fascism at the hands of the Pak Army. Indeed, there are no parts of Pakistan which have remained unaffected by terrorism, discriminatory policies, and ethnic or sectarian/religious induced turmoil. This is the saga of a nation which has been dismembered (East Pakistan) earlier and yet again, awaiting an impending implosion.

POLITICAL UPHEAVAL: There is too much chaos in the Pakistani polity now. PM Imran Khan is heading a lame-duck govt with Army in full control.

Out of senses, Imran Khan

THE PAKISTANI ECONOMY IS NOW BELOW THE DUMPS. THEIR COMBINED DEBT TO IMF, THE GULF STATES, AND CHINA MUST BE BEYOND COUNT. MANUFACTURING AND EXPORTS HAVE COLLAPSED. EXTERNAL REMITTANCES HAVE DRIED UP

called Osama Bin Laden a ‘Shaheed’ (martyr) and the FATF promptly extended Pakistani presence in its grey list.

The Afghan situation is only worsening. There is active collusion between TTP and Afghan Taliban. FATA is in bad shape.

All things considered, there is chaos in Pak polity. How long will PM Imran Khan be able to hold on to his chair, is to be seen?

FRAGILE ECONOMY: The Pakistani economy is now below the dumps. Their combined debt to IMF, the Gulf States, and China must be beyond count.

Manufacturing and exports have collapsed. External remittances have dried up. Locusts have hit agriculture. There is uncontrolled inflation. Pakistan has once again turned to its allweather friend China for a loan of $1 billion to repay a $1 billion loan taken from Saudi Arabia.

Overall the country is steeped in debt, especially to China.

How well Pfizer’s Covid vaccine works P

reliminary data from the Pfizer/ BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine trial suggests it provides 90% efficacy at preventing the disease. At the very least, this news will result in a large sigh of relief across the vaccine community. It signifies a breakthrough – it is the first announcement that a vaccine can protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection in humans.

This shows it can be done. But how well it can be done is still a big question that no one has the answer to. These results are promising, but there is a lot more we now need to confirm.

The 90% efficacy is a strong result, but we should remember that this is an interim analysis, based on 94 cases of the

04

disease that have occurred across those receiving either the vaccine or a placebo. Pfizer has noted in its trial protocol that it needs at least 164 cases of the disease to occur across the study to reliably assess the vaccine’s efficacy.

If subsequent cases occur more frequently among those who have had the vaccine rather than the placebo, then this efficacy figure will fall. So we do not yet know if this number is truly reflective of the vaccine’s protective ability – meaning crucially, we need to get to the end of the trial.

But if this is the case, why announce these interim results now? An interim analysis of trial data like this is not uncommon, particularly in phase 3 vaccine trials, as it is not unusual for trials to fail during test-

ing. Therefore, you need to determine as soon as you can, with as much robustness as you can, whether pursuing the trial is worthwhile. Continuing when things are futile is a waste

of resources – and in some cases unethical.

The only way to see whether continuing is the right option is for the trial’s independent data and safety monitoring board to

look at some or all of the results. For Covid-19, where time is a major constraint, many efforts have been made to incorporate interim analysis into studies in a way that provides

an answer, with some confidence, in as timely a manner as possible.

This interim review was therefore planned at the start of the trial and has fulfilled its purpose. It is a very positive signal that the trial needs to continue – even if the actual data from the review leaves us with many questions.

One key thing these interim results do not tell us is how long protection lasts. Participants in this phase 3 trial received two doses of the vaccine, and measurement of its efficacy was taken seven days after the second dose was given. This is likely around the height of the initial immune response. It will be really important to understand how durable this initial protection is after this point.

SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION

SURRENDER TO CHINA: The bear hug of friendship from China is squeezing Pakistan, sparking fears that the country may be heading into a giant debt trap, to a point where the bonhomie could even encroach on its sovereignty. Pakistan owes China double the amount it owes to the IMF. It’s surprising how the bankrupt nation is getting submerged deeper and deeper into China’s debt trap. Pakistan is no longer a hot favourite of the USA and Saudi Arabia. Therefore, it has no choice but to fall in line with China, at the dictated terms.

CONCLUSION The condition of Pak is critical with financial bankruptcy, sectarian violence, police-Army clashes, and rising unrest amongst the masses. It survives on a Chinese respirator, on the verge of slipping into comma, with a fragile economy, poor human development index, alarming unemployment, and now in the Chinese debt trap of CPEC. This country is also the notorious epicenter of breeding, harbouring, and exporting terrorism beyond its national boundaries. It is time that the gods of this country realize that by creating fear and denying basic rights and justice to the masses they are gradually moving toward their own self-destruction. For India, having chaos in it’s neighbourhood is not a happy situation.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

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TWEET Ravi Shankar Prasad @rsprasad Along with electronics and telecom sectors, PLI in other sectors of the economy, is indeed a visionary decision taken by PM @narendramodi in boosting the economic growth, developing #AatmaNirbharBharat and creating employment opportunities for Indian youth.

Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp PM Shri @narendramodin in his address today requested Odia brothers and sisters to support local artisans, craftsmen and businesses and also follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviour and take all precautions ahead of the festive season.

Spiritual SPEAK

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05

ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS AFTERMATH

Nitish will be Bihar CM: Sushil Modi There is no confusion on the issue, the decision was taken before the polls and it will remain same, said the Bihar Dy CM Patna: Bihar Deputy SHAH CONGRATULATES JP NADDA ON Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Modi on Wednesday reiterated NDA’S VICTORY IN BIHAR ASSEMBLY POLLS that Nitish Kumar will be Chief Minister of Bihar and said, “there is no question of replacing him”.

While replying to a question over JDU) chief, Nitish Kumar’s future in Bihar, the BJP leader said, “There is no confusion on the issue of Nitish Kumar as Chief Minister of Bihar. The decision was taken before the polls and it will remain same.” “In alliance, sometimes a partner wins more and the other one is able to secure fewer seats. But we are equal partners, people voted for NDA,” he added. While reacting over a question on LJP, chief Chirag Paswan, the BJP leader said, “He is not part of our alliance in the state. I don’t want to say anything about it.”

On a question regarding Chirag Paswan’s status in the Central government, the BJP leader said, “I don’t know, I am only concerned with state politics, representatives of Central government can give you an answer about this question. But he is surely not a part of Bihar-NDA.” —ANI

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar pays tribute to India’s first Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on his birth anniversary in Patna on Wednesday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

After MP, Digvijaya Singh now wants to destroy Bihar: JDU’s Sanjay Singh Patna: Hitting back at senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh for advising Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to leave Bihar and enter national politics, Janata Dal (United) leader Sanjay Singh on Wednesday said that Digvijaya wants to “destroy Bihar like Madhya Pradesh”.

“He (Digvijaya) has already destroyed Madhya Pradesh, now he wants to destroy Bihar as well. It will

Sanjay Singh

be better if he keeps his advice to himself and Congress. We do not need it. Congress is already sinking, whoever gets on board, will sink with them,” Singh.

