16 January 2015

SAADDA HAQ Friday, January 16, 2015

Vol. 1 Issue: 120 Price: Rs.3:00

Reg. No: DELENG/2014/58212

FIGHT FOR RIGHT

Delhi Edition Pages: 8 Website: www.saaddahaq.in Email: news.saaddahaq@gmail.com

1984 anti-Sikh riots: No legally admissible evidence 'Blackhat' Brings Cyber-Security to Shahid Kapoor denies getting to frame charge, says Tytler to court P2 the Big Screen P6 engaged to a mystery girl Minimum temperature drops again, clear day ahead in Delhi NEW DELHI, JAN 15 Delhiites on Thursday woke up to a cold morning as minimum temperature dropped to 5.8 degrees Celsius while fog continued to disrupt train traffic. According to MeT CONTD. ON PAGE 3

Man in Bihar tries to sell son for liquor, arrested PATNA, JAN 15 A man was arrested in Bihar's East Champaran district after he tried to sell his minor son to purchase liquor, police said Thursday.

The shocking incident took place at a rural market CONTD. ON PAGE 3

Educational Bar for Contesting Panchayat Polls in Rajasthan to Stay For Now JAN 15 A court in Rajasthan today refused to interfere with a controversial government order that set educational prerequisites for contesting village polls, disappointing thou CONTD. ON PAGE 3

JAIPUR,

Stabbing for scrap lands rag-picker to 5 yrs in jail NEW DELHI, JAN 15 A rag-picker has been sentenced to a five-year jail term for stabbing his fellow during a fight over a share of scrap, by a Delhi court which refused to take a lenient view towards him due to the gravity of the offence.

Additional Sessions Judge CONTD. ON PAGE 3

Congress demands Satish Upadhyay's reply over power discom allegations NEW DELHI, JAN 15 Congress spokesperson Ajay Maken on Thursday said that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Delhi unit chief Satish Upadhyay must reply to the allegations put on him by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over power discoms.

CONTD. ON PAGE 3

Sunanda death case: Shashi Tharoor says 'being misquoted, defamed' NEW DELHI, JAN 15 In his first reaction after the Delhi Police filed a murder FIR in Sunanda Pushkar's death case, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said that there's an attempt to defame him day in and day CONTD. ON PAGE 3

Weather Report DELHI

Temperature: 160C Precipitation: 0% Humidity:61% Wind: 8 Km/hr

KOLKATA

Temperature: 260C Precipitation: 0% Humidity: 36% Wind: 18 Km/hr

CHENNAI

Temperature: 290C Precipitation: 30% Humidity:67% Wind: 26 Km/hr

MUMBAI

Temperature: 290C Precipitation: 0% Humidity: 42% Wind: 16 Km/hr

RBI surprises with 0.25% rate cut; EMIs on home, auto loans to come down

NEW DELHI, JAN 15 The Reserve Bank of India cut its repo interest rate by 25 basis points to 7.75 per cent in a surprise move on Thursday, making its first reduction in a year as inflation showed signs of slowing and the government was making efforts to contain the fiscal deficit.

Here is Your Point Cheat-Sheet: Cheering the move the Sensex zoomed up, gaining as much as 600 points to 27,947 and the 50-share Nifty jumped over 2 per cent above the 8,450 mark.

The rupee soared by 46 paise to trade at a fresh onemonth high of 61.72 against the dollar in early trade.

The move is expected to bring relief to borrowers. With the RBI reducing the benchmark repo rate, the level at which it lends to commercial banks, EMIs for loans are expected to come down.

In a statement, the RBI cited lower-than-expected inflation, weak crude prices and weak demand as the reasons for its move, as well as the government’s commitment to sticking to a fiscal deficit target.

“These developments have provided headroom for CONTD. ON PAGE 3

Falling oil prices: Modi and Jaitley should be thanking Saudi Arabia

Over 700 Litres of Illicit Liquor Seized in Uttar Pradesh, 43 Arrested ALLAHABAD, JAN 15 Close on the heels of the hooch tragedy that claimed 41 lives in Lucknow and Unnao, more than 700 litres of illicit liquor has been seized from various parts of the district with the police arresting 43 persons in this connection.

"In the aftermath of the hooch tragedy that struck Unnao and Lucknow, a direction was received from the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police to the district police chief here for constituting a team to crack down on illicit liquor trade," police spokesman Mrityunjay Mishra said.

CONTD. ON PAGE 3

price for India.

As he put it: “The dramatic fall in oil prices is a boon for us. It saves, on an annualised basis, around $ 50 billion, roughly, one-third of our

annual gross POL (petroleum, oil and lubricants) imports of about $ 160 billion. This is on a backof-the-envelope, top-line basis. Of course, there CONTD. ON PAGE 3

SRINAGAR, JAN 15 In a major breakthrough, the security forces on Thursday killed five hardcore militants belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant outfits after a fierce gunbattle in Shopian district of south Kashmir.

"The several hours long encounter in Shopian district ended with the killing of five dreaded militants," Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Abdul Gani Mir said.

Mir said that the slain CONTD. ON PAGE 3

Peace in Kashmir has to be maintained: Army chief NEW DELHI, JAN 15 The hard-fought peace in militancy-hit Jammu and Kashmir has to be maintained, Army Chief Dalbir Singh on Thursday said as he accused Pakistan of supporting terrorism in the state. He also said that the Army needs to focus on war preparation which is its "primary task". "The peace in Jammu and Kashmir, which was brought with great difficulty, has to be maintained," Singh

said while addressing his force on the occasion of 67th Army Day. He said the recent terror attacks show that terrorists continue to get support from "across the border".

Earlier this week too, he had accused Pakistan of continuing to support "proxy war" in Jammu and Kashmir despite suffering casualties due to terror on its soil.

Talking about the borders with China, CONTD. ON PAGE 3

grown under the supervision of the yoga guru and his close aide Balkrishna.

Expressing happiness

at being appointed Haryana's brand ambassador, Ramdev said considering the state govern-

ment's vision, the day was not far off when it would become India's first yogic state.

The emphasis on yoga and ayurveda would lead to an amalgamation of tradition and modernity and inclusion of yoga in the school syllabus would turn Haryana into a model state based on Indian values and traditions.

Disclosing the state government's grandiose plans to promote yoga and ayurveda, Mr Vij said Krishna Ayurvedic CONTD. ON PAGE 3

AHMEDABAD A day after two persons were killed and at least ten others were injured in clashes between two communities in and around Hansot town of Bharuch district, police on Thursday registered five separate FIRs for murder and rioting but no arrests have been made .

"A case of murder has been registered against 16 persons for their alleged involvement in killing two local youths yesterday during the riot. We have also registered four FIRs separately against a mob comprising more than 150 persons for their involvement in assault, rioting, attempt to murder and damage to

I-T probes finds Rs 203 cr undisclosed income in Birla case NEW DELHI, JAN 16 An Income Tax probe has claimed to have found an undisclosed income of Rs 203 crore in the hands of different people of Aditya Birla Group which had allegedly used the hawala route to transfer an undisclosed sum of money.

Months after the sensational seizure of Rs 25 crore in one of the Aditya Birla Group offices here in October 2013, a report filed by the Additional Director of Income Tax (Investigation) claims that Aditya Birla Management CONTD. ON PAGE 3

No political shelter be given to those BJP's Satish Upadhyay Sends Legal Notice to AAP Chief Arvind Kejriwal for Defamation involved in terror, narco trafficking: BJP

The BJP's Delhi unit president Satish Upadhyay today sent a legal notice for defamation to Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal.

"As per my commitment, I today served a legal notice to Kejriwal and asked him to prove allegations levelled by him against me with evidence in next 24 hours. If he fails, I will initiate appropriate legal action against him," Mr Upadhyay told reporters.

Mr Kejriwal had yesterday alleged that there was a

NEW DELHI, JAN 15 Former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, on Thursday, joined the BJP and is going to be the face of the party in the crucial Delhi elections next month.

"Delhi needs a stable, strong, corruption-free

government. I have the experience, time and energy to make Delhi a worldclass capital city," she declared after becoming an online member in the presence of BJP president Amit Shah and Union Ministers CONTD. ON PAGE 3

Five JeM, Hizbul militants killed in Gujarat communal clash: Police register five FIRs Shopian encounter in J&K

Yoga Guru Ramdev Made Haryana's Brand Ambassador

HARIDWAR, JAN 15 The BJP government in Haryana which has ambitious plans to proamote yoga and ayurveda in a big way has appointed yoga guru Ramdev its brand ambassador.

Announcing this at a press conference at the Divya Yog Mandir in Haridwar, Haryana's minister of sports and health Anil Vij said that a herbal forest would be developed over thousands of acres of land in the state where plants of 25 thousand species of ayurvedic herbs would be

Kiran Bedi to be BJP's 'face' in Delhi polls

RBI cuts repo rate: Who said what

MUMBAI, JAN 16 In a pleasant surprise, RBI on Thursday cut its policy rate by 0.25 percent in the first reduction in 20 months and promised more, paving way for cheaper home and auto loans as also lower cost of funds for corporate borrowers. While the government, industry and stock markets cheered RBI's CONTD. ON PAGE 3

NEW DELHI, JAN 15 Urjit Patel, one of the deputy governors of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), recently explained the benefits of the dramatic fall in crude oil

P8

nexus between Mr Upadhyay and power companies in Delhi. The AAP chief had claimed that firms owned by Mr Upadhyay were installing and repairing electricity meters for discoms in the city. (Arvind Kejriwal Levels Corruption Charges at Delhi BJP Chief, Who Hits Back) The BJP today also filed a complaint with the Election Commission against Mr Kejriwal. "He is misleading people by levelling false CONTD. ON PAGE 3

NEW DELHI, JAN 15 Amid reports of strained ties with its ally Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjnab, BJP on Wednesday said it has "zero tolerance" on issues like terrorism and narcotics and the party will not tolerate any political shelter to those involved in such activities.

The party said its proposal to hold dharnas against the drug menace in Punjab would be held

later as the same were postponed in view of Delhi assembly elections and its president Amit Shah's tight schedule.

BJP had planned sitins in Amritsar on January 22 in which Shah was also to participate.

"BJP has zero tolerance towards terrorism and narcotics. Terrorism is a major threat to the world. Narcotics is a major problem and all

have to unitedly fight against it.

"All the culprits involved in narcotics and drug mafia should not get any political shelter and the party will not tolerate it," BJP national secretary Shrikant Sharma said.

He, however, said the party respected its alliance partners and they were very much a part of NDA government despite BJP CONTD. ON PAGE 3

property," said police inspector of Hansot N D Chaudhari.

However, police are yet to make any arrests.

Police also scaled down the death toll in yesterday's clashes, triggered after a scuffle between two groups in nearby Ambetha village on the issue of

catching kites during Makarsankranti festival, to two from three as was earlier reported. Bharuch SP Bipin Ahire had last night said three persons were killed in the violence, but it came to light today that one of them is alive and is in critical condition.

CONTD. ON PAGE 3

Will expose AAP for what it is: Shazia Ilmi NEW DELHI, JAN 15 Amid intense speculation about her next political move, former AAP leader Shazia Ilmi on Thursday said that she will soon expose all the wrongdoings in the Arvind Kejriwal-led party.

Talking to reporters, Ilmi said, “I really want to expose AAP for what it is. I will do whatever I can to that effect.” "I will be campaigning CONTD. ON PAGE 3

'Impressed' by PM Modi's Gesture, Says Shashi Tharoor KOLKATA JAN 15 Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor today praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his personal graciousness despite an earlier spat, while criticising the government led by him.

Mr Modi had congratulated him after his victory in the Lok Sabha CONTD. ON PAGE 3

Modi salutes courage of officers on Army Day NEW DELHI, JAN 15 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday saluted the indomitable courage and valour of the army on the occasion of 67th Army Day and said he was proud of their determination. “On Army Day, I salute the indomitable courage and valour of our army.

We are extremely proud of their dedication and determination,” he CONTD. ON PAGE 3

2

Delhi News

Arvind Kejriwal 'happy' for Kiran Bedi

NEW DELHI, JAN 15 Though they may have reason to be worried, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders have reacted with caution to BJP's masterstroke of getting Kiran Bedi to take on Arvind Kejirwal in Delhi.

The AAP chief tweeted: “I have been fond of Kiran Bedi ji. I always tried to convince her that she shud (sic) join politics. I am happy she did it today.”

However, his party colleagues not as charitable as him on Kiran Bedi's decision to join the BJP and contest Delhi assembly polls.

Senior party leader Sanjay Singh said, “Shocking news for us as she decided, she will raise voice of public through social movements non politically.”

“Yet to see if she would contest for the post of CM in Delhi,” he said, adding, “But she has her own ideology and freedom, we extend our wishes to her.”

AAP spokesperson Atishi Marlena said,

“Kiran ji was against party politics during India against corruption movement, she seemed to hv changed her point of view...But she is welcome to join politics, she is welcome to join BJP.”

Kejriwal close aide and senior party leader Manish Sisodia said, “When it comes to credibility, there is no one as credible a contestant as Arvind Kejriwal.

We congratulate Kiran ji and BJP on this new

update.”

Clearly, the AAP will have to get back to the drawing board on its poll strategy to overcome the BJP's growing strength in the high-stakes battle for Delhi.

SAADDA HAQ NEW DELHI | FRIDAY | JAN 16, 2015

1984 anti-Sikh riots: No legally admissible evidence to frame charge, says Tytler to court NEW DELHI, JAN 15 Congress leader Jagdish Tytler on Thursday told a Delhi court that there was no legally admissible evidence to frame charge against him in a defamation complaint filed by a senior advocate representing the victims in 1984 anti-Sikh riot cases.

Tytler's counsel argued that the complaint was filed by senior counsel H S Phoolka regarding alleged defamatory statements made against him by the Congress leader in a TV news programme aired on September 7, 2004 and there was a long and "inordinate delay" in the proceedings of this matter.

