First India-Ahmedabad Edition-27 November 2020

AHMEDABAD l FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020 l Pages 12 l 3.00

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ECONOMIC RECOVERY STRONGER THAN EXPECTED, BUT SURGE IN COVID CASES KEY RISK, SAYS RBI GOVERNOR DAS

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RNI NO. GUJENG/2019/16208 l Vol 2 l Issue No. 3

HARYANA GOVERNMENT SETS UP A THREE-MEMBER COMMITTEE TO DRAFT A LAW AGAINST ‘LOVE JIHAD’

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CALAMITY TO CAPITAL SEIGE

People wade through waterlogging after heavy rainfall lashed Chennai with the onset of cyclone Nivar, in Chennai.

DILLI CHALO Members of various farmer organisations remove a barricade as they march towards Delhi during Delhi Chalo protest over the farm reform bills, at Punjab-Haryana border in Ambala on Thursday. —PHOTOS BY PTI

Badal calls farmers’ protest

Punjab’s 26/11 moment Amritsar/Ambala: Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday condemned the Haryana government for trying to stop protesting farmers from reaching Delhi, terming the attempt as “Punjab’s 26/11”.

Thousands of farmers on Thursday, some armed with sticks and swords, fling barricades into a river, threw bricks at cops and physically pushed vehicles as they were stopped by Haryana on their way to a protest march in Delhi.

After a two-hour clash on a bridge in which teargas and water cannons were used, the farmers managed to cross the border into Haryana.

Haryana, ruled by the BJP, has been using heavy force to try and block farmers making their way from Punjab towards the capital in tractors and on foot for their two-day “Delhi Chalo” protest march against Turn to P6

The protesting farmers have to be convinced about the Minimum Support Price system, and not me —Punjab CM Amarinder Singh to Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar

TRADE UNIONS OBSERVE BANDH Kolkata: Protesting the government’s new labour and farm laws, central trade unions observed a nationwide Bharat Bandh on Thursday. While in Kerala, the bandh was near total, in West Bengal and Odisha protests were seen. In few places in Kolkata, protesters clashed with the police. Left-backed trade union members blocked railway tracks in some areas of Bengal. In parts of Odisha, rallies were taken out by trade union members.

Farmers toppling barricades of Ambala police into a river.

FARMERS BRAVE TEAR GAS, WATER CANNONS, THROW BARRICADES Ambala: In a dramatic confrontation on a narrow bridge near the border between Congress-ruled Punjab and Haryana, farmers were seen toppling barricades into a river and throwing bricks and stones as they clashed with the police. The protesters refused to move back from the bridge that would take them towards Haryana on their way to the capital. As barricades put up over the last 48 hours were plunged into the river, the protesters raised their fists in triumph, raising flags and slogans, refusing to leave the bridge. The police again used teargas shells. The farmers pushed ahead in tractors, trying to force police vans to retreat. To stop the farmers’ progress, the Haryana police parked a truck in the middle of the bridge but that only impelled protesters to push the heavy vehicle to try and clear their path. A large police contingent, who had filled the bridge in the morning, were pushed to its edge.

Nivar: 3 killed in TN as storm

hits coast before weakening Chennai: At least three people have died in Tamil Nadu as Cyclone Nivar made overnight landfall near the costal town of Marakkanam, 30 km north of Puducherry. The cyclone, hours after landfall has weakened from a ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ to a ‘severe cyclonic storm’.

The storm originated in Bay of Bengal, forced authorities in the southern states to declare a public holiday till Thursday. As a precau-

AMIT SHAH ASSURES TN, PUDUCHERRY CHIEF MINISTERS OF ALL POSSIBLE HELP New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday spoke to Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Chief Ministers Edappadi K. Palaniswami and V. Narayanasamy respectively and took stock of the situation in the wake of Cyclone Nivar. In the telephonic conversation, the Home Minister assured both the Chief Ministers of all possible help from the Centre. “We are closely monitoring the situation in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the wake of Cyclone Nivar,” Shah said.

tionary measure, the government has evacuated more than two lakh people to safety in the costal areas.

The damage assessment due to the cyclone is on and the state governments say they have been working Turn to P6

PM to visit Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech tomorrow amid vaccine race

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit India’s top vaccine hubs in Pune and Hyderabad this weekend with coronavirus cases surging in parts of the country and amid redoubled efforts to zero in on an effective vaccine.

On Saturday, the PM will visit the Punebased Serum Institute of India, which has partnered with global pharma giant AstraZeneca and the Oxford University for a COVID-19 vaccine.

An official in Pune confirmed the Prime Minister’s visit, and said he would review the status of the vaccine, including its launch, production and distribution mechanisms.

Turn to P6

Police detain protestors during a protest in support of nationwide strike by ten central trade unions against NDA, in Kolkata on Thursday.

Thousands bid adieu to Ahmed Bhai, Rahul attends funeral Bharuch: Congress leader Ahmed Patel was laid to rest in Bharuch, Gujarat on Thursday afternoon.

Thousands bid final adieu to their favourite leader.

Former party president Rahul Gandhi was also present to pay his last respects to the party veteran. The mortal remains of Patel was brought to his native place here on Wednesday night itself. The last rites were carried out at the Sunni Vohra Muslim Jamaat graveyard in Piraman village, Patel’s ancestral village.

I would like to thank all the well-wishers of Shri Ahmed Patel ji, our father. We must remember Mr. Ahmed Patel as a fine example of morals, ethics, values, & culture. He was a gentleman, a gentle soul and we miss him immensely, said Faisel Patel, son of Ahmed Patel.

His daughter Mumtaz Patel also had a message for her father. “Father always use to say keep helping people as

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi along with Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel attending the funeral.

CWC MEET TO OFFER CONDOLENCES

much as possible. He was a patriot and believed to help poor and needy people which will

be our motive now and will follow his principles,” said Mumtaz.

More on P2

Covaxin Phase 3 clinical trial begins 10 volunteers were injected with the vaccine on Thursday, 25 more set to receive it today First India Bureau Ahmedabad: After the first batch of the COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, 10 volunteers were administered a dose of Covaxin at the Sola Civil Hospital on Thursday.

The hospital is one of the 130 centres across the nation where the Phase 3 clinical trials of

the vaccine will be conducted. Around 25 volunteers will be injected with the vaccine at the hospital today.

According to sources at the Sola Civil Hospital, the response to the vaccine clinical trial has been positive with volunteers from all sections of the society coming forward. Post vaccination, each volunteer

One of volunteers being administered Covaxin at Sola Civil Hospital on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

is kept under observation for an hour and then allowed to leave if they do not report any

kind of reaction to the vaccine. The timing of the clinical trial has been slated for 10 am to

1 pm. The second dose of vaccine will be administered to the volunteers in a week’s time.

Before participating in the clinical trial, each volunteer is required to declare his health history including serious illnesses (if any), participation in a clinical trial in the past two to three months, and sign a seven-page consent document.

A local officer wishing anonymity said that the volunteers are verbally explained that they are Turn to P6

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AHMEDABAD | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

AHMED BHAI LAID TO REST IN PIRAMAN

First India Bureau

Bharuch: Veteran politician and All India Congress Committee (AICC) treasurer Ahmed Patel succumbed to COVID-19 on Wednesday. His burial was conducted according to his last

wishes in his ancestral village Piraman of Ankleshwar taluka in Bharuch district on Thursday. Despite the pandemic situation, Congress party leaders and followers reached his family home to bid him goodbye.

Patel was buried next to his parents’ grave in the Sunni Wahora Muslim Jamaat Cemetery in the village after janaza (funeral) prayers. The ceremony was also attended by Wayanad MP and former chief of the Indian National Congress (INC) Rahul Gan-

dhi, who also acted as a pallbearer for Patel’s coffin. Thousands of people gathered outside the cemetery during the funeral, however, only 50 people were allowed to gain entry into the cemetery.

Following Gandhi’s arrival, Gujarat

Members of Gujarat Congress paid tribute to veteran leader Ahmed Patel at the Paldi office in Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Social activist questions

nCoV decisions of state govt

Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) state president Amit Chavda, Gujarat incharge Rajiv Satav and other leaders including GPCC working president Hardik Patel also reached Piraman.

The late Congressleader Patel breathed his last at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram and his body was flown to Vadodara Airport in a special chartered plane.

It was received by Congress leaders Shaktisinh Gohil, Rajiv Satav, Hardik Patel, Amit Chavda, Leader of Opposition Paresh Dhanani, Vadodara Congress president Prashant Patel, among others.

The body was then

Rahul Gandhi paying his respects to the family members of Ahmed Patel at Piraman on Thursday.

taken to Ankleshwar where it was kept overnight at Sardar Patel

Hospital and Heart Institute on Wednesday. It was brought to the cem-

BJP getting its house in order

—FILE PHOTO

CR Patil addressing BJP state leaders.

First India Bureau

Police officers stationed outside the Khas Bazaar police station near Manek Chowk in Ahmedabad during curfew hours. —FILE PHOTO

Jatin Seth wrote to OSD Rajiv Gupta among other officials to express concern over ‘counterproductive’ moves First India Bureau Ahmedabad: The COVID-19 pandemic has created upheaval and chaos in the lives of all citizens. It has also tested the competency of state as well as local authorities in dealing with a large-scale, rapidly transferred health crisis. The latest action of imposing a curfew from 9 pm to 6 am and limited operational timings for gardens taken by the Ahmedabad administration has not gone down well with Amdavadis. Many citizens

are of the opinion that the steps taken by the government to prevent transmission of the virus have been counter productive and harmful.

City-based social activist Jatin Seth has expressed his dissent with the decisions in letters to Officer on Special Duty Rajiv Gupta, Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Mukesh Kumar, Mayor Bijal Patel, and Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Standing Committee Chairman Amul Bhatt.

Seth hopes that the

Rajiv Gupta

government will deliberate thoroughly before announcing any decision. “Last Friday, the sudden imposition of a curfew on November 2122 created fear among citizens. There was a heavy rush in markets when people stepped out of their homes to stock up on milk, groceries, etc.

They did not maintain social distancing

or follow any COVID-19 norms,” he stated.

“And that only added to their suffering, since it also increased the possibilities of them contracting the virus,” he added.

“Gardens will only be opened for two hours, when in fact, authorities should throw open gardens, running/walking treks, cycling tracks, playgrounds, for as long as possible to help citizens maintain their immunity. If not, then people will be deprived of care for their health ultimately reducing their immunity and increasing chance of virus contraction,” said Seth.

etery from the hospital on Thursday morning for the final rites.

Gandhinagar: After announcing district and city committee presidents, the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun the selection process for their committee members.

Under the reorganization exercise, the party has already formed committees for Valsad, Bharuch, Dangs, Surat and Tapi.

Due to the lack of a newly inducted president of the state unit, the BJP had delayed reorganization for more than a year. Now that it has appointed CR Patil to the post, the overhaul of the party has finally commenced.

