First India-Ahmedabad Edition-14 October 2020

AHMEDABAD l WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00

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RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208 l Vol 1 l Issue No. 319

FARM REFORMS WILL TURN FARMERS INTO ENTREPRENEURS, SAYS MODI

RAHUL GANDHI HIGHLIGHTS CASTE DISCRIMINATION IN UP

OUR EDITIONS: JAIPUR & AHMEDABAD 22°C - 37°C

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DEBATE ON SECULARISM HEATS UP ONCE AGAIN!

Letter war between Maha Guv & Social media taunts force Tanishq CM on meaning of secularism to pullback inter-faith marriage ad Opening of religious places issue: ‘Don’t need your certificate’, Uddhav replies to Governor’s ‘have you turned secular’ jibe Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has informed Governor BS Koshyari that a decision on reopening places of religious worship will be taken after careful consideration of the COVID-19 situation in the state.

Responding to a letter

by Koshyari a day earlier, Thackeray on Tuesday wrote to the Governor, saying the state government will consider his request to reo-

Uddhav Thackeray and BS Koshyari.

pen these places.

In his letter, Koshyari had mentioned that he has received three rep-

AMIT SHAH ON 2-DAY GUJARAT VISIT

—FILE PHOTO

resentations from delegations demanding that places of religious worship be reopened.

In the letter to the chief minister, Koshyari had asked, “Have you suddenly turned secular?” Responding to this question, Thackeray wondered if to Koshyari Hindutva meant merely reopening places of religious worship and if not opening them was to him being secular. “Isn’t secularism a key component of the Constitution, by which you swore while taking oath as the state governor,” Thackeray said.

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New Delhi: Jewellery brand Tanishq on Tuesday withdrew its ad showing an interfaith family following a sharp backlash on social media with some accusing the company of promoting love jihad’ and fake secularism’.

The company’s move prompted intense debate on social media and elsewhere, just as the ad to promote its jewellery collection Ekatvam (oneness) had deepened faultlines since its re-

IMF slashes India’s growth forecast, predicts record slump Indian economy to bounce back with 8.8% growth in 2021; contract by 10.3% in 2020 says IMF

Ahmedabad: Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Gujarat on Tuesday ahead of bypolls to eight Assembly seats in the state. He was welcomed at the airport here in the afternoon by state BJP chief CR Paatil, state minister Pradeepsinh Jadeja and the party’s city unit chief Jagdish Panchal. Shah is expected to stay in the state for two days and may review poll preparations of his party.

Bypolls are scheduled for November 3 while counting of votes will take place on November 10.

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3 MINOR DALITS SISTERS ATTACKED WITH ACID IN UP Lucknow: Three sisters suffered burn injuries allegedly when someone poured a chemical on them while they were sleeping on the roof of their house in Paksa village, police said on Tuesday.

The three are undergoing treatment at the district hospital and they are out of danger, according to doctors. Superintendent of Police Shailesh Kumar Pandey said the incident took place on Monday night when they were sleeping on the roof of their house. An unknown person poured a chemical on the eldest girl Khusbu (17) and some of it fell on her younger sisters -- Komal (7) and Muskaan (5) -- who were also sleeping with her.

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Washington: The Indian economy, severely hit by the coronavirus pandemic, is projected to contract by a massive 10.3% this year, International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday.

However, India is likely to bounce back with an impressive 8.8% growth rate in 2021, thus regaining the position of the fastest growing emerging economy, surpassing China’s projected growth rate of 8.2 per cent, the IMF said in its latest ‘World Economic Outlook’ report.

Released ahead of the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank, the report said global growth would contract by 4.4 per cent this year and bounce back to 5.2 per cent in 2021. America’s economy is projected to contract by 5.8 per cent in 2020 and grow by 3.9 per cent the next year, the

IMF said. China is the only country, among the major economies, to show a positive growth rate of 1.9 per cent in 2020, it said.

The IMF in its report said that revisions to the forecast are particularly large for India, where Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracted much more severely than expected in the second quarter.

“As a result, the economy is projected to con-

tract by 10.3 per cent in 2020, before rebounding by 8.8 per cent in 2021,” it said.

According to the IMF, India is among those likely to suffer the greatest damage from global warming, reflecting its initially high temperatures. For India, the net gains from climate change mitigation-relative to inaction-would be up to 60-80 per cent of GDP by 2100.

lease last week.

The 43 second commercial, which led to the hashtag #BoycottTanishq trending on Twitter, shows a preg-

nant woman being led to her bridal shower, a Hindu custom called godh bharai’, by a woman who viewers later realise is her

mother-in-law.

The young woman, in a sari and bindi, addresses the older one, in a salwar kurta and a dupatta covering her head, as Ma’ and asks, But you don’t celebrate this custom? The mother responds saying, the tradition of keeping daughters happy is there in every home. Setting the scene of a composite family, a woman in a hijab, people in saris and a man in a skullcap can be seen in the backdrop.

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Parl panel to visit Ladakh on Oct 28-29 amid border tension New Delhi: A group of parliamentarians is set to visit the Ladakh sector to get first-hand insights into aspects related to high-altitude clothing for soldiers, housing and rations at a time when India and China are locked in a border row and efforts to reduce friction have made no headway, officials familiar with the developments said Tuesday.

The members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), headed by Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, are likely to visit Leh on October 28-29, the officials said.

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LADAKH UT ILLEGALLY SET: CHINA After 44 new bridges in border areas were opened

by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, China, in a sharp reaction, said that it “does not recognize the Ladakh Union Territory illegally set up by India” and opposes infrastructure building in the region. Zhao Lijian, spokesman China’s Foreign Ministry, also called border infra development “the root cause for tension between the two sides”.

Polls to 11 Rajya Sabha seats in UP, Uttarakhand on November 9 New Delhi: Elections to 10 Rajya Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh and one in Uttarakhand, falling vacant next month, will be held on November 9, the poll panel announced on Tuesday.

The notification for the elections will be is-

sued on October 20, the EC said.

Union minister Hardeep Puri, Arun Singh and Neeraj Shekhar (BJP), Chandrapal Yadav, Ram Gopal Yadav, Ram Prakash Verma and Javed Ali Khan (SP), Rajaram and Veer Singh (BSP), and

Panna Lal Punia (Cong) from UP are retiring on Nov 25. Actor-politician Raj Babbar’s (Cong) term as RS MP from Uttarakhand also ends on Nov 25. Counting of votes will take place on Nov 9 evening after polling concludes.

—Agencies

ALL TALK AND NO ACTION?

SOP VIOLATION: Will there be consequences for bypoll candidates or not?

After BJP nominees violate protocol, it remains to be seen whether Chief Electoral Officer S Murali Krishna will crackdown on such practices Haresh Jhala Gandhinagar: The first day of political campaigning by candidates of the upcoming state assembly by-elections saw several violations of the COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

by candidates of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday.

When the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S Murali Krishna was apprised of the violations, he assured that suitable action will be taken against party candidates and work-

SUBSIDY ON MILK POWDER EXPORT Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced financial aid of Rs50 per kg on milk powder to dairy cooperatives on export on Tuesday. State cooperative dairies have a huge stock of 90,000 metric tonnes with a market value of around Rs1,850 crore. With the aid, the state government aims to help people remain active in the animal husbandry sector.

(L) Party members not adhering to social distancing at Karjan candidate Akshay Patel’s event, (R) The gathering at Abdasa’s Pradyumansinh Jadeja’s meeting.

ers who breached the SOP prescribed for all campaign activities for the bypolls. Even though Krishna has said that he will take action, it remains to be

seen whether the CEO will follow through on his word or not.

In view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Election Commission of India had

announced a SOP, to be followed by electoral candidates and their party members. According to the norms, participants of all political events have to maintain a minimum of six feet distance between two persons. The maximum limit of any event has been set at 200 people or 50% of the venue’s capacity. Also, only five vehicles have been allowed to take part in roadshows.

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AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020

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Confident nominees say winning will ensure that the govt prioritizes their constituencies’ issues

FOUR BJP CANDIDATES

First India bureau

Gandhinagar: Four of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s candidates have filed their candidature from their respective constituencies ahead of the bypolls slated to be held next month. Veteran leaders and workers of the party joined the candidates in inaugurating their election offices.

The party’s candi-

FILE NOMINATION PAPERS

date Pradyumansinh Jadeja filed his papers in Abdasa seat, as did dummy candidate Jaysukh Dayani. Similarly, JV Kakadia and his dummy candidate— his wife Kokilaben Kakadiya—filed their nomination papers in Dhari, while Akshay Patel did so in Karjan

and Vijay Patel followed suit in Dang. All four candidates said they were confident of winning their respective seats.

Hundreds of workers enthusiastically attended meetings at the election office of each candidate.

When Kakadiya

was asked about his poll chances, he said, “If I was not confident enough, I would not have demanded a BJP ticket from Dhari seat. The party will regain this seat from Congress with a good margin. Once I get elected from this

BJP candidate for Karjan Akshay Patel took out a rally after filing his candidacy papers on Tuesday.

seat, I plan to take up pending work of the constituency.”

Karjan candidate Akshay Patel sounded even more confident.

He claimed, “This time the victory margin will be more than 20,000 votes. My constituency’s work has already started get-

ting addressed by the state government.

Years-old dues of Rs25 crore was released to the sugar factory by the state government.

I will try to address other pending issues in the remaining two years.”

However, local residents have a different

view.

One voter said, “Last time, we had voted for the Congress candidate, this time we may vote for BJP candidate with the hope that our pending works will be addressed. However, if Akshay Patel fails, the party will

certainly suffer a setback in 2022.”

Abdasa candidate Pradyumansinh is also positive that the government will prioritize his constituency once he is elected to the state Assembly.

He is not worried that the caste equation— he is a Rajput in a Patel-dominated constituency—will go against him. “The party’s image and Patel leaders’ influence will work in my favour,” he said.

BJP candidate for Dhari JV Kakadiya, at the launch of his election office on Tuesday.

Cong opposes plan to discard Poll vault: When 128 youths computers from govt-run schools ‘bought’ bypoll forms for Morbi First India Bureau

Party’s chief spokesperson Manish Doshi says the state’s decision could affect online learning First India Bureau Ahmedabad: The Congress party has strongly opposed the government’s decision to discard computers from as many as 10,000 state-run schools on the grounds that many of these have not even been unpacked. The opposition party’s chief spokesperson has accused the government of further practising corruption by hiring agencies to dispose of these computer systems as ewaste. In addition, he

Manish Doshi

says discarding the computers would affect online learning, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Doshi also pointed out that the government had hired agencies to buy these computers in the first place. He said that hundreds of computers were still lying in their original packaging since the state had not hired

enough computer teachers to make computer laboratories in all the schools operational.4 “The state held exams for computer teachers and hundreds of youths had cleared those exams, but they never got an opportunity to use their knowledge to teach students,” he said, adding, “Now, the government has decided to

dump these computers at a time when the state is promoting online education. There are thousands of students who do not have access to smartphones and computers to take advantage of online teaching.