"The court has to see whether notice is to be framed against my client...There is no material to frame charge," his counsel told Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM)

Gaurav Rao during the arguments on framing of notice. Tytler's counsel also argued that primary evidence filed by the complainant was based on a video cassette which is an electronic evidence but it cannot be filed in the court with proper certificate, as mandated by law.

Phoolka's counsel, however, countered his submissions contending that the

complaint, statement of the complainant and other witnesses corroborating it, were enough to frame charge against Tytler in the matter. "There is sufficient evidence to proceed with framing of notice," Phoolka's counsel said.

The court has now fixed the matter for further arguments on January 24.

The court had earlier watched the original video

of the TV programme which was aired by the news channel in both English and Hindi.

In an earlier hearing, Tytler had told the court that he was ready to tender "unconditional apology" to Phoolka to settle the matter as no public interest was involved in the complaint filed by an individual.

Phoolka, however, had refused to accept Tytler's offer, saying "any compromise" in a serious matter like this would send a wrong message to the people. In his complaint filed in 2006, Phoolka had alleged that Tytler had levelled "false and derogatory" allegations against him to harm his reputation in the society. His counsel had earlier told the court that Tytler should also be prosecuted for the offence of criminal intimidation under section 506 of the IPC.

Stabbing for scrap lands ‘We want govt. intervention to feel safe’ rag-picker to 5 yrs in jail NEW DELHI, JAN 15 A rag-picker has been sentenced to a five-year jail term for stabbing his fellow during a fight over a share of scrap, by a Delhi court which refused to take a lenient view towards him due to the gravity of the offence.

Additional Sessions Judge Hemani Malhotra, while relying on the testimony of victim Raju and an eye-witness, handed down the jail term to rag-picker Dalip for the offence of attempt to murder under section 307 of the IPC. "Considering the submissions and the nature of offence, this court is of the opinion that convict does not deserve any

leniency at all.

Accordingly, he is sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for five years," the judge said, while terming testimonies of Raju and eye witness as "consistent".

"It is proved that the complainant sustained stab injury on his abdomen with his intestines protruding out and a major abdominal surgery was conducted on him," the court said while also relying on the medical report of the victim. The court, while rejecting the contention of the counsel for Dalip regarding nonrecovery of the weapon of offence.

NEW DELHI, JAN 15 Expressing shock and concern over the fourth attack on a church in the Capital over the past seven weeks, leaders and members of the Christian community have demanded urgent intervention by the government to reassure their safety here.

“A Marian grotto in West Delhi’s Our Lady of Graces Church in Vikaspuri was vandalised in the early hours of Wednesday, the fourth such incident in the Capital over the past seven weeks. We see a clear pattern in these attacks,” said Father Savarimuthu Shankar, the spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Delhi.

The incident occurred two days after the Election

Jaya Prada to join BJP? NEW DELHI, JAN 15 Actor-turned-politician Jaya Prada is likely to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and may be fielded against AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal in the Delhi assembly election, BJP sources said Thursday.

According to a BJP leader, the party is banking on the actor to win the New Delhi seat won by Mr. Kejriwal in 2013 after defeating three-time chief minister Sheila Dikshit.

Jaya Prada fought the 2014 Lok Sabha election as a Rashtriya Lok Dal candidate from Bijnor but lost.

Meanwhile, former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, former AAP legislator Vinod Kumar Binny and former AAP leader Shazia Ilmi too

are likely to join the BJP

soon, the sources said.

Kids of woman accident victim get over Rs 69 L compensation NEW DELHI, JAN 15 Two minor children of a 32-yearold woman, who died in a road accident in 2012, have been awarded a compensation of over Rs 69 lakh by a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) here.

MACT Presiding Officer Deepak Jagotra, while noting that victim's husband (petitioner) expired during pendency of the proceedings, directed the National Insurance Company to pay Rs 69,28,728 to their minor son and daughter, after they attain majority.

While awarding the compensation, the tribunal relied on the testimony of the woman's husband during the proceedings that he was riding a scooter on which his wife was sitting pillion when a negligently driven Hyundai i20 car hit them from

behind leading to her death.

"It is amply clear that the car driver must have easily seen as to who is going ahead of him. Testimony of victim's husband is absolutely believable and has not been discredited by the respondents (driver and insurance company)," it said.

"Since the victim's husband has also expired, his share will be divided into his children and his mother," it added. The tribunal also relied on the documents including FIR, chargesheet, mechanical inspection report and post mortem report of the victim while deciding the case in favour of the victim's family members. During the pendency of proceedings the tribunal had, in February 2013, awarded an interim compensation Rs 50,000 to the family of the victim.

Father Balraj Lourduswamy, the assistant parish priest of the Vikaspuri Latin Rite church, added that they have footage captured in the CCTV cameras installed at the church gate, which showed three people coming on a motorbike at 4:20 am.

The parishioners here participated in an evening mass and took out a candle light procession to register their protest about the incident.

Meanwhile, the archdiocesan spokesperson, said the repeated attacks on churches has unnerved Christians in Delhi.

Delhi Archbishop Anil J.T. Couto on Wednesday maintained that they would seek an appointment with

President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday to express the community’s apprehension.

“A clear pattern of orchestrated attacks is emerging as more and more churches are targeted, vandalised and set on fire.

This is very disturbing and we request the local authorities to take adequate measures to bring to book the miscreants who are threatening to weaken the social fabric of this great nation,” the Archbishop said.

The Archbishop also expressed concern at the continued silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on attacks on churches and provocative Hindutva remarks by his party men.

Lalu Prasad vacates government bungalow

India assures maximum security for Barack Obama's visit

Commission

of

India

announced the date for the

Delhi Assembly elections.

Cabinet Committee on Accommodation allowed him to retain the bungalow for one year from the date of cancellation till October, 2014.

Mr. Prasad had written to the UPA government to allow him to retain the house in health grounds and also because his grandchild went to school in Delhi.

When the BJP led NDA came to power, he was asked to vacate the bungalow, as he had been overstaying.

The matter was referred to the Litigation department, which passed an eviction order in November 2014. Mr. Prasad finally vacated the house on January 13, officials said.

NEW DELHI, JAN 15 Former Union Minister Lalu Prasad has finally vacated the bungalow that was allocated to him by the UPA government.

Officials on Thursday confirmed the RJD leader has moved out of the Number 25, Tughlak Road, Type-VIII bungalow that was allotted to him in July 2002, as Member of Rajya Sabha after it was transferred to Rajya Sabha pool.

The allocation was regularised in May 2004, when he was inducted as a Union Minister.

Following his disqualification as an MP in November 2013, the house allocation was cancelled.

But in February 2013,

BSP kicks off Delhi poll campaign, to contest on all 70 seats NEW DELHI, JAN 15 Kicking off election campaign for the upcoming Delhi Vidhan Sabha polls, BSP president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati today announced that her party would field candidates on all the 70 seats.

"I am starting the election campaign for the Delhi Vidhan Sabha elections today... Our party would contest all the 70 seats on our own", Mayawati told newpersons here.

The BSP supremo, who is celebrating her 59th birthday today as 'People's Welfare Day', said after making promises of "achchey din" in the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP and its central government would now offer allurements and dreams to mislead the peo-

ple of Delhi.

"But Dalits, backward castes and others should know that central government, without making arrangement of quotas in the private sector, have started giving important works to the private sector belonging to capitalists, resulting in these sections getting very little benefit of reservation", she said.

Training her guns at Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, Mayawati said, referring to the issue of reservation, "he has gone a step ahead of BJP and is the votary of ending reservation and has also given statements in this direction." With BJP and AAP at the helm, the minorities, including poor muslims as well as poor among the upper castes, would not get their

rightful place in education and jobs, Mayawati said.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also lashed out the Congress for its "inconsistency" on addressing issues and appealed to the people of Delhi to elect new government "intelligently".

"Congress too has had an inconsistent attitude on these issues. I appeal to the harassed and unhappy people of Delhi on my birthday to decide on their votes intelligently", she said and asked dalits and backwards not to fall prey to the drama of BJP, AAP and Congress.

The Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) election in Delhi, touted as a direct contest between BJP and AAP, will be held on February 7.

NEW DELHI, JAN 15 Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said maximum security arrangements were being made for US President Barack Obama`s visit to India later this month. "We have established maximum s e c u r i t y arrangements...(for the visit)," he said. The US president will arrive in India to attend this year`s Republic Day parade as the chief guest. He is expected to arrive in the national capital Jan 25.

Kiran Bedi's BJP move will not have any impact, says Congress NEW DELHI, JAN 15 Even as political pundits debate the outcome of former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Kiran Bedi's formal induction into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, the Congress dismissed it saying the move would not have any effect on the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls. Congress leader JP Aggarwal called it a desperate attempt by the BJP to influence Delhi voters, and added, "Whatever BJP is doing is out of desperation."

Aggarwal said the move would not have any bearing on Delhi elections. "I don’t think it (Kiran Bedi

joining the BJP) will have any impact," he addded.

The 65-year-old former top cop-turned-activist was flanked by BJP president Amit Shah and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley as she became a member of the party by dialling the toll-free number started for the BJP's mass membership drive.

Bedi, who was earlier attached with India Against Corruption led by Anna Hazare, has been an active supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on TV debates and her joining the BJP could potentially change the capital's political landscape.

NEW DELHI | FRIDAY | JAN 16, 2015

From Page 1 RBI surprises...

much-awaited move, state-owned Union Bank and United Bank within hours lowered their respective benchmark lending rates by similar margin, giving relief to borrowers.

Others, including the PSU giant SBI and private sector major ICICI Bank indicated they will look at rate cuts soon to pass on the benefit to their customers from RBI's lowering of repo rate, at which banks borrow from the central bank.

"Reduction in the rates is a positive development. It will lead to more money in the hand of the consumers and greater spending.

It's positive for the Indian economy," said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who has been nudging RBI for a rate cut for months now.

The industry has also been demanding an interest rate cut to lower their cost of capital and help revive the investment cycle.

Jaitley said that the RBI decision would "certainly help in reviving investment cycle that the government is trying to restore".

The Reserve Bank cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.75 percent with immediate effect, cheering the stock markets where the benchmark sensex soared by 847 points to 28,194 points during the intra-day trade.

RBI had last reduced the repo rate on May, 3, 2013, when it was lowered from 7.5 percent to 7.25 percent. Thereafter, the rates went higher and had remained steady at an elevated level of 8 percent since January 2014.

RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, who had been maintaining a hawkish stance till now, decided to go in for rate cut a fortnight ahead of the scheduled date of announcement of monetary policy review on February 3.

The surprise early morning move, before the markets opened, came amid softening inflation levels and a reiteration by the Finance Ministry to stick to its fiscal deficit target of 4.1 percent for the current financial year.

Commenting on the rate cut, SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya said the country's largest lender "will look at how and when base (lending) rates can be cut", while ICICI Bank CEO Chanda Kochhar said that the much-awaited lowering of lending and deposit rates would definitely take place now.

As a result of the rate cut, the reverse repo rate, the rate at which the central bank drains excess liquidity from the banking system, also moved down by 25 basis points to 6.75 percent.

The RBI, however, has decided to keep the cash reserve ratio (CRR), the portion of deposits which the banks are required to have in cash with the central bank, unchanged at 4.0 percent.

Rajan had during the previous monetary policy review on December 2 hinted at a possible easing in rates early in 2015, including outside of planned meetings.

Elaborating on the price situation, a RBI statement said "inflation outcomes have fallen significantly below the 8 percent targeted

by January 2015. On current policy settings, inflation is likely to be below 6 percent by January 2016."

Lower-than-expected inflation has been enabled by decline in prices of vegetables and fruits, cereals and the large fall in international commodity prices, particularly crude oil, it said, adding barring geo-political shocks, they are expected to remain low over the year.

Welcoming the rate cut, Ficci President Jyotsna Suri said, "this measure will help in improving the investor sentiment. Ficci hopes that this will be the beginning of further cuts in the policy rate by the central bank, and will enable its transmission into lower lending rates by the banks."

Falling oil ...

will be leakages and other set-offs. But our external situation undoubtedly improves. The welcome development enhances our disposable income (which will increase consumer demand for other goods and services), reduce input cost of our businesses (which will increase margins and help to enthuse investment demand), and aid government finances by reducing the energy subsidy burden in the budget.”

This paragraph needs a detailed discussion.

On 26 May 2014, the day Narendra Modi took oath as the Prime Minister of India, the price of the Indian basket of crude oil stood at $108.56 per barrel. Since then the price of the Indian basket has fallen dramatically and on 13 January 2015, it stood at $ 43.48 per barrel.

Hence, the oil price has fallen by nearly 60% since the Modi government came to power. This, as Patel puts it, has led to a dramatic fall in our oil import bill. He goes on to say that it also increases our disposable income, which in turn will increase consumer demand.

The logic here is very straightforward— people will spend a lesser amount of money to buy oil products, and the money thus saved would be spent on other goods and services. Nevertheless, things aren’t exactly like that. The government hasn’t passed on the entire fall in the price of oil to the end consumer.

As mentioned above the price of the Indian basket of crude oil has fallen by 60% since May end. Nevertheless, petrol prices haven’t fallen by 60%. In Mumbai, the petrol price has fallen by around 14% since April 2014.

3

Continuation

SAADDA HAQ

The same logic stands true for diesel as well.

This has happened because the government has increased the excise duty on petrol and diesel thrice since October 2014, in order to shore up its revenues. The tax growth had been assumed to grow at 16.9% at the time the budget was presented, whereas the actual growth in tax collections between April to November 2014 has been around one-fourth of that at 4.3%.

Analysts Chetan Ahya and Upasana Chachra of Morgan Stanley estimate that the Modi government will collect nearly Rs 14,600 crore between December 2014 and March 2015 through the higher excise duty on petrol and diesel.

What this tells us is that the major benefit of the fall in oil price has gone to the government and has not led to the disposable income of the citizens going up majorly as suggested by Patel. I don’t see this increase in disposable income being big good enough to lead to an increase in the consumption of goods and services.