State parliamentary board members have been meeting each district and city presi-

The party has commenced reorganization of its district and city committees dent to discuss the names of potential committee members recommended for various posts. The party is also ensuring that women as well as Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe have good representation in the committees.

Valsad district committee president Hemantbhai Kansara told First India, “I had submitted a list of 80 names—three to four people for each post— to the review panel.

Before finalizing members for any of the posts, board members will try to ascertain the reason why a specific leader has

been selected for the post, his/her experience, strengths and image in the society.”

“By the time an entire team is finalized, other aspects such as mandals (local zones), caste and social engineering are also taken into consideration. It is important that none of the castes or classes feel left out in the process,” he added.

While the team for Valsad was announced late on Wednesday evening, the Bharuch district team too was finalized. But district committee president Marutisinh Atodaria very humbly gave all credit to the state of-

fice-bearers.

He seemed confident that his team will be able to meet the party’s target of winning the nagarpalika, taluka panchayat and district panchayat elections.

The procedure is underway for other districts with the state granting dates for the finalization of the committee members.

The Sabarkantha district committee president Jayanti Patel called for a meeting on Monday. Kheda president Arjunsinh Chauhan and Porbandar president Kiritbhai Modhwadia still await instructions on the time-table.

According to sources, it is likely that the party will take another 10 days to finalize the rest of the district and city committee members.

If push comes to shove, state will take suitable action: CM on COVID-19 Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel inspected the medical emergency ambulance services control room First India Bureau Gandhinagar: Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Thursday hinted at stricter action to curb COVID-19 cases, if the pandemic situation goes out of hand. He reiterated that the state government was committed to curtail transmission of the virus and that it was endeavouring to

achieve that. On the other hand, the CM also said that the state was prepared for the worst, and that it was in the hands of the people to see that the virus does not spread rapidly.

Rupani also cautioned the citizens that the government will not back down from taking suitable decisions in the worst-case scenario,

keeping in mind public safety and welfare.

Interestingly, the chief minister made the statement less than 12 hours after Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel had on Wednesday stated that there was no question of a weekend curfew in any of the cities and only night curfew would be imposed.

Commenting on the state government’s efforts for the pandemic, Rupani said that timely provision of medical facilities and treatment to affected patients, in addi-

Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel at the 108 services control room. He was accompanied by Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue and incharge Health) Pankaj Kumar and Principal Secretary (Health) Jayanti Ravi.

tion to, making necessary arrangements for

sufficient beds, medicines and other equip-

ment in hospitals was being ensured by the au-

thorities.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel paid a visit to the Medical Emergency Ambulance services control room for an inspection. He told mediapersons, “I have received complaints that 108 ambulances have been taking nCoV patients to private hospitals first.”

During the visit, he instructed health officials to ensure that those who preferred government or AMC-run hospitals must be directed there.

Patel added that a dep-

uty municipal commissioner was now posted at the control room to streamline hospital and bed allocation to novel coronavirus patients.

“If this is done at the first step itself, it will save the time of both the patients as well as the ambulance,” he said.

The deputy CM also reiterated that only patients in serious condition are taken to hospitals for treatment and the others are advised to home quarantine, after an evaluation by the doctor on call.

GUJARAT AHMEDABAD | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

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Hearse shortage in G’nagar leads to overcrowding of nCoV bodies

03

Hackers steal `1.5 L from retd cop, student

Deputy CM ordered a probe after reports on Thursday that four corpses of COVID-19 patients were crammed together First India Bureau Gandhinagar: Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel has ordered an inquiry into reports that a shortage of hearses has led Civil Hospital authorities in the state capital to ferry multiple bodies of COVID-19 victims in the same van.

“They (civic authorities) talk about Indian culture, heritage and tradition but have failed to respect the death and are ferrying multiple dead bodies in one van.

This is not just one isolated case. In the past week alone, I have learned about three such incidents,” alleged Shailendrasinh Bihola, Leader of Opposition, Gandhinagar Munici-

BACK FOOT

Four bodies of corona victims being ferried in one morgue van.

pal Corporation.

Bihola has also alleged that the civic body and the state health department are hiding the number of deaths.

“From November 16 till

Thursday afternoon, 118 COVID-19 patients have died, but these deaths do not figure in the state health bulletin. Why is the state hiding these numbers?” he

asked.

City resident Rajnikant Bharatiya said he was appalled to see the body of his father Poonamchand—a former BSNL engineer—being

transported to the crematorium in Sector 30 “like a commodity”, along with three others.

The controversy has put Gandhinagar Mayor Rita Patel on the de-

fensive. She insists that about 15 people die every day in the city, of which COVID-19 patients account for about 10. However, she did admit to the media that the state capital has been seeing a higher than usual number of cases of Sars-CoV-2 infection since Diwali.

“The morgue service is not provided by the Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation, since it does not have any hearse vans. Instead, the service is handled by an NGO working for senior citizens, or the Sector 30 crematorium trust. So, it becomes easy for the government to blame these private institutions for negligence, rather than do anything about it,” Bharatiya added.

First India Bureau Surat: Cyber criminals have made off with almost Rs1.5 lakh after defrauding two customers of the Bank of Baroda since Diwali. The two victims—a senior citizen and a student—have filed police complaints. The authorities are investigating.

In the first incident, retired assistant sub-inspector Kantilal Devre (70) found that his bank balance was light by a lakh, which had been withdrawn via multiple ATM transactions be-

tween November 14 and November 17, when he was out of town. An investigation showed that his debit card data had been stolen when he withdrew money on October 21 from an ATM in the Puna Pata area.

In the second incident, final-year physiotherapy student Pranali Luvani received a call on October 17 from a fraudster posing as the manager of her bank, and asked her to update the mobile application. He then solicited her banking information and used it to withdraw 49,900 from her account.

Farmers protest laying Daily jump in new cases Mining causes land resettlement in B’nagar of poles sans consent continues upward trend First India Bureau

Locals have been battling against mining operations for a few years now.

First India Bureau Bhavnagar: Environmentalist Rohit Prajapati has written to various departments including the Forest and Environment Ministry, asking that lignite mining in Ghogha, Surka, and Kadsalia 1&2 be stopped with immediate effect since the land in the area is beginning to resettle.

In the letter, he said that around 9 am on November 16, some local resident noticed hill-size heaps of land which had not been there previous-

ly. The villagers are not aware when heap creation occurred.

“The length of the land heap is around 600m and has been increasing daily. Even the mining hill was found buried beneath the land heap, and is now gradually slipping inside the land,” Prajapati told First India.

Locals say a similar incident occurred in 2019, he added.

Prajapati pointed out that contractors of Gujarat Power Corporation Ltd have been involved in land mining operations in this area since

2018. “Last year, a similar incident was recorded in a private farm.

Even today, we can see the unevenly shaped land there. Neither the private firm nor the contractors have informed local authorities about the development. The District Disaster Management Cell is also still in the dark,” asserted Prajapati.

He added that the locals told him that they are battling against mining, which has resulted in crop damage, air and ground water pollution, and health issues for the last few years.

Surendranagar: Farmers of Bavli village of Dhangadhra taluka in Surendranagar district held a protest against a private firm which has been trying to lay poles in their farms without their consent.

On Thursday, workers from Starlight Power Ltd came to their farms accompanied by SRP and local police to install poles. However, the firm had not given the farmers any notice, neither did it seek their consent from the farmers, local residents allege.

“The work began on Wednesday night. When we came found out, we

protested and asked the company personnel to leave. However, they had police protection and the stood firm,” said Mahendra Varmora, one of the affected farmers.

He further said that the company has contacted the executive magistrate and got the permission for the work. “There is standing crops of castor in fields which we have not harvested yet. The company should have consulted us before initiating work. We have not even been offered compensation yet,” alleged the farmer.

Local authorities could not be reached for comment.

Personnel from the private firm were accompanied by the police.

ILLUSTRATING THEIR POINT

Farmers ramp up compensation demand

First India Bureau Gandhinagar: The launch of the Covaxin trials is not a minute too soon, with the state witnessing another record high in the number of new cases on Thursday. The day brought 1,560 fresh cases of COVID-19, taking the state’s tally to 2,03,509 cases since March. Gujarat also saw 16 more fatalities, taking the total death toll to 3,922 since the outbreak began.

The son of CR Patil, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s state unit president, and two members of the family of Chief Minister Vijay Rupani’s cook are among the latest to be infected by the novel coronavirus.

The rise in cases has led Patan Collector Suprit Gulati to ban the customary Shradd rituals at the famous Siddhapur riverbank for the first time in history.

“Shradh has emotional and religious sentiment, but the administration

Medics at a testing centre in Ahmedabad. —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

1,560 cases, 16 fatalities take state tally to 2,03,509 cases, toll to 3,922 is doing what is right to break the chain of infection. Anyone found entering the site will be punished as per the law,” said the collector.

Ahmedabad district again reported the highest number of new cases, with 361. It was followed

by Surat (289), Vadodara (180), Rajkot (138), Gandhinagar (70), Patan (64) and Banaskantha (41) among others.

Interestingly, the state bulletin showed no deaths in Gandhinagar, despite Mayor Rita Patel admitting to “about 10 deaths a day” due to COVID-19. The bulletin said that 10 of the 16 fatalities reported on Thursday occurred in Ahmedabad, while three took place in Surat and one, in Vadodara.

DIVYA MILAN

They sent rotten chillies & cotton to CM Rupani, asked to be paid First India Bureau Rajkot: Unhappy with the system under which farmers are eligible for compensation under the Mukhya Mantri Kisan Sahay Yojna, farmers of Pithadiya village in Rajkot’s Jetpur taluka sent rotten chillies and cotton to Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Thursday.

Farmers whose Kha-

Farmers have written to CM Rupani narrating their plight, and enclosed examples of damaged crops.

rif crops were damaged due to excessive rainfall are eligible for compensation from the state government.

“The application is done online and the compensation is supposed to be deposited directly into the farmers’ accounts under the scheme. However, more

than 300 farmers of Jetpur and Kanora taluka alone have been deprived of compensation due to technical issues and the irresponsible behaviour of those appointed to serve them. No one tells farmers anything.

They only learn that their application has

been rejected when they ask the officers why they have not received the compensation yet,” Chetan Gadhiya a farmer representative and president of Khedut Samaj Gujarat ( Saurashtra zone), told First India.

“Left with little choice, the farmers

have now written to Rupani and enclosed bits of rotten chillies and cotton in the envelope, to explain their situation in a graphic manner,” he added. “They just want to be kept informed so they can reapply for compensation if required.”

A priest performs the ‘Tulsi Vivah’ ceremony at the Govardhannathji Temple on the occasion of Dev Uthani Ekadashi in Ahmedabad’s Khadia area on Thursday. Marking the beginning of the Hindu wedding season, Goddess Tulsi (in the form of a plant) is wed to Lord Vishnu on this day.

—PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

PERSPECTIVE AHMEDABAD | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

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IN-DEPTH

MODI AGAIN TALKS OF ONE NATION, ONE POLL

O

ne nation-one poll, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi said was the need of the hour as frequent elections impact development work, has been Bharatiya Janata Party’s pet theme for over two decades now. In recent times it was mentioned in detail by the Law Commission in its report in 1999.