These computers could have been put to good use. Instead, the state has preferred to sell them as e-waste.”

Doshi said that Dr Manmohan Singh had introduced computer teaching back in 2011 under the UPA-2 regime and had allocated huge funds for purchasing computers under the Sarva Shikshan Abhiyan. “The state government had indulged in corruption during purchase and now is doing the same in the name of discarding e-waste by hiring agencies of their favourites and making money from the process,” he alleged.

Morbi: After 100 unemployed youths acquired nomination forms for the upcoming state legislative assembly by-elections for the Limbdi constituency on Monday, in a similar move, 128 youngsters picked up candidature forms for Morbi constituency on Tuesday.

While it is clear that the manoeuvre is a protest, it is uncertain whether it is a demand for jobs or some kind of political strategy.

The youngsters arrived at the Deputy Collector’s office in the morning and started their demonstration.

When the office opened for the day, they proceeded to buy forms for the by-election. It is interesting to note that the two constituencies targeted by the protestors are the ones where

the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has had a tough time getting its candidates elected.

Led under the banner of the Shikshit Yuva Berozgar Samiti, the agitation has been going on for the last few months.

Members have demanded jobs from the

state. While a few of them have cleared exams and are awaiting appointment orders, others are meritorious and yet not on the merit list.

Elaborating on the step taken by the Samiti, its leader Dinesh Bambhaniya alleged, “There were no other

options left. When they were protesting in Gandhinagar, all the police did was file cases against them, and even tap their phones. I feel that this was the only choice to draw the attention of the state government and the people to the plight of unemployed youngsters.”

Unemployed youngsters protesting outside the Deputy Collector’s office in Morbi on Tuesday.

GUJARAT AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020

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Amit Shah arrives to help BJP decide Limbdi candidate

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LIGHTING THE WAY

Party announced Kiritsinh Rana’s nomination hours after Union minister landed First India Bureau Gandhinagar: After state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seemed unable to make a decision regarding the candidature of the Limbdi constituency for the upcoming state legislative assembly byelections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah landed in Ahmedabad on Tuesday afternoon, presumably to hold meetings and help the party leaders land on a candidate. The strategy worked, with the party announcing Kiritsinh Rana as its Limbdi candidate late Tuesday evening.

Interestingly, the Congress party’s former president Rahul Gandhi is expected to visit the state before the end of this month, perhaps in the same week as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit.

According to political sources, Shah postponed his visit to the state due to the by-elections.

Though there is no official word from the party, he may conduct meetings with party leaders and decide on the candidate for the Limbdi seat.

Even after holding the BJP state parliamentary board meeting for the past two consecutive

RAGA TO COME CALLING

A worker inserts a new bulb in a lamp on Ahmedabad’s historic Ellis Bridge (now renamed as the Swami Vivekanand Bridge); miscreants have stolen seven of them in the past two months.

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

Shah greets well-wishers from inside a car as he heads out of the Ahmedabad airport on Tuesday. —PHOTOS BY HANIF SINDHI

days, the ruling party has not declared its candidate for the Limbdi constituency yet. It is presumably because caste equations are making it difficult for the party to zero in on a candidate, because Congress has strong candidates from the Koli and

Rajput communities.

Not wanting to take any chances, the ruling party is waiting for Congress to declare its candidature for the seat. If the opposition selects a Koli candidate, then the BJP will go with a Rajput candidate and vice versa.

While Koli communi-

ty leader Parshottam Solanki has demanded a ticket for his brother Hirabhai Solanki, the latter has claimed that he is completely unaware about the request and will comply with the party’s final call.

Sources said that Shah may also address

party workers through virtual rallies before his departure. On Tuesday morning, BJP state unit president CR Patil and Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had a meeting where they addressed virtual campaigns in all the eight assembly constituencies up for polls.

MLA Jagdish Panchal, ACS Sangeeta Singh, BJP state unit chief CR Patil, Ahmedabad Mayor Bijal Patel, MoS (Home) Pradipsinh Jadeja and BJP leader Bhikhu Dalsaniya were among those present to greet Union Home Minister Amit Shah on his arrival in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

Minor raped, 2 women named in the complaint First India Bureau

Veraval: In what could be the first such instance, two women have been named in a rape complaint filed on behalf of a minor girl with the Kodinar police station. The women’s role is as yet unclear.

Two of the accused are relatives of the victim.

The Kodinar Police Station Officer told First India that, according to the complaint filed late on Monday evening, a minor girl was raped a month ago at a farmhouse by one Pravinsinh Zala. Yusufa Aagarkha, Rehematben Aagarkha and Leelaben Vaghela have also been accused in the case.

Yusufa and Rehematben, who are relatives

of the victim, had promised to get the girl—who lives with her grandmother in Kodinar’s Madhuvan Society—a job at the farmhouse, where she was raped.

The complaint also revealed that one of the accused, Rehematben, was a tenant at the house of Leelaben, another accused. The two alleged ran a

AMC spent at least `1.32 cr nCoV shuts doors of Pavagadh and for Namaste Trump event Mata no Madh temples this Navratri First India Bureau

Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation in a reply to an RTI application has revealed that it spent Rs1.32 crore for the Namaste Trump event held when US President Donald Trump visited the city in February— and that’s not counting flowers or beautification.

As per the RTI, the AMC spent Rs26,25,000 to purchase bottles of drinking water, at a cost of about Rs26 per bottle.

Interestingly, these are the same bottles that retail at Rs16 each. Yet, despite buying in bulk, the civic body has spent Rs10

—FILE PHOTO

First India Bureau

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US First Lady Melania Trump and US President Donald Trump at Gandhi Ashram during the latter’s visit in February, for which the Namaste Trump event had been organized.

extra for each bottle.

Similarly, it spent Rs96,53,888 for sanitation at the Motera Stadium, for which it also hired 3,032 sweepers on contract for a few days.

Another major expenditure seems to be camera and lights in

and around the stadium.

For these, the AMC has shelled out Rs9,55,072.

Leader of Opposition Dinesh Sharma said, “Public funds were misused for political gain— that too for an event that benefited neither the state nor the nation.”

Gandhinagar: Thousands of devotees turn up each year during Navratri to seek the blessings of Lord Mahakali at Pavagadh and Ashapura at Mata no Madh in Kutch.

This year, however, trustees of both temples have decided to shut their doors for the entire nine-day festival. While the temples will remain closed to devotees from October 16, trustees have created a facility for online darshan.

The state has conducted 50,993 tests in the past 24 hours and detected 1,158 new cases. Ten pa-

1,158 cases, 10 fatalities take state tally to 1,53,923 cases, toll to 3,587

Pavagadh typically sees thousands of devotees during Navratri.

tients died: three each from Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara and one from Mahisagar. There are now 15,209 active cases, with 82 patients on ventilators.

Surat again registered the highest number of new cases with

248. Of these, 169 were from the city and 79 were from the rural areas. Ahmedabad district had 177 new cases, of which 163 were from the city.

Vadodara conducted 4,163 tests, of which 124 came back positive.

Other cases emerged in Rajkot (109), Jamnagar (100), Mehsana (41), Gandhinagar and Junagadh (34 each), Panchmahal (27), Bharuch (26), Morbi and Sabarkantha (22 each), and Amreli and Surendranagar (19 each).

In Ahmedabad, the Mithakali branch of the State Bank of India was sealed by the Municipal Corporation for violating social distancing norms.

brothel at this house.

The police raided the house and arrested the two women. They were later released on bail.

The minor girl’s grandmother, who filed the complaint, has alleged that Zala used his local political connections and took the help of the three women and raped the victim at his farmhouse.

Mamlatdar files case against husband First India Bureau Surat: A complaint of dowry harassment and domestic violence has been filed by a female mamlatdar against a joint commissioner in Bhavnagar.

The mamlatdar has accused her husband Mihir Rayka and his mother Surekha Rayka of demanding dowry and of physical violence. The husband’s family has filed a counter complaint against mamlatdar Dipal, her father and brother. Dipal has stated in her complaint that her husband accused her of bringing COVID-19 into the house to kill his mother and kids.

BOON OF KNOWLEDGE

Reusable sanitary pads distributed to 200 girls in A’bad Menstrual hygiene campaign aims to educate and create awareness among 12,000 girls First India Bureau Ahmedabad: As a part of a charity campaign for menstrual hygiene education among underprivileged school girls, reusable cloth sanitary pad kits were distributed among 200 underprivileged girls at a municipal school in Bapunagar area of Ahmedabad

on Tuesday.

The event was planned by TGB Charity, along with Unipads India Pvt Ltd and Saath Charitable Trust, Ahmedabad, as a part of their campaign to educate underprivileged school girls on menstrual hygiene management. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, due care to en-

sure the use of face masks, social distancing, and hand sanitization was taken at the venue.

An interactive session was also held to educate school girls aware about the right menstrual hygiene practices and busting myths and taboos around periods. Leaflets in local language

The girls pose with the reusable sanitary napkins.

with information about menstrual hygiene management were also handed to them along with the sanitary pad kits. The kits will help the girls manage their menstrual hygiene for a year.

“Menstrual hygiene is an important aspect of the health and wellbeing of girls. Unfortunately, due to lack of right education, awareness or financial issues, these school girls, especially those belonging to financially weaker

sections are unable to give menstrual hygiene the importance it merits. We aim to reach out to 12,000 underprivileged girls in semi-urban, rural and tribal areas of the state as a part of this campaign in the next four months,” said Geeta Solanki, Founder, Unipads India Private Limited.

Under the campaign, multiple events, each targeting 50-200 adolescent girls, will be organized at different places

in the state. “We have already covered 1,000 girls in the last three weeks, will reach out to 5,000 more in the second phase, and 6,000 more in the third phase in the next four months,” she added.

In addition to slum pockets in various parts of Ahmedabad city, the campaign will cover villages in the vicinity of Ahmedabad, villages near Rajkot, and villages in Sabarkantha, Dahod, Banaskantha, and other places.

PERSPECTIVE AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020

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IN-DEPTH

KOSHYARI SPARKS A POLITICAL ROW

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hagat Singh Koshyari, the governor of Maharashtra who grabbed headlines for swearing-in Devendra Fadnavis at 5.47 a.m. in November last year, has raised the hackles of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government of Uddhav Thackeray with his sarcasm-laced letter to the chief minister giving a Hindutva twist to the continued closure of religious places in the state.