RBI cuts...

a shift in the monetary policy stance,” it said.

Q The Central Bank added that it could cut interest rates further should inflation continue to ease, while it would also monitor the government’s progress on fiscal consolidation.

Q Helped by plunging global oil prices, India’s wholesale price index for December rose just 0.11 percent year-on-year, after staying flat in November, according to data released on Wednesday.

Q The move, ahead of a February 3 RBI policy meeting and the government’s annual Budget at the end of February caught markets off guard.

Q While the early move was unexpected, economists said aggressive reductions in rates were expected over the course of the year to help the country’s economy out of a rut, with growth rates struggling to recover from their weakest level in a quarter century.

Q The finance ministry welcomed the rate cut by the RBI, saying it reflected easing inflation concerns and vindicated the government’s efforts to achieve economic growth without inflation.

Q The RBI had been under pressure from government and business leaders to reduce rates to increase lending and help kickstart the economy, but RBI governor Raghuram Rajan insisted that his priority was bringing inflation under control.

Kiran Bedi ..

Arun Jaitley and Harshvardhan.

The party's surprise move came a day after the Aam Aadmi Party charged the BJP's Delhi unit president Satish Upadhay's company with "conflict of interest" in providing faulty metres to Delhi in 2012.

On Thursday, Mr. Upadhay was conspicuously absent on the dias.

"The BJP will be be strengthened by Kiran Bedi joining the party and afterwards during government formation in Delhi," Mr. Shah said while inducting her into the party.

He, however, declined to say if she was the party's chief ministerial candidate or whether she will take on Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal in the elections.

Ms. Bedi, a leading light of Anna Hazare's anti-corruption movement, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was her inspiration since May when he swept the polls.

Ms. Bedi, accompanied by Mr. Shah had met Mr. Modi before arriving to the BJP headquarters for joining the party publicly.

With the aim of countering Mr. Kerjriwal, she emphasised her "40 years of administrative experience" and underscored that she had given up her government job when she was overlooked for promotion and alond with it her official bungalow, car and attendants.

"I feel I was not been challenged in what was being given to me at the time and immersed myself into social work."

She said this was a God-sent moment that she accepted.

There is speculation in Delhi circles that former AAP leader Shazia Ilmi may also join the BJP.

Over 700 ...

"Accordingly, a special drive was conducted which led to the seizure of 707 litres of liquor in the last 24 hours."

"Among the arrested persons, 24 were nabbed from various police station areas falling in the city which led to recovery of 435 litres," he said.

From the trans-Yamuna region, the arrests of 14 persons led to recovery of 202 litres while another 70 litres were recovered and five persons arrested in the trans-Ganga region, Mr Mishra said.

Cases have been registered against the arrested accused under the Excise Act, he added.

Five JeM...

militants were affiliated with JeM and HM militant outfits and a cache of arms and ammunition, including three AK assault rifles, one SLR and a pistol were also recovered from them.

The encounter between the militants and security forces comprising police, army and CRPF broke out in Kadder forest area falling under Keller police station in Shopian, 60 kms from here, this morning following a search operation.

Security forces had launched the operation

on a specific information about the presence militants in the area.

The hiding militants opened fire on the search parties and tried to flee. However, the security forces plugged the escape routes and engaged the militants, a senior police official said earlier.

The police said the identity of the slain militants and their nationality was awaited as the search operation is still in progress.

Terming the killing of five hardcore militants in a single operation as a "prize catch", the police said the successful operation would be a "severe setback" to the militants and their designs to carry out subversive activities, especially in south Kashmir.

The latest success comes a day after security forces eliminated a Pakistani militant of Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit in Sopore area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district.

Peace in...

General Singh said because of improvement in ties, "mutual trust has increased".

He said there has been increased interaction between the two forces including borderpost and flag meetings.

The Army Chief also said that the situation in North-East was "peaceful and under control".

Singh spoke about the need to keep the force prepared for all kinds of situations.

"The force has to focus on preparing for war, which is its primary task," he said.

Singh said that the Army has been taking steps to face the challenge of "computer wars" which is the future.

He said the increased focus on rail, road and defence in the Northern border with China will help in improving the force's capability there.

The Army Chief spoke about the welfare activities that he was working on for the personnel.

He said that he was "confident" that the government will soon implement the muchdelayed One Rank One Pension demand.

Singh also revived an impressive parade by the Army and for the first time, it was led by an all-women officers' contingent.

The parade also saw soldiers displaying their combat skills, which got huge applause from the crowd.

Actual explosives were used for the display and the earth shook with each explosion as the Army gave a glimpse into its war manoeuvre strategy.

Gujarat communal...

"That person has received serious injuries and admitted to a Surat-based hospital. He is still critical but alive," Chaudhari clarified.

Meanwhile, security in and around Hansot has been stepped up manifold in the wake of the violence and the situation is totally under control now.

"As a precautionary measure to stop rumours from spreading, we have stopped Internet services in Bharuch district. We have also asked all schools and colleges in Hansot to remain shut. The situation is totally under control" said Chaudhari.

According to police, the tension started last morning when a boy, belonging to a minority community, was thrashed by a youth for catching kites in Ambeta village. Soon, clashes spread to Hansot and religious places and shops were targeted.

Police fired rounds of teargas shells to disperse the mob.

"Family members of the deceased refused to take their bodies for last rites today morning. However, they took possession of the bodies after our intervention," the police inspector said.

Yoga Guru...

college of Haryana would be developed into an Ayurvedic University whereas a yogic centre of international standards would be built in Panchkula.

Mr Vij said he has been camping at Patanjali Yogpeeth for the last two days to discuss with the yoga guru the methods to implement the state government's plans to promote yoga and ayurveda.

Yoga would be made a compulsory subject in Haryana's schools for which yogshalas would be constructed in all the towns and about 6500 villages of the state under the guidance of Ramdev, he said.

Zero period in all schools of Haryana would be yoga period and the PT teachers would have to undergo a training in yoga under the guidance of the yoga guru, he said.

An ayush wing was being established in all the hospitals of Haryana for which 550 doctors would have to do a refresher course under the supervision of the yoga guru, Mr Vij said, adding that Anaganvadi teachers would also be imparted training in yoga.

I-T probes ...

Corporation Pvt Ltd received cash from certain companies of the Group through the angadias/hawala operator in Delhi.

The report of February last year, however, does not say what the money was used for.

The I-T department investigation said company's Deputy General Manager (Accounts) Anand Kumar Saxena admitted "that the unaccounted cash used to be received by him at the office premises of ABMCPL through various angadias."

The probe put the undisclosed income at Rs 203.18 crore in hands of different persons.

When contacted, the company reacted saying, "in some quarters of the media, reports have been quoted totally out of context."

The company said the Group has already made it clear through its press release on

October 17, 2013 that it was both taken aback and concerned about the money seized in one of the group company's premises.

"We are aware that some of the employees of the group company's Delhi office have been questioned by the investigating agency.

We are not privy to what they have stated to the investigating agency which has been reported in one of the newspapers. And therefore we would not wish to comment at this stage," it said.

The company would continue to extend full cooperation to the agencies as and when required, it said.

On a tip off from CBI, which was probing allocation of coal blocks to Birla's Hindalco Industries, the I-T department had on October 16, 2013 carried out search at ABMCPL's office here and claimed to have recovered over Rs 25 crore in cash and a number of "incriminating" documents.

The probe says a local hawala operator had admitted that he used to deliver cash to Saxena after receiving it from Mumbai.

Of the Rs 203 crore undisclosed income, Rs 55.73 crore was attributal to Amitabh for fiscal years from 2007-08 to 2013-14, while Rs 34.63 crore was related to Sunbeam Trading & Investments Pvt Ltd for four years beginning 2007-08. Another Rs 1.73 crore was attributed to one Vijay Mundhra.

Will expose ...

against AAP for sure," she added.

When questioned whether she intends to join BJP, Ilmi said, “I will let you know about my plans of joining BJP or not, give me some time.”

Coming down heavily on the AAP, she said, “Today many workers and supporters are completely disenchanted with the way the party has been functioning.”

The reactions from Ilmi came in view of intense speculations that the former AAP leader may soon join BJP and contest against Arvind Kejriwal from New Delhi Assembly seat.

However, a section of media also reported today that she wanted to contest Assembly polls from RK Puram seat.

Reacting to speculations on Ilmi, Kejriwal had on Wednesday said that she was free to contest from anywhere she wanted in the upcoming polls.

"She is citizen of this country and is free to contest from anywhere she wants," Kejriwal told reporters here.

However, hours after the press conference Kejriwal took a swipe at Ilmi by re-tweeting one of her tweets, dated November 21, 2013 titled 'Hypocrisy, thy name is BJP'. The tweet

by Ilmi, who was in AAP at that time, criticises the BJP and the Congress over their funding.

Ilmi, a prominent woman and minority face of the AAP, had contested the 2013 Assembly polls from RK Puram and lost by a slender margin. The party then wanted to pit her against Congress president Sonia Gandhi in 2014 Lok Sabha polls from Rae Bareli, but she refused. Rejecting her demand to contest from Delhi, the party finally fielded her from Ghaziabad. From there also, Ilmi suffered a drubbing.

Ilmi quit the party lashing out at a "coterie" surrounding Kejriwal, just days after the party faced a severe drubbing in the Lok Sabha polls.

The former AAP leader had also participated in Delhi BJP's Swachch Bharat Abiyaan recently, but did not join the party then.

Sources in the BJP said the former AAP leader could join the party in two or three days.

'Impressed' by... elections, Mr Tharoor said during a media interaction at the launch of his book "India Shashtra" in the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival. "I didn't expect him to reach out and that's why I was very impressed," he said.

Mr Tharoor, who recently accepted the Prime Minister's invitation to join the Clean India campaign, also said he had been taken aback by the Prime Minister's invitation. "It was a very gracious thing to do," he said. "I joined because that was the cause I believed in."

Modi "had not shown signs of reconciliation with an opponent before that," which had surprised him, he said.

"He and I had also clashed quite clearly and explicitly three to eight months previously when he had said something about my wife," Mr Tharoor added.

Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, Mr Modi had taken a dig at Sunanda Pushkar at an election rally in Shimla, calling her a "Rs. 50 crore girlfriend" - a reference to the controversy over the Kochi IPL.

Modi salutes...

said in a statement.

All three service chiefs – Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Robin K. Dhowan and Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha – paid tributes at the Amar Jawan Jyoti here at India Gate on Thursday morning.

Army Day is observed on Jan 15 every year.

The day is of great significance and is observed to commemorate the appointment of Lt Gen (later Field Marshal) K.M. Cariappa as the first Indian Commander-inChief of the Indian Army in 1949.

BJP's Satish...

allegations. We have presented all facts before the Election Commission," Mr Upadhyay said.

Mr Kejriwal says he has evidence to support his claim and was ready to face defamation charges from the BJP leader. "We have proof that the electric meters in Delhi, which run fast, have been put up by companies owned by Upadhyay," the former Delhi chief minister said.

No political...

getting a majority of its own.

"We respect our alliance partners. We have allies Shiromani Akali Dal and Shiv Sena as part of the Union Cabinet," he said.

The comments came amid speculation that BJP is going to take on Akali Dal in the state.

SAD had organised dharnas along the international border against smuggling of drugs from Pakistan, blaming BSF and security agencies for not curbing it.

Punjab Minister Bikram Singh Majithia is in the dock over the drugs issue and was recently questioned by Enforcement Directorate in Jalandhar after one of the accused named him in a drug racket case.

SAD and BJP are sharing power in Punjab and had trounced Congress for the second time in a row in the last assembly elections.

Punjab is set to go to polls in January 2017.

Minimum temperature...

department, the minimum temperature was two notches below normal. Yesterday, it was 11 degrees Celsius, which was three notches above normal.

An official of the department said that shallow fog was observed in the national capital in the early hours and visibility was recorded at 400 meters at 8:30 AM. Apart from that, humidity recorded till 8.30 AM this morning was 94 per cent.

According to a Northen Railway official, 61 trains were delayed and five trains were cancelled due to inclement weather.

However, flight operations remained smooth, airport authorities said.

Weatherman has predicted a mainly clear sky throughout the day.

"There will be mainly clear sky and maximum temperature is expected to settle at 17 degree Celsius," the official also said.

Yesterday, the maximum temperature was recorded six notches below the season's average at at 14.7 degrees Celsius.

Man in Bihar ...

Wednesday when police arrested Prabhu Mahto after his wife lodged a complaint that her husband was trying to sell their eightyear-old son to buy liquor, district police official Lalit Vijay Tiwari said.

Tiwari said Mahto's wife Janki Devi, a resident of Kavalpur, traced her husband in the market where shopkeepers said he was bargaining to sell his son.

"We have found the boy and handed him over to her," Tiwari said.

Police said Mahto was a habitual drinker for years. "His wife told us that Mahto had sold his ancestral land, his house and her jewellery for liquor," the official said.

Mahto was presented in court and sent to jail for 14 days.

Educational Bar...

sands of candidates who stand disqualified.

The High Court said it "cannot interfere with the election process" and asked for more facts on the social impact of the ordinance or executive order that requires those fighting panchayat elections to have studied till Class 8 in school and members of the panchayat samiti, which governs a group of villages, to have completed Class 10.

Stabbing for...

Hemani Malhotra, while relying on the testimony of victim Raju and an eye-witness, handed down the jail term to rag-picker Dalip for the offence of attempt to murder under section 307 of the IPC. "Considering the submissions and the nature of offence, this court is of the opinion that convict does not deserve any leniency at all. Accordingly, he is sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for five years," the judge said, while terming testimonies of Raju and eye witness as "consistent".

"It is proved that the complainant sustained stab injury on his abdomen with his intestines protruding out and a major abdominal surgery was conducted on him," the court said while also relying on the medical report of the victim.

The court, while rejecting the contention of the counsel for Dalip regarding non-recovery of the weapon of offence, said, "it is the case of both the injured and the eye witness that the accused had fled from the spot with the weapon of offence i.E the broken glass bottle.