Reacting to RJD and Congress’ matter of raising the issue of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar allegedly influencing the counting of votes, Sanjay Singh said that they should accept their “defeat”.

“The public holds the power in a democracy. People gave their mandate to Nitish Kumar then why is that mandate being attacked? One should accept their defeat. the JDU leader said.

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited the residence of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda to congratulate him for the party’s victory in the Bihar Assembly polls.

Shah said that BJP is dedicated to the development of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “I congratu-

Patna: Taking a dig at Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) President Chirag Paswan for contesting against the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the recently concluded Bihar Assembly election, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi on Wednesday said he burnt himself with his own lamp. “ Apne chirag se bhasm ho gaye hain wo (he burnt himself with

Jitan Ram Manjhi

his own lamp),” quipped the former chief minister whose HAM won four seats on Tuesday.

Chirag translates to lamp in English. The

HAM leader went on to say: “There’s a saying don’t cut the branch on which you sit. Chirag Paswan worked towards defeating the fold he was part of. The result is clear, the branch has been cut, but he also fell,” Manjhi said.

Paswan’s LJP had broken away from the NDA and contested 137 seats in Bihar, but ended up winning only one seat as compared to two last time.

—ANI

Owaisi: AIMIM ready for Assembly polls in WB Hyderabad: All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ulMuslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday stated that he is ready to fight next year’s Assembly polls in West Bengal.

Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad, Owaisi said, “We will contest election in West Bengal, if our party member is ready to fight. Will surely take a decision on it.”

The Hyderabad-based party, AIMIM made gains in the recently concluded Bihar Assembly elections. The party has won five constituencies, in the state’s Seemanchal region - Baisi, Amour, Kochadhaman, Bahadurganj and Jokihat.

Party was also able to secure a vote share of 1.2 per cent in the total votes polled.

AIMIM had fielded

WIN IN 5 CONSTITUENCIES OF BIHAR

candidates under the umbrella of “Grand Democratic Secular Front” whose chief ministerial candidate was Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP), chief Upendra Kushwaha.

West Bengal Assem-

bly elections are scheduled to be held in 2021.

With 294 seats, a keen contest awaits the state as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tries to wrest power from Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress. —ANI

tory in the Bihar Assembly Election and by-elections in several other states. We, the

Digvijaya: BJP destroyed legacy of Ram Vilas Paswan, reduced Nitish’s stature Bhopal: Senior Congress leader and former CM of Madhya Pradesh, Digvijaya Singh accused BJP of destroying the legacy of late Ram Vilas Paswan and reducing the stature of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar by its “kootneeti” in Bihar. After losing the Madhya Pradesh bypolls and Bihar Assembly elections 2020, Congress leader Digvijaya Singh in a series of tweets said, “BJP has reduced Nit-

Chirag burnt himself with his ‘Bihar Cong chief Madan own ‘chirag’: HAM chief Manjhi Mohan Jha should resign’ Patna: Bihar Congress leader Rishi Mishra on Wednesday said that Congress state chief Madan Mohan Jha should resign on moral grounds over party’s performance in assembly elections as it could win only 19 seats of 70 it contested.

“Our government could not be formed because of Congress state president President Madan Mohan Jha. He has been doing politics in Mithilanchal for 40

lated BJP national president JP Nadda at his residence on the occasion of the party’s vic-

years. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) gave you 70 seats and you won only 19. The Left parties performed better than Congress. I request Soniaji to save us. Jha should offer his resignation on moral grounds,” Mishra told reporters in Patna.

He said tickets were not distributed in proper manner and several candidates were not even aware of gram panchayats in their constituencies.

—ANI

Digvijaya Singh

ish’s stature by its strategy and ended the legacy of Ram Vilas Paswan ji.” Nitish Kumar-led NDA retained power with an absolute majority in with 125 on Wednes-

day. However, Chirag Paswan’s LJP, which fielded 137 candidates, managed to secure only one seat. Singh has also advised Nitish Kumar to leave Bihar and enter national politics.

“Nitish ji, Bihar has become small for you. You should join national politics. Do not let the Union’s policy of ‘divide and rule’. Help all socialists believe in the secular ideology. Do consider,” he added. —ANI

My aim was to dent JDU, not to affect BJP: Chirag Patna: Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Chirag Paswan on Wednesday said that it was his aim to dent the Janta Dal-United (JDU) votes in the electoral battle and also make sure that his candidate should not affect the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). “It was my aim to dent JDU and I worked on it. I also focused that we should not affect the BJP and asked my workers to support it. My aim was to provide more seats to BJP and damage to

Chirag Paswan

JDU. The LJP will improve its performance in 2025,” Paswan said.

Paswan was satisfied with the LJP’s performance in the polls and will prepare for the 2025 Bihar election.

—ANI

workers of the party, are dedicated to the development of the nation under the leadership of PM Modi ji and Nadda ji,” Shah tweeted.

Earlier, the home minister had expressed gratitude towards the people of Bihar for choosing development, progress, good governance, and giving a “full majority” to the National Democratic Alliance in the state.

—ANI

At Cabinet meet, mins laud PM for Bihar poll win New Delhi: Union Cabinet ministers on Wednesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the victory of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Bihar Assembly polls and the by-polls across the country.

Sources claimed that all Ministers, who virtually attended the Cabinet meeting, congratulated PM Modi and dedicated the victory of Bihar to his vision and support that he enjoys amongst the masses.

It was one of the moments that made the meeting even more pleasant, stated one of the highly placed sources. “The Prime Minister was smiling when he was congratulated on the victory. He was looking happy,” said another source.

“Can he not be happy? He has all the reason to be. The victory wasn’t an easy one and his charisma did wonders for the party as well as for the NDA,” added another source with a broad smile.

The PM was the lead campaigner for the NDA alliance.

—ANI

IN THE COURTYARD

Sivasankar, his CMO team was aware of gold smuggling: ED tells court Kochi: Accused Swapna Suresh has disclosed that former principal secretary of Kerala Chief Minister’s Office M Sivasankar and his team were fully aware of the gold smuggling, the Enforcement Directorate submitted before a Kochi court on Wednesday.

The ED, in its report, submitted that Swapna Suresh was shown certain Whatsapp messages exchanged between her and Sivasankar and asked to explain the context, after which she said that Sivasankar and his team at the CMO were fully aware of the gold smuggling and other electronic items sent through the diplomatic channels.

“Sivasankar was also

aware of the kickbacks given by Unitac Builders to Swapna and her close associates including Khalid, CFO, UAE Consulate in lieu of facilitating the award of a contract from Red Crescent under the Life Mission Projects. Out of which, an amount of Rs 1 crore (approx) which was subsequently seized by NIA from the lockers belonging to Swapna, which were opened on the directions of Sivasankar and was meant for Sivasankar,” the ED submitted.

After hearing the submissions in the matter, the Principal Sessions Court in Kochi extended by one day the ED custody of Sivasankar.