At a time when the state continues to top the country’s Covid-19 tally with 15, 35, 315 cases Koshyari “requested” the CM to order “forthwith the reopening of places of worship” with Covid precautions.

He said it was ironic that pubs, restaurants, and beaches are open but gods and goddesses continue to be in lockdown. In a sarcastic comment, Koshyari asked Uddhav Thackeray if he received “any divine premonition to keep postponing the reopening of places of worship time and again or have you turned ‘secular’ yourself, a term you hated?”

The letter invited an immediate riposte from the CM. “You said I am getting divine premonitions?

Maybe you get them, but I am not so big.” And in an equally sarcastic jibe, he alluded to Kangana Ranaut’s meeting with the governor. “Inviting people who call Mumbai PoK with smiles does not fall into my definition of Hindutva,” Thackeray wrote back.

It is not Maharashtra alone where liquor sale began much before religious places were allowed to let devotees in. In Uttar Pradesh, temples, mosques, and other religious places were allowed to open in June whereas curbs on liquor shops were lifted in May. States have to choose between economic health and people’s health, a tough choice.

DUTIES TO ENSURE RIGHTS: SOME REFLECTIONS MEENAKSHI HOOJA The writer is a Retd IAS officer and former Member, Central Administrative Tribunal

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AAP BLAMES CENTRE FOR AIR POLLUTION

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onths of lockdown may have crippled the economy and left thousands jobless, but the restriction on movement helped the environment recover its health.

With no motor vehicles plying for a long period, air quality improved all over the country.

During the lockdown, air pollution dipped by 79 percent. But as winters approach, rising pollutants in the air have begun to make breathing difficult for people in Delhi and other northern states. The culprit, besides vehicular traffic, is again “paraali”, the stubble of crops, the burning of which by farmers in Haryana and Punjab has left Delhiites choking. Already, the Delhi air quality has turned “very poor”.

Stubble burning has been a contentious issue over the years with no solution seemingly in sight.

It has again led to a political row with the Aam Admi Party government blaming the Centre and the Central Pollution Control Board for not doing enough to fight pollution. Delhi’s Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged the states to work together to find a solution to the problem and stop blaming each other.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, “Pollution, especially that related to stubble burning, is not an issue for Delhi alone. It is an issue for entire North India. Unfortunately, the central government did not do anything to resolve it.”

Delhi government’s much-criticised odd-even formula was aimed at curbing air pollution. It met with little success. Now the agriculture research institute at Pusa is understood to have found a formula to turn stubble into manure. Also, the Central government should play a more active role on this issue.

Abraham Lincoln brought out the limits of freedom and rights when saying “your freedom ends where my nose begins.” conveying very articulately that rights and freedoms come with reasonable restrictions. This concept has found a place in our Constitution as well, as also in judicial judgments

ince the beginning of human civilization people have needed to do defined work. They work at home, in workplaces, and in socio-economic and political organisations to earn a living, to run their families and homes, and be well-regarded members of the community. As societies grew complex, specialisation in production and trade increased along with mutual interdependence. A cozy little world, a self-contained habitat, if ever there was one, continued only in imagination and perhaps a dream.

With increasing travel and transport facilities, the exchange of goods and services became easier. Today they take place on the electronic and internet system and the choices are ever-increasing. Television and social media give us instant reports of any activity that may have a local context, but now it has potential for worldwide impact. What we do has become very important.

While the concept of doing your duty has always been there, the concept of rights, especially for those not having the direct reigns of power, grew with the evolution of democracy and the various revolutions and struggles for freedom and liberty. The recognition of the fact that workers, labour, the agriculturalists and more so women and children have rights and entitlement grew. This body of thought expressed itself through various ideologies and got incorporated into the many written and unwritten Constitutions across the world.

Rights, and now the concept of entitlement has a considerable following and is now sought to be enforced with vigour to ensure justice and fair play. The constitution itself provides for fundamental rights which encompass and safeguard many things including basic freedoms and liberty, right to equality, right to religion, protection against ex-

ploitation, etc. Moreover, a number of laws, based on these guiding principles, have further provided for special protection of rights including human rights, women’s rights, child rights, consumer rights, right to food security, the right to education, etc. when there is a shortcoming or negligence in fulfilling these rights, individuals and groups can approach the Judiciary.

Abraham Lincoln brought out the limits of freedom and rights when saying “your freedom ends where my nose begins.” conveying very articulately that rights and freedoms come with reasonable restrictions. This concept has found a place in our Constitution as well, as also in judicial judgments.

At the same time, we need to look and think at another dimension of rights and duties As individuals, we have rights in one field and duties in another. And if one person does his/her duty, only then can another get his/her rights. For example, if the train comes on time and the Railways perform their duties, do I get my right to travel on time and reach my destination comfortably. My right to education is fulfilled only when a committed teacher takes classes as per schedule.

My right as a consumer to eat healthy fruits and vegetables

THE CONCEPT OF DOING YOUR DUTY HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE, THE CONCEPT OF RIGHTS, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE NOT HAVING THE DIRECT REIGNS OF POWER, GREW WITH THE EVOLUTION OF DEMOCRACY AND THE VARIOUS REVOLUTIONS AND STRUGGLES FOR FREEDOM AND LIBERTY

depends largely on the chain of producers and sellers who ensure that the food meets prescribed norms. Even my right to life depends on the way others drive. These examples may appear simple and obvious but what they bring out is a very significant point that the rights of one person say ‘X’ derive from the duties performed by me and others. The duties we perform will generate the right for others. This intricate linkage becomes more complex in a society where there is an ex-

China’s image problem is worsening globally

A

s the increasingly virulent anti-China rhetoric has made clear in recent months, China has not been very popular in countries like the US and Australia for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

But new research shows just how extensive China’s image problem is at the moment.

Recent surveys conducted by the Pew Research Centre show a majority of people in 14 advanced economies now hold an unfavourable view of China.

In nine of these countries, including the US, UK, Australia, South Korea and Germany, negative views of China have reached their highest level since Pew began polling in these countries more than a decade ago.

In Australia, 81% of re

04

spondents said they viewed China unfavourably, up 24 percentage points from last year, while in the UK, 74% had negative views of China, up 19 points. Sweden (85%) and the Netherlands (73%) also showed dramatic spikes, rising more than 30 percentage points from 2017.

A MORE ASSERTIVE DIPLOMATIC APPROACH Significantly, the survey suggests that perceptions of how China has handled the pandemic heavily influenced people’s views of the country.

As the pandemic has devastated economies and cost millions of lives around the world, it is understandable for people to feel resentment and anger towards China, regardless of whether it is reasonable or not.

Moreover, these unfavour-

able views might persist for some time, because it is human nature to remember negative things more strongly and in greater detail than positive things.

However, these negative views of China might not be solely attributable to its handling of the crisis.

China’s diplomats have

also become increasingly assertive in response to questions about the origins of the virus, pushing back with a so-called “wolf warrior diplomacy”.

The Pew survey should be a warning call for the Chinese government to reflect on its foreign policy practices, especially if

China envisages pursuing more of an international leadership role in a postpandemic world.

EMPHASIS ON MUTUAL RESPECT There are three lessons Chinese diplomats might want to consider.

The first lesson is that

good diplomacy is built on mutual respect. And China can earn respect from the world through persuasion — not coercion and propaganda.

For example, an open letter recently sent to Indian media by the Chinese embassy in New Delhi regarding their coverage of Taiwan backfired spectacularly, with India’s Ministry of External Affairs saying there is a free media in India, that reports on issues that they see fit.

It is true some foreign media have biased and even distorted reports about China. But instead of trying to censor reports they see as biased, Chinese diplomats should instead make counterarguments, ideally in the same media outlets. Let the audience make a judgement call.

SOURCE: THE CONVERSATION

change of innumerable goods and services.

Thus we all need to be aware that this complex direct and indirect linkage between rights and duties give us basic thought and insight for taking action.

While rights are sought against the action of the State and its various Departments and personnel or in the case of consumers against producers, it is very important to ask ourselves the question whether I am doing my duty as a citizen or not.

Am I littering the street, am I charging a higher price just because the consumer in front of me is unable to assert herself, am I wasting food at a marriage dinner, am I crossing the speed limits? By following some rules I can then expect to have the moral right that others in various professions will also follow the rules and perform their duties. If we as citizens, think and act along these lines then a substantial amount of rights can get enforced, and the burden on the State and its various arms will greatly reduce and the more serious cases of neglect and violation will get the time and attention they deserve.

My duty is your right. When you do your duty I get my rights. Realising and following this benefits to us as individuals and society as a whole.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Top

TWEET Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp With a thrust on development of basic infrastructure for water supply, sewerage & septage management, storm water drainage, green spaces & parks and non-motorized urban transport, `1,599 crores has been sanctioned for Odisha under the scheme’s State Annual Action Plans (SAAP).

Anand Sharma @AnandSharmaINC Shocked at the controversy triggered by a beautiful #tanishq ad in which a mother in law’s acceptance and love for her daughter in law has been attacked, is most distressing. The bigots have taken hate ludicrous extreme.

Spiritual SPEAK

If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

—Proverbs 18:13

Vol 1 Issue No. 319 RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208. Printed and published by Anita Hada Sangwan on behalf of First Express Publishers. Printed at Bhaskar Printing Planet Survey No.148P, Changodar-Bavla Highway, Tal. Sanand, Dist. Ahmedabad.

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

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INDIA AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020

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05

HATHRAS RAPE CASE: THE CBI TEAM TRIED TO UNDERSTAND IF VICTIM RAISED AN ALARM, AND DID ANYONE HEAR HER VOICE AND WHO SAW HER FIRST

CBI records statements, recreates crime scene Lucknow: A team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the alleged gang rape and murder of 19-year-old Dalit woman on Tuesday visited the crime scene at the Boolgarhi village here and recorded the statements of her family members separately.

The CBI team also took her elder brother along with them to record his statement at the district agriculture office.

The CBI, which registered a case of alleged gang rape and murder of the Hathras victim on Sunday.

The CBI team then brought the mother and brother of the victim at

the corn field where the alleged gang rape and attack took place on September 19.

According to sources, the CBI team first called the brother of the victim to the crime scene and tried to recreate the scene.

The CBI team did the mapping of the field where the crime happened on September 14 and also tried to ascertain who all were present and at how much distance.

The CBI team also tried to understand if the victim raised an alarm for help, and did anyone hear her voice and who saw the victim first in the farm field.

Earlier in the day, be-

TIGHT SECURITY

A

The CBI team reached the village under tight security.

fore the arrival of the CBI team, the mother of the victim was taken to hospital after she complained of uneasiness.

However, when she returned from hospital she was taken to the

crime scene and the CBI team tried to reconstruct the scene on the basis of her statement.

The CBI team also got the videography of the entire sequence of the crime scene on the ba-

sis of the revelations made by the brother and the mother.