Congress demands...

"Since there are allegations against him he must give a reply to it. However, why didn't Kejriwal identify and punish these companies when he was the chief minister for 49 days in Delhi?" asked Maken.

Sunanda death ...

out. Speaking at a literary festival in Kolkata, Tharoor said particularly by news channels he's being misquoted and defamed in his wife Sunanda's death case and called it irresponsible. Maintaining his innocence in the case, the Congress leader launched an all out attack on the media when he was questioned more about the death of Sunanda Pushkar. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police today questioned crew of Air India flight on which Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, wife Sunanda Pushkar allegedly fought.

Editorial

4

BY AMARTYA SEN he skill of doing research, the hard preparation needed for doing new and original work — going beyond the old established knowledge, and indeed the courage to think in novel and daring lines — are all immensely helped by good and exciting teaching. For me, this began at home. My grandfather Kshiti Mohan Sen, who taught at Santiniketan, could excite my interest in Sanskrit studies, including heretical texts in Sanskrit, which still inspire my engagement in that wonderful language, as I pick up a book in Sanskrit today. Sanskrit, we have to remember, is not only the language in which the Hindu and many of the Buddhist texts came; it is also the vehicle, among many other radical thoughts, of comprehensive doubts about the supernatural expressed in the Lokayata texts, and also the medium in which the questioning of class and caste and legitimacy of power would be expressed with spectacular eloquence by Shudraka in his profound play, “Mricchakatikam” (“The Little Clay Cart”). It was great for me to be taught at a very early age the distinction between a great language as a general vehicle of thought and the specific ideas — religious or sceptical — that may be expressed in that language. That distinction remains important today.

Voting from abroad T

T

he Union government has agreed, “in letter and spirit”, to implement the Supreme Court direction and the Election Commission’s recommendation to allow Non-Resident Indians to vote from overseas through postal ballots. Given the large NRI community dispersed globally, this move will undoubtedly have an impact on the country’s electoral politics in significant ways.

Parliament passed the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act in 2010 to introduce Section 20A that enables a person who is a citizen of India, and is away from her ordinary residence in India for employment, education or other reasons, to be eligible to be registered as a voter in the constituency mentioned in her Indian passport: before that amendment, only “ordinary residents” could cast their vote. Although the 2010 amendment intended to include NRI participation in national politics, Section 20A had required NRIs to be physically present in their respective constituencies at the time of elections.

Making it impractical for voters, this requirement defeated the intention of the legislature. A petition was filed in the Supreme Court praying that Section 20A of the Act be read down so as to allow NRIs to vote from abroad without having to be present in India. The petition argued that the provision was in violation of Article 14 of the Constitution to the extent that it impliedly treated persons on a different footing based on economic classifications.

The Supreme Court and the government agreed with this contention without hesitation. The traditional argument against such external voting has been that only citizens who are present in the territory and affected by the consequences of their vote should be entitled to vote. As per this argument, since NRIs lacked sound knowledge about domestic conditions, they would be irresponsible in their electoral choices. But this argument is fast being disproved by empirical evidence. With the rapid increase in cross-border migrations, the concept of nationhood and political membership is increasingly being decoupled from territorial locations. India’s move towards enabling voting from overseas is an instance of a larger global trend towards increased citizen participation. The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, an intergovernmental organisation, lists different voting methods that can be employed, such as “personal voting”, where voters can cast their vote at diplomatic missions abroad; “postal ballot method”, where votes are sent by regular post; “proxy vote” and “electronic voting”. From amongst these alternatives, the government has decided to employ the postal ballot route that the electoral system already uses for absentee-voters on official duty.

NEW DELHI | FRIDAY | JAN 16, 2015

Learning from one another

SAADDA HAQ Friday | January 16, 2015

SAADDA HAQ

I also have to acknowledge my debt to my other teachers — in Santiniketan, at Presidency College, and at Trinity College in Cambridge — in helping me to find my way. I am delighted that the Infosys Foundation has initiated a new scheme for the training of rural teachers of mathematics and science. Since our school education is the basis of all our education — no matter how “high” our higher education maybe — the fruits of investment in good school education can be extraordinarily high.

Narayana Murthy, who like me grew up in a family of teachers, knows that with visionary insight.

Wider role of teaching I also want to say a few things about the wider role of teaching — in linking different nations and different cultures together.

Teaching is not just a matter of instruction given by teachers to their individual students. The

from the Greeks and the Romans and the Babylonians. There is no shame in learning from others, and then putting what we have learned to good use, and going on to create new knowledge, new understanding, and thrillingly novel ideas and results.

Indians of course were teaching other Indians. Perhaps the most powerful mathematician of ancient India, Brahmagupta,

other continued over centuries, involving — in addition to Aryabhata and Brahmagupta — Varahamihira and Bhaskara, among many others.

Greece and Rome and Baghdad, from where Indians themselves had learned many things.

And just as Indian mathematicians learned something from Babylonians, Greeks and Romans, they also taught some brilliantly new ideas to mathematicians elsewhere in the world. For example, Yi Xing [IHsing], who lived in China

Let me end with an example.

The history of the term “sine” in Trigonometry illustrates how we learn from each other. That trigonometric idea was well developed by Aryabhata, who called it jya-ardha, and sometimes shortened it to jya. The Arab mathematicians, using Aryabhata’s idea, called it “jiba,” which is phonetically close. But jiba is a meaningless sound in Arabic, but jaib, which has the same consonants, is a good Arabic word, and since the Arabic script does not specify vowels, the later generation of Arab mathematicians used the term jaib, which means a bay or a cove. Then in 1150, when the Italian mathematician, Gherardo of Cremona, translated the word into Latin, he used the Latin word “sinus,” which means a bay or a cove in Latin. And it is from this — the Latin sinus — that the modern trigonometric terms “sine” is derived. In this one word we see the interconnection of three mathematical traditions — Indian, Arabic and European.

Indians of course were teaching other Indians.

Perhaps the most powerful mathematician of ancient India, Brahmagupta, would not have been able to do such dazzling work without his having been influenced by the ideas of his own teachers, in particular Aryabhata, the pioneering leader of the Indian school of mathematics. progress of science and of knowledge depends in general on the learning that one nation, one group of people, derives from what has been achieved by other nations and other groups of people.

For example, the golden age of Indian mathematics, which changed the face of mathematics in the world, was roughly from the fifth to the 12th century, and its beginning was directly inspired by what we Indians were learning from work done in Babylon, Greece and Rome. To be sure, there was an Indian tradition of analytical thinking going back much further, on which the stellar outbursts of mathematical work in India from around the fifth century drew, but we learned a lot about theorems and proofs and rigorous mathematical reasoning

would not have been able to do such dazzling work without his having been influenced by the ideas of his own teachers, in particular Aryabhata, the pioneering leader of the Indian school of mathematics. Alberuni, the Iranian mathematician, who spent many years in India from the end of the 10th to the early years of the 11th century (and helped to make Arab mathematicians learn even more from Indian mathematics than they were already doing) thought that Brahmagupta was perhaps the finest mathematician and astronomer in India, and possibly in the world, and yet (argued Alberuni), Brahmagupta could be so productive only by standing on the shoulders of the great Aryabhata, who was not only an extraordinary scientist and mathematician, but also a superb teacher. Learning from each

between the seventh and the eighth century, and who was, as Joseph Needham describes him, probably the finest Chinese mathematician of his time, knew all the relevant Indian texts. The Chinese mathematicians as well as the pioneering Arab mathematicians, including Al Khwarazmi (from whose name the term “algorithm” is derived), all knew Sanskrit and the Sanskritic literature in maths.

What we are admiring here is not Indian mathematics done in splendid isolation (that rarely occurs anywhere in the world), but mathematics done with a huge role of international and interregional exchange of ideas.

Indian research was deeply influenced by the knowledge of foreign works on the subject, and in turn, Indian maths influenced mathematical work even in those countries, including

Interconnections of traditions

Teaching and learning are activities that link people together. Even as we celebrate science and research, we have to recognise the role of teaching and that of learning from each other — from our teachers, from our colleagues, from our students, from our friends, and from our fellow human beings. There is something extraordinarily great in these interconnections.

(Amartya Sen is Thomas W. Lamont University Professor and Professor of Economics and Philosophy at Harvard University. This is an extract from his remarks at the Infosys Science Prize ceremony held in Kolkata on January 5, 2015.)

When amendment amounts to nullification

BY RAMASWAMY R. IYER his article will not go into the question of the propriety of the ordinance route to legislation in this case, but will try to present a broad-brush picture of what the ordinance does to The Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013, hereafter LARR Act 2013.

T

The general industry view, accepted by the present government, is that the LARR Act 2013 was a radical and draconian law which will bring industrial development to a halt. That view led to the conclusion that the Act needed to be urgently amended drastically. It is therefore necessary to take a brief look at the history of the Act. Attempt at fair resolution The inter-ministerial debate on a national displacement/rehabilitation policy and on the related issue of a need to overhaul the colonial Land Acquisition Act 1894 began in the 1980s and continued over nearly three decades under successive governments. In parallel, there were conferences and debates in civil society too. The attempt to find a generally acceptable compromise which would reconcile the conflicting interests of industry and farmers/landowners continued intermittently. Eventually this resulted in the LARR Act 2013.

This was generally considered a wellmeant attempt at a fair resolution of a difficult and almost intractable conflict, though it continued to be criticised by both sides to the conflict.

The point to note is that the LARR Act 2013 was not a hasty doctrinaire, ill-considered piece of legislation, but the final outcome of almost three decades of debate and consultation within government, among political parties and between state and civil society. The Bharatiya Janata Party (National Democratic Alliance) was a party to the passing of the 2013 Act. Barely a year later, with little experience of its working, that Act is now regarded as wholly retrograde, unacceptable and in need of root-andbranch “reform”. This arises out of industry’s impatient desire for the

easy acquisition of land for its projects, and the centrality of industry in the present government’s view of “development”.

It is not being argued that the con-

tated, supported and actually brought about by the state using its sovereign powers. It is curious that those who argue for reducing the role of the state and “deregulating” industry want the state to take land away from

solely a question of money? The acquisition of land means not merely loss of land and homestead, but also loss of livelihoods, loss of a community and cultural continuities, loss of a way of life. This is bound to be a

“development” to be synonymous with industrial projects.

Acquisition by the state

Let us turn to eminent domain, which means the sovereign right of

The inter-ministerial debate on a national displacement/rehabilitation policy and on the related issue of a need to overhaul the colonial Land Acquisition Act 1894 began in the 1980s and continued over nearly three decades under successive governments. In parallel, there were conferences and debates in civil society too. The attempt to find a generally acceptable compromise which would reconcile the conflicting interests of industry and farmers/landowners continued intermittently. Eventually this resulted in the LARR Act 2013. This was generally considered a well-meant attempt at a fair resolution of a difficult and almost intractable conflict, though it continued to be criticised by both sides to the conflict. cerns expressed by industry and by commentators sympathetic to it should not be considered, or that the government’s desire to accelerate industrial projects is illegitimate.

However, given those concerns, the government could have reopened the debate, held wide-ranging consultations all over the country, and tried to arrive at a fresh compromise between conflicting interests. Instead, it has wholly accepted one perception of the conflict, and sought to undo the compromise embodied in the 2013 Act without a review. Apart from the merits of the ordinance, this is an authoritarian, partisan and undemocratic procedure.

farmers and give it to industry.

Losing a way of life

Should the process of diversion of land from agricultural use to industrial use be in fact easy? Should there not be some salutary difficulty here?

First, there is the question of food security. The transfer of land from agriculture to other use cannot and should not be prevented, but some consideration of what the unregulated transfer of land away from agriculture implies for the food security of the country seems necessary.

LARR 2013 ruled out the acquisition of multi-cropped agricultural land.

That provision has been criticised, but it showed a certain concern that was legitimate. That concern has disappeared in the present ordinance.

It has been argued that development necessarily entails the transfer of land from agriculture to industry, but this is something that happens over a period of time. It does not follow that this must be actively facili-

A second justification for a degree of difficulty in land acquisition is the protection of the interests of the landowner. No doubt the ordinance retains the generous compensation provisions of the 2013 Act, but is it

traumatic experience. The Social Impact Assessment (SIA) provisions of the 2013 Act would have brought to notice the wider social and cultural implications of the acquisition of land, but that Act itself had exempted irrigation projects from this requirement, and now SIA has been virtually dropped in the amendment ordinance, considering the very large number of cases to which it will not apply.

The role of the state should surely be not merely to facilitate the availability of land for industry but also to minimise pain to the landowners (who are also citizens), protect their fundamental and human rights and ensure justice to them. Should the state use its sovereign powers only to make things easy for industry? Any such impression, if it gains ground, would unwittingly lend weight to criticisms (doubtless wrong) of the present government as pro-industry and anti-farmer, and as holding

the state to override private property.

In the intermittent debate during the years from the 1980s to 2013, this was a prominent issue. It was felt by many that the continued use of the old colonial Act of 1894 for the acquisition of land was unfortunate, and that there was no case at all for the state to exercise its sovereign power to take over private property and give it to companies in the private sector for “projects” regarded by the state as serving a “public purpose”. While this was not the universal view, there was a strong body of opinion in favour of limiting acquisition by the state for private entities.

The 2013 Act met this partially by limiting the acquisition by the state to 20 per cent in the case of a private company and 30 per cent in that of a public-private partnership (PPP) project, if the owners’ consent for the transfer of 80 per cent in the case of the former and 70 per cent in that of the latter had been obtained. This meant that the view of the communi-

ty as a whole on the transfer of land had a certain weight. This safeguard virtually disappears in the ordinance because it will not apply in most cases. Apart from the virtual dropping of community consent, this change also means the return of the eminent domain of the state in full strength. This again is a non-democratic, authoritarian stance.

By way of a digression it may be added that property rights are presumably sacrosanct in capitalism, but evidently this does not apply to a farmer’s right to his or her land. The property of an industrialist is inviolable, and nationalisation is socialism and therefore anathema; but the acquisition of land from a farmer — which corresponds to nationalisation in the industrial sector — is evidently good capitalism!