L.K. Advani, who was then the Deputy Home Minister, picked up the idea. In 2003 Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee backed the proposal but after the NDA lost the Lok Sabha poll, the idea was shelved until Modi took it up again. It was during Modi’s first tenure that the CEC OP Rawat claimed that the poll panel was “logistically equipped” for one poll.

The BJP promised to hold simultaneous elections for state assemblies and the Lok Sabha in its 2014 and 2019 poll manifestos. While Modi himself is a strong votary of the single poll idea, some opposition parties argue that it will weaken the country’s federal structure. In his Independence Day address this year the prime minister said that ‘one nation, one tax’ (GST), ‘one nation, one grid’ in the power sector and ‘one nation, one mobility card’ system having been achieved, ‘one nation, one poll’ should happen but democratically. Niti Ayog too emphasised a two-phased Lok Sabha and assembly polls from 2024 “in national interest”.

Today when all democratic institutions have become toothless, the BJP’s obsession with the idea suggests we are headed towards a presidential form of government. That may be the end of democracy.

26/XI MUMBAI BLASTS REVEVERBRATE

IN PAKISTANI PUNJAB BRIG VIJAY SAGAR DHEMAN

The writer is a leading defence and strategic expert, prolific writer, national TV news Commentator, and internationally accredited life coach

O

MARADONA THE GENIUS IN GOD’S HANDS NOW

D

iego Maradona’s on-field brilliance was legendary. Some even thought he was better than Pele of Brazil. Off the field, drug abuse made him infamous. Maradona came to be regarded as a genius when he scored the ‘Goal of the Century’ after extraordinary dribbling and ball control to down England in the 1986 FIFA World Cup. In the same match, he used his hand to guide the ball into the net to score the first goal. Maradona said the goal was partly a result of “the head of Maradona” and partly the “hand of God”. The goal which should have been disallowed stood as the referees could not see the foul and there was no technical help available. For Argentina, it was sweet revenge against England which, in 1982, had waged a war over Falklands. The victory made Maradona Argentina’s national hero.

Maradona passed away at the age of 60. In the 491 matches he played, he scored 259 goals. As his skill became known, the short and stocky Maradona escaped poverty as soccer brought him money. His first big cheque came when he joined Barcelona in 1982 for three million pounds. Two years later he joined Napoli of Italy for five million pounds.

The icon fell from the pedestal after he failed a dope test and was banned for 15 months. Cocaine addiction, links with a crime syndicate, and marital discord put him into disrepute. The soccer world was shocked when he was taken off the field for substance abuse in 1994. Yet he remained an endearing figure. RIP Maradona!

The terror organisation like Lashkar-eTaiyyaba (LeT) , Jamaat-e-Islami, Ahl-e-Hadith, Tehrik-e-Labbiak of Pakistan (TLP), and many other terror organizations supported by fanatics in different sects of Islam like Wahabis and Brailvis amongst others. These organizations are fuelling the terror factory against India under the patronization of Pakistan deep state controlled

by ISI

n 26 Nov 2008, the world had witnessed the worst kind of carnage at Mumbai perpetrated by the ISI-sponsored Pakistani terrorists. It was a well thought out astute operation executed to perfection. As usual, Pakistan was in denial about the involvement of the deep state. Mumbai suffered the worst of the terror attacks at three spots simultaneously signalling a very advanced level of planning and execution done from the seafront. The operation was masterminded by Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the powerful military chief of the Lashkar-e-Taiyyaba with his HQ in Pakistan province of Punjab. The operation was supported by the Pakistani deep state ISI. The event would have passed off in routine in the clutter of blames, claims, and counter claims had Indian security forces not captured Ajmal Kasab alive. This was done by ASI Tuka Ram Omble by sacrificing his life –a feat unparalleled in the history of terror attacks.

In the ensuing investigation, it was apparent that the mastermind of the terror attack was from the Pakistan province of Punjab. Pakistan rejoiced overtly and covertly depending on the position of the respective individual /organisation.

The nationality of Ajmal Kasab was denied till the world conclusively realised that he was a Pakistani and indeed the terror attack originated from Pakistani soil (Punjab).

Pakistani Punjab, traditionally, has been hosting the fundamentalist overtures of Wahabis and Brailvis amongst others.

David Coleman Headly and Tahawwar Rana jointly conducted terror attacks on the Danish Daily in 2005. The daily was alleged to have published cartoons of Prophet Mohammed.

The terror organisation like Lashkar-e-Taiyyaba (LeT) , Jamaat-e-Islami, Ahl-eHadith,Tehrik-e-Labbiak of Pakistan (TLP) and many other terror organizations supported

by fanatics in different sects of Islam like Wahabis and Brailvis amongst others. These organizations are fuelling the terror factory against India under the patronization of Pakistan deep state controlled by ISI. The state-sponsored terror organizations in Punjab showed its true colour in 2016 when Mumtaz Qadri was executed for killing the Governor Salman Taseer. He was the bodyguard of the governor and he killed him for his support to Asia Bibi who was killed for blasphemy. It is said that the funeral of Mumtaz Qadri was attended by more than 100,000 people in Islamabad (Punjab).

The execution followed a series of rioting, arson, and other terror activities all over Punjab to protest against the execution of a known terrorist. The movement was masterminded

by Khadim Hussain Rizvi of TLP who emerged as a fundamentalist cleric with gigantic influence with the population under the shelter of ISI. Similar credentials were exhibited by Khadim Hussain Rizvi of TLP recently when the French President Samuel Macron reacted against Islamic terrorists in France after the murder of a school teacher Samuel Patty. Khadim Hussain Rizvi led the protests in Pakistani Punjab literally bringing the major towns including Islamabad to its

THE NATIONALITY OF AJMAL KASAB WAS DENIED TILL THE WORLD CONCLUSIVELY REALISED THAT HE WAS A PAKISTANI AND INDEED THE TERROR ATTACK ORIGINATED FROM PAKISTANI SOIL (PUNJAB)

knees. He demanded the expulsion of the French embassy from Pakistan. He relented only once Imran Khan, much to dismay towards Pakistani military interests, agreed to concede the demand after passing this motion in Pakistani Parliament in three months time frame. The growing influence of Khadim Hussain Rizvi was too serious to be ignored by the establishment comprising of Bajwa and Imran.

They too realized the dirty side of radicalization of the Pakistani masses. Finally, a decision was taken to eliminate this TLP fundamentalist, radicalized to the core. However, his funeral, as well, brought Pakistani Punjab to halt. The situation today has brought Punjab to a level where fundamentalist Jihadis are in

Keeping the global focus on low-income countries

O

wing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global economy is suffering its sharpest decline since the Great Depression. But while everybody is hurting, it is the world’s poorest countries that will pay the highest price unless they receive more help.

Some 1.5 billion people live in low-income developing countries, struggling to overcome weak public health systems, limited institutional capacity, and, in many cases, high debt levels. All these countries entered the crisis with a limited capability to fight it.

They faced a dramatic increase in spending needs just when the pandemic caused a decline in revenues from tourism, remittances, and commodity prices. While actions to protect advanced-economy

04

businesses and workers amounted to some 20% of GDP, this support in lowincome countries was only about 2%.

With as many as 115 million additional people at risk of falling into extreme poverty this year, today’s deep economic decline is threatening to reverse two decades of gains in living standards. The current damage will last for many years to come, as children – especially girls – drop out of school, the quality of health services deteriorates, and employment levels remain depressed.

This matters for all of us. Insecurity in poor countries translates to instability for the rest of the world. And, more importantly, the COVID-19 crisis will never truly be over until it is defeated everywhere.

To that end, internation-

al institutions and bilateral donors must help poor countries as they work to create the right economic conditions for recovery at home. The International Monetary Fund continues to provide hands-on techni-

cal assistance and training to its members, helping governments handle debt, raise revenues, and manage public finances to ensure effective delivery of vital services, including health. The Netherlands

has supported these efforts by contributing to dedicated IMF thematic funds and the Fund’s network of regional capacity-development centers in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.

The critical task now is to help low-income developing countries overcome the current crisis and strengthen resilience for the future.

Bilateral donors like the Netherlands supplement IMF lending programs with targeted interventions for health, education, and job creation, as well as through programs that address climate change and greening the economy.

We also need to do more to help countries with unsustainable debt burdens.

Even before the pandemic, around half of low-income countries were in, or at high risk of, debt distress.

Now that many countries have only limited, if any, access to new market financing, they are confronting a terrible trade-off between supporting their people during the pandemic and servicing their debt.

SOURCE: FAIR OBSERVER

the driver seat, Imran Khan is marginalized and Bajwa the real power center is worried. Sending Hafeez Saeed to jail for 10 years jail term has added fuel to fire. His sending to jail has added only one bullet point to Pakistan‘s presentation to FATF in Feb 2021. Pakistan may survive on the grey list due to the efforts of China and Turkey but Imran – Bajwa nexus has enough on its hands to look for survival in this Jihadi terror environment which is the creation of Pakistan’s deep state.

The recent creation of the National Intelligence Coordination Committee. (NICC) has been formed by amalgamating all the available intelligence committees in Pakistan under command of DG ISI. The ISI of Pakistan has got a shot in the arm to boost its activities against India as well as the political activists as well as rebels within its provinces of Sindh, Baluchistan, and Kheber Pakhtunkhwa. This will further escalate the activities of terrorists in Punjab as the majority of Pakistani Army Officers are from the Punjab province of Pakistan. The blasts in Mumbai 12 years back, the scenes of killings of innocents, and the unwarranted destruction of public property are reverberating in Islamabad and all over Punjab.

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TWEET Dharmendra Pradhan @dpradhanbjp Held a meeting with Commissioners of @bmcbbsr & @CMCCuttack and senior officials of @gailindia.

Impressed upon them to take steps to increase usage of CNG & PNG in the transport and domestic sector, priority completion of CSR projects relating to crematoriums.

KC Venugopal @kcvenugopalmp The brutality of the State force coming thundering down on our farmers, that too on Constitution Day, is but a reflection of Modi Govt’s gory truth: they are never ‘for the people’. We condemn these excesses & stand steadfast with our farmers, with our workers, with our people.

Spiritual SPEAK

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

—Proverbs 19:20

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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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26/11 ANNIVERSARY

We can never forget wounds inflicted by terrorists from Pakistan: PM Modi The ghastly attacks, which began on Nov 26, 2008, lasted for four days,leading to death of 166 New Delhi: Expressing gratitude to security personnel on the 12th anniversary of the 26/11 attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that India cannot forget the “wounds of the Mumbai terror attacks” and highlighted that the country is fighting terrorism with new policies.

“On this day in 2008, terrorists from Pakistan attacked Mumbai.

Many including foreign citizens, policemen died. I pay tributes to them. India cannot forget wounds of Mumbai terror attacks.