The CBI team also carried out search operations in the field where the crime took place for a few hours to

RaGa highlights caste discrimination in UP New Delhi: Sharing a clip which highlights the caste-divide in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras, where a Dalit woman was allegedly gangraped and murdered, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday urged the people to bring a change.

The video shot in Hathras, in West Uttar Pradesh, showcases men and women from different communities in the village, recounting their battles with the caste system.

"This video is for those who are running away from the truth.

When we change, the country will change," Gandhi tweeted.

Meanwhile, the Allahabad High Court on Monday gave next date

of hearing in the Hathras incident case, Aditional Advocate General VK Shahi had said.

"The Court will give a decision. The next date of hearing is November 2, 2020," Shahi said.

"Right now saying anything about the case will be premature. The court has listened to all the people related to court and the matter is sub judice," added Shahi.

The family of the Hathras victim, Home Secretary, Uttar Pradesh government, DGP, among others had appeared before the Court on Monday. —ANI

find out if any evidence was left behind.

The CBI team stayed at the crime scene for more than two and half hours and then reached the spot where the body of the victim was cre-

mated in the absence of family members.

CBI team then once again called the brother of victim and the forensic team collected the ashes from the spot.

The CBI team also did

the photography of the cremation spot and surrounding areas and then reached the house of the victim's family in the village.

After reaching the home of victim's family, the CBI team recorded the statement of the family members separately. After which, they left the village along with the elder brother of the victim to further record his statement.

The CBI team, which has been camping in Hathras for the last two days after registering the case, has collected all case-related documents from Uttar Pradesh Police along with medical records of the victim. —Agencies

ANTI-TERRORIST DRILL

‘Ensure proper prices for farmers’ paddy crop’ Lucknow: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra requested the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure proper procurement prices for the paddy crop of farmers in the state otherwise her party will launch an agitation.

She alleged that the paddy was being procured for as low as Rs 1,200 per quintal in the state, and that too

happening at abysmally low prices.

"Uttar Pradesh's paddy farmers are very distressed. Paddy procurement is happening at a very low rate," Vadra said in the tweet. —ANI

Indian Army troops take part in a drill practice as Agnibaaz Division organized a joint antiterrorist exercise for Army personnel and Maharashtra Police, at Lullanagar in Pune on Tuesday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

IN THE COURTYARD Rajnath Singh, Narendra Singh Tomar hold talks Media freely commenting on pending 'Bad Boy Billionaires' with agriculture experts cases amounts to contempt: AG to SC plea adjourned to Nov 6

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh & Minister of Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar during the meeting.

New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister of Ag riculture and Farmer Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar held a meeting on Tuesday with agriculture experts over Farm Laws.

"In Haryana, farmers are really happy with the farm laws as these laws fulfil their long-pending demand that they should be allowed to sell their pro-

duce freely anywhere across the country at the cost they want to sell it," said Mohanji Saxena, Ayurvet Research Foundation, Sonepat.

Meanwhile, Sanjeev Chadha, MD, National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd said that these Acts will provide freedom to farmers to sell their produce anywhere. —ANI

IMD PREDICTS HEAVY RAINFALL IN SEVERAL DISTRICTS OF ODISHA Bhubaneswar: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday issued a Yellow Warning predicting heavy rainfall over the districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Khurda, Puri, Malkangiri, Koraput, Nawarangpur, Kalahandi and Kandhamal. In a forecast valid till 8.30 am on Wednesday, IMD said light to

moderate rain or thundershower is very likely to occur at most places over the districts of south coastal Odisha, at many places over the districts of south Odisha and at a few places over districts of North Odisha. Meanwhile, heavy rains lashed parts of Bhubaneswar, causing waterlogging in several places. —ANI

New Delhi: Attorney General KK Venugopal on Tuesday submitted before the Supreme Court that media comments on pending cases are an attempt to influence judges and their outcome, which is equivalent to contempt of court.

The Centre's top law officer contended before a bench headed by Justice AM Khanwilkar that issues should be clubbed with the questions of law formulated

by SC in 2009 contempt case against advocate Prashant Bhushan. He added that the top court has already upheld that any attempt to influence a sub judice matter will amount to contempt.

The AG said: "Print

Akbar’s case against journo goes to Dist & Sessions court

Attorney General KK Venugopal

and electronic media are freely commenting on pending cases, which is an attempt to influence the outcome of a matter." He added that this amounts to contempt and asked the top court to examine the role of media.

Venugopal emphasised that the trend in media has taken serious proportions these days.

TELANGANA: MAOISTS PUT POSTERS AGAINST TRS GOVT Mulugu: Maoists have allegedly placed wall posters in agency villages in Eturu Nagaram mandal of Mulugu district against the TRS government.

The wall posters are seen in Chinnaboinapalli, Kotthuru and Shapelli villages. The posters read-"TRS government is trying to grab the lands of the people and for the same it is conducting surveys", "KCR is looting the state", "People should not fall prey to his words of betrayal." The posters also claim that the current state government is taking no action but preaching loud. —ANI

New Delhi: A magistrate court sent a defamation case filed by former union minister MJ Akbar against journalist Priya Ramani to a District and Sessions Judge of the Rouse Avenue District Court for passing appropriate directions. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Vishal Pahuja listed Ex Union Min MJ Akbar the matter before a District and Sessions Judge of the Rouse Avenue District Court on October 14 for appropriate orders.

ACMM Pahuja observed that this court would only deal with matters relating to Parliamentarians and legislators. —ANI Citing a plea in connection with a bail matter, he added when a bail plea of an accused is scheduled for hearing, a

TV channel flashes conversations (between accused and someone), which is very damaging to the accused. —ANI

65-YEAR-OLD DALIT MAN 'FORCED TO DRINK URINE' IN UP, 1 HELD Lalitpur: In another case of atrocities on Dalits in Uttar Pradesh that came to light on Monday, a 65-year-old man was allegedly forced to drink urine and beaten up, along with his son, in Lalitpur district last week.

Following a complaint by the victim's family, the main accused has been arrested, while the search

for others involved in the case is on, said police.

Victim Amar, a resident of Roda village in Lalitpur, told ANI one Sonu Yadav forced him to drink his urine a few days ago.

"When I refused, he attacked me with a stick. He also attacked my son with an axe. We then complained against him to the police," Amar said. —ANI

New Delhi: Delhi High Court on Tuesday adjourned to November 6 hearing on a petition filed by businessman and diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who is an accused in the PNB scam, against Netflix's documentary titled "Bad Boy Billionaires".

A division bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Prateek Jalan was hearing the petition against a singlejudge bench order dismissing his plea seeking pre-screening.

Choksi's advocate Vijay Aggarwal, during an earlier hearing, had asked if Netflix is permitted to violate an individual's fundamental rights. Aggarwal has also asked whether Netflix's claim to remain

unregulated and being beyond the jurisdiction of writ courts in India is legal. Appearing for Choksi, advocates Aggarwal, Mudit Jain and Anshul Agarwal had argued that it is a travesty of justice that a person had approached the writ court for protection of his fundamental rights to a fair investigation, which is a facet under Article 21 of Indian Constitution, however, he was relegated to avail his remedies before the civil court. —ANI

SKUCT ALLOCATES `120 CR FOR TEMPLE PREMISES CONSTRUCTION Dehradun: The Shri Kedarnath Utthan Charitable Trust (SKUCT) has allocated Rs 120 crores for the construction work in the temple premises. According to the state’s Tourism Secretary Dilip Jawalkar, the second phase of the construction work with a cost of Rs 120 crores will be completed in Kedarnath Dham, including 50 feet wide walkway, security wall and other works. The SKUCT receives funds for reconstruction work from various PSUs and companies under their corporate social responsibility activities. —ANI

INDIA AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020

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20-25 CR BE VACCINATED BY JULY Approx 200 vaccine candidates are being tried out ‘Corona could co-exist globally for pre-clinical, clinical trial phase: Dr Harsh with seasonal diseases’

New Delhi: Group of ministers (GoM), headed by Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, met on Tuesday to discuss the current national and international scenario of SARS-CoV2 virus and strategies that are to be adopted for availability and distribution of vaccines in the coming days. The 21st GoM meeting was held on Tuesday, after over a month’s gap as the last meeting had taken place on August 30. It was stated that hopefully by July 2021, 400 to 500 million doses of the vaccine will be made available for 20-25 crore people in India.

“Keeping a close pace with the potential availability of vaccine a plan of action on which sections are to be given priority has been discussed. Importantly, it would be monitored through a scientific approach,” Dr Harsh Vardhan said.

Group of ministers, headed by Dr Harsh Vardhan met on Tuesday to discuss current status of SARSCoV2 virus spread and strategies to be adopted for availability alongwith the distribution of vaccines in coming days.

“For this, strategies that have been adopted by the world be it CDC, US are being studied continuously,” the Health Minister added.

“Approximately 200 vaccine candidates are being tried out globally and 151 candidates are at pre-clinical trial phase and around 42 are at clinical trial phase.

Globally there are nine vaccine candidates who are at clinical trial phase II & III among which three are from India,” he said.—ANI

Spike of 55,342 cases & 706 deaths in 24 hrs New Delhi: With a spike of 55,342 new cases and 706 deaths in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 count reached 71,75,881 on Tuesday, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Maharashtra continues to be the worst affected state by COVID-19 in the country.—ANI

‘Sena might contest 40-50 seats in Bihar’ Mumbai: Shiv Sena will contest on 40-50 seats in the Bihar Assembly elections, but no final decision has been taken on pre-poll alliance yet, said party leader Sanjay Raut on Tuesday.

Raut, however, added that talks are ongoing with local parties for an alliance in the state and he will be visiting Patna shortly.

“Shiv Sena will contest 40-50 seats, there is

Sanjay Raut

no talk about alliance with anyone till now. I’ll go to Patna next week.

Local parties, including that of Pappu Yadav, want to talk to us,” Raut

told. However, Raut refused to state anything about talks with its preexisting ally in the Maharashtra government, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), in Bihar. While Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) led Mahagathbandhan comprises Cong and Left parties, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has Janata Dal United (JDU) & Bharatiya Janata Party , among others, in the state. —ANI

New Delhi: The Ministry of Health on Tuesday issued guidelines for the management of co-infection of COVID-19 with other seasonal epidemic-prone diseases. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said, “Seasonal Influenza, Leptospirosis, Chikungunya and Enteric fever. They can coexist with the current COVID-19 pandemic

Pollution, Coronavirus getting lethal for people, says Sisodia

WHO lauds Aarogya Setu app, says it helped identify clusters

New Delhi: Rising pollution levels and the threat of coronavirus have become lethal for people, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said on Tuesday.