One has to ask: after the amendment what is left of the Act? If we consider the huge exemption list (Section 10A introduced by the ordinance), and the concomitant disappearance of the SIA and the 80 per cent/70 per cent consent provision in most cases, it becomes clear that the Act has become purely ornamental.

What the ordinance does is not to amend the 2013 Act, but virtually repeal it. Having done so, the ordinance sanctimoniously brings acquisitions under a number of other Acts within the purview of the amended Act and claims much credit for this.

The Congress Party says that the coverage of those Acts was already foreseen in the 2013 Act. That response misses the point, which is that there is not much virtue in first rendering the Act toothless and then bringing other Acts within its purview. This is disingenuous, to say the least. One can only hope that the ordinance will be withdrawn or lapse for want of parliamentary support to the needed legislation. Alas, the hope is not very robust.

(Ramaswamy R. Iyer is a former Secretary, Water Resources, Government of India.)

Our team will publish your thoughts send us your articles at news.saaddahaq@gmail.com

5

State Watch

SAADDA HAQ NEW DELHI | FRIDAY | JAN 16, 2015

Salim Raj land grabbing case: CBI Assam killing: NIA nabs top seeks further extension of time commander of banned NDFB(S)

KOCHI, JAN 15 CBI today approached the Kerala High Court seeking further extension of four months time to complete investigation in the multi-crore land grabbing cases against Salim Raj, former gunman of chief minister Oommen Chandy.

The court had earlier granted six months time for investigation, which will end on January 28.

According to CBI, there are 27 accused in the case and voluminous records and documents have to be perused for which more time was required.

The court had directed

the CBI probe on a petition by some persons which made serious allegations against Revenue Department officials of colluding and conspiring with Salim Raj in forging and fabricating false docu-

ments and records for the purpose of defeating the title deeds of their lands at Kadakampally and Edapally. The court had observed that the accusations have prima facie ground of evidence.

GUWAHATI, JAN 15 In major breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday succeeded in nabbing a top commander of banned NDFB-S militant outfit allegedly responsible of killing of women and children at Sonitpur of Assam in December last year.

Some other reports said that three Bodo militants Ajoi Basumatary, Dilip Basumatary and Khamrei Basumatary – were arrested in a joint operation by the NIA and Nagaland Police.

The fresh arrest comes days after the chief recruiting officer of militant outfit NDFB(S), who is believed

to be the brain behind the December killings of Adivasis in Assam, was arrested along with seven others in a joint-operation by the army and the state police. Self-styled 2nd Lieutenant Enon Bargoyary

Complete Polavaram project before Andhra, Telangana celebrate next elections: AP to Centre Sankranti with pomp, gaiety

NEW DELHI, JAN 15 The Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday requested the Centre to complete the Polavaram multi- purpose irrigation project within four years.

"We have requested for completing the Polavaram project within four to fourand-a-half years before the next elections," Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu told reporters after a meeting with Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharati here on Thursday.

He also urged the Union Ministry to make Andhra Pradesh a model state for water resource manage-

ment.

Naidu also asked Bharati to consider linking of Godavari and Krishna rivers in the wake of the NDA government actively pursuing various river interlinking projects in the country.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Bharati said the Polavaram project was the nation's pride and offered to extend all possible assistance for the purpose.

The Polavaram irrigation project has been declared a national project which the Centre is to execute it as per the AP Reorganisation Act.

HYDERABAD, JAN 15 Makar Sankranti, the colourful harvest festival, was celebrated Thursday with pomp and gaiety across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The countryside in both the Telugu states wore a festive look with decorated houses, kite-flying, cockfights, bull-fights and other rural sports.

On the second day of the three-day festival, people dressed in their best thronged temples to offer prayers.

This is the first Sankranti after bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh to form Telangana as a separate state.

Villages in both the states came alive with Sankranti, one of the major festivals. It was time for families to come together. People from different parts of the country and

even abroad joined their near and dear ones for the festival.

Lakhs of people from Hyderabad left for their homes in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh for the celebrations, leaving the city's roads almost deserted.

Womenfolk decorate the front-yard of houses with Rangoli. They set cow-dung balls called as 'Gobbemma' and placed among the Rangoli patterns. They also put fresh harvest of rice, turmeric and sugarcane.

The houses were decorated with marigold flowers and mango leaves.

The women also prepared 'chakkara pongal' or rice kheer, a special dish made of new rice, jaggery and milk. The dish is allowed to boil over which symbolises abundance.

alias Erkhang, Chief Recruiting Officer of NDFB(S), and self-styled platoon commander of Amteka area, Rinen Basumatary alias Majhi were apprehended by joint team of army troops of Red

Horn Division and Assam Police along the jungles of Assam?Bhutan Border, in Chirang District.

Enon is also the militant group's Central Committee Member, army sources said. A senior army officer described him as number 3 in hierarchy within the militant organisation.

Enon was allegedly involved in recruiting and motivating NDFB(S) terrorists, including women cadres, and sending them to various camps outside the country, the sources said.

Another key NDFB(S) member apprehended is Rinen of the outfit's 20th batch trained in Bhutan,

'Secular' Hindu outfit launched by Mangaluru Congress leader MANGALURU, JAN 15 A local Congress leader has launched Bharatiya Hindu Parishad, in a move touted as an attempt to counter the aggressive growth of Sangh Parivar outfits.

The new outfit, described as a "secular" organisation to promote the "true Hindu spirit" was launched at Puttur in Mangaluru district with the trappings of a Sangh Parivar event amid chanting of hymns in the presence of religious leaders. The organisation was launched by Shri Keshavananda Bharati of Edneer Math in Kerala's Kasaragod district. The function was also attended by Esha Vithaladasa Swamiji of Shri Kemaru Math.

The initiative for floating

the outfit has been taken by prominent Congress workers belonging to the Hindu community spearheaded by the party's Puttur block Congress President Kavu Hemanath Shetty who says Hinduism was "no one's property."

At the function, Shetty, BHP founder president, said the organisation was apolitical and not connected to Congress. Shetty said his organisation would work towards social harmony and peaceful coexistence with different communities.

The coastal districts of Mangaluru and Udupi have been strongholds of BJP with a widespread influence of Sangh Partivar outfits, particularly of its ideological fountainhead RSS.

BJP doubts Janata Parivar merger; BJP to play tapes of Nitish Kumar's barbs on sides with Bihar CM Manjhi Lalu Prasad during Bihar poll campaign

PATNA, JAN 15 Amid talks of the merger of old Janata Parivar splinter parties, BJP on Thursday expressed doubt over the unification and hinted at siding with Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi in the power tussle with Nitish Kumar.

"The contradictory assertions of senior leaders in the last one week is enough to say the merger is not possible," senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi told reporters.

Modi was hinting at assertions of JD(U) President Sharad Yadav on January 13 that initially RJD and JD(U) might merge in view of the Bihar Assembly elections and rest would follow in time.

But, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad had shot it down saying it would be a merger of all six parties and not only two.

Even as leaders of JD(U), RJD, INLD, SP and SJP min-

gled with each other and attended Makar Sankranti feasts of state JD(U) President Basistha Narayan Singh as well as Lalu Prasad yesterday, there was no announcement of merger as expected.

Sushil Modi, who served as deputy chief minister in the NDA rule, claimed 90 per

World Bank to give aid for building toilets in Chhattisgarh RAIPUR, JAN 15 World Bank will extend financial aid to build toilets in tribaldominated villages of Chhattisgarh under Centre's flagship 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'.

World bank will give an aid of Rs 240 crore in next five years to the Centre for constructing toilets in households in the tribal areas and also for running proposed awareness campaigns, an official release said here on Thursday.

Under the programme, campaigns will be run to encourage villagers to build toilets in their houses and use them instead of going for open defecation. It shall be ensured that by 2019 not a single household in tribal areas is left which without a toilet.

Chhattisgarh is among five states in the country which will be given aid by the World Bank, it said.

cent of leaders and workers of JD(U) were not in favour of the merger out of fear that Lalu Prasad would have a dominant presence in the combined party.

"Earth has slipped under the feet of Nitish Kumar who has been reduced to a minnow by Lalu Prasad," the senior BJP leader said.

PATNA, JAN 15 Opposition BJP on Thursday said it would play audio tapes of former Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's barbs on RJD President Lalu Prasad during campaign for Bihar polls as tit-for-tat to Kumar's use of tapes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 'black money' in his campaigns.

"BJP will play cassettes of Nitish Kumar's barbs on Lalu Prasad during NDA rule to remind people of the hostile relations between them," senior party leader Sushil Kumar Modi told reporters here. "We will remind people of everything to unravel the truth of their coming together for the Bihar poll," he said at a feast hosted by him on the occasion of Makar

Sankranti. This would be a riposte to Nitish Kumar playing tapes of Narendra Modi's speech on black money, bonus to farmers and special category status promise to Bihar during his "Sampark Yatra" and other campaigns.

Sushil Modi, who served as deputy to Kumar during the NDA

Jammu on high alert in wake of inputs of terrorist attack JAMMU, JAN 15 High alert was on Thursday sounded and security stepped up in Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of inputs about possible attacks by Pakistan-based terror outfits on "soft targets" ahead of US President Barack Obama's India visit later this month.

Ahead of Republic Day celebrations, security arrangements have been strengthened in the entire Jammu region to thwart the nefarious designs of the militant outfits.

"Quick reaction teams (QRT) of the police, PCR vans have been kept on high alert and new check posts have been set up at a distance of every eight to ten kilometers to ensure that the Republic Day celebrations go incident free," Deputy Inspector General of Police (Jammu Kathua Range) Shakeel Ahmed Beigh said.

He said that extra vigil is being maintained at every entry and exit points of Jammu and every vehicle

entering or leaving the region is being frisked.

The army today said that 200 heavily armed militants were waiting in 36 launching pads across the Line of Control (LoC) on the other side of Pir Panchal range to sneak into the Indian Territory to launch a terrorist attack on the Indian soil ahead of Obama's India visit.

"There are general inputs that terrorists might try to attack soft targets including schools, religious places, army convoys and other civilian areas. There are 200 terrorists waiting in 36 launching pads across the border on the other side of the Pir Panjal range to sneak into Indian side, we have so far been able to foil their attempts," General Officer Commanding (GOC), 16 Corps, Lt Gen K H Singh said.

He said that the army was fully prepared to deal with any such eventuality and that security agencies have increased their vigil so as

who surrendered after Operation All Clear in 2003 but rejoined the group two years back.

Four weapons -two AK rifles and two pistols -and large quantity of ammunition were recovered from the apprehended persons, the sources said.

The army has been carrying out operations in difficult and inaccessible forested areas of Kokrajhar and Chirang Districts which has forced NDFB(S) terrorists to flee from their safe hideouts and move to more vulnerable areas, where they are being apprehended or neutralised by the security forces.

to thwart the nefarious designs of militant outfits.

In the wake of spike in cross border firing from the Pakistani side, the Border Security Force (BSF) too has intensified its vigil along the International Border in the region.

"Taking advantage of the cross border firing, the militants try to sneak into the Indian side to create disturbances. Despite the increase in the firing incidents, we have made sure that they don't succeed in their attempts," a BSF official said.

He said that in view of the specific inputs that infiltration bids may increase ahead of the Republic Day, the paramilitary force has escalated its vigil on the frontier.

"The vigil along the IB is never down, there is always an increased vigil there and in view of the intelligence inputs, the monitoring has been intensified," he said.

rule in Bihar, said "Narendra Modi will reply to Kumar's quires when next Parliamentary poll comes. In Bihar poll, we will fire questions to him as why he betrayed the trust of people on NDA and leading the state to lawlessness."

Kumar has already apprehended that such

cassettes are coming against him.

"The Bihar poll will be fought on state issues and not on agenda of central government like promise on return of black money and bonus to farmers," Sushil Modi, who is leader of opposition in the Legislative Council, said.

The development has stirred a hornet's nest in the district.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has said Congress believed in the philosophy of secularism and treats all castes and religions, including Hinduism, equally.

There was no need for the party to tilt towards any religion, he said. Launching the outfit, Bharati said religion and faith should not be the monopoly of any political party or groups. Comparing organisations with attires adorning the body, he said the attires could be removed but faith would be unflinching.

He hoped the new organisation would strive to create awareness among 'genuine' Hindus and would not be an affiliate of any political party.

Bihu is the lifeline of Assamese culture: Gogoi GUWAHATI, JAN 15 Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Wednesday said that Bihu is the lifeline of Assamese culture and binds together people of all faiths.

"Bihu is the lifeline of Assamese culture. We must uphold the culture that is rooted to the soil," Gogoi said at a Magh Bihu function here today.

The way people are celebrating Bihu today with joy and merriment is a clear indication that Assam is moving towards peace and prosperity, he said.

"It's good to see people in urban areas including Guwahati celebrating Bihu as in the rural areas.

This augurs well for the state," the Chief Minister said.

Gogoi further said that Bihu is a festival that transcends the barriers of caste, creed or religion and is celebrated by different communities. "Bihu is in essence a festival of oneness that binds together people of all faiths and promotes harmony and brotherhood. Let the spirit of Bihu bring an end to the cult of violence," he said.

Jharkhand CM forbids party workers from staging dharna unnecessarily J AMSHEDPUR , JAN 15 Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Thursday asked his BJP party workers to refrain from staging dharna or putting up road blockades unnecessarily, and ensure that government schemes are implemented properly.

Addressing party workers of his home constituency Jamshedpur East here, Das said people should first apprise their grievances to the officials concerned and approach him if they did not respond, as demonstrations and road blockades would not only harass people but also impede development work.

He directed BJP workers to give feedback about the implementations of the welfare schemes meant for the poor.

Das also directed his partymen not to recommend transfer of officials and rather involve in the developmental works to ensure rapid development of the state.

"I will neither make any recommendation nor accept anyone's recommendation," the chief minister said.

Das said the government would recruit policemen and appoint 8,000 doctors and teachers soon.