Today India is fighting terrorism with new policies. I also bow down to our security personnel averting attacks like Mumbai and giving befitting reply to terrorism,” the Prime Minister said while addressing the All India Presiding Officers Conference here, via video conferencing. Union Home Min-

Uddhav inaugurates ‘Hutatma Dalan’ at Mumbai Police HQ

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses during the concluding session of the 80th All India Presiding Officers Conference via video link, in New Delhi on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

On this day in 2008, terrorists from Pakistan attacked Mumbai.

Many including foreign citizens, policemen died. I pay tributes to them. India cannot forget wounds of Mumbai terror attacks.

Today India is fighting terrorism with new policies. I also bow down to our security personnel averting attacks like Mumbai and giving befitting reply to terrorism.

—Narendra Modi, Prime Minister ister Amit Shah and several other ministers took to Twitter and paid tributes to people and security personnel who lost their lives in the at-

FLORAL TRIBUTES

DHARMENDRA PRADHAN @dpradhanbjp On the occasion of ‘Constitution Day’ I laid a wreath at the statue of BR Ambedkar and paid homage.

tacks. “I pay tribute to all those who lost their lives in Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks and convey their condolences to their families. Grateful tribute to the brave

security personnel who faced the terrorists in these attacks.

This nation will always be grateful for your bravery and sacrifice,” Shah tweeted.

—ANI

Uddhav Thackeray paying floral tributes to the martyrs the gruesome 26/11 attack on its 12th anniversary in Mumbai.

Mumbai: On the 12th anniversary of 26/11, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray inaugurated ‘Hutatma Dalan’ (Martyr’s Gallery), dedicated to the Bravehearts, who lost their lives in the terror attacks.

The Martyr’s Gallery was inaugurated at the Police HQs in

‘Why Khattar govt stopping farmers from marching to Delhi?’

Chandigarh: Punjab CM Captain (retired) Amarinder Singh condemned the Haryana government’s “forcible” attempts to stop farmers from marching to Delhi in protest against the Central farm laws.

Urging the ML Khattar government to allow agitated farmers to pass through the NH to take their voice to Delhi peacefully, Singh. “Why is ML Khattar government in Haryana stopping the farmers from moving to Delhi? The tyrannical use of brute force against peacefully protesting farmers is totally undemocratic and unconstitutional,” he said.

—ANI

Punjab CM Amarinder Singh

STOP INCITING FARMERS, SAYS KHATTAR

‘BJP NOT PAYING HEED TO FARMERS’

Chandigarh: Haryana CM ML Khattar launched a scathing attack on Capt Amarinder Singh . “@capt_ amarinder ji, I’ve said it earlier & I’m saying it again, I’ll leave politics if there’ll be any trouble on MSP - thus, please stop inciting innocent farmers,” he said.

New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted, “Instead of listening to the voice of the farmers who are protesting against the laws, that snatched the support price from them, the BJP government uses water cannon to disperse them in cold weather.”

Prez leads nation in community reading of Preamble New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday led the nation in community reading of the preamble to the Constitution on the occasion of the Constitution Day. “The President read the preamble from Rashtrapati

Bhavan, which was telecast live by Doordarshan and joined by the people across the nation,” an official statement said.

It was screened live at Kevadia in Gujarat too which is hosting the 80th All India Presiding

MAOIST KILLED, ANOTHER INJURED IN AN ENCOUNTER IN ODISHA Bhubaneswar: One Maoist leader was killed and another injured in an exchange of fire between security personnel and the Naxalites in Malkangiri, a senior police officer said. BSF jawans, acting on a tip-off, had launched a combing operation at Jantri forest in Swabhiman Anchal, a remote part of the district, earlier

in the day, Malkangiri SP Rishikesh Khilari said. Maoists fired at the security personnel, who then retaliated killing one of rebels on the spot. One naxalite suffered injuries, while the rest managed to flee the scene. Police have intensified combing operations to flush out leftwing extremists from Swabhiman Anchal.

Officers’ Conference.

The participants also read the preamble along with the President, the statement said.” The community reading of the Preamble is organised by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

—ANI

President Ram Nath Kovind

BJP MLA FILES CASE AGAINST LALU OVER “POACHING” ATTEMPT ON PHONE Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dals jailed president Lalu Prasad was slapped with a case by the BJP MLA whom he had allegedly called while in custody and offered a ministerial berth in exchange for helping the opposition in defeating the NDAs candidate for assembly Speakers post. Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who had flagged the alleged telephone call on his Twitter handle on Tuesday night, shared the information along with the contents of the FIR lodged

by Lalan Kumar Paswan, on the social media.

Mumbai. The CM also launched a coffee table (Atulya Himmat) book during the event. “CM Uddhav Thackeray also unveiled a coffee table book on work of Maharashtra Police during covid, ensuring that we stay safe at home,” Maha Minister Aaditya Thackeray tweeted.

Economic recovery stronger than expected: RBI Guv Mumbai: The Indian economy has exhibited stronger than expected pick up in the momentum of the recovery, said Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das on Thursday.

“The Indian economy has exhibited stronger than expected pickup in the momentum of recovery...We need to be watchful about the sustainability of demand after the festivals and a possible re-assessment of market expectations surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Das while speaking at the 4th Annual Day of Foreign Exchange Dealers’ Association of India (FEDAI). The global economy has also witnessed a stronger than expected rebound in activity in Q3. The IMF has accordingly revised its assessment for global growth in 2020 to a less severe contraction than what was assessed in June 2020, the RBI Governor added.

“Given that we are still amidst the pandemic, where near-term

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das

The Indian economy has exhibited stronger than expected pickup in the momentum of recovery...We need to be watchful about the sustainability of demand after the festivals and a possible re-assessment of market expectations surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine.

—Shaktikanta Das RBI Governor

macro concerns dominate the discourse, let me start with a few words on the macroeconomic outlook and financial market conditions,” said Das. —ANI

IN THE COURTYARD

Nainital High Court seeks details of Mahakumbh preps from U’khand Govt Nainital (Uttarakhand): The Nainital High Court asked the Uttarakhand government to give details by December 2 of preparations for the Mahakumbh.

The Mahakumbh will be held in Haridwar in the year 2021.

While hearing public interest petitions or PILs against the state of quarantine centres, a High Court bench has asked the state government about the preparations they have made

ahead of Mahakumbh in 2021, amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Earlier in August, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat chaired a meeting over ‘Mahakumbh Mela

2021’ at the state Secretariat. The Chief Minister Rawat said that the Mahakumbh Mela will be held as per the schedule and will be a grand success with the blessings of all.

—ANI

Police attack on Bihar judge: SC asks petitioner to add Sub-Inspector as party New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the petitioner cum lawyer, Vishal Tiwari to amend his petition and make the Sub Inspector, as a party, in his plea seeking appropriate directions against the accused in connection with the case in which, the District Judge (DJ), at

J&K GEARS UP FOR FIRST POLLS POST ARTICLE 370 ABROGATION Srinagar/Jammu: Preparations are on in full swing for the first elections in J&K post abrogation of Article 370 and reorganisation of the erstwhile state with political parties making the last last-ditch efforts to woo voters. The first-ever district development council (DDC) elections will be held in eight phases to

05

elect 280 members in 20 districts from Nov 28 to Dec 22. In the absence of an elected government in the UT, these councils are set to become a new unit of governance in the region. Along with the DDC polls, eight-phased polling will be held for by-elections to 230 urban local bodies (ULB) and 12000 panchayat seats.

Aurangabad, Bihar, Dr Dinesh Pradhan, was allegedly abused, threatened, assaulted and attacked.

A two-judge bench of the Apex Court, headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar and also comprising Justice B R Gavai, after hearing the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by peti-

tioner-cum-lawyer, said, you (petitioner) amend your petition.

“You (petitioner-Tiwari) want the case to be continued against the accused, but why don’t you make him as a party,” Justice Khanwilkar asked Tiwari and posted the matter for further hearing after two weeks.

—ANI

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS TO REMAIN SUSPENDED TILL DEC 31 Mumbai: The suspension of all scheduled international commercial passenger flights has been extended till the end of December 2020 in the wake of a spike in coronavirus cases. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in a circular dated November 26 said all scheduled international commercial passenger flights flying to and from India will remain suspended till December 31. However, these restrictions won’t apply to cargo operations and services approved by the DGCA.

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More active cases reported; situation continues to remain grim in many states New Delhi: The country has recorded 44,489 fresh Covid-19 cases, and 524 fatalities in the last 24 hours, according to the official data on Thursday. Now, the total cases in the country stands at 92,66,706.

With 524 deaths in a day, the toll has mounted to 1,35,223. The active cases now stand at 4,52,344; with new discharged cases at 36,367 and total 86,79,138 discharges in the last 24 hours.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a fresh Covid-19 guidelines on Wednesday, after several states witnessed a fresh surge in the number of coronavirus cases.

The order came with strict guidelines for surveillance and containment. The measures suggested in the order will be effective from December 1, and last till December 31.

India sees highest drop in work, social, household travels due to pandemic

Passengers coming from different states undergo thermal screening due to COVID-19 outbreak, at Central station in Mumbai on Thursday.

—PHOTO BY ANI

Meanwhile, the government has launched ‘Mission Covid Suraksha’ to help accelerate the development of approximately five to six vaccine candidates, and ensure that these are brought closer to licensure and introduction in the market, the Department of Biotechnology said on Wednesday. The Delhi Metro

resumed normal services on Thursday evening even as it announced restrictions for Friday.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Metro had suspended services from NCR stations to Delhi, which running trains from Delhi to NCR. Normal services finally resumed at 5 pm, Delhi Metro said in a tweet.

PM Narendra Modi addressing the All India Presiding Officers Conference via video conference, on Thursday.

ply their mind to simplify the language of statute books and allow for an easier process to weed out redundant laws. “One Nation, One Election’ isn’t just an is-

sue of deliberation but also a need of the country. Elections are held at different places and it hampers the developmental work & all of you know about it. There-

the world, according to survey consultancy firm EY. “Amid this health crisis, the consumer is heavily conflicted over mobility; not having to commute to work has given many a new sense of autonomy as well as a few hours of their time back every day,” EY said in a statement.

Only 205 ICU beds with ventilators in Delhi, no vacancy in 60 hospitals New Delhi: The number of available Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds equipped with ventilators reduced to 205 in the city on Thursday, with zero vacancy in at least 60 hospitals. The national capital recorded 5,246 new infections

‘One Nation, One Election’ need of India, emphasises PM Modi New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday again raised the pitch for “One Nation, One Election” and a single voter list for all polls in order to prevent the impact of the model code of conduct on development works every few months due to frequent spread-out polls.

Modi was addressing the concluding session of the 80th All India Presiding Officers Conference via videoconference. The PM asked the presiding officers attending the meet to ap-

New Delhi: Amid the global wave of Covid-19 in the past nine months, India saw the highest drop in work, social and household travels among nine countries, including China and the US, reflecting the disruptive changes brought about by the pandemic in the patterns of mobility across

fore, it’s a must to have a deep study and deliberation on ‘One Nation, One Election’,” he said.