“Pollution related to stubble burning, is not an issue for Delhi but entire north India. Central government did not do anything to resolve it. I would like to tell them that they will have to play a role to reduce pollution in north India,” Sisodia said.—ANI

WHO’s Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has lauded the Aarogya Setu App. ‘Aarogya Setu app from India has been downloaded by 150 million users and has helped city public health departments to identify areas where clusters could be anticipated & expand testing in a targeted way. We are only beginning to understand long term impacts among people with Covid-19,’ he added.

Govt transfers Withdraw case against Yogesh Gupta Singh: WB Guv to CM of ED to Delhi Kolkata: Asserting New Delhi : The Centre has transferred Yogesh Gupta, Special Director of ED from Kolkata to New Delhi. “ACC has approved proposal for transfer of Yogesh Gupta, IPS, Special Director of ED from Kolkata to New Delhi as Special Director in the ED and assigning the additional charge of the post of Special Director in the ED, Kolkata to Vivek Wadekar, Special Director (CR) with immediate effect,” the order said.

that WB CM Mamata Banerjee needs to send human rights and Rule of Law friendly signals, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday asked her to withdraw the case against Balvinder Singh, whose turban was allegedly removed by the West Bengal Police.

Dhankar said Singh has been arrested in a case registered under several relevant sections of IPC, Disaster Management, Arms Act,

‘Farm reforms will turn farmers into entrepreneurs’ Mumbai: PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday said his government’s ‘historic’ farm reforms will create opportunities to take farmers to entrepreneurship and added his regime is focused on increasing their income.

Modi was speaking after releasing the autobiography of former Union Minister Balasaheb Vikhe Patil and re-

naming the Pravara Rural Education Society in Ahmednagar district after the Padma Bhushan recipient, via VC. Terming the farm reforms as historic, the prime minister said, “Today opportunities are being created to take farming and farmers from the role of annadata to entrepreneurship.” He said “The governments priority then

video on YouTube read: She is married into a family that loves her like their own child.

Only for her, they go out of their way to celebrate an occasion that they usually don’t. A beautiful confluence of two different religions, traditions, cultures.”

The commercial opened the floodgates of debate and trolling with a flurry of tweets demanding a ban on the advertisement and a boycott of the brand, a Tata product.

Tanishq first disabled comments and likes/dislikes on its ad on YouTube, and on Tuesday withdrew the video altogether. No

was to increase food production. So the entire focus was on in-

creasing production.

Farmers toiled hard to achieve the objective.”

“People forgot about income for farmers. But for the first time, this thinking has been changed,” he said and listed steps the Centre has taken for the welfare of farmers. Modi listed measures taken by his government like implementing and increasing MSP, urea

neem coating and better crop insurance for “doing away worries of farmers.” Modi said microfinance has a special role in economy, adding that under the Centres Mudra Yojana, self-employment possibilities have gone up. Seven crore women of self-help groups have been given loans of over Rs 3 lakh crore, he said.—PTI

reasons were given for dropping the ad.

The removal of the ad led to fresh debate on Twitter with several people, including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor calling out the trolls. “So Hindutva bigots have called for a boycott of TanishqJewelry for highlighting Hindu-Muslim unity through this beautiful ad. If Hindu-Muslim ekatvam irks them so much, why don’t they boycott the longest surviving symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity in the world -- India?” tweeted Tharoor.

The polarisation was evident right since October 9 when the ad was

first released with many people slamming Tanishq for projecting fictional interfaith union and promoting love jihad’, a reference to an alleged campaign by Muslims to convert Hindu girls in the guise of love. And many others lauding it for showing a syncretic, harmonious India.

Nothing but promotion of love jihad #BoycottTanishq,” tweeted former IAS officer and author Sanjay Dixit. As the clamour for the boycott of Tanishq grew, there were many who came out in its support.

Many kudos came its way for “not shying away from addressing

one of the biggest divides” in the nation—PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

and can also pose clinical, laboratory diagnostic issues. Ministry has listed approaches to diagnose suspected co-infection which include, a high index of suspicion for epidemic prone diseases existing during monsoon, post-monsoons.

Co-infections must be suspected in moderate cases of covid not responding to treatment.—ANI

06

POWER Gallery INDIA, CHINA AGREE FOR DISENGAGEMENT

After the seventh round of talks between the Commanders of India and China, both side have agreed to disengage from the east Ladakh LAC. MANOJ KUMAR BHARTI APPOINTED AMBASSADOR TO INDONESIA

Manoj Kumar Bharti, presently Special Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Indonesia. He is a 1988 batch IFS officer.

RAHUL SHRIVASTAVA ACCREDITED AS AMBASSADOR TO ALBANIA

Rahul Shrivastava, presently Ambassador of India to Romania, has been concurrently accredited as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Albania, with residence in Bucharest. He is a 1999 batch IFS officer.

TWO IAS OFFICERS EXCHANGE JOBS IN MP

B Vijay Dutta has been appointed as Collector, Datia and present incumbent Sanjay Kumar was shifted as Deputy Secretary, Secretariat in Madhya Pradesh.

5 IPS GET NEW ASSIGNMENTS IN AP

R K Meena has been appointed as Addl. DGP, Operations (Greyhounds & OCTOPUS), while Dr. Shanka Brata Bagchi was posted as IGP, AP Special Police Battalion and Dr C M Thrivikrama Varma will now be DIG, Guntur Range, Guntur. Similarly, G Vijay Kumar has been posted as Special Secretary, Home Department and Sudheer Kumar Reddy is SP, Vigilance & Enforcement.

GUHATI HC TO GET 2 PERMANENT JUDGES

SC Collegium has approved the proposal to appoint 2 Additional Judges, Justice Sanjay Kumar Medhi, Justice Nani Tegia of the Guhati HC as Permanent Judges of that HC. A B SINGH & GHORWADE LIKELY TO GET COMMAND POSTINGS

If sources are to be believed after the superannuation of two Vice Admirals chances that Vice Admiral A B Singh and Vice Admiral Ghorwade likely to be probable incumbents.

WILL SATYA GOPAL BE NEW CHIEF SECRETARY OF DELHI ?

Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar

charges of rioting, attempt to murder & disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant. Dhankhar had expressed concern over “adversarial stance” of state government.—ANI

196 spl trains to operate from Oct 20-Nov 30 New Delhi: Indian Railways on Tuesday announced to operate 196 festival special trains between October 20 and November 30.

The decision was taken as the national carrier is anticipating a passenger rush during the upcoming festive season, the ministry said.

If Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal has any say then Satya Gopal will be new Chief Secretary of Delhi. He is 1988 batch IAS officer of UT cadre.

WHY SUDDEN TRANSFER OF JOINT SECY?

Mystery shrouds sudden transfer of Ashish Chatterjee, JS, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. 1999 batch TN cadre IAS has been transferred to Institute of Defence Studies.

SAKLECHA IS NOW FINANCE, RB

Naresh Saklecha has been appointed new Member of Finance in the Railway Board. He has taken over the charge. He is an IRAS officer.

APPT OF JUDGES IN MP HC DELAYED

Appointment of 12 Judges in the MP HC is believed to have been delayed.

11 ISS OFFICERS PROMOTED TO JAG

The promoted officers are: Prabha Arora, Ambica Anand, Neha Kalra Asnani, Vivek Srivastava, Sri Susmit, Anil H Ramteke, Siva Naga Malleswararao, Purushottam Verma, Sarbeshwar Majhi, Jadeja Lakhadhirsinh and Virender Singh.

By arrangement with: http:// whispersinthecorridors.com

FROM PG 1 Letter war...

“While considering the sentiments and beliefs of the people, it is also important to take care of their lives and it is wrong to impose and lift lockdown suddenly,” he said in the letter. Speaking to reporters here in the wake of Koshyari writing to CM Thackeray on reopening places of worship and the latters response to the same, Raut said the Shiv Sena’s Hindutva is firm and based on strong foundation and they don’t need lessons on it.—Agencies Tanishq withdraws...

The description of the

3 minor...

To a question on whether it was an acid attack, the SP said, “The chemical used in the attack is yet to be ascertained. It will be clear after a probe by experts.”

He said it was suspected that a person living in the vicinity had committed this crime.

“A case has been registered against unknown persons and the guilty will be arrested soon,” the SP said. —PTI Parl panel...

The visit was finalised after Chowdhury wrote to LS Speaker Birla last

month suggesting that the PAC visit the Ladakh sector to interact with soldiers deployed there and understand their working conditions and requirements.

The committee is currently examining a recent report by CAG that had pointed out deficiencies in high-altitude clothing and equipment and the need to equip soldiers with proper gear.

Recently PAC chairman had asked the CDS to consider a tour for the MPs to the Ladakh sector, following which Chowdhury wrote to Birla. The PAC is expected to meet on Octo-

ber 23 to finalise its itinerary.

The MPs are likely to be briefed by senior army officials and DRDO scientists during the visit.

SOP VIOLATION...

But, in violation of the ascertained protocol, the office inauguration of BJP candidate JV Kakadiya as well as Karjan candidate Akshay Patel and Abdasa’s Pradyumansinh Jadeja’s events saw participation from more than 200 people each. Moreover, social distancing was not observed at the gatherings.

When asked about the lapses, CEO S Mu-

rali Krishna told the media that he will ask for a detailed report from the field team and in case of any SOP violation, he will take action against the concerned candidate or party.

When the issue was raised before party candidate Akshay Patel, he said, “We cannot control the enthusiasm of party workers.” On the SOP violation, senior leader Parshottam Rupala said, “I strongly believe that everyone should abide by the SOP, but social distancing was not maintained at the inauguration of Kakadiya’s election office.”

TALKING POINT AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020

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S

tress has a funny way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it, but how you respond is only half the battle. The secret to winning the war against stress lies in what you do when you aren’t working (and presumably aren’t stressed).

While I have a hobby that I engage in regularly (surfing), it isn’t the antidote to stress you might think. Think about it: even if you have a hobby that you’re deeply passionate about, you aren’t going to spend more than 10% of your time outside of work doing it. It’s what you do with the other 90% that really matters.

You need structure to use this other 90% wisely. Otherwise, you’ll fall into bad habits that can magnify your stress, rather than alleviate it. I structure my time by religiously following 10 rules when I’m not working.

These rules work wonders with one limitation: they don’t work quite as well if you work too much.

Sure, we’re all busy, but if you’re putting in 80-90 hour weeks, you won’t have the energy or focus to use your time outside of work wisely.

And there’s no point in working that much. A Stanford study found that productivity per hour declines sharply when the workweek exceeds 50 hours, and productivity drops off so much after 55 hours that there’s no point in working any more.

That’s right, people who work as much as 70 hours (or more) per week actually get the same amount done as people who work 55 hours.