—ANI

Espionage case: HC seeks report on journo’s arrest New Delhi: Delhi High Court sought a status report from the Special Cell of Delhi Police on the bail plea of freelance journalist Rajeev Sharma, who was arrested in an espionage case under the Official Secrets Act. A bench of Justice Anu Malhotra directed the police to file a status report on the bail plea moved by Sharma’s counsel senior advocate Dr Adish C Aggarwala and lawyers Aditya Singh and Akshat Goel, and listed the matter for further hearing on December 2.

—ANI

Nothing more important than preserving life: SC New Delhi: Supporting the ban on firecrackers in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court on Wednesday dismisses a plea against the ban of firecrackers in West Bengal during the ongoing festive season including Diwali.

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Indira Banerjee dismissed a plea challenging the Calcutta High Court order against the firecracker ban. “We understand these festivals are important. But when lives are at peril, any effort to save human life should be made... We are very conscious about the importance of festivals but we are living amidst the pandemic and everyone should come out to support the decision which improves the situation,” Justice DY Chandra-

chud observed.

“There cannot be anything more important than the preservation of life in the current pandemic. Life is itself in danger now and people should come together to deal with the problem,” he added.

Calcutta High Court had last week issued a ban on the sale and bursting of firecrackers across West Bengal during the festival season including Diwali, Chatt Puja, Kali Puja, etc in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

—ANI

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Pollution with COVID-19 may worsen situation: Guleria ‘High levels of air pollution will lead to an increase in mortality’

India, China agree on three-step disengagement plan

‘Delhi’s 3rd Covid peak longer than previous ones’

Image for representational purpose only.

New Delhi: High levels of air pollution, combined with Covid-19 will not only aggravate severe disease but can also lead to an increase in mortality, said All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi, Director, Randeep Guleria on Wednesday.

Speaking to ANI, Guleria said increased air pollution, specially during winters, can help the virus in surviving

longer, thereby affecting more people. He also added that both affect the lungs and blood vessels, thereby aggravating to the impact.

“If you have high levels of air pollution, especially during winter months, then due to pollution and inversion, pollutants stay at ground level for a longer period of time and the virus can also survive for a longer period

Synergise to save water, life and planet: Shekhawat New Delhi: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ministry of Jal Shakti has given the National Water Awards in 16 different categories in which Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan bagged the first, second, and third prize.

The 2nd National Water Awards ceremony was held on Wednesday which was addressed virtually by Vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu in the presence of Shekhawat. Naidu called for a ‘Jan Andolan’ on water conservation and underlined the importance of people’s participation to make it a success.

Complimenting all the winners, including Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, he emphasised that the awards are meant to not only recognize the good

Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at the Second National Water Awards distribution ceremony.

MANAGEMENT

and therefore can spread to others. Also, air pollution itself causes inflammation in the lungs, it causes inflammation in blood vessels, and this has been documented in a large number of studies. Covid-19 also affects lungs and blood vessels so a combination of air pollution and Covid-19 can cause more severe disease,” Guleria told ANI in an interview.

Harak Singh Rawat sentenced to 3 months imprisonment Dehradun: Cabinet Minister Dr Harak Singh Rawat has been sentenced to an imprisonment of three months and a penalty of Rs 1,000

by Rudraprayag District Court for misconduct against the government employees during 2012 assembly elections.

During the 2012 Uttarakhand assembly elections, Dr Rawat and his supporters were booked for misconduct and indulging in violence against govt employees.

New Delhi: The duration of the third peak of the spread of COVID-19 in the national capital is longer than those of the previous peaks but it may subside in the next few days, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Wednesday.

Interacting with reporters, he asserted that the city government has significantly ramped up testing by nearly three times on an average per day compared to the number of tests conducted when the second peak had hit around September 16, when over 4,000 daily cases were being reported.

work done but also aims at motivating stakeholders for effective management of water resources in the country.

POWER Gallery NAGENDRA KUMAR TO BE MEMBER CBIC ?

Chances of D P Nagendra Kumar becoming new Member of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) are now rated high. IRS (C&CE) officer of 1985 batch who is youngest in his batch is presently posted in Bangalore.

WHY DID DG LEVEL IPS OFFICER JYOTIRMOY CHAKRAVERTY OPT FOR VR ?

Image for representational purpose only.

New Delhi: In a major development, the ongoing India-China border conflict may be resolved soon as the armies of the two countries have agreed for disengagement from parts of the Eastern Ladakh sector under which they would be moving back to their respective positions before April-May timeframe earlier this year.

The disengagement plan was discussed between the two sides during the 8th Corps Commander-level talks which were held on November 6 in Chushul.

As per the disengagement plan which is to be carried out in three steps in one week from the talks in the Pangong lake area, the armoured vehicles including tanks and armoured personnel carriers were to be moved back from their frontline deployment to a significant distance from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) by both sides, sources told ANI. As per the discussions, the disengagement of tanks and armoured personnel carriers was to be carried out within one day.

AUTUMN COLOURS

1986 batch Assam-Meghalaya cadre IPS officer Jyotirmoy Chakraverty who was scheduled to retire in March 2022 has taken Voluntary Retirement (VR). He was Spl DG, SSB when he opted for VR. Though he was empanelled as DG in the Union Government, he didn’t get posting as DG in any CAPF. NOW NO MAJOR CHANGES IN BIHAR BUREAUCRACY

Since NDA has retained the power in Bihar therefore chances of major changes in the bureaucracy are unlikely, if Nitish Kumar continues as CM. CS LIKELY TO BE CHANGED IN BIHAR

In Bihar chief secretary is likely to be changed.

Deepak Kumar is already on extension. He is a 1984 batch IAS officer.

MS. MANISHA CHOUDHARY TO JOIN AGMUT CADRE ON ICD

Ms. Manisha Choudhary is joining AGMUT cadre Chandigarh segment on inter cadre deputation (ICD) for a period of three years. She is a 2011 batch IPS officer of Haryana cadre.

VISHAVAJIT SAHAY RELIEVED TO JOIN AS ADDITIONAL SECRETARY & FINANCIAL ADVISOR, S&T

Vishvajit Sahay has been relieved of cadre responsibility in order to join central deputation as Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor, Department of Science & Technology. He is a 1990 batch IDAS officer.

MUKESH MANGAL RETURNS TO PARENT CADRE

Mukesh Mangal, Director in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has been given premature repatriation in order to avail of the benefit of promotion. He is a 1992 batch ITS officer.

VIRESH KUMAR BHAWRA LIKELY TO JOIN CENTRAL DEPUTATION AT ADGP LEVEL

Viresh Kumar Bhawra is expected to join central deputation at Additional DGP level. He is a 1987 batch IPS officer of Punjab cadre.

D TIRUMALA RAO LIKELY TO JOIN CENTRAL DEPUTATION AT ADGP LEVEL Tourists walk along Chinar trees undergoing autumnal changes, at the Nishat Mughal Garden in Srinagar on Wednesday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

‘Hopeful of new Air Quality Commission’ New Delhi: Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday expressed hope that the newly-constituted Commission for Air Quality would reduce pollution in Delhi.