On one voter list, he observed, “only one voter list should be used for Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha & other elections.

Why are we wasting time & money?”

Emphasising need for coordination between all 3 wings of the state -- Legislature, Executive and Judiciary, he stated that everything, from their role to their decorum, was described in the Constitution itself.

on Wednesday, and the numbers are only expected to rise as dipping temperatures and worsening air quality are likely to aggravate respiratory ailments. Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said the total number of beds for

COVID-19 patients in the city has increased from 16,172 to 18,252 between November 9 and 26. Taking to Twitter, the minister said, “2080 beds including 1359 ICU beds increased for covid patients in Delhi hospitals in the last 15 days.”

Is hafiz Saeed in jail? Intel says no Islamabad: Hafiz Saeed, the Lashkar-eTaiba founder sanctioned by the UN Security Council, is not serving time in jail but at his Johar Town house in Lahore from where he runs the terror group, as per people familiar with matter. Saeed was formally placed under arrest in July 2019, months before he was sentenced to 10 years & 6 months in jail in a terror financing case in February 2020, that was

described by the US as an “important step forward”. Last week, Saeed was handed down another set of jail terms in 2 cases of terror financing. Saeed’s arrest & his subsequent conviction have been seen as an effort by Imran Khan govt to stay off Financial Action Task Force ‘black list’ that could potentially entail extensive economic sanctions and as PM Imran Khan once put it, destroy Pakistan’s economy.

Haryana forms 3-member panel Police bust Rs 100 crore investment scam in Nagpur to frame law on ‘love jihad’ Chandigarh: Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Thursday said that the government has formed a three-member drafting committee to frame a law on “love jihad” - a conspiracy theory espoused by rightwing Hindu activists, alleging that Hindu women are forcibly converted by Muslims through marriage.

Anil Vij

The committee comprises Home Secretary TL Satyaprakash, Ad-

ditional Director General of Police Navdeep Virk and Additional Advocate General Deepak Manchanda, Vij tweeted. The panel will also study similar legislation adopted by other states, he added.

Many Bharatiya Janata Party states have either introduced or spoken about introducing laws against “love jihad”.

Nagpur: Police on Thursday claimed to have unearthed a major scam in Nagpur and arrested 11 persons for allegedly duping over 25,000 investors from different states of the country to the tune of Rs 100 crore. The masterminds of the racket, Vijay Ramdas Gurnule (35) and Devendra Bhimrao Gajbhiye (34),

have been arrested along with their nine accomplices, DCP (zone 1) Nurool Hasan said.

“The duo had founded Metro Vision Buildcon company in Nagpur in 2015 without any permission from the authorities. They devised a plan for chain marketing under which people asked to invest Rs 3,000 for getting its member-

ship,” he said.

“Each investor would get Rs 730 per month as commission for adding three members. The scamsters floated several such schemes in 2020 and duped more than 25,000 investors not only in Maharashtra, but also in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh & other states,” the official added.

travel to Hyderabad and visit Bharat BioTech, which is working on Covaxin, pitched as India’s first indigenous vaccine candidate. Cyberabad police commissioner VC Sajjanar told NDTV the Prime Minister was expected at 3:40 pm and after a visit to the facility between 4 and 5 pm, he would fly out at 5:40 pm.

The BJP was reportedly keen on PM Modi using the trip to campaign for the municipal elections in Hyderabad, but sources said the Saturday visit will not include any political activity.

Nivar: 3 killed... on “war-footing” amid heavy rainfall and flooding in many parts.

Parts of Puducherry and Tamil Nadu have witnessed heavy rainfalls through the night.

Other southern states Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana are also likely to receive heavy rainfalls.

The Union Territory of Puducherry saw an unprecedented rainfall of 20 cm in the last 20 hours, Chief Minister V Narayanasamy said.

The Tamil Nadu government has declared a public holiday and only essential services are

expected to remain operational. The Chennai Airport has also resumed its operation at 9 a.m. and the metro is also set to resume on Thursday afternoon.

Tamil Nadu chief minister E Palaniswami has appealed to people to remain indoors.

Around 1,200 National Disaster Response Force personnel have been stationed in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Twelve teams are in Tamil Nadu which includes six in Cuddalore district and two in Chennai, seven in Andhra Pradesh and

three in Puducherry.

An additional 20 teams will be on standby in Odisha’s Cuttack, Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh and Thrissur in Kerala, said NDRF chief SN Pradhan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to chief ministers of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. PM Modi tweeted, “Spoke to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Shri Edappadi K Palaniswami and Puducherry Chief Minister Shri V Narayanasamy regarding the situation in the wake of Cyclone Nivar.

Assured all possible

06

POWER Gallery 17 IAS OFFICERS RETIRING IN NOVEMBER

As many as 17 IAS officers of various cadres and batches are retiring in November 2020.

The officers are: Gaurav Bothra, Rupak Kumar Mazumdar of Assam-Meghalaya cadre; Aru Prakash, Pradeep Kumar of Bihar; Rajendra Prasad Mandal of Chhattisgarh; Anuradha Mall of Gujarat; Arvind Mehta of Himachal Pradesh; D V Prasad and Ganga Ram Baderiya of Karnataka; Ravindra Kumar Mishra and Bhagat Singh Kulesh of Madhya Pradesh; Kalpana Mittal Baruah, R Venkat Ratnam and Jaskiran Singh of Punjab; Somnath Mishra of Rajasthan and Nityananda Mandal and Sudipta Chatterjee of West Bengal.

WILL PARAMBIR SINGH BE NEW DGP OF MAHARASHTRA?

It is widely believed that favourite of the present Government Parambir Singh, who is presently Mumbai Police Commissioner, will be new DGP of Maharashtra. He is 1988 batch IPS officer.

WILL VIVEK PHANSALKAR BE NEW POLICE COMMISSIONER MUMBAI ?

In the event of Parambir Singh taking over as DGP of Maharashtra, it is said that in all probability 1989 batch IPS officer Vivek Phansalkar will be new Police Commissioner Mumbai.

ONE ACCOUNT SERVICE WANTS MERGER

The association of one account and finance service wants merger in one important A&S service. Will the govt accept such proposal ?

CADRE OF IFS OFFICER CHARCHIT GAUR TRANSFERRED

The cadre of Charchit Gaur has been transferred from Manipur to Uttar Pradesh on grounds of marriage. He is a 2019 batch IFS officer.

DR R K SINGH’S INTER-CADRE DEPUTATION EXTENDED

The ACC has approved the proposal of DoPT for extension of Dr. Ranjit Kumar Singh’s inter-cadre deputation from Gujarat to Bihar for a period of two years beyond January 7, 2021. He is a 2008 batch IAS officer of Gujarat cadre.

LT GEN SINGH APPOINTED NEW ENGINEER-IN-CHIEF OF INDIAN ARMY

Lt Gen Harpal SIngh has been appointed new E-in-C in Indian Army. He is presently the Director-General of Border Roads Organisation and would take over his new appointment on December 1.

VIVEK BHARDWAJ’S DEPUTATION EXTENDED

The central deputation of Vivek Bhardwaj, Additional Secretary, Department of Home, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi has been extended for a period of one year beyond October 23, 2020. He is a 1990 batch IAS officer of West Bengal cadre.

ANIL KUMAR PROMOTED AS ADG, CISF

Anil Kumar has been promoted to the grade of Additional Director General (ADG) in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

FOUR IRS-IT OFFICERS GET NEW POSTINGS

Vikram Pagaria has been appointed as JCIT (OSD) in ITCC Division, CBDT, while Shibanka Das Biswas was posted as DCIT (OSD) (FT&TR-III) (1), CBDT and Shravan Kumar Gotru is CIT (OSD) in the office of Principal CCIT, Delhi. Besides, Mrs Neerja Pradhan has been appointed as CIT (OSD) in the office of Principal CCIT, Bhopal, MP & Chattisgarh.

By arrangement with: http: // whispersinthecorridors.com

FROM PG 1 Badal calls... new farm laws that they fear will reduce their earnings and give more power to large retailers.

Amid massive protests, Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar appealed to the farmers to suspend their agitation, and invited them for talks on December 3.

“The government is committed to the welfare of farmers and we are ready for talks.

Whether it’s about minimum support price or infrastructure, we are ready for discussion,” he said.

Punjab Chief Minis-

ter Amarinder Singh told his Haryana counterpart that the protesting farmers have to be convinced about the Minimum Support Price system, and not him.

PM to visit...

“We have received a confirmation about PM Modi’s visit to the Serum Institute of India on Saturday, but his minute-to -minute program is yet to be received,” Pune Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao told news agency Press Trust of India.

The same day, PM Modi is expected to

support from the Centre. I pray for the safety and well-being of those living in the affected areas.”

Covaxin Phase... participating in a clinical trial and that it is not a vaccination.

Talking about the Phase 3 Covaxin clinical trials, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had said, “Once the approved vaccines are made available to the state, it will be distributed under a four-stage process. The first stage of distribution will be for frontline warriors including doctors,

paramedical staff, health staff, etc. The second stage will include COVID-19 warriors such as health and sanitation workers, revenue officers, police personnel, among others. The third stage will see administration of the vaccine to people aged 50 and above. The last stage will include people below the age of 50.

These guidelines are based on initial discussions with the Centre.

The final decision will be taken based on their recommendations and the priority of vaccine distribution.”

TALKING POINT AHMEDABAD | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

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INDIA’S POLICE: AN INSTRUMENT OF INJUSTICE Javeed Ahmad

W

h e n Alexander t h e Great marched into Phrygian, the capital of Gordinium, in 333 BC, he was told that an oracle had declared that any man who could unravel the Gordian knot—deemed impossible to untangle—would rule over Asia. After wrestling with the knot for a time with no success, Alexander drew his sword and cut the knot into two with a single stroke. To paraphrase the Bard of Avon, police reforms in India await a similar creative solution to a seemingly insurmountable problem.

It is ironic that, more than seven decades after independence, the po-

lice in India are still governed by the Indian Police Act of 1861. The British introduced this act immediately after what they called the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny. As per the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, the 1861 legislation was enacted with “the purpose of crushing dissent and any movement for selfgovernment.” After the 1857 uprising, the British monarchy took over from the East India Company, creating a colonial administrative architecture that would become the jewel in its crown. Along with the 1861 act, the 1860 Indian Penal Code was a major pillar of the new criminal justice system that served London well until India’s independence in 1947.

I

n 2020, the police are still bound by diktats of the political bosses.

The Delhi riots earlier this year prompted allegations of political interference, a repeat of what happened in the 1984 unrest. It moved Julio Ribeiro, one of the country’s most respected police officers, to write a letter to the police chief of Delhi. He asked for a fair probe into the riots and questioned why the police did not investigate members of the ruling party for delivering hate speeches.