My rules help me to shift gears to relaxing and rejuvenating activities during my time off. Try them and see if they help you to find balance.

10

MY RULES HELP ME TO SHIFT GEARS TO RELAXING AND REJUVENATING ACTIVITIES DURING MY TIME OFF. TRY THEM AND SEE IF THEY HELP YOU TO FIND BALANCE

POWERFUL COURSE OF ACTION TO RELIEVE STRESS

Y

ou might be surprised what happens when you pursue something you’re passionate about during your time off.

Indulging your passions is a great way to escape stress and to open your mind to new ways of thinking. Things like playing music, reading, writing, painting, or even playing catch with your kids can help stimulate different modes of thought that can reap huge dividends over the coming week.

D

isconnecting is the most important strategy on this list, because if you can’t find a way to remove yourself electronically from your work, then you’ve never really left work.

Making yourself available to your work 24/7 exposes you to a constant barrage of stressors that prevent you from refocusing and recharging. If taking the entire weekend off handling work emails and calls isn’t realistic, try designating specific times on Saturday and Sunday for checking emails and responding to voicemails.

For example, check your messages on Saturday afternoon while your kids are getting a haircut and on Sunday evenings after dinner. Scheduling short blocks of time will alleviate stress without sacrificing availability.

C

hores have the tendency to monopolize your free time. When this happens, you lose the opportunity to relax and reflect. What’s worse is that a lot of chores feel like work, and if you spend all weekend doing them, you just put in a seven-day workweek. To keep this from happening, you need to schedule your chores like you would anything else during the week, and if you don’t complete them during the allotted time, you move on and finish them the following weekend.

RULE 6: SCHEDULE MICRO-ADVENTURES

N

RULE 4: PURSUE A PASSION

RULE 1: DISCONNECT

RULE 2: MINIMIZE CHORES

RULE 3: EXERCISE

o time to exercise during the week? You have 48 hours every weekend to make it happen. Getting your body moving for as little as 10 minutes releases GABA, a soothing neurotransmitter that reduces stress.

Exercise is also a great way to come up with new ideas. Innovators and other successful people know that being outdoors often sparks creativity.

I know that a lot of my best ideas come to me while I’m surfing. While you’re out in the ocean, the combination of invigorating activity and beautiful scenery creates the perfect environment for an influx of creativity. Whether you’re running, cycling, or gardening, exercise leads to endorphin-fueled introspection. The key is to find a physical activity that does this for you and then to make it an important part of your weekly routine.

07

B

uy tickets to a concert or play, or get reservations for that cool new hotel that just opened downtown. Instead of running on a treadmill, plan a hike. Try something you haven’t done before or perhaps something you haven’t done in a long time. Studies show that anticipating something good to come is a significant part of what makes the activity pleasurable. Knowing that you have something interesting planned for Saturday will not only be fun come Saturday, but it will significantly improve your mood throughout the week.

RULE 5: SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH FAMILY

S

pending quality time with your family is essential if you want to recharge and relax. Weekdays are so hectic that the entire week can fly by with little quality family time. Don’t let this bleed into your weekends. Take your kids to the park, take your spouse to his or her favorite restaurant, and go visit your parents.

You’ll be glad you did.

RULE 7: WAKE UP AT THE SAME TIME

I

t’s tempting to sleep in on the weekend to catch up on your sleep. Though it feels good temporarily, having an inconsistent wake-up time disturbs your circadian rhythm (and can aggravate depression). Your body cycles through an elaborate series of sleep phases in order for you to wake up rested and refreshed.

One of these phases involves preparing your mind to be awake and alert, which is why people often wake up just before their alarm clock goes off (the brain is trained and ready). When you sleep past your regular wake-up time on the weekend, you end up feeling groggy and tired. This isn’t just disruptive to your day off, it also makes you less productive on Monday because your brain isn’t ready to wake up at your regular time. If you need to catch up on sleep, just go to bed earlier.

RULE 8: REFLECT

W

eekly reflection is a powerful tool for improvement. Use the weekend to contemplate the larger forces that are shaping your industry, your organization, and your job.

Without the distractions of Monday to Friday busy work, you should be able to see things in a whole new light. Use this insight to alter your approach to the coming week, improving the efficiency and efficacy of your work.

RULE 9: DESIGNATE MORNINGS AS ME TIME

I

t can be difficult to get time to yourself on the weekends, especially if you have family. Finding a way to engage in an activity you’re passionate about first thing in the morning can pay massive dividends in happiness and cleanliness of mind. It’s also a great way to perfect your circadian rhythm by forcing yourself to wake up at the same time you do on weekdays. Your mind achieves peak performance two-to-four hours after you wake up, so get up early to do something physical, and then sit down and engage in something mental while your mind is at its peak.

RULE 10: PREPARE FOR THE UPCOMING WEEK

T

he weekend is a great time to spend a few moments planning your upcoming week. As little as 30 minutes of planning can yield significant gains in productivity and reduced stress. The week feels a lot more manageable when you go into it with a plan because all you have to focus on is execution.

SOURCE: WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM

CONCEPT: MONI SHARMA

DESIGN: CP SHARMA

Nothing has brought home the feeling of oneness and brotherhood as has the Global economy. On World Standards Day, we must introspect on how much the global standards bind us together.

2ND FRONT

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020

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COVID-19 UPDATE

WORLD

INDIA

08

GUJARAT

10,88,224 3,82,44,361 1,10,617 72,36,985 3,587 1,53,923 CONFIRMED CASES

DEATHS

MAHARASHTRA 40,701 DEATHS 15,43,837 CASES

TAMIL NADU 10,371 DEATHS 6,65,930 CASES

DEATHS

KARNATAKA 10,123 DEATHS 7,26,106 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

DEATHS

DELHI 5,854 DEATHS 3,14,224 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

RAJASTHAN 1,679 DEATHS 1,63,219 CASES

HC asks Guj not to randomly use PASA

A PERSON UNDER CUSTODY COULD BE BOOKED UNDER PASA IF HE IS LIKELY TO INDULGE IN CRIME WHILE ON BAIL: HC Haresh Jhala Ahmedabad: In a significant order hinting at the possibility of misuse of preventive laws, the Gujarat High Court on Tuesday asked the State Government to ensure PASA proceedings were not initiated against individuals already in police custody in anticipation of the person getting bail.

The first division bench of Chief Justice Vikram Nath and Justice J B Pardiwala gave this direction while quashing a detention order under Prevention of Anti-Social Activities Act (PASA). The appeal against the PASA detention was filed by one Imran Kataria from Gondal.

Kataria was already in custody for 3 alleged offences and was even acquitted by a sessions

1,035 prisoners let off in Covid crisis go missing First India Bureau Gandhinagar: As many as 1,035 prisoners who were let out on bail, parole or furlough as part of the Gujarat Government’s efforts to reduce crowding in jails in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, have gone missing.

They have not yet returned to jail despite their bail period coming to an end. The police department is now gearing up to chase these absconders.

DGP Ashish Bhatia has asked the CID (Crime) in all the districts of the State to launch a drive to round up the absconding prisoners.

Many of them are undertrials.

DGP CID (Crime) TS Bisht told reporters that the police would focus particularly on absconding prisoners who were held for serious crimes like murder, extortion and robbery.

The drive started on October 8 and would continue till October 22. All districts will have to send regular updates about the number of absconding prisoners who were held, their names, number and the crime they are accused of.

HC wants Gujarat to take firm action against online gambling First India Bureau

court in one of them.

Curiously, this fact of acquittal was concealed from the PASA Board, which approved Kataria’s ‘advanced’ detention while he was still in custody.

The High Court expressed the opinion that a person already in police custody could not be arrested under preventive detention laws based on old offences.

The detaining authority had to be satisfied that if a person in custody was released on bail, he might commit the same or similar

STRICT PROTOCOL

crimes again.

The court ordered that the State must follow the necessary steps before issuing detention orders. The division bench also directed the high court’s registry to circulate the order to the Home Secretary and

Revenue Secretary with instructions to them to circulate the same to the District Magistrates and Police Commissioners.

The high court wants the authorities to follow that, “Although there is no prohibition in law to pass the detention or-

der in respect of a person who is already in custody in respect of a criminal case, yet there must be cogent materials before the authority passing the detention order that there was likelihood of his release on bail.”

The court was also of the opinion that if the detention order was challenged before it, the detaining authority would have to satisfy the court of all the facts, including that the authority was fully aware that the detenu was actually in custody.

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court has directed the State Government to deal firmly against online gambling and stated that if there is a case of money laundering action be against such activity be initiated under the Money Laundering Act. The principal bench of Chief Justice Vikram Nath and Justice J B Pardiwala, while disposing of a petition filed by Amit Nair, has asked the State to take the petition as a representation and act in

accordance with the law.

The court observed, “If any website is operating in the State of Gujarat or is engaged in any gambling games, the State shall deal with the same in accordance with law, rules, regulations and the policy, as may be applicable.” Ït stated, “The State shall also examine whether such games result in money-laundering or violation of laws relating to foreign exchange as well. We expect the State Government to promptly look into the aforesaid

issues and take an appropriate decision in accordance with law in larger public interest before it is too late.”

The petitioner submitted that “online gambling” websites/ mobile apps were mushrooming at an alarming level. He pointed out that several “online gambling” apps were promoted and targeted in Gujarat.

“Such gambling platforms are engaged in illegal activities, but this remains unchecked because of deficiencies in the Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act, 1887.

Thief targeted homes BJP MLA jailed for 6 months State of Unity to near airport, held for ransacking govt hospital reopen for visitors First India Bureau

First India Bureau

First India Bureau

Surat: Thieves marking out houses locked for long, the secluded ones or similar is a known modus operandi. But Hakim Singh, arrested by the Surat Crime Branch in at least 70 theft cases across Gujarat, identified areas and housing societies that have heavy movement of trucks and big vehicles as well as those close to the airport.

The reason? The sounds of locks, windows or doors breaking would be lost in the cacophony of aircraft landing or taking off and movement of heavy vehicles.

What is more, with a view to misguiding police investigations he

Jamnagar: A local court in Jamnagar district on Tuesday sentenced sitting BJP MLA Raghavji Patel to imprisonment for 6 months and fined him Rs 10,000, finding him guilty in a case where he and others destroyed property at a government hospital and creating a ruckus.

The Jamnagar Dhrol Court sentenced him and 4 others in the 2007 case. Lawmaker Raghavji Patel, a Congress turncoat, and 4 others were found guilty in the case while 3 others were let off for want of evidence.

The legislator had recently tested positive for Covid-19. He was with the Congress but had de-

Kevadiya (Narmada): World’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, will reopen for visitors from October 17, the first day of ninenight festival Navratri, according to a press release by the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd on Tuesday.