Speaking at the second Good Air Summit organized by the Integrated Health and Wellbeing (IHW) Council in Delhi, the Environment minister also said that

06

REDUCE POLLUTION

Prakash Javadekar

Rs 85,000 crores have been invested in the implementation of the BSVI standard with BS-VI

engine fuel, which could reduce pollution by up to 70 per cent. “I am hopeful that the

not interfere today, we are travelling the path of destruction undeniably, Justice Chandrachud said, adding, the point is can you deny personal liberty of a person on these allegations. If the government targets individuals on this basis...You may not like television channels but this should not happen, the apex court said.

nels, the Advertising Standards Council of India regulates advertising, while the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) monitors films. —ANI

Commission for Air Quality Management will reduce pollution further. We have also invested Rs 85,000 crore in implementing the BS-VI standard - with BS-VI engine and fuel, pollution can be reduced by 70 per cent. The number of trucks entering Delhi has also reduced by 50,000,” he said while addressing the participants of the event.

D Tirumala Rao is expected to join central deputation at Additional DGP level. He is a 1989 batch IPS officer of AP cadre.

IRPS OFFICER ANAND MADHUKAR RETURNS TO PARENT CADRE

Anand Madhukar, OSD (JS level) in the Department of Financial Services, has been given premature repatriation to his parent cadre on personal grounds. He is a 1997 batch IRPS officer.

G ANUPAMA IS ALSO NODAL OFFICER FOR GITA MAHOTSAV IN HARYANA

Ms G Anupama, Secretary to Governor, Haryana and Principal Secretary, Forests & Wildlife Department, is appointed as Nodal Officer for Gita Mahotsav 2020, in addition to her present duties.

She is a 1991 batch IAS officer of Haryana cadre.

By arrangement with: http:// whispersinthecorridors.com

FROM PG 1 A jubilant... who was joined by Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and party’s National President JP Nadda on the dais, said the election was a victory of the development works in Bihar.

Thanking Nadda for the victory, the PM said the implications of the results are far-reaching. “From east to west, from north to south, we won. It was an extension of what happened in 2019 Lok Sabha elections. If you are working tirelessly for the development of the country, voters will re-

ward you,” Modi said.

In his victory speech, the prime minister attributed BJP’s electoral success to BJP’s governance. “ When people think of governance, they think of BJP,” the PM said.

Without naming Congress, the Prime Minister slammed the family-run parties from ‘north to south’ and said these parties are threat to democracy.

Nadda too hailed the victory of ruling NDA in Bihar assembly polls, saying people of the state have chosen ‘vikasraj’ instead of ‘gundaraj’. Speaking at the

event Nadda said the verdict shows how Narendra Modi government has taken welfare schemes to the masses.

Suicide case... are not granting bail and failing to protect personal liberty of people, the bench said.

The bench asked Maharashtra whether there was any need for custodial interrogation of Goswami, and said the issue pertains to personal liberty .

Whatever be his ideology. Least, I don’t even watch his channel.

But, if in this case Constitutional Courts do

Govt to...

At present, the Press Council of India regulates the print media, the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) represents the news chan-

Proactive CEC...

But for ECI to reach at these heights of professional abilities, bettering itself in every manner and handling the affairs in a proactive manner, it has taken nearly three years of time. As soon as CEC Sunil Arora took over, he started a metamorphosis of the EC officials by holding trainings for them to take up

the challenges of the future.

CEC Arora usherd in several electoral refor ms as well for the voters. With over 70 recommendations for electoral refor ms pending with the Centre, the Election Commission of India has pushed on these with the law ministry. The amendments needed for linking voter ID with Aadhaar, allowing multiple registration windows to a new voter and ensuring gender neutral rights for ‘service voter’ are at the top of the agenda.

The meeting held between the full commission, led by the chief election commissioner, and the law secretary EC has urged the government to expedite implementation of simpler amendments of laws that can help increase voter turnout and the voter base.

In fact one evident change that the ECI underwent was its PC on Bihar election results at 1 AM wherein the EC was extra sensitive towards criticism and addressed all the issues/allegations promptly. They even changed language of

the PC to Hindi after they were criticized for speaking in English recently.

All these changes have been imparted by the proactive and progressive approach of CEC Sunil Arora, who has brought the level of transparency equivalent to US and European nations, where the people are kept updated at regular intervals during ther course of counting of votes. On these lines, ECI was also very prompt and systematic in updating the people about status of counting.

TALKING POINT AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020

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07

NOTES FROM THE

FIELD

WHALES ARE ADAPTING TO WARMING WATER, BUT HOW MUCH CAN THEY TAKE? LOSING KRILL IS THE BIGGEST THREAT

T

Humpback whale hunt krill with bubbles.

I’

m part of an international team of researchers trying to learn what the next 100 years might look like for humpback whales in the Southern Hemisphere, and how they’ll adapt to changing ocean conditions.

Whales depend on recurring environmental conditions and oceanographic features, such as temperature, circulation, changing seasons and biogeochemical (nutrient) cycles. In

particular, these features influence the availability of krill in the Southern Ocean, their biggest food source.

Whales are particularly sensitive to this because they need enormous amounts of food to develop sufficient fat reserves to migrate, give birth and nurse a calf, as they don’t eat during this time.

In fact, models predict declines in krill from climate change

could lead to local extinctions of whales by 2100. This includes Pacific populations of blue, fin and southern right whales, as well as fin and humpback whales in the Atlantic and Indian oceans.

Still, when it comes to their migration and breeding cycles, recent studies have shown humpback whales can adapt with changes in ocean temperature and circulation at a remarkable level.

I

The author holding a rod to tag a whale.

—OLAF MEYNECKE

A newborn calf resting on its mum’s head.

—HOWARD CHEN/GETTY IMAGES

A humpback whale fin. —OLAF MEYNECKE/AUTHOR PROVIDED

Olaf Meynecke, Research Fellow in Marine Science, Griffith University

N

ovember marks the end of the whale season in the Southern Hemisphere. As summer approaches, whales that were breeding along the east and west coasts of Australia, Africa and South America will now swim further south to feed around Antarctica.

This annual cycle of whales coming and going has taken place for at least

10,000 years. But rising ocean temperatures from climate change are challenging this process, and my colleagues and I have already seen signs that humpback whales are changing their feeding, migration and breeding patterns to adapt.

As krill stocks decline and ocean circulation is set to change more drastically, climate change remains an unprecedented threat to whales. The challenge now is to forecast what will happen next to better protect them.

PROTECTING WHALES

he Whales and Climate Program is the largest project of its kind, combining hundreds of thousands of humpback whale sightings and advanced modelling techniques. Our aim is to advance whale conservation in response to climate change, and learn how it threatens their recovery after decades of over-exploitation by the whaling industry.

Each whale season between June and October, I sail out to the open ocean. This means I have unique opportunities to see and engage with whales, especially during the breeding season. The following photos show some of our breathtaking encounters, and can remind us of our marine ecosystem’s fragile beauty.