Ribeiro’s question can be echoed across the country. The chief

THE LEGACY OF THE RAJ

I

ndependent India adopted a new constitution that gave states jurisdiction over the police. Henceforth, it was not New Delhi but state capitals that controlled policing. However, those who drafted the constitution failed to craft legislation to create a new police force in tune with the new demands of democracy. The police force retained its colonial character, carrying the will of its new political masters. Order ordained by these masters had to be maintained. The rule of law and due process were to play second fiddle.

Like many former colonies, India became a democracy in form while its police force remained colonial in spirit. In the first few decades after independence, the combination of enlightened leaders, ignorant public opinion, some outstanding officers and the broad hegemony of one political party papered over the incongruity of the arrangement. That could not, and did not, last.

From the 1960s, Indian politics became increasingly fractious. By the mid-1970s, the pulls and pressures on police departments, thanks to political interference, increased dramatically.

Inadequate organizational structure, exploitative ethos and brutal behaviour came to typify the police force. In 1975, then-

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, used the police to impose a state of Emergency on the country.

As in colonial times, the police suppressed civil liberties, foisted false cases on the ruling party’s political opponents and even enforced sterilization on unwilling young men under a draconian family planning plan.

In 1977, the opposition won a historic victory. Immediately after taking power, the new government instituted the National Police Commission (NPC) to review India’s system of policing and suggest reforms. It produced eight reports, including a Model Police Act, between 1979 and 1981.

It also appointed a commission of inquiry under a retired chief justice of India, JC Shah.

Its 1978 report chronicled the excesses, malpractices and misdeeds of the government during the emergency. It found that the police had obediently and brutally carried out instructions of its political masters, cowing the country into submission.

To date, these reports have been gathering dust. Governments have come and gone since 1981. They have implemented peripheral recommendations but ignored substantive ones that relate to accountability and autonomy.

ECHOES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ministers of India’s 28 states control the police just as British governors once did. Politicians pay lip service to police reforms but are unable to let go of the power they wield. At its essence, there is a fundamental asymmetry of power between the police and the citizens: The former are not accountable to the latter.

The police answer only to their political and bureaucratic bosses.

The failure of politicians to reform the police has led to citizens and retired senior police officers appealing

to the judiciary for change. In 2006, the Supreme Court of India passed a landmark judgement and gave seven clear directives.

The government of India and its federal counterparts in state capitals were supposed to implement these directives. Instead, most have been ignored or implemented half-heartedly. As a result, many a chief justice had lamented that not a single state government is willing to cooperate: What’s to be done?

The power politi-

CRIME PAYS

T

his politics-police equation is completely lopsided, with India’s law enforcement the handmaiden of the politicians in power.

This has been supported by numerous committees such as the one headed by Justice KT Thomas and scholars like Milan Vaishnav. In fact, Indian voters have been increasingly electing politicians who face criminal proceedings against them. Money and muscle play a growing role in Indian politics. The result is decline, if not collapse, of the policing and criminal justice system.

After 73 years of independence, the formal institutions left behind by the British Raj are weakening.

For ambitious politicians, controlling the police is an important way to secure benefits for themselves, consolidate electoral gains and distribute benefits to their supporters. If politicians control the police, they can avoid criminal investigations into their activities.

They can hobble opponents

with false or frivolous charges. They can also dispense patronage to their core supporters who are often members of their community.

This partisan use of the police furthers identity politics in an increasingly divided land. As a result, the rule of law suffers and the Indian state weakens.

The police force itself has become politicized in many if not all states.

Caste, community or religious affinity is often more important than professionalism, diligence or excellence. Many politicians try to recruit members of their own group into the police.

Since police officers have job security, this social engineering of the police can institutionalize the coercive power of a group long after their politician is voted out.

The Indian police have been weighed, measured and found wanting on numerous occasions. In 1992, the police stood by as a mob demolished the Babri Masjid mosque and, 10

cians wield in various state capitals comes from Section 3 of the 1861 Police Act, which states: “The superintendence of the police throughout a general police-district shall vest in and shall be exercised by the State Government to which such district is subordinate, and except as authorized under the provisions of this Act, no person, officer of Court shall be empowered by the State Government to supersede or control any police functionary.”

Simply put, chief

years later, they did the same during the 2002 Gujarat riots. The rise in extrajudicial killings demonstrates the failure of due process of law. In 2005, the BBC reported that India’s “fake encounters”—staged confrontations between criminals and the police, where the criminals mostly end up dead—were shockingly common. During the emergency in the 1970s and in recent years, the police have stifled dissent by slapping colonialera sedition charges.

The police continue to wield repression on the streets. Beating people arbitrarily is common. In recent years, marginalized groups such as Dalits, minorities, tribesmen and women who protest peacefully have faced increased police brutality. Paul Brass has found that governments have used “curfews as means of control, victimization, and outright violence against targeted groups rather than as devices to bring peace during violent times for the benefit of all.”

A photo taken on July 22, 1930, shows a group of women marching through Bombay and taunting police at Maidan Esplanade during the time when there was a call to boycott British goods. The disturbance led to several women being injured.

—PHOTO BY ROLLS PRESS/POPPERFOTO VIA GETTY IMAGES

07

THE COUNTRY’S ARCHAIC LAWS ALLOW POLITICIANS TO USE THE POLICE FOR THEIR OWN PURPOSES, NOT PUBLIC BENEFIT

ministers and their consiglieres, the senior officers of the elite Indian Administrative Service and Indian Police Service (IPS), control every district in their states. The Model Police Act drafted by the NPC more than four decades ago recommended a tempering of this unfettered power of state governments. Its Section 39 provides for the state government to “exercise its superintendence … in such manner … as to promote the professional efficiency of the police.”

The Second Administrative Reforms Com-

mission (ARC) set up by the Indian government concluded that the proposed Section 39 was insufficient to provide police autonomy.

Informal and often illegal instructions to the police are pervasive. It recommended that an amendment to the Model Police Act that expressly forbade illegal or mala fide demands from the police.

It also recommended that obstruction of justice be categorized as an offence. Needless to say, the government of India is yet to accept the ARC’s recommendations, let aside implement them.

INSTRUMENT OF INJUSTICE

I

n India, the police no longer have a reputation for probity or for being an instrument of justice. In fact, the insensitive, illegal, inhuman and indefensible handling of the September murder and gang rape of a Dalit girl in Hathras, a district in India’s most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, laid bare the utterly unprofessional work culture of the Indian police. Such conduct occurs with numbing regularity because the political elite is deeply invested in the status quo.

Prospects for reform seem dim. In 2003, RK Raghavan, a former director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, observed that the police would continue to do the politicians’ bidding unless certain basic reforms were enacted. The judiciary cannot enact these reforms—it is the politicians’ duty. Until “they look upon the police as a tool to settle political scores with their adversaries, nothing will improve.”

Raghavan went on to argue that prospects for police re-

form were bleak “because the corruption that cuts across party lines, brings with it unanimity that the status quo should remain.”

In September 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a speech to graduating IPS officers and called for a trust-based policing system.

He argued that those who believe that instilling fear among the populace is the most effective policing strategy are out of sync with the march of the nation and its vibrant democracy. Modi’s actions have not matched his rhetoric.

India does not need another report or judgement.

It awaits a statesman who can rise above the temptations of short-term electoral gains and work for longterm national benefits and who will not hesitate to wield the sword to cut the Gordian knot that keeps the politician and the police bound together. Only then will India have rule of law, not mere order, and justice for all instead of for a privileged few.

A Samajwadi Party activist (C in pink) is held by police personnel as she protests against the Unnao rape case during a demonstration at Vidhan Sabha, the seat of the legislature of Uttar Pradesh, in Lucknow on December 7, 2019.

—PHOTO BY STR/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Source: FAIROBSERVER.COM

Relationships and love like plants thrive in the sun! We must give space and understanding, no one can grow in the shade!

2ND FRONT

—Jagdeesh Chandra, CEO & Editor, First India

AHMEDABAD | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

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COVID-19 UPDATE

WORLD

INDIA

GUJARAT

1,432,603 6,10,11,709 1,35,681 93,06,277 3,922 2,03,509 DEATHS

MAHARASHTRA 46,813 DEATHS 18,02,365 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

UTTAR PRADESH 7,644 DEATHS 5,34,982 CASES

DEATHS

KARNATAKA 11,726 DEATHS 8,79,560 CASES

CONFIRMED CASES

Pulses, sugarcane, coriander, mustard are much preferred crops this time —FILE PHOTO

Shishir Awasthi

DEATHS

DELHI 8,811 DEATHS 5,51,262 CASES

Gujarat farmers revel in Rabi bounties on back of good rains Gandhinagar: Even as Covid-19 cases have revived apprehensions among the people at large, the Gujarat farmers are oblivious to it with a good Rabi crop.

Pulses, sugarcane, coriander and mustard have emerged as their favourite crops for Rabi cultivation this time.

According to the State Government data as on November 23, rabi sowing has been completed on 17.29 lakh hectares, which is already about 50 per cent of the normal rabi acreage of 34.38 lakh hectares.

For pulses—mostly gram—sowing has jumped this year at over 4.07 lakh hectares, which is about 27 per cent more than the normal 3.19 lakh hectares, and at least 4 times more than last year’s 1.05 lakh hectares in the corresponding pe-

08

CONFIRMED CASES

RAJASTHAN 2,237 DEATHS 2,56,947 CASES

HC orders abducted minor girl to be sent home with father

FAVOURITE CROPS

—FILE PHOTO

Gujarat High Court.

First India Bureau

riod last year. Most of the sowing area is in Saurashtra.

Sugarcane sowing is in full swing in South Gujarat at a total 1.12 lakh hectares till now, which is more than double of 48,453 hectares last year and about 75 per cent of the normal 1.49 lakh hectares.

Farmers have turned to mustard and coriander as water availability across the State has improved on good monsoon. Total area under mustard is reported at 1.75 lakh hectares, which is about 90 per cent of the normal 1.96 lakh hectares.

Similarly, coriander sowing is completed on 60,693 hectares, compared to the normal of 62,641 hectares. However, coriander sowing is multiple times higher than last year’s 9,623 hectares around the same time.

However, key rabi spice crop, jeera, hasn’t

picked up in the initial weeks of rabi sowing.

Cumin seed cultivation is seen on 1.68 lakh hectares, which is about 41 per cent of the normal 4.06 lakh hectares.

Wheat sowing too has been progressing at a sluggish pace in the State at 3.16 lakh hectares, which is only 30 per cent of the normal 10.86 lakh hectares.

Ahmedabad: A 14-year-old minor who was lured with the promise of marriage, kidnapped and kept by her abductors for over 8 months was sent home with her father. This follows her submission in the Gujarat High Court that she wished to live with her father.

The High Court has asked the Women Shelter Home, Ahmedabad, to release her so that she can join her father.

The court directed the police authorities to ensure that the child was taken to the house of the petitioner (father) under security.

Advocate Anik Timbaliya, who represented her father, stated in the court that the two accused, Rajendra and Ajay Kuswa, took advantage of the girl’s age.