In order to maintain social distancing, only 2,500 visitors will be allowed daily inside the Statue. Of them, only 500 will be taken to the 193-meter level viewing gallery.

The tickets will be available in two-hour slots online at www.soutickets.in. Visitors will be allowed entry only for the particular slots for which they have bought tickets.

Hakim Singh.

would get his associates to find stolen vehicles and leave them parked outside the homes he would have targeted.

This way the police would go on the trail of the stolen vehicle mysteriously parked near the housing society.

Hakim Singh lived in Surat’s Amroli area and his associate Mukesh’s responsibility was to steal or find stolen vehicles.

BJP MLA from Jamnagar Raghavji Patel.

fected to the BJP in 2017.

In the 2017 Rajya Sabha polls, the Election Commission had declared his vote as invalid and he had voted against the Congress candidate.

Raghavji Patel was part of the original BJP team of Shankersinh Vaghela when the latter engineered a split in 1995 and formed the Rashtriya Janata Party

—FILE PHOTO

that merged with the Congress later. Patel had quit the BJP in 1995 to be part of RJP and then with the Congress till he defected to the BJP in 2017.

When he was with the Congress in 2016, he was assaulted allegedly by BJP workers while on his way between Jamnagar town and Dhrol village.

Statue of Unity.—FILE PHOTO

Issue of physical tickets, that is on-site ticket issuance, will remain closed. Wearing masks has been made mandatory for each visitor. Arrangements for thermal screening, sanitization, sanitizer machines and marked spaces, among other things, have been made.

Special buses that carry the visitors will also have provision of seating arrangement according to the social distancing norms.

VICTOR’S RETURN!

Bird watch: Crane’s 6K km flight from Guj to Kazakh tracked In a first, scientists radio-tag a crane to track its journey from Gujarat to Northern Kazakhstan and back First India Bureau Ahmedabad: In an unprecedented study, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, tracked an amazing 6,000-km journey of a common crane from Gujarat to its breeding site in Northern Ka-

zakhstan and back to Gujarat, exactly on the World Migratory Bird Day (October 10, 2020).

Incidentally, the theme this year is: Birds Connect Our World.

Scientists tagged the female common crane named Vadla with a transmitter in March to

record a journey of well over six months till October 10 to assess the impact of power lines on such migratory birds.

Suresh Kumar, a senior scientist from the Endangered Species Management Department in WII, who led the project, said, “This project aims to study the impact of power lines on large birds like cranes and flamingos.”

“The primary purpose is to see how these

Wildlife Institute of India tracked a crane’s long journey. —FILE PHOTO

cranes fly across these power lines as there are reports of cranes and flamingos colliding with power lines and dying, which is a major issue.”

He the project is funded by the Power Grid Corporation of India and this is the first such study to identify the critical power line stretches that could potentially affect these birds.

Union Environment Minister Prakash Ja-

vadekar tweeted, “A common crane migrated to a breeding site in Kazakhstan and then returned exactly to the site of her tagging in Gujarat on World Migratory Bird Day Oct 10.

Isn’t it amazing and Kudos to Dr. Suresh Kumar and his team who tracked Vadla.”

The common crane, a medium-sized migratory bird, is found in the Indian subcontinent, Asia, Africa, Europe and breeds during May.

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09

AHMEDABAD, WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2020

TANGLED This is one of my favourite animated movies. It has everything that sums up an individual’s life: love, happiness, betrayal, and of course, drama. The beautiful storyline of this movie is something that keeps me hooked on to this every single time, and I can watch it anytime, anywhere.

Let’s take a trip with some of the best animated movies, as slated by Nehal Nayar. These movies are not just for entertainment purposes, but also teach a lot of things about love, friendships, relationships, and what not! Let’s go on this magical animated journey!

DESPICABLE ME

KUNG FU PANDA

Despicable Me happens to be one of the most adorable movies I have ever watched. As cute as these minions look, they are equally annoying. This movie derives laughs from the kind of comedy that kids love. The time I hear ‘Bananas’, the monkeys are not what I’m reminded of; it’s the minions. It is way different from the others, since there isn’t any ‘emotional’ element (but that doesn’t mean it’s a heartless movie).

It’s a cute one.

I personally love Pandas, and I believe this is one of the main reasons why I’m in love with this movie. This one is overloaded with cuteness and a lot of hilarious moments. The story is about Po the Panda, a kung fu enthusiast, gets selected as the Dragon Warrior, he decides to team up with the Furious Five and destroy the evil forces that threaten the Valley of Peace.

BIG HERO 6 FROZEN If you are looking for a movie about ‘sister love’, Frozen is the one for sure. The entire story plot revolves around fearlessness and a lot of love. When the newly crowned Queen Elsa accidentally uses her power to turn things into ice, her sister Anna teams up with a mountain man, to change the weather condition.

If you have watched this movie, you would understand my love for Baymax (the white robot). This movie taught me the power of love and affection, and how friends can go miles to help each other out. Hiro and Baymax join hands to take revenge for his brother’s death, and the story is to look up on to.

FIND NEMO This movie was one of the first ones that made me understand a ‘plot’ of the movie. As a kid, I was never really into animated movies; Bollywood movies are something that always amazed me. But after watching this movie, I promised myself I would watch animated movies more often, to understand the value of family and love, just what Finding Nemo taught me.

THE LION KING I don’t think I have to say much about The Lion King. I’m pretty sure every single person who has watched this movie has shed atleast a few tears. It’s definitely a movie you should watch with your family because of many aweinspiring moments that make you emotional.

UP If I had to name one animated movie that taught me the meaning of true love, Up would be the answer. It is about an old widower who goes off on an adventure in his flying house in search of Paradise Falls, which was his late wife’s dream destination.

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN As a kid, I have been a fan of the Tintin comics (can you relate to me?). I used to travel to extremely different places in my imagination, and get absolutely lost. Watching this movie made me have goosebumps, all the time- that’s how magical it is.

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AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020

10

CULLEN THE SEXIEST VAMPIRE GURMAN SINGH cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

R

FA CE OF TH ED AY

obert Pattinson is best known for portraying the moody vampire Edward Cullen in the film adaptations of author Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series. He first came to widespread attention for 2005’s Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire as Cedric Diggory, the second Hogwarts champion of the Triwizard Tournament. This was his first major role and, arguably, the role that put him on the map.

In other roles, Pattinson appeared as a young Salvador Dali in the slight historical drama Little Ashes, received a Nickelodeon Teen Choice Award for the romantic coming of age drama, Remember Me, then in the romantic drama Water for Elephants.

His unrecognizable role as an explorer in the Amazon jungle The Lost City of Z brought him much critical acclaim. His transformation to a sleazy, manic conman in the gritty crime thriller, Good Time earned a six-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival and brought him a nomination for Best Actor at the Independent Spirit Awards. The actor also recently starred in the new Christopher No-

lan film Tenet and the Netflix thriller Devil All the Time.

Despite his successful film career, he’s never acted on a TV show.

In addition to being an actor, he’s also a musician who composes and writes his own music. He has sung songs for the Twilight soundtrack and the film How to Be. He supports several charities, including the GO Campaign. From 2009 to 2012, Pattinson and Twilight costar Kristen Stewart won the MTV Movie and TV Award for the best kiss four times. No other the pairing has won two years in a row, let alone four.

He was ranked the #1 Sexiest Man in 2011, he has also received the Best Actor award at Strasbourg Film Festival for his performance in How to Be. In July 2018, he received a top award at the closing of the 53rd edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. He was honored with a tribute at the 2017 Deauville American Film Festival on in 2017, with a screening of selected films of his during the festival run.

YOUR DAY Horoscope by Saurabbh Sachdeva

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

For a change try to smile at everyone you come across.

You will have to balance today your personal and your office time as both the parties will be very demanding today. Your kids may make your proud so don’t forget to reward them. You friends may decide to give you a surprise.

Training your mind to think positively will take time, at least try. A deal in business can change your life forever as fortune is indicated on your cards. Your strengths and weaknesses are your concern so care not to discuss them with anyone from office.

You must respect not just elders but younger ones too because by respecting them and their feelings, you are teaching them how to respect and that’s how younger ones learn. Professionally, you may feel challenged from your colleague but remember nothing beats hard work.

Do not get scared of pandemic just act responsible. You have to start considering other person’s feelings too. You will spend money on the luxury of even if at the comfort of home. Some of you may move to a new accommodation. Your family income in total will rise.

MAR 21 - APR 20

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

You sometimes form grudges against people and you don’t let it go easily without making it too evident, learn to let go things. You are constantly educating yourself about money and how to invest it.

While doing a business deal you must focus on long term gains.

When you make up your mind to do something than nothing and no one can do anything to change that.

Your hard work in achieving the perfect health will not fail you and all your persistent health issues will disappear because of your strong will. Don’t rely on anyone for opinion.

In life you should remember one thing that the moment that passes by, never comes back again so make the most of your time.

If you are wealthy than the next best thing you can achieve is to be down to earth. You will experience a silent treatment from your spouse today.

You got help from your colleague when you needed and now they will expect the same from you so do not disappoint them. You will soon get the promotion and the increment in salary, be it in the same company or the new one, no matter how tough the situation is.

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

AUG 24 - SEP 23

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

You are not scared of anything at this point of time in life and you are ready to face anything. You will be in competitive spirit and with your hard work and wise thinking you will overcome all the hurdles and succeed.

You should make sure to let your parents know about you endeavours.

Be polite with people who love you and don’t make them the victim of your inner conflicts. It’s not easy to find friends who would call time and again to make sure that you are fine, value these souls and cherish them. You must make all efforts today to be mentally present.

Brave hearted people never worry about tomorrow and give their best in the present, so should you. Just remember nothing worthwhile in life comes easy, so be prepared for some hard work. You don’t fail to win the hearts of your seniors because of the initiative you take in job roles.

Staying at home is becoming boring and you want a desperate change and instead of putting your life at risk, try to come up with some innovative ideas to keep yourself occupied at home. You will find yourself being more productive on work front.

NOV 23 - DEC 22

MONA MANDAWAT, Model

APR 21 - MAY 20

DEC 23 - JAN 20

JAN 21 - FEB 19

FEB20 - MARCH 20

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AHMEDABAD | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020

G

al Gadot won millions of hearts post her stint in ‘Wonder Woman’ back in 2017.

Her utter beauty and fierce role literally left the critics dumbfounded. And the best part is that the stunning Israeli beauty is reprising her role again in Wonder

Woman 1984. The movie is reportedly expected to be released on Christmas 2020. Both these movies have been directed by ace filmmaker Patty Jenkins.

Now, the good news is that Gadot and Jenkins are collaborating again for another project.