During one of our boat-based surveys on the Gold Coast, we encountered this acrobatic humpback whale calf, shown in the photos above. We counted 254 breaches in two hours, making it the record holder of most breach-

Breaching humpback whale in front of buildings.

—OLAF MEYNECKE/AUTHOR PROVIDED

es in our 10 years of observation.

To check on whales’ health, we collect and study the air they exhale through their blow hole (“whale snot”), and measure their size at different times of the year. The photo above shows me tagging a whale with CATs suction cup tags, to collect data on short term changes in their movement patterns.

In regions where the whales adapt to ocean changes and, as such, move closer to shore for feeding and shift their breeding grounds, there’s a higher risk of entanglements and oth-

er human encounters.

This is particularly concerning when they travel outside protected areas.

Look closely and you can see a newborn humpback, just one to three days old, resting on its mother’s head.

In the first days of life, baby humpback whales sink easily and aren’t able to stay on the water surface for long.

They need their mothers’ support to stay on the surface to breathe.

Once they’ve gained enough fat from the mothers milk they become positively buoyant (meaning they can float), making it easier for them to breathe.

WHALES CAN ADAPT TO WARMING WATER, BUT AT WHAT COST?

n a long term study from the Northern Hemisphere, scientists found the arrival of humpback whales in some feeding grounds shifted by one day per year over a 27-year period in response to small fluctuations in ocean temperatures.

This led to a onemonth shift in arrival time, but a big concern is whether they can continue to time their arrival with their prey in the future when the water gets warmer still.

Likewise, in breeding grounds near Hawaii, the number of mother and calf humpback whale

sightings dropped by more than 75% between 2013 and 2018.

This coincided with persistent warming in the Alaskan feeding grounds these whales had migrated from.

But humpback whales shifting their distribution and behaviour can cause unexpected human encounters, and cause new challenges that weren’t an issue previously.

Research from earlier this year found humpback whales switched to fish as their main prey when the sea surface temperature in the California current system increased in a heat-

wave. This has been leading to record numbers of entanglements with gear from coastal fisheries.

And between 2013 and 2016, we documented hundreds of newborn humpback whales in subtropical and temperate shallow bays on the east coast of Australia, 1,000 kilometres further south from their traditional breeding areas off the Great Barrier Reef.

However, since these aren’t designated calving areas, the newborns aren’t well protected from getting tangled in shark nets or colliding with jet skis or cruise ships.

SOURCE: THECONVERSATION.COM

—VANESSA MIGNON

Photo of a whale underwater.

A FINAL NOTE

D

Close up of a humpback whale’s mouth.

—OLAF MEYNECKE/AUTHOR PROVIDED

uring one of our landbased whale surveys this year, a keen whale watcher approached us, and we helped him find the whales with our binoculars. I will never forget the joy in his face when he spotted them. It’s a joy I hope many future generations can experience. To ensure this, we need to understand how we can best protect whales in a changing climate.

Season’s Greetings on the occasion of Dhanteras. May this auspicious day bring wealth, health and happiness into our lives.

2ND FRONT

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020

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COVID-19 UPDATE

WORLD

INDIA

08

GUJARAT

12,85,014 5,21,49,585 1,27,945 86,69,744 3,779 1,83,844 DEATHS

MAHARASHTRA 45,560 DEATHS 17,31,833 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

TAMIL NADU 11,415 DEATHS 7,50,409 CASES

DEATHS

KARNATAKA 11,453 DEATHS 8,53,796 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

DEATHS

DELHI 7,228 DEATHS 4,59,975 CASES

GUJ FARES POORLY IN INTEGRATING

MIGRANTS IN ITS MILIEU

CONFIRMED CASES

RAJASTHAN 2,019 DEATHS 2,17,151 CASES

13-yr-old delivers baby at Jamnagar; the girl was raped

—file photo

RAJASTHAN, KERALA, GOA EMBRACED THEM WITH CARE

Shishir Awasthi Mumbai: The Interstate Migrant Policy Index (IMPEX) developed by a Mumbaibased research nonprofit India Migration Now (IMN), has indicated that several states like Gujarat and Delhi with a sizeable influx of migrants have faired poorly in integrating them within the system.

As against this, it has found that Kerala, Goa, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh were among the most successful States in integrating migrant workers during the year 2019.

The states’ performances have been assessed on eight policy areas spanning more than 60 policy indica-

NEGLECTING MIGRANTS

Migrants are used only as a resource and hardly accepted as part of the system.

tors. India’s average IMPEX score in 2019 for 28 states and the Union Territory of NCT Delhi is 37 out of 100. It reflects the limited attention paid to integration efforts in the destina-

tion states. Kerala – at 57 – scored the highest, followed by Goa and Rajasthan at 51.The states of Manipur, Jharkhand, and Tripura were at the bottom, with scores of 19, 23, and

26. With a score of 34, the capital too ranked near the bottom.

The index ranks and compares all the states of India based on their migrant integration policies. According to IMN: “The comparison

exercise allows for the evaluation and comparison of what state governments are doing to promote the integration of migrants in the major migrant receiving states of India.”

The index addresses

questions like which Indian states have the most migrant friendly policy regimes, how does India’s migration related policies compare with the rest of the world and what are the benchmarks for integration policies of internal migrants in India?

Inter-state migration is a key income generating strategy for low-income households in India. “But despite the importance of migration for a large majority of Indians, migrants continue to face significant barriers in their destination states. The impact of state borders is significant and large on migration levels within India,” the index said.

First India Bureau Jamnagar: In a bizarre incident, a 13-year-old in Jamnagar has given birth to a child forcing the hospital and police authorities to investigate a rape that went unreported.

The 13-year-old from a village in Dhrol taluka came to the GG Hospital in Jamnagar with severe labour pains.

Dhrol police said after it was informed of the incident later, nabbed one Anesh Bhuriya, a farm labourer in Tarana Dhar area.

The teenager, who works at a farm, was brought to the GG Hospital early on Tuesday morning. Officials said

the mother and child are doing fine.

The hospital authorities found something suspicious when they realised that the patient was just 13 years old.

They later informed the police who then also questioned the teen.

Police also checked the Aadhar card of the teen in which her date of birth was mentioned as January 1, 2007. Later the teen and her sister and brother-in-law told the police about what happened.

The girl said 7 months ago when she was working at a farm in Anandpar village in Dhrol, another farm labourer Anesh Bhuriya raped her thrice.

Court grants bail to Surat police nab youth trying to Narayan Sai 58-yr-old rape accused blackmail top woman govt official moves HC seeking bail to meet father First India Bureau

Asaram’s son Narayan Sai

First India Bureau Ahmedabad: Selfstyled godman Asaram Bapu’s son Narayan Sai, who is serving life imprisonment in a rape case, has moved the Gujarat High Court seeking interim bail of 10 days to meet his parents.

The matter is likely to be heard on December 2.

Advocate Rafik Lokhandwala, representing the petitioner Narayan Sai, filed an application before the Gujarat High Court stating that the petitioner has not met his father Asaram Bapu, who is serving life imprisonment in Jodhpur Jail, for the last 7 years.