As a teenager she could not understand what was right for her and the accused later detained her against her will and consent for over 8 months in

Agra.

She was whisked away from her native place Dhandhuka on March 17 by the two with a promise of marriage and later held in captivity in Agra.

Despite an FIR being filed, the local police could not trace the girl and the girl’s worried father moved a habeas corpus petition before the Gujarat High Court for custody of his minor daughter. Ahmedabad Rural police then produced the girl.

Huge fake marksheet scam Unknown person puts busted in Vadodara, 3 held woman’s morphed

REVIVING FOLKLORE!

photos on social media

First India Bureau

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani handed over the Tana Riri Award to playback singer Anuradha Paudwal in Gandhinagar on Thursday.

Vadodara: The Vadodara Police on Thursday arrested 3 people involved in making fake marksheets of Class 10 and 12. The gang also made fake marksheets of 12 universities in the country.

The scam came to light during interrogation of an accused Dilip Mohite. Earlier, the police had raided the Blue Diamond Complex in Fatehgunj and Jay Complex and recovered 500 bogus degree certificates. The police also seized a computer. Earlier in Ahmedabad, the Vastrapur police sent some of their members

First India Bureau

as decoys and arrested 2 people red-handed while providing fake marksheets.

Police said the gang offered Gujarat University’s fake marksheets for Rs 10 lakh and those of Madras University for Rs 3

lakh. They also offered fake transcripts and regional certificates among other things.

Two of the gang members have been arrested while the mastermind, Chintan Patel, is still absconding.

Ahmedabad: A woman has filed a complaint with the cyber cell in the city after her morphed pictures went viral on the social media.

The pictures were also sent to her family members on Whatsapp.

Dipika (name changed) from Deodar in Banaskantha parted ways with her husband Paresh from Paldi area in Ahmedabad soon after their marriage in 2008. In 2009, she married another and had a child from him

who is now 10 years old.

On September 30, 2020, Dipika’s sisterin-law who lives in Isanpur got some morphed pictures of her on her mobile phone. The photos were sent from an unknown number.

The sender also sent a link to a fake Facebook id of one Krishna. The link opened more morphed pictures. Other members of her family also received similar pictures. Later her brother filed an application with the cyber police against the unknown person.

MISCHIEVOUS VIRUS

Yet another post-Diwali wedding halted as groom tests Covid positive First India Bureau Ahmedabad: Even as the weekend curfew in Ahmedabad disrupted many a planned wedding last week, marriages scheduled much in advance for December are also being hit in the wake of the second

spike of Covid-19 cases.

In at least one such instance, a wedding ceremony in Vejalpur scheduled for December 9 had to be postponed after the groom and his mother tested positive for the dreaded virus.

According to sources,

all the preparations of the wedding had been done and invitation cards were sent out well in advance. Later the groom, who works with the Gujarat High Court, learnt his Covid-19 status during tests at his office on November 24.

Subsequently, his mother was also found positive.

Earlier the curfew imposed in the city on the last weekend had

—FILE PHOTO

Several weddings were planned in A’bad after Diwali with the assumption that corona would have subsided by then

disrupted several weddings in Ahmedabad.

Wedding planners and event managers said they suffered losses due to the 57-hour sudden curfew.

Gujarat on Thursday recorded 1,560 new cases taking the total to 2,01,949. This is the third time that cases have gone past 1,500.

The State also reported 14 fatalities, 10 in Ahmedabad, two in Su-

rat, and one each in Botad and Vadodara. Of the total deaths in Ahmedabad, nine were in AMC limits. The death toll in Ahmedabad is 2,005.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel reiterated that as of now no decision had been taken on imposing weekend curfew in any of the 4 major cities and urged people to ignore all rumours.

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—PHOTOS BY JITEN AGARWAL

AHMEDABAD, FRIDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2020

INSPIRING

Global Fashion Showcasing how hand crafted fashion can inspire global fashion, through the designs of designer Vidhi Singhania

PRASAD BIDAPA cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

D

—PRODUCTS BY RAJASTHALI

esigner Vidhi Singhania is one of India’s most respected heritage textile revivalists. Her work is well known and her projects with the weavers of Varanasi and Jaipur are considered to be amongst India’s finest.

In Jaipur, her work with Mustakeen Kachara, Siraj Ahmed, Rafiq Bhai, Nassir Mohammed, Zakhir Hussain and many significant others in developing saris that carried the weaver’s daughters and wives names for the beautiful designs.

Steeped in the culture of traditional textiles, her collections are extraordinary and her inspirations are drawn from a wide range of subjects. She is very inspired by the hand crafts of India and often com-

bines art forms that are craft based which she then transforms into her remarkable collections.

She chose the famous Blue Pottery of Jaipur as the graphic print design for this collection which she had developed during Rajasthan Heritage Week. Widely recognized as Rajasthan’s signature pottery the beautiful blues which ranged from turquoise to ultramarine, she first developed the textile print in many variations until she had enough ready for her collection.

The Persian art of Blue Pottery came to Jaipur from Persia and Afghanistan and is made of quartz, not clay which is fired only once like pottery. Blue Pottery does not develop any cracks and each piece is hand painted by artisans of great skill and knowledge. Common motifs are arabesque patterns with animal and bird motifs. The craft is usually found in Jaipur, Sanganer, Mahalan and Neota.

The turquoise colour is achieved by mixing crude copper

oxide with salt or sugar in a kiln and filtering it for use.

The darker ultramarine is obtained by using cobalt oxide.

The collection as you can see, is created in beautiful silhouettes of saris and ensembles with an Indo-Western vibe.

Vidhi Singhania is one of those designers who understand and appreciate the vast complexity of Indian couture and design.

She experiments with Western separates and draping techniques often styling the look with sharply tailored blouses and tops.

You can always expect the unexpected from Vidhi Singhania, for season after season she reinterprets her story and tells it in a contemporary a n d modern metaphor every single time.

09

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DEVYANI SINGH

Ayurveda, Nutrition and Holistic Wellness Advocate Instagram: @devyanirathore

AHMEDABAD | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

10

Here’s how you can eat your TROUBLES AWAY!

A

have a stress response to situations that are not necessarily life threatening. Stress caused by simple tasks like holding onto a job, maintaining relationships, caring for ones family and sustaining a social life are all perceived in the same life threatening way by the body, triggering cortisol release.

Once again the nervous system goes into a hypersensitive state and continues to release cortisol even with the slightest stressor, leading to chronic stress. An increased level of cortisol in the bloodstream also leads to a reduced amount of serotonin (or the wellbeing

FA CE OF TH ED AY

dvertising, popculture, and celebrity serial-entrepreneurs like the ‘Kardashian sisters’ have us believing that leading high stress lives, striving to have it all and do it all in some way translates to having a fabulous life. So we chart every moment of our day, work long hours at jobs we don’t necessarily like, to buy things we don’t necessarily need, while fueling ourselves with Junk food or fad diets. We begin to lead our lives like human versions of the energizer bunny – “keep going and going.” Add to the mix a self-deprecating scroll on social media and you have landed yourself in a chronic state of stress.

Chronic stress causes us a myriad of health issues, it haunts us through the day and leave us sleepless though the night. Here is how it happensBack in the Paleolithic Era, primitive hunters and gatherers were faced with real life threatening dangers like coming face to face with a predator.

The body went into a state of stress, and released cortisol to trigger the fight or flight response. This surge in cortisol helped the muscles and brain respond faster to make a quick escape. Cortisol also puts the nervous system into a hypersensitive state that makes us more responsive to the slightest threat. Today things are very different. While we enjoy the modern comforts of civilization, we continue to

hormone) in the brain.

Our bodies begin to cry for help in the form of cold sweats, headaches, indigestion, body aches, lethargy, insomnia, burn out and a host of other problems that we can intellectually recognize as stress. Unfortunately by this time we have internalized stress to such an extent that we no longer know how to stop running, pushing and overreaching ourselves. The poor aforementioned bunny that we have turned ourselves into is too stressed to stop so it keeps going and going and going; jumping up each time the

YOUR DAY Horoscope by

Saurabbh Sachdeva

phone tings, pings or ring!

FOOD FOR MOOD

Nutritional Psychiatry is an emerging field of nutrition, dietetic and psychological sciences that explores the changes that nutritional interventions can make to one’s mental health. Chronic stress and high levels of cortisol destroys the good gut bacteria and cause inflammation in the gut and brain. Inflam-

FEELING STRESSED?

Have a pinch of turmeric and black pepper with honey (optional). The active ingredient in Turmeric – Curcumin improves the gut ecosystem, increases the secretion of serotonin and dopamine and reduces cortisol.

The Piperine in black pepper increases the absorption of Curcumin.

FEELING DEPRESSED?

Consume foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like fatty fish, chia, flax or hemp seeds. Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and help build cell membranes in the brain.

FEELING ANGRY?

Avoid trans-fats, as they interfere with the usage and production of omega 3 fatty acids. Eat healthy nuts, whole grains or complex carbohydrates, to stabilize your blood sugar.

Low levels of glucose can lead to irritability, anger

and aggression.

CAN’T SLEEP?

The brain follows a pattern called the circadian rhythm by releasing melatonin (sleep hormone) and tryptophan (essential amino acid) between 10pm and 2am for optimal sleep. Hormone imbalance can interfere with this cycle causing insomnia. Melatonin rich foods include eggs, fatty fish, asparagus and broccoli. A great source of Tryptophan is Chickpeas.

So a dinner comprising of an omelet with hummus on whole-wheat crackers followed by a warm cup of chamomile tea is sure to help you sleep better.

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

You are likely to consolidate on whatever you have achieved on the social front up till now.

Spouse may compel you for something that you are in no mood of, but little you can do about it!

Someone is likely to help you make the decisions on the academic front.

Planning something exciting with friends is possible today. Your popularity is set to rise, as you start getting more social. You will need good negotiating skills to swing a deal in your favour on the professional front. Good management skills will help you.

Prospects of a journey to a distant place may get you all excited. Academic aspirations of those pursuing higher studies areto be met.

Some of you are all set to expand your social circle. Spending time with a friend is foreseen. Total bliss is foreseen for those newly in love.

You can get involved in something important on the social front. You may get a chance to add to your friends’ list, as you meet someone exciting. Home will be a happy place to be in today. Favourable outcome may be expected on the academic front, just give your full effort.

MAR 21 - APR 20

APR 21 - MAY 20

MAY 21 - JUNE 21

JUNE 22 - JULY 23

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

You may have to be at your convincing best, as spouse may hold you accountable for neglecting something important. There is much that needs to be done, so get to it right away. A hectic day is foreseen, which may find you running from pillar to post in getting something done.

Your spirit is likely to motivate those around you.

It is a good time for making new contacts. You are likely to get saddled with a difficult project and give a poor show. Academic performance of a family youngster may leave much to be desired. Spread love.

It is certainly a wonder how you manage to become popular in any set-up. You may remain busy with additional work today.

Those in business will be able to increase their net earnings. Help from someone on the financial front will help you overcome a situation.