Yes, you heard it right! The actress is all set to play the role of Cleopatra in an upcom-

11

ing period biographical drama helmed by Jenkins. Laeta Kalogridis has penned the script of this project who also happens to be its executive producer. Meanwhile, Gal Gadot has already announced this collaboration on social media. The actress has also stated that the movie will tell the story of the Queen of the Nile for the first time through a woman’s eyes.

—Agency

Gal Gadot

BUNTY AUR BABLI 2

PANDEMIC

EFFECTS

I

ce Cream singer Selena Gomez recently got candid about how her mental health was affected at the start of the pandemic earlier this year. In her conversation with Dr. Vivek Murthy, the former Surgeon General, on Instagram Live, the 28-year-old singer and entrepreneur revealed that she went through a bit of depression as the pandemic overtook the United States.

“In the beginning, I couldn’t deal with it that well. I kind of went into a bit of a depression,” she explained.

Selena continued, “My job is a lot of travel, connecting with people, making people happy, and that makes me happy, so it has been a struggle.” Now, Selena explained, she is feeling better.

—Agency

Team ‘Bunty Aur Babli’

T

he sequel to super hit con-romance ‘Bunty Aur Babli’ is all done and dusted as the cast finished dubbing of the film on Tuesday. “It is true. All the actors have wrapped dubbing for the film. Bunty Aur Babli 2 is a hilarious big-screen entertainer and we can’t wait to show our film to the audience,” said Varun V Sharma, the director of the film. ‘Bunty Aur Babli 2’ will introduce a fresh pair as the new talented conmen- Siddhant Chaturvedi and Sharvari.

—ANI

SHOWING OFF Ayushmann Khurrana

‘A huge inspiration’

Chris Hemsworth

C

hris Hemsworth is showing off his insanely ripped body! The 37-year-old Avengers actor took to his Instagram on Sunday (October 11) to share a ton of photos while on vacation with his family and friends. Chris and wife Elsa Pataky jetted off to Lord Howe Island in Australia for a vacation with their three kids – daughter India, 8, and 6-year-old twin sons Sasha and Tristan – along with his brothers Liam and Luke Hemsworth and a few friends, including Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi. “2020 has been incredibly hard for communities who depend on tourism.” Chris wrote along with a couple of shirtless pics.

—Agency

DIAGNOSED!

R

emembering legendary singer, actor Kishore Kumar on his death anniversary, actor Ayushmann Khurrana on Tuesday said that he drew inspiration from the iconic star in pulling off the role in ‘Dream Girl,’ which saw him speak in a man and a woman’s voice.

“Kishore Kumar is and will always be an institution and he has been a huge inspiration to me. He is a legend because he was always creatively restless and fearless and I love that about his legacy. He was always the one to experiment and take risks,” Khurrana said.

—ANI

A

Pooja Hegde in ‘Radheshyam’

outed to be a magnum opus, ‘Radheshyam’ is suggested to be an epic love story set in Europe.

The movie stars Pan India actor Prabhas and Pooja hedge in the lead. To mark Pooja Hedge’s birthday, the makers revealed her first look from the movie.

Taking to his social media account, Prabhas introduced his ‘Prerana’ to the world. Looking pristine in an olive green dress and a floral overcoat, Pooja looks amazing carrying that beautiful smile sitting in a tram.

Prabhas wrote, “Wishing our Prerana @hegdepooja, a very Happy Birthday!.”

—Agency

Resuming Work

A

Tom Parker

T

he ‘Wanted boy’ band member Tom Parker has revealed he has been diagnosed with a brain tumour, and it is inoperable. The 32-year-old singer and his wife Kelsey Hardwick sat down for an interview where they discussed that he was diagnosed after suffering two seizures this summer. “I was in shock. It’s stage four glioblastoma and they’ve said it’s terminal. It was a lot to deal with by myself. I still haven’t processed it,” Tom shared.

—Agency

BIRTHDAY WISH

Selena Gomez

...her post

s the production work for entertainment projects have resumed in the country after monthslong-hiatus, actor Jacqueline Fernandez resumed work on Monday.

The ‘Kick’ actor took to Instagram during early hours on Tuesday share a picture of herself from the sets along with her crew members. The picture sees Jacqueline clicking a mirror selfie as the crew members clad in PPE kits stand behind her.

“I forgot shoot life was this fun! Grateful to be back,” she wrote in the caption.

—ANI

Jacqueline Fernandez

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12

Nagaur Automobiles launches NEW THAR YUNUS GESAWAT

Nagaur, Rajasthan

T

he most awaited New Thar model of Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) was launched in Nagaur on Tuesday. This wonderful launching ceremony of Thar witnessed the presence of Degana MLA Vijay Pal Mirdha.

During the launch, several sarpanches along with Vijendra Chaudhary (Pappsa) - Mahindra Authorized Dealer were also present.

The All-New Thar is powered by two all-new engines: 2.0L mStallion TGDi petrol engine and

Vijay Pal Mirdha lit the lamp at the showroom.

The much-awaited Thar unveiled by Vijay Pal Mirdha, Harish Mirdha and others.

or automatic transmission. It is available in options of the hardtop, soft top and convertible top.

The All-New Thar is equipped with

2.2L mHawk Diesel engine. This vehicle will be available in the 4X4 manual shift transfer case along with the choice of manual transmission

world-class safety standards and is fully loaded with features like 17.7 cm touchscreen Infotainment system with Andriod Auto and Apple CarPlay, steering mounted con-

trols, dust and water-resistant interiors, smartwatch connectivity, cruise control and many more. It comes with an iconic design available in 6 colors.

People were eagerly

Ae Sanamm…

KARISHMA GWALANI

Karishma.gwalani @firstindia.co.in

B

Payal Dev

ollywood SingerComposer Payal Dev and Legendary singer of 90s Altaf Raja have recently released a song ‘Ae Sanamm’, which was written by Lyricist Kunaal Vermaa and produced by Aditya.

“Ae Sanamm is a 90’s kind of song, where we have tried to keep it as per the Altaf ’s style.

We recorded the song during the lockdown, with all necessary precautions in the studio. I am personally fond of this song, as the voice to this song is given

Altaf Raja

by legendary Altaf Raja, which makes this project a dream come true moment for me and my team. We have tried to keep a retro 90’s vibe in the song and I hope the audience will relate to it.” Payal shared.

On working with Altaf Raja, the songstress said, “It was indeed a great time working on this song and recording with Altaf Ji. He is a generous person and a great artist. We grew up listening to his songs and then to record with him

was a great experience for me.”

Payal’s recently composed and released ‘Sawan mein lag gayi aag’ with Mika Singh, Neha Kakkar and Badshah. On the future projects, Payal shared, “There are some more singles that I’m working on currently in collaboration with other artists. I’m trying to explore different genres as a composer.”

While talking about his comeback, the Singer Altaf said, “I have experienced my musical journey from the era of Cassettes to the digital one.

I even got many opportunities to work with great musicians, which made my musical journey fantastic in the industry.”

“My upcoming project is ‘Kya Baat Hai? Besides, I have my channel named ‘Altaf Raja Official’, where I release my songs and Shayaris in my voice, every week,” Altaf said on his upcoming projects.

waiting to book New Thar since the day it was showcased (15th August). It has received an overwhelming response and clocked 9000+ bookings within 4 days of launch.

The new Thar launch in Nagaur on Tuesday generated a lot of excitement and bookings are open at Nagaur Automobiles Pvt Ltd. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Gulab Chand Kataria spent a simple birthday in the bosom of his loving family on 13 October, Tuesday. Vasundhara Raje, Satish Poonia, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Chandra Shekhar, Rajendra Rathore greeted him on the day as did many other leaders, MLAs and party workers.

—AISHWARYA PRADHAN

PROPOSED POLICY FOR PPP Award Ceremony CITY FIRST

CITY FIRST

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II organised a virtual Interaction with Sandeep Verma, IAS, Director General, HCMRIPA on Proposed Policy and Guidelines for PPP in Rajasthan on Tuesday. Some of the key points that emerged out of the discussion were: 1. The clarity to the potential bidder is required. 2.

Equal ground for government and industry should be there with incentives. 3. Floating Bank Guarantee and Performance guarantee if one industry is working on 3-4 projects i.e. separate BG and PG should not be taken for

all projects.

The key official behind the upcoming PPP policy, Sandeep Verma informed that to promote PPP model, Govt of Rajasthan is coming out with policy framework and guidelines for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) based on drafts available within the State and experiences of industry members.

He also mentioned during the interaction that the government is drafting the policy on priority and will do another round of meeting with CII for the same shortly.

In his welcome remark Vishal Baid, Chairman, CII Rajasthan State Council said that PPPs are an important tool for developing infrastructure. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

short film ‘Jaipur Activists’ by Eshan Harsh, a firstyear student of Amity University, Jaipur & Youth Juror for Reel Youth Film Festival (RYFF) Canada Eshan Harsh was awarded the Special Jury Award for Best Cinematography in the 3rd Jharkhand International Film Festival & Awards 2020. The Director & Cinematographer, Eshan Harsh was awarded in the Virtual Award Ceremony held on Zoom. The film is made under the supervision of the Film & Television Institute of India (FTII) Pune & Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK) Jaipur. This short film is designed to bring awareness that just by putting some posts and stories online and creating awareness online to clean the city is not enough. For this, you need to take initiative to clean your city on your own. Before this, this film has been screened in more than 9+ Film Festivals across the globe and has won awards.

Sports Minister Ashok Chandna celebrated his birthday with sportspersons on Tuesday, 13 October. He started the day by seeking the blessings of holy men and feeding cows after which he reached SMS stadium, Jaipur to have a small celebration wherein the prize winners of the two-days tournament (which included 14 sports) were also awarded. MLA Dungarpur and Rajasthan Youth Congress President Ganesh Goghara, State NSUI President Abhishek Choudhary, Arjuna Awardee Rajat Chauhan, Sundar Singh Gurjar and Rajulal Dhaka among others were present.

Former Advocate General of Rajasthan GS Bafna celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, 13 October.

Arvind Mayaram Economic Advisor to CM Ashok Gehlot celebrated his birthday with simplicity on Tuesday, 13 October.

GUJARAT: 300 Kg Apples were offered to Lord Thakurji, as a part of Purushottam month. All these fruits were distributed to Corona Patients in various Covid-19 hospitals in Memnagar area, Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

Each year on 14 October, the members of IEC, ISO and ITU celebrate World Standards Day, which is a means of paying tribute to the collaborative efforts of the thousands of experts worldwide who develop the voluntary technical agreements that are published as International Standards. These standards cover all aspects of energy savings, water and air quality. They lay down standardized protocols and methods of measurement.

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

DURING THE DAY! GUJARAT: Hundreds of mottled ducks arrived in Sabarmati River, as light winter session started early in the morning in Sabarmati river in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.