The government would create a conducive busi-

ness environment to attract investment in the mineral rich state to help generate employment opportunities, he said and sought suggestion from the people as well as BJP workers on the state budget for all round development.

Das said he had taken part in Vibrant Gujarat summit in Gujarat recently, where representatives of various nations expressed keen interest to invest in the state.

The five-time MLA on trot from Jamshedpur East said the chief minister's post is irrelevant for him as it is a temporary one, but he was and will remain a 'sevak' of his constituency.

Science & Tech

6

SAADDA HAQ NEW DELHI | FRIDAY | JAN 16, 2015

Xiaomi Mi 4 to Launch in India 'Blackhat' Brings CyberThis Month: Manu Kumar Jain Security to the Big Screen

X

To recall, the Mi 4 is powered by a quadcore Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor clocked at 2.5GHz alongside 3GB of RAM. The smartphone comes in two storage variants, 16GB and 64GB. It features a 5-inch fullHD (1080x1920 pixels) JDI OGS full lamination display.

There is a 13megapixel rear camera and an 8megapixel front-facing camera on the Xiaomi Mi 4, with both sporting Sony's stacked CMOS sensors. The smartphone is backed by a 3080mAh Li-ion battery.

iaomi's 2014 flagship smartphone, the Mi 4, will be launching in India by the end of this month.

The news was confirmed to NDTV Gadgets by Xiaomi India Head Manu Kumar Jain at the sidelines of the Beijing event. Unfortunately, no specific release date or pricing information was revealed.

Jain also revealed that Xiaomi's first R&D (Research and Development) centre in Bengaluru will be ready by April this year. He claimed that the centre is spread over 20,000 square feet.

On being asked about the Xiaomi Mi Note launch in India, Jain declined to reveal a time frame, and only said, "India is a priority market and the launch is definitely in the pipeline".

Earlier on Thursday, Xiaomi at its first major event of 2015 had a number of surprises up its sleeves including the Mi Note phablet and the "even-better" Mi Note Pro alongside rather lesser important Mi Headphones and Mi Box Mini.

Unfortunately, none of these new Xiaomi devices will reach Indian shores any time soon.

Considering that Xiaomi is no longer selling its former flagship in India, the Mi 3, the launch of the Xiaomi Mi 4 certainly fits in with the company's strategy as it needs a flagship in its India portfolio to make up.

Late last year, Hugo Barra, Xiaomi's Vice President of International Operations, had tipped that the Xiaomi Mi 4 might launch in late December 2014 or early January 2015.

However, that didn't happen.

Google Play Now Has More Apps Than Apple's App Store: Report

A

pp ranking and analytics firm appFigures has revealed that Google's Play store in 2014 jumped ahead of Apple's App Store in terms of the total number of apps for the first time, with over 1.43 million apps compared to 1.21 million. The report also claims that Google's Android developer community grew faster than Apple's iOS counterpart for the third year in a row.

In a report titled "App Stores Growth Accelerates in 2014", the company has published a growth chart showing how the three major app stores - Amazon Appstore, Apple's App Store, and Google Play placed themselves in terms of number of apps. The firm claims that Amazon's Appstore despite being the third showed a growth of nearly 90 percent to reach 293,000 apps.

With Google Play visibly behind Apple's App Store at the end of 2013 (as seen in the above charts), and it now being ahead, it is implied Google added more apps than Apple in 2014. appFigures adds that this was the first time Google Play added more apps in a year than Apple's App store.

The report also reveals the number of app developers who published apps in the different stores. "Google Play's developer community grew tremendously in 2014, exceeding Apple for the 3rd year in a row.

In fact, Google Play is distributing apps from nearly 400k different developers," it added. In 2014, Google saw more developers joining than Amazon and Apple combined, says the report.

Currently, Google Play has 388,000 developers compared to Apple with 282,000 developers and Amazon with 48,000 developers, adds the report.

Additionally, Google also saw a rise in

Android apps released in 2014 with more developers releasing their apps on Google Play than Apple and Amazon combined. appFigures claims that Google Play doubled the number of apps in 2014.

The report points, "In 2014, all three app stores grew by at least 50 percent (by the way, when we say growth we mean the percent change from the end of the previous y e a r ) .

What's interesting is that although Apple con12.00 am Saath tinues to Nibhaana Saathiya g r o w 12.30 am Diya aur Baati Hum s t r o n g l y, 01.00 am Ye Hai it's really Mohabbatein Google 01.30 am Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Play that's Doon...Ek Baar Phir 02.00 am Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata growing.

Hai In 2014, 02.30 am Veera: Ek Veer Ki Ardaas the number 03.00 am Tu Mera Hero of apps dis03.30 am Suhani Si Ek Ladki 04.00 am Saath Nibhaana Saathiya tributed 04.30 am Everest through 05.00 am Diya aur Baati Hum Google 05.30 am Nisha Aur Uske Cousins Play has 06.00 am Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon...Ek Baar Phir doubled."

06.30 am Ye Hai Mohabbatein The top 07.00 am Saath Nibhaana Saathiya five cate07.30 am Veera: Ek Veer Ki Ardaas gories with 08.00 am Ye Hai Mohabbatein 08.30 am Ye Hai Mohabbatein m o s t 09.00 am Ye Hai Mohabbatein growth (in 09.30 am Ye Hai Mohabbatein terms of 10.00 am Ye Hai Mohabbatein number of 10.30 am Ye Hai Mohabbatein 11.00 am Tu Mera Hero apps) dur11.30 am Tu Mera Hero ing 2014 12.00 pm Tu Mera Hero saw the 12.30 pm Tu Mera Hero App Store 01.00 pm Tu Mera Hero 01.30 pm Tu Mera Hero adding

QUIZ TIME 1. The major ingredient of leather is A. collagen B. carbohydrate C. polymer D. nucleic acid 2. What are the soaps?

A. Salts of silicates B. Mixture of glycerol and alcohols C. Sodium or potassium salts of heavier fatty acids D. Esters of heavy fatty acids 3. How does common salt help in separating soap from the solution after saponification?

A. By decreasing density of Soap B. By decreasing solubility of Soap C. By increasing density of Soap D. By increasing solubility of Soap 4. In vulcanisation, natural rubber is heated with A. Carbon B. Silicon C. Sulphur D. Phosphorous 5. Deep blue colour is imparted to glass by the presence of A. cupric oxide B. nickel oxide C. cobalt oxide D. iron oxide

more business-related apps, while Google added saw the most growth in the games category.

"It's no surprise that Apple developers, much like their Google counterparts, are focusing on mainstream apps," adds appFigures, citing the top five categories with most growth in terms of developers.

A

merican director Michael Mann is making a grand return to theatres with Blackhat, a timely cyber-terrorism action flick starring Chris Hemsworth.

Australian actor Hemsworth sheds his Thor costume to become Nicholas Hathaway, a "black hat" bad-guy hacker released from prison to help American authorities dismantle a criminal network.

Blackhat hits theaters with cybercrime very much in the headlines, with its Friday debut coming just two months after a devastating cyber-attack on Sony Pictures.

That hack is believed to have been linked to The Interview, which depicts a fictional CIA plot to assassinate North Korea's leader - a storyline that infuriated Pyongyang.

Mann said the roots of his film can be traced back more than two years, as he began to understand the threats posed by cyber-terrorism.

The director - whose last film Public Enemies came out nearly six years ago - said he was motivated to make the film

because "it takes place in our world as it is right now, right at the cutting edge of this moment."

Speaking at a press conference in Los Angeles, Mann said he consulted expert hackers for the production, including one, Kevin Poulsen, who spent several years in prison.

"We wanted to know who are the black hat hackers, what motivates them?" Mann said.

Hacker world 'eye-opening' , named the world's sexiest man in November by US magazine People, said he asked one of the hackers if "knowing what you know... do you look at the world differently?"

"He started to laugh. He said: 'Man, people have no idea how exposed they are and how vulnerable they are.'"

The cyber-crime experts showed Hemsworth and American co-star Wang Leehom, who plays a Chinese government computer expert, how to mimic the body language of hackers, including their typing mannerisms.

Hemsworth also shares the

TV Channels Schedule

04.00 pm Big Star Entertainment Awards 2014 : Red Carpet 04.30 pm Big Star Entertainment Awards 2014 : Main Event 08.00 pm P.I.Private Investigator 09.00 pm Airlines ____________________________

12.00 am Teleshopping 02.00 am Jodha Akbar 02.30 am Kumkum Bhagya 03.00 am Aur‌Pyaar Ho Gaya 03.30 am Doli Armaano Ki 04.00 am Baba Ramdev Ka Yog 05.00 am Narayan Seva 05.30 am Teleshopping 06.00 am Sant Nirankari Mandal 06.30 am The Faith Show 07.00 am Enjoying Every Day Life 07.30 am Creflo Dollar and Taffi Dollar 08.00 am Teleshopping 09.00 am Kumkum Bhagya 09.30 am Bandhan....Sari Umar Hume Sang Rehna Hai 10.00 am Qubool Hai 10.30 am Jodha Akbar 11.00 am Doli Armaano Ki 11.30 am Satrangi Sasural 12.00 pm Jamai Raja 12.30 pm Kumkum Bhagya 01.00 pm Jodha Akbar 01.30 pm Bandhan....Sari Umar Hume Sang Rehna Hai 02.00 pm Satrangi Sasural

02.30 pm Doli Armaano Ki 03.00 pm Kumkum Bhagya 03.30 pm Qubool Hai 04.00 pm SaReGaMaPa L'il Champs 04.30 pm Bandhan....Sari Umar Hume Sang Rehna Hai 05.00 pm Doli Armaano Ki 05.30 pm Jamai Raja 06.00 pm Kumkum Bhagya 06.30 pm Satrangi Sasural 07.00 pm Bandhan....Sari Umar Hume Sang Rehna Hai 07.30 pm Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke 08.00 pm Jodha Akbar 08.30 pm Jamai Raja 09.00 pm Kumkum Bhagya 09.30 pm Qubool Hai 10.00 pm Satrangi Sasural 10.30 pm Doli Armaano Ki 11.00 pm Jodha Akbar 11.30 pm Jamai Raja ____________________________

01.00 am Telebrands 02.00 am Home Shop 18 05.00 am Iskcon Aarti 05.30 am Jesus Calls Ministry 06.00 am Telebrands 07.00 am Narayan Sewa Sansthan Trust 07.30 am Home Shop 18 08.00 am Shastri Sisters 08.00 am Bigg Boss 09.00 am Comedy Nights with Kapil 12.00 pm Bigg Boss : Weekend Ka Vaar 01.00 pm Comedy Nights with Kapil 06.30 pm Sansui Colors Stardust Awards 2014 07.30 pm Sansui Colors Stardust Awards 2014 : Curtain Raiser 08.00 pm Sansui Colors Stardust Awards 2014 09.00 pm Bigg Boss : Weekend Ka Vaar 10.00 pm Comedy Nights with Kapil 11.00 pm Comedy Nights with Kapil ____________________________

12.00 am Comedy Classes 12.30 am Comedy Classes 01.00 am Supercops vs Supervillains... Shapath 02.00 am Best of Savdhaan India: India Fights Back 03.00 am Pukaar 04.00 am Supercops vs Supervillains... Shapath 05.00 am Best Of Savdhaan India : Mumbai Fights Back 06.00 am Best of Savdhaan India: India Fights Back 07.00 am Best of Savdhaan India: India Fights Back 07.30 am Mere Rang Mein Rangne Wali

08.00 am Mahakumbh - Ek Rahasaya Ek Kahani !

08.30 am Comedy Classes 09.00 am Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye 09.00 am Mere Rang Mein Rangne Wali 09.30 am Pukaar 09.30 am Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye 10.00 am Mahakumbh - Ek Rahasaya Ek Kahani ! : Kahani Rudra Ki 10.30 am Mere Rang Mein Rangne Wali 11.00 am Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye 11.30 am Mahakumbh - Ek Rahasaya Ek Kahani !

12.00 pm Best of Savdhaan India: India Fights Back (2) 12.00 pm Best of Savdhaan India: India Fights Back 01.00 pm Best of Savdhaan India: India Fights Back (2) 01.00 pm Best of Savdhaan India: India Fights Back 02.00 pm Best of Savdhaan India: India Fights Back 02.00 pm Best of Savdhaan India: India Fights Back (2) 03.00 pm Best of Savdhaan India: India Fights Back 03.00 pm Best Of Savdhaan India: Delhi Fights Back 04.00 pm Best of Savdhaan India: India Fights Back (2) 04.00 pm Best of Savdhaan India: India Fights Back 05.00 pm Best of Savdhaan India: India Fights Back (2) 05.00 pm Best of Savdhaan India: India Fights Back 06.00 pm Best of Savdhaan India: India Fights Back 06.00 pm Best of Savdhaan India: India Fights Back 06.30 pm Best of Savdhaan India: India Fights Back 07.00 pm Savdhaan India: India Fights Back : 1 Kissa , 5 Hisse 07.30 pm Mere Rang Mein Rangne Wali 08.00 pm Mahakumbh - Ek Rahasaya Ek Kahani !