It further stated

that Asaram Bapu, 87, is the spiritual guru of Narayan Sai and he needs to meet him for the fulfilment of his spiritual sadhana as well as for the love and affection he has for his father.

The petition states that the Surat Sessions Court had directed jail authorities to arrange a meeting between Narayan Sai and his father if it was feasible as per jail manual but the jail authorities had failed to do so.

Narayan Sai’s mother Mataji Laxmidevi Harpalani, 77, is completely bedridden and requires supplemental oxygen support at home, the petition says.

Ahmedabad: A local court in Ahmedabad has granted bail to a 58-year- old man accused of rape of a minor who was forced into sex by another accused who threatened to kill her parents.

Court while granting bail to the accused Kamlesh Shah observed that as the chargesheet has already been filed there is no possibility of tampering with evidence.

Also at a time of pandemic, the trial will consume some time and hence the accused was granted bail.

Advocate Utkarsh Dave representing the petitioner submitted before the court that all the allegations against the accused are baseless and fake.

He said the petitioner suffered from blood pressure and diabetes.

He argued that neither was the victim abducted nor forced into a physical relationship with the accused.

Also the chargesheet didn’t specify the same either. The petitioner further argued through his counsel that he was the sole breadwinner of his family and should be granted bail.

—file photo

First India Bureau

Surat: A top government official in Surat had the shock of her life when her private photos in her mobile phone got into the hands of a youth who threatened to release them on the internet if she did not succumb to his demands for money.

The women later approached the cyber cell of the city police who nabbed the youth from Delhi.

Cyber Crime police sources said that the top-level government official who lives in

Adajan area in Surat had forgotten her phone in an autorickshaw.

The phone also had several private photos of the officer. The phone was eventually recov-

ered by one Najeem Patel, a resident of Surat.

He then called up the owner (the top government official) and threatened to release her private pictures on-

line.

He demanded money and blackmailed her to not release the pictures online. The woman then approached the Cyber Cell. The cops with the help of technical surveillance nabbed Najeem Patel from Delhi.

Patel originally belongs to the Limbayat area in Surat.

Najeem who worked as a labourer in Delhi said he used to drive an auto rickshaw in Surat. In January this year, he came across the mobile phone of the woman in his auto.

‘COOPERATIVE’ SCAM

CBI books agri cooperative for duping Bank Besides officials of the agricultural cooperative, CBI has booked several govt officials First India Bureau Surat: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday stated that it had registered a case against a Surat-based private company and others, including its 17 former office-bearers and directors, and unknown public servants on allegations of cheating Union Bank

of India to the tune of Rs 43 crore.

A CBI official said that it registered a case against Surat Mandvi Vibhag Sahkari Krishi Udyog Mandli Ltd and others for cheating the Union Bank of India to the tune of Rs 43 crore between 2013-15.

It said that it was further alleged that Union Bank of India had sanctioned loans worth Rs 40

—file photo

crore under Union Green Card Scheme in the names of 1,728 farmer members of the said

company or society and the said loan amount was disbursed into the current account of said

company or society, which did not further distribute the said amounts or equivalent

raw materials to the farmers. The said loan accounts became NPAs. The CBI conducted searches at five locations in Surat including office and residential premises of the accused.

The official said that the agency registered another case against a Hyderabadbased private company and others including its MD, ED, Director, valuer, advocate and unknown public servants of IFCI Ltd on allegations of fraud in IFCI Ltd.

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09

AHMEDABAD, THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2020

NEHAL NAYAR

nehal.nayar@firstindia.co.in

D

iwali is one of the most awaited festivals of the year, and with everything happening around this year, the festival of lights this time is going to be even more precious. Dhanteras, the first festival of the Di-

The festival of lights has finally begun, as today marks the very first occasion- Dhanteras. So, let’s shop our hearts out! wali season, is associated with purchasing new items, jewellery and gadgets.

Since the festival calendars are acting up a bit weird this year, Dhanteras will be celebrated on two days- 12 and 13 November, which is today and tomorrow. The festival is set to begin today, 12 November at 9:30 pm, and end tomorrow,

on 13 November at 5:59 pm.

More than the gadgets or the jewellery, the biggest ‘dhan’ or wealth is that the kids and women of the society are safe, protected and succeed in holding their heads high.

Talking about the history of this festival, it was believed that it was on this day that Goddess Laxmi

emerged from the ocean when it was being churned with a pot of gold and wealth. The God of Ayurveda, Lord Dhanvantari, is also worshipped on this day.

Lighting up the place with diya all around is what this festival is all about, apart from purchasing things, in order to radiate positivity. Well, it is some-

thing that everyone needs right now, isn’t it?

When it comes to dressing up, opting for festive outfits is the most sensible thing to do, as you would invite the feel of a festive season, in and around you. Like how every other festival has its own colour dedicated to it, gold is the colour which is worshiped the most during

Dhanteras. It is a common thing among women to opt for gold outfits, and pairing the same with contrasting colours. Oh, and how can we forget the amazing jewellery? That brings in the entire essence of the festive season.

City First wishes you a very Happy Dhanteras.

May this festival bring happiness and harmony in your lives, and give you enough wealth to provide you comforts you have ever wished for!

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DEEPAK’S CORNER

AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020

10

DIWALI AMID THE CORONAVIRUS

SO DIFFERENT, YET THE SAME...

DECLUTTER

Clean up your surroundings, home, life, your relationships.

Make space. Give space. A joyful, positive, responsible person can better deal with challenging situations.

DEEPAK

deepaklifemusings@gmail.com

C

OVID, the global pandemic has largely subdued the vibe, energy and celebrations.

During this festive season, it is imperative that we start the journey to end the darkness within our lives. Fill it with love and light. Whether it is changing our lifestyle into a healthier one or becoming a better person. This is an auspicious occasion to start on these life changes. Whatever comes our way, let us strive to handle it gracefully. Life offers its wisdom generously. Everything teaches. Not everyone learns.

Sadhguru has expressed it succinctly- “I have been trying to knock sense into all of you for years. No use.

This little invisible virus comes and does it”!

In its own way, Covid has taught us many invaluable lessons. It’s not how we make mistakes but the way we correct them that defines us. IT’S A WAKEUP CALL!

NURTURE NATURE

It is essential. It is for your own survival. This is no service. By exploiting the present, we are doing irreversible damage to not just the flora and fauna but to our own future. This is the time to express our love, compassion, gentleness, humanity. Greed is insatiable. For everyone’s needs, nature has enough. It is the most benevolent.

DEEP BREATHE

would be fatal during the Covid times. Let us not choke the earth or even ourselves to death.

CHEERS

Enjoy the cool nip in the approaching winter breeze and bring warmth to some needy hearth. Wrap a blanket around the homeless person sleeping on the footpath. Donate. Help.

Share. Care.

NO LARGE GATHERINGS

Let us celebrate togetherness by maintaining social distancing.

MASK UP

Let your eyes show the emotions. Cover up the nose and mouth properly. Protect yourself and others.