New ideas are likely to bring positive changes.

This is going to be a good day overall. Helping coworkers and colleagues will bring you appreciation. Those facing interview are likely to fare well.

Buying a vehicle or property is on the cards for some.

JULY 24 - AUGUST 23

AUG 24 - SEP 23

SEPT 24 - OCTOBER 22

OCT 23 - NOVEMBER 22

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Reputation of those associated with the media is likely to rise. This is a good day to look up someone, who is persistent in inviting you over. A tiff with spouse or family member needs to be dealt empathetically. Those working in IT sectors may need to go for some skill enhancement courses.

You continue to stay fit and healthy and there is nothing to worry as far as health is concerned.

Because of limit flow of money, your financial condition is not stable yet.

Your hard in office will bring your recognition and appreciation from your senior.

Meeting your near and dear ones is likely to keep you much entertained. This is a great day for you, when you finally get your way. You will feel proud of something achieved at work. Great opportunities await you on the academic front. Your resolve to become fit is likely to bring results.

Suitable accommodation is likely to be found for those hunting for one. A property may come to some through inheritance. You will find everything moving smoothly at work.

Professionals are likely to do well.

Money is not likely to pose any problem as you have enough.

NOV 23 - DEC 22

SEJAL KUMAR, Blogger

mation in the brain is considered a major cause of mental health illnesses. For decades research has shown that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and other lean protein will improve mental health, hormone balance and cognitive function.

DEC 23 - JAN 20

JAN 21 - FEB 19

FEB20 - MARCH 20

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AHMEDABAD | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

‘CHHORII’ IN MP

G

igi Hadid is continuing to tease sweet pictures of her baby girl!

The 25-year-old model posted a selfie on her Instagram on Wednesday, which featured the top of her baby’s head, whose name has not yet been publicly revealed. Hadid captioned the cute picture with a couple of emojis. Going by the photos, it seems that Gigi has returned to her mother Yolanda Hadid’s Pennsylvania farm.

As soon as the supermodel posted the adorable selfie her famous friends flooded the comment section with sweet messages. While fellow model Karlie Kloss left a couple of heart-eye emojis, Emily Ratajkowski wrote “The most beautiful.” Famous VS model Lily Aldrige also commented: “So sweeeeet” with a heart emoji.

—Agency

...his post

Remembering the Heroes

O

n the 12th anniversary of Mumbai terror attacks on Thursday, actor Anupam Kher shared a patriotic post to commemorate the sacrifice of security personnel and common people in the incident.

Anupam Kher shared a post on Instagram and wrote, “Mumbai hamle me 26/11 ko kya hua tha, ye duniya kabhi nahi bhulegi, or hum Hindustani to bilkul bhi nahi. Is aatankwadi hamle me jinhone apni jaan gawayi or

Anupam Kher

jinhone apni jaane di, unhe meri bhawpuran shradhanjali.

The world will never forget what happened in Mumbai on 26/11. My soulful tributes to those who lost their lives and who sacrificed their lives in this terrorist attack.,” —ANI

11

Nushrratt Bharuccha

A

fter their announcement in May this year, Abundantia Entertainment and Crypt TV’s maiden joint venture ‘Chhorii’ has just gone on floors. Joining hands with them is T-series, India’s leading movie studio and largest music label that has recently come on-board for the film. Headlined by Nushrratt Bharuccha, ‘Chhorii’ commenced filming on Thursday in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh (MP). This is a start-to-finish filming schedule and the unit will film all through December across Madhya Pradesh, with a few days to be shot subsequently in Mumbai in the film’s final schedule.

— Agency

WEEKND‘S RESPONSE Cast of Coolie No1

Trailer out soon the film which shows it is going to be the 45th film of filmmaker David Dhawan. With the picture, the actor wrote, “COOLIE NO 1 Arrival time note kar lijiye trailer ka! 28 Nov, 12 PM, Amazon Prime Video ke Facebook aur YouTube page par.”

—ANI

S

anya Malhotra has hit the right chord of the audience with her versatile roles and filmography. Her recently released film, Ludo garnered rave reviews from the audiences and critics alike, for her sizzling chemistry with Aditya Roy Kapur. Before the release of Ludo, Sanya was roped in for the movie ‘Love Hostel’, alongside Vikrant Massey. In a recent announcement, Sanya’s next ‘Meenakshi Sundereshwar’ has also been announced.

With such a vast trajectory of roles in her kitty, Sanya excitingly shares, ”This festive season became all the more special for me. I feel happy for the reviews and appreciation which I have received for Ludo. This year has gotten better with the film release and back to back announcements of two films. I am extremely excited and looking forward to these p r o jects.”

—Agency

GLIMPSE

Weekend

Gigi Hadid

Sad announcement

C

hristina Perri has sadly announced that she lost her baby girl. After being hospitalized for pregnancy complications, the 34-year-old Jar of Hearts singer took to her Instagram on Tuesday to reveal that her daughter did not survive.“last night we lost our baby girl. she was born silent after fighting so hard to make it to our world. she is at peace now and will live forever in our hearts,” Christina wrote along with a photo from the hospital with her and husband Paul Costabile holding their daughter’s hand.

Earlier this month, Christina shared with fans that her daughter would need to undergo surgery immediately after she gave birth. “The baby right now is scheduled to have an operation when they arrive,” Christina explained at the time.

“We’ll spend some time in the hospital.”

—Agency

Christina Perri

...her post

Sanya Malhotra

I

nterim President of The Recording Academy and Grammy chief Harvey Mason, Jr. recently spoke out after seeing The Weeknd‘s response to being snubbed by The Grammys.

If you didn’t see, the Blinding Lights musician called out the Recording Academy in a scathing Instagram post, after his critically acclaimed album, After Hours, received zero nominations. “The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency…” he wrote in his post.

—Agency

NOTE FROM BIG B

SCORED SIX

Spectacular 2020

ZIGI’S

Taylor Swift

E

ver since the first look of the movie Coolie No1 came out, it had caused quite a stir.

And today the lead star Varun Dhawan announced the date and time of the release of the trailer.

The actor posted on Twitter the poster of

...her post

Aahana Kumra

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T

a y l o r Swift recently celebrated her Grammy nominations with her team! The 30-year-old singer shared how she connected with her team by video calls and Facetime to celebrate their six nominations at the upcoming 2021 Grammys. “ask us how our days been,” Taylor captioned as everyone had their mouths open in excitement about the recognition.

Taylor was also recognized in the Best Pop Duo. —Agency

ctress Aahana Kumra is overjoyed on receiving a handwritten letter from Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan.

She took to her verified Instagram account on Wednesday to share an image of the letter. In the letter dated November 22, Big B has expressed gratitude to the actress for sending home a Diwali hamper. Bachchan in his letter has also informed that they did not celebrate Diwali this year “due to a bereavement in the family and the covid pandemic”. Sharing a photograph of the letter on Instagram, Aahana wrote: “The day becomes very special when there is a special delivery of a special handwritten note by the most special super human!” —Agency

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

CORONA QUIZ BY DBM CITY FIRST

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uring the ‘Digital Baal Mela’ organised by LIC on Thursday, a quiz on Corona was organised by Doctor Sudipto Chakraborty for the participants.

During the session, he shared the information about how to wear a mask, where to keep it and how to remove

the mask.

He shared that one should not remove the mask anywhere and throw it here and there.

The mask has to be thrown in either dustbin or should be washed if it is a homemade mask. On coming from outside, first, the clothes and masks have to be kept in a separate place. cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

AHMEDABAD | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

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CONDOLENCES...

Jagdeesh Chandra with (left) Vikas Sharma and Lalit Gangwani of the First India family at the Tiye ki Baithak of late Shrimati Lata Sharma (inset), wife of Mahesh Kumar Sharma and mother of Vikas Sharma, on Thursday at Bassi, Jaipur.

INDIAN ORGAN

WHAT’S HAPPENING! —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI

DONATION DAY 2020 Striking the right chord CITY FIRST

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fter the massive success of ‘Aaj Bhi’ earlier this year, the award-winning singer-composer Vishal Mishra and VYRL Originals brought to you ‘Woh Chaand Kahan Se Laogi’. Sung and Composed by Vishal himself, this melancholic song will strike a chord with every person who has experienced love and betrayal in a relationship.

The music video features the gorgeous actress Urvashi Rautela and the heart throb of Indian Television, Mohsin Khan. The song has been beautifully penned by Manoj Muntashir which depicts the emotions of sorrow and pain of a heartbroken lover who questions the very

existence of their relationship and time they spent together.

Sharing his thoughts, Vishal Mishra said, “I have always believed in expressing my emotions through my music and am super stoked to bring to you my next song. This is for all the emotional people in the world, who have emotions locked in their heart which they can’t express.” cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

Albert Hall —PHOTOS BY SANTOSH SHARMA

CITY FIRST

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o create awareness about organ donation, Albert Hall, Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort and Statue Circle in the Pink City lit up in green colour on Thursday. Today, 27 November is marked as the Indian Organ Donation Day, as per the National Organ and Tissue Transplant

Statue Circle

Organisation (NOTTO).

Bhavna Jagwani, Convener of MFJCF Navjeevan, the NGO working for the cause of Organ donation in Rajasthan, said, “We are very grateful to the Rajasthan government for their support.

The beautiful monuments of our beloved city lit up in this life-giving colour gives a powerful message!” cityfirst@firstindia.co.in

GUJ: A renowned author and speaker Kajal Mehta have released ‘Sugar Daddy’ on Thursday at AMA in Ahmedabad.

The theme of the book is based on homosexuality and homosexual people.

GUJ: A family was seen purchasing vegetables in advance for long time storage given the ongoing night curfew in —PHOTO BY HANIF SINDHI Ahmedabad city on Thursday.

Hawa Mahal

WATER CONCLAVE

The result of Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET) held on 21 and 22 November 2020 was declared on Thursday at 2 pm. The results are available on the official website of the institute.

CONGRATULATIONS!

CITY FIRST

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Urvashi Rautela

onfederation of Indian Industry (CII), Rajasthan organised a virtual inauguration of the Water Conclave on Wednesday. The underlying theme at the Water Conclave was the roadmap for a Greener tomorrow using 7R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rethink, Refuse, Refurbish and Recover.

On the occasion, Naveen Mahajan, Secretary – PHED

& GWD, Government of Rajasthan shared, “We should adopt more & more scientific and technology-friendly measurements and state government is thinking to utilize more Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, Scientific Algorithm; Internet of Things (IoT) etc in existing water assets.”

Vishal Baid, Chairman,

CII Rajasthan & President, Poly Medicure Ltd opine that in this scenario, there is steep competition for water amongst the user groups including farmers, domestic users and industry. He also informed that recently Central Ground Water Board has come out with new guidelines and authorised CII to conduct water audits.

The ring ceremony of Ruchira and Amit was held at Hotel Holiday Inn Jaipur, on —PHOTO BY SANTOSH SHARMA Thursday. We wish them all the best!