08.30 pm Pukaar 09.30 pm Ajeeb Daastaan Hai Ye 10.00 pm Comedy Classes 10.30 pm Savdhaan India: India Fights Back (2) 10.30 pm Savdhaan India: India Fights Back 11.30 pm Mahakumbh - Ek Rahasaya Ek Kahani ! ___________________________

01.10 am Hum Se Na Takrana 03.25 am Haathkadi 06.00 am Kasam (1988) 08.25 am Sadak 10.55 am Housefull 01.50 pm Nagin 04.45 pm Ziddi 08.00 pm Dhammu

TODAY’S STAR ARIES Intuition plays a large part in your work, Aries. You're apt to

10.15 pm Jigar ________________________

12.00 am Crime Patrol: Dastak 01.00 am Teleshopping 02.00 am Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar 03.00 am C.I.D 05.00 am Bhakti 06.00 am Teleshopping 06.30 am Bhakti 07.00 am Teleshopping 08.30 am C.I.D 07.00 pm Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar 07.30 pm Box Cricket League 08.30 pm Humsafars 09.00 pm Tum Aise Hi Rehna 09.30 pm Hum Hain Na 10.00 pm Bharat Ka Veer Putra: Maharana Pratap 10.30 pm Itna Karo Na Mujhe Pyaar 11.00 pm Box Cricket League _________________________

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

LEO

VIRGO

12.00 am Infomercial 09.00 am Jai Jai Jai Bajarangbali 09.30 am Kismat Connection : Sandeep Koachar Ke Saath 10.00 am Tele Shopping 12.00 pm Ek Asman Mera Bhi 02.00 pm Tele Shopping 03.00 pm Sherni 06.00 pm Masala Gupshup 06.30 pm Jai Jai Jai Bajarangbali 07.00 pm Mata Ki Chowki 08.00 pm Massakali: Love Story 08.30 pm Jai Jai Jai Bajarangbali 09.00 pm Kismat Connection : Sandeep Koachar Ke Saath 09.30 pm Masala Gupshup 10.00 pm Vikram Bhatt's Haunted Nights 10.30 pm Jai Jai Jai Bajarangbali 11.00 pm Kismat Connection : Sandeep Koachar Ke Saath 11.30 pm Vikram Bhatt's Haunted Nights ____________________________

01.23 am Fillers 01.50 am Waqt: The Race Against Time 04.29 am Isi Life Mein 07.29 am Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman 10.43 am Andaz Apna Apna 01.43 pm Karma 05.06 pm Apna Sapna Money Money 08.00 pm Quantum of Solace 10.21 pm Namastey London

screen with two-time Oscar nominee Viola Davis, who plays an FBI special agent in the adventure that takes viewers from Los Angeles to Hong Kong by way of Jakarta.

Also co-starring in the film is Chinese actress Tang Wei, perhaps best known for her role in Ang Lee's sultry spy drama Lust, Caution.

The plot begins with a literal bang, as a Hong Kong nuclear power plant explodes thanks to the handiwork of a hacker, and Chinese authorities ask for American help finding the culprits.

Talking about cyber-terrorism was an "eye-opening experience," Mann said, adding that people are "vulnerable to intrusions from everywhere."

Mann's film The Aviator - a Howard Hughes biopic starring Leonardo DiCaprio - took home five Oscars. The Insider (1999), based on a true story about a tobacco industry whistleblower, earned seven nominations.

He also directed Heat (1995) and created the popular 1980s television show Miami Vice.

sense what others want or need and foresee the consequences of one course of action over another. This is definitely going to make a positive difference in what you accomplish.

You're likely to be quite pleased with what you do. Exercise this intuition today so it will stay with you in the future.

Information that you receive from far away could make doing business with a group you're affiliated with that much easier, Taurus. All looks promising for group activities and advancing your education, so these are good focuses for today. Travel might also be on your mind. Friends could be inclined to consider the idea, so it might be fun to go out on the town with them tonight.

This could prove to be a gratifying day, Gemini. Recent success in business might now be making a positive difference in your financial situation. This is apt to boost your mood quite a bit and you're probably feeling optimistic and enthusiastic about your future. You could lapse into some very pleasant daydreams about the possibilities, but don't get carried away. Try to remain practical.

This is a great day to start a partnership of any kind, as it will prove cooperative, rewarding, and stable. Any legal papers executed today should definitely work for you, Cancer. If you've been thinking about signing up for a class or workshop, this is the day to do it. You're more likely to get the results you want. Make plans for travel, too. You've got a lot to think about.

Work you do today, whether related to your job or something you do on your own, could lead to a temporary boost in income, which is going to elevate your mood. This could involve a bonus, a project outside work, or your own enterprise. You should be feeling healthy and enthusiastic, Leo, ready to tackle just about anything. Finances look stable, and relations with others congenial and supportive.

You might toy with the idea of getting some kind of project or enterprise going with a close friend or love partner. If you're serious about it, Virgo, this is definitely the day to start. Any partnership formed at this time is likely to be successful and beneficial for all involved. This is even a good day to work out the terms of a legal agreement. Go for it.

LIBRA Work that you're doing either at home or on your home is

likely to go well today and bring you the results you're hoping for, Libra. Members of your household might want to pitch in and help. You will probably spend most of your time inside, but you may also have to spend some time out gathering supplies and materials that you may need.

SCORPIO Today you're likely to feel especially communicative, Scorpio. You might want to get on the phone and run ideas for new projects by colleagues or perhaps make arrangements to complete current projects. Success through creativity is strongly indicated at this time. This is a great day to seek success through writing or speaking. If this has been on your mind, get started.

SAGITTARIUSBusiness transacted today either in your home or concerning your home is likely to be successful and bring some extra money your way. You probably feel especially optimistic about this. You're looking forward to new opportunities that may come your way. Your intuition is high, so you're likely to be able to separate the wheat from the chaff where opportunities are concerned. Go for it.

CAPRICORN Today your intuition should be sharper than usual, Capricorn.

You might get a few calls involving possible business opportunities. You can use this heightened ESP to discern which ones might be successful. You could also hear from friends proposing participation in a group activity of some kind, which you may want to do. Don't hesitate. Have a great day.

AQUARIUS Today you should feel especially optimistic and enthusiastic, Aquarius, although you may not know why, at least at first. Later in the day some good news could come your way, possibly involving business and money. This should tell you that you were intuitively picking up on something wonderful. As a matter of fact, your intuition should be high for most of the day. Make it work for you.

PISCES A new sense of closeness to those around you might have you feeling especially happy today, Pisces. Your business and financial life should be going very well, your future seems bright, and now this puts the icing on the cake. Your mind may turn to projects that you want to try in the future, and this could increase your enthusiasm. Even more ideas could come thick and fast.

Answer: 1(A), 2 (C), 3(B), 4(C), 5(C)

7

Sports

SAADDA HAQ NEW DELHI | FRIDAY | JAN 16, 2015

Hoping to be here for World Cup final: Mahendra Singh Dhoni MELBOURNE, JAN 15 Back at the helm after retiring from Tests, India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Thursday said his team will look for an encore when they start their title defence at the World Cup beginning next month.

"We would definitely like to repeat our performance from 2011. But the change in conditions will be a factor and we will have to play accordingly," Dhoni said at the launch of the team's new ODI kit designed by teamsponsor Nike for the upcoming season.

"The Melbourne Cricket Ground is one of the best venues in world cricket, irrespective of the format. We will aim to do better than we have done in ODI format over the last couple of years and hopefully we will be back to play the World Cup final on March 29," he added.

The bugle for the ODI season in Australia has been sounded as for the next two-plus months, fifty-over cricket will take precedence over anything else, starting with the tri-series, involving India and England, followed by the 2015 World Cup. India's first tri-series match is on Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground against Australia, while Dhoni's men

will start their World Cup campaign on February 15 in Adelaide when they take on arch-rivals Pakistan in their first Pool B encounter.

Dhoni, who had shocked the world with his sudden retirement from the longer version of the game after the drawn third Test at the MCG, was back at the helm of the ODI team.

"I am rested," he said with his trademark grin, after Virat Kohli had captained India in the drawn fourth Test.

"Irrespective of what sport you play, it is always a blessing to represent India on the international stage. Cricket is a little tougher back home and only a few people get to wear these colours. So it is good to be here

Team India unveils new ODI kit

MELBOURNE, JAN 15 Nike, the official apparel sponsor of the BCCI, on Thursday unveiled Indian team’s new ODI kit which the players will sport in the triangular series in Australia starting on Friday. Each kit — jersey and bottoms — is made out of an average of 33 recycled plastic bottles. “The new Team India uniform is light, comfortable and packed with innovation to help minimise distractions on the field of play and that’s critical when millimeters make a difference between a game winning innings or wicket,” said India’s ODI captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The Nike Dri— FIT technology and Nike Pro Baselayer

helps regulate a player’s body temperature through increased venting and breath ability for players to stay focused on their game. 2015 is a massive year for Team India as the best teams in the world compete for cricket’s greatest prize. “This is more than just a jersey. This is the passion of a billion hearts, the colour that unites the entire nation. We are pleased that Nike has used its global expertise to adopt innovative technologies from different sports and craft them to the specific needs of Team India players. The new kit is a perfect testimonial to Nike’s dedication in delivering nothing but the best,” said BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel.

and donning this jersey again," he added.

Kohli, who has been in ominous form in the recent Test series against Australia, said he is looking forward to a good outing at the tri-series and World Cup. "The mindset doesn't change whether we are playing in whites or blue. Every game is important for me when I am representing

the country," said Kohli.

"I have enjoyed the challenge of playing in Australian conditions and have enjoyed the response from the crowds as well. It was a good Test series for us. Now I am eagerly looking forward to the tri-series and then the World Cup. "Back to back World Cup wins will be a nice milestone for this young team. It will do nicely for the new colours that have been unveiled today. That's what we are aiming for as a team, that's what we want to achieve and we have the vision for it," he added.

The Indian team reached here yesterday and after enjoying a five-day rest post the Test series, the players were back in training.

The day was used in limbering up and getting some fielding drills after which the customary game of football ensued.

While all other players selected for the tri-series and the World Cup have joined the squad, Ravindra Jadeja too is here. He didn't field as such but did b owl gingerly, testing his shoulder. But it is too early to predict his estimated time of full recovery.

Meanwhile, the tri-series will get underway in Sydney tomorrow with Australia taking on England.

RANCHI, JAN 15 Debutants Ranchi Rays pm Thursday announced that England playmaker Ashley Jackson will lead the team in the third edition of the Hockey India League (HIL) which starts Jan 22.

The Ranchi-based team also announced Harendra Singh as the head coach while Clarence Lobo and A.B. Subbiah come in as the assistant and goalkeeper coach, respectively.

“Going by his experience and present performance, we feel that Ashley Jackson is the right choice for captaining the side.

Under his able leadership, the team will do well and he will make the Ranchi fans proud by putting up a terrific show,” said team co-owner and Indian cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

“I hope Harendra Singh

ENGLAND PLAYMAKER THIRD EDITION OF THE

ASHLEY JACKSON WILL LEAD HOCKEY INDIA LEAGUE.

Mallick b Sood 2, Natraj Behera (not out) 19, Lagnajit Samal st Bisht b Sood 19, Deepak Behera c (sub) Rawal b Manan 0, Basant Mohanty c (sub) Milind b Sood 1, Dhiraj Singh c (sub) Milind b Manan 0; Extras (b-4, lb-3): 7; Total (in 62.1 overs): 118.

Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-39, 362, 4-71, 5-72, 6-76, 7-110, 8-112, 9-113.

Delhi bowling: Navdeep Saini 12-5-22-3, Vikas Tokas 13-6-45-1, Varun Sood 18-11-16-3, Manan Sharma 7.1-0-9-2, Rajat Bhatia 102-16-0, Shivam Sharma 2-0-3-0.

MANAN SHARMA OF DELHI, CELEBRATES WITH HIS TEAMMATES AGAINST ODISHA ON THE THIRD DAY OF RANJI TROPHY CRICKET MATCH AT THE FEROZESHAH KOTLA GROUND IN NEW DELHI In the second innings, the latter bowled from the beginning.

Despite being handed a new ball, Manan had little difficulty in taking control of the proceedings. In fact, it was a surprise that Odisha survived for as long as it did. The visitor found itself four down for 13 in 11.3 overs.

Anurag Sarangi and skipper Abhilash Mallick's 87-ball stand for 50 runs suggested for a while that the encounter may reach the final day. But the last six wickets fell within 80 deliveries. By the time the match finished, Manan had six wickets in the second

NEW DELHI, JAN 15 Former Australian speedster Brett Lee on Thursday announced his retirement from Twenty20 cricket. The right-arm fast bowler made the announcement at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

"After this year, there won’t be any more cricket.

I'm excited, emotional, happy and certainly not worried because I feel I’ve made the right call," he said at a press conference at the SCG. His retirement from T20 means the cricketer has now retired from all forms of cricket.

Lee, 38, had called time on his international career in July 2012, but has been playing Twenty20 franchise cricket for Big Bash

League (BBL) and Indian Premier League (IPL).

With 380 ODI scalps in 221 appearances, the New South Wales cricketer is leading wicket-taker for Australia alongside Glenn McGrath. He also claimed 310 wickets in 76 Tests for the Aussies.

Lee's Twenty20 team, the Sydney Sixers, has one regular-season match remaining this season, which would be his last match.

His fastest delivery cracked the 161 kilometres per hour mark (100 miles per hour), with the blond speedster consistently bowling at 150kph over 20 years, making him a fearsome opponent through his sheer pace and toe-crushing in-swinging yorkers.

HIL: England’s Jackson named Ranchi Rays skipper

Match report of Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Odisha Manan Sharma of New Delhi took eight wickets on the third day of the series to send Odisha crashing to an innings and 150 runs defeat in the Ranji Trophy encounter at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium.

No less than 19 wickets fell on Thursday as the visiting side's batsmen gladly submitted to the forces of a slow and turning track.

Manan was the greatest beneficiary of Odisha's ineptness. The leftarm spinner made the batsmen play often and a wicket was never too far away.

There was little hint of the collapse in the opening hour of the day. Thanks to a bright day, play started on time. Despite the removal of Girija Rout by Vikas Tokas, Odisha made a calm start as Govind Poddar and Anurag Sarangi took the score to 62.

However, the introduction of Navdeep Saini altered the situation unfavourably for the visitor. The medium-pacer's accurate bowling dismissed Poddar, Anurag Sarangi and Biplab Samantray in a spell that wrecked Odisha. Thereafter, the Abhilash Mallick-led side seemed to only delay the inevitable.

Natraj Behera and Lagnajit Samal added 34 for the seventh wicket and it took the spinners' intervention to end the first innings. Varun Sood and Manan Sharma shared a couple of wickets.

Brett Lee announces retirement from Twenty20 cricket

innings.

Delhi is on the verge of qualification as it has 30 points from five matches in Group B while Odisha has only eight from as many games. In the next round, Maharashtra hosts Delhi. Odisha, though, will play at home against Rajasthan.

Scorecard Delhi – 1st innings: 353.

Odisha – 1st innings: Girija Rout c Bisht b Tokas 24, Subhrajit Sahoo (run out) 10, Govind Poddar c Manhas b Saini 18, Anurag Sarangi lbw b Saini 15, Biplab Samantray b Saini 3, Abhilash

Odisha: 2nd innings: Girija Rout lbw b Tokas 2, Natraj Behera b Tokas 1, Govind Poddar c Bisht b Manan 1, Anurag Sarangi lbw b Shivam 32, Biplab Samantray lbw b Manan 1, Abhilash Mallick lbw b Manan 30, Subhrajit Sahoo b Shivam 0, Lagnajit Samal lbw b Manan 1, Deepak Behera c (sub) Rawal b Manan 7, Basant Mohanty c Manhas b Manan 1, Dhiraj Singh (not out) 0; Extras (b8, lb-1): 9; Total (in 39.1 overs): 85.

Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-8, 3-10, 4-13, 5-63, 6-64, 7-71, 8-79, 9-80.

Delhi bowling: Vikas Tokas 7-48-2, Manan Sharma 18.1-5-24-6, Shivam Sharma 10-1-36-2, Varun Sood 4-2-8-0.

DEBUTANTS

RANCHI RAYS

IN THE

as a coach will nurture the players and will bring the best out of them. You need the right coach who knows the strengths of his players and capitalises on it.”

Jackson was part of the England squad that won the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games bronze.

“It’s a great feeling to be named captain of Ranchi Rays. The Ranchi fans are the best in the league and it will be a real honour to lead our talented team out in front of our home fans,” said Jackson.

“I will be trying my best to lead from the front and alongside some of the best talents in the world, this promises to be another exciting HIL in Ranchi.

The entire team is very excited and is ready to give some wonderful performances.”

Innings win for Tamil Nadu CHENNAI, JAN 15 It was sweet Pongal for Tamil Nadu as it crushed Uttar Pradesh by an innings and 49 runs on the third day of the Ranji Trophy Group A match in Chennai on Thursday. It thus bagged seven points, including a bonus.

Having taken a sizeable lead at the end of the second day, the host looked all set for a win, barring as they say cricket’s glorious uncertainties.

Not allowing the match to slip away, as sometime Tamil Nadu has done, was paramount. Resuming its innings, the host looked to add more runs to keep Uttar Pradesh out of the match. Indrajith, missed out on a well deserved century, but his eighth-wicket partnership with Malolan produced 76 runs of 176 balls in 29.2 overs.

Indrajith fell to Amit Mishra, the pacer who took all remaining wickets, on 91. Tamil Nadu ended up on 400, a lead of 218, which as later events proved was too much for the visitors.

Tanmay Srivatsav, on whom the visitors batting has depended a lot, fell cheaply and by the 21st over it had lost four batsmen, the score reading 44. Abhinav rotated his bowlers well and all responded brilliantly.

Malolan reaped the most-keeping a good line and forcing the batsmen to play — by bagging five.

If not for an entertaining counter-attack by captain Piyush Chawla , who scored 69 off 88 balls with six towering sixes and 2 fours, the innings would have folded much earlier Chawla in the company of Ali Murtuza was particularly severe on Rahil Shah.

But a big led meant that Abhinav could well afford to buy Chawla’s wicket. Chawla finally fell to Malolan, trying out one shot too many.

SCORECARD: Uttar Pradesh: 1st innings:182.

Tamil Nadu: 1st innings: U. Sushil c Arish Alam b Piyush 4; Abhinav Mukund c Umang Sharma b Murtaza 140; Vijay Shankar st Dwivedi b Arish Alam 17; B. Aparajit c Tanymay b Himanshu 59; Dinesh Karthink c Chawla b Ali Murtuza 19; R. Satish c Arish Alam b Murtuza 11; B. Indrajith c&b Amit Mishra 91; S. Suresh Kumar c Mukul Dagar b Murtuza 3; Malolan Rangarajan lbw b Amit Mishra 36; M. Prabhu c Tanmay Srivatsava b Amit Mishra 0; Rahil Shah (not out) 1; Extras: (b-10, lb-2, nb-6, w-1) 19. Total (in 134 overs) 400 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-52, 3-179), 4-214, 5-234, 6-303, 7-307, 8-383, 9-393.

Uttar Pradesh bowling: R.P. Singh 8.53-9-0; Amit Mishra 18.1-7-29-3; Piyush Chawla 32-3-131-1; Ali Murtuza 48-7-1384; Arish Alam 1-0-1-1; Himanshu Asnora 20-1-65-1; Umang Sharma 6-0-15-0 Uttar Pradesh: 2nd innings Tanmay Srivatsava c M. Prabhu b Suresh Kumar 7; Akash Verma c Sushil b Vijay Shankar 2; Himanshu Asnora b Suresh Kumar 18; Umang Sharma b Molalan 19; Arish Alam c Sathish b Suresh Kumar 0; Akshdeep Nath lbw b Malolan 9; Eklavya Dwivedi lbw b Suresh Kumar 20; Piyush Chawla c Dinesh Krthink b Malolan 69; Ali Murtuza st. Sushil b Malolan 6; Amit Mishra lbw b Malolan 5; R.P. Singh not 1; Extras: 11 (b-6 lb-2, penalty 5 (fielder’s throw hits the helmet). Total 169 (in 57.1 overs).

Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-18, 3-44, 4-44, 557, 6-62, 7-116, 8-143, 9-161 Tamil Nadu bowling: Vijay Shankar 3-1-6-1, Rahil Shah 16-370-0, S. Suresh Kumar 21-7-38-4, Malolan Rangarajan 17.1-7-42-5.

Points: Tamil Nadu-7. UP-0.

8

Bollywood/Fashion

SAADDA HAQ NEW DELHI | FRIDAY | JAN 16, 2015

Here's how to lighten your stretch marks I’m a fan of Shahrukh, he is very kind: Mahira Khan T

S

tretch marks are difficult to remove except via surgery, dermabrasion or laser. Here are some ways to lighten them.

Stretch marks are those spidery vein-like lines on your skin that are lighter than your skin tone and so, are very visible, even from a distance.

Usually, rapid weight loss, physical changes or pregnancy can cause these marks on your stomach, thighs, calf area and arms to appear.

Experts say that the only permanent way to get rid of them is surgery. Dermabrasion or laser treatment also help, but here are some ways you might be able to lighten them....

Intense mosturisers: Massage a mix of castor oil and cocoa butter on the area. This will provide intense hydration.

Aloe vera: Aloe vera has healing and soothing properties.

You can take a stem of aloe vera and scoop out the fresh pulp. Rub this gently on the marks for around 10 minutes. Leave it on for another five minutes, then rinse off.

Vitamin application: Break open a few Vitamin E and A capsules.

Now, mix both and apply on the marks till it gets absorbed totally.

formed.

Oil massage: Sweet almond oil, mixed with wheatgerm and argan oil can help. When this is massaged twice every day on the stomach, from the first trimester of pregnancy, stretch marks are not

Shahid Kapoor denies getting engaged to a mystery girl

S

hahid Kapoor has vehemently denied the rumor of his engagement. Since early morning, media is buzz with the report that the heartthrob of Bollywood and one of the most eligible bachelors, Shahid Kapoor is getting to a mystery girl outside the film industry on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.

Shahid had once expressed on Anupama Chopra’s TV show that he does not want his wife to be from Bollywood. As per the report, Shahid Kapoor’s would be bride hails from Delhi and the engagement would reportedly take place in Delhi.

"This comes as quite the surprise considering there hasn't been any news of him seeing someone, but from the sounds of it, an engagement ceremony will be held in Delhi at some point during the day. The girl in question is not someone from

the industry," read the blog.

Refuting the rumor, a close pal of the actor said Deccan Chronicle, "The bloggers information is completely false and Shahid Kapoor is not in Delhi. He is not getting engaged and he is in Mumbai

preparing to go for an award function tonight".

If not engagement, Shahid has got another reason to rejoice. The actor has won the best actor award at Like Ok Screens Awards for his performance in ‘Haider’.

TIP: Easy makeup trick To hide your stretch marks, use a good quality body foundation, bronzer or a concealer on the areas that have marks

he Pakistani beauty Mahira Khan is all set to enter B-town. The debut is going to be quite a special one, since she is working alongside Shahrukh Khan. The actors are currently busy with the project ‘Raees’. This Rahul Dholakia directorial features Shahrukh Khan, Mahira Khan, Farhan Akhtar and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

Actress Mahira shares her story with the media, and confesses how happy she is to work with King Khan.

Mahira was not conversant with the details when she had been invited for the auditions. She just knew the names of the director and producer, and decided to audition as she liked the scenes. As the actress recently told the media, “I got a call for an audition and wasn’t told the exact details of the film, except the names of the producers and the director, both of whom I liked. Once I read the scenes, I found them to be interesting and went ahead and auditioned for the role.”

She was not even aware that she was being auditioned for Shahrukh’s film!

But then, she met Shahrukh who supported her, “I was nervous before the audition and thought I’d forget all my

lines. I did meet Shah Rukh. He was very kind.” When asked about whether Shahrukh, being a superstar, might outshine her in the film, her cool response was, “I don’t worry about such things. If my co-actor shines, it means I have shone as well and vice versa. These are not the kind of thoughts I focus on. I read a script, meet my director and go with my instinct.” She further talked about how she felt about her co-actors,” I’m a fan of both Shah Rukh and Nawaz.

Luckily, I’ve had the chance to perform with some of the best actors in Pakistan, who helped me out a lot on set. I also learnt a lot from them and hope for the same with Shah Rukh and Nawazuddin.”

Shahrukh is equally glad to work with the star cast, as the actor said, “Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Mahira Khan are there in the film. Both of them are very accomplished actors. I think the cast is really wonderful.” He further expressed his views about Mahira, saying that both he and the director Rahul Dholakia think highly of her, “Rahul liked her. She suited the film a lot. I have seen a little bit part of her television stuff. I have met her and she is a marvellous actor.”

Priyanka Chopra to romance Fawad Khan in ‘Madamji’

T

he ‘Khoobsurat’ actor Fawad Khan will romance Priyanka Chopra in Madhur Bhandarkar’s ‘Madamji’.

Fawad Khan, wFzho wooed his audience with his intense acting calibre in ‘Zindagi Gulzaar Hai’ and ‘Humsafar’ debuted with Sonam Kapoor in ‘Khoobsurat’. Priyanka who is donning the hat of producer with ‘Madamji’ is considering Fawad for the male lead of her production venture. ‘Madamji’ shows the journey and struggles of an item girl who climbs the ladder of success and becomes a politician. The film will be shot in different places of India but basically will be shot in Bhopal, Delhi, Johanpur, Lucknow and Mumbai. It is said to be inspired by Sanjay Dutt's wife Manyata Dutt.

Priyanka Chopra will be playing the role of an item girl and PC will be co-producing it with Ram Mirchandani.

She hogged the limelight with Bhandarkar in ‘Fashion’ and now again a long gap, the actress is teaming up with the noted director who generally makes realistic cinema. She says they "get along really well

and have gelled very well creatively".

"I'm really grateful Madhur agreed to be my first director in my first production venture.

We tried to work in some other films as well, but unfortunately

that didn't happen. I completely trust Madhur," she said.

The Pakistani heartthrob is highly in demand and he is flooded with Bollywood offers.

We are sure he will make an interesting pairing with Priyanka in ‘Madamji’.

When Deepika Padukone suffered from depression N

ot only common men but celebrities also go through depression and anxiety. It is a different issue that they hesitate to admit their condition in public. But the reigning queen of Bollywood, Deepika Padukone accepted in an interview with Hindustan Times that she has gone through depression during the shooting of ‘Happy New Year’ and consulted a psychologist and came out of the disease as a winner.

Deepika said in the interview, "In early 2014, while I was being appreciated for my work, one morning, I woke up feeling different. A day earlier, I had fainted due to exhaustion; it was all downhill from there. I felt a strange emptiness in my stomach.

I thought it was stress, so I tried to distract myself by focusing on work,

and surrounding myself with people, which helped for a while. But the nagging feeling didn’t go away. My breath was shallow, I suffered from lack of concentration and I broke down often. Over a period of time, it got worse. When my parents visited, I would put up a brave front because they were worried about me living alone and working long hours.

Then, once, while talking to my mother (Ujjala Padukone), I broke down. She realised the problem, and got in touch with a psychologist friend, Anna Chandy, to get to the root of the cause. Every morning, it was a struggle to wake up, and shoot for Happy New Year’s (HNY; 2014) climax. Finally, I had a word with Anna aunty. She flew to Mumbai from Bengaluru, and I talked mya heart out

to her. She concluded that I was suffering from anxiety and depression.

When she suggested I take medication, I was resistant. I thought talking was enough. Later, I met another psychologist, Dr Shyam Bhatt, in Bengaluru for a second opinion.

There were days when I would feel okay, but at times, within a day, there was a roller-coaster of feelings.

Finally, I accepted my condition. The counselling helped, but only to an extent. Then, I took medication, and today I am much better".

Depression is a widespread disease, the actress feels that at times, the patient just wants to talk, and isn’t seeking advice. But, well-wishers saying things like, ‘Don’t worry, it will all be alright,’ might be detrimental.

Being sad and being depressed are two different things. Also, people going through depression don’t look so, while someone sad will look sad.

The most common reaction is, ‘How can you be depressed? You have everything going for you. You are the supposed number one heroine and have a plush home, car, movies…

What else do you want?’ It’s not about what you have or don’t have. People talk about physical fitness, but mental health is equally important. I see people suffering, and their families feel a sense of shame about it, which doesn’t help. One needs supp "I am now working on an initiative to create awareness about anxiety and depression, and help people. My team is working with me to formulate a plan, which will be unveiled soon."

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