GO DIGITAL

PROTECT YOUR LOVED ONES

This is the time to sit back, reflect and realise the fragile nature of our existence. Carelessness can be critical for the vulnerable members of the family and society.

LESS IS MORE

Keep it simple. Let’s go

FA CE OF TH ED AY

On-line school. On-line office. Why not virtual socializing.

Connect with family and friends around the globe. Create memorable moments. Make the most of technology. Resist forwards. Call. Talk.

Connect. Convey emotions. Share warmth.

Create rapport. Make it personal.

CELEBRATION TIME

Bring in joy and gaiety to your home. Involve the family in the festive decor. Try your culinary skills. Say NO to outside food. Wake up the artist within you and make a Rangoli.

back to our grassroots traditional feel of the festival. No jazzy electric lights. Relax. Step out. Admire the divine celestial display of the Amavas night skies.

BE SAFE

Focus on washing hands with soap and water rather than using sanitizers, which can be highly inflammable. Be safe.

SAY NO TO FIREWORKS

Complete boycott by ALL is the need. The air pollution level is already alarmingly high.

To make it more toxic

YOUR DAY Horoscope by

Saurabbh Sachdeva

THE GOLDEN WARM FLAME

Let’s purchase the simple, marvelous hand-

made mitti-deeyas, displayed so artistically on the footpaths. Behold the family ritual of filling oil, making the wick, lighting them, the artistic display on walls & narrow ledges, protecting the flame from the breeze, basking in the warm glow... Can this bliss ever be replicated!!!

GO WITHIN

Meditate. Bless all.

Light the divine deepak within. Focus on the NOW. The more we become conscious of our actions, the more we gain control over what happens within us.

TAKE CARE & BE SAFE!

GRATITUDE

Be thankful for the warmth of your home.

Food on your table.

Your leisure time. Acknowledge the selfless service of not just the medical professionals but also the security agencies, police, workers who manage the essential services. They risk not just their own lives but also that of their families. DO what you can. Every gesture counts.

NOSTALGIA

The senior citizens will definitely remember the

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

This is the right time to go for a new academic pursuit. Your desire for an exciting time on the social front is likely to be fulfilled today.

Those looking for buying a house can get a good bargain. Appreciation is in store for some homemakers. A professional victory is yours.

Your image on the social front is likely to get a boost. Getting into a favourable situation on the academic front is possible. Good luck promises to brighten your day. Some positive changes can be expected on the home front. This seems a good day for job seekers.

You will need to put your best foot forward on the academic front. Excess in food and drinks can get you out of action. A new deal is likely to come through and give you a taste of success. Those fond of travelling may get their chance soon. This is the time when you enjoy yourself.

A previous investment matures and promises to brighten the bank balance.

Some of you can get lucky and get selected by campus recruiters. A family youngster is likely to do you proud. A business trip is indicated and will achieve much.

MAR 21 - APR 20

APR 21 - MAY 20

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

Good opportunities will come to those who have cleared a tough competition. Your reputation on the social front is set to enhance. Excellent opportunities may knock at your door. Professionals will be able to give their best in a new situation.

Good preparation by students will help restore their confidence. Your performance at work will be commendable. Your own happiness is in your hands today.

Spouse may need her space, respect that. This is a favourable day for completing pending jobs.

Going will be good on the academic front. You may wait for someone’s invitation for a trip. Your professionalism in handling problem areas will be appreciated. Tenant troubles are foreseen for some house owners. You will find family life more than fulfilling.

Success is foretold on the academic front. Your reputation is likely to boost your image on the social front. On the work front, you will manage to keep your superiors in good humour. This is an excellent day to spend time with family. A good job opportunity is yours.

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

AUG 24 - SEP 23

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

You will have to be more focussed on the academic front. You may get busy organising something on the social front. You may need to put your ideas into action, if you want to prove yourself. A party may be thrown in your honour at work. Your good performance is likely to be noticed.

You will manage to achieve what you had aimed for on the academic front. A celebration can find you in your element today. Praise and honour are likely to greet you in something that you have managed to achieve. You will be a pillar of strength to a friend or associate.

Good performance on the academic front will help enhance your reputation at work. Some favourable developments on the social front are foreseen. Buying new furniture or a major appliance is possible. With good networking, a prized posting can be yours. You will get your money back.

You are likely to take up someone’s cause and earn appreciation from all quarters on the social front. Remaining on the good side of those who matter on the academic front will help you achieve much.

Good tidings of your well wishers will keep you going.

NOV 23 - DEC 22

NUPUR SINGH, Content Creator

simple joy of ‘kheelpatasha- khilauna’ the sugar candies of our childhood. That’s how our Diwali day dawned!

Can we not treat some jhuggi kids to those childhood treats and share their joy.

Conscious breathing & daily pranayam can boost lung strength, manage respiratory ailments, improve immunity, lower stress and enhance the quality of life. Strengthen yourself. The wholeness of life is health. Radiate exuberance and joy.

DEC 23 - JAN 20

JAN 21 - FEB 19

FEB20 - MARCH 20

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MIKKELSEN’S NEW ROLE TOUCHED!

A

GOT SAGA REVEALED

F

ctor Johnny Depp’s hasty exit from the Fantastic Beasts franchise was indeed a shocker for many fans. As revealed by the actor himself, Warner Bros. requested Depp to resign from the role of Gellert Grindelwald which he accepted amid recently losing the UK libel suit. In Warner Bros.’ statement, whilst confirming Johnny’s departure from Fantastic Beasts franchise and thanking the 54-year-old actor for his work on the films to date, the studio also confirmed that Grindelwald’s role will now be recast. And, who’s the frontrunner to replace Depp as Grindelwald? According to reports, it’s Mads Mikkelsen!

—Agency

Mads Mikkelsen

11

AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020

J

arhan Akhtar on Wednesday shared a heart-touching clip featuring a former prima ballerina dancer Marta C Gonzalez, who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. In the clip, the ballerina after hearing music from ‘Swan Lake’ performs the dance steps while sitting on a wheelchair.

Farhan in the caption, shared that the clip was forwarded to him, and thanked its creator too. He noted, “This is the most beautiful thing you will see today. This video was forwarded to me and I thank the person who created it and shared it with the rest of the world.” —ANI

...his post

Farhan Akhtar

ason Momoa is revealing that he and his family were “starving” after his character was killed off of Game of Thrones in 2011 before the show became a mega-hit. After Khal Drogo’s exit from the show, the 41-year-old “spent several years struggling to pay the bills” at his home with Lisa Bonet and their kids Lola and Nakoa-Wolf. “I mean, we were starving after Game of Thrones,” Jason told. “I couldn’t get work. It’s very challenging when you have babies and you’re completely in debt.”

Things improved for him when he was cast in 2016 s Justice League and subsequently, Aquaman.

—Agency

Jason Momoa

No public

... her post

‘One of my many firsts’

T

alking about one of her very first things that she has ever done, actor Taapsee Pannu on Wednesday got all set to start the race and shared a glimpse from the track and field from upcoming sports drama ‘Rashmi Rocket’.

She posted an intriguing picture on Instagram, in which she is all pumped up to start the race. Taapsee captioned the post as, “Get set.....#RashmiRocket.

This one is going to be one of many firsts!” (with running emoji).

—ANI

Eye K

risten Bell and her husband Dax Shepard are parents to Lincoln, 7, and Delta, 5, but they have never shown their faces on social media. Now, Kristen is explaining why her kids haven’t been seen on social media.

“My feeling is that I chose a career in the public eye. I chose to be quoted, I chose to have my picture taken,” Kristen told Romper. “I don’t know them yet. I don’t know if they will want that. So I really don’t have the right to choose for them.”

—Agency

Shahid Kapoor

MID-WEEK THOUGHTS

I

Kristen Bell

ndulging into some mid-week thought process, actor Shahid Kapoor on Wednesday shared a ‘balance sheet of life’ that involved facts to be taken care of, alongside a quote by Persian poet Rumi.

The ‘Kabir Singh’ star shared a post on Instagram, in which he delineated deep motivational thoughts.

Sharing the post with his fans, he also penned down a quotation of the famous Persian postRumi. It read,- “The WOUND is the place

...his post

where LIGHT enters you . . . - Rumi.” Within a few minutes of sharing the post, fans started thanking him for the morning motivation.

—ANI

NO PLANS OF A BABY

W

ith almost every couple announcing pregnancy news on social media, fans wondered if Vatsal Sheth and Ishita Dutta are also embracing parenthood soon. A recent post of the duo left fans wondering on the same, who commented asking the couple if they are the next to make this announcement. Ishita and Vatsal have a hilarious spin to the comments and clarified that there is nothing like that and it is just the holiday weight showing.

Ishita said that while everyone has been going on a spree when it comes to speculating this, there is no truth to it whatsoever. She said, “No not true, not pregnant just a little holiday weight and a hint that I should hit the gym.”

—Agency

Vatsal Sheth and Ishita Dutt

MISSING FROM STAGE

B

Taapsee pannu

ritney Spears wants to be freed from her father. The pop star’s moves have been missing from stage and screen in a career hiatus that shows no signs of ending, but she’s been making all kinds of maBritney Spears

noeuvres in court in an attempt to gain greater control over her life and money after 12 years of a court conservatorship run mainly by her dad, James Spears. According to reports, on Tuesday afternoon, a Los Angeles judge

will hear arguments on Spears’ requests, the boldest of which would remove James Spears as co-conservator for what his daughter says is an unwillingness to share control of her more than USD 60 million in assets.

—Agency

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

WEDDING BELLS!

Kangana Ranaut

AHMEDABAD | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020

12

Kangana Ranaut and her sister Rangoli Chandel shared glimpses from their brother Aksht’s pre-wedding festivities on social media. Kangana looked gorgeous in a beautiful outfit as she joined her family at the Mehendi ceremony of her brother in Udaipur.

Festive Fusion Dessert

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

FOOD FESTIVAL

T

o celebrate the beginning of the most awaited festival of the year with sweetness and merry, the ‘Festive Fusion Dessert Food Festival’ has been organised by Oven- the bakery at C-Scheme.

The festival offers the delighted pleasure of delicious Indian sweets with Western fusion. They have decided to serve some oven special sweet delights to the Jaipurites, like, Leaf Kesar Badam, Thandai Square, Crackle Kiwi Moose, Belgian Pettifer, Gulab Heaven, etc.

Mayank Gopaliya from Oven – The Bakery said, “Keeping the special eye on sanitation also, desserts have been specially prepared, egg-

NEHAL NAYAR

P

rints Valley, a clothing brand from the Pink City seeks to bring the timeless culture of Indian Handcrafted Clothing and also vibrant prints. As a brand, they constitute to men, women and kids’ wear, and specialising in printed men shirts.

The brand will be launching its ‘Ikkat Tribe’ collection post the Diwali festival, focusing on a wide range of Ikkat prints. The team at Prints Valley has always ensured that the product range gives the customer the kind of confidence they require.

Owner of Prints Valley, Shankar Rawat stated, “Each product goes through extensive experimentations and quality checks before it finally reaches the customer. We work closely with our artisans to create unique hand block prints that are made using natural organic dyes making the garment skin-friendly and durable.” nehal.nayar@firstindia.co.in

Shankar Rawat

less. We have thoroughly used some of the Indian spices and ingredients like saffron, cardamom, black cardamom, coconut, rose water, dry fruits, cinnamon, khus-khus, etc. To serve a variety of flavours to the food lovers, we will also serve OvenSpecial Pizza, Garlic Bread and Potato Buns with the desserts.”

—City First

Jagdeesh Chandra greeted Senior Editor Syed Umar on his birthday on 11th November, Wednesday. Seen here during the cake cutting are special guests Kriti Garg and Yasheel Pandel along with the entire First India family.

DURING THE DAY!

RAJ: Youth Congress leader Sagar Sharma met and interacted with Congress workers while on his visit to Gram Panchayats Sadapur, Bidla, Dhanma, Kushayta, Naya Gaon and Undri in Kekri on Wednesday.

Mayank Gopaliya

VALLEY Envision X Vendesto

OF PRINTS

Rishee Miglani

CITY FIRST

T

he two-day event, ’Envision X Vendesto’ organised by the Department of Commerce in collaboration with the Department of Management started on Monday, 9 November, in the virtual presence of Jesuit authorities, faculties, guests and the students. The event deliberated over the new challenges that people are encountering on the virtual platform that has become pervasive in the postCovid world. Arjun Deshpande, founder and CEO of Generic Aadhaar, a philanthropist and an innovator, hooked the aspiring minds with his riveting talk on relieving oneself from the pressure from

parents, peers and society and focusing on what lies within to ignite one’s spark and passion.

The fest provided a great learning curve for the students, besides doubling up as a vessel of fond memories. This year was extra special as students from haloed educational institutions such as Narsi Monjee, Manipal, SKIT, DU, Amity, JKLU, Bhowanipore, Maharani, Mithibai and our very own St Xavier’s, Nevta, participated in the event. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

RAJ: Babu Bazaar link road was seen bright with the Deepawali Lighting on Tuesday.

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

GUJ: To celebrate the Diwali festival uniquely, members of ‘Seva ej Jivan’ distributed food and clothes to needy people on Wednesday at Chanakyapuri area of Ahmedabad city. —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI During the session

BUZZ!

HAPPY B’DAY!

RAJ: Computerbased test for the vacant posts of Station Controller/Train Operator is being conducted by Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation on Thursday, 26 November from 02 pm to 04 pm at various examination centres in Jaipur. In the upcoming days, the hall ticket will be released on the Jaipur Metro website. Candidates should visit Jaipur Metro’s website for the information issued in this subject from time to time.

IPS (RAJ) Dr Amrita Duhan celebrated her birthday on 11 November, Wednesday.

We wish her all the best!

GUJ: After five days of maintenance, Seaplane Services resumed for citizens from Sabarmati RiverFront to Kevadiya Statue of unity on Wednesday.

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI